Friday, February 10, 2006
Whale Rider
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I bought this movie on a hunch. I'd seen it a couple of times on PBS. The second time, I insisted my mother watch it. Unfortunately, both times it was shown without closed captioning and the New Zealand accents threw her for a loop. I thought, though, if she could see it with captioning she'd really enjoy it, so, when I noticed a copy of it for sale, I bought it. I was right. She not only enjoyed the movie but was interested in the special features, as well, even though they didn't have closed captioning. This is a strangely dreamy movie, while appearing to be firmly set in reality. It's one of the most unusual coming-of-age movies I've ever seen. I'm sure we'll be watching this again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Keisha Castle-Hughes Paikea Apirana Rawiri Paratene Koro Vicky Haughton Nanny Flowers Cliff Curtis Porourangi Grant Roa Uncle Rawiri Mana Taumaunu Hemi Rachel House Shilo Taungaroa Emile Willie
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Niki Caro.
Labels: coming-of-age1, drama9, dream1, fantasy3, female-director2, shared-favorite, sport1
The Sound of Music
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I actually asked Mom, when I noticed the 40th anniversary edition of this movie at Costco, if she wanted me to purchase a copy. Silly question. Although most of the songs are too catchy to be believed and I have good-but-not-quite-reverent memories of this movie, if she'd said "No" I would have heeded her request. Some years ago, when one of my nieces was much younger, this movie was her absolute favorite, always playing at her family's house to the point where I entered "The Sound of Music" overload and have yet to exit that state. I have to say, though, "watching" the movie while doing chores and tending to my mother is pleasant and my mother is thoroughly entertained, singing along, rocker-dancing, etc. As well, this edition includes the Biography channel program about the real Von Trapp family, which is enormously interesting, so much so that we found ourselves searching through movie scenes afterwards to compare fact with fiction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julie Andrews Maria Christopher Plummer Cpt. von Trapp Eleanor Parker Elsa von Schraeder Richard Haydn Max Detweiler Peggy Wood Mother Abbess Charmian Carr Liesl von Trapp Daniel Truhitte Rolf Gruber Nicholas Hammond Friedrich von Trapp Angela Cartwright Brigitta von Trapp Marni Nixon Sister Sophia Anna Lee Sister Margaretta Portia Nelson Sister Berthe
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1965
Directed by Robert Wise.
Labels: biography2, julie-andrews, musical1, period4, popcorn-and-soda4, romance2, spectacle2
Sense and Sensibility
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: We watched this one afternoon on TCM and our interest in it surprised us both. Every performance is a delight. The film of the story is much better than the book, full of character scrutinizing scenes. My mother teared up at the end of the movie; very unusual for her. When I saw a copy of it being sold, I had to have it. We watched it again, the day I bought it. Again, my mother was transported to tears at the end. We'll be watching this again.
It's notable that Roger Ebert reconsidered his initial two-and-a-half star review of this film. The article in which he talks about this is here, but surrounded by many other opinions on many other movies. Thus, I'm going to quote his reconsideration here:
"I didn't give 'Sense and Sensibility' a favorable review when it was first released. I preferred one of the year's other Jane Austen adaptations, 'Persuasion,' a tougher and more thought-provoking film. But as 'S & S' began to emerge as the Oscar front-runner, I went back to see it again. I enjoyed it, yes, and if I had it to do all over again I might be tempted to give it three stars instead of two and a half. (I wouldn't change a word of my newspaper review, however, which expresses both what I liked and didn't like about the film.)
"What 'Sense and Sensibility' has, above all, is the image of a high-minded, literate, respectable Oscar winner. It is from Britain (the Academy loves British films and actors). It is attached to Jane Austen, one of the most beloved trade names in literature. It has no negatives like sex, violence, or naughty words. Hollywood can honor it and feel good about itself: See here, it can say, what wholesome films we make!"
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Emma Thompson Elinor Dashwood Kate Winslet Marianne Dashwood Alan Rickman Colonel Brandon Imogen Stubbs Lucy Steele Hugh Grant Edward Ferrars Greg Wise John Willoughby Gemma Jones Mrs. Dashwood Hugh Laurie Mr. Palmer Imelda Staunton Charlotte Palmer Tom Wilkinson Mr. Dashwood Harriet Walter Fanny Dashwood Elizabeth Spriggs Mrs. Jennings
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Ang Lee.
Labels: period4, romance2, shared-favorite, tom-wilkinson
Planet of the Apes
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6* *7* *8* *9* *10*
- Commentary: Although normally I'd say that all the comments would suffice as a review, this time I can say even more. Mom's favorite of the series is the first. Mine is Conquest of, although Battle for is a close runner up. We both much enjoyed the documentary on the making of the series, Behind the. The truth is, there is much that makes this series outstanding for its time and, thus, worth viewing. It set a couple of standards for science fiction movies, involving make-up and respecting the viewer's need for detail that grants plausibility, as well as respectable gaps that aren't too hard for the viewer to fill in, that puts it in the category of "must haves" for any science fiction movie maven. Even though the documentary clearly outlines a story of trying to milk an idea for all it was worth, its truthfulness lends even more respectability to the series. My mother, of course, is much more of a fan than I, and this is saying a lot, as I can imagine that I will eagerly watch all these films again with her.
Update 2/9/18: As I was updating the links in this site I noticed this link connected to a wonderful site about all the Apes movies. It insinuates that it will not remain up forever, having become an "archived" site, then talks a bit about its history. I don't know when this announcement was posted. I hope it remains at least until my own Mom & Me Journals sites are retired; frankly, I can't even imagine that possibility. Blogspot, as far as I can tell, keeps sites up forever and a day, even if they become "ghost" sites.
Below is a list of all the movies in the sextilogy, the director of each and their corresponding links to their Wikipedia articles.
- Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlton Heston George Taylor Roddy McDowell Dr. Cornelius Kim Hunter Dr. Zira Maurice Evans Dr. Zaius James Whitmore Assembly President James Daly Dr. Honorious Linda Harrison Nova Robert Gunner Landon
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1968
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James Franciscus Brent Kim Hunter Zira Maurice Evans Dr. Zaius Linda Harrison Nova Paul Richards Mendez James Gregory General Ursus Gregory Sierra Verger Charlton Heston Taylor
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1970
Directed by Ted Post.
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Roddy McDowall Dr. Cornelius Kim Hunter Dr. Zira Bradford Dillman Dr. Lewis Dixon Natalie Trundy Dr. Stephanie Branton Eric Braeden Dr. Otto Hasslein William Windom U.S. President Sal Mineo Dr. Milo Ricardo Montalbán Armando
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1971
Directed by Don Taylor.
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Roddy McDowall Caesar Don Murray Governor Breck Ricardo Montalban Armando Natalie Trundy Lisa Hari Rhodes Role Name Severn Darden Kolp John Randolph Commission Chairman David Chow Aldo
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1972
Directed by J. Lee Thompson.
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Roddy McDowall Caesar Claude Akins Aldo Natalie Trundy Lisa Severn Darden Kolp Lew Ayres Mandemus John Huston The Lawgiver Richard Eastham Mutant Captain France Nuyen Alma
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1973
Directed by J. Lee Thompson.
- Behind the Planet of the Apes - Documentary
Very interesting, if you're a died-in-the-wool fan of these movies. My mom was, and she loved it. Although, frankly, I'm not sure if she thought she was watching a documentary or another Apes movie.
Hosted and Narrated by Roddy McDowell
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Kevin Burns & David Comtois.
Labels: apocalyptic, charlton-heston, mom-favorite2, nuclear, popcorn-and-soda4, science-fiction1
Notting Hill
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This came with About a Boy. If it hadn't, I probably would never have viewed this one, certainly wouldn't have bought it. It's definitely another frippery, but not exactly my style, although Mom liked it very much, so much that when I asked her, after our viewing, if we should keep it or trade it in, she looked at me as though I was crazy and said, "Keep it! Of course!". So, we're keeping it. I have to say, I very much enjoy the roommate. There are parts of the movie, though, that are distinct rip offs of Four Weddings and a Funeral. I enjoy those parts much more in FWAAF than I do here. As well, in FWAAF Hugh Grant is fresh. In this movie he seems to be leaning on past performances, to the detriment of this movie. He tends to be one note, anyway. Although I like his note, I prefer it well played.
Update 7/31/21: Just a self-actualizing note here. I chucked FWAAF to the library and kept this! Have I watched it since I got rid of FWAAF? No. So, the next time I thin my collection, perhaps you should expect this movie's title to be changed to garish yellow. I'll watch it first, though, just to make sure. Maybe there's something about it I'll like that I didn't like, or, at least, couldn't handle, through another watching of FWAAF. We'll see.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julia Roberts Anna Scott Hugh Grant William Thacker Hugh Bonneville Bernie Emma Chambers Honey Thacker James Dreyfus Martin Rhys Ifans Spike Tim McInnerny Max Emily Mortimer Perfect Girl
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1999
Directed by Roger Michell.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, emily-mortimer, julia-roberts, popcorn-and-soda4, romance2
March of the Penguins
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I think I covered everything in the "mention" above. Despite this, I've kept it. Although we haven't seen it again, I'll bet, one of these days when Animal Planet, Discovery and National Geographic all have shit on them and Mom's not interested in anything but animal stuff, it'll come in handy. I think it's the only animal special we have on DVD. Well, besides The Planet of the Apes movies, which I'm sure Mom considers the best of animal specials.
Update: 7/31/21: Well, dear reader, this one went in the library bin. I don't remember when, but it was probably during the first library dump after Mom died.
Narrated by Morgan Freeman.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Luc Jacquet.
Labels: animal, documentary1, mom-favorite2, morgan-freeman, science
Lord of War
- Who's watched: M (half) & G (all)
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Well, I'm thrilled with this movie. It engaged me from the very beginning and entranced me to the very end. I bought the DVD immediately after seeing it so I could watch the special features and would have many chances to watch the movie again. It engaged Mom, too, but I guess I started it too late, she decided to take a nap about halfway through, then, remembering that it didn't keep her from taking a nap, has refused to watch it since, even though she watched the special features with me. I think I'll pop it on her by surprise. It's not as though she's unfamiliar with the subject or prey to what are considered the standard female predilections against fire arms. She used to be a crack shot and a gunnery instructor in the Navy, after all.
In addition to Roger Ebert's review linked to the title in this post, there's a second review written by Omer M. Mozaffar, RogerEbert.com site contributor. If you watched this movie, its special features, and enjoyed them all, read his review. It's delightfully unsettling.
RE-WATCHED: 7/29-30/2020 Including bonus material on disc 2. Weapons of the Trade and Making a Killing were particularly interesting. Weapons of the Trade includes a history of each weapon featured. Because of the information included in the documentary, I learned what "submachine gun" meant. Funny, too, because I remembered, as I watched this feature, that it held more interest for my mother than the actual movie. My mother was never a fan of war, but she was a fan of gunnery. Of course, even in the Navy, my mother was never required to use weaponry in fighting ... only in teaching and for sport.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nicolas Cage Yuri Orlov Ethan Hawke I. A. Jack Valentine Jared Leto Vitaly Orlov Bridget Moynahan Ava Fontaine Eamonn Walker André Baptiste Sr. Sammi Rotibi André Baptiste Jr. Ian Holm Simeon Weisz Eugene Lazarev Gen. Dmitri Volkov
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Andrew Niccol.
Labels: drama9, haunting2, me-favorite2, nicolas-cage, political4, violence3, war2
Little Women
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This was yet another movie that I never thought I'd like and avoided with a passion. I never read the book but from what I'd heard from other "little women" about their favorite characters, I just knew, well, it wasn't for me. Then, one evening, Mom noticed it on one of those cable channels and decided she wanted to watch it. I watched most of it and was surprised at how interested I became in it, although, now, I think my interest had to do with actually being able to watch something on TV while my mother was up and about. I purchased it because, after that fateful watching, Mom said, "If you ever see that, get it. I'd like to see that again." So, I did. She watched it at least twice. I liked Wynona Ryder's performance; it's a little hammy but she's got the goods. Too damned bad she doesn't act much, anymore. Too damned bad she was in this movie.
When I looked up this film on Roger Ebert's website, I noticed that since this version of Little Women was released, two more have come out! Ye gods! I have no desire to see any of them, including the one with which Greta Gerwig is involved, despite my enjoyment of her work. People, can we get over this story? According to Wikipedia, seven versions of this film have been made since the first silent in 1917, followed a year later by a second silent, on and on and on ... people, GET OVER THIS STORY! IT'S A NOTHING STORY AND THESE "LITTLE" WOMEN DID NOT LEAD EXCITING, OR EVEN PARTICULARLY MEANINGFUL LIVES! THEY DIDN'T EVEN LIVE IN AN EXCITING PLACE OR AN EXCITING TIME! AS A SOCIETY, WE NEED TO FORGET ABOUT THIS STORY! I THINK IT MAY BE HOLDING US BACK!!!
Update 7/31/21: Once Mom died, I never watched this movie again and knew I never would, despite my appreciation for Wynona Ryder's performance and considering my life-long indifference to the story. So, to the library it went.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Winona Ryder Jo March Gabriel Byrne Friedrich Bhaer Trini Alvarado Meg March Kirsten Dunst Amy March Claire Danes Beth March Christian Bale Theodore "Laurie" Laurence Eric Stoltz John Brooke John Neville James Laurence Mary Wickes Aunt Josephine March Susan Sarandon Marmee March Matthew Walker Robert March Janne Mortil Sally Moffat
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by: Gillian Armstrong.
Labels: christian-bale, drama9, female-director2, kirsten-dunst, period4, romance2
Ghost
- Who's watched: M & G, several times
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those movies that's guaranteed to please, in one way or another, both of us. Since we watch parts of it every time it appears on television, when I noticed a cheap, widescreen copy of it for sale I snatched it. We watched it that night. Much better to have constant favorites on DVD, since it's easy enough to pause them or watch only the parts we happen to be thinking about at any time.
The truth is, I'm not a fan of the after-death philosophy behind the movie, although it's pretty enough and certainly makes for a unique thriller. The famous love scene is nice but give me Diane Lane's first fuck with her extra-marital lover in Unfaithful over wet pottery clay and "Unchained Melody" any day. I especially love, though, Whoopi Goldberg's performance as Oda Mae (this character deserves mention in some tome of memorable, perfectly played movie characters) and Tony Goldwyn's performance as Carl Bruner. I read someplace that Tony Goldwyn's preference is not for acting, which is too bad. I've seen him in lots of bit parts and his performances are always memorable and enlightening.
Just for fun, I thought I'd include Roger Ebert's critical review of this movie. In a way, it's a send-up of all ghost movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Patrick Swayze Sam Wheat Demi Moore Molly Jensen Whoopi Goldberg Oda Mae Brown Tony Goldwyn Carl Bruner Rick Aviles Willie Lopez Vincent Schiavelli Subway Ghost Gail Boggs Louise Brown Armelia McQueen Clara Brown
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Jerry Zucker.
Labels: dramedy2, fantasy3, mystery2, popcorn-and-soda4, suspense2, whoopi-goldberg
Forrest Gump
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm not surprised this movie hasn't been mentioned in my journals. When I bought it I thought I remembered that Mom liked it. She may have, but had little patience for it this time around. I thought I had found it interesting. I did, but immediately after watching it for the first time in a long time, I decided it would be one I'd never enter in here and would sell back as soon as I had a few other movies to turn in. Watching it made me uncomfortable. For myself. For the United States. Then, I found myself going back to the movie, replaying particular scenes, looking forward to the well planned music score, watching Gary Sinese closely...and decided, hmmm, I'd better keep this one. It does remain one of the strangest crafted-to-be-a-box-office-hit movies ever made. Being a movie maven, this is a good enough reason for me to keep it. Who knows. The next time I play it "in front of" Mom, she might like it again.
Update 8/12/21: Along with the review, above, linked to the title, and, in light of it, I want to present another few reviews published to commemorate the 25th anniversary of this movie. 'Forrest Gump,' 25 Years Later, by Eric Cohn perfectly expresses my unease with this film. Because of my ambivalence about this film, I was always surprised that Roger Ebert seemed to swallow it hook, line and sinker. Perhaps he was a Republican. Perhaps he simply enjoyed live-action that is cartoonish. I don't know. What I do know is continued occasional viewings of this film, for me, make me grateful that I remain capable of finding this movie off-putting, regardless of how much I enjoy individual scenes or pieces of actor performance.
About a year after the review immediately above came out, another, in video format, by Renegade Cut, was published. It deserves a close viewing if you find yourself uncomfortable with this movie.
Finally, a two video review was published by the website The Take in commemoration of the same anniversary: here are the first and the second. Lighter in tone than the reviews cited above, these two videos also have more clips from the movie and have a kinder, gentler interpretation of the movie's overall presentation of the United States' character and history.
It's interesting to watch this movie 25 years after its release and recontemplate it in view of the variety of quarter century anniversary videos. It's quite striking how more loquacious citizens of the United States interpret the movie and its impact on a variety of aspects of United States life, now, and citizens of this country.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Hanks Forrest Gump Robin Wright Jennie Curran Gary Sinise Lt. Dan Taylor Mykelti Williamson Bubba Blue Sally Field Mrs. Gump Haley Joel Osment Forrest Gump Jr. Sam Anderson Principal Hancock Siobhan Fallon Hogan School Bus Driver
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Labels: biography2, dramedy2, fantasy3, period4, popcorn-and-soda4, satire2, tom-hanks
The Color Purple
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm surprised I've made no mention of this movie in any of my journals. This is one of those movies that we watch every time we can catch it on a television channel, which is why I snatched it up when I ran across a copy of it. We both hone into this movie as though we're having a dream. I'm glad we finally got a copy of it because when it was on TV I used to have a hell of a time getting Mom to go to the bathroom during a playing of it. Now, I can stop the movie when I notice she looks like she'd better hit the toilet. [Her joke is that you can tell when someone needs to go to the bathroom when you can see waves crashing in their eyes...which is almost the truth with my mother.]
Roger Ebert was so impressed with this movie that he not only gave it an initial four star review the year of its release (that review is linked to the title of this post), he followed that up with an interview with Whoopi Goldberg and later christened it as one of his Great Movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Whoopi Goldberg Celie Harris Johnson Danny Glover "Mister" Albert Johnson Oprah Winfrey Sofia Margaret Avery Shug Avery Akosua Busia Nettie Harris Adolph Caesar "Old Mister" Johnson Willard Pugh Harpo Johnson Rae Dawn Chong Mary Agnes “Squeak” Johnson Laurence Fishburne Swain Carl Anderson Reverend Samuel Leonard Jackson Pa Harris Dana Ivey Miss Millie
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1985
Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Labels: danny-glover, drama9, dream1, laurence-fishburne, period4, political4, steven-spielberg, whoopi-goldberg
Cocoon
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This is not an often watched movie of ours. Sometimes my mother can stand it, sometimes she can't. Same with me. We both have a little bit of a problem with the dancing couple, although they add outrageous comic relief. We both agree there are a few offensively clichéd depictions of the elderly but, overall it's clean. Mom's favorite relationship is the one between the couple whose wife has advanced dementia. Mine is the relationship between Jessica Tandy's and Hume Cronyn's characters.
Update 5/14/2020: It is interesting to note, here, that, throughout our companionship, which lasted for 15 years, my mother never thought she had dementia and acted as though she didn't. Maybe this is partly because she was only mildly demented, if you want to classify her condition (and, while she was alive and we were companions, I never did) and partly because I never treated her as though she had dementia. I mean, never. If she had some difficulty that might have been chalked up to dementia, I treated it as though it was simply a human difficulty, not a demented-human difficulty. I mean, brass tacks here: All the difficulties, all of them that manifest, sometimes profusely, when someone is demented also manifest, in lesser degrees, sometimes much lesser to non-existent degrees, in people who aren't classified as demented. And that's the truth [imagine a loud raspberry, here]!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Don Ameche Art Selwyn Gwen Verdon Bess McCarthy Wilford Brimley Ben Luckett Maureen Stapleton Mary Luckett Hume Cronyn Joe Finley Jessica Tandy Alma Finley Jack Gilford Bernie Lefkowitz Herta Ware Rose Lefkowitz Brian Dennehy Walter Steve Guttenberg Jack Bonner Tahnee Welch Kitty Linda Harrison Susan
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1985
Directed by Ron Howard.
Labels: aliens, dramedy2, fantasy3, hume-cronyn, popcorn-and-soda4, science-fiction2
About a Boy
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is just one of my favorite little fripperies that, sight unseen, I thought Mom (and I) would enjoy when I noticed it on ridiculous sale. I was right. I especially enjoy Toni Collette's performance, but, frankly, I'm a sucker for her in any film. Mom was charmed by the premise of the film and so surprised by the ending that she said, "Well, that's what I like to see. The guy doesn't necessarily get the girl, but gets something better." My sentiments exactly.
I like, too, that the title doesn't refer to a specific "boy". In truth, there are two "boys", one who can honorably wear the appellation and one who can't. The magic of the film is that both boys learn how to become men, one right on time, one a little late, but still accomplished.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Hugh Grant Will Freeman Nicholas Hoult Marcus Brewer Toni Collette Fiona Brewer Rachel Weisz Rachel Natalia Tena Ellie Sharon Small Christine Nicholas Hutchinson John Victoria Smurfit Suzie
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz.
Labels: coming-of-age1, dramedy2, rachel-weisz, romance3, toni-collette
