Thursday, April 21, 2022

Thursday Movie Picks-Not A Natural Disaster

 

There are so many wrongs we human piglets do it's hard to keep up. Last week my hubby and I saw what is happening in California with these lakes and rivers where, just a year ago, there was water and now nothing or close to it. I guess Las Vegas needs their uber fountains  to make us go " Wow." Driving home, I can't help but see all the garbage strewn along fences. The oil spills, Chernobyl back in the 80s, clear cutting, poaching...it makes me sick. Wandering through the Shelves picked a hot topic especially with the horrible War in the Ukraine. Putin must go and I  don't mean to Siberia. On that nice note, I chose 3 movies, I think, fit the bill. Remember, no natural disasters so Trump is out and so are any bitch slapping actors.

1. ON THE BEACH-1959

Let's start off with this feel good movie with Gregory Peck as head of a U.S. submarine stationed in Australia because this is the last place not yet affected by the radiation set off from Atomic bombs during WW3. He meets Ava Gardner and they fall in love but they are doomed. Fred Astaire, in a rare dramatic role, plays a race car driver who would rather go out his way than the radiation way. This film is well acted, scary and bleak as f#(×! I'm not sure when I will see this again but it is a good movie.

2. THE CHINA SYNDROME-1979


Does anyone remember 3 Mile Island? The breach that created a ghost town in Pennsylvania, is exactly what this "fictional" film was talking about. This movie, starring Jane Fonda as a reporter, Michael Douglas as her photographer and Jack Lemmon as the whistle blower at the nuclear power plant he works at, is all about what actually happened at 3 Mile Island. What's freaky is tgat this film came out 3 days before the event at 3 Mile. Basically, Jane wants to do a story about the plant when Lemmon's character finds a problem with the plant. He takes it upon himself to hold the place " hostage" until the cover up is found out. It's very well acted showcasing Lemmon's acting chops. The event at 3 Mile made this film a hit.

3. ERIN BROKOVICH-2000


This is, by far, the most hopeful of the 3 I chose. The 70s were often showcasing movies in a more bleak manner. Whereas my first film was one of quite a few to show realism( like Fail Safe and the "Kitchen Sink" movies). The 80s onward gave disaster flicks a hopeful message but only after we saw the Eiffel tower be destroyed on st least a dozen flicks before America saves the day. Where was I? Oh Erin B is based on the true story of a no nonsense single mom of 3 who bullies her way on the staff of her former lawyer. Most of the staff can't stand her with her cheap way of dressing and screw you attitude but it comes in handy when she finds out how a plant has been dumping their toxic waste into the water around this town and countryside. Many people are getting sick with cancer and Erin is there to save the day along with her crafty lawyer. Julia Roberts and her push up bra won an Oscar for her portrayal of this fearless broad,   which I say on the best sense of the word. It is a good movie that I can watch again unlike the eyeyores I previously mentioned. 

Which flicks would you choose? Anyone going totally 50s camp on me? There are many  "Attack of..." movies.

34 comments:

  1. Erin was the first film that came to mind. I have seen China Syndrome but do not remember seeing your first choice. Speaking of 'attacks' how about any Western where the cowboys just went in and mowed down the Indians?

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    1. Yes, you are so right about the demise of the Indian population, culture, land and just being. This is actually a great theme which I must remember.

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  2. Hi, Birgit!

    I'm thinking about you, your kitty Lucy and your canine companion Wallace, dear friend. You gave them a wonderful life. You did right by them. Please remember that.

    I remember the splash On The Beach made in 1959 when I was a boy, but never got around to watching the film. Stanley Kramer is one of my favorite directors and I admire Greg Peck and Tony Perkins. I'd be very interested to see Fred Astaire in a rare dramatic role, as long as he doesn't do a dance routine entitled "Singin' in the Fallout." The trailer uses so many superlatives that it practically makes you feel ashamed if you don't go and see the movie. I am adding it to my watch list.

    Yessum, I am certainly familiar with Three Mile Island nuclear power plant disaster. I lived and worked in Central PA at the time and covered the story as a news reporter at the principal TV station in the coverage area. I'll always remember those tense days as the situation grew worse and we all feared for our lives and worried about the lingering effects of the radiation release. One of our station's news anchors fled to another state, leaving the rest of us behind to handle the crisis and cover the breaking story without her help. It is indeed an amazing coincidence that the release of the film coincided with the TMI incident. The producers couldn't have asked for a better "promotional stunt." I went to see China Syndrome with Mrs. Shady #1. It's a suspenseful, gripping and disturbing film. Fonda, Douglas and Lemmon are three of my favorite actors.

    As I mentioned before, I got it in my head that I dislike Julia Roberts as much as I love her brother Eric after she acted like a B---- on Howard Stern's show. After that appearance, I refused to watch her movies. I might be ready to give her a second chance and watch Erin Brockovich. Yessum, Julia's push-up bra deserved the Oscar for Best Supporting Role.

    For my Unnatural Disaster pick, I'll go with Silkwood, starring Meryl Streep, Cher, and Kurt Russell, released just before Christmas, 1983. The drama is heightened by the fact that the dingo took Meryl's baby.

    Birgit, if you were planning to visit Shady's Place this week and say a few kind words about Margaret Schneider as you have other years, I need to let you know the post runs only one more day. You know very well how grateful Margaret's grieving family is to read your comments every year at this time. Besides, it is one of the rare occasions when I post songs and scenes from movie musicals, so it's definitely a tribute that should appeal to someone like you. I hope you can stop by for a visit.

    Thank you, dear friend BB!

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    1. I am so happy I made it to your blog and had the honour of saying a few words for Margaret. Yes, that lengthy trailer of On The Beach made me giggle at how much they plugged the film. You do feel guilty if you don’t see it😁. I don’t think Fred Astaire danced around any nukes hitting them with his feet, that would not be a good idea.
      I am surprised you covered the story of 3 Mile Island. It must have been something to be present at that time and speak to the people involved. China Syndrome is quite a gutsy movie and very true.
      I didn’t find Julia Roberts bitchy but I did find her very uncomfortable and not pleased with how creepy Stern was with continuously saying how beaut she was. To be honest, knowing what he does, should have been a clue never to do that show. Julia is known to be ...not very nice. When she did “Sleeping with the Enemy,” she spoke about the small town in a very condescending manner and the people who lived there really disliked her. I hope she grew up a bit. That being said, she is good in this film and her ta-tas deserved an Oscar.
      I almost went with Silkwood which is another excellent movie despite Streep whom, I think, is grossly over-rated.

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  3. Seen all three of those.
    I guess no Will Smith, either.

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    1. Glad to know you saw all 3. Nope, no Will Smith who truly screwed up his career in one moment. Personally, he needs to dump Jada.

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  4. I thought this category was really hard but now I'm kicking myself for not thinking of Erin Brokovich. Dark waters would've worked here too ughhh.

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    1. Wh En he thinks about it, there are a wealth of films. It took me a while to get into the groove.

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  5. The first two are very fine films indeed! The third was fine though I don't think Julia Roberts was Oscar worthy. She wasn't bad just not the best but it was seen as her moment, the very antithesis of what the award is supposed to stand for. GRRRR!

    I do remember China Syndrome coming out and the disaster following right afterwards. Ironically I was watching Jane talking about the film on Merv Griffin's talk show when the newsbreak came though. It's an excellent film but that coincidence surely lead to it being the blockbuster that it was.

    It was also the first one I thought of as well as personal fave The Andromeda Strain and the sobering Testament that contains an absolutely brilliant performance by Jane Alexander.

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    1. Yes, the first 2 are excellent. That is wild that you were watching Merv when the story came out. I had to drive by The alive Canal which is another horrible issue where many people got sick, died and had to leave their homes. Everything was boarded up.
      I forgot about The Andromeda Strain and would like to watch that again. I don’t know Testament but will check it out. Yes, Julia didn’t deserve the prize but she got it because of the role and her push up bra. She always played someone a little more demure, even I. pretty Woman. Whom d9 you think should have won? Ellen Burstyn? Did you read my star of the month? I always love your comments. It’s been a tough few weeks, I lost m6 dog and our one cat and my job has been tough. Unorganized, not being shown everything I need to do. The boss is ..ughhh and had no one internet or office phones and they expected me to fix it all. I know nothing, it’s working now and, I hope, I have been shown everything.

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    2. Sorry to hear about the loss of your pets. It's always hard to see them go even if they have been in a bad way. The new job sounds rocky but hopefully with everything fixed it will become a smoother ride. Fingers crossed!

      Yes absolutely Ellen Burstyn should have won that year! I hated Requiem for a Dream with a passion but she was riveting in it. I wouldn't have been too disappointed if Laura Linney had won for You Can Count on Me, she's wonderful as always but will always feel Ellen was cheated.

      I do read the Star of the Month but didn't have much to say about Paul Robeson. He was very talented as well as being controversial and I've seen several of his films but I'm not a passionate fan. Looking forward to seeing who you focus on in May!

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  6. I don’t think I saw On the Beach, but I did read the novel when I was a teenager. When I finished the last page, I felt like the world had ended and I went searching for my parents in their vegetable garden. I was so relieved.

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    1. It is not an uplifting film or book by any means. I would be looking for my parents too. After I watch that movie, I spoke to my mom who laughed and hugged me. She always helped a lot.

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  7. I've seen all three of your picks and they are good ones. My favorite is On the Beach which my father took us to the drive-in to see not long after it was released. I loved that movie as a 10 year old and it's still one of my favorite films. I have it on DVD and have watched it several times.

    I'm all in for just about any "Attack of..." movie. The first one that came to my mind was Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. That's definitely not natural and it's so stupid that it's a hilarious gem. When I went to see this one in a theater in Gadsden Alabama back in the late 70s it was probably the most I've ever laughed in a movie theater. Maybe it was partly my state of mind. I haven't seen that film since then, so maybe it wasn't as funny as I thought back then.

    Maybe 12 Monkeys or Omega Man? Or any of the Mad Max movies? Another lab created virus movie that I saw last year and liked was Warning Sign from 1985.

    This is a great topic. So many that we could come up with.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. The To atoms Movie is hilarious. It’s so bad but so funny. I thought of Attack of the 50 foot woman, Attack of the Killer Shrews. I have seen Omega Man but I was too young to remember much. 12 Monkeys is great as well as the Mad Max series. When one starts thinking about it, there are many that do come to mind.

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  8. Good pics. And our world right now is, unfortunately, a disaster.

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    1. Yes, it is and we need to go into The Ukraine now. Fear is what holds us back and I get it but this loon must be stopped.

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  9. SawErin Brockovich, also Silkwood as mentioned by Shady. Not seen the others.

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    1. Glad you saw those 2 which are good movies.

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  10. Theme within a theme... I haven't seen the first two. The second one came out when I was too young to care. I should go back and see it.

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    1. T be honest, what is going on in your neck of the woods is a disaster for sure. I saw how much water has gone in just 1 Year....it’s a true devastation.

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  11. I have seen the last two on TCM or TNT (not sure you get either of these in Canada). I haven't even heard of the first one.

    I am NOT a fan of Jane Fonda after her actions and comments about the Viet Nam war. I don't care how famous she was, her siding with the Viet Cong goes against my beliefs, just like Le Pen wants to take Putin's side if she wins France's election. Jane now says she is sorry she ever was photographed sitting on an antiaircraft gun in Hanoi. For me, the damage is already done.

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    1. Jane has some major issues which is putting it mildly. I do respect her acting ability but the person...Meh. I am with you about what she did during the Vietnam War. It’s disgusting.

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  12. Hi Birgit, yes the world is in an awful state and humans are by far the most destructive of species.
    I enjoyed Jane Fonda's film and many years ago the one with Gregory Peck, although I'd forgotten the name of it.
    In the Uk, we have the most dire man as PM, in fact the Tory party are the most vile, corrupt government we have ever had in my opinion and their contempt for ordinary people and hatred of the Scots is horrendous, all they care about is lining their pockets, I'm ashamed of the UK, anyhoo, I hope you are well and keeping safe, Kate x

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    1. Yes, that PM is not a fav for sure and I pray that French dame doesn’t get in. Frankly, I’m in shock at how many right wingers there are all over Europe. Look at Hungary? To be honest this is when I like to watch a comedy or musical.

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  13. Hi sis! A couple of films I thought of right away have already been covered via the comments... Silkwood and Erin Brokovich. I think that famous giant ant movie from the 50s was called Them. And how about War of the Worlds? Or Mars Attacks? Ack ACK!!!

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    1. Ack! Ack, Ack!🤪. I thought of War of the Worlds but I wanted to stick to more realistic themes. Well, kind of realistic. them is a perfect movie for this week and the 50s loved dealing with nuclear fall out c4eating huge giant insects. One day I need to see the one with the Praying Mantis, glad you like my . choices and I remember when you went to see Silkwood because you were really loving that film.

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  14. Hi Birgit...sorry not been around but bloglovin has gone down and it difficult knowing when new posts go up....sorry to see your sad news ...loosing a pet is like loosing one of the family...take care xxx

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    1. Oh bummer that you can’t tell when I have new posts. I did one with cards last week and hope you saw them. Thanks for the visit.

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  15. BIRGIT ~

    Really great topic!

    The first movie that raced into my mind was one of the few from the 21st Century that I abbalouly love, Love, LOVE!

    'THE BIG SHORT' (2015)
    Certainly one of my Top 30 favorite movies of all time. A *BRILLIANTLY* written and performed movie which, unfortunately, most people probably *STILL* don't understand. (Dingbats who refuse to learn from the past are destined to repeat it... X 10!)

    2008 (& 2020) was just a nice walk in the park compared to what is coming next... and SOON! It will be the same villains using their same bag o' tricks, and "The Great Depression" from the past is going to seem like Paradise compared to the next 8 years on planet 'PHUQED'! (Ya best cover yer ass, and store some food & drinkable water!!)

    'DR. STRANGELOVE: Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb' (1964)
    Slim Pickens riding an atomic bomb down to World War III. Need I say more?

    The ONLY thing scarier than that is Slim Pickens making goo-goo eyes and attempting to seduce Walter Brennan in drag. (See 'Alias Smith & Jones': Season 2, 'The Day They Hanged Kid Curry'.)

    My third choice might be...

    'THE SPIRIT OF '76' (1990)
    In the year 2176, a magnetic storm has eradicated all recorded history, causing the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to be lost. Three time travelers, Adam-11 (David Cassidy), Chanel-6 (Olivia d'Abo), and Heinz-57 (Geoff Hoyle) are sent back to July 4, 1776, to retrieve America's heritage, but due to an unnoticed time machine malfunction, they end up in 1976 instead.

    OK, so a "magnetic storm" would be labeled as a "natural disaster". But, surely, David Cassidy time-traveling to save the country and the world cannot POSSIBLY be described as "natural". (This is actually one of my all-time top favorite "guilty pleasure" movies, on a par with 'PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE', which I could have used instead, except that I've mentioned it several times previously.)

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

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    1. Hi Shady, yes, Ukraine needs our help and Putin must be stopped. He has been working on this ever since he started climbing the ladder. It sound s scary...and it is scary but it must be done. The Big Short is excellent and a great pick. I would love to see that 1776 film which is right up my alley with t8me travel. I have not seen where Slim is in drag, I bet he was He ugly broad.

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  16. Haven't seen these, but I'm very curious about your review :D

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  17. It seemed I did pick a hot timely topic...but I only scheduled it around this time because it coincided with Earth Day.

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  18. The China Syndrom really is a film I need to watch. I've heard so much about it!

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