Tuesday, August 06, 2024
3:10 to Yuma - 2007
- Commentary: Under construction.
Yes, this is the 50-years-later remake of the 1957 movie of the same name, which I also own and appears below. I hadn't intended to add both to my collection until I was perusing the reviews for the first, kept running into reviews for the remake, became intrigued and thought, "Hmmm, it's cheap enough, think I'll add that one to my collection, too." Plus, you know, Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in the lead roles? And, considering that probably all men in the world are fascinated by and envious of the Western history of the United States. And, Australia, in particular, Russell Crowe's country, has it's own Western history, a few movies about which I own. Yes, yes, yes. I want to consider both of these iterations.
As always, more later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Russell Crowe Ben Wade Christian Bale Dan Evans Logan Lerman William Evans Dallas Roberts Grayson Butterfield Ben Foster Charlie Prince Peter Fonda Byron McElroy Vinessa Shaw Emma Nelson Alan Tudyk Dr. Potter Gretchen Mol Alice Evans Lennie Loftin Glen Hollander Johnny Witworth Darden Kevin Durand Tucker
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by James Mangold.
Labels: christian-bale, russell-crowe, van-heflin, western
Wednesday, April 03, 2024
Hostiles
- Commentary: Under construction.
I have a contentious relationship with Westerns, which is why I have so few in my collection, far fewer than I've actually seen. This movie is unusual for me in that I haven't seen it, yet, as I am purchasing it today. The ambivalence peppered through its overall high reviews is what attracts me, as well as the actors involved. Westerns, for me, have to be non-formulaic, contain a troubling plot and feature excellent actors. This one looks like it hits those targets nicely. In addition, this movie is available at an astonishingly low price, which means, even if it falls short of my targets, it is worth it for me to find out.
It is my intention, of course, to report back later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Cpt. Joseph J. Blocker Rosamund Pike Rosalie Quaid Wes Studi Chief Yellow Hawk Jesse Plemons Lt. Rudy Kidder Adam Beach Black Hawk Rory Cochrane 1st Sgt. Thomas Metz Peter Mullan Lt. Col. Ross McCowan Scott Wilson Cyrus Lounde Paul Anderson Cpl. Tommy Thomas Timothée Chalamet Pvt. Philippe Dejardin Ben Foster Sgt. Philip Wills Jonathan Majors Cpl. Henry Woodson John Benjamin Hickey Cpt. Royce Tolan Q'orianka Kilcher Elk Woman Tanaya Beatty Living Woman Stephen Lang Col. Abraham Biggs
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Scott Cooper.
Labels: christian-bale, rosamund-pike, wes-studi, western
Thursday, October 13, 2022
The Dark Knight - WB 20 Film Collection Thrillers
- Commentary: I am still trying to get through this one. I've started it several times and within a half hour I stop it and go on to something else. I'm not sure why, but I remember telling one of my sisters the first time I tried to watch it, primarily because, at the time, it was one of her son's favorite movies and I like to keep up with my nieces and nephews like that, that "Dark" was certainly an appropriate word for the movie and I hoped to get through it. It's weird, too, because I like dark stuff, bloody stuff, violent stuff, and I love a lot of Christopher Nolan's work. And yet ... maybe I'll try again tonight.
Update 1/17/2021: I now have two copies of this movie, the second of which came in The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Update 6/1/2022: After having spent some time watching The Dark Knight Trilogy twice, I have changed my opinion of not only this movie but the entire trilogy and, I think, this particular movie rivals the first, Batman Begins, as my favorite of the trilogy. I don't know how I could not have been smitten, during my first attempted viewing, with Heath Ledger's portrayal of Joker. Perhaps it was the lack of a back story that caused a lag in my appreciation.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Bruce Wayne/Batman Michael Caine Alfred Pennyworth Heath Ledger Joker Morgan Freeman Lucius Fox Gary Oldman James Gordon Aaron Eckhart Harvey Dent/Two-Face Maggie Gyllenhaal Rachel Dawes Richie Coster Chechen
Originally published in this journal on 081416.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: christian-bale, christopher-nolan, heath-ledger, maggie-gyllenhaal, michael-caine, morgan-freeman, neo-noirB, super-hero2
Sunday, May 08, 2022
The Prestige
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Hugh Jackman Robert Angier/Lord Caldlow Christian Bale Alfred Borden/Bernard Fallon Michael Caine John Cutter Scarlett Johansson Olivia Wenscombe Piper Perabo Julia McCullough Rebecca Hall Sarah Borden David Bowie Nikola Tesla Andy Serkis Mr. Alley
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: andy-serkis, christian-bale, christopher-nolan, michael-caine, mystery3, period6, thriller2
Saturday, February 12, 2022
The New World
- Commentary: Under Construction
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Colin Farrell Cpt. John Smith Q'orianka Kilcher Pocahontas Christopher Plummer Cpt. Christopher Newport Christian Bale John Rolfe August Schellenberg Chief Powhatan Wes Studi Opechancanough David Thewlis Edward Wingfield Yorick van Wageningen Samuel Argall Irene Bedard Pocahontas' Mother John Savage Thomas Savage Ben Chaplin Robinson Jonathan Pryce King James VI & I Ben Mendelsohn Ben Raoul Trujillo Tomocomo Brían F. O'Byrne Lewes Alexandra W. B. Malick Queen Anne Myrton Running Wolf Tockwhogh Will Wallace William Sentry Rulan Tangen Two Moons Jesse Borrego Pepaschicher
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Terrence Malick.
Labels: §3, ben-mendelsohn, christian-bale, christopher-plummer, Criterion3, jesse-borrego, jonathan-pryce, period6, wes-studi
Sunday, January 17, 2021
The Dark Knight Trilogy: The Dark Knight Rises
- Commentary: This is my favorite Christopher Nolan Batman movie. The internal battle that subsumes itself into a battle with the evil elements of society in Batman Begins finally has to be faced by Bruce Wayne in this third installment of The Dark Knight Trilogy. He has lost the love of his life and was forced to kill one of his foremost supporters in city government. He has convinced his other government supporter to blame himself for the killings of the other government supporter. Even technical whiz bosom buddy collaborator, Lucius Fox, has become disenchanted with Wayne. Alfred Pennyworth is still loyal but sorely disappointed. Catwoman figures heavily in the movie and it's impossible to tell, throughout most of it, if she is friend or foe.
The movie is filled with a confusion of events, one being Batman's imprisonment, another being Batman's presumed death from his final act to save Gotham from a nuclear bomb and the final being Batman's funeral. Despite all this confusion, the movie has a highly gratifying conclusion, in which Robin figures prominently. It leaves you wondering if Bruce will ever again take on the role of Batman, but it is a satisfying curiosity. Certainly, I doubt that Nolan will extend Batman's story, but, who knows what others will do.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Bruce Wayne/Batman Michael Caine Alfred Pennyworth Gary Oldman James Gordon Anne Hathaway Selina Kyle/Catwoman Tom Hardy Bane Marion Cotillard Miranda Tate/Talia al Ghul Joseph Gordon-Levitt John Blake Morgan Freeman Lucius Fox Liam Neeson Ra's Al Ghul Matthew Modine Foley Ben Mendelsohn Daggett William Devane President
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2012
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: action2, adventure2, ben-mendelsohn, christian-bale, christopher-nolan, drama1, michael-caine, morgan-freeman, neo-noirC, political1, super-hero1, thriller1, violence1, william-devane
The Dark Knight Trilogy: Batman Begins
- Commentary: This is an endlessly interesting origin story for Batman. All the major characters that people Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy are introduced, including Batman as a boy and how, exactly, the death of his parents leads him to become Batman. No need to say anymore, except, I'm a fan of the entire trilogy.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Bruce Wayne/Batman Linus Roache Thomas Wayne Sara Stewart Martha Wayne Morgan Freeman Lucius Fox Michael Caine Alfred Pennyworth Liam Neeson Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul Katie Holmes Rachel Dawes Gary Oldman James Gordon Cillian Murphy Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow Tom Wilkinson Carmine Falcone Rutger Hauer William Earle Ken Watanabe decoy Ra's al Ghul
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: action2, adventure2, christian-bale, christopher-nolan, coming-of-age1, drama1, michael-caine, morgan-freeman, neo-noirB, psychological1, super-hero1, suspense1, tom-wilkinson, violence1
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Vice
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Dick Cheney Amy Adams Lynn Vincent Cheney Steve Carell Donald Rumsfeld Sam Rockwell George W. Bush Tyler Perry Colin Powell Alison Pill Mary Cheney Liz Rabe Liz Cheney Jesse Plemons Narrator Kurt LisaGay Hamilton Condoleezza Rice Stephen Adly Guirgis George Tenet Matthew Jacobs Antonin Scalia Kirk Bovill Henry Kissinger
The Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Adam McKay.
Labels: §, christian-bale, historical1, popcorn-and-soda1, presidential
Exodus: Gods and Kings
- Commentary: I own this movie because I have a particular fascination for the Moses part of the origin story of the Jewish people and their attempts to, and successes at, forming a nation. This is my fourth version of the Moses story, the others being: The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston as Moses, Moses with Ben Kingsley playing Moses, superbly, I think, and Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments, DeMille's first, silent production of the Moses story, which combines the story with a modern day film meditation of the application of the ten commandments in what was, at that time, modern life.
This movie, staring Christian Bale as Moses, is certainly entertaining. I go on "Moses" binges during which I watch all of my Moses movies back-to-back. This version is as involving and entertaining as all the others. Joel Edgerton is particularly fun as Pharaoh Ramses. John Turturro strikes an appropriately wise and world-weary Seti. Much to my delight, Ben Kingsley also appears in this movie as a major/minor figure, Nun. There are so many recognizable stars playing bit parts in this movie that it makes you wonder ...
Truth is, even though I consider it a delightful addition to my Moses archive, it's easy to wonder, as I watch it, why this Moses story was even produced and why all these major stars (including those in minor parts) assented to participate. Mind you, I have no quarrel with versions and versions of the Moses story. I find them endlessly fun and fascinating. Of all the versions I own, though, this is the only one that appears to be an obvious Ridley Scott money grab, and, frankly, only a money grab. We know how spectacular Scott can be producing an epic. You only need to point to Gladiator. In that movie, it's obvious that Ridley Scott, the director for that movie, too, was not only thinking about content, he thought assiduously and well about it. Not so with this production. There are some roles that featured large in my other Exodus epics that were merely spit upon in passing in this movie: Dathan, for instance, and Jethro. There are others that featured large in this movie that were, again, spit upon in passing or altogether ignored in my other Exodus epics: Miriam, for instance, and Viceroy Hegep.
Still, it's fun to watch, in the context of my other Moses movies. I'll not be passing it on to someone else.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Moses Joel Edgerton Rameses II John Turturro Seti I Aaron Paul Joshua Ben Mendelsohn Viceroy Hegep María Valverde Zipporah Sigourney Weaver Tuya Ben Kingsley Nun Isaac Andrews Malak Hiam Abbass Bithiah Indira Varma High Priestess Ewen Bremner Strategy Expert Golshifteh Farahani Nefertari Ghassan Massoud Grand Vizier Paser Tara Fitzgerald Miriam Dar Salim Cmdr. Khyan Andrew Tarbet Aaron Ken Bones Court Scribe Anton Alexander Dathan Kevork Malikyan Jethro
You'll notice, above, that the name "Malak" is hyperlinked to an article that well discusses the use of this word/name biblically. I became very curious about this word/name because of the character who sports it in this movie. Interesting read, no matter how you feel about the movie. Although many people, including some prominent reviewers, have identified this character as the Abrahamic God, the definition to which I've linked clearly undermines this interpretation by identifying this word as meaning a "messenger" and an "angel".
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Ridley Scott.
Labels: ben-kingsley, ben-mendelsohn, bible-movies1, christian-bale, drama2, historical1, indira-varma, john-turturro, military, moses, popcorn-and-soda1, religion1, ridley-scott, sigourney-weaver, spectacle1, violence1
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Mary, Mother of Jesus
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This one is a bit of a surprise. We discovered it one evening while searching through the channels looking for movies. Mom's eyes latched onto the title and we clicked into it, then caught a later run to catch what we'd missed. It's a made-for-TV movie that is more about Mary's imagined influence in Jesus' life than it is about Jesus. It was made by the Kennedy family, to what purpose I'm not sure, but it's intriguing, especially the parts that suggest that the parables of Jesus were actually stories Mary told Jesus, when he was a child, in order to illustrate ethical and moral values. I found the first viewing fascinating but quickly realized it wouldn't be one that I'd watch repeatedly. Mom, though, was quite taken with it and requested that we add it to our collection, so that's what I did. It's been watched once again since it arrived, and, again, Mom said, "I think we should get a copy of that movie." I reminded her that we did, and she just watched it. Interestingly, it reminded me of Anne Rice's book, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt. I wonder if either influenced the other.
It reminded me that the theaters are currently featuring a new movie about Mary's story, so to speak, The Nativity Story. I imagine, when that's in DVD once we've rented it, Mom will want that one added to our collection, as well.
I don't think this movie was seen by a lot of people, so few are the reviews for it. Mary Movies, though, come and go, as we are reminded in this article about the plethora of Mary Movies, published, unsurprisingly, in the Catholic Digest. Despite what may seem like an obvious pairing, the article is actually quite informative about Mary Movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Jesus of Nazareth Toby Bailiff Young Jesus Pernilla August Mary of Nazareth David Threlfall Joseph of Nazareth Simone Bendix Mary Magdalene Robert Addie Pontius Pilate Edward Hardwicke Zechariah Hywel Bennett Herod Geraldine Chaplin Elizabeth Christopher Routh John the Baptist Andrew Grainger Barrabas John Light Archangel Gabriel
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1999
Directed by Kevin Connor.
Labels: bible-movies1, christian-bale, jesus-dvds, period4, religion1
Friday, February 10, 2006
Little Women
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This was yet another movie that I never thought I'd like and avoided with a passion. I never read the book but from what I'd heard from other "little women" about their favorite characters, I just knew, well, it wasn't for me. Then, one evening, Mom noticed it on one of those cable channels and decided she wanted to watch it. I watched most of it and was surprised at how interested I became in it, although, now, I think my interest had to do with actually being able to watch something on TV while my mother was up and about. I purchased it because, after that fateful watching, Mom said, "If you ever see that, get it. I'd like to see that again." So, I did. She watched it at least twice. I liked Wynona Ryder's performance; it's a little hammy but she's got the goods. Too damned bad she doesn't act much, anymore. Too damned bad she was in this movie.
When I looked up this film on Roger Ebert's website, I noticed that since this version of Little Women was released, two more have come out! Ye gods! I have no desire to see any of them, including the one with which Greta Gerwig is involved, despite my enjoyment of her work. People, can we get over this story? According to Wikipedia, seven versions of this film have been made since the first silent in 1917, followed a year later by a second silent, on and on and on ... people, GET OVER THIS STORY! IT'S A NOTHING STORY AND THESE "LITTLE" WOMEN DID NOT LEAD EXCITING, OR EVEN PARTICULARLY MEANINGFUL LIVES! THEY DIDN'T EVEN LIVE IN AN EXCITING PLACE OR AN EXCITING TIME! AS A SOCIETY, WE NEED TO FORGET ABOUT THIS STORY! I THINK IT MAY BE HOLDING US BACK!!!
Update 7/31/21: Once Mom died, I never watched this movie again and knew I never would, despite my appreciation for Wynona Ryder's performance and considering my life-long indifference to the story. So, to the library it went.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Winona Ryder Jo March Gabriel Byrne Friedrich Bhaer Trini Alvarado Meg March Kirsten Dunst Amy March Claire Danes Beth March Christian Bale Theodore "Laurie" Laurence Eric Stoltz John Brooke John Neville James Laurence Mary Wickes Aunt Josephine March Susan Sarandon Marmee March Matthew Walker Robert March Janne Mortil Sally Moffat
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by: Gillian Armstrong.
Labels: christian-bale, drama9, female-director2, kirsten-dunst, period4, romance2
