Me and Shirley Jones Birthdays

Today is my 40th birthday and I happen to share it with one of my favorite actresses: the terrific Shirley Jones. Shirley turns 76 and is still going strong. I don't know what her plans are for her birthday but I plan to spend time with my wife and watch some of my favorite movies. So far I have chosen Bringing Up Baby and My Favorite Wife because I want to have a good time. Oh yeah TCM is airing some of Shirley's movies today as well.

Classic Movie Goddess Of The Month - Ann Sheridan Part 5

For my final post on Ann Sheridan as my featured classic movie goddess of the month, I will wrap it up with some pics that show her at her most loveliest. Enjoy.

Review: The Blind Side (2009) is one of the best movies I've ever seen....

Based on the true story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, a well to do Memphis couple,  who take in a homeless teenage African-American, Michael "Big Mike" Oher. Michael has had little formal education and few skills to help him learn. Leigh Anne soon takes charge however, as is her nature, ensuring that the young man has every opportunity to succeed. When he expresses an interest in football, she goes all out to help him, including giving the coach a few ideas on how best to use Michael's skills. They not only provide him with a loving home, but hire a tutor to help him improve his grades to the point where he would qualify for an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship. That's the storyline of this very enthralling movie. Sandra Bullock deservedly won an Oscar for Best Actress with her performance as Leigh Anne. She comes across as a tough but sincere and a very likable person. One person in the film says it's very Christian of what she's doing for Michael. I have always loved Sandra in everything she has done and she gives one of her best performances ever. Just as good is newcomer Quinton Aaron as Michael, a soft spoken kid who just happens to be giant sized. His introverted nature is the direct opposite of Leigh Anne's light up the room presence. Their scenes together are a joy to watch. Country singer Tim McGraw acquits himself nicely as Leigh Anne's husband Sean, who supports his wife in every decision she makes. Kathy Bates is also on hand as Miss Sue, the tutor who helps Michael with his grades.

The Blind Side is more of a family drama than it is a sports movie. It does feature a few training scenes and an actual football game being played, but the real draw of this film is the interaction between Michael and everyone he meets. Also pivotal is one of his high school teachers played by Kim Dickens,who convinces the other faculty to give Michael a chance to learn in their classrooms. I know much as been said about how the film may pander to audiences and comes across cliched, but I for one enjoyed every minute of this film. It was emotional, heartfelt, and kept my full attention. There are several moments of well timed humor as well. Not too many films can find humor about politics that will not offend anyone. The two jokes that are said are classic and were handled with good taste. I'm sure everyone will get a kick out of them once they hear them.

So, to wrap it up, The Blind Side was my second favorite film of 2009, right behind Star Trek. It was a surprise and was definitely Sandra's shining moment. Without a doubt, she deserved her well won Oscar. And praise for Quinton as well. His low key take on Michael came across very effectively. The Blind Side is a must see.
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Audrey is going to cook something for us....

And it should be delicious, whatever it is.............

All Good Things in April

Myrna Loy Photos
While I had a chance, I wanted to let everyone know what's coming up for the month of April. First is that the classic movie goddess will be Myrna Loy. That's right the amazing Myrna will headline my blog all next month and I promise to post as many pics and reviews of her films as possible.

I will have some spillover from The Directors blog I do with Noiree about the legendary Preston Sturges. He is spotlighted next month over there and I will probably add a few related posts on here as well.

I will finally rank my favorite modern actors and actresses. I did my favorite classic ones a few months ago, so I decided to let everyone know who I like in today's cinema.

And of course the usual good morning pics, happy birthdays, and the normal monthly stuff that I do on my blog. I hope everyone has been enjoying it so far, I know I have had tons of fun doing it. Hope everyone has a great weekend and I will see ya later.

Oh and a quick shout out to actress Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost, V). Today is her birthday. Me and her share the same year and mine is the 31st. I will be the big 40.

Elizabeth Mitchell Photos

My Selections...

As I stated earlier about wanting to hear everyone's choices of what favorite films they would like to share with everyone else, here is my list of the 5 films I chose.

HIS GIRL FRIDAY (1940) Of course this would be here, as it is my favorite film of all time. I usually watch this screwball film 2 to 3 times a year and it never fails to entertain me. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell are just perfection together and the film manages to throw in some serious scenes amid all the wisecracks and zany characters. His Girl Friday is definitely a must see film, if you're a fan of Cary or Roz or screwball films in general. Heck, if you wanna just enjoy a terrific and funny movie, then this is for you.

THE LADY VANISHES (1938) My favorite Alfred Hitchcock film, just ahead of Shadow of a Doubt and Rear Window. The master of suspense was still fine tuning his style and this combination of mystery, suspense and comedy works extremely well. Co-stars Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave make a wonderful team with a strong supporting cast to back them up.

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (1958) Elizabeth Taylor sizzles as Maggie the Cat in this lush Tennessee William's melodrama. You can feel the temperature coming off the screen as Liz totally captivates all those watching her. She gets good support from Paul Newman, Burl Ives, and Jack Carson, but let's be real...Cat on a Hot Tin Roof would not be the same if it didn't have Liz in it.

THE THIN MAN (1934) Screwball meets murder in this delightful film that pairs William Powell and Myrna Loy, who act so comfortable with one another, you don't even view them as acting. Just watching them try to solve a murder and deal with assorted criminal and society types is a treat unto itself.

UNION STATION (1950) Taut little thriller with William Holden as a policeman trying to find a missing girl. Little known film that is extremely satisfying.

So there you have, the 5 films I would show to everyone to let them see how wonderful they are. Maybe this could turn into an ongoing type of thing, where I would chose a particular type of film or actor/actress and let everyone chime in with those favorites as well. But in the meantime, this is the kickoff post to get things rolling. Can't wait to hear everyone else choices. Just shoot me the email or comment and I will make a nice individual post of all those who respond.

Guest Programmers

Starting next month I would love to have everyone chime in with their choices as to what films they would present to viewers ala TCM's Guest Programmer monthly selections. TCM usually lets the person choose 4 main films and sometimes a bonus film. So let's make it 5 choices that you would show to friends, co-workers, family, anyone as to represent your favorite personal movies. And they don't have to be the the big classic well known films. They can be the smaller, lesser known films no one has heard of. Just shoot me an email at monty_hawes@yahoo.com with your choices and I will post them on my blogs, adding some photos and such. And if you could, give a little description as to why you chose these particular films. I guess I need to post my choices as well. I will do that my the end of the day. Talk to everyone later.

Now Playing - Joan Crawford

In honor of Joan Crawford's birthday, here are the films I would have chosen to air on TV today. It's strange that TCM didn't play any of her films. But anyway here are the ones I would have chosen.

THE WOMEN (1939) Amidst an all star cast of women such as Norma Shearer, Paulette Goddard and Rosalind Russell...Joan positively shines the brightest. Her character Crystal Allen is beautiful, manipulative and funny. A great performance by Joan.

MILDRED PIERCE (1946) Her Oscar winning performance is a must see as she battles with the daughter from hell (Ann Blyth).

GRAND HOTEL (1932) Another all star cast which features heavyweights Greta Garbo, Lionel Barrymore, and Wallace Beery. Joan was a young and beguiling 27 when she made this picture and she more than held her own with the veterans.

and last but not least..WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962) The dream pairing of Joan and Bette Davis lived up to the hype in this extremely demented and satisfying thriller. Bette may have had the showier part but Joan gave a restrained but highly effective performance.

So there you have it, my picks for Joan's birthday viewing pleasure. If TCM invited me to be their guest programmer. I would like to hear everyone else's personal choices they would have made honoring Joan.

Good Morning from Rhonda Fleming

Iconic Film Images #4 - Roman Holiday (1953)

With the engaging Audrey Hepburn and dapper Gregory Peck...