Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Barton Fink
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is one of those movies that I so much appreciate I've linked to it's script. I doubt that Mom will ever see this movie. Although I can't tell you why, I believe it would bore her and she'd start 'looking for ...' cigarettes.
Roger Ebert found this film so intriguing that, even though he slighted it by half a star from a four star review, he and his cohort critics on his site have found innumerable reasons to either mini-review the movie, yet again, interview the production participants and refer to it in reviews for other films. Go ahead. Click into the site url at the beginning of this paragraph and you'll see what I mean. Aside from its stand-alone-story audacities and bravado, it has, apparently, for film industry insiders, spoken cogently to the Faustian vagaries of the film entertainment industry.
Do I like it? Yes. That's why I've kept it in my collection, although, I must admit, I purchased it at a going-out-of-business sale sight unseen. It's funny and scary and causes me to reflect on compromises I've made in my "professional" relationship with the world, and I'm not in the film or entertainment industries. It reminds me that I need to look at the demands of the "professional" world from a cock-eyed perspective if I want to remain sane and continue to live with myself in peace.
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 John Turturro Barton Fink John Goodman Charlie Meadows Michael Lerner Jack Lipnick Judy Davis Audrey Taylor John Mahoney W. P. Mayhew Tony Shalhoub Ben Geisler Jon Polito Lou Breeze Steve Buscemi Chet David Warrilow Garland Stanford Richard Portnow Detective Mastrionotti Christopher Murney Detective Deutsch Frances McDormand Stage Actress
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release date: 1991
Directed by Joel Cohen.
Labels: john-mahoney, john-turturro, religion2, satire2, steve-buscemi
American Beauty
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I've watched this at least three times since I bought it when we first purchased our DVD player. Although it fascinates me and I would probably watch it more if I lived alone, I will probably, also, out of respect for her intellect and her interest in movies, spring this one on her some evening when I am well prepared.
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.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Spacey Lester Burnham Annette Bening Carol Burnham Thora Birch Jane Burnham West Bentley Ricky Fitts Mena Suvari Angela Hayes Peter Gallagher Buddy Kane Allison Janney Barbara Fitts Chris Cooper Col. Frank Fitts
Release Date: 1999
Directed by Sam Mendes.
Labels: annette-bening, chris-cooper, me-favorite4, romance4, satire2
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Dr. Strangelove
- Who's watched: G, I think
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: My confession is this: I think I've probably seen this entire movie, but I've never seen the entire movie in one sitting. I have memories of seeing parts of it while watching a football game. Weird, I know.
I got it because this, also, was at a very low sale price, not Costco, and I have, for some time, very much wanted to see the movie of a piece.
I don't think my mother has ever seen the movie, in whole or part, and I don't think it would command her attention. I think she'd consider it boring.
Aside from the review linked to the title of this post, which is excellent, I'm sure you won't be surprised to know that this movie has also been reviewed more than a few times by Roger Ebert's site. This paragraph will contain all those writings I consider pertinent: initial review (remember, Ebert was 12 when the movie was first released); Great Movies review; a 2018 re-review of the film and it's relevance today and to ex-President Trump.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peter Sellers Cpt. Lionel Mandrake Peter Sellers U. S. Pres. Merkin Muffley Peter Sellers Dr. Strangelove George C. Scott Gen. Buck Turgidson Sterling Hayden Brig. Gen. Jack D. Ripper Keenan Wynn Col. Bat Guano Jack Creley Mr. Staines Slim Pickens Mjr. T. J. "King" Kong Peter Bull Alexei de Sadeski James Earl Jones Lt. Lothar Zogg Tracy Reed Miss Scott Shane Rimmer Cpt. Ace Owens
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Labels: apocalyptic, nuclear, period4, political3, satire2, stanley-kubrick, war2
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- Who's watched: Only G, I think
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I assume my mother hasn't seen this, although, when I lived in Seattle and for about a year or so after I came to live with her in Mesa, despite what she's always professed as an inability to understand "English English", she watched a lot of English comedy stuff on PBS and, later, through cable, BBC, so, maybe she has seen it. Anyway, again, on sale, and, again, I wanted to add it to my collection, although it may be awhile before I view it. I would like to own The Life of Brian in the same spirit.
Update: Yes, I own, and have for awhile, Monty Python's Life of Brian. I think I slightly prefer it to this one, but, it depends on what mood I'm in.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Graham Chapman King Arthur of the Britons John Cleese Sir Lancelot the Brave Terry Gilliam Patsy Eric Idle Multiple Roles Michael Palin Sir Galahad the Pure Connie Booth Miss Islington the Witch Carol Cleveland Zoot and Dingo Neil Innes Leader of Robin's Minstrels
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1975
Directed by Terry Gillam and Terry Jones.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
The Truman Show
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: The first time my mother watched this she said, enthusiastically, that she enjoyed it. The second time I watched it in her presence, she paid no attention to it. The third time, not too long ago, she stared at the screen in a daze but insisted on sticking with it, then announced at the end that "...it doesn't seem to have much of a point." In some ways, I consider this movie a barometer of my mother's mental acuity on the day she happens to see it.
This is, by the way, one of my favorite Weir movies.
Once again, the title for this post is linked to an alternate source.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jim Carrey Truman Burbank Laura Linney Hannah Gill/Meryl Ed Harris Christof Noah Emmerich Louis Coltrane/Marion Natascha McElhone Sylvia/Lauren Garland Holland Taylor Truman's Mother Brian Delate Truman's Father Paul Giamatti Simeon
Here is a link to the Wikipedia article on this film.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Peter Weir.
Labels: coming-of-age1, drama8, fantasy3, laura-linney, me-favorite2, paul-giamatti, peter-weir, popcorn-and-soda4, satire2
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Strictly Ballroom
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: Both Mom and I could watch this movie every day for a year, then turn around and watch to celebrate the following New Year's Day. Plus, this video includes the full length docu-video about the Kendall's School of Dance, which inspired Baz Lurhmann to write this story. This documentary, alone, is worth the price of the video...and then, you get the main feature! What a treat!
Although Paul Mercurio is a professional dancer in real life, his acting is a bit stiff. This has a negligible effect, though, because Tara Morice is as liquid an actor as she is a dancer and the two are supported by a host of excellent Australian actors.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Paul Mercurio Scott Hastings Tara Morice Fran Bill Hunter Barry Fife Pat Thomson Shirley Hastings Antonio Vargas Rico Armonia Benedito Ya Ya Barry Otto Doug Hastings Sonia Kruger Tina Sparkle
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1992
Directed by Baz Luhrmann.
Labels: 20th-century-chick-flicks1, bill-hunter, dance, drama8, popcorn-and-soda4, romance2, satire2, shared-favorite
The Star - The Bette Davis Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Both Mom and I found this movie odd, but stayed with it, almost with bated breath. I'm not sure how often we'll watch it. Davis' performance is definitely transfixing. The story of her fall from fame and grace is interesting and well-played. The romance is a little over the top, though.
Once again, as with the Joan Crawford Collection, I've linked the second part of the title to a site that gets it done when it comes to collections (and other reviews, as well). Thank you, DVD Savant, now CineSavant! His review of this particular movie is the first review up on the page. The first part of the title is linked to another review of the film by one of the Three Movie Buffs.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Margaret Elliot Sterling Hayden Jim Johannsen Natalie Wood Gretchen Warner Anderson Harry Stone Minor Watson Joe Morrison June Travis Phyllis Stone Paul Frees Richard Stanley Fay Baker Margaret's sister
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by Stuart Heisler.
Labels: bette-davis, drama8, natalie-wood, popcorn-and-soda4, satire2
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Boston Legal, Seasons 1 - 5
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4*
- Commentary: It never fails to amaze me that Mom enjoys this show as much as I do. I didn't expect her to. I thought she'd find the broad satire tense and boring, but it's not uncommon for her to find it laugh-out-loud funny and the legal issues intrigue her.
It never fails that, after a show, we find ourselves discussing some aspect of the show we've just viewed. We'll definitely be watching and collecting all seasons.
Update 5/14/2002: We did, indeed, collect all five seasons and Mom watched every episode with much enthusiasm. Frankly, I think she may have a crush on William Shatner (she is a Trekie), or maybe James Spader. Or both. I wouldn't put it past her.
And, Candice Bergen (she is also a Murphy-ite). She always has time for Candice Bergen!
In the table below I am listing only actors and their corresponding roles that are most recognizable to Mom.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James Spader Alan Shore William Shatner Denny Crane Candice Bergen Shirley Schmidt René Auberjonois Paul Lewiston Mark Valley Brad Chase Meredith Easton Bethany Horowitz Julie Bowen Denise Bauer John Larroquette Carl Sack
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004-2008
Directed by several people; female directors sparse and only in Seasons 1, 2 and 4.
Labels: candice-bergen, female-director1, james-spader, legal, rené-auberjonois, satire2, shared-favorite, TV2
Friday, February 10, 2006
Forrest Gump
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm not surprised this movie hasn't been mentioned in my journals. When I bought it I thought I remembered that Mom liked it. She may have, but had little patience for it this time around. I thought I had found it interesting. I did, but immediately after watching it for the first time in a long time, I decided it would be one I'd never enter in here and would sell back as soon as I had a few other movies to turn in. Watching it made me uncomfortable. For myself. For the United States. Then, I found myself going back to the movie, replaying particular scenes, looking forward to the well planned music score, watching Gary Sinese closely...and decided, hmmm, I'd better keep this one. It does remain one of the strangest crafted-to-be-a-box-office-hit movies ever made. Being a movie maven, this is a good enough reason for me to keep it. Who knows. The next time I play it "in front of" Mom, she might like it again.
Update 8/12/21: Along with the review, above, linked to the title, and, in light of it, I want to present another few reviews published to commemorate the 25th anniversary of this movie. 'Forrest Gump,' 25 Years Later, by Eric Cohn perfectly expresses my unease with this film. Because of my ambivalence about this film, I was always surprised that Roger Ebert seemed to swallow it hook, line and sinker. Perhaps he was a Republican. Perhaps he simply enjoyed live-action that is cartoonish. I don't know. What I do know is continued occasional viewings of this film, for me, make me grateful that I remain capable of finding this movie off-putting, regardless of how much I enjoy individual scenes or pieces of actor performance.
About a year after the review immediately above came out, another, in video format, by Renegade Cut, was published. It deserves a close viewing if you find yourself uncomfortable with this movie.
Finally, a two video review was published by the website The Take in commemoration of the same anniversary: here are the first and the second. Lighter in tone than the reviews cited above, these two videos also have more clips from the movie and have a kinder, gentler interpretation of the movie's overall presentation of the United States' character and history.
It's interesting to watch this movie 25 years after its release and recontemplate it in view of the variety of quarter century anniversary videos. It's quite striking how more loquacious citizens of the United States interpret the movie and its impact on a variety of aspects of United States life, now, and citizens of this country.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tom Hanks Forrest Gump Robin Wright Jennie Curran Gary Sinise Lt. Dan Taylor Mykelti Williamson Bubba Blue Sally Field Mrs. Gump Haley Joel Osment Forrest Gump Jr. Sam Anderson Principal Hancock Siobhan Fallon Hogan School Bus Driver
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Labels: biography2, dramedy2, fantasy3, period4, popcorn-and-soda4, satire2, tom-hanks
Monday, November 14, 2005
Tootsie
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'm surprised there is no mention of this movie in my journals. The reason I bought a copy is that Mom and I watch it every time we notice it playing on TV but we usually manage to cue it up after it's already begun. I'm only a fair fan of gender-bender movies. They have to have other qualities to recommend them and the gender bending performance has to be really sleek for me to enjoy it. This one qualifies on both counts. Mom always forgets that Tootsie is being played by a man until the end. The sideline performance of her surprise is a delight in itself to watch.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Dustin Hoffman Michael Dorsey Jessica Lange Julie Nichols Teri Garr Sandy Lester Dabney Coleman Ron Carlisle Charles Durning Leslie Nichols Bill Murray Jeff Slater Sydney Pollack George Fields George Gaynes John Van Horn Geena Davis April Page Doris Belack Rita Marshall Ellen Foley Jacqui Lynne Thigpen Jo
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1982
Directed by Sydney Pollack.
Labels: geena-davis, gender-bender, mom-favorite2, popcorn-and-soda4, romance3, satire2
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
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
Roseanne: 1st & 2nd Seasons
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3*
- Commentary: This is one of both of our's long time favorites. Even with the series at hand, if we're channel surfing and discover an episode we watch it. We will definitely be collecting all the seasons, even the much maligned (and much deserving of being maligned) last season.
As far as post title reviews are concerned, I decided to link the first part of the title up through "1st" to a review that was enthusiastic. I linked "2nd Seasons" to a less enthusiastic but nonetheless informative review. Considering that I've never expanded my collection of this show's dvds, I think that's a fair representation of where I am on the subject of this show.
Update 2/9/18: Well, we didn't collect all the seasons and I'm not sure that I will. My love for this show hasn't evaporated but I haven't, since my mother's death, watched what I have so I'm not sure I'd watch any of the other seasons. I did, take note, watch the syndicated reruns on television, as long as I had a cable subscription. That's over now, though. Perhaps I have a strong enough memory of the series that I don't need to rewatch it, anymore. However, I continue to hang onto it through multiple library dumps of other movies and shows. And, I have fond memories of certain specific scenes in these two seasons, and a few other seasons.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Roseanne Barr Roseanne Conner John Goodman Dan Conner Laurie Metcalf Jackie Harris Michael Fishman D.J. Conner Sara Gilbert Darlene Conner Lecy Goranson Becky Conner Estelle Parsons Beverly Harris Natalie West Crystal Anderson-Conner George Clooney Booker Brooks Fred Thompson Keith Faber Ned Beatty Ed Conner Jared Rushton Chip
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988-1990
Directed by: Most of the episodes in Season 1 are directed by a woman. All of the episodes in Season 2 are directed by a man.
Labels: comedy1, female-director2, laurie-metcalf, ned-beatty, satire2, shared-favorite, TV2
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Adaptation.
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is part of that "Meryl Streep" set. I was pleased about this addition because I love this movie. It's one I've done instant replay in order to cull quotes from it.
My recollections, dim as they are, inform me that Mom did see (and, I use that word, purposely, instead of "watch", the words of which imply lesser and greater levels of mental involvement, the former more appropriately describing Mom's engagement in this film) this movie. She likely dozed through it, or worked crossword puzzles. This type of comedy and satirical rendering of character and motivation do not appeal to her. She's a Real Life Woman.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nicolas Cage Charlie & Donald Kaufman Meryl Streep Susan Orlean Chris Cooper John Laroche Cara Seymour Amelia Kavan Brian Cox Robert McKee Tilda Swinton Valerie Thomas Ron Livingston Marty Bowen Maggie Gyllenhaal Caroline Cunningham
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Spike Jonze.
Labels: chris-cooper, dramaA, maggie-gyllenhaal, me-favorite3, meryl-streep, nicolas-cage, satire2
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
Waking Life
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: Now, this is my idea of a comedy! I laughed and laughed all the way through this thing, and then was stunned at the end! I never think to watch this movie when Mom's awake. I don't know if she'd like it or not. She surprised me with her devotion to My Dinner with Andre so, you never know. If she ever sees it, I'll be sure to report.
Roger Ebert reviewed this movie twice. His initial review is linked in the title to this post. He reviewed it again when he christened it as one of his Great Movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Wiley Wiggins protagonist Eamonn Healy self Ethan Hawke self Richard Linklater self
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2001
Directed by Richard Linklater.
Labels: animated, dream1, fantasy3, film-art2, me-favorite3, pseudo-cgi-animation, satire2
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
M*A*S*H
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I know, this is the movie, not the series, and Mom loves the series, too, but that's on TV so much we decided not to buy it. This, however, is not.
Because, when I came to live with her, she liked this series so much and had been in the military just previous to the Korean conflict, so she identified with a lot of the show detail, I challenged her, once, to see the original movie from which the show was adapted. We were both surprised how much she liked it. I remember that she was surprised at the words of the theme song, with which one does not become familiar if one watches only the television series.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Donald Sutherland Hawkeye Pierce Elliott Gould Trapper John Sally Kellerman Hot Lips Tom Skerritt Duke
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1970
Directed by Robert Altman.
Labels: donald-sutherland, period5, robert-altman, satire2, war2
Monday, February 07, 2005
The Chaplin Collection Vol. 1
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Both my mother and I tend to forget, between watchings of these movies, how riveting they are. Typically, we watch one of these movies when we want to watch something and have absolutely no idea what we want to watch.
This collection, though, contains four films, listed below, very good mini-reviews at the site linked in the title of this post, but, if you're interested in more review material, here are more review resources:
The Gold Rush - both the 1925 and the 1942 editions
DVD Savant reviewed this movie twice, first when the DVD edition came out (that review is the immediately previous link; that is the edition I own) and again when the blu-ray edition hit the market. The reviews are not copies of one another, so I wanted to post both of them.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlie Chaplin The Tramp/The Lone Prospector Mack Swain Big Jim McKay Tom Murray Black Larsen Malcolm Waite Jack Cameron Georgia Hale The Girl Henry Bergman Hank Curtis Tiny Sandford Barman Sam Allen Dance Hall Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Modern Times - 1936 It's hard to pick a favorite; these are four of Chaplin's greatest, but judging from her reaction, I think Mom's favorite is probably Modern Times, she loves the man-in-the-cogs scene and never fails to say, "I wonder how they did that?!?"
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlie Chaplin Factory Worker/The Tramp Paulette Goddard Ellen Peterson Henry Bergman Café proprietor Stanley Sandford Big Bill
The Great Dictator - 1940 My favorite is The Great Dictator, for too many reasons to mention.
Roger Ebert devoted more than his usual amount of space to reviewing this movie. He not only assigned it "Great Movie" status (that review is the immediately previous link), he reviewed it initially 35 years before he christened it a Great Movie, then published, without comment, a letter from a dissenter of Ebert's opinion of the movie. Interesting reading, all of them.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlie Chaplin Jewish Barber/Adenoid Hynkel Reginald Gardiner Commander Schultz Paulette Goddard Hannah Jack Oakie Benzino Napaloni
Limelight - 1952
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charlie Chaplin Calvero Claire Bloom Thereza Embrose Buster Keaton Calvero's Partner Nigel Bruce Postant
This film also includes several Chaplin relatives, lots of them children, mostly in uncredited, unnamed parts, including Oona O'Neill.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
All films in this collection were directed by Charlie Chaplin.
Labels: charlie-chaplin, comedy2, satire2, shared-favorite, silent
Saved!
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This was a pleasant surprise for both of us. I rented it on a hunch, since one of my sisters was a teenaged Jesus Freak and I'd had much experience with both teenage Fundamentalist Christians and Christian High Schools. I was apprehensive about how Mom would react, but she was as tickled with it as I was. When I noticed it at Costco, remembering that we'd watched it twice on rental, I bought it. We watched it again that night.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jena Malone Mary Cummings Mandy Moore Hilary Faye Stockard Macaulay Culkin Roland Stockard Eva Amurri Cassandra Edelstein
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Brian Dannelly.
Labels: popcorn-and-soda6, religion1, satire2, shared-favorite
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
- Who's watched: M & G (both in theater and on video)
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: The first time my mother and I saw this movie it was new, just in the theaters. She, MFS and I went with my mother's sister, niece and nephew. We saw it at the Los Arcos Cinema (housed inside the Los Arcos Mall, neither of which have existed for decades) in Scottsdale, Arizona. The audience, during the credits, gave the movie a standing ovation. This was the first time any of us in our related group had ever been to a film that elicited so much from the audience.
I don't know if Mom remembers. I do know that the day I purchased this movie, some months ago, brought it home, wrestled it out of its wrapping and dropped it into the dvd player, Mom and I relaxed, knowing that being overwhelmed by a movie is possible more than once.
Yes, yes. Roger Ebert christened it one of his Great Movies 28 years after his initial review.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jack Nicholson Randle Patrick McMurphy Louise Fletcher Nurse Mildred Ratched Will Sampson "Chief" Bromden William Redfield Dale Harding Brad Dourif Billy Bibbit Sydney Lassick Charlie Cheswick Christopher Lloyd Max Taber Danny DeVito Martini
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1975
Directed by Miloš Forman.
Labels: brad-dourif, dramaC, jack-nicholson, satire2, shared-favorite
