Wednesday, April 03, 2024
Hostiles
- Commentary: Under construction.
I have a contentious relationship with Westerns, which is why I have so few in my collection, far fewer than I've actually seen. This movie is unusual for me in that I haven't seen it, yet, as I am purchasing it today. The ambivalence peppered through its overall high reviews is what attracts me, as well as the actors involved. Westerns, for me, have to be non-formulaic, contain a troubling plot and feature excellent actors. This one looks like it hits those targets nicely. In addition, this movie is available at an astonishingly low price, which means, even if it falls short of my targets, it is worth it for me to find out.
It is my intention, of course, to report back later.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Christian Bale Cpt. Joseph J. Blocker Rosamund Pike Rosalie Quaid Wes Studi Chief Yellow Hawk Jesse Plemons Lt. Rudy Kidder Adam Beach Black Hawk Rory Cochrane 1st Sgt. Thomas Metz Peter Mullan Lt. Col. Ross McCowan Scott Wilson Cyrus Lounde Paul Anderson Cpl. Tommy Thomas Timothée Chalamet Pvt. Philippe Dejardin Ben Foster Sgt. Philip Wills Jonathan Majors Cpl. Henry Woodson John Benjamin Hickey Cpt. Royce Tolan Q'orianka Kilcher Elk Woman Tanaya Beatty Living Woman Stephen Lang Col. Abraham Biggs
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2017
Directed by Scott Cooper.
Labels: christian-bale, rosamund-pike, wes-studi, western
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Heat - WB 20 Film Collection Thrillers
- Commentary: The first time I saw this I stumbled across it on cable. I thought it was another movie I'd seen and loved, Body Heat. It wasn't, but I loved it anyway.
I wouldn't consider it spectacular, as some do, and the pairing of DeNiro and Pacino was hyped all out of proportion to the lack of relationship their characters had. Additionally, when I perused the list of actors, it was difficult not to consider that this script might have been a bit of a dump for actors who were out of work and scrounging, at the time it was cast. But, I'm glad I own it. I'll watch it again. Good rainy day movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Al Pacino Lt. Vincent Hanna Robert De Niro Neil McCauley Val Kilmer Chris Shiherlis Jon Voight Nate Tom Sizemore Michael Cheritto Diane Venora Justine Hanna Amy Brenneman Eady Ashley Judd Charlene Shiherlis Mykelti Williamson Sgt. Bobby Drucker Wes Studi Lt. Sammy Casals Ted Levine Det. Mike Bosko Dennis Haysbert Don Breedan Natalie Portman Lauren Gustafson Hank Azaria Alan Marciano Danny Trejo Trejo Jeremy Piven Dr. Bob
Originally published in this journal on 081416.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1995
Directed by Michael Mann.
Labels: al-pacino, gang-movie, neo-noirB, robert-de-niro, wes-studi
Saturday, February 12, 2022
The New World
- Commentary: Under Construction
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Colin Farrell Cpt. John Smith Q'orianka Kilcher Pocahontas Christopher Plummer Cpt. Christopher Newport Christian Bale John Rolfe August Schellenberg Chief Powhatan Wes Studi Opechancanough David Thewlis Edward Wingfield Yorick van Wageningen Samuel Argall Irene Bedard Pocahontas' Mother John Savage Thomas Savage Ben Chaplin Robinson Jonathan Pryce King James VI & I Ben Mendelsohn Ben Raoul Trujillo Tomocomo Brían F. O'Byrne Lewes Alexandra W. B. Malick Queen Anne Myrton Running Wolf Tockwhogh Will Wallace William Sentry Rulan Tangen Two Moons Jesse Borrego Pepaschicher
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by Terrence Malick.
Labels: §3, ben-mendelsohn, christian-bale, christopher-plummer, Criterion3, jesse-borrego, jonathan-pryce, period6, wes-studi
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Dances with Wolves
- Who's watched: M [lots more than] G
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: This is one of my mother's haunting movies. Her reaction to this movie is similar to my reaction to Little Buddha: During some parts, she experiences trance-like states; during others, she becomes fully engaged in the finest detail of the culture of the Native American community portrayed in the movie; throughout, she follows the story meticulously and often attempts to engage other viewers in conversation about the movie, which means that she remembers enough of it from viewing to viewing not to feel as though she has to pay close attention every minute.
Sometime in late 2007 "they" finally came out with the widescreen version, which I quickly snatched up. This version also cuts in close to an hour of extended footage. I was surprised how much of the original cut the extended footage explained. Both my mother and I were, and are, very pleased with the additions.
P.S. Despite what this picture of the cover says, my copy actually says "Collector's Edition" at the top. Since it's also a 2-disc-er I imagine that this extended cut and the special features are the same as on the "Special Edition", but I can't swear to that.
Update 5/9/22: My mother is long, long gone, but, as I was rereading this post and remembering the pleasure she took in this movie, it occurred to me that, no matter how much dissension it created among critics, the Native American community and the community of "woke" non-Native Americans, my mother likely has a virtual copy of this movie, where ever she is now, and watches it every chance she gets. I still watch it, too. I derive great pleasure from remembering my mother watching this movie and thinking of her watching it, now. Perhaps, at times, we're watching it simultaneously.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kevin Costner Lt. John J. Dunbar/Dances with Wolves Mary McDonnell Stands with a Fist/Christine Gunther Graham Greene Kicking Bird Rodney A. Grant Wind in His Hair Floyd Red Crow Westerman Chief Ten Bears Tantoo Cardinal Black Shawl Jimmy Herman Stone Calf Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse Smiles a Lot Michael Spears Otter Wes Studi Toughest Pawnee Maury Chaykin Major Fambrough Robert Pastorelli Timmons
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1990
Directed by Kevin Costner.
Labels: action3, adventure4, dramaB, haunting2, mom-favorite2, period5, revisionist-western, spectacle2, tantoo-cardinal, war2, wes-studi
