Luciano Pavarotti - In Memoriam 1935-2007 DVD

Advantages: As far as mafia films go - quite enjoyable
Disadvantages: Story quite far-fetched in parts

...INTRO/CAST/CREDITS Bella Mafia is a Lynda La Plante novel and screenplay. It was originally made as a TV mini-series but was so popular it was released as a film/DVD. I've seen it a couple of times and, personally, enjoyed it on both occasions. Starring Vanessa Redgrave, Nastassja Kinski, Jennifer Tilly, James Marsden and Illeana Douglas, Gina Philips, Tony Lo Bianco and Dennis Farina), Bella Mafia was released in 1997 in the USA and 1998 in the UK. It's classed as a drama and is not suitable for viewers under 15 (due to some scenes of violence) in the UK and 18 in the USA. It was produced by Jack Clements and directed by David Greene. The full film runs for over well over 3 hours which might be a bit too long for some viewers, although from what I could gather the DVD version runs for about 2 hours. PLOT TEASER Sicilian Don... Read review

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Advantages: The stars look good, Breslin is adorable as usual
Disadvantages: No chemistry between the leads, manufactured romance and no comedy

...can see it while watching "Emeril Live"). Aside from Glass' score, there is appropriate use of classical pieces by Luciano Pavarotti, including the powerful "Nessun Dorma." The only song that feels out of place among all the opera tunes is Liz Phair's "Count on My Love" which came off her most recent album. I'm a huge Phair fan, and I respect anyone who chooses the underground indie artist over pop mainstream slop which usually finds their place on those stupid "That's What I Call Music" cds. However, a great soundtrack does not a great movie make, and we all should have learned our lessons after the atrocity EMPIRE RECORDS. The bottom line is, Hollywood, we need a romantic comedy that is much more nourishing than this one. 'Nuff said. The Blu Ray DVD of NO RESERVATIONS came out in late January and is available for 18 GBP…a rip... Read review

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Advantages: The definitive cinematic telling of Frankenstein.
Disadvantages: None

...James Whales made two masterly films in the early thirties based on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the second one being Bride of Frankenstein in 1935 and which many critics rate as possibly the greatest horror movie ever made. But this 1931 original is almost as good with the wonderfully stylish black and white photography and creepy atmosphere, inspiring endless directors through the years. Superb sets which evoke a nightmarish sense of the unreal and a stunning central performance by Boris Karloff as the definitive monster, evoking both terror and pathos in equal measures. Add to that Whales macabre sense of humour and horror movies just don't get any better. The definitive cinematic treatment of the story.... Read review

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