Short Review: The Kennedys (2011)

I'll be honest, the main reason I watched this show was to see what all the hype was about. Reelz Channel advertised it 24/7 and The History Channel made a huge controversy over it. I didn't expect to get very much out of it at first, but, frankly, I'm quite glad I gave it a chance.

I knew next to nothing about the Kennedys before watching this series. All I knew was that John Kennedy was assassinated and that he had an infamous affair with Marilyn Monroe. If you're the same way, I would watch The Kennedys for a mini-history-lesson.

The one thing that attracted me the most was the acting. I've seen some of Greg Kinnear's work before and enjoyed his performances, but I was quite unfamiliar with Katie Holmes, and I personally think she was great as Jackie Kennedy, and also Diana Hardcastle as Rose Kennedy. Even Charlotte Sullivan as Marilyn Monroe had several bright scenes in her performance.

I mentioned above that I knew JFK was one romantically involved with Monroe, but I was frankly surprised that it was made to look as if her death was a suicide after Bobby Kennedy ended their affair. I also didn't know the Kennedys had any contact with Frank Sinatra- but I wasn't impressed by Chris Diamantopoulos, the actor chosen to portray him.

Overall, The Kennedys is a solid portrayal of the notorious political family. I recommend it to anyone who's considered viewing it.

4/5 stars

Review: How to Marry a Millionaire (1953).

  IMDb Synopsis: Three women set out to find eligible millionaires to marry, but find true love in the process.

I'll be the first to admit that I am NOT a Marilyn Monroe fan by any means. However, Lauren Bacall will always be the queen of my heart, so I had high expectations for this film. Thankfully, my expectations were met.

This movie is just genuinely funny. As I just mentioned, I don't like Monroe at all, but she, Bacall, and Betty Grable all give delightful and witty performances. Bacall does particularly well with William Powell and Cameron Mitchell (including one comedic scene referencing Bacall's real-life husband, Humphrey Bogart).

The color cinematography in Millionaire is nearly flawless, which is no surprise considering it was filmed in Cinemascope.Jean Negulesco's directing is also great, as he was famous for making other visual blockbusters, such as 1953's Titanic.

Overall, How to Marry a Millionaire is a delightful comedy that I would recommend to anyone. Even non-Monroe fans, such as myself, should give it a viewing.

4/5 stars

April Noir of the Month: The Maltese Falcon

IMDb Synopsis: A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.
















When I first started my 'Noir of the Month' series in January, I already predicted that there would eventually be a post on one of my all-time favorite films, The Maltese Falcon.  Released in 1941, the film stars Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre; directed by John Huston.


Falcon is remembered for a large number of reasons- it's considered to be the grandfather of film noir, it marks John Huston's directing debut as well as Sydney Greenstreet's acting debut in an Oscar-nominated performance, and it features Bogie as Sam Spade who gives some of the most memorable quotes in film history, including "The stuff that dreams are made of" and "I don't mind a reasonable amount of trouble". 


This is actually the third screen adaption of the novel  by Dashiell Hammett- there were two previous versions- the 1931 pre-code of the same name and the 1936 film Satan Met a Lady. I've seen neither, but I've heard they should both be skipped. 


The performances in this film are absolutely incredible. Bogie should have at least gotten an Oscar nom for his work, along with Mary Astor for Best Supporting Actress (although she won the award that year for The Great Lie). The lead performers are also well accompanied by Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre (Trivia- Lorre stated this was his favorite of all his films).

I absolutely must say a few words about the directing: Huston's work is just marvelous. I actually was shocked when I found out this was his first film. The effects, camera shots, and lighting in The Maltese Falcon rank him with directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Otto Preminger.

I think we can all agree that The Maltese Falcon really is "the stuff that dreams are made of."

Review: The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

IMDb Synopsis: A poor Midwest family is forced off of their land. They travel to California, suffering the misfortunes of the homeless in the Great Depression.




This seemed to be one of those "everyone's seen it but me" films. And there is a darn good reason almost why everyone has seen The Grapes of Wrath: it's a masterpiece and one of the best films I've ever seen.


It seems to me that all of the films adapted from John Steinback's novels have marvelous male leads. Henry Fonda gives a flawless performance, as did James Dean in East of Eden, fifteen years later. The whole cast itself is amazing, including Russell Simpson and Jane Darwell as Pa and Ma Joad (Darwell actually won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1941).


I can honestly say that The Grapes of Wrath is one of the best and most inspiring films I've ever seen. Do yourself a favor and check out this flawless classic from director John Ford.

"Takes no nerve to do something, ain't nothin' else you can do." - Tom Joad (Henry Fonda)

5/5 stars

Review: Brief Encounter (1945).

IMDb Synopsis: Meeting a stranger in a railway station, a woman is tempted to cheat on her husband.

^Probably the most inaccurate synopsis of this film ever written

Dear Lord, it actually happened: David Lean made a film that I actually like! Scratch that- love. After seeing The Bridge On the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, and Doctor Zhivago, I thought I was going to hate all of his films forever.

Words cannot express how much I love this film, how beautiful it is, and how much I cried before the ending, Oscar nominated Celia Johnson is wonderful, as is Trevor Howard playing her secret lover.

If you haven't seen this amazing work of art, you can watch it here.

"This can't last. This misery can't last. I must remember that and try to control myself. Nothing lasts really. Neither happiness nor despair. Not even life lasts very long. There'll come a time in the future when I shan't mind about this anymore, when I can look back and say quite peacefully and cheerfully how silly I was. No, no, I don't want that time to come ever. I want to remember every minute, always, always to the end of my days." 

-Laura Jesson (Celia Johnson)

Cinematic Alphabet

* I'm not including X or Z. It's just not possible.

A is for [The] African Queen (1951)

B is for Brief Encounter (1945)

C is for Casablanca (1942)

D is for Dial M for Murder (1954)

E is for East of Eden (1955)

F is for From Here to Eternity (1953)

G is for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

H is for High Sierra (1941)

I is for It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

J is for Johnny Belinda (1948)

K is for [The] Killers (1946)

L is for [The] Lost Weekend (1945)

M is for Mary Poppins (1964)

N is for Notorious (1946)

O is for On the Waterfront (1954)

P is for [A] Place In the Sun (1951)

Q is for [The] Quiet Man (1952)

R is for Roman Holiday (1953)

S is for Sunset Boulevard (1950)

T is for To Have and Have Not (1944)

U is for Under Capricorn (1949).

*I actually hate this one, but there wasn't much to choose from

V is for Vertigo (1958)

W is for [The] Wizard of Oz (1939)

Y is for You Can't Take It With You (1938)

Stylish Blogger Award

I was awarded the Stylish Blogger Award twice within the last week. This is so unreal! I want to give a big thank you to Caroline at Garbo Laughs and Ginny and Old Movies Nostalgia. These are both wonderful blogs and I really think you all should check them out! According to the award rules, I'm to add links to their blogs- done- reveal seven facts about myself, and tag seven other blogs.





Seven facts about me:

 1. I'm currently attempting to see every film Humphrey Bogart was in. I'm up to 28 so far- which actually isn't much because he was in over 75.

2. Makeup is one of my biggest obsessions. I'm guilty of being a lipstick hoarder.

3. I'm determined to meet Lauren Bacall before I die. It could happen!

4. I'm a big reader. To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite novel of all time (love the movie, too). I also anything by the Bronte sisters and I read tons of actor biographies.

5. I drink 10-15 glasses of water a day- can't function without it!

6. Amazon is my best friend. I get almost all of my DVD's online, including the Bogie and Bacall Signature Collection. which is probably the best investment I've ever made.

7. I've been a Christian since I was seven years old. I always mention it in my profile description, but I wanted to say so again.

The seven people I tag are:

1. Bette- http://bettesmovieblog.blogspot.com/

2. Niahmy- http://borninthewrongdecade-niamhy.blogspot.com/

3. Dawn- http://dawnschickflicks.blogspot.com/

4. Anna- http://movienut14.blogspot.com/

5. Marya- http://cinema-fanatic.com/

6. Audrey- http://fedorasandhighheels.blogspot.com/

7. Raquelle- http://outofthepastcfb.blogspot.com/