“Pass the Popcorn Please” and
“When Is That Bald-Headed #$%^&* Going To Call Lunch?”
Book Giveaway Qualifying Entry Task
Yes, it’s time for our 2nd contest this month! This time we’ll be giving away TWO COPIES EACH of J. M. Harrison’s Pass the Popcorn Please: 87 Watchable Movies You Should View
In order to qualify for to win one of these books via this contest giveaway, you must complete the following task by by Saturday, March 26 at 9PM EST. However, the sooner you enter, the better chance you have of winning, because we will pick a winner on four different days within the contest period, via random drawings, as listed below… So if you don’t win the first week that you enter, you will still be eligible to win during the following weeks until the contest is over.
- Saturday, March 5: “Pass the Popcorn” One Winner
- Saturday, March 12: “When is That Bald-Headed…” One Winner
- Saturday, March 19: “Pass the Popcorn” One Winner
- Saturday, March 26: “When is That Bald-Headed…” One Winner
We will announce the winner(s) on Twitter or on this Blog (depending on how you entered), the day after each winner is picked at 9PM EST (for example, we will announce the first winner on Sunday March 6 at 9PM EST).
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ENTRY TASK (2-parts) to be completed by Saturday, March 26 at 9PM EST — BUT remember, the sooner you enter, the more chances you have to win…
1) Answer the below question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog post.
2) Then TWEET* (not DM) the following message (see below if you do not have a Twitter account):
Just entered to win a J.M. Harrison Classic Movie Book courtesy of @ClassicMovieHub and @JMHarrisonBooks #BookGiveaway
THE QUESTION:
If you had to pick three movies that everyone should at least see once, what would they be?
*If you do not have a Twitter account, you can still enter the contest by simply answering the above question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog — BUT PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ADD THIS VERBIAGE TO YOUR ANSWER: I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
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Please note that only Continental United States residents (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and the territory of Puerto Rico) are eligible to enter this giveaway contest. (see contest rules for further information)
BlogHub members ARE also eligible to win if they live within the Continental United States (as noted above).
You can follow J.M. Harrison at @JMHarrisonBooks
And if you can’t wait to win the books, you can purchase them on amazon via the below link (click on images):
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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
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#1: Deliverance. Extremely intense at times, James Dickey’s skill as a poet is evident in the dialogue. Though known for other scenes, it is a must-see for Burt Reynolds scene just after the violent encounter with the mountain men, if for no other reason than his acting has been viewed as laughable in most roles, this shows the abilities that were lost by typecasting.
#2: The Sand Pebbles. The acting is excellent, the story is everything, comedic, romantic, adventurous, dramatic, but more importantly it tells the story of China trying to develop into a nation by expelling those who had taken advantage of it for so long.
#3: Lawrence of Arabia. Peter O’ Tooles’ transformation from an idealist into a warrior of the desert is remarkable. While the scenery is amazing and the ensemble cast is top-notch, the film resonates with me through scenes such as when Lawrence brings the Arab boy into the Officer’s club and demands a glass of water for him, with a facial expression so maniacal I wonder how the other actors maintained eye-contact.
I could go on (obviously).
wow, strong choices…
I’ ve not seen “Sand Pebbles” and I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t seen “Lawrence of Arabia” after all these years. Your comments have inspired to put these two on my list to watch.
Call it a coincidence, but I’ve only seen 1 on your list (A Face In the Crowd), so I’ll have to track the other two down and give them a look. This is the best thing about this format, the exchange of views on films that we might otherwise not consider. Winning stuff is cool too, don’t get me wrong:)
I write about SAND PEBBLES and LAWRENCE in my book on epics.
Tootsie, The Bridges of Madison County, and Driving Miss Daisy, if I had to pick just 3.
The three movies that everyone should see at least once are: “the thief of Baghdad”, “20th century “, and “a face in the crowd. ”
“The thief of Baghdad” because it’s a tour de force for Douglas Fairbanks Sr., and his amazing athletic stunts, the production design of William Cameron Menzies, and exciting storyline.
“20th century” is a brilliant comedy that I only discovered in the last 10 years. It’s a wonderful look at an egotistical ham-director, and an unknown actress who becomes an insufferable egotist when she is the toast of Broadway. Adroit comic actors Walter Connolly and Roscoe Karns help make this film a zany, screwball masterpiece.
“A face in the crowd” is another brilliant film. This one is about the power of the media—radio and television in particular—to make a country bumpkin a huge star, and ultimately a shaper of public opinion. If you only know Andy Griffith as Andy Taylor from the Andy Griffith show, you’re in for a big surprise. He plays roughhewn Lonesome Roads who gets power hungry after rising from petty drunk ne’er-do-well to an Arthur Godfrey type of folksy character who is the number one tv star in America. With an excellent script by Budd Schulberg, superb direction by Elia Kazan, and outstanding performances by Patricia Neal, Lee Remick, Walter Matthau and others, this film should be watched during each presidential election cycle.
Nice choices!
The films I normally pick would have Marilyn Monroe, be an example of film noir, or have Keaton or Lloyd in it, so I tried to pick other ones I enjoy a lot!
THIEF is in my book on epics, as well.
Tough question but I narrowed it down to 3 that I believe are ‘must see at least once’ because some may believe once is enough. All Quiet on the Western Front, Schindler’s List, and I Was a Fugitive From a Chain Gang.
good choices… for an especially difficult question 🙂
Boy, everyone’s picking from my book on epics! ALL QUIET is in there, too! 🙂
Casablanca, Gone with the Wind and Since You Went Away
nice!!!
GWTW is also in my epics book. Gee, I’m starting to feel like a broken record. 🙂
Gone with the wind a must.
The Machurian candidate
Casablanca
Hi Rhonda, please remember to tweet the qualifying tweet. Thanks!
Now, Voyager; The Long, Long Trailer; Little Women (June Allyson, Janet Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Margaret O’Brien)
nice choices… Now, Voyager is one of my all-time favorites 🙂
I DVR’d “Now, Voyager” last month on TCM. I still haven’t watched it, but now I shall. Thanks for the recommendation. (Well, thanks Sara Stewart for the recommendation, and thank you for your confirmation 😉 )
You’ll love it!
Hard question! I guess I’d have to pick:
• Vertigo. A wonderfully shot psychological horror film that leaves you on the edge of your seat.
• Gone with the Wind. A sweeping romantic epic. The portrayal of the south and its view on slavery are problematic in this day and age but still definitely worth watching for the performances and scenery.
• Seven Samurai. Arguably one of the most influential stories in film by the brilliant Kurasawa.
Excellent choices!
OK, it’s nearly… what, Wednesday? Then, these:
Annie Hall
Casablanca
2001: A Space Odyssey
No reason these couldn’t work on a Thursday or a Saturday, either… 8>)
My 3 top choices would be
Casablanca
The Women
The Parent Trap
It is hard to narrow down to 3 as I couldn’t include Doris Day, Debbie Reynolds, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Helburn, or Bette Davis!
Posting on behalf of Camen Philly who was unable to post, and who could not tweet the qualifying message, so is giving an abbreviated answer: The Godfather
Wings of Desire
An Affair to Remember
All About Eve
Okay, my three…
1) Casablanca. Simply, my favorite movie of all time. It has possibly the most legendary love triangle ever, wonderful chemistry, and a sharp script. That only three actors were born in the US–Dooley Wilson, Bogart, and Joy Paige (who plays Anina, the Bulgarian refugee)–while many of the rest were actual refugees fleeing Hitler? That makes it all the more interesting, and explains why so many actors teared-up during the Le Marseillaise scene. It was their rebel cry. The Bogart-Bergman-Henreid triad aside, though, to me, the bromance between Rick and Louis is endlessly entertaining. Claude Rains’ work on this film is underrated, because his part doesn’t figure into the “epic romance” story. I’ve seen this over a hundred times, and each time, I appreciate Louis’ character more. Again, an obvious choice, but it’s my favorite movie, so I had to include it.
2) Fanny and Alexander. Ingmar Bergman’s 1983 largely autobiographical masterpiece traces the highs and lows of a Swedish theater family, all through twelve-year-old Alexander’s eyes. The film won four Oscars, and the production design and cinematography are breathtaking. It touches on love and lust, families and friends, the real and the supernatural, and how the lowest among us can be the most virtuous, while the loftiest are the most cruel. There are different versions of this film available. Whatever you do, AVOID THE DUBBED VERSION! Criterion Collection offers the extended cut shown on Swedish television. It adds a lot on to the three-hours plus running time, but there are some remarkable added details. It’s a lot of Swedish and a lot of subtitle reading, but if you find you like the theatrical cut, give it a try.
3) I went back and forth on this one, but I’m going with “Capote.” Of all the performances I’ve seen, certainly Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s incarnation as Truman Capote is among the absolute best. One thing that strikes me every time I watch “Capote” is that it’s a quiet film. No car chases, and only a few scenes of boisterousness. Hoffman is surrounded by great supporting actors, like Catherine Keener, Bruce Greenwood, and–especially–Chris Cooper. A beautiful, poignant film about how Capote’s “In Cold Blood” came to be, and how it destroyed him.
(My two honorable mentions would be the film noir masterpiece, “Double Indemnity,” and Oliver Stone’s sharp as a razor “JFK”)
Tough question!
I haven’t seen Fanny and Alexander in such a very long time, so this was a great nudge to watch it again… Casablanca is one of my all time favorites… And I must admit (dare I say), I haven’t seen Capote yet…
1. “Truly, Madly, Deeply”. the only romantic movie I can sit through, and I have, several times.
2. “Birth of a Nation”. D.W. Griffith was a genius.
3. “Midnight Run”. because funny.
I would have to choose these three films:
1) Do The Right Thing: a difficult, provocative depiction of racial tension that remains every bit as challenging as the day it was released.
2) City Lights: everyone needs a little Charlie Chaplin in their, and this just maybe his finest, and heartrending film.
3) Bicycle Thieves: one of the most devastating films ever made. Subtitles, or no subtitles, this is one of masterpieces of cinema. It is also a realistic depiction of the human condition.
Hi David, I didn’t see your tweet yet. Please let me know when/if you tweet — or let me know if you don’t have a twitter account. Thanks!
I do have a Twitter account, but I don’t really use it that much.
This is truly one of the hardest lists I have ever compiled because I love too many movies, but if the keyword is “watchable”, then my three choices are: 1. The Wizard of Oz – because it was the first movie I fell in love with at an early age. 2. To Kill a Mockingbird – because it’s probably one of my all-time favorite movies ever made. 3. The Sound of Music – because it’s another movie that’s so watchable that you never grow tired of seeing it.
David, you got the gist of what I write about. In my book on Westerns, several people complained about what I’d left out. They didn’t understand what I was attempting to accomplish. (I guess they didn’t read the introduction.)