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.<\/p>\n
Abe Lincoln in Illinois<\/strong><\/em> (1940):\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Forbidden Planet<\/strong><\/em> (1956):\u00a0 The ur-Space Opera — or, in this case, Space Shakespeare, as a proto-Enterprise<\/em> finds a lone scientist and his daughter (not to mention Robbie the Robot) living, Tempest<\/em>-like, on a world with mighty secrets, and an invisible, ravening monster.\u00a0 Spectacular special effects, even by modern standards, and a fairly sophisticated plot, not to mention 99 minutes of Theramin music.\u00a0 Worth watching at least once to see how modern cinematic Sci Fi was born.<\/p>\n Them<\/strong><\/em> (1954):\u00a0 King of the Monster Movies, at least from an American perspective, and the introduction of\u00a0Giant Atomic-Test-Spawned Critters (ants, in this case).\u00a0 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\u00a0forefather of every (literal) “Bug Hunt” flick since — and holds up damned well in the process.\u00a0 You’ll never view the LA storm drain system the same way again.<\/p>\n All highly recommended, especially with a big bag of popcorn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"