A Symphony for the Senses

I was introduced to this movie by my dad...and THANK GOD!! Amadeus is about as close to perfection as movies get! From its dark, dramatic beginning to its chilling climax, it remains one of my favorite films of all time! The music is rich and sumptuous. It's look is vivid and vibrant! The performances by F. Murray Abraham and especially Tom Hulce, as Mozart, are timeless. It won 8 Academy Awards...No Shit?! Go Figure!

Based on the play of the same name by Peter Shaffer; in 1781 Vienna, court composer Salieri (Abraham) is maddened with envy after discovering that the divine musical gifts he desires for himself have been bestowed on the bawdy, impish Mozart (Hulce), whom he plots to destroy by any means necessary.

Ok...it needs to be said...Mozart's wife...Great Rack!!

For fans of Family Guy out there it's interesting to note that "It takes a village idiot, and I married one", Episode 17; Season 5, does a parody of the film, thus embedding it into pop culture history.

Everytime I think of this film I am excited and inspired. Suprisingly, the two and a half hours slip away as you are drawn into a lavish world of aristocracy and poverty. You cant help but transend above it all and be carried away by the music...the man...the movie. Amadeus.

A Funny French Felon Fable

Its no secret that I LOVE Charlie Chaplin! I worship him!! When i researched that 1931 French flick - A Nous la Liberte ("Freedom For Us") was locked in a 10 year plagiarism battle with the Little Tramp, I had to watch this film and judge for myself!


What a quaint little gem I have found in this movie! A simple film about two ex-convicts, one of whom escaped jail and then worked his way up from salesman to factory owner. Fearful of his past being exposed, at first by his friend and later by another gangster, the owner chooses to give his factory to the workers, then escapes with his friend to the freedom of the open road.


The film is a tennis match of the emerging technologies in film making at the time. Its mostly a silent film yet it has these delectable musical sequences that smolder with lustful french lyrics and short, almost comical "talkie" segments.


The relationship between Emile, an ex-convict, and the blonde bombshell of a factory secretary is tragic...but altogether heart melting! ((Gay Voice)) OMG those french are sooooo romantic! I genuinely LOL'd when a single man disrupts the efficiency of the assembly line scene...I see a little Chaplin....


Sometimes we can take friendships for granted, I know I have, but it is films like this; they make you reflect on the one who sticks by you no matter what...the one you refer to as being "Thick as Thieves"!


This is hailed by many as one of the all-time comedy classics! And it saddens me that many will look over it just because its black and white...and over 80 years old! Don't look this one over! It's movies, just like this one, that paved the way for comedies today!


FIN

About Schmidt or About Shit?

It's 4am and i find myself wondering why I'm watching this movie! I know I can't sleep nd yes...i've been drinking...but even being drunk, I'm still not finding this movie entertaining!!

Warren Schmidt (The ever creepy, Jack Nicholson!)  has led a safe, predictable life working in the insurance industry in Omaha, Nebraska. Now facing retirement he is forced to take a hard look at his wife, his life and his relationship with his estranged daughter. An series of events follow as Schmidt embarks on an unpredictable RV journey to attend his daughter's wedding in Denver.

**SPOILER ALERT** His wife dies whilst cleaning the floor! Take notes ladies :)

Nothing in this film is peaking my interest. Not even the scene in which Schmidt, after years of his wife forcing him to sit down and pee, finally stands up and urinates all over the bathroom floor in spite!

Then I have the overwhelming need to rip my eyes from my head as i witness something...something no man should see! KATHY BATES NAKED! Arrrrggggghhhhh! My eyes! The goggles do nothing!! Surely the director could of cut this scene out! i mean please...there are people watching!

I find myself weeping in the end. (Not because of the whole naked thingy) but because the ending is so touching! Schmidt has lived his whole life thinking that he hasnt had an effect on anyone else. Then he recieves a heartfelt painting from his foster child; two smiling stick figures, one large and one small, holding hands on a sunny day. Schmidt...and myself, weep silently, realizing that someone has benefited from his life after all.

If you can get through the first 45 mins of the film you'll probably like this film. Its definately a film for a more matured audience but the ending will definately have u sobbing and thinking about it for the next passing days.

In a galaxy far, far away...

Thought I'd start my new adventure in a cheesy sci-fi geek kinda way :) This my compadre's is my new blog. Its another movie blog, one among the many, and its probably just a rehatched blog idea, but if Hollywood can rehash most of their films for a newer audience...why then, oh why can't I??

I bought a book the other day! With lots of pretty pictures so it doesn't hurt my brain much :) The book is entitled "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", a film reference book compiled by various critics worldwide and edited by Steven Jay Schneider. Not the gift to get your elderly Grandma or Grandpa. Chances are they'll fall short of the title.

So methinks...why don't i do a blog and talk about these films and make up my own list of the greatest movies! Im a f**king genius!! BUT CAREFUL CHILDREN...if u open your mind too much...your brain will fall out. So on these rare occasions when I actually follow through on my ideas I have created this blog and shall endevour to ramble on, like Im doing at the moment, about films that I've enjoyed and that I encourage my...probably one follower (Thanks Mum)...to watch and enjoy yourselves! Then y'all can comment and tell me what you thought of the films or abuse me for liking something you hated!

So until next time...Live Long and Prosper! (Im such a f**kin geek...)