Lars and the Real Girl

One of the sweetest, most tender movies I've seen in the last few years, is this wonderful movie, "Lars and the Real Girl".  It's about a young man named Lars, who is shall we say, socially challenged.  It's so bad that he's barely able to carry on a conversation with anyone.  One day he orders an anatomically correct doll (yes, it's a sex doll), and so begins the delusion that the doll is his new girlfriend Bianca.

Don't let the above scenario fool you into thinking this is going to be anything inappropriate.  It is in fact a thoroughly decent film.  It's a movie about how to embrace and love someone in spite of their faults and challenges, and how through love and acceptance from his family and community, Lars is eventually able to come out of his shell.

The movie is full of great performances, most notably that of Ryan Gosling as Lars.  I can't recommend this movie highly enough.

Mazel Tov

I'm definitely a fan of foreign films, and don't mind subtitles.  Once you get used to them, you don't really notice them.  One of the recommendations from Netflix was an unheralded Israeli film, in Hebrew, called "Ushpizin".  It sounded interesting, and I finally popped it in to watch the other night.  I have to say, it was a gem.  Basically, it was about the trials of a married Hasidic couple and their efforts to live a life of faith.  

The premise is that just as they're about to give in to their challenges, they decide to give prayer one more try.  They are pretty immediately blessed, but shortly after, receive an even bigger trial.  And it shows their attempts to remain even more faithful despite it, to not blow it, and to hope for the best.  Ultimately, their efforts are rewarded with the desire of their hearts.

I think this movie came at the right time for me, when I needed that message in my own life.  So to that, I say thanks, and Mazel Tov!

Movie Musical Friday

Last Friday I had the occasion to be home from work (which is a story in itself).  Being as there was nothing really interesting on TCM, I decided I was in a mood for a good musical.  So - I popped in "Guys and Dolls", which I hadn't seen in quite awhile.  I have to say, I really love that show.  The music is fun, it's got atmosphere, and the performances are terrific.  I've always been a fan of Jean Simmons, and her scenes at the nightclub in Havana and singing "If I Were a Bell" are just a joy to watch.  Not only that, but Marlon Brando looks dang good in it.

Still in a tuneful mood, I followed that up with another fave - "The Music Man".  Having lived in Iowa, it always gives me a good feeling.  The songs are fun, and Meredith Willson just nails small town life.  Robert Preston is the definitive Harold Hill (do you hear that Matthew Broderick?), and if he were around today, I would totally love to be scammed by him.

So Long Kid Twist

To start us off today, I wanted to mention the passing of a terrific character actor, Harold Gould.  Even if you recognize the name, you'd probably recognize the face.  He was probably most known for playing Rhoda's father on "Rhoda", and for playing Rose's boyfriend on "The Golden Girls".  But my favorite role of his was in one of my all-time favorites, "The Sting" (Best Picture 1973).  "The Sting" is a heist movie known mostly for bringing Redford and Newman back together on-screen, as well as for Marvin Hamlisch's fabulous rag-time score.  But it also has a host of terrific actor's, among them Harold Gould in the role of Kid Twist. In the movie, Kid Twist is a kind of right-hand man for Newman's character of Henry Gondorf.  He hires the gang, rents the furniture and sets up the wire store, and helps to rope in the evil mark, Doyle Lonegan.  It's a fun part, and Harold Gould is terrific in it.  

If you haven't seen "The Sting", and you're a fan of heist movies, I hope you'll check it out.  It's fun, funny, suspenseful, and it stars two of the handsomest men ever to be in movies.

Welcome!

I've been considering for awhile the addition of another blog.  Tracie's World is perfect for sharing what's going on in my life in general, but I felt it would be fun to have a forum where I can talk about just movies (most of you know that I am a BIG movie fan).  I'll share thoughts on my favorites, movies I've seen recently, movie stars and movie history.  Hopefully this will be a place where you can feel comfortable sharing your comments and recommendations on movies as well.

So welcome, and I hope you enjoy.  Ready, set, ACTION!