Egidio Termine 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, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gian Maria Volontè, Renato Carpentieri, (more)
This convoluted actioner is set in beautiful Cancun, Mexico and centers upon a voracious gigantic one-eyed shark, stolen diamonds, a sunken ship, a murdered brother and corporate villains. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1987
- PG13
The always innovative Taviani Brothers pay homage to another unique filmmaker, D. W. Griffith, in Good Morning, Babylon. Vincent Spano and Joaquim de Almeida star as Nicola and Andrea Bonnano, the latest in a long line of Tuscany-born cathedral builders. Emigrating to America, the brothers settle in Los Angeles in 1915, even as director Griffith (Charles Dance) is preparing his epic production Intolerance. The boys are hired to help construct the massive sets for the film's Babylonian sequence (hence the title), for no other reason than the fact that Griffith is impressed by Italian craftsmanship. As the film progresses, Nicola and Andrea assimilate to their new surroundings, even launching a romance with a pair of pretty movie extras. On the verge of continuing the family tradition, the boys' ambitions are cut short by events well beyond their control. Still, their past artistic accomplishments, like those of their forebears, survive the ages -- but only on the ethereal silver screen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Vincent Spano, Joaquim de Almeida, (more)
- 1986
This drama addresses with great care the awakening of homosexual desire in a 12-year-old boy. Duilio (Marco Mestriner) has taken a liking to Lorenzo (Lorenzo Lena), his new teacher at school, and he starts to ask him home for visits after class. Duilio's family is made up of his grandparents, his father, and a stepmother, and Lorenzo very much appreciates becoming a kind of surrogate cousin in the family. He is in the middle of a deteriorating, though short relationship with a woman and the human companionship is enjoyable. He ignores whatever sensual undertones there may be in Duilio's admiration of him, creating a situation that could be potentially disastrous. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorenzo Lena, Marco Mestriner, (more)
