Review - Stigmata
02-24-00 | 11:12 PM
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Just watched Stigmata on dvd, and here are my thoughts (my contain minor spoilers, but waaay less spoilers than the back of the dvd).
This is a full-fledged special edition dvd from MGM. It contains a directors commentry, alternate ending, 4-5 deleted scenes, a music video by Natalie Imbruglia, a "collectible" 8-page booklet and of course, the trailer
Its also in anamorphic widescreen.
First a few notes. Its not a horror flick. I'd describe this as a mix between suspense and drama. Its also bloody. If you're a bit squeamish, and don't enjoy the sight of free flowing/squirting blood - you might wanna get something else. I really had no idea what to expect, and lemme tell ya, I was a bit put off - blood isn't my thing. I was able to get through it (just barely
As a bit of background - I enjoy all sorts of movies. Anime, Hollywood Blockbusters, Action, Drama, Suspense, Foreign, etc - I'm sure some people won't like Stigmata - its not for everyone. It does take issue with the catholic church in some places, and those that didn't like Dogma for the Catholic stuff prob. won't prefer Stigmata either. Despite that, its a movie I found quite interesting.
For starters, the "collectible" 8-page booklet (who collects these? I certainly don't throw them away, but I don't exactly put them in cases and trade them) is filled with quite a few facts and the background on stigmata. For the uninformed (like me, not being catholic), Stigmata is "inexplicable bleeding from fresh wounds that appear without warning..." Stigmata are an honor, a blessing put upon only those most deserving and most devout of all Catholics. The first case recorded is that of St Francis of Assisi of the 13th century (where the director got the name Frankie for Arquette's character), and there have been over 300 documented cases of it - most women (90% according to said booklet). Stigmata continues to this day - including the US - drawing close scrutiny by the Vatican, who investigates all matters concerning miracles (of which stigmata are).
That brings us to the plot of the movie. Frankie Paige (Arquette) has come into the possession of a rosary belonging to a recently deceased priest thousands of miles away, and starts displaying stigmata - only she's a non-believer (and lives quite the life, let me tell ya). While riding home on the subway, she suffers an attack - huge gashes are cut into her back by an unseen attacker. A priest on the bus thinks that it might be the stigmata, and contacts the Vatican. Byrne plays said Vatican investigator, sent out by the cardinal (Pryce, from Tomorrow Never Dies) to investigate the incident and unravel the truth....
The audio is quite good in the movie, making full use of the surround speakers. The sound is effective and adds to the atmosphere of the movie.
The picture tho, left me a bit confused. The picture at times seemed grainy, and other times it was sharp. I guess this was intentional, but still, I felt it was worth mentioning. I don't have a huge TV, so I couldn't really tell you for sure. The colors are great tho
The deleted scenes don't really add much to the movie (which isn't surprising). However, in one of them, we get to see Arquette mostly naked (for those of you interested). The alternate ending (when playing the movie, you can chose to play it with the original or alternate ending, which is nice, and the alternate ending is also in the deleted scenes section) has a different twist on the movie - the resolution of the movie is totally different. Its worth viewing, but I like the theatrical ending better myself. Its nice to see though.
Although this movie might not be for everyone, if you're interested, you should see it. Its a very well made movie, and I found the subject matter intriguing. If it wasn't for the free flowing blood, this would certainly go in my collection; as is, I'll have to seriously consider it
***
As always, please reply if you have questions, comments, or feedback. I might post a review of Random Hearts later this weekend (but I honestly don't know if I can sit through it again...it was pretty bad in the theater), but I feel confident I can get a review of the Surburbans out by Sunday.
This is a full-fledged special edition dvd from MGM. It contains a directors commentry, alternate ending, 4-5 deleted scenes, a music video by Natalie Imbruglia, a "collectible" 8-page booklet and of course, the trailer
Its also in anamorphic widescreen.First a few notes. Its not a horror flick. I'd describe this as a mix between suspense and drama. Its also bloody. If you're a bit squeamish, and don't enjoy the sight of free flowing/squirting blood - you might wanna get something else. I really had no idea what to expect, and lemme tell ya, I was a bit put off - blood isn't my thing. I was able to get through it (just barely
As a bit of background - I enjoy all sorts of movies. Anime, Hollywood Blockbusters, Action, Drama, Suspense, Foreign, etc - I'm sure some people won't like Stigmata - its not for everyone. It does take issue with the catholic church in some places, and those that didn't like Dogma for the Catholic stuff prob. won't prefer Stigmata either. Despite that, its a movie I found quite interesting. For starters, the "collectible" 8-page booklet (who collects these? I certainly don't throw them away, but I don't exactly put them in cases and trade them) is filled with quite a few facts and the background on stigmata. For the uninformed (like me, not being catholic), Stigmata is "inexplicable bleeding from fresh wounds that appear without warning..." Stigmata are an honor, a blessing put upon only those most deserving and most devout of all Catholics. The first case recorded is that of St Francis of Assisi of the 13th century (where the director got the name Frankie for Arquette's character), and there have been over 300 documented cases of it - most women (90% according to said booklet). Stigmata continues to this day - including the US - drawing close scrutiny by the Vatican, who investigates all matters concerning miracles (of which stigmata are).
That brings us to the plot of the movie. Frankie Paige (Arquette) has come into the possession of a rosary belonging to a recently deceased priest thousands of miles away, and starts displaying stigmata - only she's a non-believer (and lives quite the life, let me tell ya). While riding home on the subway, she suffers an attack - huge gashes are cut into her back by an unseen attacker. A priest on the bus thinks that it might be the stigmata, and contacts the Vatican. Byrne plays said Vatican investigator, sent out by the cardinal (Pryce, from Tomorrow Never Dies) to investigate the incident and unravel the truth....
The audio is quite good in the movie, making full use of the surround speakers. The sound is effective and adds to the atmosphere of the movie.
The picture tho, left me a bit confused. The picture at times seemed grainy, and other times it was sharp. I guess this was intentional, but still, I felt it was worth mentioning. I don't have a huge TV, so I couldn't really tell you for sure. The colors are great tho
The deleted scenes don't really add much to the movie (which isn't surprising). However, in one of them, we get to see Arquette mostly naked (for those of you interested). The alternate ending (when playing the movie, you can chose to play it with the original or alternate ending, which is nice, and the alternate ending is also in the deleted scenes section) has a different twist on the movie - the resolution of the movie is totally different. Its worth viewing, but I like the theatrical ending better myself. Its nice to see though.
Although this movie might not be for everyone, if you're interested, you should see it. Its a very well made movie, and I found the subject matter intriguing. If it wasn't for the free flowing blood, this would certainly go in my collection; as is, I'll have to seriously consider it
***
As always, please reply if you have questions, comments, or feedback. I might post a review of Random Hearts later this weekend (but I honestly don't know if I can sit through it again...it was pretty bad in the theater), but I feel confident I can get a review of the Surburbans out by Sunday.
