Friday, July 12, 2024
Oppenheimer
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Cillian Murphy J. Robert Oppenheimer Emily Blunt Katherine Oppenheimer Matt Damon Gen. Leslie Groves Robert Downey Jr. Rear Adm. Lewis Strauss Florence Pugh Jean Tatlock Josh Hartnett Ernest Lawrence Casey Affleck Boris Pash Rami Malek David L. Hill Kenneth Branagh Niels Bohr Benny Safdie Edward Teller Jason Clarke Roger Robb Dylan Arnold Frank Oppenheimer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2023
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: biography3, nuclear, robert-downey-jr, science
Monday, June 26, 2023
Sunshine
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Cillian Murphy Robert Capa Chris Evans James Mace Rose Byrne Cassie Michelle Yeoh Corazon Cliff Curtis Searle Troy Garity Harvey Hiroyuki Sanada Kaneda Benedict Wong Trey Chipo Chung Voice of Icarus Mark Strong Pinbacker Paloma Baeza Capa's Sister Kevin Hudson Crew - Icarus I
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Danny Boyle.
Labels: adventure4, nuclear, science-fiction2, space-opera, survival
Thursday, October 27, 2022
The Fourth Protocol
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Michael Caine John Preston Pierce Brosnan Major Valeri Alekseyevich Petrofsky/James Edward Ross Ned Beatty General Pavel Petrovich Borisov Joanna Cassidy Irina Vassilievna Julian Glover Brian Harcourt-Smith Michael Gough Sir Bernard Hemmings Ray McAnally General Yevgeny Sergeyevich Karpov Ian Richardson Sir Nigel Irvine Anton Rodgers George Berenson Caroline Blakiston Angela Berenson Joseph Brady Carmichael Matt Frewer Tom McWhirter
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1987
Directed by John Mackenzie.
Labels: §5, goflexA, michael-caine, ned-beatty, nuclear, spy, thriller3
Six String Samurai
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeffrey Falcon Buddy Justin McGuire The Kid Stephane Gauger Death Lex Lang Voice of Death
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Lance Mungia.
Labels: §5, apocalyptic, comedy3, goflexB, nuclear, satire3
Special Bulletin
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ed Flanders John Woodley Kathryn Walker Susan Myles Christopher Allport Steven Levitt David Clennon Dr. Bruce Lyman Rosalind Cash Frieda Barton Roxanne Hart Megan Barclay David Rasche Dr. David McKeeson Lane Smith Morton Sanders Ebbe Roe Smith Jim Seaver Roberta Maxwell Diane Silverman George Morfogen Dr. Morse Mansfield Michael Madsen Jimmy Lenox
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Edward Zwick.
Labels: §5, goflexB, michael-madsen, nuclear, tragedy2, TV3
When the Wind Blows
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peggy Ashcroft Hilda Bloggs John Mills Jim Bloggs Robin Houston Radio 4 Announcer James Russell Additional Voice David Dundas Additional Voice Matt Irving Additional Voice
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1986
Directed by Jimmy T. Murakami.
Labels: §5, animated, apocalyptic, goflexC, nuclear, tragedy2
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
A Carol for Another Christmas
- Commentary: Under construction.
Considering its inavailability for decades (it was originally broadcast in 1964 and then shelved for nearly 50 years, finally being revived by TCM in 2012), I consider myself lucky to have a copy of this movie. I have never seen it, but I checked it for version information. There are, apparently, two versions making the rounds. The original features Henry Mancini's music. The second removed Mancini's music and replaced it with recordings of children singing Christmas carols. The copy I own is of the original broadcast.
Aside from the review I've attached to the title of this post, I've linked, as well, to several reviews written about the movie, below. Each review, whether short or long, contains some interesting tidbit (or, in the case of the one linked to this post title, many tidbits) containing considerations of and facts about the production and impact of this film:
Bureau 42 Review
Emanuel Levy Review
Films Graded Review
TCM Article/Review
Spooky Isles Review
Most of the reviews contain a plot summary, some of which are quite detailed, so be forewarned, but, keep in mind, you already know this story, as it is a retelling of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Percy Rodriguez Charles Sterling Hayden Daniel Grudge Ben Gazzara Fred Barbara Ann Teer Ruby Steve Lawrence Ghost of Christmas Past Eva Marie Saint WAVE Lt. Gibson James Shigeta Doctor Pat Hingle Ghost of Christmas Present Robert Shaw Ghost of Christmas Future Peter Sellers Imperial Me Britt Ekland Mother Joe Santos Number 32
It is astonishing to note that every single one of the actors listed in the table above either was or became well involved in the entertainment industry, well known, if only by face recognition, and well loved. And, of course, it was written by Rod Serling, and, by the way, look who directed it. This was not meant to be, nor was it (even though it was disappeared for quite a while), a slouch of a production.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
Labels: §6, apocalyptic, Christmas, goflexA, nuclear, pat-hingle, TV3
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
By Dawn's Early Light
- Commentary: Under construction.
This movie is about the idea-muddle within which a globally destructive nuclear war could happen.
Established film critics seemed reluctant to review this TV movie released by HBO, maybe because it is a TV movie, so I connected the title of this post to the Cinafilm write-up, which hosts anyone who wishes to review any particular movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Powers Boothe USAF Major Cassidy Rebecca De Mornay USAF Captain Moreau James Earl Jones USAF General "Alice" Martin Landau U. S. President Darren McGavin U. S. Sec. of Interior "Condor" Rip Torn Colonel Fargo Jeffrey DeMunn USN Admiral "Harpoon" Peter MacNicol USN LCDR Tom Sedgwick
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Jack Sholder.
Labels: §6, goflexA, nuclear, war3
Monday, January 17, 2022
The Day After
- Commentary: I don't actually have this movie in my collection, yet; it's on the way. But, I watched it last night, uncut, without commercials, at this link, The Day After, courtesy of Super Critical Podcast. Thank you, Super Critical Podcast! In case, Dear Reader, you're interested in knowing the ruminations of Super Critical Podcast about this movie, the link for that episode is here. I recommend you check it out. In fact, I've fallen in love with this channel and recommend it to you if you have any interest in movies featuring nuclearity.
So, yes, I've watched it. It is the most devastating nuclear apocalypse movie I've seen, thus far. It is not for the faint of heart, but, despite its high level of tragic believability, it's worth it. There was a small but not annoying issue of video fuzziness at the beginning of the movie but I think that may have been due to either my TV or connection, because it corrected itself almost immediately. It is loaded with well-defined characters and scenarios that won't let go of your mind, even after the final credits.
It was a TV production broadcast during the hey-years of nuclear apocalyptic films, the early 1980s. Of all the nuclear apocalyptic movies I've seen, so far, I have to say that this is the most riveting because it is the most well done and leaves nothing to the imagination. It's been less than 12 hours since I finished the movie and I continue to have images from it pop up, unbidden, in my memory. As you watch, you'll recognize several actors who hadn't yet become readily recognizable when this film was released who later went on to become big-deal-actors. You'll also notice the obvious seriousness with which this production was approached. This was one of the best blendings of message and movie I can recall, without a hint of preachiness in the script. Just daily life lived under a literal nuclear cloud.
I'll be watching it again, later after I receive it, so I may have more to say about it. Or, you know, not. It was devastatingly realistic and I have a feeling that sense of devastation doesn't let up after multiple viewings. This movie, by the way, is the film that had a huge impact on U. S. President Ronald Reagan and was responsible for causing him to rethink his nuclear war policy.
Update 1/25/22: Extra Credit Question: Who do you know (including yourself) who you think would be capable of ordering the launch of a nuclear bomb? Don't worry, Dear Reader, I'll explain and elaborate later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jason Robards Dr. Russell Oakes Georgann Johnson Helen Oakes John Cullum Jim Dahlberg Bibi Besch Eve Dahlberg Lori Lethin Denise Dahlberg JoBeth Williams Nurse Nancy Bauer Calvin Jung Dr. Sam Hachiya Steve Guttenberg Stephen Klein John Lithgow Joe Huxley Amy Madigan Alison Ransom William Allen Young Airman 1st. Billy McCoy Arliss Howard Tom Cooper
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Nicholas Meyer.
Labels: apocalyptic, bibi-besch, dramaE, haunting3, jason-robards-jr, john-lithgow, nuclear, reflective, tragedy2, TV3, war3
Saturday, January 15, 2022
Testament
- Commentary: If you read comments left about this movie on Amazon.com (from where I purchased it) you'll notice that many of the commenters mention how long it's been since they first saw it: 30 years, 35 years; for me it's been 38 years. That was also the last time I saw it. In all these years, I haven't forgotten it. It was the first movie on my list of "nuclear movies to acquire" that I drew up a couple of months ago. No, it wasn't a long list. There aren't that many, and I wasn't interested in a lot of the movies I discovered.
During a significant portion of the Cold War, during my raising from elementary school through college, I lived on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that was definitely a tactical target for bombing by U.S. "enemies", in part because it housed the B-52's that busied themselves, daily, with trips to and from Southeast Asia, in part because it was the U.S. Naval home of the nuclear submarine "Proteus", in part because the island was a strategic communications center for about half the earth, in part because Australia also had a stragetic communications center there and in part because the island was constantly surrounded by Russian "fishing trawlers" that monitored all communications coming into and leaving the island, while the crews gambled at cards with the local fisherman. Although our family was civilian when we lived there, everyone on the island was aware that the island was so small that, if it were bombed, it would be as though nothing ever existed at its coordinates. This was not of particular concern to anyone, except, perhaps, the U.S. military installations on the island. The rest of us, well, why worry about something we couldn't influence? I remember that, for instance, there were no "duck and cover" drills in any of my classes, whether they be elementary, high school or college. I didn't even become aware of the phrase "duck and cover" for many years after having left the island. After all, one blast and everyone on that island would be on their way to the afterlife.
This is why, having seen the movie some years after leaving that island, I became fascinated with it. I didn't immediately relate to it. The situation we lived in during those early years of nuclear threat was nothing like what was portrayed in this movie. I mean, really, radiation sickness? No one living on that island during a nuclear attack was ever going to have to worry about that!
However, although my life on that island had long ended when this movie came out, by that time I was living in the U.S. Nuclear culture. I continued having no fear of nuclear attack and it's aftermath, having been well schooled, throughout my entire youth, in "don't worry about it, you won't survive it" culture, but was riveted by this culture I'd missed and whether I shouldn't seriously consider it, since moving from an island where obliteration in nuclear warfare was a given to a country where, well, it wasn't.
Take a look at this list: Films about the nuclear holocaust. It contains 61 titles. I'm assuming that it is not complete, and may never be, since these films continue to be churned out, but it starts in 1951. 1951, people! That was the year I was born! The most recent on the list was released in 2019: Chernobyl, a fictionalized account of a real nuclear disaster. There is even a punk rock musical on this list, Population: 1, released in 1986.
Staggering, really! You'd think ... well, what would you think?!?
I haven't [re]watched this movie, Testament [this review, by Glenn Erickson, DVD Savant/Cinesavant is illuminating about the history of nuclear apocalyptic films, as well as being an excellent review of this movie, in case you're interested], yet. I'm going to do that, today. I don't know if I'll write anymore about it. Possibly, since most of what I've written above is about the "genre", not this movie. But hang on, readers. We'll see.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jane Alexander Carol Wetherly William Devane Tom Wetherly Ross Harris Brad Wetherly Roxana Zal Mary Liz Wetherly Lukas Haas Scottie Wetherly Philip Anglim Hollis Lilia Skala Fania Leon Ames Henry Abhart Lurene Tuttle Rosemary Abhart Rebecca De Mornay Cathy Pitkin Kevin Costner Phil Pitkin Mako Mike
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Lynne Littman.
Labels: apocalyptic, dramaE, female-director3, haunting3, nuclear, reflective, tragedy2, TV3, war2, william-devane
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Threads
- Commentary: This movie has haunted me ever since I saw it, a few years after it was released. I saw it on television, likely on PBS, of course, since it was made for television. I've seen it a few times since and it never fails to rivet me. It is still as probable today as it was when it was made.
I'm going to consider this write-up, though, still Under Construction, since I just received it, have yet to view it and it's been, what, at least twenty years and probably closer to thirty plus years since I last saw it. It was, after all, initially released 37 years ago.
Expect more later. Or, perhaps not.
So, I watched this movie last night, 11/16/2021. I'd forgotten, and was entranced by, the studious detail brought to the staging. The movie was even more horrific than I remembered, precisely because of these details, stuff like the increasing shabbiness of the clothes on those who survive; the work involved in opening a can when you haven't got a, well, a can opener; the importance of keeping one's affect flat in order to endure what one has no choice but to endure; the desire to die in those who lived through the blast vs. the desire to live in those born after the blast. More later, maybe, maybe not, but those were my initial astonishments.
So glad I've added this to my collection! I know I'll be watching it again!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Vaughan Narrator Karen Meagher Ruth Beckett Reece Dinsdale Jimmy Kemp David Brierley Bill Kemp Rita May Rita Kemp Henry Moxon Mr Beckett June Broughton Mrs Beckett Victoria O'Keefe Jane Sylvia Stoker Granny Beckett Harry Beety Clive J. Sutton Ruth Holden Marjorie Sutton Michael O'Hagan Chief Superintendent Hirst
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1984
Directed by Mick Jackson.
Labels: apocalyptic, dramaD, horror1, nuclear, political5, TV3, war2
On the Beach
- Commentary: I only own a few of Stanley Kramer's movies, but I've seen, throughout the years of my life, several of them. Check out this list. I'm sure you'll recognize several you've seen. Considering how long he lived (from 1913 - 2001), he wasn't particularly prolific, but the list to which I've connected will show you that he was extraordinarily important as a producer and director. It's almost as though he had a golden touch; he didn't use it often, but when he did, the results were always spectacular, often groundbreaking. I'll be writing more about this film when I watch it again after having not seen it for a few decades. I can't believe my luck that it was available!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gregory Peck Cmdr Dwight Towers Ava Gardner Moira Davidson Fred Astaire Julian Osborn Anthony Perkins Lt Cmdr Peter Holmes Donna Anderson Mary Holmes Lou Vernon Bill Davidson Kevin Brennan Dr. King John Meillon Ralph Swain John Tate Admr. Bridie RAN Harp McGuire Lt. Sunderstrom Lola Brooks Bridie's Secretary Bill Hunter extra/swimming double
Cary Peck, Gregory Peck's son, also had an uncredited cameo in this film.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1959
Directed by Stanley Kramer.
Labels: apocalyptic, bill-hunter, dramaE, fred-astaire, gregory-peck, nuclear, romance5, war2
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Dr. Strangelove
- Who's watched: G, I think
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: My confession is this: I think I've probably seen this entire movie, but I've never seen the entire movie in one sitting. I have memories of seeing parts of it while watching a football game. Weird, I know.
I got it because this, also, was at a very low sale price, not Costco, and I have, for some time, very much wanted to see the movie of a piece.
I don't think my mother has ever seen the movie, in whole or part, and I don't think it would command her attention. I think she'd consider it boring.
Aside from the review linked to the title of this post, which is excellent, I'm sure you won't be surprised to know that this movie has also been reviewed more than a few times by Roger Ebert's site. This paragraph will contain all those writings I consider pertinent: initial review (remember, Ebert was 12 when the movie was first released); Great Movies review; a 2018 re-review of the film and it's relevance today and to ex-President Trump.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peter Sellers Cpt. Lionel Mandrake Peter Sellers U. S. Pres. Merkin Muffley Peter Sellers Dr. Strangelove George C. Scott Gen. Buck Turgidson Sterling Hayden Brig. Gen. Jack D. Ripper Keenan Wynn Col. Bat Guano Jack Creley Mr. Staines Slim Pickens Mjr. T. J. "King" Kong Peter Bull Alexei de Sadeski James Earl Jones Lt. Lothar Zogg Tracy Reed Miss Scott Shane Rimmer Cpt. Ace Owens
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Labels: apocalyptic, nuclear, period4, political3, satire2, stanley-kubrick, war2
Friday, February 10, 2006
Planet of the Apes
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6* *7* *8* *9* *10*
- Commentary: Although normally I'd say that all the comments would suffice as a review, this time I can say even more. Mom's favorite of the series is the first. Mine is Conquest of, although Battle for is a close runner up. We both much enjoyed the documentary on the making of the series, Behind the. The truth is, there is much that makes this series outstanding for its time and, thus, worth viewing. It set a couple of standards for science fiction movies, involving make-up and respecting the viewer's need for detail that grants plausibility, as well as respectable gaps that aren't too hard for the viewer to fill in, that puts it in the category of "must haves" for any science fiction movie maven. Even though the documentary clearly outlines a story of trying to milk an idea for all it was worth, its truthfulness lends even more respectability to the series. My mother, of course, is much more of a fan than I, and this is saying a lot, as I can imagine that I will eagerly watch all these films again with her.
Update 2/9/18: As I was updating the links in this site I noticed this link connected to a wonderful site about all the Apes movies. It insinuates that it will not remain up forever, having become an "archived" site, then talks a bit about its history. I don't know when this announcement was posted. I hope it remains at least until my own Mom & Me Journals sites are retired; frankly, I can't even imagine that possibility. Blogspot, as far as I can tell, keeps sites up forever and a day, even if they become "ghost" sites.
Below is a list of all the movies in the sextilogy, the director of each and their corresponding links to their Wikipedia articles.
- Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlton Heston George Taylor Roddy McDowell Dr. Cornelius Kim Hunter Dr. Zira Maurice Evans Dr. Zaius James Whitmore Assembly President James Daly Dr. Honorious Linda Harrison Nova Robert Gunner Landon
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1968
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James Franciscus Brent Kim Hunter Zira Maurice Evans Dr. Zaius Linda Harrison Nova Paul Richards Mendez James Gregory General Ursus Gregory Sierra Verger Charlton Heston Taylor
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1970
Directed by Ted Post.
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Roddy McDowall Dr. Cornelius Kim Hunter Dr. Zira Bradford Dillman Dr. Lewis Dixon Natalie Trundy Dr. Stephanie Branton Eric Braeden Dr. Otto Hasslein William Windom U.S. President Sal Mineo Dr. Milo Ricardo Montalbán Armando
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1971
Directed by Don Taylor.
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Roddy McDowall Caesar Don Murray Governor Breck Ricardo Montalban Armando Natalie Trundy Lisa Hari Rhodes Role Name Severn Darden Kolp John Randolph Commission Chairman David Chow Aldo
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1972
Directed by J. Lee Thompson.
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Roddy McDowall Caesar Claude Akins Aldo Natalie Trundy Lisa Severn Darden Kolp Lew Ayres Mandemus John Huston The Lawgiver Richard Eastham Mutant Captain France Nuyen Alma
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1973
Directed by J. Lee Thompson.
- Behind the Planet of the Apes - Documentary
Very interesting, if you're a died-in-the-wool fan of these movies. My mom was, and she loved it. Although, frankly, I'm not sure if she thought she was watching a documentary or another Apes movie.
Hosted and Narrated by Roddy McDowell
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Kevin Burns & David Comtois.
Labels: apocalyptic, charlton-heston, mom-favorite2, nuclear, popcorn-and-soda4, science-fiction1
