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Reviews
Much Ado About Nothing (1973)
Best ever.
I've seen quite a few productions of Much Ado, both on film/TV and on stage and I must say this Joseph Papp production with Sam Waterston and Kathleen Widdoes is my absolute favorite. The time period is perfect. And they really used the period and the setting extremely well. Using the Spanish American war as inspiration was...inspiring. Beatrice is both strong and feminine. I think my favorite part is when Beatrice is eavesdropping in the conservatory and the sprinklers come on. While shot on a set, you can still see the roots this production had as a stage play. But that isn't lost when it's brought to the screen. The setting allows for more flexibility in shooting angles and close-ups, but you still get a sense of the intimacy of a stage production. I say "bully!" Two thumbs up.
The Unforgiven (1960)
Not that great
It had everything going for it and still fell short. You can tell Huston wasn't part of the post production or the film never would have had that totally awful film score. It almost makes the movie unbearable. The cast is superb. A lot of talent there. The acting isn't bad. The script isn't bad. The cinematography is good. It just....falls short. The ending was especially stupid. Suddenly Ben loves his little sister, but not in that way. Okay, so they've known all their life they weren't related by blood. But to suddenly decide to marry your "sister"? But worst is that the entire family, except for Mom Matilda, survive this Indian attack. Not only that, but Cash single-handedly saves them as they are waiting to die in the root cellar while their sod house burns around them. And then...that's it. They walk out and hug. The end. It just didn't resolve itself well. It was trying to tell a story and some of it was hitting you over the head and some of it just wasn't there. This film got 3 out of 4 stars in the TV guide. I don't think so. 2 max *IF* you ignore the bad film score.
Remando al viento (1988)
European, but not that bad.
I thought this was a very interesting take on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and the people and history surrounding it's creation. It's slow but worth the wait, beautifully filmed. Hugh Grant and Valentine Pelka do a fine job. Thankfully there is less of Grant's girlfriend of the time, Liz Hurley. She should stick to modeling.
The use of the monster as an omen of death is very interesting.
I didn't really know much about the life of Shelley or Byron before this movie.
Be aware there is some nudity, but it is not what I would consider gratuitous. I looked it up. Shelley really would walk around his house nude. He even answered the door once with no clothes.
The locations are absolutely fabulous. I so want to tour Europe and stay everywhere this was filmed.
I really loved the music and wish there was somewhere with a more detailed list of the pieces used. There is a list of the composers in the credits, but they all wrote a lot of music. Which Beethoven piano sonata? Which Mozart? You could spend a lot of time trying to find the music. There is no soundtrack released that I am aware of so you're out of luck if you want to listen to the music in the car.
If you can get the DVD or VHS on sale, worth it. But I wouldn't pay full price.