Domenico Gennaro Movies
- 1989
- R
Set during the Mussolini years, Open Doors stars Gian Maria Volonte as an old-line judge. Volonte tries to remain faithful to the letter of the law, despite the "improvements" made by the Fascists. His insistence upon justice over dogma results in government reprimands, and ultimately poses a threat to Volonte's well-being. The honesty vs. corruption theme transcends the film's period settings, resulting in an allegorical masterpiece that has significance in any country, any time. Open Doors was a nominee for the "best foreign picture" Academy Award. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gian Maria Volontè, Renato Carpentieri, (more)
- 1985
- R
The real-life tragedies wrought by organized crime are mirrored in this fast-paced, suspense-filled action thriller by Damiano Damiani about Mario (Michele Placido), a young man from a Sicilian family who runs a pizza place in Brooklyn. All seems normal until Mario is called to Palermo by the Mafia, and his role as a hitman is revealed. On the way to his assassination job, Mario stops by his impoverished family's home and cunningly tries to manipulate his brother Michele (Mark Chase) into joining him. Unlike Mario, Mark has an extreme aversion to killing anything, not even the colt in a field that his brother wants him to "practice" on. But the love of Michele's young life, Cecilia (Simona Cavallario), a 14-year-old teen forced into prostitution by her mother, needs to be saved from her degrading existence -- and so Michele is vulnerable to making some quick cash against his better judgment. The results of his decision and Mario's hit are not the standard gore and violence otherwise seen in action thrillers, but a more human and humane look at the real effects of murder on the innocent, and the not so innocent. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michele Placido, Simona Cavallari, (more)
Italy's fraternal filmmaking team of Paolo and Vittorio Taviani whip up another multistoried slice of life in Kaos. "Life," in this case, is seen from the peculiar perspective of author Luigi Pirandello, four of whose pieces are herein adapted. "The Other Son" finds Margarita Lozano making the best of her rocky relationship with her son, who was the product of a rape. "Moonstruck" (no relation to the Cher vehicle of the same name) deals with a newlywed woman who is adversely affected by the full moon. The comedy team of Franco and Ciccio star in "The Jar," a fable concerning a feudal landlord and a merry-prankster jar manufacturer. And in "Conversing with Mother," the Tavianis go their usual route of forcing their characters to face the present by confronting the past by having Pirandello himself (Omero Antonutti) converse with the ghost of his long-departed mother (Regina Bianchi). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Margarita Lozano, Claudio Bigagli, (more)
