War of the Worlds

In March 2020, I watched War of the Worlds on TV. The movie was released in 2005 and based on the novel The War of the Worlds written by H. G. Wells in 1898. The director is Steven Spielberg. The story tells a fight against invaders from space. It is said that the 9.11 terrorist attacks had affected it. After watching it, I became depressed because I felt blue most of the time. Although it would have been more enjoyable if I had watched it at a theater, yet I did not like it because it was gloomy over all. I want to watch a movie that makes me comfortable. 

Tom Cruise superbly played the main character who is a kind of spoiled father. He was forty-three years old at the release but he was running vigorously in it. Then, he looked in his thirties to me. In September 2018, I watched Mission: Impossible – Fallout where he was running strenuously despite being 56 years old. What an energetic actor! 

Dakota Fanning also appeared in it and was 11 years old at that time. I had seen her for the first time in I am Sam and I had felt her really cute in it. She, however, seemed just cute in the science fiction movie. She might have changed for the four years between the releases of the two movies, or my memory might have gradually changed because human memories are basically ambiguous. In October 2019, I watched Once Upon a Time in Hollywood but I did not realize that the former child star acted a woman in the film. It might be because I was too absorbed in the two leads who has been superstars for a long time. The other day, I saw a recent photograph of the former child star on the internet. She had a remnant of her childhood but had changed a lot. Time flies really fast. 

宇宙戦争

2020年３月、『宇宙戦争』をTV観賞した。Ｈ・Ｇ・ウェルズが1898年に発表した同名ＳＦ小説が原作で、スティーヴン・スピルバーグ監督作。宇宙からの侵略者との闘い。2005年公開。9.11同時多発テロの影響を受けているらしい。憂鬱な気分になる時間帯が長いので気が滅入った。映画館で観たらもっと楽しめる作品かもしれないが、全体的に暗いので好みではない。映画は笑顔で観たい。 

トム・クルーズがダメ親父を好演。公開時43歳。元気に走り回っていて、30歳代に見えた。2018年９月に劇場観覧した『ミッション：インポッシブル／フォール・アウト』でも56歳だったトムは走り回っていた。元気な俳優さん。 

ダコタ・ファニングも出演。公開時11歳。初めて観たのは『アイ・アム・サム』。すごく可愛かった記憶があるが、今回は普通の子役に見えた。４年経っているから少し変わったのかな。人の記憶の曖昧さ故かもしれない。2019年10月に観覧した『ワンス・アポン・ア・タイム・イン・ハリウッド』にも出演していたらしいが、２大俳優に気を取られていたせいか、気が付かなかった。先日、近影を観たが、面影は残っているけどかなり変わってしまっている。時が経つのは本当に早い。 

Crimson Tide

In March 2020, I watched Crimson Tide on my television set. It was released in 1995. I had watched it on DVD for the first time years before and I had felt that it was fun. The director is Tony Scott. I prefer his big brother, Ridley Scott, however, it was fun again. 

The film was set in the Cold War years. A circumstance occurred in Chechnya, which might have caused a nuclear war. Then in a US Navy submarine, the captain argued and conflicted with the executive officer over whether or not to launch their nuclear missiles in a preemptive strike. The story developed thrillingly, so I was never bored until the end. 

I was really impressed by a competition between Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman as the commanders. That was worth watching. Then I thought anew that the charm of actors depends on their acting, not their appearances. 

The 2020 Best Actor Oscar nominee Viggo Mortensen appeared in it and acted the weapons officer. He was in his late thirties at that time, looked like Ed Harris and gave a wonderful performance as the officer who got caught between the senior officers. Six years later, by the way, he appeared in The Lord of the Rings and became more famous afterward. It must be well-known among movie fans. However, I had not recognized him until I watched Green Book in March 2019, so I feel unqualified to say that I am a movie fan.

クリムゾン・タイド

2020年３月、『クリムゾン・タイド』をTV観賞した。1995年公開。初観賞はかなり前で、結構面白かった記憶有り。トニー・スコット監督作。兄のリドリーの方が好きだが、今回も面白かった。 

舞台は冷戦時代。核戦争に発展し得る事態がチェチェンで発生し、アメリカ海軍の潜水艦が出動。その艦内で、艦長と副艦長が、核ミサイルを先制攻撃で発射するか否かの選択で互いの主張をぶつけ合い、争いを繰り広げる物語。手に汗握る展開で最後まで退屈しなかった。 

ダブル主演のデンゼル・ワシントンとジーン・ハックマンの演技合戦は見応えがあった。俳優の魅力は、容姿よりも演技力。改めて思った。 

『グリーンブック』のヴィゴ・モーテンセンも出演。この頃はエド・ハリス似。上官同士の板挟みにあう悩ましい役を見事に演じ切っていた。この後、『ロード・オブ・ザ・リング』で名声を得たようだ。映画ファンにはお馴染みの人気俳優なのだろう。『グリーンブック』で初めて彼を認識した自分には、映画ファンだと公言する資格はないかもしれない。 

Rebel in the Rye

In February 2019, I watched Rabel in the Rye at Shinjuku Cinema Qualite, a theater in Tokyo. The lead looked familiar, so I checked him on the internet after watching it. Then, he turned out to have been the child actor playing the sassy Marcus in About a Boy. Time flies! 

In March 2020, I watched it again on DVD. 

The movie is based on the book J. D. Salinger: A Life written by Kenneth Slawenski in 2012 and it describes half the life of the writer J. D. Salinger who is the author of The Catcher in the Rye which I want to read someday. 

The film was basically serious but kind of casual and it was really good. Nicholas Hoult had played a brat in About a Boy, had grown up and gave a wonderful performance as the suffering Salinger in it. Although Kevin Spacey appeared, too, yet I could not stop smiling wryly at him because he reminded me of his scandal. He got what he deserved, anyway. 

I want to watch it again in some years and am planning to read The Catcher in the Rye before watching it. 

ライ麦畑の反逆児

2019年２月、新宿シネマカリテにて『ライ麦畑の反逆児／ひとりぼっちのサリンジャー』を観覧した。主演俳優に見覚えがあり、気になって観覧後に調べてみたら、『アバウト・ア・ボーイ』で生意気なマーカスを演じたあの子役が成長した姿であった。光陰矢の如し。 

2020年３月、DVDにて再観賞。 

ケネス・スラウェンスキーが2012年に上梓した評伝『サリンジャー 生涯91年の真実』が原作で、いつか読もうと思っている小説『ライ麦畑でつかまえて』の作家サリンジャーの半生を描いている。地味だが、全編に程良い緊張感が漂っている良い作品。『アバウト・ア・ボーイ』で小生意気な子供を演じていたニコラス・ホルトが青年になり、サリンジャーの苦悩を見事に演じている。ケビン・スペイシーも出ていたが、あのスキャンダルが頭にチラついて普通に観れなかった。ま、身から出た鯖。 

数年後また観たい作品。『ライ麦畑でつかまえて』もそれまでに読んでおきたい。 

Birds of Prey

In March 2020, I watched Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) at Movix Kameari. 

The story follows a girl called Harley Quinn who broke up with the dreadful Joker and decided to live without relying on men. Before watching it, I thought that the movie was produced to capitalize on to the popularity of the movie Joker, so I did not expected so much. However, it was fun, though it was not so deep, unlike Joker, as I had expected. I also could not empathize it because I am a man. 

It seemed to be a present for a woman who is usually frustrated at men around her. I was fascinated by the way Harley rampaged around. Then, she never felt depressed and she rebounded right away even if she was quite shocked. The positive girl refreshed me. Life is a struggle. You have no time to feel down because enemies are always watching for a chance to attack you. You cannot survive the real world unless you are tough. 

I think that a couple of a strong man and a modest woman has already become old-fashioned. Today's ideal couple consists of a strong man and a strong woman who never flatters with him. In fact, it is common knowledge that women are mentally far stronger than men. I do not intend to support feminism so much but I feel happy that strong female heroes have increased because I honestly have become tired of male heroes a little.

Margot Robbie was charming, though I want to watch the young female actor with normal makeup next time. Mary Elizabeth Winstead as The Huntress was also pretty but she was not as gorgeous as Rebecca Ferguson in Doctor Sleep and Jennifer Lopez in Hustlers. Evan McGregor does not seem evil to the core, so I felt that the villain acted by him was suitable for the entertaining movie.

ハーレイ・クインの華麗なる覚醒

2020年３月、Movix亀有にて『ハーレイ・クインの華麗なる覚醒』を観覧した。 

ジョーカーと別れたハーレイが、男に頼らない生き方を選択した物語。

観賞前は、『ジョーカー』人気にあやかろうという魂胆なんだろうと思い、それほど期待はしていなかった。だが、割と面白かった。予想通り、ジョーカーほどの深みは無かったし、男なので余り感情移入も出来なかったが。 

日頃周りの男共に鬱憤が溜まっている女性へのプレゼントみたいな作品。ハーレイ・クインの暴れっぷりが可愛らしかった。そして、ショックな事があっても決して落ち込まず直ちに前を向く彼女の姿からは勇気をもらった。人生は闘い。落ち込んでいたら寝首を掻かれる。タフでないと生き残れない。 

ありきたりの、たくましい男としおらしい女という構図はもう古い気がする。たくましい男とそれに媚びないたくましい女が世のトレンドだろう。メンタルは女の方が男より圧倒的に強いのは周知の事実。フェミニズムを殊更応援するつもりはないが、強い女の映画が増えるのは喜ばしい事。男によるヒロイズムは正直観飽きた。 

マーゴット・ロビー。チャーミングだった。次回は厚化粧していない彼女を観たい。ハントレス役のメアリー・エリザベス・ウィンステッドも綺麗だったが、『ドクター・スリープ』のレベッカ・ファーガソンや『ハスラーズ』のジェニファー・ロペスには及ばなかった。悪役のユアン・マクレガーは、根っからの悪党には見えないので、この娯楽作品にはマッチしていると思う。

American Animals

In June 2019, I watched American Animals at Kadokawa Cinema Yurakucho in Tokyo. I had expected it to be a comedy because I had known that it was based on the foolish case which four American college students actually caused. It, however, was unexpectedly serious, so I was kind of tired after watching it. 

In March 2020, I watched it again on DVD. I had already known how serious it is and I had prepared mentally and physically, so I could enjoy it more than the last time. 

I was basically impressed with the thought-provoking film. It provoked these thoughts. I must carefully choose a friend. I must always hold on to myself. I must never be scared at a critical moment. I must never do things halfway. Those are all natural things. Everybody, however, makes a mistake, then, a thing goes wrong. 

The real former college students, who had actually caused the case, appeared and were talking in interviews in the film. It showed originality. 

The climax scenes became slow motion when I felt that the direction was quite exaggerated for the stupid case. I even chuckled in spite of myself. I then did not know whether the director made them dramatic or whether he made them ironic so as to make the viewers laugh. I now bet that he tried to make us laugh. 

I understand the feelings of young men who want to overly show off, yet the young men seem really foolish. Most of them realize it when they get old. Sadly, however, some of them age without noticing it. Their life might be happy, though I do not want to be friends with the kind of men.

アメリカン・アニマルズ

2019年６月、角川シネマ有楽町にて『アメリカン・アニマルズ』を観覧した。米国の大学生が実際に起こした間抜けな事件の話という前知識から喜劇を想定していたが、意外にシリアスだったので少し疲れた。 

2020年３月、DVDにて観賞。多少シリアスな作品であることは分かっていたので、体調を整えて臨んだせいか、前回よりも楽しめた。 

感動はそこそこ。色々考えさせられた作品。付き合う人間は選ばないと、とか、自分をしっかり持たないと、とか、いざという時にビビるな、とか、半端はダメ、とか。全て当たり前の事。でも、出来ないから狂いが生じる。 

実際に事件を起こした元大学生もインタビューを受ける形で出演している。結構斬新な構成。 

クライマックスでスロー・モーションになるところで、大した事件でもないのに大げさだなぁ、と思い笑ってしまった。ドラマチックにしたかったのか、皮肉で笑える感じにしたかったのか。私は後者だと思った。 

格好つけたがる若者は、気持ちは分かるが、本当にダサい。歳を重ねて少しずつ気付く事。それに気付かけずに老いる方々もいらっしゃる。それはそれで幸せな人生なのかもしれない。個人的には、そういう人種とはあまり関わりたくないが。 

First Man

In February 2019, I watched First Man at Movix Kameari. It quite pursues realism, so it was too serious and realistic for me to enjoy it easily. I even felt that the length was long for 141 minutes. I had expected the characters to be ambitious, daring and happy-go-lucky like the astronauts appearing in The Right Stuff, yet the ones in First Man were never optimistic and humorous and they were far from the image of the typical Americans who are jovial and positive. I felt that it was aimed at those who are really serious or love stories about space. After watching it, I felt that I wanted to watch a movie more easily.

In March 2020, I did it on DVD again. I had known about how it is, so I could appreciate and enjoy it. Then, I loved it, though it needs mental preparation before watching it. I do not know why but I do not like the lead, Ryan Gosling. I, however, cannot help admitting that the Canadian actor gave a wonderful performance as Neil Armstrong.

The film tells the story of the people who struggled to reach the moon. Some people say that the moon landing was a lie, yet I believe that Mr. Neil Armstrong and Mr. Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon because I believe that the fact-based movie could never create that realistic sensation without the actual experiences of the two heroes.

ファースト・マン

2019年２月、Movix亀有にて『ファースト・マン』を観覧した。シリアス過ぎて、臨場感も半端無くて、リアル過ぎた。そして、長過ぎると感じた。141分。アメリカ人特有の陽気さ、前向きさ、そしてユーモアが少なく、『ライト・スタッフ』のパイロットのような野心的で大胆だが楽天的な感じを期待していたので、正直しんどかった。宇宙好きか根っからの真面目人間向けに感じ、観賞後には、映画はもう少し気楽に観たいなと思ったものだった。

2020年３月、DVDにて再観賞。端から内容は分かっていたので、結構楽しめた。観る前に心の準備が必要だが、良い映画。主役のライアン・ゴズリングは、なぜか好きにはなれないが、好演していたと思う。

月面に降り立った宇宙飛行士の物語だが、実は月面着陸は嘘だった、という話を信じている人は少なくない。私は、ニール・アームストロング氏とバズ・オルドリン氏は月面に降り立った、と信じている。この映画の臨場感は、お二人の体験談無しでは生み出せないと思うからである。

The Death and Life of John F. Donovan

In March 2020, I watched The Death and Life of John F. Donovan at Movix Kameari. 

I could not appreciate the movie. Of course, I could understand the suffering of the main character, John Donovan. I also could imagine that popular young actors like him exist in the real world. I just did not know the message of the film. I felt that it seemed to be an ordinary drama which was not amazing so much. I was never bored, though, in spite of the length being 123 minutes. In fact, I still wanted to keep watching it as it ended. The music and pictures were quite beautiful. 

As for the LGBT people, I honestly cannot be friends with them but I am totally okay to indirectly see them on screens. I might be afraid of them rather than be not fond of them. I, however, can socialize them unless they persistently approach me. Except for those who have religious reasons, the LGBT haters might be too scary to accept them or might show hatred in order to hide their fear for the unknown. At least, I will never oppose same-sex marriage. Live and let live. 

I had not watched movies so much for a dozen years around 2010, so I was quite happy to watch the seasoned actress, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates and Natalie Portman who had become more charming and were still attractive. Young and beautiful actress hardly appeared in it, yet I never felt short on fun. 

The lead, Kit Harington, acted wonderfully the difficult role of a sensitive young man. The child actor, Jacob Tremblay, was fantastic, too.

ジョン・F・ドノヴァンの死と生

2020年３月、Movix亀有にて『ジョン・Ｆ・ドノヴァンの死と生』を観覧した。

よく分からなかった。もちろん、主人公のドノヴァンの苦悩は理解出来た。ああいう人気俳優は現実にもいるだろうし。ただ、何が言いたいのか分からなかった。それほど驚きも無い普通のドラマに感じた。でも、決して退屈ではなかった。123分の映画だったが、終わった時、あれ、もう終わりと思ってしまったくらいだ。そして、音楽と映像は美しかった。 

LGBTの方々に関しては、正直に言うと少し苦手だが、映画やテレビ等を通して間接的に観るのは全然平気である。さらに正直に言うと、苦手というよりも怖いのかもしれない。親友にはなれないが、しつこく付きまとわれない限り、話し相手くらいは出来ると思う。毛嫌いしている方々も、宗教的な理由がある方々は別として、未知な事への恐怖から拒否反応を起こしているだけではないだろうか。同性婚とかも認めてあげればいいと思う。人は人、自分は自分。 

映画をあまり観ていなかった時期が十数年あるので、久しぶりに観た未だ健在のスーザン・サランドン、キャシー・ベイツ、ナタリー・ポートマンが、良い感じで歳を重ねていたのは嬉しい限り。綺麗な若手女優がいなくても、物足り無さは全く感じなかった。 

繊細な主人公を演じたキット・ハリントンはその難役を見事にこなしていた。子役のジェイコブ・トレンブレイも素晴らしかった。

Christopher Robin

In October 2018, I watched Christopher Robin at Movix Kameari. That was the first time I watched a live action CGI movie based on a Disney animation one. I was drawn to the stuffed animals to move as if they are alive and I was impressed a lot with how fantastic the CGI was about them. I even felt the human characters to be additions to them. I narrowly remembered that Evan McGregor as Christopher Robin was a fresh guy for his age. 

In February 2020, I watched it again on DVD. I could recognize anew the story as wonderful because I kind of got used to watching the stuffed animals moving, so I could closely watch the human characters acting. It was a comfortable and heart-warming film. 

Adults tend to lose themselves when they are snowed under. In such a case, recalling their childhood might refresh them. I was happy to see how the main character, Christopher Robin, gradually remembered how he hung out with Pooh and its friends in his childhood. Then, Bronte Carmichael was really cute as Madeline Robin, the daughter of Christopher Robin.

プーと大人になった僕

2018年10月、Movix亀有にて『プーと大人になった僕』を観覧した。ディズニーアニメの実写版の初観賞でもあった。ぬいぐるみがあたかも生きているかのように動いている様に目を奪われ、その CGI の凄さだけが強烈に印象に残っていて、俳優達の演技はおまけのように感じた。ユアン・マクレガーがもうオジさんなのに爽やかだった事だけは、かろうじて覚えていた。 

2020年２月、DVDにて再観賞。動くぬいぐるみにも慣れて、俳優達の演技を改めてしっかり観れた為、話自体が結構面白い事にも遅まきながら気付けた。ハートウォーミングな良い作品。 

大人になって仕事等に追われると自分を見失いがちになる。そんな時、子供の頃を思い出すのは、良い気分転換になるかもしれない。ロビンが、プーと遊んでいた頃の事を少しずつ思い出していく様は微笑ましかった。また、ロビンの娘、マデリーンが可愛らしかった。

Bombshell #2

In March 2020, I watched Bombshell at Movix Kameari for the second time. The movie has a lot of information and really amazed me the previous time, so I could not wait for it to come out on DVD.

Like the first time, I was fascinated by Charlies Theron and Nicole Kidman, whose faces Kazu Hiro made up. The Japanese makeup artist and two ladies won the 2020 Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Charlies Theron was really beautiful as ever in spite of wearing special makeup. Maybe it was thanks to her heart, character and intelligence. She was a stunner and drew me through anyway. My favorite top three movies which she appears in are The Cider House Rules, North Country and Monster. She is a great actor and gives a wonderful performance as a woman who is pretty, cool or miserable. She also appears in action movies. I like The Italian Job and I am looking forward to watching the ninth installment in The Fast Saga franchise, which will be released in 2020.

Nicole Kidman was attractive, too. I had thought of her as just beautiful and had not liked her. She had seemed to put on airs compared with Meg Ryan who was emotionally expressive. Kidman, however, wonderfully played Gretchen Carlson who I think is charming but is not as beautiful as the Australian actress. I felt that as well as Charlies Theron, Kidman had not liked to be regarded as just a typical pretty woman, so thanks to the artificial face to resemble Carlson, she could relax and enjoy acting better than before. I like beautiful mature women far better than beautiful but boring girls.

The two wonderful female actors were so attractive that the younger Margot Robbie did not fascinate me eventually. It might have been my age. I, however, am looking forward to watching Birds of Prey, which stars the young female actor and will be released in 2020.

スキャンダル #2

2020年３月、Movix亀有にて『スキャンダル』を再観覧。とても面白い作品だし情報量も多かったので、DVD化を待てずに再観賞。 

前回同様、シャーリーズ・セロンとニコール・キッドマンに魅せられた。彼女たちの顔に特殊メイクを施したカズ・ヒロは、あと２人の裏方の女性たちとともに、2020年のアカデミー賞にてメイクアップ＆ヘアスタイリング賞を受賞している。 

シャーリーズ・セロンは、特殊メイクを施されていても、相変わらず綺麗だった。心や人間性、そして、知性といった彼女の内面が素晴らしいのだろう。本当に美しくて、終始魅せられた。彼女が出演している作品の中のお気に入りの３本は、『サイダーハウス・ルール』、『モンスター』、そして、『スタンドアップ』。綺麗な女、惨めな女、カッコいい女のいずれも高い水準で演じ切れる偉大な女優さん。アクション映画にも出演している。『ミニミニ大作戦』も好きな作品。2020年５月29日に公開予定の『ワイルド・スピード』最新作にも出演予定。今から楽しみだ。 

ニコール・キッドマンも魅力的だった。かつては綺麗なだけの女優さんと思っていて、表現力豊かなメグ・ライアンと比べると、お高くとまっている感じが好きではなかった。でも、本作でのグレッチェン・カールソン役の演技は素晴らしかった。彼女も、シャーリーズ・セロン同様、美人の役ばかり演じるのは嫌だったのではないだろうか。今回は、カールソンさんも魅力的だとは思うが、超美人役ではないので、これまでよりもリラックスして演技をより楽しんでいる風に感じた。綺麗なだけで退屈な若い女の子よりも、優雅で面白みのある婦人の方に断然惹きつけられる。 

２大女優がとても魅力的だったので、若いマーゴット・ロビーにはあまり惹かれなかった。これは私の年齢の所為もあるだろう。でも、ハーレイ・クインを演じる彼女の次回作は、今から楽しみである。 

Judy

In March 2020, I watched Judy at Movix Kameari. I was touched. A good movie. 

The story of a ruined singer who used to be a world-class diva and struggled to sing on a stage in London around half a year before she passed away at the age of 47. 

The lady seemed hopeless from the beginning. I had expected that the film would move me to tears for the first time in several months, yet I already felt disappointed in the middle. Although she was a singer, she drank and smoked too much. She was also unstable. I kind of liked her because I like persons who are so human. Only if they stay away from me, though. She spent tough days in her middle teens to become a movie star and she succeeded in her late teens, so I thought that she was happy on the whole in her life. She leaped into the spotlight, won applause, and have ruptures as a superstar. She must have enjoyed her glory days. Watching her, I was also thinking about the following things. People tend to want everything and are never satisfied. Everyone has had a rough time. 

However, I was really moved toward the ending when a dramatic moment occurred between the legend singer and the audience. I cried. Someone will give a hand to a person who lives desperately. That is the way it goes. 

The movie features Renee Zellweger who won the 2020 Oscar for Best Actress. She acted naturally as Judy Garland. A Japanese actor, Tatsuya Fuji, had said on TV that harmony matters in the movie because it will be ruined if an actor plays too dramatically in it. Her performance reminded me his remarks and it harmonized with the film. She completely became the diva and she herself seemed to vanish. I liked her acting. Furthermore, I felt that the filmmakers produced it because they yearned for, cared for and loved late Judy Garland rather than desired to make big money using her. What a soulful movie! 

I had not known about Ms. Garland and have not watched her most famous film, The Wizard of Oz, yet because it is a very old movie. Now, I want to watch it to see the diva someday. 

ジュディ 虹の彼方に

2020年３月、『ジュディ 虹の彼方に』をMovix亀有にて観覧。感動した。割と良い映画。

昔大スターだった歌姫の成れの果てが、47歳で死去する前にロンドンでもう一頑張りした物語。 

観始めで、どうしようもないオバさんだなと思った。数カ月ぶりの感涙を期待しての観覧だったが、当てが外れたぞ、と早々に興醒め。歌手のくせにお酒、煙草、お定まりのヒステリー。人間臭くて好感は持てるが、周りにいたら迷惑なオバさん。若い頃凄く苦労したようだが、成功後は、スポットライトを浴び、観客からは喝采を受け、スターの恍惚感を十二分に味わったはず。プラマイゼロじゃん、欲張り過ぎなんだよ、誰にだって辛い時期はある。そんな感想が渦巻いた。

だが、最後の、観客との間に生まれたドラマに思わず涙が溢れた。必死に生きてりゃ誰かが助けてくれるもの。

主演のレネー・ゼルウィガーは、本作品でアカデミー賞主演女優賞を受賞。力まずに自然体でジュディ・ガーランド役を演じていた。以前、日本の俳優、藤竜也さんが、役者が熱演すると調和が崩れてしまい作品がダメになる、とあるTV番組で言っていたが、彼女の演技は、まさに作品と調和していた。実在した人物に忠実になりきって、我を前面に出さない感じが素晴らしかった。その上、お金を儲けようという邪心よりも、故人への思い、愛情、敬意をより強く感じる素敵な作品だった。 

観覧前、ジュディ・ガーランドのことは知らなかった。彼女の代表作、『オズの魔法使い』も、とても古い作品であることもあって、まだ観ていないが、今は、いつか、その伝説の歌姫を観てみたいと思っている。

The Irishman

I have watched the movie The Irishman three times at Kinema Junpo Theater. 

In November 2019, I watched the Netflix movie for the first time. It looked like a reunion for actors with similar auras. I thought of the three main characters' performances as art. 

In December 2019, I watched it again and I felt it to be richer and more profound. It also seemed to become one of my lifetime movies. 

In February 2020, I did for the third time but I felt that the main characters were so old that they did not entertain me. Since the summer of 2018, I have watched movies at theaters nearly every week, so in November 2019, for the first time I saw the legend actors on the big screen. That moved and thrilled me, which occurred for the second time. At the third time, however, I thought that they were less shining than the actors like Joaquin Phoenix, Evan McGregor and Christian Bale who I watched in other movies for the same period. Although I believed that the old actors were all wonderful as performers, yet I felt that they were not movie super stars any more. 

I feel sorry about it because I had never got tired of watching them in their heyday even if they were on TV screens. Now, it seems to be about time to face reality. If I keep on watching familiar old actors, I will miss actors in their peak now. The aged actors exposed their present selves maybe because they wanted to say that they had stuck to it enough and that younger stars should be more highlighted. 

Robert De Niro and Al Pacino pasted their prime but they both gave a perfect performance as always. They seemed to know when to leave, which really impressed me. 

Joe Pesci had looked funny in his heyday but he did not look that way any more. I missed what he used to do. Moreover, I could not stop smiling while watching the diminutive actor playing a composed guy who always grasps the big picture in it, for he used to be good at playing a hot-tempered guy. Personally, I love Mean Street, so I wanted to see Harvey Keitel acting the role performed by Pesci.

アイリッシュマン

キネマ旬報シアターにて『アイリッシュマン』を３回観覧した。 

初観覧は2019年11月。同じ匂いがする役者達の為に開かれた同窓会のように感じた。そして、名優達の演技はアートに思えた。 

次の2019年12月の観覧時には、前回よりも味わい深く感じ、生涯の映画になりそうな予感がした。 

その後、2020年２月、３回目の観覧。さらに味わい深く感じるかと思いきや、名優達の老いが気になってしまった。劇場観覧をするようになったのはここ数年。前回、前々回は、そのベテラン俳優達をスクリーンで観るのが初めてだったので、鳥肌が立ったりして感動しっ放しだった。だが、その前後で観たホアキン・フェニックス、ユアン・マクレガー、そして、クリスチャン・ベールのオーラと比べると、明らかに輝きが鈍い。映画俳優としては素晴らしいが、スターではなくなっていると感じた。 

小さい画面ではあるが、彼等の絶頂期の作品を何度も飽きずに観続けた身としては寂しい限りだが、現実を直視すべき時が来たようだ。昔馴染みの俳優だけを追い続けていたら、今旬な俳優達を観逃がしてしまう。あの老俳優達が今現在の自分をさらけ出したのも、何らかの意思表示だったのかもしれない。もう俺達は十分にやり切った、今後は若い奴らを観てやってほしい、と。 

ロバート・デ・ニーロとアル・パチーノ。絶頂期ほどの輝きは無いが、相変わらず名優。演技は完璧。引き際を心得たかのような生き様がカッコいい。 ジョー・ペシ。演技は素晴らしかったが、若かりし頃のファニーな感じが無くなっていて、寂しい。今回は、キレる役が多かった昔と違い、常に冷静に大局を見ている役柄が何だが可笑しかった。個人的には、『ミーン・ストリート』が好きなので、ハーヴェイ・カイテルと役を代わって欲しかったが。

Generation Gaps #2

In fall 2019, a young colleague told me that she loved the movie Love, Rosie starring Lily Collins, so I watched the romance movie about a good looking-guy and a pretty woman on DVD. Honestly, it was not fun so much maybe because I tend to scornfully regard a romance as unrealistic between a quite beautiful young couple. I had happened to know Lily Collins is Phil Collins's daughter, so watching it, I remembered my favorite his songs, "Easy Lover," "One More Night" and "Sussudio." 

A couple of days later, I told her that I watched it. She asked me if I bitterly cried. I replied that men do not when they watch romance movies. I also said that I was happy about remembering Phil Collins thanks to the heroin. However, she did not even know about him. It couldn't be helped. She was born after the vocalist's heyday ended. 

Love, Rosie is a story about the main characters keep missing opportunities to be united each other. Although the movie Serendipity is a romance one, I like the film which was released in 2001 and whose story is similar in terms of not being easily united. I told her about it at that time. She of course did not know it. I then did not feel like recommending it to her. She would definitely feel it old-fashioned if she watched it. 

In February 2020, I watched Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile starring Lily Collins who was not only a pretty lady but also a wonderful actor. Her performance fascinated me through, yet I have hesitated to tell the young co-worker about it.

ジェネレーション・ギャップ #2

職場の若い同僚が大好きだと言っていた、リリー・コリンズ主演の『あと１センチの恋』。美男美女の恋愛物。先日DVDで観たが、元々若い美男美女の非現実的な恋愛物語に冷ややかな目を向けてしまう質なので、あまり楽しめなかった。でも、リリー・コリンズがあのフィル・コリンズの娘であることは知っていたので、好きだった彼の名曲、「イージー・ラバー」、「ワン・モア・ナイト」、「ススーディオ」等が観賞中に頭の中で鳴っていた。 

数日後、彼女に観たことを伝えると、号泣しなかったか聞かれた。男は恋愛映画では泣かないと答えて、リリー・コリンズのおかげで彼女の父フィル・コリンズを思い出せてよかった、とも伝えた。その同僚はフィル・コリンズを知らなかった。無理もない。彼女が生まれたのは、彼の全盛期が過ぎた頃。 

『あと１センチの恋』は、主人公の男女が擦れ違う話。擦れ違いと言えば、恋愛映画だけど『セレンディピティ』は好きだった。2001年公開。彼女にその話をすると、勿論、知らなかった。勧める気も起きなかった。古臭いと言われるに決まっている。 

2020年２月に観た『テッド・バンディ』のリリー・コリンズは、ただ綺麗なだけではなかった。その演技に魅せられた。でも、この事はまだその同僚には話せないでいる。 

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

In February 2020, I watched Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile at Kinema Junpo Theater. 

The movie was made from the point of the girlfriend of a man pegged for a serial killer. A good movie to provoke thought. 

Lily Collins gave a wonderful performance as Liz who the main character, Ted Bundy, had probably loved the most in his life. I got drawn into her realistic acting, from which I felt her soul, especially when she angrily pressed Ted to honestly talk to her. I was moved by how she took out her anger on the man who persistently insisted his innocence. 

Contrary to Liz, Carole wearing big ugly glasses wanted to believe in Ted's words too strongly to realize that he was just using her. She might have vaguely known it but at the same time, she might have thought that it did not matter because her happiness is to serve him. I believed, though, that she was not blinded by love but she loved herself too much, so I could not commiserate with her at all. 

Although other several women were also absorbed in the handsome and sharp guy, yet I could empathize only Liz in all the women. 

About Ted Bundy, I do not want to write about him because I do not like to regard a psychopath as a human, though I will if he should be innocent as he insisted. Zac Efron played a super handsome guy. I believed that he looked good but I felt that he was not too handsome to make women passing by him turn around right away and gaze admiringly at him on the streets. Women might not agree with me. 

テッド・バンディ

2020年２月、キネマ旬報シアターにて『テッド・バンディ』を観覧。

連続殺人犯と目されている男バンディを、その恋人の視点で描いた作品。色々考えさせられた良い映画。

バンディが生涯で恐らく一番愛した女リズを演じたリリー・コリンズの、迫真の演技に魅せられた。無実だと主張続けるテッドに、正直に話すよう迫る様は鬼気迫っていたし、その演技には魂を感じた。

そんなリズとは対照的だった、バンディの言うことを信じたい気持ちが強過ぎて、利用されている事に気付けない眼鏡女キャロル。薄々感づいていたかもしれないが、彼に尽くすことが彼女の幸せであるなら、彼女には彼に利用されようがどうでもいいことだったのかもしれない。ただ、彼女の場合は、愛は盲目、ではなく、自己愛だと思う。同情なんか出来っこない。

ハンサムで頭が切れるバンディに夢中になる女は他にも大勢いたが、この映画で同情出来た女性はリズだけだった。

バンディに関しては、サイコパスを人間として認めたくないので何も語りたくない。もっとも、彼の主張通り、彼が冤罪だったとしたら話は別だが。演じたザック・エフロンは超ハンサムな男の設定。個人的には、ハンサムだとは思うが、道で擦違う女性が思わず振り返って見惚れるほどではないと感じた。女性には見え方が違うのかな。

Bombshell #1

In February 2020, I watched Bombshell at Movix Kameari for the first time. 

I was most impressed when a young female employee at Fox News blamed Megyn Kelly, the network's popular newscaster. The young woman, Kayla, was sexually harassed by the CEO, Roger Ailes. After that, she suffered from a sense of humiliation and knew that Megyn had also been harassed by Ailes years ago. I was really moved when Kayla threw anger at Megyn and blamed her for having done nothing against the big shot. I simultaneously felt sorry for Megyn who tried to explain about it but could not at all then. Nobody to blame except for the lecher. 

Most things change not rapidly but gradually, which irritates the persons concerned. If they feel a sense of humiliation and emptiness in the process, they must keep it in mind and have to be patient until time has come. This is important. Then, they must rise up and wrestle when the moment is right. That is their mission. 

The film was wonderful and really enjoyable. It was friendly with various aspects and was not too long. 

Movies based on true stories like that are useful for me because I know little of problems in the world. I, however, was amazed how it showed criticism against the present President, Donald Trump. That also reminded me of the movie Fahrenheit 11/9 directed by Michael Moore. I watched the documentary film in November 2018. The United States is a free country far more than Japan. 

I saw Charlize Theron for the first time in a long time. She was cool and pretty as ever. Then I had believed that Nicole Kidman was a bimbo actress but I was kind of surprised that she gave a charming performance as a cool newscaster. Actors who have survived for a long time must be great persons.

スキャンダル #1

2020年２月、Movix亀有にて『スキャンダル』を初観賞した。 

最も印象に残っているのは、フォックスニュースの会長ロジャー・エイリズからセクハラを受けて屈辱を味わった新人のカイラが、以前同じ目に遭ったのに、それに立ち向かわず何もしなかった大先輩メーガン・ケリーに対して、その時何故戦わなかったのか、と詰った場面。上手く説明出来なかったメーガンが切なかった。セクハラをしたエイリズ以外は誰も責められない。 

大抵の物事は、急激にではなく、徐々に変わるもの。でも、当事者には、それがもどかしい。だが、大局的に耐えねばならない時もある。大事なのは、その時の屈辱や虚無感を忘れない事。そして、時が来たら立ち上がる事。

ノリは軽いが、無駄に長くなく、色々な要素が入り混じった良い映画。かなり面白かった。また、社会問題に疎いので、こういう実話が基の作品は本当に有難い。それにしても、現大統領のドナルド・トランプをあんなに大っぴらに批判するとは。2018年11月に観たマイケルー・ムーア監督作の『華氏119』でも感じたが、日本とは違い、アメリカは本当に自由の国だ。

久々に見たシャーリーズ・セロンは相変わらず綺麗でクールだったが、綺麗なだけの女優だと思っていたニコール・キッドマンが良い感じの美婦人になっていたのに少し驚いた。息の長い役者さんは、人間的に素晴らしいのだろうな。