Rebecca Redshaw
Sofa Cinema
Published on Wed, Dec 2, 2009Read More Sofa Cinema
Rebecca Redshaw's "SOFA CINEMA: An Easy Guide to DVDs Volume 1" is available at your local book store, at the Sequim Gazette and online at www.rebeccaredshaw.com.
The movies selected for review are the choice of the reviewer. Suggestions for DVD titles are welcome. Enjoy the movies.
CLASSIC
"Shall We Dance"
There's no question mark in the title of the 1937 RKO release "Shall We Dance" and whether that was an oversight or poor grammar is of little importance in this classic film. Shall we rent this DVD anyway? Absolutely.
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made a total of 10 movies together and five were directed by Mark Sandrich. At a very young age (Sandrich died at 44), the director had a magic formula for making entertaining movies.
One: Cast Fred Astaire. Somehow this slight, not quite handsome leading man charmed the camera and, subsequently, the audience with his suave demeanor and unmatched style on the dance floor.
Two: Cast Ginger Rogers. The actress never received as many kudos as her male partner but she nary missed a step.
Three: Have the Gershwin brothers write your songs. Ira wrote clever lyrics ("They All Laughed"/"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off") as well as romantic lyrics ("Shall We Dance"/"They Can't Take That Away from Me") and George wrote the memorable music.
Four: Add fun choreography. Astaire is known for clever routines and choreographed (along with Hermes Pan) a roller skating number with Rogers that took 32 hours of rehearsals and four days to shoot!
The list of reasons could go on but "Shall We Dance" doesn't really need justification for viewing. It's fun.
DOCUMENTARY
"The Way We Get By"
Support the troops. These three words frequently are uttered on newscasts, in grocery stores or by friends in political discussions. But how? How can the average American "support the troops" in a meaningful way?
A small group of seniors in Bangor, Maine, found a way to make a significant difference. For years now they have gone to the airport at all hours and in all weather conditions to say "goodbye" to troops deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan and to shake their hands when they return to the United States.
Any hour of the day or night, when word of the flights is confirmed, a phone tree is started and these citizens travel to greet young people serving in the armed forces.
"The Way We Get By" focuses on three people, two veterans and the grandmother of two actively serving in the National Guard. The film gives the viewer a glimpse into their lives and the sacrifices they make to support the troops. Clearly, their work (which includes offering free cell phones to call home when the soldiers and Marines land) means a great deal to the more than 900,000 troops that have passed through Bangor since these wars began.
Aron Gaudet, the film's director, captures the sincerity of the "greeters" (none of whom support the war), but who genuinely appreciate the contributions of those who serve. If you've been wondering how to support the troops, "The Way We Get By" offers a way.
FOREIGN
"Elsa & Fred," rated PG, subtitled
Falling in love is different at every age and yet somehow remarkably the same. If you're lucky enough to find someone that "gets" you, you're home free.
Fred doesn't click with Elsa. He's recently and suddenly widowed and "Elsa & Fred" opens with his daughter moving him into an apartment where a reserved Fred promptly displays a portrait of his wife on the foyer table. During the process of the move Elsa, an elderly resident, accidentally backs her car into Fred's daughter's car, causing considerable damage. Witnessed by Fred's grandson, Elsa "officially" is busted when the boy, in spite of Elsa's nonverbal threat, rats her out.
Not an auspicious beginning to a relationship, but the accident does create the opportunity for Elsa to knock on Fred's door with a peace offering.
Rarely does a word of truth pass Elsa's lips and yet Fred is oblivious. He has lived so long suppressing his emotions that the flamboyant attention of Elsa is impossible for him to resist.
Co-produced by Spain and Argentina, the Madrid setting is a perfect backdrop for actors China Zorilla (Elsa) and Manuel Alexandre (Fred). Their inevitable love affair may blossom with an air of predictability, but the adventuress spirit of Elsa is unmatched by even the youngest at heart.
"Elsa & Fred" is a love story.
Rebecca Redshaw can be reached at r2redshaw@
hotmail.com.
The movies selected for review are the choice of the reviewer. Suggestions for DVD titles are welcome. Enjoy the movies.
CLASSIC
"Shall We Dance"
There's no question mark in the title of the 1937 RKO release "Shall We Dance" and whether that was an oversight or poor grammar is of little importance in this classic film. Shall we rent this DVD anyway? Absolutely.
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made a total of 10 movies together and five were directed by Mark Sandrich. At a very young age (Sandrich died at 44), the director had a magic formula for making entertaining movies.
One: Cast Fred Astaire. Somehow this slight, not quite handsome leading man charmed the camera and, subsequently, the audience with his suave demeanor and unmatched style on the dance floor.
Two: Cast Ginger Rogers. The actress never received as many kudos as her male partner but she nary missed a step.
Three: Have the Gershwin brothers write your songs. Ira wrote clever lyrics ("They All Laughed"/"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off") as well as romantic lyrics ("Shall We Dance"/"They Can't Take That Away from Me") and George wrote the memorable music.
Four: Add fun choreography. Astaire is known for clever routines and choreographed (along with Hermes Pan) a roller skating number with Rogers that took 32 hours of rehearsals and four days to shoot!
The list of reasons could go on but "Shall We Dance" doesn't really need justification for viewing. It's fun.
DOCUMENTARY
"The Way We Get By"
Support the troops. These three words frequently are uttered on newscasts, in grocery stores or by friends in political discussions. But how? How can the average American "support the troops" in a meaningful way?
A small group of seniors in Bangor, Maine, found a way to make a significant difference. For years now they have gone to the airport at all hours and in all weather conditions to say "goodbye" to troops deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan and to shake their hands when they return to the United States.
Any hour of the day or night, when word of the flights is confirmed, a phone tree is started and these citizens travel to greet young people serving in the armed forces.
"The Way We Get By" focuses on three people, two veterans and the grandmother of two actively serving in the National Guard. The film gives the viewer a glimpse into their lives and the sacrifices they make to support the troops. Clearly, their work (which includes offering free cell phones to call home when the soldiers and Marines land) means a great deal to the more than 900,000 troops that have passed through Bangor since these wars began.
Aron Gaudet, the film's director, captures the sincerity of the "greeters" (none of whom support the war), but who genuinely appreciate the contributions of those who serve. If you've been wondering how to support the troops, "The Way We Get By" offers a way.
FOREIGN
"Elsa & Fred," rated PG, subtitled
Falling in love is different at every age and yet somehow remarkably the same. If you're lucky enough to find someone that "gets" you, you're home free.
Fred doesn't click with Elsa. He's recently and suddenly widowed and "Elsa & Fred" opens with his daughter moving him into an apartment where a reserved Fred promptly displays a portrait of his wife on the foyer table. During the process of the move Elsa, an elderly resident, accidentally backs her car into Fred's daughter's car, causing considerable damage. Witnessed by Fred's grandson, Elsa "officially" is busted when the boy, in spite of Elsa's nonverbal threat, rats her out.
Not an auspicious beginning to a relationship, but the accident does create the opportunity for Elsa to knock on Fred's door with a peace offering.
Rarely does a word of truth pass Elsa's lips and yet Fred is oblivious. He has lived so long suppressing his emotions that the flamboyant attention of Elsa is impossible for him to resist.
Co-produced by Spain and Argentina, the Madrid setting is a perfect backdrop for actors China Zorilla (Elsa) and Manuel Alexandre (Fred). Their inevitable love affair may blossom with an air of predictability, but the adventuress spirit of Elsa is unmatched by even the youngest at heart.
"Elsa & Fred" is a love story.
Rebecca Redshaw can be reached at r2redshaw@
hotmail.com.
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