Ziti's stats
- Review count18
- Helpfulness votes3
- First reviewFebruary 19, 2009
- Last reviewJune 10, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.4
Overall rating
4
/
5
Super 8: Super Fun
PostedJune 10, 2011
A well-made sci-fi fantasy that just misses being great. J.J. Abrams chose an E.T.-meets-The-Goonies format to tell the story of 1979-era teenaged filmmakers in an Ohio steel town who deal with a remnant of the Roswell incident. What makes the film memorable: a coherent story with solid emotional values and some funny lines; the iconic nostalgia and music of the time (younger boomers will totally relate); the young actors who portray the teens, with a special nod to Elle Fanning; and Kyle Chandler as a widowed hero-dad. Alas, the finale is a clunky Spielberg homage, but it doesn’t suck. All in all, a very good family film that’s worth seeing.
HINT: Watch the end credits to see the kids’ homemade zombie movie, a delightful piece. Too bad Abrams didn’t work its quirky inventiveness into the larger story.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
If You Build It, They Will Come
PostedMarch 6, 2011
IMO Carmen in 3D was a successful experiment. I didn’t find the technology to be gimmicky or distracting; indeed, it was refreshing in offering new insights on a very familiar work. Props to the Royal Opera for making its production available for it. The great large cast, sets, costumes, choreography and staging were tailor-made for this film.
My only quibble: The subtitles were too subdued to see or read easily.
REALITY CHECK: Opera needs younger fans to stay alive. IMO innovative technology is needed to help make this unique art form more attractive, relevant and accessible to audiences. Young people use Facebook and Twitter on smart phones, listen to music on iPods and are buying HDTVs with 3D capability. So, why not offer opera in 3D? “If you build it, they will come.”
I am a regular at Met Live in HD broadcasts. Would I like to see them all in 3D? No, that’s not necessary nor even desirable -- but if the Met were to broadcast a few in 3D, I’ll be there.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
HP7 Does Not Disappoint
PostedNovember 20, 2010
IMO Deathly Hallows I is a terrific addition to the franchise for fans, but will be confusing for people unfamiliar with the boy wizard’s story. This rather dark and densely packed episode features quite good acting by its young stars, excellent cinematography and special effects, a very effective musical score and top-notch production values. In summary, it’s a well done film that should be seen in IMAX to be appreciated.
PARENTS NOTE: The murky story, violence and loud sound track are unsuitable for young children. Teens and up okay.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Mr. Butterfly's Final Flight
PostedSeptember 3, 2010
The American is a European art film, meaning that it’s not for the fun flick crowd. A very spare, dark and intense movie with stunning visuals, little dialogue or music -- and not one smile from hunky George Clooney (Mr. Butterfly to his prostitute lover) even during sex. But I liked that economy, which let me fill in the spaces with my own thoughts and ideas about what was really going on. A refreshing change from the Hollywood factory's over-budgeted fluff films.
Recommended for the serious mature filmgoer. Not for kids; graphic sex scenes with full frontal nudity.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
A Magical Armida
PostedMay 2, 2010
My theater was crowded with Renee Fleming fans anxious to see her in this rarely performed Rossini opera. I don’t think anyone was disappointed. Of special note: Mary Cunningham’s staging; Richard Hudson’s sets and costumes, especially those of the Spandexed demons; bass Keith Miller’s athletic demon king; the charming Act II ballet; the winsome girl who mimed Love; the five tenors (with special nods to Lawrence Brownlee, Barry Banks’ double roles and the Act III tenor trio); and Ms. Fleming’s splendid rendering of Rossini’s difficult coloratura as the alluring sorceress in love with a Crusader. And as usual, the camera work and sound mix of this Met Live in HD performance were top-notch. Can’t wait for the 2010-11 season!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
2
/
5
I Wish I Could Have Seen It
PostedFebruary 8, 2010
I’d looked forward to this rare Verdi opera all season long but was advised of a satellite feed problem before entering the theater. I suspect that the huge mid-Atlantic snowstorm going on just north of us was the culprit. The audio was unaffected (what glorious singing!), but the broken images jittered continuously; the opera became unwatchable. I left before the first act ended, as did most others. The good news: We were given tickets for the 24FEB encore performance. I’ll be there!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
PCH Live: A Peach Of A Show
PostedFebruary 5, 2010
I may never get to see PCH or Garrison Keillor in person, so this live cinecast of his fabled radio show worked for me. The people around me laughed and clapped along with the Fitzgerald audience, giving the event a cozy immediacy. A pre-show ramble around snowy St. Paul; the many excellent camera angles and close-ups of the PCH regulars (especially the sound effects guys) and guests (Elvis Costello was super); and Garrison’s reading of greetings sent from theaters around the country made the ticket price worthwhile. If PHC does this again, I’m there!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Complicated? No, simply grand.
PostedJanuary 20, 2010
This hilarious Nancy Meyers rom-com is the perfect anecdote for a stressful day. She gets the older woman (very few in Hollywood do); I laughed in recognition throughout, as did my 92-year-old mom. Streep is wonderful (when is she not?); Baldwin is perfect as her charming, shark-like ex; Martin is quietly attractive as her prospective new BF; Krasinski steals his scenes as her caught-in-the-middle future SIL. ADVISORY: Believe the R rating -- for adults only.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
A Rose Of A Show
PostedJanuary 10, 2010
Another splendid Met production, blessed by the lustrous voice of a beautifully costumed Renee Fleming. Few theatrical experiences are better. And there we were, sitting comfortably in fashionable sweats, munching, enjoying all the camera angles and backstage insights the live audience couldn’t see. I hope more (and much younger) people will come to this unique broadcast series and discover operatic art.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Bravo, Gelb and Bondy!
PostedOctober 29, 2009
A fine updated concept of Tosca: sets that focus on the characters and their story, terrific acting (especially by George Gagnidze as Scarpia, the Tony Soprano of his day) and above all great singing. Bravo!
Unlike others here, I like weekday encores; they work for people with non-traditional lives, jobs and hours. Also, seeing these shows as originally broadcast is what I pay to see. Hello, it's the Met Live in HD. Also, I disagree that backstage interviews seem “forced”. IMO they are well handled and informative for new fans, which are crucial to opera’s survival. And consider that most interviewees speak English as a second language. How well would you do with that, and just coming off stage to boot? Please, broaden your perspective.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.