it is not a metaphor. It is an armrest

This one's a grab-bag of very different movies.

The Basket (1999) - "A picturesque Pacific Northwest community raising its wheat and children in the midst of a nation reeling from World War I. A time of pain and prejudice woven against a background of beauty. Triumph and hope in a changing America. The arrival of a new schoolteacher Martin Conlon (Peter Coyote) sets the town in motion as he introduces a new game called basketball."
source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: it's been on my watchlist for ages
IMDB: 6.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 44% Audience: 23%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "'Ben told me all about the war.'

    'And where is Ben now?'"

MPAA rating: PG

directed by: Rich Cowan

my notes: A mellow, feel-good movie.

overall: recommended

Indiscretion of an American Wife a.k.a. Terminal Station (1953) - "A married American woman has gotten involved with another man while visiting relatives in Rome. She decides that the time has come to break off the relationship, and she makes plans to return home to her husband. But she soon realizes that she is not at all sure about what she wants to do, and she continues to agonize over her decision."

source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I'm curious about Montgomery Clift's acting
IMDB: 6.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 43% Audience: 38%
my IMDB: 5/10

notable quote: "When I saw you, I knew what wanting was."

MPAA rating: NR

directed by: Vittorio De Sica

my notes: strange, strange movie. Clift epitomizes "moody," while Jennifer Jones is unconvincing as a woman inspiring Clift's devotion and desire. It's still an interesting glimpse at "Italian cinema" of that era.

Academy Award nominee: Best Costume Design, Black-and-White—Christian Dior
overall: marginally recommended

Ticket to Paradise (2022) - "David and Georgia, two divorced parents who can't stand each other, head to Bali after their daughter, Lily, announces her plans to marry a local islander she just met while on holiday. They decide to put aside their differences and work together to stop the wedding, believing that doing so will keep Lily from making a dreadful mistake similar to their own. "
source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: it was recommended when it came out, and I wanted something light and funny
IMDB: 6.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 57% Audience: 87%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "'No mean comments. No passive aggression.'

    'What about aggressive aggression? Is that OK?'"

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Ol Parker

my notes: kind of ... unpleasant. Divorced adults with almost no interaction for 20 years will generally not behave like childish jerks to this extent. I realize it's a character, but it gets old pretty fast. They're both supposed to be smart professionals, but they act like idiots. So it's just kind of hard to believe - and so hard to enjoy, as well. 

    Still, it's Clooney and Roberts, and some of the supporting cast are wonderful. (Particularly Maxime Bouttier as Gede and Agung Pindha as his father, Wayan.) If you're comfortable with a very superficial movie, then this might work.

overall:  recommended under protest

Rough Night in Jericho (1967) - "Playing against type, Dean Martin is Alex Flood, an ex-lawman who has decided to illegally profit from his abilities. He now owns most of the town of Jericho, and has hired a band of gunmen to enforce his edicts. Outside of town, Flood ambushes a stagecoach that is carrying a passenger, ex-deputy Dolan, played by George Peppard. From a hidden spot in the brush, Flood shoots up the coach and rides away. Arriving in town, Dolan meets Molly Lang (played by Jean Simmons), who has refused Flood's attempts to take over operation of her stage line. After a few days, Dolan becomes attracted to Molly, but he sees that the odds against them are too great and is on the verge of leaving town. But, after Flood sends his men to intimidate Molly and one and physically roughs her up, Dolan steps in. He organizes the few men in town who are willing to put up a fight, and they attack enterprises are owned by Flood. Finally, in a showdown, Flood and Dolan battle it out, coincidentally in the same spot that Dolan originally ambushed the stagecoach."
source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I generally like Westerns
IMDB: 6.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 59%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "A man who gets too attached to home-cookin' can't think straight."

MPAA rating: [TV-PG]

directed by: Arnold Laven

my notes: Dean Martin's character is abhorrent, to the point that it's hard to watch this movie. George Peppard, though, was surprisingly attractive, and makes a great good guy! His chemistry with Jean Simmons' Molly is delightful.

overall: recommended

[the title quotation is from Ticket to Paradise]