Vietnam: A Television History - 1983 - USA

Vietnam: A Television History - 1983 - 7/10 

 
In-depth, meandering documentary on the polarizing war.
Opens with earliest history, Vietnam invaded by China, France, Japan, France again.
Colonialism, to be blunt, means enslaving local populations, stealing resources.
American support goes from financial – advisory – armaments – troop deployments.
All Vietnamese sides interviewed heavily, as are US politicians, military brass, CIA, regular GIs.

 
Long chapter on incursions into Laos and Cambodia, destabilizing both nations.
“Domino effect” referenced.  US civil unrest, wishy-washy leaders.
Doc aims for balance throughout, but comes across as slightly left.
The original series runs 780”.  Later (redacted) version runs 660”.  I chased down the former.

Note: In the early 70’s, I had braced myself for ‘Nam duty.
My draft number was 6.  The woman who ran the Draft Board in our small town had a big sign:
No Exemptions – No Excuses – No Exceptions
The draft was halted the year I would have been called.  “There but for fortune.”

Reilly, Ace Of Spies - 1983 - UK

Reilly, Ace Of Spies - 1983 - 7/10

 
Before Ian Fleming envisioned 007, there was the actual, British agent extraordinaire.
Sam Neill shot to fame as the womanizing, double-dealing, articulate agent.
Most of the timeline runs from 1904–1924.  Arms deals, wars, espionage, sabotage.
Adversaries include Basil Zaharoff (the Merchant of Death), Felix Dzerzhinsky and Stalin,
Excellent production values, especially for television of this period.
At 12 episodes, this also breathes a bit.
Based on a real individual, exploits dodgy, yet stands with the finest spy films.

Those Glory, Glory Days - 1983 - UK

Those Glory, Glory Days - 1983 - 6/10

 
Julia and her girlfriends are fanatical Hotspur supporters.
Follow the team on radio, attend the matches, even the away games.
And 1961 was a glory year for Tottenham.
Acquiring tickets for the FA Cup became an absolute must!
Warm, slice of life circa of England, on the cusp of the Invasion and Swinging London.
One of the lengths: Julie wrote the team her crippled granddad was about to die and wanted tickets.
“Omigod!”  my bride gasped,  “I was trying to get Beatles tickets and wrote that my dad had died.”
“Did you score free seats?”  I asked.
‘No, there were probably thousands of girls who used the same lie.”

Eddie Murphy: Delirious - 1983 - USA

Eddie Murphy: Delirious - 1983 - 7/10

 
Hard to imagine this is over forty years old.
Easy to forget just how damned funny Eddie Murphy was that this stage.
His career was on fire already, and this standup is an avalanche of jokes and stories.
Raunchy, off color, politically correct? (ha, that wasn’t a thing yet).
Those who dismiss Murphy for his Disney films overlook his exuberant youth.
Check out 48 Hrs, hell check out his fantastic homage to Dolemite (overlooked by the Oscars).
Raw gold.  Not for the squeamish, easily offended or moralistic.

El Norte - 1983 - USA

El Norte - 1983 - 7/10

 
Enrique and Rosa flee Guatemala after the murders of their parents.
The route, though Mexico, then into Los Angeles, has horrifying moments.
Once in the States, working, their luck seems to turn, Enrique’s especially.
Nothing is easy, however, as their dead mother reminds them in visions.
One can take these visions as magic, second-sight or daydreams.
The film does an exceptional job showing the empty plight of the refugee.
Both Enrique and Rosa are young, their journey brief.
Note: I worked in Los Angeles with numerous migrants, many had stories like these.
Even today, I live in the barrio with the older generation, now legit, who carry memories.

The Maze - 1983 - UK

The Maze - 1983 - 6/10 

 

Following the war, Arthur and Catherine return to her family home.
The large Victorian estate supposedly is haunted, but it is not.
Catherine is the one haunted by her childhood memories, as well as an incident that occurred during childbirth.
Much of the drama centers around Daisy who persists in playing in the back maze.
Where she defiantly argues she is seeing someone.
Simmering mystery yields broth.

Of Unknown Origin - 1983 - Canada

Of Unknown Origin - 1983 - 6/10

 
Rising New York corporate shark Bart is fast tracked to make VP, owns a beautifully restored brownstone, and has a gorgeous wife (Shannon Tweed debut).
And an oversized, especially destructive rat.  Chewing power cables, infesting food stocks, shredding living areas.
While Bart has a major business deadline, the rodent takes greater priority.
Man vs rat packed with jump scares, tension, and ridiculous comedy.
Intentional or not – unsure.
The audience I watched with started laughing midway until the credits.

Never Cry Wolf - 1983 - USA

Never Cry Wolf - 1983 - 6/10

 
Government biologist is assigned to tundra wilderness to study caribou.
In essence, what is thinning the caribou herds?  Wolves?
Charles Martin Smith plays the researcher who, ostensibly, goes “native”.
No bonding with any wolves, but becoming tolerated by the pack.
Low-key film feels like a documentary, which is not a bad thing.
As expected, the visuals are sweeping, and this benefits from an evocative Mark Isham score.
“Message” is buried in the film, a sly touch.

Local Hero - 1983 - UK

Local Hero - 1983 - 7/10  

 
The Texas oil giant sends the young Turk to Scotland to acquire land for a potential refinery.
Arriving in the Scottish village, the impatient exec, Mac, has to downshift his pace and expectations.
Residents stand to make a lot of money, should they abandon their homes, and way of life.
A leisurely film, beguiling, that pulls one into its spell.
Various spells, actually, as this is sprinkled with eccentrics and the landscape is one of mist and magic.
A comedy, with a melancholy undertone.
Haunting experience, better watched with all distractions checked.

Dangerous Corner - 1983 - UK

Dangerous Corner - 1983 - 6/10

 
One gathers the evening began as a cocktail party until a surprise confession led to interrogations and recriminations.
Not attending is Maurice, who apparently committed suicide following a money theft.
Not everyone believes he stole the money.  Fewer believe he would have committed suicide.
Balance of whodunit and inquisition, all set in one room.
Stagey, talky, and I did get confused early on sorting the relations between six characters.
Subdued, well acted (early Daniel Day Lewis), with a gallery of faces who dominated 80’s - 90’s Brit shows.

Octopussy - 1983 - UK

Octopussy - 1983 - 6/10  

 
The traveling circus, a Soviet art thief, Fabergé, the cult of the octopus, and Bond.
This 007 outing tones down much of the silliness and camp associated with Moore’s version.
Still as light-hearted outing, this is sleek and very good James bond vehicle.
Louis Jourdan makes an elegant and formidable villain.
Maud Adams, cool and reserved as leader of a smuggling ring.
Comic relief moments, however, should be removed in any “director’s cut”.
With Bond, comedy belongs in dialogue and black humor situations.

The Dresser - 1983 - UK

The Dresser - 1983 - 7/10  

 
The aging “ACTOR” working repertory, touring the provinces in wartime England.
It’s a living – barely – but the salad days are behind, both for him and his dresser who comes across as something between a batman and a one-man cheerleading team.  
A sharp eye examines the deprivations and frugality of the period, as well as the aging men.
Trying to do “King Lear” on a slender budget.
Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay are peerless.

Blue Thunder - 1983 - USA

Blue Thunder - 1983 - 6/10

 
LAPD pilot is assigned to train on a new, cutting edge helicopter.
Designed for riots or crowd control, this beast is military assault.
In due course, our pilot (a coasting Roy Scheider) suspects nefarious forces.
The film wanders all over thriller, voyeurism, mystery, even romance.
The plot feels like concepts cobbled together by the writer, oops writers, and the result is messy.
Action pieces are standout, however.  Malcolm McDowell terrific as villain.
Surveillance paranoia dated today as CC and drones are daily realities.

Under Fire - 1983 - USA

Under Fire - 1983 - 6/10

 
Journalists in Nicaragua, during the 70’s revolution as the Somoza dictatorship is about to topple.
There are several war journalist films out there, and this is one of the better ones.
Great juxtaposition of remote observing of explosive violence coupled with up-close mayhem.
A brutal regime, rebels, mercenaries, CIA interference, and press deadlines.
In addition, a casual romance which seems more of a distraction.
Casting is pretty much perfect, and several scenes are unforgettable.
Timeless, as the subject may be, the pertinent timeline has dated.
The Nicaraguan revolution is 40 years distant, and the new boss = same as the old boss.

Life Is A Bed Of Roses - 1983 - France

Life Is A Bed Of Roses - 1983 - 5/10
AKA - La Vie Est Un Roman

 
French arthouse territory with three concurrent plots.
One is set on either side of WWI as rich idealist plans to create Utopia.
Following war, he perseveres and creates a mad version of harmony.
Another narrative follows modern day learning institute (set in unfinished Utopia castle).
Third is dreamlike world where children, dressed as play actors, sing, do beheadings, and shift between first narrative and the second.
In all narratives, characters burst into song.
According to what I read (after being thoroughly confused by this), director Resnais was showing characters striving for happiness and harmony.  
Most of the happiness resembles the sexual sort.
Bit of a slog for me, though the '20's section was visually striking.

High Road To China - 1983 - USA

High Road To China - 1983 - 5/10

 
“Hey, J. J., that Raiders Of The Lost Ark made buckets of money!”
“And your point?”
“We’ll make a version sorta like Raiders.  Spoiled, feisty female, surly male guide.”
“Sounds like Romancing The Stone.”
“No, ours will be set in China!  China’s been trendy since Nixon visited.”
“How much is the budget?”
“Oh, we’re not spending much.  Television actors, three cameras, no stunts, no effects.”
“And you’re sure we’ll recoup our investment?”
“Trust me, people will watch anything, even this knockoff.”

Zelig - 1983 - USA

Zelig - 1983 - 7/10

 
Imaginative faux documentary about the chameleon, Leonard Zelig.
Throughout the 1920’s and 30’s, he was able to fit in and blend with everyone.
Musicians, politicians, Nazis, athletes …
Viewers are meant to ponder identity, although Zelig apparently has none.
There is no “there”, no core, only proximity appropriation.
Technically, this is a marvel.  It may have been Allen’s concept, but credit Gordon Willis and visual artists.

Girl Groups: The Story Of A Sound - 1983 - USA

Girl Groups: The Story Of A Sound - 1983 - 6/10

 
Brief overview of what was, probably, a brief moment in musical history.
The rise and demise of the “girl groups,” focusing on the US groups.
Yes, there had been girl singers before.  In Big Bands, they were called canaries.
This does an adequate job interviewing composers and performers.
From Brill Building roots to Spector and the Wrecking Crew.
Leiber and Stoller speak, as does Ellie Greenwich.  Missing are Carole King and Mann & Weil.
Shirelles, Shangri Las, Martha & Vandellas, Angels, Marvelettes, Ronettes, shown amidst a dozen examples.
Missing names include Lesley Gore, Chiffons, Cookies, etc …

 
At barely an hour, twenty minutes are provided to the Supremes.  Way too much, and this unbalances the doc.
Also, the ending proposes the usual blather that the British Invasion killed the girl groups.
Untrue.  In 1966, the Supremes were still charting, as were the Marvelettes and Chiffons.
The Ronettes were the Beatles opening act for their final tour.
Public tastes change.  The British Invasion, surf sound, girl groups would all be swept away in 1967 by flower power, psychedelia and protest songs.  By 1970, things would change again … then again …
This doc is breezy and enjoyable, although the Alan Betrock book, upon which it is based, has more substance.
(Confession:  I have a sizeable portion of “girl groups” in my collection.  In my record store days, I was the go-to employee for questions about girl singers – along with Heavy Metal, Disco, and Classical.  Go figure.)

Nostalghia - 1983 - Soviet Union

Nostalghia - 1983 - 7/10

 
Joint Italian/Russian film of Russian poet living in Italy, researching a book on an obscure Russian composer.
He daydreams about the wife he left behind.  Or is she dead?
He and his translator ponder the village idiot, a rambling old man and his dog.
Rain pours most of the time, everything seems shrouded in fog.
The beautiful blonde Italian translator wants to bear a baby.  Maybe.  Perhaps she laments an abortion.
Multiple meanings abound, as do veiled narratives.
Positive reviewers noted one needs to watch this numerous times to appreciate.  Negative reviews point out how dull and ponderous this seems.
This is not one I “enjoyed,” and I struggle to “appreciate” it.
Thirty years ago, I paid good money to see arthouse fare, only to exit afterward thinking myself shallow and stupid.
Now, older and more jaded, I still consider myself shallow, struggling to penetrate the obliqueness of Tarkovsky’s vision.

One Deadly Summer - 1983 - France

One Deadly Summer - 1983 - 7/10
AKA - L'été Meurtrier

 
His younger brother tries to warn him.  The girl is not right.
The older brother, dazzled, plunges ahead.
New family, with attractive daughter, moves into small village.
Eliane is drop dead gorgeous, and the rural Lothario’s quickly brag of bagging her.
Her interest goes to mechanic Fio, though her “hunter’s eye” is trained elsewhere.
Eliane has an agenda, of which locals are unaware, and viewers must guess.
Something to do with her family history, and a player piano.
She is also, as mentioned earlier, unstable.
Story is told by several narrators, from numerous points of view.
The director inserted random nude scenes and one odd mother/daughter moment that seem gratuitous.
Both leads are too old for their roles (Fio especially).
Problematic film still a must for sordid mystery buffs.