Gentle Readers and Dear Friends now we are on the slippery slide to
the weekend - woo hoo!!! The wacky weather here in the City has again
changed - we are now on the swing to the warm side... yesterday and for
the next few days we are getting into the high 50's low 60's and with
bright blue skies... very nice and moderate, just like I like it!!
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I thought today I would talk about a few films I have seen that are worth a mention...
First up would be a Christmas film I have had on my Netflix queue forever. "Midnight Clear" -
2006 - an ensemble film starring Stephen Baldwin, K Callahan, Kirk B.R.
Woller, Mary Thornton Brown and Richard Fancy. The film taken from a
short story by Jerry Jenkins is about... a recently homeless and jobless
loser, a senior citizen estranged from
her family, a mother of one dealing with her husband's brain damage, a
gas station owner stuck in a job he hates, and a youth pastor feeling
irrelevant face depression and loneliness on Christmas Eve. As they
cross paths and experience random and minor acts of kindness, their
lives are changed forever. I really enjoyed this film and the nice
performances given.
Another film from 2006 - "Bonneville" - starring Jessica Lange,
Kathy Bates and Joan Allen - is a road trip type film.
The story is about a widow, along with her two best friends - driving her husbands ashes from Idaho to Santa Barbara and along the way learns about herself and others. Although the films ending was a little less than upbeat in the special features there where two alternate endings to watch - I liked the 2nd one and feel it was the best of the three - a much more satisfying one!
Last night there were two films - a short DVD from Netflix - again a Christmas one from my endless queue called "Holy Russia Celebrates the Festival of Christmas" - again from 2006 -
This 58 minutes of beauty has The Moscow Chamber Choir celebrating a Russian-style Christmas in this collection of performances filmed at some of the holiest sites in Moscow. Many of the scenes were shot in the historic Golden Ring region outside Moscow, which is considered the birthplace of the Russian Orthodox Church. Russia's spiritual history is often overlooked, but the beauty of these monasteries and cathedrals demonstrates the country's deeply religious foundation.
This 58 minutes of beauty has The Moscow Chamber Choir celebrating a Russian-style Christmas in this collection of performances filmed at some of the holiest sites in Moscow. Many of the scenes were shot in the historic Golden Ring region outside Moscow, which is considered the birthplace of the Russian Orthodox Church. Russia's spiritual history is often overlooked, but the beauty of these monasteries and cathedrals demonstrates the country's deeply religious foundation.
Here is a 3 minute You Tube Clip from the DVD -
It is a beautiful DVD - not just the visuals but the music is so gorgeous!!
Also last night on TCM in Celebration of Angela Lansbury - she is the Star of the Month - they showed a favorite film of mine- "Death on the Nile" - 1978 - another ensemble film starring Peter Ustinov, Jane Birkin, Angela Lansbury, Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, Mia Farrow, George Kennedy and Lois Chiles.
A great Agatha Christie story of who dunnit - about a boat floating down the Nile river loaded with rich folks who hate a single woman!!. Shot on location in Egypt - where everyone could have - "done it" a great destination film and well worth a look!
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There you sports fans - thanks again for stopping by and for your great comments - thanks for backing me up in my "floss" decisions!! Do stop by again.
Take care,
edgar
I love looking at your movie reviews! I've watched several things, based on your reviews, and I love how you pick things that are otherwise "unknown" to many of us.
ReplyDeleteI've seen "Bonneville" before, and loved it, and it's been a long time, but I think I've seen "Death of the Nile". I'll have to give that another look soon. The other 2 I know I haven't seen, and I'll have to add them to the queue. Thanks for the advice.
Have a great day!
My husband has informed me that we've seen Bonneville. I remembered it when he jogged my memory : ) He also said we have Death on the Nile in our collection but haven't seen it yet. Thanks for the recommendation! I'm not familiar with the other two but will have to check them out. Blessings, Shirlee
ReplyDeleteSome great picks, Edgar. I have seen Bonneville and enjoyed that one a lot, but long ago so I don't remember all the different endings :) Also love Death on the Nile, Bette Davis!! I love all those actors and actresses from the 40s and 50s like Myrna Loy, Barbara Stanwyck, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, oh I could go on forever :)
ReplyDeleteI will have to check out your others.
Have a great day!
I found those alternate endings buried in the "Special Features" section on the DVD. ahhhh Myrna Loy - elegance in motion every time she walked in front of the camera!!
DeleteI've seen Dearh on the Nile a few times, great film.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your movie posts. The Russian clip had beautiful music, but it sure did look cold there!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your posts about films. You introduce me to films I have never heard of and remind me of old favorites. I admit I don't keep up with films as much as I used to. As I grow older I tend to revisit favorites rather than seek out the new. If I am not careful, I'll turn into an old fogey.
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you - I would rather watch a GOOD film from the past that I have seen a dozen times than watch some of the not so good films of today.... I am an old fogey. :)
DeleteEdgar,
ReplyDeleteBy chance in watching the Celebration of Angela Lansbury on TMC did you happen to see Mr. Budwing? It was a departure for James Garner but it held your interest. I'm not sure how I felt about the ending.I do enjoy your blog. A mixture of all the things I like: cross stitch movies and food. :+}
Sandra from MN
Hi Edgar, I'm just getting caught up in my blog reading. I wanted to thank you for telling me about the DVD with the Moscow Chamber Choir. My husband is a choir director and we both really enjoyed the clip so we will be looking into this one. The scenery is lovely and really complements the music!
ReplyDelete