Saturday, June 04, 2022
Miss Hokusai
- Commentary: There are so many reasons why I could have missed this film, not the least of which is that I was unfamiliar with the manga series. Suffice it to say, I am ever grateful to the movie gods that I didn't. This evocative film is right up my alley. The animation, as well, is stunning. It roils underneath while observing a startling surface propriety. Just a gem.
Here's a second review that I found interesting, as well.
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 O-Ei Erica Lindbeck Katsushika Hokusai Richard Epcar Ikeda Zenjiro Ezra Weisz Utagawa Kuninao Robbie Daymond Koto Barbara Goodson O-Nao Courtney Chu Iwakubo Hatsugoro Marc Diraison Kichiya Kevin T. Collins
The Wikipedia write-up for this film (and manga series) is here.
Release Date: 2015
Directed by Keiichi Hara.
Labels: animated, drama5, father-daughter-dynamics, film-art1, haunting1, historical2, period2, spiritual1, women's-movie1
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Touched by an Angel, Seasons 1 - 9
- Who's watched: M & G, ad infinitum
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6* *7*
- Commentary: For the most complete coverage of this series in our lives, best for you to click into the first Mention, above. Otherwise, suffice it to say that, as of this date, I still haven't been able to watch any of the episodes of this series (as I haven't since my mother's death), but refuse to pass these DVDs on to someone else.
* As usual, while there are many directors throughout the seasons, female directors are merely scattered throughout. In fact, the first season had no female directors. I guess that figures, since it's a series underhandedly about the Abrahamic God.
P. S.: I recall that there are at at least a couple of Christmas stories in this set ... I just don't know which episodes they are.
Update 2/10/18: True, not your classic super-hero series but, don't you agree, the angels act miraculously and certainly have what humans would consider super-powers. And, they help people and, in a few episodes, do battle with Satan, their nemesis. What could be more super-heroic than that?!?
Update 5/24/22: Yet another post published on 4/09/09 that "disappeared" and I had to recapture.
Update 11/24/22: In case you're curious, the Touched by an Angel episode in which Kirk Douglas acted was season 6-episode 18, "Bar Mitzvah".
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Roma Downey Monica Della Reese Tess John Dye Andrew Valerie Bertinelli Gloria Alexis Cruz Rafael Charles Rocket Adam Paul Winfield Sam Cloris Leachman Ruth
Ossie Davis appeared as Erasmus Jones in "Touched by an Angel" Season 3/Episodes 11 "Promised Land" & 12 "The Homecoming"; "Touched by an Angel" Season 4 Episode 1 "The Road Home Part 1"; Season 5 Episode 2 "Saving Grace Part 1"
Ossie Davis appeared as Gabe in "Touched by an Angel" Season 6 Episode 10 "The Christmas Gift"
Ossie Davis appeared as Gabriel in "Touched by an Angel" Season 9 Episode 9 "Remembering Me Part 2"
Piper Laurie appeared in Touched by an Angel, Season 4/Episode 12, "Venice"
John de Lancie appeared in Touched by an Angel, Season 4/Episode 5, "Jones vs. God"
Nancy Allen appeared in Touched by an Angel, Season 1/Episode 7, "An Unexpected Snow"
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994-2003
Directed by: See * note above.
Labels: Christmas, edward-james-olmos, enrique-castillo, fantasy2, female-director3, jesse-borrego, john-de-lancie, kirk-douglas, mom-favorite1, nancy-allen, ossie-davis, piper-laurie, spiritual1, william-devane
City of Angels
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Yes, Mom and I watched this movie a long time ago, when it first came out in video. Remembering how Mom enjoyed it (whether or not she believed in angels, I never asked her this, despite her interest in this movie and the Touched by an Angel series), when I noticed it on TV during our channel surfing episodes, if nothing else looked more interesting to her, I'd click into it. I watched the entire movie once. Although I was (and remain) impressed with the visualization of how the angels in the movie exist on earth, since I'd seen Wings of Desire long prior to watching this movie, became interested in this movie because I enjoyed the former and was sorely disappointed that the remake was sooooo much different than the movie upon which it was based, after my first watching, I subsequently paid little attention to it, except, I must mention, the panoramic shots of angels, which I continued to admire.
Then, Mom died, and, well, the rest of the story of my relationship to this movie and why I decided to purchase a copy of it is contained in the link up there in the Mentions section. And, yes, I'm still embarrassed by my late-realized attraction to certain scenes in this movie. It is, for instance, with some chagrin that I'm labeling (below) this movie in the "spiritual" category. Objectively, it's not, really, but I have to say, reluctantly, that the effect of the angel-vision scenes on me after my mother's death is emotional-spiritual (probably the "emotional" aspect is more important than the "spiritual" aspect).
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 Nicolas Cage Seth Meg Ryan Maggie Rice Andre Braugher Cassiel Colm Feore Jordan Ferris Dennis Franz Nathaniel Messinger Robin Bartlett Anne Joanna Merlin Teresa Messinger Sarah Dampf Susan
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988
Directed by Brad Silberling.
Labels: drama7, fantasy2, haunting2, me-favorite2, meg-ryan, nicolas-cage, romance2, spiritual1
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Birdman
- Commentary: A sophisticated movie about a completely unsophisticated man in a completely unsophisticated predicament. I watched the movie with enjoyment the first time, without any inkling that I might want to own it. Then came the surprising, delightful ending and I watched it again, immediately. I knew I'd be adding it to my collection. And, dear reader, I did.
By the way, two writers at RogerEbert.com chose to weigh in on this movie. The first, linked to the title of this post, weighed in after the movie's success at Telluride. The second review was written about a month and a half later, once the movie had saturated American theater screens.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 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 Michael Keaton Riggan Thomson Benjamin Kanes Young Riggan/Birdman Zach Galifianakis Jake Edward Norton Mike Shine Andrea Riseborough Laura Alburn Amy Ryan Sylvia Thomson Emma Stone Sam Thomson Naomi Watts Lesley Truman Lindsay Duncan Tabitha Dickinson Merritt Wever Annie Jeremy Shamos Ralph Bill Camp Crazy Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2014
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.
Labels: dramedy1, edward-norton, film-art1, satire1, spiritual1, super-hero2
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
The Attack
- Commentary: Curiously, the Wikipedia page for this movie is a sad affair. It contains not even a plot summary, just a list of the cast, some links to other films by Ziad Doueiri and a list of "External Links" to critical sites that write about this movie. In fact, there is more written about this film in the Wikipedia write-up for Zaid Doueiri, the director, than there is in Wikipedia's write-up about the movie.
I do not remember when I first saw this movie, or how. It was certainly between 2012 and now, probably on a streaming service, definitely at no charge. It seems to me that it may have been within the last five years. I also have a vague recollection of watching it at least twice, perhaps more.
This is a haunting movie that I should have included in my list of Movies I've Seen, Do Not Own but Can't Forget, as I think about it often. This movie lays out a peculiar story about a Palestinian-Islamic physician practicing in Israel whose Palestinian Orthodox Catholic wife is killed in a terrorist bombing. The physician discovers something about his wife's death that horrifies and befuddles him. The bulk of the movie documents his journey to understand her and Israel's and Palestine's roles in her death.
There are no simple answers in this movie, for either the physician or the audience. It will keep you ruminating about The Human Condition long after you've completed watching the movie. In this sense, it is a priviledge for every member of the audience to be invited along on this physician's journey to discover the truth about his wife's life and death, and more. The number of labels I've appended to this film should be an indication of its overwhelming impact.
Finally, if you are in doubt about the impact this film may have on you, read this eloquent review by someone unknown to me who was also gob-smacked by this film.
Warning: This is not a popcorn-and-soda movie. Prepare to be moved, not entertained.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ali Suliman Amin Jaafari Reymond Amsalem Siham Jaafari Evgenia Dodina Kim Dvir Benedek Raveed Uri Gavriel Captain Moshe Ruba Salameh Faten Karim Saleh Adel Nisrin Siksik Leila Bassem Lulu Yasser Ezra Dagan Ezra Benhaim Ramzi Maqdisi Priest Arieh Worthalter The Man
Release Date: 2012
Directed by Ziad Doueiri.
Labels: drama1, film-art1, haunting1, me-favorite1, mystery1, political1, psychological1, reflective, spiritual1, tragedy1, violence1
Monday, April 05, 2021
The Witch
- Commentary: I finally watched this film last night, 6/30/21. I know. I've had it since April. My only excuse is that, although since that time I've added several movies (seen and unseen previous to purchase) I've wanted to own, at the same time I entered into a period, not the first I've experienced, when I just didn't want to spend much time staring at the screen, no matter how much any particular movie excited me.
Anyway, interesting, interesting film! First of all, there's not a false performance in it. Second, the setting is exquisitely managed. Third, the story, itself, slips, expertly between "witches, yes" and "witches, no". Third, character development and relational portrayal between characters are never neglected. I ended the movie with no questions or holes in my understanding. In addition, my attention was riveted from beginning to end.
Truthfully, having been born on Halloween, I have a special relationship with horror movies that focus on witchery. I have, by no means, seen all of them and tend to avoid the hundreds (if not thousands) of horror films, witched or not, that cluster-release around Halloween. This movie, though, is designed, I think, to be thought provoking and decidedly eerie any time of the year, especially since it unfolds slowly. Impressive job for a directoral first. It would, in fact, be an excellent job for a film made in the middle or end of a long film-making career.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Anya Taylor-Joy Thomasin Ralph Ineson William Kate Dickie Katherine Harvey Scrimshaw Caleb Ellie Grainger Mercy Lucas Dawson Jonas Julian Richings The Governor Bathsheba Garnett The Old Witch Sarah Stephens The Young Witch Charlie Goat Black Phillip Wahab Chaudhry Human Black Phillip Axtun & Athan Dube Samuel
Here's the Wikipeda write-up on this film.
Release Date: 2015
Directed by Robert Eggers.
Labels: A24, drama1, feminist, folk-horror, period1, popcorn-and-soda1, psychological1, spiritual1, women's-movie2
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Confucius
- Commentary: I almost didn't acquire this movie. I found out about it, looked for it at the local library, couldn't find it and figured, well, I don't want to take a chance on it if I can't pre-view (yes, the dash is intentional) it. I mean, I'm familiar with some of Chow Yun Fat's work, martial arts stuff, find him riveting as an actor but knew almost nothing about Confucius except for the dubious details that our culture pawns off on us. When I discovered the movie, by accident, I was intrigued enough to go looking for information on the man, himself. It was this research, which is voluminous, that whetted my interest in the movie. There is a great deal of information on Confucius, but the most intriguing bit of information is that there is some (little) historical doubt as to whether he or his renowned teacher, Laozi, even existed in anything other than legend. Regardless of whether either figure actually existed or were combinations of several Chinese philosophers and legends, the impact of both figures on both Chinese and global society cannot be denied.
So, based only on Confucius' impact, my appreciation for Chow Yun Fat's work and finding the movie, new, at a good price, I decided to purchase it.
I'm pleased I did. Whether Confucius is legend or fact, the movie is so well done and very involving. It swept me up and delivered me into a life full of action and intrigue. Extraordinary man. His life, legendary, actual, whatever, was a touchstone. If such a person hadn't have lived, he surely would have been invented, by the best minds of his day and the days to come.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Chow Yun-fat Confucius Zhou Xun Nanzi Xu Huanshan Laozi Yao Lu Duke Lu Dinggong Ma Jingwu Duke Jing of Qi Bi Yanjun Duke Ling of Wei Wang Huichun Li Chu Li Huan Kuai Kui Chen Jianbin Jisun Si Lu Yi Jisun Fei Wang Ban Shushun Wu Wu Liansheng Mengsun He Kai Li Lady Qiguan Qiao Zhenyu Kong Li Chen Rui Kong Jiao Ren Quan Yan Hui
In case you're curious, here's the Wikipedia page on this film. It's a sad affair, especially since most of its wordage is about (some) of the controversies surrounding the film. The review linked to the title of this post is from ScreenAnarchy and, I think, is a much fairer representation of the film, including the constroversies it stirred. Don't be surprised if I link to more of their content in the future.
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Hu Mei.
Labels: §2, action2, adventure2, biography1, cgi-animation, drama2, female-director1, historical1, period1, political1, reflective, spectacle1, spiritual1, war1
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Tokyo Story
- Commentary: This movie is the Japanese version of Make Way for Tomorrow. Literally. Ozu admitted, at one time, that he was influenced by Make Way for Tomorrow to create this movie. This is also my favorite Ozu film, if I can be said to have a favorite. I also love Ikiru, although I don't own it (yet), and, of course, I do own An Autumn Afternoon, which I also love. Ozu had a way with the subject of aging. Tokyo Story is never maudlin, never particularly editorial (although, of course, fiercely editorial in the choice of subject matter). Tokyo Story is also not pointedly about aging, but, rather, about inter-generational conflict when aging is involved. And yet, despite its trajectory, it does not strike me as tragic. Perhaps that's because I was my mother's enthusiastic companion through her last almost two decades and subtly nurtured her amazing belief that she was going to live forever in the flesh. She, by the way, informed me that I would also live forever in the flesh, a prophecy that I happily embraced. Are you kidding? The two of us living, together, forever? Oh, my what adventures we'd have (to misquote Dr. Seuss)!
Roger Ebert was so impressed with the movie that he wrote two reviews of it: the second, a "Great Movies" review, linked to the title of this post and the first, his review after the first time he saw it, which is linked a bit further down in this post. They are somewhat similar, but I think any readers will get a kick out of comparing the two.
In addition, the cinematography and the choices made in regard to connecting scenes are intuitively brilliant, from my perspective. The mood is preserved, throughout, by these delicate, connecting links in the chain of the story.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Chishū Ryū Shūkichi Hirayama Chieko Higashiyama Tami Hirayama Setsuko Hara Noriko Hirayama Haruko Sugimura Shige Kaneko So Yamamura Kōichi Hirayama Kuniko Miyake Fumiko Hirayama Kyōko Kagawa Kyōko Hirayama Eijirō Tōno Sanpei Numata Nobuo Nakamura Kurazō Kaneko Shirō Ōsaka Keizō Hirayama Hisao Toake Osamu Hattori Teruko Nagaoka Yone Hattori
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1953
Directed by Yasujirō Ozu.
Labels: §1, aging, chishū-ryū, Criterion1, drama2, film-art1, psychological1, spiritual1, yasujirō-ozu
The Ballad of Narayama
- Commentary: I have seen two of the three filmed versions of this story. The other one I've seen is covered here. Frankly, I wouldn't mind owning both, but the price of the second remains prohibitive. Of the three versions that have been made of this movie, though, this version is my preferred version. It's hard to explain why, considering that the second version referred to above is the more movie-like. This version, aside from telling the story well and totally involving me, is also an experiment in presentation for the filmmaker. For me, it is more jolting than enjoyably somber. The second is more enjoyably somber than jolting. I guess I prefer being jolted, when it comes to this movie.
You'll notice I'm not labeling this movie a "tragedy". That's because, all things considered, it's not. It's a meditation on death, yes, but not tragic death, just death. One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kinuyo Tanaka Orin Teiji Takahashi Tatsuhei Yūko Mochizuki Tamayan Danko Ichikawa Kesakichi Keiko Ogasawara Matsu-yan Seiji Miyaguchi Matayan Yūnosuke Itō Matayan's Son Ken Mitsuda Teruyan
For the Wikipedia write-up on this film, click here.
Release Date: 1958
Directed by Keisuke Kinoshita.
Labels: §2, aging, Criterion1, drama3, haunting1, historical1, period1, psychological1, spiritual1
Make Way for Tomorrow
- Commentary: I first saw this movie the Thanksgiving after my mother died. I was preparing to travel down to the Phoenix metroplex to share a late afternoon Thanksgiving dinner with one of my sisters' families. I awoke early, was ready to go within an hour and looking for something to do until I felt it optimal to leave for the drive down to The Valley. I switched on TCM and up came this movie. I'd never heard of it, but the title intrigued me.
What a film! Despite it having been released in 1937, it addressed a situation so common, today, that the movie industry continues to release a new take on "what-to-do-about-the-elderly" once every couple of years, or so. As a society, here in the U.S., we never get tired of fearing the aging of our parents, and then, our own aging ... and we still don't have it figured out. Every time I watch this movie, I think of a scene out of another movie (which I can't place, at the moment, I don't think I own it), an animated feature, possibly Brother Bear, but I'm not sure, I should rent that movie from the library and see, in which a young character's grandmother features in a short segment, gathering flowers in a forest and explaining the joys of being old. It's a laudable portrayal, but not really true of aging in our society (or some other societies). This movie is true. And depressing. As hell.
Upshot is, I was so impressed with this movie I attempted to talk about it during my Thanksgiving visit. My sister was having none of it. Which kind of proves my point.
With this movie, I'm instituting a new label category, "aging". I'm surprised it didn't exist before this. I guess I share the same psychological malady of having trouble contemplating aging with the rest of my society. Now I'm curious: How many more movies do I own to which this label could apply? Probably not many, which, yet again, underscores my point.
Roger Ebert christened this movie as a "Great Movie", linked to the title of this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Victor Moore Pa Cooper Beulah Bondi Ma Cooper Fay Bainter Anita Cooper Thomas Mitchell George Cooper Porter Hall Harvey Chase Barbara Read Rhoda Cooper Maurice Moscovitch Max Rubens Elisabeth Risdon Cora Payne Minna Gombel Nellie Chase Ray Meyer Robert Cooper Ralph Remley Bill Payne Louise Beavers Mamie
For the curious, here's the Wikipedia write-up about this film.
Release Date: 1937
Directed by Leo McCarey.
Labels: aging, beulah-bondi, Criterion1, drama3, louise-beavers, psychological1, spiritual1, thomas-mitchell, tragedy1
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
The Rapture
- Commentary: I know, I know, what am I doing with this movie, relatively unknown, certainly a peculiar take on Christianity's final judgment doctrine, in my collection? Let me explain. I saw this movie when I was living in Seattle, when it premiered in the theater. I decided to see it after reading Roger Ebert's remarkable review of the movie, linked to the title of this post.
No, I am not a believer, for all practical purposes I've never been, but I lived, in my teenage years, with a relative who became a rabid Christian fundamentalist and spent quite a bit of her time at home (which was, in those days, less time than she spent at church functions) trying to convert the rest of the family (which she never accomplished; an unusual defeat considering that the usually successful tactic of the church with which she was associated was to snatch the teens and badger them to convert their families). I was particularly affected, to the point of studying scripture, despite my lack of faith, and presenting her with an essay about how, if her beliefs were true, I was willing to be eternally damned. Some years later this relative renounced her belief, with her husband, whom she met in the church, and became a staunch atheist and Unitarian Universalist. I've remained an agnostic atheist with a fascination for religious rabidity and the media it inspires. This is my favorite movie of that genre. Notice all the labels I've attached to it. It affects me on several levels, of which I am reminded at least once a year since I obtained it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mimi Rogers Sharon David Duchovny Randy Kimberly Cullum Mary Darwyn Carson Maggie Patrick Bauchau Vic James LeGros Tommy Will Patton Deputy Foster Sam Vlahos Wayne
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Michael Tolkin.
Labels: adventure1, apocalyptic, bible-movies1, drama4, dream1, fantasy1, film-art1, haunting1, jesus-dvds, me-favorite1, neo-noirB, prophecy, spiritual1, suspense1
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Yes
- Who's watched: Watched and bought this movie AMD
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Finally, one more AMD movie that isn't fluffy, not even close! I stumbled across this movie by chance when I was browsing Netflix. It sounded interesting. I fell in love with it as I began watching it and became even more intrigued when I realized that the entire script was written in poetry. It is so skillfully written, directed and acted that I can imagine lots of people watching this movie and never realizing it is poetic. It's modern day Shakespeare. The story was also mesmerizing, especially it's peculiar overview of romantic relationships, sly and ironic, erotic in an offhanded way, which makes it hard to call this movie a romance, although I'll include that label on this review. I was so enthralled that when I bought the movie I also bought the script and, as well, had a copy of this movie sent to one of my sisters who I just knew would find it as intriguing as I did. I also excerpted one of the monologues from the movie, over-narrated by a character who is in a nursing home, pretty much comatose and immediately dying, to read at my grief support group because it confirmed something I rather suspected from having attended my own mother's death; that the dying (and the dead) don't necessarily want their survivors not to grieve for them.
I linked the title of this post to the movie's site (which, astonishingly is still up. However, I noticed that Roger Ebert was particularly impressed by this movie. You might want to read his review. He also interviewed Sally Potter and Joan Allen about their involvement in the movie. Even Chaz wrote a blog post about Ebert's admiration for the film. Why he did not christen this movie as one of his "Great Movies", I'll never understand, especially considering the glowing review he gave it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joan Allen She Simon Abkarian He Sam Neill Anthony Shirley Henderson Cleaner Wil Johnson Virgil Gary Lewis Billy Raymond Waring Whizzer Stephanie Leonidas Kate
Although the website linked to the title of this post is actually interesting, it's a bit daunting to get into and figure out, so, just in case here's the film's Wikipedia page.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Sally Potter.
Labels: drama6, erotic, female-director3, film-art1, haunting1, joan-allen, me-favorite2, romance1, spiritual1
Friday, April 13, 2007
The Nativity Story
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Yes, this is yet another jesus dvd that is a Jesus movie. We rented it first. For some unknown reason, I had the idea that maybe we had enough Jesus movies for Mom and she'd consider this one overkill, but I was wrong, which is why I purchased it for her. We've watched it several times.
I appreciate it for the explanation it contains of certain cultural customs to which members of "The Holy Family" would have been obligated, but, more than this, some of the oblique symbology of the birth of Jesus is explained, such as the signficance of the gifts received from "the wise men". There is strong enough emphasis on the importance of the visiting of the shepherds that I finally understood this aspect of the Jesus Nativity Story. And, the parallel story of Elizabeth and Zechariah is well woven into the presentation.
My mother, of course, is enthralled with the movie. The more apparently realistic Bible movies are, the more she likes them. This one rang a bell for her. She even enjoyed the offhand comic relief of the three wise men.
I may have mentioned this before: I'm not Christian, never have been, actually, even though I was raised in what would be considered a typical Christian household of the 50's and 60's, which is to say, only mildly religious but with a strong emphasis on morality and ethics, not necessarily connected to but often echoing Christianity in particular. Because my mother is deeply spiritual, though, and uses Christianity as her spiritual touchstone (and, for a few other reasons, as well), I spent a fair amount of time (still do, in fact) investigating and thinking about Christianity. I've been at the point, for some years, where I firmly doubt the existence of the historical Jesus as presented in Christianity (even the Christian gospels hint that the Jesus they present never existed) but, because much of the symbology and beliefs are ubiquitous in many theistic and nontheistic religious doctrines and practice, the entire area of spirituality bounded by religion fascinates me and Christianity, being the first religion to which I was introduced, thus the one with which I am most familiar, is a good jumping off point for me. This movie, in particular, is a succinct reminder of the power of the Jesus story, Jesus mythology and Christian dedication. As well, while I was absorbing Elizabeth's story alongside Mary's, I was suddenly struck by the importance of the mothers of gods, in stories such as these, always being in some way barren, or, in the case of the births of great leaders of a theistic religion, the birth itself or the baby being threatened, thus the birth of the god or the leader is usually (except, for instance, in the case of Abram/Abraham), somehow miraculous. I don't know why I never before paid attention to this.
Soon after we watched this movie a few times and had some stimulating conversations about Christianity in particular and spirituality in general, I decided to rent The God Who Wasn't There so Mom could get a better idea of why Christianity interests me but doesn't cause me to "fall on [my] knees". No, this isn't a movie we'll be purchasing. I was familiar with most of the stuff in it when I originally saw it and don't need it as a resource. But, Mom found this movie interesting and worthy of discussion, although it didn't sway her belief in her religion. I didn't expect this. Even those of us who aren't swayed by beliefs in gods and the ritual detail of god centered religions often have belief systems that make no rational sense but hold sway over us, anyway. At any rate, something I realized when we discussed spirituality and religion from the point of view of The God Who Wasn't There is that Mom is firmly centered in life-here-and-now rather than death-in-the-sweet-by-and-by. This, I think, is the important difference between her spirituality and that of many people who consider and call themselves Christians.
The Nativity Story is not nearly as spiritually powerful for me as, say, The Little Buddha, for instance, but it's provocative, nonetheless, and I can count on it to trigger interesting discussions about religion and spirituality between my mother and me.
Well, well, well. I found loads of Christian reviewers covering this movie, usually positively (if there was any negativity at all in these reviews, it was a minor haggle over biblical representation of the story vs. this movie's representation), but I was able to find only two secular critics weighing in. Of those, I chose the, well, the longest, to connect to the title of this post. It was also the better of the two I found, and the kinder. I think what most secular critics wanted was more of a The Last Temptation of the Christ presentation. Although I'm a secularist, myself, I notice that most secularists who go to the movies are allergic to any religious presentation even when it is sincere and subtle. Guys, this story is well acted by some extraordinary actors, well directed, well filmed and well told. It's not trying to convert you. It's just telling an old, old story. Relax. It's not going to jump into the theater (or your living room) and strangle you until you become Christian.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Keisha Castle-Hughes Mary Oscar Isaac Joseph Hiam Abbass Anna Shaun Toub Joachim Shohreh Aghdashloo Elizabeth Stanley Townsend Zechariah Ciarán Hinds Herod the Great Alexander Siddig Angel Gabriel
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke.
Labels: bible-movies1, Christmas, drama7, female-director2, jesus-dvds, mom-favorite1, oscar-isaac, period3, religion1, spiritual1
Friday, March 09, 2007
After Life
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1**2*
- Commentary: Again, another movie in which the "mentions" say it all; except for an update: We've watched this movie a couple more times since I purchased it. Each time, I question Mom on her one preferred memory. Each time, she comes up with a variety of memories but still can't decide which she'd keep and which she'd allow to be blocked.
One other thing: I noticed, when I received our purchased copy, which came in a DVD case with, you know, the usual info sleeve, that my interpretation of the movie, that one relives their chosen memory for eternity, is exactly the way the sellers of the movie to the U.S. interpret it. Here is the specific part of the cover blurb: "With the help of dedicated caseworkers, each soul is given three days to choose one cherished memory from their life that they will relive for eternity." Interesting that the English subtitles for the movie don't exactly explain this. Makes me wish I was fluent in Japanese, so I could tell if the original script for the movie suggests this. I wonder if this interpretation is strictly a U.S. cultural interpretation or if the movie is meant to communicate this and does so in the Japanese dialogue. Comments in regard to this mystery from anyone who is fluent in both Japanese and English would be welcome.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Arata Takashi Mochizuki Erika Oda Shiori Satonaka Susumu Terajima Satoru Kawashima Taketoshi Naito Ichiro Watanabe Takashi Naito Takuro Sugie Hisako Hara Kiyo Nishimura Kei Tani Kennosuke Nakamura Kisuke Shoda Toru Yuri Kazuko Shirakawa Nobuko Amano Yūsuke Iseya Yusuke Iseya Sayaka Yoshino Kana Yoshino Kotaro Shiga Kenji Yamamoto Kyōko Kagawa Kyoko Watanabe Natsuo Ishidô Young Kyoko Watanabe Sadao Abe Ichiro Watanabe Tomomi Hiraiwa Receptionist
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1998
Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda.
Labels: drama8, dream1, fantasy2, film-art2, haunting2, shared-favorite, spiritual1
Sunday, December 24, 2006
The Last Temptation of Christ
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3*
- Commentary: I noticed, in the mentions, one of them states that Mom always thinks she wants to see this movie, then she gets bored with it. This is no longer true. It is now one that she asked after the last time we did a "jesus movie" festival, so, this year, I purchased it.
For me, as well, the more I watch the movie, the more I like it. I tend, now, to ignore the discontinuities, like yet another Nordic Jesus, Harvey Keitel as a red-headed Judas and Barbara Hershey's bee-stung lips. Especially since I've read the book, I tend to appreciate the story more for what it symbolizes rather than what it portrays.
I think what Mom likes about it is the gritty realism and the startling detail, like how the crosses are made. We watched this movie again, recently, right after I ordered it and just after a couple of other Jesus movies. It seems that each movie has its own version of how crucifixion crosses are constructed, which mom noticed this time around, which led to yet another Jesus movie festival.
The only disappointing aspect of this movie was that it promised subtitles and they may exist but they aren't listed in any of the menus so I'm not sure if listing this as a feature was an error or if there is an Easter Egg technique to cuing them. I need to check this out. It does not feature Closed Captioning. I was afraid this would be a problem for Mom but the first time we watched it after receiving it, Mom had no problem with it. This is, at any rate, primarily a visual feast for her, so I guess that's why it doesn't matter. As well, the dialogue is not mumbled or distorted by other sound tracks.
The review linked to the title of this post is an interesting view of the movie from the perspective of how it had been (up to the point of its writing) and may continue to be viewed by the religious community. It seemed to me a relevent discussion to have about it.
Roger Ebert reviewed the movie twice, once as a "regular" movie and once more as a Great Movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Willem Dafoe Jesus Harvey Keitel Judas Iscariot Barbara Hershey Mary Magdalene Harry Dean Stanton Saul/Paul of Tarsus David Bowie Pontius Pilate Verna Bloom Mary, Mother of Jesus Andre Gregory John the Baptist Nehemiah Persoff Rabbi Leo Marks Voice of Satan Tomas Arana Lazarus Victor Argo Peter Martin Scorsese Isaiah
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1988
Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Labels: barbara-hershey, bible-movies1, Criterion2, drama8, fantasy3, harry-dean-stanton, harvey-keitel, jesus-dvds, martin-scorsese, nehemiah-persoff, period4, religion1, shared-favorite, spiritual1, willem-dafoe
Monday, November 14, 2005
Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom and I have caught this at least three times when it's showed on PBS during their funds drives. For both of us it's the Cosmos of philosophy/spirituality.
However, if I may, I don't know how my mother felt about this issue, but I have always found it disturbing that Campbell's Mythology Universe was so male centric that women are reduced to tools along the hero's path. I haven't given this much thought, until recently (starting, maybe, in 2019). Today (8/14/21), however, while refurbishing this post, I decided to see if I could find some critiques of Campbell's premises, possibly feminist critiques.
- First exhibit: a general critique of this broadcast interview between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell that does, indeed, touch, lightly, on the problem of women in Campbell's mythological universe, and, more heavily, on the morality and practicality of "the hero's journey" thinking.
- Second exhibit: Thoughts on the Legacy of Joseph Campbell, Feminist Reaction, and the Study of Myth. Long paper. Excellent read. Can be gleaned for further resources. Absolutely spot on in it's critique of Campbell's androcentricity, even as he speaks about "The Goddess".
- Third Exhibit: Here is a reddit post entitled Joseph Campbell and 'Women Don't Need To Make The Journey' which lead me to a profoundly informative and active site addressing the problem of Joseph Campbell, heroes and women, in the next link exhibit:
- Fourth Exhibit: There is, in fact, an entire website devoted to The Heroine Journeys project, in contradistinction to Campbell. It's full of wonderfully thoughtful material.
- Final Exhibit: Craig Chalquist, PhD writes on Why I Seldom Teach The Hero's Journey Anymore -- And What I Teach Instead. He even outlines his reimagining of Campbell's syllabus, which I find fascinating.
Release Date: 1988
No apparent director acknowledged, although Bill Moyers edited the conversations.
Update 2/8/18: I watched this, again, a few months ago. I've done a lot of reading and studying in mythology since Mom and I watched this series and I'm completely underwhelmed, now. Many sources do it better and more thoroughly. This will probably, eventually, be donated to the library or handed off to someone I know.
Update 2/10/18: I know, peculiar to attach the label "super-hero" to this series, but Campbell talks about the hero myth and, well, that's what generates super-heroes, agreed?
Update 8/14/21: No, I haven't donated this to my local library, yet. I think I'm keeping it because it continues to provide a valuable annoyance function for me. As I age, I am becoming more and more aware of the disgusting status of women in society. It always helps to have provocative and supportive material around, as that happens.
Update 5/13/2022: If you've ever watched an episode, or two, or all of this series and need to wash your mind out with a strong, effective soap, pick up a copy of Mary Daly's Gyn/Ecology.
Labels: documentary1, shared-favorite, spiritual1, super-hero2
The Question of God - Sigmund Freud & C. S. Lewis
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I bought this because we never caught the entire show on PBS and it intrigued both Mom and me. We haven't had it very long but have watched it twice. After the second watching I ordered the book. I'm sure it will be one that she and I will read aloud together. Although my mother considers herself a Christian and has a grounding in and much respect for C. S. Lewis' theology and little familiarity with Sigmund Freud's work, both times we've watched this, during some of the explanation of Freud's thought journey to atheism, my mother has said, "You know, he's got a point, there." I can guarantee that she never lost her belief and faith in [a G]od. She was born into a deeply Methodist family that included preachers, deaconesses and an organist who specialized in religious music. She was, however, always game for a contentious consideration of religious beliefs, including, and especially, the ones with which she was raised and that she "accepted". For instance, she and I spent a year of evenings reading The Seth Material out loud to one another and discussed it with meticulous determination. She was as happy doing this as she was when she took her Kerygma course.
Update 7/31/21: Much to my surprise, the Question of God Guide still exists on the internet, at the immediately previous link.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peter Eyre Sigmund Freud Erika Deutschova Martha Freud Simon Jones C.S. Lewis Martina Vachalova Joy Davidman
Astonishingly, Wikipedia does not have a page about this series. I'm baffled. However, IMDb has an informative page on this series that also lists actors, crew and technical details.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Catherine Tatge.
Labels: documentary1, religion1, shared-favorite, spiritual1
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Holy Christian KJV Bible
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: Although this is neither a movie nor a show, it is a DVD production with which to be reckoned and deserves mention. This production has some technical faults such as not being able to pause and fast forwarding/rewinding is painful. But the voice and voice variants are excellent and Mom and I are both fascinated with watching the bible and listening to it being read. We've picked up a companion explanation bible to consult.
Narrated by Stephen Johnston.
Just in case, here's a wikipedia "explanation" of the King James Version of the Holy Christian Bible.
Release Date: 2003
No director listed including in source material.
Labels: apocalyptic, audio-visual, jesus-dvds, religion1, spiritual1
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
What the Bleep Do We Know?
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This movie is seductively misleading. Many of the ideas are tantalizing to contemplate, but there are inconsistencies and contradictions that show that this movie is more a travelogue for New Age Meta-Physics. It is colorful, though, and provocative to watch. Much less so, though, than, say, Cosmos.
The most glaring problem is that the movie doesn't live up to its hype and does not fulfill even the blurb promises. I bought it sight unseen (stupid move, always) on the recommendation of someone whose knowledge of me and opinion, especially in these matters, I value. Unfortunately, it is one of those recommendations that casts an uneasy light on the value of the recommender's opinions.
The second problem lies in its hazy way of sometimes including what we think of as the inanimate world in on the "you create your own reality" scenario, then explicitly excluding it. Example: The narrative cites the experiment done in Japan that involved an experimenter writing descriptions of feelings on pieces of paper, using them to label jars of water, then doing what I imagine is a combination EEC/MRI on the cells of the water; the water, of course, mirrors the state written on its label. This experiment begs several questions, not the least important of which is, what about the reality of the water?
This movie is not going to change anyone's life, I don't think, not directly, anyway, but it's fun to watch. I haven't decided, yet, whether I'm going to keep it or eventually trade it in.
The third is that, in the end, the movie is a promo for a movement. Makes the viewer wonder about the involvement of each of the cast members. Always a bad idea, except in historical perspective.
Mom enjoyed it, especially the sessions with the 35,000 year old basketball hustler.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Marlee Matlin Amanda Elaine Hendrix Jennifer Barry Newman Frank Robert Bailey Jr. Reggie John Ross Bowie Elliot Armin Shimerman Man Robert Blanche Bob Larry Brandenburg Bruno
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by William Arntz, Betsy Chasse & Mark Vicente.
Labels: fantasy3, female-director2, science, spiritual1
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Gandhi
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I'll bet we've seen this movie, on cable, at least four times. When we notice it, anywhere, commercials or not, we watch it. We forget it between being serendipitiously reminded. It is a movie that fascinates us at several levels, though.
One of my problems with this movie, for me, is the astonishing number of "name" British, Indian and American actors managed to wrangle parts in this movie, and I do mean "wrangle". The first time I saw it, it occurred to me that this must have been the "go to" movie of the late 70's through early 80's for actors. Since the script required what would normally be thousands of extras, Richard Attenborough, as both producer and director, probably took advantage of the interest to cheaply (my guess, only) and luxuriously staff his picture. Just take a look at the three-tiered Actor/Role chart, below. And believe me, I think it encompasses only half of the actor-participants listed in the Wikipedia roster, which you can access below, as usual.
Update 2/7/18: Knowing what I know, now, about the movie and the man, I'm somewhat uncomfortable about this movie, but I am reluctant to let it go. I recently watched it again and, damn, Ben Kingsley, what can I say? Extraordinary actor. It would be worth it to keep this in my collection just based on his acting in this movie. Yes, I own other movies in which he's acted, most notably, off the top of my head, Sexy Beast. There are others I'd like to own. House of Sand of Fog, for instance. So, I'll keep this one. For the collection.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ben Kingsley Mahatma Gandhi Rohini Hattangadi Kasturba Gandhi Roshan Seth Jawaharlal Nehru Pradeep Kumar V. K. Krishna Menon Candice Bergen Margaret Bourke-White Edward Fox Reginald Dyer John Gielgud Viceroy Lord Irwin John Mills Lord Chelmsford Martin Sheen Vince Walker Daniel Day-Lewis Colin John Ratzenberger American driver Saeed Jaffrey Vallabhbhai Patel
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1982
Directed by Richard Attenborough.
Labels: ben-kingsley, biography2, candice-bergen, historical3, john-gielgud, political4, spectacle2, spiritual1
