The Majestic, 2001

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!
Sydney Pollack--David Ogden Stiers



Director: Frank Darabont

Stars: Jim Carrey, Martin Landau, David Ogden Stiers, Sydney Pollack (voice)




Peter Appleton (Carrey), a writer in 1950's Hollywood, is on the verge of being arrested for being a Communist, which he's not.  He goes for a long drive, gets in an accident, and wakes up with no memory of who he is.  The man who finds him brings him into town, where the whole town mistakes him for Luke Trimble, a man reported MIA 8 years prior.

Not knowing who he actually is, he tries to remember being Luke, and turns the town upside down in the process.

This is a slow-moving story, and I thought it was sweet.  Very unbelievable of course, but still sweet.  It's so nice to see Jim Carrey in something that isn't comedy!

NOTE:  I recognized the voice of Luke Trimble right away!  It's Matt Damon!  I love his voice.  

Made of Honor, 2008

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Patrick Dempsey--Sydney Pollack



Director: Paul Weiland

Stars: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd, Sydney Pollack





Womanizer Tom (Dempsey) met Hannah (Monaghan) in college, and since then, they've been best friends.  Tom is with a different woman practically every night, but Hannah is his special girl he can do anything with, including take home to his messed-up family.  Hannah wishes Tom would see her as more than a friend, but can't wait around forever.  While visiting Scotland for a few weeks, she meets, and gets engaged to, Colin (McKidd)-- just when Tom was thinking she was the perfect girl!

Hannah asks Tom to be her Maid of Honor, and after he discusses it with his friends, he says yes- because he wants to be in on the planning, and he really plans to steal the bride.

This is rated R, and it certainly deserves it.  It just reminds me of how much I HATE romantic comedies these days.

Enchanted, 2007

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Amy Adams-- Patrick Dempsey


Director: Kevin Lima

Stars: Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden






Giselle (Adams) lives in a fairy-tale world, but she is banished to New York by an evil queen (Sarandon).  In the real world, Giselle meets a lawyer (Dempsey), whose daughter takes a liking to Giselle, and he soon finds himself liking her as well, though he is puzzled by her innocent outlook on life.  And her strange gift for communicating with animals.

This is a silly fairy tale movie.  Real people, cartoons, a huge musical number in Central Park, an evil queen who turns into a dragon, a hero, a princess--this one has everything!  And it's cute and funny, as well.

Julie and Julia, 2009

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!!
Stanley Tucci-- Amy Adams




Director: Nora Ephron

Stars: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci









Julie (Adams) decides to start a blog going through Julia Child's (Streep) book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" in one year.  To her surprise, her blog takes off and becomes very popular, soon taking over her life, in a way, and she neglects her husband, among other things.

This movie takes on Julie's story, while going back in time and going through Julia's story as she was writing the cookbook.  It's a very sweet movie, touching at times, and you should definitely have soem good food ready to eat!  You will be hungry.

Swing Vote, 2008

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!!
Kevin Costner-- Stanley Tucci



Director: Joshua Michael Stern

Stars: Kevin Costner, Madeline Carroll, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammer, Stanley Tucci, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Judge Reinhold








Bud Johnson (Costner) is an alcoholic factory-worker, whose over-achieving daughter, Molly (Carroll), wants him to get more involved in everything, especially on Election Day.  Bud is supposed to meet her at the polls, but ends up passed out in his truck.  Molly is desperate, and when the volunteer falls asleep, she signs her father's name, takes his ballot, and prepares to cast his vote.  The ballot is in the machine, when it loses power suddenly, and Molly dashes out, the vote incomplete.

It doesn't take long for the authorities to figure out who didn't cast their vote.  And maybe it wouldn't have mattered, except the Presidential election ends up hanging on the electoral votes in New Mexico, in Bud's county, and surprise, surprise-- on Bud's vote.  Yes, it is discovered that Bud Johnson is the man who will pick the next President of the United States! 

The Bodyguard, 1992

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Debbie Reynolds-- Kevin Costner



Director: Mick jackson

Stars: Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston, Gary Kemp, Ralph Waite, Debbie Reynolds










This is one of those movies (like The Fugitive and Independence Day) that I can't stop watching whenever it's on tv and I am bored and channel-surfing.  This almost never happens, but still!

Former secret service agent Frank Farmer (Costner) gets a new job: he becomes a diva's bodyguard.  Rachel (Houston) has been receiving death threats and crazy letters, and although she knows she needs a bodyguard, she and frank clash instantly.  Rachel is used to having things her way, but Frank insists on certain precautions being taken.  After more attempts are made on her life, she begins to trust Frank, and do what he says.

I really enjoy watching this one.  But I can't say I like the end.  SPOILER!  Why couldn't they just end up together?  Not entirely happy....

Singin in the Rain, 1952

(Originally posted: March 11, 2012)
THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Gene Kelly-- Debbie Reynolds

Director: Stanley Donan, Gene Kelly

Choreographer: Gene Kelly

Stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse

Silent film star Don Lockwood (Kelly) and his on-screen partner Lina Lamont (Hagen) need to start making the transition to "talking pictures" like all the other Hollywood studios are doing. The problem is: Lina has the most awful voice! She works as a silent film star, but in public, the studio keeps her from talking at all costs!

On the way to one of his studio parties, Don meets Kathy (Reynolds), who doesn't fall for his tricks, and promptly puts the great star in his place. Then, unfortunately for her, their paths cross again at the party, where she is one of the hired dancers for entertainment.

Don can't stop thinking about Kathy, which is probably because she was the first girl not to fall for any of his lines, as his friend Cosmo (O'Connor) told him. When they accidentally meet again, he doesn't waste any time letting her know how he feels, and their romance begins. But Lina is still a problem. Not only is her voice horrendous, but she also seems to think that she and Don should be together.

This is the greatest American musical ever made! I think this one and The Sound of Music are definitely tied for my favorite musical of all time.

American Graffiti, 1973

Director: George Lucas

Stars: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul le Mat, Cindy Williams, Harrison Ford





A bunch of teenagers cruise around Main Street showing off their cars (it's the 50's) and hanging out before leaving for college the next day.  It's one of those teenage movies, very slow, not terrible, just not terribly interesting.  I don't know, I'm just not crazy about it.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off, 1986

Director: John Hughes

Stars: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey, Ben Stein





Ferris Bueller (Broderick) decides he needs a day off of high school and comes up with an elaborate scheme in order to pull it off. (Including a recorded message that plays when the doorbell rings!) He gets his best friends off, too, and together they set out for a day in Chicago, doing whatever they please, and ending the day by singing in a parade.

I love love love this movie! Ferris is hysterical. It's the perfect film for a rainy day.

Summer Stock, 1950

(Originally posted: March 9, 2012)
THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Eddie Bracken-- Gene Kelly

Director: Charles Walters

Choreography: Nick Castle

Stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Eddie Bracken, Gloria DeHaven

Jane (Garland) has to deal with getting the crops in and taking care of her family's farm all by herself because her sister Abigail (DeHaven) has left for school. But Abigail is scheduled to return and when she does, Jane is sure she will help out. Instead, Abigail brings all her friends with her- to use the barn to put on a great production. Jane is upset, especially when she meets Joe (Kelly), the director, and they don't get along. But they workout a deal so that Joe and the rest will work on the farm every morning to earn their keep.

But when Abigail and the male lead decide to leave for a better job in New York, Joe convinces Jane to take on the female lead, so they don't have to return all the money from the ticket sales.

Sorry, Fred, but Gene is my favorite dancer! Fred was suave and elegant; Gene was athletic and powerful. And both were BRILLIANT, with all capitals. I guess Gene was better looking, anyway, and that may be part of the reason.

Oscar, 1991

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!
Tim Curry-- Eddie Bracken




Director: John Landis

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Ornella Muti, Don Ameche, Peter Riegert, Vincent Spano, Tim Curry, Marisa Tomei, Eddie Bracken, Kurtwood Smith, Kirk Douglas




Gangster Angelo "Snaps" Provolone (Stallone) is finally going straight like he promised his dying father he would.  But the day he decides to become a banker and has the board of directors over is the very day his entire household is under police surveillance, he finds out one of his employees has been stealing from him, and the thief asks to marry his only daughter.  A few identical suitcases full of jewels and cash and women's underwear, respectively, add extra intrigue to the whole situation.

I LOVE this movie!

Charlie's Angels, 2000

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!
Bill Murray-- Tim Curry


Director: McG (We Are Marshall, This Means War)

Stars: Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore, Bill Murray, Tim Curry






Okay, just going to be honest here: although, I've seen it, it's probably been 12 years.  As in, I saw it when it first came out, and then never bothered again since it obviously wasn't that great.  I will say that's a silly remake of an old tv show from the '70s.

It seems the "thing" these days to remake tv shows.  I can't wait for Magnum PI, the movie!  I'm thinking Bradley Cooper.....but he already someone in a tv show-turned-movie....maybe Ryan Reynolds?

The Man Who Knew Too Little, 1997

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Alfred Molina--Bill Murray



Director: Jon Amiel (Entrapment)

Stars: Bill Murray, Peter Gallagher, Joanne Whalley, Alfred Molina




It's his birthday, and Wallace (Murray) heads to London to visit his brother James, who unfortunately, is busy that night, so he sends his brother on a unique London experience for a few hours.  He gets him tickets for the "Theatre of Life", where you don't even have to learn your lines, and you can be an actor for a night in a thrilling plot!

James drops Wallace off at a phone booth where the "Theatre of Life" will begin, and Wallace gets  a mysterious call for "Spenser," giving him an address and instructions.  Wallace goes along with the evening, not knowing that he's in on an assassination plot, and that call was not from the "Theatre of Life!"

Obviously, this is a spy comedy of mistaken identity, and it truly is funny how it keeps going on.  It's not the cleanest, though not that dirty.  If you're in the mood for a spy comedy, you'll like it.

Chocolat, 2000

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Johnny Depp--Alfred Molina




Director: Lasse Hallstrom (An Unfinished Life, Something to Talk About)

Stars: Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Lena Olin, Johnny Depp, Alfred Molina





When Vianne (Binoche) and her daughter move into the village and open a chocolatery during Lent, the good Catholics in the village are a little upset.  And things don't get any better when a group of gypsies sails down the river and decides to stay a while.

Don't watch during Lent, and go buy some delicious chocolate to eat while watching!  I love this movie!  It's not the cleanest, just as a warning- there is a little bit of sex, and some language, but overall, it's sweet and funny.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2005

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Helena Bonham-Carter --- Johnny Depp


Director: Tim Burton (Batman Forever, Edward Scissorhands)

Stars: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Freddie Highmore, Christopher Lee, David Kelly





Charlie Bucket (Highmore) finds one of the golden tickets inside a chocolate Wonka Bar and goes on a tour of Wonka's Chocolate factory with 5 other lucky children.  They all get to see just how strange the mysterious Mr. Wonka really is.

I'm not a fan of Tim Burton and his strange films, but this one is kinda cute.  The Oompa Loompas are weird, but funny.

The King's Speech, 2010

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!
Guy Pearce--Helena Bonham-Carter


Director: Tom Hooper

Stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham-Carter, Guy Pearce





LOVE IT!

In the days before World War II, when radio broadcasts were carrying voices across nations and the world, a stammering prince (Firth) turns to a speech therapist (Rush) for help overcoming his speech problem.  And when his brother the king abdicates to marry a divorced woman, he is next in line for the  throne.

I don't want to say much because it's so wonderful you have to see it for yourself.  I will only say one thing: it is rated R for language, which is actually kind of funny, because throughout the course the speech therapy, they find that Bertie (Firth) doesn't stutter when he swears.  So at 2 or 3 points in the film, he is just swearing up a storm.  It's funny!

Gidget, 1959

Director: Paul Wendkos


Stars: Sandra Dee, James Darren, Cliff Robertson






Francie (Dee) heads to the beach for the summer and convinces Moondoggie (Darren) to teach her how to surf.

It's a bit silly, and definitely a summer movie, and the way they make it look like they're actually surfing is, of course, old school, and therefore, hilarious!  WOrth watching if you're in "summer movie" mood.

If A Man Answers, 1962

Director: Henry Levin




Stars: Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, Stefanie Powers, Cesar Romero








Chantel (Dee) marries photographer Eugene (Darin), and, following her mother's advice, she attempts to train her new husband as if he were a dog.  When he catches on, a battle of the sexes ensues.

I love discovering silly comedies from the 50's and 60's.  This one was cute, and not too silly.  I had never seen anything with Sandra Dee before, and I thought she was funny.

L.A. Confidential, 1997

Director: Curtis Hanson



Stars: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito









AWFUL!  I couldn't finish it.  I hated everything I saw.  It's a film noir, so obviously it's all depressing and everyone swears and dies and is naked and corrupt.  I just forgot what "film noir" meant, I guess.

Hud, 1963

Director: Martin Ritt

Stars: Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neal

Hud (Newman) can't get along with his father, or anyone else, and when he's drunk, he acts like a complete moron.  Very slow-moving, and depressing, really.  Not worth watching.  Sorry, Paul.

A Good Year, 2006

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION
Albert Finney-- Russell Crowe






Director: Ridley Scott



Stars: Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Freddie Highmore, Abbie Cornish







Max  (Crowe) is a workaholic in London who hasn't seen his uncle Henry is years.  When he hears of his death, he heads to France to his uncle's vineyard, and the memories of his childhood come flooding back.  Life gets a little interesting when a young woman shows up claiming to be his uncle's daughter.

This one is also one of those slow movies, with lots of beautiful scenery.  Definitely a summer movie.  I love those kinds of movies.

An Unfinished Life, 2005

Director: Lasse Hallstrom



Stars: Robert Redford, Jennifer Lopez, Morgan Freeman, Josh Lucas, Becca Gardner








When her current boyfriend beats her again, Jean (Lopez) takes her daughter Griff (Gardner) and heads for the only family she has left-- her late husband's father Einar (Redford).  Einar lives on a ranch and cares for his friend Mitch (Freeman), who was mauled by a bear and can't care for himself.  Einar never truly recovered from his son Griff's death, but as he gets to know his granddaughter, he finds the healing he needs.

This is one of those slow-moving movies.  And except for a tiny scene that could have just been left out and implied (yeah, it's about sex), I really liked this movie.

The Wedding Planner, 2001

Director: Adam Shankman


Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Justin Chambers, Judy Greer





Mary (Lopez) is a wedding planner who is about to become a partner in the company- all she has to do is successfully plan the Donolly wedding.  This becomes tricky when the man she recently met and has fallen for actually ends up being the groom of the wedding she is supposed to plan!

Very cute and sweet!  I have always liked this movie, as cheesy as it might be.  Romantic comedies too often go the dirty route, and I'm glad this one didn't.

Erin Brockovich, 2000

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Julia Roberts-- Albert Finney






Director: Steven Soderbergh (Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen, The Informant!)


Stars: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, David Brisbin









Erin Brockovich (Roberts), a legal assistant, discovers that a power company is polluting the area's water supply, and hundreds are getting sick and even dying because of it.  She investigates the situation and tries to take down the guilty company.

All in all, I enjoyed this movie.  I both loved and hated Erin and her harsh and sweet personality.  This is definitely a drama, but the ending is very satisfying.  She does wear very revealing, trashy clothing, and everybody's language is pretty awful, but besides that, good movie!  :)

NOTE: The real Erin Brockovich actually has a cameo- she plays the waitress in the restaurant in the beginning!

Mirror Mirror, 2012

Director: Tarsem Singh

Stars: Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane





A Snow White story, made into a comedy.  Sometimes this was funny, but honestly, the best part about seeing this in the theater was that it was free because it was a gift, and there was a guy in front of me and ,my friends who fell asleep and started snoring.  The choking silent laughter with friends was worth sitting through the whole silly movie.

The Hunger Games, 2012

Director: Gary Ross


Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci








Each year, one boy and one girl are chosen by lottery from each of the 12 Districts to go to the Capitol and fight to the death in "The Hunger Games".  The games are filmed live and every person in each district is forced to watch them, a way for the Capitol to remind the Districts of who's in control.

When her younger sister is chosen to go, Katniss (Lawrence) steps in to take her place.  She and the boy chosen from her district, Peeta (Hutcherson), she heads to the Capitol to fight in the games.  But things don't always go according to the Capitol's plans.

I would highly recommend reading the book first.  And just know that the book and movie match up very well together!  I was impressed.  The entire time in the movie, I was on the edge of my seat, riveted by what was happening.  And the book was similar, of course.  I sometimes get into the popular novels that everyone is reading, and this is no exception.  But as I got into the 2nd and 3rd books, I found them to be very depressing.  Revolution is not the most fun topic.

My Best Friend's Wedding, 1997

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Rupert Everett--Julia Roberts



Director: P.J. Hogan

Stars: Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Rupert Everett, Cameron Diaz




It's almost Julianne's (Roberts) birthday, and she remembers that she and her best friend Michael (Mulroney) once promised each other that if they weren't married by the time they were 30, they'd marry each other.  When he calls her that night, he tells her he's getting married to Kimberly (Diaz), and she suddenly realizes she loves him and wants him for herself.

It's only days before the wedding, and Julianne must act quickly if she wants Michael for herself.  She has her gay friend George (Everett) to pretend he's her boyfriend, just to make Michael jealous.  That makes for some funny stuff.  

I remember watching this one a lot when it was new.  I haven't seen it in years, so maybe it's not exactly what I remember.

Where Angels Fear to Tread, 1991

Director: Charles Sturridge

Stars: Helena Bonham-Carter, Rupert Graves, Helen Mirren, Judy Davis








Yes, the novel by E. M. Forster comes to really horrible and painful life.

I hate hate hate hate hated this movie.  I don't know how you could possibly like it.  These people are ALL crazy.  I would have gone to the police in a moment and had them all committed.

If you like good movies, do not watch.

The Truman Show, 1998

Director: Peter Weir

Stars: Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Natascha McElhone, Noah Emmerich







Truman (Carrey) lives in the largest television studio in the world, as the star of the most popular reality show of all time-- and he doesn't even know it.

He was adopted by a tv studio for the purpose of putting his entire life on television.  He lives in a controlled environment, and everyone surrounding him is an actor, even his best friend and his mother.  The studio runs his entire life, making sure he never, ever leaves town and that he does exactly what they want him to.

It's very funny in some parts how the studio controls his life.  And it gets emotional near the end, as Truman continues to realize that there is someone out there pulling the strings in his every move.

It's very interesting and makes you think.  What if you were the one trapped in a giant studio with people watching your every move?  How would YOU escape?

Sounds funny, but it's true.

A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1999

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Kevin Kline- Rupert Everett

Director: Michael Hoffman

Stars: Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Stanley Tucci, Calista Flockhart






Shakespeare's play comes to life yet again!

So, this is a romantic comedy about two couples and how their lives are affected by the magic of the creatures in the forest.  It's very cute, though not the cleanest movie- Shakespeare wasn't noted for that, though.  But it's not totally dirty either.  Bottom line, if you like Shakespeare, you'll like it!  Actually, if you like Shakespeare, you've probably already seen it.....

Kevin Kline is hilarious!!!!  Really, he is one of my favorite actors.

End of Hitchcock Month

And this concludes the month of Hitchcock film reviews!  Which Hitch film is your favorite?

I hope you enjoyed this month of reviews dedicated to my favorite director!  Maybe you found a new film to watch because something in a review got your interest.  I hope so!

There are lots of other films by the Master of Suspense.  I'm sure over the next year, I'll review some of them.

Torn Curtain, 1966

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Paul Newman, Julie Andrews,









And now, the last review of April!

American physicist Michael Armstrong (Newman) is on his way to Europe with his secretary/fiancee Sarah (Andrews) for a big mathematics conference or something.  (Is it ridiculous that I don't completely understand what is going on?)  Anyway, the whole point is that everyone thinks Armstrong is defecting to Germany, and he can't tell them that really he is working for the US government as a sort of spy, trying to get a formula for something!  

Okay, I don't know why I don't know the details because this truly IS one of my favorites.   It has PAUL NEWMAN!  Enough said.

Torn Curtain is not at all scary, just suspenseful, and of course, romantic.  And, no, Julie Andrews does NOT sing.

CAMEO:  In the hotel in the beginning, Hitch is seated, holding a baby.

North by Northwest, 1959

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason






Have you ever seen this clip form the movies-- a man running down a road with a crop duster chasing him?  It's from Hitchcock's North by Northwest.

Advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Grant) is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies.  When he escapes from them, he goes to the police, who don't believe him, and then the government contacts him.  They want to use him because the spies already think they know who he is.  He works with another agent, (Saint), who is working with the foreigners under cover.  Anyway, it's a great story and very suspenseful.  It all ends with an exciting scene on Mount Rushmore!

CAMEO: Hitch appears right at the beginning, just as the credits ends and his name is shown, he is trying to get on a bus, which closes its doors just as he gets there.  It's one of my favorites!  :)

The Man Who Knew Too Much, 1956

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK


Stars: James Stewart, Doris Day





While vacationing in Morocco, Dr. Benjamin McKenna (Stewart) and his wife, Jo (Day), accidentally become involved in an assassination plot, and because of their knowledge (as in, they "know too much"), their son is kidnapped to keep them quiet.  They follow the criminals to London, where they try to track them down and save their son, and maybe the ambassador set to be assassinated.  All without the involvement of the police.

The Man Who Knew Too Much is so suspenseful, and so emotionally moving.  When Jo finds out her son has been taken, I cry along with her every time!  And when she sings "Que Sera, Sera" (which was written for this movie) at the end, I am a complete wreck.

 

The Road to El Dorado, 2000

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!

Kevin Kline--Kenneth Branagh


Director: Bibo Bergeron, Will Finn, Don Paul, David Silverman


Stars: Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Rosie Perez




Two thieves find a map to the "city of gold" and decide to try their luck.  This is very funny, but not the cleanest movie for children.  There's a bit too much of the guy and girl trying to be alone, if you know what I mean.  But hey, it works for a "movie connection" movie.  And it really IS funny!

The Trouble With Harry, 1955

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: John Forsythe, Shirley MacLaine










When a body is discovered in a small Vermont town, trouble and hilarity ensue!  I don't want to give anything away- just watch it.  Not your typical Hitch film, as you can see from the poster.  

To Catch a Thief, 1955

Re-post (original post- June 15, 2011)



Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams







Retired jewel thief John Robie (Grant) is compelled to prove his innocence in a new string of robberies which bears a striking resemblance to his old M.O. He decides to anticipate the moves of his "copy-cat burglar" hoping to catch him in the act and hand him over to the police. Tipped off by an insurance agent (John Williams), he befriends the people he himself would target, the wealthy Mrs. Stevens (Landis) and her daughter Francie (Kelly).

This was filmed in Monaco and the French Riviera, and it's such a beautiful movie! To me, it is just perfect for summer.

Grace Kelly's wardrobe makes me want to go back in time!

This isn't like other Hitchcock films. This is more romance than suspense, so don't worry, those of you who don't like Hitch's style. Try this out- you're in for a treat!

Rear Window, 1954

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK


Stars: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr






One of the best!

Photographer Jeff (Stewart) broke his leg on an assignment, and cannot leave his apartment.  So, he sits   in his wheelchair and watches all of his neighbors across the building's courtyard.  His fiancee Lisa (Kelly) joins him, and they witness something in Mr. Thorwald's apartment that strikes them as suspicious.  Together, they investigate, and stumble across the shocking truth!

It's wonderful!  Really!  It does go slowly, but I love it!  I am always on the edge of my seat.  Hitch truly is the Master of Suspense!

CAMEO: Hitch appears winding the clock in the songwriter's apartment, about 25 minutes in.

NOTE: I've watched the extras on the DVD, and it's really neat to hear about how it was filmed.  The set was 4 or 5 stories high and all constructed on a stage because they had to be able to control everything.  I love watching the extras on movies, and this one has plenty.

Dial 'M' for Murder, 1954

repost (original post: September 28, 2011)

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings

When ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice (Milland) discovers that his wife Margot (Kelly) is having an affair with her old school friend Mark (Cummings), he begins to plan her murder.

His intricate plan involves hiring someone to kill his wife, preferably someone who can be blackmailed into it. After finding the perfect man for the job, Wendice explains the whole detailed plan to him, and the next night, while Wendice takes Mark to a party (using Mark as his alibi), the murderer is to get in using a key Wendice hid for him, and then strangle his wife when she goes to answer the telephone call from Wendice himself. Everything goes just fine.....until Margot fights back as she's being strangled, and ends up stabbing her assailant with a pair of scissors.

I LOVE this film. Wendice is chilling. Mark is desperate to protect Margot. And the detective in charge (John Williams) is absolutely brilliant in the way he solves the crime.

Strangers on a Train, 1951

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Farley Granger, Robert Walker, Ruth Roman, Patricia Hitchcock

Tennis star Guy (Granger) meets Bruno (Walker) on a train while travelling to see his wife, who has smeared his good name all over the papers with her behavior- though she won't give him a divorce. As it's all common knowledge, Bruno knows it too, and begins a disturbing conversation with Guy, offering to kill his wife if Guy will kill Bruno's father. Guy shakes it off, and wonders what is wrong with this crazy man. He thinks nothing of it until his wife ends up dead. And because Guy is in love with another woman (Ruth Roman), suspicion will naturally fall his way.

One of my favorites! Crazy suspense, and Bruno is so creepy!

I love it.

CAMEO: Hitch appears early on, carrying a double bass onto the train, as Guy leaves.

French Kiss, 1995

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!!

Meg Ryan-- Kevin Kline

Director: Lawrence Kasden

Stars: Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, Timothy Hutton

Kate (Ryan) heads to France to surprise her fiance Charlie (Hutton). The trip is a disaster from the start, as she is terrified of flying, and the man seated next to her, Luc (Kline), tries his best to irritate her, and it doesn't stop when she gets off the plane. Having used her to smuggle something, Luc must now follow Kate. So he is there when she arrives at Charlie's hotel and finds him kissing another woman.

Kate goes off the deep end, and Luc helps her plan her revenge on Charlie.

Very sweet, funny, and romantic! I can't do it justice and of course I don't want to give anything away!

Rope, 1948

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: James Stewart, Farley Granger, John Dall

I find this one to be chilling. Absolutely chilling!!

It's not scary, though, just crazy with suspense. In the first minute of the film, a man is murdered by Brandon (Dall) and Phillip (Granger), and then the two young men throw a small dinner party- right there in their apartment, in the very room where the murder took place. They invite their old teacher Rupert Cadell (Stewart) as well as the victim's parents and fiancee, and as everyone is chatting, the body is just sitting in a large chest, the top of which is used as a place for the refreshments.

The whole time, you are just dying of suspense, wondering if Cadell will catch on to their hints, and connect the dots, and figure out what his former students have done.

Amazing and awful at the same time. Really.

The Paradine Case, 1947

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Gregory Peck, Ann Todd, Charles Laughton

When she is accused of poisoning her blind husband, Mrs. Paradine hires Anthony Keane (Peck), a brilliant and successful lawyer. As he gets to know her, Keane begins to fall in love with her, which doesn't help his relationship with his wife Gay (Todd). Gay can see that her husband has feelings for Mrs. Paradine, and so she hopes that there will be a verdict of not-guilty. Otherwise, she will lose her husband forever.

Keane begins to investigate the Paradine home, and soon finds Mr. Paradine's servant, Andre Latour, to be a very suspicious character. Could Latour have killed his master? The outcome, is- I thought- surprising. This isn't the most pleasant film.

CAMEO: Hitch is leaving a train station, carrying a cello.

Notorious, 1946

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains

Alicia (Bergman) is asked by the government to spy on a group of Nazis in South America. She already has a connection because her father was good friends with one of them- a Mr. Sebastian (Rains). Devlin (Grant) escorts Alicia to South America, and while waiting for more particulars about her assignment, the two fall in love, though with the whole espionage situation going on, things are a bit complicated.

They stage a meeting with Mr. Sebastian, who is thrilled to see her, and soon begins to woo her. When asked by the government to reciprocate his feelings, Alicia pretends to be in love with him, all the while reporting to Devlin about the people that come and go in the house.

After a few weeks, she becomes engaged to Sebastian, but he wonders if she truly loves him, and if he suspects her, her life is in serious danger.

CAMEO: Hitch's cameo in this one is an hour into the film: at a party, he is at the champagne table.

You've Got Mail, 1998

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!

Tom Hanks--Meg Ryan



Director: Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, Bewitched)

Stars: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Steve Zahn, Dabney Coleman

Yes, this one is one of the best ever. Way to go!

Kathleen Kelly's (Ryan) bookstore is threatened by the new mega bookstore nearby- Fox Books. Joe Fox (Hanks) feels bad that he's putting Kathleen out of business, especially when he finds out that his secret email pen pal, with whom he has fallen in love, turns out to be Kathleen herself. Meanwhile, Kathleen is torn between her anonymous pen pal online and the charming Joe Fox.

Okay, I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!

And no review would do it justice. This is one of those long, quiet movies. You will love it.

And yes, it is a remake. The first was "Shop Around the Corner" (1940 -James Stewart), and then a musical of "Shop Around the Corner" called "In the Good Old Summertime" (1949 -Judy Garland).

Shadow of a Doubt, 1943

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey, Henry Travers

Young Charlie (Teresa Wright) is thrilled when her uncle Charlie (Cotten) comes for a visit. Uncle Charlie has always favored his namesake, and his sister, young Charlie's mother, has always favored Charlie, her much younger brother.

Everyone is talking about a serial killer on the run; a man who gets to know rich women and then strangles them and takes their money. And soon young Charlie's suspicions are roused by the behavior of her beloved Uncle. There might be more to Uncle Charlie than meets the eye.

SPOILER!!!!!This film is absolutely chilling! I mean, imagine finding out a beloved family member is a serial killer! A really nice guy, your favorite Uncle who always brings you presents and cheers up the whole family. And he's actually a psychopath. It's nto actually scary, just very suspenseful. One of my favorites.

NOTE: This was Hitch's favorite of all his films.

CAMEO: Hitch appears in this one, but with his back to the camera playing cards. It's on a train.

Saboteur, 1942

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane, Otto Kruger

Barry (Cummings) is on the run from the bad guys and the police when he is falsely accused of setting fire to the aircraft factory where he and his best friend worked. As this factory made aircraft for use in the war, this was a distinctly anti-American act. But Barry has a clue to who might have started it, because of a chance encounter at work, and he sets out on his own to prove his innocence because if he waits for the police, it will be too late. The bad guys are planning some big event and he must stop it.

But he isn't completely alone. When he seeks shelter in a cabin in the woods, he meets Pat (Lane), who eventually comes to believe that he is telling the truth.

Because of Robert Cummings, this is one of my favorites of Hitch's films! Cummings is so brilliant. (And handsome, too!) Hitch has a common theme of the common man being wrongfully accused. And Cummings plays it well.

CAMEO: Hitch appears on the street when the real Saboteur's car stops, and it's actually about an hour into the movie.

Rebecca, 1940

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson

A young woman marries an older man, Mr. de Winter, and goes to lives with him in his large estate called Manderly. The new Mrs. de Winter must get used to this whole new life, getting to know his staff and what her place is at Manderly. The housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers doesn't make it easy, with her obvious obsession for the previous Mrs. de Winter, an apparently wonderful young woman named Rebecca, who died some years before. The new Mrs. de Witner fears that her husband will always love Rebecca, and that she will always be a wall between them. But things are not as they seem, as she soon discovers when Rebecca's sunken sail boat is found in the bay.

I like the movie, and the unexpected twist. I've actually seen it before, and I had forgotten the end, so it really WAS unexpected. What I hate is how nervous and scared Mrs. de Winter is of everything. Why is she so afraid of the stupidest things. Just speak up!!!!!!!!!! It drove me crazy.

CAMEO: actually, I don't know. Look it up.

Young and Innocent, 1937

Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Stars: Nova Pilbeam, Derrick De Marney, Percy Marmont

Robert (De Marney) is accused of murdering a famous movie star, and when there's a commotion at the court house during his hearing, he escapes in the back of a car, which happens to belong to Erica (Pilbeam), the daughter of the chief magistrate. She is shocked to find him in her car, but she's out of gas and he helps her push it to a station. Soon, Erica is convinced that Robert is innocent, and together they are on the run from the police, searching for proof of Robert's innocence.

It's good! Not at all scary- not even a bit.

CAMEO: Near the beginning of the movie, outside the courthouse, Hitch is trying to take a picture during all the commotion.

Forrest Gump, 1994

Thursday Movie Connection!!

Robin Wright--Tom Hanks

Director: Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Romancing the Stone, Cast Away)

Stars: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise

SPOILERS!! This review is really just me writing my thoughts as I watch it......

Okay, so I remember this movie, or bits of it, anyway, from long ago. Wow, what a weird movie. First of all, what was my mom thinking to allow me to watch this? This has way too much sex and innuendo and nudity in it. I doubt I will ever be watching this again. Too much dirtiness. But it's also funny.

A very funny part is when he's talking about how easy the Army is: he narrates, "And you always end everything with 'Yes, Drill Sergeant!" and then he yells it with the rest of his unit. "YES, DRILL SERGEANT!!!" His face, and the way he moves his head, is priceless.

The way he looks at the world is simple and sweet. But it's so sad, too. When Jenny (Wright) tells him he doesn't know what love is, I wanted to cry. It's so messed up. SHE is the one who doesn't know. When his letters are returned to him unopened, I hated her. And almost cried. And then they were reunited in D.C. -- and I almost cried again!

When he asks Jenny if little Forrest is smart or if he's like him, and he can't even say it, he's so choked up. That's the most beautiful moment to me.

Lieutenant Dan's hair is nice. I couldn't figure out why I both loved and hated it. Until I realized that it's exactly like mine. Curly wavy hair. You love it and hate it.

Good soundtrack. I love oldies!