Movies, Mom & Me

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Samuel L. Jackson	Louis Batiste	Jurnee Smollett	Eve Batiste	Meagan Good	Cisely Batiste	Lynn Whitfield	Roz Batiste
  Debbi Morgan	Mozelle Batiste Delacroix	Jake Smollett	Poe Batiste	Ethel Ayler	Gran Mere	Diahann Carroll	Elzora
  Vondie Curtis-Hall	Julian Grayraven	Roger Guenveur Smith	Lenny Mereaux	Lisa Nicole Carson	Matty Mereaux	Branford Marsalis	Harry
  Afonda Colbert	Henrietta	Lola Dalferes	Lynette	Marcus Lyle Brown	Hosea	Alverta Perkins Dunigan	Paige

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1997
    Directed by Kasi Lemmons.

Labels: Criterion5, father-daughter-dynamics, female-director3, folk-horror, samuel-l-jackson, southern-gothic

# posted by gail @ 01:23    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    Just a note, here, to remind me to talk about this later, when I "officially" write-up this movie: this movie is about the aimlessness and despair that plagues many women's lives here in the U.S. (and other places, and times, for that matter) but that we not only don't want to talk about, we don't even want to acknowledge. Why? I suspect our reticence (and obliviousness) is because still, still, today, in this still men-ruled world, women aren't really recognized as human, yet; we are relegated to the roles of unacknowledged robo-people, here to serve children and men. Even women who seem to have "accomplished", according to men (of course), are quick to point out if they are wives and mothers, as well, and how "successful" they are in pulling off this three or four pronged life stint, and quick to hide their lack of such roles. Can you believe we're still living under these overwhelming societal strictures???
    One last, hmmm, should I say "rant"? Of all the bylined reviews I was able to find about this movie (and there weren't that many), most were written by men. Take note of the rundown of critics and their reviews listed in Rotten Tomatoes: Wanda Reviews - All Critics.
    You might be thinking, "Well, good! Men need to see this film." I think, though, women need to see it, more. It is devastating to watch if you're a woman, especially a woman under the influence of U.S. culture, take it from me. Even if, as a woman, you can't relate to Wanda's specific journey in this movie, you'll find something about her womanhood (the real mise en scène of this movie) that will draw a gasp of recognition from you.
    And, of course, more women movie reviewers are needed. Good luck with that.
    In addition to the review of this film attached to the title of this post, check out Glenn Erickson's (DVD Savant) review of this film.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Barbara Loden	Wanda Goronski	Michael Higgins	Norman Dennis	Frank Jourdano	The Soldier	Valerie Manches	Girl in Roadhouse
  Dorothy Shupenes	Wanda's Sister	Peter Shupenes	Wanda's Brother-in-Law	Jerome Thier	Wanda's Husband	Marian Thier	Miss Godek
  Anthony Rotell	Tony	M. L. Kennedy	Judge	Gerald Grippo	Court Clerk	Milton Gittleman	Factory Owner

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1970
    Directed by Barbara Loden.

Labels: Criterion5, female-director3, women's-movie2

# posted by gail @ 21:34    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    Aside from the write-up of this film attached to the title of this post, I also found an interesting article about not only the film, but the criminal who inspired it.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Edmond O'Brien	Roy Collins	Frank Lovejoy	Gilbert Bowen	William Talman	Emmett Myers	José Torvay	Captain Alvarado
  Wendell Niles	Radio Announcer Self	Jean Del Val	Inspector General	Clark Howat	Government Agent	Natividad Vacío	José

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1953
    Directed by Ida Lupino.

Labels: female-director3, film-noir3, goflexA, melodramaC, suspense3, thriller3

# posted by gail @ 17:14    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G, ad infinitum
• Mentions:  *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6* *7*
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  Commentary:  For the most complete coverage of this series in our lives, best for you to click into the first Mention, above. Otherwise, suffice it to say that, as of this date, I still haven't been able to watch any of the episodes of this series (as I haven't since my mother's death), but refuse to pass these DVDs on to someone else.
    * As usual, while there are many directors throughout the seasons, female directors are merely scattered throughout. In fact, the first season had no female directors. I guess that figures, since it's a series underhandedly about the Abrahamic God.
    P. S.: I recall that there are at at least a couple of Christmas stories in this set ... I just don't know which episodes they are.
  Update 2/10/18:  True, not your classic super-hero series but, don't you agree, the angels act miraculously and certainly have what humans would consider super-powers. And, they help people and, in a few episodes, do battle with Satan, their nemesis. What could be more super-heroic than that?!?
  Update 5/24/22:  Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
  Update 11/24/22:  In case you're curious, the Touched by an Angel episode in which Kirk Douglas acted was season 6-episode 18, "Bar Mitzvah".
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Roma Downey	Monica	Della Reese	Tess	John Dye	Andrew	Valerie Bertinelli	Gloria
  Alexis Cruz	Rafael	Charles Rocket	Adam	Paul Winfield	Sam	Cloris Leachman	Ruth

  
    Ossie Davis appeared as Erasmus Jones in "Touched by an Angel" Season 3/Episodes 11 "Promised Land" & 12 "The Homecoming"; "Touched by an Angel" Season 4 Episode 1 "The Road Home Part 1"; Season 5 Episode 2 "Saving Grace Part 1"
    Ossie Davis appeared as Gabe in "Touched by an Angel" Season 6 Episode 10 "The Christmas Gift"
    Ossie Davis appeared as Gabriel in "Touched by an Angel" Season 9 Episode 9 "Remembering Me Part 2"
    Piper Laurie appeared in Touched by an Angel, Season 4/Episode 12, "Venice"
    John de Lancie appeared in Touched by an Angel, Season 4/Episode 5, "Jones vs. God"
    Nancy Allen appeared in Touched by an Angel, Season 1/Episode 7, "An Unexpected Snow"
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1994-2003
    Directed by: See * note above.

Labels: Christmas, edward-james-olmos, enrique-castillo, fantasy2, female-director3, jesse-borrego, john-de-lancie, kirk-douglas, mom-favorite1, nancy-allen, ossie-davis, piper-laurie, spiritual1, william-devane

# posted by gail @ 11:30    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  none
• 
  Commentary:  This is a delightful pastiche of a movie with some very good ensemble acting and an interesting interlinkage of romantic stories that simply captured us. Look, especially, at Lynn Redgrave's performance as the mother of one of the characters. Brave and brilliant! I've watched this movie several times on my own, as well as the special features, because it, well, it feels good to watch it.
  Update 5/23/22:  Yet another post that "disappeared" and I had to recapture. I think I finally figured an easy process, now. That should help.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Maria Bello	Jocelyn	Emily Blunt	Prudie	Kathy Baker	Bernadette	Hugh Dancy	Grigg
  Amy Brenneman	Sylvia	Maggie Grace	Allegra	Jimmy Smits	Daniel	Marc Blucas	Dean
  Lynn Redgrave	Mama Skye	Nancy Travis	Cat Harris	Parisa Fitz-Henley	Corinne	Gwendoline Yeo	Dr. Samantha Yep

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2007
    Directed by Robin Swicord.

Labels: dramedy1, emily-blunt, female-director3, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, women's-movie1

# posted by gail @ 20:36    0 comments    email......this post

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  Commentary:  This movie created quite the buzz, initiating no less than four dedicated articles on Roger Ebert's site and a further flurry of mentions in compendium articles there. It also caught the eyes of many awards organizations and won more than a few of its nominations.
  Update 4/21/22:  I watched this movie last night, 4/20/22. Yeow! I was glued to the screen! Superbly watchable movie, very involving, no false performances or sloppy plot schematics that I could detect, subtly presented, expertly framed the protagonist's journey into revenge and, ultimately, horror! A wonderful job done by all, notably writer/director Emerald Fennell. Now, I'm curious about her other work, some of which, as an actress, I've seen. Really looking forward to more of her work in all categories of film making!
    Of note, this movie has also inspired me to add another label category, "revenge". Turns out, another movie I recently acquired with this one also fits this category, so I've started out running. I'm about to add a third, an old one that clearly fits into this category. I'm sure I'll find more in my collection to which "revenge" applies.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Carey Mulligan	Cassie Thomas	Bo Burnham	Ryan Cooper	Alison Brie	Madison McPhee	Clancy Brown	Stanley Thomas
  Jennifer Coolidge	Susan Thomas	Connie Britton	Dean Elizabeth Walker	Chris Lowell	Alexander Monroe	Alfred Molina	Jordan Green (uncredited)

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2020
    Directed by Emerald Fennell.

Labels: clancy-brown, dramaE, female-director3, feminist, revenge1, violence4, women's-movie2

# posted by gail @ 13:32    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  If you read comments left about this movie on Amazon.com (from where I purchased it) you'll notice that many of the commenters mention how long it's been since they first saw it: 30 years, 35 years; for me it's been 38 years. That was also the last time I saw it. In all these years, I haven't forgotten it. It was the first movie on my list of "nuclear movies to acquire" that I drew up a couple of months ago. No, it wasn't a long list. There aren't that many, and I wasn't interested in a lot of the movies I discovered.
    During a significant portion of the Cold War, during my raising from elementary school through college, I lived on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that was definitely a tactical target for bombing by U.S. "enemies", in part because it housed the B-52's that busied themselves, daily, with trips to and from Southeast Asia, in part because it was the U.S. Naval home of the nuclear submarine "Proteus", in part because the island was a strategic communications center for about half the earth, in part because Australia also had a stragetic communications center there and in part because the island was constantly surrounded by Russian "fishing trawlers" that monitored all communications coming into and leaving the island, while the crews gambled at cards with the local fisherman. Although our family was civilian when we lived there, everyone on the island was aware that the island was so small that, if it were bombed, it would be as though nothing ever existed at its coordinates. This was not of particular concern to anyone, except, perhaps, the U.S. military installations on the island. The rest of us, well, why worry about something we couldn't influence? I remember that, for instance, there were no "duck and cover" drills in any of my classes, whether they be elementary, high school or college. I didn't even become aware of the phrase "duck and cover" for many years after having left the island. After all, one blast and everyone on that island would be on their way to the afterlife.
    This is why, having seen the movie some years after leaving that island, I became fascinated with it. I didn't immediately relate to it. The situation we lived in during those early years of nuclear threat was nothing like what was portrayed in this movie. I mean, really, radiation sickness? No one living on that island during a nuclear attack was ever going to have to worry about that!
    However, although my life on that island had long ended when this movie came out, by that time I was living in the U.S. Nuclear culture. I continued having no fear of nuclear attack and it's aftermath, having been well schooled, throughout my entire youth, in "don't worry about it, you won't survive it" culture, but was riveted by this culture I'd missed and whether I shouldn't seriously consider it, since moving from an island where obliteration in nuclear warfare was a given to a country where, well, it wasn't.
    Take a look at this list: Films about the nuclear holocaust. It contains 61 titles. I'm assuming that it is not complete, and may never be, since these films continue to be churned out, but it starts in 1951. 1951, people! That was the year I was born! The most recent on the list was released in 2019: Chernobyl, a fictionalized account of a real nuclear disaster. There is even a punk rock musical on this list, Population: 1, released in 1986.
    Staggering, really! You'd think ... well, what would you think?!?
    I haven't [re]watched this movie, Testament [this review, by Glenn Erickson, DVD Savant/Cinesavant is illuminating about the history of nuclear apocalyptic films, as well as being an excellent review of this movie, in case you're interested], yet. I'm going to do that, today. I don't know if I'll write anymore about it. Possibly, since most of what I've written above is about the "genre", not this movie. But hang on, readers. We'll see.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Jane Alexander	Carol Wetherly	William Devane	Tom Wetherly	Ross Harris	Brad Wetherly	Roxana Zal	Mary Liz Wetherly
  Lukas Haas	Scottie Wetherly	Philip Anglim	Hollis	Lilia Skala	Fania	Leon Ames	Henry Abhart
  Lurene Tuttle	Rosemary Abhart	Rebecca De Mornay	Cathy Pitkin	Kevin Costner	Phil Pitkin	Mako	Mike

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1983
    Directed by Lynne Littman.

Labels: apocalyptic, dramaE, female-director3, haunting3, nuclear, reflective, tragedy2, TV3, war2, william-devane

# posted by gail @ 13:06    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Yeah, I know, what am I doing with only the 5th season? A friend of mine gave it to me when I was complaining about having to wait forever to check it out from the library, and told me not to bother giving it back, she was done with it. "Pass it on," she said. Once I'm done with it I will, on to the library. I know from the length of their hold list on this, of which I was once a part, they could use another copy of it. And, yes, I enjoyed it, but not enough to keep, I don't think. Although I'm not sure. We'll see.
  Updated 2/5/18:  "By hook, crook" (not really, regarding the "crook") and purchase I now own all seven seasons of this serial, and I'll probably own the eighth, when it's available. I don't have the luxury of watching this show when it debuts on HBO, but I'm hooked, now, much to my surprise. I don't agree with the critics that it's the best television series ever produced (I haven't made my mind up about that, yet), but I do think it's close, certainly many-notes-worthy, and a production to which I know I'll refer many times. Just in case, since I'm noticing that many links to the producers of these movies and tv series often go dead after awhile, here's the Wikipedia link to Game of Thrones.
  Updated 1/18/21:  As you can see by the title, I now own the entire Game of Thrones series. My favorite seasons are the middle ones, where people are striving to accomplish their goals. I felt I owed it to the series, though, to follow it through to the end, not knowing that the final season would be anticlimactic throughout all six episodes. I'm okay with that, though. Like many others, worldwide, I became addicted, for good reason. The last season competently ended that addiction. Not that I will never watch any of the series, again. I am currently, and slowly, making my way through the series. I'm early into Season 5. Great acting and great storytelling doesn't exist to be abandoned on a shelf.
  Update 11/17/2021:  This post was originally published August 14, 2016. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
  Update 6/15/2022:  If, like me, you found yourself unpleasantly gob-smacked by the eighth season of this series, you might find this video commentary interesting.
  
  Seasons 1 - 8   

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Peter Dinklage	Tyrion Lannister	Lena Headey	Cercie Lannister	Nikolaj Coster-Waldau	Jamie Lannister	Emilia Clarke	Danerys Targaryen
  Kit Harington	Jon Snow	Sophie Turner	Sansa Stark	Maisie Williams	Arya Stark	Iain Glen	Jorah Mormont
  Alfie Allen/Reek	Theon Greyjoy	Sean Bean	Eddard Stark	Michelle Fairley	Catelyn Stark	Harry Lloyd	Viserys Targaryen
  Isaac Hempstead Wright	Brandon Stark	Jack Gleeson	Joffrey Baratheon	Rory McCann	Sandor "The Hound" Clegane	Aidan Gillen	Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish
  Liam Cunningham	Davos Seaworth	Stephen Dillane	Stannis Baratheon	Carice van Houten	Melisandre	Natalie Dormer	Margaery Tyrell
  Conleth Hill	Varys	Jerome Flynn	Bronn	Charles Dance	Tywin Lannister	John Bradley	Samwell Tarly
  James Cosmo	Jeor Mormont	Joe Dempsie	Gendry	Oona Chaplin	Talisa Stark	Kristofer Hivju	Tormund Giantsbane
  Gwendoline Christie	Brienne of Tarth	Iwan Rheon	Ramsey Snow/Bolton	Hannah Murray	Gilly	Nathalie Emmanuel	Missandei
  Dean-Charles Chapman	Tommen Baratheon	Tom Wlaschiha	Jaqen H'ghar	Indira Varma	Ellaria Sand	Jonathan Pryce	The High Sparrow
  Daniel Portman	Podrick Payne	Bella Ramsey	Lyanna Mormont	Pilou Asbæk	Euron Greyjoy	Anton Lesser	Qyburn
  Gemma Whelan	Yara Greyjoy	Lino Facioli	Robin Arryn	Jacob Anderson	Grey Worm	James Faulkner	Randyll Tarly
  Diana Rigg	Olenna Tyrell	Keisha Castle-Hughes	Obara Sand	Joseph Mawle	Benjen Stark	Kate Dickie	Lysa Arryn
  David Bradley	Walter Frey	Jim Broadbent	Archmaester Ebrose	Max von Sydow	Three-eyed Raven	Julian Glover	Grand Maester Pycelle
  Peter Vaughan	Maester Aemon	Kristian Nairn	Hodor	Jason Momoa	Khal Drogo	Thomas Brodie-Sangster	Jojen Reed

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2011-2019
    Directed by: Okay, so here's a huge disappointment. Despite having many directors, only one of those directors was a woman and she directed only two episodes in Season 4. Shameful.

Labels: action1, adventure1, drama6, fantasy2, female-director3, indira-varma, jonathan-pryce, max-von-sydow, period2, peter-dinklage, political2, royals, spectacle1, suspense2, tragedy1, TV1, violence2, war1

# posted by gail @ 01:01    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  This movie is a remake of The Heiress, a movie of which, you'll note in my commentary, I am inordinately fond. When I discovered recently that this movie existed, I knew I not only had to see it, I had to have it in my collection as a companion, good or bad, to The Heiress. I just received it, haven't watched it yet, but will be doing so this evening (8/10/21). I'm excited, and a bit leary, because of the Wikipedia article linked at the end of this post. Although the article indicates that the movie was generally well reviewed, I notice that some critics were a bit squirrely about it. One even hissed "feminism" in his review. How weird! Makes me even more anxious to watch it. I'll be back soon, Dear Reader.
    Today, 8/19/21, I watched this movie and The Heiress back to back. I've watched both of them before, this one once before, within the last several days, The Heiress, oh my, let me think, no, let me check; okay, three times before, including the viewing a few, or so, days ago. Something I noticed tonight: although the two movies portray the same time period, the ambience of each film is clearly situated in the time period in which it was produced.
    The Heiress was released in 1949. It frames Catherine Sloper's problem in light of traditional values inculcated into society immediately after WW II, Leave It to Beaver values: Mom is the homemaker, Dad is the breadwinner, kids brimming with what we now think of as "traditional American values" are the product and, if a woman doesn't marry, well, she's stuck in her original family and/or family's homestead for the rest of her life. Catherine does not look beyond her home and her expectation of marriage to Morris Townsend, with whom she is in love, for fulfillment. When those fail, her life is portrayed to be engulfed in bitterness. When Townsend appears one last time, she bars her door against him and retreats upstairs to bed, leaving Townsend to figure out her refusal of what was surely to be yet another proposal, while he bangs on her unanswered door. This is where her screen story ends.
    In this 1997 version Catherine Sloper endures exactly the same problems as her 1949-version self, except that she is cut out of her father's will (1949 Catherine is not) and has to make do on the $10,000 yearly stipend she inherited from her mother's estate, and, of course, the home on Washington Square. This not only doesn't bother Catherine, her reaction is as though she has been released from what she considered to be her father's stranglehold. She laughs at her father's threat to withhold any inheritance. He does what he's threatened. Still and all, once he is dead, she leads what is, to her, a satisfying life, supplementing her income by running a daycare center in the home she inherited from her father. When Townsend reappears, as he did in the 1949 film, she talks to him and refuses his proposal with resolute dignity. Wikipedia writes, "He departs, leaving Catherine to reflect on the passion she once experienced." Frankly, I didn't get the idea that she was "reflect[ing] on the passion she once experienced." My interpretation at the end of the movie was that she was simply and quietly reveling in the peace, self-direction and self-awareness she had achieved once men, most notably her father and former intended, were out of the picture. All in all, this version of the story came off rather like a soft Gilmore Girls version of womanhood without the cheeky fast talk, excepting Aunt Lavinia.
    Both films are well made from the point of view of cinematography and direction. Both have fascinating, earnest and substantial actors playing all the parts. It's funny, because I've trolled the internet for reviews of both versions and, although I found several short ones and one done as a school assignment, none of the reviewers seems to quite get what I got out of them. I guess that's both movies' only problem, lack of audience coherence on the substance and impact of the movies. It appears to be a major problem because the latter version didn't earn its initial production costs back at the box office. In fact, it made back only 13% of what it cost to produce.
    Well, so what. I much enjoy both movies, am glad they are in my collection and I'll be watching them again. And again.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Jennifer Jason Leigh	Catherine Sloper	Albert Finney	Dr. Austin Sloper	Ben Chaplin	Morris Townsend	Maggie Smith	Aunt Lavinia
  Judith Ivey	Aunt Elizabeth Almond	Arthur Laupus	Mr. Almond	Jennifer Garner	Marian Almond	Robert Stanton	Arthur Townsend

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1997
    Directed by Agnieszka Holland.

Labels: dramaD, father-daughter-dynamics, female-director3, jennifer-jason-leigh, maggie-smith, romance4

# posted by gail @ 12:01    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  This clip from the first show of the first season is why I own this series. Because it ran on HBO, I never got a chance to see the entire series. But, somehow, I saw this clip, and it haunted me. I finally obtained the entire series.
    I know, I know, it's out of fashion to like Aaron Sorkin's productions right now. I don't care. He produces some of the most thoughtful, interesting, American, that's right, American political writing available. That's why I own this series, and several other of his video works. I look forward to viewing past works of his to which I haven't yet been introduced and any future work he produces. You heard it here: Thanks, Aaron. Carry on.
    P. S. My mother died before this series was created. I think she would have enjoyed it.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Jeff Daniels	Will McAvoy	Emily Mortimer	MacKenzie Morgan McHale	John Gallagher Jr.	James Harper	Alison Pill	Margaret Jordan
  Thomas Sadoski	Don Keefer	Dev Patel	Neil Sampat	Olivia Munn	Sloan Sabbith	Sam Waterston	Charlie Skinner
  Jane Fonda	Leona Lansing	Hope Davis	Nina Howard	Marcia Gay Harden	Rebecca Halliday	Mary McCormack	Molly Levy

  
    The Wikipedia write-up of the series is here.
    Release Date: 2012-2014
    Directed by several people, only one of whom was a woman, Lesli Linka Glatter (how's that for a name meant to be in the film industry). She directed only one episode each in the first and second seasons.

Labels: aaron-sorkin, drama1, emily-mortimer, female-director3, hope-davis, journalism, marsha-gay-harden, me-favorite1, political1, reflective, TV1

# posted by gail @ 23:44    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  I really enjoy the part of this movie which focuses on Diana's Amazonian life. The rest of it, once she leaves Themyscira, eh. My reaction to the story of how Diana becomes embroiled in World War I and, as the blurbs say, discovers her true destiny, left me flat. Yes, the underplot of Diana actually battling Ares as she becomes involved in WWI is interesting, but frankly, anti-climactic. I'm not sure why. You'd think this mission would be exciting. That's certainly the secondary reason why I purchased the movie. The primary reason was because I collect certain super-hero movies and I wanted this particular origin story in my catalog. Will I watch it again? Probably. As I do, though, I'll always wish ...
  Update 8/7/2021:  I haven't decided whether I want to obtain Wonder Woman: 1984. I've read synopses (some detailed) of the movie, so I know the story, but, of course, that's not important, since, if I like a movie, I'll watch it multiple times, with the story already firmly in mind for all but one of those watches. And, as well, I don't particularly care about the conflicted reviews, like the one immediately above in this paragraph. Thing is, I've watched the original only once and, despite my adoration for the character as played by Gal Gadot, I may never watch this movie, again. My copy won't end up at my local library, since I consider it a must-keep in my super-hero caches (both caches linked, by the way; one to "super-hero" and one to "caches"). But, unlike Iron Man, for instance, I'm not drawn back to yet another watching. Then, again, this movie features Kristin Wiig as a villian, and that sounds like fun. Perhaps I'll check it out of my local library and see how I like it.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Gal Gadot	Diana/Wonder Woman	Chris Pine	Steve Trevor	Robin Wright	Antiope	Danny Huston	Erich Ludendorff
  David Thewlis	Sir Patrick	Connie Nielsen	Hippolyta	Elena Anaya	Dr. Isabel Maru	Lucy Davis	Etta Candy
  Saïd Taghmaoui	Sameer	Ewen Bremner	Charlie	Eugene Brave Rock	Chief	Lisa Loven Kongsli	Menalippe

  
    The Wikipedia article on this movie is here.
    Release Date: 2017
    Directed by Patty Jenkins, as is the second film in this series.

Labels: action2, adventure2, don't-ask-me-why, drama1, fantasy1, female-director3, military, period1, political1, popcorn-and-soda1, pseudo-cgi-animation, super-hero1, suspense1, thriller1, violence1, war1

# posted by gail @ 23:34    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Frankly, although I like this movie, I'm not a huge fan. Not like like I am with, say, Iron Man or the Unbreakable trilogy (I know it's not called that, but I think it's more recognizable as that). I haven't been following a lot of the Marvel Universe characters on film. I watch some of the Netflix series, which seems to do a good job with MCU characters): The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Daredevil, but the movies haven't really caught my attention. The reason I bought this movie is because Samuel L. Jackson, Annette Bening and Jude Law are in it: thus, I thought, it's gotta be great, you know?!? Long story short, I was wrong. It's not bad, and I have nothing against Brie Larson. I've caught accidental snippets of commentary against her, but, as far as I can tell, none of it attacks her performance as Captain Marvel. I ended up deciding to own Captain Marvel for the same reason I own Black Panther. I thought it might be interesting and promising. Turns out, I find Black Panther much more interesting and involving, and promising. I've watched that movie a couple of times since I bought it and I'm anticipating spin-offs of some of the characters. Some of those spin-offs have already been proposed, and/or promised. But, if a sequel to this movie is launched, I'll probably skip it.
    After the beginning, the movie was tedious for me, until close to the end. I liked the special effects in it, especially what they did with the de-aging/aging of Samuel L. Jackson. I think the problem is with the script. The story just didn't have enough oomph, enough surprise, nor was its presentation of backstory particularly imaginative, or, for that matter, innovative.
    I won't be donating it to the library, yet, anyway, although they would probably be glad of another copy, considering how popular it is. I cherish my super-hero movies, even if they're bad (although I haven't yet found one that is truly bad, probably because I am initially so very, very selective). And, anyway, considering all the other characters in the movie I liked, well, maybe, just maybe ...
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Brie Larson	Carol Danvers/Vers/ Captain Marvel	Samuel L. Jackson	Nick Fury	Ben Mendelsohn	Talos/Keller	Djimon Hounsou	Korath
  Lee Pace	Ronan the Accuser	Lashana Lynch	Maria Rambeau	Gemma Chan	Minn-Erva	Annette Bening	Supreme Intelligence/Mar-Vell/Dr. Wendy Lawson
  Clark Gregg	Phil Coulson	Jude Law	Yon-Rogg	Algenis Pérez Soto	Att-Lass	Rune Temte	Bron-Char

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2019
    Directed by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck.

Labels: action2, adventure2, aliens, annette-bening, ben-mendelsohn, don't-ask-me-why, female-director3, popcorn-and-soda2, pseudo-cgi-animation, samuel-l-jackson, science-fiction1, super-hero1, violence2

# posted by gail @ 17:28    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  So, I bought a copy of this movie for my dramatist niece. And, remembered it (and the book) so fondly that I had to have my own copy. Which I watched immediately upon its arrival. I love this movie so much that I've checked it out of the library too many times to remember exactly the number. It's just one of those. You know. This movie is the first time I'd seen or heard of Jennifer Lawrence. It's a spectacular performance. I've seen her in other stuff, since. She's a talented, stand-out actress but, in my mind, she has yet to best her performance in this piece. It is, as well, yet another in my collection that, immediately upon watching it, makes me feel as though I've just dreamt it.
    One of Roger Ebert's Far Flung Correspondents, Wael Khairy weighed in, also, with a haunting review.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Jennifer Lawrence	Ree Dolly	Isaiah Stone	Sonny Dolly	Ashlee Thompson	Ashlee Dolly	Valerie Richards	Connie Dolly
  John Hawkes	Teardrop Dolly	Garret Dillahunt	Sheriff Baskin	Dale Dickey	Merab Milton	Sheryl Lee	April

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2010
    Directed by Debra Granik.

Labels: drama5, dream1, female-director3, haunting1, john-hawkes, mystery1, neo-noirC, southern-gothic, thriller1

# posted by gail @ 23:44    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  Watched and bought this movie AMD
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  Finally, one more AMD movie that isn't fluffy, not even close! I stumbled across this movie by chance when I was browsing Netflix. It sounded interesting. I fell in love with it as I began watching it and became even more intrigued when I realized that the entire script was written in poetry. It is so skillfully written, directed and acted that I can imagine lots of people watching this movie and never realizing it is poetic. It's modern day Shakespeare. The story was also mesmerizing, especially it's peculiar overview of romantic relationships, sly and ironic, erotic in an offhanded way, which makes it hard to call this movie a romance, although I'll include that label on this review. I was so enthralled that when I bought the movie I also bought the script and, as well, had a copy of this movie sent to one of my sisters who I just knew would find it as intriguing as I did. I also excerpted one of the monologues from the movie, over-narrated by a character who is in a nursing home, pretty much comatose and immediately dying, to read at my grief support group because it confirmed something I rather suspected from having attended my own mother's death; that the dying (and the dead) don't necessarily want their survivors not to grieve for them.
    I linked the title of this post to the movie's site (which, astonishingly is still up. However, I noticed that Roger Ebert was particularly impressed by this movie. You might want to read his review. He also interviewed Sally Potter and Joan Allen about their involvement in the movie. Even Chaz wrote a blog post about Ebert's admiration for the film. Why he did not christen this movie as one of his "Great Movies", I'll never understand, especially considering the glowing review he gave it.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Joan Allen	She	Simon Abkarian	He	Sam Neill	Anthony	Shirley Henderson	Cleaner
  Wil Johnson	Virgil	Gary Lewis	Billy	Raymond Waring	Whizzer	Stephanie Leonidas	Kate

  
    Although the website linked to the title of this post is actually interesting, it's a bit daunting to get into and figure out, so, just in case here's the film's Wikipedia page.
    Release Date: 2004
    Directed by Sally Potter.

Labels: drama6, erotic, female-director3, film-art1, haunting1, joan-allen, me-favorite2, romance1, spiritual1

# posted by gail @ 13:37    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  Bought this movie AMD
• Mentions:  none
• 
  Commentary:  Funny about this movie. Yes, it's yet another emotional and, this time, comedic fluff movie that I bought after my mother died, for the same reasons I bought all the others. It was, as well, one of the movies that I recorded on our DVR long before my mother died and kept there because both of us enjoyed watching it so much, thus, watching it now has the added dimension of remembering my mother's and my shared pleasure in the movie. Although we enjoyed the entire movie, we especially liked the title sequence featuring Harry Nilsson's "The Puppy Song". Too bad this guy died so young. This isn't the only one of his compositions that intrigues me. I bought it in order to erase it from the DVR and, of course, watch it at my leisure.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Tom Hanks	Joe Fox	Meg Ryan	Kathleen Kelly	Parker Posey	Patricia Eden	Jean Stapleton	Birdey
  Dave Chappelle	Kevin	Steve Zahn	George	Dabney Coleman	Nelson Fox	Greg Kinnear	Frank Navasky

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1998
    Directed by Nora Ephron.

Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, comedy1, female-director3, meg-ryan, popcorn-and-soda2, romance1, shared-favorite, tom-hanks

# posted by gail @ 13:29    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1*
• 
  Commentary:  This is the second movie I've bought since Mom died, strictly in memory of Mom, this time. This was one of her favorites. Although it didn't play on the cable channels often, I doubt that we ever missed a showing of it. There are many reasons she liked it: Its portrayal of a bright, gutsy young woman refusing to give up her dreams and desires in the face of a woman-stifling culture; its periodicity; its intriguing presentation of a woman who is so successful at masquerading as a man that she marries a woman who thinks she's an exceptional (because she's a woman) man (Mom has always loved gender-benders); the very messy, thus very realistic resolution. Although its not one of my favorites, I have to say that certain scenes have the power to mesmerize me, despite the outlandishness of the story. The movie wasn't released on video until this year, some months after Mom died. When I saw it at Costco I knew it was necessary for me to purchase it. And watch it, multiple times, I'm sure. In honor of Mom...and Momandme.
    Rewatched: 3/5/22 - Today, 3/6/22, I read the Isaac Bashevis Singer story upon which this movie is based. The story is much more subtle and complicated than the movie. As I rewatched the movie yesterday, I realized, and was frustrated, that Hadass is only barely drawn. This is even more true of the written story. However, I find the character of Anshel deeper and more compelling in the written story than in the movie, except that Anshel's sympathy toward Hadass is far more evident in the movie than in the written story, which is something I prefer about the movie.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Barbra Streisand	Yentl Mendel	Mandy Patinkin	Avigdor	Amy Irving	Hadass Vishkower	Nehemiah Persoff	Rebbe Mendel
  Steven Hill	Reb Alter Vishkower	Allan Corduner	Shimmele	David de Keyser	Rabbi Zalman	Miriam Margolyes	Sarah
  Doreen Mantle	Mrs. Shaemen	Lynda Baron	Peshe	Ruth Goring	Esther Rachel	Jack Lynn	Bookseller

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1983
    Directed by Barbra Streisand.

Labels: barbra-streisand, buddy, drama6, fantasy2, female-director3, gender-bender, mom-favorite1, nehemiah-persoff, period3, political3, popcorn-and-soda2, religion2, romance2

# posted by gail @ 18:44    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  G
• Mentions:  none
• 
  Commentary:  This is one of the few movies I've purchased since Mom died. It came out the Tuesday after she died. We'd talked about getting it so that we could compare it with the first version and looked forward to seeing it. I'd talked, the week before she died, about it's release coming up the next week. Thus, of course, I bought it.
    There are two critical schools of thought on this remake. The first is echoed in the link to the title of the movie above. The second is here, courtesy of The New York Times. The former expresses my sentiments, although not completely. Roger Ebert seems not to have watched either movie closely enough to realize that the remake actually follows the structure of the first one very closely. Some of the dialogue is even repeated. The resolution is completely different and the satire is toned down significantly so, yes, these are two "different" movies. And, I definitely missed the presence of the hats and the silly clothes that Sylvia wears in the first movie. I also missed the hilarious actress credit sequence from the first movie that wasn't even attempted in the second. I was curious to see what the producers of the remake would do with that. The second movie also explores the eternal mother character much better than the first, and I like the twist in the remake on the relationship between the mother and daughter. The first is much cattier, but the second portrays deeper friendships which would be trivialized by the catty fast talk of the first. Both movies, as well, have interesting fashion runway sequences. My preference is for the first. I prefer the context, love the fact that the movie switches to color for that sequence, and I love the clothes in the first movies' fashion sequence much better than the clothes in the second. I should have been born so that I could have been in my clothes-horse prime during the thirties through the early forties. For satiric dazzle I prefer the first movie. For emotional satisfaction I prefer the second. I'd love to know which my mother would have preferred. I will be keeping both movies.
    You'll notice that I categorized the first as a romance. It was. I can't categorize the second as such, because it isn't; unless you count romancing one's friends, and one's self, which is a clear slant of the second movie. Ah, what the hell; why not. It's a romance. Just not the usual kind.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Meg Ryan	Mary Haines	Annette Bening	Sylvia Fowler	Eva Mendes	Crystal Allen	Debra Messing	Edie Cohen
  Jada Pinkett Smith	Alex Fisher	Candice Bergen	Catherine Frazier	Cloris Leachman	Maggie	Debi Mazar	Tanya
  Bette Midler	Leah Miller	Carrie Fisher	Bailey Smith	India Ennenga	Molly Haines	Lynn Whitfield	Glenda Hill

  
    In case you have trouble accessing the NYT review of this movie, above [NYT is now a major butt about free access to their newspaper. They weren't when I originally wrote this post. When will these oligarchic publishers learn! Probably not until the people with pitchforks come for them.], there are two alternate links, one to the Wikipedia article and the refreshed link (my former link had gone bad) in the title to Roger Ebert's review.
    Release Date: 2008
    Directed by Diane English.

Labels: 21st-century-chick-flicks, annette-bening, candice-bergen, debi-mazar, dramedy1, female-director3, meg-ryan, popcorn-and-soda2, romance2, satire1, women's-movie1

# posted by gail @ 18:22    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
  Mentions:  *1*
  Commentary:  Aside from the comments in the Mention, above, you should know that the theme for the series casts a spell over me, as well. My mother never tired of watching these videos. Neither do I.
  Update 8/2/21:  I've been trying hard, on and off, over the years, to figure out a way to upload the musical theme from the Sister Wendy shows to this post, without success. Blogger doesn't want to recognize it as uploadable, even though it is an mp3 that can play on a video application. So, finally, today, I searched the web for a place where you, dear reader, can hear it. All the sites I found do the tune the indignity of cutting short it by a few seconds. The copy I downloaded in 2014 does the same. But, I can tell you, when I played it on my computer, today, I teared up, as I always do when I hear it. It is an indescribably tender piece of music. Download it. Put it on your player. Right now.
    Our collection consists of the following:
  
  • 
    The Complete Collection (European)
        Sister Wendy's Odyssey - Release Date: 1992
        Sister Wendy's Grand Tour - Release Date: 1994
        Sister Wendy's Pains of Glass - Release Date: 1995
        Sister Wendy's Story of Painting - Release Date: 1996
      Multiple directors, a few women
    
  • 
    Sister Wendy's American Collection
      Unsure of directors, probably multiple
      Release Date: 2001
    
  • 
    Sister Wendy at the Norton Simon Museum
      Release Date: 2002
      Directed by David Willcock
    
  
  
  
  

Labels: documentary1, female-director3, shared-favorite

# posted by gail @ 16:24    0 comments    email......this post