|
Rating:  -
Personally, I found this film ... out of the current films based on Tony Hillerman's books the best of the films! However, I suggest anyone thinking about buying ... and not having seen any of the 3 films released to date ... (see these films first) ... otherwise you maybe dissapointed.
I have seen all 3 films ... and, have read the other reviews here posted which I might add, all have valid pro's & con's about made about this film that are helpful. They do not though mention how this film breaks out -of the box- compared to the others, in that it uses a HISTORICAL angle in it's script touching on the 'Anasazi culture' and 'Chaco Canyon' which was refreshing to me ... in that I find history interesting especially in relation to Native American Indian history.
(If you feel the same way, and think you might like one of the Hillerman based movies mentioned in reviews here - this maybe the one out of the 3 movie/DVDs for you). Then again you may not want any of -or- want all of them?
Rating:  -
I have read each and every Tony Hillerman mystery and thoroughly enjoyed each one. Likewise, I eagerly awaited this DVD, A Thief of Time. Unfortunately, I cannot say anything very good about it. Unlike the many (read British) PBS series that have dramatized great detective novels into entertaining movies, this installment in the initial "American Mystery" series is a hopeless dud.
Tony Hillerman writes a rich, vivid novel in the nuance of the Navajo culture. His details and characters are too much for a 93 minute DVD to digest. Scenes flit around in small one and three minute sequences, disjointed and disorganized. Hillerman's plot device of having parallel plot lines join at the end create too many complexities for a rushed presentation.
I deeply regret the disservice to a wonderful author and mystery novel, and frankly wish I could say something more positive. Well....let's try...the Four Corners scenery is beautiful.
Rating:  -
I'm a fan of Tony Hillerman, having read most of his books. Frankly, I'm surprised at the middling ratings most people have given this movie. I thought it was wonderful, and the performances given by the cast were very satisfying. It's always a treat to watch a cast like this. My eyes are likely to brighten when I see the names Graham Greene, Wes Studi, Adam Beach and Tantoo Cardinal participating in a movie venture. I have added Sheila Tonsey and others to this last as well, having greatly enjoyed their roles in this series. Graham Greene has given another unforgettable performance as the oily Slick Nakai. I have to believe that he's now in my top five American actors. Tantoo gave a brief but typically engaging perfomance. Wes and Adam are now locked in my minds eye as Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn. It was good seeing Peter Fonda again in is role. Chris Eyre did a fine job directing, and conveying the intent of the novel. Included is an engaging bonus feature with Tony Hillerman.
The review below me made some defamatory comments intending to be caustic, but which are patently untrue. Any resemblance to a soap opera has entirely escaped me. His observation that this movie sneers at Navajo attitudes toward the dead, Navajo spiritual or cultural matters, is impossible. Anyone who is acquainted with Chris Eyre knows the integrity of the director, having directed Smoke Signals and Skins, and has shown is dedication toward negating stereotypes and prejudice. Seems that the reviewer below was just looking for an opportunity to flog around the term "injun". People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, and the below reviewer might be concerned that his education has failed him. Moreover, keep your eyes on Chris Eyre, who promises to be attached to quality movies in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and hope to see more. I will continue to devour anything written by Tony Hillerman, and seek out anything by these cast members.
My thanks are to Robert Redford as a co-producer of this series. I have admired the integrity of this man for quite some time, watching him place his effort and resources in the right place, time and time again. I tip my hat once again to PBS Pictures for distributing this series. PBS has been involved in offering us quality which is hard to find.
Rating: -
Take a novel. Hand it to an inexperienced script-writer who only knows genre dialogue, and has never been outside the soap opera community. Make a movie or a tv show that ignores the original audience because the script-writer doesn't read books. So instead of the tongue-in-cheek dry dialogue of a Tony Hillerman, you get a stilted cliche As The World Turns with Injun cops. And I use the word "Injun" advisedly. The sneering at the Navajo attitude toward the dead, and at their culture is unbelieveably crass. And the writing down for an American audience -- well, perhaps our reputation for a trashed educational system is getting too well recognized in the world.
Rating: -
I cannot agree with the negative reviewers. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, like I did the two previous ones in this series. I love mystery novels/films, and this one was not difficult to comprehend at all. An added bonus is the setting of the story in the for me - a European living in the US - completely new world of Native American history and culture. I don't know the novels of Mr. Hillerman, so I don't have the great expectations of someone who has read them. I think anybody who loves a good mystery and is interested in getting an introduction into Native American lore and culture of the Southwest should enjoy the movies in this series. I certainly hope there will be more of them.
Television Show
Collectibles
Movie Searches
|
|
|
Search for posters,
art prints, photos, collectables, merchandise, toys, t-shirts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join the Nielsen//NetRatings Research Panel and you could win a new car, a dream vacation, a dream home makeover or $50,000 Cash!
TV Guide
Program listings, celebrity profiles, industry
gossip, movie reviews, puzzle.
More
Entertainment
& TV Magazines
This site is
Hosted
by Bluehost
Read
my Bluehost Review
Original Superhero & other designs for t-shirts, bumper
stickers, prints, mugs, and other cool merchandise. |
|
