Celebrating Stories in Every Medium
Today’s Topic: The Ten Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
As if I need to add more titles to the out of control planet that is my TBR list. But I’m nothing if not optimistic. Plus, I can’t resist the lure of a new book. Here are several that are the most recently added. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – The Ten Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf”
Carole Lombard is much lauded for her skills as a comedienne, but not as much so for her dramatic performances. Perhaps, it is for this reason, that it took a while for her to grow on me.
Screwball comedy is my favorite genre, and Carole is one of its’ heroines. But when I viewed her popular films, like My Man Godfrey, Twentieth Century and Nothing Sacred, I felt I must be missing something important. To me, her performances were shrill, occasionally manic and sometimes painful for me to watch. And yet, everyone raves about her talent.
That many people can’t be wrong. So, I kept at it. I continued to work my way through her films. And along the way I discovered something. I must be a bit contrary, because I appreciate Carole most in her dramatic roles and her less popular comedies. Continue reading “Carole Lombard Memorial Blogathon – A Tribute to Carole as a Dramatic Actress aka How Carole Lombard Won Me Over”
Well, 2019 was a slower year for me as far as reading goes. Compared to last year’s triple digit stats, I only read about 75 books. Due to some life changes I didn’t have as much time to read as I have in the past. But I’m not complaining.
For the first time ever I was part of a book club in 2019. I was only able to attend three times unfortunately. But because of this I read books I might not have otherwise; The Wedding, The Quiet Game, The Getaway Girls. I also participated in an online book club. The book choice was Charlotte Bronte’s Villette, which I didn’t like nearly as well as Jane Eyre. But I did enjoy discussing it with others online. Continue reading “2019 Book Year in Review”
This year I decided to keep track of my viewing stats a little differently. In the past, I only kept track of the new to me classic films in my tally. But for 2019 I chose to also include re-watches, newer films and television series. I continued to leave out television films from my total count. All told, I watched about 300 films and series which is quite a lot.
I continued on from last year in watching the films of Marlon Brando, Robert Mitchum and George Brent. I also actively sought out the films of Shirley Temple, Margaret O’Brien, Kay Francis, Greta Garbo, Jane Powell, Marion Davies and John Garfield. 2019 will also go down as the year I watched my first Elvis film.
Some of the more popular classics I finally made time for were Murder My Sweet, The Stranger, I Know Where I’m Going, Angel and the Badman, Ryan’s Daughter and Becket. Cleopatra was as much of a slog as I expected. However, I was happily surprised by great experiences with The Picture of Dorian Gray and Cat People. I had also put off watching the famous silent film The Big Parade but it completely wowed me! Continue reading “2019 Film Year in Review”
Today’s Topic: Most Anticipated Book Releases for the First Half of 2020
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
Due to a very busy schedule this week, I’m keeping this week’s TTT simple and brief. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – Most Anticipated Book Releases for the First Half of 2020”
December was a month for indulging myself. Just over a third of my entertainment choices this month were re-watches, mostly of my favorite Christmas films. And still, I didn’t get to see all the holiday films I wanted to.
I also spoiled myself by going to the theater four times this month. I can’t remember the last time there were that many new releases I actually wanted to see. In fact, I think these four may account for a third of my total new release viewings for the whole year.
Biggest Disappointment: Stand Up and Cheer – Shirley Temple’s brief presence was not enough to save this one.
Favorite Discovery: Virgin River & Little Women – Both of these surprised me in a great way. Continue reading “December 2019 Quickie Film Reviews”
Today’s Topic: Favorite Books I Read In 2019
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
I’m actually jumping the gun a bit this week as I usually cover my favorite books in my end of the year review. But, these books are good enough to mention twice, so lucky you. Also, I’ve included some books here which I had to brutally cut out of my end of year review.
For my full reviews on some of these titles, please click the title link.
Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – Favorite Books of 2019”
It’s easy to write-off Ginger Rogers as the second half of a famous partnership with Fred Astaire. After all it is the ten films they made together which has helped cement her place in film history.
But she’s not just your typical classic movie star. No, she was a real working actress with talent. One who was equally at home in musicals, comedies and dramas. She held her own against respected actresses like Janet Gaynor and Katharine Hepburn and co-starred with in demand actors such as William Powell, Cary Grant & James Stewart.
Without intentionally planning it, I have seen a large majority of Roger’s films and was on the lookout for a new one to review for this blogathon. Forever Female perfectly fit the bill. It is one of her less discussed films, which is unfortunate given Rogers gives an excellent performance. It also boasts William Holden and Paul Douglas as cast members and talented screenwriting brothers Julius (who won and Oscar for Casablanca) & Phillip Epstein. Continue reading “Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Blogathon – Forever Female (1953)”
Today’s Topic: Books I Hope to Find Under My Tree
Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl
One year for Christmas my mom gave me some jewelry. She wanted me to have some nice pieces that I could wear for years. As grateful as I was, I guess something on my face made her ask, “You would have rather received books for Christmas, wouldn’t you?” To which I guiltily answered, “Yes.”
Every year, my Christmas wish list includes a whole lot of books. Sometimes I get around to buying these books for myself, particularly when they go on sale for Kindle. This year, I’ve requested several non-fiction titles in hardback, since those tend to be a bigger investment. Also, since classic film is my other obsession, these non-fiction titles provide the marriage of two of my favorite things. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – Christmas Bookish Wish List”
Once again Aurora over at Once Upon a Screen is challenging everyone to pay it forward this Christmas by choosing classic film recommendations utilizing the Twelve Days of Christmas theme.
I’ve decided to stick as close to that theme as possible by creatively interpreting the lyrics of the song. I didn’t have as much time as I would like to elaborate on all the films and actors who are named in this post. But hopefully, they will pique your interest enough to discover them for yourself. Continue reading “#PayClassicsForward Christmas Challenge 2019”