Category Archives: Awards

Jammin’ at the Movies 2 – Music that Makes the Movies🎶🎬😎

Posted by donnamarie on

Image result for movie soundtracks

 

Movie Soundtracks

What would the film experience be without a memorable soundtrack that sets the mood, pumps up the action and evokes nostalgic memories?

Image result for movie theater with people

 

As I started writing “Jammin’ at the Movies – Music that Makes the Movies” I realized there were far too many films to note in one post, so these are a few others that make my list of movie soundtracks that are synonymous with the film itself.

“Pulp Fiction”, “Forrest Gump”, and “Saturday Night Fever” are true American classics and so are their soundtracks!

 

Let me know some of your most notable in the comments!

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The idea of musical accompaniment has been around since silent films but with the advent of sound in the 1920’s, filmmakers were able to have direct control over the soundtrack as a device to manipulate the audience’s emotions.

The first film to use a completely original score was written by composer Max Steiner for the classic ‘King Kong’ (1933).

 

Imagine Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” without those driving Bernard Herrmann violins and strings during the shower scene and the ominous “dun-dun-dun” that alerted the audience to the arrival of “Jaws” thus evoking all kinds of fear. With the Soundtrack Album, audiences have the freedom to listen to and relive the memories of their favorite films at any time.

“Psycho” 1960
“Jaws” 1974

In developing his film projects Director, Quentin Tarantino approaches the movie process in this way:

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino

“One of the things I do when I am starting a movie, when I’m writing a movie or when I have an idea for a film is, I go through my record collection and just start playing songs, trying to find the personality of the movie, find the spirit of the movie. Then, ‘boom,’ eventually I’ll hit one, two or three songs, or one song in particular, ‘Oh, this will be a great opening credit song.” (Tracks and Fields)

 

Image result for quentin tarantino movies

“Pulp Fiction” (1994), “Forrest Gump” (1994), and “Saturday Night Fever” (1977) are 3 of my favorite films that demonstrate the impactful relationship between the storyline and the music.

 Image result for movies and music

 

Pulp Fiction

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“Pulp Fiction”(1994) is the coolest film and soundtrack ever. QuentinTarantino (Oscar for Best Original Screenplay) certainly had his finger on the pulse of the vital connection music plays in conveying the attitude of this movie and put together the perfect soundtrack to complement the mood.

First of all, I would love to hang at Jack Rabbit Slims. I love all things 60’s and between the cars and the celebrity impersonators, how fun! Second, this is how you dance cool. I remember all the back in the day dances like the twist, the jerk, and the batman.

The album reached No. 21 on the Billboard 200, while Urge Overkill’s cover of the Neil Diamond song “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” peaked at No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Billboard chalked up MCA’s compilation to identifying the market niche: “Pulp Fiction…successfully spoke to those attuned to the hip, stylized nature of those particular films.” The eclectic “mix-and-match strategy” is true to the film.

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“In some cases, like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, which were not geared toward any specific demographic, the soundtracks were still very focused albums,” said Kathy Nelson, senior VP/general manager at MCA Soundtracks. “In both cases, the body of work — both the music and the film — has a specific personality.” (Wikipedia)

Trivia – revitalized the career of its leading man, John Travolta, who received an Academy Award nomination, as did co-stars Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman.

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Forrest Gump

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Academy Award-winning film “Forrest Gump” (1994) starring Tom Hanks and based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom, will always have a special place in my heart. The genuine spirit and remarkable journey of Forrest make you root for him.

The time setting of the ’60’s was perfect with the politics of the day and the Vietnam War being the volatile flashpoint of the decade.

The 32-song soundtrack from the film was released on July 6, 1994, and re-creates the angst of a generation and is perfect for fusing the film with the troubled times.

With the exception of a lengthy suite from Alan Silvestri’s score, all the songs are previously released; the soundtrack includes songs from Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Byrds, The Doors, The Mamas & the Papas, The Simon & Garfunkel, and Buffalo Springfield among others.

 

 

Music producer Joel Sill reflected on compiling the soundtrack: “We wanted to have very recognizable material that would pinpoint time periods, yet we didn’t want to interfere with what was happening cinematically.”

 

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The soundtrack reached a peak of number 2 on the Billboard album chart and went on to sell twelve million copies and is one of the top-selling albums in the United States. (Wikipedia)

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Saturday Night Fever

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The mother of all movie soundtracks, Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Sound Track skyrocketed The Bee Gees  and their music to the top of the charts with their timeless love ballads and energizing disco hits like the title song, “Staying Alive”.

From the 1977 hit film starring John Travolta, the album was certified 15× Platinum for shipments of over 15 million copies. The album stayed atop the album charts for 24 straight weeks from January-July 1978 and stayed on Billboard‘s album charts for 120 weeks until March 1980. In the UK, the album spent 18 consecutive weeks at No. 1.

The Bee Gees

Maurice, Barry, Robin Gibb – The Bee Gees

The brothers wrote the songs “virtually in a single weekend” at Château d’HĂŠrouville studio in France. Barry Gibb remembered the reaction when Producer Robert Stigwood and music supervisor Bill Oakes arrived and listened to the demos:

“They flipped out and said these will be great. We still had no concept of the movie, except some kind of rough script that they’d brought with them.” The album has been added to the National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress for being culturally significant. (Wikipedia)

Even more, than the incredible music, John Travolta blew me away with his club-worthy dance moves. Who knew the kid from the television show “Welcome Back Kotter” could bust a move!

Trivia – John Travolta’s mother Helen and sister Ann both appeared in minor roles in the beginning of the film. Travolta’s sister is the pizzeria waitress who serves him the pizza slices (and delivers the first dialogue), and his mother plays the woman to whom he sells the can of paint (after being late).

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If you haven’t already, check out these rockin’ flicks. Perfect for a musical binge-worthy night!

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“Assume the Crash Position”, It’s Airplane!🛫

Posted by donnamarie on

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The disaster genre has been around long before “The Master of Disaster” Irwin Allen came on the scene in the 1970’s when the genre came into particular prominence with the release of high-profile films such as Airport (1970), followed in quick succession by Irwin Allen’s “The Poseidon Adventure“ (1972), Earthquake (1974) and another Allen hit, “The Towering Inferno” in (1974).

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These films often feature large casts of actors and multiple plotlines, focusing on the characters’ attempts to avert, escape or cope with the disaster and its aftermath.

Disaster themes are almost as old as the film medium itself. One of the earliest was Fire! (1901) made by James Williamson of England. The silent film portrayed a burning house and the firemen who arrive to quench the flames and rescue the inhabitants.

Screenshot from the film "Fire!" (1901)

Screenshot from the silent film “Fire!” (1901)

Inspired by the end of World War II and the beginning of the Atomic Age, science fiction films of the 1950s, including When Worlds Collide (1953), The War of the Worlds (1953) and Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), routinely used world disasters as plot elements.

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Additional precursors to the popular disaster films of the 1970s include The High and the Mighty (1954), starring John Wayne and Robert Stack as pilots of a crippled airplane attempting to cross the ocean; Zero Hour! (1957), written by Arthur Hailey (who also penned the 1968 novel Airport) about an airplane crew that succumbs to food poisoning.

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“Zero Hour!” (1957)

And this is where David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams enter the picture. Being influenced by the 1957 disaster film, Zero Hour! the 3 writers crafted ideas for a script as they described the movie as a “perfectly classically structured film” according to Jerry Zucker. Abrahams later described Zero Hour! as “the serious version of Airplane!“. It was the first film script the trio wrote and completed around 1975. The film was originally called The Late Show. (Wikipedia)

In 1980 this classic and definitive homage to the disaster genre was released, “Airplane!”

airplane movie

Airplane! (titled Flying High! in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and the Philippines) is the brilliant satirical parody directed and written by the incredible team of David and Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, (abbreviated ZAZ) and produced by Jon Davison.

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Plot: How do you handle a pilotless airplane full of crazy, food poisoned passengers, one ex-fighter pilot (and the would-be hero) with a drinking problem and a frisky auto-pilot named Otto? These are some of the random problems kinda solved in this totally off the wall, mayhem inspired comedy.

This clip of classic scenes says it all about the madness I love, “Airplane!”

This slap-stick classic stars Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty. It also features,(in their comedic debut), Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

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Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack

The stars, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges and Leslie Nielsen had long established careers as dramatic, action characters before “Airplane!” They were hired because the Zucker Brothers wanted to cast the film against type although Leslie Nielsen insisted that he had always been cast against type. He originally wanted to play comedy.

Leslie Nielsen

Leslie Nielsen

Leslie Nielsen’s line (in response to Hays’ question ‘surely you can’t be serious’), “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley,” was 79th on AFI’s list of the best 100 movie quotes. (Wikipedia)

The superstar cameo of the film was Barbara Billingsley. (The Beaver’s reserved mom, June Cleaver, on the 1950’s tv classic “Leave it to Beaver”) Cast against type as well, she makes an appearance as, “Jive Lady”, a woman who announces she speaks jive (slang) and can translate for two black passengers whom no one could quite understand. Miss June don’t play. 😎 Hilarious! Thanks, June.🤗✊🏽

Barbara Billingsley

Barbara Billingsley

“Airplane!” received universal acclaim from critics and is widely regarded as one of the best films of 1980. Although, before its release, the directors had been apprehensive due to a mediocre response at one of the pre-screenings. But the film earned its entire budget of about $3.5 million in its first weekend of release. Overall, it earned more than $83 million in box office gross for $40 million in rentals, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 1980.

airplane movie

Otto, Julie Hagerty, Robert Hays

Based on 58 reviews, compiled retrospectively, Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 97% judging it “Certified Fresh.” The consensus on the site reads “Though unabashedly juvenile and silly, Airplane! is nevertheless an uproarious spoof comedy full of quotable lines and slapstick gags that endure to this day.” (Wikipedia)

 

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The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

  • 2000: AFI’s 100 Years…100 Laughs – #10

  • 2005: AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movie Quotes:

The film’s creators received the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Comedy, and nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and a BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay.

 

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In 2010, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

 

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If you’re ever feeling stressed, and or depressed, just pop this little gem in the DVD player and laugh your ass off!

 

Puttin’ on the Ritz with Young Frankenstein!

Posted by donnamarie on

Twentieth Century Fox Presents

A special event in cinemas nationwide

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

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Young Frankenstein (1974)

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young frankenstein fathom events

Special Fathom Feature:

Seeing this black-and-white masterpiece on the big screen with an audience is a rarity in itself, but to make this screening a truly one-of-a-kind experience, writer, and director Mel Brooks will introduce the film live from the 20th Century Fox Lot in Hollywood, CA.

mel brooks

Mel Brooks “Young Frankenstein”

As I’ve written about before, “Young Frankenstein” is one of my all-time favorite films! Mel Brooks’ genius is on full display as he accurately fuses every Frankenstein film into one of the most hilarious ever produced.

In 2003, it was deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” by the United States National Film Preservation Board, and selected for preservation in the Library of Congress National Film Registry. On its 40th anniversary, Brooks considered it by far his finest (though not his funniest) film as a writer-director. (Wikipedia)

“Frankenstein” 1931
Dr. Frankenstein & Monster
Dr. Frankenstein & Igor
Dr. Frankenstein

The original “Frankenstein” is no longer a horror film to me since watching Mel’s take on this Universal Classic. There are so many scenes and moments from Brook’s movie that I couldn’t possibly pinpoint one. This is a reel of some of the best moments.

Young Frankenstein brings together Brooks’s inimitable style with a cast of comedy legends, including Gene Wilder as Federick Fronkensteen, Marty Feldman as shifty humpback Igor, Teri Garr as the hay-rolling lab assistant Inga, the brilliant Madeleine Kahn as Dr. Frankenstein’s high-strung fiancée Elizabeth, Peter Boyle as the kind-hearted monster, an uncredited Gene Hackman as the blind man who befriends him, and Cloris Leachman as Frau Blücher!

“Frau BlĂźcher”

“Young Frankenstein” is a 1974 American black comedy film directed by Mel Brooks and starring Gene Wilder as the title character, a descendant of the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The supporting cast includes Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, Richard Haydn and Gene Hackman. The screenplay was written by Wilder and Brooks. (Wikipedia)

Check out the doctor and Frankie, Jr. “Puttin’ on the Ritz!”

Join in the fun as the young neurosurgeon (Wilder), inherits the castle of his grandfather, the famous Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. Young Frankenstein believes that the work of his grandfather is to put it in his words, “do do”, but when he discovers the book where the mad doctor describes his reanimation experiment, the light bulb comes on as he exclaims – “It could work!”.

“Dr. Frederick Frankenstein”

The film is an affectionate parody of the classic horror film genre, in particular, the various film adaptations of Mary Shelley‘s novel Frankenstein produced by Universal in the 1930s.

Frankenstein poster 1931.jpg

Most of the lab equipment used as props was created by Kenneth Strickfaden for the 1931 film Frankenstein. To help evoke the atmosphere of the earlier films, Brooks shot the picture entirely in black-and-white, a rarity in the 1970s, and employed 1930s’ style opening credits and scene transitions such as iris outs, wipes, and fades to black. The film also features a period score by Brooks’ longtime composer John Morris. (Wikipedia)

If you’ve never experienced this Mel Brooks’ gem, make sure to check out this one-night special event! And, if you’re a fan like I am, this is a great opportunity to quote your favorite lines and re-enjoy this classic on the big screen!

Extras: Behind the scenes of the Making of “Young Frankenstein”.

Tickets available online here.  You can also, check with your local theater for showtimes and tickets.

 

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to see the classic film on the big screen!

Fathom Events

 

 

Jammin’- Music that Makes the Movies🎶🎬😎

Posted by donnamarie on

Image result for movie soundtracks

Movie Soundtracks

What would the film experience be without a memorable soundtrack that sets the mood, pumps up the action and evokes nostalgic memories?

 

Image result for movie theater

 

The idea of musical accompaniment has been around since silent films but with the advent of sound in the 1920’s, filmmakers were able to have direct control over the soundtrack as a device to manipulate the audience’s emotions.

The first film to use a completely original score was written by composer Max Steiner for the classic ‘King Kong’ (1933).

 

Imagine Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” without those driving Bernard Herrmann violins and strings during the shower scene and the ominous “dun-dun-dun” that alerted the audience to the arrival of “Jaws” thus evoking all kinds of fear. With the Soundtrack Album, audiences have the freedom to listen to and relive the memories of their favorite films at anytime.

“Psycho” 1960
“Jaws” 1974

In developing his film projects Director, Quentin Tarantino approaches the movie process in this way:

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino

“One of the things I do when I am starting a movie, when I’m writing a movie or when I have an idea for a film is, I go through my record collection and just start playing songs, trying to find the personality of the movie, find the spirit of the movie. Then, ‘boom,’ eventually I’ll hit one, two or three songs, or one song in particular, ‘Oh, this will be a great opening credit song.” (Tracks and Fields)

 

Image result for quentin tarantino movies

 

“Purple Rain” (1984), “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014), and “Almost Famous” (2000) are 3 of my favorite films that demonstrate the impactful relationship between the storyline and the music.

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Purple Rain (1984)

purple rain soundtrack

The music from “Purple Rain” has kept me groovin’ since it premiered. While rockin’ the theater, “I Would Die 4 You” also connected the events necessary to resolve the plot and “The Kid’s” conflicts, utilizing the flashback technique leading to the climactic ending scene. The album rocketed Prince to superstardom!

The soundtrack for the film was released on June 25, 1984, by Warner Bros. Records and to date, it has sold over 22 million copies worldwide, becoming the sixth best-selling soundtrack album of all time.

“I Would Die 4 U”, “Baby I’m a Star” and “Purple Rain” were recorded live from a show on August 3, 1983, at the First Avenue club in Minneapolis, with overdubs and edits added later. This marked the first time Prince included live recordings on any release. The show was a benefit concert for the Minnesota Dance Theater and featured the first appearance of guitarist Wendy Melvoin in Prince’s band, The Revolution.

 

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Prince won two Grammy Awards in 1985 for Purple Rain, for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or TV Special, and the album was nominated for Album of the Year. Prince won a third Grammy that year for Best R&B Song (songwriter) for Chaka Khan’s cover of “I Feel for You”. Purple Rain also won an Oscar for Best Original Song Score in 1985.

 

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

guardians of the galaxy

“Guardians of the Galaxy” is the 2014 film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Directed by James Gunn, the movie features the songs present on character Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) mixtape in the film.

The album was released by Hollywood Records on July 29, 2014, and reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, becoming the first soundtrack album in history consisting entirely of previously released songs to top the chart.

“Come and Get Your Love” by (Redbone) set the tone and mood of the film for me and is also a classic rock song from the 70’s. The film incorporated songs from the 1960s and 1970s, such as “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede, which, according to the film’s director, James Gunn, acts as a way for Quill to stay connected to the Earth, home, and family he lost.

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt)

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt)

In Guardians of the Galaxy, Peter Quill forms an uneasy alliance with a group of extraterrestrial misfits who are fleeing after stealing a powerful artifact.

 

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Drax, Gamora, Quill, Groot, and Rocket

 

I couldn’t help but fall in love with the sweetness of “I am Groot” and subsequently, jammin’ “Baby Groot”.

“Baby Groot”

Other hits from the soundtrack and my childhood include: “I Want You Back”, Jackson 5, “Oooh Child”, The 5 Stairsteps, and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell which make for one kickin’ playlist!

 

Almost Famous (2000)

almost famous movie soundtrack

Almost Famous was written and directed by Cameron Crowe, and starred Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit. It tells the fictional story of a teenage journalist William Miller (Patrick Fugit) writing for Rolling Stone magazine in the early 1970s while covering the fictitious rock band Stillwater, and his efforts to get his first cover story published. The film is semi-autobiographical, as Crowe himself was a teenage writer for Rolling Stone. (Wikipedia)

 

Cameron Crowe
Cameron Crowe Films

The film received four Oscar nominations, one of which led to an award to Crowe for his screenplay. It was also awarded the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. Roger Ebert hailed it the best film of the year, and also the 9th best film of the 2000s. It also won two Golden Globes, for Best Picture and Kate Hudson won Best Supporting Actress.

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Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup

This scene between William and his sister Anita takes me back to the days of vinyl and a time and way of appreciating music you cannot get from a cd. Music can change your life and for child prodigy William Miller (Patrick Fugit) it does.

Frances McDormand, as the mother, strictly controls and protects him and his older sister Anita by forbidding rock music and in her opinion, other unwelcome influences which drive Anita to leave home and become a flight attendant.

 

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I’ve always loved the song “America”. It’s just as poignant today as it was when it was first performed in 1968 by Simon and Garfunkel. The song was written by Paul Simon and concerns young lovers hitchhiking their way across the United States, in search of “America”, in both a literal and figurative sense. It was inspired by a 1964 road trip that Simon took with his girlfriend Kathy Chitty.

 

america - simon & garfunkel album cover

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel

Director Cameron Crowe took a copy of the film to London for a special screening with Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. After the screening, Led Zeppelin granted Crowe the right to use one of their songs on the soundtrack — the first time they had ever consented to this since allowing Crowe to use “Kashmir” in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. (Wikipedia)

 

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Zeppelin also gave Crowe rights to four of their other songs in the movie itself, although they did not grant him the rights to “Stairway to Heaven” for an intended scene (on the special “Bootleg” edition DVD, the scene is included as an extra, sans the song, where the viewer is instructed by a watermark to begin playing it). (Wikipedia)

 

robert plant and cameron crowe

Robert Plant (Led Zepplin) and Cameron Crowe

This classic soundtrack takes me back to some of the best memories of my high school days. Every time I watch this film I’m inundated with emotions and remember where I was when these songs were playing on the radio.

 

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Music has the power to cross time and space. I believe it’s our common bond. Even if you don’t speak the same language you can speak the same music.

 

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Galaxy Quest – Star Trek’s Favorite Child⚜🖖🏼

Posted by donnamarie on

Galaxy Quest Poster

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the ultimate love letter and hilariously entertaining sci-fi movie hit, “Galaxy Quest” (1999).

This wonderful homage to Star Trek stars the brilliant Alan Rickman (the inimitable Professor Snape), (I kicked the “Alien’s” butt) Sigourney Weaver, Tim (“ar ar”) Allen, and the irrepressible Tony Shaloub. It’s the story of a ragtag group of actors who spend the bulk of their post-television celebrity days at supermarket openings and Comic-con festivals. Primarily because in the 18 years since the series ended, they couldn’t buy a job.

We first meet this merry band backstage at a Comic-con event for their now defunct television series, “Galaxy Quest, waiting for their hated (I mean illustrious leader), Commander Peter Quincy Taggert (Tim Allen) of the intergalactic spaceship NSEA Protector, who’s always, always late for these events, and looks down on and ignores his co-stars by accepting solo engagements for personal appearances.

galaxy quest cast

Commander Peter Quincy Taggert (Tim Allen)

Alan Rickman absolutely hates only being known for his Spock-type character Dr. Lazarus on the show since he is a Shakespearean-trained actor. And, if he hears his tagline “By Grabthar’s Hammer” regurgitated back to him at one more of these appearances, someone just might die. (I’m totally serious)

Tony Shaloub’s character Sgt. Chen is cool and zen with whatever is going down. Swinging to his own rhythm. (Love him!!)

galaxy quest cast

Tony Shaloub – Sgt. Chen

And, Enrico Colantoni as Commander Mathesar is one of the sweetest, most endearing aliens you’ll ever meet.

galaxy quest cast

Enrico Colantoni as Commander Mathesar

Sigourney Weaver as Lt. Tawny Madison is the ship’s computer voice and annoys the hell out of everyone since that’s her only function on the ship. “I’ve got one job and that’s what I’m going to do.”galaxy-quest-gwen2

Sam Rockwell deserves a righteous shout out as my man Guy (Crewman #6) who just knows this adventure is a bad idea and destined to lead to his untimely death. “Did you guys ever watch the show?” Fabulous!

 

The film received critical praise and reached cult status through the years, becoming popular with Star Trek fans, staff, and cast members for its affectionate parody.

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At the 2013 Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas, Galaxy Quest received enough support in a Star Trek Film Ranking and was included with the twelve Star Trek films that had been released at the time on the voting ballot. The fans at the convention ranked it the seventh best Star Trek film.

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Galaxy Quest won the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, the Nebula Award for Best Script, 26th Hochi Film Award for Best International Picture and was also nominated for ten Saturn Awards including Best Science Fiction Film.

saturn-awards

The movie garnered the Saturn Award for Best Director for Dean Parisot, Best Actress for Weaver and Best Supporting Actor for Rickman with Allen winning Best Actor. The film was included in Reader’s Digest‘s list of The Top 100+ Funniest Movies of All Time. (Wikipedia)

galaxy quest thermians

Theremins meeting Lt. Madison, Dr. Lazarus, and Guy

The incredible extraterrestrial alliance between the “Thermians” and the crew of the NSEA Protector, results in one fantastic, galaxy ride!

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If you’re a fan and love Star Trek (tv and movies) you have to check out this awesome film. Trust me, space has never been the same.😄

 

 

 

Motor City Michigan Days!😎🎶

Posted by donnamarie on

 

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Chillin’ on my sofa watching my Michigan Wolverines crush the University of Hawaii I had a flashback of years ago sitting in the stands with my classmates on Michigan Saturday Game Day! Funny thing is, so was one of my college friends who simultaneously posted a photo of some of our class in the stands of the Big House!

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Film-wise, the movie that takes me back to some of my best Michigan memories is “The Big Chill” (1983). Directed by Lawrence Kasdan and starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, and JoBeth Williams, the storyline is about a group of close-knit classmates from The University of Michigan in the 1960’s brought together years later by the death of a fellow Michigander’s funeral and the events that transpire over that weekend.

This is how we do it in Motown!

The reason this film has always resonated with me is the friendship. The friendships I made at The University of Michigan still stand strong! Those were some of the best days of our lives! We came from all over the Detroit area high schools and bonded at a college whose values stand for excellence, integrity, and pride.

Detroit, Michigan Skyline

Detroit, Michigan Skyline

We absorbed those principals and more. The importance of family and friendships and today this shared experience has been a touchstone that has affected our lives for over 40 years!

Tie “The Big Chill” together with the groundbreaking sound of Motown, and you’ve got not only an intelligent and amusing film about lasting relationships but a soundtrack that reflects the magic and changing times.

Motown

I wouldn’t trade my Michigan days for anything in the world!

detroit Fox_Theatre_at_Night

Enjoy, Greatest Motown Songs!

This is where it all began – the music and heart that is Detroit, “The Motor City”, Michigan!

Motown

Gene Wilder – A World of Pure Imagination

Posted by donnamarie on

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Gene Wilder Dies at age 83

Time reversed itself for a moment when I heard the news of Gene Wilder’s passing due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. He’s been a part of my life since “Willy Wonka”and his spirit helped me through the challenging and uncertain days of my fight against Colon and Breast Cancer.

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Last year I wrote about Gene Wilder on my Livinginthemoment2015.com blog as I began chemotherapy for Colon Cancer and how his role in one of my favorite films,”Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” influenced my attitude toward treatment.

Throughout my cancer journey, I was constantly inspired by Wonka’s belief that all things are possible with imagination, whatever your dream may be. What a great philosophy and attitude to keep joy and a positive spirit in your life.

It was “lightning in a bottle” when Wilder teamed up with the brilliant, writer, producer, actor and director Mel Brooks. Their collaboration cemented our “love affair” and would lead to the hilarious and very political comedy-western, “Blazing Saddles” (1974), in which Brooks also starred. This film is an all-time favorite at my house and it’s not unusual for me and my husband to break out in quotes from the movie as we reflect back on the film with fondness.

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The Waco Kid

 

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“Mongo only pawn in game of life.”

I break out in uncontrollable laughter at just the thought of “Young Frankenstein”.

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The next Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder collaboration, “Young Frankenstein” (1974) was pure genius. I’m an old Universal horror fan and the accuracy of integrating all the Frankenstein films with humor was unforgettable and an incredible tribute to the franchise.

“Puttin’ on the Ritz”

Baron Von Frankenstein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wilder aspired to touch audiences much as Charlie Chaplin had. The Chaplin film “City Lights,” he said, had “made the biggest impression on me as an actor; it was funny, then sad, then both at the same time.” Mr. Wilder was an accomplished stage actor as well as a screenwriter, a novelist and the director of four movies in which he starred. (He directed, he once said, “in order to protect what I wrote, which I wrote in order to act.”)

“Bonnie and Clyde” 1967

He made his movie debut in 1967 in Arthur Penn’s celebrated crime drama, “Bonnie and Clyde,” in which he was memorably hysterical as an undertaker kidnapped by the notorious Depression-era bank robbers played by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty. He was even more hysterical, and even more memorable, a year later in “The Producers,” the first film by Mr. Brooks, who later turned it into a Broadway hit. (New York Times)

 

Although his light has dimmed his spirit will live on forever. R.I.P.

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Red Pill or Blue? What Do You Do?

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The Matrix Poster

Everyone pretty much knows that I’m a movie junkie and often look at my life like a movie. I believe we see ourselves in the films we connect with the most.

That worldview started me thinking, what movie best represents you or your life philosophy?

For me, it’s “The Matrix”. Why? The reason is most of the time I feel like we live in some sort of twilight zone. That “The Matrix” deludes us into believing what is projected on us and some of us choose to be in blissful ignorance rather than deal with the truth.

Which pill would you take; the Red or The Blue?

If presented with the knowledge you seek to change your life, would you?

For me, movies aren’t just movies. They represent a belief, vision, or point of view. Does art imitate life or vice versa? Cinema itself is a projection of a journey the filmmaker wants us to take.

Written and directed by The Wachowskis, and starring Keanu Reeves, “The Matrix” (1999) depicts a dystopian future in which reality, as perceived by most humans is actually a simulated reality called “The Matrix”. It was created by machines endowed with feelings and unstructured consciousness to subdue the human population, while their bodies’ heat and electrical activity are used as an energy source.

 

Computer programmer “Neo” learns this truth and is drawn into a rebellion against the machines, which involves other people who have been freed from the “dream world”. (Wikipedia)

With this premise, the filmmakers have set up and manipulated us to absorb and confront the possibilities of this hellish world. This alternate space is really a metaphor for the choices we are faced with daily. Knowing the truth, what do we do? Use that information to change what is or choose to be a sleepwalker through life?

 

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This is the reason why I love film. The good ones provoke introspective thought and conversation. Something we are in desperate need of today.

 

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“God bless us, everyone.” Quotable Closing Lines

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I can appreciate there are those who don’t like Top 10 lists but I tend to enjoy them because of getting to find out the favorites of fellow film lovers. Also, reminiscing about my best-loved movies that perhaps I haven’t thought about for a while.

 

 

Closing lines can serve as punctuation, the cherry on top. They can also, wrap up the film. One-liners that recall the movie all over again. Often times these are the quotes we remember most and become representative of the movie’s theme.

There are way too many movies to choose from so these are just a sampling that made this particular list. I love the Top 2 but as I was watching so many other films came to mind.

Please, let me know in the comments some of your best quotes. I’m looking forward to reading them.

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Spoiler Alert: I make it a point to never reveal a film’s ending because it’s a matter of courtesy. Don’t spoil the movie!

 

Although not closing, a few choice quotes:

Charlie Chaplin – The Great Dictator (1940)

Peter Lorre – Maltese Falcon (1941)

 

Colin Clive -Frankenstein (1931)

 

Wallace Shawn – Princess Bride (1987)

 

Paul Reubens- Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

 

Clevon Little – Blazing Saddles (1974)

Dr. Strangelove or Lovin’ da Bomb! – Ugh😈

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TCM Big Screen Classics Presents

Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies, and Sony Pictures Entertainment present on the big screen the Stanley Kubrick classic:

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Bursting into cinemas nationwide for a special two-day event Sunday, September 18 and Wednesday, September 21.

With exclusive commentary from Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz that helps decipher the many layers of satire in Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece.

 

Peter Sellers is at his over the top best with his performance as nutcase Dr. Strangelove.(and a few other characters) A wheelchair-bound nuclear scientist with bizarre ideas about man’s future. The entire war room scene totally represents the lunacy of nuclear war.

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Columbia Pictures agreed to finance the film if Peter Sellers played at least four major roles. The condition stemmed from the studio’s opinion that much of the success of Kubrick’s previous film Lolita (1962) was based on Sellers’s performance in which his single character assumes a number of identities.

Peter Sellers as – President Merkin Muffley, Dr. Strangelove, and Captain Lionel Mandrake

Sellers is said to have improvised much of his dialogue, with Kubrick incorporating the ad-libs into the written screenplay so the improvised lines became part of the official screenplay.

Dr. Strangelove is a 1964 political satire black comedy film that satirizes the Cold War fears of a nuclear conflict between the USSR and the USA. The film was directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick, stars Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, and features Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, and Slim Pickens. The film is loosely based on Peter George‘s thriller novel Red Alert. (Wikipedia)

 

Awards and honors

The film was nominated for four Academy Awards and also seven BAFTA Awards, of which it won four.

Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick

Kubrick won two awards for best director, from the New York Film Critics Circle and the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists, and was nominated for one by the Directors Guild of America.

In 1989 the United States Library of Congress included it in the first group of films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. It was listed as number three on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Laughs list.

Slim Pickens

Ye Ha! Slim Pickens as Aircraft commander Major T. J. “King” Kong riding the bomb down.

Check with your local theater for showtimes or click here to buy tickets online.