rohanaka
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Posts posted by rohanaka
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Hiya, Mr. Grey!!
THE CAKE OF MINISTRY OF FEAR IS SPOILED. IT'S THE EGGS!
What?? No bad comments about ME being the baker?? ha. What IS the world coming to????????
This is the wrong man caught up in a web of faux businessmen. It's Lang's The 39 Steps, Foreign Correspondent, Saboteur, and Young and Innocent. It also plays like Secret Agent. And I do think Ministry of Fear is as enjoyable as Hitch's flicks, just a little less so than the first two titles
I have to confess, when it first came on, I missed the opening minutes of it, so I did not even know the title, until after it was over. (or that it was a Lang) And for a moment or two the QT and I were both trying to figure out if it WAS a Hitchcock. The 39 Steps is the exact movie I thought of as I was watching.
The suspense is with his sister
It really was.. when they were down there in that train station waitig out the bombs.... I thought "OH is she ever reeling him in" but eventually I did manage to let down my guard with her.
He's always a joy. His ultimate fate is a classic one
He stuck out like a SORE thumb with all those folks at that sceance, ha. So "polite" and yet w/ that voice he still sounded like a hood, ha. When he was dialing that phone w/ those RIDICULOUSLY huge scissors.. YIKES. I was not sure WHAT was going to happen w/ those. (oh gee. I just had a thought, ha. Imagine if Vance had had a pair of THOSE sitting on that table when Flo ticked her off!! ha)
If the film was made today, the sister (Marjorie Reynolds) would have been playing Stephen (Ray Milland) for a fool. And I do agree, I would have liked it more if it was that way
Maybe.. but if she had turned out to be playing him.. it would have been fun if she could have done that and fooled all of us too.. as it was she was too obvious one way or the other. I think I would have liked to see her have a little more "mystery" or depth in her character.. but really.. she fit the "standard" sort of role for a woman in that sort of story back then.
I also thought the climax to the film was on the "quick and short" side. So, shockingly, we're in agreement with everything
Ha.. I KNOW!! ha, I say again.. what IS the world coming to?????
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Hello there, little darlin'.
you know where it's going and who is really who, but how it will play out is well done. This movie feels very "British" to me and not just the casting,
It DOES feel very "British". And the Grey Guy stole my thunder, ha. (I will be replying to him next.. but he is right.. it sort of reminds me a bit of Hitchcock.. especially The 39 Steps)
but there is that air of Gothic spookiness about it which made me think any minute Sherlock Holmes would drift in and wrap up the proceedings, my dear Watson
The rooftop scene really gave me that feeling especially. Just the skyline and the darkness.... I wasn't sure if I was going to see Sherlock Holmes, though.. ha. Maybe Mr. Hyde. ha.
I did see part of that scene, which is one of my favorites
Mini-spoiler:
The kidling was watching with me (early on, but then she went off to get ready for bed so she did not see the rest of it) Anyway, she and I both were "speculating" on whether he was REALLY blind or not.. and the minute he dropped his eyes and started looking around she says, "MAMA! You were right.. that man is LYING!" ha. She can spot a faker/bad guy, from a mile away, ha. She's a mini-crime show watcher after my own heart, ha. :-)
prefer Man Hunt because it's more tightly woven. Ministry of Fear does sort of hearken to the highly organized underworlds of Lang's early films
I will have to check into MH, as that is one I have not seen, but I hope you get a chance to re-watch this one again sometime. I wouldn't mind that chance myself. It was a good night for me to take a night off and enjoy a couple of movies.. I am glad I came across this one for sure.
Edited by: rohanaka on Apr 2, 2011 2:10 AM
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Fallen Idol Spoilers
Oh my gosh!I am so glad you watched it Ro! Yes, it's definitely a "thriller", right to the end... I love the idea that no one listens to him at all by the end of the film
OH me, little darlin'. ha.. I was SO worried they were going to go all "Twilight Zone" on me.. and that would be the end of poor Baines. (I was SURE he'd be arrested and convicted because of what the little kid said (trying to help) OR he was going to put a bullet in that gun down there in the basement and.... well.. you know. ha. And then JUST as the girlfriend was headed down there to tell him it was over and he was NOT going to jail.. we'd hear the shot ring out. Whew! I am not kidding I LITERALY was on the edge of my seat.
Wasn't Mrs. Baines a trip? CREEPY. Holy cow, I'd be scarred for life if I had grown up with her hovering over me with her bobby pinned hair
HA!!!! The minute that bobby pin fell out on his pillow I thought, "HOW fitting!" ha. because I immediately thought of that HIDEOUS witch in the old Bugs Bunny cartoon where she goes chasing him all over.. and her hair pins keep popping out all over the place, HA.
But you are SO right.. CREEPY doesn't hardly even cover it, ha. For a movie that really did not have a lot of "action" and relied so heavily on conversations back and forth between the characters to do most of the story telling throughout the main part of the movie.. it WAS very tense there by the last 35 minutes or so of the film. Pretty much from the time they get home and think she is gone. OH me.. just thinking about everything being so happy and cheerful.. and all the while she was there.. LURKING.. UGH!!!! My heart could not hardly take it, ha.
I am curious what you thought of Ralph. He can be a little underwhelming, because he is such an underplayer, but I just adore his acting
I thought he was PERFECTLY cast. (and SUCH a departure from Dr. Sloper) He was so repressed.. and totally held back and held down by that awful woman.. and yet he was not done in. He had hopes... he had dreams... and he wanted to stand up to her so he could make them real. And I thought he played that all out very well. I also love how he interacted with Philippe. He was so patient with him and kind hearted.. even when he sort of resorted to using him (at the zoo) He stilll was the only friend that little guy had.. and I like that he knew it.. and took that seriously.
And PS: I am GLAD that the police asked the question about intimacy between him and the other woman.. if only so she could answer it. I do have a hard time sympathizing w/ adultery for any reason, so it was MUCH easier to be on his side when it came out they had NOT acted on what was in their hearts. But still.. oh my golly.. with that Hair-pin wearing witch of a wife he was stuck with.. OH me.. I don't think I could have judged him too harshly if the answer HAD been different.
GOOD gravy.. she was hideous. (I even felt sorry for MACGREGOR. Who'da THUNK it?? HA.)
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Howdy there, dear Goddess!
('scuze me, folks, while I interrupt just a "Wee" moment)
Little Miss Marker which Jackie pointed out.
I remember Jackie bringing that one up before. It is one I have not seen (or at least I do not recall) I will try to check it out sometime.
shockingly MrGrimes was the one who pointed it out.
SHOCKING to say the least, ha.
I guess I took for granted that any Shirley Temple film is going to be told mostly from her perspective, but there did seem to be many instances where she was almost speaking out loud what the adults really thought and felt but were too ashamed or too "grown up" to express
"Mini-spoiler alert"
That's it exactly. And that is one of the reasons I do think this one comes off so very endearing. She just gets to the heart of the matter on almost every subject.. and I also like how she keeps everyone in line.. by reminding them how to behave (and not to behave) I especially LOVE how she scolds Khoda Kahn (something like, "And after I gave you back your necklace and everything") It TOTALLY shamed him into remembering the debt he owed her.. and it turned the tide from there on out.
It reminds me a little of a Kay Francis movie, Another Dawn. Her character sort of has to come to grips with life on those outposts
That's a totally new title for me.. I don't think I have ever heard of it before.
He really had me when he rolled into that trough of water while the men were getting ready. He was almost as much of a child as Winkie.
Now see, ha, I got a WHOLE different sort of "vibe" from that. Don't ask me why, but to me it was like.. ha.. WAY "manly macho" ha. I remember thinking "woowee Victor" and it wasn't just because of how he looked.. ha.
But you are right, he was almost as much of a kid as she was. He was nearly as much her "plaything" as she was his.. ha. I loved how he pretended to take her so seriously as a soldier.. and she was being so serious too.. ha. HEART MELTING, wasn't it?
He was a lot like the Grandfather in Little Lord Fauntleroy. Very rigid in his traditions and ideas, but with a heart underneath. In fact, the stories are rather similar except for the settings of course
That's a PERFECT comparison. THANK you, ha. I have been wracking my brain thinking of who to compare him to.
I'm very glad you got to see it and enjoyed it...it's not a masterpiece but very worth seeing and I'm only sorry it took me so long to reply to you
Oh, NOT to worry, kid. I am so far behind I may NEVER catch up, ha. I am glad the Grey Dude brought it up to gab on and we were able to get a few words in on it.. it is a very chatworthy little film.
I can't say I added very much to the discussion
Not so, little lady! I always look forward to reading your comments.. you always add a lot to any chat.
I had wanted to use some screencaps but time got away from me
Oh good gravy.. THAT could be the story of my life right now, ha.
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Hello there, Miss G!
Just wanted to pop in and say how much I enjoyed watching Ministry of Fear tonight. I had never even HEARD of this film before and was just more or less "flipping" through the channels, and I sort of fell into the story as I started to watch.
It is a fun "twisty-turny" sort of tale and a pretty good "WHY-dunnit" ha. (because I KNEW that the "who" was the lousy Nazi's.. ha. I just could not quite figure out what they were up to. ha)
Oh..and PS: "mini-spoiler"... I pretty much suspected that brother from the VERY beginning. Wasn't HE a piece of work?? Oh my golly. Oh.. and I was not suprised at ALL to see old Dan Duryea show back up, either. I figured HE'd be back.. I just wasn't sure when. ha. But wowsa.. what an ending HE had.. (when he was finally gone) oh me.
But still... having said all that, there were some REALLY great moments of supense in this one. And some fun supporting characters. I really liked the visit to the medium's house (when Milland is on the run) and I LOVED the bit on the train w/ the old "blind" man. (and how that all played out)
Probably the only big criticism I have would be that to me the ending sort of wrapped up a bit too quickly. (oh.. and I wanted the sister to be working w/ the brother.. ha. I think she'd have been more interesting that way, but that might have made the movie TOO predictable) but still, all in all
I have to say I am glad to have caught this one. It was a nice suprise.
Edited by: rohanaka on Mar 30, 2011 11:59 PM
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The Fallen Idol
Oh Jackie..... I saw this was coming on tonight.. and I remembered that you had recommended it. I am SO glad to have caught it.. wowsa, what a story.
(And although I need to warn anyone reading this that I may be approaching SPOILER territory here.. OH my golly what an ENDING! I was absolutely on the EDGE of my seat hoping.. HOPING hoping that NObody would hear a word that little boy was saying... whew!! I don't think I could have taken it if it had gone on much longer! Talk about STRESS! ha)
Thanks again for putting this one on my radar. I don't know if I'd have noticed it otherwise and that would have been a real shame as this film is DEFINITELY noteworthy.
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Oh me, I have to confess that I never been HUGE on little Shirley (over all) but I can't say I dislike her either. I just usually have a tough time with ALL that sweetness at once. ha. But truely, I did not feel that way with this film at all.. parts of it were very sweet.. but on the whole, it was more than that.. it was endearing.
Wee SPOILER alert:
It is films like this one that make me remember what a truly talented child she really was. I much prefer her in roles like this (where she is called on to be more than cute) and I love how Pricilla was just was so enthusiastic and sweetly honest about everything she did. And I think her rendition of Auld Lang Syne is now my most favorite use of that tune in any film I have ever seen... ever. And that is saying a lot because it is a song that gets used a LOT in movies.. even if only just the melody. But it was PERFECTLY used in this film to evoke just the right emotions.. and oh me.. did it ever evoke. ha. I am still getting that little "sting" behind my eyes just thinking of it all.
I like the comparison you and the Grey Guy were making to the Fordie Cavalry films.. I think it is a good one. This one would have to be "Cavalry Light" though because I did not get such a "heavy handed" feeling for the military aspect of this film so much as the others. (though clearly it IS all about life at the fort.. but told from a child's perspective.. so that is what makes the difference, I guess)
I really enjoyed the performance by Mclaglen.. OH me.. sweet Victor, I think I love you, ha. (but only the same way Shirley did, ha) I loved the way he just melted around her and fawned over her (but in a very proper, military way, ha) I think it was so charming to watch him interact with her.. and MY goodness did he steal my heart.. even more than SHE did. But it was fun to see the "man who would be Quincannon" coming out in him too.
And I felt so sorry for poor Mott. ha. He just wanted to be "one of the men" and be taken seriously.. and by golly he SHOULD have been.. if that doggone little Winkie kid had not come in and stolen his thunder. ha. I like that they made friends in the end. I bet they grew up to be sweet on each other some day. ha.
And OH the Grandfather. I loved him so much. I tried to see "Thursday" in him (by looking at some of the comparisons you guys mentioned w/ the other films) but truly.. he may have been slightly"bombastic" and certainly loud and "gruff", but I never saw him as arrogant and egotistical (even despite all his "glory days" stories). I loved the conversation he had w/ Pricilla and her mother when they were mad at him and wanting to leave.. the way he sat them down and spoke so simply and lovingly to them about his duty and how seriously he took it all. And when he laid down his arms and walked up to Khoda Kahn.. OH my goodness.. with every shot that was fired, I just loved him all the more. WAY cool. (at least to me)
I just can't thank you two enough for bringing this film to my attention. I truly was glad to have caught it. The kidling and the QT both enjoyed watching it too. I can see it becoming a family friendly favorite of ours for years to come. Thanks again for the heads up. (or was that the kick in the pants.. ha. I forget) at any rate.. I am glad to have seen this one for sure.
Edited by: rohanaka on Mar 20, 2011 11:33 PM
Edited by: rohanaka on Mar 20, 2011 11:36 PM
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Hello Miss G... please forgive the interruption.. but if it is not too late to go back a page or two...
Not so long ago.... The Grey Guy said:
You do have to like sweetness, kindness, and sentimentilality to enjoy Wee Willie Winkie. I think it's the most loving of Ford's films.
To which you, dear girl, replied:
I agree that you have to like movies with lots of sentiment, and of course children! to enjoy Wee Willie Winkie. I can't get over that you of all people liked this movie! It's staggering
To which Rohanaka now adds:
STAGGERING aint the HALF of it.. OH me what a dear sweet story. (but I agree with EVERY word he said.. (gulp)
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I"m sorry I took so long to reply, I've had my time "tooken up" with too much meaningless nonsense lately
No worries little darlin'. My time gets "tooken up" a lot lately, these days, ha.
guess I like her fiery femininity. She's spirited without ever losing her womanliness and on top of all that, a real beauty
Now that is a PERFECT way to describe her.. in pretty much every film I have ever seen her in (except maybe Only the Lonely with John Candy.. ha. She is a MUCH different Maureen in that one.. but even then her "spiritedness" does finally surface.. in the right way (eventually).. oh.. and in that movie.. she has a son too, ha.)
They are because they lull unwary ones into a false sense of security
I just could not stand his "mocking" attitude. I think that is where I usually draw the line w/ "amiable" bad guys. (or real people for that matter, too, ha) I have very little patience for people who like to make fun of others for sport.. and he was ALL about amusing himself at the expense of someone else. Blech.
suppose she relented upon seeing how he was about to throw his whole life away on the act of vengeance he'd been nursing for so long. That could have been her
You are so right.. because if ANYONE had a reason to feel vengeful, it was her. (and not just for what had happened to her son, but really with the whole town too) but she overcame it.. and I think THAT is what made the difference for Keith's character as well.. I hate to think what would have happened with HIS situation, if she had not been a voice of reason for him.
I wonder how many western women were just that... THE voice of reason to all those rugged "my way or the highway" kinda cowboys... just think of all the lawlessness that could have transpired (even more than there already was, I am sure) had it not been for the women folk talking those men down from their plans to wreak havoc. Ha!
(Oh brother.. now I've done it.. ha.. even now.. I am sure some shifty GREY person out there is compiling a list of UNreasonable "havoc-wreaking" western women folk to rebut that statement, ha)
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I've been watching Brenda in reruns
Have you seen any of the episodes with her parents?????????? Oh my golly.. too funny. (but then I can't think of a single character in that entire show that I do not absolutely L-O-V-E love. I just think it is one of the best written, best character driven shows on right now.. and yet even with all the great characters.. the stories are different and interestig every week.. but enough of my "Closer" loving chatter, ha)
I wish I were someone more sophisticated and exotic. I have to think if there is someone else I could be
Have you ever seen Julia Roberts in Conspiracy Theory???
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I suspect you would make a GREAT law enforcement official or secret agent, Ro
Aw.. thanks for the vote of confidence, little gal.. but alas.. ha.. I think you give me too much credit.. and besides.. I don't have the patience to be so sly.. I would want to take out a brick and start knocking a few heads around when the bad guys started stirring up trouble.. and then I'd give myself away. HA.
She only looked harmless - the PERFECT secret agent
Ha.. she was so "sweet" and tough.. all at the same time. (See... sweet.. that would leave me out.. ha.)
Oh.. and speaking of "only looking harmless".. that is why I LOVE The Closer so much. I like to think of her as a "female" Columbo.. from Georgia. ha. She is SO easy to underestimate.. and then she "pounces" (at least verbally, anyway, ha) But I could NEVER be her... I mean.. how can ONE person eat so many cookies and candies.. and stay so tiny.. sheesh!!!!!!! (at least Frances (in Fargo) was eating for TWO!! ha. (and PS.. I can also see me hitting the buffet line as HER too.. ha. but you stole my idea, first, ha)
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I'm a big Thelma Ritter fan and I do believe this is her best performance of all
Up until now I had always thought I liked her best in The Mating Season. (I think that is the right name of that movie.. it has been a while since I saw it) I LOVED her in that.. but OH me.. this movie makes me take a GOOOOOD long look at that thought.. and now I am torn, ha. The two characters are TOTALLY different (and yet NOT completely so) I also like her in Rear Window.. a lot. And well.. ok, I confess.. just about anything I have ever seen her in, ha. She really was a talented actress.. I think she just truly did a stand out job in this film, for sure.
I do love Widmark. And it's films like Pickup on South Street that made me love him. Nobody played "on edge" in film noir better than him. You could say he's the "Cagney" of film noir. And he does it from both sides of the fence
I THOUGHT I remembered him being pretty high up on the list for you (as faves go). I don't really know if I can even say for sure what it is that has never really stood out about him for me, but I cannot deny he DOES do a good job in a noir for sure. And I have seen him in a couple of westerns that he did well in as well.. I likely just never gave him a fair enough chance (overall)
our hero is a loser criminal
And yet he had a clue, that there WAS more to life than just "him". (unlike your other pal, Harry, ha.. but let's don't go THERE again.
) He WAS self-motivated. He did want to get as much as he could out of the commies.. so he did have a way to go.. but I think seeing what became of Moe.. and then seeing what Candy did finally.. sort of MAYBE... opened his eyes to the "bigger" picture. Anyway.. I just found him a LOT more likeable (and understandable) as a person than.. some other noir-ish Widmark-ish guy who will remain nameless.. The 39 Steps to the 39th stoop
Ha.. Good one.. and OH me.. ha.. could he have PICKED a more "obvious" hangout?? That place stuck out like a sore thumb.. and good gravy.. it was practically Grand Central Station. ha. But in the end, I guess it was a good thing it was so easy to spot (since the detective that was watching him was able to alibi him for Moe)
I'm glad you watched the film, Quiet Gal
Me too, Grey Guy.. even if it did cost me a sore "keister" ha. (both from getting kicked in the pants by the Movieman.. and also just having to sit here in my little office chair late last night watching that youtube all the way through in one fell swoop, ha. No pain, no gain.)
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I fear I am more of a Frances McDormand from Fargo
Ha.. color me.. Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple.. or maybe Dame May.. as Miss Froy. (alas)
Edited by: rohanaka on Mar 17, 2011 12:23 PM
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It's about love - sacrificing love, all encompassing - the girl gives up everything for her man
Yeah.. that too.. make that #4.
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Oh, I gotta hear the reasons behind that
1) You love Thelma. (and she was STELLAR in this movie)
2) I THINK you love Widmark too.. at least I know you love him in NATC.. and he is WAY better in this movie than in THAT one.. ha. (at least in terms of how I view his CHARACTER anyway.. HA)
3)The "hero" is VERY flawed.. and very "Grey" in that he is not a "good guy" but still not THE bad guy.. and in terms of what I recall you saying about things you like in a "noir" character.. that is YOU all over.
I completely agree with you, by the way
Well... it is rare.. ha.. but it HAS been known to happen.
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Oh great.. I see Kansas City Confidential on your list there, Mr Movieman.. OUCH!! Yet another swift kick to my sitter!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Miss G... did I mention this thread was a dangerous place??????? Sigh..)
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I had to hit enter too.
Me too.. again and again.. and again.
But never let it be said that persistance does not pay off, because after a little "wading around in the river"...
Miss Maven.. here is the link to the chat we had a couple of years ago on RR. I did not go back and re-read through all of it, but I have to say that after just re-reading my opening posts I guess I had a few more issues w/ the story than I recalled.. but I do still remember that despite all that, I DID like the film a lot and found it to be a really good film.
Now I know that time can sometimes alter our perspective when it comes to how fondly (or not too fondly) we remember a movie, so now I want to rewatch it all again if for no other reason than to just jog my memory.. but also to see if I am still of the same mind on everything as I was before (at least about some of the issues I had w/ the Dunson and some of his motivations).
At any rate I stand by what I said.. now and then.. it is a very powerful story and there are some REALLY great performances in there... the Duke and Clift just to name two. But also the other supporting cast as well..
Anyway.. here is the link if you are wanting to dip you toesies in that little River chat.. ha.
(good luck w/ the comma's.. it does work.. but it is a pain in the... toesies. ha)
http://forums.tcm.com/thread.jspa?threadID=133953&start=4980&tstart=0
(and PS: it goes on for pages and pages after this opening post.. if I recall.. so your toesies ARE going to get wet if you read the whole thing.. ha)
Edited by: rohanaka on Mar 17, 2011 11:57 AM
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Hey Movieman.. thanks for reminding me that I needed to (for a VERY long time now) make time to watch Pick Up on South Street. It is on youtube and I just kept putting it off and forgetting it, etc. etc. etc. (don't tell the Grey Guy.. he'll start calling ME shiftless... oh perish the thought, ha) So thanks my friend, for the kick in the pants! ha.
(Golly, Miss G.. this thread of yours is a dangerous place... I keep getting kicked in the sitter around here lately.. ha. First the Grey Guy (and Wee Willie Winkie) and now the Movieman.. ha. But I say as I did before.. I likely needed it anyway, so getting a good swift kick for this movie is as good a reason as any, ha)
And oh me.. was I glad to have finally gotten to this one. It is not a GREAT story overall.. but GEE it has some really great characters.. specifically Moe.. and Skip. Oh my golly.. that THELMA! I have always loved her.. but this film makes me SERIOUSLY think about what my fave performance for her is now. And I think I have to say the same about Widmark too. And he is just the opposite from Thelma for me asI have never been a huge fan of his overall. But boy, oh boy.. they both did such a great job in this one.
Grey dude.. I totally get why this film is a fave for you.
Thanks again, Mr. Movieman, sir for that well deserved swift kick "in the beautiful morning glory" ha. (that is what my dear old mom always calls it, HA) If I had to get kicked, I am glad I was able to put it to good use!
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Howdy there, Miss Maven!! Thanks for chiming in on Red River.. it IS a really powerful story. And a terrific film.
We had a pretty good chat on it a couple of years ago as I recall but it has been SOME time since then and your comments make me think I want to watch it all again if only to just relive all that "edge of your seat" sort of tension between the "Past" and "Future" (I like the way you put that)
If I recall.. my only major criticism of this film was the ending.. I thought it was too simple after all that dramatic build up.. but I likely need to go back and see it all again from a fresh perspective because even if I am remembering that correctly.. it is STILL a really great story and a very fine piece of acting from all the main characters to be sure.
Thanks for dropping into the Western side of town, little gal. You are always a welcome sight here.
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Hellooooooo there, Little Missy.
I think I know which one you mean
Thanks goodness for that large rock.. or tree.. or whatever that was.. ha.
She never loses her dignity. There are lots of women who can play harsh and hard but do they have the extra quality that signals "quality"? Maureen really does, especially in her maturity as an actress.
I think that is one of the reasons I like her so well as an actress.. I like how in this movie she was "down on her luck" but not "down". You are right.. she does "dignity" well.
wish we could have seen more "prologue", more of her life in that town, why they were so harsh to her, etc. She wasn't "Helen Ramirez" in terms of business but like Helen, the men liked her privately but were cowards publicly. I liked how Steve Cochran and all three of the renegades, in fact, commented on what a town full of cowards they were
Helen is a good contrast to her.. they were very different characters, but similar too at least in the ways you mentioned. (and in the whole "hold you head up no matter what" thing too) As for her "back story" what I would have liked to see more of was her "private side" with her son.. and how they interacted together (sort of an "us against the world" kinda thing) but I guess they could only fit so many moments into the movie. ha.
It is especially creepy when you see warm and genial twisted into perverse and dangerous. I don't always like to see my favorite "warm and fuzzies" turn into villains
That's it exactly.. VERY disturbing.
I liked his amiability
mini-spoiler:
He was that.. and I kept WISHING he would really BE as likeable as he was TRYING to act.. Early on I wanted him to realize that he was no "cut throat" and move on. (and let the real battle be between Keith and Wills) but in that church/bar scene he pretty much showed himself to be exactly what he was:
Pretty much after that he more or less exuded "sleazy" to me.. ha. and the "nice" bad guy (to me) the worst one of all. He got better than he deserved at the end of it all, to be sure.
Good catch! I didn't even notice that
Just thought it was a pretty cool perspective.. I liked it.
I must be one of the few who really didn't notice the music, even this last re-watch. What stood out most was Maureen's little solo piece in the beginning and end, but not so much the rest.
Here song was lovely.. I recognized her voice right away.. but I don't know what it was w/ the soundtrack exactly (aside from the constant "hamonica" stuff to bring back the poor little boy's memory) but I guess to me it sort of was too "hokey" sounding maybe for a story w/ such serious themes.. anyway.. it sort of wore on me after a while.. ( ps Chris.. ha.. I am no "pea pod" maybe a brussle sprout. ha)
I'm so glad you got to see a side to one of your favorite actresses we don't normally get to. Or to that degree I should say. This is sort of her "Ethan Edwards
Ha.. I guess she was the kinder, gentler.. more shapely Ethan. HA. It was fun to get to see a bit more of her "darker side" though. But I liked how she did not let the anger and hate get her. It could have.. very easily. I like that she was stronger than that.
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Woohoo.. happy to finally be able to take a moment and do some catching up around here..
Just a quick chime in on TDC..
I liked it over all.. though it did have its weak spots.. I can't say it was the best western I ever watched, but boy oh boy... MAUREEN!!!!!!!! Y Definitely a "chat worthy" role for a "Women of the West Thread" :-)
And I remember you mentioning her in this film to me in the past, Miss G. You were right, little lady... it is a very different sort of role for her.. and I liked it a lot (although there was at least ONE shot in there where I was shocked and aghast.. ha.. is that SWEET Maureen???????? ha) But truly.. she has always done well with a character who is full of fight and determination.. especially when she is trying to prove she is right (after being wronged by someone (as Kit was with the townsfolk) but also just in the way she is able to bring out an inner strength of "character" in her characters.
Not a typical story line for her in this one for sure.. but a very good one to bring out those qualities in her acting.
*Possible DEADLY spoilers:*
And OH that Brian Keith.. very well done character by him too. so threatening.. and menacing.. and yet still VERY emotional, especially when his focus starts to shift as he is working out his issues with what he has done to her (even if by accident) and still trying to reconcile what he plans to do to Will's character..
And speaking of Chill Wills... Good gravy, WHAT a LOONEY!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my golly.. I have never seen him that way.. ever. Downright scary.. and crazy as he could be.. very creepy.
As for the actor who played Billy.. I can't say that I recall him in any other film but I have read over some of the other comments here about him.. I think he did a good enough job but he did not really stand out so much for me. It might be that he was just so sleazy I can't decide if it was him as an actor.. or just his character that I did not like. (ha)
I am NO expert at ALL on Peckinpah.. but I have to say that even though the film had its weak spots... there were some really great camera shots.. I REALLY liked the one where they are following her wagon.. and Keith rides up to talk to her.. and you are looking at the back of the wagon in the distance and the whole shot is framed by the other two men's boots as they are in the stirrups riding on the horse's. (if I get time later I will make a cap of it.. don't know why that stood out for me, but I just thought it was cool, ha)
One thing that really did not do much for me at all though was the music ...but I did like the opening theme (with Maureen singing). I just think they sort of overdid that harmonica thing for the most part (though I am sure it was meant to conjure up the memory of the little boy..still it just almost got me to thinking of that Once Upon a Time in the Blah Blah Blah harmonica maybe.. ha. It began to get on my nerves)
But ok.. so that is about the worst thing I can say about the movie.. so maybe I am being to picky, ha. Overall.. I am glad to have caught it.. thanks Miss G for bringing up Maureen in this thread.. (great idea for a thread too by the way.. I have SO much catching up to do I will be forever reading through it.. but I am looking forward to a good long read when I do! ) :-)
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Me too, little missy.. How in the WORLD did I ever overlook this one.. ha. (duh)
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It's extremely Fordian. Anyone who has seen the cavalry trilogy will find so many similarities with Wee Willie Winkie. Amazing
Dadgum.... whod'a thunk that YOU (oh great guru of non-sweet, non-mushiness loving GREYNESS) would see this movie before it even showed up as a "blip" on MY radar screen?? ha. What, oh WHAT is the world coming to?? ha.
My golly, I am WAY so very way impressed with you, sir. And thanks for bringing this one to my attention. WWW is a film I had not even looked into yet.. I mean, yeah.. I KNEW it was a Fordie.. and I KNEW it was out there somewhere to be watched sometime.. but I just kept overlooking it for other titles. It wasn't one that really stood out for me.. until now.. sigh. And I can tell just from what I have seen here (and a quick youtube link I found) that THAT was a mistake for sure.
So now it is off to the library I go (with my fingers crossed for good luck, ha) At the very least this film has now moved decidedly close to the (if not at) the top of my wanna see list for sure.
Gee.. Thanks for the kick in the pants, there, Grey Guy. HA! (I am sure I needed it for SOMETHING anyway.. and this was as good a reason as any, ha)
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Thanks for the movie tip, Ms Cutter. Truthfully I was not sure what to think about this one (but had not really had time to do much checking into it) A thumbs up from you on it carries a lot of weight.. I will have to see what the QT thinks about our chances of getting to see it.. but most likely will have to wait until it comes out on DVD. But thanks for the review.. it will give me some stuff to think on when I do finally get to see it.
RAMBLES Part II
in Films and Filmmakers
Posted
PILLOW TALK
OH golly, I love that movie.. ha. I have not seen it in years. It is Doris at her best.. I love the song he keeps re-writing for whoever is his latest girlfriend, "You are my everything _________" (just fill in the blank) ha.
And I like the other films you have mentioned here, too, Miss Maven.. I am sort of a "Doris Junkie" I guess, ha, with no apologies. I think "cotton candy" and "champagne" is a great way to describe her.
My FAVE Doris comedy.. Move Over Darling. (it is a remake of "My Favorite Wife") HILARIOUS. She and James Garner are a total crack up.. and THELMA. RITTER! (this is the first movie I can EVER remember seeing that she was in... very funny)
Jackie.. I hope you can see PT sometime.. I agree with Miss Maven.. watch it when you need a smile.. it is sure to help.
Edited by: rohanaka on Apr 3, 2011 2:34 AM