Thursday, June 09, 2022
War for the Planet of the Apes
- Commentary: This final Planet of the Apes reboot is probably the hardest to follow. Apes and humans have engaged in an all out war. The war, itself, is blamed, simultaneously, on bad human actors, bad ape actors and, well, inevitability, which is what mars the events portrayed in the film. About half the war is between two arms of the military against one another, one of which is holding the apes captive. It is hard to determine, frankly, if the second branch of the military is ape friendly or if that even matters.
At any rate, Caesar's dies at the end of this movie, thus bringing his biography to an end, as well. The apes as a group, however, survive and look forward to continued existence.
There has been talk about a fourth Planet of the Apes Reboot film. I'm not sure this is necessary, or even desirable. It will have to be a damned good one, taking a completely different trajectory, thus requiring some super thoughtful creativity. If you've watched the initial Planet of the Apes Sextilogy, you'll know that the movies declined in quality and thoughtfulness as the stories continued. I hope that isn't the fate of this Planet of the Apes Reboot.
Finally, once again, here are the results of my search crawl on RogerEbert.com for, simply, "Planet of the Apes movies". It pulled a lot of material, continuing on to a second page. Go ahead. Click and try it yourself. I'll bet there are even more articles on these movies than there were on 8/7/21, when I performed my crawl. These movies, the old ones, the middle one by Tim Burton, the "new" ones seem to be endlessly fascinating to our species, even as we are creating them, ourselves. Ver-r-r-r-(roll that "r")y Inter-r-restingk!
Update 6/9/2022: This post was originally published on 1/16/2021 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Andy Serkis Caesar Woody Harrelson The Colonel Steve Zahn Bad Ape Toby Kebbell Kobo Gabriel Chavarria Preacher Judy Greer Cornelia Karin Konoval Maurice Terry Notary Rocket Michael Adamthwaite Luca Ty Olsson Red Devyn Dalton Cornelius Sara Canning Lake Aleks Paunovic Winter Amiah Miller Nova Max Lloyd-Jones Blue Eyes Roger Cross Rod Wilson
Here's the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Matt Reeves.
Labels: action2, adventure2, andy-serkis, animal, biography1, cgi-animation, drama2, military, popcorn-and-soda1, science-fiction1, super-hero1, tragedy1, violence1, war1, woody-harrelson
Monday, May 24, 2021
The Gauntlet
- Commentary: Unlike the immediately previous movie, this movie, which came as a "double feature" with The Enforcer was just god damned violence fun. As I watched it last night (5/25/21) I realized that, yes, I have seen it before, remembered little of it, which is typical of popcorn-and-soda movies for me, even those I really enjoy, like this one. There's almost nothing more entertaining than watching a Clint Eastwood character fuck around with obstacles in his way when he's involved in a task that has turned risky. Although Eastwood's character in this movie is named "Ben Shockley" (how grinningly appropriate for an Eastwood character), this movie may as well be yet another episode in the Dirty Harry canon (or, "cannon", whichever seems more appropriate).
This movie is one of those captivating collaborations between Eastwood and Sondra Locke, who turned out to have been a very busy "early pioneer for women in Hollywood" (I use this quote without irony), both within and without her relationship with Eastwood. Her performance in this movie is sassy and fun. It makes me want to check out her work without Eastwood.
This movie is filed alphabetically on my shelves as "Clint Eastwood".
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood Det. Ben Shockley Sondra Lockwood Augustina Mally Pat Hingle Det. Maynard Josephson William Prince Com. Edgar A. Blakelock Bill McKinney Constable Michael Cavanaugh Asst. D.A. John Feyderspiel Carole Cook Waitress Mara Corday Jail Matron Doug McGrath Bookie Jeff Morris Desk Sergeant Roy Jenson Biker Dan Vadis Biker
In case you're wondering why I cite, above, so many unnamed roles and their actors, it's because Eastwood tends to use the same actors over and over again, sometimes in named roles, sometimes in unnamed roles.
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1977
Directed by Clint Eastwood.
Labels: clint-eastwood, loose-cannon-cop, neo-noirA, pat-hingle, popcorn-and-soda1, violence1
The Enforcer
- Commentary: Third Dirty Harry film. Under construction.
By the way, I may as well include these here, since I have plenty of space. Roger Ebert conducted three notable interviews, at least, that I know of: Here are the first, the second and the third. He may well have interviewed Clint more than these. If you're interested in Clint Eastwood, (and, I wonder, who isn't, I mean, the man, who was born in 1930, produced, directed and starred in a movie which has yet to be released but on which production has concluded, in his 91st year on the planet) you'll find the interviews fun and quirky, I think.
This movie came as a Double Feature with The Gauntlet.
This movie is filed alphabetically on my shelves as "Clint Eastwood".
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood Ins. Harry Callahan Tyne Daly Ins. Kate Moore Harry Guardino Lt. Al Bressler Bradford Dillman Cpt. Jerome McKay John Mitchum Ins. Frank DiGiorgio Bill Ackridge Andy DeVeren Bookwalter Bobby Maxwell Albert Popwell Ed Mustapha John Crawford Mayor of San Francisco Robert Hoy Buchinski Michael Cavanaugh Lalo Jocelyn Jones Miki Waleska
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1976
Directed by James Fargo.
Labels: §, clint-eastwood, loose-cannon-cop, neo-noirA, popcorn-and-soda1, violence1
Pale Rider
- Commentary: I just finished watching this movie for the first time and I feel a little breathless. Some of that, I think, is due to me finally getting around to really appreciating westerns. The rest is due to me finally getting around to appreciating Clint Eastwood.
My Aunt Jean was both a western fan and a Clint Eastwood fan. I even went to the theater with her and my mother when The Outlaw Josie Wales debuted. At that time, it was a "courtesy" visit. I hadn't yet discovered the wonders of westerns, so I watched the movie with blocks in front of my eyes and brain, I am ashamed to admit.
That is no longer true. I have a fair number of westerns in my catalogue to the left, about as many as I have of any type of movie, and I don't think there's a dud in the bunch.
I love the mystery in this movie surrounding The Preacher, from his first appearance to his final disappearance. The story is very involving, with no loose ends. Even The Preacher's departure isn't treated as a loose end. It's as though, although you know you won't be privy to any more of The Preacher's exploits, you know he's headed off to another one, and that's enough.
I love the way Eastwood uses silent showing, through the eyes of other roles, to reveal just enough, even as he heightens the mystery. He also has an acute talent for picking actors, using them well, and respecting not just the story, but the roles the actors play and the actors' strengths, as well.
It's funny, because I considered obtaining the four-pack of Eastwood movies, of which this is one, kind of like an assignment, as though I had an obligation to familiarize myself with this guy's work, considering how much I'm into movies. Well, this movie was a pleasure, Mr. Eastwood, and I'm expecting the next four to be equally pleasing.
The movie came as a Double Feature with the movie The Outlaw Josie Wales.
This movie is filed alphabetically on my shelves as "Clint Eastwood".
Thank you, Mr. Eastwood. I'm really looking forward to the next three movies in this four-pack.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood The Preacher Michael Moriarty Hull Barret Carrie Snodgress Sarah Wheeler Richard Dysart Coy LaHood Chris Penn Josh LaHood Sydney Penny Megan Wheeler John Russell Marshal Stockburn Richard Kiel Club Doug McGrath Spider Conway Chuck Lafont Eddie Conway Billy Drago Deputy Mather Jeffrey Weissman Teddy Conway Charles Hallahan McGill Marvin J. McIntyre Jagou Fran Ryan Ma Blankenship Richard Hamilton Pa Blankenship
In case you're interested, here is the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 1985
Directed by Clint Eastwood.
Labels: clint-eastwood, popcorn-and-soda1, revisionist-western, violence1
Monday, April 05, 2021
The Witch
- Commentary: I finally watched this film last night, 6/30/21. I know. I've had it since April. My only excuse is that, although since that time I've added several movies (seen and unseen previous to purchase) I've wanted to own, at the same time I entered into a period, not the first I've experienced, when I just didn't want to spend much time staring at the screen, no matter how much any particular movie excited me.
Anyway, interesting, interesting film! First of all, there's not a false performance in it. Second, the setting is exquisitely managed. Third, the story, itself, slips, expertly between "witches, yes" and "witches, no". Third, character development and relational portrayal between characters are never neglected. I ended the movie with no questions or holes in my understanding. In addition, my attention was riveted from beginning to end.
Truthfully, having been born on Halloween, I have a special relationship with horror movies that focus on witchery. I have, by no means, seen all of them and tend to avoid the hundreds (if not thousands) of horror films, witched or not, that cluster-release around Halloween. This movie, though, is designed, I think, to be thought provoking and decidedly eerie any time of the year, especially since it unfolds slowly. Impressive job for a directoral first. It would, in fact, be an excellent job for a film made in the middle or end of a long film-making career.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Anya Taylor-Joy Thomasin Ralph Ineson William Kate Dickie Katherine Harvey Scrimshaw Caleb Ellie Grainger Mercy Lucas Dawson Jonas Julian Richings The Governor Bathsheba Garnett The Old Witch Sarah Stephens The Young Witch Charlie Goat Black Phillip Wahab Chaudhry Human Black Phillip Axtun & Athan Dube Samuel
Here's the Wikipeda write-up on this film.
Release Date: 2015
Directed by Robert Eggers.
Labels: A24, drama1, feminist, folk-horror, period1, popcorn-and-soda1, psychological1, spiritual1, women's-movie2
Sunday, January 17, 2021
The Untouchables
- Commentary: This is such a smooth, well crafted story and movie that, of course, I own it, have watched it more than once and expect to watch it again. And, again. Highlights are Sean Connery's character and performance, of course, followed closely by Robert DeNiro's (who is almost unrecognizable in his part) characterization of Al Capone. Kevin Costner's ubiquitous "cool" is perfect for this part. Andy Garcia is, appropriately, subservient to the script, thus, I think it's one of his best performances.
By the way, see my write-up for Battleship Potemkin for information on the baby carriage scene in this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Costner Eliot Ness Sean Connery Jim Malone Robert De Niro Al Capone Charles Martin Smith Oscar Wallace Andy García George Stone Billy Drago Nitti Patricia Clarkson Edna Ness Richard Bradford Mike
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1987
Directed by Brian De Palma.
Labels: action2, adventure2, andy-garcía, brian-de-palma, detective1, drama1, historical1, period1, political1, popcorn-and-soda1, robert-de-niro, violence1
- Commentary: This is such a smooth, well crafted story and movie that, of course, I own it, have watched it more than once and expect to watch it again. And, again. Highlights are Sean Connery's character and performance, of course, followed closely by Robert DeNiro's (who is almost unrecognizable in his part) characterization of Al Capone. Kevin Costner's ubiquitous "cool" is perfect for this part. Andy Garcia is, appropriately, subservient to the script, thus, I think it's one of his best performances.
Tess
- Commentary: Under construction.
I will write more, later, but, I just have to say, this is one of my favorite movies of all time. I can't, though, explain why, except for, maybe, the ambience, the performances and the story, in that order. I was so swept up in it that I wrote a review of the movie in which, among other things, I took apart the character of Angel Clare. Ah, those were the days. I still love it. It's kind of like taking a long drive as a passenger through an utterly idylic landscape that you know is crawling with the nasty necessities and the even nastier passions underneath the beauty because, well, you've studied the detail of this "beauty" under your microscope in your laboratory.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nastassja Kinski Tess Durbeyfield Peter Firth Angel Clare Leigh Lawson Alec Stokes-d'Urberville John Collin John Durbeyfield Rosemary Martin Mrs. Durbeyfield Carolyn Pickles Marian Richard Pearson Vicar of Marlott David Markham Reverend Clare Pascale de Boysson Mrs. Clare Suzanna Hamilton Izzy Huett Caroline Embling Retty Tony Church Parson Tringham Sylvia Coleridge Mrs. d'Urberville Fred Bryant Dairyman Crick Tom Chadbon Cuthbert Clare Arielle Dombasle Mercy Chant
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up on this film.
Release Date: 1979
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: Criterion1, popcorn-and-soda1, roman-polanski
Good Morning Vietnam
- Commentary: It's true. This movie is peculiar in the way it serves up the Vietnam war. Some critics found it offensive, in the light of the "serious" Vietnam war movies such as Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Jacob's Ladder [yes, Virginia, it's a Vietnam war movie] and Apocalypse Now (which I do not own; I intend to own it but so many versions have proliferated I simply haven't settled on which package of versions to purchase.).
What attracts me to this movie is its approach to the war not from the perspective of daily fighting but from the perspective of daily living in a war zone. In a way, I appreciate that it confuses the Vietnam War issue more than any other movie, because it's clear, to me, through this movie, that, no matter what the characters are doing because of the existence of war, they are, bottom line, people, trying to negotiate every day existence in the middle of an unwanted, unasked for emergency.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robin Williams Adrian Cronauer Forest Whitaker Pvt. Edward Garlick Tung Thanh Tran Phan Duc To/Tuan Chintara Sukapatana Trinh Bruno Kirby Lt. Steven Hauk Robert Wuhl Marty Lee Dreiwitz J. T. Walsh Sgt. Mjr. Phillip Dickerson Noble Willingham General Taylor Richard Edson Pvt. Abersold Richard Portnow Dan Levitan Floyd Vivino Eddie Kirk Củ Bà Nguyễn Jimmy Wah
Here's the Wikipedia link for the write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1987
Directed by Barry Levinson.
Labels: dramedy1, forest-whitaker, historical1, military, political1, popcorn-and-soda1, robin-williams, war1
Saturday, January 16, 2021
W.
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Josh Brolin George W. Bush Elizabeth Banks Laura Bush James Cromwell George H. W. Bush Ellen Burstyn Barbara Bush Richard Dreyfuss Dick Cheney Jeffrey Wright Colin Powelv Scott Glenn Donald Rumsfeld Thandiwe Newton Condoleezza Rice Toby Jones Karl Rove Bruce McGill George Tenet Ioan Gruffudd Tony Blair Noah Wyle Donald Evans Rob Corddry Ari Fleischer Dennis Boutsikaris Paul Wolfowitz Jason Ritter Jeb Bush Stacy Keach Earl Hudd
The Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Oliver Stone.
Labels: §1, ellen-burstyn, josh-brolin, oliver-stone, popcorn-and-soda1, presidential, richard-dreyfuss
Vice
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Dick Cheney Amy Adams Lynn Vincent Cheney Steve Carell Donald Rumsfeld Sam Rockwell George W. Bush Tyler Perry Colin Powell Alison Pill Mary Cheney Liz Rabe Liz Cheney Jesse Plemons Narrator Kurt LisaGay Hamilton Condoleezza Rice Stephen Adly Guirgis George Tenet Matthew Jacobs Antonin Scalia Kirk Bovill Henry Kissinger
The Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Adam McKay.
Labels: §, christian-bale, historical1, popcorn-and-soda1, presidential
What We Do in the Shadows
- Commentary: 6/5/2022: Finally watched this about six months ago. This is one of the silliest, funniest, dearest, most humane comedies I've seen in a long time. The only reason I haven't written about it, yet, is the same reason I haven't written about a lot of videos here that I haven't written about yet. The only videos I haven't seen, yet, are the three I ordered today. So, you know, I have no excuse. Just, under construction.
My Florida sister sent me this movie. I'm not sure what possessed her to do so, but I'm hilariously ever grateful that she did. I hope to catch some, if not all, of the episodes of the FX TV series, some day. My library has the initial movie but not the series. Amazon has both, and both are pay-per-view. Sorry, Amazon, I don't do pay-per-view. You already charge me enough, yearly, to be a Prime member. And, by the way, your prices per-DVD-per-season are prohibitive.
This movie is the pilot for a New Zealand TV series franchise, the Wikipedia write-up of which is here.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Taika Waititi Viago Von Dorna Schmarten Scheden Heimburg Jemaine Clement Vladislav the Poker Jonathan Brugh Deacon Brucke Ben Fransham Petyr Cori Gonzalez-Macuer Nick Stu Rutherford Stu Jackie van Beek Jackie Rhys Darby Anton Ethel Robinson Katherine Heimburg Elena Stejko Pauline Jason Hoyte Julian Karen O'Leary Officer O'Leary
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi.
Labels: §2, dramedy3, popcorn-and-soda1
Wonder Woman
- Commentary: I really enjoy the part of this movie which focuses on Diana's Amazonian life. The rest of it, once she leaves Themyscira, eh. My reaction to the story of how Diana becomes embroiled in World War I and, as the blurbs say, discovers her true destiny, left me flat. Yes, the underplot of Diana actually battling Ares as she becomes involved in WWI is interesting, but frankly, anti-climactic. I'm not sure why. You'd think this mission would be exciting. That's certainly the secondary reason why I purchased the movie. The primary reason was because I collect certain super-hero movies and I wanted this particular origin story in my catalog. Will I watch it again? Probably. As I do, though, I'll always wish ...
Update 8/7/2021: I haven't decided whether I want to obtain Wonder Woman: 1984. I've read synopses (some detailed) of the movie, so I know the story, but, of course, that's not important, since, if I like a movie, I'll watch it multiple times, with the story already firmly in mind for all but one of those watches. And, as well, I don't particularly care about the conflicted reviews, like the one immediately above in this paragraph. Thing is, I've watched the original only once and, despite my adoration for the character as played by Gal Gadot, I may never watch this movie, again. My copy won't end up at my local library, since I consider it a must-keep in my super-hero caches (both caches linked, by the way; one to "super-hero" and one to "caches"). But, unlike Iron Man, for instance, I'm not drawn back to yet another watching. Then, again, this movie features Kristin Wiig as a villian, and that sounds like fun. Perhaps I'll check it out of my local library and see how I like it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gal Gadot Diana/Wonder Woman Chris Pine Steve Trevor Robin Wright Antiope Danny Huston Erich Ludendorff David Thewlis Sir Patrick Connie Nielsen Hippolyta Elena Anaya Dr. Isabel Maru Lucy Davis Etta Candy Saïd Taghmaoui Sameer Ewen Bremner Charlie Eugene Brave Rock Chief Lisa Loven Kongsli Menalippe
The Wikipedia article on this movie is here.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Patty Jenkins, as is the second film in this series.
Labels: action2, adventure2, don't-ask-me-why, drama1, fantasy1, female-director3, military, period1, political1, popcorn-and-soda1, pseudo-cgi-animation, super-hero1, suspense1, thriller1, violence1, war1
A Stolen Life
- Commentary: If I were asked to pick only one Bette Davis movie to keep in my collection, it would be either this movie or Now, Voyager and I am, frankly, grateful that I will never have to make the choice. In this movie Davis plays identical twins, one of whom is sweet, smart and unassuming, one of whom is devilish, smart, and bent on assuming the other twin's life. The second twin dies. The first twin, in order to be reunited with the love of her life, who was stolen from her by the dead twin, masquerades as the second twin, with almost disastrous consequences. She did not realize that the marriage of her dead sister was on the rocks and her insertion of herself into the situation promises to end badly. It doesn't, of course, and the circuitous managing of the relationship threatens to undo her. Ah, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
We're due, shortly, for a few days of snow. I will likely devote one of those days to a Bette Davis marathon, which will definitely include this movie. Long live the availability of Bette Davis movies!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Kate & Patricia Bosworth Glenn Ford Bill Emerson Dane Clark Karnock Walter Brennan Eben Folger Charlie Ruggles Freddie Linley Bruce Bennett Jack R. Talbot Peggy Knudsen Diedre Esther Dale Mrs. Johnson Clara Blandick Martha Joan Winfield Lucy Jack Mower George Leo White Waiter
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1946
Directed by Curtis Bernhardt.
Labels: bette-davis, drama2, melodramaB, popcorn-and-soda1, romance1, tragedy1
Exodus: Gods and Kings
- Commentary: I own this movie because I have a particular fascination for the Moses part of the origin story of the Jewish people and their attempts to, and successes at, forming a nation. This is my fourth version of the Moses story, the others being: The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston as Moses, Moses with Ben Kingsley playing Moses, superbly, I think, and Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments, DeMille's first, silent production of the Moses story, which combines the story with a modern day film meditation of the application of the ten commandments in what was, at that time, modern life.
This movie, staring Christian Bale as Moses, is certainly entertaining. I go on "Moses" binges during which I watch all of my Moses movies back-to-back. This version is as involving and entertaining as all the others. Joel Edgerton is particularly fun as Pharaoh Ramses. John Turturro strikes an appropriately wise and world-weary Seti. Much to my delight, Ben Kingsley also appears in this movie as a major/minor figure, Nun. There are so many recognizable stars playing bit parts in this movie that it makes you wonder ...
Truth is, even though I consider it a delightful addition to my Moses archive, it's easy to wonder, as I watch it, why this Moses story was even produced and why all these major stars (including those in minor parts) assented to participate. Mind you, I have no quarrel with versions and versions of the Moses story. I find them endlessly fun and fascinating. Of all the versions I own, though, this is the only one that appears to be an obvious Ridley Scott money grab, and, frankly, only a money grab. We know how spectacular Scott can be producing an epic. You only need to point to Gladiator. In that movie, it's obvious that Ridley Scott, the director for that movie, too, was not only thinking about content, he thought assiduously and well about it. Not so with this production. There are some roles that featured large in my other Exodus epics that were merely spit upon in passing in this movie: Dathan, for instance, and Jethro. There are others that featured large in this movie that were, again, spit upon in passing or altogether ignored in my other Exodus epics: Miriam, for instance, and Viceroy Hegep.
Still, it's fun to watch, in the context of my other Moses movies. I'll not be passing it on to someone else.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Moses Joel Edgerton Rameses II John Turturro Seti I Aaron Paul Joshua Ben Mendelsohn Viceroy Hegep María Valverde Zipporah Sigourney Weaver Tuya Ben Kingsley Nun Isaac Andrews Malak Hiam Abbass Bithiah Indira Varma High Priestess Ewen Bremner Strategy Expert Golshifteh Farahani Nefertari Ghassan Massoud Grand Vizier Paser Tara Fitzgerald Miriam Dar Salim Cmdr. Khyan Andrew Tarbet Aaron Ken Bones Court Scribe Anton Alexander Dathan Kevork Malikyan Jethro
You'll notice, above, that the name "Malak" is hyperlinked to an article that well discusses the use of this word/name biblically. I became very curious about this word/name because of the character who sports it in this movie. Interesting read, no matter how you feel about the movie. Although many people, including some prominent reviewers, have identified this character as the Abrahamic God, the definition to which I've linked clearly undermines this interpretation by identifying this word as meaning a "messenger" and an "angel".
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Ridley Scott.
Labels: ben-kingsley, ben-mendelsohn, bible-movies1, christian-bale, drama2, historical1, indira-varma, john-turturro, military, moses, popcorn-and-soda1, religion1, ridley-scott, sigourney-weaver, spectacle1, violence1
Wednesday, August 05, 2020
Valley of the Dolls
- Commentary: Yes, I read the book. Decades ago. When I was a teenager. When it was, sort of, taboo literature for girls my age. I also saw the movie when I was a teenager, and have seen it several times since, when it's been featured on some TV channel. It's hard to describe what kind of a hold this movie has over me; why, for instance, I so enjoy watching the turgid stories of these three young women and their torrid lives. I can tell you that I never considered owning this movie until I noticed that Criterion had put out an edition of it with loads of special features. "Ah ha!" I thought. "This edition will help me explain to myself my fascination with this movie!" I'm not sure that's what happened, but I can tell you that I spent an entire afternoon indulging in the movie and each one of the special features, including reading the accompanying booklet cover to cover.
This movie is the ultimate chick flick. Although the focus is supposed to be on the "dolls", the pills that these women consume in order to follow their dreams, the truth is the pills are incidental. The bonus material often refers to it as "camp", but, I can tell you, its campiness is not why I love this movie. I don't love it because it reminds me of the decade of the 1960s. Frankly, even though I was a teenager during that decade, I was pretty much a bookish girl-woman who lived a life that could have been described, from the outside, as dull. I didn't have glorious dreams like the women in this movie. I love the movie because I love reveling in the stories of embattled chicks, whether they're on "dolls" or not. There. I said it.
You'll notice I've labeled it as both a "pussy-flick" and a "women's movie". For me, it's both. It is not a "20th-century-chick-flick", as none of the romances follow that particular type of romantic story. Nobody ends up with their man. It contains scenes that are so full of pathos they can only be described as pathetic and scenes that are touching and thoughtful. It contains a lot of other scenes that are, frankly, just plain cheesy. Sometimes, too, those cheesy scenes are so over-scripted that, while you're watching, you know you're supposed to find them moving but you can't help but giggle, even if you're watching the movie alone. Ah, but those scenes are, dare I say it, the most fun!
Finally, yes, it's true, Roger Ebert was mildly disgusted by this movie (I say "mildly" because he gave it two stars, rather than one). So, he and Russ Meyer co-wrote what they intended as a parody, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. I never saw that movie, although, apparently, according to Wikipedia, it duplicated the fate of the original, first ignored, then loved, then culted and partially reappraised. Roger Ebert even wrote an explanatory review of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. I didn't read the review, only skimmed it. I probably won't ever see this movie, but, you know, if you can't beat 'em, I guess ...
Thank you, Criterion! A master coup!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbara Parkins Anne Wells Patty Duke Neely O'Hara Paul Burke Lyon Burke Sharon Tate Jennifer North Tony Scotti Tony Polar Lee Grant Miriam Polar Susan Hayward Helen Lawson Martin Milner Mel Anderson Alexander Davion Ted Casablanca Jacqueline Susann Reporter #1 Richard Dreyfuss Asst. Stage Mgr. Judith Lowry Aunt Amy
Here, as usual, is the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1967
Directed by Mark Robson.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, buddy, Criterion1, drama2, fantasy1, me-favorite1, popcorn-and-soda1, psychological1, pussy-flick, richard-dreyfuss, romance1, tragedy1, women's-movie1
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
The Age of Innocence
- Commentary: Truth is, I read this novel long, long, long before I saw this movie, which is why I was reluctant to see it. I read the book at a time, being an older teen, when I found the story poignant and troubling. This is no longer true for me. The movie exists for me, now, as an opulent drama of manners, well done by Scorsese, well acted by the entire cast and a great way to spend a rainy (or snowy, which was the weather the last time I watched it) afternoon in a mountain community.
Roger Ebert christened this movie as one of his "Great Movies", as well. In addition, he conducted an interview with Martin Scorsese specifically about this movie and Scorcese's history with it, among other issues highlighted by the movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Daniel Day-Lewis Newland Archer Michelle Pfeiffer Ellen Olenska Winona Ryder May Welland Miriam Margolyes Mrs. Mingott Geraldine Chaplin Mrs. Welland Michael Gough Henry van der Luyden Richard E. Grant Larry Lefferts Mary Beth Hurt Regina Beaufort Robert Sean Leonard Ted Archer Norman Lloyd Mr. Letterblair Alec McCowen Sillerton Jackson Siân Phillips Mrs. Archer Carolyn Farina Janey Archer Jonathan Pryce Rivière Alexis Smith Louisa van der Luyden Joanne Woodward Narrator
Just in case, as always, here's the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Labels: Criterion1, drama3, historical1, joanne-woodward, jonathan-pryce, martin-scorsese, period1, popcorn-and-soda1, romance1, spectacle1
Swing Time
- Commentary: The story is silly and forgettable but the dancing is divine - "an exuberant celebration of its stars' chemistry, grace, and sheer joy in the act of performance", per the back of the movie case. This movie remains one of the standards of dance musicals. It may be old, it may be black & white, but it is, as I note in the labels, a spectacle. Such a spectacle, in fact, that Roger Ebert has named it one of his "Great Movies", as the link affixed to the title of this post will explain.
And, yes, Mom loved this movie, too. We didn't own it, but it was ever-available through our county library system and we liberally took advantage of that. That's why I decided to own it, now. Since my mother's death, it's been a frequent check-out of mine. Why not own it?!? In fact, why not own the Criterion edition of it?!?
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Fred Astaire John Garnett Ginger Rogers Penelope Carroll Victor Moore Edwin Cardetti Eric Blore Mr. Gordon Helen Broderick Mabel Anderson Betty Furness Margaret Watson Georges Metaxa Ricardo Romero Landers Stevens Judge Watson
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1936
Directed by George Stevens.
Labels: Criterion1, dance, dramedy1, fred-astaire, me-favorite1, musical1, popcorn-and-soda1, romance1, spectacle1
Monday, August 19, 2019
Avengers: Endgame
- Commentary: I haven't watched this one, yet. It's a new own. Relatively bargain priced, considering it's been on the shelves for only a minute. I have very few of the 22 (I read that number somewhere, recently) Marvel Universe movies: Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel and this one, in the order in which I obtained them. You know how I feel about super-hero movies, I generally love them, the quirky ones in particular (I consider, for instance, Shyamalan's Eastrail 177 Trilogy (of which I own all three) quirky; click here and here (direct links to all the movies I own that I've placed in the "super-hero" category) to see what I consider a super-hero movie; you'll likely be surprised) but in general there are many I don't care for and have no reason to own, especially of the Marvel Universe. I decided to add this one to my collection, sight unseen, though, since it's the end. Game. You know.
So, I'll be appending to this write-up when I watch this movie. Who knows. Maybe it will spur me to add a few more Marvel Universe super-hero movies to my collection. Maybe not. We'll see.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Downey Jr. Tony Stark/Iron Man Chris Evans Steve Rogers/Captain America Mark Ruffalo Bruce Banner/Hulk Chris Hemsworth Thor Scarlett Johansson Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow Jeremy Renner Clint Barton/Hawkeye Don Cheadle James Rhodes/War Machine Paul Rudd Scott Lang/Ant-Man Brie Larson Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel Karen Gillan Nebula Danai Gurira Okoye Benedict Wong Wong Jon Favreau Happy Hogan Bradley Cooper Rocket Gwyneth Paltrow Pepper Potts Josh Brolin Thanos
Also stars Michael Douglas as adult Hank Pym/Ant-Man.
In case you're curious, the Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Anthony Russo & Joe Russo.
Labels: §2, aliens, josh-brolin, michael-douglas, popcorn-and-soda1, robert-downey-jr, samuel-l-jackson, science-fiction1, super-hero1
Thursday, August 08, 2019
The Three Faces of Eve
- Commentary: What actor doesn't love a chance to display their skills by playing a character with DID (Dissociative Personality Disorder - Multiple Personality Disorder)? Many try; a surprising number succeed. After all, what is an actor but someone who has the desire and the ability to take on character after character after character ... which accounts for the fact that, having seen many of these movies (and owning a few), I can't recall ever seeing a bad one. The Three Faces of Eve with Joanne Woodward was made in 1957 and continues to show up on lists with titles like "The [Number] Best DID Movies". Yes Virginia, there are such lists, scads of them, I just discovered. Before I wrote up this movie, I couldn't help but recall that Split is such a movie, and that, throughout my life, I can remember several actors playing DID people. A few of the articles include certain superhero characters in the DID category. This had never occurred to me, but, surely, The Hulk would qualify.
So, anyway, Joanne Woodward in The Three Faces of Eve is neither the first, nor the last actor to take on multiple-characters-in-one, but she certainly turned in a fine performance [or, would that be "performance'S'"?]. Yes, I've seen this movie before, and, although this movie isn't the reason I bought the four-pack, it's certainly an attractive addition. Characterizations of multiple characters are guaranteed to be poignant, for better and worse, but, if my memory serves me correctly, this is one of the better poignant performances of such a disorder.
Update 1/12/21: A few days ago I noticed this missing from the four pack of movies which included this one. At first I figured I must have misfiled it in another movie jacket and mildly despaired at trying to find it among the hundreds of movie jackets I own. Then, yesterday, I recovered a faint memory of giving it to one of my nieces a few years ago, the one who is an actress. I even recall, at the time, thinking she'd really enjoy it, where as I probably wouldn't watch it, again, even though I didn't dislike it; I was, however, put off by the melodramatic aspects of the movie. I'll have to check with her. I hope I'm right about this. If not, well, who knows how long it will take me to discover where I misfiled it!
Update 3/29/21: I finally found this movie, lurking in a blu-ray case I'd bought for splitting collections into separate movies. Why I'd taken this out of it's original collection case and placed it in it's own case without doing that to the others, I'll never know, but, oh, well, I've found it now.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joanne Woodward Eve White/Eve Black/Jane David Wayne Ralph White Lee J. Cobb Dr. Curtis Luther Edwin Jerome Dr. Francis Day Alena Murray Secretary Nancy Kulp Mrs. Black Douglas Spencer Mr. White Alistair Cooke Narrator
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1957
Directed by Nunnally Johnson.
Labels: drama3, haunting1, joanne-woodward, lee-j-cobb, popcorn-and-soda1, psychological1
An Affair to Remember
- Commentary: Up front, I'm not a fan of this movie, nor of the Annette Bening/Warren Beatty remake, although I love Sleepless in Seattle, which is so full of this movie it practically vomits it. When I first saw and fell in love with Sleepless in Seattle I had never seen this movie, any remakes of it, nor was I familiar with the story. Once I became my mother's companion and we began sharing our love of watching movies, I finally saw this movie on one of the many cable channels to which we subscribed. [I'm telling you, we were really into movies!] Mom did not remember if she'd ever seen it, but she didn't care for it. I clearly remember her saying, when the movie finished "Well, that was silly!" My thoughts, exactly.
So, what am I doing with this movie in my collection? It came in another one of those four-packs. I was looking for one (old) movie, in particular and it was cheaper to buy the four-pack with it than it was to buy the movie as a single.
All I can say about this movie, An Affair to Remember [Wikipedia link to this film], is, at least I have a disc record of a movie to which lots of other movies refer but that I never liked, and, I'm sure, never will, not even in its next remake. I'm sure there will be another remake!
Update 8/14/19: Well, I decided to watch this movie, tonight, as, the more I tried to recall it, the more I realized all I could remember was the Annette Bening/Warren Beatty/Katharine Hepburn remake, for which I didn't much care, and the references to the original in Sleepless in Seattle. Wow! Was I surprised! I'm thinking, now, that maybe I never really saw it, it may have been one of those movies that I'd glance at between chores, checking on Mom watching it, while she and I were companions. I have little knowledge to base this on, but it seems very 50's-ish in it's portrayal of romance (which shouldn't be a surprise, considering that it came to the screen in 1957): witty, intelligent, full of stock secondary characters who are (thankfully) used lightly, lush orchestration almost to a fault, strong female lead, independent male lead, oh, come on, you know the 50's drill. I was born in the 50's and raised primarily outside the U.S. without much television so I was either too young or too far away to see any of these films until decades later when they became available on tapes/dvds, I moved back to the states and finally (after many years) was in the presence of a television. It's an interesting exercise to watch these movies, and this movie, now. I found myself wondering, as I watched (which often happens when I watch one of these 50's movies), if I had been exposed to them when I, as a U.S. kid, was supposed to have been exposed to them, would my perception of what it is to be a woman be any different, now? It's very late, tonight, though, and my mind isn't sharp enough to give much cogent thought to this, but I wanted to make a note of it, perhaps write/think, here, about it, later. Here's the beginning of a list of movies I own that would fall into this category for consideration: The Best of Everything; Funny Face; I don't know, maybe I was too young to have been exposed to these movies at a time when conditions would have been ripe for them to have an effect on me; I mean, in 1957 I was 5 years old for most of the year (I'm an autumn child), thus, I can't imagine that I would have been intrigued by this movie, in particular, and many, of that time, in general, had I seen them during their first runs; ... more later ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Cary Grant Nicolò Ferrante Deborah Kerr Terry McKay Richard Denning Kenneth Bradley Neva Patterson Lois Clark Cathleen Nesbitt Grandmother Janou Robert Q. Lewis Self as Announcer Charles Watts Ned Hathaway Fortunio Bonanova Courbet
By the way, the great Marnie Nixon sings for Terry McKay.
Release Date: 1957
Directed by Leo McCarey.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, cary-grant, popcorn-and-soda1, romance1
