Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Hanna
- Commentary: Mmm, mmm, mmm! I love this film. I know. It's not classic film art. Whatever. It just mesmerizes me from beginning to end, no matter how many times I see it, which is why I decided I need to own it. Our library has about four copies in the system, including the branch I frequent, but it is always checked out of my branch, so, when I yearn to see this movie I have to wait at least a week.
Why do I love this film? I think it's because I like to imagine myself in the heroine's shoes, scientifically altered body and brain and all. I like the fact that she is "plussed" (vs. "nonplussed") throughout, no matter what comes her way, and only slightly cracks when she hears her father being shot. She is in-the-moment-to-the-near-future to the extreme, completely, unshakeably self-possessed. I wouldn't mind being that way. As well, Cate Blanchette is terrific fun in this movie. Although some critics panned her for her over-the-top acting, she reminded me of Anthony Hopkins when he's having lots of fun acting. You know, it's funny, since I began exploring thrillers some years ago (hmmm...I guess it's been about eight years, now) I've become more critical of them, too, and can be easily bored by chase after almost-catch after narrow escape. Some critics place this movie in that category. One critic even called it "derivative", at which I wonder, derivative of what? Is there something else out there like this movie that I might love even more? If so, let me know. I'm ready. Until then, you'll find me on the floor watching Hanna.
Update 6/4/2022: No, I didn't follow the TV series Hanna, despite its increasingly good to excellent reviews. I tried, but the movie did it all for me, wrapped it up with a bow, and left the rest to my imagination, which I prefer.
Update 8/27/2024: I've actually had this movie for quite awhile, at least 5 years, but the post became corrupted and I had to salvage what I could, repost and redate it and re-enter it into my Alpha List. It seems to be okay, now.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Saoirse Ronan Hanna Eric Bana Erik Heller Vicky Krieps Johanna Zadek Cate Blanchett Marissa Wiegler Jessica Barden Sophie Aldo Maland Miles Olivia Williams Rachel Jason Flemyng Sebastian
Release Date: 2011
Directed by Joe Wright.
Labels: action1, adventure1, cate-blanchett, drama4, fantasy1, mystery1, saoirse-ronan, science-fiction1, spy, super-hero1, suspense1, thriller1, violence2
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Midsommar 2nd Copy - Extended Version
- Commentary: Under construction.
So, why do I have two copies of this film? Well, this is the definitive Director's Cut distributed by A24, which runs for 171 minutes. I've been fascinated with this film since I first saw it (and bought its initial shorter version). When I realized this version existed, I knew I had watch and study it, much like I have my first copy.
Just a note of description: All the reviews attached to this post are from different sources than those on my original post about this movie, simply titled Midsommar.
The covers of the separate editions are different, as well. There are also different special features.
No, I haven't received it, yet, I just ordered it today (5/12/24), so it'll be awhile before I report back. But, I will be back.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Florence Pugh Dani Ardor Jack Reynor Christian Hughes Vilhelm Blomgren Pelle William Jackson Harper Josh Will Poulter Mark Ellora Torchia Connie Archie Madekwe Simon Henrik Norlén Ulf Gunnel Fred Siv Isabelle Grill Maja Agnes Rase Dagny Levente Puczkó-Smith Oracle Ruben Julia Ragnarsson Inga Mats Blomgren Odd Lars Väringer Sten Anna Åström Karin
Here's a link to the Variety write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Ari Aster.
Labels: A24, drama1, folk-horror, haunting1, suspense1, violence1
Thursday, June 09, 2022
The Game
- Commentary: I have two copies of this movie: one is the normal presentation with no special features. The Criterion version is loaded with interesting, thoughtful goodies. I bought the stripped version without realizing Criterion was as fascinated with the movie as I am. Once I realized that a Criterion version exists, well, I needed those special Criterion features. It was worth it. I may pass the plain version onto someone in my family. We'll see. In the meantime, if one of them blows up, I always have the other! Which is good, because this movie always holds my interest, no matter how many times I see it. What a way to find out what people really think of you, and to figure out how to care about that!
Update 6/9/2022: 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 Douglas Nicholas van Orton Sean Penn Conrad van Orton Deborah Kara Unger Christine/Claire James Rebhorn Jim Feingold Peter Donat Samuel Sutherland Carroll Baker Ilsa Armin Mueller-Stahl Anson Baer Anna Katarina Elizabeth Charles Martinet Nicholas' Father Mark Boone Junior Private Investor Tommy Flanagan Solicitor/Taxi Driver Spike Jonze Airbag EMT Beltran
Here is the Wikipedia write-up on the film.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by David Fincher.
Labels: carroll-baker, Criterion1, michael-douglas, neo-noirB, suspense1, thriller1
A Few Good Men
- Commentary: I ended up with this movie as part of a package deal, although I can't remember which movie came with it. I like it, and have watched it more than once. If I hadn't gotten it as an add on, I wouldn't own it, but I don't think I'll be sending this one off to the library. It's a great I-want-to-watch-something-but-I-don't-know-what movie.
The famous Nicholson-in-the-courtroom scene is one of my all time favorites.
Update 6/9/2022: 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 Tom Cruise Lt. J.G. Daniel Kaffee Jack Nicholson Col. Nathan R. Jessup Demi Moore Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway Kevin Bacon Cpt. Jack Ross Kiefer Sutherland 1st Lt. Jonathan James Kendrick Kevin Pollak Lt. J.G. Sam Weinberg Wolfgang Bodison Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson James Marshall Pvt. 1st Class Louden Downey J. T. Walsh Lt. Cnl. Matthew Andrew Markinson J. A. Preston Judge (Cnl.) Julius Alexander Randolph Michael DeLorenzo Pvt. 1st Class William Santiago Geoffrey Nauffts Lt. Sherby Noah Wyle Cpl. Jeffrey Owen Barnes Cuba Gooding Jr. Cpl. Carl Edward Hammaker Xander Berkeley Cpt. Whitaker Matt Craven Lt. Dave Spradling John M. Jackson Cpt. West Christopher Guest Cmdr. (Dr.) Stone Joshua Malina Tom Aaron Sorkin Bragging Lawyer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1992
Directed by Rob Reiner.
Labels: aaron-sorkin, drama5, jack-nicholson, legal, military, suspense1, tom-cruise
Saturday, May 22, 2021
The Wrong Man
- Commentary: This movie was originally listed in the post Movies I've Seen, Do Not Own but Can't Forget. It was the first movie listed. As of today, I own it. Although I'll write more once I've watched the movie as my property (which I expect to do tonight), in the meantime I want to append what I wrote when I was jonesing for this movie:
I saw this movie, initially, with my mom, probably on TCM, since, during her life, we had a cable TV subscription. It's been over a decade since I've had access to TCM, but it hasn't been that long since I've seen this movie. It initially intrigued me because I have had dental problems all my life. As a non-dependent adult, some of those problems have been exacerbated because dental care is too expensive for me to afford. This is part of the initial reason why Henry Fonda's character in this movie ends up in a position to be mis-identified by the police. Although the rest of the movie is thoroughly engrossing, this minor fact is what drew me into watching this movie more than once. I was, frankly, gob-smacked that inability to afford dental care was a rampant problem in 1956! Everyone, in these days of rallying for Medicare for All, rants about the disgusting inequity of health care in the U.S. Why does no one, anywhere in the world, rant about the long-standing unaffordability of dental care?
There. That's done. More later.
Update 5/24/21: After having watched this movie last night, start to finish, I'm not sure I ever watched it in its entirety before. I discovered that I didn't remember quite a bit of it.
What a movie! The story is subtly told. Henry Fonda's performance is appropriately understated. For most of the movie he looks like Everyman in a Stupor, and that's not a dis, that's a high compliment, as, how else could one look as someone who is, indeed, "The Wrong Man"?!? Balestrero, as played by Fonda, when being confronted by this absurd accusation, never, ever looks like he finally "gets it". When he is pulled back into his normal life, as he is often throughout the film, he looks and acts and appears to think like a normal working guy with a wife and family. When he becomes The Wrongly Accused, he is perpetually dumbfounded. It is hard not to think that, if he had not had a normal, job-home-family life to consistently fall back into, he would have gone as crazy as his wife. The three main lighting contrasts, sharp-dark for the accusation scenes, brightly lit for the home and personal investigative scenes and a kind of anticipatory light gray for the courtroom and lawyer's office scenes, are revelatory in themselves. The scenes with his lawyer and in the courtroom are especially delicious because he is in a legal situation in which he has no way of helping himself, and this is dramatised beautifully.
I have to say, after watching it last night I think, if I had watched the movie before, it was likely snippets, during my companionship with my mother, never beginning to end, as I experienced it last night. It's impossible not to feel the jaws of a trap not set for Balestrero closing around Balestrero's soul.
I have to admit to some disbelief of Rose Balestrero's reaction, although, since it's the telling of a true story, I suppose her reaction and her subsequent predicament happened. Perhaps I was raised in the wrong era. I can not only not imagine myself reacting that way to my husband being wrongly accused and tried, I know no one for whom Rose Balestrero's behavior would emerge in any situation, let alone one like this. I wonder if that's one of the differences of women being raised in an environment that emphasizes domesticity versus my having been raised in an environment that emphasized women's full participation in society (despite the fact that this was only partially achieved).
Wonderful production, astonishing story (which the epilogue makes clear is, in fact, a true story), well acted, well staged, well directed, well produced, well done! This may not be the scariest movie Hitchcock ever made (although I'm willing to bet that, for people who have been through similar circumstances, it might be, and, as well, it packs the extra punch of being true), but it's way up there. Bravo, Alfred!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Henry Fonda Christopher Emmanuel Balestrero Vera Miles Rose Balestrero Anthony Quayle Frank O'Connor Harold J. Stone Det. Lt. Bowers Charles Cooper Det. Matthews John Hildebrand Tomasini Esther Minciotti Mama Balestrero Doreen Lang Ann James Laurinda Barrett Constance Willis Norma Connolly Betty Todd Nehemiah Persoff Gene Conforti Lola D'Annunzio Olga Conforti Werner Klemperer Dr. Bannay Bonnie Franklin Young Girl Tuesday Weld Giggly Girl Harry Dean Stanton Dept. of Corrections Employee
Here's the Wikipedia write-up on the movie.
Release Date: 1956
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Labels: alfred-hitchcock, drama1, film-noir1, harry-dean-stanton, henry-fonda, melodramaC, mystery1, nehemiah-persoff, psychological1, suspense1, thriller1, tuesday-weld
Sunday, January 17, 2021
The Dark Knight Trilogy: Batman Begins
- Commentary: This is an endlessly interesting origin story for Batman. All the major characters that people Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy are introduced, including Batman as a boy and how, exactly, the death of his parents leads him to become Batman. No need to say anymore, except, I'm a fan of the entire trilogy.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Bruce Wayne/Batman Linus Roache Thomas Wayne Sara Stewart Martha Wayne Morgan Freeman Lucius Fox Michael Caine Alfred Pennyworth Liam Neeson Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul Katie Holmes Rachel Dawes Gary Oldman James Gordon Cillian Murphy Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow Tom Wilkinson Carmine Falcone Rutger Hauer William Earle Ken Watanabe decoy Ra's al Ghul
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Labels: action2, adventure2, christian-bale, christopher-nolan, coming-of-age1, drama1, michael-caine, morgan-freeman, neo-noirB, psychological1, super-hero1, suspense1, tom-wilkinson, violence1
Saturday, January 16, 2021
The Accountant
- Commentary: This movie, which received underwhelming, at times savage, reviews, is, in fact, as one respected reviewer commented, "BIG FUN." And it is. It falls in the vein of, oh, the Equalizer films [Equalizer and Equalizer 2] (although they are, admittedly, better). It is jam packed with excellent actors, which makes you realize that, just as any office job has its interesting days and its slog days but you stay through the slog days because you need the money and you're good at the work, so, actors follow the same trajectory with their work.
Long story short, I'm sure I'll watch this movie again. It's not a standout, but, with a very curious accountant and an unlikely, reluctant detective at it's core (well, I guess all good detective stories highlight curious "heroes" and reluctant and unlikely detectives), it's involving and fun. That's right. "BIG FUN."
Update 3/28/01: Just had to mention, I was at loose ends this afternoon, not a typical Sunday mood for me, but not unusual. Wasn't even sure I wanted to watch a movie ... then I remembered this one. My memory tells me that this is the third time I've watched this movie since I bought it in late November of 2020. I can't remember how I heard of it or what provoked me to obtain it but, I must say, this is one of the more enjoyable action thrillers in my movie library. I can't say it's my favorite, because, frankly, when I'm in the mood for an action thriller movie, I have a number of movies in my collection that I personally rank as excellent and I'd be hard pressed to choose a "best" among them, this one included. I don't think I own an action thriller movie that I wouldn't enjoy watching multiple times. I suspect I'll be watching this one again. And again. Thanks, Ben Affleck.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ben Affleck Christian Wolff/The Accountant Anna Kendrick Dana Cummings Jon Bernthal Braxton Wolff Robert C. Treveiler Mr. Wolff/The Colonel J. K. Simmons Raymond King Cynthia Addai-Robinson Marybeth Medina Jeffrey Tambor Francis Silverberg John Lithgow Lamar Blackburn Jean Smart Rita Blackburn Andy Umberger Ed Chilton Alison Wright Justine Gary Basaraba Don
The Wikipedia write-up for this movie is here.
Release Date: 2016
Directed by Gavin O'Connor.
Labels: action2, adventure2, ben-affleck, detective1, drama1, economic, john-lithgow, revenge2, suspense1, violence1
Midsommar
- Commentary: I don't favor horror movies. I have a few, but I tend to avoid them. Generally, they strike me as fake, as containing elements that could never happen. In fact, the first full length movie effort by Ari Aster, who is reponsible for this movie, too, fell into the category, for me, of unbelievable, which is why I don't own it. [Yes, I entertain exceptions to my horror movie preferences. For instance, the premise of Rosemary's Baby is wholly ludicrous, but it was crafted so well that it remains one of my favorite movies.]
Well, here's a horror movie that isn't fake. Everything in this movie could happen. The movie, to me, is so good, so well crafted in both story and production, that it made me wonder if this story had happened, or if it is in the process of happening.
The first time I saw this movie was through it's placement on a video service. It was free for me to watch. So was Aster's other effort, Hereditary. I liked Midsommar so much that I immediately watched Hereditary, Aster's first major effort. And was disappointed. Curiously, critics were not. In some cases, Hereditary was rated more highly than this movie.
I would love to purchase the extended director's cut (with an extra 33 minutes) of this movie. It's availability, here in the U.S., is confusing, though. On those copies I can find, either the price is so high it's waaaay out of my range or its region playback ability appears to be questionable. Hopefully, access to it will be smoothed out and cheapened in the coming months. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out. In the meantime, I am completely satisfied with the version I have. I've not only watched it more than a few times, I enthusiastically encouraged MFS to watch it (for free on the video service).
I'm still waiting for a reasonably priced (the lowest price I can find is $45), Region 1 Director's Cut of this movie that will play on my standard blu-ray player. Come on, Retail Oligarchs, get your heads out of your asses and make one available! Do you think, after the last few years of bailouts for you and nothing to speak of for us plebes, that we plebes are made of money?!? You took it all! Do you have any idea how much money you'd make if you made available a reasonably priced, Region 1 Director's cut?!?
I have to mention before closing, RogerEbert.com went absolutely crazy over this movie, posting no less than three articles about or featuring this film and the issues it addresses in addition to its straightforward review: first article, second article and third article. Am I surprised? Well, a little, but, I have to tell you, in my opnion it's a great movie and I can't remember how many times I've watched it, so many has it been.
One more mention before closing: If you're as fascinated with this movie as I am, you might find this commentary interesting.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Florence Pugh Dani Ardor Jack Reynor Christian Hughes Vilhelm Blomgren Pelle William Jackson Harper Josh Will Poulter Mark Ellora Torchia Connie Archie Madekwe Simon Henrik Norlén Ulf Gunnel Fred Siv Isabelle Grill Maja Agnes Rase Dagny Levente Puczkó-Smith Oracle Ruben Julia Ragnarsson Inga Mats Blomgren Odd Lars Väringer Sten Anna Åström Karin
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2019
Directed by Ari Aster.
Labels: A24, drama1, folk-horror, haunting1, suspense1, violence1
Wonder Woman
- Commentary: I really enjoy the part of this movie which focuses on Diana's Amazonian life. The rest of it, once she leaves Themyscira, eh. My reaction to the story of how Diana becomes embroiled in World War I and, as the blurbs say, discovers her true destiny, left me flat. Yes, the underplot of Diana actually battling Ares as she becomes involved in WWI is interesting, but frankly, anti-climactic. I'm not sure why. You'd think this mission would be exciting. That's certainly the secondary reason why I purchased the movie. The primary reason was because I collect certain super-hero movies and I wanted this particular origin story in my catalog. Will I watch it again? Probably. As I do, though, I'll always wish ...
Update 8/7/2021: I haven't decided whether I want to obtain Wonder Woman: 1984. I've read synopses (some detailed) of the movie, so I know the story, but, of course, that's not important, since, if I like a movie, I'll watch it multiple times, with the story already firmly in mind for all but one of those watches. And, as well, I don't particularly care about the conflicted reviews, like the one immediately above in this paragraph. Thing is, I've watched the original only once and, despite my adoration for the character as played by Gal Gadot, I may never watch this movie, again. My copy won't end up at my local library, since I consider it a must-keep in my super-hero caches (both caches linked, by the way; one to "super-hero" and one to "caches"). But, unlike Iron Man, for instance, I'm not drawn back to yet another watching. Then, again, this movie features Kristin Wiig as a villian, and that sounds like fun. Perhaps I'll check it out of my local library and see how I like it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gal Gadot Diana/Wonder Woman Chris Pine Steve Trevor Robin Wright Antiope Danny Huston Erich Ludendorff David Thewlis Sir Patrick Connie Nielsen Hippolyta Elena Anaya Dr. Isabel Maru Lucy Davis Etta Candy Saïd Taghmaoui Sameer Ewen Bremner Charlie Eugene Brave Rock Chief Lisa Loven Kongsli Menalippe
The Wikipedia article on this movie is here.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Patty Jenkins, as is the second film in this series.
Labels: action2, adventure2, don't-ask-me-why, drama1, fantasy1, female-director3, military, period1, political1, popcorn-and-soda1, pseudo-cgi-animation, super-hero1, suspense1, thriller1, violence1, war1
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
3 Days of the Condor
- Commentary: I can't believe it's taken me this long, and this movie, in particular, to initiate the label category "spy". Clearly, I have other "spy" movies, the Jason Bourne movies coming most immediately to mind. Didn't occur to me, though, back then, to create a "spy" category. Let's see, I'm thinking Hanna, too, and, well, I'm sure, more.
In fact, although I have some spy movies, I'm not really a spy movie aficionado. There are, for instance, so many James Bond movies I haven't seen that, frankly, I can't remember the ones I have seen.
I'm not much of a Robert Redford fan, either. I own some movies in which he stars or is a member of a celebrated ensemble cast (i.e. The Sting), but my curiosity about any movie isn't piqued because he happens to be in it. I think, in fact, that I've seen (and probably own) more movies that he's produced and/or directed than those in which he's acted.
That being said, I really enjoy this movie. It's my kind of spy movie: You know but you just don't know; you never know; too bad for you; now what're you gonna do?!?
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Robert Redford Joseph Turner Faye Dunaway Kathy Hale Cliff Robertson Higgins Max von Sydow Joubert John Houseman Wabash Addison Powell Leonard Atwood Walter McGinn Sam Barber Tina Chen Janice Chong
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 1975
Directed by Sydney Pollack.
Labels: adventure2, detective1, drama2, faye-dunaway, max-von-sydow, political1, robert-redford, spy, suspense1, thriller1
Ace in the Hole
- Commentary: I didn't know anything about this film when I first checked it out for viewing. I was on a binge, at the time, of watching movies that were made the year I was born and this was one of them. I barely remember any of the other movies I found (not a lot; our county library system is a bit short of 1951 films, even though there were plenty made, according to this list, 1,744, to be exact). This was not the only 1951 movie Kirk Douglas made, and it's not the only 1951 movie I own, but it's a doozy.
If you think the late 1960's through the early-to-mid 1970's had the bead on socially relevant movies, watch this one. The behavior depicted (brilliantly, in my estimation) in this film is so ubiquitous, now-a-days, not only by individual journalists (of which there are many Chuck Tatums) but by entire media corporations, that many don't even realize there is a problem ... until, that is, they watch this 68 year old movie. If you entertain, even a little bit, a healthy skepticism of today's media, you should treat yourself to this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kirk Douglas Chuck Tatum Jan Sterling Kirk Douglas Kirk Douglas Herbie Cook Porter Hall Jacob Q. Boot Frank Cady Mr. Federber Richard Benedict Leo Minosa Ray Teal Sheriff Kretzer Lewis Martin McCardle John Berkes Papa Minosa Frances Dominguez Mama Minosa Gene Evans Deputy Sheriff Frank Jaquet Sam Smollett Harry Harvey Sr. Dr. Hilton Bob Bumpas Radio Announcer Richard Gaines Nagel Bert Moorhouse Josh Morgan
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up for this film.
Release Date: 1951
Directed by Billy Wilder.
Labels: birth-year, Criterion1, drama2, film-noir1, journalism, kirk-douglas, melodramaB, political1, psychological1, suspense1
Klute
- Commentary: I love, love, love this movie! I did not see it originally in the theater, although I was certainly old enough to see it (on Guam, where I was living at the time, age restrictions on adult material were rigorously enforced). I don't remember it even playing on Guam, which isn't surprising because, frankly, movies were a few-and-far-between entertainment for our family when I was growing up. It was probably shown on Guam. One of my sisters and I saw Midnight Cowboy and I am Curious (Yellow) on Guam. For some reason, though, I wasn't aware of Klute coming out.
I don't really remember when I first saw it, but it's been a staple of my movie diet since. I don't think Mom ever saw it. I think I may have "hidden" it from her when I checked it out while she was alive. I was probably being too cautious, but, then again ... well, you just never know, when you're dealing with a "pure spirit". Still, thinking about it, now, I don't think she would have liked it, or even been interested in following it.
I have several reasons for loving this movie. The acting is spot on. The atmospherics are spot on. The cinematography is spot on. It isn't a surface movie, one of the reasons I appended the tag "economic" to this movie ... it is a movie about the economics of women, which is the reason I also appended the tag "women's-movie" to it. It's definitely a multilayered drama. I'm glad I own the Criterion edition of this movie. The special features are interesting and well thought out.
For my money, though, it's one of my favorite creepy thrillers, if not my most favorite (and, I'm not really sure what my favorite creepy thriller is).
For your information, for fun (movie mavens find our "fun" in strange ways) the 3rd tier of the Actor/Role table below is later famous actors who played bit parts in this movie. All but Jean Stapleton are uncredited. I think you'll find it as interesting as I did.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jane Fonda Bree Daniels Donald Sutherland John Klute Charles Cioffi Peter Cable Roy Scheider Frank Ligourin Dorothy Tristan Arlyn Page Rita Gam Trina Nathan George Trask Vivian Nathan Psychiatrist Jean Stapleton Goldfarb's Secretary Veronica Hamel Model Kevin Dobson Man at Bar Sylvester Stallone Club Patron
Release Date: 1971
Directed by Alan J. Pakula.
Labels: alan-j-pakula, Criterion1, detective1, donald-sutherland, drama2, economic, neo-noirA, paranoia-trilogy, suspense1, thriller1, women's-movie1
Thursday, August 08, 2019
Glass
- Commentary: I own this movie because I was destined to own it. I became of fan of the Eastrail 177 Trilogy before it was a trilogy, when it was only Unbreakable.
I'm not much for superhero movies or superhero stories. I own a few, a very few, considering the extent of my entire collection, but superhero stories have to be strong on character for me ... really strong, and have a super (forgive the pun) compelling story. Unbreakable was one of those few superhero movies with which I fell in love.
When I heard a sequel was planned, and then a third, I was so excited that I vowed, before either movie was even in theaters on initial runs, that I would own them.
I appreciated (and enjoyed) Split as a continuation of what I knew was going to be a trilogy. James McAvoy was splendid (Can that guy act, or what?!?). His performance blew me away because I'm familiar with a fair amount of his work (there is a lot of it) and didn't know he had that "horde" of characters inside him. It was, and still is, breathtaking for me to watch his performance in that movie. I also, though, considered Split rather like the middle of a book ... it might bog you down, a bit, but you know help is coming in the last few chapters and, anyway, you need to know what's in the middle to realize you're being helped at the end.
By the time Glass arrived in theaters, I was ravenous for it, and unsettled that I'd have awhile to wait before it became a DVD and I could see it. [Why didn't I see it in a theater, I hear you asking ... that's another story ... remind me to talk about that later.] Finally, it was available for purchase. I didn't wait for the price to drop.
What can I say? I had no idea, during my long wait, what to expect, except that I expected something of the calibre of Unbreakable, something that would astound me and resolve the story in a superlatively unthinkable way.
Didn't happen.
In fact, I had to read the synopsis of the movie in Wikipedia just before I wrote this in order to remember the story. To my mind, there was little spark in the story, little spark in the continuation of the characters, and I was left unsatisfied. I can't give you an alternative scenario of what I would have liked to have seen. I just know that as I watched the movie I kept waiting for Something To Happen ... then, the movie was over and I realized, oh, nothing is going to happen.
I've thought about it. A lot. I can't imagine what it is I needed from the third movie to satisfy me. I just know that the third movie made both the first and the second seem implausible. That's a shame, because I fell in love with the first movie and remained excited for the story by the second movie. The third? Well, it seems to me like it's a third movie that exists without a first or second movie having been made.
Maybe Shyamalan tired of the concept he'd imagined as the Eastrail 177 Trilogy before he finished it. Maybe he never meant for Unbreakable to be more than what it was, which would have been fine with me. It's one of my all time favorite movies and didn't need sequels. Despite my disappointment, I'm going to keep all three movies. Forever. I know I'll watch Unbreakable again. I'll probably watch the other two again, as well. When I watch Glass though, it won't be for the sheer enjoyment of it. It will be to wonder, once again, what went wrong.
I'll finish this write-up with a quote from the Wikipedia article about this movie (to which I've linked in the title): "M. Night Shyamalan has been asked numerous times if there would be any sequel for Glass. On January 8, 2019, he officially confirmed that no sequels are currently planned, saying he has no interest building a cinematic universe."
Thank you and good [M] Night [Shyamalan].
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James McAvoy Kevin Wendell Crumb/The Horde Bruce Willis David Dunn/The Overseer Samuel L. Jackson Elijah Price/Mr. Glass Sarah Paulson Dr. Ellie Staple Anya Taylor-Joy Casey Cooke Spencer Treat Clark Joseph Dunn Charlayne Woodard Mrs. Price Luke Kirby Pierce
Release Date: 2019
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Labels: action2, adventure2, drama3, fantasy1, horror1, m-night-shyamalan, pseudo-cgi-animation, samuel-l-jackson, super-hero1, suspense1, thriller1, tragedy1, violence1
Gaslight
- Commentary: Of course I was bound to own this movie! I am, after all a self-respecting movie maven-of-sorts. And, of course, it is this version I chose to own. Ingrid Bergman; Angela Lansbury; Charles Boyer; Joseph Cotten. Are you kidding? Is there any other version?!?
This movie is not only a pure delight of a thriller, for me, I love the way it's done. The planning of the contrasts between outside and inside, light and dark, expansive and claustrophobic, are, yes, thrilling for me to watch. Angela Lansbury is a delicious tart. Ingrid Bergman is a surprisingly unshrinking violet. Charles Boyer plays against type so well, it's hard to remember his performances as a romantic male lead.
The main reason I thought to buy it recently is because of the current craze for using the word "gaslight" and its derivatives, especially in news and commentary. When I hear these young ones using it, I chuckle internally. I'm sure a majority of these earnest politicos have no idea of the term's derivation. In fact, when I watch this movie, I often think of my niece, who shares my love of movies (and is an actor) and I partly bought the movie so I would have it the next time she visits because, you know, she's of the generation of people who is tossing this term around and I have a sneaking suspicion she doesn't know where it comes from.
To this day, an utter gem of a movie. And, yes, the site to which I linked the title of this post gives a review of both the 1940 and 1944 movies. Mine is the 1944 version with Ingrid Bergman, although I've wished to see the 1940 one, just out of curiosity.
By the way, I've linked Bergman's name to an article featuring interviews of three people done for Roger Ebert's site in 2015.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Charles Boyer Gregory Anton/Sergis Bauer Ingrid Bergman Paula Alquist Anton Joseph Cotton Brian Cameron Dame May Whitty Bessie Thwaites Angela Lansbury Nancy Oliver Barbara Everest Elizabeth Tompkins Emil Rameau Maestro Guardi Edmund Breon General Huddleston Halliwell Hobbes Mr. Mufflin Heather Thatcher Lady Mildred Dalroy Lawrence Grossmith Lord Freddy Dalroy Jakob Gimpel Pianist
As well, just in case, here's the Wikipedia write up to this particular film.
Release Date: 1944
Directed by George Cukor.
Labels: angela-lansbury, drama3, film-noir1, ingrid-bergman, melodramaA, mystery1, period1, suspense1, thriller1
John Q
- Commentary: I've seen this movie, probably when my mom was alive, we were companions and she loved movies even more than I do, so we'd watch everything and anything that popped up on the various movie channels proffered by our cable TV subscription. I have not watched it since it arrived as a part of the Denzel Washington four pack. I had to peruse the description in Wikipedia to determine whether I'd ever seen it.
You see, I'm not a fan of heavy-duty message movies. Oh, I know, every movie "has a message", even if the message is only in screwing with the viewer's visual perception. But, you know what I'm talking about.
Funny thing, I'm somewhat of a "justice warrior", at least I was in years past, so, you know, you'd think I'd be attracted to message movies. But, I'm not. I find heavy duty "justice warrior" movies frustrating and, often, thin and not well thought out. I like "justice warrior" documentaries, somewhat. I probably own a few of those. Ah, yes. I'm remembering at least one. But fiction presented as a "justice warrior" message movie ... hold on, let me see if I have any of those at all ...
Well. Aside from the fact that whenever we communicate we are intending to send a message and hope it will be received without too much corruption, and movies are nothing if not communication, and the premise of almost all fiction/fictionalized movies is "this is what happens when...", I found only two movies in my collection that I'd consider justice warrior/message movies. One, Gentlemen's Agreement, while heavy with message, is so well done from a film making standpoint that I don't mind the message. It came to me as one of a collection of Elia Kazan movies curated by Martin Scorsese. The other, Crash, is pretty heavy duty and fares the worse for it. In my brief write-up I mention that I bought the movie on the recommendation of MPNC, who was at the right age (early-to-mid teens) when movies like this would have been important to her because of their overwrought messaging. It is both a message movie and in the "justice warrior" vein. Not as blatant as this movie, John Q, but close.
I also own a movie, The Ten Commandments (that's right, Virginia), that so wanted to be a "message"/"justice warrior" movie that the producer/director, Cecil B. DeMille, filmed himself "on stage" prior to the movie to tell you that's what his film is. It succeeds as neither, but, whenever I watch it, and I do watch it at least once a year (it's so visually luxurious I can't help watching it regularly) I never skip the intro because I find it endearing and perfectly appropriate to the age during which it appeared in theaters. I did, by the way, see it in the theater when it was re-released in 1966 (I was too young, really, to see it in 1957). I was 14 or 15 (not sure when, during the year, it played) and the sole movie scene I carry, indelibly, in my memory, is a scene measuring mere seconds in Sodom/Gommorrah of a dancing woman's eyelids painted masterfully to look like open eyes ... and then she opens her eyes. Really made an impression on me. Every time I've watched the movie, since, I've rewound that scene at least once just to experience the shock, again. Masterful cinematics!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington John Quincy Archibald Kimberly Elise Denise Archibald Daniel E. Smith Michael Archibald James Woods Dr. Raymond Turner Anne Heche Rebecca Payne Robert Duvall Lt. Frank Grimes Ray Liotta Chief Gus Monroe Eddie Griffin Lester Matthews
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Nick Cassavetes.
Labels: action2, denzel-washington, drama3, economic, james-woods, robert-duvall, suspense1, thriller1
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
Vertigo
- Commentary: Believe it. The first time I saw this movie, in my life, was late last year. What can I say, part of my Alfred Hitchcock ambivalence, I guess. I was driven to check out the movie and watch it when I was watching a review of old films on YouTube and saw a cut of Jimmy Stewart's face from this movie looking very much like that cut of horror on his face in It's a Wonderful Life when he is on the brink of suicide. Hmmm... I thought. I'd like to see more of that. I always enjoy a Jimmy Stewart performance that pits his nice-guy image against his horrified image, even if it was a Hitchcock film and, thus, previously a point of avoidance for me.
Well, I was riveted from the beginning. Firstly, it's a treat for me to watch a movie for the first time that is decades old and made with completely different techniques across the board. This movie was not a disappointment. Secondly, it's a fucking good movie! In fact, I understand why it's considered a great movie. Thirdly, the swing of the movie is so active and masterful that it completely involved me right up to the end. There wasn't a second, from the benign beginning to the surprisingly melodramatic ending, that allowed me to look away. It was a no-brainer that I would add this movie to my collection. I've already watched it twice since it entered my house. I just can't get enough of it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James Stewart John Ferguson Kim Novak Judy Barton/Madeleine Elster Barbara Bel Geddes Marjorie Wood Tom Helmore Gavin Elster Henry Jones The Coroner Raymond Bailey Ferguson's Doctor Ellen Corby McKittrick Hotel Mgr. Lee Patrick Car Owner mistaken for Madeleine
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Just in case, here's the Wikipedia write-up on this film.
Release Date: 1958
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Labels: alfred-hitchcock, drama4, film-noir3, henry-jones, james-stewart, melodramaC, popcorn-and-soda2, suspense1, thriller1, tragedy1
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
Rosemary's Baby
- Commentary: I originally saw this movie in the theater during its first release, on Guam, after having read the book by Ira Levin. It was the first time I'd seen a movie that so closely followed the book that, I swear, I'd imagined the movie exactly as it appeared before I saw it. Typically, every year, around Halloween, some film service to which I have access features this movie. I always watch it. At least once. However, I often yearn to watch it when it's not being featured on a film service, so I've checked it out innumerable times from the library. Now, I own it.
I can't say much about this movie that hasn't already been said. It has loquacious fans all over the world. I can, however, say something about my interest in Roman Polanski movies. I'm surprised I don't own more than three. One, in particular, I wish I owned is Tess [P.S. 8/16/21: I own this movie, now]. I even wrote a published review of that film. I've seen several of the movies he's directed, including: Chinatown, such a "cool" (in the Marshall McLuhan sense) film; Knife in the Water, an interesting, eerie film, loads of promise; Carnage, a sardonic delight; Macbeth, which, unlike many critics, I thoroughly enjoyed, it is, in fact, my favorite film adaptation of this play; and The Ninth Gate, with which I was disappointed, to say the least. I wish he'd done something more, well, spectacular, with Johnny Depp. Oh well, when you've got a line-up like Roman Polanski's, they can't all be winners, I guess. There are several more I haven't seen but intend to. I would say it's possible that I will end up owning more of his films. There's something about the Polanksi directing touch, which, while unobtrusive, is unique and powerful.
Turns out, much to my surprise, I don't have a "horror" label for my film collection. That will be corrected with this film.
And, by the way, yes, Mom and I watched it together, more than a few times, and, yes, she loved it, too. She especially enjoyed Mia Farrow's characterization of a pregnant woman. Every time she watched the walking-around-in-the-street scene she'd say, "That's exactly how a pregnant woman walks!"
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Mia Farrow Rosemary Woodhouse John Cassavetes Guy Woodhouse Ruth Gordon Minnie Castevet Sidney Blackmer Roman Castevet/Steven Marcato Maurice Evans Hutch Ralph Bellamy Dr. Abraham Sapirstein Charles Grodin Dr. Hill Patsy Kelly Laura-Louise McBirney Angela Dorian Terry Gionoffrio Philip Leeds Dr. Shand Elisha Cook Mr. Nicklas Tony Curtis Donald Baumgart
Just in case, the Wikipedia write-up for this film is here.
Release Date: 1968
Directed by Roman Polanski.
Labels: drama4, erotic, fantasy1, folk-horror, haunting1, roman-polanski, shared-favorite, suspense1
