Whatever you do, make it mean something to you.

Hello again..
I started this blog almost a year ago and sadly never did finish my intended competiton. Unfortunately, I let things that were going on in my life get in the way of being focused on completing this. I also began to get to wrapped up in watching each movie for the sake of getting it done within timeline instead of really enjoying it. I have decided to resume watching these wonderful films and documenting my opinions but instead of being on a set due date, watch them when convinent. I want to really soak each story in and maybe even learn something from each film. I truly love watching a movie that sparks something in me. And I'm beging to believe that I can take something away from each film I watch. Movies are the one thing that unities us all; it has something for everyone. Hopefully you can also share in this

'Would you like to swing on a star? Carry moonbeams home in a jar..'

Couldn't wait to come home yesterday after work; running around the day before inventory is not my idea of fun. With all the hustle and bustle I didn't get an opportunity to watch any more of ''Going My Way'' during my lunch break at work. When I got home I was eager to finish the movie, and got a chance to! Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald) has been the pastor of St. Dominic's since it was raised from the ground; now that the bank is threatening foreclosure a young radical priest is called to save the church. Father "Chuck" O'Malley, the ever charming Bing Crosby, starts off to a rocky start with the parishioners and Father Fitzgibbon but soon wins them over with his unconventional methods and helps keep St. Dominic's afloat. From the gossipy Mrs. Quimp, to the scrappy neighbourhood boys, to Mr. Haines the stingy mortgage broker O'Malley brings the community together through song and a colourful spirit.
I was rather surprised when I spotted Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer playing one of the neighbourhood boys that joins the choir, he played the original Alfalfa from 'Our Gang' aka 'The Little Rascals' and William Frawley our Fred Mertz from 'I Love Lucy' playing a music publisher.
Father Fitzgibbon is set in his ways and believes in leading his parish the old fashioned way, O'Malley comes along and shakes things up; these two form an unlikely friendship. Its a good hearted comedy that just makes you smile; Fitzgibbon although cranky at times is cheeky and has the soul of a little boy and pain in the ass Mrs. Quimp just makes you laugh. Bing Crosby's voice soars as he sings classics like "Silent Night" and "Ave Maria" with the boy choir, and who could forget "The Mule". I was happy to see a diverse group of boys in the neighbourhood that did not segregate in anyway. I actually think I would attend chruch if I had Bing Crosby as a priest! The ending is heartfelt as O'Malley leaves having given Father Fitzgibbons a wonderful gift; a much awaited visit from his elderly mother.

You still think its beautiful to die for your country?

Yesterday I tried to jump start my movie viewing by bringing my portable DVD player to work to watch movies during my lunch break. I managed to watch a half and hour into "Going My Way" from 1944 with Bing Crosby. I came home; winding down by showering and deciding to watch "All Quiet on the Western Front" from 1930. I got myself comfortable for what was to be a long night. This World War I epic is actually depicted from a German perspective and follows a group of young men eager to serve their country. We're introduced to these young men as they are listening to their Professor (Arnold Lucy) lecture them about the glories of serving your country. As the boys enlist, train and journey to the unknown war front we are given each young man's interpretation and reaction to the horrors of battle. This is a grisly look into how war affects humanity and the ultimate reality check these boys are given.
Unfortunately I ended up with a poor quality version with slightly unsynchronised sound but surprisingly this didn't effect its eerie quality. I found myself getting freaked out as some of the boys started to loose their minds and become psychotic due to shell shock. As the story continues you start to follow one of the soldiers in particular, Paul Baumer played by Lew Ayres. Paul soon realizes that the life of a soldier is not necessarily a nobel journey but a fight for survival. People are dispensable; death always a step away as comrades fall dead like flies. This movie doesn't glorify war in any way; its interesting actually the contrast between the eager schoolboys running off to war to the bewildered and hardened soldiers they become. There is a scene in particular where Paul stabs one of the enemy soldiers; as he lays dying Paul regrets what he did and begs for redemption. This moment just shakes you to the core, there is so much desperation in Paul; he is torn between the glory he should feel in defending his country and the gulit of having killed another human being . There is no musical score at all, which further provides for authentic, intense battle scenes. I finished this movie at 6 am and was so haunted by not necessarily the killing but the message. The ending itself is devestating, clinging to the last piece of humanity left in this horror- a flower.

It is our Destiny

Yesterday was quite the crappy day but thankfully had a not too shabby end. I began the day optimistic, having some hope that I would pass my drivers exam. My hopes soon vanished after I took a practice spin with my Dad. Having almost hit his company truck I became frantic, loosing my confidence. This unfortunately resulted in a disastrous exam; screwing up a 3-point turn having to do it over and over still fucking it up, making a right hand turn and going into the left lane and the piece de resistance almost crashing the car while making an unsafe left turn. Thank God for my parents, because I came home in quite a state. My Mom took me out to Blockbuster which of course made me feel better and to Wendy's for burgers. I rented "Gandhi", "Terms of Endearment" and "Slumdog Millionaire", a pretty successful trip if I do say so. I came home feeling a bit more optimistic after a pep talk from Mom and Dad, reassuring me that I'm not the biggest moron in the world and decided it was definately the night for a great underdog story. My Mom, sister and I watched "Slumdog Millionaire" all huddled in front of the TV.

This film tells the story of a young Indian boy who grew up in the Slums of Mumbai. Our Hero Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) wins the chance to compete in India's version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' and surprises everyone as he answers every question correctly. What audiences don't know is that each answer is connected to pivotal moments in Jamal's incredible life. From young Jamal's (Ayush Mahesh Khedekar) and his brother's (Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail) escape from the slums to Jamal's encounter with the love of his life, Latika (Freida Pinto). This is not only an incredible journey through a young man's life but an amazing perspective on life and people of Mumbai, India.
This is a unique story; you can't help but root for Jamal as he wins the game. After a bit of a confusing beginning the movie jump starts becoming quick paced until the very end. As viewers we are transported into a corrupt world where money is absolute and its difficult to trust anyone. The footage of not only the slums, but of the Taj Mahal and metropolitan Mumbai is raw and realistic. Life living in the slums couldn't look any more real as director Danny Boyle cast actual children from the slums to play the central characters as children. Jamal's constant devotion to searching for his lost childhood friend and great love is deeply felt. One of the most moving moments is when both finally meet again after being seperated by Jamal's brother. Thankfully the story ends on a happy note with additional Bollywood style song and dance as the credits roll. Who doesn't love a great underdog story?

Heres lookin' at you kid...

I apologize for being M.I.A. for the past few days. I gave in on Saturday after work and watched "Persuasion" on Masterpiece theatre (I'm a big fan of Jane Austen) and "Bright Star" a tragic love story based on the poet John Keat's first love. Of course me being the hopeless romantic that I am I loved both. Another reason I've been missing in blogworld was because the Olympic Men's Hockey team was having their gold medal game. And lets be serious if you're Canadian or American you were probably watching this game. Unfortunately, I also shared two pitchers of Molson Canadian beer with a friend and ended up really drunk...screaming and slurring when the Canadians won! After some food and a nap I was almost completely sobered up and decided to end my romance filled weekend with "Casablanca" which won the 1943 Academy Award for Best Picture. The story begins with Rick Blaine played by the moody Humphery Bogart, an American who owns and operates a popular bar in Casablanca, Morocco. Under a rage filled World War II backdrop Rick befriends and hosts many a Nazi, Italian and American soldier. Who should walk in one day but Rick's former lover played by the lovely Ingrid Bergman, Ilsa Lund and her husband Victor Lazlo the famous European Resistence Leader (Paul Henreid). Bewildered and confused Rick confronts Ilsa demanding an explaination for why he was gilted on that rainy Paris train station. We then take a journey to Rick and Ilsa's past and learn why Ilsa decided to be seperated from Rick. Having realized how very much in love they still are with each other both conspire to run away together again using letters of transit, very valuable to the Nazis. But will they escape and have the happy ending they've always dreamed of?

AFI deemed this movie their number 1 pick for Best Romantic movie. I have disagree, while yes it does have some tender, deeply felt moments between our Rick and Ilsa I found it was lacking. I think that the romance aspect of it sometimes gets lost in all the policial undertones. The characters make you feel torn; you want to root for Rick and Ilsa but feel bad for Victor who adores Ilsa. Dooley Wilson's Sam is great, his velvety smooth voice sings classics like "The Way You Look Tonight", "The Very Thought Of You and the memorable "As Time Goes By". In the end you feel cheated in a way because after everything both Ilsa and Rick have been through they deserved a happy ending. Why is it that all the great love stories have sad endings?

It Happens

I have to admit...I have never really been fond of this movie. I was lucky tonight when I was channel surfing earlier and found that "Forrest Gump" was to air on AMC at 8 pm. However I was not all that enthused. My Mom decided to join me, so we popped a massive bowl of popcorn and got ourselves comfortable. "Forest Gump" is the story of a man's trials and tribulations throughout his life starring Tom Hanks are the rather vague Forrest. From his 1950's childhood in Alabama with his 'Mama' played by Sally Field to the Vietnam War to his Shrimp Boat days out on the Mississippi to his romance with his childhood friend Jenny played by Robin Wright Penn.

'Life is like a box of chocolates..." There are many of these quotable little insights of humanity and life which help viewers connect with the story. However the scenes when Forrest is placed in historical moments are too hard to believe and make me loose track of the true message of the story. Forrest Gump is a dim but lovable character who is just trying to do good. There is a childlike quality to him that makes you feel sorry for him. The soundtrack of this film is awesome; featuring classics from the 1960's from Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Jimi Hendrix, Three Dog Night, The Mamas and the Papas and my personal favourite Simon and Garfunkel. It is a well constructed story with some good elements; the historical moments where Forrest "happens" to show up while cheesy are well done. I also loved the cinematography; the scene where Forrest describes about the sky in Vietnam and how peaceful it seemed then goes on to talk about the sky over the water while he was in his Shrimp Boat then the sky over the desert during his run through America were lovely. The images were so vivid and beautifully shot that it almost seemed like a painting. So am a reborn fan of this movie now? No, but I can appreciate certain aspects of it.

"That's the Broadway Melody!!!" No this is not a lyric from a song from "Singin' in the Rain" but from the original "The Broadway Melody" from 1929. This movie musical was the first of several 'Broadway Melody' films produced by MGM. Now this is truly the golden age of Broadway; with big, elaborate productions and actors with more ego then talent. The story begins with Eddie Kearns (Charles King) a fresh Broadway song writer and singer who is trying to help out his pals the Mahoney Sisters, Queenie and Hank played by Anita Page and Bessie Love get into a Zanfield Broadway show. Clearly not their real names. Tempers flair after the girls audition Zanfied's show and are sabotaged by a Zanfield girl. Hank the protective older sister starts a fight with the Zanfield girl making Zandfield chose Queenie to be in the show and not Hank. Queenie then talks Zanfield into letting them both into the show for the same price further impressing Eddie who is Hank's sweetheart. Eddie falls in love with Queenie and becomes entangled in a love triangle with socialite named Jock Warrinier played by Kenneth Thomson who is after Queenie's affections. How will the sisters make it through this while also trying to get their name in lights?

Of course I enjoyed this movie. This is the era I love, the Jazz Age, the 20's. In high school, I was obsessed with this era and often dreamt of what it would be like to live in that time. MGM was at one time the king of movie musicals, producing some of the most expensive and lavishly musical films. The music was terrific with Jazz and Ragtime inspired songs and old favourites like "You Were Meant for Me" which is also the love song in "Singin' in the Rain". It was unfortunate that the sound quality was so poor at the time that these songs where not that clear. The characters were just that, characters; with Uncle Jed the stuttering agent, to the sassy costume designer Trupe, Flo the drama queen Zanfield girl and other mega ego actors. The dialogue although strange, probably normal for the 1920's was filled with sarcastic cracks and jabs. Who wouldn't want to be a Zanfield girl?

All Good Things to Those Who Wait...

Yesterday was quite the busy day. My first day into this challenge I watched 'Wings' last night at 1 am for the first time. This is a movie I've always wanted to see; especially after watching my first Clara Bow film, "It" which is a fantastic silent film! SEE IT!
"Wings" is set in the year 1917 and tells the story of a young man named Jack Powell, played by Charles "Buddy" Rogers, and his dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. It starts out with Jack busy at work on a car he intends to fix to impress Sylvia Lewis (Jobyna Ralston) a fancy girl from the city who is actually in love with David Armstrong played by Richard Arlen a young man from a rich family. Helping Jack on this noble endeavour is his childhood pal and neighbour Mary Preston (Clara Bow) who is also secretly in love with Jack. Soon after war breaks out in Europe and Jack and David enlist. Enemies at first Jack and David soon get to know each other and become friends. Back at home Mary becomes anxious worrying about Jack and decides to enlist in the Women's Motor Corps to be closer to him. As these courageous comrades take to the skies and the ground tragedy strikes.
This movie was actually pretty long, almost 3 hours! Quite unheard of, especially for a silent film. However, the adventure and action are constant as the pilots are actual filmed in the air. The emotions are raw; from the tender moment when Mary tries to nurse Jack to the moment when Jack realizes the horrific mistake he has made. Even more facinating were the dramatazations of World War 1 battlefeilds which feature actually tanks, horses and trenches. The only negative thing I can say about it is I did not enjoy watching it with the awful organ score featured on the particular copy I watched. I was often tempted to mute the sound and play a classical music CD.

This evening I watched 'The Silence of the Lambs'...my first time seeing it. I know, I know...how could I have not seen it? I actually had some luck today; while at the public library I stumbled upon a cassette copy of the movie in the library book sale. Of course this video fulfilled the strange phenomenon of the library B.O smelling cassettes. Whenever I borrow a cassette from the public library as soon as I take out the cassette from the case it smells overwhelmingly like really bad body odor. Strange as it seems this happens every time. Luckily I didn't have to take it out! My sister (thankfully) chose to watch the movie with me. This was comforting as I have a perpetual fear of psychological thrillers. After watching one I often end up lying awake in bed thinking about it. I end up freaking myself out at the possibility of some freak/ psychopath watching it and getting ideas for his next murder. But surprisingly I was more impressed then creeped out by this film.
It begins with an F.B.I cadet named Clarice Starling played by Jodie Foster who is asked to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a notorious cannibal/ serial killer and former psychiatrist played by Anthony Hopkins. The interview thus leads to H.L. (Hannibal Lecter) revealing that he has information on the identity of a mysterious serial killer on the loose who skins his victims after murdering them. The plot thickens as Clarice begins to trust H.L. as he leads her straight to the killer.

I have to say Sir Anthony Hopkins is quite the gifted actor. There was just this slithery, twisted quality to Hannibal Lecter that just reverberated off him...he became the psychopath. He could say nothing and you would just know that something was not right with him. The story as well, was astonishing. Coming from the novel "The Silence of the Lambs" written by Thomas Harris, it was adapted for film making the character of Hannibal Lecter more prominent then the previously written Red Dragon books. The connections made between Clarice and the recent murder although seem meaningless at the time become connected through the tale of Clarice and the lambs at her cousin's ranch. As viewers we become Clarice in her search for answers; as the story comes to its climax I'm at the edge of my seat as the plot twists to reveal the killer standing before her. The ending was in itself a feast for the imagination, leaving me thinking...so where does our Hannibal Lecter go from here?