Virgin Territory
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Movie Reviews of Virgin Territory
Movie Review: A Dino De Laurentis Production & Reworking Of Boccaccio's Decameron
Summary: 3 Stars
Dino De Laurentis' 38 million dollar production of Virgin Territory is loosely based on Boccaccio's Decameron. The Decameron is a collection of 100 novellas by Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio, written in the 14th century. It is a medieval allegorical work best known for its bawdy tales of love, appearing in all its possibilities from the erotic to the tragic. Many notable writers such as Shakespeare, Chaucer, Shelley, Molière, and even Martin Luther are said to have drawn inspiration from The Decameron. Obviously Dino and his hefty pocketbook, David Leland; writer & director, respectively, and the rest of the crew also got a bit inspired, albeit mostly in a bawdy, goofy and juvenile sort of way.
This Anchor Bay release is part of their new "Unzipped" Collection and was just plain fun to watch. The costuming by Cavalli and scenery/architecture in Florence were breathtaking but by no means is this a true period piece. If you watch a lot of Masterpiece Theatre and the like, I am sure that this film would not appeal to your palate but if you want to just sit, not think, watch a good bodice ripping/sexually charged storyline with beautiful, young, nearly naked bodies all posed in fabulous scenery with great music all behind it then this is a film you would enjoy.
Tim Roth is always a great villian and he does not disappoint. Hayden Christensen and company do a fine job in their parts. Mischa Barton has a bit of trouble keeping up the accent and is probably the weakest of the bunch. There is a hilarious cow milking scene with five of the supporting cast, a seductive bath scene in a nunnery, and a great gypsy scene with a crew of gypsy men and two of the young women who play bit parts that are, alone, worth seeing the film.
I also would like to mention that the soundtrack was amazing. Lots of alternative tunes by Groove Armada, The Kills, Basement Jaxx, Pete Doherty, Blur and Dangermouse to mention just a few.
All and all a great romantic comedy fit for the 20-something bunch!
Pleasant Viewing!
Movie Review: Nice Production that needed better actors
Summary: 2 Stars
The reason why I say this is because at one time Mischa Barton was on the edge of becoming the new Indy darling. As a child actor she gave an amazing performance in a little crime flick called `Pups'. She was also fantastic in the unconventional story of love and obsession `Lost and Delirious'. Now, she is best known for a popular teen night time soap opera called `The O.C.'. She still retains at least a modicum of the talent she has shown in the past although hindered by some of the constraints of the script. Considering the acting abilities of Hayden Christensen is a tricky matter. Some people, especially teen and early twenties girls, just love him. He is a handsome young man, that is true but so far he has been far from impressive as an actor. He is flat in just about every performance I have seen of his to date. He cannot seem to embody his character properly to convince the audience. Part of the problem is the roles he has been getting. In most films, this one included, he appears to be hired for his looks and the female appeal he brings. He needs to take a page from the page book that Brad Pitt used and get a part where he is made ugly. It worked for Pitt; after `Kalifornia' people stopped just looking at him as a pretty face and he got a chance to grow as an actor. Christensen is at that point. He is unable to offer anything to his role as the love struck young man because he is mostly window dressing.
The way the overall juxtaposition of the modern with the fourteenth is amusing and makes for an interesting take on a common genre. Director Leland needed more work with this film in regards to its consistency to me. There is a need for a greater focus that is seen here. Now with a romantic comedy you can not fault the writer or director for such overused plot points as the chance meeting or just he right circumstances at the right time. Such overly covenant and implausible things are just part of this type of movie. Even the best of the genre are guilty of these contrivances. Also present are the typical run of devices popular with Elizabethan literature. You always need some sort of misunderstanding and people pretending to be someone else. If it was good enough for the Bard to use in man of his rom-coms it is good enough to be used here. For this period something else is required for the plot line. You have to have some sign of class struggle. The aristocrats of the day were far above the common crowd and this point needed repeated mentions. The addition of the Florentine is also always good for a costume piece like this as it allows the set and costume designers a chance to go all out with lush fabric and well appointed architecture.
Much of the movie is paced like an extended music video; with the modern music on cue every time and the staging of the actors just right to show off the best possible camera angles. Leland is a talented director and does manage to keep the movie on track most of the time helping the audience to forget some of the shortcomings of the production. Most of all it is evident that Leland was committed whole heartedly to this film and that goes long way to helping it work out. I hope he does better on his next production.
Movie Review: Two Hours of My Life, That I Won't Ever Get Back!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
This movie really bites! I thought that none of the "actors" could act and that this movie was poorly put together! It wasn't funny, entertaining or eye catching. I wouldn't even tell anyone I watched it that is how bad it is!
This movie does not live up to it name or the hype you get when your firing up your DVD player. We were expecting some crude humor and a good laugh with this film and it brought neither!!
I felt that this so called "movie" completely lacked a plot/storyline altogether!
To bad on amazon I can't give "0" yes ZERO stars!
Please, Don't waste your money or precious time on this one!
Movie Review: One Question...
Summary: 1 Stars
OK, just one question, how does Hayden Christensen ever get any work. This has to be the most awful actor in all of Hollywood. OK, if you have to deliver stiff, Lucas-speak, then maybe he's your man, but in anything else, he's hopeless. Think Nicholas Cage without the charisma.
With that said, I don't think Michael C. Hall (Dexter) could have rescued this disaster. Someone mentioned that they were going for the Heath Leger vibe, but that doesn't help. It is too period for the "Porkys" crowd, and too raunchy for the intelligent crowd.
Don't defile your DVD player with this disk...
Movie Review: A Pretentious Waste Of Time!
Summary: 2 Stars
This movie is supposed to be a romantic comedy, loosely based on classical literature, but it is far from funny. In fact, it is very sad to see such a feeble attempt at movie making! It begins with a very long, tedious narration which is supposed to be humorous, but isn't even close. I couldn't wait for the narration to end, but when it did, the dialogue wasn't any better. Everything is uniformly mediocre(that is being generous). Even the acting is lousy, which is surprising, since the cast is quite impressive. but that is what happens when good actors are given a bad script. If you think that the "R" rating will at least offer some stimulation, think again. Even that aspect is totally amateurish. The special features are more interesting than the movie, since they are not really scripted, so just watch them and skip the movie. Spend your time and money somewhere else!