Crusaders (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this movie despite reading the negative reviews about it. I wasn't expecting Kingdom Of Heaven or stellar performances from it's actors. What I was expecting, at least, was (some) type of performance or a reasonable storyline. This movie delivers neither. During the first 20 minutes, I found it mildly entertaining and likened it to the old spaghetti westerns I used to watch. It even appeared to have a promising concept to it's plot. Unfortunately, the movie quickly fell apart after 20 minutes. Poor voiceovers aside, the acting was simply atrocious and the plot appeared to lose direction. The feigned emotions or total lack thereof, turned the already improbable scenes into a farce. What was the deal with the love triangle between Rachel, Peter and Andrew?! A Jewish woman who enters the Rabbinical studies under the guise of a man and, without any time allotted to aforethought, becomes embroiled in a love triangle between a Christian Crusader and half-muslim blacksmith?! I don't think so!!! Another example is Richard's enchantment with the relic of the true cross during the battle for Jerusalem. He was more like a zombie on Thorazine than a man possessed with religious conviction. That's not to mention his total lack of any semblance of vengence toward his beloved father's murder at the hands of his usurping uncle. One would have at least wrestled with the concept before choosing a path between peace or revenge. I understand that some things can get lost in translation but, so much more was lost here than the transition between two languages. I found the movie to be almost unbearable but I still watched it to the end, just so I could say I did. In closing I'd like to assert that I've seen High School plays that showed more ambition than this movie. The only saving grace this movie had was the performance by Peter's character which, (at times), showed some real potential. And, it's my understanding that these were some seasoned actors playing these parts. I would only recommend this movie as a, "Don't Just Take My Word For It", proof of concept.

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Robinson Crusoe (1996) Review

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(More customer reviews)Everyone is pretty much familiar with the classic tale spun by Daniel Defoe.... (Or, if not, they should be.) If such is what the viewer expects from the "Robinson Crusoe" movie, or if you wish to enjoy a good moral, this is not the film for you.
As a person who is fond of all whole and decent tales, I can say truly, after watching this movie, (dubbed inaccurately "Robinson Crusoe") I felt ill. Not that the story was completely re-written, for, as we all know, a re-written story can be excellent at times. But, that through this lame attempt to make the racial issues in "Robinson Crusoe" (the book) palatable to the modern mindset; instead of focusing on the gracious example of Friday, or the moral of the story, this movie seems to wish to overlook any true illustration of decency.... offering, instead, the crippled climax of man's incompetence.

Not wishing the reader to assume this review was written in a furious attempt to squash any chances the movie might have for some mischievous reason of my own, I would like to assure all who may look upon these words, this is as unprejudiced and accurate a report as possible.

The best that may be said for this film is that the actor, (Pierce Brosnan) did show some talent in portraying George Miller and Rod Hardy's mediocre account of Robinson.
Though other of Pierce Brosnan's rolls are a deal more enjoyable, no one can quite dislike him, no matter the ruffian he plays.Though it comes close, I admit.
For the storyline itself, I leave you to rely on previous reviews, which, I'm sure will do a thorough job depicting and dissecting this fable.

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Dynamic screen star Pierce Brosnan (THE TAILOR OF PANAMA, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH) braves the perils of an untamed land in this classic story of sweeping action and high adventure! As the sole survivor of a disastrous high-seas shipwreck, Robinson Crusoe (Brosnan) is forced to build a solitary life on a deserted tropical island. But he eventually discovers that even this existence is threatened by a local tribe, which uses his island for barbaric sacrificial rituals! Soon, Crusoe will risk his own life to save a doomed tribesman from certain death! In a thrilling adaptation of the timeless novel by Daniel Defoe, both men -- each stranded and unable to return home -- must cross an immense cultural divide to forge a friendship and survive against impossible odds!

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Alexander the Great (1956) Review

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(More customer reviews)I see that all other reviews where written before the Oct. 19th 04 release of this DVD, therefore referring to VHS only. I purchased and viewed this today, Oct. 27th. 04. It is not my intention to give this a detailed review as has been done at lenght eleswhere. Not my style anyway.
To write about Greek or Roman history/heros with all the factions and diverse warring rulers of those times is tedious at best. And a hard subject to put into a screenplay, to breathe the least. However this is a literate screenplay and all the players are mentioned, just a bit hard to follow unless you've read your Will Durant. Not just another popcorn flick.
No, I just want to say that if anyone is thinking of buying this DVD, I don't think you'd be disappointed, providing you love all the Hollywood epics of the 50's. If you do you may want this one too! Not the spectacle of Quo Vadis, Ben Hur, King of Kings or the pagentry of Cleopatra, but a worthy entry none the less. Matte paintings used in all aforementioned used here as well, but not as many. The Babalonian City is extraordinary and enough glass paintings to convey an epic, unlike the claustrophobic Spartacus. The sets are somewhat meger, like Spartacus, but what lacks there is made up for in the use of Technicolor and Cinemascope and the absolutely remarkable and stunning wardrobe. This is a terrific transfer and will look even better on your 16 x 9 HDTV! The 480 that DVD's put out look as though you might reach for that goblet on wine on the table.
Spain seems to double well for Greece and Persia and although the battles were not of the rousing kind, one over looks this as a trade off to the overall movie. This film also doesn't have that ''Hollywood touch'' of the others of the 50's and seems more adult for that reason {Barabbas 61' is another}.
So if you're looking for another great but not Great 1950's epic just cut the Grodian Knot and ride out of the store on old Bucephalus!
Oh yes, I hope the up coming new release of Alexander, anticipated and welcomed, surpasses this version as there is nothing much better than a good movie, but this 1956 Richard Burton, Fredric March film may be above the mark in the end, as so many remakes or rehashed films can never come close the their predecessors, even with all of the CGI of today. Look at the disappointing Troy, a DVD I won't be purchasing.


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Fierce military commander, magnificent warrior, world conqueror. Legendary Macedonian hero Alexander the Great is celebrated in this definitive film about his tumultuous life. Richard Burton, FredricMarch and Claire Bloom lead a "remarkable cast" (Leonard Maltin) of thousands in this epic film that seamlessly blends spectacular action, vivid character portrayals and an age-old tale of wisdom, blood and glory!Alexander (Burton) is a man torn by conflict between the lofty wisdom of histeacher, Aristotle (Barry Jones), loyalty to his warrior father (March) and his own grand design for world domination. In a turbulent world of political unrest, this ambitious young man must rise above all conflict to unite the continents of Europe and Asia and become one of the most celebrated rulers of all time!

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