Rating: Summary: What the hell is *this*? Review: Great movie. If you've previously enjoyed "El Topo" and "The Holy Mountain", you'll know what to expect... Fair quality print; note that the letterboxed image (1:1.66) is slightly cropped at the edges, but only slightly and not enough to detract from the film itself. Fair quality audio, and a great documentary on the man himself. Considering that this film was thought lost for so long, it's great to see such a crisp clean print with very few signs of print-damage (only a few, mostly towards the end and - again - not enough to detract from the film itself). Very very interesting, recommended.
Rating: Summary: a fascinating work and beautifully assembled dvd Review: I bought this having been impressed by watching both 'El Topo' and 'Holy Mountain' a while ago (both unavailible in US; more information is at ...) and although lower budget this holds up very well to these later works. The transfer is very good, especially considering it was thought lost for so long; although there are several instances of print damage. The real highlight of this disc, however, are the numerous extras. The complete documentary 'Constellation Jodorowsky' runs at over an hour and is a very interesting insight into his career as a whole (not just his film making). Jodorowsky's commentary is at times disjoint, and his accent makes him difficult to understand (although subtitles are availible) but he comes across extremely well as every bit the eccentric, offbeat character one would expect; as well as sharing many facts about the production and the film's troubled past. The inclusion of the original 8-page handbill was a welcome addition for any collector. Now, here's hoping one day someone will get around the legal complications and give 'El Topo' and 'Holy Mountain' the same kind of treatment!
Rating: Summary: Ahh, the surreal world of Jodorowsky. Review: I find the basic dilemma in watching any avante garde cinema, especially that which came out in the 50's and 60's is that one truly cannot evaluate it based on any objective criteria. Some might say this is true of any and all film, but upon watching "Fando & Lis" I discovered that I had very little to say beyond how I personally "experienced" the film.If you watch the accompanying documentary, "Constellation Jodorowosky," you might begin to understand the intent and the context of such films. This, however, does not mean you will understand the film itself. Not quite "theater of the absurd," not quite true surrealism, this is what I like to call "theater of the question mark." Upon watching it, you may find yourself with many questions that can only be "answered" by watching it or experiencing it again. I have not seen all of Jodorowsky's opus, but there might be an opportunity for critique in comparing his works. I commend this film for the experiment of watching it. Should you desire more experiences like it, watch on!
Rating: Summary: Avante Garde cinema takes more than casual viewing Review: I find the basic dilemma in watching any avante garde cinema, especially that which came out in the 50's and 60's is that one truly cannot evaluate it based on any objective criteria. Some might say this is true of any and all film, but upon watching "Fando & Lis" I discovered that I had very little to say beyond how I personally "experienced" the film. If you watch the accompanying documentary, "Constellation Jodorowosky," you might begin to understand the intent and the context of such films. This, however, does not mean you will understand the film itself. Not quite "theater of the absurd," not quite true surrealism, this is what I like to call "theater of the question mark." Upon watching it, you may find yourself with many questions that can only be "answered" by watching it or experiencing it again. I have not seen all of Jodorowsky's opus, but there might be an opportunity for critique in comparing his works. I commend this film for the experiment of watching it. Should you desire more experiences like it, watch on!
Rating: Summary: It's beautiful Review: It comes to no surprise why this movie was banned, it was way to advanced for it's time. Even now many directors don't have the guts to stand up to their own art, to express withought the crowd's interest in mind. That's art!.Not as controversial as Passolini's Salo but definitely not for the faint of heart. If you like surrealism, the bizarre and symbolic then this movie is worth every penny. But if you're looking for a something more mainstream with a few forced laughs, little innovation and no artistic talent then go see American Pie.But for those that like the cinema this movie is a classic.
Rating: Summary: La Constellation Jodorowsky Review: Jodorowsky fans, this DVD is worth viewing if only for the interviews with Jodorowsky (AMAZING!) and Jodorowsky's commentary over Fando & Lis, which i found enlightening and humorous.
Rating: Summary: jodorowsky Review: Jodorowsky is the best director in the universe. This movie is flawless. Surreal at its best. Very meaningful. So far fantoma only release this title from jodorowskys repertoire. I hope they will release holy mountain, el topo, santa sangre and tusk. I heard that holy mountain and el topo is held by Klein. Too bad for Jodorowksy. Jodorowsky is my fav director ever.
Rating: Summary: Brilliant Review: Jodorowsky's FANDO & LIS is a unique and memorable experience. Adapted from the play by Arrabal, it is one of the most eerie and absurd quasi-narrative films I can recollect, short of some experimental Czech pictures. In an effort to overcome Lis's paralysis, Fando carries Lis on his back (and pushes her on a cart) in search of the mythic city "Tar"; a discovery, in and of itself, which would cure her of the ailment. The rest of the film defies explanation. If you like Fellini, Goddard, or Resnais, you will LOVE Jodorowsky. FANDO & LIS, Last Year At Marienbad, and Weekend, are similar films.
Rating: Summary: Essential Surrealist SciFi Review: Jodorowsky's once-lost film is a meditation on, fellow Panic Movement founder, Fernando Arrabal's play. Following the travails, physical and spiritual, of the titular couple as they search post-apocalyptic landscapes for the mythic city of Tar. Action and dialogue are mostly improvised from a one-page script. True to the surrealist ethos, the symbols and theme are entirely open to the audience's interpretation. F&L is not as cohesive or consistent as the three films that followed it. It's often frustratingly episodic and Jodorowsky revels in his own amateurism. However, while not for every taste (and really, what Jodorowsky film is?), F&L is still an essential surrealist document, worthy of comparison to Bunuel's finest. Also, F&L offers rare insight into Jodorowsky's formative years. A more elegant, innocent rendering of themes which would manifest as eye-splattering overload in his later works. Fantoma has done an amazing job with the DVD transfer of an old print. You also get the documentary, Le Constellation Jodorowsky as a bonus. Cheaply shot and meandering, it is, nevertheless, worth the price of the disc - a rare chance to see and hear the director speaking openly about his life and art. The director's commentary track, while difficult to follow, is also very worthwhile for Jodorowsky fans.
Rating: Summary: Essential Surrealist SciFi Review: Jodorowsky's once-lost film is a meditation on, fellow Panic Movement founder, Fernando Arrabal's play. Following the travails, physical and spiritual, of the titular couple as they search post-apocalyptic landscapes for the mythic city of Tar. Action and dialogue are mostly improvised from a one-page script. True to the surrealist ethos, the symbols and theme are entirely open to the audience's interpretation. F&L is not as cohesive or consistent as the three films that followed it. It's often frustratingly episodic and Jodorowsky revels in his own amateurism. However, while not for every taste (and really, what Jodorowsky film is?), F&L is still an essential surrealist document, worthy of comparison to Bunuel's finest. Also, F&L offers rare insight into Jodorowsky's formative years. A more elegant, innocent rendering of themes which would manifest as eye-splattering overload in his later works. Fantoma has done an amazing job with the DVD transfer of an old print. You also get the documentary, Le Constellation Jodorowsky as a bonus. Cheaply shot and meandering, it is, nevertheless, worth the price of the disc - a rare chance to see and hear the director speaking openly about his life and art. The director's commentary track, while difficult to follow, is also very worthwhile for Jodorowsky fans.
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