New Year's Eve Resolution Week Fifteen: Now, Voyager

I do so love this movie.  It's just fun.  You get makeovers and romance and middle age rebellion.  It's wonderful.  So I've been looking forward to this all week.  Great high note to end a weekend on.

Yet again, I'm on my own for food.  Next week, promise!  The people in this movie are super fancy, but I have to admit, I'm getting kinda sick of fancy food.  So I thought more about this movie and remembered the line the movie is most famous for.  "Oh, Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars,"  So that was the theme I went for, moon and carbs stars.  I went shopping for all the moons and stars I could find.  Ended up kinda weird and pitiful, but it was a fun hunt.  I found canned star shaped pasta, star shaped cookies, lucky charms cereal(What?  They have moons and star marshmallows!), and crescent rolls(Get it crescent moon?).  So there was my weird dinner.  It's almost as strange as what I ate for Duck Soup.  Almost.

Lucky Charms, crescent rolls, star shaped pasta, and star shaped cookies.

The depression glass was the best part.....

Bette is just wonderful in this movie.  I have to admit, I'm team Joan, as I'm sure you all know.  I appreciate Bette's acting so much, but I really think she "over" acts.  She's very big and dramatic and I guess I just don't ever believe her characters.  It always looks like acting to me.  I never forget that she is Bette Davis.  I guess that's why I love her in this role.  That's what this role required.  She needed to be big and broad and dramatic. Her character was a bit like a rebellious teenager stretching her wings.  She pulled it off without being bratty though, don't get me wrong.  She's just gorgeous in this movie too.  Her transformation from a cloddy frump to an elegant woman is tremendous. I think that's what stands out the most.  Even more than her acting.

It's pretty amazing what some eyebrows and some glasses can do isn't it?

Bette has some amazing looks in this movie, but I think this is my favorite.  Hot damn girl!

Mary Wickes is in this movie too.  She's great in everything.  So funny, such a character.  Loved her in Sister Act and Postcards From The Edge.  She wrote a book, I'm adding it to my very very very long to do list.

Mary Wickes

Janis Wilson was also great in this movie.  She played her character so sympathetic and sincere.  You were really rooting for her.  Very talented little girl.  She reminded me quite a bit of Pamelyn Ferdin.  Her voice and delivery.  I've loved Pamelyn's voice ever since Charlotte's Web, and The Odd Couple and The Brady Bunch..... ;-)  It took me a bit to place Janis.  I kept looking at her going, "I know her from somewhere."  Then I realized she was young Martha Ivers in The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers!  DUH!  So good in that too!  Pity she quit acting at 18.  

This little girl was really good.  You just wanted to hug her.

The dinner was just ok.  The crescent rolls were good.  But really, have you ever had bad bread?  The cereal was good, but you know same as the rolls, hard to be bad.  The pasta was too sweet.  Gross.  Even with the cheese I added.  I've never had canned pasta before.  I suppose this is what Chef Boyardee tastes like?  Ugh.  The star shaped cookies were shortbread but very very rich.  Too rich.  I shoulda ordered a pizza.  This meal was not worth the calories!  Oh well.  At least I can add to the foods that I don't like, which is a very short list!!!  Ha!!

So even though the food was really disappointing, the movie was good, as usual.  So the night wasn't a total loss.  My tummy is a bit pissed at me though.  ::::sigh:::: 

Screw the moon and stars, I should have had a pizza.  It's round.  Moon shaped.  Damn.

Love, 

Olive

New Year's Eve Resolution Week Fourteen: Citizen Kane

Tonight we had the movie of all movies.  Citizen Kane.  Like most film buffs, I have seen this movie a thousand times, and I have loved this movie a thousand times.  There is so much to this film.  The extravagant sets, the innovative filming angles, the complicated story line, the wonderful acting, the make-up, and of course Orson's voice.  I love films that run backward.  You know what happens to Kane from the very beginning and then the rest of the film is spent showing you how he got there.  I've often wondered if people can enjoy this movie on a superficial level.  I don't think that it's possible.  Maybe that is why the initial release of this film was not very popular.  People bit off more than they could chew when they went to this movie.  That and Hearst's interference, of course.  By the way, I highly recommend watching RKO 281.  It is a brilliant compliment to this film.  I just love it.  And it lets us in on the "Rosebud" joke.  ::::giggle::::

Now onto food.  I could not believe that this was not in Movie Night Menus, but whatever.  There are some in there, promise.  I had a huge huge lunch, so I wasn't up for much dinner.  And I was tired.  Busy weekend. I had planned on serving Hors d'oeuvres all along.  Just maybe not this simple.  I was thinking this story has rich people that entertain a lot so they never have to leave their home.  Rich people eat a lot of               Hors d'oeuvres, right?  Right.  From what I've seen they barely eat anything.  ::::shrug::::  Since I was so full, I put together something light.  Chopped veggies, some peppercorn ranch dressing, baked brie, some sour dough bread, and some fancy chocolate truffles.  Easy.  

Depression glass featuring fancy truffles, baked brie, chopped veggies, sour dough bread, and peppercorn ranch dressing. Yum!

 So much has been said about this movie that I'm kinda at a loss to add to the dialog.  What I noticed more when watching it this time was the fabulous job that was done on Orson's make up.  My co-movie watcher is the one that noticed it.  I can't take credit for this one.  They aged him so well in this film that they got it right!  As Orson aged in real life, he looked like Kane as an old man.  Giveortakeafewpoundsandsomefacefur.  It's really quite remarkable.

They aged him so accurately, didn't they?

The other actor that really stood out for me on this viewing was Dorothy Comingore.  Maybe it was because I'm a little tired and cranky, but gosh this woman worked my last nerve.  I know she was supposed to be obnoxious, but I think she took it to the next level! Her voice was just so shrill and whiny, and I'm not talking about her singing.  Ugh.  I liked her when she was drunk though.  That was good.  I don't think I've ever seen her in anything else, and I really don't wanna either!

Ugh.

The movie was wonderful, as expected.  I enjoyed watching it, yet again.  Dinner was just right.  I didn't feel like a fancy rich person though, but it was nummy.  I'll try harder next time.  I feel like I did this one a little half-assed.  I've just been so pooped lately!  And so busy.  Not a good combination!

Orson is proud of me for at least trying.

This is the Orson that I grew up with:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSs6DcA6dFI  

I think of it every time I hear his voice.  And I too will drink so wine before it's time(that is if I ever get to drink wine again). I was raised right!

Have a great week everyone!  

Love,

Olive

PS: Wanna see Orson drunk trying to film one of those famous Paul Masson commercials?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFevH5vP32s  

I'll figure out how to add videos someday!

   

New Year's Eve Resolution Week Thirteen: The Lady Eve

I actually got to watch a movie I know NOTHING about tonight!  The Lady Eve.  I had no idea what I was in for.  The cast sounded pretty wonderful though.  I love Stanwyck.  If you don't love Stany, get out.  She really can do no wrong.  Except for all that western stuff.  I just don't like westerns stuff.  I'm sure I'll come around.  Then become obsessed with it...and blah blah blah.  Charles Coburn he captured by heart as Piggy in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  I pretty much like him in everything too.  Especially, In This Our Life.  Love!  He's so perfect.  Plus, he has teeth like bunny and that makes me happy.  Finally Henry Fonda.  I'm pretty sure that I've only seen two of his movies.  On Golden Pond, when it first came out when I was a kid.  I don't even really remember much about it except he fished a lot and I remember his voice.  And Mr Roberts.  I mostly watched that for William Powell and James Cagney.  Fonda didn't really strike me much in either of these films.  I know, I know, but I'm picky and weird.  I tend to focus on my favorites even if they are in teeny tiny roles.  Like anytime Louise Beavers comes on screen, I squee.  I do plan on watching 12 Angry Men eventually.

So here we go.  Nothing for me in Movie Night Menus, so I did a tiny bit of research on this movie to at least find out where it was set.  Most of it takes place on a cruise ship.  I was on a cruise once.  I was about 14.  I loved it.  Mostly because I was allowed to wander around alone.  I've always been perfectly content by myself.  I remember a lot of buffets.  And champagne breakfasts.  I think I remember the champagne the most because I wasn't allowed any.  So that's what I went for.  And I'm still not allowed any champagne!  What a crock.  ;-)  Today I ate way way too much, so I gotta be honest I wasn't really hungry and kinda felt like crap from all the junk.  So I went for a light and relatively healthy champagne breakfast.  I substituted the champagne with sparkling grape juice again.  I made a nice fruit salad and had a couple of Hawaiian rolls with a couple of slices of Irish cheddar cheese.  All things you would find in a cruise ship's buffet.

Fruit salad, Hawaiian rolls, Irish cheddar, and sparkling grape juice.  And depression glass!

I have a copy of this movie, but I couldn't find it.  I just reorganized all of my movies, and must have misplaced this one.  Ugh.  So pissed.  I hate it when I can't find my things!  So I was off to a rough start.  I was able to rent it from Amazon for 3 bucks, so my night wasn't ruined.  Amazon saves the day again!  I just want my stuff!  ::::pout::::  Anyway, the movie.  I just loved this film!  I'm so glad that it was on the list!  It's so much fun without being stupid.  That's pretty hard.  Even the running gag where Fonda keeps getting covered in food is charming.  Not over done.  He's wonderfully awkward.  A role that I didn't expect from him.  A nervous naive nerd.  He did it marvelously!  I get the Fonda thing now.  I was very impressed by him.

Fonda plays awkward perfectly!  He's putty in Stany's hands!

And my Stany.  She's sexy and strong and bright.  Perfect role for her.  Her characters are usually a bit harder and jaded.  Even when they inevitably break down and get all squishy.  This was a bit of a change for her.  She was perfectly able to pull off a softer side.  I loved it.  She wraps Fonda around her finger(twice!) so easily and with humor.  You love every second.

How can you not just adore her?  And those legs!

This was a great cap to a lazy weekend.  Dinner was easy and light and so was the movie!  Great compliment to each other.  I have to find my copy, or I'm going to have to buy it again.  This one is a keeper for sure!

One Charles Coburn for the road.  See?  Teeth like a bunny = happy.

Happy way to end a weekend!

Love,

Olive

New Year's Eve Resolution Week Twelve: Gone With The Wind

Today I got to watch the movie of all movies!  An EPIC!  Every movie fan has seen this film a thousand times, and wants to watch it a thousand more.  It's one of those movies that you say you'll just watch a few minutes of and then end up spending the afternoon with Scarlett and Rhett.  It's lovely.  And it has a special place for me, because I put the "O" in David O. Selznick.  ;-)  Look it up.

So again I was on my own for food.  One of the first scenes in GWTW is the barbecue at Twelve Oaks.  Soooo, barbecue it is!  I love barbecue.  And I love the way Scarlett says "barbecue" and how she promises to eat it with EVERYONE.  Well, every man.....  ;-)  Thankfully, it's not hard to make a meat free barbecue!  I got some Morningstar Hickory BBQ Riblets.  These things are amazing!  If you like the McRib from McDonald's, you will love these.  So meat was covered.  Next, side dishes.  It's just me doing this, so I have a bit of a hard time making a batch of something, cause then I have just too much left over.  So I'm afraid I hit the grocery store a bit.  To be honest, I bought way too many side salads.  Ugh.  I ended up only serving one of them, pasta salad, cause that's the one that I really wanted and including the other two was just too much food.  For the curious, they were cole slaw and potato salad.  I also bought some of my favorite chips(Cape Cod, 40% reduced fat - they have to be the reduced fat kind, those are the BEST), but again too much food.  I think I was just too inspired while I was shopping....  ;-)  I did make a nice fresh fruit salad, with grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, lemon juice, brown sugar, and fresh mint.   Then I made corn on the cob, because that's just a staple at barbecues, right?  Then I wanted to take a more Southern route with the rest of the items and went for corn bread and ice tea.  I was thinking about making sweet tea, but to be honest, it grosses me out.  Finally, for dessert, I bought a little thingy of key lime pie.  I choose key lime cause it's a nice fresh summer barbecuey dessert(andit'smyfavorite).  Dinner? Done!

Here's my vegetarian barbecue!  Pasta salad, fruit salad with mint, cornbread, corn on the cob, vegetarian ribs, key lime pie, and iced tea.  All presented on some fabulous depression glass.

Now onto the movie!  This movie is just lush!  It is so beautifully shot.  Even the scenes that are supposed to be somber are just stunning.  The story line is captivating.  It goes up and down and sucks you in.  It's dramatic and funny and even scary at times.  That why it doesn't seem like you are watching a three and a half hour movie.  NOTHING can get me to sit still for that long except for this movie.  The actors are all amazing.  I could not think of a better casting.  Everyone is perfect in their role.  

Vivien Leigh.  The first thing that everyone says about her is how beautiful she is.  And she is. Stunning.  Especially with that fabulous eyebrow of hers.  This time I was paying closer attention.  Her acting.  The way she shifts emotions is incredible.  She goes from warm to cold and back in an instant. Her face is just so expressive.  You watch her steel herself.  It's an amazing gift.

You ever seen anything like this in your life?

Clark.  I've covered my love of Clark Gable before.  This role is different for me though.  It is the quintessential Gable role.  I really saw such a range in him in this role.  I love the way he delivers his lines, I love his roguish smirk, I love his gentleness with Bonnie and Scarlett, I love the way he is captivated by Scarlett's brattiness,  I love his grief when Bonnie dies, I even love his apathy at the end of the movie.  He just goes the full range in this film.  I don't think I've seen him in a better role.  Amazing.

Yep, pretty perfect.

Finally, my girl.  My Favorite.  Hattie McDaniel.  I love her in every role I've ever seen her in.  And the girl can SING.  Omgoodness, she just wails!  In real life she was a very cool lady.  Read up on her.  Especially what she did to her last husband in her will.  SNAP!  In her role as Mammy, she's funny and lovable and just the ultimate friend and mother figure.  You have to love Mammy.  The way she loves her family is very moving.  Especially when Bonnie dies. 

She's so lovely, you just have to love Mammy.

I can't figure out how to add videos.  They seem to work until I publish them, then it's just a frozen frame.  I'll figure it out eventually.  Anyway, follow this link to watch Hattie singing!  She's awesome!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QIEuF3AZKQ   

I started early today because the movie was so long.  I had a wonderful afternoon.  Movie was amazing, and I really looked at it a bit more critically this time.  I really let it take me in and show me all it had to offer.  Even though it's the millionth time I've seen it, I got a new appreciation for it.  It's nice when that happens.  And dinner was delicious, but it's hard to go wrong with all those carbs and sugar!  Corn on the cob...if you don't love corn on the cob, you're a sicko.  

How I love Sundays now!

Love, 

Olive

New Year's Resolution Week Eleven: Mr Smith Goes To Washington

Can't believe I'm already at week eleven!  How cool is that?  This week we've got a Frank Capra classic, Mr Smith Goes To Washington.  I haven't seen this in forever!  I remember the basic story line, but the intricacies have vanished from my memory.  So that's good!  I love all of the actors in this, so tonight was going to be fun.

Left on my own for dinner again, but I had an easy time coming up with a theme.  America!  So I decided on a cheeseburger, fries, a chocolate shake, and apple pie.  Real American food!!  And what's more American than apple pie?  I made everything but the shake and the apple pie.  I didn't want to make a whole pie to just eat one piece, so I bought a piece.  I was too lazy to make a milk shake too.  I didn't want to drag out my blender.  Messy!  For the burger I went for my favorite veggie burgers.  Morningstar Grillers!  They are amazing!  I highly recommend them.  Closest veggie burgers to meat that I've found.  For the fries, I just bought a bag of frozen crinkle fries.  Cause they're my favorites.  Pretty easy dinner.

My all American dinner!  No I did not eat all those fries.  Too much!!

This movie is a real feel good movie.  You get to watch and honest likable character save everyone around him.  He doesn't get lost along the way.  It's very patriotic and inspiring.  I loved seeing all of the monuments and hearing the mantra of our country.  I wish people were like this now.  Instead, I think most people will find this movie kinda cheesy.  I find that sad.   

Even Jimmy loves seeing all the monuments!

James Stewart plays wide eyed and innocent so well.  His character is shy and pure and kind.  A perfect Jimmy Stewart role!  He never loses faith, especially in himself.  I love him in this role.  

How can you not just love that pleading sincere expression?

  

Jean Arthur is her usual sassy savvy self.  She plays this character a lot.  She's good at it too!  I find her just lovely and charming.  It's great to watch her jaded character melt.  

Don't you just want to hug her?

This movie is pretty long and can be a bit cheesy by today's standards.  It calls for a certain frame of mind.  You have to give into it to enjoy it.  

Capra has some beautiful and powerful shots.  He really is a great director.  And the sets he used were incredible.

See how powerful Washington is? And how patriotism surrounds and permeates this scene?

You really get the feeling of what Mr Smith is up against in this shot.

They built a full scale Senate chamber at the cost of $100,000.

I was in the right mood for this movie, so I was very happy to watch this tonight.  Dinner was very good.  It's been a long time since I had a cheeseburger.  Too many fries though.  And lets face it, it's not possible to have a bad chocolate shake.  The pie? Meh.  I put lots of whipped cream on it to make it taste a little less blah.  The cheeseburger and shake were the best parts.  I shoulda just had that.

Finally, another plus to this movie?  Baby Dumpling!  I just love this kid.  He was so adorable!

 That's all for this week!

Love,
Olive

New Year's Resolution Week Ten: Swing Time

I've hit week ten!  This week I got to watch another wonderful film.  Swing Time with Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, and Victor Moore.  This is probably my favorite Fred and Ginger film.  It's just wonderful.  I say that a lot though don't I?  I can't help it.  I love movies.

I was again left on my own for dinner.  I had such a busy week and such a busy weekend, that I was just at a loss this time.  I couldn't come up with anything!  My brain was just fried this week.  It was a great week with lots of fun stuff, I just didn't get a chance to think!  So I'm afraid I'm doing this a little half-ass.  I decided to just do a dinner with things I was craving(and that I could eat).  So I got my favorite pizza(Home Run Inn, baby!), a Snickers bar, and some lemon/lime fizzy water.  Sorry if you were expecting something more exciting, I just didn't have it in me!

Here's my half-ass comfort food dinner!  Pizza, Snickers, and lemon/lime fizzy water.  I did whip out some pretty depression glass and one of my silent film star highball glasses.

So onto the film!  I do so adore this movie!  From the plot to the soundtrack to the dancing to the costumes.  Especially the costumes!  Ginger's wardrobe is amazing!  She's already a stunning woman, but in these clothes, she's just dazzling.  She's a diamond.

So stunning!

Fred is his usual charming self.  He's always good and likable.  I always find him even better with Ginger.  She shines and I think is by far the best partner he was ever paired with.  Astaire was just so graceful that everyone looked like a lummox next to him.  Everyone but Ginger.  I really liked him with Eleanor Powell, but I think that is because they danced next to each other, not "with" each other.  She was a very powerful dancer though and she not only kept up with him, but I think she out did him.  He admitted that she was too strong for him as well.

They just melted into each other.

Fred does Mr Bojangles in this film.  It's a beautiful scene.  The visual is so clever and the choreography is wonderful.  It's another one of those "I just don't know how he did it" moments.

See this movie just for this scene.

The script is quick and fun.  You love both characters and just want them to be happy.  It's really charming.  A great light comedy that is just beautiful to look at.  

Lookit these goofballs!  They just make me all squishy!

I had another lovely evening.  Pizza and chocolate are always always good, just like Rogers and Astaire!

Love,

Olive

PS: Sorry this is a bit brief, but like I said, I'm fried and today is daylight savings time, and that always messes me up a bit!  Next week I'll be better, and I've already got dinner figured out.  

  

New Year's Resolution Week Nine: The Bride Of Frankenstein

And here we are at week nine!  This week we delve into horror!  Nice change of pace.  I love all of the Universal monsters.  I've seen this movie many many times, but it's a good one, so I didn't mind.  Not too super excited about it though.

I was left on my own for dinner again, and I was a bit dumbfounded as to what to make for tonight.  Then it came to me!  Bride of Frankenstein...bride...wedding.  Let's have a wedding!  I haven't been to too many weddings, and they were pretty simple, so I figured I'd just mimic what they served.  Salad, bread, steak, potatoes, mixed veggies, champagne, and CAKE!!  Then I grabbed some jordan almonds, cause what wedding is complete with out jordan almonds?  Right?  The only things I had to change were the steak and the champagne.  I found some veggie steaks, different from what I had before.  These were canned and made by a company named Loma Linda.  Then I traded the champagne for sparkling grape juice again. Pretty darned easy.

Here's my wedding feast! Fancy salad, jordan almonds, dinner roll, veggie steak, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, and CAKE!  Did I mention that I got to eat cake? And ahem, there's also some beautiful depression glass.

So, the movie.  I love sequels, and like I said, I love the Universal Monsters, so this film is right up my alley.  Two loves.  The movie is corny.  The dialog and the acting, pure corn.  It's supposed to be though.  I believe it is one of the first horror comedies(shout out to Lon Chaney's The Monster 1925).  My favorite character is The Bride and Elsa Lanchester is perfect in this role.  Her features are so elegant and they just fit the role so well.  She doesn't have to do much acting honestly, so it's hard to give an opinion.  She mostly screams and hisses.  Even when she is playing Mary Shelley, it's pretty brief.  It's her appearance that stands out to me.  

She's just perfect for this role. Made for it, you might say!  Ugh!  That was bad....

Karloff's Monster is very sympathetic in this film.  He really touched me with is portrayal.  I felt a real connection to The Monster.  His loneliness permeated the film.  Apparently, Karloff didn't think The Monster should speak, but I disagree.  Maybe he shouldn't have spoken as much as he did, but when he reached out and said, "Friend".  It just broke my heart.  I have to say that this is probably the best Karloff acting I've ever seen.  Except maybe How The Grinch Stole Christmas, but since that is one of the most amazing things ever, it's not a fair comparison.  ;-)  

The rejection breaks my heart.  So so good.

I had another wonderful night.  Dinner was very good, but given all of the carbs that were on my plates, how could it not be?  I mean let's be honest!  The veggie steak was a little mushy for my taste.  I like my meat substitutes to be firm!!  But it was ok.  The movie was a lot of fun, and I did notice more about it looking at it with a more critical eye.  I find that rewatching movies brings another perspective to them because what I take away from them all depends on my mood.  

Next week I've got a toughy, and I'm already thinking, but I've got no ideas....  At least the movie will be good for sure!  It's another favorite!

Love, 

Olive