Thursday Movie Picks:TV Edition- Cold Cases

 

Tv time again and it’s about cold case files which is what I love. I do like watching documentaries etc..about famous cold cases like Jack the Ripper and the famous Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist. Funny, I never did watch one episode of the TV show called, “ Cold Case” but maybe I will watch a rerun of it one day. Wandering through the Shelves ended this month long theme with a good one. Here are my 3...

1. UNSOLVED MYSTERIES-1987-1999 and 2000-2002

This is one of my favourite series that started off with Raymond Burr and Karl Malden doing an episode each before it was given to Robert Stack and his famous trench coat and hair. This show not only talked about a cold case of murders but missing persons, robberies, amnesia, ghostly encounters, near death experiences, beasts etc... It was not sensationalized but tried to give a play by play of what happened often speaking with the actual people who were part of the mystery. It ended in 1999 but was taken up again in 2000 but stopped when Stack took sick. It has been reprised twice more but the best is the original.

2. UNFORGOTTEN-2015- PRESENT

I spoke about this show before and with good reason- it’s brilliant! It’s a British show where each season, is about a body being found that is a few years old and this team, headed by Nicola Walker, must find out who the skeleton is, how the person died and the possible suspects. We learn, early on, about the different suspects, their lives and how all are somehow interconnected with this old body. We see how the team deduce  who is involved and why, while we get a hint about their own private lives especially the head detective with her dad and her son. Can I say that the 3rd season still leaves me in chills. The one actor, a suspect, deserved an Emmy for his performance.

3. MISSION DECLASSIFIED-2019

I hate it when there is an excellent show and only lasts one season. The show follows Christof Putzel, a reknowned investigative reporter, who investigates some of the most famous unsolved crimes of the century from the Black Dahlia to the Museum heist I mentioned earlier. In fact, his grandfather was the reporter who was first on the case with the Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping case. He doesn’t go sensational and he is certainly not boring but methodically pieces each piece of evidence he can get to including evidence that had not seen the time of day until now. I found each case riveting and well thought out especially the Isabella Museum Heist that brought him to Italy and the mob, the first time I heard of that scenario. I was so waiting for season 2 but, alas, it wasn’t meant to be. If you get a chance, you should watch his episodes as it is quite fascinating. 

Which 3 TV shows can you think of?

I am thinking of all if you who have been dealing with the horrible hurricane. Stay safe.

Round 2! Success!!

 

I am one sick F&^$...Hahahaaa (please hear me cackle with Hairpins flying). I took Monday and Tuesday off for my next round of the colonoscopy travails. This time it worked and I am clean as a whistle...relatively. This got me thinking about songs, yes, songs and I thought of these 3...

1. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS SUNG BY BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE-1973

This is a great Canadian band headed by Randy Bachman from "The Guess Who" as well. Randy Bachman sings the leads and it's actually about how the glam stars didn't really have to work whereas man good old rock people etc, did. I just thought of the title and, with a glint in my eye, chose it.

2. DIRTY LAUNDRY SUNG BY DON HENLEY-1982

Well, this can happen while running to the john but this song, written by Don Henley and Danny Kortchmar pissed off at how the news was becoming more tabloid. With the deaths of John Lennon and Natalie Wood, he thought about where the news had gone. It's only, it seems gotten worse and very, very partisan not to mention depressing. I would love Walter Conkrite and Edward S Murrow now. I would say one of the best, today, is Christiane Amanpour and Lisa LaFlamme (A decorated CTV News Anchor who was just let go because...they can). 

3. I LIKE TO MOVE IT, MOVE IT SUNG BY SASHA BARON COHEN-2005

I am not a rap person and this was sung by Mark Quashie or, as he calls himself, The Mad Stuntman. Now, is his first name The? I'm just wondering... well, Anyhoo, Mr. Stuntman sang the vocals but it was written by Erick Morillo aka Reel 2 Real...really? Now, far be it from me to say that this song does not show how much the lyrical quality and penmanship far exceeds "Nights In White Satin" or any Led Zeppelin song, just listen to how many times you like to move it, move it. OK enough fun, I have to admit I like this rendition by Cohen, including the animation, rather than the singing of The with all the gals' T & As thrust into my face. Sorry all you wonderful men out there, you will just have to go to Youtube to see that one. 

I had fun writing this one and hope you enjoyed the read. What other cleansing song can you think up?

I hope the people in Eastern Canada are doing better and getting their power back and my heart now goes out to everyone in Florida. Take care!

A New Book from Sandra Cox

 I wanted to do this earlier since Sandra, This wonderful lady with a heart of gold, had her book release a couple of weeks back, but I just didn't have the time or  the physical ability to do this on the weekends (pain and bad fatigue). Yesterday, it was like a switch turned off and I felt the pain severity lessen around 6pm, which is great plus I am home today because I am going for round 2 of the ...colonoscopy, oscopy, oscopy..echo fading. OK without further adieu, Here is her new book.

Geller’s Find Release Info

Tagline:

It’s summer break and Dr. Luke Geller, history prof and part-time archeologist, is in Nevada looking for potsherds. What he discovers is an antique rifle and a portal in time.

Excerpt:

“Dammit.” 

His heels caught in a patch of fuzzy green and gray weeds. Buried in their center was a large piece of chiastolite. Ancient markings all but obliterating the standard graphite cross that long ago was used to ward off evil. The hair on the back of his neck rose and his nerves twitched. He’d never seen anything like that rock before. He nudged it with his foot. When it didn’t budge, he bent to pick it up. 

The ground under his feet trembled. 

The chiastolite glowed. The markings shimmered. 

What the hell?

He flapped his arms, trying to balance himself as the ground dropped an inch.  A perfect circle below his feet gave way.  The stone stayed in place.

He fell into a cylinder of rock and stone. 

The bottom dropped.

His stomach flopped and he swirled down.  

The wind whistled in his ears as he tumbled into a deep black hole that went on forever. The chill in the air fell away. The further down he went, the hotter the air. The rocks around him began to glow. Good God. Either he was heading for hell or the earth’s core, and neither was where he wanted to be. His grip on the rifle tightened as he bounced off the hot stones that closed around him as he whirled in a tube of rock. 

Time had no meaning. Seconds, minutes, maybe more passed as the cyclone of air spun him around. His stomach pushed up to his throat and he fought off nausea.

With a scraping sound, the spinning lurched to a stop.

Then as if an elevator button was punched, he started upward. Only unlike an elevator there was no floor, just rough rock gravity glued him against.

Up. Up. Up. Faster and faster. Then momentum stopped. His body quivered. A force thrust upward and opened.

He dropped.

Hard earth rose to meet him. 

With a thud, he landed.

Character Facts:

Doctor Luke Geller is a full-time history professor and part-time archeologist. 

His specialty is Native American artifacts.

Instead of a gun, he carries a Hopi throwing stick.

He likes cats, horses with a sense of humor, and women who aren’t looking for a commitment.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Gellers-Find-Sandra-Cox-ebook/dp/B0B89FY76K

Bio:

Sandra, who also writes as S. Cox, is a vegetarian, animal lover and avid gardener. She lives with her husband, their dog and cats in sunny North Carolina.

An award-winning author, her stories consist of all things Western and more.

Foodie Facts:

She spent a number of years in the Midwest chasing down good Southern BBQ. By the time she moved to North Carolina where Southern BBQ is practically a staple, she’d become a vegetarian.

Pineapple is a must-have on pizza, along with black olives and onions.

She loves pumpkin waffles. Pumpkin cream cheese, not so much.

Links:

https://sandracoxwriter.com

https://cowboytrivia.blogspot.com 

https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Cox/e/B002BM3AKC

Last time I posted, it was a mess because not everything turned out right and Sandra was amazing with her understanding. This time I hope it comes out aok with my limited knowledge of the computer.

Have a blessed day and anyone in Florida and the Eastern Coast of Canada, I am thinking about you.

Thursday Movie Picks-Female Detectives or Cops

 

I had a tough time trying to think up female investigators. Wandering through the Shelves has been keeping me on my toes! I think I feel pretty good with my choices and no Nancy Drew in sight because I never saw a movie about this character. Here are my 3...

1. LADY OF BURLESQUE-1943

I enjoy watching a great Dame like Barbara Stanwyck and she really makes this movie shine about a series of killings, with a g-string( let's hope a clean one) in a burlesque hall. This is based on a book written by the famous, Gypsy Rose Lee, called " The G- String Murders." It's not an amazing film but risqué considering the Hays Office. When the police can't seem to find the killer, Barbara decides, with the aid of her co-horts, to find the real killer. It's a great old black & white movie that is quite entertaining.

2. COPYCAT-1995

This is an under-rated, stellar film starring Sigourney Weaver as a psychiatrist who is agoraphobic after a serial killer tries to do her in. Now, a new serial killer is on the loose and mimics the deaths from other serial killers stumping the detectives led by Holly Hunter. You feel the tension mount when the killer, played with a psychotic glee, by Harry Connick Jnr( he deserved more accolades for this role as he was really creepy) sets his sights on Sigourney. This is one of the best new thrillers I have seen and it should be better known. It keeps you riveted.

3. THE HEAT-2013

Yes, this is rude and crude but bloody hilarious! I love both of these actresses and they seem to have real chemistry. Sandra is an FBI agent who goofs up and is sent across the U.S. to investigate some murky dealings. She is uptight, by the book, and classy. She meets a cop, Melissa, who is the exact opposite, and they work against each other until they are forced to work with one another. Ok, the plot is typical, but it's just so funny especially the barbs Melissa says to the Albino cop jerk. I almost peed my pants. This is not everyone's cup of tea(Joel) but I enjoyed it.

Can you think of 3 female detectives from the movies?

Which Song Won the Oscar

 

I have to start marking down which years I have done or I will repeat myself...I just know it. I am writing this late because I procrastinated. That being said, at least i am writing this:) I decided to choose the Oscar year of 1953 and am picking the song that won the Oscar, The song that was nominated and one that got nadda. let's see if you choose the right one.

1. THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT SUNG BY FRED ASTAIRE, NANETTE FABRAY, JACK BUCHANAN AND OSCAR LEVANT

This song should be instantly recognizable even if you never saw the film, "The Bandwagon" where it was written specifically for the movie version of this stage musical. It was written by Arthur Schwartz (Music) and Howard Dietz (Lyrics) and performed by these legends. Later it was used in 3 movie versions about the great MGM musicals (with just some great non musical people like Tracy & Hepburn). When we hear this song we instantly think Hollywood, I think anyways. 

2. THAT'S AMORE SUNG BY DEAN MARTIN

This song, written by Harry Warren with lyrics by Jack Brooks, has become Dean Martin's signature song and also helped bring a better image of the Italians after Capone and Mussolini. Who knew this song came from a Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis comedy called "The Caddy." I have to say I always loved this song.

3. SECRET LOVE SUNG BY DORIS DAY

This song was introduced by Doris Day in one of her signature roles as Calamity Jane in the film with the same name. Good Ole Calamity never looked so good! This was a bona fide hit for Doris here and across the pond and became one of her signature tunes along with "Que Sera Sera." The music was written by Sammy Fain and the lyrics by Paul Francis Webster and made quite the splash back in the day.

So....which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which tanked in both? 

Thursday Movie Picks: Media or Tech Mysteries

 

It's capers month, no, I don't mean those little fish things, but mysteries and I'm loving this month even though Wandering Through The Shelves made me put my thinking cap on. This week, it's about the media and/or technology and these are the 3 that popped into my head. I'm saving Zodiac for another time.

1. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT-1940

Most of you know I love Alfred Hitchcock so this film came right into my sad little head. This takes place before the States entered WW2 so Hitch must have made this film with that in mind. Joel McCrea( major crush..hubba hubba) stars as a crime reporter sent by his boss to England to find put more about the war. He soon finds himself embroiled in an espionage mystery trying to convince the police what he actually saw. You have a tense moment in a windmill, spies, a beautiful Dame and George Sanders whom I love. He was just so witty. This film doesn't get the same love as his other films, but I think it is one of Hitchcock's better early films in the U.S.

2. CALL NORTHSIDE 777-1948

The title is the phone # when one used to ask for a name not just numbers. This is based on a true story with James Stewart asked, by his boss, to check in on an elderly woman who posted an ad in the paper to clear her son. Her son was charged and convicted of killing a police officer back in 1930 and now, 11 yrs later, at her wit's end, the guy's mom took out this ad. Stewart doesn't think much about this story until he digs further finding coverups, mishandling etc..at the heart of this. The cops and district attorney really hate him nosying around. It's well acted, obviously, and I like the noirish vibe to this. It was the first film to be filmed on location in Chicago.

3. TRUE CRIME-1999

Clint Eastwood plays a recovering alcoholic who has been sleeping with the boss's wife at a newspaper office. He's assigned to talk to a death row inmate to get some final words from the condemned man. He had no idea that he was going to try to free this man whom, he believes, is innocent. He has very little time to get to the truth but he must try. This is nicely acted especially by Isaiah Washington as the condemned man. I found it a good movie, not a great one, but one that hold your attention.

Which 3 films can you come up with?

For The Queen

 

As we all know, unless you have been hiding under a rock, Queen Elizabeth died and I don’t think we were expecting it even though she was 96 and never seemed to get over the Covid virus. Personally, I think it knocked the stuffing out of her and with her husband, of 70 years ( wow!) gone the year before, I guess it was just a matter of time. I have been strangely moved by her demise and didn’t expect it, to be honest, so, I thought, why not look at the top songs from her biggest moments (no births here) so, here we go...

1. BYE BYE BLACKBIRD SUNG BY GENE AUSTIN-1926

I heard of this song but never knew it was such a mega hit back in 1926. It was written by Ray Henderson with lyrics by Mort Dixon. I’ve heard this in movies and, maybe, a MASH episode, but I didn’t know it was a huge hit in the UK back when she was born.

2. THE NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES BY EDDIE DUCHIN-1947

This comes from a film of the same name and I did not know that( now I want to see the film) but this song was a big hit when The Queen married her 2nd cousin 3x removed...or is that 3rd cousin twice removed?? Oh well, she married her match and she loved him. I really like this song and I tried to find the song sung by Anne Shelton but couldn't through Blogger but go to YouTube.. pretty cool. This singer with the music composed by Jerry Brainin and lyrics by Buddy Bernier.

3. HERE IN MY HEART SUNG BY AL MARTINO-1952

When her father died, she instantly became Queen and was actually in Africa when this happened so she and Prince Phillip had to get home right away. This song was a big hit in the UK written and composed by Pat Genero, Lou Levinson and Bill Borrelli. Al Martino,a U. S. Singer, made #1 only in the UK once.

4. THE SONG FROM MOULIN ROUGE BY MANTOVANI-1953

On June 2nd( my birthday just not 1953)  was the coronation and this famous song was all the rage in the UK by this Orchestra leader while Percy Faith was the leader over in our woods. It was written by George Auric and called “Where Is Your Heart” or “ It’s April Again.”

5. BADDEST OF THEM ALL WRITTEN AND SUNG BY ELIZA ROSE 2022

I know, more than my usual 3 songs but I had to pick the top parts of Queen E and her death is a tribute to her as well even with this song. I actually don’t hate it. What a difference between 1926 and today. 

Which songs would you pick as a tribute even if you didn’t care for the Queen?

Thursday Movie Picks- Historical Mysteries

 

Wandering through the Shelves chose a good one but my brain must be tired because I was stumped. I already used “The Name of the Rose” so I started to think of real mysteries and came up with the 3 I have listed below.

1. MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS-1974

Based on an Agatha Christie novel which, I am certain, she based on the famous Lindbergh baby kidnapping case, stars Albert Finney as the famous detective, Hercules Poirot, on board the famous Orient Express filled with some very interesting characters. He is asked by an American business man to find out who might be trying to kill him but Poirot shows no interest but, before you can say “knife”, the man is knifed to death. Now, Poirot must find out who the murderer is and he has the time to do it since a huge amount of snow fell on top of the tracks. I love this film with some great actors, Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Perkins, Wendy Hiller and Ingrid Bergman, who won an Oscar for her role, chewing up the scenery. This is a regal acting tour de force. I haven’t seen the remake but I bet it’s not as good as this original.

2. MURDER BY DECREE-1979

Sherlock Holmes, along with Dr. Watson, are trying to figure out who Jack the Ripper is in this lesser known film of this famous sleuth. Christopher Plummer plays Holmes with James Mason as Watson, decided to play these characters with more human ways than the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Films. Jack the Ripper is at large, and, as we all know, is one of the most famous serial killers that is yet unidentified. This film follows the belief that the Masonic Order is part of this horrible mystery that try to thwart Holmes and Watson from finding out the truth. I really liked this film which, I thought, was quite well acted and a new way of presenting these characters. I’d love to see it again as it has been decades.

3. THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK-1998

I need to see the original 1939 movie because, I bet, it is better than this version. This man actually did exist but he was not in an iron mask but a red velvet one and was given  everything he needed except his freedom and he was not allowed to talk. This took place during the reign of King Louis 14th, the Sun King and the hypothesis is that this man was a dead ringer for the king and may have even been his twin brother. In order to maintain his crown, the King had his doppelgänger locked up. Alexander Dumas wrote a story  based on this prisoner, but put him in an iron mask and, from there, the legend grew along with movies. This film stars Leonardo in the dual role of the snotty ass King and the humble, smelly prisoner who is liberated by the 3 Musketeers. Now they wish to place this kid on the throne and put snot in the prison but complications arise. It’s a fun frolic but Leo seemed overwhelmed by this role and the film could have been better but it’s still fun to watch.

Which films can you think of?

Driving To School With My Brother

 

School has started in my neck of the woods now and it still can make me shudder. When my brother got his driver’s license, he couldn’t wait to drive to school and who could blame him since we had to take the stupid bus for over an hour. I was so happy to get a ride with him once I entered High School, much to his chagrin, I think, because I was 3 years younger and could cramp his style...hahahaa. I’m not sure what his style was but that didn’t matter as I was happy not to be on the bus until I had to sit in his back seat and listen to that music. Now, please forgive me as I was a young 14 yr old geek who loved classical music, movie music, ABBA and ELO. I still love all I just mentioned, but I now also really enjoy the music I am about to mention and know how great it actually is. I may not own Hendrix or Joplin but I do enjoy listening to it. I wouldn’t mind the greatest hits of Steppenwolf though...

1. FOXY LADY BY JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE-1967

My brother fell in love with Jimi Hendrix’s sound and would play his music incessantly. He may differ on that, but I remember how often I had to listen to his music. This song was one I had to listen to while stuck in the back seat and thought it was disgusting. Hahahaaa

2. SOOKIE, SOOKIE BY STEPPENWOLF-1968

I didn’t mind this song, written by Don Covey and Steve Cropper from this band, but, to this day, I have no clue WTF it means and it was not a fav of mine to listen to it...often.

3.  PIECE OF MY HEART BY JANIS JOPLIN-1968

This song was written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns and introduced by Aretha’s sister, Erma Franklin but became mega famous by Janis Joplin. I truly appreciate and like how she sings this song now but, back then, I just couldn’t stand her screeching, as I used to call it. It still is a bit but I ...like the way she sings it.

I hope my brother reads this and adds his 4 cents worth. Any songs you hated back in the day but like now?

By the way, our Harley really sleeps this way. He has nothing to do with school, I just thought he is funny.

Star Of The Month-September

 CLAUDETTE COLBERT

BORN: September 13, 1903 (some now say 1901)

DIED: July 30, 1996

AGED: 92 years old

DIED FROM: Old age after a series of small strokes

REAL NAME: Emilie Claudette Chauchoin

MARRIAGES: 2 times-first to actor Norman Foster; 2nd to a doctor

AFFAIRS: Clark Gable. Maybe others but...will talk later

CHILDREN: Zip

NICKNAME: Lily; The Fretting Frog(by the crew)

KNOWN FOR: hating her right side of her face so much that she had it built, into any contracts, that they could only film her from her left side. She once had the whole set be redone so it forced the cameramen to film her on her left side plus she would, sometimes, paint her right side of her face green. This is why the crew called her the Fretting Frog.

OSCAR WIN: It Happened One Night-1934

OSCAR NOMS: Private Worlds-1935

                            Since You Went Away-1944

Claudette was a huge, I mean, huge star and should be better remembered than she is today. When one hears her name now, it is always about her being a closeted lesbian because of a picture of her riding down a slide with Marlene Dietrich where they look like they are having fun and her personal friendships with Verna Hull, a wealthy heiress, and her last friendship with Helen O'Hagan. There are no pictures of her kissing these ladies just rumours seeming to come out only after she kicked the bucket. Sure, maybe a rag magazine may have suggested something but Oh My God! Does every chick in Hollywood have to be gay, Bi or whatever? Her and Verna had a close friendship where they went halfs on a NYC Condo and, when Claudette and her husband bought a home in Barbados, Verna bought one next to her. The friendship ended horribly when Verna said something disparaging about Claudette's dying husband and it came to verbal blows. Soon after her spouse died, her mother and brother died and, even though she had a difficult relationship with her mother (unsure about her brother), she became really good friends with Helen. Helen was born in 1930 and other friends said Claudette thought of her as the daughter she never had. When Claudette died, she left the bulk of her estate to Helen with a statement saying to treat her as if she were my spouse. From that, it is suggested they had  more than just a loving friendship. Well then, I must be a lesby because I consider my best friend and I soul mates and would love to live with her if I should outlive my beloved hubby. 

OK, got that out of the way and, Joel, if you read this and wish to let me know if I am in the wrong, please do. Her first husband and her never did live together, which is strange but her mom, a controller, hated his guts and she lived with Claudette so.... 7 years later, they divorced. 

Claudette, aside from her vain insecurity, was a very genial person, mostly. She did not get along at all with Frank Capra who said she would throw fits on the set. This might be because she, and Gable, were both loaned out to Poverty Row Studio, Columbia, to make this awful picture called "It Happened One Night" as punishment. Claudette also disliked working with Paulette Goddard who became friends with Veronca Lake and overheard Goddard say she got along better with Lake because they were closer in age. (Goddard was closer in age to Colbert but hey...I think it's the vain thing going on here). Otherwise, Claudette was known to be a good egg and could do comedy and drama equally well and wanted to do her very best. 

She actually never wanted to become a film star loving Broadway theatre much more but, the money was good and she became famous very early on despite a horrible first movie (a silent). When film parts started to go, she did quite a bit of TV during the 50s and 60s plus she returned to theatre. After decades off of the TV/Film she returned to "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" in 1987 winning a Golden Globe and was up for an Emmy. She may have had a second movie career starring as Margo Channing (instead of Bette Davis ) in "The Lady Eve" but she was in traction severely hurting her back doing a stunt in another film ("Three Came Home"...my favourite). To be honest, I can't see anyone else but Bette in the role. 

FILMS

1. The Sign of the Cross (famous for bathing in asses' milk which curdled and stank after a couple of days)-1932

2. Cleopatra-1934

3. Imitation of Life-1934

4. The Gilded Lady-1935

5. Bluebeard's Eigth Wife-1938

6. Midnight-1939

7. Drums Along The Mohawk-1939

8. The Palm Beach Story-1942

9. So Proudly We Hail-1943

10. The Egg & I-1947

11. Three Came Home-1950

What i Watched in August

 

 

That's moi with Harley on Lake Erie wishing I brought my bathing suit. I do more than watch movies :)) but, at night, I will put in a film which hubby and I watch. This is what I saw in August...

1. ROPE-1948

Excellent Hitchcock film. Not as good as his golden films but better than I thought. 2 gay students kill a "friend" for fun, stash him in a huge trunk and have a gathering of people, including Jimmy Stewart as their former professor, just for the kicks. It's an experimental film for Hitchcock to film it as one continuous shot. There was only 10 minutes before film ran out so the camera centers on the back of someone for the change in film. It's a trifle annoying but nothing major. Stewart Granger and John Dall are excellent as the killers.

2. THE BIRDS-1963

Tippi Hedren plays a madcap heiress who buys lovebirds to bring it out to a lawyer's home in a small fishing village. Little does she know that the birds, not the lovebirds, are very, very angry and about to cause mayhem. I feel this film is all about Hitchcock's mind. Yikes!

3. AT ETERNITY'S GATE - 2018

Willem Dafoe plays Van Gogh during the time he ventures down to the South of France, Gauguin's visit, ear coming off, visit to the sanitarium etc.. This is more of a character study than a biography. It's good but I still prefer Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh.

4. BRIDGE AT REMEGEN-1969

WW2 movie about the allies trying to stop the Krauts from getting that bridge. It's a good war flick starring George Segal.

5. THE TRAIN- 1964

Burt Lancaster plays a Frenchman( go with it) who has a high position on the train yards and is a leader of the Resistance movement. This leader now must try and stop this nasty Nazi from taking priceless works of art out of France and into Germany. Excellent movie based on fact.

6. ROB ROY- 1995

Liam Neeson plays the title character who values honour over anything. When a nasty dandy wrecks havoc over his home, he makes Rob very angry. Based, somewhat, on the actual Roy and events. Well done, acted and photographed. It put Liam on the map 

7. MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN- 2019

Ed Norton's baby, since he directed and stars in this film about a very smart PI wannabe, with Tourettes, who is trying to solve the murder of his boss. Better than I thought it would be. Clearly, he loves the old films of the film Noir.

8. RED JOAN - 2018

Another film based on a true story starring Judi Dench as an old lady who, for decades, gave over top secret documents to the enemy thinking she was defending her land. Of course, it's wonderfully acted by Dame Judi. Quite a nice gem.

9  TENDERNESS- 2009

Russell Crowe plays a homicide detective watching over a young man, who killed his parents, when he was a teen, let out of jail for delinquents. Crowe believes the kid is a psychopath and serial killer. On another storyline  this sad, troubled girl  who lets men use her, has an unhealthy wish to meet the young man. This is a did he, will he, wtf is that little girl thinking kind if movie. Not an uplifting one but not bad. Not sure I'll watch it again any time soon.

10. SAINTS & SOLDIERS: THE VOID- 2014

This is the 3rd in a trilogy but you can watch each separately. Takes place during the last days of WW2 where we see men trying to stay alive but also the prejudice the African American men felt while fighting for their country that treats them like shit. It's not great by any means but, again, better than I thought it would be. I did like the fact that they showed tgat not all Germans were Nazi loving vampires wanting to bathe in everyone's blood. 

11. LADY HAMILTON COMMENTARY-1941

I watched the film a couple of month's back but finally saw the commentary by a film historian and really enjoyed it. THE film is excellent and I loved listening to all the little tidbits even though I knew most but it was beat to hear some extras on this great film.

TV SHOWS

1. PICARD SEASON 2- 2022

I loved watching this show with Q being a pain in the ass to Picard sending him and his small group into an alternate reality. Now everything's changed to the worse and they realize that it changed back in..yup, our time. They must go back in time and find out what needs to change..or not change to set things right. Along the way we learn more about Picard and what makes him ...him. I enjoyed it and don't care if they screw up the prime directive..who cares...it's fun.

2. CRAFTERS - 2022

it still playing so I don't know the ending but this has the Prince of Wales involved. You have 8 artists who do a craft that is slowly becoming a, somewhat, lost art from forgers, and weavers to marble sculpting and glass making. Each learn the others' craft before, at the end, the Prince chooses a craft from one that  he feels  is extraordinary. I'm enjoying this and looking forward to the ending. 

3. THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: MARION ANDERSON-2012

I saw a picture of this lady, in my Life Magazine book of famous photos, when I was a kid, and always wanted to know more about her. I instantly disliked the Daughters of the American Revolution for being a bunch of prejudiced prigs for not allowing her to sing in their hall. The great Eleanor Roosevelt, told them off  took her name off of their list and set it up so Marion could si g in front of the Lincoln Memorial. This lady could sing!!! A contralto,  soprano who could also sing Alto brought many kings, Queens and the ordinary Joe to tears in Europe only to face bigotry in her own homeland just makes my head shake in disgust. If you ever get a chance, watch this.

Lengthy.. sorry. Have a fab weekend everyone 

Thursday Movie Picks-Capers

 

Last week was a tough one but this week I just chose the first 3 movies  that popped into my head but this will be a popular week, as opposed to last week, which was a toughie. Wandering through the Shelves is the brainchild of this weekly theme post where you choose 3 movies that fit that weeks’ theme. This week, it’s all about the caper and I could have taken this in so many ways  like Bulldog Drummond or The Thin Man series but I went traditional, if I can call it that.  Here are my 3...

1. THE ASPHALT JUNGLE-1950

I love this classic caper about a man, Riemenschneider, played wonderfully, by Sam Jaffe, as a conman who is let out of jail after 7 years. Before he can say holy prison yard Batman, he’s back at it wanting to commit a jewelry heist but needs money and man power. He visits with an distinguished, but corrupt, lawyer, played by Louis Calhern, who decides to give him the money plus tell him which men he can use. This lawyer is married but has a gal on the side played by a young Marilyn Monroe in one of her better early roles. Sam meets up with the safecracker, the guy who will drive the getaway car and the thug played really well by Sterling Hayden. You are in on how they will  do the crime, acting out the crime and the aftermath. You learn about each character and their hopes and dreams. It is excellently directed by John Huston, written and shot in the classic black & white( ignore the colourized version)  which just creates a great  film worth seeing.

2. TO CATCH A THIEF- 1955

You know this was a given because it fits so well with this week’s theme. Cary Grant plays a retired jewel thief who must come out of retirement, sort of speak, because there is a copycat trying to place the blame on good ole Cary. He goes to the French Riviera to speak to his old French resistance “friends “ who blame him for being found out as resistance fighters. He soon meets very wealthy American mother and daughter tourists, played by Jesse Royce Landis and the beautiful Grace Kelly. Grace knows who he is and tempts him with her diamonds and her alluring kisses( with a great look into the camera by Cary). When  they kiss on the couch, you see the fireworks..how Freudian, Mr. Hitchcock. The gowns (I always wanted the blue o e and the white one), the scenery, Cary and Grace are all beautiful to look at making you forget you are watching a Hitchcock film. It’s one of his most sophisticated films he made which culminates in a fancy masquerade ball.

3. THE PINK PANTHER-1964

I spoke about this film before but I just love it and it so fits the theme. It starts off with Capucine running away so she will not be captured by the police. When she gets into the elevator, she quickly changes her coat, hat and shoes and comes out looking very different. We soon learn she is the wife of inspector Clouseau, played perfectly by Peter Sellers. He is a bumbling oaf who is trying to capture this jewel thief. The rare diamond, called the Pink Panther, owned by the Indian princess, played by Claudia Cardinale, will make an appearance at a Swiss chalet. Clouseau and his wife high tail it to the Alps to protect the princess and the diamond. There we meet David Niven and his horned up nephew, played by Robert Wagner. You find out Niven is the thief and Capucine is his lover. Hijinks ensues which culminates at a masquerade ball and a hilarious chase around the streets of some French town involving men in gorilla suits, a knight, and a zebra. Very, very funny picture with some great songs, great locations and very funny bits. It's so worth seeing 

Which 3 would you choose?