Dark Victory

Dark Victory (Edmund Goulding, 1939)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Drama, Disease, Coping, Tearjerker

What a tremendous performance by Bette Davis! I'd read and heard many times about this film and the popularity it had with audiences, but had never watched it until now. It's a beautiful story about coping and living your life to the fullest. We all know our days are numbered, but what do you do if you know how it will happen? A tearjerker, for sure, and a story about facing truth, coming to terms, and finding peace.

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The Doctor Blake Mysteries Seasons 1, 2, & 3

Doctor Blake Seasons 1, 2, and 3 (George Adams and Tony Wright, 2013-present)

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Season 1 Rating: DSQ=9, SP=7 / Sweet Treat

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=4
   Favorite from Season 1 = "Someone's Son, Someone's Daughter"

Season 2 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4
   Favorite from Season 2 = "A Foreign Field"

Season 3 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=8 / Decadence

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4
   Favorite from Season 3 = "Women and Children"

1950s, Australia, Mystery, Medical, Complex Relationships

I've been thoroughly enjoying this wonderful mystery series--another from Australia that just gets it right. Great characters, lots of focus on clues and getting to the truth, and a fun time/setting. At times the relationship between Dr. Blake and his housekeeper, Jean, drove me crazy (get together, already!) but just like Phryne and Jack in the Miss Fisher mysteries, it's that tension and suspense that keeps you watching.

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray (Albert Lewin, 1945)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Drama, Thriller, Philosophical, Psychological

A wonderful adaptation of a classic story. I find it strange that human nature hasn't changed--there will always be vanity, selfishness, and narcissism, it seems. Dorian Gray is a timeless character and an important reminder of what not to be and what not to do.

This film is full of suprises--beatufiul camera shots, crisp details and wonderful performances. And the timing and atmosphere of the story add just the right amount of suspense to the horrors the characters face.

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Captains Courageous

Captains Courageous (Victor Fleming, 1937)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Father/Son, Sailing, Coming of Age, Adventure, Based on Book

This film is nothing less than marvelous. A true classic that I think still captivates a modern audience. It is full of action/adventure to keep a good pace but also has the important moments of conflict, reflection, and love. It is a great Coming of Age film that shows how vital a father/son relationship can be to a boy. And it is wonderful to watch young Harvey's transformation. I'd watch this again tomorrow, I enjoyed it that much.

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Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success (Alexander Mackendrick, 1957)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Reputation, Complex Relationships, Journalism, Noir, New York

What dialogue! This film is a joy to listen to--the words, the jazz music, the atmospheric sounds. It's a kind of writing we don't see in films anymore. Wonderful slang/phrases of the time and place (Beat culture) and every line delivered is descriptive. The story itself is essentially about two men who spend their life building a web of lies and slander to gain control over people and situations. Reputation is important in this world--more important than anything else. That kind of plot gets to be too much for me, so I'm not sure I'd watch the film again. But this one is definitely a classic.

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Black Panther

Black Panther (Ryan Coogler, 2018)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Race, Globalization

Finally saw the film that everyone has been talking about all year. Black Panther really was tremendous. Rather than try to write out my thoughts, I encourage you to read this review by Peter Travers that I completely agree with.

See this if you haven't!

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Places in the Heart

Places in the Heart (Robert Benton, 1984)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Drama, Great Depression, Grief, Race, Hope

A beautiful story about determination and hope in a time of hardships and tragedy. I love films about the depression era because they usually show people with amazing grit triumphing over incredible odds. Places in the Heart has painful scenes of racism and scary moments of destruction. But also so many uplifting, hopeful moments too. It is a reminder that even in the bleakest hours we can pull through. And even when it seems like giving up is the only option, there is a way to keep going.

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