Monday, November 14, 2005
The Last Emperor
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This movie causes both Mom & me to swoon. I'm pleased we finally own a copy. It's a "mood movie" for me: When I'm in the mood to watch it, nothing can take it's place and when we didn't own it I hungered for it when I wanted to see it.
Here you will find a list of resources about Pu Yi, people surrounding him and his time in history. Excellent resource.
Update 5/13/2022: Yes, I continue to hunger for this movie, at least once a year, sometimes more. It has seemed especially pertinent within the last few years because of the political clashes around the globe over who has a right to govern, and, sometimes, own, countries and regions. Although there is usually some coverage of the challenged governments, these days, there is hardly any coverage of the personal effects on ousted leaders. Covering these concerns regarding the family and staff of those leaders is covered almost never.
Besides this, there are many excellent actors playing these roles.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role John Lone Adult Puyi Joan Chen Wanrong Peter O'Toole Reginald Johnston Ying Ruocheng Camp Warden Victor Wong Chen Baochen Dennis Dun Big Li Ryuichi Sakamoto Masahiko Amakasu Maggie Han Eastern Jewel Ric Young Camp Interrogator Vivian Wu Wenxiu Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Chang Lisa Lu Empress Dowager Cixi Basil Pao Prince Chun Dong Liang Lady Consort Chun Henry O Lord Chamberlain Tijger Tsou Puyi 8 years
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1987
Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.
Labels: biography2, coming-of-age2, dramaA, haunting2, historical3, me-favorite2, political4, royals, spectacle2
De-lovely
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Pure delight for both Mom and me. One of my favorite aspects of this film is the presentation of each song. These presentations are specfically suited to the song by performer and setting. It seems fitting, since Cole Porter was a popular entertainment song writer. This is a keeper and one we'll watch frequently. Alanis Morissette is one of these performers.
Update 2/7/18: Although I rarely update one of these blurbs to include another link, I'm going to, this time. Roger Ebert wrote a lovely (yes, lovely), meticulous review of this movie which I always remember whenever I think of, or watch, it (yes, I continue to watch it; sometimes, nothing else will do). Check it out in the title to this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Kline Cole Porter Ashley Judd Linda Lee Porter Jonathan Pryce Angel Gabriel Kevin McNally Gerald Murphy Sandra Nelson Sara Murphy Allan Corduner Monty Woolley Peter Polycarpou Louis B. Mayer Keith Allen Irving Berlin
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Irwin Winkler.
Labels: biography2, historical3, jonathan-pryce, kevin-kline, musical1, shared-favorite
Twilight Zone: 1st Season
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3*
- Commentary: Mom and I were both excited about finding this at Costco. Alas, the series, for us, anyway, is much better in memory than in reality. We have no quarrel with its reputation, its place as a cultural icon, its historical significance as literature and television and we concede intellectually that it was a groundbreaking series. But we couldn't help but laugh through several of the episodes. We're keeping this season but I don't think we'll be purchasing anymore. We both, by the way, continue to love Rod Serling's voice during his introductions.
Update 5/13/2022: I did not even think twice about consigning this to the library, once Mom died, although, it should be said, she and I actually never watched any of the episodes, again, after our first "outing" with this. I probably could have donated it long before Mom died. In addition, I'm not going to bother to set up a table of Actors and Roles, there are so many.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
Release Date: 1959-1960
Directed by several people, no women.
Labels: dramaA, fantasy3, mystery2, suspense2, TV2
Shōgun
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I got this as a nod to Mom (see mention) but, lo and behold, I enjoy it, too. It's not even a guilty pleasure for me. It's got some great actors in it, I enjoy the fact that the Japanese is not subtitled in English because it keeps the viewer in the same position as Anjin-San and, well, it's an involving production. Mom could probably watch this 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
The interesting thing about this series and the book upon which it is based is that there is much historical background upon which they are based. Check out the Wikipedia article, linked below, and cruise through the actor list with its historical equivalents.
Update 2/9/18: I recently rewatched this series over a few nights, mainly to see if I wanted to donate it to the library. I vaguely noticed some "dating", but was still swept up. It will be remaining in my collection, for awhile, at least.
Update 5/13/2022: You may think that, by now, this series is close to the donate-to-the-library box. Not so! I've actually watched the entire series, over a weekend, about four months ago, in the depth of winter. I know its structure as a mini-series is dated but I continue to find it engaging, worthy of a winter weekend, and, perhaps, even a mid-summer weekend when there's nothing to do but, well, watch a mini-series!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Chamberlain John Blackthorne Toshirô Mifune Yoshi Toranaga Yoko Shimada Lady Toda Mariko Frankie Sakai Kashigi Yabu Alan Badel Father Dell'Aqua Michael Hordern Friar Domingo Damien Thomas Father Martin Alvito John Rhys-Davies Vasco Rodrigues
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by Jerry London.
Labels: action3, adventure3, dramaA, mom-favorite2, period5, political4, popcorn-and-soda4, spectacle2, toshirô-mifune, TV2
The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: Tragedy
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I used to be a Shakespeare snob. Up until the late 70's when I took a college course in Shakespeare I just didn't get what was interesting or important about Shakespeare's plays despite the fact that I'd studied two of them in high school. The course I took finally opened up the language and the structure for me. The class took place as these BBC produced plays were being broadcast on PBS. They were recommended by the instructor. I bought a television just to see them. I get it, now. Although I have some other favorite productions of some of these plays: Laurence Fishburne's portrayal of Othello, for instance, my favorite version of Hamlet is the production starring Richard Burton and Hume Cronyn, the vocals for which I have on vinyl, and my favorite version of Macbeth is the production by Roman Polanski which I didn't see until the early 1990s, these BBC productions are excellent and do not disappoint. I hope to obtain the entire collection, since I've seen the entire collection.
When I queue up these plays Mom tries her best but I think she's where I was before I took that course and, as well, she has trouble with British accents. It's easy for her to get bored and switch to her tabloids or take a nap.
As for me, I'd love to obtain the entire BBC Television Shakespeare series. It's quite a bit beyond my pocketbook, now, though, so I expect I'll never manage it, which is a shame, because BBC did a masterful job! If you're unsure about your relationship to Shakespeare's works, try checking out a few of these from your library. I think you'll discover, Shakespeare is writing about you, and your world.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this series. It's loaded with information, not only about the series in toto but about each production. If you're interested in these productions, don't ignore this link! - Hamlet
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Derek Jacobi Hamlet Claire Bloom Gertrude Patrick Stewart Claudius Eric Porter Polonius
→ derek-jacobi
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by Rodney Bennett. - Julius Caesar
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Pasco Brutus Charles Gray Julius Caesar Keith Michell Marcus Antonius David Collings Cassius
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1979
Directed by Herbert Wise. - Macbeth
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nicol Williamson Macbeth Jane Lapotaire Lady Macbeth Tony Doyle Macduff Jill Baker Lady Macduff
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Jack Gold. - Othello
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Anthony Hopkins Othello Bob Hoskins Iago Penelope Wilton Desdemona David Yelland Cassio
→ anthony-hopkins
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1981
Directed by Jonathan Miller. - Romeo & Juliet
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Patrick Ryecart Romeo Rebecca Saire Juliet Celia Johnson Nurse Alan Rickman Tybalt
→ alan-rickman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1978
Directed by Alvin Rakoff.
Labels: alan-rickman, anthony-hopkins, buddy, derek-jacobi, dramaA, haunting2, hume-cronyn, me-favorite2, period5, romance3, royals, shakespeare, tragedy2, TV2, violence3
Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom and I have caught this at least three times when it's showed on PBS during their funds drives. For both of us it's the Cosmos of philosophy/spirituality.
However, if I may, I don't know how my mother felt about this issue, but I have always found it disturbing that Campbell's Mythology Universe was so male centric that women are reduced to tools along the hero's path. I haven't given this much thought, until recently (starting, maybe, in 2019). Today (8/14/21), however, while refurbishing this post, I decided to see if I could find some critiques of Campbell's premises, possibly feminist critiques.
- First exhibit: a general critique of this broadcast interview between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell that does, indeed, touch, lightly, on the problem of women in Campbell's mythological universe, and, more heavily, on the morality and practicality of "the hero's journey" thinking.
- Second exhibit: Thoughts on the Legacy of Joseph Campbell, Feminist Reaction, and the Study of Myth. Long paper. Excellent read. Can be gleaned for further resources. Absolutely spot on in it's critique of Campbell's androcentricity, even as he speaks about "The Goddess".
- Third Exhibit: Here is a reddit post entitled Joseph Campbell and 'Women Don't Need To Make The Journey' which lead me to a profoundly informative and active site addressing the problem of Joseph Campbell, heroes and women, in the next link exhibit:
- Fourth Exhibit: There is, in fact, an entire website devoted to The Heroine Journeys project, in contradistinction to Campbell. It's full of wonderfully thoughtful material.
- Final Exhibit: Craig Chalquist, PhD writes on Why I Seldom Teach The Hero's Journey Anymore -- And What I Teach Instead. He even outlines his reimagining of Campbell's syllabus, which I find fascinating.
Release Date: 1988
No apparent director acknowledged, although Bill Moyers edited the conversations.
Update 2/8/18: I watched this, again, a few months ago. I've done a lot of reading and studying in mythology since Mom and I watched this series and I'm completely underwhelmed, now. Many sources do it better and more thoroughly. This will probably, eventually, be donated to the library or handed off to someone I know.
Update 2/10/18: I know, peculiar to attach the label "super-hero" to this series, but Campbell talks about the hero myth and, well, that's what generates super-heroes, agreed?
Update 8/14/21: No, I haven't donated this to my local library, yet. I think I'm keeping it because it continues to provide a valuable annoyance function for me. As I age, I am becoming more and more aware of the disgusting status of women in society. It always helps to have provocative and supportive material around, as that happens.
Update 5/13/2022: If you've ever watched an episode, or two, or all of this series and need to wash your mind out with a strong, effective soap, pick up a copy of Mary Daly's Gyn/Ecology.
Labels: documentary1, shared-favorite, spiritual1, super-hero2
The Question of God - Sigmund Freud & C. S. Lewis
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I bought this because we never caught the entire show on PBS and it intrigued both Mom and me. We haven't had it very long but have watched it twice. After the second watching I ordered the book. I'm sure it will be one that she and I will read aloud together. Although my mother considers herself a Christian and has a grounding in and much respect for C. S. Lewis' theology and little familiarity with Sigmund Freud's work, both times we've watched this, during some of the explanation of Freud's thought journey to atheism, my mother has said, "You know, he's got a point, there." I can guarantee that she never lost her belief and faith in [a G]od. She was born into a deeply Methodist family that included preachers, deaconesses and an organist who specialized in religious music. She was, however, always game for a contentious consideration of religious beliefs, including, and especially, the ones with which she was raised and that she "accepted". For instance, she and I spent a year of evenings reading The Seth Material out loud to one another and discussed it with meticulous determination. She was as happy doing this as she was when she took her Kerygma course.
Update 7/31/21: Much to my surprise, the Question of God Guide still exists on the internet, at the immediately previous link.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peter Eyre Sigmund Freud Erika Deutschova Martha Freud Simon Jones C.S. Lewis Martina Vachalova Joy Davidman
Astonishingly, Wikipedia does not have a page about this series. I'm baffled. However, IMDb has an informative page on this series that also lists actors, crew and technical details.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Catherine Tatge.
Labels: documentary1, religion1, shared-favorite, spiritual1
Saturday Night Fever
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I have, for a long time, been shy about mentioning my adoration for this movie. Something about the way it's put together from the beginning. Something about its nonmusical musical quality. Something about its datedness, which was dated when it was made and thus makes it a period piece. Something about the coarse vulnerability of the characters. Something about the title song. Mom likes watching it because it's a dance movie. That's good enough for me.
Update 2/6/18: Roger Ebert wrote two interesting reviews of this movie: one about his own feelings toward the movie and one about Gene Siskel's veneration of this movie in one of his "Great Movie" reviews. I've included both. Sadly, I was unable to find a complete review of this movie by Gene Siskel. There are bits and pieces all over the internet, mostly of his October 1999 review of the movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role John Travolta Anthony Manero Karen Lynn Gorney Stephanie Mangano Barry Miller Bobby C. Donna Pescow Annette
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1977
Directed by John Badham
Labels: coming-of-age2, dramaA, john-travolta, me-favorite3, musical1, period5, popcorn-and-soda4
Unbreakable
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This movie has an hypnotic effect on me. Aside from enjoying the super hero theory postulated in the movie and loving the way the father/son relationship is portrayed, I have a strong response to its technique, including the choice of shots, film editing, the way the story unfolds, the direction of the understated performances...every time I watch it I discover something new. It is, so far, my favorite Shyamalan movie. Mom likes its atmosphere but finds the story disturbing although she sticks with it when I watch it.
By the way, in addition to Roger Ebert's review of this movie, linked to the title of this post, there is an intriguing article on the cinematographic composition of this movie by Jim Emerson that is fascinating to read, if you're into understanding why this movie keeps you captured, scene to scene.
Update 2/10/18: This movie began my curiosity about and interest in super hero movies and stories. Not all of them, mind you. I'm a picky customer so there are many I don't like, often, for instance, later installments in super hero series, like Iron Man. I can only stand the first one. Be that as it may, I have a small, particular collection accruing and this is the first.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bruce Willis David Dunn Samuel L. Jackson Elijah Price/Mr. Glass Robin Wright Audrey Dunn Spencer Treat Clark Joseph Dunn Charlayne Woodard Mrs. Price Johnny Hiram Jamison 13-year-old Elijah Eamonn Walker Dr. Mathison Leslie Stefanson Kelly
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Labels: dramaA, fantasy3, haunting2, m-night-shyamalan, me-favorite3, mystery2, samuel-l-jackson, super-hero2, suspense2, violence3
Marvin's Room
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I absolutely had to own this movie. Read the mention linked above to see why. Mom tolerates me when I watch it and usually reads her tabloids. I think it's too quiet for her.
Miscellanous Notes: It is interesting, and curious, to see how many high profile actors were successfully solicited to perform in this relatively low profile film, even though it features what, at the time, would have been a high profile subject. Without them, this film could have turned maudlin, as so many "caregiver films" often do. This film is what I imagine must be called a "small" film, a gem surrounded by rhinestones.
In addition, Carly Simon wrote and performed the theme song "Two Little Sisters", with Meryl Streep adding background vocals.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Meryl Streep Lee Leonardo DiCaprio Hank Diane Keaton Bessie Robert De Niro Dr. Wally Hume Cronyn Marvin Gwen Verdon Ruth Hal Scardino Charlie Dan Hedaya Bob Cynthia Nixon Retirement Home Director Margo Martindale Dr. Charlotte Kelly Ripa Coral John Callahan Lance
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1996
Directed by Jerry Zaks.
Labels: caregiver, cynthia-nixon, diane-keaton, dramaA, hume-cronyn, leonardo-dicaprio, me-favorite3, meryl-streep, robert-de-niro
Tootsie
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm surprised there is no mention of this movie in my journals. The reason I bought a copy is that Mom and I watch it every time we notice it playing on TV but we usually manage to cue it up after it's already begun. I'm only a fair fan of gender-bender movies. They have to have other qualities to recommend them and the gender bending performance has to be really sleek for me to enjoy it. This one qualifies on both counts. Mom always forgets that Tootsie is being played by a man until the end. The sideline performance of her surprise is a delight in itself to watch.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Dustin Hoffman Michael Dorsey Jessica Lange Julie Nichols Teri Garr Sandy Lester Dabney Coleman Ron Carlisle Charles Durning Leslie Nichols Bill Murray Jeff Slater Sydney Pollack George Fields George Gaynes John Van Horn Geena Davis April Page Doris Belack Rita Marshall Ellen Foley Jacqui Lynne Thigpen Jo
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1982
Directed by Sydney Pollack.
Labels: geena-davis, gender-bender, mom-favorite2, popcorn-and-soda4, romance3, satire2
The Big Lebowski
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: What can I say? The Coen Brothers. Jeff Bridges. John Goodman. John Turturro. Steve Buscemi. The characterizations are over-the-top excellent. The humor is right up my alley. I can watch this one in whole or in part and never get tired of it. This is my definitive Up in Smoke movie.
In the Development section of the Wikipedia write-up, third paragraph down, there's a list of all the actors who were solicited for this film and turned it down. No snide remarks, here, just noting this and wondering, if any of them experienced, you know, regret, after the movie took off and became a literal classic.
I also want to mention The Nihilists, Peter Stormare, Torsten Voges, and Flea as Uli Kunkel/Karl Hungus, Franz, and Kieffer, as they are, depending on your outlook, key to the film, but I didn't have enough room above, so many were the actors who I thought deserved to be recognized for their performances in this film.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeff Bridges Dude Jeffrey Lebowski John Goodman Walter Sobchak Julianne Moore Maud Lebowski Steve Buscemi Donny Kerabatsos David Huddleston Big Jeffrey Lebowski Philip Seymour Hoffman Brandt Tara Reid Bunny Lebowski John Turturro Jesus Quintana Sam Elliott The Stranger David Thewlis Knox Harrington Ben Gazzara Jackie Treehorn Jon Polito Da Fino
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Joel Cohen.
Labels: buddy, jeff-bridges, john-turturro, julianne-moore, me-favorite3, neo-noirA, popcorn-and-soda5, satire2, steve-buscemi
Crash
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I bought this movie sight unseen on MPNC's recommendation. I enjoyed watching it, am clear on why MPNC found it meaningful and will probably watch it again, although I don't consider it quite as "important" as its advance publicity made it out to be. What I do like is that it is a "show, don't tell" movie. The performances are sharp, I appreciated the characters' predicaments, and especially appreciated Shaun Toub as Farhad, a Persian shop owner. He tends to play hidden but significant roles and when I see him on the screen my attention heightens.
All in all, though, I think Spike Lee did it better in Do the Right Thing. This movie was clearly "Hollywood". As I watched it the first time, I imagined the scriptwriters sitting around a table saying to one another, "Okay, we need one of these, and one of those, and a few of these supportives, and ...", you know, referring to people of different gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds as though they were chess pieces. Like they were playing the game of relevance. Do the Right Thing did not give me this impression. This movie is a presentation. Do the Right Thing is a story. I prefer stories, unless I'm watching a documentary, and, even then ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sandra Bullock Jean Cabot Don Cheadle Det. Graham Waters Matt Dillon Sgt. John Ryan Jennifer Esposito Ria Brendan Fraser DA Rick Cabot Terrence Howard Cameron Thayer Ludacris Anthony Thandiwe Newton Christine Thayer Michael Peña Daniel Ruiz Ryan Phillippe Ofc. Tom Hansen Larenz Tate Peter Shaun Toub Farhad
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Paul Haggis.
Labels: dramaA, political4, popcorn-and-soda5
My House in Umbria
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: Another favorite of mine. I love luxuriating in Maggie Smith's performance in this HBO movie. I love luxuriating in Maggie Smith's performances in any of her movies and TV productions! What a multifaceted actor she is!
I love the ambiance of the voice over in this movie. I enjoy the story. It takes "character driven" to a new level.
Mom has liked this movie on and off. She has to be in the mood for it. I'm always in the mood for it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Maggie Smith Emily Delahunty Chris Cooper Thomas Riversmith Timothy Spall Quinty Emmy Clarke Aimee
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Richard Loncraine.
Labels: chris-cooper, dramaA, dream1, maggie-smith, me-favorite3, TV2
The West Wing: The Entire Series
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: It took me a long time to decide to buy this series. When we watched it first run on TV I was never sure that Mom liked it. Finally, when the price dropped drastically and even more so at Costco, I picked up these seasons. To my surprise Mom was as fascinated with it in arrears as I am. We will probably and eventually purchase all the seasons, even the much maligned fifth and certainly the last season. Mom especially enjoys watching the episodes with the good subtitles and has mentioned that she "understands it a lot better" now that we can "rewind" when she doesn't catch something. When we watch this I am reminded how Mom still enjoys following politics even though she can't remember who the current president is and doesn't anymore care who it is.
I asked her, after we watched the first season on DVD, why she liked the show.
"It's like bartering in shops in Mexico," she said.
12/24/06 Update: You'll notice the designation has changed to "The Entire Series", rather than just seasons 1 & 2. I received the series this year as a surprise gift from a long time friend. It was an extreme surprise because he and I have never been known to exchange gifts, we rarely see each other, we don't email each other, we talk on the phone infrequently, and yet we remain bonded. He is one of the few people I know who is aware of my ambivalent interest in politics and my "secret" desire to become President of the United States. Truth is, I only vaguely remember talking to him about the series once, soon after it started, when Mom and I still lived part of the year in Mesa and, him living in Scottsdale, we spoke more frequently and occasionally visited one another. I do remember I was pretty excited about it, at the time we talked about it. So was he. He was recording the episodes. I wasn't, though. Funny thing, when I noticed that the entire series was available of a piece, I thought about buying it but since I already had the first two seasons and Mom and I hadn't watched it in awhile, I figured, well, maybe I should try it out on her again and see if I should collect the other seasons separately. I couldn't see spending the amount of money involved in purchasing the entire series when it would be cheaper for me to fill in the seasons. So, this was like one of those magical gift moments that blew me away!
Needless to say, I'll be turning the first two seasons in for credit at my usual search-for-bargains video store.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Martin Sheen Josiah Bartlet John Spencer Leo McGarry Bradley Whitford Josh Lyman Richard Schiff Toby Ziegler Allison Janney C.J. Cregg Janel Moloney Donna Moss Stockard Channing Abbey Bartlet Moira Kelly Mandy Hampton Joshua Malina Will Bailey Mary McCormack Kate Harper Alan Alda Arnold Vinick Jimmy Smits Matt Santos Rob Lowe Sam Seaborn Dulé Hill Charlie Young Kristin Chenoweth Annabeth Schott Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
Release Date: 1999-2006
Directed by, as usual, very few women, scattered throughout all seasons, mostly men.
Labels: aaron-sorkin, dramaA, dylan-baker, edward-james-olmos, female-director2, political4, presidential, TV2, william-devane, željko-ivanek
Sleepless in Seattle
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Although the story is pleasant enough and I enjoy the romantic comedy no matter how many times I see it, this movie is a hallmark for me because I lived in Seattle when it was being filmed, saw it during its first run in Seattle and watch it more for its ability to transport me back to Seattle than anything else. Mom enjoys the story.
Update: 5/14/2022: Just want to mention, after all these years, since I first saw this movie, in Seattle, where I was living during its initial release, I not only haven't grown tired of it, I watch it regularly, yearn for it, even, at least once or twice a year. When I learned one of my nephews was relocating to Seattle, I immediately made space in my day to watch this film. It's not the story, although that's entertaining. It's Seattle, the star of this movie, for me. As I watch I rewalk the streets and even mentally insert scenarios that are pertinent to me, and only to me. The story? Eh. The setting? Ahh!!
One final observation. In reading (long after I saw the movie several times) the critical rundown in Wikipedia on this movie, I realized they all missed the subtle satire undergirding the movie, which is what actually lifts it out of the category of "maudlin". Maybe you have to live in Seattle to catch this.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Hanks Sam Baldwin Meg Ryan Annie Reed Bill Pullman Walter Jackson Ross Malinger Jonah Baldwin Rob Reiner Jay Matthews Rosie O'Donnell Becky Gaby Hoffmann Jessica Victor Garber Role Name Actor Name Greg Rita Wilson Suzy David Hyde Pierce Dennis Reed Caroline Aaron Dr. Marcia Fieldstone
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Nora Ephron.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, comedy1, female-director2, me-favorite3, meg-ryan, romance3, tom-hanks
