The Godfather (DVD) Review
Winner of three Oscars including Best Picture, The Godfather was nominated for the next eight Oscars. The brainchild of celebrated author Mario Puzo, the film is considered the crowning achievement of Francis Ford Coppola's directing career. With intriguing depth, it offers audiences with a glimpse in to the notorious underworld of warring New York crime families. As a result, The Godfather transformed a number of relatively unknown actors into Hollywood legends, among them being James Caan, Al Pacino, and Robert Duvall (all three of whom were nominated for Best Supporting Actor). In addition, Marlon Brando turns in, arguably, the most memorable performance of his career. Certainly one of the top 5 films of all time, an excellent case might be made that The Godfather is the most perfect movie ever produced...
The film opens as "Don" Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) hosts his daughter's wedding, where he actively entertains his friends and work associates. Vito's favorite son Michael (Al Pacino) originates home in the war (World War II), and he's determined to do something different together with his life, and his ambitious plans don't include joining the household business. An idealist in mind, the young Michael seduces his girlfriend Kay (Diane Keaton) with inspiring tales from the fine and upstanding things he will do with his life. With the eyes of Michael, the crowd learns from the family's various business methods and the hierarchy of their system. Vito's eldest son Sonny (James Caan) is the heir apparent to his father's empire. Middle son Fredo (John Cazale) performs his part in the business, but few consider him a potential successor. Providing legal council to the family is Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), a long-time friend of the family who Michael treats like a brother.
Life is great for the Corleone family before the day Vito is approached by an opportunistic newcomer named Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo (Al Lettieri), an ambitious leader who aspires to become the main distributor of illegal narcotics in New York. He asks for the Don's blessing so he can expand his operations. But Vito sees an impact between the traditional mafia activities of gambling and prostitution and the less-than-noble profession of promoting drugs in schoolyards and family neighborhoods. The Don's preference for placing family most of all results in a direct conflict using the changing landscape of his business world.
When competing crime people are more accommodating to Sollozzo's business proposal, the enterprise sparks a deadly conflict between the crime families which quickly escalates into all-out war. Despite Vito's tries to stop the conflict continuing, his beloved firstborn, Sonny, becomes the target of gangland assassination. When an effort is made on Vito's life, Michael is drawn in to the family business despite his reservations, and the overriding theme of "family first" involves dominant his life in much the same way it's dominated that of his father...
The sport (DVD) Review
Among Michael Douglas's least appreciated films, The sport is definitely an intriguing movie dripping with suspense. With a heightened intensity few films can rival, The Game quickly moves in one surprising scene to another, always catching its audience off guard and creating a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat atmosphere. Should you haven't seen The Game, you've got no idea what you have been missing...
The Game follows the life of Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas), an incredibly wealthy San Francisco banker, residing in an opulent estate just outside the city. But Nicholas is not a happy man. He generally spends his time alone, the exception being when he spends time together with his clients brokering lucrative business deals. Nicholas even spends his birthday alone, and on his forty-eighth birthday, he's forced to reflect on the truth that his father committed suicide at the same age.
However this year, Nicholas's birthday takes surprise twist when his estranged younger brother Conrad (Sean Penn) arrives unannounced in the Van Orton estate. A former drug abuser involved with all sorts of nefarious schemes previously, Nicholas remains skeptical of the true motives behind his brother's return. However, Conrad soon manages to convince Nicholas that his only reason behind returning would be to provide his lonely, boring brother with a personal gift he'll always remember. So what exactly is the gift?
It is a very costly entertainment package supplied by a strong called Consumer Recreation Services (CRS). Curious in regards to what kind of entertainment they offer, Nicholas visits CRS where he undergoes a series of mental, physical, and psychological tests to ensure he can handle what they offer. In exchange, CRS agrees a customized adventure a person can have for Nicholas, just like they are doing for famous and wealthy executives all over the globe...
But following this initial testing phase, a series of strange occurrences occur and each is then numerous seemingly horrendous events. As a result, Nicholas must utilize his intellect and his instincts in order to survive. Fearing the events are a part of a misguiding spontaneity for the workers at CRS, Nicholas gets to their business building prepared to cancel the entertainment package. But to his dismay, the office space is vacant and the landlord has never even heard about CRS. Even worse, Nicholas discovers that every financial account he owns continues to be wiped neat and that a criminal organization continues to be pulling similar heists on wealthy industrialists all over the world. Uncertain of his future, Nicholas sets out to discover the truth, and in doing so, he discovers the reality regarding himself...
March Of The Penguins (DVD) Review
One of the more surprising films of 2005, and perhaps the most intriguing, was March Of The Penguins, a full-length feature film documentary cut in the same mold like a PBS National Geographic special. Directed by Luc Jacquet, the film had its origins in France, however the narrative theme is neither French, nor English, or that matter, reflective of any nation's cultural influence. Instead, March Of The Penguins is really a truly rare cinematic masterpiece that transcends borders, language, and culture. Its brilliant portrayal from the Emperor penguin in the natural habitat offers universal attract audiences everywhere by reinforcing the themes of love, companionship, life, and the find it difficult to overcome the hardships of the oftentimes cruel and unforgiving world.
The US version of March Of The Penguins is narrated by Morgan Freeman, an outstanding option for the role as his precise, yet folksy, voice serves to underscore the magnitude and the magic from the annual journey endured by these fascinating animals. The visuals of the film are powerful themselves, however i doubt the movie would've enjoyed the huge commercial success it did with no strength of Freeman's performance. In the opening scenes, Freeman introduces us towards the Emperor penguin and it is icy homeland of Antarctica. As winter approaches, penguins from all within the continent make an instinctive annual voyage across rugged and inhospitable terrain in search of the traditional Emperor penguin mating ground.
On the way, audiences learn every particular detail of the arduous task that awaits the Emperor penguins. With thousands gathered together, each must find a mate. Once the relationship continues to be consummated, a single egg is the product of the pairing. But the egg is fragile, susceptible to easy fracture and also the hazardous conditions of extremely low temperatures. As such, a mans penguin must protect the egg as the female returns to the ocean in search of food for herself and her yet to be born offspring. In the interim, high winds, driving snow, and freezing elements pound away in the swarm of male penguins because they desperately protect their respective eggs. Amazingly, the herd instinctively protects itself in the relentless cold by rotating those found on the outside into the middle and the other way around, so that the burden of the cold weather is shared equally by all.
Once winter subsides and the females return, the newly hatched baby penguins face the additional threat of predators. The males must make their very own journey to the ocean, and the budding toddler penguins should be initiated in to the ways of their world, all so the process may take full-circle and begin all over again the coming year...
One of the highest grossing theatrical documentaries ever released, March Of The Penguins is definitely an utterly fascinating film. In contrast to the usual mind-numbing action-packed blockbusters made by Hollywood (and demanded by people within the viewing public), March Of The Penguins is both educational and entertaining. You will find yourself perched on the fringe of your seat in anticipation as these rugged creatures engage with the harshest aspects of nature. You'll root for the heroes and boo the villains, but regardless of the lack of a contrived Hollywood plot, you will find yourself truly intrigued with this charming film - the story of struggle, the storyline of triumph, the storyline of life... March of the Penguins.
Gladiator (DVD) Review
Winner of five Academy Awards including Best Picture, and nominated for an additional seven, Gladiator is among the best produced and directed films of its time. Reminiscent of Mel Gibson's Braveheart, it creates a world so seemingly realistic, you are drawn backward over time towards the glory times of Rome. The musical score, colorful costumes, and intricate sets combine to create the illusion that one is really witnessing the trials and travails of human existence in early millennial Rome.
The film opens with a sobering display of ancient warfare's equivalent of "shock and awe" as the Roman legions advance on a band of rebels resisting the empire from the outskirts of Gaul. From the moment the legion commanders signal attack, the fury of hell is unleashed as flaming arrows and iron bars batter a unified front of rebel fighters. The scene is more comparable to Desert Storm than an ancient battlefield, also it visually illustrates the overwhelming power once embodied in the Roman legions.
The central figure of the film and leader of the opening battle is Maximus (Russell Crowe), a Roman general adored by his men and admired through the empire for his impeccable character. While visiting the battlefield, the maturing Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) reveals to Maximus his secret intend to appoint the overall caretaker of Rome upon his death, using the understanding he will restore the Senate and eliminate the dictatorial rule of the Caesars. But unbeknownst to both men, the emperor's overly ambitious son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) learns from the plan. He murders his father and demands the allegiance of Maximus. Once the general refuses, the new emperor calls for his execution, trying to eliminate all who stand it his way. However the plan goes awry when Maximus escapes, setting the stage for the central conflict from the film as Maximus the gladiator grows in legend and Maximus the slave challenges the authority of the Roman emperor...
Crowe is cast well within the roll of the classic hero, but it's the supporting cast which puts Gladiator in another dimension of cinematic excellence. Joaquin Phoenix dominates the screen with his impassioned portrayal of the darkly ambitious Commodus, providing film lovers by having an early peek at his now apparent acting genius. Richard Harris is his usual charismatic onscreen presence, while Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, and Derek Jacobi lend excellent complimentary support to the role of Maximus as their characters unveil the driving life force and internal motivations of the larger than life Roman hero. As a result, the effectiveness of the cast creates a synergy reflected in the overall quality of the memorable film.
It’s A Wonderful Life (DVD) Review
The quintessential Christmas classic, It's A Wonderful Life has dominated the holiday TV landscape with its timeless story of affection, friendship, and a kind man's exceedingly relevant life. Filmed in 1947, this Frank Capra masterpiece debuted in theaters to what could best certainly be a lukewarm reception. Yet it quickly rose in stature following repeated annual television airings in the 1960s, a Christmas tradition that continues to this day. Focused on the life of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), a likeable, ambitious resident of Bedford Falls who harbors hopes for grandeur, the film sets out to portray a viewpoint of the world in which the divine's ultimate plan might be far different from our own. Yet the consequence of that plan's much better than we're able to ever imagine...
Because the film begins, we obtain a glimpse in to the life and times of a George Bailey, an upstanding and studious fellow who manages to avert two potential disasters by the age of ten. Underneath the employ of neighborhood druggist Mr. Gower, Bailey prevents the delivery of a poison prescription, and while enjoying the boyhood wonders of the local ice pond, he rescues his younger brother from certain death by pulling him from a patch of broken ice.
From all of these early years, the storyline jumps many years in to the future, where a grown up and infectiously optimistic George harbors wild dreams of world travel, exploration, and also the construction of huge buildings. But inevitably, he stays in Bedford Falls to be able to keep on the household business, the little yet popular Bailey Savings & Loan (the only real lender in Bedford Falls not of the unmerciful tycoon Mr. Potter). As the years pass, Bailey must deal with their own family problems, his unfulfilled dreams, and the burdens from the Great Depression. Along the way, he's tempted with offers of vast wealth and travel opportunities through the conniving Potter, but he always turns him down, opting to work for the benefit of the city instead.
However, if an apparently innocent snafu threatens to lower your Bailey Savings & Loan, George ponders the unthinkable. He questions his very existence and the value of his life. Disillusioned by feelings of failure along with a pessimistic outlook for future years, he does not begin to see the true value of his life. Ultimately, only divine intervention and the warm hearts of the people of Bedford Falls can modify George's outlook and force to him to recognize the extraordinary life he's lived...
The innate power of It is a Wonderful Life comes from the strength of numerous performances, most notably those of Jimmy Stewart. Much like Tom Hanks today, Stewart played the role from the everyman during his long tenure in Hollywood. He may have lacked the sex appeal of Clark Gabel or even the cowboy virility of John Wayne, but he fit perfectly in the mold of best friend and loveable guy. In a feel-good, fairy tale film such as this one, Stewart is cast perfectly, and he's well complemented with a host of others... Cure could play the role of the grumpy miser much better than Lionel Barrymore? Overall, it's a recipe for silver screen excellence.
It is a Wonderful Life illuminates a nearly magical setting with its idyllic portrayal of Depression-era, small-town America. Each character (with the exception of Mr. Potter), harkens back to a simpler time when public attitudes toward morality prevailed, where neighbors knew one another by name, and where communities helped one another out. Further strengthening the allure of the film, George Bailey and the friends are likeable characters who develop a strong rapport using the audience, forcing the viewer to actively root for that desired outcome. It's this personal reference to the crowd (and an audience capability to relate to the overriding themes) which is the key to the enduring success of this film. Having spent over five decades as America's most popular Christmas movie, It's A Wonderful Life deserves mention among the ranks of the all-time classics of cinema.