Remake: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

 I have one question, who is Tinker, Tailor Soldier Spy?  Technically that is four questions and with that opening sentence I proclaim that I was thoroughly confused.  I went with my parents and two friends, we all had trouble remembering the name of the film we were about to see (never a good sign) and resorted to calling it Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang.  We became so accustom to its new name that we almost asked for tickets to that film.

I honestly I just don't get it.  The picture was grainy, the plot was slow and confusing but I will say the costumes were good.  As you can see I'm having trouble even writing this review.  I sat through the film wondering if everyone else was as lost or confused as I or was or was I just missing something?  Although I did pick up that two of the characters were gay I just can't remember which ones...  Fortunately all five of us were completely confused and while in the lady's room discussing it further three women behind us over heard and agreed.  I could breath a sign of relief that I was not alone.

Remember The Guy With The Whistle?

Titanic came out in 1997, it was nominated for fourteen Academy Awards, winning eleven and was a box-office sensation in its first weekend, as was "Leo-mania".

 I was in 6th grade at the time and remember there being a huge uproar because 8th graders at my school were being allowed to see the film due to learning about the sinking of the Titanic.  As Kate Winslet takes her top off in every film you can imagine the parent's reaction. 

But what about the first time I saw it?  I went several weekends after the 8th graders with my mom, brother and two friends of ours.  Both had already seen it, my friend had seen it fourteen times.  We all sat in rapture at Jack and Rose's love affair and the events leading up to the sinking.  We watched the ship disappear into the Atlantic Ocean and the couple cling for their lives.

At the time my brother was ten and didn't realize that Rose was telling the story so she couldn't have died.  Therefore, after Rose promises to "never let go"  my brother leans over to his friend and asked if she'd be all right, his response was "remember the guy with whistle?"  Well all five of us crack up at this very serious moment (I'm smiling now just thinking about it) getting dirty looks from those around us.  So while a wonderful, epic love story I also have a fond memory that I associate with Titanic.

Cleopatra (1963)

The two things it is known for is  being a bomb and having the biggest budget film at the time, starting with 2 million and spending 44 million at closing.   It is also the film in which Richard Burton and Liz Taylor hooked up.

I got Cleopatra through the library as I was unable to finish a biography on her for book club so I thought I'd cheat.  Unfortunately, that didn't work either.  I could only make it through the first disk only watching Caesar, played by Rex Harrison and Cleopatra's love affair.

Julius Caesar was epileptic, and there was a scene of him having a seizure, which was pathetic.  I am epileptic myself, and it was such a bad, inaccurate portrayal of a convulsion that I almost turned it off right then and there.  The film was extremely sexual for its time, women scantily clad in provocative positions.  There is one scene with Elizabeth Taylor in which one of Cleopatra's servants has the job of pulling down her dress whenever Liz moved so as not to show her ass-crack.

Anything positive?  The scenery and costumes  were incredible and can see why they went over budget, but otherwise it was a complete bust.

Watch on the Rhine (1943)

Watch on the Rhine is a 1940s propaganda film.  You can spin it anyway you like, drama, Bette Davis film, patriotic but in the end its still propaganda to raise spirits during a hard time.

Kurt and Sara Muller along with their three children visit Sara's family who believe she married beneath her class.  The Mullers, having lived a secretive and poorly lifestyle remain mum on Kurt's position.  After a family member cannot keep his nose and eyes to himself discovers that Kurt is working underground in anti-fascist activates.  After learning that a fellow comrade (who once saved Kurt) has been captured Kurt feels it his duty to help his friend and prepares to set out for Germany despite the risk of his own life.  Teck de Brancovis, a  house guest, bribes the family threatening to tell the authorities unless  he is given $10,000 -- their life savings.  Therefore, Muller does the only thing he feels he can do to protect his family, murders the snitch and flees for his life.

The ending had me choked up with Bette Davis excepting her eldest son following in his father's footsteps even though she would have preferred him safe at home.  Sara knew it would be selfish on her part and let him go willing when the time was right.  It was a very tender moment.  Also, I thought the steady build-up to Kurt's position was very well executed even though I thought I had an idea considering the subject matter at hand.    Even so, at times I felt that it was almost too much propaganda but that was the style at the time -- very patriotic.  Overall, Watch on the Rhine was an interesting watch (pun intended) and would certainly recommend it to any Bette Davis or classic movies fan.

The Hills Are Alive... Again

Okay, my girlish fandom is coming through as tomorrow the entire cast of The Sound of Music will be on Oprah.  I loved this movie growing up and is just a classic for me, it's one of my favorite things.   Anyway,  I am just super excited since it's the first time in 45 years the cast has been reunited since climbing up the mountain, and lets just face it, it's awesomeness!  

On a side note, my love for Christopher Plummer accelerates my excitement as he was so cute in the film, and he has the greatest voice.  In high school my mom and I would watch the cartoon Madeline because he narrated it.  And no, I am not obsessed...

The Bad Seed (1956)

I will never look at little girls with pigtails the same way again.  

Rhoda Penmark is an eight year old who if doesn't get her way goes far beyond a childhood tantrum but resorts to cold-blooded murder, in this case, to obtain a penmenship medal she feels was wrongly awarded to another classmate.

Patty McCormack is chilling as the eight year old murderess leaving me with goosebumps across my skin.  Her facial expressions posed behind her mother's back are grotesque, raising eyebrows at Rhoda's determination and smarmy demeanor.  claiming she has the sweetest mother and offering a basket of hugs for a basket of kisses in return.  

Nancy Kelly plays the part of a worried mother very well and expertly passes the different stages of feeling to suspicion to derangement, in the end acting on what she feels is best for herself and child.

As much as I enjoyed this movie, The Bad Seed is extremely campy.  Even though the acting was good it is very dramatic and over the top which I think is part of the reason I enjoyed it.  My only complaint is that they changed the ending to make it "happier" and serve just desserts but just came across as rather corny.  Although over all, The Bad Seed was ultra creepy and had me riveted. 

I may have them take my ashes and spread them all over Las Vegas

Tony Curtis
June 3, 1925 – September 29, 2010