To have such a powerful play given the full treatment by a stellar black cast headed by the INCOMPARABLE Ruby Dee constitutes theatrical orgasm of the highest order!!! I am STILL looking for this version EVERYWHERE but of course only the Hepburn version is readily available. Katharine was flawless as usual but so is Miss Ruby Dee who I had absolutely NO DOUBT could EASILY handle the role and she did not disappoint! If you get a chance to see this version, SEE THIS VERSION! Totally holds up to the original and makes the play all the more universal. Hopefully it will be released on DVD eventually as this performance should be available.
Reviews
23 Reviews
Long Day's Journey Into Night
(1982 TV Movie)
Only Saw It Once And I Have NEVER been the same!e!!!!
28 January 2024
Joe MacBeth
(1955)
Can't WAIT Until It's Available Again SOMEWHERE!!!
15 July 2022
I have only seen this ONCE about 10 years ago and have been furiously searching for it ever since!! It thoroughly broadened my perspective, perception and understanding of the original play. From what I remember the performances were mesmerizing, most notably Paul Douglas and Ruth Roman who positively SIZZLED as Lily Macbeth and is easily the best thing I have ever seen her in. When I find it I definitely plan to capture it. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Psychoville
(2009–2011)
Exquisitely funny!!!!
3 March 2022
I fell in love with Shearsmith, Gatiss & Pemberton with the deliciously twisted "League of Gentlemen" earlier. This wonderfully black series does NOT disappoint with such stalwart guests as Dawn French, Daniel Kaluuya & the incomparable Eileen Atkins!!!! Eeeeeeeexcellent!
Fresno
(1986)
STILL LOOKING FOR IT!!! CLASSIC IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT
25 August 2021
This was a BLAST when I first saw it in the 80s when it premiered!! It is CLASSIC Burnett in ALL her glory surrounded by an excellent cast. It is a hidden comedy gem and I have not given up my quest to find a viewable copy of it!!!!
The Crown
(2016– )
Simply Exquisite!!!!
24 November 2019
If you're a fan of British TV/cinema you will actually see LOTS of familiar faces. As soon as I saw Eileen Atkins in the credits it was a no-brainer: I MUST WATCH!! Ohhhh and she delivers. We get an intimate, extraordinary, and positively breath-taking look at the mechanics, politics and scandals of the Royal family. The production values are so rich one can easily lose himself in the visuals alone. Fantastic performers and I have only seen Season 1!!! Binge watching a season at a time provides a sense of continuity because of the many and minute details. I have EVERY intention of seeing them all and I hiiiiigly recommend!!!(
The Glass Menagerie
(1973 TV Movie)
Niiiiiiice!!!
19 September 2019
I TOTALLY and THOROUGHLY agree with another reviewer that if Katherine Hepburn is in it, it's worth seeing! This is certainly no exception.
Tennessee Williams is probably my favorite playwright on so many levels the most salient being gay Southerners. And in that world, regardless of race, there are VERY FEW happy endings.
This is probably the most intensely autobiographical, with the 3 main characters representing his mother, his sister, and himself. The situation is painfully reminiscent of his own childhood.
This is the first version of the play I've seen in it's entirety and it is DEEP. The performances are simply to DIE FOR but admittedly I DEFINITELY plan to see the Joanne Woodward & John Malkivich version as well as the one with Jane Wyman, Arthur Kennedy & none other than Kirk Douglas.
Actually, Hepburn's performance is akin to Mrs. Venable in another Williams vehicle, Suddenly Last Summer where she was a neurotic mother unable to accept her dead son's homosexuality. The only difference is that Mrs. Venable wasn't as chatty.
It was a blast seeing Waterston and Moriarty in their pre-Law & Order days and they were just great together.
I hiiiiiiiighly recommend!!!!!!!!
Tennessee Williams is probably my favorite playwright on so many levels the most salient being gay Southerners. And in that world, regardless of race, there are VERY FEW happy endings.
This is probably the most intensely autobiographical, with the 3 main characters representing his mother, his sister, and himself. The situation is painfully reminiscent of his own childhood.
This is the first version of the play I've seen in it's entirety and it is DEEP. The performances are simply to DIE FOR but admittedly I DEFINITELY plan to see the Joanne Woodward & John Malkivich version as well as the one with Jane Wyman, Arthur Kennedy & none other than Kirk Douglas.
Actually, Hepburn's performance is akin to Mrs. Venable in another Williams vehicle, Suddenly Last Summer where she was a neurotic mother unable to accept her dead son's homosexuality. The only difference is that Mrs. Venable wasn't as chatty.
It was a blast seeing Waterston and Moriarty in their pre-Law & Order days and they were just great together.
I hiiiiiiiighly recommend!!!!!!!!
Jackie Brown
(1997)
Grier & Forster Positively Sizzle!!
22 July 2019
Hands down Jackie Brown is my favorite Tarantino project. I have a love-hate relationship with Tarantino: his hubris drives me NUTS! But the guy makes hellified films and this is no exception. It is inDEED more than a complicated heist film but a beautifully realized (and equally complicated) interracial, middle-aged romance. Grier & Forster are simply amazing and quite frankly, these are the best roles either of them have ever had in their careers. Believe me, they make the most of it. And they are BOTH, sexy as HEL!! Combined with a STELLAR supporting cast, this one certainly worked for me! Having seen it for AT LEAST 25 times already, and without spoiling it, as Jackie lip syncs "Across 110 St" during the end credits, I am rooting for Jackie & Max!! Just wonderful!!!!
Dark Shadows
(2012)
Totally loved it!!!
19 July 2019
Recently, I had been binging on the original daytime series and of course have seen this movie version about 10 times already. I am a HUGE fan of Burton, Depp, Bonham-Carter, Pfeifer and Green! The cast is outstanding, the cinematography is exquisite and while the plot may say in places, it is INFINITELY better to consider the whole rather than disect it. The movie is highly entertaining and the performances are simply wonderful. Take the chain offya brain and simply enjoy a fun movie! HEY EVEN CHRISTOPHER LEE SHOWS UP!!!!
Black Spot
(2017–2019)
😎Talk about conflicted!!
21 June 2019
This initially piqued my interest simply because I have not seen many French crime stories. Not bad but certainly has its flaws. While the performances are exquisite, the cinematography breathtaking, there were only two likeable characters: the big brawny gay detective and the very quirky prosecutor. The sheriff, powerfully played, was such a loner and her unfortunate choices resulted in horrible consequences. We binge-watched and I was sorely disappointed in the ending. But I've seen MUCH worse and will certainly expand my viewing content with similar projects.
Eeeeeeexcellent!!!
19 March 2019
If you are a fan of exquisite British murder mysteries in the vein of Midsommer Murders you will be hooked! Fun characters, engaging comedic elements and very interesting plot twists make this a winner!! LOVE IT!!!😎
Idlewild
(2006)
An Overlooked Gem!!!
6 October 2013
I saw Idlewild again last night .This is simply a top-notch production with dazzling performances, excellent production standards and very imaginative cinematography.
The production numbers are quite simply unstoppable and the blending of the music of the period with the sensibilities of today works beautifully. Obvious care was taken to recreate the look and feel of the period and some of the shots and film sequences, most notably a love scene and a death scene were simply mesmerizing. Music numbers very definitely gave you a sleek music video sensibility coupled with festive dance moves in stop-action/clever editing beautifully enhancing this comedic drama that deftly approached racism, organized crime, father-son issues, love issues, a look at black life in a very difficult time resulting in poignant, entertaining film.
I indeed admit that the script itself could have been more compelling but there is no denying the power of Andre Benjamin in this production. His performance is measured, believable, poised, and poignant. He has a more than promising future in films. He along with a top-notch cast including Ving Rhames, Terrence Howard, Macy Gray and Patti LaBelle give standout performances I can easily look at over and probably over again.
This is an excellent and a most worthy representation of another dimension/time in African-American culture and a MUST for your collection if you want quality productions of African-American life.
I highly recommend!
The production numbers are quite simply unstoppable and the blending of the music of the period with the sensibilities of today works beautifully. Obvious care was taken to recreate the look and feel of the period and some of the shots and film sequences, most notably a love scene and a death scene were simply mesmerizing. Music numbers very definitely gave you a sleek music video sensibility coupled with festive dance moves in stop-action/clever editing beautifully enhancing this comedic drama that deftly approached racism, organized crime, father-son issues, love issues, a look at black life in a very difficult time resulting in poignant, entertaining film.
I indeed admit that the script itself could have been more compelling but there is no denying the power of Andre Benjamin in this production. His performance is measured, believable, poised, and poignant. He has a more than promising future in films. He along with a top-notch cast including Ving Rhames, Terrence Howard, Macy Gray and Patti LaBelle give standout performances I can easily look at over and probably over again.
This is an excellent and a most worthy representation of another dimension/time in African-American culture and a MUST for your collection if you want quality productions of African-American life.
I highly recommend!
Thurgood
(2011 TV Movie)
Entralling!!!! Compelling!!!! Good Theater!!!
22 August 2013
I am still glowing from the distinct pleasure of having watched Laurence Fishburne so thoroughly realize a very intriguing and important figure in the civil rights struggle, Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Laurence Fishburne has indeed come a long way from Cornbread, Earl, and Me. He made his mark in his compelling portrayal of a struggling African-American father with fierce integrity in Boyz In the Hood and since then he has more than become the consummate actor. He has maintained an air of integrity around him and his characterizations regardless of the weaknesses seem to possess at the very least a measure of dignity.
This performance can certainly be counted as an accomplishment. Understanding of the world then is made very personal and thus very easy to relate to. Fisburne wonderfully exemplifies Marshall's strengths and poignantly reveals his weaknesses in this intriguing, very informative, difficult, colloquial, sad, and funny one-man show. The wonderful photography and sound effects combine to make for a compelling evening of theater. Fishburne is in his element portraying the very human and ultimately exceptional example of leadership in the fight for civil rights. I was a teenager when Marshall was appointed in the 60s and can assure you it was indeed a VERY tumultuous time. It was eerie trying to celebrate and appreciate the magnitude of this progress while cities were going up in flames all around you.....and on a fairly regular basis.
.....obviously this was far more than an excellent theater production for me.....but isn't this just what good art form is supposed to do?!! :0) I highly recommend this as not only an excellent one-man show with a tour-de-force performance but as more than a worthy addition to any movie library! It has something to say to ANY disenfranchised community.
Laurence Fishburne has indeed come a long way from Cornbread, Earl, and Me. He made his mark in his compelling portrayal of a struggling African-American father with fierce integrity in Boyz In the Hood and since then he has more than become the consummate actor. He has maintained an air of integrity around him and his characterizations regardless of the weaknesses seem to possess at the very least a measure of dignity.
This performance can certainly be counted as an accomplishment. Understanding of the world then is made very personal and thus very easy to relate to. Fisburne wonderfully exemplifies Marshall's strengths and poignantly reveals his weaknesses in this intriguing, very informative, difficult, colloquial, sad, and funny one-man show. The wonderful photography and sound effects combine to make for a compelling evening of theater. Fishburne is in his element portraying the very human and ultimately exceptional example of leadership in the fight for civil rights. I was a teenager when Marshall was appointed in the 60s and can assure you it was indeed a VERY tumultuous time. It was eerie trying to celebrate and appreciate the magnitude of this progress while cities were going up in flames all around you.....and on a fairly regular basis.
.....obviously this was far more than an excellent theater production for me.....but isn't this just what good art form is supposed to do?!! :0) I highly recommend this as not only an excellent one-man show with a tour-de-force performance but as more than a worthy addition to any movie library! It has something to say to ANY disenfranchised community.
J. Edgar
(2011)
Another Eastwood Gem!
22 August 2013
If you are expecting ridicule, vilification, or even justification, this would be the wrong movie to watch on J. Edgar Hoover.
Eastwood delivers a dark brooding, and rather objective look at one of the most controversial and polarizing figures in America. While the story itself may not be overly compelling, it does offer explanations behind some of the motivations that made up the man, John Edgar Hoover. The cinematography was a crucial element in creating and maintaining throughout a sense of secrecy, brooding, alienation, as well as distance. The chronology is disparate and effective: at times we see Hoover dictating his memoirs to an array of journalists and then we are taken back to the time in question, all the while framed in this overcast mood that fits the film and its subject matter perfectly. As a matter of fact, the manner in which this was filmed constitutes, to me, the biggest indication of Eastwood's opinion one way or the other - Hoover was a dark man with some even darker secrets.
J.Edgar's homosexuality as well as his proclivity for cross-dressing are only suggested and are handled with the utmost sensitivity. There is one scene which strongly implies his helplessness with his desires to cross-dress that was simply quite touching. And the relationship between Hoover and Tolson was beautifully written. No, I did not come away feeling empathy/sympathy for Hoover at all; neither were any of my perceptions surrounding him challenged in the least. I did leave the film however with surely a more heightened sense of his humanity.
This could NOT have been accomplished however, were it not for the positively riveting performance by Di Caprio. This guy can just ACT, okay? The other supporting players were equally excellent, most notably, Judi Dench who played his overbearing mother, Naomi Watts as his faithful secretary, Helen Gandy, and Armie Hammer, as Hoover's lifelong companion, Clyde Tolson. Some of the movie's most compelling scenes involved these three and all three gave powerhouse supporting performances to match Di Caprio.
I highly recommend as yet another excellent outing from a very good director. Comment Comment | Permalink
Eastwood delivers a dark brooding, and rather objective look at one of the most controversial and polarizing figures in America. While the story itself may not be overly compelling, it does offer explanations behind some of the motivations that made up the man, John Edgar Hoover. The cinematography was a crucial element in creating and maintaining throughout a sense of secrecy, brooding, alienation, as well as distance. The chronology is disparate and effective: at times we see Hoover dictating his memoirs to an array of journalists and then we are taken back to the time in question, all the while framed in this overcast mood that fits the film and its subject matter perfectly. As a matter of fact, the manner in which this was filmed constitutes, to me, the biggest indication of Eastwood's opinion one way or the other - Hoover was a dark man with some even darker secrets.
J.Edgar's homosexuality as well as his proclivity for cross-dressing are only suggested and are handled with the utmost sensitivity. There is one scene which strongly implies his helplessness with his desires to cross-dress that was simply quite touching. And the relationship between Hoover and Tolson was beautifully written. No, I did not come away feeling empathy/sympathy for Hoover at all; neither were any of my perceptions surrounding him challenged in the least. I did leave the film however with surely a more heightened sense of his humanity.
This could NOT have been accomplished however, were it not for the positively riveting performance by Di Caprio. This guy can just ACT, okay? The other supporting players were equally excellent, most notably, Judi Dench who played his overbearing mother, Naomi Watts as his faithful secretary, Helen Gandy, and Armie Hammer, as Hoover's lifelong companion, Clyde Tolson. Some of the movie's most compelling scenes involved these three and all three gave powerhouse supporting performances to match Di Caprio.
I highly recommend as yet another excellent outing from a very good director. Comment Comment | Permalink
Suture
(1993)
Take the Chain Offya Brain!!! - A Hidden Gem!
22 August 2013
I had seen this movie about 10 years ago, liked it at the time, and was waiting for an HD version to appear to make my own copy. Lo and behold it came on today! Moreover, I just noticed Amazon carries a DVD that I simply have to include in my collection.
Had it not been for the obvious twist, this would simply have passed as a predictable crime drama involving one brother trying to pass off the responsibility and consequence of one of his own crimes on to the other.
The twist is that one of the brothers cast is black. However, his race, ANY racial overtones OR stereotypes, are EVER mentioned. EVERYONE plays it TOTALLY as if Dennis Haysbert were white. Or, more importantly, as if this has absolutely NOTHING to do with ANYTHING. The cinematography was crisp black and white which perfectly complemented the very unique question the film has posed to me ever since I first viewed it: Could we ever get to this? Haysbert and Dina Merrill (who for me were the biggest names here) give excellent performances driving a very interesting film that uses a simple crime format and elevates it into a thought-provoking and hidden gem that constantly forces the viewer throughout to take the chain offya brain! Seeing it again today reminded me of not so much the story but simply the possibilities it suggests.
I hiiiiiiiiiiiiighly recommend as a very worthy addition to any film library.
Had it not been for the obvious twist, this would simply have passed as a predictable crime drama involving one brother trying to pass off the responsibility and consequence of one of his own crimes on to the other.
The twist is that one of the brothers cast is black. However, his race, ANY racial overtones OR stereotypes, are EVER mentioned. EVERYONE plays it TOTALLY as if Dennis Haysbert were white. Or, more importantly, as if this has absolutely NOTHING to do with ANYTHING. The cinematography was crisp black and white which perfectly complemented the very unique question the film has posed to me ever since I first viewed it: Could we ever get to this? Haysbert and Dina Merrill (who for me were the biggest names here) give excellent performances driving a very interesting film that uses a simple crime format and elevates it into a thought-provoking and hidden gem that constantly forces the viewer throughout to take the chain offya brain! Seeing it again today reminded me of not so much the story but simply the possibilities it suggests.
I hiiiiiiiiiiiiighly recommend as a very worthy addition to any film library.
Django Unchained
(2012)
Another Taratino Project I Couldn't Help But Like!!
22 August 2013
Tarantino and I have a strange relationship. He generally profoundly annoys me with his obvious arrogance and unnecessary pretentiousness. And winning the Oscar for the screenplay here didn't exactly help matters. :0) But I cannot deny the man makes wooooooooooooooooonderful films!!!! Django Unchained is no exception and ranks right up there with the likes of Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Death Proof, Jackie Brown and few others I liked.
This is slavery from the Tarantino perspective and, oooooohyes.....it works....
It is bloody and witty and fun and well-written complete with the (requisite/necessary?) element of unabashed revenge against the whole institution of slavery, which I, an African-American viewer, had absolutely no problem with. The film is filled with eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeex performances, i.e. Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Michael Parks and Christopher Waltz. As a matter of fact the only question I have is not with the film itself but with the supporting Oscar win for Waltz. While his performance was measured, wonderful, and his characterization as a whole was most positive, hands down the most sparkling performances were those of Di Caprio and Jackson. Their scenes together were simply stunning. And of course, every time Jackson opened his mouth, I lost it. These two deeeeeefinitely need to do another project - off the HOOK!! Nonetheless, a very good film that I hiiiiiiiiiiighly recommend that is indeed worthy of your movie library!
This is slavery from the Tarantino perspective and, oooooohyes.....it works....
It is bloody and witty and fun and well-written complete with the (requisite/necessary?) element of unabashed revenge against the whole institution of slavery, which I, an African-American viewer, had absolutely no problem with. The film is filled with eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeex performances, i.e. Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Michael Parks and Christopher Waltz. As a matter of fact the only question I have is not with the film itself but with the supporting Oscar win for Waltz. While his performance was measured, wonderful, and his characterization as a whole was most positive, hands down the most sparkling performances were those of Di Caprio and Jackson. Their scenes together were simply stunning. And of course, every time Jackson opened his mouth, I lost it. These two deeeeeefinitely need to do another project - off the HOOK!! Nonetheless, a very good film that I hiiiiiiiiiiighly recommend that is indeed worthy of your movie library!
One-Eyed Monster
(2008)
Off the Chain!!! Twisted!!!! Wooooooooooooooooooooooonderful!!!!
22 August 2013
Okay, so while lying in bed trying to die of an awful, awful cold, I ran across this title on the movie guide and after convulsing into uncontrollable laughter, thought "Naw....it just COULDN'T be about THAT!!!.." Oh, but it is!!!!! I saw Ron Jeremy's name and thought "now that name sounds familiar..." Suffice it to say, it is indeed THAT Ron Jeremy, the alltime super porn star of the 70s/80s who was known far and wide for his one-eyed monster.
This is a very clever take on that theme. A porn film crew goes to Northern California to shoot a movie and gets trapped by a blizzard, a "shooting star" (no pun intended) and of course the one-eyed monster that positively terrorizes the entire crew. Believe it or not, the production values are quite good, elevating this waaay above cheesy. Moreover, the ensemble cast is excellent while the writing is crisp, witty, and hilarious. Of course it was also sick and twisted but I laughed until I cried. The outstanding performances, hands down, are those of Veronica Hart, an aging porn star who eventually "saves the day," (you will NOT be well for how she does it!!!), and a positively hilarious turn by none other than Charles Napier.
Hate to be so cryptic but if your tastes run the gamut from the absurd to the sublime (this most assuredly being sublime), this should DEFINITELY be part of your collection. It is quite funny and though it didn't cure my cold, it sure made me forget I had one!! January 6, 2013 - watched again for about the 8th time - eeeeeeeeeeexcellent way to bring in the New Year!!!! - movie just rocks!!!! :0)
This is a very clever take on that theme. A porn film crew goes to Northern California to shoot a movie and gets trapped by a blizzard, a "shooting star" (no pun intended) and of course the one-eyed monster that positively terrorizes the entire crew. Believe it or not, the production values are quite good, elevating this waaay above cheesy. Moreover, the ensemble cast is excellent while the writing is crisp, witty, and hilarious. Of course it was also sick and twisted but I laughed until I cried. The outstanding performances, hands down, are those of Veronica Hart, an aging porn star who eventually "saves the day," (you will NOT be well for how she does it!!!), and a positively hilarious turn by none other than Charles Napier.
Hate to be so cryptic but if your tastes run the gamut from the absurd to the sublime (this most assuredly being sublime), this should DEFINITELY be part of your collection. It is quite funny and though it didn't cure my cold, it sure made me forget I had one!! January 6, 2013 - watched again for about the 8th time - eeeeeeeeeeexcellent way to bring in the New Year!!!! - movie just rocks!!!! :0)
The Anniversary
(1968)
A Collector's Item!!!!
22 August 2013
This is probably one of the all-time BEST performances by Bette Davis you will ever see. As I understand it, this is not easy to find and if you are a true Bette Davis fan, you simply MUST have this! The simple plot revolves around Ms Taggert's (Bette Davis) yearly tradition of celebrating her wedding anniversary even though her husband has been dead quite some time. Not only does she insist on commemorating the occasion but DEMANDS that her sons, ALL of whom have their own issues with Mother Dear, attend along with their respective families. Then Bette proceeds to tear into them unmercifully because she knows they will put up with it all for the sake of good ol' moola! Knowing this, Bette pulls no punches and delivers one of the funniest, most brutal, scathing, lowdown, and over-the-top CLASSIC performances in film history.
This is vintage Bette. Trust me. No Bull. You simply MUST see this! It is just a stitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is vintage Bette. Trust me. No Bull. You simply MUST see this! It is just a stitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Classic in Every Sense of the Word!!!
22 August 2013
This is by far the ultimate for Burton/Taylor fans.
The film is an adaptation of Edward Albee's play about a university couple whose relationship is so complex, upon first look, it appears they cannot bear each other. But look closer - much closer. While they seem to have a horrible way of helping each other survive (and believe me, that is what, at least HALF of this is about) they indeed do each other a service by punishing each other for whatever it is each of them feel guilty about.
But this is a psychological thriller at its best. The dialog is crisp, biting, caustic, strange, compelling, honest, brutal and thoroughly engrossing. It is disturbing and not for the faint-hearted but is a fascinating look in the dark recesses that make up some relationships. It also demands that you pay close attention to the dialog because this is where you truly find out exactly what this entails.
The simple plot deals with two university couples, one young, one not-so-young, who "entertain" each other in the wee hours of the night after a university party. George (Richard Burton) and Martha (Elizabeth Taylor) invite a young couple over who just joined the university staff. While George and Martha are old hats at this "banter" they have developed, they draw the young couple into their psychological torture chamber resulting in a riveting but exhausting evening of fun and games. Even by today's standards, this is truly an intricate, disturbing, but thoroughly enjoyable look at what drives some relationships.
Oscars went to the women but not the men! Hmmmmmmmmmmm. An even more interesting bit of trivia is that Bette Davis wanted to play this part badly but eventually lost out to Liz. One can only imagine what Martha would have been like in the hands of Bette Davis. And as much as I love Bette, she would have to have been off the chain to match Taylor's ferocity.
Classic fate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The film is an adaptation of Edward Albee's play about a university couple whose relationship is so complex, upon first look, it appears they cannot bear each other. But look closer - much closer. While they seem to have a horrible way of helping each other survive (and believe me, that is what, at least HALF of this is about) they indeed do each other a service by punishing each other for whatever it is each of them feel guilty about.
But this is a psychological thriller at its best. The dialog is crisp, biting, caustic, strange, compelling, honest, brutal and thoroughly engrossing. It is disturbing and not for the faint-hearted but is a fascinating look in the dark recesses that make up some relationships. It also demands that you pay close attention to the dialog because this is where you truly find out exactly what this entails.
The simple plot deals with two university couples, one young, one not-so-young, who "entertain" each other in the wee hours of the night after a university party. George (Richard Burton) and Martha (Elizabeth Taylor) invite a young couple over who just joined the university staff. While George and Martha are old hats at this "banter" they have developed, they draw the young couple into their psychological torture chamber resulting in a riveting but exhausting evening of fun and games. Even by today's standards, this is truly an intricate, disturbing, but thoroughly enjoyable look at what drives some relationships.
Oscars went to the women but not the men! Hmmmmmmmmmmm. An even more interesting bit of trivia is that Bette Davis wanted to play this part badly but eventually lost out to Liz. One can only imagine what Martha would have been like in the hands of Bette Davis. And as much as I love Bette, she would have to have been off the chain to match Taylor's ferocity.
Classic fate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doubt
(I) (2008)
Poignant!!!!
22 August 2013
As with all art forms, the perspective bought into the mix totally defines the impact. This was an excellent screen adaptation of the award-winning play by director, John Patrick Shanley which ultimately resulted in a uniquely liberating, somewhat painful, yet truly thought-provoking viewing experience. Kudos goes to the principal players, Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis and Joseph Foster, all of whom gave wrenching award-worthy performances.
The story is set in the mid-sixties, not long after the assassination of JFK. A Catholic school in the Bronx accepts its first black student, Donald Miller, beautifully portrayed by Joseph Foster. The priest, wonderfully realized by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is truly empathetic and realizing what a struggle it must be for the student, keeps an eye on him to make sure he adjusts well to this new and very intricate situation. Because of his attention, one sister, a very effective Amy Adams, initially becomes slightly suspicious of his motives and, unfortunately, reports her suspicions to the principal, an exceedingly pedagogical nun, exquisitely played by Meryl Streep. She, of course, confronts the priest with her suspicions which he vehemently denies and she steadfastly refuses to believe. She even confronts the boy's mother, portrayed by Viola Davis who gives a wrenching performance. The encounter between these two is as taut and revealing as those between the accusing nun and the outraged priest. The overall dialogue is crisp, biting, poignant and positively riveting.
Certain aspects of this whole scenario evoked poignant memories making it rather easy for me to relate to. Moreover, certain revelations the mother made to the nun re the boy's home life raised VERY serious questions. These questions will be at the focal point of any discussions about the play for the simple reason the author wisely neither confirmed nor denied those suspicions which, obviously, was pivotal to the whole theme. Any "doubts" you find yourself faced with while watching this further fuels the profound impact the film makes because in the final analysis, it will be up to the viewer to draw his/her own conclusions - as well it should be. The ending is little short of devastating.
With such a riveting and important play being realized by a positively flawless cast, this could hardly miss. Just eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexcellent. I hiiiiiiiiihgly recommend!!!!
The story is set in the mid-sixties, not long after the assassination of JFK. A Catholic school in the Bronx accepts its first black student, Donald Miller, beautifully portrayed by Joseph Foster. The priest, wonderfully realized by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is truly empathetic and realizing what a struggle it must be for the student, keeps an eye on him to make sure he adjusts well to this new and very intricate situation. Because of his attention, one sister, a very effective Amy Adams, initially becomes slightly suspicious of his motives and, unfortunately, reports her suspicions to the principal, an exceedingly pedagogical nun, exquisitely played by Meryl Streep. She, of course, confronts the priest with her suspicions which he vehemently denies and she steadfastly refuses to believe. She even confronts the boy's mother, portrayed by Viola Davis who gives a wrenching performance. The encounter between these two is as taut and revealing as those between the accusing nun and the outraged priest. The overall dialogue is crisp, biting, poignant and positively riveting.
Certain aspects of this whole scenario evoked poignant memories making it rather easy for me to relate to. Moreover, certain revelations the mother made to the nun re the boy's home life raised VERY serious questions. These questions will be at the focal point of any discussions about the play for the simple reason the author wisely neither confirmed nor denied those suspicions which, obviously, was pivotal to the whole theme. Any "doubts" you find yourself faced with while watching this further fuels the profound impact the film makes because in the final analysis, it will be up to the viewer to draw his/her own conclusions - as well it should be. The ending is little short of devastating.
With such a riveting and important play being realized by a positively flawless cast, this could hardly miss. Just eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexcellent. I hiiiiiiiiihgly recommend!!!!
District 9
(2009)
Very Disturbing But Some of the Best Science Fiction I Have Ever Seen!!!
22 August 2013
District 9, science-fiction at its absolute BEST, revolves around the attempts to relocate aliens, currently living in slum conditions in Johannesburg, South Africa, to a more suitable place - living alongside humans has obviously deteriorated. A bureaucrat, Wikus, appointed by his father-in-law, is tapped to lead the relocation efforts. Unfortunately, in the process, he becomes infected with the DNA of the aliens. (oh you KNOW the South African government has been performing "tests" to study the aliens!) Of course, Wikus will eventually turn into one of the aliens and the government wants/needs to "harvest" his body parts all, of course, for the sake of science.
The movie is intense, gritty, and disgusting. It pretty much evokes the same emotions in the viewer which is where the power of the movie lies. It takes the viewer on a VERY uncomfortable review of one's own biases/prejudices/apprehensions. In the beginning I was horrified watching the amount of firepower humans enlisted to implement the relocation policy thus making me dislike Wikus almost immediately - especially since he benefited (for lack of a better word) solely because of nepotism. I was immediately moved to support the aliens but, GEEZ, they're so ugly!!! Then Wikus becomes infected, becoming of intense interest to the South African scientific community, and becomes the hunted rather than the hunter. Now Wikus is as sympathetic as the aliens and thank god, not NEARLY so ugly.
It was INDEED startling to be reduced to making assumptions about someone SOLELY on the basis of how they looked. The aliens here are quite intelligent. Moreover, they only want to get back to their own planet and have no ill-will toward humans, unless, of course, provoked. So in most cases they do NOT deserve the inhuman (no pun intended) treatment they are often subjected to.
Their just god-awful ugly!! And it is disconcerting to have to admit AND deal with this. Compound this with a language barrier and we find ourselves looking at some veeeeeeeeeery similar situations we find ourselves in in our everyday lives.
The special effects are mind-boggling and the interactions between aliens and humans recalls social conditions we are all entirely too familiar with. Yes, it uncomfortably evokes the reasonings behind immigration, integration, segregation, minorities, cultures/situations we are unfamiliar with, and forces us to take an historical perspective of just how well (or how badly) we have dealt with similar situations.
The movie is fast-paced, action-packed, gross, poignant, revolting, and THOROUGHLY entertaining. It is reminiscent of the best that the Twilight Zone and Outer Limits had to offer and quite frankly, trying to categorize the movie not only is difficult but ultimately unfair.
Hands down - one of the BEST movies of ANY genre I have ever seen.
Oooooooh yeah.....I INDEED recommend!
The movie is intense, gritty, and disgusting. It pretty much evokes the same emotions in the viewer which is where the power of the movie lies. It takes the viewer on a VERY uncomfortable review of one's own biases/prejudices/apprehensions. In the beginning I was horrified watching the amount of firepower humans enlisted to implement the relocation policy thus making me dislike Wikus almost immediately - especially since he benefited (for lack of a better word) solely because of nepotism. I was immediately moved to support the aliens but, GEEZ, they're so ugly!!! Then Wikus becomes infected, becoming of intense interest to the South African scientific community, and becomes the hunted rather than the hunter. Now Wikus is as sympathetic as the aliens and thank god, not NEARLY so ugly.
It was INDEED startling to be reduced to making assumptions about someone SOLELY on the basis of how they looked. The aliens here are quite intelligent. Moreover, they only want to get back to their own planet and have no ill-will toward humans, unless, of course, provoked. So in most cases they do NOT deserve the inhuman (no pun intended) treatment they are often subjected to.
Their just god-awful ugly!! And it is disconcerting to have to admit AND deal with this. Compound this with a language barrier and we find ourselves looking at some veeeeeeeeeery similar situations we find ourselves in in our everyday lives.
The special effects are mind-boggling and the interactions between aliens and humans recalls social conditions we are all entirely too familiar with. Yes, it uncomfortably evokes the reasonings behind immigration, integration, segregation, minorities, cultures/situations we are unfamiliar with, and forces us to take an historical perspective of just how well (or how badly) we have dealt with similar situations.
The movie is fast-paced, action-packed, gross, poignant, revolting, and THOROUGHLY entertaining. It is reminiscent of the best that the Twilight Zone and Outer Limits had to offer and quite frankly, trying to categorize the movie not only is difficult but ultimately unfair.
Hands down - one of the BEST movies of ANY genre I have ever seen.
Oooooooh yeah.....I INDEED recommend!
The Rite
(2011)
Somewhat Underwhelming
22 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The Rite hovers between being a thought-provoking religious mystery and a decent horror film about demonic possession. Unfortunately, it falls flat on both.
In a nutshell, a candidate for the priesthood (Colin O'Donoghue) who has faith issues (as well as a few other personal ones) is sent to exorcism school at the Vatican before he decides to give up the priesthood altogether. His mentor in the intricacies of demonic possession is Father Lucas (admirably played by Anthony Hopkins).
The movie adds nothing new to the debate about demonic possession vs mental instability and we, of course, get the requisite demonic possession antics: twisting in weird positions, speaking in a smoker's voice, the VERY tacky (and rather tired) practice by demons of pouncing on one's weak spots and spitting them back with unbridled ferocity, still the usual church attitude regarding exorcism as a necessary evil/dirty little secret despite the fact that the call for exorcisms has risen recently blah, blah, blah, concluding with the horrible Hollywood tactic of sewing up everything nice and neatly at the end with everyone living happily ever after.
This is probably the movie's biggest fault (and the most insulting.) Perhaps if the audience had been allowed to decide for themselves just what choice the troubled priest-in-training made instead of deciding it for us, this alone would have dramatically improved the film.
The performances, however, are actually quite good, especially that of Anthony Hopkins and Colin O'Donoghue and it is because of this, the film is not a total wash out. Colin is most effective as the brooding (and festive) priest with doubts contrasted by the usually very strong performance by Hopkins in his element as a seasoned but troubled priest himself. Certainly works as a dinner and a movie outing but not much more than that, I'm afraid.
In a nutshell, a candidate for the priesthood (Colin O'Donoghue) who has faith issues (as well as a few other personal ones) is sent to exorcism school at the Vatican before he decides to give up the priesthood altogether. His mentor in the intricacies of demonic possession is Father Lucas (admirably played by Anthony Hopkins).
The movie adds nothing new to the debate about demonic possession vs mental instability and we, of course, get the requisite demonic possession antics: twisting in weird positions, speaking in a smoker's voice, the VERY tacky (and rather tired) practice by demons of pouncing on one's weak spots and spitting them back with unbridled ferocity, still the usual church attitude regarding exorcism as a necessary evil/dirty little secret despite the fact that the call for exorcisms has risen recently blah, blah, blah, concluding with the horrible Hollywood tactic of sewing up everything nice and neatly at the end with everyone living happily ever after.
This is probably the movie's biggest fault (and the most insulting.) Perhaps if the audience had been allowed to decide for themselves just what choice the troubled priest-in-training made instead of deciding it for us, this alone would have dramatically improved the film.
The performances, however, are actually quite good, especially that of Anthony Hopkins and Colin O'Donoghue and it is because of this, the film is not a total wash out. Colin is most effective as the brooding (and festive) priest with doubts contrasted by the usually very strong performance by Hopkins in his element as a seasoned but troubled priest himself. Certainly works as a dinner and a movie outing but not much more than that, I'm afraid.
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