Movies, Mom & Me

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6* *7* *8* *9* *10* *11* *12*
• 
  Commentary:  Now, you see, if you have any familiarity with my main journals, old or new, at all, you'll know why the series gets a listing and each separate episode that becomes a part of our library rates a solitary listing.
    Because we are ever faithful watchers of this program and it inevitably provokes discussion, it is mentioned many times in my journals, twelve, it seems, to be exact.
    I cannot tell you how pleased I am that this series is finally being sold on DVD to the public. I turned myself onto it by accident when I became exposed to cable TV the year I turned back from Seattle. I've been a devotee ever since, recruited my mother and my niece, who is planning on following the actor's call and is working hard at it...have semi-recruited at least one sister. I am unashamed to refer to the show. It is honey in the rock of television.
    Anyway, each episode is reviewed separately. I haven't yet purchased the Dave Chapelle episode because I haven't seen it and I'm hoping it will come together with other episodes...maybe a comedy collection.
    Anyway, in general, I am so pleased that they are releasing some of the older episodes. Some of those are my favorites: Martin Landau, who took his role as a teacher seriously and, thus, was probably the most fascinating guest this show has ever hosted; Shelly Winters; Peter Falk; oh that was a dynamite one, so was Shirley MacClaine...oh, and Eli Wallach, oh, wow, they don't have his interview listed, that's a surprise! I wonder if they have, hold on...yeah, they've got Jerry Lewis, maybe Eli Wallach appeared on behalf of someone else...need I go on?
    This show is important to us. We watch reruns. We watch our tapes. I will be continuing to collect this series.
    For the record, of the four in this collection, I have not seen two: the Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman interviews. So, even I'm curious to see what I'll think of them.
    Interviewer:  James Lipton
    Series directed by various people, listed under the names of the actors' interviews I have.

Labels: interview, paul-newman, TV2

# posted by gail @ 11:31    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  This is the season that contains one of my favorite story-in-a-stories, "The Warrior and the Stallion" told in the episode "A Bolt from the Blue", episode #14 in this season, to which I've linked the title, above. The story is contained in a blog post online.
    For a table of recurring actors/characters, see this post.
    Here is the list of episodes for the 5th season.
    Release Date: 1993-1994
    Directed by several people, including one woman who directed one episode.

Labels: dramedy2, female-director2, shared-favorite, TV2

# posted by gail @ 11:40    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  My mother and I discovered this separately, together, many years ago when it first came out. I think we weren't even in the same state, but were in close touch and both of us mentioned it. Unfortunately, this version has no CC, and, whereas Mom had trouble with British accents at the time, now they wreak havoc upon her ears. But she remembers the story, loves watching it unfold again and loves the spectacle.
    Damned fine cast, by the way!
    In addition to the review above, which is stunning, you might be interested to know some reviews of "ordinary" watchers of the series. Three people responded to the Quora question, "What is your review of the TV mini-series 'I, Claudius'?" The first response is particularly meticulous and includes a video snatch from the show.
  
  
  Update 2/7/18:  I have two sets of this production, now, the original without subtitles and the 35th Anniversary Edition with subtitles. I'm sad this wasn't produced before Mom's death. She missed the subtitling by 3 years. Oh well, I'm enjoying it now and discovering there are a few delightful phrases I missed in the original, regardless of how good my hearing was (and still is, actually), i.e. Augustus often using the phrase "...as boiled asparagus", when he's annoyed or troubled, which is hilarious in the various contexts to which he puts it. I never quite heard it right, until I could access it on the screen in the subtitles. That's when it became funny to me!
  Update 5/16/2022:  Even if you haven't seen this series, you likely know that the cast is huge and ever adds new principal actors in new principal roles. I'm not going to attempt to list everyone in the table below, just those standouts who I think likely, or know, go on to star in other productions I have in my collection and those who delivered standout performances in this series like, for instance, Young Herod Agrippa. Even at that, the table may be overwhelming. I apologize in advance.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Derek Jacobi	Claudius	Siân Phillips	Livia	George Baker	Tiberius	John Hurt	Caligula
  Beth Morris	Drusilla	Robert Morgan	Young Caligula	Brian Blessed	Augustus	Margaret Tyzack	Antonia
  Patricia Quinn	Livilla	Kevin McNally	Castor	John Paul	Agrippa	Frances White	Julia
  Christopher Biggins	Nero	David Robb	Germanicus	John Castle	Postumus	Fiona Walker	Agrippina
  James Faulkner	Herod Agrippa	Michael Clements	Young Herod	Sheila White	Messalina	Patrick Stewart	Sejanus
  John Rhys-Davies	Naevius Sutorius Macro	Bernard Hepton	Marcus Antonius Pallas	John Cater	Tiberius Claudius Narcissus	Barbara Young	Agrippinilla
  Jo Rowbottom	Calpurnia	Peter Bowles	Caractacus	John Bennett	Gaius Stertinius Xenophon	Patsy Byrne	Martina
  Nicholas Amer	Mnester	Moira Redmond	Domitia Lepida	Charlotte Howard	Scylla	Tony Haygarth	Claudius' Slave

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1976
    Directed by Herbert Wise.

Labels: biography1, derek-jacobi, drama8, historical3, john-hurt, political3, shared-favorite, TV2

# posted by gail @ 19:57    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  See, also, commentary on Elizabeth R. Although I confessed to preferring, by a minor edge, Glenda Jackson's epic, truth is, it depends on my mood. They are both lush, but in this HBO production the lushness is almost palpable. They are both dramatic but, in this production, there is more emphasis on Elizabeth's emotional life. The curiosity, to me, is that Mirren's and Jackson's portrayals are side-by-side excellent and, rather than competing with one another, it is as though one fleshes out the other. Neither my mother nor I ever tire of watching either.
    Sidebar:  My mother prefers the hairstyles in this one.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Helen Mirren	Queen Elizabeth I	Jeremy Irons	Earl of Leicester	Hugh Dancy	Earl of Essex	Toby Jones	Robert Cecil
  Patrick Malahide	Sir Francis Walsingham	Ian McDiarmid	Lord Burghley	Barbara Flynn	Mary, Queen of Scots	Ewen Bremner	King James VI
  Geoffrey Streatfeild	Sir Anthony Babington	Toby Salaman	Dr Lopez	Charlotte Asprey	Frances Walsingham	Eddie Redmayne	Southampton

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2005
    Directed by Tom Hooper.

Labels: biography1, drama9, elizabeth-I, helen-mirren, historical3, period4, political3, royals, TV2

# posted by gail @ 13:17    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G (marginally)
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  This video was a surprise I would not have considered on my own. One of my sisters sent it to me for my 2006 birthday. It was an excellent choice. Aside from the comments above, I think it is turning Mom into a watcher of the TV show. I noticed, when she watched the video, that she smiled through the entire three episodes, which were watched, pretty much, back to back. The reason I list myself as having watched it "marginally" is that I was doing chores and preparing dinner while it was on. However, I caught quite a bit of the episodes; enough so that, Mom and I had extended conversations about dogs, our previous ownership of dogs and possible future ownership (I'm still thinking, out of the question, but, you never know).
    In order to access the article linked to the title of this post, you might have to register for a free account with The Age, an Australian newspaper. I had to register to access the whole article.
  Update 2/7/18:  I no longer have this DVD in my collection, unfortunately. I didn't voluntarily weed it. A few years ago I lent it to a friend who always owns a passel of dogs and sometimes has trouble controlling them. She must have found the DVD valuable because she never returned it and has left the neighboring city in which she lived for parts unknown. I've designated it, by color, as a "no longer owned" video, but I have hope ... I think it would be one of those videos where I'd watch it and remind myself of Mom and me watching it.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2004-2012
    Directed by SueAnn Fincke & Jim Milio.

Labels: animal, audio-visual, female-director1, TV2

# posted by gail @ 13:16    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  Mom initially discovered this series through her tabloids, insisted we tune in from the very first episode and was so addicted to it that she actually registered the news that it would be cancelled and was heartbroken. Thus, it was necessary, when it came up for sale, that we purchase it.
    I can watch it, and often do, with her. It's more interesting to me than some series: For me, a cut above, for instance, Murder, She Wrote. I am not, though, generally, a fan of Bellisario series; they all have a fawning quality that bothers me. As well, I am not nearly as fascinated with the idea of a woman U.S. president as my mother is; just surprised, continually, that we haven't yet had one. I think my mother forgets that, in the history of the world, female rulers are not an anomaly, though certainly not as frequent as men. She also tends to think that just the fact that a ruler is a woman somehow means that ruler will be "better". I do not nurse similar sentiments. All that being said, it's entirely possible that this series, without thinking, was aimed at my mother's generation (and, maybe, one generation beyond), because it may have been conceived by still active executives who are of my mother's generation (or one generation beyond).
    Please note, reader, that I've linked the title of this post to the first of two meticulous reviews of each of the seasons of this series. The review for the second season is here.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Geena Davis	U. S. Pres Mackenzie Allen	Donald Sutherland	Nathan Templeton	Harry Lennix	Jim Gardner	Kyle Secor	Rod Calloway
  Ever Carradine	Kelly Ludlow	Mark-Paul Gosselaar	Richard McDonald	Polly Bergen	The President's Mother	Peter Coyote	U. S. Vice Pres Warren Keaton

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2005-2006
    Episodes directed by various directors, none female, which seems particularly pertinent, considering the subject matter.

Labels: donald-sutherland, drama9, geena-davis, mom-favorite1, political4, popcorn-and-soda4, presidential, TV2

# posted by gail @ 13:14    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  Another one of our perennial BBC favorites. Believe it or not, our entire family first watched this on Guam during it's first run. I was reminded of it when my mother became entranced with HBO's recent offering Elizabeth I.
    It's hard to say which she and I each prefer, although the BBC version has more compelling detail, and, of course, Glenda Jackson is the definitive Queen Elizabeth I, although Helen Mirren runs a very, very close second, and Jeremy Irons is my favorite, by a hair, for The Duke of Leichester.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Glenda Jackson	Elizabeth I	Robert Hardy	Robert Dudley	Ronald Hines	William Cecil	Stephen Murray	Francis Walsingham
  John Shrapnel	Thomas Radclyffe	Bernard Horsfall	Christopher Hatton	Robin Ellis	Robert Devereux	Jason Kemp	Edward VI

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1971
    The directors of the six episodes are:
  • The Lion's Cub directed by Claude Whatham
  • The Marriage Game directed by Herbert Wise
  • Shadow in the Sun directed by Richard Martin
  • Horrible Conspiracies directed by Roderick Graham
  • The Enterprise of England directed by Donald McWhinnie
  • Sweet England's Pride directed by Roderick Graham

Labels: biography1, drama9, elizabeth-I, historical3, period4, political4, royals, TV2

# posted by gail @ 08:59    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2* *3* *4*
• 
  Commentary:  It never fails to amaze me that Mom enjoys this show as much as I do. I didn't expect her to. I thought she'd find the broad satire tense and boring, but it's not uncommon for her to find it laugh-out-loud funny and the legal issues intrigue her.
    It never fails that, after a show, we find ourselves discussing some aspect of the show we've just viewed. We'll definitely be watching and collecting all seasons.
  Update 5/14/2002: We did, indeed, collect all five seasons and Mom watched every episode with much enthusiasm. Frankly, I think she may have a crush on William Shatner (she is a Trekie), or maybe James Spader. Or both. I wouldn't put it past her.
    And, Candice Bergen (she is also a Murphy-ite). She always has time for Candice Bergen!
    In the table below I am listing only actors and their corresponding roles that are most recognizable to Mom.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  James Spader	Alan Shore	William Shatner	Denny Crane	Candice Bergen	Shirley Schmidt	René Auberjonois	Paul Lewiston
  Mark Valley	Brad Chase	Meredith Easton	Bethany Horowitz	Julie Bowen	Denise Bauer	John Larroquette	Carl Sack

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2004-2008
    Directed by several people; female directors sparse and only in Seasons 1, 2 and 4.

Labels: candice-bergen, female-director1, james-spader, legal, rené-auberjonois, satire2, shared-favorite, TV2

# posted by gail @ 08:57    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2* *3*
• 
  Commentary:  Mom and I were both excited about finding this at Costco. Alas, the series, for us, anyway, is much better in memory than in reality. We have no quarrel with its reputation, its place as a cultural icon, its historical significance as literature and television and we concede intellectually that it was a groundbreaking series. But we couldn't help but laugh through several of the episodes. We're keeping this season but I don't think we'll be purchasing anymore. We both, by the way, continue to love Rod Serling's voice during his introductions.
  Update 5/13/2022:  I did not even think twice about consigning this to the library, once Mom died, although, it should be said, she and I actually never watched any of the episodes, again, after our first "outing" with this. I probably could have donated it long before Mom died. In addition, I'm not going to bother to set up a table of Actors and Roles, there are so many.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
    Release Date: 1959-1960
    Directed by several people, no women.

Labels: dramaA, fantasy3, mystery2, suspense2, TV2

# posted by gail @ 17:10    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1*
• 
  Commentary:  I got this as a nod to Mom (see mention) but, lo and behold, I enjoy it, too. It's not even a guilty pleasure for me. It's got some great actors in it, I enjoy the fact that the Japanese is not subtitled in English because it keeps the viewer in the same position as Anjin-San and, well, it's an involving production. Mom could probably watch this 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
    The interesting thing about this series and the book upon which it is based is that there is much historical background upon which they are based. Check out the Wikipedia article, linked below, and cruise through the actor list with its historical equivalents.
  Update 2/9/18:  I recently rewatched this series over a few nights, mainly to see if I wanted to donate it to the library. I vaguely noticed some "dating", but was still swept up. It will be remaining in my collection, for awhile, at least.
  Update 5/13/2022:  You may think that, by now, this series is close to the donate-to-the-library box. Not so! I've actually watched the entire series, over a weekend, about four months ago, in the depth of winter. I know its structure as a mini-series is dated but I continue to find it engaging, worthy of a winter weekend, and, perhaps, even a mid-summer weekend when there's nothing to do but, well, watch a mini-series!
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Richard Chamberlain	John Blackthorne	Toshirô Mifune	Yoshi Toranaga	Yoko Shimada	Lady Toda Mariko	Frankie Sakai	Kashigi Yabu
  Alan Badel	Father Dell'Aqua	Michael Hordern	Friar Domingo	Damien Thomas	Father Martin Alvito	John Rhys-Davies	Vasco Rodrigues

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1980
    Directed by Jerry London.

Labels: action3, adventure3, dramaA, mom-favorite2, period5, political4, popcorn-and-soda4, spectacle2, toshirô-mifune, TV2

# posted by gail @ 17:09    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  I used to be a Shakespeare snob. Up until the late 70's when I took a college course in Shakespeare I just didn't get what was interesting or important about Shakespeare's plays despite the fact that I'd studied two of them in high school. The course I took finally opened up the language and the structure for me. The class took place as these BBC produced plays were being broadcast on PBS. They were recommended by the instructor. I bought a television just to see them. I get it, now. Although I have some other favorite productions of some of these plays: Laurence Fishburne's portrayal of Othello, for instance, my favorite version of Hamlet is the production starring Richard Burton and Hume Cronyn, the vocals for which I have on vinyl, and my favorite version of Macbeth is the production by Roman Polanski which I didn't see until the early 1990s, these BBC productions are excellent and do not disappoint. I hope to obtain the entire collection, since I've seen the entire collection.
    When I queue up these plays Mom tries her best but I think she's where I was before I took that course and, as well, she has trouble with British accents. It's easy for her to get bored and switch to her tabloids or take a nap.
    As for me, I'd love to obtain the entire BBC Television Shakespeare series. It's quite a bit beyond my pocketbook, now, though, so I expect I'll never manage it, which is a shame, because BBC did a masterful job! If you're unsure about your relationship to Shakespeare's works, try checking out a few of these from your library. I think you'll discover, Shakespeare is writing about you, and your world.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this series. It's loaded with information, not only about the series in toto but about each production. If you're interested in these productions, don't ignore this link!


• 
  Hamlet
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Derek Jacobi	Hamlet	Claire Bloom	Gertrude	Patrick Stewart	Claudius	Eric Porter	Polonius

  
  → derek-jacobi
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1980
    Directed by Rodney Bennett.


• 
  Julius Caesar
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Richard Pasco	Brutus	Charles Gray	Julius Caesar	Keith Michell	Marcus Antonius	David Collings	Cassius

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1979
    Directed by Herbert Wise.


• 
  Macbeth
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Nicol Williamson	Macbeth	Jane Lapotaire	Lady Macbeth	Tony Doyle	Macduff	Jill Baker	Lady Macduff

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1983
    Directed by Jack Gold.


• 
  Othello
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Anthony Hopkins	Othello	Bob Hoskins	Iago	Penelope Wilton	Desdemona	David Yelland	Cassio

  
  → anthony-hopkins
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1981
    Directed by Jonathan Miller.


• 
  Romeo & Juliet
  
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Patrick Ryecart	Romeo	Rebecca Saire	Juliet	Celia Johnson	Nurse	Alan Rickman	Tybalt

  
  → alan-rickman
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1978
    Directed by Alvin Rakoff.

Labels: alan-rickman, anthony-hopkins, buddy, derek-jacobi, dramaA, haunting2, hume-cronyn, me-favorite2, period5, romance3, royals, shakespeare, tragedy2, TV2, violence3

# posted by gail @ 17:08    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  Another favorite of mine. I love luxuriating in Maggie Smith's performance in this HBO movie. I love luxuriating in Maggie Smith's performances in any of her movies and TV productions! What a multifaceted actor she is!
    I love the ambiance of the voice over in this movie. I enjoy the story. It takes "character driven" to a new level.
    Mom has liked this movie on and off. She has to be in the mood for it. I'm always in the mood for it.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Maggie Smith	Emily Delahunty	Chris Cooper	Thomas Riversmith	Timothy Spall	Quinty	Emmy Clarke	Aimee

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2003
    Directed by Richard Loncraine.

Labels: chris-cooper, dramaA, dream1, maggie-smith, me-favorite3, TV2

# posted by gail @ 16:59    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  It took me a long time to decide to buy this series. When we watched it first run on TV I was never sure that Mom liked it. Finally, when the price dropped drastically and even more so at Costco, I picked up these seasons. To my surprise Mom was as fascinated with it in arrears as I am. We will probably and eventually purchase all the seasons, even the much maligned fifth and certainly the last season. Mom especially enjoys watching the episodes with the good subtitles and has mentioned that she "understands it a lot better" now that we can "rewind" when she doesn't catch something. When we watch this I am reminded how Mom still enjoys following politics even though she can't remember who the current president is and doesn't anymore care who it is.
    I asked her, after we watched the first season on DVD, why she liked the show.
    "It's like bartering in shops in Mexico," she said.
  12/24/06 Update:  You'll notice the designation has changed to "The Entire Series", rather than just seasons 1 & 2. I received the series this year as a surprise gift from a long time friend. It was an extreme surprise because he and I have never been known to exchange gifts, we rarely see each other, we don't email each other, we talk on the phone infrequently, and yet we remain bonded. He is one of the few people I know who is aware of my ambivalent interest in politics and my "secret" desire to become President of the United States. Truth is, I only vaguely remember talking to him about the series once, soon after it started, when Mom and I still lived part of the year in Mesa and, him living in Scottsdale, we spoke more frequently and occasionally visited one another. I do remember I was pretty excited about it, at the time we talked about it. So was he. He was recording the episodes. I wasn't, though. Funny thing, when I noticed that the entire series was available of a piece, I thought about buying it but since I already had the first two seasons and Mom and I hadn't watched it in awhile, I figured, well, maybe I should try it out on her again and see if I should collect the other seasons separately. I couldn't see spending the amount of money involved in purchasing the entire series when it would be cheaper for me to fill in the seasons. So, this was like one of those magical gift moments that blew me away!
    Needless to say, I'll be turning the first two seasons in for credit at my usual search-for-bargains video store.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Martin Sheen	Josiah Bartlet	John Spencer	Leo McGarry	Bradley Whitford	Josh Lyman	Richard Schiff	Toby Ziegler
  Allison Janney	C.J. Cregg	Janel Moloney	Donna Moss	Stockard Channing	Abbey Bartlet	Moira Kelly	Mandy Hampton
  Joshua Malina	Will Bailey	Mary McCormack	Kate Harper	Alan Alda	Arnold Vinick	Jimmy Smits	Matt Santos
  Rob Lowe	Sam Seaborn	Dulé Hill	Charlie Young	Kristin Chenoweth	Annabeth Schott	Lily Tomlin	Deborah Fiderer

  
  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
    Release Date: 1999-2006
    Directed by, as usual, very few women, scattered throughout all seasons, mostly men.

Labels: aaron-sorkin, dramaA, dylan-baker, edward-james-olmos, female-director2, political4, presidential, TV2, william-devane, željko-ivanek

# posted by gail @ 16:58    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2* *3*
• 
  Commentary:  This is one of both of our's long time favorites. Even with the series at hand, if we're channel surfing and discover an episode we watch it. We will definitely be collecting all the seasons, even the much maligned (and much deserving of being maligned) last season.
    As far as post title reviews are concerned, I decided to link the first part of the title up through "1st" to a review that was enthusiastic. I linked "2nd Seasons" to a less enthusiastic but nonetheless informative review. Considering that I've never expanded my collection of this show's dvds, I think that's a fair representation of where I am on the subject of this show.
  Update 2/9/18:  Well, we didn't collect all the seasons and I'm not sure that I will. My love for this show hasn't evaporated but I haven't, since my mother's death, watched what I have so I'm not sure I'd watch any of the other seasons. I did, take note, watch the syndicated reruns on television, as long as I had a cable subscription. That's over now, though. Perhaps I have a strong enough memory of the series that I don't need to rewatch it, anymore. However, I continue to hang onto it through multiple library dumps of other movies and shows. And, I have fond memories of certain specific scenes in these two seasons, and a few other seasons.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Roseanne Barr	Roseanne Conner	John Goodman	Dan Conner	Laurie Metcalf	Jackie Harris	Michael Fishman	D.J. Conner
  Sara Gilbert	Darlene Conner	Lecy Goranson	Becky Conner	Estelle Parsons	Beverly Harris	Natalie West	Crystal Anderson-Conner
  George Clooney	Booker Brooks	Fred Thompson	Keith Faber	Ned Beatty	Ed Conner	Jared Rushton	Chip

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1988-1990
    Directed by: Most of the episodes in Season 1 are directed by a woman. All of the episodes in Season 2 are directed by a man.

Labels: comedy1, female-director2, laurie-metcalf, ned-beatty, satire2, shared-favorite, TV2

# posted by gail @ 02:27    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G, avidly
• Mentions:  *1* *2* *3* *4*
• 
  Commentary:  I've talked quite a bit about this series and my mother's and my interest (separate, mostly) in it.
    Aside from that, if you're eschewing this series because of the language, sexuality and violence, you're missing a great production on many levels, not the least of which is its take on American History and the American Character.
    My mother goes back and forth in her feelings about this series. Sometimes it fascinates her. Sometimes it repulses her. At this point I feel we will continue to collect the seasons.
  Update 2/7/18:  We did not collect the other two seasons. She, in fact, made the decision that we didn't need to own the other two seasons of Deadwood. I was (and continue to be) satisfied with that decision.
  Update 5/5/21:  I did, finally, on my own, obtain the entire Deadwood series. A few months ago I decided to watch the first season again, and found myself hungering, yes, for the other two seasons. Unfortunately, our library system does not have any of the seasons, although, curiously, it does have the movie, which was made a full thirteen years after the series was cancelled.
    I've watched all three seasons, now, and the movie. Although I'm not one to ever claim that any movie or series is "the best ... of all time", as more than a few critics did, I mean, how foolish, considering that time continues and humans have no quotidian, reliable or accepted way of peering into the future. That being said, I remain riveted to the series and astonished by the quality of acting, writing and production that characterizes this series right up to its cancellation.
    If she wants it, I'll probably pass my original set of the first season onto MCN. If she doesn't, clearly, my local library system could use it.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Timothy Olyphant	Seth Bullock	Ian McShane	Al Swearengen	Molly Parker	Alma Garret	Jim Beaver	Whitney Ellsworth
  Brad Dourif	Doc Cochran	John Hawkes	Sol Star	Paula Malcomson	Trixie	Leon Rippy	Tom Nuttall
  William Sanderson	E. B. Farnum	Robin Weigert	Calamity Jane	W. Earl Brown	Dan Dority	Dayton Callie	Charlie Utter
  Keith Carradine	Wild Bill Hickock	Powers Boothe	Cy Tolliver	Kim Dickens	Joanie Stubbs	Anna Gunn	Martha Bullock

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
    Release Date: 2004-2006
    Directed by various people, none women.

Labels: brad-dourif, dramaB, historical3, john-hawkes, me-favorite3, TV2, violence3, western

# posted by gail @ 07:27    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  none, yet
• 
  Commentary:  We've only watched this season informally in TV reruns. It's just one of our "must haves". I know we will watch it, probably in a marathon.
    For a list of recurring actors/characters, see this post.
    Here is the Wikipedia write-up for the fourth season.
    Release Date: 1992-1993
    Directed by various people, one woman.

Labels: bibi-besch, dramedy2, dylan-baker, female-director2, shared-favorite, TV2

# posted by gail @ 07:26    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1*
• 
  Commentary:  We've only just received and begun to watch this season. I think this is the one where they do lots more dream work. I'm hoping this is the season when they produced the episode with Maggie and the bear.
  Update: 9/23/21 Yes, this is the season in which Maggie receives a visit from a bear; a cool, sweet, mythological episode in which a lot happens to the other residents, as well. The episode is called Wake-up Call. I've linked to a complete rundown of the episode, although I don't know how long the link will exist. I hope I remember to check back, every once is awhile. Perhaps I'll need a wake-up call ...
    For a list of recurring actors/characters, see this post.
    Here is the Wikipedia write-up for the third season.
    Release Date: 1991-1992
    Directed by various people, one woman.

Labels: bibi-besch, dramedy2, female-director2, shared-favorite, TV2

# posted by gail @ 07:25    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1*
• 
  Commentary:  This show has "an incident" to recommend it: See the one "Mention". I have to admit, there is something addictive about this show. And, despite the active argument in which several critics are indulging, this show wasn't so innocent as all that. It still isn't. I'm pissed that they recorded a new cover of the theme. I miss the brightness of the old arrangement and the final chord.
    We'll probably collect more of this show's seasons.
    This is kind of an update, but I don't want to call it that. Suffice it to say, I'm writing it on 8/15/21. It's often hard to find legitimate reviews of television shows, and this has proved true for this show. I did, however, find reasonable rundowns of the four seasons we own: season one, season two, season three and season four. Be forewarned, about the only reviewy writing I could find is a short article linked to the title of this post. That'll have to do. Or, perhaps, the fact that I have never purchased any more seasons of this show is a review, in itself.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Mary Tyler Moore	Mary Richards	Ed Asner	Lou Grant	Gavin MacLeod	Murray Slaughter	Ted Knight	Ted Baxter
  Valerie Harper	Rhoda Morgenstern	Cloris Leachman	Phyllis Lindstrom	Georgia Engel	Georgette Franklin Baxter	Betty White	Sue Ann Nivens

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1970-1974
    Directed by several men and one woman for two episodes in Season 4. "That's all, folks."

Labels: buddy, comedy2, female-director2, henry-jones, mom-favorite2, TV2

# posted by gail @ 07:20    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  The truth? Occasionally I'll get caught up in one of these episodes, but it is more interesting for me to watch my mother watching this show. Several years ago she used to say that she liked the series even though she "couldn't stand" Angela Lansbury. As she watched, though, she'd forget that the character is played by Ms. Lansbury and immerse herself in the genteel, nosy, forthright, thoughtful amateur detective who is also a mystery writer. I think my mother likes the reverie of believing that J. B. Fletcher is the epitome, not of what the Ancient One life should be but is. So, I watch the show more carefully, now, when I'm so inclined.
  Update 2/11/21:  No offense to the show, this is now in my county library system. After Mom died, I just didn't think I'd be interested in watching it, anymore. Yes, it's a great portrait of elders, and I'm an elder, now, officially, but, well, she's not a good role model for me, seeing as how I am a natural-born-hermit.
  Update 5/25/23:  Although I did not include Andy García in the truncated (because I passed this onto my local library system) list of actors and roles, below, I do include him in the labels at the end of this post because he does appear in the pilot episode of this series, which I, at one time, did own.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Angela Lansbury	Jessica Fletcher	Tom Bosley	Sheriff Amos Tupper	William Windom	Dr. Seth Hazlitt

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1984-1985
    Directed by several people, no women.

Labels: andy-garcía, angela-lansbury, mom-favorite2, mystery2, TV2

# posted by gail @ 07:16    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2* *3*
• 
  Commentary:  We are hypnotized by this series, as well. I know; we should get out, more. But, what a way to go.
    You will note that the images of this write-up say "#1" and "#2". That's because, initially, some years ago, when Paul Reubens released his Pee-Wee's Playhouse series, he released all the episodes in two parts. I'm not sure they are still sold this way. But, they were back then. According to Wikipedia's article, comparing it with our inventory, we own everything but the Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special.
  Update 2/9/18:  I have a memory ... One of the aspects of the series from which we both used to get a kick was Pee Wee's frequent admonition to "scream real loud", which we'd both do, on command, Mom much softer than me. I remember my mother saying, "Can't you just imagine what most mothers feel when their kids watch this show and 'scream real loud'?" And then she'd chuckle. One thing you can say, with authority, about my mom, she really loved kids.
  Update 5/23/22:  I once seriously considered ushering this series on to my local library. I decided to re-watch some of my favorite episodes from it, though, and found that my enjoyment trumped my belief that I would never watch it again. In fact, in the intervening years, I have pulled it out of my cabinet just to watch some of those favorite episodes, yet again, and "scream real loud". In case you're wondering, when Mom and I watched episodes, she, also, "screamed real loud", when Pee-Wee directed, although in a much more "lady-like" manner than me; sort of a muffled "Ahhhh...".
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Paul Reubens	Pee-Wee	Laurence Fishburne	Cowboy Curtis	Lynne Marie Stewart	Miss Yvonne	S. Epatha Merkerson	Reba - Mail Lady

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
    Release Date: 1986-1990
    Directed by Paul Reubens.
  
  

Labels: comedy2, kids, laurence-fishburne, popcorn-and-soda6, shared-favorite, TV2

# posted by gail @ 02:00    0 comments    email......this post