Movie Meme - Horror

It's Horror this week over at Hannah's blog.

This week she wants films that scare us.  I wouldn't say I get scared too much by horror movies (not like my wussy husband).  I'm not a huge fan of all the ones that are full of guts and gore that's for sure.  I love the creepy ones, the ones with atmosphere like Jacobs Ladder, The Exorcist, Poltergeist and Stir of Echoes to name but a few.

The film I've chosen for this week, like Hannah, is one that scared me when I was younger.  I can remember watching it on TV with my Mum and my older Sister when Dad was on night shift and I think I ended up in Mums bed for about a week!

It just happens to be an 80's film so maybe my love for 80's movies extends to this genre too.

My choice...The Thing.

Released in 1982 and directed by great John Carpenter who also directed Christine (another horror I love) it stars a young Kurt Russell in the lead role as MacReady who is part of an American science team in the Antarctic. The film starts in the cold mist with some Norwegians chasing a dog and trying to kill it but they fail. Later the dog starts attacking the other dogs and so 'The Thing' starts to move and mutate throughout the compound.

Being made in 1982 the effects aren't the best but it's full of atmosphere (and gore too) and the fact that you don't know 'who' has been taken over by The Thing makes it even more terrifying.

The classic moment in this film and the one that still scares me when I think about it now is the bit when they are trying to resuscitate a guy.  I remember it so clearly, the chest opening, the teeth, The Thing appearing but the worst part is the screams and the noise that goes with the scene. It's terrifying (well, it was to me when I was younger) and the head detaching itself, using it's tongue to drag itself then growing legs and running away like a freaking spider!

It's only 8am and I'm scaring myself.  Maybe I need to watch it again now I'm older and it won't haunt me as much.  For the moment I'm off to grab a cushion and get a cuddle from my husband.

Apparently they've made a sequel which is due for release this year.  I bet it won't be half as scary.

What's your favourite?  Head over to Hannah's blog and link up...

Movie Meme - Favourite Actress

Apparently last weeks theme of 'World Cinema' was a bit of a toughie. I found it really easy to pick a film, a lot easier than I've found todays theme...

I can honestly say I don't really have a favourite actress. I've been busy all day in the garden with a crazy 2 year old and inbetween fishing compost out of her mouth I've been trying to think of who I could write about.

If Hannah hadn't already picked her, I could have easily picked Helena Bonham Carter - I've always loved her for her amazing acting skills and quirky ways.

So, wanting to pick some home grown talent I've decided to write about the lovely Julie Walters.

The younger generation (how old do I make myself sound?) will probably know her best for her role as Mrs Weasley in the Harry Potter films.  However, I remember her fondly for her role in the amazing film Educating Rita and as the mad and shaky Mrs Overall in Victoria Wood and Acorn Antiques.  Whenever I see my daughter trying to carry a tray of things I always call her Mrs Overall.  I also have memories of her as Adrian Moles mother!

I also adore the film Billy Elliot and she appears there as Billys ballet teacher.  She has some amazing performances to her name and no more so than her heart-wrenching portrayal of Dr. Turner in the TV film called A Short Stay In Switzerland.

I think the only downside to her acting career was to put her name to Mamma Mia along with another great actress I almost picked - Meryl Streep.  Shame on them!


What's your favourite?  Head over to Hannah's blog and link up...

Movie Meme - World Cinema

A fantastic prompt for this weeks Metal Mummys Movie Meme.  World Cinema.

So roughly translated... any film that isn't in your spoken language.

I know some people aren't fans of subtitled films but me, I love them.  I think it's the fact that you have to make sure you concentrate so somehow you become more engrossed in the film, taking it all in - every last detail.

I had 2 films that immediately sprang to mind but I knew one of them would have been picked as it's a top movie on a lot of people's list - Pan's Labyrinth chosen by Vickie.

However, as it's a well known film I probably would have swayed towards the other film in the hope I could spread the knowledge of this film a little further...

Ne le dis à personne (Tell No One)

There's one reason I watched this movie - I'm a MASSIVE Harlan Coben fan, I have stack of his books.  Harlan is an American author of thrillers and mystery novels and they are the type of books that twist and turn and leave you hanging at the end of every chapter so you just have to keep reading.

When I heard they were making a film based on one of his most famous books I was a bit skeptical, after all look what they did to Captain Correlli's Mandolin (I still have nightmares about how they managed to get the film SO wrong).  But, I knew I would have to watch it.

I watched it with my husband who hasn't ever read a Harlan Coben book in his life.

We both LOVED it.

It's a French film directed by Guillaime Canet (the dude who played Etienne in the film The Beach - funnily enough a film that veers a little off track from the brilliant book) and it's been quoted so many times as being one of the best films of 2008.  They changed the ending slightly, as they did with The Beach, but it worked.  It's brilliant.

Basically the man in the lead role (Francois Cluzet, who looks a little like Dustin Hoffman) misses his wife who was brutally murdered years go - or so he thought.  Then he gets an email showing her on CCTV alive.

As usual, I don't want to give too much away incase you want to watch the film (I suggest you do!) so this week I'm just going to tempt you with the trailer:



Even watching the trailer set my heart racing.  I think I may have to watch it again tonight.

What's your favourite?  Head over to Hannah's blog and link up...

Movie Meme - The 80's!

After last weeks 'Chick Flick' nightmare I'm glad to say Hannah has totally redeemed herself this week haha!  This week she has given us 80's.  YAYE!

Regular readers of my blog will know I adore the 80's (I was born in '74 so spent most of my childhood in the fabulous decade) and have blogged about the decade itself here and wrote a whole listography post dedicated to 80's films as well as mentioned it in many posts.  So it's only natural I pick one from my list...

Can you tell I'm excited by this weeks theme?

Anyway, you probably won't be surprised to hear it's the totally amazing cult film Heathers.

Of course it is?  Why wouldn't I love a film that has my name as the title?  Well, for those who haven't seen it you will wonder why as the main focus of the plot is annoying 'popular' girls...all called Heather, how much they are hated and plans to kill them off.  Brilliant!

This is the film that first saw me fall in love with Christian Slater - he's amazing in it.  It's a brilliant satirical take on life in a high school and what it's like to be popular...and what it's like to not be.  Winona Ryder is fabulous as Veronica who teams up with JD (Slater) who's the new kid at school.

Full of black comedy and lines you will recite for the rest of your life...

"Grow up Heather, bulimia is so '87"
"Heather, why can't you just be a friend?  Why do you have to be such a mega bitch?"
"It's your turn Heather"..."No Heather, it's Heathers turn.  Heather?"..."Sorry Heather".
"I brought you to a Remington Party and this is my thanks? It's on the hallway carpet.  I got paid in puke!"..."Lick it up baby...lick...it...up!"
"I use my grand IQ to decide what colour lip gloss to wear in the morning"
"She's my best friend.  God I hate her"

(quotes copied from my listography post because I'm lazy)

You can buy this DVD from Play.com for a few quid (plus free delivery) so do it now!


What's your favourite?  Head over to Hannah's blog and link up...

Movie Meme - Chick Flick

A little bit of a tough one this week from Hannah at Metal Mummy.  It's the dreaded chick flick.

I'm not a girly girl at all.  I'm not saying I'm a tom boy but I hate all that pink fluffy sparkly fairy crap.  I also prefer a pint of cider to a fancy cocktail any day.

My idea of hell in a movie?  Mamma Mia *shudders* I still can't believe a couple of my friends made me watch that film.  I'll never get 108 minutes of my life back.

Despite this, I can appreciate a good old chick flick.  There have been some great ones: Bridget Jones, Ghost, Pretty Woman, Love Actually, Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Notebook and so on.

I was going to go with Memoirs Of A Geisha but I wasn't sure if it could be classed as a proper chick flick?

However, I'll stick with my first choice.

Source - Wikipedia

Dirty Dancing.

Ah, what a classic.

I've always loved this film and have loved it as long as I can remember.  I remember my friend had it on VHS when it first came out back in the 80's and the bit when Penny is in bed after her 'op' and Johnny walks in and she gasps "Johnny"....we would sit and rewind it and all shout "Rubber" right before she said it.  Ah good childish times!

I'm a complete sucker for 80's films as you already know.  This is one of those films that you can sit and recite all the amazing lines (looks around...just me then?)...

"I carried a watermelon"
"Nobody puts Baby in the corner"
"I think she gets this from me"
"Go back to your play pen, Baby"
"You just put your pickle on everybodys plate college boy and leave the hard stuff to me"


What's not to love about this movie?  Classic lines, brilliant soundtrack and what's more the late, great Patrick Swayze.  Sir, you are a legend.


What's your favourite?  Head over to Hannah's blog and link up...

Picture from www.all-pictures.org/

Movie Meme - Favourite Actor

Oooh it's a toughie over at Hannah's place this week.  We have to choose our favorite actor.

Eek!  An Actor.  One actor.  Shit.  That's hard.

There are so many I love Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Alan Rickman, Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey....I could on....

I had to pick just one.  One.  Did I say that? *shakes fist at Hannah*

So, I'm going with the great Robert De Niro.

I know it's an obvious choice but this man is a legend.  He can turn his hand to practically anything and make the weakest film come to life.  He's starred in over 80 films - and some crackers too:

Goodfellas
Awakenings
The Untouchables
Taxi Driver
Raging Bull
Casino
The Godfather Part II
Sleepers
Cape Fear

Again, I could go on.

I'm still a firm believer that De Niro should have won an Oscar for his incredible performance in Awakenings.

I can't WAIT to see him in this new one Limitless.  It looks incredible...and there's Bradley Cooper in it too for a little bit of eye candy.

There's my choice.  Chances are I'll be wanting to change it after I've read everyone elses entries but I hope not because I do firmly believe De Niro is one of our greatest actors.



Who's your favourite?  Head over to Hannah's blog and link up...

Picture from www.all-pictures.org/

Movie Meme - Leonardo DiCaprio

His characters name was Richard - the same as my ex

Hannah's theme this week is good 'ol Leo.

What's not to like?  Pretty-boy turned seriously talented actor.

For me this is a bit of a strange subject because even the mere mention of one film of his makes me go a bit squiffy.  That's because I dated a guy for a couple of years who could have passed as his twin brother.  Infact, when we went to the cinema once together there were quite a few hysterical young females that kept hassling him saying how much he looked like him.  I thought his bloody head was going to explode!

I do have a bit of a soft spot for Leonardo - and not for the above reason *shudder*.  Simply because he's matured into such a great talented actor and in the past few years his films have been amazing.

Yes there have been a couple I've not enjoyed - Titanic and The Aviator are ones I wouldn't rush to see again.  The Beach I quite enjoyed even though I'd read the Alex Garland book first - although the book is SO much better than the film and a lot darker (ripping bodies apart - lovely!).  So, if you haven't seen the film, my advice would be don't....get the book instead.

Anyway, I'm a little later than usual to the Movie Meme party so I'm not going to pick one film but just simply name the ones I love most from his career.  I know it's a bit of a cop out, sorry but I should imagine by this time all these will have been covered already.


In no particular order...

Inception
Shutter Island
The Basketball Diaries
Blood Diamond
Romeo & Juliet
The Departed
What's Eating Gilbert Grape

I guess if someone said to me I had to pick one I'd go with Shutter Island....although I dearly love Inception too.  Gah!

So, hats off to Leo.  He's done a few early amazing films, had a couple of blips but all-in-all he's one great actor....and thankfully now I can watch him without being reminded of my ex.




What's your favourite?  Head over to Hannah's place and link up!

Movie Meme - Directors

The theme over at Hannah's place this week is Directors.  Who is our favourite director and why.

There are many great directors but my vote is going with the great

Danny Boyle

Completely home grown here in the U.K. Danny was born in Manchester in 1956 and is one of only 7 Directors to win the Golden Globe, Directors Guild, BAFTA and Oscar for the same movie.

His list of movies I adore...

Shallow Grave
Trainspotting
A Life Less Ordinary
The Beach (even though the end was different to the book)
28 Days Later

But the one film I love more than all of these is, of course, Slumdog Millionaire. The one that swept up all the awards!

You have all probably seen it but Slumdog is filmed in India and follows the story of the young Jamal Malik who grew up in the slums of Mumbai and appears on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?  When he exceeds in answers the questions, suspicions are raised and he's investigated.

The film is simply beautiful, funny and heart-warming - with a great soundtrack to boot!  Naturally my love of toilet humour will always bring back fond memories of the 'poo scene'.

What's your favourite movie?  Head over to Hannah's place and link up!

Movie Meme - Black & White

It's that time of the week again and the lovely Hannah at Metal Mummy has given black & white as this weeks prompt.

Now, I love a good black and white movie but sadly I have a husband who isn't that fond of them.  I actually put him off I think as one of my all time favourite black and white films is the amazing "It's A Wonderful Life" and he didn't get past the 'talking clouds' as he called them at the beginning, declaring it was rubbish.  Men!

So, I was going to choose the movie to write about but I think it's that famous most people will have seen it so I'm choosing another favourite of mine which may not have been seen by everyone.

Rebecca

Made in 1940, this is a psychological thriller directed by the great Alfred Hitchcock and the story is about 'Rebecca' the leading mans (Maxim de Winter played by Laurence Olivier) first deceased wife and how her memory still haunts him and his house servants - and his new young wife, played by Joan Fontaine.

I love the little touches in the film that add the suspense, like the fact Maxims new wife is never mentioned by her name - in turn adding to fact that 'Rebecca' is still a strong presence in the mansion.

The housekeeper of the mansion, Mrs Danvers, does not take too kindly (putting it mildly) to having a new Mrs. de Winter living in the mansion and sets out to 'spook' the young new bride to within an inch of her life.  That's as far as I'll take you as I don't want to ruin the plot.

I've already talked before about how I love good/memorable lines in movies.  Best line of the movie for me was when Maxim, ever the charmer, addresses Joan Fontaines character for a proposal and then says "I'm asking you to marry me you little fool".  Now what woman wouldn't be swept away by that eh?

The film won 2 Oscars - including best picture in 1940.  Enough said.

I was only introduced to the film about 3-4 years ago by my old boss.  He lent me the DVD and I loved it so much.  I've tried to get my husband to watch it but he wasn't having any of it... philistine ;-)

Other great black and whites I love: Psycho, It's A Wonderful Life, Some Like It Hot and Casablanca.

What's your favourite black and white movie?  Head over to Hannah's place and link up!

Movie Meme #1 - 21st Century Films

The rather lovely Hannah (aka Metal Mummy) has started up a fab movie meme where us movie fans get to choose a film from a genre each week and write about it.

How could I not join in?  I love films...I wish I had the time to watch more and this meme will certainly open my eyes to films I haven't seen so they can go on my 'to watch list'.

This week the theme is films from the 21st century.   It's really difficult to pick out a favourite film in this genre as there are SO many that I could easily rave about - The Prestige, Pan's Labyrinth, Lord Of The Rings, Inception, Donnie Darko, The Departed, Tell No One, The Kings Speech etc.  There are so many I love!

picture source: wikipedia

However, I'm choosing Memento.

In a nutshell it's about a guy with amnesia who's wife has been killed (that is his last memory) and he uses notes and tattoos to discover who has killed her as he's unable to store new memories.  It's one of those films that starts at the end - it's one of those films that really makes you think.  It's written and directed by Christopher Nolan - the mastermind behind Inception and The Prestige.

The film stars Guy Pearce in the lead role and he's amazing.  "What?" I hear all you Neighbours fans cry "Mike Young?"  Yes, Mike Young from Neighbours.  He's long since shed the Aussie Soap badge and is a fantastic actor - also stars in The Kings Speech (another of my faves) and The Hurt Locker.

If you haven't seen it, pick up the DVD.

Also, check out 'Tell No One' or 'Ne le dis a personne' from the films I've mentioned above.  I so very nearly chose to write about that instead as it's a French (subtitled) thriller so you may not have heard of it.  It's an great thriller, real 'edge of your seat' stuff based on the novel by the great Harlan Corben.