"The Last Of Sheila" is my second favorite movie, and, as with most of the ones I really love, it didn't have to be as good as it is. After all, a bitchy, gossipy murder-mystery script by Stephen Sondheim ("Who's that?" you ask, while I restrain myelf from screaming) and Anthony Perkins , directed by former choreographer Herbert Ross, would be a seventies novelty item alone. And that cast! Dyan Cannon, Raquel Welch, Joan Hackett, Richard Benjamin, the young Ian McShane, James Coburn and James Mason (playing a riff on his Humbert Humbert character), most of whom were Seventies superstars, all together in a film that doesn't feature a ship going upside-down, a towering building on fire, an earthquake or a swarm of killer bees...
...well, that's what you usually got with all-star films in the seventies. This film, put together by Sondheim and Perkins' love of puzzles, combined with slightly disguised takes on friends of theirs (Dyan Cannon's "Christine" is a stand-in for agent Sue Mengers), is one I saw when I was six or so on an afternoon movie ("What are those?" you query... "Ah, kids", I sigh) and kept catching over the years. Like a lot of the films I love, it not only holds up pretty well under repeat viewings, it demands repeat viewings.
I haven't said much about the plot, because it's part of the mystery in the film and I don't want to give anything away. Please watch this movie, if only so I'll have more than my wife, my brother and two other people to talk to about this.
Future Jones and Mom News...
...both are okay, although FEMA lost Mom's paperwork a couple of weeks ago and put her through some pretty unnecessary stress, given what she's gone through. Luckily, the good people at Fake Radio put on a nice charity event that raised $500 for her and the sister of Dan, the computer fiend who puts together the website, sound cues and music cues.
Future Jones danced his way through the entirety of "Harry Potter and The Goblet Of Fire" showing, once again, he is his father's son.
Currently Enjoying...
1) Sweet Charity- both the cast album from the sixties and the movie soundtrack with Sammy Davis Jr. Because I'm a big girl.
2)The SNL that Eva Longoria Hosted- Only because of the "Vincent Price 1958 Thanksgiving Special". That kid who did Price was pretty good, although not as good as myself. If he is reading this, leave a comment and I'll tell you how to do it better. Because I'm helpful. Also, a big girl.
3)Hitchock's "The Wrong Man"- One of the most excruciating film experiences ever, and not because Henry Fonda plays an Italian bass player at The Stork Club. You must see this film.
4) Lost/Threshold/Arrested Development/Alias/NBC's The Office/TheDailyShow-The Colbert Report- I watch a lot of TV. This year only two of my faves will be cancelled, both by FOX!
5) Remington Steele (season 1)- This dvd collection is on fi-yah! See the shows that made me wear a trenchcoat every day of my senior year in High School. Because I'm a big girl.
Looking Forward To...
... King Kong, Syriana, Walk The Line, The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Capote, Superman Returns and Spiderman 3.
And how was your thanksgiving?
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7 comments:
Currently Enjoying[...]
2)The SNL that Eva Longoria Hosted- Only because of the "Vincent Price 1958 Thanksgiving Special".
The anachronisms didn't bother you?
We rawther dug Good Night, and Good Luck.
Eva Longoria needs to be clocked in the face.
You ain't no grrrl. You's just a real purty boy ;)
Capt.- Nopers, because it was funny enough where I could let that stuff go. I know, I know, the old Mr. Jones wrote skethces that were so historically correct, the funny was somehow left behind...
...but becoming a father matures one.
P- Yeah, the movie was simplistic, but in the way I like.
But she committed to every sketch she was in, which is all I really require.
I'd say "No comment", but when I do, I usually say it with a lisp
I heard "Capote" was excellent! P.S.H. is just an awesome actor, yo.
Fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy night!
Just watched "The Last of Sheila" earlier today. Ian McShane was gorgeous. Dyan Cannon was wonderful. Great fun!
Robin,
Ken "Polk Salad Annie" once told me a great story about Dyan Cannon who he worked with (said story does not include any slobby-worthy gossip about her one-time husband Cary Grant.) But that's not important right now. What really matters is your darn brother, who was all you know, admitting that he was alive and stuff when he had a book to sell, but now that I've filled my sleigh with Iconfidential!, Poof! No Beej.
What gives?
MB- Still need to see it. The choice the other week was "The Ice Harvest" and "Capote", and the former was earlier.
"The Former Was Earlier" is also my favorite short story from The New Yorker, circa 1958.
"Ice Harvest" is a very good meditation on guys in their forties, dressed up as a black caper comedy. John Cusack still rules.
6- I agree, but my faves in that are Mason, Coburn and Hackett. And I'm a big McShane fan, so that's saying a lot.
Anon- And you are??? Anyone who knows Ken and my brother (and refers to my brother as "Beej" which he hates, which is why everyone must do this) must be someone from my dark, far away past. Another fun guessing game for me...
...sigh.
Brendan is alive, but his finanaces are slowly rebuilding, so he only is in contact with his new job and his immediate family.
Just keep calling him Beej, he'll respond quick enough. Hee hee.
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