Manual Movie Reviews

Everything about this film, the cast, dialogue, scenery, photography, plot, characterizations etc, combine for a tour de force. Mitchum has never been better cast, and Jane Greer is the perfect counterpoint for him. Paul Valentine as Joe is terrific, and how about some of the one liners! I have seen this over 15 times and with each viewing it just gets better.

I loved this film, the remake in the 80's (Againist All Odds) with Jeff Bridges and James Woods is good, but the original black and white with the darkness and the great, great acting of Kirk Douglas and Robert Mitchum leaves this terrific film in a class all of its own. Mitchum has a natural look of sad, tired, worldliness that just naturally fits with the film noir characters as in "Farewell My Lovely" as this wonderfull film. No Mitchum or film noir library would be complete without owning this one.

This is one of the sexiest, wittiest, forties films of all. Double crosses abound, the bad guys are by far the best dressed in shoulder padded suits and two toned shoes, and the plot, concerned in part with gang leader Kirk Douglas evading an IRS bust, is as twisting and devious as the mind of femme fatale Ms Greer. Every part in the film is memorable thanks to great writing - even the waitress in the opening diner scene has punchy repartee worthy of Rosalind Russell. The bad guys get their come-uppance but true to film noir convention, the good-bad guy hero Robert Mitchum doesn't prevail. Most film noir have an earnestness about them, fate and doom hovering in the background. Much of OUT OF THE PAST is funny in a cynical, world weary, knowing way . It is to my mind the most enjoyable of all film noir. Stands up to many viewings and is worth revisiting regularly to remind you what great movie making is.

Well, it still is LEXX of course but this whole season is layed out like a continuous movie rather than segmented into "episodes",even though the format is somewhat "episode friendly"(huh?). It actually works quite well with the changes, though it "feels" more spaced out.
The plot in all 13 "episodes" involves the mysterious relationship between the planets Fire and Water...the concept of reincarnation as it applies to the inhabitants thereof,as well as the familiar crew of Tweedle,Kai,Xev and 790, whoose characters in season 3 are more developed and ultimately more likable.The character PRINCE is introduced from the get-go,and he remains an enigmatic player throughout season 3 and 4 as well.

I was one of the ones who frowned at the series when it first aired on the Sci-Fi channel, but for some reason I started picking up the DVD's with Season 2, and found it to be actually enjoyable and now I've just picked up S3-V1, and while it has a new spin on the series (season three has a continuing story format divided into 13 chapters) I found the unedited scenes to be quite a surprise.

Where Season two had a few almost passive nude or suggestive scenes, season three has a few scenes that are not recommended for younger viewers. While cut out or re-formatted for airing on the Sci-Fi channel, there are some scenes especially in "Gametown" & "Boomtown" which uses some rather extensive waist-up female nude scenes, and not just in passing either, some rather touch-feely type stuff. Don't get me wrong, I don't see anything wrong with it (I actually found myself pausing once or twice) it's just not recommended for the younger audiences is all.

As for the stories themselves, they are very well told, and the nude scenes that exist fit very well into the story. And what's great about season three, while it helps to have seen season two, you don't HAVE to have seen it (unlike where you had to follow the movies to catch onto the early season two episodes).

I believe (like with many cult series') that LEXX will have a greater following now that the series is ended.

Lexx seems to be one of those love it/hate it shows, and I'm finding more and more that those who hate it haven't watched an episode entirely through. Marvelously tongue-in-cheek and flawlessly acted (no, really! It takes real skill and talent to pull this stuff off!), Lexx deserves the following it has received.

The producers' decision to release the series in 4-episode (uncut versions) DVD's with an ongoing making-of documentary is one of the most welcome release formats I've seen for a TV series. Two episodes per disc (as many other series releases are trying) just don't justify a DVD purchase for me -- if you can fit four, I prefer it for the less space taken up on my shelf.

This first disc of "series 3" is the "Fire and Water" series, which introduces one of the series' most intriguing characters, Prince of Fire (Nigel Bennett), who the producers wisely revived for the final Series 4, now airing.

What made you turn it off the first time? The irritating robot head? Stanley Tweedle's juvenile attempts at sex? Kai's bad poetry? Try it again. You will find a hilariously true satire of life on our own planet.

This is brilliant and imaginative sci fi at its best. Funny, fast paced and wierd all at the same time. It is not your conventional tv show but maybe that is one of the things that makes it stand out. In the web, probably the weakest episode of the 4, the Lexx crew is abandoning the galaxy to escape Mantrid. With numerous clips borrowed from the episode The Net, you might feel a bit jipped when you watch it. But don't worry, the next episode, briggadoom, is one of the most clever and enjoyable hours of tv ever aired. If you liked the Buffy musical then you will love this. The music in it is much better and it was produced 3 years before Buffy made her attempt on the mic. On to Brizon, definately one of the more disturbing episode of Lexx. It also is one of the funniest ones to. The guy who played Brizon is absolutely creepy and he has a verbal spar with Mantrid that made me almost pee my pants. It is a definate gem. An then finally, on to the one that we had been waiting for all year, The End of the Universe. The Lexx's showdown with Mantrid. It is everything that makes Lexx great. A definate season stopper that also happened to put an end to the light zone, their universe. The long build up did not disapoint at the climax and if you are a Lexx fan and have yet to see these episodes, then get a move on. You will watch them over and over

It would be difficult to begin viewing the LEXX series with this DVD, but chances are if you are reading this you are already familiar with LEXX.

This DVD contains 2 of the best episodes LEXX ever produced: Brigadoom and End of the Universe.
Brigadoom is the "musical episode". For a 1 hour TV show, the songs are impressive. I have not seen any "musical episode" top Brigadoom - for me, BUFFY's Once More With Feeling comes in second and XENA's Bitter Suite lands third.
Brigadoom's plot is tightly woven, all the new backstory fits perfectly with what has gone before, and the parallels with their current predicament are neatly drawn. End of the Universe provides a moving season finale. It is easily the best season finale LEXX had; dark, dramatic, and yet hopeful. I do not want to give any details away, so I'll say no more. However, in both of these episodes, Stanley, Xev, and Kai's perseverance in the face of adversity is inspiring.

For those of you who met LEXX during season 3 or 4, season 2 has less nudity than season 3, and the violence is considerably less graphic than season 4. (As you can tell, LEXX is not for everyone.) Season 2 has the strongest writing and clearest overall character/story arc. The Beans knew where they were going and got there with style.

I found the DVD to be of excellent quality with lovely graphics and intriguing extras.

With these last four episodes of LEXX season 2, you can easily see why LEXX has become a favorite among many sci-fi fans. "The Net" with its eerie atmosphere, the musical stylings of "Brigadoom," the double-cross of "Brizon," and tense season finale "End of the Universe," these episodes intensify the LEXX fan's eagerness for season 3's release on DVD. Miss this and miss a great 3 hours of sci-fi.

If you're here, you've heard a little about Lexx and perhaps are considering buying it. I'd like to recommend it whole heartedly, and here's why: we live in a world where entertainment is run by "money people" who don't really give a hoot about about anything other than a bottom line, and who usually have Delusions of Competence when it comes to creative decisions. This means that most projects, sci-fi or otherwise, are run by commitee and the results are almost always something which, while occaisionally effective, are necessarily watered down creatively. The perfect example is virtually all of the various Star Trek series, which can be very, very good, but are never EVER risk-taking in any meaningful way. They can also get somewhat annoyingly "smooth" and politically correct. Well, Lexx is the polar opposite of all that. The stakes appear to be lower for these guys and so they take many more chances, and the results, while often uneven, are almost always fun and sometimes genuinely inspired. The actors are extremely well cast, with both Zev and Xev offering a sexiness that doesn't descend into sleeze, Kai as the handsome and surprisingly moral dead assassin, Stanley as the sniveling but likeable anti-Kirk captain of the Lexx, and we get a witty, lovestruck robot head thrown in for good measure. If you want something a little different and fun, I urge you to check it out. I'm sure you won't have seen anything quite like it.

The science fiction world has been wrapped up for so long with Star Wars & Star Trek (great....I admit) that it only spawns clones of each. I love to see shows like Lexx & Red Dwarf get the credit they deserve. Funny and exciting, but yet maintain their completely science fiction qualities.

P.S. I expect that the Star Wars...Star Trek comment is going to bring a multitude of virginal nerds running from momma's teet....LOL. I rank the Star Wars prequals right up there with Titanic....not written for the loyal fans, but to make money. When you follow the herd your just another cow!

Looking for something different go with Lexx.........if you don't like it try getting out of the house more.

If you only buy one DVD, from the entire series, make it this one. Unfortunetly, the first movie was only released on DVD in Canada. You'll want to return to this first episode again and again, if you're a Lexx fan. If you have not viewed any of the Lexx series from Showtime or SCI FI, then you NEED to see this first. It's well worth the wait to track down the DVD. What other series has you rooting for a chic that's half Cluster Lizard, a dead guy, an oversexed robot head and a cowardly captain? Live on Lexx, if only in late-night reruns!

"Variety and Virtuosity" is a very good DVD that will provide any dance fan with excellent entertainment value and an easy way to view some classic Pas de Deux. The all-star American Ballet Theatre cast (1998 version) is enjoyable to watch, and performs admirably. The dialogue between the pieces is a nice way to provide a little background about the dances as well as a little insight into the personalities of the performers.

Aside from the opening three-minute "Polonaise" (lots of walking around) leading to the introductory words by Natalia Makarova, there are seven dance numbers performed. Five feature a Pas de Deux, and only one shows a dance in its entirety, "Remanso," choreographed by Nacho Duato (not to be missed; it's awesome). The partnering is very good: the younger Jose Manuel Carreno provides a strong complement to the seasoned Susan Jaffe in a number from "Swan Lake," husband and wife John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow are likewise well-matched ("The Leaves are Fading"), and Julie Kent and Robert Hill convey interesting straight-faced emotion in a work ("Cruel World") choreographed specifically on them by James Kudelka. Julio Bocca comes across as a little overly sappy in the Balcony Pas de Deux with Alessandra Ferri (one of my favorite ballerinas), but it's still great to watch. The most exceptional pair is Paloma Herrera and Angel Corella, in the Grand Pas de Deux from "Don Quixote," who elicited the loudest cheers for their combination of energy, athleticism, grace and balance. As mentioned earlier, "Remanso" was unbelievable; I was spellbound (also check out "Three by Duato," one of the best modern dance DVDs). The 3rd Movement from "Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 was pretty good."

I'd give this DVD a 5-star rating were it not for a few little negatives which combined to knock it down a notch. First, with a run time of 83 minutes, there's very little dancing left after the introduction (not necessary, but typical for an episode of "Great Performances") and interviews with the director and dancers. Secondly, I was frustrated by camera work and editing that was a little spotty, with too many instances of dancers running in and out of the picture ... I wasn't seeing where my eyes wanted to look. Lastly, there are zero DVD extras (included in most other performance discs) that would have provided some welcome extra dimensions to the viewing experience (e.g., biographies, more behind-the-scenes footage).

Overall, this is a nice compilation of highlights for anyone wanting an good introductory look into ballet. Also, it's great for seasoned ballet fans, especially those of ABT.

The title of this DVD really fits perfectly; "Variety and Virtuosity" features not only some of the classical standards of ballet but also a few modern works to show off the talented dancers that make up the American Ballet Theatre. In this disc the group performs ensemble sets as well as several Pas de Deux.

Although the DVD only lasts 83 minutes it contains some real gems: just to mention a few......

- the great athletic and dancing skills (along with the colorful costumes) of Angel Corella and Paloma Herrera in Minkus's Don Quixote.

-Alessandra Ferri and Julio Bocca do a wonderful interpretation of young lovers in their balcony scene Pas de Deux from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Their dancing and expressions are so sensitive that you could almost feel the love that their characters had for one another. In addition, Ferri has in some way, an indescribable allure to go with her infectious smile that draws your eye to her.

-However, the highlight of the entire disc was, to me, the husband and wife team of Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner in The Leaves are Fading . ( choreography by Antony Tudor, music by Antonin Dvorak) This is one of those ballets that combine the perfect music with the perfect dance; and McKerrow and Gardner simply do a magnificent job in expressing the quiet joy and subtle sadness of this masterpiece by Mr. Tudor. I have watched this particular dance frequently since I got this DVD and I seem to see something new with each viewing. The ending is so exquisitely beautiful and peaceful it near moves me to tears. It has gotten to the point that I cannot imagine this music being played without this dance accompanying it.

All in all, this fabulous disc is a must have if you have any interest in great ballet. Highly recommended.

I am a ballerina myself and I love this. I found the big prblem with the dancing videos are the camera angles..you always get the wrong one. With this you won't have a problem. The dancers are on the music and the dancing is great. You get both the classics and modern works. Along this the dances you also get behind the scences and short interviews from the dancers. This is really good.

John Huston's The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is my second favorite film of all-time. The first being Tod Browning's Freaks from 1932. This is Humphrey Bogart at his best. It is fascinating to see Bogart as Fred C. Dobbs break down. This film showcases greed and paranoia like none other. Walter Huston is also very good as Howard, an old prospector that knows what gold can do to a mans heart. Many films have been influenced by Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Among them - Henri-Georges Clouzot's Wages of Fear, Sam Peckinpah's Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, and Brian DePalma's Scarface. Look out from cameos from Robert Blake, Ann Sheridan, and Jack Holt. The DVD has some terrific extra features as well. There is a 2-hour documentary on director John Huston, a 1-hour documentary on the film, a Bogart trailer gallery, Lux Radio Theatre Broadcast of Treasure of the Sierra Madre, 8-Ball Bunny - a Looney Toons cartoon, and lots more. Just watch it, folks.

Timeless tale of greed and desire, as three down-and- out men track down elusive golden wealth.

The movie is set up extremely well, as we learn about the men and their lot in life, well before they set out on their dangerous quest.

The parallels of greed resound today, with the corporate scandals and such. The riches that tempt men's souls can destroy the weak. Management techniques of the trio are on display as well, as they face challenges in the bleak wilderness.

The movie really holds up well under 21st century scrutiny. Every scene has meaning and their are many, running sub-plots and themes that remain true to themselves as they interweave,leave and then return throughout the movie. Keep your eye on the young Robert Blake, he had a small but amusing role in the beginning.

There are not many movies that have as much to offer, scene after scene, as this one does. Those who speak spanish will enjoy some of the un-translated dialogue between various locals, it is not spoon fed with accented english as so many movies do today. Great stuff!!

The American Film Institute's (AFI)1998 Top 100 American Movies in the first 100 years placed "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" at #30. This 1947 western classic was one of Warner Brothers (WB) Studios many Classic movies produced in the 1930's &40's. (ie, Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Casablanca (1942), Yankee Doodle Dandy to name a few). The WB had a stable of Stars like; Bogart, Cagney, Flynn, Bergman, Barrymore, Rains, Bacall, Greenstreet, Lorre & De Haviland to name a few which produced an abundance of classics in short order.

Well for the first time WB has meticulously digitally remastered their classics of old under the DVD "Two Disc Special Edition" Series. These DVD's are outstanding and the Feature Film is worth the price of admission alone, but Warner Brothers has provided us a 2 DVD set with everything for us to escape to 1947 Hollywood and relive the movie theatre experience. DISC 1 - Provides us with a "Night at the Movies" (circa 1947) This is pure genius (hats off to the WB) and the viewer experiences a complete show (so get the popcorn ready, this is fun stuff!!!!) To begin Leonard Maltin gives us an introduction to this 1947 show followed by coming attractions, a newsreel, a cartoon, a short subject film and then the Feature film all back to back just like the movies. AWESOME. Also on Disc 1 are 12 Humphrey Bogart film trailers. Thats just the first disc!!! DISC 2 - Has a 2 hour documentary on the life of Director John Huston (2 Oscar's, Direction & Screen Play for "The Treasure of Sierra Madre"), Documentary on "Discovering the Treasure of.....", Classic Bugs Bunny Cartoon, Storyboards, Cast & Crew, Publicity Materials Gallery and a 1949 Radio broadcast starring Bogart & Walter Huston (Oscar winner for best supporting in Treasure (also John Hustons father)).

Warner Brothers did a fabulous job digitally transferring (the picture & sound are perfect)this Full Screen Black & White feature to DVD and there's more classic movies to come. I can't wait. This a must have for your home theatre experience. Enjoy.

In Mexico, Santo, El Enmascarado de Plata, was like a combination of Joe Namath and the Lone Ranger. He was a masked wrestling star, but also the star of comic books, and more than fifty movies. This is the earliest of three Santo movies I have seen, and in my opinion, the least entertaining. Though shot in 1966, this movie has the feel of a low-budget, black-and-white 50s Sci-Fi flick like Plan Nine From Outer Space. While there are definitely entertaining campy elements here, such as the Martian costumes and a dance number, the movie drags quite a bit, especially during the wrestling. There are quite a few bonuses on this DVD, in Spanish with English subtitles, though Amazon doesn't currently mention them. There is an extensive, though not particularly illuminating interview with El Hijo del Santo, the original Santo's son, also a wrestler and movie actor. And there is a "commentary" by a professor in Spanish, not a commentary track, but a separate short film, with poor subtitles, discussing the Santo phenomenon. And there are also animated biographies of Santo and Wolf Ruvinskis, the wrestler-turned-actor who plays Argos the leader of the Martians. This isn't the most captivating movie experience you'll ever have, but it is the best Santo DVD available and thus earns four stars.

Up until recently my exposure to El Santo movies, and Mexican horror in general, had been limited to a few heavily edited TV airings many years ago, featuring unexceptional prints and lots of commercial interruptions. Thanks to this amazing DVD I have been sucked into the El Santo cult literally overnight. For jaded bad-movie fanatics starved for cheap thrills, Santo vs. the Martians really delivers the goods. The picture starts off not too promisingly with blah NASA space mission footage under the titles, but quickly cranks up the cheese factor with the appearance of some rather quaint spaceships, reminiscent of a Starman movie, that emit crazy electronic sound effects (some of which seem to have been lifted from Forbidden Planet). The spaceships are carrying both voluptuous female Martians and golden-tressed, barechested male Martians in mildly flaming attire consisting of shiny tights, capes, and kneeboots, topped off by goofy headgear with deadly "Astral Eye" in front. They head straight for Mexico, commandeering all television transmissions, broadcasting their message that the violent, warlike Earth people must unilaterally disarm, unify their language, and live in peace and brotherhood, or the peace-loving Martians "will be forced to annihilate" them. Of course nobody takes the silly-looking aliens seriously; everyone laughs off the warning as some sort of comedy stunt and returns to watching their musical variety shows. The Martians (who are all named after Greco-Roman deities) decide that they must abduct "the one who dresses strangely and covers his face with a silver mask" and/or his associate, Professor Ordorica. Their leader, Argos (Wolf Ruvinskis) sends henchman Kronos to a soccer stadium where Santo's conducting a wrestling camp for boys (whose skills must never be used for harm but only to defend the weak and helpless) and proceeds to vaporize the crowd with his Astral Eye before grappling unsuccessfully with Santo. Next, the Martians decide that they need to transform their appearance, since their "more perfectly evolved bodies" are frightening the humans (?!?). Unfortunately, the men come out looking even goofier than before, if that's possible. The aliens start abducting people and detaining them in their ship (they vaporize a couple of men at a cocktail party), and well-stacked Martian dames Artemisa and Diana show up at Santo's training gym (obligatory wrestling scenes here) and hypnotize a few of the regulars into attacking him. The Martians next try planting one of their own (Hercules) in the ring with Santo in another futile kidnap attempt. Assorted priceless moments include: Santo at home in bed reading (in full costume) visited by Martian babes Aphrodite and Selena (packing 'hypnotic mist') who attempt to unmask and seduce him; the Martians debating morality with Padre Fuentes, one of the detainees; the child's gyroscope toy displayed on the Martian ship's viewscreen; and the floor show staged by singing, dancing Martian hotties at the testimonial dinner for Professor Ordorica (as cover for yet another abduction attempt). Interspersed with all this insanity are several protracted wrestling sequences and a recurring subplot about how the government and media are hushing up the whole Martian invasion so as not to create hysteria among the public! As expected, the fate of the world is ultimately decided by Santo and Argos in the squared circle. If you're curious about Santo movies at all, this is a great introduction/point of entry to the genre. The plot generally moves along at a snappy pace (the wrestling scenes may drag a bit for non-fans) and every time you think this movie can't get any loonier it ups the ante. An indescribable trove of richly textured camp; immensely entertaining and highly recommended.
If you're a long-time Santo fanatic, this disc is sure to be a thrill. VCI's DVD package, presented in association with Kit Parker films, includes numerous informative goodies for veteran Santo fans and newbies as well. There is a recent, approximately half-hour interview with El Hijo del Santo (Son of Santo); Mex movie trailer package (though most of them are non-horror/SF); illustrated biographies of both Santo and Wolf Ruvinskis that showcase numerous posters and lobby cards; a comprehensive Santo filmography; and a six-minute "commentary" (really an illustrated history of Santo's career) by Santo expert Prof. Juan Carlos Vargas. There is no feature-length audio commentary; VCI's promo is a bit misleading here. The appropriately odd bilingual menus are in 5.1 surround, so turn your speakers on when booting the disc to hear some of the movie's wacky sound effects pinging around the room. Even with all the nice extras, what really makes this such a terrific disc is the absolutely pristine state of the source elements, sure to bring tears to the eyes of long-time fans of Mexican horror used to shoddy 16mm TV prints and dupey VHS copies. The print is letterboxed at 1.66:1 and the brightness, grayscale, sharpness, and detail are simply terrific. The black level could perhaps be a bit darker, a very minor quibble. It looks pretty gorgeous overall, virtually blemish- and speckle-free. Audio is clear and full, in Spanish mono only with optional English subtitles (that are very readable but a bit distracting at times). Apparently this is the beginning of a whole series of VCI releases of classic Mexican cinema. Hopefully Santo vs. the Vampire Women, Santo in the Wax Museum, Invasion of the Zombies, and the related 'Luchadoras' series are in the pipeline.

I grew up watching movies from Mexico's "golden film age". Although Santo movies came a little later, they are as golden as its predecesors. As far as the quality of the DVD, it is great, very well done and with lots of extra footage. The same company is releasing other movies from the era, and hopefully will continue to release other Santo movies. If you love "lucha libre" and I don't mean WWF, this is a must have.

I am from the gypsy world so to me this movie is so real and so true that I was almost on the verge of tears. The music direction is amazing. This is like watching a Passolini movie - but a Passolini of modern days. The camera work is also good. If you get a chance watch this movie.
The movie is about that part of Spain which does not get publicity. Life here means more than football games and TV - it is music and the passion for music. Life and death are part of a flow where everybody gets the chance to die (some with honor and some as sacrifice). The passion behind this movie is beyond imagination - the only recent movie I can compare with is "Sound of Music" but at a much grand scale.

This is a powerful , hipnotic, tour de force movie that captures the soul of flamenco. Although it is not a documentary and is a drama it has the feel of a documentary. This is probably because the realism is brought out by Algerian-born director Tony Gatlif's use of "real" flamenco artists as opposed to actors. The lead is taken by Antonio Canales who in real life is a renowned dancer. Ironically he does not dance in the film but plays the role of a leader of a gypsy clan that is at odds with a rival clan of gypsies. The thin plot evolves around avenging the death of a family member of the rival clan. Caco is the name of Canales in the movie and he is a man with a heavy heart after the death of his young daughter and the responsibility of keeping his clan together and protecting his nephew who suffers, although you'd hardly know it, from cerebral palsy. Many of the scenes involving Caco and his nephew are funny as they romp from bar to as Caco looks to find him a "good time" with some beautiful women. The plot is nothing exceptional but the film draws it's superb power from the fantastic musical performances. Set in Andalusia, the stark landscape, the whitewashed churches contrasting with the dressed in black clan is a powerful reminder of the roaming gypsy existence steeped in a long ancestral heritage. The clan moves about in old cars, and a flat bed truck that doubles as a stage as they set up daily for their night of wine, dance and music. The fiery flamenco music is the real reason to see this movie. The performances by such greats as Tomatito, La Caita, Gritos de Guerra and La Paquera is nothing short of spellbinding. The close camera work reveals the duende in the faces of the performers as they collaborate for the best scenes of the movie, and there are many of them as it is full of emotion. An interesting aspect of this movie is how director Gatliff incorporates the history and ethnic mixes of flamenco into the film by using Sheik Ahmad Al Tuni as a vocalist on several songs amidst Turkish flutes blown by Kudsi Erguner, interwoven by masterful guitar work by Emilio Fernandez de Los Santos and Ramon Pisa Borja, who also sings on occcasion. Naturally all of the performances are accentuated by palmas(clapping), gritos( guttural shout outs) and lively percussion. Many of the singing and dancing performances are done by women and the harsh , throaty sounds emanate and penetrate deep from their souls. I keep saying performance but in actuality you feel as though you are not watching a performance but are watching a lively get together of family members; it is truly amazing stuff that will captivate you. The spontaneity of the clan in action is a dervish whirlwind of activity that is the extended family personified. As the clan adds color to the landscape by bringing out their huge pillows and blankets, the tranformation begins to take shape as the music starts to capture the spirit of southern Spain.You are more of a witness to an extraordinary celebration of life in spite of it's sometimes tragic consequences. If you love flamenco than you will love this movie. If you are new to or have limited knowledge of flamenco you will be engrossed and probably seek out some flamenco music afterwards. This is a powerful piece that reveals the soul of flamenco. Highly recommended for flamenco aficionados.

Excellent.The music alone is worth the watch.Sure the storyline is thin (vendetta) but a look into the Moorish/Gitano (Gypsy) lifestyle in al Andalus well worth it.Stunning scenery,good acting,flamenco,all make this a great movie.As a descendant of these people I enjoyed a look into a culture that was unknown to me.Another thing that was all too realistic for me was the central character Caco's lack of fear of mortality due to his daughter being deceased;I lost my 4 year old daughter on 9/11/02 and I no longer fear dying if my daughter and I will be reunited.

This is a wonderful peruvian movie, with Salvador Del Solar (peruvian) and Angie Cepeda (colombian) starring it, they're 2 highly talented actors...and this movie is based on the Mario Vargas Llosa novel Pantaleón y las Visitadoras.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU TO SEE THIS ONE, YOU WOULD CONSIDER IT AS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE FOREIGN MOVIES OF ALL TIMES

The beauty and eroticism of the Peruvian Amazon captured in a single movie. Lombardi's work takes Vargas Llosa's novel to a new level in both spice and sensuality.

Hilarious, sultry and clever, this film traces the adventures of the dedicated Peruvian Army Captain Pantoja, who is sent by his higher-ups to an assignment deep in the jungle. It seems the soldiers there have been raping local women, due to the well-accepted fact that the jungle boils a man's desire out of control. Pantoja's secret task is to form a government-sponsored brothel to keep the men's libidos in check. With characteristic thoroughness, and at first reluctantly, Pantoja analyzes every aspect of the job, exhaustively researching human sexuality with a scholar's detachment. This leads him to many insights into accomplishing his task in the most efficient manner possible. One example: the provision of pornographic material to a soldier waiting for his "visit" reduces his average "visit time" by 36 seconds, thus allowing a "visitor" to service six more soldiers during her shift, and reducing cost accordingly.
Unfortunately for Pantoja, the operation becomes too efficient and eventually draws the attention of a corrupt local radio personality. The dignity that Pantoja bestows upon his employees irks his superiors, and they too turn on him.
Llosa's original novel is brought to life delightfully, and the film is highly entertaining, especially for one familiar with Latin American culture.

The film concerns an arranged marriage between a Canadian college professor and a Hispanic immigrant man who is in the country illegally and is being pursued by a Robert-Mitchum-type immigrations officer. The professor's sister happens to be the legal counsel for the immigrant, and talks her sister into agreeing to the marriage. In order to pass the required court interview to determine if the marriage is "real" as opposed to a legal contrivance, the couple must learn a great deal about each other in a short time. The more they learn, the more they see each other as human beings--and attractive ones at that.

This film's good qualities are more subtle than obvious, and are often visual rather than verbal, as we watch the play of emotion on the actors' faces. The color film quality is quite grainy and soft-focused, and handheld cameras are used a lot, giving it a quasi documentary quality. One has to get used to it, especially if one expects clear, bright images from a DVD. In French and Spanish, with English subtitles.

A really good modern romance. Released in the wake of "Green Card" Paper Wedding was not a big hit at the box office but it is the better of the two films.

The plot is based on the arranged marriage of two characters who under ordinary circumstances would never have met. The heroine, (Bujold), is a single woman an academic in her thirties who lives alone and has an ongoing affair with another ,(married) academic. Her sister, (a lawyer), persuades her to marry a man so that he can get Canadian citizenship.

Our hero is a political dissident from a corrupt regime seeking asylum in Canada.

It is agreed that after the "Paper Wedding" the couple will never see eachother again and six months later the marriage will be quietly and unobtrusively dissolved. The "Wife" gets paid and the "Husband" will get legal entry into Canada.

Things go awry when immigration officials get wind of the scam and insist on interviewing the couple. The couple then agree to live together for a month during which time they will work at getting to know one anotther in hopes that they may fool immigration into believing that theirs is a real love match and not just a paper wedding.

He sleeps on the couch and she sleeps in her bed. Their purpose is simply to learn all the intimate details of eachothers ways and habits.

This is a movie filled with delicate well observed moments such as when she inadvertently sees his scared back and finds out that in his country he has been whipped. For a moment her heart opens to him and then closes again. He sensing this plays the gentleman and does not try to make something of her vulnerability.

You have to see the movie to appreciate it.

I will not give away its end exept to say that it is unexpected and the very last scene is magnificent in a quiet and very realistic way. I love that this movie deals with very believable people showing their strengths and vulnerabilities to eachother. It is one of those love stories that relies on good acting rather than verbose "Love you's" and romantic music.

"~When "Paper Wedding" was released it was universally described as "like 'Green Card,' only a lot better.""~ most passionate scenes I've seen, when the man and woman are trying to get their story straight before their interview with the feds. I don't mean passionate in a sex-scene sense -- it's all in the mind. Afterwards it's not certain whether these two will fall in love, but if they do it will be this conversation that started it.