Gone with the Wind

I love the overture in this epic tale of white Southerners during and after the Civil War - after I watched the movie, in two parts because it is so long, I found myself humming the overture to myself. It is beautiful and I think perfect for this movie. I also love the costumes (the dresses, the hats, the petticoats) in the movie. Prob hot as heck in one of those velvet dresses but I think it would be fun to try one on! Prance around! Sweep the floor with the hem!

Another beautiful BUT heart-breaking aspect of this story is the relationship between Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled selfish and shrewd eldest daughter of a plantation owner, and Rhett Butler, the suave 'bad boy' from Charleston. On so many levels, they appear to be a perfect match but they, both self-centered, have a hard time really connecting and committing. Scarlett does some pretty awful things during the movie (married her sister's fiance!) so its hard for me to root for her. Her character, though, is timeless - another one of those pretty girls who is mean to everyone but still really popular. Some types of people never change...

There is one interesting story I read about Clark Gable (Rhett Butler) and Hattie McDaniel (Mammy). In the movie, Rhett and Hattie don't initially get along but towards the end, Hattie sees that Rhett has changed since his first child was born and they become good friends. It turns out that during the films premiere in 1939, Jim Crow Laws prevented black actors from attending the event. Clark Gable threatened to boycott the event when he found out that Hattie was barred from attending! She eventually convinced him to go but it seems like a bit of the loyalty they had for each other in the movie manifest itself in reality.

My favorite line and the line that everyone knows is: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

2001: A Space Odyssey

What a weird movie and definitely too artsy for my taste. I have a Kubrick collection at home and I am trying to watch them all although he's tough for me to appreciate. There is a tv commerical about GPS that makes a reference to HAL and its slow voice that says 'Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that'. HA I get the reference in the commercial! I was so proud of myself!

My favorite shot in this movie was the transition from the monkey time period to the 2001 time period. That was simple but profound and I think you have to watch this movie if only for that one scene. Crazy that in the 60's, ppl thought that there would be so many more advancements in technology by 2001. Alas, we did not meet their expectations...

The extended musical score at the beginning of this movie reminds me of the long musical score at the beginning of "Lawrence of Arabia". Wonder what that adds to the film. Any thoughts?

Memorable quote: I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.

Lawrence of Arabia

This epic based on the life of a poet TE Lawrence was really visually amazing. Shot on location in the deserts of Jordan and Morocco as well as in Spain, it shows well the heat and brutal sun of the desert. (Reminded me of one scene from 'The Hurt Locker' where the American and British teams are stalking out snipers and are waiting out the day with no cover. Got so thirsty watching it!) But amazing to think about the production of this movie in the 60's without the advanced technology that we have now. Some of the fight scenes look a little low-budget but I can understand why - there were SOOO many moving people and horses and camels involved in the scenes and there was no 2nd chance to edit with CGI. The sand and wind prob did some major damage to the cameras and equipment so this must have been a tough movie to film. PLUS this movie is epic long - almost 4 hours!!

I liked the film for its depiction of Lawrence's emotional struggles - with the violence of war, with his divided allegiance. I see a similarity to 'Avatar' in that regard but unlike 'Avatar', I'm not sure if I would watch it again.

Fav quote: Young men make wars, and the virtues of war are the virtues of young men: courage, and hope for the future. Then old men make the peace, and the vices of peace are the vices of old men: mistrust and caution.

*Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist

One of the thoughts that kept reoccurring throughout this movie was "High school kids do that nowadays?" Oh mannn I'm either a prude or getting old. I love the setting of this movie! It shows a part of New York that I had the opportunity to experience too many times - the late nights, the bar scenes, Penn Station, Times Square, LES. The character Tristan reminded me of the mean girls from the movie of the same title (which I rewatched this past weekend - such a funny movie!) as if she was a reject from that movie. I also dont understand why Nora dated that Tall guy for 3 years while she was still in high school! I thought he totally looked like the late DJ AM. Dont you think?

Awesome quote: You don't have to yell. It's not a train station. We're in a tiny car.

*Julie and Julia

RANDOM THOUGHTS:

1) Although this movie made me soo super hungry, I dont think they showed enough recipes or food! Still, BIG KUDOS to the chef and the prep team for the delicious looking food. Just thinking about it makes me hungry...

2) I didnt think this blog would be around still but I found it!! http://blogs.salon.com/0001399/2002/08/25.html my next goal is to read it.. sounds just like amy adams in my head although I know julie powell wrote it.

3) who doesnt want to wear a pearl necklace paired with a charm necklace now? i know i do.

4) i also want to read julia child's my life in france! her life out there seemed so butteringly delightful.

5) im totally inspired to cook and i actually made something similar to this recipe i found on the footnetwork uk site: http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/recipes/-ru331565.html

BON APPETIT!

Singin' in the Rain

I think this is the first Gene Kelly movie I have seen but it was Debbie Reynolds who really caught my attention in this black and white film about the advent of 'talkies' - movies with sound. She can really dance and sing - I thought she was a shining star in this movie and she is soo beautiful.

Jean Hagen's character is so ridiculous/hilarious and she reminds me of modern day celebrities! Lina Lamont - great name. I love the scene where Jean's character is fitted with a microphone under her dress and she keeps turning her head away from the mic - the sound obviously comes in and out and she just does not get it. Simple comedy amuses me.

Did you know that this movie has been parodied and included in many domestic and international movies, tv shows and even commercials? I certainly didnt - check out the list on Wikipedia!

Funny quote: What's wrong with the way I talk? What's the big idea? Am I dumb or something?

FILMS TO WATCH

I just found this on SF Station:
http://www.sfstation.com/films-to-watch-now-a6431

let me know if you see any and can recommend!

Casablanca

This movie is full of A-listers and some of the dialogue is iconic and still quoted to this day (here's looking at you kid). The torment of a man still in love with a woman he did not know was married, the setting in casablanca, the war, refugees seeking freedom - it is all so romantic. This is a propaganda film so understandably, the whole movie is dramatic and inspiring (esp the ending). It also ends with one of the most quoted endings to a film - Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Its a classic - I totally understanding why this movie is in the top 10 - it is moving and beautifully filmed. Movies that are most meaningful to me are the ones that make you think and that you feel connected to emotionally, so I've come to realize. Casablanca does that perfectly.

Favorite quote: Here's looking at you, kid.

Raging Bull

Never heard about this movie until I saw the list. Raw and disturbing but excellent - you should see it. I definitely cried at the end of this film knowing that it is based on a true story. Boxing is such a brutal world and De Niro plays the role of a boxer so well. One thing I really liked about this film is that although it was filmed in 1980, Scorsese shot it in b/w. With more modern technology, this movie has a classic b/w feel but with clarity and and special effects.

Best quote: You didn't get me down, Ray.

Citizen Kane

I really don't know much about cinematography because I cant figure out why this tops the charts as the #1 American film of all time. Yes, I do understand there are some really awesome technical elements to the cinematography (deep focus shot, low angle shot). And I do like the narrative structure. Like most of the top 10 films I've seen, I definitely went through an emotional roller-coaster ride with the protagonist. But #1? Someone please explain.

One thing I must keep in mind is that technological advancements have really spoiled the modern movie goer - we have such amazing computer graphics now so they had better use them! Many movies on the AFI list are there because they were revolutionary for their time. (Take for example 'Lawrence of Arabia' which was shot on location!) I guess when I compare earlier films to more modern films, the plot takes back-seat to the auteur (in earlier films) and the CGI team (in modern movies).

Last point, I am impressed with actors who also write screenplays so kudos to you, Mr. Orson Welles!

Memorable quote: I suppose he had a private sort of greatness, but he kept it to himself.

City Lights

This movie is regarded as one of Charlie Chaplin's greatest films. At an hour and a half, I thought it was pretty long for a movie made in the 30’s. He actually wrote, acted, directed and produced this film. I had no idea Mr. Chaplin was so talented - I honestly thought he was just a goofy, slap-stick humor kinda guy - I saw some of his short films over the summer and his slap-stick humor tickled me.

What amazes me about silent films is that they are so entertaining without saying much at all. The audience can still get a full sense of the story and the plot without the dialogue. Like most movies with vague endings, I wish I knew what happened at the end of this one. This movie is about a blind girl who sells flowers on the side of the road and Charlie, a broke tramp, falls in love with her. This is a tale of his adventure to raise money for the flower girl so she can get an eye replacement surgery as well as pay rent. Along the way, Charlie meets a wealthy patron who takes a liking to him. It is so silly but clever!

Favorite quote: Tomorrow the birds will sing.

Reel Talk

I have always loved movies and photography. I think there is something magical about capturing a moment on film for all eternity. We can look back at photographs or old family home videos and INSTANTLY go back in time. Real moments, whole people frozen in time. Life goes on and people grow old but film ensures those precious memories stay with us. In this blog, I will watch movies and try to capture a few of the thousand words that each picture is worth.