I have some family obligations at the moment (which is why I've been somewhat scarce), but since I promised you a Friday Film post LAST week, I feel it necessary to at least come up with something. The following is what I put together as a draft last week. I can't expand too much on these except to say that at various times they had me so captivated that I went back to theatre and saw them again. That doesn't happen very often. In fact, these days, it takes quite a lot to get me into a movie theatre, between the mad decibel-levels (I wear ear-plugs - really!), the endless trailers with nothing but superheroes, CGI effects and witless comedians,people who bring their toddlers to PG-plus films, or some slob sitting behind me with the keg of popcorn and the big-gulp sized drink with the straw that he must keep drawing on, or the frigid temperatures in the theatre, I prefer to wait and watch at home.
There was a time however, in the long-distant 70s and 80s when I would not only go to the movies all the time, but I would happily return to the theatre to see a good movie again, and again, and even again! Here are a few that had that sort of pull.
THE STING
The Sting dir. George Roy Hill (1973)
First of all, the music, featuring Scott Joplin's ragtime piano, It truly is just amazing. Marvin Hamlisch's adaptations are brilliant. Second, the story which is unforgettable, fun, sad, surprising and just one of the best things on film.
MURDER BY DEATH
Murder By Death dir. Robert Moore (1976)
Hilarious spoof of the locked room mystery with a terrific ensemble cast of classic and familiar faces. This is not to be missed!
SERGEANT PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band dir. Michael Schultz (1978)
I know. It's not the greatest movie, but I adored Peter Frampton! I played "Frampton Comes Alive" until the grooves wore out. I also loved Andy Gibb (God rest him). The Bee Gees, not so much, but a whole movie with PF and I was in heaven. I just picked this up on dvd for (pardon the pun) a song.
SILVERADO
Silverado dir. Lawrence Kasdan (1985)
Kevin Kostner, in his glory days was quite the young buck (think "No Way Out") but this movie was a blast from start to finish. Probably my favourite genre in film, the western has always appealed to me. This was part classic western, but also had loads of comedy. I mean, John Cleese is in it!. I haven't seen it in years ... maybe it's time to saddle up again?
OUT OF AFRICA
Out of Africa dir. Stanley Pollock (1985)
I know I've said this before. Yes. Redford as Dennys Finch-Hatton is gorgeous, hunky, sexy, suave - the lot, but my real preference was for Michael Kitchen's character, Berkeley Cole. He's aged really well too. Have you seen "Foyle's War"?
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
Fried Green Tomatoes dir. Jon Avnet (1991)
I saw this film with a friend and right after it ended, I went home and said to my mother, "Mom, you and I have got to see this movie together. When do you want to go?" We saw it a couple of days later. It is a wonderful film full of warmth, humour, strong characters and a fantastic story. If you missed it, you've got to remedy that as soon as possible.
Kathleen Mortensen©2009
+(2).jpg)
15 of Kat's friends had this to say::
Thanks. Those are some of my favorite films.
I love "Murder By Death"! One of my favorite movies. I have seen some of the other ones too, "Fried Green Tomatoes" was really good.
Hope your Friday is lovely, weekend as well.;))
xo
I love to eat Fried Green Tomatoes, but can hardly find any to buy. Maybe next year instead of just Cherry tomatoes, I should try to grow my own.
Great list of movies. I really enjoyed Silverado when that one came out. I need to see it again.
God bless.
An excellent selection, and one that goes a good way towards restoring my faith in myself - they were not all unfamiliar to me as such selections normally are. Thanks for that!
Thanks for these selections. You can imagine how hard it is for my brother and I and my mother to agree on DVDs while at her place.
I loved PF too and had a poster of him in his gold lame jacket. Very dishy.
I am wiht you on Silverado and Out of Africa...not sure i have seen the others, so you have given me some fodder for the movie queue. About the only movies i buy are the ones that capture me and make me want to see them again and again.
Glad you are back! Hope family things are going well. Been tough to post myself this week as my computer died. todays was pretty mucha a draft for me too.
have a great weekend kat!
My favorite of these would be "Out of Africa", hands down. Love Streep, love the music, the true story and the magnificent African landscape.
SS Nick - You're welcome! I'm not surprised.
Protege - "Murder By Death" is a hoot, isn't it? You have a wonderful weekend too!
MrsU - I've never tried them, but I suspect I would like them. I can't grow tomatoes, the neighbourhood squirrels like them too much!
Dave - Oh, I'm glad! I tend to favour the classics - my Dad brought me up to love Westerns and War movies and my mom instilled a love of Musicals and melodrama (say, "Now Voyager" as an example).
CP - I'm not at all surprised that you were a PF fan. I had a pen and ink drawing that I did of him pinned up in my locker in high school. (Later, it was Blondie and Cheap Trick!)
You can't go wrong with "The Sting".
Brian - always glad to give you ideas. It's brutal when your computer dies, isn't it? Family stuff's okay - just committed (still).
Willow - I know you love OOA. Street was brilliant, wasn't she? We had the soundtrack on an LP and my mom and I used to play it all the time (and weep).
Kat
Speaking of Repeat Performances! As I say, Kat, like minds! ;)
Actually saw all of these..good list! Really liked Fried Green...
loved Silverado...Conflict, irony, legend, and Kostner, + John Cleese/Fawlty Towers..(can't help myself)..that's what I really want to watch!! Where's Manuel when I need him?
A treat of a post, Kat! I must find "Murder by Death". The Sgt. Pepper's clip was great. Yes, "Fried Green Tomatoes" is a good one, too. You have superb taste! I was about to wish you a Happy 4th of July! Well, have a happy one, anyway!
You are spot on about the movie going experience today. Add to that the kaleidoscopic madness of the lobby with all that chaotic noise, flashing lights, and carnival atmosphere. Talk about sensory overload.
Of all your movies listed here I think I only saw Seargent Peppers. Yeah, I thought Frampton was a cutie back then. Have you seen him lately? SKEDDY!
oh yes, there are some films here I REALLY need to see again
Some I recognise and some I don't but "Out of Africa" is a favourite. Fried Green Tomatoes sounds delightful. I will have to get that one.
These look great, Kat. I agree with you about Fried Green Tomatoes. Read the book by Fannie Flagg if you haven't already. She's a wonderful writer.
I laughed me arse off at your description of the movie theater:D
Post a Comment