Reviews (101)

THRILLING! BREATHTAKING! HEART-WRENCHING!
This is the greatest SPACE movie of all time, without any reasonable doubt. Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, and Kathleen Quinlan ALL give superb performances. I really like the way they were able to make an old story exciting without taking much dramatic license. This movie actually makes you FEEL as if you're with Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert in their desperate battle to stay alive in their crippled space craft 200,000 miles from safety, or with Lovell's wife and family as they sit by and hope for the best, or with Gene Kranz and other mission control ground crew members struggle to bring them home. This is still Ron Howard's best film as a director. Anyone who wishes to see an historical adventure movie should look no further than APOLLO 13. It'll make you feel great, trust me! Grade: A+

Our Finest Hour!
Since the U.S. had landed on the moon in 1969, most of the world was not that excited about the Apollo 13 mission. But in 1970 when three astronauts going to the moon suddenly experience a malfunction in the equipment. They are in the race of there lives. The race is them against time. Tom Hanks (Lovell), Bill Paxton (Haise), and Kevin Bacon (Swiegert) use only what they have to survive. Hope, each other and there ability to work through a problem. Gary Sinese plays Ken Mattingly who was suppost to go but didn't because he was to get the measles. It is Ken who helps find the way to get the men home. Ed Harris is head of the groud crew. Who gives his best performance here. The supporting actors help round out this movie into a great story. A true one by that. One of the best films of 1995. Great acting, directing, editing, special-effects, script and a great score by James Horner. Oh by the way, Mattingly never got the measles. Grade:A

Correction to previous post. regarding cropping the DVD...
Hey Zahnduhl,

You're right to point out that we want to see movies in their true "theatrical aspect ratio" so I commend you for that. Film is an artform - would you crop a Picasso to fit your TV screen?

However, I felt it necessary to note that what you have noticed here in this case is most likely an instance of Universal Pictures releasing the un-masked (or Full-Ap) version of the movie as a 1.33:1 release instead of the typically butchered Pan&Scan version that we all so detest. I can't say for 100% sure on this DVD, but I will say that this was fairly common in the past to help the VHS sales. I commend them for at least doing this as opposed to cropping, but I can see how it could leave you (and others) thinking that your precious movie was cropped for the WS transfer.

Rest assured, however, that most likely you are just getting "more" in this VHS version than was ever released theatrically. This is possible when the studio decides to release original Full Aperture footage for the VHS release. Although, you will likely find that Visual Effects shots will still typically be cropped b/c most of the time VFX houses will only work in the final theatrical aspect ratio.

Anyway, I hope this clears up any confusion for you, now go buy the DVD. ;)

-anonymous

Murphy's Law in Outer Space
Talk about rolling snake eyes. To begin with, your mission is numbered "thirteen." Then the pilot you've trained with is grounded prior to lift-off because he's allegedly been exposed to the measles; he's replaced by a young buck still wet behind the ears. Once you're within spitting distance of the surface of the Moon an oxygen tank explodes. Obviously, it takes oxygen to breathe, so now what? Shut down everything in the command module, of course, shiver in the lunar module, and hope the gravitational tug from the Moon will slingshot you back home.

And I thought I had my bad days.

Yet the problems mentioned above merely scratch the surface of the true trials and tribulations of APOLLO 13. Director Ron Howard recreates this gripping, compelling story, right down to beehive hairdo's and computers the size of Mt. Rushmore. The drama, the sense of urgency--on the part of the astronauts, and the NASA staff in Houston frantically trying to save them--is so powerful and vivid I felt I was watching the actual event itself. To magically weave the viewer into the story is a crowning achievement for any filmmaker, and here, Howard succeeds like a wizard waving a wand.

Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris, Kevin Bacon, and Gary Sinise headline a stellar cast in a grim race-against-time that had the entire world transfixed in April of 1970. I remember being glued to the TV watching Walter Cronkite broadcast around the clock to give us the latest developments of the Apollo 13 story; I remember the relief and joy I felt when that banged-up capsule was retrieved from the ocean. To relive the triumph--and near-tragedy--of this event is an awesome experience, and APOLLO 13 is awesome, indeed.
--D. Mikels

One of My Absolute Favorites
Apollo 13, the story of NASA's near-loss of one of its manned spacecraft in 1970, is on my top-five list of all-time favorite movies. This, for me, is one of those movies that I've see a million times, know all the words to and get everyone whose watching it with me annoyed because I HAVE TO say the lines along with the actors. The acting in the movie is fantastic...everyone from Tom Hanks to Ed Harris on down the list superbly act this true event from our nation's history. Even the background music is great...seamlessly fitting into the mood of the movie. Annie Lennox does the vocalizations, and her voice is, as always, immensely powerful.

As someone who craves the day when this nation returns to the resolve it had in the 1960's and early 70's when we were shooting for the moon, the story of Apollo 13 should inspire those who yearn for humanity's renewed interest in exploring the immensity of what lays beyond our small planet, not just with robotic devices, but with people as well. Apollo 13's failure to land on the moon, and near-loss, should prove to humanity that from failure, we can still triumph. That is something that I think we have forgotten today...especially after the loss of the Shuttle Columbia, we have nearly forgotten the incredible risk of exploring space is more than worth the benefits we will reap with our explorations...even when some do not return home. ... Read more

Description

Jan Schlichtmann is a cynical, high-priced personal injury attorney who only takes big-money cases he can safely settle out of court. Though his latest case at first appears straightforward, Schlichtmann soon becomes entangled in an epic legal battle ... one where he's willing to put his career, reputation, and all that he owns on the line for the rights of his clients! Also featuring Robert Duvall, William H. Macy, and John Lithgow -- this gripping, widely acclaimed hit delivers edge-of-your-seat entertainment! ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Riveting and Powerful Cinema - An Eye-Opener for All
This is the most incredible movie ever made about trying a wrongful death case and the accompanying emotional roller coaster the process generates for attorneys. The opening scene will plant you firmly in your chair as Jan Schlichtmann (played by John Travolta) explains the financial calculus behind accepting and declining potential clients with personal injury claims. Jerome Facher (played by Robert Duvall) is infuriating with his unending legal maneuverings designed to extract his corporate client from an untenable legal position permeated with liability. The traitorous conduct of Schlichtmann's partners will make you wretch with disgust as they scramble to save themselves at the expense of righting a terrible wrong evidenced by a dozen dead children. Engrossing, to say the least.

Yes, the movie isn't perfect. Travolta's portrayal of Jan Schlichtmann doesn't completely mesh with the character in the book, there isn't a practicing attorney alive who doesn't know Rule 11 (court-imposed sanctions for unethical conduct), and the legal proceedings aren't quite right. Who cares? If the director had included the day-to-day minutiae involved in getting a case to trial, the film would have been three years long! My fellow reviewers are unreasonable in their unrelenting critiques.

If you're involved in the legal profession, this film will make you step back and reassess your brand of client representation. Are you taking the right cases? Are you serving the needs of you clients - or yourself? Are you willing to give your all to the law? Interesting, and always stimulating, food for thought.

If you're a lay person, hold on - you're in for the ride of your life.

Well-adapted story with terrific acting
After recently reading Jonathan Harr's book A Civil Action, I eagerly awaited seeing the movie version of this sad and absorbing story. The film version condenses the story and leaves out several interesting portions of the book, but is fine nevertheless. John Travolta is a perfect choice to play Jan Schlichtmann, the egotistical, free-spending attorney who dives headfirst into a damages case against the corporate giants Beatrice and W.R. Grace, who are accused of poisoning the drinking water of Woburn, Massachusetts and causing a leukemia outbreak. William H. Macy, Tony Shalhoub, and Zeljko Ivanek co-star as Schlichtmann's partners in the firm, and one only wishes that they would have protested his actions, which led to the financial ruin of him and his firm.

Robert Duvall gives another terrific performance as Jerome Facher, Beatrice's attorney, who is the complete opposite of Schlichtmann. In a scene at a fancy hotel conference room, the frugal Facher is not impressed by any of the lawyers or their arguments, but the free pen that he can take home. It's a subtly funny scene that illustrates Facher perfectly. John Lithgow does a terrific job as Judge Walter Skinner, who Schlichtmann believes is siding with the enemy.

A Civil Action is a story where the winners and losers are unclear, and it must have been difficult for writer-director Steven Zaillian to condense Harr's technical-laden novel. The result is a solid drama with powerhouse acting. Highly recommended.

Intelligent and Compelling Courtroom Drama
Jan Schlichtmann (Travolta) is a Boston tort lawyer and something of an ambulance chaser who is initially reluctant to take on an industrial pollution case involving some children dead of leukaemia in rural New England. He changes his mind when he realizes the likely defendants are a couple of big companies with particularly deep pockets and smells the possibility of serious money. Over time, however his interest in the case becomes a moral obsession. The cynical becomes a crusader, refusing offers to settle as his company's finances spiral downwards towards bankruptcy.

If you like courtroom dramas, this is highly recommended. It's one of the best specimens of the genre to come out of America since 'The Verdict'. It's interesting to compare it to 'Erin Brockovich' released a couple of years later. EB is about how a heroic small timer takes on the big boys of corporate America and how her pluck and determination triumphs over all obstacles, something of a legal feelgood movie in other words. Which this, to its great credit, is not. Its central character, for starters, is far more amibivalently likeable: initially just out for a fast buck, moral seriousness has to creep up on him and take him by surprise (perhaps reminding writer/director Zaillian of Oskar Schindler whose story he scripted for Spielberg a few years earlier) and the story's development paints a significantly more ambivalent picture of what pluck and determination can accomplish. It's a highpoint of Travolta's acting career even if he is comprehensively upstaged by Robert Duvall, on brilliant form as his quietly cynical adversary, bigshot lawyer Jerome Facher who knows far better than to look for the truth in a courtroom...

The book is SO MUCH BETTER
The movie is fine... but the book is an amazing read. There is so much detail and nuance lost in the adaption to a visual medium.

A Civil Travolta
This is a really good film that didn't get near the attention it should have. A great story, a terrific premise and plot. And Travolta nails his performance as a man faced with the dilemna of doing the "right thing" at great personal expense, or walking away with what he has left. This is a morality play of sorts and Travolta is the conscience of us all. We're thrilled when he triumphs; we breathe a sigh of relief and unclench our fists. Yet, we probably wouldn't have blamed him if he had walked. A nice film. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

I've loved this movie for over 20 years and now I own it!
This movie had characters that were very human and even the "wicked" mother had redeeming qualities. You looked for reasons which drove her to behave the way she did. Kathleen Quinlan, a very beautiful and emotion-envoking actress, has stayed in my mind for twenty years! Stephen Collins is always a pleasure to see. Beatrice Straight did the mother with such emotion in her face. This is a movie to watch again. I hadn't seen it for 20 years, I just bought it. Some critics would rather see all the war and killing movies and not appreciate "A Genuine Love Story"!

An original love story overlooked by the press
I remembering seeing this movie, years ago. I was so impressed with the originality that was created in this love story. I remembered the name, and when I saw it in the video store, I was so happy. I immediately rented it.

There is no comparison of this to Love Story, or even Gone with the Wind. This movie is far better. It keeps you cheering for her lover, her husband to find her. You can not help but feeling the mother in law needs to allow her son a life. She has the "you are not good enough for my son, blues." All the actors and actresses were so great. I recommend this to everyone.

The Promise
I saw the movie - I want the video but I don't know how to get it. Please help me to purchase this on line. PLEASE PLEASE HELP
It is absolutely the best book I have ever read and ultimately the best show I have ever seen.

One of the Best!
I read the book by Danielle Steele some twenty years ago and then saw the movie. I am such a romantic that I still go back and read the book again and again. Well written book and wonderful movie! I thought Stephen Collins was hot then and still is. Great love story with twists and turns....And true love always wins!

Get out the hanky
Not since the 5 star hanky movies from Lana Turner will you see such a romantic cry-you-eyes-out movie. This movie is GREAT and one of my all time favorites. This movie proves that if you are ment to be together,,,,,your ment to be together.The acting is wonderful, costumes great and the music score is unforgetable. The opening and closing scene standing by the rock has got to be the most romantic scene ever filmed. It is also the most gut-grabbing. I'm a guy and i still can't help getting all teary eyed especially during those scenes. Just wish this was on DVD and stereo sound. A great film for your collection. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

LIFEGUARD
If you consider yourself a movie fan then Lifeguard is a must see. Sam Elliot's performance as Lifeguard Rick Carlson is vintage Elliot. This performance, and his perfect performance in Mask as Garr, make Elliot one of the best actors in the past 30 years. It takes place on the beaches of LA so Elliot is tan and in the best physical shape of his career. Elliot battles the pressures of the working world, while juggling several women. It has the beach, a great love story, and of course Elliot. So if you even somewhat like movies Lifeguard is for you!

THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB
The story goes that Daniel Petrie was having problems casting the lead role in his new movie, "Lifeguard." His wife had recently seen "Frogs" and she suggested that he take a look at a young actor in that movie named Sam Elliott. Bless Mrs. Petrie! Sam Elliott is so right for his role in "Lifeguard" that it's difficult to imagine the movie without him. In fact, though he's done some good work since then, nothing in Sam Elliott's career quite matches his performance here though, unfortunately, the movie didn't attract much notice when it was released back in 1975. Perhaps the audience which might have appreciated it was discouraged by an ad campaign which made "Lifeguard" look a bit like those "Beach Blanket Bingo" movies.

Actually, "Lifeguard" is a thoughtful study of a man who's happy in a job which others consider beneath him. At one point he's tempted to change his life in order to conform to others' expectations, but by the end of the movie he's decided to be his own man and to follow a course which satisfies him. This philosophy has echoes of the "do-your-own-thing" mood of the 1960's but it's presented here in a quieter, more mature form.

Still A Satisfying View!
I just took this movie off the shelf and viewed it again after a few years. The message still rings true and the storyline is still poignant and real. Sam Elliott is great in this movie as are the supporting actors. The beach scenes are fantastic and the "to thine own self be true" theme resonates long after the movie is over. I only wish the writers would have resolved Rick's relationship with his old high school flame. But I guess we can all imagine our own view of the ending. Buy it!

much better in original format
this movie is one of my favorite movies. but why did they change the original song to just plain music. the original song at the beginning and end of this film went much better with the movie then the song they have now. i wan't to get this on dvd with the original song please thank you.

A CLASSIC!
This movie was a very good film indeed.Watch sam elliot star as a man in his early 30's going thru an early mid-life crisis,trying to decide whether he should finally "so called" grow up and get a real job or stay at a job he truly loves.This film really moved me and i am truly happy of how this movie ended!Buy this video while you still can. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

NO STRUTTIN HERE
I first saw this movie about five or six years ago and my two cats were enthralled with it...one of the few they even paid attention to. Alas and alack, those two pets are long gone, but my wife and I have three cats now so we thought, what the heck...maybe these three will enjoy it as much as our previous two. WRONG!!! They could have cared less..and that about sums up the movie. If you can't get cats involved, how can humans enjoy it? To be fair, STRAYS isn't gag your mouth bad, but it's so inane and inept, it's hard to be frightened. Shame on Kathleen Quinlan for giving such a horrible performance; shame on Timothy Busfield for not retiring; and shame on Claudia Christian for playing such a shallow character with little if any venom. Shame on the cats for overacting; shame on Shaun Cassidy for writing such a non-frightening movie. Shame on me for trying to subject my cats to it!!!

Darn silly
"Strays" was a made-for-TV movie produced by the USA network. According to some sources it was the worst made-for-TV movie USA ever made. That tells you something right there.

The premise for this movie is one of the hoariest old cliche's in horror-movie land; urbanite family moves to the country to escape the dangers of city life, unaware of the danger lurking around their new home. "Strays" adds nothing to this routine. Now basing a movie around a hoary old cliche without the slightest significant variation doesn't necessarily make it a "bad" movie, it just prevents it from becoming a "great" movie.

What makes "Strays" a bad movie is its incedibly poor execution. First, contrary to title's plurality there is really only one cat in the who actually causes any harm to the heroes. Oh there are lots of cats around, but only one does anything more than hiss and bare its claws to the heroes. So basically our heroes are meanced to near histeria by one single ordinary albeit foul tempered house cat.

Actually I shouldn't say "ordinary." This cat repeatedly breaks the laws of physics. It tears down a wall to get at a victim, bursts out of a microwave it has been trapped in and makes enourmous leaps into small spaces with perfect accuracy. Of course,no explanation is given for how this cat is able to accomplish these herculean feats, it's just a regular, cheesed off cat.

Now one would not think a cheesed off cat would provide horror so much as mild irritation. However, our heroes are incapable of dealing with this feline fiend in a remotely effective way. The cat leaps on them and they seem incapable of prying it off. On the rare occasions they use handy devices as impromptu weapons they ignore potentially useful things in favor of worthless ones (i.e. a long handled paint brush and a jug of water).

This isn't to say that the cats do not actually kill anyone. I counted three human deaths in this movie, two were surprised by a cat and fell to their deaths, one was apparently crushed by the sheer weight of the cats. Apparently the thought of killer house cats was too menacing, so the producers gave us killer house cats who can only kill by using their victims' sheer stupidity.

On the first viewing, "Strays" will dumbfound you with its sheer awfulness. The second viewing (if any) will have you rolling on the floor laughing at its monumental absurdity. By the third viewing you will realize you wasted your money by getting it, so don't.

Odd little horror movie
This movie isn't necessarily BAD...I just wouldn't call it GOOD. Its actually kind of neat, as far as horror movies go, the characters weren't unlikeable, and the concepts are all solid but...its not scary.

I mean...the bad guy is a house cat! I thought through out the whole movie "He's...kind of cute." So what if he attacks people, so does my cat. I don't scream and run away and lock doors and call the police. I throw him on the couch. That shows him who the dominant male is. The shots of cats swatting against the camera made me laugh more than shriek, and I have to wonder how cats are able to latch on to people's necks and make themselves incapable of being thrown off. Its not like cats have tentacles that wrap around you, and I doubt a domesticated cat has the power of nine men. Plus the main villain cat in this movie wasn't evil, he just needed to be neutered. I guess this is really a fine showcase of how to not take care of cats: don't treat them well and they'll lead prolitariate revolutions against you.

By the way, know what the shocking closing shot of this movie is? A kitten. Oooooooooooh!! Scary!!! My pants are drenched!!

Good Cheese
If you like cat movies like "Thomasina" or "Cat's Eye," then it is worth watching. I happened upon it several years ago, and like any "good" bad movie will, it hooked me. I just had to see what would happen, if the cats would eliminate the people, or if they would get a clue and run away. It is like watching the dumb girl in the horror film go into the basement when she should be running out the door. You just have to see if they are too dumb to make it out. I started tracking this movie down after my mom adopted a stray cat that looked (and acted at first) like the lead cat from this movie, it was a bit freaky. What I don't understand, is the price. It was a good movie, but com'on...It just doesn't make sense. My reccomendation... Rent it if you can find it, if not... well, I wouldn't spend more than $10 on it.

Suspenseful yet laugh-out-loud funny
If you're a fan of that good ol' tried and true "When Animals Attack" genre, you will looooove this one! I was just channel-surfing one day when I happened upon this gem. I'll sum it up in 3 words: THE MICROWAVE SCENE. Simply priceless. (hahaha) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

What a brilliant movie.
This movie is outstanding in every single possible way. Forest Whitaker gives one of the best performances of his life and for Kiefer Sutherland I have only two words: pure genius.

Not watching "Last Light" means missing one of the greatest movies in history. No one who has seen it, will ever forget it. "Dead Man Walking" can't even touch this.

the work of an outstanding talent!
This movie showed that Kiefer Sutherland is both an outstanding actor and a very talented director. I can't believe there haven't been more requests for his exceptional work.

One of the best movies Kiefer has done... Kiefer is the best
Last Light not only shows the remarkable acting talent of Kiefer Sutherland but also his outstanding ability to direct. Kiefer plays a remorseful prisoner on death row who is befriended by a death row prison guard. This is such a great movie and should be seen by everyone!!!!(Then again every movie that stars Kiefer is a great movie) If you like Kiefer's acting and
directing in Last Light, try watching Truth or Consequences, N.M. which also stars him and is directed by him. It's a great one too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REVIEW OF LAST LIGHT
I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE JUST ANOTHER VIOLENT PRISON MOVIE, BUT I WAS MISTAKEN. THIS MOVIE SURPIRSED ME WITH ITS DEPTH OF FEELING. THERE WAS NO VIOLENCE FOR VIOLENCE SAKE. IT WAS A THOUGHTFUL AND PENETRATING MOVIE. AFTER AWHILE, I FORGOT THAT I WAS WATCHING A KIEFER SUTHERLAND MOVIE, AND THOUGHT I WAS LOOKING INTO A WINDOW ON A SMALL PART OF THE LIFE OF A DEATH ROW PRISONER. MR. SUTHERLAND PLAYED THE CHARACTER OF DENVER BAYLISS WITH ASTONISHING SENSITIVITY. LAST LIGHT IS NOT AN EASY FILM TO WATCH, BUT IT SHOULD BE THE STANDARD BY WHICH ALL OTHER FILMS OF THIS GENRE ARE MADE. I DON'T THINK I WILL FORGET THIS PERFORMANCE OR THIS MOVIE, OR THE MESSAGE IT WAS TRYING TO CONVEY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Suspense you can stir with a spoon
If memory serves me correctly, this film was a made-for production on HBO back in 1985. The cast is top-notch, and the story plays on serial killers from the '70's and early '80's. I won't reveal the entire plot, but I will say that this is a somewhat disturbing picture to watch. Especially while alone in the dark. I recommend viewing this movie with at least another person in the room. Just make sure you know that person well, and that your telephone is off the hook...

GOOD MOVIE
I LOVED THIS MOVIE BECAUSE IT KEPT ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT. IF YOU LIKE THRILLERS AND RICHARD
WIDMARK, SEE THIS MOVIE.

BEWARE
A note of caution: This VHS is in the lousy EP mode.

"Blackout Is A Knockout!!"
Great suspense film full of twists and turns. DO NOT WATCH THIS ONE ALONE!!

It has a gimp in it.
I would have given it more stars if the gimp's on-screen time was longer ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A HEART BIG ENOUGH FOR TWO...
This is a beautifully textured film about Clara Mayfield, a Jamaican care-giver, and David Hart, the troubled young boy who is her sole charge. He is the son of Leona and Bill Hart, two self-absorbed individuals whose marriage is crumbling all around them.

Clara takes care of David and with her warm, motherly personality gives him the succor he craves, helping him with the pain of being emotionally bereft. He, in turn, loves her unconditionally and is even given to speaking patois, cementing the strong bond between them. Without his knowing it, he helps her to come to terms with her own pain and terrible secret.

Whoopi Goldberg is a wonderful actress who gives rich dimension to the role of Clara Mayfield, infusing her with an intelligence, wisdom, and warmth that is palpable. Just beneath the surface, however, one senses a tremendous desolation that becomes clear at the end, when her terrible secret is revealed. Whoopi also captures the rhythm of the lilting Jamaican accent and gets the patois down pat. It is one of her most memorable roles.

Neil Patrick Harris is terrific in the role of David, making his love for Clara believable and touching. His integration into Clara's Jamaican world is also moving, as he seeks to find a place he can truly call home. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and he even learns to speak a respectable Jamaican patois. All this, however, cannot stop his parents from claiming him in the end.

Kathleen Quinlan is excellent as the coolly detached, yuppie mother, while Michael Ontkean resonates as the ambitious and driven yuppie father. They epitomize the kind of parents who are well meaning but too self-absorbed to see the effect that their actions have on their children or that their children have emotional needs of their own that need attention.

All in all, this is a sensational movie and one in which Whoopi Goldberg leaves her mark. It is a film lovingly directed by Robert Mulligan (To Kill a Mockingbird, Up the Down Staircase, The Other) and should be seen by all discerning film lovers. Bravo!

Love Whoopi Goldberg
I am a big fan of Whoopi. I've seen just about every movie she's done. One of my favorites is this one, Clara's Heart. Very good film. I wish they had it in DVD, but before there was DVD there was VHS, so if I want it, I shouldn't really complain. But I do recommend this movie.

IT WILL BREAK YOURS...
This is a beautifully textured film about Clara Mayfield, a Jamaican care-giver, and David Hart, the troubled young boy who is her sole charge. He is the son of Leona and Bill Hart, two self-absorbed individuals whose marriage is crumbling all around them.

Clara takes care of David and with her warm, motherly personality gives him the succor he craves, helping him with the pain of being emotionally bereft. He, in turn, loves her unconditionally and is even given to speaking patois, cementing the strong bond between them. Without his knowing it, he helps her to come to terms with her own pain and terrible secret.

Whoopi Goldberg is a wonderful actress who gives rich dimension to the role of Clara Mayfield, infusing her with an intelligence, wisdom, and warmth that is palpable. Just beneath the surface, however, one senses a tremendous desolation that becomes clear at the end, when her terrible secret is revealed. Whoopi also captures the rhythm of the lilting Jamaican accent and gets the patois down pat. It is one of her most memorable roles.

Neil Patrick Harris is terrific in the role of David, making his love for Clara believable and touching. His integration into Clara's Jamaican world is also moving, as he seeks to find a place he can truly call home. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and he even learns to speak a respectable Jamaican patois. All this, however, cannot stop his parents from claiming him in the end.

Kathleen Quinlan is excellent as the coolly detached, yuppie mother, while Michael Ontkean resonates as the ambitious and driven yuppie father. They epitomize the kind of parents who are well meaning but too self-absorbed to see the effect that their actions have on their children or that their children have emotional needs of their own that need attention.

All in all, this is a sensational movie and one in which Whoopi Goldberg leaves her mark. It is a film lovingly directed by Robert Mulligan (To Kill a Mockingbird, Up the Down Staircase, The Other) and should be seen by all discerning film lovers. Bravo!

Clara's Heart
Wonderfully moving film. If someone can help me track down the music to the movie- especially the opening and closing theme. . . Absolutely moving. . . Please e-mail me at: smbbfs@aol.com

Thank you

One Of Whoopi Goldberg`s Finest Performances
The reason why l love this film so much is the performance of Academy Award-winner, Whoopi Goldberg. People tend to label her a gifted comedienne but that`s not all she is, as this film proves. In the role of Clara Mayfield, Whoopi Goldberg recaptures the spirit and beauty of her award-winning portrayal of Celie from "The Colour Purple". As l sat watching this film, l was mesmerized by her. And newcomer, Neil Patrick Harris` Golden Globe-nominated performance as David is equally powerful. The dramatic score is another plus. Sweeping notes from the piano, flute and mandolin are enchanting to listen to and they only add more beautiful textures to the film. Now that l`ve explained what l love about the actors and score, l should tell you a little bit about the story. The film is basically about Jamaican housekeeper, Clara Mayfield (Whoopi Goldberg), who comes into the life of a troubled young boy named David (Neil Patrick Harris). David is a young man caught in the middle of his parents` messy divorce. I'm sure a lot of people out there can relate to this story. Clara is the one who helps David confront his pain, and in turn the two develop a strong bond of friendship and love. I highly recommend this film which is filled with terrific performances, especially by the talented Whoopi Goldberg. This woman can make me laugh and cry. ... Read more

Reviews (104)

Lucas' Nostalgia
American Graffiti was the movie that broke George Lucas into the mainstream. The movie is based on his teenage days growing up in the early 60's in a small Northern California town. The movie starred virtual unknowns who went on to big Hollywood careers. Ron Howard was the only well known actor and the role of Steve was his first chance to play a more adult role. The film takes place over the course of one night where Mr. Howard's Steve and his best friend Curt are preparing to leave town and head off to college on the East Coast. Richard Dreyfus plays Curt and Cindy Williams plays his sister and Steve's boyfriend. Paul LeMat plays John Milner who is the cool guy in town with the fastest car around. He gets tricked into picking up the 13 year old MacKenzie Phillips and spends the night driving around with her. Charles Martin Smith plays the nerdy Terry the Toad. Steve entrusts him to watch his car while he's away. he cruises around and picks up Candy Clark and through a series of elaborate lies, gets her to park by the lake. The car is stolen, but they get it back with the help of John. The movie closes out with a drag race between John and Harrison Ford's Bob Falfa. The movie is spiced up by its soundtrack which helped bring back the 50's nostalgia that permeated the 70's. The film also introduced the infamous DJ Wolfman Jack to the country. The film is an unapologetic feel good, warm movie and its major success allowed Mr. Lucas to make another little movie by the name of Star Wars.

A classic film gets a good DVD.
George Lucas's "American Graffiti", more than any other film, captures what its like to be teetering on the brink of adulthood after school is over. Steve (Ron Howard) only wants to be with the love of his life, Laurie (Cindy Williams), but almost blows it with her completely. Her brother Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) isn't sure if he wants to leave for college. He becomes attracted to a blonde (Susanne Summers in a cameo) he briefly sees in a car, but doesn't know who she is. He winds up spending half the night with a street gang (led by Bo Hopkins). John (Paul LeMatt) loves to race cars, but ends up driving around with an underage girl (Mackenzie Phillips). Terry the Toad (Charles Martin Smith) is a nerd trying to impress a girl (Candy Clark, who earned an Oscar nomination) that he's just met. Of course, it ends in disaster. All of this is observed in a funny, heart-felt way. Memorable moments include Curt's meeting Wolfman Jack, John's ongoing fued with another racer (Harrison Ford in a small part), John and the young girl demoiishing a car with with shaving cream, and Toad's fight with the guys who stole his friend's car. George Lucas captured it all nicely with a top notch soundtrack of early rock and roll classics in the background, which enhances the period detail. Nearly the entire cast prticipates in an excellent "making of" documentary that it is included with the DVD. Lucas and producer Francis Coppola are interviewed as well. The documentary runs about 80 minutes, and everyone involved has an interesting story to tell. It also includes screen tests that were done for some of the cast. It more than makes up for tha lack of any commentary track on this DVD. This DVD is a worthy purchase for any fan of "American Graffiti".

The 'forties were even better, except '41-'45

Director: George Lucas
Format: Color
Studio: Universal Studios
Video Release Date: December 26, 2001

Cast:

Richard Dreyfuss ... Curt Henderson
Ron Howard ... Steve Bolander
Paul Le Mat ... John Milner
Charles Martin Smith ... Terry 'The Toad' Fields
Cindy Williams ... Laurie Henderson
Candy Clark ... Debbie Dunham
Mackenzie Phillips ... Carol
Wolfman Jack ... XERB disc jockey
Bo Hopkins ... Joe Young
Manuel Padilla Jr. ... Carlos
Beau Gentry ... Ants

Harrison Ford ... Bob Falfa
Jim Bohan ... Officer Holstein
Jana Bellan ... Budda
Deby Celiz ... Wendy
Lynne Marie Stewart ... Bobbie Tucker
Terence McGovern ... Mr. Bill Wolfe
Kathleen Quinlan ... Peg
Tim Crowley ... Eddie
Scott Beach ... Mr. Gordon
John Brent ... Car salesman
Gordon Analla ... Bozo
John Bracci ... Station attendant
Jody Carlson ... Girl in Studebaker
Del Close ... Guy (man at bar)
Chuck Dorsett ... Man at accident
Stephen Knox ... Kid at accident
Joe Miksak ... Man at liquor store
George Meyer ... Bum at liquor store
James Cranna ... Liquor store thief
Johnny Weissmuller Jr. ... Badass #1
William Niven ... Clerk at liquor store
Al Nalbandian ... Hank Anderson
Bob Pasaak ... Dale
Chris Pray ... Al
Susan Richardson ... Judy
Fred Ross ... Ferber
Jan Dunn ... Old woman
Charlie Murphy ... Old man
Ed Greenberg ... Kip Pullman
Lisa Herman ... Girl in Dodge
Mark Anger ... Mr. Kroot
Kay Lenz ... Jane (girl at dance)
Caprice Schmidt ... Announcer at dance
Joe Spano ... Vic
Debralee Scott ... Falfa's girl
Ron Vincent ... Jeff
Donna Wehr ... Carhop
Cam Whitman ... Balloon girl
Jan Wilson ... Girl at dance
Suzanne Somers ... Blonde in T-Bird
Warren Knight ... Herby And The Heartbeats
Sam McFadin ... Herby And The Heartbeats
Kris Moe ... Herby & the Heartbeats
Linn Phillips III ... Herby and the Heartbeats
George Robinson ... Herby & the Heartbeats saxophonist
Linda Christensen ... Girl

A classic depicting the youth of the 1950s as they would like to have been. They are sooo young! One especially good scene is where the kids chain the rear axle and differential of a parked police car to a fixed pole, the draw the cops into giving chase.

This is the story of young people who are faced with great changes--heading for college, leaving their childhood behind, giving up old relationships including "puppy love", and facing the future, with all of the pain, humor, hubris, pathos and pain that follows.

This is really a great film with, just maybe, a hint of what the 'fifties were really like.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

Alive and Well At the Dawn of Rock
Its all about the music. Nearly every song in American Graffiti has stood the test of time and established itself as classic rock. In 1962, rock n' roll was still in its formative stages. The Beatles were just a promising British pop band and The Beach Boys were still a famous garage band singing surfing songs. The 50's were a great decade for getting rock off the ground. In the mid to late 50's the emergence of Elvis as the 1st rock god established rock once and for all as the pulse of the teen generation. Rock has changed very much since then but its appeal to teens hasn't. Rock is an expression of freedom. Too mature for little kids and too edgy for mature adults. Teens have long since claimed rock as their own domain. Of course, before the 50's, teens didn't really exist. Not as they do today. Then they were just older children. From the 50's on they were the marketing target of every savvy business and businessman in America. Teens had money and freedom in a way they had never had before. They drove around, necked, went to drive-ins, ate burgers, drag raced and mostly just cruised. Amer Graffiti is a cheerful celebration of teen freedom.

Nostalgia and Fun
This piece of nostalgia is both entertaining and sentimental. Humor and emotion play an equal roll in this movie, making it heart touching to all audiences.
For those of us who are too young to have experienced the early 60s this film is the next best thing. We get to see the styles of cars, clothing, and hair as well as hear the music of the era. We get to see many of todays most recognizable faces long before they were famous. It's also fun to chuckle at how very little teenage life has actually changed.
George Lucas is a fabulous director,and the actors all deliver convincing performances. Whether you're laughing with them or feeling the sting of their heart break, we can all relate to what they're going through.
Regardless of your generation, watching this movie is sure to bring back a flood of memories of first loves and old friends. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Tautly directed and superbly photographed, this crowd-pleasing thriller from 1997 is indebted to Steven Spielberg's Duel, but more closely resembles Dead Calm in its strengths and weaknesses. Kurt Russell plays a stressed-out husband whose wife (Kathleen Quinlan) disappears after their car breaks down in the desert. Tracking her whereabouts leads to an interstate theft and kidnapping ring, and as Russell pursues--and is pursued by--a vicious redneck played to perfection by J.T. Walsh (in one of his final film roles), the movie succumbs to several tense, but utterly conventional action sequences. That doesn't stop the movie from being an above-average nail-biter. It is so effectively directed by co-writer Jonathan Mostow that even the more surreal situations seem plausible and altogether unsettling. Russell's performance is key to the film's success--he's smart enough to be admirable, and we can readily identify with his frustration, confusion, and torment. Through him, Breakdown takes on the edgy quality of a wide-awake nightmare. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Exciting and believable
A youngish couple (Kurt Russell & Kathleen Quinlan) are moving from Massachusetts to California, and somewhere in the southwestern desert, their new SUV breaks down. A friendly trucker comes along, offers help, and Quinlan accepts a ride to a nearby diner to call for help while Russell waits with the car. He gets the car started on his own, and heads to the diner. His wife is nowhere to be found, and when Russell catches up with the trucker, the trucker denies any knowledge of the knowing him or his wife.

That's the setup that takes place in the first twenty minutes or so. After that, BREAKDOWN is a thriller as Russell, a meek man driver by desparation, tries to figure out what has happened to his wife with very little evidence to go on. There are chase scenes galore.

The situation is actually quite preposterous, and gets more so as the movie goes along. The scheme that is uncovered is very elaborate, and seems like an awful lot of trouble for the culprits to go through. But Kurt Russell is so down to earth and believable, and the bad guys actually quite mundane, that the plot somehow doesn't seem totally ridiculous. The movie, obviously fairly low budget, is gritty and not too glossy. There aren't too many explosions, but there are PLENTY of cliffhangers, and because we can so readily identify with Russell's character, thanks to his convincing performance, we really feel for him and what he is going through. Situations that might seem like minor jeopardy in something more grandiose (like a DIE HARD movie, perhaps) are very tense and exciting in BREAKDOWN.

As I said, Russell is very good. It's interesting that this actor, who has been "famous" since a teen, is so convincing playing an "everyman" type. He's handsome, but not too much so, and when he runs around crazily, or is involved in a chase scene, he doesn't just suddenly develop amazing abilities. He looks scared, dirty, sweaty and ticked off. He is a man driven by shear fear for his wife, and anger. It's a convincing performance,and one of his best.

Quinlan, who understandably isn't in much of the movie, is also very good, and is a convincing match with Russell. JT Walsh, the main bad guy, is very good because he never really drops the veneer of being a regular guy,except in a couple of scenes. This was the wonderful character actor's last movie, and he left with a doozy.

This movie didn't do to well at the box office, but word of mouth has really helped it out on video. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. It is rated R, but the main reason for that is not graphic violence (there's not much blood, really) but just an occasional outburst of bad language. It's a thriller that would work well for those who don't like a lot of gore and gunplay.

Every Man's Worst Nightmare
I can't imagine anything more heartbreaking and nightmarish than someone having a loved one kidnapped or who just suddenly vanished into thin air. Not knowing anything of what happened, or what to do, is as scary and heartbreaking as can be. That's the plot to this intense and incredibly entertaining movie from 1997. Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan star as a couple on a cross country trip who run into some car trouble out in the middle of nowhere. They flag down a truck coming their way and a trucker named Red Barr(played by the great J.T. Walsh)climbs out and offers to help. He offers to drive them into town to use the phone but Russell doesn't want to leave the car. The wife goes with the trucker and he stays with the car. When he gets to the diner where they are supposed to meet, she isn't there and no one has seen her or the trucker. He spots the trucker and stops him but the trucker insists he has never laid eyes on him before in his life. Russell can't believe what he's hearing. His wife, Amy, has vanished. He is then captured by some criminals and is brought to the trucker, who seems to want Russell's money in exchange for his wife. This leads our devoted husband on a chase across the middle of nowhere in hopes of dodging the bad guys and finding his wife, if, in fact, she is still alive. I enjoy 'road thrillers' like this and "The Hitcher" and "Joy Ride". This one is wonderfully done. The idea of the husband letting his wife go off with a stranger in the middle of nowhere is downright stupid, I'll give you that, but there wouldn't of been a movie without it. This is just entertainment folks. Kurt Russell is really good in this. He is very believeable as a husband who is mortified, scared, and determined to find his wife. He jumps from all kinds of emotions and does them all so realistically. Trust me, he does, no matter what some bubblehead on the next page or so says. One of his better jobs. Then there is the great J.T. Walsh. He was one of our finest character actors. This was one of his final film roles before he died of a heart attack. What a tremendous loss. He is fantastic here. Very convincing. Quinlan has a small role, but she does the best with what she's given. All in all, "Breakdown" is a solid film worthy of your evening's entertainment.

An underated masterpiece.
Road movies are a favourite type of movie for me and "Breakdown" just has to be one of my favourites. I just came across this in the shops and I took a look at it and from what I seen on the back cover it looked great. The story is all about Jeff and Amy (played by Kurt Russell who did a great job and Katherine Quninlan) and they are on their travels on the road. But their car suddenly runs out of gas. A truck passes by and stops, he offers to give Amy a lift and to take her to a restaurant and call for a to-truck. She accepts while Jeff stays to watch the car, but he soon finds out the problem with the car and heads for the restaurant, but when he gets there Amy or the truck driver are nowhere to be found, and a huge search is on, but it gets dangerous. Filled with lots of suspense and danger, with great performances all around. It comes to a brilliant climax, were there is a car chase on the highway, which ends on a bridge. A definate road movie for those lovers or Kurt fans.

Exceptional thriller
A husband and wife (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan) suffer car trouble while driving through the deserts of the Southwest. When the wife disappears mysteriously, it is up to Russell to find and rescue her. The frightening plausibility of this scenario is often undercut by the more conventional action movie elements that creep in, but it remains a nail-biting thrill ride that kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the end. Talented character actors J.T. Walsh, M.C. Gainey, and Jack Noseworthy demonstrate that, when it comes to fear-inducing film antagonists, ghosts, monsters and aliens have nothing on a band of mean-spirited, sociopathic rednecks with sleazy motives.

It really could happen....
Yes, this is a very exciting and underappreciated movie. But what makes it differernt from Nick Of Time or Phone Booth is, it really could happen!

The reason its so easy to identify with Kurt Russell is because, as the story unfolds its all plausible. Add in good direction and believable characters and hang on! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Thanks in large part to its meticulous re-creation of the late 1960s and early 1970s rock scene and the uncannily authentic performance by Val Kilmer as legendary Doors front man Jim Morrison, Oliver Stone's hypnotic film biography is standing the test of time. Capturing the carefree mood of the Age of Aquarius, the film charts the meteoric rise of the Doors on the California club circuit (including a memorable scene showing the creation of the hit "Light My Fire"), and chronicles the band's exploits with hallucinogenics and Morrison's battles against charges of public indecency on stage. Kilmer's performance is hauntingly perfect, and performances by Meg Ryan, Kathleen Quinlan, and Kyle MacLachlan are similarly impressive. The movie doesn't fully probe the depths of Morrison's character, but as a portrait of excess it is vividly true to the spirit of the self-destructive poet known to his fans as "The Lizard King." --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (155)

Script Bad, Actor Good
The script to Oliver Stone's The Doors may not have been great, but V. Kilmer did a good job as Jim Morrison. I am a fan of Jim Morrison's writing and the Doors' music, and I think VK took Morrison on, body and spirit. A few moments in the film, in particular, are extraordinary, where his resemblance to/embodiment of Jim Morrison is uncanny... (*If you saw the movie and you're a Doors' fan, you can't have missed that.)

I agree that the soundtrack was fantastic, however maintain that Val Kilmer was the right one to play Morrison. In fact, I read that Val Kilmer was recorded singing along with Jim Morrison's voice on the last song in the film. For those who feel he was the wrong choice, go back and listen to how well he did that. I am a singer and I know what kind of work it takes to do something like that. It's hard enough to match your own voice, let alone someone else's. Credit where it's due. END

Absorbing movie - i didn't want it to end. (my only friend..
Utterly absorbing bio-pic of Jim Morrison. The name Val Kilmer is, or should be, synonymous with incredible acting that is not merely natural or convincing, but immensely fun and commanding. You may have noticed while watching his recent Wonderland - Val has the ability to make a picture. Here, he IS The Doors: The Movie. There, he WAS Wonderland. I am exaggerating, i suppose. For Oliver Stone has crafted a marvellous film which makes you feel like you've experienced what the sixties were like. Through using The Doors actual music (what was missing from the recent Sylvia, the art of the subject itself - her poetry) to help tell its story and colour its scenes, and filmic techniques to create the drug-induced world vision of Jim Morrison, Stone really takes you into the world of his movie, and the world of the sixties.

This movie made me appreciate what an exciting experience The Doors were, and has actually cultivated love in me for their music. I didn't realise they had more than one classic: Light my Fire, The End, People are Strange, Love her Madly, Break on Through to the Other Side, Riders on the Storm, Touch Me, Roadhouse Blues (Let it roll, baby roll) and probably more i'm yet to discover.

For a better recreation of what Andy Warhol's factory actually felt like, see I Shot Andy Warhol. Crispin Glover actually looks more like Andy than the guy who plays him in "I Shot," but the guy in I Shot much better captured Andy's vagueness and almost unconsciousness while in conversation. This, however, is but three minutes in the movie and has no effect on it as a whole.

Oliver Stone has an amusing cameo: a young film student, Jim Morrison, shows his short film to his class, who are uncouth and disparaging about it, after which camera pans to reveal Oliver Stone standing at the lecturn, (obviously, playing the film professor), who says: "Why don't we ask the author what he thinks?"

Flawed but Fascinating Film.
When a young man by the name of Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer), who writes Poetry and Studying Film in the University of Los Angeles. When Jim falls in love with a beautiful young woman (Meg Ryan). But then, his life slowly changes, when he decide to quit film school to be a songwriter and singer with the help of his close friend (Klye MacLachlan). Jim and his friend, together, they form a band called "The Doors" with two another members (Frank Whaley and Kevin Dillon). Which "The Doors" becomes One of the Most Sensual and Exciting Figures in the History of Rock and Roll, especially the lead singer-Morrison from the Sixties. Which the legendary outlaw, who rocked America's Consciousness-forever.

Directed by Oliver Stone (Any Given Sunday, Born on the 4th of July, The Hand) made a fascinating drama that make Stone's One of his Best Films. Kilmer is Perfectly Cast as Jim Morrison. The Supporting Cast are Terrific, including:Kathleen Quinlan and Micheal Madson. Also Rock Singer:Billy Idol, Cult Star:Crispin Glover and Film Director:Stone appears in Cameos. DVD has an sharp non-anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an digitally remastered-Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround Sound. This DVD is the Director appoved transfer for HD Televisions. DVD Feautres are only:Production Notes, Cast & Crew Bios and Theatrical Trailer. There's also a Special Edition DVD of this film also. This was a Box Office Disapointment and the only flaw in the film is Second Half, where the film slows down. The film is nicely photographed by Robert Richardson (JFK, Kill Bill Vol.1 & Vol.2, Natural Born Killers). Written by the Director:Stone and J.Randall Johnson. Panavision. Grade:A-.

"ALRIIIGGHHHTTT!!!"
This is the best rock movie ever made. Oliver Stone is the most talented filmmaker of all time. This is a film he gets less credit for, but it was very personal to him and brilliantly done. First of all, he nails the life of Jim Morrison, the story of The Doors, and the L.A. Scene (1960s) as perfectly as it can be done. It is beyond nostalgoia, it is time travel.

As great as Stone's use of Doors songs, scenery, drug use and beautiful, heavily-decorated '60s California girls is, it is Val Kilmer who does this turn its proudest. Kilmer probably gets to the core of a real person as thoroughly and realistically as any actor who ever portrayed actual folks.

Next on the agenda, you have to love Frank Whaley as Robbie Krieger and Kyle McLaughlin as a spot on, irritating Ray Manzarek. To those of us who really studied Morrison and The Doors, everything is flawless. The film also conveys the essence of the bar scene, particularly Morrison urinating at Barney's Beanery, which used to be a real rock hangout before it turned into a cafe.

The feeling watching "The Doors" switches between a longing for the romance and excitement of the rock life these people led, and revulsion for the drugs and immorality inherent within it.

Love my girl!

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
...

Fiction Not Fact
For a director who tries to show Jim Morrison as a poet who turned to philosophy and music to discover the truth about himself I have to say I am dissappointed because Oliver Stone created a drunk egoistic poser. Jim Morrison was the lizard king not a sex machine. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One from the prefab feel-good section, about the relationship between what's now called a child-care-giver (and used to be called a nanny) and the young boy she looks after. In this case, the nanny is a Jamaican named Clara, played with appropriate warmth and dialect by Whoopi Goldberg--and her charge is played by Neil Patrick Harris, who would go on to become Doogie Howser. This one is strictly for the bleeding-heart set, with Clara as the all-knowing source of wisdom in a crazy world, enabling the go-go life of her yuppie employers, while she opens their little boy's eyes to how the other half lives, even teaching him Jamaican patois. This film doesn't just tug at the heartstrings--it attempts to yank them clean out of the chest. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A HEART BIG ENOUGH FOR TWO...
This is a beautifully textured film about Clara Mayfield, a Jamaican care-giver, and David Hart, the troubled young boy who is her sole charge. He is the son of Leona and Bill Hart, two self-absorbed individuals whose marriage is crumbling all around them.

Clara takes care of David and with her warm, motherly personality gives him the succor he craves, helping him with the pain of being emotionally bereft. He, in turn, loves her unconditionally and is even given to speaking patois, cementing the strong bond between them. Without his knowing it, he helps her to come to terms with her own pain and terrible secret.

Whoopi Goldberg is a wonderful actress who gives rich dimension to the role of Clara Mayfield, infusing her with an intelligence, wisdom, and warmth that is palpable. Just beneath the surface, however, one senses a tremendous desolation that becomes clear at the end, when her terrible secret is revealed. Whoopi also captures the rhythm of the lilting Jamaican accent and gets the patois down pat. It is one of her most memorable roles.

Neil Patrick Harris is terrific in the role of David, making his love for Clara believable and touching. His integration into Clara's Jamaican world is also moving, as he seeks to find a place he can truly call home. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and he even learns to speak a respectable Jamaican patois. All this, however, cannot stop his parents from claiming him in the end.

Kathleen Quinlan is excellent as the coolly detached, yuppie mother, while Michael Ontkean resonates as the ambitious and driven yuppie father. They epitomize the kind of parents who are well meaning but too self-absorbed to see the effect that their actions have on their children or that their children have emotional needs of their own that need attention.

All in all, this is a sensational movie and one in which Whoopi Goldberg leaves her mark. It is a film lovingly directed by Robert Mulligan (To Kill a Mockingbird, Up the Down Staircase, The Other) and should be seen by all discerning film lovers. Bravo!

Love Whoopi Goldberg
I am a big fan of Whoopi. I've seen just about every movie she's done. One of my favorites is this one, Clara's Heart. Very good film. I wish they had it in DVD, but before there was DVD there was VHS, so if I want it, I shouldn't really complain. But I do recommend this movie.

IT WILL BREAK YOURS...
This is a beautifully textured film about Clara Mayfield, a Jamaican care-giver, and David Hart, the troubled young boy who is her sole charge. He is the son of Leona and Bill Hart, two self-absorbed individuals whose marriage is crumbling all around them.

Clara takes care of David and with her warm, motherly personality gives him the succor he craves, helping him with the pain of being emotionally bereft. He, in turn, loves her unconditionally and is even given to speaking patois, cementing the strong bond between them. Without his knowing it, he helps her to come to terms with her own pain and terrible secret.

Whoopi Goldberg is a wonderful actress who gives rich dimension to the role of Clara Mayfield, infusing her with an intelligence, wisdom, and warmth that is palpable. Just beneath the surface, however, one senses a tremendous desolation that becomes clear at the end, when her terrible secret is revealed. Whoopi also captures the rhythm of the lilting Jamaican accent and gets the patois down pat. It is one of her most memorable roles.

Neil Patrick Harris is terrific in the role of David, making his love for Clara believable and touching. His integration into Clara's Jamaican world is also moving, as he seeks to find a place he can truly call home. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and he even learns to speak a respectable Jamaican patois. All this, however, cannot stop his parents from claiming him in the end.

Kathleen Quinlan is excellent as the coolly detached, yuppie mother, while Michael Ontkean resonates as the ambitious and driven yuppie father. They epitomize the kind of parents who are well meaning but too self-absorbed to see the effect that their actions have on their children or that their children have emotional needs of their own that need attention.

All in all, this is a sensational movie and one in which Whoopi Goldberg leaves her mark. It is a film lovingly directed by Robert Mulligan (To Kill a Mockingbird, Up the Down Staircase, The Other) and should be seen by all discerning film lovers. Bravo!

Clara's Heart
Wonderfully moving film. If someone can help me track down the music to the movie- especially the opening and closing theme. . . Absolutely moving. . . Please e-mail me at: smbbfs@aol.com

Thank you

One Of Whoopi Goldberg`s Finest Performances
The reason why l love this film so much is the performance of Academy Award-winner, Whoopi Goldberg. People tend to label her a gifted comedienne but that`s not all she is, as this film proves. In the role of Clara Mayfield, Whoopi Goldberg recaptures the spirit and beauty of her award-winning portrayal of Celie from "The Colour Purple". As l sat watching this film, l was mesmerized by her. And newcomer, Neil Patrick Harris` Golden Globe-nominated performance as David is equally powerful. The dramatic score is another plus. Sweeping notes from the piano, flute and mandolin are enchanting to listen to and they only add more beautiful textures to the film. Now that l`ve explained what l love about the actors and score, l should tell you a little bit about the story. The film is basically about Jamaican housekeeper, Clara Mayfield (Whoopi Goldberg), who comes into the life of a troubled young boy named David (Neil Patrick Harris). David is a young man caught in the middle of his parents` messy divorce. I'm sure a lot of people out there can relate to this story. Clara is the one who helps David confront his pain, and in turn the two develop a strong bond of friendship and love. I highly recommend this film which is filled with terrific performances, especially by the talented Whoopi Goldberg. This woman can make me laugh and cry. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lawrence Fishburne and Sam Neill head up a strong cast as the reluctant leaders of a rescue mission sent to find out just what in the hell (literally) happened to the crew of a long-vanished experimental spacecraft in this dark and thundering descent of a horror film. Although this extremely stylish haunted spaceship movie may be guilty of ripping off half a dozen better films (including Don't Look Now, Hellraiser, and especially Andrei Tarkovsky's great Solaris), it's difficult to deny the gothic razorblade effectiveness of the end result. Not a "fun" film by any stretch of the imagination, but a thrillingly ruthless shocker that may leave more susceptible viewers in need of a long shower and a high-voltage night-light. For the full effect, watch it with all the lights off and the volume cranked up to 11. --Andrew Wright ... Read more

Reviews (315)

An flawed, trashy but a worth seeing Sci-Fi Thriller.
Years earlier, a man (Sam Neill), who created a State-Of-The-Art Interstellar Pioneering Research Vessel named Event Horizon. The Ship has disappear for Seven Years vanished without a Trace. Now the year is 2047, the Ship has been found. A Fearless Captain (Laurence Fishburne) and his elite crew (Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson, Richard T. Jones, Jack Noseworthy, Jason Isaacs & Sean Pertwee) go on a Rescue Mission is launched to Neptune go get the ship back with them but as they go along with the Event Horizon has been Connected to the Black Hole and they are not ready to ensnare them in a New Dimension of Unimaginable Fear.

Directed by Paul Anderson (Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil, Soldier) made a unusual Horror Thriller set in Space. The film is not entierly successful (it was a huge Box Office disappointment) but it does pays tribute to another films like The Black Hole, The Shining and another Horror/Supernatural/Sci-Fi Thrillers. The film has some Intense Horror Scenes (Which Paul Anderson has forced to cut out 20 Minutes to make this film an R-Rating). DVD has an terrific non-anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Excellent Production Desings, Visual Effetcs & Make-Up Effects makes this a Must See. Neill is Terrific is this and so is the Cast. Panavision. Grade:A-.

Almost Painful to Watch
During a glut of movie watching, I happened to watch Event Horizon. I cannot recommend this movie even to those who like cheesy ghost stories.

The Event Horizon, mankind's first attempt at a faster than light ship has suddenly appeared in orbit around Neptune. A rescue crew and the ship's designer head out to investigate. While attempting to dock with the massive ship, the rescue vessel is damaged and needs to be repaired. Lack of air forces the crew onto the derelict.

As the crew investigates the mystery of the returned ship, individual members begin to be haunted by their deepest fears. Somewhere along the line the ship's creator becomes possesses and tries to prevent the others from leaving.

This movie was intended as a subtle ghost story. The beginning is pretty good but soon it becomes apparent that the movie makers are just not used to subtle. Visually the movie loses the story line as special effects become more pronounced than required. I guess that midway through the film they tried to recreate the film Alien and failed.

Despite all of the bad points, there is actually some good acting to be found on screen. Unlike most science fiction and horror films the rescue crew behave cautiously and intelligently. Unfortunately they were up against something much too powerful.

What we they up against? Well, when the ship went on its maiden voyage and punched a gateway through space, it traveled briefly in something that is outside space and time. A region of perfect chaos that most would call Hell. During that brief encounter the ship became alive and the gateway was not completely shut.

So, if someone happens to be showing a video of this film (free of charge) then you might want to take a look. After all, the premise and the acting were good, it was just off the mark. Way off.

Required: Lights on, people with you, and a blunt weapon
This movie is absolutely terrifying. When I say terrifying, I don't mean moronic slasher-movie suspense scary, I mean that when I saw this in the movie theater, I cried because I was so frightened. (I was 11, but I'm pretty sure that if I could watch more than five minutes at a time, I would cry now too.) Just thinking about the movie gives me the creeps; it's just one suspicious noise after another, and only the most hardcore horror movie afficionado wouldn't be freaked.

A logical part of my mind knows that we are scared of what our own minds imagine as threats (after all, having a literal ton of blood dumped on Kathleen Quinlan is more ridiculous than scary), and that we are simply fooled by the gory imagery into thinking of every possible terror that could be lurking in the shadows. I warn all viewers, thinking about this movie logically is not an option; it plays to our most basic fears of the unknown and, of course, Hell in Space (a popular theme with the horror genre, including such "classics" as Alien and Jason X).

Knowing that it is not physically possible for such a universe-piercing machine to exist (even such a handsomely designed machine) doesn't lessen the terror, because every instant is fraught with tension, so there's no time to think about anything. Even the relatively calm beginning is nerve-wracking, because we've all seen horror movies, so we know what to expect, and we react preemptively.

In truth, it's not a very good movie (for a normal movie, I would barely give it two stars).

It has a killer cast: Sam Neill (Jurassic Park), Lawrence Fishburne (Othello), Jason Isaacs (The Patriot), to name a few; but the plot is convoluted, complicated, and utterly unbelievable.

I can't believe this movie gave me nightmares for three days, and I can't believe that I would give it a four-star rating, but someone who buys Event Horizon isn't buying it for noteworthy dialogue or originality; they are buying it for the terror factor, and in that case, I must concede that it is the scariest movie I've ever seen (and while my imagination makes me easily drawn in by these movies, Event Horizon goes above and beyond everything else).

In conclusion, Event Horizon is to be missed by anyone other than die-hard horror fans and masochists. But to them, I say, enjoy and may you never be caught in such a situation as the characters.

You have to watch the movie THIS way!
It is possible to fairly give this movie five stars if 1) your primary criterion is the "fright factor," and 2) you watch the movie a certain way. I picked this movie out at the video store on a whim one night when my wife was out of town and I was home by myself. It was well after dark when I started watching it and if memory serves it may have been a stormy night. Half way into the movie I was checking behind the couch for the boogeyman (like I hadn't done since I was a kid) and whipping my head around at the tiniest creak and pop in the house timbers. By the time the end credits started to roll I had slid off the couch onto the floor and was peeking over a pillow I had hugged to my face. I was 100% freaked out by this movie! (The next day when my wife got home I made her watch it with me.) To this day it remains the standard against which I measure every other scary movie I watch and none has yet come close. So if you really want to take a ride on the ol' terror train, watch "Event Horizon" late at night by yourself sometime. If you're an adrenalin junky who has never seen this flick, I promise you'll be gratified!

Save your money
Note that this review is only of the movie, sorry that I don't have info on the DVD features.

Plot: a top secret mission to recover a ship that has been lost for seven years. The twist: the ship to be recovered was an experiment that consisted of trying to make a worm-hole in space-time (basically squish space together to get through it faster), and the experiment had already gone through the experiment once with its previous crew, which are now all dead. This was a great start to a science-fiction movie, but then the actors opened their mouths and there is all this talk about "the ship is alive" because something in another dimension came back with it from its previous trip with the now dead crew... I wasted my time watching this movie, you don't need to as well!

Basically this movie runs from science-fiction to science-junk. Most of the characters become annoying because there was no depth to the script. I can't even recall the number of times that an actor/actress woke up from one of the scary parts in the movie (yes, this was used repeatedly). LAME!!! The scare-and-wake-up method should be used at most once in a movie, not repeatedly! Because the writers used that method so many times, it certainly tells me that they didn't have the creativity and mindset to make a good plot and script for the movie (which they didn't). The writer's were using that as filler for time to extend the length of the movie because they had nothing better to write.

Paying to see this movie is basically giving money to Hollywood for wasting your life...don't watch it. If you must watch it, borrow it from a friend. ... Read more

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Too bland for any kid over age 7, Zeus and Roxanne is one of those utterly formulaic family movies that is so harmless it could put even younger kids to sleep. It's really about a cute dog (Zeus) who develops a fun-filled friendship with a clever dolphin (Roxanne) along the tropical coasts of the Bahamas. Zeus's owner is a kid whose bachelor father (Steve Guttenberg) is trying to compose a rock opera, and Roxanne is being lovingly studied by a single marine biologist (Kathleen Quinlan) who's got two young daughters. In true Brady Bunch fashion, they all get together to form a family, but there's danger afoot when another scientist threatens to use Roxanne for unfriendly research. There's plenty of surf and sun to go with this save-the-dolphin sentiment, so Zeus and Roxanne score a few points for being good-natured and adorable. Whether any kid will