On Golden Pond

On Golden Pond is a 1981 American drama film directed by Mark Rydell. The screenplay by Ernest Thompson was adapted from his 1979 play of the same title.

The plot focuses on aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their home on a lake called Golden Pond. During the year the story takes place, they are visited by daughter Chelsea with her fiancé Bill and his son Billy in tow. The film explores the often turbulent relationship the young woman shared with her father while growing up, the difficulties faced by a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage, and the special bond forged by Norman and Billy while his father and Chelsea spend time in Europe.

Cast:
Katharine Hepburn ..... Ethel Thayer
Henry Fonda ..... Norman Thayer Jr.
Jane Fonda ..... Chelsea Thayer Wayne
Doug McKeon ..... Billy Ray
Dabney Coleman ..... Bill Ray

Director:
Mark Rydell

DVD Review
By magellan (Santa Clara, CA)

When this movie came out, it made an impressive showing at the Academy Awards and immediately passed into the stuff of Hollywood legend and cinematic history. I only just saw it again recently for the first time in over 30 years, so I thought I make a few brief comments.

I was only 27 when it first debuted, and couldn't recall another movie that seemed to resonate so much with the people of both my and my parents' generation. But it's not hard to see why. Despite both looking somewhat frail, Fonda and Hepburn turn in stellar performances--for Fonda his last and one of Hepburn's also. But for Fonda it was a truly great swan song.

As the crusty, 80-year old, retired professor, Fonda lashes out at the people, things, and events around him, not so much from meanness so much as just to see if anyone will pay any attention to his old lion's roar anymore, as he tries to come to grips with old baggage from his relationship with his daughter, and with the new relationship with the boy who is left with Fonda and Hepburn for a month.


Overall this is a great movie starring two of the old greats and icons from the Golden Age of Hollywood Cinema. Both Fonda and Hepburn are gone now, but they'll always be remembered for their roles in this movie as well as their other work.

Photo Gallery













On Golden Pond Movie Trailer


Buy from amazon.com

Out of Africa

Out of Africa is a 1985 film based loosely on the autobiographical book by Isak Dinesen (pseudonym of Karen Blixen) published in 1937, as well as Dinesen's Shadows on the Grass and other sources. The movie received 28 film awards, including seven Academy Awards (Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Original Score, Art Direction, Sound) and three Golden Globes (Best Picture, Supporting Actor, Original Score).

Cast:
Meryl Streep - Karen Blixen
Robert Redford - Denys Finch Hatton
Klaus Maria Brandauer - Bror Blixen/Hans Blixen
Michael Kitchen - Berkeley Cole
Malick Bowens - Farah
Joseph Thiaka - Kamante
Stephen Kinyanjui - Kinanjui
Michael Gough - Baron Delamere
Suzanna Hamilton - Felicity
Rachel Kempson - Lady Belfield
Graham Crowden - Lord Belfield
Leslie Phillips - Sir Joseph

Director:
Sydney Pollack

DVD Review
By L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (fountain valley, ca United States) - See all my reviews
This review refers to the Universal Widescreen "Collector's Edition" DVD of "Out Of Africa".....

"Out Of Africa" not only takes my breath away, but for 2 hours and 40 minutes I am transported to another time and place. A beautiful story in a wonderous setting will have you mesmerized as well. No matter how many times I view this film, I never tire of the gorgeous cinematography,the lulling music, the compelling story and of course the superb acting all brought together by the wonderful direction of Sydney Pollack.

Based on a true story, it depicts the life of Karen Blixen(who wrote under the name of Isak Dinesen) She marries a philandering Baron, and gains a title but discovers he has squandered her money on a coffee plantation in Kenya. Left to run it on her own, she befriends the local residents "The Kikuyu", offers them education and medical help, survives on her own strong willed nature and falls in love with the country, the people and local hunter Denis Finch Hatton.

The story is told in narrative by Karen, as she is now an old woman, thinking back to this time of love, passion, adventure and loss. Meryl Streep, Robert Redford and Klaus Maria Brandauer are masters of their craft as they bring these characters to life. The film was honored with several academy awards including Best Picture(1985),a well deserved Best Director for Pollack, Best Screenplay by Kurt Luedtke, Orginal Score for the genuis of John Barry, and one for the gorgeous Cinematography among others. I loved the music so much, which includes many works by Mozart, I just ordered the soundtrack!

The DVD transfer by Universal is outstanding. All the colors and sounds of Africa, seem to come alive right there in your living room. The growl of a lion, the texture of the landscape, the music all magnificent. The picture is presented in anamorphic widescreen(1.85:1), and the dolby digital 4.1 surround sound is perfect!. The extras include commentary with Sydney
Pollack production notes, cast bios,captioning, and a not to be missed documentary "Song of Africa" where you will find interviews with Pollack, Streep, and John Barry discussing the film and the music. This a great DVD buy at a great price.

Enjoy this very romantic film over and over again.....Laurie

Photo Gallery

















Out of Africa Movie Trailer


Buy from amazon.com

Sleepless in Seattle

Sleepless in Seattle is a 1993 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Nora Ephron. Based on a story by Jeff Arch, it stars Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin and Meg Ryan as Annie Reed.

The film was inspired by An Affair to Remember and used both its theme song and clips from the film in critical scenes. The climactic meeting at the top of the Empire State Building is a reference to a reunion between Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in An Affair to Remember that fails to happen because the Kerr character is struck by a car while enroute. At one point, some of the characters discuss Affair, with Sam commenting that it sounds like a "chick movie." The success of Sleepless in Seattle led to a resurgence in popularity for An Affair to Remember for a younger generation of filmgoers.

Staring:
Tom Hanks: Sam Baldwin
Meg Ryan: Annie Reed
Bill Pullman: Walter
Ross Malinger: Jonah Baldwin
Rosie O'Donnell: Becky
Gaby Hoffmann: Jessica
Victor Garber: Greg
Rita Wilson: Suzy
Barbara Garrick: Victoria
Carey Lowell: Maggie Abbott Baldwin
David Hyde Pierce: Dennis Reed
Dana Ivey: Claire Bennett
Rob Reiner: Jay

Director:
Nora Ephron

DVD Review
By Little Miss Cutey (Melbourne, Australia)

Other than The Breakfast Club, Sleepless in Seattle is my all time favourite movie. I know it's older now, but to me I will always watch it over and over again. I like to watch it a couple of times a year because I always enjoy it and never tire of it.
As everyone probably knows, Tom Hanks and his son move from Chicago to Seattle after Tom's wife dies and they need a new start. Hoping to find a new love for his father, Jonah calls a radio station to speak on a talk show to help his dad out. Their radio call name is Sleepless in Seattle. Listening to the conversation all the way in Washington DC is Meg Ryan who has just announced her engagement to Bill Pullman. She seems to fall in love with Sam (Tom Hanks) instantly as she finishes his sentances and is hooked by his story.

Being a writer, she does a story on him and finds herself wanting to get in touch with him. She makes the journey over to Seattle and manages to say Hello to him (before almost getting hit by cars on a busy road). She backs off after thinking that he's in a relationship already and heads back home. All the while through the movie, these events parallel the movie An Affair To Remember, so eventually there is an arranged meeting for Annie and Sam on top of the Empire State Building on Valentines Day (Sam hasn't arranged any of this; Jonah has done all the correspondance without his knowledge). Long story short, you can gauge the rest of the story line. It's fun and enjoyable and yes it's a chick flick but there is nothing wrong with that.

There is some great acting in it by Jonah (Ross Malinger) and the chemistry between Hanks and Ryan is always great to watch (although they don't have many scenes together). I really love this and I don't imagine there being another great love story like this one. Nora Ephron did a great job with the screenplay and I will never get sick of watching this movie. It really is fantastic.

Photo Gallery















Sleepless in Seattle Movie Trailer


Buy from amazon.com
DVD/Unbox Video Download