MATEWAN (1987): John Sayles on Criterion

[@ChrisAlders-eh7cq]

Greetings Roger! Many thanks for the superb look at a film that I possess in my library but have yet to have an opportunity to view. Some stories are timeless and with the erosion of democratic institutions in the United States over the past six or seven decades, this one is as pertinent as when it was initially released. Fascist states see workers as subhuman and coal companies were laws unto themselves. It sounds as if the look of the film was very evocative and the cast is surely first rate. I see Sayles as America's most underrated director who unflinchingly sheds light on social processes that need illuminating. My own my recent viewing experience was the 1961 film, Blue Hawaii, directed by Norman Taurog and featuring Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, and Angela Lansbury. Elvis plays a character who is returning from military service and is looking to establish himself independent of his well to do parents. The plot is very thin but this was really the first Elvis movie to fully exploit his singing talents to the max with no fewer than 14 songs featured during the course of the film. All and all very enjoyable fare! My latest film acquisition is 1969's All Monsters Attack, featuring Kenji Sahara, Machiko Naka, and Tomonori Yazaki. Thank you again for the very adroit observations and have a great remainder of the week!

[@RogerKirby13]

Hi Chris. I thoroughly agree with your assessment of Sayles as an underrated director. I hope to cover a few more of his films in the coming months. It is a rich vein, so to speak. Elvis was my older sister’s heartthrob so I am sure I saw Blue Hawaii back in its initial tv showings. Thanks as always for your terrific comments and take care.

[@steve4films]

Lovely to see a new video from you, Roger. I know a lot of people are thinking of you. I hope you're able to enjoy watching the films even if you don't currently have the energy to talk about them. Matewan is a great film to give attention to - a pretty flawless film. I've not seen McCabe & Mrs Miller, even though it stars two fantastic leads (imo). Best wishes and take it easy.

[@RogerKirby13]

Thanks so much, Steve. Having a youtube channel has been an important part of my retirement years, especially in connecting with such wonderfully supportive people like yourself.

[@grey1951]

Roger, it's so great to see you back in action! You look really good, and I hope that your health continues to improve. I admire your dedication to your KZbin channel. You do good work, and you inspire me to stop being so lazy and get back in the game. What I love most about your channel is the knowledge you bring to your viewers and the simplicity of your videos. A man who loves films sits in front of a camera and talks about them. This is the approach that I find meaningful. So many KZbinrs seem to be trying to sell something. Anyway, I'm glad you're back and I look forward to your continued videos. MATEWAN is an excellent film and I'm happy to have the Criterion in my collection. I only watched it once, so it's high time for a rewatch.

[@RogerKirby13]

Thanks so much, Mike, for your support and encouragement. I often wonder if I have anything significant or original to say but when I look back at the nearly 500 videos on my channel I do feel a bit proud. I too like the conversational style. My videos are very close to the way I used to talk about movies with my cousin (best friend) every Sunday. My oncologist encourages me to keep going, that it is important to do so. I think she’s right. Take care.

[@leocoh89]

You know I love this video haha. Matewan is in the argument for one of the best and most important American films of the 80s. Looks beautiful thanks to haxel wexler. Music, performances and of course writing is excellent. I could listen to Sayles all day long. Just like cronenberg. So clever but never arrogant. I was just thinking about you today before I saw this video pop up. We’re all rooting for you and sending you best wishes.

[@RogerKirby13]

Thanks so much, ronin. I was hoping you would approve my initial attempt at discussing Sayles given your deep love for his work. I also hope you revive and expand your “Super Sayles” playlist. There’s a rich vein of movies yet to mine! Take care.

[@island007100]

Always good to see you Roger. I haven't seen Matewan but have always been a fan of Chris Cooper, so I hope to get around to this one at some point. I continue to wish you all the best with your treatments and hope your spirits will rebound as well. Movies are always good medicine and maybe you can make a trip to Barnes & Noble while the Criterion sale is still on. They've released quite a few good titles during your downtime. Take care of yourself.

[@RogerKirby13]

Thanks so much. Chris Cooper is superb in Marrwan. A casting coup but then one of Sayles strengths is casting the right actor for each role. I will be traveling to my neaest B&N in a few days. I haven’t missed a sale in many years. Take care.

[@nazarinprod]

Glad to see you back making videos. I truly need to rewatch this film. I hope your treatment goes well and that you get lots of rest inbetween and stay healthy.

[@RogerKirby13]

Thanks so much, Peter. Matewan was much better than I remembered from 1987. These kinds of stories are important and should not be forgotten.

[@HowardCook-m4z]

Roger I am thinking of you. Hope the treatment works. Love your commentary. McCabe and Mrs. Miller one of my all time favorites. Looking forward to your thoughts on it.

[@RogerKirby13]

Hi Howard and thanks so much for keeping me in mind. It has been a challenging year but what’s weird is I think I was more distressed by the catastrophe of last week than my illnesses! I remember you saying your retirement was near. My advice is to do lots of stuff (travel etc.) in the first few years. You will not regret it. Take care..

[@neilsmoviechannel3199]

Good to see you back with another video, Roger and I hope you continue to make your way through the treatments. Fatigue and enthusiasm can be a challenge on the best of days when it comes to KZbin and social media so it’s great you are keeping it up. Although I have a few Sayles films in my collection and enjoy listening to him talk about his filmmaking experience, I have yet to see Matewan. I must rectify that. Am certainly a fan of the next film you intend to talk about, filmed not too far away from me. Keep well and all the best

[@RogerKirby13]

Thank so much Neil. I think you will love Matewan, such an important story. Sayles is the perfect director to tell it. I haven’t seen McCabe in quite some time and I think all my previous watches were in a theater. I do remember snow, lots and lots of snow, and the great Leonard Cohen songs.

[@ethanwoods3040]

Great vid. Always good to see ya back in action u bring such a good energy and joy to the celebration of cinema. Hope everything keeps improving. Hadn’t heard of this one, went to go buy it and it’s out of stock everywhere I checked. I’ll keep an eye out though, very interested now. Thanks!

[@RogerKirby13]

‘Thanks, Ethan. I hope you eventually get a hold of it, I think you will really like it. I love your “celebration of cinema”. That pretty much defines what I hope my channel is remembered as.

[@ethanwoods3040]

It’ll be remembered as such. Keep goin