Petunia-2

I absolutely HATE violent movies but saw this on my birthday at the suggestion and company of my husband and two best friends. You think New York is violent today??? Check it out in 1846. A vivid, visual tale, thanks to Martin Scorcese -- too many great scenes to describe without giving it away to the moviegoer who has not yet seen the film. If Daniel Day Lewis doesn't get an Oscar for this film, it is a sin. He is absolutely despicable as "The Butcher." Also, the chemistry between DiCaprio and Diaz is ... well ... I would swear on my mother's grave that these two had a fling going in real life, that's how HOT their scenes are together. I was very surprised at myself for enjoying a film such as this. Go see it.

Guys don't get it. Even the male film critics didn't. But female moviegoers did! This is a good, old-fashioned romance-adventure. Every actor is splendid from the lead, Edmond Dantes played by Jim Cavaziel (who is drop-dead gorgeous, ladies!), to his true love, Mercedes (Dagmar Domincynz), to the villain (Guy Pearce) with humorous turns by the devoted friend, Luigi (JB Blanc) and the devoted servant (Luis Guzman). Revenge and swash buckling and lessons learned. An entertaining movie that everybody can see from your grandmother to your kids. Well done, Hollywood and it's about time!

My best friend literally dragged me out to see this movie. The coming attraction trailer does not do the movie justice. It was an experience to watch the main character, Edmond Dantes (James Caviezel), grow from a whiny innocent to a domineering Count bent on revenge. Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce) is wonderfully wicked. (He has such a snotty way of talking, you want to smack him.) The movie is only slow up until Dantes meets the "Priest" (Richard Harris), whose character is both intelligent and comical. Then the audience is literally swept into the movie's intensity, visually and emotionally. The best part: you can take your kids to see this movie. I hope Hollywood produces more films of this sort.