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
Monday, November 28, 2022
3 Blondes in His Life
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jock Mahoney Duke Wallace Greta Thyssen Helen Fortner Jesse White Ed Kelly Elaine Edwards Lois Collins Valerie Porter Martha Carr Anthony Dexter Charlie Walsh Gilbert Frye Investigator Hank Dwight Marfield Sheriff
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1961
Directed by Leon Chooluck.
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Inception - WB 20 Film Collection Thrillers
- Commentary: Okay. I'm really pleased this movie was in the collection. And, the immediately previous mini-review notwithstanding, it's a Christopher Nolan production and it's a peach. I loved it the first time I saw it and will love it many times more.
And, by the way, everyone and their dogs over at RogerEbert.com felt the need to either review this film or comment on various aspects of the film. My search for just the plain review of the movie lead to a group of articles that poured into a second page. That's why I'm posting my search results at that site.
I have to tell you, though, the last article cited on Page 1 of my search, had an intriguing title (intriguing, at least, to someone who writes about movies [me], but, make no mistake, I don't consider that I "review" them): Inception: Block those reviews!, written by Jim Emerson of the Scanners blog. I couldn't help it, I had to click into a title like that! You, dear reader, should too. It explains the profession of Movie Critiquing so thoroughly that I think every potential "every day" movie goer should read this article before reading any critiques of a movie in order to try to decide whether to see any particular movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Leonardo DiCaprio Dom Cobb Joseph Gordon-Levitt Arthur Ellen/Elliot Page Ariadne Tom Hardy Eames Ken Watanabe Mr. Saito Dileep Rao Yusuf Cillian Murphy Robert Michael Fischer Tom Berenger Peter Browning Marion Cotillard Mal Cobb Pete Postlethwaite Maurice Fischer Michael Caine Professor Stephen Miles Lukas Haas Nash
Originally published in this journal on 081416.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: christopher-nolan, leonardo-dicaprio, michael-caine, neo-noirC
Thursday, June 09, 2022
No Country for Old Men
- Commentary: This movie definitely captured the imagination of film critics. On RogerEbert.com alone, articles of commentary bleed into a second page.
I've seen the movie more than once. For me, it's both disturbing and revelatory. It comes to my mind a fair amount. Which is why I decided to add it to my collection. More, later, when I watch it, yet again, without having to check it out of the library this time, or scour the few channels to which I have access to see if anyone's playing it.
Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tommy Lee Jones Ed Tom Bell Javier Bardem Anton Chigurh Josh Brolin Llewelyn Moss Woody Harrelson Carson Wells Kelly Macdonald Carla Jean Moss Garret Dillahunt Wendell Tess Harper Loretta Bell Barry Corbin Ellis
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen.
Labels: josh-brolin, neo-noirC, revisionist-western, thriller3, tommy-lee-jones, woody-harrelson
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
John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Keanu Reeves John Wick Halle Berry Sofia Al-Azwar Ian McShane Winston Laurence Fishburne The Bowery King Mark Dacascos Zero Asia Kate Dillon The Adjudicator Lance Reddick Concierge Charon Tobias Segal Earl Anjelica Huston The Director Saïd Taghmaoui The Elder Jerome Flynn Berrada Randall Duk Kim The Doctor
The Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Chad Stahelski.
Labels: don't-ask-me-why, keanu-reeves, laurence-fishburne, neo-noirC, revenge1, super-hero1
John Wick: Chapter 2
- Commentary: Under construction.
In addition (and much to my surprise, even though I enjoy all three John Wick movies, RogerEbert.com contains a second meditation on this movie.
By the way, many critics liked, loved or adored all three of the John Wick movies. In fact, John Wick: Chapter 4, although it's release has been delayed by almost exactly a year, is due out in May of 2022. According to that Wikipedia article, "Keanu Reeves stated that he will continue making sequels, as long as the films are successful. Lionsgate intended to film the fourth and fifth films back-to-back but dropped those plans in March 2021 ... due to the COVID-19 pandemic." I probably won't see either in a theater, I rarely go to the theater, anymore, but, you can bet, I'll be adding the discs to my collection to watch at home. With enthusiasm.
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 Keanu Reeves John Wick Common Cassian Laurence Fishburne The Bowery King Riccardo Scamarcio Santino D'Antonio Ruby Rose Ares Lance Reddick Concierge Charon Peter Stormare Abram Tarasov Bridget Moynahan Helen Wick Franco Nero Julius John Leguizamo Aurelio Ian McShane Winston Claudia Gerini Gianni D'Antonio
The Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Chad Stahelski.
Labels: don't-ask-me-why, keanu-reeves, laurence-fishburne, neo-noirC, revenge1, super-hero1
John Wick
- Commentary: Under construction.
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 Keanu Reeves John Wick Michael Nyqvist Viggo Tarasov Alfie Allen Iosef Tarasov Adrianne Palicki Ms. Perkins Bridget Moynahan Helen Wick Dean Winters Avi Ian McShane Winston John Leguizamo Aurelio Willem Dafoe Marcus David Patrick Kelly Cleaner Charlie Randall Duk Kim Specialty Doctor Lance Reddick Hotel Concierge Charon
The Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Chad Stahelski.
Labels: don't-ask-me-why, keanu-reeves, neo-noirC, revenge1, super-hero1, willem-dafoe
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
Thursday, June 02, 2022
The Ghost Writer
- Commentary: Maybe it's because this is a Roman Polanski movie and I have yet to watch one of his that I don't love, but I love this movie. So well done, so intriguing, great mystery, great thriller. Come to think of it, that's a category I should add, "thriller". I'm sure I've already got some listed that I didn't think of as "thrillers" but, rather "suspense", but this is a good time to add that category, as, no matter how many times I watch this movie, it's definitely a thrill for me.
Not only was Roger Ebert surprised and pleased by this film, one of his colleagues, Jim Emerson was, as well, and weighed in twice [first article, second article] on Polanski's achievements vis a vis this movie. I can't agree with Ebert and Emerson more.
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 Ewan McGregor The Ghost Writer Pierce Brosnan Adam Peter Bennett Lang Olivia Williams Ruth Lang Kim Cattrall Amelia Bly Timothy Hutton Sidney Kroll Tom Wilkinson Paul Emmett Jon Bernthal The Ghost Writer's Agent James Belushi John Maddox Robert Pugh Richard Rycart Tim Preece Roy Quigley David Rintoul Grieving Father Eli Wallach Old Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: adventure1, drama6, eli-wallach, mystery1, neo-noirC, political2, roman-polanski, thriller2, tom-wilkinson, tragedy1
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Gone Girl
- Commentary: This movie has quickly become one of my all time favorites. I read the book before seeing the movie, so when I checked the movie out of the library, it was with much trepidation, all of which vanished upon watching the movie. I knew I had to own it. So well done, in all aspects, including book adaptation. Rosamunde Pike is glorious in this; a brilliant characterization of a sociopath. Despite the fact that her character is meant to be "evil", she is also strong, resilient, can take a punch and give as much as she takes. The problem is, of course, that she doesn't necessarily "give" to the people from whom she originally "took".
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.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ben Affleck Nick Dunne Rosamund Pike Amy Elliott Dunne Neil Patrick Harris Desi Collings Tyler Perry Tanner Bolt Carrie Coon Margot Dunne Kim Dickens Det. Rhonda Boney Sela Ward Sharon Schieber Lola Kirke Greta
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by David Fincher.
Labels: ben-affleck, drama6, me-favorite1, mystery1, neo-noirC, revenge1, rosamund-pike, suspense2
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Widows
- Commentary: Under construction.
I haven't received this movie, yet, but it's on its way (from North Dakota, no less) and I should have it by Friday.
It's funny, because, recalling what I said about the last movie I entered in here, Serenity, regarding how I was really excited about seeing that movie, well, the truth is, I feel the same about this movie and the last four I've listed. I obtained them all through a sale featuring movies that featured strong female roles, actors and/or directors and other crew. I've never seen a sale like that. It will probably be a long time before I see one like that again. I want to mention, though, for anyone "listening", there's an excellent chance I would not have obtained any of these five movies had they not been presented in such a format. Kudos to whomever thought of it. Sterling idea! More, please!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Viola Davis Veronica Rawlings Michelle Rodriguez Linda Elizabeth Debicki Alice Cynthia Erivo Belle
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Steve McQueen.
Labels: §4, dramaE, neo-noirC, political5, revenge1, tragedy2, violence4
Serenity
- Commentary: Under construction.
I'm unusually excited about watching this movie, which is why I obtained it. I don't think it's going to be a typical space-opera. The initial information I've read on this movie indicates that it might be a bit prescient about what's going on in the world, now.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nathan Fillion Malcolm Reynolds Gina Torres Zoë Alleyne Washburne Alan Tudyk Hoban Washburne Chiwetel Ejiofor The Operative
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Joss Whedon.
Labels: §4, action4, adventure4, neo-noirC, political5, science-fiction2, space-opera, violence4, war3
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Mother
- Commentary: I haven't watched this movie, yet, but I will be watching it tonight and will report back later. I am a fan of South Korean cinema, in general, and Bong Joon-ho's work, in particular, so I'm really looking forward to watching this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kim Hye-ja Mother Won Bin Yoon Do-joon Jin Goo Jin-tae Yoon Je-moon Je-moon Jeon Mi-seon Mi-seon Song Sae-byeok A Detective Lee Young-suk Junk Collector Moon Hee-ra Moon Ah-jung
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2009
Directed by Bong Joon-ho.
Labels: §, bong-joon-ho, dramaE, mother-son-dynamics1, neo-noirC, revenge1
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Motherless Brooklyn
- Commentary: I just added this movie to my collection today, 8/25/21. I haven't watched it yet but I don't think I'll be disappointed. I'll report back within the next few hours, or days, depending.
It should be noted that this movie was written, produced and directed by Edward Norton and stars him, as well. This is one of the reasons I wanted to add it to my collection, since I'm becoming interested in Edward Norton's work. The critics were impatient with, and mostly downgraded their reviews because of, its length. The length of a film never bothers me, unless it's because it wasn't well edited, which no one accuses this film of being. As well, according to Wikipedia, Edward Norton's "personal engagement" with this film is immense, and, might I add, compelling to me, at least.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Edward Norton Lionel Essrog Bruce Willis Frank Minna Gugu Mbatha-Raw Laura Rose Alec Baldwin Moses Randolph Willem Dafoe Paul Randolph Bobby Cannavale Tony Vermonte Cherry Jones Gabby Horowitz Michael K. Williams Trumpet Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Edward Norton.
Labels: §1, edward-norton, neo-noirC, police-procedural, willem-dafoe
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Memories of Murder
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Song Kang-ho Park Doo-man Kim Sang-kyung Seo Tae-yoon Kim Roi-ha Cho Yong-koo Song Jae-ho Sgt. Shin Dong-chul Byun Hee-bong Sgt. Koo Hee-bong Go Seo-hee Ofc. Kwon Kwi-ok Ryu Tae-Ho Jo Byeong-Sun Park No-shik Baek Kwang-ho Park Hae-il Park Hyeon-gyu Jeon Mi-seon Kwok Seol-yung Seo Young-hwa Eon Deok-nyeo Woo Go-na Kim So-hyeon
Here is the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Bong Joon-ho.
Labels: §2, bong-joon-ho, Criterion2, detective1, dramaD, mystery2, neo-noirC
Sunday, January 17, 2021
The Dark Knight Trilogy: The Dark Knight Rises
- Commentary: This is my favorite Christopher Nolan Batman movie. The internal battle that subsumes itself into a battle with the evil elements of society in Batman Begins finally has to be faced by Bruce Wayne in this third installment of The Dark Knight Trilogy. He has lost the love of his life and was forced to kill one of his foremost supporters in city government. He has convinced his other government supporter to blame himself for the killings of the other government supporter. Even technical whiz bosom buddy collaborator, Lucius Fox, has become disenchanted with Wayne. Alfred Pennyworth is still loyal but sorely disappointed. Catwoman figures heavily in the movie and it's impossible to tell, throughout most of it, if she is friend or foe.
The movie is filled with a confusion of events, one being Batman's imprisonment, another being Batman's presumed death from his final act to save Gotham from a nuclear bomb and the final being Batman's funeral. Despite all this confusion, the movie has a highly gratifying conclusion, in which Robin figures prominently. It leaves you wondering if Bruce will ever again take on the role of Batman, but it is a satisfying curiosity. Certainly, I doubt that Nolan will extend Batman's story, but, who knows what others will do.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Bruce Wayne/Batman Michael Caine Alfred Pennyworth Gary Oldman James Gordon Anne Hathaway Selina Kyle/Catwoman Tom Hardy Bane Marion Cotillard Miranda Tate/Talia al Ghul Joseph Gordon-Levitt John Blake Morgan Freeman Lucius Fox Liam Neeson Ra's Al Ghul Matthew Modine Foley Ben Mendelsohn Daggett William Devane President
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2012
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: action2, adventure2, ben-mendelsohn, christian-bale, christopher-nolan, drama1, michael-caine, morgan-freeman, neo-noirC, political1, super-hero1, thriller1, violence1, william-devane
Thursday, August 08, 2019
Training Day
- Commentary: Remember, in this post I mention that I regret I don't "yet" own this movie? Well, I own it, now. I own it, and I love it.
I love watching Denzel Washington act, even in bad films. And, yes, I've got a bad, bad, really bad film he did which came with the 4-for-1 deal that contained this movie. I'll post a write-up of that movie later (although, in true internet fashion, that movie will be placed closer to the top of this round of movie posts).
In the meantime, I have to say, Washington nails it playing policemen, avengers and criminals but, in my opinion, is at his absolute best when he plays all three at once, and that is what the script of this movie has him doing.
In addition, the relationship between Ethan Hawke's character and Denzel Washington's character is played to perfection. So many good actors in this movie, by the way. Complicated, involving story, too. I think this is one of Antoine Fuqua's best, although I also enjoy his Equalizer and Equalizer 2 films, both of which I own. I wouldn't mind if he made another, with Washington doing the equalizing. Of course.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington Det. Alonzo Harris Ethan Hawke Ofcr. Jake Hoyt Scott Glenn Roger Eva Mendes Sara Cliff Curtis Smiley Raymond Cruz Sniper Noel Gugliemi Moreno Dr. Dre Det. Paul Peter Greene Det. Jeff Nick Chinlund Det. Tim Jaime P. Gomez Det. Mark Snoop Dogg Blue Macy Gray Sandman's Wife Charlotte Ayanna Lisa Hoyt Harris Yulin Det. Doug Rosselli Tom Berenger Det. Stanley Gursky
Funny thing: I notice in the Wikipedia write-up that the movie was apparently so successful that, well, here, I'll let Wiki tell it, "A television series based on the film, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, was announced in August 2015 and premiered February 2, 2017 on CBS. The series, starring Bill Paxton and Justin Cornwell, was cancelled on May 17, 2017 after one season." I never saw it, but I'm not surprised it was cancelled. The movie was the ultimate statement of this story, I think.
Release Date: 2001
Directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Labels: action2, adventure2, antoine-fuqua, denzel-washington, drama3, me-favorite1, neo-noirC, popcorn-and-soda2
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Winter's Bone
- Commentary: So, I bought a copy of this movie for my dramatist niece. And, remembered it (and the book) so fondly that I had to have my own copy. Which I watched immediately upon its arrival. I love this movie so much that I've checked it out of the library too many times to remember exactly the number. It's just one of those. You know. This movie is the first time I'd seen or heard of Jennifer Lawrence. It's a spectacular performance. I've seen her in other stuff, since. She's a talented, stand-out actress but, in my mind, she has yet to best her performance in this piece. It is, as well, yet another in my collection that, immediately upon watching it, makes me feel as though I've just dreamt it.
One of Roger Ebert's Far Flung Correspondents, Wael Khairy weighed in, also, with a haunting review.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jennifer Lawrence Ree Dolly Isaiah Stone Sonny Dolly Ashlee Thompson Ashlee Dolly Valerie Richards Connie Dolly John Hawkes Teardrop Dolly Garret Dillahunt Sheriff Baskin Dale Dickey Merab Milton Sheryl Lee April
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Debra Granik.
Labels: drama5, dream1, female-director3, haunting1, john-hawkes, mystery1, neo-noirC, southern-gothic, thriller1
Monday, February 07, 2005
Sexy Beast
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I am also a devotee of Ben Kingsley's work. I find his portrayal in this movie thrilling. I'm sure my mother would ask, when it was over, "Now, what exactly was the point to that?!?" So, I don't imagine I'll ever invite her to watch it, nor will she express interest in it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ray Winstone Gary Dove Ben Kingsley Don Logan Ian McShane Teddy Bass Amanda Redman DeeDee Dove
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Jonathan Glazer.
Labels: ben-kingsley, dramaB, dream1, me-favorite3, neo-noirC, ray-winstone, violence3
