Released on June 24, 1994: Bringing this back to the theaters was one of the smartest moves EVER. I had never seen it on the big screen, so my sister and I took my niece. I feel in love with it all over again, and it was awesome sitting there singing along with the all songs.
I ♥ this movie.
Showing posts with label Winner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winner. Show all posts
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
On the Waterfront
Add another Best Picture winner to my "viewed" list! I'm so glad I decided to start keeping track of this incredibly important stuff :)
I wasn't sure whether I would like this or not, but I LOVED it. Old movies don't always hold my interest and sometimes they come off to me as being almost slapsticky because of the intensely dramatic music. In this case, it worked.
I don't know if I've ever seen Marlon Brando in anything else, but I loved his character in this movie and thought he did a fantastic job. This movie pulled off what I thought The Town did not. And I have no idea why that movie popped into my head more than once while watching On the Waterfront because the storyline wasn't even similar. But for some reason, that's what I was reminded of.
For whatever reason, I have a soft spot for boxers as movie characters. Maybe it's because Rocky was so popular when I was growing up. But I'm a big fan of boxing movies (and, strangely, not a huge fan of the sport in real life.) I've heard the "I coulda been a contenda" speech before, but never in the context of the movie itself. Awesome.
Karl Malden was awesome as Father Barry and I fell completely head-over-heels in love with Eva Marie Saint. I've seen her in more recent stuff, but this role was incredible. Her bio on IMDb says that she "brought 'real acting' in a time when melodrama still ran rampant in the industry" and I completely understand what is meant by that. Phenomenal job. Looks like I need to rent North by Northwest sometime soon!
I haven't seen any of the other 1954 movies nominated for Best Picture, but I can absolutely see why this won the awards it did. Almost 60 years later, it's still relevant and still packs a huge emotional punch.
Can't wait to watch this again!
I wasn't sure whether I would like this or not, but I LOVED it. Old movies don't always hold my interest and sometimes they come off to me as being almost slapsticky because of the intensely dramatic music. In this case, it worked.
I don't know if I've ever seen Marlon Brando in anything else, but I loved his character in this movie and thought he did a fantastic job. This movie pulled off what I thought The Town did not. And I have no idea why that movie popped into my head more than once while watching On the Waterfront because the storyline wasn't even similar. But for some reason, that's what I was reminded of.
For whatever reason, I have a soft spot for boxers as movie characters. Maybe it's because Rocky was so popular when I was growing up. But I'm a big fan of boxing movies (and, strangely, not a huge fan of the sport in real life.) I've heard the "I coulda been a contenda" speech before, but never in the context of the movie itself. Awesome.
Karl Malden was awesome as Father Barry and I fell completely head-over-heels in love with Eva Marie Saint. I've seen her in more recent stuff, but this role was incredible. Her bio on IMDb says that she "brought 'real acting' in a time when melodrama still ran rampant in the industry" and I completely understand what is meant by that. Phenomenal job. Looks like I need to rent North by Northwest sometime soon!
I haven't seen any of the other 1954 movies nominated for Best Picture, but I can absolutely see why this won the awards it did. Almost 60 years later, it's still relevant and still packs a huge emotional punch.
Can't wait to watch this again!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Way We Were
I love Family Video. It's not too close to my house, so I don't go there very often but I always pick up something fun when I do go.
What I wanted was either The Big Lebowski or Jurassic Park, so I'm not sure how I wound up with Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand. I'm not even close to being a fan of hers. But my first two choices weren't available, so somehow I stumbled onto this.
I recently read a book that took place in the McCarthy era, and I've gotta say that I'm fascinated with that time period. So I think reading the little blurb on the back of the movie box that mentioned that time is what prompted me to pick it up. (I also rented The American President, so at some point I'll be reviewing that as well. Assuming that I get around to watching it.)
Barbra's character in the movie reminded me a lot of what I expect her to be like in real life. Which I'm sure isn't an entirely fair assessment, but what can I say. She's always come across to me as being incredibly political and I have a feeling that Barbra's views are pretty in line with Katie's.
It was mentioned more than once during the movie that her character ironed her hair. And I must admit that I liked it much better in those scenes. (Not sure why "hair" is such a sticking point for me lately!)
I much preferred Robert's character (although I think "Hubbell" has got to be one of the worst character names EVER.) He was a lot more fun, and a lot easier to watch.
Barbra's singing usually doesn't excite me, but I do like her song of the same name. So dramatic.
All in all, it was an interesting depiction of how differing viewpoints and, more importantly, how you deal with those differences can work against a relationship. Makes me wonder how James Carville and Mary Matalin make things work. I guess they must be a lot better at the "dealing" part of it than Katie and Hubbell were.
What I wanted was either The Big Lebowski or Jurassic Park, so I'm not sure how I wound up with Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand. I'm not even close to being a fan of hers. But my first two choices weren't available, so somehow I stumbled onto this.
I recently read a book that took place in the McCarthy era, and I've gotta say that I'm fascinated with that time period. So I think reading the little blurb on the back of the movie box that mentioned that time is what prompted me to pick it up. (I also rented The American President, so at some point I'll be reviewing that as well. Assuming that I get around to watching it.)
Barbra's character in the movie reminded me a lot of what I expect her to be like in real life. Which I'm sure isn't an entirely fair assessment, but what can I say. She's always come across to me as being incredibly political and I have a feeling that Barbra's views are pretty in line with Katie's.
It was mentioned more than once during the movie that her character ironed her hair. And I must admit that I liked it much better in those scenes. (Not sure why "hair" is such a sticking point for me lately!)
I much preferred Robert's character (although I think "Hubbell" has got to be one of the worst character names EVER.) He was a lot more fun, and a lot easier to watch.
Barbra's singing usually doesn't excite me, but I do like her song of the same name. So dramatic.
All in all, it was an interesting depiction of how differing viewpoints and, more importantly, how you deal with those differences can work against a relationship. Makes me wonder how James Carville and Mary Matalin make things work. I guess they must be a lot better at the "dealing" part of it than Katie and Hubbell were.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Casablanca
Can you believe I've never seen this until tonight?!
I recorded it from TCM's 31 Days of Oscar... and I almost turned if off. This was a very weird movie for me, because I really didn't like it. Until the end. Now I'm obsessed with it and want to watch it again!!!
(I'm trying to label my tags, but some of the categories have changed since 1943. I'm matching them up as closely as I can with the modern categories to make it easier to search.)
I recorded it from TCM's 31 Days of Oscar... and I almost turned if off. This was a very weird movie for me, because I really didn't like it. Until the end. Now I'm obsessed with it and want to watch it again!!!
(I'm trying to label my tags, but some of the categories have changed since 1943. I'm matching them up as closely as I can with the modern categories to make it easier to search.)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The King's Speech
I saw my last Best Picture nominee today! This was an excellent movie. It was just slightly dry in some spots, but wickedly funny in others. (Overall, it was excellent.) I can't say enough about Colin Firth's performance. It was stellar. The only other time I've felt so strongly about a nomination was in 2001 when Sean Penn was nominated for his role in I Am Sam. (He lost to Denzel Washington in Training Day, which I still think is a travesty.)
Anyway, between Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, if a movie was just based on the acting alone I think this would be my choice. And I have nothing bad to say about it... I just think Inception was better. And I loved 127 Hours and The Social Network.
Helena Bohham Carter was so quietly good in this movie. I adore her. She is quirky and a fabulous actress. Very deserving of her nomination.
Well, I'm ready now! Bring on the Oscars!!!
Anyway, between Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, if a movie was just based on the acting alone I think this would be my choice. And I have nothing bad to say about it... I just think Inception was better. And I loved 127 Hours and The Social Network.
Helena Bohham Carter was so quietly good in this movie. I adore her. She is quirky and a fabulous actress. Very deserving of her nomination.
Well, I'm ready now! Bring on the Oscars!!!
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