#johnsayles

[droppedculture]

What do you get when you combine Star Wars and Seven Samurai on a 2 million dollar budget in 1980? Spaceship Boobs! Well , spaceship boobs and......Battle Beyond The Stars!!! Join Brock and Dan as they discuss this tale of John Boy Walton and the A-Team's Hannibal Smith, as they gather a diverse team of warriors from across the stars to defend the peace loving, candy ass planet of Akir from Sador, the ruler of the Malmori Empire, and his planet destroying Stellar Converter! (That sounds a little too familiar....) Also, James Cameron not directing and Bill Paxton as a carpenter. I love it when a plan comes together! Hit the fellas up at www.droppedculture.com or on most of your socializing apps at @droppedculture or just drop them a line at droppedculturepodcast@gmail.com.

[mattachinesocial]

I am a man of varied and refined taste. #satire #johnsayles #lewisteague #alligator #camp #thebradybunch #film #physicalmedia (at Los Angeles/Hollywood California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaSucYEvOgs/?utm_medium=tumblr

[adafine]

Happy Valentine’s Day to me #alligator #alligatoriithemutation #robertforster #johnsayles #lewisteague #4kbluray #bluray #screamfactory (at Rich Hall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ-DV2lFl25/?utm_medium=tumblr

[terribletriplefeatures]

The Howling is so goddamn good. #thehowling #joedante #johnsayles #80shorror #werewolf #werewolves #werewolfwednesday #horror (at Baltimore, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZBK2xLM3Ch/?utm_medium=tumblr

[doomonfilm]

Thoughts : The Return of the Secaucus 7 (1980)

The 1970′s were a time of experimentation on the big stage in American cinema.  Many of the directors that recently had found fame were fans of old Italian and French cinema, and their influences were being intertwined into the Hollywood system to great effect.  Neo-realism, knowingly or not, seemed to be the realm that John Sayles stepped in with his debut film, The Return of the Secaucus 7.  He would later go on to find huge fame in the 1980′s with The Big Chill, but his debut film, in my opinion, is the real work of art. 

Mike (Bruce MacDonald) and Katie (Maggie Renzi) have rented a cottage in New Hampshire in anticipation of a reunion with their college friends.  The group were formerly arrested in college for protesting, thus gaining them the nickname of the Secaucus 7 : Mike, Katie, J.T. (Adam LeFevre), Frances (Maggie Cousineau), Irene (Jean Passanante), Maura (Karen Trott) and Jeff (Mark Arnott).  Irene is bringing Chip (Gordon Clapp), her co-worker and current love interest; Maura and Jeff are bringing a fresh break-up; to top it all off, the entire group is bringing together years of memories, regrets, resentments and a whole batch of pent-up thoughts and feelings held for one another.  With local friends Ron (David Strathairn) and Howie (director John Sayles) thrown into the mix, there’s no telling who will couple up, what emotions will boil over, and where members of the group will stand with one another after the reunion is all said and done.

This film is a drama that plays out very much like a documentary.  We get a clear indication for who is who early on : Mike and Katie are the surrogate parents, J.T. is the free spirit, Irene and Chip are the pragmatists, Maura is the dramatic one, Jeff is the one who rocks the boat, and Frances is the outsider.  Ron is the wild card, and Howie is the representation of settling down.  With all of these elements thrown into a mix, and the palatable history between these fictional characters, what we are left with are very realistic and entertaining depictions of what could be mundane human interaction.  It’s that realism applied with a focus on entertainment remaining that allows us to feel like the silent friend in the group, watching all of the drama and fun unfold right in front of our eyes, and finding ourselves feeling a part of it all.

Truthful portrayals of love and friendship are what really help nail down that aforementioned realism that is so present in the film.  The actors and director (along with their small crew) were all friends in real life that had previously worked together in acting troupes, and none of them had any real expectations in regards to what would happen after the film’s release, and it allowed those real life connections to shine through.  There are no pretenses, as it is crystal clear everyone trusts one another and is comfortable around one another.  This level of comfort allows the actors to not only go for broke when they see a memorable opportunity, but it makes their intimate and emotionally revealing moments carry that much more impact.  You can see both sides emoting, listening, reacting and taking everything in, very similar to what we go through in vulnerable times connected to our lives.

Honest acting is the name of the game, and it’s a big part of how the realism is achieved.  The reactions and laughs are all genuine.  The dialogue, observations and jokes made at one another’s expense feel as if they are coming from a place of familiarity rather than originated in a writer’s mind.  The smiles are sincere, the worry feels real, and the electricity between certain cast members is present even with the film on mute.  Everything is in the eyes and the body language of the characters, and the camera does a fantastic job of capturing and framing all of the comfort and familiarity for our pleasure.

Bruce MacDonald and Maggie Renzi find ways to be compelling in their dual role of parental figures and tour guides, coming off as somewhat wiser and more settled than their friends despite being the same age.  Ada LeFevre brings tons of charisma and charm to his role of drifter and songwriter, making him by far the most magnetic of the group in terms of personality.  Jean Passanante and Gordon Clapp’s logical observations and straightforward humor play extremely well in relation to the company they keep in the film.  Maggie Cousineau comes off as the most mysterious in the group due to her guarded and reserved nature... she is comfortable around the group, especially the women, but not outwardly revealing in terms of dialogue.  Karen Trott and Mark Arnott play lovers at odds quite well, managing to show shades of why they made a good couple in tandem with showing a ferocity towards one another (subtly and directly) that implies years of intimacy and no secrets.  David Strathairn and his lighthearted nature were memorable, but definitely not an indication of his long and diverse career that was to follow.  John Sayles made the most of his acting moments, providing a contrast to the unburdened nature of the remaining characters.

While usually not as remembered or recognized as The Big Chill, this film is still one that I’ve been fascinated with for years and find myself thinking of quite often.  Though not the biggest proponent of remakes, I think the framework of this is open enough to reinterpret it for modern day audiences, with only the most diehard observers probably being the ones able to put the influential pieces together.  For fans of independent cinema, definitely one to put on your watch lists.   

[cinefast]

#returnofthesecaucus7 with mister #johnsayles himself at @cinemathequefr : successfull first movie #16mm #thirtiesdepression #couplegoals (à La Cinémathèque française) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVXrJ8tsHY5/?utm_medium=tumblr

[slickcatbooks]

Who’s the “American Monk”? Who was the first Principal of the West Virginia Colored Institute? Who started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878? To find the answers check out:https://slickcatbooks.com/pages/literary-calendar-2021 Burt Goldman, Christopher Buckley, David Rieff, Elmer Rice, Francis Turner Palgrave, James Edwin Campbell, Jerry Stahl, John Sayles, Kate Douglas Wiggin and William Leuchtenburg. Happy Birthday to all! #slickcatbooks #greatbooksgreatmemories #literarycalendar #burtgoldman #christopherbuckley #davidrieff #elmerrice #francisturnerpalgrave #jamesedwincampbell #jerrystahl #johnsayles #katedouglaswiggin #williamleuchtenburg #birthdays #authorsbirthdays https://www.instagram.com/p/CUX6J9OL10Z/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cinemasniffers]

CSS: VOL 041 / The Brother From Another Planet

John Sayles, 1984

[twodollarlatefee]

Happy 59th birthday to D.B. Sweeney! D.B. has been in so many movies we love always delivering a great performance! Fire In The Sky, Eight Men Out, Memphis Belle, & countless other! Btw, if you’ve never seen Heaven Is A Playground go seek it out! Fantastic flick! What’s your favorite D.B.S movie/tv/role? ❤️📼❤️ • •• ••• #dbsweeney #actor #birthday #vhs #vcr #videostore #twodollarlatefee #podcast #80spodcast #80s #90s #2000s #thecuttingedge #memphisbelle #eightmenout #johnsayles #fireinthesky #alienabduction #basketball #heavenisaplayground #spawn #toddmcfarlane https://www.instagram.com/p/CHkyLT9l9L7/?igshid=1btv72u8jexce

[vicsage2005]

"Alligators in the sewers?" - Alligator (1980) #robertforster #robinriker #johnsayles #lewisteague #saturdayfrights #horrorcommunity #cultfilm #horrorpodcast #40thanniversary https://www.instagram.com/p/CHkvGM-l7ds/?igshid=56izzhg4wnm

[vicsage-retroist]

"We get 'em all: sun-worshippers, moon-worshippers, Satanists. The Manson family used to hang around and shoplift. Bunch of deadbeats!" - The Howling (1981) #dickmiller #belindabalaski #robertpicardo #joedante #johnsayles #saturdayfrights #horrorpodcast #werewolves #horrorcommunity #thehowling #ilovehorror https://www.instagram.com/p/B-hOOrBlKfO/?igshid=1ht02ah7b2hp0

[filmarchivistpov]

John Sayles and Frances McDormand at the Aero on Sunday, February 16 at 4pm for LONE STAR + LIMBO. #johnsayles (at Aero Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8eerr3lylN/?igshid=hu8pqh3bjy63

[georgezouvelos]

The National Herald Εθνικός Κήρυξ / newspaper #Greek #Hellenic, and also the English weekly edition {attached copyright of same} covered the expert panel that included award winning #actor and #filmmaker, @GeorgeZouvelos discussing the life, times, and career of #Writer, #Director #JohnCassavetes Hosted by #EMBCA it’s founder and president Ilias I. Katsos, who is the NY Governor of New York State AHEPA District 6 The event was also brought to you by AHEPA HERMES CH 186, Astoria - New York City whereas John Cassavetes was a member of. Also Jimmy DeMetro and @hellenicfilmsocietyusa #HellenicFilmSociety #USA; moderated by George Stephanopoulos, panel also included legendary #Storyteller #JohnSayles, Professor and author #NicholasAlexiou, and #AurthurFosterHirsch. Event Profiles at: https://hellenicfilmusa.org/john-cassavetes-panel-discussion. John Cassavetes was a pioneer of self-financing and self-distribution, he led the way for filmmakers to break free of Hollywood control, perfecting an improvisational, cinéma vérité aesthetic all his own. He is in my opinion -out of necessity or self pride- the accidental Father/ Inventor of the American Independent Film. George Zouvelos of @fiatluxstudios is an award winning actor #producer filmmaker; also a #writer #director #narrator #commentator #nyc #newyorkcity #GeorgeZouvelos https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ZZEYClFkE/?igshid=esw56r2y75ak

[adafine]

Horror Movie Marathon (2021) October 21st 40. The Howling (1981) Directed by Joe Dante #thehowling #deewallace #patrickmacnee #dennisdugan #christopherstone #kevinmccarthy #johncarradine #pinodonaggio #robertpicardo #johnhora #johnsayles #joedante #screamfactory #bluray (at Eastpointe Apartments) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVS4Qz9ltx1/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mayonnaiseandbread]

REQUESTED COMMISH!/STILL $31 SLOTS LEFT - TODAY&TOMORROW ONLY TO LOCK EM IN! ● #31DOHC DAY08: #PIRAHNA/#PIRAHNA3D • on 9x12 acrylic paper • #pen quicksketch stylee + #brushpen ● #ALEXANDERAJA #johnsayles #31daysofhalloween #31daysofhalloweenchallenge #halloween #October #horror #fall #helloween #inktober #drawloween #cyborg #1978 #2010 #cybernetic #wtf #daffyAF #fish #fishy #prehistoric https://www.instagram.com/p/B4QPhMABpH5/?igshid=f9y9ovleye6l

[puppetonachain-chirashi]

Matewan | 80s US Classic, Chris Cooper, John Sayles | 1989 original print | vintage Japanese chirashi film poster For sale @ puppetonachain.com #chirashiposter #movieposter #filmposter #johnsayles #matewan #80sfilms #1980s #chriscooper #jamesearljones #japaneseposter #japanesemovieposter #independentfilm #graphicdesign #posterdesign #movieposterdesign #movieposterart #americanfilm https://etsy.me/2MmIXaX https://www.instagram.com/p/B3sYv9gl-hr/?igshid=jwhn6mf34k3b