Reviews (368)

Full blown comedy with a killer cast
Meet the Parents is one of the best comedy movies to hit the shelves in recent years. With an all-star cast including Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, and the one and only Owen Wilson, this movie delivers the laughs perfectly!

Greg Focker, male nurse, is about to propose to Pam, his "special friend" of ten months, when he hears about her recently engaged sitster, whose husband to be made the right move and asked her father first. Now he's got to do the same, which means he's got to meet the parents. And with the plot set, the laughter ensues...

What really makes this movie work is the characters we can all relate to. First there's Greg, who is desperately trying to win the parents' approval, but somehow manages to screw up everything he possibly can along the way. And to make matters worse, he's got to to deal with Pam's ex fiance while he carries out this death sentence of a weekend. And then there is Pam, whose father is well...just a little strange to say the least.

Also, Owen Wilson is just insane in this and the movie is worth it for his performance alone, not to mention being able to see DeNiro do a comedy this good.

See it for the laughs, see it for the cast, see it for the experience, because this is one of the best lately. And if that is not insentive enough, I leave you with a quote..."Well I have nipples Focker, could you milk ME?"

Skip This Meeting
Stale, unoriginal humor is the downfall of this take-it-or-leave-it Ben Stiller comedy. Stiller plays male nurse Gaylord Focker (whose name is the inspiration for at least a quarter of the movie's jokes), a hapless soul whose attempts to propose to his girlfriend (Teri Polo) are interrupted by a phone call announcing her sister's engagement. This leads to the wedding trip, and Stiller's opportunity to meet the parents.

What follows are a series of mildly amusing situations and one-liners, none of which you'll probably be itching to repeat at work tomorrow. Owen Wilson is a bright spot, as usual, playing Polo's ex-fiance. He also delivers the best line in the movie, a deadpan joke about the inspiration for his hobby, carpentry. Robert DeNiro and Blythe Danner, however, are both too woefully underchallenged to be able to turn in memorable performances.

The DVD's extra features include the standard outtakes, commentaries, and deleted scenes, as well as interactive personality quizzes which are fun to take but whose answers seem somewhat random. Overall, Meet the Parents is only worth renting if you're desperate to see a movie and this is the just about only thing left on the video store shelves.

Calamity after calamity - Very Funny
"Meet the Parents" is funny, outrageous, and full of fun. Pratfalls and pitfalls await our comic star Ben Stiller as he pursues his love and ingratiates himself with his father-in-law to-be, Robert DeNiro. DeNiro is a crazed, over protective, retired CIA agent who zealously protects his daughter from her would-be suitor.

Calamity follows calamity, and the sight gags cascade until the end unwinds all the zaniness in a satisfying ending. It is a lot of fun with several belly laughs thrown in for good measure.

Oh no, no, no, no, no, it's not very good. Way over rated.
This movie is not funny, just dumb. Is saying "focker" over and over and over again really that funny? I'm sorry, folks, but NO, it's just not all that funny, and this is the same dull plot that we've seen over and over again in the movies and on tv. Not recommended.

Unwatchable
I wanted to leave the theater halfway through this garbage but I already ponied up my $8. Predictable gag after predictable gag after predictable gag, this movie made me hate Ben Stiller. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Inside the third reich - Great movie to experiment
This is the type of movie I love. I recently bought the whole collection of Winds of War and War and Remembrance and this movie fits right in this line of drama. What's special in this movie for me is I saw it on TV years ago. I just completed my engineering degree at University and this moview woke me up. I could understand where Speer offered his technical knowledges for the 3rd reich. Conflicting for an intellectual but probably brought him a lot of satisfaction in terms of achievement and exceptional designs. Everytime I see a movie with the Nazi banners, I think about Speer who brought that to the NSDAP. It's just amazing to see him when they walk in the new chancellerie. The music, the scenes and Speer's fase expressions, are just touching deeply any technical designer. I recommend this movie for anyone that is ready to put himself (herself) into the character and accept what he's doing in the movie. Yes, he was part of the nazi movement, but we are talking about exceptional design productions. It's sad to see pictures at the end that shows the buildings destroyed. These were built to last 1000 years. Imagine which building today will last 1000 years!!!

Inside The Third Reich
This has got to be the worst movie on the Third Reich. Dates were wrong, the screenplay was horrible. It was funny that in almost every scene in the movies from the 30's until 45 Himmler,Goering were always there, when in real life they were off doing there own things. Randy Quaid playing Ernst Hanfstaengl that was real bad. The uniforms had the wrong insignia and rank and everything was just a mess. Also you can tell that the whole movie was filmed in th fall and mostly winter. There are many scenes that add to this, such as when Hess flew to Scotland in the movie it was snowing in real life it was May and hot. Also when the attempt on Hitlers life on July 20th everyone is wearing winter clothing and there is snow outside. If Speer wouldn't died before 81 this movie sure would of done the job.

Best of its genre
I watched all the WWII and nazi-related movies and miniseries from the 1980s and I must say this one has stuck with me ever since. Derek Jakobi's performance of Hitler is spellbinding. The scene of him practicing his gestures before a mirror is compelling. Hauer gives a competant though understated performance as Speer. But I must tell you if you watch this movies for no other reason it is the lengthy scene, without dialogue, of Hitler walking through the rooms of the new reich chancellory. The haunting soundtrack music and Jakobi's eyes as he takes in Speer's handiwork are memorable and at the end of the scene, with tears he looks at Speer and say "Well done." When I watch that scene, ever 20 years later, it still gives me goosebumps. This two-part movie is definitely a cut above others from the era. Well worth it to watch.

Nazi purists may disagree, but...
...this TV movie isn't as bad as some reviewers claim. At moments it gets quite interesting and it features a once-in-a-lifetime-never-to-be-seen-again cast that includes John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, Ian Holm, Elke Sommer, Blythe Danner, Robert Vaughn, Rugter Hauer (Albert Speer) and the great Derek Jacobi as Hitler.
Tends to be somehow an apology for Speer (couldn't be otherwise, it's based on his memoirs) and, true, it fails to inspire much emotion (except for the rage of a few reviewers, it seems). It's also rather long (a miniseries, actually) and may not be as accurate as some would like it to be. Personally ...who cares? If you're that obsessed with facts and dates read the book instead!
So, not a life-changing movie experience for sure (I hope), but interesting if you're into WWII within reason.

Good, and reasonably faithful to the book.
This movie is fairly faithful to "Inside the Third Reich" authored by Albert Speer while in prison. While it has gotten a barrage of criticism here on Amazon, I liked it. Rutger Hauer puts in a fine performance as Speer. The actors who play Hitler and the other major characters also do good jobs. This movie does a creditable job explaining who Speer was, and what he did, at least according to Speer as based upon his book.

This is very watchable historical drama. I hope it is soon available on DVD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The hit Broadway musical by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards became the basis for this 1972 film about America's first congress and the nation's declaration of independence from Britain. Most of the original cast members are aboard, including William Daniels as John Adams. The film is a little stodgy and moves stiffly from scene to scene--the adaptation to the screen is not a smooth success. But it is nonetheless captivating, considering that so few films have dealt directly with America's birth. Directed by Peter H. Hunt.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (202)

For God's Sake, John, Sit Down...
First, let me say that I'm not a big fan of movie musicals. However, I've always made an exception for 1776. I suppose it's my abiding interest in history, and in the popular presentation of history, that keeps me coming back to this film. For the uninitiated, 1776 is the story of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and was first presented on Broadway in the late 1960s. Set in Philadelphia in June and early July of 1776, the action centers around John Adams's attempt to get a reluctant Continental Congress to declare the 13 colonies independent of Great Britain. Adams, and his allies (including Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson), is opposed at every step by the conservatives in Congress, led by John Dickinson of Pennsylvania. Although we know the ending, it is to scriptwriter Peter Stone's credit that we realize things may have turned out rather differently.

My first recorded version of this movie was taped off of a local television station that had drastically edited it for length and content. When I finally got around to buying the VHS version of 1776, I was amazed at what had been left out, particularly when it came to the earthier dialogue. Imagine my reaction to the new DVD director's cut edition of this musical; it was like watching a completely new movie. Bridging scenes that had been edited out now provide a nearly seamless narrative flow, and the musical number "Cool, Considerate Men" has been restored, providing for greater balance between the conservatives and radicals in Congress.

The cast, a number of whom reprise their roles from the Broadway production, is nearly flawless. William Daniels IS John Adams, hard-headed, driven, passionate, "obnoxious and disliked". Howard da Silva is equally effective as Benjamin Franklin, elder statesman and earthy man-of-the-world, while the rest of the actors do very well by their characters. Of necessity, the film's emphasis is on Congress, and therefore on the male of the species; women are limited to two roles--Martha Jefferson, played by Blythe Danner, and Abigail Adams, played by Virginia Vestoff. Of Danner's role, there is little to say beyond the fact that the actress is a luminous screen presence. Vestoff, on the other hand, has a rather more substantial role as John Adams's wife, confidant, and sounding board. The film effectively portrays the correspondence between John and Abigail, a partnership that was, in many ways, remarkable in American history.

Director Peter Hunt keeps things moving along at a lively pace, propelled by the music of Sherman Edwards, who also wrote the lyrics. It's hard to pick a favorite song, but two stand out in my mind--the chilling "Molasses to Rum to Slaves" and the poignant "Mamma, Look Sharp". The former underlines the flawed nature of the American Experiment--that a new nation established on the principle that "all men are created equal" would also keep hundreds of thousands of people in chains. The latter song brings home the fact that while Congress engages in endless debates, men (and boys) are dying on the field of battle.

I could dwell at some length on the historical inaccuracies embodied in this movie--the character of Judge Wilson, for one, and that of Richard Henry Lee, for another. However, purism aside, what 1776 makes clear is just what a close run thing independence really was, that there was, indeed, a significant proportion of Americans (and their representatives) who wished to remain loyal to the British crown. Better yet, the Founding Fathers are portrayed mot as marble men, but as the passionate, flawed, flesh-and-blood individuals they were.

Delightful History
While obviously a stage play transfered to the screen, "1776" is an interesting movie on several levels. While I can't swear to the accuracy of the history on a micro level - although, from what I've seen in the academic sources, it's pretty accurate - this brings some pretty stodgy material to life.

The cast is intriguing - Howard daSilva(who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era) as Benj. Franklin; William Daniels(St. Elsewhere's Dr. Craig)as John Adams; Ken Howard(The White Shadow)as Thos. Jefferson; Blythe Danner; John Cullum; and others. To see daSilva, Daniels and Howard singing and dancing on the stairs of Independence Hall, debating who should write the Declaration, is a delight.

A few famous one-liners - "Gentlemen, if we do not all hang together, we, most assuredly,will all hang separately." And some commentary, which may not be completely accurate, but is indicative of the personality involved - "Rhode Island's in the 'necessary'."

This is no where near a great movie, but it is both educational and entertaining. And there is little funnier in film than Adams' and Franklin's discussion of sex.

Good Muscial. Good History. Good Fun.
"Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anybody see what I see?" John Adams (William Daniels, St. Elsewhere, among other things) musically muses in 1776. He is frustrated and believes that the cause of independence may be lost over the issue of slavery.
1776 is a good musical. Maybe it's not the best musical of all time, but pretty darn good. It's fun, it's witty, it's a little naughty in places, and it's very close in historical accuracy. It is a tradition in my household to watch it every 4th of July, to remind ourselves that the holiday is more than just picnics and firework displays.
The music is special too, because it has meaning to the character(s) that sing it and meaning for us. For instance, when Martha Jefferson (Blythe Danner) sings her song, "He Plays the Violin", it has a poignancy to it, because she sings "Say I died loving bride, loving life, loving wife..." and we are reminded that she dies before Jefferson ever sees the Presidency. The exchanges between John and Abigail Adams show us both the love and friendship they shared and the hardship that the wives and families of the revolutionary leaders suffered. When Edward Rutledge of South Carolina (John Collum, Northern Exposure) incredible performance "Molasses to Rum to Slaves", tells us both something about the economics of the times, the compromises that policymakers have to make, and the tragedy of slavery that haunted our nation until the American Civil War and still has repercussions resounding in our ears. He chastises Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard) on Jefferson's hypocrisy, "You, sir, are a practitioner." Tough words there but true!
1776 isn't only about colonial history; it was written during the American involvement in the Vietnam War. The young messenger (Stephen Nathan) that carries the dispatches from George Washington, sings "Mama, Look Sharp." This sad, dirge-like song is so moving, because it tells us that while the policymakers are quibbling and quarrelling in Philadelphia (or Washington, D.C.), someone is out there dying for the policies and decisions they have implemented. Something to note is that the song "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men" comes right before the Messenger's song and he walks through them, but the cool men don't even seem to see him. No wonder Nixon wanted it taken out of the picture!
But stop all the doom and gloom. There are fun, rousing songs as well like "Sit Down, John", "The Lees of Old Virginia", and "The Egg". I love this musical, because it makes the founding fathers seem more real than any history book has ever done. This musical captures perfectly the anxiety that shadowed the birth of the United States of America. Whether they were on the left or the right, I feel such love for the idiosyncratic, irascible, dynamic men that helped create this ever-evolving democratic republic.

Never Thought History Could Be So Much Fun!
Witty and wonderful songs help tell the story of the trying times leading to the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence. Definitely helps explain how America's founders could want independence, while still tolerating slavery.

The sound quality is far superior to earlier releases. This is an opportunity to see "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men," the production number which President Richard Nixon had Jack Warner cut from the original production. It certainly adds to the impact, and should NOT have been cut!

Includes Screen Tests and Trailers. Best of all, it also includes an option to hear a full Director and Screenwriter Commentary on the production.

Why were'nt our history classes this informative AND FUN?!

A Patriotic Lump In The Throat
What a wonderful combination of history, theater, and music. "1776" has been one of my favorite musicals since the late '60's. To some, a musical version of the signing of the Declaration of Independence must seem odd and truly out of place, perhaps blasphemous. True, the music is not by Rodgers and Hammerstein, so there will be nothing from this film to whistle in the shower. But I can imagine this film, to most viewers anyway, ranking up there with "Yankee Doodle Dandy" as required viewing every 4th of July.

I am impressed with how the film (and play) stay close to history, although, for the sake of art, some details are changed. The characters come alive, away from the dusty history books, and show humor and a great desire to do something wonderful for the world.

The commentary is very informative. How interesting it is to learn that, on President Richard Nixon's suggestion, friend Jack Warner (the film's producer) cut all references in the film showing conservatives standing in the way of independence. Fortunately, the original, director's cut edition has been restored to DVD, and presents a film more fluid than what was found on the edited, pan-and-scan tape.

If you don't care for the music, at least watch this great film to see what our Founding Fathers were up against in "1776". If patriotic films bring a tear to the eye, keep a box of red, white, and blue tissues handy. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Barbra Streisand -- Queen of Tides
Actually, the sentence in the title is not mine; the author of the book Pat Conroy was so grateful for the film that he gave the director such a name...

Conroy must have realised limitations of a film in comparison with the book. "The Prince of Tides" book is rather thick and to make a two-hour movie out of it is difficult. The film "Cider House Rules" was also criticised of being too thin in comparison with the book -- and, in fact, the author John Irving himself wrote the script.

Romantic side is highlighted over a complex, dark family story, with Streisand enjoying the starring female role to the full. She does so alongside the great performance by Nick Nolte, who plays Tom Wingo, a teacher from American South hiding much of his painful past until he gets familiar with New York psychiatrist Susan Lowenstein (Streisand).

The film love story between Wingo and Lowenstein is one of the most memorable of the past decades, yet the picture also encompasses deep social undertones -- suicide, hypocrisy, lack of family understanding. There is a couple of memorable scenes; the most special one comes when Wingo finally lets the demons of the past out -- this is acting at its best on both Nolte's and Streisand's part. Although some other films also attempted something similar (e.g. "Good Will Hunting", with Matt Damon and Robin Williams), it never was so powerful as here. The ending is bittersweet, not typically romantic but ultimately inevitable and logical for the story.

Beautiful cinematography and great musical score to a large extent made this film to achieve five stars in my book. I know I will keep on returning to "The Prince of Tides" video.

GOOD EFFORT
Though Barbra Streisand kind of gets in the way of her own movie, The Prince of Tides does have some expertly compelling sequences, most chillingly the flashbacks that seriously do justice to Pat Conroy's epic novel. Dealing most significantly with the inner child, and the revelations that can free us, the book and the film successfully engage you with a rich sense of time and place. The characters who populate the film sometimes seem from two different worlds, but I think that is part of the point. Kate Nelligan and Jason Gould will surprise you with unusually good performances, and of course, Nick Nolte does some of his best acting ever in this film -- the role suits him; even its grander touches seem so - so - Tom. The score, by James Newton Howard, swirls symphonically around the action of this movie, and is achingly beautiful.

This movie made me want to commit suicide
This was one of the worst films I have ever seen. I watched it because my girlfriend made me. This was depressing and boring. I guess the message of this movie is if your sister tries to commit suicide and you come from a screwed up family, have sex with your sister's unattractive shrink and you will open up and live happily ever after! This is definitely a movie for the Oprah crowd or Doctor Phil fans. If you are a regular red-blodded American heterosexual you will despise this inane nonsense. The acting is terrible. This movie perpetuates the worst stereotypes of southerners as well as New Yorkers. As far as Nick Nolte, all he does is grunt and make bad self-deprecating jokes the whole movie. Why would any woman be attracted to this loser? Avoid this movie!!!!

"You did, Mama. You did."
I would give this film four-and-a-half stars. Streisand's semi-controversial adaptation of THE PRINCE OF TIDES may not have completely satisfied fans of the book, however, the general public fell instantly under the film's hypnotic spell - and turned it into a surprise box office smash! The decision to keep the film's focus in the present rather than the past results in the elimination of most of the novel's lengthy backstory. However, the well-condensed script (written by Conroy himself and Becky Johnson) manages to seamlessly fill in the missing information, and allows all central characters to reach a level of character development that is unusually high for a mainstream Hollywood film. As the film progresses, these characters seem especially real, and they are embodied by an absolutely flawless cast.

As anyone who has read the book can attest, the characters of Tom and Lila Wingo would seem to be extremely challenging (if not almost unplayable) roles, both of which are brimming with contradictions and hidden emotions. However, Nick Nolte and Kate Neligan find the perfect balance in their portrayals, which earned them both well-dissevered Oscar nominations. Blythe Danner, Jason Gould, and Melinda Dillion all also turn in memorable performances, even though Dillion's Savannah (a lead character in the novel) has precious little screentime due to the film's structure. Barbra also gives an affecting portrayal, however, the director's chair is where she really shines this time. With it's moving storyline, compelling characters, and breathtakingly beautiful cinematography, THE PRINCE OF TIDES is film that will continue enchant audiences for years to come.

About the DVD: The picture quality and sound are excellent, although it's disappointing that the many extras (which included a featurette, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and Streisand's full-length commentary track) that were included on Criterion's special edition laserdisc release are not found on this DVD. The film's original trailer and teaser are included, but I hope that all of the extras from the laserdisc will someday make their way to DVD.

Memories not so beautiful -- an awful movie.
Having just a read a book that reminded me of Prince of Tides, I was shocked to see how popular this movie is on Amazon! I saw this movie back in 1991 and it still haunts me.

In 1991, I was appalled by Ms. Streisand's miniskirts and in particular her pink sweater cut SO low in the back. The wardrobe wasn't appropriate for one Dr. Lowenstein. The wardrobe was clearly a vehicle for one reluctantly aging pop star.

Also, the music was so loud, so epic at times that I literally had to cover my ears. In one scene Blythe Danner left the room, but you could still see her reflection in a picture on a wall, waiting for her cue.

I loved the first half of the book, hated the second. The movie was like fingernails scraping down a chalk board from the time I entered the theater. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The actors certainly carry the weight of the movie...
While the plot of this movie is lacking, at times, the quality performances given by Stowe, Hurt, and especially Branagh easily redeem the movie and make it one of the most riveting films I have ever seen.

a differing opinion
I gave this film an extra star due to the talented cast, but even they can't save this laughably cheesy romance "novel."

Best adult movie of the 90's
This and "The End of the Affair" are two of the best movies I saw in the 90's. Both had great, imaginative story lines, with top notch actors. Nail biters to the end.

The Proposition -- an excellent choice!!
I loved this movie. When it first came out, I found it to be one of the best to come out in a long time. I found it moving, full of deep emotions, and bittersweet -- all at the same time. It is romantic, yes, but so much more. In a nut shell, this movie reflects the the results of the choices we make in life, the pain and the joy of those choices.

A great story line about power, greed and forbidden passion
This is a movie I enjoy watching again and again. I hesitate to go into detail about much of the story line, as revealing too much would deprive the viewer of enjoying the intriguing twists and turns of the plot. Hurt's portrayal seems wooden at times, but perhaps that is just a representation of the character he plays. For a man faced with jealousy, greed and grief, the character doesn't seem to live or act with much emotion. Stowe plays a strong and independent woman who is also a beautiful seductress - a role not uncommon for this actress. Branagh gives a fine performance (as always!) as Father Michael McKinnon. He shines in his role as the priest and storyteller. We see much of the story from his perspective. His character is the most down to earth of the cast. Blythe Danner is excellent - I do wish we would see her fine talents in more films. Neil Patrick Harris is well cast as the naive young "suitor." Anyone who enjoys a period piece, with an interesting story line, mystery, romance and passion will surely enjoy this one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This clunky road movie about three drag queens (Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguziamo) who get stranded in a sleepy Nebraska town on their way to a beauty contest, is too uplifting for its own good. Released during drag's mid-'90s heyday when RuPaul and the Wigstock documentary were all the rage, To Wong Foo aimed straight for the mainstream with its inoffensive camp and "can't we all get along" moralism. While gay-activist groups howled about straights getting the lead roles in To Wong Foo, in the end the filmmakers really couldn't have done better than this trio of actors. John Leguziamo provides real sass and bite as a Latino (or should we saw Latina?) drag queen, and Wesley Snipes is surprisingly fierce as the imposing leader of the pack. Saddled with a cloying Southern accent and off-kilter wig, Patrick Swayze barely holds his own with his costars, though. To Wong Foo is best viewed as a cultural artifact of a time when it seemed as though drag could rule all tomorrow's parties. --Ethan Brown ... Read more

Reviews (74)

Schmaltz In A Purple Wrapper
[Add a half-star if you don't mind being manipulated.]

All during the summer, in seeing previews, I was worried about To Wong Foo... being an American version or rip-off of Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert. Trust me, there are a lot of similarities; however To Wong Foo... stands on its own as an enjoyable movie experience. In the audience I sat in, there was laughter and applause throughout and I found myself laughing and applauding along. (I hadn't expected to.)

Patrick Swayze is Vida Boheme, a drag queen from Bala Cynwyd, PA living in New York City. Bala Cynwyd is pivotal in his story. So is Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes). Boheme and Jackson are friends competing against Chi Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) and others for "Drag Queen of the Year". Well, as luck would have it, Boheme and Jackson tie for the honors and both win an all-expense paid trip to Hollywood.

Well, Boheme is a queen with a heart. She can't stand to see Chi Chi, who lives in the same building, so upset about not winning the crown; so, Vida bullies Noxeema into trading their paid-for airline tickets for a car and, together, the three set off to drive cross-country. Shades of Boys On The Side.

Early on, the trio is stopped in the middle of nowhere by a county sheriff (Chris Penn in a hoot of a role). What happens next brings more remembrances of Boys On The Side.

Eventually, our fun-loving "females" end up in Snydersville, a small hamlet where everyone seems to have a problem and our girls have a solution for every single one of them. Despite this manipulation, To Wong Foo... delights at every turn. It's laugh-out-loud funny and not at all subtle. Normally, that would be a criticism, but in this case, it turns out to be a refreshing change of pace.

Of course, all of the elements in the story come together for a schmaltzy conclusion. But, that's OK. You'll get all wrapped up in it anyway, just like I did.

(Boy, was I surprised.)

[Originally written 10 September 1995]

A Fine, Fun and Snazzy Film, anything but a Drag!
This movie is one of those rare perfect films. Casting is brilliant (especially Stockard Channing, who only gets better and better as the years go by--and she was always totally incapable of less than a fantastic performance). The general plot line of the movie is a congenial road trip, as three drag queens drive from New York City to California to compete in a contest, and the themes are fulfilling.

In essence, the movie deals with the healing of "broken people." (For other such films, see such gems as "Batteries Not Included" and "Fried Green Tomatoes.") The unlikely angels? The three drag queens. The situation? Their car breaks down in a red-neck hamlet. Unlikely hijinks and dangerous confrontations lead to a satisfying conclusion.

And Julie Newmar was never better!

Uneven but when it's good it's GREAT
"To Wong Foo" seemed horribly miscast when you found out who was in it ... I mean, John Leguizamo had done drag before, proving himself to be very convincing and most definitely in touch with his "feminine side" -- but Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze??! Two macho movie stars pulling off parts as drag queens on a road trip?

But then you saw the movie ...

The three men do excellent jobs, Wesley Snipes in particular a total surprise in his role as Noxeema Jackson, drag queen with Attitude. Swayze, as Vida Boheme, is the "lady" of the trio who can get down and dirty when she has to -- and Leguziamo as Chi Chi Rodriguez is nothing short of perfection.

The plot is simple: At New York's Drag Queen of the Year contest, Noxeema and Vida tie for the crown. The title comes with a free airline ticket to Los Angeles, to compete in the Drag Queen of America competition, and the two "girls" couldn't be more excited. But then they meet little Latin Chi Chi Rodriguez, whose drag queen self-esteem was not at all helped by losing this competition. Vida, the kind of person who always believes in helping those less fortunate, talks a VERY disgruntled Noxeema into selling their plane tickets ... and using the money instead to buy a cheap car and drive to the L.A. contest. The night of the win, Vida spots an autographed photo of Miss Julie Newmar on the wall of the reataurant they are dining in, and reads the inscription: "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar". For those not in the know ... for years actress/model Julie Newmar, best known for her role at Catwoman on the tv series "Batman," has had rumors floating around saying that she's a drag queen in real life -- not a woman. She's just too statuesque, her face too strong on bone structure, to be a real woman! When Vida sees the framed autographed photo on the wall, she takes this as a sign that the three of them will be blessed on their quest. She also takes the photograph.

Halfway 'cross country, in Nebraska, the threesome is stopped by a racist sheriff who notices their tail light is out. Taking Vide back toward his car, he comes onto her, thinking she is a real woman. When he reaches under her dress and learns the truth, Vida tries to break free ... and knocks the sheriff to the ground, where he conks his head. They drive off quickly, before he can come to and REALLY do them all some damage.

Soon after, their old Cadillac breaks down, and Chi Chi hitchhikes them all a ride into Snydersville, a town that makes Mayberry look like New York City. Tiny and hick and populated with small-town minds as well, Snydersville seems to be the LAST place three drag queens would want to get stranded (if they want to live, that is), but when these three are stalled there for the weekend, until they get their car repaired, they decide to make the best of it by making over the town's women, addding some spark to a Strawberry Social - and, in general, bringing tons of color to an otherwise drab existence. But little do they know that Sheriff Dollard (Chris Penn) - who is less than thrilled by being knocked unconscious by a "boy in a dress," is out to find them ...

The movie is uneven in spots - the scenes in the town go from hysterical to being too stage - but overall whenever Snipes or Swayze or Leguizamo are on-screen, you could never be bored. Funny and with some VERY sharp one-liners, the movie comes close (especially in the end) to turning sappy with its "why can't we all just get along" mind-set -- but never quite pushes that envelope. The three leads are EXCELLENT, and backed beautifully by a great supporting cast the includes Stockard Channig, Melinda Dillon, Chris Penn, Jason London - even "Alias" star Michael Vartan. Ru Paul and Robin Williams add both class and style to brief cameos ... as does the one and only Miss Julie Newmar herself.

Stylish and funny and just corny enough to work, this comedy is anything but a drag ...

Oh no girlfriend, did you just do a ue?
Nothing but praise for this great flick! Let's face it, while it may not be a movie that George Bush would ever watch (mind you if he did he could learn a thing or two about love and acceptance). I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to watch a great movie. Even after seeing it over five times I still laugh out loud and get a kick out of all three "ladies"! Robin Williams is hilarious and RuPaul makes a surprise visit! Rent it today and you will be glad you did!

"It comes down to that age-old decision: style or substance"
One year after the success of the 1994 Australian film "The Adventures Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures joined to produce the 1995 American version, "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar". Like the Australian film, which featured a trio of drag queens traveling across the rugged Australian outback from Sydney to the isolated resort of Alice Springs in a pink bus, the American version featured its own drag queen trio traveling from NYC to Los Angeles in an aging yellow Cadillac convertible; but the similarities end there. The drag queen trio featured in the American version was Miss Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes), Miss Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze) and Miss Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo). After Noxeema and Vida share the title of a drag queen contest, they invite (with Noxeema's reluctance) Chi-Chi to join them to participate in a national contest in Los Angeles. Not having enough money for all three to fly to Los Angeles from NYC, Vida convinces them to instead use their winnings to purchase a car that all three could travel in. The film's title comes from an autographed picture of Julie Newmar that Vida steals from a restaurant and places in the used yellow Cadillac convertible that the trio purchases. Similar to the Australian version, the car breaks down along the way, forcing the trio to stay a few days in a small, languishing town. There, they meet the town's assorted residents that include hotel owner Carol Ann (Stockard Channing), her abusive husband Virgil (Arliss Howard), Beatrice (Blythe Danner), the polite Bobby Ray (Jason London), Merna (Melinda Dillon), Loretta (Beth Grant), the aging Clara (Alice Drummond) and restaurant owner Jimmy Joe (Mike Hodge) to name a few. They also meet law enforcement officer Sheriff Dollard (Chris Penn) who wants to arrest them.

Though arguably not as well made as "The Adventures Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" is still a very entertaining and engaging film that is sufficiently different from the former to not be redundant. Cameo appearances in the film include Julie Newmar, Robin Williams (as John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt), RuPaul (as Miss Rachel Tensions) and Naomi Campbell. Memorable scenes in the film include the restaurant, the used car lot, Vida seeing her mother (Margaret H. Flynn), Chi-Chi earning rites of passage, Sheriff Dollard, Noxeema's interactions with townsfolk, the clothing store, the beauty parlor and the closing scenes. Patrick Swawye received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical, and John Leguizamo received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the Comedy/Musical. Sadly, Wesley Snipes did not receive a nomination for his excellent performance. Overall, I rate the film with 4 out of 5 stars. After watching the deleted scenes on the DVD, I concluded that they were best left deleted. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Powerful performance from Lauren Holly
"No Looking Back" is an uneven, but engaging movie. Lauren Holly is luminescent as Claudia, a small-town waitress who gave up her dreams of a better life in the big city a long time ago. Now she's trapped in a pointless relationship with Michael (Jon Bon Jovi-surprisingly good), and her life is complicated when her old boyfriend, Charlie (Edward Burns) returns to town. Lauren Holly's performance and Edward Burns' script really bring Claudia to life. There's a little bit of Claudia in everyone, and it's hard not to become involved. The few dull spots are well worth the feelings you'll get when you remember this movie.

NO LOOKING BACK
No looking back was very realistic. The cast was especially convincing. Today I met Edward Burns while filming his new movie Ash Wednesday outside of my house.

He is even more attractive in person, he agreed to take a picture with me. I didn't shake that bad on my wedding day, this man is just too much! Edward Burns is an outstanding actor, director and fantastic man.

If you haven't seen any other of his films get to your video store and rent She's The One, or Brother's McMullen. He is brilliant....

Laura

not nescesarally his worst
five years ago, my wife brought this video home for us to watch,-after having brought the first two home for us to watch. this movie seemed somehow prophetic at the time. it was. she left me a month after we watched it. I found it dreary and depressing at the time,- and needless to say; - Ive had no desire to watch it since. but along with ALL his other movies, Ive ordered it on DVD from amazon[.com]. what I take away from it is that no-wheresville small towns CAN have attributes [its POSSIBLE], and edward burns himself. he plays more or less the same character in all of his films,- cool, detatched yet involved, and AWARELY EXPERIENCING life. above all-solid. his character in every film thinks and feels, yet at root, theres nothing thats going to DESTROY this guy. a man engaged in life for the long haul.

Classics, all three of Ed Burns movies.
If your hesitant in spending $50+ on these three movies all I can say is DON"T BE. It will be the BEST money you spent on entertainment in a long time.

Burns movies are the kind that make you think about the human tragedy. These are movies that you drink coffee and discuss in extreme detail.

My sister sent me the book "Three Screenplays by Edward Burns". I started reading the plays and knew I had to see the movies. What stories, what writing.

I feel his screenplays will become classics, with such plays as Millers, "Death of a Salesman." I can't wait for his next play.

Thank god for Sundance and the opportunity given to let the public have the pleasure of seeing such fine work as Ed Burns.

Being from Rockaway and leaving to make something of my life I can honestly say Burns depicted life in Rockaway in "No Looking Back" true in every detail. Even got the colors in the homes exactly as I remember them. These movies will have a permanent place in my collection.

No Looking Back
Please, please, please release a soundtrack for this excellent film. ... Read more

Description

By Percy MacKaye. In a 17th century Massachusetts town, a scarecrow is magically transformed into a man and charged with the mission of destroying true love. Spectacular performances by two-time OscarÂn a 17th century Massachusetts town, a scarecrow is magically transformed into a man and charged with the mission of destroying true love. Spectacular performances by two-time Oscar®-nominee Gene Wilder (Young Frankenstein, The Producers)and Tony® Award-winner Blythe Danner (Butterflies Are Free). Also starring Norman Lloyd and Will Geer (The Waltons). ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful
An adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Feathertop", this play brings to life all the elements of that short-story. I performed as "Polly" (alias "Rachel" in the play) & its wonderful to see it dramatized.

Scarecrow: A welcomed gem returns after 32 years...
What a pleasure to revisit this first-rate production after its 30 years in obscurity. Funny, serious and haunting "Scarecrow" is the colorful tale of a bewitched scarecrow, falsely disguised as the image of true love, and the awakening of his heart's desire to seek and claim his soul as his own.
This production is worth viewing just to enjoy Gene Wilder's compelling and earlier performances and he is joined by an impressive cast.
Pete Duel, as the real image of true love, provides important balance as the story's sole voice of truth and reason to Blythe Danner's spellbound maiden and Wilder's beguiling scarecrow. Will Geer as the central target of Norman Lloyd's Devil and his disciple, Nina Foch, are all perfection and terrific fun.

Oh my god!
I've been looking for this for years! I'm so happy that it's finally available! I saw the Scarecrow when I was a kid and it made a tremendous impression on me (it also made me cry buckets). Can't wait to order copies for everyone. Hope it's as good as I remember! Yay! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Disney's delightful whodunnit mystery Murder She Purred is told through the eyes of two four-legged critters considerably smarter than the humans they are observing. Based on the novel by Rita Mae Brown, the film is set in a small Virginia town where secrets run as deep as Southern-style charm. Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen (Ricki Lake) calls the shots around town as she runs the post office. But the real brains of the burb belong to Harry's cat, the acerbic Mrs. Murphy (voiced by Blythe Danner), and the interminably hungry Tucker (voiced by Anthony Clark), a Welsh corgi who suffers from little-dog syndrome. This feline/canine duo is quickly on the scent when a local man is found murdered at the bottom of the lake. All evidence points to Dr. Blair Bainbridge (Linden Ashby) a town newcomer who moves in next to Harry, and, it turns out, has buried some secrets of his own. While local sheriffs try to unmask the murderer, Harry falls for Dr. Bainbridge in spite of his questionable character. As the plot thickens, so do the amusing antics and one-liners from Mrs. Murphy and Tucker. It's up to the animals to solve the mystery, despite their "pet peeves" over the bumbling efforts of humans. Lake is terrific as the low-key, likeable, but lonely Harry, and the rest of the cast deliver decent performances, but the biggest kudos go to our furry friends who save the day in a surprise ending that is certain to please family audiences. --Lynn Gibson ... Read more

Reviews (33)

A great film for all dog/cat fans
I have read (devoured) nearly all the books in the Sneaky Pie mystery series and this movie is a great addition. I've rented it 3 times and watched it at least 4 times. We plan on adding this to our video collection. The movie is suspenseful without being too scary for the younger crowd as well as funny. Ricki Lake as Mary Minor Haristeen is perfect. The only changes I would make is to have the voice of Tucker be a female, as Tucker is a female in the books, and add Pewter. It's great entertainment especially for Corgi lovers. I'm anxiously waiting for more.

We Want More Mrs. Murphy Msteries!!!!
This movie is one that the entire family can enjoy together. No foul language or violent scenes. Solely a good hearted mystery with moments of humor and a dash of suspense. Ricki Lake is believable as the towns Post Mistress Mary Minor Harriston (Harry). The interactions betwen Tucker (the dog) and Mrs. Murphy (the cat) are what I always envisioned cats and dogs are saying to, and about, one another. The voice overs for the animals seem to fit their personalities wonderfully. My family has enjoyed reading the Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown books for years. They loved Murder She Purred so much that I had to rent it because the copy I purchased has not arrived yet. Of course we watched it every day during our five day rental. We anxiously await the next installment in the Mrs. Murphy series. My only hope is that they keep the core actors and animals, as there is true movie magic with that group!

A great movie!
I have watched this movie about 100 times and have never gotten tired of it! The corgi is cute, the cat is smart and Ricki Lake is perfect. The voices used for the animals really fit the bill.

It is Purrrfectly Wonderful!
We love this movie. There are two dogs and a cat at our house and I swear they talk to one another and plan things to do all of the time, like Tucker and Mrs. Murphy. When I need something to curl up with and just relax I watch this video. I am going to buy one for my daughter who will soon move away. Rikki Lake was wonderful in this and should do more acting. Disney....serve up some more Mrs. Murphy....Please : )

Ok Movie, But Mildly Decieving Towards The Books
The movie is fine. Its the usual Disney TV fair, and is fine for the whole family. The book series on the other hand... Well, first off this is not based off of Murder She Purred, but instead Rest in Pieces. Sounds like a slasher movie doesn't it? Well in the original story it almost was. The books are very violent (I believe the book version of this had a severed head in a jack o lantern) and deffinatly not for children.
Now I wouldn't have brought this up except for one small detail. At the end of the movie (at least when it was broadcast on TV) they plugged the books as family books! I mean Pawing Through the Past delt with gay rape, murder, and a transgender killer! The books are not for children, while this movie is. The movie is fine for kids, but keep them away from the books. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Robert Duvall gives one of his most memorable performances in the title role of this 1979 drama about a hardcore Marine lieutenant named Bull Meechum (Duvall), a fighter ace who calls himself "The Great Santini" and compensates for peacetime inactivity by waging war on his intimidated children. His wife (Blythe Danner) lovingly tolerates his behavior, but his 18-year-old son (Michael O'Keefe) is working up the courage to defy the domineering patriarch, whose need for competition borders on maniacal. When push comes to shove (and shove they certainly do), the son earns his father's begrudging respect, and as it turns out, just in time. Military brats may recognize their own experience in this comedic drama, but anyone can relate to the Meechum family's patriarchal dysfunction. Writer-director Lewis John Carlino (adapting the novel by Pat Conroy) does a fine job of balancing humor with the kind of stressful anxiety that can either strengthen a family or tear it apart. Both Duvall and O'Keefe were deservedly nominated for Academy Awards. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (26)

The best Conroy book adaptation
What made both the book and movie versions of this story, and with Conroy's other stories of Marine experiences, is that he presents both sides of the issues he talks about. Most of the time you would think he's got it in bad for them, and that he would rather see the institution torn down. But after awhile, criticisms aside, you see a genuine bonding and love also emerge from one who has experienced being part of the fraternity.

In "The Great Santini" this is played to the hilt. The film, which captures the book PERFECTLY, looks at the life of a Marine fighter pilot and his family from all sides. The most entertaining ones, of course, are the wild antics Marines are famous for. The opening scene, where Robert Duvall does creative things with a can of mushroom soup is priceless, and you see Marines as guys who work hard, but also expect to play hard as their reward. In fact, I have a theory that part of the reason that guys are willing to put their lives on the line for their country LARGELY for the right to party their butts off as part of the reward. Just a theory, but I've seen enough former military people to make a sound judgment on this.

But the love/hate thing is shown best in a fairly simple domestic scene. The tough-as-nails pilot, terrifically played by Duvall and based on Conroy's father, is playing basketball with a now grown son. He has never lost a contest of any kind with his family, but in this one, the son prevails, despite repeated attempts at cheating by Duvall. The father takes his defeat with as poor sportsmanship as possible, ruining the moment for everybody and verbally skewering the entire family. An act as childish and unforgivable as you can imagine. Right?

Well, the scene afterward shows the dimension and depth of the movie. While not exactly saying that what Duvall did was correct, the scene that follows at least tries to put him in a better light. You see Duvall practicing basketball for hours in the pouring rain, while the mother explains to the son the meaning of this act. You come away from it with a better understanding of the man after this scene. After the movie is done, you feel the same way. He may be an unforgivable pig much of the time, but he's our pig, and sometimes you have to accept the bad with the good.

Improved With Age
For those of you who are old enough, you probably know the feeling of disappointment whenever you view a film by which you were impressed many years earlier and find that it has not "aged" well. I was wary that that might be the case with The Great Santini because I had not seen it since it was released over twenty years ago. Instead, I found just the opposite for it remains an excellent film with excellent acting.

Has Robert Duvall ever given a less-than-superior performance? I'm sure not, and I was far more able to appreciate his portrayal of Bull Meechum the martinet head of the family for, with age, comes shades of gray not only in your hair but in your viewpoints. I hated Bull Meechum twenty years ago but am now better able to sympathize with this man who only knows how to express emotion through rage or bravado.

Blythe Danner as the strong-willed mother who is the emotional rock of the family is another excellent actor who is a treat to watch. She has such an enchanting quality. She truly exemplifies her name.

Michael O'Keefe as the older son torn between pleasing his father and acknowledging his own thoughts of independence gives a heart wrenching performance. He is probably best known in today's times as Fred on Roseanne, and a viewing of The Great Santini gives interesting insight into his acting talents.

The DVD is a disappointment in that it is in standard format for one of the many advantages of DVD's is that most are wide-screen format. The sound is nothing special, either. The DVD only costs two dollars more than the VHS version so it is worth the extra cost for improved picture quality, chapter search, etc. The Great Santini is a movie worthy of adding to one's private collection.

WOW
This movie is so touching, words cannot describe it! Rarely movies make me cry but this one did! There was such powerful acting and I was completey drawn to the characters. Robert Duvall was amazing and brilliantly displayed himself as the great santini. A marvelous job for O'Keefe as Billy. He definately moved me, what a great actor. This movie has got to be the most powerful i've seen in awhile! Wow!

Great film
Forget the unfortunate title: THE GREAT SANTINI is an unforgetable film. The fierce familial relationships--especially between father and son--are riveting and understandable. Robert Duvall, who has always been one of my favorite actors, turns in a performance so gritty that you hate and love him. The classic scene in which his son beats him in driveway basketball is uplifting, considering you are rooting for the boy. And then it turns into one of the most horrific--psychologically speaking--scenes I can remember.

Blythe Danner, always dependable, sparkles here, in spite of her less than enviable position. Filmed with care, written with the precision of an expert pilot, THE GREAT SANTINI is a unique film that will hold your attention and stay in your memory.

Hey, Sports Fan!
What a great performance by Duvall as the ultra-macho, hard-drinking fighter pilot who is at once loved & hated by his family. This is an incredible flick. You won't be disappointed... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

an additional comment from viewer from NC
In my first review of this video, I neglected to mention that there is a powerful story here. Despite the movie's shortcomings, which are largely the result that telling it in detail would have made it too long, it is a good story. Each character(Gid, Johnny, and Molly) tell their version of their life together. Dates on screen help the viewer track the chronology as the story unfolds. It's a good buy, especially if you read the book also.

read the book/watch the movie/would have been better with be
Lovin' Molly is the film version of Larry McMurtry's book:"Leaving Cheyenne". It is a warm story of two men(Johnny and Gid) and one woman(Molly) and their love for her and her love for them. The movie spans a time of 40 years,in which the characters remain friends and lovers. There is good character development,which shows Molly's freespirited attitudes toward love, sex and friendship and shows Gid's sense of honor toward Molly and his wife(Susan Sarandon). The viewer will enjoy the movie more by reading the book first. Characters and themes are better developed in the book. One shortcoming of the movie is that it too short to tell such a good story. The major fault of the movie is the film editing.In the story, McMurtry tries to communicate to the reader the folkways of Texas. In that regard, the movie is a good reporduction of his intent. In the book, you will find great writing and warm phrasing.Read it first. This reviewer searched for this movie for two years and found it on Amazon.I saw it on screen in the early 1970s. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

The life and death of Slyvia Plath, but without the poetry
There was a point early on when I was struck by the thought of the degree to which the 2003 film "Sylvia" is burdened with our knowledge that in the end Sylvia Plath is going to stick her head in an oven in one of the most famous suicides of the 20th century. The next thing I know Ted Hughes (Daniel Craig) is telling Sylvia (Gwyneth Paltrow) that to write poetry she just needs to pick a subject "and stick her head in it." Ouch.

Of course the great irony is that Ted Hughes' infidelity inspired Plath's best work and her suicide made her immortal. However, I would be inclined to think the admirers of Plath's poetry are going to be disappointed for two major reasons. First, the screenplay by John Brownlow establishes from the beginning of the film the idea that Plath was a suicide waiting to happen. A suicide attempt that almost succeeded before she went to college in England becomes the key to everything that happens follows and for those who have blame Hughes for Plath's death there is considerably less support for that idea than they might expect to see. The precipitous event, if you would put your finger on one thing in the film, ends up being the pregnancy of the woman with whom he was having an affair. The argument been that Plath killed herself because her husband had left her for another woman (a fellow poet named Assia Wevill, who was also married), but there is a certain ambiguity to the scene where Hughes speaks more of not being able to return. You can see that in the film if you want to find it, but objectively the film puts most of the responsibility on Plath. Nor does it point out that Wevill would eventually kill herself and the daughter she had by Hughes, using gas, just as Plath did, which certainly strike you as an additional condemnation as well.

Second, and this point applies more to those of us who are not really familiar with the poetry of either Plath or Hughes, the film is pretty much devoid of their work. Frieda Hughes, Plath's daughter and literary executor, refused to cooperate with the producers of this film, specifically refusing to allow them access to her mother's poetry, and also publicly denounced the film in a published poem of her own: "They think/ I should give them my mother's words/ To fill the mouth of their monster/ Their Sylvia suicide doll." Granted, it is difficult to make a film that captures the literary experience of writing, but it is certainly easier if you are dealing with poetry or drama (i.e., "Shakespeare in Love") than a novel. I have to believe that this would have been a powerful film that celebrated Plath's creativity at the same time it depicts her hurtling towards death.

Plath's poems were passionate about death and I can well imagine those who have committed some of her poems to memory inserting them at the right points in the film. Despite solid performances by Paltrow and Craig the end result is that "Slyvia" is an incomplete performance, smacking of voyeurism rather than an attempt at understanding. This would be akin to watching "Amadeus" without the music of "Girl With a Pearl Earring" without the paintings.

A bit too circumspect
I have to give the folks behind this movie credit for not dwelling too much on the melodramatic aspects of Sylvia Plath's short life. But the fact is that her story really was very melodramatic throughout, and "Sylvia" tries too hard to look past that.

Too bad, because it's otherwise a great movie. All the essentials of Plath's relationship with Ted Hughes are presented, with just enough details of her early life filled in through dialogue to give even unfamiliar viewers an understanding of the troubled poet's story. The cinematography is great throughout, and the writers were surprisingly careful to avoid taking sides in the still ongoing did-Ted-drive-her-to-suicide debate. (Both are portrayed as passionate lovers but terrible spouses, which is probably the truth.) And yes, the producers were legally barred from using all but a few random lines of Plath's poetry in the script, but I didn't find that very harmful - anybody can recite poetry, and having Gwyneth Paltrow do so won't necessarily give you a better appreciation for its meaning anyway.

What is more troubling is the lack of any effort to illustrate what inspired Plath or how her work impacted the last few years of her life. Even "The Bell Jar" warrants only one mention, and that almost in passing. This is acceptable in the context of a story that seems far more focused on her relationship with her husband than anything else, but at the very least the movie's title probably should have reflected that.

Still, it's an interesting, if appropriately bleak, look at one of the more tragic marriages in literary history.

Worth seeing for Gwyneth's performance
SYLVIA hasn't done well at box offices around the world. I think the reason is that the movie focusses far too much on Sylvia's private life than her poetry. However, that is the angle the scriptwriters decided to take. Keeping that in mind, I give the film credit because Gwyneth Paltrow delivers a stunning performance as the depression-riddled Sylvia Path. I found the movie totally engaging for that reason alone.

The film does seem to move at a fast pace, but I think this helps grab the viewer's attention.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at Sylvia, after tossing the DVD aside for month's in favour of other titles.

It's A Gas!
"Sylvia" is the kind of film that can only work with fantastic actors. Fortunately, the cast is superb. Sylvia Plath was an enormously talented poet who soared to great heights in her early years. Her bouts with depression are well chronicled and to portray her life in a balanced way is difficult at best. Director Christine Jeffs (Rain) knows just when to bring in the subtle (mostly dark) humor and when to dive into the seriousness of Sylvia's disease. Paltrow does an amazing job balancing both sides of Plath's personality, and the film can be exhausting. Thank God for a great cast, wonderful cinematography and well crafted editing. It's not an upbeat film, but if you've never read, "The Bell Jar", you might just end up picking up a copy.

Suffers from "this would make a good movie" syndrome
I have a theory, one which largely influences this review. I have found that true stories which make you say, "That would make a great movie" are the hardest to make a good movie of, and they often end up looking a lot like cliche television movies-of-the-week. This is probably due to the fact that the director and writer are locked into playing out the story elements. The problem is compounded when the true story is a biography: we inevitably get each of the most famous moments of the person's life dramatized in order.

On the other hand, true stories which seem too simple to make good movies of, often become brilliant movies because there's so much room for the director to add subtety and humor. Thus, two simple true stories produced the two best movies I've seen this year: "In America" and "Moonlight Mile."

"Sylvia" is a perfect example of the former. Reading through a book biography of Plath, or the lengthy Vanity Fair article biography, one can't help thinking, "This would be a great movie! I can just see this brash American girl in her scarlet dress nail handsome poet Hughes at a party. I can just see him jumping up at a pub and reciting brilliant poetry. I can just see her manic episodes come to life as these two great personalities clash. And oh her famous ending dramatized!" But if you know her story at all, the movie lacks any creativity, and seems to just to dramatize each favorite moment scene by scene. Do the actors or script provide some intimate interpretation of the story, one which makes us wonder? Not really. Paltrow is a beautiful and talented actress, but her casting was far too safe for the role, and she plays it by the book, while not capturing enough of Plath's Americaness. It would have been interesting to see Scarlett Johannsen in that role --a woman I think looks more like Plath, and one who might fit the dresses and the settings of the era in a typically American way (i.e. less thin and pseudo-British than Paltrow). It was hard for me to get past Paltrow as "an actress playing Plath," especially when the script and direction provided no added subtlety to the story. The director only seems interested in making the sets and locations truthful: a common pitfall of directing biographies of famous people.

If you know Plath's story, I think you'll be disappointed by the film. If you don't know her story, I think the movie may be a treat, despite its faults. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Good movie.
I saw this when it first aired, and then again as a repeat on Lifetime or something. It's really quite good I thought. The actors for Chris Pritchard and James Upchurch were very intense I thought and did really well. Ed Asner is always fun to watch too... anyway its a great movie. And for some clarification because none of the other reviews mentioned it... yes this is the one where the kids get all whacked out on drugs, alcohol, and D&D to go off one of the kids parents. It's portrayed well in this film... its just sad that its true.

great
I saw the movie first, then read the book, they were both good.
The acting by Blythe Danner was fantastic as Bonnie Von Stein.

The other reviewer who said it was disappointing, learn how to spell before you submit a review.

"Cruel Doubt" engrossing for true crime buffs
The novel by Joe McGinness kept me up all night, and the miniseries kept me just as involved. A North Carolina woman is attacked in her sleep and her second husband is fatally wounded by an unknown assailant. She recovers and is released from the hospital, but her nineteen year old son is acting awfully strange. Gripping and intense, and sure to put a lump in your throat. Another book about this case is "Blood Games" by Jerry Bledsoe. Look for a young David Arquette, and real life mother and daughter Blythe Danner and Gwyneth Paltrow play mother and daughter here.

Been there...
I thought this movie was very well done. I was a neighbor of the family that this happened to and there at the time this took place. With only 2 roads seperateing the house where this took place and my house, I know what the actual feelings of fear were, and the movie seemed to fit right in with what actually took place. The movie was great, and I continue to watch it every chance I get.

I thought the film was very dissapointig.
The film was way to dull. I personally thought it was poorly made. The film seemed to be made as cheep as possible. To sum it all up, it sucked!!! ... Read more

Reviews (202)

For God's Sake, John, Sit Down...
First, let me say that I'm not a big fan of movie musicals. However, I've always made an exception for 1776. I suppose it's my abiding interest in history, and in the popular presentation of history, that keeps me coming back to this film. For the uninitiated, 1776 is the story of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and was first presented on Broadway in the late 1960s. Set in Philadelphia in June and early July of 1776, the action centers around John Adams's attempt to get a reluctant Continental Congress to declare the 13 colonies independent of Great Britain. Adams, and his allies (including Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson), is opposed at every step by the conservatives in Congress, led by John Dickinson of Pennsylvania. Although we know the ending, it is to scriptwriter Peter Stone's credit that we realize things may have turned out rather differently.

My first recorded version of this movie was taped off of a local television station that had drastically edited it for length and content. When I finally got around to buying the VHS version of 1776, I was amazed at what had been left out, particularly when it came to the earthier dialogue. Imagine my reaction to the new DVD director's cut edition of this musical; it was like watching a completely new movie. Bridging scenes that had been edited out now provide a nearly seamless narrative flow, and the musical number "Cool, Considerate Men" has been restored, providing for greater balance between the conservatives and radicals in Congress.

The cast, a number of whom reprise their roles from the Broadway production, is nearly flawless. William Daniels IS John Adams, hard-headed, driven, passionate, "obnoxious and disliked". Howard da Silva is equally effective as Benjamin Franklin, elder statesman and earthy man-of-the-world, while the rest of the actors do very well by their characters. Of necessity, the film's emphasis is on Congress, and therefore on the male of the species; women are limited to two roles--Martha Jefferson, played by Blythe Danner, and Abigail Adams, played by Virginia Vestoff. Of Danner's role, there is little to say beyond the fact that the actress is a luminous screen presence. Vestoff, on the other hand, has a rather more substantial role as John Adams's wife, confidant, and sounding board. The film effectively portrays the correspondence between John and Abigail, a partnership that was, in many ways, remarkable in American history.

Director Peter Hunt keeps things moving along at a lively pace, propelled by the music of Sherman Edwards, who also wrote the lyrics. It's hard to pick a favorite song, but two stand out in my mind--the chilling "Molasses to Rum to Slaves" and the poignant "Mamma, Look Sharp". The former underlines the flawed nature of the American Experiment--that a new nation established on the principle that "all men are created equal" would also keep hundreds of thousands of people in chains. The latter song brings home the fact that while Congress engages in endless debates, men (and boys) are dying on the field of battle.

I could dwell at some length on the historical inaccuracies embodied in this movie--the character of Judge Wilson, for one, and that of Richard Henry Lee, for another. However, purism aside, what 1776 makes clear is just what a close run thing independence really was, that there was, indeed, a significant proportion of Americans (and their representatives) who wished to remain loyal to the British crown. Better yet, the Founding Fathers are portrayed mot as marble men, but as the passionate, flawed, flesh-and-blood individuals they were.

Delightful History
While obviously a stage play transfered to the screen, "1776" is an interesting movie on several levels. While I can't swear to the accuracy of the history on a micro level - although, from what I've seen in the academic sources, it's pretty accurate - this brings some pretty stodgy material to life.

The cast is intriguing - Howard daSilva(who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era) as Benj. Franklin; William Daniels(St. Elsewhere's Dr. Craig)as John Adams; Ken Howard(The White Shadow)as Thos. Jefferson; Blythe Danner; John Cullum; and others. To see daSilva, Daniels and Howard singing and dancing on the stairs of Independence Hall, debating who should write the Declaration, is a delight.

A few famous one-liners - "Gentlemen, if we do not all hang together, we, most assuredly,will all hang separately." And some commentary, which may not be completely accurate, but is indicative of the personality involved - "Rhode Island's in the 'necessary'."

This is no where near a great movie, but it is both educational and entertaining. And there is little funnier in film than Adams' and Franklin's discussion of sex.

Good Muscial. Good History. Good Fun.
"Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anybody see what I see?" John Adams (William Daniels, St. Elsewhere, among other things) musically muses in 1776. He is frustrated and believes that the cause of independence may be lost over the issue of slavery.
1776 is a good musical. Maybe it's not the best musical of all time, but pretty darn good. It's fun, it's witty, it's a little naughty in places, and it's very close in historical accuracy. It is a tradition in my household to watch it every 4th of July, to remind ourselves that the holiday is more than just picnics and firework displays.
The music is special too, because it has meaning to the character(s) that sing it and meaning for us. For instance, when Martha Jefferson (Blythe Danner) sings her song, "He Plays the Violin", it has a poignancy to it, because she sings "Say I died loving bride, loving life, loving wife..." and we are reminded that she dies before Jefferson ever sees the Presidency. The exchanges between John and Abigail Adams show us both the love and friendship they shared and the hardship that the wives and families of the revolutionary leaders suffered. When Edward Rutledge of South Carolina (John Collum, Northern Exposure) incredible performance "Molasses to Rum to Slaves", tells us both something about the economics of the times, the compromises that policymakers have to make, and the tragedy of slavery that haunted our nation until the American Civil War and still has repercussions resounding in our ears. He chastises Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard) on Jefferson's hypocrisy, "You, sir, are a practitioner." Tough words there but true!
1776 isn't only about colonial history; it was written during the American involvement in the Vietnam War. The young messenger (Stephen Nathan) that carri