This has been a very busy week, which is why I haven't posted since Monday. The good news is that I have been keeping up with my schedule, for the most part. I am right on schedule with the movies, even though I haven't posted any reviews.
On the TV front, things aren't looking so good. I am 1 episode behind on CSI, after tonight I will be 5 episodes behind on Kung Fu, and I am 18 episodes behind on Frasier. All told, I have 18 hours of TV to watch by Monday night. I do have a plan for that, though. First, Monday was set aside for TV, so there is that. If I can get home by 8, I can probably get a good 7 or 8 of TV in. If so, I just need to watch 3 or 4 hours a night Friday-Sunday. I think that's manageable.
On the movie side of things, it's just been crazy. I only have 3 more to go for the next month. I can't believe I've made it even this far. Having a set schedule really seems to help out. On a sad note, I just hit my first defective DVD. Alas, Jeepers Creepers could not be watched at all; started pixelating in the first 30 seconds, and couldn't be fixed. That sucks, too. I remember really liking the first hour.
Moving on, I am way behind on reviews, so I am just going to bunch all of these together. Most of them will just be short remarks.
All That Heaven Allows: This film's look blew me away. I actually feel sorry for anyone that was forced to watch it on old black and white televisions because this is one of the most stunningly beautiful movies I've ever seen. Whoever did the lighting and the cinematography deserved in Oscar. I've never seen anything like it.
As for the other aspects of the film, I liked it for the most part. My one gripe is that Rock Hudsons's character was the most boring character ever. He was written to be an absolutely perfect, all-knowing, peaceful man who is one with nature. It was completely unbelievable. I also had a problem every time I saw him hunting. I can't imagine Rock Hudson ever being a woodsy type of guy in his real life.
Still, the movie isn't really about him, so though I complain, it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the film. Jane Wyman is pretty good, though her character is pretty close to being saintly as well. The highlight of the movie is the writing. I think the movie was meant to be an "Everyman" play. All the characters are really just metaphors for the issues explored in the film.
The movie deals with a recently widowed older woman (though Wyman was only in her early 30s) who ends up falling in love with a younger man, to the horror of her family and friends. The writer offers up so much criticism of American life, I don't even know where to begin. It offers a harsh rebuke to those who value materialism and status above all else, and who judge each other based on whether or not they live according to "the way things ought to be." There is a scathing rebuke to those who dare to criticize without understanding and even caring. It criticizes teenagers and college students who think the world revolves around them, and judge their parents based on their world view. Her kids can't even imagine that someone their mom's age would have the ability to fall in love again and have a romantic relationship, and believe she is being taken advantage of.
There is an interesting part of the story where her kids keep trying to get her to buy a TV (and end up getting her one) to keep her company. I always find it interesting when films condemn people that choose to "experience" life through television - and movies - rather than getting out and really living. Apparently it's all right to watch just those films. Still, I agree with the message. It has nothing nice to say about media (tv and film) entertainment, particularly how it isolates us and gives us a false perception of how people should be living.
Overall, I found this movie interesting, and applicable today. And again, the look of it just gorgeous. I will likely watch it again next year when I am done with this. I own the Criterion edition, and there are quite a few special features I want to watch.
Pinocchio - I love this movie. I wouldn't say it's one of the greatest Disney flicks, but it is one of my favorites. There is just something about the adventure and the music that hooks me every time. In 80 or so minutes, I can act like a kid again, singing along to some of my favorite Disney songs. "I Got No Strings" is my absolute favorite Disney song. On the other hand, my husband's only response was "Ya know, this film is really annoying." To each his or her own, I suppose.
Kung Fu: I did not expect the pilot to be as good as I remembered, but it was. I have always preferred the flashbacks to the David Carradine scenes in the US, but it is very entertaining overall. The episodes themselves are of lesser quality, though still fun. The one exception is the episode I watched Wednesday night called "Eye For an Eye." That was a remarkable moment of television, and a death scene that I am shocked made it past the censors.
Frasier: The episodes have been even better than I remembered, and since this my favorite show of all time, I had high expectations. The writing and acting are just superb. I had forgotten that Patrick Stewart guest starred in the final season. I am thinking of having a marathon of just Frasier tomorrow night.
One of my favorite scenes so far:
Frasier asks a woman over whom he wants to date, but Martin doesn't know that and starts hitting on her. Frasier gets upset and does the ol' "Dad, can I see you in the kitchen" routine:
Martin: I thought you brought her for me (i.e. a date)?
Frasier: Since when do I *bring* you women?
CSI: Pretty uneven, and I found several to be very boring. The last couple I watched were good, and I am coming up on the episodes that I remember being some of the best ever, so I have hopes that things will get better.
Overall, I am pleased with my progress. I already have my September schedule done and will be posting that next.
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