Reviews (135)

A Medieval Legend comes to Life
A young thief named Philippe (Matthew Broderick) escapes being hanged and is embroiled in a supernatural tale of love and betrayal. He is rescued from the evil bishop's guards by Navarre (Rutger Hauer) who travels with his trusty steed and his graceful hawk. At night Navarre disappears, leaving Phillipe who meets a beautiful woman (Michelle Pfieffer) and her dangerous wolf. As the bishop's guards close in on them, Navarre and his hawk are wounded. It is then that Philippe meets a drunken monk (Leo McKern) and discovers the horrifying tale that joins the man and woman together. The scenery in this movie is magnificent and the lighting, which was a terrible problem in video versions of this film, has greatly improved making the night scenes enjoyable. Matthew Broderick provides wonderful comic relief. Rutger Hauer is handsome, strong, and plays Navarre perfectly. Michelle Pfieffer is beautiful and graceful. And Leo McKern is.. well Leo McKern, fantastic no matter what he does. A wonderful, magical story of love and friendship triumphing over evil.

Wonderful Fantasy Film
In medieval times, a young thief named The Mouse (Matthew Broderick) escapes from the dungeons from Aquila, led by a menacing Bishop (John Wood). He is saved by a mysterious knight named Navarre (Rutger Hauer), who roams around with a hawk. By night, however, she is a charming beauty (Michelle Pfeiffer) and he is a wolf. The two are in love, but are cursed by the Bishop. So, with the help of a former priest (Leo McKern), The Mouse is determined to help them break the curse and destroy the evil Bishop.

I really love this film. It's one of my top favorite fantasy films of all time. It's also a childhood favorite; they used to show it on the ol' family channel right after Neverending Story. Nostalgia aside, this is a wonderfully made film. You have a traditional medieval story about starcrossed lovers, epic battles, beautiful locales, and humor along the way. I especially liked The Mouse's misconceptions about God and towards the end of the film, he finally has an idea of what's going on. The acting is quite good, especially considering the main three stars were up-and-coming; Broderick just got off of doing WarGames and Ferris Fueller before taking the role. Hard to believe that Rutger Hauer wasn't the original choice for Navarre (it was reported that Kurt Russell was originally selected to play the part) because he makes the role all his own. It's also nice to see him play a hero role, too; for a long time I thought of him as the psychotic replicant from Blade Runner. Of course, Pfeiffer is excellent as she is beautiful, too.

Richard Donner, best known for helming the Lethal Weapon series, directed and co-produced. His wife, Lauren Shuler, produced the film. His directing style here is actually different from most of his films, allowing the beauty of the old landscapes and the fight scenes to be portrayed properly. The screenplay is top-notch, which is no surprise since one of the writers wrote Enemy Mine and the other contributed to the Superman series.

Probably the only quarrel I have with it is the music score by Andrew Powell (one of the members of the Alan Parsons Project). I actually liked the score, especially with its jaunting theme, but one critic described it as "disco-medieval." I can't agree more. It screams the 80s so well that a contemporary score set to a medieval picture seems very inappropriate. Still, a good score despite what people say.

Overall, I highly recommend this fantasy film to anyone that likes the genre. In fact, I recommend it even if you're not because it's such a beautiful film that must be seen. A must-see.

Great movie
I loved the movie, but the Disco Fever music had to go. Otherwise its a great story.

Needs to be releasd with some bonus features.
Just saw this movie the other day and loved it. Warners should re-release as a two disk set with new interviews with Richard Donner and the cast. I would like to hear how they made the movie and what they think of it, all these years later.

In Need Of A Road Map
Here we have the type of story line that most Fantasy enthusiasts with pastel posters of unicorns on their walls reliably swallow like Ecstacy. Albeit much more Fairy Tale than Fantasy (for those followers who discern the difference), "Ladyhawke" is a film thematically purloined from the hey-day of Dungeons & Dragons, alongside such escapist fare as "Dragonslayer" and "Excalibur" and various other 80's-era movies permutating swords, sorcery, dungeons, and dragons into a costumed mystical hootenanny. Only this time the sorcery takes center stage as the story's main plot device, ranking as the Romantic angle which is supposed to entice viewers to care about two "cursed" characters (Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfieffer) wronged by a jealous, tyrannical priest/bishop (John Wood). But don't worry, kids -- there's still ample swords and dungeon stewed into the mix.

Those elements in place, what could have been an interesting and entertaining fairy-tale-adapted-to-big-screen premise takes so many wrong turns it's hard to know where to begin documenting them all. Not that I won't try: the first place to start is with the bottom-shelf performance of the eternally-youthful and highly overated Matthew Brodderick, who slips in and out of the most dreadful excuse for a British accent this side of Kevin Costner. Considering the characters are supposedly all French, one wonders why Brodderick didn't simply go the route of his American co-stars Hauer and Pfieffer, who eschew any pretense towards linguistic affectations and just settle for native U.S. of A. Perhaps he was attempting to measure up to the British cast members who constitute the majority of the film's antagonists, most noteably his former "Wargames" co-star Wood, here doing his darnedest to add Lead Nasty to his resume. But perhaps all actors involved would be a bit more convincing if they weren't provided with dialogue that's as stiff as David Duchovny with lockjaw. (As if I haven't already offended the disassociated Fantasy set, now I'm sure to have the X-Geeks on my case.)

However, as multiple other reviewers have pointed out, perhaps the film's gravest error is the use of Alan Parsons as "soundtrack consultant" -- whatever that means. As best I can tell by the music in the film, it apparently means providing a soundtrack as anachronistically out-of-place as the more recent "A Knight's Tale" -- except in this case, it's arguably worse in that, where "Knight's Tale" made no pretentions towards augmenting the story with an appropriately Medieval music style, "Ladyhawke" commits the sin of appearing to nod a head to traditional symphonic soundtracks while undermining it by utilizing heavily-orchestrated schmaltz-rock in Parsons' signature '70's AOR FM radio style. Without the visuals I'd be hard-pressed to tell whether I was hearing a movie soundtrack or tuning in to a Meco revival. Either way, it's cornball that comes close to out-cornballing the worst Mannheim Steamroller; pseudo-rock that aims to be "sophisticated" but is actually more suited to background diversion while picking out wallpaper samples. In any case, it's laughably ill-conceived for a Medieval Romance.

Still, if you can stomach the gaudy soundtrack, the stilted dialogue and Brodderick's feigned attempt at British theatre, there's enough authentic scenery, settings and costuming to keep one absorbed towards the fairy tale plot resolution. The fact that it's Fantasy-by-the-numbers and features every appropriate cliche (ie., The Dastardly Man of the Cloth, the Thief with the Heart of Gold, The Penitent Religious Hermit, etc) won't deter those with a predilection towards anything remotely smacking of their basement role-playing sessions of yore.

Richard Donner has delivered some very fine films over the course of his career, but the amount of slack I'm willing to cut him for this forgettable cheese-fest is directly proportional to the amount of stylistic input he had in forging the final "Ladyhake" project. For his sake, I'm hoping it wasn't too much. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Romantic comedy - 1950s style
This is truly one of the most entertaining Romantic Comedies I have ever seen. Set in the 1950s, the film exudes this happy-go-lucky innocence that is absolutely charming.

The cast is great, featuring Doug McKeon as a "Fonzie" type guy who wears a leather jacket, and Chris Nash as a nerdy (let's make that VERY nerdy) teenager who is trying his best to lose his virginity. The friendship that develops between this unlikely pair is a treat to see. It makes the movie a feel-good kind of experience that you will savor for days after the credits roll.

The female side includes the lovely Catherine Marie Stewart, playing a wholesome 1950s girl. Kelly Preston plays a shallow & superficial babe who acts as a foil to Stewart's personage. As tender as this all sounds, I would not recommend this film for family viewing. Preston does a nude scene and I must concede.......she has one of the most incredible bodies I've ever seen.

The 1950s Rock & Roll songs in the movie are a wonderful complement to the story on-screen. In truth, I've never cared too much for 50's Rock. However, in this movie I found the songs very refreshing. They did a lot to re-inforce the 1950s feel. In fact, the songs comprise the whole soundtrack - there is no incidental music @ all in the entire film.

If you're looking for an RC movie that covers different territory than the present day movies, you may well like this one. Back to the 50s we go - HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!

Mischief represents America lost in a comical way
Anyone who was living during the 50's or who may be a fan of the time period would be missing out if they failed to sit back and enjoy this movie as I have on numerous occasions. Not only is the movie funny, but the sets and the music are top notch. Mischief gives you a sense of being there or wishing you were there. Doug Mckeon is the star of the movie along with a young Kelly Preston. Many people may not have heard of Mr. Mckeon but he was perfect for his role as Johnathan. Other movies I would recommend include American Graffitti, Back To The Future which includes a trip back to the fifties, Peggy Sue Got Married, Grease, The Wanderers which takes a look at the early 60's, and from a televison series standpoint....Happy Days.

Mischief is a funny comedy about.........
just a typical guy trying to make it with the most popular girl in school.This is one of the best romantic comedy I have ever seen starring a great cast. Doug Mckeon plays the lead as Johnathan a clumsy and not particularly popular boy attending high school in the 50's has one overriding wish in life - to "make it" with the hottest girl in school. With the help of his slick new friend Gene played by Chris nash, his dream just might come true. Also starring Kelly Preston as marilyn the popular girl.
this is a very funny movie.Johanthan finds himself in some crazy and ridiculous situations. I hope that the studio gets the brains and release this film again on vhs/ dvd.
Great film.

One of the best!!!
This is one of my favorite movies of all time! The only thing I could ask for is that it were on DVD!!!

mischief!! one word DVD!!
great fun where is the dvd for peets sake??? cmon already.. this is a cult classic... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

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

Reviews (1)

Gran actuacion de Gregory Peck en excelente western
Only the valiant es un western que cumple con todas las reglas del genero. Sobresalen las actuaciones protagonicas de Peck y de Ward Bond en el papel de soldado borrachin. Es de destacar los valores morales del protagonista que se arriesga a una accion suicida para salvar su honor y el de la caballeria. Es memorable la escena en que el Cap.Lance (Peck) forma a la patrulla para explicarles por que eligio a cada uno para esa mision. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Very Disappointing
My daughter loves the Young Children's Concert with Raffi. We purchased the Rise and Shine Band video in the hopes that she would enjoy it as well. The accompanying Rise in Shine Band is horrible. It sounds more like a Hee-Haw video than a children's video. Raffi did not engage the audience well in this video. In fact, some footage shows children in the audience asleep because it is a painfully dull performance. He does not invite the children to sing sing along with him. It is just NOT FUN! It is painful o watch.

Even adults love it!!
I first heard Raffi In Concert when my 2 year old patient was listening to it. He seemed so mesmerized by it and I saw why. Raffi seem to just have a way with the children in his audience. I fell in love with the video and couldn't wait for my little patient to want to watch it over and over again oppose to his Seasame Street videos. Now I am going to buy my own so I don't
have to wait until I go to work to listen to Raffi In Concert!!

The Baby Nurse
I have played this video for all the babies I have cared for over the last 15 years. It has always been a hit with the infants all the way up to 4 years old ( I don't care for anyone after 4). I have enjoyed it as much as the children, and we always have the CD for the car rides.

Raffi and the rise and shine band is the best!!!!!
I love this video because my nephew really enjoys it.
Every day "raffi and the rise and shine band concert" will play on and on. He never seems to get bored and he is always entertained with music and is taught how to do hand motions for the songs......

Great Children's Music! Good Entertainment for Your Children
Outstanding! This is a magical concert for children. The music is just wonderful. So singable, and the themes are very appropriate and fun for children. So many songs in this concert are Raffi children's classics, like "Baby Beluga," "Like Me and You," "Five Little Ducks," "Rise and Shine," "Everything Grows," "Shake My Sillies Out" and so many more. Raffi is the best songwriter for children.

I recently gave a copy of this as a gift to a three-year old relative, and his mother told me that he also just loves it and always asks to watch it. That's how many kids respond to it. Even older kids and adults like these songs.

This concert is also available on CD (audio). That concert CD was the first Raffi CD my children ever owned, and it is excellent. My children have many fond memories of listening to it in the car on long rides. This concert is sort of the "best of Raffi," except some of his great earlier songs are missing.

I also highly recommened Raffi's other masterpiece concert video "A Young Children's Concert With Raffi." That's Raffi's best concert of all. It's pure magic for toddlers and preschoolers. You can buy three Raffi concerts together on DVD, too. Search Raffi under DVD.

Excellent, quality entertainment for children! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Robert Mitchum Goes To War Without A Rifle
This war picture stands out from the rest with its unusual characters and odd dialogue. Robert Mitchum has a role almost unkown to World War II films, that of a pacifist war correspondent who views war as a futile excercise in which egotistical Generals lead soldiers to slaughter like a butcher stuffing animals into a meat grinder. Mitchum enjoys deflating Generals by reminding them of how foolish mistakes cost lives and the botched operation at Anzio in Italy becomes one of the biggest blunders of all. One of the best scenes has Mitchum chewing out a Commander via a broken radio. Mitchum sums up his frustration perfectly when he is informed no one can hear him. Peter Falk provides some of the strangest moments such as trying to teach a group of prostitutes to sing, 'Bye Bye Blackbird' and when he gives one an excessive tip he tells her to buy something substantial, "like a lawn mower". More of a curiousity than a great accomplishment this film falls just short of an additional star in the rating. Bottom line, Good entertainment you can watch more than once.

Historically Inaccurate but Entertaining
The Allied landing at Anzio was not unopposed. Allied forces were bogged down in trench fighting for almost three weeks before they could move inland against the Germans. In this film facts get turned around but the basic story is intriguing. A rather stoic Robert Mitchum plays a pacifist battle-hardened war correspondent who must come to grips with his own convictions. Under Edward Dmytryk's direction Mitchum's character seems to have more military smarts than the professionals do, thus making his character a bit of a conundrum. That's what makes this film so interesting. Peter Falk, Earl Holliman and Reni Santoni are good as the stereotypical GIs that Mitchum goes out on patrol and has to fight his way back with. Riz Ortolani created a good suspenseful score and there are some really good action sequences. The good cast, which is a great asset, includes Robert Ryan, Arthur Kennedy, Patrick Magee and Mark Damon.

Anzio - Two Stars
You're in trouble when you begin loathing a movie during the opening credits. A jeep drops off the a dusty uniformed Robert Mitchum and the camera follows him up a flight of stairs and past a couple of security check points, through some large palace rooms. There are gigantic paintings on the wall, the wealth of ancient Italy. We follow him into the first scene of the movie, the opening oh-oh.
A sizable crowd of American GIs, with a few stray prostitutes here and there, are in a huge hall of the palace. One soldier hangs from a monster chandelier, while the other soldiers taunt, hoot and throw oranges and such at him. Apparently he's trying to break a "How long can you stay on the chandelier" record. A herd of "elite Canadian Rangers" enter, shepherded by Corporal Peter Falk, and naturally the veggie throwing thugs attack them. Well, boys will be boys, and I suppose trashing an ancient palace can and should be written off to youthful exuberance.
Meanwhile, disillusioned journalist Robert Mitchum, kind of the anti-Ernie Pyle in this one, drags a long necked bottle of wine and the cynical sergeant Earl Holliman and makes for the balcony for a moment of intense character exposition. It looks like they're in a room with a blue mountain scene painted on the tapestry. I swear I saw Mitchum's shadow on the mountain behind him. Then battered Corporal Peter Falk enters the balcony, and you see by a reverse shot that they're supposed to be outdoors. Maybe it worked better on the big screen.
The movie is about American's invasion of Anzio as seen through the eyes of a pacifist journalist. The landing is unopposed, and Mitchum requisitions a jeep and, along with Falk, discover that the road to Rome, the ultimate destination, is open. Rome can be in Allied hands in a few days, if they move fast enough.
Allied high command decides to dig in instead, which allows the German's the time to create a Caesar Line to oppose advance. Some time later Holliman's battalion, with the un-armed Mitchum along for the story, advances cautiously towards Rome, led by ranger Falk.
It's too late, of course, (damn timid high command), and most of the battalion is killed or captured. A handful of them make it and they escape their valley of death by the clever clearing of a mine field.
Frankly, the script is a mess. There are references made to Salerno, where the invasion was hampered by precipitate action - the fools rushed in when they should have dug in. At Anzio the fools SHOULD have rushed in, but they dug in instead. The fog of war being what it is, my sympathy is with the high command in this movie, but I guess that's beside the point. ANZIO was made we questioned authority as a matter of course, especially military authority.
The best war movies rush forward. ANZIO meanders and makes some odd stops on its way to the battlefield. Take, for instance, the strange scene of Peter Falk teaching the prostitutes to sing "Bye, Bye, Blackbird." It takes way too long, it has nothing to do with the story proper, and it ambiguously establishes his character. It looks like an ad-lib job and should never have been shot in the first place.
A couple of the action scenes that take place behind the enemy line work pretty well, especially when the survivors come across the white dog and later when they encounter a snipers' nest.
I'm a big fan of Robert Mitchum, and I think he's effective as the weary iconoclast. Holliman and the other soldiers are okay in roles that don't demand a whole lot from them. Falk's improvisational style is way out of place here. The movie grinds to a halt every the camera centers on him.
The ending, the liberation of Rome, is tacked on at the end. The real end of the movie is the moment Mitchum discovers the answer to his question, "Why do we fight and kill each other?" The answer is pretty thin and unsatisfying, perfectly in keeping with the rest of the movie.

A decent movie..
Anzio is a decent war movie, filled with exciting battles and a platoon's cat-n-mouse struggle to avoid the enemy long enough to find their way back to their own lines. Robert Mitchum plays a news correspondent who's assigned to cover the invasion of Anzio by a company of U.S. Rangers. When their company is ambushed by the Germans, him and a small handfull of soldiers (Peter Falk and Earl Holliman co-star) escape the trap, but then face having to find their way back to safety through miles of enemy territory. A fairly standard World War II movie based on the actual Anzio battle itself, but more or less using it as a back drop for the fictionalized battle hilighted in the film. There's a totally silly scene with Robert Falk and three local lovelies in the back of an ambulance that should have hit the editing room floor. And Mitchum himself hams it up a bit while denouncing the war in a flag waving manner. But overall Anzio is a fun movie, especially for war movie lovers. Popcorn anyone?

Bad Movie, Bad History
This is probably the worst movie Robert Mitchum ever made. Aside from the usual Hollywood anti-war cliches, it offers a silly plot, a script full of loose ends and improbable doings, and a ridiculously distorted picture (or lack of picture) of the Anzio landings. If Mitchum wasn't ashamed of this movie, he should have been. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A great movie that reflected the time it was made
Paul Winfield through this movie reflected the Black Consciousness Movement in America in the early 1970's. A clip of a wall sprayed with "Free Huey: Power to the people" is just a taste of it. Gordon's war against the pushers reflected the Black Panthers and other groups crusade against the Heroin epidemic that was raging in Harlem and other poor Black neighborhoods at the time.

A GREAT MOVIE!
This is one the best movies of the blaxploitation era, which strangely, didn't acquired the cult status that SUPERFLY, SHAFT & COFFY enjoy today. This movie has a great cast: a very young Paul Winfield(Gordon), Carl Lee ( Bee; who also played "Eddie" in SUPERFLY ), Gilbert Lewis ( Spanish Harry ) and a cameo role by a then very young unknown Grace Jones ( Mary ). The plot is catching: Gordon, a green beret vet from the Vietnam war returns home to find that out that his wife died victim of drugs. From that moment on, Gordon starts a war against all the pushers & drug dealers to get the dope out of Harlem. He recruits a few friends to help him stage this bloody battle against, mainly, Spanish Harry, the Big Shot of Harlem! The movie is fast paced with plenty of action and clever(70s) dialogue. Also the soundtrack is wonderful too. Songs like "Child Of Tomorrow", a beautiful sad ballad sung with deep soulness by Barbara Mason & "Come On And Dream Some Paradise",great funky music by New Birth, contributes as much to the plot as the visuals of the movie. This is an action movie with a message and a heart! I almost cried the first time I saw the ending of this movie back in 1973. I wish someone can make the soundtrack of this movie available again! Trust me on this one: GET THIS MOVIE! ... Read more

Description

What do you do when you have a beautiful house, two great children, and a Marriage on the Rocks? If you're bored Val Edwards (Deborah Karr), you swap your fuddy-duddy hubby Dan (Frank SInatra) for his swingin' bachelor best friend Ernie (Dean Martin) - and watch the spraks fly. Ol' Blue Eyes breezes through this romantic comedy romp at the head of an all-star cast. Along for the laughs are frequent Sinatra co-stars Martin, Cesar Romero, and Tony Bill, plud daughter Nancy Sinatra and Kerr. The fun starts when the Edwards take a second honeymoon in Mexico and fall into the hands of the quickie-divorce/quickie-marriage lawyer Romero. Faster then jumping beans, everybody's unhitched, rehitched, confused, confounded, and cohabitating. But Dan has the right attitude. "We had a bad marriage", he says. "Let's have a happy divorce!" ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Delight
This is a great movie. If you love Frank Sinatra, you'll love this one. It is a light hearted comedy, with all the charm and pizazz that Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin give the screen. You will smile all from beginning to end at all the confusion that erupts. It is must see for all the fans of 1950s and 1060s movies. ... Read more

Reviews (100)

Best of the Big Bad Bugs!
Yes, the special effects are very much of the 1950s, but those effects are fun to watch--and unlike most other 1950s sci-fi/horror films, THEM! has a lot more going for it than special effects alone: sharp and aggressive performances, a cast of truly memorable supporting actors, a witty and intelligent script, and best of all (unlike many other films of its era) a story that can still generate plenty of suspense.

The grand-daddy of all mutant-monster movies, THEM! concerns a colony of A-Bomb-created giant ants that have lurked in the desert unnoticed until the colony begins to divide. When newborn queen ants take flight, the world is in danger--particularly Los Angeles, where a nest establishes itself in the city's largely forgotten storm drains. Edmund Gwynne and Joan Weldon give strong performances as the father-daughter scientific team sent from Washington to investigate, and James Whitmore and James Arness give able support as the action-heros of the piece. Fess Parker is also very effective in a small supporting role.

The real winner in the film, however, are the clever cinematography and sound effects that build tremendous suspense, particularly when investigators must enter the desert ant nest and later track the ants to their Los Angeles lair. These scenes possess a claustrophobic feel not seen again in any sci-fi/horror flick until ALIEN. Without graphic gore but more than a few serious thrills, THEM! is a film the whole family can enjoy.

Finally this 1954 scifi landmark Classic comes to DVD!!
In the 1950's the world was testing A-bombs, Hydrogen Bombs, strange results were beginning to appear & Hollywoods imagination was added to the theories. The results a series of movies about radioactive mutated creatures. The first was "THEM".

"THEM" (1954) is a landmark movie about giant radiation-mutated ants that gets better with age and boasts remarkable, Academy Award-nominated special effects.

Summary: Our story begins in a New Mexico desert with a shocked wandering child, destroyed general store & battered corpse full of enough formic acid to kill 20 men. The search begins to find & destroy these menacing insects. The giant mutated ants are on the move and the climatic battle is in over 700 miles of Los Angeles sewers.

An ALL-STAR cast led by James Whitmore, James Arness and Edmund Gwenn.

Special Features include; Behind the Scenes Archive footage, Montage & Operation on the Giant Ants, & film trailer.

This was the first and probably the best movie featuring the worlds & Hollywoods take on the possible results of radioactive mutation.

"THEM" in a great Black & White Standard version (Original theatrical exhibition) digitally restored presenting a very exceptional picture & sound. This sci-fi classic is worth the price of addmission so get out the popcorn and ENJOY!!

You Can't Stop "Them"!
In the late 1940's and 1950's the USA and the Soviet Union repeatedly tested nuclear bombs. In the USA the early tests were done in the desert southwest, and the mushroom clouds could be seen for dozens of miles (and the noise could be heard for hundreds of miles). As scientists measured the increased levels of radiation in milk served to schoolchildren and their parents built bomb shelters in their backyards, Hollywood decided to take the cold war paranoia which made the fifties so unique and create a new type of sci-fi/horror movie - the "mutant monster" film. Along with the original "Godzilla", 1954's "Them" is one of the best of the lot. It starts out in the New Mexico desert, where two state troopers discover a mobile home that's been ripped apart by some unknown animal. The adults are missing, but they do find a terrified little girl (a creepy Sandy Descher) who's so shocked that she can't talk and simply stares wide-eyed and zombie-like at the policemen. A fierce sandstorm blows up, and the troopers then arrive at a local general store that's been ripped apart like the trailer. Curiously no money or valuables were stolen, but sugar has been spread everywhere, and the owner's corpse is found. He had emptied his shotgun at his attacker before being killed with a massive injection of acid. The troopers also find some tracks from an "unknown" large animal. Baffled by this turn of events, one trooper takes the mute little girl to a hospital. The other trooper stays behind to guard the store, but he is attacked and killed by an unknown assailant. The next day Robert Graham (a pre-Gunsmoke James Arness), an FBI agent, arrives to help with the investigation. Soon they are joined by two scientists from the Agriculture Dept. in Washington - the eccentric but brilliant Dr. Harold Medford (a scene-stealing Edmund Gwenn) and his lovely daughter and assistant, Dr. Pat Medford (Joan Weldon). The scientists have a hunch that the "unknown" animal that killed the storeowner and destroyed the buildings was - a giant ant! The ants had been at the site of the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico in 1945, and the radiation has caused them to mutate to an enormous, man-eating size. Soon our heroic quartet is involved in a race against time to find and destroy the ant's colony before they can reproduce and spread across the world. When the queen ant and some male escorts escape the search becomes even more frantic, and leads to a final showdown in the vast sewers of Los Angeles. This film features fine performances by all three of the male leads - James Whitmore as the gruff-but-warm-hearted New Mexico cop, Arness as the quintessentially stern and macho 1950's movie hero, and Gwenn as the quirky ant expert. Although the special effects are obviously primitive by today's standards, "Them" actually had a larger budget than most fifties sci-fi movies, and the ants themselves were an impressive creation for their time. This film also features an impressive number of cameos by future celebrities, including Fess Parker of "Davy Crockett" fame in a hilarious role as a hillbilly pilot who sees three "ant-shaped" UFOs buzzing his airplane. When he tells his story he is declared "crazy" and locked in a mental hospital. Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek's "Mr. Spock") also has a tiny cameo. "Them" was so successful that it was followed by a string of imitators, but it remains superior to all of them. This DVD offers a neat featurette on how they made the giant ant puppets work, but it has few other "extras". However, the film itself is more than worth the relatively cheap sticker price, IMO. Recommended!

A great 1950s horror classic
This adventure was perhaps the best of the mutant-insect monster films that were so popular in the 1950s. In this story, huge, fearsome eight-foot ants were spawned as a result of nuclear testing in the New Mexico desert, and they wreak havoc in the White Sands area, where several people are missing or found dead under mysterious circumstances. The FBI enters the case and they enlist the expertise of two entomologists to help uncover the disappearance of missing persons and the awful realization of what has been taking place in the desert. A nest of the mutant ants is found and destroyed but the queen has already taken flight and must be found before she can hatch another batch of monsters. Eventually, the nest is discovered in a system of storm drains below the streets of Los Angeles, and sets the stage for a tense finish. The black and white cinematography is moody, and the good music score has an eerie, haunting quality that suggests a terrifying, unknown evil.

Great Film For Fans Of The Genre!
Them! has always been one of my favorite 50's American monster flicks. The story and the human drama are very well done and do not overdo themselves.
Really the only sour part about this film is the ants' screen time is very limited, but sweet when they are on screen!
A must have for those who are fans of the genre! ... Read more

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No one even bothers to argue about it any more--by any standard and international consensus, this is the best movie musical of them all. Its arcane, unlikely milieu is Hollywood during the transition in the late 1920s from silent to sound motion pictures. Its reason for being was producer Arthur Freed's desire to use the catalog of songs he had written with Nacio Herb Brown in the '20s and '30s for various shows and movies. But, ironically, it's now the soundtrack that seems cobbled together from disparate sources, while the movie itself remains seamless. That's thanks to a literate screenplay by Adolph Green and Betty Comden and ebulliant acting and dancing by the young Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. Jean Hagen is especially brilliant as the silent-screen star whose speaking voice is so screechy she has to be dubbed for talkies. Kelly codirected with Stanley Donen, and both can take credit for a masterpiece. Musical standouts are "You Were Meant for Me," "Good Morning" and "All I Do Is Dream of You." Visually, the indelible image will always be Kelly sloshing around in puddles while singin' in the rain. That said, this coupling of video with a definitive version of the soundtrack benefits from Rhino's meticulous reconstruction of the material and extensive annotations, which only enhance our grasp of this film and musical legend's gestation. ---Robert Windeler ... Read more

Reviews (223)

The Citizen Kane of musicals
So many films in my collection are "important", "serious", "disturbing", or "great", and as much as I treasure them (films like Citizen Kane, Vertigo, and Ran), there is only so much self-importance a person can take before the pores fairly scream out for something just plain fun; something slight, buoyant, silly, and full of energy. Singin' in the Rain is just that kind of movie. The funny part is, I generally HATE musicals!

In 1951, Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen took a collection of songs by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown and - assisted by a pitch-perfect screenplay from the writing team of Adolph Green and Betty Comden - sculpted one of the great classic fusions of popular cinematic art and precision dance craft. It is the Citizen Kane of musicals: a virtual catalog of musical film technique, executed flawlessly.

But that alone would not be enough to separate Singin' in the Rain from the kind of musical I can't stand (which is to say, just about every other musical ever made). No, what makes this one special is that it knows what it is and celebrates it. It never for a moment asks you to forget you're watching a movie and then grinds to a screeching halt for the musical number. Instead, it deconstructs itself before your very eyes (and ears) as a razor-sharp, self-aware satire of the movie industry - as well as a joyous expression of the pure ecstasy of great song and dance. In that sense, it is one of the few so-called musicals that actually achieves a genuine symbiosis of drama, music, and kinetic performance art.

If all this sounds rather gushing and pretentious, so be it. This is great film-making. It is Rolex Oyster Perpetual film-making. This DVD edition sparkles with ultra-saturated colors, digitally remixed Dolby 5.1 sound, and some terrific extras (even if you're not particularly into musicals).

My favorite sequence is the eerily fluid dance work between Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse against a Dali-esque background near the end of the film. Charisse is spellbinding as she trails a gravity-defying veil that must be 30 feet long. It hangs in the air, suspended by wind machines as she uses her extraordinary dance skill (and fantastic legs) to affect a wordless seduction of Kelly's naive, love-struck hero. Great stuff.

Even if you don't think of yourself as the "musical type", give Singin' in the Rain a try. After all that heavy, bitter, existential cinema, it makes one helluva fine dessert.

THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSICAL
Once upon a time there was a place called HOLLYWOOD. It wasn't just a town or even an industry, it was a state of mind. They didn't call the studios Dream Factories for nothing. This film is the epitome of the musical art and craft. This is a real "Movie Movie," made entirely on the MGM lot. The real creme de la creme of MGM contributed to it's creation; produced by Arthur Freed, starring Gene Kelly (with a brilliant turn by the dazzling ,long-legged Cyd Charisse), contract players like Debbie Reynolds and Kathleen Freeman (still going strong, currently appearing on Broadway in "The Full Monty") with costumes by my favorite designer Walter Plunkett (Gone With The Wind, 7 Brides For 7 Brothers, etc). Check out the sumptuous designs for the "Beautiful Girls" number and the outrageous spider dress at the opening night party. The real lowdown is that Jean Hagen and Donald O'Connor practically steal the show from the leads in possibly the best performances of their careers. This film is pure joy. The script by Comden and Green is not only clever but actually goofs on a real period of transition of the American film from silent to talkie.It is also a brilliant job of recycling a trunkload of old songs. This happy film has the courage to do what American musicals and comedies do best: be silly and make you forget you troubles for an hour and a half. Next time you are in bed with the flu or trying to get over a miserable love affair, take a look at Singing In The Rain. It can't help but curl up the corners of your mouth and drive the clouds away.

Wonderful Musical with Terrific Dancing -- a Trifle Dated
"Singin' in the Rain" is the definitive Hollywood musical, and charms and delights our 21st century audiences despite the (very few) characteristics of the genre that don't hold up quite so well.

There are so many high points to this movie -- the amazing cast, the songs, the choreography, and, most surprisingly, the satirical send-up of Hollywood and the "star system."

The plot is well-known. Silent film star couple, Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly, who also co-directed with Stanley Donen) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are America's sweethearts. At a Hollywood premiere of their latest romance, breathless fans ignore sidekick Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor, in perhaps the best sidekick performance in film history) and scream in delight as Lockwood and Lamont pander to their adoration. Nobody, however, seems to notice that the gorgeous Lamont never speaks . . .

Her imposed silence Lamont has a voice that recalls a cat with its tail caught in a wringer, although Lamont is such a "dumb blonde" (bless Hagen -- nobody ever played this stereotype better!) that she is blissfully unaware of her screech. No matter, 'cause it's the silent film era, right? Wrong! Progress brings in "The Jazz Singer" and the era of "talkies." No longer will clever staging of press events suffice.

Soon, Don Lockwood is staring career meltdown in the face as the first Lockwood-Lamont "talkie" sends the audience into hysterics. Not only is Lamont's screech audibly offensive, they can't keep the sound synchronized to the film, and the sound editing even when in synch is as amateurish as a high-school film production.

What to do? Fortunately, Lockwood had fallen for young, beautiful Kathy Selden (a teenage Debbie Reynolds), a starlet in the making. Cosmo comes up with the idea of dubbing Selden's voice for Lamont's, and all is fixed . . . or not. Lamont, an imbecile but smart enough to know her value, insists on ruining Selden's career to preserve her own . . . and so on and so forth.

The plot, ingenious as it is, is really secondary. The main delight in this movie is the amazing dancin' and singin' that the performers offer up. While most of it is pretty silly, campy stuff (particularly the Kelly-O'Connor set pieces), they simply dazzle. Kelly is the most robust, athletic dancer of his generation, and O'Connor, well, the man doesn't have a bone in his body. While the movie's most famous scene comes from Kelly splashing in puddles during the title track, the most amazing dance number has to be O'Connor's comic flailings in "Make 'Em Laugh," where he runs up walls, flirts with a mannequin, and generally pulls out all stops.

Debbie Reynolds does a magnificent job keeping up with these two giants, and is generally a pleasure to watch, even though she's clearly outclassed as a hoofer.

While some great old films seem to get better with age (think "Casablanca," "Gone With the Wind," and "Citizen Kane"), "Singin' in the Rain" is an American classic that does not hold up quite so well in some minor respects. For example, when breaking into choreographed step, Kelly, O'Connor, and Reynolds sometimes appear too rigid, with smiles frozen on their faces, which is incongruous to those raised on more modern musicals like "Moulin Rouge," where the dancers take a more naturalistic, emotional approach to their dancing. The dancing in "Singin'" holds up, but the performers were constrained by the expectations of their audiences, which somehow demanded that the performers "look pleasant" while dancing.

Still, "Singin' in the Rain" remains one of the best tonics to a foul mood ever . . . I defy you to watch this movie and not feel a smile creeping over your face.

The Best Musical Comedy Ever Produced!
I fell in love with this film when I was seven years old; I watched it on a B&W television on "The Early Show" in NY (circa 1957 or 1958). I didn't know who any of the stars were - it didn't matter. It was magic to me. From the Hollywood opening (dignity, always dignity), the romp of the elocution lessons (Moses supposes his toes are roses!), and the trial and mostly error of trying to record the sound ("I can't make love to a BUSH!") when the gorgeous leading lady has a voice that rivals nails on a blackboard, all the way to the grown man dancing in the rain and the final rising curtain - pure magic. In glorious black and white - at the time, I didn't even know it HAD colour! I decided then and there, this was my absolute all-time favourite movie. (One of the highlights of my adult life was seeing this wonder on a full, big screen at a revival in the 1970s.) I have seen many films since then; I have reviewed them for friends & family, written reviews for a monthly entertainment publication. I have an extensive collection of my own (VHS & DVD). I know a lot more about films and production values now.

"Singin'in the Rain" remains my all-time favourite film. (No surprise, this.) It's not just another one of "those MGM musicals." It was released in 1952. Dated stuff? Not a bit. Unlike the marvelous "An American in Paris," which was done as a contemporary film to its time, "Singin' in the Rain" is a period film, and it's based in fact.

This film (which started out to be a western for Howard Keel) takes a fond and loving look at the birthpains of the sound film (the "talkies). Set in 1927, with authentic equipment from MGM's own history (Debbie Reynolds drives Andy Hardy's old jalopy, the microphones are real), it details the frantic efforts to get on the sound bandwagon - no one was completely sure of the new technology. What makes the plot classic is the basis in fact. Many silent stars had totally unacceptable voices or speech (too nasal, unintelligible foreign accents, too high, too low, etc.) for sound production. The songs used were true to the period.

Then we have the performers. Jean Hagen was nominated for an Academy Award for her role of Lina Lamont. The character (whose voice you don't hear for the first 10+ minutes of the film, although she's on-screen) is a one-of-a-kind. [Side note: the voice dubbing Lina's line is actually Hagen's normal voice, not that of Debbie Reynold's Kathy Selden.] Reynolds does an admirable job - it couldn't have been easy keeping up with her two male co-stars. It's still a joy to see Donald O'Connor's "Make 'em Laugh," and wonderful to see Gene Kelly teamed with a good male partner for "Fit as a Fiddle" and "Moses". Gene Kelly is, and always shall be, the best and this was done at his peak.

Of course, for anyone who has been living in the back of a cave under a rock (or too young to appreciate it), the title number is a delight. It looks like one continuous take, it is so smooth. This was not the first appearance of the song, but it's the one we all remember. The sheer exuberance of Kelly's performance carries us right along with him.

The extras with this set are valued items for anyone like me who is interested in the backstory of the era and this film in particular. And don't fuss for a widescreen version. This is the way it was. And now it always will be.

Thoroughly entertaining musical
I have to say first of all that I am *not* at all a fan of musicals (or comedies for that matter) - I am a drama fan. I have seen a few musicals here and there over the years and tried to like them - such as 1964's "My Fair Lady" and 1961's "West Side Story." I liked both of them *somewhat,* but not too much - because I have always strongly preferred films that are realistic --> in real life, people don't burst into song when they are in one particular circumstance or another. Yet, I couldn't help enjoying myself with a smile on my face as I watched this film that landed so high (#10) on AFI's list of the top 100 American films of all time. Donald O'Connor, in particular, as Cosmo, was so perfectly cast in his role. The film was at times hilarious and at times wonderfully romantic. I definitely would recommend everyone to try this film out. B+. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

One thing Shirley Temple did extremely well (besides sing, dance, and act) was turn the cranky cuddly. She'd done it effectively, two years prior, in 1935's The Little Colonel with grandfather Lionel Barrymore. Now in Heidi she turns her reclusive grumpy grandfather, Adolf (Jean Hersholt), into the loving sort she knows he really is. Heidi is an orphan, dumped into the Swiss Alps by self-centered Aunt Dete (Mady Christians) onto a grandfather she's never known, but they soon learn to love each other. Heidi's mercenary aunt returns and sells (!) Heidi to a cruel woman, appropriately named Fraulein Rottenmeier (Mary Nash). Adolf sets out on a quest to find his granddaughter. Meanwhile, Heidi charms Klara Sesemann (Marcia Mae Jones), the wealthy handicapped girl in Fraulein Rottenmeier's care. Look for a delightful Arthur Treacher as the Sesemann butler. There's a cute fantasy production number, "In Our Little Wooden Shoes," featuring Temple in various period costumes. Throughout Heidi, Temple is, as always, wonderfully joyful. This is perhaps the best-known rendering of the popular children's story by Johanna Spyri (it's been filmed some 10 times). --N.F. Mendoza ... Read more

Reviews (29)

A wonderful movie
When eight-year-old Heidi (played by Shirley Temple) is orphaned, her maternal Aunt Dete (Mady Christians) takes her to live with her gruff and unsociable paternal grandfather, Adolph Kramer (Jean Hersholt). Through her sweetness and love, she brings the Grandfather out of his shell, and back into the company of men. Disaster strikes when Aunt Dete steals Heidi away to be the companion of a rich man's invalid daughter (Marcia Mae Jones). Showing nothing but kindness to all around her, she holds out hope that somehow she will be reunited with her grandfather and all of her friends. [Black-and-white, created in 1937, with a running time of 1 hour, 28 minutes.]

Perhaps a little saccharin compared to today's movies (thank God!), Heidi still has a powerful storyline. Combining rich dialogue with beautiful scenery, this movie even includes a sleigh-chase scene! I must also mention that this movie includes Arthur Treacher (playing Andrews the Butler), one of my personal favorites.

This movie is such a wonderful echo from another time. I must say that I doubt that the Hollywood of today could produce such an uplifting story, full of wonderful values. I have two children (7 and 10), and this was a great movie to watch with them, having nothing objectionable--in fact quite to the contrary. So, if you have children, then I can't recommend this movie enough!

CLASSIC TEMPLE
The classic European tale, done up vehicle for Shirley is an excellent choice for Temple, allowing for a couple of musical routines done as dream sequences. Heidi is an orphan who warms the heart of her bitter grandfather (Jean Hersholt) who has not spoken since his son ran away with a girl. Marcia Mae Jones is touching as the invalid whom Heidi befriends,and Mary Nash is the nasty governess. Mady Christians plays Aunt DeDe, the cruel aunt. Children will love this movie and it's available colorized.

It's Okay....
I didn't see anything totally special or touching about this movie. The Alps don't even look that pretty. If you want to see the best Heidi I suggest watching the 1993 version of it.

Fox owes Shirley Temple and her fans better
I've always loved this movie and was thrilled to get it on DVD but the picture quality is horrendous. This is the worst DVD I've ever seen from a major studio. The colorized version was done back in the 80's before the process was refined and it looks awful. The black and white version is even worse. It looks like someone dragged the film down the street and then transfered it to DVD. Shame on Fox for leaving this version the only one available.

Shirley Temple delivers again!
I thought this was a great make movie of Joanna Spyri's timeless classic Heidi. They got all the characters right, and they at least got the plot right this time. I hope they come out with more books made into movies like this!

Heidi is a little orphan girl left under the care of her isolated Grandfather Adolf Kramer by her neglectful Aunt Didi. Heidi makes the best of staying with her Grandfather and learns to like it. Without knowing, she is bringing the life back into her Grandfather all by just being herself. When both soon learn to love each other, and Heidi gets the town to like her Grandfather again, Didi comes back and sells Heidi to a rich family in Frankfurt, Germany. There, she meets Clara, the invalid daughter of Heir Sessman. Heidi tries to teach her to walk, but she's too afraid, for both of them know that Frauline Rottenmeir the housekeeper doesn't want Clara to get better. The old woman makes Hiedi's stay there even worse by threatening her, and even smashing both Clara's, and Heidi's breakable Christmas presents. Heidi must get back to the Alps of Switzerland fast or else she'll sold to the Gispsies by evil Rottenmier.

Shirley Temple was a great actress for Heidi. If they tried, they couldn't get a better Heidi. She delivers all the time. The noly movie I don't recommend with her in it is the Blue Bird. That was boring as heck. I do recommend Curly Top though, and Wee Willy Winky. Those are both classics along with Heidi. Instant 5 stars! ... Read more

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Zach Galligan, the star of the first Gremlins, is back, along with Phoebe Cates, his girlfriend from the first film. They're both working in an ultramodern skyscraper owned by a Donald Trump clone (a hilarious John Glover). Galligan's furry little buddy is captured by a mad scientist, who not only helps it multiply, but invests the nasty, scaly offspring with intelligence and the ability to talk. (Watch for the one that has Tony Randall's voice.) What follows is imaginative mayhem that spoofs old movies, modern television, and the conveniences of postmodern technology. In some ways, the sequel is even more inventive and laughter-inducing than the original. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Gremlins 2--The New Batch
Director Joe Dante ("Pirahna") is back at the helm after a six-year hibernation, continuing the story of those mischevious mutant monsters. This time, they invade a futuristic New York office complex run by a billionare, and only Galligan and Cates can save the day. Just as exciting, scary, and humorous as the original, "Gremlins 2" is unique in it's slapstick and laid back approach that actually works in various ways. If you're looking for a fun 2-hour romp with little green goblins, a cute furry pet, many crude sexual jokes, and a pulse-pounding musical score, this film is certainly for you. Director: Joe Dante. Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Robert Prosky, Robert Picardo, Christopher Lee, Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph. Rated PG-13 for slapstick violence and profanity. 114 minutes.

Better Than The First!!!
Gremlins 2 brings us to New York City. Billy and Kate now work for building magnate Daniel Clamp. After Mr. Ving's death, Gizmo comes back into their lives after a daring rescue by Billy from a genetic research lab. Of course, Gizmo gets wet and havoc reigns superme in New York-gremlins-style. Everyone's favorite new gremlin is the talking Brain Gremlin, played to perfection by Odd Couple legend Tony Randall. My favorite gremlin, however, is one I call the Sex Gremlin, an all-green female who literally falls for Mr. Forrester, the company's gremlin-disbelieving floor manager, which makes the chessy but funny men's room wedding scene at the end of the film my absolute favorite. Billy's father at the end of the first movie said it best: "Look out all the windows, check in all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, cause you never can tell, there just might be a gremlin in your house!" Well, New York, you better start doing the same. Because the Gremlins and Gizmo are back with a vengance. Give this movie a rent and just see what I mean.

Gremlins in Gotham
I'm not saying this just because I am a New Yorker, but GREMLINS 2--THE NEW BATCH is slightly better than the original. First, it's a much less mean-spirited film than the first (which I also gave five stars, but for different reasons). Just the fact that a character who was crushed to death in the first film, shows up in the sequel (wearing a small cast) because he really was likeable, shows that Joe Dante and the scriptwriters were going into this film for the fun of it. Second, the casting was flawless. Whoever chose Tony Randall to do the voice of the strangely-William F. Buckley-sounding, intellectual gremlin was responding to nothing short of divine inspiration. Everyone involved in this production had their hearts in the right places and the effect shows. GREMLINS 2--THE NEW BATCH is an astounding piece of comic fantasy and horror that should endure.

Gremlins 2/a very cool film.
Gremlins 2 is a nice film that is even better than the original. I like how it spoofs everything,and I love the new gremlins.The first batch looked sort of rough and raggedy[but still interesting],while the new batch is bright and vivid.Plus,Gizmo was a blast.I am REALLY looking forward to a third sequal,with CGI/Animatronic gremlins[a sort of Jurassic Park thing].Gremlins 2 is a wild and rowdy romp.

A shocking sequel
This is the amazing squel to the First Gremlins. It begins shortly after the Chiness man recruit Gizmo. A few years have gone buy the old Chinese man that had taken care of Gizmo before an after he meet Billy . This movie has some fun scenes. The weeding in the mens rest room at the end is hillarious. So is the sense with Gizmo working out one when he is lift a bar bell and falls through the floor. Anothew one when he punches a punch bag and get hit back in the face.

The only bad thing about the second gremlins is you see Gizmo being tortured in it a lot more than you did in the first one. It has zany funny monments. The part when Gizmo dress up like Rambo and makes a boy an arrow out of the close hanger. The part when Bill is talking and suddenly the screen goes funny the gremlin appear on the screen a do the shadow puppets is hysterically.

However unlike in the first one not all the gremlins is killed the one Female on survives. Did i mention some of gremlins are genetically alltered by drink chemicals. One of the Gremlins turns in eletricity and shocks and eletricuts ever living creature he touches.

My favorite gremlin is the one that drinks some short of chemical that makes him smarter allows him to talk in english. There is some gore and lot s of violence in it. The scariest is the spidger gremlin who ends up being huge. He dies he burns to death at the end.

He was really mean to Gizmo and is shown tocture gismo like Half a dozen times during the movie. The other Gremlins do not like gizmo because he is a misfit. Unlike them he is kind and good and does not like hurt and playing pranks on other creatures.

The nastiest parts in the movie is when one Gremlin acts Dangle Clamp and he forces it down a paper shreder were it is slice to pieces. She is gus us out of the shreder the lock like liquidfied spinch. If you like this I recomend seeing Gremlins as weell as the Critters series which was enspired by the Gremlins series. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

unbiased and informative
This series, presented by Walter 'most trusted man in America' Cronkite is good for anyone one wanting to view an unbiased account of the Vietnam war. There is no Barber's Adagio over the footage, no critical narration - it lets the footage and facts speak for itself - boo-koo information as a VET would say. ... Read more

Description

A boy trying to free a bear cub from its cruel circus owners enlists the help of a real mountain man (Dan Haggerty, "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams") in this wonderful adventure for all ages. Heroes can come from any time...but heroism is timeless. A rugged adventure set in the splendor of the Pacific Northwest, "Escape to Grizzly Mountain" follows a brave boy back through time in a race to save one of Earth's cutest and most lovable creatures! Starring Dan Haggerty ("The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams") and Jan Michael Vincent ("Airwolf"), this delightful bear tale is a heartwarming film for all ages! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

sappy movie
this movie was a bit far fetched. the actress who played the sister over acted. the cop and both indian guys were hot!
a+ for them.even the older american indian was a cutey!
good movie for kids, better than spirit of the eagle.

Return to Grizzly Mountain
It was a wonderful movie that went back in time to the days of the pioneers were a bear cub could run free and be safe. The scenery was spectacular and majestic and I would reccommeen it to anyone especially a family. The actors were all wonderful and they did a good job. The ending is left open for two sequels going either direction. I am looking forward to future movies from the prodcers.
PS thanks for the wonderful movie. Thank you amazon.com for your couteous services.

Times have changed, the heart remains unchanged
A mountain man and modern boy are drawn together through a very special cave linking the present with 1841.

Dan Haggerty, who is best know for the 1970's series The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, stars in this movie. Though the beginning credits clearly state that this is an original production, and is in no way related to the Grizzly Adams series, you will find many similarities. I rather enjoyed that however.

The Mountain Man lives in a secluded cabin in 1841 in peace with nature and the natives on the vast open land of the Pacific Northwest. The boy lives in harried modern times with his older sister after their parents were killed by drunk drivers-(this is only mentioned not shown).

As bullies pick on Jimmy (the boy) they invite him along to the traveling circus where Jimmy finds a very young bear being mistreated and a friendly caregiver amongst the other cruel circus folk.

Through trial and error, bravery and determination this bear cub will have a peaceful and free life. How does he free the bear? What happens at the cave? Who helps him? Well, I'm not going to give it all away! Watch and see....

The time travel through the cave is done in a pleasant fashion and this is a great movie for the whole family. This left a solid vision in the minds of my little ones about caring for God's creatures.

I was very pleased to see Dan Haggerty reprise his mountain man role and I look forward to other productions with him in it.

This would make a great gift and you can feel good about giving it.

Escape to Grizzly Mountain
Great family entertainment! The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the "bad guys" were too exaggerated and silly. It is a warm story with justice and right values portrayed in a way that isn't pushy. A good time. ... Read more

Reviews (127)

Time warp in modern times
Based on Michael Crichton's novel of transposing modern day humans back into medieval times, it follows the book nicely. Personally I would much rather have seen a film of the trilogy written by Stephen Donaldson on the same hyposis and along similar times, one of which is titled A MAN RIDES THROUGH. Both usemirrors to achieve the time warp experience from medieval to this century.

This story takes place in 1971 where a diverse group of archaeology students, working under the auspices of ITC in New Mexico, are involved in excavating the ruins of Castlegard in France. Their professor has disappeared and, using a
wormhole in a wooded area, are transported back in time to rescue him. They have six hours in our concept of time and given markers to use for their return within that timeline.

Arriving on April 4, 1357, the day of a French attack on this particular castle, we see a lot of action. Only the modern men showed fear in combat. William Decker, stranded there 400 years in the past because of transcription errors, exemplified the savage cruelty which is second nature in a hostile environment. He showed this young group 'the price we pay' for discovery, that knowledge of history depends upon survival. One thing worse than dying here is living here, they were told.

This film uses a primitive set of castle grounds complete with thatched roof. The church at the base of a mountain on which a fortress stood contained a tomb of a couple holding hands in death. In the modern scene, the female student was intrigued with the dead man having only one ear. The mystery is revealed
during the fireworks of a fierce battle that evening.

One of their group was ready to change history over a woman; instead, he spends 25 years back in time to die in 1382. Andre Merick had his ear cut off and stayed behind with his love, Lady Clare.

You've just got to see the Greek fire used in this fight in the name of justice. They were told, "God is on your side." The night arrows turned the tide. A lot of fire was used.

Because of the timeline (6 hrs. down to a few minutes) for anyone to safely return, a battle was also going on in the lab as time runs out. You must see the entire episode to discover who indeed returns and who is lost. "Well done, my Lord."

Zero artistic effort here
What a lazy, sophomoric effort by Richard Donner. I read Timeline a few years ago and I recall enjoying it. It wasn't great literature, but it was fast and fun and I looked forward to the film version. I regret to report that I honestly can't think of one single redeeming feature in this sorry excuse of a film. A script that butchers the book, which is amazing in itself. Crichton practically writes his novels for the screen these days. Uninspired directing. In the past Donner has given us some fine work like Ladyhawk and Lethal Weapon. It was painfully obvious that the person who made this turd just did not care if it was good or not. The cast was barely adequate, with only Gerard Butler making any kind of impression. The action scenes were cable TV quality, as were the sets and costumes. How bad was this movie? Congo (another Crichton novel that was mugged by the filmakers), by comparison, was a good movie. Zero artistic effort here. Sub-zero, if there is such a thing.

Could have been better
Abraham doesnt sound like too intelligent of a reviewer so I will try and make sense of it.

The movie is entertaining, if LOOSELY based off the incredible book by Michael Crichton. (Abraham, i suggest you read the book before blathering off about something you know nothing about)

There are plot holes, bad acting, and less than stellar wardrobes. But if you have read the book, it is still entertaining to see the characters on screen and see the story in action.

in my bottom 5, occupying # 2.
Book? I don't know about any book, I'm talking about the movie. I can't believe someone even dared to share this crapp with us.

Filled with flaws, TERRIBLE acting, stupid plot (ergo stupid screenplay), cheap unbelievable custome design, cheesy, artless, mindless, insulting, etc. etc. etc.

I wish I'd watch it more recently so I could make a list for you of all the flaws, mistakes, nonsense presented in this rubbish. I can remember an example though:

When the archeologists are discovering that new "whatever" underground, the girls says: "Who would destroy such a beautiful piece of art?" (the stone). Then, when they are back in middle age, she is infront of the stone and she must break it so they can escape, then she remembers what she said and answers herself: "Oh, I did it". (...) What?! The writer might've as well al least watched Back To The Future to get some lessons on time-traveling rules. Nothing you change in the past can be seen in the present before you did it (before the time traveling), because if wouldn't have any sense. In less words, what if she decided NOT to travel in time? Would that stone be broken? Who would've done it? crapp, crapp, crapp.

No opinions here, some movies are still about opinions (In my opinion it's good, in my opinion it's bad), this is plain bad and anyone who thinks the contrary has no idea what he's talking about, and if you son't believe me, check the general rating.

Wish it were longer, more details.......
My husband and I really enjoyed this film, it could have been longer, providing more details, like how they arrived at building the aparatus in the first place, why the first guy was killed, and by whom, Why Deckar was left behind, and felt compelled to kill the person that left him behind. Just develop it more, it has great potential for what might have been, but is still really enjoyable the way it is. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

QWERKYNESS SQUARED!!!
If you like brilliant writing coming from the qwerkyest characters ever put on screen, than this is the show for you! I stumbled upon this show years back while channel surfing and have sought it out ever since. Awhile back, A&E ran it every day, and there was a marathon that I taped, but of course it was VHS. Having had DVD for two years now, I just can't watch VHS or broadcast TV anymore. Apart from the obvious video quality and sound issues, the incredible ease of navigation and repetition abilities of DVD's make VHS tapes more obsolete to DVD's than dinosaurs are to humans; it is that drastic a quality difference! PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE release this brilliant drama/sitcom...IT DEFIES DESCRIPTION really, but you can't watch it for five minutes and not be a fan forever. The Northern Exposure fan base is huge. So speaking for Joel, Maggie, Maurice, Chris, Ed, Holling, Shelly, Marilyn, Ruth Ann, Adam, and Jesse The Bear; please release Northern Exposure so I can die a HAPPY MAN!!!

The Best TV Series Ever!
Northern Exposure has to be the most wonderfully directed, acted, and produced television series' I have ever seen. Especially the pilot episode. The scenary and the music in every episode make you feel as if you are a part of it all. Every episode has a very emotional ending, and leaves you with this warm, satisfying feeling inside. After watching Northern Exposure, I wanted to move to Alaska for the longest time. From Chris in the Morning to Dr. Fleischman, every character is dynamic, and you can never once tell that they are acting. It is just a very wonderfully natural show. I tried to get some of my f