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?

This is a challenge only the biggest of the biggest Movie Buff may be able to handle...Be Afraid Be Very Afraid

This is my challenge...much in the style of Julie Powell's Julie/Julia Project I am challenging my self...A self proclaimed Classic Movie Goddess to watch all 81* Best Picture winners of the Academy Awards and at the same time chronicle each viewing experience on this blog. I will be beginning this quest on Thursday February 25, 2010 and intend on completing it by 12:00 am Sunday April 25, 2010. To you this may seem like a ridiculous way to spend your time but for me its viewing history. Films have been around since 1890 with the creation of "Strongman Shadow" since then this art form had come along way to today's amazing 3 Dimensional creations such as "Avatar", for which I have STILL not seen. Looking back on films of the past we can see that not only stories and characters are expressed but social, historical, political, artistic and emotional aspects are conveyed. This is why I love movies so much. I love just escaping into that world in which the film has created. So this is not only a challenge of mental stamina but a study into the history of the motion picture arts. Here begins my journey into the unknown...the movie unknown anyway.

So here's how it works, I will watch each Best Picture movie that has won an Academy Award. After watching each film I will post the film title, a summary and my views on it. Agree or disagree everyone has their opinions and this is mine. First up: "Wings" (1927) Starring Charles "Buddy" Rogers, Clara Bow and Richard Arlen.

81* This year's Academy Awards will be broadcast on Sunday March 7, 2010, the 82nd movie to win Best Picture will be announced but released later in the year not making it possible for me to see it within the timeline.