Saturday, January 16, 2021
W.
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Josh Brolin George W. Bush Elizabeth Banks Laura Bush James Cromwell George H. W. Bush Ellen Burstyn Barbara Bush Richard Dreyfuss Dick Cheney Jeffrey Wright Colin Powelv Scott Glenn Donald Rumsfeld Thandiwe Newton Condoleezza Rice Toby Jones Karl Rove Bruce McGill George Tenet Ioan Gruffudd Tony Blair Noah Wyle Donald Evans Rob Corddry Ari Fleischer Dennis Boutsikaris Paul Wolfowitz Jason Ritter Jeb Bush Stacy Keach Earl Hudd
The Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Oliver Stone.
Labels: §1, ellen-burstyn, josh-brolin, oliver-stone, popcorn-and-soda1, presidential, richard-dreyfuss
The Accountant
- Commentary: This movie, which received underwhelming, at times savage, reviews, is, in fact, as one respected reviewer commented, "BIG FUN." And it is. It falls in the vein of, oh, the Equalizer films [Equalizer and Equalizer 2] (although they are, admittedly, better). It is jam packed with excellent actors, which makes you realize that, just as any office job has its interesting days and its slog days but you stay through the slog days because you need the money and you're good at the work, so, actors follow the same trajectory with their work.
Long story short, I'm sure I'll watch this movie again. It's not a standout, but, with a very curious accountant and an unlikely, reluctant detective at it's core (well, I guess all good detective stories highlight curious "heroes" and reluctant and unlikely detectives), it's involving and fun. That's right. "BIG FUN."
Update 3/28/01: Just had to mention, I was at loose ends this afternoon, not a typical Sunday mood for me, but not unusual. Wasn't even sure I wanted to watch a movie ... then I remembered this one. My memory tells me that this is the third time I've watched this movie since I bought it in late November of 2020. I can't remember how I heard of it or what provoked me to obtain it but, I must say, this is one of the more enjoyable action thrillers in my movie library. I can't say it's my favorite, because, frankly, when I'm in the mood for an action thriller movie, I have a number of movies in my collection that I personally rank as excellent and I'd be hard pressed to choose a "best" among them, this one included. I don't think I own an action thriller movie that I wouldn't enjoy watching multiple times. I suspect I'll be watching this one again. And again. Thanks, Ben Affleck.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ben Affleck Christian Wolff/The Accountant Anna Kendrick Dana Cummings Jon Bernthal Braxton Wolff Robert C. Treveiler Mr. Wolff/The Colonel J. K. Simmons Raymond King Cynthia Addai-Robinson Marybeth Medina Jeffrey Tambor Francis Silverberg John Lithgow Lamar Blackburn Jean Smart Rita Blackburn Andy Umberger Ed Chilton Alison Wright Justine Gary Basaraba Don
The Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 2016
Directed by Gavin O'Connor.
Labels: action2, adventure2, ben-affleck, detective1, drama1, economic, john-lithgow, revenge2, suspense1, violence1
Vice
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Dick Cheney Amy Adams Lynn Vincent Cheney Steve Carell Donald Rumsfeld Sam Rockwell George W. Bush Tyler Perry Colin Powell Alison Pill Mary Cheney Liz Rabe Liz Cheney Jesse Plemons Narrator Kurt LisaGay Hamilton Condoleezza Rice Stephen Adly Guirgis George Tenet Matthew Jacobs Antonin Scalia Kirk Bovill Henry Kissinger
The Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Adam McKay.
Labels: §, christian-bale, historical1, popcorn-and-soda1, presidential
What We Do in the Shadows
- Commentary: 6/5/2022: Finally watched this about six months ago. This is one of the silliest, funniest, dearest, most humane comedies I've seen in a long time. The only reason I haven't written about it, yet, is the same reason I haven't written about a lot of videos here that I haven't written about yet. The only videos I haven't seen, yet, are the three I ordered today. So, you know, I have no excuse. Just, under construction.
My Florida sister sent me this movie. I'm not sure what possessed her to do so, but I'm hilariously ever grateful that she did. I hope to catch some, if not all, of the episodes of the FX TV series, some day. My library has the initial movie but not the series. Amazon has both, and both are pay-per-view. Sorry, Amazon, I don't do pay-per-view. You already charge me enough, yearly, to be a Prime member. And, by the way, your prices per-DVD-per-season are prohibitive.
This movie is the pilot for a New Zealand TV series franchise, the Wikipedia write-up of which is here.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Taika Waititi Viago Von Dorna Schmarten Scheden Heimburg Jemaine Clement Vladislav the Poker Jonathan Brugh Deacon Brucke Ben Fransham Petyr Cori Gonzalez-Macuer Nick Stu Rutherford Stu Jackie van Beek Jackie Rhys Darby Anton Ethel Robinson Katherine Heimburg Elena Stejko Pauline Jason Hoyte Julian Karen O'Leary Officer O'Leary
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi.
Labels: §2, dramedy3, popcorn-and-soda1
The Newsroom: Entire Series
- Commentary: This clip from the first show of the first season is why I own this series. Because it ran on HBO, I never got a chance to see the entire series. But, somehow, I saw this clip, and it haunted me. I finally obtained the entire series.
I know, I know, it's out of fashion to like Aaron Sorkin's productions right now. I don't care. He produces some of the most thoughtful, interesting, American, that's right, American political writing available. That's why I own this series, and several other of his video works. I look forward to viewing past works of his to which I haven't yet been introduced and any future work he produces. You heard it here: Thanks, Aaron. Carry on.
P. S. My mother died before this series was created. I think she would have enjoyed it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeff Daniels Will McAvoy Emily Mortimer MacKenzie Morgan McHale John Gallagher Jr. James Harper Alison Pill Margaret Jordan Thomas Sadoski Don Keefer Dev Patel Neil Sampat Olivia Munn Sloan Sabbith Sam Waterston Charlie Skinner Jane Fonda Leona Lansing Hope Davis Nina Howard Marcia Gay Harden Rebecca Halliday Mary McCormack Molly Levy
The Wikipedia write-up of the series is here.
Release Date: 2012-2014
Directed by several people, only one of whom was a woman, Lesli Linka Glatter (how's that for a name meant to be in the film industry). She directed only one episode each in the first and second seasons.
Labels: aaron-sorkin, drama1, emily-mortimer, female-director3, hope-davis, journalism, marsha-gay-harden, me-favorite1, political1, reflective, TV1
Midsommar
- Commentary: I don't favor horror movies. I have a few, but I tend to avoid them. Generally, they strike me as fake, as containing elements that could never happen. In fact, the first full length movie effort by Ari Aster, who is reponsible for this movie, too, fell into the category, for me, of unbelievable, which is why I don't own it. [Yes, I entertain exceptions to my horror movie preferences. For instance, the premise of Rosemary's Baby is wholly ludicrous, but it was crafted so well that it remains one of my favorite movies.]
Well, here's a horror movie that isn't fake. Everything in this movie could happen. The movie, to me, is so good, so well crafted in both story and production, that it made me wonder if this story had happened, or if it is in the process of happening.
The first time I saw this movie was through it's placement on a video service. It was free for me to watch. So was Aster's other effort, Hereditary. I liked Midsommar so much that I immediately watched Hereditary, Aster's first major effort. And was disappointed. Curiously, critics were not. In some cases, Hereditary was rated more highly than this movie.
I would love to purchase the extended director's cut (with an extra 33 minutes) of this movie. It's availability, here in the U.S., is confusing, though. On those copies I can find, either the price is so high it's waaaay out of my range or its region playback ability appears to be questionable. Hopefully, access to it will be smoothed out and cheapened in the coming months. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out. In the meantime, I am completely satisfied with the version I have. I've not only watched it more than a few times, I enthusiastically encouraged MFS to watch it (for free on the video service).
I'm still waiting for a reasonably priced (the lowest price I can find is $45), Region 1 Director's Cut of this movie that will play on my standard blu-ray player. Come on, Retail Oligarchs, get your heads out of your asses and make one available! Do you think, after the last few years of bailouts for you and nothing to speak of for us plebes, that we plebes are made of money?!? You took it all! Do you have any idea how much money you'd make if you made available a reasonably priced, Region 1 Director's cut?!?
I have to mention before closing, RogerEbert.com went absolutely crazy over this movie, posting no less than three articles about or featuring this film and the issues it addresses in addition to its straightforward review: first article, second article and third article. Am I surprised? Well, a little, but, I have to tell you, in my opnion it's a great movie and I can't remember how many times I've watched it, so many has it been.
One more mention before closing: If you're as fascinated with this movie as I am, you might find this commentary interesting.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Florence Pugh Dani Ardor Jack Reynor Christian Hughes Vilhelm Blomgren Pelle William Jackson Harper Josh Will Poulter Mark Ellora Torchia Connie Archie Madekwe Simon Henrik Norlén Ulf Gunnel Fred Siv Isabelle Grill Maja Agnes Rase Dagny Levente Puczkó-Smith Oracle Ruben Julia Ragnarsson Inga Mats Blomgren Odd Lars Väringer Sten Anna Åström Karin
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Ari Aster.
Labels: A24, drama1, folk-horror, haunting1, suspense1, violence1
Wonder Woman
- Commentary: I really enjoy the part of this movie which focuses on Diana's Amazonian life. The rest of it, once she leaves Themyscira, eh. My reaction to the story of how Diana becomes embroiled in World War I and, as the blurbs say, discovers her true destiny, left me flat. Yes, the underplot of Diana actually battling Ares as she becomes involved in WWI is interesting, but frankly, anti-climactic. I'm not sure why. You'd think this mission would be exciting. That's certainly the secondary reason why I purchased the movie. The primary reason was because I collect certain super-hero movies and I wanted this particular origin story in my catalog. Will I watch it again? Probably. As I do, though, I'll always wish ...
Update 8/7/2021: I haven't decided whether I want to obtain Wonder Woman: 1984. I've read synopses (some detailed) of the movie, so I know the story, but, of course, that's not important, since, if I like a movie, I'll watch it multiple times, with the story already firmly in mind for all but one of those watches. And, as well, I don't particularly care about the conflicted reviews, like the one immediately above in this paragraph. Thing is, I've watched the original only once and, despite my adoration for the character as played by Gal Gadot, I may never watch this movie, again. My copy won't end up at my local library, since I consider it a must-keep in my super-hero caches (both caches linked, by the way; one to "super-hero" and one to "caches"). But, unlike Iron Man, for instance, I'm not drawn back to yet another watching. Then, again, this movie features Kristin Wiig as a villian, and that sounds like fun. Perhaps I'll check it out of my local library and see how I like it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gal Gadot Diana/Wonder Woman Chris Pine Steve Trevor Robin Wright Antiope Danny Huston Erich Ludendorff David Thewlis Sir Patrick Connie Nielsen Hippolyta Elena Anaya Dr. Isabel Maru Lucy Davis Etta Candy Saïd Taghmaoui Sameer Ewen Bremner Charlie Eugene Brave Rock Chief Lisa Loven Kongsli Menalippe
The Wikipedia article on this movie is here.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Patty Jenkins, as is the second film in this series.
Labels: action2, adventure2, don't-ask-me-why, drama1, fantasy1, female-director3, military, period1, political1, popcorn-and-soda1, pseudo-cgi-animation, super-hero1, suspense1, thriller1, violence1, war1
Falling Down
- Commentary: I almost feel like I have to explain my affection for this movie. Michael Douglas portrays such a tortured, confused character, one with whom I don't identify. And, yet, in my opinion, he plays it brilliantly and the story within which he unfolds this character is believable and thrilling. Initially, I think he was brave to take on this role. On second and third thought, though, Michael Douglas is refreshingly ready to surprise his audience with the range of the characters he takes on. This is one of his more complicated characters. For me, it's a Michael Douglas coup. I am always ready to watch this movie, which is why I have it in my collection.
One last mention: Roger Ebert wrote an interesting article about the rise of Donald Trump (pre-election) that used four different movies as grist for his mill. It's quite interesting. This movie is one of his four. And, BTW, all the movies he mentioned are in my collection and are favorites of mine. Who'd-a-thunk!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Michael Douglas William Foster Robert Duvall Sgt. Martin Prendergast Barbara Hershey Beth Trevino Rachel Ticotin Det. Sandra Torres Tuesday Weld Amanda Prendergast Frederic Forrest Nick Lois Smith Foster's Mother Joey Hope Singer Adele Foster-Trevino Michael Paul Chan Mr. Lee Raymond J. Barry Cpt. Bill Yardley D. W. Moffett Det. Lydecker Steve Park Det. Brian
Here is the Wikipedia article on this film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Joel Schumacher.
Labels: action2, adventure2, barbara-hershey, drama1, economic, haunting1, lois-smith, michael-douglas, political1, psychological1, robert-duvall, satire1, thriller1, tragedy1, tuesday-weld, violence1
Deception
- Commentary: What can I say? This is a Bette Davis movie, so it's a favorite of mine. It's a heart wrenching story of two musicians played by Paul Henreid and Claude Rains vying for the love of another musician (Davis), one of them doing it very badly with a sharp edge of jealousy, one of them doing it out of confusion and anger. The end leaves you wondering if either suitor deserved her, or if she deserved either of them. Great story. Very involving.
Update 8/15/2021: I could not end this post without leaving a link to Happy Birthday, Claude Rains: A Few Words about ‘Deception’, an article that well describes my own rapture over Claude Rains and that of his work I've seen. This article makes me want to search out more.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Christine Radcliffe Paul Heinreid Karl Novak Claude Rains Alexander Hollenius John Abbott Bertram Gribble Benson Fong Jimmy Richard Erdman Music Student Einar Neilsen Orchestra Conductor Neilsen Jean De Briac Maitre d' Andre
The Wikipedia write-up on this movie is here.
Release Date: 1946
Directed by Irving Rapper.
Labels: bette-davis, claude-rains, drama1, film-noir1, melodramaB, romance1, tragedy1
A Stolen Life
- Commentary: If I were asked to pick only one Bette Davis movie to keep in my collection, it would be either this movie or Now, Voyager and I am, frankly, grateful that I will never have to make the choice. In this movie Davis plays identical twins, one of whom is sweet, smart and unassuming, one of whom is devilish, smart, and bent on assuming the other twin's life. The second twin dies. The first twin, in order to be reunited with the love of her life, who was stolen from her by the dead twin, masquerades as the second twin, with almost disastrous consequences. She did not realize that the marriage of her dead sister was on the rocks and her insertion of herself into the situation promises to end badly. It doesn't, of course, and the circuitous managing of the relationship threatens to undo her. Ah, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
We're due, shortly, for a few days of snow. I will likely devote one of those days to a Bette Davis marathon, which will definitely include this movie. Long live the availability of Bette Davis movies!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Kate & Patricia Bosworth Glenn Ford Bill Emerson Dane Clark Karnock Walter Brennan Eben Folger Charlie Ruggles Freddie Linley Bruce Bennett Jack R. Talbot Peggy Knudsen Diedre Esther Dale Mrs. Johnson Clara Blandick Martha Joan Winfield Lucy Jack Mower George Leo White Waiter
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1946
Directed by Curtis Bernhardt.
Labels: bette-davis, drama2, melodramaB, popcorn-and-soda1, romance1, tragedy1
Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments - 1923 Silent Film
- Commentary: Under Construction.
Although this is an old, silent movie, it's an unusually interesting presentation of The Ten Commandments. DeMille intertwines the Exodus story with a modern (1923 modern, that is) tale of two brothers, one of whom follows the "law", the other of whom doesn't. Although, as you might expect, life turns sour for the second brother, and, of course, everyone in the movie is affected by his rankled life and death, salvation reigns for those the tawdry brother has mired in his muck. From my perspective, this movie is more about Christian Salvation, rather than following divine law, which is what turns this movie into a surprise; muddled, yes, but still a surprise. It's very interesting, even though sometimes confusing, to watch and ponder. It's revelatory, as well, to realize that DeMille was not satisfied with this version of the Exodus story, thus, he reprised it in 1956 and left out any kind of modern take on divine law. Frankly, I would have liked to have seen a more well thought out version of this 1923 intertwined story. This movie, though, is quite provocative, nonetheless. Definitely worth more than one watch. As a homage to this extraordinary rendition of the Exodus story, I'm including many credits in the Actor/Role Table, below.
Update: 6/7/2022: As of this date my collection now includes four versions of the Exodus story: The Ten Commandments 1923, The Ten Commandments 1956, Moses 1995 and Exodus: Gods and Kings. Splitting the difference, care to wager on how long it will be until we see another Exodus epic? My money's on 31 years.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Theodore Roberts Moses Charles De Roche Rameses Estelle Taylor Miriam Julia Faye Pharoah's Wife Terrence/Pat Moore Son of Pharoah James Neill Aaron Lawson Butt Dathan Clarence Burton The Taskmaster Noble Johnson The Bronze Man Edythe Chapman Mrs. Martha McTavish Richard Dix John McTavish Rod La Rocque Dan McTavish Leatrice Joy Mary Leigh Nita Naldi Sally Lung Robert Edeson Inspector Redding Charles Ogle The Doctor Agnes Ayres The Outcast Wilson Benge Butler Louise Emmons Elderly Israelite Roscoe Karns Dan's Pal & Associate
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1923
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille.
Labels: §1, bible-movies1, drama2, film-art1, moses, silent
Exodus: Gods and Kings
- Commentary: I own this movie because I have a particular fascination for the Moses part of the origin story of the Jewish people and their attempts to, and successes at, forming a nation. This is my fourth version of the Moses story, the others being: The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston as Moses, Moses with Ben Kingsley playing Moses, superbly, I think, and Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments, DeMille's first, silent production of the Moses story, which combines the story with a modern day film meditation of the application of the ten commandments in what was, at that time, modern life.
This movie, staring Christian Bale as Moses, is certainly entertaining. I go on "Moses" binges during which I watch all of my Moses movies back-to-back. This version is as involving and entertaining as all the others. Joel Edgerton is particularly fun as Pharaoh Ramses. John Turturro strikes an appropriately wise and world-weary Seti. Much to my delight, Ben Kingsley also appears in this movie as a major/minor figure, Nun. There are so many recognizable stars playing bit parts in this movie that it makes you wonder ...
Truth is, even though I consider it a delightful addition to my Moses archive, it's easy to wonder, as I watch it, why this Moses story was even produced and why all these major stars (including those in minor parts) assented to participate. Mind you, I have no quarrel with versions and versions of the Moses story. I find them endlessly fun and fascinating. Of all the versions I own, though, this is the only one that appears to be an obvious Ridley Scott money grab, and, frankly, only a money grab. We know how spectacular Scott can be producing an epic. You only need to point to Gladiator. In that movie, it's obvious that Ridley Scott, the director for that movie, too, was not only thinking about content, he thought assiduously and well about it. Not so with this production. There are some roles that featured large in my other Exodus epics that were merely spit upon in passing in this movie: Dathan, for instance, and Jethro. There are others that featured large in this movie that were, again, spit upon in passing or altogether ignored in my other Exodus epics: Miriam, for instance, and Viceroy Hegep.
Still, it's fun to watch, in the context of my other Moses movies. I'll not be passing it on to someone else.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Moses Joel Edgerton Rameses II John Turturro Seti I Aaron Paul Joshua Ben Mendelsohn Viceroy Hegep María Valverde Zipporah Sigourney Weaver Tuya Ben Kingsley Nun Isaac Andrews Malak Hiam Abbass Bithiah Indira Varma High Priestess Ewen Bremner Strategy Expert Golshifteh Farahani Nefertari Ghassan Massoud Grand Vizier Paser Tara Fitzgerald Miriam Dar Salim Cmdr. Khyan Andrew Tarbet Aaron Ken Bones Court Scribe Anton Alexander Dathan Kevork Malikyan Jethro
You'll notice, above, that the name "Malak" is hyperlinked to an article that well discusses the use of this word/name biblically. I became very curious about this word/name because of the character who sports it in this movie. Interesting read, no matter how you feel about the movie. Although many people, including some prominent reviewers, have identified this character as the Abrahamic God, the definition to which I've linked clearly undermines this interpretation by identifying this word as meaning a "messenger" and an "angel".
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Ridley Scott.
Labels: ben-kingsley, ben-mendelsohn, bible-movies1, christian-bale, drama2, historical1, indira-varma, john-turturro, military, moses, popcorn-and-soda1, religion1, ridley-scott, sigourney-weaver, spectacle1, violence1
