Nuremberg

 

It was World Holocaust Day this past Tuesday which coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp by the Red Army( The Soviets). No words can express the horrors that had occurred to the millions of Jewish people as well as the the Romani (Gypsys), homosexuals, the mentally and visually handicapped and, like my Grandfather, Germans who opposed the vile regime. Despite morons who claim this never happened, it did and we should never, ever forget and we should visit one memorial, camp or museum that showcases these horrors. I am going to discuss 3 films that are all about the Nuremberg Trials that took place between 1946 to 1949.

1. JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG-1961

This, to me, is THE film about the Nuremberg trials that stars a ton of famous stars from Spencer Tracy as a presiding judge, Marlene Dietrich as a General’s widow, Maximillian Schell as the defense attorney, Richard Widmark as the prosecuting attorney, Montgomery Clift and Judy Garland as witnesses, Burt Lancaster as a defendant and other actors including William Shatner as an assistant to the judge. We follow the judge who must oversee this latest trial( there were 12) and wants to understand how the German people could follow such ruthless and disgusting thugs that ended up ruling and ruining a country. Burt rarely talks in this film, except near the end and you remember him. Judy Garland is in this film for a few minutes but she gives a stellar performance and one that lasts with you. It is one of the first films to show actual footage of the holocaust victims. This is a film to be studied and applauded.

2. NUREMBERG-2000

This is a docudrama, in a 2 part TV movie, produced mainly by Canadian TV, that stars Alec Baldwin as the main prosecutor with Brian Cox as Herman Goering along with Christopher Plummer and Max Von Sydow as a judge and lawyer. It is a film I watched back in 2000 but would love to revisit because it sticks to the real facts of the case. It’s a shame that so many people find history boring because by reading and watching  films like this may prevent something like this to happen again…and it can happen again. Alec Baldwin is excellent as the prosecuting attorney and Brian Cox is brilliant as the evil F@#” Goering.

3. NUREMBERG-2025

My hubby and I just watched this film this past weekend and I just don’t understand why it is not up for ny Academy Awards. Russell Crowe, who is really that fat, plays Goering bringing nuances to this person that is hard to do because he brought some, should I even say it, humanity to someone who is a psychotic, narcissist murderer. Just when you feel, like the psychiatrist portrayed by Rami Malek, that Goering has human qualities, you see his evil and how well he could manipulate anyone he comes across. I had no idea that a psychiatrist played an integral part in this famous trial and how this psychiatrist found that these psychos are/were normal joes who turned into monsters and that it can happen to anyone. I believe this film, with its not too subtle message considering the Thugs in the Oval Office right now, has been purposefully rebuffed from any awards show by the executroids because they have been bought/ cajoled by the regime in the U. S. Right now. Sadly, I can see it here, in Canada, my country which I will always defend. I love this movie and Richard E. Grant is superb as the British lawyer who saves the day. 

Have you seen any of these films? What do you think?

Which Song Won The Oscar- 1979

 

1979 is an interesting year for movies. You have the Muppets, politics and Sally Field ditching her flying nun and Smokey characters  portraying a tough gal asking for a union. The music is pretty damn good so I chose 1979 for your guesses on which song won the Oscar, which was nominated  and which got nadda plus I'm joining Monday Music Moves Me.

1. IT GOES LIKE IT GOES SUNG BY JENNIFER WARNES

This is from the film, "Norma Rae" which stars Sally Field as a woman who works in a plant and realizes the workers are getting the shaft. This song wasvwritten by David Shire with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. 

2. THE ROSE SUNG BY BETTE MIDLER

This is a famous song written by Amanda McBroom, sung with amazing depth by the great Bette Midler for the film, The Rose."

3. THE RAINBOW CONNECTION SUNG BY KERMIT THE FROG

This great song was written by Paul Williams and David Ascher for the film  "The Muppet Movie." The voice is by Jim Hensen as Kermit the Frog and is another famous song we all love. 

So which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which one came up with nuttin' honey?

January Happenings

 

I was thinking, always dangerous, what events happened in January and, quite a bit to be honest. I decided to think of movies that correlate with the event in January and here we go…

1. ZULU-1964

This stars a young Michael Caine as an arrogant British officer, stationed in Africa, who must defend their stronghold against the Zulus  who have decided to squish the British into dust. Much to the Zulu’s disbelief, the small band of soldiers give all they have to defend their small area winning the Zulus’ respect. I could have seen this film many times but just never felt the pull to see this. I’m glad I finally did because it is so well done. The acting, cinematography, direction is all superlative and the writing is sure to grab you and build the tension between the 2 armies.

2. A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS-1966

Good ole Henry the 8th is married but without a male heir. He notices the young and very attractive Anne Boleyn and soon his loins are wanting every inch of her…he was a pig after all. The problem? He’s already married and the church doesn’t like to see divorce, so Hank Baby is in a pickle. He asks his good friend, Sir Thomas More to side with him so he can be all horned toad with poor Anne but Thomas will not hear of it. Thomas believes in his convictions and will not budge ending with imprisonment and his head. Henry and Anne end up marrying in January but to what, end does it mean? Paul Schofield won an Oscar as Sir Thomas More, deservedly so, and Richard Burton plays the dashing king ( before the King’s excesses won out creating a Bloated jerk with syphilis).

3. THE TAKING OF PELHAM, ONE , TWO, THREE-1974

The first subway was in London in January in the late 1800s, but this takes place on a grubby NYC subway where 3 men take over this one subway and request money or else a person will die each hour..I think it’s an hour. The tension is strong with superlative acting by Robert Shaw as head of the gang and Walter Matthau as the head of the traffic. It’s so interesting how each person has to make their small parts carry and it does. It is so worth seeing without young hunks and barbies acting as if they are normal human beings. It's intelligently written and grips you from beginning to end.

Any films you can think of where the event took place in January?

January Is Not Over Yet

 

Over at Curious As A Cathy, The Monday Music Moves Me is all about January. You can go by new beginnings, the history of this month, the wolf moon or just tht it is the double F…F%&@Ing Freezing. I do love the glitter of the snow like diamond dust and, when you walk, it feels like one is walking on powdered sugar. I so enjoy it, for now, ask me in March and you will get a different answer…lol. Here are the songs I have chosen..

1. SONG FOR A WINTER’S NIGHT SUNG BY GORDON LIGHTFOOT-1967

I love Gordon Lightfoot who is a Canadian icon and this song, about love, lost love, seems to suit this month since people are already bemoaning what a long winter we are having. Get ready, because we still have February and the dreaded March which has a bag of mixed weather tricks.

2. HAZY SHADE OF WINTER SUNG BY SIMON AND GARFUNKEL-1966

I love Simon and Garfunkel even if they can’t stand one another, they just harmonize so beautifully together. This is another great song that Paul Simon wrote.

3. WHITE WINTER HYMNAL SUNG BY FLEET FOXES-2008

I never heard of this improv folk band from the States until recently ( another blogger posted it on their site and I forgot who…I am so very sorry but thank you for introducing them to me) and I love the way they sound. I will hear more when I get the chance.

Bonus…

JUNE IN JANUARY SUNG BY JULIE LONDON-1956

I do love Julie London who sings like velvet all steamed up and ready to mingle. This was written by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. It’s from her album, “Calendar Girls.” 

What songs make you think of January?

Who Should Have Won The Oscar

 

The year of the movies was 1990 when Dances With Wolves was the big winner ( I am going by the year the films came out, not the year of the Oscars). Despite people hating this film, I still like it very much( except when the dastardly S.O.B.‘S  kill the wolf...I can't see that scene..hurts too much). I am one of a few who just can't stand Goodfellas. I hate Ray Liotta's laugh and the whole film just makes me want to take a shower. It's repellent to me. I know, I’m one of the few. One film that didn't get much love at all was Edward Scissorhands and it should have been up for more Oscars including Best Original Screenplay.

1. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS

Edward Scissorhands should have one Best Original Screenplay because it is such an original fairy tale using the Frankenstein thinking but in a completely unique way. Dianne Wiest, who should have been up for Best Supporting Actress, is an Avon lady who decides to drive way up to this dilapidated castle where she meets a Dr. Caligari type “ monster” with scissors for hands. He is gentle but lonely so she decides to bring him home to live with her and her family, which includes her teen daughter, played by Winona Ryder. All the neighbours are curious about this scarred up young man including the local nympho who lets Edward cut her hair. He becomes the next best thing creating amazing hairdos along with great artistic pieces from neighbourhood bushes. The only one who can’t stand him is the girl’s boyfriend.  The art direction is superb and seeing Vincent Price in a sympathetic role as his “dad” just is the cherry on the top. It should have been up for Best Picture and Best Score, even though I like Dances with Wolves score a Smidget better, but it’s all apples and oranges. Johnny Depp met Winona n the set and they became an item to the degree that he had her name tattooed on his arm. Of course, it didn’t work out so he changed his tattoo which now says Wino Forever.

2. GHOST

This film won Best Original Screenplay and…it shouldn’t have even though I love the movie. I think most of us have seen this film about a loving husband and wife when their lives are destroyed when he is murdered in a mugging. Of course, she is devastated but her dead husband is unsure why he is still roaming the streets. He happens onto a place where, it is claimed, this chick can talk to the dead. He wanders in and starts to laugh at the tactics that are being done to fleece the widows only to find out this gal hears him! Whoopi Goldberg was brilliant as the criminal who can hear the dead, for real. He enlists her help to talk to his wife, who does not believe her…at first. The story takes a dark turn when he finds out he was deliberately murdered for knowing too much and he has placed his wife in harm’s way. It is a sweet love story even though Demi Moore’s character could have been played by just about anyone. It’s a great story but it’s not as original as as Edward S. I always hope that Patrick Swayze is watching over his beloved wife and dancing with her when she is dancing. ( He could really dance and they met while dancing). 

3. ALICE

There was a time that just about every year, Woody Allen was nominated in the Best Original Screenplay category before he had an affair with his step-daughter, the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow and Andre Previn, bringing an end to their marriage and creating  a very vicious and public break-up. I mean, he didn’t do himself any favours when he left Mia for this girl whom he had known since she was, I think, 12 yrs old…maybe younger. This film stars Mia in a boring marriage who longs for some excitement and finds it via her dreams etc.. Woody Allen is brilliant in writing and creating complex characters who all may need a therapist, he should know since he has been going to one for decades. 

Avalon, Green Card and Metropolitan were the other films up for this award. I’ve seen Green Card and not quite sure it should have been here. It’s nice but no match to the others. 

What about you, do you agree with me, agree with The Academy or would you choose another?

Friendship

 

I believe today is the day of friendship and my friend, Loretta and I, have been friends for over 40 years…crazy! The 80s do not seem to be 40 years ago, but it is…I find that wild.  I’m posting 3 songs about friendship and these are songs that came into my head right away. I’m joining Monday Music Moves Me which is freebie week. 

1. FRIENDSHIP SUNG BY LUCILLE BALL AND VIVIAN VANCE-1953

Loretta loves, I mean, Loves, Lucille Ball and who doesn’t?! This song, written by Cole Porter, was used in this episode to great effect when Lucy and Ethel sing this song together with great affection. This changes when, they show up at the benefit wearing the same dress. Jealousy ensues and mayhem takes the form of each gal slowly destroying the other gals’ gown.

2. THE WAY OLD FRIENDS DO SUNG BY ABBA-1979

I played this song for my friend who thought it was a bit sombre, aka, for funerals….she is wrong, of course, because I always think of Loretta and myself when I hear this song. I think it’s one of the most beautiful from this quartet.

3. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS SUNG BY JOE COCKER-1969

This is just iconic as is Joe Cocker’s style when singing. This is a great song that I love listening to and never tired of. I believe John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote this song for their band, you know…the Beatles. 

What songs can you think of or, at least, what song makes you think of your best friend?

Cleanliness May Not Be Next To Godliness

 

I’m going to let you guess the theme of these movies….let’s see if you get this right:)

1. KEY LARGO-1948

This is the 4th and last movie pairing of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall who star in a Crime Drama that co-stars Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore and Clair Trevor in her Oscar winning role as the gangster’s moll. Lauren Bacall and her Father in Law, Lionel Barrymore, own a hotel when Humphrey Bogart arrives who was an old army pal of the man who died during the war and left his wife and dad alone. A hurricane is coming shutting down the hotel with them and some seedy guests. You are introduced to Edward G. While having a bubble bath and you very soon find out he is not Mr nice guy. He’s a brute who berates his girlfriend and even strikes the wheelchair bound dad, played by Lionel who really was in a wheelchair because of his severe Rheumatoid arthritis. They did not count on Humphrey who will not let these thugs get away. It’s quite a great film that I like better than, “The Big Sleep” and you can’t beat the scene stealing Claire as the alcoholic, doomed girlfriend of Edward G.

2. SOME LIKE IT HOT-1959

Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis play two down and put musicians, in the late 1920s who witness a gangster murder and must leave town ASAP. It just so happens an all girl musical group, with the lead singer, Sugar Cane, in tow, played by voluptuous Marilyn Monroe, need a bass player and a saxophonist. Enter Jack and Tony as Josephine and Daphne who board the train as the newest girls for this all girls’ band. They both vie for the affections of MM which turns into Uberdrive once they reach Miami. Tony finds out what MM would love in a man and up turns a wealthy man, with his yacht, who sounds remarkably like Cary Grant. Jack is not happy and mentions to MM that Josephine may want to hear about MM’s future love. All 3 run to the hotel with Jack hoping to catch Tony in his lie but, there is Tony, as Josephine, in a bubble bath and wins this round. Tony asks Jack to keep the old guy, played hilariously by Joe E. Brown, who owns the yacht busy while he woos MM. by the morning, Tony is happy, MM is in love and Jack is engaged to Joe E. Now enters the big gangster, played by George Raft, with his goons, to a convention of all the gangster big wigs where Tony and Jack have been fingered as the 2 witnesses and are now on the run. This is one hilarious movie that I can watch over and over again. I love Jack Lemmon and George E. Brown’s scenes with the tango scene always making me laugh. 

3. THE SILENCERS-1966

This film was made when 007 films were huge and Dean Martin spoofed this genre in a series of films as super spy, Matt Helm, who must thwart all sorts of evil bad guys. In this film, it starts with a femme fatale, played by Cyd Charisse, shot and killed after she gives a performance. Next we see Matt Helm in bed which turns upright and throws him into a very big bubble bath along with his secretary. He is happy being retired from all the spy business until his old boss comes calling asking for his help. Before you know it, he is after a very bad man who tries every which way to thwart Matt Helm in hilarious ways. Dean Martin is perfect in this role and he plays it to the hilt never taking himself seriously. The gals and Victor Bueno as the evil genius is great. I love these spoofs and you can see where Mike Myers got many of his gags from for his Austin Powers films.

Did you guess my theme? You have a great week!!