Phantom of the Paradise
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Movie Reviews of Phantom of the Paradise
Movie Review: An excellent rock opera with outstanding music
Summary: 5 Stars
Here is a movie that was made way ahead of it's time. Call it a musical, call it a rock opera. The movie is filled with music from beginning to end with every song enhancing the mediocre story. I compare the excitement and music in Phantom of the Paradise to a toned down version of the 2001 adaptation of Moulin Rouge. Something most critics do not mention is that most of the songs have a common bond with the premise of the selling of one's soul to the devil. This is tastefully done and can be seen even in the first song "Goodbye Eddie, Goodbye" where the lead singer offers to kill himself in order to become a musical legend and use the money for a life saving operation for his sister. Ok, it sounds a little corny, but is well done and sets the stage for Faust. Faust is the song written with Johan Faustus in mind. Although not mentioned with detail in the movie, Johan Faustus was a German who existed in the 16th century. He is best known for selling his soul to the devil in return for pleasure and power during his remaining mortal life. In order for the contract to be valid, he had to sign it with his blood. The movie farcely shows what musicians and performers really have to do for the recording industry in order to have a chance at being famous. I loved the music in the movie enough to immediately go out and buy the soundtrack. For being virtually unknown, this is a great movie.Movie Review: Phantom of the Paradise
Summary: 5 Stars
World-renown record producer Swan steals an aspiring composer's life work to use in the grand opening of his new club The Paradise. Winslow, now deformed and embittered after being locked away by Swan, returns to exact his revenge, but Swan convinces him to finish his cantata in order to have it sung by the beautiful starlet that he has fallen in love with. Swan breaks his promises once more, and Winslow sets out to destroy the hip new club! Brian De Palma weaves together the legend of Faust with Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera to create a psychedelic, electrifying, and incredibly original rock opera! De Palma's dynamic shooting style carries over from his prior success SISTERS the previous year, providing a number of creative camera techniques from the split-screen to arching crane shots. Paul Williams plays opposite William Finley's Phantom in a genius pairing, while the outrageous cast of supporting characters play in to their own over-the-top performances. Winslow's twisted leather costume, iconic helmet, and synthesized screeches combine to create a larger than life superhero that is sure to have audiences rooting for the underdog. Complete with a high-powered soundtrack, THE PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE is a cult-favorite that will continue to excite and enthrall fans for decades to come!
-Carl Manes
I Like Horror Movies
Movie Review: The movie that made me a DePalma fanatic
Summary: 5 Stars
The first Brian DePalma movie I ever saw was "Body Double" with Melanie Griffith. I was not impressed and didn't think much of DePalma as a director. But that was before I saw "Phantom of the Paradise," DePalma's lunatic hybrid of "Faust," "Phantom of the Opera," "Frankenstein," and "The Picture of Dorian Gray."I first read about "Phantom of the Paradise" in Danny Peary's book "Cult Movies 2." It sounded too good to be true, and I was thrilled to find a used copy at a video store's clearance sale. The movie turned out to be even better than I'd imagined. The movie seemed to have a bit of everything: horror, comedy, music, and melodrama. It gave me a newfound respect for Paul Williams, and it made me an instant Brian DePalma fanatic. Soon, I was seeking out all of his early classics -- "Greetings," "Carrie," "Blow Out," and the mind-boggling "Sisters."
The DVD of "Phantom" contains almost no extras (except for a trailer and an alternate French soundtrack), but the picture and sound are satisfactory... at least compared to my worn-out VHS copy. It's just too bad DePalma didn't do a commentary track. Then again, he hasn't recorded commentaries for ANY of his movies yet as far as I know.
Movie Review: Stunningly inventive - this movie gets better and better
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this movie at age 13 in a theater in England in 1977, double-billed with "Rocky Horror Picture Show". Needless to say, I didn't know quite what to make of either picture. About 10 years later I saw the movie on British TV and made my own video copy (taped from the broadcast) that I watched subsequently a couple more times. Not having seen the movie for over 10 years I bought the DVD with the expectation that I would have a pleasant viewing experience that would be at least partly based on nostalgia. How wrong I was! First of all, the technical attributes of the DVD are excellent. This presentation is from flawless source materials and Fox have done a terrific job with the sound, which is superb. More importantly the movie is, by today's standards, staggeringly inventive. Quite honestly it puts most movies that we see today to shame. The story is witty, inventive and self-referencing, the visuals are brilliant, the songs catchy and well-integrated, and the performers are all brilliant, from Bill Finlay to Jessica Harper to Gerrit Graham. Of course this is not a "conventional" movie, so it is not going to be for everyone, but if you are attracted to this type of material - or like me have fondness for this picture - you should definitely see this DVD.Movie Review: Williams your'e a little legend mate !
Summary: 5 Stars
I was always filmiliar with Paul Williams in the 70s he was everywhere ! I even remember seeing him
in an episode of the HARTY BOYS playing a singer on stage then turning into some sort of vampire , then recently I purchesed the MUPPET SHOW FIRST SEASON on DVD and saw his episode where he sang
AN OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG and thought " I REMEMBER HIM !! "WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HIM ?
aparently during the 80s he got involved in drugs and booze so the 80s was rather quiet for PAUL.
He is a fantastic songwriter ! I have his Album SONGS FOR THE FAMILY OF MAN , great album ! all his
best songs , I have worn it out !! I bought it in San Francisco last year .
phantom of the Paridise is an interesting film , I have never seen it before ,it reminds me of an american
version of the rocky horror picture show , very 70s and very PAUL WILLIAMS .
When I look at Paul , he reminds me of Elton John with those Red Glasses , and although he is only a short
guy , he looked pretty cool in the 70s with his long blonde hair and glasses.
I look foward to buying more Paul Williams music and films.
Paul Rowling Sydney Australia