---a little of everything this week. I watched:
Somethings In The Wind (1947) Deanna Durbin, Donald O'Conner, John Dall, Charles Winniger. Deanna is all grown up and handles the role of a radio disk jockey who sings along with the records she plays, well. As in all her films. there is a mixup and she is required to set everything right by the final reel. Her songs are more up tempo and modern. She does have one aria with the great Jan Peerce of the Metropolitan Opera. Donald O'Conner does almost the entire routine from "Singing In The Rain" in this film, 10 years before it is perfected as "Make 'Um Laugh." Nice for a Sat. afternoon at home. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039847/
Victor Victoria (1983) Julie Andrews is both title characters and is just fine. James Garner and Robert Preston give very good support and the music, costumes and cinematography is first rate. The standout performance is by Leslie Anne Warren as the chorus girl friend of Garners Chicago nightclub owner. Sparkle and dazzle, no holds barred - she makes you sit up and take notice. The 1920's in Paris through the eyes of Blake Edwards. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084865/
An Autumns Tale (1987 Hong Kong "Chou tin dik tong wah") Chow Yun Fat & Cherie Chung in a sweet tale of a young girl who comes to NYC to go to college, relying on 13th cousin Figgy (Chow) to furnish her with a place to live. He has written back home how well he is doing, so she thinks she will have a nice apartment. Actually, it is a dump amd Figgy is a gambling happy-go-lucky n'er-do-well. The ups and downs of life in a unfamiliar place, and getting to know each other is played out very nicely and of course, true love prevails. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093426/
Vantage Point (2008) Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt. Interesting way of telling about an event, an assassination attempt on the U.S. President, through the eyes of various people witnessing it and the different prospectives. But it is also a true summer action film, with the required car chases, explosions, shootouts, etc. Good cast helps. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443274/
Closer (2004) Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Clive Owen A good cast in a story of love, lust, lies and deception. The story is a bit muddled mid-way through, as to who is with who. But you keep watching - like watching a train wreck you just want to know what happens. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376541/
Smart People (2008) Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ellen Page, Thomas Haden Church Story of a widowed college professor who is so rigid and exacting that his family are like robots. No one can stand him - family, students. or faculty. Then his slacker brother shows up for a handout and a place to stay and shakes things up. Ellen Page does her "Juno" persona again. One wonders if she has any range. Enjoyable enough. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0858479/
The cooler weather has people out cleaning up for the winter to come. I am still planting marcissus bulbs and moving a few plants. But mostly just enjoying these lovely days - not too hot, but warm enough to sit in a rocking chair and watch the birds come and go.
The mums are in full bloom and are lovely, bright, warm, clear colors.
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