Thursday, June 13, 2024
The Three Burials of Melquiadas Estrada
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tommy Lee Jones Pete Perkins Barry Pepper Ptmn. Mike Norton Julio Cedillo Melquiades Estrada Dwight Yoakam Sheriff Belmont January Jones Lou Ann Norton Melissa Leo Rachel Richard Andrew Jones Bob Vanessa Bauche Mariana Levon Helm Old Man with Radio Mel Rodriguez Captain Gómez Cecilia Suárez Rosa Ignacio Guadalupe Lucio
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Tommy Lee Jones.
Labels: melissa-leo, revisionist-western, tommy-lee-jones
Saturday, June 04, 2022
Mildred Pierce 2011 TV Miniseries
- Commentary: I've been a fan of the original Mildred Pierce movie with Joan Crawford for a long time. The story so intrigued me that I borrowed a copy of the James Cain novel upon which it was based. In fact, I did this while Mom was alive and we read it, together, out loud. Were we surprised! The novel and the movie are much different. This did not dampen my love for the movie. We decided, though, after the introduction to Mildred's plight at the beginning, the movie and the novel had to be considered different stories, not just different takes on the same story. Then, this miniseries arrived. I was intrigued by the publicity and was able to check it out of the library when it was released on DVD. I was not disappointed. So, which do I prefer, the miniseries or the movie? I love that the miniseries adheres so closely to the novel. It's so well produced and acted. It's one of my favorite series. I have to say, though, I have no preference between it and the movie. I love both equally well. I notice that the Wikipedia article, to which I've linked in the title, above, recorded some significant criticism of the miniseries, but I have none. Each rendering is different. Both are equally satisfying for me. I like, in fact, to watch them back-to-back, the movie first, always. Joan Crawford sets the tone. Kate Winslet embellishes it. Funny, isn't it, that the movie could not be considered a period piece since it is true to the time it was filmed, but the miniseries definitely is.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 2/5/2018 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kate Winslet Mildred Pierce Guy Pearce Monty Beragon Evan Rachel Wood Veda Pierce Miriam Shor Anna Melissa Leo Lucy Gessler Morgan Turner Young Veda Pierce James LeGros Wally Burgan Brían F. O'Byrne Bert Pierce Mare Winningham Ida Corwin Hope Davis Mrs. Forrester Quinn McColgan Ray Pierce Waltrudis Buck Mrs. Temple
Just in case, here's the Wikipedia write-up.
Release Date: 2011
Directed by Todd Haynes.
Labels: drama5, guy-pearce, hope-davis, me-favorite1, melissa-leo, neo-noirC, period2, TV1
Monday, January 28, 2019
The Equalizer 2
- Commentary: I have to say, the second in this series, as often happens, is a little disappointing. I still love the character, and there is a dynamite good-guy-vs.-bad-guy fight at the end, in the rain, on top of a concrete structure, right at the edge of a drop-off into the ocean, on the property that McCall owns. Good set-up. Good choreography. The story, though is a pretty standard avenge story, although it starts well, is so standard that, as I watched it the first time I kept second guessing the coming action and none of my wild and woolly fantasies were even hinted at in the actual film. The movie's set-up implies an imaginative adventure, and then only half-heartedly delivers.
I still love the character, though. I still love Washington's portrayal of the character. I just wish there had been more substance. I really enjoyed the first movie in the series and felt as though I was promised a super-spectacular sequel. Didn't happen. If this series continues, I'll watch other entries, but I can't promise I'll want to own them. The second in the series got a pass because, well, it often happens that the second is a little muddled and, expecting that there is more to this character and his stories, I collected it. If there's a third, as the press following the initial theater release of the first implies that a third is being considered, I'll be careful. Even if a third shows up at my library, I'll be sure to watch it more than once before I buy, especially if I like it.
Apparently, those connected with the film, including the director and the writer, were astonished at the success of this second film. On the subject of the possibility of a third, an article published on 7/25/18 was subtitled: "No-one expected The Equalizer 2 to do so well at the box office when it was released last week." Three days later, in an article written about the premiere of this movie (dated 7/28/18 @ 11:54 a.m., also quoted below): "...it sounds like the cast and crew already have plans for a third Equalizer. While Washington said whether they make another movie is 'up to the people,' Wenk (the writer) said, 'I have [the third film] all in my head. It starts right from the end of this one.' ... Producer Steve Tisch said, 'What people want from Denzel and what they want to get from an Equalizer sequel they are going to get with the sequel. I'm excited for there to be an Equalizer 3.'"
Denzel Washington, himself, refuses to consider this second film a sequel. And I quote, again: "Denzel Washington may be playing vigilante Robert McCall again in The Equalizer 2, but don't call the movie a sequel. 'You know, everybody keeps using that word — sequel,' the Oscar winner told The Hollywood Reporter at the film's premiere last night at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Instead of thinking of it as a sequel, Washington explained, 'It's a story without an ending and it's open-ended, so here we are.'" That sounds promising. Maybe the problems with the second were a case of "sequel (sorry, Denzel) blues". Not that I'm aware that such a condition occurs, but it's not unimaginable that it might. Hopefully, those blues will vanish as a third in the series comes together.
I know. Absolutely preposterous that I am so into these films. But, there you have it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington Robert McCall Pedro Pascal Dave York Ashton Sanders Miles Whittaker Orson Bean Sam Rubenstein Bill Pullman Brian Plummer Melissa Leo Susan Plummer Jonathan Scarfe Resnik Sakina Jaffrey Fatima
Just in case, here's the Wikipedia write-up of the movie.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Labels: action2, adventure1, antoine-fuqua, denzel-washington, drama3, melissa-leo, revenge1, super-hero1, thriller1, violence2
The Equalizer
- Commentary: Finally! Yet another super-hero that is my kind of super-hero! And it's an honest-to-goodness origin movie, too! What luck!
I'm still trying to figure out why I like this movie and this character so much. I've only owned it (and it's sequel) for a couple of weeks and I've watched both twice, not including my library check-out watchings. Maybe it's because this super-hero's super-power isn't magical, like a nuclear heart or a mythical origin. This guy has become a super-hero because of his life and his intellectual and physical gifts and training.
In case you're wondering, I never watched the television series. I was unaware of it until I became aware of this movie and did some research on the character. I don't know if I'll seek the series out. I notice our library system has Season 2 of the series. I read the short article in Wikipedia about it but it didn't prick my curiosity. Seems like quite a bit more "system" involvement than the movie series.
The movie, though, oh my! It's not a hit among critics. Words such as "bland" are applied to it and its sequel. But, I don't care. I love the stalwart character this movie puts forth. I love the way Denzel Washington plays him. I love the mystery, and the actuality, of this guy's life. I love his ethics. That probably says something a little nasty about me, but, I don't care. If I could be an equalizer like this guy, specifically this guy in this film series, I would be. And, see, the thing is, since this guy doesn't have a god or a mythical character as a parent, I could be. That's the reverie of this movie. Get a clue, film critics.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington Robert McCall Marton Csokas Nicolai Itchenko/Teddy Rensen Chloë Grace Moretz Teri/Alina Johnny Skourtis Ralphie Haley Bennett Mandy Bill Pullman Brian Plummer Melissa Leo Susan Plummer David Harbour Masters
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Labels: action2, adventure1, antoine-fuqua, denzel-washington, drama3, melissa-leo, revenge1, super-hero1, thriller1, violence2
