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Reviews (16)
Mar 05, 2007
A Rare Prize to Find, Uncorked DVD
1 of 1 found this helpful I originally discovered this Indi gem years ago at my local library. The story contains all the highs and lows of life; love, in all it's intense glory and rage and hate in the kind of quality that only family can evoke. It is played out by master craftsmen. Rufus Sewell, best known for The illusionist, Amazing Grace and Knights Tale, plays a frustrated but ambitious young man from a zany British Family. He lives with his cosmic minded Uncle, award winning actor Nigel Hathorn, on Sachem Farm. His girlfriend Minnie Driver arrives for a special weekend during which time he plans to propose to her. But three other people have also arrived at Sachem Farm to throw the plans wildly out of wack. There are some scenes in this film that are so funny you will have to stop it and watch it again so you can catch your breath. Other scenes will leave you speechless with beauty. The soundtrack is well worth having. It contains some original pieces by Jeff Danna and a collection of popular music including Toad the Wet Sprocket, Barenaked Ladies and Sara Mclachlan. This is one of my all time favorites. Well worth having on VHS if you cannot get the DVD. :)
Nov 05, 2006
Another Country -25th Anniversary Special Edition
2 of 3 found this helpful I have owned Another Country on VHS but was delighted to purchase this restored version on DVD with amazing specials. "Another Country" is not a story for the squeamish. But if you like real emotion and honest to goodness life issues you will enjoy this film. The young Rupert Everett, Colin Firth and Cary Elwes are marvelous in this tale of English youth struggling with sexual and political identity at a British boys school.
One of the specials that tempted me to buy this version is a segment recorded from the orginal stage play of Another Country. In the stage version the role of Judd is played by a very young Kenneth Branagh. It was his first real break-through role. There is also an interview with the young actors Rupert Everett and Kenneth Branagh following the clip.
The pace is unrelenting, the characters engaging, and the cinematography is stunning. I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys provocative cinema.
Mar 05, 2010
Cinema Paradiso lives up to its name!
4 of 4 found this helpful Good luck finding this special edition! (which has the long directors cut and the original release) But I am sure there are many copies of the movie that won for best Foreign Film at the 1990 Oscars. Check out the IMDB and see that it also won every other award on the planet!! The first time I saw this film, I was stunned. That is the best way to put it. Not only was I moved by the deep pathos, humor and humanity of the characters, but by the very essence of the story. It truly is epic, covering the span of a man's life-time and that of the town in which he grew up and was nourished. It is about the love of film media as it was in its infancy; the beauty and excitement of seeing a man and woman making love on screen, (or in this case, not making love). Most of the action takes place in a small, Catholic, Italian village. It follows the life of a young fatherless boy "Toto" and his relationship with the generous man, Alfredo, who runs the projector at the town's cinema (Cinema Paradiso). Weaving throughout this rich story is a soundtrack written by a Master writer and arranger, Ennio Morricone. He has worked on almost 500 projects, major movies, TV shows, specials, etc. His better known American work is reflected in his Oscars for Bugsy, Days of Heaven, The Untouchables, and one of my favorites, The Mission. Mr. Morricone's theme for Cinema Paradiso will echo through your head and heart for days, drawing you to watch it again and again; as much to hear the music as to relive the life-affirming story.