The Godfather DVD Collection (2001)

A must have for GODFATHER lovers..

A wonderful collection that I gave my husband for his birthday. That along with a book of godfather quotes and it made his day. He is a huge Godfather fan and this was just the perfect gift for him (or any GF lover!) November 12, 2008

What can you say? It's The Godfather.

One of the greatest films of all time. And unlike most films, it's sequel lives up to, or exceeds, the original. Like The Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight or The Wrath of Khan, The Godfather 2 takes the foundation layed in the first film and runs with it.

The Godfather gave birth to all the modern classics, such as Goodfellas, The Departed, Scarface and Casino. And while The Godfather 3 may not be anywhere near the ballpark of the first two, it still deserves it's rightful place in the trilogy. Bottom line: If you have a liking for mafia films, you cannot skip the boxset. October 24, 2008

30 years later

Long before anyone heard of "The Sopranos",there was the ultimate epic flick that changed everything in the history of crime dramas and also remains one of the top ten films of all time,and still holds the title today which spawn two sequels and was the film of the decade. This was the apex of what American cimema was and still is today. "The Godfather" was perhaps the best three hours you can spend sitting very still and for a good reason. This was one of the top ten films of 1972 and it was a huge success at the boxoffice. This was "the ultimate gangster film",and a "cultural phenomenon" that still holds true. This was an "absolutely flawless",an "American epic" based on the best selling novel by Mario Puzo and directed by Francis Ford Coppula. It recounts the "operatic" lives of the Corleone family via through its "intricate" plot,bravura "photography" from cimematopgrapher Gordon Willis and "iconic performances" from actors Marlon Brando,Al Pacino Diane Keaton,Robert Duvall,James Caan,John Cazale,and Sterling Hayden. This was the film that depicted the cold side of the mafia life and it was never shown before and it also gave Brando an Oscar in 1972 for Best Actor and it also won Best Picture honors for that same year. In fact,the end result is so "killer" that "nothing comes even close-except the sequel that followed it which basically picks up where the first part of "The Godfather" left off. "The Godfather:Part Two"-picks up where the first installment of Mario Puzo's epic novel left off. It was a "real rarity-a sequel as good as the original"-this "true masterpiece" stands on its own laurels as it delves deeper into the Corleone family saga from the early life of a younger Vito Corleone played by Robert De Niro in a breathtaking performance that is not to be missed,to the family's transactions within the organization. It is a moody meditation on the emptiness of power,it's complex plot through its masterfully intercuts that gives us two stories separated by a half-century into a taut heartbreaking tale of innocence lost and though never overshadowing its bigger brother which in turn doesn't go overboard within the boundaries of the book. But it is even more subtle and sublime with some chilling moments between the relationship between Michael and his cousin Fredo. A supporting brilliant cast with includes Al Pacino,Robert Duvall,Diane Keaton,John Cazale it won six Oscars including Best Picture of 1974 and also directing honors for Francis Ford Coppula. At over three and a half hours it is grand Hollywood entertainment that is worthy of the title. September 30, 2008

Advanced course in business

In July, I watched the Godfather trilogy in one sitting, which is the way I would suggest to anyone that wants to see this great film, as a very long 8 hour movie. What did I like so much about it? For me and I may just be weird in this, the story is about the modern business model, and what can go wrong. It is also about how a mostly good man can make by ever so small of a gesture towards the evil choice can be eventually sucked into being what he swore he would not. And finally it is a warning about how one can lose what is most important simply by trying to protect them. Want to know how I got there?


One reoccurring theme that is highlighted in this saga, is explained very well in a book by Business Ethicist Quinn G. McKay Bottom Line On Integrity, The in which he discusses the Law of Obligation. Which means (and here's the short version) when you except a favor or gift, you still in fact enter into a social contract "I gave, you accepted, so you owe." In the Godfather, Don Vito is always performing a "service" for someone that will be repaid at some future date with a service that will be named later. As baby boomers we grew up with "I'm sorry I can't accept that, but thank you" as our parents taught us this law. This applies to favors as well as material things. It's not that we shouldn't accept gifts or favors; they are part of the social compact that hold societies, but businesses and institutions often have rules about what kind of gifts are allowed to be accepted by employee, and still we see time after time scandals involving politicians and CEO's or prison guards; what have you. Employers should also realize that to an extent, the same goes for a hired service, if you pay an employee less respect or compensation than is prudent for what he provides as a service for you, you have in effect broken you social contract with that employee.


Which brings me to my next point, if an employer treats an employee with disrespect, he has violated the "No A******e Rule" Brilliantly illustrated in the book by the same name by Robert I. Sutton. Don Michael finds this to be the case with both his brother Alfredo, and his sister Connie's husband , and when you violate the rule... You must be prepared to pay the A*****e Tax. In the case of this saga, the tax is paid with betrayal. In real life, betrayal can come in many forms.

Another concept illustrated in the saga is the concept of the "Tipping Point" the study in another great book by Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference . That investigates how trends change. For business, it is a valuable thing to understand. In the Godfather Saga, the Corleone Dons both understood, this concept, seeing what certain business changes would do to the neighborhood, family, and business, but at the same time not seeing what the consequence would be in bucking the business trend.


Finally, it ask the question "is it worth it"? A popular American maxim in the 60's was "No other success can compensate for failure in the home". In the end of the saga, Don Michael tells his ex-wife, I never wanted this Business, I only wanted to protect my family, and in the end I lost them anyway". I often am troubled by the hours I am away from my family, trying to "protect them", to provide for them etc. and I often wonder, what we could do without, if I could spend more time at home, would we in the end be better off? I heard a talk last year where the speaker said when a man is on his death bed, he never wishes he could have worked more over-time" .


August 25, 2008

A Masterpiece

Parts 1 & 2 rate a full 5 stars. Part 3 not as good in comparison, give it 3 stars. Still recommend the bundle. Goodfella's is still my fave ganster flick, though. July 13, 2008

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