Rating: Summary: CALIGULA: BIGGER, LONGER, AND UNCUT Review: After seeing the 20th anniversary re-release of this infamous film in its restored 159-minute cut (but no previous form), I am left wondering... If this is digitally remastered, how muddy and underlit did it look before? Should the sexuality of the film have been so vile, the way depravity really is? Or should it have been seductive and opulent, the kind of alluring ancient world sin that seduced Victor Mature away from God in DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS? Why did Gore Vidal ever trust Bob Guccione and Tinto Brass to put his vision faithfully up onscreen? Had he -- or Guccione for that matter -- not seen any of Brass' previous work? Why did Vidal object to a visually "Felliniesque" approach when (if?) he knew Brass' art director, Danilo Donati, worked on several Rome-set Fellini films (e.g. SATYRICON, ROMA)? If Brass brutalized the sexuality, as Guccione claims in an interview, does Guccione actually think he sensualized it with his own inserted scenes? If Caligula's Rome is a brutal place, isn't brutality the appropriate tone? Is it an inconsistency to begin a porno movie with a New Testament quote (however relevant it is to the film's content and "message"), even if it's historical porn? In Caligula's case, can you afford to begin a film like this WITHOUT a moral compass like St. Mark's passage? Most importantly, where can I get a copy of the out-of-print book ULTIMATE PORNO: The Making of a Sex Collosal, a chronicle of the creation of this film authored by its assistant director, PierNico Solinas? Or at least Vidal's original script? Maybe one of those will offer some penetrating insight and clear matters up. Maybe...
Rating: Summary: Caligula - it's good, but on the other side of the coin! Review: What can I say? This is an intense experience. I have seen many movies with Malcolm McDowell, but nothing the likes of Caligula. It is dramatic, well written and covers every sexual genre you can think of. But with its many shocking aspects, it realy is a well made, entertaining movie.
Rating: Summary: Not for the weak Review: AMAZING performance by Malcolm Mcdowell.. acting is top-notch, story-line in enthralling.. not for those who find hardcore porn distasteful, however.. one of the most bizarre movies I've ever seen, combining the raw sex and violence of a Kubrick film with the occasionaly randomness of a Lynch..
Rating: Summary: first movie with all the truth in front of you Review: Thought it was the greatest porno ever made,obviously the main, big name actors had cameo apperances for purpose of advertising,but a very well directed although sometimes very deep, regarding the plot. I thought that Malcom Mcdowell should have gotten an oscar for his performance.
Rating: Summary: A Masterpiece Review: It doesn'et get better than this. Definately not for the prudish or squeamish. This is an epic tale of lust, violence, sex and debauchery. Many will hate it, considering it nothing more than porn. However, I feel that its uncompromising look at sexual obessions is one of it's most endearing qualities. Without a doubt you will not be able to take your eyes off the screen! Lavish and grand on every level!
Rating: Summary: A true classic....must see!! Review: A fantastic movie that captures the feel of what we have read and heard about that time period. A very well made movie that I have never forgotten after all these years.
Rating: Summary: The pits Review: It doesn't get any worse than this piece of trash. It's only a exercise in how depraved humanity can get, but seems to relish in it's atrocious sex and violence. No merit whatsoever, merely a worthless piece of garbage.
Rating: Summary: Classic! A soft-core porn flick right here on Amazon.com Review: Raunchy, in-your-face, s&m shocker flick boasting the bratty but ruthless, perverted roman emperor. (But who wasn't during that time period?) And, an effective reminder of how little has changed in society's addiction to sex and power. This is a definite after-midnight video to watch with someone you are comfortable with. (Or a warm-up before heading to Wednesday Bondage-a-go-go night at the Trocadero in SF!) It's pretty much a soft-core X movie. I ended up feeling eager, disturbed, sorrow and laughter through most of the scenes. A must-have for Malcolm McDowell fans. Otherwise, it's a movie you want to rent, not own.
Rating: Summary: The sensational film of the eighties Review: Sure, it's badly directed and edited and a bit too long, but the sets, the costumes, the actors, the gore, the sex and the girls are spectacular. There's no way they would ever make a film like this again and it was a very brave attempt by Bob Guccione. In fact, he should be applauded for having the courage to make an adult film that had the power to shock and repel. Yet he should also be lambasted as, ultimately, it is down to him for the bad direction, bad editing, and for approving a script that sorely needed an editor. If Caligula is not quite a success in terms of filmmaking it is however in terms of money making as it became one of the most successful independant films ever made. Is Caligula a film of merit? I think so. For lovers of horror and the bizarre Caligula offers immense entertainment.
Rating: Summary: Unrated Indeed! Review: I had seen this movie before in what I had believed to be the uncut, original version. I was mistaken. In the version I saw years ago, there was lots of nudity and a few brief shots of fellatio. This version has long, drawn-out scenes of pure pornography. It's not that I mind the sex; Taken on their own, the sex scenes are all beautifully done and, for the most part, fairly erotic (for this kind of thing.) It's just that none of these scenes are integrated into the rest of the film. They all come across as utterly gratuitous and ultimately, silly. Now, if they had just gotten Helen Mirren to disrobe, that would have been a whole other story. The best part of the movie, in my opinion, is the set design. There are some elaborate set pieces that are simply outrageous - the moving wall of rotating blades is a sight to behold, as is the giant mock-boat contructed to house Caligula's government brothel. The next best part of this movie is scratching your head in wonder at its cast. Peter O'Toole?! John Gielgud?! Helen Mirren?! How in the name of Captin Crunch did these people end up in this epic porno flick? This aspect alone makes Caligula a curiosity that should be seen at least once.
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