GuideReviews Index - page 2
"The Barbarian Invasions" DVD
"The Barbarian Invasions" won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. When I watched this emotionally engaging movie on DVD, it made me both laugh and cry. The narrative is driven by the melancholy fact that a man is dying, but the film is far too cheerful and vibrant for that to be its dominant mood. In the end, I found this to be one of most life-affirming movies I've seen. If I were forced to characterize the film in a single word, I would say it is bittersweet.
"Monsieur Ibrahim" DVD
I see "Monsieur Ibrahim" as a parable about looking beyond the differences in ethnicity, religion, and culture that divide us and seeking the common humanity we all share. But rarely has a movie delivered that message in such an eloquent way, and I attribute that to writer-director François Dupeyron and his two lead actors, Pierre Boulanger and Omar Sharif. I highly recommend this moving and beautifully made film.
"Blazing Saddles" DVD
Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles ranks sixth on the AFI's list of 100 top comedies, and it's certainly one of the most hilarious movies I've ever seen. It's been released previously on DVD, but the 30th Anniversary Special Edition is the best version yet available for home enjoyment of this zany film. The DVD comes with a number of bonus materials, and if you like Mel Brooks' brand of humor, I think it is well worth buying.
"The Leopard" DVD
I think the Italian-language version of The Leopard is one of the greatest and most lushly beautiful movies ever made, and I am thrilled to own the Criterion Collection three-disc DVD set containing it. The DVD set boasts an outstanding scholarly audio commentary, and the disc of supplementary materials enhanced my enjoyment and understanding of the movie. I believe this DVD set is one that every cinephile will want to own.
"Mystic River" DVD
Mystic River is one of the finest films of recent years, skillfully combining story, location shooting, and performances to create a movie at the level of the best of the dramas aimed at adults. The The three-disc DVD set's bonus materials enhanced my enjoyment of the movie, but there are also two single-disc versions, one widescreen, the other full screen, that contain only the movie. Read a review of Mystic River on DVD.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" DVD
A review of the movie The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King on DVD.
1 | 2