Friday, December 20, 2013

Christmas Movie Blogathon Event: A Christmas Story

Ho! Ho! Ho!  Christmas time is upon us once again. People are dusting off their copies of "It's A Wonderful Life," "Miracle on 34th Street," and the many versions of "A Christmas Carol."  However, there is one Christmas Movie that must not be forgotten: the recent classic




A Christmas Story wasn't successful when it was first released in 1983, but it became a classic years later after TBS started airing it as a 24 hr marathon on Christmas Eve. The movie is narrated by an adult Ralphie, and it is seen through the eyes of a child. Even the parents don't have real names. They are simply "Mother" and "The Old Man." In the movie, Ralphie wants only one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder carbine action 200 shot range model air rifle. Yet when an adult hears of his desire, they only give him one response: "You'll shoot your eye out."  How does a kid argue with that logic? Ralphie spends the weeks leading up to Christmas trying to outmaneuver his mom and other adults. He also has to deal with school bullies, a little brother, and the war between his parents over the Leg Lamp.

I think this movie has become a Christmas classic, because it speaks to the child in all of us. It takes us back to a time as children when Christmas was magical. Not only Christmas, it takes us back to the magic of childhood.  There are so many memorable scenes in the movie: Flick's tongue sticking to the telephone pole. Ralphie visiting Santa. Ralphie saying The Mother of All Swear Words. Hearing Schwartz being punished over the phone. The ending to the Battle of the Leg Lamp. The Easter Bunny costume.

This is a funny movie that kids and adults can enjoy together.  So this Christmas watch "A Christmas Story" and visit a time in life when you receive that one special gift and all is right with the world.




Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Movie Burger

I saw this idea on twitter and I thought it would be fun to do.   So here is my Movie Burger!





Bottom half of bun: The first film in a series that you love

The Thin Man(1934)


I have been a fan of the "Thin Man" series for many years. I find them immensely entertaining.  Nick and Nora Charles are 2 of my favorite fictional characters, and William Powell/Myrna Loy had tremendous chemistry.  Plus, Asta. One of the funniest dogs in cinema.

Burger patty: A long film (2.5+ hours) that you’ve watched and enjoyed

Gone With the Wind(1939)


"Gone With the Wind" was the first movie that popped into my head. I first saw it as a teenager when it was re-released in the movie theaters. My mom thought I was crazy to want to see a 4 hour movie, but I felt that I must see it.  I ended up loving it. I became invested in the lives of the characters. It is a long movie but it captivated me all way through it. The scene with Melanie and Rhett when his daughter died moved me so much. The tears in his eyes. The comfort he received from her.  Then on her deathbed, Melanie opening Scarlett's eyes and telling her to be kind to Rhett, because he loved her so much.  I think everyone should see it at least once. 

Cheese: A so-bad-it’s-good film that you love

Mac and Me(1988)


So I chose "Mac and Me" a movie from my childhood. This is a rip off of "E.T."  It is hilariously bad but as a small child I loved it.  I would whistle the tune that Mac and his family would whistle. A wheelchair bound boy befriends an alien and helps reunite him with his family. Unlike "E.T" the aliens didn't go back to Space. Oh no.  They became citizens of the United States.   This movie is iconic for the blatant product placement of Coca Cola and McDonald's.  There was even a random dance number in the middle of McDonald's for no reason at all.   Please check out the youtube link.  Classic. LOL



Lettuce: A short film (less than an hour long) that you love

Haunted Spooks(1920)



Earlier this year I was introduced to the works of Harold Lloyd. Suffice it to say, I became a big fan. So for a short film, I chose "Haunted Spooks."  Harold Lloyd's character, The Boy, marries a woman known as The Girl so she can inherit her Uncle's house.  However there are other people who want the house, so they pretend to be ghosts to scare away Boy and Girl.  Very funny short film. I recommend any of his work. Including feature length films such as "Safety Last," which is probably his most famous work. 

Tomato: A film of average length that you either loved or hated, depending on whether you love or hate tomatoes

Moonrise Kingdom(2012)


I love tomatoes and I love "Moonrise Kingdom."  A quirky Wes Anderson film that made me nostalgic for my childhood even though I never had any experiences like in the movie.  It was a funny movie and I loved the characters. The actors especially the children did a great job.  You find yourself hoping that Sam and Suzy remain together forever even though they are only kids. It was one of the best movies I saw in 2012.


Sauce: A film you didn’t expect to love

300(2006)


I did not expect to enjoy this movie, and yet, I ended up seeing it twice in the movies.  It pumps you up. You almost feel the need to go to war after seeing this movie.   It was entertaining.  Nothing more I can really say about it, haha. 

Top half of bun: The last film in a series that you dreaded watching, because you didn’t want the series to end

Song of the Thin Man(1947)


It may seem like it is cheating to use the Thin Man series twice, but I think it is fitting that it is the top and bottom of my burger.  I do love this film series. I hate that there are no more Nick and Nora Charles as played by William Powell and Myrna Loy.  This was a fine series. 


So this concludes my Movie Burger. Hope you enjoyed. 


Sunday, November 10, 2013

What a Character! Blogathon 2013: Edward Everett Horton

"HEY, It's That Guy! " Any fan of classic films knows the face of Edward Everett Horton. His name may escape them but his face is recognizable just the same:



It almost felt like any comedy I saw from the 1930s and 40s had Horton showing up on screen. He was practically a fixture in the Fred Astaire/Ginger Roger films.  He appeared in "Holiday," "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," and "Arsenic and Old Lace" to just name a few. And in later years he played in one of my favorite comedies "Pocketful of Miracles" as the loyal butler Hudgins. Loyal. Helpful. Polite. Distinguished. These are the characteristics that defined the characters he played, and he made great success out of playing them.

The Extended Double Take: Horton was well known  for his rendition of the Double Take. His character would smile and nod in response to something, then he would get this shocked look of realization and then get a troubled or concerned look on his face. It never failed to occur and it was funny each time. 

Edward Everett Horton got his start in Vaudeville and Broadway before moving to California to be in films. He performed in Silent Films before successfully transitioning to Talkies. Supposedly he originally went by Edward Horton but his father persuaded him to include his middle name. There could be numerous Edward Hortons in the business, but there would only be one Edward Everett Horton.  

Indeed there is only one Edward Everett Horton. A character actor who managed to shine.




http://www.classicmoviehub.com/event.php?id=459&name=What%20A%20Character!%202013&from=list_events

http://paulascinemaclub.com/

Saturday, May 4, 2013

An Introduction

Hello Dear Readers.

This is my very first blog post.  I have had many people tell me that I should start a blog on movies. You see, I am a lover of film. For as long as I can remember, movies have been a huge part of my life. For a long time, movies were my only friend. That may sound strange to many people, but it is true. I could spend hours watching movies and find so much comfort in them. Through a movie, I could find a character who shared my feelings. It helped me feel less alone.

So here I am starting my very first blog. Naturally, it is about movies. I would like to share my passion and love for movies with any one who cares to join me.

I have chosen "Woman of the Year" as the first movie that I will blog about. For readers that have seen this movie before, I hope you will enjoy re-living the film. For readers, who have never seen it before, I hope that it will encourage you to see it.

I will sign off for now. Tomorrow, I will post my thoughts and feelings on "Woman of the Year."  I hope that you will join me Dear Readers.