casablancalover
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Posts posted by casablancalover
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I remember that! I did really well in that University. I think I only had a glass of wine during the exam..a red...
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Thank you for helping out MM. This is not my thread, but we all let our voices be heard. Your selections remind me that there is so much great music in the world.
Something this morning on a theme.
*Taking it to the Streets*. Great song..
Doobie Brothers:
Another turn by Tonic Solfa, (this time w/Taiko drum support):
I'm a big fan of Michael McDonald too. Feb 12 birthday.. so near my own. He will get his own day-- He and Lincoln. February's gonna be busy...
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Lz is right with the description.
Your sign in there can be absolutely the same as here. Setting up your page is relatively easy, but for now the Classic Film Union is a little clunky to get around.. I do check my fb page, (I mean, real facebook.com) far more often than the union. I know they will make improvements and speed things up, but for the time being for instant messaging, this is the place. If you like the looong comment, the Union is the place to go. You may post blogs and and you may delete them- an advantage you do not have here. We are usually at the will of the top of the thread thing..
Some of the regulars here do not do much of anything on the CFU. Maybe, like me, they are holding out for a little speed...
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Glad to read your take on this lz. I feel safer now in admitting that I didn't care for OAHW I did keep thinking "What is Jean Arthur doing in this?". It is one I have never been able to stay awake through. The other one is Holiday with Grant/Hepburn.
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> {quote:title=JonnyGeetar wrote:}{quote}
> It reminds me of a story about how, during the filming of Mr. Skeffington , Bette Davis crashed a Packard Coupe through what she thought was Vincent Sherman's living room and made it all the way to the Solarium when she discovered it was actually Michael Curtiz's house.
>
> Boy, was THAT embarassing!
*Wait a Minute! This is beginning to sound like What Ever Happened to Baby Jane.*
Where was Joan Crawford during all this?
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I've read those accounts too. I think there is more going on than fear. I liked her in Shane, but honestly she didn't have to emote that much. Comedy is hard, for a reason. The risk of being upstaged is very real, and you don't know it for certain until the film editor is done with their job. Then it's too late.
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I've read that too. Apparently she suffered from severe stage fright.
But the more I work with actual actors in plays and in movies, the more unbelievable this explanation becomes. In this biz you just can't get anywhere with that personality quirk working against you. Stage fright is just that. You are frightened of performing. We all get nervous from time to time, but it is *ACTING*, (I'm thinkin' of Jon Lovitz) and you press on for it is not just about you, OTHERS are depending on you to hold up your commitment to the cause. I don't buy her story too much anymore.
I like her in some roles, but others I wonder if it's because Barbara Stanwyck wasn't available. Babs, imho, has the real acting chops...
Edited by: casablancalover on Jan 26, 2010 10:38 AM
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h4. The Official Microsoft pc repair protocol:
1. Get up....
2. Sit down....
3. Shut down Vista...
4. Get up...
5. Walk around office chair two times, full circle.
6. Touch door knob on far side of room to mitigate excess static.
7. Sit down.
8. Restart Vista....
9. Softly kiss touch pad or mouse.
10. Wait patiently.
You may safely copy and paste for your own use....
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Maybe it's the voice, Jonny. I love The More the Merrier, for I get to spend it watching Charles Coburn at his most charming, and lookin' at Joel McCrea being, well, Joel McCrea...
I also love the Devil and Miss Jones. I enjoy Coburn's character interacting with Spring Byington.They are both so 'dorable in that movie.
I am grateful however not to sound like Jean Arthur.
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iTunes works fine; this song is terrific and perfect for a dark winter day. I guess I will not write much comedy today...
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Thanks for posting it, MM.
Let me see how my iTunes is feeling. You don't mind playing Disc-Jockey for a while, do you?
-Charlotte
Edited by: casablancalover on Jan 26, 2010 10:11 AM
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The Young Victoria did have limited release.. It wasn't in all the multiplexes. I saw it in an art house here in MN.
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>*The moment we stop fighting for each other, that's the moment we lose our humanity.*
Chiwetel Ejiofor 2012 (2009)
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Eddie Holman:
Hey There:
Sam Cooke
Wonderful World:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNO72aCnVr0
Chain Gang:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzwHl42DLlg
Edited by: casablancalover on Jan 25, 2010 8:38 PM
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> {quote:title=JonnyGeetar wrote:}{quote}
> > {quote:title=lzcutter wrote:}{quote}
> > *The Wiz* just paved the way to box office doom for all involved and boredom for all of us who saw the movie on its release.
> I know. What the hell happened to Sidney Lumet after this?! I don't get how you make three of the best movies of the 70's boom, boom, boom: Murder on the Orient Express , Dog Day Afternoon , and Network then you make The Wiz and it's all downhill from there, with a brief uptic for The Verdict
*Such is the hazards of the collaborative process. Some things on paper have different results in practice. The screenplay for Airplane! The Movie reads like a dog, yet I think it brilliant.*
>
> Shame. Maybe he bought some cursed Indian talisman at a garage sale or something.
*hum, another story idea for ValentineXavier?*
> ps- the whole Guys and Dolls thing has brought back a memory of one of the first posts I did a while ago in the Films and Filmakers Forum titled Joe Makiewicz is REALLY Overrated .
> Feel free to look it up, it really **** some people off
>
> pss- I still stand by that post.
*I promise to look it up and read it later. I need to get back to my chores. You, keep writing..*
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I'm feeling romantic. Here's a little Schubert. The first is Horowitz performing. He behaves like a golfer, setting his stance and his soul into the moment. As a golfer, I understand it.
Impromptu:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6_SbflSwAg
Serenade:
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I Love your take, Jack. Thank you. After writing so long in screenplays, I don't know if I can write in a long form anymore. I will note your notes..
I will comment on some of your astute observations if I may.
> {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote}
> Here is my take on *The Young Victoria* from the day after I saw it. I amended it after reading your great review, CBLover! (I am still gaga over the costumes....the bonnets alone deserve a special Oscar)
Agreed about the costumes and headwear, and the hairdressing was fantastic too! I think at the period they used a combination of wax and shallac.
> With no opening credits, *The Young Victoria* quickly and unceremoniously dumps you smack dab into the center of court intrigue in 1836, a time when the British monarchy was in jeopardy due to the lack of heirs to the throne, and the Germans (really the Saxe -Gotha, which was simplified into 'Germans' for us rubes in the movie going public) were looking to make a match with England to strengthen their position and finances. You feel as if you were a participant in the intrigue and action. There are some sections that are completely shocking, because you are so steeped in the world of palace politics, cocooned and protected from the outside world, just as Victoria was, that you forget there is an outside world.
*That is the interesting part of the this story period. It seems the Aristocracy was the last to receive the Enlightenment; that is, awareness of the outside world which was in fact _the world._ Victoria is fascinating to discuss for she does represent the last of the classic Monarchs of Europe. It is all to change during her reign...*
>
> The movie has humor, and real romance. I especially liked the way Albert was written - in many films he is a caricature, and is written poorly - complaining about not having anything to do. The film shows us his plight without resorting to cliche. The politics were fascinating, and the acting was uniformly fine, with *Miranda Richardson* (yes!) as Victoria's politically minded mother, *Jim Broadbent* as the King and *Harriet Walter* as the Queen especially good.
*More about Albert below. I loved Broadbent's interpretation of the king, and he was hanging on for Victoria's B-day! Hence the perfectly spoke "May" remark...*
>Though Miranda Richardson's character was dreadful, holding her daughter captive to the whims of her cold, ambitious husband, one couldn't help feeling sorry for her as the movie came to it's conclusion. Now that is good acting!
*I did wonder about the accuracy of that relationship. Especially in light of Victoria's behavior after Albert's untimely death, her tragically bizarre mourning and treatment of her son. It does bolster Albert's hero persona.*
> I would have liked it to have slowed down a little toward the end, they tried to wrap things up a little too quickly for my liking. This is the second British period film in less than a year that had me captivated. The young leads, *Emily Blunt* and *Rupert Friend* were terribly good (and good to look at as well), though Blunt is a tad too skinny as Victoria. *Paul Bettany* as Melbourne was perfect as the dashing but condescending prime minister.
*It did wrap up too quickly; I wince when they write an epilogue. Those epilogues represent another chapter (film) altogether. I hope they continue this story.*
*Melbourne was a political animal. He was in the following generation of Wellington and Nelson-- very tough acts to follow.*
> I have to say there is some fine writing being done in British period films lately. They are concentrating on more interesting aspects of history, in the guise of costume drama. Nice to have some real history and thoughtfulness thrown into the standard romance formula.
*There is one scene which I could not corroborate (warning: SPOILER): when Albert takes one for Victoria. The incident did take place (in fact there were several in her early reign!) but our hero was never personally injured as a result*.
> Personally, I could have done without the bed scenes. They were very tastefully done, but they seemed obligatory, and didn't really have to be included.
*Not me! I mean, they had nine children; she was pregnant with her first by the third month of marriage. This is an ardent relationship, not just for issue for the crown. Think of what is happening in literature at this period as well. It is also the rise of the romantic period in music; it is no mistake the musical references made in the story. One cannot listen to Schubert and not think of romance.*
>The story was more about these two sheltered pawns, who amazingly ended up loving each other (against all odds and expectations), and protecting one another. Surprisingly, these two overly protected, underestimated youngsters, surrounded by a sea of plotting cynics, managed to end up ruling England together in a more enlightened way, according to the film. That they ever made it to the throne is amazing.
*Again, agreed. Here is another controversy that is touched upon. Albert would always be the subject of his true motivations. The actions of Victoria, moving his desk along side hers, is a profound gesture of her alliance to her husband and her need for his support in ruling her nation. A part of the ruling class always thought Albert the outsider, however, and he remains a little cloudy in his allegiance by some. Did you know the rise of the Scandal Sheet was also happening.. Surprise-surprise!*
> The movie really made you feel what it was to be stifled by duty to a country or an ideal that one knew little about. Victoria's (and Albert's) upbringing was so ridiculously cosseted (she was not allowed to walk downstairs without someone to hold her hand - ever. This until she was almost an adult!), and so blankly empty of any education that would make her a good queen, that they couldn't have done a worse job if they had tried.
*This theme of control resonants so well in this story. With monarchies toppling with revolution, and new worlds and opportunities to explore (and plunder) the world's wealth, it must have seemed to certain power-hungry individuals that they can manipulate to whatever they desire. That is why I would have loved the story to continue. We haven't even come to Palmerston yet!*
>Fortunately, the young are inquisitive and willing to try new approaches and this is brought to the fore in the movie by young Albert. I had no idea if Victoria's first public relations disaster actually took place or not, it seemed fresh and interesting that leaders of that time were capable of huge gaffs. The movie helps make it clear that a wrong choice in the myriad of people willing to advise Victoria could throw all of Europe into chaos. Luckily, this Victoria is a discerning intelligent girl with her wits about her.
*The introduction of the Christmas tree is just the tip of the iceberg of Albert's influence. Some minor tidbits of German History.. The rise of German philosophies and the renewed concept of Grace within the Lutheran Church is in reaction to the perceived excesses in the aristocracy at this period. Caring for the poor, and uplifting your own soul in service to others are the messages being brought to the masses. Remember, the Saxon see their neighbors to the west (France) and east (Prussia) and what results from two extremes of freedom and oppression. Let's not even get into Hegel at this point...BUT*
*I believe that Albert was not a hegelist, but the suspicion remained. He did believe in the programs that were started under Victoria's auspices, though his lasting official legacy is the Victoria and Albert museum. He was so much more..*
> I highly recommend the film, not only for the costumes and look of the piece, although that would be enough. It also offers a slice of history we don't see much in the movies - the political climate of 1830 - 1840.
*It is a must see for the period alone. Thank you for wanting my insight.*
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> {quote:title=JonnyGeetar wrote:}{quote}
> i don't understand why "Song of the South" has been banished to the salt mines while "White Christmas" STILL has the "Ole Abe Lincoln" blackface number and they sell the damn DVD at Starbucks.
>
> Someone correct me if my facts are wrong.
I think you may have meant Holiday Inn instead of White Christmas (which does a minstrel number btw)
How ya' doin' otherwise? Where's your favorite Starbucks? Mine is in the B&N @ MOA...
Edited by: casablancalover on Jan 25, 2010 10:26 AM
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>(narrating) *The poor dope - he always wanted a pool. Well, in the end, he got himself a pool.*
William Holden, Sunset Blvd (1950)
Edited by: casablancalover on Jan 25, 2010 10:20 AM
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There's always the Puppy Bowl...
http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/puppy-bowl.html
The movies are great here too, and if not familiar all the more reason to watch..
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Hello once more..
Molo: Most of my resource books lie with the ex, and I am working from memory here. I do love the Six Wives of Henry the VIII, and thought Mitchell the perfect choice for the King. I did find it fanciful that each episode ran with each wife, while in practice the lengths of these relationships varied wildly. And the doomed ones (I mean those executed--in most respects they were all doomed) were the most memorable, the most notably of Seymour. I find Anne of Cleves an interesting story too, mainly for it is so different in outcome.
Jack: I agree with the notion that she resign herself to die after delivering an heir. It does list that she died of an infection, and the length of time from her delivery of Edward to her death was 12 days. For us women who have experience childbirth, it is the time to be acutely aware of our bodies and what may happen within us and report any unusual occurrence (it is the most delicate way I can put this without being too icky about it) I imagine this may have been a reason and it's not noted officially for it would be bad press for any prospective future brides of the king. Jane fell victim to all the scheming around her. I do wonder how she actually felt about it all.
I have pulled out my trusted _What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew_ by Daniel Pool for all things Victorian...
Edited by: casablancalover on Jan 25, 2010 9:58 AM
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Thank you, JF. I do love the validation of a response..
I came to the theater with little expectation, only hearing of the great costuming. I came to see the action (mostly in facial expression) and hear the dialog. There is much intrigue in courtly behavior, even if it is historical, with a sense of anticipation and surprise that must be brought into the story. The Young Victoria does not disappoint me.
I knew some things already about the young Victoria from my travels to England. The film does a very good job pointing out the controversy about her Regency, and the influence of her mother and Sir John Conroy (again, be aware of anyone in English peerage named John-usually the "bad guy"-haha) and the moves by royal relations on the Continent. Also, what makes for great story telling is a dashing hero, and Albert embodied it! While it seemed all were scheming for Victoria for their own piece of her power, Albert was scheming with her, understanding all too well her fears of losing her identity as a person instead of a figurehead (which was conspired) or a Monarch (which she became).
The biggest challenge these movies possess is the story takes place within the heads of the characters. Outside of the beautiful settings, not much will happen. For fans of historical romance, we hope for a bed scene, but we are also aware that it must be done tastefully. The Young Victoria does not disappoint here either. It is told with so much charm, I thought of booking a flight...
There is one incident I could not verify, but is wonderful dramatic flourish.
I do want to exchange ideas on this... Any thoughts?
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Elvis recorded this on this date:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBC6X0kI1aE
John Belushi would have been 61 today. Blues Brothers (absolutely love this):
Love to you all, make it a great night..
"No Down Payment"
in Films and Filmmakers
Posted
It does get shown on FMC from time to time, when they are not making us retch with their repeats of Point Break and The Pleasure Seekers...