Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Once Upon a Time in America – Both Cuts
- Who's watched: M & G (G many times)
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: Another movie for which I have an unreasonable love which my mother tolerates. All I can say is, the scene where Noodles stirs his coffee? Devastates me every time.
I don't think my mother gets the garbage truck scene, although she gets the rape scene and doesn't like it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert De Niro Noodles James Woods Max Elizabeth McGovern Deborah Joe Pesci Frankie Monaldi Burt Young Joe Tuesday Weld Carol Larry Rapp Fat Moe Danny Aiello Police Chief Aiello James Hayden Patsy William Forsythe Cockeye Darlanne Fluegel Eve Amy Ryder Peggy Jennifer Connelly Young Deborah Scott Tiler Young Noodles Rusty Jacobs Young Max/David Bailey Brian Bloom Young Patsy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 229 minute cut-1983; 251 minute cut-2014
As far as I know, the original 269 minute version has yet to be released to the public, or, at least the the U.S. public. I'm not sure about any other public.
Directed by Sergio Leone.
Update 09/13/2019: I am now a proud owner of the extended director's cut of this movie. Owning director's cuts is not really my style, but this is one of my all-time favorite movies and the extension adds an additional 22 minutes. I've read that the inclusions are not particularly smooth, since the optics put them a bit out of joint with the rest of the picture. I have no problem with them. In fact, since I haven't recently watched the initial European theater version, which is the cut I first owned, I can't actually tell, yet, which are the added scenes. There are special features on this version, as well, which I haven't yet watched, but I'm looking forward to seeing them.
Update 8/27/2024: I've actually had this movie for quite awhile, at least 5 years, but the post became corrupted and I had to salvage what I could, repost and redate it and re-enter it into my Alpha List. It seems to be okay, now.
Labels: dramaC, dream2, gang-movie, james-woods, jennifer-connelly, joe-pesci, me-favorite4, period5, robert-de-niro, tuesday-weld, violence3
Monday, November 14, 2005
Shōgun
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I got this as a nod to Mom (see mention) but, lo and behold, I enjoy it, too. It's not even a guilty pleasure for me. It's got some great actors in it, I enjoy the fact that the Japanese is not subtitled in English because it keeps the viewer in the same position as Anjin-San and, well, it's an involving production. Mom could probably watch this 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
The interesting thing about this series and the book upon which it is based is that there is much historical background upon which they are based. Check out the Wikipedia article, linked below, and cruise through the actor list with its historical equivalents.
Update 2/9/18: I recently rewatched this series over a few nights, mainly to see if I wanted to donate it to the library. I vaguely noticed some "dating", but was still swept up. It will be remaining in my collection, for awhile, at least.
Update 5/13/2022: You may think that, by now, this series is close to the donate-to-the-library box. Not so! I've actually watched the entire series, over a weekend, about four months ago, in the depth of winter. I know its structure as a mini-series is dated but I continue to find it engaging, worthy of a winter weekend, and, perhaps, even a mid-summer weekend when there's nothing to do but, well, watch a mini-series!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Chamberlain John Blackthorne Toshirô Mifune Yoshi Toranaga Yoko Shimada Lady Toda Mariko Frankie Sakai Kashigi Yabu Alan Badel Father Dell'Aqua Michael Hordern Friar Domingo Damien Thomas Father Martin Alvito John Rhys-Davies Vasco Rodrigues
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by Jerry London.
Labels: action3, adventure3, dramaA, mom-favorite2, period5, political4, popcorn-and-soda4, spectacle2, toshirô-mifune, TV2
The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: Tragedy
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I used to be a Shakespeare snob. Up until the late 70's when I took a college course in Shakespeare I just didn't get what was interesting or important about Shakespeare's plays despite the fact that I'd studied two of them in high school. The course I took finally opened up the language and the structure for me. The class took place as these BBC produced plays were being broadcast on PBS. They were recommended by the instructor. I bought a television just to see them. I get it, now. Although I have some other favorite productions of some of these plays: Laurence Fishburne's portrayal of Othello, for instance, my favorite version of Hamlet is the production starring Richard Burton and Hume Cronyn, the vocals for which I have on vinyl, and my favorite version of Macbeth is the production by Roman Polanski which I didn't see until the early 1990s, these BBC productions are excellent and do not disappoint. I hope to obtain the entire collection, since I've seen the entire collection.
When I queue up these plays Mom tries her best but I think she's where I was before I took that course and, as well, she has trouble with British accents. It's easy for her to get bored and switch to her tabloids or take a nap.
As for me, I'd love to obtain the entire BBC Television Shakespeare series. It's quite a bit beyond my pocketbook, now, though, so I expect I'll never manage it, which is a shame, because BBC did a masterful job! If you're unsure about your relationship to Shakespeare's works, try checking out a few of these from your library. I think you'll discover, Shakespeare is writing about you, and your world.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this series. It's loaded with information, not only about the series in toto but about each production. If you're interested in these productions, don't ignore this link! - Hamlet
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Derek Jacobi Hamlet Claire Bloom Gertrude Patrick Stewart Claudius Eric Porter Polonius
→ derek-jacobi
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by Rodney Bennett. - Julius Caesar
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Pasco Brutus Charles Gray Julius Caesar Keith Michell Marcus Antonius David Collings Cassius
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1979
Directed by Herbert Wise. - Macbeth
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nicol Williamson Macbeth Jane Lapotaire Lady Macbeth Tony Doyle Macduff Jill Baker Lady Macduff
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Jack Gold. - Othello
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Anthony Hopkins Othello Bob Hoskins Iago Penelope Wilton Desdemona David Yelland Cassio
→ anthony-hopkins
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1981
Directed by Jonathan Miller. - Romeo & Juliet
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Patrick Ryecart Romeo Rebecca Saire Juliet Celia Johnson Nurse Alan Rickman Tybalt
→ alan-rickman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1978
Directed by Alvin Rakoff.
Labels: alan-rickman, anthony-hopkins, buddy, derek-jacobi, dramaA, haunting2, hume-cronyn, me-favorite2, period5, romance3, royals, shakespeare, tragedy2, TV2, violence3
Saturday Night Fever
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I have, for a long time, been shy about mentioning my adoration for this movie. Something about the way it's put together from the beginning. Something about its nonmusical musical quality. Something about its datedness, which was dated when it was made and thus makes it a period piece. Something about the coarse vulnerability of the characters. Something about the title song. Mom likes watching it because it's a dance movie. That's good enough for me.
Update 2/6/18: Roger Ebert wrote two interesting reviews of this movie: one about his own feelings toward the movie and one about Gene Siskel's veneration of this movie in one of his "Great Movie" reviews. I've included both. Sadly, I was unable to find a complete review of this movie by Gene Siskel. There are bits and pieces all over the internet, mostly of his October 1999 review of the movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role John Travolta Anthony Manero Karen Lynn Gorney Stephanie Mangano Barry Miller Bobby C. Donna Pescow Annette
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1977
Directed by John Badham
Labels: coming-of-age2, dramaA, john-travolta, me-favorite3, musical1, period5, popcorn-and-soda4
Sunday, October 09, 2005
The Sting
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom's sister introduced both of us to this movie. Since knowing it was one of mom's sister's favorites it has become a favorite of Mom's although sometimes, now, it moves a little fast for her. I've always enjoyed this movie. It's like riding on a carousel.
Update 9/29/19: I know, I know. It may seem like I'm just looking for movies to include in my "gang-movie" category, but this movie is definitely a gang movie -- an "ad hoc" gang movie, with a muddled moral core (unusual for gang movies) that adds to its delightfulness.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Newman Henry Gondorff Robert Redford Johnny Hooker Robert Shaw Doyle Lonnegan Robert Earl Jones Luther Coleman Charles Durning Lt. William Snyder Ray Walston J.J. Singleton Eileen Brennan Billie Harold Gould Kid Twist Dana Elcar FBI Agent Polk Dimitra Arliss Loretta Salino Sally Kirkland Crystal Paulene Myers Alva Coleman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1973
Directed by George Roy Hill.
Labels: action3, adventure3, buddy, gang-movie, jean-favorite, mom-favorite2, mystery2, paul-newman, period5, popcorn-and-soda5, robert-redford
Pride and Prejudice - Colin Firth
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I've seen this three times; Mom's seen it twice. The first time we weren't using Closed Captioning and she found the English accents irritating. The second time around she thoroughly enjoyed it and we watched the entire series, six hours, I think, in one afternoon-evening marathon. This is my favorite video recreation of this story.
Update 8/16/21: I'm surprised I neglected to mention that this series was recommended to us by Mom's hairdressser, way back when, who enthused about it so much it was impossible for me not to acquire it, since the hairdresser finally gave Mom a copy of the series. I have never been sorry that she did!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jennifer Ehle Elizabeth Bennet Colin Firth Fitzwilliam Darcy Adrian Lukis George Wickham Alison Steadman Mrs. Bennet Benjamin Whitrow Mr. Bennet David Bamber William Collins Susannah Harker Jane Bennet Julia Sawalha Lydia Bennet Lucy Briers Mary Bennet Polly Maberly Catherine Bennet Lucy Briers Mary Bennet Emilia Fox Georgiana Darcy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Simon Langton.
Labels: colin-firth, period5, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3, shared-favorite
Funny Girl
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom has never cared for Barbra Streisand, neither her voice nor her presence. I have always adored Barbra Streisand without question. Having said this, we both enjoyed this movie and Mom has a few other Barbra Streisand favorites, like Nuts and Yentl (here's my own post about Yentl, neither of which we've yet collected (I acquired Yentl the April after Mom died). She also has a problem with Omar Shariff. She considers him overwhelming. I think he's great in this movie.
Update 7/31/21: Forgive me, but this reminds me of a funny story to tell on myself. Soon after I'd discovered Barbara Streisand, long before this movie came out, I used to wander around the house singing Streisand songs I'd heard on the radio, trying, as hard as possible, to imitate her voice. I asked my mother, once, if I sounded at all like Streisand and she replied, "Oh, much better!" I'm sure she said this because she had no love for Streisand's voice, and I knew this, so I dismissed her comment. During the same period but a bit later, though, I was told by a friend who overheard me vocalizing on "the slab" (the concrete foundation of an abandoned tennis court in our housing area), one day, that I sounded like Mahalia Jackson. Although I was startled, considering who I was trying to imitate, I was also familiar with Jackson's voice and was deeply complimented by her comment. Truth is, though, I do not have a good singing voice because I don't have a good ear for my own voice. I do for instruments being played, including when I play them, but I can't hear myself slip when my voice goes off-key. So, no chance that I'll ever be "discovered", even though I continue to sing, and hum, throughout odd moments of the day.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbra Streisand Fanny Brice Omar Sharif Nicky Arnstein Kay Medford Rose Brice Anne Francis Georgia James Walter Pidgeon Florenz Ziegfeld Lee Allen Eddie Ryan Mae Questel Mrs. Strakosh Gertrude Flynn Mrs. O'Malley
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1968
Directed by William Wyler.
Labels: barbra-streisand, biography2, dramedy2, musical2, period5, romance3
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Dancing at Lughnasa
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I consider this movie chiefly a tour de force for Streep. It is an incredibly dark movie, almost too dark for me, although I can't resist Michael Gambon's performance. I've gone back and forth over whether I'll keep this movie or trade it in. I doubt that I'll ever think to show it to Mom. I may not ever watch it again, either.
Stay tuned for my final decision, which I will report.
Update 2/11/21: And, Dear Reader, I didn't ever watch this film, again, and took it to the library during my first culling of my collection.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Meryl Streep Kate Mundy Michael Gambon Father Jack Mundy Catherine McCormack Christina Mundy Kathy Burke Maggie Mundy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Pat O'Connor.
Labels: dramaA, meryl-streep, period5
Mary Poppins
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This movie has obsessed me since it was first advertised when I was a nascent teenager. For some reason, I hyped the possible experience up in my mind to the place where I found the movie disappointing and was embarrassed (in the way young teens are) that I liked the movie. But, the summer of the year we (my sisters and I as a group) saw it, we also spent that summer on vacation singing all the songs from the movie, working out harmonies, etc. My decision to buy the movie was of the gut and immediate when I noticed the commercial, last year, for the "limited release" of an edition of this movie. I snapped it up and I'm glad I did. We've watched it maybe four times since then, and sing our way through the movie when we view it. During one viewing I made a savory stew and it was as though The Spirit of Mary Poppins inhabited our house. And, I'm no longer embarrassed to admit this! So there!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julie Andrews Mary Poppins Dick Van Dyke Bert & Mr. Dawes Sr. David Tomlinson George Banks Glynis Johns Winifred Banks Karen Dotrice Jane Banks Matthew Garber Michael Banks Ed Wynn Uncle Albert Hermione Baddeley maid
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Robert Stevenson.
Labels: julie-andrews, kids, mom-favorite2, musical2, period5, popcorn-and-soda5
Monday, February 21, 2005
Antonia's Line
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This is a little symphony of a movie that I discovered some years ago on the Sundance channel, stayed up after my first viewing long enough to set up tape for a second run, and showed the tape to my mother the next day, knowing that despite the movie being in Dutch with English subtitles, she'd love the movie and especially Antonia, because there is much of Antonia's spirit in my mother, even though their lives are quite different. We watch this movie fairly often, now, whenever one or the other of us needs to revel and refresh ourselves in the strength of lineage and the march of time.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Willeke van Ammelrooy Antonia Els Dottermans Danielle Jan Decleir Farmer Bas Victor Löw Harry Elsie de Brauw Lara Marina de Graaf Deedee Jan Steen Lippen Willem Veerle van Overloop Thérèse Catherine ten Bruggencate Malle Madonna Dora van der Groen Allegonde Mil Seghers Kromme Vinger Thyrza Ravesteijn Sarah
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Marleen Gorris.
Labels: dramaB, female-director1, haunting2, period5, shared-favorite, women's-movie1
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I wasn't sure if Mom would like this movie, even though it is one of my three favorite education movies. I needn't have worried. She got it, and she enjoyed it, although she prefers education movies like Stand and Deliver (the link to this movie, by the way, is to a site which details the fate of Jaime Escalante's legendary high school calculus program). She even said, "I've known teachers like that."
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Maggie Smith Jean Brodie Robert Stephens Teddy Lloyd Pamela Franklin Sandy Emmeline Mackay Celia Johnson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1969
Directed by Ronald Neame.
Labels: dramaB, maggie-smith, me-favorite3, period5, political4, teaching
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Mona Lisa Smile
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those movies that has a magnetic affect on both my mother and me. Although it's not the best school movie I've ever seen (my vote on this score is for The Paper Chase, although I'd consider The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, as well, and, a few others, come to think of it, The Blackboard Jungle, Goodbye Mr. Chips), from the cords of the opening music it drafts both of us into college, again, from our own perspetives. When we view this movie we always review the featurettes.
I have to admit, though, she and I are both suckers for school and education movies. Sometimes it's pathetic.
Directed by Mike Newell.
Update 6/13/2006: Since I first wrote this short review we've watched this movie on the average of once a month, at my suggestion. During tonight's watching I was uncustomarily analytical about some of the aspects of this movie that I love.
- All the performances are a delight to watch and utterly convincing, with the exception of Julia Roberts' performance. Tonight I finally figured out why, in this movie of incredibly performed roles (even the bartender at the wedding and "Mrs. Stone" the waitress are spot on) the star fell just short of matching her colleagues' level: She's, well, Julia Roberts and, as such, is no longer able to be a character. She is always Julia Roberts playing a character. This is unfortunate in movies such as this.
- The romance between Roberts' character and West's character is inauthentic, unconvincing, distracting and boring. It's possible that Roberts' character needs some sort of quickie affair in this movie as a device to underline her single status and her attitudes toward sexual attachment, but the one written and acted didn't work.
- The background music is both unobtrusive and evocative; so much so that the strains of the theme played behind the menu evoke pleasurable anticipation for the movie.
- The subject matter, despite being heavily covered in many other movies and, at the time of this movie's release, seemingly dated, lurks in women's souls deeply and is still not well addressed by society, thus, continues to have a powerful effect. As well, the characters and the story are so well developed that the period piece effect actually contributes to the emotional effect of the layout of the issues.
- The camera work is subtle and masterful. No camera effect is used for the sake of the effect alone.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julia Roberts Katherine Watson Kirsten Dunst Betty Warren Julia Stiles Joan Brandwyn Maggie Gyllenhaal Giselle Levy Ginnifer Goodwin Connie Baker Laura Allen Susan Delacorte Marcia Gay Harden Nancy Abbey Donna Mitchell Mrs. Warren Marian Seldes President Jocelyn Carr Juliet Stevenson Amanda Armstrong Dominic West Bill Dunbar Topher Grace Tommy Donegal Ebon Moss-Bachrach Charlie Stewart Jordan Bridges Spencer Jones John Slattery Paul Moore Tori Amos Wedding Singer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Mike Newell.
Labels: dramaB, julia-roberts, kirsten-dunst, maggie-gyllenhaal, marsha-gay-harden, period5, political4, shared-favorite, teaching, women's-movie1
Mrs. Miniver
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom introduced me to this movie, and Greer Garson, soon after I moved in with her. Although the relentlessly chin-up attitude of this movie may seem hard to tolerate, these days, I think what I enjoy most about this movie is that it is, as I believe Winston Churchill pointed out, clearly England's and America's secret weapon.
One more footnote, Greer Garson, I think, is probably the only actress with whom I've ever been familiar who can pull off the perfect, long suffering war-heroine-on-the-homefront.
So, why did I donate it to the library? Well, let me quote myself, "... the relentlessly chin-up attitude of this movie [is] hard to tolerate, these days ..."
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Greer Garson Kay Miniver Walter Pidgeon Clem Miniver Teresa Wright Carol Beldon Dame May Whitty Lady Beldon
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1942
Directed by William Wyler.
Driving Miss Daisy
- Who's watched: M & G, both more than many times
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6*
- Commentary: That's right, we've finally got it, watched it the same day I purchased it for us, and enjoyed it, once again, as though we only vaguely remembered it.
Update 5/2/2022: It's hard for me, nowadays, to say enough about this movie. The portrayal of older people, "Ancient Ones", as I call them, is quite on point, as individuals and as members of a group. The astonishment of the children at the desires, whims and behaviors of their parents and older people, in general, well, I became so familiar with this when members of my family visited my mother and I (rarely, I might add). It was hard, sometimes impossible, for them to think of us and treat us as other than "old relative" and "caregiver"; as, companions, for instance, or people who simply enjoyed each other's company and had a good time doing it. This movie, in very subtle ways, addresses these concerns. It doesn't display ingenious solutions, it just illustrates and leaves it be.
The background music for the film sometimes gets to me. It apes my relatives' attitudes, more than the experiences of Hoke and Miss Daisy.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Morgan Freeman Hoke Colburn Jessica Tandy Daisy Werthan Dan Ackroyd Boolie Werthan Patti LuPone Florine Werthan Esther Rolle Idella Joann Havrilla Miss McClatchey William Hall Jr. Oscar Crystal R. Fox Katey Bell
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1989
Directed by Bruce Beresford.
Labels: caregiver, dramaB, morgan-freeman, period5, popcorn-and-soda5, shared-favorite, teaching
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Dances with Wolves
- Who's watched: M [lots more than] G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This is one of my mother's haunting movies. Her reaction to this movie is similar to my reaction to Little Buddha: During some parts, she experiences trance-like states; during others, she becomes fully engaged in the finest detail of the culture of the Native American community portrayed in the movie; throughout, she follows the story meticulously and often attempts to engage other viewers in conversation about the movie, which means that she remembers enough of it from viewing to viewing not to feel as though she has to pay close attention every minute.
Sometime in late 2007 "they" finally came out with the widescreen version, which I quickly snatched up. This version also cuts in close to an hour of extended footage. I was surprised how much of the original cut the extended footage explained. Both my mother and I were, and are, very pleased with the additions.
P.S. Despite what this picture of the cover says, my copy actually says "Collector's Edition" at the top. Since it's also a 2-disc-er I imagine that this extended cut and the special features are the same as on the "Special Edition", but I can't swear to that.
Update 5/9/22: My mother is long, long gone, but, as I was rereading this post and remembering the pleasure she took in this movie, it occurred to me that, no matter how much dissension it created among critics, the Native American community and the community of "woke" non-Native Americans, my mother likely has a virtual copy of this movie, where ever she is now, and watches it every chance she gets. I still watch it, too. I derive great pleasure from remembering my mother watching this movie and thinking of her watching it, now. Perhaps, at times, we're watching it simultaneously.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Costner Lt. John J. Dunbar/Dances with Wolves Mary McDonnell Stands with a Fist/Christine Gunther Graham Greene Kicking Bird Rodney A. Grant Wind in His Hair Floyd Red Crow Westerman Chief Ten Bears Tantoo Cardinal Black Shawl Jimmy Herman Stone Calf Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse Smiles a Lot Michael Spears Otter Wes Studi Toughest Pawnee Maury Chaykin Major Fambrough Robert Pastorelli Timmons
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Kevin Costner.
Labels: action3, adventure4, dramaB, haunting2, mom-favorite2, period5, revisionist-western, spectacle2, tantoo-cardinal, war2, wes-studi
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
The Pianist
- Who's watched: M
- Mentions: *1* (added 2/10/05 after watching movie)
- Commentary: So, I was wrong. There is one movie that Mom has seen that I have not...this one. In fact, she was the one who suggested we get it, when Costco has it, when we saw a commercial on TV for the dvd. She may have seen it at MCF's house...we visited there a lot up until just about a year and a half ago. Anyway, I'm not quite sure this is the movie she is remembering...I'm thinking she must be thinking of some kind of Liberace production type of movie, but she insists this is the one.
Which is fine with me. I am, generally, a Roman Polanski fan, and usually try to watch all his movies. I hadn't yet thought of owning them. This should be an interesting start.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Adrien Brody Władysław Szpilman Thomas Kretschmann Wilm Hosenfeld Maureen Lipman Edwarda Szpilman Emilia Fox Dorota
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: dramaB, musical2, period5, roman-polanski, war2
M*A*S*H
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I know, this is the movie, not the series, and Mom loves the series, too, but that's on TV so much we decided not to buy it. This, however, is not.
Because, when I came to live with her, she liked this series so much and had been in the military just previous to the Korean conflict, so she identified with a lot of the show detail, I challenged her, once, to see the original movie from which the show was adapted. We were both surprised how much she liked it. I remember that she was surprised at the words of the theme song, with which one does not become familiar if one watches only the television series.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Donald Sutherland Hawkeye Pierce Elliott Gould Trapper John Sally Kellerman Hot Lips Tom Skerritt Duke
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1970
Directed by Robert Altman.
Labels: donald-sutherland, period5, robert-altman, satire2, war2
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Victor/Victoria
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Watching this movie is pure delight for my mother. Although she appreciates children's or 'family' musicals, considers them, "very nice", her preference is for adult musicals. Recently, when we were watching a Broadway retrospective on PBS, she mentioned, while "Sweeney Todd" was being reviewed, that she thought she'd "enjoy that one".
My mother is a big fan of cross dressing and love/gender complications in movies. Add Julie Andrews, Robert Preston and James Garner and my mother will buy a ring side seat.
Update 2/10/18: You'll notice that I linked the title to a write-up about the play, not about the movie. You'll also notice, if you read the article, that the play is based on the movie, not vice versa, which is the usual case. That's why I linked to the article. I thought this bit of information was interesting, especially considering the stage musical actors in the film.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julie Andrews Victoria Grant James Garner King Marchand Robert Preston Carroll Todd Lesley Ann Warren Norma Cassidy Alex Karras Squash Bernstein John Rhys-Davies Andre Cassell Graham Stark The Waiter Peter Arne Labisse
If you're curious about the Wikipedia article on this film, it's here.
Release Date: 1982
Directed by Blake Edwards.
Labels: comedy2, gender-bender, julie-andrews, mom-favorite2, musical2, period5, popcorn-and-soda6
Monday, February 07, 2005
Sneakers
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Although it has a lot of high-recognition actors playing parts in it (check out the Actor/Role table, below), this movie was one of those that was better in the remembering than in the re-viewing of it. Even my mother thought so, and she's only seen it once.
It strikes me as a vanity project, which is why I passed it on to our local library. I haven't had the urge to check it out since I gleaned it from my collection. The wikipedia article on this film, linked below, records some pretty surprising dissension among critics, and, yet, apparently audiences liked it. Well, not this audience.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Redford Bishop/Bruce Ben Kingsley Cosmo Sidney Poitier Donald Crease David Strathairn Irwin Emery Dan Aykroyd Darren Roskow River Phoenix Carl Arbogast Mary McDonnell Liz Ogilvy James Earl Jones Bernard Abbott
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1992
Directed by Phil Alden Robinson.
Labels: ben-kingsley, david-strathairn, mystery2, period5, robert-redford, thriller2
