Movies for Wednesday January 3rd, 2018

On January 3 in 1987 Aretha Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... so the theme for today is women and music. There are a number of films that have come out which feature strong female characters who are also great entertainers. When musicals are done well they can be a really enjoyable experience to take in. Please find my top picks and hope you enjoy!

1 Cabaret (1972) Bob Fosse
Liza Minnelli is a triple threat in this academy award winning film... shows what kind of talent she had before she became a headline of tabloid fodder.

2 Funny Girl (1968) William Wyler
Streisand is mesmerizing as real life Fanny Brice and Omar Sharif is fantastic as the love of her life...

3 The Blues Brothers (1980) John Landis
Highly entertaining film starring John Belushi and Dan Akroyd cruising through Chicago Blues scene... amazing cameos throughout including Aretha Franklin with an unforgettable rendition of "Think".

4 Victor Victoria (1982) Blake Edwards
A struggling singer becomes a male female impersonator to make ends meet. Julie Andrews garnered an Oscar nomination for her performance, as well as Robert Preston as her manager and Lesley Ann Warren as gun moll-James Garner is also charming as Andrews love interest...

4 Phantom of the Paradise (1974) Brian De Palma
Great rock opera featuring songs by Paul Williams and Jessica Harper as Phoenix who steals the show with her performance of "Our Love".

5 Before Sunset (2004) Richard Linklater
One of the few sequels that I preferred over the original film "Before Sunrise" about two people who meet and fall in love while traveling through Europe. Even though "Before Sunset" is not a musical, it deserves a mention for one of the most moving musical sequences in a movie by Julie Delpy... sweet and touching love story.

I hope you find these picks enjoyable and I look forward to your input.
Dianezy
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Movies for Tuesday January 2nd, 2018

On January 2 in 1981 the Yorkshire Ripper was apprehended by police... so the theme for today is serial killer movies. There are so many movies that have come out on this subject that I am sure an endless list of possibilities could be created to remember such a day in history. Please find my top picks and if anyone has comments or suggestions for other movies that would be appreciated.

 1 Psycho (1960) Director Alfred Hitchock
Classic horror loosely based on infamous serial killer Ed Gein.

2 Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) Director John McNaughton
Disturbing and wonderfully shot film inspired by the confessions of Henry Lee Lucas.

3 Man Bites Dog (1992) Directors Remy Belvaux & Andre Bonzel
Camera crew follows affable yet deranged killer to film his exploits. Great commentary on today's preoccupation with voyeurism and reality type shows.

4 M (1931) Director Fritz Lang
Following the police to apprehend a child murderer... Peter Lorre is superb.

5 Silence of the Lambs (1991) Director Jonathan Demme
Groundbreaking movie that opened the flood gates for graphic scenes within the horror genre for mainstream consumption... one of the best of its kind.

6 Monster (2003) Director Patty Jenkins
Based on the life of Aileen Wournos... proved that Charlize Theron was not just another pretty face.

7 High Tension (2003) Director Alexandre Aja
Suspenseful cat and mouse gore fest... keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire crazy ride.

8 American Psycho (2000) Director Mary Harron
Follows the life of vapid handsome psychopath during excessive decade of the '80's.

9 Freeway (1996) Director Matthew Bright
A young and engaging Reese Witherspoon meets up with evil killer on her way to her grandmothers house... sound familiar. Fun lesser known film based on the classic children story.

10 Dahmer (2002) Director David Jacobson
Surprisingly well made film about the life of Jeffrey Dahmer... more introspective than gory. Jeremy Renner is chillingly good.

11 The Boston Strangler (1968) Director Richard Fleischer
Perfectly captures the panic that crippled a city during the reign of terror by the man known as the Boston Strangler... Tony Curtis is great in his portrayal.

12  Red Riding Trilogy (2009) Director Julian Jarrold; James Marsh; Anand Tucker
Follows a Yorkshire Post reporter who is investigating a number of murders...

Hope you enjoy the above list of movies and I look forward to feedback.
Dianezy


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Movies for Monday January 1st, 2018

New Year's Day is observed on January 1; it is the world's only truly global public holiday, as it is celebrated throughout the year; often people start the new year with resolutions, second chances & hopes for new beginnings. With this in mind, the theme for today will be films about second chances & new beginnings-enjoy!

1 Harold & Maude (1971) Director Hal Ashby
This film is truly an inspiring film where young man (Bud Cort) who has given up on life finds new perspective through the eyes of an older woman (Ruth Gordon)-amazing soundtrack by Cat Stevens; Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon are great in their roles...

2 It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) Director Frank Capra
Touching film about an angel who helps a good but frustrated man (Jimmy Stewart) what life would be like if he had never existed; Nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture,, Director & Best Actor for Jimmy Stewart who is great in his role…

3 Lady for a Day (1933) Director: Frank Capra
Movie adaptation of Damon Runyon story of a gangster (Warren William) who helps a woman (Mary Robson) down on her luck; Robson is great in her role, which garnered her an Oscar nomination...

4 Meet John Doe (1941) Director: Frank Capra
Touching story of a man (Gary Cooper) needing money, who agrees to impersonate a nonexistent person who said he'd be committing suicide as a protest; Nominated for Academy Award for Best Writing; Gary Cooper is great in his role...

5 As Good as It Gets (1997) Director: James L. Brooks
Sweet film about a single mother (Helen Hunt) who forms an unlikely relationship with a troubled author (Jack Nicholson)- great acting by Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson & Greg Kinnear (as artist neighbour) - Hunt & Nicholson won Academy Awards for their performances...

I hope that the above list of feel good films will provide hours of viewing entertainment-Looking forward to your feedback on these picks
Enjoy!
Dianezy
: )

Movies for Sunday December 31st, 2017

December 31st is New Year's Eve, which is a holiday that is often celebrated with parties and social gatherings spanning the transition of the year at midnight. With New Years Eve in mind... the theme for today will be films with New Years' - enjoy!

1 The Apartment (1960) Director: Billy Wilder
Sweet film about a man (Jack Lemmon) who tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for romantic trysts; won several Academy Awards including: Best Picture, Director & Writing; great cast with standout performances by Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine (Lemmon & MacLaine were both nominated for their roles) & Fred MacMurray as womanizing boss...

2 Boogie Nights (1997) Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Tells the story of a young man's life in the Californian pornography industry of the 1970s and 1980s; Great ensemble cast with great performances by Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds and Julianne Moore-Reynolds and Moore were nominated for Oscars for their performances...

3 When Harry Met Sally... (1989) Director: Rob Reiner
Sweet comedy about a man (Billy Crystal) and woman (Meg Ryan) who become friends and eventually become something more to each other; Crystal and Ryan are charming in their roles. Film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing...

I hope the above list of picks will provide hours of viewing entertainment-enjoy!
Dianezy
: )

Movies for Saturday December 30th, 2017

On December 30 1975 well known golfer Tiger Woods was born... so the theme for today will be films with golfing-enjoy!

1 Caddyshack (1980) Director: Harold Ramis
Amusing film about a golf course and its oddball group of regulars -including Ted Knight as obnoxious wealthy Judge Smails and Chevy Chase as the local golf pro...

2 Tin Cup (1996) Director: Ron Shelton
Sweet film about has been golfer who tries to make his comeback- Kevin Costner is charming in title role...

3 Happy Gilmore (1996) Director: Dennis Dugan

Follows the ridiculous Happy Gilmore- wannabe hockey player turned golf pro - Christopher McDonald is great as Happy's arch nemesis - on the golf course...

I hope that the above list of picks will provide hours of viewing entertainment- Looking forward to your feedback on these picks...
Enjoy!
Dianezy
: )

Movies for Friday December 29th, 2017

On December 29 1936 actress Mary Tyler Moore was born; known mostly for her hit television shows, she has also been a film actress... so the theme for today are films with Mary Tyler Moore-enjoy!

1 Ordinary People (1980) Director: Robert Redford
Drama about a family coping with the accidental death of one of its family members; Won Several Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing and Best Acting for Timothy Hutton as grief stricken brother, Mary Tyler Moore is also good as cold mother, which she garnered an Oscar nomination for her role...

2 Flirting with Disaster (1996) Director: David O. Russell
Comedy about A young man (Ben Stiller) who travels across the country to find his birth parents...

I hope that the above list of picks will provide hours of viewing entertainment-enjoy!
Dianezy
: )

Movies for Thursday December 28th, 2017

On December 28 1934 actress Maggie Smith was born... so the theme for today are films with Dame Maggie Smith-enjoy!

1 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) Director: Ronald Neame
Tells the story of a headstrong young teacher (Maggie Smith) in a private school in 1930s Edinburgh; Smith won an Academy Award for her performance...

2 A Room with a View (1985) Director: James Ivory
Film about a young Englishwoman (Helena Bonham Carter) who makes her first visit to Florence, Italy in the early 1900's; Won Oscars for Best Writing, Costume Design & Art Direction...

3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) Director: Chris Columbus
Based on the best selling book about a young boy with a great destiny; Nominated for Academy Awards for Best Music, Costume Design & Art Direction...

I hope that the above picks will provide hours of entertainment-enjoy!
Dianezy
: )

Movies for Wednesday December 27th, 2017

On December 27 1901 Black & White screen siren Marlene Dietrich was born... so the theme for today are films with Marlene Dietrich-enjoy!

1 Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Director: Billy Wilder
Movie adaptation based on the Agatha Christie tale of a man on trial for murder; Movie nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director & Film Editing...

2 Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) Director: Stanley Kramer
Film about an American court in occupied Germany that tries four Nazi judges for war crimes; Film won Oscars for Best Writing and Best Actor for Maximilian Schell as Hans Rolfe...

3 Touch of Evil (1958) Director: Orson Welles
Beautifully shot drama that tells a story of murder, kidnapping, and police corruption in a Mexican border town; Welles is great as crooked detective...

I hope that the above picks will provide hours of viewing entertainment-enjoy!
Dianezy
: )

Movies for Tuesday December 26th, 2017

December 26th is Boxing Day, which is a bank or public holiday. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and in some Commonwealth nations. In South Africa. In North America, Boxing Day is synonymous with Boxing Day Sales, where people have the opportunity to find items significantly cheaper than at any other time of the year. With Boxing Day in mind, the theme for today will be films with shopping and commercialism-enjoy!

1 Thank You For Smoking (2005) Director Jason Reitman
Interesting film, which follows a tobacco lobbyist (Eckhart) in both his professional and personal life-Eckhart is mesmerizing in his portrayal...

2 Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Director: George Seaton
Sweet film about a man (Edmund Gwenn) who claims that he is the real Santa Claus; won a number of Oscars including Best Writing and Best Actor for Edmund Gwenn who is superb in his role; Natalie Wood is also good as doubting child...

3 The Shop Around the Corner (1940) Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Romantic comedy about two employees (James Stewart & Margaret Sullavan) at a gift shop who start out hating each other and eventually falling for one another; great cast, with standout performances by Stewart & Sullavan…

4 Bad Santa (2003) Director Terry Zwigoff
Movie about a con man (Billy Bob Thornton) who plans to rob department stores on Christmas Eve; Thornton is good in his role…

5 How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989) Director: Bruce Robinson
Film about an Advertising Executive who is unable to come up with a slogan to sell a revolutionary new product...

6 The Corporation (2003) Director: Mark Achbar/Jennifer Abbott
Documentary about the global corporations that dominate society...

7 Observe and Report (2009) Director: Jody Hill
Dark, offbeat film about a Bi-polar mall security guard (Seth Rogen) who is called into action to stop a flasher from tormenting customers at the mall where he works; Faris is good as self centered store clerk - only for those who like very off -beat films...

8  Bliss (1985) Director: Ray Lawrence
Movie about an advertising executive who has a near death experience and starts to re-evaluate his life...

I hope that the above picks will provide hours of entertainment... enjoy!
Dianezy
: )