I’ve been watching old movies on AMC lately. I have no idea what made me do it, but I am a fan. Who knew that there were decades of movies before I was born??

As I watch them – there are some I love… some that are best left in previous decades. The one thing I think about is looking at the actors and actresses and notice how young they look. The big stars that are still famous today look so different (It has been 40 – 60 years, I know… but sheesh).

Knowing what Lauren Bacall looks like now, compared to how she looked in ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’ really makes me wonder how Marilyn Monroe would look had she survived long enough to see the new millenium. Would the recent video of her “inhaling” be a big deal?

Do you ever watch old movies?

Thanks to my beloved 1/2 day Friday’s, hubby and I have been taking our “date night” and making it “date lunch” before we pick up the bean. Last Friday, we went to see Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince.

I loved the book and I realized that they’d have to do some editing to fit it into the movie (which was REALLY long anyway). But I had to think about the movie for a few days before really deciding what I thought.

First, I have to say that I have loved the previous movies and have not read the previous books. This movie…

The first part of the movie was very choppy to me. I am not sure I would have gotten it at all if I didn’t know the story walking in. It seemed like each scene was very random and didn’t tie into the previous or the next scene. As the movie went on, it flowed better. In the interest of time, I could see why they cut out a lot of what was cut. But I think the direction needed some help to flow the story better. Things just randomly started happening and it didn’t seem like they made sense if you didn’t already know. It was kind of like There were some things cut that I am curious how it will be rectified in the next movie (still possible… I guess).

Overall, it is my least favorite Potter movie… but after thinking about it for a long time… I did like it. I think I would have felt much better about it if I hadn’t read the book. I hope the same isn’t true w/ the last two movies (which really should be awesome!) As far as how I would rate the movie, I am sad to say that it is worth paying full price on DVD.

Kinda sad, huh?

There are some stories that are so good they can be retold a thousand times and still give you something new (Cinderella, Romeo & Juliette, most Gangster movies) There are some stories that are so bad, they could be redone in hopes of saving what might be a glimmer of hope (Man Hunter, which turned into Red Dragon). But still, there are some that really should never ever be redone because they were a) that good, or b) that dated, or c) cannot add anything more to make it great because the story isn’t all that deep. Some examples of these are Dirty Dancing (NO BODY puts Baby in the corner… that means you ‘Havana Nights‘), Lost Boys the Tribe, and any of the “Brat Pack” movies from the 80′s. I heard a rumor (unsubstantiated by a brief internet search) that someone wants to remake the Breakfast Club.

Oh please don’t do this. A spoof — OK, not my thing, but could work. But the actual remake would only be a disaster. Judd Nelson is the only ‘Johnny’ and Molly Ringwald is the only ‘Claire’. Don’t EVEN think that Brian can be redone… really people. Think about your actions before you do this…

Don’t you… remake this movie.

I won’t be alone, begging you not to baby.

Don’t you… tear it apart. You know you can’t pull it together again..

Don’t you… remake this movie..

I say please no no no no. No no no no. No no no no no No No No No No

My very favorite movie maker, Tim Burton, is at it again. He has been hard at work at a few things I have been keeping my eye on. His next release, 9, is sure to be a great movie (outstanding soundtrack, by the way). But I have to admit that I am more excited to see Alice.

It is an f’d up story to begin with. Add in a little Burton magic and it is sure to be among the greatest flicks of all time.

A fellow twitterer posted this link to some preview pics and an article. Just had to share. I especially love the garden pictures.