Saturday, January 06, 2007
ISTAS: Barbra Streisand
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: The fact that this interview actually has a "Mention" is an indication of how often we've watched it: Every time we can.
Considering how much even James Lipton looked forward to this interview, you'd think it would be easy to be disappointed. Exactly the opposite. This interview is actually a performance, a masterful one, "Barbra as Barbra". It is thrilling to witness over and over again. Rarely does one of the guests who isn't billed as a comedian produce such a show. Bernadette Peters did. Barbra Streisand did.
Despite her reputation for being cloaked, she was amazingly forthcoming in this interview. James Lipton is good (although he's had his failures, most notably and regrettably, Richard Gere).
This video is part of the Icons Collection.
Interviewer: James Lipton
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this actor.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Jeff Wurtz.
Labels: barbra-streisand, interview, TV1
ISTAS: Robert Redford
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: We've seen this one before, possibly more than once, because it's so good, but of the two repeats, we decided on this one.
Robert Redford is a charmer about whom it can be said, "He's not just cute, he's got brains [and lots else], too." It is fun to rediscover this through this interview. Another thing that always surprises me about this interview is to rediscover that he talks like a graphic artist, even an architect. Good interview. If you get a chance, catch it.
This video is part of the Icons Collection.
Interviewer: James Lipton
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this actor.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Jeff Wurtz.
Labels: interview, robert-redford, TV1
ISTAS: Clint Eastwood
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Although I was anticipating this would be a wonderful interview, I was delighted with the quality of "wonderful". Last night was the first time either Mom or I had seen this one. Mom and her sister used to haunt Clint Eastwood movies, although Mom has little memory of them, now. I remember them going to see The Outlaw Josey Wales together when it first came out, at that plush, behind the upscale mall movie theater in Scottsdale. In fact, I think I may have gone with them.
Although I am little familiar with much of his early work, Unforgiven is a particular favorite of mine and I greatly admire is directing abilities, as well as his acting.
Clint Eastwood did not disappoint. I think the thing I liked about him most and even Mom mentioned as an outstanding feature is that he seemed, at the time of the interview, as delighted and overwhelmed by his accomplishments as everyone else; although not at all disparaging of himself; rather of others for having so little faith and imagination.
This video is part of the Icons Collection.
Interviewer: James Lipton
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this actor.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Jeff Wurtz.
ISTAS: Paul Newman
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This was the first time either of us had watched this one. I was so ready to love it, especially since it is the inaugural episode of the series. Although I found Mr. Lipton's lack of glasses interesting, as well as the addition of one question to The Questionnaire [a question regarding what one's reincarnational being preference is; I'm sorry this question has been ousted], the interview was so full of inside jokes and references I sometimes wondered if the students were floundering a little, too. I must confess, I was watching it in snippets while doing chores, so I missed some. This may color my opinion. When (as, "if" is unnecessary) I see this again, if it strikes me differently, I'll report back.
This interview had lots of clips, so Mom loved it.
This video is part of the Icons Collection.
Interviewer: James Lipton
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this actor.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by Lou Del Prete.
Inside the Actors Studio: Icons
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6* *7* *8* *9* *10* *11* *12*
- Commentary: Now, you see, if you have any familiarity with my main journals, old or new, at all, you'll know why the series gets a listing and each separate episode that becomes a part of our library rates a solitary listing.
Because we are ever faithful watchers of this program and it inevitably provokes discussion, it is mentioned many times in my journals, twelve, it seems, to be exact.
I cannot tell you how pleased I am that this series is finally being sold on DVD to the public. I turned myself onto it by accident when I became exposed to cable TV the year I turned back from Seattle. I've been a devotee ever since, recruited my mother and my niece, who is planning on following the actor's call and is working hard at it...have semi-recruited at least one sister. I am unashamed to refer to the show. It is honey in the rock of television.
Anyway, each episode is reviewed separately. I haven't yet purchased the Dave Chapelle episode because I haven't seen it and I'm hoping it will come together with other episodes...maybe a comedy collection.
Anyway, in general, I am so pleased that they are releasing some of the older episodes. Some of those are my favorites: Martin Landau, who took his role as a teacher seriously and, thus, was probably the most fascinating guest this show has ever hosted; Shelly Winters; Peter Falk; oh that was a dynamite one, so was Shirley MacClaine...oh, and Eli Wallach, oh, wow, they don't have his interview listed, that's a surprise! I wonder if they have, hold on...yeah, they've got Jerry Lewis, maybe Eli Wallach appeared on behalf of someone else...need I go on?
This show is important to us. We watch reruns. We watch our tapes. I will be continuing to collect this series.
For the record, of the four in this collection, I have not seen two: the Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman interviews. So, even I'm curious to see what I'll think of them.
Interviewer: James Lipton
Series directed by various people, listed under the names of the actors' interviews I have.
Mr. Jones
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I was reminded of this movie when I heard that James Brown died early Christmas morning last year. The "Feel Good" song will forever be linked with this movie, for me, because it was perfect "song" casting. And, this movie will forever be a touchstone movie for me.
It is the acute portrayal of a man with whom I was in love and involved for many years, until his death by suicide (jumping out of a window) in a mental hospital, to which he had voluntarily committed himself because of, well, a bout of suicidal depression. At his death, he was the same age as Mr. Jones is portrayed to be in the movie. He was, in fact, like Mr. Jones in every respect, including delusions of being able to fly, except that his raw talent was not in music but in graphic art, and, his name was Ralph, not Mr. Jones, although his last name was, ironically, Flyte. When I saw the movie, by accident, actually, the year after it was released (it ended up on TV, as I recall) I was astonished at the portrayal. I have, since, used it as the dictionary to which I refer when my former, dead lover comes up in conversation.
The day James Brown died I remembered the movie and decided I wanted it in our collection. For reference. Cheap DVD on Amazon. I noticed, over and over, as I found myself reading the comments (which I almost never do), everyone's story with this movie is the same as mine. It describes, perfectly, someone they love. As well, everyone had problems with the trajectory of the relationship between psychiatrist and patient and what it implies about "love conquers all". If you've loved one of these extraordinary people who has succeeded in taking his or or her own life, you know that love is not enough. The problem wasn't lack of love, or the type of love you offered.
I can now afford to be lax about this problem with the movie. When I watched the movie again, with Mom, this time, I was once again electrified, from the very beginning, by Richard Gere's performance. If Ralph had lived to see this movie (he died in November, 1993) he would have danced gleefully and chanted, "That's me, that's me!"
I'm not going to come out with a of vote of grandeur for this movie that it doesn't possess. For some reason, though, because this movie exists, it is a comfort to those of us who have our Ralph Flytes (R.I.P., sweet man) or our Mr. Joneses.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Gere Mr. Jones Lena Olin Dr. Elizabeth Bowen Anne Bancroft Dr. Catherine Holland Tom Irwin Dr. Patrick Shaye Delroy Lindo Howard Lauren Tom Amanda Chang Bruce Altman David Lisa Malkiewicz Susan
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Mike Figgis.
Labels: drama8, me-favorite2, richard-gere, romance2
Unfaithful
- Who's watched: Me, only
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: It took me a long time, and a great price, to decide to own this movie. I have to say, although, overall, for me, it's an enjoyable watch, especially considering the major change in Gere's "leading man" persona, I don't know, the story doesn't take it far enough for me. But, I was reminded of the aforementioned (in a "Mention") sex scene in some television compendium show of the 10 sexiest movie scenes in the last 100 years, I don't know, and this scene was one of them. I was reminded just previous to haunting our local DVD trade-in store. I had forgotten how riveting that scene is, and, a few others, as well.
Update 8/1/21: There was a link to the second mention, but in trying to correct it, I deleted it, didn't realize I deleted it, and saved this without the correction. I tried a few simple ways to recover it, but none of them worked. I also looked through my journals for it almost all of them and, frankly, I probably missed it. But I'm leaving it up there, without a link, to remind me, sometime in the future, I should try to recover the second mention of this movie.
Update 5/21/2022: I did finally, a while ago, find the link to the second mention. The reason it was so hard to find is that it wasn't in the general journals it was in this journal.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Gere Edward Sumner Diane Lane Constance Sumner Olivier Martinez Paul Martel Erik Per Sullivan Charlie Sumner Chad Lowe Bill Stone Dominic Chianese Frank Wilson Erich Anderson Bob Gaylord Michelle Monaghan Lindsay Kate Burton Tracy Margaret Colin Sally Željko Ivanek Det. Dean Michael Emerson Josh
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Adrian Lyne.
Labels: drama8, erotic, mystery2, richard-gere, suspense2
Secondhand Lions
- Who's watched: Both, partially
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Yes, although we haven't completely watched it, we own it. This is the movie with which MCF gifted us and tried to get Mom and me to watch over Christmas. Mom fell asleep on the couch. I saw parts of it and began to understand why they raved about it. I think we will enjoy this movie, too, and watch it again. From what I saw, it reminds me a little of Holes in structure, but I may be mistaken about that. Hmmm...today seems like I good day to watch this for the first time. If anything else strikes me about this movie and/or Mom's reaction to it, I'll be back. Please note, the labeling is pre-viewing.
Update 2/9/18: We never watched it. After Mom died, I didn't watch it, even though I noted that Roger Ebert liked it. Maybe it's the material. Maybe girls-and-aunts is a completely different world than that of boys-and-uncles, although I didn't much like How to Make an American Quilt, either. So, maybe not. I mean, there are plenty of guy-movies that I love, some of which are my favorites. One thing I know, I haven't, and won't, be checking this out of the library,where I took it, out of curiosity.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Haley Joel Osment Walter Caldwell Robert Duvall Hub McCann Michael Caine Garth McCann Kyra Sedgwick Mae Caldwell
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Tim McCanlies.
Labels: adventure3, buddy, dramedy2, michael-caine, period4, road-movie
Magnolia
- Who's watched: only G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I don't know whether my mother will ever see this movie. I saw it in the theater when it first came out. It was a case of 12 Monkeys all over again. Lots of hype and lots of delivery but no delivery that matched the hype.
I picked up a cheap copy when I turned some videos in because I wanted to see it again, now, some years later, for reasons I explain in the "Mentions" link above. I was surprised that I found myself liking individual achievements spectacularly well: Macy's performance, his character: Exquisite. The Cruise vignettes: Amazing. So, I decided to keep it.
Why is it possible that Mom won't see this movie? It think it would bore her and she would wonder, out loud, why it is considered to be "apocalyptic". Which, actually, I also wonder.
I also, by the way, consider this the third in my category of "caregiver" movies. If you've seen it, you'll know why.
Roger Ebert reviewed this movie twice, once on the regular and once as a Great Movie, linked to the title of this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeremy Blackman Stanley Spector Tom Cruise Frank T.J. Mackey Melinda Dillon Rose Gator April Grace Gwenovier Luis Guzman Luis Philip Baker Hall Jimmy Gator Thomas Jane Young Jimmy Philip Seymour Hoffman Phil Parma Ricky Jay Burt Ramsey/Narrator Emmanuel Johnson Dixon William H. Macy Donnie Smith Benjamin Niedens Young Donny Alfred Molina Solomon Solomon Julianne Moore Linda Partridge John C. Reilly Ofc. Jim Kurring Jason Robards Earl Partridge Melora Walters Claudia Wilson Gator Henry Gibson Thurston Howell Felicity Huffman Cynthia Patton Oswalt Delmer Darion
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1999
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Labels: caregiver, drama8, fantasy2, jason-robards-jr, julianne-moore, tom-cruise
