Amazon.com

Emile Zola's novel of arural mine town and a perilous worker's strike becomes a big-budget film of grit and torment in Germinal. The first half of the movie captures a world just this side of prison where whole families work in the Voreux mines with a daily dose of coal dust covering their skins and clogging their minds. Escapes are rare: a drink at the company bar or a carnival. An outsider provokes talk of a strike, something the failing owners want as well. When the workers revolt, it becomes a monster. While true to Zola's passion for the worker and social change, the movie cannot recover from the operatic drama that turns the action into mere motion, failing to draw in the audience (although this is an impressive-looking film, with Voreux passing as the real thing). Viewers will be moved by the workers' plight, the daily grime that they must rinse away, and their efforts to instill a normal life in this industrial hell--and will surely learn to appreciate their ownjobs, whatever the inadequacies. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (6)

How poverty and hunger will drive people to extremes
This film is based on Emile Zola's classic (and perhaps best) novel. It's a bleak story about underpaid miners and their families living in poverty while their employer makes excuses for not being able to pay them better, all the while living in wealth with his own family. The film does a brilliant job of showing this contrast between the squalor of the miners' class and the lavish lifestyle of the upper-class which employs them. The miners' work is very dangerous down there and sooner or later there are accidents and people die. Finally the miners can take it no more and they revolt, they form a strike, they even "trash" the mining plant. But this only makes matters worse. A warning to the sensitive: there are a few extremely unpleasant scenes in this film, including a dead man having his genitals cut off and stuffed down his mouth; and a pretty young woman choked to death by a murderous old imbecile.

This is a disturbing, moving, enlightening, gripping film about social injustice and inequality, and when you see how these poor people lived in old Victorian times, you will shake your head with disbelief at some of the scenes, and you will learn to count your blessings. You will also feel empathy for the plight of the poor miners and their families.

David Rehak
author of "Love and Madness"

Lucie Aubrac and comrades outwit the Gestapo
Based on the diary of Lucie Aubrac, "Outwitting the Gestapo," published in the U.S. in 1992, the movie is respectful of the stirring and inspiring text, the characters and the context of the occupation and the French Resistance. The story is necessarily condensed for screentime but retains the spirt of the author, an incredibly courageous and intelligent woman. The movie should encourage viewers to read her inspiring and gripping story. Excellent, convincing portrals of the Aubracs by Carole Bouquet and Daniel Auteuil, and by the rest of the cast.
A quote from Lucie Aubrac at the end states that she agreed to her name for the movie based on Claude Berri's support of the Resistance Foundation.

Definitely worth looking at, thanks to Berri¿s directing
Although this is a long slow film, it is nevertheless worth a look for its competent portrayal of life in a mining community in northern France in the 1800s (and which has definite parallels with similar lives then being lived in other communities, on both sides of the Atlantic). Claude Berri is a superb director and it is to him we owe the continuity in what could otherwise have been a ponderous film, lost in its own blackness and despair. Certainly there is plenty of coal dust about and the grime is intended to remind us not only of the harshness of the lives being led only a bare 100 years ago, but also of our own ability to work today, without raising much of a sweat. Gérard Depardieu lends incredible strength to any film and this one benefits greatly by his presence; so much so in fact, that at the moment he leaves the scene, the film immediately falters.

If there was a technical fault with this production, then for me it was the move it made from the general to the particular. While setting out to be a social document about the fight of the workers for better living conditions (and hence an emulation of Émile Zola's novel), in the latter stages it became too concerned with an actual event: the imprisonment of miners after a tunnel collapse. This didn't work for me at all, since it made the film fragmentary and incoherent. Yet overall, the film achieves its purpose and the personal drama that I didn't particularly care for may well appeal to other viewers. Claude Berri has created a number of other very fine films, including the unforgettable "Jean de Florette" and "Manon des sources," and hopefully "Germinal" will encourage you to seek them out.

Illuminates todays injustices by examining those of the past
Like Claud Berri's other films, including "Jean de Fleurette" and "Manon des Sources", this superb movie combines masterful storytelling and direction with superb acting. Although set in the past, the story, rich in human detail, resonates today through it's examination of basic human nature and socio-economic injustice. By portraying the complexities of the plight of poor french coal miners, "Germinal" becomes a poignant reminder of the systems of exploitation under which much of the world still toils. Kathy Lee Gifford should have watched this movie before investing in her sweatshops! Berri sheds a telling light on the intricate webs of human relations and social institutions of the France of Emile Zola. He spares no one but, while allowing all sides to present their side of the story, ends up clearly siding with the poor miners who toil, suffer, and die in the mines for wages that barely allow them to eat. The main characters come to life through superb acting, and, despite their often violent and desparate acts, they earn our sympathy. Berri finds beauty everywhere despite the suffering, and uses Zola's novel to show us that we must never give up hope. The gorgeous cinematography contributes to the remarkable re-creation of an entire world, in rich detail. The film is often beautiful to look at, but also manages to realistically portray the ugly side of poverty and exploitation. As with all great works of art, this film reminds us that justice can only be achieved through courage, dedication, and eternal vigilance. At time when so many of the rights gained at the expense of human life are being threatened, "Germinal" can serve as an inspiration to further struggles.

Très bien fait!
Avec les personnages croyables, la vraie dépiction de la vie pauvre, et tout ça, Germinal est un film pour toutes sortes de personnes. Gérard Dépardieu et Miou-Miou sont, comme toujours, très bons acteurs, et le réalisateur a très bien fait avec tout. C'est un film à voir! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Sweet Bird of Youth has the Tennessee Williams penchant for provocation and Southern depravity--although at this point, the bloom is somewhat off the hothouse flower. Paul Newman is a cad who dreams of glory; he's returned to his hometown towing a dissolute, over-the-hill Hollywood star (Geraldine Page re-creates her Broadway role), certain she'll be his meal ticket. He's ruined the only girl he really loved (day-dreamy Shirley Knight), who just happens to be the daughter of the town's boss (Ed Begley, in an Oscar^®-winning role). The play's more shocking elements have been euphemized, in the custom of the era's Williams movie adaptations. Director Richard Brooks handles it with intensity, and Rip Torn (who was married to Page) has some wicked moments, but the movie is bound to its theatrical roots and its inability to mention racism, syphilis, or castration. And that's Tennessee Williams without the hot sauce. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Censorship didn't stop anything.
Based on the hit Tennessee Williams play, this exciting drama stars Paul Newman as a slick young opportunist who returns to his home town with an ageing movie queen(Geraldine Page), but runs head-on into trouble with the town's corrupt boss(Ed Begley in an Oscar-winning performance). As is the case with his 1958 film version of Tennessee Williams' CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, director Richard Brooks was forced to clean up this Williams play for the movies. But those blasted censors didn't hurt anything. Like CAT, SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH is still a gritty, powerful, and brilliant film. Every one of the performers delivers a top-notch portrayal. But the film ultimately belongs to Geraldine Page whose funny and touching portrayal of the fading star is, quite simply, one of the greatest performances ever captured on film.

GERALDINE! BRILLIANT GERALDINE!
THE STUDIO MAY HAVE CLEANED UP AND SANITIZED THIS FILM LIKE THEY DID WITH ALL OF TENNESSEE'S WORK BUT IT IS STILL A WONDERFUL FILM. PAUL NEWMAN AND ED BEGLEY ARE JUST GREAT AND SHIRLEY KNIGHT AND MADELINE SHERWOOD ARE TOP NOTCH BUT ONCE AGAIN THE DIVINE GERALDINE PAGE COMMANDS THE FILM! WHAT A SPECTACULAR ACTRESS THIS WOMAN WAS!!!

"Easter? How appropriate. I feel positively resurrected!''
Another of Tennessee Williams great plays skillfully adapted for the screen. Geraldine Paige is simply brilliant as the faded star, and Paul Newman gives a powerful performance as her companion. Ed Begley is wonderfully sinister, and Mildred Dunnock has the best line:"You? You can go straight to hell!"

a must see.
If you are interested in great acting and a great movie, watch this one. Geraldine Page, Madeline Sherwood, Ed Begley and Paul Newman are all first rate. The story was sanitized a bit so as not to shock an early 1960s audience (or lose Southern box office receipts), but it is still ripe with sleaze. If you miss Sweet Bird of Youth, don't profess to be a film buff.

Another fabulous performance by Page
As in her portrayal of Alma in Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke," Geraldine Page is electrifying, recreating the role she originated on Broadway. This time, however, she has a leading man worthy of her talents. Paul Newman proves he has more than his looks to rely on; it is to his credit that Page never overshadows him in their extended scenes together. The rest of the cast is excellent as well. The film itself strays from Williams' stage version (which included such topics as venereal disease and castration) in several respects, but also has some intriguing additions, especially the scene between Ed Begley and Madeleine Sherwood. But the real reason to watch this film is for Geraldine Page -- what an actress. She is missed. ... Read more

Reviews (211)

Stellar Acheivement
The 1996 film "Hamlet" directed and starring Kenneth Branagh is by far the best film adaption of the play! Even though its 4 hours, you hardly notice it because of how much is going on. His acting job is superb, as are Julie Christies as Gertrude, Derek Jacobi's as Claudius, and Kate Winslet as Ophelia (a role much better than her overrated one in "Titanic'). But what's really amazing is Kenneth Branagh's direction. He is such a genius and everyone involved with the movie should have gotten Oscars. Also, what I liked were the great visuals. Elsinore is so cool, especially the main hall with the mirrored doors and checkered floor. Plus he changes the play very subtlely, such as putting Claudius in a confessional for the praying scene or having him and Polonius watch Hamlet deliver the "to be or not to be" speech from a one-way mirror. I've heard Branagh say that he didn't want his movie to be gloomy and infatuated with death and deciet like the other films are. Instead it's a celebration of life and love, and adventure. END

Superior to all other versions.
Kenneth Branagh's version of Hamlet combines lush and breathtaking visuals with the complete, unabridged text of Shakespeare's masterpiece. In other versions of Hamlet, such as the ill-cast Mel Gibson film, the play is mistakenly cut down to a "more reasonable" two-hours-or-less atrocity. The unexpurgated method allows for the inclusion of important scenes that, if removed, take away from the overall effect of the drama. Despite its length of more than four hours, the film keeps the viewer entertained until the startling last scene. The stunning visuals can be attributed to the rarely used 70mm film on which the play was captured and the exceptional set design involved. The play is actually done in a 19th century motif, a unique departure from other versions of Hamlet. Impressive costume design add to the remarkable images in the film. The star-studded cast includes Derek Jacobi as Claudius, Kate Winslet as Ophelia, and Branagh, himself, as Hamlet, all parts delivered with brilliant authenticity. Other well known actors such as Robin Williams, Charlton Heston, and Billy Crystal also appear in small, but equally well-implemented roles. Some argue that Branagh's execution of the part was overdone, but it fits perfectly within the film and is, therefore, quite believable. The acting is overall a big plus to the end effect of the film. Beautifully executed in an outstandingly well-calculated manner, Branagh's film made Hamlet more accessible to modern viewers and will certainly remain popular for a long time to come.

Excellent Film
Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet" works so well on the big screen because the guy has a knack for Shakespeare, acting, directing, and knowing what "modern" audiences wanted out of a Shakespearean play. He takes the tale of Hamlet, prince of Denmark, and transports it to more of a modern setting (well, more modern than the 16th century). He assembles an all-star cast that includes Kate Winslett, Charlton Heston, Derek Jacobi, Billy Crystal, Jack Lemmon, Robin Williams among others in this adaptation of Shakespeare's classic.

Although 4 hours in length (mainly because every word in the play is inserted in the script), the stunning effect of the play is extraordinary. The backdrop for the ghost of Hamlet in the opening scene, the mirror used when Hamlet (Branaugh) is making his "To be or not to be" soliloquy, the palace in which Hamlet and Laertes fight, and the snowy landscape in which Fortenbras and his men arrive are all instances of using scenery and directing to update this version of the play.

Although the setting and interpretation of what Shakespeare intended are left in doubt, the movie itself is visually stunning and the acting is great. Although Branaugh hired a few American actors to take on some of Shakespeare's characters (for instance, Robin Williams plays Osric and Billy Crystal plays one of the gravediggers), there "American" accents are hardly noticed in the film.

As an educator, I also think this is a fantastic version to use as a resource for a study of the play. Because the dialogue is accurate to the play, it works well. Also, this version seemingly makes the work of Shakespeare easier to understand. (Although, as a warning, there is one scene with Winslet (Ophelia) and Branaugh (Hamlet) that is definitely "adult" in nature).

Overall, a great gamble by Branaugh to update Shakespeare's work into his own insight. There is also a few extras on the VHS version: interviews with many of the cast members as well as a behind the scenes about the movie.

Also recommended: Hamlet (Mel Gibson version)

Great Film for learning
This film is a great tool to be used within a classroom to reinforce Shakesperian lessons. The film presents one of the best adaptations to Shakespeare's original work. Awesome production!

Good.
This version of 'Hamlet' starring and directed by the one and only Kenneth Branagh is a joy to watch and might be the best version of the famous play. It follows the play word by word, so one has to read it and understand it fully to understand the film. Better than the Mel Gibson 'Hamlet'. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

the grey fox
I too saw this movie as often as I could when it was released into the movie theatre in the 80's. I had an old beta tape of it,but alas my beta-max player died in the early 90's.This movie like Jeremiah Johnson would transfer to dvd as a work of art in a western. Jeremiah Johnson was a man out of his element,struggling to survive and make his own way in the Rocky Mountains. Bill Miner, the character that Richard Farnsworth played in the Grey Fox was a man sruggling with the progress of the west, and the industial age closing in on him. He was an old cowboy train robber,that couldn't adapt to the new world he was thrust into after spending the prime of his youth in jail.He rallies to one last great train robbery of his life and finds love in a independent artistic woman with an equally wild spirit.This is a wonderfully moving movie with amazing photography of the Western Canadian landscape.
We are anxiously waiting the release of this movie on dvd!

Perhaps my favorite movie of all time
If you want to be transported to the turn of the century and become involved in the lives of wonderfully independent characters in a beautiful setting, this film belongs in your collection. Breathtaking scenery beautifully filmed... a love story that involves two free spirits over 40... a good man responding to the times that he is thrust into... no profanity...Richard Farnsworth as the sexiest cowboy ever (maybe because he really WAS a horseman)...this film cries out to be made available in the DVD format. I have probably seen this film 20 times and will be the among the first to order in DVD.

One of the Best
I am old enough to remember the westerns of the 50's and 60's. This is without question the VERY BEST WESTERN STORY I have ever watched. It has a solid story, great filming and is realistic in its portrayal of the era and human nature. I only hope it comes out in DVD so that I can enjoy the scenery. Farnsworth deserved the Golden Globe award for BEST ACTOR and the Film deserved the Best Picture. I first viewed this movie in a little theater in Dallas, Texas almost twenty years ago. I consistently have searched for it on cable & satellite. Without question one of the top 5 films I have ever had the privilege to watch.

Top of the list of favorites
Like the reviewer from Florida, I also have this in Beta, but I really want it in DVD. This is one of the best films I've ever owned, absolutely spectacular in its visualizations of the Pacific Northwest, and heartbreaking, funny, and thrilling -- all in the same film. Great soundtrack. This film should be packaged in the DVD mode because it can include the historical background of this based-on-fact episode from our North American past. I may give up and get it in VHS because my Beta is working so poorly, but this is one whale of a film and deserves DVD.

Make Sure You Get The Right Version
On VHS this is available on two different labels: #1 MEDIA and #2 Video Treasures. If picture, sound and general quality are at all important to you AVOID the VIDEO TREASURES label. I learned this the hard way! MEDIA is the only one worth buying. I rented the Media version(recorded in higher quality SP mode) and then bought the Video Treasures version(an EP mode cheapie) - night and day difference. I was so disappointed. Finally found one on MEDIA and its just like I remember. IF THE AMAZON.COM ITEM DESCRIPTION LISTING DOESN'T MENTION WHICH VERSION THEY'RE OFFERING, EMAIL THEM BEFORE YOU BUY IT(and always check the seller's feedback too). I've seen more films than I care to mention and this one outshines almost every one of them. Hope this helps. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

I Hope Touched by an Angel Gets Complete Season DVD Boxsets!
Touched by an Angel was one of my Dad's favorite TV shows and it became one of my favorites too. I have a lot of favorite episodes and The 151st Psalm is one of my favorites, it is a sad but touching episode about a boy who is dying and how he wants to help his mother finish a song she was writing but never finished. The mother is played by Wynnona who I think did a great job and so did the actors who played the boy and his friend. This show was very popular and I don't understand why CBS cancelled it in order to air stupid reality shows and I wish they would start making new episodes or even TV movies and I really want to see Touched by an Angel put on DVD in complete season boxsets!

Fantastic!
I watched this episode first on TV, then I went out and bought the tape!! It was the first TV show that made me cry, but it the tears were happy tears. The acting in this episode was great. The message of love, acceptance, hope and, of course, that God loves us (more specifically you and me) went straight to my heart.

If you never buy any other Touched By An Angel videos or if you never watch another episode, make sure you get this one!

It's Finally Coming Out on DVD!
This is an update to my last review. The Touched By an Angel episodes on this tape are good but there is some great news! The First season of Touched by an Angel is being released on DVD on August 31, 2004. FYI: John Dye who played Andrew wasn't in the first season. I think he joined the show sometime during the second season and the angel in the first season who helped Tess and Monica was named Adam and played by Charles Rocket.

Wanted! "Touched By An Angel" DVD boxed set
I loved "Touched By An Angel" from the beginning. I had recorded episodes sent to me while stationed in Haiti with the Army in 1996. There was discussion at the time about cancelling the show. Public outcry helped to save the show. Had that not happened, there wouldn't have been a "151st Psalm" episode (the 100th episode) that's been mentioned in so many of the previous reviews. The audience is here, the demand is here, only the supply is missing. Release this series on DVD. You won't be sorry!

These episodes need to be released on DVD.
I enjoyed watching 'Touched By Angel' when it was on TV. I would like to see these episodes released on DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

GREAT MOVIE
The Quarterback Princess was a great movie. Helen Hunt was very good, and did you happen to notice Tim Robbins as the backup quarterback. My only complaint was that the blond cheerleader should of been the homecoming princess. I mean lets be reasonable she was a beautiful girl.

The Maidas Of Prince George
I was fortunate enough to have gone to school (Prince George College) with the younger Maida girls (Heidi & Gidget), having never had the pleasure of meeting the Quarterback Princess. I actually didn't know any of this when they were there, it's only years later that I found out who they were.
This is a very inspiring story and a very good movie. Helen Hunt is very credible as Tami Maida. This movie was the 'Rudy' of the 80's. Highly recommended.
They should've covered the Prince George years too, I could've been a pretty good subplot.

QUARTERBACK PRINCESS
A very good lighthearted movie. Tifanny, the blond chearleader, should of been the beauty pagent winner, but Tamis character was the main part of the movie. Tami should of excepted the fact that Tifanny was a better person, and she should of been much nicer to her when she was given the chance at being her friend.

This Helen Hunt Movie Should be on DVD!
Being a fan of Helen Hunt from when she was still a child actor and being a fan of her today I recall watching this movie on HBO or Cinnemax in the 80's and thinking it was good. I'm a woman who is not really into sports but I still liked this movie and I liked the message about going for ones dreams and even if this movie was only loosely based on Tami Maida's experience as a girl who was the homecoming queen and a quarterback on the the school team it still is good and this is one of my favorite Helen Hunt movies and I would like to see The Quarterback Princess put on DVD as well as all her other movies she made in her years as a child actor but especially this movie and The Miracle of Kathy Miller.

Inspired by a true story, but certainly not based on it
Having been in school with Tami at the time, I didn't really care for the movie, nor did anyone else I know for that matter. For the record, she faced no obstacles, her endeavor was supported by her classmates and the town, and she was QB for the freshman team. She was the freshman class' homecoming princess though, and she was a very sweet girl. After only 1 year in Philomath, her family moved back to Canada. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Steven Spielberg produced this underwhelming 1986 effort at a slapstick spin on Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. The pre-Oscar Tom Hanks stars with Shelley Long as a married couple whose efforts to finish construction on their home are sabotaged by costly and sporadically funny accidents. The unfinished domicile becomes a metaphor for their troubled relationship, as evidenced by Long's character's attraction to a madman violinist (Alexander Godunov). Hanks is the only reason at this point to check this film out. Richard Benjamin (My Favorite Year) directs but with no flair or distinction. --Tom Keogh. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Classic, Classic Tom Hanks
My wife and I have seen this movie MANY times and we laugh harder each time we see it. This movie must be a cult classic, mainly because if we act out a piece of a scene or speak a line from it (as we often do) many people are 'in' on the joke having seen it repeatedly themselves. Alexander Gudenov really steals the scenes that he's in portraying Shelly Long's ex-husband/Symphony conductor. I love it when he admonishes the orchestra at lunchtime after a lackluster rehearsal and tells the members to '...go stuff yourselves, I hope you choke!' (in that wonderful accent).
I highly reccommend this film to anyone, especially if you own a house. Those laughing the loudest will have had home repair experience I'm sure. Tom Hanks at his funniest. You won't be dissapointed!

Favorite moments:

bathtub scene (with pop-up thermometer in the turkey)
raccoon scene
The Shirk brothers contractors
All of the Alexander Gudenov scenes
'The Cheap Girls' band
borrowing money from 'Benny'
Hanks and Long fighting in front of the contractors

.....the list goes on......

Simply too funny
"The Money Pit" may have been a disaster at the box office and with critics at the time but this movie is just too hilarious. This is one of the few movies that makes me laugh until tears starts rolling down my face. My personal favorite moment is when Shelly Long finds a raccoon in the dumb waiter and it leaps at her. Seeing her running around screaming with a raccoon on her shoulder is hysterical. Of course just watching Tom Hanks' character try to fix the house is equally funny, particularly when he hears Shelly's character screaming and he runs...or tries to run up the poorly built staircase. The classic moment is when he falls into that hole and is stuck there for most of the day, missing out on an important meeting with a contractor and then seeing Shelly Long's expression when she finds him stuck in the hole. "The Money Pit" remains one of my top favorite comedies of all time as well as favorite Tom Hanks film.

home blech home!
Tom Hanks and Shelly Long star in this 1980s Steven Spielberg movie as Walter and Anna, a Manhattan couple who are unceremoniously evicted from her ex-husband's apartment and must search for new housing. They find what seems to be a steal -- a huge million-dollar mansion for next to nothing --- and move in, only to be besieged with a collapsing staircase, chocolate-brown "water", rotting wood, exploding doorbell, you name it. Probably one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen is when Tom Hanks sinks through the rug into a hole in the den floor and gets stuck.

Broke and cranky from sinking more and more resources into the money pit in which they live, Anna and Walter snipe at each other. The shady contractors they hire say they can get the job done in 2 weeks -- and continue saying that four months later.

The house may or may not get rebuilt, but will Walter and Anna survive as a couple? Being a typical 1980s comedy which paved the way for everything starring Meg Ryan for 16 years, you already know the answer. But it is still a hilarious movie to watch, depsite its predictability.

Sigh sigh
When I watched this movie for the very first time, I was 18 yold. It was and it is one of the most loved movies I ever seen in my whole life and it meant so much to me because I felt like Tom Hanks when I was rising up my new house and I seen myself in that movie with all the hard time to make the house of my and her dream nice and cozy. We did it but I miss those times.

Thanks "The money pit".

Luca

One of my all-time favorites!
Who wouldn't want to see Tom Hanks stuck in a hole in the floor? This movie is hilarious right from the start - Shelley Long and Hanks play off each other well. Well worth a few bucks to have your own copy at home! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Heart Rending and Triumphant...
...for anyone who grew up during the sixties and seventies this is a poignant look back that you won't want to miss. Don't look for flashes of pop idols, teenage fads, or media darlings... rather than the then world under the spotlight, "Family Album" is about you and me and all the other everyday people who were playing out the search for the typical "American Dream" during the years when it finally began to grow up. And while your mom may not have been a movie star or your dad a business tycoon you'll see them in Faye and Ward Thayer, and you'll see yourself as well... struggling to be one with yourself and one with your family...

Don't miss out on Danielle Steele's "Family Album"... it's a great flick! Great performances were delivered by Jackyln Smith, Michael Ontkean and then newcomer Joe Flanigan.

An Excellent Movie
I have to say that at of all the danielle steel movies this is my most favorite. No matter how many times I watch I still end up crying at the ending. I thought jaclyn smith and michael ontkean portrayed their characters greatly and with much passion for the roles. I am just happy that I finally was able to find this movie and own it now I could watch it over and over without getting tired, this is definetly one of the best danielle steel movies you have to own or watch. You won't be sorry.

One of the best of the Danielles
Of the 20 or so made-for-TV Danielle Steel films, "Family Album" is one of the best - great acting - especially from Joe Flanigan (in his first film role) as the gay son who is totally appealing.

Lots of production values makes this one look like a regular theatrical release rather than a TV film. Well worth seeing.

A touching movie that is full of love and heartbreak!
This movie although alot different than the book is very good. It documents the heartache, losses, and triumphs of one remarkable woman... Fay Price Thayer. In this movie she will learn many lessons including the power to forgive a cheating husband, helping a pregnant daughter make decisions, love her gay son, and rise to the top as an oscar winning director. This movie is so realistic and makes you feel as if you are watching a real family live there lives. There are times when you have to assure yourself that this is just a movie. Don't pass up the chance to see and feel the emotions of one remarkable family and share the moments that were remembered in there Family Album.

Entertaining !
This three hours movie is full of entertainment. It's very touching and you can't stop the movie for just even a second. You can see several years of a woman who tries to be a female director in a time where woman liked more to be seen at home cooking for a man. But she managed everything, but has to fight in private against all the family troubles that appear. The most touching thing is when her gay son was denied by his father and she has to deal with it. The ending is very sad but watch for yourself and enjoy "Family Album" ! ... Read more

Amazon.com

For all of its conventional plotting about an obsessive-compulsive curmudgeon (Jack Nicholson) who improves his personality at the urging of his gay neighbor (Greg Kinnear) and a waitress (Helen Hunt) who inspires his best behavior, this is one of the sharpest Hollywood comedies of the 1990s. Nicholson could play his role in his sleep (the Oscar he won should have gone to Robert Duvall for The Apostle), but his mischievous persona is precisely necessary to give heart to his seemingly heartless character, who is of all things a successful romance novelist. As a single mom with a chronically asthmatic young son, Hunt gives the film its conscience and integrity (along with plenty of wry humor), and she also won an Oscar for her wonderful performance. Greg Kinnear had to settle for an Oscar nomination (while cowriter-director James L. Brooks was inexplicably snubbed by Oscar that year), but his work was also singled out in the film's near-unanimous chorus of critical praise. It's questionable whether a romance between Hunt and the much older Nicholson is entirely believable, but this movie's smart enough--and charmingly funny enough--to make it seem endearingly possible. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (226)

Jack, Melvin; Melvin, Jack
Perhaps the most overrated film of the 90s, "As Good As It Gets" is still a quality movie about a man who is mean and surly seemingly for no other reason than because he is supposed to be. Jack Nicholson plays the obsessive-compulsive romance novelist Melvin Udall. Melvin lives across the hall, in a nice New York apartment building, from gay artist Simon Bishop (Greg Kinnear). Melvin also develops a crush on single mom waitress Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt) who has a perpetually sick child named Spencer (Jesse James).

Melvin is moved to be human by the trials he witnesses Simon and Carol experiencing. While he is never able to be entirely decent, Melvin thaws a few degrees by the end of the film to the point where he can maintain a normal relationship with two people who he, by all appearances, should despise.

And they all lived happily ever after. Sorry I couldn't help throwing that in there.

"As Good As It Gets" does have its strong points; but, it is plagued by one enormous problem that has a tendency to afflict these types of films: its own sense of self-righteousness. The movie practically points an accusatory finger at the viewer as if to say, "You little people probably hate the kind of people you see in this film and we're going to show you why you're wrong".

This film is also harmed by the overacting of Helen Hunt. I never understood the Helen Hunt buzz that went crazy in the late 90s. She always seemed to be someone who was in the right place at the right time and was not much better than an above average actress.

Of course the true saving grace of the film is Nicholson. Melvin Udall is the Nicholson character who I think he most likely is when the cameras are turned off. Not the OCD aspect to Melvin but the relentless disgust for other people. This is not necessarily a bad trait in a movie star.

This film is very similar to another film starring Helen Hunt called "Pay It Forward". If you can get over the 'holier than thou' attitude of either film, they're not that bad.

A BEAUTIFUL MOVIE.
It seems like year after year after year I am consistently disappointed with the films and actors chosen for Academy Award nominations. I usually don't even bother to watch the awards show because it's very rare that there is anyone I really want to win. 1998 was one of those rare exceptions...and it was because of this movie.

There is something about Helen Hunt that fascinates me. Not only is she able to display believable emotions but more importantly she always comes across as someone whom the viewer truly, deeply cares about. I am not embarrassed to admit that I cried on more than one occasion during this film. It was at times heartbreaking to watch her character suffer through so many difficult situations.

"As Good As It Gets" features the talents of Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Greg Kinnear and the underrated Shirley Knight. There is, of course, a plot to the film but it seems secondary to what this movie really is about...human interaction. Jack Nicholson plays Melvin, a completely neurotic person who won't step on cracks in the sidewalk and actually brings his own silverware to the only restaurant he'll eat at. Helen Hunt plays Carol, a waitress with whom Melvin becomes quite smitten with. Simon (Greg Kinnear) is a gay tenant in Melvin's building and Kevin (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is his lover.

Circumstances come about which send Melvin, Carol and Simon on a road trip to remember. I would usually go more into detail about the plot mechanics but they seem almost trivial in a movie of this caliber. The true enjoyment is watching some of the finest actors of our time doing what they do best. You really want to see these characters find true happiness. If you are one of the few people who have yet to see this film then please, please go out and rent it...or better yet, buy a copy. You'll be crying with Helen Hunt, laughing hysterically at Jack Nicholson's antics and will feel amazingly fulfilled when the beautiful ending rolls around. "As Good As It Gets" is a modern classic.

pretty boring........yup........boring........(snore)
I watched this movie twice. Both times it sucked. I thought maybe if I watched it a second time, I would have better luck, but no. The first time I wanted to watch this movie bc I thought it was about the dog (who I could spoil all day!!!!). I don't even think it played too much of a role in that movie. There are a couple things I liked about this movie. Jack Nicholson's acting was nothing less than supurb. The dog was the best thing in the movie. I also liked the one line of the movie (as said in the title) 'What if this as good as it gets?'it was a shock of realism there and i liked that. Also, I loved the gay guy. He was...eh.....kinda funny..... I had to sit through everything else. If all that u wanta see Jack Nicholson in 'one of his best preformances' than u should get this movie. If not, don't waste good money on it.

"Come on in, and try not to ruin everything by being you."
AS GOOD AS IT GETS is...
...a beautiful character study.
...an Oscar-garnering comedy of 1997.
...one of the greatest comedies of not only the 90s, but perhaps of all time.
...sharp, witty, and satirical with praise-worthy performances from all cast members.

Jack Nicolson plays Melvin Udall, a middle-aged writer with obsessive-compulsive disorder and a heart of stone (or what you may first think). Melvin is bigoted, cranky, moody, and often times outright nasty. His morning routine consists of things done in methodical order, immaculate routines. One of these rituals includes his daily breakfast at the local diner, served by the one and only waitress who will tolerate him and his odd demands.

Her name is Carol Connelly and she's a single mother to an asthmatic young son. Hospital bills, as well as life's other expenses, have skyrocketed. Carol is having difficulty making ends meet and struggles on a daily basis. She temporarily leaves work to take care of her child.

Therefore, Melvin can't eat his breakfast.

Greg Kinnear plays Simon Bishop, Melvin's out-and-proud gay neighbor. When he's brutally beaten and left for dead, his trusty little pup is left in Melvin's care, despite the fact that the two men despise each other. Melvin's new babysitting job, along with Carol's absence from the diner, means that life is changing - and for the worst, he believes. Melvin's ordered, hermetic world is falling apart due to these conflicts.

These three entirely different people form a friendship and are soon able to see "the sunny side" of life, so to speak, due to the weaving and intersecting of their lives with each other's.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS is an enlightening comedy that the majority of critics agreed with. It is not a typical screwball comedy; it is instead a thought-provoking, earnest look at the lives of 3 people who at first seem to face normal hardships and tribulations. But, as this film progresses, we find that the characters, played by each of the actors with such grace and such astounding skill, are anything but ordinary. This fine film deserved every bit of praise it received from the critics and audiences alike. I've watched it countless times and it never grows tedious or boring, even when I memorize the dialogue.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS is one of those scarce treasures that finds the perfect and ideally comfortable balance between seriousness and humor. The realness of Melvin, Simon, and Carol is something almost undeniable. What can I say? I love it.

you should be made to touch my pubic hair
the part in the resteraunt where jack tells the adjacent table that they should be made to touch his pubic hair.........jack, baby, your beautiful ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The most successful public-television miniseries in American history, the 11-hour Civil War didn't just captivate a nation, reteaching to us our history in narrative terms; it actually also invented a new film language taken from its creator. When people describe documentaries using the "Ken Burns approach," its style is understood: voice-over narrators reading letters and documents dramatically and stating the writer's name at their conclusion, fresh live footage of places juxtaposed with still images (photographs, paintings, maps, prints), anecdotal interviews, and romantic musical scores taken from the era he depicts. The Civil War uses all of these devices to evoke atmosphere and resurrect an event that many knew only from stale history books. While Burns is a historian, a researcher, and a documentarian, he's above all a gifted storyteller, and it's his narrative powers that give this chronicle its beauty, overwhelming emotion, and devastating horror. Using the words of old letters, eloquently read by a variety of celebrities, the stories of historians like Shelby Foote and rare, stained photos, Burns allows us not only to relearn and finally understand our history, but also to feel and experience it. --Dave McCoy ... Read more

Reviews (144)

Excellent Introduction
Ken Burns' Civil War is an excellent introduction to the period, told well with style. It's a documentary, not a history book. It is, however, far more accurate and balanced than other Civil War documentaries (such as the History Channel's Civil War Journal).

To hit on a couple of criticisms in other reviews, slavery as a cause of the Civil War is an argument bordering on the level of a holy war, itself. Recent magazine articles and essays have done a good job of discussing it. The result is that both Burns' view and the "Burns' is wrong, it was all about states rights" views are both simplistic. Burns' documentary does a good job of capturing the Southern view of slavery and abolition but he does over state the view of the north as abolitionist. While there were Southern abolitionists and Southern soldiers who didn't care one way or another, Burns shows quite well that without slavery there would have been no war. (The statement that the South only fought for "states rights" was actually championed in the 1880s. If states rights were the only reason for fighting the war, why did the Confederate Constitution prevent any Confederate state from passing a law against slavery, even if that state wanted to abolish it?)

To the point of Grant being the first Lt. General since Washington, Burns is both right and wrong. Winfield Scott was made Lt. General, but it was a brevet (something a little more than honorary) rank. It was a brevet specifically so that Washington would be the only man to have officially held that rank. This changed when Grant was given the rank.

Fine Film
There's no denying that Ken Burns' sweeping documentary of the American Civil War is a success. Through photographs, modern footage of the places in question, period music, and voices reading primary source documents of the time, Burns conjures up the conflict in all its thrilling drama, bloody tragedy, dark humor, and stirring nobility. Personal and engaging, this film brought a new awareness of American history to millions of viewers. It should be noted that a huge topic such as the Civil War cannot be entirely crammed into one film, however long; this is necessarily an overview, though an excellent and detailed one. (At least the Civil War had a compact number of years to it; Burns subsequently took on huger topics still such as Baseball and Jazz, with less success. His finite films like this one and "Lewis and Clark" are easier to see as a whole.) I have one quibble with this show - I think it oversimplifies the causes of the war. To be specific, it sees only one cause - slavery - and pays no attention to states' rights or economic issues. This is no surprise; his other films have shown us that Burns sees race as the defining issue of our country. Whether you entirely agree with this idea or not, you are sure to enjoy and learn from this epic documentary.

The Civil War - A Film by Ken Burns
This one is superb........well worth the money..it can be purchased for much less at eBay though. Shelby Foote's comments thoughout the film are outstanding. He is truly a southerner and you will enjoy his thoughts relative to the film. I highly recommend the film and will be glad to answer any questions anyone might have regarding the film. You can email me at jimsuz@swbell.net with your questions!

Get the best version
It should be recognised that there are three versions of the series in circulation. The original series itself was released in 3 versions: complete (with varying episode lengths), slighly shortened (to provide similar length shows) and short version (about 1 hour per episode. The slightly shortened version was the one initially distributed on Video and DVD. This is the one that has the wobbly transfer. The new DVD version (2003) is a digitally enhanced full release. Ken Burns returned to the original film to achieve a new hi-resolution transfer and then proceded to digitally clean it up. This is demonstrated in a mini-doco on the DVD. No one questions the quality of the series and with this release the reproduction quality matches it. Ken Burns turned me into a Civil War buff and collector. I still found the series highly moving even after several viewings.

Be Forewarned About This Shamefully Cheaply Packaged DVD
Let me start off by saying the documentary itself is wonderful. Certainly, it may be slightly biased, and woefully short on info about the western campaign, but it is well intentioned and researched, as well as being both thought provoking and entertaining. The presence of Foote helps correct the obvious Northern bias, and I think the film was fairly clear about Lincoln starting out as a moderate on the slavery issue. And let us be fair; no project this ambitious is ever going to be perfect nor satisfy everyone, and this one is far better than most.

But, the DVD packaging is just horrible. The literally paper thin disk container fell apart on the second day that I had it. I have a fairly large DVD collection with many, many box set collections and this is by far the cheapest presentation I have ever encountered. Now, had this been a budget box set designed to be low cost so as to make itself available to the greatest number of people possible, I would accept this. But as you must know, this set is actually quite expensive compared to most box sets. Therefore, the ridiculously flimsy packaging is inexcusable. This series deserves better. I STRONGLY urge you to wait until a higher quality presentation is put on offer. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Powerful, though altered, version of the play
Tennessee William's play, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", was considered so controversial that its Broadway producers forced the playwright to alter the third act. Either in spite of or because of the changes, the play was a huge hit. Even with the changes, it had to be further watered down for Hollywood's 1958 movie version. Once more, it was a boxoffice smash. It went on to garner six Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Elizabeth Taylor and Best Actor for Paul Newman. Despite the industry's timidity back then, the movie was a searing, powerful drama about a family in crisis. That it remains so to this day, despite massive changes in social values and mores over the years, is a credit to its brilliant cast and to its director, Richard Brooks.

Brick and Maggie [Newman and Taylor] have come to his father's big plantation in Mississippi to celebrate the old man's 65th birthday. Everyone calls him Big Daddy, and as portrayed by Burl Ives, he truly is a larger than life figure. Brick's brother, Gooper [Jack Carson], his wife, Mae [Madeleine Sherwood], and their five 'little no-neck monsters" are also there. Big Daddy has just returned from several weeks at a clinic where he was treated for cancer. He thinks he is cured, but the doctors have lied to him. He's unlikely to see his next birthday. Rivalry and intrigue abound among the siblings and their families as everyone fights over who will take over the plantation. Brick has major problems of his own. The former star athlete drinks too much, refuses the advances and affection of the gorgeous and calculating Maggie because he blames her for his best friend's suicide, and is bitter about his father, who doesn't seem to love him or anyone else. Brick is also hobbling around on crutches, having recently tripped while trying to leap a hurdle one drunken night. Through all the bickering and fighting, his mother, Big Mama [Judith Anderson], tries desperately to hold onto whatever happiness and dignity the family still possesses. But a storm of confrontations is brewing, and she's powerless to stop it.

The 'shocking' element that was changed was the revelation that Brick and his friend had been lovers and that Maggie's 'crime' was her attempt to eliminate her rival. This was changed to the friend's killing himself because he was weak. I think when you know this, you can easily see what is going on underneath the surface between Brick and Maggie. It also makes the characters more understandable and believable. Their constant fighting makes more sense. The story becomes about more than greed, power, money and land. It becomes about the power of the human heart.

"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is highly recommended, script changes notwithstanding.

Every line filled with tension, and the acting is wondeful!
This adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play was nominated for six academy awards in 1959. It stars Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie, rejected over and over by her alcoholic husband, Brick, played by Paul Newman. His father, Big Daddy, played by Burl Ives, has just returned to his Mississippi mansion after exploratory surgery. There's bitter rivalry in the family as they speculate about his death. Jack Carson plays the older son, who, with his pregnant wife, played by Madeline Sherwood and their five obnoxious children are determined to inherit Big Daddy's fortune. But Big Daddy despises him, as he does his own wife of 40 years, Big Mama, played by Judith Anderson.

As this film was originally a play, most of it is sharp and cutting dialogue, every line filled with tension and double meanings. Close-ups reveal the artistry of the actors, all of whom are excellent. I especially liked Burl Ives, whose performance called for a wide range of emotions, showing his vulnerability as well as his strength. And as the characters battled with each other, the story, which I understand was rewritten to fall within the guidelines of 1950s censors, slowly revealed itself. Some critics say this ruined this movie adaptation. I can't comment on that because I though the story was great. Most of the film takes place inside a house and there's almost no physical action. Not necessary. The dialog does it all. And it does it well. Recommended.

Humanity at it's best...
"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is a spectacular visual masterpiece about the human spirit.
Every character has three dimensions, and every line is perfectly written and delivered. Credit is needed for the original playright(although I am aware the plot was altered to please the strict critics of the time), who along with the screenplay writers are as important as the actors.
Speaking of actors, Liz Taylor, Burl Ives and Paul Newman were all flawless in their roles. They were human, and as a painting they were more real than reality. My opinions of the characters changed continually throughout the film. It was as if you were peeling away the skin layer by layer to find the truth. Annoyance turned into hate, hate turned into compassion.
The most important element of this film was feelings;emotions the players have, and have to deal with. As well as how you feel about them, and their situations.

Superb
Acting doesn't come any better than this. Newman and Taylor have such chemistry its unbelievable, and although the movie may drag in certain parts, overall it is a great character study.
Taylor is heartbreaking as the sexually deprived wife as Newman, a hardened man who suspects his wife of infidelity. Once again the theme of homosexuality is present ( as it is in all of Williams' plays), but in the movie it is thankfully downplayed and subtle. The definitive film version of the play, whose highlights are pretty much every scene in which Maggie and Brick are alone in their room bickering.

MEEEOOOOW!
"Cat on the Hot Tin Roof"
Has so much tension, one can't cut it with a machete... Just another very dysfunctional family, which Tennessee Williams writes so brilliantly.

You have Maggie (the cat) The only character in the extended family who is 'Normal' The only one who seems to be keeping the family from killing one another. Liz, of course plays her beautifully, superbly, very sexy as 'The Cat'

(Brick) Paul Newman plays her husband...A drunk with many devils he needs to let out, such as why he will not sleep with Maggie, why won't he stop thinking about his foot-ball buddy who killed himself. The viewer will wonder if his has other preferences... Because who wouldn't sleep with (The Cat)??

Big Daddy...played by Burl Ives... The GOD of the family, the one with all the money, Power, the one who's dying. (Excellent performance)

(Goober) Brick's brother and his wife wait impatiently for Big Daddy's fortune. The wife is appalling enough to make one sick. Continually taunting Maggie about not having children, having a bad marriage, not controlling Brick. Her kids run around the house like little, foul animals.

This family is a disaster waiting to happen...The pressure cooker is on high, baby, and when she blows
Watch out...All hell will break loose all over the place.

They don't make um' like this anymore.

MEEEEOOOOOW! ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the rarest of the early Doctor Who series, with William Hartnell as the crusty old Doctor, "Edge of Destruction" is entirely based in the Tardis, which has stopped somewhere between worlds and times. The Doctor blames Ian and Barbara, the two teachers who came aboard in search for answers about his granddaughter Susan, assuming they have committed sabotage in an attempt to return to their own time. They, in turn, in spite of recent shared escapes from cavemen and Daleks, have no particular reason to trust his sanity. Something is causing one after another of them to act with violent irrationality, and the clock is ticking toward their destruction... This is a claustrophobic two-episode plot in which the series examines closely some of its more beloved assumptions. For example, who, in this situation, is good and who is dangerous? The restriction to a single set may have started as an economy measure but virtue is made of necessity.

Also included is the original pilot episode, "An Unearthly Child," with several retakes. --Roz Kaveney ... Read more

Reviews (14)

"Nothing in ze world can stop me now!!"
After waiting months to finally obtain the "correct" release of this video, the Warner snafu is over, for now. I can't say it was worth the wait, but I am pleased with the contents on them. The remastering of both "The Edge of Destruction" and the original "pilot episode" look beautiful, magnificently cleaned up by the Restoration Team. Although, don't look at the story too much, as it was originally conceived to fill time between "The Daleks" and "Marco Polo"(the sets weren't ready!). "Edge" itself is incredibly bizarre, but things start ot feel a little normal during "The Brink of Disaster". The original pilot is also very enjoyable. Love Susan's little jig in classroom. But the Highlight of the release, at least for North Amercian viewers, is "The Missing Years". A 30 minute special made by the Restoration Team about various Doctor Who episodes that might be missing forever. Also included, are various extracts and clips from missing episodes. Well researched, well made, these people know what they're talking about, very informative. And let's not forget the bonus episode: Episode 3 of "The Underwater Menace"! It has to be seen to be believed! Absolutely wonderful! The Doctor in disguise is NOT to be missed. A must get for any Doctor Who nut.

Buy for 'The Missing Years'!
Most die-hard Doctor Who fans have seen 'The Edge of Destruction' and 'An Unearthly Child' enough times not to be dazzled by this release. 'Edge' is not one of the best episodes in Doctor Who's history. This release, however, does contain the unaired version of 'An Unearthly Child,' and it is somewhat interesting to note the differences between this version and the actual aired version. However, nearly all Doctor Who fans should purchase this video for the 'Missing Years' footage, which is about an hour long including the dialogue by Frazer Hines and Deborah Watling. Most fans can gloss over the dialouge about how the BBC lost the episodes. But there are good clips of all three missing Daleks stories, a few moments of Patrick Troughton's recovery from his regeneration, and weird moments from 'Fury From the Deep,' to name some highlights. The entire episode 3 on 'The Underwater Menace' is presented, although the story and special effects are campy. If nothing else, 'The Missing Years' provides some good visuals for episodes now released as audio soundtracks: 'The Highlanders,' 'The Macra Terror,' and a lengthy clip from 'Galaxy Four' are featured. This is not the best of Doctor Who, but it is a must for every Doctor Who fan.

Entertaining
"The Edge of Destruction" is obviously low-budget filler in between the bigger stories "The Daleks" and the lost "Marco Polo." For fans of the underrated Hartnell years, though, this is a great one and at times bizaree. Written by David Whitaker, original script editor for the series, this one is filler (both of the episodes of the story feature just the main cast of the show totally isolated in the time machine), but it's still lots of fun. Hartnell's Doctor again plays the angry and mean side, but this is a turning point in that in the end we see he is finally starting to warm up to the schoolteachers Ian and Barbara who have thusfar been the heroes of the series.

"The Pilot Episode" is a fun watch for die hard fans, as is the missing years tape which almost makes a fan like myself sad at the prospect of all of these lost classics. Some of the best DW? No. Enjoyable? Yes.

Inside The Spaceship
This particular adventure is very claustrophobic, as well as being very intense, and atmospheric. In a way, it's almost Hitchcockian in its execution. For this adventure takes place within the confines of the Doctor's ship, the TARDIS. Some sort of intense shockwave has knocked the crew unconscious, and something seems to be wrong with all of the systems within the ship. Not only that, but paranoia, moments of insanity, as well as suspicions and accusations run rampant among the four companions, as no one is sure who to trust, for rational thinking and understanding are thrown out the window, at least, until the climax of the final episode, as the Doctor finally realizes what has happened. This adventure was really cool, and very intense, as the Doctor faced off with both Barbara and Ian, in an intense scenes of wild accusations and mistrust. But ultimately, it was this adventure that marked a turning point for William Hartnell's Doctor, for it was here that the Doctor showed signs of being less harsh, and more likeable, especially towards Ian and Barbara.

The recap
The "first" pilot episode included on this set was never aired apparently due to dissatisfaction on the part of production team -- they felt that Hartnell had played the part too aggressively, there were problems with some line flubs, a few technical glitches; this was flying by the seat of their pants as it was. Thus, this was left in the can and the "second" pilot (is that like being a virgin twice?), the one shown on television in those flickering, far off days, was the one most known to Whovians and other dimensional travelers until this video was put together. I enjoyed this particular version after seeing the second one (!) - Hartnell does play his part aggressively, rather than the more enigmatic reading he gave it second time around. His impatience with these dense, arrogant humans is obvious; as far as he is concerned, they are a tremendous threat, and for good reason. Were the knowledge of dimensional time and space travel to become developed among this half-barbaric civilization, it would be disasterous. Susan in vain begs him to leave these humans behind - their minds, says she, reject anything they cannot understand (that would have been balm to me as a grade schooler, struggling with what seemed like impossibly unimaginative teachers). It will therefore be presumably a mind-expanding experience for Barbara and Ian (who turn out to be excellent companions) to be literally hijacked to 100,000 BC.

The Edge of Destruction, originally called Inside the Spaceship, owes its claustrophobic studio-bound setting to producer Verity Lambert's desire to save a bit of money and show off the interior of the TARDIS, a 2000 pounds sterling staging that set this cash-strapped show back a fair bit. All I can say is the thing works - hastily put together it may have been (Hartnell had a tough time remembering these long speeches he had to memorize in next to no time and flubs a bit - who cares, it made it seem more realistically frantic, anyway), but the surreality of the whole episode is unsettling - this seeming creeping insanity, the breakdown of trust among four people trapped inside a space ship headed towards its own disintegration, the desperate need to grasp onto some sort of reality, however slippery.

Teased with the thought of all of those missing episodes (110 to be exact), I'm not sure I'm glad or frustrated that I have now seen these excellent out-takes in The Missing Years segment, presented by a peppy, well-preserved Frazier Hines (Jamie) and an equally peppy, endearing Deborah Watling (Victoria, in an awful haircut) with a somewhat wide-eyed narration that is all in good fun. They present a selection of Dr. Who clips and short interviews with the film collectors who found them, and where and how they were found is both amusing and interesting. The censored bits from the Australian collector especially are vivid and shockingly modern; missing the rest of the various episodes made me want to weep. Notable is the intriguing regeneration scene from Hartnell to Troughton -- the fact that someone had probably shot this bit of film by training their old 8mm on their television screen gives it a very creepy, shadowy, telescopic view that I rather liked. Also contained in this segment is the suriving complete third episode of The Underwater Menace, which was great camp.

Unfortunately, the film collector who admitted that after 30 years the chances of finding any more viewable Dr. Who's are very slim may be, I fear, correct. Like the TARDIS, however, hope is eternal... ... Read more

Description

A bittersweet look at first love through the eyes of Alice, a precocious 10-year-old.Set in 1961, the film compares Alice's prosaic life to that of her glamorous, "fast" 16-year-old neighbor Sheryl. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Romance steals
That Night has been my favorite movie ever since the day i saw it. Julliette Lewis puts on an amazing performance in this film about teen romance and the struggles of being a teenager. The movie takes place back in the 1950's which allows for some great music and amazing cars. Rick (a bowling alley manager) and Cheryl (a catholic girl who proves to be daddys little girl) fall in love and face many problems along their romance. A young girl called Allie (Dushuk) watches with bright eyes the ups and downs of Rick and Cheryl's realtionship and fights till the end for both of them. My favorite scene has to be dancing at the beach. And i will always remember allie saying: "I thought if either of my parents died, i'd die too....that if they stopped breathing they'd draw me back inside......like they once told me they kissed each other and breathed me into life...." Its SOOOOOOOOO worth the watch.

That Night is a treasure
Juliette Lewis is in one of her finer roles in this wonderful movie. Lewis plays a teenage catholic school girl who falls in love with a boy from the other side of the tracks. They meet in a bowling alley, which is the focal point in the movie. Lots of memorable performances, including C. Thomas Howell as Rick, the guy that Cheryl(Lewis) falls in love with, and the debut of Eliza Dushku, who would later be in the movie True Lies, playing a 10 year old girl witnessing the love between them. A great cast of characters, this movie delivers the goods and then some!

Love it Love it Love it!!!
I loved this movie. The first time I saw it was years ago and I was in the laundrymat when it came on the t.v. And the song!!! I found the song today at this site www.downloadmp3hits.com . I'm listening to it right now yay

Love this movie
I first wayched it at 11 years old. I couldn't find it again to rent until I was 16 ever since then I watch it every summer and when I rent it I watch it like 3 time in 2 days. I love the whole story, the movies great, and I cry every time at certain points. I agree with other reviewers "ruler of my heart" is the best song!!!!

Amazing Film!
I first saw this movie on TV 8 years ago and I have loved it ever since. Last year I finally bought the movie. This is the best movie I have ever seen, and I would recomend it to everyone. This film was very well done - five stars!! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

1900 is one of Bernardo Bertolucci's adventures in epic filmmaking that never found the reception he had hoped for. Originally more than six hours long, it was chopped down to four hours for its U.S. release and as a result looked, well, choppy. Eventually, he restored it to five hours--but one wonders at all the effort on behalf of this alternately muddled and stunning story. The film, with a decidedly socialist agenda, examines two lives that begin the same year in rural Italy: the weak-willed son of the aristocracy (Robert De Niro) and the hardy, courageous son of peasants (Gerard Depardieu). They grow up as best friends on the same estate, until class differences pull them apart and then the era's fascist politics divide them for good. Despite strong performances by both leads, as well as Sterling Hayden, Donald Sutherland, Dominique Sanda, and Burt Lancaster, this one is strictly for Bertolucci's most avid fans. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Tiresome to sit through
An interesting idea for a film but not well executed. Much of the acting was so broad it was annoying or not believable (part of that was due to the dubbing). Too often the actors are overly emotional. There are too many scenes of characters being very exciting or angry or yelling or crying. Also, some of the leisurely scenes that don't really move the plot along were of little interest.

The Cult-Movie for the Working Class
Simply the Movie of my Life .I guess the DVD extras will be smashing!

Career nadir
This film drove Bertolucci to a nervous breakdown and he had to take a year off after making it, becoming an incessant pill-popper into the bargain. One can see how much pressure was put on him. '1900' had the largest film budget he had to work with up to that time in his career. Add to that fact that this was an epic picture about a period in his own country's history and the expectation on him must have been enormous. Unfortunately Bertolucci at this point in his career was totally out of his depth in dealing with such a conceptual behemouth. It would take him over 10 years before he could again tackle the political history of a country on such an epic scale. Ironically that epic would be set in China.

Controversy surrounded the film on its release in Italy as much of the film portrays a flawed knowledge of Italian history. The trial of the DeNiro character at the end was invented by Bertolucci as a utopian vision of how Italian history should have developed. Even the Italian Communist Party was upset at this depiction as they claim they never practiced vigilante style executions after the war.

As a young director, Bertolucci saw himself as stubbornly arrogant, not giving a second thought to what his audience may think. '1900' was the first movie he made where he kept in mind the spectatorship he was trying to reach. Paradoxicaly, '1900' would end up his least engaging film because he tried to envelop too many different visions.

About the different lenght versions of Novecento
Let me clarify the question of the different versions of this masterpiece.
The first cut (never released) was 6:15. The European released version was 5:25. In the meanwhile, Alberto Grimaldi (the film's producer) was negociating with Paramount a 3:15 version, betraying Bertolucci, who didn't know a word about.
After the European succes, Fox offered Bertolucci to work on a 4:15 version for the U.S. market. He accepted, and made a second 4:40 version. But Grimaldi's opposition take the case to a court. A judge viewed all three 5:25, 4:40 and 3:15 versions. He concluded that Grimaldi's short version was detrimental and incoherent. So he invited Bertolucci to work in a 4:15 version.
Bernardo did a third cut to 4:10, that had its premiere in the New York Film Festival. There, critics were very negative, since they already knew the european 5:25 version, and compared so. But Bertolucci once declared that this was simply another film; no a single sequence was missing, it just had another pace. For a given moment, he even prefered this version. But years later, he recognizes the short version lacks the "inexorable passing of time" of the full one.
Let me recall this is the only film in history that has put toghether -for the production- all three major studios then, Fox, United Artists and Paramount.
All this information was taken from the book Bertolucci por Bertolucci, the spanish version of Scene madri di Bernardo Bertolucci, from Enzo Ungari, based on the interviews by Donald Ranvaud about The Last Emperor.
I definitely agree with the people asking for a remastering and release on DVD of the 5:25 original version.