Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Deadwood - 1st Season & The Entire Series
- Who's watched: M & G, avidly
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4*
- Commentary: I've talked quite a bit about this series and my mother's and my interest (separate, mostly) in it.
Aside from that, if you're eschewing this series because of the language, sexuality and violence, you're missing a great production on many levels, not the least of which is its take on American History and the American Character.
My mother goes back and forth in her feelings about this series. Sometimes it fascinates her. Sometimes it repulses her. At this point I feel we will continue to collect the seasons.
Update 2/7/18: We did not collect the other two seasons. She, in fact, made the decision that we didn't need to own the other two seasons of Deadwood. I was (and continue to be) satisfied with that decision.
Update 5/5/21: I did, finally, on my own, obtain the entire Deadwood series. A few months ago I decided to watch the first season again, and found myself hungering, yes, for the other two seasons. Unfortunately, our library system does not have any of the seasons, although, curiously, it does have the movie, which was made a full thirteen years after the series was cancelled.
I've watched all three seasons, now, and the movie. Although I'm not one to ever claim that any movie or series is "the best ... of all time", as more than a few critics did, I mean, how foolish, considering that time continues and humans have no quotidian, reliable or accepted way of peering into the future. That being said, I remain riveted to the series and astonished by the quality of acting, writing and production that characterizes this series right up to its cancellation.
If she wants it, I'll probably pass my original set of the first season onto MCN. If she doesn't, clearly, my local library system could use it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Timothy Olyphant Seth Bullock Ian McShane Al Swearengen Molly Parker Alma Garret Jim Beaver Whitney Ellsworth Brad Dourif Doc Cochran John Hawkes Sol Star Paula Malcomson Trixie Leon Rippy Tom Nuttall William Sanderson E. B. Farnum Robin Weigert Calamity Jane W. Earl Brown Dan Dority Dayton Callie Charlie Utter Keith Carradine Wild Bill Hickock Powers Boothe Cy Tolliver Kim Dickens Joanie Stubbs Anna Gunn Martha Bullock
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
Release Date: 2004-2006
Directed by various people, none women.
Labels: brad-dourif, dramaB, historical3, john-hawkes, me-favorite3, TV2, violence3, western
Das Boot
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I originally watched this movie some years ago when I was self-studying war. I've now watched the series (which Wolfgang Petersen put together by adding a lot of his raw footage to the original theatrical cut of the film) since my sister sent it to me, all together and going back over bits that have stuck in my mind, when I desperately need to be reminded of everyone's essential humanity and of the root of all conflict.
As the Wikipedia article, linked below, explains, there are several different versions of this film in circulation on home video. Mine is the director's cut.
I believe I saw the theatrical cut during my first viewing, since it was all of a piece (a somewhat long piece), before My Florida Sister sent me this one. This one seemed, the first time I watched it, slightly different than the one in my memory. Aside from its length and it's presentation as a series of episodes, I think the director's cut is more engaging and affecting, in part because it gives you a chance for breathing/thinking room between sections and, in part, because the individual characters in the film are clearer, which enhances the effect of the series.
This film/series continues to have an impact on all who see it. In 2011, 14 years after Ebert wrote his initial review, one of the companion reviewers at Roger Ebert's site was moved to publish this review.
Roger Ebert, by the way, reviewed the director's cut, released the year he wrote his review.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jürgen Prochnow Kapitänleutnant Herbert Grönemeyer Leutnant Werner Klaus Wennemann Leitender Ingenieur Hubertus Bengsch 1st Watch Officer Oberleutnant
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1981/1997
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Labels: dramaB, haunting2, historical3, me-favorite3, political4, war2
The Straight Story
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: Another absolute favorite. I discovered this movie playing on one of the independent film channels. The entire movie is perfectly luscious, including the music, and the photography. The acting is superb. It should be a Required Viewing film for anyone who cares for an Ancient One.
The first time I viewed this film, I bought it lock stock and barrel. The second time, I was a little uneasy with what hit me as mawkishness in the act featuring the pregnant runaway and some of the Twin Brothers episode. On the third viewing, though, I was fine with everything. Ancient Ones are often mawkish. Sometimes thoughtfulness leads to a kind of mawkishness.
My mother always identifies with the spirit of Alvin Straight, and loves the fact that this man was (and remains in character) an Iowan.
It's funny, too, because I have an astute movie lover friend who absolutely hates this movie, thinks it's the most boring film he's ever seen. I guess you have to be an Iowan to appreciate it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Farnsworth Alvin Straight Sissy Spacek Rose Straight Harry Dean Stanton Lyle Straight Jane Galloway Heitz Dorothy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1999
Directed by David Lynch.
Labels: adventure4, biography2, dramaB, harry-dean-stanton, haunting2, popcorn-and-soda5, shared-favorite, sissy-spacek
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
Monday, February 21, 2005
The Paper Chase
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Mom likes this movie because of John Houseman's character and performance, and, of course, the school atmosphere.
I like the movie for things like this: The first sound (including music) that is heard after the film begins is the opening of the door to the law classroom in which Knightsfield hold's sway. I am also amused by the conventions of rigorous schooling of the time and the use of women in the movie. This was probably one of the last movies in which the female lead had an utterly throw away part. It is interesting to me to contemplate that Lindsay Wagner, who played the female lead, went on three years later to become The Bionic Woman.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Timothy Bottoms James T. Hart Lindsay Wagner Susan Fields John Houseman Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. Graham Beckel Franklin Ford III Edward Herrmann Thomas Craig Anderson James Naughton Kevin Brooks Regina Baff Ashley Brooks Blair Brown Miss Farranti
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1973
Directed by James Bridges.
Labels: coming-of-age2, dramaB, teaching
Antonia's Line
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This is a little symphony of a movie that I discovered some years ago on the Sundance channel, stayed up after my first viewing long enough to set up tape for a second run, and showed the tape to my mother the next day, knowing that despite the movie being in Dutch with English subtitles, she'd love the movie and especially Antonia, because there is much of Antonia's spirit in my mother, even though their lives are quite different. We watch this movie fairly often, now, whenever one or the other of us needs to revel and refresh ourselves in the strength of lineage and the march of time.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Willeke van Ammelrooy Antonia Els Dottermans Danielle Jan Decleir Farmer Bas Victor Löw Harry Elsie de Brauw Lara Marina de Graaf Deedee Jan Steen Lippen Willem Veerle van Overloop Thérèse Catherine ten Bruggencate Malle Madonna Dora van der Groen Allegonde Mil Seghers Kromme Vinger Thyrza Ravesteijn Sarah
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Marleen Gorris.
Labels: dramaB, female-director1, haunting2, period5, shared-favorite, women's-movie1
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I wasn't sure if Mom would like this movie, even though it is one of my three favorite education movies. I needn't have worried. She got it, and she enjoyed it, although she prefers education movies like Stand and Deliver (the link to this movie, by the way, is to a site which details the fate of Jaime Escalante's legendary high school calculus program). She even said, "I've known teachers like that."
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Maggie Smith Jean Brodie Robert Stephens Teddy Lloyd Pamela Franklin Sandy Emmeline Mackay Celia Johnson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1969
Directed by Ronald Neame.
Labels: dramaB, maggie-smith, me-favorite3, period5, political4, teaching
π
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This one is my treat, one of my trance movies. I don't know if Mom will ever see this movie. I think it would bore her. She does not find representations of the internal flights of one's mind interesting, not even if a story centers around them. She is a "what did they do", not a "what were they thinking" person. I think this is because she is such a quick study in regards to picking up on what people are thinking...but, considers that what a person is thinking is absolutely no excuse for bad behavior.
Update 5/11/2020: Per my above prediction, and my machinations, Mom never saw this movie. Frankly, if she's "out there somewhere", I think she would still feel that it would have been a waste to time to watch it. Go, Mom!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sean Gullette Maximillian Cohen Mark Margolis Sol Robeson Ben Shenkman Lenny Meyer Samia Shoaib Devi Pamela Hart Marcy Dawson Stephen Pearlman Rabbi Cohen Ajay Naidu Farouq Kristyn Mae-Anne Lao Jenna
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
Labels: A24, darren-aronofsky, dramaB, dream1, film-art2, me-favorite3, mystery2, neo-noirB
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Mona Lisa Smile
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those movies that has a magnetic affect on both my mother and me. Although it's not the best school movie I've ever seen (my vote on this score is for The Paper Chase, although I'd consider The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, as well, and, a few others, come to think of it, The Blackboard Jungle, Goodbye Mr. Chips), from the cords of the opening music it drafts both of us into college, again, from our own perspetives. When we view this movie we always review the featurettes.
I have to admit, though, she and I are both suckers for school and education movies. Sometimes it's pathetic.
Directed by Mike Newell.
Update 6/13/2006: Since I first wrote this short review we've watched this movie on the average of once a month, at my suggestion. During tonight's watching I was uncustomarily analytical about some of the aspects of this movie that I love.
- All the performances are a delight to watch and utterly convincing, with the exception of Julia Roberts' performance. Tonight I finally figured out why, in this movie of incredibly performed roles (even the bartender at the wedding and "Mrs. Stone" the waitress are spot on) the star fell just short of matching her colleagues' level: She's, well, Julia Roberts and, as such, is no longer able to be a character. She is always Julia Roberts playing a character. This is unfortunate in movies such as this.
- The romance between Roberts' character and West's character is inauthentic, unconvincing, distracting and boring. It's possible that Roberts' character needs some sort of quickie affair in this movie as a device to underline her single status and her attitudes toward sexual attachment, but the one written and acted didn't work.
- The background music is both unobtrusive and evocative; so much so that the strains of the theme played behind the menu evoke pleasurable anticipation for the movie.
- The subject matter, despite being heavily covered in many other movies and, at the time of this movie's release, seemingly dated, lurks in women's souls deeply and is still not well addressed by society, thus, continues to have a powerful effect. As well, the characters and the story are so well developed that the period piece effect actually contributes to the emotional effect of the layout of the issues.
- The camera work is subtle and masterful. No camera effect is used for the sake of the effect alone.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julia Roberts Katherine Watson Kirsten Dunst Betty Warren Julia Stiles Joan Brandwyn Maggie Gyllenhaal Giselle Levy Ginnifer Goodwin Connie Baker Laura Allen Susan Delacorte Marcia Gay Harden Nancy Abbey Donna Mitchell Mrs. Warren Marian Seldes President Jocelyn Carr Juliet Stevenson Amanda Armstrong Dominic West Bill Dunbar Topher Grace Tommy Donegal Ebon Moss-Bachrach Charlie Stewart Jordan Bridges Spencer Jones John Slattery Paul Moore Tori Amos Wedding Singer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Mike Newell.
Labels: dramaB, julia-roberts, kirsten-dunst, maggie-gyllenhaal, marsha-gay-harden, period5, political4, shared-favorite, teaching, women's-movie1
Casablanca
- Who's watched: M & G (finally)
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: The truth is, if this movie hadn't come bundled with four others we wanted, we wouldn't own it. I know, stating this is probably blasphemy. I had never seen the movie all the way through until maybe a month ago. Although, when I read the name of the movie to my mother off the cable schedule, she expresses interest in it and often watches it, it's not one either of us yearns toward and, often as not, when it's on the cable schedule, in this house, Animal Planet trumps it.
When we viewed this film the last (aforementioned) time, I remember Sidney Pollack, who introduced it as one of TCM's Essentials, slipped into a blur of words rhapsodizing Ingrid Bergman and her performance in this movie, nodding, as well, to his life long crush on Ms. Bergman. Anyway, from what he said I thought, "Oh, okay, well I'll watch the whooole thiiing and, if what he says about Ingrid Bergman's performance is true, I should really enjoy this. At the end of the movie I was thinking, well, I think men go crazy when they see Bergman on the screen and think her a better actor than she was. She was very good, obviously stellar, but not transcendental, like, say Streep or Kingsley.
I'll probably be lynched by the Klassic Movie Klan before morning.
Update 2/6/18: Since my mother's death almost a decade ago, I continued my contentious relationship with this movie. I've checked it out of the library (thank goodness I donated my copy to it) at least once every two years and struggled through it yet again. I enjoy Claude Rains in this movie. I've come to enjoy the machinations of the plight of people stuck in Casablanca. But, I'm sorry, the love story does absolutely nothing for me. Sometimes, immediately after watching it, I think the movie would have been a whole lot better, at least for my viewing, if the love story had been dumped. I'm hoping, at this point, that I don't feel I have to watch it again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Humphrey Bogart Rick Blaine Ingrid Bergman Ilsa Lund Paul Henreid Victor Laszlo Claude Rains Capt. Louis Renault Conrad Veidt Mjr. Heinrich Strasser Sydney Greenstreet Signor Ferrari Peter Lorre Signor Ugarte Dooley Wilson Sam
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1942
Directed by Michael Curtiz.
Labels: claude-rains, dramaB, ingrid-bergman, mystery2
Mrs. Miniver
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom introduced me to this movie, and Greer Garson, soon after I moved in with her. Although the relentlessly chin-up attitude of this movie may seem hard to tolerate, these days, I think what I enjoy most about this movie is that it is, as I believe Winston Churchill pointed out, clearly England's and America's secret weapon.
One more footnote, Greer Garson, I think, is probably the only actress with whom I've ever been familiar who can pull off the perfect, long suffering war-heroine-on-the-homefront.
So, why did I donate it to the library? Well, let me quote myself, "... the relentlessly chin-up attitude of this movie [is] hard to tolerate, these days ..."
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Greer Garson Kay Miniver Walter Pidgeon Clem Miniver Teresa Wright Carol Beldon Dame May Whitty Lady Beldon
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1942
Directed by William Wyler.
Driving Miss Daisy
- Who's watched: M & G, both more than many times
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6*
- Commentary: That's right, we've finally got it, watched it the same day I purchased it for us, and enjoyed it, once again, as though we only vaguely remembered it.
Update 5/2/2022: It's hard for me, nowadays, to say enough about this movie. The portrayal of older people, "Ancient Ones", as I call them, is quite on point, as individuals and as members of a group. The astonishment of the children at the desires, whims and behaviors of their parents and older people, in general, well, I became so familiar with this when members of my family visited my mother and I (rarely, I might add). It was hard, sometimes impossible, for them to think of us and treat us as other than "old relative" and "caregiver"; as, companions, for instance, or people who simply enjoyed each other's company and had a good time doing it. This movie, in very subtle ways, addresses these concerns. It doesn't display ingenious solutions, it just illustrates and leaves it be.
The background music for the film sometimes gets to me. It apes my relatives' attitudes, more than the experiences of Hoke and Miss Daisy.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Morgan Freeman Hoke Colburn Jessica Tandy Daisy Werthan Dan Ackroyd Boolie Werthan Patti LuPone Florine Werthan Esther Rolle Idella Joann Havrilla Miss McClatchey William Hall Jr. Oscar Crystal R. Fox Katey Bell
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1989
Directed by Bruce Beresford.
Labels: caregiver, dramaB, morgan-freeman, period5, popcorn-and-soda5, shared-favorite, teaching
Sunday, February 13, 2005
A Simple Twist of Fate
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those accidental gems I found when trying the dregs of a video store back in 2002, I think it was, when Mom had no energy but would stay up for movies and TV. I'm familiar with the story of Silas Marner, and I'm impressed with what Steve Martin does in film. I remember watching it by myself, first, then enthusiastically turning it over to Mom, then taping it off a cable network (bad copy). Its muddled melodrama doesn't bother me. Mom and I consider it an 'up' movie.
Update 5/9/2022: I still consider this a delightful little movie and find an excuse to watch it at least once a year, even though, considering how much we watched it when Mom was alive, you'd think I'd be tired of it by now. Not so. It's a surprising gem. Steve Martin managed to wrangle some surprising and amazing talent to perform in this movie, too, which is probably one of several circumstances which makes this movie so enjoyable.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Steve Martin Michael McCann Carolyn McCormick Elaine McCann Alana Austin Mathilda McCann Gabriel Byrne John Newland Laura Linney Nancy Newland Catherine O'Hara April Simon Stephen Baldwin Tanny Newland Michael Des Barres Bryce
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by Gillies MacKinnon.
Labels: dramaB, laura-linney, mystery2
What Dreams May Come
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This movie was recommended to me by another customer looking for movies as Valentine's Day gifts. She and I explained to one another what we were looking for. I had a list...she did not. But, she suggested this movie, and another, which I'm going to return as, after I came home I remembered Mom and I had 'tried' the movie on cable and couldn't get into it. Not even with Gena Rowlands, who we'll usually watch in anything.
Anyway, I remember being suspicious of this movie when it first came out, around the time that John Edwards became very popular. Not that I didn't find him fascinating, too, for awhile, and my mother was hooked on his shows, but, for some reason that I can't remember, I dismissed the movie without seeing it.
So, neither of us has seen it, it should be interesting, and I don't know if we'll be keeping it or passing it on to someone else.
Update 2/14/05: We watched this movie last night. We both found the special effects fascinating, although we made the mistake of watching the movie mid-late afternoon and we definitely have a sun and glare problem in our living/dining area.
Mom had trouble keeping in her head that most of the movie was taking place in "heaven" and most of the people were dead. First, too, when she oriented herself, she thought Cuba Gooding, Jr. was god, then Max von Sydow (who played Jesus in one of her beloved Bible Movies). She also noticed that Robin Williams mugs his way through the emotional scenes in serious pictures. I'd never noticed this, but she's right. He does. He has an "emotional scenes mask" that is clearly detectable. I remember it, some, from a very obscure picture he made: Being Human; less so, interestingly, in Good Morning, Vietnam.
She also has her own very specific and very liberal ideas of "heaven"; some of which dovetail with some of the ideas in the movie...some of which don't.
I found the theology/spirituality interesting, considering that it is being put forth before the public (which wasn't all that risky in 1998; I don't think this is why the movie didn't do all that well), but not as daring as my own. Truth is, I'm not sure whether we'll watch this one again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robin Williams Dr. Chris Nielsen Cuba Gooding Jr. Albert Lewis/Ian Nielsen Annabella Sciorra Annie Collins-Nielsen Max von Sydow The Tracker/Albert Lewis
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Vincent Ward.
Labels: dramaB, fantasy3, max-von-sydow, popcorn-and-soda5, pseudo-cgi-animation, robin-williams, romance3, spiritual2
Dances with Wolves
- Who's watched: M [lots more than] G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This is one of my mother's haunting movies. Her reaction to this movie is similar to my reaction to Little Buddha: During some parts, she experiences trance-like states; during others, she becomes fully engaged in the finest detail of the culture of the Native American community portrayed in the movie; throughout, she follows the story meticulously and often attempts to engage other viewers in conversation about the movie, which means that she remembers enough of it from viewing to viewing not to feel as though she has to pay close attention every minute.
Sometime in late 2007 "they" finally came out with the widescreen version, which I quickly snatched up. This version also cuts in close to an hour of extended footage. I was surprised how much of the original cut the extended footage explained. Both my mother and I were, and are, very pleased with the additions.
P.S. Despite what this picture of the cover says, my copy actually says "Collector's Edition" at the top. Since it's also a 2-disc-er I imagine that this extended cut and the special features are the same as on the "Special Edition", but I can't swear to that.
Update 5/9/22: My mother is long, long gone, but, as I was rereading this post and remembering the pleasure she took in this movie, it occurred to me that, no matter how much dissension it created among critics, the Native American community and the community of "woke" non-Native Americans, my mother likely has a virtual copy of this movie, where ever she is now, and watches it every chance she gets. I still watch it, too. I derive great pleasure from remembering my mother watching this movie and thinking of her watching it, now. Perhaps, at times, we're watching it simultaneously.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Costner Lt. John J. Dunbar/Dances with Wolves Mary McDonnell Stands with a Fist/Christine Gunther Graham Greene Kicking Bird Rodney A. Grant Wind in His Hair Floyd Red Crow Westerman Chief Ten Bears Tantoo Cardinal Black Shawl Jimmy Herman Stone Calf Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse Smiles a Lot Michael Spears Otter Wes Studi Toughest Pawnee Maury Chaykin Major Fambrough Robert Pastorelli Timmons
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Kevin Costner.
Labels: action3, adventure4, dramaB, haunting2, mom-favorite2, period5, revisionist-western, spectacle2, tantoo-cardinal, war2, wes-studi
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
The Pianist
- Who's watched: M
- Mentions: *1* (added 2/10/05 after watching movie)
- Commentary: So, I was wrong. There is one movie that Mom has seen that I have not...this one. In fact, she was the one who suggested we get it, when Costco has it, when we saw a commercial on TV for the dvd. She may have seen it at MCF's house...we visited there a lot up until just about a year and a half ago. Anyway, I'm not quite sure this is the movie she is remembering...I'm thinking she must be thinking of some kind of Liberace production type of movie, but she insists this is the one.
Which is fine with me. I am, generally, a Roman Polanski fan, and usually try to watch all his movies. I hadn't yet thought of owning them. This should be an interesting start.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Adrien Brody Władysław Szpilman Thomas Kretschmann Wilm Hosenfeld Maureen Lipman Edwarda Szpilman Emilia Fox Dorota
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: dramaB, musical2, period5, roman-polanski, war2
Citizen Kane
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I am surprised there are no mentions of this movie in either journal. Although I think I like it a bit better than Mom (I love the film perspective, I don't think she's crazy about it, but she likes the way the story is told), we watch this movie as a rental or on TCM a couple of times a year. Time to own it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Orson Welles Charles Foster Kane Joseph Cotten Jedediah Leland Agnes Moorehead Mary Kane Dorothy Comingore Susan Alexander Kane
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1941
Directed by Orson Welles.
Labels: anti-fascist, dramaB, journalism, melodramaA
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Witness
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: The attraction for my mother with this movie is the wide swathes of glimpses into Amish life. I love the music [Maurice Jarre; the Jarres are my favorite father-son environmental composers] and the movie's seamless construction. We share our favorite scene: Hands down, the barn raising. My mother has been heard to say while this scene was unfolding, "Wouldn't it be nice to live that way again?" Telling comment: I believe it shows that she considers the way (and area within which) she was raised as a child culturally and spiritually similar to Amish society.
One other scene that always gets a rise out of her: When the heroine tells her father-in-law that he shames himself. "Good for her," my mother has been known to cheer.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Harrison Ford John Book Kelly McGillis Rachel Lapp Lukas Haas Samuel Lapp Jan Rubeš Eli Lapp Josef Sommer Paul Schaeffer Alexander Godunov Daniel Hochleitner Danny Glover James McFee Patti LuPone Elaine Book Viggo Mortensen Moses Hochleitner Brent Jennings Elton Carter Frederick Rolf Stoltzfus Angus MacInnes Leon Ferguson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1985
Directed by Peter Weir.
Labels: danny-glover, dramaB, harrison-ford, mystery2, neo-noirA, peter-weir, popcorn-and-soda6, shared-favorite
Monday, February 07, 2005
The Clearing
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This one was a "freebie" with another movie, I can't remember which one. With Willem Dafoe, Helen Mirren and Robert Redford I thought this would be an interesting little piece. It wasn't quite as interesting as I thought, although I always enjoy watching all these actors. Mom hasn't watched it. I'll probably forget to mention it to her.
Update 8/11/21: No, I didn't keep this film. I didn't completely dislike it. I just realized, when it came time to cull my collection, I hadn't watched it more than once and probably wouldn't. So, I gave it to the library. If I decide I want to watch it, again, it's there for me. My library system, as it turns out, has four copies.
Update 10/19/24: I know. Bizarrely, I re-added this movie to my collection. Truth is, I've never forgotten it and when I find myself ruminating on it, I find myself wondering about this character quirk or that plot point or an idea in the movie's philosophy. In fact, just a few hours ago I was watching a movie essay in which this film was featured. Since I didn't remember exactly what the reviewer was talking about, and since the movie is extraordinarily cheap, now, I decided, what the hell, I'm placing another order, why not include this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Redford Wayne Hayes Helen Mirren Eileen Hayes Willem Dafoe Arnold Mack Alessandro Nivola Tim Hayes
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Pieter Jan Brugge.
Labels: action3, dramaB, helen-mirren, robert-redford, willem-dafoe
Sexy Beast
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I am also a devotee of Ben Kingsley's work. I find his portrayal in this movie thrilling. I'm sure my mother would ask, when it was over, "Now, what exactly was the point to that?!?" So, I don't imagine I'll ever invite her to watch it, nor will she express interest in it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ray Winstone Gary Dove Ben Kingsley Don Logan Ian McShane Teddy Bass Amanda Redman DeeDee Dove
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Jonathan Glazer.
Labels: ben-kingsley, dramaB, dream1, me-favorite3, neo-noirC, ray-winstone, violence3
