Le Grand Méliès

It has been a while, ladies and gents. Life has kept me busy and given me a good shake. My day job, eventually, did the rest. That’s how it goes and suddenly, months have passed without a decent celebration of vintage love. Je vous en prie, pardonnez-moi!

So, if you’Il still have me, I report back to you with a gem I recently stumbled upon on TV5: Le Grand Méliès, a biography of the French filmmaker last paid tribute to by Martin Scorsese in his adaptation of Brian Selznick’s novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

For anyone who’s not familiar with Georges Méliès, his work and influence on film history, this short biographical film is the perfect introduction to the world of a true pioneer of cinematic art. Made in 1952, the film features Méliès’ son André and Jeanne d’Alcy, his second wife, whose contribution adds artistic credibility to an already insightful project. Although simplistic in style, the half-hour homage celebrates Méliès for his illusionary talent and practical know-how. It is a wonderful obituary on the world’s first director, a man whose power of imagination still has what it takes to bewitch a whole new generation of film enthusiasts and makers.

Are you curious to watch the film now in English or French?! Just click your preferred language and you’ll be directed to the version of your choice. 🙂

Academy Awards 2013

Although I’ve long given up on watching awards, it’s always interesting to see who won an Oscar after all. No real surprises on the winners list for me this year and no gem like last year’s The Artist. Had Emmanuelle Riva won, I’d be a little more enthusiastic but that’s not how it works in Hollywood. I’m considerably happy about Argo though and think it’s great that Adele got a nod from the Academy.

Here’s the list for y’all, my fellow film enthusiasts, to find your personal favorites. As usual, you can find more on Oscar.com.

• Best Picture: Argo
• Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
• Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
• Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
• Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
• Best Director: Ang Lee, Life of Pi
• Best Foreign Language Film: Amour
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Chris Terrio, Argo
• Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
• Best Animated Feature Film: Brave
• Best Cinematography: Life of Pi
• Best Original Score: Mychael Danna, Life of Pi
• Best Original Song: Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth, “Skyfall” from Skyfall
• Best Costume: Anna Karenina

Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I was talked into starting this blog, nagged by three very dear friends who are probably tired of hearing my babbling about Hollywood classics. Although actually they said they would love to read about it: my finds, my rediscoveries, my recommendations and likes.

So this is how it starts: three posts each week, commencing today.

• Mondays: Talkie if the Week
• Wednesdays: TV Classics
• Fridays: Miscellaneous. Actresses, actors. Hollywood fun facts.

Please check the “about” section for additional info and my list of previous and future posts, as well as the tags. If you’re looking for places to buy Hollywood classics, please have a look at my link section. Barbara Hale has her own section and Perry Mason, too, so please feel invited to explore those, too.

Any further questions? Don’t hesitate to ask!

Best,

Mae