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Reviews
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Excellent scenery
I have seen better films. The introduction sets the scene for the film and brings us into eighteenth century France where there is no pity, no laughter and there is the divine right to reign. If Antoinette had said, "Let them eat cake!" in this case she would have said, "Let them smell fish." The differences in the class of society is excellently portrayed and the scenery is outstanding. The main character attracts no pity throughout the film. As each scene ends a key figure disappears in an untimely death. As he weaves his way through the film the key figure Jean Baptiste becomes less pitiful and more repulsive. Hoffman and Rickman are superb but why put their names to such a ridiculous film? The scene on the square where the populous are debased to debauchery through the scent of a single kerchief is frankly ridiculous and is laughable. There have been better films and at times the "Scent of a Woman" sprung to mind, but "Scent of a Woman," was a far better picture - Perfume NON!
The Naked Pilgrim: The Road to Santiago (2003)
An Englishman repeats a trip of a lifetime
Brian Sewell, an art critic, undertakes a pilgrimage from England to the ancient Christian center of Santiago in Spain. He has a left hand drive Mercedes and drives from Calais to all the centers of ancient pilgrimage in France. His criticism of the architecture is brilliant as are his encounters with pilgrims from all over Europe. Initially he is the stoic Englishman full of confidence and cynicism which initially propels him through Paris and onto Lourdes. The photography is powerful but the music is simple and plays a measured rhythm in the background. After Lourdes our Brian visibly crumbles and becomes more human. His humanity is challenged at dinner with some teenage pilgrims from France and his soul is bared on the feast of Saint James. Then more happens. This is possibly one of the best documentaries ever made concerning man's search for himself and God. If you see it buy it if its on sit and watch - outstanding
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Author of Kingdom of Heaven
I was brought up on the Crusades. We were told that when they landed at Jaffa they killed and brutally killed, the first people they saw and these people were Christians! The story is well done, even the character of the great Saladin who is buried in Damascus. Strangely the story seems to follow a book called, "The Knights of Dark Renown" by Graham Shelby. The music is haunting and blends in well.The underlying love theme is touching and good. Strangely these days people seem to think there are religious issues in the film which there are not. Nothing can be read into it except that wars and violence are caused by stupid people and madmen. As for Kingdom of Heaven its brilliant