Paul Newman is a dreamboat.

“Patience is a virtue.” - Evelyn Carnahan

Some movie lines are like nutrients that stick to my ribs, grip on and never let go. They provide sustenance for when I find myself sinking in the quicksand of sadness. When I find myself in this type of predicament, I devour one of these silver screen quips and, like an adrenaline bump, they manage to lift my spirits while simultaneously getting me back on track.

Evelyn Carnahan, portrayed by Rachel Weisz, has been a favorite of mine since I first met her in 1999. As a fifteen year old kid, she made quite the impression on me. The Mummy was on a regular rotation during much of my formative years and this was due to Evelyn. Simply put: I thought she was so damn cool.

She is super smart, adventurous, confident and has moxie. Within the story, when someone told her she could not do something or that they felt the feat she was attempting was impossible or kooky (like reading from The Book of The Dead), she did not allow words to sidetrack her. Evelyn was not concerned with their snickers or jeers, she held her head high and persevered. As a fifteen year old kid, this fictional lady managed to make a real impression on me that has stuck. She inspired me.

This week I have been thinking a lot about Evelyn and what I am attempting to do. Often it seems futile, fighting a system that does not want to change… like I am running in circles just kicking up dust. Much like Evelyn though, I can’t stop and I won’t stop. Evelyn did not call it quits after she woke up a dead guy from his sarcophagus. Instead, she ran towards the danger. She taught me that no matter how absurd my dreams may seem, or how difficult the road to Oz might be, I must keep fighting and, most importantly, have patience. I will continue to share film characters (friends) that have helped (and continue to do so) during tough times. Maybe they’ll inspire you too.

On Wednesday, Benjamin and I depart for the Toronto International Film Festival. I am so excited for this adventure and to watch as many motion pictures as humanly possible. In case you missed it over at MovieJawn, I shared some of my most anticipated flicks which you can find here.

I am going to try my best to deliver a Sundae Matinee newsletter next week that will provide a dispatch of my escapades up north and a sprinkling of sweet stuff that I uncover. Until then, make sure you are following along on MovieJawn’s instagram here, as I plan to share video snippets while I am on location.

This week I am proud of… the review I wrote of the motion picture, The Falling Star. Reminiscent of silent film icons and golden age hoofers, this film is sure to make a cinephile’s heart a flutter. Find my review over at MovieJawn here, and find a theater near you where it is playing, here.

This week I recommend checking out… The Sting.

It has been many moons since I watched The Sting and on Friday I conducted a rewatch. Pals let me tell you… this is a glorious picture!

Frankly my dear, after viewing enough bad flicks, you end up realizing how great some movies are after you rewatch them. Paul Newman is a dreamboat and I love how he is introduced in this movie - stone cold drunk, on the floor, snoozing. Perfection. He is a total dead guy crush.

What led me to checking The Sting out again was Robert Shaw as he was part of TCM’s Summer Under The Stars celebration. I absolutely love his voice. If you have not seen this movie about a pair of grifters that team up to pull their biggest con, you can rent it fairly inexpensively here. This will be a motion picture that you won’t regret witnessing… you follow?

Tell a friend.