We have come to my top ten.
This is the first of two foreign films in my top ten.
The wonderful Cinema Paradiso.
A filmmaker recalls his childhood, when he fell in love with the movies at his village's theater and formed a deep friendship with the theater's projectionist.
An ode to movie houses. An ode to film. It is a basic film and maybe there lies its magic: no Hollywood superstars, no special effects, just pure emotions and feelings, love, fear, grief and regret, nostalgia for childhood and youth, memories of places and time that have disappeared, it is simple and beautiful.
The score!! The Look!! The Actors!! It is perfection!! I guess it has to be mentioned it starts and ends with the great direction and screenwriting by Tornatore. It is a master class of filmmaking.
'Cinema Paradiso' has to be in my top ten films of all time. If you love movies, how can it not be? It is a tip of the hat of what film and the experience of watching films can and should be. Magic. Some on movie boards question if there is even a storyline, I disagree. For those who say there isn't maybe they were just thrown off by the score which commands the film.A young boy learns many lessons of life in a movie house, and that is your story. I love how all films have to be screened by the priest before public viewing. He is the editor, and the little boy wants to see them before the edit!
Now, the film that hit the shores of the United States was 120 minutes This version is the one that won Best Foreign film in 1990. This version was also seen by most people over seas. HOWEVER!! There is a 3 hour version floating around out there. Which I have been lucky enough to see. Tornatore was asked to cut the film down because it could not be seen in 1988/1990 in small Cineplex's because most movie house's only had two screens and well a three hour film loses a Cineplex and production companies money. It is all about how many eyes they can get to watch the film in one night.
So how is the 3 hour version? Not as good, and shockingly a totally different story. It is amazing that chopping off a third of a film can change so much. While the shorter version is magical and sweet. The longer version is depressing and sad and a totally different story. However the strange thing is the longer version is really good also. Just a different tone and look.
Well anyway the 120 minute version makes my top ten Yes it is available for streaming on Netflix!!.
From the shadows thanks for your time as always.
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