Description

A terrifying tale about a lonely teenage genius whose overwhelming love for a young girl compels him to use all of his scientific knowledge to keep her with him. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Wes Craven's least successful is his best
This movie was known as one of Wes Craven's least successful pictures. It is his best. A nice change. Why is it that he gets recognision for the garbage "Last House On The Left" and not this? You know, it seems actully this is a Steven Spielberg movie in a way. Unlike most trashy Craven movies (Nightmare On Elm Street, Last House On The Left, Shocker) he did good with this one, making a touching story about an experiment with less than positive results. I instantly fell in love with Kristy Swanson the moment she appeared. She is so beautiful in this movie. The way she looks would drive any boy crazy for her. I was 10 years old when this movie came out in 1986. I am now 23 and still cant take my eyes of her. Of course, she has grown up now, and does not look the same as she did in '86. Even when Swanson turns robot with a violent streak, I loved her-- so sweet, so cute, so beautiful. The movie itself is entertaining because it does not show Swanson in a typical horror movie role as a trashy teen, and instead potrays as the nicest, sweetest and beautiful girl next door. I like that. With a Spielberg shadow, this is Cravens' best. The supporting actors are not bad, but not up to Swanson's performance. Very nice, and a break from the "Scream" flicks made today. Note: Don't get me wrong, I liked the "Scream" movies!

Deadly Friend
One of my all time favorite horror movies this film deals with a new familiy in the neighborhood that includes a super intelligent robot that will defend his friends. When the abusive father of the girl next door accidently kills his daughter the robot's microchip seems the answer. Now it hard to tell where the girl ends and the robot begins as she seeks revenge on those who hurt both halves of her. A movie I truely wish would move to DVD in the future for its twist ending alone.

Boring
This is the only movie I have ever seen where the dialog is completely worthless. You can actually watch the entire movie, like I did, on fast-forward, and still understand what's going on. It's that dull. For starters, it takes 29 minutes for things to actually start happening. Very slow development. Too bad for a Wes Craven movie. I guess he should stick to "Freddy".

Deadly Friend
A wonderful movie I was proud to buy when the video store went out of business. Something that I think would sell well if put out on DVD. It deals with a genius boy whose family move to a new town with a robot that the boy built himself. When the neighbor's father accidently kills his daughter the boy plays modern day Frankenstein to bring her back with the use of the robots microchips. Now it hard to tell where the girl ends and the robot begins as both get revenge on those who harmed them in live.

The spirit of Samantha lives forever in our hearts.
Kristy Swanson deserved an Academy Award for her portrayal of the character 'Samantha'. So innocent, yet in so much pain. Pain endured alone in the home of an abusive father. Our hero lives next door to her, a child prodigy. A genius in the field of biology, chemistry, and mathematics. He is in classes far beyond his age group, yet he excels.

Samantha is physically abused by her father, all the classic symptoms are present; mysterious bruises, black eyes, and a shy, quiet demeanor. She will not tell anyone. One day her father goes to far and kills her, throwing her down a flight of stairs.

Oh rue the day of innocence and youth lost. How many of us knew a silent victim? How many of us were helpless to act? How many lost loves were never experienced because of circumstances that were above the realm of the average American teenager? I knew Samantha, a girl just like her. I could have acted, but didn't. That is why 'Deadly Fiend' will always have a special place in my heart.

Our hero, plays a junior Frankenstein upon his friend's death. He rebuilds her, brings her back to life. Will she avenge herself by killing her father? Will she be forever grateful and fall in love with our hero? Will she run off and become a sausage vendor in Wisconsin? I cannot give away the ending of this beautiful, modern Romeo & Juliet. To give away the ending in this review would be a disservice to you, kind reader.

For all the Samantha's of the world. I hope you grow up and salvage just a bit of your childhood for yourself. In a place deep in your heart that is yours alone. ... Read more

Amazon.com

John Cassavetes's long, free-form drama is best appreciated as a good showcase for Gena Rowlands, playing a woman whose sanity literally appears to be shattering as different aspects of her personality eclipse others at various times. Peter Falk plays her struggling, blue-collar husband, trying to understand the phenomenon and sometimes losing his patience. As with most of Cassavetes's works as a director, one can't help but find one's attention drifting in and out (especially at two and a half hours), but Rowland's performance is a key reason the film has been declared a "national treasure" by the Library of Congress. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Out of the Park
This movie isn't watched so much as lived through. Gena Rowlands is brilliant as an L.A. housewife knuckling under to schizophrenia, with Peter Falk as her equally befuddled husband. Cassavetes refuses to play heroes and victims--the movie treats Mabel's madness as an extreme case of the pressures we all face in trying to conform to our social roles. Falk's unpredictable bouts of love and rage show how often violence polices the line of sanity, yet ultimately he's just as lost as Mabel in trying to figure out the part he's supposed to play.

The story is told through a series of long, seemingly aimless events that unfold mostly in real time--a spaghetti dinner, a trip to the beach, a family party--to track the shifting relations between the characters. Each one on its own can seem pointless, but the effect by the end is tremendous; I felt I knew these people better than a lot of my family. I can't think of a movie outside of Citizen Kane that uses the medium of film so well to tell its story. Cassavetes and Rowlands knocked this one out of the park.

Gena Rowlands is our greatest star
Any movie written and directed by John Cassavetes requires intelligence on the part of the viewer because he never made things easy for us. He was truthful and that truth sometimes manifested in high drama, and at other times in the minute details of everyday life. Gena Rowlands is the perfect actress to accomplish this range of acting demands without "acting" all over the place. She is heartbreaking as she desperately begs her children to tell them what they really think of her, and truly funny serving her husband's co-workers at an (Peter Falk) impromptu breakfast gathering. This is Cassavetes and Rowlands at their best, complimented by wonderful performances by Falk and all of the supporting players. It is the first movie you should own if you are a serious collector of films that matter. Gena is golden.

You just gotta love Gena!
Gena Rowlands is just absolutely wonderful and touching as the blue collar, suburban housewife, Mabel, steadily losing her grip on life and reality. She tries desparately to connect with the people around her, only baffling and embarrassing them and her husband, skillfully played by Peter Falk, who loves her tremendously but cannot understand her as much as he tries. The scene in the film where Falk invites his work buddies home for a spaghetti dinner best illustrates this dilemma. While viewing the video of this film I just wrote his character off as just another stupid, ethnic type, who was just too uneducated and ignorant to be sensitive to his wife increasingly erratic and needy behavior. But I now realize that such a patronizing attitude on my part is totally wrong: mental illness cuts through all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds. People of all levels, especially those closest, would be at a loss knowing how best to help this special person in our lives who is slipping away from us into darkness. It may be revelation to some that it is Mabel's three young children who find it the easiest to understand and relate to her plight. They just love their mother and accept her the way she is, without any judgment on their parts, and Mabel responds in kind. It is their influence that will help determine whether she recovers.

John Casavettes directs "A Woman Under the Influence" with a naturalness (a Casavettes hallmark) that seems as if he were making a documentary film about his own family. As many probably know, Gena Rowlands was married to Casavettes and he utilized her in many of his films, all to his and his audience's great advantage.

Emotional powerhouse
Gena Rowland's performance is flawless. That alone makes the film worth watching. I took a star off due to Peter Falk's annoying performance as the husband. He was o.k.---but got on my nerves after awhile. But back to Gena---how on earth did she lose the Academy Award that year? The Academy needs to give her an honorary Oscar for all of her amazing performances. SHE DESERVES IT!!!!!

I highly recommend this DVD!
This film is amazing! Also something not mentioned: The DVD has very smart liner notes by Ray Carney. Carney knew Cassavetes and has written many books about him. I recommend his Cassavetes on Cassavetes for more behind the scene insights. Carney also has a web site with sections devoted to this film. Highly recommended all round for background information. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Shattered Spirits
This film depicts substance abuse, domestic violence, co-dependancy in the family. Very powerful, very accurate.

Tough Love, straight up!
"Shattered Spirits" is the best movie I've ever seen in a High School Health Class.

Martin Sheen stars as an alcholic father, while M.I.F. Hall-of-Famer Melinda Dillon desperately tries to hold the family together in the wake of dad's inebriated rampages.

The film is pretty good (if vaguely TV-movie-ish), particularly when Martin Sheen tells his son that he's going into a bar to meet a buddy, and comes out six hours later! Was the "buddy" named Jack Daniels?

However, I did resent watching the movie a bit--I sat next to the class cutie, and we'd struck up a nice little in-class friendship. So for three days, the lights were off and we weren't allowed to talk. Thanks a lot!

Even so, it definitely opened up an important discussion about alcoholism. I have a weakness for Newcastle Brown Ale, but I try to remember the lesson in moderation that Martin Sheen taught me.

This will sneak up on you!
This film was first shown on TV at the boomtime of recovery when Betty Ford was pushing for recovery for families affected by addiction. The story portrays a middleclass family hiding dad's (Sheen's) alcoholism and sliding down the slope of denial. The reactions of the family to crises and the roles they each fall into are so accurately done that the viewer can get way into his/her own alcoholic upbringing and pain before they are aware of it.
I have shown this at several gatherings and it never fails to shake some people up seriously. Kids are especially vulnerable in their teen years. But entire families can get very agitated during the viewing.
So I would recommend that anyone showing or viewing this film be prepared to deal with some extreme reactioons for several days afterwards. Don't just show this and send your guests home. Instead have a discussion and a followup trip to a meeting of Alateen, Al-Anon or AA.
BUT SHOW IT!

Shattered Spirits
This was an excellent movie. The acting was superb & the Directing was great! I hope that it helped many people to see & understand what ANY addictive behavior can do to everyone; families, friends, & themselves. Just a footnote--I hope people enjoyed seeing my cat in this movie as it was filmed just across the street from our home in Simi Valley. :) Also, I would love to have an AFFORDABLE copy of this great film. Thank You :o)

Very Accurate and cathartic for Alcoholic Families
The story is full of those disturbing yet common events which plague families struggling with Alcoholism. The folks who consulted on this film (Claudia Black for one - Authoer of some of the best recovery books for kids) did a great job of keeping the alcoholic insanity just high enough to really affect anyone who grew up with an alcoholic parent. The scenes are well constructed and the outcome is not sugar coated. ONE WARNING...don't just show this to a group or a friend or a bunch of kids thinking they'll like it. There will need to be some help and comfort offered. Some people will discover their own alcoholic and/or abusive past for the first time During the showing. Find out where there are Al-Anon, Alateen, and AA meetings BEFORE you show the film. But SHOW IT! ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Wes Craven's least successful is his best
This movie was known as one of Wes Craven's least successful pictures. It is his best. A nice change. Why is it that he gets recognision for the garbage "Last House On The Left" and not this? You know, it seems actully this is a Steven Spielberg movie in a way. Unlike most trashy Craven movies (Nightmare On Elm Street, Last House On The Left, Shocker) he did good with this one, making a touching story about an experiment with less than positive results. I instantly fell in love with Kristy Swanson the moment she appeared. She is so beautiful in this movie. The way she looks would drive any boy crazy for her. I was 10 years old when this movie came out in 1986. I am now 23 and still cant take my eyes of her. Of course, she has grown up now, and does not look the same as she did in '86. Even when Swanson turns robot with a violent streak, I loved her-- so sweet, so cute, so beautiful. The movie itself is entertaining because it does not show Swanson in a typical horror movie role as a trashy teen, and instead potrays as the nicest, sweetest and beautiful girl next door. I like that. With a Spielberg shadow, this is Cravens' best. The supporting actors are not bad, but not up to Swanson's performance. Very nice, and a break from the "Scream" flicks made today. Note: Don't get me wrong, I liked the "Scream" movies!

Deadly Friend
One of my all time favorite horror movies this film deals with a new familiy in the neighborhood that includes a super intelligent robot that will defend his friends. When the abusive father of the girl next door accidently kills his daughter the robot's microchip seems the answer. Now it hard to tell where the girl ends and the robot begins as she seeks revenge on those who hurt both halves of her. A movie I truely wish would move to DVD in the future for its twist ending alone.

Boring
This is the only movie I have ever seen where the dialog is completely worthless. You can actually watch the entire movie, like I did, on fast-forward, and still understand what's going on. It's that dull. For starters, it takes 29 minutes for things to actually start happening. Very slow development. Too bad for a Wes Craven movie. I guess he should stick to "Freddy".

Deadly Friend
A wonderful movie I was proud to buy when the video store went out of business. Something that I think would sell well if put out on DVD. It deals with a genius boy whose family move to a new town with a robot that the boy built himself. When the neighbor's father accidently kills his daughter the boy plays modern day Frankenstein to bring her back with the use of the robots microchips. Now it hard to tell where the girl ends and the robot begins as both get revenge on those who harmed them in live.

The spirit of Samantha lives forever in our hearts.
Kristy Swanson deserved an Academy Award for her portrayal of the character 'Samantha'. So innocent, yet in so much pain. Pain endured alone in the home of an abusive father. Our hero lives next door to her, a child prodigy. A genius in the field of biology, chemistry, and mathematics. He is in classes far beyond his age group, yet he excels.

Samantha is physically abused by her father, all the classic symptoms are present; mysterious bruises, black eyes, and a shy, quiet demeanor. She will not tell anyone. One day her father goes to far and kills her, throwing her down a flight of stairs.

Oh rue the day of innocence and youth lost. How many of us knew a silent victim? How many of us were helpless to act? How many lost loves were never experienced because of circumstances that were above the realm of the average American teenager? I knew Samantha, a girl just like her. I could have acted, but didn't. That is why 'Deadly Fiend' will always have a special place in my heart.

Our hero, plays a junior Frankenstein upon his friend's death. He rebuilds her, brings her back to life. Will she avenge herself by killing her father? Will she be forever grateful and fall in love with our hero? Will she run off and become a sausage vendor in Wisconsin? I cannot give away the ending of this beautiful, modern Romeo & Juliet. To give away the ending in this review would be a disservice to you, kind reader.

For all the Samantha's of the world. I hope you grow up and salvage just a bit of your childhood for yourself. In a place deep in your heart that is yours alone. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Out of the Park
This movie isn't watched so much as lived through. Gena Rowlands is brilliant as an L.A. housewife knuckling under to schizophrenia, with Peter Falk as her equally befuddled husband. Cassavetes refuses to play heroes and victims--the movie treats Mabel's madness as an extreme case of the pressures we all face in trying to conform to our social roles. Falk's unpredictable bouts of love and rage show how often violence polices the line of sanity, yet ultimately he's just as lost as Mabel in trying to figure out the part he's supposed to play.

The story is told through a series of long, seemingly aimless events that unfold mostly in real time--a spaghetti dinner, a trip to the beach, a family party--to track the shifting relations between the characters. Each one on its own can seem pointless, but the effect by the end is tremendous; I felt I knew these people better than a lot of my family. I can't think of a movie outside of Citizen Kane that uses the medium of film so well to tell its story. Cassavetes and Rowlands knocked this one out of the park.

Gena Rowlands is our greatest star
Any movie written and directed by John Cassavetes requires intelligence on the part of the viewer because he never made things easy for us. He was truthful and that truth sometimes manifested in high drama, and at other times in the minute details of everyday life. Gena Rowlands is the perfect actress to accomplish this range of acting demands without "acting" all over the place. She is heartbreaking as she desperately begs her children to tell them what they really think of her, and truly funny serving her husband's co-workers at an (Peter Falk) impromptu breakfast gathering. This is Cassavetes and Rowlands at their best, complimented by wonderful performances by Falk and all of the supporting players. It is the first movie you should own if you are a serious collector of films that matter. Gena is golden.

You just gotta love Gena!
Gena Rowlands is just absolutely wonderful and touching as the blue collar, suburban housewife, Mabel, steadily losing her grip on life and reality. She tries desparately to connect with the people around her, only baffling and embarrassing them and her husband, skillfully played by Peter Falk, who loves her tremendously but cannot understand her as much as he tries. The scene in the film where Falk invites his work buddies home for a spaghetti dinner best illustrates this dilemma. While viewing the video of this film I just wrote his character off as just another stupid, ethnic type, who was just too uneducated and ignorant to be sensitive to his wife increasingly erratic and needy behavior. But I now realize that such a patronizing attitude on my part is totally wrong: mental illness cuts through all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds. People of all levels, especially those closest, would be at a loss knowing how best to help this special person in our lives who is slipping away from us into darkness. It may be revelation to some that it is Mabel's three young children who find it the easiest to understand and relate to her plight. They just love their mother and accept her the way she is, without any judgment on their parts, and Mabel responds in kind. It is their influence that will help determine whether she recovers.

John Casavettes directs "A Woman Under the Influence" with a naturalness (a Casavettes hallmark) that seems as if he were making a documentary film about his own family. As many probably know, Gena Rowlands was married to Casavettes and he utilized her in many of his films, all to his and his audience's great advantage.

Emotional powerhouse
Gena Rowland's performance is flawless. That alone makes the film worth watching. I took a star off due to Peter Falk's annoying performance as the husband. He was o.k.---but got on my nerves after awhile. But back to Gena---how on earth did she lose the Academy Award that year? The Academy needs to give her an honorary Oscar for all of her amazing performances. SHE DESERVES IT!!!!!

I highly recommend this DVD!
This film is amazing! Also something not mentioned: The DVD has very smart liner notes by Ray Carney. Carney knew Cassavetes and has written many books about him. I recommend his Cassavetes on Cassavetes for more behind the scene insights. Carney also has a web site with sections devoted to this film. Highly recommended all round for background information. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Classic Space Movie!!
This is a great classic space movie about a mother space alien ship preparing for the invasion of earth.It's a must see flick!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Classic Space Movie!!
This is a great classic space movie about a mother space alien ship preparing for the invasion of earth.It's a must see flick!! ... Read more

Description

WHIZ KIDS! Your child can be one! This entertaining half-hour will captivate and educate your tot! It's a fact, children are fascinated by other children. It's also a fact that a child's attention must be engaged in order to retain information for the learning process to occur. WHIZ KIDS will both captivate and engage your tot!

- Tots learn ABC's, numbers, colors, animals and more!

- Enjoy easy to follow fun, original songs.

- A first-rate learning tool just for preschoolers. And...all of this is TAUGHT BY KIDS!

Through the use of interaction, repetition and imitation, our adorable WHIZ KIDS are sure to capture your child's imagination and sense of fun!

- The most uniquely entertaining and educational tape for toddlers today.
- Excellent way to measure your tot's major learning milestones.
- An essential addition to your child's selective video library. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Rare find: a high quality children's educational video
The "Whiz Kids" educational video is the best I have seen of children's educational videos. It is wonderfully entertaining, capturing and holding my child's attention (very important!), and offers more than just "the basics" found on other videos (colors, numbers, etc.). This is a great gift for a baby shower or child's birthday party. My son (now 4) still loves it, and my friend's daughter (6 months) is learning how much fun learning can be with Whiz Kids!

Great for kids
My three year old wants to watch this movie at least once every day. She likes to sing along with the songs and loves to watch the children at play. She repeats the letters, colors and animal sounds with the chidren in the video. Its a must for parents with small children.

Unique, authentic, fun, happy, and entertaining.
What a wonderful video and so playful! My one year old nephew watches it and moves back and forth and claps and hopefully when he's stable on both feet will dance around. Kudos to the devloper of this - may she make many, many, many more videos for our children!

Amazing for my speech delayed son!
I purchased this video on a whim and it is my 2-year old son's absolute favorite. He is speech delayed and receives intensive in-home therapy. Through therapy, and use of this video, he is now counting, identifying letters, colors, numbers, animal noises, etc. A wonderful educational tool that takes the guilt out of television watching. A must have for all toddlers. And, yes, the music is really good. My husband and I both enjoy it.

Educational and Entertaining
This video is great entertainment for our little ones. This video presents the alphabet, colors and numbers by real children . The songs and music are happy and fun. The accompanying CD is a real nice bonus. Video makes a nice baby gift or birthday present. Priced right,too! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Shattered Spirits
This film depicts substance abuse, domestic violence, co-dependancy in the family. Very powerful, very accurate.

Tough Love, straight up!
"Shattered Spirits" is the best movie I've ever seen in a High School Health Class.

Martin Sheen stars as an alcholic father, while M.I.F. Hall-of-Famer Melinda Dillon desperately tries to hold the family together in the wake of dad's inebriated rampages.

The film is pretty good (if vaguely TV-movie-ish), particularly when Martin Sheen tells his son that he's going into a bar to meet a buddy, and comes out six hours later! Was the "buddy" named Jack Daniels?

However, I did resent watching the movie a bit--I sat next to the class cutie, and we'd struck up a nice little in-class friendship. So for three days, the lights were off and we weren't allowed to talk. Thanks a lot!

Even so, it definitely opened up an important discussion about alcoholism. I have a weakness for Newcastle Brown Ale, but I try to remember the lesson in moderation that Martin Sheen taught me.

This will sneak up on you!
This film was first shown on TV at the boomtime of recovery when Betty Ford was pushing for recovery for families affected by addiction. The story portrays a middleclass family hiding dad's (Sheen's) alcoholism and sliding down the slope of denial. The reactions of the family to crises and the roles they each fall into are so accurately done that the viewer can get way into his/her own alcoholic upbringing and pain before they are aware of it.
I have shown this at several gatherings and it never fails to shake some people up seriously. Kids are especially vulnerable in their teen years. But entire families can get very agitated during the viewing.
So I would recommend that anyone showing or viewing this film be prepared to deal with some extreme reactioons for several days afterwards. Don't just show this and send your guests home. Instead have a discussion and a followup trip to a meeting of Alateen, Al-Anon or AA.
BUT SHOW IT!

Shattered Spirits
This was an excellent movie. The acting was superb & the Directing was great! I hope that it helped many people to see & understand what ANY addictive behavior can do to everyone; families, friends, & themselves. Just a footnote--I hope people enjoyed seeing my cat in this movie as it was filmed just across the street from our home in Simi Valley. :) Also, I would love to have an AFFORDABLE copy of this great film. Thank You :o)

Very Accurate and cathartic for Alcoholic Families
The story is full of those disturbing yet common events which plague families struggling with Alcoholism. The folks who consulted on this film (Claudia Black for one - Authoer of some of the best recovery books for kids) did a great job of keeping the alcoholic insanity just high enough to really affect anyone who grew up with an alcoholic parent. The scenes are well constructed and the outcome is not sugar coated. ONE WARNING...don't just show this to a group or a friend or a bunch of kids thinking they'll like it. There will need to be some help and comfort offered. Some people will discover their own alcoholic and/or abusive past for the first time During the showing. Find out where there are Al-Anon, Alateen, and AA meetings BEFORE you show the film. But SHOW IT! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Shattered Spirits
This film depicts substance abuse, domestic violence, co-dependancy in the family. Very powerful, very accurate.

Tough Love, straight up!
"Shattered Spirits" is the best movie I've ever seen in a High School Health Class.

Martin Sheen stars as an alcholic father, while M.I.F. Hall-of-Famer Melinda Dillon desperately tries to hold the family together in the wake of dad's inebriated rampages.

The film is pretty good (if vaguely TV-movie-ish), particularly when Martin Sheen tells his son that he's going into a bar to meet a buddy, and comes out six hours later! Was the "buddy" named Jack Daniels?

However, I did resent watching the movie a bit--I sat next to the class cutie, and we'd struck up a nice little in-class friendship. So for three days, the lights were off and we weren't allowed to talk. Thanks a lot!

Even so, it definitely opened up an important discussion about alcoholism. I have a weakness for Newcastle Brown Ale, but I try to remember the lesson in moderation that Martin Sheen taught me.

This will sneak up on you!
This film was first shown on TV at the boomtime of recovery when Betty Ford was pushing for recovery for families affected by addiction. The story portrays a middleclass family hiding dad's (Sheen's) alcoholism and sliding down the slope of denial. The reactions of the family to crises and the roles they each fall into are so accurately done that the viewer can get way into his/her own alcoholic upbringing and pain before they are aware of it.
I have shown this at several gatherings and it never fails to shake some people up seriously. Kids are especially vulnerable in their teen years. But entire families can get very agitated during the viewing.
So I would recommend that anyone showing or viewing this film be prepared to deal with some extreme reactioons for several days afterwards. Don't just show this and send your guests home. Instead have a discussion and a followup trip to a meeting of Alateen, Al-Anon or AA.
BUT SHOW IT!

Shattered Spirits
This was an excellent movie. The acting was superb & the Directing was great! I hope that it helped many people to see & understand what ANY addictive behavior can do to everyone; families, friends, & themselves. Just a footnote--I hope people enjoyed seeing my cat in this movie as it was filmed just across the street from our home in Simi Valley. :) Also, I would love to have an AFFORDABLE copy of this great film. Thank You :o)

Very Accurate and cathartic for Alcoholic Families
The story is full of those disturbing yet common events which plague families struggling with Alcoholism. The folks who consulted on this film (Claudia Black for one - Authoer of some of the best recovery books for kids) did a great job of keeping the alcoholic insanity just high enough to really affect anyone who grew up with an alcoholic parent. The scenes are well constructed and the outcome is not sugar coated. ONE WARNING...don't just show this to a group or a friend or a bunch of kids thinking they'll like it. There will need to be some help and comfort offered. Some people will discover their own alcoholic and/or abusive past for the first time During the showing. Find out where there are Al-Anon, Alateen, and AA meetings BEFORE you show the film. But SHOW IT! ... Read more