Rating: 
Summary: Care for some fava beans?
Review: Thomas Harris wrote three novels on which four different films are based: Manhunter (1986) and Red Dragon (2002) based on the same novel as well as Hannibal (2001) and this film. After a decade, it retains its strengths in terms directing, acting, and production values. For obvious reasons, however, it has lost much of its emotional impact for those such as I who have seen it several times since its initial release in 1991. Nonetheless, I find it every bit as entertaining now as I did then but for different reasons.For example, the compelling personality of Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) had such an impact on me the first time around that I paid little attention to information revealed about Clarice Starling's childhood. Jody Foster received an Academy Award for her performance as did Hopkins and director Jonathan Demme. Well-deserved. I now have a much better appreciation of the evolving relationship between Lecter and Starling, and a much better understanding of childhood influences on her values and especially her vulnerabilities. Also, I now have a greater appreciation of the performances of others, notably Ted Levine (Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb). During the final confrontation, he more than holds his own with the highly talented Foster. Finally, I am now more aware of Jack Crawford's importance to Starling. Portraying her supervisor, Scott Glenn appears only briefly but makes a critically important contribution to Starling's development, both personally and professionally. Her judgment proves better than his as they pursue Buffalo Bill and he duly acknowledges that. As I now think again about this film, I realize that the dominant image previously had been of Lecter in his cell, smiling serenely at the earnest young F.B.I. agent. Whenever I heard a reference to the film or to Lecter, that is what immediately came to mind. Now, the dominant image is of the "cage" in which Lecter is served a lamb chop dinner by two of the guards. I recall it so vividly...and shudder. The DVD version of a film offers clearer image and sound (which I certainly appreciate) but also, more often than not, a "bonus" of supplementary materials. In this instance, they include 20 minutes of deleted scenes, interviews of Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, a "making-of" featurette, and a reel of out-takes.
Rating:
Summary: "I'm having an old friend for dinner..."
Review: That is the famous quote made by doctor Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter as the movie draws to a close and leaves you in suspense wondering if they will ever convict the notorious killer and eater of human flesh, Hannibal Lecter.This movie was well above the regular suspense/thriler genre movies mainly because of the superb directing by Jonathan Demme.The movie carefully blended a well made plot, excellent acting, masterful directing, and a creepy musical score in one movie which landed it the five top Academy Awards.The plot of the movie basically is this: Jodie Foster plays Clarice Starling, a woman who is currently striving hard for her goal of one day becoming an FBI agent. In the FBI accademy she Is then assigned the job of interviewing the famous Hannibal Lecter,(Anthony Hopkins) a convicted cannibal in prison in hope of learning any information that might lead to the conviction of another killer, Buffalo Bill, at large that is killing women and dumping their bodies in lakes. She discovers that the only way that she can learn the information she desperately needs is to feed the mind of Hannibal Lecter with various details from her childhood. Using new clues she then sets forth on the investigation of trying to capture the mysterious killer Buffalo Bill, but also acheive the FBI status that she wants so bad. So sit back watch the movie and prepare to witness a one of a kind movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Another good release
Review: This is an interesting film and is better seen on the release by Criterion which this review is for. The film was actually the second Hannibal Lecter film released but the first with Anthony Hopkins. The film is very well known and I find it unecessary to include plot information here so instead I will talk review the Criterion features. It includes excerpts from books on serial killer case studies and quoted by serial killers. The audio commentary by Jodi Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Demme, Ted Tally, and a real FBI agent named John Douglas. It also has deleted scenes and an extended warehouse scene. It has storyboards and a comparison to film of one scene. Overall this is the best edition of the film currently available and worth the extra money for buying a copy even though it is currently out of print.
Rating:
Summary: Oh. My. God.
Review: This psychological thriller descends into the realm of madness as Dr. Hannibal Lecter (encased in an escape-proof cage - but is it REALLY escape-proof?) establishes an unusual connestion with FBI agent Clarice Starling. She comes to him requesting his insight and help figuring out the criminally insane mind of a serial killer she's stalking. Lecter agrees to cooperate, but at a price...
Impecable performances by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster playing the leads.
Warning: Do Not Watch This Movie alone on a dark and rainy night. And take some Excedrin PM afterward, or you'll never get to sleep. Highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: "What became of your lamb, Clarice?"
Review: The Silence of the Lambs is one of the best detective thrillers I've ever seen. The Thomas Harris book was good but didn't really seem to have much soul. The movie, however, is filled with soul. All the actors were fabulous. Scott Glenn was great as a sort of mentor to Clarice Starling, and Jodie Foster was supreme as that woman. She perfectly portrayed the part of a woman in a man's world whp is struggling to survive and prove herself strong. Anthony Hopkins was also amazing as hannibal "the cannibal" Lector, completely blowing away Brian Cox's excellent performance in Manhunter (which was, admittedly, closer to the book's version). Ted levine was very frightening and believable as the extremely twisted killer Jame Gumb. His dance scene is one of the scariest things I've ever seen! The diecting was stylish and documentary and some stuff is unforgettable. Lecter's escape is one of the most intense and exciting things ever put to film. Other supporting roles included Diane Bakes as Senator Martin, Issac Hayes as a SWAT member and Charles Napier as Lt. Boil (who dies a particularly gruesome and painful death at the hands of Lecter). The MGM DVD is very good but I feel little dissipointed with it. There was a Criterion DVD out a few years ago that I never saw which featured a completely different batch of extras. I was dissipointed with the fact that the MGM DVD didn't include these extras and some new ones, but apparantally Criterion has a real problem with giving extras to other companies (sounds like they're pretty selfish people). Anyway, the MGM DVD has an excellent documentary, a shorter one, trailers and TV spots, an Anthony Hopkins phine message, a still gallery, a Hannibal DVD trailer, and several minutes of deleted scenes (more so than the Criterion version, apparantally). What this disc is missing is an audio commentary available on the Criterion disc, a voices of death program, and apparantally, some deleted scenes available on the Criterion disc. Anyway, the movie is great, but I guess the MGM version is the best (thanks to an anamorphic transfer the Criterion version lacks). Pick this movie up today. It is truly a classic.
Rating:
Summary: True terror, Very graphic.
Review: This movie is a masterpiece of terror and violence. It is very well made with very good special effects that leave you feeling sick. A very good story line and cast of actors. The cast is really makes this movie sooooo good, they just work so well together. Anthony Hopkins is amazing in this movie as well as "Hannibal" and "Red Dragon" these are both really amazing as well. "Silence of the lambs" is where it all started!! See the story unfold and feel the terror of Dr. Hannibal Lecter...
Rating:
Summary: Baaaaaaaa - its terrifying!
Review: Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Ted Tally(they won the gongs for this movie and deservedly so) achieved what, in Hollywood, is pretty much the impossible. They took an excellent book, turned this excellent book into a fantastic film, and, along with Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, has spent the last decade knowing that this remarkable film is now a classic. The story begins stylishly and gracefully, introducing viewers to FBI agent-in-training, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster). Ambitious and intelligent, FBI Special Agent Jack Crawford, who is head of the Behavioural Sciences Profiling Unit, requests that she conduct an interview with eminent psychiatrist and convict serial killer Dr "Hannibal The Cannibal" Lecter. (In reality, of course, a trainee G-Person would NEVER be asked to do this). But I digress. The film REALLY begins with Starling and the monstrous Lecter's initial encounter. Lecter, while definitely imprisoned in a heavily guarded cell, still manages to ooze malevolence out of every pore. He can't get at Starling, can't POSSIBLY get at her - at least our logic dictates this to us - but we are always fully aware of his dangerousness and like the intrepid Clarice, we want to get the hell away from him as quickly as possible. But Lecter won't allow that. He is intent on delving into the bourrows of Starling's psyche, unearthing and unravelling her deepest secrets, fears, and memories of her unsettled childhood. The tradeoff? He MIGHT help the police and the FBI capture another brutal serial killer who has been nicknamed "Buffalo Bill" (he was given this moniker because "he likes to skin his humps."). This is a surreal world made even more evil and nightmarish by the fact that such people do exist and such things do happen, it's no use pretending that they don't, and there is no way out for the viewers once they begin watching. Yes, there are a few gory scenes, but the implied wickedness, the spine-tingling suspense, and the electrifying, terrifying chemistry between the two leads will keep you on the edge of your seat (or as in my case when I saw this movie at the cinema, BEHIND your seat). Along with the 1960 scare-ama "Psycho", "The Silence Of The Lambs" is the best suspense/thriller movie ever made. It features a clever blend of modern fears and ancient curses, along with two superb, deservedly Oscar-winning performances of a lifetime (and in the history of motion pictures, in my opinion) by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.
Rating:
Summary: "I ATE his liver with some fava beans, and a nice Chianti!"
Review: Jonathan Demme's psychological thriller remains one of the best, simply because of the excellent talent involved, with Anthony Hopkins in superbly creepy form as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Jodie Foster, along with Hopkins, deservedly won an Academy Award for her brilliant performance as FBI agent Clarice Starling. Based on Thomas Harris's novel, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is one of the few thrillers which relies heavily on psychological terror rather than splatter horror and "boo!" scares. But there are some extremely effective shocks and twists during the course of the film. And Howard Shore's dark, brooding score adds to the creepy tone. Although the film's plot centres around tracking down the crazed serial killer named Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), Hopkins is the standout performance. The clever back-and-forth between Clarice and Lecter is well-played and enthralling, and there are some moving moments with Lecter that add to the film's gravitas. Demme's hard-edged direction won him an Oscar, and the film picked up the Best Film Award also. What does this tell you? Well, that SILENCE is the most superbly-constucted thriller ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Anthony Hopkins Did Great in this Film
Review: Let me start off by saying what a superb actor Anthony Hopkins is and this movie was so great with him in it. The other characters were great too but Hannibal Lector is so sneaky you can never tell his next move. This movie follows the tracking of a deranged serial killer only known as Buffalo Bill. He kills fat women and then dumps their bodies in rivers before cutting part of their skin off in order to make a female body suit. FBI office Starling tries to get Hannibal Lector to tell her who Buffalo Bill is and why he is doing it. Hannibal though enjoys toying with people minds and only answers in strange riddles. He gives the littlest bit of information to the Senetor whose daughter was kidnapped by Buffalo Bill in order for him to escape his prison. He does it in such a sick way by cutting a man's face of in order to pretend he was the person. Thinking he was the poilceman he was rushed to the hospital but in the ambulance he made his escape. Agent Starling finds the pverted Buffalo Bill and does a fast paced chase of him through his house before killing him. Dr. Lector though has a little phone call for her though before hanging up and going to go eat the doctor who locked him up for so many years. This is a great movie and is must see for horror movies lovers. The only thing I didn't like was that the sequels were all really bad though.
Rating:
Summary: Have the Lambs Stopped Screaming Clarice?
Review: I love this movie. Hannibal Lecter is the most interesting villian on screen and in the books. This is one of the few movies where the book and the movie are neck and neck. The book was fantastic, but so was the movie.Jodie Foster does a great job of playing clarice starling. aThis dvd has everything you could ask for.Deleted scenes, behind the scenes stuff. Keep in mind this is no horror flick. It is a suspense/thriller. Hopkins is a great lecter and nobody can replace him. I reccomend this movie to anyone who wants to see a great movie. Hell, buy it if you like the movie. But in all, you wont be disappointed
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