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Reviews
Torches of Erin (2005)
Spear Jumping Madness
This film is the quintessential, short-length, ancient-Celtic-Warriors-struggling-with-feelings- of-brotherhood, but-still-having-to-kill-each-other picture. Way better than "The Harp of Cooney-BoozeBain." Kelby Akin's performance has been called "unnervingly adequate," by the Dublin Post Office Film Review. Dolph Paulsen has been hailed as "a pretty good Cuchullain, even though Dolph is actually a Norwegian poo-head." Timothy O'Neill patented his now famous "more fog, damnit" approach to directing with this film project. Viewers across the globe have marveled at the special effects with comments such as "that was the greatest scene of a man in tartan pants jumping off the tips of flying spears in film history."
Lonely Are the Brave (1962)
A Sam Shepard treasure chest
I rented "Lonely Are the Brave" as part of the research I am doing for a production of Sam Shepard's play "True West." "Lonely" is heavily referenced in Shepard's play as being the last real Western movie and sort of a behind-the-scenes manifesto for the character of the older brother, Lee, himself a loner and a wanderer like Jack Burns, played by Kirk Douglas. When I was watching the movie I became acutely aware of a resemblance between characters in the film and characters in this play, particularly regarding the relationship between Jack Burns and his old friend (now college grad and gone sensible) in the scenes inside the jail-house. These two old friends are a perfect frame for an idealized projection of the brothers, Lee and Austin in "True West."
Not only are characters in Shepard's work seemingly directly inspired by this movie, but much of his signature technical stage business seems to be drawn from scenes in the film as well. Gena Rowlands berates Jack for his irresponsibility all while aggressively cooking a ham and eggs breakfast. Shepard often uses cooking as a background activity to important dialogue.
The Movie provides amazing clues into the different minds and paths of the brothers Lee and Austin in terms of its technical realization too. While the vivid and rough character of Jack Burns is an obvious seduction for Lee. The writing of "Lonely are the Brave" is unusually sharp and witty and smacks of the kind of artistic inspiration Austin pursues.
For anyone who is a fan of Sam Shepard's plays, especially "True West," this movie is a must-see.