Plot: Three models hatch a plot to catch themselves millionaire husbands and just about succeed. Drive-in Rating: Circle the block! I just adore this movie that introduced me to Lauren Bacall, Marilyn Monroe, and Betty Grable. It's a study in determination and gives me some faith that even beautiful women can have trouble finding Mr. Right and often fall for the "gas pump jockey." Bacall is the true lead but Monroe and Grable are such dazzling comedienne, a girl can forgive their scene stealing and sex symbol status. For the modern movie viewer, it's a great place to find four greats (added in there, the dashing William Powell), and I find it more entertaining than other Bacall or Monroe movies I've seen.
Reviews
7 Reviews
How to Murder Your Wife
(1965)
At least a fun take on "the butler did it"
7 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Plot: Confirmed bachelor gets drunk, gets married, and wants out. Drive-in Rating: Slow, proceed with caution. One of the lesser of the 60's rom-com romps. I don't get political and righteous about most films but I was hard-pressed not to as the plot entered the court room. Male judges, lawyers, and juries complaining about their over-bearing wives and calling for taking back their power as Jack Lemmon goes on trial for the presumed murder of his wife just rings a little false to this modern-day classic movie fan. Jack Lemmon plays his traditional role as well as he ever did and his leading lady, Virna Lisi, is indeed lovely as the Italian version of the dumb blonde. It at least presents a fun take on, "the butler did it," with Terry-Thomas playing the butler cheering on the wife's murder so he can return to his comfy life as Lemmon's butler.
Odd musical with legs
7 June 2012
Plot: The ultimate self-help book success story, with a little song and dance tossed in. Drive-in Rating: Yield right of way. Odd musical but one that's clearly got legs since it's enjoyed Broadway revivals. My first choice for movie remake lead is Jonah Hill as J. Pierpont Finch, the scruffy, slightly dopey, enjoyably conniving, and unconventional lead played in the movie by Robert Morse. Costumes and set decoration are ultra 60's for those who are retro fans. The movie was best when you could chart Morse's ladder-climbing by the hour or day, but toward the end you lose sight of the timer and it becomes a little less amusing. Still a worthy commentary on modern-day business.
The Shop Around the Corner
(1940)
Best of the unwitting pen pal rom-coms!
7 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Plot: Pen pals fall in love on paper and (unwittingly) battle each other at work. Drive-in Rating: Circle the block! This is one I just can't help but watch when it comes on TCM (which is fairly often). It's the original based off of the play; don't be thrown by the fact that it's set in Hungary. The star name you'll recognize is Jimmy Stewart but you'll see other familiar faces (ex. the Wizard of Oz). For the modern viewer, it's the same basic plot as that in "You've Got Mail," with the pen pal romance and in-person conflict though the heroes are co-workers. It's simple but charming with clever banter. Great for lazy weekend afternoon!
In the Good Old Summertime
(1949)
Absolutely enjoyable and mostly faithful (with music)
7 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Plot: Pen pals fall in love on paper and (unwittingly) battle each other at work, with music! Drive-in Rating: Pull over and watch! Absolutely enjoyable and mostly faithful to the original of 1940, now located in Chicago and with the added perk of Judy Garland in song (and dance). For the modern viewer, this may be an easier transition to the original plot than the black and white original, "The Shop Around the Corner." Also recommend considering which star is a bigger draw for you (Judy or Jimmy Stewart). If you've enjoyed "Meet Me in St. Louis," odds are you'll enjoy this, though Meet Me
is far more acclaimed. This version gives you the added benefit of silent movie great Buster Keaton (yes, he talks) and dashing all-American leading man Van Johnson.
How to Steal a Million
(1966)
Best of the 60's rom-coms!
7 June 2012
Plot: Forger's daughter enlists a burglar to get Papa out of a jam. Drive-in Rating: Circle the block! Bonus: Filmed in Paris! I find this Audrey Hepburn/Peter O'Toole delight is rarely known by classic movie fans, which is an outright travesty. For the modern movie fan, it ranks up there with the best rom-coms and is one of the best from the 60's! It's the movie that started my love affair with O'Toole who is so utterly charming. Hepburn is enchanting as ever, playing a devoted daughter and no-nonsense novice thief. I dare you not to fall for them both! There's plenty of star power in addition to the leads: Eli Wallach, Hugh Griffith, Charles Boyer, etc. Equally delightful are the witty nuances and dialogue as well as a plot that's a little silly but still keeps you thinking (example, the nod to Hitchcock). The father/daughter relationship makes for especially enjoyable banter.
Snow White and the Huntsman
(2012)
See it for the visuals, not for the story
7 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Plot: Warrior princess Snow White takes on the wicked queen with a little help from people she barely knows. Drive-in Rating: Yield right of way.
Just to get it out of the way, I don't understand the appeal of Kristen Stewart as an actress. She always has the look of a stuck up brat to me. There, done with the casting critique.
The movie was visually stunning and Charlize Theron made for a truly wicked-good Queen. Chris Hemsworth was compelling (in a vacuum) and the dwarfs (casting controversy aside) were engaging. I love that the writers know their fairy tales enough to remember what properly lives under a bridge!
...but I didn't find myself rooting for the entitled heroine or her comrades. The story idea was good enough but the writers tried to pack so many concepts into 127 minutes that they forgot a little character and conflict development. Even the most compelling scenes, the final kiss for example, left much to be desired (I'm not spoiling anything by telling you there's a kiss, it's a well-known plot point in the fairy tale). In addition, there were some unacceptable leaps in logic (for example, what compelled the Queen's brother to tell the Huntsman the truth about his wife?).
And finally, is there an award for the least compelling title of the year? "Fairest Blood" immediately comes to mind as a reasonable alternative.
If you pay to see this in the theater, make sure it's because you want to see the visuals on the big screen.
Just to get it out of the way, I don't understand the appeal of Kristen Stewart as an actress. She always has the look of a stuck up brat to me. There, done with the casting critique.
The movie was visually stunning and Charlize Theron made for a truly wicked-good Queen. Chris Hemsworth was compelling (in a vacuum) and the dwarfs (casting controversy aside) were engaging. I love that the writers know their fairy tales enough to remember what properly lives under a bridge!
...but I didn't find myself rooting for the entitled heroine or her comrades. The story idea was good enough but the writers tried to pack so many concepts into 127 minutes that they forgot a little character and conflict development. Even the most compelling scenes, the final kiss for example, left much to be desired (I'm not spoiling anything by telling you there's a kiss, it's a well-known plot point in the fairy tale). In addition, there were some unacceptable leaps in logic (for example, what compelled the Queen's brother to tell the Huntsman the truth about his wife?).
And finally, is there an award for the least compelling title of the year? "Fairest Blood" immediately comes to mind as a reasonable alternative.
If you pay to see this in the theater, make sure it's because you want to see the visuals on the big screen.
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