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Justice: Dummy Scoular Against the Crown (1973)
Luminous cool-flowing logic, with feeling
This episode of "Justice" is as always, well acted, and intriguing for those of us who enjoy the topic of law, lawyers, and "justice". But the part of the episode that struck me to the core occurred near the end, when the judge gave a speech on fine distinctions of industrial law in words that moved with luminous cool-flowing logic. Yet his action, based upon this deep thought, was tempered by generosity. Great stuff!
Risen (2016)
Different
About half way in, this movie suddenly woke up for me. One of the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus (or Yeshua) is found in a tavern -- and relates his experience at the tomb -- struggling to understand. I have no idea if such a scene appears in the Bible, but it got my attention. And from then on, the movie became -- for me -- a unique experience: causing me to experience key claims of Christianity as if they were real. The main character Clavius, a tribune, faces life-uprooting revelations regarding the nature of Jesus -- and the music/sound effects combine with superb acting to bring the viewer, totally, into the shock he experiences. And the conflict, moving through all strands of his life. Joseph Fiennes is always outstanding I suspect, as he is here as Clavius; as is Cliff Curtis, who portrays Christ; and Tom Felton, who portrays Lucius, an ambitious young officer under Clavius. And, as another reviewer says, "...someone please nominate that Roman guard in the tavern for an award."
I may not be as shocked as Clavius -- I have been fighting battles internally about the nature of existence all my life -- but I did get a striking new look at what it would mean to see what he saw, up close and personal.
BBC Play of the Month: Separate Tables (1970)
Great ensemble acting
"Separate Tables (1970)" is a jewel of ensemble acting. Every character is played superbly, and it is a joy to see the subtleties unfolding. Actually, Separate Tables is two stories, involving the same setting and people, minus two characters in the second half. I have long admired Eric Porter, and appreciated him greatly in his dual roles here — but Geraldine McEwan was a surprise, a revelation. I had seen her only in previews of "Agatha Christie's Marple", where she played the title character, and was turned off by the mincing quality I seemed to detect. But here, in dual roles like Eric, she reveals herself as an actress extraordinaire, able to portray insidiously repugnant qualities, and the most shining qualities of spirit.
Another character surprises as well, moving courageously from personal darkness into the light: Miss Cooper (portrayed by Annette Crosbie), moving others with her into the light most gallantly.
Page Eight (2011)
Witty, clever -- with some actual meat on its bones
I found Page Eight to be both witty and serious. I found it refreshing that it pursued ugly truths and lies of the United States and Great Britain that get at the heart of who both countries truly are at the moment, and have been for some time. There was so much mental dodging and weaving and swordplay going on between most of the protagonists that I'm not sure if I got its main point correctly -- but I felt that, ultimately, it celebrated old principles of honesty and honor, while tripping down current roads of subterfuge quite lightly and adroitly. I loved the ultimate honoring of heart to heart and mind to mind communion between individuals -- and the idea that honor and truth should also be the foundation of a country's daily reality of existence.
Appaloosa (2008)
Something different. . .Very good
Although "Appaloosa" deals with a common theme in Westerns -- men living by strong, personal codes -- it's unusually supple, light on its feet. It's more about truth than posing. Conversations are spare, unusually penetrating at times, with flashes of humor.
It is a very good Western, with people that feel very real, and good action -- but mainly it is a study of love. Between men (non-sexually), and men and women. Its look at women and love views only a narrow range, atypical of most women -- but it explores how strong insecurities can affect, and can alter love. Sometimes strangely.
The cast is excellent. The principals are played by Ed Harris, who also directs, Viggo Mortensen, and Renee Zellweger, with Jeremy Irons excellent as usual in the role of the villainous rancher. He is a strong, cultivated opponent, a real person like all the others, though Renee Zellweger's character has strange components. It is a great pleasure indeed to watch these gifted actors unroll the story before us.
The Last Legion (2007)
Character-driven, inspiring
After reading several bad reviews of "The Last Legion", I was prepared for a very bad film indeed -- but instead, I found a good one. The performance of Ben Kingsley as the wise man Ambrosinus would, alone, have made the movie worthwhile. His Ambrosinus is a man of warm quiet confidence -- someone who is totally his own man -- a hint of humor glowing beneath. A convincing performance.
The performances of all major characters were fine or adequate. The least realistic character, of course, is Mira. While women have fought alongside men through the centuries when their lands were threatened, a professional warrior woman in this period is not realistic -- though Aishwarya Rai's performance made the character as realistic as it could be. The romance between Mira and Aurelius was mainly unconvincing to me, but fortunately not too obtrusive, and there are one or two good moments in their romantic interplay.
The relative lack of special effects was no problem at all for me: I saw the movie as mainly character driven, with good action sequences and surprisingly good dialog -- even inspiring. And that was the overall effect of the movie for me: inspiring.
Shirley Temple's Storybook: The House of the Seven Gables (1960)
Amazing how much was conveyed in 50 minutes!
I am amazed at the way this production was able to convey so much of Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous novel in 50 minutes! -- and that includes brief commentary by Shirley Temple before and after the story. Much is missing because of the time restraints, and there were a few alterations, but overall, the feeling of the novel and characters comes through very well. Especially good were Martin Landau as Clifford and Agnes Morehead as Hepzibah. John Abbott as Uncle Venner was also very convincing, and seemed like a thoroughly American older philosophical man. I would never have guessed at his English birth. Bravo for the quality of fine performances!
Rome: Power & Glory (1999)
Outstanding Presentation
I echo the previous viewer's sentiments, plus a few more. As he noted, something about the narration of Peter Coyote sustained my interest effortlessly throughout the series. Very good writing and visuals also made this a premium work. It was divided into six parts: The Rise, Legions of Conquest, Seduction of Power, Grasp of Empire, The Cult of Order, and The Fall, each approximately 52 minutes long. I learned much about Roman history I had not known, and appreciate more than ever the profound effect Roman energy and concepts exerted through Medieval, Renaissance, and Enlightenment times -- clear up to the present day. The failures of Rome, echoing now in the actions and conditions of the United States, are also abundantly clear -- pointing to the need for a new vision of state, world, and individual existence, and what it is all about.