Reviews (1)

Cheesy but informative
I bought this video a very long time ago. It's pretty cheesy, but definately worth the money for it's inclusion of coming attraction previews of Deadtime Stories, Bloodeaters, Don't Open the Window, Suspiria, Midnight, Vampyres, The Majorettes, Night of the Living Dead, and others. It also has interviews with Linnea Quigley, Bobbi Bresee, Tom Savini, George Romero, and Russell Streiner. So get it as a guilty pleasure and a reminder of an era of horror that has come and gone. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

So bad it was EXCELLENT...
If you love to watch trashy B-movies, then this is one for you. Sometimes I enjoy a "good" bad movie than an Academy Award winning film. This movie has it all--delightfully bad acting, a cheesey, yet fun, plot, and those cheap special effects we all know and love. Get this one only if you like to collect movies that are so bad they are good.

A funny sexy,light-hearted flick
If you like a evening of mindless entertainment, why not give this movie a try! Liane Curtis is possessed by the devil at a teenage birthday party,and that's where the fun begins..her character, Maggie, is a shy, backward geek who suddenly transforms into a luscious babe with devilish habits both socially and sexually...as she literally "sucks" the life of the male party goers,she is also being chased by a fellow named "Chaser" who fell in love with her in a previous existence (the 1930's)...the one liners and scenarios are hilarious! Don't get serious..sit back and enjoy a funny, sexy interlude!

Ultimate Cheeze
This is one of the best cheesy 80's movies ever! It's so funny. It's worth the special effects alone. A must see!

THE WORST MOVIE I EVER SAW!
Pathetic. I can't write anymore. ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Preposterous, But Fun Jungle Adventure
In the tradition of H. Rider Haggard and "Indiana Jones" comes another blockbuster adaptation of a bestselling Michael Crichton novel. Up until now, this has not been one of his better known books, although it was a good enough read. The film is okay, but hopefully it will lead people to the even better book.

The story begins in the jungles of the Congo. An expedition of scientists has discovered an incredible find: a huge source of pure, blue diamonds. They communicate the good news back home, but before they can transmit their coordinates, they are suddenly attacked and killed. But by what?

Another scientist is sent in to find out. Dr. Karen Ross (Laura Linney), for reasons best left unexplained, attaches herself to a mission already bound for Zaire. A primatologist (Dylan Walsh) is returning his talking gorilla-she communicates through sign language-to her home in Africa. He is accompanied by a mysterious and very shady Romanian "philanthropist" with the unlikely name of Herkermer Homolka (Tim Curry). Karen comes along at a crucial time with a pile of money and is soon part of the gang.

Once in Africa, they meet up with Monroe Kelly (Ernie Hudson), their Great White Hunter "who happens to be black." That's when their adventure begins in earnest and it is a wild one. I won't give it away here-you probably wouldn't believe me anyway-but it is exciting and suspenseful, if never actually believable.

The screenplay for "Congo" was written by noted playwright John Patrick Shanley ("Moonstruck"). He has an odd sense of humor-witness his underrated "Joe Vs. the Volcano"-that is very much in evidence here. The story at times borders on the ludicrous and it is filled with all the delightful cliches that usually populate jungle adventure films (e.g. porters who go missing in the night, and a corpse with a diamond clutched in its hand).

Maybe the film wouldn't have worked any other way. I don't know. By making the story a pseudo-spoof, though, Shanley has removed the dramatic tension and suspense that made the novel work. Since everything is played for laughs-all too frequently unintentionally-then it is almost impossible for us to really get involved and care about what is happening.

Still, there is always pleasure to be had from a film that doesn't take itself too seriously and is not above poking fun at the customs of its genre. "Congo" has that, plus a few exciting scenes and some fun performances, particularly by Ernie Hudson. It is certainly not a great film, but it is a pleasant diversion on a hot summer day.

Why are these folks so critical, was the book so good?
I did not read the novel and while I won't say it's the best movie ever made (It's probably a four and a half in my opinion) I found it perfectly entertaining. Admittedly, I have read a lot of SF and like well made SF and adventure movies (Aliens 2, Matrix, even Bakshi's LOTR) but I also enjoy any genre of movie that is created with attention and art if possible and not with lowest-common-denominator formulaic design or for contract obligations. True, if your looking for dramatic acting, go watch "Boys Don't Cry", or "Men Don't Leave" (Movies, not a Four Seasons greatest hits compendium) Congo lacks the special effects of the newer Godzilla movie, but I enjoyed it more than the latest Star Wars movie (Phantom Menace) Congo, which I have watched twice on VHS and will most likely pick up on DVD, has, as one of the other reviewers noted, a Saturday morning adventure feel. It was tense and the gorillas were well done for monster movie make-up. The characters all unobtrusively played out their archetype roles. I recommend this movie to those who can keep thier minds open and who have a taste for adventure in a E. R. Burroughs vein.

EXCELLENT STORY-EXCELLENT MOVIE!!!
Definitely a great adventure and one of my personal favorites, Congo, brings to the screen a tale set in the African jungles involving an unlikely group that has banded together in search of a lost city and the rare diamonds that are rumored to exist there in abundance. The actors' performances are outstanding, especially Tim Curry whose "Romanian philanthropist" character steals the show. The plot, the jungle ruins, and the battles are all wonderful, making this film one of the best of its kind.
Congo is an action packed movie with strong elements of Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider, therefore, a "must see" for those with a passion for archaeology, mystery and adventure.

Before Python there was Congo
Made way back in 1995. A horror story about a lost city and killer gorillas. A research team is slaughtered by some unknown creature will locking for a dimon to power a laser. Design for communication. She goes on a quest across the africian border to retrive it.

What she things is an ancient legendary city and killer gorilas. Can the survive and get off the island. Before the volcano errupts.

If you like Congo I also recomend Raptor, Python, Phyton 2, Anadaconda.

Entertainment well done
I loved this movie, bought the DVD and watch it over and over the performance is so good. It is hard to single out any one thing. The musical score and songs are so good, I keep playing them over in my head. The scene where Dylan Walsh's character starts singing "California Dreaming" to Amy and everyone of the Africans join in the song shows the universality of music and song to people. As with any well executed movie, the details were done right letting the viewer enjoy the actors work. All of the priciple actors came accross as believable in their characters. The only mystery to me is the total lack of credit listing for Joe Pantoliano's participation and his character not even being listed in the ending credits! There must be some Hollywood Gossip behind that. Ernie Hudson really stole the show. The using of a British accent was genius. Since the English colonized and ruled most of Africa for years and set up most of the schools, an African guide would speak English with a British accent. The ending sequence with the volcano erupting and the land splitting brings back fond memories of 1940s "expedition" movies that always ended with such a scene.

"Congo" is entertaining, well directed, scored and acted. It is well worth the price of purchase and my only critcism (the devil is in the details) is the depiction of too few porters to haul the amount of equipment they kept coming up with for different scenes. Laura Linney's character was great! She had the best lines in the movie too.

Rent it or buy it, you will not regret it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Cheesy but informative
I bought this video a very long time ago. It's pretty cheesy, but definately worth the money for it's inclusion of coming attraction previews of Deadtime Stories, Bloodeaters, Don't Open the Window, Suspiria, Midnight, Vampyres, The Majorettes, Night of the Living Dead, and others. It also has interviews with Linnea Quigley, Bobbi Bresee, Tom Savini, George Romero, and Russell Streiner. So get it as a guilty pleasure and a reminder of an era of horror that has come and gone. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Theres no place on earth to hide!
From this terrible dvd that is! IF you don't mind the terrible acting and story, this could be a fairly enjoyable film. The only positive thing to say about this film is the special effects are pretty good for its time. Other than that, it is very bad. Unless you really like B-movies, steer clear, it is that bad.

Fun Cheese
I really liked this flick, despite the cruddy ending. It's a really good excuse to stop doing...stuff that I can't explain right now. The F/X are really cool, and the storyline is good to.

This Remake would be a Perfect for Today's Audiences.
David Gardner (Hunter Carson), his world turns up side down, when a large Alien Spaceship lands under the Sands of his Backyard. The Aliens has taken control of his Parents (Timothy Bottoms & Laraine Newman), His Teacher (Oscar-Winner:Louise Fletcher) and part of the small California town. David must find a way stop them with the help of a School Nurse (Carson's real life Mother-Karen Black).

Directed by Tobe Hooper (The Funhouse, Lifeforce, Poltergeist) made a entertaining sci-fi/thriller. This is a Remake of the 1953 film of the same name. This Remake has terrific Production Design by Leslie Dilley (Star Wars), Excellent Visual Effects supervise by John Dykstra (Spiderman), Great Invader Creatures Designed and Created by Stan Winston (Jurassic Park), an fine Music Score by Christopher Young (Hellraiser) and slick Cinematography work by Daniel Pearl (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) makes this Remake seems First-Rate but ended up being a Box Office Flop. Still the Remake is a Hoot. DVD's has an fine anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong-Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD's Special Features are Original Publicity Featurette (nearly 8 minutes), Sci-Fi promo featurette (15 minutes) and the Original Theatrical Trailer (2 Minutes). The film might have been a Flop but it's Perfect for Today's Viewers, it's worth seeing. Based on a Screenplay by Richard Blake. Screenplay by Dan O'Bannon (The Return of the Living Dead) and Don Jakoby (John Carpenter's Vampires). Joe Dunton Camera Widescreen (J-D-C Scope). Grade:A-.

Silly Fun
The original 1953 INVADERS FROM MARS is a cult classic, appreciated for both its influence on later similar films and the fact that it reads as hilariously corny by today standards. But this 1986 remake--in spite of a big budget, several very talented actors, and a deliberately campy script--is unlikely to inspire the same sort of loyalty, and it was universally condemned by critics and audiences alike when first released.

That said, the film really isn't as bad as you may have heard. The plot follows the original version quite closely: the imaginative young son (Hunter Carson) of two loving parents (Timothy Bottom and Laraine Newman) catches sight of a UFO as it lands beyond the hill behind his house--and when his father goes out to investigate he returns... well... different. When his mother and his evil school teacher (Louise Fletcher) follow suit, he turns to the school nurse (Karen Black), and together the two alert the local military to the strange goings-on.

The cast is really quite good. Although the script gives her little to do beyond run around screaming, Karen Black has a unique screen presence--and it is as evident here as it is in her more celebrated films. Her real life son, Hunter Carson, does the honors as the child lead, and aquits himself very well. But the most memorable performances are from Laraine Newman, Timothy Bottom, and Louise Fletcher, who are transformed by the UFO and sent abroad to do the aliens' evil will. Fletcher is particularly enjoyable, wringing the most from her role as every child's nightmare school teacher. The special effects have dated and seem remarkably derrivative, a mix of STAR WARS and ALIEN, but they too are entertaining in their own way, and although it isn't always successful the script has enough campy humor (much of it in reference to the original) to give you an occasional hoot.

As pure fluff, the 1986 INVADERS FROM MARS works very well, and kids ten and up are likely to find it extremely entertaining. Still, I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way for this particular movie. It is mindlessly entertaining, but I don't think it is a film to which many viewers will care to return.

BETTER THAN YOU THINK
With little fanfare, MGM has quietly transferred a handful of great B films to DVD that they not too arbitrarily categorize as "Midnight Movies." The nice looking digital prints are in their original theatrical format and appear as if they were taken from original material. The discs come with no substantial extras but care has been lavished on the box art, often reflecting the lurid lobby cards and posters of their initial release. Even acknowledging the B category, these are for the most part well-crafted and, well, adequately acted.

In "INVADERS FROM MARS" Tobe Hooper directs a terrific cast -- Karen Black, Timothy Bottoms, Bud Cort and Louise Fletcher -- in a straightforward update of the of the 1953 cult classic. This flip side to the benign aliens of "E.T." or "Close Encounters" delivers bad guys from space who not only want our planet but our souls as well. Creepy fun that can still raise the hair on your neck. ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Preposterous, But Fun Jungle Adventure
In the tradition of H. Rider Haggard and "Indiana Jones" comes another blockbuster adaptation of a bestselling Michael Crichton novel. Up until now, this has not been one of his better known books, although it was a good enough read. The film is okay, but hopefully it will lead people to the even better book.

The story begins in the jungles of the Congo. An expedition of scientists has discovered an incredible find: a huge source of pure, blue diamonds. They communicate the good news back home, but before they can transmit their coordinates, they are suddenly attacked and killed. But by what?

Another scientist is sent in to find out. Dr. Karen Ross (Laura Linney), for reasons best left unexplained, attaches herself to a mission already bound for Zaire. A primatologist (Dylan Walsh) is returning his talking gorilla-she communicates through sign language-to her home in Africa. He is accompanied by a mysterious and very shady Romanian "philanthropist" with the unlikely name of Herkermer Homolka (Tim Curry). Karen comes along at a crucial time with a pile of money and is soon part of the gang.

Once in Africa, they meet up with Monroe Kelly (Ernie Hudson), their Great White Hunter "who happens to be black." That's when their adventure begins in earnest and it is a wild one. I won't give it away here-you probably wouldn't believe me anyway-but it is exciting and suspenseful, if never actually believable.

The screenplay for "Congo" was written by noted playwright John Patrick Shanley ("Moonstruck"). He has an odd sense of humor-witness his underrated "Joe Vs. the Volcano"-that is very much in evidence here. The story at times borders on the ludicrous and it is filled with all the delightful cliches that usually populate jungle adventure films (e.g. porters who go missing in the night, and a corpse with a diamond clutched in its hand).

Maybe the film wouldn't have worked any other way. I don't know. By making the story a pseudo-spoof, though, Shanley has removed the dramatic tension and suspense that made the novel work. Since everything is played for laughs-all too frequently unintentionally-then it is almost impossible for us to really get involved and care about what is happening.

Still, there is always pleasure to be had from a film that doesn't take itself too seriously and is not above poking fun at the customs of its genre. "Congo" has that, plus a few exciting scenes and some fun performances, particularly by Ernie Hudson. It is certainly not a great film, but it is a pleasant diversion on a hot summer day.

Why are these folks so critical, was the book so good?
I did not read the novel and while I won't say it's the best movie ever made (It's probably a four and a half in my opinion) I found it perfectly entertaining. Admittedly, I have read a lot of SF and like well made SF and adventure movies (Aliens 2, Matrix, even Bakshi's LOTR) but I also enjoy any genre of movie that is created with attention and art if possible and not with lowest-common-denominator formulaic design or for contract obligations. True, if your looking for dramatic acting, go watch "Boys Don't Cry", or "Men Don't Leave" (Movies, not a Four Seasons greatest hits compendium) Congo lacks the special effects of the newer Godzilla movie, but I enjoyed it more than the latest Star Wars movie (Phantom Menace) Congo, which I have watched twice on VHS and will most likely pick up on DVD, has, as one of the other reviewers noted, a Saturday morning adventure feel. It was tense and the gorillas were well done for monster movie make-up. The characters all unobtrusively played out their archetype roles. I recommend this movie to those who can keep thier minds open and who have a taste for adventure in a E. R. Burroughs vein.

EXCELLENT STORY-EXCELLENT MOVIE!!!
Definitely a great adventure and one of my personal favorites, Congo, brings to the screen a tale set in the African jungles involving an unlikely group that has banded together in search of a lost city and the rare diamonds that are rumored to exist there in abundance. The actors' performances are outstanding, especially Tim Curry whose "Romanian philanthropist" character steals the show. The plot, the jungle ruins, and the battles are all wonderful, making this film one of the best of its kind.
Congo is an action packed movie with strong elements of Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider, therefore, a "must see" for those with a passion for archaeology, mystery and adventure.

Before Python there was Congo
Made way back in 1995. A horror story about a lost city and killer gorillas. A research team is slaughtered by some unknown creature will locking for a dimon to power a laser. Design for communication. She goes on a quest across the africian border to retrive it.

What she things is an ancient legendary city and killer gorilas. Can the survive and get off the island. Before the volcano errupts.

If you like Congo I also recomend Raptor, Python, Phyton 2, Anadaconda.

Entertainment well done
I loved this movie, bought the DVD and watch it over and over the performance is so good. It is hard to single out any one thing. The musical score and songs are so good, I keep playing them over in my head. The scene where Dylan Walsh's character starts singing "California Dreaming" to Amy and everyone of the Africans join in the song shows the universality of music and song to people. As with any well executed movie, the details were done right letting the viewer enjoy the actors work. All of the priciple actors came accross as believable in their characters. The only mystery to me is the total lack of credit listing for Joe Pantoliano's participation and his character not even being listed in the ending credits! There must be some Hollywood Gossip behind that. Ernie Hudson really stole the show. The using of a British accent was genius. Since the English colonized and ruled most of Africa for years and set up most of the schools, an African guide would speak English with a British accent. The ending sequence with the volcano erupting and the land splitting brings back fond memories of 1940s "expedition" movies that always ended with such a scene.

"Congo" is entertaining, well directed, scored and acted. It is well worth the price of purchase and my only critcism (the devil is in the details) is the depiction of too few porters to haul the amount of equipment they kept coming up with for different scenes. Laura Linney's character was great! She had the best lines in the movie too.

Rent it or buy it, you will not regret it. ... Read more

Description

See Arnold Schwarzenegger as the mythological Hercules!Toga clad and ripped to Mr. Universe proportions, Hercules is bored with life on Mount Olympus.When he declares his desire to live among earthly mortals, his father Zeus hurls an angry thunderbolt at Hercules and sends him plummeting to Earth.A freighter bound for New York picks up the water-logged demi-god and thus begins a raucous, muscle-bound adventure that pits New Yorkers against the godly denizens of Mount Olympus.First time on video with Arnold's actual voice!

... Read more

Reviews (39)

Arnie leads the way of the best cult-movie of all time...
Step aside "Rocky Horror", "Hercules in New York" is now at the head of the pack. This early Schwarzenegger film about a god living in the Big Apple is nothing short of spectacular, combining hilarious acting with cheezy special effects. Arnie plays the title role in his first ever flick, which was not well received by critics. When Hercules is cast from Olympus, he begins to lead a new life in New York City. Mishaps and feats of strength ensue, as Hercules attempts to asert himself as a god. By saving a man as small as Hercules is big from a gang of thugs, Hercules gains a money-hungry friend who gives the audience as many laughs as Schwarzenegger. Complete with a dubbed over voice and shady acting skills, Arnold makes this film one for the ages. END

hilarious arnie in his funniest movie
Who would have thought that before all those great action movies and "I'll be back"'s, Arnold S. had already appeared in a cult classic?? I recently watched this movie and have enjoyed it very much, never knowing how cheesy and campy a movie can be?

First, THE reason this movie is brought back on DVD is not for its qualities. It's just to see Arnie in his first movie where he pulls off a really great BAD performance. Both versions of the movie are great (on TV, i saw the dubbed version which was funny to see a great Austrian guy with the voice of an English professor with no knowledge of putting intonation in his voice), but i prefer the one with Arnie's almost ridiculous accent. The story itself is also bad-to-the-bone : Hercules is bored on Olympus and wants to go on a vacation in New York, but Zeus doesn't like this as it would confuse the humans. Hercules, however, pursues and gets dropped in the sea where a boat picks him up and brings him to New York. When he arrives, his vacation begins...

The whole movie is worthwhile just because of the cheesy acting of our Arnie. With the role of Hercules played by an unknown actor, the movie would have gone into obscurity from the moment it hit the theaters, but Arnie stays the main reason to watch this. Highlight is the fight against a grizzly bear who fights as a human and also lays for death on the ground as a human (his arms spread!!!)

Searchig a serious film about Greek mythology?? Keep away. Looking for a "so bad it becomes good" movie, you are in heaven with this little cult gem.

A classic gem because it is genuine
This is a riot! That movie is not made with exquisite quality but the story full of fun and in its simplicity is hilarious and good. It does not pretend to be brilliant or a block buster as it never did. It is only a comedy/spoof like movie with a dash of naivity in its making. take it for what it is: a movie that embodies muscle and the human form with a touch of a laugh nothing more. A must to see for not only Arnold's fan but for anyboy liking greek mythology and the human physique at its best and just remember it with a smile.

5 stars: A classic good bad movie: Hail to the Chief
Here is Terminator's Arnold Schwarzenegger's first movie done in 1969, when he was Mr. Universe (one of five times) and about 22 (he was born in 30 July 1947), and released in early 1970. The movie is so bad it is good. Savor Arnold flexing his muscles and pecs, the bad acting, or overacting, on par with that of a porn film (Ernest Graves as Zeus and Michael Lipton as Pluto are by far the best), the horrible yet at times very funny dialog, the frenetic zither music, the cheesy special effects (as bent, silver-painted rebars representing thunder bolts), scenes of 1969 New York City, especially Central Park, and incongruities such as biblical Samson and New York City traffic noise vying with the Greek mythological figures. Extras include trailers for the original 1970 release and the 1982 re-release that coincided with Arnold's Conan the Barbarian (1982). The preferred viewing is in the original English dialogue with Arnold's thick accent, but do sample the release with Arnold dubbed by a robotic actor. Yet another option is dialog in German (Arnold seems dubbed), French, or Spanish, with or without English, French, or Spanish subtitles. It's a barrel of fun and mandatory viewing for Californians. Hail to our new Gov.

Governor Arnold at His Worst
I realize that there has been an increase of interest in Arnold movies ever since he became Governor of California, however if you want to see an Arnold movie go see "Kindergarden Cop" or "Twins" (which even both of those movies aren't that good). It's no wonder this movie never did well at the box office. The storyline and the acting was extremely bad and very cheezy. It should be considered a spoof, rather than an actual movie. I would not see this movie, but if you must see it, do yourself a favor and rent it first. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When released in December 2000, Thirteen Days was pummeled for taking liberties with the facts of the Cuban missile crisis and smothering its compelling drama with phony Boston accents by its primary stars. More tolerant critics hailed it as one of the year's best films, and that's the opinion to believe for anyone who enjoys taut, intelligent political thrillers. For those too young to relate directly to the timeless urgency of the crisis that played out over 13 days in October 1962, Thirteen Days joins the classic TV treatment The Missiles of October (1973) as an intense and thought-provoking study of leadership under pressure.

The film (and costar-coproducer Kevin Costner) drew criticism for fictionally enhancing the White House role of presidential aide Kenneth O'Donnell, but while Costner's Boston accent may be grating, his fine performance as O'Donnell offers expert witness to the crisis, its nerve-wracking escalation, and the efforts of John F. Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood) and Robert F. Kennedy (Steven Culp) to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Russia. While Soviet missiles approach operational status in Cuba, director Roger Donaldson (who directed Costner in No Way Out) cuts to exciting U.S. Navy flights over the missile site, ramping up the tension that history itself provided. Donaldson's occasional use of black and white is self-consciously distracting, and he's further guilty of allowing a shrillness (along with repetitive, ominous shots of nuclear explosions) to invade the urgency of David Self's screenplay. Still, as Hollywood history lessons go, Thirteen Days is riveting stuff. You may find yourself wondering what might happen if reality presented a repeat scenario under less intelligent leadership. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (199)

The Best Historical Film of the Year (2001)
THIRTEEN DAYS is simply outstanding! One of the best historical films I have ever seen! It is even more "History" then "Hollywood".

I think the Cuban Missile Crisis is one of the most important events in American History. However, many younger Americans know so very little about the very important events depicted in this carefully planned and conscientiously researched film.

Steven Culp's portrayal of Robert F. Kennedy was simply uncanny. It has got to be difficult to act as a person so many people know so well. I thought his performance was fabulous. Kevin Costner played the role of presidential aide Kenneth O'Donnell. His performance was very good however; his Boston accent was terrible and really does get on your nerves, especially in the beginning of the film. Bruce Greenwood plays John F. Kennedy and does this great president justice.

I highly recommend the infini film DVD version of this movie. The Beyond the Movie features are wonderful. The Historical Figures Commentary features archival audio of John F. Kennedy, Robery McNamara, P. O'Donnell, Pierre Salinger, Sergie Khrushchev, and many others. There is a 48 minute documentary entitled "Roots of the Cuban Missile Crisis" which features film footage from the era along with modern interviews covering post World War II United States and Soviet relations. There are also historical biographies of all the major figures in the movie too.

If you enjoy historical movies this one is a must see!

On The Brink
In October 1962, the world came closer to nuclear extinction than it ever had before or would again. When a U-2 spy plane photographed the installation of Soviet ballistic missiles on the island of Cuba, the United States and its president John F. Kennedy were faced with a monumental dilemma: how to force the Soviets to withdraw the missiles without touching off World War III. That is the story ingeniously told in the terribly underrated political drama THIRTEEN DAYS, one of the best films of that type since ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN.

Seen through the eyes of JFK presidential adviser Kenneth O'Donnell (Kevin Costner), THIRTEEN DAYS is a fascinating look at the machinations that went on in the highest circles of power in Washington during that traumatic time known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Bruce Greenwood, known prior to this for playing bad guys (DOUBLE JEOPARDY; RULES OF ENGAGEMENT), gives an extremely credible portrayal of John Kennedy, who finds himself caught between a rock and a hard place. On one side are the Joint Chiefs of Staff, led by staunch Cold Warriors General Max Taylor and Dean Acheson, pushing for an invasion and surgical strike against the missiles. On the other is the president's own conscience, for he knows that anything as rash as what the Joint Chiefs are leaning hard on could mean the end of life on Earth.

Alongside Greenwood's sterling performance, Steven Culp portrays his brother Bobby Kennedy with the right tact and straight-forward believability. Costner's heavy Boston accent is not always credible, but this is only a minor flaw in his performance as Ken O'Donnell, which is otherwise quite good. A true standout performance is Michael Fairman's portrayal of UN ambassador Adlai Stevenson, a former presidential candidate and an old "political cat" who denounces the Soviet Union's stonewalling at the United Nations in front of the world--"Yes or No?! Don't bother to wait for the translation"; "I'm prepared to stay here until Hell freezes over, if that's what it takes!"

David Self's screenplay is very cagily based on White House tapes, documents, and memos from that two-week edge-of-the-seat rollercoaster ride the human race had to endure. It all comes together under the crisp, taut direction of Roger Donaldson, who directed Costner in 1987's NO WAY OUT. Even though it is a rather long film at 146 minutes, it plays like Great American theatre, the kind that Hollywood has somehow left behind in its rush for big bucks.

Like any film drama based on real events, besides the slight fictionalizations, a person's knowledge of these events might make THIRTEEN DAYS predictable. But the reason these kinds of films work is not so much the end result as to finding out how the end result was achieved. That is the real triumph of this movie, and why it ranks very close to ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, in my book.

Boring
I saw this film in a history class I was taking and it definitely was not viewed for the sake of accuracy, more as a comparative piece to an actual historical documentary and I must say I found the documentary of still pictures & voice overs more entertaining. I struggled to stay awake during this drag of a movie.

Spell binding from beginning to end
I had seen this movie only in bits before on TV but had never seen the whole thing. I recently purchased it and within the last week have literally watched it again and again. I can only vaguely remember hearing the words "Cuban Missile Crisis" when I was 8 years old and had no idea just how close we came to WWIII. This is an excellent, attention holding film. I loved Kevin Costner in this and also "JFK - a must see also". Both Greenwood and Culp did a wonderful job of portraying the Kennedy brothers. I would highly recommend this movie. Use both this and JFK to educate your children, if you can get past the foul language somehow.

COMPARE THE CUBAN CRISIS WITH IRAN-CONTRA
"Thirteen Days" re-created the Cuban Missile Crisis, elevating the Kennedys to virtual sainthood while painting Curt LeMay as an advocate for nuclear holocaust. It was a fantastic picture, like many of them, but in it is an interesting scene in which Kenny O'Donnell, played by Kevin Costner, tells a Navy plot to lie to LeMay about being shot at, because LeMay would supposedly have ordered a strike if he had been. The film paints this lie as the right thing to do because it advocates the Kennedy's position, which was to maintain level heads and a calm demeanor. However, in 1987 Ollie North was excoriated by the Left for lying about the funding of anti-Communist guerrillas, which was Reagan's position. Funny about that.

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

Reviews (36)

Zombies, boobies, what more could you want?
A sudden storm brings a shower of rain polluted with 245 Trioxin (an actual chemical!,used to break out riger mortis) which soaks into the ground of a nearby cemetery which makes something stir six feet under. The bad news is that the living dead are back. The worse news is that they haven't had anything to eat in years. Ask anybody and they will tell you that there is nothing worse than a greedy ghoul with a taste for human brains. This is, by far, the best horror movie from the early 80's, with a punk twist, and a great cast including James Karen, who played the owner of the neighborhood in Poltergeist and Linnea Quiggley, the Scream Queen of 80's horror, who does a naked graveyard dance. The only thing wrong with this movie is that it isn't available on tape or DVD. If you are a true fan of this movie, you would wait for the release of the Region 1 DVD (August, 2002) instead of buying an old copy of the tape ..., like I did, or the Region 2 DVD from England that people sell for rediculous prices and say its rare, when its NOT, here in the states. .... The guy who made this page knows just about everything there is to know about the movie, and he has a book coming out somethime next year.

not bad
I enjoy Clu Gulager`s cussing in this movie,and the special effects are gross.

Easy!
I can sum this film up easy! If your a horror fan and haven't seen it, your not a fan. This is one of those greats that creates us horror buffs. When I see a Zombie film to date I complare it to this classic. My words "Cool Zombie movie, but nowhere close to Return Of The Living Dead".

P.S. I've been all over Louisville and can't find the wharehouse or cemetary.........my guess is that it isn't really based on a true story! LOL

I thought this came out in 1984?
This is a cool movie.The thing that I like about these "Living Dead" movies is that it didn't follow the "slasher" movie trends in the '80s.It used an old formula from the '60s.

DVD ON IT'S WAY!!!!
DON'T WORRY EVERYONE!!! MGM has confirmed that a ROTLD Special Edition DVD is coming on August 27, 2002. It is color and sound corrented under the directors supervision. It also has a trailer, documentary, and a commentary. Also, MGM said they will releas a directors cut soon if the sales on the DVD are good. SO PREORDER IT RIGHT NOW PEOPLE!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (205)

Any Given Sunday
This was truly an excellent film. This movie is Oliver Stone's best since Platoon. The fast-moving and dizzying cinemaphotography fits the high adrenaline atmosphere of the professional football world well. The film is also perfectly cast. Pacino gives life to the head coach, and Cameron Diaz's clearly most intense role as the team's owner is believeable. James Woods gives an excellent performance as the team doctor, who doesn't really seem to care about anyone but himself. Jamie Foxx has a breakthrough dramatic role as the new hotshot quarterback, whose ritualistic vomiting adds humor to the movie. With his performance, we find out Foxx really can act. LL Cool J, also puts through a convincing performance as the team's running back. Dennis Quaid doesn't really do much as the former QB with injury problems except help to develop Pacino's character. An outstanding cast, that features Charlton Heston as the football comissioner, and Ann-Margaret as Cameron Diaz's alcoholic mother. Former pro football players Jim Brown and Lawrence Taylor pop up as members of the team. I recommend it highly. This is possibly the best sports movie ever made.

War games.
Oliver Stone's cinematic obsession with portrayting American culture as a Vietnam battleground continues with this exhausting study of their national sport.

Once again abandoning the traditional story-telling conventions in favour of flashy cutting, trippy camerawork and a barrage of electic musical snippets, this is a game of two halves. Although the hour or so of in-your-face American football footage is hypnotic, thrilling, scary and technically astounding, the off-field conflicts offer the same old tired sports cliches, albeit with big names and Stone's eccentric camerawork.

The first half hour of the film is almost a mini masterpiece. Sticking the audience smack in the middle of a ferocious game of American footbal, he brilliantly orchestrates frenetic, muddy, bloody, bone-crunching MTV visuals in a Natural Born Killers vein, and introduces the stressed protagonists. There's explosive coach Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino), cynical owner Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz), dedicated star player 'Cap' Rooney (Dennis Quaid) and self-important star player to-be Willie Beaman (Jamie Foxx). When Rooney receives a major injury, Beaman is thrust into the spotlight and begins to show his potential. As his quarterback skills improve and the team seems destined for a play-off place, his arrogant disregard for the rest of the team causes majoy ructions. Meanwhile, Tony and Christina's major hate-hate relationship worsens.

There's a handful of other subplots too, which you could probably write yourself and the fine supporting cast - James Woods, Matthew Modine and Aaron Eckhart - are criminally underused. The behind-the-scenes drama is decently performed, but it seems so flat and pedestrian compared to the explosive games, that you find yourself willing on the next touchdown. Pacino is energetic as usual, even if he is in shouty auto-pilot, Foxx is almost Oscar-worthy in a memorable performance, and Diaz is pretty amazing, it is good to see the actress playing different roles, as her character, Christina Pagniacci is a cold-hearted bitchy business woman, and Diaz usally plays blonde sweet-hearts.

It would seem that the character-and-plot driven days of Platoon and Born on the Fourth of July are long gone for Oliver Stone. Pushing the technical envelope is an alright decision, but it is about time Stone varied his game a little.

About more than just the game
I'm not a football fan. In fact all I know about the game is that there is a ball that must be moved from one end of a rectangular field to the other. Stone decided to draw parallels between this modern game and the gladiators in Ancient Rome. The suggestions were anything but subtle, what with the grunting, clashing sounds, the numerous shots of Ben Hur and the actual references in the film you couldn't help but notice.

Although this movie is ostensibly about football, I came away from it learning a bit more about life. The movie is about an old coach (Al Pacino) whose love of the game has blinded him to life's real pleasures, an injured QB (Quaid) who is easily manipulated by others to continue playing even if it is detrimental to his health. The daughter (Diaz) of a dead football 'baron', who seeks to fulfill her father's lost hope for a son, and a rising star (Foxx) who is blind to everything but his own gratification. From these cast of characters Stone creates drama.

This movie is exciting even for those, like me, who aren't too interested in football. The game scenes seem more like gladiatorial battles than actual football games, and you are left wondering if we have really changed from those Romans thousands of years ago, the way 'we' love these slugfests.

As some earlier reviewers mentioned, Stone appears to be slightly biased in his portrayal of the management of these teams. They are definitely out to make money, but I doubt they are as ruthless as they were made out to be. He should have had some perspective in this movie so as not to make it seem like the management were the 'baddies' and the players hapless pawns.

Overall, this was a great movie. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes drama. For those with kids, you might want to watch it beforehand as it has some sexual scenes, nudity and quite a lot of obscene language.

Not quite there, but entertaining.
In Oliver Stone's Any Given Sunday, the audience gets hit by cliches as fast and as hard as the fictional Miami Sharks' quarterbacks get hit by other players during the film's opening game. The audience also get hit hard by the (overly) kinetic editing, both of the film and of the mish-mash adrenaline pumper of a soundtrack, featuring an assortment of rock, rap, and techno beats. Stone and co-writer John Logan push (overly) to get us to buy into their vision of the NFL as a modern gladiatorial arena, and frankly, it doesn't always work; Logan would later get his gladiator fix by co-writing Ridley Scott's crowd-pleaser, well, Gladiator. Still, Logan and Stone manage to score some points with their (overly) broad script which tries to give us an all-encompassing view of modern professional football. Inevitably, it proves too much, and the writing just proves too wide in scope to create a balanced and clear film, though it does have its shining moments, such as when Coach D'Amato (Al Pacino) has comments on the (overly) commercial persona the NFL has adopted, or when Cameron Diaz's character's mother describes the "tragedy" that is her daughter.

Pacino, completely at ease in an Stone flick, gives his first real performance in a long time. Both in his in-game frenzy and in his drunken, sadder scenes, Pacino delivers the goods. Comedian Jamie Foxx also turns in a winning dramatic performance as the rookie quarterback. Come to think of it, the whole cast is stellar and all perform well. Stone seems to bring out strong, almost flamboyant, performances in his actors, and in Oliver Stone films, that's very appropriate. However, the MTV-inspired soundtrack and cinematography detract from the serious delivery of some of the film's concepts. At times, the film seemed more an extended music video than anything else.

Any Given Sunday is a rough movie, both in terms production and in content. The film, despite its lengthy runtime, still feels like it left much of its ideas unsaid; the script just tries too cover simply too many characters and concepts, leaving many of the key players in a somewhat shallow and cardboard like state. Still, Any Given Sunday is an entertaining movie, and fans of football, Oliver Stone, and movies overloaded with dizzying amounts of music and testosterone will no doubt be pleased by the time the credits roll.

MOST REALISTIC SPORTS MOVIE EVER
Among Oliver Stone's work includes "Any Given Sunday" (1999), as good and realistic a sports movie as has ever been made. It features an over-the-top performance by Al Pacino as a veteran pro football coach who can still motivate his over-paid, over-sexed, over-drugged, slightly thuggish, mostly black (except for a few White Aryan Brotherhood linemen) mercenaries with a speech that sends Knute Rockne to the bench.
He reportedly is working on the story of the 1934 Republican industrialists who recruited Marine hero Smedley Butler to overthrow Franklin Roosevelt, which was the genesis of "Seven Days in May". We are still waiting for Tinsel Town to take on Kennedy stealing the 1960 election. It could be a long wait. If any producers are reading this, I am offering my services at the Writers Guild minimum. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Arnie leads the way of the best cult-movie of all time...
Step aside "Rocky Horror", "Hercules in New York" is now at the head of the pack. This early Schwarzenegger film about a god living in the Big Apple is nothing short of spectacular, combining hilarious acting with cheezy special effects. Arnie plays the title role in his first ever flick, which was not well received by critics. When Hercules is cast from Olympus, he begins to lead a new life in New York City. Mishaps and feats of strength ensue, as Hercules attempts to asert himself as a god. By saving a man as small as Hercules is big from a gang of thugs, Hercules gains a money-hungry friend who gives the audience as many laughs as Schwarzenegger. Complete with a dubbed over voice and shady acting skills, Arnold makes this film one for the ages. END

hilarious arnie in his funniest movie
Who would have thought that before all those great action movies and "I'll be back"'s, Arnold S. had already appeared in a cult classic?? I recently watched this movie and have enjoyed it very much, never knowing how cheesy and campy a movie can be?

First, THE reason this movie is brought back on DVD is not for its qualities. It's just to see Arnie in his first movie where he pulls off a really great BAD performance. Both versions of the movie are great (on TV, i saw the dubbed version which was funny to see a great Austrian guy with the voice of an English professor with no knowledge of putting intonation in his voice), but i prefer the one with Arnie's almost ridiculous accent. The story itself is also bad-to-the-bone : Hercules is bored on Olympus and wants to go on a vacation in New York, but Zeus doesn't like this as it would confuse the humans. Hercules, however, pursues and gets dropped in the sea where a boat picks him up and brings him to New York. When he arrives, his vacation begins...

The whole movie is worthwhile just because of the cheesy acting of our Arnie. With the role of Hercules played by an unknown actor, the movie would have gone into obscurity from the moment it hit the theaters, but Arnie stays the main reason to watch this. Highlight is the fight against a grizzly bear who fights as a human and also lays for death on the ground as a human (his arms spread!!!)

Searchig a serious film about Greek mythology?? Keep away. Looking for a "so bad it becomes good" movie, you are in heaven with this little cult gem.

A classic gem because it is genuine
This is a riot! That movie is not made with exquisite quality but the story full of fun and in its simplicity is hilarious and good. It does not pretend to be brilliant or a block buster as it never did. It is only a comedy/spoof like movie with a dash of naivity in its making. take it for what it is: a movie that embodies muscle and the human form with a touch of a laugh nothing more. A must to see for not only Arnold's fan but for anyboy liking greek mythology and the human physique at its best and just remember it with a smile.

5 stars: A classic good bad movie: Hail to the Chief
Here is Terminator's Arnold Schwarzenegger's first movie done in 1969, when he was Mr. Universe (one of five times) and about 22 (he was born in 30 July 1947), and released in early 1970. The movie is so bad it is good. Savor Arnold flexing his muscles and pecs, the bad acting, or overacting, on par with that of a porn film (Ernest Graves as Zeus and Michael Lipton as Pluto are by far the best), the horrible yet at times very funny dialog, the frenetic zither music, the cheesy special effects (as bent, silver-painted rebars representing thunder bolts), scenes of 1969 New York City, especially Central Park, and incongruities such as biblical Samson and New York City traffic noise vying with the Greek mythological figures. Extras include trailers for the original 1970 release and the 1982 re-release that coincided with Arnold's Conan the Barbarian (1982). The preferred viewing is in the original English dialogue with Arnold's thick accent, but do sample the release with Arnold dubbed by a robotic actor. Yet another option is dialog in German (Arnold seems dubbed), French, or Spanish, with or without English, French, or Spanish subtitles. It's a barrel of fun and mandatory viewing for Californians. Hail to our new Gov.

Governor Arnold at His Worst
I realize that there has been an increase of interest in Arnold movies ever since he became Governor of California, however if you want to see an Arnold movie go see "Kindergarden Cop" or "Twins" (which even both of those movies aren't that good). It's no wonder this movie never did well at the box office. The storyline and the acting was extremely bad and very cheezy. It should be considered a spoof, rather than an actual movie. I would not see this movie, but if you must see it, do yourself a favor and rent it first. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Good, yet cliched, thriller
When I read Entertainment Weekly's review for JOYRIDE, I expected nothing, I mean they gave it an "F". When I rented it, I was pleasantly surprised. It really is a stylish, entertaining, yet unoriginal teen thriller. Tobey Maguire is excellent as the lead.

After this, and the fact that EW also gave "Varsity Blues" a "B"!! What was that. That was one of the worst movies ever made, I have quit going by what they say

Offbeat, Entertaining, full of twists. Enjoy.
Produced in 1996, this film is enjoyable on many levels. Drama, comedy, thriller...
Tobey Maguire shows his star power. He seems to be having fun with the role of J.T. Likewise his co-stars Wilson Cruz and Amy Hathaway work well together as three friends trying to escape their various situations in life. Adam West and Steven Gilborn are cast against type to advantage and a nice cameo from James Karen also add to the enjoyment. Benicio Del Toro is hilarious as the deadly serious Detective Lopez and Kenn Norman is believable as the sheriff. Also noteworthy is Judson Mills as Redneck Joey. Lastly I have to say Christina Naify is a standout as 'Smith'. At once sexy and deadly, she plays her part exceptionally well. Thoroughly recommended. The DVD has no special features of note, with the exception of a filmography and biography of Tobey Maguire. The print is excellent and the sound crisp. Buy It!

Joyride Review
For anyone teaching a course to young actors, screenwriters, or directors, this pic is an excellent tool. The problems inherent in the pic are just as instructive as its shining moments leaving a great deal of room to pick apart camera techinques, how the use of a musical score can detract from or add to a scene, and especially internalization of motive leading to choices an actor must make to infuse life into what otherwise could end up being a stereotypical, two-dimensional character.

Tobey Maguire has built a very respectable career on his sensitive, understated performances, yet the raw J.T. offers insight into Maguire's ability to branch out into personalities that are not always the "hero." Though his relative inexperience does show through in places, the strong believability of his interpretation of J.T. clearly shows the raw talent evident in even his early work.

By far the most provoking performance in the pic is the underrated Amy Hathaway as the internally tortured and physically exploited Tanya. A solid character interpretation from start to finish, Hathaway only stumbles when the script asks her for unnecessarily gratuitous lust, specifically the silly romp-in-the-car scene with Maguire. On a contrasting note, during the powerful bedroom scene with the Mayor, Hathaway shines by deftly conveying a deep-seated anguish for Tanya's unfortunate situation that is craftily hidden during the remainder of her performance.

Also highly noteworthy is Benecio Del Toro. It is common knowledge that small-budget productions can offer a wider scope of interpretation for an actor, and Del Toro demonstrates this to the fullest extent. A master of subtle physical acting, this early role showcases the talent that blossomed in later years. Along the same lines, Christina Naify as Ms. Smith does a nice job creating a real person out of a small amount of material by exploring physical gestures and vocal patterns that make up so much of a human being's personality.

All of the actors, and to a large extent the script itself, are nearly annihilated in many places by the exasperatingly poor musical score. Instead of developing in the viewer a deeper understanding of the character's interactions, the score is often bad enough to be considered a true "groaner."

A must-see for Maguire, Hathaway, Del Toro, and those quirky Adam West fans, "Joyride" is more interesting as a study of technique than great storytelling, but well worth the ride.

nothing + nothing = nothing
BAD film all the way.. some talented people are givin' nothing to work with, they were bored. You'll be as well. The focus is on this car that the main characters want to call their own and only end up involved in the production of a most embarrassing movie that all involved are ashamed of. BAD script, BAD performances, BAD cinamatography, BAD direction... the entire budget was spent on the car. And it's not even all that. When "BAD" is used this many times in such a short review you should consider taking a rain check.

SMITH rocks!
Hey "SMITH"! I'm impressed. Talk about out of character - you weren't like that in '82! I guess you've come a long way since then. I'd love to see you in many more movies - you go girl! If you see this review, contact me at B'mont's alumni site (we're having a reunion 6/22). ... Read more

Reviews (199)

The Best Historical Film of the Year (2001)
THIRTEEN DAYS is simply outstanding! One of the best historical films I have ever seen! It is even more "History" then "Hollywood".

I think the Cuban Missile Crisis is one of the most important events in American History. However, many younger Americans know so very little about the very important events depicted in this carefully planned and conscientiously researched film.

Steven Culp's portrayal of Robert F. Kennedy was simply uncanny. It has got to be difficult to act as a person so many people know so well. I thought his performance was fabulous. Kevin Costner played the role of presidential aide Kenneth O'Donnell. His performance was very good however; his Boston accent was terrible and really does get on your nerves, especially in the beginning of the film. Bruce Greenwood plays John F. Kennedy and does this great president justice.

I highly recommend the infini film DVD version of this movie. The Beyond the Movie features are wonderful. The Historical Figures Commentary features archival audio of John F. Kennedy, Robery McNamara, P. O'Donnell, Pierre Salinger, Sergie Khrushchev, and many others. There is a 48 minute documentary entitled "Roots of the Cuban Missile Crisis" which features film footage from the era along with modern interviews covering post World War II United States and Soviet relations. There are also historical biographies of all the major figures in the movie too.

If you enjoy historical movies this one is a must see!

On The Brink
In October 1962, the world came closer to nuclear extinction than it ever had before or would again. When a U-2 spy plane photographed the installation of Soviet ballistic missiles on the island of Cuba, the United States and its president John F. Kennedy were faced with a monumental dilemma: how to force the Soviets to withdraw the missiles without touching off World War III. That is the story ingeniously told in the terribly underrated political drama THIRTEEN DAYS, one of the best films of that type since ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN.

Seen through the eyes of JFK presidential adviser Kenneth O'Donnell (Kevin Costner), THIRTEEN DAYS is a fascinating look at the machinations that went on in the highest circles of power in Washington during that traumatic time known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Bruce Greenwood, known prior to this for playing bad guys (DOUBLE JEOPARDY; RULES OF ENGAGEMENT), gives an extremely credible portrayal of John Kennedy, who finds himself caught between a rock and a hard place. On one side are the Joint Chiefs of Staff, led by staunch Cold Warriors General Max Taylor and Dean Acheson, pushing for an invasion and surgical strike against the missiles. On the other is the president's own conscience, for he knows that anything as rash as what the Joint Chiefs are leaning hard on could mean the end of life on Earth.

Alongside Greenwood's sterling performance, Steven Culp portrays his brother Bobby Kennedy with the right tact and straight-forward believability. Costner's heavy Boston accent is not always credible, but this is only a minor flaw in his performance as Ken O'Donnell, which is otherwise quite good. A true standout performance is Michael Fairman's portrayal of UN ambassador Adlai Stevenson, a former presidential candidate and an old "political cat" who denounces the Soviet Union's stonewalling at the United Nations in front of the world--"Yes or No?! Don't bother to wait for the translation"; "I'm prepared to stay here until Hell freezes over, if that's what it takes!"

David Self's screenplay is very cagily based on White House tapes, documents, and memos from that two-week edge-of-the-seat rollercoaster ride the human race had to endure. It all comes together under the crisp, taut direction of Roger Donaldson, who directed Costner in 1987's NO WAY OUT. Even though it is a rather long film at 146 minutes, it plays like Great American theatre, the kind that Hollywood has somehow left behind in its rush for big bucks.

Like any film drama based on real events, besides the slight fictionalizations, a person's knowledge of these events might make THIRTEEN DAYS predictable. But the reason these kinds of films work is not so much the end result as to finding out how the end result was achieved. That is the real triumph of this movie, and why it ranks very close to ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, in my book.

Boring
I saw this film in a history class I was taking and it definitely was not viewed for the sake of accuracy, more as a comparative piece to an actual historical documentary and I must say I found the documentary of still pictures & voice overs more entertaining. I struggled to stay awake during this drag of a movie.

Spell binding from beginning to end
I had seen this movie only in bits before on TV but had never seen the whole thing. I recently purchased it and within the last week have literally watched it again and again. I can only vaguely remember hearing the words "Cuban Missile Crisis" when I was 8 years old and had no idea just how close we came to WWIII. This is an excellent, attention holding film. I loved Kevin Costner in this and also "JFK - a must see also". Both Greenwood and Culp did a wonderful job of portraying the Kennedy brothers. I would highly recommend this movie. Use both this and JFK to educate your children, if you can get past the foul language somehow.

COMPARE THE CUBAN CRISIS WITH IRAN-CONTRA
"Thirteen Days" re-created the Cuban Missile Crisis, elevating the Kennedys to virtual sainthood while painting Curt LeMay as an advocate for nuclear holocaust. It was a fantastic picture, like many of them, but in it is an interesting scene in which Kenny O'Donnell, played by Kevin Costner, tells a Navy plot to lie to LeMay about being shot at, because LeMay would supposedly have ordered a strike if he had been. The film paints this lie as the right thing to do because it advocates the Kennedy's position, which was to maintain level heads and a calm demeanor. However, in 1987 Ollie North was excoriated by the Left for lying about the funding of anti-Communist guerrillas, which was Reagan's position. Funny about that.

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

Reviews (10)

Tim Corrells Prianha Remake Review
As good as this made for TV remake was, I still think the original Piranha was a bit better even though I rate both this and the original 5 stars. I thought the prettiest female in this movie was Kehli O'Byrne (who did the part of the boss at the kids camp Gina Green). Too bad she was killed by the Piranha. Soleil Moon Frye (who did the part of the Gina's employee Laura) was also very pretty. Too bad she was killed by the Piranha, too. Oh well. If you liked the original Piranha, see this remake as well. Even if you don't like this movie it will be worth the time. Too bad it was never in the movie theater. Oh, well.

Some Classics Weren't Meant To Be Tampered With
The original "Piranha" was an entertaining cult classic but the decision by Roger Corman to remake it, nearly twenty years later, must have entirely been for finacial reasons because this straight-to-video retread is about as half-baked as it gets. Aside from a few changes of some character's ethnicities and gender, this is almost an exact copy of the first film.

As was the case in the original, two troublesome kids decide to go swimming at a government test site and end up "fish food". Enter Alexandra Paul as a very butch-looking P.I. who is hired by one of the kids' legal guardians who also happens to be the owner of a new resort that is opening up. With the help of overacting hillbilly hermit, William Katt, she ends up at the test site and drains the pool causing the piranha to run amok in the local river system. Of course, the greedy resort owner isn't going to let something like giant man-eating killer fish ruin his plans to open his resort.

This new "Piranha" offers very little added value aside from possibly a little bit more gore and nudity but not even enough to really make it worth your while. Of course, we get to see a grown-up "Punky Brewster" as Soleil Moon Frye shows up as a summer camp counselor with Mila Kunis (many years before she broke out on "That 70's Show") as Katt's hydrophobic daughter. Alex Simon's screenplay should barely qualify as a "studio rewrite" as it is practically a word-for-word duplicate of the original John Sayles script. Even worse, the severe overacting of the cast really kills the memorable dialouge. Only Roger Corman would save production costs by recycling the underwater photography from the original for a remake. Needless to say if the producers of this film wouldn't waste their money on it then you probably shouldn't either.

Mini Jaws!!!
A community is terrorized when hundreds of spawning genetically-mutant piranhas are accidently released from an isolation pool and into a river used by the community for boating, fishing, and SWIMMING!!! These things are so violent and aggressive, they may as well be consitered "Mini-Jaws's". They attack anything that moves and chews it up until it's practically gone!

I'm a star!
I really love this movie for one reason: I was in it. I play one of the kids in the summer camp (I'm wearing green and blue shorts). I've even got pictures with Solie to prove it. The funniest part about making this movie was that in the trailer that I would get dressed in, they kept a bloody skeleton prop that looked like it was eaten by piranahs. Everyday as I would change into my wardrobe, that stupid thing would be staring right at me. I really hated that.

piranha
Some of you may think that it is a terrible film, but i think it is so funny!! It's such a good film.... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

one of Dudikoff's best!
I've never seen a Dudikoff movie I didn't like. Well, maybe "Radioactive Dreams," but that doesn't count since he wasn't the star. Anyway, "Freedom Strike" actually has a pretty good story to it, and the acting is rather impressive for a DTV. Then again, Dudikoff's movies have always been well-made and feature film-quality compaired to just about every other DTV ever made. The scenes between him and the lovely Felicity Waterman are quiet and touching. After seeing those scenes, you could picture him doing a nice romantic comedy. I'd like to see him in something like "You've Got Mail." Check this one out. Now!

worth the rental fee.
i enjoy most of the well-written movies that Michael Dudikoff has been in. the story and acting in this particular movie was good, but could have showed more of the 'human' side of Michael's character. ... Read more

Reviews (147)

Haunting.
Steven Spielberg doesn't just make great family films and moving dramas. He also can help make a great horror movie. Of course, he had some help from famed horror director Tobe Hooper. However, make no doubt the hand of Spielberg is all over POLTERGEIST and the movie wouldn't be the classic it is without his guiding vision.

The movie is about the Freeling family, a typical suburban family living in an above average suburbs. Everything about the Freeling's life seems normal. That is until the youngest daughter, Carol-Anne. (Heather O'Rourke) starts hearing voices late at night from the television. She wakens the family late one night to announce that, "They're heeere." From there the Freeling's lives are slowly turned upside down as small ghostly pranks such as moving chairs and breaking glass snowball into more and more frightening incidents until young Carol-Anne is kidnapped into the neatherworld by forces from beyond.

JoBeth Williams pulls off a wonderful performances as the distraught mother and Craig T. Nelson is a joy to watch as the family's patriarch.

POLTERGEIST is a horror movie that is remininscent of an Alfred Hitchcock movie, but with an extra heaping of Spielbergian special effects. The movie is full of suspense, yet actually contains very little violence, hardly any foul language, and no sex. If the film wasn't so frightening, it could be a family film.

A HORROR CLASSIC--AND RIGHTFULLY SO
What sets Poltergeist apart from the usual banality of other horror films is quite simple: this one actually has a story. A story that is as touching and beautiful as it is bloodchilling. This movie actually grabs you by the heart and holds on tight until you reach the final credits. The plot centers on the suburban Freeling family and the supernatural havoc their home is wreaking on them all. There is no sex, no slashing, and minimal gore, and yet you are quite honestly frightened out of your wits. The special effects-- which include a spectral parade down the stairs of the Freelings' home and a massive, roaring skull forcing its way through a doorway--are spectacular, and the cast is genuinely talented. The way Diane Freeling (JoBeth Williams) caterwauls in despair when her daughter, Carol Anne (the late Heather O'Rourke) is abducted by the spirits is heartwrenchingly believable. In short, this is a true must-see. Other standouts: Tangina Barrons (Zelda Rubinstein), a determined clairvoyant; and Dr. Martha Lesh (Beatrice Straight), a hard-nosed but sensitive parapsychologist.

"IT KNOWS WHAT SCARES YOU..."
When two of the greatest directors, horror master Tobe Hooper (creator of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" & "Salem's Lot") and filming genius, Steven Spielberg (creator of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" & "Schindler's List") came together, the blockbuster smash-hit, "Poltergeist" was born and blew audiences away worldwide! A classic combo of epic proportions that brought us one of the most horrifying, imaginative, and powerful films ever put on the BIG SCREEN!