Movie #1966 ........................."The Durrells: " Seasons 3 and 4 (netflix)

 Movie #1966 "The Durrells" Season 3 and 4 (netflix)  Well, we breezed through seasons 3 and 4 and continued to find the stories funny and the characters charming.  In fact, we were sad when it came to an end, and we rewatched the "What they did" documentary now that we knew who was who.  I will do a blog on that, as well. 

 These two seasons brought more and more changes to Louisa's life (a couple new boyfriends who bring along more heartache for her) and the kids.  Margo moves back to London and tries out a few other jobs and boyfriends; Larry moves to Paris and a few other places, trying to find better places to write;  Leslie continues to be Leslie -- tries out being a cop, an actor, a carnival worker, while still pining for the wife and  child he thought he was going to have; and Gerald got more and more animals and then had to say goodbye to them all.    Added delightfully to the list of main characters are Spiros, the taxi driver, Sven and his partner (the gay goat farmers), the doctor and his wife, Theo (Gerald's mentor) and Lucretzia (sp?) the Greek housemaid.  It became a family we were members of for a couple of weeks, and they left a lasting impression on us.  Very enjoyable, and to be sure, we added Corfu now to our bucket list.  We give it 5 stars out of 5.  (P.S. and we bought the book the series is based on:  "My Family and other animals") 

"DURRELLS"  2018, 2019            about 46 mins each             Episodes Season 3 (8), Season 4 (6)

Based on the real-life events of the Durrell family as they resettle from England to Greece.

Stars:

 Keeley Hawes, Josh O'Connor, Milo Parker 

Movie #1965 ........................."To Each His Own" (TCM)

Movie #1965 "To Each His Own" (TCM) -- I had always wanted to see this movie mainly because of the academy award Olivia de Havilland won for best acting  --- I had seen the other one many many times (for "The Heiress"), but never this one, and I am glad I finally did.  What a complex  script!   And it  handles several tricky subjects here -- adoption, parenting, loneliness.  I really liked  the way the film opened --- de Havilland is spending her New Years Eve in fire watching (during the 40s) along with another man who seems to be a curmudgeon, only nodding and grunting as she talks to him.  He's very condescending the way he treats her as they go about their work until there's an accident where she helps him out and some ice is broken between the two.  We then find out that they are both so lonely and have been for many years.  She actually opens up to him about why she is the way she is and tells him about a son she illegitimately had with a soldier who died in WW2 and gave him up for adoption, and she found out he was coming in by train very late tonight and she intended to meet it.  And the story goes from there with some flashbacks.   It is heartbreaking, and reminded me of the film "Stella Dallas" with the two mothers giving up their children in order to make a better life for them.  And Olivia de Havilland does the whole gamut here and deserved the award.  I highly recommend it if TCM ever shows it again -- or you can get your hands on the dvd.  I'd give it 4.5 out of 5. (just for being a bit lengthy)

"TO EACH HIS OWN"  2 hours, 2 mins         1946 

An unwed mother, forced to give up her child to avoid scandal, follows her son's life from afar even as she prospers in business.

Director:

 Mitchell Leisen

Writers:

 Charles Brackett (screenplay), Jacques Théry(screenplay) (as Jacques Thery)  |

Stars:

 Olivia de Havilland, John Lund, Mary Anderson

Movie #1964 ........................."Princess O'Rourke (TCM)

 Movie #1964 "Princess O'Rourke (TCM)  Here's another Olivia de Havilland film that I DVR'd and watched later.  It is kind of ironic that it shows what would have happened in "Roman Holiday" if Audrey Hepburn left her kingdom and ran off with Joe, the journalist.  It is also reminiscent of "It Happened One Night" when they meet on a bus trip (in this case, she's a princess), she's running away, and he is  thinking she is poor and definitely not a princess.  So in both cases, there is a reveal --- that one comes more than halfway through the film, and then we think that there will be a problem once he knows, but surprisingly, Bob Cummings takes it quite well --- he's that much in love.  But when he can't one in the service or act like a free person he would be in the US, that's when he complains --- and then it goes familiarly to the conflict of her giving up her kingdom or not --- The ending of this film is kind of abrupt ---and it doesn't deal with problems they probably will have.  But otherwise, it is a fun romp of a film, with a very young Jane Wyman and Jack Carson in secondary roles.  So this is a strong cast, and love that Bob!  (title of Bob Cummings' t.v. show I used to watch way back when)  He and Olivia make a very comfortable match throughout and with the  addition of  Charles Coburn as the curmudgeon of a Chancellor, it brings lots of fun to the viewer.  I'd give it 4 out of 5 and recommend it.

"PRINCESS O'ROURKE"      1 hour , 34 minutes        1943

A pilot falls in love with a woman he believes is heading cross country to become a maid, little suspecting that she's actually a princess.

Director:

 Norman Krasna

Writer:

 Norman Krasna (original screenplay) 

Stars:

 Olivia de Havilland, Robert Cummings, Charles Coburn

Movie #1963 ........................."It's Love I'm After" (DVD)

 Movie #1963  "It's Love I'm After" (DVD) I watched this most enjoyable old film because Michael Phillips in his tribute to Olivia De Havilland when she died a  couple of weeks ago mentioned it was  his favorite, and I didn't recognize the title.  But I noticed it also  had Bette Davis and Leslie Howard (two other favorites of mine).  It was fast paced and fun.  And it was deeply imbedded with jokes on theatre, acting, shakespeare and other playwrights and shows.  I loved it.  The plot is quite involved , and it keeps the audience on its toes, going back and forth on who loves whom.  It gets away with it because the actor is asked to come over to his biggest fan's house to be such a fad that she will fall out of love for him --- see?  involved.  What makes it moreso is that he starts to think he is falling in love with her!  But Bette Davis is the one  he is supposed to get married to ---- Confusing and crazy but one of the best screwball comedies I have ever watched.  I give it 4.5 out of 5.  In order to see it, I had to send to amazon for it so I can't tell you how you can see it --- short of borrowing it from me, which is fine; just let me know.  

"IT'S LOVE I'M AFTER"      1937    1 hour and 30 mins     comedy      4.5 out of 5

An actor of the stage finds himself pursued by a lovestruck fan while trying to patch up a tempestuous relationship with his actress lover.

Director:

 Archie Mayo (as Archie L. Mayo) 

Writers:

 Casey Robinson (screen play), Maurice Hanline (original story "Gentlemen After Midnight") 

Stars:

 Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland 

Movie #1962 ........................."In This Our Life" (TCM)

 Movie #1962  "In This Our Life" (TCM) was on TCM the other day, which was Olivia De Havilland day on the channel.  It was the first pairing of Davis and DeHavilland, and they were friends for the rest of their lives (De Havilland just died a week ago).  Of course, TCM showed GWTW and "The Heiress," her two most famous films, but this one I hadn't seen, so I sat down  to watch  it.  Of course, it was pretty melodramatic,  but I was impressed, as I usually am, that the acting was so good in the 40s, that I forget I'm watching a black and white film, and get pulled into the story so easily!  I was also impressed that this film tackled a racial story of sorts --- there is a black student studying  to be a lawyer and is a law clerk for the George Brent character -- he is blamed for a hit and run by Bette Davis, and  DeHavilland and Brent fought for this guy against DeHavilland's sister --- and it was nice to see how important and valued his character was --- his mom was Hattie McDaniel from GWTW , and it was nice to see her say more than she was allowed to say  in the earlier film (but she actually won an AA for GWTW, proving her  essence as the  character can win, minus a  lot of words).  If you ever see this pop up on the TCM channel again, I recommend it because it was well acted and a  good albeit soap opera-like , story.  I give it 4 out of 5 stars.   

"IN THIS OUR LIFE"    1 hour and 37 min         1942          (1st pairing of  Davis and DeHavilland )

A young woman, Stanley Timberlake, dumps her fiance, Craig Fleming, and runs off with her sister Roy's husband, Peter Kingsmill. They marry, settle in Baltimore, and Stanley ultimately drives Peter to drink and suicide. Stanley returns home to Richmond only to learn that her sister Roy and old flame Craig have fallen in love and plan to marry. The jealous and selfish Stanley attempts to win back Craig's affections, but her true character is revealed when, rather than take the rap herself, she attempts to pin a hit and run accident on the young black clerk, Parry Clay, who works in Craig's law office.

Directors:

 John Huston, Raoul Walsh (uncredited) 

Writers:

 Howard Koch (screenplay), Ellen Glasgow (novel) 

Stars:

 Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, George Brent 

Movie #1961 ........................."All the Bright Places" (netflix streaming)

 Movie #1961 "All the Bright Places (netflix streaming)   I read this book, and when I saw it pop up as a netflix movie with Elle Fanning, I jumped at the chance to see it as soon as I could  -- and the time came about  the other night.  It was kind of a one-of-a-kind book aimed at Young Adults with very serious subjects covered like suicidal thoughts and other mental illnesses.  As the  plot line says below, the two main characters Vi and Theo learn some valuable lessons as their friendship grows throughout the movie.  Very well acted, once again  there isn't a lot of plot here ---- in fact, it deals with visiting places in Indiana for a school project, but the emphasis is rather on  character, and the acting is superb. I found it quite good  and would recommend both the book and the movie --- and give  it a 4 out of 5.  Once again a clean yA movie, but the subject matter lends itself more to the high school audience.  

"ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES"     1 hour and 47 mins     2020

The story of Violet and Theodore, who meet and change each other's lives forever. As they struggle with the emotional and physical scars of their past, they discover that even the smallest places and moments can mean something.

Director:

 Brett Haley

Writers:

 Liz Hannah, Jennifer Niven (novel)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Elle Fanning, Justice Smith, Alexandra Shipp

Movie #1960 ........................."Star Girl"

 Movie #1960 "Star Girl" (Disney +)I found this quite charming, but I'm afraid I'm not the demographic --- I think a teen would enjoy it much more because it deals with the stress to be like everyone else, when you are far from it --- these two kids bring out the best in each other --- the girl is a one-of-a-kind ukulele player who just  moved in and becomes the football good luck charm for the high school --- the boy has tried to fit in most of his life, but there's a streak in him that wants to be his own guy, and star girl brings that out in him.  He is being raised by mom (his dad died and he was very close to him)and their relationship is fun to watch --- and his friends are different and fun to watch, as well.  There's not much of a story, but that's because this is character driven.  The only complain I had is that the girl was a tad disappointing to me --- I thought there could have been more of a twinkle in her eye  --- more charm --- more oomph!  She gets this character across pretty blandly, and I just thought a bit more energy.  He was right on the money --- I was most enamored by his performance, and I hope to see him in more things in the future.  I'd give this 3.5 out of 5 and recommend it , esp. for a teen.  And it is a nice clean story for the family.   

"STAR GIRL" (Disney +)   PG     1 hour and 47 minutes     2020

A boy becomes intrigued by a mysterious and quirky student named Stargirl and spends his time trying to know more about her.

Director:

 Julia Hart

Writers:

 Kristin Hahn (screenplay by), Julia Hart (screenplay by)  | 2 more credits »

Stars:

 Grace VanderWaal, Graham Verchere, Giancarlo Esposito