Some say that before there were influencers, there was Paris Hilton. I don't know if I agree with that, because influencer culture has always existed in some form, but it can't be denied that Hilton possesses a unique kind of celebrity. Actually, that's an understatement. Those of us who were around in the nineties and … Continue reading The Not-So-Simple Life
We Can Take It
Rule, Britannia, Britannia rules the waves... It's no secret that early in the Second World War the United Kingdom was among the few free nations fighting against the Nazis. By 1944 people were exhausted and pep talks were in order, one of which came in the form of the Carol Reed film, The Way Ahead. … Continue reading We Can Take It
Seven Days Until the Atticus and Boo Blogathon
One week to go, people. Are you ready? I'm looking forward to seeing what my wonderful bloggers come up with and sharing it with all of you. Want to join us? There's still plenty of space, so if anyone's interested, then click here for the details. OK, this weekend is Terence's Rule Britannia Blogathon, so … Continue reading Seven Days Until the Atticus and Boo Blogathon
Through Different Eyes
I don't know what I was expecting when I bought 1945's The Enchanted Cottage. I didn't even think much about the plot except that it might be some nice late-World War Two escapism. What I found, though, was a quietly beautiful story about two outsiders who discover that the world has more for them than they realize. … Continue reading Through Different Eyes
Into the Habit
One thing that's not often talked about when it comes to Audrey Hepburn's career is how varied her filmography really wasn't--she mostly played romantic leads or maybe women who were unconventional. There's nothing wrong with that, but as they say, variety is the spice of life, and like many actors, Hepburn enjoyed playing against type … Continue reading Into the Habit
Reading Rarities: ABC of Aviation
I've grown up hearing and talking about airplanes. My dad was a single-engine pilot for many years. Well, technically he still is, but he hasn't got a current medical certification, so there's that. My knowledge of planes is purely academic while Dad's is practical, but it's our thing. One year I bought him a pack … Continue reading Reading Rarities: ABC of Aviation
Best. Worst. Movie. Ever.
I heard somewhere that ninety-five percent of idea submissions in Hollywood get rejected. Who knows if it's true anymore, but it's a pretty widespread saying. Naturally, there's nothing stopping hopeful filmmakers from going outside the mainstream, and this has resulted in some...er, very unique movies. Some good, others not so much. Then there's 2010's Birdemic. … Continue reading Best. Worst. Movie. Ever.
Nora’s Revenge
It's a cliche that necessity is the mother of invention. Before she really made a name for herself as a crafter of witty film repartee, Nora Ephron was an essay writer for the New York Post and Esquire. She also dated and married fellow journalist Carl Bernstein in 1976. Happiness was short-lived, though, as Bernstein cheated on Ephron … Continue reading Nora’s Revenge
The Old College Try
Hello, Mr. Lawford... One of the quirks of the studio era was that very often actors were conscripted into parts. Unless a performer had a lot of clout with the public, they pretty much had to take whatever the studio threw at them. Even then the word, "suspension" got bandied around a lot, but that's … Continue reading The Old College Try
That Lubitsch Touch
Ernst Lubitsch was born in Berlin in 1892 and had a long career in Germany as a comic actor, writer, and director. Britannica says Lubitsch directed over forty films before coming to America in 1923. After seeing a Lubitsch film, people often ask, "What made Ernst Lubistch different?" Especially directors and writers, because they all … Continue reading That Lubitsch Touch
Stage To Screen: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
When I was going for my degree, I had to read a lot of plays, and one of my favorites at the time was Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. It's an existential absurdist spinoff about Hamlet's two college friends, and it's like Groundhog Day in that the action takes place around the title characters. … Continue reading Stage To Screen: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
One Month Until the Atticus and Boo Blogathon
How is everyone holding up? It's T-minus thirty days and counting until the Atticus and Boo Blogathon, people. Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far--you all are awesome! If any of you other equally awesome people are looking to join our little tribute, here are the details. Feel free to contact me anytime … Continue reading One Month Until the Atticus and Boo Blogathon
Bill and Ted, Tenet and Nolan (No spoilers, though)
It's not often that I get to see two movies I've done Origins posts on within a couple of days of each other, but this is 2020 and nothing is typical ever. We saw Bill and Ted over the weekend via Amazon Prime while noshing on Amy's margherita pizza and Dove chocolate. Then yesterday my husband had … Continue reading Bill and Ted, Tenet and Nolan (No spoilers, though)
Taking Up Room 