Written as part of the weekly blogathon hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves. You can play, too - just pick three movies that fit the week's theme and write a bit about them!
This week on Thursday Movie Picks, we're going back to our childhood days. I had a LOT of favorite movies as a kid - my sister and I wore out so many VHS tapes (yes, I'm that old) that I STILL have some movies memorized (most of them Disney animated classics). And while a lot of them were kids movies (anything and everything involving the Muppets), some of them were... well... a bit odd. And those are the ones I'm sharing with you today.
The Addams Family (Barry Sonnenfeld, 1991) One of the best films to be based on a comic strip, partly because its punctuated with little scenes that play out just like reading a Sunday morning comic, and partly because it so deftly brings Charles Addams's signature morbid sensibility to the modern world. Yes, the Addamses become even more anachronistic, but the actors involved have such a perfect understanding of the proper tone that it works like gangbusters. Anjelica Huston and Raùl Julia are utter perfection as Morticia and Gomez, and Christopher Lloyd is a delightful Uncle Fester, but it's young Christina Ricci who steals the show and beyond-morbid daughter Wednesday. When I was a kid, I was most fond of the various Rube Goldbergian contraptions in the Addams mansion as well as Wednesday and Pugsley's bloody performance at the school play.
Father of the Bride (Charles Shyer, 1991) I was only seven years old at the time, so I had no clue that this was a remake of the wonderful Spencer Tracy film, but even so, I still enjoy this one. Steve Martin is a wonderfully affable lead, easily sympathetic even when he's being idiotic or mean, and his chemistry with Diane Keaton is just wonderful. And the story is timeless and pretty much foolproof. Even despite Martin Short's best attempts (I loved him when I was a kid, but good GOD he is OVER THE TOP here), this is an easy, breezy delight.
The Birdcage (Mike Nichols, 1996) Okay, so I was twelve when this came out, so maybe this is stretching the "childhood" definition a bit, but... my sister and I loved this movie so much that despite both of us owning it on DVD, we met up at Metrograph in NYC to see it on the big screen last year. And the fact that we were twelve and ten when we saw it probably tells you all you need to know about how we were raised. It's still amazing to me that this movie was as huge a hit as it was, since despite coming from a major director and starring major stars it was a remake of a French farce about a gay couple, one of whom is a drag queen. Would this even get made today? I almost doubt it would be as big of a hit if it was, and that's saying something about film distribution and marketing today. I'm not even entirely sure how much I really understood everything going on in this the first time I saw it, but credit to Elaine May's screenplay: Funny is funny, and The Birdcage is FUNNY. And also heartfelt where it needs to be.
I saw The Birdcage for the first time a few years ago and it was hialrious. I don't know why it took me so long. I loved The Adams Family as well. Father of the Bride, I know I saw but I don't remember it well.
I remember seeing the trailer and an Entertainment Weekly cover story on The Birdcage that got me SO hyped. We didn't see it in the theater, but rented it the second it came out on home video, and the whole family was dying laughing.
Oh my gad these are epic picks!!! My friends and I watch Birdcage and Addams Family all the time!! Love them both so much. 'How bout them Dolphins?" SMASH!
I got my parents to watch Birdcage for the first time last week, they were in hysterics!
My uncle and grandfather were both projectionists, so we got to see some of uncle's stash of old movies. The one I distinctly remember, and remember not liking, was Calamity Jane. Put me off Doris Day and musicals/westerns.
I liked The Addams Family once I finally broke down and watched it a couple of years ago, I was never a big fan of the original show (although Carolyn Jones was perfection as Morticia) being more of a Bewitched, That Girl kind of guy, it was better than my expectations had led me to believe.
I really liked this version of Father of the Bride for exactly one of the reasons you mentioned, the chemistry between Martin and Diane Keaton. They fumbled the sequel though which was flat-footed (my expectation was low when I saw they were too lazy to even give the film its own title as they did with the original but just stuck a 2 to the end! I hate that!!).
The Birdcage should be insulting since stereotypes abound but thanks to the skill of all involved it's very funny and rather sweet.
I too am from before VCR's and reached wwwway back for three that I watched with the folks as a youngster but have seen since and still love.
Papa’s Delicate Condition (1963)-Based on silent film star Corinne Griffith’s memoir of her small town childhood with her brash, tippling father (Jackie Gleason) and aggrieved mother (Glynis Johns) who while frustrated with her feckless husband and the troubles he causes when he’s in his cups still loves him very much. Homey and sweet film introduced the song “Call Me Irresponsible” which won the Oscar.
Mary Poppins (1964)-Practically perfect in every way nanny appears on the doorstep of the staid but colorful Banks residence one day and nothing is ever the same again. Julie Andrews IS perfect as Miss Poppins, the songs are wonderful as is the rest of the cast including Dick Van Dyke (terrible Cockney accent and all), a delightfully addled Glynis Johns again and Oscar winner Jane Darwell in her last film appearance as the Bird Woman.
Angel in My Pocket (1969)-Minister Sam Whitehead (Andy Griffith) arrives at his new post in the small town of Wood Falls, Kansas with his wife Mary Elizabeth (Lee Meriwether), kids, mother-in-law Racine (Kay Medford) and trouble making brother-in-law Bubba (Jerry Van Dyke) hoping to lead his flock in a peaceful fashion. Instead he finds himself smack dab in the middle of a feud between the families of Mayor Will Sinclair (Henry Jones) and his rival Axel Gresham (Edgar Buchanan). While he tries to deal with that unbeknownst to all Bubba (Jerry Van Dyke) turns the church boiler into an alcohol still leading to another set of problems. As things come to a head and Sam fears he is losing his faith something happens that leads to a happy conclusion. Homespun and comfy movie with Griffith adding just the right blend of warmth and gravity to the lead.
I'm also continually impressed at how well the special effects in The Addams Family on Thing have held up over the years. I'm in total agreement on the second Father of the Bride movie, which is nowhere near as good.
Of yours, the only one I've seen is Mary Poppins, which was another favorite of my youth. Papa's Delicate Condition has been on my radar for a while thanks to Call Me Irresponsible.
Father of the Bride is good but I love the original. The Addams Family is funny and they did a great tribute to the TV show..I wish the same was done for my favourite-bewitched. Angelica is so good as Morticia, Carolyn Jones would be proud. Wednesday is brilliant! I love The Birdcage which is based on the French play and film, La Cage aux Folles. I saw the play in Toronto with gene rayburn in the robin williams role and it was good. I don't care about political correctness, which is getting a bit crazy now, this film is so much fun and Hank Azaria almost steals the show as their housekeeper.
Father of the Bride is one of those where I love the original and the remake almost equally. Same with The Birdcage/La Cage aux Folles. Hank Azaria is my sister's favorite, now and forever.
I really enjoyed Father of the Bride as well and I only found out it was a remake when I was an adult.
I didn't know The Addams Family was from a comic. I had always thought it was adapted from the 60's TV series. And yes Ricci was perfect as Wednesday Addams.
The Addams family! I love this movie so much, along with the sequel. It's so grotesque and entertaining and the cast is just impeccable. Gorgeous production design and costumes too
I saw The Birdcage for the first time a few years ago and it was hialrious. I don't know why it took me so long. I loved The Adams Family as well. Father of the Bride, I know I saw but I don't remember it well.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing the trailer and an Entertainment Weekly cover story on The Birdcage that got me SO hyped. We didn't see it in the theater, but rented it the second it came out on home video, and the whole family was dying laughing.
DeleteOh my gad these are epic picks!!! My friends and I watch Birdcage and Addams Family all the time!! Love them both so much. 'How bout them Dolphins?" SMASH!
ReplyDeleteI got my parents to watch Birdcage for the first time last week, they were in hysterics!
I can't believe your parents had never seen The Birdcage before last week!! It's so funny; I'm so glad they enjoyed it!
DeleteSome of us were children in the days before VCRs.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle and grandfather were both projectionists, so we got to see some of uncle's stash of old movies. The one I distinctly remember, and remember not liking, was Calamity Jane. Put me off Doris Day and musicals/westerns.
That is so cool. I think I would have died if anyone in my family was a projectionist - or worked with movies in any way lol.
DeleteI'm not a huge fan of Calamity Jane, either.
I liked The Addams Family once I finally broke down and watched it a couple of years ago, I was never a big fan of the original show (although Carolyn Jones was perfection as Morticia) being more of a Bewitched, That Girl kind of guy, it was better than my expectations had led me to believe.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this version of Father of the Bride for exactly one of the reasons you mentioned, the chemistry between Martin and Diane Keaton. They fumbled the sequel though which was flat-footed (my expectation was low when I saw they were too lazy to even give the film its own title as they did with the original but just stuck a 2 to the end! I hate that!!).
The Birdcage should be insulting since stereotypes abound but thanks to the skill of all involved it's very funny and rather sweet.
I too am from before VCR's and reached wwwway back for three that I watched with the folks as a youngster but have seen since and still love.
Papa’s Delicate Condition (1963)-Based on silent film star Corinne Griffith’s memoir of her small town childhood with her brash, tippling father (Jackie Gleason) and aggrieved mother (Glynis Johns) who while frustrated with her feckless husband and the troubles he causes when he’s in his cups still loves him very much. Homey and sweet film introduced the song “Call Me Irresponsible” which won the Oscar.
Mary Poppins (1964)-Practically perfect in every way nanny appears on the doorstep of the staid but colorful Banks residence one day and nothing is ever the same again. Julie Andrews IS perfect as Miss Poppins, the songs are wonderful as is the rest of the cast including Dick Van Dyke (terrible Cockney accent and all), a delightfully addled Glynis Johns again and Oscar winner Jane Darwell in her last film appearance as the Bird Woman.
Angel in My Pocket (1969)-Minister Sam Whitehead (Andy Griffith) arrives at his new post in the small town of Wood Falls, Kansas with his wife Mary Elizabeth (Lee Meriwether), kids, mother-in-law Racine (Kay Medford) and trouble making brother-in-law Bubba (Jerry Van Dyke) hoping to lead his flock in a peaceful fashion. Instead he finds himself smack dab in the middle of a feud between the families of Mayor Will Sinclair (Henry Jones) and his rival Axel Gresham (Edgar Buchanan). While he tries to deal with that unbeknownst to all Bubba (Jerry Van Dyke) turns the church boiler into an alcohol still leading to another set of problems. As things come to a head and Sam fears he is losing his faith something happens that leads to a happy conclusion. Homespun and comfy movie with Griffith adding just the right blend of warmth and gravity to the lead.
I'm also continually impressed at how well the special effects in The Addams Family on Thing have held up over the years. I'm in total agreement on the second Father of the Bride movie, which is nowhere near as good.
DeleteOf yours, the only one I've seen is Mary Poppins, which was another favorite of my youth. Papa's Delicate Condition has been on my radar for a while thanks to Call Me Irresponsible.
I remember watching Father of the Bride years ago and it was hilarious! I love The Addams Family.
ReplyDeleteFather of the Bride is good but I love the original. The Addams Family is funny and they did a great tribute to the TV show..I wish the same was done for my favourite-bewitched. Angelica is so good as Morticia, Carolyn Jones would be proud. Wednesday is brilliant! I love The Birdcage which is based on the French play and film, La Cage aux Folles. I saw the play in Toronto with gene rayburn in the robin williams role and it was good. I don't care about political correctness, which is getting a bit crazy now, this film is so much fun and Hank Azaria almost steals the show as their housekeeper.
ReplyDeleteFather of the Bride is one of those where I love the original and the remake almost equally. Same with The Birdcage/La Cage aux Folles. Hank Azaria is my sister's favorite, now and forever.
DeleteI really enjoyed Father of the Bride as well and I only found out it was a remake when I was an adult.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know The Addams Family was from a comic. I had always thought it was adapted from the 60's TV series. And yes Ricci was perfect as Wednesday Addams.
The Addams family! I love this movie so much, along with the sequel. It's so grotesque and entertaining and the cast is just impeccable. Gorgeous production design and costumes too
ReplyDelete