Cristiana Dell'Anna delivers strongly here as the eponymous nun determined to set up a network of orphanages in China to help the sick and impoverished children there. Her persistent hassling of the Vatican for permission - and funds - has finally wound them up to the point where she is invited to Rome to be finally told no. Even there, though, she's sticking to her guns and after a persuasive audience with Pope Leo XIII (Giancarlo Giannini) manages to get permission to prove her worth - only in New York! To it's slum and run-down Five Points district she is sent and what now begins is an adventure that tests her very mettle as the, at best indifferent, attitude of the Archbishop (David Morse) is more concerned with appeasing the Mayor (John Lithgow) than facilitating her wishes for profound change. It's curious that in a city founded by immigrants there existed such a polarity of the Italian, the Jewish and Irish communities offering little, if any, tolerance of the other. Cabrini realises that neither her religion nor her status as a nun is going to help her - she is going to have to recruit local urchins and fight for every scrap of progress. It's history, so we do know what ultimately happens but Alejandro Monteverde has produced a classy looking portrait that still imbues enough jeopardy into the proceedings as she struggles. Her single-minded determination, her bloody-mindedness - all tempered with huge amounts of humanity and decency are well portrayed here. This is a very good looking film, and the narrative also demonstrates clearly the diminished role of women in what purported to be an open and democratic society - American and Italian, and a class system that cared little for those who lived on the wrong side of the tracks. It's a bit long - there are moments that slow the pace down and drag the story, but in the main this is a poignant telling of the story of a woman who was prepared to sacrifice whatever was necessary for those less privileged.
A cracking movie! I can't say I was expecting much from 'Cabrini', given I hadn't heard anything about it online or in real life - no trailers or anything of ilk. I was also alone in the cinema, which is pleasing personally but is possibly a bad sign for a movie. In actuality, though, it's a great production! Supremely acted, astutely paced, some awesome visuals and a strong score. The cinematography really is excellent, I lost count the amount of times I thought to myself "What a shot that is!". As for the acting, Cristiana Dell'Anna puts in a terrific lead performance - it's naturally, given I've only seen one or two Italian flicks, the first time I've seen her in anything, here's hoping she appears more in what I watch. Giancarlo Giannini also stood out to me. Good to see John Lithgow and David Morse, too. A really nicely told (true!) story. The ~2hrs 20min run time truly flew by. I highly recommend checking this one out if you get the opportunity!
Providing care, comfort and compassion to the world’s downtrodden is undoubtedly a noble, if exhausting and often-frustrating, cause, especially when pleas for help go ignored or fall on deaf ears. Yet, every so often, someone comes along who tirelessly keeps on fighting for those less fortunate, as was the case with Italian immigrant Mother Francesca Cabrini (Cristiana Dell’Anna). Upon her arrival in New York in 1889, the diminutive but zealous nun from Lombardy set about her work to care for her fellow countrymen and women (especially orphaned and abandoned children) in desperate need of food, housing and medical care, the first charitable undertaking of what she envisioned becoming a worldwide network of such ventures. She successfully raised awareness of the plight of these emigrees by getting the attention of a New York Times reporter (Jeremy Bobb), an endeavor that garnered support for her efforts and challenged the prejudicial attitudes of the public and New York’s municipal government, including its bigoted, intolerant mayor (John Lithgow). And, through it all, she wrestled with personal health issues that hung over her for many years. Writer-director Alejandro Monteverde’s latest presents a detailed, well-told biography of a woman who wouldn’t give up at a time when the deck was stacked against her, both on the bases of her gender and nationality, as well as (in some cases) as a representative of the Church. The picture’s superb production design, fine period piece production values and gorgeous cinematography lend much to this release, as do the performances of Dell’Anna and Lithgow, along with a host of supporting characters. Despite these strengths, though, this slightly overlong offering has occasional problems with pacing, monodimensional character development, overdramatic elements (particularly in the soundtrack) and an underdeveloped back story. At the same time, however, “Cabrini” tells an inspiring and uplifting tale of someone who accomplished a lot but hasn’t really received the attention she’s due. This film helps to make up for that oversight while reminding us all that we can play a part in fulfilling her dream of genuinely creating an empire of hope for the world.
For Sandra, a woman in her late teens, life is wonderful. She has recently fallen in love with Daniel, a member of the group of young men she hangs around with frequently. Daniel is flattered by Sandra's affection for him and they begin to spend more time together, apart from the rest of the gang. Their relationship remains diffuse and directionless, provoking tension and threatening to cause a schism within the group.
Movie Star Rating : 0 Read More
In a small Arctic town struggling with the highest suicide rate in North America, a group of Inuit students' lives are transformed when they are introduced to the sport of lacrosse.
Movie Star Rating : 7.3 Read More
Cast ashore on a desert island after a fierce ocean storm, fifteen school boys find their lives changed forever. Who cut the lines that sent their ship to sea with no captain or crew? Why are pirates after the boys' new-found friend? Will they ever get home again? The excitement unfolds in scene after thrilling scene.
Movie Star Rating : 5.7 Read More
During the late 1980s, two detectives in a South Korean province attempt to solve the nation's first series of rape-and-murder cases.
Movie Star Rating : 8.1 Read More
Herbert Stempel's transformation into an unexpected television personality unfolds as he secures victory on the cherished American game show, 'Twenty-One.' However, when the show introduces the highly skilled contestant Charles Van Doren to replace Stempel, it compels Stempel to let out his frustrations and call out the show as rigged. Lawyer Richard Goodwin steps in and attempts to uncover the orchestrated deception behind the scenes.
Movie Star Rating : 7.3 Read More
In 1940, the Royal Air Force fights a desperate battle against the might of the Luftwaffe for control of the skies over Britain, thus preventing the Nazi invasion of Britain.
Movie Star Rating : 6.8 Read More
Their first meeting is a disaster: he falls off the ski lift, and when she jumps to rescue him he leads her on a Key Stone Cops chase down the mountain. For JOHN EAVES, six-time winner of the Freestyle World Cup and stunt man for James Bond, it's love at first sight. For World Champion Freestyle skier SUZY CHAFFEE, it's a see-ya-later-buddy. But John doesn't give up easily. He decides that if the only way to win her means following her across country, then that's what he'll do. Starting in Manhattan he trudges 3,000 miles, through urban jungle and flatland desert, all the time fantasizing about what they'll do when they're together. Spectacular filming of incredible ski stunts and snow dancing blend with a power-punching soundtrack to make FIRE AND ICE a movie packed with action and adventure. If you don't ski, you will!
Movie Star Rating : 4.2 Read More
Aging King George III of England is exhibiting signs of madness, a problem little understood in 1788. As the monarch alternates between bouts of confusion and near-violent outbursts of temper, his hapless doctors attempt the ineffectual cures of the day. Meanwhile, Queen Charlotte and Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger attempt to prevent the king's political enemies, led by the Prince of Wales, from usurping the throne.
Movie Star Rating : 6.7 Read More
Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger's charm and audacity endear him to much of America's downtrodden public, but he's also a thorn in the side of J. Edgar Hoover and the fledgling FBI. Desperate to capture the elusive outlaw, Hoover makes Dillinger his first Public Enemy Number One and assigns his top agent, Melvin Purvis, the task of bringing him in dead or alive.
Movie Star Rating : 6.7 Read More
Silence of the Prey 2024 - Movies (May 19th)
Silent impulses 2023 - Movies (May 19th)
The Guardian of the Monarchs 2024 - Movies (May 18th)
Imaginary 2024 - Movies (May 18th)
One Life 2023 - Movies (May 18th)
Dont Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead 2024 - Movies (May 18th)
The Strangers Chapter 1 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
IF 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
Pandemonium 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
Nightwatch Demons Are Forever 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
Bad Romance The Vicky White Story 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
Faceless After Dark 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
The American Friend 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
You Cant Run Forever 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
End of the Rope 2023 - Movies (May 17th)
Thelma the Unicorn 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
Power 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
Mothers Instinct 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
Challengers 2024 - Movies (May 17th)
The Dead Dont Hurt 2023 - Movies (May 16th)
The Palace 2023 - Movies (May 16th)
The Farmer Wants a Wife - (May 19th)
Selling Houses Australia - (May 19th)
Accident, Suicide or Murder - (May 19th)
The SmackDown LowDown - (May 19th)
All Elite Wrestling- Collision - (May 19th)
All Elite Wrestling- Rampage - (May 19th)
Road to UFC - (May 19th)
The Only Way Is Essex - (May 19th)
Tiger - (May 19th)
On Patrol- Live - (May 19th)
Kill la Kill - (May 19th)
Interview with the Vampire - (May 19th)
Beacon 23 - (May 19th)
48 Hours - (May 19th)
Haileys On It! - (May 19th)
Kimi to Fit Boxing - (May 19th)
Inside Windsor Castle - (May 19th)
Weekends with Jonathan Capehart - (May 19th)
Later... with Jools Holland - (May 19th)
Casualty - (May 18th)