And don't forget that old Oscar drama. Julie Andrews, the original Eliza Doolittle, was passed over for the film in favor of Audrey Hepburn/Marnie Nixon. While My Fair Lady beat out Mary Poppins for best picture of 1964, Julie Andrews won best actress. Audrey wasn't nominated.

ummmmmm.... Star!, The Sound of Music, The Americanization of Emily....

Blasphemer.

Thoroughly Modern Millie, thank you.

Those all suck.


















ETA: disclaimer - I've never seen The Americanization of Emily. The other movies suck, and that's why I'm not recommending them to anyone whom I'd urge to appreciate Julie Andrews' work.

OK, maybe The Sound of Music was such a part of my childhood that I can't tell if it's great or not, and perhaps I only enjoyed Star! because my first exposure to it was the restored roadshow version on LD, but The Americanization of Emily kicks serious butt. It's a movie that I avoided seeing for years, but finally got around to it when it was released as part of Warner Bros. "Controversial Classics" DVD set (see my comment about I Am A Fugitive From a Chain Gang above). It's a fantastic movie that uses a WWII backdrop to make some interesting points about war and pacifism - certainly a film that no big studio would make today.

So go ahead and slam all the Robert Wise movies you want (he'll always be tainted to me after he butchered Ambersons), but leave The Americanization of Emily be ...

Which is why I added my disclaimer about never having seen it.


Hmmm, is it netflixable?

I just got back from Starter for 10. I really enjoyed it. James McAvoy is yummy and I think I must run out and purchase the soundtrack. And didn't Rebecca look EXACTLY like Molly Ringwald circa 1985??

According to Kim Masters Shia LaBoeuf is a leading candidate to play the son of Indiana Jones in the fourth Indy movie (sadly it seems to be coming ever closer to reality). Casting rumors frequently don't pan out but it is an interesting choice if true.

What I think of it really depends on whether the character is a "cut from Dad's jib" type or not. I like LeBoeuf. He was pretty good in both Holes and The Greatest Game Ever Played. He did a decent job with complete crap in Constantine. But it is hard to imagine him in an action mode (should they be giving even slight thought to continuing the franchise through his son).

It wasn't until you mentioned Holes that the name Shia LaBoeuf even registered. Does he have big kid appeal? I don't get it.

I've sat throught a gazillion episodes of Even Stevens - huge kid appeal.