Showing posts with label M. Emmet Walsh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label M. Emmet Walsh. Show all posts

Thursday, July 17, 2025

THE ESCAPE ARTIST (1982)

 


Directed By: Caleb Deschanel

Written By: Melissa Mathison and Stephen Zito

Based on the novel by: David Wagoner

Cinematography: Stephen H. Burum

Editor: Arthur Schmidt 


Cast: Griffen O’Neal, Raul Julia, Desi Arnez, Joan Hackett, Jackie Coogan, Hal Williams, M. Emmett Walsh, Harry Anderson, Elizabeth Daily, Teri

Garr


The young and self-confident Danny bluffs at the local police-station that he will escape out of prison within one hour. What follows is a flashback about his childhood with his uncle and aunt, which are 'vaudeville'-artists themselves. We also follow the problems of Danny with the corrupt son of the mayor.


There’s a film I knew about thanks to all the video guides which I wish they still had just to get recommendations from as now with message boards and social media and feels like always getting recommendations of the same films that are more modern. He’s older films are hard to find.


This film is disappointing for what could’ve been rather than what it was. As watching it, Juan was hoping that it would get better as it went along. It never quite does.


As it feels too playful with nothing really going on and it feels too slow for kids and too silly for adults.


The film plays like an early Amblin movie and adventurous film with a kid as the star who goes on a journey or adventure. We see it more from their point of view and the Child characters can actually be in True Danger only hear there’s not much fantasy happening, and Amblin films are usually made more for a preteen audience. It does make one long for when they made these types of movies for an audience looks like took more seriously.


This film unfortunately has no feeling of fun things play, but they also just seen that happen with little to no fan fare. Though it is very detailed.


Maybe because it was made under AMERICAN ZOETROPE studios, where the films made, and that matured there were more willing to be experimental


Griffin O’Neal who plays lead, never makes an impact as he Has no charisma in the role and he never seems quite lively or fun. Which makes it easier for him to blend in as a supporting characters are more lively and interesting.


So it seems like maybe concessions were made off of his name and his famous father and sister.


The film keeps in innocence about it as it never goes over the line nor does it ever dirty. It’s south, or the audience with anything exploitive, or too risqué.



This was The last film of Desi Arnaz Sr. one wonders why he even took a role in this as the role he has is Pedro but it’s not that show stopping and there’s not Too much to it.


Raul Julia in his role seems a little too often wacky almost like a cartoon character for how moody he can be one minute and silly the next.



Well, it has a sense of wonder what film quite often is dull. It should be better considering the talent behind it.


It does Seem like a film, where seeing it on the big screen would maybe increase the audience enjoyment. No, the script still would need to be stronger and a bit busier.


Which would give the audience a reason to not only watch the care.


This is one of the few films that was directed by legendary cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel. 


One rarely says this, but this feels like a film that should be remade only with more fun lore and adventure.


Grade: C

Thursday, August 18, 2022

CANNERY ROW (1982)

 



Written & Directed By: David S. Ward Based on the novels “Cannery Row” and “Sweet Thursday” By: John Steinbeck Cinematography: Sven Nykvist Editor: David Bretherton 


Cast: Nick Nolte, Debra Winger, M. Emmet Walsh, Audra Lindley, Frank McRae, James Keane, Kathleen Doyle, Art LaFleur, John Huston 


A depressed section of Monterey, California, known as Cannery Row from its string of now-empty canning plants is the backdrop for an offbeat romantic comedy about a pair of mismatched lovers. Doc is a lonely marine biologist (and former baseball star) who supplies specimens for science labs and classrooms. Suzy is a scrappy drifter who can't even succeed as a prostitute because of her abrasive manner. When the two get together, it's fireworks, though not the romantic kind. Not to worry, everything is in the hands of Cannery Row's resident guardian angels, Mack and the boys, a band of drunken derelicts whose hearts are in the right place, even though their brains are not.

Friday, December 15, 2017

SILKWOOD (1983)



Directed By: Mike Nichols 
Written By: Nora Ephron & Alice Arlen 
Cinematography By: Miroslav Ondricek 
Editor: Sam O’Steen 


Cast: Meryl Streep, Cher, Kurt Russell, Bruce McGill, Diana Scarwid, Ron Silver, Fred Ward, Craig T. Nelson, Josef Sommer, Charles Hallahan, Alice Arlen, James Rebhorn, Ray Baker, Anthony Heald, Bill Cobbs, Will Patton, Tess Harper, M. Emmett Walsh 


Fairly accurate recounting of the story of Karen Silkwood, the Oklahoma nuclear-plant worker who blew the whistle on dangerous practices at the Kerr-McGee plant and who died under circumstances which are still under debate.

Friday, November 5, 2010

YOUTH IN REVOLT (2010)


Directed By: Miguel Arteta
Written By: Gustin Nash
Cinematography By: Chuy Chavez
Editor: Andy Kier, Pamela Martin

Cast: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Steve Buscemi, Justin Long, Ari Graynor, Zach Galafanakis, Ray Liotta, Jean Smart, Rooney Mara, Mary Kay Place, M. Emmet Walsh