Monthly Archives: December 2012

Dec31

The Apartment

Posted on by
Standard

This has been my date every New Years for at least ten years. Jack Lemmon is perfect as C.C. Baxter, the ambitious office cog who lends his apartment to upper management for extramarital hanky-panky, in order to score points for a promotion. He gets more than he bargained for when his generosity gets him a black eye in more ways than one when he falls for Fran (Shirley MacLaine).

This movie was an Academy Award winner for Best Picture and Best Director in 1960. Billy Wilder directed this on the heels of Some Like It Hot and it has become another classic.

The opening scene of the insurance company where Baxter works, gives you a visual of how employment has changed in the past fifty years, not to mention the sexual mores of that era. This film was criticized for it’s raucous infidelity and Fred McMurray caught some flack, for his role as the married cad who seduces office girls and then discards them. McMurray is one of the few actors that can pull off playing a boy scout or a  creepy heel and be convincing.

C. C. and Fran, despite serious complications, fall in love while playing gin rummy and the scene where Baxter makes spaghetti is classic. Lemmon and MacLaine have great chemistry and the supporting cast is excellent. This one of the best dates I’ve ever had on New Years Eve and I continue to indulge myself every year. Have a most happy and generous New Year!!

Dec30

Charlie Chan

Posted on by
Standard

I have always been fascinated by Charlie Chan movies, and liked them even as a kid when they would come on at midnight. Over four dozen films were made, starting in 1926. The movies were first made with  Asian actors playing  Mr. Chan, but met with little success. They switched to Swedish actor Warner Oland in 1931 and it was a hit.  Olan went on to star in 15 more films about the famous Hawaiian sleuth, which was based on real Honolulu detective Chang Apana.

Chan is an Asian Sherlock Holmes and his movies frequently showcased family members, particularly Number One Son, Lee Chan played by Keye Luke. I loved the gentle humor and gentleness of Charlie but he could be hard on his Number One Son. Mr. Chan was very popular in China and a very well respected character. It was one of the few positive role models for the Asian community that didn’t pander to “evil” stereotypes of that time. I like Charlie Chan movies because of the more exotic locales.  I received a gift set of this series and have my pick of Charlie Chans.

Tomorrow I will finish up with “The Apartment”, my New Year’s Eve favorite. Blogging every day is a challenge that I don’t want to do all the time. It’s a big commitment that I can’t easily fit into my professional life. This way I stay more fresh and hopefully interesting. Until tomorrow…

Dec29

Harry Met Sally

Posted on by
Standard

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched this 1989 film,and it gets better every time. The acting and dialogue is superb (Nora Ephron knows comedy) and what’s not to love about the story? Director Rob Reiner based Harry and Jesse (Bruno Kirby) on his and Billy Crystal’s friendship and Crystal made Harry funnier in the final script. So many personal favorite scenes, from Harry (Billy Crystal) spitting grape seeds at Sally uptight’s (Meg Ryan) car windows, stuffing her mail all at once into the box, and telling Sally she is the worst kind of date, a woman who is high maintenance but thinks she is low maintenance. Harry morphs from the most obnoxious acquaintance on the planet into a great guy, once she hits him over the head a few times.

Meg has great chemistry with Carrie Fisher (Marie)and the supporting cast in this movie is fabulous.The orgasm scene is classic, not so much because Sally is awesome at faking it, but because she nails his big fat ego to the restaurant wall.  Friendship makes for great relationships between the sexes, me thinks. Too bad we suck at it, in this country.

I am tired, but happy tonight to be enjoying the evening off. Zippy ate a tiny bit of my salt dough (salt, flour and water) and threw up on the carpet soon after. That’ll teach him. NOT! He would have eaten the whole bowl if I hadn’t stopped him in time. This dog will eat anything, and I mean anything!  He tore one of my ornament boxes to shreds as if it was a juicy piece of meat. His mommy supplements his food with canned pumpkin and he snarfs it down but it must not be satisfying enough if cardboard is so alluring. He has the most innocent face you’ve ever seen. He has perfected “Who me?” That wasn’t me… as a piece of cardboard quivers from his canines. I love this dog, I just hope the pumpkin stain comes out of the carpet.

Path: p

 
Word count: 56 Draft saved at 2:18:19 pm.

Publish

Status: Draft Edit
Visibility: Public Edit
Publish immediately Edit
Publicize: Facebook: Marsella JohnsonEdit Settings

Format

 Standard
Aside
Image
Video
Quote
Link
Gallery
Status

Categories

Tags

Tags

Separate tags with commas

Choose from the most used tags

Recommended TagsApply all

  • Billy Crystal
  • Meg Ryan
  • When Harry Met Sally
  • Harry
  • Sally
  • Bette Midler
  • Sleepless in Seattle
  • Nora Ephron

Featured Image

Set featured image

Recommendations

Update

Related Articles

  • Promoted

    Get the Look: Meg Ryan’s When Harry Met Sally NYE Makeup

    3 years agoVisitbellasugar.com

  • Promoted

    Romantic Movies to Watch With Your Girlfriend on Valentine’s Day

    10 months agoVisitredenvelope.com

  • Watch: Bette Midler, Billy Crystal on ‘Parental Guidance’

    1 day agoVisitabcnews.go.com

  • Promoted

    5 Timeless ’80s Chick Flicks

    3 months agoVisitpopcornpreviews.com

  • Promoted

    5 Actors Who Moved Successfully From the Small to Silver Screen

    4 months agoVisitpopcornpreviews.com

  • Billy Crystal’s comic relief for Long Beach

    3 weeks agoVisitnewsday.com

  • when harry met sally at the dentist

    3 years agoVisitsippey.com

  • If you haven’t seen it yet: When Harry Met Sally

    2 months agoVisitrhymeetreason.com

  • Crystal, Midler punch up ‘Parental Guidance’

    4 days agoVisittriblive.com

  • R.i.p Nora Ephron ‘When Harry Met Sally’ & ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ Screenwriter Dies at 71

    6 months agoVisitbinsidetv.net

Powered by Zemanta

Writing Helper

  • Copy a Post

    Copy a Post

    Use an existing post as a template.

  • Request Feedback

    Request Feedback

    Get feedback on this draft before publishing.

Likes and Shares

 Show likes.

 Show sharing buttons.

Dec28

The Thin Man

Posted on by
Standard

This is one of my favorite series, next to Charlie Chan. This was made in less than two weeks in 1934 and followed the book by Dashiell Hammett by only five months. Many mistakenly (me included) think Nick Charles, played by the dashing William Powell, was the “thin man” in the title but in fact it was his friend Clyde, that disappears and provides the mystery to be solved. The moniker stuck and became part of the title of future movies.

Powell and Myrna Loy, who plays his wife Nora, have chemistry flowing like the champagne they chug, and when that wanes there is their dog Asta, a star in his own right. They underplay their roles to perfection and you believe they are as carefree and fearless as they appear. I love how the interplay of decadent wealth mixes with the seedy underworld and Nick’s dubious friends.

Alcoholism was frequently cast in a humorous light in this era and Nick certainly takes advantage of that in these films. I know it was never quite this glamorous, but these films were made to make people laugh, and forget the drudgery and reality of the Great Depression, which it accomplishes in spades.

The day is blue and sunny, all the roofs covered with a blanket of snow. I have a busy weekend of work ahead and look forward to some time off on New Year’s Eve. I have mixed feelings about my holiday film marathon ending, like I always do, but I’m also ready to move on to the new. I can watch these any time I want, but I like to savor the anticipation for next year. They are worth waiting for.

Dec27

While You Were Sleeping

Posted on by
Standard

This is such a funny, sweet movie. Misunderstandings abound, then snowball into a great love story. Lucy is lonely and ripe for the plucking, then along comes the dream boat she worships from afar. He gets conked on the head and is out for the count and the hospital where he is taken, mistakes Lucy for his fiancee. When his kooky and lovable family show up she is hooked, and so are they. Brother Jack shows up and the fun really begins. This is a great movie from beginning to end.  Joe Jr. is NOT to be missed, he steals every scene he is in.

Joe Jr. on the left, Joe Sr. on the right.

I often wonder what would have happened if every guy I had a crush on had worked out. I shudder at the thought. As a young girl I built up such rose colored scenarios. They never can stand the litmus test of reality. That’s what romance novels are for right? I’m feeling better about life today. I slept and read yesterday, it works every time. My work schedule filled up beautifully and I start a class  soon.

It snowed just enough today to be pretty, me and Zippy watched from the window. I’m trying to get him to sleep through the night but his bladder isn’t listening. Two a.m. seems to be the magic hour. He goes right back to sleep (I hear him snoring) and I lie awake. Who needs kids…just get a dog.

Dec26

Bridget Jones Diary

Posted on by
Standard

The blues have set in a little early this year as I dropped my daughter off at the airport shuttle. The sun is shining but it only reached 20 degrees today and more cold and snow on the way. I enjoyed it more when my kids were here together. I’m sure they are happily on to the next thing in their young lives and glad they are no longer under a parents thumb. Like that ever happened.

The minute you bring home a baby, the letting go starts with each hurdle and “first” they try. It’s practice for the endless swinging door that becomes your heart. They don’t really explain that well in the birthing classes. You stand at their door, gently pushing while whispering “bring it on life”. It becomes a shout by the time they are teens. Then poof, it’s all done and they are swimming up stream. Thankfully, they still come home to feed and show off their spawn.

It’s not like parents don’t have a life, it’s just a feeling of whimsy. Fleeting and dear. A little respite of remembering, what it used to be like. It’s the magic and mystery of being a kid again. We all want to go back there at times, and as I watch my children mature it gets more and more elusive. No wonder we start whining about grandchildren! We want that fountain of youth.

I like Bridget Jones Diary because it always cheers me up and makes me laugh (and I get palpitations and hot flashes when gazing upon yummy Colin Firth) that someone else thinks the way I do…some times. Life goes on, and on. Might as well make the best of it and have fun.  But just in case…I went and got a bag of books at the library. Just in case. An instant party with my friends.

Dec24

Muppet Christmas Carol

Posted on by
Standard

I sit here with my grown children watching this yearly tradition, while waiting for a white Christmas. This has been a favorite of our whole family since it’s debut in 1992. We know most of the dialogue and songs by heart. This has so many  great one liners and has the added bonus of being narrated by Gonzo the Great and Rizzo the Rat. Who could resist this after throwing in Kermit and Miss Piggy?!

This is a perfect vehicle for introducing kids to the wonder of Charles Dickens and this most wondrous tale. Sadly, Brian Henson (the creator of the Muppets) died two years before this movie was made by Walt Disney Pictures. His son Brian directed this comedic version which follows the original story closely.

Michael Caine is wonderful in the role because he plays it straight to the puppets, I mean muppets. There are so many great lines in this film. Some favorites of mine are Beaker getting all huffy when Ebeneezer refuses to give a donation. O.K. he doesn’t really talk, but he does huffy well. Then the rats egging on Bob Cratchitt, Christmas eve. Miss Piggy is priceless, she can’t remember which daughter is who, and when she accuses Mr. Scrooge of being badly dressed, the whole family gasps in horror.

My son and daughter loved the narration by Gonzo and Rizzo. Their back and forth humor keeps the dark subjects, lighthearted for kids. They love the line where Rizzo says to Gonzo “Hoity-toity Mr. God like smarty pants. The songs are sweet and short and hold the attention of young and old alike. This has stood the test of time for twenty years. Not bad for a Muppet movie.

I’ll be finishing up my holiday movie tradition in the week to come, with a few more favorites. I’ll admit. I probably will watch A Christmas Carol  a few more times before putting it away for another year.Thanks for being with me on this journey, the new year follows quickly. Don’t forget to spread joy, or at the very least…kindness. Happy Holiday!

Dec23

A Christmas Carol (1984)

Posted on by
Standard

This is my favorite adaptation of this classic. I think Mr. Scott was the most authentic Mr. Scrooge. I love how the hearse slowly passes Ebeneezer in the opening scene. It creates the perfect eerie, creepiness. From Jacob Marley to Tiny Tim, the details are spot on and the acting superb. It is hard to believe this was made for television.

It was filmed on location in Shrewsbury, England and aired December 17, 1984 and was released theatrically in Great Britain. Many maintain this to be the best adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story and I would agree.

George C. Scott captures the sarcastic, acerbic Ebeneezer better than any other actor and has the sneer down cold.  He doesn’t have fake hair pieces or makeup to distract you. By the end of the  ghost visitations, I’m surprised they didn’t murder him themselves, or at least hit him with a brick or two. He was stubborn till the bitter end, but that is one of the things I like most about this version.  George is simply superb. He captures beautifully, a giddy man saved from the chains of hell as he bounces on his bed like a schoolboy.

I went downtown with my kids tonight. We walked around in Old Town, Fort Collins, and the lights were spectacular. We walked past where my kids sat on Santa’s lap many years ago, and the fountain they used to wade in. I drove them to a house that is literally covered with lights. It was a magical way to end the evening. My favorite Christmas Carol tomorrow…

Fountain

Deckedouthouse

Dec23

Mickey’s Christmas Carol

Posted on by
Standard

I have such a soft spot for Mickey Mouse. I remember going to Disneyland as a child when we lived in California.  When Disney World opened October 1, 1971 just an hour from where we had moved to in Florida, I was in heaven. But my most favorite Mickey fix was the old vintage cartoons. You don’t see them anymore which is sad. I was also a fan of the Mickey Mouse Club. I thought I looked like Annette Funicello. It was those Italian eyebrows (sadly, it was her nose).  Of course she was much older than I was.

Annette Funicello in The Mickey Mouse Club

This animated version was made in 1983, the first theatrical cartoon produced in over thirty years, and it was the last time you would hear the voice of Clarence Nash as Donald Duck.  He was the last of the famous Disney voices. I wasn’t a mom yet, but  I loved cartoons. Having children made it a lot easier to justify buying them again and I know that’s when I bought this one. I have loved it ever since. And seriously…who can’t picture Scrooge McDuck as Ebeneezer, his alter ego. This is a trip down Nostalgia Lane for me I’m afraid, thanks for traveling with me!  Tomorrow I reveal one of my two favorite versions of A Christmas Carol. 

Dec22

A Christmas Carol (1951)

Posted on by
Standard

This movie was originally titled Scrooge in Great Britain, they changed the title to A Christmas Carol when it premiered in Los Angeles. It had disappointing box office returns in the U.S.  but was a huge hit in England in 1952. Alistair Sim plays Mr. Scrooge in this very popular version and most would agree he is the best, but not to me.

This IS a wonderful version. I love the charwoman, Mrs. Dilber. When Ebeneezer wakes up from his night of frolicking: he is giddy and dances madly around the room, and looks completely insane to poor Mrs. Dilber. He grabs her to spin around, and she sees her life pass before her eyes, shrieking at the top of her lungs. It’s one of my favorite scenes because seldom does any servant get noticed or rewarded in any of these films. Just imagine what that poor woman must have put up with!

My two favorite “Scrooges” are coming up in the days ahead. I’ve often wondered what it would be like if I could combine all my favorite moments in all the “Carol” films into one movie. Bet it would be a block buster! Each film has characters brought to life or highlighted that were not in Charles Dickens book. That is why I re-read it every Christmas to remind myself what really happened. Soon I will know the dialogue by heart.

We left Zippy at home while we ran around today. I returned home for something I forgot, and as I’m inserting the key, Zippy trots up to the glass door, looking happy as a clam with a pot holder hanging out of his mouth, like a bone. I laughed until my stomach hurt…he looked deliriously happy. I try not to think about how he got it.

Zippy is having aging issues that involve his hind legs and my daughter was lamenting his slower gait. After we arrived home, I tossed a toy to Zippy and he blitzed back and forth in excitement. My daughter couldn’t believe it was the same dog. I know I couldn’t do that. Well, I’ve never been able to do that, come to think of it. Happiness and joy gave him the ability. It’s something to think about isn’t it?