Gladiator (2000)

Rating: 8.6/10

"What we do in life echoes in eternity."

'Gladiator'...Where to begin reviewing this colossal film?! A film that visualized a world that humanity will always be curious about. The glory of the Roman Empire.

In a few words the story goes likes this:"Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves Maximus and his family condemned to death. The powerful general is unable to save his family, and his loss of will allows him to get captured and put into the Gladiator games until he dies. The only desire that fuels him now is the chance to rise to the top so that he will be able to look into the eyes of the man who will feel his revenge." (www.imdb.com)

World renowned director, Ridley Scott, tackled one of the spectacular moments of human history and made it come alive. Just like James Cameron, Scott had the will to dream big and create even bigger. This is by far one of his masterpieces as not only he gave growth into a long lost civilization but also managed to transmit most of all the ethical morality that a family plays in one person's life.

First of all, it would be very undermining of me not to extol the brilliance of the cinematography in this film. This is one of the main reasons the film was such a spectacular event in film history; the family imagery, the hearth of family unity, the morality between choice and duty, the battle scenes and the Colosseum, are few of the glorious images coming to life in our screens. One of the most serene, and mesmerizing moments is the beginning; the naked hand gently stroking the field full of wheat, the sense and the emotions that that moment transmits is a testimony of how familiar this film begins. Just like a human seeks the need for the creation of family, to build a world of safety, thus the film takes just from such a scene into the barbaric hoards of the north that Rome was trying to conquer. Such a magnificent elegance in the way cinematographer, John Mathieson (X-Men: First Class, Kingdom of Heaven, Hannibal), leaves his camera to move and sway the audience into the world he chooses for us to take a sneak peak on.

Nonetheless, the sound mixing and the musical score of the film leave none unmoved as both technical elements seize every opportunity to unite every image with the musical and sound effect in a blend of whirlwind of emotions. Of course, the always awe-inspiring score of Hans Zimmer (Inception, The Dark Knight, The Pirates of the Carribean etc) takes you step by step from low background musical thematology into the crescendos of violent moments and the releases you into an emotional background of empathy for the characters. You can listen to one of the tracks here!

And then there was that other thing; acting! Oh yes, this film has some top-notch acting in it. Beyond the smooth directing, the elegance of cinematography and the blending in of the sound effect, the acting comes to be the cherry on top of this glorious cake. First there is Russell Crowe...the Colossus of the Colosseum, then there's the veterans; the late Oliver Reed and Richard Harris, and the new-rising glorious star of the '00s, Joaquin Phoenix...the boy-villain, who managed to make everyone who sat down to watch this film hate him more than Hannibal Lecter, and last but not least the English thespian that still amazes audience with his presence, Derek Jacobi. It would take me ages to start analyzing one by one each actor's colossal performances in this film. They all in their own worth stand-up and give a very enticing, emotional-gripping performance. They make us believe in the humanity of the characters, in their beliefs, in their emotional journey.

This film stands out for a variety of reasons. Both cast and crew come together to create a wonderful story and an ancient world which we will always look upon with daze. Perfect film for the whole family, even for the younger audiences as well with it's fast-pace battle scenes and the gladiators in the arena. The proto-type version of Spartacus TV Series. For those who love to look upon the glory days of the gladiators, this is one-hell of a flick!

Enjoy!

Gladiator (2000)

The Sound of Music (1965)

Rating: 8.7/10

"The Von Trapp children don't play. They march."

The ULTIMATE feel-good family-movie!

How can anyone review a masterpiece such as this film?!? Not only this film is the ultimate classic, it surpasses anyone's expectations when we look at today's musicals.

'The Sound of Music':

The story involves some nuns, a governess, a captain, some Nazis and a large family of kids that sings and dances. Pretty straightforward story: "A young woman trained to be a novice, leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the seven children of a Naval officer widower." (www.imdb.com)

I'm sure there's plenty of governesses stories out there, although this one is slightly different. There is indeed a lot of singing involved and quite a bit of dancing, as there is a lot of pranks and heartfelt performances. This film is a special treat for the whole family, because it takes you step by step into this gloomy household and its transformation into a house of laughter and singing. Imagine a more mature Mary Poppins type of film.

The newly-Academy-awarded Christopher Plummer and the always astounding Julie Andrews give a bedazzling performance and really pour their heart and soul into bringing their characters to life. Although rumours may suggest what a struggle it had been for Plummer to really connect with his character, having to do all that singing, he found it a sheer joy to be pummeled day in and day out with the passion and the stamina of Andrews. Their on-screen chemistry as master and governess at the beginning and their growing likeness towards each other as the film progresses really give the audience feel at ease and  joyful to watch this on-screen couple. Both actors apply the performing girth into full gear, especially when it came to their vocal numbers they leave one breathless with their heartfelt emotion that they put into their songs.

Of course the key ingredient in all of this is the music, and the children. Nothing would have been made possible without these two elements. A combination that truly makes any family member involved. Each vocal number for the children was definitely a challenge but all seven of them did a superb job with both their hilarious acting as well as their singing. Considering that for some of these kids, this film was their debut into the acting world, one can't help but admire their fantastic energy and enthusiasm that they bring in this film. But like I mentioned before, nothing also would not be the same without the exquisite original music score of Irwin Kostal, who has the audience still singing the songs of the film forty-seven years after its making. What a wonderful achievement that must be for a music composer.

This film would be suggested mostly for the families, the people who love musicals and singing in general, but I would recommend it to people who enjoy a good performance, a good subtle story of an estranged family and people who like to relish on classic cinematography. I mean look, the shot of having Julie Andrews at the beginning of the film singing in the Austrian mountains (which I've checked it's quite real I guarantee you) is one of the most unique shots in all of cinema history, and that's not an exaggeration. I mean beat that today, without any visual effects and CGI. Very few can!

This film is full of heart and soul, and above all some exquisite, original, authentic music!

Enjoy the VonTrapp family my lovely cinema-goers!


The Sound of Music (1965)

A Dangerous Method (2011)

Rating: 5.4/10

"Sometimes you have to do something unforgivable... just to be able to go on living."

It isn't often that I want to slander a period piece. Since they kind of are my cinematic vice, I find it hard to bad-mouth or give a negative review to a period drama piece. This time round though, the case was somewhat different.

'A Dangerous Method' "tells about the intense relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud gives birth to psychoanalysis."

All's well and good with the story-line, only we seem to see more of Carl Jung's character than sir Sigmund and the relationship between the two forefathers of psychoanalysis. We do however, see a lot of Carl Jung's ex-patient and mistress and how that relationship affected Jung into the depths of psychoanalysis.

I am a great fan of Michael Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen but this period drama was lacking chemistry between the protagonists as well as a stamina to follow up with the characters' story-line. In my opinion I believe the scripted lacked this emotional ground that could be built between these two men, thus leaving me emotional detached from their drama and their emotional journey. Since both the actors above have well proved in the past to be one of the best-in-depth actors in currently in the business, I expected a lot more from their performance, but instead got very little and a lot of jumble trying to follow where they were coming from.

Keira Knightley....Oh the never-ending battle of this actress's pouting. Indeed I do hold a bit of prejudice against this actress, since I have been watching her progress since she was 16 years old, and have yet to be impressed by her. With this film, she really did try to do the best she could, I could tell she struggled with her role, but in the end she did not again manage to exceed her yet-so-far acting abilities. She can do a lot better I think. She still needs more work in her craft, because a pretty corset and a bit of provocative nudity won't do. Keep on acting Keira.

All in all, story was a bit dull and mundane for my taste. Found it a bit hard to follow the characters and what their ultimate goal was. Had a couple of good scenes with Fassbender and his on-screen wife, Sarah Gordon. The direction was mellow and uninteresting; followed a very steady pace but which at the end lost me as an audience as to what it was trying to tell me. A very peculiar phenomenon if you think that this film is by David Cronenberg, an acclaimed director in the business who failed in many ways to deliver with this film.

Worth the watch if there's nothing else in the cinema this award season, which I can assure you this is not possible as there's plenty of much worthier films out there currently showing.


A Dangerous Method (2011)

The Artist (2011)

Rating: 9.2/10

"Perfect. Can we do it one more time?" - "With pleasure!"

Probably one of the most talked-about films of the year, if not the decade! 'The Artist' is the most recognizable silent films of the 21st century!

A lot has been said and written on this film, and my review will not be the exception of the majority of what's been said. This film is quite the accomplishment for writer/director Michel Hazanavicious. Although this is hist first transatlantic endeavour, Hazanavicious did wonders. He simply proved to every active director out there that simple is best!

He managed to get people from around the globe into the cinema theatres to watch a silent film; in our day and age when people are more and more driven to words and blabbering on screen, Hazanavicious was capable of mesmerizing the cinematic audience with no words, no dialogue, simply image, music and sound.

The story in brief: "George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is the king of silent movies in Hollywood in 1927. Audiences just adore everything George is a part of. Along comes Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) who you just know is going to be a huge star some day. George and Peppy work together on one film as George not only takes her under his wing, but an undeniable spark develops between the two. Over the course of the next few years, silent movies fade into obscurity as talking pictures or "talkies" explode onto the scene. George finds himself struggling for not only work, but a purpose to live as Peppy becomes the next big thing overnight." (www.imdb.com)

Hazanavicious innovative idea of shooting this film silent, black and white but also in a 1:37:1 aspect ratio has literally and figuratively brought Hollywood and the rest of the world by surprise, as it not only dares to experiment on a very unique film idea but also make the world experience cinema like the old days. He asks of his audience to relive the golden glory of the silent film era; an era full  of romantic ideals and enthusiasm for what was to come in the future.

The absolutely vital ingredient for this film's success though lies in the protagonists; Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo. A match-made in Heaven. In cinema heaven. These two actors,  bring the enthusiasm, the energy and the passion needed to carry through the narration of the story. Their merge is astonishing, as the freshness in their performance, is able to magnetize every viewer on the big screen. An amazing pairing in my opinion, that manages not only to captivate and engage the audience with their very heartfelt performances, especially Dujardin who holds the lead role, but also both actors are able to let their faces light up on screen, thus reminding to the audience how powerful the face of an actor can be on camera.

Russian director Grigori Kozintsev once said "what would be the point of  setting-up a camera to shoot anything, if that camera does not manage to capture the facial expressions of the character's emotional journey". And this is what exactly this film is about. It has the courage and the guts to remind us what we, as an audience, forgot nowadays; to pay a little less focus on the visual and a little more attention to the character development.

A worthy mention to the cameos and non-cameos of veteran actors such as Malcom McDowell, John Goodman and the always warm James Cromwell, as well as actresses that have many-a-time been underestimated by Hollywood producers Missi Pyle and Penelope Ann Miller, are few of the names that simply add to this cinematic recipe of success.

The costume and production design certainly must have been an overwhelming task for the production team to fulfill but it accomplished to transfer us for an hour and a half back in the late 1920s with such ease, it made the make-belief all the more easy to buy in and get sucked in the feeling of the era. So wonderfully designed and mastered!

And it would be a tremendous error of me if I wouldn't praise the music design in this film. The soul and heart of this silent 'picture'. Ludovic Bource. A true artist who I do hope his name will echo loud and clear this coming Sunday evening at the Academy Awards Ceremony for the Oscar for Best Original Score, since to say that he did a superb job in the musical enhancement would merely be an understatement on my part. Thumbs up for the brilliant work he did!

This film is not just a brilliant masterpiece made for the wider audience to enjoy; it is an experience that everyone who loves and appreciates good cinema should indulge in! It is the wonders of all wonders of filmmaking, and it came from a very unknown background, and not a mainstream filmmaking co-operation that just wanted another blockbuster hit, but instead wanted to make magic on the big screen. And that it does.

Just to clear the air of a myth though. The film is not entirely in silence; and for those who will endeavour to watch this film, they will understand why I'm saying this.

I do urge people to go and watch this film. Support it, love it, and simply enjoy the ride!

Sound rolling. Camera rolling. Aaaaaaaaaand.....Action!!!

'The Artist' (2011)

Jane Eyre (2011)

Rating: 7.2/10

"I offer you my hand, my heart. Jane, I ask you to pass through life at my side. You are my equal and my likeness. Will you marry me?"

Today's kick off is a period film. Jane Eyre. The most filmable novel since the time of its publication, Jane Eyre has attracted throughout the 20th century a number of directors wanting to bring to life on the big screen the gloomy sadness of the most famous governess in all of English literature.

The novel was written by Charlotte Bronte and was published in 1847. The screen play though was written by world renowned playwright and screen writer Moira Buffini (Gabriel, Loveplay) and was directed by a new-in-town director, Cary Fukunaga.

The reason I chose to first review this film version, amongst the others running around through the cinematic decades, is because first of all this is the most current one and secondly because this film version really stood out in my opinion.

This version is subtle, gloomy, bleak, sad, majestic in its own right, it's mature and its exhausting silence speaks in golden words. The dialogue is sparse but it is also well accounted for.

This is the famous story of Jane Eyre. "A mousy governess who softens the heart of her employer, but who soon discovers that he's hiding a terrible secret." (www.imdb.com)

The story of the young governess who falls in love with the tough and hot-headed master. The stubborn master who in return is taken back by the subtle and serene presence of the young lady. A very common story nowadays, but with many ways that can be told.

The shadowy and mysterious performance of the new-star-on-the-rise Michael Fassbender (Hunger, Shame, A Dangerous Method, X-Men:First Class,Inglorious Basterd, Fish Tank etc) makes it all the more easier for the audience to believe in the half-hearted role of Mr. Rochester. The resilience and the staggering energy Fassbender encapsulates through our screens is overwhelming, giving it a bull-dozing performance this time round. Known always for the harshness in the roles he chooses to play, Fassbender here is able to transform from the inexplicably wild and rush master into to stricken down lamb that needs saving.

Saving from non-other than the glorious patience of Mia Wasikowska's role, Jane Eyre. Wasikowska was first seen in the role of Tim Burton's 'Alice in wonderland' and this year is currently again on the spotlight for the award-nominated period drama 'Albert Nobbs'. There's always something about this actress's ease to move about on screen. Her calmness, her raw silence, her sad sweetness and this majestic sorrow she has in her eyes, always brings me to my knees. I had wanting to go with half-a-heart whilst watching her performance, wanting to find any flaws or errors, but in the end there weren't none. Young she may be, but I assure you there's nothing young or naive about this actress's performance. Quite the contrary, there is a seriousness and maturity in the way she carries herself and the grave task of bringing to life the role of Ms Jane Eyre.

The cast is filled with a number of young-rising stars such as Jamie Bell ('Billy Eliot'), Holliday Grainger ('The Borgias'), Tamzin Merchant ('The Tudors'), Sally Hawkins ('Made in Dagenham', 'Happy-Go-Lucky') and world renowned Dame Judi Dench ('Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown', 'Notes on a Scandal', 'Chocolat' etc) whose stunning performance in anything she may decides to act simply puts a gauge in your mouth and leaves you to pieces.

The bleak landscapes, the moors, the elements of nature, that seem to go hand-in-hand with the characters' emotional journey, the ironclad script and the oblique sense of the air are amongst the things that should urge everyone to sit down and watch this version of the story.

I am sure you will find older versions depicting the same qualities as the ones I'm describing above, only do give this one a chance as well. It is well-worth its length and it's production. I couldn't find a more fitting Jane and a more handsome Mr. Rochester. What a wonderfully blended combination.

If you do manage to get a hold of this version, enjoy it slowly and with the patience it deserves. Happy screening!


Jane Eyre (2011)

El Laberinto del Fauno aka Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Rating: 8.7/10

"My mother told me to be wary of Fauns."

Today's film review is about a foreign film, a fantasy film. For the non-fantasy fans do not despair; there's also some raw reality involved.

Film suggestion for the day is 'El laberinto del fauno' or in english if you prefer 'Pan's Labyrinth'.

The film was first released in 2006 and was directed by the world acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro ('Hellboy'). In brief the plot goes somewhat like this:

"In 1944 fascist Spain, a girl, fascinated with fairy-tales, is sent along with her pregnant mother to live with her new stepfather, a ruthless captain of the Spanish army. During the night, she meets a fairy who takes her to an old faun in the center of the labyrinth. He tells her she's a princess, but must prove her royalty by surviving three gruesome tasks. If she fails, she will never prove herself to be the the true princess and will never see her real father, the king, again." (www.imdb.com)

On first thought, this seems to be another fairy-land story about a young girl and her fairy tales. But when it comes to the execution of the film, the story is somewhat different.

This film is a fascinating suggestion for numerous reasons; the fantasy-world meets the cold reality way too early on in the film, without letting the audience to get un-hooked from their screens. Nothing is what it seems, and the protagonists seems to be in a struggle of trying to cope both reality and fantasy with charisma and courage.

The unwavering of the plot is smoothly translated on our screens with del Toro's majestic directing. He never let us slip. Not for one instance. He manages to engross us so much into the story and the two parallel worlds he's trying to create, we can never stop wondering how he will treat his beautifully written scenario to the very end.

Of course the real gem in the story is the little young lady actress, Ivana Baquero, who steals the show with her sublte but also empathetic film performance. The audience can't help but indulge in her emotions, her fears and thoughts. Baquero's acting is so unique that manages to hold her own in a film set of grown-ups acting in a very cold and cruel war story.

The mesmerizing though hardly stops by Baquero's performance. I would like to comment on the superb performance of Baquero's on-screen step-father who's played by Sergi Lopez. What an on-screen presence. His very presence makes you overwhelmed and shudder with fear. He takes on the role of a regional capitan (commander) under Franco's dictatorship, and the very thought of crossing your path with such a fierce man makes your bones tremble with fright. He manages to keep his audience afoot, always hoping he will get what's coming to him for all the terror he spreads.
And that's what distinguishes him from all the super-villains in films nowadays.

And the ultimate performing task has to be given to the Faun/Pan. The remarkable acting of Doug Jones, the way the production design department presented him in our screens is simply why films are so magical. I can't talk a lot about the Faun without giving anything away, but I will simply say that it's because of the courage and the imagination of such actors that the cinema is still a thriving and booming industry and that is why one falls in love with it in the first place.

Even six years after it's release, I consider this film, as the best European product to have been produced in the last decade, thus marking it as a true masterpiece.

Of course we have to pay a worthy tribute to the musical score of the film, which is so beautifully written by Javier Navarrete. The glory of the score lies in the evocative instrumentation of transporting the mind into a world of magic, without letting go of the fact that sadness does still exist in there as well. Beautiful score. You can listen to the introduction here.

The reason I chose to review this film, is because it hold a particular place in my heart. Not because I was under the Franco dictatorship or have even experienced the ruthlessness of dictatorship at all, but because when I first sat down to watch this film, I went with blind eyes, not knowing what to expect and I got so much in the outcome.

This film is not for children, although it may appear this way. It is a very grown-up film, filled with love, honesty and imagination. And at the end of the day this is what filmmaking and arts in general need; to have the courage to imagine!

I hope you do get to enjoy watching this film, or if you have already I hope that opinions out there are mutual.

Happy screening!


El Laberinto del Fauno/Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

The Three Musketeers

Rating: 6.2/10

"All for One and One for All"

Since this is an objective blog and I promised to deliver not only the good scoop but also the (I don't want to say bad hence I'll say) not-so-good scoop.

Today I will review a film I was rather reluctant to watch since I am not a great supporter of this new-found genre action/3D/defilement-of-classical-literature-on-the-big-screen. Of course then again, I might be a little harsh on this particular film since it was done before; 'The Three Musketeers'.

No matter if you have seen the Keifer Sutherland version back in 1993 or the less known version of 'The Musketeer' with Justin Chambers back in 2001, this version is a complete stand-out from the rest. Merely due to the fact that this version you can see the three(or four) musketeers bouncing through your screen in 3D, but also because it was like watching 'Resident Evil' but in period costume drama.

Of course the director of such abomination - okay abomination is too harsh of a word so let me rephrase - of such a lacking production - is none other than Paul W.S. Anderson who first filled our once simple-minded brains with the concept of what the f*** 'Resident Evil' is. Of course like 'Lara Croft' and films of such kind, 'Resident Evil' was based on a freaking video game. 'The Three Musketeers' is not on the other hand, which makes it all the more appaling to watch on the big screen.

I have to admit he did gather up a wonderful cast of brilliant actors, unlike the 1993 version of the musketeers which was infused with the American flavor of acting, this version was packed with the British invasion (apart from some); Matthew McFadyen, Orlando Bloom, Milla Jovovich, Ray Stevenson, Mads Mikkelsen, Juno Temple, Longan Lerman, Dexter Fletcher and last but not least the always brilliant Christoph Waltz. (why Christoph, why did you do it, why???)

The plot of the film is the all knowing story of the stolen diamonds of Queen Ann and how the musketeers fetched it for her to avoid the scandal of being found out that she was involved in any way with the English Duke of Buckingham.

And the story goes somewhat like this: "The hot-headed young D'Artagnan along with three former legendary but now down on their luck Musketeers must unite and defeat a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war." (http://www.imdb.com/)

Pretty common plot, no objection there. But why in the world would they even consider involving DaVinci in the plot and how in the world did they come up with the idea of the floating ships and the air fights? I mean....really Paul.W.S. Anderson? I mean...really? Floating war ships in the 18th century France? And of course the English constructed this "masterpiece" first. Don't get me wrong, I am all about the English, but in all honesty the English are not known for their mechanical expertise.

I would gladly tell you to stay away from this film, but as everyone, now and then we all need some cheap entertainment. This is something of the sort. A lot of gun fighting in slow motion, a lot of dazzling visual effects and a charade of 18th-century costume (thumbs up for that as Milla's dresses, she did look stunning I gotta admit), and a lot of idle talk and uninteresting comic relief from the young and inexperienced royal couple, Louis XIII and his Queen Ann.

To sum up, yeah, if you want to have a jolly good time on a Saturday night with mates whilst everyone spills the pop-corn that's going round, it's a good mind-numbing flick. Other than that nothing all too special. Too much glitter in its advertising. Too many expectations, too little in its delivery.



Three Musketeers (2011)

Titanic (1997)

Rating: 8/10

"I'm the King of the World"

It would seem rather pointless of me to even introduce this film. I promised a blockbuster so that's the problem with blockbusters: even my cat knows about them.

So I will begin this review with the plot:

To keep it brief, "Beginning with genuine footage of the departure of the Titanic on its fateful voyage, this epic movie tells the events of that tragic night from the perspective of fictional survivor Rose. As an old lady of 100, she recounts her story of duty, love and disaster to a salvage crew searching for a lost diamond." (www.imdb.com)

This is James Cameron's 'Titanic'. What a colossal film indeed. Many times Cameron remarks that 'Titanic' was no more for him but a $200,000,000 chick flick. But what an expensive chick flick is this anyway?

I could go on and on about the cheesy plot line of impoverished-upper-class-girl-who-needs-to-marry-rich-to-save-her-family-from-debt meets boy-who's-poor-but-pure-of-heart-and-honest, they fall in love, something which interferes with the girl's plans to marry. In the end the couple endure everything because of Love;and since this is Valentine's Day what a better romance than a romance/disaster flick. I thought it appropriate enough to review, especially today.

The protagonists are merely the subpot in my opinion. The real protagonist is the ship. The unsinkable ship. The ship of Dreams. Not that ships could alter the course of someone's life (despite of what you may have seen on the TV Series 'The Love Boat', these things don't happen). However Titanic was somewhat different. It did change the course of many people's lives. And it gave Cameron the perfect excuse to give us an extrordinary spectacle through our screens.

Even before the fated days of 3D and IMAX, 'Titanic' was a feast for every viewer that visited the cinema to watch it. A truly remarkable feast for the eyes and a filmic directorial achievement. In my opinion, yes it may seem like the most cheesy romance/disaster flick ever, with many teenage hearts going all lovey-dovey for the fated love couple, Jack and Rose, but it's the immensity of hard work and innovative directorial and technological enhancements that make this film to stand out.

Cameron for me is a pioneer. Many see him as a madman who likes nothing more than to spend away money for his own perk. This is the man though that dared in my opinion. He gave us 'The Terminator' ('He will be back'), 'Titanic' ('If you jump, I jump') and his latest innovative-cash-cow-achievement 'Avatar' ('I see you') and there're plenty more to come I'm sure.

But enough about the director. Onto the film now. Beyond the plot and the directorial voice, we have to stand in awe of the production design, the production setting, the superb musical score of James Horner and the beautiful cast that came dazzling through our screen to make the mythology of this unsinkable ship to come to life.

Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kathy Bates, Bill Paxton, Billy Zane, Bernard Hill and so many other actors that filled the cinematic ship of Titanic. The tragic story of its virginal voyage that came to an unexpected end.

I see this film as a life-altering journey. To be able to capture the essence of how it must felt like to be in the real Titanic is an achievement that not-too-many directors are capable of fulfilling. The camera-work and the state of the art post-production infused techniques shape to what we then knew as an audience back in 1997.

Cameron later on did a documentary in 2003 about his real-life journeys underwater to find the real Titanic and explore the salvaged hull. For those keen on exploring more the idea of the real ship you can find more details here!

For me this film runs like a flowing water. I pay little attention to its extensive running time (194mins) because the truly horrif tragedy of the ship after the first hour and a half (the chick flick part) finishes, the real juice starts to pop in our screens.

Titanic sinking. The vessel leans and give way to its weight. The orchestra that plays all through the ending. The lights going out. The horrendous splitting in half. The final sinking of the hull. The people jumping and trying to survive in the freezing water of the Atlantic. All the lost souls who submit their fate into the ocean. Truly a remarkable cinematic feast!

First time I watched it I was about 11 years old. I remember nagging my mom for ages to go and watching (since I was so influence by Celine Dion's song 'My Heart Will Go On'). And I remember that for the first time in my life I cried in the cinema. I won't spoil at which part I did, because for those who have not seen then film, I will merely spoil the whole thing. But, it was the first and the last time that a blockbuster made me shed a tear. And for that, it definitely goes to my MUST-WATCH-FILMS-OF-ALL-TIME!

Hope when you do find the time, you take your loved one(s) and snuggle up and get cozy for an extraordinary ride.


Titanic (1997/2012)

Dangerous Beauty (1998)

Rating: 7.5/10

"Desire begins in the mind. It's the wanting that keeps us alive."

As promised, this is my second review of the day.

For my second review I've decided to go all historic-genre on you, and what a better historic era to start with than...the Renaissance.

Disclaimer: as I am indeed a fan of historic films, I will be a little biased tonight and will suggest one of my favorite films of all times; 'Dangerous Beauty'.

Just to give a brief summary of the plot: 'Dangerous Beauty' is the story of a young woman in 16th century Venice, who is forced to make a decision of whether she would like to become a scullery maid, a nun or a courtesan.

[Women in those times, who were not born into a family of wealth and social status had to abandon their idea and the very notion of finding 'love' in the conventional sense and instead were destined for a life of mental and social imprisonment. Only few women had the luxury of knowledge and total freedom over their mind and body; the courtesans, aka modern day escorts/luxury escorts.]

The story follows the path of a young woman, Veronica Franco, who decided to become a courtesan, thus unable to ever be with her one true love, Marco Venier, who coincidentally happened to be a senator of Venice.

The story is based on true historical figures, but the narration and the plot are obviously fictitious.

The film was released round about the same time that 'Shakespeare In Love' came out (with Gwyneth Paltrow & Joseph Fiennes), and thus it was completely overshadowed and under-received by the mass public in its release.

First time I happened to stumble upon this film I was 16 years old and had no idea what a courtesan even was. One look at the performance of Catherine McCormack, Rufus Sewell, Naomi Watts, Oliver Platt and Jacqueline Bisset was all that it took to get me hooked into the themes and the era completely.

It's a generic film, giving you the all feminist plot of 'I-am-a woman,-therefore-I-can-do-anything-and-dazzle-everyone,-not-only-with-my-beauty-but-with-my-brains-as-well'. This subplot definitely leads the film into a more feministic thematology, but what really is extraordinary about this film is the heartfelt performances given out.

A small indie production it may have been, but that did not stop the cast and the crew to overwhelm the audience by the dazzling scenery of the golden age of Venice, the poetic and witty dialogue and the incredible romance that unfolded between Veronica and Marco.

For many years, this film got me so engulfed I started an individual search on the real lives of the historic figures, and indeed Veronica's poems and publications proved how real life withstood the social conventions of the time and scrutinized the authorities for women's submission into the State of Venice.

Subtle cinematography, very delicate direction from Marshall Herskovitz, who based his film on Margaret Rosenthal's book 'The Honest Courtesan' and a mesmerizing music score by acclaimed composer George Fenton.

It would be exceptionally stupendous of me not to mention the full on detailed production of the costume design in the film, which was made by Gabriella Pescucci; the flare of the 16th century costume of every courtesan and state wife in the film was a tremendous task which in retrospect, it's costume designer lived up to the expectations of making the gowns of that era come to life.

This is my favorite film because it is a film I can watch over and over again, without getting bored of the performances, the plot and the cinematic narration. Also, since I do love films that belong into an underdog category, I consider this film exceptionally well-made for its budget and standards.

I would mostly recommend this if you're into the historic genre or costume drama. As not many people are these days, since for some inexplicable reason the youth today would trade quality films for the closest blockbuster, I would say that films such as this is not everyone's cup of tea...but unless you do try it you will never know how good it tastes.

Have a good evening everyone!

See you at tomorrow's double bill review with a blockbuster suggestion (yes, indeed!) and also a World War II underdog film!


Dangerous Beauty (1998)
*This is the intro of the film, as I could not find a suitable trailer without spoiling anything, this will 2-minute intro will have to suffice.*