Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Hanna
- Commentary: Mmm, mmm, mmm! I love this film. I know. It's not classic film art. Whatever. It just mesmerizes me from beginning to end, no matter how many times I see it, which is why I decided I need to own it. Our library has about four copies in the system, including the branch I frequent, but it is always checked out of my branch, so, when I yearn to see this movie I have to wait at least a week.
Why do I love this film? I think it's because I like to imagine myself in the heroine's shoes, scientifically altered body and brain and all. I like the fact that she is "plussed" (vs. "nonplussed") throughout, no matter what comes her way, and only slightly cracks when she hears her father being shot. She is in-the-moment-to-the-near-future to the extreme, completely, unshakeably self-possessed. I wouldn't mind being that way. As well, Cate Blanchette is terrific fun in this movie. Although some critics panned her for her over-the-top acting, she reminded me of Anthony Hopkins when he's having lots of fun acting. You know, it's funny, since I began exploring thrillers some years ago (hmmm...I guess it's been about eight years, now) I've become more critical of them, too, and can be easily bored by chase after almost-catch after narrow escape. Some critics place this movie in that category. One critic even called it "derivative", at which I wonder, derivative of what? Is there something else out there like this movie that I might love even more? If so, let me know. I'm ready. Until then, you'll find me on the floor watching Hanna.
Update 6/4/2022: No, I didn't follow the TV series Hanna, despite its increasingly good to excellent reviews. I tried, but the movie did it all for me, wrapped it up with a bow, and left the rest to my imagination, which I prefer.
Update 8/27/2024: I've actually had this movie for quite awhile, at least 5 years, but the post became corrupted and I had to salvage what I could, repost and redate it and re-enter it into my Alpha List. It seems to be okay, now.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Saoirse Ronan Hanna Eric Bana Erik Heller Vicky Krieps Johanna Zadek Cate Blanchett Marissa Wiegler Jessica Barden Sophie Aldo Maland Miles Olivia Williams Rachel Jason Flemyng Sebastian
Release Date: 2011
Directed by Joe Wright.
Labels: action1, adventure1, cate-blanchett, drama4, fantasy1, mystery1, saoirse-ronan, science-fiction1, spy, super-hero1, suspense1, thriller1, violence2
Saturday, June 04, 2022
The Way Back
- Commentary: I own this, in large part, because it is a Peter Weir film and I strive to own most of his films. It is a crazily involving film, for me. Trek films are one of my weaknesses. This one suits me and, besides, contains many of the hallmarks that make Peter Weir films great in my eyes: startling landscapes, curious and difficult relationships, complicated conflicts, minutely specific characterizations, a sense of time standing still.
I notice, in the Wikipedia write-up, some critics considered this film not up to his usual quality, not one of his best, as Roger Ebert points out in his review, linked to the title of this post. I quibble with him and others who have "Peter-Weir-expectation" problems with it. This is a Peter Weir film. That's why I own it. Peter Weir, through his films, owns me, this film, included. It is, as well, a "spectacle" film, if for no other reason than the landscape, which is so involving that, well, it demands to be in a Peter Weir film.
In addition to the Actor/Role table, below, Mark Strong plays escapee Andrei Timofeyevich Khabarov.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 2/5/2018 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jim Sturgess Janusz Wieszczek Ed Harris Mr. Smith Saoirse Ronan Irena Zielińska Colin Farrell Valka Dragoș Bucur Zoran Alexandru Potocean Tomasz Horodinsky Gustaf Skarsgård Andrejs Voss Sebastian Urzendowsky Kazik
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Peter Weir.
Labels: §, adventure1, drama4, haunting1, historical2, period2, peter-weir, political2, popcorn-and-soda2, saoirse-ronan, spectacle1
Monday, May 10, 2021
Lady Bird
- Commentary: Under construction.
Once again, a loaded list over at RogerEbert.com when pulling a search on this movie, including an interview with Greta Gerwig.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Saoirse Ronan Christine MacPherson Laurie Metcalf Marion MacPherson Tracy Letts Larry MacPherson Lucas Hedges Daniel O'Neill Timothée Chalamet Kyle Scheible Beanie Feldstein Julianne Steffans Lois Smith Sister Sarah Joan Stephen McKinley Henderson Father Leviatch Odeya Rush Jenna Walton Jordan Rodrigues Miguel MacPherson Marielle Scott Shelly Yuhan Jake McDorman Mr. Bruno
Here is the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Greta Gerwig.
Labels: §2, A24, coming-of-age1, dramedy1, female-director2, greta-gerwig, laurie-metcalf, lois-smith, saoirse-ronan
