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JumpingBean
Reviews
12 Monkeys (1995)
true gilliamesque journey into "reality"
A lot of people are ecstatic over The Matrix, claiming it breaks new grounds in cinematic history. While it has some great camera work, Gilliam has long taken us into "question reality" worlds... and I feel with 12 Monkeys he has accomplished a feat worthy of acclaim.
Orchestrating a film such as this must have been hectic! I think 12 Monkeys does a great job of transporting the viewer to an alternate reality of gadgetry and armageddon, desire and big brotherness, fear and delusion. Though you see the future of the film from its first scene, you're constantly whipped about across time in a frenzy only Gilliam could sculpt into a "believable" tale of what could be described as a tormented quest for love and freedom.
Kudos for Gilliam! Imagine what he could do with a nearly limitless budget! The DVD includes a great "behind the scenes" documentary which convincingly relates the world that is Gilliam in action. A most telling scene depicts the director in a frustrated moment, crushed that he cannot always display on a screen the depths of his imagination.
K2 (1991)
Some great vistas, ...
... K2: The Ultimate High. Well, while I'm sure climbing the actual mountain really is a great high, this movie does a mediocre job of portraying the thrill. It's not that the acting is bad, but the plot is pretty generic and predictable. Leaves you just a bit wanting in places. Too much "made for TV" juice in its veins.
The real strength of this DVD comes with its crisp video and pretty impressive camera work on the slopes. You almost feel cold and light-headed as you travel up the spine of K2 with the protagonists. No clues in the special features or jacket info about the actual filmed locations for the movie, but especially the shots from the climax at the apex connote well the feeling of reaching nearly to the top of the world (I don't think I've revealed any plot twists here). I doubt the scenes here are all from K2 itself, but some good aerial camerawork make it just as well.
Not much on the special features perks for this one. A chapter selection list and two bios, but that's about it.
Overall, not a bad buy if you like moutains and climbing and can find it for a decent price. Recommended viewing with hot brandy and licorice.
Amadeus (1984)
a fine use for your DVD player!
I wish I owned a Dolby 5.1 receiver, but even w/ just Dolby Pro Logic Amadeus is a pleasure to see and hear. So much talented collaboration collaboration from every field: Peter Shaffer, Milos Forman, Tom Hulce... all provide beautiful key elements that lift Amadeus to the highest shelf on my meager DVD rack.
The DVD features an interesting set of bonus materials, such as a music-only rendition, but the video quality to me seems not quite up to par with more recent DVD releases. The disc also uses only one layer, and must be flipped halfway through.
Despite these very minor setbacks, there are few better ways to put your home theater system to the task of delivering a thoroughly enjoyable yet somewhat disturbing suggestion of Mozart's life and death. Was it rheumatic fever, or was it the music itself? The answers are not here, but you will find a a screen full of fabulous costumes against a glorious soundtrack. The music-only mode provides well enough spirit to convey the film just as effectively as when the dialogue is included.
Life of Brian (1979)
Great extras on this Python DVD
THE LIFE OF BRIAN has remained one of my favorite Python flicks after the glow of the Holy Grail began to wear thin from overuse. If you're considering purchasing this movie, you've probably seen the movie already and are a Monty Python fan. If not, get ready for one of Python's most sacrilegious and hilarious movies of their collection! If you are easily offended, you might think twice. However, the satire here is equally distributed and is not aimed so much at religion itself but moreso at the amusing ways in which people can behave "under the influence" of zealotry.
I thoroughly enjoyed rewatching the movie, but it was a great surprise to find that this DVD comes packed with some great bonus materials. Several full-length, revealing interviews with the cast go into more Python history than just that surrounding this flick. And a rather large collection of scenes cut from the final release are also quite interesting.
The video and audio quality seem to be on par with most of the other DVD movies I've seen so far, despite the film's age.
All in all, a great addition to any Python collection.
Ultimo tango a Parigi (1972)
Brando the Man
Not a bad DVD adaptation of Brando's sexually explosive flick... features the uncensored/uncut version (read: more nudity.. hehe) and also includes the artful montage of a Trailer. The video clarity is a tad lacking, but not bad I'm thinking for a film of its age.
Brando like you've never seen him, and also as you've seen him before... in a sudden surge of nameless engagements with a new tenant, Paul (Brando) is full of desire and emotions... he wrestles an internal battle that's well portrayed on the screen. Unforgettable "butter me up" and "fingernail clipping" scenes speckle this sometimes erotic, somewhat dark and contorted tale that earned an NC-17 rating.
Definitely one you'll remember for some time to come. Alternating between French and English spurts, stay nimble on your toes or the rush of Brando the Man may just knock you over...
The side plot of a meta-cinema excursion is an interesting commentary at method acting (which seems to dominate Brando's role in this movie) vs a more structured and predetermined acting style embodied in Brando's "sweetheart's" boyfriend director.