National Lampoon's Vacation

I love this poster! 

         
     Buckle your seat belts, because we're going on a wild trip full of laughs as I review this classic comedy masterpiece, the original "National Lampoon's Vacation". Starring Chevy Chase (Caddyshack and Saturday Night Live), Beverly D'Angelo , Randy Quaid, Imogene Coca (yes, Sid Ceaser's partner), the late John Candy (SCTV and Uncle Buck), and a young Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club). This is pure comedy gold we're looking at, people. Based on a short story published in National Lampoon Magazine by the late John Hughes (before he got into the movie industry).
   The Griswold family have planned all year for a great summer vacation. From their suburban Chicago home, across America, to the wonders of Walley World Fun Park in California. (Similar to Disneyland). Clark W. Griswold (Chevy Chase) had planned the trip very carefully, except for uhh... a few hundred hysterical screw ups, for example letting a sour relative (Imogene Coca) tag along for the ride until they reach Phoenix, and losing lots of money after getting their new car wrecked.  But, what keeps Clark's eyes on the road is a flirtation with a mysterious attractive blonde in a red Ferrari (Christine Brinkley). What else could go wrong? Will they get to Walley World and have a blast before summer's over? As always, I won't tell you what happens at the end, you just have to see for yourself.
    Comedy genius! I laughed a whole lot while watching this for the first time. Not to mention that there were lots of surprises.  I loved the part when they made that 50 yard jump in the desert.  For the most part, I loved the comedy in this, because you hardly see humor like this in movies anymore. Now everything is just jokes about sex and potty humor.
     I don't know if I should consider this a family movie, because it's rated R. But, of all that, I give this movie a thumbs up!

                                 

PARENTS GUIDE: Like I said, this movie is rated R. There are some scenes where Clark and Ellen "doing it" in bed. Like in one scene in a motel, Clark turns on a vibrator on the bed.  They get interrupted by the kids with Clark holding Ellen's bra in his hand. And there is a scene where Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) and his cousin were looking at Playboy magazines.  There is some violence, like some car crashes (just for laughs), Clark using a BB gun, and a scene when Clark found out that he tied Aunt Edna's dog to the rear bumper of the car. ): And there were some scenes where Audrey was smoking pot. 

DID YOU KNOW: The opening scene at the Chicago car dealership was filmed at Star Ford in Glendale, California. The location is still there (as of 2014) with the same buildings that were in the movie. However, Star Ford moved down the street and the former Star Ford is now Glendale Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership. In the scene where the car vaults off the closed road, Rusty says to Clark "Gee, Dad, you must've jump this thing about 50 yards!". The crew had made a bet off camera as to whether the car would travel more than 50 feet, which it did. The St. Louis inner city and the Dodge City main street were created and filmed on the Warner Brothers' studio back lot. The poster art was by fantasy illustrator Boris Vallejo and is a parody of the poster art for Conan the Barbarian. Imogene Coca almost turned down the role to play Aunt Edna, because she was afraid to play such a mean character. She was even concerned to everyone while filming her scenes. 

Smile for the camera, Griswolds! 

Dedicated to my Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Bob, and my two dogs: Ruby and Scout. 

Happy Birthday, Stanley Kubrick!

Left, Stanley Kubrick in 1968. Right, Kubrick at 21 circa 1949

     Today is the birthday of one of Hollywood's famous directors, Stanley Kubrick. He would have been 87 if he was alive today.
     Kubrick was born in New York and was considered very smart, despite getting low grades in school. In 1940, Kubrick's father, Jack sent him to Pasadena, California, to stay with his Uncle Martin, because he was very angry at Stanley for his poor grades and he hoped it would help his academic performance. He returned to New York in 1941 for his final year in grammar school, where there seems to be a change in his attitude. Kubrick didn't had any interests at that time. So his father tried his best to help him. Jack introduced Stanley to chess, in which Stanley became a very skilled player.  For his thirteenth birthday, Stanley received a camera from his father. From that day on, Stanley became a professional photographer. He would make round trips to New York taking photographs and develop the photos in a friend's dark room. Later, after submitting a photograph to Look Magazine, he got a job at the age of 17, as an apprentice photographer. Then in 1950, with his friend, Alexander Singer, Kubrick moved on to the movie business, being a big movie-goer and all. His first film was Flying Padre, a documentary  released in 1951. Kubrick would later go on to make other great movies such as Doctor Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stopped Worrying and Love the Bomb in 1964, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), A Clockwork Orange (1971), and of course, Full Metal Jacket for Warner Brothers in 1987. His final film was Eyes Wide Shut released in 1999. But, while putting the finishing touches on the movie, Kubrick died in his sleep from a fatal heart attack.
    This man was one of the most brilliant directors. I admire his style. Now that I think of it, Stanley Kubrick reminds me of myself. :)

                               DEDICATED TO STANLEY KUBRICK (1928-1999) and my mother who    introduced me to the art of photography.



Kubrick on set of Full Metal Jacket.

Kubrick on set of Fear & Desire in 1953.

Coming Attractions

                                          Here are my upcoming reviews for this summer.

BONUS REVIEW: The Great Mouse Detective

     This Disney classic, "The Great Mouse Detective", is one of my favorite cartoon movies of all time. The film was released on Wednesday, July 2nd, 1986 (three weeks after Ferris Bueller). Features the talents of the late Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin, horror legend Vincent Price, Alan Young (Mister Ed), and Melissa Manchester.
     In this cartoon adventure, taking place in London in the summer of 1897, a little mouse girl's father was mysteriously taken away by a peg-legged bat. So, the little girl, Olivia Flaversham, enlists the aid of Basil of Baker Street, a mouse version of our world famous Sherlock Holmes. After telling Basil what happened, immediately he knew who was behind this, his arch enemy Professor Ratigan (a la Professor Moriarty). Ratigan was using Olivia's father, who was a toy-maker, to make a robot replica of the mouse queen (a la Queen Victoria) to help him rule all of England.  Now, Basil and his new partner, Major David Q. Dawson (a la Dr. Watson) have to rescue Olivia's father and stop Ratigan and his charade. Lots of adventure, thrills, laughs, and a combination of happy and sad moments. And of course, like all Disney movies, a happy ending.
     I always admire this movie, because of it's animation. I love the expressions of the characters, their motivation, and their actions. Sometimes I like to act along with the characters of the movie, (especially Basil). I also like the music score by the great Henri Mancini (The Pink Panther movies and Breakfast at Tiffany's). Mostly, I like how expansive the movie is, how it makes you feel excited for what's going on, cheering for the heroes, and jeering for the villains. And I really enjoy the infamous Big Ben chase.  I give this movie a thumbs up.

PARENTS GUIDE: To my opinion, I think this movie should be rated PG for these reasons: there is some violence, lots of uses of guns, but no gore. And there is a scene where Ratigan's cat eats one of his henchmen, off-screen and in silhouette.  There are some uses of smoking, and characters drink liquor (mostly beer). The biggest concern of this movie I have is the "Let Me Be Good to You" scene, because it involves a female stripper mouse, and part of the song includes the phrase: "I'll take off all my blues." As if she's saying "I'll take off all my CLOTHES." I think that's the only sex scene in a Disney movie. And there are also some scenes that might be frightening to younger viewers.

DID YOU KNOW?:  The famous Big Ben chase scene is the first major use of computer animation in a feature-length animated feature. Michael Plain, Peter Cook, and John Cleese (Monty Python's Flying Circus) were the original choices for the voice of Basil. Production only took one year to complete thanks to the use of computers.
   
                                    DEDICATED TO MY COUSIN MEG

Raiders of the Lost Ark

     This is what I call a real adventure movie. The original Indiana Jones, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is an example of a classic hero movie. This movie was made by two Hollywood legends in filmmaking; Steven Spielberg (Jaws and E.T.) and George Lucas (Star Wars and THX 1138).
     The year is 1936. Renowned world archeologist, Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr. aka Indy, was venturing in the South American jungles for the golden idol. After successfully obtaining the golden idol, he bumps into his arch enemy, Rene Belloq, who sends off natives to attack him. Fortunately, Indy manages to escape on a plane back to the USA. Then, Indy was promoted for a special assignment by the US Government to find the legendary Ark of Covenant. Rumor has it that the Ark carries incredible powerful energy. That's why the Nazis are after the Ark, so they can obtain the Ark's power. Now it's up to Indy, with help from his old partner and girlfriend, Marion Ravenwood, and his friend Sallah, to get to the Ark before it's too late. Also, Indy has to watch out for his Belloq and his henchmen who are after the Ark too.
     Obviously, this is a movie worth watching! I love the famous scene when Indy runs away from the giant boulder. The actors were brilliant, especially Harrison Ford (Han Solo in Star Wars) as our hero Indiana Jones. The special effects are very mind blowing. And I love the Raider's March, Indy's theme, composed by music legend, John Williams (Star Wars and Harry Potter). Finally, I want to say that this movie is a major masterpiece. Definitely a thumbs up movie.

      

PARENTS GUIDE: There is a lot of violence in this movie. Lots of uses of guns, and there's some gory scenes, not a lot. And there is one scene where a car is shown driving off a very high cliff, and the bodies of the men in it are shown to be flailing along side with the car as it falls. And there's something scary for younger viewers to see near the end, I won't say what, because I don't want to spoil the movie. There's some profanity in the movie. There is one scene when Indy shouts out "JESUS". There is a few scenes when Indy drinks, and only one scene when Marion smokes a cigarette. Indy and Marion are shown about to have sex. They are in bed, and then the scene ends as they start kissing. In the morning, Marion is topless under the covers.

DID YOU KNOW?: During filming in Tunisia, nearly everyone in the cast and crew got sick, except director Steven Spielberg. It is thought that he avoided illness by eating only the food he'd brought with him: cans and cans of Spaghetti-O's. Indiana Jones' kangaroo-hide bull whip was sold in December, 1999 at Christie's auction house in London for $43,000. His jacket and hat are on display at the Smithsonian. The original name of the lead character in the script was Indiana Smith. His name was changed to Jones on the first day of production. The opening scene in the lost South American temple is partly based on a classic Disney Ducks adventure written by the legendary artist Carl Barks, many of whose comic books have inspired George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Exploring a lost temple, Donald Duck, his nephews, and Scrooge McDuck must evade a succession of booby traps, like flying darts, a decapitating blade, a huge boulder, a tunnel flooded with a torrent of gushing water, etc., in the story "The Prize of Pizarro" ("Uncle $crooge" no. 26, June-August 1959), which hit the newsstands when Lucas and Spielberg, both avowed fans of that comic book, were respectively 15 and 12 years old. Another Barks story, "The Seven Cities of Cibola" ("Uncle $crooge" no. 7, September 1954), has a native American lost city and a valuable idol that triggers a giant round rock to smash everything in its way.

Some Like it Hot

     This week's review will be on a 50s comedy flick called "Some Like it Hot". It stars the beautiful Marilyn Monroe, funnyman Jack Lemmon (The Odd Couple, Mister Roberts), and heart throb Tony Curtis (Houdini and The Defiant Ones).
    
     When two 1920's jazz musicians (Lemmon plays bass fiddle and Curtis plays sax) witness a fictional version of the St. Valentine's Day massacre in Chicago garage, they are desperate to flee the state.  With no cash, and money owed all over town, they make decide to join an all female band, requiring them to dress in drag and pretend to be female musicians. It's hysterical from the very beginning and only gets better.  The band includes a sultry blonde singer, played by Monroe, who just happens to have a thing for saxophone players.

     The train ride to Florida is filled with mishaps and laughter, but is nothing compared to the antics once the group arrives at their hotel. Lemmon's character is besieged by a millionaire playboy portrayed by the fabulous Joe E. Brown. Curtis steals a suitcase full of men's resort clothes to sneak around and pretend to be a millionaire himself in hopes of winning Monroe.The boys think they are safe in Florida, far away from the mob back in Chicago and once they make a little money, they plan to get even further away. But the best laid plans often go awry, and they certainly do when it comes to classic comedy! I won't tell you the ending, but trust me, you'll laugh.

     Jack Lemmon is considered one of the very best comedic actors of our time and you can certainly see why in this film. Combined with the genius of director Billy Wilder, the famous maraca scene will make you laugh out loud.  Curtis' hammed-up imitation of Cary Grant is a riot and a delight to watch. Together, the pair is pure comedy gold.  And Monroe is at her all-time best, including her classic version of "I Want To Be Loved By You".  Timing is everything in comedy, and the whole cast has it down pat. There are some running jokes that are cute and clever and will stay with you. The AFI lists this movie as the best movie comedy of all time and I can't argue with them.

     Now, I know some of you might not care for black and white movies. You think they're too old fashioned or not interesting enough because there's no color, but trust me, you are missing out on some of the best film ever recorded if you restrict yourself to color movies only.  Once you get into this movie, you won't even notice or care about it being black and white. It's that good.   It was nominated for Best Picture for 1960 (it lost to Ben-Hur), but it won a Golden Globe for Best Comedy and Lemmon and Monroe won Golden Globes for it as well.

     When I first saw this movie, I thought it was weird seeing two men dressed up as women. I loved the part when Jack Lemmon invited all of the girls to his bed on the train for a little party.  I also thought it ws cute when Tony Curtis was immitating Cary Grant. The costumes are wonderful, even Lemmon and Curtis' drag make up and dresses. I thought the songs Marilyn sang were very pretty.  Also, I like the scene when Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe were on a ship, having dinner, and making out.

     I give this movie two thumbs up.

                                                                                                 

PARENTS SHOULD KNOW: There is a scene where two characters kiss on a couch, no sexual activity. Some sexual innuendo and play with sexual identity in the dialogue.  There's some violence, we only hear an off-screen shooting of a machine gun killing minor characters. The only profanity is some of the crass expressions said by some characters. There's lots of smoking. And there's lots of drinking and references to alcohol. 

DID YOU KNOW? Bob Hope and Danny Kaye (White Christmas) were considered for the leading men. Jerry Lewis was also considered, but turned down the role because he didn't want to be in drag. The working title of this film was "Not Tonight, Josephine". Tony Curtis' voice as Josephine was dubbed by voice actor Paul Fress. According to Jack Lemmon, George Raft spent hours teaching him and Joe E. Brown to tango. 



Ferris Bueller's Day Off

            "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it"
                                                                                                     Ferris Bueller


     Meet high school wiseguy, Ferris Bueller, the most popular kid in school. All the kids adore him. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads - they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude. Ferris is the guy you want to hang out with, maybe even the guy you wish you could be. :)

     This is the ultimate 80s classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". It stars Matthew Broderick (Wargames & The Lion King), Mia Sara, Alan Ruck (Spin City), and Jeffery Jones (Beetlejuice). This movie rocks! I'll tell you why in a couple minutes.

      Ferris Bueller cons his parents into letting him to take the day off from school (for the ninth time). He pulls a sneaky, yet clever plan to pull it off (he clues the audience in on his never-fail, fake sick trick). This time he even manages to have his friends at school believe he's dying! (Yeah, right!) But hey, why go to school on a lovely, bright, sunny day? The sky's blue and Ferris is ready for adventure.

     Ferris decides to enlist his trusty pal, Cameron Fry and his girlfriend Sloane Peterson to join the fun with him. He also convinces Cameron to let him use his dad's priceless Ferrari. Together they sneak Sloane out of school for the day by pretending to be her father calling in a death in the family.

     While all this is going on, Ed Rooney, the inept school principal, is determined to prove that Ferris is not sick. He knows all of Ferris' tricks, or so he thinks. So he determines to find Ferris and catch him red-handed, chasing him all over Chicago. As if that weren't enough, Ferris' sister, Jeanie (Dirty Dancing's Jennifer Grey) is on the case as well. But as Jeanie laments, Ferris always gets away with everything.

     Ferris and his friends have lots of fun in the city of Chicago. They go to an art museum, a parade, the Chicago Stock Exchange, Wrigley Field, and to lunch at a fancy restaurant.  But what will happen next? Watch the movie and find out. (I will say the end is one of the most hysterical and inventive 'chase scenes' ever!)

     Now, I told you I would explain why this movie is awesome. Well, obviously, it's hysterical! In a movie like this, you always have to expect the unexpected and you get it. I won't give any examples or else I'll ruin the point. It's not just funny, it's clever funny. They never go for the cheap joke. But as funny as it is, you also care about the characters. You realize these three friends are facing some big life changes and the wacky day of adventure is a way of delaying the thoughts and decisions they will soon have to face. It's a tight script, well acted, and beautifully filmed.  There are no low points, it doesn't drag anywhere, and no matter how absurd Ferris' antics get, you can't help but cheer him on.  You gleefully go along for the ride with him all the way.  I also like the point that it's an 80s movie. (I know I've been doing 80s movies a lot, but I'll move on to different eras, I promise.)

     I also like the way Ferris breaks the fourth wall and talks to the audience. Breaking the fourth wall is one of my favorite gags. (Besides the seeing people's eyes in the dark gag.) It's like a way for the character to share his or her thoughts to the audience.  I love the fact that everyone in the whole community cares about Ferris being sick, and is sending him things to make him feel better. Plus it annoys the heck out of his sister and his oblivious, trusting parents never notice any of it, which just makes it funnier.

     I could go on all day. But I can't, I have to keep this brief. I give this movie a thumbs up. Oh - and watch the credits - all the credits. Trust me.

PARENTS SHOULD KNOW:  The movie is rated PG-13 for sexual and drug references and language. There are two uses of the F word. Lots of 4-lettered words. In one scene, Ferris has a drawing of a nude woman on his computer, it's only shown for a few seconds. There are some kissing scenes. And in one scene, Sloane asks Cameron if he saw her changing into her swimsuit. Cameron said yes, Sloane says that she isn't embarrassed, although we don't see ever anything. There is some brief violence, a little bit of blood, and a duel of wits between Mr. Rooney and a dog.

DID YOU KNOW? :  John Hughes wrote the script in just 6 days. The actors who played Ferris' parents, Cindy Pickett and Lyman Ward got married in real life after filming this movie. In the scene when Sloane was distracting Ferris' dad in the taxi cab by laughing, Matthew Broderick helped her by tickling her feet and knees! :)  Emilio Estevez (The Breakfast Club & The Mighty Ducks) turned down the role for Cameron. Some of the actresses who were considered the role of Ferris' sister Jeanie were Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club), Jodie Foster, Melanie Griffith, Madonna, and Holy Hunter (Elastigirl in Disney's The Incredibles). There was also a deleted scene where Ferris was on a radio talk show. Bits of it were seen in the trailer.

You're still here??? I'm done. You can go now. Bye. 

The Goonies!

                                       Click HERE to see my video!


 "Goonies never say die!" As requested, I'm doing a review on "The Goonies!". The film stars Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings and Toy Soldiers), Corey Feldman (The Fox & the Hound and A Dangerous Place), Josh Brolin (Labor Day and Coastlines), Jeff Cohen, and Martha Plimpton (Parenthood and Music from Another Room).

     In this groovy movie, there is a ruthless crime family known as the Fratellis who just escaped from the local prison. Now, they are hiding in the town of Astoria, Oregon, which happens to be the home of a secret kid club called The Goonies! On this particular day, The Goonies are enjoying their last weekend together, because a system of contractors have bought the neighborhood to turn it into a golf course. But, while exploring his dad's attic, the leader, Mikey Walsh discovers a mysterious map to a secret treasure of a pirate known as "One-Eyed Willy". Now, The Goonies, Mikey, Mouth, Chunk and Data, along with Mikey's older brother Brand and some of his girlfriends embark on an expedition to find the treasure and save their neighborhood. Along the way, they have to avoid the Fratellis, booby traps, and other obstacles. But will they find the treasure??? Well, I would never spoil an awesome movie like this to anyone. In other words, you have to see the movie for yourself.

      After seeing this movie for the first time, I thought, Wow. That was so cool. Also I had a thought that they ought to make a cartoon show out of "The Goonies!". With Mikey being fearless, Mouth with his good looks, Chunk always eating and doing the truffle shuffle, Data with his inventions going wrong, Brand trying to impress his girlfriends and protecting Mikey, and of course Sloth with his friendship with Chunk and being a body guard to The Goonies, and last, but least the misadventures of the Fratellis. They should also make a musical of "The Goonies!".

     This is an awesome movie, I loved everything in it, how the story keeps you guessing what's gonna happen next, the characters, especially the kids, the way they combine suspense with  humor, the movie's theme song performed by Cyndi Lauper, and some recurring gags, and of course, I loved the fun! Now every time I watch this, I always think to myself, "God, it sure would've been so cool making that movie. I wish I was a Goony". I hope you would feel the same way when you see this movie.

     Definitely, definitely, a BIG thumbs up. WAY UP!

PARENTS SHOULD KNOW: There is some mild profanity, mostly 4-lettered words. (Even the kids say it.) There is one scene when Chunk accidentally breaks Mikey's mom's statue. Its private part broke off. Mikey claims that it was his mom's "favorite piece". There is some violence, no gore. And there is a scene when The Fratellis threatened to puree Chunk's fingers if he doesn't confess his knowledge of his friends' whereabouts. The image of Sloth's appearance may scare younger kids.

COOL FACTS:  The cast was not allowed to see the pirate ship before the scene was shot. When they did see it, some of the kids said "Holy S**t!". The scene had to be re-shot without them cursing.

Despite the fact that no "uncut" version has been released on home media when basic cable/local stations air the film the version used includes both the "Stop & Shop" and "Giant Octopus" sequences cut from the final version. To see these scenes, click here.

*I want to dedicate this review to all my friends and teachers at school. They begged me to review this movie, and I was excited to do so. So, everyone, there you go. One genuine review on "The Goonies!". Hope you've enjoyed it.*

They grow up so fast! :(

TCM's 31 Days of Oscar Schedule

It happens every year, just like clockwork. Turner Classic Movies shows some of the very best movies ever made during its 31 Days of Oscar salute.  Here is the schedule below. Set your DVRs!  (Especially since, inexplicably, some of the most popular movies seem to be on in the middle of the night)

I have highlighted my most favorite recommendations in red. Not that that doesn't mean I don't recommend other movies on this long list. Just that these are the ones I return to again and again.

For more info, go to TCM.com

Enjoy!

2015 SCHEDULE


Sunday, February 1
Daytime Genre: Adventure
6:00 AM The Old Man and the Sea (1958)
7:30 AM The Jungle Book (1942)
9:30 AM The Four Feathers (1939)
11:45 AM The Wind and the Lion (1975)
2:00 PM The Great Race (1965)
5:00 PM Around the World in 80 Days (1956) (best picture winner)
Primetime
8:00 PM And the Oscar Goes To… (2014)
10:00 PM Wings (27) (Paramount pool title) (best picture winner)
12:45 AM All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) (best picture winner)
3:00 AM Cimarron (1930) (best picture winner)
5:15 AM The Broadway Melody (1929) (best picture winner)


Monday, February 2
Daytime Genre: Melodrama
7:15 AM Camille (1937)
9:15 AM Random Harvest (1942)
11:30 AM Humoresque (1946)
1:45 PM The Great Lie (1941)
3:45 PM Magnificent Obsession (1954)
5:45 PM Imitation of Life (1959)
Primetime
8:00 PM Little Women (1933)
10:00 PM 42nd Street (1933)
11:45 PM Public Enemy (1931)
1:30 AM Grand Hotel (1932) (best picture winner)
3:30 AM Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)
5:30 AM The Champ (1931)

Tuesday, February 3
Daytime Genre: Spy
7:00 AM The Red Danube (1949)
9:00 AM Suzy (1936)
11:00 AM The Fallen Sparrow (1943)
12:45 PM Ice Station Zebra (1968)
3:15 PM Foreign Correspondent (1941)
5:30 PM North by Northwest (1959)
Primetime
8:00 PM A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
10:15 PM Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) (best picture winner)
12:45 AM The Thin Man (1934)
2:30 AM Top Hat (1935)
4:30 AM The Lost Patrol (1934)
5:45 AM Roberta (1935)

Wednesday, February 4
Daytime Genre: Sports
7:15 AM Good News (1947)
9:00 AM Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)
11:00 AM Grand Prix (1966)
2:00 PM Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)
4:00 PM The Pride of the Yankees (1942)
6:15 PM Pat and Mike (1952)
Primetime
8:00 PM Swing Time (1936)
10:00 PM The Awful Truth (1937)
12:00 AM Grand Illusion (1937)
2:00 AM The Life of Emile Zola (1937) (best picture winner)
4:15 AM The Last of the Mohicans (1936)

Thursday, February 5
Daytime Genre: Gangster
6:00 AM Manhattan Melodrama (1934)
8:00 AM Star Witness (1931)
9:30 AM Smart Money (1931)
11:00 AM The Public Enemy (1931)
12:30 PM G-Men (1935)
2:00 PM Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
4:00 PM Pete Kelly’s Blues (1955)
5:45 PM Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964)
Primetime
8:00 PM The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)  * a 'must see'
10:00 PM And the Oscar Goes To… (2014)
12:00 AM You Can’t Take it with You (1938) (best picture winner)
2:15 AM Four Daughters (1938)
4:00 AM Boys’ Town (1938)

Friday, February 6
Daytime Genre: Coming-of-Age
6:00 AM Captains Courageous (1937)
8:00 AM Little Women (1949)  * a 'must see'
10:15 AM My Life as a Dog (1986)
12:00 PM The 400 Blows (1959)
1:45 PM Splendor in the Grass (1961)
4:00 PM Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
6:00 PM The Reivers (1969)
Primetime
8:00 PM Wuthering Heights (1939)
10:00 PM Gone With the Wind (1939) (best picture winner)
2:00 AM The Man in the Iron Mask (1939)
4:00 AM Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Saturday, February 7
Daytime Genre: Westerns
6:00 AM How the West Was Won (1962)
9:00 AM The Naked Spur (1953)
11:00 AM And the Oscar Goes To… (2014)
1:00 PM She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
3:00 PM Cheyenne Autumn (1964)
5:45 PM The Professionals (1966)
Primetime
8:00 PM The Philadelphia Story (1940)
10:00 PM Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941)
11:45 PM Citizen Kane (1941)
2:00 AM Mrs. Miniver (1942) (best picture winner) * always mean to watch. Going to make sure I dvr this year!
4:15 AM The Great Dictator (1940) * a 'must see'

Sunday, February 8
Daytime Genre: Family
6:30 AM Tom Thumb (1958)
8:30 AM The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962)
10:45 AM Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) *wonderful musical
1:15 PM The Brave One (1956)
3:00 PM National Velvet (1944)
5:45 PM The Yearling (1946)
Primetime
8:00 PM Lassie Come Home (1943)
10:00 PM Casablanca (1942) (best picture winner)  * a 'must see'
12:00 AM Gaslight (1944)  * a 'must see'
2:00 AM Woman of the Year (1942)
4:00 AM Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)

Monday, February 9
Daytime Genre: War
6:30 AM Destination Tokyo (1943)
9:00 AM Bombardier (1943)
10:45 AM Sahara (1943)
12:30 PM They Were Expendable (1945)
3:00 PM Battleground (1949)
5:00 PM The Young Lions (1958)
Primetime
8:00 PM The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) (best picture winner)
11:00 PM The Story of G.I. Joe (1945)
1:00 AM Laura (1944)
3:00 AM Mildred Pierce (1945)
5:00 AM The Harvey Girls (1946)

Tuesday, February 10
Daytime Genre: Mysteries
7:00 AM Julie (1956)
9:00 AM Crossfire (1947)
10:30 AM Suspicion (1941)
12:30 PM Mystery Street (1950)
2:15 PM The Fallen Idol (1948)
4:00 PM After the Thin Man (1936)
6:00 PM Charade (1963)
Primetime
8:00 PM Gentleman’s Agreement (1947) (best picture winner)
10:15 PM The Killers (1946)
12:15 AM Duel in the Sun (1947)
2:45 AM The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947)
4:30 AM Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman (1947)

Wednesday, February 11
Daytime Genre: Swashbucklers
6:30 AM The Corsican Brothers (1941)
8:15 AM The Flame and the Arrow (1956)
9:45 AM The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)
11:30 AM Captain Blood (1935)
1:30 PM The Sea Hawk (1940)
3:45 PM The Three Musketeers (1948)
6:00 PM The Four Musketeers (1974)
Primetime
8:00 PM All the King’s Men (1949) (best picture winner)
10:00 PM Twelve O’Clock High (1948)
12:15 AM The Bicycle Thief (1948)
2:00 AM The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
4:15 AM Mighty Joe Young (1949)

Thursday, February 12
Daytime Genre: Biographies
6:00 AM Edison, the Man (1940)
8:00 AM Lust for Life (1956)
10:15 AM Sergeant York (1941)
12:45 PM The Miracle Worker (1962)
2:45 PM The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
5:15 PM Funny Girl (1968)
Primetime
8:00 PM The Gunfighter (1950)
9:30 PM The Third Man (1949)
11:30 PM An American in Paris (1951) (best picture winner)
1:30 AM Born Yesterday (1950)
3:30 AM Father of the Bride (1950)  * a 'must see'
5:30 AM The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)

Friday, February 13
Daytime Genre: Horror
7:00 AM The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
9:00 AM The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
11:00 AM The Bad Seed (1956)
1:15 PM What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
3:45 PM The Birds (1963)
6:00 PM Poltergeist (1982)
Primetime
8:00 PM How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
9:45 PM Roman Holiday (1953)
12:00 AM From Here to Eternity (1953) (best picture winner)
2:15 AM A Place in the Sun (1951)  * a 'must see'
4:30 AM Ivanhoe (1952)  * a 'must see'

Saturday, February 14
Daytime Genre: Romantic Comedy
6:30 AM Vivacious Lady (1938)
8:15 AM Libeled Lady (1936)
10:00 AM Holiday (1938)
11:45 AM Skylark (1941)
1:30 PM Adam’s Rib (1949)
3:30 PM The More The Merrier (1943)
5:30 PM Irma La Douce (1963)
Primetime
8:00 PM The Red Balloon (1956)
8:45 PM The Harder They Fall (1956)
10:45 PM The Caine Mutiny (1954)
1:00 AM Marty (1955) (best picture winner)
2:45 AM Blackboard Jungle (1955)
4:45 AM The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)

Sunday, February 15
Daytime Genre: Film Noir
7:00 AM Johnny Eager (1941)
9:00 AM T-Men (1948)
10:45 AM The Naked City (1948)
12:30 PM The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
2:30 PM The Blue Dahlia (1946)
4:15 PM The Maltese Falcon (1941)
6:00 PM Key Largo (1948)
Primetime
8:00 PM The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) (best picture winner)
11:00 PM The Defiant Ones (1958)
1:00 AM I Want to Live! (1958)
3:15 AM Raintree County (1957)

Monday, February 16
Daytime Genre: Epics
6:15 AM Quo Vadis (1951)
9:15 AM Exodus (1960)
1:00 PM Giant (1956)
4:30 PM Doctor Zhivago (1965)
Primetime
8:00 PM Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
11:00 PM Pillow Talk (1959)
1:00 AM Gigi (1958) (best picture winner)
3:00 AM Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
5:00 AM The Brothers Karamazov (1958)

Tuesday, February 17
Daytime Genre: Crime
7:30 AM Fury (1936)
9:15 AM Monsieur Verdoux (1947)
11:30 AM The Mark (1961)
1:45 PM In Cold Blood (1957)
4:15 PM The Thomas Crown Affair (1967)
6:00 PM Bullitt (1968)
Primetime
8:00 PM Ben-Hur (1959) (best picture winner)  * a 'must see'
12:00 AM Psycho (1960)
2:00 AM Sunrise at Campobello (1960)
4:45 AM The Sundowners (1960)

Wednesday, February 18
Daytime Genre: Religion
7:15 AM The Big Fisherman (1959)
10:15 AM The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968)
1:00 PM The Singing Nun (1966)
2:45 PM The Nun’s Story (1959)
5:30 PM The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
Primetime
8:00 PM The Apartment (1960) (best picture winner)
10:15 PM To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)  * a 'must see'
12:30 AM The Hustler (1961)
3:00 AM Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
5:15 AM Lolita (1961)

Thursday, February 19
Daytime Genre: Courtroom Dramas
8:15 AM Twilight of Honor (1963)
10:15 AM Trial (1955)
12:30 PM Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
2:30 PM Inherit the Wind (1960)
5:00 PM Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
Primetime
8:00 PM Dr. Strangelove (1963)
9:45 PM The Sand Pebbles (1966)
1:15 AM A Man for All Seasons (1966) (best picture winner)
3:30 AM A Hard Day’s Night (1964)  * a 'must see'
5:00 AM Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)

Friday, February 20
Daytime Genre: Prison
7:00 AM Weary River (1929)
8:30 AM The Big House (1930)
10:00 AM I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
11:30 AM White Heat (1949)
1:30 PM Caged (1950)
3:15 PM Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
5:45 PM Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Primetime
8:00 PM Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
10:00 PM Planet of the Apes (1968)
12:00 AM Easy Rider (1969)
1:45 AM Oliver! (1968) (best picture winner)
4:30 AM Rachel, Rachel (1968)

Saturday, February 21
Daytime Genre: Comedy
6:15 AM Speedy (1928)
7:45 AM She Done Him Wrong (1933)
9:00 AM The Ladykillers (1955)
10:45 AM A Day at the Races (1937)
12:45 PM Way Out West (1937)
2:00 PM Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
3:45 PM Auntie Mame (1958) * a 'must see'
6:15 PM The Producers (1967)  * a 'must see'
Primetime
8:00 PM Patton (1970) (best picture winner)
11:00 PM McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971)
1:15 AM Papillon (1973)
4:00 AM Klute (1971)

Sunday, February 22
Daytime Theme: Science Fiction
6:00 AM One Million B.C. (1940)
7:30 AM When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1970)
9:15 AM The Time Machine (1960)
11:00 AM Forbidden Planet (1956)
12:45 PM 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
3:30 PM 2010 (1984)
5:30 PM Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Primetime
8:00 PM The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
10:30 PM One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) (best picture winner)
1:00 AM Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
3:15 AM Network (1976)
5:30 AM Bound for Glory (1976)

Monday, February 23
Daytime Genre: Drama
8:00 AM A Patch of Blue (1965)
10:00 AM Kings Row (1941)
12:15 AM Of Mice and Men (1939)
2:15 PM East of Eden (1955)
4:15 PM Jezebel (1938) * a 'must see'
6:00 PM Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
Primetime
8:00 PM Annie Hall (1977) (best picture winner)
10:00 PM The Goodbye Girl (1977)
12:00 AM All the President’s Men (1976)
2:30 AM Barry Lyndon (1975)

Tuesday, February 24
Daytime Genre: Fantasy
6:00 AM Finian’s Rainbow (1968)
8:30 AM The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)
10:30 AM The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
12:30 PM Kismet (1944)
2:30 PM A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)
5:00 PM Berkeley Square (1933)
6:30 PM It Happened Tomorrow (1944)
Primetime
8:00 PM A Little Romance (1979)
10:00 PM Being There (1979)
12:30 AM Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) (best picture winner)
2:30 AM The Great Santini (1979)
4:30 AM “10” (1979)

Wednesday, February 25
Daytime Genre: Military Comedy
6:45 AM General Spanky (1936)
8:00 AM What Next, Corporal Hargrove? (1945)
10:00 AM Take the High Ground! (1953)
12:00 PM Once Upon a Honeymoon (1942)
2:00 PM The Americanization of Emily (1964)
4:15 PM Here Comes the Navy (1934)
5:45 PM Mister Roberts (1955) * a 'must see'
Primetime
8:00 PM Arthur (1981) (WB)
9:45 PM Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980)
12:00 AM Out of Africa (1985)
2:45 AM Fame (1980)
5:00 AM Gloria (1980)

Thursday, February 26
Daytime Genre: Political
7:15 AM The Gorgeous Hussey (1936)
9:00 AM Seven Days in May (1964)
11:00 AM Z (1969)
1:30 PM Meet John Doe (1941)
3:45 PM Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
6:00 PM The Candidate (1972)
Primetime
8:00 PM Absence of Malice (1981)
10:00 PM The Verdict (1982)
12:15 AM Chariots of Fire (1981) (best picture winner)
2:30 AM The Big Chill (1983)
4:30 AM Diner (1982)

Friday, February 27
Daytime Genre: Historical
6:30 AM Julius Caesar (1953)
8:45 AM Disraeli (1929)
10:15 AM Knights of the Round Table (1953)
12:15 PM The Lion in Winter (1968) * a 'must see'
2:30 PM 55 Days at Peking (1963)
5:15 PM The Emigrants (1972)
Primetime
8:00 PM Running on Empty (1988)
10:15 PM Gandhi (1982) (best picture winner)
1:30 AM Glory (1989)
3:45 AM A Cry in the Dark (1988)

Saturday, February 28
Daytime Theme: Thrillers
6:00 AM The Window (1949)
7:15 AM Night Must Fall (1937)
9:15 AM Kind Lady (1951)
10:45 AM Wait Until Dark (1967)
12:45 PM The Narrow Margin (1952)
2:00 PM Strangers on a Train (1951)
3:45 PM Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
5:45 PM The China Syndrome (1979)
Primetime
8:00 PM A River Runs Through It (1992)
10:30 PM A Few Good Men (1992)
1:00 AM The English Patient (1997) (best picture winner)
4:00 AM The Fisher King (1991)

Sunday, March 1
Daytime Genre: Musicals
6:30 AM Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
8:15 AM Shall We Dance (1937)
10:15 AM You Were Never Lovelier (1942)
12:15 PM On the Town (1949)
2:00 PM The Music Man (1962)
4:45 PM Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Primetime
8:00 PM Life is Beautiful (1997)
10:15 PM Chicago (2002) (best picture winner)
12:30 AM Shakespeare in Love (1998) (best picture winner)
2:45 AM The Cider House Rules (1999)

Monday, March 2
Daytime Genre: Disaster
5:30 AM San Francisco (1936)
7:30 AM Green Dolphin Street (1947)
10:00 AM The Hurricane (1937)
11:45 AM The Last Voyage (1960)
1:30 PM Them! (1954)
3:30 PM The Swarm (1978)
6:00 PM The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Primetime
8:00 PM Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
11:15 PM Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
2:30 AM Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) (best
picture winner)

Tuesday, March 3
Daytime Genre: Romance
6:00 AM The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
7:45 AM Far from the Madding Crowd (1967)
10:45 AM That Hamilton Woman (1941)
1:00 PM Dodsworth (1936)
2:45 PM Now, Voyager (1942) * a 'must see'
4:45 PM Love Affair (1939)
6:15 PM Georgy Girl (1966)
Primetime
8:00 PM The Artist (2011) (best picture winner)
10:00 PM The King’s Speech (2010) (best picture winner)
12:30 AM No Country for Old Men (2007) (best picture winner)
2:45 AM The Queen (2006)