What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?

E:
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford didn't get along. It's been well documented, it was legendary. I'm surprised they made a moobie together at all, but when they did they chose the perfect picture to showcase their dislike.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is about two elderly sisters. Bette plays Jane, a washed-up child vaudeville star. The other saw her star on the rise as her sister's was falling to become a star in her own right on the silver screen. Joan as the now paralyzed and wheelchair-bound Blanche gives a very understated performance in the face of the stellar Bette Davis' Oscar nominated turn. Bette's grotesque, gothic deterioration into madness is not one to be missed.
There aren't too many details one can provide about this moobie without giving away the fun. All I can say is, give it a try if you're in the mood for an old picture. It's campy old-school at its best.

Frozen River

E:
I had heard about this one during all of the Oscar buzz but I wasn't in any hurry to see it. Kind of a mistake. The moobie is definitely worth the time.
It's about a down on her luck woman who's man just took the money and ran. Forced to try alone to keep a roof over her and her children's heads she resorts to measures far outside her comfort zone. Melissa Leo does in fact turn in a bravura performance here and the supporting cast, namely her son and her smuggling cohort, turn in great performances. The cold is almost its own character in the film - it kind of reminded me of Fargo. And it offers no pat answers about right or wrong, about judgement or apathy; it simply presents the choices and where those choices lead.
I highly recommend it.
One thing I am curious about though, is why did Melissa get such high (albeit well deserved) accolades while Michelle Williams was virtually ignored for her equally riveting performance in Wendy and Lucy?

To Have And Have Not

E:
This 1944 Howard Hawks picture was the very first onscreen pairing of Humphrey Bogart and newcomer Lauren Bacall. While not the best of either's oeuvre, it's a nice introduction. Based on some Ernest Hemingway material, the story takes place in the Caribbean in the 40s. An American fishing boat captain falls for a girl stuck in town and accidentally gets caught up in the local island resistance movement.
They sure don't write dialogue the way they used to, that's for sure. For me, that's the big draw here. The film itself is just alright compared to other films of that era. But that dialogue. Each exchange is filled with sharp dialogue, quick-witted repartie. It's so fun to listen. It's here Bacall utters her famous line " You don't have to act with me Steve. You don't have to say anything and you don't have to do anything. Not a thing. Maybe just whistle. You know how to whistle don't you Steve? You just put your lips together and blow."

G: 'Slim' (LB's character)....loved her.

Mother

E:
Albert Brooks has his own subdued style of comedy and he makes moobies his own way. Mother is no exception. It's about a guy who is trying to figure out why he is the way he is. Why do his relationships fail. Why does he second guess himself in life, both personally and professionally.
He hits upon the great idea to move back in with his mother, back to the seat of all his issues.
If you like Albert Brooks, you'll like this moobie. If you're a grown-up with a grown mother, you'll like this moobie. If you like Debbie Reynolds, you'll like this moobie.
I guess that's most people.

G:
"It's the PROTECTIVE ICE"