My Mother's Castle / My Father's Glory (2 Pack) Review

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(More customer reviews)In 1990, writer director Yves Robert (War of the Buttons (1994)) adapted the delightful novels of Marcel Pagnol, "The Glory of My Father" and "My Mother's Castle" to critical acclaim for the big screen. Too bad, that these two incredibly delightful films have still tended to remain a French mainstay. Well now, both have been wonderfully transferred to DVD in all of their glory of an Era that has sadly slipped away, even from French Cinema.
"My Father's Glory" and "My Mother's Castle" are two films, each dependent on the other, to tell the charming and almost idyllic childhood of successful novelist and film director Marcel Pagnol. Both films are SO charming and warm and full of life and detail about the childhood and family life of a schoolteacher and his family and extended family in 1900 Marseilles. "Father" is a man of the new age, atheistic, warm, beloved by all, adored by his wife, and mostly his son. The first film details Marcel's idolizing of his Father and the family's Summer Vacation in the Hills of Provence. The colour and cinematography are superlative, and the story is engrossing, infectious, warm and sun-drenched in humour and love. The second film, "My Mother's Castle", commences at the end of the first and chronicles the amazing feat of the family as they return to their beloved Summer home and how they must sneak through wealthy estates ("Mother" is particularly afraid of one castle along the canal). Each situation, each character, each camera shot, each actor is such perfection that it is impossible to sing the praises of such artistry any further.
Yes you read subtitles!!! These films are absolutely worth the effort and the time!
Marcel Pagnol also wrote the legendary Jean De Florette / Manon of the Spring (MGM World Films), another highly successful film duet.
These films CAN be found on VHS, formatted for television.

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A Good Year (Widescreen Edition) (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I really don't understand all the bad reviews from critics and reviewers alike for I personally loved this movie. Now, it's not the grandest spectacle to grace the big screen nor is it Russell Crowe's finest hour, but `A Good Year' is some quality entertainment and serves it purpose in the relaxed and happy season that is fall. Having just seen the poorly made and highly overrated `Catch a Fire' I was ready to relax and watch something entertaining and enjoyable, and being the Russell Crowe fan that I undoubtedly am I decided that `A Good Year' would be just that movie.
Max Skinner (Crowe) is a stuck up British stock broker who at one time was a kind hearted soul, and his fondest memories are littered with his Uncle Henry (Finney) and his Chateau in France. Upon his Uncles death Max is left the sole owner of Henry's estate, and in like fashion he flies out there in order to sell if for profit and make it back ASAP. What he doesn't bank on is Christie Roberts (Abbie Cornish) showing up claiming to be the long lost daughter of Henry and claiming rights to his estate. Throughout the course of the film Max has to go through the stages of redemption, which include discovering the jerk he has become and rediscovering his inner child.
The two key components to his wonderful film is the scenery and the acting. The script and storyline as some have already pointed out is very unoriginal, we've seen this done plenty of times, but the beauty that is France, as well as the beauty that is Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard (who plays Fanny, the seductive woman who steals Max's heart) more than make up for the familiarity. Crowe is, as many know, my all time favorite actor ever, and I feel that he can carry any film he touches. Whether you are a fan of his phone throwing escapades or not, you have to admit that the man is gifted, very gifted. Here he proves that by being just as compelling and engrossing laughing and smiling as he is riding into battle. Albert Finney and Marion Cotillard are also wonderful here, but to me it was little Freddie Highmore (such a talented young man) who outshined most in the cast (can anyone outshine Crowe...I don't believe so).
As I said in the beginning, I don't understand all the bad press. So what if it's no `A Beautiful Mind' or `Gladiator', so what if Russell was not Lucky Jack or James Braddock, `A Good Year' is still a good time and Max Skinner is just as fun as Crowe ever was. I recommend it, I enjoyed it, no better yet, I loved every minute of it.

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Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) is a highly successful investment expert with no time for life outside work. When his estranged uncle dies, Max inherits the vineyard in France where he grew up as a child, and his first intention is to sell the vineyard as qui

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