On Movies - flower power

This week at the Bumbles blog it's all about those films in which flowers play a significant role. Molly has assembled an impressive list of such films. I took my time thinking about this one & even asked Mr. Sassy for his ideas. Here's what we came up with:

1. Adaptation (2002) - A wildly creative romp based on Susan Orlean's novel The Orchid Thief.


Starring Mathew Modine :)

2. Flowers for Algernon (2000)* - A made for TV movie based on the sci fi book & short story "Flowers For Algernon." I just read that there is a Will Smith remake in the works.

3. War of the Roses (1989) - A dark comedy about divorce.

4. The Wizard of Oz (1939) - Who can forget the poppy field?



"I think I'll buy the flowers myself."

5. The Hours (2002) - Based on Michael Cunningham's book by the same name. Amazing performances by all the actresses featured in the film. Wonderful book.

6. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) - Sunflowers! And handsome Italian men.

* This is Mr. Sassy's contribution.

What comes to mind for you?

On Movies - the insanity!

March Madness got Molly at the Bumbles Blog to thinking about madness or rather insanity. Our task this week is to consider films in which insanity is featured. Turns out that once I started thinking about this, I recalled a flood of films. This is a popular theme it seems. With the exception of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, I'm going to focus on films which depict a true story about a woman who is thought to be "abnormal" or even insane at some point in her life -- a painter, a writer, an actress and a survivor of horrific childhood abuse.

First, I have to start with One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (1975) because I loved both the film and the book.

But now lets turn our attention to some films about women who were considered "abnormal."

Séraphine (2008) I just recently watched this film. It's beautiful to look at and the acting, especially by the actress in the title role is mesmerizing. Here's the trailer:



A familiar (and true) story of an unusually gifted women who is institutionalized for eight years: An Angel at My Table (1990). Fantastic film!



Another film based (loosely, some would argue) on a true story about Frances Farmer, a gifted actress who is also sent to a mental institution where she endures some rather harsh treatments and abuses: Frances (1982).



And lastly, Sybil (1976). This made-for-TV film created increased public awareness of multiple personality disorder similar to what The Karen Carpenter Story did for anorexia.

[Cross-posted at Wild Mountain]

On Movies - bookish

This week's theme at The Bumbles Blog is right up our alley...we're talking about films that feature books -- not films based on books, however. Woo-wee, some of my favorites! Here are my top three in chronological order.

1. Misery (1990) Starring James Cann and Kathy Bates. Working while on deadline is often a form of torture for authors, add an obsessed fan and it's taken to a new level.
2. Stranger Than Fiction (2006) Starring Will Farrell and Emma Thompson. Farrell's character finds his life has become the plot of a novel whose author is struggling with writer's block and pressure from her publisher.
3. The Jane Austen Book Club (2007) The members of a book club dedicated to Jane Austen novels find their lives following some of the same themes found in the books they discuss. 

Be sure to check out what the rest of the gang comes up with at the Bumbles.

On Movies - a weighty subject

This week's theme at The Bumbles blog is the role weight plays in film. So, we're thinking about those films with characters who are struggling with their weight, whether it's trying to lose pounds or gain them. This is a challenging theme, especially for major films as this seems to be a minor theme reserved for supporting cast members, i.e. the over-weight side kick, male or female. Television shows/movies approach weight issues in leading characters much more forthrightly. Here are some examples from film, cable TV and TV:

An obvious choice - Bridget Jones's Diary!

Big girl panties.

Bridget: Resolution #1: Uggg - will obviously lose 20 lbs. #2: Always put last night's panties in the laundry basket. Equally important: will find nice sensible boyfriend and stop forming romantic attachments to any of the following: alcoholics, workaholics, sexaholics, commitment-phobics, peeping toms, megalomaniacs, emotional f*ckwits, or perverts. Will especially stop fantasizing about a particular person who embodies all these things.

Black Swan - As an ambitious ballerina, Portman's character is never seen eating real food. Once she is named to the big role, her mother buys a huge cake to celebrate but Portman only allows herself to take a tiny swipe of the icing. The implied eating disorder featuring extreme deprivation is only explicit in this scene and is just one aspect of the main character's disturbed psychological functioning.

The Karen Carpenter Story (1989) - a made for TV movie that brought anorexia and bulimia into the public's consciousness.

Speaking of over-weight side kicks, the Rhoda TV show was a spin off of one such character from the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Rhoda was Mary's "weight-conscious" friend.

Kirstie Alley's TV series Fat Actress was made for cable TV's Showtime. Her weight is the main character in this show.

Can you think of any movies, TV movies or TV shows that have portrayed a male character's struggle with his weight?

On Movies - Unforgettable

This week Molly over at the Bumbles Blog is pondering those moments from past Oscars that stand out in our memories. Although I watched last night's Oscars from start to finish, it's already fading (the vision of James Franco in drag as Marilyn can not fade quickly enough). Pretty boring actually. No surprises. But, there are a few moments from previous years that stand out:

You like me. You really, really like me.

Roberto Benigni -- Life is Beautiful!

Adrien Brody gives Halle Berry a big Hollywood kiss.

How I wish Sandra would have gone 'Adrien Brody' on Colin Firth last night.