A very momentous week for the USA. Hopefully the new President and members of congress can turn out faltering economy around. Huge problems and obstacles.
This week I watched:
A Star Is Born (1937) Janet Gaynor, Fredric March. The familiar story of a small town girl (Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester) who goes to Hollywood to become a star. She meets a famous actor (Norman Maine/March), who is smitten with her and helps her get a screen test. She is hired, her 1st film is a hit, and they are married. But his career has been going downhill, mainly because of his drinking. The production values have the Selznick touch and the score of Max Steiner add immeasurable to the film. But it is Lionel Stander, as the cynical press agent (Matt Libby), who inadvertently puts the finish to Norman Mains's career, and is the standout for me this time. As I watched I thought this is the nastiest performance on film. He really nails the washed up, drunk to the wall. He never lets up and lets you see any softer side. There is mean - and there is mean. Stander does it all and doesn't have to throw a punch or have guns blazing. Great performance. I really hate Max! 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029606/
Catch Me If You Can (2002) Leo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken. And an early role for Amy Adams. A high school con man who managed to con millions from individuals and banks(!). Due diligence was bad even back 30 some years ago. The cast is uniformly strong and Leo is devilish as Frank and his many aliases. Loved the scene of the sweet young things dressed up as hostesses during the Jet Set era. What a time it was! The cars, the clothes, the look of the people was just right. Lots of fun, but I didn't like it as much this time as the 1st time I watched it on the big screen, so dropping it a point. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264464/
In Bruges (2008) Colin Farrell, Brenden Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes. Ray, Ken & Harry. Those boys are going to kill each other if they don't watch out! A very dark comedy about criminals. Farrell and Gleeson could take this routine on the road. Being sent by their crime boss to the old city of Bruges, Belgium, after a 'hit' went terribly wrong, is driving Ray bonkers. Ken is into doing the tourist bit. Harry is - Harry - a bad lot. The characters the boys meet while wandering around and at their lodgings, add to the quizzical goings on. There are shootings, knifings, and various other mayhem going on, but with tongue firmly in cheek, and what's a little killing among friends? 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780536/
Love In The Time Of Cholera (2007) Javier Bardem is Florentino who falls in love with Fermina when they are teenagers, and --- loves her all his life, but beds over 600 other women and keeps his diary meticulously. Scenery is gorgeous - filmed in Columbia, S.A. and the UK. I actually fell asleep and had to go scene by scene to find where I dropped off. So I cannot say much. I think I will try the directors commentary and see if he makes sense of the story. 6/10 only for the gorgeous costumes and cinematography. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0484740/
We are in for snow showers all through the coming week. My car will stay in the garage and me by the fire. Brrrr!
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