Showing posts with label france. Show all posts
Showing posts with label france. Show all posts

9/07/2012

Stealth ( Comme des voleurs ) Review

Stealth ( Comme des voleurs )
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What a surprising treasure this film is! Congrats to Water Bearer for bringing eclectic "STEALTH" to USA audiences. If I could rate it a "10", I would. Everything about it - the extremely personal twist n' turn plot, the competent and attractive actors, the crisp European cinematography, the gorgeous Ravel music weave pure unadulterated magic. Hey, the dialogue is French/Polish with English subtitles. I usually run for the provincial hills at such a disclosure but in this case the bilingual factor is (for whatever reason) an unexpected PLUS. In so many ways "STEALTH" slyly seduces you to sit up and take notice. And take notice you will.

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9/05/2012

I Do ( I Do: How to Get Married and Stay Single ) ( Prête-moi ta main ) Review

I Do ( I Do: How to Get Married and Stay Single ) ( Prête-moi ta main )
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I've been looking for this title in the US as a gift for my American friends...and it has finally come out !
Since this is the first review, i need to recommend this title heartily !
The movie opened in France a couple of years back with very good reviews and was a nice success...
The storyline :
Luis (Alain Chabat), a fortysomething bachelor, works for a perfume company and is known as a 'nose' (e.g. one who creates perfumes), he has an overbearing family of one mother & five sisters... who think it is about time he got married.
He eventually sets up a plan NOT to get married, hiring one of his colleagues' sister Emma (Charlotte Gainsbourg) for a very peculiar 'job'...
The rest you'll find out renting or buying this DVD !
The performances are delightful throughout, Alain Chabat and Charlotte Gainsbourg (daughter of late french singer Serge Gainsbourg and singer/actress Jane Birkin) bring warmth and wit to their characters, the mother (Bernadette Lafont) is her usual funny self !
The first time i watched it a few scenes had me in stitches !
So... if you're looking for a movie to make you forget your worries for 90mn... This is IT !


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8/24/2012

Camille (1984 TV Movie) (1984) Review

Camille (1984 TV Movie) (1984)
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I love to watch Colin Firth act so I bought this tape, twice.
The first purchase was labeled as used, but the quality was terrible. It looked like someone had taped it from the tv, stopping at commercials, and then made hundreds of copies. This tape being the hundred and first incarnation. So when it showed up in an auction as "New" I hoped for a better quality video. Nope. Poor quality just like the other. Whatever you do, don't pay much for it.

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7/28/2012

The Visitors (3 movie set) ( Les Visiteurs / Les Couloirs du temps: Les visiteurs 2 / Les Visiteurs en Amérique ) ( The Visitors, The Corridors of Time / The Visitors II / Just Vis Review

The Visitors (3 movie set) ( Les Visiteurs / Les Couloirs du temps: Les visiteurs 2 / Les Visiteurs en Amérique ) ( The Visitors, The Corridors of Time / The Visitors II / Just Vis
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A very funny French comedy, this movie, and its sequel, was a huge hit in France.
A medieval knight (Jean Reno, of "The Professional" and "Godzilla" fame) and his servant (Christian Clavier, a famous French comic actor, unknown abroad) got magically transported forward in time to the XXth century, where he meets his descendants - and tries to adjust to our modern world, from the mysteries of running water and flushing toilets, to those of modern women and the free pursuit of life and happiness for all. The pace never slacks, the movie offers a series of sight gags, as well as a number of more tongue-in-cheek and even (gasp) intellectual jokes and double-entendres -along w/ some "profound" reflexions slickly intertwined w/in the storyline. The movie can be approached at several levels, from the basic visceral to the high-fallutin', and has appeal to different audiences - and viewers' moods. The language is precious (difference between old French and modern French) but there's enough situational and sight humour in there that even non-French speakers should find the movie enjoyable.
The U.S. remake, albeit with the same main actors, was not quite on a par, as seems to be too often the case. I felt it favored the slapstick, and neglected the more subtle undertones that the original managed to carry as well.
If I have to pick a nit, it would be that that the DVD doesn't offer more Special features - but the movie is well-worth the purchase (or rental :-) anyway. Pick a bottle of wine and some good cheese, and make an evening of it!

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7/06/2012

Don Juan (Or if Don Juan Were a Woman) (1976) Review

Don Juan (Or if Don Juan Were a Woman) (1976)
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Brigitte Bardot stars here in her last film along with Jane Birkin, the other singer who recorded the Serge Gainesbourg hit, "Je t'aime". This film is worth seeing, as we see BB's and Vadim's evolution from "And God Created Woman" to this post-sixties over-the-top comedy-drama.
We get some great nude scenes with Brigitte and Jane, and BB's character Jeanne is someone fed up with men, so she resorts to seduce and destroy tactics. As in "And God Created Woman" she's pretty much playing herself, but with an exaggerated storyline of driving men to ruin, murder, and suicide. The campy ironic humor is there in such scenarios as seducing a priest as well as setting up a fake menage-a-trois to madden a bete homme. Also a scene with Robert Walker Jr. (Charlie X in Star Trek TOS) where the price she asks for making love is no less than his life, which he takes seriously. The ending is a multiple meaning one as BB saves a man who makes her "pay for her sins" (though he's unappreciative). I think the end hits home for Brigitte in real life saying in effect, "look you male-dominated world, you've made my life hell". And it's the last scene she ever did on film. Worth seeing for it's erotic quality (but what BB film isn't), the submarine home, the early '70s fashions, and the camp.

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6/20/2012

In Praise Of Older Women Review

In Praise Of Older Women
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In this movie, a young Tom Berenger portrays a young man in Post-World War II Hungary who falls in and out of love with numerous older women. His character's infatuation with older women begins as a child during the war, when he loses his virginity to a middle-aged prostitute. From there, he moves to Budapest to go to college, and moves in with an older woman, portrayed by Karen Black. They fall in love with each other. Then the woman's best friend, portrayed by Canadian stage actress and artist Marilyn Lightstone, joins them in social events. Eventually, Ms. Lightstone's character seduces Berenger's character, and in a memorable scene of seduction, she entices him to have sex with her on the living room floor. But Ms. Black's character catches them in the act, and she breaks up with Berenger's character and kicks him out. Berenger then falls in love with a female resistance leader during the 1956 Hungarian Crackdown by Russian troops and tanks. She departs for deep cover, and Berenger's character emigrates to Canada. It is there that he begins a relationship with a woman more closer to his age, portrayed by a young Helen Shaver. Eventually they engage in a erotic strip scene before having sex together. But they end up breaking up also. At the end of the film, Berenger is now a teacher, who sets up a date with a younger female student, and the film ends. The eroticism is very good in this film, but it leaves you wanting more. For me, Marilyn Lightstone, despite her little screen time, stole the spotlight with her eroticism and her sexy body. Helen Shaver shows that she is willing to put out in a movie, also. She would go on to even greater levels of eroticism in the movie "Desert Hearts". Unfortunately, Tom Berenger never lived up to the potential to be a "leading man" actor that this film showed promise of when it was made. Instead, he was confined to character roles, such as in the movie "Gettysburg". But this film gives the viewer a glimpse of what Tom Berenger could have been had mainstream Hollywood had given him his chance to shine.

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The controversial, ground-breaking film based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Vizinczey
Andras (Tom Berenger) has always been surrounded by sex. After spending his teenage years procuring prostitutes for soldiers, he meets Maya (Karen Black), an older married woman, who teaches him about lust and desire. As Andras grows more experienced, he continues to pursue older women, learning more about life with each erotic conquest.
BONUS FEATURE: Making-of Featurette

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5/12/2012

Atlantis (1992) Review

Atlantis (1992)
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I saw this film in the theaters. I was a die-hard Besson fan from La Femme Nikita and The Big Blue -- two movies that got me into the film business. When I saw Atlantis in the theater I was one of five people in the audience. We were all awe-struck. Besson must've angered the head of the studio that released it because it vanished soon after. He had spent two years traveling the world (Besson's an avid diver and grew up in Greece where his parents were divers) and photographing the incredible images in this picture. I actually found a French VHS that i had for a while, then got a LaserDisc via Hong Kong, and people used to come to my house, watch it and beg me to tape it for them. Lucky divers around the world have a couple bootleg copies they were grateful to receive. So when my laserdisc player barfed, i could no longer watch it. So now its finally coming out on DVD. Well if you can't gather my opinion from what i've already written, not much more will help. If you're interested in the ocean -- or just want something to put on in the background to calm you down after a long day -- this is it. But watch Atlantis the first time very carefully. It's all about the last scene to find meaning in what Besson was getting at in this gorgeous visual underwater opera, and i think it's point is as poignant as the DVD's arrival is exciting.

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5/10/2012

In My Skin Review

In My Skin
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Looking at the reviews, the average reader may decide that this movie sounds harsh, but surely nothing too bad. Trust me, It really IS that harsh. If you cannot stomach pain, blood, etc., then In My Skin isn't for you. I'm not talking about Hollywood violence here; the scenes in this film look very real and are therefore more disturbing. That being said....
This movie does an excellent job pulling the viewer into the main character's (Esther) world. She really is a tragic character, a (highly) updated Ophelia for the modern viewer. As bits of her life have the possiblilty of coming together (new apartment, successful boyfriend, job promotion) things simultaneously begins to fall apart. Like a wound that quickly turns to gangrene, her initial gash soon engulfs her body and emotions. As you watch her descent, scene after scene unfolds where you wish that there was some way to stop her. Yet Esther is moving too quickly as she begins to uncover the deep-seated tendencies that lead to her ultimate undoing.
Who would like this film? I would guess that fans of psychodrama, feminist film, and experimental film may find a lot of worthwhile material here. If you enjoy the films of Michael Haneke (The Piano Teacher) or even Maya Deren's "Meshes of the Afternoon" will likely see some interesting resonances.
My bottom line opinion: if you can handle extremely realistic and graphic scenes showing self-inflicted violence and mental illness, and are interested in highly personal / psychodrama, then this is a worthwhile film to see.

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After suffering deep gashes to her leg from an accidental fall, Esther (Marina de Van), a young research analyst, becomes preoccupied with her body and skin, especially her wounds.At first, she merely caresses her arms, pinches her excess skin, or traces the cuts on her legs, but it isn't long before she is carving wounds directly and aggressively into her own body.Her boyfriend (Laurent Lucas) becomes understandably concerned and angry, but his inability to understand forces Esther into reclusion to explore her newfound passion.Increasingly unhinged - to situations of perverse dark humor - Esther seems determined to continue her compulsion until the removal from her own body is complete.

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3/03/2012

Casablanca (Ultimate Collector's Edition) (2008) Review

Casablanca (Ultimate Collector's Edition)  (2008)
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It's hard to believe that when Casablanca was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in 1942 it was "just another" of the 50 or so films that the studio was producing every year, as Lauren Bacall points out in the documentary about the film included in the special features. The movie was an instant success with audiences everywhere, and won three Academy Awards including Best Picture. Called "America's most popular and beloved movie- and rightly so" by The Motion Picture Guide, and "The best Hollywood movie of all time" by Leonard Maltin, Casablanca was voted the #2 film in a list of the top 100 films of this century by the American Film Institute.
Set in refugee strewn French North Africa in 1942, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a night club owner, and his friend Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains), Prefect of Police, enter into a wager as to whether or not Resistance Leader Victor Laslo (Paul Henreid) will be able to escape Casablanca and reach the Free World. When Laslo arrives in Casablanca, Rick is stunned to find him accompanied by his ex-lover, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). Filled with mystery, suspense, intrigue and romance, Casablanca will remain a favorite of classic movie lovers for years to come.
The supporting cast include Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson as Rick's piano playing confidant, Sam. The entire cast are superb, the settings are excellent, and the cinematogrophy is wonderful.
The song "As Time Goes By" was made famous by Casablanca, as it's melody is entwined throughout the film, and it too is now a classic, filled with romance and nostalgia.
This is one film that absolutely MUST be in your DVD library!

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Casablanca: easy to enter, but much harder to leave, especially if you're wanted by the Nazis. Such a man is Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), whose only hope is Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical American who sticks his neck out for no one - especially Victor's wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the ex-lover who broke his heart. Ilsa offers herself in exchange for Laszlo's transport out of the country and bitter Rick must decide what counts more - personal happiness or countless lives hanging in the balance.
Winner of three Academy Awards including Best Picture, the Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition marks nearly 70 years as a beloved favorite with many bonuses that no matter how often you've viewed the film itself - this gift set provides a most compelling reason to foster a whole new beginning of our continuing friendship with this unforgettable classic.
Included in this very special edition of Hollywood's most unforgettable classic is a bonus disc of the featurette "Jack Warner: The Last Mogul" - a rare glimpse into the public and private life of one of the most respected names in the entertainment industry.

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2/08/2012

In Hell (2003) Review

In Hell (2003)
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In Hell is one of the best JCVD movies from his recent direct to video offerings. In the film, he plays Kyle LeBlanc, a French-American man living and working in Russia with his American wife, who soon gets brutally murdered. Kyle is then sent to a Russian prison after he murders the man who killed his wife. Of course, this prison is no cakewalk...actually it makes Oswald State Prison from the HBO show "Oz" literally look like Disney World. The warden and guards are all corrupt and the prisoners who have money get all the perks. The warden also sets up a human cockfighting arena on the prison grounds where he has two prisoners fight (most of the time fight to the death) and he and his friends take bets on the winners. Of course, JCVD sets out to make his way through this corrupt system, help his new prison friends, and get revenge for his wife's death.
The film is very dark, brutal, and bloody, but it is beautifully filmed. There is one scene in particular when Kyle is thrown in "the hole" for misbehaving. In that scene, after Kyle loses hope and tries to hang himself, a moth flies down from the window/rafters above him and the camera beautifully follows it down as it flutters toward Kyle, and then it lands on the handle of the spoon that is in his untouched bowl of gruel, as if to say, "Eat. Get stronger, and you will be able to free yourself from this place." I know it sounds really corny, but it is really a lovely scene and not something that you typically see in JCVD films.
The DVD transfer is awesome. Picture and sound quality are good and you get widescreen and fullscreen to choose from.
Definitely a movie to see, whether you like Van Damme or not. It's a movie for anyone who has ever lost anyone they loved or had their life inexplicably turned upside down and had to fight to get things right.

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1/30/2012

Walled In (2008) Review

Walled In (2008)
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If this film was in French it would be a perfect piece of style conscious, Euro trash "suspense" and "terror-lite" type movie making. It is not in French. But it is, however, unashamed to act out its peculiar premise and its stylishly framed but derivative plot devices with a vague Euro-esque decadence, as though everyone in the film wished that they had in fact been speaking French or Italian. Think "The Shinning" meets "Psycho" meets "Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea". In fact, echoing "Sailor Who Fell...", Mischa Barton bears a more than suggestive resemblance to Sarah Miles, and Cameron Bright bears a striking resemblance to Jonathan Kahn, the boy who played Sarah Miles' son in "Sailor Who Fell..."
There's something about the film that makes you think that the producers and writers were thinking of Asia Argento, or felt that aspiring to make an Asia Argento like film was a high calling.
The production values are much higher than you might have any reason to expect, and the film is stylishly and well designed, lit and photographed. The lead actors all do very serviceable work, and Mischa Barton is especially good in her Sarah Miles mode. However, the presence of many different production and distributing company logos on the front end of the movie is the sure tip off that this direct to video production has been handed around quite a bit to raise the necessary capital and deals to get itself before the camera and finally out into the marketplace. How many companies does it require to fund, produce and distribute a C-list movie? Four or five, evidently.
This Blu-Ray disc is so cheap it has no menus, no pop up menus, no extras and no sound options at all. Nada. It just plays, over and over.
Is it scary? Not really. Is it anxiety provoking? Well, no. Is it peculiar that a world famous architect, thought to be dead, has been secretly living the life of an imprisoned mole at the bottom of an eight story tall well hidden in the center of a Neutra like high-rise apartment building located in the vast empty fields of Saskatchewan, while waiting for a beautiful woman to someday fall into, or be fed into, the shaft by a Norman Bates like looney-kid with a strangely foxy mother, who both live almost alone in the building after all the other residents have either been inexplicably murdered or have moved out, so that the architect may entomb the woman, or himself, using an automatic concrete mixing and pouring system of his own device, built into the building with forethought of this eventuality and a knowledge of ancient Egyptian building practices, so as to make the foundations of the building immortal? Well, uh-huh.
Is it great to watch Deborah Kara Unger be Deborah Kara Unger and to scope out the decaying but stylish mid-century modern sets, furnishings and set dressing? Well, you betcha. This film has to be on the "guilty pleasures" shelf. But, still, it's there for a reason. Oddly recommendable.


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Recent engineering graduate Sam Walczak travels to the middle of nowhere to supervise demolition of the mysterious Malestrazza Building.She soon comes face to face with the horrifying secrets of the building and itspast inhabitants, many of whom were entombed alive within the walls of the pristine building by its obsessed architect.As Sam begins to unravel the clandestine details of the architect's life and his astonishing building, she is drawn into the dark and frightening reality which forces her to accept her own darkpast and turn the tables before she becomes the last victim.

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1/23/2012

A Man and a Woman (1966) Review

A Man and a Woman (1966)
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And this ain't it. But it's all we got for now, so heh.
"Un Homme et une Femme" holds up quite well some 32 years hence. Younger viewers may not realize that a lot of the montage devices and tricks that may seem 'dated' were actually popularized and/or invented herein by Claude Lelouch. I actually found myself rewinding to watch the color sections a couple of times, especially the mid-film sequence scored to Francis Lai's achingly sentimental and lovely "Stronger than Us" as Anouk Aimee (the world's most beautiful woman) and Jean-Louis Triginant stroll the Deauville shore and muse on art and life. The tinting and grain of those sections - the boat ride, Anouk remembering her dead husband (Pierre Barouh) as he sings "Samba Saravah" to her - set a trend I pine for again.
The story? Well, thin, even by today's lughead standards (widower and widow fall in love against some lovely French scenery shot in winter), but it's obvious Lelouch was going for something that was quite new, then: a marriage of film and music that was not a "musical" per se, but rather, the forerunner of MTV (well, MTV with a soul, let's say). Cut loosely but thankfully not on-the-beat to Lai's jazzy/lush mid-60s score, Lelouch suceeds darn well. The freeze-frame ending cued to the final electric piano note, and that moment when Anouk Aimee pauses for the longest time and says to Jean-Louis, "You never told me about your wife", are two of my favorite filmgoing moments.
"Un Homme et une Femme" is emblematic of a world-view which I, for one, wish would take hold of folks again and topple the psychotic-trash-nihilistic consciousness now dominating pop culture. It was thoughtful, romantic, inward and outward at once, loving of sentiment but not wallowing in sentimentality, sophisticated, in love with love and with being alive in the world... not afraid of seeming tender. If any of this strikes you as square or passe or naive, then, this ain't your movie.
Let's hope the DVD gets released in French. Daria could use some alternative programming to 'Sick,Sad World', as could some of the rest of us.

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From director CLAUDE LELOUCH (And Now...Ladies and Gentlemen) comes this 1966 classic, a tender, visually exciting film of revitalizing love: a race-car driver (JEAN-LOUIS TRINIGNANT) and a movie script girl (ANOUK AIMEE) share a romance filled with humor and truth, intertwined with the demands of career and parenthood. Winner of OscarsO for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay.

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1/16/2012

Nathalie (2006) Review

Nathalie (2006)
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Catherine (Fanny Ardant), a successful doctor, seems to be in a happy marriage with her businessman husband, Bernard (Gerard Depardieu), until she learns that Bernard is having an affair. She reacts to this news with some tears but seems otherwise unmoved. That same evening, she randomly strolls into a Gentlemans Club for a drink and happens to meet the beautiful stripper/prostitute, Marlene (Emmanuelle Béart), who seems very curious and interested in Catherine. After some conversation, Catherine decides to hire Marlene (whom she re-names "Nathalie") to seduce her husband and report their sexual activities back to Catherine. The sexual game between Nathalie, Catherine, and Bernard takes strange twists and turns, with each scene exposing more about each character...and how their relationship changes with one another, as well as within their own self. Excellent film, directed by Anne Fontaine, this DVD includes the French version film with English subtitles, a making-of documentary (with no subtitles), a photo gallery, and a trailer that includes one of the smashing songs from the movie. Highly recommended. You can buy this from Amazon.ca, the Canadian site.

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12/12/2011

The Scarlet Pimpernel Boxed Set (1999) Review

The Scarlet Pimpernel Boxed Set (1999)
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Having read most of the reviews here and on other websites, there seems to be 3 main groups of people checking out this DVD set.
1. Those who love the books and want to see an adaptation of the books.
2. Those who loved the 1982 version (with Andrews and Seymour) and want to see more of that.
3. Those interested in seeing the work of Grant, Shaw, Vibert or McGovern.
Group 1 is generally sorely disappointed. This version changes the main character of Percy in ways that will be highly discomforting: he uses minimal disquises, he kills people willy-nilly, he uses Bond-esque gadgets instead of wit and cunning, small things like that. Not to mention, some well loved league members are killed off for no reason. To see a hilarious list of grievances from Group 1 go to: http://www.blakeneymanor.com/grievances.html
Group 2 is generally disappointed too. That whole love affair/courtship thing between Percy and Marguerite is missing here. #1 of this DVD starts right off with Percy giving Marguerite the cold shoulder after their marriage. Group 2 is also upset by the change in Percy (that no disguises and murdering bit). And then Elizabeth McGovern is not as beautiful (or animated or witty) as Jane Seymour and many in Group 2 are bothered by that. Group 2 absolutely ADORES Anthony Andrews as Percy, and Grant isn't Andrews.
Group 3 generally really like this DVD set -- especially if they are not burdened by preconceptions of this famous literary story. However, Group 3 is likely to be a little lost in the beginning. Note: Percy and Marguerite were madly in love with each other before getting married (you won't believe this when you see the first DVD, but it's true). On the wedding night, he receives information that she has betrayed some aristocrats. But he doesn't talk with her to find out what really happened. That's why their marriage is in need of counseling at the beginning of DVD #1.
When you read the reviews (many from folks in Group 1 and 2), you'll get the impression the acting drags and the screenplay is boring. This is NOT the case (well, not in #1 and #3). Personnally I enjoy the tongue-in-cheek take on the Scarlet Pimpernel; the fact that this Pimpernel kills loads of people(!) and walks around in English clothing(!) is hilarious. Richard Grant has a lot of fun with his role; I like him more and more each time I see these DVDs. Also Shaw and Vibert plus numerous supporting cast give excellent performances (Shaw in particular is my favorite), the costumes and settings are GREAT, and the script is well-moving and entertaining (especially in #1 and #3 at least).

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SCARLET PIMPERNEL - DVD Movie

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12/04/2011

All the Mornings of the World (Tous les matins du monde) Two-Disc Edition (1991) Review

All the Mornings of the World (Tous les matins du monde) Two-Disc Edition (1991)
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This film is a feast for the senses--and the spirit. The story is a fictionalized version of the apprenticeship of a famous viol player, Marais, in the 1600's. His teacher, the legendary Sainte Colombe is a man who makes a spiritual discipline of playing music to the exclusion of nearly all else. Sainte Colombe's talent is supposed to be so great that he can imitate any human sound. Yet he does not care about fame and fortune. He shuns the frivolity of the French court of Louis XIV and even refuses to go to court when commanded by the King who wishes to hear him play.
Sainte Colombe fires his young disciple Marais despite his considerable talent. Colombe states in essence that Marais' astounding techinical expertise aside that there is no music in what he plays. Marais goes on to become court musician but still yearns to learn from the master.
This incredible story was filmed with precision and artistry. Each scene looks looks like a renaissance painting. The story is sad and haunting--clearly many of the characters are clinically depressed. Yet somehow this film conveys an unearthly beauty and dedication to art that is inspiring.
In addition the music is a wonderful discovery. Having never heard these composers it is a joy to be exposed to these plaintive complex melodies.

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In the dazzling tradition of Amadeus, Tous les Matins du Monde is a seductive tale of music and passion set in provocative 17th century France. Academy Award® nominee Gérard Depardieu (Best Actor – Cyrano de Bergerac) stars in a fascinating story filled with romance, lust, desire, devotion, revenge and intrigue. A reclusive composer and his two beautiful daughters' lives are forever changed by a flamboyant young student who enters their lives. See for yourself why critics and audiences alike are applauding this magnificent film and celebrated winner of 7 César Awards including Best Picture! Background on the Film The film is the result of the collaboration between novelist Pascal Quignard, director Alain Corneau and musician Jordi Savall who wanted to do a film on music. Quignard wrote and adapted the book to a screenplay. The film was a phenomenal success and sold 2 million tickets in the first year and was distributed in 31 countries. The soundtrack was certified platinum (500,000 copies) and made Jordi Savall an international star.

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10/22/2011

Yves Saint Laurent - His Life and Times/5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris Review

Yves Saint Laurent - His Life and Times/5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris
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The 2nd movie (5 Ave Marceau) is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and development of YSL's 2001 spring-summer couture collection. For fans of the rarified world of haute couture, we get to see the design process from sketch to toile to final preparation of dresses with all the minute and perfectionist adjustments made to hems, linings, collars, flounces etc. YSL's regular house models are featured including the evergreen Amalia. His muse Loulou de la Falaise Klossowski and also Anne Marie Munoz are there by his side to give their opinions and support. For once we also get to see his chiefs of ateliers working out his sketches and trying to come up with creations that match what he dreams of. It's a hushed temple of design with everyone contributing to the final designs. We get to see how fabrics are draped and chosen, decisions on embroidery, how the style of the model's walk can affect the design, how some colours or fabrics are rejected and replaced; successful creations are paraded by the house models in front of YSL and others and greeted by cries of "ravishing", "beautiful!" and "sensational". I only wish that the 1hour plus movie was even longer. There's only a little snippet of the actual fashion show tacked onto the end of the movie but that's not really the point of the movie. The style of filming is slightly distanced - we observe the team observing the designs and sort of listen into their conversations. Totally recommended if you love couture and love YSL. In French with accurate English sub-titles.

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Two feature documentaries about the man who re-imagined women's fashion. His Life and Times is an intimate biography featuring extensive interviews with the reclusive designer. 5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris is a behind the scenes look inside Saint Laurent's legendary atelier during the creation of his final Spring line. Together they form "a timeless portrait of an artist at work - a celebration of human endeavor." (Los Angeles Times)

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10/12/2011

The Three Musketeers (1948) Review

The Three Musketeers (1948)
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I'm a huge fan of just about everything musketeers related (look at my other reviews), and this is my favorite big screen adaptation. Kelly is easlily the most fun D'Artagnon to watch and the sword play in this movie is excellent with his athleticism.
Of course, anyone who read the novel would know that though it includes sword play it is the charaters and plot that move the story along, so in that respect this movie does a much better job than most Musketeer adaptations. It stays fairly close to the original plot and though there is little time spent developing their personalities the Three are more consistant with their literary counterparts than in, well really, any of the other adaptations.
Over all one of the most fun adventure movies I've seen.

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