Classics: A Review of Pride and Prejudice By Lauren Ennis

It is a truth universally acknowledged that each generation of film goers must be in want of their own version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Fortunately for today's viewers, Hollywood's most recent outing with Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennett might be its best to date. This 2005 take on the classic novel acts as a faithful adaption that will satisfy even the most ardent of Austen's readers while still offering plenty of charms for the casual viewer. Through its wicked wit, swoon worthy romance, and star making performances the film more than earns its status as a modern classic.

The glare that launched a thousand rom-coms

The story begins with the Bennetts, a struggling family with five daughters and no male heirs, learning that their new neighbor is the wealthy and eligible Mr. Bingley. Upon receiving this news Mrs. Bennett immediately launches a campaign to match Bingley with her oldest daughter, Jane. When Jane attends the Bingley's ball her younger sister Lizzie accompanies her and meets Bingley's best friend, the even wealthier and more sought after Mr. Darcy. While Jane and Bingley find themselves immediately attracted to one another Lizzie and Darcy are instantly repelled by each other. After overhearing socially inept Darcy describing her as appearance as 'tolerable' at best Lizzie dismisses him as proud and snobbish. The stage is then set for a series of misunderstandings, entanglements, break ups, and make ups that are the stuff that romantic comedies are made of as the Bennett girls and their beauxs each find that somewhere between pride and prejudice there just might be love.

Since the advent of cinema, Austen's work has been a screen staple, with Pride and Prejudice having been adapted for the big and small screen at least once per generation. What stands out about the 2005 adaptation is the way in which it brings Austen's novel to life rather than merely following its familiar plot. Instead of following the well worn period piece path of showcasing elaborate costumes and impeccable manners this Pride and Prejudice shows Regency era England in all of its splendor and squalor. From the film's opening shot of Lizzie wandering past puddles and pigs and into her chaotic home it is obvious that this is not your mother's Austen. The film's use of historically accurate settings and costumes places the characters perfectly within the context of their era, and subtly highlights the class divisions that lay at the heart of Austen's biting social commentary. Similarly, the dialogue maintains all of the novel's intelligence and wit without resorting to the impeccable manners or stuffiness of a Masterpiece production. By infusing the story with warmth and humor, the film ensures that characters come across less like the literary idols that we were taught to view them as in high school than more like the flawed and multifaceted people who populate our own world. This emphasis upon the characters' fundamental humanity allows viewers to relate to, empathize with, and invest in their struggles . As a result, when Lizzie and Darcy finally put both their pride and prejudices aside viewers will find themselves rooting for the couple's happy ending much as we would for the happiness of  our own friends.

And...swoon!

Austen's classic is vividly realized thanks in large part to the work of the film's stellar cast. Carey Mulligan, Jena Malone, and Talulah Riley are perfectly cast as Lizzie's three younger sisters, frivolous flirts Kitty, Lydia, and Mary. Simon Woods conveys an endearing awkwardness worthy of Hugh Grant as Mr. Bingley. Rosamund Pike personified loveliness as reserved but passionate Jane. Brenda Blethyn is delightfully daffy in her uproarious turn as social climbing Mrs. Bennett. Donald Sutherland makes for an excellent foil to Blethyn by infusing Mr. Bennett with warmth and wit. Rupert Friend turns on the con man charm as the rakish Mr. Wickham. Kelly Reilly and Judi Dench make for wonderfully wicked mean girls as Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine. Matthew Macfayden is the stuff that crushes are made of in his layered performance as the brooding but honorable Mr. Darcy. Keira Knightley strikes an ideal balance between light-hearted wit and spirited ferocity in her turn as Lizzie. Together, the pair share a chemistry that is so palpable that viewers could be forgiven for thinking that Austen wrote the parts of Lizzie and Darcy just for them.

2005's Pride and Prejudice transforms the classic novel into classic cinema. Through its detailed costumes and sets the film transports viewers into the very heart of Austen's England. The sparkling wit of the script and the endlessly engaging performances bring the novel to vibrant life and takes viewers onto a delightful journey into the depths of the human heart from which they won't wish to return. All prejudices aside, Pride and Prejudice is a film which its cast and crew more than deserve to take pride in.

Classics: A Review of Can You Ever Forgive Me By Lauren Ennis

‘Never let the facts get in the way of a good story’ is an adage that seemed to sum up the life philosophy of biographer turned forger Lee Israel. After her literary career reached a standstill, Israel began a downward spiral that ultimately culminated in her embarking upon a criminal second act. This reinvention of herself as fabricator and forger of the stars is a crime caper so offbeat, outrageous, and fascinating that it truly is stranger than any fiction that she was ever able to devise. The 2018 drama Can You Ever Forgive Me chronicles Israel’s exploits in all of their gritty glory with a caustic wit and darkly comedic sensibility worthy of its infamous anti-heroine.

The story begins with Israel hovering dangerously close to rock bottom as she faces unemployment, mounting debts, and alcoholism. Despite her troubles, however, she desperately clings to her brief success as a celebrity biographer and stubbornly refuses to accept that her literary career may be at an end. When her agent declines to represent her any longer she finds herself running out of career options for “a fifty-one year old who likes cats better than people”. In the midst of this downward spiral, her landlord begins threatening to evict her and her veterinarian refuses to treat her sick, elderly, cat until she pays her outstanding bills. Desperate for fast cash she sells a letter from Katherine Hepburn thanking her for her work on Hepburn’s biography. The letter sells for more than she had expected, and with that one transaction the seeds of a criminal enterprise is planted. Soon, Israel begins forging letters from some of the most beloved stars of the early twentieth century and selling them for a quick profit. Over time, she is able to pay off her debts and make a steady, if illegal, living without once having to punch a time clock. As she continues to make ever more outrageous claims in her letters and demands increasingly high prices, however, she raises the suspicions of customers and law enforcement alike and soon finds her illicit enterprise under threat.

Few characters seem as unlikely to garner audience sympathy as Lee Israel and her accomplice Jack Hock, but few adventures are as oddly addictive and strangely enjoyable as Can You Ever Forgive Me? At its heart, the film is a story of two misfits in desperate search of a way to matter if not exactly belong. As Israel faces commercial failure and critical irrelevance it is difficult not to understand her sense of displacement and isolation. Similarly, after witnessing the various ways in which her financial and personal lives are unraveling audiences will be hard pressed not to empathize with her plight. As a result, when she finally finds a means through which to sell her writing it is all too tempting to root for her illicit enterprise's success. Fortunately, even as the film humanizes both Israel and Hock it never loses sight of how large a role each of them played in creating their own problems or of just how far askew each of their moral compasses are. The film refuses to take the easy way out and either champion or chastise its wayward characters and instead, much like Israel herself did in her biographies, objectively relates their story in a way that allows both characters to speak for themselves. In this way the film allows audiences to make up their own minds as they watch the delinquent duo careen from one misadventure to another, thumbing their noses at the society that rejected them all along the way. For a darkly comic journey into the rotten side of the Big Apple join Israel and Hock in Can You Ever Forgive Me?

The film primarily functions as a character study of Israel and Hock, and as a result hinges upon the performances of Melissa McCarthy and Richard E Grant as the deviant duo. Thankfully, both actors are more than up for the job with McCarthy proving that she is capable of far more than stock comedy roles and Grant lending the gritty proceedings comic relief and sophisticated charm. In McCarthy's hands Israel remains every bit as unlikeable as she was in life, but she is far more relateable than a curmudgeonly criminal ought to be. Rather than transform the arguably pathetic Israel into either an object of pity or parody, McCarthy opts for a more difficult and far more compelling approach by infusing her anti-heroine with a pathos that will have viewers if not actually rooting for her success at least nodding in understanding. Grant, meanwhile, nearly steals the film in his infectiously charming portrayal of the gleefully amoral Jack. The chemistry between the two is nothing short of sparkling as they breeze from one misdeed to another all while offering up some of the most crackling one-liners this side of Dorothy Parker.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? sticks to its facts but still manages to tell a story that is not just good, but great. Through its intelligent script and wickedly witty performances the film brings the life and times of Lee Israel to vivid life in all of their grotesque glory. The film faithfully relates Israel's self-destructive odyssey without passing judgment upon or making excuses for its anti-heroine as it allows Israel to speak for her unapologetically amoral self. For a biography with a bite join Lee and Jack on the caper of a lifetime in Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Classics: A Very Merry Holiday TV Review By Lauren Ennis

The holiday rush is nearly over, but in the midst of all of the season’s hustle and bustle it can be all too easy to lose sight of just what it is that we’re celebrating. With all of the time spent preparing for the holidays we often miss out on the very thing that we should be celebrating; time with those closest to us. This year, take a break with your nearest and dearest for a crash course in the true meaning of the holidays courtesy of three holiday specials that are sure to entertain and enlighten the whole family.

Keep tissues handy for this one...

Hey Arnold-Arnold’s Christmas: This Nickelodeon series ran for five seasons but only featured one holiday episode. Thankfully, what this single episode lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. Recalling holiday classics while relating a refreshingly unique and entirely heartwarming tale 1996’s “Arnold’s Christmas” is ideal holiday viewing for the young and young at heart. The episode cleverly juxtaposes idealist Arnold’s and bully Helga’s very different attempts to create the perfect Christmas. Unsurprisingly, materialistic Helga, who describes Christmas as an excuse to ‘shop like a barbarian’ and ‘get yours before the other guy gets his’ is fixated upon obtaining this year’s must have gift, a pair of Nancy Spumoni snow boots. Meanwhile, Arnold struggles to think of a gift to give neighbor Mr. Hyunh for the boarding house’s annual Secret Santa. While trying to coax ideas out of Mr. Hyunh, Arnold is shocked to learn that what his neighbor wants most is to be reunited with the daughter he sent to America in an effort to protect her during the fall of Saigon. After learning Mr. Hyunh’s wrenching backstory Arnold becomes determined to make a Christmas miracle come true and reunite Mr. Hyunh with his now grown daughter, Mai. Through a series of misadventures Arnold and Helga’s holidays intersect just in time to ensure that the Hyunh’s receive the ultimate gift. Through its equal parts mature and original approach “Arnold’s Christmas” stands apart from the myriad of derivative and surgery specials that are aired each holiday season. Although the episode reaches a happy conclusion it refuses to shy away from such harsh realities as war and loss and even takes pause to reflect upon the ways in which the holidays can be painful and lonely for many. In this way, the episode shows the true range of Christmas experiences along with the expected true meaning of Christmas. Even the episode’s depiction of the requisite humbugs contains nuance as Helga and private investigator Mr. Bailey are shown to be not villains but instead average people who find themselves caught up in the consumerism and stress of the season. Helga’s redemption at the end of the episode proves almost as rewarding as the Hyunh’s reunion as she learns that the most cherished gifts are those that don’t come in boxes and it is truly better to give than receive, even when it means giving without trying to receive any credit for it. For viewing that is guaranteed to warm your heart no matter how cold the winter winds blow tune in to Hey Arnold’s “Arnold’s Christmas”.

Please tell me these decorators are available for hire...

A Charlie Brown Christmas: The holiday season hasn't really started until this 1965 classic has aired. In the nearly fifty-five years since it first premiered this deceptively simple tale of lovable loser Charlie Brown and his unusual choice of a Christmas tree has worked its magic on several generations. The story follows the Peanuts gang as they eagerly prepare for Christmas. While his friends focus upon finding the most expensive presents and elaborate decorations Charlie Brown finds himself unable to muster much enthusiasm for what he sees as the commercialization of Christmas. When Lucy offers to let him direct their class' Christmas pageant he's thrilled at the opportunity and sets about creating an authentic nativity play. Unfortunately, his friends have other plans and he soon finds his 'by the book' production peppered with everything from pop culture references to randomly placed musical interludes that have nothing to do with the nativity. At the urging of his friends he reluctantly hands over his directorial duties to Lucy and resigns himself to his limited role of picking the pageant tree. Much to the rest of the gang's disappointment he passes over the elaborate aluminum trees and instead picks the smallest and least impressive tree that he can find. When he returns with his tree his friends laugh at the supposed failure. Frustrated, he demands to know if any of them knows or cares about the true meaning of Christmas, to which Linus famously replies by quoting the story of the nativity from the Gospel of Luke. The story functions as a series of character studies rather than an action packed plot of the sort that today's viewers are accustomed to. The animation was considered crude even upon the special's release in the early days of color television. The score seems more at home in a jazz club than in a holiday special. Even the amateur voice performances made up of a cast of untrained child actors seem out of place among today's polished and edited productions. So what then is it about this holiday special, which even its creators were certain would be a sure flop, that makes it so special? The answer is that the very quality which executives were certain would guarantee the special's failure, its unpretentious unassuming simplicity, is the very thing that continues to endear it to viewers and critics alike. Through its refusal to rely upon glossy production values, elaborate plots, or holiday tropes the special personifies its own message to embrace the true meaning of Christmas. In this way the special aptly reminds us to see flash of the mass marketing sensation that Christmas has become and take a closer look at just what it is that we're celebrating. While its focus upon the holiday's religious aspects tempted controversy even upon its 1965, release it is this emphasis that lends the film its emotional core as it hearkens back to the holy day's message of peace on earth and good will. Get your season started in classic fashion with the Peanuts gang in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Eloise at Christmastime: Adapted from Kay Thompson's popular children's book, this 2004 made for TV movie follows that endearing scamp, Eloise, as she embarks upon a series of heart warming shenanigans during the holidays. Fortunately for parents, Eloise uses her mischievous tendencies for good as she does her best to brighten the holidays for everyone at the Plaza Hotel. Her main mission involves playing matchmaker to Plaza owner Mr. Peabody's recently engaged daughter, Rachel, and  Plaza waiter, Bill. Despite Rachel's pending nuptials to the seemingly perfect Brooks, Eloise is certain that Rachel's former flame, Bill, is the right man for Rachel and sets out to reunite the two in time for the holidays. Along the way, she exposes a con-artist, prevents her neighbor's eviction, and makes sure that everyone at the Plaza has something to smile and sing about. The film makes a striking departure from most holiday specials by refusing to idealize its characters, particularly its impish heroine. By keeping Eloise's famous flaws intact the film not only ensures that she is relateable, but also sends the message that all of us, however flawed, are capable of making the season a little brighter. The film also serves as an apt reminder of the importance of looking beyond appearances as curmudgeonly Mrs. Thornton, picture perfect Brooks, and even Eloise herself prove themselves to be more than they appear. In fact, Eloise is infused with such depth that she is able to transcend the somewhat cartoonish persona she is relegated to in the original books as she copes with difficult neighbors, longs for her absent mother, and struggles to make her voice heard in a world ruled by adults. The love story at the center of the plot is a winning touch that sweet without being saccharine as Rachel and Bill build a relationship based upon friendship and trust rather than a fairy tale instant attraction, and face plenty of real life obstacles along the way.  Even as the film serves up plenty of positive messages, however, it never loses sight of its audience and makes sure to include Thompson's signature wit and Eloise's infamous impish charm every step of the way. For charmed holiday be sure to book a stay at the Plaza Hotel and join Eloise at Christmastime.

Classics: A Review of Memoirs of a Geisha By Lauren Ennis

What is it that allows some to triumph over tragedy while others succumb to it? How are some able to rise above adverse circumstances while others remain oppressed by them? These questions lie at the heart of the 2005 drama Memoirs of a Geisha. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of 20th century Japan the film follows an ordinary girl as she struggles to maneuver the by turns glamorous and treacherous life of a geisha in an era of extraordinary change. Adapted from the 1997 bestselling novel of the same name the film takes viewers on an unforgettable journey into the elusive world of Japan's geishas while relating a timeless tale of resilience and reinvention.

The story begins along the Japanese coast during the 1930's as nine year old Chiyo and her sister, Satsu, tend to their terminally ill mother. While bracing themselves for their mother's impending death, the girls are devastated to learn that their father has sold them in order to pay the family's debts. The siblings are then torn from everything that they've ever known, including each other, as they are taken to Kyoto where older, plainer, Satsu is sent to a brothel while prettier Chiyo enters a geisha house. Although she is spared the sexual abuse that Satsu is forced to endure Chiyo, suffers constant physical and psychological abuse at the geisha house, particularly at the hands of vindictive geisha Hatsumomo. After several failed attempts to reunite with her sister, all seems lost until fate intervenes and Chiyo is transformed into Sayuri, Kyoto's most celebrated geisha. She soon learns, however, that her success is not all that she had hoped for as she finds herself facing the pressures and constraints of life as a geisha. When World War II breaks out she is forced to reinvent herself once again as she struggles to find her voice and make her own way in a drastically changing world.

At first glance, Memoirs of a Geisha is a Japanese take on the familiar Cinderella story. As the story unfolds, however, the film evolves into a compelling exploration of resilience and self-discovery. While marketed as an exotic romance, the film's central focus is actually Sayuri's struggle to obtain her elusive goal; not to win a man's affections or earn status as a geisha, but to lead a life that is truly her own. It is this overarching desire that fuels her determination to make the most of the difficulties that life continually places within her path, and motivates her to forge ahead when others might accept defeat. Even when faced with the loss of her fortune, her career, or her loved ones she never loses her sense of self as she stubbornly presses on. Much like Scarlett O'Hara, Sayuri remains standing tall even as the world around her threatens to crumble in the rubble of war and reconstruction. Throughout her training she is told that the work of a geisha is an art. While she may succeed in all of the arts expected of a geisha her true art form is the art of survival as she rises from the devastation surrounding her again and again only to emerge stronger and more determined than when she started.  In this way, the story subverts audience expectations by providing its seemingly helpless heroine with an internal transformation that surpasses any make-over a fairy god-mother might provide. As a result, the film defies period piece tropes by relating an empowering and refreshingly modern story of  individuality and independence that will resonate in any culture or era.

While the film was subject to controversy due to its casting of several Chinese performers in Japanese roles, the cast bring Arthur Golden's novel to vivid life. Gong Li steals each scene in which she appears as the fiery Hatsumomo, expertly balancing seductive charm, cold cunning, and bitter desperation. Michelle Yeoh resonates warmth and maternal wisdom and makes for an excellent foil to Li's villain in her turn as Sayuri's mentor, celebrated geisha Mameha. Youki Kudoh is by turns endearing and heart breaking in her role as Sayuri's best-friend turned reluctant rival, Pumpkin. Ken Watanabe exudes charm in his role as Sayuri's love interest, while Koji Yakusho lends pathos and world-weariness to his role as her rejected suitor. Even in the midst of excellent supporting performances the film belongs to Suzuka Ohgo and Ziyi Zhang as they infuse their performances with an innocence, intelligence, and determination that brilliantly transfer Golden's complex heroine to the silver screen.

At the film's conclusion Sayuri describes her unconventional happy ending and reminds viewers that "these are not the memoirs of an empress, nor of a queen"; what they are are is something infinitely more moving and fascinating. At once a unique tale of a young woman coming of age in an era of cultural change and a universal story of resilience and redemption Memoirs of a Geisha is nothing short of inspiring. Through its intelligent script, enchanting visuals, and engaging performances the film not only transports viewers into the heart of the mysterious world of Japan's geishas, but also brings its alluring inhabitants to vibrant life. During her grueling training to become a geisha Mameha advises Sayuri that "to be a geisha is to be judged as a moving work of art", a task at which this film more than succeeds.

And as a bonus be sure to check out the skating program that inspired this review!

Classics: A Review of Coco By Lauren Ennis

Thanksgiving is a time that has become synonymous with food, festivities, and football. It is a time to gather together and give thanks for those most dear to us and reflect upon those we have lost. In keeping with the spirit of the season there is no better film to kick off Thanksgiving with your family with than 2017’s Coco. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration, Coco tells a coming of age story about family, remembrance, and music that is guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your eyes welling up.

The story begins with aspiring musician Miguel relating the tale of how his family came to be “the only family in Mexico who hates music”. Several generations ago Miguel’s musician great great grandfather disappeared, abandoning his family to presumably pursue a musical career. Rather than despair, Miguel’s resilient great great grandmother, Mama Imelda, raised her young daughter, Coco, alone and built a successful shoe business that Miguel’s family continues to run. Her husband’s betrayal left Mama Imelda with a bitter contempt for music that carried down to all of her descendants, except of course for Miguel. Despite his family’s prohibition of all things musical, he longs to break with his family’s traditions and become a musician, just like his famous idol Ernesto De La Cruz. Family tensions reach a breaking point when Miguel refuses to take his place in the family business and finds a clue that may link his mysterious great great grandfather to De La Cruz. And so begins a journey that will take Miguel to the land of the dead where he meets both his ancestors and his idol and learns the importance of family and the power of music.

For a movie in which half of its characters are dead, Coco is surprisingly life-affirming.  Rather than focusing upon the grief or suffering of death the film instead keeps in the spirit of the Day of the Dead and celebrates the lives and afterlives of its characters. Through its depiction of Miguel’s journey to the land of the dead and back again the film assures viewers that death doesn’t have to be an ending and that the surest way to keep part of our loved ones alive is to remember and commemorate them. As a result, the film acts as a gentle introduction to the concept of death for young viewers and provides an excellent outlet for coping with loss that viewers of all ages can relate to. Simultaneously, the film’s focus upon the afterlife reminds us of just how limited our time on earth is, and of the importance of using what time we do have to devote ourselves to the people and things that matter most. In this way, the story encourages viewers to chase their dreams and passions, while also warning against the dangers of losing sight of our loved ones and responsibilities along the way. The film’s emphasis upon such weighty themes as life, death, family, and duty allows it to offer surprisingly adult lessons all while maintaining a warmth, wit, and tenderness that  ensures it remains entirely kid friendly.

Through a combination of dazzling animation, infectious songs, and engaging voice acting Coco brings both modern Mexico and the Day of the Dead to brilliant life. the animation marks a new high for Pixar as the lush scenery transports viewers from the streets of Mexico to the land of the dead. Even while surrounded by breathtaking visuals the expressiveness and realism of the character design ensures that the characters remain at center stage. This ode to all things music more than delivers on its score which combines Mexican classics with original songs. The unique score lends authenticity to the setting while propelling the story forward with an infectiousness that is guaranteed to leave viewers humming. The film's array of memorable characters are vividly realized by the talented voice performers with Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, and Gael Garcia Bernal earning particular note in their roles as Miguel, de la Cruz, and Hector.

By turns heart warming and heart breaking, Coco is a prime example of family entertainment at its finest. Through its captivating animation, enchanting score, and engaging performances the film casts a spell that is nothing short of cinematic magic. By its final reel Coco will have you laughing, singing, and even crying with its characters as it takes you on an epic journey that you are guaranteed to remember.

Classics: Three Stars Who Made Stellar Contributions to the War Effort By Lauren Ennis

Each year on the anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War I the United States honors veterans past and present who served liberty in its most dire hours. These individuals worked, fought, and died in order to ensure that the freedom which we all too often take for granted continues to reign. In honor of Veterans Day this week I'll be turning the spotlight on three actors who made significant contributions to the Allied war effort during World War II both on and off of the battle field.

Charles Durning: Best known for an acting career that spanned fifty years and over two-hundred roles, off-screen Charles Durning played the role of decorated soldier during World War II. He was just twenty-one when his infantry unit stormed the beach at Normandy during the D-Day invasion of France. Despite sustaining both machine gun and shrapnel wounds he ultimately killed several German soldiers, and was the only member of his unit to survive that fateful day. He later faced another harrowing experience while fighting in Belgium where he was stabbed by a German soldier's bayonet, only to ultimately kill the soldier in hand to hand combat. After recovering from his injuries he resumed duty and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was captured by enemy combatants. During his time in a Nazi POW camp he was one of only three men to survive the prisoner massacre at Malmedy, Belgium. Durning's heroism earned him a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts, but the trauma of his experiences took a severe physical and mental toll that led to his spending four years in and out of military hospitals as he struggled to readjust to civilian life. Although he generally preferred not to discuss his war-time experiences and once told an interviewer, "Too many bad memories, I don't want you to see me crying" he participated in the National Memorial Day Concert to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day, and went on to make annual appearances at the event. Although he returned to civilian life to enjoy a long and varied acting career he never forgot his war-time experiences and participated in numerous events to honor veterans and raise awareness of the psychological wounds of war. Durning, like so many allied soldiers, displayed a courage and self-sacrifice that is truly daunting, and cannot possibly be encompassed in a simple blog entry. To learn more about this true American hero watch the man himself at work below as he describes his experiences during the 2007 National Memorial Day Concert.

Audrey Hepburn: Long before she was America's sweetheart Audrey Hepburn was leading a movie worthy double life as a school girl by day and Dutch Resistance member by night. Although her aristocratic parents initially supported the Axis as members of the British Union of Fascists, Hepburn's mother, Edda van Heemstra, drastically changed her political views after experiencing Nazi occupation firsthand in Holland. After her uncle was executed for suspected resistance activities, one of her half-brothers was deported to a German labor camp, and her other half-brother was forced into hiding, Hepburn and her mother took action and began  fighting against Nazi oppression. While the pair's activities started small with van Heemstra organizing and Hepburn performing in underground dance recitals to raise funds for resistance efforts, teenage Hepburn quickly graduated to distributing Resistance newspapers and transporting messages. The unlikely heroines even risked their own safety by relaying messages to, providing food for, and on at least one occasion secretly housing downed allied pilots. As the war dragged on enemy occupation took its toll as food shortages left young Hepburn, along with most of Holland on the brink of starvation. Her harrowing experiences during the war continued to impact her long after liberation and ultimately inspired her to become a UNICEF ambassador in an effort to help other children living in war and poverty. When asked about her war-time work later in life the ever modest Hepburn dismissed her efforts saying that she was only doing "What every loyal Dutch schoolgirl and boy did" and insisting that "Many were much more courageous than I was". Over twenty-five years after her death in 1993 Audrey Hepburn continues to remind us that, in her own words, "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible!".

An even better spy off-screen than on

Hedy Lamarr: Austrian bombshell Hedy Lamarr spent her war years in Hollywood where she, like many actresses, sold war bonds, entertained the troops at the Hollywood Canteen, and developed cutting edge military technology. Actually, she might be the only Hollywood star who can make that last claim. It all started during her childhood in Vienna when her father exposed her to advanced mathematics and science and encouraged her to be an independent thinker. Years later, after escaping both an abusive marriage to a fascist arms dealer and the impending Nazi annexation of Austria, she arrived in Hollywood where she eventually used her scientific skill in service of her adopted country. In the early 1940’s, Lamarr began a friendship with her neighbor, avant-garde artist George Antheil, who was working with a series of experimental instruments, including a set of synchronized player pianos. While observing Antheil’s pianos, she noted how their programming caused each piano to ‘hop’ from one note to another in unison and began to wonder why the radio signals controlling allied  torpedoes couldn’t do the same. She theorized that synchronizing radio signals to jump from one frequency to another would make it much more difficult for the Axis to pinpoint the signal’s location and jam it with broadcast interference. After countless hours of work, Lamarr and Anthiel completed their invention and brought it before US naval intelligence. Unfortunately, the device was so advanced for its era that experts ultimately rejected it, and Frequency Hopping was not implemented until the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, after Lamarr and Anthiel had unfortunately let their patent expire. Frequency Hopping went on to become the basis for Spread-Spectrum Communication technology, which is utilized today in Blue Tooths, GPS systems, internet WiFi, and the majority of modern military technology. By using her intellectual gifts, Lamarr was able to defy the constraints of her era and create a truly innovative invention that has shaped modern technology, both military and civilian, as we know it.  Next time you use your Bluetooth, GPS, or cellphone, I hope you take a second to think of Hedy Lamarr, a woman who was truly ahead of her time.

Let's all raise a glass to Hedy Lamarr

Classics: Three More Halloween Films for the Faint of Heart By Lauren Ennis

For many moviegoers the thrills and chills of horror are the highlight of Halloween. For others, the menace and mayhem of real life is frightening enough without cinematic horrors. I have a confession to make, readers, my viewing tastes place me firmly in the latter category. This year, I'll be turning the spotlight on three more movies for viewers like me who want to shriek with delight rather than fear this Halloween.

Topper: Who knew that ghosts were such a good time? In this 1937 supernatural comedy Halloween gets the screwball treatment as a pair of sprightly spirits wreak havoc upon an unsuspecting couple. After a night of hard partying that ends with a car wreck the equal parts rich and reckless George and Marion wake up to find themselves no longer listed among the living. Making matters even worse, the pair find themselves firmly in limbo as over the course of their carefree lives they committed neither enough bad deeds to be banished to Hell or enough good deeds to earn their way into Heaven. In an effort to earn their wings the deceased duo set out to do the best deed that they can think of; helping their friend, Cosmo Topper, to break out of his repressed existence and start living life to the fullest. Supernatural shenanigans ensue when they land Topper into one blunder after another, which ultimately leave his career and marriage seemingly as doomed as George and Marion themselves. As the film progresses, however, hapless Topper falls under the couple's infectious influence and realizes that his ghostly mentors are ironically the ones truly living. In typical screwball fashion, Topper begins seizing each day as though it were his last just in time for George and Marion to earn a one-way ticket to Heaven. Cary Grant and Constance Bennett turn in performances that are nothing short of a comedic masterclass as George and Marion, while Roland Young and Billie Burke make for excellent foils as the uptight Topper and his social climbing wife. Otherworldly and outrageous, Topper proved itself to be one of the most successful and innovative comedies of the Depression era and remains a haunted hallmark of the screwball comedy genre. For a film that is guaranteed to leave you screaming with laughter join in the spirit of the season with Topper.

Not your typical guardian angels

Ghost: Combining mystery, romance, comedy, and the supernatural, this 1990 crowd-pleaser is a ghost story unlike any other. The film follows Sam and Molly, a young couple who seemingly have it all until one fatal night when both of their worlds are shattered. When walking home from a night out the couple are attacked in a mugging that leaves Sam dead. The end of Sam's life proves just the beginning of the film's tale of love lost and found as Sam learns that his death was a contract murder rather than a robbery gone wrong and that Molly is the killer's next target. He then resolves to devote his afterlife to protecting the woman that he loves and bringing his killer to justice. His plan, while admirable, contains a crucial flaw; while he can still observe the living they cannot see or hear him. As a result, he forced to find an intermediary to act for him in the form of Oda-Mae, a shameless scam artist who is unnerved to learn that she actually does possess psychic abilities. Through a series of by turns comedic and suspenseful adventures the unlikely team manages to save the day and Sam and Molly are able to briefly reunite before Sam makes his final journey to the other side. Today, this film is best known for its uncanny ability to make pottery look sexy and the word 'ditto' sound romantic, which is unfortunate considering how much more it has to offer. The murder mystery has been a popular subject for storytelling for centuries, but Ghost puts a fresh spin on the popular whodunnit by leaving it to the victim to act as detective and solve his own murder. This proves to be more than a ghoulish gimmick as the murder victim, a role that is too often relegated to that of plot device, is granted the opportunity to play an active role in the story. The focus upon Sam's ghost also serves to lend emotional weight to the story by acting as a poignant reminder of the devastation that remains in the wake of a violent crime, which most murder mysteries neglect to include. The film's supernatural subject also allows the script to explore grief as well as death by following Sam and Molly as they both struggle to cope with loss and attempt to rebuild their shattered worlds.The inclusion of comic relief via Whoopie Goldberg's Oda-Mae enlivens the proceedings with feisty humor that gives voice to viewers' own skepticism without detracting from the plot's weightier elements. Patrick Swayze's aching portrayal of Sam proves that the actor was more than just another Hollywood heart throb, while Demi Moore infuses Molly with an intelligence and vulnerability that elevates her role beyond what could have easily been a stock love interest. Together, the pair exude chemistry as they portray the sensuality or romance and yearning of grief with equal skill. Rounding out the cast, Whoopie Goldberg is at her comedic best in her Oscar winning turn as Oda-Mae. Through its multi-faceted script and engaging performances Ghost just might make a believer out of you.

Cue unchained melody

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken: This 1966 film proves that horror plus comedy can be a surprising recipe for family fun. The film follows loveable loser Luther Heggs as he strives to break out of his menial typsesetting job at a local paper and become a big time reporter. He finally seems to get his chance when the office janitor encourages him to write an article commemorating the anniversary of an infamous local murder. When the article proves to be a hit the paper decides to capitalize upon its success by having Luther write a follow-up article that will require him to spend one night in the house where the murder occurred and report back on his experiences. In an effort to impress both his boss and his crush, Luther reluctantly agrees to accept the assignment. While his night begins benignly enough, it quickly escalates into the stuff of nightmares, complete with a hidden staircase, a bleeding portrait, and a bloodstained piano that plays itself. His next article chronicling his horrifying experiences launches him into the status of a local celebrity until the house's owner sues him for libel. The ensuing civil trial forces him to return to the notorious house where he learns a shocking truth and ultimately solves a local cold case. This film is certainly not one for true horror fans, but it is just the thing for those looking to get the kids in their lives into the spirit of the season. The film contains a classic horror premise that will give young viewers plenty of chills, but a family friendly conclusion straight out of Scooby-Doo that won't leave them sleeping with the lights on. For adults, the film makes for a wholesome Halloween themed comedy that features Don Knotts in arguably his best performance since The Andy Griffith Show's Barney Fife. The script makes ample use of Knotts' nervous persona while still allowing enough distinction to keep the film from declining into a tired rehash of his more famous television role. For those too chicken for true horror (this reviewer included) there's no better company to spend an October evening with than The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.

I do believe in spooks, I do, I do, I do...