Little Pleasures
May. 25th, 2004 10:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stoutfellowNow that the television season is pretty much over, I've started in on my (rather extensive) video library, watching a movie every night or two. I watched the Disney Aladdin on Saturday, and All About Eve last night.
Now, I'll admit that Aladdin is mere froth; there is very little substance to it. But it's fun to watch, and there are a few nice winks at the audience. One of my favorite bits comes just after "Prince Ali's" successful wooing of Jasmine, when Aladdin is having second thoughts about his dishonesty. The genie tries to congratulate him, and bursts into a momentary chorus of "Hail the Conquering Hero" - which is double-edged; the movie Hail the Conquering Hero centers on a man who is mistakenly puffed as a war hero. I love stuff like that.
All About Eve is, of course, one of Bette Davis' finest performances, and I've watched it three or four times. This time I was struck by the opening sequence, as Eve (Anne Baxter) is receiving an acting award. As the presenter praises Eve for her talent and dedication, the camera pans across Margo Channing (Davis) and Karen Richards (Celeste Holm), both of them victims of Eve's machinations. Richards' face remains in a studied blankness; Margo grimaces and drops her eyes. Just some nice, wordless work there. The scene in which Eve gets her comeuppance from a conniving critic, and the closing scene, in which the possibility arises that she'll be hoist on her own petard, are also wonderful. (What the heck, the whole thing is wonderful; snappy dialogue, twisty plotting, and fine performances by the entire cast...)
Hmm, what shall I watch tonight?
Now, I'll admit that Aladdin is mere froth; there is very little substance to it. But it's fun to watch, and there are a few nice winks at the audience. One of my favorite bits comes just after "Prince Ali's" successful wooing of Jasmine, when Aladdin is having second thoughts about his dishonesty. The genie tries to congratulate him, and bursts into a momentary chorus of "Hail the Conquering Hero" - which is double-edged; the movie Hail the Conquering Hero centers on a man who is mistakenly puffed as a war hero. I love stuff like that.
All About Eve is, of course, one of Bette Davis' finest performances, and I've watched it three or four times. This time I was struck by the opening sequence, as Eve (Anne Baxter) is receiving an acting award. As the presenter praises Eve for her talent and dedication, the camera pans across Margo Channing (Davis) and Karen Richards (Celeste Holm), both of them victims of Eve's machinations. Richards' face remains in a studied blankness; Margo grimaces and drops her eyes. Just some nice, wordless work there. The scene in which Eve gets her comeuppance from a conniving critic, and the closing scene, in which the possibility arises that she'll be hoist on her own petard, are also wonderful. (What the heck, the whole thing is wonderful; snappy dialogue, twisty plotting, and fine performances by the entire cast...)
Hmm, what shall I watch tonight?
