Reviews (5)

Only one point to make
This is one of the good ones. Moviegoers who are not traditionally devout, who find no comfort in organized religion, often find they can't stand movies with any religious content. This is a good one, though. Humphrey Bogart plays an American pilot who has found he has only one way to escape the Chinese warlord (Lee J. Cobb? LEE J. COBB? Yeah, really!) who has practically owned him for years. Rent it first, if you like: this is one of the good ones, though.

Some Flaws, but Surprisingly Good
The Story: Humphrey Bogart plays a pilot who crashes in rural China, is captured/enslaved/employeed by the local warlord (Lee J. Cobb), escapes, and poses as the new priest coming to a mission, where there is a doctor (E.G. Marshall), the doctor's wife (Agnes Moorehead), and an assistant (Gene Tierney). Bogart never fits well into the role of the priest, but then that misfitting is fitting, as a pilot-turned-enslaved soldier would be awkward if he posed as a priest. Tierney falls guiltily in love with the new "priest", while Bogart is surprisingly passionate and effective in his efforts to help the local villagers.

Commentary: This is a quiet story with much tension but little action. It does not give the viewer enough of Bogart interacting with the villagers to show why they admire him as much as they do. Cobb is totally convincing as a ruthless warlord, but totally UNconvincing as a ruthless CHINESE warlord. Despite these flaws, this is a quietly memorable film because it tells its little story well.

For Bogart collectors this is one of his best.
The movie does not quite follow the book however the basic script is Bogart is a downed flier that was recruited by a Chinese warlord (Lee J. Cob). In reality he was a prisoner placed in command with out authority. His only goal in life is to escape at any cost. Gene Tierney is a mission nurse in a Catholic village waiting for a replacement priest. Seems the priest do have very strong constitutions. Naturally through a series if events Bogie turns up as the priest and has to confront the waiting village, handle his feeling of the nurse who has feelings for him, and later the wrath of the warlord.

What make the movie great is not the outline of the story, but the acting and the unique way each situation is handled. I do not want to go into details so you can be surprised. I will say that I like the retelling of the tale of the confutation between the priest and the warlord.

Bogart Goes To China
Humphrey Bogart stars as one of the righthand men of a Chinese warlord (played by Lee J. Cobb) who takes off from his boss and poses as missionary priest. Gene Tierney also stars as one of the workers at the mission, while E.G. Marshall and Agnes Moorhead co-star as the mission's doctor and his wife. Bogart as a priest is a little farfetched, and he never quite seems to get completely into the character. The rest of the performances are acceptable and the setting of the Chinese mission is an unusual one. It may have been more interesting if the script had further explored the growing attraction between Bogart and Tierney (who thinks he's a priest) and spent a little more time concentrating on Bogart's effect on the Chinese villagers. The movie is interesting enough, but has little impact.

Bogie as missionary - surprisingly believable
In this Movie Bogart and Dmytryk swap the mean streets of LA for the wilds of China. Bogie is convincing as a missionary priest, which is more than can be said of Lee J. Cobb, who plays a Chinese Warlord in a performance that would draw attacks from Chinese people to any theatre in which the film was exhibited today. It looks good, but it doesn't explore Bogart's moyives for being a missionary enough, it's a bit too pro-Christian, and even on it's own terms, it's not as good as The Inn of Sixth Happiness or Anna and the King of Siam ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not good
As a big fan of 60s comedies, I find this one seriously lacking. There's no chemistry between Rock and Gina, nothing likeable about their characters, and nothing compelling about the storyline. I do believe I laughed once during the movie however, but I can't remember why. Actually I only got this movie because it came packaged with Man's Favorite Sport, which actually IS a good and funny movie.

Bad DVD of a Good Movie
Not genuine letterboxed. Portion of original picture missing. Read review under the orginal DVD two-pack release of Strange Bedfellows/Man's Favoite Sport.

Gina and Rock or Rock and Gina?
This couple, Rock Hudson and Gina Lolibridgita is always fighting because she's different from him and has her own idea and stands for women's rights and then before you know they are made for each other but she also is involved with another man with hilarious results so be prepared to laugh. Find out who gets the girl by watching the movie. ... Read more

Description

Bergin poses as a photographer to seduce and sexually humiliate young women, until an angry Assistant D.A. decides to entrap him by becoming his next victim. But the secrets she discovers about herself could lead her astray in this shocking and sensual thriller. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Disappointing erotic thriller
There are erotic thrillers that succeed in their genre (e.g. Basic Instinct, Jade), but this one felt awkward and contrived. I think its producers were trying to ride on the coat tails of the immensely popular Basic Instinct by attracting some of that audience. I know that's why I and friends went to see it in theatres. But we were disappointed, both in the story and the acting.
I think Sean Young is very attractive, from the first time I saw her in Dune and then in No Way Out, but her nude scenes in this film were embarrassing. I agree with someone else who said her proportions were much better in Ace Ventura and, I might add, Dr. Jeckyll and Ms. Hyde. She may have had some work done.
I admit I haven't yet seen the unrated version so it might change my opinions.

pointless
The villain had no motive to commit his crimes. At least, the director chose not to reveal what it was. This movie was an utter waste of time. Sean Young is pretty, but too thin in this film. She looked far better in "Ace Ventura."

The unrated version
This was the review I wrote on "Full Body Massage": "An unreal plot with senseless flashbacks, but Mimi Rogers' bod rules -- no question about it, so don't bother about her acting (or lack thereof)". Well pretty much the same thing applies here. Only Sean Young is younger and slimmer. So make sure you got the unrated version.

Sean Young at her -- and everyone else's -- worst
Sean Young in this movie gives the worst performance by a big (at the time) star in a Hollywood movie. I can't think of a single exception. She looked positively drugged in this thing, and yet there's no rationale for it, so it has to be the acting. See it if only for this historic low.

Very Unsual and Daring
Make sure you get the unrated version - and not because it's racier (though it is), but because it has major scenes and interactions that finally make the whole film make sense. This version was not released theatrically, and it's a good example of a Director's Cut that really does make a difference. Though Sean Young might not be the best actress for the role, the film itself is a challanging look at the more dark and shaded areas of sex and power games. Steely direction by director Lizzie Bordon. Well worth the watch. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The premise for Disney's A Knight in Camelot is an intriguing one. What if we could go back in time, with the wisdom and knowledge of our present day, and improve history? In this made-for-television comedy inspired by Mark Twain's fable A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur's Court Whoopi Goldberg plays Dr. Vivien Morgan, a computer research scientist studying gravitational pull. Through a programming malfunction, she gets zapped into the land of Camelot, 589 A.D., while still toting her laptop and boombox. Unimpressed with the whole sword-in-the-stone gig, she brings her 20th-century impudence into King Arthur's court, where she begins to wreak Whoopi-style havoc. After she feigns magic, King Arthur (Michael York) elevates her to knighthood, where, as "Sir Boss," she uses her influence to make changes in the kingdom, from introducing hygiene and plumbing in the castle to insisting on fair labor practices for the peasants. Entanglements with Sir Lancelot, Queen Guinevere, and Merlin provide moments of high drama and colorful jousts, but the film remains largely uneven as it tries to be believable and find its tone--should it be philosophical ("Can a society live without progress? Without justice?" Goldberg's character asks at one point) or outrageously silly? It accomplishes the latter too well, and, methinks, will tire all but truly committed Whoopi fans. What remains is a cute, predictable, forgettable family film, but not Disney's best, nor Whoopi's. --Lynn Gibson ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Values courage, honor, respect
Captivating and enchanting story for children and families to share. Beautifully produced. It accurately portrays medieval England's culture and social structure. Shows great role models that exhibit courage, honor, equality and respect (with a touch of humor thrown in). Our kid reviewers were riveted. They commented: "I would love to travel back in time." "I noticed that the Nobles were unkind to the Serfs, but that's how it really was." "I want to read the Mark Twain book that the story is based on." "The castle was awesome." We found that 8 to 12-year-olds liked this best.

Whoopi is fantastic!
This movie is mor funny than some comedies that come to theaters! I almost died laughing! Vivian Morgan is a scientist and just as she is about to prove the existance of a graviton particle, she is blasted back in timeto the 6th century! Confused as a troll for her dreadlocks, skin color, and tennis shoes, she is sentinced to be burned at the stake. But when a total eclips happens, she claims to be a wizard more powerful than Merlin. They release her and she is knighted. She does good things such as helping King Arthur see that the slaves should be free, but when she tries to make things like a steam engine far to early, how messed up will the 6th century turn? and how will she ever get back to the 20th century?

Excellent
This film is really good. I think its a great film but rather for childs. Its funny to hear the 'Sir boss' nickname Whoopy asks for. The story is about a scientist (Whoopy) who accidentelly travels through time and lands in the time of king Arthur. After having the kings trust, she will try to civilisaze the region by stopping slavery, inventing steam machines... She will then go for a adventure to see how England is. And will be captured by slavers... She will be delivired and it turns out Merlin is a real magicien and that he has the power to bring her home.

I am sure I saw it on TV and tape recorded it , but is miss
As above it is missing.

If it is the same I saw it on TV back in April or May of 1999. Found it funny and refreshing and seeing Whoopi at her comedy best. I would like to see it again but the price is to high at the moment. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Not on Disney anymore!
I used to watch this movie on the Disney Channel before it was booted off the network. I also used to watch "Susie Q" and the original "Freaky Friday." Why did they get booted off? They were such good movies! This probably had to be my favorite because I used to wonder what it would be like to go to the "Mommy Market" and pick up a new mom. The only bad thing about this movie is that it's not on DVD. If it was on DVD, then I would buy it. I think that it's a waste to buy it on VHS. I don't even watch videos anymore! Other than that, I love this movie!!

A magical movie for moms and kids alike -
Based on the popular children's short story "The Mommy Market," the story centers around the three Martin children: Elizabeth (Anna Chlumsky), Jeremy (Aaron Metchik) and Harry (Asher Metchik), who are unhappy with their single mother (Sissy Spacek). Their elderly friend, Mrs. Cavour (Maureen Stapleton), tells them of an ancient magical spell that will allow them to go to the Mommy Market to select a new mother. Through the course of the film they try out 3 different mothers - but none of them is to their liking, either. They all sound good at the start, but experience shows that even the coolest Mom can have some of the strangest drawbacks...

Guaranteed to be really great!
This movie was my childhood favorite because of the fanciful theme and characters. I also learned from it the importance of valuing what I have. I have many fun memories of watching this movie with my sister over and over. I didn't understand, of course, until a little while ago, that it had actually taught me something, too. Please get this for your children - they will be excstatic.

A Sleeper for the Kids
Predictable, yes... even from the title. Nevertheless, this delightful little morality tale for kids is worth the time. Anna and her siblings turn in credible performances and Sissy Spacek is a delight as all four moms. Don't let the professional critics fool you into thinking that this isn't worth the time of day... it is for anyone with an eye toward fantasy without a lot of FX.

Excellent Moral Lesson for Kids
You never really miss something until you have to live without it. This valuable lesson is effectively portrayed in the movie while showcasing Sissy Specek's extraordinary telent. She takes you along a journey in which kids come to appreciate the value of a loving mother no matter how bad the current circumstances are. Well written, with plenty of laughs and one or two seemingly tearful moments, Trading Mom is a movie in which children can appreciate and understand, since the plot of the movie is based on their decisions and realizations. ....A good moral lesson taught in such an entertaining way that the children forget they're actually learning... Excellent! ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Restored edition, fantastic!!!!!!
The movie Reefer Madness seen by itself is really nothing to brag about, but this special addition for this best-selling cult classic is fantastic. It's a must buy, because for how cheap it is, you really get your money's worth. For the first time ever, I can say that the colorized version (complete with multicolor smoke and over saturated psychedelic color schemes) is better and looks better than the original black and white, and both versions are available to watch which is considerate of the DVD producers to give us both, and it looks as good as we can ever expect. Extra features are fantastic highlighted by a hysterical commentary by Mike Nelson, formerly of Mystery Science Theater 3000, which is the sole reason why I bought this edition. The commentary by the people who colorized the film is also worth a look. I highly recommend this new edition.

Reefer Madness IN COLOR for the First Time - Fire UP!
Reefer Madness is the quintessential cult classic. Originally made as a 1930's propaganda film, it was meant to scare America's youth away from drugs, showing them that one puff of the "demon weed" turns teens into raving reefer addicts. Now, years later, this ham-fisted effort to warn you off weed has become the height of camp entertainment. A 'must watch' film among students, Reefer Madness continues to entertain today's youth with the edgy exploits of their high school predecessors. This movie is so beautifully bad, it's great!

Finally someone has released Reefer Madness the way it should be: Beautifully restored, in color for the first time, and in 5.1 surround sound. Both the color and black-and-white versions are on the disk. Plus this DVD has loads of fantastic bonus material. Mike Nelson of Mystery Science Theater 3000 does a hilarious commentary track, cracking wise from start to finish. Grandpa's Marijuana Handbook, A short film by Grandpa Ganja himself, graces this edition and tells us everything we need to know about dope.

No question this is the "FEEL GOOD" DVD of the year!

TELL YOUR CHILDREN!!!
After hearing about this movie for years I finally picked it up, and its better than I ever expected. This one dude smokes a reefer and appears to drive around the block 2 times then hits this old man and then he drives away. oh, yeah, this other guy named Ralph really loves his reefers, he smokes a few hits, then laughs, then he falls in love with Mary, he tries to win her heart by ripping her clothes off and groping her. It doesnt really work out for Ralph, because his fanciful advances cause Mary to get capped, and then Jimmy gets blammed for it because he's a total dork. In the end everything works out, because this stupid girl spills the beans to judge turtlehead, and Jimmy gets aquitted then the stupid girl jumps out of the window. all in all I loved this movie, it really opened my eyes to the evils of the demon weed. thanks for saving me from a life of crime and dispair Reefer Madness!

Re Urban Legend
To address xerxes59's question about the urban legend:

I never heard any evidence about Dupont funding Reefer Madness, but they would have a motive.

Dupont was facing enormous loses because their inventions rayon and nylon could not compete with natural hemp (in quality, cost effectiveness, not to mention environmental friendliness). Andrew Mellon, US Treasury Secretary and chairman of Mellon Bank, one of the major financers of Dupont, did appoint Harry Angslinger (who was also married to his niece) as Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. As seen in Ron Mann's documentary "Grass", Angslinger was an extremist zealot who managed to criminalize marijuana and create ridiculous sentences for smoking pot. One of Angslinger's methods was to demonize pot with completely false evidence throughout the various media (newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, whose financial interests in paper mills was also being hurt by hemp, was a great ally). Of course this is a tenuous connection between Dupont and Reefer Madness, but Dupont clearly had a direct financial interest in demonizing reefer, just like the movie attempts to do.

Pointless
You mean they used to think pot was bad!!! Wow! Actually I saw this film and it was boring. It wasn't suprising, it had no point. It probably wasnt even that great back in '38. This movie is for children who just learned how to roll one and now they want to be cool. This movie SUCKS!!! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Not on Disney anymore!
I used to watch this movie on the Disney Channel before it was booted off the network. I also used to watch "Susie Q" and the original "Freaky Friday." Why did they get booted off? They were such good movies! This probably had to be my favorite because I used to wonder what it would be like to go to the "Mommy Market" and pick up a new mom. The only bad thing about this movie is that it's not on DVD. If it was on DVD, then I would buy it. I think that it's a waste to buy it on VHS. I don't even watch videos anymore! Other than that, I love this movie!!

A magical movie for moms and kids alike -
Based on the popular children's short story "The Mommy Market," the story centers around the three Martin children: Elizabeth (Anna Chlumsky), Jeremy (Aaron Metchik) and Harry (Asher Metchik), who are unhappy with their single mother (Sissy Spacek). Their elderly friend, Mrs. Cavour (Maureen Stapleton), tells them of an ancient magical spell that will allow them to go to the Mommy Market to select a new mother. Through the course of the film they try out 3 different mothers - but none of them is to their liking, either. They all sound good at the start, but experience shows that even the coolest Mom can have some of the strangest drawbacks...

Guaranteed to be really great!
This movie was my childhood favorite because of the fanciful theme and characters. I also learned from it the importance of valuing what I have. I have many fun memories of watching this movie with my sister over and over. I didn't understand, of course, until a little while ago, that it had actually taught me something, too. Please get this for your children - they will be excstatic.

A Sleeper for the Kids
Predictable, yes... even from the title. Nevertheless, this delightful little morality tale for kids is worth the time. Anna and her siblings turn in credible performances and Sissy Spacek is a delight as all four moms. Don't let the professional critics fool you into thinking that this isn't worth the time of day... it is for anyone with an eye toward fantasy without a lot of FX.

Excellent Moral Lesson for Kids
You never really miss something until you have to live without it. This valuable lesson is effectively portrayed in the movie while showcasing Sissy Specek's extraordinary telent. She takes you along a journey in which kids come to appreciate the value of a loving mother no matter how bad the current circumstances are. Well written, with plenty of laughs and one or two seemingly tearful moments, Trading Mom is a movie in which children can appreciate and understand, since the plot of the movie is based on their decisions and realizations. ....A good moral lesson taught in such an entertaining way that the children forget they're actually learning... Excellent! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Top-drawer thriller from Hollywood's 'golden age'
THE DESPERATE HOURS (USA 1955): The patriarch of a middle-class suburban family (Fredric March) is forced to take action when they're held hostage in their own home by three escaped convicts, one of whom (Humphrey Bogart) is an experienced lifer with nothing to lose...

The first and only pairing of superstars Bogart and March is a tightly-wound thriller, written by Joseph Hayes (based on his novel and stageplay, inspired by actual events), and directed by Hollywood veteran William Wyler, distancing himself from the 'women's pictures' he had helped to popularize during the 1940's (THE LITTLE FOXES, MRS. MINIVER, THE HEIRESS etc.). Photographed in gleaming deep-focus VistaVision by Lee Garmes (SCARFACE, THE PARADINE CASE), the movie wrings incredible tension from the claustrophobic settings and frequent stand-offs between staunch family man March and embittered con Bogart. The movie's themes are fairly conservative and the outcome is never really in doubt, but this is a top-drawer thriller from Hollywood's 'golden age'. Also starring Arthur Kennedy, Martha Scott, Dewey Martin and Gig Young in crucial supporting roles. Unmissable.

The movie runs 112m 25s on Paramount's region 1 DVD, and the image is letterboxed at approx. 1.85:1 (anamorphically enhanced), the recommended aspect ratio of most VistaVision movies. The beautiful black and white photography is supported by a strong Dolby 2.0 mono soundtrack, and the disc contains English captions and subtitles. There are no extras, not even a trailer.

NB. Though nowhere near as dreadful as most critics would have you believe, Michael Cimino's remake DESPERATE HOURS (1990) isn't a patch on the original.

SUPERB THRILLER
William Wyler directs Humphrey Bogart in the super tense thriller THE DESPERATE HOURS. Three on the lam thugs invade a heartland American home and hold a family hostage. Everyone seeks survival and an ordinary dad (Frederick March) puts his life on the line for his family. Bogie at his very best as a snarling, deadly con. Heartstopping showdown. Unforgettable climax. You'll hold your breath and bite your nails. This is one to own. See what great filmmaking and storytelling is all about.

Don't confuse this with the pallid 1990 remake starring Mickey Rourke, directed by Michael Cimino.

Simply Amazing
With all the thrillers, i've watched till date, The Desperate Hour is truely the king of them all. Humprey Bogart rocks in this movie and while March plans to protect his family with the unloaded gun, the tension grips high times. This is a classic that need to be in every movie collectors shelves.

Only a 50's paranoia
I am such a fan of Bogie and Wyler, but although the production is impeccable, the screenplay is so boring, and the typical "happy 50's family" is so square, that I was begging at the end of this feature, "C'mon Bogie, kill'em all! Kill'em all!".Unfortunately, he didn't.

Filmed In DesperationVision
Boring, boring, boring ...

That's really all that can be said for this William Wyler "thriller." While the performances of all of the principles (with the notable exception of Humphrey Bogart) are almost laughably unconvincing, even Bogart's magic isn't enough to elevate this drama filmed in DesperationVision to anything above passable ... yes, even for cinema's golden years.

Perhaps if they had given Bogey more screen time, I might feel different, but, that fact aside, HOURS plays out like hours ... upon hours ... upon hours ... upon hours ...

ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ..... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Cry me a 'River,' Put on DVD now!
A lost city in the Amazon jungle has John Hamilton (Michael Dudikoff) interested. There are riches hidden below, but unfortunately for he and his crew, there is a sadistic doctor there still performing offbeat operations. Disease ridden and strange tribes are spread out through the "River of Death" and the group either survives or perishes by the end of the story. The movie based on Alistair MacLean's novel is pure genius (never read the book). If I knew a river was called the "River of Death," then I wouldn't go into it. No casual swim, no fishing. Probably infested with piranha, anyway, those tribesmen needed to save makeup time for their Barbies. Why couldn't those people take a shower? If you want to stay healthy, all you have to do is stay clean. Common sense. Michael Deitykoff is a genius once again. Please put this movie on DVD right now! MGM needs to release all of Michael Dudikoff's movies.

Actually, 2,5 stars...
This is just ok. Nothing else. But don't waste money buying it. There are MUCH better action movies...

Great action adventure
I didn't realize this was an Allistair MacLaine story. There are plenty of neat twists to keep you interested. I always have liked adventure stories that involve a group of colorful heroes/characters who go jungle adventuring together and you try to determine who will live or die by the end. This isn't a perfect movie, but fun. Personally, my favorite Dudikoff role.

Indiana Jones meets Dr. Mengele
WOW!!!!

If your in the mode for a great flick then rent this sleeper. It boasts everything; from Nazis to a swashbuckling hero. Nuff said - get it NOW!!! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Sheer Brilliance!!!
I saw this movie when first released and was absolutely moved. I was able to purchase a copy when still in the stores and found it in a discount bin. When the characters are moved, I am moved. When they cry, I cry. This ranks along with "The Gathering" as one of my two top Christmas Picks. I also don't wait until Christmas to view Christmas Eve. I put it on when I feel the mood is about to strike. Nothing like the cleansing of a good cry that uplifts the spirit with hope for one and all.

Wonderful
In short: This is a fantastic Christmas movie. It will make you smile and it will make you cry. A must see (year, after year, after year). Please release on DVD soon!

Christmas eve - movie review
I taped this movie in Adelaide, South Australia when it was shown on TV several years ago and have watched this movie every Christmas with family and friends, all who have seen this movie loved it. Friends make it a point to come to my place to view this movie every year around the festive season. It would be wonderful if this could be produced on DVD as my copy is wearing out. Please advise if this is possible or can it be produced on a PAL tape. Cheers Henrietta

wonderful
Watching this movie is very moving. It makes you appreciate family alittle more. It is one of the best Christmas movies I've ever watched. It has my vote.

Christmas Eve
My family and I have enjoyed this wonderful Christmas story ever since I taped it from TV a number of years ago. This year I am ordering copies for my entire family. The story is great for young and old. The true meaning of Chrismas, a time of giving and forgiving, is brought to life when Loretta Young searches for her grandchildren that are estranged from the family because of a scrooge-like father who is suffering his own loses. The story ends with reconciliation and heartwarming scenes. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Do your parents know you're Ramones?" With those withering words, Miss Togar (Mary Woronov), the uptight neofascist principal of Vince Lombardi High School, addresses the four mop-haired, leather-jacketed members of America's first and most famous punk band. And you know it won't be long before the Ramones's jackhammer riffs are blaring through the public address system at maximum volume, the kids are running--not walking--wild in the hallways (without passes!), and Miss Togar's gulag is re-christened "Rock 'n' Roll High School." Then, in keeping with the outrageously nihilistic animus of punk, the high school students and the Ramones just blow the place to smithereens. It's a crowd- pleasing, fantasy-fulfillment climax that combines the apocalyptic finale of Michelangelo Antonioni's Zabriskie Point with the explosive conclusion of Alice Cooper's "School's Out." Rock 'n' Roll High School is a blast, a goofy and liberating salute to the rebel spirit behind the teen rock & roll movies of the 1950s, which always pitted the kids' insatiable appetite for fun against the adults' fear-based authoritarianism. The film is emblematic of the disarmingly silly, tongue-in-cheek humor of the youth-oriented B-pictures cranked out in the '50s and '60s by renowned low-budget exploitation mogul Roger Corman (who gave many a hungry young filmmaker, including the creators of this film, their start in the biz), and of the noisy, anarchic energy of '70s punk rock, as personified by the inimitable Ramones. In the words of the maestros' beach-blanket-buzz-saw title anthem, this movie is "Fun, fun, oh baby, fun, fun..." --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (54)

The Ramones kick!!
I own Rock and Roll Highschool. This movie is awesome!!! The Ramones totally can't act, and they give all the lines to Joey, but hey, the movie is a classic. Its got some great scenes (i love when they blow up the school) and AWESOME music. I was surprised they put music from Paul McCartney and Wings in their since Paul isn't even close to punk, but thats cool wit me cuz im a big wings fan anywayz. They put great Ramones songs in it too. ( i wish they put beat on the brat in it,i love that song but it has nuttin to do with the movie)

The Kids Are All Hopped Up And Ready To Go
It's hard to admit, but the recent death of Joey Ramone took a lot of the wind out of my sails, bringing with it a feeling of vulnerability, mortality and, yes, approaching middle age. Having said that, it's a treat that this part of his legacy is finally available again for all to treasure. Sort of a twisted mix of low-budget 1950's juvenile delinquent movies and 1960's beach comedies, "Rock 'N' Roll High School" has aged surprising well, thanks in most part I guess to the timeless appeal of the "brothers" Ramone. Highlights, besides the hopped up concert footage (filmed in front of an enthusiastic audience), include the Ramones pulling up to a concert venue in an old Cadillac singing "I Just Want To Have Something To Do," a fantasy sequence in which self-proclaimed #1 Ramones fan Riff Randall (P.J. Soles) imagines the band serenading her in her bedroom, complete with Dee Dee and his bass under a running shower, and the final scene in which The Ramones play the title track while the high school explodes behind them in a piece of perfectly staged incendiary directing by Allan Arkush. Timeless, mindless, exuberantly staged entertainment...

Whose the Ramon-e-s
This is the best movie ever, it's funny, has great music, and has the Ramones in it. ME and my friends watch this movies over and over, and there aren't that many movies that we do that to. So if you love a great laugh and great music then this is the movie for you!!!! Rock on

Cult Classic + Ramones = Fun Fun
This is a masterpiece of low budget cinema. Everything about this movie rocks. The Ramones are undoubtedly one of the best punk rock bands of all time and this film showcases them to great effect. Really fantastic live footage. PJ Soles is mighty sweet and Dey Young is even sweeter. Great stuff from Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel and the mighty Dick Miller as well. Some of the cornball dialogue is unforgettable. And did I mention that Dey Young is sweet? She used to make my heart go pitter patter watching this in high school.

"1,2,3,4!!!"
Hey Ho! Let's Go! Listen up, kids. Rock 'n' Roll High School may have been released way back in 1979 but it still kicks the butt of any of those square MTV movies. Forget about Britney Spears and Mandy Moore's brand of bubblegum pop music -- they don't hold a candle to the unbridled power of those punk rockers from New York City, the Ramones!

The movie does a great job of playfully championing the Ramones as rock gods and yet shows them being accessible to their fans. The band first appears in a car driving down the street on the way to their venue as they play "I Just Wanna Have Something To Do." Once outside the club, they get out of the car and interact with the crowd of ticket buyers. The editing, coupled with the insanely catchy song gives the scene an infectious energy.

From B-movie veterans like Paul (Eating Raoul) Bartel and Mary (Death Race 2000) Woronov to newcomers (at the time), P.J. (Halloween) Soles and Dey (Strange Invaders) Young, the entire cast has a lot of fun spouting the film's wonderfully inspired cornball dialogue ("If you don't like it, you can put it where the monkey puts the nuts."). The Ramones are good sports and mumble their way through the film and truly coming alive during the music sequences. The movie rightfully cements their reputation as legends.

Rock 'n' Roll High School embodies the essence of the punk rock music that made the Ramones famous. The film is bursting with youthful energy, a dose of good ol' fashion anarchy and is loads of fun to watch. These are also the ingredients that made Rock 'n' Roll High School a cult film. It was a commercial and critical failure upon its initial release but repeated midnight screenings, coupled with steady appearances on TV, have helped the film endure over the years.

Producer Michael Finnell, screenwriter Richard Whitley and director Alan Arkush deliver an engaging and rather chatty audio commentary. The three men laugh and joke about working on Rock 'n' Roll High School. They clearly have fond memories of their experiences on the movie.

Also included is a dynamic theatrical trailer that gives away the ending! Definitely watch this last if you haven't seen the movie.

Leonard Maltin interviews Roger Corman about the movie. To his credit, the veteran filmmaker admits that he was wrong about the Disco High idea and was glad that Arkush convinced him to go with Rock 'n' Roll High School.

A real treat for fans of the Ramones are several audio outtakes during the filming of the concert sequence. These are the original audio tracks of the band in action.

While Rock 'n' Roll High School will appeal predominantly to fans of the Ramones (duh!), it is also one of those fun, goofy movies to invite friends over and watch with copious amounts of junk food on hand. Despite a lackluster transfer, the audio commentary and audio outtakes are worth the price of purchase for this fantastic cinematic oddity. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The 1994 box-office hit that turned comedy maniac Jim Carrey into Hollywood's first $20-million man, this gag-filled no-brainer stars Carrey as the titular rubber-faced gumshoe who tracks down lost pets for his heartbroken clients. Ace's latest case involves the apparent kidnapping of the Miami Dolphins' team mascot, Snowflake the dolphin (natch). His investigation is a source of constant aggravation for Miami police lieutenant Lois Einhorn (Sean Young), who turns out to be packing more than a pistol under her skirt. Friends fans will appreciate the presence of Courtney Cox, who remains admirably straight-faced as the Dolphins' publicist and Ace's would-be girlfriend, but of course it's Carrey who steals the show with shameless abandon. One viewing may suffice for a lot of people, but Carrey's hyper antics have made Ace Ventura: Pet Detective one of the bestselling videos of the 1990s. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (104)

"Alrighty Then".......
I don't think I've ever laughed sp hard in a movie theater before in my life. That's something that I just don't do much of. This movie changed that. Now, this kind of comedy is an acquired taste. Not everyone is going to get it or appreciate it or the brilliant talent of Jim Carrey. Calling it stupid is not bashing the movie, it's only praising it. Get it?. Carrey stars as a pet detective hired by pre - "Friends" star Courteney Cox to find who stole the local football team's mascot. Sean Young is in on the fun as the police captain. It takes real smarts and talent to do what Jim Carrey does. It's not just acting goofy and silly. Some people don't get things. This is an uproarious film. If your in a bad mood or funk or whatever, and you need your sppirits lifted with ridiculous laughs, then you can't go wrong with this movie.

Not as funny as Austin Powers, but worth watching!
This movie is so funny. Jim Carry's perfomance was totally good. I give him 2 thumbs up for doing this movie. Carry will make you laugh if you watch this. Jim Carry plays Miami's top (and only) pet detective Ace Ventura on his biggest case yet. Although Carry's role in this movie appears to be an idiot, he always gets the job done no matter what it takes. The movie also stars FRIENDS' Courteney Cox who plays the detective who hires Ace. The case is mainly about the kidnapping of Miami Dolphin's dolphin, Snowflake. Ace has a little competition in solving this case with the LT of the police, Lois Einhorn, who finds Ventura worthless. Ace uses every piece of little evidence he finds. Whenevery he tries out his theory, he ends up in some zany mess which will make you laugh. I really liked the part when he was in the tank with a shark. Miami Dolphin's QB Dan Marino plays himself who also gets involved with kidnappings. Get this movie, you'll love it!

A Classic Comedy!
I have watched this movie so many times over and over, yet I am still entertained each time. This movie will keep you watching until the end just to see what hilarious antics Jim Carrey will do next. I have enjoyed most of his other movies but this one is his best. Get for a good laugh and a good time.

Very Great Movie
This movie is so funny I could just watch it again and again. If you don't like Jim Carrey you would still love this movie. I think this movie is sooo good. Every time I watch it (even though I know all of the words) it is still very funny.

Very Funny Movie
I bought this movie the other night after I got off of work. I love this movie just as much as the second one. I'm so glad I finally found it on dvd. ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Great Collection
While Jackson's ego as the "King of Pop" has folded over recent years, his legacy lives in this compilation of his videos and performances. With the advent of DVD, Jackson's fans will get to see and hear the great quality of his performances and music finally. Two videos on this compilation are worth seeing. The first, "Liberian Girl," is a beautiful ballad, and the celebrity-filled video is one of Jacko's rarely seen videos. The other, "Scream," which was the most expensive video ever made has Michael and his sister, Janet, in a futuristic spaceship setting, that was beautifully directed by Music Video guru Mark Romanek (Madonna's "Bedtime Story" was also his work). Forget the scandals and his wierd habits, and buy this coolection.

KING OF POP
Micheal Jackson is definetly the king of pop - after u see this collection of his videos you wont dispute that.
THE DVD
1.PROGRAM START
2.teaser-elaborate teaser showing micheal jackson as a huge statue.
3.BILLIE JEAN motown 25- an amazing performance of micheal jackson singing billie jean and doing moonwalk for first time- here he shows his amazing talent - in this performance u think it cant get any better than this but yet he ceases to amaze me - performances keep getting better. 5 star performance
4.BEAT IT- classic mj video great dancing - good song 4.3 stars
5.LIBERIAN GIRL- ok/ catchy song with alot of appearances by celebritys - very rare video- 3 stars
6.SMOOTH CRIMINAL-this one i rank up there with billie jean- here he outdoes himself again showing his amazing talent and dancing abilitys- 5 star performance
7.1995 mtv video music awards-another amazing performance- my personal favorite along with smooth criminal- here he does many songs in a mix of some sort and shows many diffrent dances and it amazes me how he can switch so quick into the diff dances -one of a kind performance - 5 stars
8.THRILLER- classic masterpiece /great performances by all- 5 stars
SIDE TWO
1.SCREAM- innovative original video with sister janet- very cool video - 4 stars
2.CHILDHOOD-pretty good video -3.5 stars
3. YOU ARE NOT ALONE- not one of my favorites but still good video/ shows micheals sensitive side- 4 stars
4.EARTH SONG- beautiful video - have to see it to believe it -5 stars
5.THEY DONT CARE ABOUT US- so so video / fun to watch- 3.5 stars
6.STRANGER IN MOSCOW- diffrent type of video yet beautiful-3.8 stars
7.BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR- the worst video on whole disk - i didnt like this song or video at all but the other videos make up for this one - 1 star( this just wasnt micheal jackson- it wasnt his style ) i expect more from this - hes more talented and hes shown that in his past but maybe he just wanted to try somthing diffrent
8.BRACE yourself-3.5-4 stars
SO I RECOMEND THIS DVD TO ANYONE - any pop music lover or micheal jackson fan - even if ur not a big micheal jackson fan u will be after veiwing this collection and this dvd is also good for chronicaling some very memorable video masterpieces.

Michael Jackson is the King! Period!
How can someone who hasn't released any commercially successful material in the last six years be the King? Watch this video and you'll find out!

This is packed with some of Michael's most ambitious video's and live performances.

Video listing:

1. Bille Jean (Motown 25: yesterday, Today and Forever)

2. Beat It 3. Liberian Girl (very rare)

4. Smooth Criminal (one of his finest and higly overlooked videos)

5. 1995 MTV Video Music Awards Performance (Killer 15 minute Jackson performance!)

6. Thriller

7. Scream (duet with sister Janet and an amazing visual effect video!) 8. Childhood

9. You Are Not Alone (Video for the first song ever to debut at No.1 on the Billboard #100)

10. Earth Song (Beautiful video!)

11. They Don't Care About Us (Highly contorvercial song and video from 1996)

12. Stranger In Moscow (rare)

13. Bllod On The Dance Floor (rare in North America)

14. Brace Yourself

Get this DVD 'cause these are some fine pieces of work from the greatest entertainer of the last twenty years!

Five out of five

Video HIStory,volume 2
This package was released sometime after the 1997 release of Michael Jackson's BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR album. There is a video for BOTDF in this package. I just love SCREAM. That video features MJ's sister Janet,who's freaky like her brother. Take note of two censorships when the video is seen on MTV or VH1. The second word of the quoted line in SCREAM that goes "stop f---ing with me" is muted and also during that,Janet "flips the digit" which is blurred. Sorry,they're just following FCC regulations. No MJ fan should be without this package unless he/she chooses not to.

amazing music video
this is highly recommended for fans of mj and also nonfans who enjoy his music. It's all that and a bag of chips. This video came out when I was 14, but it wasn't until 3 years later I ended up buying it and it was well worth it.

It starts out with the now infamous trailer with mj as the statue on the HIStory cover, which leads the mj's groundbreaking performance of billie jean on the motown 25th special, the time he premiered the moonwalk. A definining moment in pop culture that is, and this is followed by the music video for beat it. Next up is the rare release of the liberian girl video which was an overseas hit in 1989 and features tons of celebrites such as quincy jones, weird al, paula abdul etc. and then the brilliant smooth criminal with it's amazing dance sequences, and yet another mj video moment, the lean. 1995 MTV video music awards performance is next, it's a medley of songs such as don't stop till you get enough, the way you make me feel, scream, beat it, black or white, billie jean, dangerous, smooth criminal and you are not alone. Next up is the music video which is considered the best video of all time, thriller. Followed by that is scream, a duet with sister janet and the most expensive video ever. This video set a blueprint for futuristic music videos the same way as previous videos have. Childhood is a sweet song, but I could do without the video. You Are Not Alone is also on here, but it is different from the version that used to air on tv. Earth Song is a touching masterpiece that is bound to make you shed tears. The song alone stands on it's own as a masterpiece, but the video is like the icing to the cake in a way. They Don't Care About Us the brazil version is very bright, very colourful and very rhythmic. Stranger is moscow is a calming masterpiece with a black and white video, beautiful videography here. If you buy the VHS, there is an mj megamix music video that mixes up his classic hits and shows different clips from videos and performances, you won't find this on the DVD. Last but not least, the remix video of blood on the dancefloor is at the end before ending with the brace yourself clip, a montage of Bad tour footage mixed with some victory tour footage. It is definitely worth your money and a timeless classic that is bound to forever live on. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

There's nothing hip about this vintage Disney film that begins and ends with a corny song about the "best doggone dog in the West." But that's the beauty ofOld Yeller, originally released in 1957. The simple, heart-warming story of a boy who bonds with a feisty stray dog in 1860s Texas is full of 1950s sensibilities: A Donna Reed-style perfect "Momma" (Dorothy McGuire) who knows best, a couple of brothers who quarrel in the best sitcom tradition, and a father (Fess Parker, in a small role) who goes off to provide for his family, leaving his older boy (Tommy Kirk) in charge and his incredibly cute younger one (Kevin Corcoran) to steal as many scenes in the movie as he possibly can. With Old Yeller at his side, Kirk becomes a little man, who in the end must make a decision so heart-breaking that it's one of filmdom's most memorable moments. --Valerie J. Nelson ... Read more

Reviews (31)

REALLY HOLLERIN' OVER OLD YELLER!
"Old Yeller" is the heart-wrenching family drama about two kids and their faithful dog. Dorothy McGuire gets top billing but, like Tommy Kirk, plays second fiddle to that darling golden retriever. "Here Yeller - come back yeller, best doggon dog in the west!"
This isn't Disney's best on DVD. In fact it's not even close to what a film like "Old Yeller" truly deserves. For starters, the print used to master this DVD is very softly focused while still managing to be riddled with edge enhancement, aliasing and shimmering of fine details. There's a lot of pixelization throughout that really breaks up fine detail. Color is improperly balanced in many of the outdoor scenes, with greens, in grass and trees shifting color from brownish beige to muddy green and then back again. Flesh tones often appear too, too orange. Fine detail is generally lost in the darker scenes.
The audio has been remixed but is very, very strident and forward sounding. At times its painful to listen to and really doesn't hold a candle in comparison to fidelity of the day from other films of "Old Yeller"'s period.
Extras: Disney gets top marks for their supplimental package on this and their other three "Vault Disney" releases. We get documentaries, isolated scores, vintage advertising and short subjects, a gallery of stills, trailers and television spots and interviews with the surviving cast members. What more could anybody ask for?
BOTTOM LINE: The print is disappointing. The extras are amazing. Decide for yourself and then buy - or not.

Great family movie
I hadn't watched this movie for many years, but I still remembered the basic story as I watched it again recently trying to get my 18 month old to be interested in the big yellow dog, the horses, cows and pigs. She was only vaguely interested. It is hard for this type of movie to compete with Toy Story and other modern movies that start and finish with lots of action and special effects.

But the story here, a well done coming of age story, is timeless and classic and well worth sitting down with the kids and a bucket of popcorn to watch. There are lots of things this kind of movie can bring for topics of discussion, and unless one has seen it a few times, the emotional parts should stir up at least some feelings (even for non dog lovers).

I give a strong recommendation for this movie, it is a simple and straight forward story, and what it lacks in action and effects, it makes up for in it's timelessness and powerful story line.

Yet another in a long line of bad DVD's from Disney
It's almost hard to fathom a studio having so little respect for its classic movies. This "Vault Disney" release of "Old Yeller" is a perfect example.

The "Vault Disney" releases are promoted as "high end", supposedly better than the cheapy "movie-only" releases of many of Disney's live action movies.

From the initial opening credits, with the worst example I have seen of "grain" in a picture outside of a non-major-studio release, I knew this was going to be another Disney disaster. Though the grain subsided SOMEWHAT, the softness of the picture throughout was not even close to what I would expect of a classic movie release. While my widescreen television is relatively small, I'd hate to see how bad this picture would look on a large widescreen display.

In addition, the chintzy packaging for these movies is hardly up to "special edition" quality either, and the majority of the extras are nothing more than more "Disney" horn-blowing.

I will commend them for the inclusion of one of Pluto's best cartoons {"Bone Trouble"}, and for the current-day interview with Tommy Kirk {whom I would have NEVER recognized}.

However, all in all, Disney should be ashamed at the quality on such a classic film release.

A BOY AND HIS DOG....
I first saw this as a kid and nearly never saw another movie again. Especially one with an animal in it. For anyone who has ever bonded with an animal (especially a dog), "Old Yeller" strikes a nerve or two. The was also the first time I ever heard the phrase "It's only a movie!" after I saw "Old Yeller" because I cried so hard. This is probably one of the finest family films ever made by the Walt Disney people. It's a simple tale of a frontier boy who bonds with a stray dog (that more than proves it's loyalty) and the boy's final realization that he has to grow up. Dorothy McGuire is the steadfast mother and Tommy Kirk is the boy who must make a gut-wrenching decision that will start him on the road to maturity. I hated this movie for years but as an adult I more than see the beauty of it now and highly recommend it all round. But keep those kleenex handy because if you're like me, you'll need 'em.

Stop killing dogs
I can't stand it when dogs die in the movies.

I'd much rather watch people die before dogs.

I could laugh my butt off watching Meryl Streep in pain from cancer in that dumb movie with Renee Zellweger before I can stand to see a dog suffer.

Just tears your heart out. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The 1970s were difficult years for the great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. Following the box-office failure of his 1970 film Dodes'ka-den and an unsuccessful suicide attempt, Kurosawa was unable to find financial backing in Japan, and he made his acclaimed 1975 film Dersu Uzala in Siberia with Russian financing. With only partial Japanese backing for his epic project Kagemusha, the 70-year-old master then found American support from George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola, who served as coexecutive producers (through 20th Century Fox) for this magnificent 1980 production--to that date the most expensive film in Japanese history. Set in the late 16th century, Kagemusha centers on the Takeda clan, one of three warlord clans battling for control of Japan at the end of the feudal period. When Lord Shingen (Tatsuya Nakadai), head of the Takeda clan, is mortally wounded in battle and near death, he orders that his death be kept secret and that his "kagemusha"--or "shadow warrior"--take his place for a period of three years to prevent clan disruption and enemy takeover. The identical double is a petty thief (also played by Nakadai) spared from execution due to his uncanny resemblance to Lord Shingen--but his true identity cannot prevent the tides of fate from rising over the Takeda clan in a climactic scene of battlefield devastation. Through stunning visuals and meticulous attention to every physical and stylistic detail, Kurosawa made a film that restored his status as Japan's greatest filmmaker, and the success of Kagemusha enabled the director to make his 1985 masterpiece, Ran. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Fine precursor to the classic "Ran"
Just before "Ran," Kurosawa got American funding for this movie about a "shadow warrior" who was assigned to impersonate Takeda Shingen should he die. This was to keep the Takeda clan's border secure and prevent enemies (of which Takeda had many) from invading. It is a wonderful film, and has two very strong points: the visuals, and the characters.

The strong visuals should be obvious - an Akira Kurosawa film with no strong visuals is like a Monet painting with poor use of color. The battle scenes are stunning and seem to come out of a nightmare, with rifleman shooting down on soldiers with a bright light flashing behind them. The colored armor of Takeda's men were also nicely picked and, as Kurosawa would later do with "Ran", give their presense a hauntingly beautiful yet horrifying tone. The final scene at the Battle of Nagashino (which was wrongfully nitpicked in Stephen Turnbull's Osprey book of the battle) chooses to show us only the aftermath of the battle, with shots of cavalry charging to the gunners and then cutting to the horrified expressions of those who watch the unfolding massacre of Japan's greatest army. The shot of the fields of dead is some thing that could only have come out of the nightmare of war.

I think the strongest part of the film, though, were the characters. The film has a slew of fascinating characters, from Takeda's generals (each with their own personality) right down to the rifleman who shot Takeda. Even the spies from Oda and Tokugawa interact and talk like real people, and I can't think of any one in this film I easily forget. I especially liked Oda Nobunaga, and I think this film has the best portrayal I've ever seen of him. He can be seen walking out with his army and stopping briefly to listen to a Christian priest give a prayer. There is another part where he rides around on an Arab horse, followed by a scene where he offers Tokugawa Ieyasu a glass of Western wine (poor Tokugawa chokes on it!).

The best character is, of course, the shadow warrior himself. The actor did a wonderful job of playing Takeda and the imposter, and even though being a common thief that nearly quits his job in the beginning, you find yourself growing to like him. The scene where he confesses to the concubines he is an imposter, knowing they'll take it as a joke, and then winks at a general was hilarious! Also, notice in the scene where a retainer describes to Takeda's nephew what the meaning of the clan flag is...the imposter is listening just as intently as the boy is! He also comes out strong in the second-to-last battle sequence, where he watches as men fight and die for a man they strongly admire. The final Kurosawa metaphor at the end (which I won't describe because its a serious spoiler) also gives the whole point of the story. The man tried to undertake a role that was perhaps too big for him, a role only one man could really play.

Overall, I was very impressed with this movie, and I would definately recommend it as viewing for those fans of the master of film himself. I hope soon a DVD will be released of it and I will be able to add it to my growing Akira Kurosawa DVD set. In the meantime, I happily own a video copy for viewing.

The shadow warrior
Kagemusha is another entry in Kurosawa's decades-long string of Samurai movies and is replet with rank-n-file anti-war themes: empires are fleeting, stubborn pride proves costly, and human life is cheap. Although not without its problems in pacing and stiffness, it is better than some of his more famous films, though no where near as good as Ran. The plot: The warlord Shingen is mortally wounded whilst besieging a fortress. His dying wish is that his dynasty continue. This is accomplished by using an impersonator, Kagemusha (Tatsuya Nakadai), who is a thief with humble ancestry. Kagemusha serves as Shingen's stand-in for three years, improving morale and even helping to win battles. The most impressive feature in Kagemush is the photography along with the splendid costumes. Indeed, outstanding cinematography and convincing sets are a familiar hallmark for Kurosawa. While one can hardly fault the films character development, for a war film, the pace is slow -- very slooow. Kagemusha was an expensive film by Japanese standards, and Kurosawa had alienated himself from Japanese studios with his cutting comments about their uncompromising attitude towards fimmaking. So unfortunatley (and ironically), he turned to the crass commerical master himself, George Lucas (as well as Francis Ford Coppola). Both are credited as executive producers for the "international" version of Kagemusha. Kagemusha was nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Art Direction.

Better than Ran
Comparing Kagemusha with Ran is a thread that runs through many of the reviews. Both are dramas centered around warlords during Japan's feudal era, and were directed by Kurosawa late in his career. Both films are visually stunning, but there are differences in how the stories are presented. Ran seems affected by its self-conscious adaptation of King Lear, and has a more theatrical (and less cinematic) feel about it. The acting is very stylized, as if in adapting Shakespeare's play Kurosawa also wanted to reaffirm the Japanese qualities through similarities to traditional ritualistic Noh dramas.

The story of Kagemusha seems more of a natural portrayal in comparison. The loyalty of the thief to the warlord is perhaps a quintessentially Japanese story, and is beautifully evoked in many small scenes throughout the film. It is the battle scenes which are highly stylized in this film, as they serve to illustrate the changing fortunes of the clans, and are not centerpieces. They are a part of the amazing beauty of the film's images. One of my favorite images of all the films I have seen is that of the warlord's unhappy son plotting in a traditional room, while in the background we can see the blue of a lake being whipped up by a storm.

Some people will prefer Ran, and others will like best Kurosawa's earlier and more earthy films, such as Yojimbo. They are all wonderful, but for myself Kagemusha is his crowning achievement.

Great movie
I actually prefer Kagemusha to Ran. My Japanese language University teacher used to gripe that Kurosawa represented a "western" style of cinema, as opposed to Ozu, for instance. Ran is basically King Lear set in medieval Japan, whereas Kagemusha is more original in many ways, and less anachronistic. The themes of the Kagemusha's futile fight aganst destiny and his doppelganger-like identification with Shingen are also magnificently played. Finally, the very Japanese emphasis on passive control (Shingen's strategy is always to act as an umovable mountain on which to shatter his enemies) resonates in interesting ways.

I Want My DVD!!!!!!!
Why, oh why, is Kagemusha not available on DVD? I have seen probably a dozen of Kurosawa's movies, and Kagemusha is my favorite of them all. For the wonderful cinematography and score alone, it is deserving of a better format than VHS. ... Read more

Reviews (74)

Tom Keogh...SHOVE IT!!
OK, Tom's review is by far one of the worst that I have seen for this movie...I can't believe it was posted. He obviously is not a Ghostbuster fan, but if you are a fan of the first movie, you will definately love this flick. Ironically Dana Barrett(Sigorney Weever) is suckered in by the world of the supernatural again, and who else but the Ghostbusters to help her...and her baby, Oscar(yes, like the hotdog), out of a fix with Vigo the Carpathian. It's a great movie to sit down with the family and eat popcorn on a Friday night with or to sit and watch by yourself. Very entertaining, and the comedic chemistry of Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd, and Ernie Hudson add together to make one of the best films of the 89 year. Loads of fun! This one goes a little further, because it has a massive river of slime, and the bathtub tries to eat Dana and her baby. Great stuff. I hope you enjoy this movie as much as I have over the past few years that I have owned it. So, if you have a night with the family, make it a GB night. :^)

Ghostbusters II
So, after risking their lives by crossing the streams and barely averting NYC from a disaster of biblical proportions, the guys in grey are sued out of business and shunted off into their own stupid little jobs. Even Dana Barett, the love interest from the first movie, has a baby, but w/o Venkman, who now runs a shoddy psychic talk show.
But when the guys are called into court over charges of Ray's causing a power outage, two dead killers return from the grave to menace the judge and jury. Reluctantly, the recalcitrant judge rescinds the previous sentence and the guys are back, blasting away and having a whole new car.
Unfortunately, while it has a strong start and good performances, the plot holds up like a wet paper bag. Never boring, but a bit of an anticlimax, especially with the end villain. Zhuul and Vinz Clortho are far superior to Vigo's half-possessing of Ray and a museum clerk, and the end battle doesn't make much use of his supposedly wizard-like abilities.
Final Analysis: While have a good start and entertaining performances, Ghostbusters II, unlike its predecessor, is a film that doesn't really pull you in (if you'll pardon the pun).

'Busting Makes Me Feel Good! (A lot Less In This Movie)
One of the main problems with GHOSTBUSTERS II is that it came out five years too late and that everything from the first film was invalid. In the first film the Ghostbusters literally save New York City and were heroes. In the sequel, we find out that that they are prohibited from "ghostbusting" and owe the city a hefty bill for the destruction incurred at "spook central" (Dana Barrett's /Sigourney Weaver apartment building near Central Park from the first movie). In the sequel, they have to literally start from scratch to re-establish themselves along with a new Ghostbusters logo. The rest of the plot is interestingly inventive but not as thrilling or memorable as from the original Ghostbusters (who can forget Gozer, Zhule, the Stay Puft Marshmellow Man). The heroes have to stop an evil spirit from the 16th Century, Vigo the Carpathian (currently inhabiting a painting of his own image being restored at a museum by Dana Barrett). He wants to come back to life by taking over Dana Barrett's baby boy, Oscar while "enlisting" the aid of Dana's boss,Janosz (an annoying Peter MacNicol with a european accent). At the same time his evil presence is oozing pink ectoplasmic slime (the first movie had green slime) being fed by all the negative vibes in New York City. Also,as in the first movie, the antagonizer against the Ghostbusters business was a man from the EPA (which was hilariously original and inventive), in this film it's the the mayor's campaign manager (Kurt Fuller). GHOSTBUSTERS II's production values and special effects are excellent along with the chemistry and comraderie among the cast and characters. However, it feels like it could have been a preliminary draft of ideas for it's characters instead of a sequel (i.e. The Statue of Liberty compared to the Stay-Puft Marshmellow Man). The filmmakers should have taken out the "trying to re-establish themselves" plot from the script, and concentrate on a more inventive and earth-shattering storyline which is the point of any sequel. The hype on the first GHOSTBUSTERS poster states "Coming This Summer To Save The World" and the film lived up to that hype. GHOSTBUSTERS II did not have that kind of atmosphere. Lastly, as stated earlier, the film came out five years too