This is a very lovely first for my fourth year with these exceptional Movie Challenges that Jabs hosts. I get to post a completed section!
yeah, yeah, I know, it's about frickin time, but let me have my moment, lol
anyway,
C. Sophomore’s Choice [
watch one film from each duo of subgenres listed below]
1. Screwball Comedy
My Little Chickadee (1940) +
2. Steampunk Sci-Fi
Steamboy aka Suchîmubôi (2004) +++
3. Film Noir
The Verdict (1946) +++
4. Hand-drawn Animation
The Twelve Tasks of Asterix aka Les 12 travaux d'Astérix (1976) ++
5. Spaghetti Western
Django (1966) My Little Chickadee (1940) is a classic with Mae West and W.C. Fields that, while I have seen numerous times in my youth, it has been at least some thirty-odd years since viewing it and an entertaining return.
Steamboy (2004) is brand new to me and done by the same director, Katsuhiro Ôtomo who did
Akira and here, does something unique with, at the time, breaking animation. He also bounces seamlessly between the scientific philosophies and the action sequences highlighting steampunk gadgetry. I definitely recommend this one.
The Verdict (1946) Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre were paired for some eight films together and this noir was near the end and continues showcasing this excellent and flawless pairing. With a more mystery whodunit premise and what must have been an utter and complete surprise ending when it debuted, any fan of the two will enjoy this. It is not exceptional, but it has that delightful familiarity of the two that does make it worthwhile.
The Twelve Tasks of Asterix (1976) From a long-run French comic book series with a screwball premise that parodies and celebrates heroic adventures. Nostalgic and amusing.
Django (1966) The first, the original, I was unable to find a version with subtitles and only several with some very terrible dubbing, which, in its way, almost fit this low-budget swath of violence and revenge. I am thrilled to finally experience the inspiration for many later films and shows.