Tag: Politics

The More the Merrier (1943) starring Jean Arthur

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Do you realize that practically most of the trouble in the world comes from people lying to people? Just take Hitler, for instance.  -Dingle on morals

This funny and VERY well-written romantic/screwball comedy, directed by George Stevens (A Place in the Sun, Giant) is a MUST-SEE for any fan of classic film!  I saw it for the first time (on TCM) last week, then wondered why I’d never heard of it before. 

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Damn the torpedoes – full steam ahead!  –Dingle on seizing the moment

In WWII era Washington, DC, there is a housing shortage and “8 women for every man,” BUT Connie Milligan (Jean Arthur) ends up w/ TWO unwanted roomies.  First, there is retired industrialist, Benjamin Dingle (James Coburn- Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner), then mechanic-turned-soldier, Joe Carter (Joel McCrea).  Mr. Dingle sublets half of his room to the younger man, considering him “a high type, clean cut, nice young fellow.” When Dingle plays (unlikely) matchmaker, hilarity and romance ensue!  

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There are two kinds of people – those who don’t do what they want to do, so they write down in a diary about what they haven’t done, and those who are too busy to write about it because they’re out doing it! -Dingle on life

 

 

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.

What To Watch Now

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On Netflix:

Broadchurch – Veteran Brit powerhouse actresses (Charlotte Rampling; Marianne Jean Baptiste) join the strong ensemble cast as dueling barristers (lawyers) in S2 of the crime drama set in the quiet, beautiful, close-knit town. It’s time for the trial, BUT there is still suspense. We learn more re: another crime from the past of DI Alec Hardy (David Tennant). I’ve seen the first 3 eps so far.

Orange is the New Black – This show continues to grow (new guards and inmates come in, incl. a young/hijabi/black/Muslim woman and a celeb akin to Martha Stewart, played by Blair Brown). How will Sophia deal w/ being in isolation?  What will Piper do next now that she has the rep of being a badass?  Will Crazy Eyes ever find real love?  The jail is overcrowded now, w/ a large pop. of  Latinas bused in.  I have only seen 3 eps- need to get back into it soon!  

In Theaters:

Finding Dory – My mom (big fan of Finding Nemo) & I saw this yesterday afternoon (TOO hot to be out)- we LOVED it! The short film (Piper) was SO cute/well-made/touching!  The octopus, Hank (Ed Oneill) was my fave; it was esp. cool how he blended into the environment around him (like a chameleon).  Gorgeous Brits Idris Elba & Dominic West play two seals. Veteran comedy actors (Eugene Levy & Diane Keaton) voice Dory’s kind/encouraging parents.

Free State of Jones – The McConaughssaince  continues w/ this (based on a true story) historical drama set during the Civil War. But I must admit that the first 5 mins are tough to watch (bloody/gory/realistic); the diverse audience I saw it w/ gasped and cringed at some scenes. There is absolutely NOTHING glam re: war, and boy does this film show us that! The pitch-perfect Matthew is joined by luminous Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle) and Mahershala Ali (who MANY will know from House of Cards on Netflix). In his role as Moses, an escaped field slave separated from his wife and young son, Ali gets to show us a LOT more of his talent. Even in the quiet moments, he is a strong screen presence.

No man outta tell another man what he’s gotta live for or what he’s gotta die for!  –Newton Knight declares to his small band of followers- runaway Confederate soldiers, poor white farmers (including widows w/ children), & runaway slaves

I can’t believe that history like this is NOT taught in schools!  I’m SO glad that I got to see it for free at a pre-screening. Unlike what Col. Robert Gould Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick in Glory) said in one his letters to his mother (“I do not know these men, their jokes, their songs”)- Knight can relate to the blacks around him. He lived in the swamps w/ them, foraged for food/fished w/ the men, etc.  Check this film out if you can!

On TV:

The Night Of – This is an HBO limited series starring British-Pakistani actor, Riz Ahmed, and veteran actor, John Turturro (who had to take over after the death of James Gandolfini). The story centers on a Pakistani-American college kid from Queens, Nas Khan, who is questioned, then arrested, for the murder of a young woman he picked up in his father’s cab one night while on the way to a party.  The original story comes from across the pond (England), where the accused suspect was played by boyish/waifish Ben Whishaw; that story was focused on class from what I’ve heard.  This version doesn’t shy away from the fact that the suspect is a Muslim male, or the inherent suspicions that come w/ that in post-9/11 era. 


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!