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The perfect, timeless film that is Moonstruck

Moonstruck was just on my local PBS station and I was struck again by what a wonderful film it is. Simply glorious. Lovely screenplay and charismatic performances from everyone, especially Cher and Olympia Dukakis. One of my all-time favorites. It should have won the Best Picture Oscar over The Last Emperor.

by Anonymousreply 152March 28, 2020 5:02 AM

Snap out of it!

by Anonymousreply 1September 28, 2014 4:35 AM

I could watch Cher read the phone book. Love her.

by Anonymousreply 2September 28, 2014 4:36 AM

Olympia's gave one of the great supporting performances. She was equally funny and touching. She was 56 when the movie came out--I would have thought she was about 10 years older.

by Anonymousreply 3September 28, 2014 4:39 AM

SOME DAY YOU'LL DROP DEAD AND I'LL COME TO YOUR FUNERAL IN A RED DRESS

(Love this movie)

by Anonymousreply 4September 28, 2014 4:39 AM

Chrissie! Over by the wall! Get me the big knife! I'm gonna cut my throat!

by Anonymousreply 5September 28, 2014 4:40 AM

I watch it every year. Love it!

by Anonymousreply 6September 28, 2014 4:41 AM

Overrated and Cher didn't deserve an Oscar for this POS.

by Anonymousreply 7September 28, 2014 4:48 AM

R7, you have a heart of stone.

by Anonymousreply 8September 28, 2014 4:50 AM

I love this movie too.

by Anonymousreply 9September 28, 2014 4:56 AM

You got a love bite on your neck! Your life's going down the toilet!

by Anonymousreply 10September 28, 2014 4:57 AM

I agree with OP

by Anonymousreply 11September 28, 2014 5:07 AM

One of the few films where Nick Cage wasn't a twat.

In addition to Olympia, we have Julie Bovasso who is just so wonderful.

by Anonymousreply 12September 28, 2014 5:10 AM

I love this movie! When Cher gets ready for the opera in her gorgeous red dress, and putting on her red lipstick makes me cry every time.

by Anonymousreply 13September 28, 2014 5:13 AM

Great movie, and in other years Cher deserves to win, but that Oscar still pisses me off. Even Sally Kirkland deserved it more than Cher (though G deserved it for Fatal Attraction).

by Anonymousreply 14September 28, 2014 5:19 AM

Pretty much flawless casting, including great use of actors I don't often love, like Cage or Danny Aiello. And I love me a little Anita Gillette.

Among my favorite scenes are Olympia's date with John Mahoney. Just so charming and well-played.

by Anonymousreply 15September 28, 2014 5:21 AM

I'm glad Cher won the Oscar for "Moonstruck." It was her moment. But I did feel kind on badly that she beat out Glenn Close for "Fatal Attraction," since it was Glenn's moment too.

by Anonymousreply 16September 28, 2014 5:22 AM

Cher should have won for Mask

by Anonymousreply 17September 28, 2014 5:22 AM

Fell in love with John Mahoney's smile.

by Anonymousreply 18September 28, 2014 5:27 AM

"Cher should have won for Mask"

I don't think Cher's ever gotten over that snub; in protest she has worn that motionless facial mask for years.

by Anonymousreply 19September 28, 2014 5:38 AM

So, the big answer to the big question as to why men chase women is because they are afraid to die?

"Thank you for answering my question!"

What?

by Anonymousreply 20September 28, 2014 5:43 AM

Agree, OP, I love this movie and only saw it the first time a few years ago.

Cher was great in Mermaids, too. Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci play her daughters in it. Has nothing to do with actual mermaids, don't let the title confuse you.

by Anonymousreply 21September 28, 2014 5:50 AM

Every role is a gem, down to the old woman who talks to Cher as Johnny's plane leaves the airport.

by Anonymousreply 22September 28, 2014 5:52 AM

This is one of those films I end up watching every time it's on.

by Anonymousreply 23September 28, 2014 6:43 AM

[quote]Chrissie! Over by the wall! Get me the big knife! I'm gonna cut my throat!

No, I won't do it!

by Anonymousreply 24September 28, 2014 8:10 AM

I recall years ago seeing Mario Cantone doing stand up comedy on TV, Mario made a joke that Cher looked Lebanese and looked nothing like an Italian.

by Anonymousreply 25September 28, 2014 8:18 AM

This is one of the best Italian-American movies ever. I grew up in that kind of neighborhood and they got the atmospherics just right. Every time I watch it I smell my Nonnie's house. It makes me nostalgic for an era for Italian-Americans that's pretty much passed.

by Anonymousreply 26September 28, 2014 8:21 AM

[quote]Cher was great in Mermaids, too. Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci play her daughters in it. Has nothing to do with actual mermaids, don't let the title confuse you.

But Cher wore that mermaid costume for the Halloween party, and little Christina Ricci was a competitive swimmer.

by Anonymousreply 27September 28, 2014 8:51 AM

I'm from a huge Italian family - watching that movie is like a trip home.

by Anonymousreply 28September 28, 2014 11:48 AM

I think if Broadcast News hadn't been released that year (taking a good chunk of the comedy vote) that Moonstruck might have had a real shot at Best Picture. I love Broadcast News also, but it feels very much of its time. Moonstruck, however, as I mentioned in the title of this thread, is timeless.

by Anonymousreply 29September 28, 2014 12:20 PM

Good movie but perfect? No. 30-40 something women of the 80s who lived in townhouses off the Brooklyn Promenade didn't have stronger Brooklyn neighborhood (and not that neighborhood!) accents than their parents. Otherwise Cher was good but not "Academy Award" good (and she's given some much better performances).

by Anonymousreply 30September 28, 2014 12:29 PM

Seriously anachronistic ~ Cage miscast

by Anonymousreply 31September 28, 2014 1:17 PM

Hah, R10. I can hear her voice perfectly as I read that line.

Now I want to go watch the movie...

by Anonymousreply 32September 28, 2014 2:00 PM

Oh, please . . . to find fault with this movie is to quibble. It's a classic.

by Anonymousreply 33September 28, 2014 2:01 PM

One of my favorites. I liked Broadcast News, too.

by Anonymousreply 34September 28, 2014 2:05 PM

I can still hear her big mouth

by Anonymousreply 35September 28, 2014 2:08 PM

Old man, you give those dogs another piece of my food I'm gonna kick you till you're dead!

by Anonymousreply 36September 28, 2014 2:15 PM

[quote]Chrissie! Over by the wall! Get me the big knife! I'm gonna cut my throat!

[quote]No, I won't do it!

She won't do it.

by Anonymousreply 37September 28, 2014 3:05 PM

R 26, I grew up in a similar family and I know once that older generation goes, it won't be the same. Some of my cousins don't do the seven fishes at Christmas, and other Italian old-school traditions, anymore.

Anyway...my favorite is when Cher's uncle says, "Look, it's Cosmo's moon" and then starts singing 'Isn't it Romantic?' to his wife. Such a sweet film.

by Anonymousreply 38September 28, 2014 3:19 PM

LOVE this film, always have.

The line with "I'll come to your funeral in a red dress" send me over the edge in laughter, every time I hear it.

by Anonymousreply 39September 28, 2014 3:45 PM

Let's give some credit to the person most responsible for how it turned out -- Norman Jewison. I think he's criminally underrated as a director.

by Anonymousreply 40September 28, 2014 4:24 PM

[quote]Every role is a gem, down to the old woman who talks to Cher as Johnny's plane leaves the airport.

Gina DeAngelis!

She's also Danny Aiello's mother at the beginning of "Radio Days" who initially instructs Aiello to bump off Mia Farrow, and "dump the body in Red Hook!"

by Anonymousreply 41September 28, 2014 4:39 PM

I love when Olympia Dukakis is asleep and Cher walks in to give her the news. Olympia wakes up and immediately says "Who died?" Classic.

by Anonymousreply 42September 28, 2014 4:48 PM

I wish they'd shot more Brooklyn in Brooklyn, instead of in Canada.

by Anonymousreply 43September 28, 2014 4:50 PM

I'd heard that r43, that some of it was filmed in Toronto, St Clair St. I believe.

by Anonymousreply 44September 28, 2014 5:07 PM

Thanks to this fucking movie Glenn Close was denied her rightful Oscar.

by Anonymousreply 45September 28, 2014 5:09 PM

What movie was that, R45?

by Anonymousreply 46September 28, 2014 5:11 PM

For what? Playing an estrogen-fueled psycho hausfrau?

Not a stretch for any woman.

by Anonymousreply 47September 28, 2014 5:11 PM

The problem with Glenn Close is that there were ten other actresses (and three male actors) who could have played that role just as convincingly. Cher turned in an iconic performance.

by Anonymousreply 48September 28, 2014 5:14 PM

Oh fuck off with that r48. Cher didn't go to those places that Glenn did, those scary desolate landscapes in the underbelly of the human psyche. Cher had a ball but Glenn made a character and what a character. She suffered with her, she shed blood with her, she almost drowned with her. That fucking oscar was Glenn's.

by Anonymousreply 49September 28, 2014 5:16 PM

Close was waaaay more deserving for Dangerous Liaisons. That should have been her oscar role. Alex is more iconic but her Marquise is the better performance.

by Anonymousreply 50September 28, 2014 5:17 PM

Glenn deserved BOTH oscars, for Fatal and for Liaisons. And Pfeiffer deserved Supporting for Liaisons.

by Anonymousreply 51September 28, 2014 5:19 PM

I don't see anybody making musical versions of Moonstruck...

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 52September 28, 2014 5:22 PM

Cher is my gal pal, you know, "Silkwood" and all, and Cher was great in "Moonstruck," but even I think that maybe G should have scored the Oscar for "Fatal Attraction."

by Anonymousreply 53September 28, 2014 7:39 PM

Why do all film threads eventually turn into Glenn Close and/or Meryl Streep threads?

If Cher hadn't won for Moonstruck, Holly Hunter would have won for Broadcast News, not Glenn.

But back to the original topic...

by Anonymousreply 54September 28, 2014 7:45 PM

I guess it ain't modern times in Sicily!

by Anonymousreply 55September 28, 2014 7:50 PM

Wonderful film and Cher's Oscar is well deserved- a great character fully realized. Fatal Attraction is camp- sheesh.

by Anonymousreply 56September 28, 2014 8:20 PM

Bumping for Loretta and family.

by Anonymousreply 57September 29, 2014 6:44 PM

Would you have voted for Moonstruck as Best Picture if you had been a member of the Academy in 1988? As a reminder, the other nominees were Broadcast News, Fatal Attraction, Hope and Glory, and The Last Emperor.

by Anonymousreply 58October 1, 2014 2:26 AM

Yes, r58, I would.

by Anonymousreply 59October 1, 2014 2:29 AM

R29, I completely agree with you. I tried to watch Broadcast News, which I loved when it was released. It is so dated. But Moonstruck is one of my favorite films. I have it on DVD and every time I watch it, it still seems perfect.

by Anonymousreply 60October 1, 2014 3:16 AM

I agree that Glenn owns "Dangerous Liasons," but find her performance in "Fatal Attraction" completely awful and bordering on cartoon.

by Anonymousreply 61October 1, 2014 5:01 AM

I agree Dangerous Liaisons was probably her better role. Fatal Attraction was a pretty big deal when it came out. There were so many copy cat movies afterwards that the original has probably been diluted a bit.

Also, people were shocked to see Glenn in such a role because she specialized in the character who was almost too good to be true -- the lady in white in The Natural, Big Chill etc. Alex was really playing against type for her at the time.

by Anonymousreply 62October 1, 2014 1:12 PM

Cher was a a true Hollywood surprise. She is a fabulous actress, with great natural humor and talent.

by Anonymousreply 63October 1, 2014 1:19 PM

Moonstruck, and Cher's performance in it, were just totally charming. It's a feelgood movie/performance that people and Oscar voters love.

Glenn was good in FA of course, but no one walked away from that movie humming "That's Amore", craving pizza, and feeling good about life and love.

My favorite scene in Moonstruck is when Cher gets home from her shopping and beauty salon trip. She puts on some music, pours a glass of wine, and slowly pulls out and looks at her new purchases. She shyly looks at her newly made-up self in the mirror and realizes that she's beautiful and finally feels good about herself. All this without one word spoken. She conveyed everything with her eyes and face and movements.

THAT's acting, bitches.

by Anonymousreply 64October 1, 2014 1:53 PM

R64, that's my favorite scene as well.

My Italian-American partner and I have the dvd. We love it.

I even like the errors in it. For example, the scenes with liquor bottles (champagne and whiskey) are rife with editing inconsistencies, but it's a fun movie.

by Anonymousreply 65October 1, 2014 2:07 PM

The first time I saw it was at an English professor's house -- he taught a seminar on literature of the American family, and at the end of the semester he cooked chili and showed us [italic]Moonstruck.[/italic] (This was right after it came out on video.) I've loved it ever since.

by Anonymousreply 66October 1, 2014 2:15 PM

Cher's acting career had such momentum at the time. Who would have thought that would be her last real hit (I don't think Mermaids did that well), that she would only make a few more movies, and she would go back to focus mainly on her singing.

by Anonymousreply 67October 1, 2014 2:15 PM

R31, you do realise Cage's real surname is COPPOLA, right?

by Anonymousreply 68October 1, 2014 2:51 PM

Oh Cosmo, you have such a mind for knowing!

by Anonymousreply 69October 1, 2014 4:10 PM

Someone, tell a joke...

by Anonymousreply 70October 1, 2014 4:18 PM

Everything is temporary, that don't excuse nothing.

Old man, you give those dogs another bite of my food and I'm gonna kick you til you're dead.

by Anonymousreply 71October 1, 2014 4:20 PM

R68, the Coppola name got Cage a start, but it isn't as if Francis was responsible for Norman Jewison selecting him; he was already established by that time. Whatever Cage's many faults as an actor, this is one of his very best performances alongside "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Adaptation."

by Anonymousreply 72October 1, 2014 4:22 PM

Cher winning an Oscar for this was a travesty. ALL of the other actresses nominated that year (Glenn Close, Holly Hunter, Meryl Streep, Sally Kirkland) were more deserving.

The late great character actor Vincent Gardenia should have won for his performance in this.

by Anonymousreply 73October 1, 2014 4:41 PM

Vincent Gardenia gives the best performance in "Moonstruck". The scene where Loretta informs him of her plans to marry is priceless.

by Anonymousreply 74October 1, 2014 5:41 PM

R73 is ridiculous. One can agree (as much as I hate to) that Close did a wonderful job - one of her two good performances in films - and the others were just fine.

But Cher was, despite the heavy-handed "she's blooming back into real beauty" treatment of the character, perfect. Fascinating, lovely, smart, convincingly confused, tender, scary, silly - it was exactly what the film needed, and she was amazing. I watched the movie recently, thinking I would agree with the latter-day kvetching, and actually enjoyed it and appreciated its craftsmanship even more than when it came out. Such a great cast, and great writing, and fun direction.

Close was, as always, clinical and "outside" her character. It can work, sure. But the performer who finds a way to embody the character, personify by inhabiting rather than enact by getting all the moves right, is the performer who deserves the most praise. Cher, despite her limitations (and none were evident in MOONSTRUCK), did it.

by Anonymousreply 75October 1, 2014 6:02 PM

"Fascinating, lovely, smart, convincingly confused, tender, scary, silly - it was exactly what the film needed, and she was amazing.

Oh, please! Cher's performance in "Moonstruck" was a piece of fluff, in no way deserving of an Oscar.

by Anonymousreply 76October 2, 2014 5:53 PM

R76 = G, still bitter after all these years.

by Anonymousreply 77October 2, 2014 5:57 PM

Overrated piece of guido-glamorizing schlock. Cher did NOT deserve an Oscar for this BS. Nor did Olympia.

by Anonymousreply 78October 2, 2014 11:54 PM

Loretta, I love you. Not like they told you love is, and I didn't know this either, but love don't make things nice - it ruins everything. It breaks your heart. It makes things a mess. We aren't here to make things perfect. The snowflakes are perfect. The stars are perfect. Not us. Not us! We are here to ruin ourselves and to break our hearts and love the wrong people and *die*. The storybooks are *bullshit*. Now I want you to come upstairs with me and *get* in my bed!

by Anonymousreply 79October 3, 2014 12:01 AM

I never watched Moonstruck. I guess I should!

by Anonymousreply 80October 3, 2014 12:08 AM

The Last Emperor won 9 Oscars. It won every Oscar it was nominated for, including screenplay, editing, photography, direction, art direction and costumes. If a film wins that many key Oscars, it is simply the best film of the year. It would have been ridiculous for it not to win Best Picture.

I also happen to think it is a glorious film, one of the high watermarks of 1980s world cinema.

Picture and Director: The Last Emperor

Actor: Michael Douglas

Actress: Holly Hunter

Sup Actor: Albert Brooks

Sup Actress: Olympia Dukakis

by Anonymousreply 81October 3, 2014 12:10 AM

I saw only half of The Last Emperor. The kid sitting in front of me grew up.

by Anonymousreply 82October 3, 2014 12:19 AM

Every time I see Cher's character weeping at the opera house, I start tearing up too.

Marie!

by Anonymousreply 83October 3, 2014 12:23 AM

BUMP Watched it again today. I think it's just about perfect. However, as much as I love Cher and I think she's charming I don't think she deserved the Oscar. She did deserve it for Mask but, as we know, she wasn't nominated.

by Anonymousreply 84February 15, 2015 5:33 AM

The mom has a rather sad storyline. Her character would perhaps find joy if Loretta went on to have a baby. Otherwise, she's stuck with a disenchanted, depressed husband who would still be fooling around if she didn't demand that he stop.

by Anonymousreply 85February 15, 2015 5:38 AM

Should have never won screenplay over Broadcast News.

by Anonymousreply 86February 15, 2015 6:07 AM

Norman Jewison said Cher thanked her hairdresser but forgot to thank him, her director.

by Anonymousreply 87February 15, 2015 6:19 AM

Thank God the right actress received the Academy Award that year. Those of you who can't see what an amazing job Cher did with the role of Loretta in Moonstruck should go back to watching your silly choice for best actress, GC in Fatal Attraction since there's no changing your minds. Even M stood up and joined the others giving her a standing ovation for Christ sake. Cher deserved it and has the Oscar so just eat it! After all, you can't turn back time.

by Anonymousreply 88February 15, 2015 6:28 AM

it's a lovely movie. especially great if you grew up italian in NYC or the northeast or were friends with those that did. it hits all the right notes. btw that brownstone that the parents owned in 1980s which maybe was worth 400-500k at the time would now be worth about 6-9 million.

plumbers can't get into that neighborhood anymore like mr. castorini did.

by Anonymousreply 89February 15, 2015 6:32 AM

Cher can turn back time.

by Anonymousreply 90February 15, 2015 6:35 AM

R85

You missed the real point behind the "La Boheme" theme of Moonstruck in particular Cosmo and Rose.

Cosmo never stopped loving his wife, nor was her totally "disenchanted, depressed" or whatever with is wife and marriage. Rather the guy went though mid-life crisis if you will and hit a rough patch. The cheap bit of goods, Mona was there as such women often are, but that isn't where Cosmo truly wants to be.

It is like that first couple, the ones in the liquor store. You'd think from their bickering it was an unhappy marriage, but even Cher/Loretta sees there is love there.

by Anonymousreply 91February 15, 2015 6:36 AM

Where in Brooklyn did Cher and her family live?

by Anonymousreply 92February 15, 2015 6:47 AM

R92: The Castorini house is on Cranberry St in Brooklyn Heights. Tourists still love to have their pictures taken in front of it.

by Anonymousreply 93February 15, 2015 11:33 AM

I love Moonstruck as well. It does just make you feel happy! I wan't to eat in the restaurant where Olympia D. Meets the professor. Oh, and have a martini too!

by Anonymousreply 94February 15, 2015 11:58 AM

It was ok, but, like all movies featuring Nicholas Cage, it was basically ruined by Nicholas Cage

by Anonymousreply 95February 15, 2015 12:02 PM

Love moonstruck. I always wondered about her getting out of Ronnies bed and immediately going to the salon. They did her hair and makeup. She bought the dress right after leaving the salon. She goes home drinks a glass of wine, dresses then goes to the Opera and back in Ronnies bed. She still had Ronnies spoo in her snatch from that morning. Gross. She never bathed all day!!!

by Anonymousreply 96February 15, 2015 12:07 PM

That house sold for $40,000 in 1961, which was steep back then.

by Anonymousreply 97February 15, 2015 12:07 PM

And she fell in love with him in just one day? Come on.

by Anonymousreply 98February 15, 2015 12:13 PM

Love this film too - just charming, gorgeous - pure joy.

The whole cast is perfect - even Cage - who can sometimes (often!) be awful.

It doesn't seem like a big Hollywood film to me at all.

It's certainly a slick package - but it's light and deft and quirky - somehow feels European (tho that may just be because there's so much Italian happening! Lol!)

Never tire of it. Sigh...

by Anonymousreply 99February 15, 2015 12:27 PM

The funeral home Cher enters in the beginning of the film was Nucciarone's on Sullivan Street.

In 1987 when renovation work was being done on the five-story building it collapsed, injuring five and killing the 13-month-old son of the funeral director and his wife who lived upstairs. The city said there were no permits issued for the work.

by Anonymousreply 100February 15, 2015 12:29 PM

Brooklyn Heights was always a "hot" place to live. You are literally a short subway or ferry ride (back when their was service from Whitehall to Brooklyn) to lower Manhattan/Wall Street.

Just saw a program on PBS about how it was two residents of Brooklyn Heights that spear headed the landmarks movement in NYC and pushed to get the Landmark Commission and subsequent laws in place. In 1965 the area was made both a National and New York City Historical District. Can you imagine what would have happened to the area if it wasn't protected?

Getting back to Moonstruck FWIW only the exterior shots were filmed on Cranberry Street. Interior shots are all on sets/stages elsewhere.

Personally love Ronnie's huge one bedroom apartment above the bakery.

Sadly from Brooklyn Heights down though "Park Slope South (aka South Brooklyn) the old school Italian presence is becoming less and less as real estate values increase.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 101February 15, 2015 12:32 PM

r79 posted my all favorite movie lines; probably because I've always agreed with them, but didn't know that until I heard Ronnie say them.

Speaking of Cage, I'm one of a handful that thinks he was superb in "Peggy Sue Got Married." He brought just the right touch of absurdity to his character.

by Anonymousreply 102February 15, 2015 12:35 PM

Peggy Sue got Married, sucked ass.

by Anonymousreply 103February 15, 2015 12:37 PM

You've changed my mind, r103.

by Anonymousreply 104February 15, 2015 12:42 PM

R100

That was a disgrace. It shouldn't have happened and sadly if you watch local NYC news happens still today.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 105February 15, 2015 12:43 PM

[quote]The Last Emperor won 9 Oscars. It won every Oscar it was nominated for, including screenplay, editing, photography, direction, art direction and costumes. If a film wins that many key Oscars, it is simply the best film of the year. It would have been ridiculous for it not to win Best Picture.

CABARET won 8 of its 10 nominations (Director, Actress, Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Production Design, Sound Mixing, Film Editing, Score), and lost Best Picture (as well as screenplay) to THE GODFATHER, which only won 3 of its eleven nominations (Picture, Actor, Adapted Screenplay).

by Anonymousreply 106February 15, 2015 2:01 PM

Re THE LAST EMPEROR: It's been 15 years since i last saw it, but why do they shift suddenly from Chinese/subtitled English to spoken English halfway through? It was especially jarring when the Emperor and the other Chinese had British accents.

by Anonymousreply 107February 15, 2015 2:03 PM

R53 even over you, M?

by Anonymousreply 108February 15, 2015 2:04 PM

[quote] Just saw a program on PBS about how it was two residents of Brooklyn Heights that spear headed the landmarks movement in NYC and pushed to get the Landmark Commissip

It was a married couple and a neighbor. The couple owned the Moonstruck house. They and a neighbor started the movement. They sold the Moonstruck house for $4M in 2008.

by Anonymousreply 109February 15, 2015 2:14 PM

[quote]I put a curse on that plane. My sister is on that plane. I put a curse on that plane that it's gonna explode, burn on fire and fall into the sea. Fifty years ago, she stole a man from me. S'aprese il mio uomo! Today she tells me that she never loved him, that she took him to be strong on me. Now she's going back to Sicily. Ritorna in Sicilia! I cursed her that the green Atlantic water should swallow her up!

I love everything about this movie. When I first saw it I wanted to be from a big, loud Italian family. It was so different from my own white, Episcopalian WASP upbringing. To those criticizing Nic Cage in this, it was actually the only film where his scene chewing style worked.

Love the grumpy old man and all of his mutts.

by Anonymousreply 110February 15, 2015 2:17 PM

I'm so glad I read this thread. I have for years mistakenly thought the Brooklyn Heights exteriors were shot in Canada (it looks SO much like NY, I've always thought). Turns out the [bold]in[/bold]teriors were shot on a soundstage in Toronto, director Norman Jewison's hometown.

by Anonymousreply 111February 15, 2015 2:23 PM

Among other reasons 19 Cranberry was then divided into apartments IIRC. Thus they couldn't have filmed it as single family interior.

What always gets me are the shots at night from the Promenade showing the Twin Towers. Many a night was spent gazing out over the water at those buildings....

For a film about an Italian family you had a decent enough representation; Vincent Gardenia, Nicolas Cage, Julie Bovasso, and Danny Aiello to name a few but so many think then and now that Cher is Italian-American.

The late Julie Bovasso coached Olympia Dukakis on being Italian and IMHO she did a good job. The hand movements when she says "your life is going down the toilet", and the improvised pinch are priceless.

by Anonymousreply 112February 15, 2015 2:41 PM

This shows photos of other Toronto locations that were used in Moonstruck.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 113February 15, 2015 2:42 PM

I hate when movies or TV shows are not shot on location. It takes away something, IMO. I can't look at a movie the same way again once I know/learn it was shot elsewhere.

by Anonymousreply 114February 15, 2015 2:47 PM

Toronto and New York City are locked into what seems to be an arms race regarding filming locations. Each has extensive programs including tax schemes/benefits to lure more production.

Under former mayor Bloomberg major effort was made to increase all sorts of film production in the City.

by Anonymousreply 115February 15, 2015 2:49 PM

The one that drove me most insane, R114, was Love and Other Drugs, with Jake and AnnE. The Pittsburgh exteriors were shot in Pittsburgh, but so were the Chicago exteriors. Liberty Avenue (of QAF filming fakery fame) was supposed to be a main drag in Chicago where some pharmaconvention was being held.

by Anonymousreply 116February 15, 2015 3:04 PM

Cher should have been nominated for Mask. It was absurd Anne Bancroft got nominated for Best Actress as opposed to Supporting.

Bancroft's role in The Turning Point was more Supporting than Lead.

Close's best performance was Dangerous Liasons. Anyone remember who won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress that year ? Glenn and Michelle were amazing as was Malkovich.

by Anonymousreply 117February 15, 2015 3:23 PM

I also loved the actor who played the grandfather in Moonstruck.

by Anonymousreply 118February 15, 2015 3:24 PM

I have to disagree here, it's the Cher movie made during her hot streak I could never get into.

by Anonymousreply 119February 15, 2015 3:29 PM

R117

Jodie Foster took best actress for "The Accused", and Geena Davis for "The Accidental Tourist".

by Anonymousreply 120February 15, 2015 3:32 PM

R117 in 1985, Bancroft was nominated for Best Actress for AGNES OF GOD. THE TURNING POINT was from 1977.

Close lost Best Actress in 1988 to Jodie Foster in THE ACCUSED; Geena Davis won Supporting Actress for THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST.

by Anonymousreply 121February 15, 2015 3:32 PM

Cueing it up, thanks, DL.

by Anonymousreply 122February 15, 2015 3:35 PM

Ricki Lake starred in a movie where she fell in love with a New York subway worker. The second I saw the cars, I knew it was shot in Canada.

by Anonymousreply 123February 15, 2015 4:24 PM

Olympia Dukakis was perfect for the role of Ida Franconero in the never-made biopix on Connie Francis. Olympia and Ida looked like twins.

by Anonymousreply 124February 15, 2015 4:26 PM

Where's the Met?

by Anonymousreply 125February 15, 2015 4:28 PM

Except for "Witness," every film and made-for-TV about the Amish was done in Canada.

by Anonymousreply 126February 15, 2015 4:29 PM

r125, There are two "Mets." Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, Broadway and 66th. And the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue at 81st Street.

by Anonymousreply 127February 15, 2015 4:32 PM

Its a line from the film, Rose. Jesus.

by Anonymousreply 128February 15, 2015 4:36 PM

After seeing Moonstruck I thought: "what in the world is supposed to be so great about this film? And Cher won an Oscar for it? Unbelieveable! The Oscars are such a crock."

by Anonymousreply 129February 15, 2015 4:40 PM

R123 are you referring to BABY CAKES, where she's fat and stalks Craig Sheffer?

by Anonymousreply 130February 15, 2015 4:40 PM

"Broadcast News" was on PBS last night and I didn't care for Holly Hunter, so shrill, homely, badly dressed, awful hair and not likable. Cher is perfection in this role and it's a shame that she hasn't had any good roles in the last 20 years. Her sitcom about a dress shop in the 60s was a horrible idea and never came to fruition.

by Anonymousreply 131February 15, 2015 5:05 PM

I love Twilight series, New Moon is my fav. I want to meet Edward but I am and will always be Team Jacob. Taylor, or Edward, I am your number one fan, if you read this please respond.

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by Anonymousreply 132February 15, 2015 5:11 PM

Fuck this movie; fuck it right up the ass.

by Anonymousreply 133February 15, 2015 5:12 PM

R133 how does a movie have an ass?

by Anonymousreply 134February 15, 2015 5:17 PM

Go away R132. We don't like Twitards here.

by Anonymousreply 135February 15, 2015 5:17 PM

I always felt that BROADCAST NEWS was trying to copy NETWORK, right down to the generic title.

NETWORK predicted what would happen to network television, and BROADCAST NEWS likewise was trying to predict what would happen to news reporting.

by Anonymousreply 136February 15, 2015 5:20 PM

BTW: I hated how BROADCAST NEWS ended, with Hurt and Brooks having loving wives and children and Hunter being all alone. Of course, she has to sacrifice marriage/motherhood in order to be successful.

by Anonymousreply 137February 15, 2015 5:22 PM

excuse me, i did a search or edward and taylor andthis sight came up. i am their number one fan. they are both wonderful sweet caring compasionate men. who were done wrong by bella. please respond, it is my number one movie, i am struck by new moon. respond youwill make my life.

by Anonymousreply 138February 15, 2015 5:26 PM

GO AWAY NOW!

by Anonymousreply 139February 15, 2015 5:31 PM

R123

IIRC that subway worker was "hot".

by Anonymousreply 140February 16, 2015 12:00 AM

We got Two Snaps Out of It!

by Anonymousreply 141February 16, 2015 12:09 AM

Following explains why film production goes to Toronto for the "real" New York experience. But it also notes that the place trails behind NYC.

Up north isn't just for New York substitution; Broke Back Mountain was filmed there as well.

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by Anonymousreply 142February 16, 2015 12:11 AM

I'm now watching Cher on Movies channel in "Come Back to the 5 & Dime" - what a great cast and a boring, nothing of a play. It's trying to be Tennesse Williams or Carson McCullers and fails badly. Featuring the late Marta Heflin, who I used to know a little bit. Sandy Dennis rocks as usual and Karen Black.

by Anonymousreply 143February 16, 2015 12:27 AM

r140, Craig Sheffer was hot.

by Anonymousreply 144February 16, 2015 4:36 AM

R137 but that was realistic. A Jane type would always screw herself out of landing a husband.

I actually think it's superior to Network in pretty much every way. Network is all about its (didactic) message; in Broadcast News that's almost beside the point - it's a far less heavy handed satire on the workings of a news station, and the neurotic relationships that form.

It's the little things that are great about Broadcast News.

And Holly Hunter's slow burn to William Hurt when he calls her out on being butter that he left her hotel room - that alone should have nabbed her the Oscar.

by Anonymousreply 145February 16, 2015 5:17 AM

Thanks to CGI less need to travel to Canada.

"Ugly Betty" viewers had no clue that the walk from the El up the street to her house, overlooking Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge, and other outdoor scenes were shot in Hollywood.

by Anonymousreply 146February 16, 2015 1:20 PM

Obviously the Canadian gay movie "Mambo Italiano" tried to recreate this aesthetic. And they did okay. Not perfect, but okay.

by Anonymousreply 147February 17, 2015 10:50 PM

It's a mansion.

It's a house.

by Anonymousreply 148February 17, 2015 11:33 PM

Cher won her Oscar as a make up for the academy blocking her nomination for Mask. It was done so Geraldine Page would be a shoe in for Trip To The Bountiful. Cher was in the lead for a win having won Cannes and many critic awards for Mask. She took the block graciously and actually outclassed the academy by showing up in her most outrageous Bob Mackie outfit yet as a presenter. She said she was," just following the academy rule book for what a serious actress should wear." The pictures in her spiderwoman, black-feathered apache costume were an international sensation. I know because I helped a friend by assisting him in writing copy for a French radio overnight program that year via telephone. I forced him to make the story of Cher's outfit the lead and he scooped all the French papers, who had her on their covers the next mourning.

by Anonymousreply 149February 18, 2015 12:12 AM

R149

Who died?

by Anonymousreply 150February 18, 2015 12:20 AM

Cher rocked it. Compare Loretta to Rusty and to her other roles in Silkwood, Mermaids, and Come Back to the Five and Dime and there's not even a vague resemblance. The Academy was recognizing her amazing versatility. Her Oscar was richly deserved for Moonstruck alone. Her competition didn't even come close that year. All you naysayers need to eat it because they don't take Oscars back.

by Anonymousreply 151April 22, 2015 1:41 AM

R12,

I recognized Julie Bovasso right away as the mother from Saturday Night Fever, a performance that I will always remember

by Anonymousreply 152March 28, 2020 5:02 AM
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