Movies of the Week -- August 13-19

1. Venus (2006): An elderly gentleman's relationship with his friend's 20-something niece. Starring Peter O'Toole. Nominated for Best Actor -- Peter O'Toole.

This film was not a blockbuster but certainly deserved all the positive attention it received. O'Toole remains one of the best actors of our day. A sensitive and moving film. Highly recommended.

2. Imitation of Life (1959): The relationship between two single mothers, one white, one black, and their daughters. Both women struggle to survive and to raise their daughters alone, while one tries to make a name for herself as an actress and the other tries to help her light-skinned daughter accept the limitations of being a black woman in segregated America. Starring Lana Turner. Nominated for Best Supporting Actress -- Juanita Moore and Best Supporting Actress -- Susan Kohner.

A remake of an earlier movie by the same name, starring Claudette Colbert, nominated for 3 Oscars, including Best Picture, 1934. Enjoyable but somewhat poor acting by the supporting cast. Ms. Turner did an adequate job but somehow didn't seem altogether right for her part. Overall, I found the original to be the better movie.

3. Camille Claudel (1989): The female sculptor's life and tempetuous relationship with Auguste Rodin. In French with English subtitles. Starring Gerard Depardieu and Isabelle Adjani. Nominated for Best Foreign Film (France) and Best Actress -- Isabelle Adjani.

A gorgeous movie, with superb acting by Ms. Adjani. I felt connected to her throughout, and am now anxious to discover if any of her sculptures remain in existence, and if, where they can be viewed. Highly recommended.

4. Fat City (1972): The strugglers of two small-time boxers in California. One is making a half-hearted try for a comeback, and the other is a kid just starting out. Starring Stacy Keach and Jeff Bridges, directed by John Huston. Nominated for Best Supporting Actress -- Susan Tyrrell.

More of a guy's movie, but ably done. Keach is a bum, but he's an honest bum, and his girlfriend (Susan Tyrrell) is a complete basket case. My husband enjoyed it a great deal.

5. Love Me or Leave Me (1955): The real-life story of 1920's and 30's singer Ruth Etting and her small-time hoodlum husband. Starring Doris Day and James Cagney, directed by King Vidor. Nominated for 6 Oscars, including Best Actor -- James Cagney.

Lots of great songs in this movie, and a meatier part for Ms. Day than the more famous pairings with Rock Hudson. Cagney is terrific in anything, and playing a hoodlum fits him to a tee.

TAMMY'S TRIVIA: Peter O'Toole is the only actor to play the same role in two different movies and receive Oscar nominations for both portrayals. What role and movies earned him this distinction? Answer in next week's Movies of the Week.