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Movies We're Thankful for

Movies We're Thankful For: The Thin Man

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Fandom, Movies We're Thankful For

Heathers might be the film I adore, and the only piece of cinema that I can quote from beginning to end, but it's not the film that makes me thankful. That spot is reserved for The Thin Man.

In a world where hate is rampant and equality is still a hope to fight for, The Thin Man represents the possibility of something better. Made in 1934, it's the perfect example of rationale and heart coming from a time you'd least expect it. When I stare at my shelves of DVDs and try to look for something with smarts, heart, and writing that doesn't rely on overblown reactions and flimsy emotion, The Thin Man sticks out. When I want to watch a woman on the screen who is intelligent but also humorous, and who can balance frivolity with depth, there's no better example than Nora Charles.

This is one of those films that proves that it's not the theme that creates the worth of a movie (romcom, action, drama), but how it is handled and presented to us. In a world full of mundane repeats, copy-cat projects, and stereotypical notions, I'm thankful that there are a few glimpses of greatness, like The Thin Man.

Movies We're Thankful For: The Curse of the Cat People

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Horror, Movies We're Thankful For

Movies We're Thankful For: The Curse of the Cat People

How do I love The Curse of the Cat People (1944)? Let me count the ways. I love it because of the deceptive, dime-store title; the movie is really a clever and resounding study of child psychology. In the original film, Oliver (Kent Smith) marries the strange and alluring Irena (Simone Simon) before realizing that she's actually, sort of, a creature who turns into a cat and tears people to ribbons. In this sequel, Oliver is re-married, to Alice (Jane Randolph), and they have a little girl, Amy (Ann Carter). Amy has a very active imagination, and despite the best efforts of parents and teachers to get her to come back to reality, she likes the company of her imaginary friend, Irena! Yes, the ghost of Amy's father's first wife comes back to visit, and protect, the child.

Despite the title, there's no horror here, and just a bit of fantasy, but it's enough to chase unwanted relatives out of the room during crowded holiday weekends. It's also a Christmas movie, complete with decorations and a Christmas carol. I love it because it was one of Val Lewton's masterful B-movie productions of the 1940s (all of them are amazing), and I love it because it's only 70 minutes long, but unbelievably rich. And I love it because I once had the pleasure of interviewing the director Robert Wise -- who took over for the slow-moving Gunther von Fritsch -- and he was such a delightful old guy, that it makes me happy to remember him.

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Movies We're Thankful For: Anchorman

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Comedy, Fandom, Movies We're Thankful For

There are only a few movies that I can watch over and over again, and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is one of them. I've always had an affinity for Will Ferrell, to the point of being baffled when I encounter someone who doesn't find him funny at all, and Anchorman is his greatest cinematic achievement.

It's my go-to DVD when I'm in need of comfort food. If I'm feeling a little under the weather, or if old man trouble has been knockin' at my door, I just pop in Anchorman to help chase the blues away. The antics of Ron Burgundy, Brick Tamland, Champ Kind, Brian Fantana -- not to mention Veronica Corningstone, Ed Harken, Tits McGee, James Westfall, Dr. Kenneth Noisewater, and faithful ol' Baxter -- always cheer me up. Sixty percent of the time, it works every time.

There was even one day this summer when I felt like Ron Burgundy! It was in the middle of a record-breaking heatwave in Portland, and I was showing a visiting friend all the sights of downtown when we stopped at the legendary Voodoo Doughnut for a treat. Needing a beverage to wash it down, I got a small carton of milk -- milk goes great with doughnuts, right? -- and instantly thought of Ron Burgundy. There I was, walking down the street in 102-degree weather, slurping milk, some of it dribbling into my beard. "It's so damn hot! Milk was a bad choice!"

Happy Thanksgiving, Channel 4 News Team. And you stay classy, Ron Burgundy.