Tuesday, May 24, 2022
City of Angels
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Yes, Mom and I watched this movie a long time ago, when it first came out in video. Remembering how Mom enjoyed it (whether or not she believed in angels, I never asked her this, despite her interest in this movie and the Touched by an Angel series), when I noticed it on TV during our channel surfing episodes, if nothing else looked more interesting to her, I'd click into it. I watched the entire movie once. Although I was (and remain) impressed with the visualization of how the angels in the movie exist on earth, since I'd seen Wings of Desire long prior to watching this movie, became interested in this movie because I enjoyed the former and was sorely disappointed that the remake was sooooo much different than the movie upon which it was based, after my first watching, I subsequently paid little attention to it, except, I must mention, the panoramic shots of angels, which I continued to admire.
Then, Mom died, and, well, the rest of the story of my relationship to this movie and why I decided to purchase a copy of it is contained in the link up there in the Mentions section. And, yes, I'm still embarrassed by my late-realized attraction to certain scenes in this movie. It is, for instance, with some chagrin that I'm labeling (below) this movie in the "spiritual" category. Objectively, it's not, really, but I have to say, reluctantly, that the effect of the angel-vision scenes on me after my mother's death is emotional-spiritual (probably the "emotional" aspect is more important than the "spiritual" aspect).
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nicolas Cage Seth Meg Ryan Maggie Rice Andre Braugher Cassiel Colm Feore Jordan Ferris Dennis Franz Nathaniel Messinger Robin Bartlett Anne Joanna Merlin Teresa Messinger Sarah Dampf Susan
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988
Directed by Brad Silberling.
Labels: drama7, fantasy2, haunting2, me-favorite2, meg-ryan, nicolas-cage, romance2, spiritual1
Aguirre, The Wrath of God
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: My mother's interest in this movie was a big surprise for me. I didn't expect her to enjoy it because it is subtitled, it portrays a brutal episode in history and Werner Herzog spared no one and nothing in making this movie, but she was mesmerized by it. Unfortunately, the only copy we were able to obtain was one that had been "formatted for your screen"...big problem with this movie, since it depends on panoramic scenes, especially in the beginning, but I don't think my mother noticed or cared. I will probably keep tabs on versions of this movie and replace my copy with a widescreen version at some time in the future.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Klaus Kinski Lope de Aguirre Helena Rojo Inés de Atienza Ruy Guerra Don Pedro de Ursúa Del Negro Brother Gaspar de Carvajal Peter Berling Don Fernando de Guzmán Cecilia Rivera Flores de Aguirre Daniel Ades Perucho Alejandro Repullés Gonzalo Pizarro
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 1972
Directed by Werner Herzog.
Labels: adventure3, drama7, haunting2, historical2, period3, political3, spectacle2, violence3, werner-herzog
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Jacob's Ladder
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is a recent purchase, and I haven't watched it, yet, since it arrived. Mom has not seen it and probably would find it boring, distracting, and distract me.
This movie is one of my Haunting Movies. I was bound to own it at some point. I continue to focus on the scene in which the character played by Danny Aeillo quotes, damn, someone, about the nature of angels.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tim Robbins Jacob Singer Elizabeth Peña Jezebel Pipkin Danny Aiello Louis Denardo Matt Craven Michael Newman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Adrian Lyne.
Labels: dramaC, fantasy3, haunting2, horror2, me-favorite4, suspense3, tim-robbins
Friday, April 10, 2009
Requiem for a Dream
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I had wanted to watch this movie ever since it came out and somehow never got the chance. I never mentioned it to anyone, but I thought of it often. When we joined a rental service I put it in my queue but there were always so many other, much lighter movies that I placed before it because, somehow, I knew this wasn't a film Mom would want to watch. Then, during the spring of 2008 when Mom was in the hospital in rehab, out of the blue MFS sent me a copy of this movie...even though I'm sure I never mentioned my interest in it to her...it's become, since, a symbol of our psychic link.
This movie is frenetic, tragic and gorgeous, all at the same time. Ostensibly the story of what addiction (to a variety of "things", including dreams) can do to a person. It's wonderfully acted and so succinctly imagined, written, produced, directed and portrayed that, after one scene in which one of the characters sexually compromises herself for drugs, MFS told me she felt like she needed to take a shower. It's true: The movie throws the grime of desperation right through the screen at you. There's something in this movie to make anyone, everyone feel dirty. The desperation never lets up; it's like watching a family version of Titus Andronicus. Which, of course, thrills me. I don't know why I'm attracted to such spot-on portrayals of the dregs of life, but I am, and this one is a masterpiece. I've watched it three times since I've received it. I'll watch it again. I've even created the category of "tragedy" for it, because, oddly, despite my attraction to tragedy, except for some of the video adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, we have no other relentless tragedies. I think I held off while Mom was alive because I suspected that I wouldn't be able to watch them, much. I was right...but, (cackling deleriously and rubbing hands together) THE SCREEN IS MINE, NOW, ALL AND ONLY MINE ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ellen Burstyn Sara Goldfarb Jared Leto Harry Goldfarb Jennifer Connelly Marion Silver Marlon Wayans Tyrone C. Love Christopher McDonald Tappy Tibbons Mark Margolis Mr. Rabinowitz Louise Lasser Ada Marcia Jean Kurtz Rae Sean Gullette Arnold The Shrink Keith David Big Tim Janet Sarno Mrs. Pearlman Dylan Baker Southern Doctor
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
Labels: audio-visual, darren-aronofsky, drama7, dream1, dylan-baker, ellen-burstyn, film-art1, haunting2, jennifer-connelly, me-favorite2, tragedy2, violence2
Legends of the Fall
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I'm truly surprised that I never mentioned this movie in the journals because, after I'd first seen it, the year it was released, I was mesmerized by it and talked it up to everyone who would listen, rented it endlessly and forced relatives to watch it with me, etc. I've often tried to explain why this movie has such a hold over me. Luckily, Mom always enjoyed it, as she does most big country-spectacle-epics. The acting is poor to fair to good to very occasionally excellent (usually the minor characters ring in the excellence in acting); the story is, well, the father-son story at the base of it is reasonably interesting but predictable; but the whole business about bears and the fall...it resonates with my own interest in bears and the fact that I've always been unreasonably proud of being a fall baby and feel "special" because of that accident of birth timing. I tend to feel as though I am in a dream when I watch this movie. Weird, I know. But, I expect to unreasonably love this movie for the rest of my life. I was lucky that Mom enjoyed it, too, I think it was like reading a sprawling novel, for her, thus she indulged my need to watch this at least once a year, if not more.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Brad Pitt Tristan Ludlow Anthony Hopkins Col. William Ludlow Aidan Quinn Alfred Ludlow Julia Ormond Susannah Fincannon-Ludlow Henry Thomas Samuel Ludlow Karina Lombard Isabel 'Two' Decker-Ludlow Gordon Tootoosis One Stab Christina Pickles Isabel Ludlow Tantoo Cardinal Pet Decker Robert Wisden John T. O'Banion John Novak James O'Banion Kenneth Welsh Sheriff Tynert
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by Edward Zwick
Labels: action1, adventure3, anthony-hopkins, drama7, dream1, haunting2, me-favorite2, period3, spectacle1, tantoo-cardinal, violence2, war1
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Northern Exposure 6th Season
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None specific to this season
- Commentary: We now have completed our collection of Northern Exposure seasons. This last season was, for many people, the most confusing. It's definitely the season I love the most, because of the many, many dream and fantasy sequences. I remember when this season first aired. Lots of people were put off by the appearance of the new doctor and his wife. The show stayed on its wide, every winding track, though, and the final episode was a credit to the entire series.
For a list of recurring actors/characters, see this post.
Here is the Wikipedia write-up for the sixth season.
Release Date: 1994-1995
This is not Mom's favorite season, because she has trouble following all the dream and fantasy sequences. She watched it through like the moose-trooper she is, though, and I'm sure we'll watch all these episodes again and again.
Directed by various people, two of whom were women.
Labels: dramedy1, dream1, fantasy2, female-director3, haunting2, TV1
Friday, March 09, 2007
After Life
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1**2*
- Commentary: Again, another movie in which the "mentions" say it all; except for an update: We've watched this movie a couple more times since I purchased it. Each time, I question Mom on her one preferred memory. Each time, she comes up with a variety of memories but still can't decide which she'd keep and which she'd allow to be blocked.
One other thing: I noticed, when I received our purchased copy, which came in a DVD case with, you know, the usual info sleeve, that my interpretation of the movie, that one relives their chosen memory for eternity, is exactly the way the sellers of the movie to the U.S. interpret it. Here is the specific part of the cover blurb: "With the help of dedicated caseworkers, each soul is given three days to choose one cherished memory from their life that they will relive for eternity." Interesting that the English subtitles for the movie don't exactly explain this. Makes me wish I was fluent in Japanese, so I could tell if the original script for the movie suggests this. I wonder if this interpretation is strictly a U.S. cultural interpretation or if the movie is meant to communicate this and does so in the Japanese dialogue. Comments in regard to this mystery from anyone who is fluent in both Japanese and English would be welcome.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Arata Takashi Mochizuki Erika Oda Shiori Satonaka Susumu Terajima Satoru Kawashima Taketoshi Naito Ichiro Watanabe Takashi Naito Takuro Sugie Hisako Hara Kiyo Nishimura Kei Tani Kennosuke Nakamura Kisuke Shoda Toru Yuri Kazuko Shirakawa Nobuko Amano Yūsuke Iseya Yusuke Iseya Sayaka Yoshino Kana Yoshino Kotaro Shiga Kenji Yamamoto Kyōko Kagawa Kyoko Watanabe Natsuo Ishidô Young Kyoko Watanabe Sadao Abe Ichiro Watanabe Tomomi Hiraiwa Receptionist
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda.
Labels: drama8, dream1, fantasy2, film-art2, haunting2, shared-favorite, spiritual1
Saturday, November 11, 2006
The Man Who Would Be King
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I didn't know about this movie version of Rudyard Kipling's story (which I read some time in late high school, I think, in a collection of short stories, and remained haunted by it) until te late 1970's when the sister of a good friend of mine told me of the movie, extolled it's virtues, told me it was her "favorite", that it was showing on television that night and persuaded me to watch it. I was enchanted. Not only did the half remembered story come back to me in full, the movie overshadowed the story, for me, so well is it done. It is a movie I've never forgotten. A few years after I came to live with Mom and we began renting movies, I scoured several video stores before I found it. Mom loved it, too. I've rented it since, a couple of times, so I was thrilled when I ran across a copy of it. I was determined to buy it, cheap or not, as long as it was letter-boxed, which it was.
The presentation is sparkling, but, being a very cheap version, the movie is cut in two; half on one side of the DVD, half on the other. This surprised us wen we watched it this afternoon. "I don't remember it having an intermission," I said.
"I couldn't tell you," responded Mom, "I don't believe I've ever seen this movie."
Good. I can get away with watching it a few more times before she becomes suspicious!
For the curious and uninformed, while looking for links about the movie I came across the original short story here.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sean Connery Daniel Dravot Michael Caine Peachy Carnehan Christopher Plummer Rudyard Kipling Saeed Jaffrey Billy Fish Shakira Caine Roxanne Doghmi Larbi Ootah Jack May District Commissioner Karroom Ben Bouih Kafu Salim
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1975
Directed by John Huston.
Labels: adventure3, christopher-plummer, drama8, haunting2, michael-caine, period4, popcorn-and-soda3, shared-favorite
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
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
Friday, February 10, 2006
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
Monday, November 14, 2005
The Last Emperor
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This movie causes both Mom & me to swoon. I'm pleased we finally own a copy. It's a "mood movie" for me: When I'm in the mood to watch it, nothing can take it's place and when we didn't own it I hungered for it when I wanted to see it.
Here you will find a list of resources about Pu Yi, people surrounding him and his time in history. Excellent resource.
Update 5/13/2022: Yes, I continue to hunger for this movie, at least once a year, sometimes more. It has seemed especially pertinent within the last few years because of the political clashes around the globe over who has a right to govern, and, sometimes, own, countries and regions. Although there is usually some coverage of the challenged governments, these days, there is hardly any coverage of the personal effects on ousted leaders. Covering these concerns regarding the family and staff of those leaders is covered almost never.
Besides this, there are many excellent actors playing these roles.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role John Lone Adult Puyi Joan Chen Wanrong Peter O'Toole Reginald Johnston Ying Ruocheng Camp Warden Victor Wong Chen Baochen Dennis Dun Big Li Ryuichi Sakamoto Masahiko Amakasu Maggie Han Eastern Jewel Ric Young Camp Interrogator Vivian Wu Wenxiu Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Chang Lisa Lu Empress Dowager Cixi Basil Pao Prince Chun Dong Liang Lady Consort Chun Henry O Lord Chamberlain Tijger Tsou Puyi 8 years
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1987
Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.
Labels: biography2, coming-of-age2, dramaA, haunting2, historical3, me-favorite2, political4, royals, spectacle2
The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: Tragedy
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I used to be a Shakespeare snob. Up until the late 70's when I took a college course in Shakespeare I just didn't get what was interesting or important about Shakespeare's plays despite the fact that I'd studied two of them in high school. The course I took finally opened up the language and the structure for me. The class took place as these BBC produced plays were being broadcast on PBS. They were recommended by the instructor. I bought a television just to see them. I get it, now. Although I have some other favorite productions of some of these plays: Laurence Fishburne's portrayal of Othello, for instance, my favorite version of Hamlet is the production starring Richard Burton and Hume Cronyn, the vocals for which I have on vinyl, and my favorite version of Macbeth is the production by Roman Polanski which I didn't see until the early 1990s, these BBC productions are excellent and do not disappoint. I hope to obtain the entire collection, since I've seen the entire collection.
When I queue up these plays Mom tries her best but I think she's where I was before I took that course and, as well, she has trouble with British accents. It's easy for her to get bored and switch to her tabloids or take a nap.
As for me, I'd love to obtain the entire BBC Television Shakespeare series. It's quite a bit beyond my pocketbook, now, though, so I expect I'll never manage it, which is a shame, because BBC did a masterful job! If you're unsure about your relationship to Shakespeare's works, try checking out a few of these from your library. I think you'll discover, Shakespeare is writing about you, and your world.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this series. It's loaded with information, not only about the series in toto but about each production. If you're interested in these productions, don't ignore this link! - Hamlet
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Derek Jacobi Hamlet Claire Bloom Gertrude Patrick Stewart Claudius Eric Porter Polonius
→ derek-jacobi
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by Rodney Bennett. - Julius Caesar
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Pasco Brutus Charles Gray Julius Caesar Keith Michell Marcus Antonius David Collings Cassius
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1979
Directed by Herbert Wise. - Macbeth
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nicol Williamson Macbeth Jane Lapotaire Lady Macbeth Tony Doyle Macduff Jill Baker Lady Macduff
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Jack Gold. - Othello
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Anthony Hopkins Othello Bob Hoskins Iago Penelope Wilton Desdemona David Yelland Cassio
→ anthony-hopkins
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1981
Directed by Jonathan Miller. - Romeo & Juliet
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Patrick Ryecart Romeo Rebecca Saire Juliet Celia Johnson Nurse Alan Rickman Tybalt
→ alan-rickman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1978
Directed by Alvin Rakoff.
Labels: alan-rickman, anthony-hopkins, buddy, derek-jacobi, dramaA, haunting2, hume-cronyn, me-favorite2, period5, romance3, royals, shakespeare, tragedy2, TV2, violence3
Unbreakable
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This movie has an hypnotic effect on me. Aside from enjoying the super hero theory postulated in the movie and loving the way the father/son relationship is portrayed, I have a strong response to its technique, including the choice of shots, film editing, the way the story unfolds, the direction of the understated performances...every time I watch it I discover something new. It is, so far, my favorite Shyamalan movie. Mom likes its atmosphere but finds the story disturbing although she sticks with it when I watch it.
By the way, in addition to Roger Ebert's review of this movie, linked to the title of this post, there is an intriguing article on the cinematographic composition of this movie by Jim Emerson that is fascinating to read, if you're into understanding why this movie keeps you captured, scene to scene.
Update 2/10/18: This movie began my curiosity about and interest in super hero movies and stories. Not all of them, mind you. I'm a picky customer so there are many I don't like, often, for instance, later installments in super hero series, like Iron Man. I can only stand the first one. Be that as it may, I have a small, particular collection accruing and this is the first.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bruce Willis David Dunn Samuel L. Jackson Elijah Price/Mr. Glass Robin Wright Audrey Dunn Spencer Treat Clark Joseph Dunn Charlayne Woodard Mrs. Price Johnny Hiram Jamison 13-year-old Elijah Eamonn Walker Dr. Mathison Leslie Stefanson Kelly
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Labels: dramaA, fantasy3, haunting2, m-night-shyamalan, me-favorite3, mystery2, samuel-l-jackson, super-hero2, suspense2, violence3
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
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
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
Sunday, February 13, 2005
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
Monday, February 07, 2005
The Fog of War
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I'm sure you'll be surprised to know that my mother (and, thus, me) had a very successful experience with this movie. I continue to use it as a meditation on conflict. Often, when I'm using it for this, Mom will sit down and watch it from wherever it is when she notices I'm playing it.
By the way, Roger Ebert also wrote of a letter he received from Errol Morrs expressing unpleasant surprise at the controversy surrounding not only this movie, but many of his other movies. It's a thoughtful response. Check it out.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Errol Morris.
Labels: documentary1, haunting2, historical4, me-favorite3, war2
