Monday, November 07, 2022
Graduation
- Commentary: Under construction.
Link to interview with director about this film.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Adrian Titieni Romeo Aldea Maria Drăguș Eliza Aldea Lia Bugnar Magda Mălina Manovici Sandra
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2016
Directed by Cristian Mungiu.
Labels: §5, Criterion4, tragedy2
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Special Bulletin
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ed Flanders John Woodley Kathryn Walker Susan Myles Christopher Allport Steven Levitt David Clennon Dr. Bruce Lyman Rosalind Cash Frieda Barton Roxanne Hart Megan Barclay David Rasche Dr. David McKeeson Lane Smith Morton Sanders Ebbe Roe Smith Jim Seaver Roberta Maxwell Diane Silverman George Morfogen Dr. Morse Mansfield Michael Madsen Jimmy Lenox
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Edward Zwick.
Labels: §5, goflexB, michael-madsen, nuclear, tragedy2, TV3
When the Wind Blows
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Peggy Ashcroft Hilda Bloggs John Mills Jim Bloggs Robin Houston Radio 4 Announcer James Russell Additional Voice David Dundas Additional Voice Matt Irving Additional Voice
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1986
Directed by Jimmy T. Murakami.
Labels: §5, animated, apocalyptic, goflexC, nuclear, tragedy2
Ruby Gentry
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jennifer Jones Ruby Gentry Charlton Heston Boake Tackman Karl Malden Jim Gentry Tom Tully Jud Corey Barney Phillips Dr. Saul Manfred/Narrator James Anderson Jewel Corey Josephine Hutchinson Letitia Gentry Phyllis Avery Tracy McAuliffe Herbert Heyes Judge Tackman Myra Marsh Ma Corey Charles Cane Cullen McAuliffe Sam Flint Neil Fallgren
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1952
Directed by King Vidor.
Labels: §5, charlton-heston, goflexB, karl-malden, melodramaB, romance5, southern-gothic, tragedy2
Mass
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Reed Birney Richard Ann Dowd Linda Jason Isaacs Jay Perry Martha Plimpton Gail Perry Breeda Wool Judy Kagen Albright Anthony Michelle N. Carter Kendra Michael White Piano Teacher
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2021
Directed by Fran Kranz.
Labels: goflexA, psychological2, reflective, tragedy2
Friday, July 22, 2022
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Arnold Schwarzenegger T-800 Terminator Linda Hamilton Sarah Conner Edward Furlong John Conner Robert Patrick T-1000 Terminator Earl Boen Dr. Silberman Joe Morton Miles Bennett Dyson S. Epatha Merkerson Tarissa Dyson Dean Norris SWAT team leader Michael Edwards 2029 John Conner Michael Biehn Kyle Reese Jenette Goldstein Janelle Voight Xander Berkeley Todd Voight
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1991
Directed by James Cameron.
Labels: apocalyptic, dramaF, horror2, popcorn-and-soda7, science-fiction2, spectacle2, super-hero2, suspense3, thriller3, tragedy2, violence4
Friday, July 15, 2022
The Terminator
- Commentary: Well, people, I looked, and looked, and looked and couldn't find a review of this movie by Roger Ebert anywhere (although the reviews from Three Movie Buffs, to which I linked to the title of this post, more than suffice). I was sure I was, somehow, just missing it. Then, I chanced upon this admission, courtesy of IMDb and a dead link to "ReelzChannel", although Reelz certainly does exist, but searches there for "Roger Ebert" and "Terminator", came up with no results. In case you don't want to wander over to the link, it says that Roger Ebert admitted in 2009 that he'd never seen this movie.
That just didn't seem plausible, and I'm nothing if not dogged, so, of course, I continued to look and discovered this clip from Siskel & Ebert's television show At the Movies in which Ebert not only admitted to liking the movie, but particularly liked the peculiar angle of the love story. Although the clip is not dated, it is clear from the conversation that Siskel & Ebert were reviewing it during the movie's first theater run, which was in 1984.
Why is all this important? Well, through the many years since its release, this movie has gone up and up in audience and critical appraisal. The following two links to articles about the movie at Roger Ebert.com [30 Minutes on the Terminator] and the first two movies of the Terminator series [James Cameron's great double feature] underline this growing enthusiasm. In addition, the movie is certainly memorable. Not only did I remember it well, as I described to MFS a few days ago, "There's nothing like watching Arnold Terminator unfold into earthly existence."
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Arnold Schwarzenegger The Terminator Michael Biehn Kyle Reese Linda Hamilton Sarah Conner Paul Winfield Ed Traxler Lance Henriksen Vukovich Bess Motta Ginger Rick Rossovich Matt Earl Boen Dr. Silberman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1984
Directed by James Cameron.
Labels: apocalyptic, dramaF, horror2, popcorn-and-soda7, science-fiction2, spectacle2, super-hero2, suspense3, thriller3, tragedy2, violence4
Black Widow
- Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Scarlett Johansson Black Widow Natasha Romanoff Florence Pugh Black Widow Yelena Belova David Harbour Red Guardian Alexei Shostakov O-T Fagbenle Rick Mason Olga Kurylenko Taskmaster Antonia Dreykov William Hurt Thaddeus Ross Ray Winstone Dreykov Rachel Weisz Black Widow Melina Vostokoff Michelle Lee Red Room Assassin Oksana Jade Xu Black Widow Helen Julia Louis-Dreyfus Valentina Allegra de Fontaine Jeremy Renner Voice of Clint Barton
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2021
Directed by Cate Shortland.
Labels: §4, rachel-weisz, ray-winstone, super-hero2, thriller3, tragedy2, violence4, william-hurt
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Into the Wild
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Mom never saw this movie. I suspect she would have found it interesting, but I don't know, for sure. I'm basing my guess on her reaction to Grizzly Man, which was highly favorable and of which I'm surprised we never sought a copy. Anyway, I bought the movie on the cheap because I've always harbored a desire to take off and attempt to live "in the wild" and was curious about this movie, even though much of my reading about it had forewarned me that Christopher McCandless' journey was probably more about mental/spiritual/emotional/social (take your pick) illness than anything else and that he headed "Into the Wild" frighteningly unprepared, despite himself. Some have speculated that the movie is irresponsible. Thus, any leaning toward a romantic viewing of this film had been cleared before I watched it. Still, I enjoyed the story of what this man did, even though the movie is not completely clear on the brain chemistry or social environment behind his character and choice. It's a highly romantic retelling which, opposing the critics, I find appropriate. Despite this man's talent for personal tragedy, watching the movie has a tendency to allow me to (dangerously, I suppose) consider that, well, maybe someday...with quite a bit more preparation than an idea, I can assure you ...
Roger Ebert, by the way, wrote stunning, heartfelt review of this movie. In fact, the only reason I didn't attach his review to the title of this post is because, for some reason, I thought a definition of schizophrenia, in the context of the film, might be more appropriate. I'm not sure I was right, but, still, I'm sticking with my choice.
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 Emile Hirsch Chris McCandless Marcia Gay Harden Billie McCandless William Hurt Walt McCandless Jena Malone Carine McCandless Catherine Keener Jan Burres Hal Holbrook Ron Franz Kristen Stewart Tracy Tatro Vince Vaughn Wayne Westerberg Zach Galifianakis Kevin Thure Lindhardt Mads Merritt Wever Lori Leonard Knight Himself
So, I was able to find a title link alternate to Wikipedia, an interesting one, too, and it remains up, but, just in case, here's the Wikipedia article.
Release Date: 2007
Directed by Sean Penn.
Labels: action3, adventure3, drama7, kristen-stewart, marsha-gay-harden, road-movie, tragedy2, william-hurt
Sunday, May 08, 2022
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I think this movie may have been one of the last I saw in the theatre alone. It is a dream of a movie for me. As well, I like, and have watched a fair amount, of Indian cinema. I'm surprised that this is the only one I own. I look forward to watching it, with or without Mom. From what I remember, I think she'll be transfixed. Sort of an Indian Sex and the City.
UPDATE 2/24/06: For lack of anything better to do that interested Mom, I decided to pull out this movie and view it with her, her first viewing of it. She, too, was entranced by the color and composition of the movie, the dancing and the stylized movements (which actually cause the movie to be more like theater than a movie) and the music. Although there is some full female nudity in it and obvious suggestions of sex (both of which actually make this movie less than a true East Indian cinema), she enjoyed it immensely and was transported back to Guam, primarily because that is where she became familiar with East Indian customs and clothing. We talked about Guam, and a store called Radhi's, which shared a space with Eileen Kershaw's. She remembered the sari material she'd bought which I'd transformed into a table cloth and the rich, stunning Asian fabric selections at Radhi's [which, apparently, still exists, although I found an article (internet access to which no longer exists), dated February 12, 2006, that lamented the closing of Eileen Kershaw's, among other stores with which I was very familiar when Guam was our family's home].
At one point in the movie, when Maya was explaining to Tara how to seduce her husband, essentially telling her that it was simple, I laughed and said, "See, Mom? Men are easy in every culture."
She laughed and added, "Men have always been easy and always will be."
Such a woman!
Update 2/8/18: All updates on stores on Guam, above, were added today.
Update 5/8/22: This post was originally published on 2/7/2005, but I accidentally deleted it a few days ago. Now, it's back, in its original glory.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Indira Varma Maya Sarita Choudhury Tara Naveen Andrews Raj Singh Ramon Tikaram Jai Kumar Khalid Tyabji Biki Rekha Rasa Devi Avijit Dutt Vazir Zoya Akhtar Rasa Devi's courtesan
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1996
Directed by Mira Nair.
Labels: character-study, dramaF, erotic, haunting3, indira-varma, period6, romance5, tragedy2
Friday, April 22, 2022
Lady Sings the Blues
- Commentary: Under construction.
I saw this movie decades ago, on TV, I think. Although I enjoy Diana Ross' voice and, here and there, enjoyed songs released by Diana Ross and the Supremes, I never bought their records. Although I had quite a record collection back in the day, The Supremes were so ubiquitous on radio that I never felt the need to own theirs.
I was, however, intrigued that Diana Ross was playing Billie Holiday, some of whose music I did own, I'm embarrassed to admit, by accident, when I "inherited" a collection of old recordings from someone who was leaving my vicinity. I found them provocative and played some of the 78s over and over and over. Finally, I was seduced by a clip from one of the tragic, emotional scenes from the movie. Long story short, much to my surprise, not only was I not disappointed by the movie, I have remembered bits and pieces of it for decades, which is why, when given the chance and presented with a stupendous sale price, I snapped up this movie. I expect to sit back and enjoy this movie for decades to come.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Diana Ross Billie Holiday Billy Dee Williams Louis McKay Richard Pryor Piano Man Virginia Capers Sadie Fagan Holiday
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1972
Directed by Sidney J. Furie.
Labels: §4, biography3, haunting3, musical2, tragedy2
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Widows
- Commentary: Under construction.
I haven't received this movie, yet, but it's on its way (from North Dakota, no less) and I should have it by Friday.
It's funny, because, recalling what I said about the last movie I entered in here, Serenity, regarding how I was really excited about seeing that movie, well, the truth is, I feel the same about this movie and the last four I've listed. I obtained them all through a sale featuring movies that featured strong female roles, actors and/or directors and other crew. I've never seen a sale like that. It will probably be a long time before I see one like that again. I want to mention, though, for anyone "listening", there's an excellent chance I would not have obtained any of these five movies had they not been presented in such a format. Kudos to whomever thought of it. Sterling idea! More, please!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Viola Davis Veronica Rawlings Michelle Rodriguez Linda Elizabeth Debicki Alice Cynthia Erivo Belle
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2018
Directed by Steve McQueen.
Labels: §4, dramaE, neo-noirC, political5, revenge1, tragedy2, violence4
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Selena
- Commentary: This movie is a not-quite-so-guilty pleasure for me. I have usually been able to find it playing on a streaming service without commercials once a year or so, but, I have access to only two streaming services (that's all I need, actually, considering that, despite my huge number of owned movies, I don't watch movies or programs a lot). Lately, I've been experiencing my hunger, again, for this movie, and was left with no outlets through which to assuage it, which has never before happened. Just out of curiosity I thought, you know, I wonder how much it would cost if I just owned this movie. I found an astonishingly cheap price for a new press in widescreen with subtitles and, knowing that I will watch this movie again and again, grabbed it. It just arrived. I'll be luxuriating in it shortly.
Lots of film critics lauded this movie, including Jennifer Lopez' performance in it. That's what accounts for the "not-quite-so-guilty" part of my pleasure in this movie. The part of my pleasure about which I feel guilty is that it depends upon Selena's tragic end. Without the short and shocking trajectory of her life she likely would have continued to be a huge, cross-sectional star, but I doubt there'd be a movie about her. She may have become an acting, as well as a singing, star, in her own right, and, likely, either way, her existence doing what she did so well would have produced at least as much wealth for her family as her tragedy probably has, but, well, to be blunt, untimely tragedy tends to generate at least as much attention, if not more, as success. Sad truth.
Much worthy attention was paid to the making of this movie. All the choices made, the actors, the carving of the story for maximum effect, the production, the presentation, are top notch. It is unfortunate that all this excellence had to be lavished on presenting a tragedy, rather than a long-lived phenomenon.
Update 3/23/2022: Yes, yes, yes, I spent most of yesterday afternoon and evening watching my copy of this movie. May I say, it is the premier popcorn-and-soda movie of my collection. Although just a few minutes over two hours, I rewound and rewatched so many sections of it that I spent at least four hours luxuriating in it.
I plan to watch Netflix's version, Selena: The Series, for comparison. It received low to middling reviews from professional critics (with the exception of the immediately previous review, which has an interesting perspective, from Roger Ebert dot com) and was rebuked even more for "occasionally [struggling] to tell its subject's story with depth or perspective" (a quote from the Wikipedia article about the film) than the film. IMDb users, however, [(1997 movie), (2020-21 series)] ranked the two practically the same: above middling. The consensus seems to be that while professional critics are looking for something with more depth (which I'm not sure is possible without a thorough companion story about Yolanda Saldívar, Selena's side-business manager and murderer), off-the street (so to speak) critiques from watcher-plebes are, largely, satisfied and disappointed with both depictions in equal measure and for the same reasons, giving the series a slight, and, I think, insignificant, edge.
Once I finish viewing the series, if I think I have anything cogent to add, I will, but, if not, well, what you read above is what you get.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jennifer Lopez Adult Selena Edward James Olmos Abraham Quintanilla, Jr Constance Marie Marcela Quintanilla Lupe Ontiveros Yolanda Saldívar
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by Gregory Nava.
Labels: biography3, coming-of-age2, dramaE, edward-james-olmos, jennifer-lopez, musical2, popcorn-and-soda7, tragedy2
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Good
- Commentary: Under Construction.
It was so hard to find a review of this film that I ended up attaching the watchers review page from IMDb to the title above. The reviews are, literally, all over the place. In addition, no one with any "critical" integrity, i.e., people who call themselves critics and are paid to publish as critics, wanted to touch this film. This surprises me because I really like this film, which is why I acquired it. It will, in fact, be the first film I'll watch in the batch I just received. Question for myself to answer: Are the scenes in which Mortensens' character imagines inmates singing in choruses and playing in small orchestras at a concentration camp in black and white or color? I remember them in black and white, but I'm wondering, now, if that's my edited, or correct, memory.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Viggo Mortensen John Halder Jason Isaacs Maurice Israel Glückstein Jodie Whittaker Anne Hartman Halder Steven Mackintosh Freddie Mark Strong Philipp Bouhler Gemma Jones Halder's Mother Anastasia Hille Helen Halder Adrian Schiller Goebbels
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Vincente Amorim.
Labels: §4, period6, play-adaptation, political5, tragedy2
Monday, January 17, 2022
The Day After
- Commentary: I don't actually have this movie in my collection, yet; it's on the way. But, I watched it last night, uncut, without commercials, at this link, The Day After, courtesy of Super Critical Podcast. Thank you, Super Critical Podcast! In case, Dear Reader, you're interested in knowing the ruminations of Super Critical Podcast about this movie, the link for that episode is here. I recommend you check it out. In fact, I've fallen in love with this channel and recommend it to you if you have any interest in movies featuring nuclearity.
So, yes, I've watched it. It is the most devastating nuclear apocalypse movie I've seen, thus far. It is not for the faint of heart, but, despite its high level of tragic believability, it's worth it. There was a small but not annoying issue of video fuzziness at the beginning of the movie but I think that may have been due to either my TV or connection, because it corrected itself almost immediately. It is loaded with well-defined characters and scenarios that won't let go of your mind, even after the final credits.
It was a TV production broadcast during the hey-years of nuclear apocalyptic films, the early 1980s. Of all the nuclear apocalyptic movies I've seen, so far, I have to say that this is the most riveting because it is the most well done and leaves nothing to the imagination. It's been less than 12 hours since I finished the movie and I continue to have images from it pop up, unbidden, in my memory. As you watch, you'll recognize several actors who hadn't yet become readily recognizable when this film was released who later went on to become big-deal-actors. You'll also notice the obvious seriousness with which this production was approached. This was one of the best blendings of message and movie I can recall, without a hint of preachiness in the script. Just daily life lived under a literal nuclear cloud.
I'll be watching it again, later after I receive it, so I may have more to say about it. Or, you know, not. It was devastatingly realistic and I have a feeling that sense of devastation doesn't let up after multiple viewings. This movie, by the way, is the film that had a huge impact on U. S. President Ronald Reagan and was responsible for causing him to rethink his nuclear war policy.
Update 1/25/22: Extra Credit Question: Who do you know (including yourself) who you think would be capable of ordering the launch of a nuclear bomb? Don't worry, Dear Reader, I'll explain and elaborate later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jason Robards Dr. Russell Oakes Georgann Johnson Helen Oakes John Cullum Jim Dahlberg Bibi Besch Eve Dahlberg Lori Lethin Denise Dahlberg JoBeth Williams Nurse Nancy Bauer Calvin Jung Dr. Sam Hachiya Steve Guttenberg Stephen Klein John Lithgow Joe Huxley Amy Madigan Alison Ransom William Allen Young Airman 1st. Billy McCoy Arliss Howard Tom Cooper
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Nicholas Meyer.
Labels: apocalyptic, bibi-besch, dramaE, haunting3, jason-robards-jr, john-lithgow, nuclear, reflective, tragedy2, TV3, war3
Saturday, January 15, 2022
Testament
- Commentary: If you read comments left about this movie on Amazon.com (from where I purchased it) you'll notice that many of the commenters mention how long it's been since they first saw it: 30 years, 35 years; for me it's been 38 years. That was also the last time I saw it. In all these years, I haven't forgotten it. It was the first movie on my list of "nuclear movies to acquire" that I drew up a couple of months ago. No, it wasn't a long list. There aren't that many, and I wasn't interested in a lot of the movies I discovered.
During a significant portion of the Cold War, during my raising from elementary school through college, I lived on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that was definitely a tactical target for bombing by U.S. "enemies", in part because it housed the B-52's that busied themselves, daily, with trips to and from Southeast Asia, in part because it was the U.S. Naval home of the nuclear submarine "Proteus", in part because the island was a strategic communications center for about half the earth, in part because Australia also had a stragetic communications center there and in part because the island was constantly surrounded by Russian "fishing trawlers" that monitored all communications coming into and leaving the island, while the crews gambled at cards with the local fisherman. Although our family was civilian when we lived there, everyone on the island was aware that the island was so small that, if it were bombed, it would be as though nothing ever existed at its coordinates. This was not of particular concern to anyone, except, perhaps, the U.S. military installations on the island. The rest of us, well, why worry about something we couldn't influence? I remember that, for instance, there were no "duck and cover" drills in any of my classes, whether they be elementary, high school or college. I didn't even become aware of the phrase "duck and cover" for many years after having left the island. After all, one blast and everyone on that island would be on their way to the afterlife.
This is why, having seen the movie some years after leaving that island, I became fascinated with it. I didn't immediately relate to it. The situation we lived in during those early years of nuclear threat was nothing like what was portrayed in this movie. I mean, really, radiation sickness? No one living on that island during a nuclear attack was ever going to have to worry about that!
However, although my life on that island had long ended when this movie came out, by that time I was living in the U.S. Nuclear culture. I continued having no fear of nuclear attack and it's aftermath, having been well schooled, throughout my entire youth, in "don't worry about it, you won't survive it" culture, but was riveted by this culture I'd missed and whether I shouldn't seriously consider it, since moving from an island where obliteration in nuclear warfare was a given to a country where, well, it wasn't.
Take a look at this list: Films about the nuclear holocaust. It contains 61 titles. I'm assuming that it is not complete, and may never be, since these films continue to be churned out, but it starts in 1951. 1951, people! That was the year I was born! The most recent on the list was released in 2019: Chernobyl, a fictionalized account of a real nuclear disaster. There is even a punk rock musical on this list, Population: 1, released in 1986.
Staggering, really! You'd think ... well, what would you think?!?
I haven't [re]watched this movie, Testament [this review, by Glenn Erickson, DVD Savant/Cinesavant is illuminating about the history of nuclear apocalyptic films, as well as being an excellent review of this movie, in case you're interested], yet. I'm going to do that, today. I don't know if I'll write anymore about it. Possibly, since most of what I've written above is about the "genre", not this movie. But hang on, readers. We'll see.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jane Alexander Carol Wetherly William Devane Tom Wetherly Ross Harris Brad Wetherly Roxana Zal Mary Liz Wetherly Lukas Haas Scottie Wetherly Philip Anglim Hollis Lilia Skala Fania Leon Ames Henry Abhart Lurene Tuttle Rosemary Abhart Rebecca De Mornay Cathy Pitkin Kevin Costner Phil Pitkin Mako Mike
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Lynne Littman.
Labels: apocalyptic, dramaE, female-director3, haunting3, nuclear, reflective, tragedy2, TV3, war2, william-devane
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Written on the Wind
- Commentary: I haven't yet watched this movie, although the write-up on the back almost makes me feel as though I have. Pretty much, it sounds like a follow-up to Giant, or, perhaps, vice versa. Both movies were released in 1956 (I don't know which one was released first), which means they were being produced at the same time. Both star Rock Hudson (my goodness he was a busy actor), although in completely different roles. Both take place on oil "plantations" (so to speak). Both involve the reprobate behavior of a key male character and some twitchy moves by children.
If you read the Wikipedia articles about both movies, though, it's clear they had nothing to do with one another. Each has different source material. Character arcs are, well, similar, but not the same, and not attributed to the same types of characters, nor are those characters played by the same types of actors. I think the character of the times produced both of these movies at the same time ... but with clearly individual and peculiar emphases that do not cross-over with the other film. I'm guessing on this next musing, but it also sounds like this movie is going to be much more tragic than Giant, which I anticipate with relish.
At any rate, I'm exceedingly excited to watch this one. Seeing it may trigger yet another watching of Giant, just for the fun of comparison.
Wow! Look at how much I've written and I haven't even yet watched this movie! Stay tuned.
By the way, I'm guessing at all the stuff I've written above, having not seen the movie yet, so there's a good possibility that my label assignments will change after I watch the movie.
Update 5/17/2022: Okay, I've seen this movie, now. At least twice. Possibly a third time. Primarily to watch, yet again, Dorothy Malone's riot of a performance as MaryLee Hadley! The character, herself, packs a harloty punch and Dorothy Malone knows just how to twist it up and let it loose. One of the aspects of her part that I admire is that it includes more than a few scenes where she is simply thinking, remembering, and Malone is spectacular at this.
Although, of course, the movie focuses on the men, one dubious, another stalwart, and I think the message has something to do with the virtues of growing up poor versus growing up rich, this story clearly belongs to the women. Lauren Bacall, herself, is no slouch in the "I'm thinking" department. Between the two women and their internal assessments of the situations that arise due to the career machinations of the men, really, this is a women's picture par excellence. The men just sort of go about their somewhat dull, sometimes nasty, business, and nurture these lusts for the women from the side. The women play the judge and the jury and their verdict is what decides the trajectory of this picture. Fun, fun, fun! I cannot recommend this movie enough!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Rock Hudson Mitch Wayne Lauren Bacall Lucy Moore Hadley Robert Stack Kyle Hadley Dorothy Malone Marylee Hadley Robert Keith Jasper Hadley Grant Williams Biff Miley Robert J. Wilke Dan Willis Edward Platt Dr. Paul Cochrane Harry Shannon Hoak Wayne John Larch Roy Carter Roy Glenn Sam Maidie Norman Bertha
One of Roger Ebert's Great Movies.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1956
Directed by Douglas Sirk.
Labels: Criterion3, douglas-sirk, melodramaA, popcorn-and-soda7, rock-hudson, romance5, southern-gothic, tragedy2
Friday, July 16, 2021
Leave Her to Heaven
- Commentary: I watched this movie last night (7/23/21). I knew nothing about it, which, I think, intensified my reaction (for the better). What an extraordinary movie! Look at all the labels I (legitimately) attached to it! It's got something for everyone, and the entire story [which is, really, a series of stories with one bright red thread (think Ellen's lipstick) running through them] attaches everything that happens to everything else! Yikes!
First of all, Gene Tierney is amazing as the antagonist. The other actors' performances are well turned out, but they are all supportive. The movie belongs to Tierney's character, and, holy jesus, what a character she plays and how well she plays her!
Secondly, when the movie starts, you'll notice it has an odd format: It's full-screen color. Once the movie starts, though, it takes no time to get used to this.
Thirdly, this is not a popcorn-and-soda movie. Go ahead and put out snacks if you want, but, I can guarantee, you will be so riveted from the very beginning to the very end that you'll forget everything except the story, including any food you've supplied.
Finally, the Criterion "special feature" material, both the film essay and the written essay, don't do justice to this movie's singularity. I've seen a lot of movies, in my time, and I am a fan of horror. The only movie I can think of that even approaches the horrific enjoyment I experienced from watching this movie is Midsommar, and, frankly, at this time, fresh from this movie, I can't tell you which I will favor. Perhaps they'll sit atop my horror genre choices in a category of their own.
This is just a gem of a horror movie, in part because it isn't marketed as a horror movie, which was a wise choice by somebody, not sure who. I didn't even realize it was headed in that direction until a little less than half the way through. The story is masterfully manipulated. The settings give absolutely no clue as to what is going to happen. The relationships between the characters start out, and continue for quite awhile, so innocently that you cannot help but be astonished at what is happening, from scene to scene, right before your eyes, and then, when you think you've reached peak astonishment, well, hang onto your hat! No wonder Criterion has this movie in their catalog. It deserves the high honor that a Criterion production confers!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gene Tierney Ellen Berent Harland Cornel Wilde Richard Harland Jeanne Crain Ruth Berent Vincent Price Russell Quinton Mary Philips Mrs. Berent Ray Collins Glen Robie Gene Lockhart Dr. Saunders Reed Hadley Dr. Mason Darryl Hickman Danny Harland Chill Wills Leick Thome Olive Blakeney Mrs. Louise Robie Jim Farley Train Conductor
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
Release Date: 1945
Directed by John M. Stahl.
Labels: Criterion2, film-noir3, horror1, legal, melodramaA, popcorn-and-soda6, psychological1, romance4, suspense3, thriller2, tragedy2, violence4
Friday, April 10, 2009
Requiem for a Dream
- Who's watched: G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I had wanted to watch this movie ever since it came out and somehow never got the chance. I never mentioned it to anyone, but I thought of it often. When we joined a rental service I put it in my queue but there were always so many other, much lighter movies that I placed before it because, somehow, I knew this wasn't a film Mom would want to watch. Then, during the spring of 2008 when Mom was in the hospital in rehab, out of the blue MFS sent me a copy of this movie...even though I'm sure I never mentioned my interest in it to her...it's become, since, a symbol of our psychic link.
This movie is frenetic, tragic and gorgeous, all at the same time. Ostensibly the story of what addiction (to a variety of "things", including dreams) can do to a person. It's wonderfully acted and so succinctly imagined, written, produced, directed and portrayed that, after one scene in which one of the characters sexually compromises herself for drugs, MFS told me she felt like she needed to take a shower. It's true: The movie throws the grime of desperation right through the screen at you. There's something in this movie to make anyone, everyone feel dirty. The desperation never lets up; it's like watching a family version of Titus Andronicus. Which, of course, thrills me. I don't know why I'm attracted to such spot-on portrayals of the dregs of life, but I am, and this one is a masterpiece. I've watched it three times since I've received it. I'll watch it again. I've even created the category of "tragedy" for it, because, oddly, despite my attraction to tragedy, except for some of the video adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, we have no other relentless tragedies. I think I held off while Mom was alive because I suspected that I wouldn't be able to watch them, much. I was right...but, (cackling deleriously and rubbing hands together) THE SCREEN IS MINE, NOW, ALL AND ONLY MINE ...
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Ellen Burstyn Sara Goldfarb Jared Leto Harry Goldfarb Jennifer Connelly Marion Silver Marlon Wayans Tyrone C. Love Christopher McDonald Tappy Tibbons Mark Margolis Mr. Rabinowitz Louise Lasser Ada Marcia Jean Kurtz Rae Sean Gullette Arnold The Shrink Keith David Big Tim Janet Sarno Mrs. Pearlman Dylan Baker Southern Doctor
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
Labels: audio-visual, darren-aronofsky, drama7, dream1, dylan-baker, ellen-burstyn, film-art1, haunting2, jennifer-connelly, me-favorite2, tragedy2, violence2
Monday, November 14, 2005
The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: Tragedy
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I used to be a Shakespeare snob. Up until the late 70's when I took a college course in Shakespeare I just didn't get what was interesting or important about Shakespeare's plays despite the fact that I'd studied two of them in high school. The course I took finally opened up the language and the structure for me. The class took place as these BBC produced plays were being broadcast on PBS. They were recommended by the instructor. I bought a television just to see them. I get it, now. Although I have some other favorite productions of some of these plays: Laurence Fishburne's portrayal of Othello, for instance, my favorite version of Hamlet is the production starring Richard Burton and Hume Cronyn, the vocals for which I have on vinyl, and my favorite version of Macbeth is the production by Roman Polanski which I didn't see until the early 1990s, these BBC productions are excellent and do not disappoint. I hope to obtain the entire collection, since I've seen the entire collection.
When I queue up these plays Mom tries her best but I think she's where I was before I took that course and, as well, she has trouble with British accents. It's easy for her to get bored and switch to her tabloids or take a nap.
As for me, I'd love to obtain the entire BBC Television Shakespeare series. It's quite a bit beyond my pocketbook, now, though, so I expect I'll never manage it, which is a shame, because BBC did a masterful job! If you're unsure about your relationship to Shakespeare's works, try checking out a few of these from your library. I think you'll discover, Shakespeare is writing about you, and your world.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this series. It's loaded with information, not only about the series in toto but about each production. If you're interested in these productions, don't ignore this link! - Hamlet
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Derek Jacobi Hamlet Claire Bloom Gertrude Patrick Stewart Claudius Eric Porter Polonius
→ derek-jacobi
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by Rodney Bennett. - Julius Caesar
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Pasco Brutus Charles Gray Julius Caesar Keith Michell Marcus Antonius David Collings Cassius
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1979
Directed by Herbert Wise. - Macbeth
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Nicol Williamson Macbeth Jane Lapotaire Lady Macbeth Tony Doyle Macduff Jill Baker Lady Macduff
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Jack Gold. - Othello
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Anthony Hopkins Othello Bob Hoskins Iago Penelope Wilton Desdemona David Yelland Cassio
→ anthony-hopkins
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1981
Directed by Jonathan Miller. - Romeo & Juliet
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Patrick Ryecart Romeo Rebecca Saire Juliet Celia Johnson Nurse Alan Rickman Tybalt
→ alan-rickman
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1978
Directed by Alvin Rakoff.
Labels: alan-rickman, anthony-hopkins, buddy, derek-jacobi, dramaA, haunting2, hume-cronyn, me-favorite2, period5, romance3, royals, shakespeare, tragedy2, TV2, violence3
