Just saw this movie for the first time, thanks to a coworker who lent me the movie to view. I think its one of the most powerful and moving films I've seen in a long time. Yeah, its a bit coarse in the language ... perhaps even shocking ... but entirely realistic. I've had enough experience with Italian sub-culture to know that this portrayal is spot on. DeNiro is outstanding (as usual) ... I couldn't believe how young he appeared in this movie. Joe Pesci has a cameo role, but he carries it off well ... I'd only ever seen him in the Home Alone series of films. I have to wonder if this movie ever made it into theaters? It seems too controversial to have done so, but I don't know. Perhaps it was just released to home video and/or made for TV. At any rate, I highly recommend this film for PG-17 and Mature audiences ... lots to learn here.
Reviews
7 Reviews
The Blue and the Gray
(1982)
Dramatic romp through the Civil War years
13 January 2008
As others have mentioned, this is a series of recollections of events which may (or may not) have occurred during the American Civil War. It is related from the point of view of a 'neutral' war correspondent, who's talent is for drawing sketches of what he has seen on various battle fields, from Bull Run to Appomattox Ct. House. There is considerable 'time jumping' from one period of the war, to another, which inhibits continuity to some extent. For me the best part of the mini-series was watching Gregory Peck (as Abraham Lincoln) deliver the Gettysburg address. However, we are thrown into that scene without adequate preamble, so even this is diminished from what it could have been.
I am quite an avid amateur Civil War historian, having read many books and watched many TV series (including the excellent PBS series by Ken Burns, and the complete 3 volume set of books on the Civil War by historian Shelby Foote) on the subject. If you are looking for historical accuracy you will be disappointed. If you, on the other hand, are simply looking for a decent dramatization (ala "Gone With the Wind), you will enjoy this series.
The acting by the cast was, in general, C+, with the exception of a few of the notables (Gregory Peck, for one). As my summary states, this is a dramatic romp, so if you keep that in mind and set your sites correspondingly on the low side, you will not be disappointed.
I am quite an avid amateur Civil War historian, having read many books and watched many TV series (including the excellent PBS series by Ken Burns, and the complete 3 volume set of books on the Civil War by historian Shelby Foote) on the subject. If you are looking for historical accuracy you will be disappointed. If you, on the other hand, are simply looking for a decent dramatization (ala "Gone With the Wind), you will enjoy this series.
The acting by the cast was, in general, C+, with the exception of a few of the notables (Gregory Peck, for one). As my summary states, this is a dramatic romp, so if you keep that in mind and set your sites correspondingly on the low side, you will not be disappointed.
"Cliff Notes" version of PoA still pretty good!
6 June 2004
How do you fit a 560+ page book into a 2 hr. 20 minute movie? Well, the answer is, you don't. Kloves and Cuaron hacked and slashed the original story down to a barely passable minimum, which will no doubt be somewhat confusing to those who've not read the book. However, the original Prisoner of Azkaban story by author J.K. Rowling is so brilliant that even Kloves and Cuaron couldn't deal it a death blow.
Things I liked:
They actually did use some of the dialog from the book, word for word. Some of the scenes were exactly as depicted in the book. Performances by most of the supporting adult cast were absolutely 1st rate, especially Thewlis' "Lupin", followed closely by Gary Oldman's "Sirius Black". Maggie Smith is *always* great as McGonnagal. The CGI "Buckbeak" was entirely believable and 1st rate. William's soundtrack (scoring) was, as usual, very, very good.
Things I didn't like:
Harry's "Titanic" moment while riding Buckbeak. Cuaron's infatuation with Watson/Hermione, giving her all of Rupert's/Ron's best lines ... and inventing scenes and lines, just to be able to use her even more. Cuaron's pushing the "sexual awakening" aspect of supposed 13 year olds with scenes/comments, which doesn't happen until the 4th book, GoF. Cuaron's "Blair Witch Project" cinematography, which made the movie look like it was shot in 8mm film for an independent film fest. Cuaron's "fades and transitions", which were distracting, and had an amateurish feel to them. Anyone with a home computer and decent DVD Authoring software could have done better, with a bit of practice. Skipping important scenes, which would've given necessary information about character background, to flesh out the story, making it more poignant.
Unlike all the so-called liberal Hollywood types who think Cuaron is brilliant, and that this movie is somehow far superior to the 1st two HP movies, I think that they 1st two movies were brilliant, and that this one is decent enough, given the hacked, choppy feel of it, brought about by Cuaron.
As I said, its still good enough, and well worth seeing. It could've been MUCH better, with a better director and better, more fulfilling script. I intend to see it again, just to pick up on nuances I may have missed the 1st time around .. and to experience "the magic" of viewing the film with a theater full of Potter Fans.
Seven out of ten ... definitely a cut above the ordinary, and, IMHO, better than all 3 LoTRs movies combined (but that's just me).
Things I liked:
They actually did use some of the dialog from the book, word for word. Some of the scenes were exactly as depicted in the book. Performances by most of the supporting adult cast were absolutely 1st rate, especially Thewlis' "Lupin", followed closely by Gary Oldman's "Sirius Black". Maggie Smith is *always* great as McGonnagal. The CGI "Buckbeak" was entirely believable and 1st rate. William's soundtrack (scoring) was, as usual, very, very good.
Things I didn't like:
Harry's "Titanic" moment while riding Buckbeak. Cuaron's infatuation with Watson/Hermione, giving her all of Rupert's/Ron's best lines ... and inventing scenes and lines, just to be able to use her even more. Cuaron's pushing the "sexual awakening" aspect of supposed 13 year olds with scenes/comments, which doesn't happen until the 4th book, GoF. Cuaron's "Blair Witch Project" cinematography, which made the movie look like it was shot in 8mm film for an independent film fest. Cuaron's "fades and transitions", which were distracting, and had an amateurish feel to them. Anyone with a home computer and decent DVD Authoring software could have done better, with a bit of practice. Skipping important scenes, which would've given necessary information about character background, to flesh out the story, making it more poignant.
Unlike all the so-called liberal Hollywood types who think Cuaron is brilliant, and that this movie is somehow far superior to the 1st two HP movies, I think that they 1st two movies were brilliant, and that this one is decent enough, given the hacked, choppy feel of it, brought about by Cuaron.
As I said, its still good enough, and well worth seeing. It could've been MUCH better, with a better director and better, more fulfilling script. I intend to see it again, just to pick up on nuances I may have missed the 1st time around .. and to experience "the magic" of viewing the film with a theater full of Potter Fans.
Seven out of ten ... definitely a cut above the ordinary, and, IMHO, better than all 3 LoTRs movies combined (but that's just me).
Excellent follow-up to the 1st movie in the series
19 November 2002
I really enjoyed the Chamber of Secrets movie. Its an excellent sequel! The 2 new faces that really stood out for me were Jason Isaacs (Mr. Lucius Malfoy), and Kenneth Branaugh (Prof. Lockhart). Isaacs just radiates EVIL in his portrayal, and I don't think anyone could have played the pompous, egotistical Lockhart any better than Branaugh. The 3 kids were all much better in their roles. I particularly enjoyed the many facial expressions of Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), who seems to have that skill down pat!
Now that I've seen it once, I will probably go back and see it again a couple times, as I did the 1st HP movie. There's just so much you pick up on the 2nd or 3rd time.
If I had to list any "gripes", it would be for a few things that transgressed the novel, but, I guess you have to give in to a few of these things when material goes to the big screen ... artistic impression and all that. Of course, loads of scenes weren't even in the movie, but they are all in my head, since I've read the novel many times, as well as all the HP books.
A very enjoyable experience. Though the movie is 2:41 long, it barely felt like an hour and a half. Well, I hear that the DVD will have an additional 18 minutes on it, so that will be just fine with me! Sigh, now we'll have to wait 1 1/2 years for the 3rd movie!
Now that I've seen it once, I will probably go back and see it again a couple times, as I did the 1st HP movie. There's just so much you pick up on the 2nd or 3rd time.
If I had to list any "gripes", it would be for a few things that transgressed the novel, but, I guess you have to give in to a few of these things when material goes to the big screen ... artistic impression and all that. Of course, loads of scenes weren't even in the movie, but they are all in my head, since I've read the novel many times, as well as all the HP books.
A very enjoyable experience. Though the movie is 2:41 long, it barely felt like an hour and a half. Well, I hear that the DVD will have an additional 18 minutes on it, so that will be just fine with me! Sigh, now we'll have to wait 1 1/2 years for the 3rd movie!
A Christmas Story
(1983)
Probably the best Christmas Movie ever - Really!
29 December 1998
I first saw this movie when it originally played in the movie theaters, and laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee myself! Ever since that time, I've watched it every year. I now appreciate some of the more subtle, poignant parts of the movie, and go from laughing out loud, to having a few sentimental tears come to my eyes. To view this movie is to see Christmas through the eyes of a child. This year (1998) I watched the movie 5 or 6 times, and enjoyed it every time.
ps .. I've been told by several family members that I was a "dead ringer" for Ralphie when I was his age!
ps .. I've been told by several family members that I was a "dead ringer" for Ralphie when I was his age!
"... Still brings a tear to my eye"
29 December 1998
One of the "best of the best" of the Star Trek Movies .. all nine of them. Spock's death scene can (and does) still bring tears to my eyes, even though I've seen this movie over 10 times. The scene was just beautifully acted... even Shatner did a great job in it. Leonard Nimoy will recall that this was one of the most difficult and emotional scenes he's ever had to play. He was all set to finish making Star Trek films, but after this scene/movie, he found a way to "come back" and continue his role as everyone's favorite Vulcan.
Star Trek: Insurrection
(1998)
Maybe the best Star Trek Movie yet.
19 December 1998
I found the new movie VERY GOOD. It has action, adventure, romance, comedy... all the elements of a great movie. It will make you sit on the edge of your seat; laugh; and if you are an emotional "softy" like me, probably cry. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous, and the SFX are very well done. Jonathan Frakes does another fine job in directing AND acting in the latest ST offering. Patrick Stewart leads the rest of the entire TNG cast in a well written, well acted movie. This movie can be enjoyed by the whole family, without worry of excess violence or gratuitous coarse language.
Perhaps my best endorsement would be to say that I would be willing to pay to see this movie again. You see, I rarely go to movies to begin with .. and to see a movie a SECOND time at a theater is almost unheard of for me.
"BOLDLY GO" ... and ENJOY!
Bill
Perhaps my best endorsement would be to say that I would be willing to pay to see this movie again. You see, I rarely go to movies to begin with .. and to see a movie a SECOND time at a theater is almost unheard of for me.
"BOLDLY GO" ... and ENJOY!
Bill
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