From Here To Eternity: A Movie for Pearl Harbor Day

Here’s a great old movie to watch in remembrance of the attack on Pearl Harbor, 80 years ago today.

movie posters sure were different in the 1950’s

From Here to Eternity (1953 NR)

This movie follows the lives of US Army soldiers stationed in Hawaii in the days leading up to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, leading to WWII.

Why should you watch it?

• It won 8 Academy Awards, out of 13 nominations (including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress).

• It is included among the American Film Institute's list of the Top 100 Greatest American Movies.

• It is included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die," edited by Steven Schneider.

• It is included among the American Film Institute's list of the Top 100 America's Greatest Love Story Movies.

It has something for everyone - romance, bromance, fighting, great clothes, very good looking men and women, conflict, honor, army pride, music, humor, tragedy.

But, you say, it’s in black and white.

Watch this movie anyway!!!

Of all the battles director Fred Zinnemann had to fight with the Columbia front office, the one he was proudest of winning was against "the boys in New York"--the sales department. The marketing people thought the film would gross at least an extra million if it were shot in color, but Zinnemann was able to persuade producer Harry Cohn that black and white was more suitable for the film's stark, gritty themes and that color would have softened and trivialized it.

This 3 minute video clip doesn’t give away any spoilers.

A few things stand out about From Here to Eternity.

• While it is an army movie, the movie is mostly about forbidden love, friendship, and not backing down when you are mistreated.

• Watching the movie with today’s eyes makes the mistreatment the Army allows seem quite appalling. Try watching and understanding the perspective of an audience who lived World War 2.

• This movie popularized Hawaiian shirts!

• Frank Sinatra is super scrawny! And he can really act.

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I’ve written about local Pearl Harbor survivors before. Click on the image to see that page.

A San Diego, California, historian has compiled stories of Pearl Harbor survivors who live locally, and those who perished on that day and are buried in San Diego cemeteries. Read her compelling stories here!

“We are right in the midst of all of it.”

— Louise Whatley, civilian living two blocks from Army air base Hickam Field, Honolulu

True pearl harbor distruction, december 7 1941

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The Monuments Men: A Cheerful War Movie

Don’t get me wrong. War is horrible.

Good people die needlessly, countries are left in ruins, evil people do horrid things. The Monuments Men (2014 PG-13) has all that.

But the audience feels hopeful goodwill towards the characters in this movie. There is no overriding sense of death as in The Book Thief (2013), or sense of horror over man’s inhumanity as in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008), or the devastation in the trenches of battle as in Saving Private Ryan (1998).

You leave the theater feeling, well, cheerful.

Based on the book of the same name by Robert M. Edsel, The Monuments Men follows a small team of aging art specialist tasked with protecting great works of art in Europe towards the end of World War 2.

Protect them from what, you may ask.

• Allied bombs and advancing American tanks all wreck havoc on paintings and statues in ancient buildings.

• Nazi’s have stolen art from the homes of Jewish families.

• Hitler wants a huge art museum with all the greatest artworks of Europe.

• Churches are looted at gunpoint of their statues and paintings.

The team is played by George Clooney (who also directed), Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Bob Balaban and young translator Dimitri Leonidas do a great job portraying the challenges they face. Cate Blanchett is the French woman with inside information she may or may not be willing to share.

I recently read The Girl You Left Behind, a novel by Jojo Moyes. It’s the fictional story of a painting, titled The Girl You Left Behind, and reveals how it started in France during World War I, and ended up in England today. There weren’t Nazis in WWI, but even then Germans helped themselves to art in occupied France. Wonderful book!

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A good movie about a forgotten part of military history!

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War Movies for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is for honoring those who have given their lives in defense of our country. We do this by

• attending Memorial Day services

• visiting military cemeteries

• gathering with friends and family, grateful that we have the freedom to do so

• watching movies that remind us that freedom is not free

Here are three war movies for Memorial Day weekend.

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In the past, I’ve written about war movies on Turner Classic Movies. You can read my reviews here and here.

I’ve discovered a new way to watch old movies - without having cable!

It’s on your Roku!

On your TV Roku home page, go to the search box and type in “TV Time”. You can add this channel.

• It’s free!

• No commercials!

• The movies, although old, are remastered and sharp in picture and sound!

Three war movies for Memorial Day weekend.

I’m choosing female centered films of the 1940’s. Find them all on TV Time Feature Films.

So Proudly We Hail - 1943 Drama Romance War

How to find it: Scroll down to Claudette Colbert, then scroll right until you find it.

The Plot: Army nurses heading to Hawaii have their ship diverted to Bataan when Pearl Harbor is bombed.

The original tag line: First Great Love Story of Our Girls at the Fighting Front!

Why to watch: I see it more as how women from different walks of life learn to work together for the greater good under extremely stressful circumstances. Actress Veronica Lake was famous for her hairstyle that draped over one eye. It was important to show her with her hair up in this movie because American women needed to keep their hair up for factory work.

veronica lake had gorgeous hair! But dangerous for factory work

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Ladies Courageous - 1944 Adventure Drama War

How to find it: Scroll down to Loretta Young, then scroll right until you find it.

The Plot: The story of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, a unit of female pilots who flew bombers from the factories to their final destinations.

The original tag line: WOMEN WITH WINGS! (Yes, it was in all caps!)

Why to watch: While this does fall a bit into soap opera territory, it is a rare representation of women pilot’s essential role in the war.

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I Was a Male War Bride - 1949 Comedy Romance War

How to find it: In TV Time, find the search page. Enter in “bride” and choose the movie from those listed to the right.

The Plot: A French soldier man marries an American soldier woman. He attempts to find a way to accompany her back to the US under the terms of the War Bride Act.

The original tag line: The Most Hilarious Comedy in Many a Honeymoon!

Why to watch: I’m not sure why English Cary Grant is playing a French soldier, but enjoy it! His expressions as he deals with the red tape and absurdities of army regulation are funny! Ann Sheridan is a capable and respected American lieutenant, which is very good to see portrayed.

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Watch a Movie to Celebrate Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month. You should watch a movie!

Movies for Autism Awareness Month

Here are three movies that have characters with autism. Watch, and celebrate Autism Awareness Month.

But first…. A word of warning.

• Do lawyers like watching courtroom dramas? Or do they get annoyed at the inaccuracies?

• Do police officers like watching cop shows? Or do they spend the whole movie mocking the mistakes in procedure?

• As a former high school teacher, I can’t stand watching movies that take place in high schools. They get it all wrong! But this movie has enough good outside the classroom to get my recommendation.

Click on the picture to read my review.

• My husband is a volunteer rescue worker, and he talked back to the screen the entire movie, telling Dwayne Johnson everything he was doing wrong. (I liked the movie anyway - here’s my review.)

click on the picture to read my review.

• Do people who have loved ones with autism like watching movies that have characters with autism? Or they find the characters to be stereotypical and misrepresented?

Smarter people than I have analyzed movies that have characters with autism.

You can read those articles here and here and here.

These three movies for Autism Awareness Month are not documentaries.

We are not watching movies that have characters with autism for exact representations of the real people with autism that we know. That is known as a documentary. A documentary is educational and interesting, but not often the most entertaining of movies. Real life is slow and tedious.

We watch Hollywood movies for

drama or action or romance or comedy.

Hollywood is allowed to be a bit inaccurate in movies that have characters with autism, to increase our entertainment, just as they are in doctor movies and army movies.

The warning is over… On to three movies for Autism Awareness Month!

Joyful Noise (2012 PG-13) comedy, drama, music

This movie starring Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, and Broadway star Jeremy Jordan set in a church choir will keep you smiling and tapping your toes!

Queen Latifah plays the mother of Keke Palmer and Dexter Darden, who has a type of autism spectrum disorder. Jeremy Jordan is Dolly Parton’s grandson, who likes Keke and befriends Dexter. Dexter’s is a minor character, with two particularly important scenes that address the challenges he faces.

Tap to get to video clip.

It’s a beautiful scene. Is it the exact way people with Asperger syndrome act? Maybe, maybe not. But it is respectful and not insulting. Enjoy this movie!

Power Rangers (2017 PG-13) action, adventure, sci-fi

Five high school students get superpowers, learn to use them, and team up to defeat the bad guy (or in this case, bad girl). A grand adventure, with excitement and friendship to enjoy.

To be honest, it wasn’t until researching this article that I remembered that one of the teens who becomes a Power Ranger is on the autism spectrum.

I remember this movie for two reasons:

1. The amazing early chase scene that is all one take - the camera never leaves the action or cuts away, even through a car accident.

2. One of the teens has a Chinese grandmother. I felt they should have honored the Japanese roots of the Power Ranger franchise by making him of Japanese descent.

The Predator (2018 R) action, adventure, sci-fi

Alien hunters come to earth. They kill a lot of people. A rag-tag team of Army misfits fight back (it’s like they’re the A-Team)!

This movie is rated R. The foul language will make your ears burn. The blood and guts are extra bloody and gut-sy. The acting is hit or miss. If you have any military experience, or have any knowledge of science, you will be shouting at the screen.

You should probably skip this one.

But, there are glimmers of brilliance. The army wife is strong in a realistic way. The running joke about what to call these creatures is clever. There are little gags that you feel smart to catch (look for the school billboard).

What about the character with autism? It’s another portrayal of a brilliant child who is wanted by the authorities. It turns out the aliens want him, too, for reasons that will probably leave you shouting at the screen.

Here, young Jacob Tremblay has figured out how to turn on an alien mask and arm piece, just in time for Halloween. He just didn’t know what it would do.

Is it a fair portrayal of someone on the autism spectrum? Perhaps. Is getting revenge on your bullies the dream of many people? Absolutely.

If you watch this movie, and hate it, don’t complain to me! But you may find yourself laughing at the gags and cheering on the heroes, just a bit!

If you are experiencing autism in reality, and not the Hollywood version, there are many resources for guidance and for hope. Here at Joy Lab, we want to help.

Movies to Watch for St. Patrick's Day

Here are three of my favorite movies to watch for St. Patrick’s Day - or any day!

Sing Street (2016 PG-13) comedy, drama, music, romance

Being a teen can be awkward. Try growing up in 1980’s Ireland!

• Family struggles

• New school

• No friends

What is the solution? Make a band!

Sing Street is a little-seen movie that will have you laughing and cheering and even crying a bit over the plight of the main characters. You probably won’t recognize any of the actors, although I think big brother Jack Reynor has what it takes to be a star.

“No woman can truly love a man who listens to Phil Collins.”

— Jack Reynor as Brendan

Far and Away (1992 PG-13) adventure, drama, romance

It’s 1992, six years after Top Gun, nine years before Moulin Rouge, and Tom Cruise is married to Nicole Kidman. Ron Howard directs this epic love story adventure!

In Far and Away, Tom is a poor Irish potato farmer, Nicole is a rich Irish young lady in the 1890’s. They escape to America pretending to be brother and sister, together only because they cannot make it on their own. Enjoy how young and innocent these two actors seem, and how in love they once were.

“You’re not in Ireland anymore.”

— Tom to Nicole

why does Nicole have red stuff on her face? watch the movie to find out!

Brooklyn (2015 PG-13) drama, romance

Brooklyn is a lovely romantic movie about an Irish girl in 1950’s New York City. I like this movie so much I gave it it’s own movie review.

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Arsenic and Old Lace: A Creepy Old Comedy That Still is Hilarious

Here is a good bet for spooky fun!

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944, not rated). Directed by Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life), the entire movie takes place on Halloween night when reluctant groom Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant) stops by home to say goodby to his sweet old spinster aunts before going on his honeymoon with girl-next-door Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane).

The sweet old aunts.

The problem is Mortimer’s black-sheep brother Jonathan (Raymond Massey) comes home the same evening to hide out from the police while he heals from plastic surgery. Boris Karloff, who played many monsters in 1930’s films, played the role on stage, and was wanted for the film version. As a tribute, every person who meets Jonathan comments that he looks like someone in the horror movies, which further enrages him towards his surgeon (Peter Lorre), who has been in his fair share of horror films himself.

The criminally insane brother and his sidekick.

There is also the crazy brother (John Alexander), who thinks he is Theodore Roosevelt and possibly has resorted to murder.

The crazy brother, who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt.

This is a comedy, but spooky in the right ways. The use of shadows increases the feeling of impending dread without unnecessary gore.

Spooky, but not too scary.

Will Mortimer find a solution to Teddy’s insane behavior? Will he survive a night with Jonathon and his doctor? Will his aunts hold another funeral? Will he remember that Elaine is waiting for him?

She has the taxi waiting to take her new husband on their honeymoon…

Give this old movie a try, with it’s older style of acting and stylized lighting, and you will have a fun evening!

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D-Day Remembered

Seventy-five years ago American, British and Canadian forces landed on the beach at Normandy, France. They faced incredible obstacles in an attack against Nazi forces that could have been a disaster. Yet heroically the Allies ended up turning back Hitler’s army, leading to the eventual surrender of Germany and ending World War 2 in Europe.

Such intense action has been portrayed in many movies.  This clip from Saving Private Ryan (1998) shows the soldiers just before landing.

Other favorite movies that portray D Day include The Longest Day (1962) and Band of Brothers (TV 2001). More are listed in this article, Pain and Patriotic Duty on D-Day Reflected in Flim and Books.

Thanks go to those amazing people who swallowed their fear to help end the war!

WWII Normandy American Cemetery of Colleville, France.

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Avengers: Endgame - Are You A Fan?

Yes. Yes, I am.

I’ve seen all the movies. But I’m not an expert. Some characters I don’t remember (in the last Avengers movie, who is that red guy, and why is everyone sad when he dies?)

If you are a casual fan, as I am, here is my advice if you are one of the few people in America who haven’t seen the movie yet.

1. Watch this Avengers story recap video.

   Some people will watch all the movies again before this one. But that is 21 movies! Instead, just watch this well done recap video.

2. See Avengers: Endgame in a crowded theater.

There is nothing better than seeing a movie in a room full of fans. They will ooh and ah. They will laugh. They will cry. They will cheer. You will, too.

3. After watching Avengers: Endgame, watch this video to understand all the things you missed.

It’s a long movie, and a gift to fans. This excellent video helps you get all the references and connections you may have not caught.

Fun movie!

What other movies are better when you watch with fans?

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Hurricane Heist: Just Enjoy the Ride

You either loved this movie when it came out in the theater, or you will love this movie after watching it on Netflix.

The Hurricane Heist (2018: PG-13) tagline: $600 million stolen at 600 miles per hour. See what I mean? This is a fun action movie set in the middle of a natural disaster.

Don’t complain about the unknown actors. You may not recognize anyone in the film, but all are good actors who are having fun playing their good guy or bad guy roll. Or are they the good guy???

Ryan Kwanten and Toby Kebbell play brothers who band together to stop the bad guys, even if they don’t look related at all.

When you need your computer fixed, the tech people can wear whatever they want, so don’t complain about that, either.

Who says computer geeks need to dress like nerds? Ed Birch and Melissa Bolona dress for the storm.

Heros need to hydrate. And eat. And go to the bathroom. It always annoys me when action stars spend the entire movie fighting and running and never drink anything except alcohol. See our heroes taking care of their basic needs, in addition to taking care of the bad guys.

The storm is the star of the movie.

The fancy storm chaser car The Dominator is also one of the stars of the movie.

I could include links to complaints by meteorologists about the accuracy of the movie. But I wont. IT’S A MOVIE! Just relax and enjoy itl

Watch this movie trailer. If you find yourself grinning, you will like this movie.

Fun movie!

What are some movies you like that people just need to stop complaining and just enjoy the ride?

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Isn't it Romantic?

Nope.

Skip this movie.

Re-watch your favorite rom-com instead.

What’s a rom-com?

A romantic comedy. A love story with laughs. A chick-flik.

Boy meets Girl.

They fight. Or they work together against an obstacle. Or they don’t realize they are right for each other.

Characters grow. Boy and Girl finally are together in love.

Three rom-coms to watch instead.

Don’t give up on me! Yes, this is a silly movie. Ridiculous, even. But also touching. And funny.

Eugenio Derbez lives off the wealth of older women. When he gets dumped, he must move in with his estranged sister Salma Hayek and her son Raphael Alejandro.

If you’ve seen Instructions Not Included, you know that Eugenio Derbez is capable of both slapstick and tender heartbreak. You get both in this movie, plus Salma Hayek gets to be more than just the comedic foil.

All the small parts are played by well-known actors hamming it up: Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell, Mckenna Grace, Raquel Welch, Linda Lavin, Renee Taylor, Rob Corddry, Rob Riggle, Rob Huebel, Michael Cera, and Mather Zickel.

Not pure rom-com, but enough romance and enough comedy to count.

Before romantic comedies were called rom-coms, they were called screwball comedies.

This 1940 movie may be in black and white, but the story is still strong. Formerly married co-workers Cary Grant tries to keep Rosalind Russell from leaving town to marry Ralph Bellamy. Watch how Cary manipulates his introduction to Rosalind’s fiancee.

Clever writing! Great acting, with subtle facial expressions conveying the internal dialogue.

Less screwball comedy than others in the era, less rom-com than modern films, this movie has the fastest dialogue around a smart story-line among actors that crackle and snap!

Finally, a traditional rom-com. Grieving widow David Duchovny meets medically damaged Minnie Driver. It’s the year 2000, and everyone is sweet and well-meaning and believes in the value of family. Funny, with great supporting characters. But watch out - we bet you’ll tear up a little before the end!

What are your favorite rom-coms?

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