Rating: 
Summary: This DVD Rocks!!!
Review: ...Watching the DVD I bought from Amazon, I was stunned.The clarity of light on the cars in the famous opening sequence literally shines! There is one other scene in particular where Mastroianni stands in front of a light -- an effect I'm certain Fellini realized -- and you can literally see the light shine from his graying hair. Even the subtitles have been re-done. I can remember looking at the fuzzy subtitles on the VHS and struggling to concentrate. On this Criterion Collection DVD, they are crisp and clear as anything on the market. Most significant to me, though: the commentary section! Though I've watched this film a few times (I can still remember getting chills up my spine the first time I saw the opening sequence) the commentary will blow you away with how complex this 2 hour film is. Though it is a film that is fun enough to watch for its own sake -- the commentary read like a guidebook to Picasso's cubist period, explaining the significance of casting certain characters, various symbols: for example, the watch given to Mastroianni by the Producer in the film echoes Fellini's own producer giving him a watch under similar circumstances after his filming La Dolce Vita. There are many like images and symbols explained. The depth of commentary made this film Ten Times more complex than without -- and yet, even realizing how much more complex and personal this film is, it's still the fun 2 hour film it'll always be! It's just that watching it now is watching a film with thirty years of wisdom packed into one DVD. Amazing. Nina Rota's score is a trip! I've only had time, so far, to browse over the interview section on Disc 2 (nearly three hours worth of interviews). My hope here is that this amazon.com review will give you an indication that: There's enough info, entertainment, and analysis on this DVD to keep you interested and entertained for plenty 'o time to come! It is the best DVD I have ever bought...
Rating:
Summary: Life is our greatest invention!
Review: 1. Federico Fellini. Sensitive, vulgar - il maestro.
2. Saraghina - beauty and repulsion just a few jiggles away.
3. Sandra Milo is dimples dangerous and blessed.
4. Marcello M. as Guido Enselmi, loveable hypocrite.
5. Guido's father moaning about his burial arrangements.
6. A little fantasy in reality or a little reality in fantasy.
7. Claudia Cardinale carrying mineral water.
8. Crappy musical inspired by film. How many movies claim that honor?
1/2. The spaceship - masculinity/identity in progress of going up or coming down? The "close but no cigar" portion of the list:
Terry Gilliam carries on about how scenes in this movie have influenced his career (see no.2); Nino Rota's music, brilliant as always, probably should have been included in my top eight list; DVD extras - especially lost gem A DIRECTOR'S NOTEBOOK; boring commentary; when this picture first opened in Italy, the anticipation was compared to the excitement over a new Rossini work in his time; Fellini was like a fish in water when it comes to film design and invention - a true master; It moves at its own pace and logic, critics be damned; Fellini was brilliant because the people who worked on his films were equally brilliant - the best in their respective fields; the whip-master fantasy, I can actually agree with the impulse behind that one; it's an epic about one man's over-sized ego - what a wonderful subject to create a brilliant film about! The perfect movie for a century that has been incredibly affected/effected by the ideas purported by the science of psychology. Fellini had stated he was a great admirer of Carl Jung's work, and it is no surprise he would take up that banner. If you can, check out CITY OF WOMEN - another film by Fellini that works on a similar logic, but takes it several steps beyond what he did with 8 1/2. Ciao!
Rating:
Summary: one of the greatest films ever made
Review: 8 1/2 What can I say? This is one of the most influential films ever created, and it has been brought to us by criterion in one of the most beutiful video transfers ever made. The two disc set has more extras than you'll know what to do with, and as i said, the picture is totally spotless, as if you were viewing it on the day of it's release! If you haven't seen the film, you should, If you have seen the film, go see it again. In any event, I won't spoil the plot, only say i that Fellini has given us the most incredible view of surreal expressionism, and any lover of fine art should apreciate it, thanks again Criterion.
Rating:
Summary: This one was worth waiting for
Review: 8 1/2, which graced the ten best films lists of ciritics for decades shines on this DVD edition from Criterion. I don't think it has ever sounded and looked this good on American shores. If you love Fellini you must have this film. It sums up his artistic vision and tendencies perfectly.
Rating:
Summary: an artistic brilliance rarely achieved
Review: A cinematic exploration into the very thing that makes life worth living. Very few films can lay claim to such a feat; it should be seen for the circus finale alone.
Rating:
Summary: When you're lost...see 8 1/2!
Review: A fantastic film by Federico Fellini. I've appreciated it so much. It's a story of a creative crisis (and everyone of us probably had the same) in which dream and reality unite in a unique poetry style. Great!
Rating:
Summary: one of Fellini's best
Review: a great film with all kinds of stuff goin on. beautiful cinematography (the opening sequence at a spa - every 80's CK add stole it's imagery), great acting (Marcello is dope and so is Anouk), transcendental and metaphysical retributions (what the hell does that mean??) and it's in Italian (my favorite lingua). only thing missing is a young Sophia Loren (for that, check out 'Marriage Italian Style') who is one of the most beatiful actresses ever. you'll enjoy this movie more if you see it sans subtitles, but still worth seeing if you hate foreign films in foreign languages...this reviewer also likes 'La Dolce Vita' and 'La Citta Delle Donne(Fellini's take on feminism)'.
Rating: 
Summary: OVERRATED!
Review: After watching this movie I really wish I had those two hours back. People will say it went over my head, but I will beg to differ. I just didn't enjoy the film. Sure it is an art film, and is one of the, if not the first, to explore freely flowing thoughts. But give me a break, how predictable can this thing be. Throw in Strange Religious imagery to show my strict Catholic upbringing. Add alittle dream girl (Claudio) to represent my dissatisfaction and struggles in my love life. Make Guido a director so the viewer knows it is a movie about me. I won't ruin the ending, but you could just fast forward to it. Whola, 8 1/2. This movie just isn't as good as everyone says it is.
I really wish someone would have the courage to say this movie sucks! Everybody jump on the bandwagon, just because "critics" love it doesn't mean you have to give it glowing reviews too. I understand, you have a reputation to keep up, what would the other people at the "art-house" say if you disagreed. And why wouldn't you buy it, you need to own every film in the "Criterion Collection"! Come on, admit it, you also have The Rock, and Armageddon, and not because you like the films, you need to impress your friends. It is really kind of sad actually seeing all these sheep leading other sheep. 2 stars at best.
Rating: 
Summary: Mid-life Crisis Redux
Review: Although beautifully filmed with each shot carefully crafted, the film in the end remains one of a man experiencing a mid life crisis. Most critics find the film fascinating but that's probably because they are or recently have encountered the same emotions or experiences as the lead character. If you're young, female or content with life this is not the film for you. Wait until a general sence of impotence becomes the overriding factor in your life to truly identify with this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: and indescribable. You'll have to rewatch it quite a few times. But don't let that scare you--you'll want to anyway.
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