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Reviews
Donovan's Reef (1963)
Love, Honor and the South Sea Island
A prudish woman from Boston goes to the South Sea Island to seek a father she's never seen and try to find a secret to discredit is ability to keep is stock in the Dennim Shipping Co. Many surprises await her , three delightful children unbeknown to her are actually her brother and sisters. The confrontation with Donovan played by John Wayne, who eventually wins her heart and turns her in to a human-being.The child like behavior of Lee Marvin as Gilloohy. The infamous birthday fight between friends. The shifty Cesar Romero who wants to marry the wealthy Amelia. The South Sea Island has beauty which can't be found any where else. The story of family, respect and love.
Hatari! (1962)
Fun and Romance in Africa with the Duke
I have certain John Wayne movies that I enjoy very much and this movie is one of them. It's funny, witty, filled with unsuspecting romance and the beautiful backdrop of Kenya. A cute and feisty French photographer whose on assignment to film catching of animals for a zoo, and injured employee, a driver afraid of animals also falls in love and there's also two young men vie for the affections of the owner of the game reserve. And exciting scene with the photographer being pursued by John Wayne and three baby elephants. The ventures of seven people in the catching of animals of Africa and of the pursuit of love. Bring the beauty of Kenya into your living room and a love story for all.
Out of Africa (1985)
An Endearing Love Story on One Country and One Man
Meryl Streep, Robert Redford and Klaus Maria Brandauer give a performance that brings spark and excitement in every move. Based on the true adventures of Karen Blixson her love for a country (Kenya) and for one man (Denis FitzHatten). A woman in love with one brother who jilts her and another brother who marries her for money, but once Karen arrives in Kenya a new world opens to her. The love of the Kenyan countryside, the people and FitzHatten. Karen whats more than she can have and that's true happiness. But with the strength within her she realized at the end that she wanted more. FitzHatten was her equal in the love they had for Africa but Karen wanted a more permanent relationship with Fitzhatten that could never be.
The music was haunting and beautiful bringing tears to the eyes of seeing a changing country. The panoramic view of Kenya stirred the soul. Meryl Streep as Karen Blixen brought the story alive. Klaus Marie Brandauer is the rascal who doesn't share Karen's dreams and Robert Redford as Denis FitzHatten adds depth as the one man Karen will always love but never own.
The natives of Kenya also play an important part of Karen Blixson's life. The movie is poignant, eternal you'll watch it again and again always seeing some new.
Mansfield Park (1983)
Story on an impoverished girl who finds love
Fanny comes to live with relatives because her mother is overburdened with children and poverty. A selfish Aunt Norris who tries to keep Fanny humble and beholding to rich relatives although Aunt Norris can only criticize. Lord and Lady Bertram come to realize the superiority of Fanny and value her a a family member. Edmund has yet to realize that he loves Fanny. Edmund is blinded by false perceptions and allusion's of love with Miss Crawford. Fanny is pursued by Henry Crawford a man who has no scruples about pursuing her married cousin or any woman he thinks he can make fall in love with him as a lark. Henry meets his match in Fanny because she does not find Henry to be irresistible or sincere. Fanny persevere and wins the love of Edmund and the respect of Mansfield Park's residence.
Persuasion (1971)
The wrongful power of Persuasion
Here is one of Jane Austen's movies that I found very delightful. I read the book first then listened to it on CD and was captivated by how a young Victorian girl could be persuaded against marrying the man she loved due to his lack of a fortune or education. The joy of knowing that Anne is evidently reunited with a lost love. The fact that her godmother tries to marry her off to a good for nothing cousin who's only out for money. Looking at the snobbery that comes from the upper classes and how class distinctions can divide couples from following their hearts. Captain Wentworth realization that he still loves Anne after seven years. His final understanding that Anne's love was constant all that time and they she wasn't going to let her family interfere with her true happiness and eventual marriage to one she truly loved.
Ladies in Lavender (2004)
A Touching Love Story
Both Dame Judi Dench and Maggie Smith gave a very striking performance. The sensitivity given by both Ladies was heartfelt. The anguish of a love lost in youth and then rekindled when a young man is washed up on the beach. Maggie Smith's performance was beyond any role that I have ever seen her in. Her character was sensitive, caring and maternal. Daniel Bruhl displayed wonder in playing the violin with such feeling, when his dream was almost sabotaged by the two sisters and then their ability to understand and feel in dream in his music touched the soul. I was moved to tears in the joy, pain and final realization that Magie's and Judi's character had to let go.
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Sense and Sensibility 1995/ 1981 Mini-series
Emma Thompson gave and outstanding performance to Miss Dashwood and the supporting cast with Hugh Grant made me appreciate why I liked Jane Austen's movie so well. I also enjoyed the version made it 1981 the T.V miniseries with Irene Richards and Tracey Childs. Both versions were true to the book. I have read all of Jane Austen's works.
I have several Jane Austen's works on DVD. I own Persausion, 3 different versions of Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey. This shows that I truly enjoy and look all her literature. For those people who are Jane Austen's fans check out her books as well as the other movies adapted from them.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Pride and Prejudice
I was greatly disappointed in this version in that several elements were missing. I have seen several versions of this movie from 1)Greer Garson & Sir Lawrence Olivier,2) Colin Firth and Jennifer Erle and 3) Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul. The second and third are by far my favorites because it stayed very close to the book which I've read twice. The version with Garson and Olivier were not as close to the book but very enjoyable. I greatly respect all of Jane Austens's literature but the newest version was quite disappointing in that they made all the Bennett girls serious. Elizabeth's character is suppose to be serious, while Jane is naive but good. Keira Knightley is character was to silly as well as the mother and sisters. Although Donald Sutherland is a very good actor this truly was not the part for him. I have seen Brenda Blethyn in much better roles. I love Dame Judi Dench but not in this role.