Film Reviews by LE

This has a mixed reputation but it is actually very high quality. Scorsese's trademark direction is present throughout and he's at his best in certain sequences, including the horrific last scene. This is definitely worth your time if you're a Scorsese fan. There are themes and even individual shots that he would go on to develop in his later films. Barbara Hershey is terrific too.

No idea how this turned up on my list but I'm glad it did. Five allegorical tales, shot with real beauty and painterly care. I took a star off for some animal cruelty in the first few minutes that didn't look faked. I hope it was.

I should also say that there is a terrific Millicent Marcus video essay included in this edition by Arrow Films. Highly recommended. It took my appreciation of this film to another level. Will check out some more Taviani cinema now.

This DVD version moves to the proper widescreen aspect ratio(2.35:1) for some of the songs but frustratingly reverts to a bog-standard 16:9 for everything else. Very annoying. It's a great film but I hope Cinema Paradiso soon get hold of one of the newer Blu Ray versions which retain the proper aspect ratio. My advice (if you are as bothered by these sorts of things as I sadly am) is to buy the Blu Ray rather than rent this from Cinema Paradiso. It IS a great film though.

And the longest - which makes the structure hang together better. All other versions are heavily abridged. Fantastic direction and performances. Good screenplay too - that guy might be going places!