#mark rosenthal

[90smovies]

[nerds-yearbook]

The 6th Star Trek film was released to theaters on December 6, 1991. The original plan was a reboot of sorts involving telling the story of how Kirk and Spock met in their early days in the Federation with the main cast recast with younger actors. This idea was ultimately rejected, but would return in a modified form in Star Trek (2009). It has been said that Walter Koenig also presented a proposal for a story but was turned down. Ultimately it was decided to make the film a farewell film for the original cast (William Shatner - Kirk, Leonard Nemoy - Spock, DeForest Kelly - McCoy, James Doohan - Scotty, Walter Koenig - Chekov, Nichelle Norris - Uhura, and George Takei - Sulu) and Paramount went with a story by Leonard Nimoy and Screenplay by Nicholas Meyer (also directed by) and Denny Martin Flinn. This was the first Star Trek film directed by Meyer since Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn (III and IV were directed by Leonard Nimoy and V was directed by William Shatner). Meyer used the title of "The Undiscovered Country", which he had wanted to use for Star Trek II. After James Horner and Jerry Goldsmith both passed on returning to score the film, Cliff Eidelman, who had his first screen score credits only a few years previous, was chosen. Series creator Gene Roddenberry was in declining health when he saw a rough cut of the film and supposedly got in a heated debate with Meyer over several things in the film. Roddenberry would pass on only a few days after this encounter. It's also said there was conflict with Meyer and Nimoy over the edit. It has been said that Nichelle Nichols pushed back on saying racist lines about Klingons as well as being confused as to why her character wouldn't either be fluent or at least have access to the Klingon language given her background. George Takei claimed that a scene where Captain Sulu and his crew helped save the day was rewritten at the insistence of William Shatner. It has also been said that Shatner wanted to add a hand gesture after his line "kill them all" to show regret at his outburst, but Meyer had cut that part out. The film took place in 2293 and was a murder mystery as well as a cold war ending analogy that explored the events that lead to peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. A character that had been considered originally for Saavik, was changed into the new character Valeris and was played by Kim Catrall. Michael Dorn, who played Worf on Star Trek the Next Generation, played his character's grandfather in the movie. Star Trek fan Christian Slater played a communications officer. Star Trek alum Mark Lenard returned as Sarak as well as the film saw the return of Grace Lee Whitney. Depending on which version you watch, you may or may not see future Deep Space Nine actor Rene Aberjonois as Colonel West. Other sci-fi actors who appeared in the film included Brock Peters, Leon Russom, Kurtwood Smith, Christopher Plummer, Rossana DeSoto, David Warner, John Schuck, Robert Easton, William Morgan Sheppard (who is also the father of sci-fi familiar face Mark Sheppard), Brett Porter, and Jeremy Roberts. The film marked the final theatrical appearance of DeForest Kelly and was dedicated to the memory of Gene Roddenberry. Shatner, Doohan, and Koenig would go on to appear theatrically one more time in Star Trek Generations that handed off the film franchise off to the cast of Star Trek the Next Generation. ("Star Trek V: The Undiscovered Country", Star Trek Film Event)

[80smovies]

[milliondollarbaby87]

The Jewel of the Nile (1985) Review

The Jewel of the Nile (1985) Review

Joan Wilder is abducted when on a trip along the Nile and her now boyfriend Jack Colton must try and rescue her as well as the jewel! ⭐️⭐️ Continue reading

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[adamwatchesmovies]

Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

Most would describe Mona Lisa Smile as a charming, uplifting story. I say while it shows intelligence and promise at first, it eventually degenerates into basic soap-opera romance and abandons the ideas it set up at the beginning. It's not a good film.

Set in 1953, Ann Watson (Julia Roberts) arrives at the Wellesley College to teach "History of Art" but is dismayed when she learns all of her students already know the syllabus by heart. Upset at first, she decides to introduce revolutionary ideas in the classroom. She asks “What differentiates good art from bad art?”; “Who decides which artist is worth merit, and which one is a hack?” and, among other things “What message will the women of the 1950s give to the generations that follow them?” The board of approval is uneasy. Making the situation even more problematic is the daughter of the head of the Alumnae Association, Betty Warren (Kirsten Dunst) and the flirtations of the Italian professor, Bill (Dominic West).

It lures you in with the promise of intelligent questions that need to be answered. Few of the women Watson encounters seem interested in anything besides eventually finding a husband and pumping out a litter of children. She sets out to show these bright young minds that there is a lot more to life. We’ve got an all-star cast of great female actresses (Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, among others) and a very charismatic lead. Then, the movie switches. Director Mike Newell treats us like the women of the classroom, who become disinterested with their studies and the ideas they learn in school as soon as the prospects of romance come around the corner. The film last two hours and the majority is dedicated to a slew of seen-it-before, predictable plot developments. The grouchy board of administrators sees Watson's inspirational teaching methods as unorthodox, something to be stamped out immediately! She is ridiculed by the snooty prim-and-propers and finds that her job is threatened because of what she believed in. If only they could understand; her way of connecting with the patients through humor is a good thing. Oh wait, that’s Patch Adams. I meant "if only they could see how her rebellious attitude is helping her connect with the young minds of the future and that the rebellious act of standing up on the desk and rejecting archaic material isn't a way to sow anarchy, but to inspire the students. My mistake, that Dead Poets Society. What were we talking about again?

Mona Lisa Smile isn't interested in actually showing art and discussing the subject. This would've been original. Instead, settling on regurgitating the predictable tale of the ice-cold veterans having to thaw out and embrace these new-fangled “original ideas”.

Although most of the women's stories (both the students' and the teacher's) eventually take romantic or dramatic paths based around them marrying, not marrying or trying to find a man, the characters are well developed. The film shows these women as people from a different time, with different ideals than today. Every student is distinct from one another and their dynamics are complex. The performances are quite good. It makes the time they spend talking about the men they're fawning over frustrating. You know they'd have interesting ideas about the classroom material Watson is giving them! Maybe I came in with the wrong expectations. I don't think I'll be the only one who grows increasingly disappointed with Mona Lisa Smile as it trots along, however. For a movie that talks a whole lot about breaking the mold and trying new things, going off into different directions and making its own choices, it plays it way too safe and way too conventional.

Mona Lisa Smile has nice moments, particularly when its large female cast is discussing the choice to follow society’s norms or to be rebellious. Unfortunately, these are mere blips. You deserve better; find a movie that’s a real deal. An original! Not just the same plot-lines you’ve seen before. (On DVD, October 11, 2014)

[tortoiseeatinglettuce-blog]

My teacher, Katherine Watson, lived by her own definition, and would not compromise that. Not even for Wellesley. I dedicate this, my last editorial, to an extraordinary woman who lived by example and compelled us all to see the world through new eyes. By the time you read this, she'll be sailing to Europe, where I know she'll find new walls to break down and new ideas to replace them with. I've heard her called a quitter for leaving, an aimless wanderer. But not all who wander are aimless. Especially not those who seek truth beyond tradition; beyond definition; beyond the image. We'll never forget you...

Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

[harrypotterhousequotes]

RAVENCLAW:

“PRESIDENT CARR: Who knocks on the door of learning? JOAN: I am every woman. PRESIDENT CARR: What do you seek? JOAN: To awaken my spirit through hard work, and dedicate my life to knowledge. PRESIDENT CARR: Then you are welcome.”

–Lawrence Konner + Mark Rosenthal (Mona Lisa Smile)

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