SIC PICKS July 15 – 21

July 18, 2024 61

Gareth’s Picks

The Dark Crystal (1982)

The first of two masterpieces by Jim Henson, here he tells the story of another world where the planet has been divided into two powers, the horrible Skeksis and the wise Mystics. Stuck in the middle are the Gelflings, elf-like creatures who will have to fulfill the prophecy of uniting the world. Boy, we sure could use some Jim Henson magic right now in our world. Working with artist Brian Froud, Henson created a still magic world. Needless to say, the artistic puppetry has been unequaled since his death, except for his other masterpiece. Labyrinth.

Available on TUBI!

Labyrinth (1986)

The second of Henson’s films that are not directly connected to the Muppets, this time with the one and only David Bowie (and his masterful codpiece) as the Goblin King. A young Jennifer Connelly must save her baby brother that she has made disappear with an unwise wish. All the goblins are designed by Brian Froud (again) and the script is written by Terry Jones from Monty Python. Unforgettable.

Available on TUBI!

Craig’s Picks

Bernice Bobs Her Hair (1976)

We lost Shelley Duvall last week. Her legacy was solidified by being terrified both on and off screen in The Shining, but she had such an interesting film career in the mid to late 70s and even into the 90s and 2000s with smaller roles on TV. She might be my favorite part of Steve Martin’s Roxanne.This was a made for TV movie on PBS as part of the American Short Stories series. Adapted from an F Scott Fitzgerald short story set in the Gatsby 1920s. It’s stars Duvall as the awkward cousin to a popular teen socialite played by Veronica Cartwright (Lambert from Aliens) and Bud Cort (Harold from Harold and Maude.)It’s worth the 45 minute runtime.

Available to watch for free on Plex and YouTube

Popeye (1980)

If you haven’t seen this, you should watch it. I mean Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall as Popeye and Olive Oly with songs by Harry Nisson. Everyone knows “He Needs Me” from Tik Tok and Punch Drunk Love, but you won’t really fall in love with that song until you see Shelley sell it in this wonderfully weird movie.

Watch for free on Kanopy, Hoopla or PlutoTV

Written by: jamric

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