Best of 2012, So Far

by A.J. and Lani


It's about halfway through the year, so a recap of the cinematic highlights so far feels appropriate. 2012 had a slow start, and though we haven't been to the movies as often as usual, there have still been some pretty good ones, such as:

Damsels in Distress

A.J.: The previous film from writer-director Whit Stillman, The Last Days of Disco, was released in 1998, and at last after 14 years his 4^th film, Damsels in Distress, made its way to theaters in April. I had been eagerly awaiting this film for quite some time and even with all that built up anticipation Damsels in Distress did not disappoint. It follows a group of girls at a college in the Northeast that are trying to raise the level of sophistication of the other students. It takes place in a world that reminds me of movies from the 30's and 40's. Violet, played by Greta Gerwig, thinks that best way for her to change society for the better is to create an international dance craze. There's off-beat but substantial characters, Fred Astaire references, smart comedy, and not one but two dance numbers at the end. This is movie is simply a great time.

21 Jump Street

A.J.: I went to see 21 Jump Street in part because I had not been to the movies in so long that I just needed to go, and this big screen comedy version of an 80s TV show seemed like the best bet. I was expecting a dumb but funny movie, but what I saw was a pretty solid comedy. I laughed out loud many, many times. Jonah Hill is funny as you might expect, but Channing Tatum is the real comedic stand out here. You might think that adults going back to high school in disguise has been done a lot, and it has, but as the characters quickly learn a lot has changed since the start of the millennium, like which clique is the popular one and which ones are looked down on.

Bernie

Lani: Richard Linklater's latest film uses a semi-documentary style to tell the story of Bernie Tiede, a funeral director in small-town Carthage, Texas, his friendship with a local widow, and her shocking murder at Bernie's hand. The film is based on true events; however, this is not The Thin Blue Line. Bernie is played by Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine plays the widow Mrs. Nugent; however, many of the characters are played by actual residents of Carthage. Their often hilariously candid thoughts are captured in talking-head segments which make up a good portion of the film. Linklater smartly realized that this is the kind of stuff you just can't make up and the town's genuine love of Bernie and dislike of Mrs. Nugent comes across loud and clear. Bernie, while dealing with a dark subject, maintains a light tone in keeping with the sunny personality of its title character.

Safety Not Guaranteed

A.J.: I was skeptical, but intrigued by the premise of Safety Not Guaranteed. A journalist takes two interns to investigate a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel. Aubrey Plaza is one of the interns and though her character doesn't stray too far from the moody-outsider she's played before, this role does let her play a more realized character. She finds and befriends the person that placed the ad, played by Mark Duplass, and as they train for a journey back in time she begins to wonder if his claims about time travel might be serious. Safety Not Guaranteed is a funny, offbeat character movie that doesn't fall into the traps that stunt so many other indie movies.


The Five-Year Engagement
Lani: When I heard the title of this film I groaned a bit. Great, another romantic comedy about people who can't "commit," perhaps my least favorite film cliche of recent years. However, this film surprised me by portraying a couple who were so comfortable in their commitment that they weren't afraid to cancel their wedding, often the mark of death for a movie couple. After their engagement is announced, Tom and Violet (played by Jason Segel and Emily Blunt) find that a cross-country move, the rigors of a post-doctorate program, and other family events prevent them from planning their perfect wedding. In our culture obsessed with elaborate weddings, the couple becomes completely overwhelmed by party planning and loses sight of what they really want--just to be together.


Lockout
Lani: As the resident action connoisseur around this blog, I have to give some love to Lockout, a fun and scruffy film which doesn't take itself seriously for a moment. Guy Pearce plays former CIA agent Snow, who is tapped to break in to a maximum security prison in space, rescue the President's daughter, and do all this in the middle of a massive prison riot. Pearce is delightfully wry, never missing an opportunity to crack a joke whether he's under interrogation, performing first aid, or beating up crazed killers. Among the overblown action films this year based on comic books & board games and pseudo-intellectual sci-fi bores, Lockout stands out for knowing exactly what it is (a fun 90 minutes at the movies) and getting the job done.

Classic Movie Picks: June 2012

Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)

A few weeks ago, disaster struck. I spilled a full glass of iced tea on my copy of Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for June. How could I make my picks without the guide? It was surely an omen that this month's post would be a challenge. And sure enough, as Now Playing lay drying on the fireplace, my mind was diverted by work, houseguests, and attempts to knit one blasted sock (at this rate I should have a matched pair sometime next spring). Yesterday, when I received the July issue of Now Playing and realized that I still hadn't written my post for June, I considered taking the month off, but that felt too much like quitting. If I can't bring myself to finish typing up some movie suggestions, how will I ever finish that sock!

6/3, 2 AM - A Man and a Woman (1966)
An unprecedented hit with American audiences, this romantic drama from France won two Oscars, Best Screenplay and Best Foreign Film. This type of story was a staple of classic films - a glamorous romance between two mature adults (almost anything seemed more glamorous in a classic movie). Romances like Now, Voyager, An Affair to Remember, or A Man and a Woman which all deal with characters well past the blush of youth don't seem to get made as much anymore.

6/6, 3 AM - Eat a Bowl of Tea (1989)
Part of TCM's June spotlight on the immigrant experience, this comedy about Chinese families in New York is directed by Wayne Wang and based on a novel by Louis Chu. The story is set during the 1940s following the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act which prevented immigrants from bringing their families to the U.S. I really enjoyed Wang's film The Joy Luck Club, another literary adaptation which also deals with the experiences of Chinese immigrants in America. However, Eat a Bowl of Tea takes a more straightforwardly comedic approach to issues like arranged marriage and the politics of a Chinatown community.

6/7, 6:30 AM - The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957)
Speaking of romance...here we have the legendary love story of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, an invalid held back by her overbearing father, and Robert Browning, the dashing fellow poet who gave Elizabeth the strength to break free from her family. This is the Metrocolor remake of MGM's 1934 black & white version starring Norma Shearer, Fredric March, and Charles Laughton. The 1957 version was shot on location in England with mostly British actors, including Bill Travers as Browning and John Gielgud as patriarch Edward Moulton-Barrett. Jennifer Jones leads the fine cast as Elizabeth Barrett.
Fans of Virginia Woolf's Flush: A Biography will be happy to know that Barrett Browning's cocker spaniel has also been well-cast. Flush even merited a mention by critic Bosley Crowther in his New York Times review: "played to perfection by a charming spaniel not named in the cast."

6/17, 8 PM - Rio Bravo (1959)
You know what's a pretty good little movie? Rio Bravo.While not officially part of this month's Teen Idols programming, this is probably the best film Ricky Nelson ever made. Rio Bravo is also part of TCM's Essentials, Jr. series this summer, so why not watch with the whole family. 

6/30, 9:45 PM - Christmas in July (1940)
It was actually radio which made me a Dick Powell fan. Like many movie stars of the 40s and 50s, Dick Powell also appeared in radio dramas. I was born several decades too late to hear these shows on the radio; however, I'm grateful to the dedicated fans who have made old-time radio shows available via podcast. I especially enjoy the detective shows and Powell's apperances on Rogue's Gallery and Richard Diamond: Private Detective are some of my favorites. It doesn't hurt that he usually finds an excuse to sing at the end of each episode, either. I'm also on a bit of a Preston Sturges kick after watching Sullivan's Travels and The Palm Beach Story in May, so this film directed by Sturges and starring Powell sounds like a winning combination.
(Visit RelicRadio.com for lots of old-time radio goodness.)

Film Adaptations We'd Like to See

by A.J. and Lani

This weekend, Hasbro - the company which brought Transformers, Transformers 2, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon to the big screen - releases another film based on one of its classic toys, Battleship, a.k.a Transformers: Gone Fishin'. This summer we'll also get the G.I. Joe sequel no one asked for, followed by several more toy-based films over the next few years including Candy Land (possibly starring Adam Sandler), Ouija, Stretch Armstrong, and a Monopoly movie produced by Ridley Scott. But what about the tried and true source material for hundreds of great films - books? Here are our picks for books which we'd like to see adapted to the screen.


A.J.'s Picks


April 1865: The Month That Saved America by Jay Winik
Like most Americans, I thought that the Civil War ended with Lee surrendering to Grant at Appomattox. Then I saw a History Channel special called April 1865: The Month That Saved America, and learned that the War actually ended a few weeks later after continued fighting in the Carolinas and even a Confederate victory at Galveston. While it never fully escapes being a history lesson, the book on which the special was based tells a very interesting story full of key players, such as Cofederate General Joe Johnston, that I don’t think many people know about. 
I’m not afraid to say that Gettysburg (based on the historical novel The Killer Angels by Michael Sharra) is the best made-for-TV movie out there. Gettysburg’s production values, casting, and dialogue far outdo its big screen prequel Gods and Generals and I would like to see April 1865 get at least the same treatment that TNT gave to Gettysburg. The most important role in April 1865 would be Confederate General Robert E. Lee. He was the son of a Revolutionary War hero, his wife was a descendent of George Washington, he was the first choice to command the Union army, and far more important to the Confederacy than its president, Jefferson Davis. The other lead roles would be Union generals U.S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. Grant and Sherman had seemingly opposite personalities (Grant was shy, Sherman was volatile) and a complex friendship. I didn’t imagine actors when I read the book since the characters are oft-photographed historical figures. After seeing what British director Tom Hooper did with the John Adams mini-series on HBO it would make sense to hire him; or perhaps Christopher Nolan, who’s shown us he knows how to focus on character, but also handle a big production. Having a British director would give an objective distance to the story of how the United States went from being a union of states to a single nation.


Coldheart Canyon by Clive Barker

Known as a master of horror, Clive Barker's work in print and on film is admittedly not for everyone. However, his near-700 page novel Coldheart Canyon, which has the tagline “A Hollywood Ghost Story,” sets its fantastical elements in the familiar (to movie fans) world of Hollywood moviemakers, making it a very accessible story. 
After a simple plastic surgery goes wrong, Todd Pickett, an action star whose best days and films are behind him, moves into a secluded mansion in a forgotten part of Hollywood called Coldheart Canyon. The mansion’s previous owner, silent film actress Katya Lupi, once held decadent parties there with other movie stars of the time. Todd discovers that Katya still lives in the mansion and has not aged. There is also a mysterious room where the walls, floor, and ceiling are a single-tiled painting that seems to come to life. It would be a very ambitious, and therefore unlikely, book to adapt to a movie given the real-life silent movie star names used; the debauched and perverted acts that Katya hosted at her mansion; and the monstrous, fantastical creatures still lurking there. While Barker has directed three movies adapted from his own work, the director that would be perfect to bring this phantasmagoric and highly sexual story to screen is David Cronenberg. Coldheart Canyon would be right in line with his films like Shivers (They Came From Within), The Brood, Videodrome, and Crash. He’s the one to hire if you want to effectively portray the repulsion and attraction of the body and sexuality.


Lani's Picks


Jennifer Government by Max Barry
In this satirical look at a world in which the free-market rules, American government has been privatized; employees take the last names of the companies they work for; and The Police and NRA are publicly-traded security firms. When the hapless merchandising underling Hack Nike unwittingly agrees to assassinate teenagers in order to build up street cred for a new sneaker line, he sets off a chain of events involving The Police, the NRA, and eventually the feared government agent of the title.
The film rights were originally bought by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney's production company. However, a film adaptation has been "in development" for a decade, but doesn't seem to be getting any closer to being made. The casting of Jennifer could be a challenge; she is a tough, experienced investigator, but also a loving mother to her young daughter. Right now my choice might be Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, The Adjustment Bureau). She's never played a character like this before, but she has the face of a stone-cold killer. In light of the recent rise of the "Tea Party" in American politics and the ongoing debate over government programs vs. privatization, this story of capitalism in the extreme seems increasingly relevant.


Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susannah Clarke
I can't be the only person who'd like to see this unique story of magic during the Napoleonic Wars brought to the screen. The book follows two magicians (the only ones left practicing in England, if not the world), first as teacher and pupil, then as rivals. At the time of its publication, Clarke's novel received numerous accolades and the idea of a "Harry Potter for adults" seems too good for anyone in Hollywood to pass up. However, the story is also extremely complex with important characters numbering in the double digits and a large special effects budget would be required for many of the magical set-pieces. With such a large cast of characters, there are juicy roles for scores of actors. (One of the joys of reading the book was imagining which actors would be best suited for which character!) I always imagined the secretive, arrogant Mr Norrell as portrayed by Ian Holm and I could see Benedict Cumberbatch (TV's Sherlock) or Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class, Jane Eyre) as Strange, the younger magician who finds himself drawn towards ancient dark magic. My fantasy cast also includes Paul Bettany, Hayley Atwell, Tom Hollander, Richard E. Grant, and Rhys Ifans. Because Jonathan Strange is such a dense novel (this is a story which includes numerous footnotes after all), it seems almost better suited for a cable mini-series than for a conventional film.


So, which books would you like to see adapted for the screen?

Classic Movie Picks: May

by Lani

Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)

5/4: John Carpenter Double Feature
2 AM - They Live (1988)
3:45 AM - Escape From New York (1981)
Multi-talented filmmaker John Carpenter isn't often mentioned alongside the greats of cinema; however, the more I see of his work, the more I'm convinced that Carpenter is some kind of genius. He excels at setting atmosphere, creating memorable characters, and devising inventive solutions within low-budgets. It's no surprise that many of Carpenter's films have been remade (Halloween, The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, The Thing,  and coming soon - Escape From New York); however, despite bigger budgets, the remakes can't match the craftsmanship of the originals. And you can't beat lines like "I came to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum."

5/8, 10 PM - AFI's Master Class-The Art of Collaboration: Russell-Wahlberg
This is the 2nd installment in a series by TCM and the American Film Institute in which well-known collaborators discuss their films. Director/producer/writer David O. Russell seems to bring out the best in actor Mark Wahlberg, and vice versa. Their three films together (Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees, The Fighter) all have a dark sense of humor despite falling into very different genres - war/crime caper, satire/detective story, family drama/underdog sports tale. I'm interested to hear how they came to be such successful collaborators.
BONUS: AFI's Master Class-The Art of Collaboration: Spielberg-Williams
After an encore of the Russell-Wahlberg episode at 1:15 AM, watch the first in the series featuring director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams at 2:15 AM.

5/9: A Day of Robin Hoods
6:45 AM - Red River Robin Hood (1943)
8 AM - The Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936)
9:30 AM - Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964)
11:45 AM - A Challenge for Robin Hood (1968)
1:30 PM - The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
3:30 PM - The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946)
5:00 PM - Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950)
6:30 PM - Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960)
This seems like a fun day to stay home and watch movies. From dawn to dusk, you can watch tales of Robin Hood, Robin Hood-style heroes, and even a couple about Robin Hood's "son."

5/11, 3:30 AM - Zigzag (1970)
In January, I decided that I would try to watch a "new" classic film each month - one that I've never seen before. Late nights on TCM are a great resource for films that I've not only never seen, but ones that I've never heard of either. This film looks like an interesting little thriller and it comes with a great cast of character actors including George Kennedy, Anne Jackson, and Eli Wallach. Kennedy plays a dying man who frames himself for a murder so that his wife can collect the reward money; however, his plan goes awry when his illness is cured.

Star of the Month: Joel McCrea
TCM salutes the career of handsome leading man Joel McCrea each Wednesday this month. I'm drawn to the comedies on 5/2, including Sullivan's Travels (1941), The Palm Beach Story (1942), and The Richest Girl in the World (1934). However, he made some fun adventure films, too, like The Most Dangerous Game (1932) and Foreign Correspondent (1940), both airing on 5/9. Though for many people McCrea is indelibly associated with Westerns, I don't think I've ever seen him in one; so, I'll also be looking forward to the two nights of Westerns on 5/23 and 5/30. Ride the High Country (1962), co-starring Randolph Scott, is a classic of the genre that I definitely want to see.

Action's Top Dogs

by Lani
Safe starring Jason Statham opens in theaters this weekend. Statham is one of my favorite action stars, despite the fact that his films tend to vary wildly in quality. I like that Statham doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. He has a great comedic instincts, as well as convincing physical capabilities. Do I want to see his Hamlet? Not really. Do I want to see him crash a car through a production of Hamlet and proceed to kick everyone's ass? Yes, yes I do.
Judging from early reviews, Safe seems to be a middling entry in the Statham filmography--not quite reaching the heights of Crank, but not as dire as In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. However, there is no question that Statham is currently one of cinema's top dogs when it comes to action films. But who are the other top dogs and underdogs, old and new? Here's a sampling based on the films currently in theaters.

Sam Worthington - Wrath of the Titans
Worthington should be a top dog, judging by his abundance of film roles over the past 2 years, including the highest grossing film of all time, Avatar. However, audiences don't seem to be very enthusiastic about him. (Anecdotal evidence has revealed that some people can't even remember what he looks like, even while staring at his photo.) He has the physicality for action roles, but his flat expression and delivery make him boring and forgettable. A native of Australia, Worthington has been cast as an American, Israeli, robot, and Greek demi-god; perhaps if he were allowed to play an Australian character for once he would not have the burden of keeping up a foreign accent and could then reallocate some megabytes toward facial expressions.

Guy Pearce - Lockout
Pearce is an old dog who has learned some new tricks, and been to the gym. His most recognizable roles so far (Memento, L.A. Confidential) are detectives who rely on intellect rather than physical prowess. However, as ex-CIA agent Snow in Lockout, Pearce plays a wry and resourceful action hero in the style of Escape From New York's Snake Plissken...and he pulls it off! Lockout is a lot of fun, so I would definitely be onboard for the further adventures of Snow. Snake got a sequel, so what's next for Snow? Breaking out of prison on Mars?

Liam Neeson - Wrath of the Titans
Though he's played men of action in the past (Darkman, Rob Roy), Liam Neeson has recently positioned himself as an elder statesman among action stars by taking the "wise mentor" role in numerous films (Batman Begins, The Phantom Menace, The A-Team) and successfully carrying several on his own (Taken, Unknown, The Grey). His character from Taken has become an iconic bad-ass of our time, perhaps even eclipsing Oskar Schindler as Neeson's most recognizable role. Neeson is a gifted actor who brings gravitas to whatever role he plays. Moreover, his characters are crafty and intelligent, approaching problems with strategy rather than relying on brute force. I think this is what sets his action films apart and what makes him an old dog, but still a top dog.

So are there any American action stars anymore? Not currently at multiplex, but there are surely more contenders to come this summer. Jennifer Lawrence racks up a modest body count in The Hunger Games. She's an underdog in the action world, though, as women are rarely cast as the leads in this genre. However, Lawrence has a convincing toughness and determination, so after the Hunger Games trilogy, who knows?

Last month, with the release of John Carter and Battleship on the horizon, Taylor "Riggins" Kitsch was looking like the new dog in Hollywood. Kitsch was one of the best things about Friday Night Lights, a TV show that had a lot of talent, but will his charisma transfer to the big screen? Unfortunately, John Carter kicked a puppy, implied that someone's mother was less than a saint, and otherwise committed crimes against humanity so reprehensible that that movie-going public staged a boycott. Oh, wait a minute, the movie didn't do any of those things! However, people still refused to see it and it is now being called the biggest flop of all time. But I'm not too worried about Kitsch just yet. Battleship looks completely ridiculous, but Liam Neeson is in it, so it can't be all bad.

Remembering the Titanic on film

by Lani

This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic tragedy. The story of the Titanic's fateful maiden voyage has been portrayed on film many times over the past century, most notably of course in 1997's Titanic, written and directed by James Cameron. The epic scope of this story seems to invite filmmaking on a massive scale and Cameron's production was famously troubled. But unlike the ship of the same name, Titanic the film was a resounding success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all-time and winning the Best Picture Academy Award. For those who were among the very small minority who did not see Titanic the first time, or perhaps were not yet alive in 1997, Titanic in 3D in now in theaters. This weekend ABC is also showing a new miniseries, coincidentally called Titanic, which was written by Julian Fellowes, lately of Downton Abbey fame. If you're interested in some "classic" film portrayals of the disaster, ."A Life at the Movies" blog has a nice round-up of the major Titanic films, and makes comparisons between older films and Cameron's film.

One of the most interesting Titanic-themed entertainments I've come across this weekend is Nazi Titanic on The History Channel's H2. During WWII, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels became obsessed with creating a blockbuster film to rival those of Hollywood. He thought he had the perfect subject in the Titanic, and set out to make a film which blamed British capitalists for the disaster and loss of life. A fictional German officer was added to the story as a heroic voice of reason amidst the greedy ship owners and a captain concerned with speed records rather than safety. Unrivaled resources were put behind the production (it was then the most expensive German film ever made), German ship the Cap Arcona was taken out of active service to stand in for the Titanic and hundreds of German soldiers were brought in as extras. However, the production became a disaster of its own when the circumstances of being at war made filming nearly impossible. The crew shot for weeks on the Cap Arcona without getting any usable footage. Furthermore, after making inflammatory statements against the German army, director Herbert Selpin was denounced and sent to prison where he died of an apparent suicide. Nazi Titanic also discusses the topic of propaganda movies of the 1940s from both sides of the war. Before now I had never thought of 1942's Casablanca as a propaganda film. It does fit the bill for effective pro-Allies propaganda; however, Casablanca also transcends that label due to smart writing, memorable performances, and a great sense of atmosphere--qualities which many propaganda pieces lack. When Goebbels' Titanic film was finally finished in 1943, he feared that the sinking ship would be seen as a metaphor for the Third Reich. Though the film was shown in Nazi-occupied Europe, it was never released in Germany.

Classic Movie Picks: April

by Lani

Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)

Star of the Month: Doris Day

Doris Day has had no shortage of love on TCM, so if you are regular viewer, you've probably seen most of the films featured this month. This time the Star of the Month films are being shown in a semi-marathon, every night in primetime April 2 through April 6; and each night is themed to a different genre of film or period in Day's career. While she's probably most closely associated with light comedy, Day also made several impressive dramatic films and, of course plenty of musicals to highlight her lovely voice. Did you know that Doris Day is still holds the box-office record for top female star of all-time? Her continued popularity is a bit surprising, but then I can't think of a female star today who could fit into Day's shoes. Maybe Reese Witherspoon? I happen to find Ms. Day delightful in all her films, but I'm especially fond of her musical comedies co-starring Gordon McRae. If you are a fan of Meet Me in St. Louis (and why wouldn't you be?), you may like On Moonlight Bay (1951) and it's sequel By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) which follows the ups and downs of a family in early 20th century small-town America.

4/2, 9:45 PM - By the Light of the Silvery Moon

4/2, 1:15 AM - On Moonlight Bay

4/13, 6 AM-5:45 PM - Directed by Stanley Donen

Friday the 13th is a lucky day this month, bringing a full day of films directed by former dancer/choreographer Stanley Donen. Donen has directed some of my favorite movies of all-time with Singin' in the Rain dancing to the top of the list. He's rightly known for his musicals which always have vibrant energy, exuberant dancing, and unexpected surprises. Stand-outs in today's line-up include On the Town (6 AM), Royal Wedding (7:45 AM), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (2:15 PM), and It's Always Fair Weather (4 PM). In the non-musical camp, there's also a jarringly beautiful 19-year-old Elizabeth Taylor in Love is Better Than Ever (11 AM) and Fearless Fagan (9:30 AM) which offers a rare starring role for goofy supporting player Carleton Carpenter.

4/15: Silent Sunday with Harold Lloyd

12 AM, Ask Father (1919)

12:20 AM, Among These Present (1921)

1 AM, Haunted Spooks (1920)

1:30 AM, Get Out and Get Under (1920)

Like most movie fans, I recognized Harold Lloyd as the bespectacled silent comic hanging from the hand of a giant clock in Safety Last!, but until recently I wasn't too aware of his work beyond that. Well, sometimes you just need to be told that something is good for you, that it is essential, to give you that push to seek it out. For me, that push finally came from a TCM short about Lloyd presented by Bill Irwin. The clips of Lloyd made me laugh and gasp out loud, and I was truly impressed by his agile, inventive stunts. Those snippets gave me more genuine surprise and delight than most of the feature films I saw last year. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Harold Lloyd!

4/20: Spring Break Ski Bums

8 PM - Ski Party (1965)

10 PM - Winter A-Go-Go (1965)

12 AM - Get Yourself a College Girl (1964)

TCM is celebrating Spring Break with several night of films hosted by Ben Mankiewicz and Tom Lisanti, author of Hollywood Surf and Beach Movies: The First Wave 1959-1969. I'm not feeling "swimsuit-ready" just yet, so I'll be clinging to winter with 3 films about snowy ski retreats.

4/22: Robert Bresson Double-Feature

2 AM - Diary of a Country Priest (1951)

4:15 AM - A Man Escaped (1956)

One of my favorite film podcasts is Filmspotting based out of Chicago. I often seek out films which they mention on the show, especially their "marathons" of movies by one director or of a singular genre. For the past few weeks, the fellas at Filmspotting have been discussing the work of French director Robert Bresson, including the two films showing tonight. On the surface, the subjects couldn't be more different -- a young priest in ailing health and a prisoner intent on escape -- however, both are stories of one man's internal struggles. Bresson's films are unique for their extreme minimalist style, nearly expressionless performances by non-actors, and use of natural sound rather than music. Usually that description wouldn't have me racing to the TV, but based on the high degree of respect Bresson has received from the film community, I am intrigued.