Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Imagining Argentina
- Commentary: Hmmm. What to say about this movie? Well, firstly, it was almost universally panned by The Critic Class. You know who I mean. The critics who get published in newspapers and magazines. Roger Ebert didn't even touch it. Surprisingly, there were two major critics who gave it high ratings: The critic for the LA Times (review attached to the title of this post) and the critic for the San Francisco Chronicle (here's the link for the sfgate review). Otherwise, the pros just generally stomped all over this production. However, secondly, among plebian movie watchers (myself included), it was almost univerally enjoyed and well rated. My experience is that I saw the movie on some streaming service not long after it was released for theatrical viewing and then pulled from theaters. I don't remember what service, nor do I remember what provoked me to watch it, but it stuck with me, so much that, when I was reminded of the movie earlier today (in an article delineating "movie stinkers") I decided, let me check the price on this, oh, it's reasonable, more than reasonable, in fact, it's a bargain, and I ordered it.
The LA Times review, by the way, includes cast reactions to the audience and critical reactions, as well.
I didn't know, until today, searching out the movie, that it was universally panned by critics and universally enjoyed by plebes, including me. Realizing this is a large part of why I decided to acquire it. I am not above enjoying movies that (many professional) others find downright detestable (and, believe me, many professional critics placed this film into that category).
So saying, since it isn't a popular movie, it'll take a few days to make it to my doorstep (or mailbox, whatever). I'll report back. I'm so very curious to see how this movie hits me, now, and, by the way, pleased to add it to my collection, in large part because of the contention surrounding it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Antonio Banderas Carlos Rueda Emma Thompson Cecilia Rueda Leticia Dolera Teresa Rueda Maria Canals Esme Palomas Rubén Blades Silvio Ayala Irene Escolar Eurydice Fernando Tielve Orfeo/Enrico Mariana Seligmann Guzman Tochter Andreas Tang Himself Carlos Kaniowski Rubén Mendoza Claire Bloom Sara Sternberg John Wood Amos Sternberg
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Christopher Hampton.
Labels: emma-thompson, haunting3, historical5, magical-realism, political5, tragedy3, war3
Thursday, September 16, 2021
The Fountain
- Commentary: Under construction.
Interestingly, there is more than one commentary on this film at RogerEbert.com. There is Roger Ebert's initial review linked to the title of this post, written September 13, 2007. On September 11, 2006, Jim Emerson also wrote an initial review of this movie. On November 21, 2006, Jim Emerson wrote a second review of the movie for the website, as well. In September of 2007 Roger Ebert also wrote two meditations on the film, one published on September 14, 2007, and one, a response to his September 14th review, published on September 17, 2007. Once again, Jim Emerson chimed in on September 17, 2007, with his own third meditation.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Hugh Jackman Tomás Verde /Thomas Creo/Tommy the Space Traveler Rachel Weisz Isabella I of Castile/Izzi Creo Ellen Burstyn Dr. Lillian Guzetti Stephen McHattie Grand Inquisitor Silecio Mark Margolis Father Avila Cliff Curtis Captain Ariel Sean Patrick Thomas Antonio Fernando Hernandez Lord of Xibalba
My, this movie generated a lot of reviewer buzz, and not just within the Ebert Review Universe. Just check out this link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film. It's funny, because I remember checking it out of the library to watch it when it was first released on DVD. I was slightly gob-smacked by the entire production but was very busy at the time and wasn't able to watch it more than once before it was due back on the library shelves. I'm thinking that I missed quite a bit of the impact of the movie. It was the last year of my companionship of my mother, on to her death. I had no way of knowing she'd be gone in just over a year, but I was also so embraced in caring for her that, well, if she, or I, or we, watched a movie, there simply wasn't time to watch it more than once if it wasn't a part of our collection. At that time, this one wasn't. Now, it is, and I can contemplate it more fully.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
Labels: §2, darren-aronofsky, ellen-burstyn, fantasy4, magical-realism, prophecy, rachel-weisz, romance5, spiritual2
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
The Seventh Seal
- Commentary: This is a very emotionally complex movie. I've actually watched it twice since I received it. It casts a spell on me. It's not that it causes me to focus on deaths which have affected me, it's that it produces in me deep meditation about life, our knowledge that life is limited and no particular time frame or experience is promised to anyone.
The final scene of the film, too, carries a unique poignance. I think it's up to the viewer whether The Dead are resisting Death's lead, confused about what's happening or simply celebrating the dropping of the final curtain. Perhaps it depends on the individual characters in the dance. Whatever each of the characters is experiencing, the same experience is happening to all of them, but, as in the Dance of Life, each one is having an individual reaction. That's why I included as many actors/roles as I found listed in the table below. This film is not about the experience, I think, but the reaction to it. Which is why the chess game is so important. When one is given a chance, just before death, to play with the possibilities, well, what difference does it make? Good, and not rhetorical, question. Perhaps none? Perhaps all?
I may write more, later. I may not. I can assure my readers, though, I will be emotionally magnetized to watching it again. And, again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gunnar Björnstrand Jöns Bengt Ekerot Death Nils Poppe Jof Max von Sydow Antonius Block Bibi Andersson Mia Inga Landgré Karin Block Åke Fridell Plog Inga Gill Lisa Erik Strandmark Jonas Skat Bertil Anderberg Raval Gunnel Lindblom Mute Girl Maud Hansson Witch Gunnar Olsson Church Painter Albertus Pictor Church Painter Anders Ek The Monk Benkt-Åke Benktsson Merchant Gudrun Brost Maid Lars Lind Young Monk Tor Borong Farmer Harry Asklund Innkeeper
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here is the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1957
Directed by Ingmar Bergman.
Labels: §1, Criterion2, magical-realism, max-von-sydow, period6, philosophical, war2
Akira Kurosawa's Dreams
- Commentary: This film is a series of biographical vignettes from an extremely personal perspective. That may sound like it's difficult to watch, but, in fact, it is, like it's title, dreamy and extraordinarily engaging. As you watch, you can either consider it a Kurosawa statement, or you can meander through the vignettes as individual statements being made by the characters.
The fact that this collection of films is "hosted, of sorts, I sometimes find annoying, but then another vignette begins and I lose myself. Again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Name Role Name Actor Name Role Name Actor Name Role Name Actor Name Role Name Akira Terao I, Dreamer I, Dreamer Mitsunori Isaki I, Young Dreamer Mitsuko Baisho Dreamer's Mother Martin Scorsese Vincent Van Gogh Chishū Ryū Old Man Mieko Harada Snow Spirit Yoshitaka Zushi Private Noguchi Toshie Negishi Woman with Child Hisashi Igawa Nuclear Power Plant Man Chosuke Ikariya The Demon Akira Kurosawa Self Matt Sloan Host
Here is a link to the Wikipedia write-up on this film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Akira Kurosawa.
Labels: §1, akira-kurosawa, chishū-ryū, Criterion2, fantasy4, magical-realism
