#film

Jan 26, 2020

...Pink-Collar Funny "My '9 to 5' Film Review Published!"

Thank you, Flickside, for publishing my "9 to 5" fortieth anniversary tribute! As many of you know, this was my FAVORITE movie as a young girl. So this film review holds a very, very special place in my heart. Here's to the ultimate "POWER-CHICK-CLIQUE." Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, you filled my heart with joy back in 1980, as you still do today. And thanks to all the wonderful females in my life who have helped shape me. It's been a wild, fun ride. https:

33 views

Dec 31, 2019

...Eclectic "My 2019 Mash-Up"

2019 was a great year – at least in my arts & culture universe, a world decidedly far flung from the rough ‘n tumble of modern politics, climate change debate, and all other serious problems. The real world is tough right now. I get it. I feel it. If I can bring a temporary smile to someone’s face, to help them to remember to breathe, appreciate, and feel light, to help them escape from the real world for even just a moment – well then this blog has been successful. So, b

31 views

Dec 18, 2019

...A Little Pink Gem "Little Drew Barrymore Circa 1984"

Happy 35th Anniversary to “Irreconcilable Differences” (1984). Starring Old Hollywood royalty’s littlest gem, actress Drew Barrymore, this movie infinitely sparkles. Watch it wearing your '80s Ray-Ban glasses. Now Old Hollywood royalty is a unique bunch. Actress Drew Barrymore is no exception. Born in 1975, she arguably shouldn't even be CALLED Old Hollywood royalty. Still, her dusty, celestial lineage paints a compelling case: She’s the daughter of actor John Drew Barr

16 views

Oct 6, 2019

...Cray-Cray "Sorry 'Bout That Nun Movie"

Few things are more inspiring than crazy nuns hangin’ out in the Himalaya Mountains. Think spooky wind chimes. A treacherous cliff. And these pious ladies gotta transform an ex-harem into a reputable, good-for-the-soul convent (in their case, a school and hospital). Think this spells disaster? You’re right. “Black Narcissus” from 1947 is an oldie flick with a badass reputation, both in the world at large and in my own home. For starters, refer back to my “25 Favorite Fi

49 views

Sep 29, 2019

...Rockin' Amy Heckerling "National Lampoon's European Vacation"

Rising to stardom with 1982’s “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” today considered an ‘80s cult classic, Amy Heckerling was perfect to direct 1985’s “National Lampoon’s European Vacation.” The sequel to the hilarious megahit “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” this film had a lot riding on it. And Heckerling scores. As evidenced in “Fast Times,” she was uber-talented in tapping into zany ‘80s America. The zeitgeist of “larger-than-life.” She turned Ridgemont High into a massive u

33 views

Jul 13, 2019

...Holiday Road "A Summer Classic Revisited"

Thank you, Flickside, for publishing my film review entitled "National Lampoon's Vacation: Hilarious Classic Ripe for Summer" (1983). So happy to share this fun film review on the heels of my FAVE holiday, July 4th. Happy summer, everyone! https://flickside.com/national-lampoons-vacation-1983-review (copy/paste link) #film

19 views

Apr 22, 2019

...Black New York "Where Old Hollywood Starlets Go to Die"

Yes, yes, no need to tell me. What a morbid post. Let alone in the blossoming pink month of April. What can I say, my lovelies. Even in spring, some of us will keel over, slip away into a forever sleep, and reckon with the ancient Greek god Fate before our morning tea. Kerplunk! As former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said, “I cannot die washing a teacup!” Beautifully said. She died in 2013, aged 87, NOT washing a teacup. But back to glittery dying st

67 views

Mar 3, 2019

...Appreciative "The Loss of Stanley Donen"

STANLEY DONEN (1924 - 2019) Hollywood film director Stanley Donen passed away this February 21st, 2019, at age ninety-four. Known for directing such musical classics as “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952), “Damn Yankees!” (1958) and “Funny Face” (1957) – the latter with dancing icon Fred Astaire and a sprightly Audrey Hepburn – Donen was a magical, whimsical powerhouse director whose ethereal glitter will be greatly missed. For me, however, I most loved Donen’s 1960s non-musical

53 views

Dec 24, 2018

...In Pink Cursive "An Affair to Remember"

I finish this third blog year with a movie that “started it all.” Cue the waiter with pink champagne. And where's that Dramamine for seasickness? “An Affair to Remember,” you chic, 1950s shipboard romance – sparkling up Old Hollywood like a diamond on the crest of a wave – you enchanted me three years ago as you still do today. It was December 27, 2015. I had just returned home from celebrating Christmas with family in my snowy, rustic New England world. I cuddled up on

82 views

Sep 28, 2018

...Rainbow Sprinkles "The Sweet Ones"

Someone asked me recently if “Splendor in the Grass” (1961) is on my “25 Favorite Films” list – to which I replied “no.” I then promptly recited to him my “flicks that made the cut” – and my highly thoughtful, and mysteriously enchanting, selection process (or so according to him). The fact that this man was a film buff like me delighted me – and his loving of this touching, bittersweet 1961 classic downright elated me. But, as we sat under the umbrella of our sweet picnic-

66 views

May 26, 2018

...Escapist "My Summer Movie List"

With the summer solstice approaching on June 21st, and then the deep, underwater days of summer, which I always estimate to be between July 28th and August 3th (the sleepiest, dreamiest week of my calendar year), I bestow upon you my “Summer Movie List.” A la a high school teacher and her “Summer Reading List.” It’s time to enjoy the longer daylight, the warmer temps, and the magic of nature which is on full bountiful display during this one precious season. What makes a gr

64 views

Mar 10, 2018

...Confused "The Trials and Tribulations of Being an Old Hollywood Film Buff"

Now there’s Netflix and Amazon Prime, Hulu and On Demand. There’s streaming and downloading. There’s a smart TV or a dumb one – which if it’s dumb renders most of the above options useless. Oh, and what’s a Fire Stick? There’s the DVD player, Blu-ray player, Xbox, and laptop. There’s DVR. There’s even YouTube. But, above all, there’s the knowledge that being what you are – an Old Hollywood film buff – you’ll likely be chasing down obscure movies, that can only be watch

61 views

May 29, 2017

...Honeypot Yellow "They're Like Winnie the Pooh"

I dip my fingertips in honeypot goo and dub thee "my favorite oldie rom-com.” Yes, the film “Vacation from Marriage” (1945) has undoubtedly earned this title. Just ask my Blu-ray player. This little obscure 1945 gem has graced my sleek modern Blu-ray player like a dusty old friend that I just can’t seem to shake. Why would I want to anyway? Let that dust dance, baby. But first, let’s get back to honeypot goo. “Vacation from Marriage” is a feel-good romantic comedy with

80 views

Feb 4, 2017

...Emerald Green "Are You Joan Wilder?"

1984. It was a “seminal” year for me. 'Twas the year I saw (drum roll) the movie “Romancing the Stone.” Just a wee girl of eight, I loved movies, books, music – even TV commercials. I used to hide out in our family bathroom (where the acoustics were best) reenacting TV commercials. (Shower to Shower powder was one of my faves.) I had a serious knack for memorizing lines, mimicking voices, matching vocal speed, and even ad-libbing script. I was the classic “artsy” kid.

60 views

Nov 19, 2016

...Shimmery Yellow "Doctor Zhivago"

A shimmery whispering yellow in the trees – it comes for me this time of year. Doctor Zhivago. In autumn, whenever I see a gust of wind outside my window, creating a lonesome, magical cascade of colorful leaves and an undeniable atmosphere in the trees, I think of one haunting line – “Nobody loves poetry like a Russian.” Dear, dear Doctor Zhivago. That might be true. Indeed, maybe nobody loves poetry like a Russian – or better yet like filmmakers Carlo Ponti and David Le

70 views

Oct 3, 2016

...Windswept "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison"

The other day I watched “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison” (1957), a wondrously windswept, sand-in-your-eyes, nun-luvin’ movie set in the World World II South Pacific and starring Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr. Now I'm not one for wartime flicks. It's never been a genre of film I gravitate to, but speaking plainly – this film was a joy, even with deaths, bombing, and drunkenness. Here's why. Let's meet the players. Robert Mitchum is Mr. Allison, a gruff U.S. Marine Corporal wh

127 views

Jul 20, 2016

...Ethereal "The Birthday of a Swan"

You know how some people like to open a new novel and read the last page first? I’m like that with Old Hollywood movie stars. Now, it’s not so much that I like to see their “final movie” first. It’s more that I insist on seeing it period. I’d feel gypped without it – cheated of the supremely important “final curtain call,” perhaps quite literally. Sometime, somehow, I’m finding that last movie – and I’m rollin’ tape. To me, every person has a story. That includes mysel

41 views

Apr 1, 2016

...Black and White "My Old Hollywood Winter"

With my last delicate sip of Darjeeling tea, I whisper “Farewell, darling” to my Old Hollywood winter. Amber muscatel warms like the impending yellow tulip of April. I went deep this winter – searched the obscure, dusty vaults of celluloid to watch “Only Angels Have Wings” (1937) and “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962) and “The Best Years of Our Lives” (1946) and others. This writer loves to see written words translated into motion picture. Should I admit this? Now

45 views

Jan 10, 2016

...Crazy? "25 Favorite Films"

Sharing my “25 Favorite Films” list is an absurdly personal thing to do. I’m quite protective of revealing my favorite “anything” – but most especially my favorite art. I see it as revealing a part of my soul – and who wants their soul to be in any way criticized, or left on the table for all to view. I prefer to keep something for myself. I see on social media profiles a place where you can enter your favorite movies, books, etc. I love seeing what others have written.

91 views

Jan 4, 2016

...Grateful "Me and My Misfit Friends"

Going out with my fortyish, never-been-married single friends for a Friday night happy hour is like docking on the “Island of Misfit Toys.” For those familiar with the adorbs 1960s animated Christmas TV classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” you might recall this magical Arctic wonderland. It boasts a cowboy who rides an ostrich (huh?), a pink-polka-dotted elephant (a bad case of acne?), and a train whose caboose has square wheels (a seriously bumpy backseat ride). There

21 views

COLOR ME...

a guide to vintage pop!