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Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem

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The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Unbearably intense? Please!
Review: If y'all want to see a great horror-drama then watch THE SHINING. In this film, Anthony Hopkins has master-thespian-trying-to-be-really-spooky written all over him. I'm sure he wouldn't have taken the role had it not shown promise of an academy award nomination. The only reason this movie won the best picture award is that it's "safe" enough for mainstream audiences. It doesn't contain anything very influential and astounding. At times it just feels like a TV movie for women, only with R-rated content.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: CINEMA AT IT'S BEST!
Review: Perfectly executed dramatic thriller!Jodie Foster,and Anthony Hopkins play their part to perfection!The screenplay is superb(likely due to the fact,that it dosen't stray TOO far from the ASTOUNDING,source novel by Thomas Harris),as is teh directing.Probably one of the best movies I've ever had the pleasure of watching.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The Silence of the Lambs - Criterion Collection - DVD
Review: I loved this movie when I saw it in the theater but the Criterion Collection DVD was very disappointing. The so-called deleted scenes in the DVD were very poorly done and were in fact not deleted in the original theatrical release, but left out of all the home versions. The commentary track, recorded 3 years after the movie came out, was overly analytical. None of the extras in the Criterion DVD make it worth the extra money. The cheaper Image Entertainment DVD has closed captioning and keeps the original, thought-provoking cover art. Of the 3 versions I've seen, the VHS tape is the best value for money. It cost much less and has all the essential elements.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Exquisite
Review: 'The Silence of the Lambs' is definitely a movie worth seeing. From Hopkins' portrayal as the venomous Dr. Hannibal Lecter to Foster's innocent but aware Clarice Starling. The entire movie is a realization of Thomas Harris' shocking novel. Even if you have not read the book, this is a 'must see.' The stunning close-ups bring you into the action allowing you to see what goes on in the eyes and minds of the characters. Everything about the movie, from the props to the costumes, was picture-perfect. This version is exquisite. I found no flaws in the picture, and the extra scenes were very interesting. I endorse this product fully.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: criterion the only way to go
Review: I was going up and down the bins of DVD section at my local record store and just about had a heart attack when i saw criterion put out SOTL on DVD.Years ago i saw this one in the laser disc bin and had always wanted to see it. Finally I have it and its great.The commentary really makes this a collectors item along with the deleted scenes.One of the best psychological thrillers of all time.Make your DVD collection complete with this criterion edition.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Hannibal is the best!
Review: I've watched this movie a few times, read the book twice and just watched the criterion edition of the movie. This edition is worth the extra money. The movie follows the book closely. In fact the deleted scenes were in the book. If you like this movie get this version, and read the book. Hannibal's character is a little more refined in the book, but they did a great job in the movie. You can't help but like the guy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Suspense and acting are brilliant, as is director Demme.
Review: In perhaps one of the most mind-bending mystery thrillers ever made, Clarice Starling is about to take a trip down memory lane that she has avoided all her life. A strong-willed, determined FBI trainee, she is sent to probe the mind of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who has been imprisoned for quite some time due to his cannibalistic tendencies. But as Clarice digs for what she is looking for, it is Dr. Lecter who will be probing her mind.

"The Silence of the Lambs" is, for the most part, a low-key film made into something grander by its enticing serial mystery and the psychological connections between its two main characters. Adapted from the novel by Thomas Harris, and the second in a series of films, director Jonathan Demme proves that he needs no Hollywood glamour and dazzle to keep our hearts pounding in unbelievable suspense.

Demme's cinematic journey takes us into the life of FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), who has been sent by her superior to investigate the mind of Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), whose gruesome crimes have landed him in an underground maximum security prison. Her hope is to find some connection between Lecter and a new serial killer, who has left a string of dead women for authorities to find and puzzle over.

Lecter already knows the answer to this puzzle, as well as the killer's identity, yet he hides this vital information from Starling, who becomes desperate for clues. He begins asking her questions from her past in exchange for pieces of the puzzle, and while she may be coming closer to unveiling the mystery, her own psychological torment has only just begun.

That psychological focus is the centrifuge for the most intriguing moments of the film, the ones in which Lecter digs into her world to uncover her past pain. Rather than use special effects or fancy camera work to convey this, Demme keeps the camera tight on the eyes of Hopkins, who, in his best role yet, keeps his voice low, articulate and chilling. Foster, in turn, shows realistic fear and sadness in her face as her character comes to face her life's experiences.

The remaining plotlines of the story center around the murders and clues, and are no less involving than anything else the film serves up. The killer's identity is revealed to us from the beginning, but his whereabouts are puzzled over until the final confrontation in his basement. That scene, in which Foster must maneuver around in complete darkness, is an acting tour de force; Foster again portrays immense fear and paranoia in her character, and the result is spine-tingling.

Demme's attention to dark aspects of filming are spectacular. The movie is, for the most part, cast in shadow and dark light, giving the atmosphere a moldy, dismal appearance. The film contains a minimal amount of bloodshed, though scenes involving such violence are very effective.

"The Silence of the Lambs" is more about making us tremble than making us jump, and the result is electrifying and full of energy. Just as the film swept the Oscars, it also sweeps us into a terrifying journey into the mind of a killer, and that of his recent psychological test study, who discovers just how fragile the mind can be.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "Why does he kill them Clarice?"
Review: Six simple words. They don't sound like much, but listen to Hannibal Lecter say them and you won't feel the same EVER again.

Believe it or not, this is a TERIFFIC movie. Sir Anthony Hopkins makes a GREAT Hannibal and Jodie Foster is stunning as young FBI agent Clarice.

Some small advice: Don't watch this movie alone.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stunning
Review: Anthony Hopkins plays the role of Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lechter who takes us on a horrifying ride through the tortured mind of the anonymous Billie the Kid, a serial killer who preys on heavy women. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat, even after the first time you see it. Anthony Hopkins raises the bar for psychotic cannibals. His magnetism is unbelievable. A definite must see.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: DVD Features
Review: Okay, Silence of the Lambs, a great movie blah blah blah. This review is about the features and lack thereof on the criterion release.

First the commentary is very good. They mix five different people onto one track. Personally I would prefer a few independant tracks as was done on (for example) the Contact DVD but it's still is an interesting commentary. The deleted Scenes are interesting and is a feature I would like to see more of on DVDs. The image quality is great; I can't imagine anyone having any complaints about that. Finally, the Documentary material on the disk is interesting but don't get too excited about it - it's nothing you couldn't find on the internet with about 15 seconds worth of effort.

Now about the two features the disk is lacking which I think are serious short comings: No Subtitles and no Trailer. That a criterion release is missing these two features REALLY surprises me since they usually put a lot of effort into making a quality release. I hope this was just an oversight on Criterion's part and they won't make the same mistake in the future.


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