The things that can appear on our home TV or computer screens go so far beyond the wildest dreams this blogger ever had as a fantasy loving child. The whole idea of streaming, for one thing. Sure, we could dream of having 500 channels or more. But two or three good streaming channels are much preferable, since not only can a person choose what to watch and when (free of commercials), but how much at one time. Our three main streaming channels are Criterion, Amazon, and Brit Box. The first two have some amazing documentaries, and we have watched many of them. Amazon is filled with series about art, for example.
However, we have now added a fourth streaming channel to our lineup, one that is quite different from the other three, and one I had been hoping to find for some time. Wondrium is also called The Great Courses, and for $99 we have access to a year of unlimited streaming courses, in virtually every subject under the sun. Deb is currently watching a 'learn to speak German' course, while I am embarking on a 24 unit course on SF literature, called How Great SF Works. The lecturer is Gary Wolf. He not only knows his business, but he is an engaging talker. I have heard the first three lectures (fully illustrated as he talks), and am looking forward later today to #4. He has already talked about two of the novels in the Rediscovery Series (M. Moorcock and Ward Moore), and the Blish series Cities in Flight. Also lots of modern writers I am jotting down. Most courses comes with an extensive guidebook in PDF format. After this course, I will turn to our ever growing watch list, which includes more literature courses, as well as archeology and history ones. A person could spend a fun life in an easy chair.
Like the February astronomy session, the March one is also turning out to be a total bust. Clouds, rain, and even some snow have obliterated my hopes of resuming observations. Though it may (or may not) be clear tonight, with temps dipping to around 18 F, I think I'll stay home. We are enjoying one more February weekend of winter weather, just for the fun of it. No astronomy nights means more reading nights. As usual, lots of reading is taking place.
There is one fun movie to report here, as well as a few others worth watching. The Witches is a five segment Italian film from 1967. Though five directors each contributed a short film (Bolognini, De Sica, Pasolini, Rossi, and Visconti), the same actress gets a different starring role in each film. Silvana Mangano is amazing in each role she takes on, from a famous and glamorous actress, to a deaf mute housewife, to a frustrated wife who wants some lifeand fun out of her overworked and tired husband (Clint Eastwood). Each segment is very funny, my favourite ones being the first, called 'The Witch Burned Alive'; the one by Pasolini starring Toto (a true fairy tale); and the last one with Clint Eastwood. Sadly, the film is leaving Criterion in a few days. I would have enjoyed seeing it again.
The Man In Grey from 1943, put Gainsborough Pictures and James Mason on the cinema map. It's the best kind of soap opera melodrama, filmed in beautiful b & w. Mason plays a cruel nobleman who marries a sweet girl, doing his best to make her unhappy in his gloomy mansion. Cue the bad girl who has just the right personality for the guy, and stir the plot well. I wonder how much popcorn was thrown at onscreen bad guy James Mason in his illustrious career. Directed to perfection by Leslie Arliss, the movie was remade in similar form nearly endlessly by the studio, after this one became such a big hit. It includes some of the worst blackface makeup ever shown on screen.
A pair of films directed by Joseph Mankiewicz were next, both in b & w. House of Strangers is from 1949, starring Edward G Robinson as an older Italian father of four sons. He has worked his way up from being a barber to owning his own bank. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't keep very good books, and gets himself into a legal mess. He is a bitter man, full of hate and anger, and his sons never seem to live up to his expectations. He treats them poorly, all except one, who the story is really about. A good tale, well presented, even if, as Deb says, it features so many Italian stereotypes it could almost become a parody. Robinson is, as usual, great to watch.
Lastly came Dragonwyck, from 1949. No dragons, but another huge mansion with Vincent Price this time in the James Mason role, and Gene Tierney as the sweet young thing who falls under his evil spell. Luckily for everyone there is a good doctor on hand, young and handsome, who can stand up to the tyrannical and insane Price. He has a great tower room inthe house, where he spends most of his time when at home. So many gloomy mansions, so many sad stories. Price has a younger daughter who Tierney looks after, but for some odd reason the little girl disappears from the story completely about halfway through. Walter Huston has a plum minor role as a bible thumping farmer, father to Tierney.
Mapman Mike
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