Boogedy, Boogedy.....it’s all about the night or the dark.....I am hearing Norma Desmond right now. Anyhoo, for this Halloween month, it’s all about scary and it will be interesting to see what everyone else will choose. Considering I took too much pot for my pain and slept Monday away, it was our Thanksgiving so I didn’t miss work, I....where was I going?? Man, nowhere dude....head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves and find out what everyone else has chosen.....here are my 3.....boogedy, boogedy...
1. WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF-1966
Talk about a Horror show! This takes place over the course of one night when a battling, boozy couple played by the famous, battling, boozy couple, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, come home from a cocktail party with a young, idealistic couple played by George Segal and Sandy Dennis. Burton is a professor married to the Dean’s daughter and they hate each other, verbally abusing each other and torment each other while spilling drinks over their uncomfortable guests. Taylor actually put on pounds to play a woman who doesn’t have much class and she chews the scenery every chance she gets and is great at it. She won the Oscar but was pissed when Burton didn’t win and I don’t disagree with her. I actually find this play brilliant but difficult to watch because you never want to have drinks with these people. They are nasty, crude, repulsive and ugly..perfect horror movie about marriage.
2. AMERICAN GRAFFITI-1973
This is a great movie that takes place over one night where you get to meet a variety of high school kids ready to move on in their lives and go to college. Steve, played by Ron Howard, is with his girlfriend, played by Cindy Williams and you see them kissing and talking about their relationship. Curt, played by Richard Dreyfus, is trying to find this mysterious blonde who mouths, “I love you,” to him, sending him on a horny quest for her. You have Harrison Ford, before Han Solo, driving around saddled with a kid, played by Mackenzie Phillips and, my favourite, Toad, played by Charles Martin Smith trying to find the strength to talk to girls. This film has many layers and treats the kids and their issues with intelligence, dignity and fun. It is a cool film that, taking place in 1962, sees the demise of the innocent 50’s and you see small hints of the turbulent 60’s coming.
3. CLUE-1985
Yes, this is based on the board game that I loved playing and still do. You have all the favourites, from Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum to Miss. Scarlett and Colonel Mustard. It has a great cast with the wonderful Madeline Kahn and the great Tim Curry. They are all invited to a scary mansion on a very rainy, thunderous night. You get to meet all of them and realize they are all hiding something. The movie may not be the best as other screwball type comedies I love, but I get a kick out this movie. Once the murders start happening, it gets even more screwy and I love it. It is not a great film by any means but, if you want to forget the world for a couple of hours, have fun with this film. Oh and 3 different endings were shot for this film and, depending which theatre you went to, you would see a different ending than someone else.
Which 3 would you choose?
Hi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the films of director Mike Nichols. Va. Woolf was one of his most challenging and hard to watch. I took my girlfriend to see it in the theater upon its release. It wasn't exactly a typical date movie but I'm glad I experienced it. It presented Liz Taylor as you never saw her before and never wanted to see her again. I loved Sandy Dennis with Jack Lemmon in The Out-of-Towners and, of course, George Segal is now one of the stars of the nostalgic family sitcom The Goldbergs.
I have seen Graffiti around a dozen times and love the nostalgia. Overall I think it is a great film but I do not appreciate when stereotypes are presented for comedic effect. I give the film props for presenting a live rock 'n' roll band that performs the music of the period authentically rather than in parody style as is often seen in movies and on TV. it was refreshing to see Ron Howard coming of age and shedding Opie Taylor.
I haven't a clue why I haven't seen Clue. It is my kind of movie. Thanks for reviewing it and reminding me to watch it. Remember Ten Little Indians?
Of course, my pick in this category would Night of the Living Dead (1968), the original black & white print.
Thanks for the memory making movies about the night and the dark, dear friend BB!
Yeah..not one for that Dead movie. You have to see Clue
DeleteI have never seen American Graffiti but may have to watch it. Liz was my favorite actress when I was younger and agree that the movie was good but difficult to watch.
ReplyDeleteI hope ypu see A. G. Great movie
DeleteI've never seen any of these, but have heard of all of them. I saw a bio on Harrison Ford and he attributes American Graffiti and his meeting George Lucas as his vehicle for becoming a big star in movies.
ReplyDeleteIm glad you heard of them. Yes, Ford did credit his role here for helping his career
DeleteI've seen your first two picks but it's been ages. Never got around to seeing Clue.
ReplyDeleteClue is fun
DeleteSeen all three although it's been a while.
ReplyDeleteOne scary night? I'll go with Assault on Precinct 13.
I have to see tht film. Its been mwntioned often
DeleteClue!!! Love it!! Great pick! In technical aspects it might not be the greatest movie ever made but what a cast all doing brilliant work. Madeline Kahn is without peer as Mrs. White (Flames on the sides of my face!) but Tim Curry, Lesley Ann Warren and Eileen Brennan come very close to her level.
ReplyDeleteThe other two are fine films and terrific choices but I've never been as fond of either as their venerated standing among others seems to hold. Liz deserved her Oscar and Burton wouldn't have been a bad winner but considering the group he joins by being a deserving non-winner he's in very good company.
Like you I stayed away from the horror route and went with films set after sunset with mostly a comic bent.
Night on Earth (1991)-Quintet of narrative tales set in cities around the world as a taxi driver in each city picks up a fare at the exact same moment and we share their lives and stories during the rides. A fable directed by Jim Jarmusch populated with quite a cast including Winona Ryder, Gena Rowlands, Rosie Perez and Armin Mueller-Stahl.
The Night Before (1988)-Nerdy high school senior Winston Connelly (Keanu Reeves) regains consciousness late at night in an alley dressed in a tux. Problem is he has no idea how he ended up there, where exactly in L.A. he is nor where his car, wallet or more importantly his date (Lori Loughlin) are either! As he stumbles around he recalls getting sidetracked on the way to the prom and that now Tito the pimp is trying to kill him. It sounds like a drama but is played for comedy, goofy but harmless.
After Hours (1985)-Oddity of poor snook Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne), a button down computer processor who through a series of crossed wires and misunderstanding spends one surreal night in downtown Manhattan in a seemingly futile attempt to get back uptown. Dunne is perfect in the lead surrounded by a bunch of zany characters enacted by among others Teri Garr, Rosanna Arquette, Linda Fiorentino, Catherine O’Hara and Cheech & Chong. Nominated for the Palm d’Or with Martin Scorsese winning the Cannes director prize.
I'm glad you like my choices. I dont know your pics but want to change that...funny, i thought the laat one was the one with Henry Winkler working in the morgue but i realized it was Night Shift...is that right?
DeleteNight Shift is the one with Henry Winkler as well as Micheal Keaton (who steals the movie) and Shelley Long. Now I'm kicking myself for not thinking of that it would have been a perfect fit!!!!
DeleteSame here! I saw it when it came out and, you’re right about Keaton and it was a funny movie. Would like to see it again.
DeleteClue is the only I've seen and I enjoyed it. The other two are both on my list.
ReplyDeleteClue is fun and AG great. Virginia is excellent but not a fun watch
DeleteI loved Clue. Such a fun movie. Also that french maid in the movie, holy crap talk about hot.
ReplyDeleteHahahaa..yes she is
DeleteHi Birgit - I've never seen Clue nor American Graffiti ... but obviously should do ... while Who's Afraid - yes excellent movie ... love your choices - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYeah you saw one and a diffixult watch but hope you see the others
DeleteThe darkest places I have ever been is in caves or caverns and their have been a few of those, the first of which comes to my mind is The Descent. A film that takes place at night is Cloverfield which was filmed just up the street from me at the late Downey Studios--sad that it's gone, but they did replace the space with a nice shopping complex.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Shady about the original Night of the Living Dead--still one of the scariest films made.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Cant watch Night...too scary. I have seen cloverfield and that freakes me out. Pretty cool that it was filmed near you. I dont k ow the firat film but will chexk it out
DeleteStill think American Graffiti is from George Lucas...
ReplyDeleteHere're some other crazy nights:
-Good Time (2017) Robert Pattison earns some serious cred as a desperate criminal trying to survive a botched robbery.
-25th Hour (2002) Spike Lee's tale of Edward Norton's last night before heading off to prison.
-Talk Radio (1988) Oliver Stone's take on, well, talk radio.
-It Comes at Night (2017) Joel Edgerton's family lives in isolation, and with good reason!
-Locke (2013) Perhaps Tom Hardy's best performance. Set entirely during a car ride in which he talks on the phone to a series of people as his life unravels.
-Collateral (2004) Jamie Foxx is Tom Cruise's reluctant driver in the movie that boosted Foxx's career to the next level.
Here we note that the first sentence in my original comment ought to have "weird" in it...
DeleteIt is weird but so true. Love your choices and love Collateral
DeleteAll great choices. I was going to suggest After Hours, but I see that joel65913 beat me to it!
ReplyDeleteYes and nees to see it
DeleteAh, Clue... I still quote that movie at odd times.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun movie
DeleteBIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteI love 'AMERICAN GRAFFITI'. Great choice there!
You mentioned 'Clue'; I'll mention 'SLEUTH' with Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier. If memory serves, most if not all of that story took place in a single night.
And then there's that eye- and ear-candy guilty pleasure of mine, 'ONE FROM THE HEART' -- another story that takes place in a single night & early morning dawn of a 24-hour period. I don't care what ANYONE says, I still love that movie and watch it regularly. An Old School Vegas story, back when that city was still for adults only.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I know you love AG but i haven't seen thw other 2 you mention. I know about them but I'll have to rectify that
DeleteJust one out of three - American Grafitti. Hope your pain has subsided a bit.
ReplyDeleteIts up and down but thats the way it is
DeleteIt must be rough to live like that.
DeleteIt's not fun but i try to find the fun rather than get down due to pain
DeleteClue and American Graffiti I enjoyed indeed. I recall the 1st, but been a long while. Under Suspicion was one that took place in a night, wasn't bad.
ReplyDeleteI dont know that movie but will check it out
DeleteI'm the most familiar with American Graffiti. I always thought it was a classic.
ReplyDeleteIt is and its beloved
DeleteAmerican Graffiti is an awesome movie. Nice pick. I haven't seen Clue but I loved the game so I should check out the film. Hope it's been a good week so far and you've gotten your pain under control. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteClue is great. I hope you enjoy it. Pain is ok... Well, it's not but that's ok
DeleteI've seen Clue 10+ times and it's perfect. Every actress and actor is perfect. My favorite is well-heeled Madeline Kahn who is casted against type finally smashes a champagne glass against the fireplace. It's probably an heirloom! The lead Tim Curry.
ReplyDeleteRocky Horror Picture Show? Hello?? Perhaps the film in one night with the most staying power for 4 decades.
OMG pwrfect pick! Rocky Horror is great and I wish I would have thought of that
DeleteAs a purist, there's a song in the day time before the movie starts at night. In any other movie, the day time song would be when the opening credit rolled. But, they rolled the credits in the dark (with all these references), took a brief interlude in the afternoon, then started the movie.
DeleteNice choices, all.
ReplyDeleteOne choice for me would be one of yours from last week: Wait Until Dark.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Strangers on a Train - the night scenes in that one are especially memorable, like the shot of Bruno at the Jefferson Memorial
Psycho
Four Rooms
Yes, I know I could have used Wait U til Dark and I was planning to use it this week but forgot..hows that for memory
DeleteThat's fascinating about three different endings for Clue!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed the weekend, friend.
I had a much better weekend that last week:) It is pretty fun to watch the 3 different endings.
DeleteBirgit,
ReplyDelete"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" I've heard of but never seen. The trailer looks intriguing and worth check out to see if it's available on my streaming services which I will shortly after leaving here. "American Graffiti" I thought was okay. Not particularly good or bad but nice to see. "Clue" is a hilarious, fun film! Your 'night/dark' theme movie picks are furtastic!
Oh, I really love American Graffiti and find this film so good in so many ways. I love, Clue which is hilarious. Who’s Afraidis a film I think on should see but it is a difficult watch.
DeleteWHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, yeah this has to be the one to see. Why even now I'm intrigued why Taylor won and Burton lost still I've got to know now. I've watched this one but she was a great actress loved by the camera which explains the oscar. Burton was a real drinker but then who didn't get smashed, win or lose - drink and showbiz goes hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteOh he was a legendary boozer and he may not have adhered to the rules of movieland. I could easily see him give the executroids the finger
DeleteVirginia Woolf: Sounds like a really fun party doesn't it? Heh.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well and that you are pain free.
I've never played Clue, but I do want to see the movie. Have you seen all the 3 endings?
ReplyDelete