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Reviews
LelleBelle (2010)
Awesome Film (Was Quite Moving) - Especially Recommended for Classical Music Lovers
The synopsis that was provided by an earlier reviewer overemphasized the amount of sexual content in this flick, and I think that was misleading. That poster even theorized that this was really just a porn film with some romance added to the story in an attempt to also attract at least a few female viewers - I personally found that hypothesis to be ridiculous.
I would say that this movie is about music & love & romance & coming of age & competition & inspiration & cooperation & friendship & making love & first orgasms & resisting peer pressure & being true to yourself & relationships (with both your peers & your parents). Most of the cast was quite good, especially the female lead that played "Belle." During the final audition scene, I was simultaneously smiling, crying, and tapping my feet. This is a terrific film, and I highly recommend it!
Chikan gifu: Musuko no yome to... (2003)
My response to mmushrm's earlier review
Dear mmushrm,
When you reviewed this film several years ago, you stated that you would like an explanation of the ending of the movie - here is the pertinent portion of your original comment:
"Thats it, thats the ending. He sells the farm after fighting against it the entire movie. He sells the farm, after he regains his sanity. He sells the farm and sends the daughter in-law off after professing his love. HUH??? what did I miss?? Thats it???? Anyone else who watched this please explain the ending to me..."
By selling his farm and moving into a retirement home, the old man was forcing his daughter-in-law to move on with her life (which she had been avoiding ever since her husband died). Essentially, the old farmer was making his daughter-in-law accept his very unselfish gift - he was setting Noriko free (figuratively, not literally). When I realized this, I found it to be quite moving and very beautiful.
What did I base my conclusions on? Notice that it was made clear that the old man would have personally much rather continued with the status quo (living with Noriko on his farm):
1) Earlier in the film, the old man (Shunichi) stated that he didn't want to sell his property to the obnoxious guy who was working for the developers because he would be bored if he didn't have his farm to go work on every day.
2) In the last scene of this film, Shunichi wryly mentions to Noriko that he was not looking forward to moving to the retirement home and having to live with a bunch of old people.
3) The biggest clue regarding Shunichi's true feelings is when he begins to cry softly after Nuriko leaves his home for the last time (when her taxi arrives).
Also notice that before she leaves, Nuriko acknowledges the sacrifice that Shunichi is making for her (long-term) benefit by telling him that he is cruel and then following that comment up immediately by telling him thank you. In the short run, this unusual couple could have continued to run the farm together more or less as they had been (except that, presumably, they would have begun living together as a romantic couple instead of as in-laws).
However, Shunichi understood that realistically there would have been no long-term future in pursuing that course of action for either of them. Shunichi, despite his moment of clarity when he realized that Nuriko was not Bessie AND also that he loved Nuriko, had already been showing signs of senility for about a year. Sadly, his dementia will almost certainly continue to worsen (at an ever increasing rate) - Shunichi probably only had another 5 years or so of quality life remaining. On the other hand, since Nuriko is only 29 at the end of the movie, she probably has a good 40-50 years still ahead of her. By making Nuriko leave the farm, Shunichi was making her take the first step toward finding a new man with whom she could enjoy the rest of her life.
Mmushrm, I hope that my comments have helped you to better understand and appreciate what I consider to be a truly wonderful little piece of cinema.
Sincerely,
pike100
La pretora (1976)
A visual feast for fans who are hungry for some Edwige!
The version of La Pretora that I bought did not offer English audio or subtitles, but that was only a small disappointment. The other reviewers have more than adequately described the plot, so on to the important stuff - the skin! (Does anyone actually buy or rent an Edwige Fenech movie, or any of the similar Italian-made "Sexy Comedy" films for that matter, for the writing & the acting?)
I have seen about 8-9 of Ms. Fenech's movies & this incredibly beautiful actress had more quality nude scenes in this film than in any of her other titles that I have viewed to date. As opposed to many of her other films in which she has only 1-2 brief topless scenes, this title provides the viewer with a copious amount of lengthy & well-lit nude scenes (including abundant FFN) in order to sate the voracious appetites of Edwige's legion of fans.