MOONSTRUCK!

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Confession: I have always loved Cher! What's not to love? And this movie is my 'tip of the hat' to Halloween! Furthermore, I've wanted to post this for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" since the middle of last year!! It's about time, right? I have a question for all of you (and you know who you are--legions of movie lovers lurking out there). How many times have you layed down at night to sleep and recalled that scene where Nicholas Cage tells Cher that he's in love with her. She pauses and then slaps the hell out him and yells: "SNAP OUT OF IT!" I have laughed so hard at this one scene, it's worth renting the entire movie over it! Cher is so versatile. She can handle rock and roll, is a consummate actress, has the smarts---as Meryl Streep says--to actually "run a movie studio"--and can do Comedy and Drama with ANY actor. If you don't believe me, name one out loud. See? Not many actors can claim this. Cher can. Enough already! Here's the plot:

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Loretta Castorini (Cher), a Brooklyn bookkeeper in her late 30s (whose husband died several years earlier in a bus accident) decides it's time to get married again. Along comes Johnny Cammareri (are these names killing you yet?). Loretta is convinced her first marriage was "a curse". Why? Because she and her husband had gotten married at City Hall! Don't get the connection? Don't worry, I don't either. But Loretta is determined "to do things right". She tells her Mom, Rose, that she's not really in love with Johnny. The advice from the Mother: "Good. When you love them, they drive you crazy, 'cause they know they can." Wasn't THAT helpful? Well, there's a reason for Rose having an attitude. She suspects that her husband, Cosmo, (THESE NAMES!) is cheating on her. Meanwhile, Loretta is convinced that marrying Johnny is the safe and sure thing to do - until she meets his estranged younger brother Ronny, who tends the ovens in a neighborhood bakery. Ronny is a contrast to Johnny. (Re-read that last line out loud if you need a laugh). Johnny is a 'Clark Kent' compared to Ronny--a moody 'James Dean' who is passionate. That's just enough details of this film to whet your appetite. So let's meet the cast!

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The Cast: Directed by Norman Jewison; Cher.... Loretta Castorini; Nicolas Cage.... Ronny Cammareri; Vincent Gardenia.... Cosmo Castorini; Olympia Dukakis.... Rose Castorini; Danny Aiello.... Mr. Johnny Cammareri; Julie Bovasso.... Rita Cappomaggi; John Mahoney....; PerryLouis Guss....Raymond Cappomaggi; Feodor Chaliapin Jr.....Old Man; Anita Gillette....MonaNada; Despotovich.... Chrissy; Joe Grifasi.... Shy Waiter. (I have to say this: Norman Jewison has had one hell of a career when you look at everyone he's worked with. He is THE director every Actor wants to work with. Period). How about the Awards?

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Awards: The envelope, please! Winners of the Academy Award: Best Actress in a Leading Role:Cher; Best Actress in a Supporting Role:Olympia Dukakis; Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen:John Paul Shanley! And now the Nominations!: Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Vincent Gardenia; Best Director: Norman Jewison; Best Picture: Patrick J. Palmer and Norman Jewison!!

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Hey! Can I pick em or can I pick em?

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Grab some Hot Buttered Popcorn, light the fireplace, whip out your favorite drink and:

ENJOY!