19
Nov
2011
Things I’m Thankful For…
While I’m thankful that I’m off school for a whole week, I’m not so thankful for all the studying I have to do to get caught up for finals. Also, since it’s snowing I’m stuck in my apartment. Good thing I have a case full of classic films to get me through the week! Since I’ve probably watched less than 10 films in the last four months I’m planning on making up for it this week.
My only tip for picking films to watch while studying is don’t watch anything for the first time. I either spend the whole time watching the film and get nothing else done or I end up continually re-winding the film because I missed crucial parts.
That said, here’s a little of what I’m planning on watching this week while brushing up on interpreting blood gas values:
Doctor Zhivago
Not only is Doctor Zhivago an amazing movie, its also incredibly long. Epics are perfect for people like me who tend to study for 10 minutes and then get distracted by the internet for the next 30 minutes. Plus, the view out my window is starting to look like the movie scenery.
The Misfits
The Misfits is only of my favorite films, but I haven’t had the chance to watch it for a while. Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift, and wild mustangs – what could be better than that for a snowy afternoon in front of the tv?
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Because who does’t want to see Paul Newman on the screen in between studying really boring notes?
Strangers on a Train
I thought about watching this on Halloween, but didn’t get to it so I’m making up for it this week. Strangers on a Train is not one of Hitchcock’s best known films, but it’s one of my favorites. Bruno may be one of Hitchcock’s best villains as I’ve previously mentioned.
What is your go to movie when you want some entertainment while working or studying?
2
Jul
2010
Favorite Fridays: Americana Edition
Just in time for Fourth of July weekend, we share our favorite films that deal with the cultural heritage and history of America! USA is a-okay! Amer-I-can! Rah!
Alix picks: The Misfits, 1961
The Misfits is an amazing film about the end of the cowboys and the Wild West. The story, especially the final scene, is incredibly moving and wonderfully shot. The film was written by Arthur Miller, directed by John Huston, and stars Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Thelma Ritter, Eli Wallach, and Montgomery Clift. Monroe is really exceptional in the film and proves that she could do more than just play the dumb blonde, comic-relief character, although unfortunately this was the last film for both her and Gable.
Lindsay picks: Oklahoma!, 1943
Who wouldn’t want a man who owned a team of horses – one like snow, the other more like milk? That’s what Laurie (Shirley Jones) faces as she tries to resist the wooings of cool and handsome Curly (Gordon MacRae). Full of toe tappin’, knee slappin’ songs by misters Rogers and Hammerstein, Oklahoma! is a lot of fun to watch even if you don’t have a surrey with the fringe on top. Or know what a surrey is.
1
Feb
2010
Happy Birthday to the King of Hollywood!
In 1938, more than 20 million film fans voted and named Clark Gable the “King of Hollywood.” During the ’30s and ’40s, Gable was the world’s biggest film star and had a huge impact not only on films but on American culture. Lindsay pointed out to me that in the spirit of our birthday tribute to Cary Grant, this post could have been called “Happy Birthday to the Man Bugs Bunny Owes Everything To.” The inspiration for Bugs Bunny’s trademark carrot chewing position came from Gable’s performance in It Happened One Night.
Throughout his career Gable played a wide range of roles, including mutineer in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) to Brigadier General in Command Decision(1948), but he was best know for his roles as a gruff rogue who you can’t help but root for. Here’s a list of some of his best films in which he plays the loveable scoundrel:
Red Dust (1932)
It Happened One Night (1934)
San Francisco (1936)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Mogambo (1953)
The Misfits (1961)
29
Jun
2009
Review: Wife vs. Secretary (1936)
Starring: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow
Co-starring: James Stewart, May Robson, George Barbier
Directed by: Clarence Brown
Other notable contributors: costume design by Adrian
Favorite scene: Linda, Loy’s character (the wife), and Whitey, Harlow’s character (the secretary), exchange a long look at the end that sets everything straight.
Favorite line: “Don’t look for trouble where there isn’t any, because if you don’t find it, you’ll make it.” – Dave
Raves: It’s really the stars of the film that make it worth watching. Gable and Loy are great as always, but I really enjoyed Jean Harlow in a role where she isn’t just the blonde bombshell. Jimmy Stewart also does a great job in a supporting role as the boyfriend of Jean Harlow’s character, Dave.
Rants: The wife being jealous of the husband’s secretary isn’t the most original plot.
My take: What I really love about the film is how differently the two couples are depicted. The scenes between Harlow and Stewart are especially wonderful and its unfortunate they never made another film together. Also, although the title suggests a comedy, I see the film as really more of a drama with fun parts.
Recommended if: you’re looking for an easy to watch film with some great stars.
Modern-Day counterpart: The only modern counterpart I could think of would be Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) based on the love triangle between characters. Anybody have a better suggestion?
