Reviews Wanted: "Beloved"
06-25-99 | 10:58 PM
#1
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I haven't seen "Beloved," and I know the DVD is a Miramax/BV release (we all know what that means), but if anyone has comments on the film itself, as well as the DVD picture and sound quality, your thoughts are appreciated.
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06-28-99 | 09:49 AM
#2
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From: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Well I just saw the DVD this morning.
It was ok but waaaayyyy too long. It was like 2 hours and 40 some odd minutes and they could of dumped about 60 of that.
The movie was a sad movie in that it dealt with slavery. In fact, I would say it was a very difficult film to watch due to graphic scenes of child murder. The Oprah character has to deal with the ghost of a child she killed to keep from being captured by a brutal slavemaster and this makes BELOVED a VERY creepy and yet deeply emotional film IMOP. But it stiil seemed to take a long time to get to the point. After about a hour and a half, I found myself jittery tempted to hit FF. The extras are nill. just a featurette and I mean short with no real insite into the filmaking. There aren't even actor bios which is too bad because the girl who played beloved was interesting and beautiful(she does some full frontal nudes scenes
). Oh btw she is also British(father Brit mother Zambian).
Beah Richards(the mom from Guess who's coming to dinner) was powerful as a sort of Matron/Spiritual leader for the blacks.
As a matter of fact B. Richards IS the best thing about this movie.
I hope this helps....
[This message has been edited by Giantrobo (edited 06-28-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Giantrobo (edited 06-29-1999).]
It was ok but waaaayyyy too long. It was like 2 hours and 40 some odd minutes and they could of dumped about 60 of that.
The movie was a sad movie in that it dealt with slavery. In fact, I would say it was a very difficult film to watch due to graphic scenes of child murder. The Oprah character has to deal with the ghost of a child she killed to keep from being captured by a brutal slavemaster and this makes BELOVED a VERY creepy and yet deeply emotional film IMOP. But it stiil seemed to take a long time to get to the point. After about a hour and a half, I found myself jittery tempted to hit FF. The extras are nill. just a featurette and I mean short with no real insite into the filmaking. There aren't even actor bios which is too bad because the girl who played beloved was interesting and beautiful(she does some full frontal nudes scenes
). Oh btw she is also British(father Brit mother Zambian). Beah Richards(the mom from Guess who's coming to dinner) was powerful as a sort of Matron/Spiritual leader for the blacks.
As a matter of fact B. Richards IS the best thing about this movie.
I hope this helps....
[This message has been edited by Giantrobo (edited 06-28-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Giantrobo (edited 06-29-1999).]
06-28-99 | 03:26 PM
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From: Chicago,IL,USA
This is a mixed bag. There's some nice acting (talking like Beloved is now a favorite in my household!), the story has some interesting aspects, and the sound is pretty good, but the non-anamorphic enhanced picture and the length marginalize this to a 'good' movie. When you start to get up because you think it's over and you keep doing it, you know something is wrong.
Bob
Bob
06-29-99 | 07:41 PM
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Giantrobo (cool name) and Bob, thanks for your comments. I'll hold off on seeing this DVD until the soon-to-be local Hollywood Video has it's grand opening in a few months.
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07-01-99 | 03:55 PM
#5
Here's my review of the film... beware though, it's a harsh one.
Review: Beloved (1998)
Chuck Dowling
The Jacksonville Film Journal
Review: Beloved (1998)
Chuck Dowling
The Jacksonville Film Journal
