Ric Burns’ 1992 documentary pulls off a difficult feat: weaving a moving, gripping, and well-directed picture out of nothing more than panning shots of old daguerreotypes, interviews with historians, and voice-acted narration. While the lurid tale of the Donner Party is not exactly boring fare to begin with, it is still impressive to make any event from the 1840s interesting and accessible to modern audiences.

The film also benefits from an excellent soundtrack, headlined by Angelo Badalamenti’s “Dark Spanish Symphony”,…

Like religion itself, Kingdom of Heaven might be a movie you have to believe in to get anything out of. Unlike religion, I think this may be worth trying.

Forebodingly long in the director's cut (do NOT watch the theatrical cut), and with an uncharismatic and difficult to enjoy main character in Orlando Bloom, many who watch this film will be unable to endure the unsubtle way in which it approaches its main themes.

Don't give in to the temptation…