Lots of Holiday films once again....

---but we were snowed in and did not get to a theater for our usual Christmas movie. Maybe for New Years....the past 10 days I watched:


The King & The Chorus Girl (1937) Joan Blondell, Fernand Gravey, Edward Everett Horton, Mary Nash. Comments on previous blog. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029082/

Sweethearts (1938) Nelson Eddy, Jeanette MacDonald. MGM's first full length technicolor film. Lushious. Comments on previous Dec. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030817/

Holiday (1938) Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Edward Everett Horton, Lew Ayers. One of the best of the Hepburn/Grant pairings. Both absolutely stunning looking. Comments posted on blog previously. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030241/

Pygmalion (1938-UK) Wendy Hiller, Leslie Howard. George Bernard Shaw gave his approval of the cast and the version filmed here. Much truer to the actual play than the musical version. Hiller IS Eliza. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030637/


Dark Passage (1949) Bogart and Bacall in black & white film noir. It starts with the camera as our eyes and we are the character that has just escaped from prison. For the first 15 minutes, we see everything though his eyes and learn he is an innocent man who has been framed for his wifes murder. Bacall picks him up not too for from the prison and helps him and he and we are not sure of her motives for a while. Very interesting film that was not well received in '49. Much more highly thought of now. Also has some outstanding character actors in all the supporting roles. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039302/

Holiday Affair (1949) Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchum, Wendell Corey. Comments on last years blog,. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041473/

We're No Angels (1955) Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, Also Ray, Joan Bennett, Leo G. Carroll, Basil Rathbone. Charming fable with some black humor to go along with the sweet sentiments. Watch it every year and have commented before on this blog. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048801/

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989) Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis. Fun, funny and good hearted. Love it and have reviewed it before on this blog. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958/

Home Alone (1990) Macauley Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern. Favorite for the holidays. Comments on 2007 Holiday blog. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/

The Phantom Of The Opera (2004) Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Minnie Driver. Elaborate and beautiful film version of Webbers stage musical. Perfectly realized in jewel colors, velvets, satins and crystals, the costumes, sets and lavish color effects work their magic on those of the romantic persuation. An annual Event on affectionados calendar. 10/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293508/

Alpha Dog (2006) Emile Hirsch, Bruce Willis, Matthew Barry. Based on a true story of drugs and booze among the wild and well-off of L.A. Horrifying story of a bunch of drug users and dealers and their stupid 'business' and getting a 15 year old brother of one of the punks killed just because they couldn't figure out a way to end their stupid deal. Keeps your interest because it is based on a real case. But it shows just how addled and dumb these creeps are. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426883/

The Holiday (2006) Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach. Good film about two career women who are in meltdown and by going online, find a site where they can switch houses for a vacation of 2 weeks. On impluse, they go for it and before 5 minutes of the story is told, Diaz is in a quaint country cottage in England; and Winslet is in a Housed Beautiful spread in CA. Both have recently been let down by the men in their lives. So neither is ready to find a new love. However, as in real life, reel life has unexpected surprises in store. The stories of both women are interesting and hopeful. For women, by women. Men understand the men in Knocked Up. I don't. I understand these women. I guess men don't - and can't be bothered to try. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457939/

August Rush (2007) Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Robin Williams. Wonderful, magical story about a 'orphan' who knows there is someone out there he belongs to and he is connected to through music. A prodigy, he 'hears' music in everything and although living as a street musician, he is eventually taken to the Julliard School and given a chance to learn to write down what he hears in his head. How he and his parents are brought together through his music is lovely and the music is too. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426931/

Knocked Up (2008) Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen. Thought it was ridiculous. Beautiful girl gets drunk, has sex with a complete loser, of course gets pregnant, and the addle pated woman just twaddles and gasps and guesses she'll have the babe and try to get to know the sperm donor!?! O.M.G. No wonder Heigl dissed author/director Apatow. Her character is supposed to be a smart professional woman. Seth Rogen is the stupidest chunk of man flesh I've seen on screen in a long time. I saw nothing funny, sweet, or endearing about 20 something doofuses, and deadbeats, going through life with no redeeming value. If Apatow is getting money for writing scripts these days, Lala Land is in deeper trouble than I thought. And this was on a regular cable channel. It had to be bleeped every other word in some places and faces and private parts blurred out . Poor writing by a 12 year old brain that thinks that is funny and clever. Egads!!! 4/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478311/

P. S. I Love You (2008) Gerard Butler, Hilary Swank. Now this is a film which lots of men of the twenty something group hated. But all the women and most of the men in this one were gainfully employed and doing something with their lives. Not sitting in Ma's basement burping and watching TV. And they can speak in complete sentenses, with out scratching their privates or belching. A serious story of a couple who love each other and then the man dies and the woman is left to pick up with her life and go on. But wait. Her loving husband knows her very well, and realizes she will need some help over the rough patches. So he writes her a letter every so often with a task or suggestion of what to do next. A sweet, loving gesture, and while sad, the individual scenes are played with good-humor and a few comic developments. Wonderful cast of lovely people. A Holiday gem. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0431308/

Mad Money (2008) Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes, Ted Danson. Bridget Cardigan (Keaton) falls on hard times because her husband gets laid off his high powered job. In debt from over the top spending, she finally goes to find a job and although she has a degree, it is outdated and she ends up as a janitor at a federal reserve bank. Where the idea comes to her as she cleans toilets and scrubs windows to the money boxes, that since it is going to be burned anyway, there must be a way to help herself. She hatches a plot which will take two accomplises (Latifah & Holmes). She picks them out carefully and approaches them cautiously. Her husband (Danson) thinks she is mad at first, but comes around. Keaton is crazed by her idea and convinces herself that no one will be hurt. Good cast has fun with the material. Much better than a lot of garbage made for the 14-24 male demographic. No vomiting, f-word every 5 seconds, and no fistfights or guns. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0951216/


Can you tell granny is tired of what is being foist off on us as comedy let alone romance these days? Makes me zonk out in more ways than one.
Hope for better films!!

Lots of old favorites over the last 10 days.....

....and a few I'd never seen before.

The Bitter Tea Of General Yen (1933) A film that was a scandal because of the Chinese General falling for Barbara Stanwyke, his American missionary prisoner. And she became pretty interested in him too. A no-no back then, for sure. Atmospheric, and rather repetitive. After reading about it for so long, I was a bit disappointed. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023814/

The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) the lavish black & white version with Merle Oberon, and Leslie Howard in the fop/hero role. He was perfect. Story of the French Revolution and the beheading of the aristocrats. Sir Percy Blakeney(Howard), is an 18th century English aristocrat who leads a double life. He appears to be merely the effete aristocrat...but he goes to Paris regularly, in disguise, and brings out as many of the doomed as possible. He and his wife are not on good terms because he thinks she has betrayed friends of his, and she thinks he has turned into a fool only interested in his cravat. Howard is terrific as the fool, spouting his little rhyming ditty to all the ladies of the court. All's well that ends well, and the sets, costumes and music make a first-rate black and white film. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025748/

Bachelor Mother (1939) Ginger Rogers, David Niven, Charles Coburn. Cute film that shows how different things were back in the depression era. Today, the baby in question would have never just been foisted off on a woman who says she doesn't want him and isn't his Mother. But for the time it is a warm hearted film and Ginger is gorgeous. The baby is adorable. Charles Coburn is his usual gruff, bad tempered self, but he does comedy like an old pro. Not much happens - just the usual mixups. But the long scene of Times Square on New Years - with some actual newsreel footage - is fun and interesting - to see how it was back then. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031067/

San Antonio (1945) Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith, S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall, Florence Bates. Gorgeous stars, two of the best comic relief specialists in Bates and Sakall; scenery of all kinds; nice musical numbers and costumes for Alexis; gunfights, fistfights, chases on horses, for Errol and the villeins, Victor Francen and Paul Kelly. A favorite western of mine since my school days in '45 and we drooled over the movie mags at the corner drug store soda fountain. Fond memories and still fun. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038048/

The Ghost & Mrs Muir (1947) One of my all time favorites was shown on FMC and I just had to drop everything and sit down and watch. The stars, Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison; the music score - it is just a perfect romance. Story of an early 20th century young widow who buys a dead sea captains house by the sea. To her surprise he haunts the house because he wants it to be left for retired seaman. When she falls on hard times and may lose the house, he dictates his memoirs to her and sends her to London to a publisher who loves the sea. Her adventures with the book and the rest of her life is shown in montage and all ends on a happily hopeful note. Perfect! 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039420/
(Note) Gerry Butler would be a great Daniel/The Captain, but it probably should never be remade.


Miracle On 34th St. (1947) My tape of the original black & white version with Edmund Guinn as Kris Kringle. Lovely fairy tale. Watch it every year. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039628/

Mr. 880 (1950) Edmund Guinn, Burt Lancaster, Dorothy Maguire. Based on a true story of the longest counterfeiting case the Secret Service ever had. They couldn't catch him because he only passed one dollar bills when he was completely out of money, and never in the same place repeatedly. Guinn is great as the old retired seaman who doesn't want to cause anyone any trouble; Lancaster is more subdued than usual, and has good chemistry with Maguire in their little romance. A pleasant film, and lovely to watch the pros go through their paces. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042742/

Shane (1953) Alan Ladd, Van Heflin, Jean Arthur, Brandon DeWilde, Jack Palance. One of the best westerns of all time. A lone rider(Alan Ladd-Shane) comes to the farm of homesteaders, the Staretts(Heflin, Arthur & De Wilde) has a drink of water, and is about to ride on. But after the Ryker bunch come riding through Staretts garden and threatens them, we see Shane is leaning against the cabin watching and Ryker sees him too - and the gang rides away. The farmer asks pardon for not showing hospitality to the stranger, and thus begins a great story of redemption. Every role is cast to perfection. And De Wilde's heartbreaking call to Shane at the end reminds us of the lonely child in us that cries out for that person in our life that we had to let go of and never see again. Perfect. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046303/

Baby Boom (1987) Diane Keaton, Sam Shephard, Sam Wanamaker, Pat Hingle, James Spader, the Kennedy twins as baby Elizabeth. Very funny story of a woman on the fast track to become a partner at a cut throat Ad agency when she is suddenly left her distant cousins child after the parents are killed in a car accident in England. How she copes, and the mess this development makes in her controlled life, is very funny. But the real fun begins when she has to change her complete lifestyle and buys a house in Vermont. Some hysterically funny scenes as only Keaton can do them, and of course the darling baby girl wins her and us completely. All the actors are spot on and it is a fun time at the movies. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092605/

Dirty Dancing (1987) Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze, Jerry Orbach, Jack Weston. Doctor Houseman(Orbach) and his family vacation at a resort in the Catskill Mountains. The youngest daughter, Frances/Baby(Grey), becomes infatuated with the dance instructor, Johnny(Swayze) and involved in the problems of his dance partner. The location scenery, music and dance scenes, and chemistry between the leads, make for a good time at the movies. Still a pleasure after 22 years. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/

Enchanted April (UK/1992) Miranda Richardson, Josie Lawrence, Joan Plowright, Polly Walker. Four women decide to ditch husbands, and assorted other encumbrances, to rent a castle in Italy for a month long holiday. They do and we tag along. Nothing much happens, beautifully! Languid and peaceful - except for one amusing scene of one of the husbands who joins the ladies and becomes a buffoon while taking a bath. For a nice, quiet evening by the fire and dreaming of sunny Italy. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101811/

Winter begins tomorrow(21st) and the season has gotten off to a bang in some parts of the USA. Blizzards in the east; damp cold in the Heartland. Good to have a warm house, and fireplace and lots of good movies to watch. Sez I!

Over two weeks of films.....

Lady With Red Hair (1940) Miriam Hopkins, Claude Rains, Laura Hope Crews, Helen Westley. Mrs. Leslie Carter, famous actress of the Gay '90's and how she became a success. A socialite in Chicago, she is divorced by her husband and in the resulting scandal, loses her son's custody. Determined to get him back, she needs money and decides to go on the stage with little experience. She meets the famous empresario David Belasco in New York and he gives her a chance. Hopkins delivery of lines was always a bit off to me, but she is good as the frothy young woman who becomes the great actress. Crews and Westley as the mother and boarding house owner almost steal the movie. Two old pros who knew the real Mrs. Carter. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032687/

Christmas In Connecticutt (1945) Barbara Stanwyke, Dennis Morgan, "S.Z. Cuddles" Sakall. Fun film to start off my Holiday viewing. TCM had it on Thanksgiving week, and I watch it every year. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037595/

The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers (1946) Barbara Stanwyke, Van Heflin, Kirk Douglas, Judith Anderson, Lisabeth Scott. Great film noir with black and white cinematography that is a primar of what it's all about. Three kids are friends and hang out at the freight yard. The poor boy lives hand to mouth. The rich girl hates her guardian aunt. The wimpy son of her tutor rounds out the the deadly trio. On a stormy, rainy night (always good for murder) the kids get picked up by the police and the two are returned to the mansion and the mean aunt. One thing leads to another and murder happens. 20 years later, while driving across the country, guy runs his car off the road and what-do-ya-know? It's near his old home town. And what happens next is a very satisfying story of lust, greed and retribution. Cast couldn't be any better. Douglas's first major film role, and he is wonderful. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038988/

The Bishops Wife (1947) Loretta Young, Cary Grant, David Niven. Another of my Christmas season films. Perfect in every way. I watch it every year. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039190/

The Perils Of Pauline (1947) Betty Hutton, John Lund, Constance Collier, Billy DeWolfe. The film is loosely based on the life of silent screen star Pearl White, who was a super star of the silent era. I loved this as a kid when it came out. But even though I have it in my collection, I found I was irritated with every one of Betty's song numbers (I fast forwarded most of them), except the love ballad "I Wish I Didn't Love You So." That was lovely. The look at the way the silent movies were filmed right next to each other, and with all the bedlam going on, was a very funny scene, and done in one long tracking shot. Good stuff. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039698/

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Drew Barrymore, Robert Macnaughton, Peter Coyote. Beloved little E.T. just wants to go home. Haven't watched this in years, but decided the holiday period was a good time for a visit. Not as great as when we first saw it, but still love the little grey fellow. Cast is so good and Henry was perfect. "I'm keeping him." Spielberg hit a homerun. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083866/

The Bride With White Hair (1993-HongKong "Bai fa mo nu zhuan") Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung, 1) Awful screenplay. 2) Atrocious action choreography. 3) Dreadful editing. I could not get interested in the story. It takes 15 minutes to set up that the two main characters love each other - endless spooning in the water. Bad. So disappointed after reading many times that this was a favorite Hong Kong film of many. I've seen both leads in much better films. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106342/

The Great Debaters (2007) Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Denzel Whitaker. Very engrossing film about the teacher who developed a great debate team at a small college back in the 1930's, that took on all state comers and won. They then debated other colleges in other states and finally were asked to debate the Harvard debate team and won the big trophy. While there was some changing of facts, it is true that this small college did win its' most important debates and had an outstanding set of students on the team. They all went on to achieve much during the civil-rights movement. Very moving and thought provoking film. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427309/

The Ugly Truth (2009) DVD with Extras. Gerard Butler, Katharine Heigl. Very funny R rated comedy. Uptight TV producer Abby Richter(Heigl) has to contend with new hire call-in host Mike Chadway (Butler) who represents everything she hates about men. The dialog and banter is funny and Abby and Mike slowly begin to warm to each other as they try to get Abby's doctor neighbor for her boyfriend. As a different take on the rom-com formula, this is an enjoyable one. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/

Have some of my other favorite holiday films out ready to watch. And "the weather outside is frightful, and the fire is so delightful, and since I've no place to go, let it snow" -----
See you at the movies - in cyber space!

Only one of note......

....a quiet little film of middle aged people meeting and spending time together. This week I watched these films all the way through and didn't fall asleep.....

Turner & Hooch (1989) Tom Hanks, Mare Winningham, Craig T. Nelson. A big ugly slobbering dog wins the day for his cop friend in this amusing comedy. When his original old coot owner is killed and he is to be taken by animal control, if they can, our detective decides to keep him because he can identify the old mans killer. Hooch proceeds to eat our heros house, his car and wreck the police station, but he is darn loveable doing it. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098536/

Havoc (2005) Anne Hathaway. The only reason to see this indy film is because it is an early film of Hathaway. She is a presence, and the camera loves her. Story is about rich kids, bored out of their minds, trying all the drugs and dangerous lifestyle choices they can. As always, they will be saved by their money and connections, while those without their resources will end up in a trash heap. Lots of nudity and awful crude dialog. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285175/

Last Chance Harvey (2008) Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman. Nice litlle film about 2 lonely people connecting after a chance meeting at the airport in London. Nothing much happens, but we enjoy spending time with these two people finding their way in a beginning relationship. Two fine actors charming us to come along. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1046947/

Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, James Gandolfini. Remake of the 1974 thriller is okay but not as good as the earlier version. The director got in all the crashing vehicles he could, but the tension just wasn't there like in the earlier film. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1111422/


Turkey day approaches here in the USA and then the Christmas madness. I'm just trying to stay healthy - and hope everyone will stay home if ill. I hate to hear people hacking away but know it is not always possible for people to take a day off to get well. Anyway, films to get into the h0liday frame of mind these next weeks.

Bollywood and Sex & The City.....

Finding old video tapes I made when TCM was doing a series showing Bollywood films all night once a week, usually with a guest director, I watched two recently:

Awaara (1951/India) D. Raj Kapoor. Black & White Bollywood film has lots of music but also more story than usual. The title translates to 'aimless jerk' which is what the main character becomes because of the circumstances of his birth, and the actions of a bad judge. But in the style of these films, there are generous helpings of music, singing and dancing throughout the film. The central and longest segment is a dream sequence, beautifully shot, elaborate and enchanting. The director is also the lead and is a good comedian as well as doing the drama. His own father plays the Judge who turns out to be his real father. All in all, interesting and worth seeing, but at almost 3 hours, I had to have an intermission. Over two days. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043306/

Junglee (1961/India) Early Bollywood style film shot in color. Interesting scenes of the main characters playing in the snow, sledding etc. The plot is not that important. It is the usual - troubles between the generations and who marries who. The songs, costumes and dancing are all good but like so many Bollywood films, Junglee is overlong. I'm afraid I dosed off near the end. I think the fans in India certainly get their money's worth. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055035/

The Game Plan (2007) Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Madison Pettis. Cute little girl shows up at big football stars penthouse door saying she is his daughter. As long as the two are interacting the film is fun and not too awful. When other characters get in the picture, it bogs down. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492956/

Sex & The City (2008) Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Catrell, Chris Noth, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Jennifer Hudson. The girls are living and lovin' and wearing outrageous styles, and OMG! shoes with 5 in heels! Also having man troubles. And babies. How will it all end? Not a serious moment in the film -- well -- Mr Big going all wimp and chicken about the wedding day - yeah that was pretty serious. But! As Mr. Shakespeare wrote "All's well that ends well." 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000774/

The Proposal (2009) Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds. In this one our Sandy is a high-powered something or other in a publishing company (I think) and is a real 'meany', screaming at underlings and doing all kinds of things that make you dislike her. Her gofer, Reynolds, takes the hateful stuff because see, he wants to be a powerful editor or something and thinks it will happen somehow or other. Why is she so mean? Dunno. But before long it becomes necessary for her to be married so she won't be deported (she is Canadian) so she tells her boss she and the Ryan person are getting married. Then she forces doofus to take her home to his families place in Alaska, where it turns out his family is Fabulously Wealthy. Got all that? How will it end? You must buy or rent or look it up and find out. Sandy needs to get a new character - she's done this one to death. Beautiful scenery. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1041829/

Raining and chilly and good to have the fireplace on and something hot to drink. Turkey day coming up. Gobble, gobble.

My last 10 films in 10 days----

---This is what I watched recently-----

Faithless (1932) Tallulah Bankhead, Robert Montgomery. Interesting pre-code look at how the great depression affected a very wealthy young woman and her fiancee, a guy with a good paying middle class job. He wants them to live on his $20k salary(over 290k today). She will have none of it and sees no reason why she can't use her money and live as she always has. Audiences in 1932 would know that she is being unreasonable. Most were living on a few thousand a year. The couple splits up and soon the crash on wall street wipes out the girls wealth and her trust account. Not content to live in poverty or 'work' she chases the good life and rich men to all her old haunts. She becomes ones mistress and ends up being thrown out of a rich hostesses home. After our couple get back together, he forgives her and they marry. And the soap opera begins with his accident on the job he finally got, and her having to become a street walker to save them. Best scene and very subtly done, is her talk with her landlady who realises what she is up to and tells her to put on her makeup and fix her hair. They say nothing about why, but both know.
Bankhead and Montgomery are good pros and handle their roles well. The man who plays the brother must have been someones relative to get a speaking role, because he is terrible. A fine look at a film before the censors started messing with films in the 30's. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022873/maindetails

American Madness (1932) d. Frank Capra. Walter Houston, Pat O'Brien, Kay Johnson, Constance Cummings. Another pre-code film, this one about a banker who is above reproach in his dealings with customers and his employees. When a crisis develops involving his neglected wife, an employee and a robbery, there is a run on the bank. Pre FDIC also, so all the small depositors panic, as who wouldn't? This is an early Capra film and has many of his touches which he became famous for - especially large crowd scenes. The run on the bank is pure chaos with thousands of extras, which he films pulling back and up to an overhead shot, to see the pushing, shoving; and one woman caught and shoved against a wall, who goes down under the stampeding feet. Houston is very good and the story is not too melodramatic. Worth a look to see early Capra and why the U.S. congress enacted some of the laws it did in the 1930s. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022626/

The Letter (1940) d. William Wylers. Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, James Stephenson, Gale Sondergaard. One of Davis's best performances which I have commented on before. The music score by Max Steiner adds greatly to the atmosphere. One of the great 'studio' films, where they had the stars, the crew and sets to make magic, all on Warners back lot. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032701/

Shadow Of A Doubt (1943) d. Alfred Hitchcock. Joseph Cotton, Teresa Wright, Patricia Collinge, Henry Travers, Hume Cronyn, MacDonald Carey, Wallace Ford & Edna Mae Wonacott. Great cast in a fine film. Hitch had been in America only a few years and made one of the best films featuring small town life. Also one of the only times Joe Cotton played a sinister villain. He's very good at being bad. The young Wonacott is perfect as the young sister, who "knows everything about everyone." Cronyn as the neighbor who visits Travers every evening with a new way to murder his friend, is very droll. Such a great screenplay, with many normal family life scenes, all with the undercurrent of menace. One of Hitches best. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036342/

Quartet (1948-UK) W. Somerset Maugham stories. Dirk Bogard, George Cole, Cecil Parker. None of the stories were outstanding. The Kite, with Cole, was the best, which isn't saying much. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040335/

Uncle Silas (1948-UK) Jean Simmons, Katina Paxinou, Derrick De Marney. Gothic melodrama, all old mansions, hoop skirts, cobwebs, sinister musical climaxes, and Jean in peril but an innocent throughout. She was just 17 and lovely. Hollywood came calling and the rest is history. Paxinou is so over the top she is ridiculous. Like the witch in Wizard Of Oz all she needed was the broomstick. De Marney is not much better. He would be fingering a mustache in the melodramas of old. Outlandish is too mild a comment. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039492/

Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) Madonna, Rosanna Arquette, Aidan Quinn. Still laugh throughout after all these years. Just see it - you'll be glad you did. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089017/

Gladiator (2000) Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacoby. Can't help myself. Whenever it is shown on TV, I usually end up sitting and watching it once again. Great action woven into a good story of one mans betrayal and capture, to end up in the arena in Rome. The score is wonderful at setting the mood of melancholy and the end speeches - perfect. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172495/

Dracula 2000 Gerard Butler "& some other actors." Hard to believe that this film was to showcase a bunch of young actors who were given top billing. Johnny Lee Miller, Justine Waddell, Jennifer Esposito, and Omar Epps are listed top of the DVD. No mention of Drac/Butler, who has gone on to become a true STAR. The tale of the vampire Dracula (Butler) has be brought forward to present day and New Orleans at Mardi Gras, perfect location and time for all black floor sweeping coats and long hair. For my Halloween movie, I choose this one. Cheesy, pretty young things all over the place, and no need to pay attention if the doorbell rings with little goblins, you won't miss a thing. 8/10 that's how much I enjoy it and get my giggles. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219653/

The Upside Of Anger (2005) Joan Allen, Kevin Costner. Enjoyable film on the family dynamics after the father goes missing. Wife assumes he has taken off with his secretary for Sweden. Her anger and unhappiness keep the four daughters in constant conflict with her. Her neighbor and friend, Denny (Costner) drinks with her and offers a hand with her girls. Over the next few years they struggle along until a discovery at a new building site makes some things clear to all. Good little drama. Costner is very good as the charming drunken friend. Allen is so good at anger you almost hate her. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365885/

Daylight time is over. Days are short. Trees almost bare. Goblins and ghosts are gone again and winter is just around the corner. We'll see what develops.......

Law Abiding Citizen - Take 2.....

Law Abiding Citizen (2009) d. F. Gary Gray. Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx. After my second viewing I am sure the protagonists are well matched. Foxx as the Assistant District Attorney Nick Rice, in charge of the murder case involving the wife and child of Clyde Shelton (Butler), is so sure he is doing the right thing by doing a deal, that he forgets justice. It takes ten long years of planning for Clyde to bring his plan to fruition. But after he has killed both men who murdered his family, and tells Nick he has only just begun, doubts begins to form in Nicks bosses mind, and his assistant attorneys,Sarah Lowell. She says to him in a key scene "I'd like to know it was for more than just the conviction rate. I like to feel some of it was for justice." The slow dawning on Nick that maybe, just maybe, there is something more important than his career and that is what Clyde is showing him with all the mayhem. Foxx shows with very subtle expressions that he does get it and by the end in the cell with Clyde, both men are resigned to what will come. Nick leaves, and lets the fire bomb go off and Clyde, resignation and weariness on his face, awaits the holocaust.

Terrific film with two fine performances. The scene of the first killing by Clyde is gruesome but Butler and Grey subtly show the madness that ten years of waiting for justice has brought this man. Each step of his plan to kill those responsible for the injustice done to him and his family shows his brilliance, but also his descent to the dark side. Butler is spot on in the courtroom scene where he tells off the judge who went along with Nicks plea bargain and let the killer off with a 5 year sentence. Clyde's 10 years of plotting and planning, and reading the law, makes for a riveting scene and dialog.

The scenes of gritty warehouse areas in the grey dawn, or at night, bring to mind the great black and white films of the past. F. Gary Gray and his cinematographer have captured the film noir quality of light and dark, wet pavements, the shadowy faces, the bleak factory/warehouse areas, and the cold, physical and emotional, of the great 'classics' like "Kiss Of Death" or "White Heat."

I score it a 9/10. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1197624/

Some Enchanted Evening.........

....on a beautiful beach in the blue, blue Pacific:

South Pacific (1958) Mitzi Gaynor, Rossano Brazzi, John Kerr, Juanita Hall, France Nuyen, Ray Walston. All the songs are in the film version. None were cut, which shows how Rodgers & Hammerstein's masterpiece was revered by Josh Logan, the director and the producers, Buddy Adler, George Skouras and 20th Century. Yesterday 10/23/09, it was shown on TCM in all its' glory and I sat with a smile on my face. I have even gotten so I am not distracted by the color filters used on the camera for different songs and scenes. It is a very small innovation Logan used and compared to what is used in films today, seems quaint that it was so vilified in "58. The delivery of Gaynors lines is somewhat theatrical, but she is darling all the same. Brazzi is fine as the romantic lead, and Hall and Nuyen perfect. When I saw the road show play in the early 50's I loved it. When I read Michenors book, I loved it. So, what can I say? I love to sit and let this film just wash over me. And that beach she "washes that man right out of her hair" on - is mahvelous, darlings. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052225/

Du Maurier, Cristie novels to film.....

The last 3 films I watched all the way through were:

My Cousin Rachel (1952) OIivia deHavilland, Richard Burton, John Sutton, Audrey Dalton. Daphne Du Maurier's Gothic novel of a young man and his cousin by marriage, Rachel. The film perfectly mimics the novels ambiguity and at the end you still can't tell for sure if this 'cousin' is angel or devil. As Philip Ashley moans at the end...."Rachel, my torment..... ". Beautiful black and white cinematography, costumes, and a great Franz Waxman music score. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044937/

Death On The Nile (1978) Based on an Agatha Christie novel of a rich heiress, who steals her best friends fiancee, marries him, and then is followed and harassed by the former friend on their honeymoon. It culminates on a steamer going up the Nile River to visit the temples of Karnac. A very large cast of A-list actors, in 1920's styles and sets, has fun with this mystery. Peter Ustinov, as Hercule Poirot and David Niven as his friend, Col. Johnny Race try to figure out who has murdered the heiress, Linnet Doyle. Frankly, all the talk by Ustinov, in his accent, made me doze off. Rewound and tried again, but I went to sleep again. I do love the music theme by Nino Rota. Lovely. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077413/

A Little Trip To Heaven (2005) Julia Stiles, Forrest Whitaker, Peter Coyote, Jeremy Renner, Philip Jackson. Shot in Iceland, financed in part by Icelandic Film Fund, Nordic Film and TV-Fund etc., and using almost all crew members from Iceland. The story is of a couple and the woman's brother who are involved with insurance scams. Whitaker is a company investigator sent to the town where the woman who is the beneficiary of a million dollar policy lives to see if he can discover anything fishy so they can refuse to pay off. Interesting story. The two loser guys she has to put up with are worthless, but for some reason she seems sympathetic so Whitaker wants to help her and her little boy. You feel cold watching these landscapes and night scenes. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420740/

Yesterday it rained all day, and the beautiful Autumn Sunset maple in the backyard last all its' leaves. The walnut trees still are golden. And we have another variety of maple in the front yard that is just starting to turn colors, so it will still be pretty for a while. But Halloween is fast approaching and chill and creepy and things that go bump in the night will soon be here........

Cheers for "Law Abiding Citizen "

Went to the opening Friday morning show on Oct. 16 of this film. Cheers all around for a very entertaining show.

Law Abiding Citizen

Action, mystery & an intense think piece. I like that it has a prologue setting up the two antagonists. Following in the main body of the story is the mastermind and determined wronged man, Clyde(Gerard Butler), taking his revenge on the system that has betrayed him and his dead wife and child. By the end epilogue, we see his main foil, the district attorney, Neil(Jamie Foxx), with his family at his childs recital. Clyde, the "bad man", has taught the smart "good man" attorney to treasure what matters.The action scenes with the explosions are awesome and I loved that the director and writers let us see how Clyde did what he did by the end of the film. Great locations in gritty areas of Philadelphia. A good time at the movies with an old-fashioned suspense/thriller. 9/10

I'm going to see this one again this week.

Water - where would this world be?

"When the well's dry, we know the worth or water. "

Ben Franklin

3 from the studio era; 2 from the new century-----

----As the world turns and my Heartland USA home has to have the furnace or fireplace on to take off the chill, I watched some old favorites and a couple of newer films:


A Stolen Life (1946) Bette Davis, Glenn Ford, Dane Clark, Walter Brennan, Charles Ruggles. Great cast. Bette plays twins, Kate and Pat, and the story is about their romance with the man who comes to the New England villiage and island to do maintainance on the lighthouse. Wonderful atmospherics, great musical score, and the players are all at their best. Bette was instrumental in securing the role for Glenn, for which he was very grateful, having just returned after 3 years in the service in WWII. He had no contract and was not working. Years later when Bette needed a job, he was a number one box office star, and returned the favor. He cast her as Apple Annie in "Pocketful Of Miracles." A real gent. A rainey afternoon by the fire kind of film. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038984/


Sirocco (1951) Humphrey Bogart, Marta Torin, Lee J. Cobb, Everett Sloane. Just barely kept me awake. Bogey is so tired and cynical that you quit caring what happens to him. Lots of going to underground caverns, staying in dirty surroundings, and all the characters are unworthy - theives, murderers. It is about the French occupied Syria and the insurgency that happened, and gun running, smuggling, murders, etc. Not nice or pretty and after a while, we don't care. That is unforgivable in a film of this sort. We have to identify with someone and here we just don't. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044040/


Home From The Hill (1960) Robert Mitchum, Eleanor Parker, George Peppard, George Hamilton. Texas heat and sensibilities. A huge ranch/farm with oil wells, have made the patriarch answer to no one, not his wife or their son. A force of nature, he uses people the same as his dogs, expected to heel at his voice. It seems the night of his wedding to Eleanor, he brings his bride home to see his mistress and their son, a five year old who has been living on the ranch ever since. Troubled wife stays in the home in order to raise their son her way. But by age 18, sonny becomes enamored of a school friend, and she ends up pregnant. By this time sonny so hates his parents, he doesn't want to marry, let alone have kids. A tangled web and how it all comes out made a engrossing, if not exciting, film. Peppard, as the illigitimate son, is very good and looks great. A good melodrama and gorgeous cinematography. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053917/


Panic Room (2002) Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forrest Whitaker, Dwight Yoakam, Jered Leto. This film was on TV last weekend and I had to stop and watch. Still gives a great rush with the gals trying to outwit and out last the three intruders. Great house set and atmosphere. I've reviewed this before, so - 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258000/


In Enemy Hands (2004) William Macy as Chief of Boat Nathan Travers on the U.S.S Swordfish in the north Atlantic during WWII when the German U-boats were taking out more than half of the merchant ships with supplies for the allies. One crew on a U.S. sub gives battle and is sunk by U-429 and picked up as prisoners. I know nothing about subs, the navy etc., but this held my interest yesterday evening. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0316824/



Reading the news makes a happy person sad. More wars, less health care, still losing jobs, maniacs on the loose. But Friday another Gerard Butler film in theaters, so things aren't all bad. LOL! Hi-ho everybody!

A Mitchum/Kerr classic; Ashley Judd; Craig; & Neeson

This week I watched:

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957) Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum. A wonderful film about a nun and a marine who end up on a south Pacific Island during WWII, all alone. She, because the priest she was caring for wandered off and died, and she missed the last boat to safety. He, because his ship was blown out from under him and he was the only survivor, when he came up near a life raft. After drifting for days, he ends up on this small island. During the next weeks, the Japanese invade and set up an outpost; leave, come back; and then the American fleet finally arrives and the Marines take the island. They have help from our two unlikely heros, and with Mr. Allison wounded and carried on a stretcher, attended by Sister Angela, the movie ends with the astonished warriors watching as the two come down the hill to be taken to the ship. A two-character study and both actors are marvelous. Pitch perfect in their roles. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050490/

High Crimes (2002) Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, James Caviezel. As usual Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd are very good in their roles. She is a successful lawyer and a servicemans wife. Freeman is a former military defense lawyer who was drummed out because of drinking. She hires him to help her through the maze of military rules regarding the court. Trouble is she has been blind sided by the fact that for 15 years her husband has seemed the loving husband and father, and now is accused of a massacre in San Salvadore in a special ops during the drug war. Many twists and turns and by the end we have pretty much figured it out. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257756/

Defiance (2008) Daniel Craig, Liev Schrieber, Mark Feuerstein. Based on true story that I had never heard before. A group of Jewish villagers in Belarus are given a chance to flee the roundup by German soldiers, by the men and boys in a family of Jewish rogues. One (Tuvia/Craig) wants to save them all if he can. The other (Zus/Schrieber) wants to fight the Germans in hit and run skirmishes. Craig takes the group and starts building shacks to get them through the winter. Zus and Tuvia have a fight about what to do and finally Zus leaves and joins the Russian resistance fighters. This film is life affirming and shows what can be done with a determined leader and cooperation. They continue to live in the forests for 3 years in all. Craig is very good, as is Schrieber. Also in the cast as a Jewish intellectual from the city, who learns how to fight after all, is Mark Feuerstein, lately of Royal Pains on TNT channel. He is a standout in a large cast. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1034303/

Taken (2008) Liam Neeson. I can't believe what a mistaken impression you can get from a preview. I saw the scene of the girl under the bed "taken" about 3 dozen times during its' publicity for the theater opening, and then recently for the DVD release. So, I thought it was a ghost or some kind of zombie flick. I didn't even bother to read about it. Big mistake. This is a terrific thriller about a kidnapping. Neeson is just mesmerizing - and not bad as an ass-kicking, blow 'um all away, former CIA operative. Very enjoyable and had me on pins and needles, and even squealing now and then. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0936501/

I'm about ready to quit watching the news. I'm so mad that the Dems can't get a bill with a public option through congress. If the Doctors and Nurses are for it, and 65 per cent of the voters, it just shows who is being bought and sold in D.C. Arrrrrg! Over and out.

Bogart, Bacall, Julie & Julia......

Yesterday I went to see J & J with my sister and came home and last evening I had my Bogart & Bacall reunion. Loved both films. Talented actors in clever scripts equals enjoyment. So say I....

The Big Sleep (1946) Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone. One of the best of the so-called film noirs, which we called murder mysteries back in the day. Clinched Bogey and Bacall as superstars. Made a STAR of Malone in one 10 minutes scene. High school, fountain cherry cokes, movie magazines and Bogey and Bacall. Didn't get any better. To this day, I don't think there is a coherant synopsis of this story. But it is the best at atmosphere, dialog, and stars chemistry. I have to watch it every year or so and every time, I just have a smile on my face. 9/10 That final line of Bogarts "what's the matter with you?" and the look he gives 'Baby' is what is now called HOT! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038355/

Julie & Julia (2009) Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci. All 3 actors are very good. Meryl is outstanding, but Amy and Stanley hold up their scenes well. I am of an age to have watched almost all Julia Childs original live PBS programs. I saw her burn herself, cut herself, bleed, all the while commenting with that 'voice' and her mannerisms. That is what Meryl does so perfectly. I loved the part with the young writer and her husband. My sister and I both agreed Amy will have a long and successful career. She is a natural and while she is on - the scene is hers, just like Meryl. And what to say about Stanley? He is sooooo good. As Mr. Julia Child, he was quiet, funny and touching. Great actor. We thought this was a definite 9/10. We laughed and had a great time at the movies. That's what it's all about. It will take a spot in my library of films. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/

Susan Boyle sings Wild Horses on America's Got Talent 2009

Old & New: Comedies & dramas........

The past 2 weeks I watched the following films:

Sea Of Grass (1947) Kathrine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Melvin Douglas, Robert Walker. Set in the 1880s a rancher (Tracy) meets and marries a woman in St. Louis, MO (Hepburn) and takes her to his huge spread in New Mexico - the Sea Of Grass. It is a lonely existance for the new bride, Lutie. She cannot get over the silence or openess of the landscape. She requests the ranch hands plant trees up around the big ranch house "to surround and fence it in." They all are amazed - they don't want no damn fences. Lutie gets Jim to let her friend and her farmer husband have a small piece of ground so she can have someone close to visit. Jim know it is a mistake - the land and climate are too severe.
I remember seeing this film as a teen and not liking it very much. We wanted Tracy and Hepburn in comedies. Now I see it as a melodrama, but also one of the first films to comment on the land abuse that turned our great grasslands into dry deserts that have to be irrigated. Though it goes by in minutes, the scenes of what happens when greed takes over and the ruin that follows are relevant to everyone today. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039806/

Weekend At Bernies (1989) Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan Silverman, Terry Kiser, Catherine Parks. Funny over-the-top film with beaches, boats, babes, hunks, and a great house; and two frantic loosers who end up winning. Have to watch every end of summer - it's a rule. Terry Kiser as Bernie is amazing. It makes me laugh! And Catherine's bedroom scene and afterwards is 'classic.' 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098627/

Legally Blonde (2001) Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Jennifer Coolidge. Funny and pointed commentary on what the way we look makes others treat us in certain ways. Lots of fun. Elle Woods wins! 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250494/
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) Reese Witherspoon, Sally Field, Jennifer Coolidge. Elle goes to Washington and wins again. Good popcorn film for us gals. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0333780/

Before Sunset (2004) Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy. Ten years after they met and talked all night in Before Sunrise, they met again at his book signing in Paris and spend another day talking and talking and talking and walking and walking and walking. And I was not enchanted. I was bored, bored, bored. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381681/

300 (2006) Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham. Delios(Wenham) is the story teller, who tells the tale that King Leonidas(Butler) has sent him back to Sparta to tell. "You have a great tale to tell; tell them of victory!" It is a great story of the Persian and Greek battle at the Hot Gates - embellished by Frank Miller in his novel and through the eyes of Director/Writer Zack Snyder. With a flawless performance by Gerard Butler as the great and fearless King, and all the rest of the cast as well, this is a film classic already. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416449/

Duplicity (2009) Julia Roberts, Clive Owen. Spies spying on each other and the companies they work for. Could have been and should have been interesting/funny/exciting/all of the above. For me, I think the script let Julia down altogether. She was not written sympathetically and was just too duplicitous to like. If you don't like the character, it is hard to care whether she and Clive get away with their schemes or not. And that is where I was - I just didn't care. But I thought Clive's part was written better than Julias. A big budget film, with A listers getting big salaries to "open" a film - but it flopped. It may eventually make some money, but will not be a red letter day for either actor. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135487/

State Of Play (2009) Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren. A good mystery/drama about murder, double and triple crosses in Washington among the muckity-mucks. Even the reporters have some dirt on their hands and all are trying to one up each other. The first hour is great, building tension as you are kept in doubt of who is to be trusted. Actors are all fine. The end reveal is a bit predictable, but still this was and is a good rainey afternoon crime story. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473705/

First day of Autumn this week, and the nights are already crisp. And the sunrises have been really gorgeous.

Susan Boyle - Wild Horses

Susans first single from her album.

10 in 2 weeks -----

---Such pleasant weather for the Heartland that I spent lots of time out and about. But I did watch these:

Gaslight (1944) Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotton, Angela Lansbury. Suspense story set in the London of gaslights and horse drawn carriages. Young woman inherits her murdered aunts estate, including the big house and all its contents. She has been studying music abroad and meets and marries a musician who brings her back to the house. Strange things begin to happen and make her think she is losing her mind. Great cast of pros make this story interesting. Bergman won an Oscar. Lansbury was nominated for supporting role. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036855/

The Big Knife (1955) Ida Lupino, Jack Palance, Rod Steiger, Wendell Corey, Shelley Winters, Jean Hagen. Big studio wants their top star to sign another 7 year contract. He wants out. His wife wants him out. The head of the studio plays dirty and rough. One of the best films about the way the studio system was back in the 1950's at the end of the era. Palance gives an intense, sad performance. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047880/

The Client (1988) Susan Saradon, Tommy Lee Jones, Mary-Louise Parker, Anthony LaPaglia. Director Joel Schumacher and novelist John Grishom make a fine film from the Grishom book. They have a great cast, even in small roles and the young boy in the lead is a natural. The score adds to the menacing atmosphere and the location shooting is great. I watch it often. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109446/

Major League (1989) Tom Berenger, Rene Russo, Charlie Sheen. Baseball team of losers collected by new owner, who wants the team to fail so she can move it to Florida. Funny collection of characters, with some great set pieces. Sheen's walk across the infield to take over pitching in the last inning of the championship game, to the packed stadium singing "Wild Thing", is a Great Movie Moment. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097815/

My Cousin Vinny (1992) Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, Fred Gwynne, Lane Smith, Ralph Macchio. As the years go by , this fish out of water story gets funnier. College kids stop at a roadside market in a small village for food and beverages and get arrested as they are going down the highway, for robbing and killing the store owner. Enter lawyer cousin Vinny Gambini (Pesci), and his fiance Mona Lisa Vito (Tomei). All black leather, gold chains, silver toed boots, wild hair. Goes over big in front of da judge(Fred Gwynne). Like strangers in a strange land, they learn as they go. Many extremely funny bits. The tiny little screetch owl causing a waked up Vinny to run out on the porch in his boxers, cowboy boots, pistol blazing in all directions, is classic take down of the city slicker. Tomei, giving her explanation of the tire tracks and why they could not have been made by the boys car - a beloved Oscar winning segment She was pitch perfect throughout. Mostly even handed is skewing the big city dolts and the small town bumpkins. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104952/

The Italian Job (2002) Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Edward Norton. Directed by F. Gary Gray and featurning those mini Coopers in a long chase, it is very entertaining. A film that used no CGI and pulled off a huge traffic jam in downtown L.A. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317740/

Out Of Time (2003) Denzel Washington, Eva Mendes. Denzel is a police chief of a small town and is being framed - but by who. Always fun to see the man in jeopardy and how he gets out. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313443/

The Lake House (2006) Sandra Bullock, Keenu Reeves. Romantic fantasy centered around a lake house near Chicago and a mailbox where
notes between the two mysteriously appear. A pleasant film - not too far fetched. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410297/

The Soloist (2008) Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey. Jr. A homeless man (Foxx), obviously mentally challenged, can play beautiful music and does so on the streets of L.A. Reporter (Downey, Jr.) becomes interested in why he is out there after listening and watching him play. His efforts to help are sometimes rejected, sometimes accepted. Out of his book about his efforts, this film was made. Interesting look at the frustrations involved in trying to help the mentally ill. Both actors are very good in their roles. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0821642/

Gamer (2009) Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Kyra Sedgewick, Logan Lerman. The first 15 minutes is a complete action, shaky cam, mess. If you get through that, it becomes an interesting take on the mentallity that devises these so-called games, using humans as the players. Segments are clever and satirical; nothing too spelled out. Gerard Butler looks the part of the fighter from hell; Hall is creepy; Logan, the clueless teen who knows nothing and doesn't seem to want to; Sedgewick, interesting and enigmatic. See video review for what I really think of the film - he says it all. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1034032/

Hope to see some of the new films this week. They come and go so fast these days.

Gamer Review

My thoughts about Gamer are like this young guys. Exactly boys. Less is more!

Batman Begins and Ends----

----with a whimper - not a bang!

Batman Begins (2005) I've tried! Lord, how I've tried. For about the umptenth time I have sat down to watch Christian Bale as Batman and ended up falling asleep. Is it a DNA thing? Am I programmed to drop off when I see Bale - or is it Batman? Think it is Bale. The 1989 Batman with Michael Keaton - I loved and still watch it every year or so. I have it on tape. But I can't get interested enough in Chris and Katie Holmes to hope then end up together. Now Michael and Kim Basinger - oh yes. Loved their little romance. Although the '05 version is filled up with A-list actors in supporting roles, the story is dull and they are wasted. And none can come close to the turn Jack Nicholson did as the Joker in the '89 film. Sorry fans, I can't give this version more than 5/10. And I'm not gonna try it again unless I need something to put me to sleep! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/

Tom, Leo and Love Letters.......

This week I watched:

Love Letters (1945) Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotton. A wonderful love story, about a veteran of WWII who wrote letters for his buddy to his wife. Just from her picture and the letters he falls deeply in love with her. She thinks her letters are from the soldier she met at a dance and as soon as he comes home, they marry. But he is a drunk and nothing like what his letters led her to believe. He is killed and she loses her memory.
A beautiful film and has one of the most famous songs from films in the title song. It was so popular and so many wrote asking what is was, that words were written and many singers have recorded it over the years. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037885/

Revolutionary Road (2008) Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet. Disappointment, big time. This was touted as a true look at the suburbanite culture that came into being in the USA during the mid to late 1950's. America was incredibly prosperous, anyone who wanted to work, could. Housing was affordable. And the cars were like tanks but with lots of chrome and pretty colors.
The couples in this film are educated and successful, but it isn't enough. April Wheeler had dreams of the stage. Frank is a one of the 'grey flannel suits' that head into the city each morning. For the '50s they are the up-and-comers, but they want to 'find themselves', by running away to Paris. Not a bad dream. but they are forced to wake up.
The interiors, clothes, cars, etc. are spot on. But these are people who are so fortunate that as a woman who was 24 at the time of this film, I thought they were both spoiled rotten. Leo's first outburst at his wife was so over the top and hateful, I never liked him after that scene. Then he goes into the office and starts an affair with a young secretary. And we are supposed to feel anything for this whiner? On top of that, he threatens his wife by yelling she better shape up because she is sounding crazy and he can put her in a place to take care of her. This was a threat to lots of women who tried to break out of the "Stepford" mold and do something besides have babies, cook, clean, and keep on smiling.
The book was written in the early 1960's but this world was nothing like my working class neighborhood. Girls with unwanted pregnancies disappeared for 6 months 'visiting Aunt Mary' or 'working in a big city for a while.' Or they got married (helped along by fathers and big brothers) and had 3, 4 or more kids. Now, some of those young people had reason to feel trapped and be unhappy. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0959337/

Valkyrie (2008) Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branaugh, Tom Wilkerson. The last of 15 plots to kill Hitler, that ended in failure due to so many fluke things going wrong. Nine months after these men were all killed for their part in the plot, the allies won and WWII was over. Interesting story. Very good cast all on their game. Cruise is so watchable, you can't take your eyes off him, even after all these years. The boy air-paying a guitar on top of the coffee table is still a "movie star" writ large! Good film. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0985699/

It is so humid these days, it's like swimming through the air. But since we have had enough rain this summer, everything is very green for this time of year. We usually have a dusty look to all the vegetation by this time of year.

It is so depressing to think we will not get any reform in our health care system. I am down hearted.

Law Abiding Citizen - Trailer [Official New HD]

October 16th

Guns, drama, comedy, etc....

Dark Victory (1939) Bette Davis, George Brent, Geraldine Fitzgerald. Davis always claimed this was her favorite film. It was THE 'matinee ladies" film. Story of a rich playgirl who has a brain tumor. Great doctor operates, but can't give her more than 6 months to a year to live. Davis has never looked better. And the story is well done by all of the cast. And those last scenes - well, I can't help it - I always have tears. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031210/

Now, Voyager (1942) Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Gladys Cooper. Now THIS is my favorite Davis film. Story of an upper crust, Boston middle aged woman, Miss Charlotte Vale, who is so dominated by her rigid mother she is tightly wound. Her sister-in-law brings a doctor to meet the family and Charlotte. After she breaks down, and is sent to his retreat for a few months, it is arranged for her to take another woman's passage on a cruise where she meets the handsome, Jerry Durrance. His attentions bring her out of her shell and they eventually fall in love. Her transformation when she returns home shocks the entire Vale clan. Her mother most of all. Davis, standing at the top of the gangplank in her white picture hat, slender, and mysterious to the other passengers, is an iconic film moment. As is the lighting of 2 cigarettes at the same time, by Henreid. 67 years later, people are still discovering the magic. All the performances are marvelous and with the lush musical score by the great Max Steiner, this film is definitely a 10/10. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035140/

Mr. Soft Touch (1947) Glenn Ford, Evelyn Keyes, John Ireland, Buelah Bondi, Percy Kilbride. One of Glenn Ford's programmers made for Columbia, where he was under contract. It is a sort of noir, with the male lead playing a sort of gangster. But as these films go, he is a changed man by 'the end.' Story involves guy needing a hideout for 48 hours in order to get away with a large amount of loot. He finds the perfect place, a settlement house, run by social worker, Keyes. Set in the Christmas season, this should have been a holiday classic, but fails to draw us in to that world with the story, the score or cinematography. Still, the stars are charming. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041663/

Advise & Consent (1962) Watching this again after many years, I found I was so disappointed. It was boring. I don't remember thinking that back when it first came out. It was a great book, and made into what was supposed to be a top film of the year. Maybe I am just burned out on scandals, intrigue, double-dealing, etc. It is all still with us today and in the headlines. So this story just seemed too familiar to have any real suspense or excitement. Some marvelous actors doing good work, but I was less than interested. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055728/

Revolver (2005) Guy Ritchie gangster film starring Jason Statham, Ray Liotta and an actor that I am following - Mark Strong. The story is of gangsters, gamblers, and double and triple crosses. Plot is so confused, it is hard to make sense of, but who cares. The actors are fun to watch be mean and nasty. And Strong is always good to watch. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365686/

Shooter (2007) Mark Wahlberg, Danny Glover, Michael Pena. Another story of a trained assassin brought out of retirement to figure out how the President will be targeted and killed by a long range shooter. Of course, it is a setup and the rest of the film is trying to figure out who is doing it and why. What I liked was the FBI agent (Pena), sorting through the mess and figuring out who is the good guy. Cast does a credible job, but the story is so jumbled up and finally it is all about explosions. Lots of explosions. If that does it for you, you'll like this one. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822854/

Nights In Rodanthe (2008) Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Christopher Meloni, Viola Davis, Scott Glenn. What a house! What a beach! So, you have problems? Will this make you feel better? Nights in Rodanthe will make your heart sing and the story is secondary. The beauty of the setting, the lead actors, the score - are all that's needed by romantics to have a delicious 2 hours. Will these two actors ever be ordinary? A really good visit with old friends. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0956038/

The Ugly Truth (2009) Went to see this again to try to catch dialog drowned out by laughing on opening day. This time there were so few of us in the theater I was able to hear it all. Just a delightful, naughty romp with two incredibly gorgeous people. Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl seem to be having fun, so we do to. The drive up through the foothills of the mountains and the picnic scene, is beautifully shot. The salsa dance between Butler and Heigl looks like they were having a really good time and are pretty good dancers. For what it is - a summer comedy - it is well done. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/

I am now up-to-date on my movies and comments. Whew. When summer patio and garden time interfers with my movies, I feel like I'm in a crisis. Hahaha! What will come next?

The Gold Diggers, Mr. Blandings, the Princess......

Over 2 weeks since I wrote about the films I have watched. Been watching TCM to see some of my favorites.

Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Ginger Rogers. One of the pre-code musicals from Warner Brothers, with lots of risque dialog and just barely clothed women. Musical numbers are directed by Busby Berkeley. The finale, "Forgotten Man," is a film made during the worst of the depression and really got to people. Never say a musical or comedy won't be remembered. Here is a film that was almost lost but is now thought of as a classic. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024069/

Footlight Parade (1933) Joan Blondell, James Cagney, Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. Another of Warners great early musicals with Busby Berkeley directing three outstanding production numbers, "Honeymoon Hotel", "The Waterfall", and "Shanghai Lil", each one a masterpiece and worth sitting through the "story" of the usual backstage problems. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024028/

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) Myrna Loy, Cary Grant, Melvyn Douglas. A terrific look at the years right after WWII ended and materials and workers were once again available for the average community to build things. Grant is the title character - and ad agency exec who has been put on the Wham Ham account. He must come up with a new slogan in 60 days. Simultaneously he and his wife, Loy, decide to build a house in the country on a rail line into NYC and he'll become a commuter. The joys of dealing with architects, workers, and various Connecticut characters makes a funny and insightful film. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040613/

Cry Danger (1951) Dick Powell, Rhonda Fleming. A film noir that is interesting but just doesn't have a wow ending. It sort of fizzles in the end. Powell is always watchable and Fleming is glorious to look at. Story of a man who was framed for a murder and robbery he didn't commit and has been released from prison after 5 years. Now he tries to find out about the $100,000 that is still missing and other shady problems involving his friends wife, his friend in prison and various law enforcement people. Dark, involved and crooked most of the way. But the end um-no------7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043435/

The Swan (1956) Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness, Jessie Royce Landis, Louis Jourdan, Brian Aherne. Molnar story of a 1913 visit of a Prince to a minor Princess in a small country, to see if she is suitable wife material. Archaic idea, but very droll and a billion dollar cast. I have to watch it every summer. Grace and Louis are so gorgeous it is impossible. Just a sweet trifle to watch on a hot afternoon while having ice tea and cookies. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049815/

That takes me to August. I was waaaaaay behind. I'll get the rest of the films I watched done tonight or tomorrow.

My Belated Ugly Truth----

So summer is for lazing and lolling and procrastinating. But I did get dressed and head to the multiplex to see Mr. Butler take a turn at sexy comedy.

The Ugly Truth (2009) Seen on opening day July 24th; written July 28th. Gerard Butler, Katherine Heigl. Take your munchies, drink and companions and enjoy a fun filled battle of the sexes that is slightly raunchier the the usual pap, and has two winsome stars in the leads - Butler as Mike and Heigl as Abby. Men and women were equally laughing at the situations and zingers coming fast and funny by our stars.

The story is about a new shock jock, Mike, who does a segment on the news program called "The Ugly Truth" in which he tells women what men 'really want and/or think.' Ratings start climbing and Abby, smart and organized and the producer, is aghast. Her private life is bothering her because she cannot get and keep a steady man in her life. When she discovers the dreamy guy next door, a doctor no less, Mike says he can get him for her if she does what he says. That is the set up and getting to the kiss at "the end" is a fun romp.

Both stars are charming and have the comic timing to make this a good counter programming choice for those who are tired all the action films and kiddie cartoons out this summer. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142988/

I'm slow getting my reviews posted this summer, but will catch up, I swear.

New

Going to try a new method - post about films as I watch them. That is if I can remember or have the time. Hahaha. Last night I watched:

The Amatuers - Blockbuster DVD name (2006) The Moguls - IMDb listing name. Jeff Bridges, Joe Pantoliano, Ted Danson and lots of familiar faces. Satire about a loser in a small town who decides to make a porno movie with all the towns people as the cast. Some laughs and chuckles. This only played for one week in one theater before going to DVD. Such is the ways of film making. Not great, but funny enough and Bridges is always worth watching. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405163/?c=1

Where have I been? My report....

Well, so much for the past month! My outdoor life has been nice and enjoyable. So far, I have let the summer films pass by and have not made the effort to go to the theater. Nothing grabbed me. But this weekend I will head to the AMC Multiplex to catch Gerard Butler's latest - "The Ugly Truth." Reviews by youngish guys have been awful. But the word from 'real people - women/girls - is that theaters at prescreenings have been full with a mix of sexes and ages almost all roaring with laughter. So, we'll see what we see. Okay! Since last I posted I have seen:


Double Wedding (1937) Myrna Loy, William Powell. Last 15 minutes is a slapstick riot. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028804/

Stand In (1937) Joan Blondell, Humphrey Bogart, Leslie Howard. Satire of the Hollywood system. One of the best. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029605/

Crimson Tide (1995) Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman and a cast of newcomers who have since '95 become *stars*. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112740/

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) Philip Seymour Hoffmann, Marisa Tomei, Ethan Hawke. Ugh. What a waste of talent. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0292963/

Breach (2007) Ryan Phillipp, Chris Cooper, Laura Lynley. Story of spy Richard Hanssen and the young agent sent in to find out how he did it - steal secrets and damage the USA more than any other spy ever... 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401997/

Gran Torino (2008) Clint Eastwood. Good story but we have seen this turn from Eastwood before. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/

Flash Of Genius (2008) Greg Kinnear, Dermot Mulroney. Interesting tale of the guy who invented the intermittant windshield wiper and then had to take the big car makers to court to get his invention back. He finally won - but what a battle. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1054588/

Marlee & Me (2008) Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson. And the dog. He is a hunk. Destructive and poor Jen's role is just putting up with all the chaos. Not as many laughs as I thought there would be. But also, not as heartbreaking as I thought the end would be. Something just didn't *click* for me. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822832/

I also watched series TV. Repeats of "NCIS" & "Law & Order in all it's guises; History chs. programs; rewatched 2 of "The Bourne" films, Supremacy and Ultimatum; plus a bunch of rom/coms, which you can just veg out in front of and relax. Sometimes it's just good for what ails ya. LOL.

Nelson Eddy & Jeaneatte MacDonald plus Father---

Over the last 2 weeks I have been able to stay awake for a number of my favorites from the 'classic Studio era' of Hollywood. I get up a 5:30 a.m. to get out and water the pots and baskets while it is realitively cool. Then I hole up in the air-conditioning to use the computer and watch films. So here are a few comments on what I watched:

Naughty Marietta (1935) Nelson Eddy, Jeanette MacDonald. Charming musical, the stars first together. Both are in top form and there is real chemistry in their flirting scenes. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026768/

Maytime (1938) Nelson & Jeanette. There most dramatic and sad. Story of obsession by one man, ruining three lives. John Barrymore makes a fine portrait of a man who wants more than just gratitude from his protege'. Opera scene is superb. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029222/

The Gay Sisters (1942) Barbara Stanwyke, George Brent. A programmer soap opera but in the capable hands of Missy and George and a stellar supporting cast, a real pleasure to be in their company. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034770/

Pride & Prejudice (1942) Greer Garson, Lawrence Olivier. MGM's version of Jane Austens durable story. It is one of the first but others have overtaken this version. Olivier gives his usual studied performance, which I find more and more fake. He may have been the bee's knees on stage, but on film, I don't think so. Rest of the cast is wonderful. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032943/

Father Of The Bride (1950) Elizabeth Taylor, Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett. What can I say? This is just as charming today as it was 59 years ago. I just wish todays brides and family had half the charm and dignity as these people did. Bennett is so perfect as the beautiful Mother of the Bride. A favorite for June. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042451/

Fathers Little Dividend (1951) Elizabeth Taylor, Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett. Great follow-up and one of the best sequels of all time. Still love visiting this family. Tracy is a delight as the grumpy old man won over by a babies smile. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043526/

Lots of old and new films in the stack on the table so onward.....

Romance & 2 Devils----

Random Harvest (1942) Greer Garson, Ronald Colman. Romantic and improbable, but lovely just the same. Story of a young woman who takes a lost and ill soldier under her wing on WWI Armistice during the celebration on the streets. He has walked away from an asylum and doesn't know who he is or where he is from. They end up in the country in an inn where he recuperates enough to ask her to marry him. When they have a child and he is called to the city for an interview to write for a newspaper, the plot takes a turn. He is hit by a car and knocked out. When he awakes, he is confused as to why he is wearing strange clothes, and thinks it is 1917 and the war is still on. But he does remember his former name and where he was from before the war. The rest of the film is these two trying to find each other again. Very good romance and wonderful performances. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035238/


The Devil At 4 O'Clock (1961) Spencer Tracy, Frank Sinatra. Story of an island and the volcano that erupts and the hazards a priest{Tracy} and convict(Sinatra) face rescuing the children and staff of a school in the hills. Lovely location filming. Script has one to many narrow escapes and by the time they all get to the dock and load that last boat off the island, I was tired of the whole thing. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054805/


Frost/Nixon (2008) Frank Langella, Michael Sheen. Interesting take on the interviews done after Nixon leaves the Presidency. A little anti-climatic because we are expecting a big moment - and there is none. All the actors are very good in their roles. Absorbing. 8/10.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0870111/

Gerard Butler is the Star whose career I am following now. I started when I saw his great characterization of the lead character in "The Phantom Of The Opera." Perhaps it was because I was taking care of my very ill husband that the story so affected me, but his anguished and crazed Phantom is one of my favorite characters.

For the past 4 1/2 years I have kept up with his projects and have seen all of his films from his start in 1996s "Mrs. Brown" to his latest now on DVD - "RocknRolla." Coming up are 2 films later this year: July 24 "The Ugly Truth" with Kathryn Heigl; and September 4 "Gamer."

The picture is from the filming of the 1st day, Monday the 15th, on the set of "The Bounty Hunter." His co-star in this one is Jennifer Aniston. We know little about the story so far. But he is looking good - a mature man at the top of his game.

Now and then I will highlight more about this fine actor.

Chow Yun Fat, The 1st Wives, & a western.....

Over the last weekend I watched the long mini-series:

Lonesome Dove (1989-TV mini-series) Robert Duvall, Tommie Lee Jones, Angelica Huston. Western with great scenery, but after all these years of not seeing it and hearing so much about it being great, I was dissapointed. The most interesting character and acting honors go to Angelica Houston, IMO. For her time on screen, she delivers a nuanced portrait of a frontier woman, not poor, but because of her husbands accident, in charge of a large working ranch/farm. For my money, more of her story would have been good. This was an edited version seen on AMC. Not sure I want to see the whole 6 hour version. No rating. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096639/

Also watched Chow in a very good film that shows his sensitive side:

All About Ah-Long (1989 HongKong "A Lang de gi shi) Chow Yun Fat, Sylvia Chang, Kwan Yuen Wong. Story of a poor man and his little boy living day by day, a lower working class life. The relationship between father and son is warm but who is looking out for who? A big chance for the boy comes and changes everything. Ah-long tries to do what is right for his little boy and finds out it is not easy to find the right solution to life's dilemmas.This is a fine film and Chow Yun-Fat is perfect as the ne'r do well who becomes a man for his son. Highly recommended.
I grade it down for the poor quality of the video tape whitch I bought in 1999. Poor transfer and Amazon should have had something about it in the online page for this film. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098694/

And a favorite comedy with a point-of-view:

First Wives Club (1996) Diane Keaton, Goldey Hawn, Bette Midler. This is a film for women and from their point-of-view. Three women who went to college together are at middle-age and dumped by their cheating husbands for younger women. At first it is all about getting back at the lugs. But as they find more and more of their power as women, they decide to expand their vision to help all women with problems with men, in marriages, careers, life. Great lines. Farsical at times and still very funny. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116313/

Chow Yun Fat shines....

...in this melancholy story.

All About Ah-Long (1989 HongKong "A Lang de gi shi") Chow Yun Fat, Sylvia Chang, Kwan Yuen Wong. Story of a poor man and his little boy living day by day, a lower working class life. The relationship between father and son is warm but who is looking out for who? A big chance for the boy comes and changes everything. Ah-long tries to do what is right for his little boy and finds out it is not easy to find the right solution to life's dilemmas.This is a fine film and Chow Yun-Fat is perfect as the ne'r do well who becomes a man for his son. Highly recommended.
I grade it down for the poor quality of the video tape which I bought in 1999. Poor transfer and Amazon should have had something about it in the online page for this film. It did tell us that there were subtitles, so at least we knew we were hearing the real actors own voices, which is always a plus as far as I'm concerned. So 8/10 for this video. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098694/

Chow Yun Fat is an actor I have followed since first discovering him in 1999s "Anna & The King." Tall, graceful and good looking, he is the star of the John Woo Hong Kong action films that made them both famous. But in going through his catalog of films, you realize this is a real actor with range and depth. From "The Killer;" the "Better Tomorrow" trilogy; to the sweet love story set in NYC "An Autumns Tale"; and his comedies, "God Of Gamblers 1 & 2" where he is the epitome of suave; Chow is amazing in every role. He does drama, action, passion and pathos equily well.


His films in the USA do not quite meet the standard of his work in his HK films. Except for Anna & The King with the great Jodie Foster. He IS the King, and the film only lets its' stars down because of the script. The scenery of Malaya and the score both are marvelous. The costumes are just beautiful. I loved it but realise I am a romantic and suspend my disbelief when I love something.


And the film with the great director Ang Lee; "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Li Mu Bai was a role made for him. Almost perfect in every way, his is the quiet, strong heart of the story.

I have not seen the last Pirate film with Depp "Worlds End." Tried the 1st one and could not get through the first half hour, so will not waste time and money on the others. I did see 2007s "Curse Of The Golden Flower" and Chow was good as the emporer in a lavish production.

I'll be watching his career and hoping we have another chance to see the great man in another great film.

Errol Flynn, Gerard Butler, Robert Downey Jr....

.... these are the films I watched this week:

Captain Blood (1935) Errol Flynn, Olivia deHavilland, Basil Rathbone. First film with this trio, who were so popular, Warners made stars of all three. Story of wronged Doctor in King James' England who is taken prisoner for attending a rebel and sent off to prison and then the Americas as a slave sold to the highest bidder. Which happens to be the proud daughter of the govenor. Which is just the first 10 minutes of the film. Much fighting, derring do etc. among the rigging of the tall ships with their beautiful sails. May be fake, but it's real enough, and the three stars hold the screen when the camera is on them. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026174/

The Lake House (2006) Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves. Romantic fantasy about Doctor (Sandra) who moves out of a house built on a lake on stilts, and the architect who moves in. A note she leaves in the mailbox for the next tennant about forwarding her mail gets a correspondence going. Slowly they discover there is two years difference between their lives. Interesting story. And the architecture is great. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410297/

North Country (2005) Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sean Bean. Great cast in true story of the sexual harrassment suit against a mining company, the first that went to the Supreme Court and won. Showed what awful conditions and constant tension and jokes and verbal blows the women had to endure. Theron is wonderful as usual. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0395972/

RockNRolla (2007) Gerard Butler, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy (The Wild Bunch); Thandie Newton(the Accountant); Tom Wilkinson, Mark Stong(The Old School): & Tony Kebbell(the RocknRolla). Fine ensemble cast in Guy Ritchies' film about the gangs of London and their various schemes to fleece and steal from each other and the public. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032755/

Cadillac Records (2008) Adrien Brophy, Beyonce' Knowles, Jeffrey Wright. The story of Muddy Waters and Chess Records rise in the 1950's. Great music. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1042877/

Doubt (2008) With writer/directors commentary. Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis. In the 1960's a Catholic school and church have conflict between a rigid nun and a priest who is trying to loosen up the school bounderies. Which brings conflict, accusations, and a war of wills. Great acting; and leaves each viewer with their own idea of what really happened and with their own 'doubt.' I was so engrossed I immediately watched the movie again with the directors commentary. I was interested to hear him say that each of the main characters were given a back story and then allowed to decide for themselves how to play the role and whether to give any hint of the answers to the questions. Much to think about. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0918927/

Iron Man (2008) Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Terrence Howard. Very enjoyable action film based on a comic. Downey is superb. The script is intelligent and keeps you interested. Much better than I expected. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/

Have some good film tapes and DVDs on my table to watch this week. Planting all done - just watering and trimming to do now. And rockin' and watching the wildlife.