Cinema Paradiso

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and poignant tale
Review: What a wonderful, beautiful film "Cinema Paradiso" is. The story of a lifelong friendship between a young boy, Salvatore, and Alfredo, the projectionist in a small Italian village cinema. Years later, Salvatore, reflects upon those far away times, and the people he left behind to follow his dream. I watched the film in Italian, and found it a delight, though I'm sure the subtitles don't do justice to the original screenplay. There are lessons to be learnt in this film, about love, friendship and the choices we make in life. The DVD contains a number of useful extras, including an English language track. Image quality was above average, and though the soundtrack is simple Dolby Stereo, I don't feel it detracts too much from the overall package. The musical score by Ennio Morricone is a joy. In summary, if you enjoy heartwarming, bittersweet films, then you're sure to love "Cinema Paradiso".

Rating:
Summary: A directorial touch that floats cherry flavored sparks.....
Review: If this movie was distilled it would leave you with a beautiful cream

Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss This One
Review: This film is perhaps one of my favorites of all time....it is the story of a friendship beyond the boundries of age...the protoganist lays in bed on a rainy night and remembers life in a dreamy cinematic way...of first loves, pasions, and most of all his friendship with Alfredo...the ending is perfect and will linger with you long after the film is over....

Rating:
Summary: Unanimous 5 star
Review: Finished watching this movie(DVD Version) last night and could not wait to enter my comments this morning. It is one of the best movies I've ever seen in my life. This is a must purchase for all movie lovers, and ironically, the movie is about a movie-lover kid. Unbelievably good acting, phenomenal music, and tremendous attention to detail. Definetly a 5 star movie.

Unfortunately, the DVD lacks sound quality, the picture is okay, but the translation from Italian is terrible. Surround 5.1 would make this DVD a collectors item. I would definetly buy a second copy if they ever produced a surround sound version. Thanks amazon.com for making it available.

Rating:
Summary: Problems with the Italian subtitles of this beautiful movie.
Review: The Italian subtitles of this DVD are incorrect. All accents appear as strange letters and the transcript is often inconsistent with what the characters are saying. The index has several Italian mistakes. It is unfortunate that such low standards were used in producing a DVD for this beautiful movie.

Rating:
Summary: DVD edition disappointing
Review: The 170 minutes director's cut was not used for the DVD edition and the extra features were pathetic. There were no interviews/discussions with or comments/observations/production information provided by anyone involved on the film. No comparative analysis was provided comparing the longer version with the shorter version released in America. To me, the longer version was much more complex and resonated more emotionally than the shorter version especially when the former lovers are not only reunited for one night but Salvatore (Toto) discovers that Alfredo was directly responsible for the separation because he passionately believed that Salvatore would never fulfill his destiny unless he left home. That is why Alfredo's plea at the train station that Salvatore never return is more poignant when the viewer realizes what Alfredo had done. Salvatore finds Elena indirectly through her daughter (played by the same actress who played the young Elena). This scene, by the way, where he sees her daughter by chance is shown over the titles at the end in the theatrical release but is missing in the DVD edition. Final verdict: Save your money and wait for the director's cut to be issued on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Universally touching
Review: I have watched this film many times, with many different people -- from an eight-year old girl in Ireland to college professors. I have not known anyone not to be truly moved by this film. People who don't even like foreign films have loved it. In my experience, its power comes from touching each individual personally. Although you feel for Toto and Fredo, their story invariably resonates with your own. This film truly is a marvel, and I recommend to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Magical
Review: I was required to watch this movie for a film class I was taking in college. The film was not shown to the class as a whole and since there were only two copies of the movie in our town (the video store and the A/V lab), I ended up in an outdated A/V lab with extremely uncomfortable and bulky headphones and a small TV screen.

Needless to say I was not looking forward to this experience (Foreign movie with subtitles and the worst possible viewing conditions). What occurred during this time I would not trade for the world. It was simply magical. Never in my life have I been so engrossed in a movie. The last 10 minutes of this movie had a 230 lb. man in tears in the middle of an A/V lab. It will remind you of everything that is great about "the movies" and everything you hope for as you walk into a theater. Watch this movie and live its message. Live your life and dreams with love never censor or suppress it!

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful beautiful
Review: A story so beautiful and deceptively simple that it could be described as a fable of a boy persuing his dream and becoming a man. The relationship between him and the projectionist, rich and depth, the sons and fathers among us understand. And anyone who's ever felt women, the world, life itself as a movie can understand this boy's love affair with the art. A sublime, bittersweet ode to the love, treat yourself to this film!

Rating:
Summary: The magic of cinema.
Review: Home Theatres will never replace the movie house, period. There is a magic in the collective experience of the audience, and Cinema Paradiso catches it marvelously.