Thursday, January 31, 2008

Vertigo- # 9



Starring: James Stewart as Scottie, Kim Novak as Madeline

Released: 1958

Genre: Film Noire/Thriller

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Netflix rating: 5 out of 5 stars, my rating: 3- 1/2 out of 5 stars

Favorite quote: Midge: You want to know something? I don't think Mozart's going to help at all.

This is an old movie. I like it, as I have liked most Hitchcock films- not because they are the easiest to watch mind you, but because of the way the stories they tell. And the fact that they always have some sort of twists and/or turns that keep you watching. Hitchcock is known for his filming techniques- which I don't know a whole lot about- so I don't really have a comment on that. Although he does some interesting stuff with color when Scottie is having a mental breakdown. I do know is that this film is interesting in it's ability to keep me guessing at what is going on. Kim Novak is phenomenal at playing the part of the possessed woman. She gets this blank stare in her eyes and looks through everything. James Stewart is his typical charachter- I love it, but he is the same guy in every film that I have seen, I am hoping to find a different charachter in some of the ones I haven't seen yet. Sometimes it gets jumpy- but you catch up in the end.

I think Barbara Bel Geddes has all the funniest lines in the movie- she plays Scottie's friend, Midge. There is another great line about a bra that is hanging in her work space... She tells Scottie that he should know about those things, being a big boy and all. It's funny. Cracks me up! Let me know what you think if you have seen it, or watch it anytime soon.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Silence of the Lambs- #74


First and foremost- a big giant thank you to Kelly- she helped me come up with a "punny" name for my new blog. It may change down the line- but it's a good start!

Last night I got home and dilly-dallied around for a while, then decided to watch a movie. I have decided to watch the movies in a no-particular-order manner.
I started with The Silence of the Lambs.


Starring: Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter
Released: 1991 by Orion
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Director: Jonathon Demme
Netflix rating: 4 out of 5 stars, my rating: same
Favorite quotes:

***Hannibal Lecter: A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.
***Hannibal Lecter: Why do you think he removes their skins, Agent Starling?
Hannibal Lecter: Enthrall me with your acumen.
Clarice Starling: It excites him. Most serial killers keep some sort of trophies from their victims.
Hannibal Lecter: I didn't.
Clarice Starling: No. No, you ate yours.

I really like this movie. It's quite scary. I hadn't seen it in a long time. The scariest scene in the whole movie was when they were taking Lecter to see the mother of the latest victim. A plastic mask covering his mouth and nose is placed on his face and he is thoroughly strapped to a dolly. It is the most resonating scene in the movie for me. Simply creepy! What kills me is watching Anthony Hopkins play a character like Lecter. He talks in such a manner that from the very beginning is eerie and continues to prove so throughout the movie. I think it's the cadence of his speech. It's pretty creepy if you ask me. I also found myself almost routing for Lecter. I know that he is a monstrous villain- yet I couldn't help but like him and his overwhelming intelligence. He is rather clever, isn't he?
1 down, 99 to go!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

New goal

I have been inspired! It doesn't really take that much...My blog is going to take on a new life for a while....a revived one at that- sorry it's been so long. So here's the story morning glory:

I was reading a magazine that Becky left behind...It was the January edition of Elle Magazine...usually just fashion and girly stuff. This issue however had an interesting article. It was about 8 people that took on a New Year's task for 30 days. One person worked for on improving her memory, one worked on eating right, one worked on reading poetry and liking it. The one that inspired me was the person wthat gave up TV to watch as many of the AFI's 100 greatest movies. This is where the idea came in: I don't really watch TV as it is, so that's the easy part. But, I want to watch ALL 100 movies that the AFI has deemed to be the greatest movies of all time. I just looked them up on-line and printed off the list. I have gone to Netflix and loaded my queue with a good majority of them and will set off on my journey as soon as the first one arrives. Actually I think that I own a few of them, and will watch one tonight. I plan on turning my boring (you can agree with that, it's okay) and practically non-existent blog into a movie review forum. Ok- that's a little too "Ebert and Roper" or whoever- but you get the idea....movies will be my life and that of my blog from now on....100 movies, 100 reviews and other quippy things....I'm sure you will all be waiting with bated breath....I know I am.....

So the question I pose to all of you is.... What should the new and improved title of this bolg be....I have already changed the tag line....but the title is eluding me. Help me out with some suggestions, if you would. Also, should I start with#100 and go up the list or should I start at #1 and go down the list??