James Garner Gone

As women of a certain age, we have our favorite actors and a number of them are passing; one of mine was James Garner.  He was handsome, witty and an excellent character and lead actor.  He was so nuanced I think his performances were under appreciated at times.  He played romantic leads (Murphy's Romance, The Americanization of Emily, The Notebook), con men (The Great Escape, The Americanization of Emily), a hapless husband (The Thrill of It All, Move Over Darling) a hapless gangster (Victor, Victoria), comedy (Support Your Local Sheriff, his Doris Day films and more), race car driver (Grand Prix), all his western roles which began with the TV show "Maverick" and, for me, his most endearing turn as the reluctant private eye in "The Rockford Files".  

There will be many accolades and remembrances.  Here's a brief encapsulation of his career.  The second to the last paragraph mentions his 12,000 sq ft home in northern Santa Barbara County. One of my friends was the builder.  From what I understand, it's one heck of a homestead.  But, of course, he was one heck of a man.

Clip from "Support Your Local Sheriff", a very funny film.

Siskel & Ebert's review of "Murphy's Romance".  The visual resolution on YouTube is fuzzy but their review is spot on; a terrific, funny and very romantic film.

"The Americanization of Emily" was Garner's favorite film.

RIP James Garner

Helen Mirren Poses Nude @ 65

Ya gotta love it.  She's sixty five and goin' for it.  I couldn't do it but I admire her resolve.  She certainly has the elan of a "women of a certain age".

Mirren, who turns 65 next month, is promoting her new movie 'Love Ranch,' in which she plays the madam of a real-life seventies Reno whorehouse. The film is directed by her husband, Taylor Hackford, who tried to take her to the Nevada ranch for some research.

When her husband tried to convince her to spend a night at the Mustang Ranch, Mirren refused. "I said, 'Read my lips: I'm not going to spend a night in a brothel.' " In the end, she dispensed with research and simply took direction. "It's amazing how quickly you get into dildos everywhere and pink-feather handcuffs. Within an hour you're completely used to it." 
The Huffington Post   June 23, 2010

Oscar Night

I'm watching the Oscars as I do every year since I can remember.  When I was little, I watched it because my mother watched it.  When I was a teenager and young woman, I watched it because I'd made sure to see all the movies beforehand and wanted to find out if my favorites won.

Now I just watch it for the clothes.

The Natural

Have I written about my love for baseball? my love for Robert Redford? "The Natural" delivers both and, in my humble opinion, is the best baseball movie I've ever seen. "The Natural" has all the elements of great drama, melodrama, morality play, what-have-you: good vs. evil, true love vs. seduction; promises vs. betrayal; purity vs dishonesty. It's a fairytale story of redemption.

Whether you've seen it once or dozens of times (like me) it grabs you and won't let you go. Roy Hobbe's faded golden boy, haggard, aging, aching but still dreaming the dream. The evil Memo, a platinum blonde in black. The steadfast Iris, a soft blonde bathed in a halo of light. Pop Fisher, the old time manager who wants only to win the Pennant before he retires, betting the future of his team in the process.

It's simple, really. The good are eventually rewarded for their patience, hard work and unwavering loyalty. The wicked are punished. It's a depression-era story with a depression era happy ending. Hey! What more can you ask for?