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Amadeus, a review by Antares

Amadeus





Year: 1984
Film Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures, The Saul Zaentz Company
Genre: Drama, Classic, Music
Length: 180 Min.

Director
Milos Forman (1932)

Writing
Peter Shaffer (1926)...Play
Peter Shaffer (1926)...Screenplay

Producer
Michael Hausman
Bertil Ohlsson
Saul Zaentz (1921)

CinematographerMusic
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756)...Composer
Neville Marriner (1924)...Conductor
Antonio Salieri (1750)...Composer

Stars
F. Murray Abraham (1939) as Antonio Salieri
Tom Hulce (1953) as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Elizabeth Berridge (1962) as Constanze Mozart
Roy Dotrice (1923) as Leopold Mozart
Simon Callow (1949) as Emanuel Schikaneder
Christine Ebersole (1953) as Katerina Cavalieri
Jeffrey Jones (1946) as Emperor Joseph II
Charles Kay (1930) as Count Orsini-Rosenberg

Review
       Most Broadway plays that are adapted for the silver screen tend to not have the same passion or relevance as their stage counterpart, in the case of Amadeus the opposite is true. By allowing the classical compositions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to act as an unseen major character in the screenplay, an atmosphere of aural intensity and fluidity is created that help the viewer to become engulfed in the story of this flawed genius of the musical arts. Though highly fictionalized, the screenplay written by Peter Shafer and directed by Milos Forman delves into the rivalry between Mozart and the court composer of Emperor Joseph II of Austria, Antonio Salieri. It is the jealousy and intrigue of this one character that unfolds the story in a series of flashbacks told to a priest in a sanitarium in Vienna in the early part of the 19th century. Salieri, who is now an elderly man, has attempted suicide by slashing his throat. In his delirium he pronounces himself the assassin who brought about the death of the now famous composer. He recounts for the priest how he first came to know Mozart and how he plotted and schemed to bring about his demise. Through it all we are serenaded with music so beautiful that at the end of the film, we can understand why Salieri felt as if he was , take away one of these performances and the film would lose all resonance.
 
       And finally, another player in the performance should have been rewarded with an Oscar in the category of Best Supporting Actor. Jeffrey Jones turn as the aristocratic, yet aloof Joseph II, is a scene stealing delight. Not only did he look and act the part of royalty, but also his delivery of the line , which he uses repeatedly to convey an array of emotions, is priceless.


Ratings Criterion
- The pinnacle of film perfection and excellence.
- Not quite an immortal film, yet a masterpiece in its own right.
- Historically important film, considered a classic.
- Borderline viewable.
- A gangrenous and festering pustule in the chronicles of celluloid.



(From Amadeus (1984) on March 24th, 2010)

Death Proof, a review by addicted2dvd

Death Proof
'DIRECTOR QUENTIN TARANTINO DELIVERS' an adrenaline shot to the heart with 'Death Proof', a "tribute to balls-out pedal-to-the-metal car chases" (Pete Hammond, 'Maxim'). Featuring exhilarating high-speed action, jaw-dropping stunts, and some of the most quotable lines since 'Pulp Fiction', 'Death Proof' "goes faster, and funnier, than you thought possible...and then it goes further" (Ty Burr, 'Boston Globe'). Kurt Russell stars as a sociopathic stuntman whose taste for stalking sexy young ladies gets him into big trouble when he tangles with the wrong gang of badass babes. Their confrontation escalates into a hair-raising, 18-minute automotive duel with one of the girls strapped to the hood of a thundering Dodge Challenger that "earns a place of honor among the great movie car chases" (Scott Foundas, 'LA Weekly').

My Thoughts:
This is one of the movies a friend of mine gave me because she didn't like it. In this case I see where she is coming from. The style of the movie itself did not impress me. In my personal opinion the movie was pretty much a snore-fest till the ending.The only good parts in this movie was the car chase scenes. And unfortunately there was not enough of them to save the movie.

I was thrilled to see that Rose McGowan was in the movie (though she does not look good as a bleached blond) but her part in the movie was just so small even her appearance was not that much of a help. I do have to admit I did get a kick out of the very ending of it.  Unfortunately it takes more then just a good ending to make a good movie. I almost didn't make it to the end to see it.

(From Weekend Movie Marathon 1/18 - 1/20 on January 20th, 2008)

Angel Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Although the demon killed hundreds of people he seems more focussed on a certain group. Gwen - the electrically charged thief - watches when he kills a guy and pulls somtehing out of him. As it turns out he - the dead - was one of the five "Ta-Ret" and if he gets something from all of them he can shut down the sun, not metaphorically but literally.

My Opinion: Even if Angel has the answer I don't think he is the traitor of the group. I have the suspicion that it is Cordy who is somehow involved. Since her return she seems to be changed and I won't believe that she slept with Connor in a "End of the World" mood.

Synopsis: Wesley brings someone that can remove Angel's soul. Angelus would re-emerge and they hope he can tell them how to defeat the demon. Unfortunately the demon has anticipated this move and tries to kill Angel(us).

My Opinion: I am so grateful for the end of the episode. If he would have lost his soul because he slept with Cordelia, I would have been frustrated. Angel can't be that stupid to make the same mistake twice. The quest for the sword did indeed remind me of "Indiana Jones", a fact that is also mentioned by Angelus in the next episode.

Synopsis: Angel's soul is put into a glas jar and Angelus is back. To get information Angelus is kept in a cell in the basement until he tells them what he knows about this demon. In the meantime he plays with the feelings of his "guards".

My Opinion: Angelus ist still good at this. What muds the water for me is the fact that his crossing with the demon was rather unimportant to him and very short. Which reason would Angel have to surpress that memory? If they (the writers) needed a reason to let Angelus return they should have come up with something better - if Angelus didn't lie or left something important out. And the stolen soul hardens my suspicions about Cordelia.

(From Angel Marathon on February 23rd, 2008)