Friday, November 24, 2023
The Wave
- Commentary: Under construction.
I didn't know about this film until just now, today. It's a bit pricey but so intriguing that I don't think I'm taking a chance. I think I will be astonished by it and pleased that I've added it to my collection. And, by the way, this movie has received every kind of review from highest to lowest (one prominent reviewer gave it one-and-a-half stars, which leads one to wonder, what quality in the movie led to elevating it above one star status? One other observation, professional critics are, in chief, those who are hard on the movie. "Casual" viewers are much more likely to rate this movie highly. Kind of makes you wonder ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jürgen Vogel Rainer Wenger Frederick Lau Tim Stoltefuss Max Riemelt Marco Jennifer Ulrich Karo Cristina do Rego Lisa Christiane Paul Anke Wenger Elyas M'Barek Sinan Maximilian Vollmar Bomber Maximilian Mauff Kevin Jacob Matschenz Dennis Ferdinand Schmidt-Modrow Ferdi Tim Oliver Schultz Jens
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Dennis Gansel.
Labels: political5, teaching
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
- Commentary: Under construction.
Just for fun, and because this sounds (I haven't seen it yet) like a complicated, bombastic film, or, at least, a film containing a bombastic main character, I'm also including a review of the film published in Slant Magazine which includes short but pertinent discussions of a variety of aspects of this film, including extras.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gian Maria Volonté The PI Il Dottore Florinda Bolkan Augusta Terzi Gianni Santuccio Police Commissioner Orazio Orlando Brigadier Biglia Sergio Tramonti Antonio Pace Salvo Randone Plumber Arturo Dominici Mangani Aldo Rendine Nicola Panunzio Massimo Foschi Claudio Terzi Vittorio Duse Canes Aleka Paizi Housekeeper Pino Patti Wiretapping Supervisor
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1970
Directed by Elio Petri.
Labels: Criterion6, political5, thriller4
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
The Believer
- Commentary: Leave it to me. The day after I rummage around until I find a very reasonably priced copy of an old, mostly forgotten movie, I am inspired to conduct yet another rummage for yet another old, mostly forgotten movie and manage to find a new copy of it at a disconcertingly expensive price. Yes, Virginia, I ordered it. I'm not saying I can't afford it. I can. I was just, well, unpleasantly surprised. I'm asking, why isn't this movie more easily and cheaply available (it is in Europe but that's a region 2 area and I don't have an all-area DVD player)? Especially since it is about anti-semitism and fascism in the United States? Is this the reason why it is so expensive in the U.S., right now? Is the current political climate guaranteeing the enrichment of those who are bordering on fascism and anti-semitism?
So, why am I adding this movie to my collection? Well, during a conversation earlier today with MFS, we talked about how we were both looking forward to the upcoming Barbie movie in which Ryan Gosling plays Ken. We reminisced about my younger sisters' Barbie & Ken days, then slid into a conversation of some of the other movies of the two prominent stars. That's how I was reminded of this movie. We didn't discuss this movie because I couldn't remember the title or much of the content, but, after we disconnected I couldn't get it out of my head.
In isolation, memories of this movie flooded back. When I saw it (on a streaming service) some years ago it had a profound effect on me, and, by the way, my mother, who was alive at the time. We were riveted by the story and discussed the themes long after the movie ended. This didn't come as a surprise to me because my mother was a military veteran of WWII and I was raised on an island that, at the time I was there, was going through the beginning of a decade's long questioning of whether "Americans" should even be on the island, let alone own close to a half of it. Never mind that it had previously been held by the Japanese, previous to that the Spanish, previous to that the Portuguese. My dad used to joke, when we lived there, that the Australians would probably take over the island next. At the time I lived there, no one remembered the island ever having been other than under the uber-jurisdiction of some foreign country. This still holds true, today.
My mother and I both related to this movie as citizens and watchers of a world of humans seemingly terminally at war with one another. This movie encapsulates that war within the mind and soul of one person. It is based on a real life lived in real anguish in the long, seemingly never ending wake of WWII and the even longer, probably actually never ending wake of being human. I think the reason the only unused copy of it I could find was so expensive that it qualifies as the most expensive single disk I've ever bought is because that wake is being agitated, yet again, and people are wondering, yet again, why we are having such a hard time living together in peace. It's not about anti-semitism, really, nor is it about fascism, or anti-fascism. It's about the troubled and troubling spirit with which humans seem to have been born and can't seem to dispel. This movie looks at this perplexing situation from one particular perspective, but, as I remembered it, I realized it's really about a bedrock human condition, or perhaps, when I think about it, a bedrock creature condition: the ability/curse of being able to believe. So, I purchased it. It won't be arriving for about half a month. I'll write more, then, once I've watched it and considered it, again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ryan Gosling Danny Balint Jacob Green Young Danny Billy Zane Curtis Zampf Theresa Russell Lina Moebius Summer Phoenix Carla Moebius Ronald Guttman Mr. Balint Glenn Fitzgerald Drake Garret Dillahunt Billings Heather Goldenhersh Linda Henry Bean Ilio Manzetti Joshua Harto Kyle Elizabeth Reaser Miriam Judah Lazarus Avi Sascha Knopf Cindy Pomerantz Tovah Feldshuh Woman In Shul Roberto Gari Ancient Jew
Update 06/17/23: This movie arrived today, long before I was led to expect it. A very pleasant surprise! I just watched it, and the two special features that contained elaborations of the film. Extraordinary production! It is mind boggling to think that this movie, which is 22 years old this year, is presently pertinent. I am amazed that, being ensconsed in a virulent subset of U.S. culture that has existed for so long, the film remains topical, today, here, now. Ryan Gosling's performance is, of course, spot on, and, and, he is surrounded by astonishing actors, many of whom have earned top drawer status today, just as he has. Realizing this is disturbing, too. It is as though, at the heart of most of U.S. culture, we could have been fighting WWII on the side of the Nazis and, in fact, have been agitating to do this ever since. What is it about this culture?!? Why do we have a history, and present, of flirting with fascism and one of its offshoots, Nazism?!? This movie plays itself out on an undercurrent of answers, but doesn't settle on one in particular, except for this: in the end Daniel Balint (in the movie, Daniel Burros in real life) commits suicide in order to quell his own turbulence. Is that where the U.S., as a once robust empire, now a quarrelsome, fading tyranny, is, finally, headed? There are many cultural and political critics who believe this. Are you a believer? Am I? If so, what do you, or I, actually believe?
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2001
Directed by Henry Bean.
Labels: biography3, political5, reflective, ronald-guttman, spiritual2
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Imagining Argentina
- Commentary: Hmmm. What to say about this movie? Well, firstly, it was almost universally panned by The Critic Class. You know who I mean. The critics who get published in newspapers and magazines. Roger Ebert didn't even touch it. Surprisingly, there were two major critics who gave it high ratings: The critic for the LA Times (review attached to the title of this post) and the critic for the San Francisco Chronicle (here's the link for the sfgate review). Otherwise, the pros just generally stomped all over this production. However, secondly, among plebian movie watchers (myself included), it was almost univerally enjoyed and well rated. My experience is that I saw the movie on some streaming service not long after it was released for theatrical viewing and then pulled from theaters. I don't remember what service, nor do I remember what provoked me to watch it, but it stuck with me, so much that, when I was reminded of the movie earlier today (in an article delineating "movie stinkers") I decided, let me check the price on this, oh, it's reasonable, more than reasonable, in fact, it's a bargain, and I ordered it.
The LA Times review, by the way, includes cast reactions to the audience and critical reactions, as well.
I didn't know, until today, searching out the movie, that it was universally panned by critics and universally enjoyed by plebes, including me. Realizing this is a large part of why I decided to acquire it. I am not above enjoying movies that (many professional) others find downright detestable (and, believe me, many professional critics placed this film into that category).
So saying, since it isn't a popular movie, it'll take a few days to make it to my doorstep (or mailbox, whatever). I'll report back. I'm so very curious to see how this movie hits me, now, and, by the way, pleased to add it to my collection, in large part because of the contention surrounding it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Antonio Banderas Carlos Rueda Emma Thompson Cecilia Rueda Leticia Dolera Teresa Rueda Maria Canals Esme Palomas Rubén Blades Silvio Ayala Irene Escolar Eurydice Fernando Tielve Orfeo/Enrico Mariana Seligmann Guzman Tochter Andreas Tang Himself Carlos Kaniowski Rubén Mendoza Claire Bloom Sara Sternberg John Wood Amos Sternberg
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Christopher Hampton.
Labels: emma-thompson, haunting3, historical5, magical-realism, political5, tragedy3, war3
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Election
- Commentary: Under construction.
Never seen this one. Always wanted to. Stay tuned.
Peculiarly, although I've seen most of her filmography and enjoyed most of what I've seen, I have very, very few films that feature Reese Witherspoon. I mean, for instance, I love Legally Blonde but I don't own a copy, mostly because I haven't thought to own it, mostly because it remains imminently available on even the few streaming services to which I have access and through my local library system, as well. Looking over her filmography, though, there are at least a few more I'd like to add to my collection, including the sometimes-difficult-to-appreciate Vanity Fair. Say what you will about the production, Reese Witherspoon, in my opinion, is devastatingly good in the role of Becky Sharp, at least as good, if not better, than Miriam Hopkins, whose version I also love (and own).
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Matthew Broderick Jim McAllister Reese Witherspoon Tracy Enid Flick Chris Klein Paul Metzler Jessica Campbell Tammy Metzler Phil Reeves Principal Walt Hendricks Molly Hagan Diane McAllister Colleen Camp Judith Flick Nicholas D'Agosto Larry Fouch
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1999
Directed by Alexander Payne.
Labels: black-comedy, Criterion6, political5, reese-witherspoon, satire3, teaching
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Cradle Will Rock
- Commentary: Under construction.
Keep in mind, this movie could be said to have "a cast of thousands". That, of course, is an exaggeration: It only has a credited/uncredited actor cast (over at IMDb) of 140, or thereabouts. It is, as well, more than a movie. It is an attempt (some say successful, some not) at an historical and contemplative presentation of the fate of the depression era Federal Theater Project production The Cradle Will Rock. At any rate, in the table below I've included actors/roles that seem to me to be important in the play, those I recognize and those who play themselves. Take a deep breath. This could take awhile.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Hank Azaria Marc Blitzstein Rubén Blades Diego Rivera Joan Cusack Hazel Huffman John Cusack Nelson Rockefeller Cary Elwes John Houseman Philip Baker Hall Gray Mathers Cherry Jones Hallie Flanagan Angus Macfadyen Orson Welles Bill Murray Tommy Crickshaw Vanessa Redgrave Countess Constance La Grange Susan Sarandon Margherita Sarfatti Jamey Sheridan John Adair John Turturro Aldo Silvano Emily Watson Olive Stanton Bob Balaban Harry Hopkins Jack Black Sid Kyle Gass Larry Paul Giamatti Carlo Barnard Hughes Frank Marvel Barbara Sukowa Sophie Silvano Steven Tyler Lehman Engel John Carpenter Power - William Randolph Hearst Gretchen Mol Marion Davies Ned Bellamy Paul Edwards Lynn Cohen Silvano - Mama Dominic Chianese Silvano - Papa Gregg Edelman Blitzstein - Dream Larry Foreman Carrie Preston VTA - Administrator Karen Lynn Gorney Dancer (uncredited) Tim Robbins Voice On Film Reel (uncredited) Franklin D. Roosevelt Self (archive footage) Haile Selassie Self (in pith helmet)
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1999
Directed by Tim Robbins.
Labels: §6, goflexA, historical4, john-turturro, paul-giamatti, period7, political5, tim-robbins
Friday, October 21, 2022
A Brighter Summer Day
- Commentary: Under construction. For the full TCM write-up, click into the beginning of the article featured at the link in the title of this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Chang Chen Xiao Si'r Chang Kuo-chu Xiao Si'r's father Elaine Jin Xiao Si'r's mother Lisa Yang Ming Wong Chi-zan Cat (Wang Mao) Lawrence Ko Airplane Tan Chih-kang Ma Lin Hong-ming Honey Hung-Yu Chen Sly Wang Chuan Xiao Si'r's eldest sister Chang Han Lao Er (elder brother) Chiang Hsiu-chiung Xiao Si'r's middle sister Stephanie Lai Xiao Si'r's youngest sister Ming-Hsin Chang Underpants Chun-Lung Jung Bomber Hui-Kuo Chou Tiger
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Edward Yang.
Labels: §5, Criterion4, political5, violence5
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Hero
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I rented this movie a couple of weeks ago just to undergird my decision to purchase it. Mom was thoroughly bored, so bored that she wandered around looking for things to do, at one point, while doing crosswords, asked, "Is that thing still on?!?", so my viewing was highly distracted.
No matter. Martial Arts movies of all stripes are another of my guilty movie pleasures. I am particularly fascinated with the use of color in this movie. I am approaching it rather more as though it were a Little Buddha movie, rather than a "guilty pleasure" movie. I like the idea of the telling of stories being the subject as well as the discipline of the movie. I find the depiction of the 'heroine', as well, thoughtfully complex, and the world view thought provoking and disturbing.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jet Li Nameless Tony Leung Broken Sword Maggie Cheung Flying Snow Chen Daoming King of Qin
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002; 2004 in the U.S.
Directed by Zhang Yimou.
Labels: §1, action3, dramaC, dream2, period6, political5, spectacle2, suspense3
Fahrenheit 9/11
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I've watched this a couple of times: Once in depth and then speed watched through it. When I purchased the dvd the book was offered free. I've consulted the book more than the movie.
My mother doesn't seem fazed by this kind of documentary. I gather she's heard it all before. We don't watch any of Micheal Moore's movies for pleasure. Well, that's not strictly true. I love the comedy of all his movies. It strikes me as George Carlin doing performance comedy.
Update 2/7/18: I had to change the original link I had to this movie in the title, above, and, as I'm doing with most of the movies, chose to plunder Wikipedia. As I was searching for the movie I came across what looks like a second (very interesting) link about the movie, Fahrenheit 911 controversies. I've included it in case you find its title as intriguing as I. The references for the second Wiki article includes, under references, Michael Moore's response to the criticisms, but that link no longer works. This one does: Factual Back-Up for Fahrenheit 9/11.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Michael Moore.
Labels: documentary1, michael-moore, political5
Dave
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one (of the many) that Mom never has any recollection of watching, yet we watch it a lot, usually during a cold, stormy afternoon/evening binge of this movie and The American President, of which she has a somewhat better memory. She likes feeling hopeful about what's best in the U.S., so do I, and both of these movies help, while the love stories provide comedy relief.
As a footnote, may I add that I am a West Wing freak; my mother is not, but she tolerates me. No, we have not bought any collections of West Wing episodes. I have forbidden myself to do so. When, for instance, would I watch them? I watch little enough of what we have, and then, usually, only peripherally, now. It's been a hard lesson to learn that if only I like it, my indulgences in it will be few and far between. I'm okay with this; it's just been a hard learning.
Update 11/2/08: I was given the entire West Wing series for Christmas a few years ago by a friend of mine; see the link.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Kline Dave Kovic/Pres. William Harrison Mitchell Sigourney Weaver Ellen Mitchell Frank Langella Bob Alexander Kevin Dunn Alan Reed Ving Rhames Duane Stevensen Ben Kingsley Vice Pres. Gary Nance Charles Grodin Murray Blum Laura Linney Randi Bonnie Hunt White House Tour Guide Anna Deavere Smith Mrs. Travis Faith Prince Alice Tom Dugan Jerry
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Ivan Reitman.
Labels: ben-kingsley, comedy2, kevin-kline, laura-linney, political5, popcorn-and-soda6, presidential, shared-favorite, sigourney-weaver
Bowling for Columbine
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Although I enjoy such documentaries and this is one of my favorites, this type of documentary isn't Mom's cup of tea. I'm sure I'll watch it again, I'm sure Mom won't.
Previous to publishing his official review, above, Roger Ebert published some lengthy remarks on the film in the first part of his review of the 2002 Telluride film festival, which are interesting addenda to his final review.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Michael Moore.
Labels: documentary2, michael-moore, political5
Born on the Fourth of July
- Who's watched: G [M was in the room looking at the TV for awhile, but not watching...she evetually napped.]
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: It was on sale, I thought, sight unseen, I'd be glad I owned it...what can I say?!? I'm glad I watched it. It was one of the last few in a long line of Vietnam War movies (including the obscure) I make it a point to watch. I thought I'd want to watch this one more than once. Not really. I would have liked to have seen it when it first came out and Tom Cruise wasn't . I think I would have appreciated his performance more. For some reason, as I watched this, I was continually reminded of Risky Business. I kept having to remind myself that it is based in 'truth' because it was acted for melodrama, which was distracting to the story. I doubt that I'll ever watch it again. I may pass it off to someone.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Cruise Ron Kovic Willem Dafoe Charlie Kyra Sedgwick Donna Raymond J. Barry Mr. Kovic Jerry Levine Steve Boyer Frank Whaley Timmy Caroline Kava Mrs. Kovic Cordelia Gonzalez Maria Elena Ed Lauter Legion Commander Stephen Baldwin Billy Vorsovich Bob Gunton V.A. Dr. #1 Lili Taylor Jamie Wilson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1989
Directed by Oliver Stone.
Labels: biography2, bob-gunton, dramaD, oliver-stone, period6, political5, tom-cruise, war2, willem-dafoe
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Widows
- Commentary: Under construction.
I haven't received this movie, yet, but it's on its way (from North Dakota, no less) and I should have it by Friday.
It's funny, because, recalling what I said about the last movie I entered in here, Serenity, regarding how I was really excited about seeing that movie, well, the truth is, I feel the same about this movie and the last four I've listed. I obtained them all through a sale featuring movies that featured strong female roles, actors and/or directors and other crew. I've never seen a sale like that. It will probably be a long time before I see one like that again. I want to mention, though, for anyone "listening", there's an excellent chance I would not have obtained any of these five movies had they not been presented in such a format. Kudos to whomever thought of it. Sterling idea! More, please!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Viola Davis Veronica Rawlings Michelle Rodriguez Linda Elizabeth Debicki Alice Cynthia Erivo Belle
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Steve McQueen.
Labels: §4, dramaE, neo-noirC, political5, revenge1, tragedy2, violence4
Serenity
- Commentary: Under construction.
I'm unusually excited about watching this movie, which is why I obtained it. I don't think it's going to be a typical space-opera. The initial information I've read on this movie indicates that it might be a bit prescient about what's going on in the world, now.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nathan Fillion Malcolm Reynolds Gina Torres Zoë Alleyne Washburne Alan Tudyk Hoban Washburne Chiwetel Ejiofor The Operative
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Joss Whedon.
Labels: §4, action4, adventure4, neo-noirC, political5, science-fiction2, space-opera, violence4, war3
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Good
- Commentary: Under Construction.
It was so hard to find a review of this film that I ended up attaching the watchers review page from IMDb to the title above. The reviews are, literally, all over the place. In addition, no one with any "critical" integrity, i.e., people who call themselves critics and are paid to publish as critics, wanted to touch this film. This surprises me because I really like this film, which is why I acquired it. It will, in fact, be the first film I'll watch in the batch I just received. Question for myself to answer: Are the scenes in which Mortensens' character imagines inmates singing in choruses and playing in small orchestras at a concentration camp in black and white or color? I remember them in black and white, but I'm wondering, now, if that's my edited, or correct, memory.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Viggo Mortensen John Halder Jason Isaacs Maurice Israel Glückstein Jodie Whittaker Anne Hartman Halder Steven Mackintosh Freddie Mark Strong Philipp Bouhler Gemma Jones Halder's Mother Anastasia Hille Helen Halder Adrian Schiller Goebbels
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Vincente Amorim.
Labels: §4, period6, play-adaptation, political5, tragedy2
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Threads
- Commentary: This movie has haunted me ever since I saw it, a few years after it was released. I saw it on television, likely on PBS, of course, since it was made for television. I've seen it a few times since and it never fails to rivet me. It is still as probable today as it was when it was made.
I'm going to consider this write-up, though, still Under Construction, since I just received it, have yet to view it and it's been, what, at least twenty years and probably closer to thirty plus years since I last saw it. It was, after all, initially released 37 years ago.
Expect more later. Or, perhaps not.
So, I watched this movie last night, 11/16/2021. I'd forgotten, and was entranced by, the studious detail brought to the staging. The movie was even more horrific than I remembered, precisely because of these details, stuff like the increasing shabbiness of the clothes on those who survive; the work involved in opening a can when you haven't got a, well, a can opener; the importance of keeping one's affect flat in order to endure what one has no choice but to endure; the desire to die in those who lived through the blast vs. the desire to live in those born after the blast. More later, maybe, maybe not, but those were my initial astonishments.
So glad I've added this to my collection! I know I'll be watching it again!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Vaughan Narrator Karen Meagher Ruth Beckett Reece Dinsdale Jimmy Kemp David Brierley Bill Kemp Rita May Rita Kemp Henry Moxon Mr Beckett June Broughton Mrs Beckett Victoria O'Keefe Jane Sylvia Stoker Granny Beckett Harry Beety Clive J. Sutton Ruth Holden Marjorie Sutton Michael O'Hagan Chief Superintendent Hirst
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1984
Directed by Mick Jackson.
Labels: apocalyptic, dramaD, horror1, nuclear, political5, TV3, war2
Thursday, November 18, 2021
The Way We Were - 2
- Commentary: Yes, I know, a lot of people consider this a pedestrian movie. Many critics who initially reviewed it chose to snipe at it even when granting the occasional kudo for this or that aspect. Frankly, I decided to obtain this movie because every time I watch the Sex and the City episode (season 2, episode 18, Ex in the City in case you're ever curious, too) in which "the girls" compare Carrie's relationship with Big to this movie and, subsequently, Carrie quotes the line from The Way We Were, "Your girl is lovely, Hubbell", in a chance meeting with Big at the end, I always wonder, hmmm, maybe I should watch that! I have checked it out from the library at least a couple of times, including before my mom died. She loved Sex in the City [her favorite character was Samantha Jones (I know, sounds crazy, but my mom was calm, cool and collected and adventurous in many of the same ways Samantha Jones is)] and was curious about this movie, too. I don't remember her reaction to it, though, so it must have been underwhelming. And, actually, I never remember my own reaction to it. So, I decided, since this movie continues to cross my mind every time I watch that Sex and the City episode and I suddenly, again, have a desire to watch it, I should add it to my collection.
By the way, although most critics were nit-pickety harsh, not all of them were. All three of the Three Movie Buffs (all of whom are men) thoughtfully gave this movie high praise. I've attached a link to their reviews to the link for this movie just before the infamous Carrie quote. All three opinions are an enlightening read, especially if you've ever felt conflicted about this movie.
Rewatched 3/5/22 As I rewatched this movie, I had in the back of my mind that I might, once again, eliminate it from my collection. I've decided to continue to keep it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbra Streisand Katy Morosky Robert Redford Hubbell Gardiner Bradford Dillman J. J. Lois Chiles Carol Ann Patrick O'Neal George Bissinger Viveca Lindfors Paula Reisner Herb Edelman Bill Verso James Woods Frankie McVeigh
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1973
Directed by Stanley Pollack.
Labels: barbra-streisand, dramaE, james-woods, political5, robert-redford, romance5
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: I think I've said quite a lot about our reactions to this movie throughout the main journal. We both find it entertaining and "feel good" inspirational.
There are a lot of movies, including many from this film's era, previous, post, and all the way through to now, that focus on populist vs. elitist politics. None of them, though, has yet approached the pointedness, pertinence and perceptiveness of this all time classic. I'll bet it will never, ever, not be a popular classic, because, at least in the United States, its story will always be contemporary.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James Stewart Jefferson Smith Jean Arthur Clarissa Saunders Claude Rains Joseph Harrison Paine Edward Arnold Jim Taylor Thomas Mitchell Diz Moore Beulah Bondi Ma Smith Astrid Allwyn Susan Paine Ruth Donnelly Mrs. Hopper
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1939
Directed by Frank Capra.
Labels: anti-fascist, beulah-bondi, claude-rains, dramedy2, frank-capra, james-stewart, political5, romance4, shared-favorite, thomas-mitchell
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
A Special Day
- Commentary: Under Construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sophia Loren Antonietta Marcello Mastroianni Gabriele John Vernon Emanuele Françoise Berd Caretaker
Here is the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1977
Directed by Ettore Scola.
Labels: §2, anti-fascist, Criterion2, period6, political5
Sunday, June 06, 2021
The Best Man
- Commentary: This movie was originally listed in the post Movies I've Seen, Do Not Own but Can't Forget. Now I own it. First, let me append what I wrote when I was wishing to add this movie to my collection:
Temporarily "Out of Stock" and pricey, as of this writing on 5/8/2021.
Not Available for check out through local library system.
I have this thing for politically realistic stories and this is one of the most politically realistic plays/movies in existence. Bravo to Gore Vidal. Bravo to Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson. The ending is clearly too idealistic to play out in real political life, at this time, anyway, and at almost any previous time, but I think of this movie during every election season (which, unfortunately, is all the time, in the U.S., now) and wonder, does anyone remember this movie? Have any of the hopefuls watched it? Does it, yet and finally, mean anything positive to any one of them? Some day I hope to be able to answer, unequivocally, yes.
There. That's done. More later.
This film included scads of actors playing bit, often named, parts. It is, after all, a film about a presidential convention and reflects the enormity of people and the bedlam of such an event. My Actor/Role table reflects only those actors who are likely to appear in another film in my collection.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Henry Fonda William Russell Cliff Robertson Joe Cantwell Edie Adams Mabel Cantwell Margaret Leighton Alice Russell Shelley Berman Sheldon Bascomb Lee Tracy Art Hockstader Ann Sothern Sue Ellen Gamadge Gene Raymond Don Cantwell Kevin McCarthy Dick Jensen John Henry Faulk Governor T.T. Claypoole Gore Vidal Senator at Convention Mahalia Jackson Herself
Here's The Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.
Labels: henry-fonda, political5, presidential
