Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Equalizer 3
- Commentary: Yes, this is, without a doubt, the worst of the Denzel Washington Equalizer franchise. It may even be one of the worst of this overall genre. You'll notice that the review for this movie from the Roger Ebert website does not spare the criticism (although, curiously, Wikipedia quite likes it) but I have to say, I agree with the Roger Ebert review linked in the title of this post. It's worth it to me to watch it, though, and to collect it as part of this series, even though it's, well, pretty bad. I don't know. There's just something about Denzel Washington as Robert McCall that I find compelling, even when the character is placed in a bad, tired story line. I determined its lack of quality, by the way, long before I bought it. I watched it on streaming. But, I went ahead and added it to my collection, anyway, in part because, if this franchise isn't finished (or, wasn't finished by this episode, and, somehow, I think it wasn't, in part because Fuqua may harbor some guilt about the possibility of ending the series on such a degraded note), I certainly want to collect all the entries, no matter their quality. I'll just consider this movie a description of Robert McCall on a very bad, close to forgettable day.
If you're going to collect it (probably for much the same reasons I have), either wait until the price drops on the "usual suspect" sellers or find it at a much cheaper alternative source, as I did, upon which I immediately returned my "usual suspects" purchase. I might add, I found it new and cellophane wrapped, so, likely someone saw it on streaming after they'd ordered a hard copy but before the copy they bought arrived. I'm surprised that buyer didn't return it.
This article, by the way, talks about the issue of the end or the continuation of the Fuqua series and leaves the subject open. It's interesting to read.
Finally, I'd love to watch Queen Latifa as the The Equalizer in her series based on this character. I don't, unfortunately, have access to her series through any of my [two] streaming sites (sorry, guys, if it's a choice between streaming and physical media, for me, physical media wins hands down) and, being how it is an ongoing series, the seasons are way too pricey for me to buy, right now, and likely will remain so for some time to come.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington Robert McCall Dakota Fanning Emma Collins Eugenio Mastrandrea Gio Bonucci David Denman Frank Conroy Gaia Scodellaro Aminah Remo Girone Enzo Arisio Andrea Scarduzio Vincent Quaranta Andrea Dodero Marco Quaranta
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2023
Directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Labels: action4, adventure4, antoine-fuqua, dakota-fanning, denzel-washington, revenge2, super-hero3, thriller4, violence5
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Chow Yun-fat Li Mu Bai Michelle Yeoh Yu Shu Lien Zhang Ziyi Jen Yu Chang Chen Lo "Dark Cloud" Xiao Hou Lang Sihung Sir Te Cheng Pei-pei Jade Fox Li Fazeng Governor Yu Wang Deming Inspector Tsai Li Li Tsai May Hai Yan Madam Yu Gao Xi'an Bo Huang Suying Aunt Wu
Besides his review of this movie, Roger Ebert, also conducted a surprising interview with Ang Lee, quite a bit of which was devoted to the technical aspects of bringing the action sequences in this movie to life. Don't miss it, if you've ever wondered how "that was done".
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Ang Lee.
Labels: action4, adventure4, wuxia
Friday, March 29, 2024
Grizzly Man
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Timothy Treadwell Timothy Treadwell Werner Herzog Werner Herzog
By far, the most interesting and informative review of this movie is an Amazon Customer Review written by Tracy H and posted here. This reviewer wrote a fascinating and detailed analysis of not only the movie, but on the personalities, characters and motivations of the human participants and many others who felt compelled to ruminate aloud about what Timothy Treadwell did, what happened to him and how Werner Herzog packaged the experience. It is the most interesting and thoughtful commentary on this movie that I've read, so far. Thank you, Tracy H.
By the way, in case you're interested, Roger Ebert's site has several excellent articles about Werner Herzog and this movie. I pulled a search of these by simply typing "Grizzly Man" into the search box on Roger Ebert's site. The articles give extra insight into the movie, one of its presentations and Werner Herzog, if you're interested.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Werner Herzog.
Labels: adventure4, docu-drama, road-movie, tragedy3, werner-herzog
Tuesday, October 03, 2023
Mulan
- Who's watched: M & G, more than once
Mentions: None
- Commentary: Something about the scene in which the invading army comes over a snow ridge. Something else about that "song and dance" number about what it takes to be a man. Something else about it being a Chinese fairy tale. I don't know if Mom likes it for the same reasons I do, but I know she likes it. I've even replayed the "Be a Man" song for her when we are watching it.
Too, and I don't know if this has anything to do with my enjoyment of the film, when the movie hit the theaters in 1998 Mom and I took my Chandler niece to see it because all three of us were excited about the movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ming-Na Wen Fa Mulan Eddie Murphy Mushu BD Wong Captain Li Shang Miguel Ferrer Shan Yu
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Tony Bancroft & Barry Cook.
Labels: action3, adventure4, animated, coming-of-age2, father-daughter-dynamics, gender-bender, kids, period6, shared-favorite, suspense2
Monday, June 26, 2023
Sunshine
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Cillian Murphy Robert Capa Chris Evans James Mace Rose Byrne Cassie Michelle Yeoh Corazon Cliff Curtis Searle Troy Garity Harvey Hiroyuki Sanada Kaneda Benedict Wong Trey Chipo Chung Voice of Icarus Mark Strong Pinbacker Paloma Baeza Capa's Sister Kevin Hudson Crew - Icarus I
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Danny Boyle.
Labels: adventure4, nuclear, science-fiction2, space-opera, survival
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
The Fall
- Commentary: This movie is the most visually arresting movie I've ever seen. There are set pieces in this film that have stayed with me since my first viewing. It is also one of the most spiritually (that's right, I used "the word") unusual films I've ever seen.
The film was released for general viewing the year my mother died. I didn't see it that year. By the time it arrived in theaters my mother had expressed her desire to never watch a movie in a theater again. Thus, I'm not sure when I saw the movie, although I know I saw it on some cable movie service. I also remember that, once I'd finished my first viewing, I immediately watched it again. I remember, too, that I was sorry that my Mom hadn't been around to see it. She may or may not have followed the story, but she would have been as enthralled by the imagery as I was and we would have had a satisfying movie watching afternoon, replete with home made popcorn (always a requirement when my Mom watched movies) and cup after cup of coffee. If nothing else, she would have considered it an elaborate, endearing and motivating travelogue (Mom was always up for travel).
For me, it is simply a movie in which to luxuriate, especially visually, although the story is intriguing, as well. It's an undercurrent story about the confluence of images, adventure, imagination and desire and I can't help but wonder, at the end of every watching, what Alexandria is doing now. It's almost as though I consider that she might have become Wonder Woman, figuratively and literally.
This is probably one of the most expensive single movies I've ever bought. It's been sitting on my Possibility Shelf forever, more than a decade, now. Today, I was notified it had dropped in price by $10. Suddenly, my hunger for the movie singed my mind, yet again, so, despite its still high sale price, I decided to snatch it up. It's been awhile since it's been available at my local library. They have only one copy in the system and it's been "in repair" for what seems like ages. Time to purchase it, no matter what the cost. As Roger Ebert said in his review of this movie (attached to the title of this post above), "There will never be another like it." I agree.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Lee Pace Roy Walker/Black Bandit Catinca Untaru Alexandria/Bandit's daughter Justine Waddell Nurse/Sister Evelyn Daniel Caltagirone Sinclair/Governor Odious Marcus Wesley Ice deliverer/Otta Benga Robin Smith One-legged Actor/Luigi Jeetu Verma Orange picker/Indian Kim Uylenbroek Doctor/Alexander the Great Leo Bill Orderly/Charles Darwin Emil Hoștină Alexandria's father/Blue Bandit Julian Bleach Mystic/Orange picker Ronald France Otto/Old Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Tarsem Singh.
Labels: adventure4, fantasy4, spiritual2, survival
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Shintaro Katsu Zatoichi
The episodes in this series are:
The Tale of Zatoichi
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Masayo Banri Otani Ryuzo Shimada Shigezo of the Sasagawa Yakuza Gen Mitamura Hanji of Matsugishi
Release Date: 1962
Directed by Kenji Misumi.
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Yoshie Mizutani Osetsu Masayo Banri Otane Tomisaburō Wakayama Nagisa no Yoshirō
Release Date: 1962
Directed by Kazuo Mori.
New Tale of Zatoichi
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mikiko Tsubouchi Yayoi Seizaburō Kawazu Banno Fujio Suga Yasuhiko
Release Date: 1963
Directed by Tokuzō Tanaka.
Zatoichi the Fugitive
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Miwa Takada ONobu Masayo Banri Otane Junichiro Narita Sakichi
Release Date: 1963
Directed by Tokuzō Tanaka.
Zatoichi on the Road
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Shiho Fujimura Mitsu Ryuzo Shimada Jingoro Reiko Fujiwara Hisa
Release Date: 1963
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda.
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Shogo Shimada Chuji Kunisada Machiko Hasegawa Ogin Tomisaburo Wakayama Jushiro
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Kazuo Ikehiro.
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Naoko Kubo Okuni Mayumi Nagisa Oshizu Takashi Edajima Seiroku
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Kazuo Ikehiro.
Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nobuo Kaneko Boss Unosuke Gen Kimura Hyaku Chikara Hashimoto Inozo
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Kenji Misumi.
Adventures of Zatoichi
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Eiko Taki Osen Miwa Takada Saki Mikijiro Hira Gounosuke
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda.
Zatoichi's Revenge
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Norihei Miki Denroku Mikiko Tsubouchi Osayo Takeshi Kato Koheita Kadokura
Release Date: 1965
Directed by Akira Inoue.
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Fujiyama Hyakutaro Kanbi Kenjiro Ishiyama Boss Jubei Araiso Masako Akeboshi Ochiyo
Release Date: 1965
Directed by Kazuo Mori.
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mikio Narita Jumonji Chizuru Hayashi Kume Kaneko Iwasaki Otane
Release Date: 1965
Directed by Kenji Misumi.
Zatoichi's Vengeance
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Shigeru Amachi Kurobe Jun Hamamura Blind Priest Gen Kimura Tamekichi
Release Date: 1966
Directed by Tokuzō Tanaka.
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Michiyo Okusu Okichi Isao Yamagata Boss Tohachi Hisashi Igawa Eigoro
Release Date: 1966
Directed by Kazuo Ikehiro.
Zatoichi's Cane Sword
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Shiho Fujimura Oshizu Eijirō Tōno Senzo Yoshihiko Aoyama Seikichi
Release Date: 1967
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda.
Zatoichi the Outlaw
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Rentarō Mikuni Boss Asagoro Kō Nishimura Suga Yuko Hamada Oshino
Release Date: 1967
Directed by Satsuo Yamamoto.
Zatoichi Challenged
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jushiro Konoe Akazuka Miwa Takada Omitsu Yukiji Asaoka Tomoe
Release Date: 1967
Directed by Kenji Misumi.
Zatoichi and the Fugitives
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Takashi Shimura Junan Kayao Mikimoto Oshizu Kyosuke Machida Ogano Genpachiro
Release Date: 1968
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda.
Samaritan Zatoichi
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Yoshiko Mita Osode Makoto Satô Yasaburo Kashiwazaki Kô Nishimura Sosuke Saruya
Release Date: 1968
Directed by Kenji Misumi.
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Toshirô Mifune 'Yojimbo' Daisaku Sasa Ayako Wakao Umeno Osamu Takizawa Yasuke Eboshiya
Release Date: 1970
Directed by Kihachi Okamoto.
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Reiko Ōhara Okiyo Masayuki Mori Dark Lord Yamikubo/Lord Yamikubo Tatsuya Nakadai Ronin
Release Date: 1970
Directed by Kenji Misumi.
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jimmy Wang Yu Wang Kang Yūko Hama Osen Michie Terada Oyone
Release Date: 1971
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda & Hsu Tseng Hung.
→ wuxia
Zatoichi at Large
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Rentarô Mikuni Boss Tetsugoro Hisaya Morishige Constable Tobei Etsushi Takahashi Denjuro
Release Date: 1972
Directed by Kazuo Mori.
Zatoichi in Desperation
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kiwako Taichi Nishikigi Kyoko Yoshizawa Kaede Yasuhiro Koume Shinkichi
Release Date: 1972
Directed by Kazuo Mori.
Zatoichi's Conspiracy
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Yukiyo Toake Miyo Eiji Okada Shinbei of Hitachiya Kei Satô Magistrate
Release Date: 1973
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series. The Wikipedia write-ups for the individual episodes are attached to their titles.
Release Date: 1962 - 1973
Directed by Various - See each film in the list above.
Labels: adventure4, Criterion6, samurai, super-hero3, tatsuya-nakadai, toshirô-mifune
Sunday, November 27, 2022
The Trap
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Rita Tushingham Eve Oliver Reed La Bete Rex Sevenoaks Trader Barbara Chilcott Trader's Wife Linda Goranson Trader's Daughter Blaine Fairman Clerk Walter Marsh Preacher Joseph Golland Baptiste
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1966
Directed by Sidney Hayers.
Labels: adventure4, goflexB, oliver-reed, romance5
Saturday, November 26, 2022
The Kid
- Commentary: Under construction.
In addition to the very specific write-up of this movie attached to the title of this post, here is a wonderful essay on the legacy of this movie and its subject in the annals of film.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlie Chaplin The Tramp Jackie Coogan The Kid Edna Purviance The Woman Carl Miller The Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1921
Directed by Charlie Chaplin.
Labels: adventure4, charlie-chaplin, goflexA
Monday, November 07, 2022
Summertime
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Katharine Hepburn Jane Hudson Rossano Brazzi Renato de Rossi Isa Miranda Signora Fiorini Darren McGavin Eddie Yaeger
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1955
Directed by David Lean.
Labels: adventure4, Criterion5, katharine-hepburn, romance5
Friday, October 14, 2022
Annihilation
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Natalie Portman Lena Jennifer Jason Leigh Dr. Ventress Gina Rodriguez Anya Thorensen Tessa Thompson Josie Radek Tuva Novotny Cassie Sheppard Oscar Isaac Kane Benedict Wong Lomax Sonoya Mizuno Katie
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Alex Garland.
Labels: adventure4, jennifer-jason-leigh, mystery3, oscar-isaac, science-fiction2, thriller3
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Conan the Barbarian
- Commentary: I've seen this film more than a few times, checking it out of the library. I managed to get what amounts to a free copy of it, just today, 9/24/22. I don't have it, yet, it'll be arriving Monday, reportedly. I could probably start a write-up of it from my memory of watching it, but I think I want to wait, since it's been awhile (like a few years) since I've seen it last, and I need to luxuriate in it, once again, this time knowing it'll be my personal copy, before writing about it. So, consider this post, for the time being, Under construction.
And, BTW, Roger Ebert reviewed it. And liked it! Not completely, mind you. His lack of a fourth star is explained, in detail, in his write-up, and not only makes sense, especially considering when the movie came out and Roger wrote his review, but it is provocative, thoughtful and timely, even today, 40 years after it was written. Which is probably a good thing, since it's still a lively seller. I mean, here I am, selecting it as a free movie option! Roger's review is attached to the title of this post. You should read it.
Another group of critics reviewed this movie, Three Movie Buffs. Their results are more than interesting, they are loaded with logistical details about the movie. If you have a "thing" for this movie, you should read their reviews.
Anyway, we'll talk more when I receive the movie and watch it afresh.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Arnold Schwarzenegger Conan the Barbarian Gerry Lopez Subotai Sandahl Bergman Valeria James Earl Jones Thulsa Doom Max von Sydow King Osric Mako Iwamatsu Wizard of the Mounds William Smith Conan's Father Sven-Ole Thorsen Thorgrim Ben Davidson Rexor Cassandra Gava Witch Valérie Quennessen Osric's Daughter Nadiuska Conan's Mother Jorge Sanz Young Conan Luis Barboo Red Hair Franco Columbu Pictish Scout Akio Mitamura Mongol General
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1982
Directed by John Milius.
Labels: adventure4, fantasy4, max-von-sydow, me-favorite4, oliver-stone, spectacle2, super-hero2, sword-&-sorcery, violence4
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
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
Sunday, May 08, 2022
Thelma & Louise
- Commentary: Blew me away when I was watching this movie on cable, one evening, late, Mom awoke within the first 15 minutes of the movie, I decided to keep it on because I really wanted to see it again and she was riveted. She even likes the end of it, which leads me to believe that she understands the real power of this movie: that it isn't a dirge for the female spirit, but a celebration of it. She has even been heard to mutter, during the semi scene, "Good for them!"
I actually didn't consider owning this movie until, a couple of times after the above mentioned viewing, when I exclaimed that it was "on", again, Mom always has wanted to watch it.
Aside from his initial review link to the title of this post, Roger Ebert wrote yet another thought provoking review of the film six months later.
Twenty-five years later three female journalists write an article about how the film has held up, in relevence, over the last quarter century. They make a point of mentioning that the film has not engendered more women-buddy-movies. I know. I think about this every time I watch this movie, and it's one of those that I watch about once a year. It's like, someone in the male coterie that is still film production, is constantly asking about women-buddy-scripts, "What's the point?" and dropping them into the circular file. This article does, though, increase my desire to see Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road.
And, I have to ask, considering the plethora of male-buddy-movies made since the beginning of movie history and the ignoring of the fact that women do "buddy up", for all kinds of reasons, what the hell are you guys thinking?!? Do you think, as women, that we should be grateful that at least this movie was made? And, frankly, do you feel that delusionally safe because female buddy movies make up a very, very small percentage of films? Holy goddess! Are you in for a surprise!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Susan Sarandon Louise Sawyer Geena Davis Thelma Dickinson Brad Pitt J. D. Harvey Keitel Det. Hal Slocumb Michael Madsen Jimmy Lennox Christopher McDonald Darryl Dickinson Lucinda Jenney Lena Timothy Carhart Harlan Puckett
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Ridley Scott.
Update 5/8/22: This is a reposting of a previous post dated 2/7/2005 that I managed to recover.
Labels: action3, adventure4, buddy, dream2, geena-davis, harvey-keitel, me-favorite4, michael-madsen, popcorn-and-soda6, revenge2, ridley-scott, road-movie, suspense2, women's-movie1







































