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Kiss Me Deadly starts off with a bang--a young woman (Cloris Leachman) in bare feet and a trench coat runs along a highway, frantically trying to flag down help. In desperation, she finally throws herself into traffic, and the car she stops belongs to detective Mike Hammer. The pace never lets up--we're not even 15 minutes into the movie and there's already been a murder, a mysterious letter, an attempt to kill Hammer, and, of course, a warning to just stay out of it. Hammer, tired of lowlife divorce cases, smells something big and can't let it go. The film is exciting, about as dark as a noir can get, and full of skewed camera angles and mysterious whose-shoes-are-those shots. At the center, of course, is Mike Hammer, a detective so cool he can win a fight with nothing more than a box of popcorn as a weapon. Hammer knows his opera singers as well as his amateur prizefighters, and he makes the ladies swoon, but he's far from a conventional hero. In fact, he's rather emphatically not a nice guy; Hammer happily whores out his secretary-girlfriend Velma to cinch up those divorce cases and has a penchant for slamming other people's fingers in drawers. Even the bad guys know he's a sleazebag. ("What's it worth to you to turn your considerable talents back to the gutter you crawled out of?") Ralph Meeker plays Hammer's ambivalence brilliantly, swinging easily between sexy and just plain mean. Kiss Me Deadly is just terrific. Stop reading this review and watch it already. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (34)

One of the best of the genre!
This is easily one of the most outstanding pieces of film noir ever made. Ralph Meeker, (An actor who usually played bad guys.), plays a very anti-heroic Mike Hammer.

The Mike Hammer that Meeker portrays is greedy and sadistic. He takes great pleasure inflicting pain on others, and stepping on as many toes as possible to get what he wants. With a lead character as trashy as the one Meeker portrays you can only imagine how cold-blooded the rest of the people in this movie are.

"Kiss Me Deadly" is one of the more rarely seen classic detective pictures; this is a shame. From the very first shot of this picture, you can feel the crime-detective genre being pushed and beaten into directions no one has ever seen before.

There are some people who did not understand the ending of this picture. It's simple: "Be careful what you go looking for, you might not like what you find."

This is one wonderfully stylish, suspensful, and unusual motion picture. You owe it to yourself to check it out!

Kiss Me Deadly
Condemned by censors, panned by critics, and banned by the Btritish when it was released in 1955 KISS ME DEADLY is today universally considered one of the definitive and perhaps most perfectly realized films noirs ever made. Director Robert Aldrich and screenwriter A.I. Bezzerides, both having a mutual contempt for right wing pulp novelist Mickey Spillane and all he stood for, nevertheless smartly capitalized on the extraordinary success of the author at the time, basing their film on Spillane's book of the same name while taking such drastic liberties with his story, characters, and ideologies that the finished product would be nearly unrecognizable to serious Spillane fans. This point seems to be forshadowed, as film noir scholar James Naremore has pointed out, in the weirdly reversed opening credits which seem to stand Mickey Spillane on his head.

The movie opens with divorce detective Mike Hammer(Ralph Meeker) forced to pick up a barefoot and naked-under-a-trenchcoat Christina Baily(Chloris Leachman in her first screen role)who, as we soon find out, has escaped from a mental institution and is running down the middle of a remote California road at night. When Hammer is quickly run off the road by gangsters who torture Christina to death and nearly kill Hammer himself his interest is sparked. Hammer smells something big and the cut of something big is...well, big. He decides to give the divorce work a rest and devote himself, his adoring secretary Velda(Maxine Cooper), his Greek mechanic friend Nick(Nick Dennis), and anyone else he can get to do his dirty work for him to this new mystery. The film is rich with Cold War fear and nuclear paranoia as all the characters relentless focus of selfish greed is on "the great whatsit", the mysterious glowing box of material stolen from a nuclear testing facility. Mike Hammer's detective is totally enjoyable to watch although a distinctly unfavorable and immoral character. He whores out his secretary, Velda, without remorse to adulterous husbands to wrap up divorce cases, gets his innocent friend Nick killed by involving him in the case, is a markedly poor detective, and sadistically enjoys physically punishing those who get in his way.

KISS ME DEADLY is fundamentally wrapped up in the definitions of the film noir genre, containing all the elements--a stark opening sequence on a dark road, destructive manipulating femme fatales, low-life cheap gangsters, dark expressionistically lit night-time scenes, a vengeful (or greedy?) quest, maybe the best, and most anti-, anti-hero of the noir canon, and a dark mood of hopelessness.

An absorbing film
Besides the fifty years difference fact since this film was made, it's worthy to remark the clever script in that black decade that permeated the minds of so many artists all around the world.
This film , undoubtly belongs the film noir genre , but goes far beyond and becomes a clear warning about the implications of dealing with such dangerous weapon in the underworld.
In this sense, the dramatic wrenchs produce interesting and new events that feed and redefine the film noir for that historical moment. Don't forget the Cold War and the dark clouds of fear and hopeless still surrounded the mind and soul of many people in USA.
Watch this film . Robert Aldrich , with this film defined his artistic personality in the American Cinema.
And other movies directed by him , specially "In cold blood" , gives us important clues about his world's sight.

A classic...but oh, so grim.
Kiss Me Deadly is stylish and moves along nicely but whichever ending you choose, its unrelenting in its grimness.

I disagree that Meeker portrays Mike Hammer as a bad guy. He gives everybody what they've got coming; its just that he enjoys it.

Don't want to give away the ending but let's just say it has more in common with science fiction than film noir. Those expecting a happy ending should get a different DVD.

One of the great P.I. noir films, with the restored ending!
Robert Aldrich's 1955 detective thriller, "Kiss Me Deadly," came at the end of the American classic film noir cycle, and shows the genre at its most violent, surreal, cruel, cynical, and visually bizarre. It's the last great explosive moment of the classic era of film noir -- and I do mean explosive. This is one detective film, like "Chinatown," which you won't soon forget.

Aldrich and screenwriter A. I. Bezzirides took on Mickey Spillane's popular P.I. Mike Hammer, but aside from keeping the basic plot outline of the original novel, they completely changed the nature of the character in a very reactionary move. Spillane's Mike Hammer is a New York detective-avenger, a self-righteous vigilante who deals out justice when the paralyzed forces of the law can do nothing: he's a vicious knight on a mean-spirited quest to right wrongs through brute force. (The title of the first Hammer novel, "I, the Jury" pretty much sums up his attitude.) The movie relocates Hammer to Los Angeles and turns him into a shallow con-artist who only cares about his car and his looks. He's a lousy detective too, relying on knocking people around for information, often innocent inoffensive folks, and never really paying attention to the important details of the case. His detective work is entirely matrimonial, where he and his 'assistant' Velda put the squeeze on couples to blackmail them. Hammer's motto is simple: "What's in it for me?" Ralph Meeker is perfect in the role, looking as if someone carved him out of slab of meat.

No doubt, in this story Hammer is in way over his head...if only he knew it. He picks up a nearly naked girl (Cloris Leachman in an early role) who throws herself in front of his sports car. Later, they're run off the road, and faceless gangsters torture her to dearth and leave Hammer for dead. Hammer sets out to find out what's up; not because he cares what happened to the girl, but because he sniffs out big money and he'd like to get the guys who wrecked his sports car! Hammer finds himself in a violent quest to locate an object that everyone desires: a package called 'The Great Whatsit.' The Great Whatsit isn't a meaningless red herring or Hitchcock McGuffin, however. Its contents are the great surprise of the plot, and the perfect exclamation point on a movie taking place in a chaotic world that seems to be falling apart. I won't tell what the Great Whatsit is (and shame on the reviewers here who have!), but...oh wow!

And this brings us to the issue of the ending, and the only extra on this disc. (Don't worry, I'm not going to spoil the ending.) For years, "Kiss Me Deadly" had a mysteriously abrupt finale that many people praised for its surreal, weird quality. This was how I first saw it. However, in 1997 the original ending was discovered in Aldrich's personal print of the film by editor Glenn Erickson and film noir scholar Alain Silver. Apparently, an accident involving a careless projectionist snipped off part of the ending, so what we had enjoyed and critiqued for years was actually a mistake! The new ending shown on this disc fortunately doesn't change the tone of the film: it's still pretty astonishing, filled with a brilliant use of light and sound effects. However, there's still something about that abrupt ending that gets to people. The DVD contains the option to watch this original abrupt ending so you can make up your mind which one 'feels' more right to you: what the director intended, or the mistake that many embraced as a stroke of brilliance.

No matter which ending you like, "Kiss Me Deadly" is a fabulous piece of brutal crime cinema. The photography is amazing, filled with weird and surreal images and crazy camera angles. The performances are all dead-on: Meeker's ugly Mike Hammer; Albert Dekker as the sinister and poetry spouting Dr. Soberin; Wesley Addy as Hammer's police acquaintance Pat, the sole voice of reason in the mess; Paul Stewart as a smarmy L.A. gangster; the late Jack Elam as freaky thug; and Gaby Rodgers in the film's strangest performance as the distant, weird, but ultimately very dangerous (to every living thing on the planet!) Lily Carver.

If you love detective films and film noir, "Kiss Me Deadly" is a great must-see classic. For a 1950s film, it is surprisingly violent and far ahead of its time. And either end will leave you shivering in shock. If only they had the guts to end films this way today! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The Creature from the Black Lagoon Strikes Back.
As a typical example of '50s Grade B sci-fi, this sequel meets most expectations. After an exciting start detailing the capture of the violent "gill-man," the plot drags a little during the creature's captivity in "Ocean Harbor," a forerunner of Sea World. As the man-fish languishes on display for gawking spectators, Professor Clete Ferguson (John Agar) moons around the delectable Helen Dobson. Both are academic types studying the creature, and each other. These romantic interludes (not to mention the pointless Flippy the porpoise segment) become tiresome, and one squirms waiting for the script to get back to the sci-fi/horror plot. Thankfully, the gill-man eventually breaks loose and typical monster-movie mayhem prevails. The panicked crowd fleeing Ocean Harbor in their best '50s summer-wear evokes chuckles. Rarely have we seen so many white shirts, crewcuts, and bobby sox in one place. And checkout those Panama hats. As the gill-man makes his way down to the sea through various canals and inlets, he brings dreadful death to clueless victims. They fatuously wander around at night, although there is a well-publicized monster on the loose. Feeling conflicted by freedom lust and other lusts, the gill-man stalks Helen, who lounges around in swimwear, underwear, etc. She obligingly stays by water, and leaves her doors and windows open and unlocked. The veteran Jack Arnold, who directed the classic "Tarantula" directed the movie. For those who enjoy old sci-fi/horror flicks, no matter how unlikely, this is a good one for you. Others beware. ;-)

UNDERWATER THRILLS ABOUND!
John Agar, Lori Nelson, and John Bromfield star in this movie that is an equal sucsessor to the original CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. A scientific team travles to the black lagoon to capture a very alive gill man. The expedition succeeds and he is brought to a florida aquariam, were it escapes and causes terrible havok all up and down the eastern seabourd. One of the best sequels ever, it ranks right up there with ALIENS, THE GODFATHER PART II, and THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK.

Is anybody awake at Universal?
Universal has released fancy new box sets of Dracula, Wolf Man, and Frankenstein with all the sequels. These excellent boxes are fairly priced and a genuine treat. But what gives with the Creature? Doesn't Univesal understand how much we love these three movies. Creature from the Black Lagoon was out on the last round of DVD releases of these classic horror films from Universal, but is now out of print. Alas, the two sequels, Revenge of the Creature and The Creature Walks Among Us, have never seen DVD, even though you can still find them from various sources on VHS. Better get one of those while they're still out there because Universal seems disinclined from giving them to us any time soon on DVD. Same for The Mummy and its sequels. Aw c'mon Universal. Give 'em up. It's time.

Hello Universal?!
Where's the DVD? Why not put "The Creature Walks Among Us" on it as well, like your other Classic Monsters?

Return to the Black Lagoon
Being the first of two sequels to a famous 1950's horror classic like "Creature From the Black Lagoon" any film would have its work cut out for it. Indeed "Revenge Of The Creature" certainly lacks that sense of confinement and eerie mystery that was so beautifully put across in the first film and which undoubtedly helped it become the great classic that it still is. The best way to view this film is to see it as an independant production and look at it for its own merits as entertainment.

"Revenge Of The Creature" picks up the story roughly one year after the conclusion of the earlier film. It has an entirely different cast with the exception of the River Boat Captain who was responsible for ferrying the expeditions in both films up to the far reaches of the Amazon Basin in search of the mysterious Gill Man. This time around B horror movie veteran John Agar stars as Professor Clete Ferguson who is in charge of research at Ocean Harbour aquatic resort in Florida where the Gill Man is taken after being captured and where he is placed on display in an aquarium for the general public to see. As opposed to the first film the creature in this instance is very much the one who has the audience sympathy. He is subjected to quite horrific experiemts in the name of research at the Aquarium and develops a strange fascination for Helen (Lori Nelson)the assistant to Professor Ferguson who he spies on through the portholes at the aquarium. At the first opportunity he escapes from his captivity and goes on a killing spree in Florida before abducting Helen and attempting to find his way back to safety.

While not a great story and while similiar themes have been explored elsewhere far more effectively "Revenge Of The Creature" does hold the interest. The scenes of the Gill Man underwater at the aquarium have that same stylish cinematography about them as the underwater sequences in the original film and the later sequences where the Gill Man escapes and causes havoc among the general public are quite exciting and well staged. The scene where he attacks two teenage boys by the water really has a very eerie quality to it and his attack does come as a bit of a surprise when it does occur. While John Agar might not be the best actor in the world he is quite believable here and despite the limited demands that the part calls for does a good job. "Revenge Of The Creature" is also famous for boasting the debut performance of later day superstar Clint Eastwood in the small role of a Lab technician in an early sequence of the film. Eastwood cut his teeth in 1950's horror tales and also had a tiny role in that other classic "Tarantula".

The Gill Man will always remain a classic creature and the makeup/suit for this creature is far and away the best of its kind. The more sympathetic slant that this movie takes on the creature is a welcome change and the film is a logical flow from the first film. For an excursion back to wonderfully innocent 1950's Sci Fi "Revenge Of The Creature" is an enjoyable viewing experience and a worthy successor of sorts to its classic parent. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Sigourney Scores
Exciting true-life story of Dian Fossey, the American woman who fought to save the mountain gorillas of central Africa from extinction. The film makers faced considerable obstacles in reaching the remote area of Rwanda where Fossey worked and was originally planned to be made prior to Fossey's murder in 1985, but the film--directed by Michael Apted--is nonetheless so fluidly told that most of these limitations don't show on screen. Although the excellent on-location photography is essential to Gorillas' success, the film's greatest asset is Sigourney Weaver's bigger-than-life presence as Fossey. Weaver's tremendous physique--used so effectively in making her a match for the creatures of Alien series--allows her to hold her ground with the huge gorillas. Always a charismatic on film, Weaver meets the heroic demands of the film, whether confronting poachers, communicating with gorillas, mourning their loss, or even--in the least interesting aspect of the film--falling in love with Bryan Brown as the National Geographic photographer Bob Campbell. Probably no other American actress in the 1980s could have risen to this challenge as she did. The all-too seldom seen Julie Harris also has a small part as a Rwandan plantation owner and adds her own luminosity to her few scenes. Rick Baker ingeniously handled the film's make-up, mixing both made-up and real gorillas. As suggested above, the film does have a few drawbacks: much like the relationship between Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in 1985's Out of Africa, the romance between Weaver and Brown feels tacked on, and it is less interesting than her relationship to the gorillas. Also, Weaver's descent into seeming madness (which Weaver's unexplained coughing in the last section of the film suggests may have been prompted by her declining health) occurs suddenly in the sequence immediately following the end of her romance with Brown. I wonder how Weaver's character

might have been developed at the end of the film had not Fossey's murder occurred while the film was still being planned: would the end of her romance with Brown have been the end of the film, with a conclusion emphasizing the courage of her decision? And, if so, is that why the final mad sequence occurs so suddenly?

Tragedy Turning To Triumph
"Gorillas In the Mist" is one of the Top 10 films released in 1988. It explores Dian Fossey's life in Africa during her struggle to save the gorilla population, whom were close to extinction. The producers and the writers wonderfully desplict the emotional value of the times: determination, leadership, loneliness, love, friendship, and many more. The movie events are accurate to the actual events. Their research on the gorillas and Dian Fossey proves well thorough. Sigourney Weaver plays Fossey beautifully in her well-deserved Golden Globe winning and Oscar nominated role(Best Actress). Her every drop of heart and soul is poured into the character in every scene. No other actress could perform this role at this level. All other actors also performed their roles wonderfully. "Gorillas In the Mist" is a triumphant movie perfect for all audiences. This film will be a classic in a few years.

Gorillas in the Mist
Anyone passionate about wildlife will identify with this story and with Dian! Anyone who is not, will be transformed.

Gorillas in the Mist
This is the real life story of Dian Fossey, a woman with passion and conviction who dared to live her dreams. Weaver does an exceptional job of bringing the character to life and is very convincing as the gorilla-loving mountain lady. It is wonderful to watch the transition of the character from the beginning of the movie and see how she develops into the obsessed anger-driven person at the end. Right or wrong in her efforts to save the gorillas, this movie is truly an inspiration for anyone with courage and passion.

gorillas in the mist
just wonderful, can't leave the screen, would watch it more then once or twice ... Read more

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The Disney touch is all over this grand, colorful version of the Johann Wyss adventure of a European family set off for the new world of New Guinea. The film opens on a ship jostled and torn by a raging storm while a family struggles to make it through alive. Tossed into a reef near a deserted tropical island, father John Mills takes charge and the family soon turns their island prison into a veritable paradise. Their multilevel tree house, built in record time, is complete with running water and a working pipe organ scavenged from the ship, while their grand yard is abloom in English roses. As a tale of hardship and pioneer pluck, the tale is pure fantasy, but as entertainment it's energetic and appealing. The island is impossibly populated by ostriches, zebras, lions, and elephants, a private zoo that delights the youngest boy and offers plenty of comic relief. The two older brothers discover even wilder life when they rescue the prisoner of oriental pirates (led by hard-bitten Sessue Hayakawa). There's little real danger anywhere in the film--even the climactic battle with the pirates is a cartoonish affair, with coconut bombs and nonlethal booby traps, until the final desperate, deadly moments. Hardly a faithful adaptation of the novel, but a lush, beautifully photographed film and an entertaining adventure safe for all ages. Dorothy McGuire costars as the proper, worry-prone mother. (Ages 5 and older) --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Vault Disney DVD packed with extras for a low price
What a fantastic DVD this is. The Vault Disney series is wonderful, and I hope they give more films the same treatment soon. Not only is the film beautifully restored (in its original 2:35:1 theatrical aspect ratio, and with 5.1 THX surround sound), but the DVD itself is packed with delightful extras.

There's a documentary about making "Swiss Family Robinson" that is nearly 50 minutes long and contains interviews with Sir John Mills, James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk, and Kevin Corcoran. There's a commentary track with the latter three contributing comments about the film. There's an additional interview with MacArthur about his film work, the original theatrical trailer and television spots, radio spots, the entire story album that came out with the film, a Donald Duck cartoon, and more! If you like "Swiss Family Robinson," get this DVD -- even if you already have the VHS tape. It's worth it just to finally have a widescreen version of this family-friendly classic (the better to view the wonderful island vistas), even if you don't figure all of the wonderful extras into the bargain.

this LOADED dvd deserves more than 5 stars
I strongly reccommend! This has to be one of the most fun family films Walt Disney ever made. And the 2 disc DVD treatment that Disney gave this film is perfect. It is Widescreen first of all, maybe it is the first widescreen release outside of theatres ever done for the film. And what a diffenrence in makes in the beautiful island vistas of the film. The DVD transfer itself is well done, with lush colors, great image and depth, great sound, it just sparkles.

The movie was filmed on location on the tropical island of Tobago. While the production went way over budget, Walt did not get mad at the time since the film was worth it. Featuring loads of animals, comedy, action, suspense, pirates, and tropical scenery this was a hard adventure film to beat. And similar to the role the Nautilus filled in "20,000 Leagues Below the Sea", the treehouse becoems a star in it's own right. The invenetive home designed by the castaways from the ship salvage is incredible to behold. An audio commentary as an alternate track features comments from casr and crew.

The extras on this DVD are what really make it a treasure, and they are not all listed here at Amazon or even on the packaging. You have to hunt it down and get creative with your remote. So let me help by telling you what to look for if you buy this... For starters they have the original cartoon that was released with the movie, "Sea Salts" allowing you to see this with the kids the way that it is meant to be seen. There is a 2 minute "1960 Disney Studio Album", a montage of projects, attractions, shows, and films being made and released that year. Next we have 23 minutes from an old Walt Disney television episode titled "Escape to Paradise", that includes the parts of that episode that show the making of the film. Up next is original 1960 movie theatre trailers for the film, and 1960 televison spots. Then there are "Storyboard to Scene Comparisons"; a seperate "Storyboard Gallery"; and a 2 minute "Production Gallery" of photo stills from behind the scenes at location. Another gallery of production stills; "Biographies" on 8 principle actors; and "Concept Art" on the film design work.

A featurette titled "Adventure in the Making" was made just for this set, and at 49:00 minutes long it is very complete, with recent interviews of the original cast and crew. There is great behind the scenes footage in this piece, and the folks regale us with funny stories. Peter Elleshaw (matte artist), Ken Annakin (director), Danny Lee (special effects), and actors John Mills, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran are all here. ANOTHER short 4 minute featurette that was also made just for this set is "Swiss Family Treehouse" narrated by Hayley Mills, it is the pre-opening footage and the actual Opening Ceremony of the Swiss Family Robinson's Treehouse (now gone) at the Disneyland Park. Walt is really enjoying himself in this must see footage.

Included on the set is a very nice 12 minute interview with James MacArthur, who appeared in this film and 3 others for Disney along with a TV movie. This features great video as well. There is a "Pirates" music video of clips from Disney films, tv shows, cartoons, and the theme park to the tune of "Yo HO Yo HO A Pirates Life For Me". Another unusual feature has 20 minutes of excerpts from the 1940 non-disney version of the film.

The set has Audio Archives set to photos from the film, including 2 Interactive SOund Studios, 2 songs from the film, original 1960 radio spots, and the soundtrack of the original merchandise Storybook Album released on LP in 1960.

I really enjoyed this DVD, I wish all the really good classic Disney films got at least some of this kingly treatment. They are the best studio about protecting their old source material, archives, etc, and are in the best position to place intruiging extras with the movie. Thank YOU Disney for this compilation that really honors this gem of a film the way it should be!!!!

Good Movie.
This is a really good movie. Especially for little kids.... but hey, we're all little kids at heart, except for scrooge, but it's still a good movie. Both versions, new and old.

ALL AGES
This is a classic for all ages. We have watched the video over and over as a family and now need it in DVD. From my 3 yr. old niece, to my now teenage son, and my husband and I, and even my parents, it continues to draw us in. I believe its lure is that everyone can find a character to identify with, and long to prove their mettle on the island. I love introducing new generations to this tale.

Don't waste your time or money
Don't bother wasting your time or money on this movie. I don't care about the quality of the cinematography, the quality of the story is what is lacking. From the elmination of Jack, one of the Robinson children, to the blatant disregard for absolutely any speck of information from the book, this film will make you cringe in horror. Rather, go get the original book, and curl up with your family and read. It's a better use of your time than watching this garbage. It doesn't deserve the one star I was forced to give it. ... Read more

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A mysterious, pilotless plane carries scientist Rex Reason to a colony of America's best and brightest minds. They've been kidnapped by a dying alien race, the Metalunians, to repair their defense shield before their enemies destroy their world completely, toiling under their spying eyes and futuristic security cameras (two-way TVs that dominate every room). Jeff Morrow, under a raised forehead, bronze tan, and snow-white hair, philosophizes as Exeter, the thoughtful Metalunian torn between his duty and his morals as he forces the plucky humans to labor in his race's defense. The moody mystery of the first half turns to pure pulp adventure when the humans are transported across the galaxy to the battle-scarred world of Metaluna, under the threatening watch of a monstrous bug-eyed monster with a giant brain for a head and massive claws for hands. There's a genuine sense of wonder to Joseph Newman's intergalactic adventure, one of the most ambitious science fiction films of the 1950s. The story is simple space opera, but the futuristic designs of glass and metal, the marvelous alien makeup, and grandstanding special effects invest the film with a Technicolor splendor. Faith Domergue co-stars as a nuclear physicist and Gilligan's Island's Russell Johnson makes his first professorial appearance as a scientist. Science fiction auteur Jack Arnold was an unbilled codirector. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (59)

A 50's Magazine Cover Brought To Life!
THIS ISLAND EARTH is a 1950s science-fiction pulp magazine cover brought to life: clunky spacecraft, battling planets, evil aliens, and screaming heroines in distress. The special effects are 1955 state-of-the-art, and they still hold up very well today, for unlike ultra-realistic computer generated graphics they have a fantasy feel that is very, very entertaining--a sort of "Wizard of Oz goes sci-fi" look that is very appealing to the eye.

As already noted, the story concerns several of earth's best minds who are kidnapped by aliens and ordered to create an endless source of energy for a dying planet. The script is laced with 1950s sexism--one line, for example, is "Don't tell me that as woman you're not curious?"--but this is actually less offensive than it is rather amusing, in keeping with the magazine cover sensibility that pervades the piece. The cast plays with great sincerity: Rex Reason is appropriately heroic, Faith Domergue screams the house down, and the aliens all have high foreheads--excepting, of course, that really evil looking one with claws for hands!

Some humorless-type science-fiction fans won't enjoy it, and if you're not the type to get a kick from period visuals you might want to give this one miss. But for pure 1950s matinee fun, you can't do better than THIS ISLAND EARTH.

Outdated, but excellent for its time!
This film starts out very poorly, (I didn't know nuclear scientists were that young...). Anyway, it transforms into a movie with an interesting plot, but really bad carry-through, acting, and script, but what do you expect from a sci-fi flick from 1955? However, the visuals (striking for it's time although laughable by today's standards) are what really save the movie.

The downside to the film is the fact that it's just old. The visuals, lines (such as: "We come from Metalunia." -Exeter. In response Rex quips: "That's not in our solar system." How would he know? The names would certainly not be the same...) and the overall feel to the film make me want to bust up laughing (which I'll admit I do everytime I see it, especially after I saw MST3K: The Movie). But really though, this film is just a great old Saturday sci-fi flick that you must remember was an excellent breakthrough in 1955!

A Classic Of Early Science Fiction
It has taken me a few decades but I have finally seen the film This Island Earth (I had to buy it first). I must say that I was not disappointed by this well-crafted tale.

A physicist working on new power from uranium and the transmutation of elements to create more uranium, gets involved in a project of a far grander scale. Replacement parts are ordered for the lab but the parts that arrive seem far superior to anything that should be available. Then a catalogue of other equipment arrives and soon the lab is set on building a strange device.

The device is a communications console which puts the scientist in contact with a white-haired man seeking out talented scientists to tackle the issue of world-wide peace. The scientist joins a small think-tank of top researchers who are working on increasing the energy available from nuclear reactions. But it soon becomes apparent that all is not what it seems. The head of the project, and his assistant, are actually aliens. They are hoping that the human scientists can come up with a way to save their home planet.

The story then escalates to include the alien world and their plight at the hands of a second, and vicious, race of aliens. We learn of motives, deceits, and how far the peaceful will go to save their own home. Distrust and compassion struggle against one another until the film's conclusion.

This is not a typical B-movie of alien invasion. Unlike most of that type this film was not a quick project. Two and a half years were spent in the making so that the film is pretty well consistent within itself. The pacing of the plot's revelations is well handled and almost resembles a classic tale of A.E. van Vogt. This is definitely a film for fans of the great black and white science fiction films.

"The two of you are about to take incredible journey"
I'm so glad I picked this dvd up when it was a reasonable price tag
I don't know how "Goodtimes" gets the rights to release "Universal"
prints but I'll take what I can get.

If you had to timecapsule any techincolor sci-fi film from the 50's
it would be a toss up between this and "Forbidden planet". Would we
go to see this at a big screen film revival...sure we would,classic
sci-fi never gets old (just recycled)

The story is that of "Carl"/Atomic researcher/(jetpilot?)
and his assistant who come across a weird energy in the form of a
condenser that's more stronger than anything they've seen from a
company they cant contact except thru mailorder. Curiously enough
they order an 'interosetor" a device in which few men are capable
to construct. These are the words spoken to them after they plug
in the contraption to reveal on its screen the highbrowed'xceter'
The strange man offers an invitation to learn more at his mystery

location and the Scientist Carl (minus assistant) accepts.

Upon arriving at the Xcetor's grounds via remote controlled plane
He is promply meet by an old fellow grad student "Ruth" who oddly
enough doesn't remember him even though he remembers a passionate
"swim" some years back. The Scientist is introduced to the staff including one other scientist who is wary of the whole set-up.

After meeting Xceter & Brac(his right hand man) who explains that
that his plans are just to research new applications for newtreno
rays a beam that can pass thru mountains of solid rock, The three
scientist become become nervous and plan an escape,discovered the
three try to drive to safety but are almost force off the road by
the destuctive newtreno ray developed earlier. Carl & Ruth escape
just in time to see the car and thier fellow friend destroyed and the unbelievible vision of a flying saucer rising in the distance

Taking control of one of the small passenger planes the scientist
look in awe as the saucer destroyed the mansion and staff inside
The saucer then catches up to them as they are beamed up into the
craft's belly. They agian meet xcetor who in a vain attempt tries
to explain his "actions" and tells them that they are being taken
to his world of Metaluna.

And so sets the groundwork for what was probably the biggest film
event of 1955 "2-1/2 years in the making!" the ads would boast on
what is to this day still a joy to watch.With a casting call that
includes Rex(Rhodes)Reason,Jeff Morrow,Faith Domergue,Lance Fuler
and Richard Johnson. This film is must to have in any true sci-fi
collection My 4 star was decided by lack of a trailer (but at the
cover is the original poster art) the overall quality & sound are
great but I wish Criterion would get a hold of this gem.

"They're pulling us up!"
About a year ago when suddenly there were no copies of this available through the retail market, I took notice of the incredibly high asking prices that some individual online sellers wanted. I knew there was no way I would spend big bucks for something that was originally worth a lot less. Then I happened to find a brand new copy of the DVD in a local record store. I bought it cheap, never opened it and sold it on the Internet for a huge profit. I believed a lot of the reviewers on Amazon that the DVD transfer of"This Island Earth" was nothing to write home about so had no problem with making a little money on it. The problem is, where is a re-release of this film from Universal? What's taking them so long? Are they planning to wait until the film is destroyed? This is an important science fiction classic that needs and deserves to be preserved and presented on DVD. "This Island Earth" is arguably the most imaginative science fiction film of the 1950s and it seems Universal is brushing it aside. C'mon, get with the program, Universal. You got this film and a whole bunch more from the fifties like "Tarantula," "Monster on the Campus," and "The Mole People" that a lot of fans would like to see offered on DVD. Let's get rolling on this stuff. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The final season for the Not Ready for Primetime Players
If you love the Not Ready for Primetime Players then you'll love the best of 1980. Although it's the first season without Dan Aykroid...it's also the last season with Lorne before his hiatus. Bill Murry sings his heart out as Nick the Lounge Singer. Gilda, Jane Curtain, and Lorain Newman also display their comedic genius with Teri Garr in the Mr. Potaoehead sketch. Kirk Douglas and Buck Henry are excelent hosts as well, and hilarious performences by Tom Davis and AL Franken make this tape a classic. ... Read more

Description

RUSHMORE is the story of a gifted, rebellious teenager named Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman), a 10th grader at elite Rushmore Academy. Editor of the school newspaper, captain or president of innumerable clubs and societies, Max is also one of the worst students in the school, and the threat of expulsion hangs permanently over his head. Max's world is rocked when he falls for elegant 1st grade teacher Miss Cross (Olivia Williams) and he plans to erect an aquarium in her honor -- then finds himself competing for her affections with his friend, steel tycoon Mr. Blume (Bill Murray), the wealthy father of two of his classmates. ... Read more

Reviews (421)

"I'm a little bit lonely these days."
Simply one of the best movies in recent memory, Wes Anderson's Rushmore is the sweet, sad story of Max Fischer, prep-school enthusiast and terrible student. Equal parts character study, deadpan humor, and coming-of-age drama, Rushmore is that strangest of creatures - a sad comedy. All the performances in the film are brilliant, but Bill Murray's melancholy millionaire is the highlight of the bunch. The cinematography here is brilliant and steals effectively from films as diverse as Barry Lyndon and The Graduate; Anderson knows how to show off his actors rather than gloss over them, and the film is that much better because of his camerawork. This is probably the best DVD on the market in terms of extra features. It's a mystery how they managed to fit it all on one disc, but this set includes a documentary, taped auditions, storyboards, and a hilarious send-up of several of that year's films. Also included is an introduction to the film, and a great map of Rushmore. The transfer is also excellent (and apparently supervised by Anderson himself), and the sound is very good.

One mild warning: some people hate this movie. I mean HATE. If you don't buy the Max Fischer character, you will probably be one of those people. I think it's brilliant, I think it's one of the best movies I've ever seen, but in order to make this an even-handed review, I will simply say that several nice, interesting, intelligent people can't stand to sit through this movie. Rent it before you buy it, to make sure, but if you like it, the DVD is well worth the extra few bucks.

Max Fischer scores big, Criterion earns extra credit
I fell in love with this movie when I first saw it in Februrary 1999. Seeing it again on this superb DVD immediately rekindled that romance. Great performances, pitch-perfect script. The characters seem to inhabit a parallel univserse, a more innocent, gentile and slightly fable-like universe where the most important things are extra curricular activities and building an aquarium for the woman you love. Sure, director Wes Anderson rips off a wide range of artistic influences, ranging from THE GRADUATE to THE CATCHER IN THE RYE. But the irrepresible, fun-loving spirit of the hero Max Fischer (played by newcomer and Francis Ford Coppela relative Jason Schwartzman) makes it all seem somehow believable and puts a smile on your face.

Make sure you buy the Criteriion edition DVD. It has lots of extra goodies, like a great commentary track by Anderson, co-screenwriter Owen Wilson and Schwartzman; a making-of-the movie documentary; interviews with Anderson and Bill Murray by the PBS robot Charlie Rose; plus the priceless MTV shorts Anderson made which spoof other 1998 movies like THE TRUMAN SHOW and OUT OF SIGHT, the best movie of that year.

requires a certain type of humor to appreciate it
The owner of the video store warned us about this movie - it only appeals to a certain segment of the population, he told us. He was right. Among the audience I watched it with, half loved it and half hated it. I didn't appreciate the movie's humor because I thought it failed to develop a minimal level of empathy for the characters. As a result, I couldn't convince myself to care much as they moved from debacle to debacle. Not very entertaining in my opinion, but it seems to appeal to some, especially those that sympathize with oddball characters.

Different
I never truly understood the point of the whole film, but it was different. I'll give props to the kid in movie who tried so hard to make something great out of something ordinary. His infatuation with his school teacher is silly, funny yet heroic. Because the kid just never gives in.

Bill Murray is great with playing the bored Patron to the school who grows a liking to the kid. The whatever, I could care less attitude about him is very well played.

I like the small nonchalant, yet out of the ordinary point in the movie that happen in mid conversation that adds to the comic nature of the film. When the kid asks for an explanation and is quite furious, he's smoking in a Murray's car and deflt flicks some ash on the seat. In another scene, Murray is smoking two cigarettes at once.

A different film. Likable, but not one I could watch over and over again. Once is enough. I like movies with a little more visual appeal. Worth the peak.

a truly original film
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

In this movie, 10th grader Max Fischer falls in love with the widowed 1st grade teacher at his school. Max is the undisputed king of extrcurricular activites at his school. His grades have plummeted as a result and is in danger of expulsion. He later becomes the protégée of Herman Blume, the father of twin brother students at his school. His new mentor then falls in love with the teacher and in an act of revenge, Max exposes the affair to Herman's wife.

The DVD has excellent special features.
There is audio commentary by the writers of the film and actor Jason Schwartzmann who plays Max in the film, a "making of Rushmore" press film, short theatrical adaptations films released at the time Rushmore was which aired on the MTV movie awards, screen tests and audtions of the child actors and actress in the film, Chrlie Rose Show interview with actor Bill Murray and Director/co-writer Wes Anderson, and drawn storyboards with film comparison and, several pictures of props, drawings and other items from the film. There is also a foldout map showing key events in the film. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wincott and Rothrock great team
This movie is worth a look due its action and professional martial artists. Jeff Wincott (The Killing Man) and Cynthia Rothrock (LadyDragon) are in top form, making every blow to the bad guys seem like a walk in the park. There is even a small role with Billy Drago (LadyDragon II also with Ms. Rothrock) B-movie's best bad guy and veteran of many martial art films. Money well spent for a kicking good time.

Wincott and Rothrock are great together
The action is non-stop and Jeff Wincott and Cynthia Rothrock fit the bill. I always enjoy their films. Well worth renting!

totally full of action and martial art action
if you want to see a good martial art film with cynthia rothrock in it. I highly recommend to watch this film. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Robert Redford is the executive producer (and narrator) of thisfine,eye-opening documentary about the violent events that took place in1975 on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Indian activists ended upin an extended standoff with FBI agents, and the result was several deaths,including two federal men whose killing (according to many people) was neverclearly attributed to a specific gunman. Nevertheless, the governmentlaidblame for the tragedy on Leonard Peltier, a Sioux political leader whohaslong been a focus for supporters believing he took the fall, possiblyheroically, for others. Peltier has spent many years in prison, andApted's film, which is hardly ambiguous in its commitment toward Peltier's hoped-forfreedom, is persuasive in both its detail and its case against brutal federalpolicies toward Indians. Whatever one's position on the Peltierquestion,this is a compelling piece of work. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Very Good Documentary
This is an excellent documentary of the events on the Pine Ridge Reservation that led to the imprisonment of Leonard Peltier. It does sn excellent job of showing the incident from the side ofPeltier and the other Native Americans. It could have done more interviewing with the government authorities who were there. The truth can be seen through the government's lies as shown in books such as "The Trial of Leonard Peltier" by Jim Messerschmidt, "Agents of Repression: The FBI's Secret Wars Against the Black Panther Party and the American Indian Movement" by Ward Churchill, and "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" by Peter Matthiessen. Those three and Leonard Peltier's book "My Life Is My Sundance" are all very highly reccomended for anyone interested in this subject.

The Earth is Weeping
As you probably already know, this film concerns the blatantly unfair trail and conviction of Leonard Peltier, for the alleged crime of murdering two FBI agents at the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975. The documentary begins by putting the incident in its proper perspective by showing that the Pine Ridge Reservation, at that time, had one of the highest per capita murder rates in the entire US, with the vast majority of those crimes, even today, still filed as "unsolved" (Check out Ward Churchill's "Indians are Us" and Agents of Repression for a detailed account of the killings in question). In fact, from 1973 to 1976 at least 69 Aim members and supporters were murdered'and not one person was ever convicted, or even investigated, for these brutally horrific crimes. Why were these deaths not investigated you may ask. It is because the victims were primarily American Indians involved with AIM who were actively involved in the struggle to retain the lands lawfully granted to them in the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 against the federal gov't and the corrupt, unelected BIA administration of Dick Wilson. Many have openly claimed that Wilson and his so-called "goon squad" were responsible for these killings, but no investigation was ever conducted by State law enforcement officials or by the FBI; and yet the incident that led to the shooting that left two agents and one Indian dead, centered around an investigation concerning a pair of STOLEN COWBOY BOOTS. You can draw your own conclusions from that.


Although three men were originally charged with the murder of the agents in a separate trial preceding Peltier's illegal extradition from Canada, the first two defendants were determined to be not guilty of all charges'their acts viewed as self defense. After this embarrassment the FBI decided that Peltier would be convicted at all costs and set about the task of 'constructing' a case against him. After a trial marred by official perjury, witness intimidation and clearly manufactured evidence, Leonard Peltier alone was convicted, but then, only after the original judge was inexplicably removed from the case and replaced with one "friendly" to the FBI by a prejudiced jury of his 'white' peers. This film shows the disturbing details surrounding how Peltier was ultimately convicted by this court presided over by an obviously prejudiced judge and jury on what amounts to a mountain of manufactured evidence, witness tampering, and lies.

As the film and the FBI's own evidence shows there is absolutely no proof that has not been exposed as fraud, that links Peltier to the murder weapon or the red van (Peltier drove a pickup truck) that the agents reportedly followed onto the reservation. The FBI goes so far as to argue that 'people in this part of the country call a pickup truck a van and vice versa''to explain just one glaring inconsistency in the government's case. The FBI's own statements are filled with inconsistencies and outright falsehoods, which resulted in the Federal Judge Edward McManus of the first trial harshly rebuking them for their shameful, reckless and unlawful behavior. In the video the FBI spokesman's dishonesty is clearly, if not painfully, apparent. Simply watch this video and decide for yourself. You will be surprised and certainly appalled by what you see.


'Incident at Oglala' is a vitally important document detailing a form of repression and cultural genocide that has continued, although in differing forms, since the arrival of Columbus, against Native Americans. The Dali Lama, Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, The European Parliament and Amnesty International have all urged that executive Clemency be granted to Peltier based on the facts of this case and the massive miscarriage of justice that it represents. This important film is a must see for anyone who cares about the ideals of freedom and justice in this country and the shameful realities that, all too often, hide behind those noble-sounding terms. For as long as men like Leonard Peltier and Mumia Abul-Jamal remain imprisoned, none of us are completely safe from the same treatment.
Mitakuye Iyasin!

WHAT IS JUSTICE?
O.K., SO BUSH SUCKS. WHAT'S NEW? IRAQUIS, INDIANS, ALL THE SAME TO UNCLE SAM.

INCIDENT AT OGLALA - THE LEONARD PELTIER STORY
INCIDENT AT OGLALA IS AN EXCELLENT DOCUMENT AND A MUST SEE FOR ANYONE WANTING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LEONARD PELTIER AND THE MISTREATMENT OF AMERICAN INDIANS IN THE UNITED STATES. FBI MISCONDUCT WAS RAMPANT THROUGHOUT THE DOCUMENT. CURRENTLY, LEONARD CONTINUES TO SET IN A CELL IN LEAVENWORTH WITH NO EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT HE BELONGS THERE. MOREOVER, MUCH PROOF EXISTS THAT HE DOES NOT BELONG IN PRISON.
WATCH THIS AND GET INVOLVED WITH THE BUSINESS OF BRINGING LEONARD HOME. TWENTY EIGHT YEARS IS TOO LONG FOR JUSTICE TO NOT BE SERVED.

Decent documentary, inconclusive case.
Peltier is an otherwise forgettable Native American activist who ought to be grateful for the fame his incarceration has brought him through the years. Clearly, his voice prior to Pine Ridge has been amplified a million fold since Pine Ridge. Do I think he's innocent? No. Do I think he's guilty? Probably. Yeah, maybe he is "innocent" of the murders themselves, but sometimes if you're standing close to the burning building, and the fire marshall sees you with matches in your hands and the smell of petrol on your clothes, you're liable to go down for arson. Perhaps you didn't in fact burn the building, but man, what the hell are you doing there with matches and gasoline? Such is the Peltier case, and the politics and heated emotion surrounding this case make it almost impossible to examine impartially. Many cry that this is just another example of big bad government sticking it to the Indians. I'm not so sure. As Lincoln said of militant abolitionist John Brown, there can be no excuse for murder and treason, no matter how just the cause might be. If we forgive a guilty Peltier (or Abu-Jamal for that matter) of his crimes simply because we are sympathetic to his cause, what does that say about us, or our dedication to a just America? ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Cloudscapes form a Great Director
The great Italian director, Michelangelo Antonioni spins four dreamy tales into an uneven confection concerning passion and connectivity. Though not as bitter as La Notte or L'Avventura (two of his masterpieces), in this film Antonioni seems more pensive and nostalgic for the tragedy of passing time and lost love. A great cast fills the landscape of lovers trying to connect and passions boiling beneath the surface, some fulfilled, others disappointingly engaged. John Malcovich wanders through the film as a narrator connecting the threads of the four stories (the direction assisted by Wim Wenders due to Antonioni's age and the after effects of a stroke), and the international cast of Peter Weller, Irene Jacob, Vincent Perez, Sophie Marceau and Jean Reno are perfectly tuned in to the director's icy, haunting style. A brief cameo by Marcello Mastroianni and Jeanne Moreau (stars of La Notte) is touching and sad. This film is a must for Antonioni's fans, his scene composition and camerawork are still among the best of any living director.

Whole Lotta Brooding Goin' On
I think a more apt title for this film would be "Who is John Malkovich and why is he following me?" Leaving that mystery aside, BYC has obvious merits. It's visually evocative and pleasing, as all Antonioni is (though not on the richly symbolic order of L'Avventura or the other films in the "tetralogy"); and from the standpoint of a heterosexual male, you can't beat the triple whammy of Sastre, Marceau and Jacob. Beyond that, however, I found it to be pretentious and overly-ponderous, as if it were a parody of all things bad in foreign films, in the same way that a parody of an American movie would be overproduced with scant character development and an excess of car chases, gunplay, and explosions.

Tschuess to Philadelphia
I believe elmoderno saw some forein films, but it was obviously useless for him. He didn't understand a word in the film. This is the reason why most of Russians laughing at Americans adolescence maximalism and inability to think about and understand really deep and serious European films. They can't even hide their narrow-mindedness, as we can see. Every person can read the texts (it can be texts in the books and in the films and anywhere else as well - all our world is the text for reading and understanding) using some interpretative codes, which he has by force of his education and his environment. So this is not the question of Wim Wenders absolute Genius - this is the problem of personal ability for reading and understanding the meanings which contain the text (the film in this case)!

A Short Guide to Beauty vs. Meaning
There are those who appear to have difficulty understanding or appreciating this film.

BEYOND THE CLOUDS obscures meaning with its beauty for many viewers. However, perhaps the director wishes us to exercise our imaginations and understandings beyond the perception of surface beauty.

It is difficult in spots. The scene where the young male lover can barely get himself to touch his girlfriend, then leaving in disgust, is disturbing. It is reminiscent of the painful moments in Antonioni's 1964 color film, 'Red Desert.'

Yet all of Antonioni's films, as other viewers have here and elsewhere indicated, are throbbing with meaning underneath their often quiet surfaces.

Some of the cafe style speech of some of the characters in these four strung-together tales is considered a little too 'New Age,' and superficial in tone. True, that which sounds like pseudo-philosophy can be irritating...

However, such stretches do appear in Antonioni's other films. The director ventures to depict such ramblings in order to reveal their social and psychological style, 'music,' and their possible real meaning. Perhaps they take a little thought for the viewer. An Antonioni film is a real experience. Watching BEYOND THE CLOUDS more than once may be necessary, in order to come around to the director's point-of-view.

Perhaps approaching this film as a lengthy contemplation or meditation, rather than just a clever stretch of footage, is the best approach. It is difficult to appreciate right away, like most of Antonioni's films, because it is deeper than it seems on first viewing.

Some have been annoyed with the apparent lack of unity of these four tales. Yet look again. Perhaps an underlying unity in this film eluded you on first viewing. Perhaps perceiving needs a chance to gestate, and grow.

Others have been annoyed with the choices of 'pop' music the director chose to line his film with. Yet we have come to lose sight of the issue of 'layers of meaning' in a film or other works of art. We no longer wonder why a director chooses his music: we simply condemn him for his choices outright, and at first hearing, without thinking.

Still others condemn the film for what they perceive as gratuitous soft-core nude scenes. Perhaps they are. Yet, perhaps they mean to say something else within the context of BEYOND THE CLOUDS.

I think this thoughtful, demanding, and beautiful film is one of the best bargains on the 'art' film market today (or any other day.) It is definitely worth owning and watching more than once...

I hope this helps.

BEYOND THE CLODS . . .
...some of us, I bet, are getting a little tired of the childish Antonioni bashing that seems to go on. Antonioni bashing not just here, but all over the place...

... I resonate completely with the Amazon.com reviewer who asserted about one other Antonioni film, that it's no surprise that in the age of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), there is little appreciation for the subtleties, delicacies, and
savoir faire of the patient, conscientious, understanding, intuitive, unpretentious, careful, and wise efforts of Michelangelo Antonioni. . .

... the truth is Antonioni's subtle work is TOO good. By some sort of all-too-common common flip-flop neanderthal logic, jewels like BEYOND THE CLOUDS run afoul of lesser minds who are be predisposed to insist it isn't good ENOUGH ...

. . .I think people are afraid of being thought of as thoughtful, and therefore "dangerous," in this day and age. Hence they bash quiet films like BEYOND THE CLOUDS.

...well, I've seen BEYOND THE CLOUDS six times before I bought my copy the other day. It is fit to stand beside Antonioni's RED DESERT as one of the most beautiful color films ever made. Without a Monica Vitti to "guide" us through the film, perhaps the four subtle tales of love, loss, trauma, and reflection that make up BEYOND THE CLOUDS take a few viewings to truly appreciate. But that's what many serious critics say of ALL Antonioni's films...

...sip like a fine wine. Smile at the adult children who look down on BEYOND THE CLOUDS. Rest in the hope they all come across the experiences they need to come around to an appreciation of Antonioni, via intelligence and a newfound understanding...

... I've watched my recently acquired VHS copy of BEYOND THE CLOUDS six times already in the past few days. It is divinely worth it, and my love for it grows with each viewing...

...get your own copy, and do the same...

... the flower, unmolested, blooms and shows all its colors. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

A great cast helps this movie to shine
The Dirty Dozen is one of the classic movies about World War 2 with an all star cast. Released in 1967, it tells of a mangy group of men which bands together to pull off an amazing WW2 escapade. The target is a German-controlled chateau in Reims, Brittany.

Lee Marvin is the Major that gathers the group together. The cast includes Donald Sutherland, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and many other greats. John Cassavates, who plays "Franco", was nominated for best supporting actor. The movie did win an oscar for best sound effects.

The group heads out to an English field , creates a camp, and begins to train. With a series of ups and downs during six weeks they become a strong fighting force. The test comes during divisional maneuvers in Devonshire, when they have to take on an elite force and take control of the HQ. Of course they do the job, with a good dose of cunning and subterfuge.

On to the French chateau. Amazingly, this was a huge set built just for the film that is destroyed in the finale. Indoor scenes were done at the MGM British Studios in Borhamwood, England.

While some might find the storyline unbelievable, the following year's release was a movie which told a true story of The Devil's Brigade - about a run-down group of misfits who went on to fame and glory.

High action war classic
The Dirty Dozen is one of those classics you can watch over and over again. It tells the story of Major Reisman, who has to train 12 convicts for a suicide mission behind enemy lines. We see the training and then finally the Dirty Dozen's attack on their target, a French chateau full of high-ranking German officers. The action scenes are excellent. The movie never slows down from the beginning even with a running time of 150 minutes.

The performances in the movie are great. This huge list of Hollywood notables took part in this movie. Lee Marvin is awesome as Major John Reisman with Charles Bronson, John Cassavetes, Jim Brown, Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas, Clint Walker, and Trini Lopez as some of the Dirty Dozen. Also starring are Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker, and George Kennedy. This is a great movie that shouldn't be missed. The DVD transfer is perfect. Also included are a trailer and a behind the scenes documentary about the movie. If you like the movie, check out the book by E.M. Nathanson.

An Edge-Of-Your-Seat Style Of Movie
Are you looking for a movie with a great plot, perfectly timed action, and superb acting and directing? Look no further. This film, set in World War II, chronicles the covert operations of a group of military convicts, and their non-convict leader behind enemy lines. It is their task to sneak in and assassinate a large group of key German officials.
The movie starts with the commander (played by Lee Marvin, in arguably his greatest role) picking out some of the best, but also some of the most expendable men in the Army. He goes to the prison and gives them a deal. If they will fight, their sentences will be dismissed and they will be free. Most of these men are awaiting execution, while others have long prison terms. His first goal is to make them ready for combat, which proves to be no easy task, as these guys, who seemingly have nothing to lose, give him a hard time. But eventually, under his command, he creates an elite team of fighters. Now, the next objective is to learn the layout of the area they are to infiltrate, which is a huge French chateau, then sneak in and attack. But will they make it? Of course I will not tell you, you will need to see the movie yourself. But what I will tell you is that this is one of those films with an all star cast and loads of edge-of-your-seat action!!! Besides Lee Marvin, you have Telly Savalas, football great Jim Brown, the late VERY great Charles Bronson, Donald Sutherland ( Sutherland fans will also love the movie Kelly's Hero's), Ernest Borgnine, Clint Walker ( who also starred in the film Night Of The Grizzly), George Kennedy (who co-starred in the hilarious Naked Gun films), and a host of others too numerous to mention. Besides Action, the film incorporates a delicious amount of drama, suspense, comedy (the war games part will give you a good laugh), Horror (when Telly Savalas goes off the deep end), and intrigue.

A tough-as-nails WW2 classic!
Lee Marvin was just made for this role! Being a decorated WW2 vet he wasn't just acting in this classic! Add Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas, John Cassavetes, Donald Sutherland, & Clint Walker to the mix & you've got an "elite" group of psychos & killers that even would've scared [any dictator]! The movie is 2 1/2 hours but is never dull. There's great character development, plenty of humor, & big-time slaughter of [enemies] at the end! What more could you want from a war movie! For those who love WW2 behind-the-lines suspense, this is highly recommended.

The best fun war movie ever made!
I've always thought the Dirty Dozen was and still is the most fun a person can have watching a war movie if that seems possible! Fortunately for me and by coincidence, about ten years ago, Clint Walker (Posey) became one of my best friends. I wish hollywood still made movies like this. Unfortunately, there just aren't the same kind of actors around anymore. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

full circle
The story line it self is excellent. However, this video is in EP speed and not SP speed. Because of this the quality is not good. I was disappointed since no where on the packaging does it state this. I made a copy when it came out on TV and my copy is much better than this one. I will be returning the video.

Great movie, great story!
Although the movie is quite different from the book, it is still an excellent story. Reed Diamond does a great job portraying the lead character's best friend, Harry. He reminds me of my own best friend, Andy. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys Danielle Steel's books. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Gary Cooper's final film is a below average whodunit
In his last film Gary Cooper plays George Radcliffe, an American business executive who becomes a witness in the trial of Donald Heath (Ray McAnally). Heath is convicted of murder and robbery, and is sentenced to life imprisonment. Short afterwards George and his partner have a whole lot of money and start a new business. But then six years later his wife Martha (Deborah Kerr) shows George a letter that had been lost for five years, in which a lawyer accuses George of the murder. Martha wants to believe her husband, but the evidence seems overwhelming.

The main problem with this 1961 film is that director Michael Anderson needs to be more like Hitchcock; you can think of "The Naked Edge" as being something of a watered down "Suspicion." This is a suspense movie in which there is little suspense. Cooper seems distanced from both his character and the story, leaving it to Kerr to carry the story. Then at the end, the film actually asks you not to reveal the murderer to anyone. They do not need to worry. Besides the curiosity value of being Cooper's final film, released after his death, "The Naked Edge" is not going to be on anybody's list of first-rate whodunits.

Bizarre
The film focuses too much on a miscast, cadaverous Gary Cooper. Deborah Kerr's character is interesting, but she looks bored throughout most of the film. Eric Portman is delightfully evil and sinister. You will never view bathtubs or razors the same way after the finale! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

continues the "Little House" tradition
This episode has no problem carrying out all of the characteristics of "Little House on the Prairie" that makes the series so wonderful. In this story, the Ingalls' adopted son Albert is forced to get a true taste of prejudice at a young age. The people who are supposed to be his friends turn on him and call him a "Jew lover" when he befriends and becomes the apprentice of a kind, elderly Jewish craftsman. Albert and the craftsman carry this episode all the way through--they are two beautiful people who come together to address the issue of prejudice and stress the meaning of love. Great acting, great story--I recommend it ... Read more

Reviews (7)

One of my favorite films
A big satisfying story of family and love. This is one of the best films ever. I've watched it three times and I never tire of the story or the richly drawn characters. The acting is superb. If you enjoy foreign films or family sagas, you'll love this film.

A staggering film.
A wonderfully-crafted film, stunning performances by Samuel Froler and Pernilla August, excellent supporting cast. Beautiful cinematography by Sven Nykvist. Ingmar Bergman's account of his parents early, troubled years of marriage.

a flawless masterpiece!
i am not a huge fan of either bille august or bergman but this could quite possibly be my most favorite film. Pernilla August is absolutely fabulous in this role. The complexities of the relationship between Henrik and Anna is astounding to me: she manipulates him, he hits her, but because they are doomed to love each other forever, it is as much of a balancing act as it is a true marriage. i must admit that i so wish i could get my hands on the six hour version because i hate wondering what i am missing in this story. but the version i have suits me just fine. Pernilla August will long be remembered for this film alone, more than STAR WARS, she outshines all the others in this film. thanx.

Heja Ingmar!
This is an incredibly beautiful film. The acting is absolutely sublime, and the film itself brings back many fond memories of "Fanny och Alexander". Bille August's direction is typically masterful. The sets are wonderful, as are the costumes. The story is the great Ingmar Bergman's gentle recounting of the early days of his parents' courtship and marriage (pre-Ingmar). Those familiar with the films of Bergman will find his familiar themes here, as well as some very satisfyingly familiar faces, e.g., Max Von Sydow, Hasse Alfredson, and Anita Björk (!) A remarkably excellent film.

If you think the movie is good...
...you should see the six hour television version, alot of stuff was cut out for the movie release. I'm lucky enough to live in Sweden so I cou