Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Now, Voyager - The Bette Davis Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3*
- Commentary: Ahhh...be still my heart! I love this movie so much it's hard for me to decide whether this or All About Eve is my favorite Bette Davis movie. First, of course, Bette Davis. What a character she plays in this! What a wonderful job she does! Second, the story. I consider the end strikingly unusual, but, I reminded myself that this movie played in 1942: Women were losing men to war, revelling in their independence and sudden ability to make a living and be both needed and wanted by the workforce...I guess I shouldn't consider it quite so striking. And then, of course, there's Claude Rains. My infatuation with this man is absolutely unreasonable. I kept wanting and expecting Davis' character to become romantically involved with his character, a psychiatrist. And, then, of course, the cigarettes. Read the mentions for information about how they went over in our household...definitely a surprise.
I can't, unfortunately, comment much about Paul Henreid's performance. For me, he was simply an object off which Davis bounced. However, there was one other performance in the movie I considered devastating: Gladys Cooper as Mrs. Vale. Not only was her character wickedly written, her performance was flawless. her portrayal was so subtle, she transformed Mrs. Vale into a quiet horror; always much better than an obvious horror.
The first part of the title is linked to an alternate review in which quite a bit of dialogue is quoted. As well, once again, as with the Joan Crawford Collection, I've linked the second part of the title to a site that gets it done when it comes to collections (and other reviews, as well). His review of this movie is the fourth down the page. Thank you, DVD Savant, now CineSavant!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Charlotte Vale Paul Heinried Jeremiah Duvaux Durrance Claude Rains Dr. Jaquith Gladys Cooper Mrs. Windle Vale Bonita Granville June Vale John Loder Elliot Livingston Katharine Alexander Miss Trask Mary Wickes Dora Pickford Frank Puglia Giuseppe Ilka Chase Lisa Vale Franklin Pangborn Mr. Thompson Janis Wilson Tina Durrance
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1942
Directed by Irving Rapper.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, bette-davis, claude-rains, drama9, mother-daughter-dynamics1, popcorn-and-soda4, romance2, shared-favorite
Mr. Skeffington - The Bette Davis Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Although I'm nowhere near a Bette Davis expert, this movie seemed to me like a Bette Davis miscast, at first, although my inordinate love of Claude Rains took my mind off this for quite awhile. Despite this, it didn't take long for me to believe her portrayal; a credit to Davis, not the casting, I think. Mom loved the intense, obvious melodrama. She also got lost in the lush period flavor and imagined, afterward, that the movie had been in color; which I understand is a typical reaction to both this movie and Jezebel. I'd watch this movie again, just for the pleasure of watching Claude Rains again.
Once again, as with the Joan Crawford Collection, I've linked the second part of the title to a site that gets it done when it comes to collections (and other reviews, as well). The review for this movie is the second review on the page. Thank you, DVD Savant, now CineSavant!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis 'Fanny' Trellis Skeffington Claude Rains Job Skeffington Walter Abel George Trellis Richard Waring Trippy Trellis Jerome Cowan Suitor Edward Morrison Dorothy Peterson Manby Marjorie Riordan Fanny Rachel Trellis Johnny Mitchell Johnny Mitchell, Fanny's daughter's husband
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1944
Directed by Vincent Sherman.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, bette-davis, claude-rains, drama9, melodramaA, period4, romance2, shared-favorite
A Man for All Seasons
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those movies that, when we stumble across it on TV we always watch. It enthralls both of us. We never tire of it. There isn't a false note in the casting. As well, Shaw brings a special, light, provocative touch of madness to his portrayal of Henry VIII that is thrilling to glimpse. This will be a perennial favorite of ours.
Update 5/15/2022: I have to mention, this movie remains a perennial favorite of mine. I watched it last a few months ago. It's partly the actors, partly the setting and partly the politics, especially in the subtle ways Henry asserts his dominance on everyone, and in the ways subtly defies Henry's dominance.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Scofield Sir Thomas More Wendy Hiller Alice More Leo McKern Thomas Cromwell Orson Welles Cardinal Wolsey Robert Shaw Henry VIII Susannah York Margaret More Nigel Davenport Duke of Norfolk John Hurt Richard Rich Corin Redgrave William Roper Colin Blakely Matthew Cyril Luckham Archb. Thomas Cranmer Vanessa Redgrave Anne Boleyn
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1966
Directed by Fred Zinnemann.
Labels: drama9, historical3, john-hurt, political3, religion1, royals, shared-favorite, wendy-hiller
The Letter - The Bette Davis Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: It took us two tries to get through this one, even though it was the shortest of the Bette Davis movies we bought in the collection with which this one came. Neither of us found it disturbing, but we just couldn't get into the story. When we finally watched it, at the end Mom and I looked at one another.
"Well," she said, "we don't have to do that again."
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
I'm not sure what our problem with it was. It could simply be that we're both hard sells for this type of movie. I have to say, though, since watching it, I've found that several of the scenes have continued to haunt me, probably because of both the staging and framing. As well, I have to admit, Bette Davis was, as usual, a dazzling intepreter of this character. I may, indeed, watch it again. Not soon, though.
I've linked the title of this post to a site that gets it done when it comes to collections (and other reviews, as well). Thank you, DVD Savant, now CineSavant! His review of this movie is the fifth review on the page.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Leslie Crosbie Herbert Marshall Robert Crosbie James Stephenson Howard Joyce Frieda Inescort Dorothy Joyce Gale Sondergaard Mrs. Hammond Bruce Lester John Withers Elizabeth Earl Adele Ainsworth Cecil Kellaway Prescott Sen Yung Ong Chi Seng Doris Lloyd Mrs. Cooper Willie Fung Chung Hi Tetsu Komai Head Boy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1940
Directed by William Wyler.
Labels: bette-davis, drama9, film-noir2, melodramaA, suspense2
Japanese Story
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: The above comment in the "Mentions" pretty much says it all, from which I'll take the liberty of quoting: Last night, Mom rearose as I was about 10 minutes into watching Japanese Story. This is one of those movies I rented, when it first came out on DVD, strictly on the strength of Toni Collette being in the cast. I fell so in love with the movie that I have continued to think of it since. Mom didn't watch it at that time. When I ran across a barely used (probably only watched once), cheap copy of it some days ago when turning in movies for credit at my favorite get-rid-of-DVDs-you-don't-want place, I snatched it using some of my accumulated credit. When Mom joined me last night, I told her what I was doing and restarted the movie. Although she expressed interest, I expected that at a point after about 15 minutes of watching the movie she'd become bored and I'd stop it for viewing at another alone-time. I was wrong. She was riveted, too. When the movie ended, she surprised me by saying, as the credits rolled, "I really enjoyed that! Let's buy that movie. I'd like to see it again."
We discussed it, mostly the landscape, about which Mom commented, more than a few times during the movie, "Where is this? Australia? We should move to Australia," despite me reminding her that we probably couldn't live in the environments shown in the movie with which she particularly fell in love [You can take the woman out of the desert, I guess, but you can't take the desert out of the woman]; and about the subtle appreciation that grew between the main characters (the wife of the businessman included, even though she appears only in the last quarter of the movie), despite their extreme cultural differences.
At one point I mentioned something about my reaction when I first saw the movie.
"You've seen this movie? Why don't I remember seeing it?"
"You didn't see it the first time, Mom. I wasn't sure you'd like it."
"Well, from now on, check with me before you decide what you think I'd like."
Yes m'am!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Toni Collette Sandy Edwards Gotaro Tsunashima Hiromitsu Tachibana Matthew Dyktynski Bill Baird Lynette Curran Mum Yumiko Tanaka Yukiko Tachibana Kate Atkinson Jackie Bill Young Jimmy Smithers Reg Evans Bloke in a Boat
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Sue Brooks.
Labels: drama9, dream1, female-director2, me-favorite2, toni-collette
Elizabeth I
- 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
Dark Victory - The Bette Davis Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: We watch this one more than I'd like, as it is one of my mother's favorites. I enjoy Davis' portrayal of the character but I have trouble with the quick switch from breezy, self-involved young heiress to philosophical, unselfishly doomed young matron. I've never known my mother to be an easy touch for movies about young, tragic death, but this one gets her every time. I'm not sure why. Maybe, if I would pay more attention to her as she watches it I'd discover the reason. Good idea. I know I'll have plenty of chances to do this.
Update 8/7/21: Once again, I infested the title of this post with two links. The first part is linked to a site that reviews the movie, alone. The second part of the title is linked to a site that gets it done when it comes to collections (and other reviews, as well). You'll find his review for this movie as the second review down his page. Incidentally, I have this Collection, so I'll be using this link in other posts, as well. Thank you, DVD Savant, now CineSavant!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Judith Traherne George Brent Dr. Frederick Steele Humphrey Bogart Michael O'Leary Geraldine Fitzgerald Ann King Ronald Reagan Alec Hamm Henry Travers Dr. Parsons Cora Witherspoon Carrie Spottswood Doroty Peterson Miss Wainwright
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1939
Directed by Edmund Golding.
Labels: bette-davis, drama9, popcorn-and-soda4
Commander in Chief - Parts 1 & 2
- 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
All About Eve
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I think this is the first Bette Davis movie I watched with attention, and it will remain my all time favorite of hers, edging out Now, Voyager only because I saw this one first. I love the presentation of the story; I love the way Davis plays the part; I love all the supporting characters, including Eve. Addison DeWitt strikes exactly the right tone, from beginning to end. It's funny, in the review to which I connect in the title, much mention is made of Marilyn Monroe's bit part, how her legendary luminosity is evident in this movie, how she steals all her scenes and how this appearance pre-figures her stardom. When she is in scene with Davis, though, I only have eyes for Davis. Monroe's luminosity may have drawing power, but it doesn't compare to Davis', which, I suppose, could be compared to that of a black hole, sucking viewers in beyond the power of a nascent star.
Mom, of course, loves this movie because it features Bette Davis.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Margo Channing Anne Baxter Eve Harrington George Sanders Addison DeWitt Celeste Holm Karen Richards Gary Merrill Bill Sampson Hugh Marlowe Lloyd Richards Thelma Ritter Birdie Coonan Gregory Ratoff Max Fabian
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 1950
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
Labels: bette-davis, drama9, me-favorite2, thelma-ritter, women's-movie1
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Searching for Bobby Fischer
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Just an absolute gem of a movie, from the casting of every part to the story. Quietly inspirational. Whenever we watch this movie Mom always sighs at the end and says, "That just makes me feel good about being alive."
Ditto.
Additionally, this movie is loaded with amazing actors, from the leads to the bit parts. They all deserve recognition for this effort, so I've listed just about all of them in the table, below.
In case you're interested, you might like to access this link to the script for this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Max Pomeranc Josh Waitzkin Joe Mantegna Fred Waitzkin Joan Allen Bonnie Waitzkin Ben Kingsley Bruce Pandolfini Laurence Fishburne Vincent Livermore Robert Stephens Jonathan's teacher David Paymer Kalev Hal Scardino Morgan Pehme William H. Macy Tunafish father Dan Hedaya Tournament director Laura Linney Josh's school teacher Tony Shalhoub Chess club player
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Steven Zaillian.
Labels: ben-kingsley, biography1, drama9, joan-allen, laura-linney, laurence-fishburne, shared-favorite, teaching
{proof}
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm surprised that I haven't mentioned this movie in the journal. It made such an impression on me that I bought it the same day I rented and watched it. This is yet another movie that doesn't mention caregiving but is about caregiving. Although the detail is specific, the caregiver daughter shares an unusual talent for math with the father, the extent to which the caregiver comes to identify with the care recipient is not dependent on a shared talent. Watching the movie continues to give me goose flesh. My mother and I are not linked by an unusual talent but we are, now, linked by concern and proximity as well as a very dynamic love. I was also impressed by the relationship between the two daughters, how it spoke of the other daughter's relationship with her father...some subtle things were said about why certain people take over the care of their parent and others don't. As well, I certainly know the feeling of not needing to have someone take care of me but the fear that one (or more) of my sisters will feel the need to "care" for me. This movie is the second in my "library" of films that show an interest in caregiving, the first being Marvin's Room.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gwyneth Paltrow Catherine Llewellyn Anthony Hopkins Robert Llewellyn Jake Gyllenhaal Harold Dobbs Hope Davis Claire Llewellyn
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by John Madden.
Labels: anthony-hopkins, caregiver, drama9, hope-davis, jake-gyllenhaal, me-favorite2
Philadelphia
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I was finally moved to buy this movie when I noticed that every time it appeared on television, even if on a channel that corrupted its flow with commercials, Mom and I would tune in, even though we mostly notice it after the movie has started. My fascination for the movie has to do with some of it's techniques, particularly when the camera attempts to duplicate Hank's character's point of view. The small gestures in this film are perfect, as well, and the aria scene never fails to grab me. I'm not sure what Mom likes about the film, but she watches it as intently as I.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Hanks Andrew Beckett Denzel Washington Joe Miller Jason Robards Charles Wheeler Mary Steenburgen Belinda Conine Antonio Banderas Miguel Álvarez Joanne Woodward Sarah Beckett Robert W. Castle Bud Beckett Ann Dowd Jill Beckett
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Jonathan Demme.
Labels: denzel-washington, drama9, jason-robards-jr, joanne-woodward, political4, tom-hanks
Fearless
- Who's watched: M (partially) & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of my favorite movies, handled by one of my favorite filmmakers, Peter Weir. I thought Mom would eat this one up but, so far, during three watchings since I acquired this film, her attention has wandered, even though she always finds the initial build up interesting. Since it's a film I'll be watching over and over, my hope is that one of these days she'll hone into it through to the end and discover it's delights.
Update 2/7/18: For some years I've loved The Peter Weir Cave as a source for off-the-beaten-path information on Peter Weir. I've just discovered, as I linked this movie to The Cave, that the website apparently hasn't be kept up in a long time. I'm not reluctant to link the title, above, to The Cave website but, be forewarned, a lot of links are broken.
Update 2/10/18: I added the label "super-hero" to this movie. It's not a classic super-hero movie, but it strikes me as a psychological meditation on the super-hero experience. It also occurred to me that you might like to see Roger Ebert's review of this movie just in case the Peter Weir Cave caves in.
Update 2/18/22: Today I added the 1.78:1 aspect ratio blu-ray of this movie to my collection. The copy I first owned was 1.33:1 aspect ratio. It was fine on the old TV that Mom owned. It was, in fact, probably preferable. I love this movie, though, watch it at least once a year ... and, knowing, for some years, that there exists a widescreen version which would be dynamite on my widescreen television causes me some irritation, when I watch it, until I really get into the movie. Now, I won't have to suffer.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeff Bridges Max Klein Isabella Rossellini Laura Klein Rosie Perez Carla Rodrigo Tom Hulce Steven Brillstein John Turturro Dr. Bill Perlman Benicio del Toro Manny Rodrigo Deirdre O'Connell Nan Gordon John de Lancie Jeff Gordon
So, just in case you're looking for further information about this movie, here's the Wikipedia link for Fearless.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Peter Weir.
Labels: drama9, haunting2, jeff-bridges, john-de-lancie, john-turturro, peter-weir, super-hero2
Elizabeth R
- 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
The Elephant Man
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those movies that has a hypnotic effect on both of us; both the way it's filmed and the story. Every time we watch it we're galvanized into a discussion of the extraordinary possibilities inherent in the desire to survive, regardless of the difficulty.
One odd note: This movie was filmed in Black & White. Every time we watch this movie, the B&W filming tricks my mother into thinking one of two things, sometimes both on the same night: 1) that the film is a very old movie made when she was much younger than she is now, and 2) that the film is actually a newsreel captured early in the 20th century. Funny, the tricks the history of film can play on someone who's been alive through much of that history!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Anthony Hopkins Frederick Treves John Hurt John Merrick Hannah Gordon Ann Treves Anne Bancroft Madge Kendal John Gielgud Francis Carr Gomm Wendy Hiller Mrs Mothershead Freddie Jones Mr Bytes Michael Elphick Jim the Night Porter
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by David Lynch.
Labels: anthony-hopkins, biography2, drama9, historical3, john-gielgud, john-hurt, period4, wendy-hiller
Friday, February 10, 2006
Whale Rider
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I bought this movie on a hunch. I'd seen it a couple of times on PBS. The second time, I insisted my mother watch it. Unfortunately, both times it was shown without closed captioning and the New Zealand accents threw her for a loop. I thought, though, if she could see it with captioning she'd really enjoy it, so, when I noticed a copy of it for sale, I bought it. I was right. She not only enjoyed the movie but was interested in the special features, as well, even though they didn't have closed captioning. This is a strangely dreamy movie, while appearing to be firmly set in reality. It's one of the most unusual coming-of-age movies I've ever seen. I'm sure we'll be watching this again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Keisha Castle-Hughes Paikea Apirana Rawiri Paratene Koro Vicky Haughton Nanny Flowers Cliff Curtis Porourangi Grant Roa Uncle Rawiri Mana Taumaunu Hemi Rachel House Shilo Taungaroa Emile Willie
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Niki Caro.
Labels: coming-of-age1, drama9, dream1, fantasy3, female-director2, shared-favorite, sport1
Lord of War
- Who's watched: M (half) & G (all)
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Well, I'm thrilled with this movie. It engaged me from the very beginning and entranced me to the very end. I bought the DVD immediately after seeing it so I could watch the special features and would have many chances to watch the movie again. It engaged Mom, too, but I guess I started it too late, she decided to take a nap about halfway through, then, remembering that it didn't keep her from taking a nap, has refused to watch it since, even though she watched the special features with me. I think I'll pop it on her by surprise. It's not as though she's unfamiliar with the subject or prey to what are considered the standard female predilections against fire arms. She used to be a crack shot and a gunnery instructor in the Navy, after all.
In addition to Roger Ebert's review linked to the title in this post, there's a second review written by Omer M. Mozaffar, RogerEbert.com site contributor. If you watched this movie, its special features, and enjoyed them all, read his review. It's delightfully unsettling.
RE-WATCHED: 7/29-30/2020 Including bonus material on disc 2. Weapons of the Trade and Making a Killing were particularly interesting. Weapons of the Trade includes a history of each weapon featured. Because of the information included in the documentary, I learned what "submachine gun" meant. Funny, too, because I remembered, as I watched this feature, that it held more interest for my mother than the actual movie. My mother was never a fan of war, but she was a fan of gunnery. Of course, even in the Navy, my mother was never required to use weaponry in fighting ... only in teaching and for sport.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nicolas Cage Yuri Orlov Ethan Hawke I. A. Jack Valentine Jared Leto Vitaly Orlov Bridget Moynahan Ava Fontaine Eamonn Walker André Baptiste Sr. Sammi Rotibi André Baptiste Jr. Ian Holm Simeon Weisz Eugene Lazarev Gen. Dmitri Volkov
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Andrew Niccol.
Labels: drama9, haunting2, me-favorite2, nicolas-cage, political4, violence3, war2
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
The Color Purple
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm surprised I've made no mention of this movie in any of my journals. This is one of those movies that we watch every time we can catch it on a television channel, which is why I snatched it up when I ran across a copy of it. We both hone into this movie as though we're having a dream. I'm glad we finally got a copy of it because when it was on TV I used to have a hell of a time getting Mom to go to the bathroom during a playing of it. Now, I can stop the movie when I notice she looks like she'd better hit the toilet. [Her joke is that you can tell when someone needs to go to the bathroom when you can see waves crashing in their eyes...which is almost the truth with my mother.]
Roger Ebert was so impressed with this movie that he not only gave it an initial four star review the year of its release (that review is linked to the title of this post), he followed that up with an interview with Whoopi Goldberg and later christened it as one of his Great Movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Whoopi Goldberg Celie Harris Johnson Danny Glover "Mister" Albert Johnson Oprah Winfrey Sofia Margaret Avery Shug Avery Akosua Busia Nettie Harris Adolph Caesar "Old Mister" Johnson Willard Pugh Harpo Johnson Rae Dawn Chong Mary Agnes “Squeak” Johnson Laurence Fishburne Swain Carl Anderson Reverend Samuel Leonard Jackson Pa Harris Dana Ivey Miss Millie
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1985
Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Labels: danny-glover, drama9, dream1, laurence-fishburne, period4, political4, steven-spielberg, whoopi-goldberg
