Rating: 
Summary: Cutesy artsy movie devices in search of a movie
Review: A major disappointment after RAIN MAN had convinced me that Barry Levinson was a director to take note of. I generously give it two stars; one and a half would be more accurate. This movie traces the adventures of an immigrant family of sort-of generic ethnicity. Maybe not a bad idea, but too much of it is woefully bogged-down. A derailing streetcar and a boy attacked by a swarm of bees are among the numerous disjointed episodes that essentially go nowhere. It's hardly a sign of a great movie when its most memorable episode is of a schoolboy getting himself in a lurch by asking the teacher "Can I go to the bathroom?" when she's just finished lecturing on the difference between "can" and "may". If the whole movie were that memorable, it would be considerably better, though. Sometimes a movie is said to have needed better editing, but in this case, not much of a movie would be left. Early on there's a scene where a shroud is being spread over a casket at a funeral, then the magic of movie editing turns the shroud into a tablecloth being spread by a woman for a big feast. I can just hear critics calling that brilliant movie editing and talking about a "life goes on" message or something like that. But I only found it terminally cutesy.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent family movie.
Review: A movie for the whole famil
Rating:
Summary: Changing times in America.
Review: As an avid science fiction buff, "Avalon" seems to be an unusual film for me to really enjoy. When I saw it with a nice couple I knew back in Pittsburgh in 1990, I fell asleep in spots. But I was tired. That wasn't a reflection of the film. I saw it again on video later on and found it to be a wonderful portrait of family life. In a nutshell, it basically chronicles the lives of a Jewish immigrant family here in America during the early part of the 20th century and the generations that come after. It's beautifully told and a bit of a tear-jerker as well. This was my first film seeing Elijah Wood and I have admired him since. I also was captivated by the family patriarch Armin Mueller-Stahl and his desperate attempts to keep the family together and faithful to the old ways despite a changing world. Eventually, the invention of television comes into the picture which also has an adverse effect on family "quality time". I really love this movie and it's a SHAME that it isn't on DVD yet! We are waiting Mr Levinson! I find stories and films about the whole immigrant experience during turn of the century America to be fascinating. If you care about human drama and want to see a beautiful portrait of less complicated times, see this film. Excellent!
Rating:
Summary: Changing times in America.
Review: As an avid science fiction buff, "Avalon" seems to be an unusual film for me to really enjoy. When I saw it with a nice couple I knew back in Pittsburgh in 1990, I fell asleep in spots. But I was tired. That wasn't a reflection of the film. I saw it again on video later on and found it to be a wonderful portrait of family life. In a nutshell, it basically chronicles the lives of a Jewish immigrant family here in America during the early part of the 20th century and the generations that come after. It's beautifully told and a bit of a tear-jerker as well. This was my first film seeing Elijah Wood and I have admired him since. I also was captivated by the family patriarch Armin Mueller-Stahl and his desperate attempts to keep the family together and faithful to the old ways despite a changing world. Eventually, the invention of television comes into the picture which also has an adverse effect on family "quality time". I really love this movie and it's a SHAME that it isn't on DVD yet! We are waiting Mr Levinson! I find stories and films about the whole immigrant experience during turn of the century America to be fascinating. If you care about human drama and want to see a beautiful portrait of less complicated times, see this film. Excellent!
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite movies.
Review: Avalon is a beautiful movie about the memories and expectations of one family as we are led through the many events that shape the family and our culture. The music, cinematography and acting are excellent. I've watched this movie many times and each time see something new that I missed the time before. You become so involved with the members of the family that they seem almost your own. My favorite scene: the elephants walking by the window!
Rating:
Summary: A very thought provoking movie!
Review: Avalon is a great movie that potrays the wonder of a time lost. More powerful is the theme of the opening scene of the grandfather and his story which continues the tradition of the family. The strong theme throughout the film of the TV breaking down the family and it's history is very revealing to the state of our culture in this present day as compared to past times. True we can never return to past days but we can cherish the message that this film potrays, that is to never forget our heritage as a country.
Rating:
Summary: A fine cinematic experience...
Review: Avalon is a tragic drama with moments of warmth as a second generation immigrant family tries to create a better life in the United States while living under the same roof as their parents. The grandfather, Sam (Armin Mueller-Stahl), tells his grandson, Michael (Elijah Wood), his life stories as he teaches him valuable life lessons. However, the family attempts to break bonds with the past by changing their last name and breaking other traditions. In this endeavor they lose contact with themselves as they lose their connection with their family and television then becomes a substitute for family life. Avalon is a representation of the many who came to the US in search of the American Dream; however, in pursuit of this dream lost the connection with what is important in life. In the end, Avalon offers a fine cinematic experience that "may" and "can" produce tears and laughs.
Rating:
Summary: A fine cinematic experience...
Review: Avalon is a tragic drama with moments of warmth as a second generation immigrant family tries to create a better life in the United States while living under the same roof as their parents. The grandfather, Sam (Armin Mueller-Stahl), tells his grandson, Michael (Elijah Wood), his life stories as he teaches him valuable life lessons. However, the family attempts to break bonds with the past by changing their last name and breaking other traditions. In this endeavor they lose contact with themselves as they lose their connection with their family and television then becomes a substitute for family life. Avalon is a representation of the many who came to the US in search of the American Dream; however, in pursuit of this dream lost the connection with what is important in life. In the end, Avalon offers a fine cinematic experience that "may" and "can" produce tears and laughs.
Rating:
Summary: Among the best
Review: Avalon is easily in my personal list of the top 10 movies EVER. It's a wonderful look at culture-family influences and family systems interaction. Stop reading the reviews and go see it!
Rating:
Summary: Baltimore Remembered !
Review: Barry Levinson,s passionate look back at his history in the city of Baltimore. Even today this film has evocative scenes that are now long gone on the east side of ol Baltimore.There are messages here though and Mr. Levinson takes care in their delivery. Lou Jacobi shines as the insufferable uncle. Through B.L. eyes we can see it all..family, tragedy, hope, and continuance also see "Diner" and "Tin Man".
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