Reviews (27)

If this movie was a bucket.. it would be a leaky one.
A deformed boy some how transforms into an 8 ft. demon. Of course there is a backwoods witch involved, also a revenge plot in which 6 teens in the mid 1950's torture the deformed lad. And yes you've guessed it, it wants revenge. We meet this 8 ft. demon about 30 minutes into the movie when the horror almost begins, but never really does. I never expect the acting in B-horror to be award worthy, but if the actors can't act scared, It's hard for the viewer to be scared. One more complaint is Pumpkinhead seemed to be very limited in movements in this 2nd film. He moved like a kid playing with an action figture of Pumkinhead from the first film. With all this being said just watch the first one, it's better and provides genuine chills that this sequel lacks. A good horror film is one that you might want to watch again in your lifetime. This film gives you your cake, but the problem is eating it too.

GOOD STUFF!
This is not a bad movie at all. Pretty good story to it. Got some descent scares and good acting. I thought it was put together well and is worth checking out.

NOT AS BAD AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN?
I saw the original PUMPKINHEAD years ago, but with the advance of arcus senilis, I can't remember too much about it, other than I thought it was good. Hence, PUMPKINHEAD 2 isn't as bad for me as other reviewers since the first wasn't fresh in my mind. With that said, though, I admit the acting was pretty bad, particularly with Linnea Quigley, Steve Kanaly (Dallas), Roger Clinton (the hairy mayor?), and J. Trevor Howard (the villainous Danny). You can telegraph every death, but the effects are allright, if you keep your expectations at a lower level. The monster itself looked good sometimes, and bad at others. However, I've seen worse (for instance, TAIL STING..Now THERE'S A HORRORBLE MOVIE!!). Anyway, rent it sometime, but don't spend money on it.

1 Star and that's a stretch.
Okay let me set a few things straight to clear some confusion. 1: Pumpkinhead in this film has no connection to the first film. (which by far was superior to this weak attempt of a sequel.) This is not Ed Harley nor his son come back from the dead as some seem to think in other reviews. And in some ways it is an expansion on the legend. Hence my 1 star rating. The first film was dark and rich in the flavor of the demon being a relentless killer. This should really be dubbed a prequel. It supposedly is the creature Ed Harley digs up but if one crunches those numbers it doesn't exactly add up. Now on to the things that really disappointed me about this film.

I was blown away by Pumpkinhead. Being a long time fan of Mr. Winston's works behind and in front of the camera. Stan Winston's Pumpkinhead was a work of genius that should have been revisted yes but, not by someone of far less caliber of the original creator. Pumpkinhead of the first film seemed so lifelike and down right nasty in manner and appearence was do to Stan's amazing animatronic demon. PH2 is badly noticeble as a man in rubber suit job.

The story was great (the background story not the ill handled plot) it added more to the legend when the research into the myth went on. The story of the myth itself was great but the story placed around it as the outer shell and ultimately lacking movie. It was made to obviously splash gore and sex into the film. The first left these elements out and stuck close to some of the old school formulas of horror. PH2 goes clearly for the 90's and mid 80's belief which still holds true to todays horror films I might add that sex and gore are the big draws to horror. Which in this reviewers mind can actually be a draw back to horror films. One scene with yes, that was the scream queen in this drivel of a sequel humping with a victim in a scene so badly thrown in just for the sake of having such a scene in this film.

This follow up is a huge let down in many ways. It isn't even so bad it's good. I've seen movies so badly thrown together that they are worth watching to pick on but this one isn't such a film. The only redeeming quality is the deeper exploration of the Pumpkinhead lore.

I advise watching Stan Winston's Pumpkinhead. This badly thrown together expansion is worth a watch for the moments we get a further peek into the demon's legend. As other viewers of this film put it: Pumpkinhead as mortal is a let down. The bad effects are a let down. The by far most heinous crime of this film would be the badly slapped together plot and acting and even directing of this movie. The only reason I will add this film to my collection is the fact that in all I am a Pumpkinhead fan and would ike to own it for the fact that it is related to the more superb first film. I am distrubed that a great horror film was mocked by this sequel. Most who saw the two and had expected more of the second film because of the first know how I felt upon seeing this picture. I wish sometimes that I never discovered that Pumpkinhead was followed up. Laters- Ace

Yawn!
My advise to all the directers out there is to not make a sequel unless its as good as the 1st!
I will say that this is probably worth at least one watch!
Ok gore!
Bottom Line: Not as good as the original! ... Read more

Reviews (80)

Great movie combined with great actors, story and actions...
This is a movie where most people would have a hard time not liking it. Its has everything anyone wants, unspoken romance, actions and intelligent script. I did have some problem with Sean Connery as the Berber chieftain but he played the role well and if a Berber were taught English by a Scotsman, he would sound just like Connery. Brian Keith played Teddy Roosevelt to a perfection. I think Keith had all the best lines of the movie and many of things he said about our nation sounds more real today then ever before. Candice Bergan was wonderful as well and there was a definite chemisty between Bergan and Connery that make the movie work.

There might be one stick that get stuck in many people's throats and that is that Sean Connery plays a very honorable man of Islam. When his character stated that Raisuli don't make war on women and children, he sounded bit insulted that a true warrior of Islam might be considered to scooped so low. A true patriot in his own eyes, Connery's portrayal of an Islamic leader run contarary to what many Americans see today, especially after 9-11 and many Islamic terrorist attacks directed at women and children. (I was told that this movie is quite popular in Islamic nations for Connery's portrayal of a true and honorable warrior of Islam.)

The DVD of this movie proves to be a must-buy for me. Its in anamorphic widescreen and at least for my basic TV, it looked very good. The audio is in 5.1 DD but its not very active as you hope to be. Still the sounds are pretty clear and background material are separated nicely. There are your director's commentary and making of the movie feature included but that is all from the extra feature department.

Considering that this movie was made in mid-1970s when America's power was ebbing after the Vietnam War and we were in an "anti-pro-active" stage, this story of Berber chieftain kidnapping an American woman and her children which generated a pure imperialistic response from the United States, must have been a rarity to hit the screens at that period.

Rousing Adventure with a Touch of Romance
Well, I wait patiently for this movie to be released on DVD. In the meantime, I keep the VCR so I can watch this movie for the umpteenth time. In many ways, this screen adaption of actual events seems more appropriate to be viewed in these times. The movie is a VERY loose depiction of actual events: the kidnapping of an American businessman in Morocco. Look beyond that and you will find a story that reflects admirably on the antagonists. Candice Bergen plays the (subtle) potential love interest of the Raizuli, and well, Sean Connery, is Sean Connery, in the best tradition of a Scostman playing an Arab. Anyway, Brian Keith's portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt makes you wish he were still alive so you could vote for him in the next election. This is one of my all time favorites and it makes you feel good to be an American (not wanting to be jingoistic or anything). The movie does depict an era when international politics was not so seemingly complicated as they are now. The portayal of Arab Muslims is fair: good and bad traits, as in all people on this planet. The depiction of the Marines coming ashore, is well, one of the best (unintentional) recruiting tools for the USMC. I understand these scenes use (still?) to be shown at USMC Officer Candidate School. This is a truly enjoyable film.

The DVD ruined the best scene
First the good stuff. This is a pretty enjoyable movie. Connery's casting as the barbary pirate / lord of the Riff starts out as rather unbelievable, but it grows on you. Brian Keith is perfect as Theodore Roosevelt. Keith and the script do a great job of showcasing this man's beliefs, pretenses, and genuine nobility. My only complaint about the performances; It would've been nice if Candice Bergin had picked one accent and gone with it. The romance is a little forced, but hey, it's a movie.

"LOOSELY" based on a historical incident, it remains relevant even in today's world. The contrast between a slumbering but decisive America that is willing to negotiate to a point, but go it alone if it must to protect it's citizens, versus a self-absorbed charismatic leader who uses religion to justify his own desires for power and place. Sound familiar?

Based on the above, I'd give the movie itself a weak 4 star rating, but the DVD fumbles.

The pinheads in charge of subtitling this better than average film managed to screw up one of the finest depictions of 1900's era small unit actions in the history of cinema. This piece of film is (or was until recently) used in the training of US Marine Corps officers. They obviously used historical and technical experts to get the movie right, why couldn't they have talked to even an ROTC cadet to make sure that the command verbage in the subtitles was correct? Very shoddy, and unfortunately it is becoming typical of the level of quality in the DVD market. A minor point for most, but a notable and easily avoidable flaw.

Absolutely Fantastic
I saw this movie at the theater, many years ago, and was taken by the fantastic story of Theodore Roosevelt vs the Sheik. The main stars of this movie perform splendidly and the rest are just as entertaining. As someone who studied Teddy in school and later in life, I must add that I thought Brian Keith's portrayal was far and away the best likeness of Teddy that has ever been done in a movie. Sean Connery plays the Sheik masterfully and nobly and in this current time it is nice to see a balance approach to the "barbaric" Islam tribes. Connery plays the Sheik as honorable and worthy of respect. Definitely a must see movie.

FABULOUS FILM THAT STILL HOLDS UP
"The Wind and the Lion" was a beautiful John Milius film and story, with a pulse-pounding sound track. Brian Keith plays Teddy Roosevelt, who orders U.S. troops to Morocco to protect U.S. interests, as well he should have. Candice Bergen is an American socialite, kidnapped by a roguish Arab sand pirate, played by Sean Connery. The film is much more story, character rivalry and romance than history, but it does not hand us any of the usual garbage portraying the U.S. as racist exploiters. Instead, America under Roosevelt is portrayed as a modern power, unafraid to flex its muscles, but not willing to go overboard.
Milius writes and directs to this day. He has a tremendous love of history, a conservative trait. The reason for this is simple. History is the accurate description of great things done by conservatives. No wonder we love history. He is not the household name that Speilberg, Coppola or Lucas are. He says he is comfortable with the decisions he made, which were to be up-front about his politics regardless of whether it cost him. He freely admits that his conservatism indeed did prevent him from the kind of greatness that he was capable of.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM ... Read more

Amazon.com

John Milius charts a decade of social change as three surfing buddies use the sport as a personal touchstone for their lives while growing up in the turbulent 1960s. Irresponsible hot-dogging legend Matt (Jan-Michael Vincent), serious and stable Jack (William Katt), and mad misfit Leroy, a.k.a. "Masochist" (Gary Busey), are teenage surf bums in 1963, living at the beach in a perpetual summer under the sway of surfboard-maker Bear (Sam Melville), guru, mentor, and keeper of the lore. But the times they are a changin' and boys grow up in the shadow of Vietnam while adulthood pushes them into hard decisions. John Milius mixes the nostalgia of American Graffiti with the reverence of a John Ford cavalry drama. Surfing becomes a kind of spiritual quest spoken of in awed mythic tones and photographed with the epic grandeur of a rite of passage. Milius's heavy-handed direction and reverent attitude slows the films and will turn off some viewers, but Milius fans will appreciate his macho stylings and philosophical musings, and surfing fans will love the spectacular surfing footage, including the dazzling stylings of world champion Gerry Lopez (who Milius later cast in Conan the Barbarian). Lee Purcell costars as Matt's supportive wife, with Patti D'Arbanville, Barbara Hale, and Robert Englund in supporting roles. Look for Ford stock player Hank Worden in a small role and Milius himself in a cameo selling marijuana in Tijuana. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (43)

SURF MOVIE OF THE CENTURY!
This movie is regarded as a surf classic and rightly so. Slickly produced, consisting of a series of vignettes over 13 years it gives a non-surfing person a revealing insight into the surf culture. The still-thorny issue of the Vietnam War is dealt with and the transition from the swinging sixties into the seventies is handled very well (a technique John Milius perfected in his 1983 classic Uncommon Valor which incidentally pre-dated the much hyped Rambo First Blood II by nearly two years). The climax of the film is the surf footage at the end depicting the legendary day of a lifetime, Big Wednesday. The only negative is the thought that the two stars, Jan Michael Vincent and Gary Busey threw away their lives after this movie due to drug addiction (Busey almost died from an overdose in 1994). Another negative is that some of the surfing terminology in the book didn't make it to the film. In the book, the car is referred to as "The Makeshift" - it isn't in the film. Still, if you cast these things out of your mind for 100 minutes you will experience something truly special. You won't be disappointed.

Early acting at its best...
This film is phenomenal in that it brings not only William Katt, Gary Busey and Jan Michael Vincent together but also introduces many new faces to 80's film and television such as Robert England (aka Freddie Krueger) and Steve Kanaly (aka Dallas). The film, although originally thought of as a surfing movie is far from that. It is a film totally encompassing the late 60's and early 70's around the vietnam era and the pressures of the strained relationships of three friends. A film worth seeing for anyone who grew up during that time.

Yes
If you're interested in surfing at all, you need this one.

Surfing Movie
This one is not just a documentary about surfing. It is actually a good life/friendship movie... And let's not forget about the waves! I enjoy watching this movie.

Cover misleading - needs better cover
BIG WEDNESDAY is, as many have stated, so much more than just a surfie movie. It explores the friendship of three friends over a 10 year period who just happen to all have a surfing passion. A film overlooked by many, yet has a great story to tell with excellent performances by Katt, Busey and Vicent. The surfing aspect is a small part of the overall storyline.

I think the marketing people should have released this DVD title with a different cover as it is misleading and cheapens the movie to a great degree. It is so much more deserving than that. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Of all the stories to come out of the Second World War, the little known subject of this 1995 documentary ranks as one of the most fascinating. Sometimes lively and stirring archival footage is coupled with present-day interviews of veterans to shape a portrait of the 10th Mountain Division, an unlikely group of skiers and mountaineers trained to combat the Nazis in the difficult terrain of the Italian Alps.Chronicling the origins of the division, with its beginnings in the burgeoning phenomenon of the sport in the 1930s through its formation by civilian authorities in anticipation of coming U.S. involvement in World War II, Fire on the Mountain illustrates the difficult training in the Colorado Rockies that prepared the men for the assault on Riva Ridge against an all but impenetrable Nazi foothold in the Italian mountains. With a combination of luck, perseverance, and sacrifice, the men of the 10th Mountain Division succeed in capturing a vital position in the European theater, helping to turn the tide of the war. The film by Beth Gage and George Gage shows the impact these men had not only on the outcome of the war, but on the sport of skiing and the emergence of the Rocky Mountain region as the historical center of the pastime. With its vivid imagery and historical impact, Fire on the Mountain is sure to appeal to history buffs and ski bums alike. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (1)

1940's outdoorsmen become war heroes and more
An excellent documentary of the WWII Tenth Mountain Division, the only US troops ever trained for mountain battles. Sort of an outdoorsy version of Brokaw's book The Greatest Generation. The division proved an irresistable opportunity to the best skiers, climbers and outdoorsmen of the day who wanted to both pursue their avocations as well as serve their country. The film provides an entertaining look into the training methods and battles of the division. But the most interesting part of the story of the tenth division is the significance of the post-war contributions of its members in fields such as sports business and environmentalism. The surviving members, all well into their seventies and eighties, still hold an annual reunion to climb, hike, ski and reminisce about their fallen comrades. In one incredibly moving segment, the film documents one recent reunion where the members held a joint climb with members of a similar club of Italian veterans on the mountain that was the sight of their greatest battle.

Anyone should find this video entertaining, but outdoor enthusiasts should find it particularly enjoyable. These men are admirable to me for their skill and dedication in the outdoors in an era before such activites became fashionable; add in their sense of duty and honor as well as their eloquence and I find them to be true heroes. I thank the producers of this film for introducing them to me ... Read more

Reviews (4)

This was the highlight of my day!!
If you like things big and dumb, then this movie is for you, cause you're probably big and dumb. Despite not really having a plot, the movie lacks any profesional actors besides the guy from Kung Fu, Peter Wolf. The best part was the total lack of explaination for anything that happened during the entire movie. The only way this movie can provide any entertainment is if it is viewed like Army of Darkness, not really taken seriously.

Almost as good as ...
This movie is almost like living with the British. It ... from the moment it starts to the moment you you realize you're naked in the back yard burning in a bon fire. The barbarian brothers should have been ... after their first movie. The acting was almost as good as the new star wars movie. The only thing that kept me watching was the fact that I can't find the remote and I'm so tired that it's funny to watch mullets flap around. The fact that it made it onto TV much less video makes me want to ... myself.

The reason why it didn't get 5 star rating is because...
While the plot and script of this movie is written very well, the reason why it didn't get a 5 star rating from me is because of the cast. The Barbarian brothers are cool, they deserved atleast a nomination to the oscars. The problem is due to the babes in this movie... there weren't any. They should have casted hotter chicks to off-set the actions. My favorite re-occuring line from this movie is "Can't find Second Gear...", if you watch it you'll understand. Paul and David should make a comback "Double Trouble 2", if I was a producer, I'd fund it!

Brother, This is the Most Huge Movie ever, brother!
This movie is seriously radical, daddy. The action is superb, the acting puts DeNiro, Nicholson, Brando and the like to shame, brother. The Barbarian Brothers were the finest comedic-action duo since Tango and Cash, brother. If you like mullets, Camaros, Oakland Raider half shirts, Oakley razorblades, monster trucks, boys with toys being boys, and all things that ROOL, this movie is for you, daddy. Buy this film now, for hours of entertianment. Check out Twin Sitters too, Daddy. I prey to God every day that this movie is rereleased on DVD. This truly is the finest movie EVER made. Possibly better than the entire Lord of The Rings Trilogy and without a doubt finer than anything put out by George Lucas. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

On The Road To SUGARLAND
It was thirty years ago this very month that Steven Spielberg made his official big-screen directing debut (his 1971 film DUEL being an excellent made-for-TV offering) with THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS. Even at this early stage in his career, Spielberg's directoral instincts were extremely sharp, and his concentration on the characters is masterful. It's amazing how people sell Spielberg short in this area simply because so many of his films seem to be all about special effects and gee-whiz heroics.

Loosely based on events that occurred in Texas in the spring of 1969, the film stars Goldie Hawn as an ex-con mother who springs her reluctant husband (William Atherton) from a prison farm so they can get their infant son back from a foster family that has refused to return custody to Hawn. But when they hijack a Texas state trooper (Michael Sachs) and force him to driver them to the town of Sugarland, they attract far more attention than they bargained for: mass media, hundreds of onlookers, and nearly half of the total number of law enforcement officers in Texas. Veteran character actor Ben Johnson is the lead lawman in this relatively slow-speed chase, occasionally punctuated by redneck sniper gunfire, who sympathizes with Hawn's and Atherton's plight but who also must still perform his duties. It all comes to a climax at Sugarland with a jarring result.

Although made for relatively little money (just three million, as opposed to the tens of millions Spielberg would spend on his films in ensuing decades), THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS was still only a modest box office hit. Part of that could be attributed to audiences' expectations of seeing Hawn in a frothy comedy following her turn on TV's "Laugh-In" and instead getting a real live actress with intensity. And part of it could also be attributed to the fact that this film's ending isn't exactly sweetness and light. Still, Hawn's performance here is arguably the best she ever gave on the big screen, and Atherton and Sachs do good turns. Equally reliable is Johnson, remembered for his Oscar-winning turn in Peter Bogdanovich's 1971 classic THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, but also as a familiar presence in the westerns of John Ford and Sam Peckinpah.

Filmed completely on location in Texas, THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS features great cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond, taut editing from Verna Fields, and an excellent Americana score by John Williams (his first for Spielberg). It is a film that can be enjoyed many times over, as is the case for almost everything Spielberg has ever done.

I Liked This Movie!
I remember first seeing The Sugarland Express in a movie theater on Long Island New York with my family when I was around 8 1/2 years old, and really liking this movie and I thought Goldie Hawn ( Foul Play) and William Atherton (Ghostbusters, and Bio-Dome) were really good and I was totally impressed with all of the action and adventure with those thrilling police car chases and there was one police chase that was so thrilling and amazing it had me on the edge of my seat I'm sure this movie is probably a little dated in the year 2003 but It would be interesting to watch it again especially to see those amazing chases! If I remember correctly I think I remember hearing on TV that parts of this movie were based on a true story and I think this was the first movie that Steven Spielberg ever directed.

Might be worth a look.
Steven Spielberg;s first movie was done on a moderate budget but it shows his then growing ability as a film maker to cast and work with the best actors for the roles. Produced by Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, First movie where the music was scored by John Williams, great camera work by Vilmos Zsigmond, and edited by Verna Fields.

Spielberg movie with a great story and excellent acting
This movie had a compelling story and excellent acting with the added bonus of Steven Spielberg as the director. The story centers around a young woman named Lou Jean (Goldie Hawn), who has lost custody of her baby son because of her criminal record. She decides the only way to get him back is to convince her husband Clovis (William Atherton) to escape from the Pre-release Center where he is serving the final four months of his prison term. Clovis reluctantly agrees after Lou Jean threatens to divorce him if he doesn't go along with her plan. Unfortunately after Clovis escapes, the two only have bad luck. The older couple they hitch a ride with get stopped by Highway Patrol Officer Slide (Michael Sacks). Lou Jean and Clovis then steal the older couple's car, wreck the car and kidnap Officer Slide and force him to drive them to Sugarland, where their son is living. The remainder of the movie chronicles what happens to the three on their trip. How the media transforms the couple into a cause celebre and how the police have to not only deal with the fugitives but with the media and the public, who have rallied behind the pair. As Lou Jean, Goldie Hawn gives a heartfelt and sympathetic performance to the role of a women who refuses to see the futility of her actions and is blinded by her desire to get her son back at any cost. William Atherton does a good job with a difficult role. He conveys the fact that Clovis did what Lou Jean wanted becasue of his love for her and his fear of losing her. Michael Sacks gave diminsion to a character which in lesser hands might have come across as your basic by-the-book-cop. (It's a mystery to me why he disappeared from acting.) Spielberg's direction gives you a real feel for the expansive Texas countryside which contrasts with the fact that for most of the movie these characters are confined in cars. Spielberg uses evrything at his disposal to highlight and backdrop his story - the sunsets, the open highway and local color are all used to optimum effect. Overall - A MUST SEE

No sharks, no raptors, just plain folks.
Spielberg will never make a darker film than his debut, "The Sugarland Express". In order to execute her "foolproof" plan to kidnap her baby back from the state, "unfit mother" Goldie Hawn busts hubby William Atherton out of the county prison farm and impulsively hijacks a young deputy (along with his police vehicle) to be thier reluctant "chaffeur".The desperate couple are soon leading an army of law enforcement and TV cameras on a long, slow, doomed-from-the-start pursuit. Speilberg borrows some of the "existential car chase" elements from "Vanishing Point", as well as the media circus scenario of Billy Wilder's cynical "Big Carnival" to tell his inevitably tragic tale. Hawn and Atherton offer ultimately heartbreaking, naturalistic performances as the noirish protaganists. Michael Sacks (who made an impressive starring debut in the cult-classic "Slaughterhouse Five", then mysteriously dropped off the radar after "Sugarland")also shines as the hostage officer. Ironically, this is precisely the type of character-driven, "edgy" film that Spielberg is so desperately trying to convince us he is capable of making these days--perhaps he, like most of the viewing public, has forgotten all about this movie! Worth "re-discovering". ... Read more

Reviews (13)

How to compress the history of gangsters
I can't explain it,but like so many other people,I'm fascinated by gangsters.I'll read any book I can get my hands on and I'll watch any movie made about them.One of the first was "Dillinger".It may not be the most accurate film ever made,but at least John Millius tries to make up for it with thrilling action.The plot plays more like the generic "Cop out for revenge" (Purvis hunting down the gangsters responsable for the June 17,1933 shoot-out that left three agents dead) rather than an attempt to tell the life of Dillinger.One of the few perks of the film are some surprisingly accurate portrayals.First there's Warren Oates who has the distinction of being the only actor who played Dillinger,who actually looks like him!Other accurate portrayals inclue Steve Kanaly(from T.V.'s Dallas) as Pretty Boy Floyd and a young Richard Dreyfuss in a psychotic,but accurate version of Babyface Nelson.The most telling part of his character is when he declares "I go in shooting.I kill everyone in sight.I grab the dough.And leave shooting!" That line seems to define the film.Despite it's historical flaws,it's still an entertaining action flick from the "Drive In" era.

Dillinger
As a liberal minded person John Millius is not exactly my most favourite director. However I love this early seventies gangster movie, Warren Oates and Ben Johnnson ar great leads.
The violence and the action is still strong.

This is not history. Who cares?
This is not a completely true story. This is not a documentary. It is just a fun movie to watch based very loosely on a few gangsters around the early to mid 1930's. The lead roles are bank robber John Dillinger and FBI agent Melvin Purvis. While trying to capture or kill Dillinger, Purvis runs across a few other notable gangsters of the day. If you want true history, don't get it from Hollywood, head to your local library. If you want to watch a fun movie, check this one out. I believe that many people write reviews to impress others with their knowledge of history. If I was sitting in a college class, that may be significant. While I am watching a movie, who cares?

As accurate as an American bombing campaign!
I'm not really a history buff but when it comes to depression era gangsters I would say I know my stuff. This film dissapointed me, In fact I would go so far as to say that whilst sitting and watching this film I felt like I was being abused. (not literally of course but mentally). Maybe its too much to expect films to be historically accurate but this was so far off the mark it's not even funny. Floyd, Dillinger & nelson were only together for one robbery and even that is hotly debated amongst historians. At one point nelson & dillinger are having a fight and baby face ends up cowering on his knees crying like a baby whose just wet himself ???- is this the same baby face who was a mob enforcer for al capone, the same mob enforcer who was let go by capone for being to violent, the same baby face who had guts enough to leave the ample cover provided by his car when face by two special agents with thompson submachine guns, the same baby face who had kept on walking toward these agents even after having 17 bullets in him & who eventually killed both agents -DONT THINK SO! im not gloryfying the real baby face but to me he seems like the kinda guy who stares death in the face and enjoys every minute of it!!
some other reviews have already mentioned major flaws in the movie. Maybe i'm being too harsh, maybe not - either way I feel I have wasted my money. At least theres another dillinger movie being made for 2004 and a seperate pretty boy floyd movie set for 2005!! i just hope they are a little more accurate.

I'll Give You the Scoop on This One
This is a shameless favorite of mine, which, ironically, has all the qualities that usually make me hate a film: 1)it's a shameless knock off of a great movie (Bonnie and Clyde); 2)it features serious miscasting (Ben Johnson as Melvin Purvis); and plays fast and loose with the history that we depression era gangster buffs know chapter and verse of (Homer van Meter was gunned down months after Dilinger; Pretty Boy Floyd was gunned down in Minnesota after days of being chased through the backwoods by the law, though he did have a poignant last meal with a kindly farmer's wife; It was Harry Pierpont's gang, not Dilinger's; Harry Pierpont was not at Little Bohemia; Harry Pierpont was not gunned down as he waws in he film; Harry Pierpont died in the electric chair after being captured in New Mexico along with Dilinger (who later escaped); thus, Harry Pierpont was the only member of the gang to die in jail, and so on and so forth. But Oh, the movie is so much fun. Warren Oates is a treat and it is a wonder his career didn't take off after this film. What a great character actor he was. Remember him in stripes? This is one of those movies you just can't figure. It does so many things wrong, but you still love it. You take it for what it is, you put your brain on cruise control, and you simply enjoy the ride. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Brilliant film
A brilliant film with superb acting, and an absolutely fascinating exploration of the human brain and its relationship to consciousness and behavior. This is an early work, and represents the author's scientific imagination at its best.

Can I get an S...L...O...W...
Holy nun monkeys is this movie slow! I've seen molasses on concrete move at a rate faster than this. Good storyline (that's because it's based on the Michael Crichton novel) the film it self is just a tad bit dated for the times. The story as I said was good execpt the ending which left me clueless. They obviously changed it from the ending in the novel. I really don't recommend this film to anyone not even the Michael Crichton fans.

Mike Hodges is the terminal man
One has to wonder, after the success of Westworld which Michael Crichton wrote and directed, why he would allow Mike Hodges to make such a mess of The Terminal Man. At least Crichton had the sense to do his own Coma. The premise of this film is akin to Crichton's ongoing concern with the impersonality that seems to go with advances in medical technology. Here it is believed that surgery can correct violent behaviour, since it is thought that those disposed to violent acts are simply brain damaged. George Segal plays Harry Benson, a computer genius who suffers from "para-epilepsy" which has resulted him in having blackouts with uncontrollable rages. He agrees to surgery, which is untried on humans, (we never find out the effects on the animals that came before him, but presumably they are no longer "brain damaged") and has an electronic computer implanted into his brain to tranquilise and abort the violent impules. There's no prize for guessing the treatment is a failure and soon the computer is overloading stimulants and pushing Harry into regular seizures. Hodges gives such painstaking detail to the operation that we soon realise that his interest is the miniature of the surgery and not in giving his audience a good time. His hospital plays Muzak in the corridors and he otherwise has Glenn Gould playing Bach on his soundtrack. The fact that he doesn't use an action score is probably symptomatic of Hodges' inappropriate restraint. He teases us with eye through a peephole observations as Harry's mind (I think), Them on TV, and one great image of Harry running maniacally through cemetary headstones. Just when the final cemetary scene arouses your interest, with Harry fallen into an about-to-be used grave, Hodges disappoints us by turning him into a Christ-figure. George Segal has previously demonstrated his range in comedy and drama, but here his uncontrollable rages are pretty tepid. I guess when one considers who to cast as a paranoid psychotic, Segal doesn't come to mind. Hodges actually never shows him in a direct attack, and when he tries to break through a locked door a la Jack Nicholson in The Shining, I was waiting for the "Here's Johnny" gag. It also doesn't help that Segal is dressed in a ridiculous wig and white suit as if he is in a dubbed Italian movie. Playing Segal's girlfriend, before her Unmarried Woman breakthrough, Jill Clayburgh is given thankless scenes but still manages to contribute some goofiness. As Harry's doctor, Joan Hackett is also under-used. Hodges recalls the infamous photos of Frances Farmer being arrested with similar pics of Harry, and there is an objection to the surgery from someone who reminds us of how disastrous frontal lobotomies were at the time. What is unintentionally amusing is how one of the doctors on staff is played by an actor with a huge bare forehead, as if he has already been under the ice-pick. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This was cool!!
If you are a mystery lover you will love this video. This is a whodunnit that you have a chance to solve they give you a scenario and then tell you who was murdered. Then after the clues are given you can hear from the suspects and then you find out who did it and how. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Realistic portrait of war
Well-made Vietnam war movie with "Dallas" star Steve Kanaly as a an unconventional but honest major betrayed by his superiors and his firebase left with a unexperienced leader. Written by Outdoors magazine writer Dan Gagliasso and critically acclaimed director Carl Franklin. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Steven Spielberg's first feature film was, in fact, a small-scale commercial flop--but good enough to earn him a shot at making his name directing Jaws. Goldie Hawn and William Atherton play a young couple who, after some bad breaks and mistakes, have their child taken away by the state of Texas. So they take the law into their own hands and take off to retrieve him, on the run from the police--lots and lots of police--all the while turning themselves into a causecélèbre. Strong filmmaking overcomes a melodramatic script; it's fledgling Spielberg, which is better than full-blown Arthur Hiller or Joel Schumacher any day. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (8)

On The Road To SUGARLAND
It was thirty years ago this very month that Steven Spielberg made his official big-screen directing debut (his 1971 film DUEL being an excellent made-for-TV offering) with THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS. Even at this early stage in his career, Spielberg's directoral instincts were extremely sharp, and his concentration on the characters is masterful. It's amazing how people sell Spielberg short in this area simply because so many of his films seem to be all about special effects and gee-whiz heroics.

Loosely based on events that occurred in Texas in the spring of 1969, the film stars Goldie Hawn as an ex-con mother who springs her reluctant husband (William Atherton) from a prison farm so they can get their infant son back from a foster family that has refused to return custody to Hawn. But when they hijack a Texas state trooper (Michael Sachs) and force him to driver them to the town of Sugarland, they attract far more attention than they bargained for: mass media, hundreds of onlookers, and nearly half of the total number of law enforcement officers in Texas. Veteran character actor Ben Johnson is the lead lawman in this relatively slow-speed chase, occasionally punctuated by redneck sniper gunfire, who sympathizes with Hawn's and Atherton's plight but who also must still perform his duties. It all comes to a climax at Sugarland with a jarring result.

Although made for relatively little money (just three million, as opposed to the tens of millions Spielberg would spend on his films in ensuing decades), THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS was still only a modest box office hit. Part of that could be attributed to audiences' expectations of seeing Hawn in a frothy comedy following her turn on TV's "Laugh-In" and instead getting a real live actress with intensity. And part of it could also be attributed to the fact that this film's ending isn't exactly sweetness and light. Still, Hawn's performance here is arguably the best she ever gave on the big screen, and Atherton and Sachs do good turns. Equally reliable is Johnson, remembered for his Oscar-winning turn in Peter Bogdanovich's 1971 classic THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, but also as a familiar presence in the westerns of John Ford and Sam Peckinpah.

Filmed completely on location in Texas, THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS features great cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond, taut editing from Verna Fields, and an excellent Americana score by John Williams (his first for Spielberg). It is a film that can be enjoyed many times over, as is the case for almost everything Spielberg has ever done.

I Liked This Movie!
I remember first seeing The Sugarland Express in a movie theater on Long Island New York with my family when I was around 8 1/2 years old, and really liking this movie and I thought Goldie Hawn ( Foul Play) and William Atherton (Ghostbusters, and Bio-Dome) were really good and I was totally impressed with all of the action and adventure with those thrilling police car chases and there was one police chase that was so thrilling and amazing it had me on the edge of my seat I'm sure this movie is probably a little dated in the year 2003 but It would be interesting to watch it again especially to see those amazing chases! If I remember correctly I think I remember hearing on TV that parts of this movie were based on a true story and I think this was the first movie that Steven Spielberg ever directed.

Might be worth a look.
Steven Spielberg;s first movie was done on a moderate budget but it shows his then growing ability as a film maker to cast and work with the best actors for the roles. Produced by Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, First movie where the music was scored by John Williams, great camera work by Vilmos Zsigmond, and edited by Verna Fields.

Spielberg movie with a great story and excellent acting
This movie had a compelling story and excellent acting with the added bonus of Steven Spielberg as the director. The story centers around a young woman named Lou Jean (Goldie Hawn), who has lost custody of her baby son because of her criminal record. She decides the only way to get him back is to convince her husband Clovis (William Atherton) to escape from the Pre-release Center where he is serving the final four months of his prison term. Clovis reluctantly agrees after Lou Jean threatens to divorce him if he doesn't go along with her plan. Unfortunately after Clovis escapes, the two only have bad luck. The older couple they hitch a ride with get stopped by Highway Patrol Officer Slide (Michael Sacks). Lou Jean and Clovis then steal the older couple's car, wreck the car and kidnap Officer Slide and force him to drive them to Sugarland, where their son is living. The remainder of the movie chronicles what happens to the three on their trip. How the media transforms the couple into a cause celebre and how the police have to not only deal with the fugitives but with the media and the public, who have rallied behind the pair. As Lou Jean, Goldie Hawn gives a heartfelt and sympathetic performance to the role of a women who refuses to see the futility of her actions and is blinded by her desire to get her son back at any cost. William Atherton does a good job with a difficult role. He conveys the fact that Clovis did what Lou Jean wanted becasue of his love for her and his fear of losing her. Michael Sacks gave diminsion to a character which in lesser hands might have come across as your basic by-the-book-cop. (It's a mystery to me why he disappeared from acting.) Spielberg's direction gives you a real feel for the expansive Texas countryside which contrasts with the fact that for most of the movie these characters are confined in cars. Spielberg uses evrything at his disposal to highlight and backdrop his story - the sunsets, the open highway and local color are all used to optimum effect. Overall - A MUST SEE

No sharks, no raptors, just plain folks.
Spielberg will never make a darker film than his debut, "The Sugarland Express". In order to execute her "foolproof" plan to kidnap her baby back from the state, "unfit mother" Goldie Hawn busts hubby William Atherton out of the county prison farm and impulsively hijacks a young deputy (along with his police vehicle) to be thier reluctant "chaffeur".The desperate couple are soon leading an army of law enforcement and TV cameras on a long, slow, doomed-from-the-start pursuit. Speilberg borrows some of the "existential car chase" elements from "Vanishing Point", as well as the media circus scenario of Billy Wilder's cynical "Big Carnival" to tell his inevitably tragic tale. Hawn and Atherton offer ultimately heartbreaking, naturalistic performances as the noirish protaganists. Michael Sacks (who made an impressive starring debut in the cult-classic "Slaughterhouse Five", then mysteriously dropped off the radar after "Sugarland")also shines as the hostage officer. Ironically, this is precisely the type of character-driven, "edgy" film that Spielberg is so desperately trying to convince us he is capable of making these days--perhaps he, like most of the viewing public, has forgotten all about this movie! Worth "re-discovering". ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fun flick runs on satire and well-staged silliness
Cute comedy with surprisingly sharp satire.  I say "surprisingly," because I was expecting something fluffier.  Gottschalk is very likable, and the comic situations broad but very well-played.  In addition, any movie that features Peter Lupus as the president of General Motors gets my vote!  Dom DeLuise (and Lupus, in his hilarious cameo) steal the movie, but everyone is good.  This is kind of like Disney for adults, and I wish they made more of these things nowadays.

Non-pollutant and Vegetable Gas.
This comedy from the early 1990s stars Thomas Gottschalk (some actor I've never heard of before) as a bumbling inventor from East Germany. That's right, East Germany. This film was made right before the reunification. Anyway, the inventor has spent his life trying to find a way to get through the Berlin Wall. He finally succeeds when he invents a car engine that runs on vegetables, causes no pollution, and can go over 200 miles per hour. The only problem is that right after he invents his car, the Wall comes down. An evil industrial from the US is going to buy the small town where the inventor is from and turn it into an industrial smog pool. The inventor goes to L.A. for an automobile convention so he can sell his car and save his town (and his beloved barn).

Billy Dee Williams co-stars as a just released felon who is trying to build a new life for himself. Poor Billy Dee. He's a more talented actor than most people give him credit for, but since the original STAR WARS films ended and the Rocky pictures dried up, he hasn't had much of a career. Of course, all his personal problems haven't helped either.

Anyway, there isn't too much of a script here. Most of the humor revolves around the German's reaction and adjustment to life in America. The cast also includes Dom DeLuise as the bad big boss Mr.B and there are cameos by Milton Berle, Morton Downey Jr., and Richard Moll (of "Night Court" fame).

However, as lame as this movie sounds and as corny as some of the dialogue is, it's really not too bad of a movie. It's a lot better than the majority of garbage that Hollywood and the indie scene sludges forth. It's fairly entertaining and actually has a few good laughs. If your looking for a decent piece of mind candy to chew on, DRIVING ME CRAZY might be worth the time.

that Derek dude is wrong!
This Movie was about a bumbling fool from Germany who invented a car that can run on vegetables.... needless to say ... what the hell is that guy Derek above talking about... anyway its a time passer

Buy It!
Fantastic film ... upper class is simply no match for working class humour. Absolutely superb film... pity the price is so expensive. Still if you want to own a film that you will watch again and again then this has all the attributes that make a really entertaining film for all the family to enjoy. Guy gets involved with divorce from the upper class whose son studies at boarding school... unfortunately the son has his dads attitude where eveyone and everything is below him. The working class guy brings him home to celebrate thanksgiving... This is only the start of this very funny film. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Amazed
I was shocked to find this movie on here, still avaliable to buy. I was in this movie five years ago when I was 9 years old. I was an extra in the film, during the baseball game when they showed the crowds. Everyone in my family can be seen at one point or another, so this movie means a lot to me. I don't remember much about the movie, since I was young when I saw it, but I definately recommend it to anyone of any age.

Entertaining, feel-good family film
After getting cut from the big leagues, Tommy Madden (played by wonderful newcomer Jay Schillinger) returns home to his estranged town, his father, one-time girlfriend and old high school buddies. But this time, he's convinced to stay... maybe forever. Beautifully shot with a wonderful soundtrack as well -- all in all -- a GREAT FILM!

Down home, hokey fun
This was a nice family film, especially if you are from Wisconsin where it was filmed. Good performances all around, especially Martha Byrne, Steve Kanaly, Martin Kove. A little like "the Nautral" other baseball movies, but with softball so it is an interesting twist. I'd recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Boring sci-fi, with pleasing moments.
This is a sci-fi movie about an unusual team of people hired to go up and investigate an abandoned spaceship. However, as they reveal what happened, they also find out that someone among them is behind all of it. Intriguing? Mildly. Overdone? Probably. The main reason to see this movie is for Jeff Speakman. Jeff Speakman is a Kenpo Karate expert, who has sadly done many bad films in his career. However, if you like to see martial arts action, you may like to see this movie. Toward the end, Jeff gets a fight scene in which he gets to crazy against his opponenet. I think Jeff has some of the fastest hands in the martial arts movie world. I dare say that he is faster than Jackie Chan, and maybe even Jet Li. ... Read more

Amazon.com

While chock full of interviews with costars from her TV projects, this Intimate Portrait of television actress Victoria Principal is curiously devoid of the intimacy that gives this series its name. Much is made of her military family background, but unlike most of these biographies, no family members are interviewed, and her mother and unnamed sister are not really discussed. Although this Lifetime series is usually fairly candid about the controversial sides of its subjects, Principal's celebrated relationship with singer Andy Gibb--who committed suicide after the relationship ended--rates only a brief mention, and her connection with a sex and financial scandal earlier in her career is never mentioned. Instead, this tape, which runs about 40 minutes, focuses on her happy 16 years with plastic surgeon husband Harry Glassman, her brief stint as a literary agent, the nine years on Dallas that made her a household face, and her cosmetic infomercial business. Former film costar Elliot Gould narrates and Dallas costars Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, and Steve Kanaly all make appearances. Principal talks about how her maturing at puberty put her at odds with the fairer sex. Could that explain the absence of female Dallas denizens in this bio? --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more