1950's Flashbacks DVD

Advantages: autobiographical, symbolic, surreal, heavy, dramatic, italian
Disadvantages: none at all

...I cannot believe no one has reviewed this film yet. What's wrong? This is only the most important film by one of Europe's most influential directors?! The autobiographical, surreal, symbol-ridden 8 1/2 by Federico Fellini is probably one of the most important and weighty entries into Art Film. This film is loosely based on Fellini's own life and fast times in 1950s Rome. Marcello Mastroianni portrays Guido who is desperately trying to get his film finished, but has no idea how to end it. Throughout the film, Fellini uses (and creates) some of cinema history's most amazing images through techniques like flashbacks, slow dissolves and the shadowplay should have won it's own award. This film also marks a change in the style of film Fellini himself would be making from this point onward, throughout the end of his career. Gone... Read review

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Advantages: Good story, very good acting, a unusual role for MM
Disadvantages: Maybe a little slow for a modern audience

...INTRO I finally treated myself to a portable TV with inset DVD player for my bedroom. This means that when I suggest watching a film from the 1950s or 1960s and hubby complains, I can go off to our room to watch it in peace. The first film I chose to watch on it was a 1952 black and white film called Don't Bother To Knock. The film stars Marilyn Monroe in one of the few dramatic roles the studios allowed her to play. Realising the big money for her image was in the musicals she made, or the light fluffy blonde roles, she rarely had chance to show her versatility as an actress. Richard Widmark starred alongside her in this movie, with Anne Bancroft as the other big name. PLOT The film is set in a hotel in New York. Jed Towers (Widmark) is a pilot who has recently been involved in a relationship with resident singer Lyn Lesley... Read review

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Advantages: Great biopic of the great man Ray Charles
Disadvantages: a litlle long, could have been trimmed down a little

...This film is a biography about the life and times of Ray Charles. The film holds nothing back and I believe it to be a very accurate portrayal of the man himself, Ray Charles. The film begins with Ray waiting at a bus stop in the middle of nowhere, it is right here that you start to feel the overtones of the film, Ray was a blind man and he was black. Jamie Foxx is an absolute genius never once in the film did I think that "oh that is Jamie Foxx look at the way he does that...etc". It was as if I was watching Ray Charles himself in person. I was riveted to my seat for the entire length of the film. The film holds nothing back telling the real truths about Ray Charles. His struggle with heroin addiction. The film portrays, in the form of flashbacks, his early childhood and the death of his brother from which he feels a profound sense... Read review

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