Delicacy [Blu-ray]

A French Charmer About Finding Love When You Least Expect It
The infectious Audrey Tautou takes center stage in this charming French confection about love in its various configurations. Ever since "Amelie," I've been enchanted with Tautou. She is so likable and natural with an intriguing ease on screen. It's almost impossible not to relate to her in some manner, and I think this appeal can sometimes overshadow her talent. And she is a true talent, she just makes it look simple. She goes through a strong character arc in "Delicacy" and is absolutely terrific. From contentment, to loss and withdrawal, to romantic rebirth--Tautou experiences much in this film filled with both melancholy and hope. Billed as a whimsical romantic comedy, I wouldn't discount this movie as merely frothy entertainment (although it surely is). There is a truth and poignancy at the heart of "Delicacy" that really resonates. This isn't pure fantasy. There are real life situations, genuine heart, and a surprising depth beneath the sweet exterior. And I, for one,...

Love souffle
"I could go on holiday in your hair," moons a love struck Swede named Markus (Francois Damiens) to his co-worker, a beautiful French widow named Nathalie. If that sounds like an inappropriate comment to make at the office (to your boss, no less), you're right. Then again, it's not every day that your boss (bearing a remarkable likeness to Audrey Tautou) calls you into her office, springs from her chair without warning, plants a lingering, passionate smooch, then goes back to her desk as if nothing just happened. It's an anomaly that a slovenly nebbish like Markus is going to require a few days to process.

Whether or not you believe that a beautiful young widow who bears a remarkable likeness to Audrey Tautou would even consider throwing herself at a slovenly nebbish who bears a remarkable likeness to a French Chris Elliot is probably a good litmus test for whether or not you will be willing to sit through a romantic dramedy called "Delicacy", directed by siblings David and...

A funny, sad, lovely film by Audrey Tautou.
This film has so many facets- it is not your average rom com or your average Audrey Tautou film. This movie is uplifting, sad, happy, witty, brilliant, awkward, and lovely. A few scenes will require a tissue box handy, such as when Tautou's character goes dancing at a club with her friend (I know it sounds odd). This movie brings you down to the level of a grief-stricken person and takes you along her journey to recovery, to laughter, and to love. Enjoy.

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World Of Z, The

Gotta love it
It's an intimate view inside the life of Z. The film is a first person portrayal of an intriguing man and takes you along for the ride. Definitely a documentary to watch.





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Broadway Limited

Cute, but nothing special
This little comedy churned out in 1941 takes place on the Pennsylvania Railroad's famous "Broadway Limited." The thin plot revolves around a Hollywood actess travelling with her "adopted" baby as a publicity stunt. The twist is that baby may or may not be kidnapped. The character performances of Patsy Kelly and Leonid Kinsky keep the whole thing bearable.

Train buffs will like the interior and exterior shots of the famed "Broadway Limited" and its Raymond Loewy-designed locomotives and passenger cars (and there are plenty).

The DVD recording, on the other hand, leaves plenty to be desired and the "RE" logo floating in the corner for the full length of the DVD is positively infuriating.

Buy it if you like the train, otherwise pass it by!

Old Timers Young
Zazu Pitts looks so fresh and young. Patsy Kelly also looks young. Dennis O'Keefe here looks like a young Dr. Kildare or Richard Chamberlain, and he plays a doctor in this movie, too. This is a feel-good movie that's meant to make you smile with fresh-faced actors and actresses. Victor McLaglen plays a very charming tough guy. This is a three-star story with four-star performances.

Train Lovers
Interesting story line, but this movie is perfect for fans of the PRR. Many interior shots of the Broadway Limited, as well as exterior views of the cars and engines.

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Ring Without Words

A most enjoyable Ring Without Words perfect for non-purists especially!
Lorin Maazel considered requests to create a synthesis of Wagner's Ring cycle as a continuous `Ring without Words' twice before finally agreeing to the request made by the recording company, Telarc, in 1987. The resultant 75 minute recording proved to be a big seller and in Maazel's opinion it helped to create a new audience for the operas.

In creating this continuous synthesis Maazel attempted to produce a reduced version which followed strict chronological order and which introduced all the main themes and motifs without adding a single note not written by Wagner. In this he reinforced Wieland Wagner's view (Wagner's Grandson) that the essence of the work lies in the orchestral score.

Weiland Wagner's view is worth considering in this context and can be quoted as stated to Maazel at a rehearsal of the Ring as `The orchestra, that's where it all is - the text behind the text, the universal subconscious that binds Wagner's personae one to another and to the...

Melodic Synopsis of the Ring Soars
Whenever a great work is summarized, or truncated, the serious reader or listener is skeptical. The Ring in its glorious 16 hour stretch is a feast for the converted, but often is too much for a beginner trying to grapple with a large and complex cultural monument. The Berlin Philharmonic under the direction of Lorin Maazel plays direct quotes from the Ring that are lifted from the orchestral score of the four operas in the order in which Wagner composed them. The result is a highly organic presentation of the major leitmotifs and important orchestral interludes of the Ring. As such it is an important achievement which will help in promoting The Ring and winning for it a new generation of admirers.

I appreciate the fact that Maazel in stitching the excerpts together did not alter anything that Wagner wrote, nor did he add any superfluous material.

The result is a compelling sonic introduction to the musical building blocks of The Ring. I would have added...

Ravishingly beautiful
Wagner's Ring "without words" is not a novel concept: Stokowski and some of his fellow-conductors have performed orchestral "syntheses" of Wagner operas, especially during the 1960s and later. There is nothing sacrilegious about orchestral excerpts from operas, though some critics have sneered at the so-called "bleeding chunks". Orchestral excerpts and syntheses will particularly please those who, for one reason or another, have trouble sitting through these endless operas - especially when they are celebrated on consecrated ground in Bayreuth. Maazel and the Berliner Philharmoniker (in huge complement) have recorded this performance in 2000 in the Berlin Philharmonie in excellent video and audio. It is a 78-minute tour de force, for the then 70-year old conductor as well as for the musicians who follow him on the beat and who often have to play grueling long fffs or harmonically challenging passages. In brief: they all work a small miracle, and the performance turns out to be...

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Eating Raoul (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

"Tasty Comedy of Bad Manners" Gets a Mediocre DVD Treatment
The 1982 low-budget outré comedy EATING RAOUL from writer/director Paul Bartel, who also stars, is an outrageously funny satire that needles such diverse elements of American culture as the concept of The American Dream, high-society status symbols, overzealous capitalism, racial stereotyping, and sexually deviant subgroups.

Paul and Mary Bland (Bartel and Mary Woronov) are a conservative, happily married middle-class couple who share an interest in fine wine, good food, and sexual repression. They also share entrepreneurial dreams of opening their own restaurant for epicures. Unfortunately, the Blands are flat broke. Paul is an unemployed wine connoisseur, and Mary only makes a pittance working as a Nurse's Aide. To make matters worse, the building they want to purchase for their restaurant has also caught the eye of another buyer, so if Paul and Mary don't raise the $20,000 down quickly, they'll watch their hopes and dreams turn to dust.

Things actually take a turn for...

Great movie, horrible DVD
Talk about cult classics! Paul Bartel's darkly hilarious "Eating Raoul" was the first cult film I ever saw, way back in the early 1980s when the miracle that is cable television arrived at the house. I sat in openmouthed wonder as the movie unfolded, barely believing my eyes were seeing the twisted hijinks floating by onscreen. It's largely due to "Eating Raoul" that I became a Mary Woronov fan, and I also learned to appreciate as well as seek out any films made by Paul Bartel. He's an interesting guy, a man that looks like one of your balding uncles or an out of shape next-door neighbor, but he has a warped sense of humor that fits in well with 1970s low budget cinema. Audiences probably know Bartel, if they know him at all, for several films he made for Roger Corman in the 1970s: "Death Race 2000" and "Cannonball." These two films couldn't be more different in subject matter and tone than "Eating Raoul." The two Corman films deal with car races, crashes, and bloody violence. "Eating...

AVOID: Bad Transfer
This long awaited DVD is an incredible disappointment. The major problem that makes this unwatchable is that somehow this movie has been stretched horizontally to fit a widescreen TV. The result makes everything look distorted. I don't know what the original aspect ratio was but this presentation is an abomination. I tried running it on my computer software to manually adjust the picture dimensions. The film does appear to be wider than the standard screen size but not the ratio as presented on this DVD.

And to top it off the print appears to be something of the VHS quality (i.e. poor) with color and resolution deficiences. There appears to be a gash in the screen as if the video was shot from a movie screen with a tear in the top middle. The sound appears to have been mono that someone has doctored up by added fake stereo and reverb, then steering the dialog from side to side. Warning: Listening to this may cause sea sickness.

Sony should be sued for selling this junk. I...

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She Wants Me

Surprisingly GOOD
Nice story line. Fun kind of movie. Kept my attention the entire way through.
Surprisingly good. Would watch it again.

Julie
Delightful movie. Johnny Messner as the Doctor was convincing in his role. You never know how the movie is going to end-even though you know how these movies end-until it does.

Kristen Ruhlin is a name to watch
Kristen Ruhlin, the star of this movie opposite Josh Gadd, reminds me of Audrey Hepburn in her looks and talent. I can see her appearing in Vogue and becoming a major figure on the movie scene before too long. I had the pleasure of working with her when she was first starting out and found her a joy to work with; one of the nicest and most considerate people I have ever met. This is another quality she shares with the late Audrey Hepburn: thorough professionalism and an exceptional ability to work well with other people. Like Hepburn, she never wears her ego on her sleeve. In a profession notorious for bad behavior and artificial attitudes, she is a genuine talent who saves all the drama for her on screen performances.

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Action Words

Just can't get enough
I have been playing the Action Words DVD for my daughter Scarlett since she was only about 2 months old. She watches this everyday. I didn't realize just how much she was into these until one day when the theme song came on and she went flying across the house to see the TV and jump up and down in her walker. It is the cutest thing ever! She gets all into the DVD and even talks back. I love how at only 8 months these amazing videos stimulate her so much. I took a video of her running towards the TV in her walker. Wish I could show you how she just can't get enough of Monki See! Great products!!!

Cute DVD!
I really like this DVD. It is so cute! My kids love Howie and Skip, and of course the host Olivia. Olivia is charming, she encourages the kids watching to join them in whatever action they are doing. My daughter really likes Olivia, while my sons relate more to Howie and Skip. The theme song is great. It is very repetitive, and is easy for the little ones to sing. I think that this DVD was a great buy, and I look forward to more MonkiSee DVDs! [...]

My son loves MonkiSee
My son loves the MonkiSee DVDs. We have them all and they really helped with his color and shape recognition as well as learning to read the words of all the shapes and colors with the flashcards. We just got the Action Words DVD. After watching it just once, he was chanting the song in the car while we were driving.

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Thunderball (50th Anniversary Repackage) [Blu-ray]

This is what Bond is all about! Clearly the best Bond film in the franchise!
I noted that this is the only Bond film of the entire series that, to date, has not received a single 1-star review here on Amazon. That's pretty dang good!

Director Terrence Young had introduced us to Bond in DR. NO and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE. Guy Hamilton then took us down the GOLDFINGER road, and while his attention to action made that the first SMASH Bond film, he also seemed to lose alot of the more down-to-earth flavor that made the first two Bonds so much better.

But, Terrence Young returned for his final Bond film, and somehow managed to provide the perfect mesh of the realistic Bond from the first two films, and the more action-oriented Bond of GOLDFINGER. The result is a very happy marriage indeed - it's just too bad there were very few legitimate children born of it!

THUNDERBALL contains all the great locales, villains, and Bond coolness that we love, without getting into the ridiculous, gadget-filled territory of the later films. It...

The Thunderball Phenomenon: Skip the Special Edition for the 2-Disc Ultimate Edition
In the wake of the enormous success of GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL became one of the most anticipated films in cinema history. "Bondmania" was at a fever pitch in the 1960s and that lended a certain air of confidence to the cast and crew. By Bond's fourth adventure, everyone was assured of success and everything was done on the largest scale possible. THUNDERBALL is often regarded, along with GOLDFINGER, as one of the better Bond films. It contains all of the elements of a good Bond flick at a time when Bond was not tired or clichéd. Bond's fourth adventure finds him taking to the sea, culminating in some of the most spectacular underwater fight footage ever recorded. And with Terence Young once again taking the director's chair after his temporary hiatus, the audience and the film is in good hands.

After the opening "gun barrel" sequence, re-shot for the first time in widescreen format with Sean Connery playing the part, we are greeted with the opening pre-credits...

Thunderball Rocks!
THUNDERBALL (1965) the fourth of the James Bond 007 series is among the best of the films. As a follow-up to the phenomenally successful and definitive GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL is just a shade less satisfying. In terms of tone and composition the two films are of an era in the James Bond mythology.

Sean Connery returns as the inimitable British Secret Agent, this time set against SPECTRE Agent Number Two, Largo (Adolfo Celi). SPECTRE has stolen an atomic bomb and is holding the world hostage.

Largo is a worthy adversary. Strongly-built, silver-haired, wearing an eyepatch, and more physically intimidating than Gert Frobe's plump Goldfinger, Celi's Largo lacks the faintly tongue-in-cheek air which animated Goldfinger's behavior. In fact, the entire film lacks the decidedly humorous undertone of GOLDFINGER. The villains are more vicious, and Connery's Bond, his wit more honed than ever, is playing for keeps.

The theme song (with Tom Jones singing), plot and story...

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Power of Two

A Lovely Tribute To Those Involved In The Transplantation Process: A Heartfelt Documentary Honoring Life
The subject of transplantation is one that is near to my heart. I know in some circles it might still be considered controversial, but I feel that it constitutes the ultimate gift that one individual can give another. After my death (or brain death), I welcome the opportunity to have my body given to medicine where I might make a substantial difference in the lives of others. Of course, at this rate, I will likely be too unhealthy and decrepit to make much impact! But isn't it the thought that counts? Marc Smolowitz's stirring documentary "The Power of Two" tells the tale of twin sisters born with cystic fibrosis. At a young age, Anabel Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes inadvertently became a popular human interest news story by writing and illustrating a children's book about their time in and out of hospitals. This unexpected focus brought the half-Japanese sisters a new purpose. Over the next twenty plus years, they have endured transplants, medical setbacks, and personal...

The Power of Two
This video was incredibly well done. Having been the spouse of a person with CF for 37 years, I cried throughout the video remembering what we went through. My husband survived 7 years with his transplanted lungs. I recommend this video to everyone as a tool to learn about CF and what these amazing people go through to live. I continue to pray for a cure. Diane Detmer, widow.Power of Two

Inspirational
This is an inspirational story very well told. You will learn a lot about organ donation, Cystic Fibrosis and they way other governments and cultures treat those in need of organ transplants. Save lives, be an organ donor! Sign up is easy, go to [...]

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Detroit Metal City: Complete Collection

Good Series, Funny!
Detroit Metal City is a rapid fire comedy about the rise of the death metal band, DMC to prominence. It is also about the protagonist, Negishi, coping with his placement in a style of music unlike that of what he dreams to perform Scandanavian Pop.

Negishi makes a fool of himself differentiating Krauser from his daily life, often in interference in his romantic aspirations for Yuki; Krauser has crazy antics onstage and with fans,the double lives that DMC fans lead. Most of the story in each episode is focused mainly on the first element, which is a shame, because certain jokes quickly got old after the third episode, and could have had the edge taken off of it by the third element, which went rather unused despite having some very funny moments

The characters are archetypes that aren't found very often in anime, much less comedy, so the use of them especially as main characters is very refreshing. That said, because the show is about Negishi as Krauser, there is...

fantastic
great funny anime/manga based film has alot of metal themed music. Has a great theme of following your dream and even if it doesnt come true you can always have new dream just as great

DMC! DMC! Go To DMC!
What can I say? So few things make me laugh uncontrollably anymore. This is one of them. If you like funny anime, swedish pop music and/or death metal give it a shot hehehe

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The Tempest

Wonderful stage adaptation
I had the good fortune to see this very production at Stratford, Ontario, and this video does a wonderful job capturing the feel of the live performance. It was magical on the night: Plummer is outstanding in a difficult role, Caliban pitched just right, the masque of Ceres breathtaking, and the lords a strong supporting cast. I've seen several stage adaptations of this play, and this exceeds them all. I'm delighted to be able to own it on DVD.

Most of these reviews are not for this film!
Just hoping you've noticed that lots of these reviews are for another dvd altogether - Julie Taymor's film starring Helen Mirren. Amazon really needs a policy for differentiating between different releases of the same movie, and different movies with the same title, as this problem arises all the time.

Absolutely Masterful
Masterful. An absolute delight. Christopher Plummer is a wonder to watch.
...incomparable...
Christopher Plummer is a master of the English language. He leads the audience through this narrative as artfully as Prospero.

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Snake in the Eagle's Shadow

Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
It was good to see that Columbia/TriStar pictures had released the 2 movie dvd edition of Jackie Chan's classics. I watched Snake in the Eagle's Shadow since I was a young boy. I remembered watching it many times. This was back in the early 80s. Now watching it again is a delight.

Though, a very important part of the film was cut. This changed the tone of the film since it is the pivot of the storyline. The story was about how Jackie Chan learned the Snake Style from the old beggar, who is the master of the Snake Style. However, a vicious martial art opponent with an Eagle style was determined to wipe out the Snake Style clan. Chan didn't know this was going, and the old beggar was on the run, to escape from the Eagle Style master. Through the middle part of the story, Chan discovered that the Snake style manual that was left to him was torn apart by his cat. He found his cat trapped in a corner of the room confronted by a cobra snake. In the original film, it actually revealed how...

This is a Must have to be in you Jackie Chan Collection
This movie's story is pretty simple Shang Kwan Yi Mun (Hwang Jang Lee)is the eagle claw master who has decided to wipe out everyone who knows the Snake Fist technique. After having killed almost every snake fist master there is now only one left Pak Cheung Tien (Simon Yuen). But what he doesn't expect is that Pak Cheung Tien will teach the poor orphan boy Chien Fu (Jackie Chan) the snake fist style. Now Chien Fu has to under go some of the most tortuous training ever devised. On the way he also learns another style "the cat's claw" which he learns from a cat that kills a king cobra snake. Chien Fu now decides to combine the snake's fist with the cat's claw to be able to beat Shang Kwan Yi Mun in the final confrontation. This movie is a pretty stunning showcase and the first time Jackie Chan got to show what he is able to perform. Simon Yuen shines as the old snake fist master. Hwang Jang Lee also makes a solid performance as the dreaded eagles claw master. What can I say this movie is...

The Ultimate Jackie Chan Movie
Before I go on I must say that my score is based on a heavy tilt. As a DVD this has nothing to really merit 5 stars in the way of features, extras and the ilk. But you're not buying this movie for features are you? You're buying it because this happens to be one of the finest Kung Fu movies ever made.

There is a plot that revolves around two feuding kung fu schools, the snakefist and the eagle's claw. The eagle's claw has all but won, having successfully killed most of the members of the snakefist. Jackie Chan plays an errand boy working in a small kung-fu school and he happens to come across the last remaining master of the snake fist and provides him out with food and shelter.

That's the plot. Its full of holes but at the same time it is dotted with some hilarious moments, highlighted by excellent fighting scenes, and carried by jackie chan's irresistable charm.

This is old school jackie chan. If you've only seen his new films you will most...

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Bud & Lou: Comedy Is No Laughing Matter

VERY GOOD
I REMEMBER WATCHING THIS SHOW WHEN IT WAS ON TV IN 1978. I REALLY LOVED IT. IT HAS 2 OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN IT ( BUDDY HACKETT AND HARVEY KORMAN ) WHAT IS FUNNY I WAS LOOKING FOR THIS ON NETFLIX AND THEY DID NOT HAVE IT SO I THOUGHT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN PUT OUT BUT I JUST LOOKED IT UP HERE AND IT COMES OUT ON SEPT. 25TH. STILL AFTER ALL THIS TIME IT IS STILL FRESH IN MY MIND SO THAT TELLS YOU WHAT A GREAT MOVIE THIS IS.

bud and lou
if you want a perfect match for abbot and Costello here it is don't get no better buddy Hackett and Harvey korman are priceless story was great about their homelife and pro life just a great movie all around

Comedy at its finest
What more can I say, than Bud and Lou are the templates of some of the greatest comedians today. My kids watched this DVD and immediately found a common connection with the comedians they laugh at today. My Husband and I have plenty of memories of Bud and Lou and find it a true pleasure getting the opportunity of having this on a easily obtainable and affordable DVD special.

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Portlandia: Season 2

LOVE PORTLANDIA
Love Fred.
Love Carrie.
Love Portland.
14 more words are required in order to complete this review.
A silly requirement.

These Kids are Wacky!
I used to live in Portland, kind of get the self-conscious posturing of Portland denizens; kind of phony, but at heart sincere and well-intentioned. Carrie and Fred have nailed the lifestyle-I remember waiting in line for an hour for famous pancakes that supposed to be organic, natural and healthy, but were as dense as corrugated iron. Enjoy the easy-going spoofing and seeing the sites of Portland-it really is a beautiful place.

Still funny but not as good as season one
What I love about this show is there isn't one second that isn't outright silliness.

There is so much comedic creativity here. The two lead characters even do gender reversals with the woman dressed as a man with his girlfriend in her red wig played by the man. And they do it so well including the voices, that it's easy to forget who is whom and just laugh.

The people are all whacky, the situations are all outlandish, and the entire city apparently is off kilter. I can't wait to go there after watching this. While this is extreme craziness I do feel that there is a lot of truth here about how Portland actually is after knowing some charming delightful people from there. I was wondering if it was just this particular group of friends that seemed funnier than people I know on the east coast or what but now I'm thinking it's a funny place in general.

This show keeps the spacey hipster goofiness coming at you non stop. It seems like the initial burst of...

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The Samaritan [Blu-ray]

A Contemplative Actioner With A Solid Samuel Jackson Lead: Intriguing, But Falls Short In The Final Act
Anyone anticipating "The Samaritan" to be a high octane thrill ride will probably have those expectations thwarted. Truthfully, I also didn't expect much from this Blu-ray and thought it would be an exercise in conventional action mayhem. It is, however, a movie with a lot more on its mind. "The Samaritan" is a surprisingly contemplative film about redemption and second chances. Featuring a solid Samuel Jackson, the screenplay takes its time in building a genuinely interesting story. Jackson gives one of his more complex performances as a man struggling to create a new life, a new identity, and start afresh. He's great and the movie serves up some terrifically unpleasant surprises (the twist at the half way point is a doozy)! But just as the movie approaches the final act, it falters. An intricate con to swindle a crime lord out of millions of dollars is set up with almost zero preparation and back story. If a clever grift is essential to your screenplay, however, it needs to...

Family ties!
This is a very good movie that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Samuel L. Jackson performance is outstanding as always. Ruth Negga, a newcomer, is also really good.

Foley (Jackson) gets released from prison after serving 25 years for killing his partner. His partner's son wants revenge. Not the usual kind, a different kind of revenge. Then Iris (Ruth Negga), appears and falls in love with Foley. Everything is slow and for a moment we think is a love story or a back stubbing plot. At the 40 minute mark of the movie the plots gets really twisted and then we start guessing all the way to the end which is a surprise.

Four stars for the decent plot and the acting. Look forward to watch more movies with Ruth Negga. She has a great future in the business.

First rate movie for a great price
This movie is pretty good. It really makes me cringe and keeps me thinking about it days after I've seen it. I recommend it to all adults.

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ESPN Films Goose

GReat
Outstanding Dvd it was worth the time! You have to know the story to really like the team. It shows heart and desire.





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Samson Et Dalila

Great performance, curious recording
The question of whether Samson et Dalila might not be better suited to the setting of an oratorio than an opera has been a problematic issue ever since Saint-Sa

Resident Evil: Damnation (+ UltraViolet Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]

When Things Are Done Right...
Resident Evil: Damnation improves upon the first Resident Evil CG movie, Degeneration, by leaps and bounds! Not only did Capcom tweak the appearances of the characters (and for the better!) when in comparison to the last movie, they also took many demands of the fans to heart. A good part of the appeal of the Resident Evil franchise is its trademark monsters, in which case this feature film does not fail to resurrect some of the most notorious creatures from the more classic games of the series. That does not go to say that they have done away with the new, either. With an interesting blending of creatures, Damnation takes that next step into the future of Resident Evil, teasing you with what is to come a few weeks down the line with Resident Evil 6.

The plot at first may seem difficult to follow, but with Leon Scott Kennedy holding the reigns and Ada Wong throwing him a bone here and there, the story definitely does not disappoint. Between all of the monsters, fighting,...

Nice RE Movie To Watch Until The Release Of The RE6 Game
As you watch the beginning to the ending of the movie it feels like the producers and writers intentionally made the movie as a prequel to the RE6 games storyline but don't let that detract you from the entertaining story that is already in the movie itself. Like on reviewer stated the movie brings into play many of the former monsters and creatures that you see in the games as well as some cameo time with another iconic RE character as well. The CGI Animation is great and the actions is pretty good too.What is almost sadly ironically funny is that some of the fight scenes here are much better then the ones in the live action RE movies. Basically this is a must for any Resident Evil fan or those who like CGI action movies but regardless this is a nice collection to anyone's movie collection and for fans enough to tide us over until the release of RE6.

Does its survival horror roots proud
In one of the special features on the Blu-ray, director Makoto Kamiya says he was aiming for a "Resident Evil 4" Leon and that he wanted to put Leon through hell. That is the perfect way to describe Leon's journey throughout "Damnation." The Las Plagas virus is now being used for war tactics and utilized in ways that have yet to be introduced in the games. What's great is that "Damnation" throws you into the first person perspective and makes you feel like anything can jump out at Leon and attack him at any moment. The renders as well as the computer animation are crisp and fluid at all times, especially the hosts of the Plaga, the Lickers, and the Tyrants. The only time it looks awkward is when people talk for long periods of time. You begin to notice that their facial expressions don't seem as natural as they should be, but it's easy to overlook.

The lighting in the movie really stands out, especially in the basement sequence and whenever Leon picks up a flashlight. It's...

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Otra pelicula de amor

love it!
When I first stumbled across this movie I thought it would just be another low budget bad acting queer flick. Then I saw one of the guys in the trailer and thought he was cute so I decided to watch and fast forward to the nude scenes (I know I'm a total perv)! Anyway I was about to start skipping through it when I actually started watching the movie and this movie has a lot of heart! I was impressed its cute and sensual without being overly pornographic which would of taken away from the story. There is no real sex scene which at first I was bummed but then realized it just left me wanting more. Its a cute story about childhood love a great date movie. You'll love it!

Fine line between "bromance" and romance ...
Diego and Sebastian are two young men who had been good friends when they were young boys, but had not seen each other in some time. There is an immediate sexual tension between the very shy Diego, who lives with his alcoholic mother, and the more outgoing (and experienced) Sebastian, as they get reacquainted during a lazy summer. Diego is strongly attracted to his friend, and thinks the feeling is mutual, but is too shy to really act on his feelings, despite several opportunities. Adding a bit of surreal help is Diego's hallucination of a sexy TV pitch-woman, with a hunky male assistant, who periodically appears to him and urges him to act on his feelings and "enjoy life."

Featured at several gay and international film festivals, this film from Chile is an engaging tale of sexual awakening, in the hands of a capable director, photographer and attractive, talented young cast members. Explores the often fine line between "bromance" and romance, as well as different shades...

Beautiful film about the angst and sexual ambivalence of adolescence
Chilean film that does a really good job capturing the angst and sexual ambivalence of adolescence with some interesting fantasy elements thrown in along the way. Only complaint is the subtitles, which were clearly written by a non-idiomatic English speaker and are sometimes unintentionally comical.

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Soldiers Of Fortune

Do NOT Waste Your Time and Money
This movie was bad from the beginning all the way through to the end. I feel insulted and ashamed for watching all of it. Please don't make the same mistake I did by thinking it must be good because of the cast. It just isn't true. The story line is implausible, the dialogue is juvenile, and the production is very poor.

I normally don't write reviews, but if one person skips this movie after reading this one, then my job is well done.

Boring and Terrible D Movie
This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I am still trying figure out why anyone would use A list actors to appear in such a poorly directed horrible D (not even B) movie. Do not waste your time or money...I wish I could get my $6.99 back from Amazon on the lousy rental!

A bad made for TV movie that is made more legit by the casting. Surprisingly entertaining with great cast. I say B+
"You and Ernesto are pimping out your revolution as some kind of tourist attraction for a bunch of millionaires and you expect me to be your guide." Iraq war vet Craig McCenzie (Slater) is living out his post war days in Montana playing poker and running a business out of his camper. He is recruited to become a "tour guide" to a group of millionaires who want to experience real warfare. What starts out as a "camp" soon takes a dangerous turn and a real battle takes place. I have to start by saying that even though the cast is very good and full of well known actors this is still a B movie. That said I actually enjoyed this. Normally not my kind of movie this one was entertaining enough to keep me watching and enjoying it. I didn't watch the trailer before viewing and when it got to the part where it revealed the plot point of being a reality-show type island I almost turned it off. The actors they picked to be the millionaires kept me watching and even though this is nothing but...

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Richard Pryor Collection (See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Stir Crazy, The Toy)

Good Movies, Bare Bones Treatment
As you may know, comedian Richard Pryor passed away in December of 2005 following a massive heart attack. The award winning funnyman had also been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. On February 7th, Universal released a four movie collection titled The Richard Pryor 4-Movie Collection. Universal re-released Bustin' Loose on DVD last year as part of their Soul Cinema collection, so I was a bit curious as to why this film was being released on DVD again.

The Richard Pryor 4 Movie Collection features the following films-Which Way Is Up, Brewster's Millions, Car Wash, and Bustin' Loose. This is a good collection of Pryor's funnier films. The bad thing about this collection is the bare bones treatment. There is no booklet, there are no new bonus features (as a matter of fact there are no bonus features at all), and there aren't even four discs. The movies are packaged on dual sided discs with two movies on each side of one disc. Each film is presented in anamorphic widescreen...

Hilarious Genius
" Which Way Is Up " , has been , and still is one of the funniest movies , that I've seen. From the beginning to the end , it's just down right hilarious. I'm smiling right now , just thinking about certain scenes. The script isn't original , by any means...but Richard Pryor's comedic talents take this film to unprecedented heights of humor. During a period of 1970's film making , when stereotypical images of Blacks , were the norm , this film is highly likely to offend people who are desiring political correctness.However , if you're able to except this film , for what it is .....you'll soon find yourself laughing at every ludricrous scene. I think the genuine qualities, of this film , are that it doesn't try to be something it isn't. It also doesn't attmept to be over-the-top, ridiculous. It simply tells the story of Leroy Jones's ( a young man , who leads a life of stagnant impoverishment), relocation to the big city. Motivated by the prospects of new romance , more money , and the...

Richard Pryor Fan
If you like Richard Pryor, you'll love this DVD. Pryor plays three different characters in "Which Way is Up" and every character is a riot! His interaction with the children in "Bustin' Loose will have you in stitches! The only reason this doesn't get five stars is because of "Brewster's Millions", which I did not find quite as funny as the other three movies. Three great and one decent Richard Pryor movies all on one DVD---you can't beat it for the price.

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Slapstick Encyclopedia (Videobook) (Silent)

Great value and packaging!
This must have been a labor of love! A collection of over 50 silent comedy shorts, nearly 16 hours of silent comedy! Lots of little jewels here - rare Harold Lloyd, Langdon, Hardy, silent film comediennes, etc. The music is new and appropriate. The booklet is first rate, as is the packaging and artwork. At a dollar a film, you are getting your money's worth especially since many of these are not available on DVD elsewhere. Many of these films I have never heard of and I have been watching silent films for twenty years.I found more than 95% of them to be very entertaining. Some of them are close to a hundred years old and provide a rare glimpse into a world that would have been lost if it was not for the camera. If you love silent films, this is heaven! Occasionally crude, very physical slapstick (which I never got but apparently early immigrant audiences loved) is here but plenty of fun gags, cute visual humor, early "sit com" type humor can also be found here. The title "Slapstick...

Back to Silents...with Raucous Laughter
There are some great and not-so-great items in this set, but all are of interest, if you like silent comedies. I recommend the 3 shorts each by Harry Langdon and Harold Lloyd (with one caveat to be discussed for "Haunted Spooks"), the rare version of Buster Keaton's "The Boat," some of the solo efforts by Stan Laurel (of later Laurel & Hardy fame), the "Hairbreadth Harry" short entitled "Danger Ahead" (based on a 1920's comic strip and one of the most ridiculously inspired things I've ever seen), the teaming of Charlie Chaplin and "Fatty" Arbuckle in "The Rounders" (where they each try to top one another on screen), and the delirious short by Charley Bowers (the only successful comedian/animator in film history--who incorporates his bizarre animation into his film shorts).

You can see so much here, as to the development of the careers of famous silent comedians. See Buster Keaton's crying and mugging hysterics while with "Fatty" Arbuckle develop into his more familiar stoic...

More info about this set
I previously reviewed this set but wanted to add a few comments. Included here is the incredible film "Now you tell one" by Charlie Bowers. Bowers looks like Keaton but out Keatons Keaton! After years of working in animation, Bowers took his surreal special effects into film. The result is jaw dropping! Wait until you see him 'grow" cats - and watch out for the little mouse with the revolver!
Monty Banks gives us one of the most thrilling chases ever seen in film in "chasing choo-choos". It looks like he did all of his stunts here and it is amazing that he lived to tell about it!
Definitely a great collection. Where else can you get silent films for about a dollar each? Do I like all of them? No. But with over 50 films, there is plenty here to enjoy and thrill to.

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1 Message

A touching journey to triumph and victory.
I must admit that i am a huge fan of Jefferson Moore.I have all of his films on dvd and absolutely love,"The perfect gift."Read my review of it to find out how much i like the film.This film has his usual group of regulars popping up.People that we have seen in his various other films.It is dominated by a tremendous performance by Ashley Kate Adams.In a larger budget,bigger studio picture she would have surely been up for award after award for her performance in this movie.As a cancer victim,she is moving,touching and vulnerable.We feel for her as this disease and it"s effects shatter her life.This is also a film of hope and triumph.It"s central message is that true beauty is on the inside,not the outside and we are presented with people that the world has rejected seen in their true beauty as God sees them>this film is not overtly evangelical,as Moore"s other films are,but that does not detract from it"s message that God loves each one of us and we are important to Him,whether we are...

Many messages...
1 MESSAGE expertly delivers several (messages).
You don't have to be familiar with the heartache of cancer to appreciate a film that deals with the healing of mind and soul, as well as body. Which is exactly what JEFFERSON MOORE accomplishes with this movie.
Being a Christian novelist, I can rejoice in the works of others that both inspire me to improve my life and entertain me to the utmost, like 1 MESSAGE.
Ashley Kate Adams delivers a magnificent performance that brings Mr. Moore's script to fruition. She's on screen most of the film and we never tire of her presence. No small feat for any actor.
The ending is quite surprising but richly gratifying and will remain in your thoughts long after the film has ended.
Thank you for allowing me to support this film with my humble opinion.

If this one doesn't touch you, you ain't got no heart!
I'd read the book and was anxiously awaiting the film. Well, it arrived yesterday, so I sat down and watched it. After going through a half box of Kleenex (and I don't cry easy), I decided to watch it again. My wife was out, so we'll be watching it again tonight and it will probably grab me again. When I saw that it was 2 1/2 hours long, I was a bit concerned, but when the credits rolled, it didn't feel anywhere near that long. This is an excellent film. Low budget, but between the story, acting, and directing, you'd never guess it. I'm really glad I bought two copies, 'cause I'm sure one will never make it back. Somewhere along the line, it will disappear into the "I gotta have it" cabinet in someone else's home.

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388 Arletta Avenue

388 ARLETTA AVENUE Might Be 'Creepy' For All the Wrong Reasons
On first blush, 388 ARLETTA AVENUE might seem like a clever idea: the motion picture is yet another of the `found footage' flicks, a story edited together from multiple independent cameras videotaping the life and times of a young couple trapped within a curious set of circumstances. However, on closer inspection, I thought much of the decisions made by writer/director Randall Cole were slightly off-kilter to produce anything greater than a bloated vanity project, a curious failure worth watching for curiosity's sake but perhaps little else.

[NOTE: for the record, ARLETTA is one of those films that has an ending that makes it difficult to discuss the plot/premise without some modest spoilers. I've done the best I can with the material, but be warned: there will be minor spoilers contained below.]

James Deakin (played by Nick Stahl) eeks out an existence as an advertising executive. He's married to a lovely woman, Amy (Mia Kirshner), and, while they're not...

Good movie, but viewpoint is getting old.
This is a good movie but I feel it would've been much better if told like a normal movie, rather than only from a voyueristic viewpoint. The 'Blaine Witch Project'/hidden camera viewpoint is getting a little overused and seems like a lazy way to make a movie. It's very restricted and doesn't allow you to follow the storyline in depth, which can be very frustrating. Overall a good story, but the way it was filmed leaves a lot to be desired.

A Voyeuristic Thriller That Remains Far Too Distant To Be Truly Impactful
Randall Cole's "388 Arletta Avenue" is an interesting idea of a movie, but that's about all it is. Beyond the initial premise, the screenplay doesn't even attempt to provide much story and/or characterization for its audience to grasp onto. It is an unconventional choice, but one that left me completely disconnected to any potential tension or thrills in this half-baked and vague idea of a plot. Styled similarly to the "found footage" genre of filmmaking, every scene in "388 Arletta Avenue" is grainy, unfocused, and captured from a distance. As a young couple (played by Nick Stahl and Mia Kirshner) is watched by a mysterious stranger, their lives are being taped and this scrutiny starts to unnerve our pair (and rightly so). Just who is this intruder into their lives and what is his goal? And does it matter? Ultimately, Cole seems to think that motive or ANY type of back story is completely unnecessary--so you'll just have to go with the flow as the unseen villain gets closer and...

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The Nutcracker [Blu-ray] / American Ballet Theatre, Baryshnikov

Beautiful and provocative performance
I'm not a dancer, former dancer, or big ballet fan -- just a musician who's seen several different "Nutcrackers" and, frankly, not been thrilled by any of them. But this one is thrilling to me, and to my three-year-old daughter!

I've always found "The Nutcracker" boring and syrupy in plot, though I enjoyed much of the music and some of the dancing. Yes, this ABT version has an "adult" theme (or several) -- but I find this enriches the ballet for me and it's interesting to try to figure out who's who and what's what among the characters. (I've really enjoyed reading other reviewers' interpretations!)

Meantime, my three-year-old daughter is enjoying the story from her new-to-ballet point of view. The "adult stuff" goes right over her head. She's interested in the silly people dressed up like mice, the "big machine that makes fog" (the cannon), the Christmas tree that grows, etc. She gets out one pretty dress after another from her closet and tries them all...

Unusual Presentation
I must apologize for my bad english, but I just had to write this rewiev. I had vhs tape of this ballett and I waited DVD version for years, so there's no need to say that I'm extreamly happy. Most of rewievers here said that the production is not excellent, you may like other versions more. So... I have seen all the versions and I must say they can't compete with this one. They all lack true feeling. If you read memories of soviet balletdancers, you realize, how monotonous was the repertory politics in Kirov or Bolshoi Ballett. ABT gave Baryshnikov a chance to do things differently and who can claim that it's bad?

Example:rewier "rss28" claimes that the great pas de deux is actually pas de trois...only because Drosselmeyer appers to be in the scene! I see it otherwise. Mr. Drosselmeyer is NOT a person here, but he appers to be the TIME. Time flys by, if we like something, we always have to little time to enjoy it, Clara doesn't want to go home, but she has to and time has...

A coherent "Nutcracker" at last
Probably the most popular of all ballets, Tchaikovky's "The Nutcracker" is pretty much required holiday viewing for children and the experience is one to be shared with parents, too. The sparkling score, by turns intensely dramatic and supremely exhilarating, is as familiar as any Christmas carol or hymn.

The essential problem with the ballet's original staging is that the story line falls apart in the second act. The first act has a reasonable plot line given that this is a child's dream story. But after Clara helps the Nutcracker defeat the Mouse King and he turns into a handsome prince, they depart for the Kingdom of Sweets and, after the Waltz of the Snowflakes, the story line evaporates. Once the pair arrive in the Kingdom, poor Clara sits out the entire second act watching a succession of sweet treats dance the audience into diabetes, while Prince Charming deserts her for the Sugar Plum Fairy. In other words, the original staging gives the entire second act no plot...

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Wong Kar-Wai Double Feature: Fallen Angels + Happy Together [2-Disc Blu-ray]

Short Cut of Fallen Angels
Absolutely beware of this. This cut removes a huge deal of content in the Fallen Angels Blu-ray. Basically Blondie just makes an appearance here and there. I just saw this in a beautiful 35mm print at Museum of the Moving Image and went to watch my Blu-ray with a friend and was extremely disappointed. I'm not sure if this is an "American" release cut or not because I've only ever seen the full length version. Haven't watched this copy of Happy Together yet but I'm sure I'll be as confused as I was with Fallen Angels.

EXCELLENT PACKAGE!
EXCELLENT PACKAGE! KINO'S DONE A GREAT JOB! AND BECAUSE THEY'RE BOTH SINGLE-DISC PRODUCT, AND I'VE GOT JAPANESE EDITION OF HAPPY TOGETHER, SO NOW, THE TWO DISCS OF "HAPPY TOGETHER" ARE HAPPY TOGETHER IN ONE PACKAGE.



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The Son of Robin Hood

Another pan and scan atrocity from the Fox Cinema Archives
Warner Bros started a welcome trend with their no-frills DVDs on demand line, promising to eventually release their entire library encompassing MGM, RKO, Monogram, Allied Artists, a treasure trove for collectors indeed! I've remained an avid such collector in spite of the line's relatively high pricing policy, given that they are only DVD-Rs after all, and that as a down under resident, I'm additionally up for higher postal fees. Happily, the MGM/UA, Columbia/Sony and Universal vaults quickly followed the market and Warner began remastering a number of key films which further enhanced their product. Finally, Fox has joined this trend-promising great things given that their three-strip technicolor musicals and period films were so spectacular looking in their heyday, and the Cinemascope revolution of the 50s created a whole new ball game. Well, Fox is dropping the ball by releasing pan and scan prints of some of its titles and I'm particularly unhappy that The Son of Robin Hood, a...

Bad Robin Hood echo from land of childhood.
I saw this Robin Hood film in the movie theater as a child. I was overjoyed to get the chance to see it again. I was prepared for anything, so I am not disapointed even though the plot is silly, the acting is worse, the swordfights seems without director and swords and halberds are clearly made of wood. No, it's allright, nostalgia is great fun. But the quality is bad. In close ups the picture is perhaps acceptable but when the knights ride in the landscabe and scenes alike, it is as seeing the film through a haze. It's dizzy and unsharp. Therefore I can only give it two stars simply for seeing it again.

Rip-off Robin!
20th Century Fox, you should be ashamed! All right, SORH is no classic, but this is a dreadful print with no re-mastering and a 1:33:1 pan and scan TV image to boot. Sadly I didn't check the aspect ratio before I hit the "buy" button. How any studio can put out rubbish like this, at such an inflated price (plus UK postage for us Brits) is beyond me - especially in an age when the competition is consistently releasing back catalogue titles in their original aspect ratios. Frankly the old video copy I already own is just as good, picture-wise.

As for the film, it's entertaining enough in a fin-de-siecle sort of way; David Hedison makes quite a charming hero, June Laverick is perky enough (with smashing legs, I'm non-PC enough to note), and David Farrar gives an expansive turn sporting a fright wig as the baddie. The action scenes are pretty ropey , although the final multi-weapon set-to is reasonably exciting and you can play "spot the stuntman" as Bob Simmons rather...

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Gerhard Richter Painting [Blu-ray]

looking at the creative process, with limitations
Gerhard Richter Painting
this dvd is an attempt to explore the inner workings of the creative process of a great contemporary artist. what is highlighted in the inexpressible process of the artist's thinking and feeling as he works on his paintings until the "moment" of achievement is met. richter admits to not knowing from the get go what he is intending to achieve. his large size squeegees create transformations of the initial hand made painting, and the mechanical process offers him the opportunity for the painting to have a life of it's own. in watching this, the viewer is fascinated, puzzled, bored, and transfixed looking at an artist, but not quite seeing into his inner psyche. richter is often both self deprecating and humorous about the "unknowable" in mulling over the creative process. the film tends to be rather slow moving and at times lumbering, but it is none-the-less, a wonderful inside view of...

Moving Paint
An intimate visit with the artist in his studio. It was a joy to watch him engaged in his creative process, and to see his paintings unfold. He's very adept with both brush and squeegee. It was delicious to watch.

Well filmed and very inspiring
Just seeing how he manipulates his colors and respects the media makes me hungry to produce more work as an artist. Great production.

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Lancer Spy

Missing Footage
Let me begin by saying how thrilled I am that 20th Century Fox has joined the bandwagon by releasing many of their old classics in a new MOD series. They had stopped releasing all of their golden gems on DVD, which was disappointing to me, since their library is one of the best from the Goldne Age of Hollywood. I've purchased a number of these films in the MOD format, and I was looking forward to "Lancer Spy," which I hadn't seen in over 45 years (when I was in my early teens). It's a complicated espionage thriller in which George Sanders made his Hollywood debut, and he's excellent in a dual role. Now, here comes my complaint. I don't know the movie by frame-by-frame, because it's been so long since my last viewing, but while watching it, I found the plot rather disjointed, and some scenes were jumping to the next scenes with no transitions whatsover. The running time of this MOD release is just about 75 minutes, so I decided to do a little research. First, I checked my very worn...

In the dark
I've waited years to see this movie, and I'm not sure I have seen all of it yet - between the obvious breaks/cuts and a transfer so dark I couldn't even read the titles. Enjoyed what I could see, but it's such a shame MGM are charging top dollar for such poor quality.

Good WW I espionage thriller
George Sanders plays a British spy in WW I who resembles in appearance a German officer; when the officer is captured, Sanders doubles for him and returns to Berlin to get information on an invasion plan. But Peter Lorre as a German major becomes suspicious of Sanders and assigns spy Delores Del Rio ("cleverly" named Dolores Daria) to learn what he's up to. She and Sanders fall in love and she helps him get the secret plans. She's caught and killed, but Sanders escapes to Switzerland with the plans to Britain's advantage. Sanders, who had played only bit parts up to this point, became a star with this picture, and he is superb. The espionage story moves along dramatically, and the climax is exciting and compelling. To show that Sanders was not just a heartless patriot, at the end we see that he returned to Berlin every year after the war to pay his respects at Del Rio's grave. Well done all around.

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Post-Mortem

Santiago 1973, a Military Coup and Dysfunctional Love!
This is a Chilean film which uses the military coup of 1973 as a backdrop for a story about two people who were really not meant for each other. I couldn't work out if the relationship was a polemic device for what actually occurred during that time of violence or just a good story, on reflection I was probably getting too deep and `arty'.

Our hero Mario is a morgue assistant who writes down and types up the autopsy reports. He is single and lives opposite a cabaret Dancer, who has been laid off to get some stew inside her as she is seriously anorexic. Mario quite likes a bit of `thin' and so goes about wooing her. This involves fried egg rice, impromptu crying jags and bribery - not exactly Romeo and Juliet.

She does seem to have a number of gentleman admirers and whilst that may go with the territory of being a dancer, I don't think Mario quite likes it. Then the crackdown by the military kicks off and things start to go from messy to not very nice at all...

Post Mortem
There are several ways to present important episodes of history in film. Very few directors do it in a direct way, presenting the facts and characters as they are or were, while others do it as a so-called "historic-novel," meaning that fictional characters are created with a real-life story as background. The second type is the most used in Hollywood, as they have to create a love story in order that they can present a real life event as the major story. The brilliant "Post Mortem" perhaps belongs to this second group, as it mixes a love story, described by some as funny or maybe dark humor, with one of the most dramatic and sad events in South American history. The result is electrifying and unforgettable.

The main character of the story is Mario (Alfredo Castro), a lonely, sad fellow who works as a transcriber at the forensic institute in Santiago, Chile, where autopsies are performed. He is truly a reserved and lonely man with no apparent opinions or ambitions. While...

4.5 stars... another great movie from director Pablo Larrain
I was recently browsing the foreign movie section of my local library and stumbled upon this. When I noticed that this movie is directed by Pablo Larrain (more on that later), I immediately decided to pick this up. So glad I did.

"Post Mortem" (2010 release from Chile; 98 min.) brings the story of Mario, just a regular guy who transcribes the notes of the pathologist's commentary during post mortems. Mario has a crush of sorts on his neighnor across the street, a young woman named Nancy, a dancer living at home with her dad and brother, both part of a larger group of leftist protesters. Then one day the unthinkable happens: there is a military coup, and Nancy's brother and dad disappear, while Mario is overwhelmed at the hospital with the never-ending arrival of dead bodies. To tell you more of the plot would surely ruin your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Several comments: when I picked up the DVD, I intentionally...

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Three Blind Mice

Enjoyable Romantic Comedy
Loretta Young and David Niven do not have chemistry - which leads me to wonder why they are so frequently paired - but this works for them in this film. The movie is funny and probably tapped into the poverty of the time better than today, but while dated in its theme, the final conclusions are not. Enjoy. (Joel McCrea fans will not be disappointed either)

ROMANCE IN 1930'S CALIFORNIA
Movie & sound copy is typical for the era, very acceptable. Light hearted romantic comedy. Great California settings around Santa Barbara



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Klown (+ Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]

"ONE OF THE FUNNIEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR!"
There are several funny movies made in 2012. From a handful I have watched, this one is on Top for laugh-out-loud fun and entertainment throughout. Frank Hvam, a comedian, plays the role of a guy who wants to prove that he could be a good father to his pregnant girlfriend. In order to prove his fatherhood challenge, he decides to kidnap a child to impress his girlfriend that he has good fatherhood potential. Trying not to give away too many Spoilers here. The two of them venture out through the Danish countryside, not conforming to the standards of society. Their friendship is not the normal, and the young boy has a mind of his own with weird sexual encounters. They run around as if they own the world, and trouble is waiting. Some raunchy moments, but many very funny moments. A Good comedy, Acting Performance Superb, and a Great summer movie to get a few laughs. Highly Recommended!

Danish Humor. No, really. Danish. Humor.
Turns out Larry David is not socially inept, he's Danish. There is an uncanny resemblance between Frank Hvam and Larry and if you enjoyed Curb Your Enthusiasm, you'll like this movie.

The big surprise is that it's from Denmark. Now don't get me wrong. I have nothing but admiration for the Danes. In fact all Scandinavians rank high with me. Just look how well they run their own countries. We should look to them for guidance. Even the food isn't bad, except for the lutefisk. It's just that, until now, I was under the impression that Scandinavians lacked the humor gene. This was not an idle assumption; it was based on the jokes I was told by people from that part of the world. First, a Danish Joke: "We call hamburgers 'russian elevator operators' in denmark. Because they are minced meat as you will be if you let one operate an elevator. Hahahahahahaha." No, I'm not kidding. And the teller was an adult. Really.

Okay, get ready for the second joke. It was told to...

Effin funniest movie I've seen in a long time
I saw this at a film fest that was packed about 50-50 with women and men. The women laughed uproariously.

The milieu of the film is extremely sexist. Prudes need to remember that Klown presents a comic view in which the moral order provides basic justice for the most sexist characters. The main character is a lovable dork, who is basically a good guy and loving partner. The dvd includes a very funny episode from the tv show and is directed by Lars Von Trier. That might re-enforce the belief that Klown is mysogynistic but in reality Mr. Von Trier's episode is extremely funny.

Very Larry Davidesque.

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Pink Ribbons, Inc.

The Business Of Breast Cancer: A Hard-Hitting Documentary Challenges The Status Quo
With an aunt currently enduring Stage Four treatment, I am especially attuned to checking out films/programs related to the topic of cancer. And in the world of cancer, specifically breast cancer, there is no campaign or subject more omnipresent and all-encompassing than the pink ribbon movement. Symbolizing community and survival and hope, various organizations utilize the pink ribbons (and peripheral merchandise) to stage events in the eternal pursuit of fundraising. But where has all that money gone? And is it really as altruistic as we might hope? The new documentary "Pink Ribbons, Inc." poses those questions and many more, and it is an essential look at corporate hypocrisy and skewed priorities. It is filled with many examples (I won't list anyone here specifically) that really seem to defy any logic other than greed.

The movie hits hard and is quite aggressive. Its primary target is big business and pharmaceuticals that use breast cancer as a means of commerce...

shocking story/expose!
I recently watched this Dvd, and highly recommend it to all women. It is a very powerful video and a serious eye opener. Although it could use a bit of editing in some parts, overall it is an outstanding dvd. There are some very very intelligent professional women in the breast cancer field who speak in this dvd, and what they have to say is deeply disturbing, even shocking. We are being seriously dumbed down and the breast cancer cure/cause has been hugely commercialized, even hijacked. Not to mention companies involved in the pink ribbon campaign at the same time producing products that cause breast cancer. Less than 5% of the massive funds collected are spent on prevention, there is no accountability or even organization as to where all these funds go or how they are used ( duplication of studies, repetition etc etc) . In 1940 1 in 22 women could expect to get breast cancer , now it is 1 in 8 women, given all the money that has been thrown at run for the cure etc, there is...

Review of Pink Ribbons, Inc. documentary film
This is an amazing and detailed documentary and expose on how "Pink Ribbon" fundraising money is allocated in the fight against breast cancer. I would highly recommend it !

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Treasure of the Golden Condor

Entertaining adventure film in Technicolor
I remembered having watched this movies when I was a kid,
not all of it, just some parts, especially the scenes filmed
in Guatemala, which are beautiful. It didn't disappoint me,
although it's not Delmer Daves best movie. Cornel Wilde was
solid and it was fun to watch a very young Anne Bancroft playing
a villain (which I didn't recall). Acceptable video quality.

SOLID ADVENTURE
This remake of Son of Fury is a terrific adventure. The cast is good (although Anne Bancroft is no match for the original's Frances Farmer) and the color is vivid. Well worth seeing. It's also perfect for youngsters.

Worth watching more than once.
This enjoyable remake of an earlier Tyrone Power movie based on an Edison Marshall novel is worth watching more than once.

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The Last Pullman Car

Fascinating and moving
Star rating: 4/5

This past Labor Day, I caught an airing of this fine documentary on WTTW. Throughout the film's 56 minutes, the viewer is invited to struggle and protest along with the union workers who face pressing threat of unemployment. The setting is Chicago in the early '80s, and the Pullman Company has decided to discontinue the manufacturing of bi-level sleeping cars. However, the dutiful employees are not given much in terms of advance notice or compensation, which is especially distressing considering that the U.S. railroad industry was once so ripe with opportunities.

The Last Pullman Car is presented in a simple yet classic documentary style, featuring a narrated history of the railroad industry and a number of on-site interviews with America's ordinary working men and women. We don't learn a lot about the workers but their situations are evidently quite serious, as one man notes that the frustration inspired by sudden unemployment is what causes...





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Job Strategies for the 21st Century: Assisting College Students With Employment

An Extremely Informational Series
This DVD series is an excellent accompaniment to the book that precedes it. I read the book and was so thrilled with the new information that I had to watch the DVD. I personally enjoyed the parts about remembering that you are your own brand. I never realized that I should be protecting my brand online because employers might be looking. The information is imperative.

Whether you are a student, currently employed, or a prospective employer, I recommend taking some time to review this material. Dr. Green really understands the way companies work and what they are looking for.

Good Ideas for finding work
I had a good friend out of work, even though he had just graduated with his degree. It seemed like he was getting bogged down in the job finding process. I bought this DVD for him. It is from a long time lecturer on the subject, not just some writer throwing a few things together to make a book. It is a half hour of ideas and solutions to the problem of finding a job in today's market. I am happy to report my friend found a job and everything is going fine.

Useful techniques
In today's economy, finding a job is something almost all of will have to do. This DVD, or the information on it can help us, or help us to help those we love, like our children or friends. Using the strategies found here, the job finder can better his/her situation. Dr Green is a noted lecturer on the topic, and gives ideas that are current with today's situation. I bought this for my older son and he found it very useful.

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Germany Awake (Nazi Cinema) DVD

a propaganda masterpiece
Duestchland Erwache, is not as presented .In this, the english language edition there is some massaging, and a slant toward showing the evil of the Nazis'. Of course this was done during the war years and is a legitimate strategy to extra-villify the enemy. In retrospect it would be better to have the original as made with english sub-titling for a true historical perspective. Hence the 4 star rating of this version. As to content I have nothing to say it is what it is.Production value is okay. The rendering as with all IHF products is superb.

Great survey of important German films never show
This is a great preview of very important German films never before made available to the American public. Finally I was able to watich a brief introduction to the films Dr. gobbels was made so notorous for making. By today's standards these films are very tame and should be allowed to be show in their entirety in America. Americans of German ancestry in particular need to see them.



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Inside the Freemasons: The Grand Lodge Uncovered

Good info
The Freemasons are a fascinating subject to me. The mystery surrounding the Freemasons just seems so suspicious. What do they have to hide? This DVD is very interesting because it shows you the Grand Lodge in England, and gives plenty of information, much of it given freely by the Freemasons themselves.





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The Road Home (Personal Version)

The Road Home
I am also a Third Culture Kid, and was eagerly looking forward to seeing this film. It is visually delicious, and will hit home if you grew up wandering the globe like we did. I wrote a review of it on my blog, "Recovering Third Culture Kid." [...]

A Gift to the World!
Watching the trailer for The Road Home online set me on an urgent, international mission to get the DVD, so I was thrilled to be notified that they had been re-stocked at Amazon.com. The Road Home is, above all, cinematic storytelling at its very best. The narrative is woven through with aching questions of meaning, identity and culture, but Mr. Gandotra has masterfully tucked in the seams and smoothed out the wrinkles in a way that only the greatest storytellers can do. While the story itself will immediately draw in all viewers from its stunning opening scene, it also offers deep, powerful waves of resonance and meaning for those of us who live, love and learn in multiple cultures, nations and races, those of us who may be ascribed identities by the world that are very different from who we are on the inside. The Road Home feels like a beautiful love letter to all of us, and to the whole world!...

A clear presentation of the Third Culture Kid challenge
The writer/director has given us a film that echoes his own experiences as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) in a boarding school in India. Pico is British and has come from England to study in Woodstock School in the foothills of the Himalayas. His self-identity is British, but his family at some point must have come from South Asia, so Pico's hair and skin signal "Indian" to those he meets in India. Tired of the pressure to be someone he is not, Pico decides to run away from the school. But then.... Ah, I can't reveal more.
Wherever you live there are people like Pico around you because of the world-wide diaspora of peoples. Those of the second generation and beyond are the ones most likely to be mistaken for new immigrants when they are actually as much American or Canadian or British or French or whatever as are those traditionally recognized as such. "The Road Home" is an excellent film to help us empathize with those of mixed heritage.

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Death In Hollywood

R.I.P. Vic Morrow
Wow, still creepy!! I first saw "Death In Hollywood" when it came out in the early 90's with my Dad and all I can say is that the stories and images have stuck with me for a long time. A lot of stars from the old days might not be of interest to the "Power Rangers" generation but this thing is worth the price of admission just for the Vic Morrow footage alone. E's True Hollywood Story about "The Twilight Zone Movie" incident didn't show you the actual footage of the actors demise but this early 90's documentary does, from multiple angles at that. The George Reeves story doesn't run in his favor but this video is old. Splashing into star after star like a Mansion pool party you'll be sucked in wanting more. A mild Faces Of Death have you. I haven't seen "When The Applause Died" but buy it for Death In Hollywood.

Death in Hollywood
The film needed to be more interesting,and improvement was needed in editing and selection of film clips.I expected more from this film.

... And They're Off!
This Daily Double of B (or less) movies/documentaries are stills and movie clips collaged in 1990 by Golden West Films and narrated by some guy (Paul Durris) who, one speculates, is Evelyn Wood's (The Evelyn Wood Seven-Day Speed Reading and Learning Program) ADHD brother. Claiming to "exhume and examine," commentating at a Race Track announcer-like clip, Durris dishes deaths of Hollywood famous and infamous, rarely pausing long enough to smell the roses in the funeral parlor or offer new insights.

There *is* included what turned out to be an ironic public service announcement done by James Dean during a break in the filming of Giant (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Digipack) in which he admonishes teen fans to Drive Safely, and background info to make sense of the death of Thomas Harper Ince aboard Wm Randolph Hearst's (root of...

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2012 Tour De France 13 Hour Collectors Edition

Great coverage lots of hours of inspirational viewing
Riding the rollers in winter is boring..... I used to watch old movies until a decade ago when multi-hour DVDs of bike races came out. It is much more interesting to ride the rollers watching Bradley Wiggins and others as they race. When they sprint, I sprint, but somehow, I'm always caught at the line.

Glad I got this!
So much fun to have this material on hand either to watch while on the trainer, or to keep me pumped up for the rides that I will be doing.



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Void

Compelling horror/drama!
Great performances and an intriguing premise -- just as spooky as any classic X-Files episode, which is the highest praise I can offer up.

Great Short
I highly recommend this short. It had a great style to it and the suspense was perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed the acting, directing and filmmaking of this film. If you are into genre short films and like edgy stylistic pieces, this is the perfect fit for you.

Modern Twilight Zone
This short has all the best aspects of a Twilight Zone... well drawn characters, an intriguing premise, and a reveal that'll keep you thinking long after the credits have rolled.

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Mayan Renaissance (Institutional Use)

A beautiful, Strong Documentary
This documentary really blew me away! With all the 2012 nonsense going on right now, I admittedly was not the most thrilled to watch this movie. But as I began to watch, I saw an untold story of the past, present, and future of the Mayan people. I grew up in Central America and learned so much watching this film.

I actually loved this movie so much I shared it with my church. We do mission trips to Guatemala every summer. We screened it at our church and had all of the young people that have gone or are interested in going to Guatemala watched it. Those that had never been were more impassioned to go than ever before, and those who had already been kept saying how much they learned and how this movie challenged some of the beliefs that they had held about Mayan culture.

A really great documentary and I can't wait to see the other ones that the PeaceJam foundation will be putting out over the years! You've got a fan in me!

Thought provoking
Very thought provoking film. I must say that I found the 'newsreel' section very informative as well. The historical and political views were particulary interesting.

The Real Story
Excellent film, check it out! Makes me want to learn more about the Mayan culture. Enjoyable and informative, well directed!

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100 Yards & In Wins! Putting Principles

Putting Perfection DVD...WELL DONE!
"The PUTTING PERFECTION DVD is terrific! Maria and Jay took a most important area for improved golf and broke it down into a great progression: set-up, aim, path, centered contact, and speed/distance control. They do all of this while still emphasizing the important student-centered, individual, and non-method style of teaching this important skill. Well done...this will be an effective learning and training tool for golfers of all levels. Nice job by two great pros!"

Deb Vangellow
LPGA Master Professional
2012 LPGA National Teacher Of The Year
Sweetwater Country Club
Houston, Texas

"100 Yards and in Wins" Is a WINNER!
Maria Palozola - a Top 50 Golf Instructor - and Jay Delsing - a PGA Tour Veteran - have created an excellent focused Putting Instruction DVD. It has two main sections: one on Basics - 5 Areas for Putting Improvement, and a Bonus Section where Jay provides additional insights on Putting Improvement. The Basics section is about 35 minutes long, so golfers can easily review this information from time to time to remind themselves of the key improvement areas. There is information in this DVD that will help golfers of all levels to improve their putting and make more putts. The information presented is easy to understand and absorb. A winner!



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Carol Burnett: Carol's Favorites Limited Edition (7 DVD Collection)

Great Episodes, but just re-issues of the old DVD sets.
***** = the episodes
*** = the DVDs
Don't get me wrong, these are GREAT EPISODES, but for those of us who bought the 31 disc set from Columbia House 10 years ago in 2002, we have them all.
It is disappointing that Carol Burnette & Time Life sprinkled some 10 new episodes in another 22-disc mega-set (NOT THIS 6 DVD SET) forcing us to re-buy most of what we already have, just to get 10 new episodes. And I repeat, those 10 new episodes are NOT on this shorter 7 DVD set (which includes the 6 DVD set listed elsewhere)! You have to get the 22 Disc set. I would quickly buy this set if it had the 10 new episodes.

To top off the insult, if you buy the new 22-disc set to get the 10 new episodes not previously available, you still have to look for the old 31 disc set from 2002 because 22 episodes from that set have been left off of the new 22-disc set.

If I sound cranky it is because I do not want to buy 15 discs of shows that I already have just to get 4...

Briefly...
This is ONE disc bigger than the The Carol Burnett Show: Carol's Favorites (Collectors Edition) [$38 at THIS writing].
Put THIS ONE in your shopping basket and wait till it is closer to the above's price. -- I got MINE for $44. --

Carol's show, which, coincidentally, matches up with the network it was on:
Carol......Burnett.....Show :
Columbia Broadcast System
C...........B............S.....
****************************************************************************************
Briefly, as promised, here's WHO you'll see:
Roddy McDowell.......................................................Disc 1&2......................................#1007 and #722
Dinah Shore............................................................Disc 1 [50 WAYS TO LEAVE A LOVER]#1002
Steve Martin...........................................................Disc...

This Time Together... AGAIN!
This has been one of the best video purchases I made in the past year. Sometimes when we see an old program for the first time in years, we think that it didn't seem quite as good as we remembered. With "The Carol Burnett Show" and this 7-DVD set, the episodes seem even better than I remembered!

What a privilege it has been to laugh along with so many of the funny moments this set has to offer. I hope to see "Went With the Wind" and the first skit done by "The Family" many times in the future. The guest stars are wonderful, and it is a terrific opportunity to watch extremely funny programs without the distraction of foul language. Great humor really can be clean, and I'm glad that I'll be able to spend more time with Carol and company.

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