Monthly Archives: May 2011
Oscar Vault Monday – Libeled Lady, 1936 (dir. Jack Conway)
Libeled Lady is one of those films that was only nominated for one Academy Award, the big one: Best Picture. I don’t have the stats on how often this happened, but early on in the process and especially from 1931-1943 when they had more than five nominees (the 5th ceremony had eight nominated films and the 6th-16th ceremonies each had ten nominated films), this was more common than it is now. Regardless, it is a wonderful screwball comedy with an outstanding main cast: Jean Harlow, William Powell, Spencer Tracy and Myrna Loy. All four of them have amazing comic timing and chemistry to spare. The other films nominated that year were: Anthony Adverse, Dodsworth, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Romeo and Juliet, San Francisco, The Story of Louis Pasteur, A Tale of Two Cities, Three Smart Girls and winner The Great Ziegfeld.
Movie Quote of the Day – Primary Colors, 1998 (dir. Mike Nichols)
Henry Burton: Come back, Shane! Run for president!
Movie Quote of the Day – I’m Not There., 2007 (dir. Todd Haynes)
Jude: I’ll tell ya, love and sex are two things that really hang people up. And why that is, I’ll, I’ll never fully understand.
Movie Quote of the Day – Mighty Aphrodite, 1995 (dir. Woody Allen)
Lenny: Hey, you got an appetite like a lumberjack here.
Linda: Oh, well, thank you.
My Love For Woody Allen: Week 2.5
You can see the first two parts of my look at Woody Allen’s complete directorial filmography here and here and don’t forget about the Woody Allen Blogathon on May 20th. This post covers Allen’s work from 1992 to 2000. While perhaps not the strongest period in his career (especially compared to the previous decade), this decade was far kinder to Allen’s talent than what came after.
Movie Quote of the Day – Braveheart, 1995 (dir. Mel Gibson)
Magistrate: It can all end. Right now! Bliss. Peace. Just say it. Cry out. “Mercy!”
Crowd: Mer-cy! Mer-cy! Mer-cy!
Magistrate: The prisoner wishes to say a word!
[beat]
Hamish and Stephen: Mercy, William. . .Say Mercy. . .
[beat]
William Wallace: FREEEEEDOMMMMMM!
The Magnificent Ambersons Available For Pre-Order On DVD!
This is a film that has never been available on DVD in North America, so this is exciting news! The downside (sort of?) is that it’s only available from Amazon as part of its 70th Anniversary release of Citizen Kane. I actually just bought Citizen Kane on DVD, but I think I may have to get this regardless. This is huge news for the classic film world. You can pre-order the films here.
Movie Quote of the Day – Marathon Man, 1976 (dir. John Schlesinger)
Dr. Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Thomas “Babe” Levy: Are you talking to me?
Dr. Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Thomas “Babe” Levy: Is what safe?
Dr. Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Thomas “Babe” Levy: I don’t know what you mean. I can’t tell you if something is safe or not unless I know specifically what you’re talking about.
Dr. Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Thomas “Babe” Levy: Tell me what the “it” refers to.
Dr. Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Thomas “Babe” Levy: Yes, it’s safe. It’s very safe. So safe you wouldn’t believe it.
Dr. Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Thomas “Babe” Levy: No, it’s not safe. It’s very dangerous. Be careful.
Dr. Christian Szell: Relax, relax. Come on. Open. Open. It’s OK. That hurt? I should think it would. You should take better care of your teeth. You have quite a cavity here. [beat] Is it safe?
Thomas “Babe” Levy: I told you I can’t tell you [screams in pain]
Dr. Christian Szell: Think he knows? He’s being very stubborn.
Thomas “Babe” Levy: No, please. Please don’t. No.
Dr. Christian Szell: It’s OK. [beat] Is it not remarkable? Simple oil of cloves and how amazing the results. Life can be that simple; relief – discomfort. Now, which of these I next apply, that decision is in your hands, so take your time and tell me. Is it safe?
Guest Post: Hans Albers, Germany’s singing John Wayne
Trevor has once again written a post for Cinema Fanatic! This time it’s on a subject I have absolutely no knowledge of, so I will be learning along with you all.
Movie Quote of the Day – The Constant Gardener, 2005 (dir. Fernando Meirelles)
Tessa: Take me to Africa with you.
Justin: What? Roll you up in a rug? Pack you in a tea chest?
Tessa: Very funny.
Justin: I’d have to smuggle you in as illicit goods. I couldn’t declare you. Oh, listen. I could put you in one of these plant boxes, and you’d be very comfortable, wrapped up in a little piece of, uh, I could label you. “Tessa.”
Tessa: I’m serious.
Justin: Um, yeah, I can see you are. [beat] And in what. . .what capacity should I take you to Africa?
Tessa: I don’t mind. You can take me as your mistress, lover, wife.
Justin: There’s too much choice.
the diary of a film history fanatic 