Thursday, June 09, 2022
Raising Buchanan
- Commentary: This movie is a sweet, silly, funny movie. It is, as well, not a movie I would own if I didn't have an actor niece who played a walk-through part in it and a sister who thought to send me a copy of it. I'm also pleased I own it because it is the second to the last movie in which René Auberjonois appeared, whose work I adore. In addition, it won a slew of film festival awards across the U.S., deservedly, I can say, since I've seen it. The crux of the movie is the dilemma of seeking an ill-conceived boost to one's life. It ends poignantly and is thoroughly enjoyable, much to my delight.
Update 6/9/2022: This post was originally published on 1/16/2021 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role René Auberjonois U.S. President James Buchanan Amanda Melby Ruth Kiesling Cathy Shim Meg Terence Bernie Hines Phillip Crosby M. Emmet Walsh Larry Kiesling Robert Ben Garant Lancaster Guy Jennifer Pfalzgraff Holly Steve Briscoe Errol
Here's the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Bruce Dellis.
Labels: buddy, dramedy1, psychological1, reflective, rené-auberjonois, satire1
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
Wednesday, August 05, 2020
Valley of the Dolls
- Commentary: Yes, I read the book. Decades ago. When I was a teenager. When it was, sort of, taboo literature for girls my age. I also saw the movie when I was a teenager, and have seen it several times since, when it's been featured on some TV channel. It's hard to describe what kind of a hold this movie has over me; why, for instance, I so enjoy watching the turgid stories of these three young women and their torrid lives. I can tell you that I never considered owning this movie until I noticed that Criterion had put out an edition of it with loads of special features. "Ah ha!" I thought. "This edition will help me explain to myself my fascination with this movie!" I'm not sure that's what happened, but I can tell you that I spent an entire afternoon indulging in the movie and each one of the special features, including reading the accompanying booklet cover to cover.
This movie is the ultimate chick flick. Although the focus is supposed to be on the "dolls", the pills that these women consume in order to follow their dreams, the truth is the pills are incidental. The bonus material often refers to it as "camp", but, I can tell you, its campiness is not why I love this movie. I don't love it because it reminds me of the decade of the 1960s. Frankly, even though I was a teenager during that decade, I was pretty much a bookish girl-woman who lived a life that could have been described, from the outside, as dull. I didn't have glorious dreams like the women in this movie. I love the movie because I love reveling in the stories of embattled chicks, whether they're on "dolls" or not. There. I said it.
You'll notice I've labeled it as both a "pussy-flick" and a "women's movie". For me, it's both. It is not a "20th-century-chick-flick", as none of the romances follow that particular type of romantic story. Nobody ends up with their man. It contains scenes that are so full of pathos they can only be described as pathetic and scenes that are touching and thoughtful. It contains a lot of other scenes that are, frankly, just plain cheesy. Sometimes, too, those cheesy scenes are so over-scripted that, while you're watching, you know you're supposed to find them moving but you can't help but giggle, even if you're watching the movie alone. Ah, but those scenes are, dare I say it, the most fun!
Finally, yes, it's true, Roger Ebert was mildly disgusted by this movie (I say "mildly" because he gave it two stars, rather than one). So, he and Russ Meyer co-wrote what they intended as a parody, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. I never saw that movie, although, apparently, according to Wikipedia, it duplicated the fate of the original, first ignored, then loved, then culted and partially reappraised. Roger Ebert even wrote an explanatory review of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. I didn't read the review, only skimmed it. I probably won't ever see this movie, but, you know, if you can't beat 'em, I guess ...
Thank you, Criterion! A master coup!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbara Parkins Anne Wells Patty Duke Neely O'Hara Paul Burke Lyon Burke Sharon Tate Jennifer North Tony Scotti Tony Polar Lee Grant Miriam Polar Susan Hayward Helen Lawson Martin Milner Mel Anderson Alexander Davion Ted Casablanca Jacqueline Susann Reporter #1 Richard Dreyfuss Asst. Stage Mgr. Judith Lowry Aunt Amy
Here, as usual, is the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1967
Directed by Mark Robson.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, buddy, Criterion1, drama2, fantasy1, me-favorite1, popcorn-and-soda1, psychological1, pussy-flick, richard-dreyfuss, romance1, tragedy1, women's-movie1
Thursday, August 08, 2019
A Letter to Three Wives
- Commentary: Had this not been serendipitously included in a four-pack of movies containing the one I wanted I never would have added it to my collection. I have, though, seen it, enjoyed it, and am pleased to add it to my collection by default. It's a mature women's movie with a satirical twist that continues to twist until the end. It contains really interesting and perceptive woman-talk. It's from an era when woman-talk had more respect than it does, now. Does that surprise you, that I consider that, currently, woman-talk is not respected? Well, think again. It's not. It's acceptable, now, as it has rarely been in the past, for women to join men in being knowledgeable and forthcoming on all kinds of subjects, but women-talk? Sad to say, we're in another era of don't-talk-about-relationships of any kind unless it's from a distant psychological perspective.
Which reminds me, this post initiates yet another category, "psychological". Again, I'm surprised I haven't found a need for that category before this. I'm sure it applies to many movies in my collection. No matter what you think as you wend your way through the movie, the end is guaranteed to be a surprise and the journey to that surprise is delicious, indeed, so delicious that I will not mind making the journey again, even though I know the destination.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeanne Crain Deborah Bishop Jeffrey Lynn Bradbury Bishop Linda Darnell Lora Mae Hollingsway Paul Douglas Porter Hollingsway Ann Sothern Rita Phipps Kirk Douglas George Phipps Barbara Lawrence Georgiana Finney Connie Gilchrist Ruby Finney Florence Bates Mrs. Manleigh Hobart Cavanaugh Mr. Manleigh Thelma Ritter Sadie Dubin Celeste Holm Voice of Addie Ross
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1949
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
Labels: buddy, drama3, kirk-douglas, psychological1, thelma-ritter, women's-movie1
The Group
- Commentary: Ah, yes! The Group! I did not see this film until years, decades, in fact, after it came out. I believe I first saw it on TCM while my mother and I were companions. I had read the book around the time when the movie came out. And loved it. I didn't relate to the time period but the writing and story telling were so good I didn't need to. I never forgot the passages about Dottie and her initial sexual adventure. When I finally saw the movie, I was delighted with how that was portrayed in the film. I also found Joan Hackett mesmerizing in the part, although I had, for a long time, been a fan of her work, mostly through her appearance in character roles on television.
The ensemble of actors in this movie is incredible. The story is an exceptionally thoughtful and thought provoking description of a particular period in the lives of privileged young women. The movie, itself, is so well done it is a miracle to watch. I've seen it twice since I bought it and it snatches me into it with every viewing. When it finishes, I'm ready to watch it again.
I've been trying for some years to obtain a copy of it but, although all the places that sell movies have had it advertised, it's also been unavailable. Recently it came back on the market. I'd been keeping my eye on its availability for some years and as soon as it was re-released, I snatched up a copy.
Watching it twice has made me hungry to read the book, again.
As a curious side note, searching for reviews of this movie was oddly frustrating, considering my interest in it. It seems, the movie attracted more attention overseas than it did in the U.S. The one review I could find, had access to and attached to the mention of the movie in the first paragraph seems to sum up, in short shrift, the U.S. reaction to it.
As a continuation to the above side note, TCM has a very interesting background review of the film, which I've linked to the title of this post. When the link comes up, click into the title of the review. For some reason, TCM won't let bloggers link directly into their articles.
Rewatched: 3/5-6/22 - I've decided to reread the novel by Mary McCarthy upon which this movie is based. I've been meaning to reread the novel since I obtained a copy of the movie, but hadn't yet gotten around to it. Then, today, I read (a first reading) the story upon which another one of my [RW]s is based and the process so illuminated my understanding of the movie that I decided I should proceed apace with rereading the novel upon which this movie is based. It'll probably take me a few, or more, days. Luckily, I have a copy of that novel. I'll report back when the deed is done.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Candice Bergen Elinor Eastlake Joan Hackett Dottie Renfrew Latham Elizabeth Hartman Priss Hartshorn Crockett Shirley Knight Polly Andrews Ridgeley Joanna Pettet Kay Strong Peterson Mary-Robin Redd Mary Prothero Beauchamp Jessica Walter Libby MacAusland Kathleen Widdoes Helena Davison James Broderick Dr. James Ridgeley James Congdon Sloan Crockett Larry Hagman Harald Peterson Hal Holbrook Gus Leroy Richard Mulligan Dick Brown Robert Emhardt Henry Andrews Carrie Nye Norine Blake Baruch Lumet Mr. Schneider
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1966
Directed by Sidney Lumet.
Labels: buddy, candice-bergen, coming-of-age1, drama3, historical1, joan-hackett, period1, popcorn-and-soda2, satire1, women's-movie1
Friday, April 10, 2009
Yentl
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This is the second movie I've bought since Mom died, strictly in memory of Mom, this time. This was one of her favorites. Although it didn't play on the cable channels often, I doubt that we ever missed a showing of it. There are many reasons she liked it: Its portrayal of a bright, gutsy young woman refusing to give up her dreams and desires in the face of a woman-stifling culture; its periodicity; its intriguing presentation of a woman who is so successful at masquerading as a man that she marries a woman who thinks she's an exceptional (because she's a woman) man (Mom has always loved gender-benders); the very messy, thus very realistic resolution. Although its not one of my favorites, I have to say that certain scenes have the power to mesmerize me, despite the outlandishness of the story. The movie wasn't released on video until this year, some months after Mom died. When I saw it at Costco I knew it was necessary for me to purchase it. And watch it, multiple times, I'm sure. In honor of Mom...and Momandme.
Rewatched: 3/5/22 - Today, 3/6/22, I read the Isaac Bashevis Singer story upon which this movie is based. The story is much more subtle and complicated than the movie. As I rewatched the movie yesterday, I realized, and was frustrated, that Hadass is only barely drawn. This is even more true of the written story. However, I find the character of Anshel deeper and more compelling in the written story than in the movie, except that Anshel's sympathy toward Hadass is far more evident in the movie than in the written story, which is something I prefer about the movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbra Streisand Yentl Mendel Mandy Patinkin Avigdor Amy Irving Hadass Vishkower Nehemiah Persoff Rebbe Mendel Steven Hill Reb Alter Vishkower Allan Corduner Shimmele David de Keyser Rabbi Zalman Miriam Margolyes Sarah Doreen Mantle Mrs. Shaemen Lynda Baron Peshe Ruth Goring Esther Rachel Jack Lynn Bookseller
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Barbra Streisand.
Labels: barbra-streisand, buddy, drama6, fantasy2, female-director3, gender-bender, mom-favorite1, nehemiah-persoff, period3, political3, popcorn-and-soda2, religion2, romance2
Sex and the City, The Movie
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: My reaction to this movie is complicated.
- I'm sure you've heard the following: "If you love the series, you'll love the movie." Not so. I agree that in order to become involved in the movie one has to be familiar with the series, but I love the series and the movie was a disappointment. I can see how my mother liked the movie. Aside from her reaction noted above, it was so colorful and splashed so broadly on such a huge canvas that it was kind of like watching a cartoon. That having been said,
- I was deeply affected, after my mother's death, by the scenes involving Carrie's mourning of what she assumed to be the definitive death of her relationship with Mr. Big. These scenes tugged mercilessly at my heart. At one point, the week after the first group of visitors left, I would watch the series of scenes, from her phone dropping at the wedding site when she hears that John has decided not to come to the wedding, straight through to her finally arising from an emotionally drugged three day sleeping binge in Mexico and joining the rest of her friends, endlessly. I would weep uncontrollably throughout...then continue my own mourning, which while it didn't include constant sleep, did include loss of appetite, drawing all drapes, extinguishing all sources of light and a strict isolation from everything that implies the continuation of life. That part of the movie continues to tug at my heart. On bad days, I make it a point to watch that series of scenes, yet again.
- I was completely disappointed in something about the movie, but I couldn't place my finger on what until MCS and MCNC came to visit in early spring and we watched the movie (they hadn't seen it). When MCS pronounced it, after having watched about a half hour of it, "a bunch of privileged women buying things", I realized what bothered me about the movie: the hard-driven focus on fashion, which is so relentless that the story lines get lost in the shuffle. Although the series has a pronounced fashion thrust, it isn't relentless; nor does it obscure story lines and ideas. The movie, unfortunately, took the fashion/money thrust to the limit and, in doing so, limited the ability of the story lines to come through.
In honor of my sister's thoughts, though, I am linking to an excellent article with which she would probably agree, if she watched more of the series. Or well, maybe she doesn't actually have to watch any of the series to agree. The writer of this article is not a fan and my sister will quickly pick up on that.
Update 8/2/21: The proverbial "they" did come out with a second SATC movie. I watched it. I think I checked it out of the library. I was not impressed. It was, in fact, an effort to watch it to the end. I did not add it to my collection.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Kim Catrall Samantha Jones Kristin Davis Charlotte York Goldenblatt Cynthia Nixon Miranda Hobbes Chris Noth John James Preston Jennifer Hudson Louise David Eigenberg Steve Brady Jason Lewis Smith Jerrod Evan Handler Harry Goldenblatt Willie Garson Stanford Blatch Mario Cantone Anthony Marentino Lynn Cohen Magda Candice Bergen Enid Frick Gilles Marini Dante Julie Halston Bitsy Von Muffling Bridget Everett Drunk Party Girl
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Michael Patrick King.
Labels: 21st-century-chick-flicks, buddy, candice-bergen, cynthia-nixon, dramedy1, romance2, women's-movie1
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Rain Man
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Well, I wrote such a dissertation on the movie at the site of the one "mention" that I think I pretty much said it all.
Update 5/29/2022: Admittedly, I do not watch this movie as often as Mom and I watched it when she was alive. I think it's partly because she and I watched it so often that I can quote dialog from it and partly because we discussed it so thoroughly and I thought about it so much because I was caregiving for someone whose mental acquity wasn't "normal", that it's as though I have this movie running on it's own channel in my head. Thus, actually watching it IRL seems redundant, somehow.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Dustin Hoffman Raymond Babbitt Tom Cruise Charles Babbitt Valeria Golino Susanna Jerry Molen Dr. Gerald Bruner Ralph Seymour Lenny Bonnie Hunt Sally Dibbs Lucinda Jenney Iris Jack Murdock John Mooney
If you're interested, here's the Wikipedia article on it. Its Critical Reception and In popular culture sections are interesting.
Release Date: 1988
Directed by Barry Levinson.
Labels: adventure3, buddy, caregiver, road-movie, shared-favorite, tom-cruise
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Secondhand Lions
- Who's watched: Both, partially
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Yes, although we haven't completely watched it, we own it. This is the movie with which MCF gifted us and tried to get Mom and me to watch over Christmas. Mom fell asleep on the couch. I saw parts of it and began to understand why they raved about it. I think we will enjoy this movie, too, and watch it again. From what I saw, it reminds me a little of Holes in structure, but I may be mistaken about that. Hmmm...today seems like I good day to watch this for the first time. If anything else strikes me about this movie and/or Mom's reaction to it, I'll be back. Please note, the labeling is pre-viewing.
Update 2/9/18: We never watched it. After Mom died, I didn't watch it, even though I noted that Roger Ebert liked it. Maybe it's the material. Maybe girls-and-aunts is a completely different world than that of boys-and-uncles, although I didn't much like How to Make an American Quilt, either. So, maybe not. I mean, there are plenty of guy-movies that I love, some of which are my favorites. One thing I know, I haven't, and won't, be checking this out of the library,where I took it, out of curiosity.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Haley Joel Osment Walter Caldwell Robert Duvall Hub McCann Michael Caine Garth McCann Kyra Sedgwick Mae Caldwell
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Tim McCanlies.
Labels: adventure3, buddy, dramedy2, michael-caine, period4, road-movie, robert-duvall
Monday, November 14, 2005
The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: Tragedy
- 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
The Big Lebowski
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: What can I say? The Coen Brothers. Jeff Bridges. John Goodman. John Turturro. Steve Buscemi. The characterizations are over-the-top excellent. The humor is right up my alley. I can watch this one in whole or in part and never get tired of it. This is my definitive Up in Smoke movie.
In the Development section of the Wikipedia write-up, third paragraph down, there's a list of all the actors who were solicited for this film and turned it down. No snide remarks, here, just noting this and wondering, if any of them experienced, you know, regret, after the movie took off and became a literal classic.
I also want to mention The Nihilists, Peter Stormare, Torsten Voges, and Flea as Uli Kunkel/Karl Hungus, Franz, and Kieffer, as they are, depending on your outlook, key to the film, but I didn't have enough room above, so many were the actors who I thought deserved to be recognized for their performances in this film.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeff Bridges Dude Jeffrey Lebowski John Goodman Walter Sobchak Julianne Moore Maud Lebowski Steve Buscemi Donny Kerabatsos David Huddleston Big Jeffrey Lebowski Philip Seymour Hoffman Brandt Tara Reid Bunny Lebowski John Turturro Jesus Quintana Sam Elliott The Stranger David Thewlis Knox Harrington Ben Gazzara Jackie Treehorn Jon Polito Da Fino
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Joel Cohen.
Labels: buddy, jeff-bridges, john-turturro, julianne-moore, me-favorite3, neo-noirA, popcorn-and-soda5, satire2, steve-buscemi
Sunday, October 09, 2005
The Sting
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom's sister introduced both of us to this movie. Since knowing it was one of mom's sister's favorites it has become a favorite of Mom's although sometimes, now, it moves a little fast for her. I've always enjoyed this movie. It's like riding on a carousel.
Update 9/29/19: I know, I know. It may seem like I'm just looking for movies to include in my "gang-movie" category, but this movie is definitely a gang movie -- an "ad hoc" gang movie, with a muddled moral core (unusual for gang movies) that adds to its delightfulness.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Newman Henry Gondorff Robert Redford Johnny Hooker Robert Shaw Doyle Lonnegan Robert Earl Jones Luther Coleman Charles Durning Lt. William Snyder Ray Walston J.J. Singleton Eileen Brennan Billie Harold Gould Kid Twist Dana Elcar FBI Agent Polk Dimitra Arliss Loretta Salino Sally Kirkland Crystal Paulene Myers Alva Coleman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1973
Directed by George Roy Hill.
Labels: action3, adventure3, buddy, gang-movie, jean-favorite, mom-favorite2, mystery2, paul-newman, period5, popcorn-and-soda5, robert-redford
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
The Mary Tyler Moore Show 1st - 4th Seasons
- 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
My Dinner with Andre
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This is one of my all time favorite movies. I treated MCS to this movie (showing at the Valley Art in Tempe, AZ) and dinner, I think, when the movie first came out in 1981. We were both mesmerized by it. I have seen it several times since and never fail to fall under the spell of these two guys sitting at dinner and talking. The waiter is magical, although I didn't really appreciate his performance and character until my second viewing. I searched for this movie for a long time in widescreen format DVD and have as yet been unsuccessful in locating it. In the meantime, I have this version, the only version fit for U.S. consumption of which I know.
Mom was enchanted by this movie, as well, the first time she saw it, even though it has no captioning. When I purchased it (I got a deal) a couple of weeks ago, she had trouble with it, primarily because of the lack of captions. Could be she needs an ear cleaning, again.
Yes, I checked in with Roger Ebert on this movie. He loved it at least as much as me, and wrote two reviews, the first a regular review and the second, one of his Great Movie reviews. Frankly, I would have been disappointed in him if he hadn't considered it a "Great Movie".
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role André Gregory Andre Wallace Shawn Wally Jean Lenauer waiter Roy Butler bartender Cindy Adkins hatcheck girl
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1981
Directed by Louis Malle.
Labels: buddy, dramaB, film-art2, haunting2, shared-favorite
Sunday, February 13, 2005
My Best Friend's Wedding
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: When we are in the mood to be perfectly delighted, we watch this movie. Before we owned it, I even went out of my way to rent it when I thought we needed a shot of what it offers. It worked for us last night when we watched it.
Update 5/9/2022: I still find myself needing this movie, enjoying this movie, watching this movie. The comedy and hilarity is this movie is so well done, so deadpan. Julianne's reaction to hearing her best friend, Michael, is getting married? Priceless. The scene where one of the bridesmaids accidentally freezes her tongue to an ice sculpture? Priceless. The I Say a Little Prayer scene? Priceless. And then, and then, the movie wraps up in a sweet, realistic, dignified manner. Priceless.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julia Roberts Julianne Potter Dermot Mulroney Michael O'Neal Cameron Diaz Kimmy Wallace Rupert Everett George Downes Philip Bosco Walter Wallace M. Emmet Walsh Joe O'Neal Rachel Griffiths Samantha Newhouse Carrie Preston Amanda Newhouse
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by P.J. Hogan.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, buddy, comedy2, julia-roberts, paul-giamatti, romance3, shared-favorite
Boys on the Side
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Here's another one I'm stunned I've never mentioned in this journal. We've been regular renters of this movie since one of my nieces introduced us to it when it first came out on video. Now we own it. We don't quote dialog from it, yet, but, there is that danger.
Update 5/9/2022: This movie can be a little sweet, at times, but it's also moving and genuinely dedicated to portraying female-female relationships as touchstones in the lives of women. It does this well. It is never saccharine, never unrealistic, although it definitely shoots its realism through a gauzed lens.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Whoopi Goldberg Jane DeLuca Mary-Louise Parker Robin Nickerson Drew Barrymore Holly Pulchik Matthew McConaughey Abe Lincoln James Remar Alex Estelle Parsons Louise Amy Aquino Anna Anita Gillette Elaine Nickerson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Herbert Ross.
Labels: buddy, shared-favorite, whoopi-goldberg, women's-movie1
