Maurice Brenner Movies
- 1989
Belgian director Chantal Akerman avoids her usual "real time" technique in Histoires D'Amerique. The anecdotal nature of the subject matter compels Akerman to fragment her narrative, rather than offer it in one, uninterrupted continuum. Still, another Akerman trademark -- permitting the "drama" to emanate from the actors rather than the situations -- is very much in evidence. This informal history of Jewish life over the past 100 years is related in a series of eyewitness accounts, re-created by a group of largely unknown actors. Also known as American Stories, the Belgian/French Histoires D'Amerique began building an audience when it was shown at the Berlin Film Festival. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Amitin, Eszter Balint, (more)
Woody Allen blurs the the boundaries between the real and unreal in this unique comic fantasy. The scene is a small town in the mid-1930s. Trapped in a dead-end job and an abusive marriage, Cecelia (Mia Farrow) regularly seeks refuge in the local movie house. She becomes so enraptured by the latest attraction, an RKO screwball comedy called The Purple Rose of Cairo, that she returns to the theatre day after day. During one of these visits, the film's main character Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels), pauses in his dialogue, turns towards the audience, and says to Cecelia, "My God, how you must love this picture." Then he climbs out of the movie, much to the consternation of the rest of the audience and the other characters on screen. Liberated from his customary black-and-white environs, he accompanies Cecelia on a tour of the town, eventually falling in love with her. Meanwhile, the other Purple Rose characters, unable to proceed with the film, carry on a discussion with themselves. Desperately, the RKO executives seek out Gil Shepherd, the actor who played the hero of Purple Rose. Shepherd (also played by Daniels), is sent to Cecelia's hometown to see if he can repair the damage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, (more)
Vincent Bruce (Warren Beatty) is a Korean War veteran who becomes an occupational therapist in a private mental hospital that cares for wealthy, schizophrenic clientele. He slowly begins to fall for Lilith Arthur (Jean Seberg), a patient who is mentally locked in her own little world. Vincent eventually begins his own psychological disintegration over his feelings for the woman and asks for help. Watch for early career performances from Olympia Dukakis and Gene Hackman in this depressing psychodrama. This was the final film from the gifted director Robert Rossen, who died in 1966. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Warren Beatty, Jean Seberg, (more)
- 1964
The usually ungenerous Mel Cooley (Richard Deacon) invites Rob (Dick Van Dyke), Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), Buddy (Morey Amsterdam), and Sally (Rose Marie) to spend a weekend at a fishing lodge -- only he forgets to make reservations. As a result, the gang is billeted at a vacant lakeside cabin, which, according to the somewhat sinister caretaker, happens to be haunted! Naturally, the foursome doesn't believe such nonsense, until strange things begin to happen. The best line in this chillingly hilarious episode is uttered by Rob: "Buddy, will you stop acting like Lou Costello and come to bed?" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Milton Parsons, (more)
