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Tag Archives: Daryl Hannah

Steel Magnolias

30 Monday Mar 2020

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

1980's, Daryl Hannah, Dolly Parton, Drama, Dylan McDermott, Herbert Ross, Julia Roberts, Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Sam Shepard, Shirley MacLaine, Steel Magnolias, Tom Skerritt

Laughter, tears, joy and tragedy befall a group of Southern women in Steel Magnolias; a satisfyingly involving story of strength of friendship and celebration of women. Sporting a splendid cast of leading ladies and drama that’s peppered with comedy, Steel Magnolias has you laughing one minute and crying the next( and that’s what is so great about it.) Opened up from it’s stage setting, you have one beautiful movie.

In the Louisiana town of Chinquapin Parish; a group of women go through life’s ups and downs together, often in the local beauty salon. The women are no-nonsense mother M’Lynn Eatenton( Sally Field) , her spirited, type one diabetic daughter Shelby(Julia Roberts), beauty salon owner Truvy Jones( Dolly Parton), elegant widow Clairee Belcher(Olympia Dukakis), embittered and acidic grouch Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine) and new in town wallflower Annelle Dupuy( Daryl Hannah) . The film begins on the wedding of Shelby to lawyer Jackson( Dylan McDermott). Despite Shelby experiencing a hyperglycaemic shock in the morning, she is helped by her mother and friends and the wedding goes wonderfully. Meanwhile, Clairee and Ouiser spar constantly even though deep down they are close friends. Annelle goes through numerous changes, first from shy, woman child to more confident and sassy then overly zealous. Truvy has to contend with her husband Spud(Sam Shepard) being out of work and not showing her much in the way of affection. The big news is that Shelby decides to have a baby, despite the difficulties it could have on her body. M’Lynn is worried about her daughter’s health and isn’t exactly thrilled when Shelby announces her pregnancy. Shelby’s father Drum(Tom Skerritt) is happy for her and to an extend M’Lynn is, though the maternal terror she feels is still nagging at her as she comes around to the idea of it. Shelby gives birth to a baby boy, but tragedy may lie ahead for this wilful young lady. Through the tribulations of life, the Southern Belles band together with support, wisdom and a shoulder to cry on as they live up to the title of being as beautiful as flowers but tough and resilient when the occasion calls for it. 

Herbert Ross is on hand for sensitive direction and a feeling of genuine care for the source material, that opens out the original play setting effectively. He shows great affinity for fleshing out these fascinating women and all that they go through. These are the kinds of characters it’s easy to warm to as you can more often than not, see something of yourself in each of them. Yes you can argue that the film knows to manipulate emotions and does have sentiment, but since when is that actually a bad thing? Steel Magnolias earns the laughs and tears because of its excellence in terms of characters and feelings. I don’t mind things being weepy or sentimental, as long as they do it with style and are well executed( which this movie definitely is.) I think it’s unfair to just refer to it as a chick flick, as it has a lot more going for it than just that label. For one, it’s a celebration of women’s strength and unity in times of crisis that truly knows how to move the audience. And the humour, which is plentiful, goes alongside the more serious stuff nicely. Both compliment the other and know how to really impress the audience in this drama about how friendship can get you through the tough times and sometimes laughter and tears do mix. It’s pretty impossible not to get swept into the dramas and events of Steel Magnolias; it’s an emotional but rewarding ride that is peppered with nice humour and it’s heart being firmly in the right place. Seriously, if you don’t shed not one tear during this movie, your tear ducts have clearly been removed or you’ve got a swinging brick where your heart and compassion should be. A gentle yet well suited score really benefits Steel Magnolias and goes along efficiently with the big occasions the film covers, from wedding to Christmas and then Easter. 


One of the finest assets in Steel Magnolia’s arsenal is the sublime cast of mainly women. Here’s a group of actresses clearly relishing these relatable and well drawn characters that they breathe great life into. Heading things is the ever impressive Sally  Field who truly shines in her dependable way and gets to display the full gamut of feelings. She’s got the varying emotions of her character just right from deep love for her daughter to grave seriousness, immense strength and tenderness in the face of tragedy. Field has always been great at playing motherly characters and she doesn’t disappoint here with a performance that ranks up there as one of her finest, particularly in a late devastating scene that will move even the hardest of hearts. Seriously, Field truly gives it her all as an opinionated yet caring mother terrified of what might happen to her frail daughter. Julia Roberts, who was a year away from super stardom and following memorable work in Mystic Pizza, is beautifully vibrant, genuine and vulnerable as the frail Shelby, who doesn’t want to let her medical condition rule her life and takes drastic action despite warnings of what it could do. The character could have been too much of a martyr, but Roberts wonderfully avoids that with a wilful, delicate and passionate performance that showcases her undeniable star charisma and ability. A lot of the humour is derived from an on form Shirley MacLaine, who spits out bitchy one liners with relish and feeling. You’ll definitely have fun watching her as the town’s meanie who is actually a lot more caring than she cares to let on. Backing her up in sassy fashion is Olympia Dukakis, who is a hoot as the classy but not above fun Clairee. MacLaine and Dukakis obviously enjoy working together as their characters clash often but then make up in often humorous ways. Dolly Parton adds pearls of wisdom and an infectious exuberance and optimism that only she can provide. It’s a treat seeing the multi talented Parton here. Daryl Hannah, decked out in gawky glasses and coltish demeanour, provides laughs and a certain homespun set of foibles. Her character is always changing but her heart is always there and Hannah plays that splendidly. As the women are so indomitable and cover most of the film with their stories, the men are relegated to the sidelines. Though saying that, Tom Skerritt gets quite a number of fine moments to shine in naughty fashion, while Sam Shepard has a fine scene opposite Dolly that’s truly touching. Dylan McDermott is unfortunately saddled with a part that really doesn’t ask for much except being a handsome suitor to Shelby. 

Heartfelt, bittersweet and brilliantly acted and scripted, Steel Magnolias is a sensational production that makes you feel so many different things. I wish you all a great time with this gem of a movie that truly touches you, makes you laugh and is enjoyable. 

Kill Bill Vol 2

15 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 33 Comments

Tags

2000's, Action, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Kill Bill Vol 2, Martial Arts, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Revenge Drama, Uma Thurman

Film Title

Kill Bill Vol 2

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Starring

  • Uma Thurman as The Bride/Beatrix Kiddo
  • David Carradine as Bill
  • Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver
  • Michael Madsen as Budd
  • Gordon Liu as Pai Mei

Following on from the events of Vol 1, Kill Bill Vol 2 makes for cool, stylish viewing. Whereas the first volume was focused more on action, this volume zeroes in on the dramatic and emotional undercurrent of The Bride’s journey to avenge her near death experience. It all proves for a satisfying conclusion to this revenge saga.

Kill Bill Vol 2 The BrideHaving battled her way through old adversaries who turned her wedding day into a massacre, The Bride now has three people left on her kill list. These consist of Budd, Elle Driver and last but not least Bill. Along the way, she encounters someone she never thought she would see again that could change the course of her revenge filled journey. But in Tarantino’s trademark non-linear way of telling us the story, we are given bits of knowledge about some unanswered questions. We see The Bride attempting to live another life by marrying someone only to have it snatched from her, her tutelage under the cruel but rewarding Martial Arts expert Pai Mei and finally find out her real name, Beatrix Kiddo. Through flashbacks, visual references to a multitude of genres and some searing performances, Tarantino keeps us entertained whilst delivering some drama to the tale, which he pulls off very well indeed.

I’ve heard many say that Vol 1 is the better of the two and I am inclined to agree. But I still enjoyed Vol 2 because of the way Tarantino injects some poignancy into The Bride’s journey and glimpses her relentless pursuit for those who betrayed her. It may not have as much action as the first installment, but Vol 2 is equally as thrilling and absorbing as its predecessor. There still is some amazing action sequences, including a fierce duel with the one-eyed Elle in a desert trailer, that make for great viewing, especially in regards to the choreography of the fight. Other highlights are The Bride’s eventual emergence as a warrior under the teaching of Pai Mei and how it benefits her and a black and white flashback that reveals the strange relationship between The Bride and Bill. As with most of Tarantino’s movies,the kinetic and flashy editing is marvellous and complemented by another genre busting soundtrack.

The cast fill out Tarantino’s eclectic characters with impressive results. Returning as the revenge seeking Bride, Uma Thurman delivers another intense performance as we watch her relentless search for payback. Thurman also manages to deliver poignant work in the way she shows how much The Bride has lost in the past and how all of her pain has now transformed into uncontrollable rage that can’t be measured. Whether clawing her way through dirt after being buried alive or dueling with her enemies with a lethal Samurai sword, The Bride is one woman who will never give up and will kill anyone in her path. David Carradine is great as the eponymous Bill, whose betrayal has set in motion this chain of blood soaked carnage. His scenes with Thurman are extremely impressive, their showdown of wills and confessions makes for dramatic viewing to say the least. Daryl Hannah is on villainous form as the vindictive assassin Elle, her duel with The Bride provides an action filled highlight to the picture. Michael Madsen plays another of The Bride’s targets Budd, who is more than prepared for her arrival and finds an interesting way of trying to kill her.

By giving us an emotional undercurrent to the story, Tarantino succeeds in balancing brutal violence and revelations with aplomb. Vol 2 proves dramatic, startling and compulsive viewing.

Kill Bill Vol 1

09 Sunday Feb 2014

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 31 Comments

Tags

2000's, Action, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Kill Bill Vol 1, Lucy Liu, Martial Arts, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Revenge Drama, Uma Thurman, Vivica A. Fox

Film Title

Kill Bill Vol 1

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Starring

  • Uma Thurman as The Bride/Black Mamba
  • David Carradine as Bill
  • Lucy Liu as O-Ren Ishii/Cottonmouth
  • Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver/ California Mountain Snake
  • Vivica A. Fox as Vernita Green/ Copperhead
  • Michael Madsen as Budd/Sidewinder

Quentin Tarantino’s fourth movie is an action packed, blood soaked revenge tale told with stylish panache and various references to other genres. From samurai movies to anime and western, Tarantino fashions all of these into this wildly entertaining action with a breakneck pace and a seriously kick ass heroine.

Kill Bill Vol 1 The BrideLeft for dead on her wedding day, a woman, known only as “The Bride” eventually awakens from a four-year coma after a mosquito bites her. In non-linear fashion, we are informed of her origins and what led to her near death experience. She was once a member of The Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, an elite group of skilled assassins under the charge of the eponymous Bill. She went by the codename Black Mamba whilst working for the squad. The Bride, who was also pregnant was attacked by the other members on her wedding day and Bill put a bullet in her head. After waking from her coma and realising her baby is now gone, The Bride’s rage begins to manifest and she swears a brutal revenge. Escaping hospital, she quickly makes a list of the members of the assassination squad who she intends to kill one by one for their part in her brutal attack. Vol 1 deals with The Bride tracking down two of the members on the list, the fierce Vernita Green and the powerful O-Ren Ishii. And so begins a wildly entertaining revenge saga that is daring, über stylish and full of bloody violence and action. As the proverb at the beginning of the film states “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. Or in Tarantino’s case, cold and covered with lashings of blood.

Tarantino should be praised for the way he manages to incorporate so many disparate influences into a seriously entertaining though brutal film. From utilising music from classic westerns and featuring a startling anime sequence, he definitely knows how to keep you watching. The kinetic editing is superb in capturing The Bride’s one-woman mission to annihilate those who have caused her great pain. Special notice must go to the fighting choreography which really is something to behold. The biggest highlight is The Bride’s blood soaked duel with the Crazy 88, hitmen for O-Ren. Cutting between colour and black and white gives the scene a thrilling and daring quality that is hard to not appreciate. Some may complain that the film is an example of style over substance, but if that is the case you have to admit that the style is certainly entertaining nonetheless. As is the case with most of Tarantino’s movies, the soundtrack is an eclectic listen, this time featuring music from Spaghetti Westerns, old samurai movies and thrillers.

The cast of the Kill Bill Vol 1 all deliver memorable work. Heading the cast with a searing performance is Uma Thurman as The Bride. She encompasses the pain that gives way to unleashing her inner rage and physical strength on those who betrayed her with fearless ability. The Bride is one seriously kick ass character who you really don’t want to mess with. Although his face isn’t seen, David Carradine manages to make Bill a menacing character just with the sound of his voice. He is cloaked in enigmas as the story unfolds and The Bride makes it her priority to kill everyone before reaching the traitorous Bill. Out of the other members of the assassination team, which includes Vivica A. Fox and Michael Madsen, Lucy Liu and Daryl Hannah make the biggest impacts. Lucy Liu embodies the fierce violence within O-Ren which stems for a childhood in which she witnessed her family’s murder. Her duel with The Bride is a visually spectacular highlight as they fight with katanas in the snow. Daryl Hannah makes quite an entrance as the one-eyed Elle Driver. Strutting into hospital dressed in white while whistling a chilling song and planning The Bride’s death, she is most certainly an interesting creation from Tarantino.

Ultra violent, daring and stylish, Kill Bill Vol 1 isn’t for the faint of heart. But it will appeal to those who get the various genre references and who want to witness the excellent and hypnotic work from Quentin Tarantino.

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