Reviews

Any Greek would rate this movie among the best comedies ever created. World wide. I am sure that if the translation could describe exactly the meanings of each phrase and every word of the dialogs, this would be true for anybody from any country. The main feature of this comedy is its' simplicity. Extreme simplicity to be exact. No special effects, not a lot of money spent, not many actors...just good taste and excellent acting. Zikos is able to transform everyday indifferent situations into laughter without making saucy remarks, or becoming ridiculous. I have only seen this kind of humour in some old Greek and Italian movies, and as far as I am concerned, it remains still ahead of most contemporary comedies.

It's not because I am Greek, but I rate the movie well beyond 10... It's a classical masterpiece.

It depicts the passion and the bravery a free man can achieve, only by being free and fighting for his rights.

In a world where people kill for money, in a world where the ideas of brotherhood, righteousness, ethic, honesty and religion tend to be overwhelmed by a constant perversion of every aspect of life, the Spartans show us the way. The only way. The way of Virtue, just like the one Hercules chose to walk.

In Greece we have a word for it... "dobrosini". Can't be translated exactly in English but "directness" is the meaning... Being honest, and straight. Abiding by the laws of virtue and being immovable when defending them. Being Leonidas and not Ephialtes...

Surely a great movie. Surely a movie that made me founder in a deep consideration... So as to change many things that make me too behave like Ephialtes.

I must say that I have read the book, before I saw the picture which I don't recommend because I was absolutely disappointed. Historically the whole story is the biggest lie ever presented and I just can't understand why some people chose to offend the name of Christ, The Son of God, and with It the foundations of all Christianity. I mean why? What wrong did Christ do to them? I really disaprove the idea of one religion assaulting the other and I find that this is the surest way of creating disorder. This is the only benefit of this movie...disorder and blasphemy. On the other hand the movie as a movie was surely not what I would expect. The whole plot seems to drag itself, the actors are not leading the film but are lead by it and from a point on the only thing you wish is for the movie to end! Before I saw this monstrosity I believed Tom Hanks to be the greatest actor of our times, especially after Forest Gump, but in this film his appearance tumbles to a mere presence. It will certainly take him a long time to restore his fame. Why Tom? Why producers? Why?

Leaving aside the religious controversy it has created, the film as a film is one of the top 50 of all times. The costumes are great, the actual languages spoken even more so and the sensation so vivid you believe that you actually participate in the events. Of course the tortures and the bloodshed are the main part of the film, and to somebody who is not a Christian or hasn't studied the New Testament may seem cruel but these are the facts and I find them indispensable so as to understand the real sacrifice of Christ. On the other hand the form, the faces and the appearances of the devil (or in other words of temptation) are by far the best I have seen so far in films of this kind.

I highly recommend this film to anyone no matter his religion. To this point the most precise depiction of the last hours of Jesus Christ on Earth.

Awakenings is truly a great movie based on a great story. Note, a true story. That't what makes it even more touching. The idea of being unable to move or act and still have the capacity to think, to feel, to understand your environment is devastating. The film surely leaves behind a bitter feeling and a will to try to do something for those people, for all people with disabilities. It makes us appreciate the value of everyday, common life which some times we take for granted. Yet it is not always like that.

A most demanding role for De Niro (much different than most of the others) who is worthy of all praise as he manages flawlessly. Robin Williams at his best in a role that suits him like a glove. I believe that the selection of them two was an absolutely excellent choise. Congratulations to the director too for making this film so simple, straight and clear in the details, yet so vague in the taste it leaves as it ends.

An overall pleasant movie that leaves you with a smile on your face, but the really humorous scenes are few (most of them as it ends). Most of the other events are predictable and the jokes somewhat corny and not of the quality and level I would expect from Coen brothers. I really liked the way the assassin shoots him self and the 87year head lawyer of the firm. The appearance of the Baron with the dog at the court doesn't quite fit and it is the judge that saves the scene with her decision to allow that! Finally I believe that you have to see the film more than once and pay attention to the dialogues, especially the ones between the lawyers, as they are hilarious at times. Nice effort, I expect something more for the future.