Video Clip #20: “Mr. Mom”

Michael Keaton has been involved in drama films of late. But I remember his first films were in the genre of comedy. One of my favorites is his role in Mr. Mom (1983).  Directed by Stan Dragoti and written by John Hughes (of the Home Alone movies and The Breakfast Club), the film tells the story of a man who’s lost his job and assumes the role of a stay-at-home dad when his wife rejoins the work force. As a “mom,” he has no clue how to manage a home. It’s kind of silly at times, but that’s what makes it so funny.  In this scene, Keaton’s character becomes obsessed with daytime soap operas to the point where the house almost literally “falls apart”! It’s an old flick but an entertaining one for the entire family. ~~LMMolina

Video Clip #19: “Some Like It Hot”

In England, women were never allowed to perform on stage until after 1660. The roles of women were played by young men or boys. When we watch a female performance played by an adult male, we tend to find it comedic. In this 1959 film, we see two male musicians masquerading as female musicians in order to escape from the mob after witnessing a murder. This black-and-white film won numerous awards in many categories. It’s a highly entertaining comedy starring well-known actors, among which is the famous Marilyn Monroe. A classic in its own right! ~~LMMolina

Video Clip #14: Scene from “Pirates of the Caribbean”

Music definitely can change the mood of a particular scene in a movie. Selecting or composing music for a film is a challenge for the person responsible for this part of the film-making process.  Can you think of any composers who have been successful in this area? What names come to mind? In my opinion, music can either make or break a movie.  Even the “silent” movies had music to create the feelings of suspense, danger, fear, happiness, or sadness. Whenever I hear a musical score of a movie, certain names come inmediately to mind. ~~LMM