Friday, November 10, 2023
Mary Magdalene
- Commentary: Under construction.
Oh, come on. Don't act surprised. You're aware of my fascination with religious movies, particularly those about the religious triune of Elohim-Allah-Jesus, religion(s) with which I am most familiar. Besides which, these are among the greatest characters in all of storytelling history. Of course I am ever fascinated by their stories.
I didn't even know this movie existed until a few minutes ago, and on this upcoming Sunday it will be a part of my collection. Rooney Mara as Mary Magdalene? Joaquin Phoenix as Jesus? Chiwetel Ejiofor as Peter? Tahar Rahim and Judas? I'll be right there! Save me a seat.
More later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Rooney Mara Mary Magdalene Joaquin Phoenix Jesus of Nazareth Chiwetel Ejiofor Peter Tahar Rahim Judas Sarah-Sofie Boussnina Martha Hadas Yaron Sarah Lubna Azabal Susannah Lior Raz Magdala Community Leader Ryan Corr Joseph Tchéky Karyo Elisha Shira Haas Leah Uri Gavriel Philip David Schofield Thomas Charles Babalola Andrew Tawfeek Barhom James Tzachi Halevy Ephraim Zohar Strauss John Michael Moshonov Matthew Ariane Labed Rachel Irit Sheleg Mary, Jesus's mother
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Garth Davis.
Labels: jesus-dvds, joaquin-phoenix, religion2
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Signs
- Commentary: Under construction.
Although Roger Ebert gave this movie a full four stars, one of the other reviewers at this site, Jim Emerson, who wrote the blog Scanners, had some quibbles with it, quibbles that extended through the movie The Prestige. His quibbles involved both movie's attempts to weave literalism and fantasy into the same plot. It's an interesting read, if you're into obscure, deeply thoughtful film criticism. I am.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mel Gibson Father Graham Hess Joaquin Phoenix Merrill Hess Rory Culkin Morgan Hess Abigail Breslin Bo Hess Cherry Jones Caroline Paski M. Night Shyamalan Ray Reddy Patricia Kalember Colleen Hess Ted Sutton SFC Cunningham Merritt Wever Tracey Abernathy Lanny Flaherty Carl Nathan Marion McCorry Mrs. Nathan Michael Showalter Lionel Prichard
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Labels: joaquin-phoenix, m-night-shyamalan, mel-gibson
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Walk the Line
- Commentary: My father was the Johnny Cash fan when I was a preteen and teenager, not I, although I can't say I disliked his music. Being securely encased in the heyday of sixties rock, I just didn't notice him, except for his monster crossover hits. My father was, as well, a down and dirty old time Country Western fan, which probably figures, since he hailed from North Carolina. He didn't play hardly any of this music at home, but his conversation was peppered with phrases like The Great Speckled Bird and Ring of Fire. So, when I stumbled upon this movie some years ago on TV, finding nothing else in that night's line-up that I wanted to watch, I tuned in. I still have memories of being blown away by the story, the music and the spot on performances of the stars.
I just received the movie and haven't yet rewatched it. I'll be doing that momentarily. So, any kind of a write-up is going to have to wait on me refreshing my memory as to why, when this movie popped into view at an unbelievably low price, I felt the urge to procure it. Let's just say, until later this evening, or, possibly, tomorrow, this write-up is still Under construction.
In the meantime, here's an article, Finding the Voice of Johnny Cash, written by Roger Ebert, that is based around a short but revealing interview he conducted with Joaquin Phoenix about playing the part of Johnny Cash.
Back later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joaquin Phoenix Johnny Cash Reese Witherspoon June Carter Ginnifer Goodwin Vivian Cash Robert Patrick Ray Cash McGhee Monteith Reba Cash Dallas Roberts Sam Phillips Dan John Miller Luther Perkins Larry Bagby Marshall Grant Shelby Lynne Carrie Cash Tyler Hilton Elvis Presley Waylon Payne Jerry Lee Lewis Shooter Jennings Waylon Jennings Sandra Ellis Lafferty Maybelle Carter Johnathan Rice Roy Orbison Johnny Holiday Carl Perkins Lucas Till Jack Cash
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by James Mangold.
Labels: §4, biography3, historical4, joaquin-phoenix, musical2, period7, reese-witherspoon
her
- Commentary: This post is, officially, "Under construction" because, although the movie's been ordered, I haven't yet received it and it's been awhile since I watched it. I watched this movie soon after it was released to one of the cable channels to which I used to subscribe and want to mention a few things while the movie is on my mind.
This movie was both widely praised and widely criticized. The review attached to the title of this post is positive, for instance. It even snipes, a bit, at other sharply critical reviews of the movie. Good examples of the critiques are the combined reviews of Three Movie Buffs, which are forgiving and somewhat appreciative of the concept but generally negative.
I remember being charmed by the movie when I saw it. I thought the concept of one-on-one, heavy duty relationships between humans and computers was likely plausible and possible in the very near future, being a computer nerd, myself who, not unusually, relates to computers I operate as though they are sentient, aware of having a relationship with me and active within that relationship. I was aware that people write love letters for others because I made extra money some decades ago writing love letters, as well as other pieces, for people. I simply didn't have a problem with any of the speculations introduced in the film because, from my perspective, those speculations were already in their infancy, maybe even toddlerhood. None of the machinations of the computer generated companion seemed out of the question to me.
It might seem peculiar that I related closely to this movie, having been 62 when the movie was released, probably a few years older when I saw it, and, now, at the age of 70, still so captivated by its ideas that I decided to add it to my collection. I mean, I'm a baby boomer; aren't I supposed to be clueless about these things, or, at least, dismissive of them? Fie, I say, fie on all those people (far more than the actual number of baby boomers) who spit out the baby boomer epithet as though it represents all that is responsible for retroactivity. So sorry, people. The direction of your spit is missing me, and quite a few boomers I know. Time for you to pay attention and reevaluate your older friends, your older relatives and your dimissiveness of them.
So, anyway, I'm sure I'll have more to say about the movie once it arrives and I watch it again. In the meantime, let me leave you, Dear Reader, with this: Sometimes, the more things change, well, the more they change.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joaquin Phoenix Theodore Twombly Scarlett Johansson Samantha (voice) Amy Adams Amy Rooney Mara Catherine Klausen Olivia Wilde Blind Date Matt Letscher Charles Luka Jones Mark Lewman Chris Pratt Paul Kristen Wiig Sexy Kitten (voice) Bill Hader Chat Room Friend #2 (voice) Portia Doubleday Isabella Soko Isabella (voice) Brian Cox Alan Watts Spike Jonze Alien Child (voice) Steve Zissis New Sweet Boyfriend of Mother Who Dated Pricks Alia Janine Commuter
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2013
Directed by Spike Jonze.
Labels: fantasy4, joaquin-phoenix, romance5, science-fiction2
Monday, May 09, 2022
Gladiator
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3*
- Commentary: As covered in one of the above Mentions, this movie was suggested by MFS. I was surprised at how much Mom loved it. I enjoy it, too. It's yet another spectacle movie for me (I should create a "spectacle" category, shouldn't I...I think I will, then add to it later) and I love a variety of the acting performances in this movie, particularly (but not solely) Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius. Before he ever says anything in the movie his acting makes many aspects of Marcus Aurelius' character clear. We watched this movie on TV several times, in "to-fit-your-screen" format, before I finally purchased it. Much better in widescreen. On a whim, I watched the movie last night. I continue to find it supremely entertaining; and, as well, now that Mom's dead, surprisingly emotional, specifically at the end when Juba says, as he buries Maximus' personal idols, "I will see you again, but not yet." If you have any interest in this movie, I urge you to click into the link to the title of the movie, above, which will send you to a thorough and compelling critique of the historicity of the movie. Believe me, despite the astonishing number of historical inaccuracies in the movie, the critique renders watching the movie even more enjoyable.
Update 2/7/18: So much has been written about this film since it aired. Quite a bit has been dumped, as well, including the link I had originally attached to the title above. I've attached another which may be helpful but, just in case, here's the Wikipedia link for Gladiator which may be a good starting place if you're interested in historicity research.
Update 8/2/21: The link I attached in 2018 still holds strong, is still remarkably interesting, and even has a comment attached. Take advantage of it before it disappears into the oligarchic ether.
Update 5/23/22: Another post I managed to disappear. It's original publication date is 4/9/09.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Russell Crowe Maximus Decimus Meridius Joaquin Phoenix Commodus Connie Nielsen Lucilla Oliver Reed Antonio Proximo Derek Jacobi Senator Gracchus Djimon Hounsou Juba Richard Harris Marcus Aurelius Ralf Möller Hagen Tommy Flanagan Cicero David Schofield Senator Falco John Shrapnel Senator Gaius Tomas Arana General Quintus Spencer Treat Clark Lucius Verus David Hemmings Cassius Sven-Ole Thorsen Tigris of Gaul Giannina Facio Maximus's wife Omid Djalili Slave Trader Giorgio Cantarini Maximus's son Adam Levy Condemned Officer David J. Nicholls Giant Man
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Ridley Scott.
Labels: action3, adventure3, derek-jacobi, drama7, historical2, joaquin-phoenix, oliver-reed, period3, political3, revenge1, richard-harris, ridley-scott, russell-crowe, shared-favorite, spectacle1, suspense2, violence3, war1
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Joker
- Commentary: Yes, yes, yes! Spectacular film!
Truth is, I'm not heavy into super-hero-comic-book movies, but there are a few I favor, and when I favor them, I really favor them. I'd seen trailers of this movie and my curiosity had been piqued, but, with 100 holds on the movie at the library the day it was released, and a pretty-penny-purchase-price, I knew it would be awhile before I even saw it, let alone considered owning it. My Florida Sister, though, had seen the same trailers, been similarly intrigued, and, instead of buying the movie for herself, she pleaded her work schedule, which wouldn't allow her to see it for awhile, and sent the movie to me!
Yes, it's dark as fuck. Yes, it's not only an origin story that adds to the plausibility of The Dark Knight (which I immediately rewatched after viewing Joker for the first time; yes, Virginia, I finally did watch the entire The Dark Knight movie, thoroughly enjoyed it and have watched it twice since the first viewing just to revel in Heath Ledger's performance), the pleasure of watching Joaquin Phoenix's performance was sooo satisfying. The man, literally, danced through the story, sometimes explicitly, always implicitly. I've since read reviews of the movie and they are maniacally mixed (except for reviews of Phoenix's performance). While there were many accolades, some considered the story unforgivably incendiary. Some considered it scattershot, too obvious, and/or boring. Almost no one acknowledged the obvious connection between Gotham's Joker by Heath Ledger and Joker by Joaquin Phoenix.
Speaking of critical constroversy, although Roger Ebert didn't live long enough to see this movie, reviewers on the site wrote not less than four pieces about the film. The initial review granted it only two stars, but, then, a second, then a third, then a fourth piece followed. Extraordinary.
Although I am a thoughtful fan of super-hero/super-villain movies, don't own many and have seen only the few I own, I have to say, this movie renders the madness of Joker and the madness of Gotham so immediate and real that it makes me wonder, how many Jokers are out there, around the corner, in our confusion of Gothams, just waiting for an accidented (yes, Virginia, accidented) chassis to place them on the world stage?
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joaquin Phoenix Arthur Fleck/Joker Robert De Niro Murray Franklin Zazie Beetz Sopie Dumond Frances Conroy Penny Fleck Brett Cullen Thomas Wayne Carrie Louise Putrello Martha Wayne Douglas Hodge Alfred Pennyworth Dante Pereira-Olson Bruce Wayne/Batman
For the curious, here's the Wikipedia write-up for this film. Not surprisingly, considering the controversy that erupted around the film, it is a much extended piece, including the usually threadbare Critical Response section.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Todd Phillips
Labels: action2, adventure2, cgi-animation, coming-of-age1, dance, drama2, fantasy1, film-art1, horror1, joaquin-phoenix, political1, robert-de-niro, satire1, super-hero1, violence1
