AMADEUS (Released to Theaters USA 1984/Critique of Director’s Cut Released 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

Amadeus loosely bases itself on the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart while simultaneously becoming the crowning jewel of morality plays. Intricate writing superbly examines the differences between ability and genius, duplicity and innocence, creative constraint and freedom of expression, jealousy and guilelessness.  This Director’s Cut is ‘R’ rated and contains some nudity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The story is told through the eyes of Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), a contemporary to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce). It begins with Salieri loudly pleading penitence for killing Mozart. The next scenes show Salieri’s servants breaking into his room where they find him on the floor with his throat cut. He survives and spends the rest of his life in an insane asylum. The story shoots ahead to scenes where Father Vogler (Richard Frank) comes to see an elderly man in the asylum. The elderly man is Salieri. Salieri tells his story as it involves Mozart.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Milos Forman. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Hausman, Saul Zaentz, and Bertil Ohlsson for making the film possible. Cast include: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice, Simon Callow, Christine Ebersole, Jeffrey Jones, Charles Kay, Kenneth McMillan featured in the 2002 Directors Cut, Kenny Baker, Lisbeth Bartlett, and Barbara Bryne.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a ‘must see film’. It’s a compelling masterpiece of intricate story telling.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MY FAVORITE MARTIAN (Released to Theaters USA 1999)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  My Favorite Martian—likable—takes the current 'aliens are among us' frenzy down many notches to the suitable entertainment watch for the whole family. Jeff Daniels and Christopher Lloyd make a great team to interpret the story. Surprises lace the movie and are still fresh today. The movie sets itself up for sequels at the end of the film. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A reporter comes in contact with an alien. The alien hides in the trunk of the reporter's car and the reporter unknowingly takes him home.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Don Petrie for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Jerry Leider, Robert Shapiro, and Toberoff for making the film possible. Cast includes Jeff Daniels, Christopher Lloyd, Elizabeth Hurley, Daryl Hannah, Wallace Shawn, Christine Ebersole, and Ray Walston. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's a cute watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers