Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Ben Hur
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: We acquired this movie just before last Easter when I was on a mission to obtain every jesus/bible related movie that we didn't already own. I didn't know whether Mom had ever seen this movie, but she was up for it when I mentioned it to her and was immediately enraptured in it's sprawl. She's also, of course, is a big fan of over-the-top drama of the period in which this was made.
So am I, depending, and this movie didn't disappoint me, but, I have to say, The Ten Commandments is still my preferred movie spectacle film. I think. It depends. If I want some realistic spectacle grit, this is my go-to. If I want silky theatrics, then I opt for The Ten Commandments.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlton Heston Judah Ben-Hur Jack Hawkins Quintus Arrius Haya Harareet Esther Stephen Boyd Messala Hugh Griffith Sheik Ilderim Martha Scott Miriam Cathy O'Donnell Tirzah Sam Jaffe Simonides Finlay Currie Balthazar Frank Thring Pontius Pilate Terence Longdon Drusus George Relph Tiberius Caesar
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1959
Directed by William Wyler.
Labels: action3, adventure3, bible-movies1, charlton-heston, drama7, jesus-dvds, period3, popcorn-and-soda3, revenge1, spectacle2, violence3
The Belle of Amherst
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Decades ago, when this show debuted on PBS, Mom and I watched it separately, then together during a serendipitous visit when it was being aired again, and, as well, during one of those watchings I recorded it off the TV and we listened to it many times. Over the last year the desire to listen to it, again, came up between us and I couldn't find the old casette tape, so I scoured the internet and found a copy of the original video production. We watched it at least twice before Mom died. We enjoyed it as much as we did the first time around. Definitely a shared-favorite! We both felt that Julie Harris did a wonderful job of portraying a highly self-possessed, talented wordsmith of a woman who wasn't so much shy as a joyful loner.
You'll notice that I did not link a review of this DVD to my title, I linked the section of the play wherein Dickinson narates her recipe for Black Cake. It's fun to contemplate. You might want to read a review for the televised version. Here is a link to the only review I could find for the televised version. The play production that was televised was presented at the Longacre Theatre in Manhattan, New York, in 1976. The film was not processed for DVD release for 28 years, even though it appeared on television through PBS much earlier than that.
One last surprise! I scoured the net and found a scaled down recipe for Dickinson's Black Cake. It reads very much like my mother's yearly process for making fruit cakes, down to the wax paper lining the baking pans, except that my mother included a larger variety of candied fruits and nuts, always nuts, specifically pecans, which I think were singled out because, to the taste, they are a sweet nut. I think I like Dickinson's variety better. My mother did not like cooking or baking, although she wasn't bad at it, so she trained us daughters in home culinary skills very early, as soon as we expressed an interest. She was, however, dogged about taking on the task of making seasonal fruitcakes herself. She gave them as gifts, and always kept a few for us, her family, to happily munch. She also "soaked" (her word) the cakes much more liberally with a variety of sweet fruit brandies than this recipe recommends. My father also, yearly, took over one of her cakes and soaked his even more than my mother soaked hers. Oh, it was always a Merry Holiday Season for all at our house when I was a child!
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
There is a Wikipedia write-up for the play as it appeared at the above location in New York, but it's of little use.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Charles S. Dubin.
Labels: audio-visual, biography1, period3, shared-favorite, TV1
Aguirre, The Wrath of God
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: My mother's interest in this movie was a big surprise for me. I didn't expect her to enjoy it because it is subtitled, it portrays a brutal episode in history and Werner Herzog spared no one and nothing in making this movie, but she was mesmerized by it. Unfortunately, the only copy we were able to obtain was one that had been "formatted for your screen"...big problem with this movie, since it depends on panoramic scenes, especially in the beginning, but I don't think my mother noticed or cared. I will probably keep tabs on versions of this movie and replace my copy with a widescreen version at some time in the future.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Klaus Kinski Lope de Aguirre Helena Rojo Inés de Atienza Ruy Guerra Don Pedro de Ursúa Del Negro Brother Gaspar de Carvajal Peter Berling Don Fernando de Guzmán Cecilia Rivera Flores de Aguirre Daniel Ades Perucho Alejandro Repullés Gonzalo Pizarro
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 1972
Directed by Werner Herzog.
Labels: adventure3, drama7, haunting2, historical2, period3, political3, spectacle2, violence3, werner-herzog
American Girl Movie Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: The "Mention" is only for one movie, but we watched all four with just about equal pleasure.
Although I'm sure there are excellent reasons to critique the movies, we just sat back and enjoyed them.
I understand yet another American Girl movie has been released, Chrissa. If Mom was still alive I don't think I'd be collecting this one because there is no obvious historical context and it looks like a highly moral 'tween version of Mean Girls. Much of the draw, for Mom and me, of this series, was the historical context.
Kit Kittredge [Directed by Patricia Rozema. Release Date: 2008]; Mom's favorite. It's the one that takes place during the Great Depression of the 1930s. This is the movie that elicited the most enthusiastic response from her, possibly because she was a child during that period. This movie so far, has been the only one to be reviewed by a major film critic, Roger Ebert. I've attached his review as the link for this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Abigail Breslin Margaret Mildred 'Kit' Kittredge Chris O'Donnell Jack Kittredge Julia Ormond Margaret Kittredge Joan Cusack Lucinda Bond Stanley Tucci Jefferson Jasper Rene Berk Jane Krakowski May Dooley Madison Davenport Ruthie Smithens Austin MacDonald Roger Willow Smith Constance Wallace Shawn Mr. Gibson Glenne Headly Mrs. Howard Colin Mochrie Mr. Pennington
Felicity [Directed by Nadia Tass. Release Date: 2005]; My favorite. It's the one that takes place just prior to the American Revolution.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Shailene Woodley Felicity Merriman Marcia Gay Harden Martha Merriman Katie Henney Elizabeth Cole John Schneider Edward Merriman
Samantha [Directed by Nadia Tass. Release Date: 2004]; This one is the Christmas movie in this collection.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role AnnaSophia Robb Samantha Parkington Kelsey Lewis Nellie O'Malley Mia Farrow Mary Edwards Jordan Bridges Gardner Edwards
Molly [Directed by Joyce Chopra. Release Date: 2006].
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Maya Ritter Molly McIntire David Aaron Baker Dr. James McIntire Molly Ringwald Helen McIntire Thomas Brodie-Sangster Boy in Spelling Bee
Although I'm sure there are excellent reasons to critique the movies, we just sat back and enjoyed them.
I understand yet another American Girl movie has been released, Chrissa. If Mom was still alive I don't think I'd be collecting this one because there is no obvious historical context and it looks like a highly moral 'tween version of Mean Girls. Much of the draw, for Mom and me, of this series, was the historical context.
Apparently, American Girl movies continue to be made. I just scrolled through Amazon and several are out there, including some that are free to watch if you're an Amazon Prime member (and, of course, some require a rental fee, as well). I haven't watched any of the movies we acquired when Mom was alive since she died. All other links are to Wikipedia pages, I'm afraid, but the main article has some interesting information about the series history and almost every movie in the series has an additional Wikipedia link of its own. In time, I might scan through Amazon Prime (to which I subscribe) and check out the free movies. Should be interesting.
Update 8/26/21: Out of curiosity, I decided to check to see if any more American Girl (same link as in the title of this post) movies have been produced. As of 2017, 10 more, aside from the initial four which we own, have been released. Four of them appear as a four-pack on Amazon. Two are stand alones. Four, so far as I can tell, have only been released on Prime Video.
Will I be watching them? I doubt it, but you never know. They're pretty sleek productions.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Labels: Christmas, coming-of-age1, female-director1, historical3, kids, marsha-gay-harden, period3, popcorn-and-soda3
Monday, May 09, 2022
Gladiator
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3*
- Commentary: As covered in one of the above Mentions, this movie was suggested by MFS. I was surprised at how much Mom loved it. I enjoy it, too. It's yet another spectacle movie for me (I should create a "spectacle" category, shouldn't I...I think I will, then add to it later) and I love a variety of the acting performances in this movie, particularly (but not solely) Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius. Before he ever says anything in the movie his acting makes many aspects of Marcus Aurelius' character clear. We watched this movie on TV several times, in "to-fit-your-screen" format, before I finally purchased it. Much better in widescreen. On a whim, I watched the movie last night. I continue to find it supremely entertaining; and, as well, now that Mom's dead, surprisingly emotional, specifically at the end when Juba says, as he buries Maximus' personal idols, "I will see you again, but not yet." If you have any interest in this movie, I urge you to click into the link to the title of the movie, above, which will send you to a thorough and compelling critique of the historicity of the movie. Believe me, despite the astonishing number of historical inaccuracies in the movie, the critique renders watching the movie even more enjoyable.
Update 2/7/18: So much has been written about this film since it aired. Quite a bit has been dumped, as well, including the link I had originally attached to the title above. I've attached another which may be helpful but, just in case, here's the Wikipedia link for Gladiator which may be a good starting place if you're interested in historicity research.
Update 8/2/21: The link I attached in 2018 still holds strong, is still remarkably interesting, and even has a comment attached. Take advantage of it before it disappears into the oligarchic ether.
Update 5/23/22: Another post I managed to disappear. It's original publication date is 4/9/09.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Russell Crowe Maximus Decimus Meridius Joaquin Phoenix Commodus Connie Nielsen Lucilla Oliver Reed Antonio Proximo Derek Jacobi Senator Gracchus Djimon Hounsou Juba Richard Harris Marcus Aurelius Ralf Möller Hagen Tommy Flanagan Cicero David Schofield Senator Falco John Shrapnel Senator Gaius Tomas Arana General Quintus Spencer Treat Clark Lucius Verus David Hemmings Cassius Sven-Ole Thorsen Tigris of Gaul Giannina Facio Maximus's wife Omid Djalili Slave Trader Giorgio Cantarini Maximus's son Adam Levy Condemned Officer David J. Nicholls Giant Man
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Ridley Scott.
Labels: action3, adventure3, derek-jacobi, drama7, historical2, joaquin-phoenix, oliver-reed, period3, political3, revenge1, richard-harris, ridley-scott, russell-crowe, shared-favorite, spectacle1, suspense2, violence3, war1
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Across the Universe
- Who's watched: Watched and bought this movie AMD
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Although this movie was released before Mom's death, I didn't watch it until after she died, when it became available for rental. On first watching I determined that I wasn't particularly interested in owning it, even though it was entertaining. I wasn't impressed by the story. I did, however, find myself keeping the movie for several days and re-viewing the music segments, some of which I found captivating, and playing it in the background because I found that the reproductions of the songs by various artists added flavor to the compositions. I still resisted owning it, though, until I stumbled across a severely marked down copy. I don't find it an adequate substitute for The Beatles, but it's an interesting and informative adjunct.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Evan Rachel Wood Lucy Jim Sturgess Jude Joe Anderson Max Dana Fuchs Sadie Lynn Cohen Grandmother Karrigan Dylan Baker Mr. Carrigan Carol Woods Gospel Singer Harry Lennix army sergeant James Urbaniak Manager Bill Bono Dr. Robert Eddie Izzard Mr. Kite Salma Hayek Bang Bang Shoot Shoot Nurses
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Julie Taymor.
Labels: animated, audio-visual, drama6, dylan-baker, fantasy2, female-director1, film-art1, musical1, period3, romance1, spectacle1
Friday, April 10, 2009
John Adams
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Yet another one of those teaching videos, for Mom. The Mention says it all. Yes, we made it through the entire series before she died. Yes, she was shocked and intrigued at the vaccination and breast cancer episodes; worthy of pauses and further discussion between us. During the breast cancer surgery (which wasn't completely displayed), she speculated, aloud, how lucky MCS (who is a breast cancer survivor) was that "we" weren't living during "those days". The surprising aspect of this was that my mother remembered that MCS had breast cancer several years ago.
Update 8/2/21: Well, Whad'ya know! The Washington Post is still allowing access to it's movie reviews, at least. Old ones, anyway. Thanks, WP! Just for that, I'll bold your reference and link to you!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Giamatti John Adams Laura Linney Abigail Adams Stephen Dillane Thomas Jefferson David Morse George Washington Tom Wilkinson Benjamin Franklin Rufus Sewell Alexander Hamilton Justin Theroux John Hancock Danny Huston Samuel Adams Clancy O'Connor Edward Rutledge Željko Ivanek John Dickinson Ebon Moss-Bachrach John Quincy Adams Sarah Polley Abigail Adams Smith Andrew Scott William S. Smith Mamie Gummer Sally Smith Adams Samuel Barnett Thomas Adams Tom Hollander King George III
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Tom Hooper.
Labels: david-morse, drama7, historical2, laura-linney, paul-giamatti, period3, political3, presidential, tom-wilkinson, TV1, war1, željko-ivanek
Yentl
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This is the second movie I've bought since Mom died, strictly in memory of Mom, this time. This was one of her favorites. Although it didn't play on the cable channels often, I doubt that we ever missed a showing of it. There are many reasons she liked it: Its portrayal of a bright, gutsy young woman refusing to give up her dreams and desires in the face of a woman-stifling culture; its periodicity; its intriguing presentation of a woman who is so successful at masquerading as a man that she marries a woman who thinks she's an exceptional (because she's a woman) man (Mom has always loved gender-benders); the very messy, thus very realistic resolution. Although its not one of my favorites, I have to say that certain scenes have the power to mesmerize me, despite the outlandishness of the story. The movie wasn't released on video until this year, some months after Mom died. When I saw it at Costco I knew it was necessary for me to purchase it. And watch it, multiple times, I'm sure. In honor of Mom...and Momandme.
Rewatched: 3/5/22 - Today, 3/6/22, I read the Isaac Bashevis Singer story upon which this movie is based. The story is much more subtle and complicated than the movie. As I rewatched the movie yesterday, I realized, and was frustrated, that Hadass is only barely drawn. This is even more true of the written story. However, I find the character of Anshel deeper and more compelling in the written story than in the movie, except that Anshel's sympathy toward Hadass is far more evident in the movie than in the written story, which is something I prefer about the movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbra Streisand Yentl Mendel Mandy Patinkin Avigdor Amy Irving Hadass Vishkower Nehemiah Persoff Rebbe Mendel Steven Hill Reb Alter Vishkower Allan Corduner Shimmele David de Keyser Rabbi Zalman Miriam Margolyes Sarah Doreen Mantle Mrs. Shaemen Lynda Baron Peshe Ruth Goring Esther Rachel Jack Lynn Bookseller
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Barbra Streisand.
Labels: barbra-streisand, buddy, drama6, fantasy2, female-director3, gender-bender, mom-favorite1, nehemiah-persoff, period3, political3, popcorn-and-soda2, religion2, romance2
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I resisted placing this movie in our collection for some years, even though Mom insisted on watching it every time it came on TV and, I have to admit, I love the dancing, especially the "athletic" (as one critic called it) sequence involving the testosterone soaked brothers against suitors of the town vying for the affections of seven sprightly town maidens. Finally, winter before this last, I found it at Costco and brought it home for a weekend surprise. We watched the movie twice in a row, at Mom's request (and have watched it several times since). I was fascinated to discover that my mother's favorite dance sequence was the one done in the dead of winter while the seven brothers are chopping wood and bemoaning their singular (pun intended) fate. As she would watch that sequence, every time, she'd mention how much she liked it, her body would weave to the adagio accompaniment of the silken cowboy ballad and she'd swing her arm in an arc from her elbow each time an axe swung to a down beat. She loved the rest of the movie, as well, the Sabine Women sequence, in particular, and I loved watching her watch it. I will continue to love watching it and remembering the her high pleasure in the production.
Update 5/18/2022: By the way, here's a YouTube video by coldcrashpictures in which he talks with his mom (for a long time) about why she likes this movie. I loved listening to it! It took me back ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Howard Keel Adam Pontipee Jane Powell Milly Pontipee Jeff Richards Benjamin Pontipee Julie Newmar Dorcas Gaylen Matt Mattox Caleb Pontipee Ruta Lee Ruth Jepson Marc Platt Daniel Pontipee Norma Doggett Martha Jacques d'Amboise Ephraim Pontipee Virginia Gibson Liza Tommy Rall Frank Pontipee Betty Carr Sarah Kine Russ Tamblyn Gideon Pontipee Nancy Kilgas Alice Elcott Ian Wolfe Reverend Elcott Howard Petrie Pete Perkins
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1954
Directed by Stanley Donen.
Labels: action1, dance, dramedy1, musical1, period3, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, shared-favorite, spectacle1
Persuasion
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I picked this up because Mom and I so enjoyed the video versions of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility that we own. A friend told me that I'd probably like this version of the Jane Austen novel, too. I'm usually wary of friends recommending movies to me, but she was right. Mom and I both enjoyed this one. Film adaptations of Jane Austen and others' works can be disappointing; Mom and I have been disappointed before. This one isn't. I still prefer the books, but this movie and the other two JA adaptations we own bring the characters and environments to life.
You'll notice I've sorted this movie into my "20th-century-chick-flicks1" category. Yes, I know, it's based on an 1817 novel, which indicates that the peculiar type of romance depicted here is, in essence century-less. All I can say in my defense it, they didn't make movies in 1817.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Amanda Root Anne Elliot Ciarán Hinds Frank Wentworth Susan Fleetwood Lady Russell Corin Redgrave Sir Walter Scott Fiona Shaw Mrs. Croft John Woodvine Admiral Croft Phoebe Nicholls Elizabeth Elliot Samuel West Mr. Elliot Sophie Thompson Mary Musgrove Judy Cornwell Mrs. Musgrove Roger Hammond Mr. Musgrove Simon Russell Beale Charles Musgrove
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Roger Michell.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, dramedy1, period3, romance2
Legends of the Fall
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I'm truly surprised that I never mentioned this movie in the journals because, after I'd first seen it, the year it was released, I was mesmerized by it and talked it up to everyone who would listen, rented it endlessly and forced relatives to watch it with me, etc. I've often tried to explain why this movie has such a hold over me. Luckily, Mom always enjoyed it, as she does most big country-spectacle-epics. The acting is poor to fair to good to very occasionally excellent (usually the minor characters ring in the excellence in acting); the story is, well, the father-son story at the base of it is reasonably interesting but predictable; but the whole business about bears and the fall...it resonates with my own interest in bears and the fact that I've always been unreasonably proud of being a fall baby and feel "special" because of that accident of birth timing. I tend to feel as though I am in a dream when I watch this movie. Weird, I know. But, I expect to unreasonably love this movie for the rest of my life. I was lucky that Mom enjoyed it, too, I think it was like reading a sprawling novel, for her, thus she indulged my need to watch this at least once a year, if not more.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Brad Pitt Tristan Ludlow Anthony Hopkins Col. William Ludlow Aidan Quinn Alfred Ludlow Julia Ormond Susannah Fincannon-Ludlow Henry Thomas Samuel Ludlow Karina Lombard Isabel 'Two' Decker-Ludlow Gordon Tootoosis One Stab Christina Pickles Isabel Ludlow Tantoo Cardinal Pet Decker Robert Wisden John T. O'Banion John Novak James O'Banion Kenneth Welsh Sheriff Tynert
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by Edward Zwick
Labels: action1, adventure3, anthony-hopkins, drama7, dream1, haunting2, me-favorite2, period3, spectacle1, tantoo-cardinal, violence2, war1
Mrs. Brown
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I was surprised at Mom's initial reaction to this movie. She is usually chomping at the bit to watch any movie about "the royals", specifically the British royals. I think, though, this movie may have been a bit too restrained, not quite matching her expectations of a "royals" movie. And, it is a quiet movie, unlike most "royals" movies we have in our collection.
Despite the unresounding reception Mom gave this film when we first watched it, after some extensive wrangling I finally obtained a copy of it, solely because I wanted to watch it again, and again, and probably again. After a second watching of it, Mom warmed to it. It's a subtle movie, restrained acting in display of a restrained household...which is part of its magic. Judi Densch and Billy Connolly are wonderful in it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Judi Dench Queen Victoria Billy Connolly John Brown Geoffrey Palmer Henry Ponsonby Antony Sher Benjamin Disraeli Gerard Butler Archie Brown David Westhead Prince of Wales Bertie Richard Pasco Dr. Jenner Georgie Glen Lady Churchill
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by John Madden.
Labels: biography1, drama7, historical2, judi-dench, me-favorite2, period3, political3, royals
Mongol
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: One of the advantages, for Mom & me, of subscribing to a DVD rental service was (and remains) the availability of foreign films. Slowly, because of my interest in films from everywhere, if they're good, she learned to handle foreign language films with subtitles. Our favorites, though, were the sweeping epics that communicate mostly without language. This movie became one of our favorites in 2008. You'd think, because it is mostly about conflict, sometimes bloody, short on specific cultural information, etc., we would have found it boring. Quite the opposite. Mom loved the scene-after-scene sprawl of the steppes and the detailed portrayal of every day life. I loved the mythical ambience of the film.
Update 8/2/21: Oh! I noticed I forgot to mention, this film is about the ultimate Mongol, Ghengis Khan, before he was the Great Khan.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tadanobu Asano Temüjin/Genghis Khan Sun Honglei Jamukha Chuluuny Khulan Börte Amadu Mamadakov Targutai Ba SenTD> Yesügei Sai Xing Ga Chiledu Bu Ren Taichar Aliya Oelun He Qi Dai-Sechen Deng Ba Te Er Daritai Zhang Jiong Garrison Chief Ben Hon Sun Monk
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Sergei Bodrov.
Labels: action1, adventure3, biography3, drama7, historical2, period3, political3, spectacle1, violence2, war1
Sunday, May 06, 2007
The Queen
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I bought this movie sight unseen, the day it was released, based strictly on Mom's (and, now, my) love of stories about English Royals and my admiration for Helen Mirren. One of my best purchases to date! Mom and I so loved the movie that we watched it twice the day it arrived, then again the next day. We (almost) endlessly discussed details of the movie, including: The appearance of the stag, that it was actually a 15 pointer and wondered if odd numbered points were excluded when rating a rack; the importance of Diana as an icon; the likelihood that the portrayal of Prince Charles was accurate; the difficulty of being a monarch in today's world, depending on where one lives; the history of the political significance of the English monarchy and whether it would outlive this century; Queen Elizabeth II's dogs; the ick factor of lamb stew, especially when it's cold; Mirren's astonishing range, considering her performance in Elizabeth I and this movie; and many other aspects of the movie.
Yet another movie we'll watch over and over and over.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Helen Mirren Queen Elizabeth II Michael Sheen Tony Blair James Cromwell Prince Philip Helen McCrory Cherie Blair Alex Jennings Prince Charles Roger Allam Robin Janvrin Sylvia Syms The Queen Mother Tim McMullan Stephen Lamport
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Stephen Frears.
Labels: biography1, docu-drama, helen-mirren, historical3, period3, political3, royals, shared-favorite
The Godfather
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is a movie I've avoided purchasing for a long time, even though Mom and I enjoy watching it every time it appears on TV, whether uninterrupted by commercials and uncut or otherwise. It is, plain and simple, riveting. Frankly, a perfect movie, in my estimation. However, for some reason I could never bring myself to pay for it. Finally, I noticed what looked like a relatively unplayed copy of it at my favorite trade-in movie store really cheap (I later discovered that Costco was selling it cheap, by then, too, although not as cheap as the copy I purchased) and decided, yeah, we should have it.
Good choice. As soon as Mom hears the theme music, she settles back in her rocker with a subtle smile, as though someone is preparing to read her a Dickens novel cover to cover.
It should not surprise you to learn that Roger Ebert christened this movie a Great Movie.
Just a side note: The following Actor/Role Table is nowhere near an exhaustive list of actors and characters participating in this movie that, despite sometimes have little screen time, left an indelible impression on both my mother and I as viewers. Some of those actors and characters, I'm sure, will be covered in the tables of The Godfather II and The Godfather III. Some will not.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Marlon Brando Vito Corleone Morgana King Carmela Corleone Al Pacino Michael Corleone James Caan Santino Corleone John Cazale Fredo Corleone Talia Shire Connie Corleone Robert Duvall Tom Hagen Richard Castellano Peter Clemenza Sterling Hayden Cpt. Mark McCluskey John Marley Jack Woltz Al Lettieri Virgil Sollozzo Richard Conte Emilio Barzini Diane Keaton Kay Adams Corleone Abe Vigoda Salvatore Tessio Gianni Russo Carlo Rizzi Al Martino Johnny Fontaine Lenny Montana Luca Brasi Salvatore Corsitto Amerigo Bonasera Vito Scotti Nazorine Gabriele Torrei Enzo Aguello Johnny Martino Paulie Gatto Simonetta Stefanelli Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone Alex Rocco Moe Green Richard Bright Albert Neri
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1972
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Labels: action3, al-pacino, diane-keaton, drama7, gang-movie, marlon-brando, period3, revenge1, robert-duvall, violence3
Cheers for Miss Bishop
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: We first saw this movie on TCM one evening about a month before I ordered it. Mom became so involved in it that she visibly cried at the end, and she doesn't cry easily. It's extremely idealistic.
My mother did become a teacher, of elementary school and in the military as a gunnery instructor (that's how she met my dad, he was one of her students). She did not, however, have any intention of becoming a spinster teacher. I can well imagine, though, her attitudes toward teaching and education were much the same as portrayed in this movie.
As well, I couldn't help but recall the line in Mona Lisa Smile in which the president of Wellesley, in 1953, states that higher education for women was unheard of a century ago. This movie accurately states that it was well heard of, which I already knew, anyway. Watching this movie in view of Mona Lisa Smile reminded me to be ever ready to reflect on the fact that, just as the 1950's clearly rewrote women's history according to its dictates for women, all history is rewritten, by era, according to what we want to see in it and get out of it. Made me wonder, too, as I have before, if this glitch in Mona Lisa Smile was intended or inadvertent. You'd think Julia Roberts' character, considering her championing of women's education, would have been aware of the presidents' blatantly incorrect reinterpretation of history and would have (mildly, probably) countered the president.
I found this movie so charming and so much fun as far as watching Mom watch it that first we rented it, then, when Mom yet again, sobbed at the end of the movie, I decided we had to have a copy. I ran across it in the A2ZCDS.com remastered version at my favorite local movie trade-in store and snatched it up. Not a good copy, though; not nearly as clear, visually or audibly, as the copy we saw on TV. I'm going to hunt for a better copy. I notice TCM has one on sale...hopefully, it will be the same as the one they broadcast. So, eventually this one will go back to where I purchased it; but not before I obtain a better copy of it. We've watched it twice since I've purchased it and I'm sure it will become one of our most watched movies.
TCM has two links for this film. The first, linked above in the title of this post, contains an interesting video of a bit of the history of the film that is run previous to broadcast. The second page contains links to two articles that have been written about the movie.
Update 1/17/21: Well, I've obtained yet another copy, yes, remastered, but it is about the same quality as the one above. I've scoured the internet, including the most likely place to find a good copy, TCM, but the best version they sell, like at other outlets, is not available. How strange. I suspect, considering how much my mother liked it and how I warmed to it, that this movie is popular. But, it remains hard to get a really good, pristine copy. I'll keep this one in my collection, this time, until I can obtain a good one. This version is watchable. It's just, well, dark and muddy around the edges.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Martha Scott Ella Bishop William Gargan Sam Peters Edmund Gwynn Professor Corcoran Sterling Holloway Chris Jensen Dorothy Peterson Mrs. Bishop Sidney Blackmer John Stevens Mary Anderson Amy Saunders Donald Douglas Delbert Thompson Marsha Hunt Hope Thompson John Archer Richard Clark Lois Ranson Gretchen Clark Rosemary De Camp Minna Fields
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1941
Directed by Tay Garnett.
Labels: drama7, mom-favorite1, period3, popcorn-and-soda3, teaching
Bobby
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This movie was given to us by a friend who is interested in politics, clearly remembers the 1960's (better than me, actually, since I went through a somewhat different 60's experience on Guam) and was sure she'd love the movie. She picked it up at Costco, where it was being sold with a free copy of a biography of RFK. She was completely disappointed in the movie, although not in the book, but said she wouldn't read it again and passed that off to us, too.
Mom only sat through half the movie. I watched all of it. I understand what Estevez did in the movie and think he accomplished his goal, but I also understand why the critics were so divided on this movie. If I'd rented the movie, I'd've made a mental note not to buy it, even though many of its moments have stuck with me. I felt cheated that a lot of it was fictionalized...it seemed to me there was little to no reason to do this. However, I also found the vignettes involving and many of the performances excellent (I especially liked the vignette with Helen Hunt and Martin Sheen). Interesting and effective splicing of actual newsreel footage, too, although, frankly, The Queen does this better and more effectively.
I don't think this is a movie that, on a second attempt at watching, Mom would discover she enjoyed. It isn't one I expect to watch again, at least not soon. I may add it to our ever expanding pile of movies for trade-in. I'll probably read the book, although I may not get around to it until after Mom dies.
Update 5/21/2022: By the way, this cast is so loaded with stars that some of them aren't even mentioned in either Wikipedia, or IMDb. Sidney Poitier for instance. This is the reason I used the particular capsule review that I attached to the title of this post: it mentions Sidney Poitier's involvement in the film, whereas no one else did.
At any rate, I never question why a movie was made. Someone involved in its creation always has a reason. I do, however, often question why a movie was released. This is one of those questionable movies. I can only "blame" the star power behind it. And, believe me, there is so much blame to be had that the movie deserved an overwhelming star list in order to smooth the blame a bit thinner. I can't imagine that it was hard to solicit so much star power, either. Actors are, if nothing else, eager to participate in something that promises high visibility. Unfortunately, it was a promise that didn't deliver.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Harry Belafonte Nelson Joy Bryant Patricia Nick Cannon Dwayne Clark Emilio Estevez Tim Fallon Laurence Fishburne Edward Robinson Dave Fraunces Robert F. Kennedy Jeridan Frye Ethel Kennedy Lindsay Lohan Diane Howser Anthony Hopkins John Casey William H. Macy Paul Ebbers Demi Moore Virginia Fallon Martin Sheen Jack Helen Hunt Samantha Stevens Sharon Stone Miriam Ebbers Elijah Wood William Avary Shia LaBeouf Cooper
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Emilio Estevez.
Labels: anthony-hopkins, docu-drama, historical3, laurence-fishburne, period3, political3
Friday, April 13, 2007
The Nativity Story
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Yes, this is yet another jesus dvd that is a Jesus movie. We rented it first. For some unknown reason, I had the idea that maybe we had enough Jesus movies for Mom and she'd consider this one overkill, but I was wrong, which is why I purchased it for her. We've watched it several times.
I appreciate it for the explanation it contains of certain cultural customs to which members of "The Holy Family" would have been obligated, but, more than this, some of the oblique symbology of the birth of Jesus is explained, such as the signficance of the gifts received from "the wise men". There is strong enough emphasis on the importance of the visiting of the shepherds that I finally understood this aspect of the Jesus Nativity Story. And, the parallel story of Elizabeth and Zechariah is well woven into the presentation.
My mother, of course, is enthralled with the movie. The more apparently realistic Bible movies are, the more she likes them. This one rang a bell for her. She even enjoyed the offhand comic relief of the three wise men.
I may have mentioned this before: I'm not Christian, never have been, actually, even though I was raised in what would be considered a typical Christian household of the 50's and 60's, which is to say, only mildly religious but with a strong emphasis on morality and ethics, not necessarily connected to but often echoing Christianity in particular. Because my mother is deeply spiritual, though, and uses Christianity as her spiritual touchstone (and, for a few other reasons, as well), I spent a fair amount of time (still do, in fact) investigating and thinking about Christianity. I've been at the point, for some years, where I firmly doubt the existence of the historical Jesus as presented in Christianity (even the Christian gospels hint that the Jesus they present never existed) but, because much of the symbology and beliefs are ubiquitous in many theistic and nontheistic religious doctrines and practice, the entire area of spirituality bounded by religion fascinates me and Christianity, being the first religion to which I was introduced, thus the one with which I am most familiar, is a good jumping off point for me. This movie, in particular, is a succinct reminder of the power of the Jesus story, Jesus mythology and Christian dedication. As well, while I was absorbing Elizabeth's story alongside Mary's, I was suddenly struck by the importance of the mothers of gods, in stories such as these, always being in some way barren, or, in the case of the births of great leaders of a theistic religion, the birth itself or the baby being threatened, thus the birth of the god or the leader is usually (except, for instance, in the case of Abram/Abraham), somehow miraculous. I don't know why I never before paid attention to this.
Soon after we watched this movie a few times and had some stimulating conversations about Christianity in particular and spirituality in general, I decided to rent The God Who Wasn't There so Mom could get a better idea of why Christianity interests me but doesn't cause me to "fall on [my] knees". No, this isn't a movie we'll be purchasing. I was familiar with most of the stuff in it when I originally saw it and don't need it as a resource. But, Mom found this movie interesting and worthy of discussion, although it didn't sway her belief in her religion. I didn't expect this. Even those of us who aren't swayed by beliefs in gods and the ritual detail of god centered religions often have belief systems that make no rational sense but hold sway over us, anyway. At any rate, something I realized when we discussed spirituality and religion from the point of view of The God Who Wasn't There is that Mom is firmly centered in life-here-and-now rather than death-in-the-sweet-by-and-by. This, I think, is the important difference between her spirituality and that of many people who consider and call themselves Christians.
The Nativity Story is not nearly as spiritually powerful for me as, say, The Little Buddha, for instance, but it's provocative, nonetheless, and I can count on it to trigger interesting discussions about religion and spirituality between my mother and me.
Well, well, well. I found loads of Christian reviewers covering this movie, usually positively (if there was any negativity at all in these reviews, it was a minor haggle over biblical representation of the story vs. this movie's representation), but I was able to find only two secular critics weighing in. Of those, I chose the, well, the longest, to connect to the title of this post. It was also the better of the two I found, and the kinder. I think what most secular critics wanted was more of a The Last Temptation of the Christ presentation. Although I'm a secularist, myself, I notice that most secularists who go to the movies are allergic to any religious presentation even when it is sincere and subtle. Guys, this story is well acted by some extraordinary actors, well directed, well filmed and well told. It's not trying to convert you. It's just telling an old, old story. Relax. It's not going to jump into the theater (or your living room) and strangle you until you become Christian.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Keisha Castle-Hughes Mary Oscar Isaac Joseph Hiam Abbass Anna Shaun Toub Joachim Shohreh Aghdashloo Elizabeth Stanley Townsend Zechariah Ciarán Hinds Herod the Great Alexander Siddig Angel Gabriel
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke.
Labels: bible-movies1, Christmas, drama7, female-director2, jesus-dvds, mom-favorite1, oscar-isaac, period3, religion1, spiritual1
