‘The Phantom of the Opera’ Download and Reviews

December 16, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Drama, Musical, Romance

“The Phantom of the Opera” Movie Details

The Phantom of the Opera tagline: Her voice became his passion. Her love became his obsession. Her refusal became his rage…..
The Phantom of the Opera - DVD Cover

The Phantom of the Opera DVD Cover

Actors:
Gerard Butler The Phantom
Emmy Rossum Christine
Patrick Wilson Raoul
Miranda Richardson Madame Giry
Minnie Driver Carlotta
CiarГЎn Hinds Firmin
Simon Callow Andre
Victor McGuire Piangi
Jennifer Ellison Meg Giry
Murray Melvin Reyer
Kevin McNally Buquet
James Fleet Lefevre
Imogen Bain Carlotta’s Maid
Miles Western Carlotta’s Wigmaker
Judith Paris Carlotta’s Seamstress
Directors: Joel Schumacher
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10 out of 40,895 votes

“The Phantom of the Opera” Movie Review

“The Phantom of the Opera” Plot Summary

A disfigured musical genius, hidden away in the Paris Opera House, terrorizes the opera company for the unwitting benefit of a young protegee whom he trains and loves.

A fantastic experience!

I have seen the movie, Phantom of the Opera, five times, a phenomenon never experienced with any other movie in my life. The movie has such depth and rich details, making it is worthy of spending the time and money to see it five times. Please spare me any more negative comments about Gerard Butler’s performance! I have seen the play in New York and in a regional theater. Of all performances I have seen, Gerard Butler’s portrayal of the Phantom is the finest, most sensitive, and most provocative. His singing is full of emotion, making his character believable and powerful. I would like to see Gerard Butler get some recognition for his performance, because he lifts the character of the Phantom far beyond what it has been in the past. He was perfect for the role, and his acting and singing should be recognized as one of the best performances on the screen this year! Emmy would not have been as great as she was without the performance provided by Gerard Butler. I want to thank Gerard Butler for taking me out of the everyday details of living into a world of ‘music of the night.’ Speak out for Gerard Butler’s receiving recogniton for his truly inspiring performance as the Phantom!

The Phantom of the Opera - Movie Still 1 The Phantom of the Opera Movie Still 2 The Phantom of the Opera Movie Image 3 The Phantom of the Opera Screen Image
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‘Dances with Wolves’ Download and Reviews

November 11, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Adventure, Drama, Western

“Dances with Wolves” Movie Details

Dances with Wolves tagline: Inside everyone is a frontier waiting to be discovered.
Dances with Wolves - DVD Cover

Dances with Wolves DVD Cover

Actors:
  • Doris Leader Charge
  • Kevin Costner Lt. John Dunbar
    Mary McDonnell Stands With A Fist
    Graham Greene Kicking Bird
    Rodney A. Grant Wind In His Hair
    Floyd ‘Red Crow’ Westerman Ten Bears
    Tantoo Cardinal Black Shawl
    Robert Pastorelli Timmons
    Charles Rocket Lt. Elgin
    Maury Chaykin Major Fambrough
    Jimmy Herman Stone Calf
    Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse Smiles A Lot
    Michael Spears Otter
    Jason R. Lone Hill Worm
    Tony Pierce Spivey
    Pretty Shield
    Directors: Kevin Costner IMDB Rating: 8.0/10 out of 67,479 votes

    “Dances with Wolves” Movie Review

    “Dances with Wolves” Plot Summary

    Lt. John Dunbar, exiled to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Indians, making him an intolerable aberration in the military.

    The best film of all time

    Many people regard a lot of films as ‘top class’ but I always keep a little shelf in my mind for the films that I regard as the best films of all time – films that are simply timeless masterpieces. Welcome to the top of that shelf! There are certain criteria by which films are judged and greatness is only obtained when all the criteria are satisfied in full. Dances with Wolves is the greatest timeless masterpiece of cinema to date because it satisfies all these criteria: 1) Cinematography: the sweeping landscape photography of the Frontier combined with the subtle night-time photography earns top marks. Aside from Oscars for Cinematography and editing, it also won the ASC award for Outstanding achievement in Cinematography – as well as a host of other industry recognition awards. In short – the cinematography is breathtaking.2) Sound/Score: the score is one of the best ever written. Again, awards rained from the sky for magical and moving score that combined seamlessly with the film/story.3) Screenplay: The dialogue and plot is magnificent. The film does not fall into the common plot formulas found in other films that attempt to pass themselves off as epics. The story combines as both of celebration of life and a somber rumination of the history of mankind

    There are comical moments, dramatic moments and tear-jerking moments – that all make their entry (and exit) into the story with flawless timing.4) The Acting: for all that has been said about Kevin Costner, this was the peak of his career and he played the role of John Dunbar to perfection. A relatively unknown band of actors gave magnificent, heart-felt and down-to-earth performances in support. It was actually refreshing to see an ‘EPIC’ where the producers didn’t feel the need to throw famous actors in with cameo roles to improve it marketability. As far as I was concerned, there were no weak links in the chain on the acting side of things. Kevin Costner certainly proved his worthiness as a director by getting the best out of the cast.5) The ONLY film in history to…. Have an extended (director’s cut) version that was better than the original. Due to concerns about the length of the film, Dances with Wolves was stripped back to three hours. Some complained that it was still too long, but I thought that the film was patient – it included good relevant detail but managed to keep the story moving at a good pace. The director’s cut added an hour to the cinematic release and was, without a doubt, better than the original. It somehow added more intrigue to the story and included many sobering insights into the destruction of the American Indian race

    Over all, I regard it as the greatest most masterful epic of all time.

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    ‘Maverick’ Download and Reviews

    October 3, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Adventure, Comedy, Western

    “Maverick” Movie Details

    Maverick tagline: The greatest gambler in the West has finally met his match.
    Maverick - DVD Cover

    Maverick DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • Art LaFleur
  • Mel Gibson Bret Maverick, Jr.
    Jodie Foster Mrs. Annabelle Bransford
    James Garner Marshal Zane Cooper/Bret Maverick, Sr.
    Graham Greene Joseph
    Alfred Molina Angel
    James Coburn Commodore Duvall, Owner of Riverboat Lauren Belle/Poker Championship Host
    Dub Taylor Room Clerk
    Geoffrey Lewis Matthew Wicker/Eugene, Banker
    Paul L. Smith The Archduke
    Dan Hedaya Twitchy, Riverboat Poker Player
    Dennis Fimple Stuttering
    Denver Pyle Old Gambler on Riverboat
    Clint Black Sweet-Faced Gambler
    Max Perlich Johnny Hardin
    Poker Player
    Directors: Richard Donner IMDB Rating: 6.8/10 out of 33,855 votes

    “Maverick” Movie Review

    “Maverick” Plot Summary

    Bret Maverick, needing money for a poker tournament, faces various comic mishaps and challenges, including a charming woman thief.

    Good cinematography & Very friendly movie set

    I had the privilege of being both an extra and a stand in. Which of course let me see and add to the inside goings on of this movie. I found in particular James garner was very congenial and friendly to the extras. Richard Donner was very purposeful and dedicated putting in overtime each day that i observed him. Along with James garner i found denver pyle and James coburn very friendly to me as i had pictures of me taken with all 3 individually. The photography is great due to the fact that we were on a real riverboat the stern wheeler ‘Lauren belle’ we were returned twice a day to the locks by tugboats and floated back to the fishery. This was all during the 2nd week of sept 1993 30 miles east of Portland,Oregon

    My thanks to the other cast members and Extras.

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