Description

Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) and his wife, Etheline (Anjelica Huston), had three children -- Chas, Margot, and Richie -- and then they separated. Chas (Ben Stiller) started buying real estate in his early teens and seemed to have an almost preternatural understanding of international finance. Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) was a playwright and received a Braverman Grant of $50,000 in the ninth grade. Richie (Luke Wilson) was a junior champion tennis player and won the U.S. Nationals three years in a row. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Touchstone Home Entertainment is proud to present Wes Anderson's hilarious, touching, and brilliantly stylized study of melancholy and redemption. ... Read more

Reviews (601)

A cast fit for a king.
Three words come to mind when trying to describe Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums" in a positive manner: quirky, witty, and delightful. I also have three words for the film: long, laborious, and quirky (I say quirky twice because it works for and against the movie). As an exercise in subtle humor and acting zeal, Anderson's much-anticipated follow-up to his acclaimed "Rushmore" hits all the rights notes, but his style and storytelling are hit-and-miss, and the slight moments of comedic brilliance are few and far between.

If for nothing else, you must see "Tenenbaums" for its terrific cast, led by Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum, the matriarch of a family destined for dysfunction from the minute he said "I do." The movie begins with his divorce from his wife, Etheline (Anjelica Houston), which has some serious effects on his already-otherworldly children, Chas, Richie, and Margot, the adopted daughter whom Royal sees fit to disclude from major family events. As the children grow in the education-oriented household of their mother, they go on to become great successes in their time, eventually going their separate ways into adulthood.

Picking up many years later, everyone is much older, and things have changed. Margot has lost touch with her play-writing ability and confines herself in the bathroom endless hours of the day. Chas sees it fit to hold emergency fire drills for his two children as a result of the death of his wife. Richie has been sailing around the world, all the while thinking of Margot and falling in love with her. Ethel is on the brink of marriage to her business partner, Henry Sherman (Danny Glover), and Royal is flat broke and in need of a place to stay.

I must say, I think this is probably the best ensemble cast for a movie since Paul Thomas Anderson's "Magnolia." Hackman is anything but lacking in his performance as a man who knows exactly how his family and friends feel about him, and doesn't give a second thought to it. He has a delightful way with words that makes Royal a real treat to watch, adding small touches of comedy to scenes that would otherwise be melodramatic. His scenes with the equally brilliant Houston are funny and engaging; Houston, after a somewhat lengthy absence from the screen, manages to employ a real sense of motherhood in her character, the kind of warmth and quirkiness that one easily warms to.

As adults, the Tenenbaum children are played by Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Stiller, as Chas, exacts a frantic sense of paranoia that will later become the tie that binds him with his father, and carries it off with humor and zeal intact. Wilson, as Richie, is kind and caring, seeing people for their good rather than their bad; as Royal's sole companion throughout much of the film, he will try to use this to keep his family together. As Margot, Paltrow almost steals the show all for herself, playing her character's depression and restrained angst in a manner that brings to mind Thora Birch's character in "Ghost World."

The story hook comes when Royal announces his impending death, which gives him cause to seek out his family and reconcile with them within the six weeks he has been given to live. Of course, we soon know he is not really dying, but the change in him as a result of being surrounded by his family is quite evident, and his quest takes on a greater meaning. All the while, each of the characters is subjected to some part of their past, or their present fears and inhibitions, and must learn to realize them, face them, and overcome them. This allows the cast to really show audiences what they are made of, accepting the challenge of portraying each Tenenbaum's personal struggle realistically; of course, they succeed in doing so.

This is all done in an absolutely off-the-wall approach by director Wes Anderson, who employs such an offbeat feel that it almost becomes unbearable. I was tickled by the fact that no one hardly ever changes clothes throughout the movie... Paltrow with her single red hair clip, Luke Wilson with his headband and sunglasses. The opening credits and title sequences, the music (including the classic Peanuts' theme "Christmastime Is Here"), all strive to elevate the movie to a magical level, but the heavy reliance on quirkiness, as well as a stark absence of continuous comedy, all seems to overpower the potential that it has. It uses the wit of its cast to its advantage, but there is nothing within the story that will provoke a guffaw instead of a mere grin or a chuckle here and there.

Looking back on "The Royal Tenenbaums," I realize that my reservations about the movie are my own fault: I expected too much in terms of outright humor. The laughs here is subtle, which is a tough pill to swallow at times, especially when the material shows great comedic potential. Overall, I enjoyed the movie for much of its dry humor, its strong characterization, and its wonderful use of such a brilliant cast.

The Funniest in Years
Some said Wes Anderson got cocky. He had just directed two wildly popular indie films ('Bottle Rocket' and 'Rushmore') and wanted to do something big. With a big ensemble cast and a better budget, Anderson and co-writer Owen Wilson have delivered the funniest movie in years, and one that will definately be remembered.
Royal Tenenbaum (played with pinache by Gene Hackman) has spent the last 22 years of his life in a hotel after an ugly seperation from his wife, Etheline (Anjelica Huston). Etheline raised their kids in the house at 111 Archer Avenue with strange results; the children are brilliant, if not a bit eccentric. Chas was buying and selling real estate in his early teens, Margot (the adopted one) wrote successful plays and got a $50,000 grant in the 9th grade, and Richie was a tennis pro at a very young age.
Years later, after Chas' (Ben Stiller) wife dies in a plane crash that he survived, he moves back to the house at 111 Archer with his mother. When Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) hears of this, she moves back as well, as she's unhappy with her marriage to the neurologist Raleigh St. Clair (Bill Murray). Richie (Luke Wilson), who has been traveling abroad on a cruise ship for many years, returns home also. Even childhood friend Eli Cash (Owen Wilson) comes back.
When Royal hears that everyone is back together, he wants to get to know them and make amends for his past inadequacies. This is not an easy thing, because the whole family (with the exception of Richie) distrusts him. So, he lies to Etheline and tells her that he is dying, and wants to spend the last 6 weeks of his life with the children. Chaos (and subsequent hilarity) ensues when Etheline's latest suitor, accountant Henry Sherman (Danny Glover), exposes Royal as a fraud.
This is in all actuality a dark comedy. There are several references to death and even a graphic suicide attempt. You're asking yourself, 'how can this be funny?'. To tell you the truth, you have to see it for yourself. Like TV's 'Everybody Loves Raymond', much of 'The Royal Tenenbaums' is predicated on reaction and subtlety. The quirky characters are endearing and the relationships between those characters are even juicier. for example, Margot is married to Raleigh, but is having an affair with Eli. Eli's best friend Richie has loved his adopted sister Margot "since forever". See what I mean?
If you enjoyed Wes Anderson's last two films, you'll definately like this one. Fans of Gene Hackman, Ben Stiller, or the Wilson brothers must own this movie. The acting is great, the story is brisk, and the comedy is off the charts. Add this to your collection today. You will NOT be disappointed.

sooooooooo freakin good
this is a great great movie. It's funny, touching yet stylish in the most stunningly odd way. Wes Anderson is a genius and the entire cast does an A+ job. I just love this movie soooo much!

A genuinely wonderful movie..
I usually prefer older movies, but this could possibly be my favorite movie of all time. The script it brilliant, it's hilarious and touching. There's sorrow in the humor that makes it seem very real. The movie is very observant of human nature, and very insightful. It's also accompanied by a wonderful soundtrack, that compliments the dialogue and camerawork beautifully.

the best benn stiller movie ever
I am a skeptic on some prticular actors and actresses, and it so happens that two of them were in the royal tenembaums. Of course I'm referring to Luke wilson, and ben stiller.

Stiller has done nothing for me since appearing in theres something about Mary. He falls into this habit of playing the same two characters in every movie. The nice quiet innocent character who alway seems to be thrown to the wolves. nut stuck in zipper, crap on your dates especially favorite loofa, etc, etc. And of course there's the Ben stiller who is just a total jerk. In tenenbaums, Stiller actually flexes his acting muscles creating a new image of him and lodging it in my brain. Wow!! i guess he can act.

As for Wilson i didn't favor him simply because of the god awful shanghai movies. I admit now that was unfair Luke Wilson has my respect now. Not that he cares, but hey.

Ok well enogh rambling the movie was excellent and the charcters were very well thought out, particularly Margot. I will agree with a former reviewer in that the film was a bit tedious, but you win some and you lose some. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This thematic video, featuring the best game-show parodies presented by Saturday Night Live, concentrates mostly on the later years, with regulars Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Julia Sweeny, and Chris Farley dominating the proceedings. And though some of the skits have their moments, such as when guest host Joe Pesci menaces seriously out-of-place contestant Chris Rock on "Bensonhurst Dating Game," an inevitable feeling of sameness can creep in. Perhaps that's mostly forgivable, as the individual sketches were not written or acted to be seen one after another. Besides regular cast members, guest hosts were regularly put to work in game-show skits, with varying degrees of comedic success--Garth Brooks (in drag in a misbegotten parody titled "Old French Whore"), Jerry Seinfeld, Tom Hanks, and Quentin Tarantino. Gilda Radner and Bill Murray appear all too briefly in a snippet of a sketch from the early years, but seeing Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, Laraine Newman, and Chevy Chase in "Jeopardy 1999" from the show's first season is a treat. For a fan of 1990s vintage Saturday Night Live, this tape does have its winning moments, but it may be best watched in small doses. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Where's the Jeopardy?!!!!!
All right, I have always loved SNL, and especially the Celebrity Jeopardy's. There was only a single CJ episode at the end of the tape! I feel that with the exception of the guess the word game, the tape should be wiped clean of the waste on it now and filled with stuff that...gasp!...people actually want to see! My ideal: I must agree with another [person] when I say a tape full of Celebrity Jeopardy. Do not waste your money on this, simply tape skits off the air if it means that much to you.

Well it wasn't bad
Overall it was just an average video. The title is somewhat deceiving since not all the skits were game shows. What was disappointing was in some sections they didn't show all of the game shows they were parodying.

Varies wildly from hysterically funny to downright awful.
As you might expect, this "Saturday Night Live" tape is a lot like the show. Some of the skits are fantastic while others fall flat on their face.

The tape both starts and ends on a high note. The first skit is one that skewers our characterizations of French prostitutes. Garth Brooks (whom I didn't recognize at first) is in drag and is very funny. The final skit is the classic "Celebrity Jeopardy" episode where the contestants are supposed to be Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler (played FLAWLESSLY by Jimmy Fallon) and Sean Connery. Will Ferrell, playing Alex Trebek of course, delivers some of his best dry humor ever.

Regarding the rest of the tape, it's interesting to note that the best clips are those that shouldn't even be included...skits that have nothing to do with game shows. The best of the bunch is a mock promo advertising a new show coming to NBC called "Princess & The Homeboy". Tim Meadows is completely outrageous as G-Dog. It's some of the edgiest stuff that the writers of SNL ever came up with.

It's true that most of these SNL tapes don't seem to be chock full of the best that the show has had to offer. However, at least this one is able to provide a fair share of laughs and is worth a rental or a purchase at a cheap price.

Great Collectoin of SNL sketches
I definately recommend you buying this collectoin of SNL Game Show Parodies. It features some of the greatest SNL sketches ever. One is Dysfunctional Family Feud, which features Chris Farley at his greatest. Also, you'll enjoy Jackie Roger Jr.'s $100,000 Jackpot Wad, which features Billy Crystal as Sammy Davis, Jr. Pay attention to Rajeevs face when Saammy gives the clue for asparagus. And David Spade gives a great performance in Geek, Dweeb, or Spazz. The only thing that I think hould've been included is the rest of the Stand Up and Win sketch. Overall, this really is a great video.

Pretty Good Video!
The is a pretty good video. The only bad thing about it is that there is not enough good games shows. Some of them are very, very stupid. But all in all, it's a good video. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The soap-opera career of Motown's most successful group, theTemptations, lends credence to the old belief that great art comes from troubled lives. Over three decades, the band struggled through numerous ego trips, countless members, broken relationships, coke addiction, alcoholism, suicide, cancer, deadly arthritis--in short, all the melodramatic devices necessary for a TV miniseries. This two-and-a-half-hour docudrama touches on all of these personal tragedies, but unfortunately forgets the real reason for the strength of the story: the music. Sure, there's wonderful reenactments of the quintet's finest material, such as "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and "The Way You Do the Things You Do," all performed with the slick choreography and shimmering vocal harmonies that made the band legendary. But, unfortunately, director Allan Arkush (Rock and Roll High School) and writers Kevin Arkadie and Robert Johnson forget to put the music into any historical perspective. Why were the Temptations so important? What was their contribution to pop music? By watching this saccharine, manipulative exposé, you'd never know. The performances are nonetheless terrific, especially Charles Malik Whitfield as leader (and narrator) Otis Williams, D.B. Woodside as his partner, Melvin Franklin, and Leon as the group's talented livewire, David Ruffin. The DVD edition offers several fine features including 2.0 Dolby Surround Sound, a discography, cast and crew profiles, extensive production notes, and most important, the ability to jump to any of the seven songs performed... basically the main reason to watch this epic. --Dave McCoy ... Read more

Reviews (207)

Superb
A fantastically well-written T.V mini seires that explores the troubled lives of each of The Temptations and their rise and fall on the music scene. The Temptations were one of Motowns hottest and most versatile acts with their carefully planned chorography on stage and their diverse ranmge of shimmering harmonies on record. An interesting aspect of the series early sequences are when they are first introduced to Motown Records and its fun to see portrayals of the great Motown legends such as Diana Ross, Martha Reeves, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson. Interestingly enough Diana Ross' daughter, Rhonda Ross makes an apperance in the film playing the troubled Paul Williams wife. The sequences where the group are seen performing Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Paul Williams is about to shoot himself are moving and the funeral is sure to get a lump in your throat (where Smokey Robinson himself appears). The film also carefully chronicles David Ruffins fall from grace as he steadily declined into cocaine addiction andalso continually mentally and physically tortued his wife, Tammi Terrell. The ending sees the grop reunirted when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
The performances are excellent, the 60's ambience such as the nightclubs and drug culture are superbly evoked and the stage performances are mastered to perfection. Recommended.

Engrossing, enl;ightening, bittersweet...The Temptations
The Temptations on VHS or DVD (we recommend DVD becasue of its great advantages and special features) is one of the better made for TV miniseries to come along in a long time.

Although its 3-hour length still leaves many unanswered questions, the spectacular songs (of which all on stage performances except for "My Girl" and "Cloud Nine" were sung by the actors) and excellent perfomances by the actors make this movie one that you can enjoy time and time again.

The actors who portray Paul Williams, Eddie K., David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams have all done their homework and then some. The DVD is only $13.99, cheaper than the video, so opt for the DVD.

This film highlights the life of the Temps from the eyes of its founder, Otis, and from the very beginning,when Otis meets Al (Eldridge Bryant--one of the first Temps prior to his dismissal)at a hop in Detroit, the movie kicks off in high gear. Excellent performances by "The Cadillacs,' ("Some people call me Speedo"), Leon (Johnson) of "Cool Runnings" Fame, Christan Payton and an unforgettable performance by Eddie Kendricks--so well done it seems like the real Kendricks--means you will this DVD watch again and again. Our favorite parts include the Copacabana scenes, "My Girl," auditioning for Berry at Motown's Hitsville USA, the whole Ruffin performance by Leon, "Just My Imagination," "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," Otis & The Distants at St. Stevens Hall with the Primes and the Primettes (Paul, Eddie and the soon to be Supremes) and a great performance by Smokey - both the actor and the real life Smokey himself in a special song at the Melvin Franklin Funeral. Buy this DVD. It will be the best $14 you'll ever spend on a movie. Fun for the WHOLE Family!!!

an amazing movie
i have to be honest i really wasn't all that interested in the movie,at first anyway...i first saw the movie while i was in the wonderful city of detroit, michigan... i went to hitsville, usa,(the motown museum), i found the location where paul williams shot himself, where david ruffin was buried, where all five the the classic five lived, and basically roamed their old stomping grounds. this was an amazing experience for me, probably the most interesting... during all of this chaos of me getting all exited about everything there is to see in detroit, i had the honor of speaking with one of david ruffin's children, david ruffin jr. well that topped it all off...this was all before i watched the movie, so of course i didn't know how truly amazing it was standing in studio a where they recorded until i watched the movie... i was bawling by the end, it was an amazing movie although it isn't all completely true, like on the new years scene al really sent paul to the hospital, and melvin really passed on in a hospital in los angeles, it was the best movie i've seen... so to all the actors who where in this movie, you really gave me a completely different look at motown, thank you otis, and everyone who produced the movie... and i have to say, Leon, you were wonderful in the five heart beats, little richard, i have watched your movies, you're an amazing actor and i hope to see you in more movies in the future...

History in the making! To be enjoyed for generations.
This is one of the greatest movies of all times! The characters come alive. As I watch it, I have to remind myself that the characters on the television are not the real Temptations. It is spooky, but I get a selfish satisfaction knowing that I can experience the beauty and the sadness of the Temptations whenever I choose. My ten-year-old is even hooked on it. We watch it at least once a week and he swears that he sings like Eddie and Paul! In fact, he does. Go figure! It gives me comfort to know that the genius of The Temptations has been integrated into another, younger generation.

What makes this movie so wonderful is that it takes us back to the times when music really meant something and touched us on a deeper level. Each time that I watch it I am transported to a time when the melody of a voice could melt away the pains of a troubled society. Don't get me wrong, there were problems with segregation and wars, but there was an innocence that I long to return to. I hope that Paul, David, Eddie, and Melvin are resting in peace. Their music changed the face of entertainment and now their stories have truly changed my perception of the world.

I say all of this to say that this movie is a must have for Temptations fans as well as for those who want a break from all of the ugliness in the world.

I can't resist this temptation!!!!
I love this movie! I can watch it over and over and over again, especially the performances. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Women, their problems, and more women with their problems...
...typical Almodovar. If you happen to like him for that, then, you will enjoy this film. I like the fact that Almodovar keeps his style unchanged, from working with virtually same group of actors every time to using the same combination of colors every time. This repeatition creates a sence of continuity and familiarity, which allows us to enjoy every film to its fullest.

While this film is not Almodovar's funniest one, it is definitely one of the most exploring, when it comes to the parent-child relationships.

And again, Almodovar, is at his best, when he talks about women... Just how in the world does he manage that? Well, it does not matter how; what matters is that he DOES.

Almodrama
Like all great Almodovar movies, traditional gender roles are subverted in 'High Heels'. In fact for WASP suburbanite America, much of this plot would seem like an episode of Jerry Springer. Mother abandons daughter for singing career, daughter marries mother's former lover, mother continues to have affair with son-in-law while daughter becomes pregnant through a night of passion with a drag queen. How ironic it is then that Almodovar takes much of his influence for this movie from Douglas Sirk. A director noted for his melodramas about late 50's/early 60's family life amongst WASP suburanites in America. In fact this meshing of a traditional film genre with more modern edgy characters has even been given a name - an Almodrama -.

The title 'High Heels' refers to the time when Rebecca was a child and couldn't sleep until she heard the high heels of her mother click-clacking her way home from work outside her bedroom window. Despite being abandoned by her mother, Rebecca never lets go of her love for her and tries all her life to be as 'good' as her in her life and in her loves.

While this movie was critically panned by many critics both in Spain and abroad, 'High Heels' went on to become the then, second highest-grossing film in Spanish history, ('Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown' being the first!)

"I'm whatever you call me."
The Spanish comedy film, "High Heels" directed by Pedro Almodovar is the story of a daughter, Rebecca (Victoria Abril) who reunites with her mother, the famous actress/singer Becky del Paramo (Marisa Paredes) after years of estrangement. The mother-daughter relationship is already severely strained due to Becky's single-minded devotion to her career--and a string of unfortunate relationships with men, but Rebecca's marriage to the shady and rather unpleasant Manuel, her former step-father, makes the difficult reunion almost intolerable.

Rebecca is now a successful television newscaster, but all her success and confidence is stripped away in her mother's presence. Rebecca has never quite managed to overcome her childhood abandonment, and she has yet to resolve many issues about her mother. Rebecca's desire to understand her mother has led to her fascination with Lethal--a female impersonator at a local night club. Lethal specializes in impersonating Becky's Pop years, and performs Becky's songs wearing a mini-skirt, platform shoes and fishnet tights. But is Lethal just another drag-queen or is he something more?

"All About My Mother" is Almodovar's best film, but "High Heels" is my favourite. I have yet to see a film that depicts a mother-daughter relationship quite as well as "High Heels." This film covers all the usual nasty mother-daughter conflicts of rivalry, abandon, selfishness, aging, and jealousy, but these issues are resolved in the most beautiful way by the story. Victoria Abril is amazing (as always) in the role of Rebecca--the abandoned daughter who can't quite forget or forgive the childhood memories of her mother packing and leaving for professional engagements, and Rebecca's wounds are reopened when her mother returns to Madrid. Abril plays the role with vunerability veneered with toughness. Marisa Paredes, as the elegant Becky del Paramo, is the woman who failed as a mother but succeeded as a star. The reunion of the two women as they finally salvage their relationship is perhaps the most touching event I have ever witnessed on film. Almodovar's message is acceptance and forgiveness of the human failings we all share before the moment passes us by and the opportunity is lost forever.

The film does include one sexually explict scene. Also the soundtrack to the film is simply marvellous, and it was through the soundtrack I discovered the Spanish popstar Luz Casal. She performs two beautiful songs in the film: "Piensa en Mi" and "Un Ano de Amor."--displacedhuman--Amazon.com Reviewer

BECKY DEL PARAMO E HIJA
Although it's not a materpiece, a bit slow in some parts, every Almodovar film is always a gift for the senses, and Tacones Lejanos "High Heels" is not the exception. Exceptional acting performances by Victoria Abril and Marisa Paredes, amazing cinematography, marvelous songs by Luz Casal ("Un año de Amor" and the heartbreaking "Piensa En Mi"), funny impersonators secenes (Miguel Bose aka Letal), and a must-seen for all the fans of the House Of Chanel with big exposure of clothes, jewelry, bags, glasses (eraly 90s collections). At last, i recommend this film for just having a big time with this funny Almodovar.

An intriguing and riveting film.
I watch many foreign films, and have always had trouble getting into the serious dramas, because I have to rely so heavily on the subtitles, which distracts me from immersing myself into the action. Foreign comedies are easy to get into. And, though this does have some humorous bits, it's one of the few foreign dramas with which I really became engrossed. I found myself guessing at every clue of the mystery and calculating every next step of the action. It may be bad form to give away clues to great mysteries, but here's a tidbit to keep you from being frustrated at trying to guess the mystery; the judge and the transvestite are the same guy. Almodovar is a great director. For a lighter fare, with a sadonic bite, try Almodovar's other masterpieces, TIE ME UP TIE ME DOWN or WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Simply the Best
The best of the series as of yet. The other videos have one or two good short films, but all three of these are great. I'd recommend this to everyone along with the original movie. No one will walk away disappointed.

A ver sexy Movie!!!!!!
This movie along with all of Zalman King's video's are extremely sexy and sensual, this videos represents every body's secret fantaicies. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This well-acted, sweeping herstorical epic focuses on the livesof three women, beginning in 1853. China Beach's Dana Delany is Sarah, the family matriarch, whose little sister Euphemia (a delightful and empathetic Tina Majorino)has been living with her best friend, Georgia (beautiful Rachael Leigh Cook), and Georgia's parents (Michael York, Julie Carmen) on a large, bucolic Georgia plantation. After the sisters' father dies, Sarah's husband, upstandingTexas Ranger Bartlett (Powers Boothe), takes "Pheemy" down to Peach Tree, Texas, to live with him andSarah.

Pheemy and Georgia begin a correspondence chronicling their divergent lives. As Pheemy and her family work their farm and battle Santa Ana and hostile Indians, indulged Georgia is coming to terms with her family's greatest secret: she is one-quarter Native American. Majorino and Cook are excellent in their demanding roles and offer a challenge for their adult counterparts (Annabeth Gish as Pheemy, Angelina Jolie as Georgia). This film, originally a TV miniseries, is an earnest attempt to depict the difficult--and often tragic--role women were compelled to endure during this historically rich but phenomenally difficult time. True Women has plenty of action, butrelationships, politics, and grim reality are the true focus, as issues of sexuality, prejudice, human rights, and of course slavery are eagerly examined in the frontier setting. The sensitive should be forewarned: it seems like there is a death every five minutes. --N.F. Mendoza ... Read more

Reviews (23)

One of the Better Westerns!
Dana Delaney should play stronger characters like the one she played in this movie--she was amazing! The movie brilliantly portrayed the tense love/hate relationship between the Indians and the white man and the great respect that existed between them at times. Throughout the movie, you know that Tarantula wants Sarah and could probably take her at any time, but denies himself & chooses not to take her because of his great respect for her courage. Towards the end of the movie, you see this respect repeated when Phemie chooses to give Tarantula her horse and tells him he should not have to walk. Incredible!

The friendship between Phemie and Georgia is fantastic--kind of a "Beaches" theme where they become friends as children and remain friends throughout their lives, overcoming personal differences & making an impact as women on history.

The little girl who played Phemie as a child is absolutely adorable--they couldn't have picked anyone better to play her part. She was very convincing & very funny at times.

I would definitely recommend this movie to Western lovers and non-Western lovers alike!

Truly spectacular!!
Though it's technically "old", this movie is a MUST-SEE!!! It is about some very brave and determined women living in the mid to late 1800's, spanning the U.S. Mexican War, the Civil War, and various other predicaments of the time period.

The story traces the lives of two girls, Georgia and Euphemia, who are best friends. Phemie's father has just died and she must go to Texas to live with her older sister Sarah, who is already a mother. Phemie finds herself in the middle of the U.S. Mexican War and she watches in awe as her sister leads the women pioneers to safety while their men heroically defend their homes. Georgia, back in Georgia :-), is experiencing some very horrific acts on prejudice. She herself is part Native American so her family is in great danger. The girls grow up in this young and troubled nation, and reunite to fight against the prejudice and other social issues.

This film is truly inspirational and has lots of action, so I think guys will enjoy it too! ;-) The cast includes Angelina Jolie and young Rachael Leigh Cook (the grown-up and little Georgias, respectively). You have to watch this movie - it is so well-written and acted, and a guaranteed tearjerker!!!

"true women" is true!
"true women" is a super movie! It shows the problems faced by the Texas pioneer women-from Indians, disease, death, war, rivers, crops, children, and Texas politics!
Its grand-pretty well acted and I have enjoyed it several times.

A waste of time!
This originally made-for-TV miniseries aims to be a lot of things(someone evidently had a hard time figuring out what kind of series they really wanted to make!)-part drama,part action movie and part western,but sadly,it ends up being nothing but a sentimental weeper.What we have here is a complete lack of attitude,and no story is being told whatsoever.The idea,if one can speak of an idea behind this rubbish,seems to have been to bring in a lot of pretty women and let them take it from there-but to where? This isn`t going anywhere. I can`t see what makes these actors especially suited for their respective parts either.
Who on earth suggested John Schneider as Sam Houston? If you are interested in Texas history and want to watch a real good performance by an actor taking on that part,watch the great Stacy Keach in "Texas". This is just a waste of time.

True Women
This is a fascinating tale of three women whose lives are intertwined. This movie is truly an inspiration to all women! This movie will make you smile and cry. It is a tale of bravery and survival. A must-have for any Angelina Jolie, Dana Delaney or Annabeth Gish fan! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Cheech & Chong's first cannabis comedy is also their best, a souvenir from the more carefree days before "Just Say No," when people did not feel so defensive about inhaling. In 1978, the prevailing spirit was more like "Just Say Blow." Even New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael liked it (the movie, that is), adding that it was "an exploitation slapstick comedy, rather than a family picture, such as Blazing Saddles or High Anxiety--which means that it's dirtier, wilder, and sillier." The story has to do with bumbling potheads Cheech & Chong searching for primo bud, while being tailed by a team of inept law-enforcement officers, led by Sgt. Stedenko (Stacy Keach). Sample dialogue: When a cop pulls them over to ask if they are any illegal substances in his vehicle, Cheech replies: "Not any more, man." Up in Smoke is an irresistibly silly and charming movie that--despite, or perhaps because of, the national furor over drug use--plays today like a relic from a bygone era, a sweeter, more open, more innocent period in our history. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (76)

A tokin' cult classic
For those of you who grew up in the 70's, Cheech & Chong where the Laurel & Hardy or Abbott & Costello of those times. Seeing this film in DVD is a joy, since I must have seen it on tape more than a 100 times, till it was unwatchable. Now, for the first time we can see the film in it's original panoramic (widescreen) format, and for those who saw it before on tape, you'll see all you've missed before. The copy is pristine clear, and it includes a load of deleted scenes, some actually funnier than what we saw on the original run of the film. Included on those missing scenes, is the infamous one featuring Harry Dean Stanton, who doesn't remember ever appearing in a Cheech & Chong film. Plus there is an audio commentary by Cheech himself and Lou Adler, the director, who prior to this, had never directed a film before. You'll be astonished to learn how much this film influenced other people, guys like Quentin Tarantino, for example, not to mention the numerous rock groups who grew up watching this guys and re-recorded their music. All in all, a real pleasure to discover this seminal gem from the 70's, given it's full use or advantage on DVD. If you saw this guys' films way back then, do yourself a favor, and get hold of this DVD. For those too young to remember them, but who heard of them from an older brother or "stoner" uncle, get hold of it and discover what kept us laughing during those daze, er, uh, days. Filmakers of today, take notice that films can be made without a million cuts per second and only with long continous shots.

Plot-Free Pot-Fest -- Big Whoop about Very Little!
Definitely DATED, this film has 70s "High Times" written all over it. These guys have not much more than "pot" on their brain. All jokes lead to the same subject...dope, man!

Cheech and Chong, already celebrated novelty song artists with several best-selling albums to their credit just had to take their "message" to the next level. "Up In Smoke" gave them plenty of exposure and secured a solid fandom. 25 years later, though, the laughs drop drastically on the dime-bag-scale.

When I was still in high school (and I didn't give in to the smoking of anything, then or now), I may have enjoyed this sort of nonsense more. As a middle aged intellectual, I can offer only a few tired smirks. Give me Laurel & Hardy instead!**

best stoner movie ever!
hello cheech and chong fans i may only be a teenager but i have been a fan for like 4 years now and this is the funniest movie i have ever seen might be the best comedy ever!.and if ypur going to order a cheech and chong movie get this one but if i were you and you had some money to spend buy all of them and all of there cd's.and im so glad chong is finaly out of prison and to all of you die hard c and c fans the new cheech and chong movie is going to start production in september chong and cheech were both on jay leno on july 9th so there back together for awhile. anyways dont get to high later.

THIS IS A PARODY, DON'T YOU PEOPLE GET IT?
This film does not advocate drug use, this film, and Cheech and Chong's act are parodies of people who do drugs. If anything it takes every stereo type of all kinds of drug users and makes fun of them. If you watch this movie again and think about what I have said you will actually think this film is even funnier than you did before. I have known most of these types of people and think this movie is halarious, one of the funniest films ever made and I do not do drugs.

ALL Pot and NO Plot makes this ONE DULL MOVIE!
Campy trip back to the smoky 70s. Definitely DATED, this film has "High Times" written all over it. These guys have not much more than "pot" on their brain. All jokes lead to the same subject...dope, man!

Cheech and Chong had already enjoyed celebrity as novelty song artists with several best-selling albums to their credit. This effort of "Smokin' Dope - The Movie" takes their "message" to the next level. "Up In Smoke" gave them plenty of exposure and secured a solid fandom. 25 years later, though, the laughs drop drastically on the dime-bag-scale.

When I was still in high school (and I didn't give in to the smoking of anything, then or now), I may have enjoyed this sort of nonsense more. As a middle aged intellectual, I can offer only a few tired smirks. Give me Laurel & Hardy instead!** ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Cheerful, Delightful version of Pippi
The setting of Pippi Longstocking's home is supposed to be Sweden, in this movie it's relocated to America. That was perhaps unfaithful to the books- but this version of Pippi manages to be sweet and endearing in spite of this.

I've read a lot of negative reviews of this movie- I'm not exactly sure how many people don't like this movie, but I happen to think it sweet and charming for people of all ages.

The performances by the actors in this manage to recreate magic in a different setting. Tami Erin gives a positively charming performance as a little girl- she manages to give Pippi the trademark innocence, oddness, and yet she manages to give Pippi a sort of beginning of wisdom as well. Tami conveys the hurt and pain as Pippi is aquainted with the realities of kids who are unloved, her friend Annika's father's dislike of her, and the gradual evaporation of the magic of her childhood. She manages to make Pippi human and accesible while still making her an enduring, endearing figure. Some people refer to her as ''spoiled brat'', but I think her reaction toward these adults was more her shock that her cheer could not please them. The adventures between her and Tommy and Annika were sweetly shown, and it can end in Pippi's understanding of what she's done.

I have seen the other versions of Pippi and Inger Neillson portrays Pippi as a strange, detached, though not charmless character- but she is in no way human or accessible.

The songs are cute too- they manage to show Pippi's enduring innocence, and her good-hearted spirit.

I would recommend this movie to people of all ages ready to see a new version of the sweet, charming Pippi- Tami Erin was a charming young actress, I don't know why she didn't persue acting after this.

Bad Acting Bad Directing
No charm, no plot, just bad acting. Give me the original Swedish movie versions any day.

What words can describe Pippi Longstocking?
Arrogant is a good one. Another is rascal. Other ones that fit rather well are show-stopper, shameless, unrepentent, metahuman, Goddess, and powerful almost to the point of being menacing but not quite. You need only fear her if your life depends on NOT having fun.
Oh, yeah. And she's probably older and smarter than she pretends to be, and she's definitely MUCH wiser.
All these things have made her one of my favorite fictional characters ever.
So why is it that in this movie, she is none of those amazing things?
As a child, I was a fairly poor individual, not at all like Pippi, but I did have a library card, and so I spent much time reading. Naturally, when this movie came out, I couldn't go to see it, however, I did read the book, and I was immediately swept up into a childhood crush on its main character that lasted for years and years.
At the age of 18 or so, I finally got the chance to see this movie, and I was apalled! This film makes a mockery of everything Pippi is.
For about 70% of the film, Pippi behaves completely out-of-character, and much of the rest of it is consumed by lousy characters who have no substance. Pippi does get to rough up a few people, but unlike in the books, she only does it to three bad guys that act like the Curly, Larry and Moe.
Additionally, this movie is plagued by the curse of having way too many unnecesary songs. It could have been so much better.
If you want to speak kindly of this movie, however, you won't be entirely without ammunition. It does contain a few scenes of pleasing metahuman powers, and several of Pippi being a brat which ALMOST threaten to drag the movie out of the gutter it made for itself.
If you still don't understand what I'm griping about, read all three Pippi books, then carefully review the scenes in the children's home. You should be able to tell quite easily that none of them should have happened, especially the one where Pippi flinches at the striking of a ruler, as opposed to her book incarnation, whose skin was about the consistency of a brick wall.
Long and short, as a movie, it's only marginally bad, but you definitely don't want to watch it because frankly, you're better off reading the books by about a billion times.

The Old Swedish Pippi Movies are Better!
I grew up watching the old Swedish Pippi movies on TV, they seemed to show them a lot on TV in the 70's and I remember watching this 80s remake with my nephews, I think we first saw it in a movie theater and then I remember them taping it off Showtime and watching it several times. It's good but not as good as the old Pippi movies and I noticed that some of the changes they made in this remake were changes in the personalities of Tommy, Annika and their parents. In the Swedish movies Tommy was the more willing partner to Pippi's schemes while Annika was the fussy whiney one and the father seemed to like Pippi while the fussy mother thought Pippi was a bad influence on her children and in this remake Annika was the more willing partner to Pippi's schemes, Tommy was the fussy whiney one, the mother seemed to like Pippi and the father was the fussy, uptight one who thought Pippi was a bad influence on his children. This movie has it's moments but just isn't as good as the Swedish movies.

What were they thinking?
I first saw this movie during its initial theatrical release in 1988. Even then, as a 5th-grader, I could tell from the opening scene that this movie would be a horrible disappointment. I was actually ashamed for that 15-year-old girl who tried to pass herself off as Pippi. In the books, Pippi was a quick-witted, harmless trouble-maker (who was, by the way, supposed to be 9 years old), but in this movie version she is a brainless ding-dong who instigates a countless number of harmful schemes. While trying to elude the truant/social worker, she selfishly convinces her two "best friends" to leave their parents and run away with her on a mindless "adventure." When Tommy and Annika begin to have second thoughts about leaving home, Pippi consoles them with a bar of chocolate to be shared by the three of them. The simpletons are actually cheered up by the offering, as if any kid would rather have one-third of a chocolate bar over a warm home-cooked meal. And just when I thought this movie couldn't get any worse, the characters actually begin to sing songs that sound like they were written by a 5-year-old contest winner. You'd think that the adults involved in the making of this movie would try as hard as possible to please young fans by staying true to the books, but while watching this heartless sacrilege unfold in the theater that day, I had the awful feeling that Astrid Lindgren (author of the Pippi books) had rolled over in his grave. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Bitter-sweet triumph
This video, although beautiful and astounding cannot be watched without seeing the episodes surrounding it: "What Rough Beast" , Ceremony of Innocence" , and " The Rest is Silence" . Once you have seen these Though Lovers be lost will steal your heart and capture your soul.

Beauty & The Beast-Though Lovers Be Lost
I love all of the Beauty & The Beast episodes from the TV series. I have most on VHS. To Peggy Hendershot, I may have the ones you are looking for. I tried to never miss an episode!

Wonderful show
I have loved this show since it orginally aired. I used to have all of them, but moving so much, I have lost most of them. I would love to get the complete set if anyone can help me. This show really should be reaired. ecb612@hotmail.com

Though Lover's Be Lost
This is for Dawna and Peggy. I have 20 episodes on tape, and looking for more. I would be interested in sharing what we all have.
Tina
ldy8legs@aol.com

Great show, looking for all the videos
I was in my first year of middle school when this show came on and was absolutely enthralled. All the episodes were great, but I missed the last season (punishment for a bad report card, lol). Would desperately love to get the complete set from someone! ... Read more

Description

Who was the first actor to play James Bond? If you answered Sean Connery, you would be wrong. In 1954, Barry Nelson played Bond in 007's screen debut: a 1954 live t.v version of the first James Bond novel "Casino Royale". Spy Guise Video now makes this amazing and historic program available - complete with the restored ending missing from previous video versions. This deluxe collector's edition also features many extras: an exclusive overview of the life of Ian Fleming and the "Casino Royale" legacy hosted by Lee Pfeiffer, co-author of the best-selling book "The Essential Bond: An Authorized Celebration of 007". Additionally, this version contains rare promotional advertisements, photographs, and information about James Bond clubs, magazines and officially licensed collectibles. No James Bond fan will want to be without this definitive collector's edition of 007's screen debut. Recorded in the SP mode for superior quality. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Call me "Jimmy"
So whaddya know? Dr. No wasn't the first James Bond after all. Almost ten years prior to Sean Connery's landmark debut, Casino Royale comes to us as part of a live mystery television program called Climax! (what a name, eh?) Apparently, different writers were acted out on a weekly basis, and October 21, 1954 happened to be the week Ian Fleming's legendary character made his first screen entrance, and it wasn't even the big screen!

So what do we have here, James Bond fans? Ironically, the opening credits that pan through a series of camera lenses look remarkably similar to the gun barrel opening sequences of the later Bond flicks. Aside from that, that's about it. Yep, this is a whole different Bond. He's shifty-eyed, condescending, he has a receding hairline, I even think he's a Blond Bond (albeit in black and white it's hard to tell.) Is it true he's an American in this? Says a lot about the liberties we were taking with an author's works. A British lead? The horror!

In any case, it's worth watching if you're an Ian Fleming fan as it does stay relatively true to his book. In it, Bond is given the laughable assignment of beating a "dastardly" villain named Le Chiffre out of the Soviet money he's been embezzling to support his gambling weakness. We're never really given a reason why he's so dastardly other than he looks funny (hey, it's Peter Loore!) But no matter, Bond is a man of duty, "For Queen and Country" and all that... (darn it, wrong country again.) Linda Christian stars as Valerie Mathis, a former flame of Mr. Bond and the obvious femme fatale. But is she on Le Chiffre's side or Bond's? Well, you'll just have to see now, won't you (or just read another review, I'm sure someone has spoiled the entire plot.)

I doubt anyone except die-hard James Bond fans will want this, and even then only to complete their collection. It is interesting to watch, however, just to see a time when baccarat was beatable, people could act, leading ladies weighed more than 105 pounds, and there was more than an eight minute period between commercials. Hmmm... now that I think about it, I would pick this over "Never Say Never Again."

Rare, restored footage featured in this collector's edition
This 1954 live CBS t.v. broadcast introduced James Bond in his screen debut. Amazingly, he is played by American Barry Nelson, which makes this a fascinating addition to the Bond legacy. The show has been released on video previously. However, this is the only one in the SP mode and it is also the only one which has the long missing climax restored. There are a wealth of enjoyable bonuses, including rare t.v. ads for the 1967 big screen version of "Casino", an informative introduction about the history of Bond and Ian Fleming, hundreds of rare photos, and information about 007 fan clubs and merchandise. A "must" for 007 collectors.

Genesis of Bond
Barry Nelson was the first Bond on Screen!
Today we have two versions of Casino Royale. The 1954 version and the spoof 1967 version.
The 1954 Climax version has been published in two video versions- US and Europe, and on DVD as an extra on the 1967 casino Royale DVD relaese in the US.
Peter Lorre, Linda Christian and Barry nelson completes the set adapted from Flemings 1952 novel Casino Royale.
Collectors and fans know that the last minute part of the 1954 casino Royale has been missed...when Bond kills Le Chiffree we don't get to see that because of the missing part of the original film.
Barry Nelson left the filmbusiness in 1980 with the film Island of Claws. his most rememable performnace s are in Airport and the Shining. He was born in 1920 and is of Scandinavian origin.
Casino Roayle 1954 is much better than the 1967 spoof, no doubt.
But still it would be fantastic if the Bond producers would make an updated adaptaion of this first Bond novel.

MD
Michael H. Damsgaard
Denmark

The first James Bond movie ever!
Dr. No is actually not the first 007 movie, 8 years before that Climax Theatre for CBS Television produced a TV movie called Casino Royale. 007 was known as "Card Sense Jimmy Bond" and the entire movie was based in a hotel casino. The movie was rereleased in the early 90's, but did not contain the ending in which Bond battles Le Chiffre. This tape is the only one that does contain the entire movie from beginning to end.
The movie begins with an introduction by Lee Pfeiffer who tells about this movie and the 1967 spoof version.

The movie begins with Bond being shot at while entering the casino, but the culprit escapes. Bond meets up with Clarence Leiter, in which they discuss Baccarat and the evil Le Chiffre. Bond is told that Le Chiffre has gambled and lost 80 million francs of Soviet money and is planning to win it back to try to clean the mess with his employers. Bond's job is to make sure that he loses. bond also meets Valerie Mathis who appears to be working for Le Chiffre. As the movie continues, Bond and Le Chiffre play Baccarat with Le Chiffre cleaning out Bond. Bond then mysteriously recieves 35 million francs and wins 87 million francs all from Le Chiffre. Valerie is kidnaped, but she returns to Bond in his hotel room where they are trapped by Le Chiffre and his thugs. bond is tortured to tell where he has hidden the check for the money. Bond escapes and shoots Le Chiffre, who still survives. Bond, Valerie and Le Chiffre all meet in the sitting room of Bond's room where Valerie confess that she is a French agent, who still loved Bond and gave him the 35 million francs. (At this point the tape gets fuzzy and harder to see, as obviously this is the part that has finally been restored.) Le Chiffre holds Valerie with a knife at her chest when Bond shoots and kills him.

After the movie there are several pictures and advertisements for the 1967 version, and addresses to 007 fan clubs. Casino Royale is an exciting James Bond movie that has to be in the collection of anyone that would call themselves a Bond fan!

BOND, JIMMY BOND. STIRED NOT SHAKEN
I very much enjoy the Bond movies. they are the best action movies ever. I like all the offical movies! I also like the unofical movies. NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN is good espesily with connery back in the helm.

this is intresting to watch. its in black and white so it has a sort of film noir look. its live telivision so its not perfect. fleming sold the rights on this one and it was made in an attempt to capture amareican audiances. basicly fleming needed the mony and wanted to launch bond into fame. any way the charture is amaricinised for the sake of the audiance.

neslon is good hes not connery but good. once u get past the crew cut and acent that is. the name is still JAMES BOND but usely the nick name "jimmy" is used. this is atipical of 50s heros. hes working for a usa agency a CIA not assoiated with the real CIA. (bye the way there are at least two times bond is called 'james' the rest of the time hes refered to as jimmy.) 'clarance' liter is the british spy here. (no felix here).

this is a short film thankfuly the ending is restored. it is not like the book (which was VERY gritty not at all like the bond of the movies.) in a way though it has the feel of the book. it is also a serious presntation rather then the comedy movie.

peter lore is good as the villain. very dispicabel. i have to say it is nice to see bond portayed as a human being rather then a super human. here bond can be hurt. he is beaten and abused. (the only other time we see this is in DR NO. rarely is the bond of the later movies even scrached.) that is one good thing about the bond of this movie.

this version is the ONLY complete version of this film. the dvd of the comedy version casino royal does have the tv version in its extras, but that version is NOT complete. so if u want to see the whole show u have to get this tape.

how does one reconcil this with the other movies? well just pretend that this is a bond befor he gets his 007 liscence to kill. who is "posing" as an american agent, or somthing.

at any rate it would not be till DR NO that bond became the action hero that he is now. with each movie he is reborn. yet we must reamber it is here and the books that he first was born. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This two-hour CBS movie from the much-loved series Dr. Quinn,Medicine Woman depicts the long-anticipated wedding of Dr. Michaela Quinn(Jane Seymour) to mountain man Byron Sully (Joe Lando). Any show that featuresthe marriage of the two lead characters has built-in appeal, and this one is noexception. The wedding of Dr. Mike and Sully is the most exciting thing that'sever happened to the tiny frontier town of Colorado Springs. The time is 1870,as the attractive period sets and costumes attest. The charming scene in whichthe very first train--an adorable steam locomotive--pulls into the town's brand- new station will delight train buffs, and the appearance of historical figureGeneral George Custer ups the story's action quotient. The show doesn't strivefor strict accuracy, however. Its tone resembles a historical romance novel,without the bodice-ripping. Like Little House on the Prairie, Dr.Quinn glorifies the traditional American family values of a simpler, bygoneera. Yet the script also incorporates modern-day concerns. (Dr. Mike doesn'twant to change her name after marriage, and Sully won't wear a wedding ring.)One theme of the movie is timeless: what to do about meddling relatives whenplanning a wedding. All told, Dr. Quinn's worldwide following of devotedfans will find this movie full of all the romance, excitement, and drama theyhave come to expect. --Laura Mirsky ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Irresistibly Romantic
The Dr. Quinn/Medicine Woman series had, in my opinion, some of television's most truly romantic moments (in contrast to the crude sex scenes of many movies which leave nothing to the imagination and fail to touch the heart). The chemistry between the rough yet articulate and noble-hearted Sully (Joe Lando)and the idealistic, headstrong Mikaela Quinn is palpable. This particular episode marks the triumphant climax of their long, stormy courtship and is filled with warmth, tenderness and heart-pounding sensuality (in spite of the G rating). True romantics will not be able to resist! Aside from romance, this series is top quality family entertainment with excellent character-development, positive role models, and accurate historic events/issues, many of which are still relevant today (e.g., environmental protection, civil and women's rights).

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman: For Better or Worse
I absolutely love this video. Its very interesting to me how a woman in the 1800s had to win the respect of a man to have equal rights. In doing all that she won the heart of an extremely cute guy in the process. I think that Jane Seymour and Joe Lando are the perfect actors to pursue these characters, very interesting characters. I just cannot say enough about this video and the whole series for that matter. You just have to get it. I highly recommend it for a person at any age. Preferrably a teenager and above.

The Greatest Love Story in History
This was one of the best episodes of Dr.Quinn Medicine Woman ever. Jane Seymour and Joe Lando are magic together. The way they fought to have the type of wedding they wanted was very inspiring and romantic. I think that all their fans would love to see them together in another project. I continually look at all the reruns on television and I never get tired of looking at them. My goal is to one day own all the episodes, from the first one to the last one.

A great continuation of the TV series
Mike and Sully continue their life and in this movie, there is lots of action! I enjoyed seeing the same people of Colorado Springs again, and hope there are more movies coming! I am sorry the series went off the air!

DQMW For Better or Worse
This is an excellent quality video, clear, sharp and good sound. The music and scenery are fantastic! A video for all ages, well done and worth watchng over and over again. Great Video for the price. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This massive 1977 adaptation by director Richard Attenborough (Gandhi) of Cornelius Ryan's novel features an all-star cast in an epic rendering of a daring but ultimately disastrous raid behind enemy lines in Holland during the Second World War. A lengthy and exhaustive look at the mechanics of warfare and the price and futility of war, the film is almost too large for its aims but manages to be both picaresque and affecting, particularly in the performance of James Caan. The impressive cast includes Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Dirk Bogarde, Sean Connery, and Liv Ullmann among others. While not a classic war film, it nevertheless manages to be a consistently interesting and exciting adventure. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (136)

Excellent Film -- Historically Accurate.
In my opinion, the best war movie ever made -- a notch better than "Saving Private Ryan," which contains certain historical inaccuracies. "A Bridge Too Far" masterfully adapts Cornelius Ryan's meticulously-researched book of the same title. More importantly, with the exception of the German tanks and armored personnel carriers depicted in the failed attempt to capture the northern end of the Arnhem bridge, the uniforms, machine guns, rifles, tanks, landscape, etc. depicted in the film are accurate -- unlike the vast majority of war films that cut corners, film off location, fail to research key facts, etc. The "second Omaha Beach" crossing of the Waal River by the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division -- filmed on loaction -- is the most riveting scene in the movie. Also spectacular is the reenactment of the dropping of hundreds of paratroopers over Holland from C-47 Dakotas. The only negative is that the movie can be quite confusing to one who is not familiar with the intricacies of Operation Market Garden. I urge anyone considering viewing the film to first read "Arnhem 1944" by Martin Middlebrook or Cornelius Ryan's above-mentioned book. Some research will help put this complicated military operation into perspective. After you've seen the movie, and if you have the time, money and inclination, take a battlefield tour of Nijmegen and Arnhem (both just an hour-or-so drive from Amsterdam) so you can truly appreciate the sacrifices made by the British, American, and Polish paratroopers depicted in the film nearly 55 years ago.

Gripping account of Operation Market Garden
A Bridge Too Far is one of my favorite war movies, and books of all time. The book is a classic, which you should read if you have not done so before watching the film.

The film is long (almost 3 hours), but well worth it. I have seen it more than a few times, and always enjoy watching it. I particularly like the Airborne drop and combat scenes. All which leave me wondering how they actually filmed some of them. The cast is full of all-stars with the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Robert Redford, Sean Connery, James Caan. The list of great actors just goes on and on.

The film does a good job of telling the tragic tale of Operation Market Garden, the largest Airborne operation ever. The plan is bold, which is a surprise in itself since General Montgomery was considered to be one of the more conservative well known commanders from WWII. As you watch the movie, you start to wonder how could they have been so wrong. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and you have to realize that this operation was to be the final punch to put Germany out of the war. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. And, in the end, the goal of reaching the Arnhem bridge is never achieved, and the British Airborne Division pays the ultimate price for the plan's failure.

The book does a better job telling the stories of individual soldiers involved in the battle. But, the movie does an excellnet job of keeping the viewer in the action, and aware of what happened when, during the fight. Especially considering, the action took place at three different areas all at the same time.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in WWII, war movies, combat leadership, or airborne operations. I also recommend watching the movie on a large screen TV if you can.

Great Battles, Dialogue, Characters Make A Great Movie.
I liked this film very much. It's not overly patriotic like Saving Private Ryan. It doesn't go for the happy, crowd pleasing ending. It doesn't pick out heros & bad guys for easy watching and it doesn't oversimplify.

This is well-paced, collage-style film about human fallibility and what happens when large wartime operations break down.

The dialogue is superb. There are 10+ characters interlocked in various relationships at all levels inside the army. These were the top actors in the world at the time, each with a role to play and an independent fate in the battle. All these guys are in their 60's now and seeing them so young is a surprise. Look for John Ratzenberger (Cliff Claven of Cheers) in Robert Redford's paratrooper platoon.

The production values were also excellent, on par with the best of WWII movies. There were many very realistic battle scenes and all the scenery and soldiers, equipment, etc. one could imagine. To the untrained eye it was 100% authentic.

This is not a happy movie or much fun. It's more real than that. Unfortunately it's also not especially harrowing - you know that things are not going to work out. It's just thoughtful and well-paced and very watcheable. If you like WWII movies this one is certainly worthwhile.

You need the Australian 2-disc set!
Personally I found this so-called classic a total bore. But if you're one of those dusty old f*rts who collects war memorabillia and gets off on these true-to-life war epics, get yourself a multizone player and buy the Region 4 Two-disc set which also includes: "Heroes From The Sky" featurette, "A Distant Battle: Memories of Operation Market Garden" featurette, "Richard Attenborough: A Filmmaker Remembers" featurette, (These featurettes are quite long...some go for nearly an hour) Photo Gallery, Trailer, Audio Commentary and Trivia Track. This is the way classic movies on DVD should be presented. Tons of information and a great price. Ezydvd.com

Excellent Adaptation of a Classic War Book
The movie version of Cornelius Ryan's book A Bridge Too Far is a fully faithful adaptation of a war classic. As such, it is a classic in its own right. The movie includes the planning and execution of the flawed Operation Market Garden, the largest Allied airborne operation of World War II. It also includes several of the human interest vignettes from Ryan's book. The movie is consistently interesting throughout and is never boring.

A true classic. ... Read more

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If aliens came down to earth to see if humanity was worth saving,showing them Short Cuts, Robert Altman's bluesy riff on life in L.A. in the '90s,would not be a good idea. Based on the stories of Raymond Carver (adapted by Altman and Frank Barhydt), this ambitious film is a devilishvalentine to living in L.A., where happiness comes at a premium. There are at least eight separate stories that crisscross, most about people who choose not to relate to the lives they are living. Seemingly by design, none of the stories (nor the performances for that matter) have more impact than the others--this is a true mosaic film. The most representative plot deals with a group of friends (Buck Henry, Fred Ward, and Huey Lewis) who decide to keep fishing even after discovering a body in the river. The story works as a morose comedy and a flag holder for the movie: the inability to take the correct action. Others would rather talk about seeing Alex Trebek than discuss their faltering relationships. A huge and talented cast twists in the wind, bumping into moments of truth, sex, and passion. Some even come out all right in the end. The accidental nature of life--a common theme in many Altman films--has never been so maddeningly persistent, or absorbing. The score by Mark Isham with songs sung by Annie Ross (also a cast member) fuels the moodiness, as does theopening number in which Medfly helicopters spray the town to the tune "Prisoner of Life." Delivering the film a year after his biggest hit in two decades, The Player, Altman proved his artistic tenacity as an aged artist with the heart of a new filmmaker: he's not afraid of risking it all. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Loved it!
I saw this movie when it first came out and found it SO engrossing! While long, the film keeps your attention the whole time, and I thought every plot line was totally intriguing. I recently saw "Magnolia" and felt disappointed that it wasn't as good as "Short Cuts", although the potential was there. Jennifer Jason Leigh's character sticks in my mind, particularly when she's doing phone sex while diapering her baby! It was absurdly dark scenes like that which made me think Altman had a great knack for observing human nature. I thought the whole cast was excellent and I loved the way the stories intertwined. To the reviewer who thought the earthquake was out of place, I think they misunderstood the whole device as a way of tying everyone together - 'we're all in the same boat' so to speak. I left feeling better about this whacky, often tragic world we live in. It makes you think a lot about how we relate to those around us, whether we ever meet the people we interact with on a daily basis or not. Brilliant!

okay
Minus the critical acclaim, buzz, influence over films like Magnolia, Short Cuts, on its own, is a mediocre movie. Despite the best efforts of around a dozen talented actors and a director who obviously knows his stuff, Robert Altman, this movie is an exercise in redundancy and misery. Many of the stories fail to make a worthy case as to why they need to be told in a movie.

However, Short Cuts has a few scenes so brilliant and affecting that they are worth the rental (or purchase price) alone.

The intersecting storylines tell a story about a group of fishermen who discover a dead body, a grieving family (Andie MacDowell), a married couple with skeletons in the closet (Julianne Moore and Matthew Modine) a drunkard and his waitress girlfriend (Tom Waits and Lily Tomlin), a depressed cellist (Lori Singer) a philandering cop with a wife and family back home (Tim Robbins and Madeleine Stowe) and a sketchy make-up artist and his girlfriend (Robert Downey Jr. and Lily Taylor).

The incredible number of stories and stars may seem mind-boggling, but it's the least of the film's problems. In fact the strong acting and richness of the collective stories are the film's high point.

All the actors are great in one way or another, but Julianne Moore's performance is stunning. Jack Lemmon is similarly incredible. These two have to be seen to be believed.

However, with so many stories, all of them won't measure up to high quality. Short Cuts main problem is that a whole lot don't measure up.

By the way, there's a lot of nudity in this film, profanity, sex, and overall depressing material.

AN ACRID BUT INTRIGUING BANQUET OF CLIPS FROM EVERYDAY LIVES
Altman's singature classic with twenty two characters and ten nearly distinct tales. Imagine the ingenuity required to interweave all of that into a seamless whole, but Altman manages the feat deliciously.

While the individual threads may coax discussion, it is their blending that enables a variety of perspectives. Most of them are poignant, for instance the life of a pool cleaner and his wife who vocalizes orgasms on the phone in her job as a tele-sex worker while changing her kids' diapers. Or the life of a couple whose son has been in a tragic accident that brings their lives to an abrupt halt. Etc.

Be warned, many of these vignettes, while very tautly scripted and cleverly screenplayed, remain "unresolved," which may not work for some viewers. Personally I feel that films like this are more genuine reflections of the world in which we live: people often don't change, questions are frequently left unanswered, and unbecoming things do happen every day.

It's a pure pleasure to find a movie that weaves such a deep and intelligent tapestry of human lives, with all their idiosynchratic travails and triumphs. An absolute gem for you to own, not just rent.

why is 'short cuts' not out on DVD?
the greatest masterpiece of the '90s is STILL not out on DVD. filmmaking like this doesn't come along often enough.

Altman's finest hour? (or 3 and a half)
I think this ties nashville as his greatest work. i was blown away and cannot wait to own the DVD. 3 plus hours just fly by with excellent performances all around, and wonderful music courtesy of annie ross, the ow note quintet and all other contributors. ... Read more