Another Loverly Evening at Gayle’s Chocolates!
© A.J. Malouin 2010
A large group, including two new members, got together at Gayle’s Chocolates, in Royal Oak, Michigan, USA, to hide from the St. Patrick’s Day going on just outside the shoppe — and to eat chocolates and talk about movies.
The primary film under discussion was “La Battaglia de Algeri” [“The Battle of Algers”], but as is usual with our exuberant and passionate crowd, the conversation covered the entire filmic waterfront.
Liz started the evening by regaling the group with her recent lawyer exploits in front of the Supreme Court of the United States. Pointers and examples of how the Law of the Land works at the upper-most level of America’s judiciary were a fascinating start of the meeting.
Following that, there came a brief ceremony during which two Chocolate Oscars and one 50 Films Club Oscar Guess Fest trophy were awarded to the First- and Second-Place finishers in “A.J. Malouin’s 8th Annual Chocolate Oscar Guess Fest.
The First-Place Chocolate Oscar and Guess Fest Trophy went to Steve, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, who scored an Amazing 19 out of 25 possible points — in spite of the fact that he forgot to mark an entry in one of the categories!
The Second-Place Chocolate Oscar went to Donna, also of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, who scored 18 points.
The awards and the photo ops went by without the evening’s host having time to mention all the generous Sponsors who helped support “A.J. Malouin’s 8th Annual Chocolate Oscar Guess Fest.”
Those Sponsors include, first of all, Gayle, of Gayle’s Chocolates, of Royal Oak Michigan. Gayle manufactures the Chocolate Oscars to exacting, edible specifications, and also gives A.J. Malouin — founder of both The “In Bruges” Film Club, and “A.J. Malouin’s Annual Chocolate Oscar Guess Fest” — a deepish discount on the retail price of these Wonderful Oscars.
Other important Sponsors, who each became so by contributing US$5 to defray the considerable costs that A.J. Malouin incurs during this annual event, are: Steve, Sarah, Jim, Dr. Jean (one of A.J.’s two sisters!), Janice, Donna, and Connie (A.J.’s Mom!) Our heartiest thanks and Big Hugs to each and every one of our Sponsors.
Sooooo, after 40 minutes, or so, our group finally got around to discussing films and movies. There were a lot of good things to say.
As we wrote earlier, the main topic of discussion was “La Battaglia de Algeri” [“The Battle of Algers”]. Steve graciously started the discussion by reading a history of the making of this film. Made in 1962, the film was commissioned by the Government of Algeria to give a fair assessment of the political events that had gone on in Algeria during the prior 15 years. Inasmuch as the French Government wanted nothing to do with the making of the film, Algeria turned to Italy to help get the film made. The result is one of the most stunning, evenhanded, well-balanced, and non-inflamatory political films ever made. The film is almost indescribable in its rational, reasoned documentary-film approach to the events occurring in Algeria during the time under consideration. It turns out, however, in spite of its documentary-style approach, that every single character in “La Battaglia de Algeri” — insurgent, French paratrooper, French policeman, and French Loyalist in Algiers, is someone with whom we are sympathetic. We’ll get a deeper review of this remarkable film posted here within the next four or five days.
There followed then quite a discussion (as always!!!) about the Next film up for discussion by the group of “Al’s Movies @ Gayle’s Chocolates” [a.k.a. “The ‘In Bruges Film Club.”] It turns out that the film we selected to talk about next is Fellini’s “8 1/2,” which is, to this day, probably the greatest movie ever made about making a movie.[1.] The mediocre movie [and I write that Without ever having stooped to SEE the darn thing!] “Nine’ was based, loosely and uninspiredly, on this Fellini. The Detroit Film Theatre is screening “8 1/2” in early April, and many of our group will see it then, there. There are, of course, always rentals, for a perfectly unsatisfactory, though Convenient, venue in which to view this or any other film..
Another popular choice, and finishing second for next month’s selection was “Un Prophete” [“A Prophet.”] Several members of our group will no doubt attempt to discuss “Un Prophete” during our April the 14th meeting…and how Could we stop them?!???
Next thing? Donna read us some notes she made just after viewing the Academy-Nominated Films, Animated and Live-Action, at the Detroit Film Theatre. For several years now, the truly wonderful Detroit Film Theatre has made a point of screening the Oscar-nominated shorts during the weeks before the Oscars are announced.
Donna felt that “A Matter of Loaf and Death,” “The New Tenants,” “Logorama,” “Istället för abrakadabra” [“Instead of Abracadabra”] and “Runaway” and “Partly Cloudy” [not actually Oscar nominees, these last two —but Close To It] were All worthy of being seen. Within the next fortnight, we’ll put up our own assessment of all the short films nominated this year, along with Donna’s further elaboration, if any, on these startling shorts.
Liz and Malouin, meanwhile, have both seen “The Ghost Writer,” and both of them recommend that you see it also. Outside of [depending on what part of Amerika in which you are living] “The Hurt Locker” [!!!] and “An Education,” “The Ghost Writer” is the best thing out there, right now…
Malouin is going to see the Romanian film “Politist, adjectiv” [“Police, Adjective”] later this afternoon and may have a different opinion after doing that.
Soooooo, you if haven’t seen “The Hurt Locker” yet, you should get to the megaplex immediately. AND, if you Have seen “Alice in Wonderland,” you have our condolences — unless you LOVED it and, if so, write us to tell us Why, thanks!