mountainstonePT

What an amazing film! Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola sponsored it's resurrection. While certainly overall a communist propaganda film, it goes way beyond it, to be a very modern film.Directed by Soviet filmmaker Mikhail Kalatozov it is a masterpiece of black and white filmmaking. The use of amazing black and white filtration, ultraviolet filmmaking, spectacular storytelling and absolutely stunning tracking shots, is simply first class filmmaking. Kalatosov unfortunately would not have been considered for an Academy Award in the world of Cold War 1960s, , but the film is certainly worthy of one. A very modern story, with the sets using 1963 Havana, before the rot set in, makes it feel like any modern city. The story, could be taken from Viet Nam, Egypt 2011, Nicaragua 1984,or wherever a corrupt dictatorship, sponsored by western corporate support, is running roughshod over people just trying to live their lives. The film "Even the Rain" is similar to this in general idea. If you are into film, you really ought to see this film, regardless of your politics. Check out the fabulous trailer for it. I don't give it a 10, because it's storyline is bit dated and stilted, but still, the script is much more modern than many films of it's day. I suppose that given that the Manchurian Candidate was produced in this era, that it's right up there with that kind of film from the US.

I was just bowled over by this, and not because it was the most 'dramatic' film of the year. I expected nothing out of this going in except a couple hours of my time. Instead, it just was a really fun ride. Everything worked, much like 'Groundhog Day". The script, wonderful ensemble cast, fluid direction, spot on casting, made for just a fun couple of hours that I would recommend to anyone. There are so many ways this could have gone wrong, overly played. But it just worked and the direction kept everyone where they should be. Congratulations to the entire production team, and all I can say is that everyone should see this. Even if it's not a 10 in your book, you'll still love it.

This may be the worse Christmas movie ever made. Plot was really bad, so the brilliant cast had no where to go but up, but really couldn't overcome the story. It is really amazing that according to IMDb the budget of $15M was spent on this rather than helping the homeless.

Steve Martin is a name draw that you would expect to have at least a passable script to accept. Jon Stewart of the Daily Show is in this along with Parker Posey, but they have bit roles and I assume it was before either of them were known.

We have a pile of Christmas movies that we reserve every year for getting together with family, and hoped that maybe this would be an addition to that. I think the verdict is clear, forget it.