This month is Albert Brooks month. I like his little films and how he sees life, so I have chosen two I particularly like. First of all Albert Brooks was a stand up comedian and had some small parts in films. 1980's -1990's co-wrote directed and starred in some well received comedies. Sometimes he plays a neurotic character . First up is Broadcast News 1987 a romantic comedy starring William Hurt, Albert Brooks and Holly Hunter. The film is about three people that work in a newsroom in Washington D.C., there personal relationships that happen. Love it and cheering for Aaron to win the girl.
Next up, Mother 1996 comedy drama starring Debbie Reynolds. Albert plays the character John, a sci-fi writer who is ending his second marriage he can not figure out what had gone wrong again. He decides to move back in with his mother hoping to figure out his life.
I would like to host April movie night. I will be returning to Maine towards the end of the month. I will be in contact with everyone as the time gets closer.
Have a wonderful Easter ! Movielynne
Click here for Broadcast News in IMBD.com
Click here for Mother in IMDB.com
Dear Moviemainers it is so soon the month of March, not one of my favorite months as it is cold still snowy and it is not winter but it is not spring. So here goes to the Irish .
The first is 1992's The Crying Game, a British psychological thriller. The main character is a man named Fergus, he is a member of the IRA, his meeting with Jody a prisoner, and the relationship that follows. This film won the Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay. The film was shot in Ireland and London, the budget was 2.3 million and took in 62 million.
The next film I felt needed to be a lighter one, 1990's The Snapper, an Irish film based on a novel about a family's adventure, filmed in Dublin. The critics gave this film 97% liked it. It is the story about a girl that gets pregnant and refuses to name who the father is.
As Jim's grandmother use to say "Have a pint, sit down, and enjoy the films".
Your movie diva Movielynne
Click here for The Crying Game in IMDB.com
Click here for The Snapper in IMDB.com
Ok moviemainers, it is February and what am I thinking about is snow and Valentine's day. Two films that fit the bill. The first one is the 1990 film Misery directed by Rob Reiner and screenplay by one of my favorite writers William Goldman. It is a story about a writer who in a snow storm runs his car off the road. He is rescued by a nurse who helps to get him to her home to recover from his injuries. Hang onto your seat ! Kathy Bates received the Academy Award for Best Actress for this film. Stephen King considers this one of the best films from all of the films that have been made from one of his books.
Next is a really funny film it is called Lovers and Other Strangers, written by Joesph Bologna and Renee Taylor. It is about a young couple who are about to get married and all the relatives in their lives. It is the first film Diane Keaton played in and the song For All We Know was recorded by the Carpenters and won the Academy Award for Best original Song in 1970. I get a kick out of this movie as the characters resemble people I have met in my own life.
My plans are not fixed yet for the month of February where I will be, anyone who would like to host let me know. Movielynne
Read about Misery in IMDB.com
Read about Lovers & Other Strangers in IMDB.com
I cannot believe it is January already. This month I thought we would do a theme we have not done yet: documentaries. The first is "Life Itself", a 2014 film about the film critic Roger Ebert (I always liked him although I did not always agree with his critique of certain films). This film contains a little bit of everything; outtakes with his partner Gene Siskel and appearances on other TV shows. It is based on Ebert's 2011 memoir. It had limited release, and will air publicly on CNN on Sunday, January 4, 2015. Click here for more information.
The next film really intrigues me. It is called "Stolen". Now, there are several films by that name but this is the 2005 documentary about the Isabella Gardner Museum art heist of 1990. The main character is the Art Detective Harold Smith. He worked for Lloyds of London and solved many important cases (what an amazing life). He was born in the Bronx and went to the Maritime Academy. He developed a skin problem and allowed doctors to use him as a subject to experiment on. He lost a lung, an eye (hence the eye patch) and a rubber nose. He takes you step by step how he traced what happened. This year the FBI has announced that they know who has the paintings and with cooperation, would like to have them returned. Stayed tuned, there is more to this true story to come and it may happen this spring.
I hope to be back in Maine the last week of January. I will let you all know where and when we will be meeting. Movielynne
Click here for Life Itself in IMDB.com
Click here for Stolen in IMDB.com
Dear Moviemainers, The month of December is here and as I always feel that as soon as October is upon us it is rush rush rush. There will be no dinner this month as it does not matter whenever we make a date, there is way too much stuff going on for everyone. This month I choose to do only one movie and we will get together the end of January. Anyone who is interested in hosting for the month of January feel free to send me an email.
The movie for the month of December is the 1940 Christmas in July starring Dick Powell and Ellen Drew. It is the story of a man who THINKS he has won a contest. He gets a promotion at work and his whole life changes; I am trying not to give to much away. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing everyone the end of January. "If you cant sleep, it isn't the coffee it's the bunk". Your movie Diva, Movielynne.
Click here for "Christmas In July" in IMDB.com
It is November and although I do not talk politics or religion (I think that is best as I always like to be invited to the party and not be the controversial one), I wanted to try two Washington based films. Two films, very different, so if you do not like one hopefully you'll get my second choice. First film is "The Contender" from 2000; it is considered a political thriller starring Joan Allen (the film was written for her) and also stars Jeff Bridges (yes I think he is hot always have ! )and Gary Oldman who was in Dracula from last month. It is a story about a President of the United States who needs a new Vice President and the events that unfold from that moment on. Now I did not feel the need to see it when it was in the theater but saw it later at home and felt the acting and the story is worth while.
The next film is a Coen brothers film called "Burn After Reading" from 2008. This is truly a black comedy written and directed by the Coen brothers. When a cd is left on the floor in a locker room gym, a personal trainer thinks it could be highly sensitive information from the government . The trainer and his friend set out to blackmail the man who dropped it by accident, and the cast of characters unfold and it is surprising. One story from the making of the film is when Brad Pitt read the role he told Joel Coen, "I do not think I can play this role, this guy is an idiot". Joel Coen thought for a minute and said " Ah you will be just fine ". Brad Pitt received a BAFTA award for Best Supporting Role in the film.
This month's dinner will be at Tom & Carl's house on Monday 11/24 at 6:00. They will be screening "Burn After Reading" that night. If you can make it, please RSVP in the blog or send an email to Tom or Carl.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, your movie diva Movielynne.
Click here for The Contender in IMDB.com
Click here for Burn After Reading in IMDB.com
It's Fall again , brown leaves, temperatures are falling you get a feel of what is to come (yes, if you get the idea this is my least favorite time of year you'd be right ). Last October we did Rosemary's Baby and The Storm Of The Century. This month we are celebrating Francis Ford Coppola's films. The first will be Frankenstein from 1994, starring Kenneth Branagh, Robert DeNiro and Helen Bonham Carter . Instead of meeting in someone's home we will meet at the Smitty's theater in Biddeford on October 15 at 6:p.m. They (Smitty's) call it Way Back Wednesday's. They show older films free of charge, hoping that you will eat while you are there (for me it is no problem, I love their potato skins).
The next film will be Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 film Dracula, starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins and Keanu Reeves. Now basically speaking I do not enjoy scary movies like Elm Street or Halloween, I would never sit through them. There is something about this particular Dracula film I like, it may be the way Francis filmed it, that hypnotized me. At one point I actually feel for Dracula, go figure ! I will host this movie at my house on October 24 at 5:30p.m.cocktails and then small bites to be served while we watch Dracula in the barn. Carl has a great idea we do a wine tasting during the cocktail hour showcasing Francis Ford Coppola's wine. Now I personally have never had his wine but I am game !
It looks like our movie club is getting bigger which is great, but members need to RSVP so that I will have enough room for seating at movie time. If you are unable to make Frankenstein I hope you will be able to make Dracula. Your movie Diva Movielynne
Click here for Frankenstein in IMDB.com
Click here for Dracula in IMDB.com
