Cassandra's Dream DVD

Advantages: Thriller in the same vein as Match Point
Disadvantages: Terrible accents, rushed ending

...Having scored a success with his previous British based movie Match Point, Woody Allen returns to serious mode in the movie Cassandra's Dream. This crime drama stars Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell as brothers pushed to the limits by their need for cash. Having thoroughly enjoyed Match Point I delayed watching this crime thriller for a considerable time, why you ask? Because having flicked through the DVD's chapters I was greeted with two of the worst "mockney" cockney accents I have ever heard. And these terrible accents come from the movies big stars. I guess if we turned the clock back 50 years these accents would be acceptable, but in modern day cinema this all seems terribly bad. But I guess as both actors have incredibly broad accents McGregor Scottish and Farrell Irish there has to be a bit of give, for anyone with an accent... Read review

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Advantages: I'm struggling to think of any...
Disadvantages: Apalling direction, writing and acting.

...-line. The original music by Philip Glass feels like it has come from another movie. It features complex string orchestrations with harps and rising brass that suggest a depth otherwise absent from the movie. There are lots of traditional string arrangements, piping flutes and chasing strings for a trip to Brighton and dark piano and discordant flutes for the murder attempt, with deep brass stabs. As things begin to unravel we hear chasing piano and horns with tense, insistent strings. It is an overpowering score at times that has a tendency to feel melodramatic in comparison to the action it accompanies. "Cassandra's Dream" is a dreadful film from start to finish that squanders a once great director's talent on soap plotting and hackneyed payoffs. The direction is pitiful, the writing appalling in its lack of insight and originality. The dialogue... Read review

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Advantages: A classic story and a talented cast
Disadvantages: Not as good as the book

...I really enjoyed watching this DVD - it's a great story, full of bittersweet relationships, dreams and disappointments, all of which are painted in a wonderfully rosy hue by the heroine, Cassandra. It transports one to a different era, and Cassandra's personality is wonderful. Set in 1930's England, the film follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, her eccentric family, and their decaying castle. Her father is a writer, whose first novel was received with great critical acclaim (and he is desperate to repeat that success), but he has not written a word for twelve years. Her stepmother, Topaz, among other things is a nudist and former model, whose personality is interesting, to say the least. She offers little in the way of solace or practical alleviation of their dire situation (but she certainly offers comedy!). Salvation finally... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A classic story and a talented cast
Disadvantages: Not as good as the book

...I really enjoyed watching this DVD - it's a great story, full of bittersweet relationships, dreams and disappointments, all of which are painted in a wonderfully rosy hue by the heroine, Cassandra. It transports one to a different era, and Cassandra's personality is wonderful. Set in 1930's England, the film follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, her eccentric family, and their decaying castle. Her father is a writer, whose first novel was received with great critical acclaim (and he is desperate to repeat that success), but he has not written a word for twelve years. Her stepmother, Topaz, among other things is a nudist and former model, whose personality is interesting, to say the least. She offers little in the way of solace or practical alleviation of their dire situation (but she certainly offers comedy!). Salvation finally... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: The comical genius and wisecracks
Disadvantages: Doesn't match Wayne's World 1 (but comes close)

...It was obvious that Wayne's World 2 would not be as good as number one. No funny movie can be followed by a better one however this hasn't stopped the crazy duo trying. The storyline again makes no real sense however this keeps the movie funny. After being haunted in a dream by Jim Morrison and a naked Indian Wayne is told to put on a concert in Aurora Illinois. While Wayne and Garth try to find some bands Cassandra is stolen away and about to get married to some random guy. Will Wayne and Garth put on the concert, will Cassandra get married to the random guy, will Garth ever lose his virginity? All these incredibly important questions and more are answered in this sequel. Again the special effects used in the movie (or lack of) adds to the comical effect such as using a miniuature plane on a stick to symbolise Wayne and Garth going... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Hilarious
Disadvantages: None

...Brought out a few years after the first Wayne's World film, the sequel is as good, if not better than its predecessor. With Wayne, Garth and Cassandra all back, this is a classic and a must-own video or dvd for any comedy fan. The film centres centres around Wayne and Garth, stars of their own bargin-basement tv show. Wayne begins to get suspicious when his girlfriend, Cassandra, is spending an awful lot of time with her producer, played by the excellent as ever Christopher Walken. The main plot is Wayne's quest to put on a rock festival entitled 'Waynestock' after a 'weird naked indian' guides him to Jim Morisson in a dream, who tells him of his quest. Will Wayne be able to get the girl and carry out the task? Only time will tell... Based around the same type of humour as the first film, Wayne's World 2 promises every viewer a laugh... Read review

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