DVD Collectors Online

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, a review by Achim

Title: Nuovo Cinema Paradiso
Year: 1989
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Rating: NR
Length: 168 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1
Audio: Italian: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: Chinese, English

Stars:
Antonella Attili
Enzo Cannavale
Isa Danieli
Leo Gullotta
Marco Leonardi

Plot:
The story begins in the present as a Sicilian mother pines for her estranged son, who left many years ago and has since become a prominent Roman film director who has taken the advice of his mentor too literally. He finally returns to his home village to attend the funeral of the town's former film projectionist and, in so doing, embarks upon a journey into his boyhood just after WW II when he became the unofficial son of the town projectionist. In th dark confines of the Cinema Paradiso, the boy and the other townsfolk try to escape from the grim realities of post-war Italy. The town censor is also there to insure nothing untoward appears onscreen, invariably demanding that all kissing scenes be edited out. One day, Salvatore saves the projectionist's life agter a fire, and then befriends the new projectionist. A few years later, Salvatore falls in love with a beautiful girl who breaks his heart after he is inducted into the military. Thirty years later, Salvatore has come to say good-bye to his life-long friend, who has left him a little gift in a film can.

Extras:
Scene Access

The first hour was wonderful, as the lovely tribute to cinema unfolded with the little boy Toto being captivated by the moving pictures and as he befriends Alfredo the projectionist. Unfortunately, about 1 hour into the movie, Toto grows up into a teenager/young man and fall in love, which is where this film to a nose dive for me. He blindly runs after the girl who repeatedly rejects him Even worse is the third hour, when the middle-aged Toto returns to his hometown after 30 years to attend Alfredo's funeral (no spoiler, this is revealed during the opening minutes of the film). Nothing really happened anymore, other than Toto trying to find his lost love whom he could never forget. The film eventually ends on a lovely note, but that does not save it anymore for me.

Acting is fine, especially from Philippe Noiret (who appeared to have been dubbed) and the boy who plays Toto. Also several of the quirky side character were wonderfully portrayed.

I understand the disc I own is the Director's Cut, which at 168min is 13min longer than the original Italian Cut and even 44min longer than the International version. According to IMDb a good part of the 3rd hour is missing from the International Version.
I might want to find out that shorter version at some point, I might like it substantially more.


(first hour alone: )

(From Achim's entirely random reviews on July 17th, 2010)

Angela's Ashes, a review by KinkyCyborg

Title:Angela's Ashes
Year: 1999
Director: Alan Parker
Rating: R
Length: 145 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.77:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Emily Watson
Robert Carlyle
Joe Breen
Ciaran Owens
Michael Legge

Plot:
ANGELA'S ASHES, the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, comes to life in this stirring film from acclaimed director Alan Parker (Evita), starring Academy Award-nominee Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves) and Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty).

Life in impoverished Depression-era Ireland holds little promise for young Frank McCourt, the oldest son in a tightly-knit family. Living by his wits, cheered by his irrepressible spirit, and sustained by his mother's fierce love, Frank embarks on an inspiring journey to overcome the poverty of his childhood and reach the land of his dreams: America.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
Production Notes


True story about the extreme poverty and desolation of Ireland in the days of the famine and deadly tuberculosis as seen through the eyes of a young boy.

As powerful a survival story as you will ever see, the story is told from the memoirs of the man who was that young boy, Frank McCourt who wrote the book of the same name. Watching his siblings, friends and even his first love all die of the consumption (tuberculosis), while his drunken father pisses away what little money they are fortunate enough to come by as his family flirts with starvation... you begin to marvel at the fortitude of this young man.

Excellent performances by Robert Carlyle and Emily Watson as the parents who are trying to keep it together. It was not hard to see why so many Irish dreamed of coming to America which the young McCourt worked and earned for himself at the age of 16.

Excellent ambiance and atmosphere in the portrayal of the squalor of the Irish ghettos. I was captivated by the intense storytelling despite the lengthy duration of the film (2 1/2 hours).

Highly recommended! Would like to read the book as well.

KC

Rating:

(From KinkyCyborg's Random Reviews 2010 on September 27th, 2010)

Valentine's Day Episode Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Season 3 Episode 16: Sabrina, The Matchmaker
Ordered by Cupid to help two people fall in love, Sabrina gets her cousin and the plumber together. But then her cousin's bratty daughters ruin it.

My Thoughts:
This one I liked more then the previous season's episode. I found it to be a fun episode... enjoyed the kids in the family of witches that came to visit.

My Rating:

(From Valentine's Day Episode Marathon on February 13th, 2010)