The Unabashed Joy
Let me start by saying that I’ve always felt that each movie should be judged against the standard to which it aspires. For instance, you would never judge Independence Day against Citizen Kane (at least, you’d be barmy to), and you’d never debate the enjoyability of the latter against When Harry Met Sally… If you’re […]
The Night They Invented Champagne
I was raised on MGM musicals. I’ve seen a smattering of the offerings from Warner Brothers, RKO, and 20th Century Fox, but it’s the ones from MGM that are the best. Of those, there is one which, to my mind, is set apart from the rest in style, look, and theme, and it happens to […]
The Boy Who Lived
I have a love-hate relationship with the Harry Potter films. The first two are definitely “eh,” though the production values are good, the magical world brought to life is suitably amazing, and the wee kiddies are adorable. The third movie is my absolute favorite; I believe it’s an amazing film, period, even more than just […]
The Leave-It State
Today’s meme, “Favorite Black and White Film” is one of the silly ones that lead me to believe that this series was created for people with a slightly different relationship with movies than I have. Because asking me to name my favorite black and white film is akin to querying what movie I like best […]
The Goddess Descends
Let me just start by saying that Grace Kelly was probably the most beautiful woman to ever appear on a movie screen. Of the films in which she appeared, Rear Window sticks out it my mind (and most people’s) as the one in which she looked almost supernaturally gorgeous. And, of the moments in that […]
The Only One Who Could Ever Reach Me
I’ve read quite a few of the 31-Day Movie Memes out in the blogosphere, so I’ve seen some common answers among them as well as some unique things I would have never considered. What surprised me however, is that although Quentin Tarantino was pretty well represented for the eleventh entry in this series, “Best Music […]
The Bummer
My tastes and opinions have a tendency to deviate from the norm when it comes to sequels, and I’m not sure why. Perhaps my standards are just naturally lower going in at first and others’ are too high, but there are a few series for which I love the second (which most people hate) and […]
The Unexpected
I’m not one for horror films. I’m an enormous scaredy-cat with an overactive imagination and insomnia, so watching a scary movie is just asking for a week without sleep. I do love director Danny Boyle, however, and have since Shallow Grave. (I even love and own A Life Less Ordinary, and I’m not going to […]
The Moxie
I should be congratulated for my restraint; seven entries have passed without an appearance by Cary Grant. I hope you’ve been primed with anticipation, because for my “Best Scene Ever,” there was no way it was going to come from anything other than my all-time favorite film, His Girl Friday. It’s the opening scene, it’s […]
The Way That Life Can Suck
Eskimo. Today’s topic: “A Movie That Should be Required High School Viewing” seemed ambiguous to me. Should it be a film we hope high school students will identify with and be comforted by, or aim for something that will teach them a lesson, possibly to the satisfaction of we adults? I think Heathers does both, sick […]
The Big Mistake
To know me is to know how I love Pierce Brosnan. Remington Steele is one of my favorite shows of all time, and I have always felt he was terribly underrated and generally given the wrong vehicles for his talents. He’s a tremendous comic actor; not only gifted with brilliant timing, but a genius at […]
The Big Heartbreak
No parent should ever have to face watching their child suffer, powerless to do anything about it. Parents will go to great and heroic lengths for their children; they will suffer in their stead and sacrifice everything they have for their sake. Thus, it’s a tragic thing to witness when a parent feels the devastating […]
The Film That Dare Not Speak Its Name
Number four on the list is: “A Movie I Loathe.” Again, this is a bit of a pathetic addition to a meme that should be about celebrating what’s good and loved, but… I’m on it. I saw Braveheart only once, so this doesn’t qualify as something I’ve revisited and studied, or given every chance, but […]
The Lubitsch Touch
David Thompson, in his gargantuan book, Have You Seen…? writes : “[…] in some total conflict, if one side is making To Be or Not To Be in the middle of a war and the other is not — you know which side to root for.” Indeed. It’s a comedy set against the backdrop of […]
The Also-Ran
My “Favorite Oscar-Nominated Film from a Recent Ballot?” Easy. I saw Munich (2005) the night it came out, loved it, and believed it would rock people’s worlds. Then Brokeback Mountain arrived on the scene, and I heard little else about Munich beyond its nominations. Now… please don’t misunderstand me; I believe Brokeback and its director […]