Movies, Mom & Me

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  Commentary:  Did you know that the material in this movie is not only a book written by Stephen King, but inspired an opera, as well? I'm not surprised. The themes are sturdy, well-portrayed with a lack of sentimentality and an abundance of complication and so incredibly well acted and ever-inspiring: mother vs daughter, employee vs employer, wife vs abusive husband, community vs stalwart, self-protective woman. I swear, someday, when you and I are long dead, Stephen King will be considered the Shakespeare of our age.
    This movie has had a hold on me for years. I purchased it because I've checked it out of our library system so many times I believe I am partly responsible for the fact that at least one copy is always being "mended" by the staff. That's why I own it, now.
    There is only one aspect of the story with which I quibble: Dolores inheriting Vera's estate. On the one hand, she certainly deserves it, the inheritance places Vera in a kinder light, and Dolores' character certainly isn't changed by the news of the inheritance, although I suspect her circumstances are. On the other hand, you know, every time I watch this movie, I imagine Dolores not inheriting and realize, yet again, it wouldn't matter to the overall effect of the movie and the story. At any rate, it's a tiny quibble I have. Doesn't change my undying love for this movie, this character and the character of Vera.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Kathy Bates	Dolores Claiborne	Jennifer Jason Leigh	Selena St. George	Judy Parfitt	Vera Donovan	Christopher Plummer	Det. John Mackey
  David Strathairn	Joe St. George	Eric Bogosian	Peter	John C. Reilly	Cons. Frank Stamshaw	Bob Gunton	Mr. Pease

  
    The Wikipedia write-up for this movie (not the opera, that's earlier in this post) is here.
    Release Date: 1995
    Directed by Taylor Hackford.

Labels: bob-gunton, christopher-plummer, david-strathairn, drama3, haunting1, jennifer-jason-leigh, journalism, period1, psychological1, taylor-hackford, tragedy1, women's-movie1

# posted by gail @ 08:55    0 comments    email......this post

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  Commentary:  This movie (as is the next, above), is a necessary addition to my DVD library. I have a "thing" for gang-movies and if I don't own them, I check them out of my library system on a regular basis. It's grittier than Blood In Blood Out, not nearly as colorful and produced with much less hubris than the former. In addition, the fellow who plays the older "J.D." in this movie (William Forsythe) plays "Cockeye" in one of my other favorite gang-movies, Once Upon a Time in America.
    Considering how many times I've seen this movie, I was surprised when, upon first receiving it, I watched the movie so intently, rewinding moments and scenes, stopping the film to investigate something on the internet that I noticed in the movie ... seeing as how it's not unusual for me to do this, I'm surprised I'd not previously done it with this movie.
    I can't really say which of my gang-movies is my favorite. All of them are intense in a way that I favor and, to me, so different. Now that my collection of gang-movies is expanding, though, I think it might be time to add this as a category to my labels. I'll start with this movie.
    By the way, Roger Ebert was so impressed with this movie, even though he gave it 3 1/2 stars, rather than four, that he interviewed Mr. Olmos about the movie. It's an interesting interview. In case you are further interested in Mr. Olmos' accomplishments, his Wikipedia write-up is here.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Edward James Olmos	Montoya Santana	William Forsythe	J. D.	Pepe Serna	Mundo	Daniel A. Haro	Huero
  Sal Lopez	Pedro Santana	Vira Montez	Esperanza Santana	Danny De La Paz	Puppet	Daniel Villarreal	Little Puppet
  Evelina Fernández	Julie	Roberto Martín Márquez	Acha	Dyana Ortelli	Yolanda	Jacob Vargas	Paulito Santana

  
    The Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
    Release Date: 1992
    Directed by Edward James Olmos.

Labels: drama3, edward-james-olmos, gang-movie, historical1, political1, violence1, war1

# posted by gail @ 08:40    0 comments    email......this post

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  Commentary:  I don't own a standard television, don't live in an area that has easy access to a universal television signal (like, the networks, etc) and don't subscribe to cable tv, so I almost never know what's "on the tube". My Florida Sister, though, will often tweak my consciousness on what I should look for in the DVD section of Prescott's library system (which is, surprisingly, relatively up-to-date). This time, though, she just outright sent me the first season of this show, so sure was she that I'd enjoy it. She was right! First of all, Laurence Fishburne is in it. I could watch him playing a mushroom and be satisfied. Secondly, the writing is smart and spot on. Thirdly, the actors are well-picked; not a false performance in the group. And, take note of this, I laughed out loud several times watching the episodes. If you don't think that's a high recommendation, consider how many times you laugh out loud when you are watching, reading or hearing something by yourself. Almost never happens! Laughter is generally a social signal.
    I'm looking forward to watching subsequent seasons. Much to my surprise (I live in a relatively small community), my library system has the first season in their collection. With any luck, they'll be adding seasons. Next time I'm there, I'm going to suggest it. Honks, honks, honks, again, My Florida Sister!
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Anthony Anderson	Andre Johnson Sr.	Tracee Ellis Ross	Dr. Rainbow Johnson	Yara Shahidi	Zoey Johnson	Marcus Scribner	Andre Johnson Jr.
  Miles Brown	Jack Johnson	Marsai Martin	Diane Johnson	Laurence Fishburne	Earl Johnson	Anna Deavere Smith	Alicia Johnson
  Nelson Franklin	Connor Stevens	Beau Bridges	Paul Jackson	Raven-Symoné	Rhonda Johnson	Wanda Sykes	Daphne Lido

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
    Premiere Date First Season: 2014
    Episodes directed by: James Griffiths: 1, 3, 4; Rebecca Asher: 2, 8, 13; Claire Scanlon: 5; Matt Sohn: 6, 18; Victor Nelli, Jr.: 7, 19, 22; Ken Whittingham: 9, 20, 21; Elliot Hegarty: 10; Michael Schultz: 11, 16; Stuart McDonald: 12; Phil Traill: 14; Millicent Shelton: 15; John Fortenberry: 17; Anton Cropper: 23; Jonathan Groff: 24. Whew! I don't know why I bothered to list every director for each episode. I won't be doing that again!

Labels: comedy1, female-director1, laurence-fishburne, satire1, TV1

# posted by gail @ 08:24    0 comments    email......this post