Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Déjà vu
- Commentary: Under construction.
One unrelated-but-not note regarding brother of Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, who suicided in 2012. You know that perfectly atmospheric logo that typically runs at the beginning or end of Scott Free films? You know the one I mean, this one. Well, I only started noticing it some years after 2008, when I got into the habit of watching opening and closing credits, which I never did when my mother was alive and she and I watched movies together. She would get antsy during pre- and post-movie credits, so I'd ffwd through them, or simply end the movie, well, at the end of the story part. Anyway, a little more than a few years after she died, I started watching credits, again, and was charmed by the Scott Free logo. I always imagined that it was designed by Ridley Scott as a memorial to his brother Tony Scott after his suicide. Turns out, as you'll appreciate from this interesting and inventive history of the logo, it was actually created and used 16 years or so before Tony Scott died. In a way, I suppose, the logo, itself, is a reverse form of déjà vu, a prediction of the future rather than a repetition of the past. Which is interesting, considering this movie, in particular, which addresses flowing forward and backward in time. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it.
As usual, expect more later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington ATF Spc. Agt. Douglas Carlin Paula Patton Claire Kuchever Val Kilmer FBI Spc. Agt. Paul Pryzwarra Jim Caviezel Carroll Oerstadt Adam Goldberg Dr. Alexander Denny Elden Henson Gunnars Erika Alexander Shanti Elle Fanning Abbey Bruce Greenwood FBI Spc Agt. Jack McCready Rich Hutchman Agent Stalhuth Matt Craven Minuti Enrique Castillo Claire's Father
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Tony Scott.
Labels: denzel-washington, elle-fanning, enrique-castillo, tony-scott
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Maleficent
- Commentary: I was so pleased when I heard a movie was being made featuring my favorite childhood heroine, Maleficent (see write-up for Sleeping Beauty). It took me a long time to get around to watching it. I finally remembered it and checked it out of the library this spring. Upon watching it I knew I had to add it to my collection. Angelina Jolie was made to play Maleficent. The story is interesting and innovative. I especially appreciate the ending. Yes, it is a bit weird that such a kind, sunny, powerful child was named, as an infant, Maleficent. The movie could have included a scene in which a prophetic fairy brooded over her birth and named her in anticipation of what was to come in her life. But, the movie was made for kids, so it probably didn't occur to the makers that a child might know what the name contains in the way of strict definition. Maybe the movie makers didn't know, either. Oh well. The life of the princess was also a bit ho-hum. But I don't care. What I care about is every scene that involved the definition of Maleficent and I was not disappointed. I also enjoy the combination of live-action and animation. Well done, I thought. So, anyway, I'm satisfied and I will watch this movie again and again, just to gaze upon the magnificence of Maleficent. Thank you, Disney.
Roger Ebert's website also has an interesting meditation provoked by this movie and written by Libby Hill, on how Hollywood, and, thus, our culture, is reimagining women and their roles in society.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Angelina Jolie Maleficent Ella Purnell Teen Maleficent Elle Fanning Aurora Janet McTeer Elderly Aurora/Narrator Sharlto Copley Stefan Sam Riley Diaval Imelda Staunton Knotgrass Juno Temple Thistlewit Lesley Manville Flittle Brenton Thwaites Prince Phillip Kenneth Cranham King Henry Hannah New Princess Leila
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Robert Stromberg.
Labels: adventure1, drama5, elle-fanning, fantasy2, imelda-staunton, me-favorite1, pseudo-cgi-animation, super-hero2, women's-movie1
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
My Neighbor Totoro
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: We're both enchanted by this film, more for the relationship between the sisters, the portrayal of the neighbor boy (which is delightfully right on) and the wonderful father, who straddles both his own and his children's worlds with extraordinary dexterity. Some of Miyazaki's films are more spectacular, but this movie, quietly and deftly, vindicates and celebrates everyone's childhood, and, in particular, everyone's childhood imagination and its creations.
And, yes, Roger Ebert christened it one of his Great Movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Dakota Fanning Satsuki Kusakabe Elle Fanning Mei Kusakabe Tim Daly Tatsuo Kusakabe Lea Salonga Yasuko Kusakabe Frank Welker Totoro Paul Butcher Kanta Ōgaki Pat Carroll Granny Frank Welker Catbus
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Labels: anime, dakota-fanning, elle-fanning, fantasy3, kids
