Drama > Hoffman, Dustin Drama > by Classification

Perfume is beautifully artistic, and utterly disturbing.

Advantages: Interesting storyline, brilliant concept, brilliantly acted.
Disadvantages: A far out arty film, maybe not for a broad spectrum audience as other films might be.

...they live on in the perfume that is created so their beauty lives on; the essence of their being still exists. I also thought the costume was great. A lot of research had obviously gone into 18th century French attire for this film, and although the majority of the film is set in the poorest parts of society, so the clothes are simple, the attention to detail is wonderful. The film recreates the dirty, smelly atmosphere of the period, and you see ...
...The theme of perfume is a very unusual concept, and a very interesting subject. You learn a lot about how perfume is made, and because it is teamed with murder, it makes it a most interesting subject. Another contrast is created by the perfume of classes of society; the rich bathe in wonderful scents, whilst the poor are exposed to everything revolting. It also exposes the frivolous nature of the upper classes at the time, spending money on luxury ...

violetxoxo 09.05.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer (DVD)

Revenge Is Sweet

Advantages: Compelling first half, very astute
Disadvantages: Lacklustre in parts, uncomfortable viewing at times

Hells Kitchen, New York has always been a difficult place to live let alone grow up in, with drug dealers, murderers and rapists at every corner, but that’s just the surroundings that four young boys grow up in, in 1967. The mischievous boys play a prank on a hot dog vender however what at first was a juvenile prank turned into something much more serious when the prank goes horribly wrong. The four boys end up in a juvenile prison for at least a ...
...are introduced to daily beatings and sexual assaults. Needless to say the scars run deep and 13 years on they still haven’t forgotten. When two of the boys grown up come across the sadistic guard (Kevin Bacon) who subjected them to such heinous abuse they waste no time in showing up and teaching him a lesson. The two men are taken to court therefore it would seem that it’s the end of their revenge however it’s not long before the two other men who ...

Great_reviewer07 10.12.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Sleepers (DVD)

Straw Dogs can't bite can they?.....Ouch!

Advantages: Fantastic performances, great story
Disadvantages: Very Violent

Straw Dogs is a Sam Pekinpah film, adapted from 'The Siege of Trenchers Farm' a 1969 novel by Gordon Williams, it is known by many simply for the brutal violences which seemed shocking at the time but now seems brutal but not out of the ordinary. It has a reputation due to a brutal rape scene, which is awful, but absolutely relevant to the story and the dramatic events that follow. As it was not allowed for home release it developed a notoriety along ...
...film is about David and Amy Sumner (Dustin Hoffman and Susan George) a couple who move to the remote Cornish village where Amy grew up ironically to escape the violence and brutality of inner city America. Due to a misunderstanding over some building work the Sumners ask for on their broken down farmhouse, a local builder Charlie Venner (Del Henney) and his workmen create whispers about the Sumners and a campaign of deep seated mistrust and resentment ...

paulie1975 28.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Straw Dogs (DVD)

Papillon

Advantages: Really drags you in to the emotion of it all
Disadvantages: Some may be put off by the lack of dialogue

...premise of the film surrounds Papillon (Steve McQueen) and his imprisonment on the infamous Devil's Island. He makes friends with Dega (Dustin Hoffman) as he ceaselessly plots means of escape. Despite several failed escape attempts, Papillon refuses to have his spirit broken by his ruthless and humiliating captors. If you are after a film with sparkling dialogue, you will want to give this a miss as there are long periods where not a word is spoken. ...
...than make up for it. Usually after reading a book, the film adaptation is extremely disappointing, but thankfully in this case, the film more than lives up to its billing. Overall, I really enjoyed this film and would heartily recommend it as, despite it's length, the time will fly by as you are brilliantly drawn into the struggles and yearning for freedom of Papillon. ...

kipper54 04.02.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Papillon (DVD)

Run, jury-man, run!

Advantages: Some good acting
Disadvantages: Disappointing film adaptation - might be better if you watch before you read the book.

...all. Anyway, the film, The Runaway Jury, based on the equally titled book by John Grisham, came on television recently. I must be getting too keen as I actually decided to watch it just so that I could write this review! I have to admit reading the book has influenced my opinion on this film and therefore somewhat had an impact on my review. Perhaps I liked the film better before I knew how good the novel was. Story There are some differences between ...
...really be condoning violence. The Runaway Jury has been rated 15, and I’m not sure why it didn’t make a 12 (I thought it was a 12 until I looked it up) although I doubt most teenagers or younger would be interested in this sort of film anyway. It really is aimed at a slightly older audience. There were no sexual scenes and I don't actually remember much swearing, so at least the film is not offensive! Conclusion The second time I watched this film ...

Ayesha- 16.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Runaway Jury (DVD)