MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Best American Neo-Realism?

Best American Neo-Realism?

posted 7 years ago by BillHicksFan (10611)
22 replies | jump to latest

I know the movement started in Italy about 80 years ago, and they made some amazing movies, but I was curious what we had here... Realistic, but great - otherwise, what's the point of a movie? :)

To me, John Cassavetes really started this.. His first movie "Shadows" was quite experimental, but his next two were the only ones in the studio system (but still underrated - A Child Is Waiting, Too Late Blues) but it probably wasn't until "Minne and Moskowitz", maybe even "Husbands" - and especially "A Woman Under The Influence"..

"Fat City" starring Stacy Keach (one of the best performances ever) directed by John Huston.

Vincent Gallo's "Buffalo '66" which was released in 1998 would fit this...

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

I recently watch Salt of the Earth.
I would think this would fit into this category.

[–] BillHicksFan (10611) 7 years ago

the original from 1954?

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

Yes. I hadn't seen it before.
A powerful film.

[–] BillHicksFan (10611) 7 years ago

That movie was banned for quite a while... Henry Bieberman was blacklisted..

And movies (and the country) hasn't been the same since :(

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

One of the biggest embarrassments to America and Hollywood.
Very few movies have been made about this time period and what this did to people's lives.

[–] BillHicksFan (10611) 7 years ago

"The Front" was good... "Guilty By Association" was decent, but I agree -- this is a perfect blueprint for a movie. The sad thing is that people under 50 have no idea what it is, and the permanent effect of speech... Even today, if you try to help a person, all one has to do is throw the "Socialism"

"Blacklist? I think I binged that last week"

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

Guilty By Association
Did you mean Guilty by Suspicion ?

I recently watched a movie called Fellow Traveler. It wasn't a great movie but I think it gave the
most realistic view of what happened to these people during this time. It was a fictitious story but
has similarities to a black listed writer whose name escapes me right now.

[–] BillHicksFan (10611) 7 years ago

Yes, thank you.

[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

Umm, I'm under 50 and know what the blacklist is. I thought Trumbo was a good portrayal of life on the blacklist. There were some cool episodes of FreshAir with Terry Gross last week talking about this topic. She interviewed Elia Kazan and Kirk Douglas in the 80s and she replayed them for her anniversary. I like Elia Kazan's movies very much but he sounded like a bit of a jerk in the interview. Lesson: look at the art not the artist.

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

Kazan has made some of the best movies of all time.
He has taken a lot of heat over the years regarding what he did. He very well might be a jerk
or just have a huge chip on shoulders.
He and many others were forced into an unwinnable situation.
He became a hated man for naming names.
In that situation I can't say I wouldn't have done the same. If you were forced to choose
your livelihood and putting food on the table for your family.

[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

I don't want to get into a thing about the blacklist and Elia Kazan. I'm not able to judge his behavior. I don't know what I would have done. What I was referring to above was the tone he had throughout the interview, not just in speaking about the blacklist. Let me just say, I don't think he was an easy going kind of guy. A bit too spicy for my taste.

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

If I came across in the wrong way I apologize. It wasn't intended towards anything you wrote.
I get a little fired up about the blacklist. I hope you know I always value your opinion.
Open mouth-insert foot. Story of my life.

"A bit too spicy for my taste."
Great artists are often a little spicy. Often times to a fault.

If you're interested check this out. I think you would be perfect and a great addition.

https://moviechat.org/general/General-Discussion/597e25e78d005c00119f15f8/ATM-A-film-discussion-group-Information-Sign-Up-and-Roster

[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

No worries. I'm very leery of anything political on this forum. I don't mean to offend and don't want to get into anything that even seems remotely political. I wish there were a spot on the internet where it felt safe but so far I haven't found it. It would be nice to hear a intelligent conversation without personal insults. Elia Kazan made some movies I love. My parents were both immigrants so America, America has always been special to me. On the Waterfront is a masterpiece. A Streetcar Named Desire is phenomenal. I'm a big fan but he wasn't very friendly in the interview. It's another reinforcement of that adage don't meet your hero. Apparently, Sam Shepard was a drunk *sshole who didn't like picking up dog poop. Who knew? To me, he was an amazing writer who seemed to have a great deal of empathy for people. Everyone is human.

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

I appreciate it.
I'm the same way. There are a few random subjects that get me.
This being one and the Rwandan genocide being another. So be careful. :)
Just so random.

I really don't know much about him other than some of the things he went through and his movies.
So I should know not to talk about things I really don't know anything about.
Sometimes I just can't help it. You're right no where is safe. I get enough of the real world
in the real world. I try to just have some fun when I come here.

I have 4 dogs and I don't like to pick up dog poop either. I still do it every day. Yeah, it sucks. It might be possible that I'm an *sshole too. So I can relate.

I really hope you think about being a part of our group. You would be a welcome addition.
BTW have you ever received a PM ?

[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

Does PM mean personal message? If so, no I haven't. I started watching the movie, The Changeling. I've heard of it but I've never seen it. George C Scott! Love him. I like the setting so far too, a big house in Washington. I love the clothes in the movie too. So I'll join you for the discussion. Thank you very much for the invite, I appreciate it!

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

Yes, personal message. I tried to send you one regarding the group.
I received an error message, which is strange. You could try to send
one to somebody to see if it works or not. I had never seen that error before.
If it's even that important to you.
Looking forward to your thoughts on the movie.

[–] Drmccormack (743) 7 years ago

I've sent a PM but I don't know if the person ever received it. I've never received one myself. Maybe I'll sign out/sign in and see if that changes anything. Thanks!

[–] yesanything (251) 7 years ago

Prince of the City - Sidney Lumet 10/10

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

Good call.
I think a few of Lumet's movies could fit this. They might not check off every box but several.
He was kind of the regulars guys director in several of his movies.
He is also under appreciated. IMO You don't hear a lot of people name him as part of their favorites.

Pawnbroker
Dog Day Afternoon
and maybe even Running on Empty come to mind.

He's made some amazing movies.

[–] yawkee24 (629) 7 years ago

neorealism, the product of people such as writer Italo Calvino and the film director Federico Fellini.
circa 1940

[–] Catbookss (13664) 7 years ago

I can hardly believe someone here knows Italo Calvino. One of my favourite novels was one of his, If on A Winter's Night A Traveler. If you or anyone else here has read it, you'll know exactly what I mean when I say it's one of my favourite works of literature, *and* that I've still never finished it ;)

[–] yawkee24 (629) 7 years ago

must admit, never read any of his writings, just remember him from High School English Class, because of where he was born, las Vegas, (the old one) but our teacher taught us a lot about him, an Italian born in Cuba and settled in Italy, he was also a journalist, I remember reading excerpts from his books, but that's all I know, other than the fact that most if not all his works were fiction,
I also remember him teaching us about Ivanhoe which I hated until years later when I found out it is a fantastic story, but what does a 14 year old know?