March 21st, 2009
It’s fairly obvious that this movie is based on Jane Austen’s “Emma”, and when comparing this film to some of the more traditional adaptations, the surprising thing is that “Clueless” works the best of all of them.
The reason for this may be that the movie constantly winks at itself and at the audience; from the first line–”So, you’re thinking, is this a Noxzema commercial, or what?”–we’re in on the joke. The plot’s pretty thin, but this isn’t really a problem; plot is not this movie’s strong point. Beyond the superficial tendencies of the characters–the cell phones, the computer-coordinated clothes, the lingo–they have heart, and it’s heart that wins in the end. Just like a good Austen novel.
Austen’s novels tend to rely on comedies of manners and carefully constructed dialogue to get their point across; likewise, “Clueless” establishes its own standard of conduct early on, and then adheres to it. These characters have a language as formal in its own way as those of Austen’s 18th-century parlors, so that a single word can be the highest praise or the most withering insult.
It’s also great fun. Just don’t take it too seriously.
Tags: Clueless
Posted in 1990s Women Movies | No Comments »
March 21st, 2009
One of the top grossing films of 1983, including sweeping away 5 Oscars, Terms of Endearment, not only is a heart-felt relationship between a sensitive and compassionate daughter (Debra Winger) and her over bearing mother, (Shirley MacLaine) but also what it means to get caught-up in the day to day: and faced with the really tough things in life like seeing one’s child go through unnecessary torment and hardship- but most of all, the film shows us about living in the moment, having fun in the moment, because life is fleeting, and often times, tragic.
Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson), a retired astronaut, lives next door to Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and as middle age can be very lonely sometimes, reveals to Aurora a selfish man, but also one who enjoys life and she sets out to meet him, that ends in a strange but beautiful relationship. Taking away, at least, a little attention from her suffering daughter miles and states away.
This film is certainly a character driven film rather than plot driven because the story is a simple one. It is the dialogue, acting and the great direction of James L. Brooks, (Broadcast News, As Good as it Gets, to name a few) known in the industry as the ‘actors director’ which makes this film one of the best of 1883.
A beautiful film: loving, caring, moving, emotional, revealing the joys and the tragedy of life, leaving a glimmer of Hope for us all.
Cast
- Shirley MacLaine as Aurora Greenway
- Debra Winger as Emma Greenway Horton
- Jack Nicholson as Garrett Breedlove
- Lisa Hart Caroll as Patsy Clark
- Danny DeVito as Vernon Dahlart
- Jeff Daniels as Flap Horton
- Betty King as Rosie Dunlop
- John Lithgow as Sam Burns
- Megan Morris as Melanie Horton
- F. William Parker as Doctor
- A. Brooks (voice) as Rudyard Greenway
- Mary Kay Place (voice) as Doris
Tags: Terms of Endearment
Posted in 1980s Women Moves | No Comments »
March 21st, 2009
“All About Eve” is the story of an actress named Margo Channing, who has a jealous, envying fan named Eve, who maneuvers her way into Margo`s life, eventually becoming a famous actress herself. It’s a flawless, brilliant film that was honored with 6 academy awards and was declared number 16 of all time on the American Film Institute’s top 100 American movies list.
“All About Eve” stars Bette Davis as the delightfully sour Margo Channing and Anne Baxter as the jealous, envying Eve Harrington. Both women are perfect in their roles, as is most of the cast.
The film is a knockout. The script is sheer brilliance from start to finish and is among the greatest scripts ever written. The characters are great, the direction is outstanding and the movie maintains interest the entire time.
The movie begins with four of the main characters seated at an award night as Eve is presented with her award. We see Margo and her companions with sour looks on their faces as an old actor is making his speech. Then, we’re taken back to the night where it all began. One of Margo`s closest friends Karen Richards (Celeste Holm) is walking to the back of the theatre when Eve introduces herself, explaining she is a fan of Margo`s. After they have met and heard Eve’s sad story, Margo takes pity on Eve and asks her to move in with her. Then, Eve begins to maneuver her way into Margo`s life, working her way up to fame.
“All About Eve” is an outstanding movie, an excellent character study and is certainly a memorable experience with an ending that is just perfect. “All About Eve” is definitely a film worth seeing.
Cast
- Bette Davis as Margo Channing
- Anne Baxter as Eve Harrington
- George Sanders as Addison DeWitt
- Celeste Holm as Karen Richards
- Gary Merrill as Bill Simpson
- Hugh Marlowe as Lloyd Richards
- Gregory Ratoff as Max Fabian
- Barbara Bates as Phoebe
- Marilyn Monroe as Miss Caswell
- Thelma Ritter as Birdie
Tags: All About Eve
Posted in Classic Women Movies | No Comments »
March 21st, 2009
The sight of Audrey Hepburn, dressed immaculately in a black dress, wearing large black goggles, holding a danish pastry in one of her hands and a coffee in the other, looking wishfully, enchantedly into the window of Tiffany, joins forces with the extremely beautiful yet melancholy background score by Henri Mancini to set the tone of the movie. Quirky, witty, modern, fashionable, yet flowing over an undercurrent of unexplainable sadness.
Holly Golightly (I must say I have never seen an actress look more beautiful and apt in her role) plunges a viewer into a strange state of mind. She makes him happy and sad at the same time. Happy for obvious reasons but sad because behind her merry facade lies someone who is progressively falling into a chaos due to her own indiscretion and indecision. And you feel for that other person mainly because of the amazing talent of Hepburn at being able to convey small nuances of her character.
The movie made me sad. Extremely sad, as I fell in love with Hepburn. Her vulnurability has made me a fan of her for life and I am sad that her charisma, her charm is not present anymore. Personally, I feel that such works of art and perfection like Audrey should last for ever
Cast
- Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly
- George Peppard as Paul “Fred” Varjak
- Patricia Neal as Mrs. Failenson/Emily Eustace (2E)
- Buddy Ebsen as Doc Golightly
- Martin Balsam as O.J. Berman
- Orangey as Cat (trained by Frank Inn)
- Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi
- Alan Reed as Sally Tomato
Tags: Breakfast at Tiffany's
Posted in Best Women Movies, Classic Women Movies | No Comments »
March 21st, 2009
The film was initially broadcast by Disney as Anne of Avonlea. However, on video and all other television airings, it was titled Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel. The film was also shown theatrically in Israel, Japan and Europe as Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel.
Cast
- Megan Follows – Anne Shirley
- Colleen Dewhurst- Marilla Cuthbert
- Patricia Hamilton- Rachel Lynde
- Wendy Hiller – Mrs. Harris
- Frank Converse – Morgan Harris
- Jonathan Crombie – Gilbert Blythe
- Schuyler Grant – Diana Barry
- Marilyn Lightstone – Miss Stacey
- Rosemary Dunsmore – Katherine Brooke
- Kate Lynch – Pauline Harris
- Genevieve Appleton – Emmeline Harris
- Susannah Hoffman – Jen Pringle
Tags: Anne of Green Gables
Posted in Classic Women Movies | No Comments »
March 21st, 2009
The Contender (2000) is a political thriller starring Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Christian Slater. The film was directed by Rod Lurie and focuses on a U.S. Democratic President (played by Bridges) and the events surrounding his appointment of a new Vice President (Allen).
Cast
- Gary Oldman as Rep. Sheldon Runyon (R-IL). Runyon is a conservative Republican who leads the attack on the nominee, namely by leaking rumors on the Internet, overseeing accusations of prostitution, and challenging the nominee’s liberal position on abortion.
- Joan Allen as Sen. Laine Billings Hanson (D-OH). The nominee for Vice President. She is a Republican-turned-Democrat who fiercely guards her privacy. Coincidentally, Joan Allen had one of her very first jobs ever as an actress working for producer Douglas Urbanski in Chicago in the late 1970s.
- Jeff Bridges as President Jackson Evans. In the DVD commentary, Lurie explained the President does not have a confrontational personality, but relies on his charm to achieve his aims. Lurie’s first choice was Paul Newman. Urbanski objected to that idea and suggested Bridges instead.
- Christian Slater as Rep. Reginald Webster (D-DE). A young Democrat who allies with Runyon to defeat the nominee, putting him in conflict with the President.
- Sam Elliott as Chief of Staff Kermit Newman. Democratic watchdog and President Evans’ most trusted aide. Oversees Senator Hanson’s confirmation for the Vice Presidency.
- William Petersen as Governor Jack Hathaway (D-VA). A popular Democrat and the President’s heir-apparent. He has good relations with Runyon and is Runyon’s preference for the Vice Presidency. Hathaway is also motivated by his decidedly ambitious wife.
- Saul Rubinek as Jerry Toliver. Press secretary to President Evans.
- Philip Baker Hall as Oscar Billings. He is Laine Hanson’s father and former Republican Governor of Ohio.
- Mike Binder as Lewis Hollis. He is Laine Hanson’s legal counsel.
- Robin Thomas as William Hanson. He is the husband of Laine Billings Hanson and Campaign Manager. He was previously married and had an affair with Laine while campaigning for Senator.
- Kathryn Morris as Special Agent Paige Willomina. A clever FBI agent who collects information leading to the revelation of Governor Hathaway’s liability in the car tragedy victim’s death, to the complete surprise of many.
Tags: The Contender
Posted in 2000s Women Movies | No Comments »
March 21st, 2009
The Color Purple is a 1985 drama film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is the eighth film directed by Spielberg and is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Alice Walker. The film tells the story of a young African American girl named Celie and shows the problems faced by African American women during the early 1900s; including poverty, racism and sex discrimination. The character Celie is transformed as she finds her self-worth through the help of two strong female companions.
Cast
- Whoopi Goldberg as Celie Harris Johnson
- Danny Glover as Mr. Albert Johnson
- Margaret Avery as Shug Avery
- Oprah Winfrey as Sofia
- Akosua Busia as Nettie Harris
- Adolph Caesar as Old Mister
- Willard Pugh as Harpo Johnson
- Rae Dawn Chong as Squeak
- Larry Fishburne as Swain
- Dana Ivey as Miss Millie
- Leon Rippy as Store Clerk
- Bennet Guillory as Grady
Tags: The Color Purple
Posted in 1980s Women Moves | No Comments »
March 21st, 2009
Thelma & Louise is a 1991 American road movie featuring two female leads. Directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie Khouri, the film’s plot revolves around Thelma and Louise’s escape from their troubled, caged lives. It stars Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise, and co-stars Harvey Keitel as a sympathetic detective trying to trace them as they go on the run after killing a rapist. Michael Madsen plays the role of Louise’s boyfriend. Brad Pitt (in his first significant role in a major Hollywood film) plays a parolee robber.
Thelma & Louise became an instant critical and commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 1991, and receiving six Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Original Screenplay. Both Sarandon and Davis were nominated for their roles in the same category.
Filming
The primary filming locations for the movie are rural areas around Bakersfield, California and Moab, Utah. The Grand Canyon scenes were filmed just south of Dead Horse Point State Park.
Cast
- Susan Sarandon as Louise Elizabeth Sawyer
- Geena Davis as Thelma Yvonne Dickinson
- Harvey Keitel as Det. Hal Slocumb
- Michael Madsen as Jimmy Lennox
- Christopher McDonald as Darryl Dickinson
- Stephen Tobolowsky as Max
- Brad Pitt as J.D.
- Timothy Carhart as Harlan Puckett
- Jason Beghe as State Trooper
- Marco St. John as Truck Driver
Tags: Thelma & Louise
Posted in 1990s Women Movies, Best Women Movies | No Comments »
March 21st, 2009
Erin Brockovich is a 2000 docudrama film which dramatizes the story of Erin Brockovich’s first fight against the American West Coast energy giant Pacific Gas and Electric Company known as PG&E. The film was directed by Steven Soderbergh and featured actress Julia Roberts in the lead role for which she subsequently won the Academy Award for Best Actress. It is based on a true story and the real Erin Brockovich has a cameo appearance as a waitress named Julia. The original music score was composed by Thomas Newman.
The film was produced and distributed in North America by Universal Pictures, and was distributed overseas by Columbia Pictures.
Cast
- Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich
- Albert Finney as Edward L. Masry
- Aaron Eckhart as George
- Marg Helgenberger as Donna Jensen
- Tracey Walter as Charles Embry
- Peter Coyote as Kurt Potter
- Cherry Jones as Pamela Duncan
- Erin Brockovich-Ellis as Julia, the waitress
Tags: Erin Brockovich
Posted in 1990s Women Movies, Best Women Movies | No Comments »
March 21st, 2009
Muriel’s Wedding (1994) is an Australian black comedy/drama written and directed by P. J. Hogan.
Hogan, whose screenplay incorporates a number of events in his own life, cast relatively unknown Toni Collette (who gained 18 kilograms (40 lb) for the role) and Rachel Griffiths in the lead roles. Collette was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and Griffiths won both the Australian Film Critics Award and the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The worldwide success of the film was instrumental in propelling the careers of the director and his stars.
Production
Hamilton Island in Queensland was the locale used for Porpoise Spit. Other filming locations included Coolangatta, Darlinghurst, the Gold Coast, Parramatta, Surfers Paradise, and Sydney.
The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 1994 and opened in Australia the following month. It earned $244,969 on 14 screens in its opening weekend in the US and eventually grossed $15,119,639 in the States.
Cast
- Toni Collette ….. Muriel Heslop
- Rachel Griffiths ….. Rhonda Epinstalk
- Bill Hunter ….. Bill Heslop
- Daniel Lapaine ….. David Van Arckle
- Sophie Lee ….. Tania Degano
- Jeanie Drynan ….. Betty Heslop
- Gabby Millgate ….. Joanie Heslop
Tags: Muriel's Wedding
Posted in 1990s Women Movies | No Comments »