Fresh from cinema.. ..Modern Times

As you might remember I now and then have the chance to watch classics in Cinema in Hannover. Yes.. I am very, very grateful for that..

So last week I had the opportunity to see

MODERN TIMES (USA, 1936)

by Charles Chaplin.

In a nut-shell:

A factory worker (Charles Chaplin) struggles with modern machinery, the police, a feeding machine, co-prisoners and many other things and persons while hoping for a peaceful life with with a pretty gamin (Paulette Goddard).

~ a very cute couple: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Chaplin ~

Though I am not really a fan of slapstick - and even less when it contains food - I enjoy Charles Chaplin's films. And to see this one on big screen with a small but very enthusiastic audience of maybe 15-20 people was really great. Paulette Goddard for sure looked very pretty - and I wished my fingernails would look that terrific when I was collecting wood all day long, too.. Luckily I haven't had to collect wood for some time now.. though.. it might do my fingernails good.. strange that Cosmo magazine never tells about that.. 

~ really, Paulette Goddard, REALLY??? ~

About the film itself was talked that much before - though I just noticed I never mentioned Charles Chaplin here before.. - I think I spare you the well-known stories about him pouring water over Miss Goddard's head and declare that to be her costume. (Love at first splash - no doubt..) Yes.. it was the last silent film Charles Chaplin did - yes it contains the wonderful song SMILE which by then was just "THEME OF MODERN TIMES" and which was written by Mr. Chaplin. I love that song.. There are several other pieces of music in this film - and actually I am working on a post about the soundtrack of this film.. 

I have to confess that I like Charles Chaplin most because of his ability to arouse my pity for his character. Over all I am since like forever more a Buster Keaton girl. 

~ rather Keaton than Chaplin?? Excuse me???? ...
- yes.. it is true.. but I like them both.. ~

Still - I very much enjoyed seeing this film in cinema. This Wednesday I will watch another classic there - and I am looking very much forward for that.. 

~ now this is really the image of a sweet home.. ~

Though I was quite often in cinema this year there are several films I have not written about in my Fresh from cinema series - like there were e.g. PARANORMAN (which was ok - but which I do not have to see again..) and THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT (which was rubbish) and to be honest I do not know whether I am going to write about them at all.. We will see.. 

~ mhmmm.. Now I want a banana, too..
I cannot believe how much Miss Goddard eats in this film..~

For now: thank you very much for listening!

Irene

One Ring to rule them all.. (2)

Well.. yes.. the series goes on...

As announced I watched

 THE LORD OF THE RINGS - THE TWO TOWERS (USA/New Zealand, 2002)

by Peter Jackson.

I love this film poster above.. I also adore these lines:

One Ring to rule them all, 

One Ring to find them, 

One Ring to bring them all,

And in the Darkness bind them!

I prefer the first film of THE LORD OF THE RINGS series far before the others. The second film is a real challenge for me – though I find the first film in parts really creepy - anyone remember the Ork attack in the mines? Or the 9 Kings searching for Frodo?? Even just their horses freak me out.. I am a sissy. I will not deny that. I am wincing and hiding my face - and actually hugging my Teddy Bear or pillow when watching those films – still I love them. That is inconsequent – but true. 

But what really makes me unhappy with the second film is Gollum. 

That poor little guy.. He is kind of creepy - still he breaks my heart.. When he talks to himself and cries – little me cries with him.. He is betrayed that often and it really makes me feel awful to be so helpless.. yes.. even if it is “just” a character in a film or book I would love to help – I do not want any creature especially those in whom I take a liking to be unhappy. You may laugh at me – but I think if there is one character in THE LORD OF THE RINGS who really needs a hug it is Gollum. There are many characters in need of a hug there – but he really, really should have get one.. To be honest: when he returns in being cynical and mean: It makes me kind of glad for him. 

One of my favourite characters (second favourite to be specific) is

 Sam (Sean Astin) 

but the way he threatens Gollum costs him the pole position in my favours.. He would have been my favourite.. He is loyal to his friend Frodo. A caring and good-minded friend. And yes.. I think he is cute.. Really adorable.. But if there is one weaker than you: you do not bully him. Absolute no-go in my little world. If you are stronger it is your job to protect and help. Period. And still.. I love Sam.. I do. Honestly. 

Well..  Why...yes.. I like Sean Astin.. I don't get the connection here.. Why do you ask that???

Another thing that irks me in this film: the killing of trees.. Aye.. I am a tree-hugger.. So what? 

Uhm.. better I stop here.. Before I start giving away free hugs I am going to hug my Bear again and watch the third film of the LORD OF THE RINGS series..

But here is a quick one showing a very young Sean Astin with his shirt off..

~ well.. nice, hm?? ...

- Still I for one love him being more chubby.. 

yes.. true story.. that's the way MY cookie crumbles...  ~ 

Just for those who are still wondering: Sean Astin's mother is Patty Duke - Three years after John Astin married Patty Duke he adopted Sean as his son - but they are not biological related - though that would really make me freak out in amazement.. (Anyone wonder how I might feel about John Astin?? Yes.. guess there is no question left..)  

Thank you for listening! You all amaze me by doing so.. 

Really - you are awesome, my lovelies!

Irene

One Ring to rule them all.. (1)

I am on holiday these days.. and I use this time to do some film marathons.. Lately I have not watched too many films.. but as the days grow shorter and the evenings darker I of course enjoy snuggling up on my couch and watching films.. I hope I will come back into blogging mood, too.. Hope some of you are still around.. 

Since I am  - not very patient though.. I have to confess - awaiting the release of THE HOBBIT in December (on December, 13 to be specific..) I spent some time now re-watching THE LORD OF THE RINGS.. A short post series ahead?? Oh.. you can bet your sweet smiles on it! ...

Right now I finished watching

 THE LORD OF THE RINGS : THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING 

(New Zealand/ USA, 2001)

 by Peter Jackson.. 

And I think I will not spare you some of my thoughts about it.. that is about one character there I really adore..

But first: I cannot believe how old this film is by now.. 2001??? That is crazy... ok.. that was that.. though... honest?? ....  2001???? ....

What was I about to say?

oh.. yes..

There is one character in THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS I find most interesting.. He is brave, he is loyal, he is easily annoyed, he is at times weak - and he is luckily looking like Sean Bean.. Yes.. it is Boromir.. I love him. I think he is one of the most interesting characters in this film..

Well.. I will not sing long songs about him.. I want to go back to blogging in small steps.. (better for all of us..) 

- just have a look:

~ ... ~

Thank you.. and now I am off for THE LORD OF THE RINGS : THE TWO TOWERS... 

Irene

Seven - minus one - days of.. ..Marilyn Monroe - postponed

Yes.. sorry to say this.. when it comes to Marilyn Monroe I have a head full of ideas - but none is good enough to be posted.. I don't want to do another list of which films I like most or stuff like that.. and since I cannot come up with something good enough I am going to postpone the final post for this mini series..

Besides I am full of ideas what I want to do instead.. and limiting myself to do a certain number of posts makes me stubborn.. it is really horrible if you start rebelling against yourself.. Well.. I will send myself to bed quite early then.. (and NO DESSERT, YOUNG LADY!!)

So.. I just share some of my favourite Marilyn Monroe pictures from the filming of THE MISFITS with you:

Arthur Miller and Marilyn having a picnic:

with a little friend:

just gorgeous:

with husband Arthur Miller again:

with a little lady fan:

having fun with the guys:

still having fun with the guys:

and my absolute favourite shows her and Montgomery Clift:

~ isn't that just gorgeous?? I love the light here.. ~

I will do something else on this blog soon..  Something which  I like to write - and as I hope you like to read and see...

Thank you for still following this blog.. and: confess! You would be bored to death if I wasn't frequently changing my mind and changing this blog.. 

Thank you all!!

Irene

Seven - minus one - days of.. ..Marilyn Monroe (5)

Here we are.. it's the new issue of my mini series Seven - minus one - days of.. ..Marilyn Monroe. 

As I promised - here is my list of favourite leading men of Marilyn Monroe - with my favourite partner of hers as the last one named in this list.. I have not yet seen all of her films so some men might just be missing here - others I simply do not like too much.. - the higher the ranking the closer these actors are in my favour.. I had a hard time to decide:

~ this post is also part of my series: L'amour - l'amour.. ~

The honourably mentioned: Jack Lemmon in SOME LIKE IT HOT (USA, 1959) and Don Murray in BUS STOP (USA, 1956) - like them both.. but still... Well.. Don Murray almost made it to the list - I can confess that..

11. Okay.. there actually might have been a top ranking for Robert Mitchum who was her partner in RIVER OF NO RETURN (USA, 1954).. I really like him very much and I think they were great together.. - but still there is one scene in this film which really puts me off.. I am not ok with men forcing women. Period. I love the fact that Robert Mitchum actually knew her before she became Marilyn Monroe since he was a co-worker and friend of her husband James Dougherty when she was "plain" brunette Norma Jean.. But still.. I cannot get over that scene - so (although his character besides that in this film is adorable..) he has to stand back - he only made it to the list because he IS Robert Mitchum.

~ I love this picture of Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum ~

10. Laurence Olivier.. I love THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL (UK/USA, 1957) - and though they might have been not too easy together I think they are one of the most funny film couples ever..

~ yes.. I am simply in love with that dress.. ~

9. Also I liked Donald O'Connor as her partner in THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOWBUSINESS. I think he was very likeable..

~ another costume I just adore.. ~

8. After that I pick Richard Widmark who was her leading man in DON'T BOTHER TO KNOCK. I like his performance in that film very much..

7. George Sanders - they worked together in ALL ABOUT EVE (USA, 1950).. Highly attractive man, very witty and a bit dangerous.. What more can I say?

6. and 5. Though they might not play first fiddle in MISFITS (USA, 1961) Montgomery Clift and Eli Wallach are for sure some of my favourite actors to star with Marilyn Monroe. Actually I cannot get over Roslyn going for Clark Gable instead of Eli Wallach - or well.. Montgomery Clift.. (Though I would have chosen Eli Wallach - or... Montgomery Clift?? .. Mr. Wallach's character is rather nasty and unfair at one point in this film.. - but after all we all have those weak moments.. ... I would really be in trouble here..)

4. I like Joseph Cotten very, very much and he and Marilyn Monroe were great together in one of my favourite films of her: NIAGARA (USA, 1953) - so of course he ranks pretty high in this list..

~ this yawn is for sure not related to the fact she is sitting next to Joseph Cotten..  ~

3. Tom Ewell in THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (USA, 1955) - just because he is so unbelievable funny.. I love this man..

~ Love that dress.. apparently Tom Ewell does, too.. ~

2. Louis Calhern who was "her man" in ASPHALT JUNGLE (USA, 1950). I really adore him - and find him quite attractive.. He is one of my top favourite actors - so this is not actually a surprise..

1. My favourite leading man is an actor who is actually one of my highest ranked top favourite actors.. I think he is one of the most handsome and talented you can find.. He worked four times with Marilyn Monroe - though they were not always a couple - and actually were not even in a scene together in one of those films - though they were in the same episode of this episode movie - of course I am talking about the fabulous David Wayne. 

As for the actor I would have loved to see staring with Marilyn Monroe - that would have been another of my altime favourites: Marlon Brando. I am sure they would have been divine together - she so very female and he so very, very male.. Well.. I can dream about that.. At least they had this long going love affair.. And I just love the idea of them being kind of a couple..

Thank you very much for your visit!

Yours

Irene

Seven - minus one - days of.. ..Marilyn Monroe (4)

Almosts done with my mini series Seven - minus one - days of.. ..Marilyn Monroe..

It's Saturday.. So - we will be Swinging with a star...

I think my favourite song sung by Marilyn Monroe is 

DOWN IN THE MEADOW by  Ken Darby and Lionel Newman. 

She sings it in RIVER OF NO RETURN (1954) by Otto Preminger and Jean Negulesco ..

Hope you like it, too:

 

Thank you very much for listening!

Irene

Seven - minus one - days of.. ..Marilyn Monroe (3)

Welcome to a new issue of

Seven - minus one - days of.. ..Marilyn Monroe!!

And: 

Yay it's Monday again!! .

... 

what??

...

"yay"??

... 

??? 

yes.. Since Mondays are a real challenge for so many people - on this blog I have a series called Start with a smile -  posting pictures which show people having fun - or simply making me smile.. I like people smiling.. 

And here is some nice idea for the coming week - illustrated by my guest Marilyn Monroe..

Because we all need a hug at times.. 

(I am actually needing one right now, too...)

But have Marilyn Monroe and Susan Strasberg showing you some ideas on how to hug:

This one is my favourite:

Thank you very much for visiting!

I do hope you all have someone to hug!

Have a nice start into your week!

Irene