Rating: 
Summary: Mafia `101
Review: Pay attention ladies! The next time that your significant other pops in their well worn tape of The Godfather, don't roll your eyes and leave the house for three hours. Cuddle up on the sofa and be prepared to enjoy the stellar acting of Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton. The cast alone may draw you to this movie, but I'm here to tell you that there is an equally astounding storyline to get absorbed in. If you, like myself, know little about the ways of the Mafia, do not let this be your reason for not viewing this movie! You will learn what you need to, as Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo do a wonderful job of pulling us into the lives of people in the underworld. Much symbolism is used, and if you enjoy watching a movie that allows for you to interpret much of its meaning, this movie is for you. There is not a single criticism that I venture to make regarding the skill of the actors, even though one might think that their skills would be less polished 28 years ago, but that is not the case. In my opinion, Mario Puzo's intention was not just to show what the mafia is about and how it is run, but allows us to see the very personal side of the Corleone family, and how this family exists in what many people consider to be a devious and evil business. Although I have not seen many movies made in the 70's, it really seemed that this movie was ahead of its time in terms of editing, sound and lighting. The editing, along with brilliant use of sound added tremendous drama to scenes that lacked dialogue. The scenes that come to mind are some of the murder scenes. The pounding of tympani in the scenes with the heads of the five families seemed to simulate their pounding hearts and portrayed their nervousness. The use of darkness emphasized the seriousness or solemness of a scene, as with Amerigo in the first scene, and with Vito and Michael in the hospital. Only the most joyous occasions were well lit, like Connie's wedding and Anthony's First Communion. On a contrasting note, the baptism was very dark, to emphasize the murders occurring simultaneously. The movement from scene to scene was very fluid, seldom leaving one to think, 'where did this scene some from?'. This stems from the proper use of space and time. Although Anthony jumps from being a baby to about eight years old, There is proper dialogue to fill you in on the pertinent events of the years passed. I can do nothing but praise virtually all of the aspects of this film, and while it may be considered a "man's film", I assure you that it is not just about murder and crime, but how the Corleone family is human and vulnerable despite their power.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: This movie was great. It had all a movie should. It had suspense, thrills, and chills. The interesting twists become apparent in the first half of the movie. Michael is the most intriguing character. You never know what he's thinking or what he's gonna be doing. He is the most complex character in a web of open characters. He makes the movie. The plot really moves along quickly and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Frances Ford Coppola does a wonderful job directing and really drawing a person into the story. This movie is one of the best I've ever seen. The plot has everything your looking for and more.
Rating:
Summary: A Cinematic Masterpiece
Review: The Godfather is an intricately told story of the Corleone family. At its head is Don Vito Corleone, (The Godfather) played by the incomparable Marlon Brando. It is the story of the twists and turns that shape this remarkable family's fate. The story begins at Connie Corleone's wedding. We get our first glimpse into the world of Don Corleone as he meets with "associates" as he, a sicilian, cannot refuse a request on the day of his daughter's wedding. The requests made of such an extraordinary man are, as expected, extraordinary. One man even requests that the men who abused his daughter be murdered. The Don deals with all of these in a businesslike, brilliant, and truly fascinating manner. We are made to wonder what he has done to make him such a power to be reckoned with.The acting in this movie is without parallel. We are all familiar with the vocaliztions and gestures that were made immortal by Brando. Al Pacino, playing Michael Corleone, who is eventually to inherit his father's title, puts in an extraordinary performance. We feel as though we are a part of his life as he struggles through the decisions he makes. We can see plainly in his eyes the torture he is feeling and the precise moment when he knows he's given up any hope of a life outside of his father's "business." Don Corleone's "employees" or henchmen are perfectly cast. Well-known actors, such as Abe Vigoda, playing Tessio, were chosen for their large, imposing figures. We knew that these men could probably do unthinkable things and yet they fascinate us. It is well known that The Godfather has a larger impact on males than females who view it. They see these men as all-powerful and invincible. Though we see throughout the film that they are not, who would not wish to be so? It is easy to fall into the narrative of this tale and hope for the Corleone's success. Another brilliant stroke of filmmaking lends itself to this. The story is entirely contained in the world of the Mafia. If we were shown the consequences of their actions, the innocent lives lost, and the lives destroyed, we would surely have even more moral dilemmas on our hands. Also lending to the artistic manipulation of an audience's feeling is the lighting and soundtrack for The Godfather. Theirs is shown as a very dim world throughout the film. Pacino's scenes are even more so. The half lighting of Pacino's face toward the end of the film when he has become Don is powerful even though we may not be aware of its meaning. It shows the division between the person he wanted to be and the person he had become. The soundtrack by Nino Rota, who has done many Fellini films, is melancholy and almost forces us to reminisce about the family's better times. It is not difficult to come away with moral lessons from this film. It is difficult to pick just one. Do we get the feeling that all would have been well if they had just listened to The Godfather? Or is this about trying to hold fast to your ideals? Or maybe is it about the inevitability of growing farther away from those you love? However you look at it, it all adds up to a masterpiece in our own time.
Rating:
Summary: The Great Mafia
Review: The Godfather was an exellent movie, it provided insight on how the mafia used to work during the 1900's and what they all did to get a reputation. In this movie, many people came to the Godfather for help. It seemed that he could fix anything. He was a very powerful man and he could fix it all even if it meant murder. The Corleone family was the family that the movie was fixed on. This family was a very powerful family and if anything stood in their way they knew how to get rid of it or how to move it. In the Godfather I, the Corleone family was all blood related except Tom Hagens. This is why the Corleone family was so powerful. The thrill of the movie starts right away with no boring parts to it. The beginning of the movie really hooked me to keep on watching it and I really don't want to say anymore because it would ruin your reasoning to wanting to watch this film. So you will have to buy it in order to find out what I am all talking about. This film isn't like any other film made about the mafia, this film has so much action and drama in it that you will not want to leave your seat because you might just miss something. The viewers can picture what the mafia really looked like and how powerfull they were in the mid-1900's. The producer produced a movie of the 70's mixed in with his own ideas to give it a great sense of urgency. I found the movie always in action because of their planning and business decisions. The actors in this movie played as excellent as I thought that noone else could. Actors such as Marlon Brando played Don Vito Corleone with so much ease that it seemed he knew what the mafia was all about. James Caan who played the hot tempered Sonny who never knew what he was going to do next, and Robert Duvall who played the coolly collect lawyer named Tom Hagens. With these actors, you are for sure going to love this movie. I just want to see this movie all the time because it gave me a real image on how the mafia worked. I would recommed this movie to all the people out there that want to watch the best mafia film ever produced.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest mafia film of all time
Review: The Godfather was a very good film. I would recommend this film to anyone who likes to watch a film about a great mafia of the world. It is awesome to watch such great power being displayed on this film. The Godfather kept me on the edge of my seat throughout most of the film. If anyone wants to see a film that is played very well by the actors, actors such as Marlon Brando as "The Don" Vito Corleone-the father and head of the Corleone family,a man who displayes power without ever raising his voice; James Caan as Sonny-Vito's, tempered but down-to-earth eldest son; Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen-the family lawyer,and even though he is not the blood of Vito he's just like one of the boys. Everything from the acting, which are acted by the people above, the scenery, the way the director gives off lighting to enhance the mood, and especially the way the director gives background music. The minute the music began to play and the lights changed, I knew that something was about to happen. I didn't know what but that is what made this film so interesting and intense. One of the most favorite part of this film would have to be the way people come to "the godfather" for help. It seems as though people knew that "the godfather" would fix everything. It is also awesome to watch the way the family once had so much power at the beginning of the film and then at the end, begin to lose it. I will tell you right now that if you are thinking of not watching this film, you will regrete it. In fact, I really didn't want to watch this film but once I did, I wanted to watch it again and again and that is the truth. There is just something about this film that got my attention. I guess words can not discribe it. You will just have to watch it for yourself and see. You will not be disappointed. In my personal opinion, I would still recommend over alot of the "wanna be" mafia films. If you are looking for a good quality film that has to do with the mafia, look no more because here it is. So go rent or buy it and you will be satisfied with what you are watching.
Rating:
Summary: "be my friend, Godfather"
Review: This a perfect film, the plot, the acting, the set and the cinemetography mesche flawlessly. This a story of a mafia family's rise and near fall from power. The story centers around the boss and his three sons. I especially love the youngest son's transformation from friendly war hero to ruthless crime lord. This my favorite movie of all time.
Rating:
Summary: Oh yeah baby
Review: Easily one of the greatest ever made. That music, that scenery, that acting. And those terrific close ups on Pacino's dark, brooding eyes...Mmmm. That man is very sexy. Classy script, great dialogue and famous one-liners. "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse", etc etc. A bit hard on the arse (over 3 hours) but a definite must-see.
Rating:
Summary: "It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes"
Review: Francis Ford Coppola delivers his most cherished and loved film in the form of family loyalty in the Mafia. Brando and Pacino give amazing performances while the screenplay, camerawork, and scenery are beautifully done also.
Rating:
Summary: Great Flick
Review: It's a great flick.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Greatest!
Review: This would have to be one of the all time classic movies. A very good history of the Corleone family. This movie has everything. The role of the family head is well played by Marlon Brando. The roles of the two sons are played very effectively by Al Pacino and James Caan. This movies chronicles some of the events that take place in the world of the Mafia. The attempt on Don Corleone and the revenge by Michael his youngest son. Especially interesting was the method employed by Don Corleone to convince the Hollywood producer to give the leading role in a war movie to his godson. One will never forget the horse's head in the bed. The death of Don Corleone and the assension to power by the youngest son Michael is also shown. The movie ends with a bang with the Corleone family killing the heads of the rival families and gaing vengance for the murder of the Corleone son Sonny.Also to be noted is the outstanding scenery and the way that it is used to reflect the time in history that the events are taking place. Definitely one of the best movies ever made.
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