Reviews

I love "Fiddler on the Roof" so much it's difficult for me to comment on it in a detached way. I just think about it and I'm filled with emotion. (And I'm not the sentimental type!) It honestly depicts what it means to be human. It contains love, faith, family, friendship, humour, violence, hate, prejudice, change, vulnerability, joy, community, anger...everything. This film is a tribute to the Jewish people, but you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy it. It's so rich that everyone can identify with it, and learn from it.

As for the music, all the songs fit in naturally and stand on their own as classics. "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "Sunrise, Sunset," "If I Were A Rich Man" - need I say more? When Hodel sings "Far From the Home I Love" it's tissue time. They're all so beautiful! If you usually find it hard to take when characters in musicals suddenly burst into song, don't worry, in this film it's so seamless you can't imagine them communicating any other way. The music makes it easier for them to say things they normally wouldn't in conversation.

The characters are so real and down-to-earth. They're strong, hard-working people, who have their priorities straight. I can't write about FOTR without mentioning Tevye - the centre of this whirling story, and a man who, like all of us, struggles with the pace with which his world is changing. He clings to the past, yet accepts what the future may bring. I don't think there is another film out there that addresses how insecure we feel with change. But hey, that's life. "To life, to life, la chayim!!"

To me, "Looking for Richard" is about one man's love of Shakespearean plays. This film is his vehicle to share that admiration with as many people as possible. I'm glad Mr. Pacino made this film, because he is so well-respected by such a wide variety of people, that his presence will draw them first to this film and then hopefully to the theatre.

I found the film extremely interesting. If you're at all interested in theatre, you'll enjoy watching the cast debate during rehearsals. It gave me a greater insight into what's involved in actually putting on a play. Usually, you just see the finished product, and they make it look so easy. I was relieved to learn from the film that the actors and directors struggle with the text of the plays too. So you don't have to feel bad if you don't understand all the dialogue - you will get the gist of it. The film is simply urging people to give Shakespeare another chance. You might like it, or you might not, but at least you'll have given it a shot. And if you do like it, it'll keep you busy for years.

Since most people are initially exposed to Shakespeare in high school, I imagine that's where their phobia originates. I had an English teacher who was passionate about Shakespeare, and he instilled that appreciation in me. Unfortunately, everyone isn't as lucky. Boring classes turned them off, and that's all they'll ever experience of Shakespeare. They are missing so much. I hope all the English teachers out there who are less than comfortable with teaching Shakespeare will show this film to their classes to counteract any Shakespeare phobia-inducing incidents.

"16 Candles," my humble opinion, is one of the funniest movies ever. People of all ages enjoy it. I bought a copy for my grandmother for her 71st birthday! (She used to borrow my tape all the time to watch it with her friends...) My mom (50) loves it. My cousin (12) loves it. It's a fun film to watch when you just feel like a laugh. My sister and I have practically memorized all the dialogue, and it often pops up in our conversations. I guess everyone who's ever felt inadequate (and who hasn't?)can relate to Molly Ringwald's character, Sam. If you haven't seen it, you should give it a try. It is VERY 1984, but the 80s are in again, aren't they?

After I finished watching this film, I rewound it and watched it again. It is totally captivating. For me to really enjoy a book or a film, I have to like the characters, and I love the characters in "Jane Eyre." Samantha Morton is the perfect Jane: reserved, but not stiff. Ciaran Hinds as the gruff but passionate Mr. Rochester brings this (dare I say) "melodramatic" character to Earth. And the scenery...!!! I recently read the novel and found that they tweaked the story a bit, but captured its essence precisely - purists won't be disappointed. I only wish they'd made a 5-hour mini-series out of it!