Eerie…..

 

Boo! Of course I will  talk about some eerie films. They are not shock scary movies or gory which is not my bag anyway, but they are eerie. They bring a tension that evokes fear and so many questions and here are my 3..

1. VAMPYR-1932

This is about the eeriest film I have ever seen. It’s from the great Danish director, Carl Dreyer, who creates an unsettling, dream-like atmosphere with shadows and soft-focus lighting to enhance the eerie quality. There is very little dialogue and that works because it brings more tension and dark, fairytale quality to this film. A man wanders into an inn at the edge of a small town. In the middle of the night he is visited by an old man who brings him a box and leaves. The man follows the old man out and sees an old woman who seems to have control over other people who appear as if they are not part of their own bodies. This man ends up at a home, meets the old man and his 2 daughters one that is bedridden. The old man is killed and the police and doctor come. Soon, this man, who is a student of the occult, realizes there is more than just illness but as if something holds the town hostage. This film was not a success when it came out but, now, it is considered one of the best films ever made.

2. CARNIVAL OF SOULS-1962

This is a B movie made on a shoestring budget. Long forgotten, it is now considered a gem in the horror film franchise. We see girls in one car, boys in another and they decide to drag race and whoever makes it across the bridge first, wins. Unfortunately, the girls’ car ends up in the river below. From the river comes one survivor, who is, understandably, confused and muddy. She is an organist and gets a job at a nearby town as a church organist. Since, surviving the accident, she feels odd and keeps seeing this freakish man with a white face and menacing look. At times, she hears nothing and the silence freaks her out. She speaks to a psychiatrist about all these events and he is concerned for her. While playing music in the church, her playing deviates to a macabre number that sounds the opposite of holy. She is also drawn to this old palace by the seaside where she sees a bunch of people dancing but they all look like that man who keeps following her. This is one creepy, but excellent film.

3. HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER-1973

This is a Western film starring Clint Eastwood, who also directed the film, who comes into this sad looking town with all the townsfolk staring at him wondering who is this guy? He comes into mean, dusty and horny taking the town slut into the barn and, essentially, raping her but she doesn’t mind. He ventures to the barbershop for a bath and shave and, while in the bathtub, the slut shoots multiple times into the bathtub. Clint is unhurt and she is subdued. Oh yeah, he kills all the members of this gang and then takes his bath. This happens in the first 10 minutes of the film! From there, he takes over the town with the local midget, played so well by Billy Curtis, as his right-hand man. The townsfolk don’t like him and send word to convicts who are coming to this town. Clint just seethes with menace even though he has nightmares of the former sheriff whipped to death by these convicts as the town just watches. Clint prepares the town for these convicts by forcing the townsfolk to paint the town red and calling it Hell. This was a film I always wanted to see but never had a chance until 20 years ago and was floored when the film ended. It left me questioning, “What the Hell!?” It’s dirty, grimy and you dislike most of the people in the town save the midget and the wife of the hotel owner, who knows who this man with no name is. I think Billy Curtis should have been Oscar nominated for best supporting actor, but that’s just me.

What films do you find eerie? 

Marigolds and Cosmos

 

Positive energy and harmony are what Marigolds and cosmos are represent. This week, on Monday Music Moves Me, it’s all about these flowers and what they represent. OK, I  am not showing these flowers in my photo above but I do love this picture of my flowers. I could choose some typical songs but, I don’t want to. So here are some songs that represent these flowers, well, kind of…

1. THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL BY THE MOODY BLUES-1968

I love The Moody Blues so I had to choose this
because they often explored the cosmos. Ok, not the flower but  the universe. This was written by Justin Hayward and is from their album, “ In Search of a Lost Chord.”

2. HIGHER AND HIGHER BY THE MOODY BLUES-1969

This is from their album, “To Our Children’s, Children’s Children” and was written by Graeme Edge. This is an homage and loving tribute to the Apollo missions and space exploration.

3. VETERAN COSMIC ROCKER BY THE MOODY BLUES-1981

My fav, Ray Thomas, wrote this song for the album, “Long Distance Voyager” with all these great motifs  used as only Ray can create. 

4. THIS OCTOBER SUNG BY  JULIE LONDON-1956

I have to showcase Julie London singing about October from her fun album, “ Calendar Girls”. I had to showcase this song.

5. MARIGOLDS SUNG BY GWEN STEFANI-2024

This newer song . Geoghegan. This so g uses the imagery of marigold to representhow difficultloce can be but triumph. 

I hope I met this week’s theme…have a great week.

I did 2 extra this time. Have a great day

L

Colourful

 

This is National Colour Day and it got me thinking about one of my favourite directors or, in this case a duo known for their use of colour to enhance the story. I am speaking about Mike Powell and Emeric Pressburger, 2 of the best directors who made some beautiful films, writing, directing and producing them. They loved creating film and using colour almost like a character in their films.

1. A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH-1946

This is such a different film even if it's a romance, fantasy, courtroom, drama-comedy. This film stars David Niven as a pilot during WW2 who's plane is going down. He jumps out without his parachute, but, instead if dying, he wakes up on the beach and realizes he's...alive. He meets up with June, the lady he was speaking to before he jumped from the plane, and they soon fall in love. Unfortunately, Niven is informed by his angel that he was supposed to die and must go with him. Niven disagrees and asks to be heard why he should live and why. A trial is set and we wonder if l9ve will triumph. In the States, this film is called " Stairway To Heaven" ( I wonder if Led Zeppelin  got their song title from this movie) because of the famous sequence where we see these wondrous stairs that, seamlessly, going on forever. I love Fantasy films and this is right up there especially using the colour sequences when they are on earth and heaven is in black and white. The colours are vibrant while on Earth with love, conviction and fight to live making us believe that Heaven is here on Earth. This is a timeless film and we'll with the watch.

2. BLACK NARCISSUS- 1947

Yeah, I spoke about this film more than once and here I go again. A group of nuns led by the beautiful Deborah Kerr decide to set up shop high up in the Himalayas in an old palace. The 4 nuns are taken in by the perfume of this place surrounded by mountains and the erotic paintings all over the walls if this old palace. It doesn't help that we have handsome hunk, with violet eyes, David Farrar, as a liaison of the British Government. He is one bad boy with a beautiful singing voice who doesn't give a F%#! What anyone thinks she he strides away on his donkey. Carnal thoughts abound around the luminescent surroundings. I swear I can smell Jasmine and incense while watching this. It's a great film. 

3. THE RED SHOES-1948

Talk about colour! This film is considered one of the best films ever made and I agree. It is the film debut of Moira Shearer as a ballerina( she was a ballerina in real life) who is hired by Boris, played by Anton Walbrook, as the head and owner of his premier ballet company. He hires Moira and a director, Marius Goring, to create their new ballet called "The Red Shoes" about a ballerina who wears these red shoes and must keep dancing until she dies. Soon, Moira and Marius fall in love much to Anton's fury. He wants to keep Moira as his ballerina, but can he and can she choose between the love if her life and the love of her life, her dancing. The colours and costumes come to life along with Shearer's delicate beauty and vibrant red hair. It is a superb film. With reality and fantasy taking charge just like the other 2 films. 

Have you seen these films? What colourful films come to your mind?

By the way, yesterday's who won the Oscar? The Muppet song won and Rio was nominated. Nothing else was nominated!! Only 2 which caused the rules to change or loosen. Apparently, the songs had to garner over 825 points or something like that. So Mary J. Blige's song wasn't even eligible! Neither was Madonna's for W. E. And others. Personally, I loved the song from " The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo". How did that Warren chick get nominated so many times then? 

Who Won The Oscar-2011

 

I can't believe 2011 is 15 years ago! I found so many great songs from the movies for this year and let's see which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up with nuttin honey! I'm joining Monday Music Moves Me  which is freebie week so here we go.

1. THE LIVING PROOF SUNG BY MARY J. BLIGE

I love this movie which has taken some flack from the woke who really do not understand history! It is based on a true story so, shut up, and enjoy a film with superb acting  and writing. The head son was written by Mary j. Blige, Thomas Newman and Harvy Mason Jr.

2. REAL IN RIO SUNG BY AN ENSEMBLE 

This song, written by Carlinos Brown with lyrics by Siedah Garrett was in this animated film. This song was sung by Anne Hatheway, Jesse Eisenberg, Jamie Fox and George Lopez. 

3  MAN OR MUPPET SUNG BY A FOURSOME

I love the Muppets and am so behind watching these movies. I can't help but think of my dad who loved watching the Muppet Show back in the 70s and 80s. This song was written by Bret McKenzie and featured the voices of Jason Segal, Peter Linz, Bill Baretta and Jim Parsons. 

So which song won the Oscar, which was Nominated and which came up empty-handed?

Best Picture for 1956

 

What can one say about the year, 1956, when it comes to the big winner..one of the worst winners won most of the awards. Many do agree that this was one of the worst to win and, without further adieu, here is the list of 3, the one that won, the one that should have won and the one that was nominated.

1. AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

This was a Mike Todd Production starring David Niven, as Phileus Fogg who wagers a bet tht he can circumnavigate the world in 80 days. Along with his trusty valet, Catinflas, and, later, Shirley MacLaine  as a rescued princess, who encounter all sorts of roadblocks along with many film cameos from Frank Sinatra to Marlene Dietrich, as they try to get back to the club before the 80 days gone bye bye. I love David Niven but this is one slog of a picture. In fact, every time I sit to watch this movie, I flake right out. I consider this the 2nd worst best picture ( the first is The Greatest Show On Earth) winner in Academy history. Zzzzzz

2. THE SEARCHERS

This is a great film, directed by John Ford, which stars John Wayne, who deserved the Oscar for this role, as Ethan, a man who visits his brother and his family. Soon after, while Wayne is gone, his brother’s home is raided by the Comanches headed by Scar. Wayne finds his brother and nephew dead as well as his brother’s wife, the woman he loved. The 2 girls have been taken so Wayne, along with the adopted son of his brother,  start a 5 year search for the girls. The older girl is found, dead, but the little girl is alive so they trek onwards hoping g to find her. The adopted brother wants to  rescue her but you don’t know if Ethan wants to rescue her or kill her since his hatred of  Indians is well known. This has a great story, well rounded characters, beautiful cinematography and excellent acting. This should have won the best picture, best actor( I mentioned that before), director and cinematography. Such a shame this film was so overlooked.

3. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 

Yes, this epic string Charlton Heston as Moses who is woofed at by Anne Baxter who, in turn, is woofed at by Yul Brynner. Moses is making great strides creating a city making sure the downtrodden get every Sunday off and eat much better by going after the grain in The Priests’ possession. Moses finds out he is Hebrew and sent adrift into the desert. He doesn’t die but is found by a tribe which includes the chief’s 7 daughters. He takes Yvonne DeCarlo as his wife before venturing back to his home. He ends up in Battles with Yul  and, after the Angel of Death visits, his people are let go.  These bastards are not appreciating their freedom because they get into an uproar headed by Edward G. Robinson, ready to throw Moses to the wolves before being shown how the sea is separated allowing them to escape Yul’s clutches. Does that work? Nope! While Moses is receiving the 10 Commandments, the nut jobs are having a grand orgy worshipping a golden calf. This is a famous flick that we see each year around Easter and wouldn’t be the same without this movie.

Just so you know, the other films nominated that year were, “Friendly Persuasion”, “Giant”, and “The King and I”. 

Do you agree with this or would you choose another film? Let me know.

Ein Prosit!

 

Good ole' Octoberfest was big fun when I was younger and had some great memories, that I remember. I have had a few escapades in Kitchener, On. which is a huge event in this German city. I had a wild time which is just too lengthy to write here, plus wild times on 4 other occasions. What happens in Kitchener, stays in Kitchener...lol. 

Now, in 1997, my, then husband and I went to Europe and we ended in Munich not realizing that we would be there, the final weekend  of Octoberfest. We went to the Hofbrauhaus wanting to have 1 beer....we had 2 pitchers! I don't remember what happened while in the Haus, I only recall walking back to the Pension( bigger than a B&B but small than a small hotel). I got us back to the hotel but, to this day, I have no clue what happened, but that 15% beer was good. I'm joining in on Monday Music Moves Me  for this week's theme...

1. LICHTENSTEINER POLKA BY WILL GLAHE & HIS ORCHESTRA-1957

This song and many other polkas have played at every hall, tent, bar etc... during this fest. This song was written by Edmund Kotscher and Rudi Lindt. I bet I have danced to this often. 

2. FLIEGERLIED SUNG BY TIM TOUPET- 

This is a new song, to me, written by Andreas Donauer or known as Donikkl, back in 2002, for kids, has become a big song during Octoberfest. 

3. SIERRA MADRE SUNG BY ZILLERTALER SCHURZENJAGER-1990

This is a song that comes near the end of the festivities and most people sing a long to this which was written by Wolfgang Roloff and Hans Hee. 

Bonus...

EIN PROSIT DER GEMUTLICHKEIT

Written by Georg  Kunoth, a journalist, but made popular by Georg Lang who created this fun with his band which he kept singing every half hour or so. Well, this stuck and this happens throughout the evening, but the more you drink, the more you love singing this along with shouting Einz, Twei, Drei, pzuffer! I know i spelled that last word wrong, Debbie can help me:)

Have you been to Octoberfest? 

Famous U. S. Buildings

 

I was going to talk about architects but, aside from that slog of. Film, “The Fountainhead”,  I couldn’t think about my others that I have seen. I decided to go with famous buildings and went with some icons that really hit me when I watched it. There is a hidden theme, that I didn’t mean to happen, but it did. Let’s see if you can guess…

1. KING KONG-1933

I still remember, and I may have been 5, when my dad told all of us to sit and watch “ Movies for a Sunday afternoon”. King Kong came on and I was mesmerized just like my dad must have been when he saw this film in the theatre when he was 20 ( yup, he saw it in the theatre!). When I finally saw Kong look at the screaming Fay Wray, taking her into the forest to his lair. The shipmates including her new love, are hot on their tail meeting many dangers from nasty dinosaurs to creepy crawlees( this occurred when Kong dumped the log full of men into the gorge. These creepy worms and spiders came out to finish them off. Later I heard that this sene was considered lost, yet I know I saw it. Since then, they found this lost scene and is now included back into the film.). They capture Kong and bring him to New York City to be paraded but don’t count on him breaking free, taking Wray up the famous landmark, the Empire State Building. This building was just built between 1930 to 1931. I believe this film helped make this building famous and remain so to this day. A great film with many iconic images.

2. THE AMITYVILLE HORROR-1979

This film stars James Brolin( Barbra Streisand’s husband) and Margot Kidder as real life husband and wife, George and Kathy Lutz who move into their dream home only to find out that their home contains evil forces plus they find out that a horrible murder(s) took place in 1974 when Robert DeFeo killed his entire family in this home. I haven’t seen this in years, but I remember it being ….stupid. I would have left that home in the first night. This home takes centre stage with the way the film looks especially those windows( sadly they have been altered due to all the tourists coming to see the house). For me the best acting is this home and I would get so scared….but I was not scared at all which is very strange since I get scared very easily. I will watch this again.

3. THE SHINING-1980

Well, of course, this iconic hotel is a must on this theme. It is Timberline Lodge in Oregon used in this very scary film that stars Jack Nicholson as a writer to take his family up to this lodge to make sure everything will work well through the treacherous winter. His wife, Shelley Duvall, and their weird, young boy, played so well by Danny Lloyd, settle into this strange hotel enjoying the big halls and the maze outside of the building. Jack is becoming more and more unhinged as he starts talking to the former janitor, has a drink at a 1920s club and makes out with one f-ed up gal in a hotel room. The young lad loves his big wheel( who didn’t have one back in the 70’s) rolling through all the halls before coming cross the 2 freakiest girl ghosts which scared the hell out of me and still does. The kid uses his special powers to contact the head chef, played so well by Scatman Crothers, who gets onto the next plane, gets into a snowcat reaching the hotel only to be axed by the now, deranged Jack. Oops, spoiler alert. Now Jack wants to murder his family. This is directed by Stanley Kubrick who know style. The colours and looks all contribute to the story of this film and enhances it in ways that is brilliant. 

Did you guess my other theme that I have and didn’t mean to?

Let me know what iconic buildings, in films, left you with an impression. 

To my Canadian friends, Happy Thanksgiving!