Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts

I Am Love (2009 Film)

Sunday, December 28, 2014 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek
After not seeing an Italian film for a while, I picked this one up because the cover looked like it was ‘full of secrets’—I know, don’t judge a book (or movie) by it’s cover, but what else do you judge it by?




“Take a good look at the cover photo—what do you see?”

The Rundown
Behind the name: Originally Italian—Io sono l'amore
Country: Italy, 2009
Genre: Drama
Distributor: Mikado Film
Directed By: Luca Guadagnino
                     Cast: Tilda Swinton (as Emma Recchi), Flavio Parenti (as Edoardo Recchi Jr.), Edoardo Gabbriellini (as Antonio Biscaglia), Alba Rohrwacher (as Elisabetta Recchi), Pippo Delbono (as Tancredi Recchi), Maria Paiato (as Ida Roselli), Diane Fleri (as Eva Ugolini), Waris Ahluwalia (as Shai Kubelkian), Marisa Berenson (as Allegra Recchi), Gabriele Ferzetti (as Edoardo Recchi Sr.).
Compare to: Will think about this one... 
Hate it or Love it?  Like it  

Synopsis in a Sentence: This woman’s got it all—a husband, kids, a good home, and money—so why does she get into it with her son’s friend, and how does the story alter from there? 

On Writing: The Plot
The story’s about a woman who’s dissatisfied with her life. It tells us how far she’d go to be happy, but what exactly does happiness mean? For her, it comes at a high cost. Overall, the plot is well written. It’s not a dry story, for sure, but you’ll have to get it to enjoy it.
 (3.5/5)

On Acting: The Cast
Tilda Swinton
A good cast overall. I cannot think of one actor that performed poorly… well, for the most part, the most important ones do their jobs well. Top actress goes to Tilda Swinton, who plays the lead, Emma Recchi. She’s point-blank. She’s good. 
Edoardo Gabbriellini- Left
Top actor will have to go to Edoardo Gabbriellini, who plays her partner in crime, Antonio Biscaglia. Thy do the do together. They’re not bad at it. (Acting, that is).
(3/5)



On Production: 
The Creativity
The production is good. Really not bad. Good. (3/5)                                             

On Resolution: 
The Conclusion
This one is quite the catcher. Really. It’s the best part. And then it ends abruptly.
(4/5)




The Verdict: Overall, quite well done. A lot of things implied, so take care to take note. Beware of sexual content though.  


Overall Score = 13.5/20






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Golden Door (2006 Film)

Thursday, January 31, 2013 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek

I picked up Golden Door because the information on the back of the movie contained recommendations From Martin Scorsese (actually, I misread it—I thought it was a joint production by Scorsese and Emanuele Crialese) but I wasn’t completely disappointed—Scorsese’s recommendations proved valid.  


“A ride through past times.”

The Rundown
Behind the name: Original Title—Nuovomondo
Country: Italy, 2006
 Genre: Drama
Distributed by: Miramax Films
Director: Emanuele Crialese
Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg (as Lucy Reed), Vincenzo Amato (as Salvatore Mancuso), Aurora Quattrocchi (as Fortunata Mancuso), Francesco Casisa (as Angelo Mancuso), Filippo Pucillo (as Pietro Mancuso), Federica De Cola (as Rita D'Agostini), Isabella Ragonese            (as Rosa Napolitano), Filippo Luna (as Don Ercole)
Compare to: Fellini Satyricon
Hate it or Love it?  Appreciate it

Synopsis in a Sentence: An Italian family emigrate from Sicily to America, and they meet an English lady who stirs things up.
           

On Writing: The Plot
The story of immigration into America. It takes care to highlight its main characters, taking care not to overshadow its supporting ones. The story is easy to follow, with a few abstract details to the story (cinematic metaphors, if you will) that may or may not be appreciated. Regardless, the story is a solid one, and does not once waver for uncertainty or inconclusion. A good one.
   (3.5/5)
 
On Acting: The Cast
The cast played well. One of those kinds that you may be led to conclude that they are indeed playing themselves in the movie. A good diverse mix of characters complemented by a skilful cast.
(3.5/5)



On Production:
Very well done. Production for the Golden Door should indeed be much appreciated. It’s done with care, like art and advances the story with abstract scenes that ponder on the minds of its viewers. Good work indeed.
 (4/5)                                             

On Resolution: The Conclusion
It’s not quite clear what kind of ending should be expected in such a film, but it is a good one that allows history to tell of the journey of Italian immigrants through America’s golden door. 
(3/5)

The Verdict: A good watch, loaded with like a documentary-esque information, but agreeably enjoyable.

Overall Score = 14/20

 

 




See the The Golden Door 

 [http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Door-Filippo-Pucillo/dp/B000X418UY/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1359676397&sr=1-1&keywords=the+golden+door]

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Days and Clouds (2007 Film)

Monday, June 13, 2011 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek

The best things in life are free… if only we can learn to live without.


“’Days and Clouds’ maintains the realistic dynamics between money, marriage and love with sophisticated candour.”

The Rundown
Behind the name: Also Known As “Giorni e' Nuvole”
Country: Italy & Switzerland, 2007
 Genre: Drama
Distributed by: Amka Films Producations & The Film Movement
Director: Silvio Soldini
Cast: Margherita Buy (as Elsa), Antonio Albanese (as Michele), Giuseppe Battiston (as Vito), Alba Rohrwacher (as Alice), Carla Signoris (as Nadia) and Fabio Troiano (as Riki)
Compare to: Time Out
Hate it or Love it?  Like it, for what its worth…  

Synopsis in a Sentence: An otherwise wealthy couple is forced to face real life after the man of the house loses his job, and they find that it’s a bit harder to be in love when money’s out of the equation.

On Writing: The Plot
It’s a story very few movies take on nowadays, and the plot deserves the careful countenance the film addresses. It’s interesting to see the dynamics of family relationships when under strain: The plot carries the nuances of the matter and highlights them through the characters. It’ not a film that preaches, neither is it one that simply narrates. It instead invites you into the time and space of the characters, harnessing both objectives in proper fashion.
 (3.5/5)

On Acting: The Cast
It’s a good sign when you’re watching a film and forget about the acting—it means the characters are so believable they con you into forgetting that they are acting. I do not recall remembering any “actors” throughout this film. On another note, perhaps it’s not a good thing, as good actors are remembered for their great skill. However, their performances were independently good, yet collectively complementing.
(3.5/5)

On Production:
Nice, warm hues, the camera complemented the story, taking angles and perspectives that went in line with the plot. Well done.
 (3.5/5)                                             

On Resolution: The Conclusion
It doesn’t end in the manner we quite would expect, which is what I would label a good film, a really good film. It’s a faux pas for a film to be predictable, and too many films continuously commit this crime in modern cinema, but this one doesn’t.
(4/5)

The Verdict: A realistic perspective on marriage, not overly pessimistic, yet not idealistically over-optimistic. Days and Clouds maintains the dynamics between money, marriage and love with sophisticated candor.

Overall Score = 14.5/20 




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