Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Re-watching movies.

My writing is torturing me this week, both my past words and present. (The quantity of the former and the quality of the latter.) But I am trying to stay positive, or at least focus on other things. Such as... films I love!

Because I read anywhere from 6-10 books a week, I don't watch many movies. I prefer reading! Getting me to watch a full-length movie can be a struggle, just ask my family. It's not that I don't like to watch movies, but sometimes I find the thought of being tied to the screen for that long daunting. I couldn't explain the reason why; it's beyond quixotic of me since I often sit that long at my computer screen. And some times I am more than willing to watch. It's very weird.
Come to think of it, I believe it has something to do with the fact that I can't walk away any time I want to if I'm watching with other people; I like my time to be flexible for doing whatever strikes my fancy. (Bad characteristic!)
What I should do is re-watch movies by myself, on my laptop because there are many movies I utterly love, but haven't watched in a while. I need to start making time to sit and watch them, if only in increments. In lieu of that, I started thinking about movies I want to re-watch and this is the list I came up with...



Les Parapluies de Cherbourg - A favourite I'm always in the mood for! For those of you unfamiliar with this beautiful film, all the dialogue is sung... in French (of course)! Some people find this strange - ah, but they have never actually watched it!




Alice in the Cities (AKA Alice in den Städten) - This is like the non-perverted version of Lolita. It's an obscure German film, and I only ran across it because Sibylle Baier appears briefly in a scene. (Thank goodness for YouTube!)




The Monkees: Head - I am a big fan of the Monkees, both their show and their music. Their movie Head, which was made in 1968, was basically meant to shatter the image that had been created for them. That being said, it's a rather disturbing and random film, but I love it... in a strange sort of way.




Little Dorrit - My favourite Dickens next to Our Mutual Friend! I read the book the other month which only increased my desire to watch this lovely mini-series. I remember watching it when it first aired on PBS and having to wait a week in between installments. Quite aggravating!




The Thin Man - This movie is slated for a remake and I am so miffed about it! All I can say is, why remake perfection? No one else could capture the hilarious couple of Nick and Nora like Myrna Loy and William Powell did. *shakes head* What is the world coming to?




My Man Godfrey - Oh, look at that... another movie starring William Powell. Ha! Ha! You'd think I had a thing for him or something.....
This movie is crazy in the way only 1940's comedies can be. In my opinion, many of the best movies come from this era.




Meet Me in St. Louis - A sweet, nostalgic musical starring Judy Garland! Need I say more? (I just love her - what a voice! *dreamy sigh*)




The Shop Around the Corner - I just adore this film! Of course, it's James Stewart; you can't go wrong with him! This movie has been remade a couple times. Most importantly into...




You've Got Mail - Essentially The Shop Around the Corner with emails instead of letters! ...But not really. They have enough differences that it doesn't feel like you're watching the same film. I don't prefer either one; they're both so wonderful and funny.




Muppets Take Manhattan - Probably my favourite Muppet movie! I can quote it forwards and back, but it never gets old. (I have to admit, I am not excited about the new Muppet movie that has been made... It just doesn't look like it has the feel of the classic Muppet movies. Or the show, for that matter. I'm an incorrigible purist, sorry.)




Before Sunset -The second half of the greatest pairing of films! (The first being Before Sunrise.)If you like a lot of intelligent conversation and ponderings, these movies are a must. However, if ambiguous endings drive you crazy, don't watch these!


Well, that's all I can think of, though there are undoubtedly more. What about you all? Any movies you want to re-watch right now?

(...Now, which should I start watching first?)

{All pictures found on tumblr, except the first one which is one of my own screenshots.}

21 comments:

  1. This might be a disappointing comment because I don't really care for watching movies so I can't answer your question, but I did like reading about the movies you listed here. If Dan puts on a movie I'll watch it with him. I've never been the first to put one on.

    I prefer to imagine my own characters and scenes. So impressive that you read 6-10 books a week although I sort of knew that through your goodreads, hehe.

    I'm with you on focusing on other things than writing for a little while... I've been erasing most of my sentences today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The only films I have heard of out of these are Before Sunrise and Before Sunset - my lecturer at university told me about them. They are on my list of films-to-watch. I have been craving Pride and Prejudice (2005) lately, but we have lost the DVD, and I am missing it terribly. Have lots of fun watching your favourite films.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jade: Haha, not at all - a comment from you could never be disappointing. :)

    I can understand that! I like a little of both. And my reading habits are kind of a disease, hehe.

    That's just where I'm at today. Glad to know I'm not the only one. :)


    B: You should definitely make time to watch Before Sunrise & Sunset sometime! I couldn't say for sure you'd like them... but you might. :)
    I love movie adaptions of Austen novels! (Though I do prefer the 1995 version of P&P) Ugh, it's so frustrating when DVDs you want to watch get misplaced! My sister and I had that happen recently. I think our mom ended up buying a new copy.
    Thank you - I will! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. i am putting these down on my "movies to watch" list :) start with muppets take manhattan! huzzah! enjoy your much-enjoyable films :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Interestingly enough, this list includes one of my all-time favorite films and one of my least favorite movies ever.

    Fave: "Shop Around the Corner"
    Eh: "Meet Me in St. Louis"

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gypsy: Hehe, yay! It's so much fun to influence others. ;) That's a good choice to start with. :) Thank you!


    Everly: Oh, that's funny!
    I have another friend who really doesn't like Meet Me in St. Louis either. Ah, well.
    But yeah, The Shop Around the Corner is the best. <3

    ReplyDelete
  7. I used to feel exactly the same way about watching movies! I never could quite describe why as well as you have. It's good that there's someone else that feels the same way :) But lately I've been watching more movies than reading books :( But I'm hoping that because my exams are over I'll be able to start reading more books. Even if they've closed the biggest library in town :(
    And yes I did! Typewriters are amazing! :)
    I hope I can post more too, I'll certainly be writing more that I have been (anything is more than nothing haha) and I'm glad to be beack, I have missed you and your words :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Of these I've only watched two of them, but the two that I have I adore! I know we've talked about 'Les Parapluies..' before, and its just the best. Singing the 'Non, je ne pourrais jamais vivre sans toi' when nobody's home in a delightfully melodramatic way does wonders for the soul. And 'The Shop Around the Corner' is the loveliest film! Gosh, I love James Stewart. I have to watch the others on this list, but definitely 'You've got mail'. It sounds awesome. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. P.s. I am Me" I too am gratified to learn I'm not the only one who has felt that way! Well, let's face it: when exams are sucking your brains away, movies are a much better entertainment. Ugh! I hate it when they close libraries. My dearest, darling library is closed for renovations, at the moment. *pouts*
    Well, I am glad you're picking up the pen again! (Metaphorically speaking.)
    Awww, thank you. <3


    Minna: Oh! Oh! I do that too! Only my favoured line is "Mon amour, ne me quitte pas!"
    Yay - a fellow James Stewart enthusiast! =D He is simply amazing.
    Ooh, yes - if you love The Shop Around the Corner you should definitely watch You've Got Mail. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Miss you, girlie, and your wonderful comments on my blog of late. I'm not back, but wanted to drop by and visit your blog. Still remember the day you told me about Les Parapluies de Cherbourg. I still have to watch it, but oh, how much I adore You've Got Mail.
    Hope everything is doing well for you, ma chérie.

    ReplyDelete
  11. RUCHA!!! I literally gasped when I saw you had commented! I've missed you too! I was afraid we had lost contact for forever. :)
    Oh, yes - I remember that! I also remember that you like You've Got Mail as well as Sleepless in Seattle, but you like the former better (as do I). :)

    I hope all is well with you too! Hearing from you has made me très, très heureuse. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really wish I could return just for the sake of talking to you once again. (: But college applications are up to my elbows and just stress in general has gotten me down. I love the movies on this list and am going to watch Les Parapluies de Cherbourg soon! I hope to keep in touch as much as I can, and I may start blogging once again after winter, so heads up. ♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  13. Aww! Well, feel free to shoot me an email if the mood ever strikes you. (My address is located somewhere near-ish the top of the sidebar.) :) Best wishes for all that stressful and important stuff! Oh, yay! I really hope you like it! And ooh, that would be fab if you did - I miss reading your musings about life.
    I hope you have a fantabulous new week. ♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  14. I absolutely LOVE watching films - it's one of my very favourite things to do! But shamefully I haven't seen any of this list & will have to add them to my own list very soon. My very very favourite films are It's A Wonderful Life and Into The Wild :) xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have the same problems with movies, but I think it's because I have such a short attention span. My mind wanders and I can never sit still for long, it runs in my family. I really adore all the John Hughes films, I must sit down and watch those when I get a chance!

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. The only movie I know in your list is You've Got Mail, but I think I've heard of Before Sunset (and muppets) before. :)

    Sorry for the late reply. Haha. So what are you watching right now?

    ReplyDelete
  17. holly: I haven't seen Into the Wild, but it sounds really good and I shall definitely add it to my list! It's a Wonderful Life, on the other hand, I've seen, of course! Who doesn't love (or at least like) that movie?! (Well, my mother doesn't... but we can ignore that fact. My sister and I are trying to convert her. :P)


    Jhordyn Ashley: Hehe, sometimes I have that as a (temporary) problem too.
    I don't think I've seen any of his films! Possibly a clip or two, now that I think about it.


    haze: Don't apologize! I don't mind 'late replies' in the least. :) Well, I finished You've Got Mail the other night, and haven't decided which one to watch next. I'm thinking it will probably be "Les Parapluies...", though!

    ReplyDelete
  18. So behind on my blog reading, obviously...*feels ashamed*
    That's twice in a week that I've heard about "You've Got Mail". Maybe it's a sign. Also, I'm pretty much the same way with movies...although, I find myself watching more and more movies lately...I love to watch their faces and expressions and cinematography.
    Well, the upside of my being so late to read this post is that I can reasonably ask, have you watched any of these yet? :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Silly, girl - you shouldn't be ashamed! You should be... utterly mortified! :P
    OoOoOoOo. I think it is a sign! Waaaatch it.
    Movies do offer incredible things that books just can't provide!
    Silver lining! I like it. :) And, yes I have! So far, I've watched You've Got Mail and Les Parapluies de Cherbourg. I haven't decided what to watch next, though. The Thin Man, perhaps?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ahhhh, I love this list! To be sure, I haven't seen any of these, but I love that you included little pictures and descriptions under each one. I kind of want to watch "The Shop Around the Corner." That photo is calling to me *_*

    I understand what you mean about the movie thing. I can sit for hours, watching movies, but when I'm busy, I usually deny myself them. So that drives my family nuts when they want to watch something. And I hate finding movies on TV that have already started. I need to start from the beginning, haha.

    Lately, I've been filling each drop of free time with Buster Keaton. At first, you know, it was Mary Pickford I wanted to watch, but her films are so hard to find (and very expensive). Besides... I'm totally crushing on Buster. No joke. He's stolen my heart, haha. I'm splurging this Christmas on a huge collection of Keaton's early films, as well as a collection of super early films (like Melies). I'm so excited. I feel like a crazy film student. So strange.

    Since you mentioned Judy Garland, I have a suggestion for you. While TCM played Buster movies for a month, I saw, from his later years, an adorable musical called "In the Good Old Summertime." I don't like musicals, really, but the story was engaging and lovely. And seeing Buster in color brought tears to my eyes (he's a minor character, but with a great part).

    ReplyDelete
  21. You should definitely watch it when you get the time!

    Hahaha! Oh Kim, you make me smile... and laugh. :) I shall have to see if I can get my hands on some Buster Keaton sometime, as well as In the Good Old Summertime. Thanks for telling me about that one! And ohhhh, I just looked it up and Wikipedia says it's a musical version of The Shop Around the Corner!!!! I knew there was one, I just didn't know what it was called. Now I defintely need to see it!
    Yeah, musicals are generally hit and miss. I usually end up watching them merely for the actors/singers that star in them. :)

    ReplyDelete

Silhouettes of a secret. A story told over a cuppa. Or perhaps just sitting on that stone bench, basking in the moonlight... and not saying anything at all.


("I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks." -Shakespeare, Twelfth Night)