September 2023 in Film

Back again with another round-up of all the films I saw during the month of September… Well all that is, except two. On the very last night of September my husband and I managed to squeeze in two Roger Corman/Vincent Price films before they left the Criterion Channel. I was very sad that they wouldn’t be there for a more fitting month such as October… Since I’m still a bit miffed about that I’ll be including those in next month’s post of October films, it just feels more “right” to me that way. Without further ado lets get into the films that encompassed my September…

The Hurricane (1937)

Today disaster films are a very well established genre in film, back in 1937 this wasn’t quite the case, but The Hurricane would soon set a tone for it. Things start of simply with a fresh faced young man with a taste for adventure and a love story between him and the girl he holds close to his heart. Everything feels serene as all the people of their island celebrate in their union, but things don’t remain this way for long. After a scuffle in a bar gets out of hand the film’s hero Terangi gets thrown in prison. You can say that from this point on things continue to get worse before they start to get better. This film has a lot of merit to it and when the action picks up it really pulls you in with thrilling set pieces.

Prime Suspect (1982)

Here we are back again with another retro tv movie, this time things are less campy and more melodramatic. Prime Suspect follows along as a man becomes embroiled in a crime investigation and smear campaign, all for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mike Farrell, who is better known as the well-liked B.J. on M.A.S.H takes a different approach here. Terri Garr, as a journalist with doubts, also shines. He does fairly well at capturing the paranoia of the man under public trial, but the film does suffer from multiple weak points… The drama builds fairly well, but by the time things begin to head towards a conclusion it fumbles the bag and leaves you wondering what the point of the journey was.

The Verdict (1982)

The Verdict is a sobering and engrossing courtroom drama following an alcoholic lawyer who can’t seem to catch a break. He is barely managing to scrape by, and has been reduced to shamelessly soliciting to potential clients in light of tragic events as well as funerals. Paul Newman does well in making his character, Frank Galvin, pathetic but worth the possibility of redemption. When the opportunity to do so arrives he jumps at it but the path forward is far from simple with a web of deception to wade through. Some people consider courtroom dramas to be a weak genre… But when they are done well, as this one does, you will be hooked instantly in how things will turn out.

The Graduate (1967)

The Graduate is one of those quintessential stories of post-graduate ennui. Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) is drifting along during the summer after he graduates college. Everyone looks at him like the prodigal son returned, a golden boy… But to himself he feels stuck, unknowing of what path to take forward. In the midst of all this he falls into an affair with a woman from his parent’s social circle, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). The ensuing tryst is tulmultous and constantly on shaky ground due to the power imbalance. When Benjamin ends up dating her daughter things go further and further down hill. This is a film known for its iconic scenes and even more iconic needle drops (due to the Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack that has become infamous).

The Little Foxes (1941)

Greed and the struggle for power is under the spotlight in a film such as The Little Foxes. Bette Davis shines as the steely eyed matriarch of a southern family in the year 1900. It is a time when money meant power as well as respect, and the yearning for more was always there. Regina (Davis) is feeling a bit unsteady and resentful that her sex has put her at a disadvantage in society compared to her comfortably settled brothers. She also holds no love for her sickly husband Horace (Herbert Marshall), and only a superficial affection for her sweet natured daughter Alexandra (Teresa Wright). When her brothers go sniffing around for opportunities to fatten their wallets she joins them, even if her ideas may have deadly side effects. This was a gripping family saga that keeps things tense right up to the end.

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Many of us hold certain movies tinged in our mind in a rosy nostalgic light. Many times these films hold up, other times they unfortunately lose that sheen. For me a film that suffers from the latter is Viva Las Vegas. I had not seen it in quite a long time, but held it high in my memory. I remember it as sparkling and fun; the first movie I remember delightfully staying up till 2 am to watch as a kid during summer vacation. Revisiting it now I was surprised that it didn’t bring back those same feelings. Ann Margaret and Elvis both dazzle when the music scenes have the spotlight, both bringing mutual charisma and chemistry to the screen. But beyond these moments the film suffers quite a lot. The plot is tissue paper thin, with scenes that seem to just putter along when a song isn’t going on. Plot points that the film builds up all amount to nothing truly important and everything comes to a rushed conclusion. I wished it held up for me, but unfortunately it doesn’t.

Dinner at Eight (1933)

Dinner at Eight is a star studded ensemble dramedy, consisting of many big names of the time. In this particular outing some of the actors shine better than others. Most notable is Jean Harlow who dazzles and commands the screen almost effortlessly. On the more well-established end you have such a veteran as Marie Dressler who whips out barbs with ease. These two thankfully get to share a brief moment at the end that ties things up nicely with a bow on top. The film does have a few weaker moments that I can’t go on without mentioning… For me one such example is John Barrymore, his scenes feel so tonally different from the majority of the film that they can’t help but be a bit distracting (as well as being a bit “over-acted” in my opinion). 

Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Please see my article – Pride & Prejudice on Film for my thoughts on the 1940 adaptation.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

2001: A Space Odyssey is a sweeping vista of a film that lives up to its grand reputation. It could easily fall into being too cerebral, but thankfully it toes the line. This isn’t a space story concerned with action and explosions. Many of the scenes depicting the surroundings are composed like a ballet, the classical music cues assist in this marvelously. All is not serene though as terror lurks under the surface. During a scientific mission two pilots are manning a craft with the assistance of the HAL 9000 computer system on board. The relationship between man and machine begin to fracture when a debate over the source of a problem comes to a head. HAL 9000 can’t deal with being thought of as imperfect, and will go to any means necessary to keep things in their favor. A tense story with visuals that are absolutely mesmerizing.

With Six You Get Eggroll (1968)

It is wild to think that With Six You Get Eggroll is the last movie role that Doris Day ever did, over 50 years before she would pass away in 2019. Of course she had her brief television era but its a shame her sparkling screen presence ended in 1968. With Six You Get Eggroll is one of a handful of media from the late 60s and early 70s, that offered up its own depiction of the mixed families popping up more and more at the time. Divorce was no longer a hushed word, and the opportunity for companionship didn’t have to be closed off for widows/widowers who desired it. This is all fine and good, of course, but what happens when you bring two families of kids in the mix… Well in a film such as this you get endless misunderstandings and hijinks. Doris Day is paired here alongside Brian Keith. The two of them have great chemistry and meld their tow different personalities well. Her sparkling with sunshine, he more gruff and surly. This isn’t a flawless comedy, and other examples from the time do the subject matter a little better… But at the end of the day it is still a pretty fun time.

Léon Morin, Priest (1961)

Please see my article – Skepticism, Lust & Faith – Léon Morin, Priest (1961) for my thoughts on the film.

The Social Network (2010)

In our current day and age when social media has made such a prominent place in our society, it is interesting to look back and see the roots of where that all began to crystalize. The Social Network does just that, covering the space of time where Facebook went from an idea to a giant (albeit some moments infamously fictionalized)… A keen meditation on how power can swiftly go to someone’s head and that they can easily steamroll over others to get ahead. David Fincher’s direction paired with Aaron Sorkin’s writing is a perfect match.

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Please see my article – Pride & Prejudice on Film for my thoughts on the 1995 adaptation.

One, Two, Three (1961)

You can never go wrong with Billy Wilder, he is just one of those timeless masters who always seemed to strike it out of the park. I was new to One, Two, Three but found it to be a witty and satirical romp. Wilder places James Cagney in the lead os this tale concerning the intricacies of consumerism and individualism during the cold war era. The supporting cast all get individual moments to shine and show off their merits. From start to finish this one will keep you laughing for sure.

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Please see my article – Pride & Prejudice on Film for my thoughts on the 2005 adaptation.

September 2023 Final Tally

Here are my four favorite new to me watches from the month of September. Without further ado, and in no particular order…

~ Léon Morin, Priest (1961)

~ Pride and Prejudice (1940)

~ The Verdict (1982)

~ One, Two, Three (1961)

See you next time!