Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Miracle on 34th Street
- Who's watched: M & G, not as often as you might think.
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: We've only owned this movie since this last holiday season and only watched it once, I think. I am oddly attracted to it. I think my mother is, too. I think, unlike It's a Wonderful Life, which we are apt to watch in the middle of the summer, this will remain a holiday movie.
Update 2/10/18: Yes. This is a super-hero movie. Don't argue with me. Santa Claus is the epitome of the purely good super-hero.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Maureen O'Hara Doris Walker John Payne Fred Gailey Edmund Gwenn Kris Kringle Gene Lockhart Hon. Henry X. Harper Natalie Wood Susan Walker Porter Hall Granville Sawyer William Frawley Charlie Halloran Jerome Cowan D. A. Thomas Mara
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1947
Directed by George Seaton.
Labels: Christmas, comedy2, mom-favorite2, natalie-wood, super-hero2, thelma-ritter
Master and Commander Far Side of the World
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Although I was doomed to own a copy of this movie because it is a Peter Weir movie, and although both my mother and I have watched it, once, and enjoyed it, my mother, especially, because she was in the Navy, married a Navy man and was a Navy woman/wife/mother, although we wondered throughout where it was going, then, at the end, where it had gone, I have to say, we enjoyed the booklet that came with the movie, as well, for its interesting exposition of life in the Navy "at that time". My mom was riveted both to the screen and by the book. I remember, when the man who was deemed responsible for the doldrums was made to walk the plank, she continued to watch with rapt attention, then said, "Yes, well, I guess they used to do that back then."
I will probably watch it again, someday, when I'm feeling the need for a Peter Weir fest. My mother may watch, again, by default.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Russell Crowe Jack Aubrey Paul Bettany Surgeon Stephen Maturin James D'Arcy 1st Lt Thomas Pullings Edward Woodall 2nd Lt William Mowett
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Peter Weir.
Labels: action3, adventure4, historical4, peter-weir, russell-crowe, war2
Lawrence of Arabia
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: We even had, the second time we watched it, a Watching Lawrence of Arabia party. Very successful.
Both my mother and I are surprised at the things we learn about my father knowing that this movie was one of his two favorite movies, the other being Khartoum. He and I saw Khartoum together, a very memorable event, one I'll probably remember as though I'm going through it when I'm old and mentally creative. It happened in Honolulu, probably 1966, the year the movie came out, and involved a long evening stroll along the Ala Wai.
I have, however, had no desire to see that one again. Lawrence of Arabia, though, sometimes I put the disc in and zone out on it for a half hour or so. My mother doesn't do this, but she enjoys the movie.
Roger Ebert wrote about this movie twice: first in 1989 and then again in 2001 as a "Great Movie", the review for which I linked to the title of this post.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peter O'Toole T. E. Lawrence Alec Guinness Prince Faisal Anthony Quinn Auda abu Tayi Jack Hawkins General Allenby Omar Sharif Sherif Ali ibn el Kharish José Ferrer The Turkish Bey Anthony Quayle Harry Brighton Claude Rains Mr. Dryden
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1962
Directed by David Lean.
Labels: adventure4, biography2, claude-rains, dad-favorite, dramaC, historical4, me-favorite4, political4, popcorn-and-soda6, war2
Hero
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I rented this movie a couple of weeks ago just to undergird my decision to purchase it. Mom was thoroughly bored, so bored that she wandered around looking for things to do, at one point, while doing crosswords, asked, "Is that thing still on?!?", so my viewing was highly distracted.
No matter. Martial Arts movies of all stripes are another of my guilty movie pleasures. I am particularly fascinated with the use of color in this movie. I am approaching it rather more as though it were a Little Buddha movie, rather than a "guilty pleasure" movie. I like the idea of the telling of stories being the subject as well as the discipline of the movie. I find the depiction of the 'heroine', as well, thoughtfully complex, and the world view thought provoking and disturbing.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jet Li Nameless Tony Leung Broken Sword Maggie Cheung Flying Snow Chen Daoming King of Qin
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002; 2004 in the U.S.
Directed by Zhang Yimou.
Labels: §1, action3, dramaC, dream2, period6, political5, spectacle2, suspense3
Green Card
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of my favorite romantic comedies. There isn't anything about it I don't like. When I purchased the movie, though, for some reason I thought my mother wouldn't like it, so I planned my first "owned" viewing while she napped. She awoke and joined me during the scene in which "the big French Oaf" assents to play an original composition on the piano for dinner guests he's just met. After the scene she asked if we could start the movie again.
I remember once, after watching the movie, Mom said, "Isn't it interesting how such a bad ending can make you feel so good?!?"
I remember responding that, yeah, I'd never thought about it but, at the end of this story, you have absolute confidence that their love triumphed, and will continue to triumph.
At one other watching, Mom sat back satisfied at the end and said, "I remember seeing that movie when I was teaching. It came out about the time those Hepburn/Tracy movies came out."
In case you're wondering, I did not disavow her of this notion. It is a great compliment to this movie that my mother considers it in the same category as the Hepburn/Tracy romantic comedies.
Finally, I couldn't resist, here's Roger Ebert's review of this movie. He gave it three stars.
And a bonus post: a reverie of sorts about Ebert's fascination with Peter Weir's work. I share that fascination. I'm happy.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gérard Depardieu Georges Fauré Andie MacDowell Brontë Parrish Bebe Neuwirth Lauren Adler Gregg Edelman Phil Robert Prosky Brontë's lawyer Mary Louise Wilson Mrs. Sheehan Lois Smith Brontë's mother Ann Dowd Peggy Conrad McLaren Brontë's father Ronald Guttman Anton Jessie Keosian Mrs. Bird Danny Dennis Oscar
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Peter Weir.
Labels: comedy2, gérard-depardieu, lois-smith, peter-weir, romance4, ronald-guttman, shared-favorite
Grand Canyon
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those subtle, quiet movies that I love and Mom endures. I've only watched it with her once. At the end of the movie she said, "Why did they go to the Grand Canyon?"
I started to explain in my best 'student of film' answer. A few sentences into my answer I noticed she was fidgeting and realized that she may have been thinking something eye catching was going to happen at the Grand Canyon, like in Thelma & Louise, but thought she'd missed it. So I asked her if that was the problem. Yep. "No," I said, "you didn't miss any of the movie. The Grand Canyon is a metaphor."
"Oh," she said, with that ironic side glance that tells me she's thinking, "This is one of those movies you have to work at. No thanks."
As a bonus, Gerardo Valero has written a consideration of this movie at the Ebert site that you should consider reading.
Final personal word, this movie continues to intrigue me. I probably watch it once a year.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Danny Glover Simon Kevin Kline Mack Steve Martin Davis Mary McDonnell Claire Mary-Louise Parker Dee Alfre Woodard Jane Jeremy Sisto Roberto Tina Lifford Deborah
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan.
Labels: danny-glover, dramaC, kevin-kline, me-favorite4
Gone Girl
- Commentary: This movie has quickly become one of my all time favorites. I read the book before seeing the movie, so when I checked the movie out of the library, it was with much trepidation, all of which vanished upon watching the movie. I knew I had to own it. So well done, in all aspects, including book adaptation. Rosamunde Pike is glorious in this; a brilliant characterization of a sociopath. Despite the fact that her character is meant to be "evil", she is also strong, resilient, can take a punch and give as much as she takes. The problem is, of course, that she doesn't necessarily "give" to the people from whom she originally "took".
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published August 14, 2016. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ben Affleck Nick Dunne Rosamund Pike Amy Elliott Dunne Neil Patrick Harris Desi Collings Tyler Perry Tanner Bolt Carrie Coon Margot Dunne Kim Dickens Det. Rhonda Boney Sela Ward Sharon Schieber Lola Kirke Greta
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by David Fincher.
Labels: ben-affleck, drama6, me-favorite1, mystery1, neo-noirC, revenge1, rosamund-pike, suspense2
Gone with the Wind
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I am probably more of a fan of this movie than my mother. She loves the eye spectacle, and every time we watch it, which is at least once a year, she mentions several times that she would have loved to have lived during the period of the regal, stately Southern U.S.
Roger Ebert reviewed Gone with the Wind (link to his review in the title of this post) in order to christen it as one of his Great Movies. Very interesting review. He does not sidestep the discomfort we have about it, now, nor does he dismiss the technical brilliance that brought this movie to the screen. Read it, if you get a chance.
Glenn Erickson DVD Savant weighs in on the movie, twice, cogently. Here's his first review. Here's his second. If you're at all interested in this movie and have gotten past your embarrassment on behalf of the United States and whiteness, in general, for producing either the novel or the movie, you should read these reviews, and, maybe, consider watching the movie.
For me, I love reminding myself that the best, most successful romance in the history of romance stories contains a heroine who is wily and unredepemptive and whose one sterling quality is her ability to survive, despite who she hurts in the process. The hero, a scoundrel himself, is more sympathetic than the heroine.
When we watch this movie, it is always a "planned" watching; in other words, we plan appropriate food, make sure the phone ringer is off, and settle in for several hours. It is, for us, an Event Movie.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Vivien Leigh Scarlett O'Hara Clark Gable Rhett Butler Olivia de Havilland Melanie Hamilton Leslie Howard Ashley Wilkes Hattie McDaniel Mammy Butterfly McQueen Prissy Carroll Nye Frank Kennedy Harry Davenport Dr. Meade
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1939
Directed by Victor Fleming.
Labels: dramaC, period6, romance4, shared-favorite, spectacle2
Gallipoli
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: As I recall, my mention of this one in my journal, which is fairly recent, says it all.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mark Lee Archy Hamilton Mel Gibson Frank Dunne Bill Kerr Jack Harold Hopkins Les McCann Charles Yunupingu Zac Ron Graham Wallace Hamilton Gerda Nicolson Rose Hamilton Robert Grubb Billy (Lewis) Bill Hunter Major Barton Tim McKenzie Barney Wilson David Argue Snowy (G. S. Wilkes) Steve Dodd Billy Snakeskin
Here's the Wikipedia link for this movie.
Release Date: 1981
Directed by Peter Weir.
Labels: bill-hunter, dramaC, historical4, mel-gibson, peter-weir, war2
Four Weddings and a Funeral
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is a recent purchase. I'd seen it before, my mother had not. I had a hunch, when I saw it on sale, that my mother would like it and enjoy seeing it more than once. We've only seen it once but I think I'm right. We may not watch it as much as Love Actually (which was written and directed by the same person who wrote the screenplay for this movie, Richard Curtis), which is more entertaining each time one sees it and is in the same vein. I think, having seen this one twice, it isn't more entertaining with each successive viewing, especially when Love Actually is handy.
Update 2/7/18: Which is why, Dear Reader, my library branch now owns my copy.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
ActorTH> Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Hugh Grant Charles Andie McDowell Carrie James Fleet Tom Simon Callow Gareth John Hannah Matthew Kristin Scott Thomas Fiona David Bower David Rowan Atkinson Father Gerald
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by Mike Newell.
Finding Nemo
- Who's watched: M & G, many times
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3*
- Commentary: As I recall, my mentions of this movie speak for both my mother's and my delight in it. Aside from my favorite scene with Bruce the Shark, which I've seen many times, I love being transported by the oceanic graphic environment of the movie, including, and especially, the background ocean music. It is truly one better than the ocean, only because it is so available. Watching the movie is practically like having a virtual experience without the nerve stimulation technology.
My mother, I should note, usually takes a nap after this movie. Perhaps, she actually lives through it.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Albert Brooks Marlin Alexander Gould Nemo Ellen DeGeneres Dory Willem Dafoe Gill Allison Janney Peach Andrew Stanton Crush Nicholas Bird Squirt Barry Humphries Bruce Geoffrey Rush Nigel Vicki Lewis Deb & Flo John Ratzenberger Moonfish school Bill Hunter Dentist Philip Sherman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Andrew Stanton & Lee Unkrich.
Labels: animated, bill-hunter, coming-of-age2, dramedy2, kids, shared-favorite, willem-dafoe
Fahrenheit 9/11
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I've watched this a couple of times: Once in depth and then speed watched through it. When I purchased the dvd the book was offered free. I've consulted the book more than the movie.
My mother doesn't seem fazed by this kind of documentary. I gather she's heard it all before. We don't watch any of Micheal Moore's movies for pleasure. Well, that's not strictly true. I love the comedy of all his movies. It strikes me as George Carlin doing performance comedy.
Update 2/7/18: I had to change the original link I had to this movie in the title, above, and, as I'm doing with most of the movies, chose to plunder Wikipedia. As I was searching for the movie I came across what looks like a second (very interesting) link about the movie, Fahrenheit 911 controversies. I've included it in case you find its title as intriguing as I. The references for the second Wiki article includes, under references, Michael Moore's response to the criticisms, but that link no longer works. This one does: Factual Back-Up for Fahrenheit 9/11.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Michael Moore.
Labels: documentary1, michael-moore, political5
Dave
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one (of the many) that Mom never has any recollection of watching, yet we watch it a lot, usually during a cold, stormy afternoon/evening binge of this movie and The American President, of which she has a somewhat better memory. She likes feeling hopeful about what's best in the U.S., so do I, and both of these movies help, while the love stories provide comedy relief.
As a footnote, may I add that I am a West Wing freak; my mother is not, but she tolerates me. No, we have not bought any collections of West Wing episodes. I have forbidden myself to do so. When, for instance, would I watch them? I watch little enough of what we have, and then, usually, only peripherally, now. It's been a hard lesson to learn that if only I like it, my indulgences in it will be few and far between. I'm okay with this; it's just been a hard learning.
Update 11/2/08: I was given the entire West Wing series for Christmas a few years ago by a friend of mine; see the link.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Kline Dave Kovic/Pres. William Harrison Mitchell Sigourney Weaver Ellen Mitchell Frank Langella Bob Alexander Kevin Dunn Alan Reed Ving Rhames Duane Stevensen Ben Kingsley Vice Pres. Gary Nance Charles Grodin Murray Blum Laura Linney Randi Bonnie Hunt White House Tour Guide Anna Deavere Smith Mrs. Travis Faith Prince Alice Tom Dugan Jerry
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Ivan Reitman.
Labels: ben-kingsley, comedy2, kevin-kline, laura-linney, political5, popcorn-and-soda6, presidential, shared-favorite, sigourney-weaver
Chocolat
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This one transports both of us. I purchased it because we watched it so much on cable, then I recorded it and we watched it some more. The music and the European time period are major attractions for my mother. She really likes stories of women raising children alone with strength and courage, too. The fairy-tale quality of the story mesmerizes both of us.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Juliette Binoche Vianne Rocher Victoire Thivisol Anouk Rocher Judi Dench Armande Voizin Alfred Molina Comte de Reynaud Lena Olin Josephine Muscat Johnny Depp Roux Carrie-Anne Moss Caroline Clairmont Leslie Caron Madame Audel
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Lasse Hallström.
Labels: carrie-anne-moss, dramaC, judi-dench, juliette-binoche, period6, romance4, shared-favorite
Cheaper by the Dozen
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: I think Mom goes into deep reverie over this movie. The first few weeks after we purchased and first watched it, she watched this movie very frequently. I think I've memorized quite a bit of it. She likes the older version with Myrna Loy and Yours, Mine and Ours with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda, too, as much if not more than the others, because Lucille Ball becomes a Navy wife, which my mother was, for awhile. I can never remember a time when my mother hasn't said, "I would have loved to have a dozen kids. We would have, if we could have afforded them."
Forgive my momentary, and cheap, philosophizing, but, isn't it interesting that in a rich country people wonder if they can afford to have lots of children, whereas in a poor country people wonder if they can afford not to have lots of kids.
Update 8/10/21: Yes, I gave this movie to the library in the first cull of my collection after my mom died. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, it's that my mother insisted on watching it so often I could quote dialog from it, so I had no desire to see, or hear, it again.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Steve Martin Tom Baker Bonnie Hunt Kate Baker Piper Perabo Nora Baker Hilary Duff Lorraine Baker Paula Marshall Tina Shenk Alan Ruck Bill Shenk Tiffany Dupont Beth Ashton Kutcher Hank
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Shawn Levy.
Labels: comedy2, mom-favorite2
Calendar Girls
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Although we haven't watched this in awhile, we've watched it more than once. It is one I know will keep Mom occupied from beginning to end when she doesn't want to do anything else but wants to remain awake; I'm able to share in movie moments with her, since the movie has a fair number of satisfying moments, and this is important. It is, for my mother, primarily a "woman's movie" in the old tradition: Women sharing the deep secrets of womanhood; comedy and triumph at the expense of the men, who are clueless; in the end, the men are proud of their women but remain clueless, the women are proud of themselves and remain a society closed to the men; and the children, if there are any, remain clueless but promising. A film of old and treasured (and sometimes questionable) sensibilities.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Helen Mirren Chris Harper Ciarán Hinds Rod Harper Julie Walters Annie Clarke Linda Bassett Cora Annette Crosbie Jessie Celia Imrie Celia Penelope Wilton Ruth Reynoldson Geraldine James Marie
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Nigel Cole.
Labels: comedy2, helen-mirren, mom-favorite2, popcorn-and-soda6, women's-movie2
Cabaret
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of our family classics. We both watch it for Joel Grey's performance as the MC. Mom get's bored with the story and the subtleties, though; for her it's a case of "say-mo, say-mo". Not an infrequent feature, but not a permanent feature, in our house. Mom has to be in the right mood.
Update 2/6/18: Just wanted to say, I watched this movie again recently, maybe about a month ago. It had been, probably, a decade, maybe longer, since my last viewing. I was astonished at how prescient it seemed. The budding nationalism, the furtiveness of acting as though one is living in a free society while feeling a subterranean shrinking of the borders of thought and action ... I spoke with my Florida sister soon after watching it, who is a fan of the movie, knowing she hadn't seen it for ages, either, and mentioned my realization of the budding authoritarianism in the movie. She hadn't remembered it, either, and was surprised. Funny how movies become clearer when they more closely match the times through which one is living.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Liza Minnelli Sally Bowles Michael York Brian Roberts Joel Grey Master of Ceremonies Helmut Griem Baron Maximilian von Heune Fritz Wepper Fritz Wendel Marisa Berenson Natalia Landauer Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel Fräulein Schneider Oliver Collignon/Mark Lambert Nazi Youth Singer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1972
Directed by Bob Fosse.
Labels: dramaC, musical2, period6
Bowling for Columbine
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Although I enjoy such documentaries and this is one of my favorites, this type of documentary isn't Mom's cup of tea. I'm sure I'll watch it again, I'm sure Mom won't.
Previous to publishing his official review, above, Roger Ebert published some lengthy remarks on the film in the first part of his review of the 2002 Telluride film festival, which are interesting addenda to his final review.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Michael Moore.
Labels: documentary2, michael-moore, political5
Born on the Fourth of July
- Who's watched: G [M was in the room looking at the TV for awhile, but not watching...she evetually napped.]
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: It was on sale, I thought, sight unseen, I'd be glad I owned it...what can I say?!? I'm glad I watched it. It was one of the last few in a long line of Vietnam War movies (including the obscure) I make it a point to watch. I thought I'd want to watch this one more than once. Not really. I would have liked to have seen it when it first came out and Tom Cruise wasn't . I think I would have appreciated his performance more. For some reason, as I watched this, I was continually reminded of Risky Business. I kept having to remind myself that it is based in 'truth' because it was acted for melodrama, which was distracting to the story. I doubt that I'll ever watch it again. I may pass it off to someone.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Cruise Ron Kovic Willem Dafoe Charlie Kyra Sedgwick Donna Raymond J. Barry Mr. Kovic Jerry Levine Steve Boyer Frank Whaley Timmy Caroline Kava Mrs. Kovic Cordelia Gonzalez Maria Elena Ed Lauter Legion Commander Stephen Baldwin Billy Vorsovich Bob Gunton V.A. Dr. #1 Lili Taylor Jamie Wilson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1989
Directed by Oliver Stone.
Labels: biography2, bob-gunton, dramaD, oliver-stone, period6, political5, tom-cruise, war2, willem-dafoe
Blue Crush
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Given to us by a young friend who had the courage to think outside of the box when deciding to gift us. Yes, we've both watched it and enjoyed it, at least twice. Despite our enjoyment of it, I ended up donating this to the library after Mom's death. I can't remember why. Sometimes I wish I still had it in my collection (yes, Virginia, I occasionally make mistakes when I cull my collection), but, it's at my local branch county library and I can check it out. It's usually available when I get a yen for it.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kate Bosworth Anne Marie Chadwick Matthew Davis Matt Tollman Michelle Rodriguez Eden Sanoe Lake Lena
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by John Stockwell.
Blood In Blood Out
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: My devotion to this movie is one of my dirty little movie secrets. I am so devoted to it that I prefer to refer to it by its original name, above, rather than it's retooled title "Bound by Honor". That's how it was billed when I originally saw it in the theater. My devotion to it is why my mother has seen it. Aside from owning the dvd, whenever it appears on network or cable, abridged or unabridged, if we're watching TV we're watching this movie. My mother tolerates it, watches it from the corner of her eye, occasionally comments on The Day of the Dead scenes (which she loves) and patiently waits for it to be over.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Damian Chapa Miko Velka Jesse Borrego Cruz Candelaria Benjamin Bratt Paco Aguilar Enrique Castillo Montana Seguera Delroy Lindo Bonafide Victor Rivers Magic Tom Towles Red Ryder Carlos Carrasco Popeye Lanny Flaherty Big Al Billy Bob Thornton Lightning Danny Trejo Geronimo Theodore Wilson Wallace
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Taylor Hackford.
Labels: delroy-lindo, dramaD, enrique-castillo, gang-movie, jesse-borrego, me-favorite4, revenge2, taylor-hackford, violence3
Barton Fink
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those movies that I so much appreciate I've linked to it's script. I doubt that Mom will ever see this movie. Although I can't tell you why, I believe it would bore her and she'd start 'looking for ...' cigarettes.
Roger Ebert found this film so intriguing that, even though he slighted it by half a star from a four star review, he and his cohort critics on his site have found innumerable reasons to either mini-review the movie, yet again, interview the production participants and refer to it in reviews for other films. Go ahead. Click into the site url at the beginning of this paragraph and you'll see what I mean. Aside from its stand-alone-story audacities and bravado, it has, apparently, for film industry insiders, spoken cogently to the Faustian vagaries of the film entertainment industry.
Do I like it? Yes. That's why I've kept it in my collection, although, I must admit, I purchased it at a going-out-of-business sale sight unseen. It's funny and scary and causes me to reflect on compromises I've made in my "professional" relationship with the world, and I'm not in the film or entertainment industries. It reminds me that I need to look at the demands of the "professional" world from a cock-eyed perspective if I want to remain sane and continue to live with myself in peace.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role John Turturro Barton Fink John Goodman Charlie Meadows Michael Lerner Jack Lipnick Judy Davis Audrey Taylor John Mahoney W. P. Mayhew Tony Shalhoub Ben Geisler Jon Polito Lou Breeze Steve Buscemi Chet David Warrilow Garland Stanford Richard Portnow Detective Mastrionotti Christopher Murney Detective Deutsch Frances McDormand Stage Actress
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release date: 1991
Directed by Joel Cohen.
Labels: john-mahoney, john-turturro, religion2, satire2, steve-buscemi
American Splendor
- Who's watched: M & G, both more than once
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: My relationship with Harvey Pekar began through a former boyfriend of mine who was a rabid fan of his comics. He introduced me to the wonderful world of adult comics, but, more than that, he was sure I would have an affinity for American Splendor. He was right. He is also long dead as I write this, but, when I watch this movie, I imagine him looking over my shoulder approvingly and say, "I knew this was movie material! I knew they'd make a movie of it!" He did. And he was right.
Mom 'caught' me watching this the afternoon I purchased it when she was napping. I was surprised that she was as seduced by it as I am. I think his character displays a sensibility that she learned well during her young-to-middle adult years, having been born in 1917.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Giamatti Harvey Pekar Hope Davis Joyce Brabner Judah Friedlander Toby Radloff James Urbaniak Robert Crumb
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini.
Labels: animated, biography2, dramedy2, female-director1, film-art2, hope-davis, me-favorite4, paul-giamatti
American Beauty
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I've watched this at least three times since I bought it when we first purchased our DVD player. Although it fascinates me and I would probably watch it more if I lived alone, I will probably, also, out of respect for her intellect and her interest in movies, spring this one on her some evening when I am well prepared.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Spacey Lester Burnham Annette Bening Carol Burnham Thora Birch Jane Burnham West Bentley Ricky Fitts Mena Suvari Angela Hayes Peter Gallagher Buddy Kane Allison Janney Barbara Fitts Chris Cooper Col. Frank Fitts
Release Date: 1999
Directed by Sam Mendes.
Labels: annette-bening, chris-cooper, me-favorite4, romance4, satire2
Amélie
- Who's watched: Was recently given to me as a gift by someone who thought I'd love it; finally watched over a year after we received it.
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I trust the person's judgment who gave it to me, but I haven't yet seen it. I'm trying to watch it alone and prepare myself before I spring it on Mom.
Update: We both finally watched this movie when we had nothing better to do one rainy Sunday afternoon. I think I enjoyed it more than Mom, I was charmed, but she stayed with it, despite the French-with-English-subtitles, and smiled broadly at many of the inventions. It's become one of my favorites. I love the fable atmosphere, the cartoon-like directing and filming, the inventiveness of the character, and especially love that the characterizations are not nearly as simple as one would expect from a broadly drawn canvas. On my second watching, a few days after our first watching, I paid no attention to the subtitles and simply let myself float with the screen. Absolutely magical.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Audrey Tautou Amélie Poulain Mathieu Kassovitz Nino Quincampoix André Dussollier The Narrator Rufus Raphaël Poulain Serge Merlin Raymond Dufayel Lorella Cravotta Amandine Poulain Clotilde Mollet Gina Claire Maurier Suzanne
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 2001
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Labels: comedy2, dream2, me-favorite4, popcorn-and-soda6
