Recover from the Holidays
—Unwind with Great Films from the Past
 
by The Blonde and The Maven
Film Columnists
               

Since The Blonde and The Maven are away, we thought you might be interested in knowing some of our favorite movies. Now that everyone’s pooped from the holidays, it’s the perfect time to rent some of these wonderful films and enjoy them with the whole family. If you do have the energy to go out and see a movie, see Phantom of the Opera and Meet the Fockers. Make some popcorn, get YOUR favorite candy and be cozy!
Most of us wonder what goes on in the afterlife and the movie Defending Your Life, starring Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep, did an amazing job with its take on that very sensitive subject. This film will have you thinking and wondering about how to live your life.

As Barbra Streisand fanatics, we could not ignore her greatest achievement in film. Yentl, starring Barbra, Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving was a beautiful love story, highlighting the love between a father and daughter, the love a young woman can have for her religion and the love a woman carries for a man. The music, acting, directing and writing were unbelievably fantastic. “MAVEN, CAN YOU HEAR ME?”

Romantic movies are favorites of ours, and Somewhere in Time is one of the best. It stars Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve as fated lovers, even though they live in different centuries. See the film and all will be clear!
Another CLASSIC favorite romantic film is Stanley and Iris, starring Robert DeNiro and Jane Fonda. Not only does this movie feature the two main characters falling in love, but it also has a socially conscious undertone to it.
Staying in the romance theme, we have to recommend Sleepless in Seattle. The movie stars Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks and though they don't actually meet until the last scene, it nevertheless IS a love story!

A movie that took everyone by surprise with its inventiveness was Forrest Gump. In the starring role was Tom Hanks as a kind, generous, loving and slow-witted guy with an amazing knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Movies with musical themes aren't so popular nowadays, but Chicago changed all of that. Starring is this masterpiece film were Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger and Richard Gere. The singing, dancing and acting were top notch. You will find yourself humming the tunes long after you see this film.
The Blonde’s number one Brad Pitt film is Meet Joe Black, which also stars Anthony Hopkins, Marcia Gay Harden and Claire Forlani. Brad portrays Death, who has decided to stay for a while to see why we hang on to life so strongly. If Brad was with me, WE would certainly hang on to him! He is to die for, though!

For a beautiful and romantic take on a true story, Titanic was fantastic. Starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, this film had everything. There was action, romance, betrayal, deceit, class struggles and destruction (sounds like marriage to US).

Even though you probably saw the first Godfather film, watch it again and check out the others too. Marlon Brando created a character that has been copied hundreds of times, (even by himself in The Freshman). Al Pacino, James Caan and Robert Duvall co-starred.

We are die-hard Robin Williams fans and when we learned he was in Good Will Hunting, we couldn't wait to see the movie. We weren't disappointed! In the lead role was Matt Damon and real-life best friend Ben Affleck portrayed his best friend in the film. Genius never looked so well before. By the way, Robin won his Oscar for his shining performance in this film.

Staying in the comedy zone, try the Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks film, You've Got Mail. This is a very sweet and romantic film that leaves you feeling good at the end.

There is nothing like The Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo to get your juices flowing. Not only is this a sexy flick, but there's suspense as well.

How about a little witchcraft with some great actresses? Practical Magic starred Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock with supporting actresses Stockard Channing and Diane Weist. A multi-generational family of witches deal with assimilating (or not) into the modern world. It's a fun, “chick flick” film that men will enjoy too.  

In order to keep the men happy, (well we won't go there), but you should check out the movie Speed with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. You will be on the edge of your seat the entire time and may think twice about riding the bus after you see it. At least Speed is a fun ride.

We suppose you might want a movie with a Christmas theme, being that the holiday just ended. How about something that deals with a very dysfunctional family that is like all of family get-togethers? Try Home for the Holidays starring Holly Hunter, Anne Bancroft, Robert Downey, Jr, and Charles Durning. It's funny, sad, topical and quite endearing. For just plain Christmas fun and a lot of laughs, watch The Grinch starring Jim Carrey.

There's a little-known romantic comedy that is fun to watch called Best Friends. It stars Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn (hard to picture, but it works) as successful screenwriters in love whodecide to tie the knot after years of living together. Of course they now have to meet each other’s families as newlyweds and the comedy that ensues will have you elbowing your mate throughout the film.

In keeping with the theme of light, fun movies, try the Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro film Analyze This. When you put a Jewish shrink together with an emotionally conflicted mob boss, you have to figure there may be some funny situations as a result. The sequel, Analyze That, was good too!
One of The Maven's all-time favorites is Tootsie, starring Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange. Charles Durning and Terri Garr. Long before Oprah made the act of cross-dressing known to the public, Dustin showed us how to make a living from it.  He was also wonderful in Kramer Versus Kramer and Hero.

Here are some more films you will most certainly enjoy:
Pretty Woman; As Good as it Gets; When Harry Met Sally; Micki and Maude; My Best Friends’ Wedding; Forget Paris; Something About Mary; My Big Fat Greek Wedding; Best in Show;
Bridget Jones’ Diary; Serendipity; Something’s Gotta Give; The Money Pit; French Kiss; One Fine Day;
What Women Want; Notting Hill; Only You; Meet the Parents; The Muse; Splash; Big; Arthur (the first); Sliding Doors; Under the Tuscan Sun; Dragonfly; Life is Beautiful; Falling in Love; Life is a House; Music of the Heart; Mr. Holland's Opus; Patch Adams; What Lies Beneath; The Mirror has Two Faces; What's Up Doc; The Way We Were; and Funny Girl.
The Blonde and The Maven wish all our readers the best year of your lives!

Film screenings taking place as part of Art Deco Weekend 2005—presented by the Miami Design Preservation League—have been expanded in scope from previous years, and include a number of outdoor screenings that will take place outdoors, under the stars. From directors Charlie Chaplin to Tim Robbins, the film series is the biggest lineup ever screened on the beach. The only thing brighter is the ticket price—it’s all free!          
     
The film series and its outdoor under-the-stars theatrical screening component were created by the Miami Design Preservation League with assistance from the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and its director, Gregory Von Hausch.

The indoor screenings take place Friday, January 14 through Sunday, January 16 at the Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive on Miami Beach. The screenings under the stars take place Friday, January 14 and Saturday, January 15 at Lummus Park, East of Ocean Drive between 13th and 14th streets.  Admission to all of the film screenings is free.

The films all fit this year’s theme of Art Deco Weekend—Art Deco and the New Deal. The Art Deco Weekend Film Series schedule is as follows:
Friday, January 14
1:30pm. Riding the Rails (1997), documentary by Michael Uys and Lexy Lovell. Location: Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive.
2:45pm. Our Daily Bread (1934), directed by King Vidor. Location: Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive.
4pm. Brother Can You Spare a Dime? (1975), documentary by Philippe Mora. Location: Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive.
6pm. 42nd Street (1933), directed by Lloyd Bacon, musical numbers by Busby Berkeley. Location: Outdoor Screening, Lummus Park between 13th and 14th Street.
8pm. The Cradle Will Rock (1999), directed by Tim Robbins. Location: Outdoor Screening, Lummus Park between 13th & 14th Street.
Saturday, January 15
10am. King of the Hill (1993), directed by Steven Soderbergh (PG). Location: Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive.
4pm. Bound for Glory (1976), directed by Hal Ashby. Location: Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive.
6pm. Gold Diggers of 1933, directed by Mervyn LeRoy and Busby Berkeley. Location: Outdoor Screening, Lummus Park between 13th & 14th Street.
8pm. Sullivan’s Travels (1941), directed by Preston Sturges. Location: Outdoor Screening, Lummus Park between 13th & 14th Street.
Sunday, January 16
10am. Modern Times (1936), directed by Charlie Chaplin. Location: Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive.
1pm. The Building of the Hoover Dam (1998), an ABC News production. Location: Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive.
4pm. My Man Godfrey (1936), directed by Gregory La Cava. Location: Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive.
 
For more about Art Deco Weekend 2005, turn to page 1. A complete schedule of events can be found online at www.ArtDecoWeekend.com or by calling 305-672-2014.

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