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jimmy860
Reviews
All About Eve (1950)
Men are stupid
I love this movie... it's a great film to dive into when you just want to relax after a long week. After repeated viewings, subtle character traits emerge: Karen wants to be liked by everyone at any cost: "Eve, I've just heard the most wonderful things about your performance," which is said so that Addison can see how kind Karen is, even though Karen herself was responsible for "arranging" that particular performance... Margo is so vulnerable yet none of her friends really want to see that side of her... and the men are idiots. Even after Eve is exposed for what she is-- a lying bitch-- they STILL rally to have her star in their play, just because she's a fine actress and will make money for them: Lloyd, Bill, Max-- they all succumb! Margo is the least cynical person in this movie, because her character is colored with lots of shadings. She's not just "playing Bette Davis." Margo Channing is kind, clever, tough, compassionate, and the earlier-mentioned vulnerable. Watch this movie to see some wonderful characterizations, a fabulous script, and a truly over-the-top ending!
Somewhere in Time (1980)
Sublime !
A perfect "Mobius strip" of plotting... try explaining what happens, and you find yourself intriguingly embroiled in explaining a plot that encircles itself. Not many people "get" this aspect of the movie, but it's what makes it work. Cinematic perfection! Let it challenge you ... and let it therefore make you think about the multi-level parameters of love, and longing, and yearning, and loss. Mr. Reeve and Miss Seymour are perfect as the star-crossed lovers; they bring to the screen an innocence and a beauty sorely lacing in today's "in your face" sexual manifestos. I can watch this over over and over, and cry each time-- it is that moving 1
Outrageous! (1977)
In retrospect:... Beautiful !
This has been a favorite for years and years... it's touching, and basic, and about love and acceptance: multi-layered, it professes a simple lesson. Hollis Mc Laren is AMAZING in her role: she rips your heart out. Definitely should be part of any "gay" movie collection. (I question the label... this is 2006, after all, and personally I am tired of labels. Why can't we all just love? Let's have a Whatever Pride Parade!) Craig Russell demonstrates the bravery inherent in the early proclaimers of the gay movement, but his message speaks to everyone: be yourself, and society be damned! This is an unforgettable film, and highly worthy of your attention.
We Were Dancing (1942)
Norma Glorious... Don't Miss This !
For all the new scholarship about this neglected actress, people still need to see her in action. Yes-- let's accept the fact that, by 1942, Norma Shearer was past caring about a career in the movies, and let's take this romp for what it is: fun, vibrant, and a showcase for Norma. Her penultimate film brings out her exquisite comic timing, and her bursts of Polish round out the very amusing character of Vicky. Realize that Norma is winking at the camera and her public all through this film, asking only that we accept it on its terms: a fun exercise to help finish out her career (though there is evidence that she, in retrospect, didn't care much for it).