Inside Cinema - Shorts - 31 to 40

 

The next ten of Inside Cinema - Shorts on this Blog starts with Episode 31 Dancing Teens. James King introduces with "Welcome to the 1980's. It's all song and dance, films trying to replicate the success of Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978). Some are basically musicals: Fame (1980), Flashdance (1983), Footloose (1984), and Dirty Dancing (1987). But we also see clips of song and dance in films such as Risky Business (1983), Pretty in Pink (1986), Desperately Seeking Susan and The Breakfast Club (1985). Who knew there were so many from that decade. And why is Wayne's World  (1992) included? 

Above, of course, are Nick Frost and Simon Pegg from Shaun of the Dead (2004), in Episode 32 Movie Buddies narrated by Jamie Maisner. I thought this would be good, and it was. Again. predictably came Wayne's World (1992) and then a few more at lightning speed. But it slowed for a great clip with Sam carrying Frodo in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). I didn't know Swiss Army Man (2016) with Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, but then came more including Hot Fuzz (2007), yes them again, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid (1969), obviously, and the wonderful Withnail and I (1987).

Episode 33 is Fast and Furious Families with Steph Watts. Nineteen years and nine films in the franchise starting with The Fast and the Furious (2001). Enough said.

But Episode 34 Licence to Spoof with Ali Plumb was funny. All about ripping off James Bond. Each fragment starts with a Bond special followed by it's imitation. That opening of every film's credits, for example, is here in Our Man Flint (1966), Kingsman (2015) and Johnny English (2003). Gadgets include The Pink Panther (1963), Villains with Austin Powers (1997) and, of course who could forget the Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Elizabeth Sankey narrates Episode 35 Film Flirtations. Getting it together in the movies Pretty Woman (1990), Out of Sight (19980, and In the Mood for Love (2000) I liked the way this episode dawdles over each film instead of the usual rush. We see Richard Linklater's Before Sunset (2004), Ten Things I Hate About You (1999) and ends with The Philadelphia Story (1940). A superior episode.

Episode 36 is Studio Ghibli Magic with Michael Leader. I think I saw Spirited Away (2001) and Howl's Moving Castle (2004) but not My Neighbour Totoro (1998), I didn't know the stage adaptation came from the film, or Kiki's Delivery Service (1989). All the many others I had not even heard of. But the studio is thirty five years old and still going strong.

And who are these two from Episode 37 Bands in Films with Elizabeth Sankey? But we start with, yet again, Wayne's World (1992), then Almost Famous (2000), This is Spinal Tap (1984), didn't like it the first time but must watch again, my post of the 18th March 2021 said I wish I hadn't bothered watching it, then back to the start of these movies with The Blues Brothers (1980). But what is Josie and The Pussycats (2001). The clip from The Commitments (1991 included the audition montage. This device should get it's own episode. Not sure about just the folk singer in Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) but the episode ends with that great line from Almost Famous on the bus when he says "I have to go home" and Kate Hudson replies "You are home".

Lust, Camera, Action is Episode 38 with Christina Newland (she was one of the team on the later series of "The Directors" on Sky Arts). Starting with the Magic Mike franchise and a rush through many more. But here is Rudolf Valentino in the 1920's when, we were told, more women went to the cinema than men. Onwards to the 1950's to land with Robert Redford in The Way We Were (1973). Then those films starring Richard Gere.

Episode 39 The Dolly Boom was brilliant. How the directors used a zoom lense to keep a fixed focus while moving (or dollying) the camera in or out. Still not exactly sure how that works, but cue Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958) which apparently was the first to use this technique. When James Stewart climbs that building towards the end, the bottom just seems to fall away. We see clips from Road to Perdition (2002), Sugarland Express, (1974), and Marnie (1964) where Hitchcock used it again. But it was Jaws (1975) that had that iconic shot on the beach. 

Other films we see include La Haine and The Quick and the Dead (both 1995), Sam Raini used it nearly all the time. It then became somewhat a parody in films such as The Mask (1994). Far better is the shot in the diner in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990). What is going on behind the window seems more interesting than the conversation inside. 

The last in this set is No 40 Pop Docs with Simran Hans. We see lots of archive footage from a number of documentaries following pop stars in concert and behind the scenes. With Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012), Miss Americana (20200 with Taylor Swift, Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017). That was it, except it kept going back to MIA (2018). Who is that? So all female and not a sign of the big bands. Maybe next time?