Another Week's Worth

Here is what I have watched on DVD in the last week or so, from Netflix and from the library. They are listed in declining order as I rated them. The ratings I give are on my own number system as explained previously in this blog.

How about letting us know if you have any comments about any of these films and about what you have been watching at home or in the theater?

Take My Eyes - 2003. This Spanish film is the best movie I have ever seen about the dynamics of spouse abuse. Significantly, actual violence is only briefly shown, but we are given an intelligently written and sensitively acted story of how a couple in love tries to work to bring about the change in their relationship that will end the violence and fear. The wife is not a submissive coward and the husband is not a menacing bully, yet they each have internal conflicts that carry aspects of those stereotypes. The supporting roles, including that of the very appealing young son, are appropriately helpful without taking attention away from the principals. The scenic Toledo setting and involvement with the art museum fit perfectly into the script. This 3.8 film rings totally true, tugs at your heart for the wife, husband and son, invites self-examination and affirms the need and value of personal counseling.

War Letters - 2002. This PBS American Experience show, based on a New York Times best seller, featured readings from letters to and from members of the American armed services in wars from the Revolution to the Gulf War, read by actors and supplemented with archival and personal footage. The presentation was effective, but it was the content of the letters themselves that earned this a 3.2.

With All Deliberate Speed - 2004. This documentary, released on the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education school desegregation ruling by the Supreme Court, told the story of some of the local students and ministers involved in starting the litigation in Virginia and South Carolina, two of the five States whose cases were consolidated into the Brown case, using archival footage and current interviews of living participants and children of the deceased. These were some of the many unsung heroes of the civil rights movement and classroom discussion with high school students 50 years later showed most students are not aware of what times were like back then and some just take it all for granted. And are not that interested in hearing about it. I give it 3.2.

Small Wonders - 1995. This fairly low budget documentary showed a woman who quite successfully teaches violin to young children in some inner city charter schools in New York City. It inspired the 1999 film Music of the Heart, which we watched before the documentary, and which probably helped us understand the 3.1 documentary better. I would like to have seen more of the kids and their families at home, which could have added a worthwhile dimension.

Music of the Heart - 1999. Meryl Streep got an undeserved Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of the violin teacher in this dramatization of the documentary subject of Small Wonders. The drama, directed by Wes Craven as a new genre for him, showed a little more of the kids and their home life, which was good, but also included a throwaway subplot about the romance life of the teacher, netting my rating of 3.

Anna Christie - 1930. This classic film, Garbo's first talkie, adapted from a Eugene O'Neill play and atmospherically directed by Clarence Brown, confirms that Garbo definitely had screen charisma, coming across as both experienced and fragile. Also charismatic, without the fragility, is crusty Marie Dressler. As soon as filming was done, the sets were used again with a different director and cast, except for Garbo, to film the movie in German. The DVD I watched includes both films. The American version was better than I expected for such an old film from a stage play, at 3. The supporting characters were more subtle in the German version and Garbo was darker haired and more conservatively dressed. Garbo liked the German version better, but I did not rate it since I fast forwarded through portions.

Marius and Jeannette - 1997. The French director of this movie made this, his seventh film, with the same cast and crew he had used on his previous movies, and even set this one in the exact locale of one of his earlier films, the poor section of Marseilles. I love the Mediterranean approach in general, how people are both passionate and mellow, happy and sad and always in touch with their environment. With the French, you can often expect a downer ending, but the small ensemble in this film seem to have already had some down times, so maybe are due for something better. This is a good 3 rated film to get to know some likeable enough people and see what happens to them.

Katyn - 2007. I was never quite able to get into this 2.8 Polish movie. The story seemed to jump all over the place in time and between characters, trying to follow too many people first under the Nazi occupation and then under the Soviet domination, with propagandists for each regime blaming the other for the Massacre of Polish officers and intellectuals. I was never able to get to know any character well enough to sympathize beyond the stanrd empathy for victims and survivors.

The Odd Couple - 1968. Lemon and Matthau bounce off each other in the film version of the Neil Simon stage play. Most of its humor holds up but the stage scripted feel remains and the point of the piece is not particularly rewarding. More fun for them than us, means a 2.8.

The Talk of the Town - 1942. A situation comedy with serious overtones, this movie has its humorous moments, but otherwise offers nothing special, except Jean Arthur, who I really like. The sermon about law is inconsistent with the plot, but apparently appealed in WWII 1942, as the film received 7 Academy Awards nominations including best picture, but I only give it 2.8.

A Matter of Principle - 1983. Alan Arkin and his then wife Barbara Dana starred in this 2.7 story of an obstinate male chauvinist who ran his large West Virginia family like a tyrant. The settings and acting in this PBS American Playhouse piece were OK, but the one hour of running time was applied mostly to showing the tyranny, leaving very little time for the relatively unconvincing conversion. Regurgitated again in 2007 as Raising Flagg.

More Movies Watched

Here is what I have watched on DVD in the last week or so, from Netflix and from the library. They are listed in declining order as I rated them. The ratings I give are on my own number system as explained previously in this blog.

How about letting us know if you have any comments about any of these films and about what you have been watching at home or in the theater?

Food, Inc. - 2008. Renews my urge to phase out meat and poultry from my diet and to either move to Europe or become an anti-corporate activist. Did not really cover new territory for me, but very well done. I have reviewed my mutual fund materials to make sure they do not own Monsanto shares. Continuing my inclination toward documentary, I give this 3.7.

Pride and Prejudice - 1995. Jane Austen again, this time by the BBC and A&E. Well done as expected. It is interesting that these older shows made for TV were actually filmed in wide screen format, so now they can be released that way on DVD. This DVD however, seems not to have been recorded in the highest quality format, but is definitely worth watching, rating my 3.5. Smarmy Parson Collins is particularly a kick.

Julie & Julia - 2009. Though I am not a "foodie", this was still fun. Being a blogger helped me appreciate that aspect of Julie, played by Amy Adams, a young actress I look forward to seeing in movies. I have had a problem with Meryl Streep recently, felling she is acting too hard, but she was great as Julie's impression of Julia. The message of transforming oneself was obviously there, and maybe some women related strongly to that aspect, but for an old man it did not resonate much. Nevertheless it was fun and worth a 3.2.

Missing - 1982. Young idealist disappears in aftermath of American assisted Chilean coup. Father Jack Lemon goes to look for him and has to work with daughter-in-law Sissy Spacek, with whom he has more than a generation gap. Starts a little confusing but then gets clearer. Politics are not much explained beyond implication that right wing junta overthrew a democracy. Change in relationship of Lemon and Spacek is well played and I would like to have seen more of that and less of the dealing with stonewalling, but the movie was intended by Cost-Gavras to educate Americans to what had happened. I give it 3.1.

All That Heaven Allows - 1955. Douglas Sirk is one of those unsung directors who other directors admire. When he fled the Nazis to come to the US, his European accomplishments were unknown here and he was never given major films to direct. Taken as the melodramas they appear to be, these films seem competently made but unremarkable. This Criterion DVD includes
a rare interview with Sirk and an insightful essay by Fassbinder on how to observe the greater depths of Sirk's films. Worth a look to see what other directors admire, I give it 3.0.

Who Am I This time? - 1981. A Kurt Vonnegut story, directed by Jonathan Demme and starring young actors Susan Sarandon and Christopher Walken, presented by PBS on American Playhouse, this slightly offbeat tale of two shy people being brought out by acting in a community theater rates a 3.

The Promise - 2007. A Filipino valentine movie of childhood love being challenged by the reality of growing up, starring heart throbs who did not look like the Filipinos I know, this is the first film I recall seeing from the Philippines. Fairly competently done, with an impressive performance by the female lead, the story as explained in the special features with the girl being seduced by a life of affluence, did not come across that way to me in the movie, where it appeared she was intimidated into acceptance. Worth a look to see something from the P.I., at 2.9.

Mad Men - Season 1 Disk 1 - 2007. This series starts in 1959, the year I graduated from high school. The time capsule scenic touches are generally accurate, but the expressions of sexism and ethnic prejudice sometimes feel a little planted. African Americans play the menial roles with enough subtlety to make me wish they were followed as prime characters. But the series is instead about the ruthless and sleazy white males in the high stakes advertising game and the women in their lives. These are all very unappealing people and I am not much interested in following their lives, so do not expect to watch more. I also bailed out on the Sopranos after a couple seasons because I found the characters all pretty disgusting. Shows about people without redeeming qualities are not ones I want to spend time on, even if they are well done. I give this a 2.8, because if you like this sort of thing, it is not bad, and honestly, I may consider watching a few more episodes down the line to see if some character comes along or develops for me to care about. If you watched this series and can offer encouragement, please do so.

Weekly Report

Here is what I have watched on DVD in the last week or so, from Netflix and from the library. They are listed in declining order as I rated them. The ratings I give are on my own number system as explained previously in this blog.

How about letting us know if you have comments about any of these films and about what you have been watching at home or in the theater?

Sense & Sensibility -2008. As explained by the script writer, Andrew Davies, in the special feature which should be watched before the movie, this Masterpiece Theater version of the Jane Austen novel was intended to appeal to young viewers of the actual age of the heroines, 19 and 17, by casting younger actresses and being a little more dynamic. The adapter also wanted to show some scenes that were just implied in the novel. This typically well done British production rates a 3.5.

Miss Austen Regrets. This 2008 drama made for Masterpiece, based on letters of Jane, tells a tale of her own love life. Her acerbic wit in social situations at first makes her seem almost cruel toward others, but then as she becomes sick she reveals her feelings in a quite touching way, earning a 3.5. This makes a good special feature to follow the 2008 S&S.

Of Mice and Men - 1992. Gary Sinise and John Malkovich. Directed by Sinise. Adapted by Horton Foote.  Rated 3.3.  This version is good looking and well done, but the leads, who are both very good actors, did not totally draw me into their characters - I too often saw the actors more than the characters, especially Malkovich, who was not convincing enough as the mentally challenging Lenny. The climax also seemed to lack the impact and intensity it deserves. But the story itself is a winner. May need to watch the 1939 version for comparison.

Song of Innocence - 2005. This French film about an early 18th century poor country young mother who goes to town to earn money as a wet nurse for a forlorn young wife of a rising architect, managed with a low budget, small cast, and low key approach to hold interest in the relationship that develops between the two women, while also covering related aspects like the male and female differences and the supposedly advanced scientific knowledge about early childhood nutrition. It had a gentle feel even though dealing with serious matters. I give it 3.2.

Family Resemblances - 1996. This French film, dealing with adult sibling conflict and maternal favoritism, came from a stage play and so was basically confined to one set, a family restaurant after hours, but the writing, which won the French script prize, and the acting, producing two award winners, kept it from feeling stage bound. A solid 3.2.

Down and Out in Beverly Hills - 1986. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not as broad and dated as I expected. The story comes from a French play and the actors are all good, but the director, Paul Mazursky, makes films that feel more genuine and deserves most of the credit for this one. Films set in contemporary time hold their age if they do not inaccurately emphasize perceived fads or unconvincingly editorialize on current affairs. A good 3.2.

Man Who Sued God - 2001. This Australian comedy with Billy Connolly and Judy Davis was better than I expected. The pratfalls at the beginning were so funny I almost wish the whole movie would have been as slapstick. The religious aspects were adeptly handled without getting too deep, with the primary villain being the insurance industry. Billy pulls back just before going over the top and Judy does her usual marvelous job of becoming her character. I rate it 3.

The Promise - 1986. This Hallmark TV movie is the most honored made for TV movie.  It was at the quite time revealing about schizophrenia. James Woods deftly played the mentally ill man, and such roles still seem to come easily to him. Jim Garner plays his brother who struggles to become his caretaker. Seems a little dated now and I give it 2.9. [Not available from Netflix].

Arna's Children - 2004. This documentary filmed over six years in the Jenin refugee camp is Palestine is a disappointment, which I rate 2.4. It jumped around in time, never seemed to have any point of view, was not informative and did not engage emotionally. Peripherally it reminds that religion can fuel war and that smoking is also deadly.

Joseph Andrews - 1977. Fourteen years after directing a hit with Henry Fielding's Tom Jones, director Tony Richardson returned to Fielding's novels for this movie. He needn't have bothered. The 1963 Tom Jones is not on DVD, but I recently watched the 1997 TV version that was marginal at 2.9. I guess these are supposed to be satirical of society, titillating and ribald, with this movie even having flashes of total frontal nudity. The library only had one Joseph Andrews left, so I took a look before it disappeared. I needn't have bothered either, for a 2.2 movie.

Movie Blog Housekeeping

After the first few weeks of blog publication, and the start of a new year, seems like a good time to mention a few blog housekeeping matters, in no particular order. Feel free to comment on any of these or add your own points. I'm quite open to suggestions.

There is a description of the blog, under the main title, but for a reason I cannot figure out, it does not show up when I view the blog with Internet Explorer, but if I drag the mouse over the space it will show up. I use Firefox and it shows there. If you can't see it in your browser, it says "A place to share movie memories and thoughts about movies, past and present."

Anna recently informed me that I have been following the  archaic practice of putting two spaces after a period. I have tried to cut that down to one, but there may be occassional lapses. If youi are interested in the history of the practice, check this article.

I have chosen not to make movie titles in the blog articles active links, because it takes extra time and busies up the look. Let me know if you would like links and what site you would prefer to be taken to for information on movies mentioned. The IMDB has comprehensive info and does not requre membership or registration for the link to work.

I have been putting Blogger labels at the end of some articles, to facilitate search of the blog by labels. I can see where that would become more useful as the blog archive grows.

I think the date and time of the comment postings is confusing but I don't see how I can change it. The information is posted at the end of a comment, following a blank line. Then the next comment begins with the name of the next commentator without any spacing, so to me it looks like that is the date and time of the second comment.

The box for writing comments is quite small and does not enlarge on preview either. Other than for a brief comment, I suggest writing it in your word processor and pasting it into the coment box, so you can see it better and so you don't lose it if there is a glitch at the Blogger end.

You can be notified of new postings of articles and comments if you like. You can subscribe to new article postings through services like RSS, and if you want me to add your e-mail address to a notice list for new comments, I can do that.

I have been looking into adding some action to the blog, whether animations or videos, but am somewhat disinclined to make it distracting. Content is what I want to offer and what we all look for in your comments, and that does not need to be literally flashy.

Finally, my picture came originally came out much bigger that I expected, so I have just reduced the size.