Amazon.com

More than a few critics hailed Spider-Man 2 as "the best superhero movie ever," and there's no compelling reason to argue--thanks to a bigger budget, better special effects, and a dynamic, character-driven plot, it's a notch above Spider-Man in terms of emotional depth and rich comic-book sensibility. Ordinary People Oscar®-winner Alvin Sargent received screenplay credit, and celebrated author and comic-book expert Michael Chabon worked on the story, but it's director Sam Raimi's affinity for the material that brings Spidey 2 to vivid life. When a fusion experiment goes terribly wrong, a brilliant physicist (Alfred Molina) is turned into Spidey's newest nemesis, the deranged, mechanically tentacled "Doctor Octopus," obsessed with completing his experiment and killing Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) in the process. Even more compelling is Peter Parker's urgent dilemma: continue his burdensome, lonely life of crime-fighting as Spider-Man, or pursue love and happiness with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst)? Molina's outstanding as a tragic villain controlled by his own invention, and the action sequences are nothing less than breathtaking, but the real success of Spider-Man 2 is its sense of priorities. With all of Hollywood's biggest and best toys at his disposal, Raimi and his writers stay true to the Marvel mythology, honoring Spider-Man creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, and setting the bar impressively high for the challenge of Spider-Man 3. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (251)

Setting the Bar Even Higher
This couldn't possibly have been a better movie than it is. The original Spider-man was an astounding achievement in adapting a comic book super-hero to the screen in a way that could reach both fans and non-fans alike. Spider-man 2 continues that tradition.

Two years after the events of the first movie, Peter Parker is still saving the day as Spider-man, while at the same time shirking his other responsibilities and trying to maintain and ordinary life. As he tries harder and harder, he comes to realize that for Spider-man, there is no ordinary life. He's failing college classes, losing his job, and not keeping up with his friends and family.

Things get rougher when Harry Osborn's new ticket to progress has an accident. Professor Otto Octavius demonstrates the ability of his fusion device that will generate new, reusable power when something goes wrong. His additional limbs that were used to manipulate the fusion environment have been fused to his own spine.

While the ads focus heavily on Doc Oc, the real plot here is Peter Parker's dilemna. Doc Oc might have seemed like an after-thought had not the writers kept Harry closely involved with Peter, reminding him again and again how he wants to kill Spider-man for what he did to his father.

I don't blame the critics who dislike the movie. For most of it, Peter is in misery, as his life spirals down the toilet due to the conflicting sides of Spider-man and Peter Parker. There's humor dispersed evenly throughout to make the experience a little lighter. It's a hard movie to watch because of this, as Peter has to decide between what he wants and the responsibility he has, and even I was a little uncomfortable as his suffering continued.

But Sam Raimi's never been one to leave the audience without a pay-off, either. His love for the material continues to show as it did in the first movie, making Spider-man 2 even more visually dynamic and dramatically endearing than its predecessor. Bruce Campbell also makes a cameo, but people probably guessed that months before it was announced, and that was still months before the movie was released.

The musical score is as spectacular as before, and Danny Elfman wisely maintains the theme he composed for the first movie. Rather than simply supporting the movie or carrying it, the music works with it, something rarely accomplished in film.

I honestly can't think of something negative to say about this movie. I don't think I could have been more pleased. The goal set after Spider-man was a hit was to make the second one even better, and the film-makers succeeded. I can only wonder if they will be able to do the same for the third after such an excellent film as this.

"Isn't it about time someone saved your life?"
I knew it was going to be good, but I had no idea it was going to be THIS good. "Spider-Man 2" is everything a sequel of it's caliber should add up too: better special effects, breath-taking action sequences and a deeper story-line. "Spider-Man 2" succeeds at respecting and building off of the story established in the first movie. Two years later, and Peter Parker is struggling to keep his head above water. His obligations to his alter-ego, Spider-Man, keep him from holding a steady job, making ends meet, keeping in touch with family and friends, and most importantly: being with the love of his life, Mary Jane Watson. As Peter starts to doubt himself, his abilities start waning away, and he finds himself conflicted and forced to make the choice of saving the world, or living a happy life. To make matters worse, a new super-villian is on a the loose by the name of Dr. Octopus, a respected scientist controlled by his own invention. The stakes in this movie are raised really high and the result is a more powerful and gripping film than the first one. So, yes, "Spider-Man 2" is better than the original, which is quite an accomplishment considering the standards it set. Sam Raimi's vision and passion for the material oozes through with each scene. Raimi is easily the most underrated director of the moment. Each scene is played to perfection, and all of the actors have grown into their characters a bit more, especially Rosemary Harris (Aunt May) and James Franco (Harry), both of whom give much more dimension to seemingly peripherral characters. Tobey Maguire shines through in this one, with an improved performance (looking and acting less and less like Keanu Reeves kid-brother) and Kirsten Dunst is fantastic as always. Considering this is a monstrous Hollywood block-buster of the grandest sorts and will no doubt break records throughout the summer, "Spider-Man 2" is intelligent and fun at the same time. Everyone who has interest in it will walk away happy, fully satisfied -- and most importantly -- salivating for what the inevitable "Spider-Man 3" will bring us.

a 13-year-old review
I love this movie i will buy it and i hope you buy it too Tobey Maguire Returns in this awsome action movie. All the same stars return with a new star who is Alfred Molina a great person to do the part in this movie a great action movie that all generations most likely will love i saw it in theaters 2 times and a third time tommarrow so i again this is a great movie just like the first one even better. I think this is an awsome experiance for you i recomened it to anyone!

Spider-Man 2 Pretty Cool Sequel despite it's flaws
Tobey McGuire returns in this special effects loaded sequel however, I unlike some fans was disappointed with this sequel.

Toby McGuire once again stars as Peter Parker/Spiderman, now confronting a new enemy Dr. Octopus (Alfred Molina).

The special effects were awesome, no doubt about that, however unlike the first one, the second half is pure nonsense and I was left unsatisfied.

Alfred Molina as Dr. Octopus is tremendous, just like Willem Dafoe's characters as "Green Goblin" we see his rise to power.

(Spoilers) Yet Raimi's dumb writers in the second half of the film have him playing as a patsy.

Spiderman clashes with Dr. Octopus several times and actually the fights are fair, however Dr. Octopus eventually gets Mary Jane (Dunst, who really doesn't do much as far as acting) and uses that to his advantage while creating a new weapon.

Tobey as Spiderman again like the first film is not a strong presence, yet I know some nerds are trying to hype him up to be like Christopher Reeve but please give me a break. He will never have the same charisma as him.

Alfred Molina is great as Dr. Octopus, but the story seems to go nowhere and we get the same crap from the same movie, like Parker, still being the nerd recluse who is unable to go after what he wants, though this is hilarious in retrospect, but then becomes tiring.

The special effects and action are what saves "Spiderman2" from being a disappointment as far acting and plot go, and that wasn't a surprise was it.

Still though I was left wanting more, and the cheap ending and the way Dr. Octopus out of the thin blue sky has a change of hear for not killing "Spiderman" was pathetic though, that wouldn't have happened really, still I know there will be many nerds seeing the movie 10 times and saying it was the greatest movie ever, but they aint kidding anybody.

"Spiderman 2" is what it is a great special effects bonanza with some great action scenes, but not great character development and predictable plot lines.

Caught in a web of indecision...
It's really hard to say that I did or didn't like this movie; I mean, on the one hand, it surpasses the original in effects, storyline, character development, everything. But as they say, too much of a good thing is bad, and that's part of my feeling about this film.

The story, unlike the original, instead focuses on the negatives of being Spider-Man; Peter Parker is struggling to balance a life of his own, but Spidey always gets in the way. He even forgets his own birthday! And it also shows the effects it has on his family and friends, especially Mary Jane. And to top it all off, Doctor Otto Octavius, a brilliant scientist, is turned into Doctor Octopus, complete with four mechanical arms attached to his body, thanks to a failed fusion experiment.

The battles between Spidey and his foe were terrific, unsurpassed by most action films to date. But I found myself wanting more of these scenes...in the end, you really sympathize with Peter, but I just wish we could've seen our favorite webslinger in action more. But at least the ending was good (left WIDE open for Spider-Man 3.) ... Read more

Amazon.com

After building up the duo's popularity through popular recordings and several performances on Saturday Night Live, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd--as "legendary" Chicago blues brothers Jake and Elwood Blues--took their act to the big screen in this action-packed hit from 1980. As Jake and Elwood struggle to reunite their old band and save the Chicago orphanage where they were raised, they wreak enough good-natured havoc to attract the entire Cook County police force. The result is a big-budget stunt-fest on a scale rarely attempted before or since, including extended car chases that result in the wanton destruction of shopping malls and more police cars than you can count. Along the way there's plenty of music to punctuate the action, including performances by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, and James Brown that are guaranteed to knock you out. As played with deadpan wit by Belushi and Aykroyd, the Blues Brothers are "on a mission from God," and that gives them a kind of reckless glee that keeps the movie from losing its comedic appeal. Otherwise this might have been just a bloated marathon of mayhem that quickly wears out its welcome (which is how some critics described this film and its 1998 sequel). Keep an eye out for Steven Spielberg as the city clerk who stamps some crucial paperwork near the end of the film. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (141)

Helloooo Boys!......
This review refers to the Universal Widescreen(Digitally THX Mastered) VHS edition of "The Blues Brothers".....

Saturday Night Live Alum together with a Who's Who list of the greatest Rhythm and Blues artists ever assembled in one film, make for one very entertaining, funny, action packed musical.The hard part of this review is keeping myself from revealing every funny line, and all the classic scenes that came from this film(and also all the great cameo performances you'll spot throughout the story).For those too young to remember this classic comedy, or if you haven't seen it for a while let me just refresh your memory(just a little).....

Jake "Joliet" Blues(the late great John Belushi)has just been released from prison. Brother Elwood Blues(Dan Aykroyd) picks him up and they're off to fullfill a promise to visit "The Penguin". Sister Mary Stigmata(Kathleen Freeman), the head nun at the Catholic Orphanage where they grew up informs them that the Orphanage will have to close down unless she can come up with the Five Thousand Dollars neccessary to pay the property taxes.No problem for "The Blues Brothers", they'll have the money she needs by tommorrow. But NO! NO! NO!, she does not want their filthy bank robbery money, and they are not to return until they can "redeem themselves"!

While on a visit to church, where you'll find James Brown as The Reverend Cleophus James leading the congregation in song, Jake literally "sees the light!".They'll just put "The Blues Band" back together for one big night and raise the money for "The Penguin" and the Orphanage. Getting the band back together is easier said than done though.Along the way, we are treated to some musical performances by these great names..Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and even Chaka Khan. The hysterical action also heats up as they make enemies all along the way. They are being chased by the cops,the Nazis(led by one very funny Henry Gibson), and a very angry ex-girlfriend(Carrie Fisher) who has a thing for Flame Throwers. They leave a path a destruction in their wake that is unsurpassed in chase scenes.

It's a riotous romp, directed by John Landis(Animal House/Trading Places), that will leave you wanting more..and luckily...there's a sequel! "Blues Brothers 2000", which has the terrific addition of John Goodman to the cast.This VHS tape is terrific. Not only does it have a great picture in the original widescreen image(1.85:1), but the sound is digitally mastered, and is excellent in the stereo surround. There are even a couple of bonus features on this edition. There is the "Making Of" the sequel, talking with all the stars about coming back to do it again, and after the credits, you'll find the "making of" for the original, which clues you in on lots of little trivia details.

If you're looking for something really funny, something with a great music, a great script, and one that will be a terrific addition to your classic comedy collection, look no further, you've found it! And don't forget to look for all the great cameos along the way..(I think I restrained myself pretty well from giving them away... don't you?)
Have a great time with this one and maybe you too will "see the light".......Laurie

...it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses
This DVD is the Director's Cut of the film. That means 17 minutes of extra footage is included making the film a good 17 minutes too long. The added material just makes the pacing falter and so, ironically, the VHS release displays a better film. But, with that gripe out of the way, this is one fun film.

Jake and Elwood Blues are the creation of Saturday Night Live veterans Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi. They took the first step to the big screen amongst the countless other Saturday Night Live and SCTV characters (The CONEHEADS, WAYNE'S WORLD, ONE NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY, SUPERSTAR, THE LADIES MAN, STUART SAVES HIS FAMILY and STRANGE BREW amongst them.) And THE BLUES BROTHERS is the film to compare all of these too. That is bad news for them because this is an entertaining musical comedy. Filmed with the gritty look of a drama, the musical is indeed a surprise but with Jake and Elwood as 'musicians', what else can you expect.

The storyline follows the brothers as they try to raise money to save an orphanage. This means putting the band back together. As they piece it all back together, they encounter more colorful characters looking to block their success. John Candy, Charles Napier and Carrie Fisher take their hunt seriously. They also encounter assistance by Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway and Frank Oz amongst them. There are even small appearances by Paul "Pee Wee Herman" Reubens as a waiter and Steven Spielberg as a clerk in the finale. Now, this is Aykroyd and Belushi's film as they nonchalantly ignore life-changing catastrophes. Director John Landis brings these huge occurrences to the screen like a master. You can just feel the fun put into this production.

The greatest charm in the film is the musical numbers. Wherever the boys go, people just seem to break out into infectious song. You'll find yourself tapping along. With the exception of the 'restored' material, this is a nice DVD with a good video transfer and audio transfer that'll put your receiver to the test. Also a recent making-of documentary is included. If you get a chance to join Jake and Elwood, I recommend it.
They're on a mission from God.

I feel good and you will too!
Here is one of the few movies in my lifetime that qualifies as a "feel good" flick, one where I left so fulfilled I actually missed the characters, story and fun when the movie is over, wanting it all back again. Fortunately, through the miracle of tape and DVD, you and I can both do that!

This production was the linchpin event for the Saturday Night Live characters that wore black suits and sunglasses before the equally fashion-challenged "Men In Black" showed up. Along with "Animal House", this flick reminds me what a great comedy career John Belushi would have had in cinema had he lived more safely (as long as he stayed away from bombs like "1941").

Back to the film...this is loaded with great music, music from many 20th Century ages, music that makes you want to hum, tap your toe, dance, delight, smile, kiss your girlfriend and say hello to God. The plot -- something about getting money for an orphanage -- is superfluous but the movie has memorable scenes and characterizations equal to the equally uninhibited "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World" from 1963.

A hyperactive musical street scene coming out of a music store -- led by the late Ray Charles doing a great blues tune -- is a typical venue in this film. Another time, Aretha Franklin takes a break from her waitress job to sing threateningly to Jake and Elmore. Still another time, Cab Calloway entertains kids so the brothers can get their cash to Chicago. In another scene, the Blues Brothers band does it up good in a honky tonk but drinks too much beer and ends up in a police-car-RV chase with some good old boys known as...the Good Old Boys!

This movie destroyed about 200 cars in and around Chicago and has one of the funniest car crash scenes and accompanying lines in American film history. The line is: "We're in a truck!" Watch the movie to get the joy from it. You'll laugh out loud and enjoy it almost as much as those Nazis driving off the end of the incomplete freeway overpass in Chicago!

If you want to experience mayhem disguised as two hours of uninhibited escapism filled with great fun, a thousand car chases and car crashes, lowlifes, ex-convicts and rednecks, and some of the best choreographed music sequences ever, buy, rent or borrow this DVD today and get set to ENJOY YOURSELF!

Unique and historical achievement
Unique, wonderful, hilarious.

"The Blues Brothers" holds up even better than one might have hoped. And that's a beautiful thing for one of the most unique movies ever made. Conceived, as Belushi once put it, as a show case for African-American music, the movie is exactly that and so much more.

I was moved to watch the "Shake Your Tail Feather" scene due to Ray Charles' recent death. The performance is so wonderful, so full of life; we have lost a true national treasure. But his amazing performance for the movie will live on forever. The soundtrack's 5.1 remix (including the reintegration of old footage cut from a preview at the Picwood Theater in LA. According to Landis, in the DVD's liner notes, the movie distributors complained no white people would see the movie!) is simply amazing. Even on my bargain set, it is crisp, pure and clean and is probably my candidate for best sound DVD ever. Landis again demonstrates his technical mastery, understanding of technology and choice of brilliant helpmates.

As the same Landis once put it, "Where else can a white kid see Cab Calloway, John Lee Hooker and James Brown in the same two hours?" He left out Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin as well as studio legends Steve "The Colonel" Cropper (who almost single-handed reintroduced cocaine to Hollywood, the number of people who began their addictions under his tutelage is frightening but no names here; you'll have to look it up yourself); and bass legend "Duck" Dunn, one of the greatest bassists of all times (sorry, Duck, my man, even you have to bow, with every other bassist, to Geddy Lee). Normally invisible, we get to see and here the Blues Brothers' amazing band. These studio legends get there fifteen minutes, often to hilarious effect. Willie "Too-Bit" Hall, the drummer even shows really comic talent, as does Dunn and "Mr. Fabulous," the horn man.

The movie also preserves the now destroyed Maxwell Street, one of the great centers of African-American music and R&B and one of the seedbeds of rock n roll. This is the only place anyone can see Maxwell Street in its prime. In a sense the movie is also a historical document, preserving those people and places who have left us.

The plot is almost irrelevant, beside the almost hysterical comedy and stunning musical performances (Calloway and Franklin never did BETTER jobs on their two signature classics), but there is a story there. The cameos are hilarious as well, from Carrie Fischer (who has said she quit coke because Belushi, on set, one day pointed at her and said, "You're becoming just like me." On that note, Robin Williams also says his visit to Belushi on his ultimate night helped him give up the Life that took his friend) and the Keystone Nazis the Boys have to avoid in their quest to save their childhood home, a dilapidate orphanage on Chicago's South side. The "Flight of the Pinto" scene is not to be missed. And be sure to listen for the tell-tale mating call of a most un-endangered species, "hut-hut-hut."
A movie for the ages. It also highlights the bitter tragedy of Belushi's self-destruction. One can only imagine what a sobered and cleaned-up Belushi could do when he did this movie whilst doing 4 grams of coke a day, dropping acid, downers, booze, marijuana (all of this is in Boobward's sensationalist "biography" of Belushi called "Wired"). Unlike other famous drug addicts and alcoholic (Monroe, Presley, Dean) Belushi's fortunately has been taken as a warning sign of Hollywood excess and hasn't lead to his apotheosis.

Despite his tragic end, the movie is one of the few that, no matter my troubles I can put this movie in the DVD player and know I will be smiling in mere minutes. As I smile now, writing this.

Every American teenager should see this simply for the musical numbers alone. The word classic is misused as often as the word "hero" these days, but it's not misused here. What could have been the umpteenth bad iteration of "Animal House" instead attained the temporary immortality of the true classic. Belushi's been gone for more than twenty years now, but the brilliant John, the hilarious John, the gifted performer John Belushi will live on forever.

And, wherever you are John that has to make you smile.

One-of-a-Kind Musical
The musical was so out of favor by 1980 that had Universal advertised "Blues Brothers" for what it was it would have done even more poorly at the box-office than it did. But time has righted that wrong and Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi's wacky star turn has taken it's place beside the other great examples of this unique American film art. It's too long, the colossal car chase near the end is a bore, and it's based on the mistaken notion that church property in America is taxed (something Canadian Ackroyd, the main scriptwriter, apparently assumed and nobody else caught). But there are so many other wonderful moments of singing and dancing and left-field comedy that everything else is forgiven and then some. Directed by the erratic John Landis, who's main signature as a director is some of the best photography in the history of the American movies. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This two-cassette set of Titanic has been formatted to fit your TV; the film itself is larger than life. When the theatrical release of James Cameron's Titanic was delayed from July to December of 1997, media pundits speculated that Cameron's $200-million disaster epic would cause the director's downfall, signal the end of the blockbuster era, and sink Paramount Pictures as quickly as the ill-fated luxury liner had sunk on that fateful night of April 14, 1912. Titanic would surpass the $1-billion mark in global box-office receipts, win 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Director, launch the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time, and make a global superstar of Leonardo DiCaprio. A bona fide pop-cultural phenomenon, the film has all the ingredients of a blockbuster (romance, passion, luxury, grand scale, a snidely villain, and an epic, life-threatening crisis), but Cameron's alchemy of these ingredients proved more popular than anyone could have predicted. His stroke of genius was to combine absolute authenticity with a pair of fictional lovers whose tragic fate would draw viewers into the heart-wrenching reality of the Titanic disaster. As starving artist Jack Dawson and soon-to-be-married socialite Rose DeWitt Bukater, DiCaprio and Kate Winslet won the hearts of viewers around the world, and their brief, but never forgotten, love affair provides the humanity that Cameron needed to turn Titanic into a moving emotional experience. Although some of the computer-generated visual effects look artificial, others--such as the climactic splitting of the ship's sinking hull--are state-of-the-art marvels of cinematic ingenuity. It's an event film and a monument to Cameron's risk-taking audacity, blending the tragic irony of the Titanic disaster with just enough narrative invention to give the historical event its fullest and most timeless dramatic impact. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (1707)

Titanic Triumphs Over Sinking Feeling
James Cameron's 1997 Titanic is, of course, the biggest box office hit of all time, edging out such blockbuster films as E.T., Star Wars, and Jurassic Park for that title. This film, with its tale of star-crossed lovers Rose and Jack intertwined with the real-life tragedy of the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic, won 11 Academy Awards and the loyalty of its millions of fans.
In 1997, though, no one involved in its making (except maybe the determined Cameron himself) believed this movie would float to box office glory. It was so ambitious and so expensive that not one but two studios (Paramount and 20th Century Fox) financed it, splitting the distribution rights and spending over $200,000,000 to recreate the fatal maiden voyage of the 1912 world's largest ocean liner. Yet Cameron, who had previously directed the first two Terminator movies, The Abyss, and True Lies, was proven correct when world-wide audiences embraced this touching and technically brilliant movie.
Yes, this first movie to reap $1 billion in box office gross did capture the hearts of millions of teenage girls who repeated screenings to see Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack Dawson woo Kate Winslet's feisty socialite (and soon-to-be-wed) Rose. And while many detractors scoff at this admittedly clichéd poor-boy-meets-rich-girl love story, it is exactly through this pairing that we get a feel for what it was like to travel at sea in those Gilded Era days before the First World War destroyed the old Europe forever.
This film has much going for it. It has, in addition to actual location shots of the real Titanic wreck (the minisub sequence is NOT special effects), a winsome couple, a classic mustache-twirling villain (Billy Zane) with the usual henchman (a menacing David Warner), a great supporting cast which includes Danny Nuccio, Bernard Fox (who used to guest star in TV series such as Hogan's Heroes and Bewitched), Kathy Bates, Bill Paxton (who has appeared in most of Cameron's movies) and Gloria Stuart (who plays the older Rose Dawson). Titanic also has a great musical score and incredible visuals: the sinking of the great liner is certainly realistic - even if the CGI effects are a bit artificial-looking. This picture certainly was difficult to make .... Thankfully, in spite of the media hype and negative publicity, Titanic proved to be a good and entertaining film. I recommend it to anyone who likes love stories or epic disaster films. This movie mixes both genres very well.

The Maiden Voyage
O.K. I'll admit it, while I'm usually not much for the sappy romantic films, James Cameron's Oscar winning epic Titanic is a very good movie. And I did see it more than once on the big screen.

An undersea expedition, led by explorer Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton), is searching for a valuable diamond aboard the wreckage of the Titanic. The team, instead finds a drawing of seventeen-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater, (Kate Winslet) who is on the way to her wedding to wealthy tycoon, Cal Hockley (Billy Zane). Now an old woman (Gloria Stuart) Rose tells her story of the fateful voyage to the team. While the ship races to meet its fate with an iceberg, Rose falls in love with Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) a free-spirited artist and third-class passenger who ignites a passion inside her.

The film itself is a technical marvel. Cameron and his crew recreated the ship and her history with such skill and percision that it's easy to go along for the ride. I liked the way the fictional story of Jack and Rose was interlaced with actual historical figures and facts. For example "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown (Kathy Bates), Captain Edward J. Smith (Bernard Hill), and shipbuilders J. Bruce Ismay (Jonathan Hyde) & Thomas Andrews (Victor Garber), all have a place within the love story. Speaking of which, for me, it's Stuart that sells the romance. Acting as "narrator", she makes it possible to care about these characters more than you would have otherwise. The chemistry between DiCaprio and Winslet is very apparent and Zane is pitch perfect as Cal. The sinking sequence is really something and no disaster film since has matched its scope.

As it stands right now, the DVD doesn't have any bonus material on it, save for the theatrical trailer. Enough time has passed that another edition is warranted. That said, the bare bones DVD is recomended. For some additiional perspective on the history of the disaster, I also suggest, James Cameron's documentary Ghosts Of The Abyss.

movie hits an expensive iceberg
this is my opinion should have its own category in the video store.by this i mean it should be under terrible movies that cost to much along with the day after tomorow.I think that this movie really did hit an iceberg and it was only popular because of its stars these stars i must add were not that great they were ok but nothing special.And i would rather shoot myself than hear another person singing my heart will go on.I really do not like this over expensive movie bu5 i suppose that thats just my opinion.

LOVE IT!
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORETE MOVIES OF ALL TIME!THE ONLY GROSS PART IS WHEN ROSE TAKES OF ALL HER CLOTHES!?YUCK!BUT ANYWAY,IT`S A GREAT AND ROMANTIC MOVIE!

build a bridge
titanic...The Movie....Is just that.
I enjoy the story, from that perspective.
I appreciate the effort to create a level of interest in such an event. Drama can attempt to capture, only you can respond!
In reading short 4-5star reviews, and Loooong 2-3star reviews, I believe the connection has been made, as planned! ... Read more

Amazon.com

They skydive, they kickbox, they travel through space. Is there anything these crayon-colored teens can't do? The answer seems a resounding "no," until some construction workers unwittingly open a manhole cover and loose Ivan Ooze upon Angel Grove. Although incarcerated in his egglike tomb for 6,000 years, Ooze gets right to work at that world domination thing. First up: Strip those eager teens of their morphin uniforms and associated powers and send their leader Zordon to his crystalline deathbed. There's nothing to do but head for a distant planet to meet up with a bikini-clad warrior babe who imparts ancient wisdom and power. Meanwhile, Ooze has been turning parents into zombies who craft giant metallic insects--all the better to take over the world with. This 90-minute film features some cast changes from the Fox television series, as well as better special effects and extended fight scenes, which account for the PG rating. Parents must weigh in for themselves on the famous violent-influence-or-not question. Although, like anything else, what seemed violent in 1995 may seem a bit tame today. Ages 5 and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (42)

Okay but to cheesey.
As I am writing this review, I am watching the movie. It has been a pretty long time since I have viewed it, and to tell you the truth, it's pretty good despite the cheesey lines and sort of bad acting. The action scenes are awesome.
I grew up with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers since they started in 1992, and until Power Rangers Turbo, I was their biggest fan. I watched as they gained their powers from Zordon, fought the pif who ate everything, Lord Zed took over, They got their new Zords and powers, Putties were replaced, The girl who could turn into the cat joined when Kimberly(who I still think is hot)left, and when Jason saved Tommy from the green candle.
Since all these things happened, the Power Rangers changed so many times I litteraly lost count. Probably because I can't really count higher than 6 but that is beside the point. What I mean is they have changed a lot and lost their first generation audience.
When I was sitting in the theater waiting for the Indian in the Cubard to start, I saw a preview that made me jump for joy. I actully think I screamed in the theater when I saw Ivan Ooze shoot a glob of slime on Rita's mouth.
They story begins when the team are jummping out of a plane for a charity thingy-ma-bobber. They discover that an evil guy named Ivan Ooze. They have to travel to a distant world to find a new energy source so they can defeat Ivan. They they meet an extremely hot warrior named Sofia. They get new costumes and new Zords.
This movie is somewhat entertaining and is kinda funny. I don't recomend it unless you are a young kid who doesn't know the origanal power rangers.

Action packed fun
It may be a little cheesy to older viewers, but if you're like me, Power Rangers was your world when you were a kid. The action is fun, the effects are amazing, the actors are all VERY beautiful people, and its just general fun for the family. If you need a day to just escape, this movie is good to watch. Plus it has Kimberly(Amy Jo Johnson) who is VERY beautiful and the ONLY Pink Ranger worth watching. I stopped watching the series once she left, no other girl compares...

*Shakes Head*
When this movie came out when I was a kid, I doubled over with excitement because it was state of the art and just downright awesome. Recently, I watched it again, except now I'm grown, and I couldn't help but laugh at the cheesiness of the movie. The reason I give it four stars is because overall, I remembered what it was like to be a kid again, imagining the possibility of these things and how cool the Power Rangers really were in their day. I would recommend it for nostalgic reasons; not for entertainment because it is over 10 years old and is, officially, cheesy.

GO GO POWER RANGERS, YOU SUPER FANTASTIC POWER RANGER!!!
As the biggest Power Rangers fan in the world, I know that this movie is totally awesome!!! Thee Power Rangers' new costumes and zords are totally rad, the plot is great, and the humor is even better. I like the part where the rangers are ready to skydive and Bulk and Skull get freaked out and Aisha tells them that they should put on their airbag thingies and they said, "Good Idea." I also like when the Rangers are fighting Ivan Ooze's purple creepos and Billy gets slime all over his hand and says, "You Ooze You Lose." Well, that's true because Ivan Ooze oozes allot and the power rangers beat him bad!!! I recommend this movie wheather your 3, 63, inbetween, or even older than 63!!! This movie is great!!!

Cool movie for a cool series
INTRODUCTION:
The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers was a classic sci-fi action series that debuted on FOX in 1993. This series tells the story of five teenagers who are given superhuman abilities to battle an evil empress who has her sights set on destroying the world. The series lasted for a number of seasons, and has spawned at least half a dozen spin-offs (all of which are inferior to this, the original series.) The series became wildly popular almost immeadiately, so just about two years after it debuted, a feature film was released! Read on for my review of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers - The Movie.

BASIC PLOT:
This episode takes place between seasons two and three of the classic series. Lord Zedd has set out to resurrect an evil entity from hundreds of years ago called Ivan Ooze. He succeeds in this, but discovers that Ivan has a mind of his own. He imprisons Lord Zedd and Rita in a glass jar, and sets his sights on destroying the earth. He destroys the command center, which causes the Rangers to lose their power. Also, Zordon's glass jar was broken in the process, meaning he will die soon. Alpha says that there is enough power left to teleport them to a distant world where they can get a new source of power, and maybe save Zordon's life, but there's a problem. There isn't enough power to bring them back. If they fail to get the new power source, they'll be stranded on a distant world. They accept the task, and Ivan sets his sights on causing universal destruction.

FILM OPINIONS:
This is a pretty cool movie. Sure, it's very cheesy by modern standards, but back when I was a kid this stuff was state of the art. For the film, the Rangers outfits, the Command Center, and the city of Angel Grove, and the Rangers weapons got huge makeovers - and all for the better too. Only problem is these things only took on their new appearances for the movie - they didn't stay that way for the new season of the series. I bet that confused a lot of people! Although the plot has been done to death in the movie industry (there are enough "I want to destroy the world" movies out there), it's still a cool film.

OVERALL:
If you can find this movie for a good price, it's a worthwhile diversion from all of the junk that has been flooding the motion picture industry recently. If you're going to watch the Power Rangers, make sure it's the classic series - and not those lame spin-offs FOX has been showing in recent years.

SIDE NOTE:
The movie has recently been released on DVD, as a double feature with one of the movies for a later Power Rangers series. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Yes, there's an age difference, but....
Fred Astaire has never been a dirty old man-- at least not on screen!! Though he was indeed 56 years old here and Caron was 22 years old (and playing 18), the film's approach to this rather sticky material is completely chaste and innocent. That's why it soars so beautifully. The initial courtship is anonymous. Things only get sticky in the ensuing months as true love intercepts. But it is a prudish visiting ambassador, not Astaire himself, who makes a tacky "sugar daddy" reference, forcing Astaire to go 'noble' and disappear (temporarily) from Caron's life as his own conscience starts bothering him. Ironically, this is really the only dull moment of the film for me- the extended dream ballet of Caron imagining the elusive Astaire all around the world. But the story itself- aided by some lovely musical sequences ("Welcome Egghead," "C-A-T," "Dream," and especially "Something's Gotta Give")- is charming, safe viewing for the entire family. The ending is especially fine, because *two* love stories have resolved instead of just one. And how cool is it to dance with someone on your roof terrace, step into your hat, spin into your wrap, and dance out the front door?!!

Fred's best post-Ginger movie
I realize that many Fred Astaire fans may not agree that DADDY LONG LEGS is his best film made without Ginger Rogers. But I stand by that opinion. The film is a delight, lavishly produced, with an excellent script and cast, and some outstanding musical sequences.

DADDY LONG LEGS is the story of third-generation multi-millionaire Jervis Pendleton (Astaire) who, while on a good-will ambassadorial trip to France, observes and is charmed by young Julie Andre (Leslie Caron), who lost her parents during World War II and has been raised in a countryside orphanage. Jervis lavishes material support on Julie, bringing her to the U.S. and sending her to a women's college. Yet he doesn't reveal himself to Julie, who knows her benefactor only as "Daddy Long Legs." Then the two meet at a college dance, and romance--and complications--follow.

DADDY LONG LEGS was Astaire's only film for 20th Century-Fox, and the studio gave him a superb supporting cast, including Terry Moore, Fred Clark, and the peerless Thelma Ritter. The film's script is by Henry and Phoebe Ephron, parents of today's famous writer/director Nora Ephron (SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, YOU'VE GOT MAIL). The script is witty and tender and features two wonderfully developed central characters, who are brought to life beautifully by Astaire and Caron. This was (sadly) the last musical in which Caron showed her dancing talents, but she also shows here the abundant acting talent that has sustained her career to the present day. And Astaire, too, displays the outstanding acting abilities that were unfortunately always overshadowed by his status as the screen's leading male dancer.

Good as the rest of the movie is, it's the musical portions that really lift DADDY LONG LEGS to the heights. First, there are two lavish ballet sequences choreographed by Caron's dance mentor, Roland Petit. The second features a distraught Caron searching for Astaire in settings representing Paris, Hong Kong and Rio. Caron's abilities are on excllent display here (although I leave to dance critics the question of the sequence's actual artistic merit). The other dance sequence is an amusing and colorful daydream showing Caron's musings about who her benefactor might be: a Texas millionaire, an international playboy, or her guardian angel. The "angel" segment is particularly outstanding, featuring excellent dancing, a lavish setting, and the bravura orchestral accompaniment of Alfred Newman and the 20th Century-Fox orchestra.

Even more satisfying than the ballets, though, are Astaire and Caron's "popular" dance duets, the romantic "Something's Gotta Give" and the college dance ensemble, "The Sluefoot." The two dancers make a marvelous pair, and their work together conveys much of the same exhiliration and joy that Astaire helped create during those legendary 1930s dances with Rogers. And adding to the magic of both numbers are Johnny Mercer's excellent songs--"Something's Gotta Give" has, of course, become a "standard," while "The Sluefoot" features an amusing lyric full of Mercer's distinctive vernacular wordplay. In addition, the film also makes excellent use of Mercer's beautiful ballad "Dream," which had actually been written as a pop tune ten years earlier.

As other reviewers have noted, DADDY LONG LEGS has a long running time, over two hours. But I enjoy every magical moment of a film that is certainly one of Astaire's best.

This Film Is For Romantics
I'm currently on a kick to buy all of my all time favorite romantic movies and this is definitely one of them. I fell in love with this movie when I was a kid and have enjoyed watching it ever since. The dancing -- how could it not be great with Astaire and Caron? The music -- two fabulous songs came out of this movie: "Dream" and "Something's Gotta Give." The incomparable Thelma Ritter adds her wonderful presence. (Watching this film again, I suddenly realized that three of my favorite movies have her as a supporting player: Daddy Long Legs, All About Eve and Pillow Talk). And there's a wonderful dance sequence at the college gym called "Slue Foot."
If you are an Astaire fan or a fan of great musicals, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

a great classic musical
Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron are wonderful in this film. They dance so beautifully and make a wonderful couple. Leslie's cotumes ar ebeautiful and elegant. It's a great story as well.

Enormously enjoyable Astaire musical
Fred Astaire made over thirty musicals, beginning with a brief role in DANCING LADY and ending in FINIAN'S RAINBOW, and this one is far from his best, but it does contain many marvelous moments. Once you get past the fact that Fred was over thirty years older than Leslie Caron, there is everything to enjoy about the film. Unfortunately, the film contains one of the weaker scores in any Fred Astaire film, with one glorious exception. By any standard, Johnny Mercer's "Something's Gotta Give" is one of the great songs in any Astaire film. Although Fred was never a great singer, he was unparalleled in his ability to present a song onscreen. There is something exquisite in the way he gestures as he sings about an irresistible force like her meeting an old immovable object like him. Unfortunately, the rest of the songs are not up to that standard.

Leslie Caron is, to me, one of the most extraordinarily attractive women in the history of film. I think I would enjoy a film in which she did nothing but sit in a chair. Fortunately, in this film she does a great deal more than sit in a chair. Although trained as a ballerina, Caron possessed a gaminlike style of dancing that I find enormously appealing.

This film was made near the end of Astaire's career in romantic musical comedy. He was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the age differences between him and his leading ladies. He made his next two and final musicals, FUNNY FACE and SILK STOCKINGS, only with great reluctance. Rather than ignore the great age difference in this film between the two leads, it becomes a part of the plot.

Again, this is not one of Astaire's greatest films. It is not in the same category as his work with Ginger or Rita Hayworth, or such films as THE BAND WAGON or EASTER PARADE. But it is still a thoroughly enjoyable film, and one that any fan of musicals or Fred Astaire or Leslie Caron can watch with enormous enjoyment. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Judy Garland managed to subdue her ongoing medical problems long enough to make Summer Stock in 1950, her last film with MGM and longtime collaborator Gene Kelly.In a throwback to Garland's "let's put on a show" films with Mickey Rooney, Kelly plays a theater director who sets up in Garland's barn to prepare his musical, but Garland has other ideas.Romantic entanglements ensue, of course, and Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, and Marjorie Main are on hand to lend comedic support. Following his mostly forgettable score in 1949's The Barkleys of Broadway, Harry Warren contributes another mostly forgettable score, though it's complemented with a few ringers from other songwriters.There are many enjoyable moments, however, including a lot of tap from Kelly.He and Garland share a tap duel at a square dance turned lindy hop, and Garland performs her classic "Get Happy" routine in a black jacket and fedora.Kelly also performs a solo number to "You Wonderful You" with no gimmicks--just a darkened stage, a squeaky floorboard, and a sheet of newspaper.--David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Garland and Kelly shine
This movie is a great fell-good love story. I've always thought that Gene kelly and Judy Garland have the most amazing on-screen chemistry and its ashame that they didn't do more than 6 films together. Judy, as usual gave a great performance in all her numbers. May they be playful, riviting, heartbreaking or just plain knock-outs, she did it great! As for Gene Kelly, though he was not thrilled with the project, never let it show. He gives absolutly amazing performances(like always) dancing in the barn with Judy and in his newspaper dance. Although my favorite is the "you wonderful you" number where Judy and Gene dance and sing nice"n"easy under low lights on an empty stage. It's so beautiful seeing Gene holding Judy in those gorgeous arms of his. He holds her like she was the love of his life and he never wanted to let go. You can almost feel those hugs just watching them. I recommande this movie to everyone and especialy Gene and Judy fans.

A LOT OF FUN!
This is a perfect movie to have around the house when nothing else seems watchable. This MGM diamond packed with and brimming over with fun is always a treat! And if you love Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, it's all the more so. Judy plays a country girl whose only interest is in running her debt-ridden farm.She returns home one day to find her barn full of cows, pigs, chickens...and actors, sets, and props. She learns that her sister has permitted a troupe of theater actors, headed by Gene and Phil Silvers, to perform a show in their barn. Judy complies on one condition: these theater folk also support themselves by doing chores around the farm. But picking eggs and milking cows aren't every man's fantasy, as Gene and Phil learn. But in spite of a madcap hullaballoo on the farm, a love story manages to intertwine itself between Judy and Gene... except for Judy being engaged... and her sister in love with Gene... This is a marvelous movie for anyone, young or old. Judy sings and struts the stuff that made her a legend, particularly shining in a memorable number called, "Get Happy". She croons "You Wonderful You" with Gene, who dances at the top of his form... on newspapers. Gene and Phil do a hilarious number called "Heavenly Music" in hillbilly attire, and the finale "Happy Harvest" will have you smiling long after the picture's over. With Judy Garland singing and Gene Kelly dancing, how can you go wrong with this priceless piece of MGM treasure? Buy it today and get happy with "Summer Stock"!

The end...
With Judy Garland struggling in her life during this time this movie holds a special place in my heart. A large fan of Judy Garland and Gene Kelly I decided to watch this one day on TCM...well lets just say from the number with Judy on the tractor to her closing Get Happy number I was hooked. I fell in love with the performances given by the two along with the rest of the cast...with some great songs...and a few not so great...it still ends up being a great movie. It's Judy's last MGM movie and her last pairing with Gene Kelly and I think it was a great ending.

Man, how they put on a show!
This movie was a treat to watch and I am so excited about this movie I am starting to write this review even as the VCR is rewinding the tape! GRIN Garland, Kelly, Silvers, DeHaven and fantastic other cast members give a strong, convincing performance in the movie Summer Stock. The script is well written; yes, though the plot is not the deepest, and to an extent predictable, the lines are thoughtfully written. The musical numbers are fantastic and include superb scenes where Kelly dances as well as Judy's infamous "Get Happy" number. (One exception is the number at the end with Silvers and Kelly dancing and singing as farmhands--not too special a musical number in my opinion.) It seems that Judy's character owns and runs a farm--in debt--and Kelly playing Joe brings his acting troupe to try out a new show and stake a claim in show business. Of course, after some complications--and romantic partner swapping--the show goes on and is a tremendous success. Happy Ending! Judy's great performance in her final completed film at MGM is truly remarkable in light of her poor health at the time. (However I must say that although it could just be my imagination, Judy looks a bit skinnier in some scenes in the film than she does in other scenes. Could this reflect her possibly losing or gaining weight during the time this movie was filmed?) In short, this film is a very fine addition to any serious movie buff's collection, especially if part of the collection includes musicals. Get this film--Amazon lists it as out of stock for a GOOD reason! Tons of people bought this movie and you'll GET HAPPY when you see this!

"Get Happy" and Get Summer Stock
Summer Stock is a typical MGM movie. That's what makes it so good! This is the third and final teaming of Judy and Gene. I think they should have done movie movies because they were so great together in this one. Gene Kelly and Judy Garland do wonderful dances togther in this movie, and I have to say the best song is "Get Happy". The story about this song is MGM thought there wasn't enough songs in this movie so they added this one at the last minute! It turned out to be one of the best remembered songs from the film. And I promise you'll remember it too! I don't own this movie, but everytime it comes on tv, I have to watch it! That's how wonderful it is! ... Read more

Reviews (207)

A brilliant story about perseverance and glory
"October Sky" is a superb show! It's 1957, and Homer Hickman is just a regular high school teen living in a small West Virginia town where his father is the manager of the coal mine that employs, well, everyone. As we meet Homer, he is working, not very successfully, to deal with the usual plagues of youth...how to get the the girl of your dreams, how to be noticed while walking in the shadow of a sports hero older brother, how to gain attention and respect from his father, and so on...just about then it is announced that the Soviets had launched Sputnik!

The space age had arrived!

The specter of Sputnik orbiting overhead has a profound influence on Homer...he is captivated by the idea of space and rocketry. He becomes the heart and soul of a group of four HS students who start to dabble in making model rockets of their own...much to his father's chagrin.

You will sorrow with Homer and his friends in their setbacks, and revel with them in their successes. Laura Dern plays a pivotal role as a teacher who encourages the boys to continue their experiments. Before long the whole town in caught up in their launches.

You'll love the way that Homer explains to the sherrif, in front of his class, why one of his rockets couldn't possibly have been responsible for starting a forest fire in the area...classic!

If you haven't seen this show, watch it! It's well worth your time.

As another reviewer aptly pointed out, this is a great film about teens...the teens look and act like teens. The players all do a great job!

"October Sky" is definitely a top-notch 5-star offering for the whole family!

Have a great day...

Alan Holyoak

An Insperation That Will Live In Your Heart
When released in 1999 this little movie was a movie that i knew nothing about and i was not sure if i wanted to see it. Although on a saturday afternoon i decided to see it and was i glad because this movie is about Homer H. Hickam Jr living in a small town named coalwood in 1957 when the russians launched Sputnik. Since he is destined to work down in the mines like his father he tries to make it out of there. Homer is played by newcomer Jake Gyllenhaal in a stand out performance. Chris Cooper as the gung ho dad about mining coal in a particularly strong performance and Laura Dern as Ms Riley who encourages the boys to go for there dreams or they will be in the mines.

Told with impeccable detail to the sets and the Photography it has the right look and feel to it. Directed by Joe Johnston who is know for such movies as The Rocketter is new and brings this movie to life. The end of the movie is very moving. Guarented you will go out loving this movie. This is one of the best films of 1999 and really deserves to be seen. Truly a movie that will live in your heart forever.

Inspirational top to bottom
This movie is insanely inspirational. If you buy any positive movie for your collection, think about this one. It tells the story of Homer Hickam and the Rocket boys. Just after the USSR launched Sputnik (the first manmade satellite), the US had to play catch-up.

At this time is when a kid (Homer) decides to build a Rocket. The movie is the quest to build a working rocket and get the hell out of the little coal mining community he is stuck in. He has dreams to get to college and work for NASA.

Will he accomplish his dreams??? Hells yea! After he makes it through two science fairs and his father. This is one of those rare movies that will make you a better person for having seen it. Do yourself the favor and get this movie.

One of the best rocket movies ever
As a rocket scientist from a top five university, I am astonished about how much this movie correlates with my own experiences. Not only is this movie a great representation of the glory of flight, it also encompasses the human spirit. This movie is not just for rocket enthusiasts. It is for anybody that has had a dream or a passion and let nothing get in the way of it. This movie is captivating and motivating.

whiz bang!
Homer Hickam is a ordinary coalminer teen.His dad is head of the mine and he raises hell a lot.Homer has a tough time getting close.His biggest sore point is that he detests the mine.He doesn't want to end up under the earth forever.He trys football.Thats the only way any of his friends have gone to collage.He fails in that.He wishes a girl would notice him.He does have two loyal friends.Then everything changes with Sputnik.Seeing it flying over the stars above his head is the moment when he realizes his calling.Soon he starts thinking about rockets.Why not build one? He goes to the poor nerdy boy for help.Soon the four have become allies.Homers first attempt in the science of rockets goes flat(well,the fence goes flat).His dad is angry and tells him to quit this craze.Homer won't do it,so he goes off in the woods and starts testing rockets.Some go nutty,some explode.Nothing works.Finally,when the whole town is there to watch,it happens.The rocket soars high.His teacher tells him to enter his rocket designs in the science fair.It seems like sucess is at hand when Homer's dad gets hurt.Homer must go down in the mine and work to support the family.His dream is shattered.
Does Homer Hickum get a scolarship with his rocket? Watch and see. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Andrei Konchalovsky's expansive television mini-series production of Homer's epic poem gets off to clumsy start as he tries to squeeze the Trojan War into a mere half hour, but once the arrogant but honorable Odysseus (strikingly played by Armand Assante) and his loyal crew begin their doomed voyage home, this film turns into a fantastical adventure. Integrating often-stunning special effects with inventive art design, Konchalovsky achieves a beautiful look on a limited budget as he follows the 10-year ordeal of Odysseus from his battles with the Cyclops and the magical Circe (Bernadette Peters) to his secret homecoming and his confrontation with the treacherous Eurymachus (Eric Roberts). Isabella Rossellini appears as his spiritual guide, the goddess Athena, with Greta Scacchi as Odysseus's faithful wife and Vanessa Williams as the seductive Calypso. The rest of the cast includes Geraldine Chaplin, Jeroen Krabbé, Christopher Lee, and Irene Papas. The production was shot on location in and around the Mediterranean, making for a lush, lovely visual experience. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (156)

Wow, what a EXTRAORDINARY movie!!
I have just finished watching the movie, The Odyssey. It was good in many different ways. It had a lot of actors in it and many of them played their part very well. My favorite character would have to be Penelope (Greta Scacchi). She had a hard time handling the fact that her husband, Odysseus (Armand Assante), was gone at war and may never return home. The fact that her husband left right after their son was born was upsetting as well. She made a promise to her husband that when their son grew into a man, she would have to choose a new husband. After the Trojan War ended, Odysseus yelled to the gods that he didn't need their help after all, when he actually did use their help. The god of the sea, Poseidon, heard him and put a curse on him that he couldn't go home to Ithaca. Odysseus went through many extraordinary adventures and many didn't creatures while trying to get home. One of these strange creatures was Cyclops, Poseidon's brother. Cyclops (Reid Asato) is a giant with one huge eye in the middle of his forehead that loves to eat humans. Odysseus and his men floated down to the island where Cyclops lived and Cyclops asked Odysseus what his name was and Odysseus said that it was nobody. While Odysseus and his men were there with the Cyclops they gave him the gift that they had brought, which was wine. After some cups, Cyclops started to lay down and fall asleep. Once they thought that he was asleep, they took a large stake and jammed it into the Cyclops' eye. The Cyclops immediately jumped up and started to run around yelling, Nobody hurt my eye. The men escaped quickly, but the Cyclops ate the fiddler. The men that were left, left the island and floated along some more for many more adventures. In conclusion, I thought that this movie was great! It used a lot of facts from the epics by Homer.

Movie Review for THE ODYSSEY By Phil
THE ODYSSEY is based in the book THE ODYSSEY by Homer. It tells the exciting tale of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who, on the day of his son's birth, was called to fight in the Trojan War. However, the movie is not about Odysseus fighting in the Trojan War. The real plot begins when Odysseus begins his journey home after the war. As the war ended, Odysseus happened to anger a very vengeful god named Poseidon, who is the god of the sea. Poseidon decided to make Odysseus' journey home as miserable as possible. Now Odysseus must make it home to Ithaca while avoiding Poseidon's wrath. During his long, hard journey, Odysseus and his crew encounter many strange creatures. Some creatures are friendly and try to help Odysseus and his men. Others are not friendly and try to destroy Odysseus and prevent him from reaching Ithaca. Here are some of the main characters: Odysseus:The mighty king of Ithaca and main character of the story.(Armand Assante) Penelope:Odysseus' beloved wife who waits patiently for his return.(Greta Scacchi) Athena:Odysseus' guardian god who guides him in times of need and gives him helpful advice.(Isabella Rosselini) Circe:Odysseus was unlucky to run into this woman. After someone drinks her magical honey wine, she turns them into swine.(Bernadette Peters) Calypso:Another unfourtunate accident of Odysseus' was running into Calypso. She kept him on her island for two whole years!(Vanessa Williams)

THE ODYSSEY has a very strong visual impact on the audience that watches it. It is full of action and suspense and the special effects are amazing, especially the scene where Poseidon was speaking to Odysseus through the waves. Also, the acting and costumes were realistic. The actors talked and wore clothes that were worn in that time. The soundtrack is also realistic to that time, The music on the soundtrack is mostly old Greek music.

Overall, I give THE ODYSSEY five stars.

Best Odysseus I've Seen
Armand Asante does an excellent job as Odysseus. As with all movies, there will be some significant differences from the original Homer. After having seen the recent release of Troy, I'd have to say The Odyssey is a better movie. If you prefer to watch a movie that remains faithful to the original classic with good casting/acting, this is for you. If you want cool special effects and big name stars in a story that is loosly based on a classic tale...then see Troy.

Still compelling after 3000 years.
Homer would have endorsed this rendering of his tale. Full of wonderful special effects, gorgeous Mediterranean vistas, and gods and goddesses who look their parts, this movie is still driven by personalities. The casting was brilliant: Armand Asante is all that one could wish in an Odysseus -- engaging, passionate, mature, heroic in every dimension. Isabella Rosellini and Greta Saachi are perfect in their roles as Athena and Penelope, respectively. Telemachus is a classical adolescent only child, and Antichea, Odysseus's mother, dominates each of her scenes. While this production is eye-candy from beginning to end, the visual appeal cannot distract from the timeless humanity of its characters. There is a reason that Homer's story still reaches us after 3000 years, and this telling does justice to its ancient material.

A great story
In my English class, on the last weeks of school, our teacher said she wanted us to watch a movie that will be educating for years to come and pulled out The Odyssey. At first the whole class seemed dull by the ideal of the movie but from the beginning, we were stuck.

The story has an amazing plot, and the actors are pretty good. Some of the special effects were kind of lame but that wasn't the movies fault, it was their budget. This is really good for a TV miniseries.

From the spooky lair of Syclla to the amazing Island of Ithaca, this movie really portrays the story well. It's very enjoyable, and I'm going to have to order the movie to keep! ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Mandingo is an Eye Opener
ROOTS was to make viewers sympathize for the plight of the African-American, and MANDINGO was to make viewers cringe and forget that the slavery south ever existed. The film had this viewer wanting to turn it off, but wanting to see what was going to happen next. Therefore, the film had done its job in its manipulation of the senses. The movie boasts an impressive and diverse cast with the respected James Mason, Perry King (Lords of Flatbush, Riptide), Susan George, Paul Benedict (tv's Jeffersons) and boxer Ken Norton. The story revolves around a southern plantation owner Warren Maxwell (James Mason) and his son Hammond (Perry King) and their dealings with the buying and selling of slaves. Hammond beds every young girl slave in the joint while marrying Blanche (Susan George), and at the same time, he wants to buy himself a prize black prospect for fighting purposes... a Mandingo(Ken Norton as Mede). Hammond seems to have some sympathy and care for the black women, and has little interest in his own white wife who takes on the mandingo as a lover to get back at her husband. Some of the goings on are outrageous (i.e. Mason's character trying to get rid of his rheumitsm by transferring it to the soul of a young black boy etc..) The film's portrayal of white southerners is as offensive as the portrayal of the black slaves. However, it is still the black characters that are exploited, especially the scenes of blacks vs. blacks and the name of the game is survival. A lot of kudos goes to the actors who took on roles in this film and a movie like this could not be made today. When this film was made it was a sleeper hit and caused some controversy, Saturday Night Live did a parody sketch called "Mandingo II" and O.J. Simpson, who was the guest host, played the title character. Garrett Morris, Bill Murray and Larraine Newman were also in the bit...it was one of the funniest sketches of the show.

Hollywood style stupidity
Let's face it - Hollywood is a provincial little burg whose movers and shakers know little or nothing about anything outside of the city boundaries - from Hollywood we get amazing takes on, for example, Japanese culture: (Karate Kid part III) - the last scene of the movie looking very un-Japanese and more like a voodoo ceremony - German culture: all Germans are Jew chasing Nazis - and Italian culture: all speak Brooklynese and have Mafia relatives. So it doesn't surprise me that Hollywood would come up with a piece of dreck like Mandingo, produced by someone named Dino De Laurentis - an expert on the South if there ever was one.

I have no doubt that some slave owners, who weren't exactly "gentlemen" slept with their slaves - however, this depiction of what might have happened on a southern plantation was made to appeal to a prurient taste and is imho far removed from reality. On the other hand, I'm in agreement with Gore Vidal on the Sally Hemmings case - a gentleman like Thomas Jefferson would have never slept with a slave due to what it would have done to his reputation. I will, however, give Ms. Hemmings the benefit of the doubt - we don't know for certain, and only DNA will tell the truth.

This movie will appeal to people who don't know or don't want to know historical fact, and those looking for light interracial porn. Unfortunately, our dumb European and other foreign friends, as well as the uneducated and immature in our own country will consider it to be the gospel truth on the beginning of race relations in America.

hot Southern sleaze...but riveting
Part Harold Robbins and part Euripedes, this film has brutal depictions of slavery, abhorrent language, and extraordinary cinematography by Richard Kline.
The imagery of Falconhurst, the huge but decrepit plantation of a cruel and vicious man (James Mason in a strange and brilliant performance) is fantastic; with peeling paint and filthy mosquito nets, winding staircases of gleaming wood, dark steamy rooms, and lush exteriors with drooping wisteria.
The score by Maurice Jarre also adds much to the atmosphere, with Muddy Waters singing "Born in This Time".

Perry King is excellent as Mason's son, broken in body, weak in spirit, knowing what is right and often doing what is wrong; as his wife, Susan George is appropriately annoying and trashy, and as his "wench", Brenda Sykes is lovely. Heavyweight boxer Ken Norton, who won over Mohammed Ali (and broke his jaw) in 1973, made his impressive screen debut as Mede the Mandingo.
This film is a mass of contradictions, which is probably what keeps one glued to the screen. It is manipulative yet unpredictable, gratuitous and raw but thought-provoking; some of it might be absurd, but many of the situations shown did happen.
With all the brutality, nudity, incest, and most of all, the repellent language, this is not a film for the young, or anyone squeamish about violence.
Total running time is 127 minutes.

Great Scenery, Trashy Story
Mandingo depicts the cruelties of slavery in a much more graphic manner than made for tv movies like Roots and Queen ever could. Lots of nudity, sexual situations and sadism. While the movie is highly unsettling, I would recommend it to those who want an un-sentimental look into antebellum southern life. The scenery (Louisiana and Missisippi) is fantastic, and Susan George's hammy performance as the mistress is amusing.

Have we forgotten??? Or do we choose to forget???
As I read these reviews, I have to wonder what is going in in this country today. Have we really been able to wipe out the cruelty of slavery from our history books. As offensive and unpleasant these scenes may be for us to bear, it is nothing compared to the slaves to which this was their day to day reality. It DID happen. To hear so many people state that the movie showed untrue scenes is very disturbing. You know the bible says that the biggest feat that the devil has achieved is to convince us that he doesn't exist! This is a good movie and it is a much watch to get a true depiction of just how cruel and insensitive slaveholders could be. The sexual aspect of slavery is often ignored in the history books - this movie does a great job bringing that part of history to light. ... Read more

Reviews (85)

There couldn't be a better Disney movie to own on DVD.
For me, the Fox and the Hound cannot be matched by any other Disney film. Unlike the stiffer, older films and the newer, hokier ones, the atmosphere in TFATH is just perfect, truly a revolutionary point in Disney's timeline. The animation is very fluid and the characters have great design and movement. Most of the songs are more like talking than singing, but they're few and far between and manage to get the point across. A nice change from usual Disney fare in the surprisingly sad ending. Considering I'm pretty desensitized to on-screen emotion, it's unusual that I cry every time I watch this one. It's the ONLY Disney movie that can make me. Even so, there's a number of comedic moments to get rid of the tension. I'm not sure where the Amazon review got the idea that the characters lack depth. Believe me, by the time this one is over, you'll be wanting to see much more of all of them. It's an excellent feature that carries an important message all wrapped up inside a lovable, heartwarming, and poignant story. You owe it to yourself and your children to see this one.

An All-Time Favourite!
"The Fox and the Hound" was of the last films to be apart of the "Black Diamond Collection" before the "Masterpiecee Collection" came to the markets in 1994. The film was released into theaters in 1981 & 1988 and came to video in 1994! This movie is a really great and colorful movie to add too any Disney collector's collection!

The story is about a kind woman who takes in an abandoned baby fox after his mother is killed in a hunting trip. She names him Tod and considers him as part of her family. Tod then meets a bloodhound dog named Copper (Who lives right next door to the kind woman) and they eventually become good friends. They have no clue that they are supposed to be enemies (Since hounds hunt foxs and other forest creatures)

After returning on a hunting trip during the winter with his master (To learn how to hunt), Copper realizes how he shouldn't hang around Tod to prevent Tod from getting killed by his master. By this time, they are both grown up and all the fun times that they had together suddenly don't seem to matter anymore. Eventually, Tod and Copper become enemies and it is Copper's mission to hunt down Tod. You'll be surprised on what happens when Copper and Tod to come face to face!

The film also includes some great songs like "The Best Of Friends" and "Goodbye May Seem Forever" (Which I still cry at when I hear that song!) This movie will also make you cry, so make sure to have a tissue in your hand when approaching the middle part of the movie! All in all, it is a really great movie and people young and old will enjoy watching it! 83 minutes.

A Good Movie for people of all ages
I am sixteen years old and when I saw this movie, it really brought tears to my eyes. It reminds me of how me and my best friend was. I really enjoyed this movie. Everyone should watch it on Family Nights.

Friends to the end.
This is one of my favorite Disney movies. When Widow Tweed takes in a baby fox, whose mother had been shot by hunters, she names it Tod and raises it. About the same time she takes Tod in, her neighbor, Amos Slade brings home a hound dog puppy named Copper.

One day in the woods, Copper and Tod meet and instantly become the best of friends. When fall comes and Amos takes an unwilling Copper along for his winterlong hunting trip, Tod tries to convince his friends, Big Mama, Dinky and Boomer that even though Copper will come back a trained hunting dog, that they will still stay the best of friends. Big Mama tells Tod that a fox and a hound are natural enemies and that, surprise, you ARE a fox.

When the two are finally reunited in the spring, Copper tells Tod that they can't be friends anymore. After a tragic accident involving Amos's other dog Chief, Copper swears that Tod will pay. Widow Tweed, realizing that she can't keep Tod locked up forever, takes Tod to the game preserve and lets him go. Amos resolves to kill the fox, and with Copper's help, goes to track him down. But when Copper has a run in with a bear, Tod comes to his rescue and, ultimately, Copper gets Tod spared from death.

A touching story about friendship that never fails to bring a tear to my eye.

Finally a DVD Version of this Awsome movie
I love this movie a lot it has great music like "Best Of Friends"
"Goodbye may seem Forever" and "Thats what Friends Are For" are all great songs on this DVD. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

A superior, made-for-cable film, this Home Box Office adaptation of Randy Shilts's chronicle detailing the emergence of AIDS in America and the fight against bureaucracy and society for a cure is a taut, outrageous, and affecting true-life drama. Matthew Modine (Birdy, Married to the Mob) is featured as a doctor with the Centers for Disease Control at the time when the first reports of a disease plaguing the gay community were heard. Modine and his colleagues embark on an investigation that resembles a compelling detective story as they try to track the source of the disease and discover a cure. Their efforts are thwarted by an ambivalent government and a turf war between French physicians and a celebrated American researcher (Alan Alda) who seems to place his own glory above the dead and the dying. Featuring heartfelt performances from a stellar cast including Richard Gere, Glenne Headly, Anjelica Huston, Steve Martin, Ian McKellen, Saul Rubinek, and Lily Tomlin, this impassioned film stands as an impressive and important document of one of the darkest eras in modern human history, and a tribute to the spirit of those who sought to save lives. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Pulling on your emotions
This made-for-HBO movie definitely transcends the "disease of the week" genre that it's part of. Based on the book by Randy Shilts, it chronicles the struggle of science vs. politics vs. morality in the early days of the AIDS crisis. Our point of view character is Dr. Don Francis (Matthew Modine), a passionate young scientist with the Centers for Disease Control. He and his colleagues, both at the CDC and France's Pasteur Institute, seem to be the only ones who remember that there are real people dying of this mysterious disease. Dr. Robert Gallo (Alan Alda)is one of the few human "villians" of the piece, more interested in writing himself into the history of the disease than in helping anyone. Two other notable performances are those of Lily Tomlin as the tough, no-nonsense Dr. Selma Dritz) and Ian McKellan as Congressional aide Bill Krause, who as part of San Francisco's gay community, is in the epicenter of the crisis.

Watching this movie, I got very angry. The blood banks, for example, were more worried about money than lives. One of the best scenes in the movie is where Dr. Francis stands up at a meeting and screams at reps from the blood industry, "How many dead hemophiliacs do you need?" before they do something about it. (That was a reenactment of a real outburst, not a fictional event.) An end title tells us that "By the time President Reagan made his first speech on AIDS, 25,000 people had died." Between events like these and Gallo's blatant scientific misconduct, it's hard to avoid being incensed.

The acting is excellent, especially Modine and Alda, who even look a little like the men they're playing. Modine brings an incredible amount of passion and frustration to Dr. Francis. I especially like McKellan's character, an older gay man who is not a stereotype. Several familiar character actors show up as supporting players, and some very famous faces (Steve Martin, Richard Gere, Phil Collins, Swoosie Kurtz, and Anjelica Huston) make cameo appearances.

If you're looking for something light and fluffy, this is not the movie for you. If you want something that will make you think, with some fine acting and a realistic script, this is for you. (Watch this, then go read Shilts' book.)

An eye-opener!
Having gotten poliomyelitis in 1953, I see comparisons between the two diseases. People with AIDS suffered prejudice and lack of information of how the disease is passed just like those who got polio. There was isolation and fear with both. Polio killed as did AIDS, but Polio was not necessarily a death sentence as was AIDS (at least at first). Polio children were often pitied,especially if they were crippled. But, much money was raised from the public sector by the National Foundat