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

AT THE CIRCUS ( Released to Theaters USA 1939)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  At the Circus—not one of the best films for the Marx Brothers—maintains interest and comedy value despite its age. Know that at times it drags but has a few memorable one-liners. It's a fair afternoon watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A circus owner has been stolen from and the Marx Brothers try to help him get the money back.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Edward Buzzell for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Mervyn LeRoy for making the film possible. Casting includes: Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Kenny Baker, Florence Rice, Eve Arden, Margaret Dumont, Nat Pendleton, Fritz Feld, James Burke, and Jerry Maren.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is interesting to see the Marx Brothers performing in a lower grade film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers