The Best of My Favorite Things Part 3 – Great Romantic Movies
I’ve got three real treats for you today. Two you’ve probably seen, one I introduced in this column as the very best film you’ve probably never even heard of.
I love a wonderful romantic film – there’s something so pleasurable in wallowing in the emotion and the drama. If you’re a fellow aficionado of love stories on film, why not check these out if you haven’t seen them?
First up, is Dirty Dancing which I’ve seen so often that I know the lines! This column appeared in November 2011. Nobody puts Baby in a corner!
Oh, horrors! Zounds! Gnashing of teeth! Wailing of whales! Weeping and hair tearing and assorted indications of distress! They’re remaking Dirty Dancing. Why? Why? Why? Can’t see the point myself. The original is perfect. I don’t want a new take on this story. I want Jennifer Grey as Baby and Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle (be still my beating heart) and all the other wonderful characters and situations. Read more…
My next favorite Favorite Things post dates from June 2009 and talks about my absolute Favorite Australian film Strictly Ballroom which was released back in 1992. I talk a little bit about my general disappointment with the local product in the piece. Check out my thoughts here:
Strictly Ballroom (1992) is my favorite Aussie film EVAH! I must admit in general I’m not a huge fan of local cinema. Aussie films are often grim and bleak and favor atmosphere over a compelling plot. There are exceptions to the rule. I loved My Brilliant Career although I haven’t seen it since I was a teenager. Never quite forgave the story for sending the heroine off alone although obviously I’m meant to go, yay, she’s stood up for her feminist principles. Breaker Morant has a really high stakes story and great acting. I also loved Picnic at Hanging Rock which somehow managed to overcome my atmosphere versus plot prejudice. But wow, what atmosphere! Read more…
The last film in this short list of romantic treasures is the film you’ve probably never heard of, Pandora and the Flying Dutchman from 1951. This column appeared in November 2012 and I hope it will tempt you to seek out this amazing piece of cinema. I actually watched it again over Christmas and it still blew me away. Here’s the start of the article:
This month’s My Favorite Things falls into the category of the best movie you probably have never heard of! Years ago, while I was still a kid, I saw and fell in love with an obscure British movie called Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951). I’m not quite sure why it’s so obscure – it has a great cast. It stars Ava Gardner who is luminously beautiful and James Mason who is as dark and sexy as he probably ever got. A plethora of well-known British actors surround these two doomed lovers, including Nigel Patrick and Marius Goring, who was one side of the love triangle in The Red Shoes. Read more…
