Movies, Mom & Me

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    Gerardo Valero, a frequent critic/reviewer at Roger Ebert's website, wrote an initial, very positive review for this movie in 2010. Then, he turned around and revisited the movie, again, last year, commemorating this film's quality and staying power. If you're a movie nerd, like me, you might find his articles interesting.
    By the way, heads up. Take a look at the last cast credit, below. Surprise! There's a very interesting actor peaking out from behind the credits (he was not listed in the official credits).
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Paul Newman	Atty Frank Galvin	Charlotte Rampling	Laura Fischer	Jack Warden	Atty Mickey Morrissey	James Mason	Atty Ed Concannon
  Milo O'Shea	Judge Hoyle	Lindsay Crouse	Kaitlin Costello Price	Edward Binns	Bishop Brophy	Julie Bovasso	Maureen Rooney
  Roxanne Hart	Sally Doneghy	James Handy	Kevin Doneghy	Wesley Addy	Dr. Towler	Joe Seneca	Dr. Thompson
  Lewis J. Stadlen	Dr. Gruber	Kent Broadhurst	Joseph Alito	Colin Stinton	Billy	Bruce Willis	Courtroom Observer

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1982
    Directed by Sydney Lumet.

Labels: charlotte-rampling, courtroom, jack-warden, james-mason, legal, paul-newman

# posted by gail @ 12:50    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    As you'll notice in the table below, this cast is loaded with well-known character actors playing small but important parts. Despite this, and a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a few people found fault with this film. To quote Janet Maslin of The New York Times: "[The film] tells what sounds like a stirring story, and its plainness would seem to be an asset. But something more was needed here, if not in the way of fireworks then maybe just in verisimilitude. The events may be real, and even the settings are authentic; the courthouse in which Mr. Young filmed the trial scene is the one in which Mr. Cortez's trial actually took place. That's not the sort of authenticity that the film lacks. What it's missing is the spark, surprise and immediacy that might have made its principals feel like people, rather than key figures in a well-meaning historical pageant." A little bit out of left field, I'd say, which makes me anticipate watching this movie even more than before reading that quote.
    As always, more later.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Edward James Olmos	Gregorio Cortez	Victoria Plata	Carmen Cortez	James Gammon	Frank Fly	Tom Bower	Boone Choate
  Bruce McGill	Reporter Blakely	Brion James	Captain Rogers	Alan Vint	Mike Trimmell	Timothy Scott	Sheriff Morris
  Pepe Serna	Romaldo Cortez	Michael McGuire	Sheriff Glover	Barry Corbin	B.R. Abernathy	Ned Beatty	Lynch Mob Leader
  William Sanderson	Cowboy	Jack Kehoe	Prosecutor Pierson	Rosanna DeSoto	Carlota Muñoz	Lili Young	Mrs. Glover

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1982
    Directed by Robert M. Young.

Labels: Criterion7, edward-james-olmos, legal, western

# posted by gail @ 19:55    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    This movie was recommended to me by a friend of one of my brothers-in-law when I was involved in a conversation about war with a group of visitors (of which I was one) to their home. Because of something I said, which I can't, now, remember, he urged me to watch this film. I've seen it more than a few times since then. It always churns my gut in just the proper way.
    More later.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Edward Woodward	Lt. Harry "Breaker" Morant	Bryan Brown	Lt. Peter Handcock	Lewis Fitz-Gerald	Lt. George Ramsdale Witton	Jack Thompson	Maj. James Francis Thomas
  John Waters	Capt. Alfred Taylor	Rod Mullinar	Maj. Charles Bolton	Charles Tingwell	Lt. Col. Denny	Terence Donovan	Capt. Simon Hunt
  Alan Cassell	Lord Kitchener	Vincent Ball	Col. Hamilton	Ray Meagher	Sgt. Maj. Drummond	Chris Haywood	Cpl. Sharp

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1980
    Directed by Bruce Beresford.

Labels: Criterion7, legal, war3

# posted by gail @ 15:38    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    I have a very vague memory of watching this movie and enjoying it, but I remember nothing about it. However, it was incredibly cheap when I stumbled upon it so, I decided, I can afford to take an inexpensive chance. In addition, I happened to notice, while prepping for this write-up, that the cast is loaded with extraordinary, star-quality actors. I can't wait for my second viewing, which I'm thinking will probably really be my first viewing!
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  John Travolta	Jan Schlichtmann	Robert Duvall	Jerry Facher	William H. Macy	James Gordon	Tony Shalhoub	Kevin Conway
  Kathleen Quinlan	Anne Anderson	Željko Ivanek	Bill Crowley	Bruce Norris	William Cheeseman	Peter Jacobson	Neil Jacobs
  John Lithgow	Judge Walter Skinner	Dan Hedaya	John Riley	James Gandolfini	Al Love	Stephen Fry	George F. Pinder
  Sydney Pollack	Al Eustis	David Thornton	Richard Aufiero	Denise Dowse	Judge Constance Mullen	Mary Mara	Kathy Boyer

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

Labels: dramaF, john-lithgow, john-travolta, legal, robert-duvall, željko-ivanek

# posted by gail @ 18:43    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Okay, I was wrong a few posts ago. I don't have easy, free access to this movie on any of my few streaming services. So, I found an inexpensive copy of it and have added it to my collection. Will I watch it much? You bet!
    More later, once it's arrived and I've luxuriated in it, again.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Reese Witherspoon	Elle Woods	Luke Wilson	Emmett Richmond	Selma Blair	Vivian Kensington	Matthew Davis	Warner Huntington III
  Victor Garber	Professor Callahan	Jennifer Coolidge	Paulette Bonafonté	Holland Taylor	Professor Elspeth Stromwell	Raquel Welch	Mrs Windham-Vandermark
  Ali Larter	Brooke Taylor-Windham	Jessica Cauffiel	Margot	Alanna Ubach	Serena McGuire	Francesca P. Roberts	Judge Marina R. Bickford

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2001
    Directed by Robert Luketic.

Labels: comedy3, courtroom, legal, reese-witherspoon

# posted by gail @ 20:23    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Toshirô Mifune	Tajômaru	Machiko Kyô	Masako Kanazawa	Masayuki Mori	Takehiro Kanazawa	Takashi Shimura	Woodcutter
  Minoru Chiaki	Priest	Kichijirô Ueda	Commoner	Noriko Honma	Medium	Daisuke Katô	Policeman

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1950
    Directed by Akira Kurosawa in close collaboration with cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa.

Labels: akira-kurosawa, courtroom, Criterion5, legal, mystery3, toshirô-mifune

# posted by gail @ 08:35    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Martin Balsam	Juror 1 Foreman	John Fiedler	Juror 2	Lee J. Cobb	Juror 3	E. G. Marshall	Juror 4
  Henry Fonda	Juror 8 Davis	Jack Klugman	Juror 5	Jack Warden	Juror 7	Joseph Sweeney	Juror 9 McCardle

  
    Roger Ebert christened this movie as one of his Great Movies.
    As I write this (November 13, 2022), as I'm attaching a review write-up link to the title of this post, I'm noticing that in 2009 Nikita Mikhalkov released a Russian version of this film, named, simply, 12. I'm noticing, as well, that the digital version of the movie can be rented and bought over at Amazon. A used hard copy is also available for purchase there, at the moment. Roger Ebert not only took note of this remake, but reviewed it, giving it 3 and a half starts, and offered an interesting comparison of the two films. His review is attached to the second link in this paragraph.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the U.S. film. This link is to the Wikipedia write-up of the 2007 Russian production of this story, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
    Release Date: 1957
    Directed by Sidney Lumet.

Labels: courtroom, Criterion4, henry-fonda, jack-warden, lee-j-cobb, legal

# posted by gail @ 06:30    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  I obtained this film, sight unseen, because of Aaron Sorkin's involvement. I was looking forward to yet another flood of trenchant dialogue, a la The Newsroom and The West Wing, and was so sure Sorkin's involvement would guarantee this that I didn't check the movie out of the library before I purchased it. Turns out, what can you do with dialogue that comes out of the mouths of people such as Mark Zuckerberg and the Winklevoss twins? What can you do with dialogue that proceeds from a petty (although highly monied) capitalistic squabble? Not much.
    That being said, I'm glad I own it. I'm such a fan of Aaron Sorkin's work that I feel obligated to own even work of his that I don't enjoy. It was, as well, a critical success. I'm not sure why. That is another reason for me to own it. Perhaps, on subsequent viewings, I'll be able to appreciate Sorkin-managed capitalist dialogue. Certainly, we live in a world overflowing with such dialogue. Might be a good idea to not only get used to it, but to try to understand something of what other people consider the beauty of it.
    Interesting, too, is the fact that the reviewer of the film at RogerEbert.com, Jim Emerson, felt it necessary to write twice about the film in two days. This link is to his second review. In addition, the site added an interview with Justin Timberlake, who plays Sean Parker in the movie, conducted by Roger Ebert.
    One final item: This movie is listed as a biography in it's Wikipedia write-up, linked in the title above. It's not. In case you're wondering, this movie is also decidedly not about social media. It's all about ownership. Capitalistic ownership.
  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
  Jesse Eisenberg	Mark Zuckerberg	Andrew Garfield	Eduardo Saverin	Justin Timberlake	Sean Parker	Armie Hammer	Cameron & Tyler Winklevoss
  Max Minghella	Divya Narenda	Brenda Song	Christie Lee	Rashida Jones	Marilyn Delpy	John Getz	Sy
  David Selby	Gage	Denise Grayson	Gretchen	Douglas Urbanski	Larry Summers	Rooney Mara	Erica Albright
  Joseph Mazzello	Dustin Moskovitz	Wallace Langham	Peter Thiel	Patrick Mapel	Chris Hughes	Steve Sires	Bill Gates

  
    Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up about this movie.
    Release Date: 2010
    Directed by David Fincher.

Labels: aaron-sorkin, drama2, economic, historical1, legal, political1

# posted by gail @ 15:00    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  I ended up with this movie as part of a package deal, although I can't remember which movie came with it. I like it, and have watched it more than once. If I hadn't gotten it as an add on, I wouldn't own it, but I don't think I'll be sending this one off to the library. It's a great I-want-to-watch-something-but-I-don't-know-what movie.
    The famous Nicholson-in-the-courtroom scene is one of my all time favorites.
  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
  Tom Cruise	Lt. J.G. Daniel Kaffee	Jack Nicholson	Col. Nathan R. Jessup	Demi Moore	Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway	Kevin Bacon	Cpt. Jack Ross
  Kiefer Sutherland	1st Lt. Jonathan James Kendrick	Kevin Pollak	Lt. J.G. Sam Weinberg	Wolfgang Bodison	Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson	James Marshall	Pvt. 1st Class Louden Downey
  J. T. Walsh	Lt. Cnl. Matthew Andrew Markinson	J. A. Preston	Judge (Cnl.) Julius Alexander Randolph	Michael DeLorenzo	Pvt. 1st Class William Santiago	Geoffrey Nauffts	Lt. Sherby
  Noah Wyle	Cpl. Jeffrey Owen Barnes	Cuba Gooding Jr.	Cpl. Carl Edward Hammaker	Xander Berkeley	Cpt. Whitaker	Matt Craven	Lt. Dave Spradling
  John M. Jackson	Cpt. West	Christopher Guest	Cmdr. (Dr.) Stone	Joshua Malina	Tom	Aaron Sorkin	Bragging Lawyer

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1992
    Directed by Rob Reiner.

Labels: aaron-sorkin, drama5, jack-nicholson, legal, military, suspense1, tom-cruise

# posted by gail @ 13:25    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  I've been a shameless fan of this movie since I first saw it, as recommended by one of my sisters. Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson and George Clooney are matchless, especially the first two. The story is pertinent and revealing. The production is perfect. When I subscribed to cable TV I would endlessly search this movie out, no matter how many times I'd seen it. Now, I don't have to do that, which is good since I can't.
    When pulling a search for this movie on RogerEbert.com, I discovered a raft of articles written by many people at many times. This movie has apparently, captured the imagination of so many more than just me.
  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
  George Clooney	Michael Clayton	Tom Wilkinson	Arthur Edens	Tilda Swinton	Karen Crowder	Sydney Pollack	Marty Bach
  Michael O'Keefe	Barry Grissom	Sean Cullen	Gene Clayton	Ken Howard	Don North	Merritt Wever	Anna

  
    Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
    Release Date: 2007
    Directed by Tony Gilroy.

Labels: drama6, legal, mystery1, political2, thriller2, tom-wilkinson

# posted by gail @ 20:54    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  This movie turns on Sarah Tobias' (played with verve and extraordinary competence by Jodie Foster) dance in the game room of the bar she was in the night she was raped. The dance is joyously energetic, celebratory, expressive and, yes, seemingly provocative, except that it is clear she wasn't trying to provoke anything, she was merely expressing. That dance, more than anything in the movie, is what defines the criminal injustice in what happened to her next. The idea of rape was clearly present in the minds of the watchers even before the dance took place. The rapists were simply waiting for the opportunity to do the deed. It didn't matter on who they perpetrated the rape. It could have been any of the women in that bar. It just happened to be Sarah. It was Sarah because, if you notice, all the other featured women in the bar left as the rape took shape in the minds of the rapists and onlookers or as it commenced. This movie is, in my opinion, a brilliant commentary on male society's perspective on rape. To men, they are not the perpetrators, women are, for simply being, well, women. Although a dance preceeded this rape, rarely does anything objectively "provocative" preceed most rapes. Thus, the presence, or absence, of a provocative dance is not up for question. The movie clearly underlines that rape isn't something women, or men, for that matter, provoke, it's something that men perpetrate upon weaker members of the society, women, primarily, but not exclusively.
    I initially saw this movie a long time ago, possibly on television, but I can't be sure. I'd forgotten about it until it popped up in a sale of film products featuring female actors and other crew. Suddenly, I was remembering the extraordinary effect it had on me. It did not make me afraid, so much, as disgusted at the shenanigans through which the legal system put this case. It smartened me up right quick, as they say in the trades. I've never had to participate in such a case, and hope I never do, but thinking, yet again, about this movie still kindles a sense of righteous anger in me.
    Let me state this clearly: As a woman, and, only, as a woman, I neither like nor trust men. I learned this, first from my father, not explicitly, but implicitly, ambiguously. Even when some man, somewhere, says or does something with which I concur, which is often, I am guarded. I am always thinking, in the back of my mind, that at any moment that particular man is going to say or do something else that will completely undercut any act of seeming fairness or support. That's just what it is to be a woman in this society, and many others. It could be different but, in 1988, when this movie was released, and now, in 2022, as I just completed watching it for the second time in my life, this remains true. And, men wonder why in the world some feminists want to separate from, or get rid of, men.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Jodie Foster	Sarah Tobias	Kelly McGillis	Kathryn Murphy	Bernie Coulson	Kenneth Joyce	Ann Hearn	Salley Fraser

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1988
    Directed by Jonathan Kaplan.

Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, character-study, dramaE, feminist, jodie-foster, legal, violence4

# posted by gail @ 12:10    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  I watched this movie last night (7/23/21). I knew nothing about it, which, I think, intensified my reaction (for the better). What an extraordinary movie! Look at all the labels I (legitimately) attached to it! It's got something for everyone, and the entire story [which is, really, a series of stories with one bright red thread (think Ellen's lipstick) running through them] attaches everything that happens to everything else! Yikes!
    First of all, Gene Tierney is amazing as the antagonist. The other actors' performances are well turned out, but they are all supportive. The movie belongs to Tierney's character, and, holy jesus, what a character she plays and how well she plays her!
    Secondly, when the movie starts, you'll notice it has an odd format: It's full-screen color. Once the movie starts, though, it takes no time to get used to this.
    Thirdly, this is not a popcorn-and-soda movie. Go ahead and put out snacks if you want, but, I can guarantee, you will be so riveted from the very beginning to the very end that you'll forget everything except the story, including any food you've supplied.
    Finally, the Criterion "special feature" material, both the film essay and the written essay, don't do justice to this movie's singularity. I've seen a lot of movies, in my time, and I am a fan of horror. The only movie I can think of that even approaches the horrific enjoyment I experienced from watching this movie is Midsommar, and, frankly, at this time, fresh from this movie, I can't tell you which I will favor. Perhaps they'll sit atop my horror genre choices in a category of their own.
    This is just a gem of a horror movie, in part because it isn't marketed as a horror movie, which was a wise choice by somebody, not sure who. I didn't even realize it was headed in that direction until a little less than half the way through. The story is masterfully manipulated. The settings give absolutely no clue as to what is going to happen. The relationships between the characters start out, and continue for quite awhile, so innocently that you cannot help but be astonished at what is happening, from scene to scene, right before your eyes, and then, when you think you've reached peak astonishment, well, hang onto your hat! No wonder Criterion has this movie in their catalog. It deserves the high honor that a Criterion production confers!
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Gene Tierney	Ellen Berent Harland	Cornel Wilde	Richard Harland	Jeanne Crain	Ruth Berent	Vincent Price	Russell Quinton
  Mary Philips	Mrs. Berent	Ray Collins	Glen Robie	Gene Lockhart	Dr. Saunders	Reed Hadley	Dr. Mason
  Darryl Hickman	Danny Harland	Chill Wills	Leick Thome	Olive Blakeney	Mrs. Louise Robie	Jim Farley	Train Conductor

  
    Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
    Release Date: 1945
    Directed by John M. Stahl.

Labels: Criterion2, film-noir3, horror1, legal, melodramaA, popcorn-and-soda6, psychological1, romance4, suspense3, thriller2, tragedy2, violence4

# posted by gail @ 20:13    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  So, considering how much I love movies, I had not watched this movie, anywhere, before receiving it in the aforementioned set. I don't know why. I was familiar with the name, with the stars, knew it was a legal thriller, and I'm a fan of this genre. But, it just had never appeared on my movie-going plate, so to speak. And, it's an enjoyable film. The "thrill" is involving enough. I wouldn't give it a top ranking, though. I like the way both actors, Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts, strut their stuff in this film. It was made in 1993. Roberts had not yet entered her "god, I'm great" phase (a good example of Roberts in this phase as an actor is Mona Lisa Smile, a movie which I love, anyway), so she and Washington play well together and the story is interesting. Still, I'd sooner watch Fallen again, just for the astonished giggling it provokes, before I'd watch this movie again. It's ho-hum-good. Just.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Denzel Washington	Gray Grantham	Julia Roberts	Darby Shaw	Sam Shepard	Thomas Callahan	John Heard	Gavin Verheek
  Tony Goldwyn	Fletcher Coal	James Sikking	FBI Dir. Denton Voyles	John Finn	Matthew Barr	William Atherton	Bob Gminski
  Robert Culp	President	Stanley Tucci	Khamel	Hume Cronyn	Justice Rosenberg	John Lithgow	Smith Keen
  Anthony Heald	Marty Velmano	Cynthia Nixon	Alex Stark	Jake Weber	Curtis Morgan/Garcia	Ralph Cosham	Justice Jensen

  
    The Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
    Release Date: 1993
    Directed by Alan J. Pakula.

Labels: alan-j-pakula, cynthia-nixon, denzel-washington, drama3, hume-cronyn, john-heard, john-lithgow, journalism, julia-roberts, legal, political1, sam-shepard, thriller1

# posted by gail @ 15:43    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  By now you should know that I like gangster movies. Not all, mind you, but the complicated ones, the touching ones, the ones that are created out of reverie rather than a desire for action. Thus, it shouldn't surprise you that this movie has made it into my collection. I rank it up there with my (so far) favorite three gangster movies of all time, Once Upon a Time in America, The Godfather (the first, although I love the second and like the third and always watch all three together, even though the third causes me to involuntarily cringe, at times) and, you'll never guess, or maybe you will, The Public Enemy. Now, I have a list of four favorite gangster movies.
    In all but one of the above movies (The Public Enemy) the primary action is emotional, not physical. The melodrama is understated, which is why I don't include Godfather III in this line-up, which is all melodrama. Considering this second point, why do I include The Public Enemy as one of my top four gangster movies? That one is all melodrama, as well. Mainly, I think, because I identify with Tom Powers, so the melodrama is beside the point. I've known people like him. Personally. I dealt with one last year. I don't identify with anyone, let alone Michael Corleone, in Godfather III, even though I identified with him in both The Godfather and The Godfather II. Finally, why, then, do I not include The Godfather II as one of my top gangster movies? It's not far below but I don't consider it a gangster movie. I consider it a family saga about the establishment of both the Corleone blood-related and business-related families.
    So, yes. This movie, American Gangster (this link is to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie), is detailed, involving, polished. There has been plenty of criticism of its accuracy. According to Wikipedia, "...Johnson described the real life Lucas as 'illiterate, vicious, violent, and everything Denzel Washington was not.'" Okay. The Frank Lucas in this film is "'almost noble'", which the real Richie Roberts contrasts with the real object of his law enforcement attention. I think that other character, the "real" Frank Lucas, would be a great subject for a great film, as well. In fact, that character is the subject of a great film: The Public Enemy. I have no quarrel with this, even as I really love Denzel Washington's gangster depiction. Every gangster is a person and every person is different. The character Denzel Washington played may have been different than the real Frank Lucas, but I like his characterization, this story. I think, frankly, after having seen Training Day, Denzel could play that Frank Lucas successfully, as well. That's a movie I'd definitely see and probably buy. Is anyone in the film community listening?
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Denzel Washington	Frank Lucas	Russell Crowe	Richie Roberts	Chiwetel Ejiofor	Huey Lucas	Josh Brolin	Det. Trupo
  Clarence Williams III	Bumpy Johnson	Lymari Nadal	Eva	Ted Levine	Lou Toback	John Hawkes	Freddy Spearman
  Ruby Dee	Mahalee Lucas	Cuba Gooding Jr.	Nicky Barnes	Armand Assante	Dominic Cattano	Ritchie Coster	Joey Sadano
  Idris Elba	Tango	KaDee Strickland	Richie's Attorney	Roger Guenveur Smith	Nate	John Ortiz	Javier J Rivera

  
    Release Date: 2007
    Directed by Ridley Scott.

Labels: action1, adventure1, biography1, denzel-washington, drama3, gang-movie, historical2, john-hawkes, josh-brolin, legal, neo-noirB, period2, ridley-scott, ruby-dee, russell-crowe, violence2

# posted by gail @ 11:33    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2* *3* *4*
• 
  Commentary:  It never fails to amaze me that Mom enjoys this show as much as I do. I didn't expect her to. I thought she'd find the broad satire tense and boring, but it's not uncommon for her to find it laugh-out-loud funny and the legal issues intrigue her.
    It never fails that, after a show, we find ourselves discussing some aspect of the show we've just viewed. We'll definitely be watching and collecting all seasons.
  Update 5/14/2002: We did, indeed, collect all five seasons and Mom watched every episode with much enthusiasm. Frankly, I think she may have a crush on William Shatner (she is a Trekie), or maybe James Spader. Or both. I wouldn't put it past her.
    And, Candice Bergen (she is also a Murphy-ite). She always has time for Candice Bergen!
    In the table below I am listing only actors and their corresponding roles that are most recognizable to Mom.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  James Spader	Alan Shore	William Shatner	Denny Crane	Candice Bergen	Shirley Schmidt	René Auberjonois	Paul Lewiston
  Mark Valley	Brad Chase	Meredith Easton	Bethany Horowitz	Julie Bowen	Denise Bauer	John Larroquette	Carl Sack

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2004-2008
    Directed by several people; female directors sparse and only in Seasons 1, 2 and 4.

Labels: candice-bergen, female-director1, james-spader, legal, rené-auberjonois, satire2, shared-favorite, TV2

# posted by gail @ 08:57    0 comments    email......this post