THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE IFFY (12)


THE GOOD:  "SCHINDLER'S LIST"   The winner of seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director (Steven Spielberg) and Best Score (John Williams) who wisely enlisted Izthak Perlman to play the main theme on the violin, this black and white film is remarkable in one specific way, the use of color.   More specifically, a red coat worn by a young girl during the depiction of the liquidation of the Krakow ghetto.   That girl becomes a turning point for Schindler (Liam Neeson, Oscar nominee).  Others in the top-notch cast include Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley.  And while the film is a little tough to watch at times, it is an important portrait of a man who saved 1,200 Jews in his lifetime.  And should justly go down in history as one of the greats.





THE BAD:  "CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC"   Hoping to cash in on the Disco craze, this film was based loosely on how the band Village People was formed.  But, it was too little, too late.   Directed by Nancy Walker who early on had a falling out with leading lady Valerie Perrine and refused to direct any of her scenes (Director of Cinematography took over), the film has it's moments (mainly some of the musical numbers)  But the supporting cast including the "original" Bruce Jenner along with Steve Guttenberg, Tammy Grimes, Barbara Rush, June Havoc and Paul Sand can't keep this dead weight from sinking.  It's one of those bad movies that attained cult statue for that very reason.   It's bad.


THE IFFY:  "LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT"   Using the original play by Eugene O'Neill rather that adapt it for the screen proved to be a bit tedious at nearly 3 hours long.  The cast gave it there all and earned an Oscar nomination for Katherine Hepburn.   Ralph Richardson played her husband with Jason Robarts, Jr. and Dean Stockwell as their sons.   It is a master class in acting but it is SO long.  Sidney Lumet directed, tirelessly, but it is SOOOOOOOOOO Long.


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