FilmJerk Favorites

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

||| Norman Jewison |||
Norman Jewison

Yes, he directed “Moonstruck” and two unforgettable musicals, but Jewison is also responsible for a trilogy of films focusing on racial-injustice, a whacky Cold War comedy and a signature film of Steve McQueen’s showing that he is one of the most versatile directors since Robert Wise.

This blueprint for good investigation dramas tells the story of a black Philadelphia detective investigating a murder in Mississippi who matches wits with a redneck sheriff. Groundbreaking for it’s time, this Oscar winning film is still relevant today and offers a gripping mystery with terrific dramatic performances by a complete cast of fully realized characters.

This is an amazingly funny and entertaining irreverent "Cold War" comedy about a Russian submarine stranded outside an isolated New England town, which throws the locals into a panic. Jewison does a delightful job of utilizing his all-star cast to their fullest, deftly mixing Capra-esq characters with Mel Brooks’s type situations (and vise-versa).

A bored millionaire (Steve McQueen in his prime) masterminds a flawless bank job as Faye Dunaway (an insurance investigator out to get him) identifies him as the mastermind and falls in love along the way. This is the original and the best, with all the arch stylized movie techniques of the ‘60s (including split-screen and fuzzy shallow focus) and the most erotic chess game ever captured on screen.

Recommended by CarrieSpecht

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Battleground

By CarrieSpecht

May 25th, 2006

A brief review and synopsis of William Wellman's 1950 war film, "Battleground", airing this Friday as part of TCM's Memorial Day Weekend marathon.


This Friday the 26th at 5 pm Pacific Standard Time, Turner Classic Movies kicks off a four day Memorial Day Weekend marathon with director William Wellman’s 1950 production of “BATTLEGROUND”.

“Battleground” is not your typical war movie with lots of shoot ‘em ups, explosions or dogfights. Set in December of 1941, this engrossing battle film focuses on a particular group of men just days before Christmas in Bastogne, Belgium where the 47th German Panzer Corps is advancing through the allied lines and our guys are meant to hold the line until reinforces can arrive. This truly ensemble cast has no discernable lead, but features such notable stars as Van Johnson, Ricardo Montalban and James Whitmore among many other exceptional character actors.

Unlike many other war films, there are no major conflicts or historical moments depicted or reenacted. Instead, we are exposed to the life of our men in the field, the moment-to-moment events as they perform their every day tasks. As a group they have various skirmishes and encounters with the enemy and locals alike. Through the course of these events we learn that each man is going through some crisis emotionally, mentally or physically. The subtle power and depth of the performances is a testament to the fine ability of the actors to portray regular guys without being boring, and to remain interesting without resulting to melodrama. The true to life portrayal of our fighting men is due in large part to Wellman’s acclaimed ability as a director. He has a unique talent of eliciting detailed nuances from an actor that speak volumes in a moment. as to what the troops were going through, and what they suffered along the way.

Many of the men we get to know and care about ultimately die. Often these deaths happen suddenly and in confusion, placing us momentarily in their boots so to speak, as we understand what it is like to come to care for someone only to have them gone in a fleeting moment of violence. The impact of these moments has a quiet power that resonates and draws you in closer to the remaining men. At one point it seems inevitable that all of these men will perish, but true to most war films of its era the battle worn survivors are saved at the last moment by the much anticipated air support.

Battleground stands as a great representation of the life lead in the battlefield and the camaraderie that naturally develops to bind men to one another, to depend on each other and to care for each other. The film also reveals the hardships that are not readily tangible; the great losses one has to endure in the course of performing one’s duty and the personal price of survival. All in all, “Battleground” is an excellent choice to begin a well-deserved tribute to our fighting forces.

Through out the holiday weekend the TCM marathon will showcase a wide spectrum of war themed films representing a diverse cross section of the various conflicts fought by the US since the Civil War. Other not to be missed films include “Sergeant York” airing May 26th at 9:15pm, “From Here to Eternity” airing Saturday May 27th at 5pm and Sunday the 28th at 3 pm, and “Bridge on the River Kwai” also on Sunday the 29th at 11:15 am. “Destination Tokyo” concludes the marathon on Monday the 30th at 12:15 am.

My rating: A-