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I’m kind of breaking the rules this week but I’m also not breaking them as for the final deadly sins-themed Thursday Movie Picks, which is pride, I’m going to watch with LGBTQ+ movies.
Milk (2008)
Although not entirely accurate, it tells the story of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California's first openly gay elected official.
Paris Is Burning (1990) - Review
This documentary is set in 1980s New York and is about the ball culture. This is so fascinating and interesting.
Pride (2014)
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The most obvious choice given the title, the 2014 British film follows a group of lesbian and gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the British miners' strike in 1984. This is such a well-done and emotional film.
Love the way you went with this!! Such good film choices too!
ReplyDeleteSean Penn captures Harvey Milk's character so well, his Oscar was well earned. If you haven't seen it I highly recommend the documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" which gives real insight into who Milk was and what he stood for.
Paris is Burning helped me understand somewhat a culture that is in many ways mystifying.
Pride's message is so positive and the cast is wonderful.
My first thought was along the same lines as yours but since the theme was the sin of pride I veered more towards that aspect and it was tough coming up with three...well just a third which is why I used a stinker. Of course once I was finished I thought of several but isn't that always the way.
Jezebel (1938) In the pre-Civil War South headstrong Julie Marsden (Bette Davis who won the Best Actress Oscar for this) loses his fiancée Preston Dillard (Henry Fonda) after creating a scene at a ball when her pride stands in the way of her making amends. When he returns from the North with a new wife Amy (Margaret Lindsay) she schemes to get him back but a duel and a yellow fever epidemic complicate matters.
Pride and Prejudice (1940)-When the wealthy Mr. Darcy (Laurence Olivier) and Mr. Bingley (Bruce Lester) arrive in her rural village Mrs. Bennett (Mary Boland) sees an opportunity to find husbands for at least two of her five unmarried daughters. Jane (Maureen O’Sullivan) takes a shine to Mr. Bingley but it’s instant animosity between Elizabeth (Greer Garson) and Darcy who let their pride (his) and prejudices (hers) stand in the way of their attraction. High grade adaptation with good performances though Greer at 36 is pushing it as the supposedly 19 year old Elizabeth.
The Pride and the Passion (1957)-A piece of immense foolishness about a British captain (Cary Grant) in Spain trying to prevent the French from stealing a super cannon (the pride of Spain) during the Napoleonic Wars! Ludicrously cast with the Italian Sophia Loren and Hoboken born Frank Sinatra (preposterous with both an atrocious accent and wig!?) as Spanish guerillas (she’s okay but he is dreadful) and a stiff as a board Cary. Overripe piece of twaddle that Grant considered the worst thing he ever did. He would visibly cringe whenever it was mentioned.
I haven't seen the documentary yet but it's on my list and I really hope to see it soon as I've read great things about it.
DeleteI haven't seen any of your picks but Jezebel is one I want to see as I'm intrigued by the storyline and I really like the cast.
The best kind of Pride! I thought Milk was wonderful and Pride was also pretty good. I've never seen Paris is Burning but I'm a lot more interested in seeing it now after hearing the people in Disclosure talk about it.
ReplyDeleteI feel you. I've been meaning to rewatch Paris Is Burning since watching Disclosure.
DeleteParis is Burning is the one film on that list I haven't seen yet I am aware of its importance to LGBTQ+ cinema.
ReplyDeleteYou absolutely have to see it. And if you can, also watch Netflix's documentary Disclosure. It's terrific.
DeleteYou took an interesting twist to this week's theme. I still need to see Milk which looks great. I don't know your second pick and what does it mean "ball culture?" I don't know the last pick either but it sounds quite good because you would not expect these activists to try to raise money for the families of the miner's strike. Maybe I am being horrible but I think some of the miners would be old school and now want to have the people from the LBGQ community help them...which would be sad.
ReplyDeleteBall culture consisted of balls where contestants walk, pose or perform in different ways to win prizes, trophies and glory. And yes, you're so right about the miners. They didn't want the LGBTQ+ community's help.
DeleteI hadn't heard of your third pick but it sounds super interesting, so I will have to check it out! :-D
ReplyDeleteI really is! One of the best films of that year. So underrated.
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