Drama Movies, Videos, DVDsGuideReviews Index "The Crime of Padre Amaro" DVD Review
DVD Guide Ivana Redwine reviews The Crime of Padre Amaro on DVD. "Road to Perdition" DVD Review
I thought the acting and cinematography were superb in this movie, but the screenplay gave the film a genre feel, and the characters were not fully developed. “8 Mile” DVD Review
It took a while, but 8 Mile eventually drew me in. I liked the way director Curtis Hanson mixed elements of a coming-of-age story with class struggle, and Eminem has the right screen presence. Read a brief dvd review and overview of 8 Mile. "NYPD Blue - Season One" DVD Review
With its fascinating characters, compelling performances, and strong stories, NYPD Blue – Season One on DVD drew me in completely. I think this is one of the best TV police dramas ever made. "The Sopranos Season 3" Four-Disc DVD Set
The HBO television show The Sopranos is the best dramatic TV series I have ever seen, and Season 3 maintains the high standards set during the first two seasons. Read a brief review and overview of the DVDs. "Narc" DVD Review
Narc is a B-movie, but I liked the way it captured the gritty world of narcotics cops. Although fast-paced, the film gave me enough about its characters that I cared what happened to them. Read a DVD review and overview of Narc. "The Hours" DVD Review
I found The Hours to be emotionally and intellectually engaging, and I thought the performances of the 3 leading actresses were terrific. But the film may speak mainly to those who love novels. "About Schmidt" DVD Review
I got some big laughs out of About Schmidt, but it’s not so much a comedy as a bittersweet character study. Nicholson and Bates are great, and I like the movie’s wry look at contemporary American life. Read a DVD review and DVD overview of About Schmidt. "25th Hour" DVD
25th Hour is one of Spike Lee's most emotionally powerful films. It's a flawed masterpiece, but when I see movies like this, it reminds me of cinema's power as an art form. Read a brief DVD overview and review of 25th Hour. "In America" DVD Review
In America is an English-language drama that received three Academy Award nominations: Best Actress (Samantha Morton), Best Supporting Actor (Djimon Hounsou), and Best Original Screenplay. The film was on scores of 2003 Top Ten lists, and after I watched it on DVD recently, I could certainly see why. I found In America to be one of the most emotionally engaging movies I have ever seen. Read a review of this movie on DVD. "21 Grams" DVD Review
“21 Grams is an actor's film, but to my mind, it is more cerebral than character-driven. I'd describe this movie as a mood piece and a sometimes maddening one. Although most of this film is filled with despair and chaos, towards the end there are hints of hope and redemption. But it took me some thought after finishing the movie to understand this. Read a review of 21 Grams on DVD. "Schindler's List" DVD Review
Schindler's List won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Also, it ranks ninth on the American Film Institute's list of 100 greatest movies. I've always been a big admirer of Schindler's List, and when I watched it at home recently on DVD after not having seen any version of it for several years, I came to realize I regard it as a masterpiece of world cinema. "Runaway Jury" DVD Review
Runaway Jury is unabashedly pulpy, but very entertaining. I’d never mistake this movie for a work of art, but it is a work of high craft. And the level of craft helped make this film so enjoyable, including the charismatic performances of Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, and John Cusack. Read a review of Runaway Jury on DVD. "Seabiscuit" DVD Review
Seabiscuit is a moving film that sneaks up on you. Although this is a little embarrassing to admit, I fought back tears more than once while watching it. Read a review of Seabiscuit on DVD "The David Lean Collection" DVD Review
I can't think of another DVD box set that provides so much entertainment that will be enjoyed by almost anyone. Two of the films -- Lawrence of Arabia and The Bridge on the River Kwai -- are great, and the third -- A Passage to India -- is very good indeed. "Whale Rider" DVD Review
This is a terrific feel-good film, but it simplifies complex issues, losing emotional depth in the process. The film's cinematic beauty makes up for a lot, as does Keisha Castle-Hughes' performance. Read a review of Whale Rider on DVD. "Once Upon a Time in America" DVD Review
I was mesmerized by the visual flow and haunting music of Once Upon a Time in America. I think the movie occasionally goes too far over the top, but it packs one whale of an emotional wallop. “The Pianist” DVD Review
The Pianist eschews easy emotional connections and refuses to oversimplify, and I think it is one of the most powerful Holocaust films ever made. Read a brief review and DVD overview of The Pianist. "Frida" DVD Review
While I think Frida is only so-so as a character study or as a drama, I thoroughly enjoyed it as a historical spectacle and as a love story. Read a DVD overview and review of Frida. "Antwone Fisher" DVD Review
Although the treatment of this inspiring story is somewhat formulaic, I found it very emotionally involving. This earnest and heartwarming film brought tears to my eyes. Read a short review and overview of Antwone Fisher on DVD. “Bloody Sunday” DVD Review
I found this docudrama compelling and especially liked its realism and immediacy. Even though it would have made the movie longer, I wanted to see more development of Ivan Cooper's character. Read a DVD review of Bloody Sunday. “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” DVD Review
Entertaining pop music, an affectionate portrait of 13 interesting men, and insight into the 1960s American scene make this one of the very best documentaries I have ever seen. Read a DVD review of Standing in the Shadows of Motown. "Far From Heaven" DVD Review
Far From Heaven combines fine acting, stunning cinematography, good dialogue, and a lush score in one of the most engaging movies I’ve seen recently. Read a DVD review and an DVD overview of Far From Heaven. “Bang the Drum Slowly” DVD Review
DVD Review baseball movie Bang the Drum Slowly friendship between two men and dares to show their sensitive review of Bang the Drum Slowly on DVD baseball drama Bang the Drum Slowly Movie stars Robert De Niro Michael Moriarty and Vincent Gardenia
"White Oleander" DVD Review
I thought the story was flawed because the over-the-top melodrama destroyed its credibility. But the acting combined with the strong sense of place made for a film I think is worth seeing. Read a DVD review and overview of White Oleander. 1 | 2
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