RaquelitaP Reviews

The Stolen Children (1992)

heartbreaker

[8 May 2002]

This film is one that will be difficult to view. The basis of the film is that two children are taken away from their abusive mother. Lo Verso must escort them to an orphanage however the orphanage does not want the children. I won't spoil anything for you, but I will say that this type of film would never be made in the US. The themes that are suggested are extremely controversial.

I too agree with many people when they say that this is one of the best acting performances by children ever.

Maccheroni (1985)

hysterical however predictable

[8 May 2002]

Macaroni follows the renewal of friendship bewtween two men who have not seen each other since WWII. The only not-so-good part of the movie is that it is very predictable. It is never too hard to guess what will happen next. Some may enjoy these types of film however I would rather be challenged!

The wonderful part of this film is the pairing of Lemmon and Mastroianni. They are wonderful together. I have not laughed this hard watching a movie in a long time. Trust me, you will be rolling on the floor. But it is not all fun and games, there is a serious message. Watch it and find out!

Three Brothers (1981)

slow film but good ideas

[8 May 2002]

This film made during the late seventies studies how a family deals with the death of their martriarch. I found myself relatively bored watching the film but I was impressed with the amount of detail that went into developing the characters. What is most impressive is how the filmmaker concentrates on the differences in generations. That is to say the filmmaker compares and contrasts each caracter with where they were born, when, and how they were brought up.

If you are in the mood for a sit back and rest type of film this is not it. But if you want a thinker, you've met your match.

The Star Maker (1995)

read this only if you don't mind a spoiler

[6 May 2002]

I agree with most that this film is well made and sends a message about compassion and trust. Though I had a lot of problems with the sex scenes in the film. About 30 minutes into the film, the main character has sex with a woman as payment because she cannot afford the 1,500 lira payment for her daughter's screen test. He uses degrading words and commands. This scene made me feel extremely uncomfortable because it was made in such a demeaning fashion. Throughout the rest of the film I was hoping that that scene would be it however there was more. In another scene, he hits the woman that is falling in love with him and he then takes her virginity away. I feel that while the film is trying to set up a certain persona for this character, these scenes were not necesary and only contributes to the perpetuation that for men to feel in control they must treat women as animals.

Lamerica (1994)

wonderful acting by Enrico LoVerso

[2 May 2002]

This Italian film is actually set behind the fall of dictatorship in Albania, a country once part of Soviet rule.

LoVerso's part in the movie as one of the protagonists is wonderfully acted. The first film I had seen him in was Il Ladro di Bambini. LoVerso takes his characters and challenges them, creating deep personalities that continue to develop throughout the film.

I would recommend this film solely based on the wonderful acting by all actors in the film.

Bread and Chocolate (1974)

good movie if you are in the mood to be challenged

[1 May 2002]

As I said before, I would recommend this film to anyone who likes a challenge. Taken at face value, the movie itself is rather boring, and it would be easy for me to say that I did not enjoy it, however taking a closer look, this movie contains themes to which we can all relate.

Garofalo is an Italian man who is traveling around Switzerland looking for work. He refrains from returning to Italy because he can make so much more money in Switzerland. Throughout the film, Garofalo meets many people of all nationalities who face the same problem as he.

May I suggest to the next viewer that you investigate the meaning behind the tittle. I am working on that one myself!

Everybody's Fine (1990)

make time for this film!

[30 April 2002]

This really is a wonderful film. Though at times it is hard to watch. All this kind man wants is to know that his children are happy and doing okay in their adult lives. One must pay close attention to each scene because in each of these scenes, one can find some sort of message that links the whole movie together. The most important scenes to look out for are the dream sequences and the flashbacks.

The Road (1954)

skip it

[30 April 2002]

After watching DeSica's "The Bicycle Thief" and "Umberto D", I found myself very disappointed in this slow moving film. I did not understand the characters as well as I have in the other films.

I feel that the part of the female lead, Gelsomina, was not very well developed while the male lead, Zampano, was very well thought out and planned. This may be my own feminism getting in the way, but I did not understand how Gelsomina's family could basically sell her off to such an aweful man - and Gelsomina remain calm! I did not find her character to have much emotion at all. The character of Zampano on the other hand displayed a lot of emotion. It is ironic though because Zampano is supposed to be a "manly man", one who does not show his emotion.

Watch something else.

Umberto D. (1952)

a winner!

[30 April 2002]

It is so refreshing to watch movies that are actually about basic human emotion, not just sex and violence. This movie is simply about an older man and his journey with his dog, Flag. During the movie, the viewer watches as the love between the dog and his owner, Umberto grows deeper.

All Umberto wants is for his dog to have a happy home, which he cannot even provide for himself.

You will not be wasting any time watching this movie!!!!

Bicycle Thieves (1948)

a must see!

[30 April 2002]

This is the first Italian movie I had ever seen, and I only hope that they get better.

What a marvelous film. With such a simple theme, I thought that the movie would be more boring and slow moving. However I was very enchanted.

I think that it is wonderful that DeSica did not use professional actors in this movie. To follows this man's journey in finding his bicycle is really to follow his journey to find his soul. It's not just about the bike. It's about him trying to find his place in society in post WWII Europe. He wants to be a man and take care of his family. He is trying to set an example for his young son. In the end he does indeed set and example, however it is not the one that he had intended.