Three out of four (movies) isn't too bad

Here at the Estates this week-end (if Thursday counts) we had four movies; National Treasure with Nicholas Cage, Ferris Bueler's Day off with Matthew Broderick, Best years of our Lives with Myrna Loy, and Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn. I liked all but Funny Face.

National Treasure (2004) follows historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicholas Cage) "as he uncovers clues tied to the legendary Knights Templar treasure, setting him in a high-stakes race against a ruthless rival to protect the Declaration of Independence. This globe-hopping, clue-solving adventure blends American history with fast-paced action, offering plenty of thrills and family-friendly fun. While its plot is improbable, reviewers praise its entertainment value, likening it to a modern-day Indiana Jones." 21 Years Later, Nic Cage's $347 Million Adventure Movie Is a Sleeper Streaming Hit

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) stars Matthew Broderick as "a charming high school senior who fakes illness to spend an unforgettable day exploring Chicago with his best friend and girlfriend, while evading his principal and suspicious sister. . . sharp humor, memorable characters, and moments of heart, making this a light, witty, and culturally iconic coming-of-age comedy that remains a must-watch for its rebellious spirit and timeless charm." Ferris Bueller couldn’t take his day off in 2026 - The Observer

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) follows three WWII veterans from different walks of life as they return to their hometown and face the challenges of reintegrating into civilian society. With themes of post-war trauma, disability, love, and shifting social roles, William Wyler’s moving drama blends realism with heartfelt storytelling. Acclaimed for its performances, human depth, and sensitive direction, it remains a timeless classic and one of cinema’s greatest portrayals of veterans’ experiences.

Best years of our Lives I'd seen before but even with its age it points to problems of veterans we've come to expect--alcoholism, disabilities, PTSD, and family break-ups. The home front is also not without its casualties movie review

Funny Face (1957) "follows a shy Greenwich Village book clerk whose unexpected discovery by a fashion photographer whisks her into the world of haute couture and Parisian romance. With dazzling musical numbers by George and Ira Gershwin, chic Givenchy costumes, and the charm of Audrey Hepburn alongside Fred Astaire, it’s a stylish, lighthearted satire of fashion and beatnik culture. Critics praise its elegance, wit, and visual flair, making it a timeless classic worth watching."

Although it had good reviews, by the end of the movie all of us had left Funny Face before it was over. But the clothes were gorgeous. I don't think it worked as a musical and the 30 year age difference between the stars were really off putting. 

I'm not sure the small reviews are AI generated or Wikipedia, but I didn't write them.

80 for Brady, watching football can be fun

Inspired by a true story, this film shown at The Estates (a rom com?) tonight tells of four lifelong friends in their 80s (played by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field) who travel to Houston to watch Tom Brady and his New England Patriots play in Super Bowl LI in 2017. Seventeen years before the 4 had gathered to help Lily get through her cancer treatment and had a tradition of watching him together. They win tickets (they think) and have hilarious adventures on the trip and at the game. 

Enjoying a night at the movies at The Estates

Tonight's movie at the Estates is Brigadoon, and according to Rotten Tomatoes: "Tommy Albright (Gene Kelly) and Jeff Douglas (Van Johnson), two American pals on a Scottish hunting trip, get lost in the woods and come upon the magical village of Brigadoon. Rising out of the Scottish mist only once every 100 years, and only for one day, Brigadoon is an enchanted place where life is simpler and easier, untouched by the worries of the modern world. When Tommy falls for beautiful villager Fiona Campbell (Cyd Charisse), he must decide whether to stay or to return to his life."

 
Watching these old movies is refreshing just for the fashions of the fifties and forties. Of course, it's fantasy, but so is the news. Last night was To catch a Thief with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly; Friday was The Country Girl with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly; April 4 (Saturday) was A Tree grows in Brooklyn; March 27 was Double Indemnity with Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck; March 29 was a real sleeper I'd never heard of and not very old, Secondhand Lions with Michael Caine and Robert Duvall--great old cars. Sunday March 15 we watched the movie The Swan with Grace Kelly. Sort of like a Hallmark movie where royals get married.  Friday March 13 was Big with Tom Hanks.

Now, Voyager (1942) with Bette Davis

Last night at The Estates we saw the movie "Now, Voyager" which stars Bette Davis and Paul Henreid (1942, B&W). She develops a sense of self confidence and independence after a nervous breakdown through the course of the story. (". . .the themes abound in this tale, including metamorphosis, mother guilt, emotional blackmail, pioneering concepts of psychotherapy and psychiatry, conditional love vs. unconditional love, and unconventional love.") It is based on a book (1941) of the same name by Olive Higgins Prouty who had two nervous breakdowns and draws on some on her own experience. I had never seen the movie, and I find the background of the author almost as interesting as the film. I discovered a podcast that compares books with the films on which they are based. So, if you've had an opportunity to curl up on cold nights with a good melodrama, and see this one, you might also enjoy two women talking about the book vs. film. https://youtu.be/A3ow2pF33Wc?si=qIO__ZmO3Ch5i5LB

All Of Bette Davis' Best Movies, Ranked By Fans

Advice for cancer patients

 Yesterday I decided to repack some of Phil's things in nicer boxes, and then to put the sympathy, get well, and thinking of you cards, notes and letters inside the boxes. There were well over 200 of those.  Of course, then I had to pause and reread them, which is sort of kick in the stomach, but I remember the comfort they brought us in the Spring of 2020 and when he died in April.  One is particularly worth sharing because it's good advice for cancer patients.  It's from his cousin who is 12 years older and was a great help to us in filing the paper work for social security disability (although the first check didn't arrive until after he died).

"I was hoping to be able to find words of strength and encouragement that I could share as you deal with all your health challenges.  But it's hard to find anything profound and helpful to say, though I wish I could.  I had cancer five years ago and it's a long, lonely journey in many respects--no one else can really understand what you're going through, even when someone has had cancer themselves. So I mostly just wanted to tell you to hang in there, keep fighting, and don't shut people out.  I wanted to do everything alone, and just be alone, and in retrospect I wish I'd let more people in and had been able to be more welcoming of the support.  At least more welcoming of the food people offered that we kept turning down!

My one cancer survival tip is to tell you to laugh every chance you can get--not an easy task on the days when it's hard to even get out of bed but it's worth creating every possible opportunity to do so.  For months I watched only comedies and comedy specials on TV.  I rented ridiculous movies, watched every stand-up comedian I could find, and went to every funny movie I could go to.  I was the only thing I enjoyed while going through treatment.  I'm sure the endorphins that laughter produces helped--but mostly it just felt like an escape and respite from doctors and hospitals and all the people hovering over me and all the cancer talk.

Completely unrelated but I also, for some reason, enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles--although not sure that's something you'd like.  I sounds pretty old-fashioned and dull (although as the most elderly of the Corbett cousins I'm sure it's my duty to share old-fashioned ideas), but I found it very soothing.  I was such a concrete and orderly thing to do, when everything else seem chaotic and out of control--I knew how to start with the edges, how to organize the colors, how to finish, how to rip it up when I was done.  And best of all I could do it even when my brain was foggy."

And she included Rolling Stone's list of the 25 funniest movies of all time.

New Movie about the Biden Crime family--My Son Hunter

"Dynasty" Star John James will play the role of Joe Biden in the film, "My Son Hunter." "The script has it all. Money, power, greed, sex, drugs, and alcohol. It kind of reminds me of Dynasty . . . This is a common tale of a father’s ultimate love for his son, despite his major shortcomings. My Son Hunter is an inside look at the world of politics.”

 
The media, big tech, and the establishment worked overtime to coverup the truth about the Biden Family Corruption. Soon you'll be able to see the movie. 16% of Biden voters would have not voted for him, had they known this story.

mysonhunter.com It's crowd sourced.  Send your tax-deductible gift securely online or you can send your gift by check to: The Unreported Story Society, 578 Washington Blvd #802, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

The film’s producers are Irish filmmakers and journalist couple Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney (“Gosnell,” “FrackNation”). McAleer said they were thrilled to have James on board the project.
“Joe Biden is a complex character,” explained McAleer. “At times he mumbles and stumbles but he also is one the longest serving politicians in Washington who has become very wealthy during his time in public service. John is the perfect actor to portray that complexity.”

McAleer said My Son Hunter will be “Austin Powers meets King Lear meets House of Cards.”
“Joe and Hunter have this strange King Lear style relationship. Hunter can never live up to his fathers’ expectations. And although Joe loves Hunter, he sees him both as an addict who needs help and a business opportunity to be exploited. This conflict is what makes for the great drama.”

The Oscars 2021

Oscar ratings went from
57.2 million in 1998
to 43.7 million in 2014
to 23.6 million 2020
to 9.8 million 2021

Movies no one wants to see and lectures no one wants to hear from very self-important people no one respects.

The dumbest cancer movie ever

Last night I watched “Little Bit of Heaven” wondering the whole time why I was wasting my time, except it's the pandemic and I'm running out of old, stupid movies, and I like the actress, Kate Hudson, or the memory of her.  She made one really great movie, Almost Famous, and we can always hope. . . 

Our son, Phil, died at 51 in April of glioblastoma.  His first sign was a seizure in October. But one thing in the movie did ring true--her anger and hateful behavior toward her friends and parents as the hopelessness of the disease progressed. At 80 I moved in with Phil to take care of him, and eventually we moved him to our home. His friends (he was very popular and may have had more friends than Bob and I together) were wonderful to him and to us.  I'll never forget their kindness. Eventually, I'll forget his anger and maybe resurrect the good times--but then at 80, I'm forgetful anyway. 

Back to Hudson.  She has wasted her talent.  Also, I see it was a Weinstein movie. Enough said on the bizarre sex themes--from the condom pitch she, an ad executive, had to sell at a meeting, to the boy sex toy, to the little person (a male prostitute who calls himself “Little Bit of Heaven,” to her gastroenterologist who performed her colonoscopy with whom she has an affair.  And let’s not forget the black gay best friend and black female God she talks to--really so trite. Weinstein.

And the character’s name is Marley Corbett!

I’ll never be a movie critic

The last two nights I watched movies I’d never heard of—Sex and the City (2008) and Uptown Girls (2003). I’d planned to blog about the fashions, actually.  But when I started researching them, I learned that Brittany Murphy who played the goofy nanny for Dakota Fanning’s character in Uptown Girls had died mysteriously in 2009. And also her father had mafia connections and that’s why she used her mother’s maiden name.  So I decided being a movie/fashion critic is harder than it looked. And I gave up.  It’s easier to try to figure out why anyone would vote for Joe Biden.

https://extratv.com/2019/12/20/brittany-murphy-a-look-back-at-her-mysterious-death-10-years-later/

Hallmark’s Winter Movie series

In order to avoid anything about the DNC, Democratic National Circus, I decided to continue with Hallmark's winter season, and found "Love in Paradise." Interestingly, the male lead was Luke Perry, probably the scrawniest, inept movie cowboy you'll ever see. He died of a stroke earlier this year at 52 and was originally from Ohio. It was a good story. I'd never seen 90210 so this was the first time to see him.  As lovers go, they were really mismatched.  But she did teach him to ride a horse, drive a truck and mend a fence.

https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/love-in-paradise/cast?

Hope it’s a false alarm

About 1:30 we were talking in my office—he needed to leave to set up for a quilt show at the church, and I planned to come over about 2:30 and take some photos.  Then I sneezed.  And then sneezed again, and again, and again, and again. Then I got a chill.  This is not the usual start of a cold for me, but I thought, between sneezes, maybe I should not go.  So I took and antihistamine and nap. Now listening to Vivaldi, sneezing and blowing my nose, drinking fluids.

Fortunately, I had everything ready for supper, and it will go in the oven for an hour. Sweet sour chicken from my new cookbook.

Last night I watched the Hallmark movie Love on Iceland.   Great scenery.  Main character Chloe gets her old college travel group together for a spectacular trip. Of course, her old boyfriend joins the group. Good acting, and fabulous setting.  I fell asleep at the end, but I know how these end. Happy ever after. https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family/videos/kaitlin-doubleday-love-on-iceland-interview-home-and-family

Little Women the movies

My friend Bev and I took a break from our busy lives and took in a movie yesterday, Little Women (2019). We both enjoyed it, but wondered about the actor cast as Laurie, Timothée Hal Chalamet. He's 24 and looks 12. Saoirse Una Ronan who plays Jo is 25 and looks a little older. Both are not household names, I suppose because no one can pronounce them.  I had a problem seeing what's-his-name as a dissolute, worldly man and global traveler. Using Jo's messy hair to show her wokeness as a contrast to her more authentically correct sisters also struck me as tiresome, but overall it was a good movie.

Bev is a bit more techy than I and had managed to reserve seats for us on her smart phone.  We got to the theater right at 11, and by the time we got our tickets there were probably 50+ people in line—mostly retirees.  $5.00.

I found the 1949 version to compare. Elizabeth Taylor was Amy and Peter Lawford was Laurie, and June Allyson's hair was closer to the 1868 fashion (as Jo) than the 2019 version.  I wonder if the public library has it.  I saw it with my mother in Ocean Grove, NJ in 1949 when my brother and I travelled with her and my grandparents to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. I thought Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh were the most beautiful women I’d ever seen.

https://youtu.be/kiI2hI1N9fQ

Then there’s also an interesting critique of the four movie versions, showing the development of the major characters and also changing their ages, nationalities, career challenges. I do wonder why today's (and the 90s) feminist critics think it's so wonderful for Jo to pursue money and career, but criticize men's empowerment to do the same thing. Always chasing men, I suppose.

https://youtu.be/nJGZoecSmrA

Also some interesting trivia.  During the 1949 making of Little Women, June Allyson was pregnant with her son, and then also her adoptive daughter Pamela arrived and she had to leave the set.

Hallmark and the LGBTQ political agenda

This was my first year to watch Hallmark Christmas movies--I needed a diversion. A few of the older reruns even had carols about baby Jesus. No one was forced to watch them and I was not damaged by living to 80 without seeing one. They are cheesy, corny and chaste. Too bad Hallmark is being blackmailed. And this power agenda is coming to your club, company, church, library, or workplace soon if it hasn't already. You must obey. I've looked through some of the media business articles--I see no evidence that there is a demand for this from conservatives, liberals, Christians, Jews, bankers or candlestick makers.

17% of Americans are over 65 and 12% are disabled. Do you really think they are numerically represented in Hallmark movies or TV show main characters? You might see someone in a wheelchair in a shopping scene or grandma and grandpa baking cookies. Compare that to 2-3% for LGBTQ who are strong arming entire industries. https://www.wnd.com/2019/12/hallmark-execs-say-channel-working-fix-lack-gay-christmas-movies/

I’m binge watching Hallmark Christmas movies

Sometimes I doze off (have trouble distinguishing between some of the blondes), but I can catch up the next day watching at the gym. I think I've just about have  “Christmas at Graceland” pieced together. I’d never watched them before but I think I’ve got the plan for the plot and could be a screenwriter.

• Blonde female, brunette male (both gorgeous),
• she's an executive looking for property and he drives a van, or truck;
• alternate line is she is single manager/entertainer waiting for next assignment and
• he is wealthy investor, widower with 3 children;
• town/village/ski resort has Christmas festival falling on hard times;
• everyone comes together to cook/decorate or dress elegantly;
• a minimum of 3 generations, possibly 4 if you can work in the great grandparents
• kids are always handsome and well behaved,
• only one or two kisses for the couple
• no one swears, cusses or throws things.

I did see the first few minutes of one today where beautiful blonde executive is planning to drive her cousin's vintage Mustang from NJ to CO during December.  I'm pretty sure there will be a snow storm with a handsome guy coming to the rescue.  I had to leave. Maybe I’ll see it on Friday at the gym.

One other thing I’ve noticed:  even though it’s snowing and everyone is wearing coats and scarves, if the scene calls for a pretty gown, the lovely main character isn’t wearing a coat so the dress shows well.

Oh God movie (1977)

We had a nice Sunday with our son who has brain cancer--enjoyed lunch at his home and then watched the movie, Oh God, with John Denver, Teri Garr and George Burns (1977), directed by Carl Reiner. Hardly seemed possible that the movie is 42 years old! It's sweet and funny--it's spiritual, not religious. Good laughs (which we all needed) and some serious moments. Sort of pop-gnostic, a real set-up from the last century for the "nones" of this century. It makes fun of a minute portion of organized religion--the health and wealth gospel with a crooked TV preacher played by Paul Sorvino.

Teri Garr who is Denver’s wife in the movie played a lot of moms and supportive wives and girlfriends, so I wondered what had become of her. I checked, and she "retired" in 2011. She has MS which she kept hidden many years, but came out as an advocate for others and helping with fund raising. She also had a stroke and recovered. Lakesiders enjoy a grass roots program called Porch Stories,, which is modeled on the Moth.  Garr told a LA Moth Story where she discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TI8E4p_U6A (language alert)

The Hunt is disgusting

Universal Studios developed a film showing "elites" killing "deplorables." Hmm. Not surprising that the people who think a 9 month human fetus isn't human enough to have rights might come up with an idea to kill people who support Trump. And the release has only been postponed. Remember, these are the people who "believe in science," but can find 40+ genders but no humanity in a baby. These are the people who go before congress and blather about morality and the 2nd amendment or pesticides on apples.

“We stand by our filmmakers and will continue to distribute films in partnership with bold and visionary creators, like those associated with this satirical social thriller, but we understand that now is not the right time to release this film.”

Bold and visionary to kill Trump supporters as though we don't have enough crazies on social media. When is the right time to kill fellow Americans for political reasons?

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/08/universal-studios-cancels-movie-the-hunt-on-killing-trump-supporters-after-president-trump-complains/

Serendipity strikes again

When I had settled on retiring in October, 2000, I thought I might need a hobby, so I began keeping a small notebook in my purse to write in at the Caribou Coffee Shop on Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington where I stopped before going to work at the Veterinary Medicine Library at Ohio State University.  Because of the new millennium, the 2000 motif was everywhere, so my little notebook made in China, was “Year 2000 Tribute Millenium Series.”  As I would go through the paper—usually the Columbus Dispatch or Wall St. Journal, I’d jot down things that interested me—group meetings, movies, book reviews, special events, musical groups, recipes, web sites, conversations overheard—just about anything.  I had never heard of blogs at that time (not sure they existed), but that notebook was the start of my blog.

I had forgotten where I put the notebook, but a few minutes ago I was looking for something in my desk and there it was.  On September 22, 2000, I had jotted down “Almost Famous,” a movie with 4 stars. “Fictional account of Cameron Crowe’s teen years with Rolling Stones," I wrote.  Lennox 24, 4:50. Patrick Fugit (17) plays the 15 year old William Miller.”  Then I added later—“very good, saw 9/22/00.”  I had apparently flipped the notebook over and was writing on the verso of pages I’d filled earlier in the year.

Anyway, to make a short story long, I thought, “I wonder what happened to Patrick Fugit.  I recalled he was a very good actor in that movie.  In fact, the whole movie was good.

Internet search:  Found him.  His latest movie—wait for it—is “Robert the Bruce” which was just released last month in Scotland.

Cast: Jared Harris, Zach McGowan, Emma Kenney, Melora Walters, Talitha Eliana Bateman, Anna Hutchison, Patrick Fugit, Kevin McNally, Gabriel Bateman, Angus Macfadyen, Mhairi Calvey, Diarmaid Murtagh, Shane Coffey, Anthony J. Sharpe, Gianni Capaldi.

 

Patrick in 2000

Patrick in 2019

Movie night

We don’t see a lot of movies.  The last time we went to a theater, it was sold out on-line, not only for that showing, but the next.  But our daughter recommended a movie when we went out for dinner Friday night, and since I was picking up some books at the library yesterday, I looked for it.

So last night we watched the movie, "Chef," which although it has an awful lot of food prep and f-words in it, is a wonderful story about a boy and his relationship with his divorced dad. Well worth your time. Also a lot about social media, which the son knows how to do, and dad doesn’t.  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2883512/videoplayer/vi3075386649?ref_=tt_ov_vi

More and more research is showing how important it is for children to have a relationship with their fathers.  It’s best if they can be in the home, but even ordinary things like rough housing with kids can help their experience later in life, and cut down on crime and improve school performance. And of course, single parent households are more likely to be poor which affects even longevity. https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2019/03/07/why-growing-up-poor-could-hurt-your-brain-in-old-age/?

Gosnell and Searcy

Nick Searcy who both directed and acted in the Gosnell movie writes,

"I realize, looking back, that I was quite naïve about how this film would be received. I truly believed that if we did it the right way, even the so-called Hollywood Left would appreciate our fairness in telling the story, see its value, and, furthermore, share our goals in getting this important story before the public.

Sadly, I was wrong. As I said, this town runs on fear — the fear not only of failure but, more insidiously, of being shunned because of your political opinions. I was gratified by the talented people in this industry, many of them who differed with me politically, who did believe in our script and were willing to come on board. But many people, some of them good friends of mine, declined to work on this film, not because of its quality but because of the fear of reprisal or even ostracism by the groupthink herd in Hollywood. More than once, I was asked questions like “Are you crazy?” or “Are you sure you want to do this?”"

I had read and reviewed the book, “Gosnell, The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer” by Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer. I have volunteered in a pregnancy crisis center for 5 years and on the prayer call list for 15—so I was not as shocked as others by this movie.  I contributed money to have this film made. I was very reluctant to see it, but I did, and it is an excellent film. A first class story with excellent production values. You won't be sorry if you see it.

We like to say we have free speech in this country, guaranteed by the First Amendment.  And to an extent, that’s true.  But we don’t have the right to a job, career, family or friends after we exercise the right. And Searcy’s disappointment in his friends is so true.

A thank you note

I'm one of the millions who sent money to make the Gosnell movie. Today I received another nice "thank you."

"Yes, your support has meant that a baby will not be killed in an abortion. It will survive thanks to you. This extraordinary miracle happened when a group went to see the Gosnell Movie in Bakersfield. A group of moms was so moved and motivated by the film that they decided to go and stand at a nearby abortion clinic with their small children. There they met a woman going for an abortion and with their babies they inspired her not to go in."

The power of a well made film with a message.