----this week I watched:
I Wake Up Screaming (1941) Betty Grable, Carol Landis, Victor Mature, Laird Kreger. A wonderful mystery and one of the very first films that can be called a "film noir." It has all the elements. Great black and white photography, beautiful victim, wrongly accused hero, and the villain is a hulking nasty piece of business. Betty Grable and Mature had not yet reached superstar status, so she was trying straight drama, and Vic was also trying to get into more serious films. The cast is very good and in the commentary in the extras, "noir" historian Eddie Muller points out the shots we automatically designate for the genre, especially the dark and the use of lighting and effects such as the shadows of venetian blinds across the stars faces,etc. Great addition to my film collection. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033740/
Can't Help Singing (1944) Deanna Durban, Robert Paige. Deanna in technicolor. Her hair is blond, which is a shock because in all her earlier black and white films she seems to be a brunette. This was her only color film and Jack Pierce, the makeup artist overdid the rosy cheeks. No matter. When Deanna sings she is still lovely. Story of a spoiled Senators daughter who runs away to the west to catch up with her dashing cavalry boyfriend. She has to team up with a gambler to buy a wagon and join a wagon train. By the final fade she has won his heart, he has turned a new leaf and the title song is reprieved by the cast. Score by Jerome Kern includes Oscar Oscar-nominated "More & More", "Any Moment Now" and "Californiay" plus the title song. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036692/
Murder, My Sweet (1944) Dick Powell, Clair Trevor, Anne Shirley. This adaptation of the Raymond Chandler novel 'Farewell, My Lovely', renamed for the American market because Powell had another film with a similar title, is a Philip Marlowe mystery story and Powells first try at leaving behind his juvenile singing roles. He is drugged, beaten up and double crossed by a femme fatale, beautifully played by Trevor. Shirley is really cute and plucky as the daughter of the wealthy man who is being swindled. Mike Mazurki is Moose Malloy who sets things off when he gets out of prison and hires Marlow to find "his Velma." Otto Kruger is one of his patented slimeballs in on the swindle. All in all, a fine cast in a very good mystery with great cinematography and effects. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037101/
Hong Kong 1941 (1984/Dang doi lai ming) Chow Yun Fat, Cecelia Yip, Alex Man. Chow is a traveling entertainer, Fay, who is staying with his aunt and temporarily goes to work in a warehouse loading and unloading rice from ships. He befriends another fellow, Keung, who is working there and later meets his girlfriend Nam, who turns out to be the girl he helped when he found her having a severe seizure on the street one day. All three become good friends and when the Japanese invade, they decide to leave but are thwarted when Keung tries to get a mentally handicapped man to leave and they miss the last boat out. The eventual love story between Fay and Nam is heartbreaking as Fay tries to stay out of the way, and Nam is torn between both men. Good early Film role for Chow before his breakout John Woo action films. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087137/
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, Peter Burke. Still very stylish use of the split screen and music to set a mood. Crown {McQueen) plans and pulls off a seemingly perfect heist, getting away with over $2 million in cash. The police are stymied. Enter the insurance companies chief investigator, Vicki Anderson (Dunaway), who admits she has no morals, but always gets her thief. Most of the film is the duel between her and Crown. She knows he was the mastermind, but has to get someone to crack and spill. By the time she thinks she has Crown, she has outsmarted herself. He has flown the coop, so to speak. Dunaway is stunning; the clothes are amusing; McQueen is the coolest. Wonderful fun. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063688/
Ladyhawke (1985) Michelle Pfeiffer, Mathew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Leo McKern. A fantasy set in the dungeons, castles and cathedrals of Aquila. The villain is a Bishop who has placed a curse on a Knight and his Lady. One must be a wolf at night and the other a hawk by day, so they are forever apart. Young Phillipe - the Mouse - befriends the Knight and along with the Priest who caused the Bishop to put the curse on the lovers, finds a way to help them and the end at the church is satisfying. 7/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089457/
The Blind Side (2009) Sandra Bullock(Oscar), Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron. Good sports story about a woman who takes in a homeless youngster and mentors him into an All American football player, a first round draft pick for the NFL. The story is strong and Bullock is perfect as a no-nonsense business woman and Mom who sees what needs to be done - and does it. Sometimes nice people do come out on top. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0878804/
Chilly, rainy weather for a week now. Still waiting to plant patio pots and front porch planters. Need some sunny days. Meanwhile, films to watch---
May 16, 2010
May 11, 2010
An old joke----
made into a short film:
The Jewel Of The Sahara (2001) Gerard Butler, Peter Franzen. Based on an old joke told at mens smokers and bars. 15 minutes to the punch line "the men used the camel to go to the brothels in town." Poor Capt. Bellamy (Butler) is so befuddled by exhaustion, the heat, hashish and booze, and lonely for his wife and sex, he makes a huge mistake when he goes to the camel shed. For a shoe-string budget and working with friends he talked into doing his short film, director Ariel Vromen did a good job. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0291277/
The Jewel Of The Sahara (2001) Gerard Butler, Peter Franzen. Based on an old joke told at mens smokers and bars. 15 minutes to the punch line "the men used the camel to go to the brothels in town." Poor Capt. Bellamy (Butler) is so befuddled by exhaustion, the heat, hashish and booze, and lonely for his wife and sex, he makes a huge mistake when he goes to the camel shed. For a shoe-string budget and working with friends he talked into doing his short film, director Ariel Vromen did a good job. 8/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0291277/
Gambit
I almost forgot to post about my new DVD of: Gambit (1962) Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine, and the great Herbert Lom. Finally the powers that be issued a DVD of this film and I ordered it soonest. A Caper film with twists and turns, droll humor and great locations. First the story as Caines character imagines and relates to his partner in crime, - and then the way it plays out in reality. Every possible thing goes wrong. Shirley is darling as a not-so-dumb broad, hired because she looks like the rich mans dead wife; and Lom is absolutely sexy as the very rich man. LUV this film. 9/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060445/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060445/
May 09, 2010
A classic or two and Oscar winners----
This is what I watched this week:
The Lion In Winter (1968) Kathryn Hepburn (Oscar), Peter O'Toole(nominated), Anthony Hopkins. TCM showed this in their Essentials spot Saturday. Great film with lots of drama. The story of the schemes, jealousys and plots of Englands King Henry II's wife and sons, during a Christmas holiday gathering at one of the palaces, is riveting. Henry wants to have the youngest son, John, his heir to the throne. Eleanor favors Richard. The rivalry also involves Alais, the French princess brought as a child to Henrys court as an alliance with France, betrothed to Richard. But now she is Henrys mistress. Alais brother, the King of France also comes for the holiday to see that Henry fulfills the contract and Alais is finally married to Richard. All the family is at each others throats. This was released as a Road Show film, with reserved seats. A prestige film. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063227/
The Bribe (1949) TCM. Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charles Laughton. Big stars in a story about government agents after theives in racket to steal apare parts for airplanes. All the actors are good. The story is a bit confused and slow. But Ava Gardner is gorgeous and on screen almost all the time. One of her first big roles, and you can't take your eyes off her. A great beauty. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041207/
Dave (1993) TV. Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Charles Grodin. Fun "what-if" film about the President having a heart attack and a look alike who is drafted to 'play' the part for a while. Droll and sharp satire. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106673/
The Bourne Identity (2006) TV. Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox. Great action spy film. Amnesia and people trying to blow you away. Non stop action. And the only person who will help is a screw-up gal who has her own problems. Watch it all the time. Whenever I am browsing the satellite channels and come across this, I always stop and watch for awhile. And love the music. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258463/
Crazy Heart (2009) DVD rental. Jeff Bridges(Oscar), Maggie Gyllenhaal(nominated), Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall. Good story of a washed up country singer appearing at bowling alleys and small bars in the fly-over hinterlands. After hefalls asleep at the wheel and has an accident, he is helped by the woman who showed up to interview him for her small town paper. They become lovers but because he drinks so much, she is not sure of their relasionship. When he loses her son at the mall one day, it is over for them. The rest of the story is his getting his act together and getting sober. Bridges is very good, as usual. Maggie is too. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1263670/
Up In The Air (2009) George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick. Interesting film on the corporate world of rats who are sent out to fire the mid level employees in the downsizing or corporate America. Clooney is one such guy. He lives out of his suitcase, the airports and planes.he travels in, and has no ties anywhere. He gives seminars on getting rid of the baggage and backpacks of life. It is a portrait of a man with nothing except the incredible free miles he has racked up in his travels. He has the 6th highest total in the world. But no family. His sisters hardly know him. George is just right and the two actresses are very good also. The world these people have to live in is foreign and hateful to me. But it is going on in almost every type of office today. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1193138/
That's all folks, for this time.
The Lion In Winter (1968) Kathryn Hepburn (Oscar), Peter O'Toole(nominated), Anthony Hopkins. TCM showed this in their Essentials spot Saturday. Great film with lots of drama. The story of the schemes, jealousys and plots of Englands King Henry II's wife and sons, during a Christmas holiday gathering at one of the palaces, is riveting. Henry wants to have the youngest son, John, his heir to the throne. Eleanor favors Richard. The rivalry also involves Alais, the French princess brought as a child to Henrys court as an alliance with France, betrothed to Richard. But now she is Henrys mistress. Alais brother, the King of France also comes for the holiday to see that Henry fulfills the contract and Alais is finally married to Richard. All the family is at each others throats. This was released as a Road Show film, with reserved seats. A prestige film. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063227/
The Bribe (1949) TCM. Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charles Laughton. Big stars in a story about government agents after theives in racket to steal apare parts for airplanes. All the actors are good. The story is a bit confused and slow. But Ava Gardner is gorgeous and on screen almost all the time. One of her first big roles, and you can't take your eyes off her. A great beauty. 7/10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041207/
Dave (1993) TV. Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Charles Grodin. Fun "what-if" film about the President having a heart attack and a look alike who is drafted to 'play' the part for a while. Droll and sharp satire. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106673/
The Bourne Identity (2006) TV. Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox. Great action spy film. Amnesia and people trying to blow you away. Non stop action. And the only person who will help is a screw-up gal who has her own problems. Watch it all the time. Whenever I am browsing the satellite channels and come across this, I always stop and watch for awhile. And love the music. 9/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258463/
Crazy Heart (2009) DVD rental. Jeff Bridges(Oscar), Maggie Gyllenhaal(nominated), Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall. Good story of a washed up country singer appearing at bowling alleys and small bars in the fly-over hinterlands. After hefalls asleep at the wheel and has an accident, he is helped by the woman who showed up to interview him for her small town paper. They become lovers but because he drinks so much, she is not sure of their relasionship. When he loses her son at the mall one day, it is over for them. The rest of the story is his getting his act together and getting sober. Bridges is very good, as usual. Maggie is too. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1263670/
Up In The Air (2009) George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick. Interesting film on the corporate world of rats who are sent out to fire the mid level employees in the downsizing or corporate America. Clooney is one such guy. He lives out of his suitcase, the airports and planes.he travels in, and has no ties anywhere. He gives seminars on getting rid of the baggage and backpacks of life. It is a portrait of a man with nothing except the incredible free miles he has racked up in his travels. He has the 6th highest total in the world. But no family. His sisters hardly know him. George is just right and the two actresses are very good also. The world these people have to live in is foreign and hateful to me. But it is going on in almost every type of office today. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1193138/
That's all folks, for this time.
May 07, 2010
For the gals......
....two delicious films:
The Young Victoria (2009) Emily Blunt, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson. Beautifully filmed story of the romance of Victoria and Albert, up to the birth of their first child. The cinematography and costumes are just lovely. We more or less know the story so no surprises, and none needed. Lovely way to spend an evening. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0962736/
It's Complicated (2009) Meryl Streep, Alex Baldwin. Reviewed on January 14th Blog post of theater viewing. This was the DVD I purchased. Still a 9/10. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1230414/
The last of my April films. On to May - the cruelest month according to the poet. But my Iris are stately and beautiful, waving in the wind. No wonder they were nic-named "flags" by the old-timers. They do flutter and wave in the strong wind, but usually stay upright. And the Peonies and Clematis are very pretty this year. Maybe it because they had to survive such a horrible winter, all the plants are putting on a great show to be sure to propagate. Mother Nature making sure all her kids are okay. Haha.
The Young Victoria (2009) Emily Blunt, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson. Beautifully filmed story of the romance of Victoria and Albert, up to the birth of their first child. The cinematography and costumes are just lovely. We more or less know the story so no surprises, and none needed. Lovely way to spend an evening. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0962736/
It's Complicated (2009) Meryl Streep, Alex Baldwin. Reviewed on January 14th Blog post of theater viewing. This was the DVD I purchased. Still a 9/10. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1230414/
The last of my April films. On to May - the cruelest month according to the poet. But my Iris are stately and beautiful, waving in the wind. No wonder they were nic-named "flags" by the old-timers. They do flutter and wave in the strong wind, but usually stay upright. And the Peonies and Clematis are very pretty this year. Maybe it because they had to survive such a horrible winter, all the plants are putting on a great show to be sure to propagate. Mother Nature making sure all her kids are okay. Haha.
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