Love the movies? How about blu-ray movies? Maybe movie merchandise? Learn more about your favorite movies past, present, and future, whether at the movie theatre, on blu-ray or on DVD. Find some unusual gift ideas for movie fans, including yourself. Join the fun and discover a new movie or two!
Next up on our armchair trip to Ireland is the movie Michael Collins, which is yet another story of troubled times in Ireland that is based on a true story. It is set in that beautiful country but once again it is definitely not a beautiful movie as it tells another extremely violent story.
Michael Collins is a historical biopic film that tells the story of the man of the same name who led a guerrilla war in Ireland against the United Kingdom and eventually went on to create the Irish Free State and lead the National Army during the civil war. It is set roughly between the years of 1916 and 1920.
IMDBsays that this movie was given the rating of PG in Ireland because of the historical value of the film despite the fact that it includes so much violence. They wanted the film to be available to young people who needed to know about that time frame in the country’s history. The film is more appropriately rated R elsewhere.
Here’s a look at the movie via the original trailer:
The New York Times says Collins was, “a leader who experienced a sea of change during his brief career, evolving from a pioneer of modern-day terrorism into a proponent of compromise and peace.” I believe that Liam Neeson does a solid job of portraying Michael Collins. Also in the cast are Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman and Julia Roberts.
Is this movie recommended by me? Well, yes, if you are interested in a look at this period in Ireland's history and if you can tolerate the unpleasantness. The Guardian says that Michael Collins is, “A watchable and mostly well-judged film on a worthy subject, but one that is undermined by a couple of careless liberties with the facts.” For my and possibly your purposes of understanding a bit more about the history of Ireland, this film works even though it may not be 100 percent accurate. I would hazard a guess that most historical movies have taken liberties with the facts. Learn more about Michael Collins and/or buy your copy on Amazon by clicking right here.
Vanessa Redgrave is in English actress who has appeared on the stage, on the television screen and on the big screen in movie theaters. She is an award-winning actress and has won the Oscar, Emmy, Tony, Cannes, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Bafta awards.
With more than 35 appearances on the stage and 80 movies to her credit, Ms. Redgrave was declared the greatest living actress of our time by Tennessee Williams and ranked as the ninth greatest actress of all time by The Stage in 2010.
In the book My Life So Far, Jane Fonda said, "There is a quality about Vanessa that makes me feel as if she resides in a netherworld of mystery that eludes the rest of us mortals. Her voice seems to come from some deep place that knows all suffering and all secrets. Watching her work is like seeing through layers of glass, each layer painted in mythic watercolour images, layer after layer, until it becomes dark - but even then you know you haven't come to the bottom of it..."
On this page, learn a bit more about Ms. Redgrave and discover some of her best movie performances. I have not seen all of her movies...yet. You?
What is Vanessa Redgrave's Family Background?
Acting, apparently, is in Vanessa Redgrave's genes. She is related to sir Michael Redgrave, Rachel Kempsen, Lynn Redgrave and Corin Redgrave. She is also the mother of Joely Richardson and Natasha Richardson and she's aunt to Jemma Redgrave.
Where Did Vanessa Redgrave Study?
Ms. Redgrave studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in 1954 and made her first appearance in London's West End in 1958. Since then it would seem there's been no stopping her.
What Are Vanessa Redgrave's Politics?
Ms. Redgrave frequently chooses difficult roles over profitable roles. I expect this is in part, at least, due to her political activism. In the 1970s she cofounded the Workers' Revolutionary Party with her brother. She ran for parliament several times in the United Kingdom. She is a supporter of the Palestine Liberation Organization. She has served as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She has strong convictions and she is outspoken about them, despite the fact that they may have influenced opportunities in her professional life.
Vanessa Redgrave 60 Minute Interview
This two-part 60 Minute interview covers many of the years of Vanessa Redgrave's acting and politics. The first part is just over 6 minutes in length; the second, just under 6 minutes. Both give insight into the choices she has made in her life.
Vanessa Redgrave's First Movie
Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment (1966)
Vanessa Redgrave's first movie was this British comedy classic, Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment. Ms. Redgrave co-starred as the ex-wife of a man who was obsessed with keeping her from being married to his best friend and his efforts take some bizarre turns. The movie proves that "love is eternal, sanity is relative and nothing is more dangerous than a heartsick man in a gorilla suit."
It is said that Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment turned David Warner and Vanessa Redgrave into overnight stars. This movie, Ms. Redgrave's first film, brought her first Academy Award nomination as well as nominations for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. She won the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award for this role.
Movies From the 1960s
Camelot (1967)
Ms. Redgrave tied for a Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in Camelot and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Camelot was also successful movie at the box office.
Isadora (1968)
Isadora was Ms. Redgrave's second Academy Award nominated performance and also won her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. She won the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award and the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress.
Movies From the 1970s
Julia (1977)
In Julia, Ms. Redgrave stirred up controversy when she acted with Jane Fonda as a woman fighting the Nazis. It was very successful with the critics and she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards. Her politics caused Jewish groups to demand that her nomination be cancelled. It was not, however, and she won the award taking the opportunity to make a comment during her acceptance speech that was not popular with the public.
For this movie, Ms. Redgrave won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Yanks (1979)
Agatha (1979)
Mary Queen of Scots (1971)
For her role in Mary Queen of Scots, Ms. Redgrave won a David di Donatello Special Award. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.
Movies From the 1980s
Playing for Time (1980)
Vanessa Redgrave took on many important popular and unpopular topics. In Playing for Time, a made-for-television movie, Ms. Redgrave played a prisoner in Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration camp who was spared death because she was a performing artist and able to entertain her Nazi captors.
In a swirl of controversy, Ms. Redgrave won the part over Barbara Streisand and went on to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her role. The movie was one of the highest rated programs of 1980.
I watched Playing for Time recently and I can highly recommend it.
The Bostonians (1984)
Ms. Redgrave won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress in The Bostonians. She also received nominations for an Academy Award for Best Actressand a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.
Prick Up Your Ears (1987)
Ms. Redgrave won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress in Prick Up Your Ears and was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
Wetherby (1985)
Vanessa Redgrave won an National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress in Wetherby.
Movies From the 1990s
Howard's End (1992)
Ms. Redgrave was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Howard's End.
Bella Mafia (1997)
Ms. Redgrave was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film for Bella Mafia.
Young Catherine (1991)
Ms. Redgrave was nominated in Young Catherine for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.
A Month By The Lake (1995)
Vanessa Redgrave was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in A Month By The Lake.
Movies Since 2000
Letters to Juliet (2010)
Letters to Juliet was a beautiful film, a thoroughly modern romantic comedy set in Italy in which Vanessa Redgrave was truly amazing. It was, as a matter of fact, her performance in Letters to Juliet that sent me looking for more information about the actress.
The story is set in Italy and features an American on vacation who discovers a letter to Juliet (of Romeo and Juliet fame) amongst the many that are left every day. However, the one she finds is decades old and has been left unanswered. She sets off on a quest to find the lovers.
Vanessa Redgrave was nominated for a Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Letters to Juliet.
This movie is highly recommended by me for anyone who loves armchair movies and romantic comedy films.
The Gathering Storm (2002)
For her role in The Gathering Storm, a television film, Vanessa Redgrave won the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Actress and the Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film. She was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress, the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie.
Atonement (2007)
In Atonement, Ms. Redgrave won the London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year and was nominated for the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress. Also available on DVD by clicking here.
Anonymous (2011)
In Anonymous, Vanessa Redgrave plays Queen Elizabeth and her performance was nominated for the London Film Critics Circle for British Actress of the Year.
Unfinished Song (2013)
"Music is the cure for the common crank."
We watched Unfinished Song this weekend, a 2013 film starring Terence Stamp, Gemma Arterton and Vanessa Redgrave and we were totally impressed with the story line and the acting. This is one Vanessa Redgrave movie that you should not miss!
In Closing...
Vanessa Redgrave is still making movies. I do not have a count of how many movie she has appeared in but a simple search on Amazon turns up the movies listed on this page and more. You can see all of the Vanessa Redgrave movies on Amazon by clicking right here. I truly enjoy her work. How about you?
The Unauthorized Biography of Oprah Winfrey ~ Kitty Kelley Strikes Again
O, Oprah! Author Kitty Kelley wrote another biographical book, an unauthorized biography of Oprah Winfrey, which was released on April 13, 2010 and which generated plenty of discussion and controversy about Oprah Winfrey's "hidden life."
Kitty Kelley spent three years and 800-plus interviews gathering information for this book, but her writing tends to ignite controversy no matter who's in the spotlight (Nancy Reagan, Jackie Onassis, the British Royal family and Elizabeth Taylor are a few of her previous subjects).
On this page, learn more about both celebrities - Oprah Winfrey and Kitty Kelley - and watch the video in which Oprah responds to the book.
Just the Facts
Author: Kitty Kelley
Number of Pages: 544
Publisher: Crown Archetype
Sold by: Random House
Release Date: April 13, 2010
ISBN-10: 0307394867
ISBN-13: 978-0307394866
Kitty Kelley Defends Oprah: A Biography - A short but interesting YouTube video.
In this three-minute interview, author Kitty Kelley defends her book, Oprah: The Biography. She says that, since Oprah is probably the most powerful woman in broadcasting and idolized around the world, it is highly likely that people are going to rush forward to defend her. However, she also says that her book tells the plain, unvarnished, off-camera story of Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah Responds to Kitty Kelley's Book - But should she...
According to ShowBiz Tonight, Oprah Winfrey made small reference to the book on an awards show, breaking silence. However, since everyone loves her and whatever she talks about, be it good or bad, drives sales, the hosts discuss whether she should have spoken at all since speaking out may have fueled additional sales of the book. They also point out that there have been NO lawsuits nor denial about the contents of this book...
Final Thoughts on Oprah: A Biography
What do you think? Have you read the book? Do you suppose Kitty Kelley's stories about Oprah are true and the information is accurate? Has Oprah misrepresented her past? We want to know what you think of both the most powerful woman in America as well as her sometimes controversial biographer.
Kitty Kelley's books always generate controversy, though she backs up her "facts" with hours of in-depth interviews with people from her subject's past (in this case Oprah Winfrey's).
Do you believe Ms. Kelley is reporting the truth or has she presented the facts in a way to create controversy and generate publicity? Has Oprah misled the public about her past for all these years, or is she telling the truth and these stories are mostly fabricated? What do you think?
I've always been fascinated with the story of the faces behind the famous puppets. You know, people who created the personalities of Kermit the Frog, Elmo and Big Bird. Puppeteers like Jim Henson, Kevin Clash (whose star has been tarnished of late) and Caroll Spinney.
It was with interest then that my ears perked up or rather my interest was peeked when I read the story "The 'Inside' Story of Muppets" Star in today's Ottawa Citizen newspaper. It summarised the person behind Big Bird and discussed the new documentary film that is being released today, May 5, 2015 on iTunes and Video-on-Demand on Amazon before it arrives at movie theatres on May 15.
Would you believe that Spinney has played Big Bird for more than 40 years? That Spinney contorts himself in the claustrophobic space within the suit of Big Bird? That Spinney also created the Sesame Street character Oscar the Grouch? That Big Bird has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? That last point is not really a surprise to me. He is also the recipient of a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award.
At 80 years old, Caroll Spinney is the last of the original Sesame Street puppeteers.
Check out the trailer for yourself. I guarantee that, if you have fond memories of Big Bird, this video will pull at your heart strings.
I grew up with Big Bird. He holds a special place in my heart. It is with some bias then that I think this looks like a very interesting biographical documentary film and have added it to my list of must-see films. If you are interested in I Am Big Bird, you can buy or rent it now from Amazonby clicking right here or check it out at the movie theatre when it is released a little bit later this month.
The Christie's auction of Elizabeth Taylor jewelry and clothing draws nearer and I was thrilled to stumble across this video that shares some of Elizabeth Taylor's 50 year collection of haute couture clothing and jewelry.
Miss Taylor had a style of her own and her stunning collection included top designers like Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Hermès, Fendi, Valentino, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada, of which 400 pieces will appear in the Christie's auction, slated to occur from December 13 to December 16, 2011.
It did not take long for the J.K. Rowling biographical made-for-television movie from Lifetime to arrive on DVD. You can already pre-order Magic Beyond Words from Amazon. It is being released on DVD (but not on blu-ray) October 18, 2011.
Judging by the Amazon customer reviews, this movie was fairly well done and well received and is ideal for anyone who is a big Harry Potter fan or just plain curious about the life of J.K. Rowling.
Magic Beyond Words provides an opportunity for all of us to peek into and learn a bit more about the interesting world of J.K. Rowling.
In all the hoopla about the release of the last installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, you may (as I almost did) have missed news about the upcoming biopic about J.K. Rowling called, Magic Beyond Words.
If you are a fan of both the Harry Potter books and the movies and you are curious about the life and times of J.K. Rowling, it looks like this will be an interesting movie.
This J.K. Rowling story is based on the unauthorized book, J.K. Rowling: A Biography by Sean Smith. Although not authorized by Rowling, the story is said NOT to be of a tabloid nature so hopefully it will be reasonably well done. Take a look at J.K. Rowling's world through this movie trailer:
When can you watch the J.K. Rowling biopic? Lifetime aired Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story on Monday, July 18 at 8 p.m. You can buy it now from Amazon by clicking here.
Twenty-five years ago The Oprah Winfrey Show had humble beginnings in a roller-skating rink located in Chicago. A 32-year old black woman who had broadcasting experience and, possibly more important, AMBITION, won a position on a talk show. She went on to turn that talk show into a force to be recognized and today that empire includes the worlds of movies, plays, books, documentaries, magazines, radio, spinoff shows and, most recently, a brand-new television network called OWN.
The first Oprah Winfrey show aired on September 8, 1986, and was not immediately successful. Oprah had to work to find a place on daytime television. Her show went on to cover a lot of ground -- from interviews with Nelson Mandela to dancing with Tina Turner -- and eventually found solid ground as what Oprah herself calls and what some might debate, 'meaninful television.'
I don't think, however, that anyone could argue that she entertained and she taught. She made people laugh and she made people cry. I myself was quite excited recently when Johnny Depp shared her stage. In the future Oprah will be sharing from behind the scenes of OWN. My guess is that she has a lot of interesting projects up her sleeves.
How about you? Do you remember any of the first Oprah Winfrey shows? Were you an Oprah fan? What memories has Oprah given you?
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase from Amazon, eBay or Etsy through a link.
“As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and Etsy (Awin) Affiliate, I earn from purchases.” Disclosure Statement
