Thursday Movie Picks-Snowy/Winter movies and Happy New Year!

The last day of 2015 where we all reflect on the year that has been and look forward to the year ahead.  Some people had great years while others will be happy to see it go but we all can say we made it through.  This week, the year ends on snowy/wintry movies so head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the others have picked.  here are my 3...

1. THE GOLD RUSH-1925

I have not seen this film in a while but it doesn't mean it has not left an impact on me.  Chaplin wrote, directed, produced and starred in this classic as, of course, the little tramp. It takes place when there was gold found in the Yukon in 1896 and many, many men traveled to strike it rich. We all know the classic scene where, starving, Chaplin boils his shoe and starts eating it twirling the laces like they were spaghetti. I have a vivid, loving memory of my dad and I laughing until we could not speak, tears streaming down our cheeks when Chaplin is being chased by his prospector partner, played by Mack Swain,  around the table in the cabin. The cabin, getting closer and closer to the cliff but all that Swain sees is one huge chicken, not his friend. Of course there is the dance hall girl that Chaplin falls for and loves from afar. A gem of a film that kids could watch today and laugh til their stomach hurts.

2. DR. ZHIVAGO-1965

This is an epic romance film set against World War 1 and after, with the Russian Revolution taking centre stage affecting everyone in the most saddest of ways. Yes, the make-up and hair is mod 1960's but who cares-the romance and story is what grips us. Many may feel now that it is long winded but what I find interesting is that both my mom and her brother, who was not a film watcher at all, both stated this was their favourite film. The music is beautiful with the opening credits of the frost on  the glass. The cinematography is breath-taking. My mom and her brother endured communism after the war (They were now in East Germany) and they both stated that was when the real hell began. Starvation, the cold, lack of coal, stealing wood to keep warm-my mom and her brother did this. Their home was no longer theirs but "for the people" and so finally, my mom escaped and later, my grandparents walked out with what they could carry, leaving the door unlocked. Can you imagine doing this? This film brings this home  and more. I want to read the book since Pasternak based the love story on his own. Until the day he died, the Communist regime kept him and the woman he loved separate except for brief moments. Either he or she were considered enemies of the state and sent to the gulags in Siberia. Once Pasternak died, she asked for the letters he had written to her but the government never gave them to her.  I say, think of that when you watch this film.

3. INSOMNIA-2002

This film, I believe is not too well known but it is excellent and not so much due to the acting of Pacino but of the great acting by Robin Williams. If you are thinking Mrs. Doubtfire, think again! He plays someone very, very creepy. Pacino plays a cop ( always a cop or thug) who travels to Alaska to solve a murder of a young girl. He suffers from, you guessed it, insomnia, so is slow on his game. A cat and mouse game ensues and you wonder who will actually win. I don't want to say more because I don't want to give too much away.

I didn't pick Fargo since I have a feeling it will be popular-It is a great film. Which films would you pick? Planning to go out, watch movies, see the ball drop at Times Square or go to bed by 10pm? No matter how you celebrate, have a wonderful New Year and may this year bring all we wish for.