"much more than the coming-of-age story which serves as a frame; "a fascinating microcosm of the cultural and political divisions of Italian society"; features one of Sergio Castellitto's finest performances (ditto Margherita Buy)"

"30+ yrs of Italian history beautifully dramatized through the lives of 2 brothers, their friends and family ; acclaimed by critics when aired on Italian TV and then released in 2-parts in cinemas worldwide ; 6 hrs. of often deeply moving drama"

"lovely Valeria Golino (perhaps best known for her performance as the love interest in PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE) stars as a restless wife and mother in search of spiritual freedom on the isle of Lampedusa"

"fine ensemble work; a frenetic portrait of a contemporary Roman family in crisis; trivia: Romanov descendant plays cheeky daughter"

"Nanni Moretti's devastating drama of a family grieving the loss of their son/brother; director stars as father -- Palm D'Or Award Winner; check out Moretti's CARO DIARIO if you have a Region-free DVD player"

"a very moving, unsentimental portrait of a romantic relationship between two men (set in Rome) -- beautiful, disturbing, and painful -- NOT lighthearted as the DVD cover might suggest"

"latest (2006) re-release has commentary by director Giuseppe Tornatore and film scholar Millicent Marcus (Yale Univ.), and more attractive bonus features; buy this or "deluxe 2-disc edition" with similar features (also 2006 -- both editions feature the orig. theatrical release version and the ext. version; we already miss the recently deceased icon of French Cinema, Philippe Noiret"

"Liliana Cavani's noble failure -- but is it a failure? Take a look at this controversial film depicting the post-WWII rekindled, conflicted sexual relationship between a former Nazi concentration camp guard and his now-married former captive."

"FILM D'AMORE E D'ANARCHIA is possibly the best of the Wertmüller-Giannini collaborations of the 70s -- based on the true story of a would-be Mussolini assassin -- rent it if you can't buy a DVD"

"IL CONFORMISTA is finally on DVD, at a bargain price! Paramount DVD release: orig. Italian w/English subtitles, and various other dub/subtitle options; three featurettes, including interviews with Bernardo Bertolucci and the late, great cinematographer Vittorio Storaro; It still begs for a Criterion 2-DVD edition"

"Zeffirelli's beautifully cast & filmed 1968 version of Shakepeare's tragedy remains a classic at 40 years and counting, and what a bargain!"

"controversial debut of one of Italy's finest directors, Marco Bellocchio (2 more films listed below); Bellocchio's latest film is VINCERE, a dramatization of Mussolini's persecution of his former lover and their son -- in USA theaters in 2010"

"alienation in industrial societies is a common 20c theme, Michelangelo Antonioni depicts it in gorgeous color and typically flawless framing in DESERTO ROSSO; pre-order Criterion's June 2010 release on DVD or Blu-ray, featuring restored image and a commentary track by scholar David Forgacs, the early shorts, "Gente del Po" and "N.U.", and more"

"director Pietro Germi's hilarious satire (1964) is darker and bolder than his DIVORCE ITALIAN STYLE; lovely Stefania Sandrelli's career still going strong at 60+"

"OTTO E MEZZO is likely THE representative Fellini film, an amusing and moving fantasy-self-portrait of a tremendously gifted and flawed man"

"4 films from 4 director's; my favorites: Mario Monicelli's RENZO E LUCIANA (an Italian economic-boom era update on Alessandro Manzoni's canonical novel, I PROMESSI SPOSI (The Betrothed) is very charming; Sophia Loren puts in a typically stunning appearance in her segment"

"a smash hit at the New York Film Festival -- a rediscovered comic masterpiece featuring one of the late Alberto Sordi's finest performances -- this hilarious comedy is also an existential nightmare that packs a surprise punch; see Matteo Garrone's GOMORRAH (Criterion edition!), another intense depiction of organized crime"

"Mario Bava's classic horror film stars the indelible Barbara Steele, the wide-eyed beauty also featured in Fellini's 8 1/2"

"LE NOTTI DI CABIRIA = one of Fellini finest, with LA STRADA, 8 1/2, and AMARCORD; if you love the finale song, pick up CHANSONS POUR FELLINI (all in Italian, despite French-language title) here at amazon.com"

"Roberto Rossellini's devastating, powerful GERMANY YEAR ZERO is one of War Cinema's most profound; and don't miss these other intense War Cinema classics: THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US (Germany, 1946) and COME AND SEE (U.S.S.R., 1985)"

"Visconti's fascist-censored (ca. 1942) version of THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE; considered by many to be best screen version; 'Lo Spagnolo' actor murdered by Nazis in 1945; it's likely Criterion will at some point issue an edition with extras"