Advantages: Brilliant writing, setting and acting
Disadvantages: Quite long and a bit gory in places!

...Plot outline: Cold Mountain is an epic romantic drama set at the time of the Civil War in America. It centres around the tale of love and woe of two main characters, Miss Ada Monroe, Reverend's daughter, and Inman, a Confederate Soldier. Reverenced Monroe and his daughter, Ada (Kidman), move from Charleston to Cold Mountain to help improve the Reverend's health. A few short encounters with Inman (Law) ensure a tale of romance as Inman signs up as a Confederate Soldier in the Civil War. As Inman sets off for war he is presented with a novel by Ada and a photograph of herself and he gives her one of him; these small items become the treasures that sustain them both throughout the war years in which they are parted. The film follows the progress of Inman throughout the war as he battles against the Yankees. After sustaining... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: supporting cast
Disadvantages: slow

...I suspect that viewers who are not particularly fans of Nicole Kidman or Jude Law will approach this American Civil war drama cautiously, I certainly did. Quite honestly had I realised that it was directed by Anthony Minghella (The English Patient) I might have dismissed it instantly so bored was I by that, 9 times Academy Award winning, abomination. However, despite some minor complaints such as Minghella’s perpetual habit of allowing his films to run overlong and the occasionally unnecessarily gory depiction of war, I was more than pleasantly surprised to find a warm heart at the centre of Cold Mountain. Having been won over, I’m now more than prepared to see the merits of Cold Mountain. Indeed whilst the love story between Kidman and Law struggles, the Odyssey style journey that Law finds himself on entertains... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Terrific acheivements all around for everyone that worked on this film
Disadvantages: you might be confused at points near the beginning, some scenes will be jarring and difficult to watch

...<<<<< TITLE: Cold Mountain >>>>> <<<<< RATING: ****1/2 (out of 5) >>>>> <<<<< CAST: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Natalie Portman, Donald Sutherland, Ray Winstone, Brendan Gleeson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Kathy Baker, James Gammon, Ethan Suplee, Jena Malone, Giovanni Ribisi, Eileen Atkins, Charlie Hunnam, Jack White, Lucas Black, Melora Walters, James Rebhorn. >>>>> <<<<< DIRECTOR: Anthony Minghella >>>>> <<<<< STUDIO: Miramax >>>>> <<<<< RUNNING TIME: 155 MIN. >>>>> <<<<< RATED: 15 (UK), R (US) >>>>> <<<<< Remembering Seven Years Ago >>>>> I still remember it vividly. The night was November 15, 1996, and I was attending opening night of a movie entitled THE ENGLISH PATIENT. I had no idea what it was about, all I knew it had Ralph Fiennes, who I loved... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Writing, characters, theme, scope, imagery.
Disadvantages: Some see slow pace as a weakness. Most don't.

...The novel "Cold Mountain" by Charles Frazier should appeal to lovers of the carefully measured word, artfully turned phrase and powerfully crafted imagery. It’s spare and slow, yet rich and unforgettable. It’s a feast for the mind’s eye, the head’s ear, the soul’s heart, and the mouth’s palate, delectable in every morsel. Despite being Frazier's debut novel, it’s a consummate writer's book and a work of fiction that this humble reviewer believes will stand the test of time and emerge as a great work of literature. This tremendous effort is what writing and reading are all about. I was unable to put it down, totally absorbed in the characters, utterly captivated by the setting and enthralled by its theme and scope. And as an afterthought, as an American Civil War buff I was also happily bemused by this totally different approach... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lots to see & do, easy to get to
Disadvantages: Not for the lazy

...and the only constant in Australian weather is its unpredictability. It can be warm in winter and cold in summer so be prepared. ***Getting There*** As indicated, we went by car and as I wasn't driving and we took a detour I was taking little notice of directions. However, The Blue Mountains are signposted from way back in Sydney and are difficult to miss (if they are shining blue!!). From Sydney, get on Highway 4 (The Great Western Highway) and head West following the signs. You can also get there by train from Sydney (circa $25 return to Katoomba) or alternatively there are many companies that do organised day trips there from the City (AAT Kings being the best known and the cost is circa $100 but depends exactly what you want to see). All the operators will pick you up at your hotel and return you there. The first thing you come... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Stunning scenery, excellent plot, excellent lead and supporting actors
Disadvantages: Very violent in places

...Cold Mountain is the latest film by British director Anthony Minghella, whose previous successes include The English Patient and The Talented Mr. Ripley. Whilst being made, Cold Mountain gained infamy (quite unfoundedly, it appears) as the film that broke up Jude Law’s marriage, as speculation became rife about his relationship with co-star Nicole Kidman. I am pleased, however, that this has now died down and does not appear to be detracting from what is an excellent film. It has already been nominated for many awards, and has been highly recommended in almost every review I have read. I went to see it at the weekend and was not disappointed. The story, based on a book by Charles Frazier, begins in the 1840s in the picturesque North Carolina town of Cold Mountain as the threat of Civil War is upon America. Beautiful, well... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Excellent story, well written
Disadvantages: Quite descriptive in places, might not suit all readers

...'Cold Mountain' is the debut novel of American author Charles Frazier and became a huge bestseller and in 2003 it lead to a big budget Anthony Minghella directed Hollywood adaptation starring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Rene Zellweger. The story is about three people who in different ways embark on life defining journeys. Inman a wounded confederate soldier sickened by the violence and madness of the civil war deserts from the military hospital where he is convalescing and decides to walk back home a journey that is filled with danger and revelatory adventures. Ada is the woman he has left behind although not actually declared their love is implied and steadfast even after Inman's long absence due to the war. Ada a minister's daughter and formerly a socialite in the fashionable Southern city of Charleston now after her father... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Stunning scenery
Disadvantages: A 4x4 is needed for some roads

...of snow. We often go into Troodos town itself and have a good snowball fight. This is proper snow, none of the British rubbish. However, Last year when we went at Christmas we were SHOCKED that there was absolutely no snow. Don't know where it had gone, but it is the first time I haven't seen any there in December. The town of Troodos has quite a few shops to get some souvenirs from, and it's nice to have a wonder around. It is very tourist orientated though. There is a large restaurant on the road into Troodos. I can't really say I like it, as the service is awful. It does however give a place to get out of the cold in the winter. All in all, I would highly recommend visiting the Troodos Mountains if you go to the Greek part of Cyprus. It is a great getaway from the unbearable heat of the coastal regions in the summer, and offers yet... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: is quite enjoyable
Disadvantages: no chemistry between jude and Nicole, long winded,doesn't live up to it's hype

...Title: Cold Mountain Genre: War / Historical Certificate: 15 Starring: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zelwegger Runtime: 155 minutes, Aimee's Runtime Key: Get Comfy it's going to be a long ride! *** What is Cold Mountain? *** Although mainly a war themed film, Cold Mountain tells the story of a romance that is separated and the almost impossible struggle to reunite it. Inman is a Confederate Soldier who gets sent to war against the Americans just as he is falling for Ada, a beautiful, shy young woman. She makes a promise to him just before he leaves, that she will wait for his return. But with him now at war and badly wounded will he be able to go back to her? Follow the story as we see the horrors of Inmans journey back home and the evil that is lurking around cold mountain while he is away. And with her father now... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautifully shot, great supporting cast.
Disadvantages: Main storyline is uninvolving, lead characters dull.

...It's that time of year when thoughts start to turn towards the Oscars with the years last contenders being released by the studios. There is no more aggressive studio at campaigning for Oscar success than Miramax, and this year their hopes are pinned on Cold Mountain, an historical drama based on the book of the same name by Charles Frazier. Directed by Anthony Minghella, previously a winner with The English Patient, and starring Nicole Kidman, another previous winner, it's a film that would seem to have the right pedigree for Oscar success, but which ultimately fails as a work of successful storytelling, despite having many things going for it along the way. Set during the American Civil War, the film sets out to make an impact from the start with a tremendously well filmed and quite horrific battle scene taking place towards... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful