rohanaka
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Posts posted by rohanaka
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Howdy, Ma Stone
Hello sonny boy...
Is Butterscotch choking you, too? Or are you finally sampling your food creations
Oh, good grief.. I am not even going to try and reason with you when you are like this, ya lousy saur kraut and sawdust eater
(I WISH I knew how to post a smiley face character rolling it's eyes...) felt that Greer blended in more than stood out. She was in the background with Carol and Vic and then Lady Beldon (Dame May Witty) and Mr. Ballard (Henry Travers). She'd say her peace and then step back.
I think you are close.. in my mind.. . she brought out the best in others by not "leading" so much as directing them (graciously) to do things (a la that scene w/ Lady Beldon... by the time she was finished.. it was almost like it was Lady Beldon's idea... but really the seeds were planted (no pun intended) by Mrs M)
And when it came to family and those she cared about.. she was a "pillar" that supported them as she gave her love and help unconditionally. She was devoted to being there FOR them.. not just with them. And she also expected them to be their best all the while she brought the best out in them by her own example. She really was the epitome of a gracious and strong woman who chose to show her strength not by standing out in front and leading... but by (as you say) stepping back and supporting those she loved. She was "humble" and yet proud all at the same time. (and I mean BOTH those words in the best possible way to define them... and not the "less glorious" meanings that sometimes get used)
Teresa Wright always wins me over. I'm a pushover for her
I have never seen her in a role where I did not like her. She really was one of those actresses that I wish could have done even more than the films she is known for. (My fave part of her role in MM was the one you mentioned.. where he is giving her grief and she puts him in his place by quietly telling him all that she is "DOING" for the cause while he is just sitting around "talking" about it... I I say again.. wasn't she something..
I liked McLintock! more than Goodbye, Mr. Chips and Pride and Prejudice. Does that make you feel any better?
Hmmmmm.... ha... McLintock is above Pride and Prejudice???? Jane Austen is likely rolling over in her grave.. ha. All kidding aside... let me think... I like all three films...
I really like GBMC... on ONE level.. but I far prefer the other two films (P&P and McL) for enjoyment and "movie watchability" (and for similar reasons) And I have to say that for "enjoyment" again... I probably prefer McL over P&P... at least the Greer version....(That Duke and Maureen are just TOO hilarilous) But I REALLY liked the A&E miniseries of Pride and Prejudice though. (I know... Scotchie.. please forgive me..ha) The A&E series is one of my all time fave versions of that story... so I hope I NEVER have to choose between McL and THAT one.. ha. OH.. and also... if I were READING a book.. then P& P wouldl win hands down as well... so there.... now maybe Jane will rest a bit easier.. HA!.
PS Miss Butterscotchie... What I like about Greer's character in Mrs. Miniver is the fact that she can look at anyone in this specific way and they instantly melt into doing the right thing or what she thinks they need to do. It's such a heart-warming look. It's that something that even the viewers of the movie tend to look deep inside her face with a softness. It's so penetrating!
That's it exactly. :-)
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HIya little Scotchie...
Is the kidling being a good Princess today?
So far so good.... (but you never can tell..ha)
You can string him up now!
Oh good.. we are having freezing rain/sleet mix going on out there right now... the rope should have some LOVELY ice crystals frozen on it (for that extra burn) ha. I will go check the gallows and make sure the steps are clear... we can't have him slipping and falling down before we hang him, now can we? (He might sprain his ankle or something and he just won't have quite as good of a "snap" at the end of the rope unless he is standing up tall and straight when the lever gets pulled)
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You left out a couple of "really really really's" ha..
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I actually liked Mrs. Miniver. That surprised me
Gasp.. choke.... gasp.... ME TOO!!!! Are you just pulling our chain here or are you SERIOUS???
Mrs. Miniver is an EXCELLENT film.... and among my most favorite WWII movies of all time(although it is not what some might think of in the traditional sense for a "war movie") I was expecting it to be an overly dramatic film with Greer dominating the screen as a too perfect heroine
That is one of the best parts about her role in this film.. she does not dominate the movie but the film does sort of revolve around her character as she supports and even defends the ones she loves.
I was stunned to find out it's a Teresa Wright film just as much as a Greer film.
Wasn't she something?? This was the first film I think I ever really saw with her.. or maybe it was Shadow of a Doubt... I am not sure... but she really got my attention in this story with her quiet yet fierce nature all rolled into one...
Good gravy what is the world coming to... the Grey Dude not only SAW a Greer film... but LIKED it.... what next... is he going to have a change of heart about McLintock now???? NAH... that'd just be TOO scary.
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"Is that the one with Bette Davis and Henry Fonda?"
HA!!! Did you tell her yes... and all those malaria patients too??? ha. Oh wait.. ha. Now I am confused too.. ha.
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Hello there Saur Kraut Kid
prefer a mix. If every character and story were to end redemptive, I'd get bored. I just like seeing people crash and burn, go down in a blaze of ignorant glory. And some people don't get the chance to say they were sorry, as Tom did. So goes life.
I can see the value in what your are saying. And there are those moments (in movie) where I have honestly cheered right along with the next person to see the "bad man" go down (woo hoo!! the Clantons are gone... YIPPEE... Rooster Cogburn justed killed Ned Pepper) I am glad to see some folks get their comeuppance... and obviously not EVERY character is going to have that "I am sorry I was wrong" moment. So yes, I agree and I do think it is good to see some folks go up in "flames" so to speak. And it often makes for a more powerful story, too.. But when it comes to "preference"... (especialy with regard to the outcome of a main character in a story) I guess I just like to lean toward the "hope for humanity" side of things. (although in real life... as much as I want to be... I am not always as optimistic.... I know... hard to believe, isn't it??)
When I wrote in Ms. Cutter's Summer School thread... I mentioned that movies like Scarface and TPE are not usually ones I enjoy (although I DID enjoy these two very much). And the example I gave (for the ones I DON'T like) was the Godfather films. The acting is SUPERB in these movies (or at least the two I have seen) and the story is VERY intriguing.. you are just pulled in so DEEP with the whole tale.. but GOLLY was it depressing to watch. I found NO characters to relate to or to sympathize or empathize with (at least to my recollection) In the end.. I just wanted to "off" them all myself.. I like to have at least ONE person that I feel a connection to in the story that I want to "win out" and with those films, I did not. (although at the VERY beginning.. I had such HIGH hopes for Michael... I wanted to kick him in the pants when he finally gave in... but I digress)
Anyway.... does a movie like the ones we are discussing ALWAYS benefit from a "redeemeed" main character... not necessarily... but it is my preference. (just call me Pollyanna... HA!)
So would this mean you feel sorry for everyone who does bad? I'm more selective with who is going to get my sympathy
No.. I don't necessarily feel SORRY for the ones who do bad (I HATED Liberty Valance for example, and I think I hated TONY too... but I mean that in a GOOD way... they were written like that) I was NOT sorry for them in a broad sense of the word, exactly... but I guess a part of me just feels sorry for the CHOICES they made somewhere in life that led to be become the people they ended up to be.
Going back to Valance (I know...ha. how many movies am I going to bring UP in this ramble?? ha.. First Fargo, then My Darling Clementine, True Grit, The Godfather.. now Libertty Valance?? But it DOES somehow always come back to TMWSLV, doesn't it? :-) ) ANYWAY... what I am saying is.. one of the things that always "gets" me in that film is the way all the folks in that littel Mexican cantina start dancing and celebrating as his dead body is dragged away off of the street. That is a very disturbing moment in the film for me.
Seeing him get shot WAS a "yes" sort of moment in the story... I was GLAD he was gone.. but at the same time... think about what that says about WHO Valance really was as a human being that people would celebrate at his demise. It make me sorry for him (on some sort of level) that he never learned how to be a DECENT guy and now he has had to pay the cost.... but I am still not sorry that he is dead. He NEEDED to die... I CLAPPED the first time I saw this movie and he went down... and I am GLAD the movie is about "The Man who Shot" him.. but still... isn't it a bit pathetic to think about all those folks doing a "dance" on his grave and he isn't even IN it yet?? That is the sort of "sympathy" I am talking about... does that make sense? (Maybe not..ha. It did come out of MY brain.. ha. I am sure somehow it has gotten lost in the translation.. but it makes perfect sense to ME.. ha.)
have great sympathy for your daughter. She has to eat your cooking!
Blah blah blah blah blah (Mr Saur Kraut and Sawdust)
*Gee... I am a mean old mom.. ha*.
You are! Thank goodness for your husband.
An icy rope awaits you SOMEDAY, sir.. but don't worry.. though others may cheer... I will have sympathy for you (right after I slip that rope around your neck and pull the lever) HA!!!!!
PS Jackie.. There IS a thin line between "hugs" and the "time out" chair, isn't there?? ha. And re: whether I am a "wonderful" mom or not.. ha... I sometime worry who is going to play me in the movie when she writes that "Tell All" book someday about how MEAN I am.. ha.
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Ahhh, poor little kidling
OH golly can that kid tug on the heart strings.. ha. She gets SO wooshy eyed when she gets in trouble.. it breaks your heart. But a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do.. ha.
(Ps Little Scotchie.. you little smartie..ha. What a trick to play on poor old dad... ha)
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Hi there sonny boy.. Ha (whoops... I was slipping in to my "I'm Ma and you're Jabez" role... ha.. wrong ramble!!
) I know you like redemptive endings and this is Tom's. His ultimate end is shocking. It was quite a powerful finish
I do like to see people sorry for the wrongs they do... and so for Tom... despite the fact that he DIED... ha.. it really was the best possible ending for his character... but gee.. it still gets me to even think about the look on his face... and that music at the end.. it was such a happy little tune.. it gave me the creeps.. "I'm forever blowing.... MY MIND" trying to get that out of my head.. ha.
As for the "redemption" angle of this (or any other story).... I like to see wrong headed thinking brought around to the right. (ha.. I am ALWAYS holding out hope for even the most LOSTand Shiftless of causes
) And I know.. sometimes the real world does not always have a happy ending... and that is OK. But even if the movie ends with a traumatic shocking moment like TPE... and THAT was ANYTHING but a happy ending... it was still an effective use of the concept that even the vilest offender CAN see the wrong they have done and want to change. We agree. Look out now!
Ha... what IS the world coming to...
Tony was all about himself and his interests, which included protecting his sister at all costs. Still, I think he felt really bad about his killing Guino and he was upset over Cesca's death
I think you are right that he did have a certain level of regret for those actions (against people he cared about) but still.. I don't think he was really sorry for the crimes and the life he lived that got him to the end he had.
I thought both men brought about their fates. They took pleasure in what they were doing. They flaunted their arrogance in the face of others. They had all the answers. No, I don't have any sympathy for them
Here is maybe a better way to say what I meant about feeling sympathy for them.... I am SORRY to see that they made choices that led them down the path that they arrived that. It was such a waste. And yet... the fact remains that they still deserved EXACTLY what they got. They had the potential to be GOOD men... think of all they COULD have done w/ the drive and enthusiasm and "charisma" they had. But it was all wasted... and they had NO clue that they COULD have done any better (except for maybe Tom at the end of it all) So I feel sorry for them as human beings who met a violent end (the sympathy) but I do not feel sorry that they got what they deserved. (the just consequence)
Ha.. talk to the kidling... just this past week she lied to me (not once but THREE times, the little scoot... and I KNEW she was lying the whole time... but she refused to be honest until I proved to her that she had lied) So then she got her consequence (Writing "I will obey and tell the truth" 25 times.. plus no tv for the evening) and when she got upset, I told her that I was sorry she'd chosen to disobey and was sad to see her so upset and in so much trouble. I even maybe can understand why she felt the temptation to lie... she did not want to stop playing and clean up her toys... she IS a kid, you know.. ha. (so there's the sympathy) ... but I also told her that being sorry for her did not mean that I was going to let her get by without getting in trouble because what she did was TOTALLY not acceptable and that lying to Mama would always make her unhappy in the end. (the consequence)
Gee... I am a mean old mom.. ha.
You're much better than me. But that was established long ago
HA... well now, as I have just shown you.. ha... THAT all depends on WHO you ask... (I am afterall... The Peacemaker) ha.
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Oh for pity's sake.. ha. Little Missy, I am more perplexed than ever... ha. After reading your post ... I DO see your point... and yet..
OH golly... WOULD she have been happier with or without him.... I am starting to feel like I am in a Tootsie Pop commercial... "The world may never know" ha. (maybe we should ask Mr. Turtle... or better yet..ha... Mr. OWL!!)
Or even better still... (I forgot for a moment what thread I was in...) BRONXIE.. what does MOM have to say about it??????????????
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Golly... I am even more confused than ever.. ha. (NO surprise there..ha)
I don't know. If (as you say April) he would have been a good husband in that he held up his end of the bargain... then I guess in a way that would maybe have at LEAST brought her some comfort (no harm, no foul... he is not a BAD man) but.. if he had ended up like Jackie suggested... then I think it would have killed her (at least emotionally) to be the "brunt" of all the whispering jokes.. "look at poor Morris's wife... now we know why he has to run around")
I don't know..
I don't think Morris was ever malicious.. but he was extremely self serving. To me.. he was not ruthless... but he still only wanted what HE wanted for himself and did not really have anyone else's interests at heart besides his own. And anyone that will NOT forsake themselves for the happiness of another. (which to me is a HUGE part of what committment in marriage is all about) is not going to make a good husband for someone so eager to please and so hungry for the affection (and approval) of those she loved as Catherine was at the beginning. Morris would not have stayed home with her... he'd have been to busy having all the fun her money could buy... and she would likely not ever have felt "confident" on his arm out in public. (if she had stayed as she was before her father and Morris more or less "woke her up") She did not have the inner strength she'd have needed to hold her head up (when the whispering comments would have been made about HIM too.. as in.. "he only married her for her money") Either way... I think marrying Morris would have crushed her eventually, no matter how kind he might have been to her. She was just too weak.
It was only AFTER she finally saw what her father and Morris had done to her that she truly DID find the inner strength to overcome all the insecurity that had kept her down so long. But the way she found it... and the way she ended up was just so tragic..
If she could truly find a way to let go of the bitterness and the resentment for all they did TO her.. it might have been that the way she was treated was the best thing FOR her. (does that make sense?)
PS... April.. your comments regarding the aunt have me in a quandary too.. ha. I never have seen her in the same light as you... but now I wonder.... hmmmmm
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I know.... just when I think I have made up my mind, I change it again. Ha. I don't KNOW if she would have truly been happier.
I NEVER liked Morris. (when I was in high school I was in the musical "Carousel" and one of the characters in that play is referred to as a "sleeky little la de dah". Ha.. THAT is what I always think of when I think of MORRIS. ha. And his leaving Catherine high and dry like that was both the worst thing and the best thing that could have happened I guess. I did NOT want her to end up quite as she did.... but I also could not have stood it if she had married him and he had ended up using her up along with her money until she was broken down even further than she was.
I do think she DID have some measure of happiness in the life she ended up with... even though she had that bitterness and hate as well.
I still don't know if I can answer my own question... sigh...
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OH my golly...... I love The Heiress. I watched it again the other night and loved it all the more.
HERE is a poser for you gals. I have ALWAYS wondered (and do not really KNOW if I can even answer)
WOULD Catherine have ended up HAPPIER with Morris than she did without him??????? I am really interested in hearing your thoughts....
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the ghost from Hangings Past?
HA!!! I have sort of been a bit MIA lately. Ha. But you know me I am BOUND to turn up again sooner or later (bad penny that I am)
I have to confess I am SO far behind in all the various chats going on in this thread I have not read ALL of the comments going on, but just running strictly off of the ?sympathy? topic at hand, I think Tom was the more sympathetic of the two men for sure. (even IF he was a heinous monster throughout MOST of the movie.
(Here is a borrowed piece I wrote from Ms. Cutter?s Summer School thread) Way back when Rohanaka wrote:
You get to see why and how he (Tom) followed the path he did. And you get to see him (sort of) repent for the wrongs he committed (toward the end) And his ultimate end was far more brutal and shocking. (even though Tony?s was way more violently shown) Seeing James Cagney?s frozen death face and wrapped up body fall on the floor was VERY attention getting. (at least for me)
Tony was sorry at the end too, but not in the same way Tom was. He was sorry it WAS the end. He was sorry he?d gotten caught. He was sorry his kid sister and all his friends were dead, and he knew he was next. But I don?t think he had one of those ?If I could do it all again, I?d do it different? moments. At least not the same way Tom seemed to have. Tony was pathetic at the end, but not SYMpathetic.
Now I have to confess I would need to go back and review the two films to get a REFRESHED picture of all this in my head, but basing what I recall from way back then when I watched, I still feel pretty much the same.
I think that both films did a great job of showing the end result of a TOTALLY (or perhaps NEARLY total in Tom?s case) bankrupt soul and the absolute depths a person can sink to when they allow themselves to be given over to their own greed, hate, selfish desire, etc, etc. And the picture that is painted for the viewer is both shocking, and also perhaps a bit tragically compelling all at the same time. I DID have sympathy for both men.
I felt SAD to see the end result for them as human beings. Sad and bewildered to see the waste of all those lives (At the end of BOTH these movies I sort of like Margie in Fargo: And for what? For a little bit of money. There's more to life than a little money, you know. Don'tcha know that? And here ya are, and it's a beautiful day. Well. I just don't understand it ) I think she had that ?mom? instinct going on and even though she had a TOTAL monster in the back of her squad car and he deserved WHATEVER punishment he was about to receive to the FULL extent of the law, she felt sorry for him as a human being. And I guess I am just a ?Marge? kinda gal, ha. Because Scarface and The Public Enemy both more or less left me feeling the same way to a certain extent.
PS: HELLO Miss Maven... all is well... just sort of been a SLACKER lately. But I have been "lurking" ha. (OH me... don't tell the Shadow dude..ha)
Edited by: rohanaka on Feb 19, 2010 1:58 PM
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But I never felt any sympathy for either guy
WHAT??????????????????????????????????????????????????? Not even at the end???? OH you cold hearted guy.
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Happy Birthday, Ms Favell... from Ben (your favorite Brunette).... and me too!! :-)
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Hiya Ollie... I wasn't giving you a hard time sir... I was IMPRESSED to see you here!! :-) Way cool to have you (and Miss Finnie too as I recall) showing up for the chat. I am sure our well esteemed and dearly loved hostess, Miss G would agree.. you should come on back more often and drop in for a ramble now and then. :-)
PS: Sorry to hear you are still snow deprived.... I imagine if you asked nicely... there are DOZENS of folks here who have overstocked and can make you an EXCELLENT deal... perhaps even with free delivery!
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Dadgum....
I have been so busy this entire week.... I have not had any time to sit and watch 7DIM.. (And GEE... I know I must be missing something if OLLIE made it here to ramble about it)
So I hope I can get to watch it all EVENTUALLY... but truthfully... it may be a while... ha... at the rate I am going it may actually BE sometime in May before I find the time.. ha... (so forgive me, kids... I bow out of this ramble this time)
But at least now I have a lot to think about from reading all your interesting comments.... thanks for the fun read, folks....
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missed Seven Days in May and looked for it all over youtube yesterday but couldn't find it. So THANKS for the link!
Yay.. Jackie.. watch with me.. ha. (Thanks Miss Maven for posting it.. shoulda thought of it myself last night.. but my old brain aint what it used to be) :-)
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Oh who cares? Let's just discuss it
:-) Yee haw.
Cronyn was spectacularly good. He grows in my esteem more and more as I see his diverse performances. He was just plain great.
You know... I need to seek him out (after seeing this film) I only have Cocoon as a reference point for him up until this. And BOY I am sure I have been missing something.
Mini spoiler territory:
When he finally got back home (after his long day of being interrogated and then trying to find help for Tracy.... and his wife is sitting there at the table... and they lock eyes as he is coming in the door... then she just about loses it... and he smiles at her... OH my golly... I wanted to jump into that tv and hug him myself. I was very unsure of how he would end up as a character at the beginning... and he literaly stole my heart as the movie progressed.
You are right about Tracy's role being understated. He really let the film sort of flow around him and just more or less reacted to the acting of others... (and BOY that Agnes was something too...) SO many really good bit parts in one movie...
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GUESS what I just found on youtube??? Maybe by the time Chris gets back to you I can catch up too.... (maybe) :-)
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Whoa baby... now THAT's what I'm talking about...
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AW man.. ha. You must have read my mind because I was going to ASK you to bring some...
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IF you look real close (ha) that piece is smaller than the other ones.. (wipes crumbs from the corner of her mouth) mmm..munch.. gulp..
Uh... I had to make sure it was safe for everyone..
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OH my golly.. The Sixth Sense.. UGH. I watched.. TOO scary. That is about as scary as I get.. but I've got to admit.. I couldn't stop watching once it got going.. I am such a dope..ha...
If this was the my fave ghost story thread instead of Jackie's Brunette thread I'd list my other two movies that were TOO scary.. but I sort of have to admit I like them.. ha. .
Instead I will say CONGRATS on 2000 posts sir... let there be CAKE!! (ha.. here is a little something for everybody)
(I WISH I knew how to post a smiley face character rolling it's eyes...) 
RAMBLES Part II
in Films and Filmmakers
Posted
Hello, My DEAR Grey Guy,
Don't be mean about the situation
Oh me. I DID call you ?lousy? didn?t I? I guess that WAS mean(er) than usual for me. I humbly apologize. Please forgive me. I sort of was ?out of control? the other day. Ha. You know us old folks. Sometimes we get ?grouchy?. ( but I WAS rolling my eyes at your MEAN remarks about ME. Ha)
So she's SvenGreeri
WHO????????????????????????
Oh, dear. Don't tell me you've been poisoned by Butterscotch! But that was rather lovely
Nice trick. (taking a ?swipe? while you say something nice, ha. (Again I am rolling my eyes at you) ha. But thanks. That is more or less just how I see her character.
She was influential, surely. I guess I'm used to characters taking a more active role in a story, driving the story versus nudging it. For example, in Harvey, Elwood (James Stewart) is influencing others through his words but he also drives the story. It's completely Stewart's film. Mrs. Miniver isn't necessarily Greer's film. She's a piece of the puzzle. Greer just seemed to be the mother in the story just as Walter is the father in the story.
Now see, I don?t agree. I think it WAS more or less her story (but her role in the family defined who she was, so I can see how you might THINK it was not so much about her) I don?t think the film would have been NEARLY as good if it had been about ?them? as a family rather than about HER and how she devoted herself to her family. But it may just be the two of us viewing it from a different perspective.
As I was saying, I was more interested in Teresa Wright Teresa is the epitome of a breath of fresh air. She's also so pure, sweet, and innocent. She's a "regular girl" and I love that about her.
She is all of that and MORE. I can see how she might have skewed your thinking. Ha.
I'm curious to see if Bette Davis has a greater role and performance in Now, Voyager
Well I am pretty sure you will NOT have any trouble viewing HER as the main character of THAT story. (and PS, I have tried and TRIED to like that movie, but never have been able to rank it very high on my list. But Davis DOES does a good job, And so does Raines. I LOVE him in just about anything) It is ?the love story? angle in this movie that I do not like. I wish it had gone a different direction... But that is just me, I guess.
I don't think Jane is worrying about a guy not liking her works
NO, but the idea of someone preferring a ?mud fight? and a woman being chased through town in her underwear (and all those molasses and feathers) to her endearing tale of the trials and tribulations (and eventual LOVE STORY) between Miss Bennett and Mr Darcy might shake her up a bit. Ha..