Day 8 - Three Films

[sariagray]

THREE!? How about three in separate categories, yes? :D

Old Movies
1. The Philadelphia Story - You know, the 1940s madcap romantic almost-comedy with Katharine Hepburn, Ruth Hussey, Cary Grant, and James Stewart? Seriously, I would like to marry this movie. I can't even explain it. It is hilarious and completely ridiculous and Dinah is my favorite child ever. It is really, really delightful and I do like the underlying message. And the way Katharine Hepburn says "Professor." 

2. Christmas in Connecticut - I love Barbara Stanwick almost as much as I love Katharine Hepburn. And this movie is sweet. I would like an Uncle Felix. It is comedy, sappy romance, and really the sort of WWII-era feel-good film that was made to raise the spirit of America. It's such a lovely Christmas movie.

3. Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House - I think I love movies about people coming to CT. It's so funny, and I imagine it's pretty relevant to a lot of people. It's another one of my favorite feel-good movies.

 

WWII-Centric
1. Life is Beautiful - This movie is why I wanted to take Italian. "Bongiorno, principessa" has been one of my favorite lines of all time. It is such a beautiful film, although we had to watch it for our Visual Images and Literature class, and it's really unpleasant to be bawling one's eyes out in a room full of 20 people at 8am.

 

2. Conspiracy - This movie. THIS MOVIE. It's a fairly accurate depiction of the Wannsee Conference in 1942, where the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" was decided. It is highly disturbing and brilliantly acted. 

 

3. The Pianist - I didn't think I'd like this movie, but it was such a beautiful film. I have just recently acquired the book and can't wait to read it.

 

Real People

1. Elizabeth - I have always been fond of Elizabeth I, and I really think that Cate Blanchett does such a lovely job of - wait a minute. I have seen this movie 27838793043 times and only JUST realized that Christopher Eccleston is in it. Ahem. Anyway. Yes. Good movie.

 

2. Wilde - I love this movie. I love Oscar Wilde. I  love Stephen Fry. I also love Orlando Bloom playing a rentboy. 

 

3. A Beautiful Mind - I spent weeks after this movie, thinking that everyone I knew was imagined. It...messed with me a good deal. But it was such a lovely movie.

 

Grab-Bag

1. Titus - Not only is this based on my favorite Shakespeare play, it was my introduction to JRM. But that's beside the point. This is such a sick, twisted, wonderful movie. It is one of the few films I can watch over and over. 

 

2. Requiem for a Dream - The movie, the score, all of this is so heart-breaking and yet hopeful. I admit, I first watched this when I was young and miserable, so that may be part of the reason I love it so much. But, in any case, it's definitely one of my favorites.

 

3. Velvet Goldmine - This is my movie. This is the movie I fall back on, again and again. This is the movie where Jonathan Rhys-Myers and Ewan McGreggor make out a lot. And Christian Bale and Ewan McGreggor get a random rooftop sex scene. But that's not why I love it. Okay, maybe it is. But it's...sad, and yet cheerful, and a little ridiculous, and the music is good. And has a whole host of Wildean references.

 

Comments

[neeems.livejournal.com]

I see *four* categories here... ;)

The Philadelphia Story is SO good. I remember seeing it the first time in a cinema class in high-school and I just fell in love with it. The story! The characters! The acting! (I remember that my teacher told us the actors were actually drunk during the pool scene) James Stewart! I heart James Stewart SO MUCH.

The Pianist is one of the most beautiful (war) movies ever, and it makes me cry like a baby every time I watch it. I have the book, too, and it's as awesome as the movie.

And whaaat? Christopher Eccleston is in Elizabeth?!? Who does he play?!

(oh, and hello, by the way. I randomly ended up on your LJ, saw your amazing list (because I so approve of these movies. And you like Oscar Wilde, too? I think you're great.) and thought I'd stop by and say hi)

[neeems.livejournal.com]

(and no, my comments aren't usually this long. Got a little carried away, I guess!)

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

*Waves* Yes, yes, I am a sneak! :D

I truly love that movie. James Stewart is amazing in it, and I absolutely love him. I admit to wandering around yelling, "Oh C K Dexter Haaaaaaven!" and no one knows what I'm doing. I also frequently tell people, "Let's go into the talking room." So, yay! I'm glad someone knows this movie!

Eccleston is NORFOLK. You know, totally central to the plot. How did I miss this!? I don't know! But yes. That's him. According to IMDB, anyway.

Hello and welcome! I love when people get sucked into the Vortex and randomly end up in my journal. ;) I...adore Oscar Wilde. A lot. Clearly, you do as well! So these feelings of greatness, I believe, are mutual! :D Thanks for saying hi!

[neeems.livejournal.com]

The only excuse I can find about Christopher Eccleston in Elizabeth is that I didn't know him when I first saw this movie. But I'm sceptic.

Oh, God, I *love* Oscar Wilde. I read The Picture of Dorian Gray for the first time when I was 15 and this book just killed me. In a good way. Also, I see that you like Hemingway, too? I think I've read pretty much ALL his books. His writing style?! Guh. He's the only one who manages to say so much with so little words.

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's my excuse for not knowing. I'll have to rewatch it, I think.

As for Hemingway, absolutely! :D The Garden of Eden is my favorite book of his, I think. His simplicity is gorgeous.

15 was around the time I read The Picture of Dorian Gray, too. It was really powerful. :D