Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

[Garrdor]

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

"Cinema Paradiso - 1988"

Hmm, how do I start this?

One thing I look for in a movie is depth. I like good character development and long drawn out backstories. Movies that excel in this usually don't have the quick pacing that keeps my attention. I've been looking for movies that have a sort of middle ground, you know, well roundedness.

Upon reading the plot/synopsis, It was easy to say that I wasn't impressed. It didn't sound like a great subject, or something that'd keep my interest. But then again, I felt the same way about Shawshank Redemption. I was like "What? A prison movie? Not even an action movie? Wtf?" ; and you know how Shawshank turned out.

Cinema Paradiso is about a poor boy who lives with his mother and sister, his father KIA in 'the war'. The protagonist (boy) develops a relationship with a guy who works film projectors. He teaches the kid the ropes or projecting, and sneaks him into the projector room to watch all these classic movies for free. The movie goes through this father-son relationship over the span of 20+ years. This kid eats, breathes, and sleeps movies. His life's events, appropriately, mirror themes from classic movie storylines. Sounds like a bore, I know.

This movie was made with care. The version I watched ran almost 3 hours. It felt like one of the LOTR movies in the fact that the length wasn't obstructed by dull long-and-drawn-out scenes. There was enough stuff going on, and enough layers to the story to keep me squirming in my seat.

Well, there's alot I'd like to say about this film - but i'll keep it short and sweet for your sake.

If I were to make a top 10 movie list, this would be an easy addition.

I'd like to think that I'm just as casual of a movie-goer as anybody else. This movie isn't some pretentious artsy flick that art school kids would boast as their favorite *cough "Eraserhead!"*. It's easy to watch and has something for everybody. Lots of comedy, romance, drama, etc. I feel like the grandpa from Princess Bride when he's explaining the book.

So yeah, I highly reccomend this movie. I've yet to see a movie as full and resourceful. I know it'll be a long time before I find another like Cinema Paradiso.

[Harlowe]

Cinema Paradiso was a great movie! Man, it's been at least 7-8 years since I've seen it (Director's cut from like 2002 or 2003), now I want to watch it again. It won an Academy Award I know. I think you must have seen the director's cut too because I'm pretty sure the one I saw was three hours.

Another great (really long) forgeign film from the 80's was "Fanny & Alexander" by Ingmar Bergman

[Garrdor]

Ah, the only movie I've seen of his is The Seventh Seal.

I thought it was terribad. Good monologue near the end, but that's pretty much it.

I'll give it (Fanny/Alexander) a try though.

[Select]

art school kids

Typically make god awful zombie movies in an attempt to be 'badass' and fulfill their fantasies. Sometimes I think I'd prefer meeting pretentious