A Passion For Murder (DVD)

Advantages: Fascinating case, Fuhrman is a really interesting guy
Disadvantages: Plodding and unconvicing film

...without a cinema run. The second reason is that the film is very linear, it's a murder film without any real violence or horror, because that's not what the film is about. So the film in my view falls between being entertainment and a documentary programme, because it's neither. I'd really rather watched this having been made in a documentary style, but because the murder of the girl was real, it is difficult to gain any "enjoyment" from it being a horror film. The DVD has very few extras, just the standard sub-titles and a couple of trailers. I've mentioned in the past in my reviews that I always like extras as I believe that they add some extra depth to the film, and so it's disappointing that there aren't any on this DVD. I suppose however that this is understandable given the low production costs and the intention in making the film a non... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good Acting,
Disadvantages: Quite Barbaric In Places

...The Passion of the Christ released in 2004 and directed by Mel Gibson is a film that I have only recently seen for the first time. At the time of its release I made a conscious decision to avoid watching this film due to the huge amount of hype that surrounded it. Having now watched this film I am left with a mixture of different thoughts and feelings. I am not a religious person and this is also another reason why I probably did not rush out to the Cinema on the release of this film. I also had even less interest in rushing out to see it when I discovered that not only were there no big name Hollywood Actors amongst the cast but that all of the dialogue was spoken in a mixture of Latin and Aramaic, with English subtitles displayed across the screen. The entire script for this film is taken from chapters 14 and 15 of Mark's Gospel... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fascinating characters
Disadvantages: Not original

...Story Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) plays the husband of an incredibly wealthy woman, Emily (Gwyneth Paltrow), who he discovers is having an affair with a younger man, David Shaw (Viggo Mortensen) - who is an artist. He takes the opportunity to visit the man and rather than attacking him, decides to provide him with an incentive to kill Emily. Hesitant at first, David is tempted towards the opportunity and also unprepared to face whatever threat would lie before him should he refuse - so he decides to accept the contract. Together they plan the 'perfect murder' whilst Emily remains completely oblivious to the danger that lies ahead. She feels terribly guilty about her affair yet confides in her closest friend how tired she is of the cold, apathetic attitude of her husband and the bond she feels with the new man in her life. Little... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful