Genres

Visitors Review

2013-05-16 19:03:08

This DVD is not "Pan&Scan", however...

This review is from: Moonstruck (DVD) Although the theatrical aspect ratio of this movie was 1.85:1, while the DVD aspect ratio is 4:3, this is not a "Pan&Scan" DVD. In other words, almost none of the original theatrical image has been removed for exhibition on a 4:3 television screen. The film negative aspect ratio was 1.37:1 (almost 4:3), and for theatrical exhibition, the image was "matted" (partially covered from the top down and bottom up) to produce a 1.85:1 image. For exhibition on a 4:3 television screen, the "mattes" have simply been removed. So the DVD exhibition actually shows 31.4 percent more image than the theatrical exhibition. The movie was likely filmed this way so that the theatrical image wouldn't be butchered on television by the "Pan&Scan" process, and because the filmmakers didn't foresee the current state of the home video market, where consumers prefer movies presented in their theatrical aspect ratio, rather than in a ratio in which the image will fill up their 4:3 television screen (if there is a difference). This DVD presents the movie in the aspect ratio in which the filmmakers wanted people to see it on a 4:3 television, but it does not present the movie in the aspect ratio in which the filmmakers wanted people to see it in a movie theater (for that, the DVD would have to present the movie in a "matted widescreen" format). If you're okay with that, enjoy!

2013-05-16 10:24:46

Top Level Romantic Comedy, Maybe the Best Ever

The story is excellent with an absolutely outstanding dialogue. Cher and Dukakis particularly deliver terrific performances but all of the roles were well done. Not one of the scenes could be deleted without detracting from the end result. How the contrasting acting styles of Cher and Cage came together with such a charming result is a tribute to the director as well as the actors. I never tire of watching this lovely little film, time and time again.

2013-05-16 09:29:04

Magnificent "Moonstruck"

This review is from: Moonstruck (DVD) This movie still thrills decades after its original release. If it isn't already a classic it should be. Casting is inspired, script is extremely clever and direction by Norman Jewison masterful and delightful. I've given a few "Moonstruck" DVD's as gifts and will continue to do so. Be sure to look for Feodor Chaliapin (grandson of the great Russian bass-baritone) as Cher's grandfather. He gives a pitch-perfect performance and some of the best lines!

maddensa 2013-05-15 21:01:05

What a romantic comedy should be.

Moonstruck is one of my favorite romantic movies. The familyrelationships,the misunderstandings, the passion, and the funny bits make this anenjoyable movie to watch. I'm always happy AND sad when it ends because itseems like it would be interesting to see how all the family continues togrow. Cher gives one of her best performances as the superstitious widowwhowould rather marry for companionship then allow herself to be hurt again.Nicolas Cage is wonderful as her fiance's estranged brother. The rest ofthe cast seems just right for their roles,as well, which is one of thereasons I gave this movie a 10.

2013-05-15 15:22:14

A Perfect Movie

Everything comes together perfectly in this movie. There is an overall mood throughout, with constant reference to the full moon coming up over the skyline of New York, that steadily builds your interest as the story deepens. There are several stories all unfolding in parallel that are destined to collide. The pace is just right with all elements coming together to a crescendo in the end to build to a perfect ending. A feel good movie if there ever was one. And of course there's Cher, perfect in her role with a very believable New York accent.

brocksilvey 2013-05-15 02:30:31

Howling at the Moon

A low-key and charming family comedy about a spinsterish widow (Cher),who is torn between marrying her stuffy fiancé (Danny Aiello) and hisanimalistic brother (Nicolas Cage). Cher proves herself to be animmensely warm and likable screen presence, and the film is mostly astar vehicle for her. But she gets terrific support from VincentGardenia and Olympia Dukakis, playing her philandering father andworld-weary mother, and from a very funny Nicolas Cage, who proves thathe once had both charm and talent.The film makes terrific use of "Musetta's Waltz" from "La Boheme".Grade: A

2013-05-04 20:55:32

Awe-Struck

Nicolas Cage, Cher and Danny Aiello are involved in a strange 3 way love affair. Two brothers who do not speak to eachother fall for the same woman. Set in modern day Brooklyn, this story of lust and love is surrounded with the Italian/American flavor that is the thread of Danny Aiello's best film work. Throw in Olympia Dukakis as Cher's ugatza mother, and Vincent Gardenia as Cher's Sfachima father, and funny things happen. Add a star if you're from Brooklyn, add 2 stars if you're Italian. An Oscar winning 1980's comedy/romance!

2013-05-04 11:43:48

Best Romantic Comedy Ever!

This film stands head and shoulders above all cinematic romantic comedies. It is virtually flawless! The writing, acting, production design, humor and pathos are all wonderful! Even the music -- from Dean Martin to La Boheme -- is captivatingly delightful!Every character is peculiarly delightful and memorable, from the leads played by Cher and Nicolas Cage, to the many supporting roles -- Olympia Dukakis , Vincent Gardenia, John Mahoney, Danny Aiello -- even grandpa with his dog pack! Each of these performers, plus Norman Jewison as Director, performs above their normal quality in this ensemble work. For many of the actors, this was an early major exposure in film, so the casting is also exceptional -- and we have many current acting powerhouses whose careers were altered by their effectiveness in this film.I've seen this film several times all the way through -- which can deflate the impact of a film substantially. More tellingly, I realized some years ago that whenever I channel-surfed my way into a scene from this film -- any scene -- the scene was compelling and beautifully crafted. I agree with the reviewer who raves about the scene depicting original meeting between the Cher and Nicolas Cage characters. But there are so many others that have stunning impact -- Vincent Gardenia discovered with his paramour at the opera, amidst the splendor generated by his gold-mine plumbing business; Olympia Dukakis scolding John Mahoney for philandering with his student in the classic line about liaisons with co-workers: "Don't sh-t where you eat!"; Danny Aiello at his dying mother's bedside; Nicolas Cage "taking" Cher as the rapture of an aria soars in the background!There are many great romantic comedies, among them Sabrina (both versions, but especially the Audrey Hepburn/Humphrey Bogart/William Holden original); When Harry Met Sally; The Apartment. None holds a candle to Moonstruck!

2013-04-14 14:07:35

Ala Familia

Having been raised in an all Italian household and neighborhoodsurrounded by my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents (allof Italian decent), I was totally enamored by this movie. The first time I saw it (now at least 200 times on video, maybe more),I laughed and cried at the same time.Since the movie first came out , I have lost my mother, my aunt, mygodmother and the loving feeling that came with their beings. Justbeing around my loved ones gave me the feeling of comfort.When I get very melancholy and miss them, especially around theholidays, I put in "MOONSTRUCK" and feel that a part of my family iswith me. The kitchen scene when Loretta is feeding Ronnie, the " not so welldone"steak, so it can feed his blood, is hilarious. Those words wouldhave come out of any of my female relatives.Ronnie's white kitchen with the white fixtures and white tile is acopycat of my aunt Elvira's spotless kitchen.When Mrs. Casterini is fixing the breakfast of fried eggs in theItalian bread blankets for Loretta and herself, I was in mygrandmother's kitchen.I get such comfort when the movie scenes are in the Casterini kitchen,dining room and parlor. The family scenes were so authentically Italian that there are too manyto mention. Granted Fellini's La Dolce Vita is a work of genius, but MOONSTRUCKwill have a place in my heart and movie collection FOREVER, becauseit's FAMILIA.

2013-04-13 21:54:30

If you're Italian, you have to see this

Growing up my relatives were just like some of these characters. Very funny, touching movie. A must see. I've watched it more times than I can remember. These people are plain whacky and so loveable. Cher, Nick Cage and other big name stars.

2013-04-11 19:25:17

Fantastico!

This is probably the best romantic comedy ever made. Perfect casting, performances, wardrobe, & music. It is very deserving of best-picture award as is Cher's outstanding and memorable performance. An essential addition to your video collection.

2013-04-11 08:20:04

Poor use of DVD technology

This review is not about the movie in general. There are enough of those here already. However the DVD was very dissapointing. Purportedly the sound was upgraded to Dolby 5.1 Surround. The sound instead is washed out and the volume difficult to maintain at one level. Often volume needs to be increased to hear the actors and then reduced again as the background music swells. Almost as bad is the video. It's as if they produced the DVD off an old, beat up print. Small flashes of white and black spots continually appear throughout the movie.I bought the DVD at a reputable retailer, but it plays like a bootleg.

2013-03-28 04:19:01

Moonstruck

This review is from: Moonstruck (Amazon Instant Video) I had forgotten what a good actress Cher really is and in this movie she does a great performance. This film is full a wonderful actors that are funny and the reveal the Italian American culture.I loved it.

2013-03-27 16:58:59

Hello!

4 words: Great movie, Great CHER! She is so cool. I love this movie. i bet I have watched it over 100 times and I am still not sick of it. Nicholas Cage is good in the movie too. Truely a heart warming comedy. I feel like watching it right now.!

2013-03-26 12:05:12

Not my basket...

I watched this movie for a project on love. please tell Nicolas Cage tolearn what it would feel like to be his character, and then re-read thelines he's saying. My life cannot go on... i accidentally cut off myown hand...my brother was close by. Obviously his fault. And since whenhave happy endings included the nice guy who takes care of Mom sad andalone. No closure, bad script, and doesn't have enough extension ofminor characters. Save yourself, unless your up for a good laugh.Costumes were done appropriately, and extras did a fabulous job. I'msure it would have been a fun movie to make, but keep it more genrespecific, I can't recommend this movie to anyone I know, because it isnot an intellectual movie. It is not a chick flick. It is not a strictromantic. And I can't show kids because of the sex and questions tofollow. All in all, just not a good flick.

Funkypizza2001 2013-03-25 23:59:20

A Warm and Hilarious Look Into an Everyday Family.

MOONSTRUCKSTARRING:CHER, NICOLAS CAGE, DANNY AIELLONothing captures the heart of Italians better than "Moonstruck" does. Thelove of each other, The love of family, the love of everything all together.None of thats in it. In This Film, everyone has a secret and everyone'salways getting in arguments, but in the end all ends well and it's one bighappy family. Cher plays Loretta, a fiance to Johnny, played by Danny Aiello. Loretta'svery superstitious and wishes for no bad luck on her 2nd marriage. Indeed,she does get bad luck when she falls for Johnny's brother, Ronny, who isplayed by Nicolas Cage. Throughout this triangle, Loretta's parents alsohave problems with their marriage,but in the end, everyone shares wine asthe movie comes to a close on a great, Italian moment.I give Moonstruck ****1/2 stars out of *****.

jedi359 2013-03-16 05:59:14

Simply wonderful

"Moonstruck" is my favorite movie of all time. It has everything: humor,romance, an amazing script, splendid acting, characters you love, and eventhe New York setting manages to be charming (though I guess it helps ifyou've lived around the city). I would highly recommend this movie toanyone.

JCarlottaK 2013-03-16 04:30:00

Not quite perfect

Moonstruck is such a fabulous film. I watch it periodically, and I amso very impressed with its amazing qualities. It is of course, a trulyfine film. But, it's not quite perfect. This wonderful film, has oneminor flaw. It occurs in the final section, where everyone in the castis gradually gathering in the kitchen for the showdown. The goof isRose's hair. It is not the same, in each of the mini scenes, as shesupposedly walks forth and back, between the kitchen and the frontdoor. These shots were obviously filmed on different days, and someoneoverlooked Rose's different hair styles. Certainly, people are hired tocatch these minor mishaps, but this one escaped.

2013-03-15 19:38:54

2.5 stars out of 4

The Bottom Line:Moonstruck never feels authentic (e.g. the scenes with the old Italian looking at the moon and saying "O Bella Luna!" over and over) but it does feel weird and quirky enough to set itself apart from most romantic comedies; this may not mean it's a good film--I certainly didn't think so--but if you're sick of the usual tripe you can instead watch this unusual tripe.

anonymous 2013-03-15 05:20:37

hilarious and quirky

Lots of fun! A lovable, well acted, hilarious and warm film. It's the kindof film that is like the smell of baking bread, and it's touching, too. Ifyou haven't seen it or are not sure if you want to, because you don't likeCher, or you think eighties movies are all bad (ok, it was the worst filmdecade, but so what? there were still good movies!), whatever, SNAP OUT OFIT- and put this on your movie list!