Monday, November 14, 2005
The Big Lebowski
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: What can I say? The Coen Brothers. Jeff Bridges. John Goodman. John Turturro. Steve Buscemi. The characterizations are over-the-top excellent. The humor is right up my alley. I can watch this one in whole or in part and never get tired of it. This is my definitive Up in Smoke movie.
In the Development section of the Wikipedia write-up, third paragraph down, there's a list of all the actors who were solicited for this film and turned it down. No snide remarks, here, just noting this and wondering, if any of them experienced, you know, regret, after the movie took off and became a literal classic.
I also want to mention The Nihilists, Peter Stormare, Torsten Voges, and Flea as Uli Kunkel/Karl Hungus, Franz, and Kieffer, as they are, depending on your outlook, key to the film, but I didn't have enough room above, so many were the actors who I thought deserved to be recognized for their performances in this film.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jeff Bridges Dude Jeffrey Lebowski John Goodman Walter Sobchak Julianne Moore Maud Lebowski Steve Buscemi Donny Kerabatsos David Huddleston Big Jeffrey Lebowski Philip Seymour Hoffman Brandt Tara Reid Bunny Lebowski John Turturro Jesus Quintana Sam Elliott The Stranger David Thewlis Knox Harrington Ben Gazzara Jackie Treehorn Jon Polito Da Fino
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Joel Cohen.
Labels: buddy, jeff-bridges, john-turturro, julianne-moore, me-favorite3, neo-noirA, popcorn-and-soda5, satire2, steve-buscemi
Crash
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I bought this movie sight unseen on MPNC's recommendation. I enjoyed watching it, am clear on why MPNC found it meaningful and will probably watch it again, although I don't consider it quite as "important" as its advance publicity made it out to be. What I do like is that it is a "show, don't tell" movie. The performances are sharp, I appreciated the characters' predicaments, and especially appreciated Shaun Toub as Farhad, a Persian shop owner. He tends to play hidden but significant roles and when I see him on the screen my attention heightens.
All in all, though, I think Spike Lee did it better in Do the Right Thing. This movie was clearly "Hollywood". As I watched it the first time, I imagined the scriptwriters sitting around a table saying to one another, "Okay, we need one of these, and one of those, and a few of these supportives, and ...", you know, referring to people of different gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds as though they were chess pieces. Like they were playing the game of relevance. Do the Right Thing did not give me this impression. This movie is a presentation. Do the Right Thing is a story. I prefer stories, unless I'm watching a documentary, and, even then ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sandra Bullock Jean Cabot Don Cheadle Det. Graham Waters Matt Dillon Sgt. John Ryan Jennifer Esposito Ria Brendan Fraser DA Rick Cabot Terrence Howard Cameron Thayer Ludacris Anthony Thandiwe Newton Christine Thayer Michael Peña Daniel Ruiz Ryan Phillippe Ofc. Tom Hansen Larenz Tate Peter Shaun Toub Farhad
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Paul Haggis.
Labels: dramaA, political4, popcorn-and-soda5
Sunday, October 09, 2005
The Women (1939) - The Joan Crawford Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This came as one of five in a Joan Crawford Collection (Click the part of the title that says "The Joan Crawford Collection" for a different summary and review). I've watched this movie three times, once, the first, on TCM. The link, by the way, will take you to TCM's "article links" page for their website, where you can access even more information on the movie.
Mom and I continue to be transfixed by this movie, especially the clothes and the in-color fashion sequence. Joan Crawford is a riot as the seductress. The opening credits alone are worth seeing over and over.
Update 9/23/21: I just want to mention, I remain, since Mom's death, a staunch fan of Joan Crawford and this movie. You might notice that I also have the remake of this movie, The Women - (2008). Although I enjoy Annette Bening's performance in it, I love Bette Midler as The Countess, I'm glad they included a lesbian and I salute the attempt not to pay fealty to the catch phrase on the cover of this version, "It's all about men!", still, the comedy isn't quite as heightened in the 2008 version and the showing of Mary Haine's clothing designs is kind of a letdown. During that scene it's hard not to be distracted by the thought, "Couldn't they have gotten a better designer for this movie?!?"
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Norma Shearer Mary Haines Joan Crawford Crystal Allen Rosalind Russell Sylvia Fowler Mary Boland The Countess De Lave Phyllis Povah Edith Potter Paulette Goddard Miriam Aarons Phyllis Povah Edith Potter Joan Fontaine Peggy Day Virginia Weidler Little Mary Haines Lucile Watson Mrs. Morehead Marjorie Main Lucy Dennie Moore Olga, the manicurist
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 1939
Directed by George Cukor.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, joan-crawford, marjorie-main, me-favorite3, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3, satire2, women's-movie1
Wimbledon
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This was a very pleasant little surprise of a movie. I figured we'd watch it once and trade it in but on the strength of the opening credits sequence alone, I'm keeping it, at least for a little while.
Update: 5/11/2022: I still have this movie in my collection, remember it every couple of years and watch it, yet again, with attention and pleasure. This surprises me because I thought I'd be donating it to my local library long before now. I think Roger Ebert expresses the appeal of this movie to me quite nicely (this quote is from the Wikipedia write-up of the film): "Wimbledon is a well-behaved movie about nice people who have good things happen to them. That's kind of startling, in a world where movie characters, especially in sports movies, occupy the edge of human experience. What a surprise to hear conversation instead of dialogue, and to realize that the villain may actually be right some of the time." That's right, Roger. And, for me, it still hasn't lost this charm. Plus, it's fun to see real-life tennis stars on film, and, there are some surprising bit part players in the film as well.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Bettany Peter Colt Kirsten Dunst Lizzie Bradbury Sam Neill Dennis Bradbury James McAvoy Carl Colt Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Dieter Prohl Jon Favreau Ron Roth John McEnroe Himself/Commentator Chris Evert Herself/Commentator
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Richard Loncraine.
Labels: dramaA, kirsten-dunst, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3, sport1
When Harry Met Sally
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom surprised herself by liking this film. She was especially taken with the interviews of older couples interspersed throughout the film talking about how they met years before they were interviewed.
Now maybe I can work up the courage to try Annie Hall on her.
On second thought, nah, I don't think so. They are completely different films. This film has a sheen of genuine sweetness that appeals to my mother and which Annie Hall does not contain.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Billy Crystal Harry Burns Meg Ryan Sally Albright Carrie Fisher Marie Bruno Kirby Jess
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1989
Directed by Rob Reiner.
Labels: comedy1, meg-ryan, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3
The Sting
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom's sister introduced both of us to this movie. Since knowing it was one of mom's sister's favorites it has become a favorite of Mom's although sometimes, now, it moves a little fast for her. I've always enjoyed this movie. It's like riding on a carousel.
Update 9/29/19: I know, I know. It may seem like I'm just looking for movies to include in my "gang-movie" category, but this movie is definitely a gang movie -- an "ad hoc" gang movie, with a muddled moral core (unusual for gang movies) that adds to its delightfulness.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Newman Henry Gondorff Robert Redford Johnny Hooker Robert Shaw Doyle Lonnegan Robert Earl Jones Luther Coleman Charles Durning Lt. William Snyder Ray Walston J.J. Singleton Eileen Brennan Billie Harold Gould Kid Twist Dana Elcar FBI Agent Polk Dimitra Arliss Loretta Salino Sally Kirkland Crystal Paulene Myers Alva Coleman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1973
Directed by George Roy Hill.
Labels: action3, adventure3, buddy, gang-movie, jean-favorite, mom-favorite2, mystery2, paul-newman, period5, popcorn-and-soda5, robert-redford
Pride and Prejudice - Colin Firth
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I've seen this three times; Mom's seen it twice. The first time we weren't using Closed Captioning and she found the English accents irritating. The second time around she thoroughly enjoyed it and we watched the entire series, six hours, I think, in one afternoon-evening marathon. This is my favorite video recreation of this story.
Update 8/16/21: I'm surprised I neglected to mention that this series was recommended to us by Mom's hairdressser, way back when, who enthused about it so much it was impossible for me not to acquire it, since the hairdresser finally gave Mom a copy of the series. I have never been sorry that she did!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jennifer Ehle Elizabeth Bennet Colin Firth Fitzwilliam Darcy Adrian Lukis George Wickham Alison Steadman Mrs. Bennet Benjamin Whitrow Mr. Bennet David Bamber William Collins Susannah Harker Jane Bennet Julia Sawalha Lydia Bennet Lucy Briers Mary Bennet Polly Maberly Catherine Bennet Lucy Briers Mary Bennet Emilia Fox Georgiana Darcy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Simon Langton.
Labels: colin-firth, period5, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3, shared-favorite
Don Juan DeMarco
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm truly surprised I've never mentioned this film in the journal. Since I saw it in the theater I've rented it for both of us to watch. We are both always delighted with it.
My mother consistently snorts her ironic disapproval during the scenes in which DeMarco talks about women. At one point, the first time she saw it, she rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, brother!" By the end, though, she is always won over. This is one of those movies that makes me wonder which I enjoy more; watching the movie or watching my mother watch the movie.
It is important to note (as I did in the table below) that Selena, yes, that Selena, appears briefly in this movie. It seems this was her only film appearance. It was noted in her Wikipedia write-up, to which I've linked in the table, below.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Marlon Brando Dr. Jack Mickler/Don Octavio de Flores Johnny Depp John Arnold DeMarco/Don Juan Faye Dunaway Marilyn Mickler Géraldine Pailhas Doña Ana Bob Dishy Dr. Paul Showalter Franc Luz Don Antonio Rachel Ticotin Doña Inez Selena Pérez Ranchera Singer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Jeremy Leven.
Labels: dramedy2, faye-dunaway, marlon-brando, me-favorite3, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3
Dead Again
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out strictly on the strength of my familiarity with Derek Jacobi, Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. What a romp! I fell in love with all of it: The story, the presentation, the delightful performance by Andy Garcia, the suspense, there isn't an aspect of it I don't love. I've rented it and shown it to Mom a couple of times. She is always entranced. Thus, I ended up adding it to our movie collection.
It was this movie, in fact, the watching of which brought out the police on one of two noise ordinance complaints. [The other complaint was during an evening Mary Tyler Moore marathon.] It is worth it. Both times.
Update 5/12/2022: The truth? I recently viewed (and enjoyed) this film again (I think it was the fourth or fifth viewing in my life). Yes, it's fun, very involving, and I have a special fondness for remembering my watching of it with Mom. It also got largely great reviews. But, you know what? When I watched it again recently, I was suddenly struck by the fact that I think it's an elaborate vanity project. I mean, the overwhelming (both in number and reputation) cast? The almost unbearable number of twists and turns? The hint, no, more than a hint, of overwrought acting? But, you know, it's tasty. Very tasty. And, if you ever want to call the police to your house ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kenneth Branagh Mike Church/Roman Strauss Emma Thompson Grace/Amanda Sharp/Margaret Strauss Andy García Gray Baker Derek Jacobi Franklyn Madson Wayne Knight Pete Dugan Robin Williams Dr. Cozy Carlisle Hanna Schygulla Inga Campbell Scott Doug
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Labels: andy-garcía, derek-jacobi, emma-thompson, me-favorite3, mystery2, neo-noirA, popcorn-and-soda5, robin-williams
Big
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom has to be in the right mood for this movie. As a former elementary school teacher she is all too aware of how children long to be adults and that the truth of the matter is that adults may long to be younger adults, but they don't long to be children. Ever.
Despite my mother's discomfort, and disagreement, with this film, watching it always puts me in the right mood, but, then, I was never a teacher, formally, and never had kids, on purpose. Penny Marshall is a sentimental genius.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Hanks Joshua Baskin David Moscow Young Josh Elizabeth Perkins Susan Lawrence Robert Loggia Mr. MacMillan John Heard Paul Davenport Jared Rushton Billy Francis Kopecki Jon Lovitz Scotty Brennen Mercedes Ruehl Mrs. Baskin
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988
Directed by Penny Marshall.
Labels: comedy2, coming-of-age2, fantasy3, female-director1, john-heard, popcorn-and-soda5, tom-hanks
Beyond the Sea
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I bought this sight unseen based on television previews. Although I don't have a fascination with Bobby Darin, I do have a fascination with the song of the movie title and I love watching Kevin Spacey do a tour de force. Mom enjoyed the fairy tale quality of the story, was pleasantly surprised at the constant introduction of the kid, but thought that the nasty marriage backstory could have been dumped. I thought Kate Bosworth was amazing as Sandra Dee. My only complaint has to do with aesthetics. I remember when Sandra Dee was a star. I wasn't in the age group that revered her, I was a little too young, but my older sister was, and bought the magazines that featured her and such celebrities as Bobby Darin, Troy Donahue, the Nelson brothers, etc. I also have an acute memory of style from that period, because I hated it so. In this movie, Kate Bosworth's hair is softly tousled, à la some decades later. Her clothes are are swishy and loose fitting, considering the style. Her make-up was airy and light. Let me tell you, Sandra Dee's hair was fashioned and sprayed into tightly coiffed helmet, even when it was long and appeared to be "flowing". There was no tousling about it. Her bodices were tight and she appeared to be corseted underneath. Her breasts were encased in the padded cones that were so popular in that era. Her make-up was thick and obvious, as befitted the fashion of the times. It was, specifically, the fashion that encased Sandra Dee and her female peers against which my peer rebelled. My guess is that the movie wouldn't have been as big a hit if the costuming and make-up departments had gotten it absolutely right. I'm sure, in fact, that they were aware of what they were rejecting. The standard of glamour in those days looks silly and pretentious, now. But, yes, that was Sandra Dee's standard of glamour.
This movie is not easy to watch. It's hard to forget that Darin died at the age of 37 and Spacey is older than that as he plays Darin. He also does an amazing job as Bobby Darin but, as I watch the movie, I keep wondering why, why does it exist? A special feature, of course, explains that Spacey has been possessed by the spirit of Darin for a long time. This may be true, but, in that case, it seems as though a better movie could have been made if the making of it hadn't been rushed. Not that I have any information that tells me it was. It just seems to have been. And, yet, I'm a little possessed by the spirit in Darin's singing, at least, too. I have mp3 copies of a couple of his songs, including the one after which this movie was named and "Mack the Knife". Darin's is my all time favorite rendition of this song. I never really liked night club singing much, was never a fan of Sinatra, Martin, Davis Jr., Martino, any of those singers or, later, the Michael Bublé/Harry Connick, Jr. crowd. But, for a lot of complicated reasons, I don't consider watching this movie a waste of time. I even got rid of it, once, then bought it, again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Spacey Bobby Darin William Ullrich Young Bobby Kate Bosworth Sandra Dee Bob Hoskins Charlie Maffia John Goodman Stephen Blauner Brenda Blethyn Polly Cassotto Caroline Aaron Nina Cassotto Maffia Greta Scacchi Mary Douvan
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Kevin Spacey.
Labels: biography2, musical2, popcorn-and-soda5
Baby Boom
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: We both adore this movie. I've rented it a couple of times, so finally decided it was time to buy it. Mom has an attraction to movies about people who aren't prepared to handle babies but have to, anyway. I don't like babies, particularly, but I do like stories of inventive entrepreneurship under impossible circumstances and I like Diane Keaton.
It's interesting for me to note, as well, that this movie scored two write-ups on RogerEbert.com. The first is linked to the title of this post. The other is significant as a 30th anniversary celebration of this movie here, written by Joyce Kulhawik.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Diane Keaton J.C. Wiatt Sam Shepard Dr. Jeff Cooper Harold Ramis Steven Buchner Kristina & Michelle Kennedy Elizabeth Alice Wiatt Sam Wanamaker Fritz Curtis James Spader Ken Arrenberg Pat Hingle Hughes Larrabee Chris Noth Yuppie Husband Linda Ellerbee Narrator Britt Leach Verne Boone Annie Golden A Nanny Victoria Jackson Eve
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 1987
Directed by Charles Shyer.
Labels: comedy2, diane-keaton, james-spader, pat-hingle, popcorn-and-soda5, sam-shepard, shared-favorite
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Postcards from the Edge
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This movie is one of four "Meryl Streep" movies I deliberately bought in a set, the other three being: Adaptation, Kramer vs. Kramer and Dancing at Lughnasa. It does not contain one of my favorites, Sophie's Choice, but that'll come later. My favorite part of this movie is the Country & Western video at the end, but there are many aspects of this film I enjoy, including the chemistry between Meryl Streep and Shirley MacClaine.
This movie is distinguished in that it is the only movie I've ever watched with the commentary overdub. I felt compelled to do this, considering the stature of the mother-daughter-actor duo Street and McClaine were playing. It was worth it. I would recommend listening to the overdub (during a second watching ... please, don't spoil your first watching with it) to anyone who enjoys this movie, and I say that knowing that this movie likely has a somewhat specialized audience.
BTW, the reason I included so many actors in the table, below, is because it seems that everybody and their dogs insisted on being in this movie. It's quite astonishing, considering the low profile of its release, and subsequent viewings. I think this whole movie, and the book upon which it is based by the way, can legitimately be considered a vanity project of high order. It's like, "It's about HOLLYWOOD, Guyzzzz ...", so everyone jumped on board for a piece of the action. And, they found a role for everyone!
Turns out it was, much to my surprise after I watched it, a critical coup. Yeah, it was a fun movie, but nowhere near deserving of the praise and the push it received. To quote one of Roger Ebert's comments on the movie (cited the the Wikipedia post about this movie), "...its heart is not in the right place."
Update 8/16/21: Weird, that I've never obtained a copy of Sophie's Choice. I just checked prices and it seems everybody who has it for sale is selling it at a whopping high price, or, it's unavailable. I think I never really wanted it, anyway, even though I remember enjoying my one watching of it and marveling at Meryl Streep's and Kevin Kline's performances. If I ever really want to see it, I'm sure my library probably has several copies of it. But, I probably won't seek it out. Not sure why, but, there you have it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Meryl Streep Suzanne Vale Shirley MacLaine Doris Mann Dennis Quaid Jack Faulkner Gene Hackman Lowell Kolchek Richard Dreyfuss Dr. Frankenthal Rob Reiner Joe Pierce Annette Bening Evelyn Ames Simon Callow Simon Asquith Gary Morton Marty Wiener Mary Wickes Grandma Conrad Bain Grandpa Oliver Platt Neil Bleene C. C. H. Pounder Julie Marsden Anthony Heald George Lazan Dana Ivey Wardrobe Mistress Michael Ontkean Robert Munch
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Mike Nichols.
Labels: annette-bening, biography2, meryl-streep, popcorn-and-soda5, richard-dreyfuss, satire2, shirley-maclaine
Mary Poppins
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: This movie has obsessed me since it was first advertised when I was a nascent teenager. For some reason, I hyped the possible experience up in my mind to the place where I found the movie disappointing and was embarrassed (in the way young teens are) that I liked the movie. But, the summer of the year we (my sisters and I as a group) saw it, we also spent that summer on vacation singing all the songs from the movie, working out harmonies, etc. My decision to buy the movie was of the gut and immediate when I noticed the commercial, last year, for the "limited release" of an edition of this movie. I snapped it up and I'm glad I did. We've watched it maybe four times since then, and sing our way through the movie when we view it. During one viewing I made a savory stew and it was as though The Spirit of Mary Poppins inhabited our house. And, I'm no longer embarrassed to admit this! So there!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julie Andrews Mary Poppins Dick Van Dyke Bert & Mr. Dawes Sr. David Tomlinson George Banks Glynis Johns Winifred Banks Karen Dotrice Jane Banks Matthew Garber Michael Banks Ed Wynn Uncle Albert Hermione Baddeley maid
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Robert Stevenson.
Labels: julie-andrews, kids, mom-favorite2, musical2, period5, popcorn-and-soda5
The Straight Story
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: Another absolute favorite. I discovered this movie playing on one of the independent film channels. The entire movie is perfectly luscious, including the music, and the photography. The acting is superb. It should be a Required Viewing film for anyone who cares for an Ancient One.
The first time I viewed this film, I bought it lock stock and barrel. The second time, I was a little uneasy with what hit me as mawkishness in the act featuring the pregnant runaway and some of the Twin Brothers episode. On the third viewing, though, I was fine with everything. Ancient Ones are often mawkish. Sometimes thoughtfulness leads to a kind of mawkishness.
My mother always identifies with the spirit of Alvin Straight, and loves the fact that this man was (and remains in character) an Iowan.
It's funny, too, because I have an astute movie lover friend who absolutely hates this movie, thinks it's the most boring film he's ever seen. I guess you have to be an Iowan to appreciate it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Farnsworth Alvin Straight Sissy Spacek Rose Straight Harry Dean Stanton Lyle Straight Jane Galloway Heitz Dorothy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1999
Directed by David Lynch.
Labels: adventure4, biography2, dramaB, harry-dean-stanton, haunting2, popcorn-and-soda5, shared-favorite, sissy-spacek
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
The Life of Emile Zola
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: My mother has no memory of this movie, although it was she who recommended it to me, back in the days when I was reading obscure fictional 'biographies' like Mika Waltari's The Egyptian. I had to haunt art movie theaters for it and was magnetized by Muni's performance in parts of this movie, much as I was by Robert De Niro's stirring scene in Once Upon a Time in America.
I got the thing on sale, ridiculous price. I think it was the only copy. Otherwise, I would not thought to have purchased it. It's been quite a while, since before I went to Seattle, that I've seen the movie, so it exists larger than movie-life for me. It'll be interesting to see it again. As I recall, the movie has an irresistable, old-timey, gee-whiz quality about it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Muni Émile Zola Gloria Holden Alexandrine Zola Gale Sondergaard Lucie Dreyfus Joseph Schildkraut Donald Crisp
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1937
Directed by William Dieterle.
Labels: biography2, political4, popcorn-and-soda5
Driving Miss Daisy
- Who's watched: M & G, both more than many times
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6*
- Commentary: That's right, we've finally got it, watched it the same day I purchased it for us, and enjoyed it, once again, as though we only vaguely remembered it.
Update 5/2/2022: It's hard for me, nowadays, to say enough about this movie. The portrayal of older people, "Ancient Ones", as I call them, is quite on point, as individuals and as members of a group. The astonishment of the children at the desires, whims and behaviors of their parents and older people, in general, well, I became so familiar with this when members of my family visited my mother and I (rarely, I might add). It was hard, sometimes impossible, for them to think of us and treat us as other than "old relative" and "caregiver"; as, companions, for instance, or people who simply enjoyed each other's company and had a good time doing it. This movie, in very subtle ways, addresses these concerns. It doesn't display ingenious solutions, it just illustrates and leaves it be.
The background music for the film sometimes gets to me. It apes my relatives' attitudes, more than the experiences of Hoke and Miss Daisy.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Morgan Freeman Hoke Colburn Jessica Tandy Daisy Werthan Dan Ackroyd Boolie Werthan Patti LuPone Florine Werthan Esther Rolle Idella Joann Havrilla Miss McClatchey William Hall Jr. Oscar Crystal R. Fox Katey Bell
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1989
Directed by Bruce Beresford.
Labels: caregiver, dramaB, morgan-freeman, period5, popcorn-and-soda5, shared-favorite, teaching
Sunday, February 13, 2005
What Dreams May Come
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This movie was recommended to me by another customer looking for movies as Valentine's Day gifts. She and I explained to one another what we were looking for. I had a list...she did not. But, she suggested this movie, and another, which I'm going to return as, after I came home I remembered Mom and I had 'tried' the movie on cable and couldn't get into it. Not even with Gena Rowlands, who we'll usually watch in anything.
Anyway, I remember being suspicious of this movie when it first came out, around the time that John Edwards became very popular. Not that I didn't find him fascinating, too, for awhile, and my mother was hooked on his shows, but, for some reason that I can't remember, I dismissed the movie without seeing it.
So, neither of us has seen it, it should be interesting, and I don't know if we'll be keeping it or passing it on to someone else.
Update 2/14/05: We watched this movie last night. We both found the special effects fascinating, although we made the mistake of watching the movie mid-late afternoon and we definitely have a sun and glare problem in our living/dining area.
Mom had trouble keeping in her head that most of the movie was taking place in "heaven" and most of the people were dead. First, too, when she oriented herself, she thought Cuba Gooding, Jr. was god, then Max von Sydow (who played Jesus in one of her beloved Bible Movies). She also noticed that Robin Williams mugs his way through the emotional scenes in serious pictures. I'd never noticed this, but she's right. He does. He has an "emotional scenes mask" that is clearly detectable. I remember it, some, from a very obscure picture he made: Being Human; less so, interestingly, in Good Morning, Vietnam.
She also has her own very specific and very liberal ideas of "heaven"; some of which dovetail with some of the ideas in the movie...some of which don't.
I found the theology/spirituality interesting, considering that it is being put forth before the public (which wasn't all that risky in 1998; I don't think this is why the movie didn't do all that well), but not as daring as my own. Truth is, I'm not sure whether we'll watch this one again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robin Williams Dr. Chris Nielsen Cuba Gooding Jr. Albert Lewis/Ian Nielsen Annabella Sciorra Annie Collins-Nielsen Max von Sydow The Tracker/Albert Lewis
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Vincent Ward.
Labels: dramaB, fantasy3, max-von-sydow, popcorn-and-soda5, pseudo-cgi-animation, robin-williams, romance3, spiritual2
Working Girl
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of our feel good movies. Neither of us ever tires of watching this movie, so, when I noticed it on sale, I figured it would be a good addition.
Yes, both Mom and I find this particular "working girl" a little too good to be true; not "good" in the ethical sense, but, I mean, what were we told working women should want in the late 80's? To be successful, which this working girl becomes, smart, which she certainly is, and beautiful, which she is, as well. All layered over with a veil (and only a veil) of innocence. Mom's comment? "Nice, if you can get it." She's a lifelong "working girl". I'm a lifelong "working girl". All my sisters (I have only sisters) are lifelong "working girls". And, honey, let me tell you, not one of us thinks, sounds or looks like Tess McGill, and don't ever expect to. And, by the way, none of us has ever known a boss like Katharine Parker.
Nonetheless, it's a fun movie to watch, especially with Alec Baldwin before he became Alec Baldwin. There are, in fact, quite a few actors in this movie that weren't yet famous. In addition, Sigourney Weaver is brilliant in it.
And, anyway, we both enjoy the song.
In 2018, 30 years after Roger Ebert reviewed this movie, three of the female writers for the site gathered to ponder the issues the movie highlighted. Here is that conversation.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Name Role Name Actor Name Role Name Actor Name Role Name Actor Name Role Name Melanie Griffith Tess McGill Harrison Ford Jack Trainer Sigourney Weaver Katharine Parker Alec Baldwin Mick Dugan Joan Cusack Cynthia Philip Bosco Oren Trask Kevin Spacey Bob Speck Olympia Dukakis personnel director Nora Dunn Ginny Amy Aquino Alice Baxter Oliver Platt Lutz Zach Grenier Jim
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988
Directed by Mike Nichols.
Labels: dramedy2, harrison-ford, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3, sigourney-weaver
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
The Spencer Tracy Legacy
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Both my mother and I found Kathryn Hepburn's participation in this project especially revealing, and the letter she wrote to "Spence" after his death especially touching.
Please note, in order to access the article linked to the title of this post you will have to click into TCM's title link. It seems impossible to directly link to articles on TCM's website.
The top image, by the way, is a copy of the cover of the collection. The second image is of the cover of the individual dvd.
As of 8/17/21, there is no Wikipedia write-up for this documentary.
Release Date: 1986
This video is a part of the Tracy & Hepburn The Signature Collection.
Labels: biography2, documentary1, popcorn-and-soda5, spencer-tracy, tracy-hepburn
