Monday Movie Musings - So Many Movies, So Little Time!

Like many parents, I've fallen out of the habit of seeing films in the theater. The cost of tickets, added to babysitting costs and assorted sundry expenses, not to mention the time involved, made it more alluring to wait for the video or cable release and watch movies then. Some films, though, don't translate well to the small screen. And, of course, as my kids have gotten older, they've wanted to go to the movies instead of watching them at home.

So I'm looking at the movies that are in theaters now and making a list of films I want to see in their bigger than life incarnations.

1. Harry Potter, 7.2. This is a no-brainer, especially since FutureStar and Midkid have been chomping at the bit to see it, too. We'll probably go this week (though I'll never fully win them back after missing the midnight showing for the LAST HARRY POTTER MOVIE EVER.)

2. Cars 2. Not one I'm dying to see on the big screen, but GPS is, so to keep the movie-going-with-kids in balance, we'll be heading out to the multiplex for this one as well.

3. Cowboys & Aliens. Harrison Ford. Daniel Craig. An old-fashioned western until the spaceships arrive. Can't wait!

4. Captain America. Intrigued by the positive buzz I've been hearing lately.

5. Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty. Okay, this one's a wish list movie, since it hasn't been released yet (it hasn't even hit the festival circuit!), but I'd love to see this one on the big screen.

How about you? What movies are you looking forward to, or have enjoyed already this summer? And do you prefer seeing films in the theater, or in the comfort of your own home?

The DH's Thursday Thirteen - Top 13 Movie Scenes (Part Two)

As promised, here's Part Two of the DH's Top Thirteen Movie Scenes. Wait, that would make it the Top Twenty-six, right? :) Again, these are not in any particular order.

WARNING: There are most likely spoilers throughout this list. Avoid if you don't want to know significant events or plot points of some classic films from all eras of filmmaking.

Top Thirteen Movie Scenes, Part Two:

1. Impact tremors, Jurassic Park
The first time we hear the T-rex, and see the impact tremors in the puddle and the glass of water. Wow.

2. The rolling barrage, A Bridge Too Far (1977)
Early in the movie, when the Germans are entrenched in the trees, waiting for the British. The british walk the barrage right up to the tree line. Intense, feels very real.

3. Preacher tells Scout to stand, To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
As Atticus walks out of the courtroom, the courtroom spectators rise. Poignant.

4. Slim Pickens character is dying, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door" plays in the background as Katie Hurado looks on, tearing up.

5. The death scene, Ride the High Country
The dialogue between Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott is fantastic. Right up there with Shane for best ending to a western.

6. Burning of Atlanta, Gone With The Wind (1939)
Again, amazing special effects, particularly for the time period.

7. "That's a fact, Jack!" Stripes
Bill Murray leads his troupe in a drill routine at boot camp graduation. Funny.

8. Gunfight between Johnny Ringo and Doc Holliday, Tombstone
Val Kilmer's delivery is wonderful. He steals the movie.

9. Opening scene, The Godfather.
Transition of Don Corleone's office from dark to bright. Beautiful cinematography.

10. "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. deMille." Sunset Boulevard
Norma Desmond's descent into madness is chilling.

11. Captain Queeg's court martial, The Caine Mutiny
The mental instability of the Captain on the stand becomes clear, from the rolling of the steel balls in his hand to the unraveling of his testimony.

12. The final shootout, The Wild Bunch
Bloody, but beautifully choreographed.

13. Baby carriage down the steps, The Battleship Potemkin
Visually stunning, especially for 1925.


So that does it! The second 13 of the DH's favorite movie scenes. What do you think?

The DH's Thursday Thirteen - Top 13 Movie Scenes (Part One)

Welcome to The DH's Thursday Thirteen, where my husband takes over the blog to share his top 13 in whatever category catches his fancy. He'll be dropping by from time to time to post. I've added as many video clips as I could track down. Hope you enjoy!

TOP THIRTEEN MOVIE SCENES (PART ONE)

1. Chariot Race, Ben Hur
11 minutes of amazing filmmaking.

2. Gene Kelly's dance in the downpour, Singin' in the Rain
Pure moviemaking magic. Will put a smile on your face.

3. "Do you feel lucky?" Dirty Harry
The first time Harry says the famous line, after the bank robbery. And then smirks after he pulls the trigger on an empty chamber.

4. Opening scene, The Searchers
When the character of Martha opens the door of the cabin, as Ethan is coming home. The transition from the black interior to the gorgeous scenery of Monument Valley. John Ford at his best.

5. German planes strafe the beach, The Longest Day
Fabulous long shot, from the German pilot's POV, where you can see the men on the beach diving for cover. Amazing to me.

6. The car chase, The French Connection
The quintessential car chase as police officer Popeye Doyle chases an elevated train. Bullitt is a close second, but this takes the prize.

7. Airplane chases Cary Grant, North by Northwest
Hitchcock doesn't get much better than this.

8. "Shane! Come back!", Shane
With the music swelling, this scene tugs at your heartstrings.

9. Captain Fred Derry's father reads his citation letter, The Best Years of Our Lives
Beautifully played by Ronan Bohnen. Emotional and touching.

10. Cafeteria breakdown, White Heat
Disturbing scene where Cody Jarrett goes nuts in the prison cafeteria after learning his mother has died. (It was VERY difficult to choose a James Cagney scene. "Made it, ma! Top of the world!" [White Heat] and the grapefruit scene [Public Enemy] were strong contenders.)

11. Train station, Gone With The Wind
When the camera pans over all the wounded soldiers, pulling past the Confederate flag. Powerful.

12. Earthquake, San Francisco
Included for the amazing special effects, particularly for that time period.

13. Any scene, Casablanca
Perfect film. All-time favorite.

(It was impossible for the DH to narrow this list down to 13. Expect a Part Two next week.)

How about you? Do you have a favorite movie scene that didn't make the list?

Monday Movie Musings - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One

Thursday night found me, once again, making the trek to the local theater with my two oldest, ready to watch the midnight showing of the newest Harry Potter movie. It's debatable whether that makes me a great Mom (midnight showing! Family togetherness!) or a horrible Mom (it was a school night! We didn't get to bed until three am!).

The truth is likely somewhere in the middle. I justified the decision by focusing on the fact that it's a rare occasion (please to be ignoring the two other midnight shows we'd attended since June, though both of those were during the summer months) and that school was on early release the next day so they could power through a shortened day and crash when they got home.

Okay, setting aside the behind-the-scenes agonizing, the movie itself was fabulous. I loved how much of the book was actually in the movie, really fleshing out the story and bringing in those smaller moments that made the HP series so much fun to read. I loved the special effects, the crackling pace, the characters and their interactions. (I don't want to give anything away, especially since it's so new in theaters, so I'm trying to be purposefully vague.) I do understand those who felt like the ending was missing something, since it's really only half of the book, but I thought it was overall a very well done film.

Have you seen it yet? What did you think?

Reflections on 2009 -Favorites

NOTE: This post was originally written on January 1. But thanks to the craziness that was my January, I never got around to posting it. Rather than toss it in the trash bin, though, I thought I'd brush it off, clean it up, and put it out there anyway. Hope you enjoy!

Hard to believe it's already 2010, isn't it? (Of course, I'll be writing 2009 on all my checks for at least the next three months, so I won't have to let go quite yet...) Just for fun, here are some of my favorite finds from last year. Note: I have small children, a husband, and a day job. Therefore, some of my "finds" may be somewhat out of date. I'm just going by when *I* discovered them, not actual release date.

FAVORITE MOVIE:

I saw only three movies in the theater this year, so I'm not the best judge of current movie brilliance. But of the three, my favorite by far was:


STAR TREK

A fast, funny, entertaining reboot of the Star Trek universe that managed to hold onto enough of what I loved the original for not to irritate me. Plus, Kirk 2.0 was awesome. (And I get to use this photo again! Score!)




Runner-Up:

SHELTER

Saw this one on video. A sweet, emotionally-charged m/m romance that doesn't end tragically.


FAVORITE TV SHOW: Again, this is based on very little actual watching-of-television. Most of my viewing was done on the computer or via DVD last year. However, I did have two faves. Number one, which won't be a surprise to anyone who reads this blog or follows me on Twitter:


ALLES WAS ZAEHLT

Okay, this may be cheating a bit because I actually don't watch it on TV - it's not on air in the US. Plus, it's in German, which is a little outside my skill set. But. BUT.


It's one of the most fabulous shows I've seen, ever, and I'm totally addicted to it and the YouTube channel that clips/subtitles/uploads it for non-German-speaking fans. The directing, the writing, the cinematography, the lighting, the music, the acting...all of it is just exceptional.

This may be relevant to Wednesday's post as well. Stop by and see. :)


Runner-Up:

TORCHWOOD

I dithered on this one a bit. I absolutely loved Torchwood up to Episode 4 of Children of Earth (Season 3). Then it completely gutted me and left me a bitter shell of my former fandom self. ;) But up to that point, it was a definite favorite this year, so I felt like I had to give credit where it was due. (I still haven't forgiven you, though, Russell T. Davies.)


FAVORITE SONG:

Unzertrennlich, by Revolverheld

I have become a huge fan of German pop music this year, thanks to my TV favorite. (Which is loads of fun, except when I can't buy the song because of geographical restrictions. Grrr.) This tune, which is actually a few years old, was used to great effect on AWZ, to the point that I still get shivers when I hear it.


Runner-Up:

What About Us?, by John Barrowman

I adore angsty love songs. This is a great one. (And in a little bit of irony, you can buy the first song on the US iTunes site, but this one isn't available in the US. I had to have a friend buy the CD when she was in Scotland last year.)

Also: Poor JB! He keeps landing in second place behind the Germans. Sorry about that!


FAVORITE BOOK:

Sorry, can't do it. Far too many to list. Though I wouldn't turn my nose up at any recommendations for this year. :)


FAVORITE NEW TOY:

Hands down, my iPhone. I'm addicted. I use it for everything from reading to keeping up with Facebook to Twittering to counting calories. Love, love, love it.


Runner-Up:

My Sony Reader. If I could make phone calls and play on Twitter with it, it could have been a contender for #1.


So there you have it, my completely random and over a month late recounting of my favorites of 2009. If you can remember that far back, let me know what made an impression on you! Or post your new favorites so far of 2010.

Kate's Current Movie Crush

I must have a thing for military rankings.

Why else would I follow up my recent post on Captain Jack Harkness with a post on yet another Captain crush?

I'm speaking, of course, of Captain James T. Kirk.

I saw Star Trek on Saturday and still can't stop blathering on about it. Simply put, it was fabulous. Fun, exciting, can't-wipe-the-smile-off-your-face pure moviemaking. If you haven't seen it yet, GO.

Part and parcel of that enjoyment was the portrayal of Captain Kirk by Chris Pine. By turns brash, hotheaded, wounded, sexy, and delightful, he brought a sense of fun and enthusiasm to the character that added immeasurably to the experience. There's one particular scene -- after he first arrives on the Enterprise -- that almost had me falling out of my seat, I was laughing so hard.

Plus, he's damn cute.

So there you go. My third Captain crush, Captain Jim Kirk. (For those keeping score at home, Captain Jack Sparrow was the first, though I didn't blog about him at the time.) Huh -- two Captain Jacks and a Captain Jim. What are the odds?

Discussion question -- have you seen the new Star Trek movie? If so, who caught your eye? What did you think?

Blog Party -- A Tip of the (Cowboy) Hat

My husband is a big fan of westerns.

Not the romances, the movies.

So when it came time to write The Devil Inside, I knew I wanted to include a couple of Western-movie references, just for fun.

Example one: Sam Quincannon borrows her last name from the classic John Ford/John Wayne Western, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.

Example two: Cody's middle name, Ringo, comes from two of my personal favorites. The first, Stagecoach, is another John Ford/John Wayne collaboration, this time from the best year of movies ever, 1939. The Ringo Kid is the name of John Wayne's character, and it made him a star.

But just now, I slipped and called the character Johnny Ringo. That, my husband reminded me, was a character in Tombstone. So really, it's a name that fits both classic Westerns and more modern interpretations.

Question of the Day: Have you ever noticed an "in-joke" in a book -- a reference to a movie, another book, or a song? If so, what was it?

Kate's Current Movie Crush - Van Johnson

Van Johnson as Andrew Larkin, In The Good Old Summertime.

It's a silly name for the movie, since it takes place almost entirely at Christmas. In fact, it's one of my favorite Christmas movies, one I always forget about until I run into it on TV during the holiday season.

If you haven't watched it before, you really should. It's a musical remake of The Shop Around the Corner, and it stars a sparkling Judy Garland and my current movie star crush, Van Johnson.

Now, Van Johnson isn't one of those heart-stopping sexy leading men from the film industry heyday, like Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power or Clark Gable. He's more the boy-next-door, with the quirky smile and floppy hair, who you always end up rooting for to get the girl. Think James Stewart (who played the same role in The Shop Around the Corner) or Tom Hanks (ditto, in You've Got Mail).

So if you've seen either of those movies, you know the basic plot of In The Good Old Summertime. Boy meets girl, they fight and fuss, all the while not knowing that the other is their secret pen-pal. I love watching Van Johnson's progression from sparring partner to hidden crush, as he realizes that the ideal woman of his post-office-box romance is really the spunky, frustrating Veronica Fisher. Van Johnson and Judy Garland were friends in real life, and their comfort and delight in working with each other is evident in the easy, enjoyable interplay between them.

But the reason I've got this huge, movie star crush on Van Johnson right now is the last scene of the movie. He's teasing her about her "fiance", making up increasingly horrible things about this fictional man of her dreams (he's bald! He's fat! He's unemployed!), all the while interspersing it with coded statements of how he really feels about her. The little glances, the way he holds back when what he really wants is to sweep her into his arms -- sigh!

And when he sits down next to her, he can't keep his hands to himself. He touches her hair, puts his arm around her, toys with her lacy collar, even presses kisses to her temple while she all but pants with repressed sexual tension. It's one of the hottest scenes I've watched for a long time, and the farthest they finally go is a fade-to-black chaste kiss.

I've tried to find the scene on YouTube, but all I can find is the musical numbers from the movie. So you really should go rent it now. You can find it on Netflix, or, if you're a Comcast customer, it's a free On Demand movie via TCM.

Here's the TCM trailer, for a quick taste...


So, who's your current movie star crush?

Freebie Friday! Win! Win! Win!

I'm absolutely thrilled for Jane Porter, a fellow Northwest author, whose book Flirting With Forty has been adapted for TV. This made-for-TV movie, starring Heather Locklear, will be debuting tomorrow night on Lifetime.

I've read the book, and loved it. I can't wait to see how it turns out on the small screen.

So to celebrate, I'm giving away a copy of the book that started it all -- Flirting With Forty, by Jane Porter.

To enter the contest, just post in the comments what book you'd like to see made into a movie -- and who you think should play the lead role(s).

I'll draw a winner Sunday night. Good luck!

Richard Armitage -- Sigh!

So I mentioned a while back that I'd glommed onto North and South, finally succumbing to the Great North And South Crusade (thanks, KristieJ!). After watching it via Netflix, I ran out and bought my own copy.

(Haven't seen the movie yet? Skip the rental step and just go buy it. You won't regret it.)

Yes, I own it. Yes, I've watched it more than once. Yes, my oldest child has actually learned to play the violin piece by ear because it's been in the DVD player, on main menu, so often that all three can hum the theme song.

ANYway, one of the many, many reasons I love North and South is Richard Armitage. Oh, my heavens, Richard Armitage. Those striking good looks! Those brooding stares! That gorgeous voice!

Le sigh. Le swoon.

Needless to say, N & S was my first introduction to Mr. Armitage. Now, of course, I'm checking out everything else I can get my hands on that he's been in. I hear he's fabulous in Robin Hood, which starts its new season on BBC America on the 26th. If I'm quick, I can get the previous season on Netflix and catch up before the new show.

That, of course, means I have to finish my current Netflix rental, The Vicar of Dibley: Holy Wholly Happy Ending. I've never actually watched The Vicar of Dibley before, so some of the character relationships and in-jokes are going right over my head. But I don't care. RICHARD ARMITAGE is in it! As Harry, Gerry's love interest! And he's SMILING all the time! It's brilliant, I tell you. The most we got out of Mr. Thornton was a twitch at the corner of his mouth a couple of times. A full-on grin is like a gift from the heavens.

So, Richard Armitage. Amazing in North and South, and so far, impressive in other stuff as well. Go see for yourself!

Stacy, you can tell Kristie...

...she's got another convert.

I finally had the opportunity to watch the second half of North and South today. Big, happy, heart-warming sigh. Just a wonderful, wonderful film.

And Richard Armitage? Swoon!

So yeah, I'm watching the final scene (again) before sending it back to Netflix. And yes, it will be the next DVD I buy.

I may very well be the last person 0n the face of the earth to discover this miniseries, but just in case -- if you haven't watched it, do yourself a favor and find it. It's definitely worth the effort!

Book BIN Tuesday -- The Dark Is Rising

When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back;

Three from the circle, three from the track;

Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone;

Five will return, and one go alone.

I've been a fan of The Dark Is Rising since seventh grade, when a school librarian recommended the sequence. I still remember the shelf it was on in my Junior High library -- bottom left of the far right side of the library, next to the study tables. Maybe because I checked each of the five books out so frequently. :)

I loved them -- the Arthurian mythos, the English/Welsh countryside, the not-always-obvious battle for the soul of the world. For a long time, I read The Dark Is Rising every year at the winter solstice. It was a perfect beginning to the season.

So I was thrilled when I saw the new edition at the local Borders -- Soon To Be A Major Motion Picture! I ran home and looked it up on IMDB, clicking excitedly on the trailer.

By the end of the 45-second ad, I was crushed. They'd taken everything wonderful and magical and amazing about the book and stripped it away. They'd turned a shy, eleven year old English boy with a large but loving family into a typical, thirteen year old transplanted American with a family that treated him poorly. They dumped the Arthurian backstory. They cut the Walker, for heaven's sake!

Not only that, but interviews showed that the people involved in making the film either hadn't bothered to read the book, or they read it and hated it. The screenwriter doesn't like fantasy. The director thought he could trim out pretty much everything and keep the "spine" of the story. The actors mentioned how "dense" and "boring" the book was. The author, Susan Cooper, was interviewed on NPR , and came across as quietly devastated at what had been done to her book.

So the movie came out last Friday, now renamed The Seeker (formerly The Seeker: The Dark is Rising), and it -- tanked. Horribly. It was the worst opening for a fantasy movie EVER. Part of me is glad, because I hate to see books treated so abominably and the efforts rewarded. But I'm worried that a new generation of readers will avoid the books now that the movie associated with it is such a bomb. Even many of the reviews seem to blame the author or the book for the travesty that is the movie.

So please, take my advice. Save your movie ticket money and buy the book instead. You'll be so, so glad you did. (And so will I.) :D

Thursday Thirteen #24 -- Movies, 1939 Edition

It's often argued that 1939 was the golden year for motion pictures. The best films, the best performances, the best overall. Is that true? Well, take a look at this list of thirteen films released in 1939 and judge for yourself.

Gone With The Wind. Because frankly, my dear, I *do* give a damn.

The Wizard of Oz. I always wonder what it would have been like to be in that audience as Dorothy opens the door to Oz for the first time -- that switch from B/W to Technicolor. Brilliant!

Stagecoach. One of many pairings of John Ford/John Wayne, and one of my favorites.

Goodbye Mr. Chips. When you watch this, you totally understand why Clark Gable didn't win the Academy Award for best actor this year. Robert Donat was amazing.

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. Errol Flynn -- need I say more?

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. I loved Jimmy Stewart in this film.

Gunga Din. A great epic adventure, starring Cary Grant, among others.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Probably the most famous version, with Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton.

Love Affair. The precursor to An Affair to Remember.

Ninotchka. "Garbo Laughs."

Wuthering Heights. Star-crossed lovers! English moors! Olivier and Oberon!

Young Mr. Lincoln. Henry Fonda in one of his best roles.

The Roaring Twenties. James Cagney in one of his many fine gangster roles.

What's your opinion? Any thoughts on these films? Does 1939 live up to its reputation?