Movie-A-Day #96: Braveheart (1995).
Happy Tartan Day! Today is a day to celebrate our Scottish heritage, especially as told through the various clan and family tartans. (For what it’s worth, here’s the tartan of my primary Scottish forebears, the Hunter Clan. But I’ve also got a bit of the Fraser Clan in my background too.) So, Tartan Day is for the Scots what St. Patrick’s Day is for the Irish, but with far less alcohol and parading about.
All of which brings us to today’s film, “Braveheart,” which provides a pretty stirring bit of Scottish history. Even if it is saddled with the presence of Mel Gibson.
Movie-A-Day #95: How the West Was Won (1962).
Two movie legends were born on this day – Spencer Tracy and Gregory Peck. So it’s convenient that they were both among the all-star mega-cast of “How the West Was Won” so that we can all celebrate them together. This epic western was meant to be experienced in big screen Cinerama, which is sadly all but impossible now. Just popping in the DVD at home won’t quite do the trick, no matter how big and bitchin’ your TV might be. That’s the downside of the relentless march of entertainment technology – some really cool formats get left in the dustbin of history.
Movie-A-Day #94: Ratatouille (2007).
On World Rat Day, it’s important to remember that your friend the rat is something more than just another disease-ridden vermin. Yeah, I know it’s hard, but you’ll have to take my word that rats aren’t all disgusting. Maybe “Ratatouille” will help change your mind.
Movie-A-Day #93: Sleepy Hollow (1999).
Today is the birthday of Washington Irving, the author behind some of the earliest classics of American literature. Tim Burton’s “Sleepy Hollow” is an update of one of Irving’s most famous stories, although it strays pretty far from the original. But it’s got Burton and Johnny Depp working together, so it’s hard to complain too much.
Movie-A-Day #92: Night of the Lepus (1972).
Today is the birthday of a good friend, so here’s “Night of the Lepus,” a movie about giant bunnies. (That’s all the explanation you’re going to get.)
Desuko Movie Spot. 