This weekend concludes the SFFILM, which you can mostly stream at home. Here’s my first look at SFFILM and three indie gems at SFFILM. If you’re going to catch just one film at SFFILM, I suggest I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking).
ON VIDEO
We’re coming upon the Oscars, so it’s time to see the nominated films (IN THIS ORDER).
- Nomadland: refusing to be defeated. THE YEAR’S BEST MOVIE. Hulu.
- Sound of Metal: Seeking anything but stillness. Amazon (included with Prime).
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: searing, with an electric performance. Netflix
- Another Round: Humanity buzzed. BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE. Amazon.
- The Father: as reality shifts. Amazon, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play.
- Mank: biting the hand. Netflix.
- The Trial of the Chicago 7: an earlier bizarre moment n our political history
- One Night in Miami: four icons share one pivotal moment. Amazon.
- Minari: who gets to decide on a family’s dream? Amazon, AppleTV, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play.
ON TV
On April 21, TCM brings us something COMPLETELY different, the 1955 Pete Kelly’s Blues, directed by and starring Jack Webb, who we all know from TV’s Dragnet. Made at the downturn of the Big Band Era, Pete Kelly’s Blues is set at during Prohibition in the infancy of Big Bands.
It’s a fairly routine drama about a small time bandleader on the outs with a dangerous crime boss, but Jack Webb loved jazz and worked hard to get the music in the movie right, resulting in quite the period document. Peggy Lee received a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for portraying an alcoholic vocalist. There’s an unforgettable cameo performance by Ella Fitzgerald at the top of her game. The house band includes many real-life musicians who played with Benny Goodman, Bing Crosby and the like, including Matty Matlock, Eddie Miller and Jud De Naut.
Webb never had much range as an actor, but the rest of the cast is excellent: Janet Leigh, Edmond O’Brien, Lee Marvin, Andy Devine, Jayne Mansfield and Harry Morgan. Not a great flick, but worth a look for the music.