Reviews

An incredible second installment to a mature teenage franchise. DreamWorks is daring in the way it challenges its characters, and it pulls no punches for drama or stakes. Action and scope are increased in this one, but more importantly, a significant emphasis on Hiccup's journey to find his identity and face up to responsibility. His belief that all people can change for the better is challenged, and a high price is paid in testing that conviction. The major relationships in Hiccup's life, his dragon and parents and girlfriend, are developed from the first movie with depth and maturity, with characters bouncing off one another vividly. Emotions run high -- the thrill of flying sequences, the humor of sarcastic comedic relief, and the gut-wrenching sadness of climactic narrative sequences.

Such a wonderful movie - everything was perfect about it! The dancing was magical, the drama so moving, the music breathtaking (Dig those Oscar Levant pieces! I literally got energized by his rendition of Tchaikovsky). Fred and Ginger were a perfect pair; their love, hate, and teasing were adorable and sharp. The plot kept up with the music, balancing neither too much. Ginger's drama scene almost brought me to tears, even though I didn't understand the language of her speech. And Levant's wise-cracks and truly brilliant talent really left an impression with me. Fred, as always, sparkles with dancing perfection and a few lovely vocal numbers. A beautiful movie all around! As the final Fred/Ginger pairing, it shows that "you can't take (the magic) away" and that these two will never stop dancing in our hearts.

A very, very interesting movie – such complex and compelling characters! It's not a plot-driven film, which makes it so large in scope and realistic, actually, as we follow Rick Martin from childhood to adult life. The symbolism is quite profound and the theme, very worthwhile. Amy's (Lauren Bacall) inability to play the piano boldly reflects her inability to find a purpose in life. Rick's (Kirk Douglas) struggle to reach the high note on his trumpet reflects the impossibility of finding life's purpose in musical talent alone. Jo's (Doris Day) simplicity exemplifies the honest, selfless, caring goodness we should all strive for to be truly happy. Art Hazzard's (Juano Hernandez) words to Rick are also quite didactic when you think about it. A quite inspiring film, I'd say, that wonderfully moves above the genre/cliché summaries it is given on the DVD cover! And the music, of course, was top-notch. I loved hearing Harry James do his magic! And Doris Day, of course. What a musical feast! The acting, especially by Kirk Douglas, was very good. I actually came into this not caring much for watching Douglas, but in the end, he came off as a very likable guy, the occasional boyish innocence confused by a world that does not make sense.

What a truly, truly rich, moving experience. I love those films made in the war years, as they mean so much and teach so much and have so much more depth and meaning. This movie is no exception. I can see why Bette Davis took the role "for its importance." It teaches so much to the American people of its time - and even now - how we don't really know what it means to be a European in an Old World so often used to the kinds of conflict that created World War II.

The movie also strikingly doesn't feel like propaganda, even though the message was clearly to move its audience into action (aren't all worthwhile films aimed at personal change?). It presented a very enlightening, moving perspective on both the German menace and the Underground protagonists. Muller (Paul Lukas) explains how we will one day feel pity for those Germans who just "follow orders" and are really just fools, like De Brancovis (George Coulouris). And the perspective that Muller and the Underground may indeed be like the evil they fight - to see Muller admit he was bad. Situations like this are not black and white.

The acting in this are also marvelous. Paul Lukas is an inspiration to watch. The children are so very precious, as is Lucile Watson's character.

After seeing this, my sister wanted to learn more about WWII, the Underground, and the Holocaust. Through it, she's had the experience I've had so long ago.

In that time, I see character, selflessness, and purpose greater than self. I love it so, and I am saddened by the blatant selfishness that defines today's society. Movies like this inspire me and make me see continually that ideals and convictions can be attained and are indeed beautiful.

This movie is all charm. It is adorable, touching, incredibly sweet, and terribly precious. There is not one moment that does not touch your heart. From the Brown family - with the sisters Edwina (a young Angela Lansbury!) and Malvolia (Juanita Quigley) and the precious, freckled, innocent, and clever Donald (Jackie Jenkins). The Gibraltar of wisdom, Mrs. Brown (Anne Revere) and the Irish, folksy, can't-help-but-love-him Mr. Brown (Donald Crisp). Not to mention the stars of the program, Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney) and Velvet (the incomparable Elizabeth Taylor). Velvet is all heart, so full of her love for horses, so innocent and pure in her selflessness for Pie. And Mi, the ne'er-do-well who finds his courage and sense of self in Velvet's pure, unadulterated trust in him. What character dwells deep in these people, what stories, what charm! And even though I knew the story, I cheered and clapped in the racing scene, and I teared up with the trust and wisdom of Mrs. Brown to Velvet. A real classic, timeless and truly beautiful, that will leave you warm and inspired.

Oh beautiful drama. I've finally seen this classic and I am truly moved. The story, the deftness, the acting. Orson Welles as Edward Rochester truly stole my heart - his voice and eloquence, his depth, the sheer bluntness of his honesty. His dialogue alone captivates me. And Joan Fontaine as Jane Eyre, so shy and faint and realistic. There wasn't a dull moment in the film. From Jane's tragic childhood to the mystery of her adulthood to the unspoken passion of her relationship with Edward Rochester. The cinematography is outstanding - shadows are dark and contrasting, cutting across Orson Welle's face in striking symbolism of his character. Symbolism and meaning are rife and rich. Feelings are pure and deep - on the screen and definitely in my heart.

I was really excited to see this, since I knew it was the seed of inspiration for my favorite series Hogan's Heroes. The similarities are astounding - from a tubby guard named Schultz to the "no escape" record of the Kommandant to the fraternizing and trading between prisoners and Germans. It was humorously incredible! But the movie was as well, standing on its own. The opening scene with the overview of the huge prison camp really let us know what we were in for. I loved that they made a movie out of this concept. War and other dark subjects are frequently expounded and explained on film; the plight, struggles, hope, and humor of prisoners of war should get their share of attention from a civilian world that so often is ignorant of these military realities. A little introduction to this world can easily lead to more research, greater appreciation, and perhaps even a lifelong study (as what happened with me for my WWII appreciation, courtesy Hogan's Heroes).

But on with the movie - I was really surprised by the rich combination of drama and humor, laughter and poignancy, and of the brief character studies of many of the occupants of Barracks 4. Robert Strauss (as "Animal") and Harvey Lembeck (as Shapiro) really stole the show; their characters and acting really shine. The plot picks up about halfway through the film and doesn't let up from there. There are many memorable scenes (getting to the Russian women), laugh-out-loud moments (the reading of Mein Kamph), and heart-clutching moments (the lieutenant's interrogation).

The Collector Edition's accompanying mini-documentary on the real POWs of Stalag 17 puts the film in perspective and really made me appreciate what they went through.

Overall, a fantastic movie - rich and richly acted.

Like all my 10/10 movies, this one taught me something and moved me. It showed me the many facets of the home front during World War II. It touched me with sweetness, humor, tragedy, love, and hope. The film's theme echoed through every scene. I loved how the camera passed people in crowd scenes, it paused briefly to give ear to their individual lives as they spoke.

And it was all so real. In this movie, there isn't that and-it-all-worked-out feel. People miss trains, romances cannot be fulfilled, triumphs are small and unglorified, loss is real, and expectations are not always fulfilled so grandly. The relationships are unique, not cliché, and very much like what you'd find in real life.

Perhaps it is sappily idealistic, but I believe that ideals are what you reach up to achieve, and with movies like this, that journey is that much more inspired.