The Muppets and My Week With Marilyn

For me the Thanksgiving holiday begins Wednesday afternoon. I take my grand daughters to the movies. The movie is whichever much anticipated family movie is opening.  In the past years we have seen Enchanted, Princess And The Frog, Tangled and a few others that have melted into the mix.
This year, The Muppets. We were all looking forward to seeing the Muppets back on the big screen.

It was enjoyed by all. Miss Piggy in a Chanel suit, Fozzie's special shoes and lots of musical numbers. What's not to like?

The 11 year old gave it an 8 out of 10, the 8 year old a solid 10. Favorites are Animal ( he is quite crazily charming) and we  agree  that Jack Black is  awesome.

Saturday afternoon I was off on my own to see My Week With Marilyn, a wonderful movie with an amazing performance by Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe. Michelle is luminous, vulnerable and completely embodies the essence of Marilyn.

Set in England in the mid 1950's the sets and costumes are wonderful. I could go on and on, I won't but see this movie. You may be seeing the performance that wins the best acting Oscar.

Marilyn Monroe photographed by Cecil Beaton 1956.

Movie Posters

The original purpose of a movie poster was to help sell the movie. Now when I see these posters it's a trip through time. I can see the movie all over again. They take me back to the look of the movie and how I feel when I see it. The reels start turning.

Seeing the main characters perched on the motor bike sums up the lively feel of the movie. The vibrant pink background adds to their exuberant adventure.

What is amazing about this poster is that it captures the intense chemistry between Katharine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole. Their chemistry and verbal sparing is what propels this historical tale.

A movie from the mid 1930's. This was a glamorous distraction from the gloom of the depression. The fonts used on the poster relate to the art deco style and sophistication of the movies sets and the lives of the characters. Carole Lombard and William Powell are a glamorous, hilarious,odd couple.

Set in the 1920's. A romantic Italian villa in the enchanted month of April changes the lives of those visiting. Flowers, friendship and love grow in Enchanted April.  I see it all when I look at the poster. One of my all time favorites.

Mystical, magical or just a bit of larceny. Looking at the poster I can see all the life changes Max Dugan brings with him.

 I'll lift you up while you reach for your star. A tale of unconditional love. A mother and son, a woman and her favorite movie star go through life and its inevitable end together.

A girl who turns her world upside down. The bright, happy design of the poster reminds me of my favorite scenes and songs.
Movie Posters give us a sneak peek into the new and conjure up memories of the past.
It's all about the emotion.

The Oscars Through The Decades

It's time for the Oscars, which for me is the Holy Grail of awards and award shows. I like to start early on Oscar day. I watch the earliest version of the red carpet arrivals. I probably see the janitorial staff show up, but it's the Oscars' janitorial staff. I also stay late watching the after the show interviews.  So I thought I would do a little Oscar through the decades. I started with the 30's and went through the 70's. I couldn't bring myself to deal with 80's fashion. The low glamour of the 70's was difficult enough. Here we go...

 The lovely Norma Shearer with her Oscar for The Divorcee.  I like the way she looks directly and confidently into the camera.

 Vivien Leigh with her Gone With The Wind statue. Stunning

 In 1940 winners were Ginger Rogers and James Stewart. It must feel great to win.

 Winners from 1947 included Daryl Zanuck, Loretta Young, Edmund Gwenn, Celeste Holm and Ronald Coleman.  If you haven't seen Ronald Coleman movies I highly suggest watching a few, or more. He is amazing. My favorite is Random Harvest.

 Now for the 50's, so many great photos from this decade and the fashion presented a perfect Oscar style. And, of course, Audrey Hepburn is lovely.

 Eddie Fisher and Elizabeth Taylor, their marriage didn't last but they looked good.

 Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were a talented and gorgeous couple who also had a long and happy marriage.

 This is such a great photo of Frank Sinatra. I like it because it is so unposed. Other winners are Mercedes McCambridge and the charming Donna Reed.

 The 60's started off with this talented, stylish group, Peter Ustinov, Shirley Jones, Elizabeth Taylor and Burt Lancaster.

 If good looks were all it took to be happy, Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood would never have a problem.

 Julie Christie...perfect

 Another great group from the 60's Gregory Peck. Sophia Loren, Joan Crawford and ? If you know who that is let me know.

 And now the dressed down 70's. Winners Gene Hackman and Jane Fonda.

 The happy, stylish winners from Cuckoo's Nest.  Jack and his sunglassess, so cool.

 Liza Minnelli in another dressed down look. Great make up and hair.

By the late 70's people were getting dressed up again. 
You know what I'll be doing Sunday night. Are you a fan of the Oscars?

The King's Speech, Colin Firth and We Know Its Wrong But It Looks Good

I saw The King's Speech this week. It is the story of George VI and his debilitating stammer. I loved it.

 Here's what I liked about this movie
1. Colin Firth
2. A beautifully told story.
3. Amazing acting by Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.
4. Wonderful period sets and costumes. Upper class England in the 1930's. The hats are delightful and they
    take smoking to a whole new level of sophistication. We all know its wrong but it sure looks good.

See this movie. You won't be disappointed.

Black Swan

I saw the movie Black Swan over the weekend. Words I would use to describe this movie and Natalie Portman's performance are wicked, sensual, compelling, powerful, gripping, disturbing and beautiful.

If you find those adjectives appealing see Black Swan.

Tangled The Review

The reviews are in. Tangled is a hit. This according to the granddaughters.  The rating system: Good, Very Good or Fantastic.
First Reviewer 7 year old
Fantastic
What made Tangled fantastic?
Maximus, the horse, he's good at fights and he's funny.
Rapunzel, also funny and she can use her hair to tie people up.
Pascal, the chameleon, he looks out for Rapunzel and he can change colors!

Second Reviewer 10 year old
Good
Why good?
Maximus is a good fighter.
Likes Pascal, he sticks up for Rapunzel. It would have been better if there was more action.
( I detected a bit of an attitude.)

Grandma Review
Very Good
Rapunzel was not your typical damsel in distress. She is smart, strong and loyal. I like that.

The King's Speech

I am so looking forward to this movie. First, Colin Firth is in it. That's enough. It is the story of King George VI and his struggle to overcome a crippling stammer.  He was never meant to be King but when his brother Edward abdicated he had no choice. The crown was his, stammer and all.

Helena Bonham Carter plays the wonderful Elizabeth.

Can't wait to see the sets and costumes.
Will you be going to see The King's Speech?

Miss Pettigrew, Sets and Costumes

A favorite movie of mine is Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. It is a tale of a down on her luck woman who has one incredible day that changes the direction of her life.

Miss Pettigrew's drab and tattered wardrobe is exaggerated by the sleek, glamorous set decoration.

Much of the movie takes place in a 1930's  flat with Art Deco interiors. It is the home of a devious night club owner and Delysia Lafosse, an ambitious singer/actress.  Miss Pettigrew's drab appearance and the flat's glamorous style is a wonderful visual combination that quickly tells this fish out of water tale. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is a charming, well acted and visually beautiful movie.

Set decoration by Katie Spencer

Costumes by Michael O'Connor

Miss Pettigrew  Frances Mc Dormand

Delysia Lafosse  Amy Adams

Gable Heflin Cooper Stewart

1957 A party at Romanoff's in Beverly Hills. Photo by Slim Arons
This is one of my all time favorite photos. It isn't a movie set, its a party and these four guys are having a laugh together. A great candid moment with four of the top actors and movie stars of their day. Love the expressions on their faces. I'd say they were having a good time.