Steppin' Razor - Reggae on film - 1970's

It was super crummy weather in Seattle today so I listened to a ton of reggae and thought of warmer climates. When I envision reggae music , scenes from these movies always come to mind.


If you have not seen "The Harder They Come" you MUST, I repeat must, go and do so.
No question about it. Style for miles and one of the best soundtracks as well. Roger Corman interestingly enough took charge of distribution of this film in 1973 which led to placement in plenty of art-house theater midnight showings. This film was re-released through Criterion sometime ago. It stands as one of my all time favorite films.



I just read this review on wiki...
Kevin Sanders (bless his heart) says "Infinitely more intelligent the Last Tango in Paris."
Sorry Brando, I'm agreeing with Kevin on this one. Jimmy Cliff (who plays the lead) is a rougher than tough bad ass in this story of a struggling musically talented outlaw.

Next one up is "Rockers" - 1976























Rockers is a gem. Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, an Alpha Boys music school alum who was in countless of influential bands, plays the down and out star this time.
Theodoros Bafaloukos the writer and director was just interviewed in VICE.
Check it out and read why this Greek guy from NY set out to film this amazing film.
Again, style for days. Plenty of star power on the soundtrack as well.




Next up is the documentary style film "Roots, Rock, Reggae" - 1977

This film is shot live and direct 1977 Kingston style. It includes some great studio footage of Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby behind the controls of some excellent bands.






And finally into the 80's with "Countryman" - 1982



A CIA agent and his girlfriend are accused of wrongdoing when their plane crashes in a remote jungle area of Jamaica. Thin on plot, but still one hell of a movie.

One of my favorite scenes...




I would like to imagine that the likes of Eric Clapton, Paul Simon and the Rolling Stones were influenced in a big way by Jamaican music and culture.
I know these films had a huge impact with me. Enjoy.

Dennis Hopper - American Dreamer

With all of the hoopla of a giant media circus circling the wagons around him, it's due time to pay my respects to a man who's extensive and rich career I've admired through the years. Don't know the entire story, but I've got to admit, a little snicker came out when I read that he had called his wife a "Human Garbage Can".
It just seems the sort of thing he would say.

I would have to say one of the most incredible dialog exchanges had to be the now infamous "eggplant" segment in the 1993 movie True Romance. In the early nineties when I was just barely cutting my cinematic teeth, Hopper shined through like a glaring crazy person beacon. Around this time I was amazed at what a nut-job he could portray. Movies such as Blue Velvet, Speed (Yes. I DO like it.), Red Rock West and Rivers Edge to name a few. Only later would I discover roles in his early days as a gunslinger, JD, or ratty biker in such films as Gunfight At The OK Corral, Rebel Without A Cause or one of my favorites, The Glory Stompers.




Just recently, I obtained a copy of his 1971 documentary The American Dreamer. It is a completely unaltered slice of his life and a total trip to watch. This documentary was filmed during the editing process of what ultimately was considered Dennis' folly The Last Movie.




Another one you won't want to miss is Mad Dog Morgan, an Australian release from 1976 about an Aussie outlaw in the mid-1800's. Troma Video just released an unedited version of this film.




We love you Billy...

Alain Delon

My first introduction to Alain Delon was very recent. I was captivated at the strength and charisma of this striking Frenchman's acting. Delon's filmography is quite extensive and I have just begun to scratch the surface. Here are a few notes on what I have watched so far...




Le Samourai - 1967

I watched this film quite sometime ago after I had seen Ghost Dog The Way Of The Samurai,
by Jim Jarmusch.
Only then did I start to understand what he meant in the previous post.
I thank him for opening my eyes to the films of Jean-Pierre Melville. If you've seen both, you will notice the scenes in which Jarmusch pays homage.
Le Samourai draws you into the world of Jef Costello, the most disciplined and smartly dressed hitman you will ever encounter on screen. The title of the film comes from Costello's belief in living the way of the samurai's Bushido code. The film's narrative by Delon gives it impact when explaining the code of principals to the watcher. This film is considered a minimalist thriller by some. I agree on to some point that it is, however Le Samourai has many layers under it's seemingly stark exterior, and aside from it's lack of dialog, is a visually fantastic film that speaks volumes to me.


La Piscine - 1969
























La Piscine (The Swimming Pool) was directed by Jaques Deray who also directed Delon in a few other films as well.
The opening sequence is quite stunning and memorable. The majority of the film is played out around the symbolic swimming pool. A young and affluent couple (Delon and Romy Schneider) decide to take a trip to their amazing villa in the French Riviera. They are called upon by an old friend played by Maurice Ronet, and his young daughter Penelope, played by the alluring Jane Birkin. After Delon's character is washed out professionally, his wife's former lover (Ronet) tries to rekindle his relationship with Marianne (played by Schneider).
An intense web of jealousy ensues.


Le Gitan - 1975























Le Gitan was directed by Jose Giovanni in the latter years of his career. This film basically shows the struggle of an outlaw gypsy Hugo Sennart, played convincingly by Delon. There are some realistic shots of how tough the gypsies had it, yet they still manage to have some pride and dignity within their culture. Also included are some great action sequences and again, Delon pierces the screen with his gritty demeanor. The ending falls somewhat flat but does not, in my opinion, detract from this great story. Django Rhinehardt composing a good portion the soundtrack is an added bonus as well.
Also worth mentioning are:
Plein Soleil - 1960 (The original version of "The Talented Mr. Ripley")
Girl On A Motorcycle - 1968 (With Marianne Faithful)
Le Circle Rouge - 1970

First Post. Rule #5.