Mary Poppins
(Disney, 1964)
Everything in this story has happened before, and will happen again, but it was when Mary Poppins floated in on an east wind in 1964 that will be remembered the longest. Quite possibly the finest movie Walt Disney ever made, garnering universal acclaim and a record 13 Oscar nominations, while winning 5, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews in her first film role, who was practically perfect in every way. Movie magic this wonderful is far too rare, and like Dick Van Dyke's Bert wishes about Mary, we only wish it wouldn't stay away so long between visits.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Flick Pick: A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story
(MGM, 1983)
I first saw this movie on a double date the weekend it opened in 1983,and I have the scars from shooting soda through my nostrils to prove it. The hands-down most screamingly funny Christmas movie ever made, propelled by a masterpiece of a story narrated by the author himself, and delivered by a truly inspired selection of actors. A sleeper at the time, only repeated TV and cable exposure has gotten it a deserved ranking as one of the biggest Christmas movie favorites of all time.
(MGM, 1983)
I first saw this movie on a double date the weekend it opened in 1983,and I have the scars from shooting soda through my nostrils to prove it. The hands-down most screamingly funny Christmas movie ever made, propelled by a masterpiece of a story narrated by the author himself, and delivered by a truly inspired selection of actors. A sleeper at the time, only repeated TV and cable exposure has gotten it a deserved ranking as one of the biggest Christmas movie favorites of all time.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Thought For The Day: Timing Is Everything
If you start shooting the bad guys early enough to make a difference, you'll be labeled a radical crazy person.
If you wait until it's acceptable, you'll be 80 pounds underweight, unarmed, and being loaded into a boxcar.
(H/t to blog.ushanka.us)
Flick Pick: How The Grinch Stole Christmas
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
(MGM/Cat In The Hat, 1966)
Unlike the unfortunately awful live-action version (which we wouldn't touch with a 39-and-a-half foot pole), this is the genuine article, and a certified classic flick. Coming shortly on the heels of WB firing genius cartoon director and godfather of modern animation, Chuck Jones, then dumping (and later closing) its Animation Department, this release and its long-time status helpfully puts that brilliant move in its proper light. Boris Karloff's narration, and Thurl Ravencroft's rendition of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" earned this short a Grammy.
(MGM/Cat In The Hat, 1966)
Unlike the unfortunately awful live-action version (which we wouldn't touch with a 39-and-a-half foot pole), this is the genuine article, and a certified classic flick. Coming shortly on the heels of WB firing genius cartoon director and godfather of modern animation, Chuck Jones, then dumping (and later closing) its Animation Department, this release and its long-time status helpfully puts that brilliant move in its proper light. Boris Karloff's narration, and Thurl Ravencroft's rendition of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" earned this short a Grammy.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Flick Pick: Fitzwilly
Fitzwilly
(United Artists, 1967)
Delightful and mostly forgotten Christmas caper flick featuring Dick Van Dyke, with Barbara Feldon in her first film role. Languishing in some vault, but occasionally spotted on movie channels, and currently posted in full on YouTube. Enjoy.
(United Artists, 1967)
Delightful and mostly forgotten Christmas caper flick featuring Dick Van Dyke, with Barbara Feldon in her first film role. Languishing in some vault, but occasionally spotted on movie channels, and currently posted in full on YouTube. Enjoy.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Flick Pick: Battleground
Battleground
(MGM, 1949)
On the anniversary of the Battle of The Bulge, one of the best versions of it this side of Band Of Brothers, with a cast of mostly baby-faced future stars such as James Arness, Richard Jaeckel, Ricardo Montalban, and an ancient-looking 27-year-old little force of nature playing the platoon sergeant, for which he received a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination, a fellow named James Whitmore - in precisely his third film ever. Being all of 3 years out of a hitch in the Marines as both an NCO and officer during WWII, it wasn't much of a stretch.
Sometime when you think you have it rough, some December put on an old set of cammies, go out in the woods, heat up a can of pork and beans, dig a hole, and sleep in the snow under one thin wool blanket, and remember the Battered Bastards of Bastogne.
(MGM, 1949)
On the anniversary of the Battle of The Bulge, one of the best versions of it this side of Band Of Brothers, with a cast of mostly baby-faced future stars such as James Arness, Richard Jaeckel, Ricardo Montalban, and an ancient-looking 27-year-old little force of nature playing the platoon sergeant, for which he received a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination, a fellow named James Whitmore - in precisely his third film ever. Being all of 3 years out of a hitch in the Marines as both an NCO and officer during WWII, it wasn't much of a stretch.
Sometime when you think you have it rough, some December put on an old set of cammies, go out in the woods, heat up a can of pork and beans, dig a hole, and sleep in the snow under one thin wool blanket, and remember the Battered Bastards of Bastogne.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Peter O'Toole - R.I.P.
Peter O'Toole died yesterday in hospital in London, after a long illness.
O'Toole was a phenomenal talent and an unquestionable acting legend, famous for delivering riveting performances throughout his career.
His honorary Oscar in 2003 was by way of an apology from AMPAS, for the unconscionable sin of nominating him for an acting Oscar 8 times, and never awarding him one. Rectified in 2003 , and somewhat mollified by his prior possession of the Golden Globe, the Emmy, as well as BAFTA, Irish, and NZ acting honors. He initially declined the honor, hoping instead to "win the lovely bugger outright", and had he not already possessed that Honorary Lifetime Oscar, he probably would have done just that in 2006, for Venus.
It's not a loss that he died at 81, looking at all he did and all the performances left behind, so much as an embarrassing acknowledgement that no one can live forever.
What an incredible ride!
Flick Pick: Tangled
Tangled
(Disney, 2010)
Fantastic re-imagining of the Rapunzel fairy-tale, and worthy to enter the pantheon of Disney classic princess tales. Cartoons, even Disney cartoons, can be hit-or-miss, but this is what they're aimed at becoming.
(Disney, 2010)
Fantastic re-imagining of the Rapunzel fairy-tale, and worthy to enter the pantheon of Disney classic princess tales. Cartoons, even Disney cartoons, can be hit-or-miss, but this is what they're aimed at becoming.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Flick Pick: Sword In The Stone
Sword In The Stone
(Disney, 1963)
The last feature animated film supervised by Walt Disney, with complex animation, deeper themes, classic Sherman brothers' tunes, and absolutely worth watching just for the Wizard's Duel between Merlin and Mim.
(Disney, 1963)
The last feature animated film supervised by Walt Disney, with complex animation, deeper themes, classic Sherman brothers' tunes, and absolutely worth watching just for the Wizard's Duel between Merlin and Mim.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Flick Pick: Cinderella
Cinderella
(Disney, 1955)
The perfect fairy tale, perfectly executed in a timeless cartoon masterpiece. After a series of commercial missteps, the loss of European markets during wartime, and years of wartime production for the government during WWII, this was a last-gasp effort to save the Disney Studio from financial ruin. It was a grand slam critical and financial success, raking in revenue hand over fist and ensuring the survival of Disney.
(Disney, 1955)
The perfect fairy tale, perfectly executed in a timeless cartoon masterpiece. After a series of commercial missteps, the loss of European markets during wartime, and years of wartime production for the government during WWII, this was a last-gasp effort to save the Disney Studio from financial ruin. It was a grand slam critical and financial success, raking in revenue hand over fist and ensuring the survival of Disney.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Flick Pick: Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
(Rankin-Bass/NBC, 1964)
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of this long-running Christmas classic TV special, narrated by Burl Ives. Just because.
(Rankin-Bass/NBC, 1964)
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of this long-running Christmas classic TV special, narrated by Burl Ives. Just because.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Flick Pick: Rio Grande
Rio Grande
(Republic, 1950)
The final of Ford's epic cavalry trilogy, and the one of the three he didn't want to make. He took on the task as Republic Films pre-condition to them funding production of The Quiet Man, which every studio in Hollywood had already turned down. All Republic asked in return was that John Ford bring his promised stars, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, and make Republic a cavalry picture, and in her first screen appearance opposite him (of what would become five) she shows why Ford picked her, how she could hold her own toe to toe with Wayne, and that both were the better for each pairing.
(Republic, 1950)
The final of Ford's epic cavalry trilogy, and the one of the three he didn't want to make. He took on the task as Republic Films pre-condition to them funding production of The Quiet Man, which every studio in Hollywood had already turned down. All Republic asked in return was that John Ford bring his promised stars, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, and make Republic a cavalry picture, and in her first screen appearance opposite him (of what would become five) she shows why Ford picked her, how she could hold her own toe to toe with Wayne, and that both were the better for each pairing.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Flick Pick: She Wore A Yellow Ribbon
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon
(Warner Bros., 1949)
Second of Ford's cavalry trilogy, with John Wayne, John Agar, Ben Johnson, and Harry Carey Jr. against the backdrop of Monument Valley, this time around in living color.
(Warner Bros., 1949)
Second of Ford's cavalry trilogy, with John Wayne, John Agar, Ben Johnson, and Harry Carey Jr. against the backdrop of Monument Valley, this time around in living color.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Flick Pick: Fort Apache
Fort Apache
(Fort Apache, 1948)
John Ford's masterpiece of the frontier, and the first of what would become his cavalry trilogy, starring his best find in Hollywood, John Wayne, and Henry Fonda as the ultimate ramrod-backed commander.
(Fort Apache, 1948)
John Ford's masterpiece of the frontier, and the first of what would become his cavalry trilogy, starring his best find in Hollywood, John Wayne, and Henry Fonda as the ultimate ramrod-backed commander.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Flick Pick: They Were Expendable
They Were Expendable
(MGM, 1945)
And for the day after, what came next, in John Ford's classic Robert Montgomery/John Wayne movie of PT boats and the men who fought from them. Notable for having been shot while the war still raged in both Europe and Asia, and with some pretty serious special effects for back in the day in the battle scenes.
(MGM, 1945)
And for the day after, what came next, in John Ford's classic Robert Montgomery/John Wayne movie of PT boats and the men who fought from them. Notable for having been shot while the war still raged in both Europe and Asia, and with some pretty serious special effects for back in the day in the battle scenes.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Flick Pick: Tora!Tora!Tora!
Tora!Tora!Tora!
(20th Cent. Fox, 1970)
Apropos of the day, both sides of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, done on an epic scale by Fox when there wasn't any CG, just lots of real planes and explosions.
(20th Cent. Fox, 1970)
Apropos of the day, both sides of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, done on an epic scale by Fox when there wasn't any CG, just lots of real planes and explosions.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Flick Pick: Beauty And The The Beast
Beauty And The Beast
(Disney, 1991)
First animated film ever nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, and deservedly so, and winner for Best Score and Best Song (competing against itself with three of the five nominations that year). Great story, told perfectly, using the best writers, musicians, and state-of-the-art animation techniques, to deliver a perfect film.
(Disney, 1991)
First animated film ever nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, and deservedly so, and winner for Best Score and Best Song (competing against itself with three of the five nominations that year). Great story, told perfectly, using the best writers, musicians, and state-of-the-art animation techniques, to deliver a perfect film.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Flick Pick: Peter Pan
Peter Pan
(Disney, 1953)
All this has happened before, and it will happen again. But it never happened better than in this animated classic. Second star to the right, and straight on until morning!
(Disney, 1953)
All this has happened before, and it will happen again. But it never happened better than in this animated classic. Second star to the right, and straight on until morning!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Flick Pick: Jurassic Park III
Jurassic Park III
(Universal, 2001)
Sam Neill and a new batch of adventurers back for another foray into John Hammond's dreamland of why one should be careful what they wish for.
(Universal, 2001)
Sam Neill and a new batch of adventurers back for another foray into John Hammond's dreamland of why one should be careful what they wish for.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Flick Pick: The Lost World
The Lost World
(Universal, 1997)
A sequel that doesn't suck is the goal. This one from a director who has a handle on making movies, with Jeff Goldblum leading the expedition, scores. The Evil Hunter is the only good guy among the bad guys, and dinosaurs eat Toby Ziegler.
(Universal, 1997)
A sequel that doesn't suck is the goal. This one from a director who has a handle on making movies, with Jeff Goldblum leading the expedition, scores. The Evil Hunter is the only good guy among the bad guys, and dinosaurs eat Toby Ziegler.
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