Week in Review
While watching The Killer’s Kiss, a film by Stanley Kubrick, I thought of other lesser-known films of his such as The Killing and Paths of Glory. In the career of many famous directors, there are a few films that get by the general public. Until the ’80s, film nerds relied upon art house revivals and festivals to see these gems. The VCR changed the situation somewhat, but the most obscure films were not released on video. My absolute favorite aspect of the DVD era is the selection. Watching that rare film now only takes a few days from the time that it is ordered. This week I thought I would put together a list of the lesser-known films of some well-known directors. These films are available on DVD, but somehow out of the eye of the general public.
Martin Scorsese
What hasn’t been said about Scorsese? He has five Oscar nominations so far, and perhaps a sixth one coming for The Departed. But if you haven’t seen After Hours, Scorsese’s film about a night in New York City’s underground art scene gone horribly wrong, you’ve missed the wacky comedy side of the director. Also, few people know that the diner sitcom Alice was based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore; there’s some confusion with this title and a completely different film called Alice’s Restaurant, don’t mix the two up. And for one of DeNiro’s best performances, you must see King of Comedy; why this film isn’t as well known as Taxi Driver or Mean Streets I’ll never understand.
Steven Spielberg
There’s a dark nugget of greatness at the bottom of the fluff mine that is Spielberg’s career. If you get the TV show Night Gallery on DVD, there is an episode that he directed called “Eyes,” which in my opinion is a masterpiece. Joan Crawford pays Tom Bosley nine thousand dollars for the use of his eyes for a few hours. Yes, you read that right, and to tell you anymore would spoil the episode.
Michael Mann
Before Miami Vice became a hit show, and Heat made him a hot director, Michael Mann made a great film with the character Hannibal Lecter called Manhunter, which is available in a variety of cuts and versions on DVD. It predated Silence of the Lambs, and some say it’s a better film. While we’re tired of seeing “One Last Job And I’ll Retire” plots for crime films, Mann’s Thief, starring James Caan is a must watch film.
Michael Moore
The director best known for his documentaries Michael and Me and Farenheit 911 made a satirical comedy called Canadian Bacon with John Candy in the lead role. The film opened and closed quickly, but for those who like political comedies, it’s hilarious. Alan Alda, as the president of the United States, starts a cold war with Canada to bolster defense spending. But no matter what provocation and propaganda commercials are run, Canada remains nothing but polite and helpful.