Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: two mini-series to compare and contrast

 

I thought I would do my version of Saturday Afternoon at the Movies.  I thought I would compare two mini-series and how well they stand up to today's standards.

I know many of my internet friends are enjoying the "All Creatures Great and Small" series offered by Masterpiece at PBS (Public Broadcasting System).  It's James Herriot's story of being a veterinarian in the 1930s to 1940s in Yorkshire, England.  What surprises me is, the same people who are so enamored with this series fail to appreciate the show that precedes it, also a Masterpiece entry.

For those who aren't watching PBS on Sunday night, the show is called Miss Scarlet and the Duke.  It's about one of the first female private detectives (and possibly THE first) in Victorian England.  

 

Eliza Scarlet has taken over her recently deceased father's private detective agency.  Left nearly penniless after her father's sudden death, she turns to a friend and would-be suitor, Rupert Parker, with whom she shares his secret, the fact that he is a homosexual, which is strictly forbidden (and punishable by death) in Victorian England.  Rupert bankrolls her agency and helps keep it afloat.

 

As infuriating to Eliza as it may seem, she must join forces with a Scotland Yard Inspector, William "Duke" Wellington to solve cases she has been asked/hired to solve.  Oftentimes she finds herself being shut out of places to visit and persons she needs to interview in order to solve the case at hand.  Eliza is not above deceit and deception when it comes to helping her clients, much to the chagrin and dismay of the Duke.  This is especially true when he is the recipient of these deceptions.

Although marriage is normally the only option for a woman’s financial security in Victorian England, Eliza refuses to bend.  To her benefit, she has a decent middle class upbringing, which affords her all the comforts of many refined Victorian ladies.  This also helps her reputation, especially since before her father became a private detective, he was a Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard.

Eliza is played by Kate Phillips and Duke is played by Stuart Martin.  As I was watching this series, it struck me how it seemed like another series I had enjoyed.

Those of you who are privy to TNT network may have seen The Alienist.  The first season contained 10 episodes and was considered what TNT called a "psychological thriller."  The premise was three very different people came together to solve the murders of street children by a serial killer.  

Unlike Eliza Scarlet, Sara Howard (played by Dakota Fanning) is considered a part of high society.  She becomes Theodore Roosevelt's secretary and the first female employed by the NYPD (New York Police Dept.). Although currently a secretary, she hoped to be the first NYPD  police detective.  Sara, along with Laszlo Kreizler, an alienist (or psychiatrist), and John Schuyler Moore, a cartoonist and illustrator employed by The New York Times newspaper, form the team who hunt down the serial killer.  Although there are many subplots, these three are the ones who solve the murders.  During that time, they expose corruption in the police department, along with a former police chief's killing of a homosexual.  Daniel Brühl plays Kreizler, Dakota Fanning (as noted above) plays Sara, and Luke Evans plays Moore.

 

In the second season, Sara leaves the NYPD and starts her own detective agency.  Sara, Kreizler, and newly promoted New York Times reporter Moore team up when they search for the Spanish consul's kidnapped infant daughter.  The second season focused on the role of women in society, the corruption of institutions, especially mental institutions, yellow journalism, and income inequality.   

 

Like Eliza Scarlet, Sara Howard has her own demons to contend with.  Each has a loss, Eliza her father, Sara, her love interest John Moore, who learns he has gotten his former fiance Violet pregnant. Both women are surrounded by men who are stuck in their own times, while both women are pioneers in their fields and ahead of their times in their thinking.  Both of these series are worth viewing, especially if you are a woman. 

You can catch several episodes of Miss Scarlet and the Duke on PBS.  You can watch several episodes of The Alienist on TNT.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Bleubeard and I appreciate it.

 

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: ConAir

I'm back after a month long hiatus.  My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.  As I've said in the past, I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.   They are often hilarious, many times irreverent, but always really fun to read.  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.  I assure you, you won't be disappointed and will probably come away either laughing or smiling.

One thing you should know about my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.  However, true love actually guides this slightly irreverent and sarcastic action film that had me laughing more than anything else.

I'm suggesting ConAir as my film choice this week for a great Saturday afternoon at the movies.

IMDb has a great page of summaries and synopses.  If you aren't familiar with the film, I suggest you start there.  It's action packed, full of suspense, and over-the-top absurd.  The main characters are Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, and John Malkovich.  There are lots of big name stars in this pure 1990s film.  It grossed a lot more money than it spent, despite the number of things that were blown up or (supposedly) damaged, including part of the Las Vegas strip.   If you like razor sharp one-liners, you might actually like this one.

Thanks for visiting today and joining me for Saturday afternoon at the movies.  I believe you can find ConAir on Amazon Prime and cable television, which is where I have seen it several times.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: the greatest Christmas film ever!

I'd like to begin by wishing my dear friend Valerie a very happy birthday.  Last year I jumped the gun and wished her a happy birthday a day early, which caused some confusion among her loyal readers.  I'm fairly certain I got it right this year, since she mentioned it was today on her blog!!

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.   They are often hilarious, many times irreverent, but always really fun to read.  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.  I assure you, you won't be disappointed and will probably come away either laughing or smiling.

You will probably want to throw me out of the Saturday Movie club because I have shown this film before, but I assure you, to me it is the ULTIMATE Christmas movie.  The preview, less than 2 minutes in length, shows this is not your typical Christmas fare.  Don't expect a sugar high, because your teeth won't ache from any syrup, and you won't go into diabetic shock like you will watching the sappy Christmas movies Hallmark and others are showing right now.  You MIGHT, however, sit on the edge of your seat

 

when John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, must hunt down 12 terrorists who have arrived at his estranged wife's office building as the Christmas party is getting underway.  Or you might cheer when Hans Gruber, played by the late, great Alan Rickman falls from the 30th floor of the Nakatomi building (actually Fox Plaza in Los Angeles, CA).

This film, although released in July, 1988, has been considered the greatest Christmas film ever made by several film critics and in the top 10 by several others.  The film turned Willis into an action star.  It has become a symbol for, a blueprint of, and associated with an action film in which a lone hero fights overwhelming odds.

Thanks for visiting today and joining me for Saturday afternoon at the movies.  I'm sure there are several places you can find this film and I believe you can buy the entire series on Amazon.  Some  cable stations might show it Christmas day like they did last year on its 25th anniversary of the film's release.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: Oh those flying monkeys

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.   They are often hilarious, many times irreverent, but always really fun to read.  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.  I assure you, you won't be disappointed and will probably come away either laughing or smiling.

One thing you should know about my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.  And I assure you, most of you will have heard of or seen

the wonderful Wizard of Oz!  It starred Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, Frank Morgan as the Wizard, Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, Jack Haley as the Tinman, Billie Burke as Glinda the Good Witch of the North, Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, Charley Grapewin as Uncle Henry, Clara Blandick as Auntie Em, and the Munchkins.

If you don't know the story, its about a young girl who lives in Kansas who decides to run away because her dog Toto has bitten Almira Gulch.  Gultch wants to take Toto to the sheriff to have him destroyed/euthanized.  When Toto escapes and returns to Dorothy, she and Toto leave right before a tornado hits their farm.  The dream sequence is where Dorothy and Toto are in the house that is caught up in the tornado which lands on the Wicked Witch of the East in the land of Oz.

Much dancing, perceived magic, and singing ensues as Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion on the way to find the Wizard so Dorothy can return home to Kansas.

This high budget film, started in 1938 and released in 1939, caused people to get sick, burned, have permanent damage from facial masks, and have asbestos spread on them.  It's a wonder anyone survived the film.  Horses were covered in Jello powder, and costumes and makeup took forever to be applied each day.  Apparently, it could take up to a dozen takes to get Toto to follow the characters on the yellow brick road.  It is, however, a film that is often shown this time of year both on network and cable television. 

EDIT: Divers and Sundry pointed out that Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the TInman until the aluminum powder they used on his body made him deathly ill.  Haley had no idea Ebsen was hospitalized and assumed Ebsen had been fired.  Even the studio didn't realize how sick Ebsen was until some of the execs visited him in the hospital. 

Margaret Hamilton had severe burns to her arms and face when there was a fire when she was exiting Munchkin land.  She was wearing her toxic green copper powder when she was injured, and this added to the problems she had from the burns.  Ray Bolger had permanent lines around his face as a result of wearing the mask that took nearly an hour each day to apply.  Like I said, I'm surprised anyone made it through this film in one piece.


Thanks for visiting today and joining me for Saturday afternoon at the movies.  I'm sure there are several places you can find this film and I believe it can be rented from Prime.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies:

This will be my final Saturday Afternoon at the Movies until December.  I plan to participate in Art Every Day Month, or AEDM during November, and I have a few projects I must show before then.

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.   They are often hilarious, many times irreverent, but always really fun to read.  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.  I assure you, you won't be disappointed and will probably come away either laughing or smiling.

One thing you should know about my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.  And I assure you, most of you will have heard or seen all three of the films I will review today.  I saw them all on TV, but it was several years ago.

The first film, Back to the Future, was shot first,

then the next two

were shot nearly simultaneously.  It later became a franchise and according to Wikipedia:

The Back to the Future franchise is an American science fiction–adventure comedy film series written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, produced by Bob Gale and Neil Canton for Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, and distributed by Universal Pictures. The franchise follows the adventures of a high school student, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), and an eccentric scientist, Dr. Emmett L. Brown (Christopher Lloyd), as they use a DeLorean time machine to time travel to different periods in the history of Hill Valley, California.

Thanks for visiting today.  You may be able to rent these, but I doubt you will find them on either Netflix or Amazon Prime.  This franchise is big business and still pulls in money from cartoons, comics, etc.  I'll be back in December with more Saturday afternoon movies.

Saturday afternoon at the movies: I'm stuck in the 90s.

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.   They are often hilarious, many times irreverent, but always in a polite and kind way.  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.

One thing you should know about my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.   Although there is a love interest, the main plot is rather bloody in the end.

James Ellroy's complex 1950s detective story was turned into a film in 1997.   I loved the period authenticity, as well as the way corruption in the Los Angeles police department was conducted and portrayed.  Everything from the cars to the furniture to the clothing was authentic.  It stands to reason, so was the corruption.

Prostitution, homosexual blackmail, females given plastic surgery to make them look more like real film stars, were pitted against both good and corrupt police in this convoluted film.  The film pulls you in from the very beginning and doesn't let go.  You have to watch it all the way through to fully appreciate it.  Be sure to pause it if you need a potty break or a refill of your favorite beverage.

IMBd has an excellent synopsis:

As corruption grows in 1950s Los Angeles, three policemen -- one strait-laced, one brutal, and one sleazy -- investigate a series of murders with their own brand of justice.

Thanks for visiting today and joining me for Saturday afternoon at the movies.  I believe you can find L.A. Confidential on Amazon Prime. I saw it on cable TV in the states.

Saturday afternoon at the movies: a film nearly everyone has heard of

Please note I had scheduled this post in advance.  Had I not, I would not have had anything for today.  I am at my neighbor's because my internet is not working.  It's either that or my modem.  I'll be by to visit each of you, my dear friends and followers as soon as I'm back online.  Thanks for understanding, and I hope you continue to visit until I can reconnect.

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.   They are often hilarious, many times irreverent, but always in a polite and kind way.  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.

One thing you should know about my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.  And I assure you, most of you will have heard or seen this film.  I saw it on TV, so I know it's available.

This film was based on the 1990 book by Michael Crichton, which I read long before I saw the film.  Personally, there were parts of the book I liked better than the film, and there were parts of the film I liked better than the book.  The film came out in 1993.  To say it was a hit is an understatement.  With a $63 million dollar (USD) budget, it grossed $1.029 billion dollars (USD) at the box office.

Steven Spielberg directed the film written by Crichton and paired it with George Lucas's state of the art Industrial Light and Magic special effects.  He then gave us a sci-fi film that kept us on the edge of our seats during a real hurricane.  Yes, while filming, a hurricane passed over the island and Spielberg decided to use the footage as part of the film.  That, in conjunction with putting CGI on the map, made this a film that is timeless and truly stands the test of time.  You will truly be in awe of the special effects.

Thanks for visiting today.  I believe you can find Jurassic Park on Netflix and Amazon Prime, in addition to it being shown on occasion on cable TV in the states.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.  I'd be interested to know how Birgit would review

Serenity.

This is the only DVD I own.  After I raved about wanting to see the film, my foodie friend Sally bought me the DVD for Christmas in 2005.  Yes, the one and only DVD I own.

I actually have Divers and Sundry to thank for hitting me over the head with this pick because a few weeks back she cited a reference to Firefly, the ill fated TV series on which this movie is based.  Had she not mentioned Firefly, I wouldn't have realized I could review Serenity.  It doesn't hurt that I have a huge crush on Nathan Fillion, either. 

A few of the specifics: released in 2005; rated PG 13; considered action, adventure, and science fiction; written and directed by Joss Whedon who gave us Buffy, Angel, and Firefly.

The cast included Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, Morena Baccarin, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, and Ron Glass.  All nine principal cast members from the television series renewed their roles for the movie.  Chiwetel Ejiofor, David Krumholtz, and Tamara Taylor were not part of the original crew of Firefly, but played crucial roles in the movie.

Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus is:

Snappy dialogue and goofy characters make this Wild Wild West soap opera in space fun and adventurous.

The critics called it a soap opera, but I heard (or possibly read) it was called a western space drama and a space opera.  There's nothing soapy about it, in my belief.  And if it's a Whedon film, it revolves around family, even if that family is a bunch of misfits living on a Firefly class spaceship.

Rotten Tomatoes also has a decent synopsis of the film. 

A band of renegades on the run in outer space get in more hot water than they anticipated in this sci-fi action-adventure adapted from the television series Firefly. In the 26th century, the galaxy has been colonized by a military force known as the Alliance, but its leadership has not gone unquestioned. The Alliance was once challenged by a league of rebels known as the Independents, but the Alliance emerged victorious after a brutal civil war, with the surviving Independents scattering around the galaxy. Also wandering the edges of the galaxy are the Reavers, who have won few allies due to their violent behavior.

We have Joss Whedon to thank for this film.  He was responsible for giving us die-hard Firefly fans final closure after Fox yanked Firefly from the airways with so many threads hanging, arcs dangling, and questions unanswered.

Thanks for visiting today.  I hope you can find Serenity on the internet or possibly on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu.  I have my own copy, something I can't say about any other film I've ever seen.  It's a great way to spend Saturday Afternoon at the Movies.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.   They are often hilarious, many times irreverent, but always in a polite and kind way.  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.

One thing you should know about my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.   I realize some of you took exception to the movie I reviewed last week and considered it a "chick flick."  I promise, there will be no question this week as I review

the Bone Collector.

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT a fan of Angelina Jolie.  I don't care for her looks or her acting.  The fact that she's the protagonist and heroine doesn't diminish the fact she is bland and, at times almost robotic.  There is little charisma between her and her co-star.  It's been called a "crime thriller" and received mixed to negative reviews, which may coincide with my negative feelings for Jolie.  For some reason, I feel she was woefully miscast in this film.

The Bone Collector (1999) is loosely based on the book of the same name written by Jeffery Deavers.  Unfortunately, if you are watching carefully, you know who the serial killer is in the very beginning.

Jolie is a rookie cop who found a clue and has chosen to shut down a rail line to preserve it.  Soon, Denzel Washington, who is brilliant and the saving grace of this film, teams up with Jolie from his quadriplegic bed.  Although this is considered a thriller, I found it rather formulaic.  If you are looking for action, the film has it in spades.  The budget was spent on helicopters, gory effects, and New York City streets filled with cop cars.  The only saving grace was the charisma oozing from Washington.

The reason I chose this film was because I caught flack last week for my poor choice of what some thought was a "chick flick."   At least you can admit, this is on the opposite end of the spectrum.  Love it or hate it, it's my choice for Saturday Afternoon at the Movies.  It's on cable TV all the time, and you shouldn't have trouble finding it.  I think you can watch it free on the internet, too.

There will be no Saturday movie next week because it's the end of the month and I have art I need to finish and my monthly calendar to share. However, I'll be back on the 7th with a hopefully wonderful film for your enjoyment.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  Some I've even seen more than once!  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.  She has a fun, quirky way of giving an in-depth review.   Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.

One thing you should know about my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film. 

Today my pick that I'm reviewing is Miss Congeniality.  I'm not usually drawn to comedies, but I love Sandra Bullock and admire every project she has ever participated in.  It's a feel good movie, sort of like the ugly duckling, or My Fair Lady.  Instead of a Cockney flower girl, there's this gung-ho, just-one-of-the-guys female FBI agent.  Instead of Henry Higgins, the speech therapist, there's Michael Caine, the man recruited to make over this unpolished female.

It all begins when the New Jersey FBI receives a letter from a terrorist known only as "The Citizen," the team, led by Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt), quickly determined he’s planning his next attack at the Miss United States beauty pageant in San Antonio, Texas.  Because gung-ho Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) is the only female agent in their office, she’s chosen to go undercover as the contestant from New Jersey.  From there, the hilarity ensues.

It's left to beauty pageant coach Victor Melling (Michael Caine) to teach Gracie how to dress, walk, and behave like a contestant.  As the competition begins, Gracie impresses the judges during the talent competition with her ability to play glass harps as well as her self-defense techniques she uses on Eric, dragging him onstage after several of the contestants drank water from the glasses.

Former pageant winner Kathy Morningside (Candice Bergen) is in charge of the pageant and becomes Gracie's number one suspect.

Gracie is amazed when she is voted the runner up, then realizes the tiara that will soon go on the winner's head, holds the bomb. 

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 42% based on reviews from 115 critics.  The general consensus was:

"Though critics say Bullock is funny and charming, she can't overcome a bad script that makes the movie feel too much like a fluffy, unoriginal sitcom."

Bullock was nominated for Best Actress for her role in the film.  The film came out in 2000.  It is often shown on several cable networks and can be found on the web at
https://www2.go123movies.io/movie/miss-congeniality/

Thanks for joining me today.  I am very grateful you stopped by.  Hope to see you at the movies, too.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: Young people's request

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.  She has a fun, quirky way of giving an in-depth review.   Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.

As always, there are no "chick flicks," but there is a Disney PG-13 film this week.  I asked the youngsters to pick a film to review that they liked.  It took them awhile to choose, since they all originally had different ideas.  However, in the end, they decided on


I'm sure many of you are familiar with the musical fantasy Mary Poppins.  This is the story of how Mary Poppins actually made it to the big screen.  Released in 2013, it told about P.L. Travers (played by Emma Thompson), the author of Mary Poppins, and her encounters with Walt Disney (played by Tom Hanks) in his pursuit to bring Mary Poppins and other Travers books to the big screen.

I haven't seen it, but the youngsters explained it to me, and we are going to watch it this afternoon.  With a PG-13 rating, I think it's suitable for these very mature young people.  You can rent it, or catch it on Netflix.  I hope you enjoy the film the youngsters chose for our Saturday afternoon enjoyment.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films.  She has a fun, quirky way of giving an in-depth review.   Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.

One thing you should know about my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.   Having said that, you are going to think I have a screw loose when I announce I am reviewing

Legally Blonde.  Yes, you read correctly.  I first saw this 2001 film that stars the brilliant Reese Witherspoon on TV several weeks ago.  I could not believe it was designated a comedy.  Or maybe I don't grasp the meaning of "American" comedy, since I have inherited my grandmother's British humor.  I found a few funny spots, but for the most part, I felt quite moved emotionally by this film.

It's about a rich stereotypical American blonde (Witherspoon) who falls for a guy who doesn't take her seriously, especially now that he has been accepted into Harvard Law School.  The girl wants desperately to keep the guy, so studies very hard, passes the admittance test, and gets admitted to Harvard Law, too.

It's there the girl finds she is out of her element, and also that the boy is actually engaged to the girl who is bullying her.  Not to be deterred, the girl ignores the bully and applies for one of the coveted internships, which she gets, mostly because of her looks and her resume written on scented pink paper.

Once part of the team, the girl focuses on her elements of fashion and beauty and defends a client who has been accused of killing her husband.  In the end, the girl shows her ability to put those skills to work as she uncovers the true person who committed the murder.  However, before she can do that, she has to overcome sexual harassment and degradation.  I feel there is definitely a lesson to be learned about not judging a book by its cover and not letting beauty or bullies stand in your way.

I understand this is on Amazon prime and Netflix.  However, it is also on cable TV, too.  You just have to watch for it.

Thanks for joining me today.  Please remember to be kind to everyone, be generous, don't be a bully, don't let anyone put you in a compromising situation, and don't judge people by their looks or how they dress.

As much as I enjoy playing with this small group who enjoy this meme, I have decided I must put it on hiatus through the end of July.  Because I'm now devoting Mondays to showing my ICADs, my first obligation is to Art Journal Journey (AJJ).  That means I will be able to devote Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday to AJJ.  Starting the first Saturday in August, I will resume joining the fun Saturday at the Movies because ICADs will be completed. Thanks for understanding.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: Apollo 13

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films (often hilarious, many times irreverent, but always in a polite and kind way).  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.

One thing you should know about my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film. 

Today, my choice is Apollo 13.  Released June 30th, 1995, Apollo 13 stars Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, and Gary Sinise.  It is one of the few films I saw in a first release movie theater.

This is based on the true story of the ill-fated 13th Apollo mission bound for the moon. Astronauts Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Fred Haise (Bill Paxton), and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) were scheduled to fly Apollo 14, but were moved up to 13. It was 1970, and the US had already achieved their lunar landing goal, so there was little interest in this "routine" flight, until that is, things went very wrong, and prospects of a safe return faded like a setting sun. 

Everything was going according to plan after leaving Earth's orbit according to astronauts Lovell, Haise, and Swigert.  However, when an oxygen tank exploded, the scheduled moon landing was called off.  Subsequent tensions within the crew and numerous technical problems threatened both the astronauts' survival and their safe return to Earth.

What I loved about this film was when the three men isolated themselves in the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) and realized they would run out of oxygen faster than anticipated, since only two people were originally supposed to fit in the LEM.  When the ground team realized the LEM filters were round, and the Command Module filters on the craft were square, a team was put together to create a filtration system from the limited supplies found on the craft itself.  This was truly a human factors problem (my area of expertise), and it made the film even more realistic to me.  

My date was sitting on the edge of his seat and told me it was a thriller and amazed that it was based on real events.  Even Hollywood couldn't make this one up.  The irony is, when Apollo 13 took off, there was practically no interest to show photos of the craft headed to space.  The news outlets didn't even take an interest when the crew sent a video back to earth.  However, once the problem was known, the entire world was watching in anticipation and bated breath.

Although it's often called a docudrama, to me it's really a heart pounding thriller even though you know how it ends.

You can catch this film on Netflix or you can rent it on YouTube. 

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies will be on hiatus next Saturday, since I will be welcoming our new host at Art Journal Journey.
 

Saturday afternoon at the movies: Olympus Has Fallen

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films (often hilarious, usually irreverent).  Her synopses are not to be missed. If you aren't familiar with her movie reviews, please check out her blog.

I'm trying to get back to my true choice of films because one thing you should know about is my choice is you won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.  In this case, there is more action than anything else.  I could have reviewed White House Down, another film also released in 2013, and I will probably do that in the future, but I have seen Olympus Has Fallen more times.

  Here's how Rotten Tomatoes describes it:

When the White House (Secret Service Code: "Olympus") is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As our national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning's inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger crisis. Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) directs an all-star cast featuring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo, Ashley Judd and Rick Yune.

IMDb isn't quite so kind:

Disgraced Secret Service agent (and former presidential guard) Mike Banning finds himself trapped inside the White House in the wake of a terrorist attack; using his inside knowledge, Banning works with national security to rescue the President from his kidnappers. 

IMDb reviewers were kinder:

While "Olympus Has Fallen" is an entertaining and thrilling movie, it does however run on stereotypic fuel; one man who save the day and saves all of America.

The story is compelling and fast paced, right from the very beginning. And it keeps its high tempo right up to the end. Sure there were some very predictable moments and situations that even a blind man saw coming a mile away. But despite that, director Antoine Fuqua managed to put together a wholesome entertaining movie.

The action sequences are good and well executed, coming off as believable, despite it being one man against 28. And the way that these sequences were filmed just puts you right there in the action.

You can rent this on YouTube OR watch it on Netflix or watch it free by following this link:

https://www6.putlockertv.to/watch/olympus-has-fallen.63z7/rlw748y

I couldn't figure how to load the film in my blog post, since it wasn't a YouTube video.  The link did work when I tested it.

 Thanks for joining me today with this action packed story.   If only we had such brave people in our current "Olympus."

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: Red

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films (always hilarious, often irreverent, occasionally off color, and fun to read).  Her synopses are not to be missed.

Today I'm reviewing one of those films I gladly watch every time it comes on cable tv.

This is the movie poster.  Any film that stars Bruce Willis rates high on my list of films I love.  We all know how much I love Die Hard!!

This is the story of a Retired, Extremely Dangerous former CIA agent played by Willis.  This film was released in 2010.  There is a follow up RED 2, but I like the original best.

Rotten Tomatoes has a great synopsis that is better than any I could give:

Frank, Joe, Marvin and Victoria used to be the CIA's top agents, but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.

This film is shown often on cable tv and may be on the internet.  If you like action, humor, and Bruce Willis, you will LOVE this film.  Helen Mirren is not to be missed, either.

I hope you liked my pick this week, although some of you may not like the action.   Thanks for joining me for Saturday afternoon at the movies.
 

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films (often irreverent, occasionally off color, and always hilarious).  Her synopses are not to be missed.

The movie I am about to review, I have absolutely no desire to ever see it again, because it is NOT my kind of movie.  However, I'm sure many of my readers have seen it and loved it.

I really don't remember too much about it, other than I saw it in a movie theater in Omaha right after it came out in 1994.   I remember Forrest (played by Tom Hanks) was mentally challenged, served in Vietnam, saved many of his troop when they were ambushed or overcome, won a medal for his bravery, and did a LOT of running.  The one person Forrest couldn't save was Bubba, his friend who wanted to go in the shrimping business with Forrest after the war.

As an aside, while trying to find information that would help me recall the film, Forrest supposedly gave Bubba's family enough money they would never have to work again.  Inspired by the movie, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company was born. One of these restaurants was where my blogging friend Eileen visited in San Pedro.

I hope you enjoyed my pick this week.  You can watch it again, but I probably never will.  After all, "life is like a box of chocolates."

Saturday afternoon at the movies

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films (often hilarious, occasionally irreverent).  Her synopses are not to be missed.


Today I am reviewing Dirty Dancing (1987).  I went against my own requirements, and although I don't consider this a "chick flick," it is still a love story.  It's also considered by many women to be the best love story of all time.

This is a story about a young 17 year old girl named Baby (Jennifer Gray, Joel Gray's daughter) who falls in love with a dance instructor (Patrick Swayze) at a resort where she and her family are staying.  

The subplot involves an abortion, which caused various potential sponsors to refuse to sponsor unless the scenes were pulled.  One of my favorite actors is Jerry Orbach who plays Baby's father.  

It all begins when Baby, her sister, her mother, and her father Dr. Jake Houseman head to the Catskills for a summer of fun and relaxation.  Baby sees it as her last chance for fun before she goes to college, then off to the Peace Corp. 

Along the way, she meets a dance instructor, Johnny Castle and his partner Penny Johnson (Swayze and Cynthia Rhodes).  She learns that Penny is pregnant, so she goes to her father and asks for money, not telling him it is for an abortion.  Penny, who got pregnant by a Yale college student working as a waiter for the summer, says she can't get the abortion because she has to be in another resort's dance contest that she and Johnny were under contract to perform.  Baby offers to take her place, so Penny gets the abortion, which is botched.
 
Since Baby's dad is a medical doctor, she goes to him and asks for his help in saving Penny's life.  Remember, this was 1963 and abortion was still illegal in the U.S. at that time.  Jake manages to save Penny's life, but when Jake finds out that Baby lied about the money, he assumes it's Johnny's child and refuses to allow her to be anywhere near him. 

Lo and behold, Baby sneaks out at night and starts dancing with him.

They win their contest, but they were unable to perform the lift.

Robbie (Max Cantor) is dating and wants to sleep with Lisa, Baby's sister, even though he wouldn't help Penny when she was in trouble.  Lisa hopes to lose her virginity to Robbie, but Baby tells her he is no good.

When the owner of the resort finds out that Johnny has been seeing Baby, he fires Johnny. 

Just before the final event of the season, Jake gives Robbie money for medical school.  That's when Robbie admits he got Penny pregnant, then badmouths both Penny and Baby.  Jake got so mad, he took the money back.

As the event was about to end, Johnny returns, grabs Baby saying "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."  They get up, dance together, and perform the lift perfectly.  After the dance, Jake comes up to Johnny and admits he had been wrong about him and he and his daughter reconcile.

Many critics hated the movie.  They thought it was not worth the money, was a dog, and that it wouldn't even break even.   Turns out they were wrong because it was one of the highest grossing films of 1987.  It also won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Grammy, in addition to the sales from the soundtrack.

Hope you liked my pick this week, and thanks for joining me for Saturday afternoon at the movies.  I believe you can find Dirty Dancing free on the internet and rent it on Amazon Prime.

Saturday afternoon at the movies

I want to apologize for missing last Saturday's matinee.  I was so gung-ho to catch up on comments to others, I forgot to find a film I would watch at least twice.  I do want to let everyone know, though.  Saturday afternoon at the movies will be on hiatus until April 27 because I will be sharing my 22 days of recycling beginning on the 1st of April.

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films (often hilarious, occasionally irreverent).  Her synopses are not to be missed.

As I've explained the other times I've shared a film, one thing you should know about is my choice of films.  You won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.   Today I'm reviewing Pulp Fiction.

This was Quentin Tarantino's best work to date, when it came out in 1994, but you have to be able to overlook all the swear words in order to appreciate it.  I saw it in a theater with a friend I made at work in Omaha while I was on internship.  It was both written and directed by Tarantino who won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay.  The film was nominated for seven awards, as well as Academy nominations for John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Uma Thurman.  Many critics consider it the best film ever written.

It's a convoluted film, shot out of sequence, about two hit men, one burger-loving, the other his philosophical Bible quoting partner.  Insert into the mix a drug-addled gangster's moll and a washed-up boxer.   Soon their lives overlap and converge in this occasionally comedic crime caper.  You may have to watch it more than once to completely understand and appreciate the plot.

Please join us for a Saturday afternoon matinee.  We'd love to see what YOU think is an oldie, but goodie film worthy of showing Saturday afternoon at the movies!

Saturday Afternoon at the MoviesL a true Saturday type matinee

This is a scheduled post.  I may not be around if I have no internet.  Thankfully, I already had this post prepared, so all I had to do was go into my blog at my friend Scott's place and add this disclaimer.

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says the meme cites there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films (often hilarious, occasionally irreverent).  Her synopses are not to be missed.

As I've explained the other times I've shared a film, one thing you should know about is my choice of films.  You won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.  The film I have chosen this week is Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and according to Roger Ebert:

plays like an anthology of the best parts from all the Saturday matinee serials ever made.

It is also one of my favorite movies of all time, too.  It is the first in a series of Indiana Jones films, and the best, as far as I'm concerned.  I suspect most people have seen this film which came out in 1981.   It stars Harrison Ford as archaeologist Indiana Jones.  The idea that Jones battles a group of Nazis searching for the Ark of the Covenant is not lost on most of us.  Per Roger Ebert who gave it four stars:

The Saturday serial aspects of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" have been much commented on, and relished. But I haven't seen much discussion of the movie's other driving theme, Spielberg's feelings about the Nazis.

Further:

Spielberg is not trying here for human insights and emotional complexity; he finds those in other films, but in "Raiders" he wants to do two things: make a great entertainment, and stick it to the Nazis.

There are tons of anti-Nazi references, some subtle, some sly, some religious, some blatant, that weave their way into and through this film.

The opening Peruvian jungle sequence, which grabbed me from the very beginning, was filmed on the island of Kauai, one of the Hawaiian islands.  Later the island was used in Jurassic Park.  Again, per Roger Ebert:

As the movie opens, Indy brushes aside a web taller than a man, is assaulted by giant spiders, narrowly eludes a booby trap and then another, leaps across a bottomless pit, is nearly crushed by a lowering slab, is betrayed by his companion, leaps the pit again, is pursued by a gigantic boulder that rolls behind him, is surrounded by natives with spears and dart guns, leaps into a river, crawls into an airplane and finds a giant snake in the cockpit. "I hate snakes," he says.

The remainder of the film was shot in the UK, which is the reason the studio sets, including Marion’s Raven Bar, the Peruvian temple, and the Well of Souls were built at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.

The cast included Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina, John Rhys-Davies, George Harris, and Anthony Higgins.  It was written by George Lucas and Phillip Kaufman, and directed by Steven Spielberg.  It was 1981's top-grossing film and remains so to this day.

I have no idea where you can find it, but if you have a copy, or have access to it, be sure to see it again, because it's definitely one I could watch over and over (unlike the follow-up Indiana Jones films).  Thanks for joining me today as I look back on a great film worthy of being a Saturday at the Movies film!

Saturday afternoon at the Movies and a not-so brief commentary

My internet friends CJ and Kathy are part of this meme where you post your all time favorite films.   I'm not sure I have more than about FOUR favorite films, but I have films I have seen that I can share.  However, unlike CJ, who says there is no need to explain why you like the film, I prefer the way my internet friend Birgit reviews films (often hilarious, occasionally irreverent).  Her synopses are not to be missed.

As I've explained the other times I've shared a film, one thing you should know about is my choice of films.  You won't find any "chick flicks" here and any romance is simply a side effect of the major overall film.

However, today, before we get to the film, I have a commentary I want to share.  There is nothing subtle about this, and there are definite political overtones.  Sadly, it's due to the times in which we live.  If I've struck a nerve, I apologize.

Last week FLOTUS (First Lady of the United States) Melania Trump went on a three state tour,  unveiling her "Be Best" campaign which addressed social media and the opioid crisis.   Sadly, her campaign comes a bit late, because the mid-term elections have already come and gone.  Granted, she did get ill right before she was to unveil her program last year.  Add to that the government shutdown, and she finally had her say, both answering questions to small children and blaming the media for offering "fake news."  In Las Vegas, she took time to chide the news media for dedicating time to other coverage besides the opioid crisis:

I challenge the press to devote as much time to the lives lost and the potential lives that could be saved, by dedicating the same amount of coverage that you do to idle gossip or trivial stories.

This is a woman who wore stilettos when planning to tour the hurricane relief zone two years ago in Texas.

Images found on the internet

I fear it shows how disconnected she is with the real world in which she lives.

According to the New York Times, FLOTUS:

said she would focus her official effort as first lady on teaching children to put kindness first in their lives, particularly on social media. 

Not too long after Reagan became president, his wife Nancy brought out her "Just say no" campaign to saturate our drug addled minds with ideas we could easily give up drugs, especially the new (at that time) drug crack and alcohol by saying yes to life and no to crack and alcohol.

Image from Wikipedia

According to Wikipedia, reading and literacy were Barbara Bush's causes:

Family literacy was Barbara Bush's cause as First Lady, and she called it "the most important issue we have".

Further:

Eventually, she helped develop the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

Image from Wikipedia

I looked long and hard to find Hilary's causes.  I finally discovered she was into health care and pushing health care reform.

Image from Wikipedia.com

Laura Bush's first cause was literacy, since she had been a teacher, then a librarian after she received a Master's in Library Science.  After 9/11, she became involved in helping Afghanistan women who were brutalized by the Taliban.

Image from Townhall.com

Michelle Obama's cause was childhood hunger, obesity, and poor diets.  She championed the "Let's Move" movement.

Now that we've seen some recent FLOTUSes, let's check out this week's movie.

This week, I am honoring All the President's Men.  It is the story of the Watergate incident that eventually took down President Nixon. 

Both Woodward and Bernstein were local news desk reporters at The Washington Post.  They covered the break-in at the Democratic National Headquarters in one of the Watergate buildings, which was minor news at the time.  When the story reached national attention, Woodward and Bernstein refused to turn it over to the national news desk.  Executive editor Ben Bradlee insisted on collaboration of at least two sources before anything would or could be printed in the paper.

It was as authentic as possible, right down to trash provided by real Washington Post staffers and copies of old telephone books, with the exception of one comment uttered by Deep Throat: "follow the money."  That line never appeared in the original book and it apparently was never uttered by Deep Throat.

The film was released in 1976, and I saw it on TV several years ago.  Roger Ebert gave it a very thorough review, which included his belief that it was a great story about real reporters reporting real incidents, but was boring in the fact it was all about facts, dates, etc.  Robert Redford bought the rights to the book and helped turn it into the award winning film that was nominated for eight Academy Awards which won for Best Sound, Best Art Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay (for William Goldman's screenplay), and Best Supporting Actor (for Jason Robards' performance as Bradlee).

There are a TON of free places you can see it on the net, and if you have an Amazon Prime account, you can see it there, too.

One of the questions probed by various reviewers of the film asked if it could happen again.   Given our current climate in the States, I want to offer my opinion.  First, from everything I've read, Nixon was devious, cunning, and deceptive right up to the very end.  BUT, he was only a player on the NATIONAL stage.  This was a U.S. incident and had no INTERNATIONAL ramifications, like we could be faced with today.

If you lasted this long, I thank you for sticking around.  I promise to not share so much commentary next Saturday afternoon at the movies.