dpompper

I so very much enjoy these, mongo. Thank you!

Bravo/a, lzcutter.

Many thanks, lavender and scsu!

There's a b&w film from my childhood for which I seek the title. It was sci-fi. The plot involved something from outer space that took root on earth and sprouted these huge monoliths that threatened to take over the world. The scientists couldn't figure out how to stop them from spreading. In the lab, a scientist (or assistant), a woman (naturally), by mistake spilled a pot of coffee on some of the small monolith samples. Immediately the growth ceased. "What's coffee made of?" one of the male scientists asked. "Water!' another repllied. As soon as it rained the monoliths evaporated. I know it wasn't "Dr. Who" or something like that. It was a film that showed in the afternoons on our Philly CBS affiliate. Clues as to the title, anyone?

Consider "The Passion of Ayn Rand" (1999) -- certainly "capitalism" is an undergirding theme.

The risk of a thread like this is that whomever is named, someone out there is a fan and is going to be offended. So, apologies in advance . . . in no particular order. I'm sure there are more that I "just don't get what the hoopla is/was," but these are the ones that come to mind: James Dean Gary Cooper Frank Sinatra

I agree with whomever mentioned not being able to watch films wherein animals are abused, or worse. On the other hand, if I'd known in advance about the dog fighting in "Amores Perros," I'd never have watched it -- and that would have been a shame because I liked the film. I remember I delayed quite a while before finally seeing "Trainspotting." A friend at the time said I wouldn't like it because there's a bit in it about a baby that dies. When I did see it, that part didn't bother me at all. Just call me Miss-placed Sensibilities, I suppose.

I think I remember that, too, Dargo2. I don't think "The Producers" addressed this, but could you imagine the length of THEIR credits if they'd named all of the investors in "Springtime for Hitler and Germany?"

All is redeemed. I saw a GOOD "new" film yesterday: h2. Never Let Me Go 2010R103 minutes Based on Kazuo Ishiguro's acclaimed novel, this sci-fi drama from director Mark Romanek is centered on thirtysomething Kathy (Carey Mulligan), who reflects on her time spent at Hailsham, an English boarding school, alongside classmates Ruth (Keira Knightley) and Tommy (Andrew Garfield). Born for an unusual reason, the three struggle with their destiny and their love triangle. Charlotte Rampling plays headmistress Miss Emily. Cast: [Carey Mulligan|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Carey_Mulligan/30043718?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Andrew Garfield|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Andrew_Garfield/30090952?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Keira Knightley|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Keira_Knightley/20029921?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [isobel Meikle-Small|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Isobel_Meikle-Small/30149263?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Ella Purnell|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Ella_Purnell/30149265?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Charlie Rowe|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Charlie_Rowe/30121654?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Charlotte Rampling|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Charlotte_Rampling/76167?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [sally Hawkins|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Sally_Hawkins/20036668?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Kate Bowes Renna|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Kate_Bowes_Renna/30149782?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035] Director: [Mark Romanek|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Mark_Romanek/20034263?lnkce=mdp-director&trkid=1457035] Genres: [Drama|http://dvd.netflix.com/Genre/Drama/315?lnkce=mdp-genre&trkid=1457035], [sci-Fi Dramas|http://dvd.netflix.com/Genre/Sci-Fi_Dramas/1420?lnkce=mdp-genre&trkid=1457035], [Dramas Based on Contemporary Literature|http://dvd.netflix.com/Genre/Dramas_Based_on_Contemporary_Literature/2608?lnkce=mdp-genre&trkid=1457035], [united Kingdom|http://dvd.netflix.com/Genre/United_Kingdom/2544?lnkce=mdp-genre&trkid=1457035], [Dramas Based on the Book|http://dvd.netflix.com/Genre/Dramas_Based_on_the_Book/1291?lnkce=mdp-genre&trkid=1457035] This movie is: [Emotional|http://dvd.netflix.com/AltGenre?lnkce=mdp-agenre&agid=4136&trkid=1457035], [Dark|http://dvd.netflix.com/AltGenre?lnkce=mdp-agenre&agid=9280&trkid=1457035], [Mind-bending|http://dvd.netflix.com/AltGenre?lnkce=mdp-agenre&agid=1089&trkid=1457035], [Romantic|http://dvd.netflix.com/AltGenre?lnkce=mdp-agenre&agid=8883&trkid=1457035], [understated|http://dvd.netflix.com/AltGenre?lnkce=mdp-agenre&agid=5066&trkid=1457035] Now I can't wait to read the book!

VERY interesting question! ("Fin" is probably the first French word I ever learned.)

I agree with ginnyfan . . . creepy is as creepy does . . . The incest undercurrents in "Shadow of a Doubt" always skeeve me. So, that Cotton and Wright were actually paired as married in another film is VERY interesting (albeit, perhaps not a strict definition of "irony" as Kriegerg69 points out). I've not yet seen "The Steel Trap" (I don't think) so thanks for the recommendation, ginnyfan!

I watched most of an "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode, "Three Wives Too Many" (1964), last night that featured Teresa Wright and Dan Duryea as wife/husband. I found this to be slightly ironic since they both starred in "The Little Foxes" (1941) as cousins who really didn't like one another but some family members conspired for them to marry to keep wealth within the family. One of my little "games" is to ponder such relationships as I watch films -- as in, "Hey, weren't they together in xyz film and what were their relationships there as compared to this film I'm now watching?" Classic studio-system films are rife with opportunities, of course. No doubt there are hundreds of these to consider. Which ones have you found interesting?

I agree with you there, slayton. My favorite standup, Eddie Izzard, did a funny bit on this in "Unrepeatable."

I get the chuckle, but agree with you, Swithin. I like "Passion Fish" and "Matewan" a lot, too. Not so keen on some of the recent ones (e.g., "Casa de los Babys").

These are REALLY funny, Valeska . . . and a dangerous diversion from what I SHOULD BE doing. Thanks!

No, but I'd be willing to give it a shot if I could have a tawdry affair with Louis Jourdan.

<Call it "A Month With Character," or something to that effect. There are so many fine character actors (as there are stars) that you could do a few years' worth before having to repeat any.> I think this is a terrific idea, AndyM.

SITR grew new legs for me with the "The Full Monty" when one of the male strippers auditions by replicating Donald O'Connor's "walkin' up wall thing." I laugh every time.

The first one is the best one (don't think I'm alone on this). I could (and do) watch it over and over. What a lovely lifestyle and point in time that must have been (in our minds). I have a collection of dress patterns and kitting patterns from that period. . . . dreamy!

Has anyone mentioned Henry Daniell? No matter what character he's playing or film he's in, to me he's always Mr. Brocklehurst. Catch him at about the 4.0 mark.

Thought of this last night whilst watching the last 30 minutes of "2001: A Space Odyssey." The other, for me, is "Dr. Strangelove." I don't know why, but I can only watch them in bits and pieces. Does this mean that I can't really appreciate either since I've never seen them in one complete sitting?

Had to think a while on this one . . . at the risk of having rotten tomatoes thrown at me, here goes. Ava Gardner. A friend says I can't appreciate her because I'm female. I don't think that's a qualification, but . . . Until I saw her again in "Night of the Iguana." I think she was very good in that.

I've read reviews that include phrases like "it was so bad that I want those 2 hours back" and I couldn't quite relate. Now I can (91 minutes). I seem to be watching a string of bad (new) films lately. I think that's one reason why I keep coming back to the classics. h2. Perfect Sense(The Last Word) 2011 R 91 minutes After sparks fly between a newly single epidemiologist and a charming chef, a puzzling patient -- a truck driver who's lost his ability to smell -- drastically alters the couple's budding relationship in this sci-fi thriller. Cast: [Ewan McGregor|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Ewan_McGregor/20000898?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Eva Green|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Eva_Green/20052251?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Ewen Bremner|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Ewen_Bremner/20056593?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [stephen Dillane|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Stephen_Dillane/20021144?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Denis Lawson|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Denis_Lawson/20003188?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Anamaria Marinca|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Anamaria_Marinca/30070614?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Alastair Mackenzie|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Alastair_Mackenzie/20048696?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Connie Nielsen|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Connie_Nielsen/20016986?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Katy Engels|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Katy_Engels/30167444?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035], [Richard Mack|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/Richard_Mack/30151195?lnkce=mdp-cast&trkid=1457035] Director: [David Mackenzie|http://dvd.netflix.com/RoleDisplay/David_Mackenzie/20059531?lnkce=mdp-director&trkid=1457035]

On topic (but not about films) . . . I stopped coloring my hair two years ago (have never looked back) and about 6 months ago decided to grow it long-ish again. I didn't have Emmy Lou Harris in mind, but I thank you for the image!

Burl Ives was in "The Big Country" with Chuck Connors. (I wanted to pick "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Raindeer," but I don't recognize any of the other voices.)