FilmJerk Favorites

A group of unique directors and the essential works that you've got to see.

||| Frank Capra |||
Frank Capra

It goes without saying that Capra is one of the greatest and most beloved directors of all time, especially renowned for his madcap romantic comedies. He is one of the few directors who ever managed to balance whimsy with meaningfulness without loosing the ability to entertain.

Only Frank Capra, with his light hand and good sense of allowing the actors to be their roles, could carry off this tale of a naive average American used by an unscrupulous politician through a nationwide goodwill drive. No one was ever better at having strong yet vulnerable women not only aid, but often come to the rescue, of the leading man.

Frank Capra's final film is a hilarious translation of a Damon Runyon tale set in 1930s New York, as gangster Glenn Ford repays street peddler Bette Davis for her "good luck" apples by passing her off as a well-to-do society lady for her visiting daughter (Ann-Margret in her film debut). This excellent and thoroughly enjoyable remake of his own 1933 "Lady for a Day" is a beautiful swan song to a master storyteller. Widescreen!

In this black comedy about two sweet old ladies whose basement holds a murderously funny secret, Capra utilizes star Cary Grant to his zany, patented “double take” best. Capra’s brilliance in comic casting is demonstrated with such reliable character actors as Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre and Jack Carson who manage to play their parts to the hilt without chewing up the scenery.

Recommended by CarrieSpecht

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It Might Get Loud

By EdwardHavens

August 13th, 2009

"Rock and Roll will never die" goes the chorus of a famous Neil Young song, but judging from the sales charts and radio play, it has been on life support for quite a while. Thankfully, Academy Award-winning documentarian is here to resurrect the musical art for with "It Might Get Loud," the greatest film about rock and roll... nay, about music, ever.

It Might Get Loud

The idea behind IMGL is so beautiful and simple, it’s a wonder no one ever thought of it before. Get three iconic guitarists from different generations (Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, The Edge from U2 and Jack White from The White Stripes), interview them individually about their lives and influences, and then put them in a room together and just see what happens. The results are more than just a summit between musical legends but the entire history of rock and roll summed up in 97 minutes.

While Page and the Edge are fascinating subjects who each would be deserving of their own biographical documentary, this film belongs to the continuing cipher that is Jack White, the eccentric prankster who has constantly contracted himself about his life and upbringing in interviews over the years. But perhaps because he is talking about music, his own and the music that defined him that we finally get to know White. Having him introduce audiences to lesser-known or mostly-forgotten artists like Son House and Blind Willie McTell and Flat Duo Jets, or watch him create a new song on the spot for the cameras, should be smiles to the faces and ears of rock fans, as should the little moments like watching Jimmy Page rock out air guitar-style to Link Wray or having the Edge rediscover old four-track demos from the Joshua Tree sessions.

The biggest treats, however, are when the three come together on a sound stage to play together. To watch Page teach the Edge and White “In My Time of Dying,” or the Edge showing them “I Will Follow” or White giving the old pros a lesson on “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground,” is nothing short of musical and cinematic magic that will hopefully help return rock and roll back to the forefront of popular music.

I apologize this is more a mash note than critical analysis. I love this music, I love the bands of these three guitarists and I was so endlessly enraptured learning about them and watching them play that I had to see it again a second time not a few weeks later, to experience the magic all over again. My only complaint after seeing it twice? It was never loud enough!

Come on, theatre operators. Turn this movie up to 11! Make those digital processors and subwoofers work these delightful sounds to their fullest effect. The next time I see “It Might Get Loud,” I want to feel like I am in the room with Page and the Edge and White. I want to feel the music against my skin and bones. I want to walk out of the theatre with my senses feeling like they’ve been assaulted. That’s what rock and roll is, and that’s how you can help save it.

My rating: A+