Lafayette College Library

Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)

Irene thinks it's time to encourage users of Skillman's DVD collection to venture into what's been described as the "documentary ghetto." If you're wary of documentaries, Irene recommends this film, which follows fifth graders in New York City public schools as they spend 10 weeks learning ballroom dancing and then participate in a city-wide competition. Though certainly not ground-breaking or even particularly revealing, it is lots of fun and at times seems like a poem in praise of NYC, its teachers and its children.

(Documentaries are located beyond the feature films and are arranged by call number. "Mad Hot Ballroom" is filed in the GVs.)

Good Bye Lenin! (2003)

When she heard the premise of this film—a son tries to keep his critically ill mother from learning that the Berlin Wall has fallen—Irene expected it would be little more than a farce. But it's a surprisingly tender story about a man's relationship with his mother, the price of loyalty to a "motherland," and the toll that political upheaval takes on families and personal relationships. Prepare to be moved as well as amused.

Working Girl (1988; Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver; dir. by Mike Nichols)

Irene has been in the mood for comfort films lately, and as one of her colleagues aptly put it, "'Working Girl' is the mashed potatoes of movies." It has the right mix of romance and comedy, a heroine pulling herself up by her bootstraps, an uplifting theme song, plus that unforgettable line, "I've got a head for business and a bod for sin." (Irene wishes she'd said it first.) Those who were alive in the 1980s will also find that it stirs up memories of a time when glasses and hair were a whole lot bigger. Includes performances by Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack (in her perennial "wacky best friend" role) and a brief appearance by Kevin Spacey.

Cannibal! The Musical (1996)

The early brilliance of South Park's Trey Parker (credited here as Juan Schmaltz) and Matt Stone shine in this off beat musical comedy based on the life of Alfred E. Packer, would be gold prospector and convicted 19th century Colorado cannibal. The movie's packed with toe-tapping tunes, quotable dialog, and one of the most enjoyable dream ballet sequences this side of "Oklahoma." Tidbit: After being paroled from jail in 1901, Packer lived the rest of his life as a vegetarian.

Downfall (2004)

Bruno Ganz ("Wings of Desire," "Nosher the Vampire") is riveting as Adolf Hitler, increasingly out of touch with reality during his final days in the bunker. Equally disturbing are the portrayals of Eva Braun dancing on table-tops and Mrs. Goebbels coolly directing her children in an endless chorus of patriotic songs. The film is partially based on the account of stenographer Traudl Junge who was interviewed in her later years for the short documentary "Secretary to Hitler," available on disc 9 of our "World at War" series. Tidbit: Hitler's enthusiasm for vegetarian meals is well documented in the film.

Being Julia (2005; Annette Bening, Jeremy Irons)

Irene isn't worried about her own star fading, but she enjoyed this frothy film about an actress facing a certain age who decides to renew herself through an affair with a devoted young fan. Certainly not a perfect film, but worth watching for Annette Bening's performance, which is a tour de force. Based upon a W. Somerset Maugham novella.

Reilly: Ace of Spies (1983; Sam Neill; dir. by Martin Campbell and Jim Goddard)

Irene discovered the joys of mini-series viewing with this engrossing portrayal of real-life secret service agent Sidney Reilly, one of Britain's top spies and inspiration for Ian Fleming's fictional James Bond. Fine acting and meticulous historical detail illuminate European politics of the early 1900's. The haunting theme music, an adaptation of Shostakovich's 'Romance' from The Gadfly (Russia, 1955), sets the right viewing mood. Irene adds: Apparently many women found Reilly irresistible. With Sam Neill in the starring role, it's easy to see how Sidney could rack up so many wives.

Black Adder (1983-1989; Rowan Atkinson; dir. by Martin Shardlow and Geoff Posner)

Irene is baffled that this outrageously funny British series has been languishing on the shelf. Take an irreverent trip through English history with Rowan ("Mr. Bean", "Johnny English") Atkinson as the terminally treacherous Lord Black Adder and his less than helpful assistants, Baldrick and Percy, who enable him with many a cunning plan. Kind of a "Zelig" though the ages, with a nice amount of villany. Trivia: Atkinson holds a degree in electrical engineering.

Another "Adder" fan writes: "I saw your comments about Black Adder. The medieval Black Adders are OK, but the truly funny ones are when he is stuck with Baldrick, et al. in the trenches of the First World War. They have the same sort of satiric, ironic-comedic bite about WWI that M*A*S*H (the movie, of course) had about the Korean conflict. If you haven't seen them, please watch them when you have a chance. You won't be disappointed." (Irene has seen them, and she heartily agrees.)

Local Hero (1983; Burt Lancaster; dir. by Bill Forsyth)

A chance encounter with a program on the telly showing some lads baffing about the Scottish links turned Irene's mind back to the old country and a favorite flick from her salad days—Bill Forsyth's "Local Hero." It's a wistful comedy about an American oil company's bid to buy an entire village on the Scottish coast to make way for a planned refinery. Of course, a movie that offers up an injured rabbit, an elusive comet, and a mermaid with a penchant for research can't really be "about" anything so mundane as a business transaction. With a delightfully off-center Burt Lancaster and a perfectly pitched soundtrack by Mark Knopfler.

A Letter to Three Wives (1949; dir. by Joseph Mankiewicz)

Irene doesn't understand the fuss over "Desperate Housewives," but for those who are mourning the end of its season, she recommends "A Letter to Three Wives." It has much in common with "Housewives": a suburban setting, women who are both friends and competitors, voice-over narration by a character who's never seen, and a mystery at its core. But it also features women who are smart and independent and writing that's full of wit and social commentary. Try it for just five minutes, and you won't be able to stop watching.

May 2005

Sunset Boulevard (1950; William Holden, Gloria Swanson; dir. by Billy Wilder)

Those who are in the know will have seen or at least heard about the award-winning documentary* in which Irene is accused of being a "fraud" and a "fake." These accusations don't sting nearly as much as the knowledge that many who saw it didn't get the references to Norma Desmond's famous lines from "Sunset Boulevard." ("I am big. It's the pictures that got small.") Has Irene taught you nothing in these past two years? Risk checking out films beyond the latest Hollywood releases! And why not start with this dark classic about debauchery in Hollywood and the desperation of those hungry for fame? Irene also recommends it as a cautionary tale for any readers who are thinking of moving to Southern California.

*"Searching for Irene" by Kelly Barrows '06 and Tyler Cohn '06 is available in Skillman's collection along with all of the other English 340 documentaries.

Laura (1944; Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifon Webb, Vincent Price; dir. by Otto Preminger)

An elegant film noir about obsessive love. Clifton Webb turns in an especially fine performance as a venomous snob. Irene cackled at his final retort to a woman who scorns his love for that of a man Webb thinks is far beneath her: "I hope you'll never regret what promises to be a disgustingly earthy relationship." (Irene hopes to someday find an occasion to use this line herself.)

Lafayette connection: Irene's colleague tells her that one of the screenwriters for this film, Samuel Hoffenstein, was a Lafayette grad in the class of 1911.

Easy Rider (1969; Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson)

Although Irene has been known to hum "Born to Be Wild" while in the Skillman stacks and once traveled halfway across the country on the back of a friend's motorcycle, she was still surprised by how much she enjoyed this classic about the 1960s counter-culture. The quick cuts, panoramic shots, and documentary-style footage make it visually interesting. The soundtrack can't be beat, and the young Jack Nicholson is a hoot. By turns outrageous, raw, and unintentionally amusing (are they serious about those sideburns?), the film paints a picture that makes the late 60s seem like a very different and distant time.

Tender Mercies (1982; Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, Betty Buckley, Ellen Barkin)

One of Irene's colleagues recommended she watch this film about an alcoholic country singer who finds redemption and love in an out-of-the-way Texas town. With understated emotions and characters who speak simply and directly, it succeeds in walking the fine line between tender and maudlin. Irene found herself humming along to the soundtrack (songs like "If you hold the ladder, I'll climb to the top"), waxing nostalgic for some mythic simpler time, and—though she's loathe to admit it—occasionally growing misty-eyed. The screenplay is by Horton Foote, who also wrote the screenplay for "To Kill a Mockingbird."

The Big Clock (1948)

Stylish noir set in a Manhattan publishing conglomerate. The editor of "Crimeways" magazine, played by a suave Ray Milland, must race against time to prove he didn't murder his boss' mistress. Irene was especially taken with Elsa Lanchester as a struggling artist who has trouble keeping track of her many husbands.

My Man Godfrey (1936; William Powell, Carole Lombard)

A recent episode of "The Gilmore Girls" inspired Irene to add this to her picks list.* Though the plot sounds hokey—a wealthy socialite invites a homeless man to be her butler—the madcap pace and perfectly paired Lombard and Powell make for an irresistible comedy.

*Astute G.G. fans will recognize "Godfrey" as the film Luke watches (appropriately enough) after he is treated like dirt at Richard and Emily's wedding.

Amélie / Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)

Tiring of her winter wardrobe and overcast days in Pennsylvania, Irene finds this popular French film to be the perfect two hour vacation. Montmartre in summer, cute haircuts and playful clothes, entertaining characters, appealing food, and traveling garden gnomes are close to Irene's dream of a summer day.

Strawberry and Chocolate / Fresa y Chocolate (1994; dir. by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea)

Irene was originally put off by all the exclamation marks on the DVD box, but was relieved to find that this coming-of-age story from noted Cuban director Gutiérrez Alea is not all breeziness and light. Although there are plenty of light-hearted moments as the film follows the friendship of a young, idealistic communist and a more knowing gay man, it doesn't shy away from portraying various forms of oppression in Cuban society.

Before Sunset (2004; Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy; dir. by Richard Linklater)

Irene noticed that this film was just nominated for an Oscar for writing, and it's surely a well deserved nomination. Two thirty-somethings who met by chance for one night nine years ago reunite for an intimate conversation about life, love, and relationships. There's no action in this short film, just conversation that seems honest, intelligent, and real, if occasionally self-indulgent.

If you want to see the film in which the two characters first meet, check out "Before Sunrise," which is also in Skillman's collection.