Tuesday, April 18, 2023
The Cell
- Commentary: I can't remember when I first saw this movie, although I know it wasn't in a theater. I've seen it a few more than a couple times since then, the last a couple of years ago on a streaming service. As is typical of Tarsem Singh movies (whether they succeed or not), it is voluptuous, both visually and dramatically, is attached to an interesting story with many threads, all of which intertwine into a well wrought carpet, and, to my mind, manages all of this masterfully, which, considering that it is Singh's first effort at a feature film, says a great deal.
I was reminded of this film today when I decided to obtain The Fall, another stunning film by Tarsem Singh. He hasn't produced much in the way of movies, but, when he scores, it's always out of the park, as is this one.
This film is interesting because critics were sharply divided in their opinions of it. When Roger Ebert reviewed this movie (review attached to the title of this post), he spoke directly to the critical controversy swirling around this film and spoke up, strongly, on its behalf, which I found both surprising and interesting.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jennifer Lopez Dr. Catherine Deane Vincent D'Onofrio Carl Rudolph Stargher Jake Thomas Young Stargher Vince Vaughn SA Peter Novak Jake Weber SA Gordon Ramsey Dylan Baker Henry West Marianne Jean-Baptiste Dr. Miriam Kent Tara Subkoff Julia Hickson Musetta Vander Ella Baines Patrick Bauchau Lucien Baines Dean Norris Cole Peter Sarsgaard John Tracy
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2000
Directed by Tarsem Singh.
Labels: detective1, dylan-baker, jennifer-lopez, psychological2, suspense3, thriller4, vincent-d'onofrio
The Fall
- Commentary: This movie is the most visually arresting movie I've ever seen. There are set pieces in this film that have stayed with me since my first viewing. It is also one of the most spiritually (that's right, I used "the word") unusual films I've ever seen.
The film was released for general viewing the year my mother died. I didn't see it that year. By the time it arrived in theaters my mother had expressed her desire to never watch a movie in a theater again. Thus, I'm not sure when I saw the movie, although I know I saw it on some cable movie service. I also remember that, once I'd finished my first viewing, I immediately watched it again. I remember, too, that I was sorry that my Mom hadn't been around to see it. She may or may not have followed the story, but she would have been as enthralled by the imagery as I was and we would have had a satisfying movie watching afternoon, replete with home made popcorn (always a requirement when my Mom watched movies) and cup after cup of coffee. If nothing else, she would have considered it an elaborate, endearing and motivating travelogue (Mom was always up for travel).
For me, it is simply a movie in which to luxuriate, especially visually, although the story is intriguing, as well. It's an undercurrent story about the confluence of images, adventure, imagination and desire and I can't help but wonder, at the end of every watching, what Alexandria is doing now. It's almost as though I consider that she might have become Wonder Woman, figuratively and literally.
This is probably one of the most expensive single movies I've ever bought. It's been sitting on my Possibility Shelf forever, more than a decade, now. Today, I was notified it had dropped in price by $10. Suddenly, my hunger for the movie singed my mind, yet again, so, despite its still high sale price, I decided to snatch it up. It's been awhile since it's been available at my local library. They have only one copy in the system and it's been "in repair" for what seems like ages. Time to purchase it, no matter what the cost. As Roger Ebert said in his review of this movie (attached to the title of this post above), "There will never be another like it." I agree.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Lee Pace Roy Walker/Black Bandit Catinca Untaru Alexandria/Bandit's daughter Justine Waddell Nurse/Sister Evelyn Daniel Caltagirone Sinclair/Governor Odious Marcus Wesley Ice deliverer/Otta Benga Robin Smith One-legged Actor/Luigi Jeetu Verma Orange picker/Indian Kim Uylenbroek Doctor/Alexander the Great Leo Bill Orderly/Charles Darwin Emil Hoștină Alexandria's father/Blue Bandit Julian Bleach Mystic/Orange picker Ronald France Otto/Old Man
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Tarsem Singh.
Labels: adventure4, fantasy4, spiritual2, survival
Monday, April 17, 2023
The Revenant
- Commentary: Under construction.
Leonardo DiCaprio won what is considered by the industry to be a long overdue Best Actor Oscar for his performance in this film. The film, in fact, garnered more than a few Oscars.
Because of its Oscar wins, the film was written up at Roger Ebert, in full three times and in part by being mentioned in a few other wordy articles covering the 2015 Oscar wins.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Leonardo DiCaprio Hugh Glass Tom Hardy John Fitzgerald Domhnall Gleeson Andrew Henry Will Poulter Jim Bridger Forrest Goodluck Hawk Paul Anderson Anderson Kristoffer Joner Murphy Duane Howard Elk Dog Melaw Nakehk'o Powaqa Arthur Redcloud Hikuc Lukas Haas Jones Grace Dove Hugh Glass's Wife
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2015
Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.
Labels: historical5, leonardo-dicaprio, period7, survival
Gangs of New York
- Commentary: Under construction.
Although Roger Ebert rated this movie a "mere" 3.5 stars, (his review is linked to the title of this post, above), being the Scorsese fan that he is, he was fascinated enough with this film to interview Scorsese about the making of this movie. It's an interesting, occasionally provocative interview in which Scorsese admits how he played with history in order to increase the tension in the movie. If you find this film at all worthy of attention, you should check out that interview.
By the way, you'll notice that the Actor/Role table (below) for this movie is stacked. This movie is full of historical personages that I wanted to list, I wanted to make sure the one named child actor was represented, as were as many of the female actors as possible and as many racially diverse actors as possible were included in the table.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Leonardo DiCaprio Amsterdam Vallon Cian McCormack Young Amsterdam Vallon Daniel Day-Lewis William "The Butcher" Cutting Cameron Diaz Jenny Everdeane Jim Broadbent William "Boss" Tweed John C. Reilly Happy Jack Mulraney Henry Thomas Johnny Sirocco Liam Neeson "Priest" Vallon Brendan Gleeson Walter "Monk" McGinn Gary Lewis McGloin Stephen Graham Shang Eddie Marsan Killoran Alec McCowen Reverend Raleigh David Hemmings John F. Schermerhorn Lawrence Gilliard Jr. Jimmy Spoils Cara Seymour Hell-Cat Maggie Roger Ashton-Griffiths P. T. Barnum Barbara Bouchet Mrs. Schermerhorn Michael Byrne Horace Greeley Giovanni Lombardo Radice Mr. Legree
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2002
Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Labels: gang-movie, historical4, leonardo-dicaprio, martin-scorsese, period7, violence5, war3
