.... just keeping up when it is hot and humid is a chore. Air-conditioning is a blessing. So this week I watched:
Off Satellite:
Phantom Of The Opera (2004) Phantom Of The Opera (2004) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293508/#comment
My favorite film of the last 10 years. For Gerard Bulter's magnatism in the Phantom role, and Lloyd-Webbers music and Schumacher's lush direction, this has remained a joy for me. If you don't like the music, fantasy, & romance, stay away. 10/10
Pride & Prejudice (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414387/
The third movie version, not counting the great TV mini-series, is fine. Knightley is a high-sprited Elizabeth Bennett. Production values are first rate, with locations and manor houses, lush landscapes, and a score featuring lovely piano music, making this a fine entry into the P&P collection. 8/10
The Others (2001) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230600/
Nicole Kidman in an old mansion on an island. She has two children who have allergies to sunlight so the houses windows are always covered. She becomes stranger as the film progresses. Is she mad? Is it all real? A nightmare? The reveal is a letdown. I had to lower my rating on rewatching this after so long a time. I had mostly forgotten the story, and it seemed too long and not scary. And Kidman's whispery voice got tiresome. 6/10
Chicago (2002) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299658/
What a romp. I'm sure this was brought back because of Mamma Mia's premier week. I bought the DVD as soon as it came out but haven't watched it for a long time. Since the USA Ch. was having a marathon of good films this Saturday, I watched them all. Not too much distraction with breaks. Anyway, Renee Zelweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones are terrific as the two murderers, but it is Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, Queen Latifah as Matron Mama Morton, and John C. Reilly as Amos Hart, who have show-stopping numbers. Roxie and Velma's final number of their new act is a corker, and cuddos to the director, Rob Marshall. Lots of fun. 10/10
Hostage (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0340163/
Bruce Willis as a negotiator for a police dept., loses all 3 in a family when he fails to talk the husband out of doing them in. He ends as a sheriff of a quiet suburb, with a wife and daughter who are unhappy and want to return to their big city life. Suddenly, into his world come 3 psychos who follow an expensive van back to the home in the isolated hills, and take the family "hostage." How he gets them out, while his family is abducted and also held hostage, with none of the hostages killed, is pretty good and exciting typical Willis fare. Ben Foster as the wacko is great. 8/10
My Collection:
Absence Of Malice (1981) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081974/
Sally Field as a reporter (Megan Carter) who gets a scoop, she thinks, on Paul Newmans' (Michael Gallegher), a beer distributor who's father was a Don in the local mob, and what the story does to their lives. Fine film on the news media's effect on people, and the sometimes horrific consequenses of half truths and innuendo. Bob Balaban as the Government Strike Force attorney who bends the rules - just a little - is great as the villian. A worm, who wants to be a snake. Wonderful film. 9/10
TCM:
Swing Time (1936) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028333/
My personal favorite of the Rogers/Astaire films. Story fun, great supporting cast of character actors, and the music is perfect. Fred Astaire paid homage to the great Bill Robinson by dancing one of his routines, "Bojangles of Harlem", in black-face. It is a great number with terrific special effects for 1936. Another number in the snow, is A Fine Romance; and the romantic The Way You Look Tonight in the art deco night club is lovely. In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked this as the #90 Greatest Movie of All Time. It was the first inclusion of this film on the list. I agree! 10/10
DVD rental:
The Interpreter (2005) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373926/
Nicole Kidman in the title role, working at the United Nations in New York. She is from a war torn country in Africa, has a missing brother, and is either involved with revolutionaries or - not. Secret Service agent (Sean Penn) doesn't quite believe her story about overhearing a plot on the intercom at the UN, when she is recovering her tote bag, after an evacuation of the building. It is very confusing and after a time, tedious. 6/10
I Wake Up Screaming (1941) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033740/
Betty Grable, Victor Mature, and Carole Landis is one of, if not the first, true film noir. Great story and stars, and supporting cast. The shadows and light, the angles of the shots, the wet streets, all add up to true noirish film-making. This director doesn't usually get mentioned with The Maltese Falcons' John Houston, as the innovator of the style. But both films were made, and released, in the same year. Story of two sisters, one a party girl, the other a 'good' girl, and a policeman who covets the bad girl. Played by hulking 300 lb. Laird Cregar, he is a menacing figure thoughout the film. Glad I finally got to see it - thanks to Blockbuster on demand. 9/10
In Theater:
Mamma Mia (2008) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795421/
Loved it! Saw it yesterday (20th) with my two daughters and we were clapping and laughing and having a merry ole time. Cast is very good. Some numbers run on too long, is my only complaint. Julie Walters is a standout. Can't believe this is the "Educating Rita" Rita! She is a hoot. 8/10
Supposed to be another steamy week, so iced tea and films in the cool house, is the ticket!
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