The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on February 4, 2011

When Mr. Dennis dies unexpectedly, his only son, young Patrick (Jan Handzlik), goes to New York to live with his only living relative, Auntie Mame (Rosalind Russell).  She’s a fun loving, free-spirited person with a big heart who lovingly welcomes her nephew into her home where she holds lavish cock   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on February 3, 2011

In 1958, the Civil Rights movement was gaining strength and The Defiant Ones became more fuel for the fire.  Directed by the great Stanley Kramer, the film tells the story of two escaped prisoners chained together and trying to outrun the authorities in the south, one man is black, the...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on February 2, 2011

Gigi is a Cinderella-type story set in Paris at the turn of the twentieth century.  In wealthy Parisian society, Gigi (Leslie Caron) is a school girl training to be a courtesan.  Gaston (Louis Jourdan) is a young, wealthy playboy who despises the superficial lifestyle of high society and seeks refug   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 31, 2011

It appears that 1977 was one of the best years for romantic-comedies, ever.  With two up for best picture, one taking home the prize and both bringing genuine smiles to my face, romantic-comedies from the late 70’s may have more to show me still.  Annie Hall is about a neurotic...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 31, 2011

If you look in my car right now, you’ll find a sweatshirt, scarf, heavy gloves, two filled water bottles, flashlight, first-aid kit, road atlas, trail mix and those things that you can break and shake to keep your hands warm.  I live by the old scout motto: Be Prepared.  The...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 30, 2011

Yes, one of the original Best Picture nominees is unavailable to me.  As usual, I’ll keep my eyes and ears open for it, searching TCM schedules, Netflix updates and saving my pennies in case I come across it on Amazon.  Any leads on The Racket or any other of my...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 30, 2011

Beginning the long tradition of excellence in film, this high flying story of friendship, love and war Wings was the very first winner of the Best Picture Oscar.  Directed by William A. Wellman, Wings is about two young men, middle class Jack (Charles Rogers) and rich boy David (Richard Arlen)....   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 29, 2011

Alright, if you can count to five you can see that our last film from 1977 is not here.  After ten months of juggling nearly 500 movies between my giant Netflix cue, the TCM schedule and YouTube’s video police, I’m surprised I haven’t made this error yet.  I try so...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 29, 2011

Since we’re onto the inaugural year of the Oscars, I feel a little history is in order.  The very first Academy Awards was held on May 16,1929 and honored the films made in 1927 and 1928.  There were only twelve awards presented and of those twelve categories, only six are...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 28, 2011

Can you imagine what it would be like if Star Wars had never existed?  The whole world might be a little darker, less imaginative and with fewer openly proud nerds.  When meeting someone named Luke, there would be no “I am your father” response to break the ice or annoy...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 27, 2011

The world of ballet is quite a demanding profession.  Physically, it takes years of practice, tough training, a certain amount of comfort in tights and can take a real tole on one’s feet.  In The Turning Point, we see that the honor of touring with a ballet company can mean...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 26, 2011

Lillian Hellman was an American playwright famous for The Children’s Hour, The Little Foxes and Toys in the Attic.  Throughout her career, she was involved with a few left-wing causes, and was on blacklisted by Hollywood in the 1950’s for having communist acquaintances. The film is based of Hellman’   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 25, 2011

I’ve been anticipating Oscar Nominations day all year and I may have prepared a few reviews as I saw fit.  Anyway, back in October I had a good feeling about The Social Network: You see us every day.  Twenty-somethings who don’t dress any better than a hoodie over a snarky...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 25, 2011

Paula (Marsha Mason) is an out of work dancer who has just been dumped by her boyfriend that she and her ten year old daughter, Lucy (Quinn Cummings), have been living with.  He has left, but sublet the apartment to a struggling actor from Chicago, Elliot Garfield (Richard Dreyfuss), without...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 24, 2011

In the film industry, an X or NC-17 rating for a mainstream film is a kiss of death.  When Midnight Cowboy first opened, many theaters would not show the film and newspapers would not run printed ads because of its X rating being associated with pornography.  Yet, the film went...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 23, 2011

Loosely based on historical fact, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid tells the tale of two infamous outlaws, their exploits and their run from the law.  Butch (Paul Newman) is the leader of the Hole in the Wall gang, who rob banks and trains.  The Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) is...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 22, 2011

Before seeing this film, I believe my only other encounter with Hello, Dolly! was in WALL-E.  For me, that’s not a bad thing.  Meeting Hello, Dolly! out of context didn’t make me put any outside influences on WALL-E.  However, as I watched Hello, Dolly! I did think of WALL-E a...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 22, 2011

This is at least the third film on this blog dealing with Henry VIII and all his chronic beheading, girl chasing, son craving glory.  However, it’s the most sympathetic towards Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. The film based on the Broadway play, takes place only within the time concerning Anne’s...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 21, 2011

Grigoris Lambrakis was a left-winged Greek political activist involved in the Pacifist Movement and opposed the Vietnam War.  On May 22 1963, he gave a speech at a peaceful anti-war meeting.  As he left, a three-wheeled vehicle drove by with two right extremists on board, and one man beat him...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 20, 2011

Could it be, that I would pick a musical over all the other great films of 1979?  While that seems completely out of character for me, keep in mind that All That Jazz is fairly gritty and at times sarcastic story of a struggling creative mind and his realization of...   read more