Movies, Mom & Me

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Cate Blanchett	Mary Mapes	Robert Redford	Dan Rather	Topher Grace	Mike Smith	Dennis Quaid	Col. Roger Charles
  Elizabeth Moss	Lucy Scott	Bruce Greenwood	David Heyward	David Lyons	Josh Howard	Mark Wrolstad	John Benjamin Hickey
  Stacy Keach	Bill Burkett	Dermot Mulroney	Lawrence Lanpher	William Devane	Gen. Robert Hodges	Connor Burke	Robert Mapes

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2015
    Directed by James Vanderbilt.

Labels: biography3, cate-blanchett, journalism, political6, robert-redford

# posted by gail @ 11:37    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Yes, I know, a lot of people consider this a pedestrian movie. Many critics who initially reviewed it chose to snipe at it even when granting the occasional kudo for this or that aspect. Frankly, I decided to obtain this movie because every time I watch the Sex and the City episode (season 2, episode 18, Ex in the City in case you're ever curious, too) in which "the girls" compare Carrie's relationship with Big to this movie and, subsequently, Carrie quotes the line from The Way We Were, "Your girl is lovely, Hubbell", in a chance meeting with Big at the end, I always wonder, hmmm, maybe I should watch that! I have checked it out from the library at least a couple of times, including before my mom died. She loved Sex in the City [her favorite character was Samantha Jones (I know, sounds crazy, but my mom was calm, cool and collected and adventurous in many of the same ways Samantha Jones is)] and was curious about this movie, too. I don't remember her reaction to it, though, so it must have been underwhelming. And, actually, I never remember my own reaction to it. So, I decided, since this movie continues to cross my mind every time I watch that Sex and the City episode and I suddenly, again, have a desire to watch it, I should add it to my collection.
    By the way, although most critics were nit-pickety harsh, not all of them were. All three of the Three Movie Buffs (all of whom are men) thoughtfully gave this movie high praise. I've attached a link to their reviews to the link for this movie just before the infamous Carrie quote. All three opinions are an enlightening read, especially if you've ever felt conflicted about this movie.
  Rewatched 3/5/22  As I rewatched this movie, I had in the back of my mind that I might, once again, eliminate it from my collection. I've decided to continue to keep it.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Barbra Streisand	Katy Morosky	Robert Redford	Hubbell Gardiner	Bradford Dillman	J. J.	Lois Chiles	Carol Ann
  Patrick O'Neal	George Bissinger	Viveca Lindfors	Paula Reisner	Herb Edelman	Bill Verso	James Woods	Frankie McVeigh

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1973
    Directed by Stanley Pollack.

Labels: barbra-streisand, dramaE, james-woods, political5, robert-redford, romance5

# posted by gail @ 14:31    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  A couple of years ago my old DVD/VHS player died. I bought a new player, a DVD/BLU-RAY model, on a promotion special that paired it with a random Blu-Ray movie. This is the movie I got. Yes, I watched it. I'm not generally a fan of war movies, although I have a (very) few favorites, most of which, I think, I already own. This is not a movie I would have either sought out or bought. I can't recommend it because I'm not a fan of war movies. I imagine it's okay. I don't really know. I've not watched it again and it remains in my collection only because I forget that it's there. I'm even instituting a new category for this movie: forgotten-movies.
  Update 2/6/18:  So, I'm cleaning up this website, adding and changing links, and I noted that I had not linked the title of this movie to any kind of explanation. I hopped over to Wikipedia and began reading about the film. The write-up, especially the history of it, was so interesting that I've decided I should watch this again from a renewed perspective. Perhaps I'll have more to say about it, once I've re-viewed (yes, the dash is intentional) it.
  Update 11/17/2021:  This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Dirk Bogarde	Lt-Gen. Frederick Browning	Edward Fox	Lt-Gen. Brian Horrocks	Donald Douglas	Brig. Gerald Lathbury	Michael Caine	Lt-Col. J.O.E. Vandeleur
  Anthony Hopkins	Lt-Col. John Frost	Ben Cross	Trooper Binns	Paul Maxwell	Maj. Gen. Maxwell Taylor	Ryan O'Neal	Brig. Gen. James Gavin
  Elliott Gould	Col. Robert Stout	Arthur Hill	US Army Surgeon Colonel	Robert Redford	Maj. Julian Cook	John Ratzenberger	Lt. Wall
  James Caan	Stf. Sgt. Eddie Dohun	Gene Hackman	Mjr. Gen. Stanisław Sosabowski	Wolfgang Preiss	Gen-fd-mrsch. Gerd von Rundstedt	Maximilian Schell	Gen. der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Bittrich
  Laurence Olivier	Dr. Jan Spaander	Liv Ullmann	Kate ter Horst	Richard Attenborough	Lunatic Wearing Glasses	Erik Chitty	Organist

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1977
    Directed by Richard Attenborough.

Labels: action1, adventure3, anthony-hopkins, drama6, forgotten-movies, historical2, michael-caine, period2, robert-redford, war1

# posted by gail @ 22:04    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  I can't believe it's taken me this long, and this movie, in particular, to initiate the label category "spy". Clearly, I have other "spy" movies, the Jason Bourne movies coming most immediately to mind. Didn't occur to me, though, back then, to create a "spy" category. Let's see, I'm thinking Hanna, too, and, well, I'm sure, more.
    In fact, although I have some spy movies, I'm not really a spy movie aficionado. There are, for instance, so many James Bond movies I haven't seen that, frankly, I can't remember the ones I have seen.
    I'm not much of a Robert Redford fan, either. I own some movies in which he stars or is a member of a celebrated ensemble cast (i.e. The Sting), but my curiosity about any movie isn't piqued because he happens to be in it. I think, in fact, that I've seen (and probably own) more movies that he's produced and/or directed than those in which he's acted.
    That being said, I really enjoy this movie. It's my kind of spy movie: You know but you just don't know; you never know; too bad for you; now what're you gonna do?!?
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Robert Redford	Joseph Turner	Faye Dunaway	Kathy Hale	Cliff Robertson	Higgins	Max von Sydow	Joubert
  John Houseman	Wabash	Addison Powell	Leonard Atwood	Walter McGinn	Sam Barber	Tina Chen	Janice Chong

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
    Release Date: 1975
    Directed by Sydney Pollack.

Labels: adventure2, detective1, drama2, faye-dunaway, max-von-sydow, political1, robert-redford, spy, suspense1, thriller1

# posted by gail @ 12:42    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  none
• 
  Commentary:  I picked this up on a whim. The memory of Mary Tyler Moore's performance in this movie haunted me for years. Stunning. When I stumbled upon a copy on the cheap I decided to purchase it. Mom didn't remember having seen it; perhaps she didn't; but she enjoyed it as a family tragedy that "works out in the end". Mainly, my interest is in MTMs performance, the story doesn't interest me, much, but her performance, I could watch certain scenes over and over again. And I have. And I will.
    Chris Vognar at RogerEbert.com also weighed in on how seeing this movie when he was young affected him.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Donald Sutherland	Calvin Jarrett	Mary Tyler Moore	Beth Jarrett	Timothy Hutton	Conrad Jarrett	Judd Hirsch	Dr. Tyrone C. Berger
  Elizabeth McGovern	Jeannine Pratt	M. Emmet Walsh	Coach Salan	Dinah Manoff	Karen Aldrich	Fredric Lehne	Joe Lazenby
  James Sikking	Ray Hanley	Elizabeth Hubbard	Ruth	Scott Doebler	Jordan Jarrett	Adam Baldwin	Kevin Stillman

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1980
    Directed by Robert Redford (directorial debut).

Labels: donald-sutherland, drama7, robert-redford

# posted by gail @ 14:26    0 comments    email......this post

• 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

# posted by gail @ 00:41    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  We've seen this one before, possibly more than once, because it's so good, but of the two repeats, we decided on this one.
    Robert Redford is a charmer about whom it can be said, "He's not just cute, he's got brains [and lots else], too." It is fun to rediscover this through this interview. Another thing that always surprises me about this interview is to rediscover that he talks like a graphic artist, even an architect. Good interview. If you get a chance, catch it.
    This video is part of the Icons Collection.
    Interviewer:  James Lipton
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this actor.
    Release Date: 2005
    Directed by Jeff Wurtz.

Labels: interview, robert-redford, TV1

# posted by gail @ 12:29    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  This was the other movie I ordered for Mom's birthday. Truth is, I could only vaguely remember whether she had a marked interest in it. As it turns out, she did. When I cued it, she remembered, almost immediately, having seen it.
    "Oh," I said, "I hope it isn't one of those movies you only wanted to see once."
    "Oh, no," she replied, "I think I remember liking this movie."
    She loved it, maybe even more than How the West Was Won. We saw the movies back to back and she even mentioned, regarding the portrayals of Native Americans, "Yes, now this seems more realistic."
    Since I'd never watched the entire movie, I settled down and was surprised, pleased and inspired. "Well, Mom, that's what I'd like to do, figure out how to be completely self-sufficient, in landscape similar to that."
    She looked at me approvingly. "I know what you mean," she said. "So would I. Even with all the problems and difficulties."
    I know we'll be watching this one again...probably every time I have multiple Abandoning Fantasies.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Robert Redford	Jeremiah Johnson	Will Geer	Bear Claw Chris Lapp	Stefan Gierasch	Del Gue	Delle Bolton	Swan
  Josh Albee	Caleb	Joaquín Martínez	Paints His Shirt Red	Allyn Ann McLerie	Crazy Woman	Paul Benedict	Reverend Lindquist
  Jack Colvin	Lt. Mulvey	Matt Clark	Qualen	Richard Angarola	Chief Two-Tongues Lebeaux	Charles Tyner	Robidoux

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1972
    Directed by Sydney Pollack.

Labels: adventure3, biography1, period4, revenge1, revisionist-western, robert-redford

# posted by gail @ 13:20    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  Both Mom and I are late comers to this movie. The first time either of us saw it, believe it or not, was the day I purchased it a month or so ago. All I knew about the movie was that it is an enormously popular chick flick and I intrigued by it's mention in a Sex and the City episode. Both of us were pleasantly surprised, especially with the political exploration of the era in which the movie took place. Excellent contemporary period piece.
    Quick note: I also remember putting it in my "take-to-the-library" box, without hesitation. I was sure I'd never watch it again, once Mom died.
    And, yet, I sometimes yearn to watch this movie, usually because I've watched the episode of Sex and the City - Ex and the City (Season 2 - Episode 18) in which the movie is mentioned, its theme is partially sung by the four friends and Carrie quotes a line from the movie when confronting Mr. Big in connection to him being engaged to Natasha (I know, scary how much I've absorbed of this show), but not enough to ever buy it. In fact, just now, I checked it out on Amazon and, despite a reasonable price, decided, nah, not today, anyway. Maybe, if it were around $5.00 (it was $11.99 on 7/31/21 and there is some confusion as to whether this particular edition is even playable in the U.S.), but, I don't know. Maybe some other day. Maybe not.
    Ah. Well. I cleared up the region code issue, and the only edition that will play in my region is the blu-ray edition, which costs around $25.00. Also, I checked on Barnes & Noble. Their DVD was only $9.99, but shipping was $4.99 and, of course, there's tax. Turns out, too, that my local library has 9 copies, none checked out (kind of reminds me why I got rid of it in the first place), and my closest branch has one on the shelf (probably the one I donated to them). So, buying it? No thanks.
    Directed by Sydney Pollack.
  Update 11/18/21:  I finally repurchased this movie, new, at a good price. Forgetting that I had already written it up, I wrote it up again. You can access that write-up in the list to the left, referred to as The Way We Were - 2. That post is where I attached the Actor/Role list, as well.

Labels: dramaA, james-woods, political4, robert-redford, romance3

# posted by gail @ 02:31    0 comments    email......this post

• 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

# posted by gail @ 02:29    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  This one was a "freebie" with another movie, I can't remember which one. With Willem Dafoe, Helen Mirren and Robert Redford I thought this would be an interesting little piece. It wasn't quite as interesting as I thought, although I always enjoy watching all these actors. Mom hasn't watched it. I'll probably forget to mention it to her.
  Update 8/11/21:  No, I didn't keep this film. I didn't completely dislike it. I just realized, when it came time to cull my collection, I hadn't watched it more than once and probably wouldn't. So, I gave it to the library. If I decide I want to watch it, again, it's there for me. My library system, as it turns out, has four copies.
  Update 10/19/24:  I know. Bizarrely, I re-added this movie to my collection. Truth is, I've never forgotten it and when I find myself ruminating on it, I find myself wondering about this character quirk or that plot point or an idea in the movie's philosophy. In fact, just a few hours ago I was watching a movie essay in which this film was featured. Since I didn't remember exactly what the reviewer was talking about, and since the movie is extraordinarily cheap, now, I decided, what the hell, I'm placing another order, why not include this movie.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Robert Redford	Wayne Hayes	Helen Mirren	Eileen Hayes	Willem Dafoe	Arnold Mack	Alessandro Nivola	Tim Hayes

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2004
    Directed by Pieter Jan Brugge.

Labels: action3, dramaB, helen-mirren, robert-redford, willem-dafoe

# posted by gail @ 20:32    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  Although it has a lot of high-recognition actors playing parts in it (check out the Actor/Role table, below), this movie was one of those that was better in the remembering than in the re-viewing of it. Even my mother thought so, and she's only seen it once.
    It strikes me as a vanity project, which is why I passed it on to our local library. I haven't had the urge to check it out since I gleaned it from my collection. The wikipedia article on this film, linked below, records some pretty surprising dissension among critics, and, yet, apparently audiences liked it. Well, not this audience.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Robert Redford	Bishop/Bruce	Ben Kingsley	Cosmo	Sidney Poitier	Donald Crease	David Strathairn	Irwin Emery
  Dan Aykroyd	Darren Roskow	River Phoenix	Carl Arbogast	Mary McDonnell	Liz Ogilvy	James Earl Jones	Bernard Abbott

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1992
    Directed by Phil Alden Robinson.

Labels: ben-kingsley, david-strathairn, mystery2, period5, robert-redford, thriller2

# posted by gail @ 19:16    0 comments    email......this post