Tag: Friendship

Now Voyager (1942) starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid & Claude Rains

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The untold want, by life and land ne’er granted,

Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find.  

-From the poem The Untold Want by Walt Whitman

Claude Rains Now Voyager

This box office smash (the BIGGEST of Bette Davis’ career) is loved by MANY, maligned by a few (including film critic Pauline Kael, who referred to it as “schlock”).  The premise is nothing new- an ugly duckling (w/ extra pounds, thick eyebrows, dowdy clothes, and VERY low self-esteem) turning into a beautiful (and more importantly, confident) swan.  

The heroine- neurotic Charlotte Vale (Davis)- is helped by her sister-in-law Lisa, a pioneering psychotherapist named Dr. Jaquith (Claude Rains), and eventually- a friend who becomes more- Jerry Durrance (Paul Henreid). The villain in this film is Charlotte’s mother, Mrs. Vale (Gladys Cooper), a widow of considerable wealth in Boston.  She is a domineering woman, displeased by everyone, though her harshest criticism is for her youngest child- Charlotte.   

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If the psychological elements, glamorous clothes, or music don’t draw you in- there is also a BIG love story element.  But learning to love (and accept) oneself is a key theme in this tale.  As Charlotte tells the depressed preteen Tina: “You can have a kind of beauty… one that comes from within, because you are kind to people.” 

36 Hours (1964) starring James Garner

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In this psychological war-drama an Army Major is captured by the Germans during World War II. They attempt to brainwash him into believing the war is over and that he is safe in an Allied hospital, so that he will divulge Allied invasion plans.  -IMDB summary

Naturally charming, funny, handsome, and real-life hero (2 Purple Hearts in the Korean War)- James Garner is the protagonist of this WWII spy film. It was written/directed by George Seaton; the original story (Beware of the Dog) comes from Roald Dahl. Some of you know Garner as Mel Gibson’s cranky sparring partner (Maverick); others saw him regularly on TV (The Rockford Files).  But perhaps his MOST famous role was as the elderly Noah, the devoted husband in The Notebook.

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This MUST-SEE film was shot in 1962 and released in 1964, BUT in black and white (which adds to its world-building). Garner is joined by two strong actors- Rod Taylor as Dr. Gerber (a jaded psychiatrist) and Eva Marie Saint as Anna (a steely nurse/concentration camp survivor).

Are you really an army sergeant?  -Jeff asks, incredulously

Regular army – no.  I am too old, too fat! Home guard.  We are patrolling the border so then the young, strong, and handsome men can go to Russia and freeze to death. Wonderful system, huh?  -Ernst replies w/ a big laugh

There are Germans in this tale that are NOT all bad, such as portly/jovial/cunning soldier, Ernst (John Banner), who provides terrific comedic moments in the last act of this otherwise serious film. 

I highly recommend this film (so am not going to give away TOO much)!  If you liked The Manchurian Candidate, then this is up your alley.

The Little Foxes (1941) starring Bette Davis

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Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. -Chapter 2, Verse 15, Song of Solomon, King James Bible

This film’s screenplay was adapted from Lillian Hellman’s stage play by herself. A few others, including Dorothy Parker, worked on it also.  The film was helmed by William Wyler- a director that needs NO introduction. 

In turn of the 20th century, small town Southern aristocrat, Regina Hubbard Giddons (Bette Davis- NEVER one to shy away from unsympathetic roles), wants more freedom (travel to Chicago) and access to money (her older brothers inherited ALL their businessman father’s money).  Regina’s brothers (bachelor Ben and abusive husband Oscar) are ALMOST as ruthless as her!  Oscar’s wife, Birdie, comes from a former wealthy planter family, but she is disrespected by almost everyone (aside from her black servants and niece).

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You can flout society’s rule and be Regina, or you can ‘toe the line’ and be Birdie, who is blissfully ignorant of the political meaning of anything happening around her. She requires the charity of men to even survive.  -IMDB commentator 

Regina also wants her sweet/clueless teen daughter, Alexandra (Teresa Wright), to meet more eligible men in high social circles.  However, the girl already has a steady presence in her life- David, the local newspaperman.  (This character was created for the movie to provide a caring ally for Alexandra.)  Oscar’s son,  Leo (Dan Duryea), has had his eyes on his cousin for a LONG time.   

You can’t make a picture without a villain . . . it pays well and you last.  -Dan Duryea, actor

One day, Regina decides that her daughter is the BEST person to go and fetch her father, Horace (Herbert Marshall) from Baltimore where he has been recuperating for SOME time. 

Greenleaf: First Impressions of Oprah’s New Drama Series

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NOTE: This is a SPOILER-FREE review.

First of all, Oprah is NOT the star of this show (SOME will be disappointed by this fact); she is a recurring character- Mavis, a bar owner and older sister of the Greenleaf family matriarch, Lady Mae (Lynn Whitfield). The show, focusing on a black family running a megachurch in Memphis (where Oprah grew up), was created by Craig Wright (a former pastor). Yes, he’s a white man, but also a close friend of Oprah. Wright calls the show a “collaboration,” where he takes in feedback from regular church-going consultants and the lead actors. 

The viewer is put in the shoes of the main protagonist, Grace (AKA GiGi), played by theater veteran Merle Dandridge (check out this fun interview on Live! w/ Kelly). She is tall, elegant, and a single mom; she is also a journalist (by profession). As a very young woman, she used to preach at Calvary (as the town car driver recalls). GiGi returns home from Phoenix (after 20 yrs away) w/ her teen daughter, Sophia (Desiree Ross), for the funeral of one of her younger sisters (Faith). The house (or estate) has changed a LOT from that of her childhood, she tells Sophia.  At the gates, she is surprised to find her (very handsome) old flame, Noah (Benjamin Patterson), who is head of security for Calvary.      

The prodigal daughter returns… -Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David) greets his daughter with these words, a big smile, and long hug

You’re not here to sow discord in the fields of my peace?  -Lady Mae asks GiGi

We see that Faith’s funeral is just family; also, she’s NOT buried in a graveyard. Hmmm…  At the family dinner (served by uniformed staff a la Downton Abbey), Gigi endures a trial by fire, which is lead by her sister-in-law/principal of a private charter school, Kerissa (Kim Hawthorne).  Her mother backs up Kerissa (as seen in the clip below from the pilot ep). 

One viewer called this show “a gospel version of Empire.” As the FOX drama takes music seriously, THIS show takes religion (Christianity) seriously.  From the eps so far, religion is NOT the problem, it’s the covering up of (ugly) truths. Saving face is also a big theme in this show; people will go to GREAT lengths to preserve their positions and respect w/in the church/family. OK, so maybe that reminds you of soap operas?  BUT those would never cover Black Live Matter (as we see in Episode 4). I’m not calling this MUST-SEE, but there are issues in this show that I feel are worth considering.       

Game of Thrones: Season 6, Episode 10 (“The Winds of Winter”) – Best Quotes

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SPOILERS: This post contains major spoilers from the season finale of the show.

The South (Kings Landing)

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I killed your High Sparrow and all his little sparrows, all his septons, all his septas, all his filthy soldiers, because it felt good to watch them burn. It felt good to imagine their shock and their pain. No thought has ever given me greater joy.  –Cersei explains to Septa Unella

As some critics/fans commented, Cersei is now “stone-cold”- nothing seems to phase her, NOT even hearing of Tommen’s suicide!  She has taken the Iron Throne after murdering her husband (w/ the aid of her cousin), seeing her son (Joffrey) poisoned, and now Tommen’s sudden demise.  MANY of her enemies are dead, BUT her only allies are The Mountain, Qyburn, and her twin brother (though I wouldn’t be 100% sure about that, seeing Jaime’s expression in the final scene in the throne room).  

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The North (Winterfell)

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I’m not a Stark.  -Jon says to Sansa 

You are to me.  -Sansa replies

This was just a quiet, yet wonderful, scene between the two sibs (or cousins, as we learn in the flashback scene). BUT, many of you (incl. those in the Sistah Speak Game of Thrones Facebook group) thought that Sansa MAY be jealous of Jon, so NOT 100% in his corner. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt (for now); I don’t think that she will go along w/ Littlefinger’s plans. 

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If he commands you to burn children, your Lord [the Red God/the Lord of Light] is evil! -Davos shouts at Melisandre 

I LOVE me some Davos, so I was V disappointed that he didn’t get to wring Mel’s neck, or burn her up, or stab her w/ his sword!  (OK, I’ll stop now, b/c don’t want to scare readers away- LOL.)  Mel is exiled from The North by Jon; you can tell that he was a BIT conflicted about that (she having brought him back from the dead and all).  Hmmm… wonder what will happen to Mel next season?

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Every time I’m faced with a decision I close my eyes and see the same picture. Whenever I consider an action I ask myself, will this action help to make this picture a reality, pull it out of my mind and into the world? And I only act if the answer is yes. A picture of me on the Iron Throne and you by my side.  -Littlefinger admits to Sansa 

As Peter Sagal (Nerdette Game of Thrones Recaps) pointed out, this is the FIRST time that we hear (from his own mouth) exactly what Littlefinger wants!  We know that he loved (or was obsessed w/) Sansa’s mother, Catelyn.  That same feeling was transferred to Sansa, much to her surprise/confusion/dismay, BUT this now gives HER some power.  Hmm… what will Sansa do in order to keep Littlefinger on a tight leash?  She does NOT trust him, as she tells Jon, BUT they do need the support of the lords of The Vale. 

The war is not over.  And I promise you, friend, the true enemy won’t wait out the storm. He brings the storm.  -Jon Snow explains to Lord Manderly (and the other Northern lords)

Sure, Jon is a bastard, BUT he has a LOT of courage and fighting experience.  Also, he has the blood of Ned Stark , so seems to have earned the respect of these Northmen.  The BEST part of that storyline was Lady Lyanna Mormont declaring her support for Jon- what guts and screen presence!   

The Riverlands (Castle Frey)

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The last thing you’re ever going to see is a Stark smiling down at you as you die.  –Arya declares to Walder Frey

After the Frey pies scene, Sagal had a valid joke/comment: “When did Arya have time to learn to cook?”  LOL!  This scene brought to mind Julie Taymor’s movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Titus Andronicus.  

Island of Essos (Meereen)

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I’ve been a cynic for as long as I can remember. Everyone’s always asking me to believe in things: family, gods, kings, myself.  It was often tempting until I saw where belief got people.  I said no thank you to belief.  Yet here I am.  I believe in you.  -Tyrion reveals to Dany

Were you feeling a BIT emotional when Dany pinned that brooch on Tyrion?  I was, for sure!  Looks like she has the smartest advisor in the Seven Kingdoms, along w/ 3 dragons, over 1,000 ships, the Unsullied, etc.  Maybe it takes a Lannister (Tyrion) to defeat a Lannister (Cersei)?

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And where would we be w/o a BIT of humor?

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But wouldn’t you say life is irregular?  -Sam attempts to banter w/ the clerk at the Citadel

Sam presents the letter from Jon, then has to tell the facts of what happened at Castle Black in recent years (deaths of Lord Cmdr. Mormont and Maester Aemon).  He is amazed by the spectacular library- awww! 

The Riverlands (Castle Frey)

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You don’t even have to do anything, do you?   You just sit there, a rich slab of beef, and all the birds come pecking.  -Bronn comments to Jaime re: his power over women

Jaime is in a bad mood, BUT Bronn always has something funny (yet apropos) to say.  What will Bronn’s role be in the next season?  I hope that he gets to see some action/prove himself in a fight (NOT just be there for comic relief). 

Dorne

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Let the grown women talk.  -Lady Olenna says to the Sand Snakes before her talk w/ Ellaria

Oooh, watch out Cersei, Lady Olenna (all in black) is out for revenge!  House Tyrell is dead, as are her son and grandkids, Margaery and Loras. She has the Martells as allies, along w/ Varys (who is one of her kindred spirits).  What a (pleasant) surprise to see Lord Varys after a LONG time!