Here’s Lookin’ at You, Kid - Casablanca Movie Review

Casablanca. There’s so much to say and yet it will never be enough. Never did we think we’d have the opportunity to see such an iconic film on the big screen. But last night, we did just that.

Cineplex theatres has brought back its cinematic classics series to their screens, starting with Casablanca (1943). Despite knowing the story, cast and ending, we were excited to kick back in a theatre setting and take in the legendary film widely considered one of the greatest films of all time.

The romantic drama tells the story of cynical American Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) as he goes through the motions in Casablanca during World War II. With a questionable past and friends in the right places, Rick keeps most people at arm’s length and stays quietly in the shadows of his upscale nightclub and gambling den, Rick's Café Américain. That is, until his ex-lover Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) walks into his bar one night.

Ilsa and her husband Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), an infamous resistance leader, are in need of official letters to leave for America to continue his work, an act that many are willing to risk their lives to prevent. Upon learning that Rick is in possession of the letters, both Ilsa and Victor put their fate in his hands, begging for his help to escape to America.

Rick’s jolted bitterness about the demise of their previous love affair prevents him from surrendering the letters, leading Ilsa to threaten him at gunpoint. But she can’t bring herself to shoot him and instead, confesses that she still loves him. This forces them both to fondly remember the brief time they spent in Paris together and the truth about their heartbreaking end surfaces, leaving Rick torn between love and virtue.

Rick Blaine was Humphrey Bogart’s first romantic role after being typecast as a gangster. He did an outstanding job, drawing from his gangster roots to depict that swoon worthy bad boy with a good heart that we all hate to love – not to mention, there’s just something undeniably sexy about a man in a trench coat and fedora. It’s unfortunate that actors of his caliber no longer exist; movies of this caliber are no longer being made. Hollywood is now more obsessed with youth and uninspired, unoriginal remakes.

There was no one better to fill the shoes of Ilsa Lund than Ingrid Berman. She was a luminous beauty; every emotion was shown through her eyes. But most notably was the simple fact that Ms. Bergman did not need to resort to disrobing or other such behaviour to make it evident that she was a much sought after, beautiful woman, as most modern films tend to resort to. The chemistry between Bogart and Bergman will forever be remembered.

It wasn’t until last night that we realized how the film is peppered with edgy references and wit that is rather unexpected for a movie made in the early 40’s. It was emotional, funny and full of memorable quotes that have been referenced time and time again by many tv shows and movies:

• Here’s Lookin’ at you, kid (Rick to Ilsa)

• Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine. (Rick to Sam, about the return of Ilsa to his life)

• Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time. (Ilsa to Rick)

• We'll always have Paris. (Rick to Ilsa)

• Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. (Rick to Captain Renault)

Of course, memorable quotes from other movies can also be tied back to the classic… such as the scene where Ilsa is explaining to Rick her reasons for leaving him in Paris, where Rick turns to her and says “And then?”. It was only natural to follow that line by turning to each other, giggling and blurting out “No ‘And then’!” (10 points to anyone that gets that reference).

All in all, Casablanca is one of those timeless movies that will continue to have audiences falling in love with it for years to come.

And as for the Cineplex Classic Film Series, well, we do believe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

image source: google images

Girls Night Out - Sushi & Nerd Store

Every so often, we deem it necessary to meet for dinner and regroup. That being, have a few drinks, let off some steam and just enjoy each others company for a night. This past Thursday we did just that. After work, Ashley met Veronica at her office and they embarked on a back-lot walk to Veronica’s mid-week stomping ground.

Unknown to Ashley, there is a trail of cute little parks between Bloor and Wellesley just east of Yonge. Little parks with a cement walk and benches and fountains and even a little dog memorial with a drinking fountain at dog height. Each park seems to be individually sponsored and named. It made for a very lovely walk south to the store Veronica very affectionately calls “The Nerd Store”.

Every Wednesday, Veronica and her posse of nerdy broadcast boys make this very trek to The Nerd Store for the latest issues of whatever comic they are reading at the time. Ashley has heard about this store endlessly and even ventured out to find it on her own, only to look on the wrong side of the road and never stumble upon it.

So off we went, to 1 Million Comix on Yonge Street. The large yellow sign out front makes the seemingly nondescript store hard to miss (and how Ashley missed it, she cannot figure out). But don’t let the initial sight fool you, 1 Million Comix could very well house 1 million comics, and then some.

With a vast collection, 1 Million Comix is easy to navigate through, find new releases, back copies, hardcovers and indulge in a selection of glorious toys and collectibles. We weren’t on the hunt for anything too specific, but each item Ashley was interested in checking out was readily available, affordable and far too tempting.

Prices are comparable to your average comic shop, as well as online. And we hear that if you become a member you qualify for additional discounts, which makes it all the more worth it. 1 Million Comix is definitely a go to place for your comic needs. And anything you may not be able to find, they can specially order in, just for you. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and as they aren’t used to seeing girls in the store, when some come in, they roll out the red carpet to accommodate them.

Around the corner and up the street is Veronica’s go to Sushi place, MASA, which offers all you can eat Sushi, a la carte and a teppenyaki table. Coincidentally, this is also the location where Ashley had her first real taste of sushi, so it is held close to our hearts for sentimental value.

Our only complaint about this establishment is that it’s on the ground floor of a hotel which for some reason always blocks our phone reception. We don’t go to MASA because they offer ‘all-you-can-eat’ but because they offer a variety of sashimi, sushi, rolls and other delicious Japanese foods. We thoroughly enjoy dining leisurely on the abundant selection while we discuss life, books, movies and music.

Amazingly enough, for once we did not order more than we could eat or have to find clever ways to hide left of sushi to avoid the necessary fee for over ordering, and left feeling contentment in our bellies and fullness in our souls.

1 million comix images

other images courtesy of google images

Team Opera Semi-Final Rundown

Last night was our softball league’s semi-final game. It was do or die. Unfortunately, we didn’t do. It makes such a huge difference in our game when we’re missing the key players we depend on for big hits. And really, that’s all we were missing last night. Defensively, we played a solid, solid game.

At the end of the 1st inning, the game was tied at 3 a piece. For 4 innings we held them off, leaving their runners stranded and gaining 2 runs ourselves on a few brilliant plays. We were so close to that big “W” but didn’t let our guard down, not for one second. But alas, at the bottom of the 6th, they managed to load up the bases and send their runners home, scoring 7 runs (which is a mercy in our league). We had no play available to get that one final out to end the inning.

Heading into the 7th inning, we had one final chance at bat to regain the lead. Our first batter got a solid hit well into center field, but it hung up there too long and was caught. Up next was Veronica (dun dun duuuun), who hadn’t hit worth a damn all night long. She did what she thought was best to get on base; a full, unpowered swing to allow the ball to dribble and roll between their catcher and our pitcher. It worked! Veronica got safely onto first base, and with only one out, a comeback was possible. The fates had other plans for Team Opera, however and the next batter also popped out, leaving us one out away from the end of the game.

Of course, it was Ashley’s at bat. Emotions ran high and nerves started to rise. Placing too much pressure on herself to hit well, she swung at the first pitch and sent a poor pathetic pop to their all star short stop, which was easily and painfully caught. We lose. At the end of it all, the entire team second guessed their decisions on every play of the game, but what’s done is done and there is always next year.

In the post game interview with Ashley, she kept saying that she shouldn’t have swung at THAT pitch, but at the time, how was she to know? She was reminded all night that it was not her fault, we all played exceptionally well with the pared down team we had.

Our team has come a long way and getting to this point and not making it to the final once in the last 3 years has been hard on us. Even though this is a beer league and it’s really for fun, we enjoy winning. We enjoy being champions and have now been denied that honour 3 years running. But next year, next year will be our year. Hopefully with an extended season (which we’ve been discussing), we will be able to gain our momentum well before the playoffs. It was rather sad last night when we realized that it was our very last game together for 2010, as we all enjoy the Wednesday night gathering and the easy camaraderie. Of course, we still have our year end party (stay tuned for a post on that once dates are confirmed) but for post game drinks, its game over.

See you on the diamond in 2011.