Saturday, May 14, 2011

The Slender Thread (1965)

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May 13, 2011

52. The Slender Thread (1965)

Starring Sidney Poitier, Anne Bancroft, Telly Savalas
Directed by Sydney Pollack

Plot: "A college volunteer at the crisis phone gets a call from a suicide caller." (from IMDb)

Awhile ago, Millie did a post on this movie and it interested me enough to check it out myself. (So thanks, Millie, for the great post and recommendation!!!)

The film has a sort of odd feel to it at first. I can't quite put my finger on what causes this, but I think it has something to do with the music and the cinematography. There is some good camera work/editing in this. At least one moment in the film I was so impressed I had to rewind and see the previous part again. I don't know a lot about cinematography, etc., but I do know when something catches my attention.

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I found the acting in this—particularly by Anne Bancroft—to  be incredibly raw. At times that makes it almost hard to watch, because it feels so personal. But Bancroft is really incredible in this. I also thought Telly Savalas was great, and although his dialogue is limited, it’s what he can convey in a single look that impressed me. Poitier was okay. I mean, he's good but for some reason his acting rarely comes off as truly genuine. At least to me. But maybe I just need to see some of his better performances.

What impacted me most about this film, though, was how much I could relate to Anne Bancroft's character. No, I've never been in that exact situation, but I think that many people, at one time or another, have felt a similar sense of rejection, hopelessness, or boredom with life that leaves them floating anchorless. There are just so many scenes that powerfully emote those feelings. One in particular, where she (Anne Bancroft’s character) goes to seek psychiatric help and then is given a bunch of pat answers in response, really rang true. Even as I write this, there are so many lonely and hurting people in this world. I don't think anyone can really relate to what those feelings of despair are like unless they have felt them. As this film shows, sometimes just giving a smile, a helping hand, or being there to listen can make all the difference.

This film is unusual, like I said, but I think it is worth seeing. It touches on a lot of issues that affect all of us (more than I even mentioned here). It's also very suspenseful at points. One can't help but be riveted to the screen while watching it.

P.S. Fans of old TV may be interested to know that Ed Asner (Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and in his spin-off series) has a small role in this.

QUOTE:

Alan Newell (Sidney Poitier): "What went wrong?"
Inga Dyson (Anne Bancroft): "Nothing…really. I just didn't have anything to do."

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Friday, May 13, 2011

It Should Happen to You (1954)

May 11, 2011<br />51. It Should Happen to You (1954)<br />Starring Judy Holliday, Peter Lawford, Jack LemmonDirected by George Cukor<br />Plot: Newly unemployed Gladys Glover has a chance meeting with a documentary film-maker Pete Sheppard that results in having her name plastered all over New York. (um, okay, we already know that I&#8217;m really bad at summaries…)<br />The story is really fun and cute. It&#8217;s the kind of movie that just puts a smile on your voice. I honestly think that Jack Lemmon is my favorite part, though. He is just too darn cute! And he has some great scenes.  I&#8217;m trying really hard to like Judy Holliday. I mean, it&#8217;s obvious the woman is a brilliant actress and comedienne. But I can&#8217;t seem to get past her screechy voice. But like I said, I&#8217;m trying. As for Peter Lawford, usually I like him but his character really has nothing going for him here. That&#8217;s okay, though, because *POSSIBLE SPOILER* Jack and Judy make an adorable couple. :)<br />This movie also has an interesting message about fame. *SPOILER ALERT* As Gladys Glover comes to realize:&#8220;It isn&#8217;t just making a name. It&#8217;s making a name stand for something.&#8221; It&#8217;s a clever story and surprisingly prophetic. In the age of the Internet and reality TV, there are so many people today who are obsessed with self-promotion or are merely famous for being famous.<br />Over all, if you haven&#8217;t seen this one yet, I would definitely check it out. It&#8217;s a light, fun, well-paced film featuring great comedic performances from the two leads. 
May 11, 2011

51. It Should Happen to You (1954)

Starring Judy Holliday, Peter Lawford, Jack Lemmon
Directed by George Cukor

Plot: Newly unemployed Gladys Glover has a chance meeting with a documentary film-maker Pete Sheppard that results in having her name plastered all over New York. (um, okay, we already know that I’m really bad at summaries…)

This story is really fun. It’s the kind of movie that just puts a smile on your face. I honestly think that Jack Lemmon is my favorite part, though. He is just too darn cute! And he has some great scenes. I’m trying really hard to like Judy Holliday. I mean, it’s obvious the woman is a brilliant actress and comedienne. But I can’t seem to get past her screechy voice. But like I said, I’m trying. As for Peter Lawford, usually I like him but his character really has nothing going for him here. That’s okay, though, because *POSSIBLE SPOILER* Jack and Judy make an adorable couple. :)

This movie also has an interesting message about fame. *SPOILER ALERT* As Gladys Glover comes to realize:“It isn’t just making a name. It’s making a name stand for something.” It’s a clever story and surprisingly prophetic. In the age of the Internet and reality TV, there are so many people today who are obsessed with self-promotion or are merely famous for being famous.

Over all, if you haven’t seen this one yet, I would definitely check it out. It’s a light, fun, well-paced film featuring great comedic performances from the two leads. 

Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday in It Should Happen to You (1954)

QUOTE:

Gladys Glover (Judy Holliday): "I always think I can think better with my shoes off. Did you ever notice that?"

Pete Sheppard (Jack Lemmon): "On or off, I have trouble."

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Captain Blood (1935)

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May 9, 2011

50. Captain Blood (1935)

Starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Lionel Atwill, Basil Rathbone

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Plot: "An enslaved doctor and his comrades in chains escape and become pirates of the Robin Hood variety." (from IMDb)

Swashbucklers really aren't my thing (usually) but I decided to give this one a try solely because I love Olivia de Havilland. I also like Errol Flynn, but I am still lamenting the horrible wig that he wore in this film. Olivia was, of course, delightful. I love the spunk and the intelligence she imparts that makes her unique from many of the other '30s starlets. She's also breathtakingly gorgeous and adorable. Just look…

adorable laughing livvie

I wish she had more screen time in this but oh well.

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I thought the sets, scenery, and atmosphere were quite impressive. Others may beg to differ, but I really felt like I was transported visually to those places. I also love Korngold's music in general and his score here contributes greatly to the adventure-feel of the film.

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To be perfectly honest, I didn’t find the story all that exciting, but I am glad I saw this. I love Warner Brothers, I love Errol + Olivia, and that was enough for me to find this film worthwhile. If you enjoy pirates/adventure/swashbucklers, I imagine you will find this movie to be even more of a treat.

 livvie kissing errol captain blood

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Summer Magic (1963)

May 3, 2011<br /><br />49. Summer Magic (1963)<br /><br />Starring Hayley Mills, Burl Ives, Dorothy McGuire, Deborah Walley, Una Merkel<br /><br />Directed by James Neilson<br /><br />Plot: &#8220;A Bostonian widow moves with her kids to the country.&#8221; (from IMDb)<br /><br />This is a mediocre family film from the golden age of Disney live-action pictures. It&#8217;s definitely not as good as some of Hayley&#8217;s other movies, though. I found the songs and nature shots to be a little annoying, but I imagine that it would appeal more to kids. This wasn&#8217;t my favorite, but it&#8217;s not a bad film. It just seems to lack a certain &#8216;something&#8217;. 
May 3, 2011

49. Summer Magic (1963)

Starring Hayley Mills, Burl Ives, Dorothy McGuire, Deborah Walley, Una Merkel
Directed by James Neilson

Plot: “A Bostonian widow moves with her kids to the country.” (from IMDb)

This is a mediocre family film from the golden age of Disney live-action pictures. It’s definitely not as good as some of Hayley’s other movies. I found the songs and nature shots to be a little annoying, but I imagine that it would appeal more to kids. This wasn’t my favorite, but it’s not a bad film. It just seems to lack a certain ‘something’. 

If you’d like to read more about this film, I found this helpful in-depth review here.

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Oh, I also wanted to mention that while I was recovering from my wisdom teeth operation, my dad was watching All Quiet On the Western Front. I had heard lots about it but never actually seen it (neither had he). Well, I can’t really say I watched the whole thing (I was dozing in and out for most of it) but I think I got the gist of story. I did catch the last 15-20 minutes or so, and that alone was really powerful. I was just amazed at the impact of the ending. It’s really a cinematic masterpiece. I don’t want to spoil it for you if you haven’t seen it, but those closing scenes are incredibly moving. I also liked the impact of no music—just “THE END”. I’m not sure if that was intentional, but it said a lot more than a rousing finale would have. Okay, I just had to ramble a bit about that. Maybe someday I’ll have the patience to sit through the entire film (war movies usually aren’t my thing, but this one might be an exception).

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Interview with Cary Grant’s Daughter {Video}

This weekend, CBS Sunday Morning featured an interview with Jennifer Grant, Cary Grant’s only child. It’s interesting to see this other side of the famous legend—that of loving father. I enjoyed the interview and think the book sounds great. It’s nice that Jennifer obviously loves and respects her dad so much. (Unlike some celebrity children—not saying any names). ;)

Here is the interview, which features endearing home video footage of Cary and young Jennifer.

To read the interview for Parade magazine that Jennifer did on the book, click here.

And finally, I recently stumbled across this recording of Cary Grant speaking/singing a lullaby. It’s amusing and definitely worth a listen!

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