Sunday, October 09, 2005
The Women (1939) - The Joan Crawford Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This came as one of five in a Joan Crawford Collection (Click the part of the title that says "The Joan Crawford Collection" for a different summary and review). I've watched this movie three times, once, the first, on TCM. The link, by the way, will take you to TCM's "article links" page for their website, where you can access even more information on the movie.
Mom and I continue to be transfixed by this movie, especially the clothes and the in-color fashion sequence. Joan Crawford is a riot as the seductress. The opening credits alone are worth seeing over and over.
Update 9/23/21: I just want to mention, I remain, since Mom's death, a staunch fan of Joan Crawford and this movie. You might notice that I also have the remake of this movie, The Women - (2008). Although I enjoy Annette Bening's performance in it, I love Bette Midler as The Countess, I'm glad they included a lesbian and I salute the attempt not to pay fealty to the catch phrase on the cover of this version, "It's all about men!", still, the comedy isn't quite as heightened in the 2008 version and the showing of Mary Haine's clothing designs is kind of a letdown. During that scene it's hard not to be distracted by the thought, "Couldn't they have gotten a better designer for this movie?!?"
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Norma Shearer Mary Haines Joan Crawford Crystal Allen Rosalind Russell Sylvia Fowler Mary Boland The Countess De Lave Phyllis Povah Edith Potter Paulette Goddard Miriam Aarons Phyllis Povah Edith Potter Joan Fontaine Peggy Day Virginia Weidler Little Mary Haines Lucile Watson Mrs. Morehead Marjorie Main Lucy Dennie Moore Olga, the manicurist
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 1939
Directed by George Cukor.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, joan-crawford, marjorie-main, me-favorite3, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3, satire2, women's-movie1
Wimbledon
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This was a very pleasant little surprise of a movie. I figured we'd watch it once and trade it in but on the strength of the opening credits sequence alone, I'm keeping it, at least for a little while.
Update: 5/11/2022: I still have this movie in my collection, remember it every couple of years and watch it, yet again, with attention and pleasure. This surprises me because I thought I'd be donating it to my local library long before now. I think Roger Ebert expresses the appeal of this movie to me quite nicely (this quote is from the Wikipedia write-up of the film): "Wimbledon is a well-behaved movie about nice people who have good things happen to them. That's kind of startling, in a world where movie characters, especially in sports movies, occupy the edge of human experience. What a surprise to hear conversation instead of dialogue, and to realize that the villain may actually be right some of the time." That's right, Roger. And, for me, it still hasn't lost this charm. Plus, it's fun to see real-life tennis stars on film, and, there are some surprising bit part players in the film as well.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Bettany Peter Colt Kirsten Dunst Lizzie Bradbury Sam Neill Dennis Bradbury James McAvoy Carl Colt Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Dieter Prohl Jon Favreau Ron Roth John McEnroe Himself/Commentator Chris Evert Herself/Commentator
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Richard Loncraine.
Labels: dramaA, kirsten-dunst, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3, sport1
When Harry Met Sally
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom surprised herself by liking this film. She was especially taken with the interviews of older couples interspersed throughout the film talking about how they met years before they were interviewed.
Now maybe I can work up the courage to try Annie Hall on her.
On second thought, nah, I don't think so. They are completely different films. This film has a sheen of genuine sweetness that appeals to my mother and which Annie Hall does not contain.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Billy Crystal Harry Burns Meg Ryan Sally Albright Carrie Fisher Marie Bruno Kirby Jess
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1989
Directed by Rob Reiner.
Labels: comedy1, meg-ryan, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3
The Way We Were
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Both Mom and I are late comers to this movie. The first time either of us saw it, believe it or not, was the day I purchased it a month or so ago. All I knew about the movie was that it is an enormously popular chick flick and I intrigued by it's mention in a Sex and the City episode. Both of us were pleasantly surprised, especially with the political exploration of the era in which the movie took place. Excellent contemporary period piece.
Quick note: I also remember putting it in my "take-to-the-library" box, without hesitation. I was sure I'd never watch it again, once Mom died.
And, yet, I sometimes yearn to watch this movie, usually because I've watched the episode of Sex and the City - Ex and the City (Season 2 - Episode 18) in which the movie is mentioned, its theme is partially sung by the four friends and Carrie quotes a line from the movie when confronting Mr. Big in connection to him being engaged to Natasha (I know, scary how much I've absorbed of this show), but not enough to ever buy it. In fact, just now, I checked it out on Amazon and, despite a reasonable price, decided, nah, not today, anyway. Maybe, if it were around $5.00 (it was $11.99 on 7/31/21 and there is some confusion as to whether this particular edition is even playable in the U.S.), but, I don't know. Maybe some other day. Maybe not.
Ah. Well. I cleared up the region code issue, and the only edition that will play in my region is the blu-ray edition, which costs around $25.00. Also, I checked on Barnes & Noble. Their DVD was only $9.99, but shipping was $4.99 and, of course, there's tax. Turns out, too, that my local library has 9 copies, none checked out (kind of reminds me why I got rid of it in the first place), and my closest branch has one on the shelf (probably the one I donated to them). So, buying it? No thanks.
Directed by Sydney Pollack.
Update 11/18/21: I finally repurchased this movie, new, at a good price. Forgetting that I had already written it up, I wrote it up again. You can access that write-up in the list to the left, referred to as The Way We Were - 2. That post is where I attached the Actor/Role list, as well.
Labels: dramaA, james-woods, political4, robert-redford, romance3
Stolen Summer
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This was a surprise. It came to us as the "freebie" in a very reasonably priced two pack. I think Mom enjoyed it more than me, although I liked many of the performances. There are other dead people movies I prefer to this one: The Sixth Sense and even Wide Awake, and am more likely to rewatch. So, my local library got it.
There are, however, quite a few stand-out actors and performances in this movie, so I wanted to record their performances. You never know, I may be inspired to reacquire this movie.
Update: 5/11/2022 I have not yet been inspired to reacquisition, although I checked the movie out of the library, a few years after my mother died, when I was seeking comfort in the odd moments when the reality of the death of others was restricting my breath. I used City of Angels to the same purpose.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Adi Stein Pete O'Malley Mike Weinberg Danny Jacobsen Aidan Quinn Joe O'Malley Bonnie Hunt Margaret O'Malley Kevin Pollak Rabbi Jacobsen Brian Dennehy Father Kelly Ryan Jonathan Kelley Seamus O'Malley Eddie Kaye Thomas Patrick O'Malley
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Pete Jones.
Labels: dramaA
The Sting
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom's sister introduced both of us to this movie. Since knowing it was one of mom's sister's favorites it has become a favorite of Mom's although sometimes, now, it moves a little fast for her. I've always enjoyed this movie. It's like riding on a carousel.
Update 9/29/19: I know, I know. It may seem like I'm just looking for movies to include in my "gang-movie" category, but this movie is definitely a gang movie -- an "ad hoc" gang movie, with a muddled moral core (unusual for gang movies) that adds to its delightfulness.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Newman Henry Gondorff Robert Redford Johnny Hooker Robert Shaw Doyle Lonnegan Robert Earl Jones Luther Coleman Charles Durning Lt. William Snyder Ray Walston J.J. Singleton Eileen Brennan Billie Harold Gould Kid Twist Dana Elcar FBI Agent Polk Dimitra Arliss Loretta Salino Sally Kirkland Crystal Paulene Myers Alva Coleman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1973
Directed by George Roy Hill.
Labels: action3, adventure3, buddy, gang-movie, jean-favorite, mom-favorite2, mystery2, period5, popcorn-and-soda5, robert-redford
Shakespeare in Love
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of my favorites. I think we originally watched it on television without Closed Captioning. Mom isn't as familiar with Shakespeare and 17th century English as I am but I think she'll like this story, once she can read the lines. I love it. To me it's an overview of much of the best of Shakespeare.
Turns out, I was right. She did enjoy it when she could read the lines, even though she's not a Shakespeare buff. The thing about this movie is that it's colorful, there's lots of action that underlines the plot, and the acting is often, on purpose, so close to the top that it's in danger of spilling over, but, that's so much the better for the kind of movie this is.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joseph Fiennes William Shakespeare Gwyneth Paltrow Viola de Lesseps Geoffrey Rush Philip Henslowe Colin Firth Lord Wessex Ben Affleck Ned Alleyn Judi Dench Queen Elizabeth I Simon Callow Edmund Tilney Imelda Staunton Nurse Tom Wilkinson Hugh Fennyman Daniel Brocklebank Sam Gosse Rupert Everett Christopher Marlowe John Inman Lady Capulet actor
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by John Madden.
Labels: ben-affleck, dramedy2, fantasy3, historical3, me-favorite4, romance3, shakespeare, tom-wilkinson
Roseanne: 1st & 2nd Seasons
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3*
- Commentary: This is one of both of our's long time favorites. Even with the series at hand, if we're channel surfing and discover an episode we watch it. We will definitely be collecting all the seasons, even the much maligned (and much deserving of being maligned) last season.
As far as post title reviews are concerned, I decided to link the first part of the title up through "1st" to a review that was enthusiastic. I linked "2nd Seasons" to a less enthusiastic but nonetheless informative review. Considering that I've never expanded my collection of this show's dvds, I think that's a fair representation of where I am on the subject of this show.
Update 2/9/18: Well, we didn't collect all the seasons and I'm not sure that I will. My love for this show hasn't evaporated but I haven't, since my mother's death, watched what I have so I'm not sure I'd watch any of the other seasons. I did, take note, watch the syndicated reruns on television, as long as I had a cable subscription. That's over now, though. Perhaps I have a strong enough memory of the series that I don't need to rewatch it, anymore. However, I continue to hang onto it through multiple library dumps of other movies and shows. And, I have fond memories of certain specific scenes in these two seasons, and a few other seasons.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Roseanne Barr Roseanne Conner John Goodman Dan Conner Laurie Metcalf Jackie Harris Michael Fishman D.J. Conner Sara Gilbert Darlene Conner Lecy Goranson Becky Conner Estelle Parsons Beverly Harris Natalie West Crystal Anderson-Conner George Clooney Booker Brooks Fred Thompson Keith Faber Ed Conner Ned Beatty Jared Rushton Chip
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988-1990
Directed by: Most of the episodes in Season 1 are directed by a woman. All of the episodes in Season 2 are directed by a man.
Labels: comedy1, female-director2, ned-beatty, satire2, shared-favorite, TV2
Pride and Prejudice
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I've seen this three times; Mom's seen it twice. The first time we weren't using Closed Captioning and she found the English accents irritating. The second time around she thoroughly enjoyed it and we watched the entire series, six hours, I think, in one afternoon-evening marathon. This is my favorite video recreation of this story.
Update 8/16/21: I'm surprised I neglected to mention that this series was recommended to us by Mom's hairdressser, way back when, who enthused about it so much it was impossible for me not to acquire it, since the hairdresser finally gave Mom a copy of the series. I have never been sorry that she did!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jennifer Ehle Elizabeth Bennet Colin Firth Fitzwilliam Darcy Adrian Lukis George Wickham Alison Steadman Mrs. Bennet Benjamin Whitrow Mr. Bennet David Bamber William Collins Susannah Harker Jane Bennet Julia Sawalha Lydia Bennet Lucy Briers Mary Bennet Polly Maberly Catherine Bennet Lucy Briers Mary Bennet Emilia Fox Georgiana Darcy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Simon Langton.
Labels: period5, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3, shared-favorite
Possessed - The Joan Crawford Collection
- Who's watched: Neither
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This came as one of five in a Joan Crawford Collection (Click the part of the title that says "The Joan Crawford Collection" for a different summary and review). Yet another in the we haven't watched, although it sounds as tantalizing as the rest.
We finally watched this film and it had the same effect on us as The Damned Don't Cry. It's not only fascinating to watch Joan Crawford emote her way through this movie, the breadth of this movie is huge, which makes it treacherously engaging. I mean, if you think you can watch bits of it here and there, forget it. Once you start this picture, you will be cancelling whatever activities you had planned to interrupt the film into sections.
Update: 9/23/21: I've watched this film many times since Mom's death. For some reason I find the old style psychiatric babble spewed as Louise is being diagnosed fascinating. It's pretty much old school, now, but it's, hmmm, educational, I guess, to listen to. In addition, Louise's murderous rage seems likely to this day, and, yes, Louise, David is surely a cad, you should have given him up, but it's hard, isn't it, when you love someone and even you can't explain why, because he's a cad. Plus, there's all the drama going on with the man she marries, Dean Graham, and his daughter, who is maturing before her eyes and becomes an imaginary threat to Louise. Such a delectable movie! So full of Louise's internal histrionics! This one's a keeper!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joan Crawford Louise Howell Van Heflin David Sutton Raymond Massey Dean Graham Geraldine Brooks Carol Graham Stanley Ridges Dr. Willard Nana Bryant Pauline Graham Peter Miles Wynn Graham Griff Barnett Coroner
Here you can find a link to the Wikipedia write-up on this film. The first link attached to the title of this post will take you to TCM's article on this film. In addition, if you move your cursor through to the second link in the title above, you will find DVD Savant's review of this movie in second place on the page.
Release Date: 1947
Directed by Curtis Bernhardt.
Labels: dramaA, film-noir2, joan-crawford, melodramaA, van-heflin
Mildred Pierce 1945 film - The Joan Crawford Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This came as one of five in a Joan Crawford Collection (Click the part of the title that says "The Joan Crawford Collection" for a different summary and review). Each of us had seen this at least once before we acquired it. Both of us are fascinated by the emotional violence in the film.
Update 9/23/21: I often watch this version and Kate Winslet's Mildred Pierce mini-series back-to-back. They both feature terrific actors in all parts. The actors who play Veda are both equally electrifying. Despite the fact that Joan Crawford has a penchant for playing "bad women", she was equally effective in this movie as a good woman, a woman who values her cohorts, a woman who expects nothing but the same from her husband but is not devastated when he fails, and a woman who over-values a talented but uncompassionate daughter. Granted, the daughter in this version isn't really much to hang one's hopes on, while Kate Winslet's daughter Veda is promising. And, in the mini-series, no one gets killed. But, the overall effect is the same, and quite delicious to watch!
An added delight with this version is Eve Arden as Ida Corwin, the role Mare Winningham plays in the miniseries. Eve Arden is sassy and smart as Ida Corwin, but we don't get a lot of her character development in the movie. In the mini-series, Ida's trajectory expands and becomes a mini-story in its own right.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joan Crawford Mildred Pierce Jack Carson Wally Fay Zachary Scott Monty Beragon Eve Arden Ida Corwin Ann Blyth Veda Pierce Bruce Bennett Bert Pierce Lee Patrick Maggie Biederhof Moroni Olsen Inspector Peterson
The link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film can be found here.
Release Date: 1945
Directed by Michael Curtiz.
Labels: dramaA, film-noir2, joan-crawford, me-favorite3, melodramaA, mystery2
In Good Company
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3*
- Commentary: All time favorite for both of us. Right up there with My Best Friend's Wedding.
This is a jaunty, what-do-I-do-now-that-I-have-no-job film. As with most of these types of films, the solution the movie conjures is impractical at best, impossible at worst. It's a feel good scenario, though. When Mom first saw the film she chuckled most of the way through. Although she's not really aware of it, she's a big fan of Dennis Quaid (his screen presence, that is; I doubt she'd know his name if she heard it).
Update 5/12/2022: I didn't acquire The Day After Tomorrow until after she died; I wasn't even aware of it. I'm sorry it was late coming to my awareness because I knew, as I first watched it, if she'd seen it, she would have drooled throughout the entire movie because of the presence of Dennis Quaid.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Dennis Quaid Dan Foreman Topher Grace Carter Duryea Scarlett Johansson Alex Foreman Marg Helgenberger Ann Foreman Clark Gregg Mark Steckle David Paymer Morty Wexler Philip Baker Hall Eugene Kalb Malcolm McDowell Teddy K
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Paul Weitz.
Labels: comedy2, shared-favorite
Humoresque - The Joan Crawford Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This came as one of five in a Joan Crawford Collection (Click the part of the title that says "The Joan Crawford Collection" for a different summary and review). Both of us were surprised at the drama and melodrama. I enjoyed Joan Crawford's performance. It was much more vulnerable that I expected. As usual, Mom and I loved the clothes of the period. Mom hasn't seen the movie all the way through but has seen all of it in fits and starts.
I'm beginning to think that this collection, alone, has turned me into a staunch Joan Crawford fan! This movie is one of the most rapturous and elegant she did that I've seen. John Garfield's performance is stellar. The inclusion of Oscar Levant as the deadly comical Sid Jeffers is perfect for alleviating what could have been a smothering disaster. Instead, this film is quite blatant in its description of the patron and the artist on all counts. I think the lesson of the movie is that patrons simply cannot expect the same devotion from their artists as they give to their artists. My guess is that this is a lesson that continues to be played over and over in the art world, which means this movie, which has already stood the test of time, despite, or, perhaps because of, being pilloried, the object of satire and misunderstood will remain a spectacular referent of a potent object lesson for years to come. And, the music! Oscar Levant and Isaac Stern! Who couldn't love this combination?
For DVD Savant's review of this movie, click down the page connected to the second link in the title, up there, and you'll find his review as the first of three Joan Crawford movies reviewed on that page. TCM also has an informative write-up about the movie that you can access by clicking on the first link in the title above.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joan Crawford Helen Wright John Garfield Paul Boray Robert Blake Paul Boray child Tommy Cook Paul Boray child J. Carrol Naish Papa Rudy Boray Ruth Nelson Mama Esther Boray Peggy Knudsen Florence Boray Tom D'Andrea Phil Boray Joan Chandler Gina Oscar Levant Sid Jeffers Richard Gaines Bauer John Abbott Conductor Bauer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1946
Directed by Jean Negulesco.
Labels: dramaA, film-noir2, joan-crawford, melodramaD, romance3
Holy Christian KJV Bible
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: Although this is neither a movie nor a show, it is a DVD production with which to be reckoned and deserves mention. This production has some technical faults such as not being able to pause and fast forwarding/rewinding is painful. But the voice and voice variants are excellent and Mom and I are both fascinated with watching the bible and listening to it being read. We've picked up a companion explanation bible to consult.
Narrated by Stephen Johnston.
Just in case, here's a wikipedia "explanation" of the King James Version of the Holy Christian Bible.
Release Date: 2003
No director listed including in source material.
Labels: apocalyptic, audio-visual, jesus-dvds, religion1, spiritual1
Funny Girl
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom has never cared for Barbra Streisand, neither her voice nor her presence. I have always adored Barbra Streisand without question. Having said this, we both enjoyed this movie and Mom has a few other Barbra Streisand favorites, like Nuts and Yentl (here's my own post about Yentl, neither of which we've yet collected (I acquired Yentl the April after Mom died). She also has a problem with Omar Shariff. She considers him overwhelming. I think he's great in this movie.
Update 7/31/21: Forgive me, but this reminds me of a funny story to tell on myself. Soon after I'd discovered Barbara Streisand, long before this movie came out, I used to wander around the house singing Streisand songs I'd heard on the radio, trying, as hard as possible, to imitate her voice. I asked my mother, once, if I sounded at all like Streisand and she replied, "Oh, much better!" I'm sure she said this because she had no love for Streisand's voice, and I knew this, so I dismissed her comment. During the same period but a bit later, though, I was told by a friend who overheard me vocalizing on "the slab" (the concrete foundation of an abandoned tennis court in our housing area), one day, that I sounded like Mahalia Jackson. Although I was startled, considering who I was trying to imitate, I was also familiar with Jackson's voice and was deeply complimented by her comment. Truth is, though, I do not have a good singing voice because I don't have a good ear for my own voice. I do for instruments being played, including when I play them, but I can't hear myself slip when my voice goes off-key. So, no chance that I'll ever be "discovered", even though I continue to sing, and hum, throughout odd moments of the day.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbra Streisand Fanny Brice Omar Sharif Nicky Arnstein Kay Medford Rose Brice Anne Francis Georgia James Walter Pidgeon Florenz Ziegfeld Lee Allen Eddie Ryan Mae Questel Mrs. Strakosh Gertrude Flynn Mrs. O'Malley
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1968
Directed by William Wyler.
Labels: barbra-streisand, biography2, dramedy2, musical2, period5, romance3
Don Juan DeMarco
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm truly surprised I've never mentioned this film in the journal. Since I saw it in the theater I've rented it for both of us to watch. We are both always delighted with it.
My mother consistently snorts her ironic disapproval during the scenes in which DeMarco talks about women. At one point, the first time she saw it, she rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, brother!" By the end, though, she is always won over. This is one of those movies that makes me wonder which I enjoy more; watching the movie or watching my mother watch the movie.
It is important to note (as I did in the table below) that Selena, yes, that Selena, appears briefly in this movie. It seems this was her only film appearance. It was noted in her Wikipedia write-up, to which I've linked in the table, below.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Marlon Brando Dr. Jack Mickler/Don Octavio de Flores Johnny Depp John Arnold DeMarco/Don Juan Faye Dunaway Marilyn Mickler Géraldine Pailhas Doña Ana Bob Dishy Dr. Paul Showalter Franc Luz Don Antonio Rachel Ticotin Doña Inez Selena Pérez Ranchera Singer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Jeremy Leven.
Labels: dramedy2, faye-dunaway, marlon-brando, me-favorite3, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3
Dead Again
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out strictly on the strength of my familiarity with Derek Jacobi, Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. What a romp! I fell in love with all of it: The story, the presentation, the delightful performance by Andy Garcia, the suspense, there isn't an aspect of it I don't love. I've rented it and shown it to Mom a couple of times. She is always entranced. Thus, I ended up adding it to our movie collection.
It was this movie, in fact, the watching of which brought out the police on one of two noise ordinance complaints. [The other complaint was during an evening Mary Tyler Moore marathon.] It is worth it. Both times.
Update 5/12/2022: The truth? I recently viewed (and enjoyed) this film again (I think it was the fourth or fifth viewing in my life). Yes, it's fun, very involving, and I have a special fondness for remembering my watching of it with Mom. It also got largely great reviews. But, you know what? When I watched it again recently, I was suddenly struck by the fact that I think it's an elaborate vanity project. I mean, the overwhelming (both in number and reputation) cast? The almost unbearable number of twists and turns? The hint, no, more than a hint, of overwrought acting? But, you know, it's tasty. Very tasty. And, if you ever want to call the police to your house ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kenneth Branagh Mike Church/Roman Strauss Emma Thompson Grace/Amanda Sharp/Margaret Strauss Andy García Gray Baker Derek Jacobi Franklyn Madson Wayne Knight Pete Dugan Robin Williams Dr. Cozy Carlisle Hanna Schygulla Inga Campbell Scott Doug
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Labels: andy-garcía, me-favorite3, mystery2, neo-noirA, popcorn-and-soda5, robin-williams
The Damned Don't Cry - The Joan Crawford Collection
- Who's watched: Neither
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This came as one of five in a Joan Crawford Collection (Click the part of the title that says "The Joan Crawford Collection" for a different summary and review), only two of which either of us had seen. The name, alone, causes us to mention reminders to each other to watch it.
When we finally watched this movie, we were both mesmerized. My mother's comment after watching it was: "My goodness, she's good at playing desperate characters! I can't take my eyes off her, no matter what she does!" My sentiments, exactly.
The DVD Savant's review of this film can be found by scrolling down to the last movie review on the page connected to the second link in the title of this post. In addition, at the first link in the title to this post you can find links to two TCM articles loaded with information about this movie.
Update 9/29/19: An argument can be made for not including this in my "gang-movie" category, but, it is a gang movie, just from a mid-20th-century woman's perspective. As well, Joan Crawford is stupendous in the role of a gangster's moll.
Update: 9/23/21: This movie expertly portrays the heat (both physical and emotional) and the brittleness of Las Vegas. It's not a wonder that it does this so well. There's an umbilical link between Las Vegas and Hollywood that has existed for decades. It also well accentuates what might cause someone seeking their fortune to seek out either of these places and do what they have to do to succeed. It does this not through just Joan Crawford's character, but through many others, major and minor. The end is raw and devastating, as it shows what happens when the last good character has to make bad choices.
Update: 5/12/22: I've included Strother Martin in the table, below, because, although it's a walk-on, dive-off part which probably refuses any on-film recognition to the actor, he became ubiquitous as a character actor in both film and television after this and a few other parts (this part was his very first on-film part) and is generally celebrated as a premiere character actor. Check out his credits in his Wikipedia write-up, to which I've linked above. He's instantly recognizable. The guy was everywhere, in everything, for good reason. He died too young, but he made the absolute most of his time. Thank you, Strother. Do they make them like this, anymore? Let's hope so.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joan Crawford Ethel Whitehead/Lorna Hansen Forbes David Brian Joe Cavany/George Castleman Steve Cochran Nick Prenta Kent Smith Martin Blackford Selena Royle Patricia Longworth Morris Ankrum Mr. Whitehead Richard Egan Roy Whitehead Strother Martin Springboard Diver
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1950
Directed by Vincent Sherman.
Labels: dramaA, film-noir2, gang-movie, joan-crawford, melodramaD
Big
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom has to be in the right mood for this movie. As a former elementary school teacher she is all too aware of how children long to be adults and that the truth of the matter is that adults may long to be younger adults, but they don't long to be children. Ever.
Despite my mother's discomfort, and disagreement, with this film, watching it always puts me in the right mood, but, then, I was never a teacher, formally, and never had kids, on purpose. Penny Marshall is a sentimental genius.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Hanks Joshua Baskin David Moscow Young Josh Elizabeth Perkins Susan Lawrence Robert Loggia Mr. MacMillan John Heard Paul Davenport Jared Rushton Billy Francis Kopecki Jon Lovitz Scotty Brennen Mercedes Ruehl Mrs. Baskin
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988
Directed by Penny Marshall.
Labels: comedy2, coming-of-age2, fantasy3, female-director1, popcorn-and-soda5, tom-hanks
Beyond the Sea
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I bought this sight unseen based on television previews. Although I don't have a fascination with Bobby Darin, I do have a fascination with the song of the movie title and I love watching Kevin Spacey do a tour de force. Mom enjoyed the fairy tale quality of the story, was pleasantly surprised at the constant introduction of the kid, but thought that the nasty marriage backstory could have been dumped. I thought Kate Bosworth was amazing as Sandra Dee. My only complaint has to do with aesthetics. I remember when Sandra Dee was a star. I wasn't in the age group that revered her, I was a little too young, but my older sister was, and bought the magazines that featured her and such celebrities as Bobby Darin, Troy Donahue, the Nelson brothers, etc. I also have an acute memory of style from that period, because I hated it so. In this movie, Kate Bosworth's hair is softly tousled, à la some decades later. Her clothes are are swishy and loose fitting, considering the style. Her make-up was airy and light. Let me tell you, Sandra Dee's hair was fashioned and sprayed into tightly coiffed helmet, even when it was long and appeared to be "flowing". There was no tousling about it. Her bodices were tight and she appeared to be corseted underneath. Her breasts were encased in the padded cones that were so popular in that era. Her make-up was thick and obvious, as befitted the fashion of the times. It was, specifically, the fashion that encased Sandra Dee and her female peers against which my peer rebelled. My guess is that the movie wouldn't have been as big a hit if the costuming and make-up departments had gotten it absolutely right. I'm sure, in fact, that they were aware of what they were rejecting. The standard of glamour in those days looks silly and pretentious, now. But, yes, that was Sandra Dee's standard of glamour.
This movie is not easy to watch. It's hard to forget that Darin died at the age of 37 and Spacey is older than that as he plays Darin. He also does an amazing job as Bobby Darin but, as I watch the movie, I keep wondering why, why does it exist? A special feature, of course, explains that Spacey has been possessed by the spirit of Darin for a long time. This may be true, but, in that case, it seems as though a better movie could have been made if the making of it hadn't been rushed. Not that I have any information that tells me it was. It just seems to have been. And, yet, I'm a little possessed by the spirit in Darin's singing, at least, too. I have mp3 copies of a couple of his songs, including the one after which this movie was named and "Mack the Knife". Darin's is my all time favorite rendition of this song. I never really liked night club singing much, was never a fan of Sinatra, Martin, Davis Jr., Martino, any of those singers or, later, the Michael Bublé/Harry Connick, Jr. crowd. But, for a lot of complicated reasons, I don't consider watching this movie a waste of time. I even got rid of it, once, then bought it, again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Spacey Bobby Darin William Ullrich Young Bobby Kate Bosworth Sandra Dee Bob Hoskins Charlie Maffia John Goodman Stephen Blauner Brenda Blethyn Polly Cassotto Caroline Aaron Nina Cassotto Maffia Greta Scacchi Mary Douvan
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Kevin Spacey.
Labels: biography2, musical2, popcorn-and-soda5
Baby Boom
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: We both adore this movie. I've rented it a couple of times, so finally decided it was time to buy it. Mom has an attraction to movies about people who aren't prepared to handle babies but have to, anyway. I don't like babies, particularly, but I do like stories of inventive entrepreneurship under impossible circumstances and I like Diane Keaton.
It's interesting for me to note, as well, that this movie scored two write-ups on RogerEbert.com. The first is linked to the title of this post. The other is significant as a 30th anniversary celebration of this movie here, written by Joyce Kulhawik.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Diane Keaton J.C. Wiatt Sam Shepard Dr. Jeff Cooper Harold Ramis Steven Buchner Kristina & Michelle Kennedy Elizabeth Alice Wiatt Sam Wanamaker Fritz Curtis James Spader Ken Arrenberg Pat Hingle Hughes Larrabee Chris Noth Yuppie Husband Linda Ellerbee Narrator Britt Leach Verne Boone Annie Golden A Nanny Victoria Jackson Eve
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 1987
Directed by Charles Shyer.
Labels: comedy2, diane-keaton, pat-hingle, popcorn-and-soda5, shared-favorite
