Category Archives: Actors

A Woman’s Face (1941); Dir. George Cukor

Combining the impeccable aesthetic of MGM, the meticulous lighting and atmosphere George Cukor is known for, and some kick-ass performances by all the leads (Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas, Conrad Veidt, Osa Massen), A Woman’s Face is a psychological melodrama with … Continue reading

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At Last: Jeff Bridges

I mentioned recently that I had been thinking a lot about Jeff Bridges. And here is the result of all that thinking: 5 for the day: Jeff Bridges.

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Requiem For a Dream: “Let it all go”

Excerpt from Lessons in Becoming Myself, by Ellen Burstyn. About Requiem For A Dream: The most difficult scene was one in which my son realizes I’m on speed. It was a nine-page scene, but the last three pages were my … Continue reading

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6 Stanwyck noir

A yummy post from Kim Morgan about the brilliant Barbara Stanwyck in 6 film noir films. You absolutely get why she would think better for herself, and then, in her wounded moments, why she couldn’t quite succeed. But, true to … Continue reading

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Roger O. Thornhill: “Now, what can a man do with his clothes off for twenty minutes?”

The following essay is about the emotional journey of Cary Grant’s suit through North by Northwest. The essay worked slowly on me. At first I resisted it, maybe it seemed too silly (although there was nothing silly about clothes to … Continue reading

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Marilyn Monroe

I have this photo on my bulletin board.

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Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge

Maybe the happiest place of all for me, even though he (the character) has a sad end.

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Rest In Peace, Charlton Heston

My brother Brendan and I watched The Ten Commandments on the night before Easter, and expressed amazement, for the 100th time, how incredible Heston is, how inevitable. I mean, how silly could that entire undertaking have been? Come to think … Continue reading

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Frozen in Grand Central

I am in totally in love with all of these people. I want to go on a mission like that! And I love Alex’s comment: “The Shapes they took are so natural and so forward in their thought and action … Continue reading

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Richard Widmark: tributes

A terrific in-depth obituary in The Washington Post. David Thomson had this to say about Widmark in his awesome The New Biographical Dictionary of Film: Widmark came into movies a little later than most male stars, already in his early … Continue reading Continue reading

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