Movies, Mom & Me

• 
  Commentary:  This is an economical four pack of the first four Matrix movies. Although I've included pictures of the covers, below, this packaging does not include individual sleeves for the movies, thus, I allowed myself the freedom to peruse the various covers that have graced each movie in the past and select my favorites.
    It's true. This is the first time I've included Matrix movies in my collection. I saw the first movie when it came out. I was influenced by the exceptional hype watched it in a theater on it's first run. Visually, it was sweet candy, but I remember telling a friend of mine, who was enamored of the movie, that, yes, it's pretty, but I didn't find anything particularly stunning, or even new, in the concepts presented. Truth is, my memory still doesn't. But, but, but, I only saw one, back then, the first. I can't, yet, tell you why, but, a week or so ago I found myself caught on and mulling over this quadrilogy. I checked out prices online. It's been so long since the first movie debuted that there are very cheap packages of the first four movies in the franchise to be had. So, I bought one. For my collection. Seemed like a good idea. I'll let you know, later, if the idea was that good.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the franchise.
    Release Date: Various, see individual movies below
    Directed by Various, see individual movies below.
  
  
  • 
    The Matrix
    Commentary:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Keanu Reeves	Neo	Laurence Fishburne	Morpheus	Carrie-Anne Moss	Trinity	Hugo Weaving	Agent Smith
    Joe Pantoliano	Cypher	Marcus Chong	Tank	Matt Doran	Mouse	Rowan Witt	The Spoon Boy
    Gloria Foster	The Oracle	Anthony Ray Parker	Dozer	Julian Arahanga	Apoc	Belinda McClory	Switch

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
      Release Date: 1999
      Directed by The Wachowski Brothers (as per the package label).
    
    
  • 
    The Matrix Reloaded
    Commentary:  Under construction.
      

    Keanu Reeves	Neo	Laurence Fishburne	Morpheus	Carrie-Anne Moss	Trinity	Hugo Weaving	Agent Smith
    Jada Pinkett Smith	Niobe	Harold Perrineau	Link	Gloria Foster	Oracle	Randall Duk Kim	Keymaker
    Monica Bellucci	Persephone	Lambert Wilson	The Merovingian	Helmut Bakaitis	The Architect	Nathaniel Lees	Captain Mifune
    Neil and Adrian Raymen	The Twins	Daniel Bernhardt	Agent Johnson	Leigh Whannell	Axel	Collin Chou	Seraph
    Nona Gaye	Zee	Gina Torres	Cas	Anthony Zerbe	Councillor Hamann	Cornel West	Councillor West

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
      Release Date: 2003
      Directed by The Wachowski Brothers (as per the package label).
    
    
  • 
    The Matrix Revolutions
    Commentary:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Keanu Reeves	Neo	Laurence Fishburne	Morpheus	Carrie-Anne Moss	Trinity	Hugo Weaving	Agent Smith
    Jada Pinkett Smith	Niobe	Monica Bellucci	Persephone	Lambert Wilson	The Merovingian	Mary Alice	The Oracle
    Mary Alice	The Architect	Harold Perrineau	Link	Tanveer K. Atwal	Sati	Bernard White	Rama Kandra
    Anthony Zerbe	Councillor Hamann	Cornel West	Councillor West	Henry Blasingame (motion capture)	Deus Ex Machina	Kevin Michael Richardson	Voice of Deus Ex Machina

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
      Release Date: 2003
      Directed by The Wachowski Brothers (as per the package label).
    
    
  • 
    The Matrix Resurrections
    Commentary:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Keanu Reeves	Neo/Thomas Anderson	Carrie-Anne Moss	Trinity/Tiffany	Yahya Abdul-Mateen II	Morpheus/Agent Smith	Jonathan Groff	Smith
    Neil Patrick Harris	The Analyst	Priyanka Chopra Jonas	Sati	Christina Ricci	Gwyn de Vere	Jada Pinkett Smith	Niobe
    Telma Hopkins	Freya	Chad Stahelski	Chad	Lambert Wilson	The Merovingian	Brian J. Smith	Berg
    Toby Onwumere	Sequoia	Max Riemelt	Sheperd	Eréndira Ibarra	Lexy	Freema Agyeman	Astra

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
      Release Date: 2021
      Directed by Lana Wachowski (as per the package label).
    
    
    Before I go, I want to mention an article that appears to be a summary of the Matrix Trilogy, written before Resurrections was released. It's very kind hearted and optimistic, even as it acknowledges some of the failings of the first three movies. Why did I read this article before I've watched the quadrilogy (and rewatched the initial movie)? By the time I'd finished recording everything above I had read so much about story lines and characters with my peripheral vision that I began to wonder, wait, are these movies, so eagerly watched and so celebrated, an example of the phenomenon of the Emperor having no clothes and being completely unaware of not only her/his nakedness but, perhaps her/his nonexistence? In other words, is it possible that my initial lack of enthusiasm is correct and, maybe, these movies don't really exist, at all, in any tangible sense? If so, well, that's certainly something to record. The article linked at the beginning of this paragraph soothed my fear a bit. At any rate, I'll be watching them, soon, perhaps in a binge session (then, again, depending on how I react to each, perhaps not, we'll see). As usual, I'll report back. But, I have this sneaky sense that I might end up feeling totally conned, and that every one else who's followed these movies has been conned, as well. If that's the case, at least I didn't spend much on them.
    As always, more later.
  

Labels: carrie-anne-moss, joe-pantoliano, keanu-reeves, laurence-fishburne, science-fiction2

# posted by gail @ 01:43    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Yeow! No, as I write this, I haven't watched the film, yet. I'm waiting until later this evening when I know I won't be disturbed and can really savor it. I must mention, though, that I acquired this movie from My Florida Sister, who is aware of my almost incomprehensible love of this franchise! What a wonderful surprise she's dealt me! Then, of course, as always, I'll spend the next few days watching the entire series, ending up with this fourth installment, allowing everything to settle into some kind of understandable-to-me-only order in my brain. I'm not sure if I'll write more of my initial reaction tonight, or later, maybe tomorrow. But, you can bet, there'll be more, so stay tuned!
    Aiyee! Not my usual browser, but Chrome, which, unfortunately, pops up unbidden on my newer Windows computer at all the wrong times, just delivered an article to me that I couldn't avoid, at least not the title! Apparently, in this episode, John Wick dies! I refused to read the article. That's the kind of development for which I really want to wait! Fi on you, Chrome! I thought I deleted you! In fact, I'm sure I did, but you sneaked back in on the heels of the latest Windows 11 update. Hey, Microsoft, see this finger? It's for you!
    More news, though, that's somewhat less shocking: Ballerina is still in production and scheduled for release in June of 2024. Here's another, more fleshy, article about what we might expect of this spin-off that is being billed as a separate John Wick franchise. It'll be a bit awkward (unless I have no idea what I'm talking about) because it's slated to be a story that takes place between the events of the 3rd and 4th John Wick films, but I'll be keeping an eye out for it in a year (or so), especially since it'll be co-written by Emerald Fennell, someone toward whom I am very positively disposed. I guess a spin-off franchise is being planned. Hmmm ... we'll see ...
    For those of you who are John Wick fan-people, rogerebert.com has published an interview with Chad Stahelski about the series by Nick Allen with inside/background information that is lengthy and interesting.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Keanu Reeves	John Wick	Donnie Yen	Caine	Bill Skarsgård	Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont	Laurence Fishburne	Bowery King
  Hiroyuki Sanada	Shimazu Koji	Shamier Anderson	Mr. Nobody/The Tracker	Lance Reddick	Charon	Rina Sawayama	Shimazu Akira
  Scott Adkins	Killa Harkan	Clancy Brown	Harbinger	Ian McShane	Winston Scott	Natalia Tena	Katia

  
  Update 06/13/23:  So, no, I did not watch this movie last night. As I was about to settle in with it, I was called to join an emergency visitation of one of our book club members who is in the hospital, awaiting, well, as of last night, no one knew quite what she was awaiting, turns out it was surgery and it was successful, so I took two shifts, the second late last night and a final shift very early this morning. So, tonight I watch this movie!
  Update 06/15/23:  This update is taken from an email to MFS containing my part of a discussion about this movie, so I'll put it in quotations: "I rewound scene after scene of 'John Wick Chapter 4', so much that I didn't really finish it until early this morning, between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., after taking a middle of the night nap (which is usually called 'going to bed'). Then, I watched all the special features, many of which were about the fight choreography and the cinematography. I was so dazzled by the movie that I was glad they were included. Then I took a much longer nap.
    "The ending satisfied me, as well, which surprised me. Previous to watching it, I experienced a minor twinge of agony that the saga of John Wick was going to end [which I'd learned, by the way, from the titles of several articles fed to me by my search engine, which is not, I repeat, not a Microsoft search engine]. Now, I'm not only totally okay with that, his death seems justified, like he earned it, and I think, if the film makers somehow resurrect that character after his death, I might feel cheated."
    Aside from what I wrote to my sister, above in quotation marks, I scanned (with my eyes, children, not with my printer or a mobile phone [which I do not own] app. I'm old school. I prefer to do things with my body over doing them with a machine or software.) several articles written about the movie that contained multiple spoilers. It seems that John Wick's death was so momentous in the movie and mythological kingdoms that writers simply couldn't put their pens down. There are lots of people (both professional critics and amateurs) who are trying to figure out ways to resurrect John Wick. Even the producers of the film are waiting until its debut in Japan before deciding whether to figure out how to do a fifth. For myself, if a fifth Resurrected Wick film is produced, I'll likely watch it, maybe even add it to my collection as a curiosity, as I did with Glass of the Eastrail 177 (Unbreakable) Trilogy, but I kind of think I will find it unsatisfying, just as I find the story of Resurrected Jesus unsatisfying.
    In the meantime, I find the multiple alt-character franchises that are in development surrounding the original "John Wick" series franchise questionable, especially the proposed series about the Continental Hotels [BTW, did you know that a Continental Hotel chain actually exists? It's in Romania, exclusively, and is targetted toward business tourism.]. I mean, really? You're going there? Yes, so-called inanimates can, and usually do, have character (versus being characters; let me explain: to have character does not imply movement or growth; being a character implies both movement and growth, which is what movies, stories, are about) but, I don't know, in this case, it seems like an awfully long reach just to make a little more money. For me, it's kind of like with the Marvel super-hero franchise(s). I loved Iron Man but didn't at all care for the direct spin-offs and, if you'll notice, don't own them. I was okay with Avengers: Endgame, found it entertaining, but only watched it once and have yet to write-up that watching. I collected Captain Marvel and watched it but was not impressed. My write-up for Captain Marvel contains a list of all the other MCU movies I own and my appreciation (or lack thereof) for them.
    I know I'm not done watching super-hero movies. I'm probably not done adding to my collection of super-hero movies. I have, however, developed a dogged skepticism of super-hero sequels, no matter what excuses creators (or, as nouveau-lingo labels them, "creatives", jesus, where did that come from, and why) use for their existence. At this point my experience suggests to me that the first in a franchise series is the best that will ever be offered, even if succeeding ones are quite good. In the first, an idea is fresh, exciting and approached as an idea, not as a possible money maker. I mean, initially you don't know if you're going to make any money off the first project. You don't even know whether it'll be the "first" of a string. From then on, though, all bets are off. It's no longer about character development, or at least not purely about character development, it's about extracting more money from fans of the franchise. At that point, not everything about succeeding movies in the franchise passes the smell test, and, almost like a rule of thumb, the more sequels, the more it's not a case of "smell" but of "stink". I know, I know, mixed metaphors and all that shit. All I can say is, read me for meaning, not for art.
    All that being said, I really enjoyed this iteration of John Wick. I especially enjoyed the fact that this movie ended his story, at least seemingly. We'll see what happens next, whether the smell of money becomes more tempting to the "creatives" involved than the smell of freshness.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2023
    Directed by Chad Stahelski.

Labels: clancy-brown, don't-ask-me-why, keanu-reeves, laurence-fishburne, neo-noirD, revenge2, super-hero3

# posted by gail @ 17:58    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Clint Eastwood	Earl Stone	Bradley Cooper	Colin Bates	Laurence Fishburne	Warren Lewis	Michael Peña	Bates
  Dianne Wiest	Mary Stone	Ignacio Serricchio	Julio Gutierrez	Andy García	Latón	Taissa Farmiga	Ginny
  Alison Eastwood	Iris	Richard Herd	Tim Kennedy	Lobo Sebastian	Bug	Clifton Collins Jr.	Gustavo

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2018
    Directed by Clint Eastwood.

Labels: andy-garcía, clint-eastwood, laurence-fishburne

# posted by gail @ 14:52    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Keanu Reeves	John Wick	Halle Berry	Sofia Al-Azwar	Ian McShane	Winston	Laurence Fishburne	The Bowery King
  Mark Dacascos	Zero	Asia Kate Dillon	The Adjudicator	Lance Reddick	Concierge Charon	Tobias Segal	Earl
  Anjelica Huston	The Director	Saïd Taghmaoui	The Elder	Jerome Flynn	Berrada	Randall Duk Kim	The Doctor

  
    The Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
    Release Date: 2019
    Directed by Chad Stahelski.

Labels: don't-ask-me-why, keanu-reeves, laurence-fishburne, neo-noirC, revenge1, super-hero1

# posted by gail @ 14:05    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    In addition (and much to my surprise, even though I enjoy all three John Wick movies, RogerEbert.com contains a second meditation on this movie.
    By the way, many critics liked, loved or adored all three of the John Wick movies. In fact, John Wick: Chapter 4, although it's release has been delayed by almost exactly a year, is due out in May of 2022. According to that Wikipedia article, "Keanu Reeves stated that he will continue making sequels, as long as the films are successful. Lionsgate intended to film the fourth and fifth films back-to-back but dropped those plans in March 2021 ... due to the COVID-19 pandemic." I probably won't see either in a theater, I rarely go to the theater, anymore, but, you can bet, I'll be adding the discs to my collection to watch at home. With enthusiasm.
  Update 6/9/2022:  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
  Keanu Reeves	John Wick	Common	Cassian	Laurence Fishburne	The Bowery King	Riccardo Scamarcio	Santino D'Antonio
  Ruby Rose	Ares	Lance Reddick	Concierge Charon	Peter Stormare	Abram Tarasov	Bridget Moynahan	Helen Wick
  Franco Nero	Julius	John Leguizamo	Aurelio	Ian McShane	Winston	Claudia Gerini	Gianni D'Antonio

  
    The Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
    Release Date: 2017
    Directed by Chad Stahelski.

Labels: don't-ask-me-why, keanu-reeves, laurence-fishburne, neo-noirC, revenge1, super-hero1

# posted by gail @ 14:00    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    This movie was originally listed in the post Movies I've Seen, Do Not Own but Can't Forget. I own this movie, now. Here is the commentary I wrote for it in my wish list post: "Okay. This is yet another of my juicy fetishes. I love the story: corruption galore, even within the best of the characters. Laurence Fishburne: come on, how can you resist this character of his?!? [How can you resist anything done by Laurence Fishburne?!?] And Goldblum's rendering of Jason, and the way the pair plays off one another, oh, my, my! This movie, for me, falls into the same category as the Equalizer movies and the John Wick movies. Although I enjoy all of them, I have to say, I favor this one because the character is not squeaky clean, like Washington's McCall, nor is he on a sacred rampage, like Reeves' Wick. In fact, at the end of the movie, you are left wondering about the content of Stevens' character. I can't help but think that Fishburne, Goldblum and their fellow actors had loads of fun making this movie."
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Laurence Fishburne	DEA Agt. Russell Stevens Jr./John Hull	Jeff Goldblum	David Jason	Yvette Heyden	Nancy Jason	Charles Martin Smith	DEA Agt. Gerry Carver
  Victoria Dillard	Betty McCutcheon	Gregory Sierra	Felix Barbosa	David Weixelbaum	Chino	Glynn Turman	Russell Stevens Sr.
  Arthur Mendoza	Anton Gallegos	Clarence Williams III	Dt. Taft	Roger Guenveur Smith	Eddie	James T. Morris	Ivy

  
    Here is the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
    Release Date: 1992
    Directed by Bill Duke.

Labels: Criterion2, dramaD, laurence-fishburne, loose-cannon-cop, neo-noirB, police-procedural, violence3

# posted by gail @ 12:37    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  I don't own a standard television, don't live in an area that has easy access to a universal television signal (like, the networks, etc) and don't subscribe to cable tv, so I almost never know what's "on the tube". My Florida Sister, though, will often tweak my consciousness on what I should look for in the DVD section of Prescott's library system (which is, surprisingly, relatively up-to-date). This time, though, she just outright sent me the first season of this show, so sure was she that I'd enjoy it. She was right! First of all, Laurence Fishburne is in it. I could watch him playing a mushroom and be satisfied. Secondly, the writing is smart and spot on. Thirdly, the actors are well-picked; not a false performance in the group. And, take note of this, I laughed out loud several times watching the episodes. If you don't think that's a high recommendation, consider how many times you laugh out loud when you are watching, reading or hearing something by yourself. Almost never happens! Laughter is generally a social signal.
    I'm looking forward to watching subsequent seasons. Much to my surprise (I live in a relatively small community), my library system has the first season in their collection. With any luck, they'll be adding seasons. Next time I'm there, I'm going to suggest it. Honks, honks, honks, again, My Florida Sister!
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Anthony Anderson	Andre Johnson Sr.	Tracee Ellis Ross	Dr. Rainbow Johnson	Yara Shahidi	Zoey Johnson	Marcus Scribner	Andre Johnson Jr.
  Miles Brown	Jack Johnson	Marsai Martin	Diane Johnson	Laurence Fishburne	Earl Johnson	Anna Deavere Smith	Alicia Johnson
  Nelson Franklin	Connor Stevens	Beau Bridges	Paul Jackson	Raven-Symoné	Rhonda Johnson	Wanda Sykes	Daphne Lido

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
    Premiere Date First Season: 2014
    Episodes directed by: James Griffiths: 1, 3, 4; Rebecca Asher: 2, 8, 13; Claire Scanlon: 5; Matt Sohn: 6, 18; Victor Nelli, Jr.: 7, 19, 22; Ken Whittingham: 9, 20, 21; Elliot Hegarty: 10; Michael Schultz: 11, 16; Stuart McDonald: 12; Phil Traill: 14; Millicent Shelton: 15; John Fortenberry: 17; Anton Cropper: 23; Jonathan Groff: 24. Whew! I don't know why I bothered to list every director for each episode. I won't be doing that again!

Labels: comedy1, female-director1, laurence-fishburne, satire1, TV1

# posted by gail @ 08:24    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  This movie was given to us by a friend who is interested in politics, clearly remembers the 1960's (better than me, actually, since I went through a somewhat different 60's experience on Guam) and was sure she'd love the movie. She picked it up at Costco, where it was being sold with a free copy of a biography of RFK. She was completely disappointed in the movie, although not in the book, but said she wouldn't read it again and passed that off to us, too.
    Mom only sat through half the movie. I watched all of it. I understand what Estevez did in the movie and think he accomplished his goal, but I also understand why the critics were so divided on this movie. If I'd rented the movie, I'd've made a mental note not to buy it, even though many of its moments have stuck with me. I felt cheated that a lot of it was fictionalized...it seemed to me there was little to no reason to do this. However, I also found the vignettes involving and many of the performances excellent (I especially liked the vignette with Helen Hunt and Martin Sheen). Interesting and effective splicing of actual newsreel footage, too, although, frankly, The Queen does this better and more effectively.
    I don't think this is a movie that, on a second attempt at watching, Mom would discover she enjoyed. It isn't one I expect to watch again, at least not soon. I may add it to our ever expanding pile of movies for trade-in. I'll probably read the book, although I may not get around to it until after Mom dies.
  Update 5/21/2022:  By the way, this cast is so loaded with stars that some of them aren't even mentioned in either Wikipedia, or IMDb. Sidney Poitier for instance. This is the reason I used the particular capsule review that I attached to the title of this post: it mentions Sidney Poitier's involvement in the film, whereas no one else did.
    At any rate, I never question why a movie was made. Someone involved in its creation always has a reason. I do, however, often question why a movie was released. This is one of those questionable movies. I can only "blame" the star power behind it. And, believe me, there is so much blame to be had that the movie deserved an overwhelming star list in order to smooth the blame a bit thinner. I can't imagine that it was hard to solicit so much star power, either. Actors are, if nothing else, eager to participate in something that promises high visibility. Unfortunately, it was a promise that didn't deliver.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Harry Belafonte	Nelson	Joy Bryant	Patricia	Nick Cannon	Dwayne Clark	Emilio Estevez	Tim Fallon
  Laurence Fishburne	Edward Robinson	Dave Fraunces	Robert F. Kennedy	Jeridan Frye	Ethel Kennedy	Lindsay Lohan	Diane Howser
  Anthony Hopkins	John Casey	William H. Macy	Paul Ebbers	Demi Moore	Virginia Fallon	Martin Sheen	Jack
  Helen Hunt	Samantha Stevens	Sharon Stone	Miriam Ebbers	Elijah Wood	William Avary	Shia LaBeouf	Cooper

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2006
    Directed by Emilio Estevez.

Labels: anthony-hopkins, docu-drama, historical3, laurence-fishburne, period3, political3

# posted by gail @ 01:24    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1*
• 
  Commentary:  Just an absolute gem of a movie, from the casting of every part to the story. Quietly inspirational. Whenever we watch this movie Mom always sighs at the end and says, "That just makes me feel good about being alive."
    Ditto.
    Additionally, this movie is loaded with amazing actors, from the leads to the bit parts. They all deserve recognition for this effort, so I've listed just about all of them in the table, below.
    In case you're interested, you might like to access this link to the script for this movie.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Max Pomeranc	Josh Waitzkin	Joe Mantegna	Fred Waitzkin	Joan Allen	Bonnie Waitzkin	Ben Kingsley	Bruce Pandolfini
  Laurence Fishburne	Vincent Livermore	Robert Stephens	Jonathan's teacher	David Paymer	Kalev	Hal Scardino	Morgan Pehme
  William H. Macy	Tunafish father	Dan Hedaya	Tournament director	Laura Linney	Josh's school teacher	Tony Shalhoub	Chess club player

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1993
    Directed by Steven Zaillian.

Labels: ben-kingsley, biography1, drama9, joan-allen, laura-linney, laurence-fishburne, shared-favorite, teaching

# posted by gail @ 09:04    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  I'm surprised I've made no mention of this movie in any of my journals. This is one of those movies that we watch every time we can catch it on a television channel, which is why I snatched it up when I ran across a copy of it. We both hone into this movie as though we're having a dream. I'm glad we finally got a copy of it because when it was on TV I used to have a hell of a time getting Mom to go to the bathroom during a playing of it. Now, I can stop the movie when I notice she looks like she'd better hit the toilet. [Her joke is that you can tell when someone needs to go to the bathroom when you can see waves crashing in their eyes...which is almost the truth with my mother.]
    Roger Ebert was so impressed with this movie that he not only gave it an initial four star review the year of its release (that review is linked to the title of this post), he followed that up with an interview with Whoopi Goldberg and later christened it as one of his Great Movies.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Whoopi Goldberg	Celie Harris Johnson	Danny Glover	"Mister" Albert Johnson	Oprah Winfrey	Sofia	Margaret Avery	Shug Avery
  Akosua Busia	Nettie Harris	Adolph Caesar	"Old Mister" Johnson	Willard Pugh	Harpo Johnson	Rae Dawn Chong	Mary Agnes “Squeak” Johnson
  Laurence Fishburne	Swain	Carl Anderson	Reverend Samuel	Leonard Jackson	Pa Harris	Dana Ivey	Miss Millie

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1985
    Directed by Steven Spielberg.

Labels: danny-glover, drama9, dream1, laurence-fishburne, period4, political4, steven-spielberg, whoopi-goldberg

# posted by gail @ 22:26    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2* *3*
• 
  Commentary:  We are hypnotized by this series, as well. I know; we should get out, more. But, what a way to go.
    You will note that the images of this write-up say "#1" and "#2". That's because, initially, some years ago, when Paul Reubens released his Pee-Wee's Playhouse series, he released all the episodes in two parts. I'm not sure they are still sold this way. But, they were back then. According to Wikipedia's article, comparing it with our inventory, we own everything but the Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special.
  Update 2/9/18:  I have a memory ... One of the aspects of the series from which we both used to get a kick was Pee Wee's frequent admonition to "scream real loud", which we'd both do, on command, Mom much softer than me. I remember my mother saying, "Can't you just imagine what most mothers feel when their kids watch this show and 'scream real loud'?" And then she'd chuckle. One thing you can say, with authority, about my mom, she really loved kids.
  Update 5/23/22:  I once seriously considered ushering this series on to my local library. I decided to re-watch some of my favorite episodes from it, though, and found that my enjoyment trumped my belief that I would never watch it again. In fact, in the intervening years, I have pulled it out of my cabinet just to watch some of those favorite episodes, yet again, and "scream real loud". In case you're wondering, when Mom and I watched episodes, she, also, "screamed real loud", when Pee-Wee directed, although in a much more "lady-like" manner than me; sort of a muffled "Ahhhh...".
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Paul Reubens	Pee-Wee	Laurence Fishburne	Cowboy Curtis	Lynne Marie Stewart	Miss Yvonne	S. Epatha Merkerson	Reba - Mail Lady

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
    Release Date: 1986-1990
    Directed by Paul Reubens.
  
  

Labels: comedy2, kids, laurence-fishburne, popcorn-and-soda6, shared-favorite, TV2

# posted by gail @ 02:00    0 comments    email......this post