Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Pearl: An Xtraordinary Origin Story
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mia Goth Pearl David Corenswet The Projectionist Tandi Wright Ruth Matthew Sunderland Pearl's Father Emma Jenkins-Purro Mitsy Alistair Sewell Howard Amelia Reid Margaret Gabe McDonnell Woman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2022
Directed by Ti West.
Labels: horror2
Monday, April 15, 2024
X
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mia Goth Maxine/Pearl Jenna Ortega Lorraine Day Brittany Snow Bobby-Lynne Parker Scott Mescudi Jackson Hole Martin Henderson Wayne Gilroy Owen Campbell RJ Nichols Stephen Ure Howard Simon Prast The Televangelist
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2022
Directed by Ti West.
Labels: horror2
Friday, April 12, 2024
Late Ozu
- Commentary: Under construction.
Directed by Yasujirō Ozu.
- Early Spring
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Chikage Awashima Masako Sugiyama Ryō Ikebe Shoji Sugiyama Keiko Kishi Chiyo Kaneko/Goldfish Teiji Takahashi Taizo Aoki Chishū Ryū Kiichi Onodera So Yamamura Yutaka Kawai Haruko Sugimura Tamako Takako Fujino Terumi Aoki Terumi Aoki Koichi Kitagawa Kumeko Urabe Kitagawa Kuniko Miyake Yukiko Kawai Daisuke Katō Sakamoto
Release Date: 1956
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- Tokyo Twilight
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ineko Arima Akiko Sugiyama Setsuko Hara Takako Numata Chishū Ryū Shukichi Sugiyama Isuzu Yamada Kikuko Soma Haruko Sugimura Shigeko Takeuchi Nobuo Nakamura Sakae Soma Kamatari Fujiwara Noodle Restaurant Owner Kinzō Shin Yasuo Numata Teiji Takahashi Noburo Kawaguchi So Yamamura Shukichi's Friend Seiji Miyaguchi Policeman Tsûsai Sugawara Mahjong Parlor Owner
Release Date: 1957
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- Equinox Flower
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ineko Arima Setsuko Hirayama Fujiko Yamamoto Yukiko Sasaki Yoshiko Kuga Fumiko Mikami Shin Saburi Wataru Hirayama Wataru Hirayama Kiyoko Hirayama Miyuki Kuwano Hisako Hirayama Chishū Ryū Shukichi Mikami Keiji Sada Masahiko Taniguchi Teiji Takahashi Shotaru Kondo Chieko Naniwa Hatsu Sasaki Fumio Watanabe RIchiro Nagamura Nobuo Nakamura Toshihiko Kawai
Release Date: 1958
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- Late Autumn
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Setsuko Hara Akiko Miwa Yoko Tsukasa Ayako Miwa Mariko Okada Yuriko Sasaki Keiji Sada Shotaru Goto Miyuki Kuwano Michiko Shin'ichirō Mikami Koichi Shin Saburi Soichi Mamiya Chishū Ryū Shukichi Miwa Nobuo Nakamura Shuzo Taguchi Kuniko Miyake Nobuko Sadako Sawamura Fumiko Ryūji Kita Seiichiro Hirayama
Release Date: 1960
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- The End of Summer
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nakamura Ganjirō II Kohayagawa Manbei Setsuko Hara Akiko Yoko Tsukasa Noriko Michiyo Aratama Fumiko Keiju Kobayashi Hisao Chieko Naniwa Sasaki Tsune Reiko Dan Yuriko Haruko Sugimura Kato Shige Hisaya Morishige Isomura Eiichirou Daisuke Katō Kitagawa Yanosuke Akira Takarada Teramoto Tadashi Kyū Sazanka Yamaguch
Release Date: 1961
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- Early Spring
Labels: chishū-ryū, Criterion8, yasujirō-ozu
George Bernard Shaw on Film
- Commentary: Under construction.
Directed by Various.
- Major Barbara
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Wendy Hiller Major Barbara Undershaft Rex Harrison Adolphus Cusins Robert Morley Andrew Undershaft Robert Newton Bill Walker Sybil Thorndike The General Emlyn Williams Snobby Price Miles Malleson Morrison the Butler Donald Calthrop Peter Shirley Marie Lohr Lady Britomart Stanley Holloway Policeman Marie Ault Rummy Mitchens Penelope Dudley-Ward Sarah Undershaft
Release Date: 1941
Directed by Gabriel Pascal.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- Caesar and Cleopatra
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Vivien Leigh Cleopatra Claude Rains Caesar Stewart Granger Apollodorus Flora Robson Ftatateeta Francis L. Sullivan Pothinus Basil Sydney Rufio Cecil Parker Britannus Raymond Lovell Lucius Septimus Anthony Eustrel Achillas Ernest Thesiger Theodotus Anthony Harvey Ptolemy Robert Adams Nubian Slave
Release Date: 1945
Directed by Gabriel Pascal.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- Androcles and the Lion
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jean Simmons Lavinia Victor Mature The Captain Alan Young Androcles Robert Newton Ferrovius Maurice Evans Caesar Elsa Lanchester Megaera Reginald Gardiner Lentulus Gene Lockhart Menagerie Keeper Alan Mowbray Editor of Gladiators Noel Willman Spintho John Hoyt Cato Jim Backus The Centurion Lowell Gilmore Metellus Woody Strode The Lion Strother Martin Soldier Sylvia Lewis Chief Vestal Virgin
Release Date: 1952
Directed by Chester Erskine.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- Major Barbara
Labels: Criterion8, dramedy3
Larisa Shepitko
- Commentary: Under construction.
Directed by Larisa Shepitko.
- Wings
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Maya Bulgakova Nadezhda Petrukhina Zhanna Bolotova Tanya Panteleimon Krymov Pavel Gavrilovich Leonid Dyachkov Mitya Grachov Vladimir Gorelov Igor Yury Medvedev Boris Grigoryevich Nikolay Grabbe Kostya Shuvalov Zhanna Aleksandrova Zinka
Huge cast, by the way. Above are only the first eight principle actors.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1966
- The Ascent
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Boris Plotnikov Sotnikov Vladimir Gostyukhin Rybak Sergei Yakovlev Village Elder Lyudmila Polyakova Demchikha Viktoriya Goldentul Basya Meyer Anatoli Solonitsyn Portnov the Interrogator Maria Vinogradova Vilage Elder's Wife Nikolai Sektimenko Stas'
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1977
- Wings
Labels: Criterion8
Kenji Mizoguchi's Fallen Women
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Commentary: Under construction.
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi.
- Osaka Elegy
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Isuzu Yamada Ayako Murai Yoko Umemura Sumiko Asai Chiyoko Okura Sachiko Murai Shinpachiro Asaka Hiroshi Murai Benkei Shiganoya Sonosuke Asai Eitarō Shindō Yoshizo Fujino Kunio Tamura Dr. Yoko Seiichii Takekawa Junzo Murai
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1936
Criterion, in their magazine Current, also includes an article about this movie that places this movie in the scope of Kenji Mizoguchi's body of work, citing it as the first movie in which he took a new direction.
- Sisters of the Gion
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Isuzu Yamada Omocha Yōko Umemura Umekichi Benkei Shiganoya Shimbei Furusawa Fumio Okura Jurakudo
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1936
- Women of the Night
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kinuyo Tanaka Fusako Owada Sanae Takasugi Natsuko Kimishima Kumeko Urabe Brothel Madam Tomie Tsunoda Kumiko Owada Minpei Miyamoto Kōji Owada Mitsuo Nagata Kenzō Kuriyama Kenzō Tanaka Shuichi Hirata Fusako Maki Reporter
I have to mention, here, that one of the cast roles is designated as, simply, "Woman of Darkness", played by actor Kimie Hayashi. Intriguing Role Name! Can't wait to see what this characterization entails! Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1948
- Street of Shame
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Machiko Kyō Mickey Ayako Wakao Yasumi Aiko Mimasu Yumeko Michiyo Kogure Hanae Kumeko Urabe Otane Yasuko Kawakami Shizuko Hiroko Machida Yorie Eitarō Shindō Kurazō Taya Sadako Sawamura Tatsuko Taya Toranosuke Ogawa Mickey's father Bontarō Miyake Night Watchman Daisuke Katō Pres. Brothel Owner's Assn.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1956
- Osaka Elegy
Labels: Criterion8, women's-movie2
Raffaello Mataraazzo's Runaway Melodramas Eclipse 27
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Commentary: Under construction.
Directed by Raffaello Matarazzo.
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Chains
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Amedeo Nazzari Guglielmo Yvonne Sanson Rosa Aldo Nicodemi Emilio Teresa Franchini Anna Aniello/Guglielmo's mother Aldo Silvani Prosecutor Roberto Murolo Emigrant Nino Marchesini Defense Attny Gianfranco Magalotti Tonino Aniello
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1949
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Tormento
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Amedeo Nazzari Carlo Guarnieri Yvonne Sanson Anna Ferrari Annibale Betrone Gaetano Ferrari Mario Ferrari L'avvocato Bianchi Teresa Franchini Rosina Tina Lattanzi Matilde Ferrari Aldo Nicodemi Ruffini Giuditta Rissone Madre Celeste
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1950
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Nobody's Children
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Amedeo Nazzari Guido Canali Yvonne Sanson Luisa Fanti/Sister Addolorata Françoise Rosay Contessa Canali Folco Lulli Anselmo Vannini Enrica Dyrell Elena Teresa Franchini Marta Gualtiero Tumiati Padre Demetrio Alberto Farnese Poldo Aristide Baghetti Bernardo Fanti/Luisa's father Enrico Glori Rinadi Olga Solbelli Mother Superior Nino Marchesini il dottore
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1950
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The White Angel
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Amedeo Nazzari Guido Carani Yvonne Sanson Lina Marcolin/Luisa Fanti Enrico Olivieri Bruno Carani Enrica Dyrell Elena Carani Alberto Farnese Alberto Farnese Flora Lillo Flora Philippe Hersent Mario La Torre Nerio Bernardi Avvocato Rossi Virgilio Riento Dottor Marini Olga Solbelli Madre Superiora Ignazio Balsamo Poliziotto Franca Parisi Cameriera
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1955
-
Chains
Labels: Criterion8, melodramaD
Wednesday, April 03, 2024
Hostiles
- Commentary: Under construction.
I have a contentious relationship with Westerns, which is why I have so few in my collection, far fewer than I've actually seen. This movie is unusual for me in that I haven't seen it, yet, as I am purchasing it today. The ambivalence peppered through its overall high reviews is what attracts me, as well as the actors involved. Westerns, for me, have to be non-formulaic, contain a troubling plot and feature excellent actors. This one looks like it hits those targets nicely. In addition, this movie is available at an astonishingly low price, which means, even if it falls short of my targets, it is worth it for me to find out.
It is my intention, of course, to report back later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Cpt. Joseph J. Blocker Rosamund Pike Rosalie Quaid Wes Studi Chief Yellow Hawk Jesse Plemons Lt. Rudy Kidder Adam Beach Black Hawk Rory Cochrane 1st Sgt. Thomas Metz Peter Mullan Lt. Col. Ross McCowan Scott Wilson Cyrus Lounde Paul Anderson Cpl. Tommy Thomas Timothée Chalamet Pvt. Philippe Dejardin Ben Foster Sgt. Philip Wills Jonathan Majors Cpl. Henry Woodson John Benjamin Hickey Cpt. Royce Tolan Q'orianka Kilcher Elk Woman Tanaya Beatty Living Woman Stephen Lang Col. Abraham Biggs
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Scott Cooper.
Labels: christian-bale, rosamund-pike, wes-studi, western
Friday, March 29, 2024
Bad Lieutenant
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Harvey Keitel The Lieutenant Victor Argo Bet Cop Paul Calderón Cop #1 Eddie Daniels Jersey Girl/Passenger Bianca Hunter Jersey Girl/Driver Zoë Lund Zoë Vincent Laresca J. C. Frankie Thorn The Nun Fernando Véléz Julio Joseph Micheal Cruz Paulo Paul Hipp Jesus Frank Adonis Large
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1992
Directed by Abel Ferrara.
Labels: dramaG, harvey-keitel, neo-noirD
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nicolas Cage Lt. Terence McDonagh Eva Mendes Frankie Donnenfeld Jennifer Coolidge Genevieve McDonagh Val Kilmer Det. Stevie Pruit Brad Dourif Ned Schoenholtz Alvin "Xzibit" Joiner Donald Godshaw Fairuza Balk Officer Heidi Irma P. Hall Binnie Rogers
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2009
Directed by Werner Herzog.
Labels: black-comedy, brad-dourif, dramaG, nicolas-cage, werner-herzog
Grizzly Man
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Timothy Treadwell Timothy Treadwell Werner Herzog Werner Herzog
By far, the most interesting and informative review of this movie is an Amazon Customer Review written by Tracy H and posted here. This reviewer wrote a fascinating and detailed analysis of not only the movie, but on the personalities, characters and motivations of the human participants and many others who felt compelled to ruminate aloud about what Timothy Treadwell did, what happened to him and how Werner Herzog packaged the experience. It is the most interesting and thoughtful commentary on this movie that I've read, so far. Thank you, Tracy H.
By the way, in case you're interested, Roger Ebert's site has several excellent articles about Werner Herzog and this movie. I pulled a search of these by simply typing "Grizzly Man" into the search box on Roger Ebert's site. The articles give extra insight into the movie, one of its presentations and Werner Herzog, if you're interested.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Werner Herzog.
Labels: adventure4, docu-drama, road-movie, tragedy3, werner-herzog
Thursday, March 21, 2024
White Christmas
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bing Crosby Bob Wallace Danny Kaye Phil Davis Rosemary Clooney Betty Haynes Vera-Ellen Judy Haynes Dean Jagger Mjr Gen Tom Waverly Mary Wickes Emma Allen Johnny Grant Ed Harrison John Brascia John/Johnny
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1954
Directed by Michael Curtiz.
Labels: Christmas, dance, dean-jagger, musical2, vera-ellen
The Belle of New York
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Fred Astaire Charlie Hill Vera-Ellen Angela Bonfils Marjorie Main Mrs. Phineas Hill Keenan Wynn Max Ferris
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by Charles Walters.
Labels: dance, fred-astaire, marjorie-main, musical2, vera-ellen
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
All the King's Men
- Commentary: Under construction.
I am one of those who went to high school during the time when the book upon which this movie was based was commonly read in class. In my case, it was a "comp lit" class. Yes, the movie had long since been released by the time our class was assigned to read the book, but since I was in a written literature class, bringing in a copy of the movie was never mentioned. At any rate, considering that I attended high school on Guam, it's likely there was not a copy of the movie to be had in our area.
At the time I read the book, my father expressed an interest in it and read the book, too. I was a fast reader and, anyway, I had been assigned it for class, so I put him off until I'd read it. When he and I got around to talking about the book, which was discouraging to my politically naive mind, I discovered that the book depressed him even more than it had me. I wasn't really surprised by this. My father had a temperament that found life absurd and bleak. He was not unfamiliar with politicians like Willie Stark (and, aside from being a southerner and having lived in Louisiana, also had a clear memory of Huey Long), their ambitions and their tactics, so the book hit him hard. Still, we had some pertinent discussions about the book, the man and the issues. Although I also inherited (or learned) a talent for wallowing in the dregs of life, my propensity for this was not nearly as pronounced as my father's was. None the less, Willie Stark's (Huey Long's) story has stayed with me, in detail, and I have not trusted any politician since reading the book.
I'm really looking forward to watching this movie. I'm sure Broderick Crawford was the right actor to play this character. This being an election year, for the first time in my life as a voter I am contemplating whether I'm even going to vote, this year. It's possible that I won't. Some of that decision will likely ride on how this movie hits me. Watching the movie may even prompt me to read the book, again.
I will likely report back, again, later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Broderick Crawford Willie Stark John Ireland Jack Burden Joanne Dru Anne Stanton John Derek Tom Stark Mercedes McCambridge Sadie Burke Shepperd Strudwick Adam Stanton Ralph Dumke Tiny Duffy Anne Seymour Mrs. Lucy Stark
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1949
Directed by Robert Rossen.
Labels: political6