Reviews (5)

Enjoyable western with Errol Flynn in fine form
Warner Bros. production of "Virginia City", has often come in for its fair share of criticism over its smaller budget than other contemporary westerns had lavished on them at this time and of the classic cases of miscasting among some of the lead performers. I for one always enjoy it and find that while it isn't anywhere near Errol Flynn's greatest role it is one where he delivers an interesting performance which can be counted among his better efforts. It is an interesting point that Errol Flynn was one of, if not the only non-American ever to find success in the western genre as evidenced by his great work in such efforts as "Dodge City", "Silver River", and in this effort.

Directed with the usual gusto by director Michael Curtiz who despite detesting Flynn personally always managed to extract fine work from him, "Virginia City" has an involved and indeed complicated story placed in the period of the American Civil war. It tells the story (based on an actual incident), of Captain Kerry Bradford (Flynn) a "yankee" who after escaping from a southern prison is sent south to Virginia City to hinder an essential shipment of $5,000,000 worth of gold secretly gathered by southern sympathisers from reaching the south's base of defence without which the war effort cannot be continued. Along the way he locks horns in a battle of wits with former goaler Captain Vance Lurby (Randolph Scott) who is determined to see that this secret shipment goes through via wagon train to Richmond to aid the cause. Also complicating Bradford's orders is the alluring dance hall singer come confederate spy Julia Hayne/Julie Adams (Miriam Hopkins) with whom he promtly falls in love and finds himself in a dilemma of mixed loyalties. Much attention has been focused on the miscasting of Miriam Hopkins in this role that perhaps required a more "sassy" type of female in the role. Hopkins always a fine actress as can be seen by her sterling work in "The Old Maid", "These Three", and "Old Acquaintance" does good work here despite being in a role not entirely suited to her screen persona. Her work in the trek on the wagon train and in particular during the spectacular attack on the wagon trains in the conclusion is excellent and goes some way toward improving her role and giving her some dramatic potential from the earlier largely unsatisfactory dance hall scenes where she does appear out of place. Humphrey Bogart also appears in the film as the villian of the piece half breed Mexican John Murrell who is determined to get his hands on this shipment of gold by fair means or foul. He is badly miscast here playing a Mexican bandito and in 1940 was only just pulling himself out of the second string villian roles which were his forte during the 1930's. He obviously still had little say in the choice of his roles which would change very quickly after his wonderful performances in films like "The Maltese Falcon". Flynn "sidekicks", Alan Hale and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams round out the cast and bring some humour to their roles as Bradford loyal friends who seem to just turn up when he most needs their support. Their easy rapport with Errol Flynn is a strong point of the film and is a real pleasure to see in "Virginia City", based no doubt on the fact that they worked more often with Errol Flynn on screen than with anyone else.

"Virginia City", an "A" class production for 1940 benefits greatly from some beautiful location photography and the camerawork and staging in particular around the scenes of the wagon train attack cannot be bettered. Perhaps this type of film cries out for technicolour which had been used to such great effect in Errol Flynn's western effort of the previous year "Dodge City", however it is still effective in the beautiful shades of black and white photography. The obvious care and attention to detail are very evident here and they are the elements that lift this film up a notch or two above your average western of the time. Indeed no Errol Flynn film in this period could ever be classed as average as he was one of Warner Bros top Box Office stars and his films brought in guaranteed fortunes upon release.

"Virginia City" with its off beat casting, unusual conclusion which I wont give away for the benefit of those who haven't seen it yet, and the chance to see Errol Flynn ideally cast in his absolute prime, has indeed much to recommend it as entertainment from this period. Not the best western ever made but still a well put together production which despite its flaws makes great viewing. Enjoy Errol Flynn and Miriam Hopkins in their only performance together in Warner Bros. "Virginia City".

Who Cast This Film?
Towards the end of the Civil War, Union spy Errol Flynn is sent to Virginia City to stop a secret Confederate shipment of gold from reaching its destination, thus giving the South money to finance its failing war effort. Randolph Scott is the Confederate soldier in charge of the operation, and Miriam Hopkins is the dance hall girl/Confederate spy who helps to set it all up. Fans of Dodge City will find this Flynn western to be a disappointment, since it lacks the colour and spectacle and sense of fun of Dodge City. Flynn walks his way through the role without much conviction, but then again, he is saddled with less than acceptable co-stars. Scott is boring in his role, and poor Miriam Hopkins was a terrible choice for hers. She is very out of place in the story, not convincing as a spy and even less convincing as a showgirl! This role needed Ann Sheridan or Alexis Smith. But an even worse bit of casting is Humphrey Bogart as a Mexican (!) bandit. Max Steiner provides a rousing Western score, but sadly, the story defeats it. Some of the action is good, but the film never involves the audience much, and the ending left me cold. Errol Flynn and director Michael Curtiz made several other films together that are quite a bit better than this one.

KERRY BRADFORD
Contrary to popular belief, this movie was not a sequel to DODGE CITY, the Technicolor epic Flynn made with Olivia de Havilland the year before. This movie was originally intended to contain a better plotted script than it's predessesor, but something went wrong. Flynn plays a Union officer who escapes from the Confederate Libby Prison and goes to Virginia City to block a $5 million gold shipment that Southern sympathizers are preparing to smuggle through the Union lines to the hard-pressed Confederacy. Randolph Scott is the former commandant of Libby Prison who plans to send the gold to Richmond by wagon train and Miriam Hopkins is quite frankly miscast as the dancer-hall entertainer functioning as a Southern spy. Even more ludicrous is the usually reliable Bogey - here he's cast as a half-breed outlaw who speaks with a most unconvincing dialect. Although the final shooting script of this film tells a good story, the wooden dialogue and scenes work considerably against it. All the characters, with the exceptions of Jefferson Davis and President Lincoln (he's seen in shadow only) are fictitious, however the basic incident of the gold shipment is based on fact.

Pure Tin
Errol Flynn's first Western, "Dodge City," was all pretty Technicolor photography and no script... so for this, his second, Warners made it up to him. This one is all shadowy black and white photography and more plot than you can possibly make sense of. It also features two classic bad performances -- uptight Miriam Hopkins as a showgirl Mata Hari, and sneering Humphrey Bogart as a muy menacing Mexican bahndeeto. To paraphrase Hemingway, any movie where Randolph Scott is the best actor is a bad movie.

exciting action Western
Flynn stars as an escaped prisioner during the Civil War who goes to Virginia City, Nevada to try and intercept a shipment of gold bullion earmarked for the Confederacy. His two frequent co-stars (and off screen drinking buddies), Guinn "Big Boy" Williams and Alan Hale accompany him. On the stagecoach West, Flynn meets and falls in love with a shy and secretive young woman (the woefully miscased Miriam Hopkins) He will meet her again in Virginia City under entirely different circumstances. The villian is the capable Randolph Scott who is a Confederate spy bent on getting the gold out of town. A hilariously miscased Humphrey Bogart appears as a Mexican bandito complete with black hair and a sleazy moustache and an accent worthy of the Taco Bell dog! Not to be missed for this alone! The climax is a harrowing Indian attack on the wagon train and an interesting off-beat ending. ... Read more

Description

A plastic surgeon and a model investigate the murders of three women, who were killed after being used as models for subliminal advertisements. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Unique
This is a rather unique film, though the commercials in the movie are rather cheesy, but funny which adds to the essence of the film. The music, acting and dialog are your typical 80's style. I guess that's why I love movies from the 1980's. I highly recommend this film who has a Sci-Fi interest. Albert Finney and Susan Dey do a great job.

Love this movie!
Yes, it's a little cheesy and so 80s. lol! But I really like it for some reason. I've always liked it since it came out years ago, especially the chemistry between Albert Finney and Susan Dey and the way a particular gun is used in the film. And I also like the theme song. I have this movie taped, but I might have to buy me one, because it's packed away somewhere. lol!

why they were doing it - response to ophomike
this is in response to ophomike's great featured review, wherein he felt there was an unanswered question. namely, why were they killing all the models if they just wanted to use computer doubles to get perfect performances?

i haven't seen the film recently, but i think - if i recall correctly - the reason was explained by coburn at one point. besides the issue of perfect performances, building computer models also meant that they didn't have to deal with the flakiness and mood swings of real actresses and - most importantly - they could use their image forever without ever having to pay them. they would pay the models to submit to the series of full body scans, do some filming in private, and then the models would die. since no one knew of their process, they would keep using the model's image indefinitely wthout ever paying anyone any royalties because everyone would assume all of the "filmed" content had been done prior to the model's death.

one of my favorite parts was susan dey in the scanning sarcophagus with all the grid lines projected onto her as she was rotated. it was in this creepy, dark, deserted lab - but her agency had arranged it, so she didn't ask any questions. haha. oh, and also the scene where a model feels she's being stalked in her own apartment, even though she doesn't see anyone (too many diet pills?) and she then proceeds to work herself up into a fever pitch until she manages to tangle herself up in the drapes and fall over and out the window... now, i can accept the fact that she was at some point zapped with the black-out gun and then lost bodily control, but please - her little model body did not weigh enough to rip those draperie hooks off the rod. haha.

i love this movie and forgive me if my memory has clouded about the details. as a kid, this film left a lasting impression on me and i'm sure it played a part in my fascination (my whole age group's fascination, perhaps) with sinister technology and corporate conspiracy.

Everyone will hate me for this, but...
I'm sorry, but I just didn't like Looker, and it wasn't [JUST] because of the cheesy mustache. It's a neat technological idea, and an insightful social warning of what is, has been, and will continue to happen in TV advertising, but it's missing that "something". Someone failed to sprinkle any "science fiction magical pixie dust" on the celluloid before it was sent to the lab for processing. It lacks any real depth and, although accurate with some parts of the amazing technology, displeasingly unrealistic in others. One thing they did tap into accurately was the creation of "perfect" computer models to take the place of real actors. Now, twenty-plus years later, that technology is quickly coming to fruition.

Having these actors in this movie is like having seasoned journeyman carpenters build a doghouse out of mismatched plywood scrap and bent nails while downing shots of Jagermeister and watching skimpy swimsuit videos. There is no essence of greatness here. From moment to moment, I continually anticipated the acting would suddenly turn good. It never did.

BUT...if you haven't seen it, I do recommend seeing it. It's not "horrible", it just totally lacks any of the magic found in things like The Forbin Project and Blade Runner.

Models & Media
I used to watch this film on cable ALL THE TIME growing up in the 80's. What I've found over the years is how close we are coming to the realities presented in this film. This film is becoming more and more ironic and brillant each year. It HAS to come out on DVD...PLEASE! ... Read more

Description

An outrageous odyssey of fun, fantasy, and adventure unfolds in the hilarious hit film HERCULES, Disney's 35th animated triumph "brimming with comic surprise!" (Entertainment Weekly) Taken from the gods as a newborn, adopted on earth, Hercules becomes an awkward teenage pillar of strength. Trying to fit in, he discovers his dad is Zeus and home is Mount Olympus -- if he can move from "zero" to true hero! Hercules teams with babyhood pal Pegasus, the flying stallion, and Phil -- a feisty personal trainer -- for the mission. But it's no easy task as he must match wits with Grecian beauty Meg and a comical hothead named Hades. With the help of Pain and Panic, Hades plans to rule the Universe with only Hercules standing in his way! With a bold animation style, colossal voice cast, and spectacular music, HERCULES is unmatched in strength -- delivering something for everyone with "pinwheeling, knockabout fun!" ... Read more

Reviews (133)

Best Disney Movie since "The Lion King"
Hercules restored my faith that Disney can still make fun, engaging animated movies (this one's much better than the more recent disappointing Road to El Dorado or The Emperor's New Groove). The animation is dazzling (from the makers of Aladdin and The Little Mermaid), the music is a new take -- gospel, and the characters are funny. The voices include a cast of famous names, such as Tate Donovan and Danny DeVito as Hercules and his goat-man sidekick. The plot is predictable and the storytelling of the Greek myth may be a bit off, but after all, it's Disney. The DVD includes a documentary ("The Making of Hercules") and a Ricky Martin music video (for the song "I Can Go the Distance"), and most Disney DVDs hardly have any extras. I wouldn't call this movie a must-buy, but it's a welcome addition to Disney's family of great cartoon movies... and kids will certainly love it, too.

The World's First Super Hero
Disney adds a new twist to the story of the mythological strongman in the funny animated feature "Hercules". Hercules (Tate Donovan), the son of Zeus, is kidnapped and turned mortal by the sinister god Hades (James Woods). Now, with his amazing strength and the help from his fly stallion Pegasus and trainer Phil (Danny DeVito), Hercules journeys to regain his place among the Gods of Olympus. Though not as memorable as previous Disney animated films, "Hercules" is a lighthearted fun-filled fantasy adventure. The story is fresh and funny, and the animation is stylish and colorful. The film contains some clever humor and amusing scenes including a thrilling battle between Hercules and the fierce hydra. James Woods shines as the voice of the sly Lord of the Underworld Hades and Susan Egan is amazing as Grecian beauty Meg. The voice cast also includes Bob Goldthwait, Matt Frewer, Paul Shaffer and Rip Torn. The animated tale is presented in its THX certified 1.66:1 widescreen format. The DVD contains a very detailed video transfer and a rich 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. Its supplemental material features "The Making of Hercules" featurette and a music video with Ricky Martin. Despite the lack of interesting extras, "Hercules" earns a "B-".

Great teaching tool
Precisely BECAUSE of the complete disregard for the original mythology, this movie is a superb teaching tool for middle schoolers. After a unit on Mythology, the kids can identify for themselves the many creative changes Disney opted to make, and even better, they can figure out for themselves why Disney made those choices. It makes the kids savvier media consumers, they enjoy spotting the "mistakes," and the music is terrific and holds their attention. We all enjoy the fact that nearly every time the Muses sing "and that's the Gospel truth!" they're referencing something completely FALSE. And the group scene at the christening makes a great "test" of those symbolic identifiers--the kids like being able to identify the gods and goddesses based on the clues in their appearance.

Zero to Hero
When the evil Hades, god of the underworld, learns that if Zeus and Hera's newborn son Hercules fights his world takeover plan, he will fail, Hades' idiotic helpers Pain and Panic kidnap the tyke in an attempt to turn him mortal and kill him. But before baby Herc could drink the last drop of the potion, a middle aged couple intersept. They take young Hercules in and raise him as their own. The only problem Hercules has is his god like strength, which he retained because he did not drink the last drop of the potion.

Hercules grows up feeling like he doesn't belong and goes on a journey to find his true identity. When he discovers that he is the son of Zeus, he is told that the only way he can regain entry to Mount Olympus is to become a true hero.

So with the help of Phil, a satyr, and Pegasus he begins training to become a hero. He ends up meeting Meg, a young woman who sold her soul to Hades, and falling in love with her. Meg is torn between loyalty to Hades and her growing love for "Wonder Boy".

When Hades strikes a deal with Hercules to give up his strength for 24 hours, Hades frees the Titans to take over Olympus. Due to one technicality in the deal, Hercules regains his strength and defeats Hades. But when he learns of Meg's death, he strikes a deal with Hades to rescue her and take her place in the underworld.

A little bit too modern for a story set in Ancient Greece but this movie contains all the essential elements of a true Disney classic.

From Zero to Hero
Hercules is a total knockout - for the first half of the movie. The second half falls flat. Hercules has one of the best animated film scores ever. To promote the film, Disney had a traveling "troupe" of singers in Greek costume perform at malls around the country. The executives apparently even appreciated the incredibly orignal gospel-style songs with witty and joyful lyrics. The rollicking songs get a big "Amen!" The fabulous Muses are wonderful creations.

The story involves Hercules as an awkward boy trying to fit in with the humans who have adopted him. After he inadvertently causes a disaster at the marketplace, Herc strikes out on his own, and is shocked to discover his Mt. Olympus heritage. Megara, the female romantic interest, is not very likeable as a fallen woman redeemed by love. You feel Herc deserves better.

Since Aladdin, Disney has used celebrities as character voices. Hercules in particular benefits from this, with James Woods ad libbing hilariously as Hades, lord of the underworld, and Danny DeVito, who brings heart and laughs as "Phil" the Satyr. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After I Spy and before The Cosby Show, Bill Cosby left his own inimitable mark on the arena of stand-up comedy in this live concert showcasing his down-to-earth observations on the rigors and joys of family life. Cosby, using only a microphone and a chair, discusses his take on raising kids and the illogical nature of children and the futility of trying to argue with a child that in the end may be smarter than you. Notable highlights include Cosby's ruminations on the meaning of the all-purpose phrase "I don't know" to kids, and Cosby describing the effect raising children has on his wife Camille's mental state and the pitch of her voice. Containing the basis for the humor of his long-running situation comedy, Bill Cosby: Himself is a polished, occasionally insightful, and frequently hilarious night of comedy from one of the longtime masters of the form. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Priceless!
Bill Cosby is wonderfully funny. His humor is timeless, and this show is a sparkling example of a brilliant stand-up comedian at work. I've watched this on tape MANY times over the years, and, like wine, it just gets better with age -- I've realized that the more life experiences I gain, the more I laugh when I see "Himself". I loved the performance when I was in my 20s,and 30s, and now my 40s. My husband I have commented that while all the routines have always been very funny, they take on an entirely new dimension for us now that we're parents (literally making us laugh until we cry in parts). Mr. Bill Cosby is a comic genius and a national treasure. Here's hoping the studio will put this out on DVD soon!! If you haven't seen this show, or haven't watched it in a while, by all means treat yourself and WATCH IT! Bill Cosby "Himself" will make your day.

Hilarious!
I finally broke down and purchsed this tape after a lull of 20 years since I heard it last. Bill Cosby is hilarious and CLEAN (99% of the time), somewhat of an oddity in today's stand-up world. The content of the tape will have you rolling for days, as Bill creates excellent archetypes to which we can all relate. His "I don't know!" portion is especially entertaining!

The only complaint I have is the tape quality. Perhaps someone at 20th Century Fox could step up to the plate and get this presentation cleaned up and digitized onto DVD to help out. My copy is brand new, but the sound and video still suffers somewhat (original recording in 1981 I think). Other than that, this is tape is a GREAT gift idea; highly recommended.

Unintentionally Funny
While the main goal is making the viewer laugh, some parts are eerily funny and cryptic. The film starts out with an hilariously bad song called "It Was A Good Idea At The Time" then the comedy gets underway. At one point Bill jokes on his now-dead son, Ennis. Ennis was being naughty so Bill jokes that Camille wants Bill to "kill the boy...hehehe, kill the boy." Then Bill adds, "...so I go upstairs to kill my son." Morbid, given what would occur nearly 20 years later.

Cool Cos
A classic. While I'm very conservative about buying VHS/DVD's, this one is worth it. If you like Bill Cosby, this is a performance you can watch again and again.

His humor regarding raising his children is especially entertaining.

Bill Cosby, Himself
I saw this tape years ago, when I rented it to show to my sister, who was visiting. She is rather prim, but laughed until she cried.
This is a request to the powers-that-be to get this brilliant comedian on DVD before the tapes degenerate into oblivion. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With a disabled leg, a deceased father, and status as the newboy in a small Vermont town, 12-year-old Billy has the proverbial threestrikes against him. But things start to turn around when his waitressmom (the saintly Anne Archer) allows him to keep a scraggly pony herescues from a con artist. And when the pony gives birth to a unicorn,and a pretty local girl assists Billy with the birth, things seem to beseriously looking up. But some nasty classmates discover their secretand soon everyone from police on horseback to news helicopters to thearmed charlatan are chasing Billy and Nico up into the mountains. Thisfairly tale for grade schoolers has some real suspense and a magicalending that isn't too sentimental. Mom has a cop love interest (MichaelOntkean), but they keep it pretty tame. The mother pony does give herlife to protect the foal; however, the carnage occurs off screen. This95-minute film will most interest children 5-10 years of age, althoughtrue horse/unicorn lovers up to age 13 may enjoy it as well.--Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Wonderful movie, but younger kids would soon get bored
This is a beautiful movie about a boy named Billy who saves a pony and soon gets rewarded with a unicorn. Soon, his secret gets out and "Nico" is not safe hiding at Billy's house anymore. Billy takes Nico up to Big Rock where Nico finds his real home. I think this movie is great for older kids and adults for younger kids would soon get bored with the movie. Although I didn't enjoy the part of the movie where the mountain lion killed Nico's mother, but in reality that's what would really happen. I saw that people were complaining that the scene should not have been put in because this was a "kid's movie." It's not, the movie was based on the book "Nico the unicorn" by Frank Sacks and that was a very big part of the story. But since I know how protective of their animal-loving children some people are, I will warn them about the scene. The mountain lion tries to kill Nico, but his mother tries to lead the mountain lion away. She gets many wounds and of course that's the part where you should cover up your little kids eyes so they are not haunted by this tragic scene.

Awesome Movie!
I reconmend this movie. It is worth watching. Little kids might be upset by the scene where Nico's mom dies, but it all takes place off screen, except for the fact that the pony runs around with many cuts on her. I have heard people say that older kids won't like the movie. Not true. I enjoyed every second of it! Because the movie is based on a twelve year old's life, older kids will relate to the movie more than younger kids, who will just enjoy the story. The actors are all amazing. Air Bud lovers will enjoy the fact that Kevin Zegers plays Billy. Horse lovers will enjoy Agusto(I did!). He plays Nico, and is a truly amazing actor!
The movie is about Billy, a boy with a dead father and a crippled leg, who just moved to town with his mom. When he rescues a pony, Carolynn, a popular girl, and him help his pony give birth to a unicorn. A must see.

Wonderful for Children
I happened upon this show while at home one day. I thought that the show would be wonderful for my 8 yr old granddaughter. I am still looking for the video to purchase.

Fantastic video for any age
I enjoyed this video so much. Second time around enjoyed it even more. What a wonderful story for young and old alike. I am a 68 year old woman and cannot tell you how much pleasure I received from watching this video. In fact I enjoyed it so much I am purchasing it for my grand daughter so we can watch it together when I visit her. Nico the Unicorn gave me much pleasure and I am sure Emily will also enjoy watching it with her family.

An older lady enjoyed it too!
I am a 57 yr old lady, and I've enjoyed this movie several times on tv. Everyone else has said what the movie's about, but that its mostly for kids. If you're young at heart and enjoy a movie just for the sake of watching a movie and dont judge so hard, maybe you'll love it too like I have and will continue to everytime it comes on...well now I ordered the movie too. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Director Francis Ford Coppola and executive producer George Lucas shared a strong desire to film the story of Preston Tucker, the man who revolutionized car design in the late 1940s, only to have his innovation squelched by the "big three" automakers in a legal battle between Tucker and powerful political lobbies. Coppola surely related to and sympathized with Tucker as a visionary underdog, and so this stylish, energetic film envisions "the man and his dream" in idealistic terms--an unabashed optimist (played by Jeff Bridges) who realizes his vision through blind faith and tenacity. Martin Landau gives a superb, heartbreaking performance as an associate who desperately wants to share Tucker's enthusiasm, but knows that corporate wolves are knocking at the door and will soon burst in with fangs bared. Joan Allen is equally good as Tucker's supportive wife, and the film's combination of dazzling costumes, production design, and the fabulous Tucker itself (of which only 50 models were made) creates an infectious atmosphere of postwar optimism. In the end, however, this fascinating film is much like Coppola himself: possessed of genius, blinded by ambition, and prone to create works of erratic brilliance. Don't take that as criticism, however; this is a sharp, underrated film about a dreamer whose dream was a worthy one, even if it only briefly came true. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Tuckered out.
Frenetically directed biopic of Preston Tucker, automobile entrepreneur, genius . . . dreamer. The most offensive thing about *Tucker: The Man and His Dream* is the explicit comparison between its subject and its director, Francis Ford Coppola. The Tucker automobile is evidently meant to be compared to Coppola's Zoetrope film studio, just as each man is meant to be compared to each other. (Both even have large, rambunctious families.) The great difference, of course, being that Tucker happened to be a visionary, whereas Coppola just made some decent movies in the 1970's. (Who wouldn't rather have a Tucker car than a copy of *Apocalypse Now Redux* on DVD or even the overpriced *Godfather* collection, in which Coppola -- that uncompromising "artist" -- forces one to actually bring that *Godfather Part 3* into his own home?) Notice I said the 1970's: *Tucker* was made in 1988, and Coppola's glory days had definitely passed. And no amount of flashy direction -- cut-aways, scene-blending, hyper-kinetic camera movement -- can bring them back. The cut-aways etc. don't really bring back the 1940's, either, probably because the spirit in which the movie was made belongs strictly to the excessive 80's. The visual style reflects the entrepreneurial icons of the Reagan Era -- Lee Iacocca, Michael Milkin, Donald Trump -- more often than it recalls Preston Tucker. Flash, splash, crash. Is the movie entertaining? Yes. Whatever else can be said about F.F.C., he doesn't make BORING movies. But ultimately the movie is as shallow as its basic form, which is the Old Hollywood-style worshiping, deifying hagiography (along the lines of *The Benny Goodman Story*, *Yankee Doodle Dandy*, etc.). Finally, it must be stressed again that Coppola's ego is terrifying: identifying himself with a visionary inventor like Preston Tucker is, given his own checkered career as a director, not merely offensive, but close to obscene.

Wonderful work by Jeff Bridges ...
One of his finest performances since "Starman" ... Here, Jeff gets to play a little bit of the good-natured kidder we've come to love ... as Tucker, the eternal optimist and dreamer, we experience the reality that all dreams are met with obstacles sometimes ...

The flashy style of the director has the look and feel of a Life magazine or Saturday Evening Post piece ... it's hype, sure, but it attempts to capture the entreprenurial spirit of post-war America with the swing music and stylish clothing ... Excellent performances by Bridges (both of them!), Martin Landau and even Christian Slater plays with much more subtlety than usual. Dean Stockwell does a pretty good Howard Hughes.

Get this movie and be prepared to simply sit back and enjoy it. Before the Big Three had serious competition from Germany and Japan they ruled with an iron fist. The cars we drive today are infinitely better because of competition. Should any criticize me for that statement I simply say these words: Pinto, Vega and Pacer. BTW, my new Ford Explorer is an excellent, well-designed and engineered vehicle.

Unfortunately the father-son team of Bridges didn't have nearly as much material to work with in "Blown Away", their only other movie pairing ... Lloyd Bridges plays the corrupt U.S. Senator so well that you'd like to see a full Congressional investigation on him ... Excellent sound track as well.

"It's the idea that counts, and the dream."
This 1988 movie, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas, has good acting from Jeff Bridges, Martin Landau, Frederic Forrest, and Joan Allen in the larger roles. Smaller supporting roles were also handled well by Christian Slater, Jay O. Sanders, Nina Siemaszko and Mako.

As reflected by the DVD cover, the movie is filmed in a splashy 1940's advertising style, and uses warm gold and sepia tones and some impressive camera work to tell the tale of the development of the "Tucker 48" automobile, also known as the "Torpedo" after its sleek lines (for the times), of which only about 50 were made. For its time, it had many innovative features, including a rear-mounted engine, seat belts and padded dash, push button controls, and a third central headlight that would turn when steering. The large, 4,800 pound behemoth got about 20 MPH.

In a somewhat dichotomous framework, the movie shows the result of American "Yankee ingenuity" coupled with the eventual demise of the Tucker due to pressure by the Big Three automaking competitors. Taken to court for fraud with the accusation that he would not deliver on the promise of producing a car, Tucker in fact is found not guilty, and had actually produced about 50 cars, though his business was effective ruined.

Tucker had other successes however. Just before World War II, he developed an armored car that was so fast at 80-plus MPH, the Army did not want it because they thought such vehicles should only go about 35 MPH. However, the rotating gun-turret used on top of the vehicle, the "Tucker turret", was used on American bombers, such as the B-17 and B-24, thoughout the war.

Although his business partner Abe Karatz (Landau) is quite upset that the car business folded, Tucker tells him..."It's the idea that counts, Abe, and the dream." Tucker died in 1956 from lung cancer at age 53.

The reasonably-priced DVD has the wide-screen movie, an excellent original 15-minute long 1948 promotional film made by the Tucker company (with or without commentary by FFC), a mediocre short "making of" collection of cast/crew interview clips mostly from 1988, a decent commentary by FFC, and the usual setup features.

Excellent Movie
This is an excellent movie I really like it. What I can also say is it was done in my hometown of Bay Point Ca. The scene where they are watching the movie of the car pulling into the garage and the gas man comes and opens the hood but now engine that is a block away from where I live. They also did some at the county seat and had to take down the state flags because they had to many stars on them for this time but I would recommend this movie to anyone.

A wonderful story set in a time when America was great
I first saw this movie when I was ten years old and loved it then as I do now. If you love the style of the 1940's and the incurable optimism of post-War America, then this flik is for you. Preston Tucker was true visionary who demonstrated the power and opportunities that each American has at their fingertips beginning with only a dream or two and Jeff Bridges captures the essence of this incredibly well. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Why isn't this on DVD?
This is one of the greatest movies of all time in my opinion. I am very pleased it has lasted and not been blacklisted like Disney's 'Song Of The South'. The black cast does speak with an overly Southern accent of the time, and that's what makes this so charming. Rex Ingram is delightful as "De Lawd". Don't miss Eddie "Rochester" Anderson as Noah. ("I guess I can get de animals, Lawd. There was a circus in town last week...")

With every junky new movie coming out on DVD, why hasn't this classic come out?

Triumphant!
I first saw this movie as a child, probably aged 5 or six, and I'd never forgotten it. For some reason, I had never been able to catch it on t.v., and as the years went by, it became very sketchy in my mind, but still there. Last night, about 44 years after the first time I viewed it, I had the profound pleasure of seeing it again. It was worth the wait.
The cast is spectacular, the sets charming and beautiful. It tells the story of creation, Adam and Eve, Noah ect, with a child-like simplicity. Often hilarious, sometimes very poignant and moving but always reverent, it illustrates what has given African Americans the strength to survive the tremendous struggles we have faced as a people. A simple, steadfast faith in God, who, for many of us, is as real as the sun, flowers, storms, and just as much a part of our every day lives. It is an awesome movie, and one that I think every one should see, at least once.

A True
I keep watching this film over & over again. It displays some of the very best cinematography in Black & White film making, I have ever seen.The film encompasses; Drama, comedy, visualizations & tremendous conversation of the old time south. The feeling of watching the all African - American cast, in a true southern depiction & context, is compelling to me. This is the time before the media introduced a rediculous control over what we, as Americans, can watch & enjoy as main stream filming.

I would love to see this & other classics of it's time being replayed on todays television a lot more frequently. To me, todays black film makers are to reluctant to create films of life, in much lesser, simpleminded & wholesome environment. I recommend for all ages,to be a " must see " motion picture.

Please the King!
This movie is a throwback to a better time; a time when political correctness didn't get in the way of a good laugh. It consists of bible stories seen through the eyes of poor Southern blacks in the 1930s. You will roar with laughter as adorable pickaninnies ride clouds in Heaven and Noah debates with De Lawd about how many "kegs o' likka" he can take on the Ark. My favorite scene is when Moses and Aaron confront Old King Pharaoh to demand that he "let the Hebrew chillun' go." Moses is portrayed as a simple yet pious half-wit empowered by De Lawd with a magical walking stick and a few extra IQ points (okay, make that a lot of extra IQ points). You will cheer when he gives the Pharaoh his comeuppance by showing him that you can't out-trick De Lawd. Rex Ingram does some fine acting in his triple roles of De Lawd, Adam, and Hezdrel. The scene where Hezdrel tells De Lawd about how mankind found "moicy" is heart-touching. I wholeheartedly recommend this film to anyone interested in cinema the way it used to be, without the liberal bias and distortions of fact we are subjected to today. So if you'd like an old-fashioned good time, just rare back with a ten-cent ceegar and a bottle of sonny-kick-mammy wine and pop this one in the VCR. It's more fun than a fish-fry in Heaven!

Wish I could get it on DVD
Well, Im settling for VHS although I really want it on DVD. This has got to be the best movie of all time...in my opinion of course. I saw this movie some years ago and Ive been looking for it ever since. I was actually on my way to a church revival that night and this movie came on AMC so i watched it as i got dressed. I then found myself debating whether i should go to church late and see the end or go to church on time and see the movie later? This was during black history month so I was sure it would come on again. Well I went to church hoping that Id catch the movie again another time and I never did because..OH WOW! I never caught the name of the movie. Ive spent my day today looking up every old African American movie I could find and I actually found it on someones list. Its a wonderful movie yall, funny as I dont know what although I doubt its meant to be. The vernacular is what sealed it for me. If you want to hear some real serious Ebonics, buy this movie!! For real. Gods name in the movie was Lawd! I wish we could rate higher than 5 stars cuz I'd give this movie a 10! ... Read more

Amazon.com

A rousing tribute to the original Star Trek's most popular episode, "Trials and Tribble-ations" is a triumph of clever plotting, technical achievement, and pure, unadulterated fun. Like "The Trouble with Tribbles" from 29 years earlier, this fifth-season episode is an instant classic, beginning when a surgically altered Klingon (Charlie Brill, reprising his role from "Tribbles") uses a Bajoran Orb of Time to travel back over 100 years to prevent his past-tense capture by Capt. James T. Kirk. Undercover time travelers Sisko, Dax, Odo, Worf, O'Brien, and Bashir track the Klingon's scheme on the Enterprise-A and the Tribble-infested space station K-7, turning this two-series hybrid into a nostalgic valentine, with DS9 characters digitally inserted into original "Tribbles" footage. With re-created sets, ships, and costumes, "T & T" mines hilarious gold from its Trek-savvy premise, including the mysteries of Klingon physiognomy, Starfleet snoops whose names are anagrams of "Mulder and Scully," and enough in-jokes to delight vigilant Trekkers everywhere. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (29)

The Best of DS9 ...
Episode 103 Trials and Tribble-ations is the best DS9 episode ever made....and more! The episode transcends DS9 blending arguably one of the best Star Trek "Original Series" episodes -- Trouble with Tribbles -- with charachters from DS9 and Next Generation.

The cinematography is superb as clips from the original episode are seamlessly integrated into this episode. And by "seamlessly integrated" I mean 2 things: technically speaking, and from a plot perspective.

This episode is at once nostalgic, original, filled with drama and humor (mostly Dax's comments, but comments by Sisko and others as well.) The fight scene is particularly well-done and stands as probably the best scene of the episode.

Oh, it's so good to see Kirk and Spock again, but it is all fresh and new and exciting in the context of this extremely well-done DS9 episode. This is a must-buy for not only DS9 fans, but also Next Generation and Original Series fans. Outstanding, and as entertaining as even the full-length movies.

One Of The Finest Hours Of Star Trek, Ever
Oh my, what a hoot! I commend the producers of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" for this witty, wonderful homage to the original series that also shines in its own right as one of the finest "Star Trek" episodes ever made. This is an exquisite blend of new footage around scenes from the "Star Trek" episode "The Trouble With Tribbles". Charlie Brill is terrific as the disguised disgraced Klingon from "The Trouble With Tribbles". Here he tries to change history by sending the "Deep Space Nine" crew back in time, hoping to kill Captain Kirk. Michael Dorn ("Worf") is hilarious as he tries to explain to his befuddled comrades why the Klingons from Captain Koloth's battlecruiser more closely resemble humans than Klingons of Worf's time. And now I know who was responsible for the barroom brawl - and it wasn't really anyone from from the old USS Enterprise! Admittedly "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was my favorite "Star Trek" series, yet I'm sure this hilarious episode will appeal to "Star Trek" fans of all stripes as well as others, like myself, who enjoy hilarious science fiction television.

A Nice Tribute To The Original Series
Over 30 years ago, the Original Star Trek series produced an episode that continues to be a favorite among fans even today. "The Trouble With Tribbles" was a silly episode with lots of humor.

30 years later, the producers of Star Trek : Deep Space Nine (the best series of the modern Trek era) created this wonderful episode..."Trials And Tribble-ations". Using footage from the original episode, the crew of the Defiant go back in time to save Kirk from a vengeful Klingon.

This episode has many fun moments. The best one is when Bashir, O'Brien and Odo don't recognize the human looking aliens as Klingons. "Those are Klingons?"

A great episode and a fiting tribute to the original. Definitely better than Voyager's tribute episode with Captain Sulu.

This time everybody knows the Tribbles I've seen...
Sooner of later what was happening in the movies with "Zelig" and "Forrest Gump" was going to make a move to the small screen, which is as good an explanation for the fun of Episode 103 of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Trials and Tribble-ations" (Story by Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler & Robert Hewitt Wolfe, Teleplay by Ronald D. Moore & Rene Echevarria, "The Trouble With Tribbles" written by David Gerrold, Aired November 4, 1996). The "Defiant" return from Cardassian space with the Bajoran Orb of Time along with Arne Darvin (Charlie Brill), a Klingon who has been surgically altered to pass as human (gee, doesn't that sound familiar?). Darvin uses the Orb to send the "Defiant" and its crew back over a hundred years to Deep Space Station K-7 where the U.S.S. Enterprise, Captain James T. Kirk, commanding, is in orbit and suddenly we find ourselves in the classic original "Star Trek" episode, "The Trouble With Tribbles."

Darvin turns out to be the same spy that was caught by Kirk poisoning the grain shipment. Darvin wants to change history by killing Kirk, so Sikso, Dax, Bashir, and O'Brien dress up in period uniforms and search the Enterprise for Darvin. Meanwhile Odo and Worf, check out the space station. Granted, the interaction between the two casts consists more of cuts than using computers to insert the DS9 gang into the original "Star Trek" episode, but that does not take away from the fun, and there is a lot of fun to be had in this episode. The best moment is when O'Brien and Bashir join Odo and Worf at the station bar when the Klingons show up and start baiting Scotty and the Enterprise men. The other three all stare at the Klingons, then at Worf with his all those ridges on the top of his head, and then back at the Klingons with their smooth brows. But to their questions about what happened, all Worf will say is that Klingons do not talk about it with outsiders. This may well be the funniest moment in "Star Trek" history (my second choice would be Captain Picard's Shakespearean monologue when he is trying to win Lwaxana Troi back from an amorous Ferengi). Dax mooning over Kirk is not half bad either.

Clearly "Trials and Tribble-ations" is a unique crossover episode for the "Star Trek" universe, and fortunately there was no attempt to duplicate it with a similar project. Actually, since you can make the argument that not since "The Trouble With Tribbles" has there been a "Star Trek" episode that was so totally in the spirit of fun, that "Trials and Tribble-ations" is just the big cosmic wheel coming full circle.

Tribble Trouble
This was the first DS9 I ever saw, and it was wonderful. Sisko and his crew blended in wonderfully, althougth Odo's make-up probally wouldn't have been possible in 1967. This episode was funny, and the special effects(the effects where DS9 mixed with TOS) were great. I even found out how to annoy Worf("Is that lilac I smell"). I only have two complaints. George Takei(Sulu) wasn't in this episode. Then again, I'm not even sure he was in the original, and he was the star in the Voyager episode "Flashback". And second of all, Worf didn't tell us(actually Odo, O'Brein, and Bashir) how the Klingon change from brown humans to boney forehead aliens. Other than that, I love this episode. It's the only one from Deep Space 9 I saw, but already I think this the best DS9 episode I ever saw. I also recommend the orginal episode, "The Trouble with Tribbles. That is just as good as this one. ... Read more

Reviews (137)

Exquisite erotic classic
Jane Campion's "The Piano" does what many truly great films do: It inspires fascinating discussion and provokes mixed reactions. The male friend with whom I saw it back in 1993 and I were so enthralled that we kept our significant others waiting to leave for our respective Christmas vacations because we kept phoning each other to discuss symbolism and interesting themes in the movie. While I continue to absolutely love the film, I also recognize why some viewers have not shared my reaction. Perhaps you have to have at least considered a forbidden love affair or perhaps you have to have found yourself trapped in a relationship where you feel you have lost your voice to appreciate what Campion explores.

The story centers around Ada (Holly Hunter in an Oscar-winning performance) and her daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin--who also won an Oscar for her extraordinary performance). They leave their upper-class home in Scotland after Ada's father (apparently) arranges her marriage. Ada, who has willed herself not to speak since age 6, expresses herself through her beloved piano.

The true story of who fathered Flora is never revealed in the movie, but the context suggests that she is Ada's illegimate child born from an illicit affair. The hinted-at story of Flora's conception provides a key to understanding both why Ada later begins an affair with her New Zealand neighbor Baines (Harvey Keitel) and why she makes a mail-order marriage in the first place. I suspect that Ada's aging father may have wanted to see her settled--preferably far away so that her unconventional behavior would no longer be a source of social embarassment--and given Ada's muteness and out-of-wedlock child, her father probably couldn't find a suitable suitor in mid-Victorian Scotland.

Stewart (Sam Neill) first encounters his future wife on a lonesome gray beach surrounded by her crated belongings. His Maori porters begin carrying many household items up the muddy path to his dreary homestead. But Stewart refuses to bring the piano along, despite Ada's apparent distress and Flora's pleas that her mother MUST have her piano.

Ada's piano, abandoned on the barren New Zealand beach, captures the sense of what 19th century colonial life might have been like for too many women--treasured possessions, the last ties to "civilization" left behind.

Rendered voiceless without her piano, Ada begs Stewart to return for her instrument through notes and more pleas from Flora. Finally she persuades Baines--a colonist whose tattoed face evidences the extent to which he has "gone native" and who is considered less civilized by his neighbors--to guide her back to the beach. Ada comes to life again as she, at last, gets to play. Drawn by her passion for the piano, Baines arranges with Stewart to trade land for the piano. Without consulting his wife, Stewart assures him that Ada will provide lessons too.

During first of these lessons, Ada strikes her own bargain with Baines, whom she still considers a boor: She will trade sexual favors to earn back her piano, one key at a time. Ultimately, her reluctant bargain grows into full-blown love and passion. The dark, brooding tone of "The Piano," however, suggests that something in this situation will go tragically, and probably violently, wrong.

Campion has filled her movie with haunting piano music (actually played by Hunter) and intriguing imagery. The metaphor of piano as voice and losing and regaining one's voice, Flora's role in changing her mother's fate, the question of whether Ada's bargain reflects a woman taking control of her life or just being victimized in a different way, and many other complexities make this a movie worth watching again and again and again.

Words cannot convey...
Words cannot convey...and this is one of the things this incredible movie teaches us. The Piano is one of my favorite movies of all time. The scenery is breathtaking. Holly Hunter is brilliant as Ada, the mute (by choice) "victim" of an arranged marriage. Her facial expressions and physical movements express more than words could ever say. In fact, I found that once I become aware of watching her gestures, I began watching the expressions of other characters in the movie also. Harvey Kietel is cast in a very different role for him and the result is impressive and shows a much larger range of his acting ability. The music in the film is beautiful and is Ada's true "voice".

This movie must not be watched in the ordinary way one would watch any other movie. If you're just going to watch it in a literal way, this isn't the movie for you. The Piano is a wonderous combination of music, scenery and symbolism. It's like a dream sequence. The movie feels almost enchanted. The filming of 2 major scenes of violence is exquisite. I didn't notice the violence itself so much as I felt the pain of the characters.

I highly recommend this film...no matter how many times I watch it, it never fails to move me.

A moody drama that was very bittersweet.
This is the first film I have seen with Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel. They both gave good performances, and the movie itself was strange but likeable. Anna Pacquin and Sam Neil also gave great performances. The movie did have a lot of nudity that was really un-neccesary. The cinematography was good and the setting was a cool, dark, but beautiful place. The film was very different and really surprised me, like most films do. I recommend this for romantic buffs, and people who love to watch great performances.

A Different Look At Romance
All the things that characterize a Hollywood romance are turned upside down and changed about in this film. The usual fare is the interactions between two urbanites with huge polished smiles stuck to their faces. They enter a relationship which is loud, giddy, and giggly.
In The Piano, the woman doesn't speak at all and both men are stoic sorts who have lived in a hard land. A lot happens under the surface where we can only guess at it. In mainstream films, the emphasis for the man is rushing in and grabbing the woman of his dreams with all possible speed.
But here, just once, the quiet, patient, and tender man emerges with the lady. And what's more, when we first see him, we fail to see through his hard exterior. Even the viewer comes to know this man's virtue only over time.
I found this to be an incredibly beautiful story and as if that alone wasn't good enough, I also greatly enjoyed the cinematography and the music. This is one of those films that I find guilty of being incredibly good on all counts.

And a final note about male nudity: Yes it is in this film. Both male and female are seen completely nude. And there's nothing wrong with the male part. We men have beautiful bodies too. Art of the past has had no compunctions about showing nude males and correctly so. I'm not sure I can understand this modern prudery.

BREATHTAKING!
I haven't seen this movie for a long time, but saw it again the other day. I forgot how powerful it was and how breathtaking all the actors are as well as the scenery. Strong performances and beautiful music (I bought the soundtrack long ago and had to dust it off after seeing this movie again!). As for some of the negative comments of seeing Harvey Keitel naked (full frontal, too), and found him disgusting looking, well, folks, that's how most people look in real life! ... Read more

Reviews (102)

The REAL reason to see this movie is.....
Janaya Stephens (the redheaded Canadian actress who plays Chloe Steel) is the cutest, hottest, most gorgeous woman ever on the face of the Earth! She just looks SO beautiful and "alive" here that she makes this cheesy low-budget film worth watching, and she even makes Chelsea Noble, who I'd usually consider a good-looking woman, look bland and ordinary by comparison! The way Janaya looks in the scene where she is in the purple dress at the Church service...WOW, pure feminine perfection! Her big sweet smile in the photo booth scene with Kirk Cameron would melt any heterosexual man's heart. Her big wide eyes and full-lips, GORGEOUS!!! The Church audience that loves this film might be shocked to know that Janaya is no goody-goody Christian either. In fact, she appeared totally nude during a sex scene in an episode of the Canadian TV show "Lexx" (and yes, full nudity is allowed on Canadian TV late at night). Those males who fall in love with her after seeing her here in "Left Behind 2" might want to check that episode of "Lexx" out too, although I'm sure their pastor won't approve! While I repect this flick's religious message, I may just start my own Church and worship Janaya instead! My Rating: the story and rest of the cast get 3 stars. Janaya Stephens gets TEN stars for being so perfect and beautiful!!!

Come on, people-not so critical please!!!
Let me start by saying that I have both Left Behind I and II on DVD and love them!! Yes, many people will complain that the movies leave so much out from what the book has but then don't many "script to screen" attempts do that?

If you ask me, hats off to Peter and Paul Lalonde for putting out two BETTER quality Christian movies then some of the ones that some of us have seen in our home churches in the past. The poorly made End Time films of the '70s and '80s. Cloud Ten Pictures and Namesake Entertainment did the best with the money they had. It's hard to find funding for Christian Movies-no one's interested and why? Because the message of life through our Lord Jesus Christ will always be attempted to be down-played by those who don't believe.

We need to not be rating this movie like we would secular movies. This movie is trying to get a message of Salvation through Jesus Christ to those who don't believe. It's not about thinking if its' Hollywood quality as far as script and cinematography. And as for the comment about the Angel "hypnotizing" the guards, Angels would not use secular means to their advantage. It was the Holy Spirit working through the Angel as she sings it brings forth the mighty power of God to stop those guards. We as Christians need to understand that the Spirit of God is so mighty, mighty enough to stand against any guards and most importantly to stand against Satan.

Who knows, one day when Jesus comes again and the rapture takes place. A person that is left behind may put this video in and realize the reality of what has just happened and commit their life to Jesus Christ.

Bad or good reviews of this movie doesn't matter. Someone's life being touched and changed by the message of Salvation in these movies is ALL that matters!!!!

Glad they made this into video, but...
Too many inconsistencies that don't make sense, nor change the storyline if they would've been acurate.

- Buck never referred to himself in public as Buck, it was always Cameron.
- Buck was a newspaper writer, not a TV reporter
- The GC didn't forbid people to go near the wailing wall this early in the series.
- Chloe is blonde in the books
- Dr. Benjudah (sp) didn't take the stand he did in the video. He never said there was no God, and he invited Buck to the wall, not the other way around.
- In the book, Nicolae didn't have outbursts like at the end of the video.
- Rayford didn't have to beg Hattie for the GC1 pilot job, he was practically pushed into it. Same for Buck.

Aside from these few examples, too many things were rushed through. I would love to have seen the part where Verna gets faced by her boss when she tries to give Buck a hard time.

I'm glad they made this into video, because it was simply entertaining, but I would highly recommend reading the book (the series, for that matter). If you don't, you're missing out on a great story.

knock a star off for displeasing the authors
I can watch this movie again and again, only a few problems:

(1) The priceless Buck and Chloe story in Tribulation Force is a little rushed by in the movie.
(2) IVY! I think she's funny, but I just didn't see any reason for her character.(She also helps to spoil the Buck/Chloe scene)
(3) The witnesses were good, but also rushed by.
Generally, I think the casting is great, the message is great, overall the movie is excellent.

Good movie, but doesn't follow book.
Ive read Tribulation Force, and have seen the first movie,and have recently seen this one. Doesn't meet the same quality of the first movie, which closely followed the book. This movie cuts out almost half the book. I mean, it stopped after just showing the two witnesses. It cuts out the signing of the treaty, and Buck and Chloe's relationship, and wedding, along with Rayford new relationship with Amanda White. It just doesn't meet the same standard as the first Left Behind movie. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

You will really feel the heat with this movie!
This version of the Long Hot Summer is an excellent adaption of the earlier movie with Paul Newman and JoAnne Woodward. Don Johnson is perfectly cast as Ben Quick and James Gammon is appropriately smarmy as his dad. Cybill Shepard, William Russ, Jason Robards, Judith Ivey, and Ava Gardner are also well cast in their roles. You start to sweat right along with the characters as their relationships heat up. Don Johnson just oozes sex appeal in every scene. It is easy to get lost in their portrayals, you will want to order a mint julep and sit on the veranda before the night is over!

Oh yes, it's good!
I happened to catch this movie on TV and fortunately for me, taped it. I loved the scenes between Judith Ivey & Don Johnson - in the store & by the river - best love scene I have EVER seen. The scenes between Jason Robbards & Don Johnson makes you feel like you are listening at the door on the veranda. The music is wonderful, different, haunting and adds so much - the direction and shots and the passion - they're all there. I watch this movie once a summer - when it is very hot out. Wish I could see it on the BIG screen.

Don Johnson Hot and Sexy!
I remember watching this movie on NBC. I was in fifth grade and drooling over this sex symbol. Don Johnson played a drifter Ben Quick, who was mysterious and trouble to some of the residents in the small town. Varner, played by the late Jason Robards, was a man who was respected in his community. He liked Quick. Varner had a daughter Noel, who was aloof and would later find herself in the arms of Ben Quick. Sybil Shepard was Eula Varner, the wife of Jody Varner. She cheated on Jody with another man. When she showed up beaten, Jody was quick to believe Ben did it. When the murder of her lover and a fire occurs, Ben is the first suspect.
Ben, being a drifter, attracted women because of his physique and cool attitude. Don Johnson has sex appeal and a collective attitude that made him good for this role.

Long Hot Summer-Remake
Over the years I have ocassionally seen Long Hot Summer with Don Johnson and have enjoyed it tremendously. He and Ivey did a tremendous job together and I felt the match was perfect. The tension between the two kept the movie very interesting. I liked it so much that I've recently bought both the original version and the remake. When I watched the original with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward I was a little disappointed in it. Although I like both Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward I felt their acting in this movie had a little to be desired. Maybe for that time it was good, but after having already seen the remake first I didn't think the original was as good. Definitely purchase the remake and you will enjoy it thoroughly.

even better
I have seen both verson's and as much as I love paul newman I liked the remake better. Don Johnson makes you feel his torment in a way that Paul Newman did not. Judith Ivey was good as the love interest because she was not beautiful. In the original the the brother and the boy friend were play by actors that I like, but their personalitys were too strong for the roles they were playing. The longer running time let the writer develope the chactors better and let the plot, relationships, and suspence build gradually. ... Read more

Reviews (168)

Beautiful film of a bygone era
Sumptuous, delicious, beautiful movie about a white soldier's journey of self-discovery with a Lakota Sioux tribe.

Lt. John Dunbar, a Civil War hero by accident (he was trying to kill himself), gets a second chance at life when he's allowed to choose his next military assignment. He chooses to see the frontier--"before it's gone". Arriving at the fort, he finds it abandoned, disheveled, broken down. As he tries to rebuild the fort and enjoy the scenery, hoping to see buffalo, he befriends a wolf, Two Socks. Eventually the local Indians come to check him out, and Dunbar and his neighbors draw closer through a series of stop-and-start encounters. He draws close enough to become one of them--but then Army life intrudes into the near-idyllic scene.

The details of the prairie and of Sioux village life are breathtaking. The music by John Barry is atmospheric and inspiring. I would hope those viewing the film will ask themselves what it would have been like to live an Indian village, if they would have been up to its demands and open to its possibilities.

An All American Classic!
This movie has everything (wait a minute, of course it does. it won 7 acadamy awards...)you could ever want in a film. Comedy, history, romance, tragedy, EVERYTHING!!! The story is all about John Dunbar, who enlists in the Union in the Civil War, and is stationed out in the middle of nowhere in one of the plain states (I'm not sure which one). He mets a gentle wolf, and he mets an even gentler Sioux tribe who soon befriend him. He falls in love with an English woman who belongs to the tribe because when she was little, A Pawnee tribe killed the rest of her family. The Sioux somewhat addopted her, & she learned to speak the language. They soon fall in love and get married. But all kinds of tragedies befall the tribe - The ongoing war against the Pawnee, The Union army capturing John (Dances with Wolves is his Sioux name), More pioneers taking the Indian's land, not enough buffalo to eat, etc. This movie is SO excellent! If you haven't seen Dances With Wolves, you are missing out on a great American Classic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dances with Wolves Earns Lawrence Award
Dances with Wolves easily earns a position among the all-time-greatest epic motion pictures. Its story and presentation are fresh, honest, real and breathtaking. "Epic" implies the film takes longer to tell its story than the average movie, and that it does. But consider that the correct measure of the length of any film is to track the number of visits your eyes make to your watch during the film. Thus a three-hour movie may seem shorter than a ninety-minute movie. The character development and interaction of this movie invites us to participate, to be there and feel as our hearts share the emotions of characters even as we feel the pleasure from the eye candy provided by the amazing cinematography that takes us across the massive Northern Plaines of the United States. The movie begins in a dramatic scene in which, Kevin Costner, a lieutenant in the Union Army, crawls off the battlefield surgeons table to save his badly injured leg or foot from amputation. Somewhat delirious he takes actions that lead to victory for his troops and ends a deadly stalemate between the two armies. As the hero of the battle the general's surgeon heals his leg and the lieutenant is offered any post he wants. He chooses the most remote post the army has because he wants to see the unspoiled land before it's too late, and the real story begins. A caution to those who think the white man was portrayed unfairly; read unbiased history, then watch the movie again. This movie undertakes allot and it succeeds. This exciting action, drama, western, love-story shows us a great example of a film that can be so absolutely entertaining and educational at the same time. Dances with Wolves entertains as it shows through historical example the importance and consequences of learning about our own preconceptions and learning the potential benefit we may enjoy from learning to respect and accept other beliefs or points of view, to just learning to understand all that we can before making decisions and drawing conclusions in any matter.
Dances with Wolves does all that any movie could be asked to do.

Still no definitive version available to the public
The reason I have decided to comment on this film is because I want to warn everyone that DANCES WITH WOLVES is available in two different versions and BOTH are inferior. As far as the the extended four-hour DVD goes, I can only say this: Who the heck has FOUR blasted hours to spend on one single movie? Why extend a movie that was already dangerously long? There must have been a little controversy over this matter because shortly after its release to DVD, the original three-hour theatrical version became available (thank God)... but guess what? It's only available in a full screen format, which means that HALF of the movie has been cropped out, and yes, we are literally missing HALF of the movie! It surprises me to see that the studio would so blatently pull an act of butchery to an important film of this stature in a day when full screen formats are quickly fading out for the more pleasing 16:9 ratio, which is obviously the future standard.

MYTHOLOGY
Indians are a favorite pet of the liberal establishment. "Dances With Wolves" is a fine movie. Most of them are. Nobody ever said these people are not brilliant. There is no real lie in "Dances" that I can see, but it does seem stylized. The Indians are pictured as peaceful, spiritual conservers of the land. Real-life Indians had every potential of being violent savages without anybody's prompting. Just ask the Mexicans who were systematically robbed by them every harvest until American mountain men with guns were recruited to provide a little security. The soldiers are dumbellionites, as are most of the whites that Kevin Costner "escapes" from in his effort to find the real West. While Indians certainly knew how to preserve the land, an act of necessity for them, they took plenty from it without replenishment. Whites stripped and mined the land, but they also came up with ingenious technologies that re-generated the land.

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

Reviews (8)

BETTY GRABLE , HELLO DOLLY (SISTERS)
BETTY GRABLE, this is 1945 Betty is Queen of Technicolor
Fox want to make a biog of the DOLLY SISTERS, Alice Faye is family bound Alice got a raw deal from Fox with Fallen Angel so she did a runner, Rita Hayworth was busy at Columbia so Betty had to settle for June Haver as co-star Haver was 10 years younger than Grable but it was Betty,s movie in Technicolor

Very promising but doesn't live up
Look alike June Haver and Betty Grable star together in this movie as two blonde sisters. The first hour was very entertaining with several silly songs. June and Betty make a great team. Their voices sound pretty good together.
But the last hour is such a drag. Like "For Me and My Gal", it destroys itself by entering war into the picture. My main complaint however is John Payne's character. He criticizes Jenny's (Betty Grable) career and comes across as a real jerk.
Reading up on what happened to the real Dolly Sisters, it wouldn't have much mattered if the war part was edited out anyway as this was very fictionized.
The only thing I gained from this movie was an appreciation more of Betty Grable's talents. It made me realize there were valid reasons for her success. June Haver is almost as appealing as Betty too. I'll be checking into their other movies. More like 2 1/2.

Great Musicals
One of the top musicals of the 1940s so what's taking so long to get it released on DVD format! More of Grable's films should be made available to enjoy, films like Mother Wore Tights, The Diamond Horse Shoe, Coney Island, I Wake Up Screaming (DVD).

Everything is great
The opening scene with turn of the century New York, the 2 little girls playing the Dolly sisters as youngsters breaking into an "impromptu" dance in the Hungarian cafe, dancing to Gypsy music, the cut to the adult June Haver and Betty Grable doing the same thing in more filled out peasant dresses and showing a lot of "million dollar legs"...Not too many actesses would want to be in an immediate comparison for cuteness with pretty little blond girls, but these two carry it off flawlessly.

The other songs, the scenes in Paris, the story of the romance with John Payne, how they showed the conflict (albiet a bit corny, but believable) of how both of them wanted to assert their individuality and still be together...

This is one of the best musicals I've ever seen. Family values and an adult story tastefully done.

In the "forgotten" old musicals category, I'd also recommend The Perils of Pauline with Betty Hutton, Cover Girl with Gene Kelly and Rita Hayworth.

Jaw-dropping eye candy
The movie shows that Fox was often right up there with MGM when it came to musicals! Surely one of the most brilliantly designed, staged and costumed backstage musicals ever made. The two stars strut their stuff in enough feathers to eradicate several endangered species - and then get it on with a zest and verve that make you instantly fall in love with them. The Dolly Sisters were a vaudeville phenomenon that took the world by storm and although this is merely a typical romanticized Hollywood version of a show business bio it is well worth watching just to get the flavor of what they might have been like. Warning: the "Darktown Strutter's Ball" Follies Bergere number will seem racist by today's standards, but it is beautifully put together, and is one of the first instances of Hollywood even hinting that black women might take their place with the most gorgeous showgirls in the world (though they used white girls in dark makeup to make the point). Color, Music, Style- A+: Story, performances - OK See it for the still-amazing production numbers. ... Read more