My Favorites

Over the past few months, I have been compiling a list of films that I consider to be my favorites. In the next few months, I will explore and in some cases revisit these films. Which films will make the list?

New films to see:
Julie & Julia (of course I'm seeing it) is getting average to good reviews. Not surprised. I DID read the book, though, and I do recommend it. It's hilarious. I'm glad to hear good things about Streep. I didn't and still don't understand the Doubt backlash last year. I thought she was great in it.


500 Days of Summer is also getting good reviews. I've heard of similarities and comparisons to Annie Hall. I don't think so, but it's worth a look.

And I still need to see Duplicity and The Hurt Locker. It hasn't been a productive year for me as far as new films go.

Best Actress Series and Other Goodies

After my Ann-Margret post last week, I've decided that my first "feature" on the blog will be a review/analysis of my five favorite female (leading) performances from a certain year and also a review of the Oscar picks from that year. Keep checking for updates.

All HAIL the Best Actress of 1975

And, pretty soon here, I'm doing a series on my favorite films of all time. So watch out for that as well.


So, I'm kind of excited because the brilliant August: Osage County is going on tour. The Tony and Drama Desk Awards winner for Best Play is a three act (three hour) tale of a dysfunctional family. A full synopsis is impossible to write here for reasons of space. Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons (Best Supporting Actress of 1967 for Bonnie & Clyde) is leading the cast in a nationwide tour that begins in Denver on July 24.

Because I do not live in New York (not by choice, trust me) I was not able to see the play performed on stage. However, I have been able to read it and I absolutely love it. I only hope I get to see it when it comes to Chicago next year.

I like that Judi Dench look on her.

It's been a long time since I have seen Mary Poppins so when I listened to the soundtrack today, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the lyrics. Particularly those in "Sister Suffragette."

Though we adore men individually,
we agree that as a group they're rather stupid.

I just never thought I'd hear a lyric like that in Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins! Really? I always KNEW I liked Glynis Johns. Wonder why her and Julie Andrews are never in a scene together. I hope it's because they had blind hatred for each other. For some reason, I like the idea of a Julie Andrews/Glynis Johns cat fight.

Presenting BITCH FEST '64!!!

After last night, I'm still debating whether it was Sophie (Meryl Streep) that made me cry in Sophie's Choice or if it was the actual choice. Hmm... All I know is that I cried like a baby.

More lessons from Meryl Streep: Never let grief keep you from looking pretty.

Thank God her fashion sense changed after Kramer vs. Kramer. Beige isn't a good look for her.

What the hell was I thinking?

Beige is sooo 1960s. Just ask Geraldine Page. That's why her husband left her for Maureen Stapleton in Interiors. Take your fashion tips from Maureen Stapleton instead.

Wow, she is nuts.

CAUTION: Do not get confused with Maureen Stapleton in Reds. Only Emma Goldman has an excuse to wear something like this.

We Could Use a Little Meryl

Don't you think Mount Rushmore is missing something?


Well, it is. It's missing Meryl Streep. Possibly, THE most influential actress of our time deserves a place on one of the nation's most beloved landmarks. I mean, okay, Washington was pretty influential. So were Jefferson and Lincoln. But could they do accents? Really, if you put them all on a stage, do you think Washington could do a Brooklyn accent like Meryl could?



So, if you were to do a Mount Rushmore for the movies, who would be on it?