Thursday, April 25, 2024
Dark City
- Commentary: Under construction.
Roger Ebert was so intrigued by this movie he reviewed it twice. He assigned it Great Movie status in 2005 after having reviewed it upon it's initial release in 1998 and having given it four stars. His Great Movies review is attached to the title of this post.
I also find it interesting to note that while many reviewers were also pleased by this film, its two iterations, its theatrical release and its director's cut, were also analyzed by reviewers, which is, in essence, what Roger Ebert accomplished with his two reviews. Even critics who were not impressed with many aspects of the film praised its extraordinary visuality.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Rufus Sewell John Murdoch William Hurt Ins. Frank Bumstead Kiefer Sutherland Dr. Daniel P. Schreber Jennifer Connelly Emma Murdoch/Anna Richard O'Brien Mr. Hand Ian Richardson Mr. Book Bruce Spence Mr. Wall Colin Friels Det. Eddie Walenski John Bluthal Karl Harris Mitchell Butel Ofc. Husselbeck Melissa George May Frank Gallacher Chf. Ins. Stromboli Ritchie Singer Hotel Manager/Vendor Justin Monjo Taxi Driver Nicholas Bell Mr. Rain Satya Gumbert Mr. Sleep
As usual, more later when I've watched this film.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988
Directed by Alex Proyas.
Labels: jennifer-connelly, philosophical, science-fiction2, william-hurt
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Cast Away
- Commentary: Yes, I have seen this movie. In fact, I've seen it more than once and at least one of those viewings was with my mother, who was as transfixed as was I. I've had a touchy relationship with this movie, though, because my youngest sister noticed, when she was visiting after our mother died, that I had a copy of this movie sitting next to the dvd player and disparaged me for this choice, "You're watching that movie? Why?!?" Normally, I'm not intimidated by anyone questioning my life, my choices, or my life choices, but, you know, when the disparager is a sibling, well, sometimes the surprise and disappointment stab deep and personal, beyond a sibling's opinion of one of your specific choices. Thus, I put off obtaining this movie for a long, long time.
I don't know, though, I guess the intimidation just finally wore away. I can't tell you what recently reminded me of this film, but it's been on my mind for maybe about a week. Today, I finally searched it out, found a spectacularly cheap price on it, checked internally for still existing nubs of intimidation, found none, and decided, this is it. It's time.
It will arrive in a couple of days. That's when I'll rewatch it and finish writing it up, so, until then, this post is still under construction.
Oh. And BTW. Along with Roger Ebert's review of this movie, which is linked to the title of this post, his site contains a thoughtful, provocative meditation by another site reviewer, Omer M. Mozaffar. Without giving away any of the surprises in his reaction, I'm telling you, if you enjoy this movie, you should read his article.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Hanks Chuck Noland Helen Hunt Kelly Frears Lovett Nick Searcy Stan Chris Noth Jerry Lovett Lari White Bettina Peterson Vince Martin Pilot Albert Miller Frederick W. Smith Self/Founder of FedEx Nan Martin Kelly's Mother
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Labels: dramaF, philosophical, psychological2, survival, tom-hanks
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
The Seventh Seal
- Commentary: This is a very emotionally complex movie. I've actually watched it twice since I received it. It casts a spell on me. It's not that it causes me to focus on deaths which have affected me, it's that it produces in me deep meditation about life, our knowledge that life is limited and no particular time frame or experience is promised to anyone.
The final scene of the film, too, carries a unique poignance. I think it's up to the viewer whether The Dead are resisting Death's lead, confused about what's happening or simply celebrating the dropping of the final curtain. Perhaps it depends on the individual characters in the dance. Whatever each of the characters is experiencing, the same experience is happening to all of them, but, as in the Dance of Life, each one is having an individual reaction. That's why I included as many actors/roles as I found listed in the table below. This film is not about the experience, I think, but the reaction to it. Which is why the chess game is so important. When one is given a chance, just before death, to play with the possibilities, well, what difference does it make? Good, and not rhetorical, question. Perhaps none? Perhaps all?
I may write more, later. I may not. I can assure my readers, though, I will be emotionally magnetized to watching it again. And, again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gunnar Björnstrand Jöns Bengt Ekerot Death Nils Poppe Jof Max von Sydow Antonius Block Bibi Andersson Mia Inga Landgré Karin Block Åke Fridell Plog Inga Gill Lisa Erik Strandmark Jonas Skat Bertil Anderberg Raval Gunnel Lindblom Mute Girl Maud Hansson Witch Gunnar Olsson Church Painter Albertus Pictor Church Painter Anders Ek The Monk Benkt-Åke Benktsson Merchant Gudrun Brost Maid Lars Lind Young Monk Tor Borong Farmer Harry Asklund Innkeeper
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here is the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1957
Directed by Ingmar Bergman.
Labels: §1, Criterion2, magical-realism, max-von-sydow, period6, philosophical, war2
