Movies, Mom & Me

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  Commentary:  Under construction.
    Roger Ebert, in his review of this film (to which he gave three stars), found himself prodded by two fellow movie lovers to talk about a possible story glitch that, as he put it, is "a hole big enough to drive the entire plot through." A later reviewer on the same site, Omar Moore [take note, while the immediately previous link appears to have been wrapped up, here is one of Omar Moore's latest sites] however, almost 10 years after Ebert noticed this story glitch, rhapsodizes about the same film, not even noticing glitches in the story. It's interesting to view these two separate views of this film.
    I should mention, this is a movie I habitually check out of our county library system at least twice a year. Since I finally found a low priced copy of it without many of the special features that are touted in other pressings of it, I decided to purchase it. I like to wrap myself up in it. Don't ask me why. I haven't yet analyzed my reaction to this movie and may never, except to enjoy both the movie and my reaction.
    More later likely, of course.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Guy Pearce	Leonard Shelby	Carrie-Anne Moss	Natalie	Joe Pantoliano	John Edward Gammell	Mark Boone Junior	Burt
  Russ Fega	Waiter	Jorja Fox	Catherine Shelby	Stephen Tobolowsky	Samuel R. Jankis	Harriet Sansom Harris	Mrs. Jankis
  Thomas Lennon	Doctor	Callum Keith Rennie	Dodd	Kimberly Campbell	Blonde	Marianne Muellerleile	Tattooist

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2000
    Directed by Christopher Nolan.

Labels: carrie-anne-moss, christopher-nolan, guy-pearce, joe-pantoliano, mystery3, neo-noirD

# posted by gail @ 00:08    0 comments    email......this post

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  Commentary:  Under construction.
    Roger Ebert was so intrigued by this movie he reviewed it twice. He assigned it Great Movie status in 2005 after having reviewed it upon it's initial release in 1998 and having given it four stars. His Great Movies review is attached to the title of this post.
    I also find it interesting to note that while many reviewers were also pleased by this film, its two iterations, its theatrical release and its director's cut, were also analyzed by reviewers, which is, in essence, what Roger Ebert accomplished with his two reviews. Even critics who were not impressed with many aspects of the film praised its extraordinary visuality.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Rufus Sewell	John Murdoch	William Hurt	Ins. Frank Bumstead	Kiefer Sutherland	Dr. Daniel P. Schreber	Jennifer Connelly	Emma Murdoch/Anna
  Richard O'Brien	Mr. Hand	Ian Richardson	Mr. Book	Bruce Spence	Mr. Wall	Colin Friels	Det. Eddie Walenski
  John Bluthal	Karl Harris	Mitchell Butel	Ofc. Husselbeck	Melissa George	May	Frank Gallacher	Chf. Ins. Stromboli
  Ritchie Singer	Hotel Manager/Vendor	Justin Monjo	Taxi Driver	Nicholas Bell	Mr. Rain	Satya Gumbert	Mr. Sleep

  
    As usual, more later when I've watched this film.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1988
    Directed by Alex Proyas.

Labels: jennifer-connelly, philosophical, science-fiction2, william-hurt

# posted by gail @ 09:45    0 comments    email......this post

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  Commentary:  This is an economical four pack of the first four Matrix movies. Although I've included pictures of the covers, below, this packaging does not include individual sleeves for the movies, thus, I allowed myself the freedom to peruse the various covers that have graced each movie in the past and select my favorites.
    It's true. This is the first time I've included Matrix movies in my collection. I saw the first movie when it came out. I was influenced by the exceptional hype watched it in a theater on it's first run. Visually, it was sweet candy, but I remember telling a friend of mine, who was enamored of the movie, that, yes, it's pretty, but I didn't find anything particularly stunning, or even new, in the concepts presented. Truth is, my memory still doesn't. But, but, but, I only saw one, back then, the first. I can't, yet, tell you why, but, a week or so ago I found myself caught on and mulling over this quadrilogy. I checked out prices online. It's been so long since the first movie debuted that there are very cheap packages of the first four movies in the franchise to be had. So, I bought one. For my collection. Seemed like a good idea. I'll let you know, later, if the idea was that good.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the franchise.
    Release Date: Various, see individual movies below
    Directed by Various, see individual movies below.
  
  
  • 
    The Matrix
    Commentary:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Keanu Reeves	Neo	Laurence Fishburne	Morpheus	Carrie-Anne Moss	Trinity	Hugo Weaving	Agent Smith
    Joe Pantoliano	Cypher	Marcus Chong	Tank	Matt Doran	Mouse	Rowan Witt	The Spoon Boy
    Gloria Foster	The Oracle	Anthony Ray Parker	Dozer	Julian Arahanga	Apoc	Belinda McClory	Switch

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
      Release Date: 1999
      Directed by The Wachowski Brothers (as per the package label).
    
    
  • 
    The Matrix Reloaded
    Commentary:  Under construction.
      

    Keanu Reeves	Neo	Laurence Fishburne	Morpheus	Carrie-Anne Moss	Trinity	Hugo Weaving	Agent Smith
    Jada Pinkett Smith	Niobe	Harold Perrineau	Link	Gloria Foster	Oracle	Randall Duk Kim	Keymaker
    Monica Bellucci	Persephone	Lambert Wilson	The Merovingian	Helmut Bakaitis	The Architect	Nathaniel Lees	Captain Mifune
    Neil and Adrian Raymen	The Twins	Daniel Bernhardt	Agent Johnson	Leigh Whannell	Axel	Collin Chou	Seraph
    Nona Gaye	Zee	Gina Torres	Cas	Anthony Zerbe	Councillor Hamann	Cornel West	Councillor West

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
      Release Date: 2003
      Directed by The Wachowski Brothers (as per the package label).
    
    
  • 
    The Matrix Revolutions
    Commentary:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Keanu Reeves	Neo	Laurence Fishburne	Morpheus	Carrie-Anne Moss	Trinity	Hugo Weaving	Agent Smith
    Jada Pinkett Smith	Niobe	Monica Bellucci	Persephone	Lambert Wilson	The Merovingian	Mary Alice	The Oracle
    Mary Alice	The Architect	Harold Perrineau	Link	Tanveer K. Atwal	Sati	Bernard White	Rama Kandra
    Anthony Zerbe	Councillor Hamann	Cornel West	Councillor West	Henry Blasingame (motion capture)	Deus Ex Machina	Kevin Michael Richardson	Voice of Deus Ex Machina

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
      Release Date: 2003
      Directed by The Wachowski Brothers (as per the package label).
    
    
  • 
    The Matrix Resurrections
    Commentary:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Keanu Reeves	Neo/Thomas Anderson	Carrie-Anne Moss	Trinity/Tiffany	Yahya Abdul-Mateen II	Morpheus/Agent Smith	Jonathan Groff	Smith
    Neil Patrick Harris	The Analyst	Priyanka Chopra Jonas	Sati	Christina Ricci	Gwyn de Vere	Jada Pinkett Smith	Niobe
    Telma Hopkins	Freya	Chad Stahelski	Chad	Lambert Wilson	The Merovingian	Brian J. Smith	Berg
    Toby Onwumere	Sequoia	Max Riemelt	Sheperd	Eréndira Ibarra	Lexy	Freema Agyeman	Astra

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of this movie.
      Release Date: 2021
      Directed by Lana Wachowski (as per the package label).
    
    
    Before I go, I want to mention an article that appears to be a summary of the Matrix Trilogy, written before Resurrections was released. It's very kind hearted and optimistic, even as it acknowledges some of the failings of the first three movies. Why did I read this article before I've watched the quadrilogy (and rewatched the initial movie)? By the time I'd finished recording everything above I had read so much about story lines and characters with my peripheral vision that I began to wonder, wait, are these movies, so eagerly watched and so celebrated, an example of the phenomenon of the Emperor having no clothes and being completely unaware of not only her/his nakedness but, perhaps her/his nonexistence? In other words, is it possible that my initial lack of enthusiasm is correct and, maybe, these movies don't really exist, at all, in any tangible sense? If so, well, that's certainly something to record. The article linked at the beginning of this paragraph soothed my fear a bit. At any rate, I'll be watching them, soon, perhaps in a binge session (then, again, depending on how I react to each, perhaps not, we'll see). As usual, I'll report back. But, I have this sneaky sense that I might end up feeling totally conned, and that every one else who's followed these movies has been conned, as well. If that's the case, at least I didn't spend much on them.
    As always, more later.
  

Labels: carrie-anne-moss, joe-pantoliano, keanu-reeves, laurence-fishburne, science-fiction2

# posted by gail @ 01:43    0 comments    email......this post

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  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Uma Thurman	The Bride/Black Mamba	Lucy Liu	O-Ren Ishii/Cottonmouth	David Carradine	Bill/Snake Charmer	Vivica A. Fox	Vernita Green/Copperhead
  Michael Madsen	Budd/Sidewinder	Daryl Hannah	Elle Driver/California Mountain Snake	Julie Dreyfus	Sofie Fatale	Sonny Chiba	Hattori Hanzō
  Chiaki Kuriyama	Gogo Yubari	Gordon Liu	Johnny Mo	Michael Parks	Ranger Earl McGraw	Michael Bowen	Buck

  
    There are cast crossovers between this movie and Kill Bill Volume 2. Both movies were filmed as one and split when it was discovered that the run time for a single presentation would run over four hours.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2003
    Directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Labels: martial-arts, michael-madsen

# posted by gail @ 20:07    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Uma Thurman	The Bride/Beatrix Kiddo/Black Mamba	David Carradine	Bill/Snake Charmer	Michael Madsen	Budd/Sidewinder	Daryl Hannah	Elle Driver/California Mountain Snake
  Gordon Liu	Pai Mei	Michael Parks	Esteban Vihaio	Bo Svenson	Reverend Harmony	Chris Nelson	Tommy Plympton
  Samuel L. Jackson	Rufus	Clark Middleton	Ernie	Perla Haney-Jardine	B.B.	Helen Kim	Karen Kim
  Lucy Liu	O-Ren Ishii/Cottonmouth	Vivica A. Fox	Vernita Green/Copperhead	Julie Dreyfus	Sofie Fatale	Sonny Chiba	Hattori Hanzō

  
    There are cast crossovers between this movie and Kill Bill Volume 1. Both movies were filmed as one and split when it was discovered that the run time for a single presentation would run over four hours.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2004
    Directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Labels: martial-arts, michael-madsen, samuel-l-jackson

# posted by gail @ 19:39    0 comments    email......this post

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  Commentary:  Under construction.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Chow Yun-fat	Li Mu Bai	Michelle Yeoh	Yu Shu Lien	Zhang Ziyi	Jen Yu	Chang Chen	Lo "Dark Cloud" Xiao Hou
  Lang Sihung	Sir Te	Cheng Pei-pei	Jade Fox	Li Fazeng	Governor Yu	Wang Deming	Inspector Tsai
  Li Li	Tsai May	Hai Yan	Madam Yu	Gao Xi'an	Bo	Huang Suying	Aunt Wu

  
    Besides his review of this movie, Roger Ebert, also conducted a surprising interview with Ang Lee, quite a bit of which was devoted to the technical aspects of bringing the action sequences in this movie to life. Don't miss it, if you've ever wondered how "that was done".
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 2000
    Directed by Ang Lee.

Labels: action4, adventure4, wuxia

# posted by gail @ 18:20    0 comments    email......this post