Carter Steven's Guide To TCM This Week (1/10-1/24)

A family emergency prevented me from posting Carter's picks from last week (still worth a read), despite Carter getting it in early. My apologies-Ian

Jan 10

5:15am Private Screenings: Ann Miller (1997)
The screen's fastest-tapping lady dancer shares memories of her career. Hosted by Robert Osborne.
Cast: Robert Osborne, Ann Miller C-48 mins, TV-G

The lady was probably the worst actress ever to appear in so many movies but DAMN the lady could tap

8:00pm Plaza Suite (1971)
A New York hotel room is the setting for three stories of romantic squabbles.
Cast: Walter Matthau, Lee Grant, Barbara Harris, Maureen Stapleton Dir: Arthur Hiller C-114 mins, TV-14

I must have directed this play half a dozen times for as many little theater groups before I went into films. Still love the writing but must admit I think I could have done a better job directing the movie. Walter Matthau is all wrong for the lead but what the hell it's Neal Simon.

4:00am This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
A filmmaker documents the history of Spinal Tap, the world's loudest rock band.
Cast: Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner Dir: Rob Reiner C-83 mins, TV-MA

The movie that proved Rob Reiner was a genius and invented a genre all it's own, the mockumentary. I give it an 11.

JAN 11

7:45am Time Machine, The (1960)
A turn-of-the-century inventor sends himself into the future to save humanity.
Cast: Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux, Sebastian Cabot Dir: George Pal C-103 mins, TV-G

The second half of the film once he arrives in the future is a bore but like they say getting there is half the fun. The trip through time and that mannequin across the street are worth watching every time.

11:30am 36 Hours (1965)
Nazis kidnap a key American intelligence officer and try to convince him that World War II is over.
Cast: James Garner, Rod Taylor, Eva Marie Saint, Werner Peters Dir: George Seaton BW-115 mins, TV-PG

A damn paper cut saved the world for democracy. I love it.

10:15pm Streetcar Named Desire, A (1951)
A fading southern belle tries to build a new life with her sister in New Orleans.
Cast: Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden Dir: Elia Kazan BW-125 mins, TV-PG

BRANDO...KAZAN. If you need more reason than that the hell with you.

12:30am East Of Eden (1955)
Two brothers compete for their father's approval and a woman's love.
Cast: Julie Harris, James Dean, Raymond Massey, Burl Ives Dir: Elia Kazan C-118 mins, TV-PG

Watch and see why James Dean is still an icon with so few films and so many years after his death. Oh, yea and ...KAZAN

Jan 14

6:00am Most Dangerous Game, The (1932)
A big game hunter decides to stalk human prey.
Cast: Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Leslie Banks Dir: Ernest B. Schoedsack BW-63 mins, TV-PG

There is a reason I believe this is the most remade film in history. But this one was the first (and I still think one of the best). Said to have been shot at night on the Skull Island sets for King Kong, if true then Fay Wray should get an award for doing both pictures. One during the day and one at night.

3:30pm Anatomy Of A Murder (1959)
A small-town lawyer gets the case of a lifetime when a military man avenges an attack on his wife.
Cast: James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, Arthur O'Connell Dir: Otto Preminger BW-161 mins, TV-PG

Damn it I just watched this not two weeks ago and I know damn well I'm going to watch it again.

8:00pm Bridge On The River Kwai, The (1957)
The Japanese Army forces World War II POWs to build a strategic bridge in Burma.
Cast: William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa Dir: David Lean C-162 mins, TV-PG

Bet you $10 bucks you find yourself whistling the Colonel Boigie March the next day.

David Lean at the top of his form, Bill Holden at his top form. Guinness at his top form. Sessue Hayakawa top of his form, Jack Hawkins top of his...wait do I sense a pattern here?

Jan 15

12:45am Friends Of Eddie Coyle, The (1973)
An aging hood turns police informer, with deadly results.
Cast: Robert Mitchum, Richard Jordan, Steven Keats, Peter Boyle Dir: Peter Yates C-99 mins, TV-14

NOT to be missed gangster film. Directed by the much underrated Peter Yates and Starring Robert Mitchum in his best role.

Jan 16

8:30am Murder She Said (1961)
When nobody will believe she witnessed a murder, elderly sleuth Miss Marple takes a job as a maid to ferret out clues.
Cast: Margaret Rutherford, Arthur Kennedy, Muriel Pavlow, James Robertson-Justice Dir: George Pollock BW-86 mins, TV-G

Not to be confused with the TV series, Starring the magnificent Margaret Rutherford. What a great way to wake up and start the weekend.

Jan 17

10:00am Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
An ambitious young man sets out to kill everyone who stands between him and a fortune.
Cast: Alec Guinness, Dennis Price, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson Dir: Robert Hamer BW-106 mins, TV-PG

Long long ago in a galaxy not so far away there was an Actor who was well worth watching before he became Obi Wan Kanobi.

8:00pm Roxanne (1987)
A fireman with an abnormally long nose tries to match the woman he loves with a young friend.
Cast: Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah, Shelley Duvall, Rick Rossovich Dir: Fred Schepisi C-107 mins, TV-14

followed by

10:00pm Cyrano De Bergerac (1950)
A swordsman and poet helps another man woo the woman he loves.
Cast: Jose Ferrer, Mala Powers, William Prince, Morris Carnovsky Dir: Michael Gordon BW-113 mins, TV-PG

In my opinion these two films should be shown in the opposite order to really enjoy Steve Martin's wit showcased in his modern day retelling. But both are worthy of being watched on their own.

2:15am Wild Strawberries (1957)
On his way to an awards ceremony, a distinguished professor thinks back on his loveless life.
Cast: Bibi Andersson, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, Victor Seastrom Dir: Ingmar Bergman BW-91 mins, TV-PG

One of Bergman's best buried at 2 in the morning. I almost missed the listing. Don't you miss it.

Jan 18

1:45pm Raisin in the Sun, A (1961)
A black woman uses her late husband's life insurance to build a better world for her children.
Cast: Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands Dir: Daniel Petrie BW-128 mins, TV-PG

There is a reason Sidney Poitier is the most respected black actor of all time. This is it.

6:00pm To Sir, With Love (1967)
A substitute teacher changes the lives of the slum children in his class.
Cast: Sidney Poitier, Christian Roberts, Judy Geeson, Suzy Kendall Dir: James Clavell C-105 mins, TV-PG

There is a reason Sidney Poitier is the most respected black actor of all time. This is NOT it.

Jan 19

11:15pm Sunset Boulevard (1950)
A failed screenwriter falls into a mercenary romance with a faded silent-film star.
Cast: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson Dir: Billy Wilder BW-110 mins, TV-PG

The finest Hollywood movie ever made about Hollywood. (PERIOD!) I'm ready for my closeup now Mr. DeMille.

Jan 20

4:15am Some Like It Hot (1959)
Two musicians on the run from gangsters masquerade as members of an all-girl band.
Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft Dir: Billy Wilder BW-121 mins, TV-PG

TeVo time. I know, I know you've seen it before. See it again, it's still funny as hell.

8:00pm Point Blank (1967)
A gangster plots an elaborate revenge on the wife and partner who did him dirty.
Cast: Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, Keenan Wynn, Carroll O'Connor Dir: John Boorman C-92 mins, TV-14

Based on Donald Westlake's Parker character. Parker has been played many times in many movies (Duval in The Outfit, Gibson in Payback (in basically the same story), et al) and for some reason never called Parker. I always wondered why. I think this was his first incarnation and well worth watching.

Jan 21

10:15pm Raisin in the Sun, A (1961)
A black woman uses her late husband's life insurance to build a better world for her children.
Cast: Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands Dir: Daniel Petrie BW-128 mins, TV-PG

If you missed it on the 18^th catch it now.

3:45am Blood On Satan's Claw, The (1970)
When farmers unearth a strange skeleton, their children convert to Satanism.
Cast: Avice Landone, Howard Goorney, James Hayter, Simon Williams Dir: Piers Haggard BW-96 mins, TV-MA

Never seen it. Don't know a thing about it. But what a great title.

Jan 22

10:00am Operation Mad Ball (1957)
A peacetime soldier plots to throw a party under his strict captain's nose.
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Kathryn Grant, Arthur O'Connell Dir: Richard Quine BW-104 mins, TV-G

I was a young teenager when I saw it. I remember it as being funny (although I think Ernie Kovacs genius was wasted.) I've got to see if it still makes me laugh. Still remember Mikey Rooney's cry of “SKEE-BALL”

2:15pm Treasure Island (1950)
A young boy and a pirate clash over buried treasure.
Cast: Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney, Walter Fitzgerald Dir: Byron Haskin C-96 mins, TV-G

Still the best Long John Silver ever. Too good perhaps, as he was typecast from there on out.

10:45pm Ice Station Zebra (1968)
A sub commander on a perilous mission must ferret out a Soviet agent on his ship.
Cast: Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine, Patrick McGoohan, Jim Brown Dir: John Sturges C-152 mins, TV-PG

The best Cinerama picture ever made. It had a plot. Not a great plot, but a plot. But I'm sure it loses on the small screen. (gee, remind anyone of Avatar?)

Jan 24

8:00am Guy Named Joe, A (1943)
A downed World War II pilot becomes the guardian angel for his successor in love and war.
Cast: Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne, Van Johnson, Ward Bond Dir: Victor Fleming BW-120 mins, TV-G

Remade by Speilburg in his second most boring piture ever. Catch this original.

10:30am Animal Crackers (1930)
Three zanies try to recover a stolen painting during a madcap house party.
Cast: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx Dir: Victor Heerman BW-97 mins, TV-G

It's the Marx Brothers. You either love them or you...are an idiot.

Carter Steven's Guide To TCM This Week (1/10-1/24)

"13TEEN" -- Psychological Horror Slays DVD Feb. 16th

North American Motion Pictures Proudly Presents "13teen" -- Teetering on the Razor-Thin Line Between Sanity and Insanity


Buy Three DVDs, Receive One Free Blu-ray

"Seven meets Paranormal Activity." -- Independent Film Quarterly

LOS ANGELES - Feb. 1, 2009 - Three strangers. One killer. Find out who will live and who will die when 13teen slays DVD Feb. 16 from North American Motion Pictures.

Emeryville: population 73,250, including one feared serial killer on the loose who carves the number 13 into his victims' chests.

Sara is home alone on a stormy night when there is a knock at the door. Andrew, a real estate consultant, has stopped by regarding the sale of her house. Problem is, the house isn't for sale. Against her better judgment, she grants Andrew shelter from the rain.

But tension builds as Andrew, talking about his impending custody battle for his daughter, becomes more and more agitated. Sara finds herself in possible peril, until there is another knock at the door. John, a scripture-quoting home security technician, has stopped by to fix a fuse. But he may not be all he seems when a knife is found in his bag.

Cautious cat-and-mouse play ensues as the trio tries to determine just who the true threat is, while a surprise twist leaves you wondering just who it is that really needs to be saved …

13teen is presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 16 x 9 and 2.0 stereo. Special features include stills gallery and closed captioning.

To support the title in the marketplace, NAMP has announced a retail promotion: Buy three DVDs of 13teen and receive one free Blu-ray disc of the film (Blu-ray available only through this promotional offer).

13teen
North American Motion Pictures
Genre: Horror
Rated: R
Format: DVD & Blu-Ray
Running Time: Approx. 91 Minutes (Plus Special Features)
Suggested Retail Price: DVD - $26.98
3-DVD/Blu-ray Promo Pack - $69.99
Order Date: January 12, 2010
Street Date: February 16, 2010
Catalog #: DVD - NAMP 201053
3-DVD/Blu-ray Promo Pack - NAMP 201055
UPC Code: DVD - #812862010536
3-DVD/Blu-ray Promo Pack - #812862010550

Buy it at Amazon.com

"13TEEN" -- Psychological Horror Slays DVD Feb. 16th

"THE KILLER" HEADLINES DRAGON DYNASTY TITLES AVAILABLE THIS MARCH FROM VIVENDI ENTERTAINMENT AND THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

Seminal Classic Return to the 36th Chamber Debuts As Well, Along With Dragon Dynasty's First Blu-ray Release


RETURN TO THE 36TH CHAMBER

Synopsis: The action-packed sequel to perhaps the greatest martial arts classic of all time reunites kung fu superstar Gordon Liu and legendary director Lau Kar-leung for another unforgettable adventure. This time, Liu stars as a con man who impersonates his own character from The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, along the way to becoming an unstoppable fighting force. This Shaw Brothers classic recaptures the magic of the original, but with an inspired twist that makes it "one of the rare sequels that's just as much fun as its predecessor" (Calvin McMillin, LoveHKFilm.com).

Starring: Gordon Liu (Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin), Kara Hui (My Young Auntie, Challenge of the Masters), Hsiao Ho (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Heroes of the East)

DVD
Price: $19.93
Catalog Number: WN01300
Order Due Date: January 26, 2010
Street Date: March 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: NR
Run Time: 97 minutes
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Closed Captioned

THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN Blu-ray

Synopsis: A seminal classic and "widely considered to be the greatest kung-fu flick of all time" (New York Times), produced by the founding fathers of kung fu film, the Shaw brothers, this is the story of a student who undertakes a grueling program of martial arts training at the secretive and legendary monastery of Shaolin, where he plots revenge upon the enemies who ravaged his village.

Starring: Gordon Liu (Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2, Heroes of the East), Lo Lieh (King Boxer)

Blu-ray
Price: $19.97
Catalog Number: WN01301
Order Due Date: January 26, 2010
Street Date: March 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: NR
Run Time: 119 minutes
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Closed Captioned

THE KILLER

Synopsis: John Woo's guns-blazing masterpiece about a hitman with a code of honor ranks among the best action movies ever. International superstar Chow Yun-Fat plays an assassin who agrees to one last job before quitting for good, but when his bosses double-cross him, he must take on the mob and the police in one of the most explosive showdowns in cinematic history. Loaded with some of the most outrageously choreographed action sequences ever committed to film and an absolute hailstorm of bullets, critics agree - The Killer is "as perfect an action film as one could ask for" (James Rocchi, Netflix).

Starring: Chow Yun-Fat (Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), Kenneth Tsang (Rush Hour 2, The Replacement Killers), Danny Lee (Bruce Lee and I, City on Fire)

Bonus Features: Extensive behind-the-scenes bonus features, including an exclusive new interview with legendary director John Woo; packaged in a limited edition o-sleeve (SD only)

2-Disc Ultimate Edition DVD
Price: $24.99
Catalog Number: WN01303
Order Due Date: February 23, 2010
Street Date: March 30, 2010
MPAA Rating: NR
Run Time: 106 minutes
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Closed Captioned

Ultimate Edition Blu-ray
Price: $29.99
Catalog Number: WN01304
Order Due Date: February 23, 2010
Street Date: March 30, 2010
MPAA Rating: NR
Run Time: 106 minutes
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Closed Captioned

"THE KILLER" HEADLINES DRAGON DYNASTY TITLES AVAILABLE THIS MARCH FROM VIVENDI ENTERTAINMENT AND THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

BIG GUNS!! FAST CARS!! GIRLS GALORE!! -- "BITCH SLAP" On DVD March 2

The Jaw-Dropping and Outrageous Unrated Bitch-Sploitation DVD Hits On March 2 From Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

LOS ANGELES, CA. – (Jan. 12, 2010) – Unlike any “B” movie ever seen! Assume the position and prepare to get slapped as bodacious bad girls, fervent brawls and slow-motion cat fights explode in the adrenaline-fueled, deliciously over-the-top Bitch Slap, coming to Unrated DVD March 2 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Trixie, Hel and Camero may look good on the outside, but they’re nothing but badass on the inside. When the tempting trio arrive in the desert to retrieve stolen jewels at a ruthless gangster’s hideout, they find themselves competing against an assortment of bizarre criminals – and each other. But what else can one expect from a down-on-her luck stripper, a drug-running killer and a ball-busting businesswoman? Bounding with violence and excess galore, Bitch Slap is a wildly explosive tribute to the sensationalistic style of the cult exploitation genre and a modern throwback to the “B” movie film genre.

The audacious and excessive action flick stars a sexy young cast, including Julia Voth, Erin Cummings, America Olivo, alongside tenacious cameos by Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”), Michael Hurst (“Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”), Lucy Lawless (“Xena: Warrior Princess”) and Renee O’Connor (“Xena: Warrior Princess”). Already boasting a cult fan following and a #1 trailer spot on Hulu, the Bitch Slap Unrated DVD includes commentary by cast and crew and a behind-the-scenes documentary featurette and will be available for the suggested retail price of $22.98 U.S. Prebook is February 3.

DVD Special Features: (Catalog # 2266172)
--Building A Better B-Movie Documentary
--Commentary by Producers Rick Jacobson (Writer/Producer/Director), Eric Gruendemann (Writer/Producer) & Brian Peck (Associate Producer)
--Commentary by Principal Cast: Julia Voth (Trixie), Erin Cummings (Hel) & America Olivo (Camero)


About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment.

Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets -- from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

BITCH SLAP
Street Date: March 2, 2010
Prebook Date: February 3, 2010
Screen Format: Widescreen – 2.35:1
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English and Spanish
U.S. Rating: Unrated
Total Run Time: 109 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

BIG GUNS!! FAST CARS!! GIRLS GALORE!! -- "BITCH SLAP" On DVD March 2

Love is Hell … and Hell is Funny! -- "LO" on DVD January 9th

SKD USA Proudly Presents Award-Winning Comedy-Horror Flick "LO" Possessing DVD Feb. 9th

Feb. 1, 2010 - One man's love is put to the ultimate test in Lo, raising hell on DVD Feb. 9 from SKD USA (Distributed by Entertainment One).

Love is a tricky little devil, one with the power to command great sacrifice from those it touches. Enter Justin (Ward Roberts, My Big Fat Independent Movie, Dreamland, Doomed), a loser whose most exciting moment in any given day is the house salad/no dressing he orders on his lunch break from corporate HateMyJob.

But when a bizarre and curiously naïve woman named April (Sarah Lassez, The Brothel, Nowhere, In Pursuit, Mad Cowgirl) enters his life, he is forever changed. Suddenly the world is bright and full of hope and nothing could ever change … until April is mysteriously kidnapped by demons.

Finding an ancient spell book among April's things, Justin summons the demon Lo (Jeremiah Birkett, Evan Almighty, L.A. Confidential) to try and get her back. While Justin tries to keep control of the demon, Lo has other plans for the tasty human who sits mere inches away. From singing demons to talking hands, dancing bartenders and human-sized rats, Justin's love is put to the ultimate test-not to mention Lo's ego.

Co-stars Devin Barry (Adam and Eve, the upcoming National Lampoon's The Legend of Awesomest Maximus).

Directed by Travis Betz, Lo was a winner at the 2009 Las Vegas International Film Festival, 2009 Honolulu International Film Festival and 2009 Shriekfest Film Festival and was an official selection at the 2009 Austin Film Festival, 2009 Boston Underground Film Festival, 2009 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival and 2009 Indianapolis International Film Festival.

Lo is presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 16 x 9 and 5.1 Surround Sound or
2.0 Dolby Digital.

Lo
SKD USA (Distributed by Entertainment One)
Genre: Comedy/Horror
Not Rated
Format: DVD Only
Running Time: Approx. 83 Minutes
Suggested Retail Price: $24.98
Pre-Order Date: January 12, 2010
Street Date: February 9, 2010
Catalog #: SKD-DV-1126
UPC Code: #873820001126

Buy it at Amazon.com

Love is Hell … and Hell is Funny! -- "LO" on DVD January 9th

Time for another session! "HEAD CASE: SEASON 2" on DVD February 16 from Anchor Bay Entertainment

Let celebrities beware - it’s time to get real. On February 16, 2010 , the therapist to the stars, Dr. Elizabeth Goode, will be back for another round in Head Case: Season 2. All ten new episodes of the critically praised Starz Original, unscripted comedy will be available on DVD for a non-traumatic SRP of $19.97.

At $450/hr., Dr. Goode (Alexandra Wentworth, It’s Complicated, “The Oprah Winfrey Show”) is the cure for what ails America ’s neurotic and famous personalities. Sometimes misguided, often exasperating, this psychotherapist is always hilarious! Head Case: Season 2 has a full appointment book, including guest stars such as Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Hefner, Isaac Mizrahi, Janeane Garofalo, Tori Spelling and Sandra Bernhard. Dr. Goode will be busy once more, handing out advice to her eccentric clients, except the one who needs it most – herself!

Head Case: Season 2
Street Date: February, 16, 2010
Prebook: November, 2010
Catalogue #: P3148
UPC #: 0 1313 83148-8 8
Rating: NR
SRP: $19.97
Run Time: 240 Minutes
Genre: Comedy

Also available from Anchor Bay/Starz is Head Case: The Complete Series:

Catalogue #: P3233
UPC #: 0 1313 83233 8 5
Rating: NR
SRP: $24.97
Run time: 585 minutes
Genre: Comedy

Buy it at Amazon.com

Time for another session! "HEAD CASE: SEASON 2" on DVD February 16 from Anchor Bay Entertainment

ACCORDING TO GRETA -- DVD review by porfle

ACCORDING TO GRETA (2009) would seem to be a half-hearted "take me seriously" film for Hilary Duff, but as she takes a step into grown-up dramatic territory she still has one foot firmly planted in the world of poppy teen angst a la Disney, and the two sensibilities come together like ice cream and cigarettes.

Greta (Duff) is sent to live with her Grams and Gramps in Jersey for the summer so that her neglectful mom can get her third marriage started off right. From the git-go, the surly and resentful Greta finds the old folks' sedate lifestyle intolerable and chafes at being expected to adhere to any kind of discipline. This leads to various kinds of trouble, including nocturnal visits from the police and a "cry for help" suicide attempt or two, until finally one of the oldsters can't take it any more and keels over.

My main problem with the film is the title character. Rather than simply being cutely misunderstood, Greta is selfish, antisocial, and stupid, and I didn't like her. Her surly and dismissive attitude gets old quick, whether directed at her likable, well-meaning grandparents or the patrons at the restaurant where she actually bullies the boss into hiring her. We're supposed to buy the idea that her foul-tempered hostility proves irresistibly charming to the people she waits on, some of whom return specifically to enjoy being subjected to it again.

As Greta continues to flaunt her grandparents' good graces and push the buttons of those around her we're meant to excuse her behavior out of sympathy, which eventually proves too much effort to bother with. She's so single-mindedly hostile and inconsiderate to others that we're unable to relate to her either as a realistic character or as a humorously mixed-up "Alice Upside-Down" type--complete with a cutely cartoony diary that she records her self-indulgent thoughts in--especially when she's wallowing in pretend-suicidal angst.

Hilary gives it the old college try but fails to bring much depth to a role that really doesn't have any written into it. Evan Ross fares well as her would-be boyfriend Julie, a cook at the restaurant who takes a fancy to her and tries to help her shape up. Michael Murphy and Ellen Burstyn are a couple of old pros who manage to make Grams and Gramps fairly interesting characters. Burstyn, especially, brings her considerable talent to bear in giving her scenes some emotional heft. Entering the story toward the end, Melissa Leo of "Homicide: Life on the Street" and RIGHTEOUS KILL scores points as Greta's screwed-up mom.

The DVD from Anchor Bay is in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby Surround 5.1 and English and Spanish subtitles. Extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted and alternate scenes, and an alternate ending.

When Greta's irresponsible mom finally shows up and threatens to ship her away to a "boot camp" while she runs off to frolic with her third husband, we're given a good indication of why Greta's so messed up. But it isn't enough to make us care much about a character who is this big of a jerk, even when she undergoes the usual eleventh-hour transformation into a better person. With an abrupt resolution that's pretty hard to swallow, ACCORDING TO GRETA is an odd mix of ingredients that comes off half-baked.

Buy it at Amazon.com
DVD
Blu-Ray

ACCORDING TO GRETA -- DVD review by porfle

Carter Steven's Guide To TCM This Week (1/3-1/8)!

Week 2

3 Sunday

10:00 AM Americanization of Emily, The (1964) A British war widow falls for an opportunistic American sailor during World War II. Cast: James Garner, Julie Andrews, Melvyn Douglas. Dir: Arthur Hiller. BW-115 mins, TV-14, CC, Letterbox Format

One of the greatest anti war films ever made with dialog that could only have come from the nimble pen of Paddy Chayefsky who could write speeches that sounded like conversations.

4 Monday

4:15 PM My Favorite Year (1982) A flamboyant star throws a TV comedy show into chaos. Cast: Peter O'Toole, Mark Linn-Baker, Jessica Harper. Dir: Richard Benjamin. C-92 mins, TV-14, CC, Letterbox Format

A very funny “Jewish” comedy. Peter O'Toole plays a not very subtle version of Errol Flynn, Mark Linn-Baker an homage to Mel Brooks and with Joseph Bologna in a not very veiled portrayal of Sid Ceaser that almost steals the picture. Lainie Kazan plays the ultimate 50s New York Jewish Mother who is one RCH away from being a horrible stereotype except she is so spot on. First time or fortieth it's still a freakin' funny picture.

5 Tuesday

5:00 AM D.O.A. (1950) The victim of a slow-acting poison tracks down his own killer. Cast: Edmond O'Brien, Pamela Britton, Luther Adler. Dir: Rudolph Mate. BW-84 mins, TV-14

The plot summery says it all. Crank up that TiVo.

3:45 PM Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) An aging couple's liberal principles are tested when their daughter announces her engagement to a black doctor. Cast: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier. Dir: Stanley Kramer. C-108 mins, TV-PG, CC, Letterbox Format

NOT a great picture but worth watching just for the acting lesson of a (in real life) dying Spencer Tracy who shows how it's supposed to be done. On second thought just catch the last 15 minutes for Tracy's speech and Hepburn's tearful look.

7 Thursday

3:15 PM Back From Eternity (1956) When an airliner crashes in the jungle, the repaired plane can only hold five of the survivors. Cast: Robert Ryan, Anita Ekberg, Rod Steiger. Dir: John Farrow. BW-97 mins, TV-PG, CC

Never seen it, never heard of it but an interesting cast. I'm going to catch it.

8 Friday

Friday is Elvis day on TCM. Boy that man could sing, but the only film of his worth watching, King Creole isn't among the selections. (except for Viva Las Vegas at 6:15 which is only worth watching to ogle Ann-Margret)

10:00 PM Elvis: That's The Way It Is 2001 (2001) Restored version of the King's classic Vegas concert film. Cast: Elvis Presley. Dir: Denis Sanders. C-96 mins, TV-14, CC, Letterbox Format

I prefer the slim leather clad Elvis of the Comeback Special but even the Vegas Elvis is worth a listen.

Carter Steven's Guide To TCM This Week (1/3-1/8)!