Sunday, October 20, 2013

Making Time for Movies


Hello world!  Recently a dear friend challenged me to upload a new blog post, even though I've sadly neglected this project for some months.  I've been a bit consumed by adapting to my new life as a graduate student--this includes very grown-up things like making my own meals and purchasing a vacuum cleaner.  Excuses, excuses. Some days are better than others, but overall I couldn't be happier in my new home, though I miss my undergraduate community very much.  I'm learning to be independent, productive, and--I hope, at least--writerly.  (Also, there's nothing better than New England in the fall.  Photographic evidence above.)

When I made my move at the end of the summer, I packed my movies into a paper box and knew they'd get me through whatever graduate school planned on throwing at me.  What I didn't realize is that I'd need to consciously find the time to watch them.  This weekend, I had a full plate of professional and academic assignments but somehow found the time and energy for both Out of Africa and The English Patient.  (I know, I really like to pick fun, feel-good movies for the end of the week.)  I've blogged about both of these films in earlier posts, but from the comfort of my $25 futon it was almost as if I was watching them for the first time .  And now, without further ado, a discussion that is really just an excuse for me to broadcast my love of Robert Redford and Ralph Fiennes.



Friday night Out of Africa.  I first watched this movie at the age of seventeen, and it's still pure magic for me on many levels.  Oh, Denys is so dreamy!  The landscape!  Karen's storytelling by the fire!  Gramophone on safari! Yellow airplane! But it's also very much a story about expectations in relationships and the hard realities of living an independent life. While it's obvious that Karen and Denys love each other, they can't necessarily coexist. Karen is a writer who's struggling to keep Denys as a character in her story, but he's weary of that commitment.  Maybe that's who Denys really is--he's that character in all of our imaginations who pops up in dozens of stories but can never really flesh out enough to become concrete.  You know the type?  No?  Okay.  You can go back to watching the hair washing scene.


Saturday nightThe English Patient.  Again, this one totally appeals to every romantic-sappy-*sigh* instinct in me.  Explorers discovering the ancient Cave of Swimmers.  Unresolved sexual tension in the middle of a desert sandstorm.  Also, non-linear storytelling.  And a yellow airplane! (Come to think of it, yellow airplanes might be a bad sign?)  Almasy and Katharine's story is far from simple--it's aggressive and controversial but undeniably passionate.  The characters are strange and unforgettable--this can be rare to come by in a love story, I think.  Also, here is your proof that Ralph Fiennes is much, much more than "Lord Voldemort."  I'd be happy to discuss this issue over coffee on any given day of the week, you pick the place.

Real homework assignments beckon, but I'm going to try and make these double features a part of my routine.  They're definitely better than dishes and laundry.  And hopefully, I'll make time for blogging, too.



Saturday, April 27, 2013

A Fangirl's Guide To Traveling

Earlier this year, I shared my film-inspired love for the city of Paris.  While I love traveling just for the sake of traveling, it's even more enjoyable for me when I have a movie-related destination in mind.  In my opinion, films can inspire all kinds of things: new stories, life changes, worldview shifts...and road trips, too.  So, without further ado, here's my Seven Wonders of the Domestic United States: Cinematic Detours Edition.

#7: Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, Vermont  (Connection: The Sound of Music)


It is a widely known fact that I adore The Sound of Music.  (I can explain here.)  It is perhaps less widely known that, after escaping to Switzerland, the real-life Trapp Family Singers decided to immigrate to Vermont.  Today their family "lodge" is a year-round resort. Stepping through the front doors is like stepping into Austria, only instead of the Alps you can enjoy views of the Green Mountains.  For those on a budget, delicious sandwiches are available in the lounge for a reasonable price.  They also offer carriage rides, where I'm assuming one could sing "Do-Re-Mi" without getting any strange looks. 

#6: Mystic Pizza, Mystic Seaport, Connecticut (Connection: Mystic Pizza)


This one makes the list for my mom. Long before I watched the 1980s coming-of-age "classic," I enjoyed pizza at Mystic Pizza. The town itself was one of our family favorites for vacations, offering both a historic seaport and a large aquarium.  After viewing the beluga whales and the tall ships, we'd stop by the now-famous restaurant for dinner.  As a teenager, I finally watched the movie with my mother, and I can report back that both the pizza and the film are satisfyingly cheesy.

#5: The Medbery Inn, Ballston Spa, New York (Connection: The Way We Were)


Some of my more devoted readers may or may not have noted that I enjoy all things Robert Redford.  So, you can imagine how pleased I was to learn that The Way We Were was partially filmed close to my hometown in Ballston Spa, New York.  (I may or may not have screamed.)  The Medbery Inn served as the backdrop for the wonderful scene where Katie crosses the street to share a beer with Hubbell.  (This scene is about 50 times more emotional when you're about to graduate from college.)  While there are currently no tables in front of the Inn, many locals have misty, water-colored memories about the film crew being in town. 

#4: The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado (Connection: The Shining)


I don't do scary movies, as a rule.  (Trying to find the above picture, I encountered enough images of "ghost children" to give me nightmares for a few weeks.)  I've never been able to watch The Shining, but when I visited Estes Park, Colorado, it was hard to miss the looming Stanley Hotel.  I'm a lover of old buildings, but after taking one look at this place I was thankful my family decided to stay at the Holiday Inn.  If you're into horror movies and Jack Nicholson and ghost children, they cater to the creepy at the Stanley.  It's fun to say you've seen it, I guess...and by "seen it" I mean to say that I definitely did not go inside.

#3: Zoom, Park City, Utah (Connection: The Sundance Film Festival)


Because I love him, #3 is also Robert Redford-related.  While the Sundance Film Festival is only in full swing at the end of January, Zoom (like a camera zooms) is a restaurant open year-round.  Redford & Co. purchased the old train station and decorated the walls with pictures from the early festivals. Even if members of your party have no interest in film (gasp), the food is truly delicious and you can eat outside on a warm summer night.  (Though I'd recommend checking out the pictures before you make your way to the patio.) 

#2: Musee Mecanique, San Francisco, California (Connection: The Princess Diaries)


I adore The Princess Diaries.  Especially the scene where Princess Mia and Queen Clarisse (Anne Hathway and Julie Andrews) decide to spend the day getting lost in San Francisco.  When I visited the city, I was overjoyed to find the penny arcade complete with the laughing clown.  As you can see, I even tried to beat the arm-wrestling machine that outsmarts the Queen.  (Alas, I could not.)  Just like in the film, there are plenty of  corn dog stands just outside if you can bear the chill off San Francisco Bay.  If you like novelties, visiting this museum/arcade is a must!

#1: Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah (Connection: All things Robert Redford)


While you're probably not surprised to see this as my number one, I can't say enough good things about the Sundance Resort.  First and foremost, it's a gorgeous nature preserve.  Secondly, the food is amazing and caters to every budget. Thirdly, the bar I'm sitting at above was once owned by the real Butch Cassidy.  The Sundance Institute is also on the grounds, so you might see aspiring filmmakers running about with camera equipment.  Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack filmed Jeremiah Johnson on the property, and the "Hall of Memories" is a cinematic museum within itself. 

Have a favorite film-related destination?  Share below!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Rom-Com Rodeo

I've been hesitant to dive into this topic, only because my feelings are what could neatly be referred to as "mixed."  For some reason, this genre always receives overwhelming responses whenever someone mentions such a movie at a social gathering.  I used to defend these things from the "haters," arguing for their special place amongst the quirky artist biopics and the family vacation sagas.  Recently, though, I'm not sure how I feel about romantic comedies as a whole. 



What's the definition of a romantic comedy, anyway?  Yes, many are marked by cliches (as evidenced in the video above) but Hollywood has been known to apply the label to a wide spectrum of films that often differ dramatically in tone, style, and content.  How can a film by Woody Allen be placed in the same category as a movie featuring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson running around a European capital?  I'm also not sure how I feel about the term "chick flick," as I know many women who loathe romantic comedies and just as many men who enjoy them.   Imagine, Hollywood selling us gender stereotypes! 

When I was in junior high, I loved romantic comedies for their zany situations and risque romantic moments.  I assumed that many of the films I watched were actually windows into the adult world, and that one day I, too, would be wholly consumed by the desire to find Mr. Right.  And throughout junior high and high school, I guess I was.  Not Having A Boyfriend was the ultimate embarrassment.   I saw how Hollywood viewed single women and figured my chronic state of solitude was somehow a foreshadowing of the future.  But in college I quickly discovered that it isn't always roses and love montages though your Facebook status might reflect being "in a relationship."  Now that I've reached the ripe old age of twenty-one, many of my peers from high school are getting engaged and starting families.  According to most romantic comedies, this should make me very anxious, and I should probably set up some kind of online dating profile because the clock has begun to tick! 


But do I feel this way?  Not yet, at least.  In fact, I'm glad I'm single.  (Go ahead and gasp!)  At this point in my life, I can't really relate to the desperate loneliness that romantic comedies say women endure when they live alone.  In fact, I enjoy living alone.  And while it'd be wonderful to meet a great guy, I'm much more excited about starting graduate school.  So until Hollywood decides to make a movie about surviving on Spaghettios in New Hampshire, I might take some time off from the world of romantic comedies.

That being said, here's a few rom-coms I'll always adore:

Roman Holiday (1953) - Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck set the standard for romantic comedies set abroad.  For those who love traveling it's a must-see: Rome is just as important as the resulting romance.

Barefoot in the Park (1967) - I couldn't make a list without having at least one Robert Redford movie, and this Neil Simon classic takes a look at the post-honeymoon life of a quirky couple in 1960s New York. 

You've Got Mail (1998) - A classic story, updated for the digital age.  There are a lot of bookstore scenes in this, and bookstore scenes are always a good thing.  Also makes multiple references to both Joni Mitchell and Pride and Prejudice

Scoop (2006) - Murder mystery meets romantic comedy meets Woody Allen dialogue.  Hugh Jackman owns an English estate in this.  Scarlett Johansson plays a student reporter.  Woody plays an anxious magician.  Need I say more?


Do you have a favorite romantic comedy? Comment away!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Pass the Tissues, Please



At the age of twelve, I convinced my mother to rent a copy of Titanic.  This was a major turning point for several reasons.  My parents were a bit puritanical when it came to movie ratings, and Titanic is decidedly PG-13.  Secondly, my young self approached the film with a bizarre predisposition to hate Leonardo DiCaprio.  This lasted about thirty seconds into the movie, whereupon I decided that I was in fact madly in love with Leonardo DiCaprio.  Lastly, Titanic was my first example of how cinematic destruction works on all levels: disturbing imagery, emotional heartbreak, and that horrible empty feeling as you hear the first strains of “My Heart Will Go On.”  I don’t want to ruin the film for anyone, but: the ship sinks and a lot of people die. I sat on the couch with my mother, who was sobbing, and willed myself not to cry.  My twelve-year-old self thought crying was embarrassing, especially at the end of a movie.  I went to bed that night incredibly upset but with dry eyes. 

At the age of twenty, Titanic was rereleased in theaters much to thrill of myself and a few friends.  Our group dined at Azteca before the film, reminiscing on our individual puritanical upbringings: how one parent had insisted on fast forwarding through the “drawing scene,” and how another had not clearly explained the hand in the “car scene.”  At the theater we donned our 3D glasses and proceeded to embark on an emotional rollercoaster that we still discuss to this day.  The film started—Irish music, a shot of the sea—and we watched as if we’d never seen any of it before.  Titanic is so immortalized in pop culture, yet we watched with the terror we’d all felt as children on couches.  Only this time, I cried.  I cried until my glasses fogged like the windows in the “car scene.”  I cried until the bottom of my chin felt wet from the waterworks, cried even harder when I realized my friends were also crying, and continued to cry as we drove back to campus.  And I went to bed that night deeply sad…but satisfied.

At the age of twenty-one, I can now admit my need for an occasional “good cry.”   For me, movies provide access to that strange need, and if you’re looking to either cry or emotionally torture yourself this weekend, you might consider one of these suggestions.  (Or Titanic, of course.)


Out of Africa (1985)—Visually gorgeous but emotionally devastating, this movie makes me want to book a Kenyan safari but makes me actually crawl into bed with a box of tissues.  The story is centered around Karen Blixen’s (Meryl Streep) efforts at running a coffee plantation in Africa but eventually shifts to her love affair with a mysteriously handsome hunter/safari guide named Denys.  (And if you guessed that the handsome hunter/safari guide is played by Robert Redford, you are absolutely right!) 

Les Miserables (2012)—My father, who understands much less French than his French Canadian background suggests, informed me that this title translates to The Miserables.  Honestly, I think that might be an understatement.  Unlike most depressing movies which pack a punch at the end, this one slaps the emotions from start to finish.  If you’d like to take the depressing experience with you on the go, you can now download the complete soundtrack for your iPod.  (Yes, I spend a lot of time listening to Anne Hathaway singing “I Dreamed A Dream.”  Plus, a guy who looks a lot like my boyfriend Wolverine is in this!)

Doctor Zhivago (1965)—If this epic Russian adaptation doesn’t make you cry due to its winding plotlines, you might just cry due to the fact that everything looks so barren and cold.  Another love story, of course, but this one is set against the Bolshevik revolution.  Characters don’t merely long for each other: they trek across great sheets of ice in blizzard conditions, much like students in upstate New York walk to class.  (If you want more depressing love stories involving that particular Soviet brand of communism, try Reds (1981) with Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton.)  

 


What about you—do you have a favorite tearjerker?  Comment below!




Saturday, March 30, 2013

What A Marvel-ous Surprise!

If you’d asked me a year ago, I would have scoffed at the idea. Or worse, said something along the lines of: “Aren’t those targeted for chauvinistic men?” I thought I just didn’t get it, or maybe I (quite pretentiously) reasoned that my taste was somehow more refined than the general masses. Now I realize the dangers of speaking before giving something a true chance, and I’m ready to declare that my prejudices couldn’t have been more wrong. I’m ready to sing this truth from the rooftops of the Internet, because…

I love Marvel movies.

If you’re a bit reluctant to embrace Marvel Comics' film universe, my best advice would be to try watching at least one before making any firm resolutions. I’m far from being an expert on the subject, but I’ve decided to outline my reasons for falling in love with these films. (Oh, and just in case you don’t want to take my word for it, a certain Robert Redford just signed up for a role in Captain America 2 and has all kinds of good things to say.)


Reason #1: Character Arcs to Write Home About -- Iron Man If you're a fan of characters learning life  lessons, I think I have the Marvel superhero for you.  In Iron Man, billionaire-playboy Tony Stark gains a new worldview after a traumatizing experience and decides to use his savvy to "privatize world peace."  With a strong dose of sarcasm that could only be delivered by the multi-talented Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man is funny, action-packed, and surprisingly romantic.  (We'll forgive you your regression in Iron Man 2, Tony.)
 
 

Reason #2: Women Who Kick Some Serious Ass -- Black Widow in Iron Man 2 and The Avengers Remember how I wondered if comic book movies were just for chauvinistic men? If you like movies where female characters take care of matters themselves, I'd suggest seeing any Marvel film featuring Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow. Just watch what happens when people underestimate her abilities. No really, just watch. Here's to hoping Marvel gives "Natasha" her own origins movie.


Reason #3: Love...Trapezoids? -- The X-Men films in general Who knew comic book movies could rival most daytime soap operas? If you're like me and you enjoy rooting for various romantic pairings of characters (or as we call it on the Internet, "shipping"), then you must watch the X-Men films. Or maybe you should avoid them, because the confusion and heartache that you will endure can sometimes be too much to handle. In my opinion, they should market the trilogy with boxes of tissues. I've given up and decided to root for myself getting together with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, but we'll see how that goes. (I'm a cat owner so I'm not worried about the claws.)


Reason #4: History AND Mythology Tie-Ins -- Captain America and Thor Marvel films can be somewhat educational! Steve Rogers didn't actually aid in the resolution of World War II, but Captain America does illustrate the 1940s in an accessible way that captures attention differently from history textbooks. Lovers of mythology should enjoy the colorful parallel universe brought to life in Thor. I'll happily admit to being more than a little in love with Tom Hiddleston's god of mischief, Loki. (If it doesn't work out between Wolverine and myself, I might just go for the villain.)

What do you think about comic book movies? Feel free to share in the comments!

Friday, March 8, 2013

Climb Ev'ry Mountain



My first copy of The Sound of Music was a self-recorded NBC broadcast on VHS tape, complete with commercials that required fast-forwarding.  (My parents’ house still has several of these ancient relics tucked in a dusty corner of the entertainment center, their murky footage having outlived all but one of our VCRs.)  I’m not entirely sure what happened to that trimmed-for-television version, but I do remember watching it so many times that the audio started to blend together, Maria’s list of favorite things indecipherable to anyone who wasn’t a true fan.   When I was about four or five, my parents finally replaced that tape with a purchased version of the film, still VHS but miraculously complete.  Today, I have the anniversary edition DVD at school, nestled amongst several other Rogers and Hammerstein’s classics.

When I think of films that have always been a part of my life, I think The Sound of Music.  Maybe that’s a clichéd answer, but I don’t remember my introduction to the von Trapp family singers, and I can’t imagine ever tiring of “Edelweiss.”  My mother must have been the architect behind the obsession: she can recite the dialogue in the abbey scenes word-for-word and quotes the Captain von Trapp whenever it’s socially appropriate.  When I was six, she put faith in my ability to sit still and brought me to our local high school’s production of the musical.  It was pure magic.  My mother doesn’t typically re-watch movies as often as I do, but she’ll always get distracted if The Sound of Music is on cable.  If appreciation for Julie Andrews is an inherited trait, I’ve inherited it from her.

As I grew up, my understanding of The Sound of Music grew with me.  In my youngest years the film was my first and foremost rainy day option, a fantasy for a child who dreamed of having a multitude of older siblings.  I was captivated by the balconies and the ballrooms and the sprawling lawns, and disappointed by the fact that our house didn’t have a glass gazebo in the backyard, nor a river to fall into.
  


In my teenage years I questioned whether I related more to boy-crazy Liesl or bookish Brigitta, finally concluding that I was a bit of both.  While fascist takeovers were thankfully absent from my adolescence, I found myself understanding too well the betrayals of crushes gone wrong.  Like Brigitta, I was constantly reading to escape the torments of cliques and gym class, fashionably arriving to my math courses with my nose in a novel.  I understood the girls’ rebellion from the Captain and Maria, but ran to my parents in the event of an emotional thunderstorm. 

Today, I love The Sound of Music for its heartbreaking optimism at the threshold of tragedy.  I love the slowly-evolving love story, the gorgeous costumes, the setting of Salzburg.  I have a bit of a crush on ‘60s era Christopher Plummer.  I can relate to Maria’s apprehensions about the future, but I know to take the advice of the Reverend Mother and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.”  And to all my fellow graduating seniors, here’s a pep talk that evokes the splendor of the Austrian Alps: 


So long, farewell, auf weidersehen, good night!

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Bonjour, Paris!


You can blame it on my French heritage, perhaps.  Or maybe it’s the way the Eiffel Tower is lit up at night, its reflection shining in the Seine.  I’ve always loved outdoor cafes, artsy neighborhoods, Gothic architecture, crepes and croque monsieurs.  Maybe that’s why I fell for Paris long before I’d ever been, and why my passion was confirmed before I made it through customs at Charles De Gaulle.

Or maybe it was all the movies.

Paris occupies a special place in the cinematic universe.  There’s a beautiful contrast between the wide boulevards and the cobblestone neighborhoods, the heavy Arc du Triumph and the airy landscapes of impressionist art.  The city is ancient but forward-thinking, its occupants both romantic and fashionably aloof.  Paris almost begs to be immortalized in film, and it has.

On my trip to Paris in the spring of 2009, I was lucky enough to see many of the settings used in my favorite “France movies.”  Almost everything in the City of Light seems iconic in some context, but for me these were the most memorable.

 
'Art Nouveau' metro signs, The Aristocats (1970) - While conniving butlers seem oblivious to their warnings, my childhood self was strangely captivated by the dreamlike signs seen in the Disney classic.  I'd always assumed they were a stylistic touch thrown in by the animators, but many of  the original pieces still adorn the public transportation system.  On a walking tour of the city, our group stopped to watch street performers beside this otherworldly form.


Strolling along the Seine, An American in Paris (1951) - It might be difficult to master the graceful ballet of Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, but you can at least walk alongside the river that flows through the heart of Paris.  Plenty of couples and groups of friends still have the same idea, and it was quite common to see people sharing bottles of wine on the stone embankments.  And because dance shouldn't be limited to photographs, you simply must watch "Our Love Is Here To Stay."


Paris Opera House, The Phantom of the Opera (2004) - The setting behind the internationally acclaimed musical and the 2004 movie adaptation is open to visitors when performances aren't scheduled.  You'll immediately recognize the ornate lobby and the rich interior of the seating area.  I didn't see the Phantom himself on my trip, but one of my friends did get locked in the bathroom quite mysteriously.  You can almost hear the organ music, can't you?  And for the pure spectacle of it all, treat yourself to "Masquerade."




Shakespeare and Company, Midnight in Paris (2011) - I saw this whimsical Woody Allen film long after my trip to France, but it's enough to inspire at least a dozen new Paris adventures.  Any writer or reader should remember to check out Shakespeare and Company, an English language bookstore on the Left Bank.  While not all of us have the opportunity to get individualized writing tips from F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein, we can trace the path of Owen Wilson and Marion Cotillard with a paperback as traveling companion.

I'll let Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, and Kay Thompson wrap up my post with one of the best odes to Paris, found in Funny Face (1956):



:

Au revior! 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Paul Had Vision And The Rest Of The World Wears Bifocals


I miss Paul Newman.

Long before I developed a serious interest in film, Paul Newman was a tangible presence in my childhood, occupying the special place of celebrity-about-town.   In the early ‘90s he had befriended a local philanthropist in the Lake George area and set up a camp for children with life threatening illnesses.  He continued to visit my hometown throughout that decade and into the next, staying on as Honorary Chairman long after our philanthropist had passed away.  Our newspaper would often report special events at the camp, and when I’d asked who Paul Newman was my parents had told me that he was a Very Famous Actor and reportedly a Very Nice Person. 

I miss the summer that I first “discovered” Paul Newman in his iconic on-screen pairing with Robert Redford.  I was seventeen, about to start my first semester of college, terrified of the changes pressing in from all sides and desperately needing an escape.  That escape came in two forms: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting.  If those films—still my favorites today — taught me anything, it was that solutions could be found in the stickiest situations if you had laughter and friendship.  (And train robbing and con artistry too, of course.)



But I really miss Paul Newman when I’m at Walmart buying groceries for my dorm room.  His perfect features are always watching me as I push my cart up the aisle, the legendary blue eyes looking down from the illustration on his salad dressing bottles.  I’ll admit to favoring Newman’s Own over other brands whenever I have the option.  When I’m home on break my parents will purposely buy the most diverse products available: Paul Newman pizza, Paul Newman lemonade, Paul Newman K-Cups for the Keurig. 

I miss the perfect romantic chemistry between Paul Newman and his real-life wife, the amazing actress Joanne Woodward.  Their ten films together cover a wide range of topics and time periods, but they’re all marked by the pair’s ability to bring out the best in each another.  Personally, I don’t think summer is summer without at least one viewing of The Long, Hot Summer, and my grandmother agrees.  And for sillier fare that’s almost sinfully ‘60s, there’s always A New Kind of Love.  It’s Paris, outrageous costumes, Paul, and Joanne.  Though I’ll admit, I’d watch anything with the two of them, good, bad, or indifferent.




In a way, I miss the silly conversations I had with a former boyfriend about Paul Newman.  He’d seen Paul at a community theater event in Glens Falls several years back, and I was incredibly jealous.  What was it like? I’d gushed.  He’d shrugged.  He was really old.  I’d felt an odd kind of emptiness, because Paul Newman was so much more than just an actor, or the guy from the salad dressing, or old.   And I’d really felt like I missed him, though of course we’d never met.

I might miss Paul Newman, but I don’t think he’ll ever be forgotten.

Paul Newman Movies That Will Make You Miss Him

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) – While the movie glosses over parts of Tennessee Williams’ original play, Paul is incredible opposite Elizabeth Taylor.  Personally I love the ancient house, the tension, everything: it’s hard to look away.

Cool Hand Luke (1967) – This rough prison drama can be disturbing to digest, but it’s classic Paul in one of his (many) iconic roles as an antihero.  There are some light moments, too, including a hardboiled egg eating contest.  Plus, “What we got here is failure to communicate.”

Slap Shot (1977) – The quintessential crude hockey movie.  I like to pretend I’m above humor this raunchy, yet I laugh anyway.  If you’re a hockey fan like me you’ll cringe at the lack of helmets but you’ll love the antics of the Hanson brothers.  The bottom line: Paul Newman on skates is always a good thing.

The Verdict (1982) – Maybe what’s most endearing about Paul is that he hardly ever portrayed “perfection,” and this film’s story of a lawyer aiming to redeem himself by doing the right thing is universal in scope.  And he plays it brilliantly, of course.

And if you never watch a single Paul Newman movie, do yourself a favor and at least watch the bicycle scene from Butch Cassidy:



Yes, he did his own stunts!
 

Read more about the Double H camp here.
For all of Paul’s movies plus some lovely personal quotes, visit Paul's IMDB page here.