Year of Courage: Video Blog Part 2

FRESH OFF THE PRESSES FOLKS! I finally got the blog done! 

So here it is! Enjoy! If anyone is reading this at all...... 

Alaina's Trial by Movie: Judy Garland

THE lovely, THE beautiful, THE talented..

Judy Garland

What in the world can I say about Ms. Judy Garland? There really are no words for how I admire this woman!

Seriously! I can not describe what this woman's movies mean to me. It is actually this woman, and this movie that I made Alaina watch, that got me on my classic movie craze.

My favorite movie of all time is The Wizard of Oz, which as everyone know stars Judy Garland. However, many people only know her for that one role. I did too that is until my mother opened my eyes. 

My mom was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis is a town that is full of history from famous music, to famous people, they have the St. Louis Cardinals, they have even hosted the Olympics. This town also held another very important event, which is what Meet Me in St. Louis is about. The 1904 World's Fair which was the debut for the electric lightbulb.

The movie is a year and the life of the Smith family who live in St. Louis leading up to the 1904 World's Fair.

Since my mom is local to St. Louis she was familiar with this movie. I am not sure if someone showed her this movie or if she came upon it on her own, but either way I am happy she found it. My mom was watching this film one day on TCM and asked me if I wanted to watch it because it had Judy Garland in it. I ask her who that was and she told me that "it's Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz". Of course I wanted to watch the film because 1. that is my favorite movie and 2. because it's a musical.

 I would have never known how this one movie would have opened up so many doors. I fell even more in love with Judy after watching this film. This film was the one that got me interested in her other big hits like Easter Parade. 

However, since I will be watching Easter Parade with Alaina soon I will save how that movie led me to be here today. 

Today we are here because Alaina has been introduced into the world of Judy Garland so let's see what she has to say!

1. What were your thoughts going into the movie? I had to idea what it's about. Basically that is going to be the answer to the first questions of all of these movies because I am not going to have a clue. 

2. What was your favorite par of the movie? I enjoyed the part where Esther was beating up John. 

3. Who was your favorite character? The grandpa 

4. Why? Because he was the best grandpa ever and he had the best dad jokes.

5. What did you not like about the movie? How mean the dad was at the beginning of the film. I know it was there to show development but I still didn't like it.

6. What did you think of Judy Garland? I really enjoyed her and her dresses in the film.

7. What do you think of the movie now that you have seen it? I enjoyed it. It was a very happy film.

8. Would you watch it again? Yes

9. Would you recommend this film? Yes, it's a very happy movie.

10. What relevance does this movie have to today? I hate this question. I know that I gave you the idea for this question but I hate it cause it stumps me every time! I liked how much the family interacted with each other. They sit down for dinner, they are very much apart of each other's lives. It's the family unit that movies could use more of today. 

I am very glad that she like Judy. Since she is far behind on reading my blog it will be a while before she knows this. There are five films total on my list that star her. So, I am glad that we got the movie that best showcased Judy done before she saw the other ones. However, I am really excited for her to see the rest because Judy Garland is simply amazing...

Tom Hanks Hustle: A League of Their Own

So..

I the last blog I was worried that we were going to hit another string of not great movies with Mr. Hanks. THANK GOD that is not true!

We get right back into gear with the 1992 A League of Their Own.

That film is a fictionalized version of the All Female Professional Baseball League that formed because most of the professional male baseball players volunteered to fight in World War II. The film follows two sister who both make the major leagues. It's shows their victories, and losses, and their struggles with the world trying to accept them as a true league and the constant worries of what the war has to bring.

You know I think when I first wrote that I was doing all of Mr. Hanks movies I think I said that I don't remember what the first film that I saw him in after Toy Story. However, sitting here watching this film I think I remember. I remember being like 10 or so and watching this movie and asking my dad who this guy was cause he sounded familiar. My dad told that it was the voice of Woody. 

However, I don't remember him being this bad of a drunk from when I first watched this movie. 

However, I think this film is a big breakthrough from Mr. Hanks. We have seen many different forms of him doing non comical pieces. I think this is the first film where the stars finally align and he is able to put on a performance that is so unforgettable that you can, ironically, almost forget all of the other movies he did before this. That this type of role was the only role he was meant to play. 

The amazing part is that even though this is a dramatic role he is able to put some comedy into it. He is able to do this without going over the top and keeping beautifully simple. Just like in one of my favorite parts were he finally tries to be a manager and tell the team what to do. 

And then you can't forget the most famous line to come out of this movie...

This is the first time that I can recall that I actually saw this movie from the very start to the very end. Even though I have seen the middle to the end a half dozen times I never thought watching the movie from the start was going to have a different effect on me. I have never cried to this film before. I have never felt the range of emotion with this film as I did this time. I think a lot of that has to do to the fact that I was paying attention to the film this time. I was also paying extra attention to Mr. Hanks' performance. Let me tell you he has many different sides to himself in this film. 

I mean he plays a drunk, with a bad knee, who has some really great one lines, who goes from "I don't care about anyone" to taking the team under his wing. He even has to tell one of the girls that their husband died in battle. I mean you have to think about this film in when it came out. By today's standards this is version of Hanks that we have come to know and love. In 1992 this is a whole different ball field, yes the pun is intended. 

I really have run out of words of how much I loved his performance in this film. It's really truly something special to watch him in this film.

Tom Hanks Hustle: The Bonfire of the Vanities

Oh please no! Please I tell me we are not about to hit another run of flops!!!

The Bonfire of the Vanities is not a film you hear very much about now. Even with the amazing cast of Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman.

The movie is about a Wall Street man, Hanks, who finds himself in a hit and run situation in the Bronx. He wasn't the one driving the car but he is now caught up it a scandal of a case where the driving force is not justice it's politics and scare tactics.

Let me tell you what. This film's first 30 minutes felt like an hour. It was nice to see Mr. Hanks in a more dramatic role, but this film was just not that good. Everything says that it's a flop. I mean $47 Million went into this film but they only got $15 Million back. Even now Rotten Tomatoes only give that film a 16%.

It kills me to say it but I really wish I never saw this movie. I see what they were trying to do but it's just wasn't that inspiring.

So, hears hoping that the next film will not be a flop. I am not sure I can go through another string of those.

Tom Hanks Hustle: Joe Versus the Volcano

Joe Versus the Volcano the movie that literally EVERYONE who has seen a good chunk of Tom Hank's work has warned me about. I finally go to it. I finally watched it and here is what I have to say.

But first a slight summery. 

Joe Banks is a man who has lost his love for life. A hypochondriac and a dead end job leave him with this constant feeling of him being sick. After yet another visit to the doctor he finds that he has something class Brain Cloud and will be dead in a matter of months. The next day a strange man comes to him and offers him the chance to live as a king for the remainder of his day if he jumps to his death in a volcano has a human sacrifice. 

Ok, now I get to say it.

What 

in 

the 

world....

Literally what in the world did I just watch? This movie was more than a little out there is was a LOT out there. I still haven't quite figured out if I liked it or not. 

I will say that funniest part for me are where Joe is straight to the point and doesn't care about what happens really. Like when he is asked if he will jump into the volcano he doesn't ask the man any questions. He doesn't ask him why him, he doesn't even ask if this is a joke. He just says ok. 

He is like that through the whole movie. He doesn't even bat an eye at anything. He made up his mind he is going to jump into the volcano and nothing, not even the fact that he falls in love, is going to stop him from doing that. 

He handles every thing in his own weird way! Like him and the woman he falls for get stranded in the ocean after their yacht sinks. She is knocked out but he finds stuff that floats and find a way to get her water and make sure she is out of as much danger as she can be. Ok, all well and good right? What does he do after that? He finds a radio, movie magic am I right, and starts well....

Doing this...

It was so wonderfully random that I really didn't question it until, well now. 

Honestly, this is a little bit of a hokey movie. However, I don't think I can say I didn't like it. I think I really enjoyed myself watching this film but I still have not wrapped my head around it. 

Alaina's Trial by Movie: Marilyn Monroe

Ah the 1950s. The era that had arguably the best style, the best music, the best movies, and the best actresses. The one thing that it does have that hardly anyone can top is the one and only Marilyn Monroe.

This week Alaina decided to take the dive into the musical world and watch one of the most popular Monroe movies Gentleman Prefer Blondes. 

For those of you who may not be familiar with this movie you will be familiar with one of the songs that came from it: "Diamonds are A Girl's Best Friend".

I love this movie I think it's funny and it really shows how awesome of a singer and dancer Marilyn is. Like every other movie I have made her watch, I was hoping Alaina would fall in love with it as well. I think she had a ball with it! She dies of laughter when it came to the "Is Anyone Looking for Love" song! I mean come on how can you not laugh and smile at all of those men dancing in tan trunks? It makes my eye bulge every time!

So, lets see what Alaina thought of this wonderful film shall we?

1. What were your thoughts going into this film? I had no idea really. I wasn't sure what it was going to be about. The title didn't give me a whole lot of clues.

2. What was your favorite part of the movie? How sassy Jane Russell is and all of the dresses.

3. Who was your favorite character? Dorothy played by Jane Russell.

4. Why? Because of how sassy she is and also because she was a really good friend.

5. What did you not like about this film? That Monroe's character was unfaithful. I know that was what made the movie funny but I still didn't like that part. 

6. What did you think of the Marilyn Monroe? She did a good job of playing a dumb blonde and she is really pretty.

7. What do you think of the movie now that you have seen it? I don't understand why it was called Gentleman Prefer Blondes it really should have been called something like Diamonds are A Girl's Best Friend or Girls Prefer Diamonds. 

8. Would you watch it again? Yeah probably.

9. Would you recommend this film? If someone wasn't aware of her work, yes I would.

10. What relevance does this movie have today? Don't be a gold digging cheater. 

I love this woman! She makes me questions movie more. Like the title of the film is a valid argument! Why is it called that? I guess I can look it up later. I ma just glad she enjoyed the movie!

Year of Courage: Video Blog Part 1

Ok, so this is going to need some explaining.

This month's scary thing that I am doing is a video blog. Well, then why isn't this one a video blog? Well, that is because I am going to do the video blog on the 90th Academy Award Best Picture winner The Shape of Water. 

However, since I was going to do that blog on that one I still wanted to write about the movie I was going to use to psych me up for this month challenge. The movie that I choose is a simple movie that does deal with blogging, Julie & Julia.

For those of you don't know this movie this is a movie based on two true stories. Julie Powell is a New Yorker working for the government post 9/11. Trying to sort through all of the calls about the attacks. She is miserable at her job, who can really blame her, and on top of all that her and her husband moved into a little apartment over a pizza place. She fells lost in her life. After she finds out that her "friend" is writing a blog, about completely idiotic stuff, she tells her husband that she could do that and do it better. However, she would need something to write about that is not just her life and her job. She comes up with the idea to make all of Julia Childs recipes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year. That is 524 recipes in 365 days. Not only do we get to see Julie work through the book and changer her life, but we get to follow the life of Julia Childs and see how creating this book helped to change her life as well.

When I first watched this movie years ago I thought that I was not going to like it. It really didn't seem that interesting. However, there is something sweet about it. This notion that an idea can take this great shape and become something even better than you could have ever imagined. 

Honestly, that is how I feel about this blog that I made. Now, I know that i have like maybe 7 people who actually read this thing regularly. I only know that by how many views that I have. I started this blog not to get millions of followers and become famous. I just did it because I am a nerd who needed some sort of outlet to let the nerdiness out. This funny thing is this blog has done the same thing for me as it did for Julia Powell. It changed my life. 

No, I am not getting book deals or TV spots like Ms. Powell did but I love writing on this page so much that I am working through three lists this year, watched all of the Best Picture winners, and I can also say that I watch 100 movies in the theater in one year. This things may not make sense to some people but to me it has been life changing. 

I had a really hard time making my Courage list for this year because last year I did so many things that were already scary that I thought I would not do anytime soon. Like moving out, changing jobs, get a promotion, thing that I never dreamed I would be worthy of I was being able to do. Yet, here I am writing in this thing, with all oft his cool stuff that I have been able to do, in my own living room in my own apartment thinking what I need to do at work tomorrow at my new job where I got a promotion. 

It's funny how the simple act of doing something you love can change so much in you life. 

I am going to be going on so many adventures this year, watch miracles unfold, an enjoy the simple things in my life this year that I can't help but to be excited. All because I chose to step out of my comfort zone 4 years ago and decided to write about something I love so much. 

I guess what I am saying is follow your heart, wish on stars, cross your fingers, and just jump in to what ever it is that makes you happy. 

I am not going to get famous because of this blog, but it gives me a place to write about what I experience and it gives me the opportunity to make experiences happen. To add some more spice to my life...

Because who knows what I would have missed in the last few years if I didn't...

Tom Hanks Hustle: The 'Burbs

Mystery, chaos and comedy... That is what happens when you decide to throw Tom Hanks into the wonderful suburbia.

The 'Burbs is a 1989 comedy about a neighborhood who just got some new residents. However, these new neighbors are not the typical "boy next door" kind of people. They are never seen, never heard from, and they don't keep their yard tidy as the rest of the neighborhood does. When they are seen they are very different and they give everyone the creeps. When their other neighbor, Walter, disappears overnight they get very suspicions about where he might have went. Tom Hanks and his friends loose their minds when Hank's dog digs up a human bone in the creepy neighbors' backyard. Thinking that their new neighbors are out to kill everyone they set out to find dirt on them before they kill again.

Have you ever seen the movie Hocus Pocus?

This is movie has the same feeling to it. It's supposed to be "scary" but you are also supposed to be having fun through the whole movie. Now, while Hocus Pocus is a little on the dark side with it's story The 'Burbs is not nearly as dark compared to the other movie. So, to say that least, it's not a very dark movie. 

It has some pretty hilarious moments. Including, but not limited to, house explosions, lying to spouses, falling off electrical poles, a hilarious kid neighbor, a trunk full of bones and of course the crazy over reactions that set this whole plot in motion in the first place. 

 

I have to say looking forward on the list we are getting to the point where Mr. Hanks transitions to more serious roles. While I am looking forward to seeing the change he makes I am getting sad that we are winding down to our very last of the iconic comic movies that he does. 

The best is yet to come though right? The movies and franchises that has come from his acting hasn't even begun yet. I am looking forward to what I know is coming and what I don't know is coming. 

Alaina's Trial by Movie: Ginger Rogers

Let's Knock Knee everybody!

The acting experience that Alaina got to explore is the one and only Ginger Rogers!

I love this woman! Not only is she one of the best dancers to ever grace the screen she is also one of the best actors to be one the screen. She actually did win the Best Actress Award for her role as Kitty in the movie Kitty Foyle.

She is known best for playing opposite of Fred Astaire in 10 films. They are so well remembered for how my dancing into our hearts on screen that when mostly anyone writes about how a couple dances in film they can allude the style of dancing to "the likes of Fred and Ginger". 

So, what would have been more appropriate to introduce Alaina to Ginger other than a Fred and Ginger movie. My personal favorite movie of theirs is Carefree. However, I feel like that The Gay Divorcee would be better. It's a little bit more relatable and it's also the first movie they star in together as a couple. Yes, I know the were in a movie together before that but they were not the main stars.

Anyways, ON TO THE QUESTIONS!

What were you thoughts going into this movie? I had no idea what to expect with the title, however, I did think it was going to be funny.

What was your favorite part of the movie? Oh that would be when Fred put of the road closed sign so she would have to stop and talk to her. 

Who was your favorite character? Fred Astaire's character Guy

Why? Because he was slick, suave, and funny.

What did you not like about the movie? (jokingly) That is was about a divorce.

What did you think of Ginger Rogers? I really loved her eyes, her looks, and her facial expressions.

What did you think now that you have seen the movie? I liked it. I thought it was very entertaining. I liked the fact that I didn't know where it was going to go. You figured it out after a little while but you couldn't really tell what was going to happen right at the beginning of the movie.

Would you watch this movie again? Yes, if someone else was interested in watching this movie.

Would you recommend this movie? Yes.

What relevance does this movie have for today? It's a very entertaining movie but a lot of its elements are archaic. Also, cheating on your spouse is bad.

I am not gonna lie. I was hoping she would like this movie more than she did. I think that if I got her to watch a different one she might like it more. I think 1930s musicals are hard to watch if you are not a big movie or musical person. The stories and the songs are sometimes not nearly as "iconic" as some of the 1940s and 1950s musicals. Well, here's hoping that another one will do the trick.  

 

Tom Hanks Hustle: Turner and Hooch

I think all good actors have to work with an animal at some point if they are ever going to be famous. We finally get to see this dream come to life in Tom Hanks' next film Turner and Hooch.

This 1989 release is about Scott Turner. He is a detective from a small town looking to get into the big city. He lives alone and love everything just so. He is a week out from being done with the force in his small town when he goes to check on his homeless man friend like he does every day. Everyday Turner is grossly greeted by Hooch.

On this day his friend tells him that there are strange noises coming from the fishery next to where he lives. Turner plays it off of the man being paranoid and leaves it be. The next morning Turner is awoken to a phone call that his friend has been murdered. The little town has now been turned upside down with this murder case. The only witness to this crime? Hooch. Turner now has to look over Hooch against his will in order to solve the case but can Hooch is looking for a more long turn future.



I got the pleasure of watching this film with Ms. Jeannie! I was super excited because she loves this movie and wanted to know when it was next!


So, we made plans to see it and it was great. I got to watch the movie with the big puppies that she has and was super excited to see it! I am glad I watched it because it really was super cute movie. It was not super cheesy like I thought it was going to be. It was simply wonderful.

Year of Courage: Online Dating

Love is a many splendid thing. Love is also something that had not come my way as of yet. I am caught somewhere between I would love to be in a relationship and I really don't want anything to do with it. I have been single for such a long time I don't know what to do.

I will be honest. Online dating was the very first thing on my Year of Courage list because it's scares me to death! The idea of attempting to let someone else into my life at all is terrifying! After I really started realizing that this was something that I was going to do I started to get a little bit more excited. Then scared again... Basically it's been a giant roller coaster through the whole thing.

So, this is going to be a short blog.


The movie that I ended up picking for this adventure is In the Good Old Summertime.

The reason I chose this movie was because it was just like online dating. This is the story of two young people that both have a passion of art and literature. They ask a company to help them find correspondents to write each other. They end up falling in love through their letters. By a twist of fate we learn they are working with each other at the same music shop. They don't know it yet but they will soon.

Now, if this sounds familiar with you I have your reason. In the Good Old Summertime is a sequel to another movie called The Shop Around the Conner. Both of these movies were remade in the 90s to a very popular movie called You've got Mail.


I have to say again I was very nervous about this whole thing. Alaina came over and helped me to set up my profile on Match on the first of the month. I set it up and waited to find some people. There were a few good prospects that came up, but they never replied to me. I had a few that were very odd and I never replied.


Three days after I started I get a message from a guy named *Jeff. He was a very nice and sweet guys. We had many things in common and we made a date and time to meet.




We did and it was fun, I felt very awkward because I was totally freaked out. We talked for about two hours at Starbucks. It's was fun to kind of get out and try this whole thing.

Now, before you think I got some magical movie moment let me cut you off. I did not. Jeff and I did not meet again after that and we haven't really messaged each other. I got my learning experience out of it though. I learned that I am more willing and opened to a relationship than I originally thought. Which makes me feel better because when the time comes I will be more willing to dive in.


Am I super bummed that nothing came out of it? Not really. Now, I will say what I did not like was you can't pay monthly for Match. You have to pay quarterly. So, that mean I still have the dating app for two months. However, that does not mean I am going to keep living for the site...


I have other things to live for right now.

*name was changed to protect privacy

Alaina's Trial by Movie: Jimmy Stewart

Jimmy Stewart.

He is the man that many know and love as George Bailey in the movie It's a Wonderful Life. However, there is another film that Mr. Stewart is very much known for it considered to be one of his best roles. That is as Jefferson Smith in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

The movie is about a young man from a small town who is tricked into become a congressman after their state congressman dies. The driving force behind the old congressman's campaign is looking for a stooge so he can pull off a money grabbing scheme. However, things turn upside down in congress when Mr. Smith finds out the doings and takes matters in his own hands.

I was really excited about having Alaina watch this movie! I have watched it once a long time ago but it stayed with me. I had a hard time picking with movie for Jimmy Stewart because there are many greats ones but I thought it was going to showcase his acting skills. So, here is what Alaina had to say.

What were your thoughts going into this movie? Well, because it has Jimmy Stewart and if he is in it I am all for it.

What was your favorite part of the movie? When Jimmy's character was getting all excited about everything he was seeing in Washington. He seemed like it there was magic everywhere.

Who was your favorite character? Jeff Smith and Clarissa Saunder

Why were they your favorite character? I like Jeff because of his high morals. That he wasn't going to let anyone make him do anything behind his back. I liked them both because of how their character played off each other. They needed each other to change. He needed her in order to learn about how to write bills work in congress and she needed him in order to remind her of who she really is and what she really stands for.

What did you not like about the movie? That there was no ending! The we didn't get to see the goals that Jeff wanted relized!

What did you think of the Jimmy Stewart? Compared to his work in It's a Wonderful Life he is more optimistic in this movie. and you get to see him play all emotions through the whole movie.

What do you think of the movie after we watched it? That is was a lot more relevant to today than I thought it was going to be. Every person who speaks about politics should watch this film to see how someone with influence can make anyone a monster if they have enough power. That is whether you are republican or demarcate.

Would you watch this movie again? Yes

Would you recommend this movie to someone? Yes especially is that person is interested in politics.

I have to say I am happy with this result. This is not the same Stewart as It's a Wonderful Life so I was interested in seeing what her reaction to this film would be. I am happy that she liked the film I am also happy because that means many many more Jimmy Stewart films in the future.