Bach - St. John Passion DVD

Advantages: It is a real and sincere film
Disadvantages: Some silent moments, something in the soundtrack, and the devil

...on them. The most important miracle remains to be walking on water; this is one of the most beautiful and touching scenes in the film. ►►► "and having scourged Jesus, [they] delivered him to be crucified." ◄◄◄ Just as a footnote: "His blood be upon us, and upon our children!" the sentence that was cut in The Passion of the Christ, is there in this film. Whew, a very controversial issue, isn't it? Of course, I don't intend to discuss it here, but it was certainly one of the sentences that attracted my attention, probably because of the controversy that surrounded it. The fact cannot be denied that the sentence is there in the gospel of St. Matthew and adding it was probably part of Pasolini's representation of a faithful version of the text, yet the interpretation varies from person to person and I... Read review

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Advantages: J. S. Bach; all musicians and vocalists; Karajan.
Disadvantages: Karajan's big, ponderous sound and historical inauthenticity, for some.

...With an eye to leaving an impressive legacy, Austrian-born conductor Herbert von Karajan was wise to adopt the available modern technology early on to record his works for posterity. 'His Legacy For Home Video', as the DVD project was called, gave him complete artistic and technical control over the entire production. Notwithstanding the pomposity of the name, the series from Sony Classical does earn its place in every classical music lover's library for the sheer excellence of the recorded material. One disc that never goes out of favour for this listener is the all-Bach 1984 New Year's Eve Concert (Silvesterkonzert) held at Mr Karajan's stomping grounds, the Berlin Philharmonie, where he directs the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The featured soloist is German violinist and Karajan protegé Anne-Sophie Mutter, who plays... Read review

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Advantages: Really funny, great performances, great extras
Disadvantages: So-so picture transfer and soundtrack

...THE MOVIE Plot summary: John Cusack plays Craig Schwartz, a passionate puppeteer. At the insistence of his pet shop owning wife, played by a very unglamourous Cameron Diaz, he takes a job as a filing clerk. At his new offices he discovers a portal that leads into the head of the actor John Malkovitch (playing himself). Together with Maxine an attractive co-worker, played by Catherine Keener he sets out to exploit this portal for profit. However both he and his wife fall in love with Maxine. A bizarre love triangle ensues, and Craig finds that the only way to win Maxine’s heart is to occupy Malkovitch’s body full time. He commandeers Malkovitch’s life and career and settles down with Maxine. Only after Maxine is kidnapped does he relinquish Malkovitch. On first viewing: This is the single most inventive and original script to have... Read review

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