Here's Looking at You, Kid!

Casablanca is celebrating its 70th Anniversary today, and I want to thank author Tom Barnes, film historian James Colt Harrison and award-winning blogger Fausta Rodríguez Wertz for joining Nikki Starr and me on Movie Addict Headquarters yesterday to talk about this wonderful film. It was a fun show – one filled with fascinating information about this enduring Hollywood classic. We had a great time hearing about Tom’s Casablanca Film Trivia book and discussing our favorite performances, scenes and quotes from the 1944 Oscar-winning motion picture.

Kudos also to Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies and Warner Home Video for giving movie fans a chance to see Casablanca on the big screen in select theaters today. Tickets are available online at Fathom Events (http://www.fathomevents.com/).

If you would like to hear the Movie Addict Headquarters Casablanca podcast, please click on www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters.

Pluck of the Irish

Because of my Irish roots, I know something about the stubborn bravery of Irish women. When she was only 14 years old, my grandmother stowed away on a boat (all by herself) to come to America from Ireland. Later, as a young mother, she was left with four children to raise when her husband died after being run over by a crane in a steel mill. She used the company's settlement to establish a number of businesses on Bay State Avenue, a street adjacent to the mill. Surviving Prohibition and the Great Depression, Josephine Bridget Donahue became known as the "Duchess of Bay State." No one messed with her. Maybe it was that charming brogue -- but, more likely, her relentless approach to the task at hand kept enemies at bay.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Important Life Lessons

Having written two memoirs myself, I’m eager to read "Our Journey in Life" by 86-year old Doyle Barnes. After regaling his family with his amazing stories for years, Barnes was urged to share his powerful personal tales and positive message with the world. Fortunately, he agreed – and his book of important life lessons is now available in print and on Amazon’s Kindle. Anyone who buys "Our Journey in Life" today (March 14, 2012) is eligible to download dozens of bonuses. That’s an offer hard to refuse! Here's the link for more information: http://bit.ly/OurJIL

Cops and Monsters

Characters from fairy tales fascinate me. That’s why I’m enjoying two new TV series this year – ABC’s Once Upon a Time and NBC’s Grimm. It was such a treat to interview Russell Hornsby, who plays one of the detectives in the latter show, during our Movie Addict Headquarters podcast yesterday. Russell even gave listeners a hint at what would be coming up in tonight’s episode, which is titled “Plumed Serpent.”

One reviewer calls Grimm a “police procedural with monsters.” And what monsters they are! They just happen to be evil storybook creatures who look perfectly normal except to Grimms, individuals who can see them for the monsters they are. Russell’s partner is one of these gifted people – and it’s his mission to make sure they do as little evil as possible. But Russell’s character doesn’t know his partner is a Grimm. “I hope he finds out in the near future,” Russell said. Me too!

So far, I’ve seen thirteen episodes of Grimm, and each one is better than the last. The special effects involving changes of normal people into monsters are incredible! Plus each story comes across as creative and intriguing. Be sure to check your local TV schedule for Friday night to find out the time this fantastical mystery/crime drama airs in your area.

Hilarious Irish Comedy

One of my favorite Irish film comedies is Waking Ned Devine. It follows two elderly Irish imps, played by Ian Bannen and David Kelly, who try to discover the identity of a lottery winner. Why? Because they have a scheme to share in the winnings, of course.

However, my inner church lady insists that I issue a warning here. If you were shocked by male nudity in The Full Monty, you will probably have the same feeling watching this black comedy. Anyone who didn’t find it funny in the former won’t in the latter. But I couldn’t help being amused by those hilarious Tully More villagers, especially the chipper postmistress, smelly pig farmer and town witch.

Just thinking about Waking Ned Devine tickles my funny bone – and I think it’s a wonderful movie for St. Patrick’s Day. The film was released several years ago, so thank heavens for DVDs.