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Reviews
Rosso (1985)
A Sicilian assassin travels to Finland in search of his lost love.
Rosso is the story of a Sicilian assassin named Rosso who is paid a million Lira to kill a person in Finland. Upon arriving in the far away country, this Italian assassin finds out it is his lost love, a woman named Maria.
Rosso spends the movie, which could have been cut even from its 75 minutes, searching for Maria throughout the desolate country of Finland, running into all kinds trouble and mischief such as robbing a store, and eventually robbing a bank, during which he is shot. It is only moments before his death that Rosso winds up in a restaurant named Rosso and meets up with his lost love. He can only get out the words "Ciao Bambino" before dying.
Rosso is a melodramatic and corny movie which leaves much to be desired. There are a few movie-making scenes such as a scene in which Rosso scratches his back and his cigarette falls into his shirt. but it's not enough, and with only one plotline the movie falls short.
The direction has the Kaurismaki signature and if you are a Mika Kaurismaki fan, you may enjoy it. For the rest of you, thank heavens its only 70+ minutes long.
cheers, Timo
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Here's a few thoughts from someone who hasn't read the book.
Despite its drawbacks, the Fellowship of the Ring is a very good movie, because it excels in almost all areas. The cinematography, costume design, acting and direction are all well executed, especially the sometimes dizzying camera runs and Jackson's perfect bits of horror, which he knows so well from his earlier days (Bad Taste, 1987and Brain Dead, 1992). It will come as no surprise to see the costume designer(s) grab an Oscar for their work. Peter Jackson has remained extremely loyal to the book and in doing so has received praise from Tolkien fans, but I dare say that he may have remained too loyal, and in doing so sacrificed some of the effectiveness of the movie.
If you're a fan of Lord of the Rings or sword and sorcery, you must have seen this movie and if you haven't, do so immediately. However, for those not so inclined to fantasy and bloodshed, save your money and rent it later.