The Viewing Files: Cowboys and Indians

There's something about the scenery and the laid back attitude of westerns that appeals.   Give me a decent western and I'm pretty happy.  Of course finding a decent one isn't always easy...

The Sons of Katie Elder

Starring: John Wayne, Dean Martin

Original release:1965

Synopsis:  Four brothers return home for their mothers funeral

 

I've lost count on how many John Wayne western's I've watched and I've still haven't found one I've liked. Are they really all this long and boring?

Rio Bravo

Starring: John Wayne, Dean Martin... again

Original release:1959

Synopsis:  A sheriff tries to bring a murderer to justice

 

In keeping with my trend of finding John Wayne's westerns so far being all a bit long and slow, here's another one to add to the pile of "kind of boring and why did I bother".

Gunfight at the OK Corral

Starring: Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas

Original release:1957

Synopsis:  Earp, Holliday and that gunfight

 

The romantic fantasy version of "the gunfight' of the Old West with ton of male testosterone running rampant and women knowing their place.

 

The fact that I find Kirk D rather dashing in this is probably seriously twisted. I blame it all on my love for a bad boy with a gun and snarky attitude.

Paint Your Wagon

Starring: Clint E and Lee Marvin

Original release:1969

Synopsis:  The hunt for gold

 

Clint sings.

 

Yeah I know that's a bit of a shocker. But if you can overlook that and some of the other singing then as a comedy western it kind of works.

 

Really though I only watched it for "They call the wind Maria" musical interlude.

Cat Ballou

Starring: Lee Marvin and Jane Fonda

Original release:1965

Synopsis:  A woman hires a gunfighter

 

Jane Fonda when she was going through her Brigitte Bardot phase; all long blonde hair, dewy eyes and glossy lips. Somehow it just doesn't seem to belong in a western. Then again there is also singing so maybe it does.

Shotgun

Starring: Sterling Hayden

Original release:1955

Synopsis:  A Marshall hunts a deadly gang

 

Sterling Hayden shirtless and shaving... well that's reason enough to watch this.

The Last Wagon

Starring: Richard Widmark

Original release:1956

Synopsis:  Survivors of an Indian attack have to rely on a man wanted for murder to get them to safety.

 

I could watch Richard Widmark throw axes at people all day. The 'kids' on the other hand were kind of annoying.

The Man from Laramie

Starring: James Stewart

Original release:1955

Synopsis:  Apaches

 

James Stewart has become my western hero. Who knew that could even be a thing...

Bend of the River

Starring: Jimmy... again

Original release:1952

Synopsis:  Two men lead a wagon train to Oregon.

 

Why are James Stewart's western always so much better The Duke's... and shorter. Whatever the answer is I'm a fan.

The Far Country

Starring: Jimmy yet again

Original release:1954

Synopsis:  The Alaskan gold rush

 

Jimmy Stewart being an anti-social loner and annoying people left, right and center and I can so relate.

 

The Canadian scenery is an added bonus.

The Viewing Files: Mean and Moody and a whole lot of Clint

Sometimes you just want a mindless action movie with guns and shoot outs and dubious good guys.  Or even a whole lot of them.  Especially if Other Half is picking.

I may need some light and frothy rom coms after all that.

 

Hang em High

Starring: Well Clint of course

Original release:1968

Synopsis:  A Marshall survives a hanging and you just know he's going for vengeance

 

Clint being all mean and moody is exactly what we need.

Pale Rider

Starring:

Original release: 1985

Synopsis:  A mysterious preacher helps a bunch of prospectors

 

Back to Eastwood with another one of Other Half's picks and it's surprisingly entertaining. Bonus points for the mountain scenery

High Plains Drifter

Starring: 

Original release:1973

Synopsis:  A gun fighting stranger arrives in a small town... again

 

Ok. That was grim.

 

I'm torn between cheering for Clint cause the they had done him wrong and wanting to shoot him myself. Or at the very least club him over the head with a really hard shovel.

The Outlaw Josey Wales

Starring:

Original release:1976

Synopsis:  A man's family is murder

 

I'm starting to think that these last 3 movies are a trilogy which I've watched out of order because I'm pretty sure he's the same character in all movies.

 

If so it was nice to see a softer side before he became the avenging angel of death he was in High Plains Drifter.

 

If not then I'm really confused and still entertained. So that's something I guess.

Where Eagles Dare

Starring: Richard Burton

Original release:1968

Synopsis:  Nazi's being bad

 

Clint kills just about every Nazi on the planet and Burton charms the ladies and pretty much everyone else with his seductive patter.

 

Pretty much what you want in any decent action war movie.

Kelly's Heroes

Starring: 

Original release:1970

Synopsis:  A group of misfit soldiers plan a gold heist

 

I'm here for all the bromance and Oddball with a side of Moriarty.

Dirty Harry

Starring: 

Original release:1971

Synopsis:  He's a bad ass cop and they're the criminal

 

San Francisco has never looked so good or Clint so gruff and gritty.

Magnum Force

Starring: 

Original release:1973

Synopsis:  This time the baddies are cops

 

Harry's back and taking no prisoners.

Sudden Impact

Starring:

Original release:1983

Synopsis:  Harry after more bad guys... maybe

 

Harry. Doing what he always does. Shooting first and never asking questions. But with a softer side and a dog.

 

Brutal and entertaining the way these kind of movies were.

The Dead Pool

Starring:

Original release:1988

Synopsis:  A game, a list and Harry

 

I'm here for Patricia Clarkson and no other reason... well except to finish this series and laugh at the 80s trashiness.

The Viewing Files: Christmas Overload

My love of Christmas movies knows no bounds.  And although Hallmark might lead the way there are in fact 'other' Christmas movies that can give me the Christmasy feel goods.

 

Is it possible to watch too many Christmas movies?  We'll just have to see...

This Is Christmas

Starring: that guy from How to get away with Murder

Original release: 2022

Synopsis:  When a stranger talks to you on the train...

 

The Brit version of a Hallmark movie and it's just a lovely warm fuzzy feel good. Exactly what you need at Christmas

The Noel Diary

Starring: Green Arrow from Smallville

Original release: 2022

Synopsis:  A novelist returns home to clear out his mother's house.

 

Sappy as anything and a little preachy too so not my kind of thing but worth it just to see Justin Hartley wearing glasses and being a writer. Can we have more of that, please. 

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Starring: Those famous 'puppets'

Original release:1922

Synopsis:  Title says it all really

 

Singing and dancing puppets is what it's all about.

8-Bit Christmas

Starring: Doogie Howser all grown up

Original release:1921

Synopsis:  80's Christmas and all Jake and his friends want is a Nintendo

 

It might be the mince pies and mulled wine talking but I actually like this. I'm such a sap for Christmas feel goods.

The Santa Clause

Starring: Home Improvement man

Original release:1994

Synopsis:  An ordinary man suddenly finds himself turning into Santa

 

Silly and sentimental but with its heart in the right place.

The Santa Clause 2

Starring: Home Improvement man... again

Original release:2002

Synopsis:  Santa has to find a wife

 

Comet I feel your pain. I too would have eaten all the candy, then laid down feeling sick but with no regrets.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Starring: Some green dude

Original release: 2000

Synopsis:  The classic Dr Seuss book as a movie

 

I think I need more wine to make this even remotely bearable. 

The Grinch

Starring: Some green dude

Original release: 2018

Synopsis:  The animated version

 

So much better than the 'other version'... not that that was hard to do.

Max the dog totally sold this story.

Arthur Christmas

Starring: So many famous people

Original release: 2011

Synopsis:  Arthur does everything he can to get a lost present to a little girl

 

Funny, warm, cosy feel good with just a little bit of snark... which exactly what Christmas is. Delightful and with just the best voice cast.

 

My Christmas perfection.

The Long Kiss Goodnight

Starring: Geena D and Samuel L

Original release:1996

Synopsis:  Amnesia girl, spies and a whole lot of action

 

Kick ass Christmas Eve viewing with a snarky Samuel J and a blonde take no nonsense Geena D. Just the thing to see the night out.

The Viewing Files: The Good, The Bad... The Hallmark

You know it's the start of Christmas when I start watching Hallmark Christmas movies.  Sappy, sentimental films where every town is covered in snow and decorations and oh so pretty.  And where the worse thing that can happen is that someone forgot to put the nog in the eggnog.

Sigh...

One day I will have my white Christmas with a roaring fire and endless hot chocolate and gingerbread and a town decked out in lights as far as you can see.  Until then I have these... and an ice cold ice block.

Rocky Mountain Christmas

Starring: He with the gravelly voice

Original release: 2017

Synopsis:  He's an actor... she's not.  And somehow they are both on a ranch

 

Totally watching for swoony gravelly voice Kristopher Polaha. If only it had a different female lead.

Winter Castle

Starring: He makes a lot of these and she doesn't

Original release: 2019

Synopsis:  A wedding

 

It's got snow in and an ice hotel so I'm not going to complain.

 

And yet still no chemistry.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Starring: People no ones knows

Original release: 2021

Synopsis:  A travel agent walks into a bar... well an ice hotel

 

Well if you're going to watch one movie about an ice hotel you might as well make that 2 movies, though this one was seriously bland and some what dull.

Time For Them To Come Home For Christmas

Starring: I really have no idea

Original release: 2021

Synopsis:  Amnesia girl... yes they really went there.

 

The fact that I didn't mind this despite the sap and sentimentally shows that I really have watched way too many Hallmark movies.

 

PS the sister was kind of shitty

A Christmas Spark

Starring: Dr Quinn Medicine woman and Sully (yes it really is him)

Original release: 2022

Synopsis:  Dr Quinn and her man, only it's 2022 and Christmas... oh and she's a widow.

 

I really didn't expect to like this and yet it's kind of warm and nice and it was great having an older people romance.

 

Joe Lando is a bit of a silver fox. Who knew.

Tis The Season To Be Merry

Starring: Do we even care?  Probably not.

Original release: 2021

Synopsis:  The world's worst relationship coach

 

This was surprisingly cute and quirky. Although that could be the all the chocolate I've eaten talking.

Sappy Holiday

Starring: I'm beyond caring but the house is gorgeous

Original release: 2022

Synopsis:  It's maple farming time

 

The fact that I paid more attention to the house says it all really. The acting really was dire.

A New Year's Resolution

Starring: Some brunettes

Original release: 2021

Synopsis:  Say yes

 

The year of yes Hallmark style... only in this case it's a month. Still it was a cute premise with a cute couple. Really could have done without all the bank stuff though.

Christmas At Castle Hart

Starring: Vaguely familair

Original release: 2023

Synopsis:  An Irish Christmas

 

One plus for the castle and Irish setting and all the minuses for everything else. So so bad.

Saving Christmas Spirit

Starring: More brunettes

Original release: 2022

Synopsis:  An archaeological treasure hunt

 

Scottish scenery. Snow. An archaeologist. This is so my vibe. Even if it is a bit silly.

The Viewing Files: All The Blondes And Some Music Too

I know. Yet another movie post.  What can I say except that I've got a lot of posts to catch up on.  But don't worry there will be some future posts on a few different things.

In the meantime join me as we get lost in a world of blondes, music and... skating?  Well it was the 1940s where anything goes.  Especially when it came to musicals.

My Lucky Star

Starring: A former Olympic skater

Original release: 1938

Synopsis:  It's all about the skating and clothes

 

Other than some lovely ice skating this is really bad thanks to Richard Greene's wooden and pompous acting and a pretty silly story.

 

Thank God her other films got better.

Sun Valley Serenade

Starring: The Swedish skater and The Swoony Man and Glenn Miller

Original release: 1941

Synopsis:  He's a pianist who sponsors a refugee.

 

I like this way more than I should. Sonja Henie plays a bit of an odd duck but weirdly it works in her favour. The music is great, the story cute as anything and there's snow. So much to love.

Iceland

Starring: Sonja and John... again

Original release: 1942

Synopsis:  A marine in Iceland

 

Sonja Henie and John Payne were always so cute together but wow Hollywood had weird ideas about what Iceland and Icelandic people are like.

Two Girls on Broadway

Starring: Lana Turner

Original release: 1940

Synopsis:  The title pretty much tells you all you need to know

 

Who knew that Lana could dance. Or be so warm and likeable.

These Glamour Girls

Starring: Lana Turner

Original release: 1939

Synopsis:  A working class girl and a bunch of snobs

 

Lana Turner is just delightful in this. I'm seriously loving her earlier roles. Hard to believe this is the same woman who becomes a cool, aloof, platinum blonde later on.

Ladies of the Chorus

Starring: Marilyn Monroe

Original release: 1938

Synopsis:  Mother and daughter chorus girls

 

There's just something about a young Marilyn is just so warm and smiley and joyful that you can't help liking her and this movie.

Romance on the High Sea

Starring: Doris Day

Original release: 1948

Synopsis:  Shipboard hijinks with music

 

Doris Day in pastels and singing and being all sass is everything we need.

My Dream Is Yours

Starring: Doris

Original release: 1949

Synopsis:  When radio had live singers singing

 

Eve Arden walking around smoking cigarettes and looking glamorous while her room mate Doris slowly falls in love with her should have been this whole movie. And totally what happened in my head.

The Viewing Films: Shimmer and Shake and a Ton of Fruit

There's just something so joyful about watching these old musicals.  There's colour and snap and pretty dresses galore and the women never have a bad hair day.

 

Can I just sign and swoon and wallow now...

 

Down Argentine Way

Starring: Million dollar legs and The Fruit Lady

Original release: 1940

Synopsis:  The Argentine musical you didn't know you needed

Can we all have as much fun as Betty has when dancing.

Moon Over Miami

Starring: Betty G... again

Original release: 1941

Synopsis:  How to Marry a Millionaire 1940s style

 

Betty, her sister and aunt were great, the clothes lovely and story cute but the male leads seriously let this movie down. If only they'd cast someone better and more suitable in both those roles...

Week-end in Havana

Starring: The Other Blonde, a Swoony Guy and the Fruit Lady

Original release: 1941

Synopsis:  Why is it that all these movies are set in South America?

 

I was sold as soon as John Payne started wearing glasses. As for the rest of the film it's light froth.

Footlight Serenade

Starring: Betty and Swoony Guy

Original release: 1942

Synopsis:  A love triangle musical... 

 

Well if anyone can pull of a boxing musical Betty G can. It's a bit odd in places but Betty and John were the cutest couple (they so should have done a lot more movies together) and the dancing fun.

 

If only it had been in colour.

Springtime in the Rockies

Starring: Yes it's Betty and John... again

Original release: 1942

Synopsis: Dancing your way to love

 

More fun froth with Betty G looking particularly lovely

Hello Frisco, Hello

Starring: Yeah you know who

Original release: 1943

Synopsis:  Turn of the century singing and dancing

 

John Payne wearing glasses is swoony but John Payne with slicked back hair and a moustache is bad boy swoony. I'm not sure which I like more.

Coney Island

Starring: That legs lady

Original release: 1943

Synopsis:  There's singing and dancing... the rest of the story doesn't really matter

 

Betty G was just lovely, but the men were the worse.

Sweet Rosie O'Grady

Starring: Blonde getting blonder

Original release: 1943

Synopsis:  Pretty much the same as all the movies above

 

The fact that I've never had a bath wearing red lipstick and my hair looking like I've just stepped out of salon explains exactly what I've been doing wrong all these years.

The Dolly Sisters

Starring: 2 blondes for the price of 1

Original release: 1945

Synopsis:  More blondes singing

Can I just spend my days wandering around the house in a silky dressing robe with fluffy trim, yes and please.

 

As for the rest of the movie it's a little bit too serious in places for a musical. I like mine fun, light and fluffy. A bit like those robes that Betty and June wore. And yes I am obsessed.

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim

Starring: On her own again

Original release: 1947

Synopsis:  It's a musical what more do you need to know

 

Only Betty G could make a suffragette musical.

Wasbash Avenue

Starring: I give up...

Original release: 1950

Synopsis:  You know the drill

 

Betty, Betty, Betty... can you teach me how to shimmy like your sister Kate?

 

Betty G is lovely as always, the men not so much.