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CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMSMovie Reviews
Documentary about the Chauvet Cave in southern France which contains the oldest known examples of visual art, made over 30,000 years ago. Cast:Werner Herzog, Dominique Baffier, Jean Clottes, Jean-Michel Geneste, Carole FritzDirector:Werner HerzogRelease Date:April 29, 2011DVD Release:November 29, 2011From:IFCRating:GLength:1 hr. 35 min.
NOVEMBER 29, 2011
Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Excellent Reviews (Doc) Key Cities
Cave of Forgotten Dreams played in key cities to excellent reviews. • Roger Ebert wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times, "...spellbinding... Herzog uses 3-D as a way for us to enter the film's space, instead of a way for it to enter ours." • And Dana Stevens wrote for Slate, "If you're interested in the history of the human race — if you're a member of the human race — you owe it to yourself to see this movie." More Reviews Below...
Cave of Forgotten Dreams Positive Reviews (38 Reviews, reviews below)
Richard Corliss, Time: EXCELLENT "...an enthralled and mostly enthralling guided tour of what Werner Herzog describes as 'one of the greatest art discoveries in the history of human culture.' "(See all of Richard Corliss's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,273 words, 05/01/11
Christy Lemire, Associated Press: VERY GOOD(cg) "...one of the most important cultural finds ever... creates a feeling not just of wonder but also of danger and even a bit of fear."(See all of Christy Lemire's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 626 words, 04/28/11
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: OUTSTANDING(cg) "This truly intimate film invites viewers to commune as well and feel a profound living connection with fellow humans of 30,000 years ago."(See all of Lisa Schwarzbaum's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 87 words, 04/29/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...spellbinding... Herzog uses 3-D as a way for us to enter the film's space, instead of a way for it to enter ours."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 748 words, 04/29/11
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (13 Reviews)
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: EXCELLENT "...an imperfect reverie... the chanting voices in the new-agey score tended to remind me of my last spa massage. Yet what a small price to pay for such time traveling!"(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 840 words, 04/29/11
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...blows you away with its beauty... the pull is the images his camera captures during his brief time inside the cave, and what they say about art and the ageless human soul."(See all of Joe Neumaier's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 162 words, 04/29/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: OUTSTANDING "It's a privilege and a pleasure to be present in a sacred space where the human and the mystical effortlessly intertwine... we are in Werner Herzog's debt for that great gift."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 848 words, 04/29/11
David Edelstein, New York Magazine: VERY GOOD "...it's hard not to love Herzog for always trying to look beyond the surface of things, to find a common chord in the landscape of dreams."(See all of David Edelstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 245 words, 04/25/11
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...spellbinding... Herzog uses 3-D as a way for us to enter the film's space, instead of a way for it to enter ours."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 748 words, 04/29/11
J. Hoberman, Village Voice/LA Weekly: FAIR "Would that the director maintained the cave's silence, deep enough to hear your heartbeat. Instead, there's a compulsion to fill the void with philosophical vapors..."(See all of J. Hoberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 309 words, 04/27/11
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Leave it to Werner Herzog to find a connection between ancient sketchers and modern reptiles, but the effect is entirely magical, nonetheless."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 717 words, 07/08/11
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "...hypnotic... Herzog's contemplative narration is all we really need. That, and some closing footage of mutant albino crocodiles."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 205 words, 07/07/11
KEY CITIES (10 Reviews)
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a wonderful film, in the most literal sense of that word. It inspires not just delight and awe, but profound gratitude."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 606 words, 05/06/11
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...how can you not reflect about time, and change, and physical and spiritual being, when confronted with such a stunning visual record of human existence?... Amazing."(See all of Steven Rea's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 406 words, 05/06/11
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: OUTSTANDING(cg) "It was the birth of the modern human soul, and cinematic explorer Werner Herzog's fantastic 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' is the delivery-room video."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 362 words, 05/06/11
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: VERY GOOD(cg) "What we come to love about Herzog's documentary is Herzog's love itself. This is a man who has risked his life and the lives of others to get movies made."(See all of Wesley Morris's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 833 words, 05/06/11
John Petkovic, Cleveland Plain-Dealer: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...the kind of guided tour only Herzog could give. At times, you feel that you're in an art museum with a giddy, wide-eyed child."(See all of John Petkovic's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 515 words, 05/06/11
Walter Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: VERY GOOD(cg) "...there's a clip of a dancing Fred Astaire, and a quick shot of an albino crocodile. What do they have to do with cave paintings? See the movie to find out."(See all of Walter Addiego's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 267 words, 05/06/11
Shawn Levy, Portland Oregonian: EXCELLENT(cg) "3D was a brilliantly apt choice: you feel as if you're diving into the caves, as if you can reach out and touch the images... it is utterly remarkable to see."(See all of Shawn Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 271 words, 05/06/11
J. Hoberman, Village Voice/LA Weekly: FAIR "Would that the director maintained the cave's silence, deep enough to hear your heartbeat. Instead, there's a compulsion to fill the void with philosophical vapors..."(See all of J. Hoberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 309 words, 04/27/11
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix: VERY GOOD(cg) "In the end, the 3D is a distraction; I'd prefer more off-the-wall mini-profiles of odd characters, like the circus juggler turned palæontologist..."(See all of Peter Keough's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 150 words, 05/05/11
Scott Tobias, AV Club: GOOD(cg) "...has much to recommend it... the opportunity to see what so few have seen. Yet it lacks the freewheeling inquiry of Herzog's best documentaries..."(See all of Scott Tobias's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 340 words, 04/28/11
Stephanie Zacharek, Movieline: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...the combination of haunting images and wackadoo Herzogian narration works. 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' is compelling, sometimes in a hypnotic, sleepy-bye way."(See all of Stephanie Zacharek's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 900 words, 04/28/11
Nick Schager, Slant: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Scored with a mesmerizing mélange of strings, chanting, and otherworldly noises... a spiritual awe that's in tune with the cave painters' own primitive faith..."(See all of Nick Schager's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 670 words, 04/24/11
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "...hypnotic... Herzog's contemplative narration is all we really need. That, and some closing footage of mutant albino crocodiles."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 205 words, 07/07/11
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...outstanding.... see in 3D to appreciate its full potency, and the full impact of what Herzog deems a 'frozen flash of a moment in time' brought back to living, breathing life."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 613 words, 05/10/11
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: EXCELLENT "...an imperfect reverie... the chanting voices in the new-agey score tended to remind me of my last spa massage. Yet what a small price to pay for such time traveling!"(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 840 words, 04/29/11
Anthony Lane, New Yorker: GOOD "There is no mistaking the cracks in the film... [but] we know that we are in the talons of a capable, exhilarated man, director Werner Herzog."(See all of Anthony Lane's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,205 words, 04/25/11
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: OUTSTANDING "It's a privilege and a pleasure to be present in a sacred space where the human and the mystical effortlessly intertwine... we are in Werner Herzog's debt for that great gift."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 848 words, 04/29/11
Dana Stevens, Slate: OUTSTANDING "...a work of art... If you're interested in the history of the human race -- if you're a member of the human race -- you owe it to yourself to see this movie."(See all of Dana Stevens's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 868 words, 04/28/11
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon: VERY GOOD "...strange, flawed and mesmerizing... [but] I wish Herzog indulged in a little more of his customary philosophical speculation, and wasn't so easily distracted..."(See all of Andrew O'Hehir's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,076 words, 04/29/11
MOVIE INDUSTRY (6 Reviews)
Justin Chang, Daily Variety: EXCELLENT "...a one-of-a-kind art-history lesson... Herzog uses these magnificent prehistoric canvases to reflect on the immensity and fragility of human enterprise..."(See all of Justin Chang's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 787 words, 09/14/10
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter: OUTSTANDING "Herzog asks all the right questions and gets startling, though-provoking replies... To call this movie fascinating is akin to calling the Grand Canyon large."(See all of Kirk Honeycutt's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 716 words, 10/15/10
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: OUTSTANDING "It's a privilege and a pleasure to be present in a sacred space where the human and the mystical effortlessly intertwine... we are in Werner Herzog's debt for that great gift."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 848 words, 04/29/11
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: EXCELLENT(cg) "...a fascinating 3D follow-up to Werner Herzog's previous non-fictional works... deeply personal and thoroughly uncompromising."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 365 words, 01/26/11
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: EXCELLENT "...an imperfect reverie... the chanting voices in the new-agey score tended to remind me of my last spa massage. Yet what a small price to pay for such time traveling!"(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 840 words, 04/29/11
14.2 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Cave of Forgotten Dreams's reviews are separated by an average 14.2 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (38 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Cave of Forgotten Dreams's reviews cover 63.7% of potential readers (average is 68.0%). Volume:The film's reviews total 20,287 words involume (average is 20,221 words). Length:The film's reviews average 534 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 4 Days Before Release (Norm is 1.3 Release)
Cave of Forgotten Dreams's reviews on average broke 4 days before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.3 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Cave of Forgotten Dreams's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (38 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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