I have recently (as of 4 a.m. today) come to the realization that the most valuable part of writing term papers during the college experience (indeed, of the college experience itself) is developing the talent of the art of accomplishing supporting a thesis and making your point while being vaguely specific.

Apparently this is no longer the "Daily Five," yet I still hesitate to call it the "Intermittent Multiple of Five." That just doesn't have quite the same ring, does it? (Incidentally, I looked it up, and, wouldn't you know, there actually is no official medical term with the suffix "-phobia" for fear of commitment. Seriously, I checked. Rather odd, I thought; as there is a 'phobia' for everything in the known universe, most likely not excluding the universe itself, I was highly surprised to find there is no 'commitment phobia.' However, as I was searching the internet, I did stumble across a checklist of 'symptoms' to determine whether you have a fear of commitment. So, curiosity trumping sensibility every time, I glanced down the checklist and, well......crap.) Anyway, having at least enough common sense to realize that attempting to ameliorate the lack of quality by quantity, I'll not post the combined total for the days I've missed, as I'm sure most have lost interest by this point in the sad proceedings, I'll not deepen the humiliation by assuming the pretension that anyone has missed the fact that I've failed to post the past few days. So, here goes, today's prime number:

1. The Prestige- A period piece about the machinations of the magic industry in turn of the century London, this is one of those films that never really seems to get old, at least for me. The nuances of the details are constantly reasserting themselves in varying ways every time you watch it. You catch something different, in the way a line is delivered, in the chronology of events, etc. that, after realizing the end (and personally going, "How the HECK did I not think of that?!!), you begin to see. The costuming is impressive, how the subdued colors play into the tone of the film and draw attention to the characters faces and expressions, imposing a sombre tone on the film without the conscious being aware of it, a lot like the plot itself. Love it. (Love Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, which doesn't hurt things too much, either.)

2. Molly Maguires- Just recently watched this one again after a prolonged viewing absence. I had forgotten how much I really like it. Starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris, it is the story of a group of Irish miners in the mid-late nineteenth century who band together to form a clandestine organization which resorted to anarchic retaliatory methods to loosen the murderously iron grip of mining industrialists on those whom they employed. The film presents various questions as to which motives are noble and which are ignoble, or is it less the motives that the means used to reach the realization of those motives; or is it merely which side of the issue you happen to be aligned with, is there any completely right or completely wrong in any action which involves human emotion and decision? Very interesting.

3. The Natural-Robert Redford. Hmmmmmm. Robert Redford in 30's costume. Hmmmmmm. Robert Redford playing a 1930's baseball player. Is there any more to be asked of life. I think not. Actually, as a young man, Redford had gotten a baseball scholarship but unfortunately lost it because of drunkenness charges. This is just a great 1930's movie. One of the greatest lines of all time being, "I want people to say: 'There goes Roy Hobbes. The best that ever was and the best that ever will be.'" Essentially, this is what the movie is partly about. He says this as a young man, and the lessons about this attitude that he learns through what life can sometimes deal out. The soundtrack is one of my most favorite ever, unfortunately unavailable on cd. Plus, it has Richard Farnsworth, who played Matthew on Anne of Green Gables.

4. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas- To spare everyone, just read the book review on the sidebar. Great rendition of the book, true to the form and content, casting was good, the boy casted to play Bruno was insanely talented, the details were good, not a happy movie, but one well worth watching; not as overblown as some other Holocaust films, which makes it more powerful, as it is more personal. (Please ignore that horrendous run-on.)

5. It's A Wonderful Life- Just because everyone needs to see this movie at least once.

"To whom it may concern: I am most regretful for the failure yesterday in the performance of my blogging obligations. I was unfortunately detained by the necessity of pulling from somewhere hitherto unknown, a History of British Lit. essay on Wordsworth and Tennyson. Should my apologies be accepted, it is promised that such a lack of professionalism will not be tolerated in future posts."
(Probably because I'll never mention anything like sticking to even a tentative timeline ever again.....hey, you have to play to your strengths, eh?) In all honesty, though, I admit was remiss in not taking the ten minutes I spent blankly staring at my screen while trying to formulate a thesis on Wordsworth and his concept of redemption as represented in his poetry to post the day's five. Yet, I must admit, if I had to write on Wordsworth, I was mortally glad it was on his "Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood." It is one of my favorites; and this being national poetry month, it seemed all the more fitting. Even if you don't particularly like poetry, there is something to be appreciated, I believe; just the sheer beauty of the emotions invoked has to count for something.

"What though the radiance which was once so bright/ Be now for ever taken from my sight,/ Though nothing can bring back the hour/ Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;/ We will grieve not, rather find/ Strength in what remains behind;/ In the primal sympathy/ Which having been must ever be;/ In the soothing thoughts that spring/ Out of human suffering;/ In the faith that looks through death,/ In years that bring the philosophic mind./ Thanks to the human heart by which we live,/ Thanks to its tenderness, its joys, and fears,/ To me the meanest flower that blows can give/ Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears."

See what I mean? (Maybe? Hopefully? Or, maybe I just made a sentimental fool of myself......but it was worth it......possibly......Anyway, the list...)
Since I neglected yesterday, I'll post ten today, just to keep things moving, no pun intended....("moving?" "moving pictures?" Get it? I know, I know, how lame, but it's late.........)

1. The Legend of Bagger Vance-You either love it or hate it, there is no middle ground for this one, it seems. Me and mine love it. Adore it. Quote it. Y'all watch and let me know what you think. If you love it, tell me. If you hate it........HOW?

2. Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte-a black and white "thriller" starring Betty Davis and Olivia de Havilland (better known as Melanie in Gone With the Wind). Bruce Dern also makes a very quick appearance at the beginning. Let me just say that apparently Melanie was keeping a few things from Ashley (who was her husband, for those who haven't seen GWTW, which I shudder to think a possibility.....) Nice, sweet Melanie, who according to Scarlett could only say "yes, and no, and raise a passle of mealy mouthed brats just like her!" wasn't so diffident as she seemed.

3. The Secret Garden-directed by Francis Ford Coppola (of "The Godfather" directorial fame), this is a beautiful rendition of the wonderful novel. The original score by Zbigniew Preisner is still one of my favorite soundtracks, and the child actors are remarkably good. Mary's imperious little tantrums are very convincing. The production design and costuming are likewise impressive.

4. Pride and Prejudice-I adore Joe Wright's use of light, he uses it to tell the story in such an artistic, expressive way, that each frame could be a still beautiful enough to be framed and hung on a wall. Plus, I mean, seriously-Mr. Darcy? Hmmmm, yeeesssss, no explanation needed, I believe.

5. Dead Poet's Society- Why? I dunno. Really. I don't. This movie is so depressing, with really nothing to lighten it sufficiently, but I still have to watch it every once in a while, just because.

6. Bourne Ultimatum- Best in the trilogy. (I've had a crush on Matt Damon now for years, and felt thoroughly vindicated when the rest of the world finally caught on and voted him "Sexiest Man Alive" a few years ago. Yeesh, you try to tell people and they just won't listen.) The rooftop chase and the fight in the apartment are honestly action scenes I could watch over and over, because they are so entertaining. And I really don't like action movies, as a rule, so this is a huge admission to make.

7. Steel Magnolias- Shirley Maclaine as Ouiser. Lines such as, (discussing a fellow townswoman being hit by a fly ball at the opening game) "Well was she hurt?" "I doubt it. It hit her in the head." Sarcasm and biting wit all delivered in a Southern accent. Is there anymore to be asked?

8. Sabrina-Hepburn and Bogart, it's impossible to go wrong.

9. Gone With the Wind-because I am from the South, and to speak ill of this is treason. Plus there is Clark Gable, the likes of which this world will unfortunately never see again. Incidentally, the first scene to be filmed was the burning of Atlanta, because they needed to clear off the Hollywood backlot to build their own sets, so everyone figured they'd kill two birds at one blow. The tower you see crumbling in the background, as Rhett is trying to coax forward the terrified horse, is actually the scaled down Empire State building prop used in the filming of the original King Kong.

10. Emperor's New Groove- Sarcasm. Loads of it. If Maghen is reading this, Josh can explain, am I right?

To dispel any idle curiosity concerning the photo, I'll admit it has nothing to do with the post; I just needed something bright and colorful to act as a catalyst for the dissipation of the lingering winter blues, in anticipation of the spring days shortly to come. (Notice I didn't say 'summer.' I have a very ambivalent attitude towards summer, leaning more towards the 'hate' side of ambivalence. I know there are some who will gasp in utter horror at the sacrilege of such a statement; but to them I say- try one summer encased within a skin that refuses to tan.....and thighs that refuse to diminish......and swimsuits that refuse to fit.......and friends who adore the beach and plan weekend trips while you vainly dig for yet another insipid excuse as to why you 'would love to go, but just can't make it....next time.....maybe.....or when Antarctica finally thaws out, maybe we can plan a beach trip there, I'll be ready by then.....with all of this global warming it shouldn't be too much longer.....' Makes me want to slap Coco Chanel for making my life hell for about two and a half months......Anyway......)
No, the reason for this post is actually.....Well, there is no reason. "The reason that isn't" being this: I have noticed that everyone (who is 'everyone'? It's.....well.....I don't know......It's the same 'everyone' that is in "They all say...." or "Everybody knows....." That 'everyone'.....now, no more grammatical questions, I have a very important non-reason for this post......) has a list of 'must-see' movies. Now, some specify that these movies are 'must-see-before-you-die.' For the individual responsible for this statement I have but one question: As opposed to what? Post-mortem viewing? That'd be a tough crowd to sell. To be quite honest, I'm not too sure about many of these lists. I know it is a struggle to come up with 100 great movies, but it is a struggle, not an impossible feat. I mean, honestly, are we scraping the bottom of the barrel so soon that we must include 'Titanic'? Really? I know it was a mega-blockbuster hit, but then again, someone had to think it was a good idea to stick a screwdriver in a light socket the first time, didn't they? (Apparently the same 'they' that belongs with the 'everyone'....) It's the millions of others who succeeded him in the genius line that made it a stupid idea. If you ask me, the same goes for movies like 'Titanic'- or the gut-wrenchingly terrible, mind-numblingly horrendous, convulsion-inducing adaptation of Shakespeare my generation had the gall to entitle "Romeo+Juliet." I've tried to disown them all for this cinematic faux-pas, but apparently that only works with blood relations. I decided, therefore, that the only logical solution was and is to construct my own "Greatest" list. All 100. I undertook this task thinking it would be a struggle to make '100.' However, I have learned something about myself while assuming this task. I either a) watch too many movies, or b) remember too many movies at the expense of forgetting other things I should be remembering instead....like where I put my car keys....or checking my voicemail every day....or whether or not I've brushed my teeth that morning.....(okay, not that last one, but you get the idea.....) So, for the next month or so, I'll post five titles a day. There is no specific order, they are not by preference or alphabetical, chronological or by director; they are simply in the order they crossed my brain. (Yes, I've got one of those....I just can't remember where it is most of the time....) So, first up is:

1. Ben-Hur- a must-see simply because Charlton Heston is one of the best-looking men ever to grace this planet, but you feel as if you're condemning yourself straight to the depths of hell if you think such while watching him portray Moses. There's got to be some rule against that somewhere. The cinematography is impressive for its day, the story is absorbing, and the final and ultimate reason for the movie is very moving. Plus, I mean, how many chariot races have you seen?

2. The Long Hot Summer- Paul Newman...Paul Newman in his 20's.....Paul Newman in his 20's in color.....Paul Newman, in his 20's, in color, with a set of eyes that could launch any sane woman into a catatonic stare.....'nough said.

3. Citizen Kane-I know, I know, but in my defense, I am not giving in to popular opinion. I didn't like this movie, per se; it is long.....and frankly somewhat boring....and honestly, bordering on disturbing for some reason. BUT, the makeup is astounding. The aging process Orson Wells undergoes is absolutely mind-blowing. The cinematography is interesting, and you have to hand it to him-it was both the making and the destruction of Wells' career. Anyone who has the backbone to take on William Randolph Hearst derserves some respect, however begrudging. So, it is one of those movies you have to sit through at least once, 'just 'cause.''

4. Casablanca-I'm sorry, but if I have to explain, we just can't be friends.......

5. 1968, Franco Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet-because everyone should see what Shakespeare can and should be on celluloid.