Movie Monday ~ "HOLIDAY INN"

Get yourself a cup of hot chocolate. Add a huuuuge dollop of whipped cream and plug this beloved movie into the tube.

Holiday Inn, by Irving Berlin...is one of my favorite movies for many reasons least of all the premier of the song "WHITE CHRISTMAS". Want to see a warm and fuzzy clip from the movie that makes you all comfy cozy inside? Click here!

Makes you want to give a mistletoe kiss to crooner Bing Crosby, doesn't it? You'll love this movie which includes excellent choreography and dance numbers with Fred Astaire - check out the vintage clothes for inspiration (some outfits never go out of style). The blackface number still gathers controversy but it was 1942! Nobody was politically correct back then!

You'll love the charm and comedic steps this little film has to offer and I think it's an excellent choice to put on the TV while trimming the tree!

Enjoy!

Movie Monday - RADIO DAYS

Radio Days

Woody Allen

This movie had me cracking up the very first time I watched it. So much nostalgia, so much laughter!!!

It's a light, airy comedy that is somewhat autobiographical of Woody Allen's life as a boy in New York during World War 2. Even if you are not a Woody fan, you will appreciate the commonality that all families share (dysfunction, humor etc.).

There are two main storylines that go on in this film but it's so easy to watch and grasp and enjoy!

The first storyline is about a family (Woody Allen's) that all live together in a small town in New York during the war. He showcases his quirky family characters in this opening scene. Woody's character is engrossed in listening to the radio (what our grandfathers must have loved equally to modern day video games). It effects his family as well, for they each have a specific favorite radio program and love of the medium.

The other hilarious storyline is focused on what really goes on behind the radio...the entertainers themselves as it showcases a young (not so talented) actress trying to make her way in the entertainment industry and make a name for herself in radio (equal to tv and movies today). You'll get an idea of poor Sally's fumbling struggles in this scene.

This is a great "get some hot cocoa and laugh" movie for a cold autumn night!
Enjoy!

MOVIE MONDAY - CINDERELLA MAN

At this time in our society, we need a movie like this!

click on the trailer video below:

"When America was on it's knees, he brought us to our feet"

I didn't think I would enjoy this movie as much as I did. It had all the makings of a raw, modern Frank Capra movie...

That being said, I think it's a great movie to watch especially now with the US economy in peril as it is.

It's much more than a boxing movie. It's a soul-searching movie of determination, sacrifice, dedication and persistence. However, the main element I took away from this movie is PATIENCE.

Patience is a virtue and for all those who are fed up with the way things are in society right now, WATCH THIS FILM!

Based on the amazing true story of an average modest man with a family in need of shoes, James Braddock and his quest for survival in the hardest time of U.S. financial history. He boxed to survive, not to claim a reward. It is also a sentimental love story of husband and wife and what they believed in for their family.

With OUTSTANDING performances by Russell Crowe, Paul Giamotti and Renee Zellweger. This is a movie I would be proud to keep in my library. It makes you appreciate the times our grandparents survived. IF they could do it with much less, we could do it too. I love this film. It makes you cheer not just for the underdog boxer, but for the humility of what is right and decent in this world.

MOVIE MONDAY - an Italian movie I love

Staying with the Italian Heritage theme for this Columbus Day Monday, I chose a movie that was a long-time favorite with me: Cinema Paradiso.

Set in a charming little Italian village after World War 2, you become engaged with the story from the beginning thanks to the cutest little boy performance. The subtext is hardly noticeable as you get into the delightful story of Toto who has a fascination with movies and the cinema from an early age. He befriends the town's movie projectionist and his desire to make and watch movies is realized.

Trust me, this romantic, comedic and bittersweet film is a must have in any film-lover's library!

For more info, check out here.

MOVIE MONDAY - mirroring the 1930's....

The current economy is making me think that our lives somehow are starting to mirror that of 1930's and THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

Our grandparents and great-grandparents would consider it a true act of luxury and a treat to go to the movie or cinema (back then a quarter or cheaper for a matinee) and watch a flick for a few hours. This provided a much needed temporary escape route from the toil and drudgery of harsh economic times.

Since I love old movies, it's not hard to pick one from my memory that perhaps provided such a diversion from the mundane economic downfall of the 1930's.

This week, I am focusing on FOOTLIGHT PARADE...a classic gem full of spectacular choreography from the great Busby Berkeley, kitschy dance numbers with Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler and Hollywood legend, James Cagney (a dancer before a stereotyped film mobster).

Watch for great catchy musical numbers like Honeymoon Hotel and Shangai Lil. Rest assured, it's not all song and dance...it's fun acting at a time when Hollywood was only starting to gleam the definition of "craft".

So much fun to see the fashions of the day and the mannerisms too!

I love this movie. It's cornier than an Iowa field. It's fluff. It's like eating ice cream after a spicy meal...soothing and fun. Absolutely adorable with a capital "A".

If you don't mind stepping back in time (seems like the stock market doesn't seem to mind slipping back to 1929 thank you very much) and imagining what our grandparents must have felt like to feel entertained and invigorated if only for a few hours, then you will cherish this little gem.

Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping bye!

MONDAY MOVIES

A new feature profiling my favorite, most beloved movies and why I adore them.

LAST OF THE MOHICANS
1992
Daniel Day Lewis
Madeline Stowe
Directed by MICHAEL MANN

Something about this movie stirs some real deep emotions inside me.

Maybe it's the lush cinematography of early American colonies, the riveting scenes of battle and survival, the romantic simplicity between the main characters of Hawkeye and Cora who fall in love based on witnessing one another's life's passion and protection of each other, the self sacrifice of Duncan and the amazing innocence of untold and unexplored secret love of Alice and Uncas.

Everything about this movie from the story to the soundtrack is merit-worthy of greatness.

Being that I am a huge history buff and love learning about Native American cultures, I was intrigued and impressed with this film since I saw it at it's release in 1992. Today, I can watch it over and over and still find something new and incredible about it. The theme of family (2 sisters meeting their rescuers of 2 brothers...the father of Hawkeye and Uncas is the Last of the Mohicans) and tradition and honor runs through the movie with a powerful sense of emotion.
Watch it. You'll be glad you did. Better yet, read the book by James Fenimore Cooper

More info on this great film is found here.

For those that have already seen it, relive the end scenes here. (Spoiler)