Sunday, January 17, 2021
The Dark Knight Trilogy: The Dark Knight Rises
- Commentary: This is my favorite Christopher Nolan Batman movie. The internal battle that subsumes itself into a battle with the evil elements of society in Batman Begins finally has to be faced by Bruce Wayne in this third installment of The Dark Knight Trilogy. He has lost the love of his life and was forced to kill one of his foremost supporters in city government. He has convinced his other government supporter to blame himself for the killings of the other government supporter. Even technical whiz bosom buddy collaborator, Lucius Fox, has become disenchanted with Wayne. Alfred Pennyworth is still loyal but sorely disappointed. Catwoman figures heavily in the movie and it's impossible to tell, throughout most of it, if she is friend or foe.
The movie is filled with a confusion of events, one being Batman's imprisonment, another being Batman's presumed death from his final act to save Gotham from a nuclear bomb and the final being Batman's funeral. Despite all this confusion, the movie has a highly gratifying conclusion, in which Robin figures prominently. It leaves you wondering if Bruce will ever again take on the role of Batman, but it is a satisfying curiosity. Certainly, I doubt that Nolan will extend Batman's story, but, who knows what others will do.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Bruce Wayne/Batman Michael Caine Alfred Pennyworth Gary Oldman James Gordon Anne Hathaway Selina Kyle/Catwoman Tom Hardy Bane Marion Cotillard Miranda Tate/Talia al Ghul Joseph Gordon-Levitt John Blake Morgan Freeman Lucius Fox Liam Neeson Ra's Al Ghul Matthew Modine Foley Ben Mendelsohn Daggett William Devane President
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2012
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: action2, adventure2, ben-mendelsohn, christian-bale, christopher-nolan, drama1, michael-caine, morgan-freeman, neo-noirC, political1, super-hero1, thriller1, violence1, william-devane
The Dark Knight Trilogy: Batman Begins
- Commentary: This is an endlessly interesting origin story for Batman. All the major characters that people Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy are introduced, including Batman as a boy and how, exactly, the death of his parents leads him to become Batman. No need to say anymore, except, I'm a fan of the entire trilogy.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Bruce Wayne/Batman Linus Roache Thomas Wayne Sara Stewart Martha Wayne Morgan Freeman Lucius Fox Michael Caine Alfred Pennyworth Liam Neeson Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul Katie Holmes Rachel Dawes Gary Oldman James Gordon Cillian Murphy Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow Tom Wilkinson Carmine Falcone Rutger Hauer William Earle Ken Watanabe decoy Ra's al Ghul
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: action2, adventure2, christian-bale, christopher-nolan, coming-of-age1, drama1, michael-caine, morgan-freeman, neo-noirB, psychological1, super-hero1, suspense1, tom-wilkinson, violence1
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Margot Robbie Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn Mary Elizabeth Winstead Helena Bertinelli/The Huntress Jurnee Smollett-Bell Dinah Lance/Black Canary Rosie Perez Renee Montoya Chris Messina Victor Zsasz Ella Jay Basco Cassandra Cain Ali Wong Ellen Yee Ewan McGregor Roman Sionis/Black Mask
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 2020
Directed by Cathy Yan.
Labels: §2, dramedy1, female-director1, super-hero1
Battleship Potemkin
- Commentary: My Florida sister sent me this movie. I haven't yet watched it all the way through. In fact, I've seen the end, and the beginning, but not much of the middle. I can't remember what possessed me to go through this film like that, clicking around to study how this story was presented on film so early in the 20th century. At any rate, I'm looking forward to watching it from beginning to end and writing about how it struck me. I have a feeling, from as much as I've seen, it's going to be a wordy commentary I'll be writing.
One of the scenes that is particularly interesting is when the citizens of Odessa rally for the rebels on the steps of Odessa. In the mayhem, a baby carriage is let loose and rolls down the steps. I couldn't help but think a similar scene in The Untouchables and wonder if this movie was the inspiration for that scene and if the similar scene in The Untouchables was an homage to this scene. The Wikipedia write-up for this movie suggests so, but the Wikipedia write-up for The Untouchables does not.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Aleksandr Antonov Grigory Vakulinchuk Vladimir Barsky Commander Golikov Grigori Aleksandrov Chf. Ofcr. Giliarovsky I. Bobrov Flogged Sailor Mikhail Gomorov Militant Sailor Aleksandr Levshin Petty Officer N. Poltavseva Woman with pince-nez Lyrkean Makeon Masked Man
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 1925
Directed by Sergei Eisenstein.
Labels: silent
Silence
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Andrew Garfield Sebastião Rodrigues Adam Driver Francisco Garupe Tadanobu Asano The Interpreter Ciarán Hinds Alessandro Valignano/Voice of Jesus Liam Neeson Cristóvão Ferreira/Sawano Chūan Shinya Tsukamoto Mokichi Issey Ogata noue Masashige Yōsuke Kubozuka Kichijirō Nana Komatsu Mónica (Haru) Ryo Kase João (Chokichi) Katsuo Nakamura The Monk Yoshi Oida Ichizo
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2016
Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Labels: §1, historical4, martin-scorsese, religion1
The Untouchables
- Commentary: This is such a smooth, well crafted story and movie that, of course, I own it, have watched it more than once and expect to watch it again. And, again. Highlights are Sean Connery's character and performance, of course, followed closely by Robert DeNiro's (who is almost unrecognizable in his part) characterization of Al Capone. Kevin Costner's ubiquitous "cool" is perfect for this part. Andy Garcia is, appropriately, subservient to the script, thus, I think it's one of his best performances.
By the way, see my write-up for Battleship Potemkin for information on the baby carriage scene in this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Costner Eliot Ness Sean Connery Jim Malone Robert De Niro Al Capone Charles Martin Smith Oscar Wallace Andy García George Stone Billy Drago Nitti Patricia Clarkson Edna Ness Richard Bradford Mike
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1987
Directed by Brian De Palma.
Labels: action2, adventure2, andy-garcía, brian-de-palma, detective1, drama1, historical1, period1, political1, popcorn-and-soda1, violence1
- Commentary: This is such a smooth, well crafted story and movie that, of course, I own it, have watched it more than once and expect to watch it again. And, again. Highlights are Sean Connery's character and performance, of course, followed closely by Robert DeNiro's (who is almost unrecognizable in his part) characterization of Al Capone. Kevin Costner's ubiquitous "cool" is perfect for this part. Andy Garcia is, appropriately, subservient to the script, thus, I think it's one of his best performances.
Cat People
- Commentary: This movie mesmerizes me and has since I first saw it during its initial theater release. I love its dark sexual statements. I love Natassia Kinski's and Malcolm McDowell's performances. I love the suggestion that sex is never simple, and if you approach it as such, you're liable to lose an arm (or some other essential body part).
By the way, I've never seen the original version, although I'd love to. Interestingly, my local library, which draws on the entire system of libraries in the county, offers this 1982 version for loan but not the 1942 version, even though that version is widely available. This piques my curiosity even more.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nastassja Kinski Irena Gallier Malcolm McDowell Paul Gallier John Heard Oliver Yates Annette O'Toole Alice Perrin Ruby Dee Creole Housekeeper Female Ed Begley Jr. Joe Creigh Scott Paulin Bill Searle Frankie Faison Det. Brandt Lynn Lowry Ruthie John Larroquette Bronte Judson Tessa Richarde Billie Meshach Taylor Powell Berry Berenson Sandra Pui Fan Lee Olga Ray Wise Soap Opera Man Stocker Fontelieu Priest
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1982
Directed by Paul Schrader.
Labels: erotic, fantasy1, horror1
Logan
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Hugh Jackman James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine Patrick Stewart Charles Xavier/Professor X Dafne Keen Laura/X-23 Boyd Holbrook Pierce Stephen Merchant Caliban Richard E. Grant Dr. Zandar Rice Eriq La Salle Will Munson Elise Neal Kathryn Munson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up about this movie.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by James Mangold.
Labels: §2, science-fiction1, super-hero1
Tess
- Commentary: Under construction.
I will write more, later, but, I just have to say, this is one of my favorite movies of all time. I can't, though, explain why, except for, maybe, the ambience, the performances and the story, in that order. I was so swept up in it that I wrote a review of the movie in which, among other things, I took apart the character of Angel Clare. Ah, those were the days. I still love it. It's kind of like taking a long drive as a passenger through an utterly idylic landscape that you know is crawling with the nasty necessities and the even nastier passions underneath the beauty because, well, you've studied the detail of this "beauty" under your microscope in your laboratory.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nastassja Kinski Tess Durbeyfield Peter Firth Angel Clare Leigh Lawson Alec Stokes-d'Urberville John Collin John Durbeyfield Rosemary Martin Mrs. Durbeyfield Carolyn Pickles Marian Richard Pearson Vicar of Marlott David Markham Reverend Clare Pascale de Boysson Mrs. Clare Suzanna Hamilton Izzy Huett Caroline Embling Retty Tony Church Parson Tringham Sylvia Coleridge Mrs. d'Urberville Fred Bryant Dairyman Crick Tom Chadbon Cuthbert Clare Arielle Dombasle Mercy Chant
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up on this film.
Release Date: 1979
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: Criterion1, popcorn-and-soda1, roman-polanski
Repulsion
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Catherine Deneuve Carol Ledoux Ian Hendry Michael John Fraser Colin Yvonne Furneaux Helen Ledoux Patrick Wymark Landlord Renée Houston Miss Balch Valerie Taylor Madame Denise James Villiers John Helen Fraser Bridget Hugh Futcher Reggie Monica Merlin Mrs. Rendlesham Imogen Graham Manicurist
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1965
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: §1, Criterion1, horror2, neo-noirA, psychological1, roman-polanski
Game of Thrones - Conquest & Rebellion
- Commentary: Under construction.
I haven't yet watched this "Conquest & Rebellion" disk, but here's an explanation of what it contains from a review of the season it accompanies (Season 7) I found on Amazon.com written by commenter "Happy Reader": "BONUS DISC - In a separate disc holder is 'Game of Thrones: Conquest & Rebellion, An Animated History of the Seven Kingdoms.' I found this delightful. Produced in 2017, this starts with the city of Valyria across the sea, 'through magic or sheer will, they mastered the greatest creatures in history.' That is, they had dragons. In 10 chapters, this 45 minute featurette takes you from Valyeria to Dragonstone and right up to the beginning of the first episode of Season 1. You'll recognize the various narrators, all characters in the TV series. This disc has audio options of English, French and Chinese language. And subtitle options of English SDH, French, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, and two others."
Nothing on Wikipedia about this bonus disc.
This link takes you to an ad hoc explanation and appreciative review of the contents of this disc with some graphic captures from the program.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Pilou Asbæk Euron Greyjoy Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Jamie Lannister Aidan Gillen Petr Baelish Conleth Hill Lord Varys Harry Lloyd Viserys Targaryen Sophie Turner Sansa Stark
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of Season 7, which this disk accompanied. There is no mention in the article of this disk being included in the package, nor is there a write-up on Wikipedia specifically about this production.
Update 6/5/2022: A mention of this animation has finally appeared here in the overall Wikipedia page for the TV series. There's not much, but it is mentioned. Still nothing on the Season 7 Wikipedia page, though.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by: Nothing anywhere, that I can find, about who directed this pre-history of the Seven Kingdoms, although Dave Hill is the credited writer. Perhaps, when I watch it, a credit to the director will roll. If that happens, this post will be updated.
Labels: animated, historical4
Good Morning Vietnam
- Commentary: It's true. This movie is peculiar in the way it serves up the Vietnam war. Some critics found it offensive, in the light of the "serious" Vietnam war movies such as Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Jacob's Ladder [yes, Virginia, it's a Vietnam war movie] and Apocalypse Now (which I do not own; I intend to own it but so many versions have proliferated I simply haven't settled on which package of versions to purchase.).
What attracts me to this movie is its approach to the war not from the perspective of daily fighting but from the perspective of daily living in a war zone. In a way, I appreciate that it confuses the Vietnam War issue more than any other movie, because it's clear, to me, through this movie, that, no matter what the characters are doing because of the existence of war, they are, bottom line, people, trying to negotiate every day existence in the middle of an unwanted, unasked for emergency.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robin Williams Adrian Cronauer Forest Whitaker Pvt. Edward Garlick Tung Thanh Tran Phan Duc To/Tuan Chintara Sukapatana Trinh Bruno Kirby Lt. Steven Hauk Robert Wuhl Marty Lee Dreiwitz J. T. Walsh Sgt. Mjr. Phillip Dickerson Noble Willingham General Taylor Richard Edson Pvt. Abersold Richard Portnow Dan Levitan Floyd Vivino Eddie Kirk Củ Bà Nguyễn Jimmy Wah
Here's the Wikipedia link for the write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1987
Directed by Barry Levinson.
Labels: dramedy1, forest-whitaker, historical1, military, political1, popcorn-and-soda1, robin-williams, war1
