Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Spike Lee 7 Joints
- Commentary: Still workin' on it, honey. Got a ways to go.
Funny, though, I'm having a hard time finding an interesting, informative review of this specific collection. Not sure why, and it's possible I'll be completely unsuccessful, but, in the meantime, I think it's important to include the fact that no one seems to want to take on a critique of this collection.
In the meantime, you might want to read a short, pithy interview Roger Ebert conducted with Spike Lee as Lee was preparing to shoot Malcolm X in 1991. I attached the interview to the title of this post.
This is, of course, not the only collection of Spike Lee films in existence, nor will it be the last. In the meantime, for what it's worth, here is the official Wikipedia perspective on Spike Lee, his life and career.
- Do the Right Thing
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Spike Lee Mookie Danny Aiello Sal Ossie Davis Da Mayor Ruby Dee Mother Sister Giancarlo Esposito Buggin' Out Bill Nunn Radio Raheem John Turturro Pino Richard Edson Vito Rosie Perez Tina Joie Lee Jade Martin Lawrence Cee Samuel L. Jackson Mister Señor Love Daddy Robin Harris Sweet Dick Willie Paul Benjamin ML Frank Vincent Charlie John Savage Clifton Leonard L. Thomas Punchy Frankie Faison Coconut Kid Rick Aiello Officer Gary Long Luis Antonio Ramos Stevie
→ john-turturro; ruby-dee; ossie-davis
Roger Ebert included this movie in his "Great Movies" collection, the review for which is connected to the title of this movie.
This movie is loaded with cameos. Although I listed 20 actors, above, the actual list could go on forever. You'll notice this, if you watch the movie, as every other scene involves an actor of which you think, "I know that one. Who is that?" A more complete list (although I can't swear that it contains all the cameos) can be found in the Wikipedia write up for this film, linked below.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 1989
Directed by Spike Lee. - Mo' Better Blues
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington Minifield "Bleek" Gilliam Spike Lee Giant Wesley Snipes Shadow Henderson Joie Lee Indigo Downes Cynda Williams Clarke Bentancourt Giancarlo Esposito Left Hand Lacey Bill Nunn Bottom Hammer Jeff "Tain" Watts Rhythm Jones Dick Anthony Williams Mr. "Big Stop" Gilliam Abbey Lincoln Lillian Gilliam John Turturro Moe Flatbush Nicholas Turturro Josh Flatbush Robin Harris Butterbean Jones Samuel L. Jackson Madlock Coati Mundi Roberto Rubén Blades Petey
→ john-turturro
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Spike Lee. - Jungle Fever
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Wesley Snipes Flipper Purify Annabella Sciorra Angela Tucci Spike Lee Cyrus Ossie Davis The Good Reverend Doctor Purify Ruby Dee Lucinda Purify Samuel L. Jackson "Gator" Purify Lonette McKee Drew Purify John Turturro Paulie Carbone Frank Vincent Michael Tucci Anthony Quinn Lou Carbone Halle Berry Vivian Tyra Ferrell Orin Goode Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Nilda Nicholas Turturro Vinny Miguel Sandoval Officer Mark Ponte Debi Mazar Denise Tim Robbins Jerry Brad Dourif Leslie Queen Latifah Lashawn Giancarlo Esposito Homeless Man
→ john-turturro; debi-mazar; ruby-dee; ossie-davis; tim-robbins
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by Spike Lee. - Crooklyn
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Alfre Woodard Carolyn Delroy Lindo Woody David Patrick Kelly Eyes Zelda Harris Tony Carlton Williams Clinton Sharif Rashed Wendell Tse-Mach Washington Joseph Chris Knowings Nate José Zúñiga Tommy La La Isaiah Washington Vic Powell Ivelka Reyes Jessica Spike Lee Snuffy N. Jeremi Duru Right Hand Man Frances Foster Aunt Song Norman Matlock Clem Patriece Nelson Viola
→ delroy-lindo
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Spike Lee. - Clockers
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Harvey Keitel Det. Rocco Klein John Turturro Det. Larry Mazilli Delroy Lindo Rodney Little Mekhi Phifer Ronald "Strike" Dunham Isaiah Washington Victor Dunham Keith David Andre "The Giant" Ashley Sticky Fingaz Andres "Scientific" Atkins Regina Taylor Iris Jeeter Fredro Elvis "Go" Atkins Tom Byrd Errol Barnes Lawrence B. Adisa Stan Gilmore Hassan Johnson Trevor "Skills" Jeeter Michael Imperioli Det. Joey "Jojo" Thompson Mike Starr Det. Shawn "Thumper" Ferrell Paul Calderon Jesus at Hambones Spike Lee Chucky Bridges Sr.
→ john-turturro; delroy-lindo
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Spike Lee. - Inside Man
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Denzel Washington Det. Keith Frazier Clive Owen Dalton Russell Jodie Foster Madeline White Christopher Plummer Arthur Case Willem Dafoe Cpt. John Darius Chiwetel Ejiofor Det. Bill Mitchell Spike Lee Civilian Kim Director Valerie Keepsake/Stevie James Ransone Darius Peltz/Steve-O Carlos Andrés Gómez Kenneth Damerjian/Steve Bernie Rachelle Chaim Waris Ahluwalia Vikram Walia
→ christopher-plummer; jodie-foster; willem-dafoe
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Spike Lee. - BlacKkKlansman
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role John David Washington Det. Ron Stallworth Adam Driver Det. Philip "Flip" Zimmerman Laura Harrier Patrice Dumas Topher Grace David Duke Topher Grace Kwame Ture Harry Belafonte Jerome Turner Jasper Pääkkönen Felix Kendrickson Ryan Eggold Walter Breachway Frederick Weller Pt. Andy Landers Paul Walter Hauser Ivanhoe Ashlie Atkinson Connie Kendrickson Michael Buscemi Jimmy Creek Ken Garito Sergeant Trapp Alec Baldwin Kennebrew Beauregard Nicholas Turturro Walker Damaris Lewis Odetta
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this film.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Spike Lee.
Wikipedia doesn't have a write-up of this specific film series. I've included the Wikipedia links for the individual movies in their write-ups, above.
Labels: christopher-plummer, debi-mazar, delroy-lindo, denzel-washington, giancarlo-esposito, jodie-foster, john-turturro, ossie-davis, ruby-dee, samuel-l-jackson, spike-lee, tim-robbins, willem-dafoe
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Cradle Will Rock
- Commentary: Under construction.
Keep in mind, this movie could be said to have "a cast of thousands". That, of course, is an exaggeration: It only has a credited/uncredited actor cast (over at IMDb) of 140, or thereabouts. It is, as well, more than a movie. It is an attempt (some say successful, some not) at an historical and contemplative presentation of the fate of the depression era Federal Theater Project production The Cradle Will Rock. At any rate, in the table below I've included actors/roles that seem to me to be important in the play, those I recognize and those who play themselves. Take a deep breath. This could take awhile.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Hank Azaria Marc Blitzstein Rubén Blades Diego Rivera Joan Cusack Hazel Huffman John Cusack Nelson Rockefeller Cary Elwes John Houseman Philip Baker Hall Gray Mathers Cherry Jones Hallie Flanagan Angus Macfadyen Orson Welles Bill Murray Tommy Crickshaw Vanessa Redgrave Countess Constance La Grange Susan Sarandon Margherita Sarfatti Jamey Sheridan John Adair John Turturro Aldo Silvano Emily Watson Olive Stanton Bob Balaban Harry Hopkins Jack Black Sid Kyle Gass Larry Paul Giamatti Carlo Barnard Hughes Frank Marvel Barbara Sukowa Sophie Silvano Steven Tyler Lehman Engel John Carpenter Power - William Randolph Hearst Gretchen Mol Marion Davies Ned Bellamy Paul Edwards Lynn Cohen Silvano - Mama Dominic Chianese Silvano - Papa Gregg Edelman Blitzstein - Dream Larry Foreman Carrie Preston VTA - Administrator Karen Lynn Gorney Dancer (uncredited) Tim Robbins Voice On Film Reel (uncredited) Franklin D. Roosevelt Self (archive footage) Haile Selassie Self (in pith helmet)
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1999
Directed by Tim Robbins.
Labels: §6, goflexA, historical4, john-turturro, paul-giamatti, period7, political5, tim-robbins
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Short Cuts
- Commentary: I saw this movie a long time ago, shortly after I became my mother's companion, during the period when she and I pursued our separate lives (mine included work, at that time) and lived together for her emotional comfort and to my enjoyment (my mother and I have been friends since I was a young adult). I didn't see it when it was first released, but a few years later at an art house theater. My memory of it is fuzzy, but my memory of my reaction to it has been very clear ever since that viewing. I think of it as a kind of Dazed and Confused for the "more mature" set. Since I began to investigate my mother's collection of movies on DVD, I've sporadically tried to hunt it down, not knowing if it had even been burnt to disc. Suddenly, today, as it turns out, I watched this video by Daisuke Beppu and, low an behold, there was my movie! Not only that, but he talked about not only the most recent release, but the old one with a booklet of Raymond Chandler's short stories, the edition for which I've been searching all these years!
Criterion no longer carries their original release of this film (with the booklet). The last place I considered looking was Amazon, but when I ran a search through my favored search engine, that's where it turned up! It's winging it's way to me, as I write, and should arrive a week from tomorrow. Its page indicates that the movie, itself, is "new", which I didn't expect at all, so I'm very excited!
I have to admit, it's more expensive than the movies I usually buy, but not for a Criterion movie (which I only buy during sales at reduced prices from other places besides Criterion) but, frankly, I consider its price a bargain, considering everything. It is still cheaper than your average, off-sale price of a Criterion movie sold at the Criterion website.
It's done in what has become known as Robert Altman's style (like Nashville, which I own and love and watch semi-regularly). As is true of a typical Robert Altman work, it features loads of actors, famous, not-so-famous and infamous, and sets each of them in situations which play to their acting strengths. There is an overall "theme", but not like Nashville.
It's been a long, long time since I've seen it, so watching it will be akin to my memory surprising me over and over. I'll be back, later, to catalog my reaction to seeing it again.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Andie MacDowell Ann Finnigan Bruce Davison Howard Finnigan Julianne Moore Marian Wyman Matthew Modine Dr. Ralph Wyman Anne Archer Claire Kane Fred Ward Stuart Kane Jennifer Jason Leigh Lois Kaiser Chris Penn Jerry Kaiser Lili Taylor Honey Piggot Bush Robert Downey Jr. Bill Bush Madeleine Stowe Sherri Shepard Tim Robbins Gene Shepard Lily Tomlin Doreen Piggot Tom Waits Earl Piggot Frances McDormand Betty Weathers Peter Gallagher Stormy Weathers Annie Ross Tess Trainer Lori Singer Zoe Trainer Jack Lemmon Paul Finnigan Lyle Lovett Andy Bitkower Buck Henry Gordon Johnson Huey Lewis Vern Miller Charles Rocket Wally Littleton Michael Beach Jim Stone
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1993
Directed by Robert Altman.
Labels: §5, Criterion4, dramedy3, jennifer-jason-leigh, julianne-moore, matthew-modine, robert-altman, robert-downey-jr, tim-robbins
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Jacob's Ladder
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is a recent purchase, and I haven't watched it, yet, since it arrived. Mom has not seen it and probably would find it boring, distracting, and distract me.
This movie is one of my Haunting Movies. I was bound to own it at some point. I continue to focus on the scene in which the character played by Danny Aeillo quotes, damn, someone, about the nature of angels.
Update 11/17/2021: This post was originally published February 6, 2005. It was one of the accidental deletions that occurred, which is covered in this post.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tim Robbins Jacob Singer Elizabeth Peña Jezebel Pipkin Danny Aiello Louis Denardo Matt Craven Michael Newman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Adrian Lyne.
Labels: dramaC, fantasy3, haunting2, horror2, me-favorite4, suspense3, tim-robbins
Saturday, November 11, 2006
The Shawshank Redemption
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: Although I don't normally 'force' my mother to watch movies I know she'll find unpleasant, even though most of this movie takes place in a prison and doesn't spare the detail, I 'forced' her to watch this movie, even the very difficult scenes. I told her, before I sat her down to watch it, that the movie was one of the most uplifting movies she is likely to watch, but in order to reap the full benefit, she must watch the entire movie, even the parts that are hard to watch.
My insistence was worth it. The movie has become one of my mother's favorites, and she delights, now, every time she hears Morgan Freeman's voice, even in another movie, because she associates it with the surprises and pleasures of this movie.
Roger Ebert reviewed this movie twice. His initial review is linked to the title in this post in which the movie garnered three-and-a-half stars. Five years later it became one of his Great Movies and was racheted up to four stars. In his "Great Movie" review Ebert explains the disparity: that, in fact, he reacted much like the public did to this movie: finding the word "redemption" in the title off-putting from the point of view of theater watching, but, later, made the movie a phenomenon in the home video market. Read the article. It's interesting how he comes to this conclusion.
I, frankly, don't remember whether I first saw it in the theater or on home video. The dating of this post tells me that I acquired it sometime in 2006. I may have seen it before that, or maybe not. All I remember, now, is that I have loved this movie ever since I first saw it, whenever that was. It is juicy with, well, forgive me, Roger, redemption, not something that one finds very often, in life or in the movies.
Turns out, I own two copies of this movie, this stand-alone and another copy in the "Warner Brothers 20 Film Collection Thrillers". Which is good. I can either give one of the copies away or consider that I have a back-up if one of my copies decides to misbehave.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tim Robbins Andy Dufresne Morgan Freeman Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding Bob Gunton Samuel Norton William Sadler Heywood Clancy Brown Byron Hadley Gil Bellows Tommy Williams James Whitmore Brooks Hatlen Mark Rolston Bogs Diamond
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1994
Directed by Frank Darabont.
Labels: bob-gunton, clancy-brown, drama8, morgan-freeman, revenge1, shared-favorite, tim-robbins
