Arabian Nights
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Movie Reviews of Arabian Nights
Movie Review: Stories Are More Important Than Bread
Summary: 5 Stars
Stories are more important than bread, says Alan Bates who plays the wise old storyteller Scheherazade meets in the bazaar. And this movie more than proves it. The stories themselves with their timeless morals are brilliantly told. Every member of the cast is delightful and memorable. And the stars, Mili Avital, Dougray Scott, Jason Scott Lee, John Leguizamo, and all the rest, give flawless performances. The special effects are truly special and artistically done, and never just loaded on to substitute for lack of story or acting. They are marvelously woven into the stories and enhance their meaning and impact and inspire our imaginations, not knock them senseless like so many Hollywood special effects. The locations are spectacular and ravishing and all new to me. Even if the movie were terrible, it would be worth watching for the locations alone. But it's not terrible, it's wonderful and satisfying in every way. When my son first saw this movie at about age 10, I was worried he wouldn't get it until he looked at me and said 'Mom, this is better than Jurassic Park!' This was the highest praise possible from a champion Raptor imitator.
The classic stories are emotionally involving, well paced, and told with bursts of genuine humor. I have owned this movie for years, and every time I watch it, I am delighted to see it's even better than I remembered.
Movie Review: a pleasant watch
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not familiar with the original text this movie is based off of but after watching this rendition I want to get my hands on it. If a movie could capture my imagination, suck me into the macro plot and keep the suspense going like this did then the book(s) have have to be fantastic.
I thought the directing well done. Some camera shots added to the mood and I appreciated that the camera wasn't always static but creative, but not MTV music video bouncing either.
For mostly unknown actors (as far as my movie watching experience goes) the acting was well done and believable.
Special effects were what I expected of tv made movie. Thus I had fair expectations and wasn't disappointed. The special effects fulfilled thier role.
As already mentioned the movie macro plot was well done especially transitioning between the "real world" and that of the stories toled by the sultana.
My 7, 5 and 3 year old all watched this with me and other than one "scary" scene and one adult comment they didn't get, this was good family entertainment.
The movie is a good 3hrs but we were glued to it the whole time and never felt like "when is this thing going to end?!" Overall a very, very pleasant experience and definitely worth the rental if not to own.
Movie Review: It's got it all, darlings
Summary: 5 Stars
A few years ago, there was a television movie on ABC called "The Arabian Nights." It was a two night series and I absolutely loved it. So, when it came out on DVD, I got it right away. It truly captures the beautiful stories I used to hear as a young boy from one of my aunts. More than anything, the film is so funny. One of the most funniest scenes is when Ali Baba's brother, Abu Kasim, dies and he rents the Damascus Mourners for the funeral. A bunch of men and women show up and wail all over the burial. Later, the leader of the group comes up to Ali Baba and says, "Remember us if you have more deaths in the family." That is perhaps the funniest thing in the film.
Truly, the director, Steve Barron, who also directed the supernatural Merlin, makes this film one of the, by far, best films I have ever seen. The effects are so much fun to watch and the acting is so good. A group actors, who are so diverse, make this film delicious. And don't forget to watch for people showing up in different scenes. For example, the women of the Harem have some women who also play in different characters, elsewhere. And the Jinns - both the cute gay one and the evil one - are played by Leguizamo. You can't miss this one, darlings.AJ
Movie Review: It's like a Magic Dreamy Valentine!
Summary: 5 Stars
The DVD version is complete without the edits other reviewers mention from the video version. Wow! What a fun, romantic film I think, especially late night entertainment for two adults who are kids at heart. (Put on your haram pajamas, and snuggle up with your lover with some kalua and cream, or some chocolates, or oreos and smores.)
The visual effects of this movie are stunning, exotic and never cease to be interesting. As usual, Hallmark does a superb job with this sort of storytelling. The actors are good, the costumes and scenery take you away to other lands, and there is an overall sense of humor in the characters that inspires and stays with you. It's not a boring movie.
Alladin is one of the best and most dramatic sequences, reminding me of an ancient version of "The Matrix". Really stunning and unforgettable: Alladin's trip into the underground cave!! I love it! The story of the flying carpet is also breath-taking. Having decided not to watch it on TV, I waited several years to finally purchase the DVD so I could watch it all in one sitting. SO glad I did! Very enjoyable and recommended.
Movie Review: How to Tell a Good Story
Summary: 5 Stars
The beautiful Scheherazade must quickly spark the sultan's interest in her stories; her life depends upon it; and so she sparks your interest too.
She tells 5-stories; each about 25-minutes:
"Ali Baba and the 40-thieves".
"Back-Back the Sultan's Jester"
"Aladdin and His Magic Lamp"
"The Sultan Plays a Prank on a Beggar"
"Three Competing Princes Seek a Wonderful-Item to Gain the Throne".
There is also the main story of Scheherazade, the Sultan, and the Sultan's evil brother. This 3-hour film moves quickly; though I watched the final story the next day.
Filmed on location in Morocco and Turkey; lavish sets and costumes; good special-effects; and a little humor from John Leguizamo as the genie of the ring. The writing on the face of the lamp-genie is Solomon's-Curse imprisoning him in the lamp as a genie until the day a master of the lamp chooses to set him free.
This film shows a lot of thought, and was well done. I read these stories first from books; the books and your imagination are better than any film could possibly do.