Lucia, Lucia (DVD)
Mexican director Antonio Serrano fuses comedy and suspense in this tall tale of children`s book author Lucia (Celia Roth, of ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER fame), who becomes the center of a a big mess of intrigue when her husband mysteriously disappears. Coming to her aid are two neighbors in her Mexico City apartment building: Felix (Carlos Alvarez-Novoa), an old man who used to fight alongside Castro, and handsome young Adrian (Kuno Becker) who may be working for the terrorists who kidnapped her husband (if in fact they did). After lots of suspense and snooping, the three become close friends and decide to take an Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN-style trip into the desert. Adrian and Lucia fall in love, though their age difference is a cause for concern. Of course nothing turns out to be as it seems, even Lucia (in her offscreen narration) admits she is not always truthful; outcomes of events are changed--as is her character`s hair color and apartment layout--several times over the course of the film. LUCIA, LUCIA broke opening weekend box office records when it premiered in Mexico, where it`s known as LA HIJA DEL CANIBAL (the Cannibal`s Daughter). Boasting passionate performances from its three actors, this is a very colorful and bouncy entry in the new Mexican cinema.R"
Director: Antonio Serrano
ACTORS: Celia Roth, Kuno Becker, Carlos Alvarez-Novoa
Jane Austen`s Life, Society, and Works (DVD) 2-Disc Set A tripartite look into the 18th Century novelist, beginning with a biographical examination of the woman herself. Next, the world in which she lived--complete with social and political structures--is explored. Last, a detail...
A tripartite look into the 18th Century novelist, beginning with a biographical examination of the woman herself. Next, the world in which she lived--complete with social and political structures--is explored. Last, a detailed inspection of her six published novels is presented, demonstrating the wit and sharp insight into interpersonal relations which have made her writing so popular.
NR"
And the Ship Sails On (DVD) Criterion Collection Fellini takes the viewer on a sea voyage in 1914, complete with a collection of passengers of every description - an Austrian duke, peasant refugees, and members of the cast of an Italian opera company, who are tra...
Fellini takes the viewer on a sea voyage in 1914, complete with a collection of passengers of every description - an Austrian duke, peasant refugees, and members of the cast of an Italian opera company, who are transported the ashes of a departed friend to her homeland. As it is the eve of WWI, the ship encounters the first war refugees and takes them aboard, thus broadening the classes aboard the vessel. An impressive opening, an unexpected ending and a steady parade of Fellini`s trademark set pieces and inconsequential, amusing events color this late work from the director`s ouvre.
PG"
Director: Federico Fellini
ACTORS: Freddie Jones, Barbara Jefford, Peter Cellier, Norma West, Sarah Jane Varley
The Stunt Man (DVD)
An escaped convict accidentally destroys a stunt shot while a movie is being filmed. When the driver dies in the subsequent car crash, the director of the film decides to quickly replace the driver with the convict, thus saving them both from the police and setting up explosive dramatic ironies between the real world and the illusory world of film-making. O`Toole is brilliant in this brilliant film. Academy Award Nominations: 3, including Best Director, Best Actor--Peter O`Toole, Best (Adapted) Screenplay.R"
Director: Richard Rush
ACTORS: Peter O`Toole, Steve Railsback, Barbara Hershey, Alex Rocco
Hansel and Gretel - Opera Australia (DVD)
British director Elijah Moshinsky brings the favorite childhood fairy tale, HANSEL AND GRETEL, into a sophisticated, adult arena with his updated staging. As performed by the Australian Opera and popular singer Englebert Humperdinck, the story of the boy and girl and the candy house is witty, irreverent, and moving.NR"
Director: Elijah Moshinsky
