Saturday, January 06, 2007
ISTAS: Barbra Streisand
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: The fact that this interview actually has a "Mention" is an indication of how often we've watched it: Every time we can.
Considering how much even James Lipton looked forward to this interview, you'd think it would be easy to be disappointed. Exactly the opposite. This interview is actually a performance, a masterful one, "Barbra as Barbra". It is thrilling to witness over and over again. Rarely does one of the guests who isn't billed as a comedian produce such a show. Bernadette Peters did. Barbra Streisand did.
Despite her reputation for being cloaked, she was amazingly forthcoming in this interview. James Lipton is good (although he's had his failures, most notably and regrettably, Richard Gere).
This video is part of the Icons Collection.
Labels: collection, interview, TV
ISTAS: Robert Redford
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: We've seen this one before, possibly more than once, because it's so good, but of the two repeats, we decided on this one.
Robert Redford is a charmer about whom it can be said, "He's not just cute, he's got brains [and lots else], too." It is fun to rediscover this through this interview. Another thing that always surprises me about this interview is to rediscover that he talks like a graphic artist, even an architect. Good interview. If you get a chance, catch it.
This video is part of the Icons Collection.
Labels: collection, interview, TV
ISTAS: Clint Eastwood
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Although I was anticipating this would be a wonderful interview, I was delighted with the quality of "wonderful". Last night was the first time either Mom or I had seen this one. Mom and her sister used to haunt Clint Eastwood movies, although Mom has little memory of them, now. I remember them going to see The Outlaw Josey Wales together when it first came out, at that plush, behind the upscale mall movie theater in Scottsdale. In fact, I think I may have gone with them.
Although I am little familiar with much of his early work, Unforgiven is a particular favorite of mine and I greatly admire is directing abilities, as well as his acting.
Clint Eastwood did not disappoint. I think the thing I liked about him most and even Mom mentioned as an outstanding feature is that he seemed, at the time of the interview, as delighted and overwhelmed by his accomplishments as everyone else; although not at all disparaging of himself; rather of others for having so little faith and imagination.
This video is part of the Icons Collection.
Labels: collection, interview, TV
ISTAS: Paul Newman
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This was the first time either of us had watched this one. I was so ready to love it, especially since it is the inaugural episode of the series. Although I found Mr. Lipton's lack of glasses interesting, as well as the addition of one question to The Questionnaire [a question regarding what one's reincarnational being preference is; I'm sorry this question has been ousted], the interview was so full of inside jokes and references I sometimes wondered if the students were floundering a little, too. I must confess, I was watching it in snippets while doing chores, so I missed some. This may color my opinion. When (as, "if" is unnecessary) I see this again, if it strikes me differently, I'll report back.
This interview had lots of clips, so Mom loved it.
This video is part of the Icons Collection.
Labels: collection, interview, TV
Inside the Actors Studio
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: *1* *2* *3* *4* *5* *6* *7* *8* *9* *10* *11* *12*
- Commentary: Now, you see, if you have any familiarity with my main journals, old or new, at all, you'll know why the series gets a listing and each separate episode that becomes a part of our library rates a solitary listing.
Because we are ever faithful watchers of this program and it inevitably provokes discussion, it is mentioned many times in my journals, twelve, it seems, to be exact.
I cannot tell you how pleased I am that this series is finally being sold on DVD to the public. I turned myself onto it by accident when I became exposed to cable TV the year I turned back from Seattle. I've been a devotee ever since, recruited my mother and my niece, who is planning on following the actor's call and is working hard at it...have semi-recruited at least one sister. I am unashamed to refer to the show. It is honey in the rock of television.
Anyway, each episode is reviewed separately. I haven't yet purchased the Dave Chapelle episode because I haven't seen it and I'm hoping it will come together with other episodes...maybe a comedy collection.
Anyway, in general, I am so pleased that they are releasing some of the older episodes. Some of those are my favorites: Martin Landau, who took his role as a teacher seriously and, thus, was probably the most fascinating guest this show has ever hosted; Shelly Winters; Peter Falk; oh that was a dynamite one, so was Shirley MacClaine...oh, and Eli Wallach, oh, wow, they don't have his interview listed, that's a surprise! I wonder if they have, hold on...yeah, they've got Jerry Lewis, maybe Eli Wallach appeared on behalf of someone else...need I go on?
This show is important to us. We watch reruns. We watch our tapes. I will be continuing to collect this series.
For the record, of the four in this collection, I have not seen two: the Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman interviews. So, even I'm curious to see what I'll think of them.
Labels: collection, interview, TV
Mr. Jones
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: I was reminded of this movie when I heard that James Brown died early Christmas morning last year. The "Feel Good" song will forever be linked with this movie, for me, because it was perfect "song" casting. And, this movie will forever be a touchstone movie for me.
It is the acute portrayal of a man with whom I was in love and involved for many years, until his death by suicide in a mental hospital, to which he had voluntarily committed himself because of, well, a bout of suicidal depression. He was the same age as Mr. Jones at his death. He was, in fact, like Mr. Jones in every respect, including delusions of being able to fly, except that his raw talent was not in music but in graphic art. When I saw the movie, by accident, actually, the year after it was released (it ended up on TV, as I recall) I was astonished at the portrayal. I have, since then, used it as the dictionary to which I refer when my former, dead lover comes up in conversation.
The day James Brown died I remembered the movie and decided I wanted it in our collection. For reference. Cheap DVD on Amazon. I noticed, over and over, as I found myself reading the comments (which I almost never do), everyone else's story with this movie is the same as mine. It describes, perfectly, someone they love. As well, everyone had problems with the trajectory of the relationship between psychiatrist and patient and what it implies about "love conquers all". If you've loved one of these extraordinary people who has succeeded in taking his or or her own life, you know that love is not enough. The problem wasn't lack of love, or the type of love you offered.
I can now afford to be lax about this problem with the movie. When I watched the movie again, with Mom, this time, I was once again electrified, from the very beginning, by Richard Gere's performance. If Ralph had lived to see this movie (he died in November, 1993) he would have danced gleefully and chanted, "That's me, that's me!"
I'm not going to come out with of vote of grandeur for this movie that it doesn't posses. For some reason, though, because this movie exists, it is a comfort to those of us who have our Ralphs.
Labels: drama, me-favorite, romance
Unfaithful
- Who's watched: Me, only
- Mentions: *1* *2*
- Commentary: It took me a long time, and a great price, to decide to own this movie. I have to say, although, overall, for me, it's an enjoyable watch, especially considering the major change in Gere's "leading man" persona, I don't know, the story doesn't take it far enough for me. But, I was reminded of the aforementioned (in a "Mention") sex scene in some television compendium show of the 10 sexiest movie scenes in the last 100 years, I don't know, and this scene was one of them. I was reminded just previous to haunting our local DVD trade-in store. I had forgotten how riveting that scene is, and, a few others, as well.
Labels: drama, erotic, mystery, suspense
Secondhand Lions
- Who's watched: Both, partially
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Yes, although we haven't completely watched it, we own it. This is the movie that MCF tried to get Mom and me to watch over Christmas. Mom fell asleep on the couch. I saw parts of it and began to understand why they raved about it. I think we will enjoy this movie, too, and watch it again. From what I saw, it reminds me a little of Holes in structure, but I may be mistaken about that. Hmmm...today seems like I good day to watch this for the first time. If anything else strikes me about this movie and/or Mom's reaction to it, I'll be back. Please note, the labeling is pre-viewing.
Labels: adventure, buddy, dramedy, period, road-movie
Magnolia
- Who's watched: only G
- Mentions: *1*
- Commentary: I don't know whether my mother will ever see this movie. I saw it in the theater when it first came out. It was a case of 12 Monkeys all over again. Lots of hype and lots of delivery but no delivery that matched the hype.
I picked up a cheap copy when I turned some videos in because I wanted to see it again, now, some years later, for reasons I explain in the "Mentions" link above. I was surprised that I found myself liking individual achievements spectacularly well: Macy's performance, his character: Exquisite. The Cruise vignettes: Amazing. So, I decided to keep it.
Why is it possible that Mom won't see this movie? It think it would bore her and she would wonder, outloud, why it is considered to be "apocalyptic". Which, actually, I also wonder.
I also, by the way, consider this the third in my category of "caregiver" movies. If you've seen it, you'll know why.
Labels: caregiver, drama, fantasy
