At the Top of My List: TOP HAT

You can't help but smile while watching this movie. It's just delightful. Filmed in 1935, this film protrays Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers at their best! I have seen many of their other films, but this, THIS, is the most wonderful. Everything is perfect. Nominated for four Acadamy Awards including Best Picture, I love love love this movie.

The humor is subtle and silly.

The costumes are beautiful.

The music is joyful. You might recognize the famous song "Cheek to Cheek", which originated in this film. It was nominated at the oscars for Best Original Song.

And the dancing, OH the dancing! Nominated for Best Dance Direction. . . look at this picture!

If anything, watch this movie for the dancing. Fred and Ginger are stunning in the gazebo dancing to "Isn't it a Lovely Day", and Fred dancing for Ginger as the sandman is so romantic!

Did you see Hugh Jackman host the oscars last year? His intro contained a musical number based on this movie!

The story begins with Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire) trying to impress his producer Horace Hardwick with some new dance steps late one night in Horace's hotel. In the room below, Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers), is awakened from Jerry's dancing above. She hurries upstairs to confront him and they are immediatly attracted to one another. Dale soon mistakes Jerry for Horace, which causes all kinds of confusion.

This film is one of my favorite musicals, so please watch it! You can't help smiling throughout the whole thing. All the best to all you readers out there, and Happy Friday!

Seen any 3D movies lately??

WE have. It sure is fun with these awesome glasses. Thank you movie theaters, for improving from the paper frames and red and blue lenses to these show stoppers. Classy right?

It think I'm about due for a friday night movie this week, stay tuned...

It's Friday. . .The Philadelphia Story

It's a rainy day here in Utah. I'm in need of an uplifting classic that will make me think about summer! Thank heavens it's Friday, and after two long weekends of traveling we are glad to be staying put. Tonight we are gonna eat popcorn and make some smoothies while we watch.

An American romantic comedy, The Philadelphia Story was filmed in 1940 and winner of two academy awards including Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.

Starring James Stewart (winner of the Best Actor Oscar), Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn; three of the absolute greatest, if you ask me. The best thing about this movie is the hilarious love triangle. Really, truly, FUNNY.

The Plot: After getting a divorce from C. K. Dexter Haven (Grant), Tracy Lord (Hepburn) a privileged spoiled beauty, prepares to marry again... however, just before her wedding, Haven and a reporter (Stewart), show up at her doorstep. From there, Tracy is forced to choose among her past love, her present love, and her new love.

I just love Jimmy in this movie, what a hunk!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. . . We are heading to a classic car show, a nephew's birthday party and lots of bbq-ing. Happy Friday!

Tonight: A 1958 Classic

"Once upon a time, on the north shore of Long Island, some 30 miles from New York, there lived a small girl on a large estate. The estate was very large indeed and had many servants. There were gardeners to take care of the gardens, and a tree surgeon on a retainer. There was a boatman to take care of the boats: to put them in the water in the spring, and scrape their bottoms in the winter. There were specialists to take care of the grounds: the outdoor tennis court and the indoor tennis court, the outdoor swimming pool and the indoor swimming pool. . . Also on the estate, there was a chauffeur by the name of Fairchild, who had been imported from England, years ago, together with a new Rolls Royce. Fairchild was a fine chauffeur of considerable polish, like the eight cars in his care, and he had a daughter by the name of Sabrina. . ."

The Plot: A playboy becomes interested in the daughter of his family's chauffeur. But it's his more serious brother who would be the better man for her.

Nominated for 6 Acadamy Awards including Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Cinematogrophy, Sabrina was everything romantic and wonderful. And the music! It's so charming! I love Humphrey Bogart in this, I think it's one of his best films.

Believe it or not, Cary Grant was first offered this role and he turned it down. Interesting right?

Dan thinks HB was too old for this role, what do you think? I think he was perfect.

Please go rent this one tonight. Everyone will love it. It's funny, romantic, stylish and uplifting.

Happy weekend everybody.

Frank, Dean-o and Sammy

Friday could not have come soon enough, do you agree? We are due for another Friday Night Movie right? Okay, it's the last movie on Dan's favorite list.

Ocean's 11

Filmed in 1960, this Las Vegas heist classic is loaded with stars... Including

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Ange Dickinson

These guys were the essence of cool, the big cheese, the full monty, the bees knees, the cat's meow. They were so smooth. In 2001, they remade Ocean's 11 with a cast that was good, but nothing, my friends, could compare to these guys. It's no surprise Dan liked this one.

It starts with eleven friends who knew each other from World War II. They devise a master plan to rob five of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas in one night. But after the whole thing is over, something goes wrong...

This movie is great! The music is jazzy, the actors are classy and the ending is snazzy.

Just a warning though, it's a long one. It can get a little slow at times, but just stick with it, I promise you will enjoy it.

Happy Friday everyone.

Tonight: The Maltese Falcon

Hello blog readers! It's Friday again and I am ready to plop down in the bean bag for a night of movie watching with a bowl full of marshmallow popcorn. Speaking of marshmallow popcorn. . . it's only the greatest microwave treat you will EVER taste! I know is sounds a little gross to all you health nuts out there but seriously folks, you have got to try it. Thanks to my little bro-in-law Jody K Zimmer, who introduced us to it. It has adorned our popcorn bowl many a boring nights here in the Burg. We can only find it at the local grocery store here, Broulims, so you might have to do some searching. It's called Mallow Magic . . .

Mercy almighty it's good! It's magic in my mouth! It's raining marshmallow deliciousness! It's salty! It's sweet! It's. . . Ok, I'll stop. You get the picture. Try it tonight. Right now, get up and go get it.

Tonight my friends, it's number 4 of Daniel's favorites. Another film noir classic,

The Maltese Falcon

Sam Spade, a private detective, takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, one beautiful liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette. This 1941 film is dark, thought provoking, intriguing, and suspenseful.

Starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor

Nominated for 3 Acadamy Awards, it's a mystery and a love story. Make sure you are in the mood for this movie, it doesn't leave you feeling peachy on the inside, but it's a good mysterious flick that will keep you guessing.

Happy Friday, and happy Mallow Magic-ing everyone.

This Weekend, Steal A Million

My friday night movies have become few and far between but I have decided to post movies when I can, and not worry too much about the weekly idea. They will however always be on Fridays. Except for today, because I forgot to post last night, so you are getting it tonight instead. Hope that's ok with you all.

This is number 3 of Daniel's favorite classic movies. I also ADORE this film.

Starring

Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole

Filmed in 1966, these two stars were at the top of their careers. Peter has the bluest eyes I have ever seen and Audrey's wardrobe in this movie is to die for!

This romantic heist comedy is about a woman who must steal a statue from a Paris Museum to help conceal her father's art forgeries. Meanwhile, a handsome young detective begins investigating these forgeries and ends up falling in love. . .

Let's be honest here, the main reason why this movie is on Dan's favorite list is because of this car

A canary yellow E Type Roadster Jaguar

Please see this movie, it will make you happy. I promise.

Friday Film Noir

It's week 2 of Daniel's favorites, and this one's gonna amaze you. . . The Big Sleep

This 1946 Film noir classic is a stylish Hollywood crime drama that keeps you wondering throughout, who done it. Film noir is a screen genre that was developed during the early 1940s and is usually associated with a Black and White picture, unique cinematography, cynical and dark characters, and crime. Makes for a great movie if you ask me. Or you can ask Dan, he LOVES this one.

starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall

Here's the plot: Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail, and what might be love. . .

How great is her hat?

Well, I'm off to a little town called Chicago

for Thanksgiving. I really can't wait.

Happy Friday folks.

The STING

For these next five Friday Night movies, I will be posting all of Dan's favorites.

Big H and Uncle Dan

I am lucky to have a husband who loves the classic movies as much as I do. It did take some time to convert him though. So to all of you out there (or your not so excited husbands slash skeptical wives) who are having a hard time seeing the awesomeness in old movies, try these next five recommendations on for size. Believe me, you will LOVE them. Dan sure did, hehe.

First up, and possibly one of our all time favs . . .

Thanks Emily and Tim for watching this with us last weekend, wasn't it great?

Starring the very handsome

Robert Redford and the great Paul Newman

this 1973 film won 7 acadamy awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Costume Design and Best Musical Score.

The Plot: In 1930s Chicago, a young con man (Redford) seeking revenge for his murdered partner teams up with a master of the big con (Newman) to win a fortune from a criminal banker.

This movie is SO GOOD. The music and the acting? In the words of my Mother, "wowie zowie." Please rent it this weekend. I promise EVERYONE will love it.

For your information however: there is a bit of language and violence in this one, and one questionable dancer who could be covered a little better but that's it, really not bad. If you need to know the details click here for a full content rundown.

Happy weekend everybody.

Wait Until Tomorrow Night

It's All Hallows Eve and this Friday night you're in for it, this is a scary one . . .

Wait Until Dark was nominated for 1 Oscar in 1967, and is considered one of the most thrilling and suspenseful movies ever made.

Audrey Hepburn plays a blind housewife who is terrorized by a trio of thugs while they search for a heroin stuffed doll they believe is in her apartment.

If you are an Audrey Hepburn fan then you'll love this movie. It's nothing like her other movies though, so be prepared. Her acting is so great in this, I think you will be surprised how good.

If you watch this movie tomorrow night (or any other time or that matter), then may I suggest watching it with someone, it's not one to watch by yourself. TRUST ME.

Happy Halloween . . . Mua ha ha ha

It's a Week Before Halloween. . .

This week and next week I have some SPOOKY movies for you.

Rear Window starring Jimmy Stewart, and Grace Kelly

Be prepared to be on the edge of your seat. This movie is thrilling, intense, spine-tingling and AWESOME. I am not into creepy Halloween movies, but a good intense mystery I totally love.

It's about a wheelchair bound photographer who spies on his neighbors from his apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder. Yikes.

I haven't seen this one in awhile but I am pretty sure it's not one for the kiddos- just because of the intense plot and scary scenes. In case you want to check it out before renting, click HERE for a complete content rundown. Just looking out for you guys.

Looking for a lighter, funnier Halloween classic? Remember this movie?

Happy Fall Friday, check out this easy and ghoulish snack. . . thanks Mitchy

LAUGH this Friday Night

I remember when my Dad took Lizzy and I to our first theatrical play at Ashland High School. It was a student production of Arsenic And Old Lace. I remember LOVING it, and ever since then it has been one of my favorites. Every character is so hilarious, and Cary Grant once again lights up the screen. This is a great movie for Halloween if you want to put it on hold till then.

This 1944 film tells the story of a drama critic who finds out on his wedding day that his maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs and that insanity runs in his family. So funny people, so funny.

I know this story sounds a little crazy if you don't know it but trust me, you will love it.

ps

If you are wondering where to get these classic movies listen up. . .

If you live in dear old Ashland Oregon, DJs is your place.

Those of you who are not in the Rouge Valley, NetFlicks is the way to go.

His Girl Friday

I have decided to fill the September Fridays with Cary Grant. One of the greatest things about Mr. Grant is his wide range of acting. He can be serious, really funny, dramatic and even scary. In this 1940 hilarious comedy, he portrays a talented newspaper man who tries every slick trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex- wife from remarrying. It's a quick, fast- paced, witty movie that will keep you interested all 92 minutes.

For a really quick movie treat to snack on try these delicious gems. . . Peanut Butter Chip Fudge Cookies. . . Dan's ultimate favorite cookie, they are to die for. Don't forget the ice cold milk, you will need it, trust me.

Here's the line-up

1 package Devil's Food Cake mix

2 eggs

.5 cup vegetable oil

1 to 1.5 cups Peanut Butter Chips

Here in the lands of Idaho, I have to add a little extra flour to thicken up the dough, or a little milk to moisten the dough. I would recommend testing one cookie first then adding whatever is needed. Flour makes them hold their shape a little better. We like these more cakey than chewy, capeesh?

Preheat to 350

Combine cake mix, eggs and oil in large bowl. Beat until blended. Mix in PB chips. Roll into balls and flatten slightly. Bake for 9 ish minutes, its hard to tell when they are done because they are so dark and chocolately. Yum.

Make sure you eat them warm. Enjoy the movie!