Rating: 
Summary: MGM Special Edition vs. Criterion DVDs
Review: This is the fourth version of the movie I've owned (VHS, w/s VHS, Criterion, MGM special edition). And DVD is better than VHS so let's forget about those ancient relics known as tapes.If you just want to watch the movie, the MGM edition is best. It has the 5.1 sound, and the picture is much nicer. However, the Criterion does offer a lot more insight into the film. Criterion has a commentary track with Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, Jonathan Demme & Ted Tally, and the FBI agent that Jack Crawford was based on. I found this to be very interesting and it really let you understand the film better. Although the MGM edition's deleted scenes fill in some holes (the John Hopkin's help, that card Clarice is holding when calling Crawford, etc.) the scenes are far too short and only show excerpts from what were probably full scenes. Criterion's deleted scenes, again, help you gain a different perspective on the film. MGM has a solid documentary about the movie, but Criterion has those direct quotes from actual serial killers. The choice is a tough one to make. Personally, I'm glad I have both.
Rating:
Summary: The Silence of the Lambs
Review: ILL JUST SAY THIS THE MOVIE IS JUST AS GOOD AS HANNIBAL IS I LOVE BOTH MOVIES
Rating: 
Summary: Yummy!
Review: In a marketing no-brainer, MGM Home Entertainment has dove-tailed a new version of the Oscar-winning "The Silence of the Lambs" with the video debut of that suspense classic's controversial sequel, "Hannibal." The release follows the Criterion and Image versions of 1998. It is presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital but offers little punch in the rear sound mix. My disc required more of a volume push than most. The muted greens that saturate the film are adequately rendered and there are almost no signs of wear in the transfer. By far the better film of the two, it unfortunately comes with fewer extras and goodies than its sequel. Watching Anthony Hopkins' work in "Lambs" after viewing "Hannibal" only adds to appreciation of his decade-old performance. Hopkins was little known in the States when he took the role and, of course, it took him to stardom. Hopkins' original Lecter is a ghostly presence, lean and powerful, with cat-like movements that sell his sexuality and menace. Jodie Foster plays her Clarice as a young woman still exploring her world and the potential of her sexual powers. Tak Fujimoto's camera loves her, in shades of Hitchcock's female stars. In the DVD's accompanying new documentary, production designer Kristi Zea cites the art of Francis Bacon as an inspiration for much of the film's visuals. Other souces were photos of the Nuremberg trials and the fouled home of real-life serial killer Ed Gein. The "Inside the Labyrinth" documentary tells of a surprising party atmosphere on the set, with none of the traditional supernatural intrusions that seem to befall most shoots of this type (according to their publicists). Most of the interviews are contemporary, although Foster's footage appears dated. Hopkins goes on at length about his thinking behind the Lecter character -- "I knew that he was the shadowy figure inside all of us." Special features include some great clips of Hopkins trying out a series of masks for Hannibal, 20 minutes of (routine) deleted scenes, a making-of featurette from 1991 and an outtake reel. There is no director's commentary track. (I would recommend the widescreen version, BTW.)
Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: This is a heady thriller that was made way before its time. Not a lot of action and no explosions, but the viewer sits riveted to the screen nonetheless. A must see.
Rating:
Summary: WHOEVER HASN'T SEEN THIS MOVIE SHOUD BE SHUNNED FROM SOCIETY
Review: Movies like this are the reason I would sell my soul for a DVD player so i could see the deleted scenes and commentary. Moving right along... This has got to be one of the greatest movies of all time, which is probably why it won 5 well deserved Oscars. Anthony Hopkins takes on Hannibal Lector like a walk in the park, barely struggling with the role of a total psycopath. It's fun looking into his character, what made him become this dark thing? The questions aren't answered until "Hannibal", the book, NOT the second-rate movie. His empty eyes burn right through you, and Clarice, throughout the movie. Jodie Foster also gives an Academy Award winning performance. She doesn't seem to struggle with the role. Clarice Starling was one of the first female protagonists that didn't use sex as a way to get ahead, even when given the chance by the sleazeballs working with her. The driving force of the movie are the different exchanges betwteen Clarice and Hannibal in his cell. The chemistry between the two grabs the viewer. Thier relationship is very complex, why does he want to help her? Is he attracted to her? Would he hurt her if given the chance? it is also interesting to get into the head of Clarice because we are given her entire past. We can see how her child life affected her adult life, why she is so alone and why she is so driven to succed. The plot line is interesting, but for me takes a back seat to the dynamic between the two leads. All the way up to the heart pounding finale, The Silence of the Lambs is perfect. Another bonus, you get to hear Anthony Hopkins say the word "weedle".
Rating:
Summary: Intense Psychological Thriller Masterpiece
Review: It was 1991. Silence of the Lambs took home Best Picture, Best Actor(Hopkins) Best Actress (Foster) and Director (Demme). Based on the thriller by Thomas Harris, the disturbing look at man's darkest side is masterfully rendered. Dr. Hannibal Lecter has his place among the world's most greatest villains. We are intrigued, charmed and horrified by this psychologist, evil genius, cannibal. The story focuses on the chemistry between Lecter and FBI trainee Clarice Starling, hot on the trail of a psychotic serial killer "Buffalo Bill", a transvetite who preys on women for their skin. Dr. Lecter, in his cell, offers Clarice to help her trap the killer, who is former a patient of his, in return for personal information about her. The ambiance- from the cell to the Southern setting to the dark dungeon of Buffalo Bill, truly provides us with a chilling psychological thriller. The sequel ten years later is Hannibal. Famous lines in "Lambs": "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti," and Hopkin's frightening use of tongue. Must see.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and one of the best thriller film in 90s
Review: The film is one of the best in its class. I had watched both the films and DVD more than 10 times because I enjoyed the acting performance of Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Froster. The film and the whole story are so well defined, and it leads us to an imagination that we are almost part of the FBI investigation and it leads the audiences to try to track the killer(s) down with Hannibal Lecter, the wonderful physcho criminal in this film. As a whole, I personally feel this film should be the best thriller in 90s. It definitely scores 5 stars. I just love it. I had ordered one in last March but the DVD does not have any English subtitle in it so that I order this again with English subtitle. I just want to share this original but not forgeting its 2nd series, 'Hannibal' which is also a classic in this catagory because the story is so well-organised and reasonable which lead the audiences to another frigthening situation and reflect Dr Lecter's true face. The film is well written and planned, the audiences do not know what will happen next with the unexpected act of Dr H.Lecter. G LEE
Rating:
Summary: MGM Special Edition or Criterion edition? Both of course
Review: No need to write about the movie. It is in my opinion one of the classics of modern cinema and probably will become (or already is) a classic in cinema history. The new MGM special edition does the movie to a large extent justice. It contains a solid 60 minutes plus documentary containing interviews with all the principals of the movie (albeit no Demme). The discs also contain a featurette, 21 deleted scenes that are all to brief, trailers and tv spots, a photo gallery (with music, a nice touch) and a trailer for Hannibal which is nice (although I did not care for the movie at all). Image and sound for the movie are much better than on the earlier Criterion edition.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, not so good DVD
Review: Criterion is charging ... for this DVD. The special features are good but the picture and sound quality of this DVD is below average. The old Image DVD still looks and sounds better. For those who wanted to get the DVD, why don't you wait a while as MGM is reissuing this title as a special edition. Will it be better. I don't know but at least it will be cheaper than this Criterion edition.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie Ever!
Review: In this shock filled powerhouse an FBI cadet is assigned by her superior to interview an imprisoned cannibalistic psychopath in the hopes of getting his help in capturing a crazed serial killer.Sperb performances by Foster and Hopkins.From the novel by Thomas Harris, whose Red Dragon was adapted by Michal Mann for Manhunter,a prequel of all sorts to this first rate chiller.Rated R for violence mild gore nudity and profanity.
| 
