A very happy Van Johnson Day to you all! Today would’ve been the sunny hunk’s 102nd birthday. Today I’m looking at two of his films which feature two versions of Van, one familiar and the other unfamiliar. Join me, and see them for yourself if you haven’t. Scene of the Crime (1949) The boy next…… Continue reading Van’s two sides: Scene of the Crime (1949) and The Big Hangover (1950)
“I’m 40 minutes into Casa de Lava and I have a multitude of questions. The dialects are conflicting, not that people from other islands can’t live in Fogo, but…” That was the text my sister sent me about Portuguese filmmaker Pedro de Costa’s 1994 film, set in all places, on the island of Fogo, where…… Continue reading Film Diary: Casa de Lava (1994)
Nothing reminds me of my joy quite like Roman Holiday. That’s why, even with its moments of melancholy, it’s one of my comfort movies. It’s actually the number one comfort movie for me, as well as my all time favorite. Each time I watch is like the very first time – and that was ten…… Continue reading Today’s gonna be a holiday.
April 17th, 2018 marked William Holden’s centenary. 100 years! His birthplace O’Fallon, Illinois celebrated him accordingly, he was April’s Star of The Month on TCM, and Holden 100 was created by Diana of Flickin’ Out to commemorate our golden boy’s golden year. I couldn’t put up my tribute post on his big day, but since…… Continue reading To the golden boy: William Holden at 100
Movies don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes the most flawed win our love. Filmmakers don’t set out to make perfect films, because they can’t please everyone, because it’s impossible. But with last year’s The Florida Project, Sean Baker did make the perfect film. This is a film about poverty – people on the fringes that…… Continue reading Film Diary: The Florida Project (2017)
When I was in middle school, the stories I wrote featured Cape Verdean protagonists. This wasn’t a conscious decision. It might have been a response to all the books and movies I loved with girls who were just as smart and spunky as I was, but who didn’t look like me. I’m 27 now, and…… Continue reading Ceaseless wonder: A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
Here’s a movie I love even though it’s somewhat boring, with its visuals far outweighing the story. This is MGM’s lavish star powered biopic of composer Jerome Kern (Robert Walker), who penned some of the most famous musicals of all time – Show Boat being the most well known. If you consider yourself a fan…… Continue reading Favorite films: Till the Clouds Roll By (1946)
