Where The Crawdads Sing (2022)

I went to see this movie knowing nothing about the story - I had not read the book nor knew anything about what happens. 

But I liked it. It definitely kept me in suspense, and left me trying to put together all the pieces in my head throughout the movie. I liked the performance by David Strathairn who plays the lawyer. He's good, but I don't think this is an Academy-Award nominated role (even though I think he definitely deserves an Oscar). 

I liked the main lead, and thought she looked alot like Anne Hathaway to me, so much so that I wondered why the real Anne Hathaway couldn't have been cast (is she too old - gasp!).  The marsh where she lives was depicted as so serene and secluded and safe...until the threat comes - a crazy ex.  

The only likeable people in the town is the Black couple who own the local variety store in town. I liked those characters, and wished their characters had more screen time and were somehow more involved.  

I liked the scene when the brother comes back. And I liked how they showed all her drawings and illustrations, and I wished the movie focused on them some more.

Trivia - the actor who played "Angus" in the 1990s movie Angus has a small cameo in a bar at the beginning. Not sure how he got involved, but I also wish his part was way longer. Can we say "comeback"?

Sigh! Maybe another director would have had more vision. 

But otherwise I recommend the movie. Even if it feels like something that might be made-for-tv.

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

I just watched this movie and really enjoyed it. Somewhere I read that it's a "modern day Huck Finn story", and I didn't really get it until I saw the movie, but now I get it - two characters on a boat, an adventure, bonding, etc. Shia LaBeouf plays a crab fisherman who becomes a fugitive - and meets up with a young man with Down Syndrome also on the run; I don't know that actor's name but his performance is very good as well as Shia's - I don't normally care for him, but this is the first time he impressed me. I like the setting - the outer banks of North Carolina. I'm more of an urban person, but I often feel in another lifetime I probably lived in a rural shack like some of the characters in the movie. This movie reminded me of Into the Wild (2007) another movie I really enjoyed; it has a similar sense of adventure and uncertainty of outcome. I also was kind of reminded of Nebraska (2013) and how the father & son travel together. The dad in that movie - Bruce Dern - has a small part in this movie, too.

What also made me think about was how many adults with DS don't have biological families to call their own, which can be very hard to deal with especially around the holidays. But as the movie affirms, your friends are the family you choose (Bruce Dern's character says that, actually). And the film is about three people who become friends and start a new life.

It's a really well made film. The writing, direction, photography and music is really commendable.  With Dakota Johnson, John Hawkes, and Thomas Haden Church.

Supplemental articles:

How the directors came up with the idea for the film and cast the lead actor
https://deadline.com/2019/11/roadsides-peanut-butter-falcon-took-unique-flight-path-to-screen-the-contenders-l-a-1202775598/

During a new interview, the director of “Peanut Butter Falcon” revealed he was offered more money to replace the movie’s lead actor, who has Down syndrome, for someone able-bodied with a “more marketable face,” highlighting the discrimination disabled actors face in Hollywood.
https://themighty.com/2019/10/peanut-butter-falcon-james-nilson-down-symdrome/

Steel Magnolias (1989) and Educating Rita (1983)

Last year I went to see the stage play of Steel Magnolias at a local repertory theater, and I loved comparing it with it's 1989 film counterpart. In the case of Magnolias, the film -- in my opinion -- is far better than the stage version. For one thing, there's no way you can top a cast like Sally Field, Shirley MacClaine and Julia Roberts. Also, I love how the movie breaks out of the beauty shop and explores the entire town and introduces the viewer to all the other people in the women's lives, including the suitor who charms Shirley.  And I loved Shirley's dog in the film; a nice touch. And this has got to be one of of Dolly Parton's best movie roles and the part suits her well.  A few years ago, another TV-film version came out starring Queen Latifah and Alfre Woodard and is on my to-see list.

Another stage play I saw recently was Educating Rita; I had seen the 1983 film version, one of the first movies I ever watched on a VHS tape. If you don't remember that movie, it's about a middle age professor (Michael Caine) who tutors a young, unschooled married hair stylist (Julie Walters) who dreams of becoming more cultured; in the process they change each other's lives (a premise reminiscent of Pygmalion or My Fair Lady). It's an inspiring tale, filled with witty dialogue and many references to great literature. The movie version is delightful - Caine and Walters are top-notch and deserved their Oscar nominations. And I like how the movie breaks out of the professor's office setting, taking you inside Rita's house and inside the saloons where the professor frequents. However, the movie feels dated, especially the synthetic music score. On stage, it's a different experience - only the two main characters; in the production I saw, the actors were outstanding, especially the actor who played Rita, a challenging part that she knocked out of the park. I hope she gets some local award recognition. Alas, this may be an example of where there play is actually better than the film.

Selma (2014) + 50 years

Today - March 7, 2015 - marks the 50th anniversary of the "boody Sunday" protest march in Selma Alabama, USA of March 7, 1965.

On that day, hundreds of black marchers set out to walk all the way to  Montgomery (Alabama's capitol) to protest their inability to vote. After they crossed the Pettus bridge in Selma they were stopped by Alabama state troopers who beat them and sprayed them with tear gas. And history records that Martin Luther King Jr eventually led the successful march, which included people from all over the United States, white and black.

Selma (2014) is all about how these events took place, with a special focus on Dr. King's crucial leadership role. David Oyellowo, who was very good in The Help (2011), embodies Dr. King and is exceptional. The actress who plays his wife Corretta is also really good.

I think the best kinds of movies entertain and educate at the same time. Selma is such a movie for me, one I want to experience again. It not only impresses me visually with the period sets/costumes and striking cinematography, but it also inspires me to read more and learn more about this part of America's history, and the many people that are portrayed in the film, such as the character Oprah Winfrey plays, a woman who is denied the right to vote in a humiliating way.

Selma was only nominated for two Oscars, but I thought it should have earned at least two more for its lead actor and for its director (Ava DuVernay) who does a commendable job of bringing these events to life.

Though it wasn't showered with Oscars, I do think this film will be viewed again in the years and decades to come and will be remembered as not only one of one of the best films of 2014, but one of the best films about the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

Movie theaters of Southeastern Georgia, USA (photos)

Note: this post is part of the photo series Vintage Movie Theaters across the USA

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Last month, my friend and I embarked on a road trip, beginning west of Tallahassee and onward to Savannah. On December 28, we made our way through two cities in southeastern Georgia and came across some cool vintage theaters. So what was I do ? Snap, snap away, of course. Here are the pics. Hope you enjoy them.

Driving east on Route 38, we made our way through Valdosta, Georgia...

and came across the Dosta Playhouse, which is now used primarily for live theater shows.

According to Cinema Treasures, the theater first opened in 1941, and showed movies.

One user commented that the theater used to be segregated.

Continuing northeast on Route 38, we passed through Waycross, Georgia.

First we saw the RITZ theater, which is - sadly - closed now. 

But according to Cinema Treasures, it was a thriving theater

in the 1940s and 50s.

A close-up of the relief - don't you just love this? 

Just around the block is another theater - The Ritz. 

Was originally a vaudeville house, and opened around 1913 according to Cinema Treasures.

It had a grand reopening in 1935, and showed movies starring Katherine Hepburn and Claudette Colbert. 

I love these old box office windows!!!!

They are so rare!

Now it is used primarily for community theater.

Marjorie Main and the Kettle franchise

Marjorie Main played the character of Ma Kettle in 10 movies beginning with The Egg and I in 1947.

Main had been a reliable supporting performer in many films prior to this such as Meet Me In St. Louis, The Harvey Girls, and Summer Stock.  Last year, a terrific post from Secluded Charm highlighted her performances in these films.

But as Ma Kettle she received her greatest success, including an Academy Award nomination for her performance in The Egg and I.  In the movie, she was arguable the funniest character; I love the way she haphazardly sets the table for her, Pa, and the 15 kids (!!). Audiences wanted to see more of her and "Pa Kettle" (Percy Kilbridge), and more movies were made - a franchise was born.

In The Further Adventures of Ma & Pa Kettle, the Kettles move from their old, dilapidated  farm house into a modern home-of-the-future after Pa wins a contest. Ma is really funny in this movie, especially in the scene where she sees her and Pa on television. Her reactions are amusing.

In Ma & Pa Kettle go to Town, the movie opens with Ma making pancakes. Pa accidentally drops popcorn kernels in the batter. Ma goes crazy when the flapjacks jump through the air off the griddle.

Then Kettles go off to New York City on vacation and get mixed up with some criminals, but 99% of the time they are completely oblivious to any nefarious deeds, which is part of the fun. A highlight of the film has Ma going to an upscale beauty salon.

And the funniest of them all has to be Ma & Pa Kettle Back on the Farm. In this hilarious installment, the Kettles become grandparents for the first time. The movie stars with Ma confused as to why her daughter-in-law has to go to the hospital to have the baby. Ma says proudly, "I had 15 right here in my house and there ain't nothing wrong with any of 'em". Then the highfalutin in-laws come to visit and it's funny to see Ma hold her temper against her son's mother-in-law.

I recommend any of these movies to enjoy the comedic performances of Marjorie Main as Ma Kettle and to see how a franchise thrived through a ten movie franchise.

Small Town Theaters - Mount Airy, North Carolina ("Mayberry")

Mt. Airy, North Carolina is the birthplace and childhood home of American actor Andy Griffith whose 1960-68 TV show was set in Mayberry, patterned after this town. Downtown Cinema Theatre in Mt. Airy, opened in 1937. According to Cinema Treasures, it was originally called the Earle Theater

In November of 1938, the theater held the world premiere of Shirley Temple's Just Around the Corner, and the theater was featured in a national movie trade magazine called "The New Dynamo" (according to Simple Pleasures, June 2005 - view PDF of article) PS - Happy Birthday Shirley! Read Dawn's salute with adorable videos.

It closed for short time in the 1980s, was restored, and is now open again, serving as both a live theater and a movie theater, showing $3.00 movies on certain days. No, I did NOT see Transformers 2 when I was there in September 2009

Many gift shops and restaurants on Main Street are named after "Mayberry" or a character from the television series, and many tourists (including myself!) come to visit the town to see the "original Mayberry".

Below: "Opie's Candy Store"

Below: One of the characters from the show, "Otis" entertains fans outside an antique store

Below: I think this station served as inspiration for Goober's on the show.

Below: Yes, this is a real place to get your hair cut.

Below, Andy, me, Opie

The Saenger Theatre in Mobile, Alabama (photos)

The Saenger Theatre in Mobile is located on 6 South Joachim Street in downtown Mobile.

Opened in 1927, it was part of the Saenger theater chain, founded by A.D. Saenger of New Orleans.



A history of the theater can be found here:
http://www.mobilesaenger.com/history.php

I wasn't able to go inside because the building was closed and I was just passing through Mobile with my friend on a road trip along the Gulf Coast. (That's my friend's truck in the reflection. LOL)



Today the Saenger is a performing arts center; recent performers (2010) include Robert Plant, Gordon Lightfoot, and Neil Young.

The theater only occasionally screens films. Each summer the theater hosts a popular classic film series; in 2010, Gone with the Wind was one of the selections.



Downtown Mobile:








These photos were taken by me in May of 2010.

North Carolina road trip (photos)

These are some photos from my trip to North Carolina on Labor Day weekend. I stayed in the Ashville-area for a few days and saw some interesting things. (I stopped at the Roy Rogers on the way home)

Rattlesnake summit, Ridgecrest, North Carolina (near Black Mountain, NC)

Brevard, North Carolina, about 40 minutes south of Ashville.

Interestingly, Brevard, NC was named the "3rd Coolest Small Town In America" by Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine (September 2010 issue)

I first stopped off at Rocky's Ice Cream Shoppe.

Rocky's is certainly an authentic 1950s Soda Fountain and Diner, the kind you might see in the movies. The restaurant is connected to a gift shop called "Old Bullwinkel's". Inside Rocky's were photos inside of Elvis, Marilyn, JFK, and Roy and Dale.

There used to be some "Woolworth" stores in Chicago years ago; I remember the sandwich shops that used to be in them. This reminded me of those days.

I thought about getting a chocolate malt, but what I really wanted was a scoop of Superman ice cream. Have you ever had Superman? It's just plain vanilla ice cream, but it has a buttery/nutty flavor and it's colored Blue, Yellow, and Red. This has been my favorite ice cream since I was a kid when I first had some on Mackinac Island, Michigan in 1985.

It's so hard to find; whenever I come across some I have to get a scoop or two.

Then when it melts it turns purple. Ha ha ha.

Next door is a nice little bakery and the bread in the window looks like the kind Aunt Bee might make.

Here I stumbled across a radio studio of WSQL with a DJ spinning gospel bluegrass tunes in the window; don't see that everyday. There was an old fashioned "CBS" microphone in the window, and you could hear the broadcast as you walked by the storefront.

Here is the town's little movie theater, the "Co-Ed Cinema". Nice to see veteran star Robert Duvall's name at the top of the marquee. I hear that's a pretty good movie, too.

Very Mayberry-esque downtown, evident by the "Mayberry's Soup and Sandwiches" eatery....

...and the O.P. Taylor's Toy store!!

Louisiana Story (1948)

Louisiana Story is a time capsule of a past era. The story centers around a 12-year old Cajun boy and his fascination with nature (canoeing, fishing, hunting) as well as modern machinery in the form of a steam-driven oil drill. There aren't any famous actors in it, just charming southern folk (not professional actors) who speak real Cajun (I wish the film had subtitles during some of the dialogue scenes). The man who portrays the boy's father sort of resembles an older Hal Holbrook. In the film, the man gives the company permission to drill in his swamp after he discovers bubbling water (the boy thinks it's mermaids).

Meanwhile, the boy (played by Louisiana native Joseph Boudreaux, who, at age 73, still lives in the state) chases critters and paddles through the swamp with his pet raccoon. If you love National Geographic/Wild Kingdom specials where animals attack each other, then this movie is for you. If you can't stand seeing a ant stepped on, then you might not fancy the scene where the gator chomps on a bird, nor the scene where the boy ties up and skins an enormous alligator (who allegedly kills his raccoon).



Also, if you are a fan of the 1943 animated film Bambi, keep an eye out early on - there's an apparent homage to the Disney classic in quick montage where we see a few brief seconds of a rabbit, a skunk, and a deer in that very order. There are quite a few interesting parallels between this movie and that one, but if I went into it all, this would be a much longer post.

As the derrick is set up the boy becomes fascinated by it all, and explores the worker's area with equal curiosity.


I won't give away too much, but in one sequence, there's an explosion during the drilling that makes headlines in the Times-Picayune, eerily bringing to mind recent unfortunate events in the region.

In the end, the father is compensated, and as a present to his son, gives him a special hunting rile as his entry into manhood.

So what will become of the boy when he grows up? A hunter? A petroleum engineer? That's for us to ponder.

Pioneer documentarian Robert Flaherty wrote and directed the film, and was nominated for an Oscar for the film's story. It almost plays like a children's adventure film. If I saw this on TV as a kid I would probably really be entertained by it, especially all the scenes of the swamp, unknown territory for us "city kids."

The cinematography by Richard Leacock and the Virgil Thomson's folksy and melodic music score are highlights of the film. Believe it or not, this is the first and only motion picture score to ever win a Pulitzer Prize for music. I don't know the history behind the Pulizers, but I'll bet the committee changed the rules sometime after this film won. Otherwise I'm sure some other film composers (Maurice Jarre, John Williams) would have been recognized over the years.

Available on DVD/NetFlix.


----- RECOMMENDED REVIEWS -----
There is a nice review and some screenshots from the film here:

Not Coming To A Theater Near You : review
Shooting Down Pictures: Review, Part 1 | Review, Part 2
DVD Journal: review

Surrender the Void review from Jan 2020 here. 
Just a Cineaste (March 2020) here