Monthly Archives: November 2011

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Directed by Milos Forman, McMurphy thinks he can get out of doing work while in prison by pretending to be mad. His plan backfires when he is sent to a mental asylum. While serving time for insanity at a state mental hospital, implacable rabble-rouser Randle inspires his fellow patients to rebel against the authoritarian rule of head nurse Mildred, a woman who is more a dictator than a nurse.

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Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Directed by George Seaton, At the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the actor playing Santa is discovered to be drunk by a whiskered old man. Doris, the no nonsense special events director, persuades the old man to take his place. The old man proves to be a sensation and is quickly recruited to be the store Santa at the main Macy’s outlet. While he is successful, Ms. Walker learns that he calls himself Kris Kringle and he claims to be the actual Santa Claus. But when he claims to be Santa Claus he is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (TV 1973)

Directed by Bill Melendez and Phil Roman, Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, and with Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock, he attempts to throw together a Thanksgiving dinner.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

Directed by John Hughes, All that Neal wants to do is to get home for Thanksgiving. Two days before Thanksgiving, marketing consultant Neal races to catch a plane home to Chicago, only to find that his flight has been delayed. Hours later, he boards the plane and ends up next to obnoxious salesman, Del. When the flight is detoured to Wichita, the mismatched pair are forced to find their own way to Chicago-by any means necessary.

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011)

Directed by Bill Condon, Edward and Bella, whose unborn child poses different threats to the wolf pack and vampire coven. They must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage, honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child… which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob.

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Watch Out (2008)

Directed by Steve Balderson, A narcissistic college professor whose sexual fascination with his own body leads him to down a path of increasingly disturbed behavior. Forsaking priests and others who lust for him, Barrows soon pays a high price for his excessive self-love.

State Fair (1945)

Directed by Walter Lang, Good old-fashioned hometown pride is on exhibit a Farmer family head to Iowa state Fair, with discontented daughter Margy, On the first day, both Margy and brother Wayne meet attractive new flames; so does father’s prize hog, Blue Boy. As the fair proceeds, so do the romances; must lovers separate when the fair closes?

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Directed by Mel Brooks, The standard story of Robin Hood: Evil Prince John is oppressing the people while good King Richard is away on the Crusades. Robin steals from the tax collectors, wins an archery contest, defeats the Sheriff, and rescues Maid Marian. classic tale of Robin Hood, triumphs in an archery contest, foils the Sheriff of Nottingham and makes goo-goo eyes at Maid Marian. The titular musical number, involving song, dance — and, yes, men in tights — is an undisputed highlight.

What Women Want (2000)

Directed by Nancy Meyers, After an accident, Nick, a Chicago advertising executive, gets a whole new outlook on life when a fluke accident gives him the ability to read women’s minds. At first, this “gift” provides Nick with way too much information, but he begins to realize that he can use it to good effect, especially when it comes to outwitting his new boss, Darcy. In spite of his best efforts to finesse Darcy, he soon finds himself falling in love and truly understanding what women want.

J. Edgar (2011)

Directed by Clint Eastwood, Based on a true story of J. Edgar Hoover, the man often credited with making the FBI what it is today: an efficient, crime-fighting organization shrouded in secrecy. Hoover founded the organization in 1935 and remained director until his death in 1972. As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.

Emma (1932)

Directed by Clarence Brown, When their mother dies, Frederick Smith hires Emma to be a nanny to his 3 children. The children grow up and Frederick becomes rich and successful. He and Emma marry right before his death, Emma is faced with resentment  from the children and his will becomes a source of trouble between the children and Emma.

My Normal (2009)

Directed by Irving Schwartz, Natalie is an attractive New York City lesbian who pays the bills by working as a dominatrix while she pursues her filmmaking ambitions. Her unique talents make her a star in the erotic services trade, and a new romance is showing promise as well. But when she’s offered the chance to do what she’s dreamed of, Natalie finds that getting what you want can be complicated.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Directed by Tim Burton, When Willy Wonka decides to let five children into his chocolate factory, he decides to release five golden tickets in five separate chocolate bars, causing complete mayhem. The tickets start to be found, with the fifth going to a very special boy, called Charlie Bucket. With his Grandpa, Charlie joins the rest of the children to experience the most amazing factory ever.

The Alamo (1960)

Directed by John Wayne, Based on a true story, In 1836 General Santa Anna and the Mexican army is sweeping across Texas. To be able to stop him, General Sam Houston needs time to get his main force into shape. To buy that time he orders Colonel William Travis to defend a small mission on the Mexicans’ route at all costs. On April 21, 1836 where General Sam Houston’s rag-tag army of Texans took on and defeated Santa Anna’s army which led to the indepedence of Texas.

The Ladykillers (2004)

Directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Goldthwait is a charlatan professor who has assembled a gang of experts for the heist of the century. The thieves are experts in explosions, tunneling and muscle. The professor is their critical inside man. The base of operations is the root cellar of an unsuspecting,church-going, little old lady named Mrs. Munson. The ruse: the five need a place to practice their church music. The problem: it quickly becomes evident that Dorr’s thieves lack the mental capacity to do the job. The bigger problem: they have seriously underestimated their upstairs host. When Mrs. Munson stumbles onto their plot and threatens to notify the authorities, the felonious five decide to ‘do her in’ before she ruins their heist. After all, how hard can it be to knock off an old lady?

Silsila (1981)

Directed by Yash Chopra, A story of love lost and found, but twisted by society’s demands and conventions to appear as adultery. Brothers Amit, a writer, and Shekhar, a military pilot, share a strong fraternal bond. So when Shekhar is killed in the line of duty, Amit feels obligated to marry his brother’s pregnant fiancée, leaving his own girlfriend, Chandni, heartbroken. But years later, when Amit and the now-married Chandni meet unexpectedly, they rekindle their intense romance despite their marital vows.

( This film was released in 1981 India the audiences objected to the storyline centered around an  adulterous couple.)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

Directed by Aditya Chopra, Raj is a rich, carefree, happy-go-lucky second generation NRI. Simran is the daughter of Chaudhary Baldev Singh, who in spite of being an NRI is very strict about adherence to Indian values. The two meet on a month long Eurotrip, and what began as pranks and fun and games, ends in love. But by the time they realize it, it is already too late.

To End All Wars (2001)

Directed by David L. Cunningham, Based on the true story, about four Allied POW’s who endure harsh treatment from their Japanese captors during World War II while being forced to build a railroad through the Burmese jungle, they were enlisted for the grueling task of building the Railroad of Death. Ultimately they find true freedom by forgiving their enemies.

Ghost (1990)

Directed by Jerry Zucker, Sam and Molly are a very happy couple and deeply in love. Walking back to their new apartment after a night out at the theatre, they encounter a thief in a dark alley, and Sam is murdered. He finds himself trapped as a ghost and realises that his death was no accident. He must warn Molly about the danger that she is in. as a ghost he can not be seen or heard by the living, and so he tries to communicate with Molly through a psychic.

The Pelican Brief (1993)

Directed by Alan J. Pakula, A law student uncovers a conspiracy, putting herself and others in danger.  When two Supreme Court Justices have been killed. Now a college professor, who clerked for one of the two men, who’s also having an affair with one of his students, is given a brief by her, that states who probably, wanted to see these two men dead. He then gives it to one of his friends, who works for the FBI. When the FBI director reads it, he is fascinated by it. One of the president’s men who read it, is afraid that if it ever got out, the president could be smeared. So, he advises the president to tell the director to drop it.

Best Foot Forward (1943)

Directed by Edward Buzzell, Bud, a cadet at Winsocki Military Academy, sends an invitation to movie star Lucille Ball to come to Winsocki’s big dance. Ball’s publicity-hungry agent convinces her to go in order to boost her career. Complications arise when Bud’s girlfriend Helen unexpectedly shows up, How will Miss Ball handle this situation with Bud and Helen?

Winnie the Pooh (2011)

Directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall, Eyeore has lost his tail, and Winnie the Pooh and his friends hold a contest to get him a new one. During an ordinary day in Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh sets out to find some honey. Misinterpreting a note from Christopher Robin, Owl convinces Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet,Pooh, Kanga, Roo, and Eeyore that their young friend has been captured by a creature named “Backsoon” and they set out to save him.

Changeling (2008)

Directed by Clint Eastwood, Based on a True story, Los Angeles, 1928. A single mother returns from work to find her nine-year-old son gone. She calls the LAPD to initiate a search. Five months later, a boy is found in Illinois who fits the description; he says he’s her son. To fanfare and photos, the LAPD reunite mother and son, but she insists he’s not her boy. The cops dismiss her as either a liar or hysterical. She takes on the LAPD to her own detriment, while also refusing to give up hope that she will find him one day.

Victim (1961)

Directed by Basil Dearden, A prominent lawyer goes after a blackmailer who threatens gay men with exposure (homosexual acts still being illegal). But he’s gay himself…who is being blackmailed and later commits suicide. After the suicide, Farr tracks down other gay men being extorted for money by the same blackmailer. The well-educated police Detective Inspector Harris considers the sodomy law nothing more than an aid to blackmailers, and helps Farr in calling his blackmailer’s bluff.

(In 1961 this movie was banned from American screens simply because it used the word “homosexual.”.)

Antibodies (2005)

Directed by Christian Alvart, A wanted serial killer Gabriel Engel gets arrested in a spectacular police strike. Gabriel Engel is captured, A small-town cop Michael Martens  interrogates him, hoping a journey into the madman’s twisted mind will give clues to an unsolved murder committed in the same heinous manner as Gabriel’s crimes. Gabriel claims to know the killer’s identity but turns the investigation into a psychological game, leaving Michael questioning his own sanity.

Puss in Boots (2011)

Directed by Chris Miller, Long before he even met Shrek, the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots becomes a hero when he sets off on an adventure with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws and the mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save his town.

The Rum Diary (2011)

Directed by Bruce Robinson, Based on a true story, Paul Kemp takes on a freelance job in Puerto Rico for a local newspaper during the 1950s and struggles to find a balance between island culture and the expatriates who live there. Puerto Rico into a capitalist paradise in service of the wealthy. When Kemp is recruited by Sanderson to write favorably about his latest unsavory scheme, the journalist is presented with a choice: to use his words for the corrupt businessmen’s financial benefit, or use them to take the bastards down.

Anonymous (2011)

Directed by Roland Emmerich, Set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Essex Rebellion against her. A political thriller advancing the theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford who penned Shakespeare’s plays; who was the author of the plays credited to William Shakespeare? Was Shakespeare a Fraud?

Dr. No (1962)

Directed by Terence Young, James Bond’s investigation of a missing colleague in Jamaica leads him to the island of the mysterious Dr. No, While dodging tarantulas, “fire breathing dragons” and a trio of assassins, known as the three blind mice. Bond meets up with the beautiful Honey Ryder and goes face to face with the evil Dr. No.

Goldfinger (1964)

Directed by Guy Hamilton, The powerful tycoon Auric Goldfinger has initiated “Operation Grand Slam,” a cataclysmic scheme to raid Fort Knox and obliterate the world economy. James Bond, armed with his specially equipped Aston Martin (its accessory package includes built-in machine guns,a smoke screen and an ejector seat), must stop the plan by overcoming several outrageous adversaries. First, Bond must contend with Oddjob, the mute servant who kills at the toss of a lethal hat. Next, he has a daring romp with the beautiful Jill Masterson, Goldfinger’s trusted card advisor, who gives new meaning to the phrase “golden girl.” Finally, Bond becomes entangled with the sexy Pussy Galore.

Rising Sun (1993)

Directed by Philip Kaufman, At the offices of a Japanese corporation, during a party, a woman, who’s evidently a professional mistress, is found dead, apparently after some rough sex. A police detective, Web Smith is called in to investigate but before getting there, he gets a call from someone who instructs him to pick up John Connor, a former police Captain and expert on Japanese affairs. When they arrive there everything is obvious but Connor tells him that there’s a lot more.

Knocked Up (2007)

Directed by Judd Apatow, When Alison Scott is promoted in E! Television, she goes to a night-club to celebrate with her older married sister Debbie. Alison meets the pothead reckless Ben Stone and while having a small talk with Ben, Debbie’s husband Pete calls her to tell that their daughter has chicken pox. Debbie leaves the place but Allison stays with Ben, drinking and dancing along all night; completely wasted, they end up having a one night stand. Allison discovers that she is pregnant. What will she do next.

A Serious Man (2009)

Directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, A black comedy drama centered on Larry Gopnik, a Midwestern professor who watches his life unravel through multiple sudden incidents. Though seeking for meaning and answers he seems to stay stalled. Jewish physics lecturer Larry Gopnik is a serious and a very put-upon man. His daughter is stealing from him to save up for a nose job,his pot-head son,who gets stoned at his own bar-mitzvah,only wants him round to fix the T.V. aerial and his useless brother Arthur is an unwelcome house guest. But both Arthur and Larry get turfed out into a motel when Larry’s wife Judy,who wants a divorce, moves her lover,Sy, into the house, Still God moves in mysterious – and not always pleasant.

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