I discovered a great URL for Movie and TV titles. The IMDb is a searchable database and I’ve reached in and probed my memory and come out with a favorite list of classics and mini series that I’ve previously enjoyed and may now begin to catalog. Here is a partial random sample: Captain Ron (1992), Bad Day at Black Rock (1955), Goodbye Charlie (1964)… Seen this one? The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) or: Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, The (1982)

Another great internet visit is the PBS.org site and its A to Z archive list. I’ve harvested a grand catalog of Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery! episodes that I have watched or wish to.

Russian History presented in a single magnificent take – the longest uninterupted shot in the history of cinema. (subtitled)

JFK (the movie) with Kevin Costner — a political UFO. I thought I even saw John Candy in there with a cameo. This one must have been on the shelf for awhile.

The actor that portrayed the Pete Nolan character has passed on. Pete Nolan, the trail scout? You do remember Wishbone and Mushy. Gil Favor? Okay, Rowdy Yates, then? (well, never mind. browse to the next post). His actual name was Sheb Wooley. He was also a song writer — “Purple People Eater” (1958) and also the theme for the “Hee Haw” TV series. I did not know this.

Elizabeth, on DVD, is worthwhile viewing. What you might call a historical novel, it was good drama. Interesting perspectives on English monarchy and church vs. state, early feminism, power and conspiracy, political agenda vs. conscience and moral belief. (some brutality but less blood and gore then say, Braveheart) You can’t look away without loosing your place.

In the spirit of open mindedness, I watched C H I C A G O on the dvd player. Catherine Zeta-Jones sure is easy on the eyes. Rene Zellweger is a very versatile actress. While otherwise disliking actor Richard Gere as just another Hollywood pretty boy from the same ‘can’t act – no brains’ mold as Tom Selleck, Mel Gibson, I thought that he gave a fine performance. I especially liked him in the marionettes and ventriloquist dummy act scene as well as the lawyer courtroom drama musical adaptation. Sex sells. Seemingly every scene features Vegas chorus girl style skimpy costume line dancing or trapeze swinging. There’s always a rump or thigh displayed at any given moment. To be fair, the other critics in my audience did not see it in that way. They looked beyond this to see fantastic dance choreography and artistry. Something for everybody.

I didn’t catch the title. Help me here folks… Co-stared Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz didn’t survive at the box office but WAS a great movie. Tom Cruise is a descent actor. The script was excellent. The plot, a twisted who-dunnit which blends a bit of Matrix and Beautiful Mind with dark love story. A movie for the head.

I managed to slog through 6/10ths of PEARL HARBOR, the 2002 remake on DVD. Mostly watered down and at the same time exaggerated Hollywood spin. I WAS intrigued however by the info-mmercial style perspective of historical background. I mean let’s face it: The audience for this entertainment is by now 3 generations removed. Wow. The cast and crew only know about W.W.II from previous film iterations and watching Ernest Borgnine , Cliff Robertson, Vic Morrow, Charlton Heston… It seemed to emphasize that the movie’s storyline has been told and re-told to the point of becoming legend and fantasy.