The End? REALLY?!

Hi all! As this Monday work day is coming to an end -- YAY! -- I am so ready to get my nap on. I had a fantastic weekend, pretty action-packed, but I am too sleepy to write about Iron Man 2 and the LOST series finale -- though waiting on the latter is probably best because I'm still trying to sort out my feelings concerning "The End." I'm realizing after scouring the interwebs for some other reactions to the episode that I am not alone in my "Really?!" I mean, I'm not a big SNL watcher, but I kinda wish they would do a Weekend Update this Saturday just for a "Really?!" sketch all about LOST. Otherwise, I should do my own because I have a lot of "Really?!" remarks to make. I mean, we re-watched the pilot Saturday night, then spent all Sunday evening watching the 2-hour re-cap, followed by the 2.5 hour episode, then came back and watched some of the cast on Jimmy Kimmel Live. I mean "REALLY?!" Why did I get out of bed to watch JKL half awake, then continue to have dreams where I was discussing LOST with others? (Not THE others, but that would've been cool.) Obviously, I need some rest, so I think that I'll go into more depth tomorrow -- perhaps in lieu of when I would normally be watching LOST on Tuesday night (I must admit, regardless of the less than stellar finale, I am sad there are no new episodes) -- then later in the week I'll review Iron Man 2 -- which was a lot of fun! So, have a very lovely evening. Just 4 more days to go before a nice, long, holiday, celebratory weekend! Woo hoo!

Happy Birthday Jimmy Stewart!

This month has certainly been chock-full of celebrations! Today marks the anniversary of the birth of one of my most favorite actors of all time -- James Stewart. From the 1930s all the way up to the 1990s, Jimmy possessed the best reactionary technique of any actor to come before or since. I think the film Harvey (from which the above image comes) is a prime example of just that. I mean, Jimmy makes you believe there's a giant rabbit sitting, standing, talking to him every step of the way. A tall, lanky guy from Indiana, Pennsylvania, Stewart was roommates and best pals with Henry Fonda in New York, ventured West to Hollywood where he made such classics as You Can't Take It With You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Philadelphia Story (for which he won his only Oscar), and The Shop Around the Corner; left movies to fight in WWII where he became a decorated pilot in the Air Force; then returned to Hollywood where he continued making exceptional films such as It's a Wonderful Life, Harvey, as well as the Hitchcock classics Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo, and do not forget the Anthony Mann Westerns such as Winchester '73, The Naked Spur, and The Man From Laramie. I mean, an incredible career Stewart had, and one I have never ignored -- as he made a significant contribution to my thesis -- and a filmography that makes it excruciatingly difficult to pick a single favorite Stewart movie. Really, it's impossible! Anyhow, I wanted to pay tribute to this fantastic actor and, from what I've gathered, all-around nice guy. Happy Birthday, Jimmy! I'll be watching you on TCM all day today!

Pomp and Circumstance. Yay Me.

So yesterday I was so excited about my blog turning 2 that I completely forgot to mention something just as important: As of Sunday, May 16, 2010, I am no longer a student. That's right. Yesterday I graduated from Boston University with a Master of Fine Arts in Film Studies. I know, I know...It can't be too surprising, right? I mean, as this blog attests, I am obviously a master of Film. Now, though, I have the documentation to back it up. Woot woot! And while I did not partake in the commencement exercises (I'm still working on my teleportation skills), I did feel the huge weight leaving my shoulders, and today I am able to breathe a little easier and focus on the really important things in life: Being awesome. Being brilliant. And the topper: Being able to sleep. So, we should all celebrate how awesome and brilliant I am after I wake up from a much needed nap. Perhaps when that happens, I'll also possess a little bit of modesty.

In all seriousness, going back to school made me realize how fortunate I am in this life (as well as how much I do not miss the "work" part of being a student -- I loved my classes, but when it came time to write essays and take tests, ugh, what a pain those were). Just a few short years ago as I was filling out the applications and writing the essays for Masters programs, they each started with a quote from Robert Osborne and ended with "After I receive my MFA, I would like to work for an organization such as Turner Classic Movies or American Film Institute." Well, now I'm working with Robert Osborne at TCM. It doesn't get much better for me (other than perhaps running the network -- but that'll come in time). Had it not been for BU, the Film Program, and the connections I made, who knows if TCM would have ever happened. I just have to remember how incredibly fortunate I am and how thankful I am for my grad school experience. Deciding to go to BU really changed my life in so many respects, and while not everything has been easy, it has most definitely been worth it.

This Southern Belle Turns Two Years Old!

Along with Mother's Day and graduations (and of course humidity and pollen), May is a month filled with very happy celebrations -- birthdays! As May continues on, not only do my sister, my Nana, and my Sweetheart each turn a year older, but so too does my blog! Yes, today, May 16, A Southern Belle is 2 years old! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

And I mean, WOW! A lot has changed since post numero uno. When I started this blog, my adventures as a lowly intern at TCM had just begun, I still had half of my coursework left to complete, and I had a Massachusetts license in my wallet. Well, no more! After 73 posts (which I know seems like NOTHING in two years), I've watched a lot of movies (but still definitely not enough), wrote some semi-coherent papers concerning filmdom, learned how to use Final Cut Pro and After Effects (but still have TONS to learn), and have taken on the role of producer at work. You know, I do think I'm outgrowing those baby steps and maturing into a pretty healthy kid. Nonetheless, I'm very interested to see what the Terrible Twos bring...

And before I say bye-bye, I did watch a movie with the parents last night (yes, my parents are in-town until... well, I'm not quite sure when...and yes, that's why I'm up at 9AM on Sunday blogging). We watched A Serious Man -- the Coen Bros. Best Picture nominee from this last round which had very little "serious" in it. I gotta say, I really had no clue what to expect from this movie. It is a bizarre, little film with no well-known A-list movie stars, and it starts out strangely and ends just as weirdly. But you know what? A Serious Man turned out to be incredibly entertaining and I was laughing constantly. The Coen Bros. have a very distinctive style when it comes to dialogue -- fast-paced, witty, and really really funny. They also know how to cast a movie and get actors who are dead-on with delivery. The lead actor, Michael Stuhlbarg, was fantastic along with the rest of the cast which also includes Richard Kind and Adam Arkin. If you're looking for a funny, strange, and overall different movie, go with A Serious Man. You might, like my Mom, think it's utterly stupid, but just like Mom, you'll be laughing out loud.

Go Get Your Kate Stamps!

USPS Stamps On Sale Now!

Make It a Double.

As I was catching up on my NYT reading this morning, I came across this fantastic article that pairs drinks with movies, not the exact same as my idea of pairing meals with films, but close enough, and an excellent addition to complete any meal. The article is also great because it was semi-inspired by bourbon drinking Robert Mitchum in Out of the Past as well as the excessive imbibing on the show Mad Men. 

Tangent: I have to tell you, Mad Men now holds a special place in my heart because I worked with (Mass native, holla!) Robert Morse last week, otherwise known as Bert Cooper, the older partner in Sterling-Cooper who is very into Japanese culture. I'll just say, Robert Morse is quite a character -- more so than the ones he plays -- and (yes, I'm making a TCM plug) if you catch TCM the night of June 29, you'll see just how energetic he is. 

Anyhow, back to the article: I love how Wendell Jamieson focuses on the classics -- not only films but drinks, too. I'm not big into hard liquor since my constitution just can't handle it all that well, and while I appreciate the thought that goes into a lot of these drinks and the mixology that has grown in recent years, I really appreciate the simplicity that makes certain drinks classics. For instance, a martini has so many variations, yet, the 007 style has such a sex appeal to it (which might also have something to do with Sean Connery saying "Shaken, not stirred"), that those cosmos that the SATC girls drink seem so over the top and a little too, well, pink. A martini should be clear, no? Made with Gin or Vodka, whichever you prefer. For me, I love Gimlets, another take on the martini, and a drink that my Aunt Maryann introduced to me. I suppose I'll have to search my own DVD collection to see which characters drink Gimlets.

Overall, I love how movies inspire drink choices. Take for instance The Big Lebowski. Now, how many people were really into White Russians before 1998? I mean, other than moms and grandmas? Not many, and NOW there are Big Lebowski parties that go on around the country where they only serve that sweet concoction. I mean, incredible! The Dude influenced a whole generation of frat boys to drink Kahlua! Amazing! It's similar to the way Pinot Noir sales skyrocketed while Merlot sales fell after the release of Sideways. I mean, how many of us have uttered Miles classic line, "I'm not drinking any F***ing Merlot! If anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving!" Apparently, people took heed and refused to order anymore Merlot. Crazy, no? Anyway, the bottom line seems to be that peoples' drink choices are influenced by the media, movies especially. Now the challenge has become: What drink shall I pair with my movie of the night? I guess I have to choose the movie first. Or the drink. Wow, it's almost like the chicken and the egg. What's a girl to do??

Mom's The Word.

Well, it's a rather blegh Monday here in Atlanta, but after a very lovely weekend, I can't complain too much. Saturday and Sunday were a little cooler than I was expecting, but the sun refused to go away and the wind didn't blow too much out of control. I suppose for now I can tolerate the rain...

Of course, Sunday was the day to honor Mom. Sadly, I did not spend Mother's Day with my own Mom since she and my Dad enjoyed the day down in Florida while her daughters remained in their respective locales. But I will do my best to make it up to her next week when she's here decorating for me (I get the feeling that one of the best presents I can give her will be to stay out of her way as she does what she wishes with my apartment - but I'll make sure she takes a break). I did, however, spend the day with two very lovely mothers and their families, and I experienced first-hand (even though I was more the sous chef in this instance) the trials and joys of homemade bbq -- which by the way turned out quite delicious. Next time, I have no doubt, will go quite smoothly. Regardless, the weekend was lovely, and I just want to give a belated Happy Mother's Day shout out to all you Moms out there, and to say: Thank You Gail for being the most awesome Mom -- Thank You Nana for being the best Nana ever -- and Thank You Karen for being the coolest Godmother any kid (or adult) could ask for. I'm so very lucky to have such amazing women in my life!

Speaking of Moms: I'm here in my AVID session at work editing some pieces that will air Wednesday, May 26. This May's TCM Star of the Month is Donna Reed - a name synonymous with TV Moms - and on the 26th her daughter Mary will be talking to Robert about 4 of the films her Mom made concerning World War II. So, in case you want to set your DVRs, the films airing May 26 will be From Here to Eternity, They Were Expendable, See Here, Private Hargrove, and Faithful in My Fashion (those first two are serious dramas while the second pairing are very light and enjoyable comedies). The reason Donna Reed was picked as May's Star of the Month is because during World War II, Donna received over 300 letters from GIs, and she saved every single one of them. Just as popular as Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth were to the men in uniform, so too was Donna Reed - who knew?? So, as part of our Memorial Day tribute, Donna Reed and her letters are spotlighted this month.

Now, while I was somewhat familiar with Donna Reed before this project, I honestly hadn't seen too many of her films -- other than It's a Wonderful Life about 1,374 times. Also - being the Gilmore Girls fan I am, I love the episode all about The Donna Reed Show - if you don't know it, check out episode 14 from Season 1 titled, "That Damn Donna Reed" - great stuff! Anyhow, I have to give props to Donna Reed for all the unfairness she had to put up with from the men in her industry - including the fact that many people blamed her for the lackluster box office performance of It's a Wonderful Life - and the restrictions placed upon her just for being a woman. Well, The Donna Reed Show gave her the opportunity to take control of her career and do things her way. And that's saying a lot seeing that the show started in 1958 and lasted for eight seasons - incredibly impressive for any television series! I think of the films I've seen her in thus far, I have to say I love her in They Were Expendable - especially having to share the screen with John Wayne, not to mention being pushed around by John Ford - a director who had a reputation as being a pretty unfriendly fellow, especially with his actresses. But Donna held her own and her performance is wonderful. They Were Expendable is terribly harrowing, but for a Memorial Day film, it's perfectly fitting. 

Alright, that's my plug this post for TCM. I hope you all are able to check out at least one Donna Reed film this May. They're pretty terrific!

LOST Finale Update

News Flash LOST fans! Glenn just informed me that the LOST series finale has been extended from 2 hours to 2.5 hours, and that immediately following the show, ABC will re-air episode one, but this time with bumpers which will "prove" (Glenn's quotations) how central that episode is to the ENTIRE series and how connected it is to the final episode. So, the game is on, JJ Abrams - you have just raised the stakes. With this new information, I'm expecting to be beyond satisfied! Otherwise, the pain is headed your way. And PS: If you kill Desmond off, it'll hurt twice as much! I don't care if you sacrifice Kate (how haven't you already), but not Des. Thank you!

Two of My Favorite Actors

Last night, as I was enjoying one of the most delicious mixed drinks that has ever passed my lips at Canoe's River Bar in Vinings (a basil-rhubarb concoction that was simply heavenly), my Dad and I were discussing two of my most favorite actors: Sir Alec Guinness and William Holden. These Academy Award winning actors are two people I would have loved to have met. Some of their film roles are so iconic, so memorable, so fantastic that I urge everyone to check out their movies - if you haven't done so already - including the one in which they co-starred - The Bridge on the River Kwai (has the whistling in your head started yet?).

I think this next line goes without saying, but most people know Alec Guinness as Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi from the original Star Wars films. Now don't get me wrong, I love Star Wars and I love that character! But for Guinness, it was a role he almost regretted doing because after that, people focused solely on Obi-Wan, and overlooked his previous filmography. Which is absolutely blasphemous! Guinness starred in a number of the classic Ealing comedies, from Kind Hearts and Coronets (where he played 8 different characters) to The Lavender Hill Mob to The Lady Killers, then won his Best Actor Oscar for his fantastic performance as Col. Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai before continuing on to work with director David Lean in Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. I mean, MY GOD! Brilliant! He made other films with Lean, but those three are probably his most memorable, and easily the most epic. He also worked with Grace Kelly in a film called The Swan in which Grace played a princess, just before becoming a real-life one. Guinness worked  both in film and television until his death in 2000, but for me, the films mentioned here are his best. I mean, honestly, if you've only seen him in Star Wars Episodes 4-6, get your act in gear and watch at least one of the ones discussed in this post. 

And William Holden. Oh Bill Holden. Like Lorelai Gilmore, William Holden will always have a special place in my heart. There's just something about him. I mean, whatever IT is, Bill Holden had IT. My first exposure to him was probably in The Bridge on the River Kwai where he plays the American POW annoyed with the British commander played by Guinness. And he's fantastic. Just brilliant. But my most favorite Holden role and movie is as Joe Gillis in Sunset Blvd. It's a film that stands the test of time, with its cynicism and insight into what Hollywood pressures entail, issues that still ring true today just as they did in 1950. I also love him in Sabrina, even though his character is such a playboy, and of course Network - a film late in his career - but another powerful and prophetic film about the dangers of the media. My Dad says that his favorite Holden film is Executive Suite - also fantastic - and of course there's Stalag 17 for which he won his Best Actor statuette. Then there's The Wild Bunch which, I can't say is a movie I love, but I did thoroughly enjoy watching him, Robert Ryan, Edmond O'Brien, and Ernest Borgnine battle it out - all four such fantastic older actors assimiliating to the new wave of the late 60s American filmmaking. Again, check out any and all these Holden films - they're fanastic!

Anyhow, I got to thinking more about last night's conversation with my Dad, and I had to share with you all. These two men are two of the greatest actors of the 20th century, and their films are ones you each should check out. Right now. Go. Go. GO!

Dear LOST: You're Making Me Mad.

G'morning All. It's May! FINALLY! A good month! Summer's fast approaching, days are getting longer, and I no longer have coursework hanging over my head - yay! And while I'm not quite back to normalcy, I am getting there. I do want to fill you all in on the changes and triumphs in the life of Yours Truly, but as of right now, my thoughts - though they shouldn't be - are on the series LOST. 

Yes. I enjoy LOST. At least, I usually like LOST. I have to say that this last episode puts me on the brink of break up - but because it's almost over, I can't tear myself away. I think this last episode was, hands down, the WORST this season, and with just a few hours left EVER, I'm losing hope that JJ Abrams and crew are going to step it up and wrap it up nice and tightly. With a bow. And maybe a little bell. Instead, it's probably going to be wrapped in newspaper (and NOT the Funny section), and have lots of rips and tears. Or, most likely, they're just going to throw it in the bag. Or maybe they won't even spring for a bag. It'll just be dropped in our laps. Oy.

Well, I got to thinking about the show more last night after Glenn, his sister, and I had a conference call concerning this week's episode (yes, we "3-wayed" the phone call, something I haven't done since elementary or middle school). Anyhow, paired with a brief convo I had with my sister Rita, the consensus seems to be that we're all very very very concernced about how the series is going to end. May 23 is the series finale - that's less than 3 weeks away - NOT enough time to explain the oodles of ambiguous and mindboggling storylines the creators have teased us with. I've enjoyed  the puzzle and mystery of the series, the parallel timelines, the majority of the characters, the creative ways the writers plant clues; but it has gotten to the point where the show has been way overextended, the answers so far have been rather unsatisfactory, and there are just so many lazy, erroneous errors. As my boss Sean pointed out after this week, "Ummm, don't they know it takes more than 5 minutes for a sub to surface? Did anyone think of that?" Apparently not the LOST writers.

Alright, WARNING: Spoiler Alert. so this week, 3 of the major characters were killed off. And I couldn't have cared less. I mean, I'm sure they're not dead-dead because of the whole alternate reality going on, but still, just as lackluster Jin and Sun's reunion was a couple weeks ago, their deaths were just as boring. And as for Sayid - one of the most interesting of the Oceanic 6 - he's been so weird this season and there have been a few theories around him, that I'm fearing he got the axe as a way to give the creators an out and not have to explain that confusion. I just, I don't know. Honestly, the things I love most about LOST concern the whole myth of the series, the discussions and theories that arise after every Tuesday, and the Jezebel re-cap posts that arrive every Wednesday afternoon. They all usually help me make sense of why, say, Jin, Sun, and Sayid were killed off, but not this week. I think we're all just like, "WTF?!"

In conclusion, I'm hoping that LOST doesn't disappoint, but I'm quickly finding myself creeping over to Glenn's side, thinking that the show is going to make me want to injure JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Carlton Cuse. They've said in many interviews that all the answers are in season 1. Well, I borrowed season 1 from Glenn, and go back to it now and then on Netflix Instant Play, and I haven't found the answer. But, I'm hoping that come May 23, I won't be hanging my head because I am horribly disappointed; instead, I hope to be overcome with complete admiration, wonderful relief, and satisfaction for my investment in the world of LOST. But I'll have to update you on the outcome May 24. I'll be honest: I'm nervous! Eeek!