Welcome to BlogHub: the Best in Veteran and Emerging Classic Movie Blogs
You can rate and share your favorite classic movie posts here.
You can rate and share your favorite classic movie posts here.
Pasolini’s Mamma Roma
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on May 30, 2014
The story of Mamma Roma begins in the rural landscape of Guidonia, far from the crude urbanity that has since become the city of Rome. The eponymous ‘Mamma Roma’ is known simply by this title throughout the film. We meet her for the first time in this setting, bursting in (invited we ten read more
A Master of Music: 8 Great Scores From Henry Mancini
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Apr 28, 2014
There has ever been anyone quite like Mr. Mancini. I believe that there is no other film composer, past or present, that shares the elusive quality of his music. His scores are, at times, lusciously lyrical, at others heart-poundingly exhilarating; but always they are stylistically flawless —each read more
Kurosawa Classic: Yojimbo (用心棒)
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Apr 19, 2014
One of the best aspects of the study of cinema is watching the story of a magnificent art form unfold, and observing a kind of great conversation blossom between filmmakers across the world. In many ways, Yojimbo is the continuation of the classic Hollywood tradition; one need not look too deeply to read more
What is the Meaning of “Iconic”?
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Apr 7, 2014
I had planned originally to write an article on this topic but, as usual, pictures seem to speak louder than words. And so, I invite you on a wander through the most memorable moments of cinema. In this video, I have tried to include only the very best; these images have stood not only the test of read more
Random Harvest —A Simple Tale of Romance
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Mar 31, 2014
Before I tell you of my own thoughts, I thought I’d first share a quote with you from the late great James Agee. Upon viewing Random Harvest in 1942, he said that he would “like to recommend this film to those who can with pleasure eat a bowl of Yardley’s shaving soap for breakfast read more
Birth of the Psycho-Biddy: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Mar 19, 2014
To understand clearly the chemistry of Baby Jane, it is necessary first to delve into the deep and rather enduring riff between its two stars: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. One cannot be certain exactly what is was that made the two detest each other so voraciously. Some would argue that it was Cra read more
On Truth & Illusion: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Feb 22, 2014
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf opens with a beautiful theme from Alex North. It is melancholy, mournful, and achingly beautiful. At the same time, a scene has started to play out: two figures are walking (if you look really closely, intoxicatedly staggering) towards us. However, we really do n read more
5 Movies About Marriage
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Feb 14, 2014
Hollywood loves romance. But marriage, as our English compadres would say, is another kettle of fish entirely. Hollywood loves romance. But marriage, as our English compadres would say, is another kettle of fish entirely. As the quintessential poster-child of the throw away society, I imagine it is read more
A Tribute to Cary Grant
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Jan 18, 2014
Here’s the first video of the year: a tribute to the debonair Cary Grant on what would have been his 110th birthday. I debated (with myself) for a very long time over what would accompany this little montage, and ended up with this version of ‘Isn’t It Romantic’ from the Edd read more
A Montage: Classic Movies to Inspire
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Dec 29, 2013
Hope everyone’s having a lovely holiday season. Here is my last video of the year, featuring everything from recent (ish) classics to films from years long gone. All though have in common, in my humble opinion, the rather enigmatic power of the movies. Whether they educate us, inspire us, or read more
In Memory of Eleanor Parker: Caged
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Dec 21, 2013
To celebrate the wonderful Eleanor Parker, I had originally planned to write a piece on her most famous creation: the Baroness Schraeder of The Sound of Music. However, while it is definitely a lovely performance, (and God knows we all adore her in it —especially in those gorgeous party dresses) read more
Favourite Film Stars: Why I Love Audrey Hepburn
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Nov 30, 2013
I do not believe there is anyone out there that doesn’t admire Audrey Hepburn, if only a little. Some perhaps know her best as the spunky ‘Liza Doolittle, the cockney flower-girl often heard twittering a happy tune. For others, her name conjures up a crystalline image of a young lady wa read more
Miracle in Milan & the Meaning of Realism
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Nov 11, 2013
In 1951, Mr Vittoria de Sica rolled out one of the most wonderfully weird movies I have ever seen (and after having seen it, I am sure you too will agree completely). The critics of the day however, were slightly less impressed. For one thing it seemed a world away from the gritty neorealism that ha read more
Exploring Gump and the Popular Movie
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Nov 1, 2013
With Halloween well on its way (out now actually), I had, of course, intended to write about a horror movie. From my title though, I obviously didn’t push though with this lofty proposition. I’m afraid the prospect of watching The Shining over and over (and I do promise I tried) scouring read more
Ophüls’ Letter from an Unknown Woman
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Oct 24, 2013
I have heard so much great praise for Letter from an Unknown Woman so a few nights ago I decided finally to give this one a shot. As I began to watch it I discovered the film was, indeed, as dreamily gorgeous as I had been told to expect. And yet, the more I wallowed in Ophüls’ movie, the read more
“Allison is seldom referred to. But I think it was one of the best things I ever made”.”
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Oct 16, 2013
Mr Huston, I agree completely. Heaven Knows, Mr Allison is probably one of the few films I would hasten to reference as ‘perfectly executed’. Yet, in my book it is arguably much more than that; Allison possesses a true and honest sincerity in its essential vision. While it’s read more
Bette Davis: An Actress to Admire
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Sep 5, 2013
She lived and died before I was born, but for the longest time, Bette has been, and I believe, will always remain, a great hero of mine. I write this article in an attempt to articulate exactly why someone, a stranger to me, can command such reverence and deep admiration. Ruth Elizabeth, “Bett read more
60 Years On: A Modern Take on Roman Holiday
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Aug 20, 2013
I'm afraid I haven't been able to write an article this week, but as you can see, I've been in Rome! So for this post, I thought I would show you some pictures from my trip; and to make it even more interesting, I have put a sampling of the filming locations from Roman Holiday side by side with my read more
Reading Wilder: Double Indemnity
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Aug 12, 2013
At it surface (and, indeed, from the opening scenes of the film) the viewer can very easily discern the usual hallmarks of film noir: the traditional femme fatale, the ‘weaker’ man, even those delightful venetian blinds —all entwined together in the plot of dispassionate and near-perfect read more
A Classic Tale of Hollywood: A Star is Born
Sunset Blvd Posted by Rachel T on Jul 31, 2013
A Star is Born. For most readers, it will probably be Judy Garland’s sensational musical take on this cautionary tale of Hollywood that is most familiar. Or maybe it was through the Streisand (and frankly, slightly oddball) version that you first made your aquaintance with this classic story read more