Thursday, June 02, 2022
The Ghost Writer
- Commentary: Maybe it's because this is a Roman Polanski movie and I have yet to watch one of his that I don't love, but I love this movie. So well done, so intriguing, great mystery, great thriller. Come to think of it, that's a category I should add, "thriller". I'm sure I've already got some listed that I didn't think of as "thrillers" but, rather "suspense", but this is a good time to add that category, as, no matter how many times I watch this movie, it's definitely a thrill for me.
Not only was Roger Ebert surprised and pleased by this film, one of his colleagues, Jim Emerson was, as well, and weighed in twice [first article, second article] on Polanski's achievements vis a vis this movie. I can't agree with Ebert and Emerson more.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ewan McGregor The Ghost Writer Pierce Brosnan Adam Peter Bennett Lang Olivia Williams Ruth Lang Kim Cattrall Amelia Bly Timothy Hutton Sidney Kroll Tom Wilkinson Paul Emmett Jon Bernthal The Ghost Writer's Agent James Belushi John Maddox Robert Pugh Richard Rycart Tim Preece Roy Quigley David Rintoul Grieving Father Eli Wallach Old Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: adventure1, drama6, eli-wallach, mystery1, neo-noirC, political2, roman-polanski, thriller2, tom-wilkinson, tragedy1
Sunday, January 17, 2021
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
Repulsion
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Catherine Deneuve Carol Ledoux Ian Hendry Michael John Fraser Colin Yvonne Furneaux Helen Ledoux Patrick Wymark Landlord Renée Houston Miss Balch Valerie Taylor Madame Denise James Villiers John Helen Fraser Bridget Hugh Futcher Reggie Monica Merlin Mrs. Rendlesham Imogen Graham Manicurist
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1965
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: §1, Criterion1, horror2, neo-noirA, psychological1, roman-polanski
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
Rosemary's Baby
- Commentary: I originally saw this movie in the theater during its first release, on Guam, after having read the book by Ira Levin. It was the first time I'd seen a movie that so closely followed the book that, I swear, I'd imagined the movie exactly as it appeared before I saw it. Typically, every year, around Halloween, some film service to which I have access features this movie. I always watch it. At least once. However, I often yearn to watch it when it's not being featured on a film service, so I've checked it out innumerable times from the library. Now, I own it.
I can't say much about this movie that hasn't already been said. It has loquacious fans all over the world. I can, however, say something about my interest in Roman Polanski movies. I'm surprised I don't own more than three. One, in particular, I wish I owned is Tess [P.S. 8/16/21: I own this movie, now]. I even wrote a published review of that film. I've seen several of the movies he's directed, including: Chinatown, such a "cool" (in the Marshall McLuhan sense) film; Knife in the Water, an interesting, eerie film, loads of promise; Carnage, a sardonic delight; Macbeth, which, unlike many critics, I thoroughly enjoyed, it is, in fact, my favorite film adaptation of this play; and The Ninth Gate, with which I was disappointed, to say the least. I wish he'd done something more, well, spectacular, with Johnny Depp. Oh well, when you've got a line-up like Roman Polanski's, they can't all be winners, I guess. There are several more I haven't seen but intend to. I would say it's possible that I will end up owning more of his films. There's something about the Polanksi directing touch, which, while unobtrusive, is unique and powerful.
Turns out, much to my surprise, I don't have a "horror" label for my film collection. That will be corrected with this film.
And, by the way, yes, Mom and I watched it together, more than a few times, and, yes, she loved it, too. She especially enjoyed Mia Farrow's characterization of a pregnant woman. Every time she watched the walking-around-in-the-street scene she'd say, "That's exactly how a pregnant woman walks!"
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mia Farrow Rosemary Woodhouse John Cassavetes Guy Woodhouse Ruth Gordon Minnie Castevet Sidney Blackmer Roman Castevet/Steven Marcato Maurice Evans Hutch Ralph Bellamy Dr. Abraham Sapirstein Charles Grodin Dr. Hill Patsy Kelly Laura-Louise McBirney Angela Dorian Terry Gionoffrio Philip Leeds Dr. Shand Elisha Cook Mr. Nicklas Tony Curtis Donald Baumgart
Just in case, the Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 1968
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: drama4, erotic, fantasy1, folk-horror, haunting1, roman-polanski, shared-favorite, suspense1
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
The Pianist
- Who's watched: M
- Mentions: *1* (added 2/10/05 after watching movie)
- Commentary: So, I was wrong. There is one movie that Mom has seen that I have not...this one. In fact, she was the one who suggested we get it, when Costco has it, when we saw a commercial on TV for the dvd. She may have seen it at MCF's house...we visited there a lot up until just about a year and a half ago. Anyway, I'm not quite sure this is the movie she is remembering...I'm thinking she must be thinking of some kind of Liberace production type of movie, but she insists this is the one.
Which is fine with me. I am, generally, a Roman Polanski fan, and usually try to watch all his movies. I hadn't yet thought of owning them. This should be an interesting start.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Adrien Brody Władysław Szpilman Thomas Kretschmann Wilm Hosenfeld Maureen Lipman Edwarda Szpilman Emilia Fox Dorota
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: dramaB, musical2, period5, roman-polanski, war2
