Tikisoo

It's an easy question for me. I've had to show people my "essentials" just to ease them into "classic" film viewing. I have a 2 tier approach, starting with the truly top classic films to initially get them over "hating musicals" or "black & white" disdain. The Wizard of Oz Singin' In The Rain It's A Wonderful Life Robin Hood Citizen Kane Annie Hall City Lights or The Kid Sunset Blvd Psycho Some Like It Hot It Happened One Night Night of the Hunter Yankee Doodle Dandy The Goodbye Girl My Fair Lady White Heat Now Voyager Fantasia Man of A Thousand Faces How To Marry A Millionaire In The Heat of the Night Play It Again Sam When Harry Met Sally A Place In The Sun A Tree Grows In Brooklyn Gosh, there's so many GREAT films out there, many nearly perfect with writing/casting/photography. There's more, but that's off the top of my head. After family/friends see these, I expand to seeing one director's films like Woody Allen, Fritz Lang, Kazan and especially Billy Wilder if they're adults. It was fun introducing TikiKid to classic films, gearing them to her age (she'd never understand Citizen Kane) with Harryhousen films and more fun lighthearted fare such as HOUDINI and Hope & Crosby ROAD pictures.

Andy said: You should really see the movie for yourself before dismissing it on the basis of what you've read from a few critics. I read "a few critics" right here. I prefer hearing YOUR opinions, since mostly everyone here is a classic movie fan. We often look past subject alone and instead judge films by their storytelling aspects; writing, acting, photography, editing, etc. Professional critics are describing films for the masses, who often are willing to sacrifice substance for thrills. Not this group, I like hearing your opinions, especially when there's different or contrary ones.

She is one helluvan actress....both dramatically and comedically. She's one of those "I know it's Marsha Mason in a role, but I still believe her" as we're voyeuristically watching her in real life situations. Ah, aging is a tragedy. Glad her talent is captured on film.

Darkblue said: That movie (Frances) was not a dramatization of mental illness. There was nothing wrong with Farmer. She was simply abused for having her own unpopular opinions and being critical of power - be it social, political or Hollywoodian. Many would classify someone whose views do not conform with theirs (or typical/average) as being mentally ill. People have been condemned for eons for thinking outside of the "norm". But I agree with you, I think Farmer was mostly a victim of her time. I do think FRANCES contains an element of "mental disorder movie" in that it depicts treatment in the early years of psychology.

Oh, I thought that was a young Divine, who should have only made one movie....HAIRSPRAY.

I thought Rex Reed had died years ago.

I've noticed that theaters have started releasing one or two night only "sing-a-long" versions of films. Uh oh, sounds like shades of Rocky Horror.....actually a pretty good idea. MrTiki's & my first date was seeing MY FAIR LADY at the Dryden Theater. Some lady next to him sang every song starting quietly then increasing in volume. By the end of the movie I wanted to strangle her. But I empathized-it took lots of self control to keep myself from doing it. What IS it about songs that get in your head and you almost can't help joining in? And I like your idea, darkblue.

Eh, we caught the second half of WHISPERING SMITH last night and were amazed at how little Alan Ladd's face moved when he talked. Don't know if he was trying to "act" as if he was holding back all emotions, but he just came across as wooden. Even his voice sounded like he was reading lines. Not a good idea to put him across from Robert Preston-a POWERHOUSE of an actor that just made the contrast even greater.

One of the worst was when settling in to see THE WIZARD OF OZ in 3D and some lady with her kids a few rows ahead said, "Ugh this is the OLD movie! I thought we were going to see a NEW movie-it's 3D isn't it?" I see about 40 classic films a year with an audience and much depends on the theater itself. The beautiful vintage Capitol Theater in Rome NY, the audience is spellbound & most of the time respectful of others, even for a kid's movie like JACK & THE BEANSTALK. (although there's ONE lady who loudly laughs through every sci-fi movie....as an usher I can REPRIMAND her and even REMOVE her! Lovely!) At the Capitol, there is a short "host" introduction and reminders of good theater manners which helps set the tone. Whenever a classic film is showing at the local multiplex, you can bet the audience will be a nightmare with their cel phones, loud talking to each other, etc. I think that is just "the norm" for theater goers these days who simply aren't taught how to behave in public. This is a major reason why I never bother with those TCM streaming movies. My only peeve is I like sitting up front. That means I hear every popcorn cruncher who never learned to chew with their mouths closed!

You are correct, MovieMadness - TCM does an annual spotlight of "racism in film" and it was "Asians in Film" one year. They showed movies about Asian culture as well as highlighting Asian actors & actresses. That year's focus jut about made me apoplectic, I had never realized how badly Asians were portrayed in film until seeing them as a whole. The year TCM focused on Native Americans in film was also notable. Several great examples of films made by and featuring Native American culture were shown alongside horrifying examples of the "white man's" take on it. I enjoy this series very much, I really hope they cycle through these examples again....obviously, they are missed by some & forgotten by others after a few years.

Infinate said: I don't think their acting styles would be accepted by modern day audiences. What about Anthony Hopkins for overly dramatic? Most of today's actors ham it up pretty well if depicting a villan.....even Streep, Chris Walken and Danny DiVito can be wicked hammy. And sadly, Robin Williams was a fantastic ham in his roles.

Wow that's incredible Dobbs.....thanks for the photo!

To each his own, Palmerin. There's movies everyone likes that I disliked too. I very much enjoyed THE KINGS SPEECH. It made those charactors & situation "real" for me. I also like the "simpler" times depicted, when sincerity was more important than money. The ending was emotional enough to bring me to tears.

I can't stand this movie. Agreed, the locust sequence is amazing. But I am always distracted by Reiner's performance. I so wish it had been Anna Mae Wong instead. Reiner is insipid and although I loathe adultery, I actually empathize with the Muni charactor somewhat. (just my 2¢)

Moderator said: Most of the recent responses in this thread have had to been hidden because they broke the CoC. OH NO! Will that cut into a poster's thread "response count"?

Yes there are modern counterparts to older stars I make a game of this.... Gena Davis=Gene Tierney Catherine Keener=Barbara Stanwyk Can't think of others off hand, but there's a million of them comparing appearance/demeanor/roles.

Like the OP. Many of my favorite movies center around healing emotional or mental illness.... How about SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER? And one of my favorites; THE FISHER KING? Do comedies count? How about ZELIG? Histrionic personality disorder - a pattern of excessive attention-seeking emotions A PEST ON THIS MESSAGE BOARD 12/2014-1/15

I think about this topic a LOT. And film (storytelling) elements that I loathe sometimes are the exact thing that "excites" younger viewers. This is why I'll watch films with "the kid", just to see her reaction. I've come to the conclusion I'm an old f-a-r-t and MY classic taste/way of thinking isn't always the only one. I think the Studio System "created" star personas and helped or hindered their popular appeal. I don't think today's ACTORS are any different from the actors of yesteryear-there are various levels of talent & skill among all of them. Some of course, were known for their beauty, as is the case today. Marilyn and Rita Hayworth were given fairly decent movies to "act" in. And thankfully both were in a few really good films that showcased their talents. Today, it would be Johnny Depp or Tom Cruise proving their talent over their "looks". I think Shaun Penn & Kevin Bacon are both fantastic actors that didn't have that "pretty boy" issue to deal with. I think the biggest problem for today's stars (as in the past) is finding a great story to ACT in. Most "stories" revolve around special effects and gimmics that reduce the impact of their acting. I think this is why you often find the best actors on the stage. And I think this is why olde timey actors were often "stage-y" like Bette Davis. She FORCED you to listen, get caught up in her roles. Many (esp WB) stars took this tact like Cagney, Bogie and other big stars. Once the more "natural" style of acting came in vogue in the 50's & 60's, the stars relied more on good writing to help them be "stars"...like Paul Newman. An old bf of mine in "the biz" was telling me scenes now are often less than 60 seconds long. He was amazed anyone could ACT in anything with such short opportunities to get into a charactor, or even emote! He was the one who first pointed out to me what a horrible actor Tom Hanks is. I really watched him in movies after that and "saw" what he was talking about. Hanks simply chose better films to be in, and it made him look better. Same is true for Costner before him. Remember when stars would "play against type" and the studios would be worried about the public accepting them? That's because people so believed the persona of the actor based on the believability of the charactors they portrayed. So for me, it's tough saying I love the stars of today like I loved the stars of yesterday. It's tough to "get into" any of them when there is so little story for them to be likable. It's the medium failing, not the talent.

Ugh, you're right. Make that animals, children and evil computers. I've thought about this one at length. I think HAL's regression touches an innate fear in all of us of "losing our minds", as in Alzheimers.

Mr. Cocoa Puffs I'd say he's more like the Emperor with No Clothes....

TomJH said: But I'm watching this film on the big screen, with this beautiful girl beside me, and I feel a sniffle coming on. I'm biting into my tongue until it starts to bleed, but no sobs came out of me. I successfully retained my masculinity that evening. Haha I think it's really odd & sad that in our culture, it's not OK for men to show emotion. Attend any Bollywood movie in a theater and during the romantic scene where the lovers finally come together / death scene / reunion scene, you can look around and every man, woman & teen are ALL sniffling into tissues. Other cultures express emotion unabashedly.

Monthly Update: When does this yo-yo ever have time for his self claimed: Film Writing and Selected Journalism? Obviously, it's a joke or an unfulfilled dream....every time I see a new thread he's started & answered, I just feel sad for him.

I ended up going out to shovel snow when Jack died. No need for more. Too bad no movie was made about Barrymore's time AFTER death.....the infamous story of Flynn taking Jack out drinking and the horrific story of his exhumation. I have tried for several years to pay my respects and contemplate over Jack's grave, but the cemetary is run by loonies and you can't visit him. "Alas, poor Yorick"

There's many movies that make me cry....like IMITATION OF LIFE's ending and when Helen Keller says "water". I'm a real softie, emotional type when I get sucked into a movie. But nothing, nothing made me cry like a baby as much as Barry Fitzgerald's mother's entrance at the end of GOING MY WAY. I get tears just writing about it. We all know how we "put things off" in life and love is really the only important thing. As for DUMBO or BAMBI, it may have traumatized you as a kid, but I'm sure any of you could handle it as an adult. Yes, the enchained mother scene in Dumbo is heart wrenching and surprisingly touching for a cartoon, but compared to the live action films discussed here, rather tolerable. I draw the line at live action animal stories, though. No way would I ever see MARLEY or YELLER.

I agree with the opening or LOA....thought it was great for sucking you into the story. Just watched the Criterion HAROLD & MAUDE and Hal Ashby says the kernel of an idea came to him while he was filming-he spotted a deep dolly where a camera could go down as low as 6" and as high as 6'. He just HAD to rent that dolly for a day and he filmed the opening sequence of H&M with it. He "saw" the charactor introduced by his feet, then as he sits you watch him write a note. The camera follows his feet to a stool, then just his feet dangling. Next is a shot from up near the ceiling, behind his head looking down at his mother enter the room, sits down and makes a phone call. I was horrified seeing this the first time, but after the mom says, "I suppose you think that's very funny, Harold" was hooked! I can't view YouTube...so I hope it's not already mentioned.