Random Bits of Miscellany

I'm in the middle of a big project right now for this blog, so haven't had time to post (seems counterintuitive doesn't it?). In the meantime, here are few miscellaneous things I wanted to mention.

1) Decades I Love - This is a new networking site for folks like me who love various decades of the past. It's an interactive community that is just starting up. On it you can upload music, photos, videos, etc. and connect with other old souls. Please check it out! (decadesilove.com)

2) Twitter - I have succumbed to the tweet. Follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/QuelleLove) for various classic film related updates. I'll tweet about articles and blog posts of note, classic film news, new books out on the market, or anything else that strikes my fancy. My tweets will be as relevant as possible. You can also see my latest tweets on the sidebar of this blog.

3) Fred Astaire - There are a couple new Fred Astaire books out on the market. Check them out! As always, I'm taking this opportunity to remind folks of the wonderful picture book, Footwork which is about the childhood of Fred and his sister Adele Astaire.


Puttin' on the Ritz: Fred Astaire and the Fine Art of Panache
written by Peter Levinson
9780312353667
$30.00
St. Martin's
April 2009

Fred Astaire
Icons of America series
written by Joseph Epstein
9780300116953
$22.00
Yale University Press

Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire
written by Roxane Orgill
Illustrated by Stephane Jorisch
9780763621216
$17.99
Candlewick Press

4) Ideal Bite - I've added the Ideal Bite widget to the sidebar. Ideal Bite: A Sassier Shade of Green is a daily newsletter has lots of great tips about how to be more environmentally friendly. I highly suggest you sign up. The widget will update regulary with the latest tip.

I'll be back soon!

Box Set Review: The Sidney Poitier Collection

The Sidney Poitier Collection could have easily been called Sophistication in a Box: Sidney Poitier, or Awesomeness Redefined: Sidney Poitier or my personal favorite: Sidney Poitier Therapy, . They could have just put Sidney Poitier's likeness on the box and had no text at all, and people would know they were in for a treat.

Released during this year's Black History Month, The Sidney Poitier collection highlights this legendary actor in all his glory. Poitier is classy and sophisticated and shines in any role he is given. It is very possible that they could have thrown his worst films in this set and it still would have worked. Instead they assembled a set of 4 gems. This box set contains 4 of his films, 3 of which are new to DVD and all of which are exclusive to the set.


Edge of the City (1957) - Gripping drama about the meaning of friendship. Sidney Poitier plays Tommy, a dock manager who befriends wayward newcomer Axel (John Cassavetes). Axel has a lot of baggage and is trying to get his life back on track by lying about his past. Tommy senses something's wrong and takes Axel under his wing. Their interracial friendship angers increasingly volatile dock manager Charles (Jack Warden). Their friendship is put to the test when it becomes clear Charles wants revenge. This film gets poor reviews, but I thought it was excellent. It's very moving and the final scene is raw and vivid.



A Patch of Blue (1965) - One of my all-time favorite films. Poitier plays journalist Gordon Ralfe, who befriends a young blind woman Selina D'Arcy (Elizabeth Hartmann in her first role). Selina comes from the most dire of circumstances. She has no proper education, no father and her blindness was caused by a cruel accident. She lives in a hovel with her drunk grandfather and hateful mother, Rose (Shelley Winters) who dabbles in prostituion. With Gordon's help, Selina learns the joys of life and becomes more independent, threatening the hold her mother has over her. This one movie is worth the purchase of box set!



Something of Value (1957) - Two young men, of different races, grow up together in 1940's Nigeria. Soon they both learn, that even their close bond could not prevent the inevitable divide that race, society and religion creates between them. Insulted by a white settler, Kimani (Sidney Poitier) becomes vengeful against the settler and his white friend Peter (Rock Hudson). The final straw comes when Kimani's father is put in prison for performing a tribal ritual. Kimani becomes a member of a violent tribe, Mau Mau and Peter finds himself fighting a war against his friend. This is the first classic film I've seen which actually criticizes white, Christian presence in Africa. The film is violent and difficult to watch, but absolutely necessary!



A Warm December (1973) - Melancholy love story of foreigners abroad. Poitier plays widower Dr. Matt Younger, who takes his daughter Stacey on an extended vacation to England. There he sees Catherine (Esther Anderson), a mysterious and elusive beauty who is being chased along the streets of London by mysterious men. Intrigued by her, he helps her out only to have her slip away. Appearances are deceiving and Dr. Younger gets into more than he's bargained for. This is such a sweet movie yet very sad. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good weepy romance.

Purchasing Links
(Because this would look so HOT in your DVD collection)
Barnes & Noble - Borders - TCM Store - Warner Bros. Home Video Store - Amazon

Anatomy of an Entertainment Center (2009)

Where do you watch movies? When I'm not at the Brattle, Harvard Film Archive or my parent's house (they have digital cable!), I'm lounging on my big red sofa watching films from my entertainment center. I mostly watch Netflix rentals but also have a budding inventory of DVDs. I also have a massive secret collection of taped movies from TCM. I don't have a DVR or TiVo, so I tape on good old-fashioned VHS tapes.

I have always wanted to do a sort of follow-up to my post Work: My Classic Film Nest with an ode to my entertainment center.

Here she is. Isn't she a beaut? You can see my big red sofa from the reflection of the TV. This entertainment center consists of 500+ pieces and I assembled this monstrosity all by myself. It's my crowning achievement.

Here is another look at my television set. Nothing fancy here. No HDTV, Plasma screen or flat-screen. Believe it or not, she is a color TV! I have that at least.

This is my DVD player which I've had for close to 10 years now. I love the unusual shape because it's cool and it takes up very little room. It's got interchangeable cards so I can make it red, blue or gold whenever I want.

Now here's a peek at my DVD collection. You'll be surprised at some of the films I own. I usually only buy films that I want to watch over and over again like Good News, Pillow Talk and A Patch of Blue. Also, some of these DVDs are presents from friends.

Here is the second shelf. On the right you'll see some earlie Talkies on DVD that my good friend and partner-in-crime Jonas from All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing! sent me!

I had a stereo here before but got rid of it to fill the space with boxed sets, TV collections and music CDs. Unfortunately, now it's quite full and I have 3 new boxed sets to add to it.

Here is the piece de resistance! My secret stash of taped movies. I have hundreds of films in here including my extensive collection of Norma Shearer movies.

Calling all fellow bloggers to participate! What does your entertainment center look like? What films are in your personal collection?

[Participants]

Jonas @ All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing!

Laura @ Laura's Miscellaneous Musings

Bookyeti - 1st Pic - 2nd Pic - 3rd Pic (Temporary)

King of Jazz - 1st Pic - 2nd Pic - 3rd Pic (Temporary)

Sarah @ Cinema Splendor

Casey @ Noir Girl

Kate Gabrielle @ Silents and Talkies

Nicole @ Classic Hollywood Nerd