Friday, July 15, 2022
The Thorn Birds
- Commentary: I haven't watched this series, yet. I'm expecting to receive it today (7/15/22). I have to mention, though, despite its continued popularity, no film critics considered "accomplished" by film media reviewed this series; not then (back in the 1980's) and not now, despite the high caliber talent engaged, the fact that it continues to be lauded as the second most popular mini-series in history (the first one being Roots) and, besides these, it won several major awards. Even its Wikipedia write-up dispensed with its usual "Reception" section on this movie, although it did include a stocked Awards section, of which, might I add, this production was nominated for and won several. Despite this, I had to scrounge to find two reviews, one attached to the title of this post and the other here, written on the occasion of the release of the DVD of the series in 2004. Both are excellent and informative. If you read reviews of video media, you'll appreciate both. In addition, the DVD version I'll be receiving includes a "Commemorative Documentary" that I can barely wait to watch.
The above linked reviews, despite the fact that I'll be receiving a few more DVDs/Blu-Rays in the same package, guarantee that this series will be the first into which I dive. I find it so incredibly curious that no "critic of prominence" wanted to weigh in on this series. I suspect I will discover why top tier critics were afraid to review this series (even though I'd put good money on the proposition that all of them saw it) and that it will have something to do with being afraid of somehow getting their minds dirty. I mean, a mini-series about a priest falling in love with a woman ... starring the likes of Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, Christopher Plummer, the list goes on and on ... somehow, I can imagine lots of critics cringing, shaking their hands frantically and squealing, "Eew!"
So, Dear Reader, stay tuned. Although this post remains "Under construction", I'll be completing and polishing it soon.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Chamberlain Ralph de Bricassart Rachel Ward Adult Meggie Cleary Sydney Penny Child Meggie Cleary Barbara Stanwyck Mary Carson Richard Kiley Paddy Cleary Jean Simmons Fee Cleary Bryan Brown Luke O'Neill Mare Winningham Justine O'Neill Philip Anglim Dane O'Neill Ken Howard Rainer Hartheim John Friedrich Frank Cleary Dwier Brown Adult Stuart Cleary Vidal Peterson Child Stuart Cleary Piper Laurie Anne Mueller Earl Holliman Luddie Mueller Christopher Plummer Archbishop Vittorio di Contini-Verchese Brett Cullen Bob Cleary Stephen W. Burns Jack Cleary Barry Corbin Pete Holly Palance Miss Carmichael John de Lancie Alastair MacQueen Allyn Ann McLerie Mrs. Smith Richard Venture Harry Gough Antoinette Bower Sarah MacQueen
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Daryl Duke.
Labels: §4, barbara-stanwyck, christopher-plummer, coming-of-age2, erotic, jean-simmons, john-de-lancie, period7, piper-laurie, religion2, spiritual2, TV3
Thursday, June 09, 2022
Breaking Bad Complete Series
- Commentary: I would never have watched this series had not one of my sisters, the one who has been the source of more than a few of my very favorite movies, been electrified by it and started sending me the seasons. Nothing else to say. I'm like everyone else, a staunch fan. Many (if not all) of the episodes continue to stick in my head and at least once every couple of weeks I become captured by one and have to watch it. Again. And again. My sister and I are still looking to hear from Jesse.
I want to link to one more review but, since I'm not sure how long it will be available, I'm not attaching it to the title of this post. Forbes published a review of Breaking Bad in 2013 at the end of the series. It's quite interesting. With any luck to me, and you, Dear Reader, it will remain accessible.
Once this series got going, there were many, many notable actors who participated in small and bit parts. I picked out as many as I could without rendering the following Actor/Table overwhelming.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bryan Cranston Walter White Anna Gunn Skyler White Aaron Paul Jesse Pinkman Dean Norris Hank Schrader Betsy Brandt Marie Schrader RJ Mitte Walter White Jr. Giancarlo Esposito Gustavo Fring Bob Odenkirk Saul Goodman Jonathan Banks Mike Ehrmantraut Laura Fraser Lydia Rodarte-Quayle Jesse Plemons Todd Alquist Raymond Cruz Tuco Salamanca Krysten Ritter Jane Margolis John de Lancie Donald Margolis Danny Trejo Tortuga Steven Bauer Don Eladio Vuente
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
Release Date: 2008-2013
Directed by mostly men, some women each season, a few female regulars.
Labels: action1, adventure1, drama5, female-director1, giancarlo-esposito, haunting1, john-de-lancie, me-favorite1, satire1, thriller2, tragedy1, TV1, violence2
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Touched by an Angel, Seasons 1 - 9
- Who's watched: M & G, ad infinitum
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6* *7*
- 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
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
