Yearly Archives: 2011
Woody Allen Blogathon
Woody Allen’s newest feature Midnight In Paris opens in the United States on May 20th, 2011. To celebrate this I’ve started writing about his filmography (having recently finished watching all of his films). You can read the first post here, there are three more to come before the 20th. But on that day I’d also like to do a blogathon, wherein everyone contributes something. It could be on your favorite Allen film, your least favorite, a scene, an actor, anything in relation to Woody Allen and his films. If you’re interested in participating, use one of the graphics below (or make your own!) and post it to your blog with a link back to this post and on the day of I will gather them all together! Your post doesn’t have to be written on the day of the blogathon, just be sure to send me the post before that day, so I can link them all. You can send your links to here: maryag7[at]gmail.com
I look forward to your contributions!
Movie Quote of the Day – Mommie Dearest, 1981 (dir. Frank Perry)
Joan Crawford: Noooo wiiiiire haaaaaangers! What’s wire hangers doing in this closet when I told you no wire hangers, everrrr?!
What’s The Big Deal About The Big Screen?
I love seeing movies in theaters. I always have. One of my earliest memories is seeing Willow on the big screen when I was about three years old. In recent years I haven’t been able to go to movies on the big screen as often as I used to. And most recently I’ve been really into classic film, so it’s been doubly hard to see anything on the big screen. Though, when I was in college I went to the Pacific Film Archive to see classic films occasionally. I saw my first Buster Keaton film there (Seven Chances) and I saw The Shop Around The Corner (twice). One of the first things I did when I went to college was to see Nosferatu at the PFA with a live organ accompaniment. I saw a handful of other films over the years there, too. When I lived in San Francisco I only managed to see one classic film at the Castro – George Stevens’s Giant. It was amazing. I did, however, see a few cult 90s films there, too. This past weekend at the TCM Classic Film Festival I saw about 11 classic films or so on the big screen within a four day period. It was mind-blowing. Seeing Citizen Kane on the big screen at Grauman’s Chinese Theater was life-changing. I fell in love with A Place In The Sun, a film I was previously eh about. I discovered the humor in Becket. I lost all ability to function while watching West Side Story. So what is it that makes seeing a film on the big screen so dynamic?
Movie Quote of the Day – The Magnificent Ambersons, 1942 (dir. Orson Welles)
Narrator: Something had happened. A thing which, years ago, had been the eagerest hope of many, many good citizens of the town, and now it had come at last; George Amberson Minafer had got his comeuppance. He got it three times filled, and running over. But those who had so longed for it were not there to see it, and they never knew it. Those who were still living had forgotten all about it and all about him.
Guest Post: Ten Great Films To Get You Hooked On Pre-Code Hollywood
Trevor Jost, whom I met this past weekend at the TCM Classic Film Festival, has graciously written this post, sharing with us some Pre-Code Hollywood films he hopes will get you hooked on the era.
Movie Quote of the Day – The Shop Around The Corner, 1940 (dir. Ernst Lubitsch)
Alfred Kralik: Can you see her?
Pirovitch: Yes.
Alfred Kralik: Is she pretty?
Pirovitch: Very pretty.
Alfred Kralik: She is, huh?
Pirovitch: I should say, she looks, she has a little of the coloring of Klara.
Alfred Kralik: Klara, Miss Novak of the shop?
Pirovitch: Now, Kralik, you must admit Klara is a very good looking girl, and personally I’ve always found her a very likable girl.
Alfred Kralik: Well this is a fine time to talk about Miss Novak.
Pirovitch: Well, if you don’t like Miss Novak, I can tell you right now you won’t like that girl.
Alfred Kralik: Why?
Pirovitch: Because it is Miss Novak.
My Love For Woody Allen: Week 1
I recently finished watching every single film Woody Allen has ever directed, as well as most of the ones he either wrote or just starred in, but didn’t direct. His latest film, Midnight In Paris, is set to open at the end of the month. Thus I have decided to write a little bit about all of his films up until its premiere. I’m not going to go very in-depth, mostly because of the sheer volume of his body of work. Also, I’m going to start with Take The Money and Run because that’s the first film he wrote and directed (but you should still give What’s New Pussycat? and What’s Up Tiger Lily a watch). Other films I won’t write about but suggest you watch include Play It Again, Sam (based on a play Allen wrote and starring Allen and Diane Keaton) and The Front (a really great look at the Hollywood blacklist). So for this first week I’m going to go through Stardust Memories and then pick up at A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy next week, etc. etc. Also, while you’re at it check out this handy dandy aStore I set up featuring all of Allen’s work.
Movie Quote of the Day – Becket, 1964 (dir. Peter Glenville)
Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine: I gave you my youth, I gave you your children.
King Henry II: I don’t like my children! And as for your youth, that withered flower, pressed between the pages of a hymnbook since you were twelve years old, with its watery blood and stale insipid scent, you can bid farewell to that without a tear. Your body was an empty desert, madame, which duty forced me to wander in alone.
Movie Quote of the Day – The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1939 (dir. William Dieterle)
Quasimodo: I never realized till now how ugly I am, because you’re so beautiful.
TCM Classic Film Festival: Citizen Kane
As many of you know, I recently covered the TCM Classic Film Festival for YAM Magazine. You can see the first of those articles here; there will be three more posted throughout the week. I’ll keep my general comments short and just say that it was fabulous and look for my article on YAM tomorrow for more details. I saw lots of really wonderful films on the big screen and I write about those experiences in the article that will be published tomorrow. That being said, I wanted to share one revelation I had while watching Citizen Kane. It is of the spoilery nature, so I thought it best to post it here, under the safety of jump-cut.
the diary of a film history fanatic 