August 18, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • Page 19 Greek myth re-imagined at Carnival in Rio by Dennis Seuling “Black Orpheus” (The Criterion Collection), winner of both the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film and the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or, has just been released in a beautiful Blu-ray edition. A 1959 update of the Greek myth, “Black Orpheus” features an all-black cast and is set during carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Orfeo (Breno Mello) is a trolley conductor and musician. During Carnival week, he sees Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn), who has fled her village in fear of a stalker. They meet and fall madly in love, but Orfeo’s vengeful fiancée, Mira (Lourdes de Oliveira), and a determined Death stalk the couple. When an electrical wire robs Orfeo of his dream lover, he enters the land of the dead to reunite with her. This film introduced Bossa Nova music to the world through Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luis Bonfa’s score, which adds tremendous atmosphere. Its Technicolor photography is lush, and director Marcel Camus manages to capture the spectacle of Carnival with dance sequences that showcase the samba talents of the stars. The transporting of the ancient myth to 1950s Rio is often uneven, but the movie has its own exciting rhythm. The performances by Mello and Dawn are very good, and allow the viewer to go along for the melodramatic, tragic ride. The new, restored, high-definition digital transfer contains optional Englishdubbed soundtrack, archival interviews with director Marcel Camus and actress Marpessa Dawn, new video interviews with Brazilian cinema and jazz historians, a French documentary about the cultural and musical roots of “Black Orpheus,” and a booklet featuring a critical essay. “Hamlet” (Warner Home Video) is the 1996 Kenneth Branagh epic, which marked the first time the entire, uncut Shakespearean text was recorded on screen. This version is set in a lush 19th century castle: Blenheim Palace standing in for Elsinore. Adapted and directed by Branagh, who also stars as Prince Hamlet, the film features a celebrity cast featuring Kate Winslet, Charlton Heston, Derek Jacobi, Robin Williams, Judi Dench, Billy Crystal, Julie Christie, Gerard Depardieu, and Jack Lemmon. At just over four hours, Branagh’s “Hamlet” never bogs down or feels long. The director keeps things moving, and because the plot involves murders, betrayal, corruption, madness, ghosts, and revenge, Breno Mello and Marpessa Dawn in ‘Black Orpheus.’ there is plenty of opportunity for action. Much of the movie is photographed in mirrored, gilt interiors, quite a departure from the play’s typically dark, somber stagings. Blu-ray extras include commentary with Kenneth Branagh, a featurette tracing the history of Hamlet, 1996 vintage Cannes Film Festival promo, and a booklet containing extensive production notes. (continued on Crossword page) Calling All Crafters and Antique Cars! C No Cover Charge • O • R •T• I • N • A R I S T O R A N T E “A HIDDEN GEM” Lunch Starts at $7.00 • Mon-Fri 11:30AM–2:30PM Dinner Starts at $12 • Mon-Thurs 5PM–9PM • Fri & Sat 5PM–10PM Fine Dining For Lunch & Dinner Dine & Dance - Live Entertainment Allendale Festival Day Saturday, October 2nd 10am - 4pm Contact Adrienne at Jumbleiah Memorabilia or check the Chamber Website at www.allendalechamber.com Sponsored by Allendale Chamber of Commerce Platinum Sponsors: The Allendale Community for Mature Living TD Bank Be a part of the 18th Annual Al Russo & Garry Colletti Sounds of Sinatra Wednesdays: Saturdays: Mike Constantino, Piano & Car Show 118 Berkshire Ave., Paterson, NJ (Totowa Section) • www.cortinarestaurant.com Private Party Room For Up To 60 People Call for Reservations - 973-942-1750 All Ne w EARLY DINING MENU 8 Our 12” Thin Crust with choice of 2 toppings Choice of Soup or Salad Including several of our Bavarian Dishes, Fresh Seafood, Shrimp, Chicken, Beef & Pasta $ 95 Starting at OVER 35 ENTREES! Plus Thursdays: Served Monday – Saturday •Noon - 6pm Includes: Soup or Salad, Potato & Vegetable Coffee/Tea PIZZA ONLY 201-327-8411 8-11-10 ester/janine 237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne CortinaRestaurant3x3(8-11-10) 973-427-7700 3 x www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards Accepted • Dinner, Mon. - Sat. 11:30 am - 11:00 pm 3” “TOTALLY THURSDAY” Plus All Day Noon – 9:30pm for $ 95 9 KIRKERS INN 8-18-10 Ester from Janine