Thursday, October 16, 2014
Giant
Another James Dean movie. I didn't have time to watch all the extras. I liked it, even though it was more of a Rock Hudson / Elizabeth Taylor story. Interesting how racism and women's rights were woven throughout. I'm not sure what era it was set in . . . I enjoyed it but it was over two hours long!
Monday, October 6, 2014
East of Eden
Hennepin County Library
Drama
Based on the book by John Steinbeck
Directed by Elia Kazan
Starring James Dean, Julie Harris, and Raymond Massey
117 minutes
Plus a second disc of extras - mostly about James Dean - Forever James Dean was almost an hour long.
I haven't read East of Eden in a long, long time and I didn't really remember it. Kazan focused on the last quarter of the book, but the heart of this movie is the Cain and Abel relationship between Cal and Aron, as well as their father's love for one and disdain for the other (I kept thinking of Jacob and Esau). I enjoyed this story much more than Rebel Without a Cause.
Drama
Based on the book by John Steinbeck
Directed by Elia Kazan
Starring James Dean, Julie Harris, and Raymond Massey
117 minutes
Plus a second disc of extras - mostly about James Dean - Forever James Dean was almost an hour long.
I haven't read East of Eden in a long, long time and I didn't really remember it. Kazan focused on the last quarter of the book, but the heart of this movie is the Cain and Abel relationship between Cal and Aron, as well as their father's love for one and disdain for the other (I kept thinking of Jacob and Esau). I enjoyed this story much more than Rebel Without a Cause.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Rebel Without a Cause
borrowed from the Hennepin County Library
starring James Dean and Natalie Wood
also Sal Mineo and Jim Backus
Again, I had to watch this because I've heard of it for so many years and was curious. Louie and Lou watched it with me. Lou enjoyed it but Louie wasn't impressed. It made me wonder how much of the movie's popularity was due to the cultural impact at the time and how much was due to James Dean's early death.
I'm watching the extras and history behind it now . . . but feeling the need to move on with my evening. It is really interesting to hear the interviews.
Basically, it's a movie about teenage angst and alienation. Jim Stark (Dean) doesn't respect his domineering mother or passive father. He refers to his home as a "zoo." Judy (Wood) is rebellious and angry with her father for his lack of affection and attention.
starring James Dean and Natalie Wood
also Sal Mineo and Jim Backus
Again, I had to watch this because I've heard of it for so many years and was curious. Louie and Lou watched it with me. Lou enjoyed it but Louie wasn't impressed. It made me wonder how much of the movie's popularity was due to the cultural impact at the time and how much was due to James Dean's early death.
I'm watching the extras and history behind it now . . . but feeling the need to move on with my evening. It is really interesting to hear the interviews.
Basically, it's a movie about teenage angst and alienation. Jim Stark (Dean) doesn't respect his domineering mother or passive father. He refers to his home as a "zoo." Judy (Wood) is rebellious and angry with her father for his lack of affection and attention.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Citizen Kane
Watched it 9/15 & 16/ 2014. Nearly two hours long! (Then watched the special about Orson Welles and William Randolph Hurst on 9/17 . . . )
This is one of those legendary titles I've gotten tired of hearing about and finally requested from the library. It was debuted in 1941 (May 1). In a way, I want to watch it again and play closer attention. Or perhaps I would enjoy more reading some of the commentary and analysis of it. <Spoiler!> I had picked up from many different sources over the year that "Rosebud" was significant and that it was Kane's sled. I didn't "get" that until I watched the movie.>
VERY interesting tidbit in the actor interviews. Ruth Warrick, who played the first Mrs. Kane, talked about working with Orson Wells and shared advice he gave her. She said that he told her the most important thing in life was to find your heart's desire and then follow it. "Because that's what the Lord created you to do and to be." She said he also told her "all the education you'll ever need is if you know the Bible - I mean really know it, not just read it now and then."
Orson Welles co-wrote, starred, and directed (?) Citizen Kane. It tells the story of a boy who becomes the owner of a successful gold mine and is sent by his mother to get an education and be the ward of a banker.The movie begins with Kane's death and a group of reporters who try to figure out what his final word - Rosebud - meant.
William Randolph Hearst . . . is the person on whom Citizen Kane was modeled.There is so much happening here! It seems weird to think about these dead men having been so passionate about their work and their lives. Hurst's actions in journalism and Welles' influence in theatre - they seem more alike than different! Megalomaniacs both.
This is one of those legendary titles I've gotten tired of hearing about and finally requested from the library. It was debuted in 1941 (May 1). In a way, I want to watch it again and play closer attention. Or perhaps I would enjoy more reading some of the commentary and analysis of it. <Spoiler!> I had picked up from many different sources over the year that "Rosebud" was significant and that it was Kane's sled. I didn't "get" that until I watched the movie.>
VERY interesting tidbit in the actor interviews. Ruth Warrick, who played the first Mrs. Kane, talked about working with Orson Wells and shared advice he gave her. She said that he told her the most important thing in life was to find your heart's desire and then follow it. "Because that's what the Lord created you to do and to be." She said he also told her "all the education you'll ever need is if you know the Bible - I mean really know it, not just read it now and then."
Orson Welles co-wrote, starred, and directed (?) Citizen Kane. It tells the story of a boy who becomes the owner of a successful gold mine and is sent by his mother to get an education and be the ward of a banker.The movie begins with Kane's death and a group of reporters who try to figure out what his final word - Rosebud - meant.
William Randolph Hearst . . . is the person on whom Citizen Kane was modeled.There is so much happening here! It seems weird to think about these dead men having been so passionate about their work and their lives. Hurst's actions in journalism and Welles' influence in theatre - they seem more alike than different! Megalomaniacs both.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Over the Hedge
Loved it so much I wanted to see it again. Put it on my wish list, then decided I don't truly want to own it. Was on the Hennepin County waiting list for two months! Finally got it and watched it. I love this movie.
Raccoon steals stored food from Vincent, a very intense bear. When he gets caught, he promises to replace it all within a week. He makes his way into a group of very innocent animals (turtle, opossums, skunk, and porcupines). While they've been hibernating, a gigantic hedge surrounding a housing development has shown up in their neighborhood. The people are lampooned rather well . . .
Raccoon steals stored food from Vincent, a very intense bear. When he gets caught, he promises to replace it all within a week. He makes his way into a group of very innocent animals (turtle, opossums, skunk, and porcupines). While they've been hibernating, a gigantic hedge surrounding a housing development has shown up in their neighborhood. The people are lampooned rather well . . .
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