My picks for the week of Feb. 16
As Turner Classic Movies' 31 Days of Oscar rolls along, I'm especially psyched about some of the movies on tap for this week. They're newer (relatively speaking) and the genres range from musical to Mel Brooks to sci-fi — a few of my favorite things!
The stars: Doris Day & Rock Hudson
The premise: What happens when a stylish, independent interior decorator shares a telephone line with a ladies' man, vows to hate him, but is tricked into being totally wooed?
Why I love it: Doris Day and Rock Hudson are such a perfect pair. You can tell they genuinely liked working together as their chemistry radiates off the screen. Doris is equal parts sunshine and bodacious babe, but Rock's character is so piggish by today's standards that you'll have to suspend your disbelief at times. Just appreciate this movie for what it is: a madcap romantic comedy with a predictable ending and lots of silliness along the way.
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The premise: What happens when a tomboy turned Parisian courtesan-in-training navigates romance with a high-society playboy?
The stars: Leslie Caron, Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier
Why I love it: Paris around 1900. The music. The costumes. The overall aesthetics and quality. And I love a good Cinderealla story.
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The star: Rosalind Russell
The premise: What happens when a stuffy orphan boy is sent to live with his free-spirited aunt?
Why I love it: This movie is everything. Rosalind Russell's performance is utterly inspired — larger than life, terribly funny, and with such emotional depth. I want to be Mame when I grow up. This movie also gives us great quotes to live by like "Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!" I guess that's the real hook of Auntie Mame — she makes you want to live.
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The stars: Zero Mostel & Gene Wilder
The premise: What happens when two Broadway producers hatch a scheme to make millions by producing a musical that's a surefire flop?
Why I love it: Did you see the 2005 version of this movie starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick? Don't let that deter you! The original Producers wins, hands down. Mostel is the perfect greasy mastermind, and Wilder is such a blend of jitters and hysterical yelling that it's insanely fun to watch. Plus: Mel Brooks humor.
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The star: Richard Dreyfuss
The premise: What happens when UFO sightings increase as locals and government officials prepare to make contact with alien beings?
Why I love it: It's time for nerd confessions! I love sci-fi. And UFO stories. And the unknown. And Richard Dreyfuss. This is probably one of my favorite science fiction movies. It's not action-packed and there are no space wars, explosions, or vilified men in black. I love how this movie proves you don't need such extremes to make an outstanding, captivating science fiction film.
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