Saturday, June 25, 2022
Walk the Line
- Commentary: My father was the Johnny Cash fan when I was a preteen and teenager, not I, although I can't say I disliked his music. Being securely encased in the heyday of sixties rock, I just didn't notice him, except for his monster crossover hits. My father was, as well, a down and dirty old time Country Western fan, which probably figures, since he hailed from North Carolina. He didn't play hardly any of this music at home, but his conversation was peppered with phrases like The Great Speckled Bird and Ring of Fire. So, when I stumbled upon this movie some years ago on TV, finding nothing else in that night's line-up that I wanted to watch, I tuned in. I still have memories of being blown away by the story, the music and the spot on performances of the stars.
I just received the movie and haven't yet rewatched it. I'll be doing that momentarily. So, any kind of a write-up is going to have to wait on me refreshing my memory as to why, when this movie popped into view at an unbelievably low price, I felt the urge to procure it. Let's just say, until later this evening, or, possibly, tomorrow, this write-up is still Under construction.
In the meantime, here's an article, Finding the Voice of Johnny Cash, written by Roger Ebert, that is based around a short but revealing interview he conducted with Joaquin Phoenix about playing the part of Johnny Cash.
Back later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joaquin Phoenix Johnny Cash Reese Witherspoon June Carter Ginnifer Goodwin Vivian Cash Robert Patrick Ray Cash McGhee Monteith Reba Cash Dallas Roberts Sam Phillips Dan John Miller Luther Perkins Larry Bagby Marshall Grant Shelby Lynne Carrie Cash Tyler Hilton Elvis Presley Waylon Payne Jerry Lee Lewis Shooter Jennings Waylon Jennings Sandra Ellis Lafferty Maybelle Carter Johnathan Rice Roy Orbison Johnny Holiday Carl Perkins Lucas Till Jack Cash
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by James Mangold.
Labels: §4, biography3, historical4, joaquin-phoenix, musical2, period7, reese-witherspoon
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- Commentary: This post is, officially, "Under construction" because, although the movie's been ordered, I haven't yet received it and it's been awhile since I watched it. I watched this movie soon after it was released to one of the cable channels to which I used to subscribe and want to mention a few things while the movie is on my mind.
This movie was both widely praised and widely criticized. The review attached to the title of this post is positive, for instance. It even snipes, a bit, at other sharply critical reviews of the movie. Good examples of the critiques are the combined reviews of Three Movie Buffs, which are forgiving and somewhat appreciative of the concept but generally negative.
I remember being charmed by the movie when I saw it. I thought the concept of one-on-one, heavy duty relationships between humans and computers was likely plausible and possible in the very near future, being a computer nerd, myself who, not unusually, relates to computers I operate as though they are sentient, aware of having a relationship with me and active within that relationship. I was aware that people write love letters for others because I made extra money some decades ago writing love letters, as well as other pieces, for people. I simply didn't have a problem with any of the speculations introduced in the film because, from my perspective, those speculations were already in their infancy, maybe even toddlerhood. None of the machinations of the computer generated companion seemed out of the question to me.
It might seem peculiar that I related closely to this movie, having been 62 when the movie was released, probably a few years older when I saw it, and, now, at the age of 70, still so captivated by its ideas that I decided to add it to my collection. I mean, I'm a baby boomer; aren't I supposed to be clueless about these things, or, at least, dismissive of them? Fie, I say, fie on all those people (far more than the actual number of baby boomers) who spit out the baby boomer epithet as though it represents all that is responsible for retroactivity. So sorry, people. The direction of your spit is missing me, and quite a few boomers I know. Time for you to pay attention and reevaluate your older friends, your older relatives and your dimissiveness of them.
So, anyway, I'm sure I'll have more to say about the movie once it arrives and I watch it again. In the meantime, let me leave you, Dear Reader, with this: Sometimes, the more things change, well, the more they change.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joaquin Phoenix Theodore Twombly Scarlett Johansson Samantha (voice) Amy Adams Amy Rooney Mara Catherine Klausen Olivia Wilde Blind Date Matt Letscher Charles Luka Jones Mark Lewman Chris Pratt Paul Kristen Wiig Sexy Kitten (voice) Bill Hader Chat Room Friend #2 (voice) Portia Doubleday Isabella Soko Isabella (voice) Brian Cox Alan Watts Spike Jonze Alien Child (voice) Steve Zissis New Sweet Boyfriend of Mother Who Dated Pricks Alia Janine Commuter
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2013
Directed by Spike Jonze.
Labels: fantasy4, joaquin-phoenix, romance5, science-fiction2
