Something to be Thankful About – Sunshine Blogger Award

 

On this day (okay, technically the day after), when many folks in my country are stuffing their faces and celebrating manifest destiny, I felt it was only appropriate to reflect on something I’m truly thankful for – being nominated by Virginie Pronovost of The Wonderful World of Cinema for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Greater than the wheelbarrows full of money that I rake in from my site or the throngs of adoring fans,* I’m absolutely chuffed to hear that I’ve been acknowledged by a fellow blogger. It makes me feel that I must have done something right in my 15 years of blogging to receive this accolade. All kidding aside though, this nomination really made my day. 

* Both of these things are false, and merely the product of my overactive imagination.

In the grand tradition of the Sunshine Blogger Award, it’s time to pay it forward and show my appreciation by answering Ginnie’s questions, below, followed by the passing of the torch to some of my fellow bloggers. 

Here are the rules, should you choose to accept your nomination… 

1. Post the award on your blog.
2. Thank the person who nominated you.
3. Answer the 11 questions they sent.
4. Pick another 11 bloggers and let them know they are nominated.
5. Give them 11 new questions.

My responses to Ginnie’s questions: 

1)     You can only watch Cary Grant films or James Stewart films for the rest of your life. Which actor do you choose? James Stewart – I never tire of his infectious everyman persona. Even when he’s cranky he always seems so freaking affable.

2)     You have to learn a (sic) choreography from a film for a talent show. Which choreography do you choose to learn? Having been born with two left feet (figuratively, of course), I can only dream of hoofing it as effortlessly as Gene Kelly from Singing in the Rain. I don’t envy the dance teacher who’d be bold enough to take me on as a student.

3)     Do you consider yourself to be some film’s number one fan? If yes, which film and why? This is a hard one, since my blog mainly focuses on movies that seem to have slipped through the cracks, but I can’t stop crowing about the 2007 documentary Crazy Love (not to be confused with another personal favorite, Mad Love), featuring a twist that no one would believe if it were a work of fiction. Everyone should see it!

4)     You are put in solitary confinement with the main character of the last film you watched. Who is it and how does it go? I’m locked in with the ersatz medium Alexis (Turhan Bey) from The Amazing Mr. X (1948). Invariably, things go south when he claims to make contact with my dear departed parents, and their endless bickering drives him nuts.

5)     You have the power to go back in time and release in color a film that is currently in black and white. (For example, you decide that The Shop Around the Corner should be in color). Which film do you choose? I can think of some color films that might benefit from being black and white, but I can’t think of anything that deserves to be colorized.

6)     Which film do you think actually deserves a sequel? Without a doubt, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai – Across the Eighth Dimension (1984). The end credits promised a sequel, Buckaroo Banzai vs. The World Crime League, and I’m still waiting for it.

7)     How do you spend your ideal movie night? At home, watching a Blu-ray with no seat-kickers, talkers, or annoying pre-movie ads. Of course, no proper movie night would be complete without a host of unhealthy snacks – the emptier the calories, the better (bonus points if I’m enjoying takeout from one of my favorite restaurants).

8)     A film character is invited as a guest writer on your blog. Who is this character, and what would he or she be writing about? Enid (Thora Birch) from Ghost World (2001), writing her observations about the wonders of Bollywood.

9)     Film noir debate time. Who had the best hair: Rita Hayworth or Veronica Lake? Well, being a follicly challenged individual, myself, I’m rather envious of both, but if I had to choose, I’d say Hayworth, because I’m a sucker for redheads (let’s just pretend her look in Lady from Shanghai didn’t happen).

10) You are travelling abroad on your birthday, but get the chance to celebrate with three movie directors of your choosing. Who do you choose, and what gifts do you think you would receive from them? Guillermo del Toro, David Cronenberg, and John Carpenter I can’t imagine a better gift than their years of collected anecdotes, which would be more valuable to me than any mere trinket.

11) Finally, is there a certain meal or food from a film you would like to taste? I would love to taste any of the food depicted in Spirited Away. Even though it’s animated, it looks delicious (Miyazaki is some kind of wizard)! 

 

Here are my eleven nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award:

·       John Harmon – Tales from the Freakboyzone

·       Gill Jacob – Realweeigiemidget Reviews

·       Brian Schuck – Films from Beyond

·       Black Cats & Poppies

·       Amber – No active blog, but her Instagram movie write-ups and observations are never less than fascinating. Check ‘em out if you can!)

·       Stacia Kissick Jones – She Blogged by Night

·       Eric Binford – Diary of a Movie Maniac

·       Terence Towles Canote – A Shroud of Thoughts

·       Michael and Andrew – Maniacs & Monsters (Counts as two, because I said so)

·       Baron Greystone – The Michlin Guide

 

Here are my questions for you, dear bloggers:

1.     What famous (or infamous) lost film would you love to be re-discovered?

2.     What hobbies do you enjoy outside of movie blogging?

3.     What do you believe to be the most annoying trend in modern cinema?

4.     Which actor or actress was your first film crush?

5.     Name a non-musical film that would make an excellent musical.

6.     Name a movie that you love, even though it’s not objectively “good.” What do you like about it?

7.     What was your most memorable moment visiting the movie theatre?

8.     Name a movie within the past 20 years that seems destined to be regarded as a classic someday.

9.     Do you still collect physical media (DVDs, Blu-rays, etc..)? Why or why not?

10.  Do you have a signed piece of movie memorabilia? If so, what’s your most treasured item?

11.  If you could attend the premiere of any film from the past, which one would it be?

Introducing The Hammer-Amicus Blogathon IV

 

If the third time’s a charm, the fourth time can only get better, right? After a two-year hiatus, I, along with my excellent blogging partner in crime Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews, proudly present the fourth edition of the Hammer-Amicus Blogathon! Through this series of blogathons, we hope to keep the spirit of these legendary film production companies alive, but this isn’t merely about nostalgia, it’s also a great time for fans of both labels, with the recent release of Hammer’s Dr. Jekyll (2023) and news of Amicus’ impending revival.

 

If you’ve participated in either of the past Hammer-Amicus Blogathons, welcome back. If this is your first time joining us, we’re glad to have you aboard. Either way, be sure to read our rules below, as a few items have changed. We would also like to emphasize this blogathon is not strictly for bloggers (No blog? No problem!). In addition to blog posts, participants may submit a link to their Instagram or Facebook post, podcast, YouTube video, or whatever. As long as it’s original content and covers some facet of Hammer or Amicus productions, you’re good to go.

And now, time for my occasional public service message, reminding you that Hammer and Amicus productions are much more than horror. In their respective catalogs, you’ll find adventures, dramas, noir, sci-fi, comedies, psychological thrillers, and other genre permutations. With all those choices, there’s virtually a Hammer or Amicus movie for every mood and preference. We encourage you to peruse the titles found in the links below (we’re always happy to provide suggestions, too).

You can find a complete list of Hammer films here.

…and a list of Amicus films here.

While the rules are essentially the same, notice that the contact information has changed. When it comes to social media, we’ve got ya covered. I’m on the platform previously known as Twitter, as well as Instagram. Gill, on the other hand, is available through Facebook, Mastodon, and Pintrest (Please Note: Gill has requested that participants NOT provide their choices on her social media platforms, but through her blog instead.).

 

What: The Hammer-Amicus Blogathon IV 

Who: Hosted by Yours Truly (Barry P.) and Gill Jacob 

Where: Cinematic Catharsis and Realweegiemidget Reviews 

When: December 1-3, 2023 

How: Please read the rules below, and send me your post request (review, podcast, etc…) via email (barry_cinematic@yahoo.com), Twitter (@barry_cinematic), Instagram (barry_cinematic), or by commenting below. You may also contact Gill by commenting on her post, or through her blog’s Contact Me page . (Be sure to include a link to your blog, your blog’s title, and your preferred name).

 THE RULES… 

1.     You may review ANY Hammer or Amicus film or TV show. Hammer and Amicus-related book reviews are fine.

2.     We will not allow duplicate film titles, UNLESS you are covering a series of films or a retrospective of an actor/filmmaker’s work.

3.     A maximum of TWO entries will be permitted. (You may choose one post from Hammer and one from Amicus …or both can be Hammer or Amicus. The choice is yours!)

4.     When responding with your choice, be sure to add your Twitter/Instagram/Mastodon handle or a link to your Facebook page so we can promote your post.

5.     Please choose one of the banners below to display on your blog.

6.     A full list of blogs, podcasters and review choices will be posted on a separate page and updated regularly.

7.     Only original, never-before-published posts will be accepted.

8.     Send a link to your post/podcast/video to Gill and me during one of the days of the blogathon.

9.     Note: we will publish all the links on both blogs, with daily updates on December 1st, 2nd and 3rd. If you plan to participate, but you’re running late, please let us know as soon as possible, so we can post a last-minute update.

10.  Please also note: Gill and I have already claimed the following the titles below, so they are off the table, unless they’re included in a larger retrospective (see Rule 2 above). 

Barry at Cinematic Catharsis – Hammer: The Reptile (1966) 

Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews –Hammer: Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)

                                                                            

Pick a banner and fire up your laptops. We can’t wait to see your posts!

 

The Talented Mr. Ripper

 

“…I never thought about how I could play the character, I just played it. I also never based my characters on anyone. I’m not one of those people who sits on a bus and says, ‘I’ll play it like him.’ I play them more like me. In acting, as in life, it’s no good trying to be like someone else. It’s a waste of time. You should create your own style. There is definitely no method to my acting.” – Michael Ripper (from Michael Ripper Unmasked, by Derek Pykett) 

“Michael, to me and to many others, represented all that is best in our profession in his many varied and memorable performances. Dedication, total involvement and complete professionalism: qualities not all that evident today.” – Christopher Lee (excerpted from his forward to Michael Ripper Unmasked)

I’m honored to participate in Brian Schuck’s (from Films Beyond the Time Barrier) first-ever blogathon, the “Favorite Stars in B Movies” Blogathon. Be sure to check out all of the great entries! For me, this event presented the perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on one of Hammer Films’ most versatile and ubiquitous, yet often overlooked, performers.

 

Pop quiz: Which of the following actors appeared in more Hammer films than anyone else: A) Christopher Lee B) Peter Cushing, or C) Barbara Shelley? Okay, it’s a trick question, because the correct answer should be D) None of the above, or more accurately, Michael Ripper. Ripper was what would commonly be referred to as a “character actor,” but that nomenclature doesn’t quite fit – an “all-purpose actor” would be more accurate.  If you needed a coachman, constable, a barkeep, or cheeky sidekick, he was your man. No role was too small or insignificant for the veteran performer, who always managed to make an indelible impression.

Although Michael Ripper never quite became a household name, he was the “Where’s Waldo” of British actors. Even if his name in the credits didn’t ring a bell, you couldn’t forget his almost cherubic appearance, ruddy complexion, and a devilish gleam in his eyes (suggesting he knew more than he was leading on). With 246 acting credits and a career spanning seven decades, you’d be hard-pressed not to have seen him in something. While those numbers are certainly impressive by any metric, he’s probably best remembered for his 33 appearances in Hammer films in a wide range of genres. His 24-year stint with Hammer began with the 1948 noir The Dark Road (aka: There is No Escape), and ended with the comedy That’s Your Funeral (1972).  

Born in Portsmouth, in 1913, Ripper would continue to live and work in England throughout his life (except for a brief sojourn in Ireland, to work in the theater). He was a quintessentially British actor, with no plans to cross the pond to Hollywood. Although he enjoyed his work on the stage (including playing Hamlet in 1943), his theater career was cut short, due to throat surgery in 1952. In his later, post-Hammer years, he turned mostly to television (although he preferred film). He continued to work until the mid-1990s, when declining health forced him to retire, but not before leaving behind an impressive resume.   

Ripper excelled at taking a role that lesser actors would sleepwalk through, and turning it into something special. Two notable 1962 Hammer roles (which coincidentally involve pirates) exemplify his innate ability to make the most of his characters. In The Pirates of Blood River, the 5’6” actor managed to steal the scenes from 6’5” Christopher Lee (no small feat) as Captain LaRoche’s duplicitous sidekick, Mack. In a moment of indiscretion, he openly mocks his superior (you just know it’s not going to end well for him), while in another scene, he turns the tables on LaRoche. He went on to portray a completely different kind of pirate sidekick in his next film, opposite Peter Cushing, in Captain Clegg (aka: Night Creatures). In one of his more substantial Hammer roles, Ripper plays Clegg’s ever-loyal companion, ex-pirate turned coffin-maker Jeremiah Mipps, who enjoys pulling the wool over stuffy Captain Collier’s (Patrick Allen) eyes. Ripper displays considerable range in the film, carrying some of the film’s lighter scenes, as well as its most touching (taking an old friend to his final resting place).

Michael Ripper took his craft seriously, managing to add a touch of pathos and humor to many of his characters. Despite the relatively short screen time of the majority of his roles, he always enhanced them, adding a little something extra, whether it was a moment of levity to a tense scene, an inflection, or a surprising facial expression. Ripper was a   ubiquitous presence in British cinema, who managed to never outstay his welcome. It’s always a treat to spot him in an old or new (to me) film. Next time you’re watching a Hammer movie or another British production from decades past, don’t be too surprised if Mr. Ripper pops up (Look for him, it’s fun!), and raise your glass to one of the unheralded greats. 

 

Sources for this article: Michael Ripper Unmasked, by Derek Pykett; The Hammer Story, by Marcus Hearn & Alan Barnes

 

Announcing The Futurethon

 

“Greetings, my friend. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future…” – Criswell (Plan 9 from Outer Space)

Oh, the future… What secrets lie in store for us? Will we eventually reach a utopian paradise, or will it be a dystopian nightmare? Since the dawn of movies, conjecture about what kind of world our descendants will inherit has long fascinated filmmakers. With this in mind, Gill Jacob of RealweegiemidgetReviews and Yours Truly, are excited to present a new blogathon for the 21^st century, the Futurethon. It’s a three-day exploration of what might be (or what never was).

If a significant portion of the movie or TV show takes place in the future, it’s fair game… let your imagination run wild. Not sure what to write? Here are some suggested topics to get your creative juices flowing: 

·       What movies about the future got right – and especially, what they got wrong.

·       Post-Apocalyptic Films (the Mad Max series, Waterworld, A Boy and His Dog)

·       Retro Future (Things to Come, The Jetsons, Metropolis)

·       Comedies (Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Idiocracy)

·       Time Travel (The Time Machine, Back to the Future II)

·       Hopeful Futures (Star Trek, Forbidden Planet)

·       Bleak Futures (Cowboy Bebop, Blade Runner, The 10^th Victim, Gattaca) 

As we’ve mentioned in the past, don’t let the “blog” in blogathon scare you. We will happily accept submissions from your podcast, YouTube channel, Facebook/Instagram post, or interpretive dance performance. Let your imagination soar! Still unsure about a topic? Don’t be afraid to reach out and bounce your idea off us. More likely than not, we’ll say, “Go for it.”

 

What: The Futurethon 

Who: Hosted by Gill Jacob and Yours Truly (Barry P.) 

Where: Realweegiemidget Reviews and Cinematic Catharsis 

When: April 28-30, 2023 

How: Please read the rules below, and send us your post request (review, podcast, etc…) via email (barry_cinematic@yahoo.com), Twitter (@barry_cinematic), or by commenting below. You may contact Gill by commenting on her post, or through her blog’s Contact Me page (Be sure to include your preferred name, along with your blog’s title). Please Note: Since Gill and I will be taking our respective vacations (Or “On holiday” to those from across the pond) in February and March, respectively, plus the fact that we reside in completely different time zones, we humbly suggest that you send all post requests to both blog hosts – Don’t miss out on the chance to stake your claim.

Here are the rules… 

1.     You may review any films or TV shows set in the future (in whole or part).

2.     Due to the vast number of potential subjects for this blogathon, ABSOLUTELY NO DUPLICATE TITLES WILL BE ACCEPTED, unless it’s part of a career retrospective, or a series of films or shows.

3.     Choices are first-come, first served. Consider sending us your top two choices, just in case your first choice has been claimed.

4.     Claim your blogathon topic by entering a comment on this page and/or through the methods listed above (see note).

5.     Add your Twitter username (if you have one) so we can promote your post.

6.     A full list of blogs and review choices will be posted on a separate page, and updated regularly.

7.     Only original, never-before-published posts will be accepted.

8.     Send a link of your finished post to Gill or me on one of the days of the blogathon.

9.     Note: We will be publishing all links on both blogs, each day of the blogathon.

10.  Please also note: Gill and I have already claimed the following titles below:

Barry at Cinematic Catharsis – Logan’s Run (1976)

Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews – Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century (Pilot) (1979)

 

One more thing... 

If you plan to participate, or just want to show your support, please grab one of the following banners to display on your blog:

 

                                                                             

We can’t wait to see your submissions. Have fun, and we’ll see you in the future!