Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Imagining Argentina
- Commentary: Hmmm. What to say about this movie? Well, firstly, it was almost universally panned by The Critic Class. You know who I mean. The critics who get published in newspapers and magazines. Roger Ebert didn't even touch it. Surprisingly, there were two major critics who gave it high ratings: The critic for the LA Times (review attached to the title of this post) and the critic for the San Francisco Chronicle (here's the link for the sfgate review). Otherwise, the pros just generally stomped all over this production. However, secondly, among plebian movie watchers (myself included), it was almost univerally enjoyed and well rated. My experience is that I saw the movie on some streaming service not long after it was released for theatrical viewing and then pulled from theaters. I don't remember what service, nor do I remember what provoked me to watch it, but it stuck with me, so much that, when I was reminded of the movie earlier today (in an article delineating "movie stinkers") I decided, let me check the price on this, oh, it's reasonable, more than reasonable, in fact, it's a bargain, and I ordered it.
The LA Times review, by the way, includes cast reactions to the audience and critical reactions, as well.
I didn't know, until today, searching out the movie, that it was universally panned by critics and universally enjoyed by plebes, including me. Realizing this is a large part of why I decided to acquire it. I am not above enjoying movies that (many professional) others find downright detestable (and, believe me, many professional critics placed this film into that category).
So saying, since it isn't a popular movie, it'll take a few days to make it to my doorstep (or mailbox, whatever). I'll report back. I'm so very curious to see how this movie hits me, now, and, by the way, pleased to add it to my collection, in large part because of the contention surrounding it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Antonio Banderas Carlos Rueda Emma Thompson Cecilia Rueda Leticia Dolera Teresa Rueda Maria Canals Esme Palomas Rubén Blades Silvio Ayala Irene Escolar Eurydice Fernando Tielve Orfeo/Enrico Mariana Seligmann Guzman Tochter Andreas Tang Himself Carlos Kaniowski Rubén Mendoza Claire Bloom Sara Sternberg John Wood Amos Sternberg
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Christopher Hampton.
Labels: emma-thompson, haunting3, historical5, magical-realism, political5, tragedy3, war3
Sunday, May 08, 2022
Love Actually
- Who's watched: M & G, many times
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Okay, I don't know whether to be ashamed or not to say that I not only love this movie, I am in love with it. It has the ability to both soothe and encourage me. So, we watch it a lot. I know my mother enjoys it and sticks with it every time. I don't know if she has the same kind of gut reactions to it that I do. Fairly recently, toward the end of the holiday season, I watched this movie on dvd in the evening with Mom then turned right around and watched the entire movie again on cable. My mother did not stay up for the cable viewing.
Again, another post, written on 2/7/2005, that I managed to delete on 5/7/2020, found the hidden original, and have reposted it.
Update 5/8/22: This is a reposting of a previous post dated 2/7/2005 that I managed to recover.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Alan Rickman Harry Emma Thompson Karen Hugh Grant David Martine McCutcheon Natalie Colin Firth Jamie Lúcia Moniz Aurélia Liam Neeson Daniel Thomas Sangster Sam Bill Nighy Billy Mack Gregor Fisher Joe Chiwetel Ejiofor Peter Keira Knightley Juliet Andrew Lincoln Mark Laura Linney Rodrigo Santoro Kris Marshall Colin Abdul Salis Tony Billy Bob Thornton U. S. President Rowan Atkinson Rufus Heike Makatsch Mia Olivia Olson Joanna
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Richard Curtis.
Labels: alan-rickman, Christmas, colin-firth, comedy2, emma-thompson, laura-linney, me-favorite4, popcorn-and-soda6, romance3
Friday, February 10, 2006
Sense and Sensibility
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: We watched this one afternoon on TCM and our interest in it surprised us both. Every performance is a delight. The film of the story is much better than the book, full of character scrutinizing scenes. My mother teared up at the end of the movie; very unusual for her. When I saw a copy of it being sold, I had to have it. We watched it again, the day I bought it. Again, my mother was transported to tears at the end. We'll be watching this again.
It's notable that Roger Ebert reconsidered his initial two-and-a-half star review of this film. The article in which he talks about this is here, but surrounded by many other opinions on many other movies. Thus, I'm going to quote his reconsideration here:
"I didn't give 'Sense and Sensibility' a favorable review when it was first released. I preferred one of the year's other Jane Austen adaptations, 'Persuasion,' a tougher and more thought-provoking film. But as 'S & S' began to emerge as the Oscar front-runner, I went back to see it again. I enjoyed it, yes, and if I had it to do all over again I might be tempted to give it three stars instead of two and a half. (I wouldn't change a word of my newspaper review, however, which expresses both what I liked and didn't like about the film.)
"What 'Sense and Sensibility' has, above all, is the image of a high-minded, literate, respectable Oscar winner. It is from Britain (the Academy loves British films and actors). It is attached to Jane Austen, one of the most beloved trade names in literature. It has no negatives like sex, violence, or naughty words. Hollywood can honor it and feel good about itself: See here, it can say, what wholesome films we make!"
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Emma Thompson Elinor Dashwood Kate Winslet Marianne Dashwood Alan Rickman Colonel Brandon Imogen Stubbs Lucy Steele Hugh Grant Edward Ferrars Greg Wise John Willoughby Gemma Jones Mrs. Dashwood Hugh Laurie Mr. Palmer Imelda Staunton Charlotte Palmer Tom Wilkinson Mr. Dashwood Harriet Walter Fanny Dashwood Elizabeth Spriggs Mrs. Jennings
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Ang Lee.
Labels: alan-rickman, emma-thompson, imelda-staunton, period4, romance2, shared-favorite, tom-wilkinson
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Dead Again
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out strictly on the strength of my familiarity with Derek Jacobi, Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. What a romp! I fell in love with all of it: The story, the presentation, the delightful performance by Andy Garcia, the suspense, there isn't an aspect of it I don't love. I've rented it and shown it to Mom a couple of times. She is always entranced. Thus, I ended up adding it to our movie collection.
It was this movie, in fact, the watching of which brought out the police on one of two noise ordinance complaints. [The other complaint was during an evening Mary Tyler Moore marathon.] It is worth it. Both times.
Update 5/12/2022: The truth? I recently viewed (and enjoyed) this film again (I think it was the fourth or fifth viewing in my life). Yes, it's fun, very involving, and I have a special fondness for remembering my watching of it with Mom. It also got largely great reviews. But, you know what? When I watched it again recently, I was suddenly struck by the fact that I think it's an elaborate vanity project. I mean, the overwhelming (both in number and reputation) cast? The almost unbearable number of twists and turns? The hint, no, more than a hint, of overwrought acting? But, you know, it's tasty. Very tasty. And, if you ever want to call the police to your house ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kenneth Branagh Mike Church/Roman Strauss Emma Thompson Grace/Amanda Sharp/Margaret Strauss Andy García Gray Baker Derek Jacobi Franklyn Madson Wayne Knight Pete Dugan Robin Williams Dr. Cozy Carlisle Hanna Schygulla Inga Campbell Scott Doug
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Labels: andy-garcía, derek-jacobi, emma-thompson, me-favorite3, mystery2, neo-noirA, popcorn-and-soda5, robin-williams
