***GROOVY MOVIES*** 2/6-2/12

I've always liked By the Dinner, Judy.

Last night I needed something light and watched 9 TO 5. I forgot how beautiful all three of the stars were when they were almost 40 years younger. It's interesting because Lily Tomlin plays a very grounded, strong, savvy woman from the start, while Jane Fonda is a bit scatterbrained to begin with. Dolly Parton is also strong but way too polite to her smarmy boss, Dabney Coleman. Fun to see it again. Then I watched 2 episodes of GRACE AND FRANKIE on Netflix. Fonda and Tomlin have been friends since they made 9 TO 5. They are so good together. They mentioned trying to do a remake of the latter. That would be fun.

Another film that had an impact on my life is one I saw when I was teaching college. It was shown at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. I tried but could not find it on Google so I don't remember the name. It was about people from Africa (Senegal?) who lived in Europe for a while and felt like outsiders. They could not wait to return home, only to find that they were no longer felt 'at home' there either, as their experience abroad had changed them. At the time we had students from countries in western Africa in our school. They were wonderful people and students. The film made me much more sensitive to the issues they faced living in Boston and so far from home. I talked with them about the implications for returning home. Most of them wanted to bring what they had learned back with them to their homelands, but in later communications with them they did find it difficult in both the USA and their homelands.

Gail

Just watched the first two episodes of THE NIGHT MANAGER, the British series based on John le Carré's novel that ran on AMC. I think someone on this thread recommended it. Very good. The venue is changed..modernized...and Mr. Burr, who enlists him to become a spy on an evil arms dealer, becomes a Mrs. Burr. But it has the feeling of le Carré. Mrs. Burr is played by Olivia Colman. I am definitely becoming an Olivia Colman fan. As in THE FAVOURITE, she totally gets into her role. I borrowed this one from the library. Thanks to the person who posted about this one!

THE BOOKSHOP was in my queue, Anne. I moved it up after reading your comments.

Gail

Anne: I loved Shetland, loved the actors, the setting, great series. I think The Bookshop is also a book and I am pretty sure I have read it, but the film sounds great.

We need some movies for the weekend. I have really pulled out my back so am sitting a lot with a heating pad.

I have two films that made a big impression on me:

Herb and Dorothy: Herb was a postal worker and Dorothy is a librarian. I believe she is still living, but he died a few years ago. Herb had a remarkable eye for art and Dorothy is good with people. They started collecting art in their small New York apartment. Herb had such a good eye that one could almost be guaranteed that any artist he set his sights on became famous. They were invited to most of the significant art openings in New York. Ultimately, they collected so much art they had to consider passing it along. With the help of the curator at the Met, they distributed their art among all 50 states. We saw their contributions to Maine at the Portland Museum of Art.

A Model for Matisse: This is an amazing, little known film about a nun, who is interviewed throughout the film, who modeled for Matisse before she became a nun. They had a life long relationship and toward the end of his life, Matisse built a chapel for the nun. He made stained glass windows out of his famous motifs for the chapel. Delightful film, a hidden gem.

We watched new and Victoria last night. We usually catch Stephen Colbert's monologues, as well.

I'll br watching for some good weekend films.

Ann

HERB AND DOROTHY is an amazing documentary, Ann. Mort and I watched it years ago after you recommended it. If I remember correctly, Herb had such a good eye that he told an artist that his sculpture or painting looked better if placed differently and the artist agreed. Their collection filled every corner of their tiny apartment. Many famous artists were interviewed for the film. 

MODEL FOR MATISSE sounds good. It's now on my list.

Gail

Annavece do you know if The Bookshop is on Amazon Prime or Netflix? I've struck a deal with DH to watch a movie about choosing the astronauts for Apollo. Can't remember the name. I'll let you know. In exchange, we watch the Bookshop tomorrow night. I am pretty immobile with this stupid back issue. I start PT on Monday. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy books and movies...not too bad! I'm sure I have read The Bookshop.

Annsanse

The Right Stuff is an interesting film about the early astronauts, their training, and there is quite a bit about a couple of their wives. Chuck Yaeger is also in the film. We did research as we were watching and learned a lot. Annie Glenn, John Glenn's wife, really caught y attention. She had a pretty serious stutter but conquered it, to some extent, and became an advocate for people with disabilities. The Glenns met when they were two years old, were childhood sweethearts and they were married for 73 years, quite a history together.

So The Bookshop was written by Penelope Fitzgerald, a British writer, and I THINK I wrote about the book on The Reading Thread. Fitzgerald is such a unique writer. I like many of her books. We are planning to watch the film tomorrow night.

Ann