Tag: Vilmos Zsigmond

THE TWO JAKES (1990)

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Directed by: Jack Nicholson 
Written By: Robert Towne 
Cinematography: Vilmos Zsigmond 
Editor: Anne Goursaud

Cast: Jack Nicholson, Harvey Keitel, Meg Tilly, Madeline Stowe, Eli Wallach, Ruben Blades, David Keith, James Hong, Frederic Forrest, Richard Farnsworth, Tracey Walter, Joe Mantell, Perry Lopez, Rebecca Broussard, Van Dyke Parks

The sequel to Chinatown finds J.J. “Jake” Gittes investigating adultery and murder, and the money that comes from oil.

When the film was coming out I remember all the advertisements for the movie as a kid and always being impressed by its poster artwork. At the time I had never seen or heard of CHINATOWN the movie, but knew this was a sequel to something and really only interested because Jack Nicholson was in it and this was right after BATMAN and I remember him from the movie THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK. 

This sequel or update of the film classic CHINATOWN tries to continue the look and style.  It even has some returning cast members and characters. While employing some great character actors. So by all rights, the film should be noteworthy. As it has some great shows to fill.

Though it falls short very short that barely stands in the shadow of the previous film. It has a similarly twisty and twisted storyline that ends up being easy to figure out. Not to mention not as devastating. As it doesn’t pull the audience in, as much to care. It stays at arm’s distance. Not that the first film was all that warm and cuddly but it kept you on your toes. Especially when it came to the mystery. Here you just wonder how everything fits. 

This film also lacks any memorable scenes or revelations. It’s pretty mundane as it seems to try too hard. You want it to be better than it actually is. As the material is there it just feels misrepresented.

Madeline Stowe at first seems like she will be a femme fatale and be more important to the overall story. Though after awhile she seems to be here for no real reason other than as pretty dressing and more of a distraction.

The cast seems to be playing more into the mood of the movie. Which is always gloomy rather than characters. This film has no spirit really it stays flat and simple.

The film tries but it comes up as rather dull and just going through the motions. As it never takes a definite direction or offers any real distinctions.

Knowing this film had a full share of behind-the-scenes dramas between screenwriter Robert towns, Producer Robert Evans and star/director Jack Nicholson, Evans was upset after hoping to play the role of the other Jake Played by Harvey Keitel, but not only not being strong enough an actor but getting bad plastic surgery right before filming began. Then Robert towns dropped out of directing and the film was postponed until Nicholson took the reins of the project. As this was supposed to be the second of a trilogy. 

You can see what they were trying to do and attempting before time ran out, but this might have been better off than what could have been. 

Grade: C+

THE NAME OF THE GAME IS… KILL (1968)

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Directed By: Gunnar Hellstron 
Written By: Gary Crutcher 
Cinematography: Vilmos Zsigmond
Editor: Lou Lombardo

Cast: Jack Lord, Susan Strasberg, Collin Wilcox Paxton, Tisha Sterling, T.C. Jones, Mort Mills, Marc Desmond 

A desert family offers a traveling stranger its hospitality, but the stranger doesn’t realize exactly what they have in store for him.

This film is certainly an oddity the time had never heard of before.

The film is pretty basic in plot and relies heavily on its ending, which is meant to be shocking. So much so the film Mostly depends on it. Though offers two for one. Then leaves you with a Few questions it will never answer.

If you notice early in the film you can’t predict the end. Tone. even if you miss eventually the film will become predictable but then try to still get you 

So obviously this is a film to best go in blind or knowing as little as possible to get the best bang for your buck.

This is certainly the first time I have seen star Jack Lord in anything other than the show that made him Famous HAWAII FIVE-O and here he plays a Hungarian drifter with an accent. He does a serviceable job. Though you wonder about the intelligence of his character. As many times he is attacked and almost does from these attacks. Yet he keeps coming back to this family. Yet tries to rationalize it when it appears mostly to be lust.

Even as they are all obviously off in many ways. Though the one he seems to fall for in only one day. Where they talk about their love for each other already. Seems to be the sane one and the one who just needs love in her life.  

Whereas her sister’s one already has an instant distaste for him and lets it be known and the teen sister just seems disturbed as when we meet her the family mother is bringing her home after setting a cat on fire to punish someone who was picking on her. Who has she then Tripped down a set of stairs and broke their leg after killing the cat. All of this is scenes as teenage hijinks.

They all come onto him at some point in the film except the mother. As they are fetching in their own ways. Though most would have hightailed it.

The film also can’t seem to settle at times it says that no tourists stop and stay in the town. Yet later the sheriff talks about how the town is torn. They hate tourists but depend on them for income. Just as this family of females run a service station that no one tourists or townsfolk ever seem to come by or use.

Not to mention it’s hard to see how or why they would stay or live in this town as it comes off almost as desolate as a ghost town.

This is definitely a movie of its time. Making it today would be too obvious. As we have become used to these kinds of twists. Though for what it’s worth even if at times it seems ridiculous. It definitely keeps your interest. 

Grade: C+