utena-1 Reviews

Zuzu Angel (2006)

Surprise! Zuzu Angel is a good movie

[9/10 · 17 August 2006]

I did not expected much from Zuzu Angel. The critic was not favorable here in Brazil and after Olga I got really suspicious about historical movies specially made by Globo films. But I got to the movies and i like Sérgio Rezende work. He made good choices.

It's not an all perfect movie, but it's reliable, not unfair to the historical facts and the acting is excellent. Made for the masses? Yes. But movies are made to the great public and must be enjoyable. I think every Brazilian should watch. It reminds me Antigone, specially the court scene. No matter what are the laws of a country, the family has the right and the obligation to give rest to their beloved kin.

Interrupted Melody (1955)

Childhood Reminiscence

[9/10 · 20 December 2005]

I was just eleven or so when I watched this movie for the first time, but for many reasons it was very important to me. Great acting, excellent story, touching moments and I remember most of the movie till now, almost 20 years after. I did no know till now that it was based upon a real story, I just remember the tragedy and the force to surpass it. And there, at the movie, I learned to love opera a bit more. At the time I was in love with Tristan and Isolde story and looking for information, and before the net it was really hard to find and I have not many books to search, so at this movie I could see part of the opera and I loved it. I'd like to watch this movie again.

Les rois maudits (1972–1973)

Even better than I expected!

[10/10 · 20 November 2005]

As a Maurice Druon's Rois Maudits fan I got crazy when I read about the 2005 TV series. Then I knew that there was a 1972 series and I got crazy to get it. Well, it was even better than I imagine.

The Rois Maudits collection tells about the curse Jacques the Molay, great master of the Templars, cast on the French King, Philippe IV Le Bel, and his descendants till the 13th generation. Tragedy after tragedy comes over the characters. So an advise: do not love one of them too much, or you can be very sad and very quick!

People must know that it's a play style movie, the actors and actress came from the comédie française and are wonderful at this kind of production. What amazed me most is the fact that even when the character of the book does not fit the person, the actor or actress impersonates it too well that I got convinced that they are the same person at all. One example is Georges Ser, he is Louis X Le Hutin, exactly he is in the book.

The best book made film I ever seen. I can miss one or two scenes, specially those of baby Edward (III) in the first episode, but all is in the correct place and the actors are great. The only real problem is: there are not subtitles. You must know French, or like me, have a poor French but remember all the books and dialogues. Well, I enjoyed, and I recommend!

Lady Oscar (1979)

Just for fans

[7/10 · 4 October 2004]

I love the Rose of Versailles (Lady Oscar in West) original comics and was a pleasure to watch this movie. However it's necessary to say it's just for fans. When you previously know the characters and want to get in touch with an alternative point of view, it's OK, but if you take Lady Oscar as a movie about the French Revolution's or a cross dresser heroine, you probably would feel disappointed.

The work was not as good as it would be; some actors and actresses were not well chosen; main events were forgotten; and Oscar's personal drama lost force. But as I said, I liked it a little, because any Lady Oscar's product would attract me.

Olga (2004)

I expected more

[6/10 · 21 August 2004]

I've waited a lot for this movie and I was not satisfied. Too much money and talk about a movie that were nothing sounds natural or moving at all. The snow/winter scenes were among the worst, because just the artificial snow and clothes do not make a situation looks like it's very cold. Monjardin (the director) is very goo making TV series and soap operas, but he should adapt his talent to tell a story in a movie way. Olga looks like a movie made of cut scenes from a TV series. Caco Ciocler was not convincing as Prestes, he doesn't pass the impression that he would be able to inspire a march of 25 thousands km. Fernanda Montenegro was the best chose, she was wonderful as Leocádia Prestes. Camila Morgado is an excellent actress but the necessity of the creation of a love story and the obsession of showing that love and maternity made Olga a real woman, was a waste of time.