In between banging my head on my computer’s problems and running into roadblocks in converting one of my blogs to WP, I had some movies up on the telly.
Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940): Based on the play by Robert E. Sherwood, this Warner classic (now recently rereleased) chart’s Lincoln’s life up to his election and departure for Washington. A stirring, brooding title performance by Raymond Massey (nominated for Best Actor) provides some depth to the normal Lincoln hagiography, capturing both the charisma and melancholy of the man.
Forbidden Planet (1956): The ur-Space Opera — or, in this case, Space Shakespeare, as a proto-Enterprise finds a lone scientist and his daughter (not to mention Robbie the Robot) living, Tempest-like, on a world with mighty secrets, and an invisible, ravening monster. Spectacular special effects, even by modern standards, and a fairly sophisticated plot, not to mention 99 minutes of Theramin music. Worth watching at least once to see how modern cinematic Sci Fi was born.
Them (1954): King of the Monster Movies, at least from an American perspective, and the introduction of Giant Atomic-Test-Spawned Critters (ants, in this case). More interested in the mystery and science than in constant action and dark corridors (though it has that), this movie (with a remarkably recognizable cast) is the forefather of every (literal) “Bug Hunt” flick since — and holds up damned well in the process. You’ll never view the LA storm drain system the same way again.
All highly recommended, especially with a big bag of popcorn.