Challenge! ....or how much I hate lists and am inspired to make my own again

Oh, its a challenge....Total Film did a pictorial count of 50, (YES 50, isn't that ridiculous?) of the sexiest scenes in film......A list which I scoff at and must demand its repeal...first off all...50? Really? What a way to bore your audience......and secondly, ugh......Some scenes are sexually charged but have nothing to do with being SEXY......Perhaps it is all in the definition...Readers , you must realize that lists are by their nature always wrong- subjective and ever fluctuating they are only correct at the moment the type hits the screen and not a second longer. 

With that rant and a further disclaimer to please ignore all lists and a nod to the definition of SEXY not sexual, here is the Film Maven's top 15 sexiest moments on film: 

1)Kissing in the rain .....

Top spot goes to "Idlewild" starring Andre Benjamin and Paula Patton - while the entire scene is romantic and sensual, its that first hott kiss in the cold rain that is the sexiest moment...emotional and riveting...

2) Top honors for dressing for a date ....... 

Richard Gere....in "American Gigolo"  shimmies to "Its Just my Imagination" by Smoky Robinson as the dresses to thrill his clients....gorgeous. 

3)Woman of a certain age..

 ...goes to Brenda Blethyn and Tcheky Karyo...he is a scary power demi god street thug and she is a housewife trying to save herself...when Tcheky backs Brenda slowly into a wall and whispers to her the charge is electric in "Saving Grace" (and yes, bonus, also starring Craigyferg)

4)Romantically sleezy with glimmers of hope..

 I can't say exactly what it is about Jared Harris, but he has a definite 'it' factor..perhaps its those amazing acting genes...and match him with the talented hyper sexuality of Asia Argento ..and wow.....in "B.Monkey" a moderately strange film ...you get a sexually charged surprisingly romantic love scene.

5) Shakespeare 

Not the best overall version of "Othello" but we are going for moments....Laurence Fishburne lights up the spot with his seduction and lust for Desdemona played by Irene Jacobs....

6) Rings 

The Postman Always Rings Twice ....this one I gotta give to Total Film and their list....Jessica Lange is smoldering in almost every scene in the 1981 version, the entire film is set on tinderbox with a match only millimeters away from the fuse.... yet, the underlying violence creates a rift for me and while in the 1946 version, Lana Turner has John Garfield thinking with his nether regions at every turn...its her mere entrance into any scene that qualifies for a place in this category. 

7) more Rings....

LOTR is not the most romantic 25 hours of film,  but ...I must give credit to "The Two Towers" as the King dreams of his Elvish love....its more 'girly' romantic but come on, you've got Liv Tyler and Viggo Mortenson in the woods dreaming of each other......its dead sexy. 

8) Amore 

"Moonstruck", a pivotal film for both Nicolas Cage and Cher, the slap heard around the world "GET OVER IT" ....the sexiest moment......Perhaps when Olympia Dukakis is tempted by John Mahoney ..but no, it must be the ranting of Johnny's brother to Johnny's Fiance about loosing his hand...its the moment she develops a lustful need to conquer him...

9) Twisted 

Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly....need I say more? "Bound" is not a good movie, buts its filled with sexy moments....(even if some of them make you giggle)

10) Heat 

William Hurt and Kim Zimmer...oops I mean Kathleen Turner... sizzle through out this film....but perhaps for a moment...its the thought process, the building of desire, the heat of Miami and not the actual contact between partners in this film that are sexy. "Body Heat" 

11) Breathless 

There are too many moments when Richard Gere can't help but take over the silver screen and oooozzzze beauty and sensuality, but I have to give the sexy moment in "Breathless" to the original "A bout de Souffle" with Jean-Paul Belmondo......the thumb across the lips, the lighting of her cigarette, when Jean Seberg moves helplessly around the tiny hotel room trying to escape her feelings for him....uh..um...yeah...

12) A Susan Sarandon and James Spader moment....

tough choice here, so we'll have to have a twofer twofer........"White Palace" they are crazy weird but so hott and its the conversations before the action that qualify here as the sexy moments...

13) Susan in "Bull Durham"......or maybe its just her look during Kevin Costner's line, "Slow wet kisses that last for days"....

14) James...in "Secretary" trying to down play his kinky desires....its awkward and strange....but when he finally gives in its sweet and sexy kink...

 15) Miranda July and John Hawkes ....hanging the bird picture in a tree in "Me and You and Everyone We know" makes him an instant sex symbol.....

 and 16 & 17 just because I can....the shower scene in 
"I, Robot" - just coming off the movie "Ali" Will Smith is in amazing, amazing form......

and Selma Hayek in "From Dusk til Dawn" ....I give this one to Total Film as well....they got it right...its weird, its scary, its really a sexy moment on film....

SNAP OUT OF IT

End of summer brings the awareness of change. This seems to be especially poignant as it shows us the end of phases...I've been lost in a torrent of 'get things done' 'fit everything in' and 'oh my goodness, where has the time gone' when realizing all I have let slide in the past months.....oh what wonderful craziness these long sunny days hath brought........ 


In recent days, these films left me wistful and transitional.....


"A Letter to Three Wives" (1949) - Wicked is as wicked does, all three women have reason to be worried- which makes the waiting and wondering even more torturous. 


"The Third Man" (1949) - Such amazing use of space, shadow and thought....beautiful and intriguing. 


"The Heiress" (1949) - Watched this twice in the past few weeks with out really meaning to, but Monty is so sweet and edgy - the costumes are oddly fitting and become outside the characters. Is it bad to hope for a happy ending? 

Greetings Coffee Lovers!

What a fabulous summer its been. Hot, steamy, sticky, the sun blaring down in a mocking 'take that' stream of unrelenting brightness.......Early morning Sunday here in the Midwest we start out at a mild 80 degrees at 9am - I wonder if the coffee companies would go on hiatus if it weren't for our delightful over use of Air Conditioners??


Comfortably ensconced in an air conditioned breezy basement with temperatures hovering around 70 I am able to     enjoy my new "Zen" blend from Great Lakes Roasting Company (yes, they have a facebook page) .......Freshly ground and brewed by the boyfriend (who's previous fame as a horrid coffee maker is well known) he can now claim 'Baristo boy' as his newest endearment. 


Ah...but what of movies you might ask? Well....The enjoyment of this new cup o joe has allowed the brain to focus on a viewing of an indie film that waited several years to come out in the USA.....


Filmmaker David Robert Mitchell delivers "Myth of the American Sleepover" to his hometown theater in Royal Oak Michigan this weekend to full theater audiences and enthusiastic VOD streamers (locally carried by both Comcast and U-Verse, check your local listings) 


"The Myth of The American Sleepover" (2010) Written and Directed by Clawson, Michigan raised David Robert Mitchell and staring Redford Township's own Claire Sloma.


Capturing those waves in adolescence that define us as individuals and yet carry a universal theme of growth is presented here with awkward depictions of sleepovers as the last refuge of being a kid with the need to have adult moments of decision making. Mitchell offers a peek into one night in an American suburb of teens on the edge of the next phase of their lives. Entry into High School, a last summer of feeling like anything is possible, a last few seconds before the world gets bigger and beyond comprehension.  


All of the teens realistically carry on a last night romp, but certainly Ms. Sloma has an 'it' factor that helped her earn two film festival acting awards. Annette DeNoyer also stands out as the meekly devoted BFF. 


A culture defining film that well states the 'myth' with an honest portrayal of American teenagers. This film will help you remember what it was like. 


Don't miss this. 

Stove Bolt Six, Steady Breaker or A Tin Lizzie

Cars that make the movie 

Clint Eastwood took the perfect car for a ride in "Gran Torino" (2008) - he captured a city (the motor city, that would be Detroit) on the edge of its love affair with the auto industry, defining itself as a city struggling for a new identity and showed the skilled laborer as a tough, insulate, ready guy of the line willing to open up to a new phase of understanding. The use of the Torino is a classic displacement of the glamor and adoration of old world craftsmanship mixed with automated assembly. Eastwood told his story with words everyone can understand. This is mine, I like things the way they are and I have a very cool car. 

What other films use a car to symbolize the identity of the hero and his time period? 

Presumptive Princess

Prince Albert II of Monaco was married yesterday, I know right? Never thought that was gonna happen. So its seems (yes, WIKI is a wonderful thing) that Albert's illegitimate children have no claim to the throne and its become of great concern that he has no direct heirs. So his sister Princess Caroline (totally our favorite right?) is heir presumptive. I'm not sure if its the stars in my eyes created by a Hollywood princess, but I've always found the Grimaldi's fascinating. 

In dedication to the lovely Grace Kelly who's charm and wit stole the heart of many, she was our American Princess long before marrying into royalty: 

"Dial M For Murder" (1954)- I had the honor to see this in 3D at the Redford Theater in a far northwest corner of Detroit on a rainy Friday evening. It was captivating.  Robert Cummings is smooth and fresh, Ms. Kelly is bright and lovely, both setting a perfect background for the devious calculating schemes of Ray Milland. Director Hitchock doesn't need over the top production to make this film riveting and satisfying. 

"Rear Window" (1954) - This is a perfect contrast film to "Dial M For Murder" to showcase Ms. Kelly's talent. Here she is slick, sophisticated and seductive. The perfect juxtapose to Jimmy Stewart's immobility she is flexible, rash and complex. 

"High Society" (1956) - There must be something about this play - it almost can't be done wrong. Normally, I would rant about remakes - but this one works for all the wrong reasons. No one here fits into good casting. If you watch "The Philadelphia Story" with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant you'll see what I mean....yet...this is a really decent film on its own. Humorous, well timed, cute and as we know, the camera loves Ms. Kelly well suited as a rich flighty love interest. 

Summer in the City or The American Teenager is a little crazy

Perhaps the title should be, OH SO Emo......Teenagers are a different animal and as much as we can understand brain activity and hormones its so true what Chemical Romance shouts, "They all said TEENAGERS scared the livin' shit outta me ..So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose....' Nothing can be as scary as teenager angst movies: 

"Empire Records" (1995) - These days they are all grown up and have responsible acting careers, but way back in the day- Robin Tunney shaved her head, Liv Tyler wore a plaid skirt, Ethan Embry ooozed emotional stress and Rory Cochrane & Anthony LaPaglia hadn't become familiar cop faces on tv.....faced paced getting to know you flick with edgy grown ups like Maxwell Cauflield and Debi Mazar.


"Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982) - Sean Penn has fortunately grown way past his portrayal as Spicolli and he is probably extremely grateful. Its one of those roles that could stereotype and haunt you if you let it. A silly stoner, wish I could get a girl movie but with impressive acting, directing and editing. Pheobe Cates, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Forest Whitaker use this jumping off point to high light decent careers. 


"American Graffiti" (1973) - Fondly looking back at the angst of the 50's teen - the first generation with true leisure time and the freedom of automobiles. Great cast, interesting premise- slightly cheesy. You'll want to keep the remote in your hand to slow down and repeat for the cars....

Hanging Around

Clicking 122 channels with nothing to watch I caught a few moments of Criminal Minds (TV,CBS, 2005-present) a show I have watched because who couldn't love Mandy Patinkin (2005 -2007) and Joe Mantegna (2008-2011) ? Usually I drift away during a commercial and don't remember what happened nor care that I don't have the solution. The acting is terrific but the stories are repetitious and not in a good way like ABC's Castle or FOX's Bones .......who are more like Matlock in their soft core murder cozies. 

Anyway, I digress. A glimpse of Beth Grant being her best at matronly evil was enough to catch my attention for a moment. In the closing scenes of the show I seriously had a LMAO as Bud Cort was found hanging from a bathroom ceiling fixture. How odd that a few seconds of homage to a 70's cult film would bring such joy to my heart.....

With Love For Bud and Ruth 

"Harold and Maude" (1971)- A iconic 70's cult film once shown for matinee's and midnight movies, now available on DVD...a film that epitomizes the fight between modernity and postmodernism through out the 20th century. Maude is modernity, a woman of great narrative who has collected all the symbols (smell machine, sculpture, musical instruments) of an age. She has fought for human rights, created art, loved strongly and with a Victorian era calm knows when her time is up. Harold is young, vibrant and missing parts. He has no story, no future and no cause to fight for. His only action is to fight against the past and its conventions. He is not of this time but can't envision a future. He is the image of an image that is fading and can only be seen its momentary phases as he captures death. Don't watch this the first few dozen times for its battle of modern vs postmodern, but for the tree that is rescued, the pastor who is rattled,  and the car that is sent over the cliff. And mostly for Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort who create with laughter, dance and love.