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Another Thursday Movie Picks for you, this week mother-daughter relationships is the central theme - http://wanderingthroughtheshelves.blogspot.co.uk/.
There have been many films with evil
little girls (Case 39 and Orphan are two recent examples that spring
to mind), but the original evil, manipulative little girl was Rhoda
from the 1956 film The Bad Seed. Christine (Nancy Kelly) becomes
convinced that daughter is sociopathic murderer and once her daughter
reveals the truth she has a difficult decision to make. The film's
stage origins show, the film is blandly shot and the acting is
slightly hammy (even for the 50s), but it still has a bit of chill
factor to it. The film is also debates the science surrounding nature vs nurture and demands serious questions of the mother and what she must do regarding her murderous child. The film also has one the most peculiar post credits sequences ever...
Brave is a step away from the usual
male dominated Pixar films as the film focuses on the relationship
between mother and daughter. The daughter wishes to live a life that
is far more customary for males to live, her mother is more of a
traditionalist, this of course leads to some friction. The film Brave is a
strongly feminist one (some still objected to the physical image the
main character – thin and perfect but in this context it is irrelevant) with a highish level of female
input (which we need more of), perhaps may explain why the mother-daughter relationship
is the film's most interesting aspect.
Winner of the Best Picture for the year
1983 (or at least I think it was....yep it it was) James L. Brooks' (who I embarrassingly got confused Mel Brooks for some stupid reason)
debut features a mother-daughter relationship that is integral to the
story. Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) may be a difficult person but her relationship
with her daughter, Emma (Debra Winger), is a strong one that manages to survive many
storms and bitter fights. The film gets a big baggy in the middle, but it is
an emotionally rewarding one.
Only seen Brave, but it was great! I was gonna picked it before I decided to take the toxic route.
ReplyDeleteToxic route is always fun.
DeleteGreat choices here! I never would've thought of The Bad Seed. I really need to see that film again, it's been too long.
ReplyDeleteI got lucky with that one, I happened to stumble upon it whilst mindlessly reading the internet.
DeleteReally like Brave, such an underrated movie. The Bad Seed sounds like something I nred to see. Just never bothered with ToE. Maybe one day. Great picks.
ReplyDeleteyeah, it's never mentioned in the cannon of Pixar's best works but mother and daughter relationship makes it worthy to be mentioned at least.
DeleteLOVE The Bad Seed. Love Brave, too. The Queen-as-bear is just... it's perfect. SO FUNNY. And the story has real heart, too.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to see Terms of Endearment. Which is just unforgivable.
Haha, I'll forgive you.
DeleteI found BRAVE and TERMS to be decent but overrated.
ReplyDeleteThere is a bit in the middle of TOE that sags a little that damages its such of greatness in my book.
DeleteGreat picks. I definitely considered Brave because for once, it's actually nice to see this relationship developping over time. Terms of Endearment is just straight up a classic.
ReplyDeletehttp://assholeswatchingmovies.com/
Absolutely, what I like is it is a step away from the usual pixar/princess relationships and focuses on one that is rarely discussed
DeleteOMG! The Bad Seed!!!! What an awesomely inspired choice!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it =)
DeleteThe Bad Seed! Can't believe I never even thought of that but a great pick.What a freaky movie with all the cast except Henry Jones playing to the balcony Did you know that before they decided to use the original stage cast Bette Davis and Rosalind Russell were both considered for the mother?
ReplyDeleteTerms is an emotional workout with great acting. Haven't seen Brave.
I did read that the orginal cast from the play were players within the film's adaptation, I feel that contributed to the film's stagey feel.
DeleteBrave and Terms of Endearment are great choices! I haven't seen The Bad Seed.
ReplyDeleteWorth a watch for many reasons, the debate on Nature vs Nurture is quite interesting
DeleteOoohh...haven't even heard of The Bad Seed before today.
ReplyDeleteWandering through the Shelves
Not too famous of the film, there are many better 50 films.
DeleteGreat choices this week, I've seen two out of there of them. The Bad Seed is such an underrated film if you ask me, I really need to get around to watching that one again soon. Brave was excellent but undeserving of it's Oscar win in my opinion. I still haven't seen Terms of Endearment, I've heard good things though so looking forward to seeing it.
ReplyDeleteMike's Cinema
Um...probably not but I very much chose it on the strength of the mother-daughter relationship.
DeleteI must be remembering Brave wrong. I forgot all about the mother character. Shows how much I was paying attention. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI must be remembering Brave wrong. I forgot all about the mother character. Shows how much I was paying attention. Great post.
ReplyDeleteHaha. I can also be very, very forgetful. Sometimes I even forget I watched an entire film. For example, I have not idea if I've seen Kiss the Girls or not.
DeleteBrave was just not for me. Totally forgettable. Terms of Endearment made mine easily. Love it! The Bad Seed is a title new to me.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit Brave isn't the greatest of the Pixar films, but the mother-daughter relationship made it stand out for different reasons.
DeleteI've only seen Brave from your choices, the development of their relationship was one of the strong points of the movie.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see we have BRAVE in common here! I wish I had included a classic film but somehow I couldn't think of any.
ReplyDeleteThe Bad Seed is a nice choice. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, seems a popular choice.
Delete