Atlantic City

There was a discussion on Twitter the other week about what logo era was the best… I’d forgotten that Paramount did both versions around this time. I like both of them.

So this is by Louis Malle, which is a name I’ve always heard, and probably seen many movies by, but I’ve never quite been able to remember what his deal was.

No, I really haven’t seen that many movies by him. I’ve seen Pretty Baby (I think) and definitely My Dinner With Etc… And Au revoir les enfants, I think? But not a lot.

Yes this is another movie from the Hazel Flagg Collection.

This 2K restoration is very grainy.

I really like Susan Sarandon and she’s got pretty good taste in movies, I think? I should watch all her movies.

That’s a nice house.

So this is about the contrast between small time guys…

… and a new generation of legal casinos and stuff?

I dunno, this is very… American indie? That is, it somehow doesn’t seem quite convincing? Like you can see the actors waiting to deliver the next line?

Love these locations.

Man, that’s a beat-up door.

Hey, it’s whatsisface… Wallace Shawn. Oh yeah! He was in My Dinner with Andre!

Burt Lancaster is exactly twice Susan Sarandon’s age here, which makes the romantic plot…

Oh, this was originally in 5:3? So they’ve cut off the top and bottom for this disc. Disappointing!

I liked this movie (especially the ending), but I wasn’t really into it? If that makes sense?

Atlantic City. Louis Malle. 1980. ⚃

The Devil and Miss Jones

Well, those are some titles.

Heh heh. Very topical.

I want my hallway to look like that…

Oh, right — I’m finally watching a movie again, and it’s yet another movie from the Hazel Flagg collection:

Hm, Sam Wood… I’ve seen a handful of his movies, and I haven’t particularly enjoyed them. Lot’s of schmaltz, if I remember correctly.

This is quite amusing so far. It’s very high concept — a millionaire is distraught over people not liking rich people, so he gets a job in a department store to see what The Common People really think.

I do like Jean Arthur.

Oh, it’s about unionisation and stuff, too?

Yeah, Robert Cummings isn’t very exciting, even though it’s almost a good name.

I really like these set designs — they’re slightly exaggerated and unreal.

Heh heh. They could really afford to hire extras back in the days.

This movie is kinda interesting — I mean, there’s a lot of slightly oddball shots, like on the beach, or this — but they really work.

But on the other hand, it needs more jokes. I mean, it’s not a screwball comedy, and it’s not trying to be, but still.

On the other hand, it’s really got this mood going… it’s a very cute movie.

Such romance.

Yes! General strike! All workers united!

This is a really fun movie. Jean Arthur is great, and Charles Coburn is… Charles Coburn, which is always a plus. I laughed out loud a couple of times… and did it land everybody involved in the HUAC eventually? Seems likely.

The Devil and Miss Jones. Sam Wood. 1941. ⚄