Category Archives: Film History

Background on history of film

In Celebration Of Our Inner Jedi!

Posted by donnamarie on

Star Wars Celebration!

The Last Jedi Postere

 

Palpable heartbeats, breath quickening, anticipation almost unbearable; these are just a few of the emotions I recall standing in line awaiting the darkened theater, warm buttery popcorn in hand, and the unforgettable opening credits of the film that changed the Hollywood landscape, “Star Wars.”

 

Star Wars 1977

Theatrical release poster by Tom Jung

 

“Star Wars” (later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) is a 1977 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. The first installment in the Star Wars film series, it stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Peter Cushing, and Alec Guinness  (Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi), David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, and Peter Mayhew co-star in supporting roles. (Wikipedia)

 

This weekend, excited fans decked out as their favorite Star Wars character are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the vision changing film “Star Wars” in Orlando, Florida. The life-long aficionados were treated to a panel discussion featuring Mark Hamill, George Lucas, and the late Carrie Fisher’s daughter Lourd who spoke the line which made her mom famous, “Help me Obi-wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.” To further amplify the day, followers were treated to the yet to be seen anticipated trailer for the new Star Wars film opening on December 15th, “The Last Jedi.”

 

 

Wow, what an experience the convention goers must be having! I wish I could be there sharing my precious memories and love for this film of the ages. In my mind’s eye, I see fellow fans geeked like I was, sharing their anticipation of this remarkable saga. It’d be great if I had a photo marking the day that I could share on Facebook, however, back in 1977 the cell phone, as well as Facebook, did not yet exist.😊

 

Harrison, Chewie, Mark
Billy Dee Williams
Warwick Davis – Ewok
Carrie Fisher Tribute w/daughter Lourde
Fans
George Lucas, John Williams, Kathleen Kennedy
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford
Ford, Lucas, Anthony Daniels C3PO
Star Wars Fans Convention

 

May the Force Be With You!

 

It was the Jazz age. It was an age of Elegance and Violence.

Posted by donnamarie on

  “The Cotton Club” (1984)

Image result for cotton club movie

 

“The Cotton Club” is a 1984 American crime-drama film centered on a Harlem jazz club of the 1930s, the Cotton Club.

The film was co-written by Francis Ford Coppola with William Kennedy, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and produced by Robert Evans. Choreographed by Henry LeTang, the movie starred Richard Gere, Gregory Hines, Diane Lane, and Lonette McKee. The supporting cast included Bob Hoskins, James Remar, Nicolas Cage, Allen Garfield, Laurence Fishburne, Gwen Verdon and Fred Gwynne.

Despite performing poorly at the box office, the film was nominated for several awards, including Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Picture (Drama) and Oscars for Best Art Direction (Richard Sylbert, George Gaines) and Film Editing. (Wikipedia)

 

Francis Ford Coppola (R)
Diane Lane
Richard Gere
Gregory Hines and Lonette McKee
Maurice and Gregory Hines

 

I remember looking forward to screening this film.  I understood the significance of The Cotton Club during the Harlem Renaissance of the 20’s and 30’s and wanted the 1980’s audience to be curious about the history of the real club and incredible level of talent that appeared there between 1923 – 1940.

Some of the original performers at The Cotton Club included:

Lena Horne

Image result for cotton club movie

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington

 

Image result for cotton club 1920

Count Basie, Billie Holiday,

Image result for billie holiday

Cab Calloway, The Nicholas Brothers

Image result for nicholas brothers

cotton club 1920

Cab Calloway

 

Among many others.

Image result for cotton club 1920

 

 

The movie is intense. Producer Robert Evans originally wanted to direct the project but later asked Coppola.  There are definite similarities to “The Godfather” in the film due to its violent nature and also the fact that Mario Puzo (author of The Godfather) wrote the original story and screenplay.

Gangsters, racism and love, this film exposes them all.  I do, however, wish more of the movie focus was on The Cotton Club itself and the lives of those characters.

 

Image result for cotton club 1920

 

The story centers around the dangerous love affair of Dixie Dwyer (Richard Gere) and Vera Cicero (Diane Lane).  She “belongs” to mobster Dutch Schultz (James Remar).  Dutch is a straight up psychopath   We also follow the budding romance between Sandman Williams (Gregory Hines) and Lila Rose Oliver (Lonette McKee).  He wants to get married.  She wants to be a “Star.”  (She’s also hiding a secret about her “other life.”)

Watch and listen as Lonette McKee, also from the movie (“Sparkle”), delivers a taste of the film’s 1930’s Harlem.

The song: “Ill Wind (You’re Blowing Me No Good)”  Composed by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Ted Koehler.  It was written for their last show at The Cotton Club in 1934.

 

 

 

One of the most memorable scenes is between the real life and onscreen brothers – Maurice and Gregory Hines.  Clay (Maurice Hines) and Sandman (Gregory Hines) have had a major falling out and at this moment we get to share in their reunion.

 

Growing up, this old school tap dancing duo was compared to The Nicholas Brothers. Gregory Hines remarked in an interview that after seeing The Nicholas Brothers perform that “nobody was going to be the next Nicholas Brothers, least of all my brother and I.”

 

 

Explore the 1984 film but more importantly explore the controversial history of The Cotton Club and the entertainers and music that fueled the Jazz generation.

 

 

🎶 Sing!🎶

Posted by donnamarie on

“All creatures great and small, Welcome.”  Buster Moon

I just finished watching the outstanding Illumination Entertainment hit “Sing” (2016) for the 3rd time and cried again for the 3rd time. I always seek to understand my emotions and the source of my feelings, with “Sing” it was all about the exhilaration of doing what you love and the boundless joy that comes with honoring your spirit.

Image result for sing movie nana

I shed tears of joy during and after the movie for having the opportunity to share my passion for singing and performing, honoring my spirit. I shed tears of joy for Rosita (Reese Witherspoon) who despite the 25 or if you count her husband Norman, 26 obstacles before her that she would not let deter her, coming up with the most creative plan to make sure she could take her shot.

And then, tears of joy for both Ash (Scarlet Johannson who was incredible!) and Johnny (Taron Egerton-fabulous voice!) for refusing to give up on their dreams despite dealing with disappointment and heartbreak.

 

Sing is a 2016 American 3D computer-animated musical comedy film produced by Illumination Entertainment. It was directed and written by Garth Jennings and co-directed by Christophe Lourdelet, and stars the voices of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly. The plot involves a group of animals that enter a singing competition, hosted by a koala hoping to save his theater. (Wikipedia)

 

Image result for sing movie ms crawl

Related image

I absolutely love Gunter and his infectious exuberance and living out loud attitude on life.  Some may see him as self-absorbed but he was compassionate enough to want to help Rosita fulfill her dreams and showcase her true talents.

Gunter

Talk about self-absorbed, Mike (Seth MacFarlane) is his own biggest fan! Even though most of the time you want to choke him, his smooth, docile toned voice wraps you up in his effortless performance which you have to give him credit for.

Image result for sing movie eddie

Mike

At one point in the film, the performers are waiting to go on stage and theater owner and entrepreneur Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) gives them a pep talk telling them it’s a small audience but that’s okay, go out there and perform for yourself. His words so reminded me of my days on the stage and directors imparting the same edict. Have fun, share your passion, and be present in the moment!

Related image

My favorite performer is Meena, that’s why I saved her for last. She touches my heart the most and moves me with the powerfulness of her voice. In the final scene, she literally brings down the house.

sing movie cast

Tori Kelly as Meena

First of all, Tori Kelly’s voice is out of this world!! Her final number showcases the power of joy; how it feels to release and give your all and see how that is received. Secondly, witnessing the sheer magic of Meena truly being in the moment and finally coming into her own.

 

 

I didn’t include that lovable Koala, Buster Moon with the performers although he too realized his dream of being successful; like his motto says, “When you reach rock bottom there’s no place to go but up.” Buster was finally able to pay respect to his dad and their mutual love of the Moon Theater.

Even Miss Crawly and Buster’s best friend Eddie got to be a part of the rebirth of the Moon Theater. And, of course, I can’t leave out Nana who is a serious diva and former star of the Moon Theater. In their totality, Rosita, Ash, Johnny, Mike, Gunter, and Meena all moved her heart and brought back warm memories of her glory days.

 

Johnny
Meena and Ash
Buster Moon
Miss Crawly
Mike
Nana Noodleman
Eddie
Buster
Rosita
Crooner Mike
Gunter and Rosita

One of the more impressive features of this film is that the cast did all their own singing. I’m of the mind that if an actor can’t both sing and act, don’t hire them for a musical role. I own the soundtrack which is both upbeat and heart-pumping.

The movie includes more than 60 songs from various artists and also has an original song by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande called “Faith“, which was nominated for a Golden Globe. I can’t get it out of my head and danced my way out the theater!

 

Image result for sing movie cast

I’m a big fan of Illumination Entertainment best known for the Despicable Me franchise and the films The Secret Life of Pets and Sing. The Minions, characters from the Despicable Me films, are the studio’s official mascots and my favorite buddies.

 

 

The studio’s highest-grossing films are Minions (2015), which has grossed $1.159 billion worldwide; Despicable Me 2 (2013), which has grossed $970.8 million worldwide; and The Secret Life of Pets (2016), which grossed $875.5 million worldwide. (Wikipedia)

 

Illumination knocked it out of the park with this production. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, animated films these days have come a long way since Bambi and aren’t just for kids. The plots, characterizations, and execution are outstanding!

 

Image result for sing movie cast

Hopefuls seeking their place in the limelight.

 

Voice Cast

  • Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon, an optimistic koala who plans to save his theater from closure by holding a singing competition.

  • Reese Witherspoon as Rosita, a pig who gave up her teenage music dreams to become a devoted wife to Norman, and mother to their 25 piglets.

  • Seth MacFarlane as Mike, a white mouse “with a big Frank Sinatra-esque voice and an arrogant attitude.”

  • Scarlett Johansson as Ash, a teenage porcupine and punk rocker who takes part in an alternative-rock music duo with her boyfriend Lance.

  • John C. Reilly as Eddie, a sheep and Buster’s friend who doubts the future of the theater.

  • Tori Kelly as Meena, a teenage elephant with an exquisite voice and severe stage fright.

  • Taron Egerton as Johnny, a teenage gorilla who wants to sing, though his father wants him to follow his criminal footsteps.

  • Jennifer Saunders as Nana Noodleman, a sheep and Eddie’s grandmother who was a singer in her glory days.

  • Jennifer Hudson as Young Nana

  • Garth Jennings as Miss Crawly, an elderly iguana with a glass eye who is Buster’s administrative assistant.

  • Nick Kroll as Gunter, a dancing pig partner to Rosita.

 

Image result for sing animated movie poster

All in all, my two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

Feud 😒 Bette and Joan -Whatever Happened?

Posted by donnamarie on

Feud

 

Bette Davis is at the top of my list of incredible actresses of classic film and her infamous relationship with Joan Crawford is legendary. So, when I heard Ryan Murphy’s 2017 series “Feud” was recreating their tumultuous battles in the film “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” I had to check it out. Susan Sarandon (Davis) and Jessica Lange (Crawford) bring back old Hollywood and pull back the layers of the complexity between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

 

 

Director Robert Aldrich’s cult classic “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” (1962) is brilliant! It’s not fair, but to the powers that be, women in Hollywood age but men are considered “salt n pepper” hot. Aldrich’s production capitalized on the star power of the “past their prime” celebrated divas and the result is a glimpse into the real-life feud between the stars.

 

Bette Davis (L) Joan Crawford (R)

 

Not to be too biased😄 but, Ms. Davis literally kicked Joan’s behind! Crawford was way over her head onscreen and off as Bette outperformed and out strategized her nemesis. Bette is my hero because she took on roles other actresses wouldn’t touch because of their image.

 

Image result for of human bondage 1934

Bette Davis in “Of Human Bondage”

 

She wasn’t afraid to go there and if the role required her to look unattractive she was game. An original in a class by herself, in “Of Human Bondage” (1934) her appearance was shocking to audiences of the time as she portrayed a callous woman dying of tuberculosis; not a pretty sight.

 

 

“What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” is a 1962 American psychological thriller-horror film produced and directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, about an aging actress who holds her paraplegic sister captive in an old Hollywood mansion.

 

feud bette and joan

Alfred Molina as Aldrich (L)   Robert Aldrich (R)

The screenplay by Lukas Heller is based on the 1960 novel of the same name by Henry Farrell. Upon the film’s release, it was met with widespread critical and box office acclaim and was later nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Costume Design, Black and White. (Wikipedia)

 

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? bette and joan

Bette Davis (L)  Joan Crawford (R)

feud bette and joan

Susan Sarandon (L)  Jessica Lange (R)

In true Bette Davis fashion, she came up with her own makeup for the role. She said that Jane was someone who never washed her face but just added more makeup.

In “Whatever Happened…” The young neighbor was played by Davis’ daughter B. D. Merrill who, followed in the footsteps of Joan Crawford’s daughter Christina, and wrote a scathing memoir, “My Mother’s Keeper”, that depicted her mother in a harsh light. However, unlike Christina who waited until after Crawford’s death to publish “Mommie Dearest”, B.D. published hers in 1985 while Davis was still alive but in poor health.

 

"Feud"

B.D (Davis’ daughter-L)   Kiernan Shipka portrays B.D in “Feud”

 

It was an open secret that Davis and Crawford loathed each other, and filming was contentious as their real-life hatred for one another spilled over into the production, and even after filming had wrapped.

 

Image result for feud bette and joan

 

The film’s success spawned a succession of horror/thriller films featuring psychotic older women, later dubbed the psycho-biddy subgenre, among them Aldrich’s Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte, What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? and What’s the Matter with Helen?. It was parodied by the Italian comedy film What Ever Happened to Baby Toto? (Wikipedia)

Shaun Considine’s 1989 book Bette and Joan: The Divine Feud chronicles the actresses’ rivalry, including their experience shooting this film.

 

 

Both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had incredible and challenging careers and personal lives. If I’ve peaked your interest and you’d like to learn more, check out this eye-opening documentary.

 

 

 

Hedonistic Fantasy – Careful What You Wish For❗

Posted by donnamarie on

Seconds

 

My question is, would you? If you could? Drop out of this life and assume another; start a new journey as a “Second”. Arthur makes the decision to do just that and enters a psychedelic world of appropriating another’s reality, someone else’s truth so, be careful what you wish for, some dreams can become your nightmare.

 

“Seconds” is a 1966 American science fiction drama film directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Rock Hudson. The screenplay by Lewis John Carlino was based on Seconds, a novel by David Ely. The film was entered into the 1966 Cannes Film Festival and released by Paramount Pictures. The cinematography by James Wong Howe was nominated for an Academy Award. (Wikipedia)

 

 

“Seconds” is a mystery dealing with the obsession with eternal youth and a mysterious organization which gives people a second chance in life.

Arthur Hamilton (John Randolph) is a middle-aged man whose life has lost purpose. He’s achieved success but finds it unfulfilling. His love for his wife has dwindled and he seldom sees his only child. Through a friend, a man he thought was dead, Hamilton is approached by a secret organization, known simply as the “Company” which offers him a new life. (Wikipedia)

 

Arthur (John Randolph)
Arthur (Rock Hudson)

 

When much of American pop culture was infatuated with the swinging, psychedelic 1960s, Director John Frankenheimer was focused on the decade’s darker side—the sour aftertaste of McCarthyism, the expanding military-industrial complex, the growing sense that technology might be controlling us instead of the other way around.

 

john frankenheimer

John Frankenheimer

Of his eleven theatrical films made during this period, none is more chilling or prescient than 1966’s “Seconds”, the third and crowning chapter of what’s now known as Frankenheimer’s paranoia trilogy.

 

The Manchurian Candidate 1962 movie.jpg

 

Frankenheimer had a gift for capturing the zeitgeist, and in the first two installments of his paranoia trilogy, he had already taken on some of postwar America’s most emotionally charged topics: brainwashing, commie-bashing, and political assassination in The Manchurian Candidate (1962), about a man hypnotically programmed to kill, and then nuclear dread, Cold War anxiety, and neofascist skullduggery in Seven Days in May (1964), about a military plot to seize the American government. (David Sterritt)

 

Seven Days in May theatrical release poster

 

From the surreal opening titles designed by Saul Bass, atmospheric soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith to the terrifying horror ending, “Seconds” feels queasy with a very real sense of paranoia evoked by James Wong Howe’s vision of a fantasy turned on its end.

Audiences weren’t ready for it in 1966 but the film has since become a cult classic. I highly recommend checking it out; a whole lotta food for thought.

In 2015, the United States Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

 

Image result for national film registry

 

 

 

Saturday Monster Madness!😱

Posted by donnamarie on

Ladies and gentlemen, just a word of warning. If any of you are not convinced that you have a tingler of your own, the next time you’re frightened in the dark… don’t scream. Dr. Warren Chapin “The Tingler”

 

The Tingler

Vincent Price (Dr. Warren Chapin)

I maybe just a wee bit set in my ways, but the day of the week dictates my movie viewing genre. Monday thru Friday are pretty wide open, however, Saturday and Sunday must stick to my particular criteria. Saturday afternoon is definitely B-horror/Sci-fi flicks and Sunday is reserved for Melodrama film classics.

If you’ve read my About Page you know that as a kid the Saturday Matinee had a big influence on my love of B-horror/Sci-fi movies and William Castle.

The Blob, The Incredible Shrinking Man and The Tingler. Now that’s good stuff!

 

The_Blob_poster

 The Blob (1958)

The Blob, directed by Irvin Yeaworth, was Steve McQueen’s first leading role before he got his own TV series – Wanted: Dead or Alive (1959). McQueen was called “The King of Cool” and starred in such popular films as The Magnificent Seven and The Thomas Crown Affair. He received an Academy Award nomination for his role as Jake Holman in The Sand Pebbles.

Image result for steve mcqueen movies

Steve McQueen “King of Cool”

The Blob plot revolves around what happens when an old man pokes a stick at a piece of meteor and it cracks open releasing an oozy substance that starts to crawl up the stick. He tries to shake it off but ends up with “the blob” all over his hand. (This is why you don’t poke at things that drop from the sky. Yeesh!)

Steve (also his character name) and his girl Jane, after almost hitting the old man who has run onto the road, take him to the local doctor. Cutting to the chase: while Steve and Jane ( Aneta Corsaut, who eventually plays Andy Griffith’s TV girlfriend Helen) leave the doc’s office to look for clues to what’s on the old man’s hand, The Blob absorbs the old man, the doc and his nurse. Next thing you know it’s at the midnight horror movie. Cue the fleeing and screaming and holy crap how do we stop it. Phew, that was exhausting.

The theme song, written by Burt Bacharach and Mack David (who wrote some of the top hits of the sixties) is a catchy little gem. “It creeps and leaps and glides and slides across the floor…beware of the blob.” Here it is:

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) 

The Incredible Shrinking Man

Directed by Jack Arnold

I’ve watched this movie a hundred times and the ending always makes me cry. This thought provoking Science Fiction classic taps into an anxiety of meaning in life and what exactly is the meaning of life. Scott Carey (Grant Williams) is dusted by a radioactive mist while on a boating vacation with his wife Louise (Randy Stuart). A few weeks later he starts to notice his clothes are fitting looser and he also appears to be losing height. After visiting a specialist, it is confirmed that he is indeed shrinking.

grant williams

Grant Williams

Reduced to living in a dollhouse and eventually fighting for his life against the cat and then a tarantula living in the basement of the family home, Scott finally shrinks to an infinitesimal size, entering the realm of the unknown.

For me, this movie is so much more than just another Saturday afternoon B-Movie flick. The closing monolog makes the point by concluding that no matter how small, we still matter in the universe because, to God, “there is no zero.”

The film won the first Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 1958 by the World Science Fiction Convention. In 2009 it was named to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant and will be preserved for all time. (Wikipedia)

 

The Tingler

Producer/Director William Castle delivers his finest in The Tingler (1959), his third collaboration with writer Robb White. The film stars the incomparable Vincent Price as Pathologist, Dr. Warren Chapin who researches and discovers the existence of The Tingler.

“Percepto” is my favorite William Castle gimmick. There comes a time in the movie when the Tingler (a parasite that feeds on fear) is loose in the theater and to save your life you need to scream! For grins, in select seats in the theaters, Castle placed the “Percepto” system which made the seat vibrate to simulate the feeling of fear you feel in your body when The Tingler strikes.

Image result for william castle gimmicks

Man do I wish I could have been there in 1959 when The Tingler attacks the projectionist, the film strip breaks and The Tingler appear on the screen. If that’s not enough, the lights go out and you hear the voice of Vincent Price declaring that The Tingler is loose in the theater so scream, scream for your life! Awesome!!

Just think of it, being in the movie theater watching The Tingler scene and ending up participating in the experience in your “Percepto” seat, with lights out and the sound of Price’s voice. I love it!!!

Break out the popcorn and let me know your faves in the comments.

Favorite Trailers That Make The Cut!🎬

Posted by donnamarie on

Image result for movie theatre screen image

I was working on a post the other day and the TV show Nothing but Trailers was on in the background. It got me thinking about some of my all-time favorites and what constitutes a great trailer.

First of all, it can’t just be a series of scenes from the movie. That really irks me! What’s the point of me going if you’ve already given me your best shots? Just lazy.

An excellent trailer peaks your curiosity gets your heart stirring and demands that you’re first in line to see it. An incredible trailer gives you minimal information but builds the anticipation with atmospheric music, punctuation shots, and an ending that elicits the core emotion of the film.

This is the criteria I applied to the following trailers and is the basis for them being some of the most memorable.

◊◊◊◊◊◊

Number One has got to be the 1979 sci-fi classic – Alien. “In space, no one can hear you scream.”

Starring Sigourney Weaver, director Ridley Scott scared the crap out of me and the little boy sitting in front of me at the theater. Oh, and to make matters worse, I was pregnant at the time. Yikes! (if you’ve seen it you understand, if you haven’t, what?? You must!) And my girl Sigourney Weaver showed the world what a badass woman in space looks like.

Image result for alien movie

Sigourney Weaver

This is the epitome of an incredible trailer. Little bits and moments and truly haunting music. My heart was racing and I had no idea of what I’d just seen.

The visuals were outstanding! There was absolutely nothing familiar in the images coming off the screen. The Alien and its accompanying elements were designed by Swiss surrealist artist H. R. Giger. (I don’t know how he slept with those images in his head) The film received both critical acclaim and box office success, receiving an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

◊◊◊◊◊◊

Number Two is the sci-fi thriller –The Dark Knight (2008) – “Why So Serious?”

First of all, Heath Ledger. Second of all, Heath Ledger!! Even in the trailer, his intensity shines thru. He draws you in and you’re compelled to see more. His Oscar-winning performance was incredible and the most talked about that year.

Ledger almost made a complete sweep of over twenty awards for acting, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Heath Ledger

Unfortunately, we lost him, but his genius as The Joker lives on. Starring Christian Bale as the caped crusader and directed by Christopher Nolan, when I saw this trailer I knew where I was going to be on opening night. Totally lived up to the hype.

◊◊◊◊◊◊

Last, but certainly not least of this compilation is the original master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock’s – Psycho (1960) “…she just goes a little mad sometimes.”

This trailer shows Alfred Hitchcock taught the world just how horror is done. Fits every criterion for an incredible movie trailer and then some. Starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins, my heart is racing right now re-visiting this magnificent piece of cinema.

Hitchcock, Alfred 02.jpg

Sir Alfred Hitchcock – (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980)

Hitch’s stylistic trademarks include the use of camera movement that mimics a person’s gaze, forcing viewers to engage in a form of voyeurism. In addition, he framed shots to maximize anxiety, fear, or empathy and used innovative forms of film editing. (Wikipedia)

To quote me, “An incredible trailer gives you minimal information but builds the anticipation with atmospheric music, punctuation shots, and an ending that elicits the core emotion of the film.”

An unquestionable classic!

alfredhitchcockpsycho

◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

Now that I’ve shared some of my faves, I’d love to hear some of yours! 😎

 

Image result for movie film images

 

 

 

“All About Eve” Harrington is Back!

Posted by donnamarie on

Fasten your seatbelts. … #AllAboutEve is coming to theatres

 

All About Eve

March 5th & 8th 2017

 

From the moment she glimpses her idol on Broadway, Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) strives to upstage Margo Channing (Bette Davis). After cunningly stealing Margo’s role, Eve disrupts the lives of anyone close to the actress in this timeless cinematic masterpiece. With its witty dialogue and knockout performances, the film earned a record 14 Oscar nominations* and also features Marilyn Monroe in an early supporting role.

 

1950: Best Picture (won), Supporting Actor (George Sanders, won), Costume Design (B&W, won), Directing (won), Sound Recording (won), Screenplay (won), Actress (Anne Baxter), Actress (Bette Davis), Supporting Actress (Celeste Holm), Supporting Actress (Thelma Ritter), Art Direction (B&W), Cinematography (B&W), Film Editing, Music (Score).

The principal cast of All About Eve. (Left to right) Gary Merrill, Bette Davis, George Sanders, Anne Baxter, Hugh Marlowe and Celeste Holm

Bette Davis is one of my all time favorite actresses! Her style and attitude both on and offscreen are legendary. She didn’t take any stuff and could give it right back! (my kinda girl:) “All About Eve” (1950) showcases Ms. Davis in all her glory. Love her, or hate her, there’ll never be another one like her! My post “If it’s Sunday Breakout the Hankies” pays tribute to Ms. Davis and her outstanding film career.

 

Related image

(Miss Joan Crawford was one of her fiercest rivals)

 

“All About Eve” is a 1950 American drama film written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. It was based on the 1946 short story “The Wisdom of Eve” by Mary Orr, although screen credit was not given for it. (Wikipedia)

 

The film stars Bette Davis as Margo Channing, a highly regarded but aging Broadway star. Anne Baxter plays Eve Harrington, an ambitious young fan who insinuates herself into Channing’s life, ultimately threatening Channing’s career and her personal relationships. George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Hugh Marlowe, Barbara Bates, Gary Merrill, and Thelma Ritter also appear, and the film provided one of Marilyn Monroe‘s earliest important roles.

 

Image result for bette davis all about eve bumpy night

Eve (Anne Baxter) Miss Casswell (Marilyn Monroe bottom center) Margo Channing (Bette Davis)

 

Praised by critics at the time of its release, “All About Eve” received 14 Academy Awards nominations (a feat only matched by the 1997 film “Titanic” and the 2016 film “La La Land”) and won six, including Best Picture. All About Eve is the only film in Oscar history to receive four female acting nominations (Davis and Baxter as Best Actress, Holm, and Ritter as Best Supporting Actress).

 

Image result for all about eve oscars

“Titanic”, “All About Eve”, “La La Land”

 

This classic was selected in 1990 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry and was among the first 50 films to be registered. “All About Eve” appeared at #16 on AFI‘s 1998 list of the 100 best American films. (Wikipedia)

 

Image result for afi best american films

 

A back screen documentary on “All About Eve.”

 

“All About Eve” is one big screen classic not to be missed! So, grab your tickets, a bag of popcorn, and “buckle your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night!”

Image result for bette davis all about eve bumpy night

See you at the Movies!

Image result for movie theater

 

 

 

 

 

 

Khan Noonien Singh – 50th Anniversary of “Space Seed”

Posted by donnamarie on

 

Image result for original star trek images

 

Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

 

 

This week we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of my favorite Star Trek episode, “Space Seed”  (Season 1, Episode 22) with Ricardo Montalbán as Khan Noonien Singh.

 

Broadcast on February 16, 1967, the storyline was written by Gene L. Coon and Carey Wilber, and directed by Marc Daniels. The plot explored the concept of Eugenics,”super-intelligence and the result of creating a group of “super people” (from Earth’s past) bred to conquer the world. 

 

Image result for space seed

 

The subsequent 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was a brilliant sequel to “Space Seed” as we find out what subsequently happened to Khan and his people on the planet to which Kirk banished them.

 

Image result for space seed star trek

 

The film ratcheted up the intensity of the television episode proving to be a full-out sci-fi thriller which I give two, very enthusiast, thumbs up!👍🏼👍🏼

 

 

Khan: To the last, I grapple with thee. From hell’s heart, I stab at thee. For hate’s sake, I spit my last breath at thee. 

 

 

Wow, what a statement! In 1966, an authentic representation of an international crew. Radical stuff which showed the brilliance and social awareness of creator, the late Gene Roddenberry.

 

Image result for diversity

 

Set in the 23rd century, the series would evolve to follow the adventures of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew who were charged with solving intergalactic conflicts without interfering in the planet’s culture. This vehicle was Gene Roddenberry’s method of initiating dialogue around controversial human and sometimes not so human, issues such as racism, technology, war.

 

(Front to back – William Shatner (center) DeForrest Kelly (L) Leonard Nimoy (R) James Doohan (back L), Walter Koenig, Majel Barrett, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei)

I’ve always been of the mind that art is revolutionary. The great Renaissance masters like DaVinci, and Michelangelo, were considered subversives in their time. They had to hide their political messages inside their remarkable works to keep from being prosecuted. In his way, Gene Roddenberry could be considered a “Renaissance Man”.

 

star trek roddenberry

(August 19, 1921 – October 24, 1991)

Roddenberry had a vision that we can co-exist in a multicultural, multinational world and, as an eleven-year-old black girl from the east side of Detroit, I was right there with him. I had the same dreams and beliefs for my future.

 

Related image

 

The series was produced from September 1966–December 1967 by Norway Productions and Desilu Productions, and by Paramount Television from January 1968–June 1969. Star Trek aired on NBC from September 8, 1966, to June 3, 1969, and was actually seen first on September 6, 1966, on Canada’s CTVnetwork.

 

original star trek images

“Trouble with Tribbles”

Star Trek‘s Nielsen ratings while on NBC were low, and the network canceled the show after three seasons and 79 episodes. Several years later, the series became a bona fide hit in broadcast syndication, remaining so throughout the 1970s, achieving cult classic status and a developing influence on popular culture.

 

Image result for star trek

 

Star Trek eventually spawned a franchise, consisting of five additional television series, thirteen feature films, numerous books, games, toys, and is now widely considered one of the most popular and influential television series of all time. (Wikipedia)

 

Related image

Live Long and Prosper