MOVIES

A Walk in the Sun (1945)

Can you have a good war film w/o an overkill of fighting?  Yes, and it can be funny, smart, and poignant, too.  This film has an ensemble cast (who have great chemistry together) lead by Dana Andrews.  (I’m sure that the recent Band of Brothers series was partly influenced by this film!)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038235/     

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958) 

This is a big, sweeping, captivating drama starring (the always engaging) Ingrid Bergman as Gladys Aylward, an undervalued English housemaid turned dedicated missionary.  The young, single, and determined Gladys puts her (Christian) faith into action, helping get rid of footbinding, lower illiteracy, and lessen cruelty in 1920s northern China.  Along the way, she adopts many children, who have been abandoned or orphaned.  She falls in love, though hers is not a typical Hollywood romance (which I REALLY liked).  This is a must-see for all fans of classic films!    

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051776/

Up in the Air (2009)

This is a simple, sharp, and timely film that REALLY packs a punch!  I just saw it tonight, and was (pleasantly) surprised; I don’t want to have an empty backpack.  The always handsome/watcheable George Clooney fits his role to a tee, as do the two main ladies-gorgeous Vera Farmiga and newcomer Anna Kendrick.  Check it out on HBO.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1193138/ 

Vanity Fair (BBC; 1998)

British actress Natasha Little truly inhabits the role of Becky Sharp, the beautiful, charming, and clever Victorian woman who must live by her wits alone, as she has no connections or family wealth.  Becky’s oldest friend, Amelia Sedley is Melanie to Becky’s Scarlett.  Dashing/newly rich George Osborne is a male version of Becky (but more ruthless).  Rawdon Crawley (a mustached Nathaniel Parker) is the gambling man who loves, yet doesn’t quite understand, his wife Becky.  William Dobbin (Philip Glenister) is Amelia’s (often ignored) knight in shining armor.  (Natasha Little also co-starred in the big screen version alongside Reese Witherspoon.   Director Mira Nair said she was VERY impressed by her performance in this miniseries.)    

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159090/

SONGS

In the past 2 wks, I’ve heard some great (classic) country songs.  Did you know that Freddy Fender is Mexican- American and sings in Spanish and English?  I was esp. impressed by Waylon Jennings’ voice! 

Below are some recent iTunes downloads:

David Allan Coe

The Ride

Willie, Waylon, and Me 

Freddy Fender 

Before the Next Teardrop Falls

Since I Met You Baby 

The Kendalls

Heaven’s Just a Sin Away

Makin’ Believe

Lynn Anderson

How Can I Unlove You 

Waylon Jennings

Sweet Dream Woman

The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Wanna Get Over You)