Around the World in 80 DVD's

[Rich]

along dusty Algeria...



Gen. George Patton was one of the most brilliant, eccentric figures of WW2. An outstanding commander, he jeopardised his career by outbursts of uncontrollable temper, culminating in the famous incident in Italy when he slapped a Seventh Army soldier for cowardice. One of the most accomplished film biographies ever made, winning 7 Oscars including Best Film, Actor and Director.

Unnecessarily long but not tediously so, amazing lead performance by Scott, one of the most effective openings, and an interesting biography of Patton's war years. In fact, a great performance as opposed to a great war film, but well worth a 7/10

[Rich]

across rocky Tunisia



During World War II, when a mysterious stranger (Ralph Finnes – ‘Schindler’s List’) is rescued from a fiery plane crash, he is cared for by American allies unaware of the dangerous secrets of his past. Yet, as the mystery of his identity is slowly revealed, an incredible tale of passion, intrigue and adventure unfolds!  Also starring Kristin Scott Thomas (‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’) and Willem Dafoe (‘Clear and Present Danger’).

Epic masterpiece, beautifully shot, my second viewing of this answered questions from the first. Fiennes is solid, sometimes remote, Juiliette Binoche beautiful as always, but Kristin Scott Thomas was always the film's star for me. A pleasure to sit through again. 7/10

[Jon]

AHA! There's one for the overrated thread. The English Patient... did something actually happen in that film?    I'd give it 4/10.

[Rich]

AHA! There's one for the overrated thread. The English Patient... did something actually happen in that film?    I'd give it 4/10.

I'm not going to answer you Jon until you update your php - November!!!   

[Rich]

carefully negotiate Sicily   



Francis Ford Coppola's epic masterpiece features Oscar winner Marlon Brando as the patriarch of the Corleone family. Coppola paints a chilling portrait of a Sicilian family's rise and near fall from power in America, and the passage of rites from father to son. He masterfully balances the story between family life and the ugly business of crime in which they are engaged. Based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel, this graphic and brilliant film garnered the Oscar for Best Picture in 1972

Nothing I can add to this infamous blockbuster, forgotten how many times I've viewed this now, but it remains a 10/10 in my book 

[Rich]

a quick dip into Malta



The big bird is the stuff dreams are made of … according to gumshoe Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart). When his partner gets snuffed, Spade starts digging around for the murderer. But when the trail leads to Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Mary Astor, a sinister troika intent on nabbing the titular solid-gold bird, Spade must make some tough decisions.

From the great novel and directed by John Huston, known as the original Hollywood film noir, and the breakthrough for Bogie as a romantic lead instead of just a mobster heavy. A flawless classic, a film I respect more than totally enjoyed. Transfer quality disappointing. 6/10

[Rich]

struggle through hungary...



Evita is the riveting true-life story of Eva Peron, who rose above childhood poverty and a scandalous past to achieve unimaginable fortune and fame. Despite widespread controversy her passion changed a nation forever!

Yawwnnnnn. musical on film. Saw the stage version and it was excellent. On a dvd it loses everything 3/10

[DJ Doena]

I thought Eva Perón was from Argentina, how is this connected to Hungary?

[Rich]

I thought Eva Perón was from Argentina, how is this connected to Hungary?

I was feeling really hungary when i watched it   




 





On a serious note, the true flimsy link is that a lot of the film was shot in Budapest, standing in for Buenos Aires 

[Rich]

Musical voyage through the Czech Republic...



Amadeus triumphs as gripping human drama, sumptuous period epic, glorious celebration of the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - and as the winner of eight 1984 Academy Awards, including Best Picture (produced by Saul Zaentz). Actor (F. Murray Abraham), Director (Milos Forman) and Adapted Screenplay (Peter Shaffer). It's 1781 and Antonio Salieri (Abraham) is the competent court composer to Emperor Joseph II. When Mozart (Oscar nominee Tom Hulce) arrives at court, Salieri is horrified to discover that the God-like musical gifts he desires for himself have been bestowed on a bawdy, impish jokester. Mad with envy, he plots to destroy Mozart and by any means, even murder

While the story is amazing (and many parts are supposedly true), this is a must own film purely on the superb performance of Tom Hulce as Mozart. Whatever happened to him after this? Get past the American accents and the movie is a joy to watch, probably the best music epic I have seen. Highly recommend it 8/10

[Rich]

in and out of Poland...



In the course of his travels, Vlado meets Sharkey (Bob Hoskins) a rough-hewn Englishman who claims to be a caseworker for UNICEF. Actually, Sharkey is rounding up children for a black market adoption ring in Poland. Sharkey persuades Vlado to join him, assuming the boy would fetch a fair price and Vlado, unaware of Sharkey's true intentions, says yes. Sharkey and Vlado soon become unlikely friends but Sharkey soon learns getting Vlado out of the country may not be so simple

  I could write several pages to describe how awful this film is and why you should not part with any money to purchase it. I gave it one point purely on the scenery, and the child actors performance. This is a poor attempt at trying to cover too many subjects - Bosnia,War,Kidnapping, Relations etc etc., and doing them all badly. Avoid it 1/10 

[Rich]

Confusing trek through the Ukraine...



A young Jewish American flies to the Ukraine in search of his grandfather's past. He has a photograph and the name of a village. He hires the Odessa Heritage Tours, made up of a gruff old man and his English-speaking grandson. The three, plus grandfather's deranged dog, travel in an old car from Odessa into Ukraine's heart. Jonathan, the American, is a collector, putting things he finds into small plastic bags, so he will remember. Alex, the interpreter, is an archetypal wild and crazy guy. Alex asks the old man, "Was there anti-Semitism in the Ukraine before the war?" Will they find the village? The past illuminates everything

Odd film this, well acted, some highs and lows, but overall I didn't think it gelled well together. A quirky film which at times exploits the holocaust, it isn't my favourite style but I could understand how someone else could really enjoy this. 4/10

[Rich]

Along Romania for third film of the day...



Directed by Anthony Minghella (THE ENGLISH PATIENT), this Civil War saga addresses romance, friendship, and the ravages of war--both in the field and on the home front. Far more than a simple love story, Minghella's film captures the horrors of war for both those fighting it, and for those left behind. Based on the Charles Frazier novel, this is a tale of hope, longing, redemption, second chances, and faith. Ada Monroe (Nicole Kidman) is a proper lady who accompanies her preacher father (Donald Sutherland) to Cold Mountain, North Carolina. She waits for her love, W.P. Inman (Jude Law)--a sensitive man with little use for many words--to return from war. In the process she learns basic survival skills and finds strength from no-nonsense Ruby (Renée Zellweger), a spitfire who can work the land as well as any man. Meanwhile, wounded Inman has had enough of war and killing, and is slowly working his way back to Ada despite the perils of being a Confederate deserter.

I had read the book, and IMO this is one of the rare occasions when the film actually matches or surpasses the original authors efforts. Atmospheric, beautifully filmed & combining a war film with a love story, with other elements thrown in. All the actors do a very convincing job, (ignoring the accents), and a solid film if overly long. Recommend watching if not seen before 8/10

[Kathy]

I had read the book, and IMO this is one of the rare occasions when the film actually matches or surpasses the original authors efforts.

I enjoy film but books hold a special place in my heart. Since I so enjoy reading everyone's thoughts, I wish that there were more book > DVD commentary.

[DJ Doena]

I enjoy film but books hold a special place in my heart. Since I so enjoy reading everyone's thoughts, I wish that there were more book > DVD commentary.

As you wish, mylady.