Thursday, April 09, 2009
Inside the Actors Studio: Johnny Depp
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none
- Commentary: With this commentary, I'm instituting the habit of attaching specific interview video clips from YouTube to the interviews (yes, I'll be going back and doing the same for other interview subjects covered here). Again, interview well enjoyed by both of us.
Inside the Actors Studio: Robin Williams
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: See Inside the Actors Studio mentions
- Commentary: Unfortunately, the Bravo TV site no longer keeps tabs on all the episodes through all the years, so it looks as though I'll be reverting to YouTube for title links from now on, which is actually better, in this case, anyway. I didn't, above, only because the link I used includes some interesting information about this interview. However, if you're curious, here and here are links to two excerpts from this delightful, entertaining interview. Once you get over to YouTube you'll notice that there are several other video clips from this interview. I recommend all of them. Mom and I viewed this several times. We never tired (and I never tire) of it.
Inside the Actors Stuido: Leading Men
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: none specific to this DVD
- Commentary: Although I remember the two of us delving into this DVD set soon after in arrived, I have no memory of three of the interviews [Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Sean Penn (YouTube clips linked to names)] and only a vague memory of one, Russell Crowe's (no YouTube clip of this). Hard to imagine that I spaced so much of these episodes, as I'm sure both of us enjoyed all of them...but, I received this sometime in 2008 and can only imagine that my concentration level was severely hampered by everything that was going on during Mom's last year of life. At any rate, the link connected to the title, above, gives a good overview of each interview...and writing this reminds me that I need and want to watch these episodes again!
Labels: collection, interview, TV
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Planet Earth
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: Don't tell me you're suprised we purchased this series! Thank the gods, the version with David Attenborough was available. Although we watched the series on TV when it aired on Discovery at the beginning of April (and immediately pre-ordered it), both of us had problems with Sigourney Weaver's narration. I didn't say anything until Mom spoke up and said, "That woman sounds like an old-time school marm! Couldn't they get someone better?!?"
Yes, they could and did.
Even if you're a veteran of animal and nature shows, as many Ancient Ones and their caregivers are, this series is a stunner. The addition of the three episode "Planet Earth-The Future" is oddly intriguing, since it involves interviews with died in the wool Greens and those who take issue with all the propositions included in the current global warming hysteria (yes, it is an hysteria, even if it turns out to be reliable), as a well as a smattering of people who are depressed by the realities inherent in trying to get humans to cooperate across the board in changing the ways we live on our planet.
I noticed that the script is, first, a little contradictory. In one place it mentions that glacial movement is the most devastating eroder of landscape. Then, in another episode, it states that moving water is. Granted, they both states of H2O, but their different states and properties have vastly different impacts upon the land. I vote for glacial movement. As well, I'm not sure how long this series was in development from the very beginning, but it inaccurately states, in the forest section, that a redwood is the largest living organism on Earth. A few years ago it was discovered that a mushroom was, in fact, the largest living organism. Truth is, we'll probably discover something that's even larger, one of these days.
Nonetheless, this series is a stunner. We watched it again tonight (which is last night, now). I know we'll watch it again. And again.
Labels: documentary, film-art, interview, mom-favorite, political, science, spectacle, TV
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
