Friday, December 16, 2022
Malcolm X - Criterion Edition
- Commentary: Yes, I already own this movie. When I heard, though, that Criterion recently released this movie, complete with its stunning (as usual) restoration work and a slate of Special Features that I can't wait to view, well, I knew I had to add it to my collection, which is probably a good idea, anyway, because, since I first added it to my collection in August of 2016, I've watched it at least once a year, occasionally more. It's one of those movies for which I find myself hungering. So, I have two copies, now. Chances are, I won't view my original copy, again, but I'm going to hang on to it, for awhile, just in case. I don't ever want to be without a copy of this movie.
If the Special Features are intriguing, I'll return here to write about them. The movie, itself, is a wonder to behold, full of amazing acting and Spike Lee's innovative, intriguing auteurism at its best. The design and execution of so many of the scenes grab you by the ears and force you to get each and every moment of this astonishing story of, not only a man, but a people-movement that has yet to achieve ultimate success.
Yes, I've listed it as both a biography and an autobiography. For those of you who are familiar with Alex Haley's and Malcolm X's collaborative book, as well as this movie, you'll understand why I did this.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington Malcolm X Angela Bassett Betty Shabazz Albert Hall Baines Al Freeman Jr. Elijah Muhammad Delroy Lindo West Indian Archie Spike Lee Shorty Theresa Randle Laura Kate Vernon Sophia Ernest Lee Thomas Sidney Christopher Plummer Chaplain Gill Lonette McKee Louise Little Tommy Hollis Earl Little Giancarlo Esposito Talmadge X Hayer Wendell Pierce Ben Thomas Leonard L. Thomas Leon Davis Leland Gantt Wilbur McKinley Roger Guenveur Smith Rudy James McDaniel Brother Earl Steve White Brother Johnson Veronica Webb Sister Lucille Rosary Jean-Claude La Marre Benjamin 2X Debi Mazar Peg Karen Allen Miss Dunne Peter Boyle NYPD Captain Green
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1992
Directed by Spike Lee.
Labels: biography1, christopher-plummer, debi-mazar, delroy-lindo, denzel-washington, drama6, film-art1, giancarlo-esposito, haunting1, period2, political2, spike-lee
Thursday, June 09, 2022
Network
- Commentary: Another classic had-to-have favorite. This movie is so good and so correctly prophetic (and so fucking well done) it still scares the bejesus out of me. I am driven to watch it at least twice a year.
Does it surprise you to know that Roger Ebert reviewed this movie twice? He did, again, as one of his "Great Movies", linked to the title of this post, and 24 years earlier when he initially saw it on it's first release.
Update 6/9/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Faye Dunaway Diana Christensen Wiliam Holden Max Schumacher Peter Finch Howard Beale Robert Duvall Frank Hackett Wesley Addy Nelson Chaney Ned Beatty Arthur Jensen Beatrice Straight Louise Schumacher Jordan Charney Harry Hunter Conchata Ferrell Barbara Schlesinger Darryl Hickman Bill Herron William Prince Edward Ruddy Ken Kercheval Merrill Grant
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1976
Directed by Sidney Lumet.
Labels: faye-dunaway, journalism, me-favorite1, ned-beatty, political2, prophecy, robert-duvall, satire1
China Beach Complete Series
- Commentary: I worried, when I first bought this series (for, I must say, much, much, much less than it retails for now) that my memory of it might be disappointed. Didn't happen. It's my kind of war video, more character driven than action driven, surprising, moody, realistic (for the most part; sometimes, especially in the first season, it panders a little too much to the audience). I'm not at all sorry it's now a part of my permanent collection of video material. I read, somewhere, a long time ago, that it was the first war series/movie that was done from the women's point of view. Maybe that's why I like it, but I don't think of it that way.
My copy of this series is not the boxed set spoken of in the link connected to the title. When I bought the series, the seasons were still being distributed as separate entities. Thus, my "set" includes only 18 of the 21 discs this review touts. It includes all the series episodes, just not quite as much special feature material, which is fine with me. When my mother was alive, it was a bit irksome that there were no subtitles. However, I have no problem with that. Perhaps I will when I get older??? Perhaps, as well, I will want to replace my discs with the set. We'll see.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Dana Delany 1st Lt./Cpt. Colleen McMurphy Nan Woods Cherry White Michael Boatman SP4 Samuel Beckett Marg Helgenberger Karen Charlene "K.C." Koloski Robert Picardo Cpt. Dick Richard Tim Ryan Cpt. Bartholomew Austen Concetta Tomei Mjr. Lila Garreau Brian Wimmer Cpl. Boonwell Lanier Jeff Kober Stf. Sgt. Evan Winslow Chloe Webb Laurette Barber Megan Gallagher Airman Wayloo Marie Holmes Troy Evans Mst. Sgt. Bob Pepper
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the series.
Release Date: 1988-1991
Directed by several people, a few more women than usual, and some women who were regulars.
Labels: drama5, female-director1, historical2, jesse-borrego, military, period2, political2, TV1, violence2, war1
The Bourne Classified Collection
- Commentary: Go ahead. Make fun of me. I don't care. I love this series of movies for just pure action thriller enthrallment. I even like the one without Matt Damon. I was introduced to these movies through a friend of mine who you wouldn't expect would like them, since she's not ordinarily a fan of spy action-thrillers. She nagged me, though, until I finally started checking them out of the library, one by one. It is these movies that hooked me on action-thrillers. I don't know why I developed a taste for them late in life but, well, I did, and I'm enjoying the hell out of the flavor.
They are all personal guilty pleasures. Not much more to say about these movies that hasn't already been said, except I understand there's another in the theaters and I can't wait until it hits DVD. Well, I can wait until the price drops. There is even a slot in the collection's case for that DVD. You can bet I'll be filling it.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
The movies in this collection are:
The Bourne Identity
Did you know there is a 1988 version of this film (same name), a TV Mini Series starring Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith? Although IMDb rated it a bit lower than this one, it wasn't a ratings slouch. If you read the comments, you'll notice that almost everyone liked to loved it; some even preferring it to the Matt Damon/Jeremy Renner franchise.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Matt Damon Jason Bourne/David Webb Franka Potente Marie Kreutz Chris Cooper Alexander Conklin Clive Owen The Professor Brian Cox Ward Abbott Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Nykwana Wombosi Gabriel Mann Danny Zorn Julia Stiles Nicolette Parsons
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Doug Liman.
The Bourne Supremacy
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Matt Damon Jason Bourne Joan Allen Pamela Landy Brian Cox Ward Abbott Franka Potente Marie Kreutz Julia Stiles Nicolette Parsons Karl Urban Kirill Marton Csokas Jarda Oksana Akinshina Irena Neski
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed Paul Greengrass.
→ joan-allen
The Bourne Ultimatum
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Matt Damon Jason Bourne Julia Stiles Nicolette Parsons David Strathairn Noah Vosen Scott Glenn Ezra Kramer Paddy Considine Simon Ross Édgar Ramírez Paz Albert Finney Dr. Albert Hirsch Joan Allen Pamela Landy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Paul Greengrass.
→ joan-allen, david-straithairn
The Bourne Legacy
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeremy Renner Kenneth James Kitsom/Aaron Cross Rachel Weisz Dr. Marta Shearing Edward Norton Col. Eric Byer Stacey Keach Mark Turso Dennis Boutsikaris Terrence Ward Oscar Isaac Outcome #3 Joan Allen Pamela Landy Albert Finney Dr. Albert Hirsch David Strathairn Noah Vosen Donna Murphy Dita Mandy Željko Ivanek Dr. Donald Foite Shane Jacobson Mackie
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2012
Directed Tony Gilroy.
→ joan-allen, željko-ivanek, david-straithairn
Jason Bourne
Update 2/5/2018: Yes, I purchased the fifth installment to fill the fifth slot in this collection, Jason Bourne, which surprised me. I actually expected it to be, well, more of the same. It was, but different. Interesting. Yes, I enjoy it as much as the first four. Yes, the purchase included a DVD copy, as well as a Blu-Ray copy. I may, later, pass the DVD copy off to someone who wants it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Matt Damon Jason Bourne Tommy Lee Jones Robert Dewey Julia Stiles Nicolette Parsons Alicia Vikander Heather Lee Vincent Cassel The Asset Ato Essandoh Craig Jeffers Riz Ahmed Aaron Kalloor Scott Shepherd Edwin Russell
→ tommy-lee-jones
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2016
Directed Paul Greengrass.
Labels: §4, action1, adventure1, chris-cooper, david-strathairn, drama5, edward-norton, joan-allen, neo-noirB, oscar-isaac, political2, rachel-weisz, spy, super-hero2, thriller2, tommy-lee-jones, violence2, željko-ivanek
Saturday, June 04, 2022
1900
- Commentary: This is one of those "sprawling historical epics" that tends to put me in a dream state. I am a fan of the director, even though his movies are sometimes difficult on the public. I am a fan of the musical scorer and always delight when I notice his name in the credits before watching a movie, including his collaboration on what general movie mavens consider the questionable compilations The Bible Collection and The Bible Series, both to which I remain devoted and continue to watch on a regular basis. I love all the actors in this movie, including the minor ones.
I can't remember how I learned about this movie, but I checked it out of our library a few years ago, thinking I might enjoy it, despite its length and convolusive structure. I did. Once I watched it, I couldn't get it out of my head. It is a depiction of the struggle between capitalism and communism/socialism (in several guises), but on a very personal level. At the time I first watched it, I was deeply involved in the vagaries of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election and Bernie had not yet been discarded by the Democratic Party in favor of Hillary. By the time I ordered it for my movie collection I was no longer smarting from debacle of the actual election. I was, however, deep into a reading campaign of literature disparaging capitalism/neo-liberalism and arguing for socialism. Watching this movie again, owning it, helps me put politics into perspective and calms me down, especially in light of everything that's happened since. If you're really into politics and you enjoy movies, you should watch this one.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 2/5/2018 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert De Niro Alfredo Berlinghieri Gérard Depardieu Olmo Dalcò Dominique Sanda Ada Chiostri Polan Francesca Bertini Sister Desolata Laura Betti Regina Donald Sutherland Attila Mellanchini Stefania Sandrelli Anita Foschi Werner Bruhns Ottavio Berlinghieri Stefania Casini Neve Sterling Hayden Leo Dalcò Anna Henkel-Grönemeyer Anita Dalcò Ellen Schwiers Amelia Alida Valli Signora Pioppi Burt Lancaster Alfredo the Elder Romolo Valli Giovanni Berlinghieri Giacomo Rizzo Rigoletto
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1976
Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.
Labels: §2, anti-fascist, burt-lancaster, donald-sutherland, dream1, gérard-depardieu, historical2, political2, robert-de-niro
The Way Back
- Commentary: I own this, in large part, because it is a Peter Weir film and I strive to own most of his films. It is a crazily involving film, for me. Trek films are one of my weaknesses. This one suits me and, besides, contains many of the hallmarks that make Peter Weir films great in my eyes: startling landscapes, curious and difficult relationships, complicated conflicts, minutely specific characterizations, a sense of time standing still.
I notice, in the Wikipedia write-up, some critics considered this film not up to his usual quality, not one of his best, as Roger Ebert points out in his review, linked to the title of this post. I quibble with him and others who have "Peter-Weir-expectation" problems with it. This is a Peter Weir film. That's why I own it. Peter Weir, through his films, owns me, this film, included. It is, as well, a "spectacle" film, if for no other reason than the landscape, which is so involving that, well, it demands to be in a Peter Weir film.
In addition to the Actor/Role table, below, Mark Strong plays escapee Andrei Timofeyevich Khabarov.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 2/5/2018 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jim Sturgess Janusz Wieszczek Ed Harris Mr. Smith Saoirse Ronan Irena Zielińska Colin Farrell Valka Dragoș Bucur Zoran Alexandru Potocean Tomasz Horodinsky Gustaf Skarsgård Andrejs Voss Sebastian Urzendowsky Kazik
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Peter Weir.
Labels: §, adventure1, drama4, haunting1, historical2, period2, peter-weir, political2, popcorn-and-soda2, saoirse-ronan, spectacle1
Thursday, June 02, 2022
The Ghost Writer
- Commentary: Maybe it's because this is a Roman Polanski movie and I have yet to watch one of his that I don't love, but I love this movie. So well done, so intriguing, great mystery, great thriller. Come to think of it, that's a category I should add, "thriller". I'm sure I've already got some listed that I didn't think of as "thrillers" but, rather "suspense", but this is a good time to add that category, as, no matter how many times I watch this movie, it's definitely a thrill for me.
Not only was Roger Ebert surprised and pleased by this film, one of his colleagues, Jim Emerson was, as well, and weighed in twice [first article, second article] on Polanski's achievements vis a vis this movie. I can't agree with Ebert and Emerson more.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ewan McGregor The Ghost Writer Pierce Brosnan Adam Peter Bennett Lang Olivia Williams Ruth Lang Kim Cattrall Amelia Bly Timothy Hutton Sidney Kroll Tom Wilkinson Paul Emmett Jon Bernthal The Ghost Writer's Agent James Belushi John Maddox Robert Pugh Richard Rycart Tim Preece Roy Quigley David Rintoul Grieving Father Eli Wallach Old Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: adventure1, drama6, eli-wallach, mystery1, neo-noirC, political2, roman-polanski, thriller2, tom-wilkinson, tragedy1
Michael Clayton
- Commentary: I've been a shameless fan of this movie since I first saw it, as recommended by one of my sisters. Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson and George Clooney are matchless, especially the first two. The story is pertinent and revealing. The production is perfect. When I subscribed to cable TV I would endlessly search this movie out, no matter how many times I'd seen it. Now, I don't have to do that, which is good since I can't.
When pulling a search for this movie on RogerEbert.com, I discovered a raft of articles written by many people at many times. This movie has apparently, captured the imagination of so many more than just me.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role George Clooney Michael Clayton Tom Wilkinson Arthur Edens Tilda Swinton Karen Crowder Sydney Pollack Marty Bach Michael O'Keefe Barry Grissom Sean Cullen Gene Clayton Ken Howard Don North Merritt Wever Anna
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Tony Gilroy.
Labels: drama6, legal, mystery1, political2, thriller2, tom-wilkinson
Where to Invade Next
- Commentary: Although it's good enough for me to own, this is not my favorite Michael Moore movie. It's funny and satirical, it's involving and I felt I owed it to my collection of his movies to own it. Maybe it's because I already knew all this stuff and, for the others of his I always learned something. Not sure, but, well, we'll just leave it at not being one of my favorites of his.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2015
Directed by Michael Moore.
Labels: documentary1, michael-moore, political2, satire1
JFK
- Commentary: It shouldn't surprise anyone that I own this film, the director's cut with a second disc of extras. I'm not someone who constantly talks political conspiracies, or even thinks about them, but I love a good, real life political mystery and this is one of biggest. Although it is clearly not a documentary, it has a documentary feel about it, which I love and which Stone handles with mastery. This is definitely one of the films he was born to make.
Roger Ebert's site contains several reviews and commentaries on this film:
- Firstly, of course, is his initial review, attached to the title of this post.
- Secondly, Ebert interviewed Oliver Stone specifically about this movie of his in 1991.
- Thirdly, in 1992 Ebert published a touché article criticizing others who criticized this film.
- Fourthly, Ebert christened it one of his Great Movies in 2002.
- Fifthly (is there such a word), in 2012 Gerardo Valero, a compatriot reviewer on the site, questions whether ths movie should have been made in a very interesting historical analysis of the film.
- Some months after Roger's death, Matt Zoller Seitz published an interview with Oliver Stone regarding Ebert's critiques of many of his movies, including JFK. It's likely that I'll include a link to that article in a few other write-ups here.
- And, that's not all. The film comes up as a mention in several articles having nothing, directly, to do with it. Pull a search and see.
Whew! Someone, and other of his compatriot reviewers, were deeply impressed, in many ways, by this film over the years. I must admit, I'm with him. I'm with them all. I find myself watching this film at least twice a year, for a variety of reasons.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Update 6/3/2022: Oliver Stone packed his cast with notables. I listed as many as I recognized, in order to make sure this role came up when any of them are searched individually. One notable cast member I did not insert in the Actor/Role table includes a non-actor who deserves to be mentioned: Jim Garrison played Earl Warren in this movie.
Actorc Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Costner Jim Garrison Kevin Bacon Willie O'Keefe Tommy Lee Jones Clay Shaw/Bertrand Laurie Metcalf Susie Cox Gary Oldman Lee Harvey Oswald Jay O. Sanders Lou Ivon Sissy Spacek Liz Garrison Joe Pesci David Ferrie Jack Lemmon Jack Martin Walter Matthau Sen. Russell B. Long Donald Sutherland Mr. X Ed Asner Guy Banister John Candy Dean Andrews Jr. Sally Kirkland Rose Cheramie Tony Plana Carlos Bringuier Vincent D'Onofrio Bill Newman Lolita Davidovich Beverly Oliver John Larroquette Jerry Johnson Ron Rifkin Mr. Goldberg/Spiesel Bob Gunton News Anchor
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Oliver Stone.
Labels: bob-gunton, docu-drama, donald-sutherland, joe-pesci, laurie-metcalf, mystery1, oliver-stone, political2, presidential, sissy-spacek, tommy-lee-jones, vincent-d'onofrio
The East
- Commentary: Okay, so I am so pleased with certain work of the dramatist (which is to say writer/producer/director/actor/et al) Brit Marling that I've established a label category for the movies of hers I own, including this one. This story is unique, involving and, by the way, watch it through the credits. The movie polishes itself off through those. If you miss the credits, you'll miss the point of the movie. I've been pushing this woman's work on one of my nieces, who is involved in drama, so far as an actor, and I own four of Marling's DVDs. I try to follow her work in other efforts, such as The Keeping Room and Arbitrage, both of which were satisfying to watch. I am really looking forward to watching her (with others with whom she's worked) scheduled Netflix series, The OA, which hasn't yet been released. Click her label to the left to see everything of hers I own, watch those, then look up the rest of her work. You won't be disappointed.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Brit Marling Sarah Moss/Jane Owen Alexander Skarsgård Benji Ellen/Elliot Page Izzy Toby Kebbell Doc/Thomas Ayres Shiloh Fernandez Luca Julia Ormond Paige Williams Patricia Clarkson Sharon Danielle Macdonald Tess
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2013
Directed by Zal Batmanglij.
Labels: adventure1, brit-marling, drama5, political2
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Meet John Doe
- Commentary: I've wanted to own this movie for a long time and finally caught it, used, at our local Hastings, which is in the process of going out of business, unfortunately. It's where I've bought most of my movies, used and cheap. Not sure what I'll do, now. At any rate, I've watched this movie on television more than a few times. It's one of my all time favorite classics. A few months ago, when I was contemplating the current U.S. Presidential election, I suddenly got a hankering to watch this movie because of what I thought I remembered as similarities between the portrayal of the "John Doe Club" movement and what was going on in both political parties. Since I no longer have a TV connection the solution was buying it and, there it was, on the Hastings shelves. And, yes, I think I was right in the connections I made between the political movements then and now. I know I'll be coming back to this movie over and over in the years to come. And, yes, for those of you who notice "shared-favorite" the labels, below, it was a favorite of my mother's as well. She may be dead, but my memories of her live on and are refreshed every time I watch this movie.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published August 14, 2016. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gary Cooper John Doe/Long John Willoughby Barbara Stanwyck Ann Mitchell Edward Arnold D. B. Norton Walter Brennan The Colonel Spring Byington Mrs. Mitchell James Gleason Henry Connell Gene Lockhart Mayor Lovett Rod La Rocque Ted Shelton
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1941
Directed by Frank Capra.
Labels: anti-fascist, barbara-stanwyck, Christmas, drama6, frank-capra, political2, shared-favorite
Malcolm X
- Commentary: I initially saw this years ago, and it has haunted me, since, as an innovative biography as well as its depiction of the man. Yet another serendipitous going-out-of-business find.
This is another one of those movies where several people working for and contributing to RogerEbert.com wrote articles pertaining to this movie. Just search it at the site.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published August 14, 2016. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington Malcolm X Angela Bassett Betty Shabazz Albert Hall Baines Al Freeman Jr. Elijah Muhammad Delroy Lindo West Indian Archie Spike Lee Shorty Theresa Randle Laura Kate Vernon Sophia Ernest Lee Thomas Sidney, Fruit of Islam Christopher Plummer Chaplain Gill Lonette McKee Louise Little Tommy Hollis Earl Little Giancarlo Esposito Talmadge X Hayer Wendell Pierce Ben Thomas Leonard L. Thomas Leon Davis Leland Gantt Wilber McKinley Veronica Webb Sister Lucille Rosary Jean-Claude La Marre Benjamin 2X Debi Mazar Peg Peter Boyle NYPD Cpt. Green
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1992
Directed by Spike Lee.
Labels: biography1, christopher-plummer, debi-mazar, delroy-lindo, denzel-washington, drama6, film-art1, giancarlo-esposito, haunting1, period2, political2, spike-lee
Game of Thrones: First through Eighth Seasons
- Commentary: Yeah, I know, what am I doing with only the 5th season? A friend of mine gave it to me when I was complaining about having to wait forever to check it out from the library, and told me not to bother giving it back, she was done with it. "Pass it on," she said. Once I'm done with it I will, on to the library. I know from the length of their hold list on this, of which I was once a part, they could use another copy of it. And, yes, I enjoyed it, but not enough to keep, I don't think. Although I'm not sure. We'll see.
Updated 2/5/18: "By hook, crook" (not really, regarding the "crook") and purchase I now own all seven seasons of this serial, and I'll probably own the eighth, when it's available. I don't have the luxury of watching this show when it debuts on HBO, but I'm hooked, now, much to my surprise. I don't agree with the critics that it's the best television series ever produced (I haven't made my mind up about that, yet), but I do think it's close, certainly many-notes-worthy, and a production to which I know I'll refer many times. Just in case, since I'm noticing that many links to the producers of these movies and tv series often go dead after awhile, here's the Wikipedia link to Game of Thrones.
Updated 1/18/21: As you can see by the title, I now own the entire Game of Thrones series. My favorite seasons are the middle ones, where people are striving to accomplish their goals. I felt I owed it to the series, though, to follow it through to the end, not knowing that the final season would be anticlimactic throughout all six episodes. I'm okay with that, though. Like many others, worldwide, I became addicted, for good reason. The last season competently ended that addiction. Not that I will never watch any of the series, again. I am currently, and slowly, making my way through the series. I'm early into Season 5. Great acting and great storytelling doesn't exist to be abandoned on a shelf.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published August 14, 2016. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Update 6/15/2022: If, like me, you found yourself unpleasantly gob-smacked by the eighth season of this series, you might find this video commentary interesting.
Seasons 1 - 8 Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peter Dinklage Tyrion Lannister Lena Headey Cercie Lannister Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Jamie Lannister Emilia Clarke Danerys Targaryen Kit Harington Jon Snow Sophie Turner Sansa Stark Maisie Williams Arya Stark Iain Glen Jorah Mormont Alfie Allen/Reek Theon Greyjoy Sean Bean Eddard Stark Michelle Fairley Catelyn Stark Harry Lloyd Viserys Targaryen Isaac Hempstead Wright Brandon Stark Jack Gleeson Joffrey Baratheon Rory McCann Sandor "The Hound" Clegane Aidan Gillen Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish Liam Cunningham Davos Seaworth Stephen Dillane Stannis Baratheon Carice van Houten Melisandre Natalie Dormer Margaery Tyrell Conleth Hill Varys Jerome Flynn Bronn Charles Dance Tywin Lannister John Bradley Samwell Tarly James Cosmo Jeor Mormont Joe Dempsie Gendry Oona Chaplin Talisa Stark Kristofer Hivju Tormund Giantsbane Gwendoline Christie Brienne of Tarth Iwan Rheon Ramsey Snow/Bolton Hannah Murray Gilly Nathalie Emmanuel Missandei Dean-Charles Chapman Tommen Baratheon Tom Wlaschiha Jaqen H'ghar Indira Varma Ellaria Sand Jonathan Pryce The High Sparrow Daniel Portman Podrick Payne Bella Ramsey Lyanna Mormont Pilou Asbæk Euron Greyjoy Anton Lesser Qyburn Gemma Whelan Yara Greyjoy Lino Facioli Robin Arryn Jacob Anderson Grey Worm James Faulkner Randyll Tarly Diana Rigg Olenna Tyrell Keisha Castle-Hughes Obara Sand Joseph Mawle Benjen Stark Kate Dickie Lysa Arryn David Bradley Walter Frey Jim Broadbent Archmaester Ebrose Max von Sydow Three-eyed Raven Julian Glover Grand Maester Pycelle Peter Vaughan Maester Aemon Kristian Nairn Hodor Jason Momoa Khal Drogo Thomas Brodie-Sangster Jojen Reed
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2011-2019
Directed by: Okay, so here's a huge disappointment. Despite having many directors, only one of those directors was a woman and she directed only two episodes in Season 4. Shameful.
Labels: action1, adventure1, drama6, fantasy2, female-director3, indira-varma, jonathan-pryce, max-von-sydow, period2, peter-dinklage, political2, royals, spectacle1, suspense2, tragedy1, TV1, violence2, war1
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Evita
- Commentary: This is one of the musicals I watched when I was in deep consideration of La La Land [see my write-up for An American in Paris for a meticulous discussion about my ad hoc study of musicals in order to try to understand, well, something about my niece's, and, frankly, the world's overwhelming veneration of La La Land, which I have not bought and will not be buying, BTW]. Although I was surprised at how thoroughly Evita involved me, I was even more surprised at how many times, over the next few weeks prior to my purchasing it, I was recalling scenes from the movie. Many things about this movie engaged me: The caliber of the actors' performances; the interesting adaptation of this particular musical to film, which almost seemed more appropriate than a theater performance (although, I must confess, I have not seen a theater performance of this movie); the staging; the pathos; the cinematography. I could go on. Suffice it to say, finally, a few weeks ago, after checking it out of the library yet again, strictly for my own pleasure, I decided, yes, I'm adding this movie to my collection. Bravo, everyone involved in this production! Striking and, as one film critic, Zach Conner, put it, "... pretty damn fine ..."!
You will notice that I've labeled this, in addition to other designations, an "oliver-stone" movie. According to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie, Stone's involvement is convoluted, at best, but IMDB lists it as one of his writing credits.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Madonna Eva Perón Antonio Banderas Ché Jonathan Pryce Juan Perón Jimmy Nail Agustín Magaldi Victoria Sus Doña Juana Ibarguren Julian Littman Juancito Duarte Olga Merediz Bianca Duarte Laura Pallas Elisa Duarte Peter Polycarpou Domingo Mercante Andrea Corr Juan's Mistress Alan Parker Tormented Film Director Peter Hughes General Francisco Franco
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1996
Directed by Alan Parker.
Labels: drama4, historical2, jonathan-pryce, musical1, oliver-stone, period2, political2, spectacle1
Monday, February 05, 2018
Designated Survivor 1st Season
- Commentary: There's an excellent possibility that I won't be owning this first season of Designated Survivor long. I was thoroughly disappointed in it, but my expectations were uninformed, to say the least. After having read short descriptions of the second season episodes that have aired, I have no intention of watching, let alone purchasing, it. Why am I writing it up, then, if I'll soon be donating it to the library (which, as of right now, does not have a copy of the first season and I'm sure would like one)? In order to complain, frankly. When I learned from my Colorado brother-in-law that he had begun watching a series called Designated Survivor on TV and it began with a full Capitol Dome explosion in which almost everyone in government was murdered, I was excited. I have, off hand, for years, decades, even, wondered what the effect would be of such an event. I've wondered, too, if the effects might be salutary, since it seems that this country is stuck in oligarchy and can't wrench itself away from plutocratic control, seeing as how strict democracy has been killed, and all. When the first season became available I purchased it, sight unseen, especially since my brother-in-law was enthusiastic about it. We had not discussed, however, what I was expecting from such a series versus what he was seeing. Big mistake. I had imagined a series in which the entire idea of government, particularly in the U.S., was suddenly subjected to severe scrutiny and questioning. I was surprised that this might happen on U.S. network TV but impatiently looked forward to it. Of course, this is not the thrust of the series. The idea, structure and operation of government is never questioned in the series. It continues as usual, with different people. The group that perpetuated the disaster is presented as a fanatical, farcical out-group that, of course, would never be taken seriously, except for the violence it produces. The "dilemmas" that are featured in each episode could have been taken directly out of the womb of 24 impregated by The West Wing. I only watched a few episodes of 24 and found it full of violent silliness. I liked The West Wing. Their child, though, is ugly and ill-gotten. I know the U.S. imagination is better than this because my imagination is better than this. It is, I think, this populist U.S. imagination, though, that network television, being headed by people whose literal fortunes are tied to our present government, would never allow, let alone acknowledge. So, the library will be getting this DVD set. I'm sure they'll be pleased. I imagine there are lots of people inquiring about the possibility of checking out this series.
Update 2/10/18: That's right, folks. I did it, two days ago. I donated this DVD series 1st season to my library.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kiefer Sutherland President Thomas Kirkman Natascha McElhone First Lady Alexandra Kirkman Adan Canto Aaron Shore Italia Ricci Emily Rhodes LaMonica Garrett SSA Mike Ritter Tanner Buchanan Leo Kirkman Kal Penn Seth Wright Maggie Q Hannah Wells
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2015-2019
Various directors for this season, one of whom is female.
Labels: drama4, female-director1, political2, presidential, TV1
Sunday, August 14, 2016
The Bridge on the River Kwai
- Commentary: Now, here's a war movie to my liking, even though it is quite a bit different than the other war movies in my collection.
It's so well known I don't think I have to write much about it, except to say it mesmerized me the first time I saw it and continues to do so with every viewing. Although William Holdenis given "1st Star Billing" in credits, Alec Guinness is the real stunner in this movie.
Something else of which to take note, Dear Reader. I usually abbreviate military rank used in names, but I didn't here because, well, throwing around rank is part of the point of this movie.
By the way, the author of this story is also the author of Planet of the Apes, Pierre Boulle.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role William Holden Commander Shears Jack Hawkins Major Warden Alec Guinness Colonel Nicholson Sessue Hayakawa Colonel Saito James Donald Major Clipton André Morell Colonel Green Peter Williams Captain Reeves John Boxer Major Hughes Percy Herbert Grogan Harold Goodwin Baker Ann Sears Nurse Henry Okawa Captain Kanematsu
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1957
Directed by David Lean.
Labels: drama5, political2, war1
