Movies, Mom & Me

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  Commentary:  Under construction.
    Lots of local buzz about this movie, which took me by surprise. I live in a seemingly quiet mountain town that likes to imagine itself a "rural city" (a quote from local news sources who have used this phrase, forever and a day, as self-descriptive). It has pretensions to grandeur based on a flagrant, state-wide governmental history, and, as well, just beneath the thin and cracking surface, an energetic, willing cadre ready to spring into action to defend "good people everywhere, but, especially here" if it seems necessary. Thus, I think this movie might have local significance. I'll let you know, once I watch it.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Kirsten Dunst	Lee Smith	Wagner Moura	Joel	Cailee Spaeny	Jessie Collin	Stephen McKinley Henderson	Sammy
  Sonoya Mizuno	Anya	Jefferson White	Dave	Nelson Lee	Tony	Jin Ha	Sniper
  Juani Feliz	Secret Service Agent	Jonica T. Gibbs	Western Forces Sergeant	James Yaegashi	Secessionist Corporal	Nick Offerman	President of the United States

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2024
    Directed by Alex Garland.

Labels: A24, kirsten-dunst, war3

# posted by gail @ 00:10    0 comments    email......this post

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  Commentary:  Under construction.
    So, why do I have two copies of this film? Well, this is the definitive Director's Cut distributed by A24, which runs for 171 minutes. I've been fascinated with this film since I first saw it (and bought its initial shorter version). When I realized this version existed, I knew I had watch and study it, much like I have my first copy.
    Just a note of description: All the reviews attached to this post are from different sources than those on my original post about this movie, simply titled Midsommar.
    The covers of the separate editions are different, as well. There are also different special features.
    No, I haven't received it, yet, I just ordered it today (5/12/24), so it'll be awhile before I report back. But, I will be back.
    

  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 Variety write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2019
    Directed by Ari Aster.

Labels: A24, drama1, folk-horror, haunting1, suspense1, violence1

# posted by gail @ 09:58    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Mia Goth	Pearl	David Corenswet	The Projectionist	Tandi Wright	Ruth	Matthew Sunderland	Pearl's Father
  Emma Jenkins-Purro	Mitsy	Alistair Sewell	Howard	Amelia Reid	Margaret	Gabe McDonnell	Woman

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2022
    Directed by Ti West.

Labels: A24, horror2

# posted by gail @ 00:16    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Mia Goth	Maxine/Pearl	Jenna Ortega	Lorraine Day	Brittany Snow	Bobby-Lynne Parker	Scott Mescudi	Jackson Hole
  Martin Henderson	Wayne Gilroy	Owen Campbell	RJ Nichols	Stephen Ure	Howard	Simon Prast	The Televangelist

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2022
    Directed by Ti West.

Labels: A24, horror2

# posted by gail @ 23:53    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Greta Lee	Nora	Teo Yoo	Jung Hae Sung	John Magaro	Arthur Zaturansky	Ji Hye Yoon	Nora's Mother
  Choi Won-young	Nora's Dad	Min Young Ahn	Hae Sung's Mom	Jojo T. Gibbs	Janice	Emily Cass McDonnell	Rachel

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2023
    Directed by Celine Song.

Labels: A24, dramaG, romance6

# posted by gail @ 14:52    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Jessie Buckley	Harper Marlowe	Rory Kinnear	Geoffrey & Other Men	Paapa Essiedu	James Marlowe	Gayle Rankin	Riley

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2022
    Directed by Alex Garland.

Labels: A24, folk-horror

# posted by gail @ 21:33    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    Once again, a loaded list over at RogerEbert.com when pulling a search on this movie, including an interview with Greta Gerwig.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Saoirse Ronan	Christine MacPherson	Laurie Metcalf	Marion MacPherson	Tracy Letts	Larry MacPherson	Lucas Hedges	Daniel O'Neill
  Timothée Chalamet	Kyle Scheible	Beanie Feldstein	Julianne Steffans	Lois Smith	Sister Sarah Joan	Stephen McKinley Henderson	Father Leviatch
  Odeya Rush	Jenna Walton	Jordan Rodrigues	Miguel MacPherson	Marielle Scott	Shelly Yuhan	Jake McDorman	Mr. Bruno

  
    Here is the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
    Release Date: 2017
    Directed by Greta Gerwig.

Labels: §2, A24, coming-of-age1, dramedy1, female-director2, greta-gerwig, laurie-metcalf, lois-smith, saoirse-ronan

# posted by gail @ 14:01    0 comments    email......this post

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  Commentary:  I finally watched this film last night, 6/30/21. I know. I've had it since April. My only excuse is that, although since that time I've added several movies (seen and unseen previous to purchase) I've wanted to own, at the same time I entered into a period, not the first I've experienced, when I just didn't want to spend much time staring at the screen, no matter how much any particular movie excited me.
    Anyway, interesting, interesting film! First of all, there's not a false performance in it. Second, the setting is exquisitely managed. Third, the story, itself, slips, expertly between "witches, yes" and "witches, no". Third, character development and relational portrayal between characters are never neglected. I ended the movie with no questions or holes in my understanding. In addition, my attention was riveted from beginning to end.
    Truthfully, having been born on Halloween, I have a special relationship with horror movies that focus on witchery. I have, by no means, seen all of them and tend to avoid the hundreds (if not thousands) of horror films, witched or not, that cluster-release around Halloween. This movie, though, is designed, I think, to be thought provoking and decidedly eerie any time of the year, especially since it unfolds slowly. Impressive job for a directoral first. It would, in fact, be an excellent job for a film made in the middle or end of a long film-making career.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Anya Taylor-Joy	Thomasin	Ralph Ineson	William	Kate Dickie	Katherine	Harvey Scrimshaw	Caleb
  Ellie Grainger	Mercy	Lucas Dawson	Jonas	Julian Richings	The Governor	Bathsheba Garnett	The Old Witch
  Sarah Stephens	The Young Witch	Charlie	Goat Black Phillip	Wahab Chaudhry	Human Black Phillip	Axtun & Athan Dube	Samuel

  
    Here's the Wikipeda write-up on this film.
    Release Date: 2015
    Directed by Robert Eggers.

Labels: A24, drama1, feminist, folk-horror, period1, popcorn-and-soda1, psychological1, spiritual1, women's-movie2

# posted by gail @ 12:24    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  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

# posted by gail @ 23:42    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  This one is my treat, one of my trance movies. I don't know if Mom will ever see this movie. I think it would bore her. She does not find representations of the internal flights of one's mind interesting, not even if a story centers around them. She is a "what did they do", not a "what were they thinking" person. I think this is because she is such a quick study in regards to picking up on what people are thinking...but, considers that what a person is thinking is absolutely no excuse for bad behavior.
  Update 5/11/2020:  Per my above prediction, and my machinations, Mom never saw this movie. Frankly, if she's "out there somewhere", I think she would still feel that it would have been a waste to time to watch it. Go, Mom!
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Sean Gullette	Maximillian Cohen	Mark Margolis	Sol Robeson	Ben Shenkman	Lenny Meyer	Samia Shoaib	Devi
  Pamela Hart	Marcy Dawson	Stephen Pearlman	Rabbi Cohen	Ajay Naidu	Farouq	Kristyn Mae-Anne Lao	Jenna

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1998
    Directed by Darren Aronofsky.

Labels: A24, darren-aronofsky, dramaB, dream1, film-art2, me-favorite3, mystery2, neo-noirB

# posted by gail @ 15:12    0 comments    email......this post