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Disney continues to "sequelize" its classic features. With smart foresight,the filmmakers choose to go with three snappy short films to comprise this 73-minutefeature with the Fairy Godmother granting wishes to various characters. In the openingshort, Cinderella must pursue life as queen. Several feathers are ruffled as she brings herdown-home ways to the castle (bring the commoners in and open those darn curtains). Inthe other tales, one of Cinderella's animal pals receives a chance to see the world quitedifferently, and finally, Anastasia, Cinderella's formerly evil stepsister, finds love with alittle help. As with the other sequels, the look of the film helps bridge the distance betweenthe original and the sequel (here over 50 years) and it comes together seamlessly. Little onesfrom ages 4 to 9 should be entertained while purists may be a bit aghast. --DougThomas ... Read more

Reviews (132)

Be Fair: This is one of the few good sequals!
A traditionally animated Disney sequal has not been this good since "The Lion King II." I CANNOT believe it has gotten so many bad reviews. I mean, if you're looking for a movie to rightfully call dumb, lame, boring, and uninspired, I say, review "Peter Pan II." That surprised me unpleasantly as well with so many good ratings. "Cinderella II" is funny, cute, entertaining, and though not exceptionally original, it has very catchy songs. (Even though I usually detest pop and admit that pop does not suit Cinderella.) As for the statement that Lucifer was killed in the first movie, I have this to say: What planet are you from?!?!?!?! What Cinderella have you been seeing?!?!?!? Nothing could be farther from the truth. Do you think Disney would have killed that cat? And HOW did he die, pray tell? He didn't. Yoish. Glad to have cleared that up. Now, admittedly, there are a few things that could have been improved in this film. First of all, the Prince is despicable. He doesn't seem to care a thing for Cinderella. He was probably off fooling around with someone else in the first story. And he looks and sounds like every other Disney prince. But he serves as a person to make fun of, so it's not a total loss. And the king was so interested in grandchildren in the first movie. Here he never mentions it once. But despite small things like that, the movie (or series of separate, tied-together plots, which is not a problem, as I see it) is really good. It moves quickly and doesn't drag out. Fat people are made fun of a little, but there is other humor too, including some you have to be creative to find. I pause parts and watch them in slow motion and they look hysterical. Try the king flying through the air or the cat jumping on Sir Hugh. I watched this with several friends and family members and they all found funny things. My one friend thought Mary said "Shut up! That was so brave!" instead of "Jaq! That was so brave!" Now that's as inside joke with us. And we like the part where Prudence goes "Hyah!" when she gets yanked out of a conversation. It's so funny. The voice acting in this movie is terrific, especially considering there is nothing but a bunch of nobody's in Return to Never Land. Just as a comparison. Indeed, there are a few unanswered questions. What is it like being married to the Prince? We hardly see him. He has no opinions, no personality, no depth. Why does Anastasia all of a sudden just fall in love with a nice but overall unattractive baker? Anyway, people shouldn't be so harsh when rating this movie. They liked the romance from the first one. Well, this movie has double it. Almost everyone gets paired up. So I like Cinderella II. I absolutely knew I was going to hate it before it came out; I was prepared to hate it. I mean, a sequal to Cinderella? It seemed so wrong. Well, it just goes to show you. I was wrong.

Blargh
Another one?

I saw this on Disney's cartoon channel. (Toon Disney?) And I was so very glad I had not invested any money in purchasing or renting it. It felt cheap, corny, and just wrong. Why did this film need to be *made*?

The film was really three different stories - and I felt that each one added very little to the Cinderella story at all. The fairy godmother is just now apparently everyone's fairy godmother. Even the mouse!

While some younger girls I know liked the film, they agreed it wasn't up to the standard of the orginal stories. Frankly, Walt Disney would be sick. Why he isn't haunting the heck out of the company's higher-ups, I'll never know.

Don't bother with this one.

I don't know...
Which was a bigger crime against childhood: Making this movie at all, or deciding to charge $26 for it

The movie, if you can call it that, is actually a series of vignettes told by the mice of all people. Only one is specifically about Cinderella, one is mainly about Jaque the mouse, and one is about Anastasia the formerly evil stepsister.

The one about Cinderella is first and within the first 3 minutes, Prince Charming leaves on business, leaving Cinderella to the "domestic" task of planning some party with some crabby lady who's always done it before to teach her how things are done in the palace. Cinderella is completely unable to take on the "princess role" grows tired of this and decides to do it her own way, which is of course infinitely more fun than the royal way.

In the second the fairy godmother (who apparently grants wishes to mice now) turns Jaques into a human because he wants to be able to help her. He is, of course, still afraid of PomPom the castle cat. Turns out he likes being a mouse. Then there is this totally contrived situation where the king is clinging to a rampaging elephant that can only be stopped by, you guessed it, a mouse. Jaques is turned back into a mouse and saves the day.

The third short is about Anastasia who falls in love with the baker. Stepmother hates this of course, but with two or three words of encouragement Anastasia stands up to mom and invites the Baker to the ball.

I understand the desire to have Cinderella do something other than get rescued by falling in love with a prince, but geez, put an ounce of effort into it!

The "plot" in this "movie" is the only thing worse than the animation, which is not any better than the original Cinderella, and might in fact be worse.

I know, I'm an adult, and clearly not the target market for this "movie". My daughter is though. This is the child that sat through all of Monsters Inc at age 16 months, not to mention all the other original disney flicks. She's 3 now, and even 1 week after a trip to Disneyland, which solidified her obsession with Cinderella, she loses interest in the movie after 30-40 minutes.

If your little one MUST see it, rent it from Blockbuster for $1. Or better yet, from the library for FREE. Don't waste hard earned cash on this junk.

Strictly for little kids
My 3 year old LOVES this movie. She loves all things Princess, but the original Cinderella has too many scary parts (same goes for Snow White, Aladin, and Beauty and the Beast). This isn't a movie you'll want to sit and watch, but for little ones who want to see princesses without villians, it's perfect.

My 2 year old love it!
After being terrorized by Snow white and Sleeping Beauty, my daughter really loves this one. It is simple, cute, and she understands what is happening. I am surprise about the negative reviews, I think this one is a Disney movie really for kids, the best thing is that my little one does not have nightmares. ... Read more

Reviews (482)

Gentlemen prefer blondes
If there were 1/2 ratings, I would have granted an extra half-star if only for the moxie and flair for fun acting that Reese Witherspoon displays in Legally Blonde. An absurd storyline is carried by the actress in a script that fits Ms. Reese tighter than the designer outfits made into a running joke in the film.

Though ably directed and acted by a supporting cast including Luke Wilson and a chihuahua, 5 star storyline it is not. This movie is for fun, not for keeps. Yet, as weak as the foundation may be in Legally Blonde, I found myself smiling at the antics of Elle Woods (Reese W.), a grown up version of Alicia Silverstone's Clueless character. The sorority depictions were frightenly parallel to the one's I recall in college, which only made the stereotype more humourous. And Elle's college entrance video submitted to the Harvard Admission Committee makes the film almost worthwhile on its own.

Men, be not afraid to rent this film with your girlfriend, wife, or boyfriend. Whatever your fancy, Legally Blonde has enough tom-foolery of the collegiate level to keep you laughing. Women, you will only solidify your stature as the significant other who can pick out a movie even your Marine Corp. boytoy will enjoy.

fun despite the weak idea
Reese Witherspoon is Elle Woods, a blonde and beautiful if slightly ditzy college senior whose life is turned upside-down when her rich boyfriend Warner Kensington the Third (Matt Davis) dumps her. With her daddy's plastic, a bottomless wardrobe and a college career based on "Fashion History" Elle is something of a Barbie Doll come to cruel life. Getting into Harvard Law School, and having a promising future ahead of him, Warner sees himself as a future JFK, and JFK isn't supposed to choose Marilyn over Jackie O. Convinced that she still has a chance, Elle pulls out all the stops and manages to crack into the freshman class at school where she sticks out like a sore (and poorly accessorized thumb). Making no friends, and confirming every dumb blonde stereotype ever conceived, Elle is ruthlessly victimized by her seemingly smarter and insecure classmates. Elle wouldn't make it past her first day if not for her inexplicable capacity to dig out the common sense buried under the heady legal theory. Instead, she sort of prospers becoming a success story and more mature person while still being the same cute Elle that only Reese Witherspoon can create.

It's a thin plot, and the tacked criminal trial added at the end seems an excuse to keep a lame idea going, but it works because, like Elle, the script has an endless reservoir of pluck and manages some cute tricks of its own. The dim homilies guiding Elle's sorority lifestyle are bound by a fierce sense of loyalty (people who exercise can't kill people - the endorphins make them too happy), one that the script remains true to. In the end, Elle wins her case because of her loyalty to an accused killer and former sorority sister, one that you'd never think twice about doubting. Neither seem to deserve the attention or loyalty, but manage to win the case anyway. See it if only for Reese Witherspoon.

A film for girls everywhere
I was expecting this movie to be full of dumb blonde jokes, but was pleasantly surprised. Considering I'm naturally dark, and dye my hair as dark as possible, I'm never gonna be blonde, and it probably wouldn't suit me. But I do have what people would call my "blonde moments" where I say/do something stupid. I don't see why brunettes can't be labelled a bit daft at times too! Cos I definitely am!

This movie is carried by a strong cast: Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Stifler's Mom from American Pie, Ali Larter, Thomas Andrews from Titanic, and many more! My faves out of the cast have to be Ali Larter and Stifler's Mom! They stole the movie out from underneath Reese Witherspoon.

What is amazing about this movie, is the sheer amount of time spent on Reese's hair (which looks suspiciously like extensions). Throughout the movie, she has a mere 40 different hairstyles, which sometimes feels like a different hairstyle for each scene of the movie. Reese also wears a lot of different clothes for each scene, a lot of them with something pink in them, which she all got to KEEP after this was finished shooting! Free clothes, alright for some!

Once again, Selma Blair comes across as a bit of an ice queen in her role as Vivian, but you'll be glad to hear, the ice melts before the end of the movie!

What didn't I see coming in this movie? What Victor Garber's character really turns out to be. And trust me, he's not as nice in this, as he was in Titanic.

There is a sequel too, which I'm sure I'll manage to get my hands on eventually. And Stifler's Mom comes back for that too! That's how good her role is! But this is basically a feel good movie, which shows you don't need to change for anybody.

Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde DVD ~ Reese Witherspoon is a funny movie without any real social pretense. Witherspoon is awesome in her depiction of the felmale lawyer in stiletto heals and super feminine approach to life. More women should be like her...

Hilarious comedy!
This movie is one of my favorites. It's a fish-out-of-water comedy about a feminine, ditzy (but actually quite smart) sorority girl, Elle Woods (Witherspoon), who goes to Harvard Law School to get her boyfriend back. She ends up realizing that she's a lot smarter than people give her credit for, and succeeding beyond everyone's expectations including her own. The movie is hilarious the whole way through, and Witherspoon plays her part just perfectly. This is also one of those movies, at least for me, that you can watch over and over again and not get tired of it. I recommend everyone who enjoys comedy to watch this! ... Read more

Description

The coolest SPYkids anywhere are back for a huge new adventure! This time, Carmen and Juni are on a mission to recover a device that threatens the entire world! They enlist the skills of Mom and Dad (Carla Gugino and Antonio Banderas) -- and even their SPY grandparents (Holland Taylor and Ricardo Montalban) -- in a thrilling show of family teamwork! With even more cool gadgets, imaginative creatures, and awesome special effects ... it's a nonstop high-tech adventure for everyone! ... Read more

Reviews (76)

Spy Kids 2, better that the 1st
As a teenager I usually don't have a thing for movies like this but I definetly liked this one. I ended up taking my little sister to see it but I ended up liking it more than her. Yes, some parts are cheesy (like when the little spy boy ballet dances with the presidents daughter), but there aren't that many moments like that. They also have 2 new characters. Gerti (who is played by Haley Joel Osments sister) is a cool gal and her brother Gary (Matt O'Leary) is gorgeous! I think that's why I liked the movie so much. He's a great actor and a major hottie! The movie itself is WAY better that the first too. The islands got some cool animals too, the "catfish" is cute but i found the "spider monkey" a little disturbing looking. If that thing was my pet I'd be a little scared! I don't want to give the movie away but DEFINETLY WATCH IT!

We¿ve Got A Franchise!!
"Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams" is another in a line of great sequels to great movies. Overall, if you enjoyed the first film you'll be very pleased in the next installment in this "Bond for Kids" comedy/adventure series!!

THE STORY:

Carmen and Juni Cortez (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara) are back in a bigger and wilder adventure than before. This time the Cortez siblings are locked in a dead heat to get to the bottom of a mystery concealed by a remote and mysterious island before a rival team of Spy Kids beat them to the punch.

THE COOL THINGS:

The "Island of Lost Dreams" expands upon the Spy Kids world tenfold as we are introduced to the entire Spy Kids organization including its hierarchies and ultra-cool weapons. The "monsters" in this installment are also more formidable looking (mutated/spliced animals) as compared to the comical mutated humans from the first movie. We also get introduced to the extended Cortez family tree as Ingrid's parents gain a supporting role. In all, seeing the competing Spy Kids and the newer and cooler weapons made this movie more enjoyable.

BEST SCENES:

1. The Monster Duel

2. Popstars Carmen and Juni!!! (HILARIOUS!!!)

3. Battle at OSS

THE VERDICT:

Spy Kids was generally regarded as a good, solid movie not only for kids and families, but anyone in general. It was fun, entertaining and all around enjoyable. Summed in a nutshell, Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams is even better!!!

Highly Recommended

A PRETTY GOOD MOVIE!
IT WAS PRETTY GOOD!I LIKED THE FIRST ONE BETTER,BUT THIS ONE WAS REAL COOL TOO!THE ACTORS ARE REAL GOOD WHEN THE`RE PLAYING AS THESE PEOPLE!

Great Movie
I enjoyed Spy Kids 2 a lot. I have Spy Kids and it was alright. I watched 3-D in theatres and thought it was crappy. Today I watched Spy Kids 2 and I loved it it's a funny movie full of action. I highly recommend it.

Better than the original but much less like 007
Spy Kids was a lot like James Bond, only for kids. Sure, the gadgets were a little wacky, as was the plot, and the lines weren't super (they should have included some double entendres, that would have been a laugh), but it was good. This, however, shows the franchise is veering into fantasy. And from what I hear about Spy Kids 3D: Game Over, the James Bond similarity seems to be over. If you want James Bond, see Agent Cody Banks, XXX, or the real thing, Die Another Day.
Kids, however, will not make a Venn diagram between Bond and Spy Kids, primarily because they've never watched 007 ask for a vodka martini, shaken not stirred. This movie is heavy on stars ( Antonio Banderas, Ricardo Montalban) but it never feels like, say, Hook.
Two spies have no choice but to let their children, Carmen and Juni, become junior agents. The movie starts out, oddly enough, with a not-so-irrelevant action sequence.
At an OSS meeting, something fishy is going on already. The President, whose daughter was rescued by Juni, is carrying some sort of technological wonder called the Transmooker device (nice name, what's it mean?). It is promptly stolen by the champagne waiters, who disappear by being magnetically sucked to a UFO. Juni is claimed responsible by Gary, the snobby son of the president of the OSS. Gary also has a relationship with Carmen.
Gary and his younger sister Gerti are sent on a mission to recover the Transmooker device, but Juni and Carmen beat them to it. When they get to the island, however, their gadgets do not work... Poor Carmen without her cell phone. Soon they find out about the genetic experiments of a scientist that roam the island, which are pretty big. Picture a lizard with a twenty-foot neck. Yep, they're big. The president of the OSS, however, soon wants the Transmooker device for himself, and things get complicated fast.
The casting could use a little change. Alan Cummings, although his role is tiny in this movie, should have been replaced by Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey played a (kinda) normal guy in Batman Forever, and as a scientist and entrepreneur he wasn't completely wacky. It would take some work, but Robin Williams could do the scientist. That might need a bigger budget, though, so scratch Robin Williams.
This movie doesn't feel so much like a Nickolodeon flick, though, which is an accomplishment. Still, if your child likes the show, they'll like this. Heck, your child will like this no matter what. Take 'em to it. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Contact) had a hit with this 1984 comedy that first teamed Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito. Turner steals the show from the guys, however, playing a pushy romance novelist who gets stuck among some dangerous figures in Colombia and has only a rumpled guide (Michael Douglas) as an ally. The chemistry between the stars is infectious (the trio went on to make a sequel, Jewel of the Nile, and then an interesting, dark comedy directed by DeVito, The War of the Roses). Zemeckis--whose specialty at the time was creating set pieces of raucous action (as in his Back to the Future)--keeps things hopping with lots of kinetic material. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Neither Good Nor Bad
ROMANCING THE STONE could be seen as the poor man's Indiana Jones movie. It's short on snappy dialogue, coherent plot and memorable characters.

Essentially this is a vehicle for Douglas as rough and ready Jack Colton, and Turner to show her versatility as Joan Wilder, the novelist who sheds her loner image and eventually becomes a heroine. Danny DeVito crops up as a slimy rival to the duo's quest, but his part is overplayed and underwritten.

The story as it is revolves around Wilder going to Columbia to rescue her kidnapped sister. This leads her into a journey of adventure to recover a fabled jewel with adventurer Colton. An almost sinister kidnapping becomes a farcical adventure comedy: I found the switching in tone of this movie at times confusing, and at other times far too blunt.

Whilst ROMANCING THE STONE is not a movie that will leave any lasting impression on you, it is passable as entertainment - saved as it is by the one thing that causes it so many problems: the reliance on the Turner-Douglas on-screen relationship to carry it through.

On A Par With Indiana Jones Movies
Without even looking at other reviews, I'm sure I'm the first to draw this parallel.

*uses pliers to remove tongue from cheek*

Romancing the Stone jumped in to ride the wave of adventure movie semi-fanaticism spawned by the Indiana Jones movies, but gave us a more comedic villain in Danny DeVito; a less indomitable and less scrupulous hero in Michael Douglas; more pratfalls, and a stronger, less nice, more sultry heroine in Kathleen Turner.

There are several things that make this a five-star adventure movie. The action and the pace are great; there is a moderately complex plot; the special effects, while less than what you see in an Indy movie, are well-done; the music is rousing, and the scenery/setting is gorgeous. But, what I see as setting this film apart is the same factor I've noticed in most of my favorite films: the actors appear to be having the times of their lives playing their parts to the utmost. They seem to be enjoying being their absolute most in their parts, and their enthusiatic spills off the screen and flows through the room.

If you are a fan of adventure movies, you should see this one.

Romantic Comedy Adventure: Turner And Douglas
This 1984 film was the first that brought together the incredible on-screen chemistry of Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas. The film, a romantic and comic version of the Indiana Jones films, involves a romance novelist (Kathleen T) and how she gets wrapped up in a hunt for a rare and valuable diamond. As her love interest and her partner in the search is Michael Douglas. At first, the two don't get along very well. Their fighting and bickering as well as game-playing (they each plan to dump the other and take the diamond for themselves) is only an overture to the subsequent romance and passion that overwhelms them. At the end of the movie, they are on a boat on top of a car in New York City headed for a romantic world travel adventure.

This movie also stars Danny Devito (this team- Turner, Douglas and Da Vito would later make War Of The Roses which was a darker comedy about a nightmare divorce). Danny DeVito is hilarious as he is a shlemiel. The location was shot in South America, specifically Columbia, and the lush scenes of photographic landscapes - jungles, rivers, waterfalls, rapids and villages, make this a very engaging adventure story. Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas are really great together and it is the real salvation of the movie. For Turner's character, her life becomes an adventure and a romance as any of the novels she has written. Highly enjoyable, very comedic and never aging, this movie is a welcome fill for any space in your DVD collection. On DVD, it's even better. Greater color and sound, picture quality and bonus feature such as insight on the film, the actors and commentary.

Jewls For Romance
This is the story of a romance writer, who needs a romance. It's a silly story but fun none the less. It's a chick flick I guess but it's fun.

Great casting
Who knew that Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas would turn out to be such a super casting duo? And then add Danny DeVito to the mix as the inept, addled wannabe villain, and you've got an instant winner. The story line revolves around a romance novelist (Turner) accidentally gone astray in Colombia. Douglas is her opportunistic rescuer/ally, and the pratfalls and plot twists keep coming fast enough to keep an audience on the edge of their seats. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Sublime and Vastly Underrated
The fact that To Do For is not more highly regarded is a mystery to me. It only garners a 6.7 on IMDB.com. All of the ingredients were there, an incredible and gifted director in Gus Van Sant, what I consider to be Nicole Kidman's finest performance, a wicked and not just satirical script and an excellent supporting cast.

Of particular note is Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Jimmy Emmet, the typical high school metal head loser who becomes obsessed with Kidman's evil character, Suzanne Stone-Maretto. Phoenix is a gifted actor with a wide pallet to choose from. Contrast this performance with the job he does of playing The Abbe in Quills. It makes his role in To Die For all the stronger. Allison Folland is also a standout in her debut performance as Jimmy's pathetic friend Lydia Mertz. Together with Casey Affleck as Russel, the three unwittingly become assassins for the callous Mrs. Stone. The story is built up very effectively, and as a viewer there is never any doubt that these three "dorky" kids will pull the murder off.

Also magnificent and lending strong supporting roles are Dan Hedaya and Illeana Douglas who play Larry Maretto's father and sister, respectively. The part of Larry is played with near perfect un-bravado by Matt Dillon, who does so without his usual pomp and bluster. Basically, Larry is the perfect everyman trying to do right by his new wife and family [....]Hedaya is perfectly cast and uses his natural menacing qualities quite well. My favorite though, is Janice Moretto, Larry's sister played by Douglas, who is the only character who sees Suzanne for what she really is. The dancing on the grave ice-skating bit at the end is also really well done. Douglas doesn't fall once.

Hats off to Van Sant for a creating a satirical masterpiece that contains enough side elements to hold the viewers attention through more than one viewing. For instance, what exactly is Suzanne's relationship with her father? Also, the fact that Janice is most likely gay and this might be why she understands Suzanne so well. Cudos as well to the director for the style he employed, blurring the line between film and documentary. Some people have argued to me that To Die For contains too many cuts and flashbacks and consequently the viewer has a difficult time following the action. I do not find that to be true. Quite the opposite, I find the film to be compelling. Even after at least five viewings, To Die For firmly holds my attention throughout.

The Perfect Film for a Celebrity-Obsessed Culture
"To Die For" is a great little gem of a movie that, in my opinion, ranks as one of the best dark comedies of the last decade. Nicole Kidman, in what is probably her finest performance to date, is stunning as Suzanne "Stone" - her real name is Maretto - a completely self-absorbed, amoral, and utterly ruthless young woman who will let nothing stand in the way of her obtaining her goal of being a "television star". The film is shot in the style of a slightly wacky TV documentary, which only adds to the fun, as we see the "post-tragedy" interviews with those who were involved with the late Miss Stone. Stone is an attractive but cold-blooded blonde in a small New England town who is desperate to become a national celebrity on a national TV News Network. As proof of her warped psyche, she tells the audience "You're a nobody if you're not on TV" - which unfortunately does seem to accurately describe the feelings of many people these days. She's also determined to move up the social ladder in her little town, and so as the film begins she seduces and marries the handsome quarterback of the high school football team (Matt Dillon), the most popular boy in town. Dillon's sister despises Suzanne and sees right through her facade, but Dillon is so entranced he doesn't listen. Dillon goes on to work in his father's pizzeria, but Suzanne obtains a job as the weather forecaster for the local rinky-dink TV station, and begins to have dreams of glory. One of the darkly funny aspects of this film is that for all of Suzanne's scheming and ruthlessness she's not very bright, and her attempts to sound and act "sophisticated" are often hilariously inept. When her faithful but old-fashioned hubby tells her to quit her job and help him with the family business, she decides he's "impeding" her career and that she'll have to kill him. So she seduces an underage teenage geek (hilariously played by a very young Joaquin Phoenix), has a torrid sexual affair with him, and then convinces him to murder her hubby. At first she uses the shock of the murder to obtain further publicity - "you've got to think of your career first" - from the local and state media. Unfortunately, her underage love affair is discovered and she is ruined. Ever undaunted, she begins plotting her comeback, but Dillon's family (they are Italian), has a little surprise planned for their murderous in-law. Kidman's performance is dead-on - she plays Stone as a parody of the type of person who will do ANYTHING - even murder - to get on TV and become "somebody". The supporting cast is also excellent. The most troubling part of this film is that it was loosely based on a real story - an attractive New Hampshire schoolteacher who by most appearances had everything seduced a fifteen-year-old student and convinced him to kill her husband - apparently so she could leave her hometown and try to become "famous" in the big city. "To Die For" may seem like a delicious but improbable story - but it's really not all that far from today's news headlines. Ouch!

Not bad because of Joaquin
This movie is not bad but it's not that great either. I always like Nicole Kidman, with or without Tom Cruise. But what I really like about this movie is Joaquin Phoenix' acting. Call me at 156-38-3461.

not the worse film or acting...
but definately not the best or even above average. why does kidman have to inhale rapidly like that after she finishes a sentence (referring her private video segments)? isn't she a trained actress that has learned breath control? i understand she wanted to protray a psycho-ditz, but... anyway, i watched it to the end, i guess mostly because it was based on a true story.

A Train Wreck
This film really misses its mark. Billed as a black comedy, it fails to deliver any satirical bite whatsoever. Suzanne Stone's frequent video segments where she speaks directly to the camera and the flashforwards to some sort of Jerry Springer-like show are painful to watch. Yeah, Nicole Kidman is extremely sexy (duh), but it's not nearly enough to overcome her marginal acting, the clumsy dialog and the amateurish direction.

See this movie for all the humor of "Dying Young" coupled with the social commentary of a SpongeBob episode. ... Read more

Reviews (401)

Best Film of 1998-Forget Shakespeare in Love!
Nobody will ever accuse the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of having common sense or good taste. I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out why this film was beat out by "Shakespeare in Love", and why Jim Carey, who turned in the best performance of his career in "The Truman Show", wasn't even nominated for best actor.

The plot of this movie is simple enough-Jim Carey plays a young man whose entire life has been entertainment for the rest of the world. He dares to reach beyond the giant bubble which is his universe to see what's out there, only to be foiled.

Of particular note is the scene toward the end of the film where Truman reaches the end of the dome shaped studio and is told by Christoph (Ed Harris) about his world. This stands out as one of the most magical scenes in an extraordinary motion picture.

I realize that this movie isn't for everyone (my wife, for one, didn't particularly like it), but Carey's performance alone justifies the purchase of this video. He displays a vulnerability and childlike fascination that is unlike anything I've ever seen. A very good supporting cast includes the shamefully overlooked Ed Harris, as well as Laura Linney.

"The Truman Show" is one of the most brilliant and overlooked motion pictures ever made. The ersatz "Ed TV", which followed a similar plot, doesn't begin to approach the craftsmanship of "The Truman Show". Hopefully, the Academy will make up for their slight of Jim Carey with "Man on the Moon, which appears to be his second acting tour de force.

oustanding!
Imagine that your whole life is a lie, everyone is watching you everywhere, and the people who you love and with whom you've been sharing your life, including your best friend and your beloved and always funny wife are just actors. The Truman Show's basic idea carries an undoubtful cruel and sad felling, but in the hands of Peter Weir, a talented filmmaker who believes in the humanity and in hope, the film turns out to be an interesting, funny, and entertaining masterpiece, although it has an undeniable sad context. Truman is played to perfection by an actor who I've never thought that he could actually act, Jim Carrey. In this dramatic, powerful and blessed hole, Carrey delivers an excellent job! certainly he deserved the Golden Globe for this breakthrough performance. Carrey builds an ingenuous, good and honest man, making impossible for the audience stop caring and loving him. And during the whole running time of the film, you will find yourself laughing, having a great time and sometimes crying for Truman at each curve his fate takes. The supporting performances stand out for their quality, Laura Linney (from Congo, a great flick about explorers who are hunted down by killer gorillas in a mountain, available at Amazon) offers an unforgetable interpretation, playing with ear-to-ear smiles a cold and cruel actress. It's beyond me the reason why she didn't receive any Oscar nomination, but it's said that Paramount, Truman's studio, tried to nominate her in the Best Actresses Category but the year's other main performances (Cate Blanchet, Fernanda Montenegro) were more applauded, but had they took the Supporting Category, she would be a tough contestant for the Oscar. Ed Harris' Christof is one of those characters that will live forever in the hearts of the audience, and Truman, well, Truman is perhaps the most upright, honest and sweet hero that Hollywood ever conceived. The technical aspects count with curious, never-seen-before camera movements, intelligent and different ways of shooting the scenes and a strong direction by Weir. The Truman Show is available at Amazon, the DVD and VHS include the original trailers and interviews with the cast and director. Own this masterpiece! And don't forget to take a look at Congo.

My expectations were too high
I really like Jim Carey and the word of mouth about this movie was very good. It sounded like such an interesting premise. I watched it and was not entertained.

1984, Brave New World, Lord of the Flies, Truman Show!
Who would have thought that 'The Truman Show' would be entered among the great literary and movie classics ever made. Where 1984 gives a bleak look at a government who looks at everything and Brave New World about cloning, The Truman show is the premierve movie about the most horrible of all television rages in the last 10 years: Reality-TV.

But in this case Truman does not it. The awful outside world has made him into an item of fun, a person used for the amusement of others.

Are we all watchers or maybe in a way all Trumans? Trying to get out if this spectacle called life?

Deep, great, wonderfullly acted and a seminal movie.

Hollywood's view of the fall of man
It amazes me that so few people notice that this is a religious allegory. Sure, on the surface this is about how the media have invaded every square inch of our lives, and it is a prescient take on reality television, but more than that, the story is about the fall of man and the end of innocence. If you've seen this before, watch it again and notice the parallels to Genesis, especially near the end where Christof (How obvious the name!) talks to Truman (true man) from the clouds. He even addresses himself as "the creator."

Jim Carrey gives what is still his best performance to date. And the screenplay gives you a great deal to think about. Watch this and "Pleasantville" back to back and notice the theological similarities. The Truman Show is definitely one of the best movies of the decade. And I think years from now, when people really begin to appreciate the depth of the screenplay, they will come to recognize it as the masterpiece that it is. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Disney scored an unexpected hit with this goofy live-action remake of Jay Ward's Saturday-morning cartoon, a zippy Tarzan parody with topical references and absurd gags. Disney's big-screen version, starring Brendan Fraser as the sweet, hopelessly inept jungle hero, puts the emphasis on slapstick and silly fun. The klutzy hero, still swinging into trees and stray boulders, saves a lost L.A. socialite (Leslie Mann) on safari and, completely smitten, leaves behind his tree-house home and simian best friend (an Oxford-accented ape voiced by John Cleese) to accompany the socialite back to the concrete jungle of LA, much to the frustration of her conniving fiancé (Thomas Haden Church). Fraser's enthusiastic performance enriches our hunky hero with endearing innocence and energetic pluck. The humor is spotty and consistently more juvenile than the original cartoon, but the unending parade of visual gags (including George's pet elephant Shep, transformed into an overexcited six-ton puppy by inventive digital effects) keeps the tone light, frothy, and winningly fun. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (76)

A review from Mr. Entertainment Lover
Hee Hee Hee.... What a silly movie! Yes it's dumb and stupid! Still that's what makes it so funny. I have it in my video collection to watch on a day I'm bored. In this film George falls in love with a beautiful women named Ursala. However her nasty mother and her mean boyfriend won't allow it. From then on it's madness and comedy that will keep you laughing. John Cleese does an excellent job as an ape named Ape and Bredon Frasier is good as the bumbling George. This is a movie for the whole family!

Pretty good for a kid flick...The Review...
Well, first off I would like to "admit", the first viewing of this film did not go over well with my friend and myself. I thought it was boring and just plain dumb. It lacked something I like to call, PLOT! Well, those times have changed and I have sort of soled-out! Just kidding, it is better than before, though weak in thought. I first saw the film when it was on television and now I rented it on DVD.

The movie stars Brendan Fraser who plays the title role, George of the Jungle. He is not really musculer but I guess neither was the original character. This film is like Dudley Do Right, but this is MUCH, MUCH better! If you are stuck having to pick which of the two to watch, see this w-a-y before you see Dudley Do Right. The film is about George of the Jungle, he looks for love in a girl named Ursilla, a woman from America and George just can not understand why he starts having all of these feelings for another person. His mate. John Clease does an OK job of playing the voice for the character An Ape Named Ape. Ape is George's mentor and guide through his life until he leaves the "Heart of the Jungle."

This is an over all good film, GREAT for kids. If I was a little youger when this film came out, I would of loved it. If you liked this movie I would suggest the following movies, Dudley Do Right also starring Brendan Fraser, 101 Dalamations both the original and the remake and a host of others.

Hoped I helped, Have a good one!

Ryan

This is so stupid you have to buy it
If you have labeled movie shelves at home, you'll have to cut this DVD into thirds. One 3rd would go in stupid, another in funny and another in classics. This movie is so stupid its funny and its extreme stupidity makes it a classic! Ha! Ha!

So stupid it's funny.
George, who I'm assuming was raised by apes, is the king of the jungle (lol, NOT). Somehow he manages to meet Ursula, who has a wierdo for a fiance, and George falls in love with her. She takes him back to the city and he does all kind of wild stuff.

Meanwhile, two poachers in the jungle run across Ape the talking ape and manage to capture him. So this brings George and Ursula back to the jungle so George can save his best friend.

So stupid that it's hilarious, but I'm sorry, I can never take Brenden Fraser seriously again.

where is the widescreen version???
I love this movie - the wit is funny, the sight gags are funny and the characters are endearing - very hard to do when you are creating a movie from cartoon characters. But where is the widescreen version?? The whole reason for buying a DVD is having the chance to see the movie as it was originally envisioned. If I want to watch full frame, I'll watch television. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

great career starter
I remember watching this in high school. Every character stood out on their own. Donna Dixon was my favorite-playing Sonny Lumet-beautiful and brainy. Wendie Jo Sperber was also wonderful. It She had the best lines. I always liked to see Hanks and Scolari get into the women's clothing before they got caught. Every episode is very funny and it's nice to seethem again!

You can't go wrong!
I have been a Bosom Buddies fan since the show came out. Why it still doesn't air is beyond me. This and all the other video's are must haves. When ever I need a smile - these are the tapes that do it! ... Read more

Reviews (127)

Way better then the 1st and 2nd!!!
Way better then the 1st and 2nd!!! Robert Rodriguez did a unbelieveable job as director and making this movie so us viewers can watch it in 3-D. Another thing that is so much like Rodriguez is that he keeps the same actors from the first film he ever made (Desperado) and sticks with them throughout his whole directing career. For example Antonio Banderas who has had two box office flops (FemmeFatale, Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever) since the Spy Kids films and George Clooney (Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn) who has had a great box office career (Ocean's 11) with the exception of Solaris which flopped really bad in 2002.
Also I admire Rodriguez for getting the struggling veteran actor as of late Sylvestor Stallone (Rocky, Rambo) back on the big screen. Who's last two films went direct to video, one a horror movie called Eye See You and the other a romantic wanna be gangster comedy called Avenging Angelo.

Anyway the BOTTOM LINE is: THIS MOVIE WAS GREAT ,STALLONE IS BACK, AND THE IDEA OF THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WAS THE MOST ORIGINAL THING SINCE THE 1ST MATRIX !!!

Very cool movie
Being a fan of the previous Spy Kids movies, I decided to see this one. And I don't regret seeing it at all. It's a very good movie, the best Spy Kids movie so far. It is definitely worth seeing (more than once!) This movie is on my list of recommmendations. It's really fun, doesn't get too boring like some movies do. If you have more than 4 family members, then you can order glasses on-line. People need to just get the DVDs since they come with the glasses. I mean, who doesn't have a DVD player? Getting a DVD is worth the few extra dollars, especially in this case. The DVD format comes with special features, and this one comes with lots of special features. The movie is good, you get a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to make the movie-it's a good buy.
About the movie:
Juni Cortez is called in by the OSS to go save his sister, Carmen, who is trapped in a video game. Juni goes inside the videogame, but will he be able to shut the video game down? Watch the movie for the exciting 3-D and to find out what happens. Even parents will like, Spy Kids movies, too!

KINDA GOOD
I DONT LIKE IT AS MUCH AS THE FIRST TWO,BUT IT`S PRETTY COOL BECAUSE IT`S IN 3 DIMENSIONS!

Spy Kids: Series Over
Even though it was targeted at my age group, it was awful. The 3-d effects are awful. I mean, the color is awful, and one of the people I was watching it with got sick from the glasses. It seams to be be parodying the matrix by having 'the guy,' it takes place in a cumputer room, one thing I found in common is the line 'there is no spoon,' the movie feels like 'there is no plot.' Acting is awful in this. When I first heard that it was shot in only a month in a half, I was impressed. After I saw it, I could not believe it took so long to shoot it.

Worth it for the commentary
This is a pretty cheesy movie, a poorly connected sequence of action scenes in CGI. On the other hand, some of those scenes outdo big-budget movies; I thought the outlandish street race in oversized video vehicles was better than the pod race in Star Wars I, and with a less annoying kid.

As bad as it is, it's all worth it to watch Rodriguez's commentary, to hear him discuss the process of making a 3D movie, the future of digital cinema, and how he saved money and made a mildly entertaining (and hugely financially successful) movie under strict time and budget constraints.

Some of my favorite parts of the commentary:

"We didn't have this animation done on time, so we just had the character complain how it looked like an old video game."

"I wasn't sure if people would get splitting headaches from the 3D, so I made the movie only 80 minutes. That way, if it was a problem, at least it would be over soon."

The funniest parts are slightly apologetic, but there's plenty more to learn from, and he's never at a loss for words. Unlike typical DVD commentary, there isn't any dead time while he thinks of some bit of trivia about what's on the screen. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This sequel to 1984's rip-snorting romantic-adventure, Romancing the Stone, is a moderately entertaining tale that pales by comparison to its predecessor. Romance novelist Kathleen Turner and retired soldier-of-fortune Michael Douglas return as a now-complacent couple. Bored with life on a yacht, they find excitement thrust upon them when she accepts a speaking engagement in the Middle East. Once there, she is abducted and finds herself involved with the "jewel" everyone is chasing. Douglas teams up once more with Danny DeVito to rescue his love. Less charming and more predictable than the original, this suffers for one simple reason: the characters have nowhere to go. In the original story we watched Turner blossom from timid storyteller to lusty adventuress. In this flick she is too much like all the other action adventure babes we've seen before. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Not Too Bad For A Sequel
THE JEWEL OF THE NILE is a sequel to ROMANCING THE STONE. The director and the screenwriters are new but Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito are back in their old familiar roles. The cast also includes Spiros Focas and Avner Eisenberg.

This time the adventure takes place in North Africa where Turner is invited to accompany a wealthy Arab to his own country. She soon finds herself caught in another big mess in a very strange land. Naturally Douglas has to rescue her as he did before in ROMANCING THE STONE.

Danny DeVito's best scene comes near the beginning of the film when he suddenly emerges from a barrel on a dock with a rapid-fire description of his experiences in a Columbian jail. On balance JEWEL OF THE NILE is an entertaining movie but it does not quite recapture the magic of ROMANCING THE STONE.

A sequel that mostly makes the grade
Rarely does a sequel to a smash movie rise to the same level as its predecessor - but perhaps Jewel of the Nile is the exception (along with some of the Indiana Jones follow-ups).
This sequel to Romancing the Stone, a rip-snorter adventure/romance with Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas, set the stage for this 2nd one. They've been together since the end of the 1st movie, living on his yacht. She is on assignment in the Middle East when she's abducted, and it's up to Douglas and of course Danny DeVito, to rescue her.
Good stuff, but not quite 5-star.

Very Well Done
Jewel of the Niel is the sequel to Romancing the Stone also with Michael Douglas,Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito. The Movie stars off kind of slow but once the movie goes over seas to the Middle-East it gets alot better I don't want to give away to much but this movie should not be missed. Also to readers of this review if you like these two movies you the actors in it you should check out WAR OF THE ROSES

Skip this one. Just watch "Romancing the Stone" again.
Not too bad for a sequel, but this film has absolutely none of the "magic" of the original. Everything seems forced, contrived, and artificial by comparison. As others have noted, the story ended precisely where it should have at the close of "Romancing the Stone." Too bad they did not leave well enough alone.

Good Sequel But Not A Contender
"Jewel of the Nile" is the sequel to "Romancing the Stone" and reunites Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito in another adventure involving treasure, mystery, and danger in a foreign land.

It feels very much like a sequel, as in, "This all worked the first time, so let's do it again." The result is a somewhat formulaic and predictable film, with less magic. Without it's predecessor, viewers would be confused about what was going on with the characters. But, without it's predecessor, it would have stood out more. Or, it might have flopped. A definite case of sequelitis, but a much milder case than the awful "Jurassic Park: The Lost World" which completely went awry, in my opinion.

All that said, "Jewel of the Nile" is still an above-average, fast-paced action/adventure film with enough of a plot and enough good acting to make it worth watching. It has an exotic setting, a good, if not memorable, musical score, and plenty of action. "Romancing the Stone" is a keeper; this one is a good rental (or to buy a used one cheap). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Comedy!
This tape contains two of my favorite Bosom Buddies episodes: The Pilot and Macho Man. The comedic genius and talent of these two actors, as well as the whole ensemble cast, is timeless. I occasionally pull out my old tapes to watch an episode or two and always ending up laughing hysterically. If you want to be in a good mood, watch this show. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Only Two Episodes Per Tape!
There's a reason you won't find an episode listing for this overpriced series of 4 tapes-- there are only two episodes per tape, and you will find few, if any, of your most fondly remembered favorites among the 8 shows duplicated for your enjoyment at the slowest VHS speed, EP, on narrow-hub spools so your VCR will take forever to rewind them.

The show's opening theme song's been overdubbed with the *closing* theme song , too.

A waste of money.

We love Wendie Jo
Though Tom Hanks seems to get the most recognition, Wendie Jo Sperber is the true show stopper of Bosom Buddies. She is incredibly, hilariously talented . She steals every scene and is totally beautiful and sexy while doing so. She deserves Hanks career. She is amazing in everything she's in. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

peter scolari
i didn't see this video that's why i want to order it but you don't send to the France. I want to see this video only to see Peter Scolari and Tom Hanks dressed in WOMEN. I want this video and i just ask you if there are somebody to send me "BOSOM BUDDIES vol 1". I can pay in traveler check, I can pay the sending. Please if there are somebody who can help me i accept all proposition. Thanks you very much Sihem Annane e-mail : pretender_26@yahoo.com ... Read more

Amazon.com

This gentle comedy almost seems like something out of Hollywood's Golden Age, a movie that might have been made by a talented contract director, perhaps featuring Don Ameche and Claudette Colbert. But in fact it stars George Clooney as an investigative columnist for a New York newspaper and Michelle Pfeiffer as an architect. Both single parents, the two meet and bicker and develop a relationship over the course of a day while their young children play together. Michael Hoffman (Restoration) directs with a good sense of what's funny about harried caretakers and kids who do whatever they want to do. The story stretches out of shape a bit when Clooney's character has to rally to prove some point of corruption at City Hall; nobody involved seems quite up to making that subplot believable, but all that really matters about this very nice movie is the winning love story. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (71)

Americana Romantic Comedy
"One Fine Day" is a very light comedy with romantic overtones and as such it is indeed excellent - it is short enough, relaxing enough and funny enough to provide much needed entertainment. At the same time humor displayed in the film is not of the "thrown-in-your-face" variety, as is so common in American comedies. Most of the time, you will stay slightly smiling throughout, and that does feel good.

The character portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer is a typical modern woman, who obviously has the good side of her, but takes care to hide it deep enough for no one to discover. Independent to the point of absurd, a "control-freak", as her movie partner calls her, attractive, thirtyish, working all the time, and divorced, super-peeved about men - yes, she is indeed an adequate portrait of a modern American woman. Clooney on the other hand is a nonchalant, also divorced man who is not as modern as one might expect. In this highly improbably light comedy, these two different people find the way to each other's hearts. The hostile kevlar suit each of them wears falls off, or rather - dissolves, and of course... they lived happily ever after. "Almost", as Bob Reiner might add.

A Great Feel-Good Movie
I think I must have been one of the 2 or 3 people in the country who hadn't seen ER when I first caught this movie on one of the premium movie channels. I wasn't a major George Clooney fan--it's not that I didn't like him, I just didn't know much about him.

All of that changed after seeing this movie. I hadn't even been looking for it. I was just channel surfing one Saturday afternoon and caught it by accident. However, the other 99 times I've watched the movie have been quite on purpose, thank you!

Granted, it's not the most intricate of plots, but it is very well acted by 4 gifted professionals. Clooney and Pfeiffer as the single parents are quite believable and endearing, and the 2 kids are very skilled, even at their young ages. The movie has some of that Cary Grant/Jimmy Stewart sort of charm and the approach/avoidance of the developing love affair between the two parents is engaging. By the time George Clooney finally plants a kiss on Michelle Pfeiffer's lips, my toes were curling!

If you want a movie that will leave you with a little smile on your face, you can't go wrong with this one.

BETTER THEN I REMEMBERED
I remember watching this movie when it first came out on VHS and being a little disappointed with it. I was excited to find a film starring Clooney and Pfeiffer but was feeling a little let down when it was over. Having recently seen George in ER reruns, I saw this DVD on the shelf and decided to give it another shot. I'm sure glad that I did as I thoroughly enjoyed watching it today. This will make a great addition to my DVD collection as it will for yours. A nice, lighthearted romance movie that doesn't star either Hanks or Ryan. Who would have thought that could have happened?

One Fine Day
My husband and I both watched "One Fine Day" and were pleasantly surprised at the quality of acting and plot. This movie had more depth than most people probably notice. There was the superficial romance, and comedy. Then the underlying story of the career chase at the expense of family.
I wasn't sure just how it would be resolved and was happy to see that in the end family won out. This is a must see in this day and age when parents of both sexes tend to put everything else before their home commitments. The consequences of power grabs was shown in a very realistic way. I know. I've seen it close up with people I know and maybe this movie would be a good gift, subtle hint, to someone you know who could use a little push to make wiser decisions of their own. Who knows, it might just be the impetus needed to save a family from the problems that happen when career trumps home life.
One of the best movies that I've seen George Clooney in, next to Perfect Storm. He can actually act. Michelle Pfeiffer brought more talent to this film than I've usually seen from her also. The best plots seem to bring out the best in actors. What a great vehicle for actors, and the improvement of family life in this day and age. It deserved a PG rating and will be part of my home collection.

One Fine Movie and One Fine Soundtrack!
Usually Amazon has the movies and the soundtracks seperate but for some reason they have combined the reviews for the DVD and video for One Fine Day with the movie's music soundtrack which has several reviewers confused and assuming that reviewers mistakenly reviewed the wrong thing. In my opinion Amazon should keep the soundtrack and movie reviews seperate. The movie is good, a charming romantic comedy starring George Clooney and Michelle Pheiffer who both do a great job and Mae Whitman and Alex Linz who play his daughter and her son are great too and adorable. I remember first seeing Alex Linz in a series of McDonalds commercials and thinking that he was quite good for a child actor. I recommend the movie and also the soundtrack, the music is very good! ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Quirky story with great acting!
Happy Accidents is a great film because it deviates from the norm. It successfully mixes a bit of science fiction with a bit of romantic comedy to produce a great off-beat film. Vincent D'onofrio once again does a smashing job portraying his character. The quirky guy from the future with his lovable and lamentable idiosyncrasies comes off perfectly. Marisa Tomei does a fine job as well, though I cringe everytime she screams.
The film is laced with laughs, but at the same time is very touching and convincing. I especially like the scene where d'onofrio's character explains how time travel works. "Do you know how a combustion engine works?"
I'll admit, the film probably isn't everyone's taste, but it's great for a few laughs, some touching moments and another magnificent performance by Vincent D'onofrio.

Keeping the future safe for love and codependency
It turns out that lovestruck kooks from the future are much less entertaining than killer cyborgs from the future. That's one of the ways that HAPPY ACCIDENTS, a boy-travels-through-time-to-get-girl romance, suffers by comparison with such genre greats as James Cameron's 1984 masterpiece THE TERMINATOR, Terry Gilliam's macabre TWELVE MONKEYS, and Robert Zemeckis' BACK TO THE FUTURE franchise. If you haven't seen these or the more recent MEMENTO (which uses time in other, equally fresh ways), HAPPY ACCIDENTS is a harmless enough knock-off.

Child-like Sam Deed (Vincent D'Onofrio) "back travels" from the year 2460 to prevent an unhappy accident from befalling serial romantic Ruby Weaver (Marisa Tomei). Ms. Tomei brings a novel appeal - call it whiny eroticism - to Ruby's too-caring bachelorette. But Mr. D'Onofrio's Sam, afflicted with time-travel jet lag and repeatedly caught in the lies his secret mission demands, comes off as more pathological than quirky, unappealing even by Ruby's low standards. Their chemistry peaks early, and Sam is reduced to spouting the hackneyed pseudo-science of time travel fiction while Ruby frets about her taste in men. Fortunately, a great supporting cast adds texture, led by Nadia Dajani as Ruby's SJF best friend, and Ruby's therapist (Holland Taylor), a wise comic voice with a few surprises of her own. These small delights, rather than its central characters or plot, make HAPPY ACCIDENTS worthy of the name.

Cheeseman's Theory of Emotional Energy
Rarely do I find a movie that I can watch twice, let alone in a week's time. But having seen it on the Independent Film Channel I subsequently bought a copy online and watched it again with the same delight as the first go around.

Vincent D'onofrio plays Sam, a man from the future (Dubuque, Iowa on the Atlantic Coast to be specific) who after some tragic events in the future has broken the time-space continuum and traveled back some 400 years to find his one true love Ruby, whose picture he found in a curio shop. After a "chance encounter" in a park in NYC where they strike up a conversation and Sam entertains her, he seeks to find where she lives to return a book that she has forgotten on the park bench. The love-shy Ruby, who has had her share of "losers" in the past, is aloof when he approaches her but all the same curious of who this strange man is. To skip giving away any of the plot-line and formation, they begin a romantic relationship. But as the eccentric time-traveller starts to display odd and suspicious physical and personality traits, the neurotic Ruby begins to think that he is playing her for a fool. She confides finally in a therapist and after many see-saw episodes between the couple she believes that she must leave him. To keep her love he slowly uncovers the truth about who he really is. From this the main thrust of the movie becomes encapsuled in a simple futuristic ideal: Cheeseman's Emotional Energy Theory, which holds that if you can concentrate enough emotional energy on a particular moment in time you can alter the past and create a new future. Thus Sam has come back to save Ruby and himself from their tragic lots in life.

The strange sci-fi aspect of this romantic comedy is what fuels it to excellence and keeps it from becoming the prototypical toothy-actor "loser" meets the Hollywood starlett "princess" which normally plagues the genre. D'onofrio, though sometimes an over-actor, is always believable and sincere in his performances unlike a Tom Cruise or Harrison Ford, who no matter what they do, we are cognizant of the fact that they are mega-stars playing a part. Sam is real and likeable and thus the storyline becomes engrossing and brilliantly devised. Marisa Tomei, who I have never really thought twice about, is equally supportive and performs well and to the extreme which obliterates anything hackneyed or cliched about the film. A must have movie.

A real sleeper
Why didn't this movie click at the box office? The characters played by Tomei and D'Onofrio are people you actually care about; that alone makes the movie superior to 99% of what passes as romantic comedy these days. Tomei especially sells her part (a difficult one) with touching credibility. A nice bonus is the believable relationship Tomei has with her parents, especially her Mom (who gives her daughter a pep talk about love that is one of the best scenes in the movie). Finally, a special nod to Holland Taylor, who just gets more terrific with the years, in a crucial supporting role.

(One word of warning: if you ever do get a chance to see this in the movie theaters, don't. Nothing will kill the magic of the film's ending faster than having some lamebrain behind you wailing to his/her date: "But I don't UNDERSTAND -- what did she see in that photograph, anyway?"

Fun and holds your attention
It was a happy accident that I saw this movie. It is like all the time travel clichés wrapped up in one. However they picked just the right actors for the parts. You of course recognize Marisa Tomei from the movie "Oscar" (1991); however it may take you a second to recognize Vincent D'Onofrio as the bug in the Edgar suit in the movie "Men in Black" (1997). There is never a dull moment following all the twists and turns.

Sam and Ruby run cross paths and immediately know they have met before. She says déjà vu; he says time travel. And as they get to know each other he comes clean about being from the year 2472 and she figures out where he is really from. Checking out the pictures in his wallet really help tie the movie together and is a nice added touch to most "K-Pax" type "are you or aren't you" movies.
However do not let this fact or physics get in the way of a story that is in truth about people.
So sit back kibitz a little and enjoy ... Read more

Description

Ben Stiller (THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS), Jenna Elfman (EdTV), and Edward Norton (FIGHT CLUB) star in KEEPING THE FAITH, a sexy romantic comedy so fresh and funny, you'll fall head over heels in love! Jake Schram (Stiller) and Brian Finn (Norton) are single, successful, extremely popular guys who have been best friends since, well, forever. They are about to be reunited with their other best childhood buddy -- the feisty, lanky tomboy, Anna (Elfman). Anna has grown into a high-powered workaholic beauty whose reentry into their lives turns this old circle of friends into a love triangle -- a very complicated one at that, because Jake's a rabbi and Brian is a priest. But have faith -- this gem is going to steal your heart. ... Read more

Reviews (132)

hit and miss comedy
Edward Norton's directorial debut, "Keeping the Faith" dishes out one of those plots that only Hollywood - in its desperation to bring a fresh approach to a stale genre - would ever dare to come up with. In this love triangle with a "twist," Ben Stiller, Edward Norton and Jenna Elfman portray a trio of best friends who grew up together on the streets of New York City, but who were separated in adolescence when Anna moved away with her family to California. The unique aspect of this particular triumvirate is that, while Anna has been away on the west coast forging a lucrative career in business for herself, Brian has become a priest and Jake has become a rabbi. Now all three are in their '30 and Anna has decided to pay her "buddies" a visit - a move that sets the story up for all the interpersonal and emotional complications that are practically de rigueur for a "Jules and Jim" scenario of this sort.

Given the rather incredible nature of the premise, "Keeping the Faith" still manages to generate some interest with the uniqueness of its religious context. Like most American movies that attempt to deal with issues of spirituality and religion, "Keeping the Faith" spends most of its time batting away at the edges of the topic rather than getting right in there and really opening up the subject for us. Indeed, very few commercial American films are even willing to tackle or explore in any great depth the role that religion and spirituality play in the lives of people, so we should at least give "Keeping the Faith" credit for trying. Of course, much of the tension in the film is supposed to be generated by the fact that one point of this triangle (the priest, Brian) has pulled himself out of the equation - or has he? But if the truth be told, the love triangle, which takes center stage in the film, is actually far less interesting than the issues of faith, of tradition vs. relevance, of spiritual commitment on the part of both clergy and laypeople that the film at least sporadically addresses.

Almost inevitably, with a film this lightweight in tone, "Keeping the Faith" seems from time to time to be afflicted with a severe case of the "cutes," particularly when it succumbs to the "golly gee, people of the cloth are just regular folk like the rest of us" syndrome that seems somehow unavoidable in films like this. Thus, despite their clerical status, Jake and Brian cuss, drink alcohol, play basketball, sing karaoke etc. just to show us what regular guys they are. We've seen this sort of religious iconoclasm used for comic effect so many times before that it has long since lost the ability to amuse.

Where the film does excel, though, is in its exploration of the issue (faced by many churches and synagogues, no doubt) of whether tradition alone can sustain a viable congregation or whether unorthodox methods may be needed to reach and retain a more "entertainment-oriented" generation of worshippers. Many times in the film, I found myself wishing that the story would concentrate less on the rigmarole surrounding the love triangle itself and more on issues like these. However, even within the confines of the romantic nature of the story, the filmmakers do manage to touch, if only superficially, on the issues of Catholic priest celibacy and interfaith marriages.

Stiller, Norton and E