Isabel Russinova Movies
- 1995
This Italian political thriller takes a look at a recent government scandal wherein everyone from politicos to chiefs of police to secret service people and financiers were involved in receiving kickbacks. Though the tale is fictionalized, many of its characters are based on real people, and as a result, co-producer Luciano Martino received several anonymous death threats before the film was released. The film centers on the efforts of a courageous cop, Carlo Tommasi, who works on the anti-Mafia squad. He is assigned to look into the bombing in downtown Milan that resulted in the deaths of five people. Although Ravida, the head of the secret service, quickly serves up a suspect, neither the state prosecutor Francesca Savona nor a straight-arrow minister believes that the suspect is guilty. While in prison, the suspect mysteriously dies. Soon more begin to die until Tommasi is able to find the perpetrator of it all, a former agent for Ravida. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
This historical drama and murder mystery concerns the efforts of playwright Carlo Goldoni (Vincent Spano) to figure out who killed his patron and benefactor Spinoza. The lively action involves everyone who is anyone in 1735 Venice's high society. The mystery escalates when everyone of Goldoni's potential backers is killed. The Grand Inquisitor (Victor Lanoux) even suspects the playwright himself. Eventually the mystery is solved, and Goldoni is once again free to produce his groundbreaking plays and court his beloved Nicoletta (Isabel Russinova). One highlight of the movie is the spirited performance given by Wojtek Pszoniak as the composer Antonio Vivaldi. Goldoni (1707-1793) broke with centuries-long Italian and European tradition by replacing the unscripted comedies performed by improvisational commedia del arte troupes with fully written out plays. He is considered to be a key figure, along with Shakespeare and Moliere, in the development of modern drama. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vincent Spano, Wojciech Pszoniak, (more)
- 1987
Two men becomes friends when they are among a dozen people attending a two-week survival camp in this amusing comedy. The group gathers in the Amazon rainforest, and Silvio (Renato Pozzetto) and Mario (Enrico Montesano) are the odd couple who are paired together to survive. Silvio is a banker, there on the advise of his psychiatrist, while Mario tries to overcome his insecurity after being abandoned by his wife. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Renato Pozzetto, Enrico Montesano, (more)
- 1986
Momo (Radost Bokel) is a ten-year-old orphan girl who tries to save her village from the evil clutches of the Grey Men in this uneven children's story. Led by Chief Grey Man (Armin Muller-Stahl), the Grey Men have managed to make the villagers give up all their leisure time. Momo must get to the rococo palace where the time guardian Hora (John Huston) stands in her way. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Radost Bokel, John Huston, (more)
- 1985
Based on a Texas Ranger comic-book hero who first rode into sight in 1948, this routine western is an Italian version of the adventures of Tex Willer (Giuliano Gemma), his sidekick Kit Carson (William Berger), and his Native American buddy Tiger Jack (Carlo Mucari). Predictably, Tiger Jack is nearly mute, and Tex wears a white cowboy hat, just to make clear which side he is on. A series of adventures take the trio into a confrontation with the Yaqui nation, intent on (finally) avenging the near-annihilation of their ancestors. To that end, the Yaquis rob a train, join forces with other Native Americans, and manage to concoct a secret weapon that is capable of immediately transforming their enemies into mummies. The "Lord of the Deep" is an alchemist parked at the bottom of a volcano, who creates a glowing green mummification rock (shades of kryptonite!).
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Giuliano Gemma, Carlo Mucari, (more)
