Here I go again. I am a purest when it comes to movies, and a remake is rarely done as well as the original, especially when the original is an Alfred Hitchcock film, but, A Perfect Murder, which is based on, Dial M For Murder, modernizes the story appropriately. That being said, there's something lacking, there's something that just doesn't resonate with me. Despite this movie's superior cast, perhaps it might be the chemistry between the actors? I am not sure, but don't get me wrong, while it seems I am being negative toward the film, I am not. I really liked this version of the classic, film. It's another great movie to curl up with on a Saturday afternoon, when all you want to do is shake off the world. I am grateful for movies like that, and you can count on me suggesting more movies that fit that bill as the year marches on. This movie has Viggo Mortenson, who makes my heart go pitty-patty with every syllable he takes. Michael Douglas who brings the sinister, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who brings more then one emotion to the story, in subtle and nuanced ways, is fun to watch, and did I mention, Viggo Mortensen? Sexy. It's worth watching for the elegance that the movie gets right, and the way it modernizes the tale, while paying respect to the original film. But worth noting, if you have never seen the original movie, give it a watch, and compare the two for yourself. I'm a picky cinephile, and even I know there's a lot like about this movie!
“California loving smooth as the ocean tide Carefree soaking up your love like sunshine Crazy for ya feeling like a song with no rhyme I’m falling for you like sun in the springtime I’m so glad I found my California loving”
~Marie Helen Abramyan
It was a nearly perfect day in Bodega Bay. We spotted a few more birds, but the star of the day wasn't a bird, it was this adorable Sea lion, sunning himself in the warm afternoon Bodega Bay sun. I watched him for about 15 minutes or so. It was soul cleansing. I miss the Sea Lions of Pier 39 in San Francisco, so this was a very cool find! The dock sits right behind the Tides Restaurant, so could that have been the same dock where Melanie Daniels rented the boat she used to reach Mitch Brenner's house in the movie, The Birds? I'd like to think so. It's been a long time since that movie was filmed, and a lot of things have changed, but the beauty and fun of Bodega Bay, hasn't changed a bit!
Mitch Brenner: Do you happen to have a pair of birds that are just friendly?
Melanie Daniels: Just what is it you're looking for, sir? Mitch Brenner: Lovebirds. Melanie Daniels: Lovebirds, sir? Mitch Brenner: Yes, I understand there are different varieties. Is that true? Melanie Daniels: Oh yes there are. Mitch Brenner: Well, these are for my sister, for her birthday
see, and uh, as she's only going to be eleven, I, I wouldn't want a pair
of birds that were too demonstrative. Melanie Daniels: I understand completely. Mitch Brenner: At the same time, I wouldn't want them to be too aloof either. Melanie Daniels: No, of course not.
Oh my, Melanie Daniels and Mitch Brenner!
The Birds is one of my all time favorite horror films, partly because it is Hitchcock in all his glory. Partly because it is filmed on one of the most beautiful towns in Northern California, and partly for the amazing cast, including Rod Taylor (ooh la la) Tippi Hedren and Suzanne Pleshette. But one of the most compelling performances came from actress, Doreen Lang. She played a terrified mother, stuck in The Tides restaurant, during one of the scariest bird strikes on the town of Bodega Bay. Chilling!
The film was released in 1963, and remains a classic of the horror film genre. The plot revolves around an example of nature hitting back at humans, for ignoring it's plight through the dangers of global warming, or does it mean that at all? Or could it simply be one of those unexplainable occurrences that take place every once in a Blue Moon? Still one other theory is that Melanie Daniels is somehow causing the strange, birds gone insane, happening as it didn't seem to start, until Melanie Daniels arrived in town. She was the first victim of the birds, when she was assaulted by a large gull, while operating a small boat heading across Bodega Bay.
It was love at first sight between, Mitch and Melanie, although it was initially more combative than romantic. They banter back and forth for a bit, but in the end, Mitch seems to win their verbal dance. Not to be outdone, she pursues finding Mitch's address, and through her stalking mishaps, finds herself on her way to Bodega Bay. Her flirtation with Mitch Brenner, a lawyer from San Francisco, but living on weekends in Bodega Bay, is sexy and smart. It makes you want to see them form a lasting relationship, because in simple terms, you learn of their shared loneliness. They are that couple who finds each other, under difficult circumstances, often sparring, often turning to empathy for each other and the dynamics that leads them to live their respective guarded and lonely lives. Pressure we can all relate to in some way. But the road to love usually has some bumps along the way, but these two take it all to a new level. LOL.
Anyway, chances are you are very familiar with the film, so I won't go on and on about the plot, but I want to remind you how much fun it is to watch! It's a Saturday afternoon movie in my opinion, which is great because not all horror movies are geared to dark rooms and blankets to hide under. It is a popcorn movie though, and it's a gem with so many individual impressive scenes it's ridiculous! See the cool clips below. So, as you can see, I enjoy spending time in the famous town, not just as a movie buff, but also for the amazing birding opportunities it provides! Ironic, right? And I love the cheesy sense of humor Bodega Bay has about being the home of one of the most beloved horror movies ever!
The Bodega Harbor. The trees that stood in front of the house featured as the Brenner house, and the Potter Schoolhouse, used for the Bodega Bay school, are still there, as are is the Tides Restaurant. Although while it has gone under significant redesign, they maintain a small display outside the restaurant that runs the movie, in full, several times a day. Fans can stand outside the exhibit and do selfies next to the scenes behind them. It doesn't really put you in the film or anything, but it's kinda cool to stop and watch the movie. I have no idea who I would have been best to play in the film, but being a customer in The Tides, during all the drama, would have been an absolute hoot!
Enjoy my favorite clips...
"I think you're evil!"
From The Tides Display...
Hey, just because October, and Halloween, is over doesn't mean the chills, horror and all manner of things scary has to end! I am planning another trip to Bodega Bay before the atmospheric rive arrives, so I will post more photos from around the town later this month. Now, go watch the movie, and stay tuned!
“At the top of the hill he waited. He was much too soon. There was half
an hour still to go. The east wind came whipping across the fields from the
higher ground. He stamped his feet and blew upon his hands. In the distance he
could see the clay hills, white and clean, against the heavy pallor of the sky.
Something black rose from behind them, like a smudge at first, then widening,
becoming deeper, and the smudge became a cloud, and the cloud divided again into
five other clouds, spreading north, east, south and west, and they were not
clouds at all; they were birds.”
~Dame Daphne du Maurier, The Birds (The Birds And Other Stories)
Don't you just love the euphoric feeling you get from a fever? Everything feels surreal, and spooky, no matter what time of year it is! But there is something about an autumn cold that makes it almost worth having, just so you can revisit that time in childhood, when you just knew there was a ghost in the closet, or a phantom under the bed!
God, I love this time of year... and the common cold!
“It occurred to me that if I were a ghost, this ambiance was what I'd miss most: the ordinary, day-to-day bustle of the living. Ghosts long, I'm sure, for the stupidest, most unremarkable things.”
"Give them pleasure. The same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare."
~Alfred Hitchcock
Yesterday, as I was tiptoeing through my 2012 archives, I came across a several photos that I liked a lot, but that I never got around to posting before the end of the year. So, in the coming weeks I think I will be posting a combination of brand new photos, and some from 2012 that for whatever reason, didn't quite make it to the blog. I am happy that I came across the photos from 2012 that are fresh to the blog because when the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve it didn't just usher in a new year, it brought a nice little colony of ants along for the fun! Needless to say, I have been a busy lady lately.
Ugg... I hate ants. I managed to do really well with keeping them out of the garden last summer, just by maintaining a certain amount of diligent gardening, including the occasional deep dusting of cinnamon, which as you might know is natures best way to confuse an ant! No kidding! Cinnamon causes the ants to become confused, which in turn gives you a way to send them on their way without accidentally hurting any other little creature that might happen through the yard. The garden was an amazing success, and I owe it all to cinnamon!
I am going to Costco later today to purchase a large amount of cinnamon, to make the same liquid spray solution I used last summer, to try and eradicate this new collection. The ones in the house seem to be grease eating ants, which is fine, they are quite easy to deal with, but the trouble is, we can't seem to figure out where they are getting in. Ugg AGAIN!. We have been working on the situation, literally since New Year's Day, and it's just a never ending line of ants! There are a couple more things we will be trying this weekend, hopefully it will finally bring an end to the ant drama!
Think good thoughts for me, and bad thoughts for the ants! Okay?
If nothing else, perhaps I will get some good photos of the invaders. I need to do more practice with macro photography. Wish me luck with that also!
Will they be ready for their close-up?
Stay Tuned!
~Me :)
"Quiet On The Set"
AMC
Emeryville, Ca
August 9th 2012
