Thursday, April 16, 2020

Thursday Movie Picks-Numbers in the Title


Wandering through the Shelves has chosen a unique theme this week where the actual number has to be in the title. I wanted to choose only one number but I only saw 2 films with that number in the title but I stayed in the same ..um...area. Criminy, I can’t find the right words today...anyway here are my 3.

1. 42ND STREET-1933


This film came out before “The Code” came into strong effect so you see the backstage antics that often occur in a theatre production of a musical like the casting couch. Hey, Ginger Rogers plays “Anytime Annie” which means, we’ll, you know. This is THE backstage story of a troubled musical coming to Broadway while the Great Depression is raging on. The star of the show, played by Bebe Daniels, is spoiled  and in love with a once famous actor. The director of this musical, played by Warner Baxter, is very demanding, to say the least, and grills his actors which includes Rogers, Una Merkel and Ruby Keeler. When the star breaks her ankle, the show must go on and the. Director chooses Ruby Keeler to be the star of the show. The young, naive gal decides to take on the role. This was a huge hit and made Ruby Keeler a star and created a big team with her and Dick Powell in many early musicals. This is also the musical that introduced Busby Berkeley and his unique overhead shots of  women and men who create flowers and other kaleidoscope images in many musicals. These images are still parodied today.

2. 48 HOURS-1982


I haven't seen this film in years and would love to see it again. Nick Nolte(before he looked like roadkill) plays a cop who's 2 cop friends are gunned down by a very, very bad man. Nick must get help from the evil guy's former partner who is in jail, played by Eddie Murphy (who is hilarious). Together, they start looking for this man and have only 48 hours to catch him. There are many funny scenes with Murphy and, surprisingly, Murphy and Nolte make a great team. This is a fun film to watch especially during this time.

3. 42-2013


I was not sure I would like this film because you never know about biopics but this is an excellent movie about the great Jackie Robinson who had to overcome a lot of racism that was prevalent in Baseball and the States at that time(and the States still has issues). The lead is played brilliantly by Chadwick Boseman who showed frustration but also dignity and respect which is what Robinson is all about. Harrison Ford is the one who finds this gem of a man and helps him through to become one of the best ball players regardless of his colour. A must see.

What 3 would you choose?

47 comments:

  1. Seen the last two. Yeah, Nolte before the roadkill look was good lol They had good chemistry in it indeed. Another 48hrs was less so, but it was still ok. 42 was really good too.

    Assault on Precinct 13, 12 angry men, 21 Jump Street and Gone in 60 seconds come to mind.

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    1. I love 12 Angry Men but I know I talked about this twice before I think. I have not seen the other 2

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  2. Wow, seen all three. And my brain is suddenly overloaded with movie titles and numbers. Never realized how many there were.

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    1. It’s amazing how many are out there. I was sure which way to go.

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  3. I've seen the second two. 48 Hours was really good.
    I'd say The 13th Warrior with Antonio Banderas, based on the book Eaters of the Dead. Great Viking-supernatural-horror flick. Also Super 8 and The Fifth Element. And if you want ungory chills, Session 9 is very effective.

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    1. Glad you saw these. Ooohhhh I love 13 th Warrior and don’t understand why it got such negative reviews. I am not a fan of the 5th Element and haven’t seen your other 2 but Session 9 sounds intriguing

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  4. I haven't seen any of these but 48 Hours is the one I'd pick of the three because of the cast.

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  5. I like your 40's theme. I haven't seen any of these, 48 Hours sounds really interesting and I probably should get around to seeing 42.

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    1. Both are great and give 42 a chance. Quite good.

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  6. Hi, Birgit!

    It's me... "Anytime Shady!" :) I loved listening to that trailer narrator on 42nd Street using perfect diction to hype the production with superlatives like "glorious... thrilling... and unforgettable!" I haven't seen the film because it's about music and dancing, but it looks like a grand spectacle. My mother was fond of Ruby Keeler.

    Yessum, I have seen 48 Hours and I enjoyed reviewing this great scene featuring Eddie Murphy at his best. The scene has a lot in common with Pee-wee Herman's famous biker bar scene and "Tequila" dance in Pee-wee's Big Adventure. I studied both films in (no, not my college film course) motivational seminars. Both scenes are essays in coming from absolute congruity in the face of danger. I loved Nick Nolte in the Cape Fear remake.

    I haven't yet seen 42 but I'd like to. Mrs. Shady is a baseball fan and I'm sure she'd enjoy this Jackie Robinson biopic. Chadwick Boseman is making quite a name for himself portraying iconic black men in history. He was Thurgood Marshall in Marshall and James Brown in Get On Up. In addition he stars in the Black Panther and Avengers film series.

    Have a safe and happy day, dear friend BB!

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    1. The old style movie trailers need to come back. I love them. 48 hrs is so much fun and you have to see 42 which is excellent

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  7. You did well staying in your designated 40 margin!

    42nd Street is visually dazzling and Ginger and Una both delight but UGH Ruby Keeler! I mean why was this woman a star? She was a triple threat of sorts....she couldn't sing, dance or act! I've read that she was a very nice woman so I hate trashing her but I simply don't get it. Good film though.

    It's been years since I saw 48 Hrs. too but it is a fun, messy romp of a film with that silk and sandpaper camaraderie between Murphy and Nolte, who was quite attractive in that California beachcomber way in his youth but oh boy has it been a rough journey to what he looks like now!!

    I liked 42 but never had any desire to return to it after that first look.

    I also planned to stick to one number-5-with my first pick, 5 Steps to Danger and 5 Against the House but realized I'd used that last for a gambling theme before and I hate to double dip if I can help it. Disappointing but I love all my choices so I'll just have to look for an opening to use the Ruth Roman film later.

    5 Card Stud (1968)-In the town of Rincon, Colorado in 1880 a gambler is caught cheating by his tablemates and in the heat of the moment lynched despite the efforts of one of their number Van Morgan (Dean Martin) to stop it. Disgusted Morgan leaves town but returns when he hears that some of the other players have been killed in grisly fashion. Upon his arrival he finds the hamlet taut with tensions and a somewhat sinister Baptist minister Rev. Rudd (Robert Mitchum) who carries a pistol in his bible. The situation only becomes more fraught as others of the lynch mob fall victim one by one and Morgan races to solve the mystery. Superior western with a great cast which beside the leads includes Inger Stevens and Roddy McDowell.

    11 Harrowhouse (1974)-Small-time diamond merchant Howard Chesser (Charles Grodin) is offered the chance to purchase and cut a large diamond by its owner Clyde Massey (Trevor Howard). But when the diamond is stolen he is blackmailed into pulling off a heist at "The System," located in London at 11 Harrowhouse with the help of his girlfriend Maren (a stunning Candice Bergen). Assisted by inside man, Watts (James Mason) they navigate an elaborate network of defenses to carry out the robbery. Sleek, stylish caper film.

    45 Years (2015)-Kate Mercer (an extraordinary Charlotte Rampling) and her husband Geoff (an almost as fine Tom Courtenay) are planning a party to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. One week before the celebration a letter arrives for Geoff with news that the body of Katya, his first love has been discovered frozen in an icy glacier of the Swiss Alps where she had fallen 50 years ago. Disquieted by the news both start to reexamine the entirety of their relationship and as the party nears there might not be a marriage left to celebrate.

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    1. Yeah, when I saw Ruby dance, my mouth dropped open and not because she was good. Poor thing, she had as much charisma as white bread. I think I saw the last film but not sure if it was all the trailers I saw. I have not seen your first 2 picks and would love to. The second one is a western who dun it which is a great unusual combo.

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  8. No only have I never seen any of them, I've never even heard of them.
    Hope all is well with you, take care, Kate x

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    1. Wow! I thought you would have heard of 42ND Street because that song is so famous. Love seeing your cards!

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  9. I think hubby saw 48 Hours. I haven't seen any of the 3 you mentioned. Off topic but I am reading a book right now called Woman at the Window. Won't give too much of the plot but she is agrophobic and likes to drink a lot of wine. My kind of woman with the wine lol. Why I am mentioning this is she likes to watch old movies. Made me think of you though not saying you have fear of leaving your home or that you are an alcoholic lol. Just the old movies in common with that character lol.

    Betty

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    1. Hey, that sounds like a good book that I would like to read. Yes, not agoraphobic and no longer drink much at all. If I was in my 20s on the other hand....

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  10. I've seen your first two picks and they are good ones.

    A couple of favorites that come to my mind is Fellini's 8 1/2 and 11:14 which is a 2003 film about different perspectives regarding a car crash that occurs at the time in the film title.

    A lot films can fit this category. Good theme.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. I knew you would choose 8 1/2 by Fellini which is quite a u inquest film and where the word, paparazzi comes from. There are so many films, it was hard to limit to just 3

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  11. You have some great choices here! It's kinda amazing how many films have numbers in their titles. It's something you don't realize until you really start thinking about it.

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    1. It’s really quite amazing how many films have numbers and I could have done another 3

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  12. Only the two 42s, eh? Ah well. It was worth trying, at least. And three I've heard of. I might have even seen them... Although, I don't think I have.

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    1. There were other 42s but I didn’t see them. You would likenthe ones I chose, I think.

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  13. The trailer for 42nd Street is so good! It definitely entices me to a rewatch.

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  14. BIRGIT ~

    This is one of the rare times that I haven't seen even one of the three movies mentioned by you.

    Three (3) movies I really enjoy watching, even to the point that I own them on DVD, are...

    'MIRACLE ON 34th STREET', which I dearly love and have seen countless times.

    The infamous Ed Wood disaster 'PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE' (so bad that it's hysterically funny!)

    And playing a little fast and loose with this concept, I'll also go with [Link> 'ONE FROM THE HEART' {*Trailer*}

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

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    1. Love your picks!! I forgot about Plan 9 which is a great movie because it is so bad. Who doesn’t love Miracle on 34th st.

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  15. I've heard of 48 hours, but not the other two. I enjoyed the 42nd St trailer, but I'm not sure it would entice me to watch it. Thanks as always for bringing these to life for me with your synopses.

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    1. I hope,you see 42ND St. You will how many future films used this plot or characters

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  16. I haven't seen any of these. I don't know if I can think of three movies with numbers in the title, but one that comes to mind is "Ocean's 13" - I really enjoyed that one. I'm sure there are more, but I can't recall any.
    Have a great weekend.
    Andrea

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    1. If you look it up on Google Search you will be amazed at how many movies have a number. Ocean’s 13 is a fun film

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  17. Birgit,

    48 Hours is a great movie. I love Eddie Murphy in his early years the best! His James Brown imitation cracks me up!! I'm not sure if I can think of three movies but the first one that came to mind is Naked Gune 33 1/3: The Final Insult. Oh yeah, Three Men and a Baby and The Taking of Pelham 123. Thanks for dropping by. You can put your mind at peace about lil ole paranoid me, I'm not at all worried but somethings I think to hard. I know we're going to be alright if we use our heads. Now to get everyone on board with that simple plan and we're good. :) Have a great weekend, my dear!! xx

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    1. You chose some great movies and love the Naked Gun films...Leslie Nielsen is the best. I love The Taking of Pelham 123 but more the original than the remake. Yeah, you remind me of a friend of mine who says she is good but she has this anxiety,in check, but this time is getting to her sometimes. She needs to turn off the news which helps her.

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    2. Birgit,

      We got a chance to watch the original The Taking of Pelham 123 a few months back and then shortly after we watched the remake. I enjoyed both but I liked the original better,too. Walter Matheau was excellent in it!

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  19. I would love to see 42. I wasn't even aware of it. I thought I'd seen all of Harrison Ford's films. And you are right, unfortunately we still have racism in this country. It's sad and it's frustrating.
    YOU stay safe. Be healthy.

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  20. I wonder if I saw 48 Hours. There was a movie with Eddie Murphy playing a detective that I saw years ago on TV. I didn't think I'd like it, but I did. I like when movies do that to me.

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  23. Se7en. This counts both ways cuz they stuck the #7 in there too.

    Apollo 13. I don't need a reason.

    8MM - Nicolas Cage and Joaquin Phoenix are great together.

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  24. 48 Hours is another I missed that I'd like to see.
    Take care. Be healthy.

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  25. The only one I've seen is 42...I remember nothing other than the basic premise.

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