Reviews (8)

Fun Popcorn Pirates Flick
There are some movies that are meant only to be both hightly enjoyable escapist watching and great to eat popcorn while watching it. Nate and Hayes is one of those movies.

Nate and Hayes is about pirates in the South Pacific. Tommy Lee Jones plays Captain Nate "Bully" Hayes while Michael O'Keefe plays the starchy minister, Jenny Seagrove plays O'Keefe's wife and Australian actor Max Phipps is the evil Captain Ben Pease.

The action starts when Captain Pease raids the island right after the marriage ceremony for the minister and his wife. The minister is struck unconscious and his wife is taken prisoner by the evil Pease. The minister then joins forces with Captain Hayes who has his own score to settle with Pease and that's when the fun begins!

Nate and Hayes is a much underappreciated family film classic. Thrills and chills abound in this wild and wacky fun fest. This is a great film for all ages and for families in general.

Heartily recommended.

Pirates Pilfer Plenty
I had this on Beta years and years ago. Why this isn't out on DVD by now is beyond me. Any fan of Tommy Lee Jones should love it. Fans of adventure and pirate movies will enjoy it as well. Jones and Michael O'Keefe are a good team in this lighthearted action movie. The story, acting, music, and directing are borderline great. Unfortunatly it didn't catch on at the time of it's release and most of the following is people that lucked upon it on TV or at a rental store.

Any fan of movies like "The Three Musketeers" or "The Mask of Zorro" will probably enjoy it. A great adventure movie with a mix of Indiana Jones and Pirates. We can only hope with the release of movies like "Cutthroat Island" on DVD this won't be overlooked since it is a notch above several all ready available.It may not measure up to "Pirates of the Caribbean" but it still has a good deal of fun and action. There are no great special effects, just a good story and some decent acting.

Absolutely GREAT Movie
This is a fun, no-think movie. Campy action and style. When is it coming out on DVD?!?!

"It's hard to love a ship : they rot."
This movie is a GOOD time waiting to happen. It's simply fun. Lots and lots of fun. More fun than a sack of badgers. Tons of action, great fight scenes, excellent humor, and fantastic cinematography. I'm surprised we don't get more movies set in the South Pacific (except, of course, for the deadly sharks, destructive typhoons, remoteness, lack of modern medicine, headhunters and posoinous everything; some people are just more easily deterred than I am, I suppose.)

If you're looking for a good, entertaining romp with great catch phrases and plenty of action, this is it. The music's pretty good, too, by the way. WHEN IS THIS COMING OUT ON DVD!?!?!?!?!? I must have it! Oblige me, Ben!

Suprisingly Fun!!
Fun! Is the word to describe this film. This film wasn't well known nor was it a big blockbuster, but it is fun to watch. Seeing Tommy Lee Jones younger and with a beard is different. This film was made in 1983 so don't expect big and flashy special effects. Even without big special effects this movie is still a fun adventure story.
Tommy Lee Jones plays American Pirate "Bully" Hayes. Nate is played by Michael O'Keefe, and he is studying to become a missionary. The story starts out in the South Pacific where we see Captain Hayes running guns to the natives. He is captured when the deal goes bad and is set to be hung shortly thereafter. The rest of the story is of Hayes telling a writer how he came to be imprisoned, sort of a Quentin Tarantino style before it became popular. The main story revolves around Hayes' adventure with the missionary man Nate and his Fiancée Sophie. Hayes' Nemesis, another pirate and former business partner Ben Pease, captures Sophie. The adventure consist of the usual story of this type, Nate and Hayes teaming up to get her back. This film is a complete adventure story filled with pirates, South Pacific natives, shrunken heads, early modern war ships, stuffy German sailors, swashbuckling sword fights, and other off the wall elements. I recommend this film to you if you are looking for something fun and a little different than the usual big flashy movies of today. ... Read more

Description

The greenskeeper is about to start World War IIIagainst a gopher.The judge plays to win but his nubile niece has her mind set on scoring her own way.The playboy shoots perfect golf by pretending he is the ball.And the country-club loudmouth just doubled a $20,000 bet on a 10-foot putt.Insanity?No. Caddyshack.

Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray tee off for a side-splitting round of fairway foolishness that does for golf what Animal House did for college fraternities and Police Academy did for law enforcement.

Chase's laid-back delivery has kept audiences of Saturday Night Live and movie hits National Lampoon's Vacation, Fletch and Spies Like Us in the aisles for years.Sharing his wisdom with a caddy or his bed with debutante Lacey Underall, he never misses a shot.Rodney Dangerfield is well, Rodney Dangerfield.Even when he's off camera, he's on.And fans that have made Easy Money and Back to School box-office hits like him just fine.

Knight-possessor of the best slow burn since Laurel and Hardyfusses, fumes and finesses his way through his role as Bushwood Country Club's one-man Legion of Decency.Murray's hole-in-the-head assistant greenskeeper is straight out of Looney Tunes.Murray, who brought the house down in Meatballs, Stripes and Ghostbusters, is funny even when he talks to himself.

In Caddyshack, the term "golf nut" takes on a deranged double meaningand the laughs are par for the course! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Funniest Sports Flick Ever!
"Caddyshack" combines terrific comic writing, a top-notch cast at the top of its game, and America's love affair with the silly game of golf to form comedy gold.

Using the most cliched plotlines imaginable (the "cools versus the rules," and "the little guy needs to find his way in life"), "Caddyshack" nevertheless breaks a lot of new ground with its timeless characters. Chevy Chase plays golf-stuf/playboy Ty Webb, who mangles philosophy while performing dazzling golf feats on the Bushwood Country Club course -- yes, the name "Bushwood" is revealing. Chase has never been better than in this film, and it's almost sad to see how phenomenal he once was when you stand this performance next to the dreck he's put out in recent years.

The underappreciated Ted Knight plays Webb's nemesis, Judge Smails, an uptight petty aristocrat who plays essentially the same role as Dean Wermer in "Animal House." Smails is Elmer Fudd to Webb's Bugs Bunny.

Rodney Dangerfield is also in the film, playing essentially himself as an obnoxious real estate developer with zero fashion sense -- ask ten people to name the character Dangerfield plays in "Caddyshack," and you'll stump ten people. But it's likely that most of those ten will be able to quote Dangerfield's character: "Lovely boy -- now I now why tigers eat their young!" "You're a caddy, huh -- for Italians, this is skilled labor." "This is the ugliest hat I've ever seen, I bet when you buy this they give you a can of soup . . . but it looks good on you, though."

And last but not least, the immortal Bill Murray plays Carl the Groundskeeper. Carl is charged with ridding Bushwood of a gopher, a varmint who loves nothing more than vandalizing golf courses and dancing to Kenny Loggins. Murray, in a performance bordering on madness, tries various futile strategies to nab the gopher, including sniper rifles, decoys, hoses, and plastic explosives, but it's his mumbled soliloquies that are the most hilarious. Murray's imagined golf game, whacking flowers with a rake, is one of the funniest scenes in any movie, ever.

Our "hero," Danny (Michael O'Keefe), is a minor character completely overwhelmed by these other characters, but his storyline is the thread that ties all the other subplots together. He cheats on his girlfriend Maggie (Animal House alum Sarah Holcomb, inexplicably with an Irish accent) with the gratuitous slut, Judge Smails' niece Lacey Underall (Cindy Morgan), and finds himself pitted against the Judge in the climactic golf match.

Not much of a plot. The movie's greatness is in its execution. The writers (Brian Doyle-Murray and Harold Ramis) find the underlying humor in the country club lifestyle and the unique culture that surrounds golf and skewer everything in sight. Be on the lookout for comic stereotypes . . . from the spoiled rich brats to the doctor who's never in the office to the profane pastor, nobody is safe. Fortunately, "Caddyshack" knows to stay just on this side of crude (coming nearest to the line with its classic "Jaws" parody involving a Baby Ruth) -- this is a witty film, not a cruel film.

This movie is a must for every guy's film library. Just be careful -- there's always a temptation to quote "Caddyshack" out on the golf course. Be warned, only about 5 million people have done it before you, and the novelty's wearing off.

Also be warned -- "Caddyshack" sparked quite possibly the worst sequel ever, "Caddyshack 2." Do not watch that movie!

Caddyshack-Golf at its funniest
"It's in the hole." Is only one of the great-remembered lines in the comical, 1980's golf film, Caddyshack. One might think that the words themselves is not funny, but when delivered by Carl Spackler (Bill Murry) a demented greens keeper, who is living out a fantasy of making a hole in one, using the tops of well groomed flower tops as golf balls. As the flower pedals are scattered all over the ground from the blow of an imaginary golf club, (sickle) you can't help to laugh at the hysterical scene. The brilliant script, written by Brain Murray and Harold Ramis (who also directed the film) is packed full of numerous hysterical lines which are used today when we are out on the golf coarse, laughing at our incompetent golf games.

The story kicks off as a snobbish head of a ritzy golf coarse, Judge Smails (Ted Knight) tries to take advantage of an high school student, Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe) who is interested in law school, but needs the job as a caddy to pay his way through college. Judge Smails is put in his place as a wealthy land developer, Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) come on the scene and wants to build condominiums on the exclusive golf coarse. Ted and Rodney go at each other throughout the entire film, which leaves the viewer on the floor, laughing uncontrollably. If that's not enough, Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) a quiet co-founder of the coarse gets involved and gives his on hilarious performance as the middle man, pulled in many different directions. And of coarse, the most remembered character is the lonely green's keeper, Carl Spackler (Bill Murry) who is having his own private war with a gopher that has been digging up the golf coarse.
The above summery does not do the film justice. With an all star cast and a hilarious script, a soundtrack full of 1980s rock. How can you go wrong? Golfer enthusiasts, who see this hysterical comedy, will be chanting the funny punchlines every time they have a chance to, on the golf coarse. This is why I highly recommend this film and give it 5 stars.

Welcome to Bushwood Country Club
When I first saw the previews on HBO, it was to see Mr. Gopher, that wascally wodent, and yes, I'm ashamed to admit it, but to see Lacey Underall in action. Hey, gimme a break! I was thirteen, okay? I'm not attracted by that type anymore.

As for Mr. Gopher, he becomes the target of Carl (Bill Murray), the assistant groundskeeper, who is something of a basket case. He has funny monologues with himself, watches the elderly woman golfers and mutters things with ... undertones, and seems to be living in his own little world.

The previews described this as the slobs against the snobs. Well, Judge Smales (Ted Knight), Dr. Beeper, and the bishop definitely fit the latter. They try to keep certain people from becoming members, and are clearly the elite class. Result, they turn Bushwood into what Al Czervik calls a "crummy snobatorium." As Smales snidely tells off caddy Danny Noonan, who is unsure what to do with his life, but is aspiring for the caddy scholarship, "Well, the world needs ditchdiggers." His attitude changes when Noonan saves the judge from a golf mishap, but hey, as Czervik tells him, "Who made you pope of this dump?"

The laid back Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) is probably the one who's got the best philosophy to golf, just to play it. There's even a parodic reference to a certain George Lucas movie, when he tells Danny "There's a force in the world that makes things happen, and all you have to do is get in touch with it." Let's see, three years after... that'd be right. And I sincerely doubt that Matsuo Basho said this quote attributed to him by Ty, or if he did, it must have been in some very obscure renga verse of his: "A flute with no hole is not a flute, and a donut with no hole is a Danish."

In contrast, there's Al Czervik, a rich, loudmouthed, snazzily-dressed, life-of-the-party type who is full of jokes, wisecracks, and whether you like him depends on how uptight or laid back you are. At dinner, check out his rapid-fire delivery, "My compliments to the cook, this is low-grade dog food. The steak still has marks where the jockey was hitting it." He then makes a funny face as he passes gas, and asks, "Oh! Someone step on a duck?" His table dissolves with laughter. However, when an uptight man next to him fails to laugh, Czervik says, "The graveyard's two blocks to the left." Judge Smales taken an immediate dislike to Al, especially as the latter constantly needles him until he explodes in a temper.

The swimming pool scene is notable for the Busby Berkeley parody number, the usual party-like hijinks in the pool, and whenever I see Baby Ruths at my local store, I inwardly snicker--no pun intended. Although the next time I'm near a swimming pool...hmm, why not? With a candy bar, not what it was thought... never mind!

Dangerfield gets the best laughs and hands-down steals the movie as Al Czervik. Sure, he's got a big mouth and is an instant insult machine, but it's towards the uptight snobs. He also doesn't care too much for the club rules. Anytime I hear Journey's "Any Way You Want It", I think of this movie. And love his hi-tech gadgets! "Einstein sold me this golf club. Nice man--made a fortune in physics."

As for blonde Cindy Morgan (Lacey), okay, she only has one topless scene, but I've seen better looking models than her. And although the chittering, squeaking Chuck E. Rodent, who apparently loves swaying to Kenny Loggins' theme song "I'm Alright," clearly does not resemble a real gopher for laughs, he is to Bugs Bunny as Carl is to Elmer Fudd.

Much of the movie relies on Rodney Dangerfield's funny lines, Ty's deadpan quips, and some cartoon-style hijinks involving Mr. Gopher. In other words, classic 80's humor. But Danny Noonan's quest to find himself is a major part of this movie. Overall rating, 3.75, rounded to 4.

Winning the Caddy Scholarship, or just puttering around?
..."Caddyshack" might be the funniest film I ever have viewed... Writer/Director Harold Ramis and writer/actor Brian Doyle Murray have woven many strong comedic threads into Caddyshack's fabric.

Danny Noonan must win Bushwood Country Club's Caddy Scholarship to afford college. Danny circulates among Bushwood's members doing everything possible to win that scholarship. Danny panders to Ty Webb (Chevy Chase), an undermotivated overachiever whose father helped found Bushwood. Danny panders to Judge Smales (Ted Knight), the stuffed shirt who currently runs Bushwood. And Danny panders to Lacey Underall, Judge Smale's visiting niece who does not play ... golf. Meanwhile, Rodney Dangerfield plays Al Czervik, a nouveau riche real estate developer who attempts to breathe life into Bushwood's forest of bored stiffs. And Bill Murray plays Carl, the burnt-out assistant groundskeeper whose mission to trap a gopher escalates into World War III -- and the gopher survives.

"Caddyshack" shows Bushwood's members at extravagant play while the staff watches with scorn. *Carl, the burnt-out assistant groundskeeper, might be Bill Murray's greatest role.* Add original songs by Kenny Loggins and the result is an unforgettable masterpiece. "Caddyshack" has something for everybody -- even golfers.

Hillarious!
Loaded with a few of the greats in comedy. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This could be the most depressing movie ever made!
This could be the most depressing movie ever made! Don't watch it with a loaded gun in your hand.

Hard to sit through
Jack Nicholson normally plays roles of blistering intensity, but in 'Ironweed', he plays an aging, burned out bum. Nothing wrong with that, but Nicholson didn't seem right for it. Maybe DeNiro would have been more convincing. Nonetheless, the story is about a bum who keeps having flashbacks of his younger days when he was fighting working man. Apparently he accidently killed three people in his lifetime. All the killings were show in chronological order as 'Ironweed' progressed. I wasn't able to see the last killing because I couldn't finish the film. Only for die-hard Nicholson and Streep fans.

Breathtakingly sad & beautiful
Where do you start with a movie like this? The cinematography & art direction are stunning. Every single shot, every frame, is a Hopperesque masterpiece: colors, lighting, composition. It grabs you way way deep inside. The writing is of a rare pureness: concentrated & intense & head-spining. The excellent writer William Kennedy wrote the screenplay from his Pulitzer prize-winning masterpiece of a novel. You can't get better than that. And then the acting. What acting! Where to start? Tom Waits who sings even when he acts. Jack Nicholson always reaching - out & deep inside - tremendous! Never better. And the exquisitely divine (sorry, can't help it) Meryl Streep: beautiful, heartwrenching, pathetic, laughable, lovable & real. The part of a lifetime, no not just a lifetime, the part of an entire movie-making era. Lastly the direction by the masterful Hector Babenco. Thank you Snr. Babenco. You belong in the pantheon with Von Stroheim, Renoir, Fellini. Thank you. So why has this film fallen into the void of video oblivion? I guess because it's an honest no melodramatics or histrionics depiction of bums - real people who represent the alternative lives that all of us could be leading but would really prefer never be reminded of.

To Comfort The Dead
In highschool I came across a poem called The Projectionist's Nightmare, I don't recall the name of the poet but the poem's message is still very much with me. It described a wayward bird inside a movie theatre, where an audience was watching two poeple "being nice to each other". The bird crashes into the screen, its blood slithering onto the image, the spell is broken, the fantasy dispelled and the audience screams. Hector Babenco had already made this poem in substance in 1985s Kiss Of A Spider Woman where his lead character, a prisoner, escaped his miserable surroundings through memories and fantasies of a propaganda film. Two years later Bebanco would make Ironweed, and his lead character Frances Phelan (Jack Nicholson) is well past the dreaming stage, the only fantasies he has are of ghosts from his past.

Ironweed is a film many people would find slow. Nothing much happens and the characters don't change. The stark grim atmosphere and the dead end conditions unrelenting. There is no hope in the story of Frances Phelan. He has abandoned his family 22 years ago after dropping his 13 year old baby to its death. The film starts with him visiting his dead baby's grave for the first time, and then follows him around as he joins his companion Helen Archer (Meryl Streep) and his friend of sorts Rudy (Tom Waits). All three of them are alcoholics, and we watch as they wade through the alleys of Albany 1938 looking for a place to sleep . They get robbed, they see a homeless prostitute from Alaska die of cold and they get into fights. But there is no emotional release in their anger or in their better moments. You'd expect there to be emancipated joy when Streep sings in a bar in front of a full house, or rage when a bunch of kids rob them of all their money. But Streep is quickly back to her depression, and Nicholson shrugs off the robbery. All the characters in Ironweed are infact dead, they live off their memories, do what they have to do to stay alive as they await their physical death. Meanwhile there are quietly affecting scenes of closure as Nicholson visits his abandoned family and Streep remember her "musical days". Nicholson's and Streep's Oscar nominated performance are among their best.

Babenco holds his camera on his characters for a long time, as if waiting for them to crack. They never do because Ironweed is not angry, it doesn't have an agenda, it is just mournful. As I watched it for the first time tonight I became aware that the episodic cyclic nature of the film develops in the end to a complete whole. When the end credits roll you feel like you were standing too close to a painting, and now for the first time you are far enough to see it for the sad beautiful image it is. The famed author John Fowles said that we are all poets but few of us can write it. From the rhetorical dialogue of these hobos, the ugly poverty they endure, the dark allyways they inhabit and the ghosts that haunt them, Ironweed emerges as a sad and deeply affecting poem.

By far, this is Jack Nicholson's best performace
This film never received the attention it deserved. Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep both have fine performances, but Nicholson's stands out as he demonstrates a range of emotion and pathos not seen in his other work. The cinemaphotography and lighting as he drifts from the dreary reality of life on the streets to his inner world of neurotic fears, joys, and memories is fantastic. You will not forget this movie. ... Read more

Description

The greenskeeper is about to start World War IIIagainst a gopher.The judge plays to win but his nubile niece has her mind set on scoring her own way.The playboy shoots perfect golf by pretending he is the ball.And the country-club loudmouth just doubled a $20,000 bet on a 10-foot putt.Insanity?No. Caddyshack.Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray tee off for a side-splitting round of fairway foolishness that does for golf what Animal House did for college fraternities and Police Academy did for law enforcement.Chase's laid-back delivery has kept audiences of Saturday Night Live and movie hits National Lampoon's Vacation, Fletch and Spies Like Us in the aisles for years.Sharing his wisdom with a caddy or his bed with debutante Lacey Underall, he never misses a shot.Rodney Dangerfield is well, Rodney Dangerfield.Even when he's off camera, he's on.And fans that have made Easy Money and Back to School box-office hits like him just fine.Knight-possessor of the best slow burn since Laurel and Hardyfusses, fumes and finesses his way through his role as Bushwood Country Club's one-man Legion of Decency.Murray's hole-in-the-head assistant greenskeeper is straight out of Looney Tunes.Murray, who brought the house down in Meatballs, Stripes and Ghostbusters, is funny even when he talks to himself.In Caddyshack, the term "golf nut" takes on a deranged double meaningand the laughs are par for the course! ... Read more

Reviews (172)

The slobs -vs- The snobs
This is a classic comedy that is still funny after so many years, I have read the reviews of this film left by others regarding the picture, I am not sure what they are talking about?!, I thought it had a great DVD transfer, the 19th Anniversary edition that is, they could be referring to the initial release of this film years earlier, however everyone plays their roles to perfection, Chevy Chase plays what is probably his best role as a playboy who golfs for fun, not scores, Rodney Dangerfield is perfect as a free-living, humorous & rude real-estate developer who loves getting a rise out of the late Ted Knight's uptight judge, & Bill Murray is lovable as the dim-witted groundskeeper who has a personal war with a gopher that is the film's real star, watching these characters unfold in neat as is Michael O'Keefe as a ambitious caddy who longs for somthing more, Cindy Morgan is Knight's niece with a questionable reputation, definately a movie that anyone could probably relate to, with the exception of some gross-out humor, the candy bar most noticebly, it is a straight comedy as Dangerfield squares off against Knight, watching these two is like watching politians go at it, but Murray's obsession with killing the gopher is never dull, watching the gopher react to his future plan of ridding him is funny as Murray uses plastic explosives in the form of other animals, this film had a sequel that had potential & had Murray & Dangerfield attached, but bowed out after Warner Bros. refused to compromise a script rewrite by them, only Chase returned for that one with little screen time, I highly recommend the original, but pass on the sequel, why Warner would allow Murray & Dangerfield to walk on the follow-up just shows how arrogant studio executives are, the follow-ups failure was their reward, the original is one of the best comedies ever!!!!!!!

Grab your bag
Caddyshack is a movie that takes place at a upscale country club. The plot is based around a golfing match for high stakes between a team of Rodney Dangerfield and Chevy Chase versus Ted Knight. Caught in the middle is Michael O'Keefe. But forget the plot, it really doesn't matter. What matters are the brilliant comedic performances given by the above-mentioned and Bill Murray. Mr. Dangerfield plays a wild and crazy land developer who is rude, crude and obnoxious. Mr. Chase is Ty Webb, who is independently wealthy and plays golf without keeping score. Mr. Chase is at his wisecracking, smug best. Mr. Knight, plays a stuffy judge and he brings his Mary Tyler Moore persona to the character as he thinks he's smarter than he actually is. Mr. O'Keefe is given the least funny of the roles, but we feel for his character Danny Noonan. Mr. Murray gives a tour-de-force performance as Carl, the bumbling, stoned assistant greenskeeper. His scene where he describes as the Cinderella story at the Masters is a movie classic and one of the funniest scenes ever filmed. If you like comedies and want to laugh, then Caddyshack is for you. It is a movie that you can watch a million times and laugh just as hard as the first time you saw it.

Belly laugh city
Just when I thought I couldn't watch the rest of the movie, a hysteric comedic scene or line brought me out of it. Rodney is unforgettable. When this one shakes out, some of the funniest stuff ever (so bad it's good).

A golf player's must!
If you play golf,this film is for you. I'm sure Jack Nicklaus,Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods have all seen this film. Harold Ramis directs an all-star cast featuring Chevy Chase,Bill Murray,Brian Doyle Murray(Bill's brother),Rodney Dangerfield and the late Ted Knight. This film's fetured song is I'M ALRIGHT recorded by Kenny Loggins. This hit film,theatircally released in July 1980,spawned the sequel,CADDYSHACK 2 in 1988.

Best Golf Movie...Ever
While it's tough to put a golf movie ahead of Adam Sandler's great Happy Gilmore, no other golf movie has as many memorable lines in it as this one does. In fact, few other comedies have as many great lines as Caddyshack. Who can forget the conversation about playing with the Dali Llama or Bill Murray's monologue while "driving" the flowers?

"It's in the hole!"

One of the best scenes of the movie is where Chevy Chase drives the ball through Bill Murray's window, causing a great conversation between two comic greats of our time. Also, for anybody who has seen the new Tiger Woods' commercial where he's chasing the gopher and don't understand what in the world is going on- see this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

WHY ISN'T IT ON DVD
I would rate it as a five if the whole TV mini-series made it on the tape. It was a very well done, made for TV movie. Bette Davis is excellent, but then isn't she always great. Rosanne Arquette was young, but gave a very good performance; So did the actors who played Nick Constantine and Worthy Pettinger. Worth producing on DVD with commentary by the author of the book, director and the living actors and actresses. Ask them what it was like to work with Bette Davis.

The evil role Davis played in "Harvest Home" was as good as her performance on "What Every Happened to Baby Jane?"

Everytime I travel to Maine I can picture the harvest home festival. Makes you a little afraid of those New Englanders and the secrets they may hold. If you liked Harvest Home you may also want to buy Dead and Buried with Jack Albertson and James Firorentino. Another New England chiller, alot like something Stephen King would write. (Reminds me of Monhegan Island, Maine "Spooky")

Don't buy Harvest Home on tape demand a full DVD Version.

NEED THE WHOLE THING ON DVD NOT JUST PARTS.

THIS IS A FIVE STARS MINI SERIE
I purchased the VHS version and was extremely disappointed by the extensive cuts performed on the tape. Where is the Worthy story, he is an integral part of the story....what was left was
not worth watching. I only watched the tape once, when I received it. Bring the entire story on DVD

DARK SECRET OF HARVEST HOME
DISAPPOINTED IN THE SOUTH
I cannot begin to explain how disappointed I was with the VHS of this movie that I purchased for too much money then to realize that I did not have the entire miniseries. Please put this movie on DVD so many people would like to see the whole thing as it was shown on TV originally. All in all I loved the movie but if someone is seeing it for the first time an they've already been told about it. It really can't be appreciated with the hachet job thats been done on it. Entire miniseries On DVD PLEASE!!!!!!!!

Give us the FULL SERIES on DVD!!!
Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of outrage at the hatchet job that was done to this VHS release of this classic horror TV mini-series.

I really hope somebody out there in DVD-makerland pays attention and hears that there are many people out here waiting for this to come out (uncut, with the picture cleaned up and remastered) on DVD.

And while you're at it, how about the TV mini-series of Stephen King's "The Shining", another exceptional TV effort that definitely merits DVD release.

WHERE'S THE DVD OF THIS CLASSIC TV MINI-SERIES?
I remember watching this on tv when it first came out, and later reading the book. Excellent adaptation of a very creepy and disturbing story, kinda along the lines of The Wicker Man. Have been patiently (not) waiting for the whole mini-series to be released on DVD, and not a chopped up version that is almost impossible to find on vhs that is overpriced! PLEASE, I IMPLORE SOMEONE TO FINALLY RELEASE MOVIES THAT ARE REALLY ENTERTAINING AND MAKE YOU FEEL SOMETHING, AND NOT JUST THE SAME MOVIES RELEASED IN SPECIAL VERSIONS, EXTRA LONG VERSIONS, SUPERBIT VERSIONS, DIRECTORS VERSIONS, ETC. ETC. ETC.!!!!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

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

Reviews (26)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (3)

In addition to being a good book...
This is a pretty good movie. I remember catching it on TBS one day while staying home sick from school. I was still sick the next day, so I got to catch the second part of it. It was a movie that stuck out in my mind for its portrayal of the war.

A few years later, I remember seeing the book and reading it. The book was much better because it went into the mindset of the character and why he joined the Marines. The movie does a decent job of portraying that, but not quite.

Another movie that needs to find its way to DVD.

Compelling
Rumor of War is by far the most compelling movie about Vietnam I have ever seen. The way this movie was presented should serve as a model for ALL Vietnam War movies. The suspense, the background music/tempo, not to mention Brad Davis's intense acting style made this movie one I want to own! Unfortunately, I cant seem to locate the full length feature of 3 hours 20 minutes. All I can find is the shortened version, which cuts out half the movie. Despite 2 actors in this movie (who played only minor roles) EVERYONE did a great job, ESPECIALLY Brad Davis. PS: IF ANYONE OUT THERE KNOWS WHERE I CAN BUY THE FULL LENGTH FEATURE (3 HOURS 20 MINUTES) OF THIS MOVIE, PLEASE EMAIL BOMBJABA@AOL.COM

Disheartening, sad treatise of the Viet Nam War...
... but a tale properly told.

While I wasn't a grunt in Viet Nam, I was a Marine and could identify with all the emotion of this saga.

The only thing I would take issue with is Cupoto's treatment of anyone who outranked him. There were a lot of good high ranking line and staff officers in Viet Nam to go with the type Cupoto describes. It's a shame he couldn't give them a fair shake.

It's a shame things turned out as they did in Viet Nam. The Domino Theory was as valid in the beginning and real reason for concern. It turned into crummy war fought by some very good men. It's a shame that their efforts, patriotism and heroism are not fully appreciated. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nina Takes A Lover
I have'nt viewed this movie as of yet. I'm a big fan of Laura San Giacomo.I watch her on the show just shoot me. I also have the movie "The Stand",even though it was a small part in this movie I thought she was great in The Stand.I also have another movie that I thought Laura was wonderful in "Quigly Down Under". Before I saw Laura On tv I only knew her from a few movies.The movie "Nina Takes A Lover" I only just found out about I don't know to much about this movie other then what I have read on the internet. I have tried to order this movie but for some reason they told me they can't get it is this movie out of print i asked they could'nt give me a answer. so I thought that i would try the internet.I'm glad that I did.If this movie is as good as The Stand and Quigly Down Under I'm sure I'll enjoy this movie also.
Thanks,A Fan Of Laura San Giacomo

A True Refreshing "Love" Story
Not only the beautiful imagery and the thrill of a realistic love story, the best thing I found in this film was the shocking ending. Throughout the entire film I had no idea what this all was leading up to. If for nothing else see this movie to find out the hidden twist in the plot!

Not quite a red delicious
In the early part of this film, Nina (Laura San Giacomo) tries to attract the attention of a handsome young man in a leather jacket. She bites down loudly (cue sound effect) on an amazingly fresh, crunchy, meaty apple.

As opposed to this film, which, in apple terms, has blotchy tone, a mealy taste, and a sickeningly mushy interior. Not quite rotten to the core, enjoyable if you're really craving an apple.

So, the good: Christi Conaway and Fisher Stevens are amusing in secondary roles. There are some amusing scenes, and there is a kind-of surprising twist towards the end.

Kind of good, kind of bad: Laura San Giacomo, who wields her galactically expressive face like a blunt axe, sometimes hits her scenes perfectly, and other times indiscriminately pauses for annoying effect. Paul Rhys, who prior to this played "The Responsible Brother of Insanely Talented Men" (Vincent & Theo, Chaplin), is supposed to be handsome and mysterious, but he often seems to be overacting his underacting.

Bad, bad, bad: The framing device of the journalist interviewing the characters of this story for their take on infidelity. Also bad -- the setting, the lame conclusion of the panty-swiping gag, and some really badly written "serious" dialogue.

Recommended for Laura San Giacomo fetishists, or people that really want to see a relationship drama, but have run out of other options.

INDEPENDENT FILM REFRESHMENT!
NINA TAKES A LOVER IS BY FAR ONE OF THE MOST THOUGHTFUL, CREATIVE AND UNIQUE INDEPENDENT/LOW BUDGET FILMS I HAVE EVERE SEEN. I FIRST SAW THIS FILM IN MEXICO WHERE IT WAS SUBTILTLED AND ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH ITS INTENSE CHARACTERS AND REALISTIC JUXTAPOSITIONS BETWEEN THE CHEATING PARTNER AND THE DRIFTING HEART. LAURA SAN GIACOMO IS AT HER ARTISTIC BEST AND THE CIRCUMSTANCE OF CHRISTI CONNAWAY AND FISHER STEVENS IS HILARIOUSLY TOUCHING(THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF ME IN EVERY CUP!). INDEPENDENT FILMS, SUCH AS THIS, COMPOSE THE UNDERGROUND WORLD OF SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL-TYPE MASTERPIECES. I'VE READ CERTAIN CRITICAL REVIEWS ON THIS FILM BY CRITICS WHO HAVE NO APPRECIATION FOR AN OUT-OF-THE-ORIDNARY , NON-BLOCKBUSTER MINDLESS HIT. I GUARANTEE YOU, THE ENDING TWIST OF THIS FILM IS A REFRESHING, FELLINIESQUE SHOCK. BESIDES EVERYTIME I RENT IT I GET A CERTAIN WARM FEELING THAT DOES COME IN TODAYS MINDLESS "MOVIES". ALSO WHOEVER COMPOSED THE MUSIC IN THE FILM IS FANTASTIC-I WISH THERE WAS A SOUNDTRACK! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nina Takes A Lover
I have'nt viewed this movie as of yet. I'm a big fan of Laura San Giacomo.I watch her on the show just shoot me. I also have the movie "The Stand",even though it was a small part in this movie I thought she was great in The Stand.I also have another movie that I thought Laura was wonderful in "Quigly Down Under". Before I saw Laura On tv I only knew her from a few movies.The movie "Nina Takes A Lover" I only just found out about I don't know to much about this movie other then what I have read on the internet. I have tried to order this movie but for some reason they told me they can't get it is this movie out of print i asked they could'nt give me a answer. so I thought that i would try the internet.I'm glad that I did.If this movie is as good as The Stand and Quigly Down Under I'm sure I'll enjoy this movie also.
Thanks,A Fan Of Laura San Giacomo

A True Refreshing "Love" Story
Not only the beautiful imagery and the thrill of a realistic love story, the best thing I found in this film was the shocking ending. Throughout the entire film I had no idea what this all was leading up to. If for nothing else see this movie to find out the hidden twist in the plot!

Not quite a red delicious
In the early part of this film, Nina (Laura San Giacomo) tries to attract the attention of a handsome young man in a leather jacket. She bites down loudly (cue sound effect) on an amazingly fresh, crunchy, meaty apple.

As opposed to this film, which, in apple terms, has blotchy tone, a mealy taste, and a sickeningly mushy interior. Not quite rotten to the core, enjoyable if you're really craving an apple.

So, the good: Christi Conaway and Fisher Stevens are amusing in secondary roles. There are some amusing scenes, and there is a kind-of surprising twist towards the end.

Kind of good, kind of bad: Laura San Giacomo, who wields her galactically expressive face like a blunt axe, sometimes hits her scenes perfectly, and other times indiscriminately pauses for annoying effect. Paul Rhys, who prior to this played "The Responsible Brother of Insanely Talented Men" (Vincent & Theo, Chaplin), is supposed to be handsome and mysterious, but he often seems to be overacting his underacting.

Bad, bad, bad: The framing device of the journalist interviewing the characters of this story for their take on infidelity. Also bad -- the setting, the lame conclusion of the panty-swiping gag, and some really badly written "serious" dialogue.

Recommended for Laura San Giacomo fetishists, or people that really want to see a relationship drama, but have run out of other options.

INDEPENDENT FILM REFRESHMENT!
NINA TAKES A LOVER IS BY FAR ONE OF THE MOST THOUGHTFUL, CREATIVE AND UNIQUE INDEPENDENT/LOW BUDGET FILMS I HAVE EVERE SEEN. I FIRST SAW THIS FILM IN MEXICO WHERE IT WAS SUBTILTLED AND ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH ITS INTENSE CHARACTERS AND REALISTIC JUXTAPOSITIONS BETWEEN THE CHEATING PARTNER AND THE DRIFTING HEART. LAURA SAN GIACOMO IS AT HER ARTISTIC BEST AND THE CIRCUMSTANCE OF CHRISTI CONNAWAY AND FISHER STEVENS IS HILARIOUSLY TOUCHING(THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF ME IN EVERY CUP!). INDEPENDENT FILMS, SUCH AS THIS, COMPOSE THE UNDERGROUND WORLD OF SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL-TYPE MASTERPIECES. I'VE READ CERTAIN CRITICAL REVIEWS ON THIS FILM BY CRITICS WHO HAVE NO APPRECIATION FOR AN OUT-OF-THE-ORIDNARY , NON-BLOCKBUSTER MINDLESS HIT. I GUARANTEE YOU, THE ENDING TWIST OF THIS FILM IS A REFRESHING, FELLINIESQUE SHOCK. BESIDES EVERYTIME I RENT IT I GET A CERTAIN WARM FEELING THAT DOES COME IN TODAYS MINDLESS "MOVIES". ALSO WHOEVER COMPOSED THE MUSIC IN THE FILM IS FANTASTIC-I WISH THERE WAS A SOUNDTRACK! ... Read more

Reviews (95)

A Wonderful Suspense and Mystery Movie!
Plot: 16 year old Ruby and her 11 year old brother (Rett)'s parents die in a mysterious car accident after going out to a restaurant. Their parents long time friends, Mr. and Mrs. Glass, take the kids in as their own and become their legal guardians. The Glass's house and the Glass's themselves seem great at first glance, but suddenly strange occurences begin to happen and Ruby begins to uncover the horrible truth behind the Glasses and the deaths of her parents. The truth lies deep in the glass house.

This is a first rate thriller, I must say. It is jam packed with suspence and interesting twists that glue your eyeballs to the screen. All the actors give great performances, especially the young and lovely LeeLee Sobieski as the troubled Ruby. The film does not rely on the gore and blood but more on the situation istelf and the jolting suspence which is a nice change from a lot the thrillers now a days. So just sit back and get ready to walk in "The Glass House"!

Overall: A first rate thriller that fully relies on the suspence and not the gore! BE SURE to Check it out!

A Great Mesmerizing Thriller
The Glass House is one great movie by a beginning director, Daniel Sackheim. Every shot is so perfectly smooth and perfect in every way. I love when the house is dark becuase it adds to the mystery. This film had a great cast. Ruby(LeeLee Sobieski), Rhett(Trevor Morgan), Terry Glass(Stellan Skarsgard), and Erin Glass(Diane Lane). Leelee Sobieski is a great rising actress who is sure to reach the top one day. Trevor Morgan is also pretty good who starred in Jurassic Park 3 and The Patriot.

The DVD is pretty good but I was disappointed because there was only one deleted scence and deleted scenes are always my favorite to watch. The picture is perfectly clear throughout the whole movie and the sound is so amazingly great is unbelieveable to your ears.

The movie is about the Baker Family. They are ovioulsy a loving family and a family like everyone else. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are a loving couple who care so much about their kids. Ruby and Rhett Baker are like any other kids. They fight. Ruby and her friends stay out at night and Ruby smokes behind her parents back. The night of her parents anniversy Ruby is out late again. When she steps out of the car she smells like smoke so she sprays herself with perfume. When she turns the corner to her house she sees police. She automaticlly thinks her parents called them because they were worried about her. In her house she finds out that her parents were in a car crash and they died. After hearing all this she faints from shock and horror.

It then shows her at their funeral. When the priest is done speaking he lets Rhett say a few words but Rhett breaks sown in tears. The Glasses rush up to assist him and Mr. Glass talks about the Bakers for a minute. When outside Ruby is approached by their Uncle Jack who they haven't seen since they were kids. He says that if they ever need any help they can just call him. When Ruby gets home she talks with Mr. Alvin Begleiter who was their parents trust agent. He says that her parents said that if anything ever happend to them that they would trust the Glasses to take care of them. He gives Ruby his card then leaves as Mr. Glass enters. Ruby thanks Mr. Glass. In the nxt scene Ruby and Rhett are moving out of their house to go live with the Glasses. When they arrive at the Glasses house they are surprised. Their house is huge and almost everything is glass. When they are shown their room they are sort of disappointed because they have to share a room. But they get over it because at least the Glasses accepted them.

As the movie goes on Ruby finds out horrible things about the Glasses. She discovers their terrible secrets and gets really nervous and afraid. I don't want to tell you anymore because this movie is so phenomehaly great. I'll gurantee you will love this movie.

Good film, but watch out - this DVD has RCE!
As much as I loved the film, I have to give this particular release one star because it suffers from RCE (the pathetic pseudoprotection supposed to prevent its playback outside R1 areas); to watch it, I had to switch my player's region from 0 to 1, which takes 6 key presses on my remote and is therefore time-consuming... all right, so it was not a real problem, but since RCE DVDs are universally boycotted, I feel this warning is in order.

Hang on! You're in for a great ride!
I bought this film on a whim, not expecting it to be too frightening. Oh, my! It's SO suspenseful, and kept me on the edge until the last second! Great acting, especially by Leelee Sobieski and Diane Lane! I thought the plot was fantastic, the home setting is fabulous -- treat yourself to this film!

The Glass House
I really liked this movie, It had suspense, mystery, and all the other qualities in a movie that anyone looks for. I have this movie, and I say it is my most favorite movie of all time! See this movie, you'll be addicted to it just like me and my grandaughter! ... Read more

Reviews (35)

One of my all time favorite comedies!!!!
I wholeheartedly agree with every other reviewer on this page. This movie is fantastic. Who do we have to beat up to to get this thing on dvd. One of the funniest movies ever...the portion of the movie spent at charm school is 20 minutes of nonstop laughter. When barney shoots the orange peel into humping's mouth...you have to rewind that and watch it in slow motion about 10 times...the faces he makes will kill you!

I thought I was the only one, but apparently I have found the other 28 people in the world who love this movie. Why this did not become a cult classic I'll never know.

"Hey spartacus, what are you in for?"

classic 80's comedy movie
One movie not to miss. There are too many memorable scenes in her to mention. Only introduced to the BOYS about 3 months ago. Cant get another copy here if I wanted to (Im i Australia) Classic laugh a minute stupid humor that I love. 100/100 Beats even Jim Carrey and he's my fav comedian/actor

Where's the DVD?
I know about ten people that love this movie! I am one of them. I wish they would put it on dvd! That would be way better, but I guess for now I will have to settle for the video! This movie is so goofy and silly, and that's what I love about it. One of the funniest movies from the eighties that I have seen. A real cult classic with all of my friends!

I'm Fan #29 Of This Movie
I would like to party with all the people who like/love this film. Especially those who have taken the time to write a review about it! The film is hilarious. Eddie Deezen's finest work to date, except as the voice of Mandark in Dexter's Lab. This needs to be on DVD.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC
This movie has become one of my favourite comedies and is often watched by my brother and sisters and nephews. It really takes the mickey of how pretentious rich people are!. We often quote the hilarious one liners like "Why are there two toilets in the bathroom?"..., "....Is this the Phelps Institute? .. Perhaps, do we owe you any money?...".

We have watched this video so often that the tape has warped. It is such a great shame that this video is not on DVD.

For anyone who has a great sense of humour and won't be offended by some of the antics and comments by the actors this video is GOOFY and BRILLIANT!!!. It will really make your day. ... Read more

Reviews (89)

HILARIOUS! One of the best comedies of the year!
THE HOT CHICK (2002)

Believe it or not, The Hot Chick is one of the best comedies of the year. It's been awhile since I've laughed so much at the theater. To my surprise, it even held up really well upon a second viewing, which is rare for comedies.

Anna Faris (Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2, May) gives another winning comedic performance here as April, proving she's one of the best young comedic actresses working today. Her facial expressions are absolutely classic. She never fails to make me laugh and I look forward to her future projects. Rob Schneider gives a really fun performance in what is his best comedy to date, not that it was too hard to top Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (7/10 or B-) or The Animal (5/10 or C).

Overall, The Hot Chick exceeded my expectations and proved to be a real fun time. It was laugh-out-loud funny from beginning to end. I even appreciated its sweet side and its good message, although most people probably won't take it too seriously anyway. This is not a great film by any means, but it is a very fun one. If you just want to have a good time and laugh then you can't do much better than The Hot Chick.

Grade: 8/10 or B+...

Switching Bodies is Not All it's Cracked Up to Be
Let's face it. 'The Hot Chick' will not be nominated for an Academy Award (or any other award, for that matter), but that does not mean it is a bad movie. Actually, it's the exact opposite. It's actually quite funny and sweet. I rented it the other day mostly because there was nothing much else to rent. I rented it hesitantly, because I figured it would be one of those stupid, silly, slapstick un-funny comedies that we are presented with way too often. I guess you could sort of stick this film in that category, but I hope you don't.

Rachel McAdams plays Jessica - a teenaged girl who, via a pair of special antique earrings, wakes up one morning as a man. Actually, she has switched bodies with a robber she met briefly the day before, played by Rob Schneider. Schneider then had the difficult role of playing a teenaged girl stuck inside a man's body, who tries to act like a real man so that no one will find out the truth. He (she) reveals this to her best friend April (played by Anna Farris of all of those 'Scary Movie' films), who not only accepts her new hairy best friend, but actually starts to enjoy hanging out with him (her).

Yes, it's silly. No, there's really no originality to be found here. But it made me laugh on more than one occasion. There's a great cameo by a dred-locked Adam Sandler, and Schneider does a decent job portraying a teenaged girl. And there is also a great storyline revolving around the two best friends Jessica and April that is really very sweet. But, if you're looking for a mature comedy, this is not your film. If you just want to watch a fun movie and find yourself chuckling, I honestly think you'll enjoy 'The Hot Chick'.

I Love this movie!
It is soo funny! But Adam Sandler plays a crackhead! I like when Jessica finds out she's a man! I'm like Jessica and Allie's like April! I like when a guy at the handbags stand gave me and Allie free designer purses (I got Gucci and Allie got DD!) And the purses were worth thousands of dollars! But they didn't let us get the real expensive ones! Just Gucci and DD! I wanted a LV! WAA! And I like where the Bartender comes and thinks she's gay! And I like when Jake pours his drink on his date (Ashlee Simpson).

Not that Bad
I do not know what anyone expects when they see this movie. From the trailers I never expected it to not suck. I was pleasantly surprised.

It is not worth the $17.99 it is still listed as, but it is worth a rental. The cast of girls and the interaction with Rob Schneider makes for some amusing scenarios.

The plot is not surprising, but it is not insulting - given the premise. It doesn't bog down in lessons or morales. I was again surprised.

If you are a Rob Schneider fan, you will enjoy it. If you are not, but have been sucked into seeing Gigilo and Animal, this will offer a little forgiveness.

Coming soon to theaters!!
Rob Schneider. He's been a male prostitute, an animal, and even a woman. But coming next summer, he's about to become something he's never been before!! .......A male actor!! Yes, that's right; a real live actor! The title, you ask? ..."The Actor"! So original, we know!!! Our hero starts off as a janitor and, get this, the viewer is treated to a number of urinal and various other bathroom scenes guaranteed to make you lose your lunch! But wait, it only gets better! Schneider then gets on a jet plane to visit his sick granny (played by Adam Sandler!) in the Big Apple, when a news crew that just happens to be in the area mistakes our hero for a famous and talented actor! He then goes to star in various movies, falls in love with one of his screen partners (who suffers from Down Syndrome, but still acts nonetheless), and they live happily ever after! So, what happened to the actor they've mistaken Schneider for? Who cares? Is there a plot somewhere in this one? Nope! Not important! After all, when you get to see Schneider's face as he is kicked in the crotch numerous times throughout "The Actor", who needs to develop any of those overrated things such as a story, characters, plot, climax, or resolution? Says professional movie critic Roger Ebert of this upcoming movie, "There were a couple of almost funny scenes in here! I almost gave this movie a full star out of 4! Highly recommended.....for our young male teens of 12 or 13 years of age, even though the film contains Schneider's exposed....behind." Comming next summer to some random theater in Mexico......the only theater that would allow Schneider's face to appear in its vicinity. So save your money kids, cause it's time to see Rob Schneider in a whole new light!........hahahahahahahahahahaha! And when this movie does get released, remember this: It's Rob Schneider, nuff said! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Rob Reiner, who used to be more interested in personal style as a filmmaker, continues to duck behind bland movies about important ideas with this based-on-fact film about the embattled white prosecutor (Alec Baldwin) who brought racist killer Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods) to justice after 30 years of failed attempts. Charged with the murder of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, Beckwith slimes up the film pretty well via Woods's somewhat showy performance, while Baldwin generously assumes the usual clichés surrounding reluctant heroes. Whoopi Goldberg is at her most stately as Evers's widow. The whole self-important production is dogged by the obvious thought that it might have played better (and to far more people than it did in theaters) on television. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Fact of Racism
Growing up in a very sheltered and loving community I never really saw the effects of racism. When it was taught in school it always seemed like something from the distant past. This film really brought home the fact that racism is not as distant as I once believed. It is a scary thing to see adults who harvest so much hatred towards other human beings. This film was a real eye opener.

five stars because it is so underrated
'Ghosts of Mississippi' is a much, MUCH better film than a similar movie relaesed earlier in the same year called 'A Time to Kill'. Why the latter film did better at the box office is beyond me. First of all, Alec Baldwin has more acting talent in his pinky finger than the overhyped wooden plank we like to call Mathew Mcaughnahy has in his whole body. Second, Rob Reiner is a better director than Joel Schumacher. Third, but most important, this was a true story where the attorney was really white, rendering the movie less racially offensive than author John Grisham's ('A Time To Kill') vision of a world with only white male heroes.

Great Movie
This is a great movie, I was so impressed. If you saw "A Time to Kill" and liked it, you'll like this one (which was, coincidentally, even made in the same year, set in the same state, set in the same time, with almost the same story)- maybe even better since it isn't ruined with the little "romance" of the movie as "A Time to Kill" was with Sandra Bullock. And it is realistic. Alec Baldwin does a great job acting in this movie. If you don't know anything about "Ghosts of Mississippi," "A Time to Kill," or are familiar with any of John Grisham's books, here's a little summary: 26 years prior, a white man killed Edgar Evans and got away with it. Now, Edgar Evans widowed wife comes to a (white) Mississippi lawyer for help in finally putting her husband's murderer in his place. He tries to uncover 26-year old evidence, dig up witnesses which most turn out to be dead or closed up, and encounters the racist murderer. He also deals with the other racists in Jackson, Mississippi. I enjoy this movie every time I see it.

An excellent movie dealing with Civil Rights issues.
This is a movie that needs to be seen, much like "Saving Private Ryan" needed to be seen. It would open eyes to the harshness of the time and the idea that good can prevail.

I don't understand racism
well, yes i's true maybe the movie is not that great; but the theme is interesting.

i'm puertorican. it's very hard for me to deal with racism, not because i'm a victim, just because i believe it's not right. just in case, they call me white which i'm not. we are all mixed, having of course genetical attributes expressed, but in the end we are mixed, which it's beatiful. and it doesn't make a difference in the respect we deserve.

James Woods was running for the Oscars. i don't know who won over him. his performance along it's worth the movie. i hate him to death, him and his arrogance. ... Read more

Description

A determined widow.A courageous D.A. They found a way to do what two trials and 25 futile years of effort couldn't do-convict the murderer of civil rights leader Medgar Evers.Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg and James Woods star in a powerful tale of courage and commitment. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Before the movement, there was Evers
Even before there was a name for the civil rights movement of the 1960's, there was Medgar Evers, perhaps the first casualty of the movement. June 12, 1963, the very night that President John Kennedy made his landmark speech to the nation about equality of the races and his administration's pledge to the basic rights of all people, Evers took a mortal hit in his back outside his home in Jackson, Miss., from a bullet fired out of racism and powered by hate. Nearly 30 years later, after two mistrials with hung juries, Evers' suspected killer, avowed bigot and hate-mongerer Byron de la Beckwith, faces his third trial set up by an idealistic prosecutor, acted with restrained emotionality but an unshakeable sense of justice by Alec Baldwin. As Evers' widow, Whoppi Goldberg brings a sense of majestic class to the lady who never gave up in her own quest for justice. And James Woods is nothing less than superlative in his portrayal of the accused, and Woods holds nothing back in projecting the cockiness, the poisonous racism and lethal hatred the real character apparently carried for most of his life. Director Rob Reiner treats us here to a lesson in history that perhaps has not given Evers his just due as a pioneer in the march for civil rights, and Reiner treats this very serious topic with respect, dignity, sincerity and commitment. In real life, Beckwith died in prison and with him hopefully went one more voice for hate and division. But, because it took nearly three decades to bring Beckwith to justice, "Ghosts of Mississippi" asks the subtle question if justice delay isn't also justice denied. The film is a magnificent achievement!

Subdued Treatment of Landmark Case
Alec Baldwin stars as a lawyer in this true story of the re-trial of the murderer of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. When Evers' widow Whoopi Goldberg approaches the District Attorney's office about re-opening the case of her late husband's murder, Baldwin takes an interest as he considers the injustice and the suffering of the Evers' family. The first two trials, 25 years earlier, were declared mistrials, and the hunt begins for new evidence that might make a re-trial a viable option. Needless to say, much stands in the way for Baldwin, both professionally and personally as he takes an unpopular stand in a still racially divided Mississippi. Baldwin, a good actor that has appeared in too few good films, is strong in this role, although he is outshone by James Woods in a flashy performance as Byron de la Beckwith, the accused racist. Woods has a field day, in heavy makeup and padding, make the most of his moments on screen. Goldberg is very subdued, and I found her performance adequate, but a bit disappointing. Actually, the film itself is quite subdued, too. Director Rob Reiner is sloppy here, not establishing much in the way of pacing or tone, but he is fortunate that the subject of the film and the fact that it is true maintains the viewer's interest despite its shortcomings. Although I recommend the film, especially to those who enjoy true stories and stories with a courtroom bent, I do wish a better film had been made about this important case in civil rights history.

Too long to wait for justice
Civil rights activist Medgar Evers was assassinated in 1963. In this movie, directed by Meathead of All In The Family, justice is about to be served - finally. The guilty party is brought to trial by a competent attorney in front of a jury that is two thirds black. The ending of the movie is good, but it takes too long to get there. Most of the movie really isn't enjoyable.

I loved it!
Ghosts of Mississippi was an outstanding video. It was a big help to me in my report of Medgar Evers (civil rights activist). I give it 5 stars! Feel free to email me at SpanishDoll8722@aol.com ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Bridge to Bad Parenting
I saw this film during a course for American Sign Language and procured a copy to study the signing. The actress playing the lead is quite skilled and I enjoyed her portrayal very much. The story was rather generic - but was fairly good. I felt that the film was well done (if rather an unpleasent tale) for most of the movie - but the ending was too quick, too simple. If you seek a good movie to study sign language this is an excellent choice. If you like movies with more finess regarding the topic of deafness I suggest you take a look at 'Beyond Silence'.

Bridge to Silence
This is a wonderful story of conflicts between a deaf daughter and a hearing mother. The acting is believable and the story keeps you interested in what is going to happen next. I show it to my ASL students for a look at Deaf Culture. ... Read more

Reviews (3)