Rating: 
Summary: Akira Kurosawa: Dreams
Review: This has to be without a doubt one of the most beautifully filmed movies I have ever seen. I think the visuals alone are a reason to own this movie. Admittedly I didn't understand the meaning behind all the stories, but that did not hinder my enjoyment of this film. Yes, it is a little slow moving, and if you don't like subtitles athen this is not a movie for you. However, give it a try, you may be greatly surprised. Also look for Martin Scorcese in the fifth story.
Rating:
Summary: Kurosawa!
Review: This is possibly my favorite film, and without a doubt has the most amazing cinematography in history. DO NOT make this the first Kurosawa film you see! You won't understand!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful stories. Beautiful Images.
Review: One of the most beautiful pieces of film I have ever seen. The images and colors linger in the mind long after the movie is over.
Rating: 
Summary: Kurosawa brings his dreams into reality
Review: I made the mistake of making this the first Kurosawa movie that I saw. For those who have yet to experience his films, I urge that you hold off viewing this until you see most of his older films. I really don't think that this film works very well. The three best stories are "Red Fuji", where a nuclear power plant meltdown leaves some terrified survivors; the one where a traveler stumbles across a nuclear-mutated demon (one assumes this is a direct sequel to "Fuji"); and the last one, in my opinion, the most beautifully filmed, "Village of the Watermills". In it, an old man preaches to a young traveler about life and death. Like the ones I mentioned, the other stories have excellent cinematography (maybe the best Kurosawa has ever done -- what with the vibrant colors and sweeping landscapes), but the problem is, the overall experience is too disorienting. Kurosawa had difficult getting this one made and had to call for help from George Lucas (who's Industrial Light & Magic did the special effects) and Steven Spielberg. It's clear why, because studios had difficulty understanding the unity of it. Many of Kurosawa's hard-core fans enjoy this film, but I personally didn't find it to be all that exciting.
Rating:
Summary: In Memory of Genius
Review: Akira Kurosawa's Dreams, a title I take literally, is the best way to remember the visual and narrative genius that was Kurosawa. Each of the eight vignettes manages a narrative coherency as well as a definite aesthetic. It's not hard to see Kurosawa's past as a painter here, through the vibrant and dramatic imagery. It is powerful, beautiful, and poignant on a theological and social level, without being esoteric and high minded. Everyone should take the time to see this, and rejoice that it's been re-released at last.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a Beautiful Film
Review: I saw this film about three years ago and have never forgotten it. It is one of my favorite films not only because of the settings but because the stories are wonderful. The stages of the Peach Tree is my favorite simply because of the wonderful imagination it betrays. This truly is a breath-taking film!
Rating:
Summary: Stunningly beautiful and unfathomably deep.
Review: Dreams is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. This series of non-linear vignettes contains a flurry of lessons, each building upon one another to the point of dismanteling itself in a very Taoist fashion. Each episode is self contained, but still relative to every other one. Each time you watch it a new lesson is learned and new imagery revealed.
Rating:
Summary: So Beautiful!
Review: The Leonard Maltin review is pretty much on-the-money: "Dreams" is beautiful, but it really drags. We're used to films that speed us along to an exciting, satisfying climax (or at least that's what they aspire to). "Dreams" is a different kind of film altogether. It is art, and it is absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. Kurosawa often captures the feeling of a dream - that strange fluidity and pensiveness is there. Turn off your expectations and let this film wash over you. The images will stay with you forever, as will the stories. Nevertheless: I, for one, am waiting for the price to come down a lot before I buy my own copy.
Rating:
Summary: divine
Review: If God made movies, this is what they would look like. Words cannot do it justice.
Rating:
Summary: Captivatingly beautiful
Review: I am a huge Akira Kurosawa fan, I love all of his movies that I have seen. I am always impressed at his masterful story telling and cinematography. "Dreams" holds a special place in my heart because of it's breathtaking beauty. Beyond "eye candy", however, this film speaks intelligently of many things, life, death, solitude, guilt, redemption. This is one of those rare movies that can be discussed and analyzed and questioned for hours after viewing.The Amazon.com review stated that this movie was "slow". How could one notice when one is busy looking at the amazing color, scenery, and imagery that is so masterfully created? "Preachy"? Perhaps, but they are good subjects to be preachy about - nuclear distruction, environmental distruction, not appreciating what one has... These complaints are the weak wingeing of shallow minds. After every viewing of his films, I feel compelled to bow respectfully and say "Domo Arigato - Thank you very much".
|
