Friday, January 29, 2021

5 Films Forever Blogathon

 


Cinematic Delights, who participates every Thursday at Thursday Movie Picks, also talks film from classics to the brand new and everything in between. She decided to create this blogathon to find out what films people would choose if they couldn't go anywhere and would re-watch. OK, I suck the biggus diggus trying to explain so here is what she has to say...

“You wake up to eerie silence. You call out ‘Hello?’ but no-one answers. You’re alone except for a film projector and speakers with infinite battery life and five of your favourite films at the foot of the projector. You have nowhere to be so start watching the films. What are they, where are you and how will your story play out?”

or the ‘Five Films Forever’ blogathon I’m asking you to list:


My five films: What are the five films you would happily watch for the foreseeable future and why?

My fate: Where have you been deserted – are you adrift like Hanks in Castaway or are you an end of the world survivor like Smith in I Am Legend?

My finale: How will your time alone end? Will you be saved by Spielberg or will you live happily ever after on your own like Disney?

So let's begin....I wake up with a man on top of me, the sea crashing onto us making me feel like I am Deborah Kerr and Burt is ready to ravage me when I realize the man on top is deader than a door nail and the seaweed is up yonder. With the help of some crashing waves, I get bloated dead man off of me, shiver in disgust and look around seeing nothing but the ocean, sand and tropical greens. I now see that I am in a Tom Hanks movie save for one unique area ahead... a nice chair, a screen, 5 DVD's, a DVD player and the ability to watch these DVD's. How they can actually play here and how they got here doesn't matter but before i can watch them, I have to make a fire and find food. Thankfully, I have keen knowledge how to make a fire, spear a fish and the island is much bigger than Tom Hanks sorry ass island so I could find some mangoes. The 5 films just happen to be ones I love to watch over and over plus they come with all the extras so I can see commentary, cartoons, the making of, music and everything else they can put on a DVD. Here are my 5 films...

1. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE-1946

Well, duh, of course I will have this film about a man who is so discouraged and desperate that he is thinking of doing himself in until an angel, with no wings, helps him see what his life would have been like without him. I have talked quite a bit about this film from the great Jimmy Stewart, the many classic character actors, to the dark imagery of the film where we first see Jimmy Stewart show a darker side to his wholesome character. It truly is a great film.

2. CASABLANCA-1943

A perfect film in so many ways starring Humphrey Bogart as the owner of Rick's Cafe who lets everyone stay at Ricks from hookers, crooks to the dreaded Nazis. Ingrid Bergman plays Ilse who comes back into his life and shakes it up big time; her heroic husband, played by Paul Henreid who is being sought after by the Nazis; Major Strasser, the despicable head Nazi a-hole played to dripping ickiness by Conrad Veidt and my favourite, Claude Rains, as the French Prefect who notices everything. There are so many great lines in this film that it is hard to choose which ones are the best. It is worth all the accolades.

3. THE THIRD MAN-1949

A post-war film that takes place in Vienna when Joseph Cotton, who plays a writer, comes to this city to see his old friend Harry Lime only to find out Harry Lime is dead...maybe. He meets up with Lime's girlfriend Alida Valli and begins to learn that Lime is not the choirboy he remembers. The main music is rightfully famous and was a huge hit in the day, known as the Harry Lime theme played on the Zither by Anton Karas, who was found by director Carol Reed in a cafe when checking out the city.  The cinematography is brilliant with the angles and shadows along with the famous Ferris wheel scene and the scene in the sewers makes this a great film more people should see.

4. SINGING IN THE RAIN-1952

This is one hilarious comedy that could stand on its own without the music and dancing but you never want the music and dancing to disappear because they are fantastic pieces kept on celluloid from Kelly's famous dance (done under hot tarps and Kelly having a 103 fever), Donald O'Connor going nuts to make his friend laugh(needed to be in the hospital due to exhaustion because of that routine) and legs up to heaven Cyd Charisse in the fantasy number bringing her best Louise Brooks seduction to the floor. Jean Hagen steals every minute as the spoiled and no talent Lina Lamont who pines for Kelly but wants to keep her image as the lovely romantic half  of their famous film duo of Lockwood and Lamont. She makes sure by having Kelly's new good girl, girlfriend(Debbie Reynolds) dub all her dialogue for her since her voice sucks.When they have to make a talking picture, you laugh at what happens. What is great is how close and accurate many things were from the mics picking up heartbeats to the huge fear that many big stars of the silent era had(many didn't make it and some killed themselves as a result).  I love all the little nuances like the vampirish woman woman married to La Falaise de la toolong was based on Pola Negri who married Henri de La Falaise, Marquis de La Coudraye A must see.

5. WHAT'S UP DOC-1972

This is a great homage to the wonderful screwball comedies of the 1930s directed by Peter Bogdanovich, who I want to find and talk film with him since he has met all the greats during his life time. This is one zany film starring 4 matching bags owned by 4 different people that quickly get mixed up in all the raucous in the Bristol (or is that Crystal??) hotel. Howard Bannister(Ryan O'Neal) and his fiance, Eunice(first film for Madeline Kahn), are coming to the hotel for a convention so he can talk about his igneous rock formations(rocks in the bag #1). Judy(Barbra Streisand) follows a pizza into the hotel and quickly sees Howard and sets her sights on Steve, er I mean, Howard while holding her bag #2(full of clothes). A reporter has another bag(#3) holding secret documents while a member of the government, with a set of golf clubs as a disguise, follows him into the hotel and finally, a hip old broad in hotpants carries her bag of jewels(#4) with her, making the concierge slobber as he rings the bell(which is half a tone off) for his dull-witted partner to follow her up so they can get the jewels. Funny, laugh out loud moments ensue culminating in one of the best chases set to film.

I enjoy all of these films but I see a magical door and open it to find myself in a beautiful fairy realm with books, great clothes and movies galore. I am now in heaven!

43 comments:

  1. LOL. Well I would have to give this a lot of thought, but I don't think I would want to share your island, no offense. There are already so many movies I've seen a gazillion times, it would take me some time to decide which ones I would want to be stuck with. If I watched LOTR, that's three films right there. Oh my.

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    1. I do want to have LOTR as well and with all the extras, it would keep me busy for a year!

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  2. Hi, Birgit!

    Your fantasy setting matches mine, dear friend, but the person on top of me on the beach with waves crashing over us is not Burt Lancaster. It's Burt Reynolds. NO - Just kidding. It's Morgan Fairchild. Yeah, that's the ticket - Morgan Fairchild! Next I see an area on the beach with a nice chair, a screen and a DVD player with a 3600 foot extension cord. There are five DVDs. I take a seat and my Harry Reems film festival begins. Again, just kidding. I meant John Holmes.)

    My five favorite films are as follows:

    Ruby in Paradise (1993) starring Ashley Judd

    The Last Days of Disco (1998) starring Chloë Sevigny and Kate Beckinsale

    The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) starring Teresa Wright and Cathy O'Donnell

    The Thing from Another World (1951) starring Ken Tobey and Margaret Sheridan

    It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) starring Spencer Tracy and an all-star cast

    Pass the popcorn and have a safe and happy weekend, dear friend BB!

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    1. Not Raquel Welch? Jacklyn Smith? Maybe all 3😈. I love your choices but I have not seen Last Days of Disco or Ruby in Paradise. I really like Ashley Judd so would like to see that film. Love, love , love Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World with so many great actors in that film..Ethel Merman is priceless. the Best Years is such a great film about the returning war veterans. It is so heartbreaking in many ways. the Thing, theoriginal, is often maligned now but I think it is a great movie and I prefer it over the remake.

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  3. I've seen all of those!
    Movies I could watch over and over...The Princess Bride, Galaxy Quest, Aliens, The Fifth Element, and The Avengers.

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    1. Glad you have seen all. I would have nightmares with Aliens and never did care for The Fifth Element but all the others are great.

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  4. Definitely all classics! I know I saw What’s Up Doc when it came out but, unlike the others, couldn’t have told you anything about it, except that Barbra Streisand was in it. So now I know!

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    1. It’s so funny and a good one when nothing to do but you always get up and go.

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  5. Interesting idea for a blog hop! I wouldn't like being stranded on a deserted island with a dead man, though. ☺ I've seen and enjoyed all of your movie choices. It's hard to choose only five, but here goes: Love, Actually / Moonstruck / The Godfather / Rocky / Grand Hotel

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    1. Great picks and you surprise me with Grand Hotel but I love it.

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    2. Grand Hotel is at the top of my favourite classic movies list. ☺

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  6. I love your wit, Birgit. :-) My 5: Calamity Jane (Doris Day), the last Little Women, Pride & Prejudice (with Colin Firth), Start the Revolution without Me, and 2 Weeks Notice.

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    1. Love your picks! I knew Calamity Jane would be your first choice. I love your other pick of Start The Revolution Without Me....so funny!!!

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  7. Awww... love your list, Birgit! I agonized over CASABLANCA as I LOVE that film, but ended up picking another B/W classic starring my eternal crush, ahah. I also love It's A Wonderful Life, a film I usually watch every Christmas.

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    1. I’m glad you,like my picks and will need to see yours.

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  8. I've seen all of these save The Third Man. I'll have to add that to the list.

    That's an interesting mental exercise, finding 5 films you would choose. My list today (if you ask me tomorrow, it would be different) would be: Stardust, The Martian, The Frighteners, The Incredibles, and Gigi.

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    1. I think you will really like The Third Man. . Yes, my list would almost change the next time too. I have not seen Stardust but I love the rest because it is so eclectic. I love Gigi!

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  9. Good question. Definitely Casablanca. Maybe onto Young Frankenstein or the Jerk. How about an X File movie after the comedies. Let's finish off with Mary Poppins or maybe North By Northwest. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. I like your list and The Jerk is a great one. Love North by Northwest

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  10. Hi Birgit, thank you so much for taking part!

    Ha, you painted quite a picture with your opening line! Pleased to hear you won't go hungry either and I like the sneakiness of including commentary, cartoons etc. - why didn't I think of that?!

    Brilliant choices with your films. I have only seen the first two but would like to see the other three as well.

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    1. Glad you like my opening and, of course it would come with extras:). I believe you would like my last 3 for sure.

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  11. Hi Birgit,

    Fellow #FiveFilmsForever blogger here. Love your choices, the top 4 in particular are right up there with some of my favourites. I haven't seen What's Up Doc in a very long time but remember enjoying it.

    Best wishes Dom

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    1. Glad you,like my choices and will have to see yours.

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  12. I admit I haven't seen What's Up Doc yet but the rest of these choices are... well, excellent. Casablanca is right near the top for me, as well.

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    1. Comedy can be tough but I think you would like What’s Up Doc which is just hilarious.

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  13. Sure ones that will uplift you after finding a bloated dead guy on top of you. lol

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    1. Glad you joined in. Yeah, no one would like that on top.

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  14. I have singing in the rain on my watchlist on HBO max

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    1. It’s so good and so true about early Hollywood...talkies.

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  15. I’m leaving this generic message so you don’t think I’m a flake. I didn’t feel good Friday, and when I woke, the entire area around the eye that got damaged last summer had swollen so badly, I couldn’t open it. After speaking with the vision specialist, the soonest I can get in is Monday morning. I am not to wear the eye patch I was given in case it might exacerbate the swelling, but I am to take the eyedrops I was given from before. Thanks for understanding why I haven’t been to visit you.

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    1. Oh no! I hope you get to see the Dr. Soon. This must be so painful so please take it easy and let me know how you are doing.

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  16. It's A Wonderful Life and Casablanca would definitely make it on my top five. Hmm. I'll have to think about three more.
    Are you feeling better today?

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    1. Yes, 3 more are needed. I do feel better! I still have pain but I was able to walk for 20 min. I cleaned a few things, moved some boxes around and made a salad which would do me in just doing that one thing. After that, I had to rest for the evening. I did sit at the computer for a while and I couldn’t do all that a week ago so having my infusion helps.

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  17. Birgit, I always think that Lauren Bacall should have the part Ingrid Bergman played in Casablanca. I see her in the role whenever I think of that movie.

    Happy New Year to you!

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  18. What a fantastic quintet of movies you chose! I'm pretty sure I watched What's Up Doc? on your recommendation, too...

    I need to give this some thought. I mean, it's more than just picking your five favorites, isn't it? Or should I be rethinking my five favorites based on this scenario? Not that I have a Top 5. I mean, I've maintained a solid Top 3 for years and could probably come up with a dependable 10. But now I'm questioning everything.

    I'll get back to you on this.

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    1. The more I think about it the harder it gets. So here goes:

      Cinema Paradiso - I feel like I see something new every time I watch it.

      Stand By Me - Still one of the most beautifully written movies I've ever seen. And I watched it the first time at exactly the right moment in my own life.

      Philadelphia Story - It's our family movie. I'd want it to remind me of wife and daughter.

      It's a Wonderful Life - For the emotional hit of the line at the end: "A toast to my big brother George: the richest man in town." Gets me every. single. time. I can't even talk about it without getting choked up.

      Sound of Music - Similar to the one above. When the Captain walks in on the children singing to the baroness. It's the purest look of paternal pride ever captured on film.

      Ask me in a week and my answers might be completely different.

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    2. Excellent choices! And great reasoning too, especially for number three.

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  19. I have seen the first two films, but that's it. I have a long list of movies to watch! :)
    ~Jes

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  20. Hello there fellow #FiveFilmsForever blogger. Some really lovely film in your selection, proper classics of the screen. Really enjoyed reading this :)

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  21. Sounds like quite the fantasy, other than the dead dude, of course. It's a hard call, but I guess my picks would be: The Shawshank Redemption; The Color Purple; Out of Africa; Life As A House; and finally, The Guest--while a great suspense, it's funny as hell and has a killer soundtrack. If all else failed I could dance to it.

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  22. Somehow I missed this Birgit so thanks for pointing me to it!

    LOVE your choices though the only two I could watch on an endless loop would be What's Up, Doc? and Casablanca. Their rewatchability factor is very high.

    With Casablanca (and really with Doc too) every role is just so perfectly cast and the chemistry mix of all the various couplings-Rick and Ilsa, Rick and Louie, Ilsa and Victor etc.-just seem effortless.

    With Doc Babs has never been so relaxed, O'Neal less grating and Madeline Khan more divinely hysterical. Just thinking of her saying "I am not A Eunice Burns, I am THE Eunice Burns!" makes me laugh every time.

    The other three are excellent films, all in their different ways but they aren't ones I return to frequently. I think I explained why that is with Wonderful Life (burnout from the mind numbing consistency with which it played when I was young.) The other two are from genres I love there are just ones I'm fonder of.

    As far as the ones I’d take that’s a real dilemma. SO many to choose from, it’s winnowing them down to a quintet that’s the killer!

    It would surely change each day but today I think the five would be:

    The Mating Season (1951)-Absolutely joyous comedy with the great Thelma Ritter posing as her son’s (John Lund) maid to help he and his new bride (Gene Tierney) over the first rough couple of months of their sudden marriage and keeping her pushy mother (Miriam Hopkins-a delight) from breaking them up.

    How the West Was Won (1962)-The title says it all. It’s BIG, it’s SPRAWLING and it has almost every popular star of the era in it. Plus it proves what I’ve always known…. Debbie Reynolds is a goddess! I find new things in it every time I watch it (which is often) so it fits well for this.

    All the President’s Men (1976)-Brilliant, incisive and uniformly compelling. A film that even though you know the resolution remains intriguing whether it’s the first or the fiftieth time you have seen it.

    White Christmas (1954)-Bandbox pretty and utterly delightful from start to stop.

    Auntie Mame (1958)-Rosalind Russell powers this whirlwind of a film with enough star power and energy to fuel five films!
    Out of what could have been hundreds I narrowed it down to 15 and then to the five. These were the other 10 that might have made the cut and could another day!

    Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
    Howards End (1992)
    Inherit the Wind (1960)
    Pocketful of Miracles (1961)
    The President’s Lady (1953)
    Pride & Prejudice (2005)
    The Prize (1963)
    Rear Window (1954)
    The Trip (2002)
    Woman’s World (1954)

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  23. 459 Dorilla St. Poor Eunice! When Eunice was left at that address, my dad was crying from laughing and could barely hold it at all when she climbed those stairs. I love that memory of watching this with my dad. I knew you were not one for my favourite film It’s a Wonderful Life and, even though I saw it every year when I was you g, I still love it. I could have chosen more too like White Christmas which is a gem but I also would have Arsenic & Old Lace, The Quiet Man, any Astaire/Rogers Musicals, Pandora’s Box, La Belle Et La Bette, Journey To The Centre of the Earth with James Mason, Roman Holiday, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Philadelphia Story, The Great Escape and The Maltese Falcon. There are more as you also could choose more. I am really not that enamoured with How The West Was Won even though I love Westerns and it has James Stewart and John Wayne albeit in very small roles. Debbie Reynolds does shine in this film. I do like Auntie Mame with the great Rosalind Russell. I have t seen The Mating Season which is now in my ever bigger book of films to see but it’s near the top because you love it. I should try and watch All The President’s Men again because I didn’t take to it much the first time but I shall give it another try. I love Rear Window!, I also love Strangers on a Train and Shadow of a Doubt. I could have a separate box just of Hitchcock films to be honest. If you chose 5 Hitchcock films, would Vertigo be on it? It wouldn’t be on my list even though I love Jimmy Stewart. It’s just one strange, screwed up film like we are watching Hitchcock’s neurosis being played out.

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    1. To your Hitchcock question Vertigo would most definitely NOT be included in my five! It's arty, it's inventive, it's blah, blah, blah. It's not a bad film but Scottie is a sick, sick cruel man who doesn't care how much emotional damage he inflicts on Judy. I can't remember the last time I watched it.

      My other four besides Rear Window would be:

      Saboteur-My favorite Hitch film with one of my main girls, Priscilla Lane in it!

      Strangers on a Train-Wonderfully put together and I ADORE Ruth Roman.

      Lifeboat-Amazing how riveting spending the movie's running time in that boat is. Tallulah is a gem.

      The Birds-Just endlessly watchable. Tippi is a mannequin but Suzanne Pleshette and Jessica Tandy make up for her.

      I think some of my love of All the President's Men comes from living through Watergate and it having such a profound effect on the country and my youth. So when I watch all those people their names really mean something to me. I can see where others mileage would vary, but there's no denying it's a great, great film.

      Here's the link for The Mating Season. I can guarantee you won't be sorry you watched it!! Love to hear your take on it!

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-c94k3vlVM

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