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An affectionate homage more than a spoof of Alfred Hitchcock thrillers, Mel Brooks's hilarious movie is one of the funniest modern comedies around. Brooks plays a psychiatrist with a severe fear of heights who moves to the Bay Area to take over a psychiatric hospital after its former head mysteriously disappears. He must contend with the resident psychiatrist (Harvey Korman) and the twisted resident nurse (Cloris Leachman) as they plot against him, eventually framing him for murder. While on the run, Brooks teams up with the alluring daughter (Madeline Kahn) of the missing doctor to solve the mystery and confront his own fears. Containing some classic sequences and cowritten by Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Wag the Dog), who appears briefly as a too-touchy bellhop in a Psycho-shower-scene takeoff, High Anxiety is a thoroughly enjoyable romp from one of the masters of comedy today. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (38)

The Master of Comedy meets the Master of Suspense!!!!
This is a hilarious spoof of several Hitchcock films. The film wouldn't be as funny, if you hadn't seen some of hitchcock's films, including Psycho, the Birds, or Vertigo.
It stars Mel Brooks, the director, but the best acting comes from his girlfriend, Madeline Kahn. This is one of Madeline's best roles, as my brother says. She gets the best lines in the entire movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is probably my favorite of the brook's pictures that i've seen, and I highly recommend it to his and hitchcock's fans!!

High Anxiety, you win!
Hilarious Mel Brooks film second to only "Young Frankenstein." I know a lot of Hitchcock movies so I got a lot of the jokes that Mel Brooks is making about him, and since Mel Brooks is such a funny guy, his own stuff is great too. Check out the airport scene where he and Madeline Kahn impersonate the Russian Jews and try not to laugh. (Of course, if you're not a Russian Jew like me you might not laugh so hard.) Or Cloris Leachman's entire character, kinkiness, pointy breasts and all. Or the take on Psycho where Mel is attacked with a newspaper instead of a knife and the ink spilling down the drain serves as the blood.This entire movie is just funny. Rent it or buy it, either way see it!

The greatest comedy never released on dvd.
This is without a doubt , one of the funniest Mel Brooks movies of all time. The cast is hilarious and the hitchcock parodies are a scream. The big question is..when will this movie be released on widescreen DVD? It is certainly, in my opinion, as funny as Blazing Saddles. I hope it will soon be rereleased so it can be discovered by a new generation of movie lovers.

"...That bell-boy ain't gettin' no tip!"
Mel Brooks at his very best. Together with his usual cast of cronies, Brooks spoofs the Hitchcock Thriller genre, delivering hilarious gags about films like "The Birds", "Psycho", "North by Northwest", and of course "Vertigo". A silly plot about a professor from "The Institute" wraps the whole idea into a plausible story. Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman and Harvey Korman are scene-stealers, as always. A comedy gem!*****

High Anxiety, You Win!
Certainly a great Mel Brooks classic complete with his usual zany cast with the likes of Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman and Madeline Kahn who have appeared in many of his other spoofs. Mel Brooks plays chief pshychiatrist Dr. Richard Harpo Thorndyke who had one severe phobia, and that was his fear of heights. Resident phsychiatrist Dr. Charles Montague (Korman) and head nurse Charlotte Diesel (Leachman) take advantage of this phobia, especially when Dr. Thorndyke goes to the phsychiatry convention at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco; "Seventeenth floor, can't get any higher."

This film is a parody on many of Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers such as "Vertigo" (the main theme), "Psycho", "The Birds" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much". Dr. Thorndyke teams up with Victoria Brisbane (Kahn) who was in search of her father Arthur Brisbane who had been held at the Institute for the Very, Very Nervous against his will along with many of the patients by Dr. Montague and Nurse Diesel who have also attempted plots on the life of Dr. Thorndyke. Like all of Mel Brooks films, this movie will make anyone roll on the floor in laughter from start to finish as a lot of the unexpected occurs throughout such as the rock with a note tied to it come smashing through Dr. Thorndyke's bathroom window from the violent ward at the institute while brushing his teeth or the filming crew doing silly things like breaking a window pane with the camera lens. One of the best parts was when Brooks and Kahn dress and act like an old Yiddish couple attempting to go through security screening with a loaded gun at San Francisco Airport, "I BEEPED! I BEEPED!" This movie is great for Mel Brooks fans and a film that is highly recommended. "High Anxiety, You Win!" ... Read more

Reviews (130)

Takes classic film noir detective story to new heights
This 1974 film takes the classic film noir detective movie to new heights. Yes, there is murder, scandal and lots of lies. But yet Jack Nicholson, cast as a private eye, is a sympathetic character. There's one scene in which the director, Roman Polanski, playing a bit part as a thug, rips open Nicholson's nose with a knife. This is the kind of wound that makes the audience grimace every time someone refers to it in the film. Faye Dunaway is cast as the femme fatale. She's beautiful, of course, and it's hard to take our eyes off of her. She's a woman of mystery, but little by little we glimpse her humanity. And by the time her secret is revealed, she's won everyone's heart.

Based on a real life scandal in Los Angeles in 1908, another underlying theme is about water and power in this desert city. The action takes place in the 1930s, and the details of that period of time are well portrayed, right down to Faye Dunaway's shaved and penciled eyebrows. The screenplay won an Academy Award and I can understand why. It was tightly written and revealed details that moved the plot forward at just the right pace. I sat there fascinated, not wanting to take my eyes off the screen, trying to figure out what would happen next and constantly surprised by the next twist and turn. John Huston is cast in the role of a wealthy landowner with a huge secret of his own. He's a fine actor and his presence on the screen added depth to the whole production.

The DVD has a special interview with the writer, Robert Towne, as well as Roman Polanski. This added to my enjoyment of the film and provided further insight about its production. Definitely recommended.

Transcendent Film Noir
I've seen very few "greatest film" lists that don't have Chinatown among the top 10, or even top 5. It's deserving. It's done in the style of a '50's film noir, but transcends the genre.

There are great performances here by Jack Nicholson and John Huston. Nicholson plays a jaded but heroically decent private investigator in the mold of Humphrey Bogart. He's much less the tough guy than Bogart, though, and you get the impression that he'd rather being doing something less seedy for a living. It's a very subtle portrayal. Huston, on the other hand, plays a tycoon whose mere presence on the screen can make your skin crawl.

The film stands out in just about every respect. The sets are wonderful and the cinematography beautiful to look at. Even the score is exceptional.

The DVD is a little short of extras, but they really aren't missed. The transfer is very high quality in all respects.

To the brainiac above who doesn't understand why the water is being dumped in the ocean: they're trying to create a drought to drive the farmers out of business. That's pretty much the key point of the plot. And, yes, a .38 snubnose is perfectly capable of hitting someone at 50 yards. Guns & Ammo tests them to that distance all the time. Get a clue!

A Master Screenplay, A Perfect Film
Many writers consider Robert Towne's screenplay for 'Chinatown' as the perfect screenplay. It is, and is also in fact the example of how important good writing is in the art of cinema. It is perfection and in the hands of Roman Polanski it became a film masterpiece. But it all goes back to the writing. Robert Towne has taken the true story of how Los Angeles stole water to grow and wound around it the fictional story of Jake Gittes, Evelyn Mulwray, and Noah Cross and made them major participants in an ugly little tale of lust and greed. Towne's screenplay is layered like a decaying Dahlia with twisting mysteries and taught suspense. There is not a loose end in sight and a few well placed red herrings are added to the mix to delight any fan of this type of story.
The attention to detail from vintage cars, sets, real L.A. streets and alleys to the excellent score by Jerry Goldsmith and the golden cinematography of John A. Alonzo contribute to all the aspects of this classic of the post 60's film noir.
Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray is at the top of her game creating a neurotic exotic hothouse flower that carries death within the heart of her dark and dirty secret. Lacquered and veiled in the most perfect black widow getup of the genre she is superbly brittle and vulnerable at the same time. She is fascinating to watch as she slowly unravels along with the mystery until she is naked in the horror of what her past and present prison is. This is a great performance by a great artist.
As Evelyn's father Noah Cross, John Huston is the debauched cancerous center of evil and greed captured within the crumbling casing of a seemingly charming old man. He too gives the performance of a lifetime and his soliloquy on what a man is capable of is chilling.
The center of this masterwork is Jack Nicholson who became a star with this, the best of his early work. His J. J. Gittes is hardboiled and ruthless in getting to the bottom of why he is being used to take the fall for a murder. He embodies the soul of Bogart and the heart of a romantic fighting to stay tuff in a rotten world. He is drawn with such skill that he seems not to be acting but simply existing the real world of L.A. in the late 1930's.
"Chinatown" is seminal in its place in film history. It bridged and old and forgotten genre with a new Hollywood in its post studio infancy and laid the groundwork for later films of equal ambition such as "Mullholland Falls" and "L.A. Confidential".
This is one of the best film ever made and a must have for any serious film collector.

I cut my nose shaving
Not since Otto Preminger's LAURA had filmgoers the pleasure of watching a classic film noir, until Polanski's CHINATOWN. The plot and characters are complex but chillingly believeable. I can't find anything wrong with this film. It is well-paced for a fairly long movie. The lighting, cinematography, setting, costumes... everything is as should be. The performances by John Huston and Faye Dunaway are eerie and tragic, respectively. Then of course there's Nicholson. Mad Jack was already firmly established on the Hollywood map having already won acclaim for EASY RIDER, THE LAST DETAIL, and FIVE EASY PIECES. This film however fixed him permanently in the constellation of Hollywood stars. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST would soon follow. In any event, his portrayal of an aloof, world-weary gumshoe who stumbles in over his head into an intrigue involving crooked politicians and the money-slobbering wealthy still holds up 30 years later. This is an incredible film.

THIS IS WHAT FILM IS SUPPOSED TO BE
The mid-1970s saw a spate of "government conspiracy" films, all with liberal themes that emanated from Watergate. None of them were about Kennedy stealing the 1960 election. Hmm.
"Chinatown" (1974) may be the best screenplay ever written. A historical look at 1930s Los Angeles, it actually condensed events from the 1900s with events that, uh, never happened but made for good drama. Written by L.A. native Robert Towne, directed by Roman Polanski, produced by Evans and starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunnaway and famed director John Huston, it told the story of how Los Angeles became a metropolis. In Towne's version, Huston "owns" the L.A. Department of Water & Power with a character based on actual L.A. City engineer William Mulholland. Mulholland had orchestrated the political deal which built the aqueduct that brought water from the Owens Valley into the L.A. Basin, allowing millions of Southern Californians to keep their lawns green to this day.
The Mulholland character is "sacrificed" at the altar of greed, embodied by Huston, who secretly buys the San Fernando Valley, knowing that once the water deal is set, it will be incorporated into the city, making him a gazillionaire. It is rather cynical, although nobody suggests the L.A. "city fathers" were boy scouts. The same old theme is that capitalism and American political power are corrupt. To make sure the audience is convinced the corruption is beyond redemption, Huston is in the end found out be an insatiable, incestual monster. He plays the role so well it brings up minds-eye imagery of his real daughter, Angelica. The film is utterly beyond any criticism, regardless of political colorization. For decades, film students and screenwriters have studied it. It spawned an artistic quest to lace the screen with symbols, metaphors, backstory, and twists.
"Chinatown" seems to be the apex of the American film period, the mid-1970s. The period from 1960 to 1979 is unparalleled, but the backstory of the people who created these classics is a telling tale of why the genre leans to the Left. In the 1960s, film schools became popular. Four schools emerged, and have held their place as the place to learn the craft. In Los Angeles there was the USC School of Cinema-Television. Their first big alumnus was "Star Wars" director George Lucas. UCLA combined their film school with their drama program, so as to bring actors, writers, directors and producers together. Coppola went to UCLA along with a future rock star named Jim Morrison, who would form The Doors with another UCLA film alumnus, keyboardist Ray Manzarek.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM ... Read more

Reviews (130)

Takes classic film noir detective story to new heights
This 1974 film takes the classic film noir detective movie to new heights. Yes, there is murder, scandal and lots of lies. But yet Jack Nicholson, cast as a private eye, is a sympathetic character. There's one scene in which the director, Roman Polanski, playing a bit part as a thug, rips open Nicholson's nose with a knife. This is the kind of wound that makes the audience grimace every time someone refers to it in the film. Faye Dunaway is cast as the femme fatale. She's beautiful, of course, and it's hard to take our eyes off of her. She's a woman of mystery, but little by little we glimpse her humanity. And by the time her secret is revealed, she's won everyone's heart.

Based on a real life scandal in Los Angeles in 1908, another underlying theme is about water and power in this desert city. The action takes place in the 1930s, and the details of that period of time are well portrayed, right down to Faye Dunaway's shaved and penciled eyebrows. The screenplay won an Academy Award and I can understand why. It was tightly written and revealed details that moved the plot forward at just the right pace. I sat there fascinated, not wanting to take my eyes off the screen, trying to figure out what would happen next and constantly surprised by the next twist and turn. John Huston is cast in the role of a wealthy landowner with a huge secret of his own. He's a fine actor and his presence on the screen added depth to the whole production.

The DVD has a special interview with the writer, Robert Towne, as well as Roman Polanski. This added to my enjoyment of the film and provided further insight about its production. Definitely recommended.

Transcendent Film Noir
I've seen very few "greatest film" lists that don't have Chinatown among the top 10, or even top 5. It's deserving. It's done in the style of a '50's film noir, but transcends the genre.

There are great performances here by Jack Nicholson and John Huston. Nicholson plays a jaded but heroically decent private investigator in the mold of Humphrey Bogart. He's much less the tough guy than Bogart, though, and you get the impression that he'd rather being doing something less seedy for a living. It's a very subtle portrayal. Huston, on the other hand, plays a tycoon whose mere presence on the screen can make your skin crawl.

The film stands out in just about every respect. The sets are wonderful and the cinematography beautiful to look at. Even the score is exceptional.

The DVD is a little short of extras, but they really aren't missed. The transfer is very high quality in all respects.

To the brainiac above who doesn't understand why the water is being dumped in the ocean: they're trying to create a drought to drive the farmers out of business. That's pretty much the key point of the plot. And, yes, a .38 snubnose is perfectly capable of hitting someone at 50 yards. Guns & Ammo tests them to that distance all the time. Get a clue!

A Master Screenplay, A Perfect Film
Many writers consider Robert Towne's screenplay for 'Chinatown' as the perfect screenplay. It is, and is also in fact the example of how important good writing is in the art of cinema. It is perfection and in the hands of Roman Polanski it became a film masterpiece. But it all goes back to the writing. Robert Towne has taken the true story of how Los Angeles stole water to grow and wound around it the fictional story of Jake Gittes, Evelyn Mulwray, and Noah Cross and made them major participants in an ugly little tale of lust and greed. Towne's screenplay is layered like a decaying Dahlia with twisting mysteries and taught suspense. There is not a loose end in sight and a few well placed red herrings are added to the mix to delight any fan of this type of story.
The attention to detail from vintage cars, sets, real L.A. streets and alleys to the excellent score by Jerry Goldsmith and the golden cinematography of John A. Alonzo contribute to all the aspects of this classic of the post 60's film noir.
Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray is at the top of her game creating a neurotic exotic hothouse flower that carries death within the heart of her dark and dirty secret. Lacquered and veiled in the most perfect black widow getup of the genre she is superbly brittle and vulnerable at the same time. She is fascinating to watch as she slowly unravels along with the mystery until she is naked in the horror of what her past and present prison is. This is a great performance by a great artist.
As Evelyn's father Noah Cross, John Huston is the debauched cancerous center of evil and greed captured within the crumbling casing of a seemingly charming old man. He too gives the performance of a lifetime and his soliloquy on what a man is capable of is chilling.
The center of this masterwork is Jack Nicholson who became a star with this, the best of his early work. His J. J. Gittes is hardboiled and ruthless in getting to the bottom of why he is being used to take the fall for a murder. He embodies the soul of Bogart and the heart of a romantic fighting to stay tuff in a rotten world. He is drawn with such skill that he seems not to be acting but simply existing the real world of L.A. in the late 1930's.
"Chinatown" is seminal in its place in film history. It bridged and old and forgotten genre with a new Hollywood in its post studio infancy and laid the groundwork for later films of equal ambition such as "Mullholland Falls" and "L.A. Confidential".
This is one of the best film ever made and a must have for any serious film collector.

I cut my nose shaving
Not since Otto Preminger's LAURA had filmgoers the pleasure of watching a classic film noir, until Polanski's CHINATOWN. The plot and characters are complex but chillingly believeable. I can't find anything wrong with this film. It is well-paced for a fairly long movie. The lighting, cinematography, setting, costumes... everything is as should be. The performances by John Huston and Faye Dunaway are eerie and tragic, respectively. Then of course there's Nicholson. Mad Jack was already firmly established on the Hollywood map having already won acclaim for EASY RIDER, THE LAST DETAIL, and FIVE EASY PIECES. This film however fixed him permanently in the constellation of Hollywood stars. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST would soon follow. In any event, his portrayal of an aloof, world-weary gumshoe who stumbles in over his head into an intrigue involving crooked politicians and the money-slobbering wealthy still holds up 30 years later. This is an incredible film.

THIS IS WHAT FILM IS SUPPOSED TO BE
The mid-1970s saw a spate of "government conspiracy" films, all with liberal themes that emanated from Watergate. None of them were about Kennedy stealing the 1960 election. Hmm.
"Chinatown" (1974) may be the best screenplay ever written. A historical look at 1930s Los Angeles, it actually condensed events from the 1900s with events that, uh, never happened but made for good drama. Written by L.A. native Robert Towne, directed by Roman Polanski, produced by Evans and starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunnaway and famed director John Huston, it told the story of how Los Angeles became a metropolis. In Towne's version, Huston "owns" the L.A. Department of Water & Power with a character based on actual L.A. City engineer William Mulholland. Mulholland had orchestrated the political deal which built the aqueduct that brought water from the Owens Valley into the L.A. Basin, allowing millions of Southern Californians to keep their lawns green to this day.
The Mulholland character is "sacrificed" at the altar of greed, embodied by Huston, who secretly buys the San Fernando Valley, knowing that once the water deal is set, it will be incorporated into the city, making him a gazillionaire. It is rather cynical, although nobody suggests the L.A. "city fathers" were boy scouts. The same old theme is that capitalism and American political power are corrupt. To make sure the audience is convinced the corruption is beyond redemption, Huston is in the end found out be an insatiable, incestual monster. He plays the role so well it brings up minds-eye imagery of his real daughter, Angelica. The film is utterly beyond any criticism, regardless of political colorization. For decades, film students and screenwriters have studied it. It spawned an artistic quest to lace the screen with symbols, metaphors, backstory, and twists.
"Chinatown" seems to be the apex of the American film period, the mid-1970s. The period from 1960 to 1979 is unparalleled, but the backstory of the people who created these classics is a telling tale of why the genre leans to the Left. In the 1960s, film schools became popular. Four schools emerged, and have held their place as the place to learn the craft. In Los Angeles there was the USC School of Cinema-Television. Their first big alumnus was "Star Wars" director George Lucas. UCLA combined their film school with their drama program, so as to bring actors, writers, directors and producers together. Coppola went to UCLA along with a future rock star named Jim Morrison, who would form The Doors with another UCLA film alumnus, keyboardist Ray Manzarek.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM ... Read more

Reviews (6)

GREAT MOVIE!!
They seriously need to put this on DVD!
The Ultimate Warrior is a blast! YUL ROCKS!

Yul Brynner as a super-samurai post-apocalpytic hero
"The Ultimate Warrior" is a post-Holocaust action film that came out in 1975 after "The Omega Man," but just before the genre became popular with "Mad Max" and "Escape From New York." The film is set in 2012 in a New York City that was decimated by a biological plague a couple of decades earlier that has created a world in which nothing grows. Now in the decaying city Baron (Max Von Sydow), leads a group that has barricaded a street against a rival gang of thugs, run by Carrot (William Smith). Wanting his pregnant daughter, Melinda (Joanna Miles), to have a better future, Baron hires Carson (Yul Brynner), a super-Samurai, who has been standing outside the public library waiting for somebody to make an offer for his services. Baron has heard of a mythical island off of the coast of North Carolina and wants to relocate his band there. Of course, this means fighting their way out of what is left of the Big Apple. Melinda's husband, Cal (Richard Kelton) is a scientist who knows the secret of growing plants from seeds, so humanity might have a chance after all.

Director/writer Robert Clouse is therefore offering up the first combination Science Fiction/Kung Fu film, which is not surprising since he directed Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon." From that perspective the film offers up the tradition two warring sides with champions that face off to settle the issue. The script is actually halfway decent, although surprisingly the action sequences are the weakest part of the film until the climatic battle between Carson and Carrot. However, the opening scene does a nice job of establishing the world in which this film takes place. The film hinges on Brynner's performance, which is actually fairly complex because we are not completely sure that Carson is a cynical anti-hero; in fact, we suspect he might be the only truly human character in the film. "The Ultimate Warrior" is no where near being the ultimate example of the post-apocalyptic action film, but it is a solid, unpretentious little B-movie. Plus, it has Yul Brynner.

Baldly the Last of it's Kind......
The Ultimate Warrior baldly set precident for other films of similar genres. I had read about this film a while back and had been waiting for a chance to view it. The Ultimate Warrior is far from perfect but brings forth a lot fun that todays watered down made for video flops can't seem to do. This movie seems like a combo of Logans Run, Man Max, and Kung Fu. Wow, where to begin? I personally like Yul Brynner's character, it makes me remember when movies with masculine heros existed. Bynner doesn't play a pretty boy, he is a bald tough guy who has a job to do. I like the independance of the hero character, he doesn't rely on a affirmitive action based sidekick or allow himself to be overtaken by feelings towards [beautiful] woman.... A thinking man of the sorts who smokes cigars and does what is right even if it means chopping his own hand off. I'm not going to ruin the plot of this gem for you, just add it to your collection and pray they don't try making a remake of this post appocalptic rarety.

Brynner is good but no at his best.
To appreciate this film I believe you have to consider the time it was released. During the mid 1970's the cold war was looming over the U.S. and somehow a film like this seemed almost possible. Viewing it now in the year 2000 viewers will realize they are living in what this film indicates will be a post nuclear war environment. Obviously the events in this movie never materialized, thank heavens. Cadillac's are still being produced. Although unlike the mid 70' when people purchased then they are now leased.

This film is good because for those of us who lived with the fear of nuclear war it reminds of us of how we as a nation worried about some things other than how long this bull run in the stock market will last.

Yul Brynner was a little old to be running around with his shirt off. This film was made about 20 years after THE TEN COMMANDMENTS but for some reason the producers must still think Brynner's body will get the women viewers attention. Not so.

Post-apocalyptic movie isn¿t bad.
It's been quite a while since I've seen this film, but surprisingly I remember it pretty well. I'm a fan of this genre, so this film, along Costner's work and one of Gibson's "Mad Max" stories, I do enjoy (at certain times). Even Patrick Swayze's "Steel Dawn" has many things that I liked.

While none of these films are 5-star material, they do well to fill in the blank/bland spots in ones' day or evening. Surprisingly, "The Ultimate Warrior" ended up being pretty darn good (related to others of the genre).

If you're hunting and pecking to find a film that you haven't seen (and like this genre), try it out. I certainly won't guarantee that you'll like it, but heck, two bucks for a rental won't kill ya. Between 1 and 10, I give "The Ultimate Warrior" a solid 6 (a rating within the genre--I'd be hard pressed giving anything more than a marginal 5 otherwise). ... Read more

Reviews (142)

Misunderstood, Poetic Fantasy
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan will be best know for "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail" but this is really their best work. Tom Hanks has seemingly gone through three stages as an actor. Inane, teen-oriented buffoon ("Bachelor Party", "Volunteers") to quirky, but lovable ("Big", "Joe Versus the Volcano") to serious ("Philadelphia", "Saving Private Ryan"). "Joe Versus the Volcano" represents the best of his middle career and in my opinion, his best period. In playing Joe Banks, he captures the best of silliness and seriousness in one role. He shows a much greater range of acting ability than he has in any other film. Meg Ryan is equally amazing, playing three very different roles convincingly. This is a movie I have to view over and over because each time I do, I pick something up I hadn't previously. There is a hidden story underneath the surface and its up to the viewer to discover it. This movie is a veritable tapestry of symbolism and hidden messages. Listen carefully to the dialogue, especially the speech Joe gives to his boss after he leaves his job. And try to spot how many times you see the zig-zag symbol throughout the film.

Finally!
So glad to see this wonderful movie available on DVD. I saw it in it's theatrical release in 1990 and it became an immediate favorite of mine. It tanked at the box office because most people either didn't "get it", or refused to accept it for what it was, an allegorical fantasy. Fortunately there were enough of us who did "get it", Joe vs. became a cult classic (for lack of a better term). This is a beautiful movie, wonderfully acted by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It's every bit as wonderful as "Sleepless in Seattle" and much, much better than "You've Got Mail". One just has to open one's mind and heart to the story and it's deeper meanings - accept it for the fantasy it is, sit back and enjoy. It's a glorious movie with a great soundtrack and beautiful, contrasting images. I hope one of these days it will be appreciated as it should have been a decade ago.

Joe Versus the Volcano
This has quite possibly the best opening sequence I've ever had the privelege to see. It rocks; the song, the situation, and the set work perfectly.

But, further along with the review.

It's about a hypochondriac named Joe Banks. He had had a job before, putting out fires, but for the past several years he's had a job shipping out catalogues for a medical parts company. He uses up basically all of his salary on doctors' bills, because, being the hypochondriac he is, he won't rest until he finds something wrong with himself. And- wonder of all wonders- one doctor FINALLY tells him he has an uncurable disease- a 'brain cloud' that will kill him in the next six months. Joe feels great about that; quits his job, and takes out the secretary he had to dinner. (played by Meg Ryan)

After she dumps him (he tells her he's about to die), he is visited by a very rich man who is willing to give him any amount of money that he can spend in the next few days in exchange for him voluntarily jumping into a volcano. On his way to accomplishing that goal, he meets the man's two daughters (both played by Meg Ryan).

Wonderful performance by Tom Hanks (as usual) and a wonderful show of acting by Meg Ryan. The voices, costumes, and mannerisms for each of the three women she plays are completely different from each other.

I loved all the Tom Hank/Meg Ryan movies, and this is no exception. Great movie, great acting, great plot... great reasons to see it. :)

original and inspiring
A friend gave me this film years ago. At first I was not sure if I liked it. And then, I watched it again and again. It is a story that opens one's eyes, heart and mind. It made me see the world as hilarious and profound at the same time. And John Patrick Shanley, who wrote and directed this film, presents the story in such a subtle and affecting way. I wish he wrote and directed more movies. I am curious what he would do next. Sometimes I wonder what happened to Joe after he went on his next journey "away from the things of man." I am not a big fan of Hanks or Ryan. It is the story that is amazing. I am glad I was able to get it on DVD as my VHS tape is barely alive. Now, if they only released the soundtrack!

Joe Versus Joe (And Wins!)...
Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is doomed. He not only works for the most despicable boss at the most horrible job since the slave-driven corporation in "Metropolis", he has also found out that he is dying from a rare condition called a "brain cloud". Thankfully, Joe is visited by the filthy rich owner of a super-conductor manufacturing company (Lloyd Bridges), who wants Joe to go to the island of Waponi Woo and jump into a volcano to appease the god of the Waponi people; so he can secure the mining rights of a rare mineral he needs. This is in exchange for unlimited funds for Joe and the guarantee of high adventure. Joe accepts the offer and sets out on the journey of his life. Meg Ryan plays three very distinct roles as the women Joe encounters on his way. This is truly an oddysey of discovery. Full of humor, romance, miracles, great music, and unexpected events, JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO is not a typical romantic comedy. If you have ever once fantasized about telling your boss to get bent, or have ever wanted to just quit your job, take off, and live like there's no tomorrow, then watch this movie right now! I would advise you to buy some water-tight steamer trunks for the trip. They come in VERY handy! Highly recommended... ... Read more

Reviews (130)

Takes classic film noir detective story to new heights
This 1974 film takes the classic film noir detective movie to new heights. Yes, there is murder, scandal and lots of lies. But yet Jack Nicholson, cast as a private eye, is a sympathetic character. There's one scene in which the director, Roman Polanski, playing a bit part as a thug, rips open Nicholson's nose with a knife. This is the kind of wound that makes the audience grimace every time someone refers to it in the film. Faye Dunaway is cast as the femme fatale. She's beautiful, of course, and it's hard to take our eyes off of her. She's a woman of mystery, but little by little we glimpse her humanity. And by the time her secret is revealed, she's won everyone's heart.

Based on a real life scandal in Los Angeles in 1908, another underlying theme is about water and power in this desert city. The action takes place in the 1930s, and the details of that period of time are well portrayed, right down to Faye Dunaway's shaved and penciled eyebrows. The screenplay won an Academy Award and I can understand why. It was tightly written and revealed details that moved the plot forward at just the right pace. I sat there fascinated, not wanting to take my eyes off the screen, trying to figure out what would happen next and constantly surprised by the next twist and turn. John Huston is cast in the role of a wealthy landowner with a huge secret of his own. He's a fine actor and his presence on the screen added depth to the whole production.

The DVD has a special interview with the writer, Robert Towne, as well as Roman Polanski. This added to my enjoyment of the film and provided further insight about its production. Definitely recommended.

Transcendent Film Noir
I've seen very few "greatest film" lists that don't have Chinatown among the top 10, or even top 5. It's deserving. It's done in the style of a '50's film noir, but transcends the genre.

There are great performances here by Jack Nicholson and John Huston. Nicholson plays a jaded but heroically decent private investigator in the mold of Humphrey Bogart. He's much less the tough guy than Bogart, though, and you get the impression that he'd rather being doing something less seedy for a living. It's a very subtle portrayal. Huston, on the other hand, plays a tycoon whose mere presence on the screen can make your skin crawl.

The film stands out in just about every respect. The sets are wonderful and the cinematography beautiful to look at. Even the score is exceptional.

The DVD is a little short of extras, but they really aren't missed. The transfer is very high quality in all respects.

To the brainiac above who doesn't understand why the water is being dumped in the ocean: they're trying to create a drought to drive the farmers out of business. That's pretty much the key point of the plot. And, yes, a .38 snubnose is perfectly capable of hitting someone at 50 yards. Guns & Ammo tests them to that distance all the time. Get a clue!

A Master Screenplay, A Perfect Film
Many writers consider Robert Towne's screenplay for 'Chinatown' as the perfect screenplay. It is, and is also in fact the example of how important good writing is in the art of cinema. It is perfection and in the hands of Roman Polanski it became a film masterpiece. But it all goes back to the writing. Robert Towne has taken the true story of how Los Angeles stole water to grow and wound around it the fictional story of Jake Gittes, Evelyn Mulwray, and Noah Cross and made them major participants in an ugly little tale of lust and greed. Towne's screenplay is layered like a decaying Dahlia with twisting mysteries and taught suspense. There is not a loose end in sight and a few well placed red herrings are added to the mix to delight any fan of this type of story.
The attention to detail from vintage cars, sets, real L.A. streets and alleys to the excellent score by Jerry Goldsmith and the golden cinematography of John A. Alonzo contribute to all the aspects of this classic of the post 60's film noir.
Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray is at the top of her game creating a neurotic exotic hothouse flower that carries death within the heart of her dark and dirty secret. Lacquered and veiled in the most perfect black widow getup of the genre she is superbly brittle and vulnerable at the same time. She is fascinating to watch as she slowly unravels along with the mystery until she is naked in the horror of what her past and present prison is. This is a great performance by a great artist.
As Evelyn's father Noah Cross, John Huston is the debauched cancerous center of evil and greed captured within the crumbling casing of a seemingly charming old man. He too gives the performance of a lifetime and his soliloquy on what a man is capable of is chilling.
The center of this masterwork is Jack Nicholson who became a star with this, the best of his early work. His J. J. Gittes is hardboiled and ruthless in getting to the bottom of why he is being used to take the fall for a murder. He embodies the soul of Bogart and the heart of a romantic fighting to stay tuff in a rotten world. He is drawn with such skill that he seems not to be acting but simply existing the real world of L.A. in the late 1930's.
"Chinatown" is seminal in its place in film history. It bridged and old and forgotten genre with a new Hollywood in its post studio infancy and laid the groundwork for later films of equal ambition such as "Mullholland Falls" and "L.A. Confidential".
This is one of the best film ever made and a must have for any serious film collector.

I cut my nose shaving
Not since Otto Preminger's LAURA had filmgoers the pleasure of watching a classic film noir, until Polanski's CHINATOWN. The plot and characters are complex but chillingly believeable. I can't find anything wrong with this film. It is well-paced for a fairly long movie. The lighting, cinematography, setting, costumes... everything is as should be. The performances by John Huston and Faye Dunaway are eerie and tragic, respectively. Then of course there's Nicholson. Mad Jack was already firmly established on the Hollywood map having already won acclaim for EASY RIDER, THE LAST DETAIL, and FIVE EASY PIECES. This film however fixed him permanently in the constellation of Hollywood stars. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST would soon follow. In any event, his portrayal of an aloof, world-weary gumshoe who stumbles in over his head into an intrigue involving crooked politicians and the money-slobbering wealthy still holds up 30 years later. This is an incredible film.

THIS IS WHAT FILM IS SUPPOSED TO BE
The mid-1970s saw a spate of "government conspiracy" films, all with liberal themes that emanated from Watergate. None of them were about Kennedy stealing the 1960 election. Hmm.
"Chinatown" (1974) may be the best screenplay ever written. A historical look at 1930s Los Angeles, it actually condensed events from the 1900s with events that, uh, never happened but made for good drama. Written by L.A. native Robert Towne, directed by Roman Polanski, produced by Evans and starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunnaway and famed director John Huston, it told the story of how Los Angeles became a metropolis. In Towne's version, Huston "owns" the L.A. Department of Water & Power with a character based on actual L.A. City engineer William Mulholland. Mulholland had orchestrated the political deal which built the aqueduct that brought water from the Owens Valley into the L.A. Basin, allowing millions of Southern Californians to keep their lawns green to this day.
The Mulholland character is "sacrificed" at the altar of greed, embodied by Huston, who secretly buys the San Fernando Valley, knowing that once the water deal is set, it will be incorporated into the city, making him a gazillionaire. It is rather cynical, although nobody suggests the L.A. "city fathers" were boy scouts. The same old theme is that capitalism and American political power are corrupt. To make sure the audience is convinced the corruption is beyond redemption, Huston is in the end found out be an insatiable, incestual monster. He plays the role so well it brings up minds-eye imagery of his real daughter, Angelica. The film is utterly beyond any criticism, regardless of political colorization. For decades, film students and screenwriters have studied it. It spawned an artistic quest to lace the screen with symbols, metaphors, backstory, and twists.
"Chinatown" seems to be the apex of the American film period, the mid-1970s. The period from 1960 to 1979 is unparalleled, but the backstory of the people who created these classics is a telling tale of why the genre leans to the Left. In the 1960s, film schools became popular. Four schools emerged, and have held their place as the place to learn the craft. In Los Angeles there was the USC School of Cinema-Television. Their first big alumnus was "Star Wars" director George Lucas. UCLA combined their film school with their drama program, so as to bring actors, writers, directors and producers together. Coppola went to UCLA along with a future rock star named Jim Morrison, who would form The Doors with another UCLA film alumnus, keyboardist Ray Manzarek.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM ... Read more

Description

Coming-of-age drama of two girls in a Massachusetts school during 1955, as they confront sex, boys and an unwanted pregnancy. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A pretty good little movie
Yes, parts of this movie are, as one of the reviewers said, a little cheesy. But the dialogue is so strangely real and true to life that you feel like you become best friends with the characters. The situation that arises feels as if it is happening to you. The movie has a lesson to teach, although medical technology has advanced a great deal since the film was made. This movie is definately all about sex and not for the innocent. It was originally a t.v. movie appropriately called, "The Loss of Her Innocence." Although the movie may have had its faults, I feel like I cannot give it any less than five stars, since its impact is so great. My boyfriend, the big tough guy, was even battling tears at the end. The characters in this film make it worth the watching, acted out spectacularly by four young actors who could have gone on to great things, but preferred to stay in the undertow.

This is the Movie that Taught me about Sex...
Yes, ladies and gentlemen....
before I ever had to work up the nerve to have THAT talk with the folks, I watched this movie on cable...sixth grade...
pretty pathetic. But you know what? I wasn't too bad. Taught me the basics...
enjoy!

Kinda cheesy, but still really good...you know?
I actually saw this movie on late-night TV. Some parts could have been done better, but the characterization was actually quite good. Some of the dialogue was quite funny, especially between Besty Slade and Pamela Sue Martin. All in all, this film had the right mix of coming-of-age comedy and drama. ... Read more

Description

The superhuman crimefighter hero of pulp fiction, played by Ron (Tarzan) Ely, hits the screen in a rip-roaring, wild-and-wooly adventure from Oscar(R) winning fantasy filmaker George Pal. Year: 1975 Director: Michael Anderson Starring:Ron Ely, Darrell Zwerling, Michael Miller ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Too much camp, not enough adventure
I first saw this film in it's original theater release where I was very disappointed. The books are all high adventure with a naive 1930's idealism. This movie did a good job of captuing that feel but stepped too far into the Batman and Lost in Space campyness of the 1960's. It just becomes insulting to the audiance. I still watch it every few years since I enjoy Doc Savage, Ron Ely does a good job as Doc, and the casting of the Five was decent. Find some of the old books and read them instead. If you enjoy them, watch the movie and imagine what it could have been. Memorable Quote: "Mona, you're a brick."

The Doctor is In
Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, while awkwardly out of time and a general source of embarrassment to most lifelong fans of Lester Dent's archetypal pulp-literature hero, is nevertheless an oddly entertaining and likable film.

Viewed without prejudice, it succeeds on the level of classic action-adventure marred only by an unfortunate overdose of comedy relief courtesy of Monk, the Lost Stooge. The "real" chemical wizard was, like Doyle's Prof. Challenger, a tough anthropoidal brawler whose trademark shenanigans contrasted his brutish appearance. Not a pallid Curly with muttonchops.

The rest of the supporting cast play their respective print counterparts convincingly. And as Doc, the Supreme Adventurer, Ron Ely is as close to the mark as anyone could possibly be.

Having watched this movie more than 30 times over the years, I no longer refer to it as a guilty pleasure. Just a pleasure.

Doc Savage... The Man Of Bronze
this is clearly the greatest film ever made. im pretty sure the plot must come directly from an as yet undiscovered shakespeare masterpiece, and the acting abilitys of Ron 'teh don' Ely are simply uncomparible to any other actor dead or alive. for a film made in 1975 the special affects are of far superior quality of anything seen in today's films. 5 stars

The View From the 86th Floor
From his headquarters atop the highest skyscraper in New York City, Doc Savage serves the right, and wrongs no man. Trained from birth mentally, physically, and morally, Doc is a protector of the innocent and righter-of-wrongs by profession. With his five assistants at his side, he will go anywhere in the world to accomplish his goal.

Set in the 1930s, and based upon the best-selling pulp magazine of the era, this is fine, G-rated action/adventure for the entire family.

The first 10 minutes...
...are pretty decent. After they leave New York it goes rapidly downhill. I would give anything to be able to have all the footage and be able to re-edit that film. It could even be salvagable. I give it 3 stars for the opening, and 1 for the rest of it. ... Read more

Reviews (142)

Misunderstood, Poetic Fantasy
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan will be best know for "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail" but this is really their best work. Tom Hanks has seemingly gone through three stages as an actor. Inane, teen-oriented buffoon ("Bachelor Party", "Volunteers") to quirky, but lovable ("Big", "Joe Versus the Volcano") to serious ("Philadelphia", "Saving Private Ryan"). "Joe Versus the Volcano" represents the best of his middle career and in my opinion, his best period. In playing Joe Banks, he captures the best of silliness and seriousness in one role. He shows a much greater range of acting ability than he has in any other film. Meg Ryan is equally amazing, playing three very different roles convincingly. This is a movie I have to view over and over because each time I do, I pick something up I hadn't previously. There is a hidden story underneath the surface and its up to the viewer to discover it. This movie is a veritable tapestry of symbolism and hidden messages. Listen carefully to the dialogue, especially the speech Joe gives to his boss after he leaves his job. And try to spot how many times you see the zig-zag symbol throughout the film.

Finally!
So glad to see this wonderful movie available on DVD. I saw it in it's theatrical release in 1990 and it became an immediate favorite of mine. It tanked at the box office because most people either didn't "get it", or refused to accept it for what it was, an allegorical fantasy. Fortunately there were enough of us who did "get it", Joe vs. became a cult classic (for lack of a better term). This is a beautiful movie, wonderfully acted by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It's every bit as wonderful as "Sleepless in Seattle" and much, much better than "You've Got Mail". One just has to open one's mind and heart to the story and it's deeper meanings - accept it for the fantasy it is, sit back and enjoy. It's a glorious movie with a great soundtrack and beautiful, contrasting images. I hope one of these days it will be appreciated as it should have been a decade ago.

Joe Versus the Volcano
This has quite possibly the best opening sequence I've ever had the privelege to see. It rocks; the song, the situation, and the set work perfectly.

But, further along with the review.

It's about a hypochondriac named Joe Banks. He had had a job before, putting out fires, but for the past several years he's had a job shipping out catalogues for a medical parts company. He uses up basically all of his salary on doctors' bills, because, being the hypochondriac he is, he won't rest until he finds something wrong with himself. And- wonder of all wonders- one doctor FINALLY tells him he has an uncurable disease- a 'brain cloud' that will kill him in the next six months. Joe feels great about that; quits his job, and takes out the secretary he had to dinner. (played by Meg Ryan)

After she dumps him (he tells her he's about to die), he is visited by a very rich man who is willing to give him any amount of money that he can spend in the next few days in exchange for him voluntarily jumping into a volcano. On his way to accomplishing that goal, he meets the man's two daughters (both played by Meg Ryan).

Wonderful performance by Tom Hanks (as usual) and a wonderful show of acting by Meg Ryan. The voices, costumes, and mannerisms for each of the three women she plays are completely different from each other.

I loved all the Tom Hank/Meg Ryan movies, and this is no exception. Great movie, great acting, great plot... great reasons to see it. :)

original and inspiring
A friend gave me this film years ago. At first I was not sure if I liked it. And then, I watched it again and again. It is a story that opens one's eyes, heart and mind. It made me see the world as hilarious and profound at the same time. And John Patrick Shanley, who wrote and directed this film, presents the story in such a subtle and affecting way. I wish he wrote and directed more movies. I am curious what he would do next. Sometimes I wonder what happened to Joe after he went on his next journey "away from the things of man." I am not a big fan of Hanks or Ryan. It is the story that is amazing. I am glad I was able to get it on DVD as my VHS tape is barely alive. Now, if they only released the soundtrack!

Joe Versus Joe (And Wins!)...
Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is doomed. He not only works for the most despicable boss at the most horrible job since the slave-driven corporation in "Metropolis", he has also found out that he is dying from a rare condition called a "brain cloud". Thankfully, Joe is visited by the filthy rich owner of a super-conductor manufacturing company (Lloyd Bridges), who wants Joe to go to the island of Waponi Woo and jump into a volcano to appease the god of the Waponi people; so he can secure the mining rights of a rare mineral he needs. This is in exchange for unlimited funds for Joe and the guarantee of high adventure. Joe accepts the offer and sets out on the journey of his life. Meg Ryan plays three very distinct roles as the women Joe encounters on his way. This is truly an oddysey of discovery. Full of humor, romance, miracles, great music, and unexpected events, JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO is not a typical romantic comedy. If you have ever once fantasized about telling your boss to get bent, or have ever wanted to just quit your job, take off, and live like there's no tomorrow, then watch this movie right now! I would advise you to buy some water-tight steamer trunks for the trip. They come in VERY handy! Highly recommended... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Joe Versus the Volcano is a true early-1990s cult film. This fantasy-comedy was the first pairing of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, yet it polarizes viewers like a Blue Velvet or Happiness. As the only directorial effort from John Patrick Shanley (the Oscar-winning writer of Moonstruck), it is something special, and it's hard to resist the film's feather-light heart tugging. Joe Banks is having the life sucked out of him at a dead-end job. Miserable in his gray surroundings with stark fluorescent lighting, Joe dreams of being brave again. A visit to the doctor reveals that he has a "brain cloud." It's fatal, but he'll be fine for a few more months. An eccentric millionaire, Samuel Harvey Graynamore (Lloyd Bridges), hears of Joe's predicament and comes to him with a proposal: The people of the Pacific island of Waponi Woo need a human sacrifice to appease their gods. Why not live like a king for a few weeks, then throw yourself into a volcano? (Graynamore needs a sacrificial victim to offer in exchange for permission to mine the island for a rare mineral.) Joe accepts Graynamore's lavish proposal and on his journey meets three romantic possibilities (all played by Ryan). Joe embraces life; so does the movie. It's packed with smile-inducing supporting performances by Bridges, Ossie Davis, Robert Stack, and Dan Hedaya; playful songs ("Sixteen Tons," "Ol' Man River," Presley's version of "Blue Moon"); and amusing scenes (such as Joe buying luggage). Add the daring, imaginative production design of Bo Welch (Edward Scissorhands), Hanks and Ryan's chemistry, and Georges Delerue's romantic music and you have a film to fall for. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (142)

Misunderstood, Poetic Fantasy
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan will be best know for "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail" but this is really their best work. Tom Hanks has seemingly gone through three stages as an actor. Inane, teen-oriented buffoon ("Bachelor Party", "Volunteers") to quirky, but lovable ("Big", "Joe Versus the Volcano") to serious ("Philadelphia", "Saving Private Ryan"). "Joe Versus the Volcano" represents the best of his middle career and in my opinion, his best period. In playing Joe Banks, he captures the best of silliness and seriousness in one role. He shows a much greater range of acting ability than he has in any other film. Meg Ryan is equally amazing, playing three very different roles convincingly. This is a movie I have to view over and over because each time I do, I pick something up I hadn't previously. There is a hidden story underneath the surface and its up to the viewer to discover it. This movie is a veritable tapestry of symbolism and hidden messages. Listen carefully to the dialogue, especially the speech Joe gives to his boss after he leaves his job. And try to spot how many times you see the zig-zag symbol throughout the film.

Finally!
So glad to see this wonderful movie available on DVD. I saw it in it's theatrical release in 1990 and it became an immediate favorite of mine. It tanked at the box office because most people either didn't "get it", or refused to accept it for what it was, an allegorical fantasy. Fortunately there were enough of us who did "get it", Joe vs. became a cult classic (for lack of a better term). This is a beautiful movie, wonderfully acted by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It's every bit as wonderful as "Sleepless in Seattle" and much, much better than "You've Got Mail". One just has to open one's mind and heart to the story and it's deeper meanings - accept it for the fantasy it is, sit back and enjoy. It's a glorious movie with a great soundtrack and beautiful, contrasting images. I hope one of these days it will be appreciated as it should have been a decade ago.

Joe Versus the Volcano
This has quite possibly the best opening sequence I've ever had the privelege to see. It rocks; the song, the situation, and the set work perfectly.

But, further along with the review.

It's about a hypochondriac named Joe Banks. He had had a job before, putting out fires, but for the past several years he's had a job shipping out catalogues for a medical parts company. He uses up basically all of his salary on doctors' bills, because, being the hypochondriac he is, he won't rest until he finds something wrong with himself. And- wonder of all wonders- one doctor FINALLY tells him he has an uncurable disease- a 'brain cloud' that will kill him in the next six months. Joe feels great about that; quits his job, and takes out the secretary he had to dinner. (played by Meg Ryan)

After she dumps him (he tells her he's about to die), he is visited by a very rich man who is willing to give him any amount of money that he can spend in the next few days in exchange for him voluntarily jumping into a volcano. On his way to accomplishing that goal, he meets the man's two daughters (both played by Meg Ryan).

Wonderful performance by Tom Hanks (as usual) and a wonderful show of acting by Meg Ryan. The voices, costumes, and mannerisms for each of the three women she plays are completely different from each other.

I loved all the Tom Hank/Meg Ryan movies, and this is no exception. Great movie, great acting, great plot... great reasons to see it. :)

original and inspiring
A friend gave me this film years ago. At first I was not sure if I liked it. And then, I watched it again and again. It is a story that opens one's eyes, heart and mind. It made me see the world as hilarious and profound at the same time. And John Patrick Shanley, who wrote and directed this film, presents the story in such a subtle and affecting way. I wish he wrote and directed more movies. I am curious what he would do next. Sometimes I wonder what happened to Joe after he went on his next journey "away from the things of man." I am not a big fan of Hanks or Ryan. It is the story that is amazing. I am glad I was able to get it on DVD as my VHS tape is barely alive. Now, if they only released the soundtrack!

Joe Versus Joe (And Wins!)...
Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is doomed. He not only works for the most despicable boss at the most horrible job since the slave-driven corporation in "Metropolis", he has also found out that he is dying from a rare condition called a "brain cloud". Thankfully, Joe is visited by the filthy rich owner of a super-conductor manufacturing company (Lloyd Bridges), who wants Joe to go to the island of Waponi Woo and jump into a volcano to appease the god of the Waponi people; so he can secure the mining rights of a rare mineral he needs. This is in exchange for unlimited funds for Joe and the guarantee of high adventure. Joe accepts the offer and sets out on the journey of his life. Meg Ryan plays three very distinct roles as the women Joe encounters on his way. This is truly an oddysey of discovery. Full of humor, romance, miracles, great music, and unexpected events, JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO is not a typical romantic comedy. If you have ever once fantasized about telling your boss to get bent, or have ever wanted to just quit your job, take off, and live like there's no tomorrow, then watch this movie right now! I would advise you to buy some water-tight steamer trunks for the trip. They come in VERY handy! Highly recommended... ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Before their blockbuster collaboration on Grease, John Travolta and director Randal Kleiser boosted their early careers with this well-acted, sensitively directed television movie. Teenager Tod Lubitch (Travolta) is forced to live in a plastic isolation chamber because he was born with a nonfunctioning immune system, leaving him vulnerable to even the most common everyday viruses. A unique coming-of-age story, the movie (first telecast in 1976) has become the subject of jokes over the years, but Travolta's comeback has sparked new interest in the star's Welcome Back, Kotter days. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A Sad but Very Good Movie!
I remember watching The Boy in the Plastic Bubble when it first aired on TV when I was 11 years old and I thought it was a very good movie and John Travolta was terrific as teenager Tod Lubitch who was born with a nonworking immune system that forces him to live in a plastic isloation chamber away from germs which are extremely dangerous for him! The movie also stars Robert Reed and Diana Hyland as Tod's parents and Glynnis O'Connor as the girl who lives next door and they are all pretty good though John Travolta and Glynnis O'Connor got much more screen time. This movie is pretty sad but it's a good movie and I highly recommend it. I taped this movie when it was rerun commercial free on cable but it was taped on a VCR that was old and breaking down so the tape is messed up and I would like to buy the DVD which is unfortunately out of print but I will have to think of ordering a used copy!

PRETTY GOOD FOR A TV MOVIE.
I actually enjoyed "The Boy In The Plastic Bubble" more than I thought I would. After all, it has been the topic of many jokes over the years. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it had some very nice human elements to it. John Travolta did a pretty good job of playing Tod, a teenager with a severe immune deficiency who is forced to live in an enclosed germ free area in his house. He spent a lot of the film acting rather goofy and socially inept. That made a lot of sense though for someone who had limited contact with the general public.

Tod has spent many years watching the teenage girl next door, Gina (Glynnis O'Connor). He is extremely attracted to her but whether she feels the same way about him is questionable. Eventually, Tod is able to go through a series of steps which allow him more and more freedom. He uses this new found freedom to both try and fit in with the other kids as best he can and also woo Gina. There are some touching moments between the two of them although at times it crosses over into being too cut and dry. I would've liked the filmmakers to have made the situation between them a bit more complex.

Robert Reed and Diana Hyland, who play Tod's parents, are given less screen time than one might think. The real story here is about Tod's dreams of one day being "normal" and falling in love with Gina. His relationship with his parents is very secondary. Oddly, Hyland won an Emmy for her performance even though she didn't get a chance to exhibit any real emotion or acting skill.

"The Boy In The Plastic Bubble" doesn't know if it wants to be more of a romance or a medical drama. It ends up doing both fairly well and is worth the buy at such a low price.

A Classic Movie
I first saw this movie when i was a kid, and i loved it because the kids in the movie were around my age. Now as an adult i still love it because John Travolta portrays the character so tenderly. The innocence and "corniness" makes this film truly endearing. i have done an internet search on the real Todd Lubitch, to see if he survived outside his bubble. anyone has any info, please contact me. hollywoodchik@hotmail.com

The importance of this early example.
In this film that predates AIDS, there is an important insight that somehow never carried over into HIV and AIDS discourse. The teenager with the severely compromised immune system was not enclosed to protect us from him, but to protect him from us. Although this move did not portray an infectious agent but a genetic problem, it is an important reminder. In all the paranoid constructions associated with AIDS in America, we seem to have collectively forgotten the simple reality that people who are sick need care. A culture is judged by the way it treats its young, its old, and its sick. Our culture is more concerned with money than real morality, and the so-called religious right is anything but. This film should be revived, even if only for that one insight.

"These are the days of miracle and wonder
And don't cry baby don't cry
Don't cry" -Paul Simon, "The Boy in the Bubble"

Wonderful Movie!!!
To start things off I will watch it over and over. John Travolta is a wonderful actor and portrayed the story of this boy wonderfully. It is very sad how he had to live so isolated in this plastic housing just so he could survive. It was kinda sad how the girl next door took him for granted but finally came to what I think love him. The only thing I didn't like was the ending. I wish they would have said whatever happened to him, or how he's doing or something. What became of him after he came out of the bubble. I think the ending isn't fair since it left me questioning. But like I said I will watch it over and over. : ) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Ritter Rules!!
John Ritter stars in this delightful comedy about a struggling comedian who moonlights as a limousine driver and gets caught up in a fiasco.It's a must see!! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A Sad but Very Good Movie!
I remember watching The Boy in the Plastic Bubble when it first aired on TV when I was 11 years old and I thought it was a very good movie and John Travolta was terrific as teenager Tod Lubitch who was born with a nonworking immune system that forces him to live in a plastic isloation chamber away from germs which are extremely dangerous for him! The movie also stars Robert Reed and Diana Hyland as Tod's parents and Glynnis O'Connor as the girl who lives next door and they are all pretty good though John Travolta and Glynnis O'Connor got much more screen time. This movie is pretty sad but it's a good movie and I highly recommend it. I taped this movie when it was rerun commercial free on cable but it was taped on a VCR that was old and breaking down so the tape is messed up and I would like to buy the DVD which is unfortunately out of print but I will have to think of ordering a used copy!

PRETTY GOOD FOR A TV MOVIE.
I actually enjoyed "The Boy In The Plastic Bubble" more than I thought I would. After all, it has been the topic of many jokes over the years. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it had some very nice human elements to it. John Travolta did a pretty good job of playing Tod, a teenager with a severe immune deficiency who is forced to live in an enclosed germ free area in his house. He spent a lot of the film acting rather goofy and socially inept. That made a lot of sense though for someone who had limited contact with the general public.

Tod has spent many years watching the teenage girl next door, Gina (Glynnis O'Connor). He is extremely attracted to her but whether she feels the same way about him is questionable. Eventually, Tod is able to go through a series of steps which allow him more and more freedom. He uses this new found freedom to both try and fit in with the other kids as best he can and also woo Gina. There are some touching moments between the two of them although at times it crosses over into being too cut and dry. I would've liked the filmmakers to have made the situation between them a bit more complex.

Robert Reed and Diana Hyland, who play Tod's parents, are given less screen time than one might think. The real story here is about Tod's dreams of one day being "normal" and falling in love with Gina. His relationship with his parents is very secondary. Oddly, Hyland won an Emmy for her performance even though she didn't get a chance to exhibit any real emotion or acting skill.

"The Boy In The Plastic Bubble" doesn't know if it wants to be more of a romance or a medical drama. It ends up doing both fairly well and is worth the buy at such a low price.

A Classic Movie
I first saw this movie when i was a kid, and i loved it because the kids in the movie were around my age. Now as an adult i still love it because John Travolta portrays the character so tenderly. The innocence and "corniness" makes this film truly endearing. i have done an internet search on the real Todd Lubitch, to see if he survived outside his bubble. anyone has any info, please contact me. hollywoodchik@hotmail.com

The importance of this early example.
In this film that predates AIDS, there is an important insight that somehow never carried over into HIV and AIDS discourse. The teenager with the severely compromised immune system was not enclosed to protect us from him, but to protect him from us. Although this move did not portray an infectious agent but a genetic problem, it is an important reminder. In all the paranoid constructions associated with AIDS in America, we seem to have collectively forgotten the simple reality that people who are sick need care. A culture is judged by the way it treats its young, its old, and its sick. Our culture is more concerned with money than real morality, and the so-called religious right is anything but. This film should be revived, even if only for that one insight.

"These are the days of miracle and wonder
And don't cry baby don't cry
Don't cry" -Paul Simon, "The Boy in the Bubble"

Wonderful Movie!!!
To start things off I will watch it over and over. John Travolta is a wonderful actor and portrayed the story of this boy wonderfully. It is very sad how he had to live so isolated in this plastic housing just so he could survive. It was kinda sad how the girl next door took him for granted but finally came to what I think love him. The only thing I didn't like was the ending. I wish they would have said whatever happened to him, or how he's doing or something. What became of him after he came out of the bubble. I think the ending isn't fair since it left me questioning. But like I said I will watch it over and over. : ) ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A Sad but Very Good Movie!
I remember watching The Boy in the Plastic Bubble when it first aired on TV when I was 11 years old and I thought it was a very good movie and John Travolta was terrific as teenager Tod Lubitch who was born with a nonworking immune system that forces him to live in a plastic isloation chamber away from germs which are extremely dangerous for him! The movie also stars Robert Reed and Diana Hyland as Tod's parents and Glynnis O'Connor as the girl who lives next door and they are all pretty good though John Travolta and Glynnis O'Connor got much more screen time. This movie is pretty sad but it's a good movie and I highly recommend it. I taped this movie when it was rerun commercial free on cable but it was taped on a VCR that was old and breaking down so the tape is messed up and I would like to buy the DVD which is unfortunately out of print but I will have to think of ordering a used copy!

PRETTY GOOD FOR A TV MOVIE.
I actually enjoyed "The Boy In The Plastic Bubble" more than I thought I would. After all, it has been the topic of many jokes over the years. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it had some very nice human elements to it. John Travolta did a pretty good job of playing Tod, a teenager with a severe immune deficiency who is forced to live in an enclosed germ free area in his house. He spent a lot of the film acting rather goofy and socially inept. That made a lot of sense though for someone who had limited contact with the general public.

Tod has spent many years watching the teenage girl next door, Gina (Glynnis O'Connor). He is extremely attracted to her but whether she feels the same way about him is questionable. Eventually, Tod is able to go through a series of steps which allow him more and more freedom. He uses this new found freedom to both try and fit in with the other kids as best he can and also woo Gina. There are some touching moments between the two of them although at times it crosses over into being too cut an