Tuesday, March 06, 2018
A Belated Note about My Labeling Habits
- Commentary: You may have noticed, there are sometimes movies that have only one label attached to them and, sometimes, a movie has a bewildering plethora of labels attached. This is because I don't label movies with my readers in mind, since I doubt I have any readers on this blog. I label them with the thought that, if I decide on designing a movie-watching period (day, weekend, maybe even three or four days in a row, possibly a week) with a particular type of movie in mind, I can easily click that type and find all the movies I have, in the past, thought I might want to watch during a type-marathon. It's for me, Dear Reader, not for you.
Vertigo
- Commentary: Believe it. The first time I saw this movie, in my life, was late last year. What can I say, part of my Alfred Hitchcock ambivalence, I guess. I was driven to check out the movie and watch it when I was watching a review of old films on YouTube and saw a cut of Jimmy Stewart's face from this movie looking very much like that cut of horror on his face in It's a Wonderful Life when he is on the brink of suicide. Hmmm... I thought. I'd like to see more of that. I always enjoy a Jimmy Stewart performance that pits his nice-guy image against his horrified image, even if it was a Hitchcock film and, thus, previously a point of avoidance for me.
Well, I was riveted from the beginning. Firstly, it's a treat for me to watch a movie for the first time that is decades old and made with completely different techniques across the board. This movie was not a disappointment. Secondly, it's a fucking good movie! In fact, I understand why it's considered a great movie. Thirdly, the swing of the movie is so active and masterful that it completely involved me right up to the end. There wasn't a second, from the benign beginning to the surprisingly melodramatic ending, that allowed me to look away. It was a no-brainer that I would add this movie to my collection. I've already watched it twice since it entered my house. I just can't get enough of it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James Stewart John Ferguson Kim Novak Judy Barton/Madeleine Elster Barbara Bel Geddes Marjorie Wood Tom Helmore Gavin Elster Henry Jones The Coroner Raymond Bailey Ferguson's Doctor Ellen Corby McKittrick Hotel Mgr. Lee Patrick Car Owner mistaken for Madeleine
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Just in case, here's the Wikipedia write-up on this film.
Release Date: 1958
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Labels: alfred-hitchcock, drama4, film-noir3, james-stewart, melodramaC, popcorn-and-soda2, suspense1, thriller1, tragedy1
Split
- Commentary: Yikes! A third candidate for "horror" label status, all in the same editing session! This movie was a must-view-must-have for me. It's the second in the Eastrail 177 Trilogy by M. Night Shyamalan. I didn't know this, though, when I checked the film out of the library and watched it. All I knew was that it is the latest Shyamalan movie to be released so I wanted to see it. I don't always like his movies, like, for instance, The Village and Lady in the Water, not to mention The Last Airbender. Some of them, like Signs (which I don't own but occasionally check out of the library), I find entertaining but not worthy (yet, anyway) of owning. There are a few I haven't seen but expect to. My favorite of his films, though, is Unbreakable.
I liked Split so much that I immediately looked up information on it. When I discovered it is part of a trilogy of which Unbreakable is the first, well, I wanted to own it. I expect, eventually, to own Glass to complete the trilogy in my collection (I own it, now).
Split is of interest to me because I have a peculiar interest in super-hero evolution movies. Split is a super-villian evolution movie. To quote the Wikipedia entry on the movie: "The film has been referred to as the first supervillain origin story; the first time a film has been completely devoted to the origins of a villain as opposed to the origins of the superhero." My interest in super-hero movies and series is so eccentric that I avoid a lot of them. Unbreakable was the happy accident that lead me into a deeper interest in super-heroes. Now, I find that interest expanding into super-villians. I'll not be instituting a super-villian category, yet, because this would be the only movie in that category, at least for awhile, until other film makers catch the wave. Thank you, M. Night Shyamalan for being the first, and spectacularly!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James McAvoy Kevin Wendell Crumb/alter egos Anya Taylor-Joy Casey Cooke Betty Buckley Karen Fletcher Haley Lu Richardson Claire Benoit Jessica Sula Marcia Sebastian Arcelus Casey's Father Brad William Henke John Cooke Neal Huff Mr. Benoit Lyne Renée Academic Moderator Rosemary Howard Penelope Crumb M. Night Shyamalan Security Guard Jai Bruce Willis David Dunn
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2016
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Labels: action1, coming-of-age1, drama4, fantasy1, horror1, m-night-shyamalan, science-fiction1, super-hero1
The Birds
- Commentary: Ah! My second chance to use the "horror" label in my catalogue of films!
I came by a circuitous route to owning this film. I did see this movie in the theater when it was initially released. I was 12. I watched the movie at an outdoor theater on Guam, which certainly added to the ambience of the film. I followed the movie with a reading of the short story, which was anti-climactic. Hitchcock used Daphne du Maurier's story as a springboard. However, the film had a huge impact on me. I think it may have been the first bleak film I'd seen. It left me so hungry for an upbeat ending that I spent days after my viewing rearranging my thinking about stories, films and life. Mind you, I was not unused to bleakness in literature. By the time I'd seen this movie I'd already read, and reveled in, Of Mice and Men, Two Years Before the Mast and Moby Dick, as well as a few other bleak classics. No, I never saw filmed versions of those. But, then, The Birds is in an entirely different class of film adaptation for me. It ushered me into an appreciation of the bleak film genre.
One of the treats of this particular press of this movie is all the extras. I haven't gone through all the supplemental material but what I've seen has increased my enjoyment of the movie at least a few-fold. This, however, isn't the reason I purchased the movie. A few months ago I read Camille Paglia's latest book and began catching myself up on interviews with her posted on YouTube. I'd read (and often been provoked by) almost everything she's written and love listening to her; it's like listening to an intelligent machine gun. Anyway, I thought I knew her book literature inside out. In addition, I was an original subscriber to Salon magazine in the old days when it was a startlingly good site and included the forum "The Well". Camille Paglia was an original contributor and I enjoyed her column. It came as a surprise to me, though, that she'd written a book about the movie The Birds. I searched it out. Reading it was a bit of a disappointment, but it heightened my interest in the movie, scenes from which had lodged in my memory long ago, especially since the reviewer of Paglia's book about the movie, in the previous link, included derisive pronouncement on the movie, itself, in contrast to how much it's been lauded over the years since its initial release. So, I checked the movie out of the library.
My memory of the movie had not failed me. There was good reason for it to have branded itself into my memory. I have very few Hitchcock movies in my collection. His movies are only occasionally of interest to me. Psycho, for instance, to me was, to quote out of context Myles Weber, the reviewer who wrote the above mentioned review of Paglia's book on The Birds [link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie], a "dud"; I've never been interested enough in the film to figure out why it struck me that way. I knew, though, after checking out The Birds, I wanted to add it to my collection. I've watched it once since it arrived. I'll be watching it again.
The review for this specific movie, by the way, can be found in the page linked to the title of this post about halfway down DVD Savant's page. He reviewed all the movies found in "Alfred Hitchcock The Masterpiece Collection", so you'll need to scroll through other material before reaching the review for this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Rod Taylor Mitch Brenner Tippi Hedren Melanie Daniels Jessica Tandy Lydia Brenner Veronica Cartwright Cathy Brenner Suzanne Pleshette Annie Hayworth Ethel Griffies Ornithologist Mrs. Bundy Charles McGraw Sebastian Sholes Lonny Chapman Deke Carter Elizabeth Wilson Helen Carter Ruth McDevitt Mrs. MacGruder Malcolm Atterbury Deputy Al Malone Richard Deacon Mitch's S.F. Neighbor
Release Date: 1963
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Labels: alfred-hitchcock, animal, drama4, fantasy1, film-art1, horror1, science-fiction1, suspense1, violence2
Rosemary's Baby
- Commentary: I originally saw this movie in the theater during its first release, on Guam, after having read the book by Ira Levin. It was the first time I'd seen a movie that so closely followed the book that, I swear, I'd imagined the movie exactly as it appeared before I saw it. Typically, every year, around Halloween, some film service to which I have access features this movie. I always watch it. At least once. However, I often yearn to watch it when it's not being featured on a film service, so I've checked it out innumerable times from the library. Now, I own it.
I can't say much about this movie that hasn't already been said. It has loquacious fans all over the world. I can, however, say something about my interest in Roman Polanski movies. I'm surprised I don't own more than three. One, in particular, I wish I owned is Tess [P.S. 8/16/21: I own this movie, now]. I even wrote a published review of that film. I've seen several of the movies he's directed, including: Chinatown, such a "cool" (in the Marshall McLuhan sense) film; Knife in the Water, an interesting, eerie film, loads of promise; Carnage, a sardonic delight; Macbeth, which, unlike many critics, I thoroughly enjoyed, it is, in fact, my favorite film adaptation of this play; and The Ninth Gate, with which I was disappointed, to say the least. I wish he'd done something more, well, spectacular, with Johnny Depp. Oh well, when you've got a line-up like Roman Polanski's, they can't all be winners, I guess. There are several more I haven't seen but intend to. I would say it's possible that I will end up owning more of his films. There's something about the Polanksi directing touch, which, while unobtrusive, is unique and powerful.
Turns out, much to my surprise, I don't have a "horror" label for my film collection. That will be corrected with this film.
And, by the way, yes, Mom and I watched it together, more than a few times, and, yes, she loved it, too. She especially enjoyed Mia Farrow's characterization of a pregnant woman. Every time she watched the walking-around-in-the-street scene she'd say, "That's exactly how a pregnant woman walks!"
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mia Farrow Rosemary Woodhouse John Cassavetes Guy Woodhouse Ruth Gordon Minnie Castevet Sidney Blackmer Roman Castevet/Steven Marcato Maurice Evans Hutch Ralph Bellamy Dr. Abraham Sapirstein Charles Grodin Dr. Hill Patsy Kelly Laura-Louise McBirney Angela Dorian Terry Gionoffrio Philip Leeds Dr. Shand Elisha Cook Mr. Nicklas Tony Curtis Donald Baumgart
Just in case, the Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 1968
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: drama4, erotic, fantasy1, haunting1, horror1, roman-polanski, shared-favorite, suspense1
Face/Off
- Commentary: Definitely a guilty-pleasures movie for me!
Love the "Hallelujah Chorus" sequence! Love the cinematography! Love the twisty-turny story! Love the final catch-him sequence! Love this pairing of John Travolta and Nicolas Cage!
I watched this movie again a few days ago (it's one of those for which I get a hankering) and, as usual, laughed out loud in delight, even though I was watching it alone.
Just an action gem! A John Woo masterpiece.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role John Travolta Sean Archer Nicolas Cage Castor Troy Joan Allen Eve Archer Alessandro Nivola Pollux Troy Gina Gershon Sasha Hassler Dominique Swain Jamie Archer Nick Cassavetes Dietrich Hassler Harve Presnell Victor Lazarro Colm Feore Dr. Malcolm Walsh John Carroll Lynch Prison Guard Walton CCH Pounder Hollis Miller Tommy Flanagan Leo
Just in case, the Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by John Woo.
Labels: action1, drama4, john-travolta, me-favorite1, neo-noirB, nicolas-cage, popcorn-and-soda2, science-fiction1, suspense1, thriller1, violence2
Giant
- Commentary: It's not that I have a thing for James Dean. It's only been within the last year that I've owned any of his three movies, and then, not intentionally but as part of collections I've purchased. After watching East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause, (the former twice), I read a bit about James Dean, his truncated life and career, and decided to check this movie out of the library, having only a vague memory of having once watched it, likely when Mom was alive. Once I'd returned it, the three, together, began to haunt me and I decided to purchase this one. Do I think James Dean had the makings of a great actor? I'm not sure. His characterizations differed so little among the three roles that I think he was still in the stage of playing the same character over and over, which may have been a result of type-casting. After watching Giant it occurred to me that he might have evolved into the Julia Roberts of male actors; someone who was believable as himself and savvy at picking roles that required little in the way of character variance but were blockbusters (in part because of his name), nonetheless. Truthfully, his generation and the ones immediately previous and subsequent produced many of these actors, Rock Hudson (one of his costars in this movie) and John Wayne among them. It's probably unfair of me to peg these generations, in particular, for producing this type of actor because I think every generation has its Julia Roberts and James Dean actors. I have to add, Amazon Prime has some television episodes of performances by James Dean that I intend to check out, so, be forewarned, my opinion of his acting abilities and his prospects, had he lived, is likely evolving.
Giant, however, has other delectables. It is a "sprawling family saga" of the type my mother would have loved and probably did, as I can't imagine that she and I didn't watch this movie at some time on TCM. I just have no memory of it. It also has many of those classic character actor performances that often outshine the performances of the leads. Three that come to mind are Carroll Baker's Luz Benedict, Mercedes McCambridge's Luz Benedict, Sr. (so to speak) and Jane Wither's Vashti Hake Snythe (what a name!). As well, Dennis Hopper as Jordan Benedict III contributes one of the more promising performances of his decidedly spotty career. Watching him in this movie reminded me of noticing Jack Nicholson in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, kind of an anti-climactic shock, reminding one that, yes, these actors had to earn their chops just like everyone else. The landscaping, as well, is fabulous and the story is certainly engaging.
So, now, I own the James Dean movie trilogy. I feel as though that's an accomplishment. And, yes, I'll watch all three again. And again.
Update 3/10/18: Okay, I watched the two television plays Amazon features in which James Dean appears: Harvest and A Long Time Before Dawn. The first piece offers Dean a role requiring fairly subdued acting and he performs admirably. The second casts Dean as a "hoodlum" who has just finished a stint in prison, killed a beloved shop owner while attempting to return to his wife and, once he returns home to his father, who is harboring his wife, dreams, allows his volatility to get the best of him in the wake of his murder of the shop owner, and is killed. As I watched it I wondered if this role was one that typecast him for the three feature length films he was in. I could see the buds of all three of those roles in his portrayal of the ex-convict in A Long Time Before Dawn. I noticed that between 1951 and his death, Dean played loads of television, not an insignificant number of small roles in other feature films, all uncredited, and was busy on stage, as well, both on and off Broadway. He was definitely career minded and was very busily paying his dues. I am satisfied with the three films and two television plays I've seen. I don't think I'll be seeking out any more of his work, though. I'm not really a fan, own two out of the three features films I have of his by accident and, well, although it might be interesting to see how much of a range he displayed before dying, to be blunt, I'm not interested. I should note, though, as I watched the two television plays, I was reminded of the curious career of the character Smith Jerrod in Sex and the City and wondered if James Dean stumbled upon a Samantha Jones who helped boost and burnish his career.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Elizabeth Taylor Leslie Lynnton Benedict Rock Hudson Jordan Benedict Jr. James Dean Jett Rink Jane Withers Vashti Hake Snythe Robert Nichols Mort Snythe Chill Wills Jordan's Uncle Mercedes McCambridge Luz Benedict Carroll Baker Luz Benedict II Dennis Hopper Jordan Benedict III Fran Bennett Judy Benedict Dace Earl Holliman Bob Dace Elsa Cárdenas Juana Villalobos Benedict Paul Fix Dr. Horace Lynnton Judith Evelyn Mrs. Nancy Lynnton Rod Taylor Sir David Karfrey Sal Mineo Ángel Obregón II
Release Date: 1956
Directed by George Stevens.
Labels: adventure1, carroll-baker, drama4, historical2, rock-hudson
The Rapture
- Commentary: I know, I know, what am I doing with this movie, relatively unknown, certainly a peculiar take on Christianity's final judgment doctrine, in my collection? Let me explain. I saw this movie when I was living in Seattle, when it premiered in the theater. I decided to see it after reading Roger Ebert's remarkable review of the movie, linked to the title of this post.
No, I am not a believer, for all practical purposes I've never been, but I lived, in my teenage years, with a relative who became a rabid Christian fundamentalist and spent quite a bit of her time at home (which was, in those days, less time than she spent at church functions) trying to convert the rest of the family (which she never accomplished; an unusual defeat considering that the usually successful tactic of the church with which she was associated was to snatch the teens and badger them to convert their families). I was particularly affected, to the point of studying scripture, despite my lack of faith, and presenting her with an essay about how, if her beliefs were true, I was willing to be eternally damned. Some years later this relative renounced her belief, with her husband, whom she met in the church, and became a staunch atheist and Unitarian Universalist. I've remained an agnostic atheist with a fascination for religious rabidity and the media it inspires. This is my favorite movie of that genre. Notice all the labels I've attached to it. It affects me on several levels, of which I am reminded at least once a year since I obtained it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mimi Rogers Sharon David Duchovny Randy Kimberly Cullum Mary Darwyn Carson Maggie Patrick Bauchau Vic James LeGros Tommy Will Patton Deputy Foster Sam Vlahos Wayne
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Michael Tolkin.
Labels: adventure1, apocalyptic, bible-movies1, drama4, dream1, fantasy1, film-art1, haunting1, jesus-dvds, me-favorite1, neo-noirB, prophecy, spiritual1, suspense1
Just a few I forgot.
As you might expect of someone who has a relatively extensive collection of movies, there are a few I overlooked when last updating this catalogue, seven, to be exact. In my defense, they are movies I had recently watched just previous to the last cataloging attempt and were in a separate pile, pushed back behind other piles. I discovered them last night when I decided it was time to file all the movies spread in piles around my dvd player. They're above.
