had center stage this time.... In 2 weeks I watched just a few films all the way through. They are:
Alexanders Rag Time Band (1938) Alice Faye, Tyrone Power, Don Ameche, Ethel Merman. Grand black and white musical film from 20th Century Fox. Irving Berlin songs. Story starts before WWI with the 3 main characters getting together and forming a ragtime band, with Faye doing the singing. Their trials, separations, and finally finding success and each other again, is the basis for about 20 or more songs, with lively Merman in the last third of the film. Hollywood never warmed to her style and she went back to Broadway and super stardom. A look at the way Hollywood could cram films full of the songs people heard on the radio, and make crowds of them flock to see it on the big screen. The leads are terrific and if you want a look at the way the studio could surround them with the best character actors, great sets and costumes, this is a treat. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029852/
Kiss Of Death (1947) Victor Mature, Brian Donlevy, Richard Widmark, Coleen Gray. Great film noir of a small-time gangster (Mature) who gets caught in a jewelry robbery and is put in prison. After his wife commits suicide and Nick finds out his lawyer has not done as promised and seen that his family is taken care of, which was the price for keeping still about who else was in on the job, he contacts the Assistant District Attorney(Donlevy) who had told him he could help if he talks. With Nick now an undercover man and out working in New Jersey, married again and with his little girls, he and the family are in danger from crazy thug, Tommy Udo (Widmark). When I was a teenager and saw this for the 1st time, Widmark scared all of us to death. He was an amazing presence on screen and there was no one like him. The film has been a favorite on mine all these years. Can't think of a thing that needs changing, so ---10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039536/
Pickup On South St. (1953) Jean Peters, Richard Widmark, Thelma Ritter, Richard Kiley. In 1953 when I was as young woman working in a large office in the middle of a large city, I would go to the latest films at one of the downtown movie palace. This one was a kick in the teeth. About petty criminals, shady ladies and the dirty city streets, with not one character as wholesome and admirable. We thought it was great! The story of a pickpocket, just out of jail, and a tramp who he nabs a wallet from, while on the subway; plus her boyfriend who just happens to be a red, and who was sending a illicit microfilm using her as his courier. Skip and Candy are tough and both circle and claw at each other during their negotiations. The two actors are fun to watch as they parry and thrust, and Widmark socks Peters in one scene - and it looks so real you wince. Thelma Ritter as Moe, tired and worn out, selling ties to the dregs as she wanders the streets, gives a remarkable performance in her debut in film. Still think it is great even with all the red baiting. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046187/
My Favorite Year (1982) Peter O'Toole, Mark Linn-Baker, Lainie Kazan, Joseph Bologna. O'Toole as Alan Swann, an Errol Flynn type actor on the skids, is booked on King Kaisers' (Bologna) live TV comedy show. Benjy (Linn-Baker) is assigned to stay with him and make sure he shows up for all the rehearsals and the broadcast. He ends up taking Swann to Brooklyn to his family's weekly dinner. Their trip back ends up with a horseback ride through Central Park. When Swann discovers at the last minute the show is live, he panics and leaves. In the meantime, gangsters are after Kaiser because he is using laborers not affiliated to his union and is threatening him and his show. Swann shows up and the two fight their way to center stage and win the day! The live broadcast is a marvel of good writing, timing and acting. O'Toole is just great and seems to be having lots of fun. Bologna matches him in their scenes. Just a funny, loving look at 1954, and live TV. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084370/
Snow on the ground again from weekend fronts passing through. Fireplace and wine, food and films. It'll do for a while.......
February 22, 2010
February 08, 2010
Thin Man con't; Kitty; Foul Play; etc.....
......Last week I watched:
After The Thin Man (1936) William Powell, Myrna Loy, Jimmy Stewart, Asta. Made on MGMs sound stages. Looks great, with lots of night scenes and big old houses. Dolly Tree designed Loys lovely wardrobe. I watch all the Thin Man films every couple of years. Great dialog and little touches by two wonderful actors at the top of their game. This one has the Charles' heading home to CA for New Years after the first films Christmas in NYC, and Nick coming out of retirement to solve a murder case. This time he is asked to help Nora's family with a problem that ends in murder, of course. By the end, Nora is knitting little booties and Nick is drinking a martini and all is well for further adventures. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027260/
Another Thin Man (1939). William Powell, Myrna Loy, Asta, & a whole bunch of good character actors. Third in the series is almost up to par, but a little frantic in the acting by some characters. That may be how the director, Van Dyke, wanted it, but it takes away some of the charm. Back in NY, they go to Long Island for a weekend visit to a relative who was a partner in Nora's fathers business. He has been threatened and wants Nick to get to the bottom of who it is and what they want. Lots of funny scenes and a hilarious baby birthday party for Nicky Jr. with all Nicks underworld friends, who have to bring a baby or they can't come. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031047/
Kitty (1945) Paulette Goddard, Ray Milland, Constance Collier, Patric Knowles. A romance novel of the 1940's turned into a lush vehicle for beautiful Paulette. By this time she was very wealthy and known for having a fabulous jewelry collection. In the final ball scene, the gorgeous multi- strand diamond necklace she wears is her own. Story is the tried and true tale of a gutter snipe who rises to a Duchess, who dances with the the King. Costumes and set decorations gorgeous. Cast is mostly having fun with this silly story, and so we do too. Unless you are very fastidious and particular. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037849/
Foul Play (1978) Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith, Dudley Moore. Can't help it. I laugh at bits of business or whole scenes all the way through. Goldie's absent minded and distracted scene with Dudley Moore, while he is getting his pad set up and sex toys out, is still very funny. Her telling the tale of what happened in the movie theater and at her apartment, to the two detectives, as it gets crazier and crazier is priceless. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but who cares? A fun romp with the cast. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077578/
Deathtrap (1982) Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Dyan Cannon. O.M.G. Chris Reeve is soooo gorgeous it is not necessary to understand the story to enjoy this film. LOL The two stars are good playing two playwrights. One has murder on his mind. Or do they both plan to get rid of the other? It gets complicated. That was okay because we can look at Mr. Reeve. Not too sure I cared what was being done by who by the end.. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083806/
Snow and more snow today and tonight. Fireplace and movies and hopes for a warm spell soon.
After The Thin Man (1936) William Powell, Myrna Loy, Jimmy Stewart, Asta. Made on MGMs sound stages. Looks great, with lots of night scenes and big old houses. Dolly Tree designed Loys lovely wardrobe. I watch all the Thin Man films every couple of years. Great dialog and little touches by two wonderful actors at the top of their game. This one has the Charles' heading home to CA for New Years after the first films Christmas in NYC, and Nick coming out of retirement to solve a murder case. This time he is asked to help Nora's family with a problem that ends in murder, of course. By the end, Nora is knitting little booties and Nick is drinking a martini and all is well for further adventures. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027260/
Another Thin Man (1939). William Powell, Myrna Loy, Asta, & a whole bunch of good character actors. Third in the series is almost up to par, but a little frantic in the acting by some characters. That may be how the director, Van Dyke, wanted it, but it takes away some of the charm. Back in NY, they go to Long Island for a weekend visit to a relative who was a partner in Nora's fathers business. He has been threatened and wants Nick to get to the bottom of who it is and what they want. Lots of funny scenes and a hilarious baby birthday party for Nicky Jr. with all Nicks underworld friends, who have to bring a baby or they can't come. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031047/
Kitty (1945) Paulette Goddard, Ray Milland, Constance Collier, Patric Knowles. A romance novel of the 1940's turned into a lush vehicle for beautiful Paulette. By this time she was very wealthy and known for having a fabulous jewelry collection. In the final ball scene, the gorgeous multi- strand diamond necklace she wears is her own. Story is the tried and true tale of a gutter snipe who rises to a Duchess, who dances with the the King. Costumes and set decorations gorgeous. Cast is mostly having fun with this silly story, and so we do too. Unless you are very fastidious and particular. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037849/
Foul Play (1978) Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith, Dudley Moore. Can't help it. I laugh at bits of business or whole scenes all the way through. Goldie's absent minded and distracted scene with Dudley Moore, while he is getting his pad set up and sex toys out, is still very funny. Her telling the tale of what happened in the movie theater and at her apartment, to the two detectives, as it gets crazier and crazier is priceless. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but who cares? A fun romp with the cast. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077578/
Deathtrap (1982) Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Dyan Cannon. O.M.G. Chris Reeve is soooo gorgeous it is not necessary to understand the story to enjoy this film. LOL The two stars are good playing two playwrights. One has murder on his mind. Or do they both plan to get rid of the other? It gets complicated. That was okay because we can look at Mr. Reeve. Not too sure I cared what was being done by who by the end.. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083806/
Snow and more snow today and tonight. Fireplace and movies and hopes for a warm spell soon.
February 04, 2010
The rest of the story.....
The rest of the films I watched last week:
The Way We Were (1973) Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford. I had not watched this movie for a very long time, so was really surprised how much I liked it again. I remember seeing it with my best friend back in '73. We were young married ladies with kids and having a day out. And who to spend it with - why Robert Redford of course. We had watched him on TV all through the 1960's and then Barefoot In The Park and Butch and Sundance. He was our dreamboat favorite. In this his character just has to look pretty and be frustrated, and he does it beautifully. Barbra is irresistible as the loud, passionate, liberal with causes, who falls for this blond who she thinks is so talented and will someday take her to Paris and write a great novel. But he doesn't and they end up in Hollywood, which she hates. The actors are all good. The director Sidney Pollack, knows these times and the witch hunts and red scare, and does a great job bringing them to life. I remember them too, and how much two young Moms loved "the way we were." 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070903/
Chaos (2005) Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes, Ryan Phillippe. I was just flipping through channels and decided to give this film a try and got interested. Why? I don't know. Maybe the actors are just so bad or the script so awful, it was like a train wreck. Just kept watching. No use giving any of the plot - it is a heist movie that doesn't make any sense. The dialog was laughable at times, and I don't think it meant to be. All in all, just passable. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0402910/
Bourne Ultimatum (2007) Matt Damon. Repeat viewing. Comments made in Dec. 26th post. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0440963/
Gamer (2009) Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Kyra Sedgewick. I watched this DVD rental again with the commentary by Neveldine and Taylor. Very juvenile men. All about the T & A. They did not go through and tell us what they were trying to accomplish and anything about the plot. They made fun of some actors. I was not amused and very disappointed. 4/10 for their commentary. 6/10 for the film. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1034032/
Bright Star (2009) Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Kerry Fox, Paul Schneider. Jane Campion has directed a beautiful film with good actors to tell the romance between John Keats and Fanny Brawne. I wish I loved it more. But it is slow and nothing is happening, except loooooong looks and it is hard to register thoughts on film. The leading man, Whishaw, is so thin, I kept getting distracted, wondering if he was well. I never figured out why Keats friend Brown, was so hateful to Fanny from the first moment they met. So the whole film was a bit off putting to me. Someday, I will watch it again and see what I think but now I give it 6/10.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810784/
Ten days of films now up-to-date. A few days of moderate temps and I was able to get the decorations off the lawn where they have been frozen and under snow since before Christmas. One more month of bad weather and then the calendar will say we are over the hump and spring will soon be here. Yea!
The Way We Were (1973) Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford. I had not watched this movie for a very long time, so was really surprised how much I liked it again. I remember seeing it with my best friend back in '73. We were young married ladies with kids and having a day out. And who to spend it with - why Robert Redford of course. We had watched him on TV all through the 1960's and then Barefoot In The Park and Butch and Sundance. He was our dreamboat favorite. In this his character just has to look pretty and be frustrated, and he does it beautifully. Barbra is irresistible as the loud, passionate, liberal with causes, who falls for this blond who she thinks is so talented and will someday take her to Paris and write a great novel. But he doesn't and they end up in Hollywood, which she hates. The actors are all good. The director Sidney Pollack, knows these times and the witch hunts and red scare, and does a great job bringing them to life. I remember them too, and how much two young Moms loved "the way we were." 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070903/
Chaos (2005) Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes, Ryan Phillippe. I was just flipping through channels and decided to give this film a try and got interested. Why? I don't know. Maybe the actors are just so bad or the script so awful, it was like a train wreck. Just kept watching. No use giving any of the plot - it is a heist movie that doesn't make any sense. The dialog was laughable at times, and I don't think it meant to be. All in all, just passable. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0402910/
Bourne Ultimatum (2007) Matt Damon. Repeat viewing. Comments made in Dec. 26th post. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0440963/
Gamer (2009) Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Kyra Sedgewick. I watched this DVD rental again with the commentary by Neveldine and Taylor. Very juvenile men. All about the T & A. They did not go through and tell us what they were trying to accomplish and anything about the plot. They made fun of some actors. I was not amused and very disappointed. 4/10 for their commentary. 6/10 for the film. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1034032/
Bright Star (2009) Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Kerry Fox, Paul Schneider. Jane Campion has directed a beautiful film with good actors to tell the romance between John Keats and Fanny Brawne. I wish I loved it more. But it is slow and nothing is happening, except loooooong looks and it is hard to register thoughts on film. The leading man, Whishaw, is so thin, I kept getting distracted, wondering if he was well. I never figured out why Keats friend Brown, was so hateful to Fanny from the first moment they met. So the whole film was a bit off putting to me. Someday, I will watch it again and see what I think but now I give it 6/10.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810784/
Ten days of films now up-to-date. A few days of moderate temps and I was able to get the decorations off the lawn where they have been frozen and under snow since before Christmas. One more month of bad weather and then the calendar will say we are over the hump and spring will soon be here. Yea!
The Thin Man, Wuthering Heights, etc....
....This week I watched:
The Thin Man (1934) William Powell, Myrna Loy, Asta. The first and among the best of the series. Ex-cop married to heiress, retires to manage her estate and drink martini's. Couple comes to NYC during holidays and gets mixed up in a disapperance, perhaps murder, of old friend whose daughter has become engaged and will marry during last week of year. With the assorted mugs, thugs, crooks and characters who know Nick Charles, the cocktail parties and sit-down dinner they host are funny and we have as much fun as they do. Of course, before dessert, Nick has solved the crime and alls well that ends well and this is done up in a bright shiny bow and is great fun. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025878/
Only Angels Have Wings (1939) Cary Grant,Jean Arthur. Another great movie from a great year 1939. This one has the cast down in at a small South American airfield with a group of bush pilots trying to get a mail contract for the owner of the planes and field. Thomas Mitchell is the best friend; Richard Barthelmess, a new flyer with a secret; Rita Hayworth his wife; and a bunch of character actors who are terrific. This is a romance with only a couple of embraces. But both leads know how to play the suspicion and longing that lonely people have. The interesting look and early aviation and how rough and dangerous just getting a startup company off the ground was, is neatly tucked into the story. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031762/
Wuthering Heights (1939) Merle Oberon beautiful, and Lawrence Olivier matched her. Very sad and wildly romantic. Atmospheric, and great music score. But because the two main characters are very flawed I just cannot say I like them or their story. Always feel so sorry for Isabella and Edgar. They take the dunce Cathy into their home twice and she is so ungrateful and bitchy. And Heathcliff is such a unlikeable mess of a guy, why would both women want him - except he looks like Larry Olivier? Production is beautifully done for the time, and you can feel the cold of the storm on the moors. Cast of character actors are all first rate. Rates high for production values and the actors. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032145/
Road To Singapore (1940) Bing & Bob and Dotty. That's Crosby, Hope and Lamour! First of the famous "Road" films and one of the best. Just fun to be on the set with this crew. They are adlibbing and doing bits they made up all through the film. With the directors blessing. Plot is not important but there is a beginning, middle and end.
Saratoga Trunk (1945) Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper. Two beautiful people at their most beautiful. Story of Clio Dulane who comes to New Orleans with Angelique and Cupidon to get even for the way her mama was treated by the family of her Creole father. She meets "that tall Texas" and looses her heart, but her mind makes her stick to her plan to make the very rich and proper family bring her mother back and bury her with a large tombstone and keep it whitewashed. She manages to get her way and then joins her "tall Texas" at Saratoga, NY to catch a rich husband. A beautifully filmed adventure/romance; gorgeous costumes and sets; marvelous score. Some great lines: the little lawyer Clio outwits into agreeing to her terms "may I say, you are very beautiful." Clio: "Yes. Isn't it lucky." And oh! to look like Ingrid and be able to say it with such amused pride and joy! Absolutely love her whole performance! 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038053/
Daisy Kenyon (1947) Joan Crawford, Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews. Three fine actors in a cynical and interesting romantic drama. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039294/
Moonrise (1948) Gail Russell, Dane Clark, Ethel Barrymore. Dull film noir of a man who was bullied all his life because of his father being hanged for murder. At the beginning of the film, we see a montage of what happened, and then it jumps to his life as a young man. He is still being mocked and ridiculed by the townspeople and how he eventually looses his temper on the main bully. The actors are all good, but the screen play lacks tension and zip. By the end, I really didn't care what happened to the main characters. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040607/
Too tired to proof tonight. Back later today. Maybe. Hahaha.
The Thin Man (1934) William Powell, Myrna Loy, Asta. The first and among the best of the series. Ex-cop married to heiress, retires to manage her estate and drink martini's. Couple comes to NYC during holidays and gets mixed up in a disapperance, perhaps murder, of old friend whose daughter has become engaged and will marry during last week of year. With the assorted mugs, thugs, crooks and characters who know Nick Charles, the cocktail parties and sit-down dinner they host are funny and we have as much fun as they do. Of course, before dessert, Nick has solved the crime and alls well that ends well and this is done up in a bright shiny bow and is great fun. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025878/
Only Angels Have Wings (1939) Cary Grant,Jean Arthur. Another great movie from a great year 1939. This one has the cast down in at a small South American airfield with a group of bush pilots trying to get a mail contract for the owner of the planes and field. Thomas Mitchell is the best friend; Richard Barthelmess, a new flyer with a secret; Rita Hayworth his wife; and a bunch of character actors who are terrific. This is a romance with only a couple of embraces. But both leads know how to play the suspicion and longing that lonely people have. The interesting look and early aviation and how rough and dangerous just getting a startup company off the ground was, is neatly tucked into the story. 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031762/
Wuthering Heights (1939) Merle Oberon beautiful, and Lawrence Olivier matched her. Very sad and wildly romantic. Atmospheric, and great music score. But because the two main characters are very flawed I just cannot say I like them or their story. Always feel so sorry for Isabella and Edgar. They take the dunce Cathy into their home twice and she is so ungrateful and bitchy. And Heathcliff is such a unlikeable mess of a guy, why would both women want him - except he looks like Larry Olivier? Production is beautifully done for the time, and you can feel the cold of the storm on the moors. Cast of character actors are all first rate. Rates high for production values and the actors. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032145/
Road To Singapore (1940) Bing & Bob and Dotty. That's Crosby, Hope and Lamour! First of the famous "Road" films and one of the best. Just fun to be on the set with this crew. They are adlibbing and doing bits they made up all through the film. With the directors blessing. Plot is not important but there is a beginning, middle and end.
Saratoga Trunk (1945) Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper. Two beautiful people at their most beautiful. Story of Clio Dulane who comes to New Orleans with Angelique and Cupidon to get even for the way her mama was treated by the family of her Creole father. She meets "that tall Texas" and looses her heart, but her mind makes her stick to her plan to make the very rich and proper family bring her mother back and bury her with a large tombstone and keep it whitewashed. She manages to get her way and then joins her "tall Texas" at Saratoga, NY to catch a rich husband. A beautifully filmed adventure/romance; gorgeous costumes and sets; marvelous score. Some great lines: the little lawyer Clio outwits into agreeing to her terms "may I say, you are very beautiful." Clio: "Yes. Isn't it lucky." And oh! to look like Ingrid and be able to say it with such amused pride and joy! Absolutely love her whole performance! 10/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038053/
Daisy Kenyon (1947) Joan Crawford, Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews. Three fine actors in a cynical and interesting romantic drama. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039294/
Moonrise (1948) Gail Russell, Dane Clark, Ethel Barrymore. Dull film noir of a man who was bullied all his life because of his father being hanged for murder. At the beginning of the film, we see a montage of what happened, and then it jumps to his life as a young man. He is still being mocked and ridiculed by the townspeople and how he eventually looses his temper on the main bully. The actors are all good, but the screen play lacks tension and zip. By the end, I really didn't care what happened to the main characters. 5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040607/
Too tired to proof tonight. Back later today. Maybe. Hahaha.
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