FilmJerk Favorites

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

||| John Ford |||
John Ford

One of the art form's grand masters of all time, Ford is responsible for influencing the seminal directors of generation after generation. Strongly associated with the impressive body of work created over a lifetime with collaborator John Wayne, it is nearly impossible to choose just three… but here it goes.

This powerful winner of the Best Picture Academy Award is set in Wales at the turn of the 19th century, and tells the story of a family of miners, whose lives are filled with danger and repression. The film is beautifully crafted, lovingly depicting the gut wrenching sacrifices and light-hearted moments that are elemental to family life, making this film a true representation of the craft that is unmistakably John Ford.

This film is told in flashback as James Stewart, after a long absence, returns home for the funeral of a friend who saved his life from a sadistic outlaw. This classic covers every essential element required to qualify as a western epic from unlikely friends to the girl who comes between them, to the enemy they both despise, but handle with extremely different approaches, to Fords signature cast of supporting characters, all combine to make this a staple for every fan of this uniquely American genre.

This romantic comedy seen through the eyes of John Ford has John Wayne ( an American-raised boxer) go to Ireland to the village of his birth, fall for feisty Maureen O'Hara, and fight with town ruffian Victor McLaglen in one of the all time classic screen brawls. This is an exceptionally fine romantic movie that with Ford’s capable bravado manages to be a film that any man’s man can openly enjoy.

Recommended by CarrieSpecht

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Flushed Away

By BrianOrndorf

November 3rd, 2006

Aardman Animation takes a giant leap towards the future with their first fully CG-animated film, "Flushed Away." They do try to keep the low-tech vibe alive in the picture, but that only distracts from the fun and sheer velocity of the movie.

Flushed Away

Roddy (voiced tremendously by Hugh Jackman) is a pet rat living the high life alone in his comfy cage when a street rat named Sid rudely interrupts the fun and sends Roddy down the toilet and into the rodent community of the sewer. Frantically searching for a way home, Roddy meets up with Rita (Kate Winslet), a treasure hunter who is being tailed by the evil criminal Toad (Ian McKellen). Striking a deal with Rita, Roddy joins the fight, soon chased by French assassin Le Frog (a playful Jean Reno), and two bumbling henchmen (the wonderful Bill Nighy and Andy Serkis).

Aardman Animation has made a name for itself through its retro, yet pioneering usage of stop-motion animation. Just last year came the delightful “Curse of the Were-Rabbit” feature film that delivered big on both laughs and visual majesty, while also being the rare, clever family film that wasn’t a complete drag to sit through.

But times are changing, and “Flushed Away” is Aardman’s first fully CG animated production. At first, the effect is quite jarring. Using a program that replicates the jittery movement of stop-motion, it seems pointless for the filmmakers to even try and pass itself off as a faux Plastacine creation, especially when the rest of the movie shimmers with traditional CG smoothness and precision. Everything looks Aardman, from the big gumball eyes to the English overbites, but it has a high-tech touch to it that doesn’t digest right when trying to replicate a very unsophisticated process of animation.

Thankfully, an abundance of entertainment in “Flushed” steals the mind away from the technical curiosities. Bathed in a rich history of Aardman English humor and filled out with an international cast of enchanting actors, there’s a snap to “Flushed” that saves it from skidding into mediocrity. Directors David Bowers and Sam Fell keep the material dancing at a neck-breaking velocity, bouncing the zingers around like a tennis ball fight, and pushing the voice talent to match the speed of the animated shenanigans. When presented at its most breathless, “Flushed” is rather likable, moving rapidly around British culture jokes and complicated chase sequences through the sewers of London.

When the tempo slows to figure out the emotional journey of Roddy or to spend time with tepid villain Toad, the film comes to a standstill. This can also be blamed on the script, which favors the relationship between Roddy and Rita over the bad guys, leaving Toad’s scenes of menace more intrusive than captivatingly evil.

“Flushed Away,” with its barrage of Brit quips and a group of Greek chorus slugs who sing the classics, twinkles with wit, but only when it wants to. Thankfully, there’s enough of the good stuff in here to make for an entertaining sit.

My rating: B