The title is based on the initial letters of the four DNA nitrogenous bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine).

Are you VALID???

Are you, and/or the human spirit limited by our DNA?

This film is overshadowed by other quintessential Christmas classics such as A Christmas Story, White Christmas and the zillion versions of A Christmas Carol; as a matter of fact I saw it for the first time last year (2008). It's a gem, a must see especially during the Holidays, but a good movie any time of year as well. Starring: Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Beulah Bondi

Synopsis:

Barbara Stanwyck (Lee) is caught shoplifting on Christmas Eve. Fred MacMurray, (John Sargent) the prosecuting DA, takes pity on her during the holiday season and ends up taking her home to Indiana with her. She spends the holidays with his Mom, Aunt and Willy. (Bondi does a terrific job as the Mom, as expected) Of course they fall in love but along the way we are treated to a lovely heartwarming tale of redemption through love...in my mind this is a classic Christmas story...don't miss it! (watch for the line "people who bite noses" - if you don't laugh I'll eat my hat)

Preston Sturges wrote the screenplay "and it’s full of his trademark wit and elegance"

The events of D-Day, one of the most important days in modern history.

The retelling of D-Day (the invasion of Normandy during WWII on June 6, 1944), from the perspectives of the Germans, the United States, Britain, and the Free French.

Is your life scripted? No? Are you sure?

Leaving the cocoon...

It asks if we can "break the spell that keeps us believing in the media-fabricated illusions of popular culture".

The film based on Carl Sagan's novel 'Contact'.

Jodie Foster as Ellie

'Dr. Eleanor Arroway discovers an intelligent signal broadcast from deep space. She and her fellow scientists are able to decipher the Message and discover detailed instructions for building a mysterious Machine. Will the Machine spell the end of our world, or the end of our superstitions? Will we take our place among the races of the Galaxy, or are we just an upstart species with a long way to go?

The mysterious alien machine

A rare breed in Hollywood, a provocative discussion of scientific belief vs. religious belief. Is anyone out there? Plug in the numbers: The Drake Equation:

A 1964 psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the novel of the same name by Winston Graham. The film stars Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery. Plot: Marnie Edgar (Hedren) is a troubled young woman who has an unnatural fear and mistrust of men, thunderstorms, and the color red. She is also a compulsive thief. She uses her charms on Sidney Strutt (Martin Gabel) to get a job without references. Then late one night, she steals the contents of the company safe and disappears. Sean Connery (playing Mark Rutland, in kind of a creepy way) falls for her, almost as a scientific experiment he marries her and tries to solve the mystery of Marnie.

I find the psychology of the character played by Connery a lot more interesting than Marnie. Does he really want to help, or is it just a rich man's game?

Another character I would have liked to see more of was Diane Baker as Lil Mainwaring; This film was my first introduction to Hitchcock; I realized it was possible to create drama/fear/terror without actually showing the details of specific scenes.

Run, Bandit, Run.

More Jonny Quest images.

Based on the true exploits of a group of quirky Australian astronomers who help NASA during the July 1969 moon landing. Without their help, NASA would have no pictures of Neil Armstrong or Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon.

This is a great 'small' film; one of those gems that are overlooked by the masses while in theatres, but a film not to be missed. If you have any interest in the space program, this is a 'must see' film.

The Parkes Observatory, Austrialia

"July 1969: A NASA representative enlists scientists from the small Australian town of Parkes to help broadcast the Apollo XI moonwalk to the world over the Australians' satellite. The townspeople of Parkes are happy to take their place in history in this quirky comedy based on actual events."

Feeling down and a little bit low? Watch George Bailey battle 'a break in the space-time continuum' and you will have a whole new perspective on things.

I remember when I was quite young and stupid I thought black and white films were not worth my time...I have Jean Authur to thank for waking me up to the wonder of these older films; she always played strong, smart women and I needed to see that!

After her death film reviewer Charles Champlin wrote the following in the Los Angeles Times:
Jean Arthur suggested strongly that the ideal woman could be — ought to be — judged by her spirit as well as her beauty. The notion of the woman as a friend and confidante, as well as someone you courted and were nuts about, someone whose true beauty was internal rather than external, became a full-blown possibility as we watched Jean Arthur.

The original 'Raiders' was magnificent; The 'Last Crusade' was saved by Sean Connery.

Karen Allen and 'friend'.

Nothing beats the original films; why does Hollywood insist on re-making them???

Besides, the original score by Jerry Goldsmith is riveting.

"Damn you, damn you all to hell!"

Spencer Tracy's last film, and Kathryn Hepburn always looks good.

If the wife hadn't been killed, this would have been the perfect entertainment.

Adrian!

I haven't seen the new version, but I can't believe it would be any better than the original film.

1977 was a very good year for sci-fi.

Duh.

"Rooted in themes of power, corruption and vanity -- the American Dream lost in the mystery of a dying man's last word: "Rosebud."

Not only was that opening scene one of the most memorable, but the characters (human and robotic) were unforgettable, Plus the music by John Williams was...rousing!
This first installment of the series was by far the best - the others, eh...

Not only a great film, but one of my favorite movie music themes as well. (by the great Italian film composer Nino Rota).
(Godfather Part II was good too, but didn't care too much for the others)

'Klaatu barada nikto', ...

Sharon...or Susan???

"You really can't tell, can you..."

A must see for any Rosalind Russell or Hayley Mills fan; this is a funny and touching film about a wayward young woman (Mills) and her quest for meaning in her life. The end surprised me when I first saw the film (and I wasn't none too pleased about it either), but as the years go by I have come to appreciate and respect her decision - a bit.

"Dig That Crazy Accordion."

A quirky little cartoon. I especially like the 'skewed' animation.

"Rocko is a wallaby who has emmigrated to America from Australia. He lives in O Town and tries to get through life but, of course, comes across a multitude of dilemmas and misadventures he must get through. Other characters include Rocko's best friend, Heffer, a steer who has been raised by wolves, Filbert, an easily upset turtle, and Ed Bighead who detests Rocko and hates having him for a next door neighbor. On this show, Rocko has such adventures as trying to adapt to a new vacuum cleaner, having Heffer move in temporarily after his parents kick him out, and going to a movie theater."

The best of Scully and Mulder came early. My very favorite episode is "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'". Tongue in cheek, throughout.

Play 'The Glad Game'.
Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't.

"Dave, I'm scared....Dave, my mind is going....Dave...."

Who can resist America's most dysfunctional family?

The whole glorious epic.

Who can turn the world on with her smile?

Read more about Mary.

"Luuuuuccyyy!"

I saw this documentary in an anthropology class in 1985. Since that time I have wanted to visit this place. Finally, in Oct of 2005 I did. To get there you must drive nearly 15 miles on a bumpy dirt road. It definitely keeps out most tourists, which is a good thing. Here on a side of Fajada Butte stands 480 feet above Chaco Canyon; it is here where an ancient celestial calendar, known as the 'Sun Daggar', sits.

Created by the Anasazi, the sun dagger simultaneously measures the sun's yearly cycle and the 19 year lunar cycle using shadows thrown by three huge rock slabs. It also marks the solstice at noon making the shadow move vertically when the sun is moving horizontally. This is accomplished using the curved surfaces of these huge rocks. Unfortunately, the site is closed to all visitors.

The villages of Chaco Canyon were mysteriously abandoned by the Anasazi People around 1250 A.D. The Navajo Indians settled here in the 16th Century.

"Disaster struck in 1989, when erosion of the clay and gravel around the base of the stone monoliths caused them to slip. (Due to overzealous scientists, apparently) As the slabs inched down the steep slope of the butte, the sun dagger vanished. Having unobtrusively marked the passage of seasons for many centuries; it lasted only ten years after its discovery before it was lost forever." From Four Corners Magazine, August-September 1996, Copyright 1996 by Richard K. Harris

Any Cary Grant movie.

The best, in no particular order:

The Philadelphia Story
North by Northwest
Charade
Indiscreet
An Affair to Remember
The Bishop's Wife
Notorious
His Girl Friday
To Catch a Thief

Synopsis: Tommy Tyler a Caribbean sailor and his tom-boy daughter, Spring, are out to search for a buried treasure. Tommy brings aboard William Ashton, a young lawyer to help with the search. Ashton turns out to be handy when they encounter dangerous rivals. Tommy also tries to play match maker between Ashton and Spring-a difficult task indeed.
Cast Hayley Mills, John Mills, James MacArthur, Lionel Jeffries