Tuesday, August 27, 2024
I Origins
- Commentary: This is not a typical "catch" movie (see descriptions of other of her movies below) of Brit Marling's. It hit me as a "trick" movie and left me a bit uncomfortable with the story. The elements were fine, but the design into which they were put was a little too mushy for me. Otherwise the production is top notch, as is Marling's usual. Her single job in this production was as an actor. The writer is one she's worked with before, but her own thoughtful magic was missing. Maybe that's what was wrong with this movie for me. It certainly scored well with other "members of the audience".
This movie generated three articles at RogerEbert.com. The first, linked in the title to this post, a "general review", is Brian Tallerico's. The second, also by Brian Tallerico, is an interview with Mike Cahill and Michael Pitt "dissecting" (word lifted from the title) the movie. The third, by Alan Zilberman, is a curious and very interesting meditation on the eye, Lenses and Reflections: "I Origins" and the history of the eye closeup, in film.
The eye is the subject of the movie. Why shouldn't it be the subject of an essay about the eye in film?
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 Michael Pitt Ian Gray Brit Marling Karen Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey Sofi Elizondo Steven Yeun Kenny
Archie Panjabi Priya Varma Cara Seymour Dr. Jane Simmons Venida Evans Margaret Dairy William Mapother Darryl Mackenzie
The cast also includes Kashish Kumari as Salomina.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Mike Cahill.
Labels: brit-marling, drama5, fantasy2, mystery1, romance1, science-fiction1
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
- Commentary: This is the first movie in the Planet of the Apes Reboot series, and it's a honey of a movie. It's one of the best super-hero origin stories I've seen. Andy Serkis, an extraordinary actor, plays the role of Caesar, the chimpanzee who is born into super-hero ape status.
My mother, who was famous in our family for her love of the original Planet of the Apes series, did not live long enough to see this reboot. I think she would have loved it, even though there are several differences, the first and most significant being that the apes don't speak English, they speak Ape. There are a few words they pick up, here and there, most significantly, the word, "No!", but communication between apes is handled so well that a watcher is never in doubt as to what is communicated. Really a magnificent reboot of the series. I often hope, as I watch each of the three reboot movies, that, if there is a survival of consciousness after death, my mother is watching over my shoulder as I watch these movies.
Update 6/9/2022: This post was originally published on 1/16/2021 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James Franco Dr. William Rodman Freida Pinto Dr. Caroline Aranha John Lithgow Charles Rodman Brian Cox John Landon Tom Felton Dodge Landon David Oyelowo Steven Jacobs Andy Serkis Caesar Karin Konoval Maurice Terry Notary Rocket/Bright Eyes Richard Ridings Buck Devyn Dalton Cornelia Christopher Gordon Koba
Here is the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
This Wikipedia article provides an excellent overview of all the Planet of the Apes movies. It also hints at a fourth installment of the Reboot series.
Release Date: 2011
Directed by Rupert Wyatt.
Update 8/27/2024: I've actually had this movie for quite awhile but the post became corrupted and I had to salvage what I could, repost, redate it and re-enter it into my Alpha List. It seems to be okay, now.
Labels: action2, adventure2, andy-serkis, animal, biography1, cgi-animation, drama2, fantasy1, political1, reflective, science-fiction1, super-hero1, tragedy1, violence1, war1
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
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
- Commentary: This, the second installment of the Planet of the Apes Reboot trilogy. essentially defines and exacerbates the conflict between those humans who have not been wiped out by the Simian Flu Virus. Caesar, throughout most of the movie, remains hopeful that apes and humans can separately and peacefully coexist. Bad actors on both sides, though, due to both human and ape nature, make this impossible.
This movie has very sad undertones. It, essentially, sets up the large scale conflict between apes and humans that plays out in the final Trilogy Reboot.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Andy Serkis Caesar Toby Kebbell Koba Judy Greer Cornelia Nick Thurston Blue Eyes Terry Notary Rocket Karin Konoval Maurice Doc Shaw Ash Lee Ross Grey Jason Clarke Malcolm Gary Oldman Dreyfuss Keri Russell Eli Kodi Smit-McPhee Alexander Kirk Acevedo Carter Jon Eyez Foster Enrique Murciano Kemp Keir O'Donnell Finney
Update 6/9/2022: This post was originally published on 1/16/2021 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Update 10/1/2023: This post was originally published on 1/16/2021 but, yet again, it disappeared itself from public view. I am now re-reinstating it.
Here is the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Matt Reeves.
Labels: action2, adventure2, andy-serkis, animal, biography1, cgi-animation, drama2, fantasy1, political1, reflective, science-fiction1, super-hero1, tragedy1, violence1, war1
Thursday, June 09, 2022
War for the Planet of the Apes
- Commentary: This final Planet of the Apes reboot is probably the hardest to follow. Apes and humans have engaged in an all out war. The war, itself, is blamed, simultaneously, on bad human actors, bad ape actors and, well, inevitability, which is what mars the events portrayed in the film. About half the war is between two arms of the military against one another, one of which is holding the apes captive. It is hard to determine, frankly, if the second branch of the military is ape friendly or if that even matters.
At any rate, Caesar's dies at the end of this movie, thus bringing his biography to an end, as well. The apes as a group, however, survive and look forward to continued existence.
There has been talk about a fourth Planet of the Apes Reboot film. I'm not sure this is necessary, or even desirable. It will have to be a damned good one, taking a completely different trajectory, thus requiring some super thoughtful creativity. If you've watched the initial Planet of the Apes Sextilogy, you'll know that the movies declined in quality and thoughtfulness as the stories continued. I hope that isn't the fate of this Planet of the Apes Reboot.
Finally, once again, here are the results of my search crawl on RogerEbert.com for, simply, "Planet of the Apes movies". It pulled a lot of material, continuing on to a second page. Go ahead. Click and try it yourself. I'll bet there are even more articles on these movies than there were on 8/7/21, when I performed my crawl. These movies, the old ones, the middle one by Tim Burton, the "new" ones seem to be endlessly fascinating to our species, even as we are creating them, ourselves. Ver-r-r-r-(roll that "r")y Inter-r-restingk!
Update 6/9/2022: This post was originally published on 1/16/2021 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Andy Serkis Caesar Woody Harrelson The Colonel Steve Zahn Bad Ape Toby Kebbell Kobo Gabriel Chavarria Preacher Judy Greer Cornelia Karin Konoval Maurice Terry Notary Rocket Michael Adamthwaite Luca Ty Olsson Red Devyn Dalton Cornelius Sara Canning Lake Aleks Paunovic Winter Amiah Miller Nova Max Lloyd-Jones Blue Eyes Roger Cross Rod Wilson
Here's the Wikipedia write-up on this movie.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Matt Reeves.
Labels: action2, adventure2, andy-serkis, animal, biography1, cgi-animation, drama2, military, popcorn-and-soda1, science-fiction1, super-hero1, tragedy1, violence1, war1, woody-harrelson
Thursday, June 02, 2022
Another Earth
- Commentary: This is the movie that introduced me to the marvel of Brit Marling and started me on the journey of following her work. The story is strange and super-real, which I love. The acting is subtle and involving. The production quality is amazing. This movie made me a Brit Marling fan and I will be ever grateful.
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 Brit Marling Rhoda Williams William Mapother John Burroughs Jordan Baker Kim Williams Robin Lord Taylor Jeff Williams Flint Beverage Robert Williams Kumar Pallana Purdeep Diane Ciesla Dr. Joan Tallis Dr. Joan Tallis Keith Harding
This film also includes a narrator, Richard D. Berendzen, an astronomer and physicist.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2011
Directed by Mike Cahill.
Labels: aliens, brit-marling, drama5, fantasy2, science-fiction1
Sound of My Voice
- Commentary: This is the first Brit Marling movie I sought out after having fallen for Another Earth. As before, as is true of all her work, the story is unusual and a touch unbelievable, so much so that even characters in the movie don't believe it, which leads to a "catch" at the end, a feature of many of Marling's productions. It's brooding, which also seems to be a Marling trademark, but not heavily so. After I watched this movie it occurred to me that Marling and her regular work colleagues seem to be fooling with the science-fiction/fantasy formula, adding a little here, subtracting a little there, playing around to see what's possible.
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 Christopher Denham Peter Aiken Jack Griffo Young Peter Nicole Vicius Lorna Michaelson Brit Marling Maggie Davenia McFadden Carol Briggs Kandice Stroh Joanne Richard Wharton Klaus Christy Myers Mel Alvin Lam Lam Constance Wu Christine James Urbaniak Mr. Pritchett Avery Pohl Abigail Pritchett
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2011
Directed by Zal Batmanglij.
Labels: brit-marling, drama5, fantasy2, journalism, mystery1, science-fiction1
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Iron Man
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: My initial interest in this movie was that Robert Downey, Jr., plays the title character. I've never been disappointed with his work, even loved and admired some of it, and I couldn't imagine him playing a super hero. "Must really need the money," I thought, but I went for it, anyway. Perfect casting, I decided, just perfect, and good super hero story, too, good enough for me to want to own it after having rented it (and, I don't have a yen to own many super hero movies, although I try to watch as many as possible). Even though I purchased this movie some weeks before Mom's death and we both watched it (she wasn't thrilled with it), after Mom's death I found myself watching this movie several times...introducing it to relatives then watching it more on my own. I can't explain why, but it has provided me with inexplicable comfort since my mother's death. And, LOVE the suit...
By the way, Jim Emerson of Scanners, a blog he writes attached to RogerEbert.com, also wrote an interesting review of this movie, highlighting different aspects of the feature and the actors. In addition, in an ancillary commentary highlighting the tendency of movies the celebrate "free-market principles" (not only super-hero movies, but those, as well) to be more popular (probably because they are more likely to be promoted by those with promotional money, he insinuates) and more lucrative than movies with a socialistic bent. It's very eye-opening. You should check it out, Dear Reader.
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Downey, Jr. Tony Stark Terrence Howard James Rhodes Jeff Bridges Obadiah Stane Shaun Toub Ho Yinsen Gwyneth Paltrow Virginia Pepper Potts Paul Bettany J.A.R.V.I.S. Clark Gregg Phil Coulson Samuel L. Jackson Nick Fury
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Jon Favreau.
Labels: action1, adventure3, drama7, fantasy2, jeff-bridges, me-favorite2, robert-downey-jr, samuel-l-jackson, science-fiction1, super-hero2, suspense2, violence3
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Limitless
- Commentary: The premise of this movie has intrigued me since I first watched it, probably on cable TV, although I can't remember. I was so impressed with it that I mentioned it to one of my nephews and he enjoyed it, too. So, when I got a chance to own it, I took it. No "big deal" about this movie. It's just purely enjoyable, fanciful, very well produced fun. Excellent mood lifter, for me, anyway. I understand there is a TV series based on the movie. I'm not sure I'll watch it. I can't imagine this movie going on, and on, and on ...
As much as I enjoy this movie, though, you'll notice that I've linked the title of this post to Roger Ebert's critical review. He brings up some good points, makes you think even further about the premise of the movie than you had. It does not, though, spoil my enjoyment.
Update 2/10/18: Maybe it's a stretch to label this a "super-hero" movie, since the protagonist doesn't do anything particularly heroic, but, by the end, you are left with the feeling that he could, and maybe he will.
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.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bradley Cooper Edward Morra Abbie Cornish Lindy Robert De Niro Carlos Van Loon Anna Friel Melissa Gant Johnny Whitworth Vernon Gant Richard Bekins Henry Atwood Robert John Burke Donald Pierce Tomas Arana Man in Tan Coat T.V. Carpio Valerie Patricia Kalember Mrs. Atwood Andrew Howard Gennady Ned Eisenberg Morris Brandt
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2011
Directed by Neil Burger.
Labels: adventure1, drama6, fantasy2, robert-de-niro, satire1, science-fiction1, super-hero2, suspense2
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
District 9
- Commentary: I really enjoy this movie and am so pleased to finally have a copy of it. The unwitting hero, thrust into a situation that existed long before he became involved, is an average-man government drone. He starts bumbling long before he figures out that he is, indeed, bumbling and what needs to be done. He changes sides the way a self-conscious teenager changes clothes. He wants to do right by everybody, but, turns out, he's the only person involved in this scenario that is thinking in terms of what is right for the aliens as well as the humans. He spends the entire time portrayed in this movie either in misguided attempts to "do right" or exasperation. Then he starts getting to know the "prawns", and, rather than things getting better, they get worse. He learns that the plan of his alien friend is far better than any other plan but it's also fraught with extended problems for everyone, aliens and humans alike. He becomes infected with alien substance and begins transitioning to the alien species. He learns that, like all the other aliens, besides the two who manage to get the ship working, he's going to have to stay on earth and complete his transition. And, he carries with him a devotion to his wife, family and species that is truly heartbreaking. You know that, even when his alien friends return, his life will never be easy or make any sense. At the end of the film, you sense that he knows this, too.
Just a marvel of a film, with unresolved complications cropping up all over the place. I can't recommend this movie enough.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Sharlto Copley Wikus van de Merwe Jason Cope Christopher Johnson (Little CJ?) David James Col. Koobus Venter Mandla Gaduka Fundiswa Mhlanga Eugene Wanangwa Khumbanyiwa Obesandjo Vanessa Haywood Tania Smit-van de Merwe Nathalie Boltt Sarah Livingstone Louis Minnaar Piet Smit
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2009
Directed by Neill Blomkamp.
Labels: aliens, popcorn-and-soda6, science-fiction1
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Logan
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Hugh Jackman James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine Patrick Stewart Charles Xavier/Professor X Dafne Keen Laura/X-23 Boyd Holbrook Pierce Stephen Merchant Caliban Richard E. Grant Dr. Zandar Rice Eriq La Salle Will Munson Elise Neal Kathryn Munson
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up about this movie.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by James Mangold.
Labels: §2, science-fiction1, super-hero1
Monday, August 19, 2019
Avengers: Endgame
- Commentary: I haven't watched this one, yet. It's a new own. Relatively bargain priced, considering it's been on the shelves for only a minute. I have very few of the 22 (I read that number somewhere, recently) Marvel Universe movies: Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel and this one, in the order in which I obtained them. You know how I feel about super-hero movies, I generally love them, the quirky ones in particular (I consider, for instance, Shyamalan's Eastrail 177 Trilogy (of which I own all three) quirky; click here and here (direct links to all the movies I own that I've placed in the "super-hero" category) to see what I consider a super-hero movie; you'll likely be surprised) but in general there are many I don't care for and have no reason to own, especially of the Marvel Universe. I decided to add this one to my collection, sight unseen, though, since it's the end. Game. You know.
So, I'll be appending to this write-up when I watch this movie. Who knows. Maybe it will spur me to add a few more Marvel Universe super-hero movies to my collection. Maybe not. We'll see.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Downey Jr. Tony Stark/Iron Man Chris Evans Steve Rogers/Captain America Mark Ruffalo Bruce Banner/Hulk Chris Hemsworth Thor Scarlett Johansson Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow Jeremy Renner Clint Barton/Hawkeye Don Cheadle James Rhodes/War Machine Paul Rudd Scott Lang/Ant-Man Brie Larson Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel Karen Gillan Nebula Danai Gurira Okoye Benedict Wong Wong Jon Favreau Happy Hogan Bradley Cooper Rocket Gwyneth Paltrow Pepper Potts Josh Brolin Thanos
Also stars Michael Douglas as adult Hank Pym/Ant-Man.
In case you're curious, the Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Anthony Russo & Joe Russo.
Labels: §2, aliens, josh-brolin, michael-douglas, popcorn-and-soda1, robert-downey-jr, samuel-l-jackson, science-fiction1, super-hero1
Monday, July 01, 2019
Captain Marvel
- Commentary: Frankly, although I like this movie, I'm not a huge fan. Not like like I am with, say, Iron Man or the Unbreakable trilogy (I know it's not called that, but I think it's more recognizable as that). I haven't been following a lot of the Marvel Universe characters on film. I watch some of the Netflix series, which seems to do a good job with MCU characters): The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Daredevil, but the movies haven't really caught my attention. The reason I bought this movie is because Samuel L. Jackson, Annette Bening and Jude Law are in it: thus, I thought, it's gotta be great, you know?!? Long story short, I was wrong. It's not bad, and I have nothing against Brie Larson. I've caught accidental snippets of commentary against her, but, as far as I can tell, none of it attacks her performance as Captain Marvel. I ended up deciding to own Captain Marvel for the same reason I own Black Panther. I thought it might be interesting and promising. Turns out, I find Black Panther much more interesting and involving, and promising. I've watched that movie a couple of times since I bought it and I'm anticipating spin-offs of some of the characters. Some of those spin-offs have already been proposed, and/or promised. But, if a sequel to this movie is launched, I'll probably skip it.
After the beginning, the movie was tedious for me, until close to the end. I liked the special effects in it, especially what they did with the de-aging/aging of Samuel L. Jackson. I think the problem is with the script. The story just didn't have enough oomph, enough surprise, nor was its presentation of backstory particularly imaginative, or, for that matter, innovative.
I won't be donating it to the library, yet, anyway, although they would probably be glad of another copy, considering how popular it is. I cherish my super-hero movies, even if they're bad (although I haven't yet found one that is truly bad, probably because I am initially so very, very selective). And, anyway, considering all the other characters in the movie I liked, well, maybe, just maybe ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Brie Larson Carol Danvers/Vers/ Captain Marvel Samuel L. Jackson Nick Fury Ben Mendelsohn Talos/Keller Djimon Hounsou Korath Lee Pace Ronan the Accuser Lashana Lynch Maria Rambeau Gemma Chan Minn-Erva Annette Bening Supreme Intelligence/Mar-Vell/Dr. Wendy Lawson Clark Gregg Phil Coulson Jude Law Yon-Rogg Algenis Pérez Soto Att-Lass Rune Temte Bron-Char
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck.
Labels: action2, adventure2, aliens, annette-bening, ben-mendelsohn, don't-ask-me-why, female-director3, popcorn-and-soda2, pseudo-cgi-animation, samuel-l-jackson, science-fiction1, super-hero1, violence2
Monday, January 28, 2019
Contact
- Commentary: I'm surprised I haven't entered this movie into this index before this. I've owned it for about a year. My movie collecting has slowed, considerably, true, but I didn't realize it had slowed to the point that I was sure I'd entered this one. Everything I've entered in this update is much "younger", in my collection, anyway, than this one.
Thus, it should not surprise you that I've watched it several times since buying it. Which is exactly why I bought it for my collection. I checked this movie out of the library so much that I remember looking it up online and thinking, "This is so cheap, I should just own it!"
For me, this is another one of those movies that has a diaphanous quality to it. No matter how much contact it actually contains, for me the bulk of the movie is about dreaming, wishing, hoping and actualizing, even in the face of the lack of recognition of everyone around you. Sure, it's a cool sci-fi movie. But, bottom line, this movie says to me, experience isn't what others say happened to you, it's what you know happened to you.
In case you're wondering, yes, I read the book upon which it is based long before the movie went into production. The book, perhaps because my primary familiarity with Carl Sagan is through the Cosmos series (which is, in itself, more about dreaming and actualizing than it is about space) was, for my mother and me, an essential fill-in for the series. I sometimes wonder if Carl Sagan considered himself, primarily, a dreamer and only secondarily a scientist. Or, perhaps he was a scientist, an astrophysicist, because he was, first, a dreamer.
In Roger Ebert's initial review of this film (linked to the title of this post), he gave the movie three and a half stars. Then, in 2011, he christened Contact one of his Great Movies and added the initially lacking half star. In the review he discusses the differences in his opinion from his initial watching and watching it 14 years later. It's interesting to compare the two reviews.
Update 8/11/2021: Funny thing, yesterday my older sister and I, in a lengthy phone conversation (life-catch-up, really), discussed this movie (it remains a popular movie, folks) in light of a series of beach scenes aired during Season 17 of Grey's Anatomy in which Meredith, while suffering from COVID-19, meets up with previous and current colleagues on a beach. I don't have access to this season (or any seasons past 12), but I looked them up to clarify exactly what my sister was comparing to this movie. For those of you who remain as cable-challenged as I, here is a descriptive rundown of those scenes. My sister brought up those scenes (in our conversation she remembered them as one scene) without reference to this movie. Once she described them, I brought up their curious duplication of Ellie's beach scene with her father in this movie. Although I didn't use the term, my sister's description of these scenes seemed to me a rip-off of that famous scene in Contact. Although my sister said she's seen the movie, she didn't recall the scene I was describing. My take-away, now, is that, both of us being unaware of the other's references, we were kind of talking at cross purposes, yesterday, without realizing it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jodie Foster Dr. Eleanor Ann Arroway Jena Malone Young Ellie Matthew McConaughey Palmer Joss David Morse Theodore Arroway Tom Skerritt Dr. David Drumlin James Woods Michael Kitz John Hurt S. R. Hadden William Fichtner Kent Clarke Angela Bassett Rachel Constantine Jake Busey Joseph Rob Lowe Richard Rank Geoffrey Blake Fisher
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Labels: adventure1, aliens, david-morse, drama3, dream1, fantasy1, james-woods, jodie-foster, john-hurt, popcorn-and-soda2, pseudo-cgi-animation, science-fiction1
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Black Panther
- Commentary: Well. Folks. Yes. I own a copy of this movie. It's certainly not the best super-hero movie in my collection, in fact I would venture that it's probably the worst. It's beautiful to look at and a lot of the ideas, especially the technological state of Wakanda and a few of the political ideas, are interesting to contemplate. When I first watched the movie, immediately upon its DVD release (I checked it out of the library), I kept waiting for the story to start until, about half way through the movie, I realized, oh, this movie is not going to be story driven! How peculiar! The actors were given nothing with which to work, thus some amazing talents are little more than props for the cgi and none of the characters appear to have discernible, well, character, including, amazingly, Black Panther. The cgi, while breathtaking in parts, often seems little more than a confused mish-mash, like someone threw a graphics program at the script, picked up the pieces and declared them "a movie". Yes, the costuming is glorious. Yes, the hints of what Wakanda really is as a country and a political entity are intriguing. Some of the characters have real promise, which, unfortunately, none of them fulfill: Shuri, for instance, as a science genius and strong-willed princess, is treated like little more than the comical sidekick dragon in Mulan, even though, at one point, which piqued my interest, someone suggests, after the assumed death of Black Panther, her brother, that she ingest the panther-making potion, but, for some reason never explained, she doesn't; Ramonda, the glorious queen, is never assumed to be the rightful heir to her dead husband's throne, even though woman-power seems something Wakanda values, as its cadre of woman warriors attests; Killmonger, the alluring villain who seems less like a villain and more like someone who would make a more lively and engaging Black Panther than the Black Panther he supposedly killed; the entire Jabari tribe, who appear to have adopted the silver-backed gorilla as their god, evidenced by the light colored, shortened fur capes they wear, and whose leader seems charismatic and worthy of a movie, himself; and, last but not least, Okoye, a fearsome, luminous presence who certainly deserves her own story line. As well, while watching the movie last night for the second time, I suddenly became obsessed with the concept of city building in Wakanda. You'd think that such an innovative culture (or, at least, what appears to be an innovative culture but, in the movie, doesn't really live up to this promise) might have innovative city structures, following, say, the structure of the the tree that is featured in the landscape scenery throughout the movie. One group, I can't remember which one, although I think it might be the Jabari, has some structural idiosyncracies but, otherwise, African city structure, including that of Wakanda, in the movie, mimics sky-scraper city structure.
Something else that bothered me quite a bit is that the super hero is a monarch. Why? The super heroes I like the best are people-of-the-people like David Dunn of Unbreakable, or those who are transformed by encounters with people-of-the-people, like Tony Stark of Iron Man. If there had been something in the film to humanize T'Challa I don't think I would have given his royal status a second thought. But there wasn't. So, I did. Perhaps, in the comics (which I've not read, although I'm intrigued enough to consider reading, at this point, especially Ta Nehisi Coates' and Roxanne Gay's versions) Black Panther is not a wooden statue. In this movie, he is.
So. It seems, this movie impressed me about about as much as La La Land (my discussion of it is embedded in a write-up for another movie) and failed me as a viewer for many of the same reasons. So, why did I buy it, considering that I venerate musicals but could not bring myself to own a copy of La La Land? It is, after all, one thing to create a movie that is little more than a plastic toy of the main character. It's quite another to create a movie that inspires a plastic toy that is venerated as a true idol of the main character. Also, the disc versions are not yet in their "cheap phase".
Simply put, I saw it at Costco when I was shopping, yesterday, initially bypassed it, remembering my initial reaction to it, then, as I was headed toward the coffee section, I entertained a second consideration: I don't think this will be the end of the Black Panther MCU franchise. At least, I hope it won't. There is so much unfulfilled promise in this movie and the legendary character of Black Panther. I mean, didn't you ever in your childhood imagine yourself as a fearsome cat of some kind, especially a jaguar? Such an exotic creature-name! I'm sure, as well, that the creators have become aware of the cogent, helpful criticism (not much, but all I've read is on point) this movie has generated [as an example, take a look at this review, which hits on all the unsatisfying points I mention above, a few more, including the problem of critic agreement, and is the fairest "bad" review I could find, considering that there are almost no bad reviews of this film] and will do better, much, much better, next time. I wait with bated breath.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Chadwick Boseman T'Challa/Black Panther Michael B. Jordan N'Jadaka/Erik Killmonger Stevens Lupita Nyong'o Nakia Danai Gurira Okoye Martin Freeman Everett K. Ross Daniel Kaluuya W'Kabi Letitia Wright Shuri Winston Duke M'Baku Angela Bassett Ramonda Forest Whitaker Zuri Andy Serkis Ulysses Klaue Sterling K. Brown N'Jobu
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Ryan Coogler.
Labels: action1, adventure1, andy-serkis, drama4, fantasy1, forest-whitaker, pseudo-cgi-animation, science-fiction1, super-hero1, violence2
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
Split
- Commentary: Yikes! A third candidate for "horror" label status, all in the same editing session! This movie was a must-view-must-have for me. It's the second in the Eastrail 177 Trilogy by M. Night Shyamalan. I didn't know this, though, when I checked the film out of the library and watched it. All I knew was that it is the latest Shyamalan movie to be released so I wanted to see it. I don't always like his movies, like, for instance, The Village and Lady in the Water, not to mention The Last Airbender. Some of them, like Signs (which I don't own but occasionally check out of the library), I find entertaining but not worthy (yet, anyway) of owning. There are a few I haven't seen but expect to. My favorite of his films, though, is Unbreakable.
I liked Split so much that I immediately looked up information on it. When I discovered it is part of a trilogy of which Unbreakable is the first, well, I wanted to own it. I expect, eventually, to own Glass to complete the trilogy in my collection (I own it, now).
Split is of interest to me because I have a peculiar interest in super-hero evolution movies. Split is a super-villian evolution movie. To quote the Wikipedia entry on the movie: "The film has been referred to as the first supervillain origin story; the first time a film has been completely devoted to the origins of a villain as opposed to the origins of the superhero." My interest in super-hero movies and series is so eccentric that I avoid a lot of them. Unbreakable was the happy accident that lead me into a deeper interest in super-heroes. Now, I find that interest expanding into super-villians. I'll not be instituting a super-villian category, yet, because this would be the only movie in that category, at least for awhile, until other film makers catch the wave. Thank you, M. Night Shyamalan for being the first, and spectacularly!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James McAvoy Kevin Wendell Crumb/alter egos Anya Taylor-Joy Casey Cooke Betty Buckley Karen Fletcher Haley Lu Richardson Claire Benoit Jessica Sula Marcia Sebastian Arcelus Casey's Father Brad William Henke John Cooke Neal Huff Mr. Benoit Lyne Renée Academic Moderator Rosemary Howard Penelope Crumb M. Night Shyamalan Security Guard Jai Bruce Willis David Dunn
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2016
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Labels: action1, coming-of-age1, drama4, fantasy1, horror1, m-night-shyamalan, science-fiction1, super-hero1
The Birds
- Commentary: Ah! My second chance to use the "horror" label in my catalogue of films!
I came by a circuitous route to owning this film. I did see this movie in the theater when it was initially released. I was 12. I watched the movie at an outdoor theater on Guam, which certainly added to the ambience of the film. I followed the movie with a reading of the short story, which was anti-climactic. Hitchcock used Daphne du Maurier's story as a springboard. However, the film had a huge impact on me. I think it may have been the first bleak film I'd seen. It left me so hungry for an upbeat ending that I spent days after my viewing rearranging my thinking about stories, films and life. Mind you, I was not unused to bleakness in literature. By the time I'd seen this movie I'd already read, and reveled in, Of Mice and Men, Two Years Before the Mast and Moby Dick, as well as a few other bleak classics. No, I never saw filmed versions of those. But, then, The Birds is in an entirely different class of film adaptation for me. It ushered me into an appreciation of the bleak film genre.
One of the treats of this particular press of this movie is all the extras. I haven't gone through all the supplemental material but what I've seen has increased my enjoyment of the movie at least a few-fold. This, however, isn't the reason I purchased the movie. A few months ago I read Camille Paglia's latest book and began catching myself up on interviews with her posted on YouTube. I'd read (and often been provoked by) almost everything she's written and love listening to her; it's like listening to an intelligent machine gun. Anyway, I thought I knew her book literature inside out. In addition, I was an original subscriber to Salon magazine in the old days when it was a startlingly good site and included the forum "The Well". Camille Paglia was an original contributor and I enjoyed her column. It came as a surprise to me, though, that she'd written a book about the movie The Birds. I searched it out. Reading it was a bit of a disappointment, but it heightened my interest in the movie, scenes from which had lodged in my memory long ago, especially since the reviewer of Paglia's book about the movie, in the previous link, included derisive pronouncement on the movie, itself, in contrast to how much it's been lauded over the years since its initial release. So, I checked the movie out of the library.
My memory of the movie had not failed me. There was good reason for it to have branded itself into my memory. I have very few Hitchcock movies in my collection. His movies are only occasionally of interest to me. Psycho, for instance, to me was, to quote out of context Myles Weber, the reviewer who wrote the above mentioned review of Paglia's book on The Birds [link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie], a "dud"; I've never been interested enough in the film to figure out why it struck me that way. I knew, though, after checking out The Birds, I wanted to add it to my collection. I've watched it once since it arrived. I'll be watching it again.
The review for this specific movie, by the way, can be found in the page linked to the title of this post about halfway down DVD Savant's page. He reviewed all the movies found in "Alfred Hitchcock The Masterpiece Collection", so you'll need to scroll through other material before reaching the review for this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Rod Taylor Mitch Brenner Tippi Hedren Melanie Daniels Jessica Tandy Lydia Brenner Veronica Cartwright Cathy Brenner Suzanne Pleshette Annie Hayworth Ethel Griffies Ornithologist Mrs. Bundy Charles McGraw Sebastian Sholes Lonny Chapman Deke Carter Elizabeth Wilson Helen Carter Ruth McDevitt Mrs. MacGruder Malcolm Atterbury Deputy Al Malone Richard Deacon Mitch's S.F. Neighbor
Release Date: 1963
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Labels: alfred-hitchcock, animal, drama4, fantasy1, film-art1, folk-horror, science-fiction1, suspense1, violence2
Face/Off
- Commentary: Definitely a guilty-pleasures movie for me!
Love the "Hallelujah Chorus" sequence! Love the cinematography! Love the twisty-turny story! Love the final catch-him sequence! Love this pairing of John Travolta and Nicolas Cage!
I watched this movie again a few days ago (it's one of those for which I get a hankering) and, as usual, laughed out loud in delight, even though I was watching it alone.
Just an action gem! A John Woo masterpiece.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role John Travolta Sean Archer Nicolas Cage Castor Troy Joan Allen Eve Archer Alessandro Nivola Pollux Troy Gina Gershon Sasha Hassler Dominique Swain Jamie Archer Nick Cassavetes Dietrich Hassler Harve Presnell Victor Lazarro Colm Feore Dr. Malcolm Walsh John Carroll Lynch Prison Guard Walton CCH Pounder Hollis Miller Tommy Flanagan Leo
Just in case, the Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by John Woo.
Labels: action1, drama4, joan-allen, john-travolta, me-favorite1, neo-noirB, nicolas-cage, popcorn-and-soda2, science-fiction1, suspense1, thriller1, violence2
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Day After Tomorrow
- Who's watched: Watched and bought this movie AMD
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: This is another movie that was released well before Mom's death but which neither of us noticed, until it was too late for her. I'm sure she would have enjoyed it at least as much as me. Another one of those movies I can watch again and again. Yes, I know, this scenario is highly unlikely, but, frankly, considering our continued head-in-the-sand attitude toward the increasing climate change and what we, as humans, think of as climate chaos (what happens probably isn't considered chaotic from the perspective of the climate gods), how would we know what's likely and what's not? This movie has a peculiar effect on me. Every time I watch it (and, actually, I watched it, yet again, last weekend), my unedited emotional reaction is, "Yes! Let it happen! Let it happen!" Pretty much the same as my reaction to Earth 2100, which I don't yet own but probably will, since I no longer have cable, on which it used to show about once every three months.
Update 2/7/18: In case you're interested, here's the link to Earth 2100 on YouTube, with subtitles. As well, the next two links will connect you to the "official" ABC scripts; the first for Act One and the second for Acts Two & Three. These scripts are loaded with links to peripheral information mentioned in the documentary. Guess I don't have to own this one, after all! I'll try to check these links every once in awhile in case they go dead and I have to scavenge others.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Dennis Quaid Jack Hall Jake Gyllenhaal Samuel Hall Sela Ward Dr. Lucy Hall Emmy Rossum Laura Chapman Ian Holm Terry Rapson Jay O. Sanders Franklin Harris Glenn Plummer Luther Dash Mihok Jason Evans
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Roland Emmerich.
Labels: action1, adventure3, apocalyptic, drama6, fantasy2, jake-gyllenhaal, me-favorite2, popcorn-and-soda2, science-fiction1, suspense2
