Keeper of the Flame: This was an interesting movie, rather thought provoking more so I'm sure when it first came out. I think it could have been better if directed by Hitchcock at least action wise. Interesting to see younger Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy together.

The Bridge Over the River Kwai: This movie was well made, a good plot, my thoughts after the movie were all about the strangeness of human nature, particularly that of the characters and how they should have done things different. I think it's a good sign if you're thinking about how the characters should have done things different because the movie was good enough that you weren't distracted by the plot being lame etc. I did notice though that William Holden played his standard role of cynical, playboy American.

Inception: This movie was crazy, it was fast paced and well made but when it was over I felt like there were loose ends and that I would need to see it several more times to fully understand it.

Anastasia: The cartoon, that I've loved for years.

Nuovo Cinima Paradiso: This movie is Italian and about a boy and how movies effected his life.

Valkyrie: This is the story of the last plot to assassinate Adolph Hitler, it was a sad movie and sort of hard to watch, knowing from history that they wouldn't succeed. It was interesting to see a different perspective, especially after I recently read In the Garden of the Beast. I don't think I'd watch it again.

Captain America: I really enjoyed this movie, it was good but could still be made fun of while watching. It was cheesy (I think that's inescapable in super hero movies) but not overly so. It was a good plot but while I believe I understand the intent behind the ending, I didn't really like it.

Shadow of the Thin Man: Another lovely jaunt with Nick and Nora.

Secretariat: (Sp?) This movie was good, along the lines of most sports movies, quite a lot of Seabiscut but also a lot of other types of movies. It's a tried and true combination, the long shot team or individual(s) that the crowd and movie goers love to cheer for. I especially enjoyed the streak of women's lib and just having self respect and belief in one's own and others abilities.

We Are Marshal: This is one of those inspirational sports movies, in the 70s a West Virginia football team, coaches etc. were in a plane back from a game and the plane went down killing them all. The school, Marshal University wasn't sure what to do but were persuaded to put a team together to play the next season. It was a very touching and feel good story.

From Russia With Love: Second of the James Bond movies, also second time for Sean Connery as Bond. It's interesting having seen only four Bond movies, the most recent two and the first two made. I don't recall if there were so many cheesy lines in the more recent Bond movies, but there were a lot of them in this movie, I would have had a hard time keeping a straight face. I wouldn't go back and watch this again.

Prince of Persia: My favorite part of this movie was mocking it. My teenage brother thought it was great, and there in seems to be the difference, he was apparently the target audience and I was not. I felt this movie drew far too much on other action movies, Indiana Jones and the Lord of the Rings among them. I also felt that the action, slow motion special effect was over used, too much of a good, or not so great thing.

The Thin Man Goes Home: Like all in the Thin Man series, this is a funny and an enjoyable movie. None of the movies have lived up to or surpassed the first one and this one is included; that being said it's still a very enjoyable movie.

Zorro the Gay Blade: This movie is quite cheesy and somewhat weird but it's also quite funny and where else can you see Zorro in gold lame(insert accent over the e)?

Young Victoria: This movie goes over Victoria's ascension to the throne and the events leading up to and after her marriage to Prince Albert. It was a nice enjoyable movie but even with my limited knowledge of Victoria and Albert, I was aware of things that were not correct. Nice movie but not overly accurate.

To Have and Have Not: This is Bogie and Bacall's first movie together and was shot while the famous couple were falling in love. The movie is based on a Hemingway book by the same title, I have no love for Hemingway but I do enjoy this movie.

Eat, Pray, Love: I recently took a trip to Italy and was told before I left that I should read this book or at least see this movie. I didn't. I saw it on the shelf at the library though and so I got it. I think that it's a rather interesting story but I didn't love the actual movie. I didn't love Julia Roberts in the main role and I think I would have preferred to see an unknown or lesser known actress in the role. I also felt like the movie itself was dependent on the locations where it was shot for the movie to be amazing; not a movie that's amazing and happens to be filmed in exotic locals. That's my take.

Letters to Juliet: I had heard good things about this movie and so I got it when I saw it at the library. It was cheesy but it was still very good, much higher quality than most movies today, in or out of the same genera. The movie was shot in Italy, it looked cleaner and less crowded than the Italy I went to a few weeks ago but to be fair I never went to Verona or Sienna, they might be different. They were beautiful however. I really enjoyed the woman who played Claire, the movie wouldn't be half so good without her.

Strangers on a Train: This was a pretty good movie, full of Hitchcockian standards, the wrong man being accused, morality with regards to killing, etc. It was very well done and is great visually.

Jane Eyre: I didn't have terribly high expectations for this movie, I knew that several not so great versions had been made and I'd heard from someone who saw it that they weren't too impressed. I thought it was very well done however, good acting, they cut a lot out of course but I believe they left the really essential parts. I did enjoy the fact that there were subtitles for the French, I neither speak nor read French and thus the passages in French in the book were a mystery to me. I thought it was quite good, that being said you should absolutely read the book.

Marnie: I didn't really know what to expect from this movie except that it was Hitchcock. It was such an amazing movie, a fascinating thriller and probably the best Hitchcock movie I've ever seen. Sean Connery in it and the movie would definitely not be the same without him, probably wouldn't be as good without him either.

Bonnie and Clyde: This was an interesting movie, made in the 60s and while watching I could tell that it had been a movie that challenged the conventions of the time. It was interesting. I had a hard time though because I knew how the story ended and that it wasn't a happy ending. I like happy endings.

How do you know?: This was one of several movies I watched on the plane, if you're flying transatlantic you should really try to get one of the planes with the tv in the back of the seat in front of you, then you can have a choice of what movies play for the next 9 + hours. Anyway the movie, I wasn't overwhelmed, it was a chick flick, so there was a lot of stupid (but Owen Wilson is in it, no surprise there) and a fair amount of cute. It was okay, but I wasn't satisfied by the ending, it's not going to be something I turn to again and again.

Lifeboat: Yet another Hitchcock picture. This was a very interesting movie, it takes place in a lifeboat as the title might suggest, in looking back it seems that Hitch made multiple movies confined to perhaps and equally small space, Rope, Dial M for Murder, and Rear Window come to mind, but this one was the first, it was made during WWII. It's a good movie and explores a lot of difficult situations. I think that I'll come back to this movie and watch it again and again.

(The) Duplex: I don't remember if it was The Duplex or Duplex. I watched this last night with my friends, I was skeptical going it because it's a Ben Stiller movie, I haven't seen a lot of his movies and I haven't really enjoined those that I have seen. I didn't want to watch this movie but I did, that probably didn't help my opinion of the movie, but the movie didn't change my opinion either. This movie was for me, painful to watch and it was stupid, filled with kaniving cruelty, violence, destruction and stupid plans and characters that didn't learn. I didn't like it, I don't recommend it.

Rebecca: I got another Hitchcock collection from the library and the first one I watched in the batch was Rebecca. My dad told me it was creepy, and granted I watched it at home with the lights on, but I didn't find it all that creepy. The story reminded me somewhat of the plot of Jane Eyre, which I just reread. I thought it was a very well made movie and I enjoyed it. I don't know however that it's one I'll go back to time and time again.

The Paradine Case: My most recent Hitchcock viewing. It was naturally a well made movie but though I love Gregory Peck, I don't want to watch this movie again, the story was not the sort I care to watch or view.

Sabotage: This movie was one of Hitchcock's early movies, made while he was still in England. It's good but I felt it was rather short, I would have liked to seen more.

When Harry Met Sally: I will just let you know that I didn't see this movie as the director made it, I saw it edited on tv and then further edited it by changing the channel when it started being rated higher than I cared to see. With these edits, I loved this movie, Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan were both great, great chemistry, very funny and witty dialogue. I liked it a lot, it made me want to have such a friend... perhaps without the awkwardness.

The King's Speech - Edited: I really loved this movie, it was well made, well acted, great plot, and I don't feel that I missed out on anything by seeing the edited version. This movie has been rather infamous for it's "one scene" which caused it to be rated R, where, as part of his speech therapy, Colin Firth's character swears repeatedly, using the F-word several times over (at least so I've heard, in the edited version we only had one F-word). I understand why the scene was included, it is very much a part of the movie and it probably would not have been all that terrible to see it unedited. On the other hand, I do not feel as though I missed anything, I knew that the extra swear words were there, I knew why they were being said, and that it was not with the feeling that a swear word might normally be said; all that being said I'm just as happy to have missed some of the ugly words, even said as I mentioned above. It was a wonderful movie, very powerful, sometimes it was hard to watch and at one point it brought me close to tears. I think people should see it, whether you see it edited or not is up to you. I think that perhaps a bit to much fuss is being made over the swearing scene, on both sides of the debate. At any rate, see this movie.

The 39 Steps: I recently saw a version of this movie on PBS, it was made by the BBC and a pretty good show, so I decided that I should see Hitchcock's version. I believe this movie was made in the 30s, at any rate it was in the early days of film, and it's very innovative and well made, but I wish I could have seen how Hitch would have done it when the technology was better. I recommend it, and if you watch this and want more there have been at least six versions of this story.

The Lemon Drop Kid: I heard about this movie through a friend of mine, she was telling about how it had been her husband's favorite movie when he was a kid. When I saw it at the library I decided to give it a try. It's a Bob Hope movie, and in that respect, rather typical of Bob Hope and his movie. It was amusing but I didn't love it. It also turned out to be somewhat of a Christmas movie, at least taking place in the Christmas season.

Joe Versus the Volcano: This is the first movie to pair Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks as romantic leads. It was an odd, quirky and funny movie. Meg Ryan plays three different roles in the movie.

Notorious: This is a spy movie and perhaps the spy movie that made the genera what it is today. Ingrid Bergman is convinced to take a spy job by Carey Grant, her father's Nazi sympathies make her perfect for the job. She doesn't have the cleanest past but she and Grant fall for each other on the way down to Brazil where the job will be taking place. The job creates trouble in paradise. This is an innovative and well made movie, by Hitchcock naturally.

Rope: This may have creeped me out the most of all the Hitchcock movies that I've ever seen. The rope is about two college aged, well off, intellectual young men who have murdered a friend of theirs for the art of it. It's eerie to listen to listen to them talk about it, their reasoning and what they do afterwords. The pair throw a party and serve out from their friend's resting place, inviting his friends and family. Jimmy Stewart is in attendance, a friend and former teacher, it was theories of his which inspired the act. Stewart is therefore the one that becomes the most suspicious through the course of the party. A very well made movie but I don't know that I'd care to see it again.

Saboteur: It was a Hitchcock mini marathon while I was working on getting a quilt tied. This movie takes place during WWII, and is somewhat of a propaganda movie to stir people to the war effort, not as much as other movies of the same period however. Barry Kane and his friend work at an air craft plant and when the plant is set a fire he and his friend try to help put it out, leading to his friend's death. After the fire Barry is wrongfully suspected of sabotage, he has to go on the run and try to clear his name. It's an interesting journey and along the way we see both the good and the bad of people. I recommend this movie.

Shadow of a Doubt: This movie, the last in my Hitchcock marathon, was not my favorite, nor was it pleasant to consider. In a small town a family waits for a visit from their Uncle Charlie, especially his name sake Charlie (Charlotte), she feels a special connection to her uncle. Uncle Charlie is much beloved but seems to be a little edgy, especially when two men show up to interview the family for the common good and to take pictures. Only Charlie finds out what Uncle Charlie knows, that these men are detectives that are looking for the "Merry Widow Murderer". Charlie is caught in a very hard and dangerous spot.

Tangled: I went to this movie with great expectations, the previews and advertisements that I've seen for this movie, as well as the reviews from friends etc. all made it sound very good. On the whole the movie was very good but I felt like it was not quite as good as the previews. I didn't care for the songs in the movie that much, but there were a lot of great and very funny moments in the movie. One thing was strange was hearing Zachary Levi's voice come out of a different face, Levi plays the title role in Chuck and it was a different sort of role for him. It was a really good movie but not as high I suppose as I expect from Disney and Pixar.

State of the Union: If you've seen Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, also directed by Frank Capra, you'll have seen a movie in the same vein as this one. This movie is all about the political system and rather a call to action to the voters. Angela Lansbury (I think that woman must have looked old when she was 5, her face, even when young and fresh, just says 'old' to me) is a hard business woman who's having an affair with a man that she wants to put in the white house as president. Spencer Tracy is the man and he's got ideas that could make him a great president, and that also upset those who are trying to put him in the white house. Katherine Hepburn, of course, plays Tracy's loving wife, who supports him in his ideas and efforts, until Tracy changes and becomes a 'yes' man, conforming to the will of Landsbury and co. This was a wonderful movie, but I can't help noticing that in movies with Tracy and Hepburn, her characters are wonderful the whole way through, while his tend to be pompous and jerks who come around by the end of the movie and make the phenomenal speech. I like the speeches but I don't really care for the guy/characters making them.

The Song of the Thin Man: So, this is the last of the series, I suppose I skipped a few by accident. It was a fine movie but no where near as good as the first, maybe one should start with the end of this series and work back so they finish with the best one. Just a thought.

Night and Day: I'd heard about this movie and figured that I would give it a try, it's about Cole Porter and his rise to fame. Mostly it's a showcase for Cole Porter songs, I don't mind Cole Porter but I don't love him either. Unless you're a really big fan of Cary Grant or Cole Porter I wouldn't bother.

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner: I recently read a biography about Katherine Hepburn and this movie was mentioned, it's the last movie she and Spencer Tracy made together and I believe it was Tracy's last movie before he died. I saw it at the library, or maybe I put it on hold, either way I got it and watched it and it was phenomenal. Now despite my praise, and not to take away from it, this movie was a bit hard to watch. The plot centers around a biracial couple telling their parents that they mean to get married, it takes place in the late 60s or early 70s. I imagine that this movie was quite groundbreaking when it was made and possibly harder to watch then. It's hard to watch because even for all the progress made since the movie was made, the same issues still linger. The parents of the couple all struggle with the situation, they've worked for such a coupling to be possible and yet the prejudices and stereotypes that they were raised with are still hard to fight, the same struggles occur today. It's a very powerful movie, Sidney Poitier is fantastic in it, I think that everyone should see it.

Rear Window: I don't recall being too impressed with this movie the first time that I saw it but that was several years ago and I enjoyed it more this time. Alfred Hitchcock was truly a master at what he did, it's amazing to see the craftsmanship that he put into this and his other movies. I guess I have a bit more appreciation now and watching a documentary about it didn't hurt. I'm not Jimmy Stewart's biggest fan but both he and Grace Kelley were quite good in this movie. I think something that made me not so impressed with the movie the first time that I saw it is the advancement of movies since then. When I first watched this movie other movies like Bourn Identity etc. were around, perhaps not so masterfully done but designed to get adrenaline pumping. I also watched Rear Window in the comfort of my own home, not in a dark movie theater, that tones down the excitement some I would imagine.

An Ideal Husband: The first time that I saw this movie I didn't love it, but I really loved this movie when I recently saw it. The movie is adapted from a play by the same name by Oscar Wilde and the cast was superb. I love the witty language and characters.

Much Ado About Nothing: This is my favorite of Shakespeare's works and I don't think it could be done better. Kenneth Branagh both directs and stars in this movie as Benedick. This movie has a wonderful cast including Emma Thompson as Beatrice (a very great pairing as the couple was married at the time and are both wonderful actors). This movie is funny, dramatic and romantic, all the things it should be.

Another Thin Man: The third in the Thin Man series. I think that in most cases the movies in an extended series don't improve as they go, while this movie was pretty good, and even possibly better than the second, I don't think that it was better than the original. It was quite an intriguing mystery plot however.

Toy Story: I haven't watched this movie in ages, it was fun to see it again and it was still very enjoyable, however I was watching with two little boys, one who's learning English and there were more "stupid"s etc. than I would have liked this little boy to hear, those are of course the words that little boys pick up.

Amazing Grace: This movie's been on my to see list for a while, and recently I've been reminded of it a few times to where I finally watched it and it's a wonderful movie, both a well crafted movie and a wonderful story being told of William Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery in England.

About A Boy: I thought I'd posted about this movie already but perhaps it was one of the ones that got accidentally deleted. Anyway it's a movie about life, about growing up, and about needing other people in your life. Hugh Grant plays a man who doesn't have to work, who deems himself to be an island and essentially has not responsibilities in his life... that is until he meets a boy named Marcus. Marcus' life is pretty much the opposite, he and his mother live alone and live a more hippy lifestyle. Marcus is miserable in school where he doesn't fit in and miserable at home where his mother seems to suffer from depression and attempted to take her life. Together Marcus and Will (Grant's character) help each other, to grow up or to be able to be a kid. It's a movie that's quite funny despite the seriousness of some aspects.

Music and Lyrics: I saw this movie in the library and I decided to get it. I'm a fan of Hugh Grant. It was a funny, silly movie. The plot and all that are meh but there is some great dialogue that made me laugh. Warning, the teen idol girl in the movie dresses and dances like a hooker, a major downside to the movie (in my opinion anyway.)

Megamind: I had hopes for this movie but I didn't expect much. I really enjoyed this movie, it's the second Will Farrel movie that I've actually enjoyed (the first being Stranger Than Fiction). This movie was cute and funny, good for kids ( the theater was full of them) and it made me think. I really recommend it.

The Butterfly/ Le Papillon: This movie is French and is very sweet. The little girl is adorable and there's a lot of beautiful scenery and I learned a fair amount about butterflies.
It's a Wonderful Life: It's after Christmas but I'm spending some time with George Bailey. We probably all have dreams like George and also like George we don't necessary see the fruition of those dreams, life had other plans for him.

After the Thin Man: I enjoyed the Thin Man and so I decided to watch the next movie in the series. This movie was good, however it was not nearly as good as the first one.