Saturday, September 24, 2022
Conan the Barbarian
- Commentary: I've seen this film more than a few times, checking it out of the library. I managed to get what amounts to a free copy of it, just today, 9/24/22. I don't have it, yet, it'll be arriving Monday, reportedly. I could probably start a write-up of it from my memory of watching it, but I think I want to wait, since it's been awhile (like a few years) since I've seen it last, and I need to luxuriate in it, once again, this time knowing it'll be my personal copy, before writing about it. So, consider this post, for the time being, Under construction.
And, BTW, Roger Ebert reviewed it. And liked it! Not completely, mind you. His lack of a fourth star is explained, in detail, in his write-up, and not only makes sense, especially considering when the movie came out and Roger wrote his review, but it is provocative, thoughtful and timely, even today, 40 years after it was written. Which is probably a good thing, since it's still a lively seller. I mean, here I am, selecting it as a free movie option! Roger's review is attached to the title of this post. You should read it.
Another group of critics reviewed this movie, Three Movie Buffs. Their results are more than interesting, they are loaded with logistical details about the movie. If you have a "thing" for this movie, you should read their reviews.
Anyway, we'll talk more when I receive the movie and watch it afresh.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Arnold Schwarzenegger Conan the Barbarian Gerry Lopez Subotai Sandahl Bergman Valeria James Earl Jones Thulsa Doom Max von Sydow King Osric Mako Iwamatsu Wizard of the Mounds William Smith Conan's Father Sven-Ole Thorsen Thorgrim Ben Davidson Rexor Cassandra Gava Witch Valérie Quennessen Osric's Daughter Nadiuska Conan's Mother Jorge Sanz Young Conan Luis Barboo Red Hair Franco Columbu Pictish Scout Akio Mitamura Mongol General
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1982
Directed by John Milius.
Labels: adventure4, fantasy4, max-von-sydow, me-favorite4, oliver-stone, spectacle2, super-hero2, sword-&-sorcery, violence4
Thursday, June 09, 2022
Shutter Island
- Commentary: This movie received highly contradictory critiques, from being considered a high best film of 2010 to being declared not having been worth making. It created so much critical controversy that, aside from triggering more than one critic to produce a review of this movie on RogerEbert.com, there were also several critics who opined about the issues the movie raised for them. The immediately previous link takes you to the simple search I performed for the movie's title, which typically brings up only one review per movie.
I found the movie intriguing, involving, enjoyable and ultimately entertainingly disturbing. It was sent to me by MFS, out of the blue. After I watched the film I wondered why she picked it out for me. I still haven't asked her, but now it doesn't matter. I've watched it three times since I received it. I find that with each viewing, I discover something that I need to bookmark in my mind and pull out on a next watching. In fact, I think I might watch it, again, tonight, now that I'm thinking of it.
Although it appears to have a highly complicated plot, by the end you realize that the complications are solely in the main character's mind, not in yours, which, in a sense, increases the satisfaction in watching it. It is also, for me, a bit scary to watch. After the second watching, I found myself speculating that a similar type of confusion could easily afflict me. I wouldn't have the excuse of murder to drive me to confound myself, but there's enough odd about my life that I can imagine becoming troubled over my deep contemplation of myself and not being able to exit. That is the power of this movie. Although few of us are outright murderers, most of us feel deadly guilty about some incident in our lives. Even my mother had such an incident. When she finally told me what it was, it seemed benign enough to me. It did not involve the murder or even the mistreatment of someone. It involved an incident in which she realized she was unfairly prejudiced against a particular group of people (not because of color, because of religion). It did not involve an opportunity to make direct amends. Upon discovering her prejudice she immediately set about conquering it, but the memory of the discovery haunted her, literally, to her dying day, for a full 40+ years, even though she was successful in understanding and overcoming it.
So, essentially, for me, this movie is a reminder that our monsters, as well as our angels, are just beneath the surface, ready, equally, to take advantage of any opportunity to escape.
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 Leonardo DiCaprio Edward Daniels Mark Ruffalo Chuck Aule Ben Kingsley Dr. John Cawley Max von Sydow Dr. Jeremiah Naehring Michelle Williams Dolores Chanal Emily Mortimer Nurse Portraying Rachel Solando Patricia Clarkson Rachel Solando Jackie Earle Haley George Noyce John Carroll Lynch 1st Deputy Warden McPherson Joseph Sikora Glen Miga Ted Levine The Warden Elias Koteas Andrew Laeddis Ruby Jerins Little Girl Robin Bartlett Bridget Kearns Curtiss Cook Trey Washington Christopher Denham Peter Breene
Here is the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Labels: ben-kingsley, drama2, dream1, emily-mortimer, leonardo-dicaprio, martin-scorsese, max-von-sydow, mystery1, neo-noirC, psychological1
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Game of Thrones: First through Eighth Seasons
- Commentary: Yeah, I know, what am I doing with only the 5th season? A friend of mine gave it to me when I was complaining about having to wait forever to check it out from the library, and told me not to bother giving it back, she was done with it. "Pass it on," she said. Once I'm done with it I will, on to the library. I know from the length of their hold list on this, of which I was once a part, they could use another copy of it. And, yes, I enjoyed it, but not enough to keep, I don't think. Although I'm not sure. We'll see.
Updated 2/5/18: "By hook, crook" (not really, regarding the "crook") and purchase I now own all seven seasons of this serial, and I'll probably own the eighth, when it's available. I don't have the luxury of watching this show when it debuts on HBO, but I'm hooked, now, much to my surprise. I don't agree with the critics that it's the best television series ever produced (I haven't made my mind up about that, yet), but I do think it's close, certainly many-notes-worthy, and a production to which I know I'll refer many times. Just in case, since I'm noticing that many links to the producers of these movies and tv series often go dead after awhile, here's the Wikipedia link to Game of Thrones.
Updated 1/18/21: As you can see by the title, I now own the entire Game of Thrones series. My favorite seasons are the middle ones, where people are striving to accomplish their goals. I felt I owed it to the series, though, to follow it through to the end, not knowing that the final season would be anticlimactic throughout all six episodes. I'm okay with that, though. Like many others, worldwide, I became addicted, for good reason. The last season competently ended that addiction. Not that I will never watch any of the series, again. I am currently, and slowly, making my way through the series. I'm early into Season 5. Great acting and great storytelling doesn't exist to be abandoned on a shelf.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published August 14, 2016. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Update 6/15/2022: If, like me, you found yourself unpleasantly gob-smacked by the eighth season of this series, you might find this video commentary interesting.
Seasons 1 - 8 Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peter Dinklage Tyrion Lannister Lena Headey Cercie Lannister Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Jamie Lannister Emilia Clarke Danerys Targaryen Kit Harington Jon Snow Sophie Turner Sansa Stark Maisie Williams Arya Stark Iain Glen Jorah Mormont Alfie Allen/Reek Theon Greyjoy Sean Bean Eddard Stark Michelle Fairley Catelyn Stark Harry Lloyd Viserys Targaryen Isaac Hempstead Wright Brandon Stark Jack Gleeson Joffrey Baratheon Rory McCann Sandor "The Hound" Clegane Aidan Gillen Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish Liam Cunningham Davos Seaworth Stephen Dillane Stannis Baratheon Carice van Houten Melisandre Natalie Dormer Margaery Tyrell Conleth Hill Varys Jerome Flynn Bronn Charles Dance Tywin Lannister John Bradley Samwell Tarly James Cosmo Jeor Mormont Joe Dempsie Gendry Oona Chaplin Talisa Stark Kristofer Hivju Tormund Giantsbane Gwendoline Christie Brienne of Tarth Iwan Rheon Ramsey Snow/Bolton Hannah Murray Gilly Nathalie Emmanuel Missandei Dean-Charles Chapman Tommen Baratheon Tom Wlaschiha Jaqen H'ghar Indira Varma Ellaria Sand Jonathan Pryce The High Sparrow Daniel Portman Podrick Payne Bella Ramsey Lyanna Mormont Pilou Asbæk Euron Greyjoy Anton Lesser Qyburn Gemma Whelan Yara Greyjoy Lino Facioli Robin Arryn Jacob Anderson Grey Worm James Faulkner Randyll Tarly Diana Rigg Olenna Tyrell Keisha Castle-Hughes Obara Sand Joseph Mawle Benjen Stark Kate Dickie Lysa Arryn David Bradley Walter Frey Jim Broadbent Archmaester Ebrose Max von Sydow Three-eyed Raven Julian Glover Grand Maester Pycelle Peter Vaughan Maester Aemon Kristian Nairn Hodor Jason Momoa Khal Drogo Thomas Brodie-Sangster Jojen Reed
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2011-2019
Directed by: Okay, so here's a huge disappointment. Despite having many directors, only one of those directors was a woman and she directed only two episodes in Season 4. Shameful.
Labels: action1, adventure1, drama6, fantasy2, female-director3, indira-varma, jonathan-pryce, max-von-sydow, period2, peter-dinklage, political2, royals, spectacle1, suspense2, tragedy1, TV1, violence2, war1
Friday, July 16, 2021
Fröken Julie [Miss Julie] - 1951 Film
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Anita Björk Miss Julie Ulf Palme Jean Märta Dorff Kristin Lissi Alandh Countess Berta Anders Henrikson Count Carl Kurt-Olof Sundström Julie's fiancé Åke Fridell Robert Max von Sydow Hand
Here is the link to the Wikipedia article on this movie.
Release Date: 1951
Directed by Alf Sjöberg.
Labels: §, birth-year, Criterion3, max-von-sydow, romance4
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
Thursday, March 18, 2021
The Emigrants
- Commentary: Under construction.
As well as the review, linked to the title of this post, Roger Ebert also wrote an interesting article containing a mini-interview with one of the two screenplay writers. More than an interview, though, it is a reflection on many aspects of Swedish cinema with the views of multiple people respresented.
This movie is a companion to and encased with The New Land.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Max von Sydow Karl Oskar Nilsson Liv Ullmann Kristina Nilsson Eddie Axberg Robert Nilsson Sven-Olof Bern Nilsson Father Aina Alfredsson Nilsson Mother Allan Edwall Danjel Andreasson Monica Zetterlund Ulrika Pierre Lindstedt Arvid Hans Alfredson Jonas Petter Ulla Smidje Inga-Lena Andreasson Eva-Lena Zetterlund Elin Gustaf Färingborg Provost Brusander Åke Fridell Aron Agneta Prytz Fina-Kajsa Halvar Björk Anders Månsson Bruno Sörwing Sherriff Lönnegren
Here is the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1971
Directed by Jan Troell.
Labels: §3, Criterion1, drama1, immigration, max-von-sydow, period1
The New Land
- Commentary: Under construction.
The essay above is about the companion movies "The Emigrants" and "The New Land".
This movies is a companion to and encased with The Emigrants.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Max von Sydow Karl Oskar Nilsson Liv Ullmann Kristina Nilsson Eddie Axberg Robert Nilsson Pierre Lindstedt Arvid Allan Edwall Danjel Andreasson Monica Zetterlund Ulrika Hans Alfredson Jonas Petter Agneta Prytz Fina-Kajsa Halvar Björk Anders Månsson Tom C. Fouts Pastor Jackson Per Oscarsson Pastor Törner Oscar Ljung Oscar Ljung
Here in the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1972
Directed by Jan Troell.
Labels: §3, Criterion1, drama1, immigration, max-von-sydow, period1
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
3 Days of the Condor
- Commentary: I can't believe it's taken me this long, and this movie, in particular, to initiate the label category "spy". Clearly, I have other "spy" movies, the Jason Bourne movies coming most immediately to mind. Didn't occur to me, though, back then, to create a "spy" category. Let's see, I'm thinking Hanna, too, and, well, I'm sure, more.
In fact, although I have some spy movies, I'm not really a spy movie aficionado. There are, for instance, so many James Bond movies I haven't seen that, frankly, I can't remember the ones I have seen.
I'm not much of a Robert Redford fan, either. I own some movies in which he stars or is a member of a celebrated ensemble cast (i.e. The Sting), but my curiosity about any movie isn't piqued because he happens to be in it. I think, in fact, that I've seen (and probably own) more movies that he's produced and/or directed than those in which he's acted.
That being said, I really enjoy this movie. It's my kind of spy movie: You know but you just don't know; you never know; too bad for you; now what're you gonna do?!?
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Redford Joseph Turner Faye Dunaway Kathy Hale Cliff Robertson Higgins Max von Sydow Joubert John Houseman Wabash Addison Powell Leonard Atwood Walter McGinn Sam Barber Tina Chen Janice Chong
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 1975
Directed by Sydney Pollack.
Labels: adventure2, detective1, drama2, faye-dunaway, max-von-sydow, political1, robert-redford, spy, suspense1, thriller1
Friday, March 09, 2007
The Bible Series
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This set contains the stories of three Old Testament characters and a review of the first book of the Old Testament:
Esther [Directed by Raffaele Mertes; Release Date: 1999; Wikipedia link]
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Louise Lombard Hadassah/Esther F. Murray Abraham Mordecai Jürgen Prochnow Haman Thomas Kretschmann King Ahasuerus Ornella Muti Vashti Umberto Orsini Memucan Darren Branstord Nehemiah Natasha Williams Mimouna
→ f-murray-abraham
Jeremiah [Directed by Harry Winer; Release Date: 1998; Wikipedia link]
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Patrick Dempsey Jeremiah Oliver Reed General Safan Andrea Occhipinti King Joiakim Vincent Regan King Zedekiah Leonor Varela Judith Klaus Maria Brandauer King Nebuchadnezzar Stuart Bunce Baruch Jolyon Stephenson Ebed Melech
→ oliver-reed
Solomon [Directed by Roger Young; Relase Date: 1997; Wikipedia link]
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ben Cross Solomon Anouk Aimée Bathsheba Max von Sydow David Ivan Kaye Adonijah Maria Grazia Cucinotta Abishag Umberto Orsini Nathan Roger Hammond Zadok Pete Lee-Wilson Ahlijah
Genesis: The Creation and the Flood [Directed by Ermanno Olmi; Release Date: 1994; Wikipedia link].
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Scofield Narrator Omero Antonutti Noah Sabir Aziz Adam Haddou Zoubida Eve Annabi Abdelialil Cain B. Haddan Mohammed Abel
Mom is, of course, transfixed by all the movies. My personal favorite is the story of Solomon, although I appreciate the production of Esther's story, especially after having seen One Night with the King. It is this series and The Bible Collection that prompted me to institute a new label, "bible-movies", as these don't quite fit in the category of "jesus-dvds".
Update 8/2/21: (My late mother's birthday, by the way: Happy Birthday, Mom!): I hesitate to mention this, but, if something of my mother continues to exist and is aware of me, she'll be pleased that I continue to watch all the movies in this assortment and The Bible Collection religiously (forgive the pun) throughout every year with much enjoyment, even though I am an agnostic atheist. That's how well done they are.
Labels: bible-movies1, f-murray-abraham, max-von-sydow, oliver-reed, religion1
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The Greatest Story Ever Told
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Yet another one of Mom's "jesus-dvds" (I use this term tongue-in-cheek, as I also consider The Ten Commandments a "jesus-dvd"). I didn't think we'd ever own it because the last time we watched it on TV I noticed there were no English subtitles, which is essential for my mother's enjoyment of any movie. I found a cheap copy of it at the grocery store today, though, with closed captioning (although no English subtitles, which is unfortunate since closed captioning is sometimes kind of iffy on our set) so decided I'd get it for Mom. I think this is one of her favorites of this genre; not because it features yet another Nordic Jesus, but because of the scope and grand presentation. And, it's length. Weighty movies work better for her when they go to extreme lengths. This is not my favorite, but I am attracted to it's spectacle.
Now all we need to do is procure a copy of The Last Temptation of Christ [we finally did procure a copy of this movie] and Mom will figure we're set.
Update 2/7/18: Yes, I donated this movie to my local library. In the end, I knew I would never watch it again. Funny, because there are several jesus-dvds and bible epics in my/our collection that I enjoy, even when they are clearly cheesy. But this one? No can do. Sorry, Mom.
Update 5/16/2022: The cast in this movie is stupendous. Take a look at the Wikipedia segment about it; not the listing, but the paragraph below. An even better, more complete, list is the one at IMDb, as it attaches more actors to their roles than Wikipedia. It's a lot of fun to go through it. It was as though the production company decided to corral every actor signed to the overseeing studio into one movie before they started dying off. I mean, Pat Boone as The Angel at the Tomb? Really? Clearly, I mean, clearly a vanity project, and an unsuccessful one, at that. But, Mom loved it. I have a feeling there were, and are, a lot of Christian women "of a certain age" that feel the same.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Max von Sydow Jesus Dorothy McGuire The Virgin Mary Charlton Heston John the Baptist Claude Rains Herod the Great José Ferrer Herod Antipas Telly Savalas Pontius Pilate Martin Landau Caiaphas David McCallum Judas Iscariot Donald Pleasence The Dark Hermit - Satan Michael Anderson Jr. James the Less Roddy McDowall Matthew Joanna Dunham Mary Magdalene Joseph Schildkraut Nicodemus Ed Wynn Old Aram Pat Boone Angel at the Tomb Shelley Winters Woman Who Is Healed
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1965
Directed by George Stevens.
Labels: bible-movies1, charlton-heston, claude-rains, drama8, jesus-dvds, max-von-sydow, mom-favorite1, period4, spectacle2, van-heflin
Sunday, February 13, 2005
What Dreams May Come
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This movie was recommended to me by another customer looking for movies as Valentine's Day gifts. She and I explained to one another what we were looking for. I had a list...she did not. But, she suggested this movie, and another, which I'm going to return as, after I came home I remembered Mom and I had 'tried' the movie on cable and couldn't get into it. Not even with Gena Rowlands, who we'll usually watch in anything.
Anyway, I remember being suspicious of this movie when it first came out, around the time that John Edwards became very popular. Not that I didn't find him fascinating, too, for awhile, and my mother was hooked on his shows, but, for some reason that I can't remember, I dismissed the movie without seeing it.
So, neither of us has seen it, it should be interesting, and I don't know if we'll be keeping it or passing it on to someone else.
Update 2/14/05: We watched this movie last night. We both found the special effects fascinating, although we made the mistake of watching the movie mid-late afternoon and we definitely have a sun and glare problem in our living/dining area.
Mom had trouble keeping in her head that most of the movie was taking place in "heaven" and most of the people were dead. First, too, when she oriented herself, she thought Cuba Gooding, Jr. was god, then Max von Sydow (who played Jesus in one of her beloved Bible Movies). She also noticed that Robin Williams mugs his way through the emotional scenes in serious pictures. I'd never noticed this, but she's right. He does. He has an "emotional scenes mask" that is clearly detectable. I remember it, some, from a very obscure picture he made: Being Human; less so, interestingly, in Good Morning, Vietnam.
She also has her own very specific and very liberal ideas of "heaven"; some of which dovetail with some of the ideas in the movie...some of which don't.
I found the theology/spirituality interesting, considering that it is being put forth before the public (which wasn't all that risky in 1998; I don't think this is why the movie didn't do all that well), but not as daring as my own. Truth is, I'm not sure whether we'll watch this one again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robin Williams Dr. Chris Nielsen Cuba Gooding Jr. Albert Lewis/Ian Nielsen Annabella Sciorra Annie Collins-Nielsen Max von Sydow The Tracker/Albert Lewis
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Vincent Ward.
Labels: dramaB, fantasy3, max-von-sydow, popcorn-and-soda5, pseudo-cgi-animation, robin-williams, romance3, spiritual2
