The best film ever...
591410
The opera finale is the greatest comic scene ever put on film.  Throughout, all aspects of human activity  are reduced to absurdist rubble by the brothers. Economically told with musical scenes that are well integrated.  Pay close attention to Groucho's sexual innuendo throughout.
933569
This review is for the Synapse Special Edition.

This is probably the greatest film ever made. Its only real competition may be&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Citizen-Kane-Two-Disc-Special-Edition/dp/B00003CX9E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Citizen Kane (Two-Disc Special Edition)</a>and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Seventh-Seal-Criterion-Collection/dp/B001WLMOL4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Seventh Seal (Criterion Collection)</a>.

Let's get this out of the way - the choice of subject matter (promoting Nazis) for the greatest film ever made is, regrettable, to say the least - but that in no way tarnishes its artistic greatness or can deny its impact. This film transcends any subject matter. In case you don't know, this is a propaganda film for the Third Reich and shows various events and speeches, and the German cityscape, people, and countryside. It's an odd movie and very expressionistic. Not what you'd normally associate with a propaganda film.

It is one of those rare films that resounds throughout artistically. It does so in a truly epic fashion. It's every bit as operatic as Wagner. It fuses audio and video in a way never seen before and rarely seen since. Just watch the opening descent sequence. It's jaw dropping. The music and the visuals are still inspiring. It conjures the descent of a god from heaven. It is truly the work of a master of the craft.

Then watch the longshots. There aren't ANY cameras visible. Also, the staging (the films' speeches are almost entirely staged) of the speeches and the marches is mesmerizing (and obviously inspired several Star Wars scenes, btw like the throne room, etc). You can see visual quotes from this movie in hundreds, perhaps thousands of other films, a testament to its enduring filmic legacy.

Features on this DVD include a commentary by a history professor, who serves to put everything in the proper historical perspective. It's pretty interesting if you're intrigued by WWII history or propaganda.

The windowboxing, I honestly do not like very much, I preferred the full frame.  I'm assuming the original was Academy 1.37:1 and this was done to avoid cropping to 1.33:1. Personally I find it profoundly more annoying to look at so much black space, but some purists obviously find this to be important. If you are one of them, take note. If you're not, this is something that may bother you about this edition. The quality of the film transfer is quite good, though.

An absolute must see for any student of film. For cultural historians, ideally seen paired with Capra's series of Allied propaganda films&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Why-We-Fight/dp/B000NHHDZK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Why We Fight</a>.
21457
I'll start by saying that Safe is hands down
the absolute BEST film I've ever seen.  As has
been mentioned many times in these reviews, this
is THE best performance of Julianne Moore's career
(with Boogie Nights being a close second).  This
is also the best film of Todd Haynes' career (does
ANYONE know where to find Superstar: The Karen
Carpenter Story or Dottie Gets Spanked????).
I've waited MANY MANY years for this DVD release,
as I can finally see the glorious framing in
widescreen, and get a bit of insight into the
thought processes behind the film.  At first, I
was a bit disappointed by the commentary track,
but then realized that too much information on
MEANING, etc., would ruin the experience of
deciding for oneself if the illness was
environmental or psychosomatic (I tend towards
the latter).
I've seen this film close to 25 times now, and
still have yet to see a more unsettling film
(although Repulsion JUST sqeaks by on the
creepiness factor).
 I had to smile at some of the
other comments posted here, namely about "subjecting"
friends to this film to gauge their reactions.  And
as for the comment about the truly horrifying scene
in the baby shower....I COULD NOT AGREE MORE!  I
thought I was the only one to be severly affected
by this extremely creepy scene.  It ranks up there
with a particular scene in Happiness (if you've seen
it, you know which one), and the last shot in Repulsion
in its ability to send shivers up my spine EVERY time
I see it.
Suffice it to say, this is one of those films you
either completely fall in love with (as I and many
here have), or you find as boring and bland as watching
paint dry....Yup, gauging people's reactions to this
film is always fun.
And one last adjective: UNRESOUNDINGLY BLEAK...
4366392
I love the film , i can`t explain it i just love it,the actors,their roles,the set the trama everything its the best 100%.
40114
I know that this is a heavy claim to make about this film, but there is just so much to love about it.  It is the best looking film every made.  Yes, there were no CGI effects at the time, but the blending of miniatures that they did for this film has never been touched.  The acting for this film is absolutely impeccable by everyone that was involved.  The direction seems to be both completely epic and understated at the same time.  The blu ray is really utilized here, as you can tell that Warner really spent the time and money to go back into the original negative and this is one of the cleanest remasters that I have ever seen.  The different versions of the film really do change the meaning of the film with only very slight changes that really show just how subtle and perfectly spaced this film is.  I know people who like each as their favorite, but I have to say that the final cut of the film is pretty amazing if you haven't come around to this version of the film.  This is the film that started the cyber punk movement in cinema, and is still the best example of it on screen.  Just a beautiful beautiful film.
4043701
The Kid is one of Charles Chaplin's best films ever. Although it runs less than an hour long, the story is most memorable as it packs in many laughs, a few tears (I admit I shed some) and a spectacular dream sequence that must have amazed audiences at the time. When they say Chaplin worked long and hard to make this film I fully believe them! Everything is so well done; and the acting couldn't have been any better. I liked the sets; the costumes; the musical score and the casting was well done, too. In addition, the second DVD contains numerous wonderful bonus features that I really enjoyed.

When the story begins, we meet an unwed mother (Edna Purviance) who has given birth to a baby boy at a charity hospital. She is quite despondent and hopeless about their future so she pins an anonymous note to her baby's blanket asking anyone who finds the baby to care for it as if it were their own. She then places the baby in the back seat of a fancy limousine and goes off to ponder what sort of life she could lead--if any.

But of course much more happens. The limousine is stolen by two thugs and when they discover the baby inside they put it out with the trash! It isn't long before The Little Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) discovers the baby; he tries to give it to someone who can care for it with some rather funny unexpected situations. Eventually the tramp reads the note tied to the baby's blanket and decides that despite his living in abject poverty he will care for the baby, name him John and raise John as if he were the baby's real father.

Five years pass; we see just how fond the tramp and John are of each other. The tramp takes good care of the boy and they share meals and even the cooking responsibilities; we also see how they eke out a living on the streets. But when John gets very sick and the doctor discovers that the tramp is not the boy's real father, trouble ensues when the doctor notifies the county orphanage. Look for an incredible sequence in which the boy is taken from the tramp as the tramp tries to get him back; it's hard not to shed a tear when seeing the little boy crying and screaming to be reunited with the man who raised him.

And there's more. The boy's mother, who did not kill herself, has become a famous entertainer and she discovers that John is indeed the boy she gave away five years prior. Now the relationship between the tramp and the boy is threatened by the mother who wants John back; a greedy man who wants a $1,000 reward for bringing the baby to the mother and the county orphanage who is still after the boy.

The 2nd DVD has so many extras and they're all excellent. I particularly liked the eye-opening and informative documentary "Chaplin Today" by Alain Bergala; "How to Make Movies" from 1918 where we see Chaplin building his studio; the color footage from 1971 of Chaplin conducting an orchestra for a new musical score for "The Kid;" the extra entitled "Nice and Friendly" with Jackie Coogan as well as Lord and Lady Mountbatten and "Charlie on the Ocean."

I highly recommend "The Kid" for any Chaplin fan; it is an equally good choice for people just discovering Chaplin's artistry simply because everything is so thoughtfully and tastefully done. People who appreciate silent film and classic comedies with elements of drama will not be disappointed.
4348681
I love this film. It is one of my all-time favorite films. I could go on about the greatness of this film, but let me highlight a few things. First, this film is totally beautiful. Second, the directing is solid. Third, the message of the movie is well worth thinking about. I am not surprised that Martin Scorsese made this movie. I watch it with great pleasure. Go out and watch this film.
4417151
One of the greatest films ever made.
 Criterion should re-master this film.
  Even so, buy it and enjoy its wonders.
970249
Each time I see this film, I am amazed at its brilliance. The pacing of the film in coordination with the music (and lyrics) is simply astounding. Also, given when the film was made I am still perplexed by the
cinematography of this masterpiece. There are shots which I can't quite figure out how they were achieved....especially ones where there are mirrors in the scenes. Quite possibly the greatest movie ever made, certainly the greatest " musical " movie ever made. I am impressed and moved each time I see it.
103652
A masterpiece beyond question. "Madame de" is undeniably Ophuls greatest achievement and one of the ten best films of all time. No written review can accurately describe the profoundly sublime after-effect of "Madame de" - a delicate and sumptuous screen tragedy, typified by a Ophuls exhilaratingly swirling camera and extravagantly decorative period sets and costumes. Danielle Darrieux, Charles Boyer, and a suave Vittorio De Sica all turn in an all-time best performances. A Perfect Film!
2494481
This movie was close to cinematic perfection. John Williams composed the amazing film score, and the cast was composed of some of the finest actors out there.  As for the story itself, it left you breathless. Liesel is the main character in the story, and she embodies strength and innocence. Faced with WW2 and helping her family hide a Jewish man in their basement, she manages to survive and also frequently escapes from reality through the world of books. Max, her Jewish friend who is in hiding, inspires her to write herself. He says, "If your eyes could speak, what would they say?"

Liesel's best friend is a boy named Rudy. He is always asking for a little innocent kiss, and always Liesel refuses. She will finally give him a kiss . . . yet the circumstances surrounding that one kiss will leave an impression on you that is hard to shake.

I'll not give any more details of the story away, yet I will suggest people watch this movie themselves. It has an important message and is truly a masterpiece. I gave it five stars because it truly is the best film I've seen in a long time.

God Bless,
Natalie
1624492
The film was absolutely visually incredible and a rare intellectual film in terms of writing, directing, and the acting in the film. It was very deep as a story and was full of absolute genius in terms of the directing and the acting. This film was so magical in how it was so heartfelt that it must be one of the best films of the decade. It is a shame it did not get more awards because it was so beautiful, meaningful, and very humorous. I will admire the film makers of this film for a long time, and I think that it was one of the best films for the lead actors in terms of a film's overall artistic value. I love this movie and cannot say enough for the film's rating and could give it many more stars.
2853454
Too many people who don't like this film becasue they don't understand the way this film was made. This is the film that broke the rules and as a result, every movie in some way borrows from this one, The acting is phenominal from all cast members and I don't even need to mention the screenplay and direction. This is a film for the ages that one viewing cannot do justice. This isn't the kind of film you watch on the surface only, because no one thing in this movie has a single meaning. "Rosebud" is more than just a sled, or a lost childhood. The film says it best that no one word can describe a man, and that is what Citizan Kane was doing; describing a complicated man from different points of view. This is, indeed, the greatest film made.
  And on the DVD: The picture is outstanding! I've never seen this film look so good. And for film buffs, the feature commentaries by both Peter Bogdonavich and Roger Ebert are excellent and give you a whole new perspective on the film. The documentary that comes with it, Battle over Citizen Kane is haunting.
  This movie is a must-see and must-own for anyone who appreciates great filmmaking.
4320556
This is a Great film...a multi-faceted masterpiece..
Take a chance..
Let it work on you..

And the Special Features really do multiply
the dimensions and angles from which one may approach,
and be approached by, this film..
3127616
...this film is a masterpiece in every respect:  director Michael Mann, cinematographer Dante Spinotti, actors Al Pacino, Robert de Niro etc etc etc.  In some respects the most beautiful film I have ever seen!  I watch it over and over and never seem to tire of it!  It is worth a purchase for the restaurant scene alone:  Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro facing off; two of our greatest living actors.  I can't say enough about this film.  If you've missed it it's not to late to catch up on one of the most brilliant films of all time.
3939269
I don't want to reveal the plot...just want to encourage people to see this film.  It is amazing in so many ways.  First, it is visually spectacular.  The opening scenes in the sweet little Bavarian village are wonderful.  Then...Tokyo, which is mostly frightening...and finally Mt. Fuji, which is as lovely as anyone could imagine.

The story is wonderful.  It centers on a very ordinary, middle aged man who likes to do everything the same way, every day and his wife who would love to visit Japan but never does.  The family dynamics are at times hard to watch but they are unfortunately quite realistic.  The film shows the ordinariness of these well ordered, sensible, middle class German people and the extraordinary magical loveliness of a young girl who dances in the park during the day, in full costume, and who sleeps in a tent at night.  The girl gives the man the love and kindness and understanding that his children don't.

The cast is perfect.  The man, who is not the type to show his feelings, nonetheless is very moving.  The wife is quite beautiful, even in her older years.  The young Japanese dancer will win your heart...she is extraordinary.

It's hard to describe the emotional impact that this film has.  I found it amazing...not just  by showing the depth of sorrow and grief of life but also the incredible beauty that it holds.  The closing scenes at Mt. Fuji are truly memorable...especially of the couple dancing on the beach...wow!  I highly recommend it.
1365994
The best movie I have ever seen!  So glad I bought it!