January thaw commences

Gradually over the last three days, all the ice and snow has melted away. Yesterday was almost balmy. Daughters fixed seafood on the grill, and salad, baked potatoes and apple pie. A meal fit for a queen.


This weekend was also the National Figure Skating Championships, which I always watch. We have a new crop of young girls in the Ladies competition. The Men's had a great rivalry last night and great skating.


It was also the Screen Actors Guild Awards and a busy time clicking between both. Since I have not seen many of the nominated movies, and watch hardly any of the TV shows nominated, I was not too interested. But I do like to see who is who and I will see the films later I have no doubt.


I did get out my tape of "January Man" to watch on a cold afternoon. I find this film a delight. Kevin Kline at his quirky best; Susan Sarandan, gorgeous; Harvey Keitel, mean, as usual; and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, lovely and a perfect match for Kline. The story about two brothers, one a screw-up and the other a bastard, and a series of murders, is interesting, but mainly the interactions by the characters in what is fun. AND as a bonus Alan Rickman in one of his first roles; Danny Aiello, the frustrated police chief; and Rod Steiger chewing the scenery as the Mayor. Great cast! Great fun! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097613/

Over the weekend, I got up one morning and turned on the TV to the Fox Movie Channel and just made the beginning of the 1940 version of "The Mark Of Zorro" with the gorgeous Tyrone Power and lovely Linda Darnell. Basil Rathbone, the greatest villian of them all, and a great sword fighter, who did most of his own fighting scenes, was perfect. When I was a little 8 year old girl, I was thrilled by Zorro and wanted to dress in long ruffled dresses like Linda. It holds up as great entertainment for all ages to this day. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032762/

The start of a new week will bring us one more day of warm weather and then it is back to the deep freeze and maybe some snow. Winter is just one month old and already I'm very tired of this baby.

I'm starting to redo my catalog of videos and DVD's but trying to decide on a layout and getting set up, is tiring. But, I've scribbled so much on my old one I can barely read it, so it is time.

2+5= lots of pleasure ---

The deep freeze in the Heartland continues. For the Ancient Pelican, a time to let young people keep the world turning while I sit by the fire and keep my date with my January list of films. But first I did watch 2 films off movie channels.

"Thomas Crown Affair" (1999) Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in a remake of the 1968 Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway film. Still has the playful cat and mouse encounters, and smart dialog, about a robbery. And the bowler hat becomes a character in the film, in a brilliant scene that was filmed like a swiss watch - ticktock, ticktock. Lots of fun.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0155267/

"The Runaway Jury" (2003) John Cusack and Rachel Weisz in a John Grisham story. For me, it can't get any better. Good story about an interesting subject - jury selection and how it is manipulated by all parties. This is extreme but the point is - are jury trials fair?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313542/


And now the films I have picked from my collection, for this months viewing:

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000 - Wo hu cang long) This film is so beautiful and the music so perfect for the action and romance, that it is like a fine wine, or a painting you just want to savor. Ang Lees' masterpiece, filmed in China, with every small detail attended to with care. I had never watched many subtitled films before this came out, but found it was a great experience to hear the real voices of the actors, rather than ruin the feel of the film with second rate readers of the dialog. The ending is sad and I always cry. Chow Yun Fat, Michel Yeoh, and Zhang Ziyi are great in the final scene and we end on a tragic, beautiful note; a story of love and sacrifice. A wonderful fairy tale. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190332/

"Daisy Kenyon" (1947) A 'Matinee Ladies' film with the great Joan Crawford, Dana Andrews in one of his best roles, and Henry Fonda as his laid-back charming self. Melodrama, with great clothes of the 1940s; set decoration; and black and white photography that highlights the beautiful planes of Miss Crawfords face. A real pleasure to sit and have a hot drink and watch how the pros did it 60 years ago. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039294/

"The Farmers Daughter" (1947) Beautiful Loretta Young in her Oscar winning role, as a farm girl who goes to the big city and has a sleazy encounter on the road. She remains a "good girl" but loses her money and ends up as a housemaid in politician, Joseph Cottons, home. She, of course, ends up the winner of hearts and votes and becomes a member of the U.S. House. With Charles Bickford, Ethel Barrymore and a full cast of great character actors, this was made by David Selznick with his usual attention to detail. Great fun. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039370/

"Three Smart Girls Grow Up" (1939) The sequel to Deanna Durbins first film, has the two oldest sisters falling in love and Deanna getting the right ones together. Cute, and the highlight is Deanna singing "Because" at the wedding. Millions of girls had that song at their own weddings, as I did, because of this scene. She also sings two waltzes and an aria. The only fault for me was that I missed Barbara Read as Kay, from the 1st film. She was so bouncy and just cute as a button. This new Kay just fades into the woodwork. But it is a joy for a cold afternoon by the fire.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032030/

"Desire" (1936) Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper in a story about jewel theives and the innocent American abroad who fixes everything by the fade. Marlene wears the most outrageous costumes, but gets away with it because of her exotic beauty. And she sings "Awake In A Dream" to Gary in plumes and ruffles, but it is soooo romantic and sexy, I'm sure ladies swooned and men had wet dreams. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027515/

We are to have a thaw for the next few days. Maybe the snow and ice will melt off the drive. I'm already thinking of spring.

The Deep Freeze

We are In the deep freeze in the Heartland USA.

I did get out in the cold rain on Wed., the 16th and go to the theater to see "P. S., I Love You" again. Can't get too much of looking at Mr. Gerard Butler - and he sings snatches of 3 songs. Lovely. Remember to leave a vote if you visit the IMDb site.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0431308/

Then it turned to freezing rain that night and snow by morning. So the rest of the week, it was back to the fire and TV. And my selected tapes and DVDs for January. Two I watched yesterday were:

"Cover Girl" (1944) Starring Rita Hayworth, at her most beautiful. She was one of the main pin-up girls during WWII. In this she is an entertainer in Gene Kelly's joint in the Bronx and Phil Silvers was the master-of-ceremonies/comedian. Beautiful technicolor. Great songs and dancing. For years I did not know that Rita did not do her own singing. I was kinda dissapointed, but wow! she could dance. In musicals, the story doesn't matter much, and this is the usual, boy and girl in love, boy loses girl, girl goes back to boy by fade out. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036723/

"Sweet Sixteen" (2002) A very unpleasant story of the young teens who are poor and on the path to destruction. And their disfunctional families. I just did not care about any of them. Filmed in and around Glasgow, some of the scenery is lovely, so I concentrated on that. But that wasn't enough and I was fast forwarding through the last half just looking for the pretty scenes.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313670/

Yesterday was also caucus and primary time in Nevada and South Carolina, but I didn't watch news so don't know who won. I wish I cared, but it just seems none of the ones running will make the changes we really need for this country. Sad, but true.

Elections & Illness - or "It'll make you sick......"

Just when it seems the clan is getting back to normal from the holiday illnesses, one member comes down with high fever and has to go to the emergency room,where she is diagnosed with pneumonia and shot full of antibiotics and sent home with prescriptions for more. Playing nurse, as well as I'm able at my age, I get soup, decongestants, cough supressant, Nyquil, and Tylanol to take to her, and after she gets settled down for an afternoon of sleep and TV, leave for home.
So far, she is recuperating, and no one else has caught anything that I have heard about. I am, meanwhile, staying away from crowds, and using hand sanitizers constantly. Cause ya never know what you have on your hands that'll "make you sick."

My viewing for January started with one of my purchased tapes when I first became interested in Chow Yun Fat. I purchased a lot of the films that he made during the 1980's in Hong Kong. First was:

"Yun hung book sik (A Better Tomorrow)" a1986 Starring Ti Lung, Leslie Cheong, and Chow yun Fat as Mark Gor for the 1st of 3 films he was in, directed by John Woo. The heroic bloodshed films that made Chow a international star, and Woo and icon for action fans. The characters of Mark Gor and Ti Lung's Tse-Ho are heart breaking as they are caught in the underworld web of deceipt which leads to double crosses and gunfights that are amazingly choreographed. Enjoyable mayhem. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092263/


Next I watched two films off of TCM: "The Talk Of The Town" (1942) with Jean Arthur, Cary Grant and Ronald Colman. A schoolteacher, an escaped political prisoner and a law professor, in a story about the meaning of law and who it prosecutes and persecutes and who it helps. All with a touch of comedy. The 3 leads are very good. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035417/


and "Miracle Of Morgans Creek" (1944) starring Betty Hutton and Eddie Bracken. Written and directed by Preston Sturges during the time he was doing brilliant satires in Hollywood. This is one of the most far-fetched - until you realize that the hook for the story, so outrageous in 1944 - has come to reality 60 years later. All his films are collection worthy.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037077/


Yesterday, I watched "Manhattan Melodrama" (1934) with the great Myrna Loy, William Powell and Clark Gable. The same year Powell and Loy gave us "The Thin Man, they played a politician district attorney and his wife. His life long best friend, who went the criminal side, played by Clark Gable, ends up saving his career but sacrifices his own life. A "greater love has no man....." story, very well done by the principles and you can see why they all three had long starring careers in the Hollywood of the studio era. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025464/


Also, "Legally Blonde, Red, White & Blonde" starring Reese Witherspoon. Same formula as the 1st, but when a character is so much fun, why not? She goes on a crusade to free animals used in testing. Hooray for our blonde! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0333780/



I must comment on the New Hampsire primary. Hooray for making the Pollsters and commentaters look like the fools they are. I hope people all across American will lie about their votes just like they did there. Why should people take all the suspense and fun out of the one time we, the voters, have the ball in our court? Proud of you New Hampshire!!

Surprise! Good weather for January

What a wonderful few days as the temperatures gradually warmed up, and all the ice and snow melted away. I was able to take down all the outdoor decorations by Twelfth Night - the fifth of January. Then I sat on the glider and watched the birds. It was 60 degrees and felt so good.

Friday the 4th, however, was cold and unpleasant. During the afternoon, I got a film in the mail that I had on my Que at Blockbuster:

"Enigma": and watched with subtitles so I missed none of the dialog. It is a very interesting and smart film and we need to understand what is said. I loved Dougray Scott as the code breaker who had had a breakdown over a lovely woman who worked there also. When he comes back, he and Kate Winslet try to find out what happened to the mystery woman he loved. Along with breaking the code and helping with the rest of the war.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0157583/

In the evening, I watched "A Good Year" with Russell Crowe. A trifle, but Crowe is okay as a business shark who goes to Tuscany and learns the joys of grape growing. A fantasy film for men of the boomer generation who are tired of the rat race and dream of just getting away with a new love and life. What I call a "Dick Flick". Not bad. I don't think slapstick is Russell's best turn. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401445/

Well, after getting the decorations off the lawn, I poured a glass of wine and watched:

"Waitress ": After so many critics put this on their "to see" list, I was looking forward to having a good laugh. So dissapointing. A very lame story; a male lead who is a 'lump'; girlfriends who are no help to the herione - always asking for something. And the husband from Hell! I'm afraid I didn't laugh once in the whole film. I am so tired of problem pregnancy's that give everyone an "aw" moment at the fade. What a bore! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473308/

In the evening I tried: "Music & Lyrics': Cute. Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant and strangely a okay romantic couple, even though, at 47, Hugh is about 15 years older than Drew. He's cute, but needs to stop playing guys with the Peter Pan syndrome. Or play men who love women of their own age group. Like Diane Lane.

The film does have some clever dialog and is, more or less, enjoyable. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758766/

Well, by yesterday I was ready for something a bit more tart, so got out my tape of "Being There" with Peter Sellers. In my view, this is his best film. Droll and apropo of our political season. So many great lines. Melvyn Douglas and Shirley MacLaine match Sellers at the top of their form. A true joy to watch. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078841/

That brings me up to today. I am going to watch one of my Chow Yun Fat Hong Kong films for a change of pace. Later.

Final Holiday Films

Since I haven't got my final Holiday films noted, I will catch up now. On the 28th, I watched:

"Christmas Vacation"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958/

I love the whole film and the final "I did it" from Chevy Chase makes me tear up every time. I've been there after a disasterous time, after trying to have the holiday nice for everyone else. When it is all said and done, just being together is what you remember.

"Come To The Stable" is a sweet fable. Loretta Young and Celeste Holm are such angels. But it is Elsa Lancaster, as befuddled Miss Potts, that steals every scene she is in.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041257/

And finally, in the evening, "Die Hard." Holiday film, you ask? It is a Christmas Party John McClane is going to his estranged wifes' office to attend. The final scene, when the chauffer says "If this is their idea of Christmas, I gotta be here for New Years" and the music swells to Vaugh Monroe singing "Let It Snow", is perfect. The good guys are all alive, they won, and it's Christmas eve!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/

The next day, the 29th, I watched a wonderful film with absolutely gorgeous scenery and a darling dog. What more can you ask? Well, it also has a heartwarming story. "Greyfriars Bobby"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435597/

In the evening I settled down to go "for a stroll" with the "300". I love this film! Director Zack Snyder is a genious. Gerard Butler IS King Leonidas. The long tracking shot of the battle is thrilling. Leonidas leave-taking from the Queen; his rising to his feet after arrows have fallen him and saying, "my Queen, my wife, my Love; and the final tableau of the fallen warriors, bring me to tears every time. As perfect as it gets.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416449/

On New Years Eve, I had my annual date with my all-time favorite film: Lloyd-Webbers "Phantom Of The Opera." From the opening shot of the candle being lit (a homage to the great "The Red Shoes" ?) to the final scene of a brokenhearted Phantom stepping through the drapes, I am completely in his world. The music, the lush colors, and the great cast, make a special experience. So for my 4th anniversary of seeing it during Christmas week in 2004, I had my flute of white wine and toasted a great cast, and especially The Phantom, Gerard Butler.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293508/

With my Holiday list of films watched complete, I will now have to organize my January viewing. Here in the Heartland, we will have bitterly cold winds and storms all through the first month of the year, so staying warm by the fire is a good thing for "The Ancient Pelican."

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hope 2008 will bring peace to the world!!