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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)

The Simpsons Movie, a review by addicted2dvd

The Simpsons Movie
Homer accidentally causes an environmental catastrophe which could doom Springfield forever. Homer now must save the city and rescue his family. Springfield's usual characters and new favorites all turn up in the first ever movie length version of the hit TV show, 18 years in the making.

My Thoughts:
Another one I watched on On-Demand. It was pretty fun... and I can see myself watching it again at some point. But not one I will be in too big of a hurry to add to my collection. I probably would if I found the movie cheap enough.



(From Weekend Mini-Marathon: 12/13 - 12/14 on December 14th, 2008)

TV Time-Travel Marathon, a review by Tom

Time-Travel/Alternate Reality
Red Dwarf
Tikka to Ride

A fine example of why Red Dwarf was a great series.

By traveling to the past, the Red Dwarf crew accidentally prevent the assassination of JFK. This results in a major crisis for the future of the US, as JFK's affairs became public knowledge during his presidency and was impeached. Edgar J. Hoover became president, but was controlled by the Mafia because they had pictures of him cross-dressing.
Now the Red Dwarf crew has to put things right and we learn, who the second gunman was:


(From TV Time-Travel Marathon on January 12th, 2008)