Friday, April 10, 2009
John Adams
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Yet another one of those teaching videos, for Mom. The Mention says it all. Yes, we made it through the entire series before she died. Yes, she was shocked and intrigued at the vaccination and breast cancer episodes; worthy of pauses and further discussion between us. During the breast cancer surgery (which wasn't completely displayed), she speculated, aloud, how lucky MCS (who is a breast cancer survivor) was that "we" weren't living during "those days". The surprising aspect of this was that my mother remembered that MCS had breast cancer several years ago.
Update 8/2/21: Well, Whad'ya know! The Washington Post is still allowing access to it's movie reviews, at least. Old ones, anyway. Thanks, WP! Just for that, I'll bold your reference and link to you!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Giamatti John Adams Laura Linney Abigail Adams Stephen Dillane Thomas Jefferson David Morse George Washington Tom Wilkinson Benjamin Franklin Rufus Sewell Alexander Hamilton Justin Theroux John Hancock Danny Huston Samuel Adams Clancy O'Connor Edward Rutledge Željko Ivanek John Dickinson Ebon Moss-Bachrach John Quincy Adams Sarah Polley Abigail Adams Smith Andrew Scott William S. Smith Mamie Gummer Sally Smith Adams Samuel Barnett Thomas Adams Tom Hollander King George III
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Tom Hooper.
Labels: david-morse, drama7, historical2, laura-linney, paul-giamatti, period3, political3, presidential, tom-wilkinson, TV1, war1, željko-ivanek
Yentl
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This is the second movie I've bought since Mom died, strictly in memory of Mom, this time. This was one of her favorites. Although it didn't play on the cable channels often, I doubt that we ever missed a showing of it. There are many reasons she liked it: Its portrayal of a bright, gutsy young woman refusing to give up her dreams and desires in the face of a woman-stifling culture; its periodicity; its intriguing presentation of a woman who is so successful at masquerading as a man that she marries a woman who thinks she's an exceptional (because she's a woman) man (Mom has always loved gender-benders); the very messy, thus very realistic resolution. Although its not one of my favorites, I have to say that certain scenes have the power to mesmerize me, despite the outlandishness of the story. The movie wasn't released on video until this year, some months after Mom died. When I saw it at Costco I knew it was necessary for me to purchase it. And watch it, multiple times, I'm sure. In honor of Mom...and Momandme.
Rewatched: 3/5/22 - Today, 3/6/22, I read the Isaac Bashevis Singer story upon which this movie is based. The story is much more subtle and complicated than the movie. As I rewatched the movie yesterday, I realized, and was frustrated, that Hadass is only barely drawn. This is even more true of the written story. However, I find the character of Anshel deeper and more compelling in the written story than in the movie, except that Anshel's sympathy toward Hadass is far more evident in the movie than in the written story, which is something I prefer about the movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbra Streisand Yentl Mendel Mandy Patinkin Avigdor Amy Irving Hadass Vishkower Nehemiah Persoff Rebbe Mendel Steven Hill Reb Alter Vishkower Allan Corduner Shimmele David de Keyser Rabbi Zalman Miriam Margolyes Sarah Doreen Mantle Mrs. Shaemen Lynda Baron Peshe Ruth Goring Esther Rachel Jack Lynn Bookseller
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Barbra Streisand.
Labels: barbra-streisand, buddy, drama6, fantasy2, female-director3, gender-bender, mom-favorite1, nehemiah-persoff, period3, political3, popcorn-and-soda2, religion2, romance2
The Women (2008)
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: This is one of the few movies I've purchased since Mom died. It came out the Tuesday after she died. We'd talked about getting it so that we could compare it with the first version and looked forward to seeing it. I'd talked, the week before she died, about it's release coming up the next week. Thus, of course, I bought it.
There are two critical schools of thought on this remake. The first is echoed in the link to the title of the movie above. The second is here, courtesy of The New York Times. The former expresses my sentiments, although not completely. Roger Ebert seems not to have watched either movie closely enough to realize that the remake actually follows the structure of the first one very closely. Some of the dialogue is even repeated. The resolution is completely different and the satire is toned down significantly so, yes, these are two "different" movies. And, I definitely missed the presence of the hats and the silly clothes that Sylvia wears in the first movie. I also missed the hilarious actress credit sequence from the first movie that wasn't even attempted in the second. I was curious to see what the producers of the remake would do with that. The second movie also explores the eternal mother character much better than the first, and I like the twist in the remake on the relationship between the mother and daughter. The first is much cattier, but the second portrays deeper friendships which would be trivialized by the catty fast talk of the first. Both movies, as well, have interesting fashion runway sequences. My preference is for the first. I prefer the context, love the fact that the movie switches to color for that sequence, and I love the clothes in the first movies' fashion sequence much better than the clothes in the second. I should have been born so that I could have been in my clothes-horse prime during the thirties through the early forties. For satiric dazzle I prefer the first movie. For emotional satisfaction I prefer the second. I'd love to know which my mother would have preferred. I will be keeping both movies.
You'll notice that I categorized the first as a romance. It was. I can't categorize the second as such, because it isn't; unless you count romancing one's friends, and one's self, which is a clear slant of the second movie. Ah, what the hell; why not. It's a romance. Just not the usual kind.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Meg Ryan Mary Haines Annette Bening Sylvia Fowler Eva Mendes Crystal Allen Debra Messing Edie Cohen Jada Pinkett Smith Alex Fisher Candice Bergen Catherine Frazier Cloris Leachman Maggie Debi Mazar Tanya Bette Midler Leah Miller Carrie Fisher Bailey Smith India Ennenga Molly Haines Lynn Whitfield Glenda Hill
In case you have trouble accessing the NYT review of this movie, above [NYT is now a major butt about free access to their newspaper. They weren't when I originally wrote this post. When will these oligarchic publishers learn! Probably not until the people with pitchforks come for them.], there are two alternate links, one to the Wikipedia article and the refreshed link (my former link had gone bad) in the title to Roger Ebert's review.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Diane English.
Labels: 21st-century-chick-flicks, annette-bening, candice-bergen, debi-mazar, dramedy1, female-director3, meg-ryan, popcorn-and-soda2, romance2, satire1, women's-movie1
Thank You for Smoking
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I rented this, fell in love with it as the ultimate in political instruction and purchased a copy for myself as a reminder of what I'll be up against if I ever decide to enter into politics (which I may) and how to give as good as I get. Although this movie is, of course, a broad satire, it is also a case of a no holds barred portrayal of reality being the satire. It isn't that I haven't been aware that much of politics is froth...it's that this movie made me realize that one can't beat the influence of froth unless one understands it and, as well, is willing to occasionally decorate one's priorities with froth. And, no, Mom never watched it. I made the choice not to show it to her. I was concerned that the speaking was so fast and furious that she would get lost in the shuffle. I now think I may have underestimated her ability to understand the point of this movie, and enjoy it. Maybe I'll do better next life.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Aaron Eckhart Nick Naylor Cameron Bright Joey Naylor Katie Holmes Heather Holloway Maria Bello Polly Bailey David Koechner Bobby Jay Bliss William H. Macy Sen. Ortolan Finistirre Robert Duvall The Captain J. K. Simmons B. R. Kim Dickens Jill Naylor Rob Lowe Jeff Megall Sam Elliott Lorne Lutch Daniel Travis Brad
Since I linked to Roger Ebert's review up there in the title of this post, here's the Wikipedia article on the movie.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Jason Reitman.
Labels: me-favorite2, political3, popcorn-and-soda3, robert-duvall, satire1
State of the Union
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Ah! This movie is a buried gem! I knew nothing about it when I spotted it at Costco. The play from which it is adapted continues to be produced and, apparently, over the last few years, has been considered especially timely: check out this link for proof. I purchased it solely on the strength of it being yet another Tracy/Hepburn movie. When Mom and I enthusiastically cracked the case that afternoon and watched the movie, we were both blown away! Aside from the fact that I can't believe this movie isn't more well known, it's extremely timely. It talks about political and economic issues with which we are still struggling; it suggests the possibility of not only a European Union but a World Union with a World Currency; it discusses the problems of corporate industry and talks about the relationship between management and unions...and, of course, it deals heavily with political corruption by lobbyists and business. Its story line includes a sub-story which is a frank exploration of marriage versus mistresses and the "sacrifices" wives and husbands appear to be obliged to make when one of them becomes involved in politics. It is yet another one of Frank Capra's movies and is clearly identifiable as one. And, it was made in 1948!
Mom and I were both wowed by this movie and wondered why it isn't considered among the Tracy/Hepburn classics, or among Capra's classics. We watched it multiple times before Mom died. I've watched it a couple of times since.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Spencer Tracy Grant Matthews Katharine Hepburn Mary Matthews Van Johnson Spike McManus Adolphe Menjou Jim Conover Lewis Stone Sam Thorndyke Howard Smith Sam I. Parish Maidel Turner Lulubelle Alexander Margaret Hamilton Norah
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1948
Directed by Frank Capra.
Labels: drama6, frank-capra, katharine-hepburn, me-favorite2, political3, popcorn-and-soda3, presidential, spencer-tracy, tracy-hepburn
Spanglish
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This movie is purely Mom's delight. From the beginning, when the narrator begins to tell the story of what her mother means to her, my mother follows the movie all the way through. That's why I decided to purchase a copy one day when I saw it selling at the grocery store at a ridiculously cheap price.
I enjoy it, too...even though my Adam Sandler fandom runs more to movies like Punch Drunk Love. It was fun for me to watch Mom watching this movie, though. She just beamed through the entire show. I think she identified strongly with Flor.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Adam Sandler John Clasky Téa Leoni Deborah Clasky Paz Vega Flor Moreno Aimee Garcia Cristina Moreno Narrator Shelbie Bruce 12 year old Cristina Cloris Leachman Evelyn Wright Sarah Steele Bernice Clasky Cecilia Suárez Monica
Aside from Roger Ebert's review of the movie linked to the title, above, here's the Wikipedia article on the movie.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by James L. Brooks.
Labels: dramedy1
Sister Wendy Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
Mentions: *1*
Commentary: Aside from the comments in the Mention, above, you should know that the theme for the series casts a spell over me, as well. My mother never tired of watching these videos. Neither do I.
Update 8/2/21: I've been trying hard, on and off, over the years, to figure out a way to upload the musical theme from the Sister Wendy shows to this post, without success. Blogger doesn't want to recognize it as uploadable, even though it is an mp3 that can play on a video application. So, finally, today, I searched the web for a place where you, dear reader, can hear it. All the sites I found do the tune the indignity of cutting short it by a few seconds. The copy I downloaded in 2014 does the same. But, I can tell you, when I played it on my computer, today, I teared up, as I always do when I hear it. It is an indescribably tender piece of music. Download it. Put it on your player. Right now.
Our collection consists of the following:
- The Complete Collection (European)
Sister Wendy's Odyssey - Release Date: 1992
Sister Wendy's Grand Tour - Release Date: 1994
Sister Wendy's Pains of Glass - Release Date: 1995
Sister Wendy's Story of Painting - Release Date: 1996
Multiple directors, a few women - Sister Wendy's American Collection
Unsure of directors, probably multiple
Release Date: 2001 - Sister Wendy at the Norton Simon Museum
Release Date: 2002
Directed by David Willcock
Labels: documentary1, female-director3, shared-favorite
Singin' in the Rain
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I don't care why critics think it's a great movie...I just love it. Every single moment of it; especially the dancing and singing in the rain and the dance sequences with Reynolds, Kelly and O'Connor. LOVE watching O'Connor and Kelly together. They both looked like they just "[Had]'ta Dance"! Mom loved this movie, too. The only reason we didn't own it before last year is that it showed on TCM so much that it seemed as though we didn't need to own it...until I ran across a copy of it on the cheap and decided it was time. Also, I consider this movie film art because of the way dance was translated to the screen.
Roger Ebert, by the way, wrote twice about this movie, once in 1998 (the review linked to the title of this post) and again in 1999, for his "Great Movies" collection of reviews.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gene Kelly Donald Lockwood Debbie Reynolds Donald O'Connor Cosmo Brown Katy Selden Jean Hagen Lina Lamont Millard Mitchell R.F. Simpson Cyd Charisse Dancer Douglas Fowley Roscoe Dexter Rita Moreno Zelda Zanders
If you still feel the need for the Wikipedia article on this movie, it's here.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen.
Labels: comedy1, dance, debbie-reynolds, film-art1, musical1, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, shared-favorite
Sicko
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I keep this movie as reference. I think it will come in particularly handy in the next few years. Mom and I both watched it. I think it bored Mom, especially since I insisted on watching all the special features which were, in many cases, more interesting than the movie. I care about this movie because I am one of Uninsured America. Since I was 22, I have had medical insurance for only nine months out of my entire adult life. In addition, I earned my fighting chops defending my fully insured mother against the USA Medical-Industrial Complex, including the insurance industry. Shouldn't surprise you that I'm a fan of this movie.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Michael Moore.
Labels: documentary1, michael-moore
Sex and the City, The Movie
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: My reaction to this movie is complicated.
- I'm sure you've heard the following: "If you love the series, you'll love the movie." Not so. I agree that in order to become involved in the movie one has to be familiar with the series, but I love the series and the movie was a disappointment. I can see how my mother liked the movie. Aside from her reaction noted above, it was so colorful and splashed so broadly on such a huge canvas that it was kind of like watching a cartoon. That having been said,
- I was deeply affected, after my mother's death, by the scenes involving Carrie's mourning of what she assumed to be the definitive death of her relationship with Mr. Big. These scenes tugged mercilessly at my heart. At one point, the week after the first group of visitors left, I would watch the series of scenes, from her phone dropping at the wedding site when she hears that John has decided not to come to the wedding, straight through to her finally arising from an emotionally drugged three day sleeping binge in Mexico and joining the rest of her friends, endlessly. I would weep uncontrollably throughout...then continue my own mourning, which while it didn't include constant sleep, did include loss of appetite, drawing all drapes, extinguishing all sources of light and a strict isolation from everything that implies the continuation of life. That part of the movie continues to tug at my heart. On bad days, I make it a point to watch that series of scenes, yet again.
- I was completely disappointed in something about the movie, but I couldn't place my finger on what until MCS and MCNC came to visit in early spring and we watched the movie (they hadn't seen it). When MCS pronounced it, after having watched about a half hour of it, "a bunch of privileged women buying things", I realized what bothered me about the movie: the hard-driven focus on fashion, which is so relentless that the story lines get lost in the shuffle. Although the series has a pronounced fashion thrust, it isn't relentless; nor does it obscure story lines and ideas. The movie, unfortunately, took the fashion/money thrust to the limit and, in doing so, limited the ability of the story lines to come through.
In honor of my sister's thoughts, though, I am linking to an excellent article with which she would probably agree, if she watched more of the series. Or well, maybe she doesn't actually have to watch any of the series to agree. The writer of this article is not a fan and my sister will quickly pick up on that.
Update 8/2/21: The proverbial "they" did come out with a second SATC movie. I watched it. I think I checked it out of the library. I was not impressed. It was, in fact, an effort to watch it to the end. I did not add it to my collection.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Kim Catrall Samantha Jones Kristin Davis Charlotte York Goldenblatt Cynthia Nixon Miranda Hobbes Chris Noth John James Preston Jennifer Hudson Louise David Eigenberg Steve Brady Jason Lewis Smith Jerrod Evan Handler Harry Goldenblatt Willie Garson Stanford Blatch Mario Cantone Anthony Marentino Lynn Cohen Magda Candice Bergen Enid Frick Gilles Marini Dante Julie Halston Bitsy Von Muffling Bridget Everett Drunk Party Girl
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Michael Patrick King.
Labels: 21st-century-chick-flicks, buddy, candice-bergen, cynthia-nixon, dramedy1, romance2, women's-movie1
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I resisted placing this movie in our collection for some years, even though Mom insisted on watching it every time it came on TV and, I have to admit, I love the dancing, especially the "athletic" (as one critic called it) sequence involving the testosterone soaked brothers against suitors of the town vying for the affections of seven sprightly town maidens. Finally, winter before this last, I found it at Costco and brought it home for a weekend surprise. We watched the movie twice in a row, at Mom's request (and have watched it several times since). I was fascinated to discover that my mother's favorite dance sequence was the one done in the dead of winter while the seven brothers are chopping wood and bemoaning their singular (pun intended) fate. As she would watch that sequence, every time, she'd mention how much she liked it, her body would weave to the adagio accompaniment of the silken cowboy ballad and she'd swing her arm in an arc from her elbow each time an axe swung to a down beat. She loved the rest of the movie, as well, the Sabine Women sequence, in particular, and I loved watching her watch it. I will continue to love watching it and remembering the her high pleasure in the production.
Update 5/18/2022: By the way, here's a YouTube video by coldcrashpictures in which he talks with his mom (for a long time) about why she likes this movie. I loved listening to it! It took me back ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Howard Keel Adam Pontipee Jane Powell Milly Pontipee Jeff Richards Benjamin Pontipee Julie Newmar Dorcas Gaylen Matt Mattox Caleb Pontipee Ruta Lee Ruth Jepson Marc Platt Daniel Pontipee Norma Doggett Martha Jacques d'Amboise Ephraim Pontipee Virginia Gibson Liza Tommy Rall Frank Pontipee Betty Carr Sarah Kine Russ Tamblyn Gideon Pontipee Nancy Kilgas Alice Elcott Ian Wolfe Reverend Elcott Howard Petrie Pete Perkins
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1954
Directed by Stanley Donen.
Labels: action1, dance, dramedy1, musical1, period3, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, shared-favorite, spectacle1
Savages
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: I think I said everything that needs to be said about this film in the first of the Mentions. I am assigning it to the "caregiver" category, marginally, but I don't actually think of this as a caregiver's movie; even though most of the critics who watched it did. A lot of critics, I guess, haven't cared for elderly relatives and friends.
To me, this movie is more about the self-care of the brother and sister as they finally have to deal with the damage inflicted upon them by their father, try to heal and not carry his brutality further as their father's legacy to them. It's not a film, to me, about giving care, it's a film about cutting loose from abusive parental care. It is, at its core, a hopeful film about renewing one's spirit.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Laura Linney Wendy Savage Philip Seymour Hoffman Jon Savage Philip Bosco Lenny Savage Peter Friedman Larry Guy Boyd Bill Lachman Debra Monk Nancy Lachman Margo Martindale Roz Rosemary Murphy Doris Metzger David Zayas Eduardo Gbenga Akinnagbe Jimmy Tonye Patano Mrs. Robinson Cara Seymour Kasia
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Tamara Jenkins.
Labels: caregiver, drama6, female-director3, laura-linney, satire1
Requiem for a Dream
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I had wanted to watch this movie ever since it came out and somehow never got the chance. I never mentioned it to anyone, but I thought of it often. When we joined a rental service I put it in my queue but there were always so many other, much lighter movies that I placed before it because, somehow, I knew this wasn't a film Mom would want to watch. Then, during the spring of 2008 when Mom was in the hospital in rehab, out of the blue MFS sent me a copy of this movie...even though I'm sure I never mentioned my interest in it to her...it's become, since, a symbol of our psychic link.
This movie is frenetic, tragic and gorgeous, all at the same time. Ostensibly the story of what addiction (to a variety of "things", including dreams) can do to a person. It's wonderfully acted and so succinctly imagined, written, produced, directed and portrayed that, after one scene in which one of the characters sexually compromises herself for drugs, MFS told me she felt like she needed to take a shower. It's true: The movie throws the grime of desperation right through the screen at you. There's something in this movie to make anyone, everyone feel dirty. The desperation never lets up; it's like watching a family version of Titus Andronicus. Which, of course, thrills me. I don't know why I'm attracted to such spot-on portrayals of the dregs of life, but I am, and this one is a masterpiece. I've watched it three times since I've received it. I'll watch it again. I've even created the category of "tragedy" for it, because, oddly, despite my attraction to tragedy, except for some of the video adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, we have no other relentless tragedies. I think I held off while Mom was alive because I suspected that I wouldn't be able to watch them, much. I was right...but, (cackling deleriously and rubbing hands together) THE SCREEN IS MINE, NOW, ALL AND ONLY MINE ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ellen Burstyn Sara Goldfarb Jared Leto Harry Goldfarb Jennifer Connelly Marion Silver Marlon Wayans Tyrone C. Love Christopher McDonald Tappy Tibbons Mark Margolis Mr. Rabinowitz Louise Lasser Ada Marcia Jean Kurtz Rae Sean Gullette Arnold The Shrink Keith David Big Tim Janet Sarno Mrs. Pearlman Dylan Baker Southern Doctor
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
Labels: audio-visual, darren-aronofsky, drama7, dream1, dylan-baker, ellen-burstyn, film-art1, haunting2, jennifer-connelly, me-favorite2, tragedy2, violence2
Persuasion
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I picked this up because Mom and I so enjoyed the video versions of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility that we own. A friend told me that I'd probably like this version of the Jane Austen novel, too. I'm usually wary of friends recommending movies to me, but she was right. Mom and I both enjoyed this one. Film adaptations of Jane Austen and others' works can be disappointing; Mom and I have been disappointed before. This one isn't. I still prefer the books, but this movie and the other two JA adaptations we own bring the characters and environments to life.
You'll notice I've sorted this movie into my "20th-century-chick-flicks1" category. Yes, I know, it's based on an 1817 novel, which indicates that the peculiar type of romance depicted here is, in essence century-less. All I can say in my defense it, they didn't make movies in 1817.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Amanda Root Anne Elliot Ciarán Hinds Frank Wentworth Susan Fleetwood Lady Russell Corin Redgrave Sir Walter Scott Fiona Shaw Mrs. Croft John Woodvine Admiral Croft Phoebe Nicholls Elizabeth Elliot Samuel West Mr. Elliot Sophie Thompson Mary Musgrove Judy Cornwell Mrs. Musgrove Roger Hammond Mr. Musgrove Simon Russell Beale Charles Musgrove
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Roger Michell.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, dramedy1, period3, romance2
Legends of the Fall
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I'm truly surprised that I never mentioned this movie in the journals because, after I'd first seen it, the year it was released, I was mesmerized by it and talked it up to everyone who would listen, rented it endlessly and forced relatives to watch it with me, etc. I've often tried to explain why this movie has such a hold over me. Luckily, Mom always enjoyed it, as she does most big country-spectacle-epics. The acting is poor to fair to good to very occasionally excellent (usually the minor characters ring in the excellence in acting); the story is, well, the father-son story at the base of it is reasonably interesting but predictable; but the whole business about bears and the fall...it resonates with my own interest in bears and the fact that I've always been unreasonably proud of being a fall baby and feel "special" because of that accident of birth timing. I tend to feel as though I am in a dream when I watch this movie. Weird, I know. But, I expect to unreasonably love this movie for the rest of my life. I was lucky that Mom enjoyed it, too, I think it was like reading a sprawling novel, for her, thus she indulged my need to watch this at least once a year, if not more.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Brad Pitt Tristan Ludlow Anthony Hopkins Col. William Ludlow Aidan Quinn Alfred Ludlow Julia Ormond Susannah Fincannon-Ludlow Henry Thomas Samuel Ludlow Karina Lombard Isabel 'Two' Decker-Ludlow Gordon Tootoosis One Stab Christina Pickles Isabel Ludlow Tantoo Cardinal Pet Decker Robert Wisden John T. O'Banion John Novak James O'Banion Kenneth Welsh Sheriff Tynert
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by Edward Zwick
Labels: action1, adventure3, anthony-hopkins, drama7, dream1, haunting2, me-favorite2, period3, spectacle1, tantoo-cardinal, violence2, war1
Ordinary People
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I picked this up on a whim. The memory of Mary Tyler Moore's performance in this movie haunted me for years. Stunning. When I stumbled upon a copy on the cheap I decided to purchase it. Mom didn't remember having seen it; perhaps she didn't; but she enjoyed it as a family tragedy that "works out in the end". Mainly, my interest is in MTMs performance, the story doesn't interest me, much, but her performance, I could watch certain scenes over and over again. And I have. And I will.
Chris Vognar at RogerEbert.com also weighed in on how seeing this movie when he was young affected him.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Donald Sutherland Calvin Jarrett Mary Tyler Moore Beth Jarrett Timothy Hutton Conrad Jarrett Judd Hirsch Dr. Tyrone C. Berger Elizabeth McGovern Jeannine Pratt M. Emmet Walsh Coach Salan Dinah Manoff Karen Aldrich Fredric Lehne Joe Lazenby James Sikking Ray Hanley Elizabeth Hubbard Ruth Scott Doebler Jordan Jarrett Adam Baldwin Kevin Stillman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by Robert Redford (directorial debut).
Labels: donald-sutherland, drama7, robert-redford
Mrs. Brown
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I was surprised at Mom's initial reaction to this movie. She is usually chomping at the bit to watch any movie about "the royals", specifically the British royals. I think, though, this movie may have been a bit too restrained, not quite matching her expectations of a "royals" movie. And, it is a quiet movie, unlike most "royals" movies we have in our collection.
Despite the unresounding reception Mom gave this film when we first watched it, after some extensive wrangling I finally obtained a copy of it, solely because I wanted to watch it again, and again, and probably again. After a second watching of it, Mom warmed to it. It's a subtle movie, restrained acting in display of a restrained household...which is part of its magic. Judi Densch and Billy Connolly are wonderful in it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Judi Dench Queen Victoria Billy Connolly John Brown Geoffrey Palmer Henry Ponsonby Antony Sher Benjamin Disraeli Gerard Butler Archie Brown David Westhead Prince of Wales Bertie Richard Pasco Dr. Jenner Georgie Glen Lady Churchill
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by John Madden.
Labels: biography1, drama7, historical2, judi-dench, me-favorite2, period3, political3, royals
Mongol
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: One of the advantages, for Mom & me, of subscribing to a DVD rental service was (and remains) the availability of foreign films. Slowly, because of my interest in films from everywhere, if they're good, she learned to handle foreign language films with subtitles. Our favorites, though, were the sweeping epics that communicate mostly without language. This movie became one of our favorites in 2008. You'd think, because it is mostly about conflict, sometimes bloody, short on specific cultural information, etc., we would have found it boring. Quite the opposite. Mom loved the scene-after-scene sprawl of the steppes and the detailed portrayal of every day life. I loved the mythical ambience of the film.
Update 8/2/21: Oh! I noticed I forgot to mention, this film is about the ultimate Mongol, Ghengis Khan, before he was the Great Khan.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tadanobu Asano Temüjin/Genghis Khan Sun Honglei Jamukha Chuluuny Khulan Börte Amadu Mamadakov Targutai Ba SenTD> Yesügei Sai Xing Ga Chiledu Bu Ren Taichar Aliya Oelun He Qi Dai-Sechen Deng Ba Te Er Daritai Zhang Jiong Garrison Chief Ben Hon Sun Monk
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Sergei Bodrov.
Labels: action1, adventure3, biography3, drama7, historical2, period3, political3, spectacle1, violence2, war1
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Katharine Hepburn 100th Anniversary Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: The Collection contains the following movies:
The Corn is Green - directed by George Cukor
This was Mom's favorite of the collection. Of course it was. Mom was a teacher, not by default, as so many are, but by choice. She believes in the importance of good teaching. When she was in the Navy she was an instructor, in fact; a gunnery instructor. She was a crack shot, in and out of uniform. That's how she met my father. He was one of her students in the Navy.
I think she would have liked to have been in a situation like the one laid out in the movie. In fact, considering that she taught in country schools in very rural areas before going into the Navy, perhaps she was.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Katharine Hepburn Lilly Moffat Ian Saynor Morgan Evans Bill Fraser The Squire Patricia Hayes Mrs. Watty Anna Massey Miss Ronberry Artro Morris John Goronwy Jones Dorothea Phillips Sarah Pugh Toyah Willcox Bessie Watty
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1979
Morning Glory - directed by Lowell Sherman
Although the idea of the movie attracted me because I have actors in my family, in many ways I find this movie uncomfortably jittery, rather like Hepburn's portrayal of Eva Lovelace. Mom found it too jittery to watch for long. I don't think she ever viewed the entire movie of a piece. I don't blame her but, frankly, I'm glad I have a copy of it, if for no other reason that to remind me of the crazier aspects of pursuing the acting profession. Not everyone who does exhibits behavior like Eva's, but, believe me, such aspiring actors are not in the minority.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Katharine Hepburn Eva Lovelace Douglas Fairbanks Jr Joseph Sheridan Adolphe Menjou Louis Easton Mary Duncan Rita Verdon C. Aubrey Smith Robert Harley Hedges Don Alvarado Pepi Velez Fredric Santley Will Seymour Richard Carle Henry Lawrence Tyler Brooke Charley Van Duesen Geneva Mitchell Gwendoline Hall Helen Ware Nellie Navarre Robert Adair Roberts
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1933
Sylvia Scarlett - directed by George Cukor
Mom didn't find this one interesting, despite her interest in gender-bender movies, but I did. The caper part of the story was beside the point, to me, but Hepburn was able to play a superb boy, I think.
Since Mom's death, though, I've learned more about the film itself and now that "we're" in an LBGTQ kind of mood, I find watching the movie for trans detail pretty interesting. I've done this twice within the last couple of years. It has a strong feminist undercurrent.
Although the movie has certain peculiarities that could be (and were, at the time of its release) considered flaws, those same pointed-out flaws now seem more like societal misunderstandings that included both critics and audiences, like it just wasn't time, yet, for this movie or this idea.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Katharine Hepburn Sylvia Scarlett Cary Grant Jimmy Monkey Brian Aherne Michael Fane Edmund Gwenn Henry Scarlett
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1935
Undercurrent - directed by Vincente Minnelli
I honestly don't remember anything about this movie, even though I'm sure we watched it. I have no idea if Mom does.
Update 5/23/2022: As of this day, I still don't know whether I, or we, ever watched this film. That's something I should do tonight. Maybe it's one of those movies, like Keeper of the Flame, that's so turgid that the only way you can remember it is by watching it yet again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Katharine Hepburn Ann Hamilton Robert Taylor Alan Garroway Edmund Gwenn Prof. "Dink" Hamilton Marjorie Main Lucy Jayne Meadows Sylvia Lea Burton Clinton Sundberg Mr. Warmsley Dan Tobin Prof. Joseph Bangs Kathryn Card Mrs. Foster
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1946
→ film-noir2
Without Love - directed by Harold S. Bucquet
I found this movie minimally intriguing, because of Hepburn's and Tracey's IRL relationship, but for me, that was almost all that was intriguing about it. Mom liked it very much.
I was disappointed because it was one of the few Tracy/Hepburn movies I hadn't seen and the description interested me...but, I don't know, their chemistry seemed off in this film, as though they were having a long personal argument underneath the script. It was distracting. However, Lucille Ball plays a fun part in it and Gloria Grahame (Violet Bick in It's a Wonderful Life)
Mom really liked the character that Hepburn played in this movie, which didn't surprise me...I think Mom imagined herself as "that type".
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Spencer Tracy Patrick Jameson Katharine Hepburn Jamie Rowan Lucille Ball Kitty Trimble Keenan Wynn Quentin Ladd Carl Esmond Paul Carrell Patricia Morison Edwina Collins Felix Bressart Prof. Ginza Gloria Grahame Flower Girl
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1945
Dragon Seed - directed by Harold S. Bucquet & Jack Conway
I would have loved to have managed to link to a full copy of James Agee's review of this film. Not being able to find it, though, I did find a description of it that included excerpts, thank you Claude Rains Fan Club. The Dragon Seed review is the first review on this page. That being said, both Mom and I were a little off-put by this movie, almost too much to enjoy it. Both of us have always been annoyed with yellow-black-red-any/face. Although all were a common practice during a certain time period in Hollywood (and, sometimes, even now), it's very distracting. Hollywood, find actors who are of the ethnicity you need! If you can't find anyone, look harder! They're out there!
Update 5/23/20: Regarding yellow face: While putting together the Actor/Role table, below, my curiosity got the best of me and I searched for a really full cast listing of this movie to see if the one Asian American named among the first sixteen actors listed was the only Asian American. Turns out, quite a few Asian Americans appeared in this movie but, of course, not in any upper lead roles. The further down you go on the Cast & Crew list, the more likely you are to find an Asian American actor. Shameful for its time, indeed! The Asian American actors were out there, and, apparently, were enlisted in this cast, but only one appeared in an leading role.
P.S DVD Savant's article on this collection, linked to the title of this post, gives meticulous, interesting reviews for each one of the movies above. It's easy to find them in his write-up.
This collection was clearly put together to make a little money off Hepburn's lesser known works. That's okay. I'm always interested in viewing odd movies by, so to speak, "even" (in this case, meaning "famous") people. This collection is a doozy! I'm surprised The Madwoman of Chaillot wasn't included! Yes, Virginia, I saw that film. 'Nuf said.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Katharine Hepburn Jade Walter Huston Ling Tan Aline MacMahon Ling Tan's Wife Akim Tamiroff Wu Lien Turhan Bey Lao Er Tan Hurd Hatfield Lao San Tan J. Carrol Naish Japanese Kitchen Overseer Agnes Moorehead Third Cousin's Wife Henry Travers Third Cousin Robert Bice Lao Ta Tan Robert Lewis Captain Sato Frances Rafferty Japanese Official Leonard Strong Japanese Official Jacqueline deWit Wu Lien's wife Clarence Lung Fourth Cousin Paul E. Burns Neighbor Shen
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1944
Labels: cary-grant, film-noir2, gender-bender, katharine-hepburn, marjorie-main, melodramaB, pre-code, spencer-tracy, teaching, tracy-hepburn
