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A phenomenal hit when it was released in 1989, Field of Dreams has become a modern classic and a uniquely American slice of cinema. It functions effectively as a moving drama about the power of dreams, a fantasy ode to our national pastime, and a brilliant adaptation of W.P.Kinsella's exquisite baseball novel Shoeless Joe. Kinsella himself found the film a delightful surprise, differing greatly from his novel but benefiting from its own creative variations. It is the film that cemented Kevin Costner's status as an all-American screen star, but the story resonates far beyond Costner's handsome appeal. As just about everyone knows by now, Costner stars as Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, who hears the mysterious words "If you build it, he will come," and is compelled to build a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield. His wife (Amy Madigan) supports the wild idea, but a reclusive novelist (modeled after J.D. Salinger and played by James Earl Jones) is not so easily persuaded. The idealistic farmer is either a visionary or a deluded fool, but his persistence is rewarded when spirits from baseball's past begin appearing on the ball field. Past and present intermingle in the person of "Moonlight Graham" (superbly played by Burt Lancaster), an unknown player who sacrificed his dreams of baseball glory for a dignified life as a small-town physician ... but what all of this means is unclear until the film's memorably heartfelt conclusion. A meditation on family, memory, and faith, the film balances humor and magic to strike just the right chord of thoughtful emotion, affecting audiences so deeply that the baseball field created for the production has now become a mecca of sorts for dreamers around the world. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (149)

One of Costner's Best Movies
This ranks as one of my favorite movies of all time. You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate the nostalgia and warm heartedness this movie brings to the big screen - well little screen in the case of the DVD. It's part ghost story, part fantasy, part nostalgia. It's also about redemption and the fulfillment of dreams.

The story begins when Ray Kinsella, a reluctant Iowa farmer, although he won't admit he's reluctant, starts hearing a voice telling him "build it and he will come." Ray dreams, ponders and finally plows under many acres of his crop to build a baseball field on his farm, against all rational logic. And the magic begins. This magic takes Ray on a strange quest in search of a '60s radical holed up in a New York City apartment writing children's books played by James Earl Jones - to tell why would spoil the movie. But suffice it to say Jones ends up with one of the most memorable "speeches" in the movie about the nostalgia of baseball.

It's hard to really do justice to the plot without spoiling the movie but it will at times give you chills and in the end is very uplifting.

Grand Slam
On the surface, Field Of Dreams, seems like it belongs as an epidsode of The Twilight Zone. The cynic in me takes it one step further, and says, "there's no way I can buy into this sentimental hockum". As I watched the film for the first time, all of those concerns melted away, leaving me with a sense of wonder...normally reserved for children

Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is inspired by a voice he can't ignore that will take him on a journey that will change his life forever. Supported by his wife Annie (Amy Madigan), Ray begins his special quest by turning a portion of his cornfields into a baseball diamond. Along the way he meets reclusive activist Terence Mann (James Earl Jones), the mysterious 'Doc' Graham (Burt Lancaster) and even the legendary 'Shoeless Joe' Jackson (Ray Liotta).

Adapted from W.P. Kinsella's novel "Shoeless Joe", director Phil Alden Robinson, has created a fine tribute to the sport of Baseball, the fans who love the game, and more importantly, it's a metaphor about father's and sons everywhere. Aside from a handfull of films, I don't really think of Kevin Costner, as a good actor. As Ray though, he gives one of the best perfomances of his career, ideally capturing the sense of wonder I talked about earlier. Of course it doesn't hurt that James Earl Jones and Burt Lancaster are there to back you up. Both men add so much to the film, giving a sense of realism and warmth, that may have seemed artificial had lesser actors been cast. As Joe Jackson, Liotta is very effective and I had forgotten just how good he can be in a non gangster/bad guy role. For more on the life of Joe Jackson and the World Series scandal that rocked the sport, be sure to watch Eight Men Out, another winner. Field Of Dreams also boasts one of composer James Hornor's best scores.

I don't really know why I never picked up the Collector's Edition of the DVD. But after watching the Anniversary Edition 2 disc set, all I can say is, I'm glad I waited. The remastered picture and 5.1 sound very clean transfers and work well on either my TV, or, my speaker enhanced PC. The audio commentary with Robinson and the film's director of photography John Lindley is very good. Both men are well spoken, never dull, and clearly respected the source material In keeping with the father/son themes I spoke of, I especially enjoyed "...Passing Along the Pastime" - memories of father and son baseball as recounted by the director, star, and major league baseball players. The newly discovered deleted scenes are mostly throwaway stuff that was wisely cut. I was surprised to learn while watching "The Diamond in the Husks", that the baseball set made for the film still exists, and attracts tourists every year. We also get to visit the Minnesota home town of Moonlight Doc Graham. "A Look Inside Field of Dreams is a new 90-minute documentary on the film and its lasting appeal. Also included is a 48 minute segment of the Bravo channel series "From Page to Screen" on the movie. The "Field of Dreams Roundtable", with Costner and former baseball players, including Bret Saberhagen talk about the state of the game and the film. Trivia buffs will really like the topper to the set, fun facts about America's stadiums.

Field Of Dreams is not your typical "sports" movie. Indeed, it's much more than that...Even though, I never had the chance as kid to pitch baseballs with my dad, the movie allows me to dream that I can...

Sentimental nonsense
Sports fans tend to be both nostalgiac and sentimental and sports movies tend to fall into the same trap. This movie is a perfect example of why sports, and especially baseball, rarely makes for great cinematic subject matter. Corny, predictable and manipulative- perhaps baseball fans might enjoy it, but I can't imagine anyone else sitting through it.

It was you. -- No, it was YOU.
When I attended the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa, we were given one rule: "Never write about Christmas, the circus or baseball." The reasoning was that these three topics were just too ingrained in the American psyche, they were too iconic, and that they had been used too often. Well, I'm glad that Ray Kinsella (author of the book "Field of Dreams") and screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson didn't attend the Iowa Writers' Workshop.

FIELD OF DREAMS is a marvelous examination of America's infatuation with baseball and a moving exploration of family loyalties. Ray (as sensitively played by Kevin Costner) has a loving wife (Amy Madigan, making it look so easy) and a doting daughter, but something is missing. A voice tells him that he must build a baseball field in his corn crop (in Iowa!). When he does, the apparition of Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) shows up to play. What follows is a series of baseball adventures on and off Ray's baseball diamond, as well as in and out of the present day. Eventually, it becomes apparent that what was missing in Ray's life can only be addressed through baseball, and through a cultural icon from his past, played by the ubiquitous James Earl Jones.

When everything is resolved, there's a bit of throwaway dialogue that, in reality, is very moving. "It was you," Ray tells Shoeless Joe Jackson in reference to the voice he'd heard early in the film. "No, it was YOU," Jackson replies, indicating that
Ray's conscience prompted the entire adventure. Don't let anyone tell you that FIELD OF DREAMS is just a baseball movie. That would be like someone telling you that baseball is just a game.

1989 Classic And Kevin Costner's Best Film
On DVD, the movie is loaded with extra features including commentary, interviews, trailer, etc. This was on Channel 7 last week. Kevin Costner stars as a suburban family man who is hearing voices. "If you built it they will come". The voices keep changing their messages and lead him in pursuit of the gathering of baseball legends who have passed away. The goal is to establish a "field of dreams" a baseball park with old pros playing and a magic working on its audience. And it did for many people when this movie was released in 1989. Too many, it was a movie about hope, following your dreams and persistence. Kevin Costner is doing a terrific performance and is perhaps doing his greatest role. He was merely a romantic lead in the early 90's "The Bodyguard" with Whitney Houston and he was not as committed in "Dances With Wolves" which though the right kind of movie for him was not as interesting enough a character as he is in this movie. Other than this movie, his only fine role was in J.F.K. In this film, he plays a dedicated and persistent dreamer who discovers that indeed dreams come true if you hold fast. A great job by all the actors, including James Earl Jones (the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars) as the hermit and elusive author Terrence Mann, who wrote books in the 60's advocating love and peace. He is supposedly modeled after J.D. Salinger. The chemistry between James Earl Jones and Kevin Costner, especially in the scene in which Costner attempts to pursuade him to join him to a baseball game is exceptional. Magical and unexpected things start to happen as the voices carry him onward through his mission, including a trip back in time to 1972. Bring the magic home in this remarkable DVD. It's as much an adult's movie as it is for the whole family. It's almost a Disney film. Five stars. ... Read more

Reviews (101)

This film is FALCOTASTIC!!
Wow! This film has it all ~ Great direction, a superb cast of very funny 'cats' and a really rocking soundtrack.

It's stars the very excellent KEANU REEVES, as Shane 'Footsteps' Falco, a professional football player who bombed back in '96.

He and his fellow team mates are given a 'second chance' to make it big as the 'replacements' when the real Washington Sentinels go on strike.

This is based on true events, which I always find more endearing.

Howard Deutch has made a gem of a film, which I'd gladly watch over and over again with no difficulty.

His sense of what is humourous is spot on and I just love the way different scenes are interspliced to give the movie it's own unique style.

The guys that directed the 'plays' on the football field did a marvellous job! You get to see the real action and it keeps you glues to your seat. The background music is well chosen to suit the situations that come up and just plain ROCKS!!

This is definately a film to watch whilst wearing headphones.

Watch 'The Replacements' and you will understand why I love Keanu Reeves. Mr Reeves is absolutely awesome as the quaterback with the hard task of getting his rag-tag team together. He's humble yet when it comes to the crunch can stand up there on his own.

His character reminds me of Neo, due to his initial self-doubt, but with the help of a good strong woman [Annabelle, played very well by Brooke Langton], anything is possible [I'm sounding all Matrixy now LOL].

The other characters are uniquely wonderful and played marvellously. My favourites are:

ORLANDO JONES as 'Clifford Franklin'. Has to be seen to be believed. This gentleman is a real talent and had me rolling with laughter. He has some great lines.

RHYS IFANS as 'Nigel Gruff'. Man! he is soooooo funny and has some real classic moments.

JON FAVREAU puts his all into 'Bateman' ~ not to be messed with, but truely hillarious!

Go buy this movie ~ you will not regret it!

Boring and Recycled
Let's get the only two eliments that I liked about the movie out of the way first. 1) The cast: With Keanu Reeves, John Favreau, Orlando Jones, Rhys Ifans and Gene Hackman. 2)The soundtrack: lots of great sport theme songs you would here at a real football or baseball game. The Movie itself. Well, maybe Hollywood thought the world needed a up to date sports comedy. Taking off of other such sports movie as Major League or Necessary Roughness where you have a bunch of underdogs (that are made of rookies, has-beens, and off-the-wall characters) that, if only they work as team, they will beat even the best of the best, win the hearts of all fans and ulitmately get the girl. I like movies like this, but this one didn't seem work. The crew didn't seem to click together, like the actors were just doing this movie inbetween their real projects (Keanu- waiting for Matrix sequels, Favreau- getting back to directing and writing, Orlando Jones- making an actual funny movie with non-recycled gags). The plot seemed too hokie. They needed a story line that could bring together a bunch of underdogs (In Major League, the owner wanted to put together the worst team so she could get relocated to a new stadium. In Necessary Roughness, the actual college players were pulled from the field because of bribes and under the table perks they were getting). In this movie, the actual pro-team players go on strike mid season forcing the owners to bring in average joes (with remarkable abilities ofcourse) to fill in their places (which is probably taking off the real life strike Pro Baseball went through and owners recruited outside players). The striking proplayers turn into the school bullies, all loyally following their quarterback, as they attempt to torment the players (turning over Falco's ((Reeves)) truck on more than one occasion). There is bar fight, a leading lady (which claims she doesn't date football players, but just happens to fall for one in this particular instance) and plenty of slap-stick gags that seems they may appeal best to 12 year old males. This isn't the first time Keanu has played a former football player. He goes from Johnny Utah (college quarterback turned FBI surfer in Point Break to Footsteps Falco in this movie). This isn't the first football movie for John Faveau, he played an over-weight nerd in Rudy. Gene Hackman played a better coach in Hoosiers. For some of these actors like Orlando Jones or Rhys Ifan this may be a big deal. Major motion pictures with big names to help out on their resume. Not that they haven't played in other movies with equally big stars, this one didn't hurt. For me, with the amount of actors in the movie, it makes playing "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" that much easier. All and all, don't worry about rushing to your local video store to see this one anytime soon. If you like any of the actors in this movie, then it may be something you may want to pick up.

Worth Seeing
I've seen this movie no less than 5 times and I've found it funny each time. Definitely one to add to your collection.

Always Good for a Laugh
This film is essentially Necessary Roughness reincarnated for the 21st century. Except this time, Kathy Ireland has been traded for a wise-cracking, nipple-rubbing Welch kicker.

Despite the similar plot lines, The Replacements has enough surprises and character twists to stand alone. The musical score is simply incredible, and does a fantastic job of setting the mood for each scene. I've gotten more miles out of this dvd than many "critically acclaimed" films.

Bottom Line: It's uplifting, hilarious fun that is worth every penny. Anyone who has had a dream will enjoy this one.

Entertaining, but Nothing New
Overall, you will remember Remember the Titans (interaction of each member), and Jerry McGuire (true spirit of sports) when watching this movie after the twos.

Why this movie is worth to be watched more than once :

1. Like other sport movies, you will find friendship, teamwork, sportsmanship, overcome previous failure, and doing the impossible. So .. you will enjoy the game.

2. It's always interesting to watch someone (in this case, the coach) collecting different people with different skill to build the winning team, and how the skill is applied in the story.

3. You will not bored. The story is flowing quite fast (only a few unnecessary scenes), lots of laughable moments and good songs.

If you are film critics, perhaps you will find this film is 'usual' or 'light'. The plot is obvious, there is no intrigue/twist. Acting is so-so since characters are only revealed as much as this film needs.

But overall, it is very entertaining. ... Read more

Reviews (84)

Tim Allen shines in a decent movie for the Holidays
"The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause" is a decent enough sequel, buoyed mainly by Tim Allen's engaging performance, which is added by the fact that all of his comic excess is vented through the "toy" Santa that is created to fool the elves at the North Pole while Santa is out shopping for a wife. The movie splits into two plot lines. For the kiddies there is the toy Santa deciding to maintain a strict interpretation of what it means to be "naughty" and put coal in the stocking of every child. For the adults there is the attempt of Scott/Santa to woo, win and wed Carol Newman (Elizabeth Mitchell), the principal at the school where Charlie Calvin (Eric Lloyd) has been defacing school property with anti-Christmas graffiti.

As the clock ticks down on the efforts to find his Mrs. Claus, Scott begins the process of de-Santification, which means the beard and belly end up disappearing. The best sequence of the film is when Scott manages to actually talk himself into a date with Principal Newman and uses his entire reserve of magic to impressive her, which he does. We are impressed, even though part of what he does is the same sort of thing that convinced Charlie's step-father Neil (Judge Reinhold) that Santa was real the last time around. But for me this movie comes down to the moment when Carol has to become convinced of the truth and I did not find the movie's solution to that pivotal moment to be particularly memorable or moving, as much as I wanted it to be.

However, that objection will matter not a whit to the small fry who will be more concerned with flying reindeer and the final encounter with the toy Santa's army of toy soldiers (which ends up as a very weak rehash of "Babe in Toyland"). Still, a holiday movie this time of year that the kids will enjoy is a good thing. There are some nice character bits turned in by Art LeFluer as the Tooth Fairy, Peter Boyle as Father Time, Michael Dorn as the Sandman, Kevin Pollack as Cupid, and Molly Shannon as a prospective bride who is clearly Santa's #1 fan. Final note: Be sure to stick around for the first part of the end credits because you do not want to bolt out of your seats and be the first person out the door at the end of this one.

I BELIEVE IN SANTA...& I AM 32 YEARS YOUNG
The first Santa Clause was a wonderful take on the big guy in red. It made me a believer in Santa Claus. It showed how human Santa is.
The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs Clause was just as awesome. This time, Santa must find a Mrs. before Christmas Eve otherwise Santa will become Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) for good.
The movie was geared towards children; or children at heart. This time there are more elves, 2 Santas and a reindeer in training named "Chet". The opening sequence is precious. It shows a militaristic view of how Santa and the elves keep their "North Pole" home a secret. Then there was the scene with the "symbols" of make believe. There was Mother Nature, Father Time, the Easter Bunny, Cupid, the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy (or as he wanted to be known as THE MOLINATOR.
Charlie (Eric Lloyd), Scott Calvin's son, is all grown up and getting into plenty of trouble. He is rebelling against Christmas because he cannot tell anyone what his dad does for a living.

Scott's ex-wife Laura Miller (Wendy Crewson), now married to Neil (Judge Reinhold), is the legal guardian of Charlie. Her part was small.
The movie centered on Carol Newman (Elizabeth Mitchell), the principal of Charlie's school. She is constantly giving Charlie a hard time because of his behavior. Scott, or Santa, comes in to talk to her and save his son from being suspended. In the process, he (Scott) starts to pursue Carol because the "Mrs Clause" runs out Christmas Eve. Santa, now Scott because he has "desantaficated" himself, has a little Santa magic to use. If he runs out before finding a wife, he cannot return to the North Pole.
Our lovable head elf, Bernard (David Krumholtz) is back. He has the task of keeping the North Pole afloat while a duplicate (& military style) plastic Santa runs things.
The music was beautiful. The sets were superiorly designed and detailed.
The whole movie is enchanting. In this day and age with war all around us and nothing but "R" and "PG-13" rated films, it is nice to have a "G" rated movie for everyone. It was a thrill to see the typical Disney opening sequence.
You do not have to be a kid to see this. I believe in Santa Claus. Tim Allen is brilliant. I truely believe in Santa. When I turn 90 years young, I will still believe in Santa.
Go see this movie. You will believe.

A Good Sequel that should of been a little bit better
I enjoyed Santa Clause 2, I really did but there were some parts that messed up to be the same or has better than the first one.No boring parts, but cheesy part.28 Days before Christmas he finds out that if he dont get married before Christmas he wont be Santa Clause ever again.The part that I thought was stupid that magical thing that Benard gave him but he did do some cool stuff with it.But a sequel that should of been better. *****/***** 88/100

Excellent!
A nice return to form for Tim Allen. Nit that his other movies were bad (I liked them all), but they were missing something. In the Santa Clause 2, it is back.

Over the years, he has become the best Santa Clause ever. But they stumble upon another Clause that one of the elves overlooked: The Missus Clause. It states that to continue being Santa, he must get married before X-mas day. As each day passes, his beard gets smaller and continue to lose weight. To top it all off, his son Charlie ends up on the Naughty List.

As he tries to find a wife, deal with the fake Santa who is taking over the North Pole, and figure out what is bothering his son, the movie fills up with excellent comedy and fun while delivering a good message. It's not as good as the first, but it soon to be a X-mas classic.

Loved the sequel as much as the first
The Santa Clause 2 is one example where sequels can be as good as thier originals. The dvd for the SC2 has lots of great features like outtakes and games. When I first watched the first SC movie, I feel in love with it and its actors. I especially feel in love with the head elf, Bernard, because he is a good actor in both SC films. I love watching this movie even if it is not Christmas time because it brings out all of the happiness in me. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This remake of Preston Sturges's 1948 comedy follows the same plot but doesn't produce nearly as many laughs, though it does have its amusing moments. Dudley Moore is a famous orchestra conductor who is convinced that his wife (Nastassja Kinski) is having an affair with his best friend, a flamboyant violinist (Armand Assante). So he plots an elaborate scheme by which he will kill them both and get away with murder. That fantasy, which he has while conducting an orchestra,rapidly falls apart once he actually tries to put it into motion. Moore and Assante compete for overacting awards, while Kinski was never much of an actress to begin with. Still, this was one of Moore's better roles during his brief bout with stardom in the '80s, and any movie with Albert Brooks (as Moore's venal manager) in it can't be all bad. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (7)

"Unfaithfully Yours" Is Remade In Good "Faith"
I'm not exactly sure which version of "Unfaithfully Yours" I've seen first, but the original Preston Sturges verison is my favorite among his films, which is a pretty large order considering this is the same man who directed "The Palm Beach Story" and "The Lady Eve".

Given my feelings towards the original I wasn't sure if I'd like this remake. It has almost become a Hollywood rule remakes are never on par with the originals. Just as sequels are not as good as the original.

Howard Zieff's "Unfaithfully Yours" is a nice exception. I admit I don't think it's quite as good as the Sturges film (that one I would give 4 stars) it is still entertaining and funny at moments. I thought the absence of Preston Sturges would cause a decrease in the comedic possibilities, but, I forgot how good Dudley Moore and Albert Brooks are.

Moore plays Claude Eastman a famous conductor who suspects his much younger wife Daniella (Nastassja Kinski) is cheating on him after the thought is first put into his head when a misunderstanding between Claude and his friend Norman (Albert Brooks) takes place and Norman thought Claude wanted him to hire a detective to watch his wife while Claude was out of town.

Howard Zieff is not exactly what I would call a great director, he was the man behind "The Main Event" and the "My Girl" films, but, he strings things together nicely here. The script, while perhaps not as funny as Sturges' is not completely a dud. Barry Levinson had a hand in the remake, so expects some funny bits.

One of my favorite scenes is at the restaurant when Moore "thinks" Armand Assante is confronting him about having an affair with his wife, and the start a dueling violin contest of Tchaikovsky.

Also I should mention I the film's one advantage. In the scene dealing with Moore's plan to kill his wife it's set-up much funnier.

Bottom-line:Remake of the classic Preston Sturges comedy is not exactly as good as the original but offers its own nice moments. Good performances by Moore and Brooks (who isn't used enough).

Just Too Funny
This movie contains so many more laughs than the original. The original did not make me laugh out loud (my measure of funny) except for the madcap bumbling of Rex Harrison's efforts in acting out his fantasy. The remake with Dudley Moore has you going from the start. It is updated with modern humor and just plain funny,

I've watched this like 20 times.
I got ahold of this movie when I was 9 or 10...and my sister and I watched it over and over. The movie is a riot, quite frankly. Beautiful cinematography and a great cast of characters. Armand Assante is wonderful with his arrogant sophisticated air...esp. the competitions with the Dudley Moore character. This movie is incredibly inspired. Wonderful to catch if you can!

A VIEWER FROM PLAINFIELD,CT
If you like Dudley Moore movies, this is a must for anyone's col lection!!!I personally had a hard time finding the video....Now that it is available, by all means include this one in your library. This is a more lighthearted version than the original. Mr. Moore shows us his gift as a true comedian with shades of slapstick mixed in. Richard Libertini steals the film as Moore's Italian butler and the laughs are countless. The New York City scenery also is a plus with lots of midtown Manhattan brilliantly showcased(made me nostalgic).Again, pick this one up before it goes out of print again.

Dudley Moore at his best
This is truly one of the greatest comedy (or even movie) of all time. Fans and musicians of classical music will especially like it. Yet, four stars only because they should put it on a DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (149)

One of Costner's Best Movies
This ranks as one of my favorite movies of all time. You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate the nostalgia and warm heartedness this movie brings to the big screen - well little screen in the case of the DVD. It's part ghost story, part fantasy, part nostalgia. It's also about redemption and the fulfillment of dreams.

The story begins when Ray Kinsella, a reluctant Iowa farmer, although he won't admit he's reluctant, starts hearing a voice telling him "build it and he will come." Ray dreams, ponders and finally plows under many acres of his crop to build a baseball field on his farm, against all rational logic. And the magic begins. This magic takes Ray on a strange quest in search of a '60s radical holed up in a New York City apartment writing children's books played by James Earl Jones - to tell why would spoil the movie. But suffice it to say Jones ends up with one of the most memorable "speeches" in the movie about the nostalgia of baseball.

It's hard to really do justice to the plot without spoiling the movie but it will at times give you chills and in the end is very uplifting.

Grand Slam
On the surface, Field Of Dreams, seems like it belongs as an epidsode of The Twilight Zone. The cynic in me takes it one step further, and says, "there's no way I can buy into this sentimental hockum". As I watched the film for the first time, all of those concerns melted away, leaving me with a sense of wonder...normally reserved for children

Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is inspired by a voice he can't ignore that will take him on a journey that will change his life forever. Supported by his wife Annie (Amy Madigan), Ray begins his special quest by turning a portion of his cornfields into a baseball diamond. Along the way he meets reclusive activist Terence Mann (James Earl Jones), the mysterious 'Doc' Graham (Burt Lancaster) and even the legendary 'Shoeless Joe' Jackson (Ray Liotta).

Adapted from W.P. Kinsella's novel "Shoeless Joe", director Phil Alden Robinson, has created a fine tribute to the sport of Baseball, the fans who love the game, and more importantly, it's a metaphor about father's and sons everywhere. Aside from a handfull of films, I don't really think of Kevin Costner, as a good actor. As Ray though, he gives one of the best perfomances of his career, ideally capturing the sense of wonder I talked about earlier. Of course it doesn't hurt that James Earl Jones and Burt Lancaster are there to back you up. Both men add so much to the film, giving a sense of realism and warmth, that may have seemed artificial had lesser actors been cast. As Joe Jackson, Liotta is very effective and I had forgotten just how good he can be in a non gangster/bad guy role. For more on the life of Joe Jackson and the World Series scandal that rocked the sport, be sure to watch Eight Men Out, another winner. Field Of Dreams also boasts one of composer James Hornor's best scores.

I don't really know why I never picked up the Collector's Edition of the DVD. But after watching the Anniversary Edition 2 disc set, all I can say is, I'm glad I waited. The remastered picture and 5.1 sound very clean transfers and work well on either my TV, or, my speaker enhanced PC. The audio commentary with Robinson and the film's director of photography John Lindley is very good. Both men are well spoken, never dull, and clearly respected the source material In keeping with the father/son themes I spoke of, I especially enjoyed "...Passing Along the Pastime" - memories of father and son baseball as recounted by the director, star, and major league baseball players. The newly discovered deleted scenes are mostly throwaway stuff that was wisely cut. I was surprised to learn while watching "The Diamond in the Husks", that the baseball set made for the film still exists, and attracts tourists every year. We also get to visit the Minnesota home town of Moonlight Doc Graham. "A Look Inside Field of Dreams is a new 90-minute documentary on the film and its lasting appeal. Also included is a 48 minute segment of the Bravo channel series "From Page to Screen" on the movie. The "Field of Dreams Roundtable", with Costner and former baseball players, including Bret Saberhagen talk about the state of the game and the film. Trivia buffs will really like the topper to the set, fun facts about America's stadiums.

Field Of Dreams is not your typical "sports" movie. Indeed, it's much more than that...Even though, I never had the chance as kid to pitch baseballs with my dad, the movie allows me to dream that I can...

Sentimental nonsense
Sports fans tend to be both nostalgiac and sentimental and sports movies tend to fall into the same trap. This movie is a perfect example of why sports, and especially baseball, rarely makes for great cinematic subject matter. Corny, predictable and manipulative- perhaps baseball fans might enjoy it, but I can't imagine anyone else sitting through it.

It was you. -- No, it was YOU.
When I attended the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa, we were given one rule: "Never write about Christmas, the circus or baseball." The reasoning was that these three topics were just too ingrained in the American psyche, they were too iconic, and that they had been used too often. Well, I'm glad that Ray Kinsella (author of the book "Field of Dreams") and screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson didn't attend the Iowa Writers' Workshop.

FIELD OF DREAMS is a marvelous examination of America's infatuation with baseball and a moving exploration of family loyalties. Ray (as sensitively played by Kevin Costner) has a loving wife (Amy Madigan, making it look so easy) and a doting daughter, but something is missing. A voice tells him that he must build a baseball field in his corn crop (in Iowa!). When he does, the apparition of Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) shows up to play. What follows is a series of baseball adventures on and off Ray's baseball diamond, as well as in and out of the present day. Eventually, it becomes apparent that what was missing in Ray's life can only be addressed through baseball, and through a cultural icon from his past, played by the ubiquitous James Earl Jones.

When everything is resolved, there's a bit of throwaway dialogue that, in reality, is very moving. "It was you," Ray tells Shoeless Joe Jackson in reference to the voice he'd heard early in the film. "No, it was YOU," Jackson replies, indicating that
Ray's conscience prompted the entire adventure. Don't let anyone tell you that FIELD OF DREAMS is just a baseball movie. That would be like someone telling you that baseball is just a game.

1989 Classic And Kevin Costner's Best Film
On DVD, the movie is loaded with extra features including commentary, interviews, trailer, etc. This was on Channel 7 last week. Kevin Costner stars as a suburban family man who is hearing voices. "If you built it they will come". The voices keep changing their messages and lead him in pursuit of the gathering of baseball legends who have passed away. The goal is to establish a "field of dreams" a baseball park with old pros playing and a magic working on its audience. And it did for many people when this movie was released in 1989. Too many, it was a movie about hope, following your dreams and persistence. Kevin Costner is doing a terrific performance and is perhaps doing his greatest role. He was merely a romantic lead in the early 90's "The Bodyguard" with Whitney Houston and he was not as committed in "Dances With Wolves" which though the right kind of movie for him was not as interesting enough a character as he is in this movie. Other than this movie, his only fine role was in J.F.K. In this film, he plays a dedicated and persistent dreamer who discovers that indeed dreams come true if you hold fast. A great job by all the actors, including James Earl Jones (the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars) as the hermit and elusive author Terrence Mann, who wrote books in the 60's advocating love and peace. He is supposedly modeled after J.D. Salinger. The chemistry between James Earl Jones and Kevin Costner, especially in the scene in which Costner attempts to pursuade him to join him to a baseball game is exceptional. Magical and unexpected things start to happen as the voices carry him onward through his mission, including a trip back in time to 1972. Bring the magic home in this remarkable DVD. It's as much an adult's movie as it is for the whole family. It's almost a Disney film. Five stars. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A fun film
It is a great comedy about a garbage collector who gets a chance to be in the NFL and the impact this has on him, his family, and his team. The only negative comment I can make is that the title is too long. Definitely recommended.

A Feel Good Football Movie
Barney Gorman (Danza) is a garbage man (sanitation engineer) for the City of Philadelphia. His garbage truck (Ethel) is old and has a problematic hydraulic unit. Barney has developed quite a leg, of necessity, from kicking the lift lever to make it operate. His wife Marie, (Jessica Tuck a/k/a Jillian on "Judging Amy) is an assistant at a local hospital. His son is embarrassed when his Dad shows up at the school for "Career Day" (kind of like parental occupational Show & Tell) reeking of garbage and exhibiting a dead, well-taxidermed rat.

The Philadelphia Eagles are having a mediocre year - to the chagrin of their new owner who is trying to prevail on local government to build him a new stadium. (If you live in Minnesota, this part will sound WAY too familiar.) While looking for possible new sites for the stadium, the owner sees a disgruntled Barney kicking empy containers out of the garbage dump, and, as they say in other movies "A Star is Born."

Kids will enjoy teammate Bubba's exercise routine. The rib-eating contest - to the accompaniment of the theme song of "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" is fun too (somewhat reminded this viewer of Paul Newman's egg escapade in "Cool Hand Luke.")

This is a Disney film- not Oliver Stone's "Any Given Sunday." It's a fun, albeit sanitized, view of the NFL. The team drinks Diet Coke™, and for a raucous night out on the town, drives around singing "Working at the Car Wash." But there are lessons to be learned here for young and old. Danza's rousing halftime locker room speech is sentiment that all NFL players and employees would do well to heed.

Please Delete this version
Dear Amazon.com Editors:

Please delete this version of this review. My revised version is already appearing on the item page. Thank you!

Dis Movees FANTestic
If there ever was a movie which truly made point of expressing the heart and soul of Philadelphia, it's the Trash Picking Field Goal Kicking something or other. Following the path of many Italian American actors such as Sidney Poitier, Reb Brown, and Rip Taylor; Tony Danza gave a performance which screamed OSCAR! Unfortunately, the Academy was in the midst of dealing with Titanic and couldnt be disturbed when Mr. Danza took a tape of the film to the Academy's Doorstep. Bravo Mr. Danza, you've lit the flame for young Italian American actors who are semi-retarded, one phrase describes you...SIMPLY THE BEST I look forward to your guest appearance in the next Angels in the Outfield movie as well as the ten year reunion of Whose The Boss? ..."Whose the boss Mr. Danza?" YOU ARE! -TonyDanzaIsMyDad

Danza RULES!!!
It's no secret the Tony Danza has turned in some moving, heart-wrenching performances in his day, but with this performance, he has put himself on a plateau of Italian-American actors which incldues Robert DeNiro, Marlon Brando, and Woody Allen. His portrayal of a young Reggie White in this movie is both amazing and sublime. E-A-G-E-L-S...EAGLES!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

A surprise sleeper hit when released in 1992, this romantic fantasy works as a comedic adventure and a gentle tearjerker thanks to Mel Gibson's appealing performance. He plays Daniel, a daring test pilot who is deeply distraught by the apparent death of his girlfriend, Helen, in 1939. Feeling little reason to live, he volunteers for a pioneering cryogenics experiment and is thawed out 50 years later by two young boys. They bring the confused pilot home to Nat's single mom, Claire (Jamie Lee Curtis). There's a hint of romance, but Daniel desperately needs to know if Helen really died in 1939, and he discovers that love has a way of surviving a half-century leap in time. The premise is hokey and certain plot details are conveniently ignored, but Gibson, Curtis, and Elijah Wood (as Nat) hold it together with irresistible charm and just the right balance of fantasy and drama. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Wonderful romantic sci-fi movie
This is the very best sort of science-fiction. The type where the central concept is used to establish the situation, then forgotten about as the action concentrates on human relationships and character.

Mel Gibson plays a World War II test pilot who is accidentally frozen for over fifty years and rediscovered in 1992. His story is about the love he lost in the 1930s, his friendship with two boys and the mother of one of them, and finally how he regains the love he lost.

The sets for the cryogenic chamber are some of the best I have seen, with gleaming copper and brass making a believable 1930s hi-technology. The film does let itself down with the ageing make-up in its latter stages, despite the fact that two men receive an on-screen credit for 'special' make-up. The main characters are likeable, even the kid played by Elijah Wood in one of his early screen roles. Jamie Lee Curtis puts in a good performance, although it's amazing how she has time to look so good when she is a nurse and a mother and trying to find the man of her dreams!

All in all an enjoyable film with an unexpected but romantic ending.

Forever Young ...Forever Fun!
Forever Young is a nice harmless movie about hope, love and recapturing lost time. Mel Gibson is his usual charming self. He plays a pre-WWII air test pilot who volunteers for a hibernation experiment when he thinks his fiance is killed in a car accident. Then, he is accidentally awaken in the present (about 50 years later), befriends a boy and his mom, and goes on a quest to find his past. The story borders on being a tearjerker, but it's not too sappy with some touching moments and intense scenes. It's great that Gibson likes to take risks, pull back on some of his action movies and do movies like this. Great supporting cast with Jamie Lee Curtis, a young Elijah Wood, Joe Morton, and George Wendt.

Great Picture to see with Your Wife
Excellent feel good movie.

Highly recommended. Gibson is a very
gifted actor!!!

No OAR = No Sale...
Staring Mel Gibson, this is an entertaining family movie with just a smidgen of science fiction. But where's the theatrical widescreen edition? Sorry, but I only purchase DVDs displaying the film's ORIGINAL ASPECT RATIO.

Good Movie But DVD Is Only Pan & Scan.
Forever Young is a very nice movie about a man who is cryogenicly frozen and forgotten about until around 50 years later and is found by a young boy and his mother.

The movie has a great cast including, Mel Gibson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Elijah Wood and George Wendt who played Norm on Cheers.

It's a nice movie but unfortunately the DVD is in the pan & scan format only and not widescreen so hopefully they will put out a widescreen version too. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's not hard to see what attracted director Marshall Herskovitz (TV's thirtysomething) and writer Steve Zaillian (Schindler'sList) to this tragicomic story of a widower trying to keep life together for his two young sons. And Danny DeVito gives them a surprisingly sympathetic and low-key performance that capably blends pathos and humor. But the story--about Jack's attempts to get his drinking under control, even while holding down a job as a late-night TV horror-movie host--descends into bathos. Then it gets downright weird and scary when the family's strange neo-Nazi neighbor (a popeyed Gary Sinise) takes an unhealthy interest in one of the children. Jack the Bear sat on the shelffor a couple of years while Herskovitz reworked it, but it was like changing the tires on a car with a broken drive-train. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (12)

See it for the first time all over again.
I was eleven when I first saw Jack the Bear, and at the time I didn't think too much of it and I would have rather been watching some action movie. It is only now that I realize how good this movie really is. Danny De Vito plays widow John Leary, a late night TV show horror clown whose wife was killed in a car accident. Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. plays Jack Leary and a young Miko Hughes plays Jack's brother Dylan. The movie tells the story of this family and how they cope with the loss of John's wife, Jack's newfound interest in girls (especially young Reese Witherspoon), and the man of corruption who lives next door (played by a very frightening Gary Sinise). The movie is funny, dramatic, heartwarming, and is one of the most realistic portrayals of a family's love for one another. Danny De Vito's performance is phenomenal, adding just enough humor to his dramatic roll. Robert Steinmiller is exellent and Miko Hughes shows just how talanted he is, even at the very early age of seven. This movie is one not to be missed by anyone who has ever known the importance of family.

Brings back a great era in time
Where is the DVD ??? As a kid growning up in the 70's the music brings me right back to where I was at that time in my life. Mr. De Vito, get with who ever you need to get with and pump out this DVD real soon. The movie makes you laugh, cry, frightens you and makes you just love family. All the performances in this movie are awesome and would love to see where some of those actors are now these days .... I'd be the first in line to get this movie ....

I love this movie!
i remember watching this movie years ago and it mad me teary an it still makes me teary eyed in scenes! its about danny devito playing a horror host of a tv show raising his two young sons the best way he knows how. the scenes that got to me was where danny devito missed taking his son to school so his older brother took him. when danny goes a few hours later to check on him the look on the kids face just breaks your heart! this movie is so powerful. i had never heard of it and a friend recommended it. i am so glad because this movie is excellant!

The Best film you've never heard of
This film had a gigantic impact on my life. It introduced me to the dark side of human nature. It showed me that "Monsters are Real". It got me started writnig dark fiction, at that time mostly bad copies of the events in this film, but I was very young, and very sheltered. I contemplated watching this film again before I reviewed it, but I don't want to. I'm afraid that if I watch it again I won't like it as much as I did then. You shoulld see my copy, I bought it new and now it looks like a rental. Where is the DVD? I can remember watching it only to rewind it and watch all over again. I can't tell you exactly what it is that resonated so strongly with me. The performances are great, I don't know if Danny Devito did a serious role ever again. It'a worth watching just for that. Not to mention Gary Sinise's un-nerving performance. After watching this film I became obsessed with everything in it: the A's, the soundtrack, finding the book. I found it years and years later, the book is almost as beat up as the VHS. I saw the film "Unstrung Heroes" not to long after I saw this film, besides having Julia Louise Dreyfuss (?) in common, it also has the same meloncholy appeal. Maybe that's just it, not only did "Jack the Bear" teach me about the existence of monsters, it may also have taught me about what makes real drama. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that it stirs my soul, and isn't that what all good films do?

Very Underated, Hard to find, Yet so good
I thought this movie was one of the best works of cinema I've ever seen. Danny Devito shines in his serious yet humerous role. Gary Senise is the creepy kidnapping bad guy and Resse Wittherspoon is so adorable as Karen, Jack's love interest. I felt so bad for Dylan when Jack put him down by the dogs, I was blown away by this toddlers performance. The plot was good lots of twists and turns, yet totally beliavable. This movie took ever thing you look for in a movie and put in one convient package. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Don't mess with Deth
A science-fiction fantasy adventure set in Angel City (Los Angeles) in the year 2257. Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) is a Trancer-hunter. Deth's mission in life is to hunt down members of a phsyic cult of zombie-like creatures called Trancers, under the control of a man named Martin Whistler. However, Whistler has escaped back in time to become one of his ancestors, in 1985 Los Angeles.

I like to say this is the Evil Dead (or Army of Darkness) of the Sci-Fi genre. Evil Dead is acclaimed as being one of the best horror movies for what it could do with its low-budget, Trancers does this in the same fashion. Tim Thomerson plays Jack Deth, who could go one-on-one with any hero in any movie. Deth has some great lines in the movie which are often quite funny, if your name was Jack Deth, you know you would talk in the 3rd person don't you!?

The special effects, although not great by todays standards, do get the job done. The soundtrack to this movie is also pretty good. The movie itself gets a full 5 out of 5 stars, although the DVD could have been much better. This is a must for any action or sci-fi fan to put into their collection.

Overall : 5/5

Jack Deth is back and he's never been here before...
A science-fiction fantasy adventure set in Angel City (Los Angeles) in the year 2257. Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) is a Trancer-hunter. Deth's mission in life is to hunt down members of a phsyic cult of zombie-like creatures called Trancers, under the control of a man named Martin Whistler. However, Whistler has escaped back in time to become one of his ancestors, in 1985 Los Angeles.

I like to say this is the Evil Dead (or Army of Darkness) of the Sci-Fi genre. Evil Dead is acclaimed as being one of the best horror movies for what it could do with its low-budget, Trancers does this in the same fashion. Tim Thomerson plays Jack Deth, who could go one-on-one with any hero in any movie. Deth has some great lines in the movie which are often quite funny, if your name was Jack Deth, you know you would talk in the 3rd person don't you!?

The special effects, although not great by todays standards, do get the job done. The soundtrack to this movie is also pretty good. The movie itself gets a full 5 out of 5 stars, although the DVD could have been much better. This is a must for any action or sci-fi fan to put into their collection.

Overall : 5/5

Trancers
One of the greatest movie ever made! I wish all the other ones were out as well! I had 7 of them on vhs! I miss them!
Jack death is totally cool in it!!
Great special effects!
Great story! The time is the future and the country has changed! Police are called troopers and that is what jack is!
His job is to kill trancers to save the human race. He is a man that you can count on to do his job. In the future there is a war between the humans and the trancers with whistler who is the head of the trancers to went down the line to the past in the body of his ancestor who was a police officer. Jack must fight impossible odds to try to save whistler ancestor and himself and the world. Just a little bit to get the juices flowing!

Eerily Entertaining Sci-Fi Movie
"What kind of name is Peter Gunn?" "What kind of name is Jack Deth?" is just one of the memorable lines you will see in this low budget 1985 cult thriller "Trancers," starring the ever reliable Tim Thomerson and a struggling Helen Hunt. "Trancers" spawned five sequels, all of which never quite duplicated the fun of the original. I saw somewhere on the Internet that Thomerson is the "King of the B movies," but "Trancers" is the one film he made that stands head and shoulders above all others. If you draw a blank with the name "Tim Thomerson," you most likely saw him in a few bigger budget pictures, such as "Air America, "Uncommon Valor," and "Who's Harry Crumb?" He's done television work as well, appearing on "Xena" and "The Days of Our Lives." Once you recognize Thomerson, you'll remember his appearance in numerous films. Helen Hunt should need no introduction, but the fact that she appears in this low budget film is oddly jarring. Hunt went on to appear in two "Trancers" sequels before moving on to "Mad About You" and eventual stardom.

"Trancers" opens with a futuristic L.A. The majority of Los Angeles sits under water, a victim of a massive earthquake. A council rules the remaining areas of the city, but their reign is under fire by a man named Whistler, an evil psychic with the ability to put certain weak-minded people (called squids) under a "trance." Whistler hopes to overthrow the council with his trancer shock troops. Trancers tend to be rather ugly blokes, with crusty looking lips and yellowish skin. The council dealt a series of blows to Whistler and his movement with the help of trancer hunters like Jack Deth. Deth and his fellow officers move around the city, hunting down trancers in order to kill them. Jack refers to this process as "singeing" because a trancer shot with a gun burns away, leaving only a black, ashy outline on the ground.

After Jack quits the force over a dispute with his boss, he's suddenly called back to duty when an emergency arises. It seems Whistler sent himself "down the line" (read: time traveled into the past) to Los Angeles in 1985, where he hopes to hatch a plan that will doom the council and allow himself to take over. Jack Deth must now follow Whistler back in time in order to put an end to the nightmare of the trancers. When Jack goes down the line he meets Lena (Helen Hunt), who quickly becomes a part of the mission to track down Whistler. Predictably, a romance springs up between Deth and Lena as the two race around L.A. battling Whistler's new batch of trancers.

It's difficult to tell if "Trancers" is a serious science fiction film or a sly spoof. There are a lot of gags and jokes centered on Christmas in 1985 Los Angeles, especially with Lena's job as an elf at a department store. I don't want to spoil this scene for you, but it is one of the funniest things I've seen in awhile. Imagine a battle with foam candy canes, a set of antlers, and a falling Christmas prop and you'll get the idea. This battle in the mall also leads to one of the funniest lines in the film when a lady calls security on a walkie-talkie and squawks, "Security, we've got trouble at the North Pole." If the idea of a singed Santa named Murray appeals to you, buy "Trancers" right away.

There are other elements in this film that might appeal to the dedicated cheese lover. Watch how Thomerson drives the car; his hands twist and turn the wheel but the car continues moving in a straight line. Then there is the deadly effect of a tanning booth, which apparently can radiate enough heat to singe a raincoat or burn hands. Jack's special watch, which can freeze time for ten seconds, seems to stop time for minutes. These are small problems that instead of detracting from the film actually serve to add a chuckle or two. Arguably, the biggest joke in the film is the trancers themselves. They aren't that hard to kill, don't look particularly scary or dangerous, and have absolutely no powers whatsoever. You'd figure that at the very least the trancers would possess some sort of psychic power with which to threaten our heroes. You'd be wrong. These guys are so weak you could kill them by hitting them over the head with a rolled up newspaper. Be sure and watch for Deth's first encounter with a trancer in the diner of the future L.A.; I laughed for a long time over the uppercut he delivers to an old waitress when she turns out to be a trancer.

"Trancers" is actually entertaining overall, with an occasionally cool soundtrack, funny dialogue, and better acting than one usually finds in a movie of this caliber. I really enjoyed Thomerson as Jack Deth; he's fun to watch and actually makes you root for his character. It's too bad the people who made the DVD didn't take the film seriously, as the transfer is fuzzy, there's a dead spot in the middle of the movie, and no commentary. What the DVD does have, amazingly enough, is a whopping FORTY-FIVE trailers on the reverse side of the disc. Sure, the trailers are for low budget clunkers like "Puppet Master" and "Robot Wars," but it's still great to watch them. For the price, "Trancers" is well worth the time. Hopefully, the rest of the series will come out on DVD soon.

Jack Deth is BACK!
And he's never even been here before! Classic quotable ad line for the cult hit Trancers back when it played in theaters in 1985. Yeah, Trancers really played the big screen venues back before video ate up the grindhouse theater chains that booked these exploitive little trash movie gems. Charles Band (of Full Moon fame) created his own little movie studio, the now defunct Empire Pictures, which scored a megahit with Stuart Gordon's Re-Animator and, from 1983 until 1988 (or 89), released many a great piece of low rent cinema, Trancers being one the tiny studio's bigger non-Stuart Gordon hits (Ghoulies was the other one).

Jack Deth is an Angel City cop tracking down the last few Trancers, people who have become mental zombies enslaved to their psychic leader Whistler, who Deth singed (slang for dispatch revolver style) on one of the 'Rim Worlds'. But it turns out that Whistler is not dead, he has gone 'down the line' to wipe out the current Angel City Council members family lines. Deth has to go back in time, to 1985 Los Angeles, and snag Whistler before he rewrites the future to his power mad liking.

Although Trancers has plot holes and paradoxes you can drive several highways through, the script manages some real wit and fun with its premise and character actor Tim Thomerson is obviously having a blast playing Deth. The Full Moon (now Koch Distributing) DVD is just a copy of the Vestron Video laserdisc release, presenting the movie in full frame and offering up some bios and filmographies of the various actors. 40 trailers for most of Band's Full Moon output is offered on the b-side and that makes this disc all the more worth having. Recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Good Movie! Brock is awsome!
This movie stars a hott kid, Brock Pierce, Hes a really good young actor! It also has Sinbad and Zachary Ty Bryan from Home Improvement. It's basically about the First Kid (The president's son) trying to fit in at his new public school, it's really good!!!

Funny movie with excellent Sinbad
First Kid is a very funny movie that benefits greatly from Sinbad's performance. Secret Service agent Sam Simms is trying to get bumped up to the president but instead is assigned to Luke, the president's son. At first, Luke is your typical stuck-up annoying kid, but soon Simms and Luke begin to bond and have a legitimate friendship. Along the way there are certain problems but in the end all things turn out well. There are some very funny bits here with Sinbad including his running collection of colorful ties, teaching Luke how to dance, and many more. This is a good movie with a great part for Sinbad.

Sinbad plays Agent Sam Simms, the secret service agent assigned to the first kid. He is great throughout and easily the best part of the movie. Brock Pierce is also good as Luke Davenport, the First Kid who struggles to lead a normal life in the spotlight. The movie also stars Blake Boyd, Timothy Busfield, Robert Gillaume, Art LaFleur, and Zachary Ty Bryan. The DVD offers no extras, but the movie is worth a watch even with the lousy DVD. For a funny movie with a great performance by Sinbad, check out First Kid!

I love this film.
This film rules i would have hated to been luke stuck in his house and not allowed to go out with his friends.I really laughed at the bit where luke is asking the girl to the dance and his carers are in the bush telling him what to say and he copies everythink they say on some bits where he shouldnt.
I looked everywhere for this films so i bought it here and it rules!
love and kisses XXXEmilyXXX

Classic
I felt sorry for that poor man in the wheel chair, when he did all that for something he wasn't involved in...

Sinbads best movie
I think this is Sindbad's best movie because I wasnt really into Housegeast with him and Phil Hartman. this is about the first kid(Brock Pierce) and his bodyguard(Timohty Busfield) gets fired and the replacement is Sinbad(damn hilarious) and Sinbad teaches him the ways of being a man, he teaches him how to dance and have fun and talk to girls, who Pierce is in love with this girl but a bully pints over her played by Zachery Ty Bryan(Home Improvment's Brad). a fun and charming movie with a cute cast and Sinbad's best, and where the hell is Sinbad anyway, we dont see him often now, what the frizz happened to him? is he living on a deserted island or something? ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Good Movie! Brock is awsome!
This movie stars a hott kid, Brock Pierce, Hes a really good young actor! It also has Sinbad and Zachary Ty Bryan from Home Improvement. It's basically about the First Kid (The president's son) trying to fit in at his new public school, it's really good!!!

Funny movie with excellent Sinbad
First Kid is a very funny movie that benefits greatly from Sinbad's performance. Secret Service agent Sam Simms is trying to get bumped up to the president but instead is assigned to Luke, the president's son. At first, Luke is your typical stuck-up annoying kid, but soon Simms and Luke begin to bond and have a legitimate friendship. Along the way there are certain problems but in the end all things turn out well. There are some very funny bits here with Sinbad including his running collection of colorful ties, teaching Luke how to dance, and many more. This is a good movie with a great part for Sinbad.

Sinbad plays Agent Sam Simms, the secret service agent assigned to the first kid. He is great throughout and easily the best part of the movie. Brock Pierce is also good as Luke Davenport, the First Kid who struggles to lead a normal life in the spotlight. The movie also stars Blake Boyd, Timothy Busfield, Robert Gillaume, Art LaFleur, and Zachary Ty Bryan. The DVD offers no extras, but the movie is worth a watch even with the lousy DVD. For a funny movie with a great performance by Sinbad, check out First Kid!

I love this film.
This film rules i would have hated to been luke stuck in his house and not allowed to go out with his friends.I really laughed at the bit where luke is asking the girl to the dance and his carers are in the bush telling him what to say and he copies everythink they say on some bits where he shouldnt.
I looked everywhere for this films so i bought it here and it rules!
love and kisses XXXEmilyXXX

Classic
I felt sorry for that poor man in the wheel chair, when he did all that for something he wasn't involved in...

Sinbads best movie
I think this is Sindbad's best movie because I wasnt really into Housegeast with him and Phil Hartman. this is about the first kid(Brock Pierce) and his bodyguard(Timohty Busfield) gets fired and the replacement is Sinbad(damn hilarious) and Sinbad teaches him the ways of being a man, he teaches him how to dance and have fun and talk to girls, who Pierce is in love with this girl but a bully pints over her played by Zachery Ty Bryan(Home Improvment's Brad). a fun and charming movie with a cute cast and Sinbad's best, and where the hell is Sinbad anyway, we dont see him often now, what the frizz happened to him? is he living on a deserted island or something? ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Sweet little family movie to pass the evening
Man of the House is a sweet little film. It's great for children without being drudgery for their parents to sit through. Jonathan Taylor Thomas plays Ben, a child afraid of getting emotionally hurt again by the men his mother begins dating after his father leaves the two of them alone and heartbroken. Due to Ben's mistrust, he "tests" each of his mother's new potential suitors, and none of them can stand their ground until he comes up against Jack. From there, the rest of the story starts rolling. Man of the House is definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something lighthearted but still-entertaining for the evening. Although, I'm sure the kids would probably enjoy Tom & Huck and Wild America much better since they're both more action-oriented movies.

Jonathan VS. Chevy
Jonathan Taylor Thomas was great one of his best movies. With the sandy-blonde hair and funny but still cute bad attitude who wouldn't like this movie.
Chevy Chase was OK better then Farrah Fawcett but under Jonathan just a little still loved his performance. Chavy gets a 8 out of 10, Farrah gets a 5 out of 10, Jonathan gets a 9 out of 10.
They was all good actors and actress but Farrah and Chevy have made to many movies for an older group unlike Jonathan Taylor Thomas who was at that time still in kid movies.

It is about Jack Sturges (Chevy Chase) has found the woman (Farrah Fawcett) he wants to marry; unfortunately, her precocious, wisecracking son (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) doesn't seem to like him. So Ben (Thomas) tries everything to get Jack Sturges to hide the road but along the way they join the Indian Guides, a sort of bush league Iron John outfit. While participating in silly wilderness rituals, Ben and Jack of course develop mutual respect. And meet up with some of the craziest of people and Ben soon starts to learn Jack isn't going to give up so easy.

Along with George Wendt, Richard Portnow, David Shiner and John Disanti.

I think it is an amazing movie for kids and adults funny, smart, wild, and entertaining for all ages. I loved it and as a 15 year old you know it was a good movie how many 15 year olds do you know that would type all of this on just one movie?

loved it
I love Jonathan taylor thomas hes the best! its so funny

Man of the House and Travelin Tyke
I dont really like this movie. Kinda like a Home Improvement TV show for 2 hours. Boring and predictable, even for samll children.

Charming, likeable family film...dreadful DVD
Even though it's been lambasted by some critics, I think "Man of the House" is one of the finest live-action films Disney has released in the past decade. It's sure to bring a smile to your face, with its memorable characters and genuinely funny moments. Chevy Chase and George Wendt standout in hilarity, and Jonathan Taylor Thomas does great in the lead role.

But, alas, Disney must not want us to buy the films we like on DVD. That must be why they keep releasing them in modified form, rather than the WIDESCREEN aspect ratio that they were created for and exhibited in. So, it's a shame I've been waiting six years for this movie to come to DVD, because it's a garbage Pan & Scan job, just like "Honey I Shrunk the Kids." When will the Mouse House learn? ... Read more

Amazon.com

Air America is one of those movies that could have been great, and now maintains its low-key reputation as a typical Mel Gibson film in the wake of his first two Lethal Weapon hits. Originally conceived as a biting black comedy about the CIA's top-secret smuggling operation in Laos during the Vietnam war, Air America lost most of its political sting when it was transformed into an action comedy for Gibson and costar Robert Downey Jr. The film is entertaining as far as it goes, with a few action sequences that explain where a lot of the budget went. If you're in the mood for some Mel, this one is a little off the beaten path, and still contains a percentage of its original potential. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Great Film
Air America is funny action film about how the CIA and a secret war they were running out of Laos. Mel Gibson does a fantastic job in this film, like he does in any other film that he is in. Robert Downey Jr. does a terrific job as well. Truly a good movie. The soundtrack to this movie is good also.

don't bother me while im colorin!!!
Air America was the United States "airforce" stationed in Laos
during the Vietnam war aiding our allies (amongst other things)
Mel Gibson plays veteran air american Gene Ryback and Robert Downey plays Billy Covington the FNG to the outfit.(He ends up being recruited in the states by a fast talking agent of the CIA after he (Downey) is grounded for being an...in the air.
The Film explores the adventures and antics..or hi-jinks as the pencil necked air america geek notes of t he pilots. Which includes drunken whorehouse parties, target practice with silencers on a miniature golf course and my favorite, gun running and landing an aircraft on a mountain.
A serio-comic movie it delivers the goods and was is enjoyable to watch
Thumbs up^

Funny but uneven
Mel is very good in this film about CIA guys doing illegal things while trying to enrich themselves.

Definitely some good moments, but this movie is very uneven, meaning that every once in a while, I just crinkle my nose and grimace.

More than a joke
This movie is funny, especially for you history buffs. It takes a tongue-in-cheek look at CIA operations in Laos, and while not a laugh a minute, is both thoughtful and funny... Its far more Dr. Strangelove than Sgt. Bilko.

The Funnier Side of Vietnam
Although the subject matter itself isn't amusing the characters in the film are. They seem to make light of a bad situation, the likes of which aren't seen anywhere else that I know of with the exception of Good Morning Vietnam. I enjoyed the action scene in this film almost as much as I enjoyed the comic releif, but not as much as I liked the music. ... Read more

Description

The Newton family is trying valiantly to manage life with the larger-than-life Beethoven, while Richard (Judge Reinhold) has become a work-at-home Dad and Beth (Julia Sweeney) heads back to the office. Richard's work and Beth's new work wardrobe are toast in the presence of the giant paws and non-stop drool of the well-meaning but destructively demonstrative Beethoven, and the kids (Joe Pichler and Michaela Gallo) desperately try to save the day with obedience training.The results are disastrous at first, but seem to miraculously take hold when a mix-up at the park switches Beethoven with his dead-ringer Michelangelo, an overly well-bred show dog from the upwardly-repressed Sedgewick family manor. Chandelier-rattling chaos at the Sedgewick's and a strangely unwelcome quiet at the Newton's create huge problems that only the big-hearted St. Bernhard can lick. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

sucks
this movie really really sucks. and has very bad acting also beethoven looks ugly.

barking up the wrong tree...
These movies are definately pulling an AIR BUD here!! There comes a point in every movie series where you just CAN'T MAKE ANY MORE!!! They should have stopped at two. I mean they really have overly streched this saint bernard's fame, they made FIVE movies, and they had an animated show for a while. Face it, Beethoven lost his charm YEARS ago!!!

Surprisingly Good!
I saw this movie a few years ago, and cannot wait to see Beethoven's 5th. I have not yet seen Beethoven's 1st, 2nd, or
3rd, but am looking foward to. The Beethoven sequences are a new thing to me, but I think you could add them to the wonderful
list of movies and DVD's like Lassie, Homeward Bound one, two, and three. You should definitly at LEAST consider watching it.
:)

Disappointed
I did not feel that this had lived up to the previous Beethoven's. That seems to be the case with continuations.

As good as the original the 2nd and 3rd!!!
I half to say I loved the 4th film as much as Beethoven's 3rd came out in 2000 that one was hillarious too my brother rented the dvd I watched it Saturday night the new cast is also hillarious as the original cast in the original 1992 film and the 2nd 1993 film too this had to be the best Comedy film of 2001 now in a new year if they did Beethoven's 5th in 2002 which probably won't happen I imagine it will be the best film of 2002 just don't count on a fifth film cause I think they've probably done enough so so I recommend you get this is as good as the first 3 films! :) 14 yr. old veiwer ...