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Reviews
Ever After (1998)
Strong Female Lead, Engaging Retelling of a Classic
Excellent family film for young and old alike. An excellent female role model --strong, kind, fearless, loyal & persevering.
Otryv (2019)
Nice mountains. Shallow script.
Watchable, but forgettable.
Awesome mountain vistas.
Awful english audio dub, Would be better with subtitles.
Character portrayals did not elicit much empathy.
And, yes, if you are stuck in freezing cold temperatures and wearing a winter coat with a hood attached, probably a good idea to put the hood on --Even if if would cover up that attractive yet incredibly wind and snow resistant hairdo!
American Gigolo (1980)
Tedious and Uncompelling
Richard Gere's undeniable screen presence will surely delight his fans.
Unfortunately, his charisma and good looks alone can not carry this tedious, emotionless film.
"American Gigolo" does not work as a crime drama or love story. Due to poor writing, there is essentially no significant character development. As the film muddles its way from beginning to end, it failed to make me care about any of the characters.
A big disappointment.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
A Masterfully Crafted Emotional Roller Coaster Ride
I will not rehash the plot outline as many other reviewers have done a fine job of presenting it. Note, however, that this is not an action/adventure film. It is not fast-paced. It is grueling and harsh in part. But it evolves into a moving story of the triumph of indomitable human spirit over crushing adversity.
"The Shawshank Redemption" packs an intense and unforgettable emotional wallop. Thanks to a perfect blend of cinematography, acting, soundtrack, and plot development, the film takes the viewer on an unforgettable emotional roller coaster ride. It masterfully elicits powerful emotions running the gamut from the lowest lows to the highest highs.
I read a great number of other IMDb members' excellent comments on this film. I think it is safe to say that those of us who rate "Shawshank" among our favorite movies share one view in common --we truly FELT the impact of this film.
Some who disliked the film have argued that certain aspects of the plot are unrealistic. I must note that I thoroughly enjoyed the plot itself. Nonetheless, is every element of the story realistic? It really doesn't matter.
This is not a purely plot-driven vehicle. This is far more than a "life in prison" film. The prison serves as the framework in an ongoing struggle between hope and hopelessness under the most adverse circumstances. The beauty of "Shawshank" is the way it excels in evoking a great range of human emotions while presenting a fulfilling and moving tale of resilient human spirit.
Whether viewed as "true to life" or a parable, "Shawshank" succeeds in making us really care about the main characters. It is unsurpassed in making the viewer feel the full emotional impact of events as they unfold. It excels in making us feel fine gradations of despair and hope, cruelty and kindness, hatred and friendship, sadness and joy.
Along with the excellence of the film as a whole, I consider a certain scene among the most intense, fulfilling and memorable moments I have experienced in cinema. (I won't discuss it for the benefit of those who have not yet seen the film.)
"The Shawshank Redemption" is a true masterpiece of film making. It is unsurpassed in evoking a full range of intense human emotions as it proceeds to an unforgettable conclusion. It fully deserves its place as one of the all-time greats in film history.