they're always coming and going and going and coming... and always too soon ... right, girls?

What inspires you to watch a movie? I would be interested to know.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993) - "After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Mallinger). When Jonah calls in to a talk-radio program to find a new wife for his father, Sam grudgingly gets on the line to discuss his feelings. Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a reporter in Baltimore, hears Sam speak and falls for him, even though she is engaged. Unsure where it will lead, she writes Sam a letter asking him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day."
source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I haven't seen it since it premiered
IMDB: 6.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 75% Audience: 75%
my IMDB: 7/10

AFI: 100 Years ... 100 Passions (2002) #45

    10 Top 10 (2008) Romantic Comedy #10

MPAA rating: PG

directed by: Nora Ephron

notable quote: "'Tiramisu.'

    'What is "tiramisu"?'

    'You'll find out.'

    'Well, what is it?'

    'You'll see.'

    'Some woman is gonna want me to do it to her and I'm not gonna know what it is!'

    'You'll love it.'"

my notes: It seemed better now than when I saw it the first time, I think. It works all right as a mainstream romantic comedy, but better as a meditation on grief and loss.
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
• Best  Music, Original Song

overall:  recommended

Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) - "In San Francisco, retired Detective Nick Charles (William Powell) and his attractive wife, Nora (Myrna Loy), learn from police Lt. Abrams of the murder of a race jockey, but Nick refuses to get involved. Approached later by athletics commission head Maj. Jason Scully and reporter Paul Clarke (Barry Nelson), Nick still declines to investigate. When another reporter is murdered and Paul is arrested, Nick gives way to Nora's plea and, with their fox terrier Asta, sets out to solve the murders."

source: I borrowed the DVD from the public library
I watched it because: I want to see the whole series
IMDB: 7.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 89% Audience: 79%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "'Three bloomers, twenty-five kimonos, ten slips, five panties, fifteen chemises.'

    'Sounds like wash day at Vassar.'"

MPAA rating: Passed

directed by: W.S. Van Dyke

my notes: these movies are a whirlwind of dialog. The scripts must have been so long! I like the interplay between Nick and Nora, and Asta the dog is a scene-stealer.
overall:  recommended

Blazing Saddles (1974) - "In this satirical take on Westerns, crafty railroad worker Bart (Cleavon Little) becomes the first black sheriff of Rock Ridge, a frontier town about to be destroyed in order to make way for a new railroad. Initially, the people of Rock Ridge harbor a racial bias toward their new leader. However, they warm to him after realizing that Bart and his perpetually drunk gunfighter friend (Gene Wilder) are the only defense against a wave of thugs sent to rid the town of its population."
source: I owned the DVD
I watched it because: I wanted to see it again before I sell it
IMDB: 7.7/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 89% Audience: 91%
my IMDB: 9/10

AFI: 100 Years ... 100 Laughs (2000) #6

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Mel Brooks

notable quote: "'My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.'

    'God darnit, Mr. Lamarr, you use your tongue prettier than a twenty dollar whore.'"

my notes: such a good movie, to make me laugh out loud after seeing it 20 times at least.

Academy Award nominee:
• Best Supporting Actress—Madeline Kahn

• Best Film Editing

• Best Music, Original Song—John Morris, Mel Brooks
overall: very highly recommended

Clambake (1967) - "A wealthy young man, Scott Heyward (Elvis Presley) wants to experience life outside of his privileged upbringing. When he meets Tom Wilson (Will Hutchins), an earnest water-skiing instructor, Scott offers to trade places with him. As Tom warms up to the good life, Scott gets used to a less luxurious existence and falls for Dianne Carter (Shelley Fabares), who, ironically, is hoping to meet a rich man. Sticking to his humble guise, Scott tries to woo Dianne without the benefit of his true status."
source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I was in the mood for something silly
IMDB: 5.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 20% Audience: 61%
my IMDB: 3/10

notable quote: "If you don't mind my sayin' so, that is a gorgeous hunk of automobile you're driving."

MPAA rating: TV-G

directed by: Arthur H. Nadel

my notes: outstandingly shallow and formulaic. It's hard to watch people looking uncomfortable while playing super happy.
overall: not  recommended

[the title quotation is from Blazing Saddles]