Friday, July 15, 2022
Unforgiven
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: My mother used to be a Clint Eastwood fan with her sister, once they began living close to each other in their latter years. They saw all of Eastwood's stuff, the old and the new. I never figured out if my mother was truly an Eastwood fan or her sister's fan and thus willing to do anything that would bring them closer.
At any rate, although I've seen very few Eastwood movies, I saw this one, I can't remember where or why, when it first came out, and was surprisingly impressed. So, when, one evening, some years ago, my mother suggested that we "rent a Clint Eastwood movie", this is the one I picked. Good choice. Along with Morgan Freeman being in it, she loved the idea that a gunslinger could get old and have trouble reestablishing his former skills in a stab at morality. Since I bought the movie about a year ago, we've seen it a couple of times. Every time she sees it, she either says, "Your Dad would have liked this," or, "You know, I'll bet Jean would like this one, we should have her over sometime to see it. Wouldn't that be fun!"
Once again, I got lucky and found a screenplay online for this movie.
Gerardo Vallero, a site companion critic, also weighs in on this movie, putting it in a modified historical context of Eastwood's work.
Last but not least, an online journalist, a woman named Pam who only reviews westerns, has written a review of this movie that will make you smile and, if you've shied away from this movie, will make you want to see it. See it!
Update 7/15/2022: This post was originally published on November 11, 2006, but but wouldn't pull as a "clint-eastwood" movie. By changing the publishing date, I hope to have fixed the problem.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Clint Eastwood William Munny Gene Hackman Sheriff Bill Daggett Morgan Freeman Ned Logan Richard Harris English Bob Jaimz Woolvett The Schofield Kid Saul Rubinek W. W. Beauchamp Frances Fisher Strawberry Alice Anna Thomson Delilah Fitzgerald
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
If you want to read the Wikipedia info about this movie, though, here is the link.
Release Date: 1992
Directed by Clint Eastwood.
Labels: action3, adventure3, clint-eastwood, drama8, morgan-freeman, popcorn-and-soda3, revenge1, revisionist-western, richard-harris, violence3
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Holiday Inn
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: This was one of the last Christmas movies we purchased before Mom's death. I'd often wanted a copy of it because Mom had fond, though vague, memories of it. The version we purchased included the black-and-white and color editions. Although there are several b&w movies I'd refuse to watch in color, It's a Wonderful Life, for instance, or High Noon (yee gads, what a horrible idea, High Noon in color), the usual Tracy/Hepburn movies, Miracle on 34th Street (the original one), I have to say, I like this one in color better than the b&w version, although, in it's favor, that's the version we watched first. I gave Mom a choice and she chose color first. This edition contains a special feature which documents the colorization process. Once I understood how it's done, the idea didn't seem quite so disgusting. But, I still want my Now, Voyager in black & white.
Review opinions on this movie run the gamut. I've linked a negative review to the title of this post. Here's a foursome of much more positive reviews of the film. So, you know, watch the movie, take your pick.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bing Crosby Jim Hardy Fred Astaire Ted Hanover Marjorie Reynolds Linda Mason Walter Abel Danny Reed Virginia Dale Lila Dixon Louise Beavers Mamie Irving Bacon Gus James Bell Dunbar from Hollywood
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1942
Directed by Mark Sandrich.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, Christmas, comedy1, dance, fred-astaire, louise-beavers, musical1, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2
Earth: The Biography
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: This is another spectacular BBC series that charts the evolution of the earth. Fascinating. We watched it when it broke on TV then decided we had to have it for re-viewing. We watched it, in its entirety, a couple of times before Mom died.
Update: 7/31/21: This series came out, originally, within the year just previous to my mother's death. Since, it has been renamed "Earth: The Power of the Planet". From what I can tell, without actually watching it before writing this update, it is the same program, just a different name. As well, an overall director (although I'm sure there must have been one) has yet to be named in any of the material on the show. The closest I can get to someone who probably had editorial and directoral control over this product would be D. Iain Stewart, referred to as the "presenter" of this program.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007-2008
Directed by: Different Directors for different episodes; 5 directors in all.
Labels: audio-visual, documentary1, popcorn-and-soda3, science
Ben Hur
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: We acquired this movie just before last Easter when I was on a mission to obtain every jesus/bible related movie that we didn't already own. I didn't know whether Mom had ever seen this movie, but she was up for it when I mentioned it to her and was immediately enraptured in it's sprawl. She's also, of course, is a big fan of over-the-top drama of the period in which this was made.
So am I, depending, and this movie didn't disappoint me, but, I have to say, The Ten Commandments is still my preferred movie spectacle film. I think. It depends. If I want some realistic spectacle grit, this is my go-to. If I want silky theatrics, then I opt for The Ten Commandments.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlton Heston Judah Ben-Hur Jack Hawkins Quintus Arrius Haya Harareet Esther Stephen Boyd Messala Hugh Griffith Sheik Ilderim Martha Scott Miriam Cathy O'Donnell Tirzah Sam Jaffe Simonides Finlay Currie Balthazar Frank Thring Pontius Pilate Terence Longdon Drusus George Relph Tiberius Caesar
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1959
Directed by William Wyler.
Labels: action3, adventure3, bible-movies1, charlton-heston, drama7, jesus-dvds, period3, popcorn-and-soda3, revenge1, spectacle2, violence3
American Girl Movie Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: The "Mention" is only for one movie, but we watched all four with just about equal pleasure.
Although I'm sure there are excellent reasons to critique the movies, we just sat back and enjoyed them.
I understand yet another American Girl movie has been released, Chrissa. If Mom was still alive I don't think I'd be collecting this one because there is no obvious historical context and it looks like a highly moral 'tween version of Mean Girls. Much of the draw, for Mom and me, of this series, was the historical context.
Kit Kittredge [Directed by Patricia Rozema. Release Date: 2008]; Mom's favorite. It's the one that takes place during the Great Depression of the 1930s. This is the movie that elicited the most enthusiastic response from her, possibly because she was a child during that period. This movie so far, has been the only one to be reviewed by a major film critic, Roger Ebert. I've attached his review as the link for this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Abigail Breslin Margaret Mildred 'Kit' Kittredge Chris O'Donnell Jack Kittredge Julia Ormond Margaret Kittredge Joan Cusack Lucinda Bond Stanley Tucci Jefferson Jasper Rene Berk Jane Krakowski May Dooley Madison Davenport Ruthie Smithens Austin MacDonald Roger Willow Smith Constance Wallace Shawn Mr. Gibson Glenne Headly Mrs. Howard Colin Mochrie Mr. Pennington
Felicity [Directed by Nadia Tass. Release Date: 2005]; My favorite. It's the one that takes place just prior to the American Revolution.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Shailene Woodley Felicity Merriman Marcia Gay Harden Martha Merriman Katie Henney Elizabeth Cole John Schneider Edward Merriman
Samantha [Directed by Nadia Tass. Release Date: 2004]; This one is the Christmas movie in this collection.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role AnnaSophia Robb Samantha Parkington Kelsey Lewis Nellie O'Malley Mia Farrow Mary Edwards Jordan Bridges Gardner Edwards
Molly [Directed by Joyce Chopra. Release Date: 2006].
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Maya Ritter Molly McIntire David Aaron Baker Dr. James McIntire Molly Ringwald Helen McIntire Thomas Brodie-Sangster Boy in Spelling Bee
Although I'm sure there are excellent reasons to critique the movies, we just sat back and enjoyed them.
I understand yet another American Girl movie has been released, Chrissa. If Mom was still alive I don't think I'd be collecting this one because there is no obvious historical context and it looks like a highly moral 'tween version of Mean Girls. Much of the draw, for Mom and me, of this series, was the historical context.
Apparently, American Girl movies continue to be made. I just scrolled through Amazon and several are out there, including some that are free to watch if you're an Amazon Prime member (and, of course, some require a rental fee, as well). I haven't watched any of the movies we acquired when Mom was alive since she died. All other links are to Wikipedia pages, I'm afraid, but the main article has some interesting information about the series history and almost every movie in the series has an additional Wikipedia link of its own. In time, I might scan through Amazon Prime (to which I subscribe) and check out the free movies. Should be interesting.
Update 8/26/21: Out of curiosity, I decided to check to see if any more American Girl (same link as in the title of this post) movies have been produced. As of 2017, 10 more, aside from the initial four which we own, have been released. Four of them appear as a four-pack on Amazon. Two are stand alones. Four, so far as I can tell, have only been released on Prime Video.
Will I be watching them? I doubt it, but you never know. They're pretty sleek productions.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Labels: Christmas, coming-of-age1, female-director1, historical3, kids, marsha-gay-harden, period3, popcorn-and-soda3
Monday, May 23, 2022
The Jane Austen Book Club
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: This is a delightful pastiche of a movie with some very good ensemble acting and an interesting interlinkage of romantic stories that simply captured us. Look, especially, at Lynn Redgrave's performance as the mother of one of the characters. Brave and brilliant! I've watched this movie several times on my own, as well as the special features, because it, well, it feels good to watch it.
Update 5/23/22: Yet another post that "disappeared" and I had to recapture. I think I finally figured an easy process, now. That should help.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Maria Bello Jocelyn Emily Blunt Prudie Kathy Baker Bernadette Hugh Dancy Grigg Amy Brenneman Sylvia Maggie Grace Allegra Jimmy Smits Daniel Marc Blucas Dean Lynn Redgrave Mama Skye Nancy Travis Cat Harris Parisa Fitz-Henley Corinne Gwendoline Yeo Dr. Samantha Yep
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Robin Swicord.
Labels: dramedy1, emily-blunt, female-director3, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, women's-movie1
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The Devil Wears Prada
- Who's watched: Bought this movie AMD
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: It seems, after my mother died, I ended up buying a pretty few of these movies that are pure fluff, either emotional, visual or both! Here's another. Actually, Mom saw this movie and liked it so much that if we noticed it playing when we were channel surfing we'd click into it, to the satisfaction of both of us. I linked it to Roger Ebert's review because one of the things I like about it is the "gee-whiz" quality he identifies in the movie. I also like the opening title sequence and the emphasis on fashion. My favorite aspect of the movie, though, is Meryl Streep's performance. She imbued her character with astonishing dignity, to the point where it almost made me wish I'd decided to become a corporate dragoness! I also consider this a type of pussy-flick...substituting "fashion" for "pussy"...but it carries the same watchable quality as pussy-flicks.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Meryl Streep Amanda Priestly Anne Hathaway Andrea Sachs Emily Blunt Emily Charlton Stanley Tucci Nigel Kipling Simon Baker Christian Thompson Adrian Grenier Nate Cooper Daniel Sunjata James Holt James Naughton Stephen
As always, just in case, here's the Wikipedia page on this film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by David Frankel.
Labels: dramedy1, emily-blunt, meryl-streep, popcorn-and-soda3, pussy-flick, women's-movie1
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thank You for Smoking
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I rented this, fell in love with it as the ultimate in political instruction and purchased a copy for myself as a reminder of what I'll be up against if I ever decide to enter into politics (which I may) and how to give as good as I get. Although this movie is, of course, a broad satire, it is also a case of a no holds barred portrayal of reality being the satire. It isn't that I haven't been aware that much of politics is froth...it's that this movie made me realize that one can't beat the influence of froth unless one understands it and, as well, is willing to occasionally decorate one's priorities with froth. And, no, Mom never watched it. I made the choice not to show it to her. I was concerned that the speaking was so fast and furious that she would get lost in the shuffle. I now think I may have underestimated her ability to understand the point of this movie, and enjoy it. Maybe I'll do better next life.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Aaron Eckhart Nick Naylor Cameron Bright Joey Naylor Katie Holmes Heather Holloway Maria Bello Polly Bailey David Koechner Bobby Jay Bliss William H. Macy Sen. Ortolan Finistirre Robert Duvall The Captain J. K. Simmons B. R. Kim Dickens Jill Naylor Rob Lowe Jeff Megall Sam Elliott Lorne Lutch Daniel Travis Brad
Since I linked to Roger Ebert's review up there in the title of this post, here's the Wikipedia article on the movie.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Jason Reitman.
Labels: me-favorite2, political3, popcorn-and-soda3, robert-duvall, satire1
State of the Union
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Ah! This movie is a buried gem! I knew nothing about it when I spotted it at Costco. The play from which it is adapted continues to be produced and, apparently, over the last few years, has been considered especially timely: check out this link for proof. I purchased it solely on the strength of it being yet another Tracy/Hepburn movie. When Mom and I enthusiastically cracked the case that afternoon and watched the movie, we were both blown away! Aside from the fact that I can't believe this movie isn't more well known, it's extremely timely. It talks about political and economic issues with which we are still struggling; it suggests the possibility of not only a European Union but a World Union with a World Currency; it discusses the problems of corporate industry and talks about the relationship between management and unions...and, of course, it deals heavily with political corruption by lobbyists and business. Its story line includes a sub-story which is a frank exploration of marriage versus mistresses and the "sacrifices" wives and husbands appear to be obliged to make when one of them becomes involved in politics. It is yet another one of Frank Capra's movies and is clearly identifiable as one. And, it was made in 1948!
Mom and I were both wowed by this movie and wondered why it isn't considered among the Tracy/Hepburn classics, or among Capra's classics. We watched it multiple times before Mom died. I've watched it a couple of times since.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Spencer Tracy Grant Matthews Katharine Hepburn Mary Matthews Van Johnson Spike McManus Adolphe Menjou Jim Conover Lewis Stone Sam Thorndyke Howard Smith Sam I. Parish Maidel Turner Lulubelle Alexander Margaret Hamilton Norah
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1948
Directed by Frank Capra.
Labels: drama6, frank-capra, katharine-hepburn, me-favorite2, political3, popcorn-and-soda3, presidential, spencer-tracy, tracy-hepburn
Singin' in the Rain
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I don't care why critics think it's a great movie...I just love it. Every single moment of it; especially the dancing and singing in the rain and the dance sequences with Reynolds, Kelly and O'Connor. LOVE watching O'Connor and Kelly together. They both looked like they just "[Had]'ta Dance"! Mom loved this movie, too. The only reason we didn't own it before last year is that it showed on TCM so much that it seemed as though we didn't need to own it...until I ran across a copy of it on the cheap and decided it was time. Also, I consider this movie film art because of the way dance was translated to the screen.
Roger Ebert, by the way, wrote twice about this movie, once in 1998 (the review linked to the title of this post) and again in 1999, for his "Great Movies" collection of reviews.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gene Kelly Donald Lockwood Debbie Reynolds Donald O'Connor Cosmo Brown Katy Selden Jean Hagen Lina Lamont Millard Mitchell R.F. Simpson Cyd Charisse Dancer Douglas Fowley Roscoe Dexter Rita Moreno Zelda Zanders
If you still feel the need for the Wikipedia article on this movie, it's here.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen.
Labels: comedy1, dance, debbie-reynolds, film-art1, musical1, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, shared-favorite
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: I resisted placing this movie in our collection for some years, even though Mom insisted on watching it every time it came on TV and, I have to admit, I love the dancing, especially the "athletic" (as one critic called it) sequence involving the testosterone soaked brothers against suitors of the town vying for the affections of seven sprightly town maidens. Finally, winter before this last, I found it at Costco and brought it home for a weekend surprise. We watched the movie twice in a row, at Mom's request (and have watched it several times since). I was fascinated to discover that my mother's favorite dance sequence was the one done in the dead of winter while the seven brothers are chopping wood and bemoaning their singular (pun intended) fate. As she would watch that sequence, every time, she'd mention how much she liked it, her body would weave to the adagio accompaniment of the silken cowboy ballad and she'd swing her arm in an arc from her elbow each time an axe swung to a down beat. She loved the rest of the movie, as well, the Sabine Women sequence, in particular, and I loved watching her watch it. I will continue to love watching it and remembering the her high pleasure in the production.
Update 5/18/2022: By the way, here's a YouTube video by coldcrashpictures in which he talks with his mom (for a long time) about why she likes this movie. I loved listening to it! It took me back ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Howard Keel Adam Pontipee Jane Powell Milly Pontipee Jeff Richards Benjamin Pontipee Julie Newmar Dorcas Gaylen Matt Mattox Caleb Pontipee Ruta Lee Ruth Jepson Marc Platt Daniel Pontipee Norma Doggett Martha Jacques d'Amboise Ephraim Pontipee Virginia Gibson Liza Tommy Rall Frank Pontipee Betty Carr Sarah Kine Russ Tamblyn Gideon Pontipee Nancy Kilgas Alice Elcott Ian Wolfe Reverend Elcott Howard Petrie Pete Perkins
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1954
Directed by Stanley Donen.
Labels: action1, dance, dramedy1, musical1, period3, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, shared-favorite, spectacle1
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Planet Earth
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Don't tell me you're suprised we purchased this series! Thank the gods, the version with David Attenborough narrating was available. Although we watched the series on TV when it aired on Discovery at the beginning of April (and immediately pre-ordered it), both of us had problems with Sigourney Weaver's narration. I didn't say anything until Mom spoke up and said, "That woman sounds like an old-time school marm! Couldn't they get someone better?!?"
Yes, they could and did.
Even if you're a veteran of animal and nature shows, as many Ancient Ones and their caregivers are, this series is a stunner. The addition of the three episode "Planet Earth-The Future" is oddly intriguing, since it involves interviews with died in the wool Greens and those who take issue with all the propositions included in the current global warming hysteria (yes, it is an hysteria, even if it turns out to be reliable), as a well as a smattering of people who are depressed by the realities inherent in trying to get humans to cooperate across the board in changing the ways we live on our planet.
I noticed that the script is, first, a little contradictory. In one place it mentions that glacial movement is the most devastating eroder of landscape. Then, in another episode, it states that moving water is. Granted, they both states of H2O, but their different states and properties have vastly different impacts upon the land. I vote for glacial movement. As well, I'm not sure how long this series was in development from the very beginning, but it inaccurately states, in the forest section, that a redwood is the largest living organism on Earth. A few years ago it was discovered that a mushroom was, in fact, the largest living organism. Truth is, we'll probably discover something that's even larger, one of these days.
Nonetheless, this series is a stunner. We watched it again tonight (which is last night, now). I know we'll watch it again. And again.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
The series was co-directed by Alastair Fothergill & Mark Linfield.
Labels: documentary1, film-art1, interview, mom-favorite1, political3, popcorn-and-soda3, science, sigourney-weaver, spectacle2, TV1
Cheers for Miss Bishop
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: We first saw this movie on TCM one evening about a month before I ordered it. Mom became so involved in it that she visibly cried at the end, and she doesn't cry easily. It's extremely idealistic.
My mother did become a teacher, of elementary school and in the military as a gunnery instructor (that's how she met my dad, he was one of her students). She did not, however, have any intention of becoming a spinster teacher. I can well imagine, though, her attitudes toward teaching and education were much the same as portrayed in this movie.
As well, I couldn't help but recall the line in Mona Lisa Smile in which the president of Wellesley, in 1953, states that higher education for women was unheard of a century ago. This movie accurately states that it was well heard of, which I already knew, anyway. Watching this movie in view of Mona Lisa Smile reminded me to be ever ready to reflect on the fact that, just as the 1950's clearly rewrote women's history according to its dictates for women, all history is rewritten, by era, according to what we want to see in it and get out of it. Made me wonder, too, as I have before, if this glitch in Mona Lisa Smile was intended or inadvertent. You'd think Julia Roberts' character, considering her championing of women's education, would have been aware of the presidents' blatantly incorrect reinterpretation of history and would have (mildly, probably) countered the president.
I found this movie so charming and so much fun as far as watching Mom watch it that first we rented it, then, when Mom yet again, sobbed at the end of the movie, I decided we had to have a copy. I ran across it in the A2ZCDS.com remastered version at my favorite local movie trade-in store and snatched it up. Not a good copy, though; not nearly as clear, visually or audibly, as the copy we saw on TV. I'm going to hunt for a better copy. I notice TCM has one on sale...hopefully, it will be the same as the one they broadcast. So, eventually this one will go back to where I purchased it; but not before I obtain a better copy of it. We've watched it twice since I've purchased it and I'm sure it will become one of our most watched movies.
TCM has two links for this film. The first, linked above in the title of this post, contains an interesting video of a bit of the history of the film that is run previous to broadcast. The second page contains links to two articles that have been written about the movie.
Update 1/17/21: Well, I've obtained yet another copy, yes, remastered, but it is about the same quality as the one above. I've scoured the internet, including the most likely place to find a good copy, TCM, but the best version they sell, like at other outlets, is not available. How strange. I suspect, considering how much my mother liked it and how I warmed to it, that this movie is popular. But, it remains hard to get a really good, pristine copy. I'll keep this one in my collection, this time, until I can obtain a good one. This version is watchable. It's just, well, dark and muddy around the edges.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Martha Scott Ella Bishop William Gargan Sam Peters Edmund Gwynn Professor Corcoran Sterling Holloway Chris Jensen Dorothy Peterson Mrs. Bishop Sidney Blackmer John Stevens Mary Anderson Amy Saunders Donald Douglas Delbert Thompson Marsha Hunt Hope Thompson John Archer Richard Clark Lois Ranson Gretchen Clark Rosemary De Camp Minna Fields
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1941
Directed by Tay Garnett.
Labels: drama7, mom-favorite1, period3, popcorn-and-soda3, teaching
Saturday, March 10, 2007
An Unfinished Life
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This movie surprised us both. I rented it on the strength of Lasse Hallström's, Morgan Freeman's and Robert Redford's participation, even though it's gotten little favorable press. While it's true that it's an example of Hallström's uneveness as a director, it's also true that it's a solid story solidly presented with so few stilted scenes that these are easily ignored. Mom refers to this movie as "the bear movie" and we've watched it several times. It's not hard for me to watch repeatedly, either. It has more than a few interesting, subtle moments that catch one's eye: the smile on Griff's face when she's driving the truck; Jean's handling of a couple of assholes in the restaurant in which she's waitressing; several of the scenes between Griff, Einar and Mitch. The bear, as well, is commanding. There is a priceless scene in which the bear is roaming a neighborhood and during one section of the scene a woman exits, sees the bear, and quickly reenters her home. It's a short, sweet, telling little scene of what it's like to live in bear territory.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Redford Einar Gilkyson Jennifer Lopez Jean Gilkyson Morgan Freeman Mitch Bradley Josh Lucas Sheriff Crane Curtis Lynda Boyd Kitty Damian Lewis Gary Winston Camryn Manheim Nina Becca Gardner Griff Gilkyson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Lasse Hallström.
Labels: animal, drama7, jennifer-lopez, mom-favorite1, morgan-freeman, popcorn-and-soda3, robert-redford
Friday, March 09, 2007
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I was surprised to see that I mentioned this movie in my journals, albeit some time ago. I'd forgotten about it until some cable channel showed it not too long ago, I clicked into it and Mom was not only thoroughly entertained by it but enjoyed the idea that time can collapse forward as well as backward. It's very dated, true, and the singing is not well woven into the movie, but Streisand's performance, especially as her re- and pre-incarnated personalities, is riveting. Jack Nicholson has a forgotten part in this movie, as well, which renders it fun to watch, simply because he participated in this movie long before he became known for his portrayals of ticklish, "Nicholsonian" characters.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Barbra Streisand Daisy Gamble/Lady Tentrees Yves Montand Marc Chabot Larry Blyden Warren Pratt Bob Newhart Dr. Mason Hume Simon Oakland Dr. Conrad Fuller John Richardson Sir Robert Tentrees Jack Nicholson Tad Pringle Mabel Albertson Mrs. Hatch
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1970
Directed by Vincente Minnelli.
Labels: barbra-streisand, coming-of-age1, dramedy1, fantasy2, jack-nicholson, period4, popcorn-and-soda3
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Yet another that is well covered in the one mention of it in the main journal. Can't think of much else to say except that Mom remains highly entertained by this movie...and, for all it's datedness and its pertinent faults which Roger Ebert points out meticulously in his excellent review (despite his perception of its faults, he still gave it four stars, although, thank the movie gods, he didn't assign it "Great Movie" status) so do I.
Update 5/19/2022: Should I be embarrassed to say the following, that I continue to watch this movie at least once a year? I do. It's another one of those movies that transports me to watching it with my mother, recalling her comments as she watches it, absorbing her enjoyment ... yes, another one of those. No, I'm not embarrassed, I've decided. Just grateful that I have such clear memories of Mom watching this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Spencer Tracy Matt Drayton Katharine Hepburn Christina Drayton Sidney Poitier Dr. John Wade Prentice Katharine Houghton Joanna Drayton Cecil Kellaway Monsignor Ryan Beah Richards Mary Prentice Roy E. Glenn Sr. Mr. John Prentice Sr. Isabel Sanford Tilly Virginia Christine Hilary St. George Alexandra Hay carhop Barbara Randolph Dorothy D'Urville Martin Frankie Tom Heaton Peter Grace Gaynor Judith Jacqueline Fontaine Cocktail Lounge Singer Skip Martin Delivery Boy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1967
Directed by Stanley Kramer.
Labels: drama8, historical3, katharine-hepburn, political3, popcorn-and-soda3, romance2, spencer-tracy, tracy-hepburn
One Night with the King
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is the story of the biblical Esther with additional drama and eye candy. Although some of it is authentic, much was added in order to attract an audience. I don't think it got very good reviews, but I've noticed, as well, that Costco has increased its stock of this movie in order to accommodate the high demand for it on DVD. I understand that demand. It is thoroughly involving and enjoyable to watch. John Rhys-Davies is commanding, as always, the portrayal of Esther is enjoyably whimsical, the King of Persia, which not particularly well acted, is played by a man who has a sufficiently exotic charisma, even the part of Haggai is noteworthy. It's fun, as well, to watch the cameos of Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif. It is full of eye candy, a rival to The Ten Commandments, at least in this respect, and the dramatic emphasis is satisfying. Although it is probably the least accurate of the movie bible portrayals that we own, I would have to say that it's one of my mother's favorites. At this writing we've probably viewed it four times, three at my mother's request, and we've had it only two weeks. Much to my ambivalent chagrin and delight, it's a winner in our household.
The only reliable and fair review I could find is, yes, a "Christian" review, for a "Christian" audience, but it is surprisingly fair and actual brings some critical skill to bear, noticing technical flaws that I didn't notice.
Update 8/2/21: Funny thing. As I was adding the director to this movie, I was reminded of my ambivalence about it, then, suddenly, I remembered when I saw and bought the movie at Costco, without having seen it.
There was a woman next to me at the DVD table (which Costco no longer has) picking up a copy and saying to me, "I just love this movie! Don't you just love this movie?"
I admitted that I hadn't yet seen it and was buying it because my mother enjoys bible movies.
"Oh," she gushed, "You'll both just love it!"
Weird that I even have that memory!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tiffany Dupont Hadassah/Esther Luke Goss Xerxes I of Persia John Rhys-Davies Mordecai Omar Sharif Prince Memucan Tommy Lister, Jr. Hegai Jonah Lotan Jesse John Noble Admatha James Callis Haman Peter O'Toole Prophet Samuel Denzil Smith Prince Carshena Jyoti Dogra Queen Vashti Tom Alter King Saul Aditya Bal King Agag Dilshad Patel Anna Nimrat Kaur Sarah Asif Basra Prince Marsena
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Michael O. Sajbel.
Labels: bible-movies1, mom-favorite1, popcorn-and-soda3, royals, spectacle2
Saturday, November 11, 2006
The Man Who Would Be King
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I didn't know about this movie version of Rudyard Kipling's story (which I read some time in late high school, I think, in a collection of short stories, and remained haunted by it) until te late 1970's when the sister of a good friend of mine told me of the movie, extolled it's virtues, told me it was her "favorite", that it was showing on television that night and persuaded me to watch it. I was enchanted. Not only did the half remembered story come back to me in full, the movie overshadowed the story, for me, so well is it done. It is a movie I've never forgotten. A few years after I came to live with Mom and we began renting movies, I scoured several video stores before I found it. Mom loved it, too. I've rented it since, a couple of times, so I was thrilled when I ran across a copy of it. I was determined to buy it, cheap or not, as long as it was letter-boxed, which it was.
The presentation is sparkling, but, being a very cheap version, the movie is cut in two; half on one side of the DVD, half on the other. This surprised us wen we watched it this afternoon. "I don't remember it having an intermission," I said.
"I couldn't tell you," responded Mom, "I don't believe I've ever seen this movie."
Good. I can get away with watching it a few more times before she becomes suspicious!
For the curious and uninformed, while looking for links about the movie I came across the original short story here.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sean Connery Daniel Dravot Michael Caine Peachy Carnehan Christopher Plummer Rudyard Kipling Saeed Jaffrey Billy Fish Shakira Caine Roxanne Doghmi Larbi Ootah Jack May District Commissioner Karroom Ben Bouih Kafu Salim
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1975
Directed by John Huston.
Labels: adventure3, christopher-plummer, drama8, haunting2, michael-caine, period4, popcorn-and-soda3, shared-favorite
