Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Minority Report
- Commentary: Roger Ebert was, in his words, so "blindsided" by the "brilliance" of this movie that, aside from his usual write-up (connected to the title of this post), he conducted an interview with Steven Spielberg, the film's director, and Tom Cruise, the film's lead actor, to delve into a variety of topics surrounding the making of the movie and its contribution to its genre. Speaking of which, you might notice that I included it in both neo-noir and melodrama (my film-noir category). I did this because I've seen it listed as both, so, you know, to be fair ...
I saw this movie twice when my mother was alive. She was a fan of science fiction (all types), found this movie thrilling and clamored to see it twice, in the theatre, which we did.
Twenty years later, I remember it as complicated and astonishingly high tech. I was reminded of the movie when I was reading an article about robots in the movies (which I did not, alas, bookmark, but there are so many articles out there about this movie that similar sentiments probably won't be hard to find, if you're looking for them). The article mentioned that this movie is an example of robots that do not engage with humans, do not become friendly with humans, do not react to individual humans, do not, in fact, veer from the purpose for which they were created, which is to identify and, thus, help corral generic humans in various ways, without concern about who the humans are individually, politically and spiritually. This, the article suggested, puts it in a peculiar and somewhat smaller category than those of most movies that feature robots. I was surprised at this article's mention of robots in this movie because my memories of it didn't contain any robots. I have a niggling interest in movies that feature robots, so I decided to obtain the movie. When I receive and rewatch the movie, I'm sure I'll have more to say about this aspect of it, and other features, as well.
Update 12/30/22: Well, I did it, all day today. I indulged myself in the third watching, in my life, of this movie. I also watched all the many special features included on a second disc (I highly recommend them all, but, especially, the interview with Steven Spielberg). Going in, I wondered how much of it would be familiar to me. Coming out, I was breathless. I remembered a lot of it, but what I didn't remember were the tech savvy action sequences and the out-of-nowhere subplots, which continue to thrill me, perhaps because my mother's gasps of surprise, so many years ago, had also been stored in my memory and brought back cozy memories of absorbing her reactions along with my own.
Good movie? Yes, I'm glad I added it to my collection. I hadn't remembered, as well, how much heart the movie has and how much it relies on the slow unfolding of the tragedy at the center of the protagonist's (played by Tom Cruise) life. Nor did I remember the surprising resolution of Anderton's despair, despite the fact that it is prefigured in the characterization of his former wife.
BTW, quite a bit of the characters' dialog in the movie is recorded here by, no doubt, discerning fans.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Cruise Chief John Anderton Max von Sydow Lamar Burgess Colin Farrell Danny Witwer Samantha Morton Agatha Lively Michael Dickman Arthur Arkadian Matthew Dickman Dashiell Arkadian Lois Smith Dr. Iris Hineman Kathryn Morris Lara Anderton Tyler Patrick Jones Sean Anderton Mike Binder Leo Crowe Steve Harris Jad Watson Jessica Harper Anne Lively Tim Blake Nelson Gideon Daniel London Norbert Wallace Peter Stormare Dr. Solomon P. Eddie Neal McDonough Gordon Fletcher
Besides the stacked and noteworthy cast listed above, the movie is teeming with significant actors playing bit parts and walk-ons. There must have been a great deal of industry buzz about this movie as it was being made since it appears that everyone and their dogs were clamoring to be included.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Labels: lois-smith, melodramaC, neo-noirC, science-fiction2, steven-spielberg, thriller4, tom-cruise, violence5
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Resurrection
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ellen Burstyn Edna Mae McCauley Jeffrey DeMunn Joseph McCauley Roberts Blossom John Harper Eva Le Gallienne Grandma Pearl Lois Smith Kathy Sam Shepard Cal Carpenter Richard Hamilton Reverend Earl Carpenter Richard Farnsworth Esco Brown
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by Daniel Petrie.
Labels: §5, ellen-burstyn, goflexB, lois-smith, psychological2, reflective, religion2, sam-shepard
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Green Card
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of my favorite romantic comedies. There isn't anything about it I don't like. When I purchased the movie, though, for some reason I thought my mother wouldn't like it, so I planned my first "owned" viewing while she napped. She awoke and joined me during the scene in which "the big French Oaf" assents to play an original composition on the piano for dinner guests he's just met. After the scene she asked if we could start the movie again.
I remember once, after watching the movie, Mom said, "Isn't it interesting how such a bad ending can make you feel so good?!?"
I remember responding that, yeah, I'd never thought about it but, at the end of this story, you have absolute confidence that their love triumphed, and will continue to triumph.
At one other watching, Mom sat back satisfied at the end and said, "I remember seeing that movie when I was teaching. It came out about the time those Hepburn/Tracy movies came out."
In case you're wondering, I did not disavow her of this notion. It is a great compliment to this movie that my mother considers it in the same category as the Hepburn/Tracy romantic comedies.
Finally, I couldn't resist, here's Roger Ebert's review of this movie. He gave it three stars.
And a bonus post: a reverie of sorts about Ebert's fascination with Peter Weir's work. I share that fascination. I'm happy.
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 Gérard Depardieu Georges Fauré Andie MacDowell Brontë Parrish Bebe Neuwirth Lauren Adler Gregg Edelman Phil Robert Prosky Brontë's lawyer Mary Louise Wilson Mrs. Sheehan Lois Smith Brontë's mother Ann Dowd Peggy Conrad McLaren Brontë's father Ronald Guttman Anton Jessie Keosian Mrs. Bird Danny Dennis Oscar
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Peter Weir.
Labels: comedy2, gérard-depardieu, lois-smith, peter-weir, romance4, ronald-guttman, shared-favorite
Monday, May 10, 2021
Lady Bird
- Commentary: Under construction.
Once again, a loaded list over at RogerEbert.com when pulling a search on this movie, including an interview with Greta Gerwig.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Saoirse Ronan Christine MacPherson Laurie Metcalf Marion MacPherson Tracy Letts Larry MacPherson Lucas Hedges Daniel O'Neill Timothée Chalamet Kyle Scheible Beanie Feldstein Julianne Steffans Lois Smith Sister Sarah Joan Stephen McKinley Henderson Father Leviatch Odeya Rush Jenna Walton Jordan Rodrigues Miguel MacPherson Marielle Scott Shelly Yuhan Jake McDorman Mr. Bruno
Here is the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Greta Gerwig.
Labels: §2, A24, coming-of-age1, dramedy1, female-director2, greta-gerwig, laurie-metcalf, lois-smith, saoirse-ronan
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Falling Down
- Commentary: I almost feel like I have to explain my affection for this movie. Michael Douglas portrays such a tortured, confused character, one with whom I don't identify. And, yet, in my opinion, he plays it brilliantly and the story within which he unfolds this character is believable and thrilling. Initially, I think he was brave to take on this role. On second and third thought, though, Michael Douglas is refreshingly ready to surprise his audience with the range of the characters he takes on. This is one of his more complicated characters. For me, it's a Michael Douglas coup. I am always ready to watch this movie, which is why I have it in my collection.
One last mention: Roger Ebert wrote an interesting article about the rise of Donald Trump (pre-election) that used four different movies as grist for his mill. It's quite interesting. This movie is one of his four. And, BTW, all the movies he mentioned are in my collection and are favorites of mine. Who'd-a-thunk!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Michael Douglas William Foster Robert Duvall Sgt. Martin Prendergast Barbara Hershey Beth Trevino Rachel Ticotin Det. Sandra Torres Tuesday Weld Amanda Prendergast Frederic Forrest Nick Lois Smith Foster's Mother Joey Hope Singer Adele Foster-Trevino Michael Paul Chan Mr. Lee Raymond J. Barry Cpt. Bill Yardley D. W. Moffett Det. Lydecker Steve Park Det. Brian
Here is the Wikipedia article on this film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Joel Schumacher.
Labels: action2, adventure2, barbara-hershey, drama1, economic, haunting1, lois-smith, michael-douglas, political1, psychological1, robert-duvall, satire1, thriller1, tragedy1, tuesday-weld, violence1
Monday, February 05, 2018
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Romantic Dramas
- Commentary: I'm putting no labels on this collection other than the "collection" label, since this write-up includes four very different movies. It is interesting to note that the collection is named "Romantic Dramas" by TCM, who put it together, which I like because, having watched all of these movies at least once, they are romantic in the old tradition. Yes, they include relationship material, but in a much more complicated way than we tend to think of "romance" today. In addition, each of these films, in one way or another, follows the old, nuanced definition of "romantic": "marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized". This is not a collection of Pretty Woman fantasy type romantic dramas. This is a collection of "real life" romantic drama.
Update 5/26/21: Well, I put another label on this collection, popcorn-and-soda2, which is appropriate to all four movies, especially if watched on a binge-worthy afternoon.
Update 8/3/21: And, another label, I finally relented and placed these in the romance4 category.
This Collection Includes:
East of Eden: To my mind, this is a good adaptation of the second half of the novel. My preference is for the novel, but the film is excellent, as well, and handy to keep in mind as you read the novel.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julie Harris Abra Bacon James Dean Caleb Trask Raymond Massey Adam Trask Richard Davalos Aaron Trask Burl Ives Sheriff Sam Jo Van Fleet Kate Ames/Cathy Trask Albert Dekker Will Hamilton Harold Gordon Gustav Albrecht Nick Dennis Rantani Lois Smith Servant Anne Timothy Carey Henchman Joe Barbara Baxley Nurse
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1955
Directed by Elia Kazan.
→ lois-smith, elia-kazan
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: This is my favorite film adaptation of this play. Sometimes film adaptations of Tennessee Williams' plays don't hold my interest, but this one does. Paul Newman adds a vulnerability to Brick that is hard to beat and Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie is perfect. The convolutions revealed, as lies unravel, is compelling. This is a true troubled family drama. The only characters outside of family who appear in this are the clean-up crew, so to speak.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Elizabeth Taylor Margaret Pollitt Paul Newman Brick Pollitt Burl Ives Harvey Pollitt Judith Anderson Ida Pollitt Jack Carson Cooper Pollitt Madeleine Sherwood Mae Flynn Pollitt Larry Gates Dr. Baugh Vaughn Taylor Deacon Davis
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1958
Directed by Richard Brooks.
→ southern-gothic, paul-newman
A Streetcar Named Desire: Although I enjoyed the acting, it's certainly stellar, I studied this play in college and found the film adaptation confusing and lacking. Read the play, or see it in the theater, before watching the movie.
Here's what Three Movie Buffs have to say about this film. Interesting, informative reviews from all three.
In addition, look! Another 1951 film I didn't even realize I had!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Vivien Leigh Blanche Marlon Brando Stanley Kim Hunter Stella Karl Malden Mitch Rudy Bond Steve Nick Dennis Pablo Peg Hillias Eunice Wright King Collector Ann Dere Matron Edna Thomas Mexican Woman Richard Garrick Doctor Lyle Latell Policeman
A miscellaneous note ripped from the Wikipedia page, linked below: As of May 2022, Mickey Kuhn, who played The Sailor and is not listed in the Actor/Role table, above, is the last surviving cast member of this movie.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1951
Directed by Elia Kazan
→ marlon-brando, southern-gothic, birth-year, elia-kazan
Rebel Without a Cause: Perhaps I wasn't the right age when I first saw this movie, well into my 50's, but it just doesn't attract me. As far as James Dean's acting is concerned, my favorite movie is Giant. That one makes me wish his life had been longer so he could develop as an actor. This movie, well, I'm sure it was a money maker, and I guess he acted well, but I found the story tedious and his character nothing to write home about. I know. It's sacrilegious to say that, but, well, I'm glad he got two other really involving films under his belt before he died.
Roger Ebert christened this movie as one of his Great Movies. I've linked his review to the of this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James Dean Jim Stark Natalie Wood Judy Sal Mineo John Crawford Jim Backus Frank Stark Ann Doran Carol Stark Corey Allen Buzz Gunderson William Hopper Judy's Father Rochelle Hudson Judy's Mother Edward Platt Ins. Ray Fremick Marietta Canty Crawford Family Maid Virginia Brissac Grandma Stark Dennis Hopper Goon Jack Grinnage Moose Frank Mazzola Crunch Ian Wolfe Dr. Minton Beverly Long Helen Robert Foulk Gene Jack Simmons Cookie Tom Bernard Harry Nick Adams Chick
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1955
Directed by Nicholas Ray.
Labels: birth-year, elia-kazan, karl-malden, lois-smith, marlon-brando, natalie-wood, paul-newman, popcorn-and-soda2, romance4, southern-gothic
