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.....