Description

A teenage boy, a set of rollerblades and an interschool athletic rivalry are the ingredients for a whiz-bang comedy sparked by astounding feats of skating pyrotechnics. Year: 1993 Director: Rob Bowman Starring:Shane McDermott, Seth Green, Brittney Powell ... Read more

Reviews (52)

A good time... to the EXTREME!
I grew up in Cincinnati, so in the Fall of 1992, when I heard that a major motion picture was about to start filming near my neighborhood, I jumped at the opportunity to witness a talented filmmaker at work.

While parts of "Rain Man", "Traffic", and the underrated "The Public Eye" (Joe Pesci) were filmed in Cincinnati, "Airborne" was the first big-budget movie filmed entirely on location in the Queen City (aka Cincinnati, Ohio).

"Airborne" tells the story of Mitchell (played by newcomer Shane McDermott), a California surfer boy, that is sent to Cincinnati to live with his aunt (the DELIGHTFUL Edie McClurg), uncle (the very funny Patrick Thomas O'Brien), and cousin (Seth Green from "Austin Powers").

Mitchell quickly realizes that he's not in California any more. Ha! Sounds like "The Wizard of Oz", doesn't it? Well, the similarities stop there.

Mitchell was the "cool guy" in school back in California, but now that he's attending school in Cincinnati, he is teased for his radical clothes, his tubular hairstyle, and his surfer lingo. When Mitchell hears about an opening on the roller hockey team, he sees this as an opportunity to win over his fellow classmates. Using his surfer know-how, and his charming Californian ways, Mitchell quickly becomes the hero of the team, and begins to attract the attention of the team captain's girlfriend. UH OH!

When the captain finds out about his girlfriend's extra curricular activities, he challenges Mitchell and friends to a death-defying Roller blade race down "Devil's Backbone". Mitchell agrees to the dangerous challenge - anxious to impress his new love, and settle the score once and for all with his arch nemesis.

"Airborne" is an accurate portrayal of what life is really like in Cincinnati. When I was in high school, many disputes were settled with a challenging Roller blade race (although, in my day, they were roller SKATES), or at the bowling alley.

Filled with exciting stunt sequences, witty dialogue, and a breakthrough performance by Seth Green, "Airborne" is sure to please the extreme sports (and Cincinnati) fan in all of us!

Simply a great movie!
Airborne is truely a great piece of cinema. The young and the old alike should enjoy this movie. If you judged this movie just by looking at the cover you would assume that Airborne was just a mindless rollerblading movie. It's not! True there is rollerblading and the end of the movie focuses on a rollerblade race, but the rollerblading is just a "backdrop" to the film. Airborne mainly focuses on an out-of-town kid from California who tries to make the best of a bad situation while he stays with his cousin in Ohio. In doing so he becomes close to his cousin and falls in love with a girl who is a town local. He also makes some enemies during his stay in Ohio. Can he win the love of the girl he longs for? Can he make friends of the people that bully him in school? Can he survive the harsh winter in Ohio!?! Well, you'll have to rent or buy the movie to find out!

AWESOME!!!!
BEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!! I have watched this movie hundreds of times and i never get sick of it. Rollerbladers shreding down "Devil's Backbone", crazy pranks and the ocassional jack black thrown in there really makes for a funny movie. I love the story about a sufer that ends up in Clevland, smack dab in the middle of a snow storm, booya! Mitchell tries to fit in but the guys dont seem to buy it but the ladies sure do. Snake also has a 1.1 GPA. Always a good time with the sufer dudes, but dont forget the po dunk ghetto kids and then the preps. Hockey is the sport, Wylie's dad drives a zambonie. Wrong goal surfer dude, BAP!, gets creamed and then some. Sand in the locker, wet tp and some iching powder can't hurt the mahurushi. So Mitchell gets his blades and then tears up the city making friends as he goes along, then aaaawww, there is the love of his life, better show off, oops cracked my skull, lets go look at plants and flowers, you better know your stuff because its a test. Ladi dodi, its time to depants some preps...hmmm. Crazy sufer kids!! DEVIL'S BACKBONE, its a race to the death with only one thing on their minds, who gets the chicas, nope, first team to get three across the line wins. Sucka!!, sufer dude rules the air and shows off his incredible talents by flying through the air making sure to pose for the camera and eventually throwing king prep into the water. The end

A rather intermittent experience with Moral Fiber
For all of you 'nay-sayers' I got two words for you: Moral Fiber. Yes, you heard me correctly. That is what Airborne provides, my friends. You may think I am a mentally deficient human-being for enjoying this movie, but lend me your ears. If you look at it from my perspective you will see a whole new world of Airborne.

Quite frankly this movie is one of the most allegorical movies I have ever seen. This movie is so intellectually jampacked with references to the second World War, I nearly wet myself during the first showing. For example, Micthell is the U.S., and those bullys are the Japanese. Seth Green's character is obviously the British, and I will take a venture to say that Jack Black's character is probably the French.

The bullys also represent the Germans. I spent myriad hours examining the movie, and I can't truly identify who Hitler is meant to be. I watched to the whole movie in reverse and discovered in scene 36, where Mitchell's toliet paper is sabotaged (this represents the German invasion of France, duh!)that the bully's say 'Axis freedom, down with the Allies'. If you play it in reverse you will see as well.

The roller hockey game where Mitchell pulls down the bully's pants clearly represents the Battle of Normandy, where the Allied troops stormed the beaches. The race down Devils Backbone is obviously the final battle of WWII in which the underdogs won.

I have one minor quibble: the guy who won the race. ...? By the way, the man who made the analogies with Jack Black and shining after a shower- you are right on my good sir.

I hope you see the movie in a different light with my guidance.

Do the words "Best Movie Ever" mean anything to you?
this movie has made me wanna be a better man. Mitchell is in a word "bangin" and jack black shines like my skin when i'm out of the shower. the one chick is doable and i find the rollerblading action extreme. the special effects were out of this world. i would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good time. if u like this movie, be sure to view "the monster squad." ... 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

Amazon.com

Whoopi Goldberg returns in a gratuitous, poorly written sequel that contrives a reason to get her character back into Maggie Smith's convent. The "socially conscious" plot finds Goldberg being asked to relate to a bunch of street kids and pull them together into a choir. Since a bad guy is needed, the script grabs that old chestnut about a rich guy (James Coburn) preparing to close down the convent's school, and runs with it. The film is slow and unconvincing from start to finish, although costars Mary Wickes and Kathy Najimy get some good laughs, and the music is pretty spirited. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (41)

This is my favorite movie!!!
I've seen it so many times I could almost play each part. In fact, it comes on this afternoon on Showtime. It's a continuing story of Delores Van Cartier aka Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) who uses her gifts of music and determination to keep a school open as well as change the lives of all those her life touches. Great music, great humor and drama. Lauren Hill (pre-Fugees) is in this as well as Jennifer Love Hewitt and Monica Calhoun if you look really, really carefully. Buy it, enjoy it.
Hey, maybe you'll catch it on Showtime during one of it's airings. I'm positive when it's over, when you can finally stop yourself from humming one of the great tunes, and possibly put down your tissue (I cry EVERY TIME I see it)( and baby, I've seen seen it so many times that I've got ot turn it off when my husband comes home because he says "Are you watching that again?) You will say "I wish I had that movie!" So get it so you'll have no regrets!

Fantastic sequel
Though there is room for improvement with regards to the story line, this movie delivers what I most enjoy in a film. The acting is superb, including the minor cast roles. The music is absolutely fantastic!...Lauren Hill and Ryan Toby steal the show with their voices. The plot, though quite simple and predictable, is believable. Many of the scenes are very moving, including the ending sequence involving Lauren Hill's character, Rita, and her mother.

Overall, this is a great family movie that everyone can enjoy. The comedy is simple enough for children to understand, and there isn't one scene in the movie (that I can recall) which is inappropriate for all ages. Like a few other reviewers, I've found that I long to hear a few of the songs from the movie when I need cheering up.

If you enjoy good, clean family movies, you can't go wrong with this one.

Part 1 was Great..Part 2 Wasnt.
SAw it in the movies.... Fell asleep midway... All the magic from part 1 which was AWESOME...was lost. Boring story... They should have left it at part 1.

So much fun!
FANTASTIC sequel! Just as enjoyable, if not more, than the first! All of the musical numbers are glorious!! A successful sequel all the way!

Loved it
I've read all of the reviews on SA2 and it is quite obvious this movie is not for everyone, however, if you enjoy "feel good " movies , this is for you. The storyline iis quite predictable, the acting is good , but the music is a delightful bonus,just wish there was more of it. I know that if I'm feeling a little down, I can pop in this movie and feel better. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Finally, a movie with some thought...
This movie is funny and a little sad. We are fast becoming "disconnected" physically from the human race. We communicate via phones, emails, faxes, etc. Why even go out to the movies when you know it will be on cable in 3-5 months. We order in food, shop on-line and talk on the phone in text messaging and can speak to an advice nurse on the phone. This movie hits it on head! Funny, funny, funny. Frankly, I'm with Jerry (Liev Schreiber). I could live in p.j.'s and never have a need to leave the house. I may look into homeschooling the kids so I don't have to drive them to school and work from home. Starting to really like this idea!

Slick modern comedy surprisingly impressive!
Never judge a book by it's cover-that's what you learn from watching this trendy little grinfest. Although it's quite brief and it's got a cast of unknowns-it succeeds. In my opinion, a movie is a winner if it delivers effects that it's genre promises. For example, a horror movie is good if it scares you-a drama is good if it makes you cry or at least grabs your full attention. This parody of human communications IS funny, and it has the power to KEEP you staying in tune with the storyline. So many things happen in the characters' lives and we learn this by listening to dozens of brief phone conversations. With it's amusing subplots and charismatic characters, you will like this film.

Cast of Unknowns delights in "Ciber-Space-Age" Comedy
This unusual (to say the least) comedy is well ahead of its time with a message for all of us, who are so wrapped up in our work, that we have completely "un-learned" how to enjoy life. -- A 90-minute string of phone conversations, telephone answering machine messages and e-mails ends in at least TWO PEOPLE re-connecting with life they once knew as worth living. A group of "yuppie" friends is in contact only through modern day communication systems. When a young woman (Denise) calls the sperm donor, whose child she is about to give birth to, the cyber-serene world of the clique begins to rock. The scene where one of the friends leaves a phone message to another clique member while getting into a fatal car wreck is morbitly funny. This movie resembles a very long joke that entertains you while you eventually reach the punch line. There are many laughs, but the seriousness of the message behind this comedy remains after viewing. Have we all turned into little cell-phone-toting robots? Released in 1995, this film is in tune with our changing times. This film will "hit home" with a lot of people. Recommended!

An okay film that deals with harried New Yorkers.
I recently caught this movie on cable, and I thought that it was okay. It deals with a bunch of busy thirty-something-year-old New Yorkers, who are friends, who can never find the time to get together. As a result, they mainly communicate by talking on the phone. This movie blends romance with comedy; during its course, one of the characters tries setting up one friend with another friend, and another character is contacted by a pregnant woman whom he artificially inseminated. I found some of the scenes to be funny, but I thought that the rest of the movie was sort of dry.

Technology ain't all it's cracked up to be!!!
With the simplest of settings -- apartment rooms and interior car shots -- Denise Calls Up is a wry tale of how increased communication through technology (cell phones, faxes, email) doesn't necessarily lead to more better relationships. The "death by cell phone" incident is black humour at its best, the phone sex scene is hilarious, as is the birth scene conducted via conference call. The ending is bittersweet. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Little Off the Beaten Path...
This is not the movie you want to watch with a bunch of friends on a Saturday night. This is a movie for people who liked "Ghost World," "Devil's Advocate," or "Feeling Minnesota." It's quite strange, but I saw it once and fell in love with the accents, the irony, and the drummer from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, who plays a gangster. True, many of these actors never went anywhere. But it features some great dialogue and amazing realism.

fast & exellent condition!!
Tank you.
I get to supreme used VHS!!

Good study of human nature
I own this film already and would have to say that it is a rather interesting study of human nature. The "what would I do with..." it is a character study of the lottery in general and how people react and how it turns into cause AND effect.

It was the worst I've seen in a while.
I stopped watching it 1 hr into it because it was painfully unfunny. We have taken to calling the movie, "you lucky bastard," and comparing other terrible movies to it. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Small Movie, Big Kudos
I liked this film a lot. Besides the fact that I like to support smaller, independent films (especially since this one features a lot of women in front of and behind the scenes), CLOCKWATCHERS is simply an entertaining show! It has a smart tone, and is a close cousin to OFFICE SPACE (featuring that *other* FRIENDS star, Jennifer Aniston).

The story is engrossing and concerns a pack of temps. Toni Collette plays Iris, who starts out as a timid, shy and introverted person. Her encounters with the other girls changes her (especially with the outspoken and quirky character played by Parker Posey - she's great in this!). Toni Collette is very good here - and although she is an Academy Award nominated actress (THE SIXTH SENSE) it's funny how the director's use of a new shade of lipstick is filmatic shorthand for the character change Iris goes through! Lisa Kudrow is not quite as ditzy as she usually is on FRIENDS. It's nice to see her in a different mode.

There's not much more story than that. If you've been a temp or work in an office environment you will appreciate this film. The film's theme is about sleepwalking through life and making your mark. Most of the girls cow to the corporate machine. One of them scratches "I was here" on her desk - just to make her mark.

There's an interesting subplot about an office thief that gets tied into the movie's theme nicely.

Please rent or buy this film. It's not SPIDERMAN, but it deserves your attention. Again, it is a "small-character-study" sort of film. But it is very well done, with excellent performances from its cast.

Brilliant, low-key, darkly comical
This is a mostly overlooked and underrated portrayal of the world of office temps. The beauty of this film is that, rather than hitting us with obvious plot devices, it slowly builds an atmosphere of oppression and monotony. The nameless company that employs and exploits the temps slowly chips away at the dreams, hopes and self-esteem of the characters. They are caught in an anonymous, meaningless life where the silliest of rules are ruthlessly enforced by petty tyrants. What's refreshing about Clockwatchers is the way it exposes the alienation of modern corporate life without resorting to the usual movie cliches. There is no sex, violence or even law suits here. It is seemingly trivial events, like the theft of small personal objects, that builds tension. There is also humor, the kind that fans of Dilbert will appreciate, as when a fired worker objects, "you can't fire me, you don't even know my name!" There is an existentialist feeling to the film, most notably verbalized by Parker Posey (a great addition to any independent film), who says something like, "I don't think anyone cares if I even exist." Clockwatchers is, I think, more than a movie about office temps. It's a commentary on our whole bureaucratic, atomized society. Along with Safe, another of my favorite films of the last decade (I'll proably review that one soon), Clockwatchers is a truly significant film about the modern world.

Satire on Temp Hell
Clockwatchers is a movie about four office temps who work at a dreary, mind numbing assignment. The temps are basically treated like the scum off the earth. They bond but then are sadly drawn apart.

If you have ever temped or even worked at a boring office job, you will probably laugh and nod your head at some of its humor. It captures the craziness better than some of the more recent office comedies like Office Space. It's not for everyone and is very unusual film. It's not a "laugh out loud" comedy. The characters are a sad set and the humor is subtle and may be go "over the head" for some non-temps. It is not pretty either. The set design is gray and depressing. Have heard some people call it boring. Temping is boring. In other words, it is a lot like like temping.

I am so glad someone made this movie. Can't believe it got made, but am glad. It is a story that needed to be told. As someone who used to temp, it brought back a lot of memories. I knew people like these characters. People who stayed in these jobs because they lacked the confidence or education to change jobs.

Being Hollywood, they exaggerate a bit, but get much of it right. Temping is one of the biggest scams the business world has ever created. I was disappointed that they did not explore in detail some of the other problems with temping, like the relationship between the temp and the agency. There is some satire there, trust me. As a temp, you basically forfeit basic worker's rights. Little or no benefits, no sick time, no "wrongful" termination, never knowing if you will even have a job tomorrow, doing all sorts of busy work to keep your job. I suggest that anyone who "wants" to temp see this film and run like hell.

Funny, yet can hit a little close to home
As someone who has been both a "perm" and a "temp," I find much in "Clockwatchers" to be completely truthful. Where "Office Space" (a movie I also loved) offered a cathartic revenge fantasy, "Clockwatchers" dares to tell it like it is -- that dead-end jobs really have no way out or up -- even if it is dreary and depressing.

There is humor, but rather than the cartoonish humor of "Office Space," "Clockwatchers" shows the ridiculous in little everyday workplace happenings: playing with the adjustment mechanisms on your chair, popping sheets of bubble wrap, or using Liquid Paper as nail polish.

The weird combination of emotions that these temps go through -- hopelessness and ambition, despair and frivolity, anger mixed with s**t-eating grins -- are extremely realistic and something that those in a similar work situation can probably easily relate to. The performances are outstanding, especially Toni Collette and Parker Posey.

Highly recommended!

One of indie comedy's biggest downers.
This film is bizarrely uneven. What seems like a reasonably straight-forward comedy (albeit a pretty subdued one) gradually gives way to a depressing portrait of displacement in the inhuman contemporary work force. However, while changing gears, the film never loses the audience. The more comedic beginning commits us to these characters. We like them, we like them together, and we like them together in the ridiculous and pointless do-nothing jobs they keep. So as they drift apart and as the work conditions become more and more dehumanizing, we empathize totally and feel a disappointment in the deterioration of this little community we'd really come to like. Furthermore, most of us have had friendships drift apart, and more specifically working relationships become estranged. "Clockwatchers" preys on this and as a result is one of the more effective downers I've seen.

Much of the early half of the film reminds most viewers of a more tame "Office Space," for obvious reasons. But "Clockwatchers" distinguished itself well from this movie and others of its type. Actually, I think a far closer companion film would be the early portions of "Fight Club" (another film that dramatically shifts gears but keeps the audience in tow). Like "Fight Club," "Clockwatchers" relies on cynical and ironic wit and moreso on extremely stylized sets, lighting, and camerawork. Another unusual aspect of this film is the unmistakable lack of anything resembling a romance plot whatsoever. How many girlfriend comedies - commercial or independent - can you think of that don't land boyfriends on the laps of at least one of the characters before the credits roll? "Clockwatchers" succeeds by these differences. Its a film like really no other, and it fascinates us and sticks in our memories as a result. I mean, "Clockwatchers" isn't saving lives or anything, and Bresson it ain't, but it is a film I keep going back to for its many (refreshingly) atypical handlings of a pretty well-tread concept. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Something of a prelude to NBK & Kalifornia.
When insecure 18 year old Lincoln Muller (Devon Gummersall) and his jock friends encounter wild & seductive Alex Langley (Rosanna Arquette), they think they are in for a night of explosive passion. Instead, she steals their car and entices Lincoln to join her on a cross country crime spree, starting with the robbery of a convenience store clerk (Cuba Gooding Jr.).

Defies formulas, trusts the subtlety & insight of viewers
This movie appears at first to be an adolescent fantasy movie, and then seems to drift into a buddy/road movie formula, but emerges on its own and defies formula and cliche. Arquette is wonderfully full, both subtle and powerful in her portrayal of this lost, wounded, strong, evasive and ultimately caring woman. I also appreciate a movie that doesn't feel the need to explain every detail, location and motivation, but instead trusts the audience to follow the story as it emerges and to go with the characters as they unfold. Ultimately, I guess I'd call it an effective, touching, thought-provoking and uncommon love and coming-of-age story told in both gentle and violent images.

I saw on Cinemax in January.

Awesome
This Movie is my Favorite movie of all time ... Read more

Reviews (168)

Basically copy of 1st flick, but still fun
If you caught the first flick, you'll find little different in its sequel, but "Legall Blonde 2" is still a bag of preposterous fun.

Planning for her wedding to law professor Emmet Richmond (Luke Wilson), Elle Woods becomes determined to (Witherspoon) track down the biological parent of her Chihuahua, Bruiser. Elated to find the dog belongs to Versace, Elle is shocked to find that the animal (and countless others) is subjected to testing by cosmetics makers. Losing her job at a tony law firm when she tries to make an issue of animal testing, Elle heads for Washington where she hopes to change the law. Linking up with an apparently successful and sympathetic congresswoman played by Sally Field, and learning the ways of Washington D.C.-style politics, LB2 essentially follows the pattern of the first movie - replacing law with cut-throat politics (initially hostile characters prove to be friends while friendly characters turn out to have their own agenda; Elle wins out over all using her mix of wackiness and wisdom). The flick makes good use of some side characters, like Bruce McGill as a right-wing conservative who, luckily for Elle, is a proud dog owner (McGill may best be remembered as the mysterious "D-Day" from "Animal House"; it's fun watching this flick thinking that his character may very well be the same as D-Day, only 40 years later); also Bob Newhart as a D.C. doorman who knows a thing or two about DC power politics (where was his character during Watergate?); but really belongs to a horde of extras mobilized by Elle to lead the fight on Capitol Hill. The moral of the story - never look down on the apparent savviness of your opponent who, though unsophisticated, is motivated by a cause they find noble. At least not in Hollywood.

It's okay....
Being the complete opposite of the beauty-obsessed, cheery 'ditzy' blonde that Elle Woods is myself, I somehow manages to find the original "Legally Blonde" to be a really good, cute, funny movie. After all, at least Elle Woods is an animal-loving vegetarian animal rights activist. So am I. So naturally, I bought this movie.

The idea behind it is great: Elle Woods wants to save her dog's mother from an animal testing facility and end cruel animal research in the cosmetic industry for good using her new status in the legal profession. So it carries a great message. Sadly, the movie isn't much of a comedy at all. It isn't even all that entertaining. I probably wouldn't want to see it more than once, especially because Elle's constant "preppy blonde" antics are really starting to get annoying. Sure, the movies are cute, but let's face it: they're entirely unrealistic. No such person as Elle Woods could ever make it as a lawyer, let alone make it very far in the real world.

Sally Field and Bob Newhart aren't in this as much as you may be led to believe, either. It focuses on Bruiser, the dog. Somehow, a serious subject like animal rights gets Elle's comments on shoes, clothes, make-up, etc., thrown in every few minutes to really grate on your nerves and wonder how someone so superficial could also be so good, caring, and deep. There you go, deep: Not the best word to use for this film. More like "fluffy." It's definite fluff. Like her quote: "In this case, the price of beauty is too high....I can't believe I said that!" Ugh.

Still, if this is the only way to get across to people the problems with animal testing, it'll do. One woman Elle runs into says, "I don't think about it, that does the trick!" when asked to consider the horrible ways some animals get treated and abused. This shows the ignorance that so many people have that needs to change. A serious lesson in a movie that involves a Chihuahua falling in love with a Rottweiler. For corns' sake.

So while Elle's political views are right-on, the movie itself isn't exactly the greatest. Still, it's worth a see.

Holy...
I saw this movie in the theater and I thought it was horrible. I didn't laugh once and this movie just bored me to death. It wasnt entertaining, funny, nor did it hold my attention. Then I had the misfortune of having to watch it again on a roadtrip (my car has a DVD player in it) and I just could not take it. THIS MOVIE SUCKS SO BAD! Stay away at all costs!

egally Blonde 2 - Red, White & Blonde (Special Edition)
egally Blonde 2 - Red, White & Blonde (Special Edition)
DVD ~ Reese Witherspoon is just as good and ditzy as the original. Many people said that it paints a bad picture for women. I could disagree more. This is how men want women to act.

Legally Blonde 2
This film is great it has a certain age. This film has an occasional use of bad language.
This is about a girl who has a dog poodle and she wants to be a lawyer but will she ever become one you wont find out yet.......
This video/dvd is excellent.I think the person who plays the judge is a great actor/actress and so is everybody else but the judge is best.
I like this film because it is funny and even more enjoyable.I thought everything was marvellous and nothing was bad. ... Read more

Description

A gritty and poignant look at the world of male prostitutes through the course of a single day on the streets -hustling for money and love while hoping for a little decency.A veteran male prostitute, John, befriends the new guy who looks to John for advice and friendship. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Touching Portrait of Street Hustlers
I was pleasently surprised after watching this film. I wanted to pick up Lukas Haas and hug him--he was so adorable. David Arquette did his finest work to date. Despite some very minor flaws in the plot, the overall effect of the movie lasts for days after you watch it. A must see!!

Slow but still good
The movement of the story is very slow. There are 10 chapters on the DVD. Around chapter 4 I thought I was near the end of the film.

The film doesn't pick up speed until the middle. Here, we finally get to see how all the hustlers are related to each other. Also, the two main characters reveal a lot of themselves. We learn at how Donner's (Lukas) family mistreated him when he decided to stop hiding. And we learn about how sad John (David) is about the unfortunate placement of his birthday on the calandar.

The movie is actually better with the commentary on. But, you should see the film as is first before you watch it with the commentary.

All in all, this film isn't bad. I think it is best viewed when you borrow your friends DVD of this movie. It will not bore you, but you won't have any trouble hitting pause to go to the bathroom, or talk to friends, or answer the phone, or do anything. This film is really for those that LOVE independent films.

Closer to life than most would like
Anyone want to catch a glimpse of what happens to kids who are neglected or rejected by their families? Then you need to check out this movie. While incredibly tame compared to real life, it at least takes the average "john" into a pseudo world of the streets, and the actors are excellent in their roles. I have watched this movie SEVERAL times and have cried at the end each time. While I agree that it is a dramatic close-to-life rendition, and many want a fantasy world in which to escape when watching a movie, it also has a great message, one which you must find for yourself. I believe this is why no other character has a background, save the one, so that each viewer can find themselves in one of the characters. I love David Arquette in this movie...he reminds me a lot of a close personal friend.
Oh, yea, and most of them don't work because they have been on the streets since a very young age. They have few skills, no address or phone number, and perhaps are even a bit scared. My advice, watch this without the rose colored glasses.

Endlessly, relentlessly downbeat
This is not the worst gay-themed movie out there, but it IS among the most depressing. It's about two young guys reduced to hustling on Santa Monica Boulevard. Lukas Haas is reasonably convincing as the teenage cast-out looking for someone to care for irritating. In fact, he's supposed to be straight, and even has a girlfriend, but services middle-aged gay men for money. It's never explained why he doesn't just get a job (his character is a legal adult) and leave that life behind. If the movie did, then I must have dozed off before the story got to that. I really began to lose track after the fancy hotel scene. The locations are authentic, and there are a couple of mildly entertaining scenes here and there. But nearly every moment of this film is downbeat and never gave me any reason to care. The film's endless self-pity inspires depression, followed by boredom, sometimes followed by falling asleep. The only thing the film succeeds in is illistrating the point that prostitution is a dead-end life, but it's never enlightening or compelling in the process. Too bad.

Bittersweet Drama
Arquette at his dramatic best. Haas shines too in this bittersweet drama told on stark sets with painfully true dialogue. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Freeway is one of those movies that has the power to simultaneously amaze and disgust just about anyone who dares to view it. Like Seven, Kalifornia, and Natural Born Killers, it's a movie that could be called a product of our times, since it caters to our societal fascination with serial killers and outrageous psychopathic behavior. But make no mistake: director Matthew Bright isn't out to feed anyone's sickest impulse. This is a scathing satire in the age of Jerry Springer fistfights and "real" TV shows like Cops, in which the "I-5 Killer" (Kiefer Sutherland) meets a wayward teenager (Reese Witherspoon) on the freeway that provides his nickname. She confides in the man but soon discovers his gruesome intentions, and ... well, let's just say she effectively defends herself, only to find later that the killer (whose wife is played by Brooke Shields, no less!) has used the media to his advantage. Fine performances make this a provocative thriller, but it's definitely not for the innocent or squeamish. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (86)

Simply Hilarious Satire
I have a different sort of sense of humor than most people, so that may be the reason that I did not find this movie too violent or disturbing as some reviewers did here. They seem to be missing the point: this is SATIRE. The movie does not take itself seriously once, and that is what makes it so great. Everything is attacked here with acerbic wit, from tweaked out prostitutes to parole violations ("he most certainly does not have a gun, he's on parole, he hasn't owned a firearm in a long time") to welfare vouchers and wayward, illiterate teens to the foster care system and the media circus to serial killers and glue-sniffing jailhouse lesbians...this is a grab bag of American society at its rotten core and it works better than you expect it to.

Reese Witherspoon plays Vanessa Lutz with glee. You can just tell she has a ball with her character, and the lines she gets to utter are priceless. This is a movie where the dialogue will stick in your head long after the end credits roll. Keifer Sutherland also seems to enjoy playing the "Bad Wolf" I-5 killer Bob Wolverton, almost disturbingly so. The violence in this movie is not as explicit as many reviewers have stated. Freeway comes across more as a twisted comedy than a thriller, although there are some brief instances of violence.

The action flies by quickly and by the end, we don't want the ride to conclude. Freeway succeeds in all parts.

Tragically Funny
I can't believe Reese Witherspoon not only didn't win an Oscar for this performance, but that she wasn't even nominated. Now THAT'S tragic. This has to be one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Every performance, from Witherspoon to Keifer Sutherland to Veronica Cartwright, is a tour-de-force. Witherspoons plays Vanessa, a modern day Red Riding Hood on a journey to meet her long-lost grandmother, running away from the Child Services Department after her alcoholic, drug-addicted mother [Cartwright] is once again arrested for solicitation. On her way, she encounters Sutherland, a child psychologist of dubious nature. There's the ensuing hilarity, poignant moments and satisfying resolution.

Why should you see this movie? Because it's downright hysterical. Reward yourself with a movie that you'll laugh through from start to finish and never skip through.

Life in the trash lane...
Freeway (1996), written and directed by Matthew Bright, takes the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood, infuses it with part Jerry Springer, part America's Most Wanted to create a highly disturbing, yet often times satirical, dark look at our collective fascination with serial killers.

The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Vanessa Lutz, a somewhat illiterate 15-year-old California girl whose life is anything but a bowl of cherries. Her mother (Amanda Plummer) is a drug-addicted prostitute, working just outside the motel where the family lives, while her step-dad Larry, played by Michael Weiss (The Pretender), is a lecherous, alcoholic, drug abusing parolee who has spent more of his life in prisons than out. Trouble develops when Vanessa's mother gets arrested, along with her stepfather, and Vanessa is headed into the foster care system once again. Deciding to forgo the system, Vanessa escapes, trying to make her way to her paternal grandmother, a woman she's never met, but figures it's got to be better than the alternative.

Upon breaking down on the freeway, she meets Bob Wolverton (Kiefer Sutherland) who offers assistance in a ride. The man seems a bit too helpful (at least to me), but Vanessa takes Bob up on his offer. We learn Bob is some sort of councilor, and he begins to probe (figuratively speaking) Vanessa about her family problems, getting her to discuss more and more details. She trusts him initially, given that it is usually easier to discuss highly personal matters with a complete stranger than those closest to you, but, when Bob begins to get too explicit, Vanessa tries to walk away, to which Bob's true colors come through. You see, there's a serial killer on the loose, one whose target appear to be young women picked up on the freeway. As Vanessa determines that Bob is in fact the killer, she manages to escape, but not before shooting Bob a number of times, leaving him for dead. But Bob doesn't die...he's severely messed up, but doesn't die.

Soon Vanessa is picked up by the police, as Bob, now a victim, and his wife (played by Brook Shields) aggressively press for the prosecution of Vanessa as an adult. It's no surprise to Vanessa that the police are reluctant to by into her version of the events, seeing only a troubled youth who viciously shot and then robbed a man trying to assist her. As the authorities try to determine whether or not they can prosecute Vanessa as an adult, she manages to escape, and makes her way towards her grandmother's house, while the police, finding new evidence to support Vanessa's story, begin investigating Bob, who has since gone missing.

I've given you a fair synopsis so far, but I left out a lot of things, like the dark, comedic elements, the graphic violence, and the incredible amount of profanity. Reese Witherspoon does a wonderful job, presenting an interminably cute, yet violent and brutal when she needs to be, product of her environment. Her character seemed very similar to the one she played in a later film, Election (1999), except a lot trashier, but less devious. Kiefer Sutherland seemed to enjoy his role, presenting an initially suave exterior hiding a fairly hideous and disgusting individual, full of contempt and thoughts of uber-violence. His visage after suffering the attack from his would be victim nicely matched what I felt the character to be like on the inside, disturbing, disgusting, and intensely grotesque. The supporting cast including Dan Heyda, Bokeem Woodbine, and Brittany Murphy all add nicely to this intensely out-of-whack modern day version of the little girl in red and the big, bad wolf. One can't help notice influences of Oliver Stone's 1994 surrealistic nightmare Natural Born Killers within this film, and I wasn't surprised to learn Mr. Stone was actually an executive producer for Freeway. While lacking the intense, skewed, and sometimes confusing visual imagery of Natural Born Killers, Freeway does share it's darkly comedic elements, holding little back from its audience. As I said, the violence is more of the visceral sort, but I did notice in many instances the aftermath of the violence was shown, rather than the actual act as it happened. The amount of profanity seemed a bit extreme at times, but it was there for a reason (what that reason is, I am unsure). With elements in film like this, I am usually of the opinion that less is more, in that a subjective placement of such language in certain areas of the movie can create the shocking elements desired rather than large quantities spread throughout.

The quality of the print here looks very good in wide screen format, and the audio is excellent. Not much in the way of special features other than a commentary track by the writer/director and a theatrical trailer. The price for this DVD is certainly attractive, but know that it earns its' 'R' rating, and certainly isn't for everyone.

Cookieman108

"'Cause I'm p*ssed off, and the whole world owes me"
There is nothing sacred in FREEWAY. Movies like this get your friendly neighborhood "family values" handwringers drooling in righteousness. Oliver Stone was executive producer, which may be one reason why it feels just like an one of his movies. Yet I think its far better than the self-indulgent NATURAL BORN KILLERS (definitely superior to U-TURN). Its pretenses are much lower, and then there's Reese Witherspoon.

This is possibly her best performance; she definitely doesn't play it safe here. An endearing, sociopathic and illiterate 15-year old who "had an anger problem, but not any more." It's fun to think of the LEGALLY BLONDE fanatics renting this and being horrified at their princess turning tricks and having a black boyfriend. At the same time, she really does do interesting movies. ELECTION is way different, yet I think is a great companion to this movie with its dark, subversive humor. AMERICAN PSYCHO and CRUEL INTENTIONS are by no means good movies, but we're not talking Sandra Bullock's stuff here.

Anyway, FREEWAY is in its own class, taking urban white trash clichés in absurd and droll directions. Vanessa Lutz's prostitute mother, pederast step-father and their crack rocks are taken away by the County cops, and she just wants to get to grandmother's trailer park where everything will be okay. (Her dream sequence, with a trailer park paradise with kitsch giraffe statutes makes for an hysterical ideal) So she sets off, on the I-5 in southern California. She eventually falls into the hands of bourgeois child therapist and ambitious serial killer Bob Wolverton (Keifer), who manipulates her into talking about herself. This is one of the best parts of the movie.

Sutherland is fine as the wolf. The two detectives are hilarious. Dan Hedaya as the slightly bemused older guy, and Wolfgang Bodison as the patronizing young guy who Vanessa beats the crap out of at one point.

Strange moral debates constantly play out in the subtext of the movie, and I think enhance its humor. There are few well-written movies that even approach the black humor and socially sacriligeous quality of this movie. It's up there with REPO MAN and WAY OF THE GUN. Director Matthew Bright's commentary is pretty interesting, especially talking about the dynamics of filming on a very limited budget. Also, through his constant remarks about girls, girls' hair, Reese, and hints of his own perversions, he comes across as a very weird fellow on his own. So it is worth listening to if you're a fan of the movie.

A Very Deceiving Movie
The official Amazon.com review got this movie all wrong. Although it is kind of about post-Springer/Cops world, this is less of a social commentary as it is a dark comedy. There's so many good one liners ("Do you wanna get shot a whole buncha times?!") and just generally funny characters (the mildly-retarded yet aggressive lesbian). If it is a commentary on society, it's not commneting on the media, but on the modern-day family unit. An interesting note is that the picture Vannessa shows Bob of her father is actually a picture of a convicted serial murder Richard Speck.

All in all, a very funny, very odd little movie. I can't recommend it enough, especially for the great acting of Witherspoon and the typically bad acting of Brooke Shields. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

WE LOVE IT
The first time my 4-1/2 year old son saw this video, he just sat there with his mouth open. Since then, we have done three of the experiments. Having recently "graduated" from Barney, I am just thrilled with this video. I only wish there was more.

The Best of Beakman's World
I only ever saw one episode of this show on TV in June 2000, but I really started to like it fast. I thought it was really funny, but I can't seem to find out where to catch it anymore. I was so excited when I found this at my library; it has a lot of cool stuff on it and it's kind of like Bill Nye, but sometimes weirder. I'd definitely recommend this to just about anybody.

This show is a great way to learn basic science
I have always been a Beakman fan, and I was sorry the show was taken off the air. The experiments are great and the presentations are funny and informative. Science can be fun! This "Best of" gathers a number of experiments and "fast facts", and it's a great gift for people who either liked the show or who need a fun introduction to scientific principles. I'm only sorry Josie doesn't appear much, since the in-between bits she was featured in are trimmed here. Liza doesn't appear at all. I bought this tape for myself and I have now gone back and ordered two additional copies to give to my nephews for XMas. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The big-screen version of the hugely popular 1970s television sitcom takes an original angle: instead of simply re-creating the old series, the film spoofs it by presenting the merged family as blithely unaware that fashions and customs have changed in the '90s. Shelley Long and Gary Cole are hilarious as the ultra-square yet libidinous Mr. and Mrs. Brady, Christopher Daniel Barnes is an ideal Greg, and Christine Taylor seems practically cloned from the original Marcia. But director Betty Thomas (Private Parts) shifts the emphasis away from comparisons between old and new Bradys and concentrates on quasi-surreal parodies and set pieces featuring the Brady kids doing their spirited, singing thing for a disbelieving public. Smart, sharp, and happy to share its conspiratorial mood with an appreciative audience, The Brady Bunch Movie is a kick. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Come on Home with the Bradys.
When I first watched this movie, I really wasn't looking forward to seeing it. I enjoyed watching the television show when I was a kid, but it wasn't one of my favorite shows. However, this film really surprised me and turned out to be the funniest movie I've seen in years.

The movie is hilarious. It parodies everything that made the Brady the Bradys (Cindy's lisp, Mike's family talks, potato sack races, etc) . All the actors have a dead-on impersonations of the original characters and make the spoof totally believable.

The major plot of the film is fairly simple. The Brady's owe $20,000 in back taxes and their beloved home is going to be sold if they can't raise the funds. Their next door neighbor is a greedy developer who wants to build a shopping mall in the Bradys neighborhood. All the other homeowners have sold, but the Bradys won't bite. The desperate developer seems to have lost, until he finds out about the Bradys' back taxes. Then things get messy. There is also a subplot revolving around Jan's struggle with being a middle child and always being overlooked by Marcia. Jan's "struggle" is one of the most hilarious things I have seen on film in a long time. You'll never think of hearing voices the same again (or Jan Brady for that matter).

Overall a hilarious film that parodies the original television series. The movie has the blessing of the Bradys creator (he wrote the screenplay). It is a delight for anyone who remembers the original series and even if you don't, you're sure to have a few laughs with this 70's family living in a modern world.

Great Movie - Disappointing DVD
I remember watching this movie in the theatres. The audience was packed and I LOVED every minute of it. Shelly Long made an outstanding Carol Brady, loving wife and doting mother to six (count 'em six) children. The movie captured the classic camp of the television show perfectly down to trademark episode storylines inter-woven into a bigger story. The real stand out actors though has to be Christine Taylor as Marcia and Jennifer Elise Cox as Jan. The dynamic duo really set the stage with not only their remarkable resemblance to the characters but the way they captured even the inflections of the blonde Brady girls. It was almost like being taken back to the series. And speaking of which, several original series cast members make cameo appearances in the film, such as Florence Henderson as Grandma Brady, Barry Williams as a music producer, Ann B. Davis as Shultzy (named as an homage to her character on the Bob Cummings Show), and Christopher Knight as the school coach. And you can't miss the ever talented Jean Smart or RuPaul as the drunk next door neighbor and school guidence counselor. The drawbacks of the DVD release though is that Paramount skimped on any bonus material. We are benefited with seeing the movie in crystal clear widescreen and in Dolby sound, but there are no behind-the-scenes clips added though such material was shown on television when the movie was just released. There are no character/actor bios. There are no photo stills. There are no Brady song montages. There isn't even a movie trailer of the movie itself. There is just simply nothing added to make this DVD as special as it could have been than just the movie standing alone. In my mind, the purpose of releasing a movie on DVD at all is to provide the audience with a higher level of product than you would recieve on a standard videotape. Because the movie wasn't released with any of these I have to grudgingly give the DVD a three out of five stars. Not because the movie isn't good, because it is. It's one of my favorites. No, I gave it three stars because companies such as Paramount and others like them really should know better. The word 'cheated' comes to mind.

Classic Bradys
This is a show I grew up on. And I watched all 6 Brady kids grow up on TV as well, so to see them (well not all the original kids) on the big screen had to be a must see. Two decades later the Brady's still have a following, judging by the commercial success of this film and a whole new generation is introduced (though probably don't understand) the wholesome white bread image the Brady's portrayed. Stuck in their 70's world while everyone around them has progressed? to the cynical 1990's, Mike, Carol, Alice & the Brady kids face the problem of a disgusted neighbor (Michael McKean, Lenny from another 70's favorite sitcom, Lavern & Shirley)trying to get rid of the bell bottom wearing Bradys as neighbors. Fans of this show, will recognize many familiar themes from the Brady Bunch's successul sitcom run such as Greg as Johnny Bravo, Cindy's tattle tale, and my favorite Jan's envy of Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. By the way Marcia really looks like a twin Maureen McCormack (the original Marcia). Florence Henderson (the original Carol Brady makes a guest appearance as the grandmother and so does the original Greg (Barry Williams). But the new cast, who look nothing like the originals except for Marcia, do a great job of mocking the Brady sitcom I grew up watching.

Why oh, why does Hollywood want to ruin icons?
Why do they insist on making a mockery of television shows we all loved? Brady Bunch, Scooby Do... there have been others. They make a movie that serves SOLELY to make the characters and premise look dumb. It's irritating and stupid.

This is the best comedy!!!
If you are looking for a hilarious comedy that will have you rolling on the floor for hours and hours that isn't too bad for the little children? Well if the answer is yes, then this movie is the perfect movie for you. Then after this movie won 6 Emmy's they came out with another sequal that earned 4 Emmy's, and then, the final and the best sequal(The Third) is the most funny, it is where Greg Brady becomes President. ... Read more

Reviews (86)

Simply Hilarious Satire
I have a different sort of sense of humor than most people, so that may be the reason that I did not find this movie too violent or disturbing as some reviewers did here. They seem to be missing the point: this is SATIRE. The movie does not take itself seriously once, and that is what makes it so great. Everything is attacked here with acerbic wit, from tweaked out prostitutes to parole violations ("he most certainly does not have a gun, he's on parole, he hasn't owned a firearm in a long time") to welfare vouchers and wayward, illiterate teens to the foster care system and the media circus to serial killers and glue-sniffing jailhouse lesbians...this is a grab bag of American society at its rotten core and it works better than you expect it to.

Reese Witherspoon plays Vanessa Lutz with glee. You can just tell she has a ball with her character, and the lines she gets to utter are priceless. This is a movie where the dialogue will stick in your head long after the end credits roll. Keifer Sutherland also seems to enjoy playing the "Bad Wolf" I-5 killer Bob Wolverton, almost disturbingly so. The violence in this movie is not as explicit as many reviewers have stated. Freeway comes across more as a twisted comedy than a thriller, although there are some brief instances of violence.

The action flies by quickly and by the end, we don't want the ride to conclude. Freeway succeeds in all parts.

Tragically Funny
I can't believe Reese Witherspoon not only didn't win an Oscar for this performance, but that she wasn't even nominated. Now THAT'S tragic. This has to be one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Every performance, from Witherspoon to Keifer Sutherland to Veronica Cartwright, is a tour-de-force. Witherspoons plays Vanessa, a modern day Red Riding Hood on a journey to meet her long-lost grandmother, running away from the Child Services Department after her alcoholic, drug-addicted mother [Cartwright] is once again arrested for solicitation. On her way, she encounters Sutherland, a child psychologist of dubious nature. There's the ensuing hilarity, poignant moments and satisfying resolution.

Why should you see this movie? Because it's downright hysterical. Reward yourself with a movie that you'll laugh through from start to finish and never skip through.

Life in the trash lane...
Freeway (1996), written and directed by Matthew Bright, takes the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood, infuses it with part Jerry Springer, part America's Most Wanted to create a highly disturbing, yet often times satirical, dark look at our collective fascination with serial killers.

The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Vanessa Lutz, a somewhat illiterate 15-year-old California girl whose life is anything but a bowl of cherries. Her mother (Amanda Plummer) is a drug-addicted prostitute, working just outside the motel where the family lives, while her step-dad Larry, played by Michael Weiss (The Pretender), is a lecherous, alcoholic, drug abusing parolee who has spent more of his life in prisons than out. Trouble develops when Vanessa's mother gets arrested, along with her stepfather, and Vanessa is headed into the foster care system once again. Deciding to forgo the system, Vanessa escapes, trying to make her way to her paternal grandmother, a woman she's never met, but figures it's got to be better than the alternative.

Upon breaking down on the freeway, she meets Bob Wolverton (Kiefer Sutherland) who offers assistance in a ride. The man seems a bit too helpful (at least to me), but Vanessa takes Bob up on his offer. We learn Bob is some sort of councilor, and he begins to probe (figuratively speaking) Vanessa about her family problems, getting her to discuss more and more details. She trusts him initially, given that it is usually easier to discuss highly personal matters with a complete stranger than those closest to you, but, when Bob begins to get too explicit, Vanessa tries to walk away, to which Bob's true colors come through. You see, there's a serial killer on the loose, one whose target appear to be young women picked up on the freeway. As Vanessa determines that Bob is in fact the killer, she manages to escape, but not before shooting Bob a number of times, leaving him for dead. But Bob doesn't die...he's severely messed up, but doesn't die.

Soon Vanessa is picked up by the police, as Bob, now a victim, and his wife (played by Brook Shields) aggressively press for the prosecution of Vanessa as an adult. It's no surprise to Vanessa that the police are reluctant to by into her version of the events, seeing only a troubled youth who viciously shot and then robbed a man trying to assist her. As the authorities try to determine whether or not they can prosecute Vanessa as an adult, she manages to escape, and makes her way towards her grandmother's house, while the police, finding new evidence to support Vanessa's story, begin investigating Bob, who has since gone missing.

I've given you a fair synopsis so far, but I left out a lot of things, like the dark, comedic elements, the graphic violence, and the incredible amount of profanity. Reese Witherspoon does a wonderful job, presenting an interminably cute, yet violent and brutal when she needs to be, product of her environment. Her character seemed very similar to the one she played in a later film, Election (1999), except a lot trashier, but less devious. Kiefer Sutherland seemed to enjoy his role, presenting an initially suave exterior hiding a fairly hideous and disgusting individual, full of contempt and thoughts of uber-violence. His visage after suffering the attack from his would be victim nicely matched what I felt the character to be like on the inside, disturbing, disgusting, and intensely grotesque. The supporting cast including Dan Heyda, Bokeem Woodbine, and Brittany Murphy all add nicely to this intensely out-of-whack modern day version of the little girl in red and the big, bad wolf. One can't help notice influences of Oliver Stone's 1994 surrealistic nightmare Natural Born Killers within this film, and I wasn't surprised to learn Mr. Stone was actually an executive producer for Freeway. While lacking the intense, skewed, and sometimes confusing visual imagery of Natural Born Killers, Freeway does share it's darkly comedic elements, holding little back from its audience. As I said, the violence is more of the visceral sort, but I did notice in many instances the aftermath of the violence was shown, rather than the actual act as it happened. The amount of profanity seemed a bit extreme at times, but it was there for a reason (what that reason is, I am unsure). With elements in film like this, I am usually of the opinion that less is more, in that a subjective placement of such language in certain areas of the movie can create the shocking elements desired rather than large quantities spread throughout.

The quality of the print here looks very good in wide screen format, and the audio is excellent. Not much in the way of special features other than a commentary track by the writer/director and a theatrical trailer. The price for this DVD is certainly attractive, but know that it earns its' 'R' rating, and certainly isn't for everyone.

Cookieman108

"'Cause I'm p*ssed off, and the whole world owes me"
There is nothing sacred in FREEWAY. Movies like this get your friendly neighborhood "family values" handwringers drooling in righteousness. Oliver Stone was executive producer, which may be one reason why it feels just like an one of his movies. Yet I think its far better than the self-indulgent NATURAL BORN KILLERS (definitely superior to U-TURN). Its pretenses are much lower, and then there's Reese Witherspoon.

This is possibly her best performance; she definitely doesn't play it safe here. An endearing, sociopathic and illiterate 15-year old who "had an anger problem, but not any more." It's fun to think of the LEGALLY BLONDE fanatics renting this and being horrified at their princess turning tricks and having a black boyfriend. At the same time, she really does do interesting movies. ELECTION is way different, yet I think is a great companion to this movie with its dark, subversive humor. AMERICAN PSYCHO and CRUEL INTENTIONS are by no means good movies, but we're not talking Sandra Bullock's stuff here.

Anyway, FREEWAY is in its own class, taking urban white trash clichés in absurd and droll directions. Vanessa Lutz's prostitute mother, pederast step-father and their crack rocks are taken away by the County cops, and she just wants to get to grandmother's trailer park where everything will be okay. (Her dream sequence, with a trailer park paradise with kitsch giraffe statutes makes for an hysterical ideal) So she sets off, on the I-5 in southern California. She eventually falls into the hands of bourgeois child therapist and ambitious serial killer Bob Wolverton (Keifer), who manipulates her into talking about herself. This is one of the best parts of the movie.

Sutherland is fine as the wolf. The two detectives are hilarious. Dan Hedaya as the slightly bemused older guy, and Wolfgang Bodison as the patronizing young guy who Vanessa beats the crap out of at one point.

Strange moral debates constantly play out in the subtext of the movie, and I think enhance its humor. There are few well-written movies that even approach the black humor and socially sacriligeous quality of this movie. It's up there with REPO MAN and WAY OF THE GUN. Director Matthew Bright's commentary is pretty interesting, especially talking about the dynamics of filming on a very limited budget. Also, through his constant remarks about girls, girls' hair, Reese, and hints of his own perversions, he comes across as a very weird fellow on his own. So it is worth listening to if you're a fan of the movie.

A Very Deceiving Movie
The official Amazon.com review got this movie all wrong. Although it is kind of about post-Springer/Cops world, this is less of a social commentary as it is a dark comedy. There's so many good one liners ("Do you wanna get shot a whole buncha times?!") and just generally funny characters (the mildly-retarded yet aggressive lesbian). If it is a commentary on society, it's not commneting on the media, but on the modern-day family unit. An interesting note is that the picture Vannessa shows Bob of her father is actually a picture of a convicted serial murder Richard Speck.

All in all, a very funny, very odd little movie. I can't recommend it enough, especially for the great acting of Witherspoon and the typically bad acting of Brooke Shields. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A barrel of laughs!
I was never a fan of the 70's Brady Bunch sitcom perhaps because I didn't grow up then or, more suitably, because the idea of a happy family in today's modern world seems just to good to be true.
However, when creator Sherwood Schwarz made a movie, I was very impressed. Rather than rehashing the mawkish sitcom in where one member of the family encounters some minute mishap of which inevitably is solved at the end of the episode, Scharz decided to turn his classic sitcom into a spoof and what better than to transport the zany family into the nineties.

Most of the hilarity in the film eminates from the fact that the Bradys' innocence, naivity and perfection against the harsh world of the 90's is no match. All characters are practically cloned which makes the film even more impressive.

The plot is wafer thin but who cares? Mike Brady's house is up for repossession and it is up to the family to save it. The question is how? A very funny solution ensues. The sister rivalry between Jan and Marsha works very well and again contributes to most of the laughs within the movie.

To say anything else would ruin the movie so sit back and enjoy. You won't be disapointed!

The Brady's Meet Rocky Horror
The movie is funny! It is risque, but not crude, which is nice. Above all it has great writing. The actors are fine (but it is painfully clear when an original cast member takes a cameo that they do not have the talent of the orignal cast, which is surprising. Who knew the cast of the Brady Bunch was talented? That is no doubt one of the reason's behind the tv show's success.)
Lots of comedy about sexuality, but no where near the gutter level of post "Something About Mary" comedy.
Even though I said it is a good comedy and well worth seeing, I have to warn you that it also left me feeling sad and empty. The premise was funny - the Brady's are stuck in the sunny 70's the rest of the world is in the cruel 90's - but the postmodern cynicism is bleak.

THE MOST EXCELLENT MOVIE EVER
Sha na na ! Those are the three words I have to utter. I think that A Very Brady Sequel is one of the most hilarious movies ever to hit the cinemas. KEEP IT! Im telling you, youll never want to throw it away once you own it, its like a plate of amazing spaghetti, and nothing says lovin like a tummy full of alices spaghetti! But seriously guys, Marcia, Jan and Greg are the main characters in the sequel and they are so incredibly hilarious, there is no other word to describe it. Jan Brady is completely insane and psychopathic, worst than the original movie and this time around she doesnt have multiple personalities like Sybil. Marcia knows exactly what to say to everything Jan does, lines such as "Ill go first cause' im the prettiest" and "oh honestly jan" will have you and your families busting a gut (or two) (or three) at this cinematic classic. DO NOT GO ON WITH OUT THIS FOLKS it is once in a lifetime movie! Forget about watching your figure for your new boyfriend, forget out dillydallying, now is the time to get this treasure before it dissapears like bobby and cindy with a magic kit! IT IS EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT!

Great
The Brady Bunch movies were extremly funny! I couldn't stand the TV Show but the movies are great! There not TO "bad" for minors. I highly recommend this movie who loves a great laugh once in awhile.

My 4 year old daughter loves it
My 4 year old daughter loves this movie. She asks to watch it every day. I of course sit and watch it with her but it is so funny and entertaining that I enjoy it as well. ... Read more

Description

A magical story about an older couple (Ben Gazzara and Rita Moreno) who try to rekindle their love one night in the Catskills. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Once in a Blue Moon
The movie uses a sci fi twist to make a point about love, commitment, relationships, and physical and emotional child abuse. I like this movie very much. It sets up a mysterious and romantic tone very well, it is well-acted, and the scenes are perfectly timed to maintain a good pace.

A Really Sweet Movie
It's the kind of movie that is so warm and humorous that couples absolutely have to rent it. I saw it in LA with my husband and even he got a little teary. I think the film is especially great for couples making up after a fight. Trust me on that one!

Blue Moon
I caught this movie in New York and I am looking forward to the video! Ben Gazzara and Rita Moreno are so perfect together. It is a film that will rent well to the romantic in us all. And the youngsters, Brian Vincent and Alanna Ubach bring a sweet charm to this lovely film. Will be especially well recieved on television I believe. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Small Movie, Big Kudos
I liked this film a lot. Besides the fact that I like to support smaller, independent films (especially since this one features a lot of women in front of and behind the scenes), CLOCKWATCHERS is simply an entertaining show! It has a smart tone, and is a close cousin to OFFICE SPACE (featuring that *other* FRIENDS star, Jennifer Aniston).

The story is engrossing and concerns a pack of temps. Toni Collette plays Iris, who starts out as a timid, shy and introverted person. Her encounters with the other girls changes her (especially with the outspoken and quirky character played by Parker Posey - she's great in this!). Toni Collette is very good here - and although she is an Academy Award nominated actress (THE SIXTH SENSE) it's funny how the director's use of a new shade of lipstick is filmatic shorthand for the character change Iris goes through! Lisa Kudrow is not quite as ditzy as she usually is on FRIENDS. It's nice to see her in a different mode.

There's not much more story than that. If you've been a temp or work in an office environment you will appreciate this film. The film's theme is about sleepwalking through life and making your mark. Most of the girls cow to the corporate machine. One of them scratches "I was here" on her desk - just to make her mark.

There's an interesting subplot about an office thief that gets tied into the movie's theme nicely.

Please rent or buy this film. It's not SPIDERMAN, but it deserves your attention. Again, it is a "small-character-study" sort of film. But it is very well done, with excellent performances from its cast.

Brilliant, low-key, darkly comical
This is a mostly overlooked and underrated portrayal of the world of office temps. The beauty of this film is that, rather than hitting us with obvious plot devices, it slowly builds an atmosphere of oppression and monotony. The nameless company that employs and exploits the temps slowly chips away at the dreams, hopes and self-esteem of the characters. They are caught in an anonymous, meaningless life where the silliest of rules are ruthlessly enforced by petty tyrants. What's refreshing about Clockwatchers is the way it exposes the alienation of modern corporate life without resorting to the usual movie cliches. There is no sex, violence or even law suits here. It is seemingly trivial events, like the theft of small personal objects, that builds tension. There is also humor, the kind that fans of Dilbert will appreciate, as when a fired worker objects, "you can't fire me, you don't even know my name!" There is an existentialist feeling to the film, most notably verbalized by Parker Posey (a great addition to any independent film), who says something like, "I don't think anyone cares if I even exist." Clockwatchers is, I think, more than a movie about office temps. It's a commentary on our whole bureaucratic, atomized society. Along with Safe, another of my favorite films of the last decade (I'll proably review that one soon), Clockwatchers is a truly significant film about the modern world.

Satire on Temp Hell
Clockwatchers is a movie about four office temps who work at a dreary, mind numbing assignment. The temps are basically treated like the scum off the earth. They bond but then are sadly drawn apart.

If you have ever temped or even worked at a boring office job, you will probably laugh and nod your head at some of its humor. It captures the craziness better than some of the more recent office comedies like Office Space. It's not for everyone and is very unusual film. It's not a "laugh out loud" comedy. The characters are a sad set and the humor is subtle and may be go "over the head" for some non-temps. It is not pretty either. The set design is gray and depressing. Have heard some people call it boring. Temping is boring. In other words, it is a lot like like temping.

I am so glad someone made this movie. Can't believe it got made, but am glad. It is a story that needed to be told. As someone who used to temp, it brought back a lot of memories. I knew people like these characters. People who stayed in these jobs because they lacked the confidence or education to change jobs.

Being Hollywood, they exaggerate a bit, but get much of it right. Temping is one of the biggest scams the business world has ever created. I was disappointed that they did not explore in detail some of the other problems with temping, like the relationship between the temp and the agency. There is some satire there, trust me. As a temp, you basically forfeit basic worker's rights. Little or no benefits, no sick time, no "wrongful" termination, never knowing if you will even have a job tomorrow, doing all sorts of busy work to keep your job. I suggest that anyone who "wants" to temp see this film and run like hell.

Funny, yet can hit a little close to home
As someone who has been both a "perm" and a "temp," I find much in "Clockwatchers" to be completely truthful. Where "Office Space" (a movie I also loved) offered a cathartic revenge fantasy, "Clockwatchers" dares to tell it like it is -- that dead-end jobs really have no way out or up -- even if it is dreary and depressing.

There is humor, but rather than the cartoonish humor of "Office Space," "Clockwatchers" shows the ridiculous in little everyday workplace happenings: playing with the adjustment mechanisms on your chair, popping sheets of bubble wrap, or using Liquid Paper as nail polish.

The weird combination of emotions that these temps go through -- hopelessness and ambition, despair and frivolity, anger mixed with s**t-eating grins -- are extremely realistic and something that those in a similar work situation can probably easily relate to. The performances are outstanding, especially Toni Collette and Parker Posey.

Highly recommended!

One of indie comedy's biggest downers.
This film is bizarrely uneven. What seems like a reasonably straight-forward comedy (albeit a pretty subdued one) gradually gives way to a depressing portrait of displacement in the inhuman contemporary work force. However, while changing gears, the film never loses the audience. The more comedic beginning commits us to these characters. We like them, we like them together, and we like them together in the ridiculous and pointless do-nothing jobs they keep. So as they drift apart and as the work conditions become more and more dehumanizing, we empathize totally and feel a disappointment in the deterioration of this little community we'd really come to like. Furthermore, most of us have had friendships drift apart, and more specifically working relationships become estranged. "Clockwatchers" preys on this and as a result is one of the more effective downers I've seen.

Much of the early half of the film reminds most viewers of a more tame "Office Space," for obvious reasons. But "Clockwatchers" distinguished itself well from this movie and others of its type. Actually, I think a far closer companion film would be the early portions of "Fight Club" (another film that dramatically shifts gears but keeps the audience in tow). Like "Fight Club," "Clockwatchers" relies on cynical and ironic wit and moreso on extremely stylized sets, lighting, and camerawork. Another unusual aspect of this film is the unmistakable lack of anything resembling a romance plot whatsoever. How many girlfriend comedies - commercial or independent - can you think of that don't land boyfriends on the laps of at least one of the characters before the credits roll? "Clockwatchers" succeeds by these differences. Its a film like really no other, and it fascinates us and sticks in our memories as a result. I mean, "Clockwatchers" isn't saving lives or anything, and Bresson it ain't, but it is a film I keep going back to for its many (refreshingly) atypical handlings of a pretty well-tread concept. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Something of a prelude to NBK & Kalifornia.
When insecure 18 year old Lincoln Muller (Devon Gummersall) and his jock friends encounter wild & seductive Alex Langley (Rosanna Arquette), they think they are in for a night of explosive passion. Instead, she steals their car and entices Lincoln to join her on a cross country crime spree, starting with the robbery of a convenience store clerk (Cuba Gooding Jr.).

Defies formulas, trusts the subtlety & insight of viewers
This movie appears at first to be an adolescent fantasy movie, and then seems to drift into a buddy/road movie formula, but emerges on its own and defies formula and cliche. Arquette is wonderfully full, both subtle and powerful in her portrayal of this lost, wounded, strong, evasive and ultimately caring woman. I also appreciate a movie that doesn't feel the need to explain every detail, location and motivation, but instead trusts the audience to follow the story as it emerges and to go with the characters as they unfold. Ultimately, I guess I'd call it an effective, touching, thought-provoking and uncommon love and coming-of-age story told in both gentle and violent images.

I saw on Cinemax in January.

Awesome
This Movie is my Favorite movie of all time ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Something of a prelude to NBK & Kalifornia.
When insecure 18 year old Lincoln Muller (Devon Gummersall) and his jock friends encounter wild & seductive Alex Langley (Rosanna Arquette), they think they are in for a night of explosive passion. Instead, she steals their car and entices Lincoln to join her on a cross country crime spree, starting with the robbery of a convenience store clerk (Cuba Gooding Jr.).

Defies formulas, trusts the subtlety & insight of viewers
This movie appears at first to be an adolescent fantasy movie, and then seems to drift into a buddy/road movie formula, but emerges on its own and defies formula and cliche. Arquette is wonderfully full, both subtle and powerful in her portrayal of this lost, wounded, strong, evasive and ultimately caring woman. I also appreciate a movie that doesn't feel the need to explain every detail, location and motivation, but instead trusts the audience to follow the story as it emerges and to go with the characters as they unfold. Ultimately, I guess I'd call it an effective, touching, thought-provoking and uncommon love and coming-of-age story told in both gentle and violent images.

I saw on Cinemax in January.

Awesome
This Movie is my Favorite movie of all time ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"There's only thing we've gotta do now, meet his parents"
ROCK ON!!! I can't wait to see this! I heard Ben Stiller talk about this sequel years ago whe he guest starred on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionare', but I never knew he was serious after 5 years prior to the original. I hope I can get a guarantee of major laughs from this one like I did the first. Unlike SOME people, however, I don't just want to see this because Barbra blah blah something is going to be in it, I'm going to see it because I loved the first one and I'm a HARD-CORE Ben Stiller fan!

Can't wait!
I cant wait until this comes out! Barbra Joan Streisand is in it and I love her so much! She has been my idol since I was 5...and I am only 12! I am hoping that my prediction of stars is right...! ... Read more