Movies, Mom & Me

• 
  Commentary:  I watched this movie a couple of days ago. Because this movie was packaged with Anne of a Thousand Days and I watched that movie first, I settled in for a second royal treat. Wow! Was I whipped about! Despite my admiration for quite a bit of Vanessa Redgrave's work, well, let me put it this way: having seen (and owning) at least three other characterizations of Mary, Queen of Scots, knowing that she was at least as troublesome as depicted in all four characterizations, and probably more so in real life, I was not impressed with Vanessa Redgrave's characterization of her. Perhaps it's the more accurate, it's hard to know at this point in time. But, the impression Vanessa Redgrave leaves is that of a blitering idiot (excuse my French). Considering how determined Mary, Queen of Scots was to be a reigning Royal and how much support she had, the characterization in this movie portrays her as someone who had no ability to scheme and no initiative that wasn't urged by her supporters. Knowing a bit about Royal history in this era, many people were executed for many dubious reasons, but I can't recall anyone who was executed for deluded stupidity, and, yet, that's what this movie implies happened to Mary, Queen of Scots. I couldn't help but contrast this with the portrayal of her in Elizabeth I in which she is displayed as someone who is intelligent, knowledgeable, and so devious and dissembing in her desperation to consolidate and conserve whatever power she imagines herself to possess that, as a viewer, you not only understand her execution, you understand that Elizabeth I's reluctance to execute her was not because she didn't consider Mary, Queen of Scots dangerous, she clearly was, but that Elizabeth I was in sympathy with the idea that royalty must remain untouchable from the point of view of execution, even if a royal's threat to the throne is obvious and worthy of imprisonment.
    In this movie, Glenda Jackson plays Elizabeth I, one of two times she played this role in 1971, the other being in the BBC TV production Elizabeth R. Frankly, I don't remember her reactions to the idea of executing Mary, Queen of Scots in Elizabeth R, so it looks like I have some delightful homework ahead of me rewatching it. It's been a few years, so I'm excited. I will report back.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Vanessa Redgrave	Mary Queen of Scots	Glenda Jackson	Queen Elizabeth I of England	Patrick McGoohan	James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray	Timothy Dalton	Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley
  Nigel Davenport	James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell	Trevor Howard	Sir William Cecil	Daniel Massey	Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester	Ian Holm	David Riccio
  Frances White	Mary Fleming	Tom Fleming	Father Ballard	Katherine Kath	Catherine De Medici	Beth Harris	Mary Seton

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1971
    Directed by Charles Jarrott.

Labels: elizabeth-I, historical4, period7, royals

# posted by gail @ 23:52    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  My interest in this movie has nothing to do with a personal interest in Anne Boleyn. It is, more, about Geneviève Bujold's performance in this movie and the interplay between her Anne and Richard Burton's Henry VIII, a man, who, among other, more admirable, qualities, just couldn't keep his dick in his pants and spent much of his mental energy in figuring out how to bed yet another young woman. Trust me, his sexual proclivities had little (possibly nothing) to do with engendering "a son".
    The review attached to the title, above, is a double review of this movie and Mary, Queen of Scots. The two movies came packaged together, which explains why the same cover picture is on both of my write-ups.
    Despite this, Geneviève Bujold's and Richard Burton's performances and interplay sweep me away. I can't explain why. Much of the story is crass and highlights the contemptible extremes royals were (and are?) allowed (in England, anyway) in exercising their power. The details of Anne's own crown climbing are laughable, however true they may be. Despite all this, though, I was so anxious to watch it I put it in the DVD player moments after I received it. And, I was satisfied. Good movie! Absolutely liquid acting!
    It is interesting to note that Roger Ebert does not review this movie, although he mentions it more than a few times, without any respect, in his review for Mary, Queen of Scots. That review is attached to the title of my write-up for that movie, as well as being linked to the movie's mention in the previous sentence.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Richard Burton	King Henry VIII	Geneviève Bujold	Anne Boleyn	Irene Papas	Queen Catherine of Aragon	Anthony Quayle	Cardinal Thomas Wolsey
  John Colicos	Thomas Cromwell	Michael Hordern	Thomas Boleyn	Katharine Blake	Elizabeth Boleyn	Valerie Gearon	Mary Boleyn
  William Squire	Sir Thomas Moore	Nicola Pagett	Princess Mary	Terence Wilton	Lord Percy	Gary Bond	Mark Smeaton

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1969
    Directed by Charles Jarrott.

Labels: historical4, period7, royals

# posted by gail @ 23:43    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Yeah, I know, what am I doing with only the 5th season? A friend of mine gave it to me when I was complaining about having to wait forever to check it out from the library, and told me not to bother giving it back, she was done with it. "Pass it on," she said. Once I'm done with it I will, on to the library. I know from the length of their hold list on this, of which I was once a part, they could use another copy of it. And, yes, I enjoyed it, but not enough to keep, I don't think. Although I'm not sure. We'll see.
  Updated 2/5/18:  "By hook, crook" (not really, regarding the "crook") and purchase I now own all seven seasons of this serial, and I'll probably own the eighth, when it's available. I don't have the luxury of watching this show when it debuts on HBO, but I'm hooked, now, much to my surprise. I don't agree with the critics that it's the best television series ever produced (I haven't made my mind up about that, yet), but I do think it's close, certainly many-notes-worthy, and a production to which I know I'll refer many times. Just in case, since I'm noticing that many links to the producers of these movies and tv series often go dead after awhile, here's the Wikipedia link to Game of Thrones.
  Updated 1/18/21:  As you can see by the title, I now own the entire Game of Thrones series. My favorite seasons are the middle ones, where people are striving to accomplish their goals. I felt I owed it to the series, though, to follow it through to the end, not knowing that the final season would be anticlimactic throughout all six episodes. I'm okay with that, though. Like many others, worldwide, I became addicted, for good reason. The last season competently ended that addiction. Not that I will never watch any of the series, again. I am currently, and slowly, making my way through the series. I'm early into Season 5. Great acting and great storytelling doesn't exist to be abandoned on a shelf.
  Update 11/17/2021:  This post was originally published August 14, 2016. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
  Update 6/15/2022:  If, like me, you found yourself unpleasantly gob-smacked by the eighth season of this series, you might find this video commentary interesting.
  
  Seasons 1 - 8   

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Peter Dinklage	Tyrion Lannister	Lena Headey	Cercie Lannister	Nikolaj Coster-Waldau	Jamie Lannister	Emilia Clarke	Danerys Targaryen
  Kit Harington	Jon Snow	Sophie Turner	Sansa Stark	Maisie Williams	Arya Stark	Iain Glen	Jorah Mormont
  Alfie Allen/Reek	Theon Greyjoy	Sean Bean	Eddard Stark	Michelle Fairley	Catelyn Stark	Harry Lloyd	Viserys Targaryen
  Isaac Hempstead Wright	Brandon Stark	Jack Gleeson	Joffrey Baratheon	Rory McCann	Sandor "The Hound" Clegane	Aidan Gillen	Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish
  Liam Cunningham	Davos Seaworth	Stephen Dillane	Stannis Baratheon	Carice van Houten	Melisandre	Natalie Dormer	Margaery Tyrell
  Conleth Hill	Varys	Jerome Flynn	Bronn	Charles Dance	Tywin Lannister	John Bradley	Samwell Tarly
  James Cosmo	Jeor Mormont	Joe Dempsie	Gendry	Oona Chaplin	Talisa Stark	Kristofer Hivju	Tormund Giantsbane
  Gwendoline Christie	Brienne of Tarth	Iwan Rheon	Ramsey Snow/Bolton	Hannah Murray	Gilly	Nathalie Emmanuel	Missandei
  Dean-Charles Chapman	Tommen Baratheon	Tom Wlaschiha	Jaqen H'ghar	Indira Varma	Ellaria Sand	Jonathan Pryce	The High Sparrow
  Daniel Portman	Podrick Payne	Bella Ramsey	Lyanna Mormont	Pilou Asbæk	Euron Greyjoy	Anton Lesser	Qyburn
  Gemma Whelan	Yara Greyjoy	Lino Facioli	Robin Arryn	Jacob Anderson	Grey Worm	James Faulkner	Randyll Tarly
  Diana Rigg	Olenna Tyrell	Keisha Castle-Hughes	Obara Sand	Joseph Mawle	Benjen Stark	Kate Dickie	Lysa Arryn
  David Bradley	Walter Frey	Jim Broadbent	Archmaester Ebrose	Max von Sydow	Three-eyed Raven	Julian Glover	Grand Maester Pycelle
  Peter Vaughan	Maester Aemon	Kristian Nairn	Hodor	Jason Momoa	Khal Drogo	Thomas Brodie-Sangster	Jojen Reed

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2011-2019
    Directed by: Okay, so here's a huge disappointment. Despite having many directors, only one of those directors was a woman and she directed only two episodes in Season 4. Shameful.

Labels: action1, adventure1, drama6, fantasy2, female-director3, indira-varma, jonathan-pryce, max-von-sydow, period2, peter-dinklage, political2, royals, spectacle1, suspense2, tragedy1, TV1, violence2, war1

# posted by gail @ 01:01    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  I confess that I have not yet seen this movie. When I picked it up at Costco I was delighted I was finally able to purchase it, remembering my pleasure in the 1994 (and original) version of this story.
    I haven't yet watched this movie. Suffice it to say, I expected to watch it the day I purchased it. Then, I looked up the Wikipedia article about this version and completely confused myself with the stridently divided critiques of it. While praising the voice acting, critics simultaneously called the movie various versions of "soulless". How is it possible for excellent voice acting to render a "soulless" movie, I wonder? Maybe some critics had a problem with the cgi-animation. Frankly, I love cgi-animation, so, we'll see. Soon.
    Maybe today.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Donald Glover	Simba	Seth Rogen	Pumbaa	Chiwetel Ejiofor	Scar	Alfre Woodard	Sarabi
  Billy Eichner	Timon	John Kani	Rafiki	John Oliver	Zazu	Beyoncé Knowles-Carter	Nala
  James Earl Jones	Mufasa	Florence Kasumba	Shenzi	Keegan-Michael Key	Kamari	Eric André	Azizi

  
    In case you're curious to see what information Wikipedia has to offer about this latest film rendition of the story, here's the link.
    Release Date: 2019
    Directed by Jon Favreau.

Labels: §, adventure2, animated, cgi-animation, coming-of-age1, kids, musical1, royals

# posted by gail @ 09:33    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1*
• 
  Commentary:  I was surprised at Mom's initial reaction to this movie. She is usually chomping at the bit to watch any movie about "the royals", specifically the British royals. I think, though, this movie may have been a bit too restrained, not quite matching her expectations of a "royals" movie. And, it is a quiet movie, unlike most "royals" movies we have in our collection.
    Despite the unresounding reception Mom gave this film when we first watched it, after some extensive wrangling I finally obtained a copy of it, solely because I wanted to watch it again, and again, and probably again. After a second watching of it, Mom warmed to it. It's a subtle movie, restrained acting in display of a restrained household...which is part of its magic. Judi Densch and Billy Connolly are wonderful in it.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Judi Dench	Queen Victoria	Billy Connolly	John Brown	Geoffrey Palmer	Henry Ponsonby	Antony Sher	Benjamin Disraeli
  Gerard Butler	Archie Brown	David Westhead	Prince of Wales Bertie	Richard Pasco	Dr. Jenner	Georgie Glen	Lady Churchill

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1997
    Directed by John Madden.

Labels: biography1, drama7, historical2, judi-dench, me-favorite2, period3, political3, royals

# posted by gail @ 13:57    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  I bought this movie sight unseen, the day it was released, based strictly on Mom's (and, now, my) love of stories about English Royals and my admiration for Helen Mirren. One of my best purchases to date! Mom and I so loved the movie that we watched it twice the day it arrived, then again the next day. We (almost) endlessly discussed details of the movie, including: The appearance of the stag, that it was actually a 15 pointer and wondered if odd numbered points were excluded when rating a rack; the importance of Diana as an icon; the likelihood that the portrayal of Prince Charles was accurate; the difficulty of being a monarch in today's world, depending on where one lives; the history of the political significance of the English monarchy and whether it would outlive this century; Queen Elizabeth II's dogs; the ick factor of lamb stew, especially when it's cold; Mirren's astonishing range, considering her performance in Elizabeth I and this movie; and many other aspects of the movie.
    Yet another movie we'll watch over and over and over.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Helen Mirren	Queen Elizabeth II	Michael Sheen	Tony Blair	James Cromwell	Prince Philip	Helen McCrory	Cherie Blair
  Alex Jennings	Prince Charles	Roger Allam	Robin Janvrin	Sylvia Syms	The Queen Mother	Tim McMullan	Stephen Lamport

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2006
    Directed by Stephen Frears.

Labels: biography1, docu-drama, helen-mirren, historical3, period3, political3, royals, shared-favorite

# posted by gail @ 02:35    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  Yes, that's right, yet another "Elizabeth" movie, just as good and just as involving as the others. I almost feel as though I should have a category label of "elizabeth movies" or, perhaps, "english royals movies", as A Man for All Seasons definitely qualifies for the same category. Mom has already mentioned that she wants to see the movie The Queen, as well, and I suspect we will end up owning it. So far, the only English Royals movie she's seen and in which she lost interest halfway through was Mrs. Brown, which I immensely enjoyed. She was so distracted through it, though, that I haven't yet considered purchasing it; although it has occurred to me to rent it again, run it by her once more and see how she likes it. Could be that this one is not "period" enough for Mom. Could also be that the movie about Elizabeth II will be the same kind of experience for her. We'll see.
  Update 2/7/18 & 8/2/21:  We did, indeed, purchase The Queen, to which I've linked my write-up. We also purchased Mrs. Brown, to which I've also linked my write-up. I've left the first link to this movie, above, as it is, though, since it links to a mini-review of the movie. You'll notice, I haven't purchased the sequel, released 9 years later, Elizabeth: The Golden Age. I have no quibbles with this movie, its successor, but, by the time the dvd came out, I was pretty much Elizabethed out and Mom was dead. Don't get me wrong. I continue to watch the Elizabeth movies I have. I just don't want anymore. At least not now.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Cate Blanchett	Elizabeth I	Geoffrey Rush	Francis Walsingham	Joseph Fiennes	Robert Dudley	Richard Attenborough	William Cecil
  Christopher Eccleston	Thomas Howard	Kathy Burke	Queen Mary I	Fanny Ardant	Mary of Guise	Vincent Cassel	Francis, Duke of Anjou
  Emily Mortimer	Kat Ashley	Kelly Macdonald	Isabel Knollys	John Gielgud	Pope Pius V	Daniel Craig	John Ballard

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1998
    Directed by Shekhar Kapur.

Labels: biography1, cate-blanchett, drama7, elizabeth-I, emily-mortimer, historical3, john-gielgud, mom-favorite1, period3, royals

# posted by gail @ 18:56    0 comments    email......this post

• 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

# posted by gail @ 12:54    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1*
• 
  Commentary:  Again, I'm not a fan of animation, but this pulled me in when the shot of the zebras on the plain, at the beginning of the movie, dissolved into the shot of ants carrying leaves along a tree branch; or vice versa, I'm not sure which way the shot dissolved. At any rate, I find it very entertaining. So does my Mom. It has, though, been awhile since we've seen this one.
    Here's a link to a site called "The Lion King World Wide Web Archive - The Unofficial Fan Resource". It's grown quite a bit since I last visited it (I'm writing this on 7/31/21). It's very well done, very up-to-date and loaded with all kinds of stuff related to The Lion King franchise and fandom.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Matthew Broderick	Simba	Jeremy Irons	Scar	James Earl Jones	Mufasa	Moira Kelly	Nala
  Nathan Lane	Timon	Ernie Sabella	Pumbaa	Robert Guillaume	Rafiki	Rowan Atkinson	Zazu
  Madge Sinclair	Sarabi	Whoopi Goldberg	Hyena Shenzi	Cheech Marin	Hyena Banzai	Jim Cummings	Hyena Ed

  
    If you're in the mood for a quicker take, here's a link to the Wikipedia article about this particular movie.
    Release Date: 1994
    Directed by Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff.

Labels: adventure3, animated, coming-of-age1, kids, musical1, royals, shared-favorite, whoopi-goldberg

# posted by gail @ 12:43    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  This is one of those movies that, when we stumble across it on TV we always watch. It enthralls both of us. We never tire of it. There isn't a false note in the casting. As well, Shaw brings a special, light, provocative touch of madness to his portrayal of Henry VIII that is thrilling to glimpse. This will be a perennial favorite of ours.
  Update 5/15/2022:  I have to mention, this movie remains a perennial favorite of mine. I watched it last a few months ago. It's partly the actors, partly the setting and partly the politics, especially in the subtle ways Henry asserts his dominance on everyone, and in the ways subtly defies Henry's dominance.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Paul Scofield	Sir Thomas More	Wendy Hiller	Alice More	Leo McKern	Thomas Cromwell	Orson Welles	Cardinal Wolsey
  Robert Shaw	Henry VIII	Susannah York	Margaret More	Nigel Davenport	Duke of Norfolk	John Hurt	Richard Rich
  Corin Redgrave	William Roper	Colin Blakely	Matthew	Cyril Luckham	Archb. Thomas Cranmer	Vanessa Redgrave	Anne Boleyn

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1966
    Directed by Fred Zinnemann.

Labels: drama9, historical3, john-hurt, political3, religion1, royals, shared-favorite, wendy-hiller

# posted by gail @ 13:22    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  See, also, commentary on Elizabeth R. Although I confessed to preferring, by a minor edge, Glenda Jackson's epic, truth is, it depends on my mood. They are both lush, but in this HBO production the lushness is almost palpable. They are both dramatic but, in this production, there is more emphasis on Elizabeth's emotional life. The curiosity, to me, is that Mirren's and Jackson's portrayals are side-by-side excellent and, rather than competing with one another, it is as though one fleshes out the other. Neither my mother nor I ever tire of watching either.
    Sidebar:  My mother prefers the hairstyles in this one.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Helen Mirren	Queen Elizabeth I	Jeremy Irons	Earl of Leicester	Hugh Dancy	Earl of Essex	Toby Jones	Robert Cecil
  Patrick Malahide	Sir Francis Walsingham	Ian McDiarmid	Lord Burghley	Barbara Flynn	Mary, Queen of Scots	Ewen Bremner	King James VI
  Geoffrey Streatfeild	Sir Anthony Babington	Toby Salaman	Dr Lopez	Charlotte Asprey	Frances Walsingham	Eddie Redmayne	Southampton

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2005
    Directed by Tom Hooper.

Labels: biography1, drama9, elizabeth-I, helen-mirren, historical3, period4, political3, royals, TV2

# posted by gail @ 13:17    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1* *2*
• 
  Commentary:  Another one of our perennial BBC favorites. Believe it or not, our entire family first watched this on Guam during it's first run. I was reminded of it when my mother became entranced with HBO's recent offering Elizabeth I.
    It's hard to say which she and I each prefer, although the BBC version has more compelling detail, and, of course, Glenda Jackson is the definitive Queen Elizabeth I, although Helen Mirren runs a very, very close second, and Jeremy Irons is my favorite, by a hair, for The Duke of Leichester.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Glenda Jackson	Elizabeth I	Robert Hardy	Robert Dudley	Ronald Hines	William Cecil	Stephen Murray	Francis Walsingham
  John Shrapnel	Thomas Radclyffe	Bernard Horsfall	Christopher Hatton	Robin Ellis	Robert Devereux	Jason Kemp	Edward VI

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1971
    The directors of the six episodes are:
  • The Lion's Cub directed by Claude Whatham
  • The Marriage Game directed by Herbert Wise
  • Shadow in the Sun directed by Richard Martin
  • Horrible Conspiracies directed by Roderick Graham
  • The Enterprise of England directed by Donald McWhinnie
  • Sweet England's Pride directed by Roderick Graham

Labels: biography1, drama9, elizabeth-I, historical3, period4, political4, royals, TV2

# posted by gail @ 08:59    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  *1*
• 
  Commentary:  This movie causes both Mom & me to swoon. I'm pleased we finally own a copy. It's a "mood movie" for me: When I'm in the mood to watch it, nothing can take it's place and when we didn't own it I hungered for it when I wanted to see it.
    Here you will find a list of resources about Pu Yi, people surrounding him and his time in history. Excellent resource.
  Update 5/13/2022:  Yes, I continue to hunger for this movie, at least once a year, sometimes more. It has seemed especially pertinent within the last few years because of the political clashes around the globe over who has a right to govern, and, sometimes, own, countries and regions. Although there is usually some coverage of the challenged governments, these days, there is hardly any coverage of the personal effects on ousted leaders. Covering these concerns regarding the family and staff of those leaders is covered almost never.
    Besides this, there are many excellent actors playing these roles.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  John Lone	Adult Puyi	Joan Chen	Wanrong	Peter O'Toole	Reginald Johnston	Ying Ruocheng	Camp Warden
  Victor Wong	Chen Baochen	Dennis Dun	Big Li	Ryuichi Sakamoto	Masahiko Amakasu	Maggie Han	Eastern Jewel
  Ric Young	Camp Interrogator	Vivian Wu	Wenxiu	Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa	Chang	Lisa Lu	Empress Dowager Cixi
  Basil Pao	Prince Chun	Dong Liang	Lady Consort Chun	Henry O	Lord Chamberlain	Tijger Tsou	Puyi 8 years

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1987
    Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.

Labels: biography2, coming-of-age2, dramaA, haunting2, historical3, me-favorite2, political4, royals, spectacle2

# posted by gail @ 17:12    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  I used to be a Shakespeare snob. Up until the late 70's when I took a college course in Shakespeare I just didn't get what was interesting or important about Shakespeare's plays despite the fact that I'd studied two of them in high school. The course I took finally opened up the language and the structure for me. The class took place as these BBC produced plays were being broadcast on PBS. They were recommended by the instructor. I bought a television just to see them. I get it, now. Although I have some other favorite productions of some of these plays: Laurence Fishburne's portrayal of Othello, for instance, my favorite version of Hamlet is the production starring Richard Burton and Hume Cronyn, the vocals for which I have on vinyl, and my favorite version of Macbeth is the production by Roman Polanski which I didn't see until the early 1990s, these BBC productions are excellent and do not disappoint. I hope to obtain the entire collection, since I've seen the entire collection.
    When I queue up these plays Mom tries her best but I think she's where I was before I took that course and, as well, she has trouble with British accents. It's easy for her to get bored and switch to her tabloids or take a nap.
    As for me, I'd love to obtain the entire BBC Television Shakespeare series. It's quite a bit beyond my pocketbook, now, though, so I expect I'll never manage it, which is a shame, because BBC did a masterful job! If you're unsure about your relationship to Shakespeare's works, try checking out a few of these from your library. I think you'll discover, Shakespeare is writing about you, and your world.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this series. It's loaded with information, not only about the series in toto but about each production. If you're interested in these productions, don't ignore this link!


• 
  Hamlet
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Derek Jacobi	Hamlet	Claire Bloom	Gertrude	Patrick Stewart	Claudius	Eric Porter	Polonius

  
  → derek-jacobi
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1980
    Directed by Rodney Bennett.


• 
  Julius Caesar
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Richard Pasco	Brutus	Charles Gray	Julius Caesar	Keith Michell	Marcus Antonius	David Collings	Cassius

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1979
    Directed by Herbert Wise.


• 
  Macbeth
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Nicol Williamson	Macbeth	Jane Lapotaire	Lady Macbeth	Tony Doyle	Macduff	Jill Baker	Lady Macduff

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1983
    Directed by Jack Gold.


• 
  Othello
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Anthony Hopkins	Othello	Bob Hoskins	Iago	Penelope Wilton	Desdemona	David Yelland	Cassio

  
  → anthony-hopkins
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1981
    Directed by Jonathan Miller.


• 
  Romeo & Juliet
  
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Patrick Ryecart	Romeo	Rebecca Saire	Juliet	Celia Johnson	Nurse	Alan Rickman	Tybalt

  
  → alan-rickman
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1978
    Directed by Alvin Rakoff.

Labels: alan-rickman, anthony-hopkins, buddy, derek-jacobi, dramaA, haunting2, hume-cronyn, me-favorite2, period5, romance3, royals, shakespeare, tragedy2, TV2, violence3

# posted by gail @ 17:08    0 comments    email......this post