MORE MOVIES

I’m really, really ready to start feeling better! This cold just will NOT let go. On Tuesday when Art had an appointment with our internist, I thought I’d just sneak in for a quick throat culture, but then miraculously I started feeling better, so I didn’t bother. Bad decision. Of course I’m not sure the doctor could have done anything or given me anything that I’m not already taking, but still…… And so I’m still coughing, still gargling, still sucking on throat lozenges….and still hoping I’ll feel 100% SOON, DAMMIT!

In between naps, and while thoroughly medicated, we have seen quite a few movies, and here’s a brief rundown:

I’ve already written about “Michael Clayton” and “American Gangster” but in case you missed it, I liked them both.

“Charlie Wilson’s War” This movie works well on several levels. It manages to convey an important message, gives a history lesson, and still makes us laugh. I think it’s unfortunate that many people may miss the significance of the fact that we (as the United States) failed the Afghan people, and ultimately opened the door for the rise in terrorism, but that’s just my take.

“National Treasure” this was just a fun ride…lots of action, lots of adventure, bits and pieces of history rewritten to add spice to the plot. As long as you’re not expecting something that makes sense, you’re okay. I’m still trying to figure out exactly how the rest of the world knows for sure that the Gates family forefather wasn’t a traitor, since the one man who could prove it is dead, but hey, I told you it didn’t make sense.

“Walk Hard” This was funny…really funny! If you liked “Walk The Line” and “Ray”, and if you enjoy poking fun at the whole rock ‘n roll lifestyle, then you’ll enjoy this movie.

“No Country For Old Men” Didn’t like this movie AT ALL! It was depressing and pointless, and just didn’t do anything for me…or for Art.

Still on my list, “Sweeney Todd” and “Gone Baby Gone”, and maybe one or two others if we can find the time.

IT'S MOVIE TIME!

Now that I'm feeling better...slowly....I ventured out both yesterday AND today to see movies. Why does it always seem that all the really good movies come out just after we leave each time, but while we're here we struggle to find something really interesting? Apparently the movie with Robert Redford and Tom Cruise, that sounded like a feast for the eyes, had no substance and has come and gone. The latest Brad Pitt movie got a lukewarm review by my sister, and just as well, because it's gone too.

Yesterday we saw "Michael Clayton" with George Clooney. I know lots of women (or maybe I should say lots of 'people') find him totally hot, but not me. don't' get me wrong, he's an attractive man, and his self-deprecating sense of humor makes him even more so, but he's just not my ideal man. Brad Pitt, yes. Robert Redford...always. Art says "But look how old he looks!", to which I respond: "Doesn't matter...he's Robert Redford." Let's see, who else? Well, I used to think Tom Cruise was really cute and sexy, but then he got all weird, and it sort of took him out of the top tier. Armand Assante, but he's not around much. I know there must be others, but really, at age 55, it's not as if I have their pictures pasted on my wall. (Well, I DO have the Paul McCartney poster from Prague, but that was a souvenir.)

Okay, so back to "Michael Clayton". Yes, I liked it...a lot. More than the last several Clooney flicks, which was a relief. Very intense, even dark, but that seems to be the theme for the majority of the movies out right now.

Today we saw "American Gangster", and it was really, really good. Ridley Scott always entertains, and of course with Russel Crowe and Denzel Washington, we were fairly certain we wouldn't be disappointed. An added bonus was the appearance of above-mentioned Armand Assante.

Tomorrow "Charlie Wilson's War" with Tom Hanks comes out, and the new "National Treasure" movie with Nicholas Cage, so some hard choices will have to be made...or maybe we'll just make it into a double feature!

ARE YOU A MOVIE PERSON?

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Are you a movie person? I’d classify myself as a movie person, although others might have different criteria. In our family there are movie people…and the others. My dad was a movie person but my mom definitely was not. My son is a movie person but not my daughter. My grandson is a movie person, and I think both the grandgirls have the makings of movie people. For us, the sign of a movie person isn’t just someone who likes movies, but someone who loves to watch the same movies over and over again. Those special few that hit the right buttons, or satisfy a specific need at a specific time.

I remember when I was a kid, long before there were such things as video stores, VCR’s or DVDs. You’d just have to wait for your favorite movies to be on television, and if you missed it, there would be a long wait for the next showing. “The Wizard of Oz” was an annual event not to be missed, nightmares not withstanding. I’m sure I watched every Shirley Temple movie that was ever played on TV when I was a kid, and as an adult I can remember checking the television schedule, grabbing a box of tissue and settling in for a good cry over “An Affair To Remember”. “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” was the one my daughter loved to watch, and my son had entire scenes from various movies committed to memory after countless viewings. We’d quote a line from “Arthur” and crack up laughing, the entire scene replaying in our heads.

Today it’s easy to forget some of those classic black and white movies…some of which have been (disgracefully!) colorized. “Pat and Mike”, or any movie with Hepburn and Tracy. “Front Page” with Rosalind Russell…or maybe “Auntie Mame”. Anything with Cary Grant…or James Stewart. I remember falling in love with Dr Kildare twice…long before Richard Chamberlain played him on television, Lew Ayres had the role on the big screen, complete with curmudgeonly Lionel Barrymore. Oh, and don’t forget Clark Gable, he of Rhett Butler fame, and Carole Lombard. I never was a fan of Ida Lupino or Loretta Young, but never-the-less, they were important actresses in their day, along with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. (And who among us can think of Joan Crawford without that “Mommy Dearest” line “NO WIRE HANGERS!”?)

I guess I could go on and on, remembering actors and actresses I haven’t thought about in years, but maybe I’ve sparked a memory or two for you, and perhaps you’ll be tempted to check out some of the ‘classic' movies the next time you’re at your local Blockbuster. I hope they still carry some of the older movies. And if you do rent one and it’s been colorized, see if you can figure out a way to turn off the color and watch it in black and white….those fake colors are sooo distracting.

And as Christmas is rapidly approaching, think about giving a classic movie as a gift. I’m sure my daughter was very surprised when she discovered “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” in her stocking, and my sister’s got quite a collection of Shirley Temple movies.

This post started out because I was trying to put together a top ten list of my all-time favorite movies. I came up with a list of about fifteen, then narrowed it down to eleven, and now I have to try to figure out which movie to cut from the list…assuming of course that I’m still going to call the list my top ten. Maybe I’ll just change it to my top eleven.

FIGHTING A COLD

Still fighting this cold….still sneezing and blowing….and I’m using ZICAM . I’ve used it before, and although I do think it helps, it’s really hard to know, isn’t it? I mean, if your cold lasts 6 days WITH the Zicam, would it have lasted 10 days without? Or is 6 days the expected cycle? Who knows? Anyway, I’m still using it, taking Tylenol, lying on the couch watching movies all day, with a box of tissues at my side. I'd planned to take advantage of the long winter nights to re-watch a lot of my favorite movies, and now I've got a head start!

So far I've watched "MARCH OF THE PENGUINS", "IRENE", "BIG FISH"(I LOVE that movie!), and "THE WIZARD OF OZ". I started to watch "THE OUTSIDERS", but after about an hour I realized I just wasn't that interested. Maybe it was just time for a nap. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THRID KIND is on my list for today.

Some were on television, others were on DVDs we have in the drawer but never seem to watch. We taped "GLADIATOR" a few weeks ago, and now might be the perfect time to watch it. I would watch "THE POLAR EXPRESS", but I'd rather wait until we're in the states and I can watch in in 3D....and if you get the chance to see it, I HIGHLY recommend it! (And make sure you see the 3D version!)

I HATE being sick…but I guess I’d rather be sick now than when we’re in the states in December. If only it works out that way....