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41. Mr. Bill: 20th Anniversary
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42. Star Trek - The Next Generation,
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43. Star Trek - The Next Generation,
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44. Star Trek - The Next Generation,
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45. Star Trek - The Next Generation,
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46. Faerie Tale Theatre - The Tale
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47. Shakespeare Wallah
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48. Best of SNL - Saturday Night Live
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49. Vengeance Is Mine
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50. Howards End
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51. Chushingura
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52. Being Two Isn't Easy
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53. Best of Saturday Night Live 1975-1980:
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54. The Best of Saturday Night Live:1988
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55. Saturday Night Live: 1984 Annual
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56. Faerie Tale Theatre - The Three
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57. Bitter Sugar
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58. The Best of Saturday Night Live:Hosted
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59. Star Trek - The Next Generation,
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60. Best Of Saturday Night Live -

41. Mr. Bill: 20th Anniversary
Director: Gary Weis, Bill D'Elia, Dave Wilson, Walter Williams (IV), James Signorelli, Tim Robbins, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Christopher Guest, Mike Judge, Robert Altman, Adam McKay, Eric Idle, Andy Warhol, Robert Marianetti, Claude Kerven, David Wachtenheim, Paul Miller, Albert Brooks, Paul Thomas Anderson, Robert Smigel
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Sales Rank: 23830
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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"Oh no! Oh why, why!" Before getting killed in every episode was made en vogue by South Park's Kenny, there was poor, hapless Mr. Bill. The ever-buoyant clay Everyman brought the house down by being smashed, mangled, and flattened again and again and again. Mr. Bill's 20th Anniversary is a testament to just how experimental the 1970s' Saturday Night Live was willing to go. And far it went, from the ill-fated fishing expedition (watch out for that hook, Mr. Spot!)to his nightmarish trip to court (remember the jury full of Sluggos?)--"Mr. Bill" always managed to find inventive ways to be disturbing.

Those of meek temperament may find Mr. Bill's 20th Anniversary a bit excessive: it is literally the same "uh oh, he's not going to be nice to me!" gag over and over. But the true SNL fan will treasure this little bit of history, perhaps one of the weirdest comedy segments ever to make it to the small screen.--Brendan J. LaSalle ... Read more

Reviews (2)

4-0 out of 5 stars Great buuuuttt.....
I loved this tape I really did, but I have to give it four stars instead of five b/c I didn't like the clips of people on the street doing sub-par impressions of our Mr. Bill.

5-0 out of 5 stars Classic S.N.L. gags can be seen along with new footage
This is the best Mr.Bill video ever!Constantly funny and will apeal to anyone! ... Read more


42. Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 164: The Pegasus
Director: Larry Shaw, David Carson, Gabrielle Beaumont, Timothy Bond, Kim Manners, LeVar Burton, Richard Compton, Jonathan West, Marvin V. Rush, Michael Vejar, Robert Becker, Chip Chalmers, Peter Lauritson, Joseph L. Scanlan, Alexander Singer, Robert Iscove, Gates McFadden, Winrich Kolbe, Robert Wiemer, Robert Legato
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Asin: B000003K5T
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Sales Rank: 45476
Average Customer Review: 4.75 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (4)

5-0 out of 5 stars Riker's deep, dark secret revealed!
I love it when we find flaws and dark pasts in our favorite Trek characters. This time, Commander Riker is the subject and the secret he has been living with for twelve years is one that could alter Federation relations with the Romulan Empire forever!

Admiral Pressman, Riker's old commanding officer aboard the starship Pegasus, wants to retrieve the lost Pegasus because it has secret technology that the Pegasus crew had been working on when their experiments went awry (and the ship was lost). The key is that the Pegasus's crew was working on cloaking technology which, as the episode explains, is illegal for the Federation to use. Never mind the absurdity of such a treaty (c'mon, this is like the USA banning stealth fighter technology so we don't upset China and then allowing China to use stealth technology--it would be an incredibly stupid thing to do), the important thing here is the conflict generated among Picard, Pressman and Riker. Riker is torn between loyalty to his former commander and his duty to the Enterprise and the Federation. There are plenty of terrific, dramatic, and tense moments in this episode. As Riker, actor Jonathan Frakes shines here. Great episode all the way!

This episode, along with "Second Chances" and "A Matter of Honor", makes up what I call the essential Riker collection.

4-0 out of 5 stars The deep dark secret of Riker and the USS Pegasus
Admiral Pressman has joined the Enterprise on a secret mission to recover the USS Pegasus. Twelve years ago, when the Pegasus was captained by Pressman and William Riker was a helmsman, the ship disappeared under unusual circumstances. When Picard questions Riker about what happened his First Officer refuses to answer: he is under orders to remain silent. Just to make things more interesting, the Romulans are also looking for the Pegasus. When the Enterprise finds the ship, buried deep within an asteroid, the truth is revealed: the Pegasus had an experimental cloaking device which was also capable of phasing matter. Unfortunately, this device violated the Federation's treaty with the Romulans. When Pressman tried to run field tests on the device, his crew mutinied. Now Riker has to choose between the order to keep his mouth shut about what his former Captain is trying to do and his obligation as a Starfleet officer.

"The Pegasus" is one of the first of several Star Trek episodes to hint at dirty dealings by a secret segment of Starfleet; this idea was explored more fully on Deep Space Nine. Apparently everybody on this show has a past and in this one we learn more about Will Riker's. The teaser for this episode is one of the cutist in the series, as Picard and Riker inspect the entries made by the ship's children for Captain Picard Day (and Picard has to explain it all to an admiral who interrupts with the orders for their mission). "The Pegasus" is a slightly above average episode of the series, hurt by the idea that Riker really could be ordered to keep Pressman's secret. If he spoke up when Picard asked him for the truth, he could have saved everyone a ton of grief.

5-0 out of 5 stars Doing Your Duty v. Doing the Right Thing
The conflicting demands of duty & conscience have formed one of the most basic themes of all 3 Star Trek series. "The Pegasus" represents one of the show's best treatments of that theme, a story of intrigue which poses some hard choices for Commander Riker. Riker's first commanding officer, Capt. (now Admiral) Eric Pressman enlists the Enterprise to salvage the remains of the Pegasus, an experimental starship which they served on together, until it was lost, years before. The Pegasus' wreckage still contains top-secret technology, now in danger of being stolen by Federation enemies. But Riker's current captain, Jean-Luc Picard, begins to suspect that the Pegasus has darker secrets which both Pressman & Riker are hiding from him. Picard challenges Riker, forcing him to re-evaluate choices he made as a young man & consider whether the secrets that he & Pressman are protecting are worth the cost.

Pressman is portrayed by Terry O'Quinn, whose performace surprisingly anticipates his role on the TV series "Millennium" as Peter Watts.

Another guest star, Michael Mack, turns in a wonderfully smooth & predatory performance as the enemy commander, Sirol. In two pivotal scenes, Picard & Sirol engage in darkly comic exchanges of diplomatic niceties, full of thinly-veiled threats. Mack reminds us of why even people who know history are willing to forget the absurd roots of this enemy race, the "Romulans," as a sort of alien version of the Roman Empire; instead, he focuses on the features which make them unique: their elaborate manners & catlike cruelty. Mack's casting also introduces the idea that Romulans come in more than one shade of olive!

The script also works in a few moments of lighter humor. The stiking thing is that these moments are actually done well--Star Trek has been using puckish humor unsuccessfully for decades! Don't miss Jonathan Frakes' Patrick Sterwart immitation, or Picard's embarrassment over being a children's "role model"!

5-0 out of 5 stars Action and intrigue, the stuff that makes Trek great . . .
The Pegasus is one of TNG's best episodes, with great character development, mystery and intrigue, and new layers added to the substance of what makes up Starfleet and the Trek Universe. For those who haven't seen it, a nice twist in the plot regarding Pegasus and Riker's past; some excellent dynamics with Riker & Picard . . all in all a great show. ... Read more


43. Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 174: Bloodlines
Director: Larry Shaw, David Carson, Gabrielle Beaumont, Timothy Bond, Kim Manners, LeVar Burton, Richard Compton, Jonathan West, Marvin V. Rush, Michael Vejar, Robert Becker, Chip Chalmers, Peter Lauritson, Joseph L. Scanlan, Alexander Singer, Robert Iscove, Gates McFadden, Winrich Kolbe, Robert Wiemer, Robert Legato
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Asin: B000003K63
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Sales Rank: 59425
Average Customer Review: 3 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (1)

3-0 out of 5 stars Damon Bok returns and threatens to kill Picard's son (???)
A probe delivers a message to Captain Picard from his old nemeis, the ex-Damon Bok (from "The Battle," Episode 10) informing that he will finally avenge the death of his son by returning the favor and killing Picard's son. Picard is rather stunned since he did not know he had a son. But since Bok obviously believes that Jason Vigo is Picard's son, the Enterprise heads off to save the young man. What Picard discovers, when they beam Jason up from his rock climbing, is a rather disappointing young man who genetic tests prove is indeed his son. However, Bok continues to pursue Jason, and while the Enterprise crew does everything it can to block his evil plans, Jason comes down with a rare genetic disorder.

A lot of rabbits get pulled out of the hat in the final season of STNG: Riker has a duplicate, Troi had a sister, and now there is a chance Picard has a son. "Bloodlines" does have the distinct of waiting 164 episodes to pick up on Bok's attempt to take his revenge upon Picard, although certainly the idea of the bloodthirsty Ferengi had been replaced by Quark and the Rules of Acquisition in everyone's minds. It is also interesting to see that science in the Star Trek universe is not infallible. However, when it comes to Picard being a "real" father, I much prefer "The Inner Light" (Episode 125) where Picard lives out an entire lifetime on Kataan in 25 minutes of unconsciousness (and where Patrick Stewart's actual son played his son in the episode). "Bloodlines" ends up being a below average STNG episode, which aspires to be memorable but does not really come close. ... Read more


44. Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 71: Sarek
Director: Larry Shaw, David Carson, Gabrielle Beaumont, Timothy Bond, Kim Manners, LeVar Burton, Richard Compton, Jonathan West, Marvin V. Rush, Michael Vejar, Robert Becker, Chip Chalmers, Peter Lauritson, Joseph L. Scanlan, Alexander Singer, Robert Iscove, Gates McFadden, Winrich Kolbe, Robert Wiemer, Robert Legato
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Asin: 6303574254
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Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (5)

4-0 out of 5 stars Spock's father takes a nose dive
Famous Vulcan ambassador Sarek (Mark Lenard), also known as the father of Spock, is very old, on his second wife, and going through an emotional crisis. Emotional? A Vulcan?

Sarek boards the Enterprise with his second wife, also a human, Perrin, along with some Vulcan aides so that he may be present during a meeting between the Federation and the mysterious Legarans.

Counselor Troi feels emotions from Sarek and during a musical performance in his honor, Picard and many others in the Senior Staff see Sarek crying and subsequently whisked away by his Vulcan companions.

Dr. Crusher surmises he is suffering from Bendii Syndrome, an incurable disease that removes the emotional control that Vulcan's prize among all other attributes in their culture. Sarek is desperate to complete this one final mission, but Picard is worried that Sarek might flip out at the wrong moment and ruin the negotiations with the Legarans.

With pleadings from Perrin, Picard tries to see another logical alternative to their predicament. He agrees to a risky ritual - to mind-meld with Sarek so that Sarek can briefly maintain control over his emotions while in his meetings with the Legarans. Picard becomes a mental basket case, overwhelmed with nearly 200 years of pent-up emotions that have been so carefully surpressed through decades of Vulcan teachings and meditations. Everything comes out at once, the love for Perrin that his Vulcan façade won't let him reveal, his anguish over the loss of fellowship with his son Spock, the loss of his first wife and so many other emotions of anger, rage, lonliness, passion and love all come bubbling to the surface like a volcano.

Can Picard hold it together while the lionshare of his locus of control is on loan to Sarek? Is Picard's self control enough to protect Sarek through the negotiations? Before their mind-meld, Sarek warns Picard that they will share each other's thoughts and refers to the act as "a terrible intimacy." Enough to make most grown men pee in their pants, but not Picard, who is willing to risk his career and his very mind to help a dignified man retain his dignity through the annals of history.

5-0 out of 5 stars Great acting!
any epsidoe including sarek is always good, It was yes I will us e the term "fascinating " to see picard and sarek mindmeld. poor picard had to endure the onslaught of vulcan emotions, so sarek could get on with business. the part with sarek's wife and picard where he talks about how much sarek loves her and she replys I know I;ve always known a sweet scene.

5-0 out of 5 stars Actor Patrick Stewart's finest moment as Captain Picard
Sarek (Mark Lenard), the long-time Vulcan ambassador and father of Spock, arrives on the Enterprise for a final diplomatic mission, which will negotiate the admission of the Legarans into the Federation. Sarek is accompanied by his third wife (an Earth woman like Amanda) and two staff members. But on their journey there are suddenly random incidents of violence on the ship and during a musical performance Picard is stunned to see Sarek is crying. Dr. Crusher determines that Sarek is suffering from Bendii syndrome, a disease that affects Vulcans over the age of 200 and results in the loss of emotional control. Sarek refuses to accept the diagnosis until one of his assistants admits he has been trying to stabilize the ambassador's emotions. At that point Sarek's wife makes a bold suggestion: Sarek should do a mind meld with Picard, to provide the emotional stability that will allow him to successfully complete his final diplomatic mission.

Patrick Stewart does not have a finer moment as an actor in the entire series than he does when he plays the overwhelming deluge of Sarek's emotions. For his part, Mark Lenard's performance as Sarek is as elegant and as strong as it has always been. There is a sense in which his performance is probably more to the mark than Spock's when it comes to denoting the true Vulcan. "Sarek" also establishes a bond between Picard and Sarek that will have additional meaning down the road in the two-parter "Unification." But the most important thing is that this is the absolute height point of the series in terms of acting.

5-0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Professionalism
Scriptwriter and novelist Peter Beagle creates a splendid vehicle for the classical acting skills of Patrick Stewart and the late, much-loved Marc Lenard, who shows us the heart of a Vulcan whose logic made life so difficult for Spock.

One caveat. The music that makes Sarek weep isn't Mozart but Brahms.

5-0 out of 5 stars A Touching and Engaging view of Ambassador Sarek.
Mark Lenard shows his strength as an actor when he faces off Patrick Stewart. Sarek is raving mad from a rare Vulcan illness and Picard tries to help him regain his dignity. Mark Lenard has worked with Sir John Geilgud and Lawrance Olivier and his classical acting style compliments STNG and the scene with Picard was wonderful. I am sorry Mark Lenard passed away. ... Read more


45. Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 47: Peak Performance
Director: Larry Shaw, David Carson, Gabrielle Beaumont, Timothy Bond, Kim Manners, LeVar Burton, Richard Compton, Jonathan West, Marvin V. Rush, Michael Vejar, Robert Becker, Chip Chalmers, Peter Lauritson, Joseph L. Scanlan, Alexander Singer, Robert Iscove, Gates McFadden, Winrich Kolbe, Robert Wiemer, Robert Legato
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Asin: 6303201024
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 47491
Average Customer Review: 3.75 out of 5 stars
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To aid in a battle simulation program, the Enterprise enlists the skills of a master strategist from the Zakdorn race, Sirna Kolrami (Roy Brocksmith). Riker and Picard face off, with Riker helming a broken-down old derelict of a ship called the Hathaway. Riker bucks the odds, and the arrogant Zakdorn's low assessment of his abilities, using a holographic trick to distract the Enterprise, thus winning the contest. Only the contest attracts a very real Ferengi vessel that attacks the Enterprise, thus taking the game to another level, an opportunity to display their game skills in an actually dangerous situation. "Peak Performance" revolves around the air of superiority of the smug Kolrami, whose arrogance and master-level abilities in the strategy game Strategema drive the crew to distraction. The episode bursts with ideas about finding creative solutions to complex problems, that pit left-brain, or logico-mathematical, skills against right-brain, or creative, abilities--and very good ideas at that. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (4)

3-0 out of 5 stars A missed oportunity to examine the Ferengi culture
Without question, Star Fleet would have the most rigorous standards for entry, advancement and evaluation. With billions of potential candidates from many different species, only the very best would even reach the level needed to apply. Therefore, command officers would constantly be put through new training exercises, sometimes with little chance of success. Such a scenario is the premise for this episode, where Commander Riker is to take command of an 80 year-old ship and lead it in a simulated battle against the Enterprise. The odds are overwhelmingly against Riker and his band, as their vessel, the Hathaway, is essentially a derelict, without antimatter for warp drive.
Relying on his knowledge of the security features of the Enterprise, Worf is able to simulate the appearance of a Romulan warship on the Enterprise view screen. This distracts the crew long enough for the Hathaway to inflict a great deal of simulated damage to the Enterprise. After applauding Riker and his crew, Picard believes that an approaching Ferengi warship is also a false image. However, this one is very real and attacks the unshielded Enterprise. Sustaining heavy damage and unable to immediately respond due to the weapons being taken off-line, Picard receives an ultimatum from the Ferengi. He must surrender the Hathaway or be destroyed. Once again, the guile of the Enterprise officers serves them well as they convince the Ferengi that another star ship is in the area.
There is also a major subplot, where a member of a species known for their strategic thinking is the Federation observer assigned to monitor the exercise. Arrogant to the point of being extremely obnoxious, Dr. Pulaski maneuvers Data into engaging him in a strategy game. While it is easy to root for Data, the subplot is much too dominant. I would have preferred more effort having been spent in explaining the exercise and fleshing out additional tactics. After all, the crew of the Hathaway had to have a secondary plan after the first. Also, there is very little explanation as to why the Ferengi would attack the Enterprise in such a blatant manner. Risking an interstellar war over a derelict vessel makes no sense without some additional justification. The Enterprise crew should have held a conference where the psychology and motives of the Ferengi were examined in detail.
This starts out as a very good episode, I found myself laughing at some of the "improvisations" performed by the crew of the Hathaway. However, the strength of the subplot and the inexplicable attack by the Ferengi weakened it to an average episode.

3-0 out of 5 stars Notable for its guest star casting
Later to make himself known as "Quark" on DS9, Armin Shimerman dons the lobes of Ferengi commander "Bractor" in this episode from the series' second season. This was not the first time that the actor portrayed one of big-earred aliens, having assayed similar and distinctive characterizations in two earlier installments.

The story is rather routine and not among the show's best but it's worth a look for the development of Ferengi as pivotal characters in the Trek mythology.

4-0 out of 5 stars Starfleet War Games: Can Pupil Riker surpass Master Picard?
Starfleet has sent the legendary Zakdorn strategist, Sirna Kolrami, the Third-level Strategema Grand Master to overseer a simulated war game. On one side we have the Enterprise, commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his trusted Android Second Officer Commander Data. On the other side we have Commander William Riker, supported by La Forge, Worf and Wesley, in the Hathaway, an eighty-year old starship that does not have warp drive. Sounds really fair, huh? This would be a really good test for Picard and the Enterprise, especially with the Borg on their way from the far ends of the Star Trek universe. Okay, the set-up is somewhat lame, but Riker and his wily crew sure have fun coming up with all sorts of tricks to help even the odds. Then, just to make things interesting, the Ferengi show up and cause trouble. This episode is a bit above average, and even though nothing significant happens it does show the crew being innovative and having fun. Clearly a couple of key elements in the show's second season was not only showing the crew as highly functional but also establishing them as becoming more of a family. In these regards "Peak Performance" helps solidify both elements.

5-0 out of 5 stars COOL!
I really liked this particular ST:TNG episode because there is no particular pressing do-or-die mission to accomplish, just a routine simulation to run to test Commander Riker's commanding skills. Like always, things are not quite as they seem. Picard learns this when he mistakes a real attacker for a computer simulation. Another plus in my opinion is that we learn about the technological capabilities of even the most outdated hunk of junk in the galaxy, and the Enterprise crew plays a game other than poker! ... Read more


46. Faerie Tale Theatre - The Tale of the Frog Prince
Director: Gilbert Cates, James Frawley, Tony Bill, Roger Vadim, Peter Medak, Tim Burton, Emile Ardolino, Ivan Passer, Howard Storm, Graeme Clifford, Nicholas Meyer, Francis Ford Coppola, Jeremy Paul Kagan, Eric Idle, Mark Cullingham, Robert Iscove
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Asin: 6302465117
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Sales Rank: 21179
Average Customer Review: 5 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (4)

5-0 out of 5 stars my personal fairy tale theatre movie
If your looking for a fairy tale for kids that can make even you laugh this is the one. Robin Williams will lighten the mood every time.

5-0 out of 5 stars Bad for Children
This film contains language and sexual content. Robin Williams uses profanity and parental discretion is advised. It is a funny telling of the story for adults but not younger viewers... Parents should watch the movie first to decide if it is appropiate for their children, and trust me, it isn't!!!!

5-0 out of 5 stars Undoubtably one of the best Faerie Tale Theatre videos.
This episode of The Tale of the Frog Prince, starring the hilarious Robin Williams and wonderful Teri Garr, is not only a very well told classic children's tale, but a comedy. It has plenty of bits an adult would find entertaining, none being underhand or crude, while still amusing to a younger audience. I grew up watching this series; I loved it then, and I still love it now ... A very good movie to see, and a deal if you can buy it anywhere!

5-0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, but for adults
This is a hilariously funny version of a children`s fairy tale. Both Robin Williams and Teri Garr do a superb job in their portrayals of the frog-prince and the princess, but you will, most likely, be surprised at how well Rene Aberjonois (Clayton, fron the t.v. series Benson) does comedy. The only caveat is that because of the language and some the situations I would not recommend this video for pre-teens, but anyone else will definitely be amused! ... Read more


47. Shakespeare Wallah
Director: James Ivory
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Asin: 6300151433
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 20666
Average Customer Review: 5 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (1)

5-0 out of 5 stars bittersweet
PROS:
This is a great film to watch on a rainy Sunday. The actors
are all top rate and the story unfolds seamlessly. Perhaps
not as "polished" as later Merchant-Ivory fare, but it certainly
is more realistic and heart wrenching.

CONS:
Some parts are a bit slow, the dialogue can be stilted at times,
I wasn't thrilled with the ending. ... Read more


48. Best of SNL - Saturday Night Live - Hosted by Buck Henry
Director: Gary Weis, Bill D'Elia, Dave Wilson, Walter Williams (IV), James Signorelli, Tim Robbins, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Christopher Guest, Mike Judge, Robert Altman, Adam McKay, Eric Idle, Andy Warhol, Robert Marianetti, Claude Kerven, David Wachtenheim, Paul Miller, Albert Brooks, Paul Thomas Anderson, Robert Smigel
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Asin: 6303077633
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 40239
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49. Vengeance Is Mine
Director: Shohei Imamura
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Asin: 6303386725
Catlog: Video
Average Customer Review: 4.67 out of 5 stars
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Description

For his chilling portrait of a serial killer, master director Shohei Imamura enters a world where impulse is reason enough for grisly murder.Based on police records and the prize-winning book by Ryuzo Saki, Vengeance Is Mine chronicles the terrifying crime spree of Iwao Enokizu.Actor Ken Ogata delivers a compelling character study. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

4-0 out of 5 stars On many complexities of the human soul...
In the beginning of Vengeance, there is a key scene of the film's main character. He is unrinating, in order to wash his hands off the blood of his victim. He then notices he's under a tree, wipes his hands with his jacket and picks an apple. He takes a bite and spits.

However, the point -we understand as the story unfolds engrossingly to contain many other characters in similarly true moments- is in fact to lay bare the human soul.

Immamura achieves very successfuly this main objective, through his immense storytelling powers: the over the top performances he pulls from his superb cast and his brilliant melding of the many subplots.(The editing here, in my opinion, is one the best works ever done in a movie.)

In a little over two hours, Vengeance speaks volumes about the many complexities of the human soul and offers many opportunities to confront its dark side. Thus, it is not an easy movie to watch. Yet it offers many insights to the Japanese culture, and is a great point to start knowing the Japanese cinema as well. Highly recommended.

5-0 out of 5 stars gripping from start to finish
In this highly ambiguous tale of moral uncertainty--both in terms of the killer himself and all those around him (his father, his wife, his lover and her mother), Imamura is at the top of his game. I saw this film at a film festival in Berkeley the first time and it haunted me for a long long time. The commentary on the back cover of the VHS says it best "Imamura's refusal to either despise or forgive his protagonist makes the movie a devestating experience."

5-0 out of 5 stars REVEALING LOOK AT A COLD BLOODED MURDERER
Imamura constucts a telling portrait of an impassive sociopath. The pacing is purposefully slow and minimal, giving the killer character ample room to reveal himself while both doing the simplest things and, especially, when interacting with those around him. This film is the higher brained cousin of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

I think its important to note that the killer in Vengeance is Mine, is by no means a serial killer. I've heard him described as that, and its a misinformed judgement. A serial killers pathology revolves around sex. In this film, the killer murders out of a distance, a coldness for human life. He kills for money, shelter, for survival, having little care (although he does try) for anyones life but his own. ... Read more


50. Howards End
Director: James Ivory
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Asin: B0000048PO
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 2461
Average Customer Review: 4.31 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (39)

5-0 out of 5 stars MERCHANT IVORY'S SUBLIME VISUAL BANQUET
Anthony Hopkins stars as Henry Wilcox, a member of England's ruling class who finds himself slipping into a romance with Margaret Schlegle (Emma Thompson) after his wife has passed away. However, before her death, Ruth Wilcox (Vanessa Redgrave) had stipulated that she wished to leave her family home "Howards End" to both Margaret and her sister, Helen (Helena Bonham-Carter). Of course the Wilcox family, being stuck up and spoiled, did not follow through with her wishes and this becomes the focal point of the plot. Along the way there is adultry, corruption, deception, original sins revisited and even murder - in short, everything one could expect from an impeccibly crafted story turned into a poignant and stirring film experience. Producers, James Ivory and Ismal Merchant have given us one of a handful of truly stirring dramatic/epics, filled with the sort of grand illusion and entertainment value that Hollywood used to provide en masse during the 1930's and 40's. This is definitely a worthwhile excursion.
Columbia has done a beautiful job on the transfer. There is absolutely nothing to complain about and I defy anyone to be disappointed with the quality of this mastering effort. My one regret, this disc comes with NO EXTRA FEATURES. Apart from this oversight, you must definitely take a road trip to Howards End.

5-0 out of 5 stars A strangely fascinating love story between British classes.
I was prepared NOT to like this film, but it drew me in and won me over.If you are a fan of what I call, "People Movies", this is for you. The plot line is fascinating, in that you MUST pay attention to every detail to follow it. Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins are at their usual best as the couple from two different social classes in 19th century England. The central character is, though, the country cottage called, "Howard's End." You will either love this film or hate it. For me, it is in my top 20.Credit must be given to the score, which adds much to the film's ability to draw you in from the very beginning.

5-0 out of 5 stars "A million square miles are almost the same as heaven."
I loved E.M. Forester's book, HOWARD'S END, so I knew I'd love this film as well. Period pieces are my favorites and English period pieces have a special "something" about them. Maybe it's the lush cinematography or the brilliant acting. I suppose it's really a combination of many things.

HOWARD'S END is set, for the most part, in London, and revolves around two families: the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes. The Schlegels and the Wilcoxes are separated by class; the Schlegels are a middle class family, comfortable, but definitely not "old money," while the Wilcoxes are far more "to the manor born." Society, at the time HOWARD'S END takes place, dictated that the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes definitely not mix. However, mix they do, with disastrous results.

In the Schlegel family are two sisters, Margaret (Emma Thompson), the older and plainer, and Helen (Helena Bonham-Carter), the younger and more beautiful. We know trouble is brewing when Helen becomes involved, though briefly, with young Paul Wilcox. Of course, the Wilcoxes consider Helen (or any Schlegel, for that matter) to be beneath them, but the affair also distresses the Schlegels as well.

The lives of the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes are destined to be intertwined, however, and Margaret befriends Ruth Wilcox (beautifully played by the always-ethereal Vanessa Redgrave), the mother of young Paul. The lives of the two families become further entwined when Ruth Wilcox dies and leaves her lovely country home, "Howard's End," to her good friend, Margaret. Of course, this doesn't sit at all well with the Wilcoxes, who are truly shocked, and Henry Wilcox (Anthony Hopkins), Ruth's husband, tries to cover up Ruth's final wishes and keep Margaret away from "Howard's End."

But that is far from the end of the story and far from the end of the intertwining of the lives of the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes. In a superb and tragic subplot, both Margaret and Helen attempt to befriend a poor clerk, Leonard Bast (Samuel West) and, without meaning to, cause him to lose his meager job and leave him with no hope for the future.

The conclusion to this film is surprising and explosive, but the beautiful script by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala is quite understated and the film, like the book, never slips into melodrama.

This is a period piece that is enhanced by flawless and understated acting from all. Emma Thompson as Margaret Schlegel is superb and she certainly deserved her Oscar for Best Actress for this film. Anthony Hopkins is, of course, flawless and Vanessa Redgrave's performance is subtle and beautifully nuanced. Samuel West, as the tragic Leonard Bast is wonderful as is Helena Bonham-Carter, though she is not the equal, at least in this film, of Thompson.

HOWARD'S END isn't a particularly long book, but this is, at two and one-half hours, quite a long film. The pacing is rather slow and deliberate, but I never got the feeling that things should have been moving along any faster and, for me, at least, the two and one-half hours passed by very quickly. The film holds your interest at all times. HOWARD'S END is a film that contains a bit of everything. While it is tragic, there are times when you laugh or smile, there are times of unsurpassed beauty and there is melancholy and regret aplenty.

I would definitely recommend HOWARD'S END to anyone even remotely interested in period pieces and even to those who aren't. Who knows, you just might find a new genre that you love.

4-0 out of 5 stars Perfection Personified
This story line is good enough to keep you in suspence and entertained at the same time. Anthony is perfect as usual. The greatest part of this story is the first glimpse into the cottage at "Howards End". Upon entering the house, the most glorious piano begins to play in the background music. The music is so hauntingly beautiful, so perfect for the setting that I found myself in tears throughout its playing. I had to have the movie, just for the piano alone.

4-0 out of 5 stars Adaptation of E.M. Forester's classic novel...
When watching "Remains of the Day," you never really get to see Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins show one another any real affection. In this movie, they actually have great chemistry and while Emma takes on the role of a much more subservient woman, she is much more radiant. If you are a fan of her acting, you will definitely want to see this movie.

This is a movie which takes some patience to view and the artistic elements are well worth waiting for. The Schlegel sisters get themselves into a few trying situations and the men they love either fail miserably or protect them from the world.

Margaret (Emma Thompson) is the smarter of the sisters and yet she lacks heart in certain situations. She seems quite happy to let others save her, but is not as willing to sacrifice to save a friend. Her sister falls in love with a young bank clerk and while trying to assist him is seduced and "ruined." She is not following the laws of her society and therefore is rejected at first.

This is a tangled web involving the cultured and underprivileged. Margaret and Helen are independent and well educated and when they meet Leonard Bast (Samuel West) their lives are changed forever.

A somewhat somber ending because we are not sure any of the characters really get what they first wanted. I found this movie to be enjoyable, yet felt tense throughout the movie because there is always the thought that the sisters have ruined an innocent. Leonard is really the tragic hero in this story because he took on a responsibility neglected by Mr. Wilcox who has his eye on Margaret.

All I have to say is..."Don't let anyone steal your umbrella."

If you enjoy movies that make you think about more than what is happening on screen, this is a good movie that will make you contemplate the fate of others around you in your world. You could hold someone's destiny in your hands, even if it is not as dramatic as the story in this movie. ... Read more


51. Chushingura
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki
list price: $29.98
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Asin: 6305071543
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 53537
Average Customer Review: 4.52 out of 5 stars
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Description

For two hundred years, no other story has captured the hearts and imagination of the Japanese people more than "Chushingura." When Lord Asano is forced by a corrupt lord to commit hara kiri, forty-seven loyal samurai seek vengeance. Often referred to as the "Gone with the Wind" of the Japanese cinema, "Chushingura" is an unparalleled example of the true samurai spirit. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

5-0 out of 5 stars One Of The Two Best Samurai Films Ever Made!
This film is one of the two best Samurai films of all time, the other being Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI. CHUSHINGURA ("loyalty") is based on a real incident in 18th century Japan, wherein 47 loyal retainers of a disgraced lord take a vow of vengeance on the corrupt nobleman who caused his downfall and death. The story is timeless, the acting is uniformly magnificent, the camera work is so gorgeous that any frame of this film could be hung in an art gallery, and the music is exciting and heart-lifting. It's a complex plot, following many separate individuals as their vengeance unfolds, so first-time viewers may get confused. No matter -- it all comes together at the end. Watch for the late great Toshiro Mifune in a cameo role as a Master Spearman who becomes drinking buddies with one of the 47, and who takes it upon himself to hold off the cops in the final showdown so that his pal and the other 46 won't be interrupted before they can find and behead the bad guy and fulfill their vow. I have watched this movie many, many times, and I always find something new and wonderful in it. Now that it's FINALLY available on video, don't miss it!!

5-0 out of 5 stars Samurai honor, political intrigue, romance, brilliant cinema
I first saw this film in the 60's in a small theater over 3 hours with one intermission. I never left my seat, in fact I started out sitting in the aisle at the back because the theater was full.

The photography is gorgeous with brilliant winter scenes backing up intense sword fights in which you aren't sure what happened until someone keels over dead.

Political betrayal is revenged while honor ultimately prevails. You are immersed in the feudal Japanese world and yet reminded of much the same thing happening today.

Definitely worth seeing and buying once you've seen it.

5-0 out of 5 stars The Quintessential Japanese Saga
Chusingura (the 47 Ronin) is a tale that is as popular in Japan -and as often produced - as The Christmas Carol is in the U.S. - and just as revealing of cultural assumptions about right and wrong. There are many versions, each focusing on one of the "47 masterless Samurai" who refuse to surrender and face disgrace out of loyalty to their master. The theme (and story) will be familiar because it's been reworked many times ranging from Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado" to "From Here to Eternity."

If you want to gain insight into the Japanese concept of loyalty and the price of honor above all else this is the one movie you should not miss.

The color photgraphy and scene settings are well done and sound is excellent; the acting is also very good and does not lean heavily on over-emoting that is the sometimes "norm" for Japanese films. Sub-titles are a little light, but easy enough to see and this is one of the more accessible versions (many are not available to Western audiences as more recently they tend to be done for annual TV specfials. You won't need to know the history to follow the story - or get the point.

It's a true story of a proud, old fashioned country Samurai who puts the Samurai Code and personal integrity above politics of reality. He's summoned to the Shogun's castle to do his duty - service to the emperor whole messengers are coming through the territory. A corrupt court official expects and demands a bribe to tell the Samurai what he must know of intricate protocol and is outraged when our hero refuses to bend. The official goads him into drawing his sword in the castle - a capital offense, leading to his forced harikiri - suicide.

The remainder of the tale - most of it - is about how the 47 loyal retainers face disgrace and contempt, while biding their time until they can avenge their master. The film has everything: psychological drama, action, passion, greed and pathos - everything in fact that makes life worthwhile.

Don't miss this one!

4-0 out of 5 stars Samurai Code in Jeopardy...
Corruption and the samurai code converge in a collision when an old man who favors greed and lust crosses the road with a young noble samurai. The collision triggers a chain of events that causes the young noble samurai to violate the laws of the Shogunate, which affects many lives. The issue of injustice remains unresolved after the unlawful event. However, for some life is insignificant when injustice remains. This epic story reveals that humans do know what is right from wrong, but fear and desire seem to influence each and everyone's choice.

4-0 out of 5 stars A Flawed but Enjoyable Epic
Despite the film's division into two parts, I think the Chushingura is best understood as a complicated story told in three acts.

The first act, culminating in the seppuku of Lord Asano, details the conflict between the young lord and Kira, the Shogun's master of ceremonies, and is, in my opinion, the most interesting as it unfolds logically, tragically, and inevitably towards the spilling of blood in the Shogun's castle. Asano and Kira, at least in this stage of the film, are fully realized and three-dimensional characters, and their conflict can be understood on several levels: idealism versus pragmatism; rural versus urban; and, most centrally, a conflict between different conceptions of honor. Kira is slighted because Asano won't show him the deference he feels he deserves, and Asano cannot accept Kira's attempt to teach him a lesson without fatally wounding his pride. The characters feel real because the situation is developed so carefully, and we as viewers understand why the principal actors behave as they do.

I think the movie bogs down a bit in the second act where the retainers of Asana plot their revenge on Kira. I also feel it is at this point that those unfamiliar with this story may find it difficult to follow the plot. Like the assassination of Thomas Becket in 12th century England, the story of the 47 loyal retainers has left the historian with not only a wealth of primary documents but also of contemporary analysis of exactly how the events were interpreted. Whereas Becket's murder resonated because of the changing perceptions of the limits of temporal power in medieval Europe, the 47 ronin reflect the changing nature of samurai honor following the pacification of Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate. Unfortunately, the movie does little to clarify the issues involved despite a three and half hour presentation. The historical Oishi, for instance, worked patiently behind the scenes for years to restore the clan's honor and holdings under the leadership of Asano's younger brother whereas Horibe represented the more radical view that the ronin owed personal allegiance only to their dead lord. In the movie, by contrast, Oishi makes reference to restoring the clan and questions Asano's judgment at the castle, but it is absolutely unclear in the context of the film whether this represents his true beliefs or is simply part of the feint to divert attention from the plot to kill Kira. It is, in fact, hard to ever discern exactly what Oishi is planning, even in hindsight. Horibe, as the leader of the other wing of the retainers, fairs worse, emerging only as Toshiro Mifune's drinking buddy (Mifune, though always enjoyable to watch, is largely wasted in a sub-plot that is completely superfluous to the story). I don't expect complete historical fidelity, but I do expect the events to develop coherently and to address the main issues of the story. I'm not saying that it is a complete mess, just that it is hard to follow at times, and it is not always clear what motivates the characters, and, as film usually does, some of the subtleties of the real events are lost.

Thankfully, the exciting and famous battle in the snow largely redeems any momentary flagging of interest. My only quibble is that Kira has degenerated by this point into an absolute caricature of his previous self, becoming the embodiment of the man without honor. I suspect this is incorporated less from history and more from the popularizations of this story, e.g., the various kabuki stagings.

Others have spoken of the beautiful visuals, so I won't belabor the point. Suffice it to say this alone is a good reason to watch this film. Others have also spoken of the slow pace. This is also true, and if you demand a tight focus in your movies, this one probably isn't for you. ... Read more


52. Being Two Isn't Easy
Director: Kon Ichikawa
list price: $19.95
our price: $19.95
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Asin: 6303012051
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 58419
Average Customer Review: 4 out of 5 stars
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Description

Told alternately from the vantage point of a two-year-old boy and his fretting first-time parents, this bright and simple story defines the joys of life in the way the lovable toddler endlessly investigates the world.Looking through little Taro's eyes, we understand the fascination with climbing stairs and the mysteries of the man on the moon.Only Taro's aged grandmother, whose doting ways come into conflict with her daughter-in-law's child-rearing rules, grasps life as zealously as the boy does.Ichikawa's sweet and funny family portrait touchingly illustrates both the impact of the generation gap and the strength of familial bonds. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

4-0 out of 5 stars Pleasant
Cute look at a young couple raising a toddler. Can they agree on how to parent him? Are they neglectful, over-anxious or just simply typical? What will moving in with grandma entail? How might the boy perceive the adults' actions and what might explain some of his? From renowned director Kon Ichikawa. Had to have had at least a minor influence on the Look Who's Talking trilogy, this, to my knowledge, the first film where a not-yet-talking child's "thoughts" are relayed. Pleasant, wholesome... ... Read more


53. Best of Saturday Night Live 1975-1980: Classics Vol. 3
Director: Gary Weis, Bill D'Elia, Dave Wilson, Walter Williams (IV), James Signorelli, Tim Robbins, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Christopher Guest, Mike Judge, Robert Altman, Adam McKay, Eric Idle, Andy Warhol, Robert Marianetti, Claude Kerven, David Wachtenheim, Paul Miller, Albert Brooks, Paul Thomas Anderson, Robert Smigel
list price: $9.99
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Asin: 6302345251
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 32031
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54. The Best of Saturday Night Live:1988
Director: Gary Weis, Bill D'Elia, Dave Wilson, Walter Williams (IV), James Signorelli, Tim Robbins, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Christopher Guest, Mike Judge, Robert Altman, Adam McKay, Eric Idle, Andy Warhol, Robert Marianetti, Claude Kerven, David Wachtenheim, Paul Miller, Albert Brooks, Paul Thomas Anderson, Robert Smigel
list price: $14.99
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Asin: 6302900476
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 23820
Average Customer Review: 4 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (1)

4-0 out of 5 stars It was funny!
1988 was a great year for SNL, and it really shows in this great collection! ... Read more


55. Saturday Night Live: 1984 Annual
Director: Gary Weis, Bill D'Elia, Dave Wilson, Walter Williams (IV), James Signorelli, Tim Robbins, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Christopher Guest, Mike Judge, Robert Altman, Adam McKay, Eric Idle, Andy Warhol, Robert Marianetti, Claude Kerven, David Wachtenheim, Paul Miller, Albert Brooks, Paul Thomas Anderson, Robert Smigel
list price: $9.99
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Asin: B0000039P9
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 15912
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56. Faerie Tale Theatre - The Three Little Pigs
Director: Gilbert Cates, James Frawley, Tony Bill, Roger Vadim, Peter Medak, Tim Burton, Emile Ardolino, Ivan Passer, Howard Storm, Graeme Clifford, Nicholas Meyer, Francis Ford Coppola, Jeremy Paul Kagan, Eric Idle, Mark Cullingham, Robert Iscove

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Asin: B00000F3GM
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 9774
Average Customer Review: 4.83 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (6)

5-0 out of 5 stars Faerie Tale Theatre: The Three Little Pigs
Hilarious episode from the Faerie Tale Theatre series with an all-star cast. Billy Crystal as well as his on-screen brother actors are excellent as the three pigs, and Jeff Goldblum is show-stealing as the Big Bad Wolf. Valerie Perrine is a knock-out and makes a surprisingly sexy pig in this faerie tale. A great comedic hit for the entire family to enjoy!

5-0 out of 5 stars I love this series!
My brother, sisters and I grew up watching the Faerie Tale Theatre collection, and loving them all. By the way, they're not just for kids! My mother loved them so much she went out of her way to find them for my little niece to enjoy. I highly recommend them to anyone with (or even without) children to view them!

4-0 out of 5 stars cute and appealing
Billy Crystal, Valerie Perrine, Doris Roberts and Jeff Goldblum star in the new telling of the tale from FAERIE TALE THEATRE.

One of the more light-hearted entries in the series, its a delightfully comic piece, played out by master comedians Crystal and Roberts, with the beautiful Perrine cutting a mean figure as a porker indeed.

The series was a huge success, boasting a huge multi award-winning cast (Tonys, Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes, etc), and creator/producer Shelly Duvall has earned laurels for one of the finest family series in years.

5-0 out of 5 stars Best of the Fairie Tale Theatres
I must have rented this video 40-50 times for my then pre-school age son and daughter. We all had the lines memorized. Billy Crystal is terrific as one of the pigs (Peter, Paul and Larry) and Jeff Goldblum is a howl as the wolf. The whole cast is great. This is truly a film that everyone in the family will love. The best.

5-0 out of 5 stars As Unforgettable as Nat
This was a household staple rented over and over from our local video store, played over and over for all ages whenever our guests seemed willing. There was never ever anything but laughter and appreciation; I'm still trying to find the Samuel Barber music played just so. Please let me know if you know where I can get a copy... there are future grandchildren and grandnieces/nephews in my life whose lives will be incomplete without it. ... Read more


57. Bitter Sugar
Director: Leon Ichaso
list price: $19.95
our price: $19.95
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Asin: 1567301312
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 22473
Average Customer Review: 4.19 out of 5 stars
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Amazon.com

In what may be the angriest portrait of Cuba ever made, director Leon Ichaso (Crossover Dreams) charts the journey of one young man from patriot to disillusioned dropout to angry rebel. Gustavo (RenéLavan) is an idealistic young Marxist scholar who dreams of attending the University of Prague. When he falls for an earthy dancer with a more pragmatic view of her homeland, who plans to escape to Florida, his ideals are systematically chipped away in the face of poverty, repression, corruption, and police brutality until it all becomes too much for him to bear. A far cry from the more romantic work of Tomás Guti&eacuterrez Alea (Strawberry and Chocolate), this film speaks volumes about a generation of exiles burning with anger and hate for Castro and his regime. It's also manipulative and heavy-handed, with Gustavo less a hero than a straw figure poised for a fall, and it's far less revealing than such self-critical Cuban features as Portrait of Teresa and Memories of Underdevelopment. But its vivid and passionate feelings of betrayal can hardly be dismissed. Ichaso shot portions of the film in Cuba and smuggled the footage out, but Santo Domingo doubles for Havana through the bulk of the feature. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (52)

5-0 out of 5 stars Bitter Sugar is Excellent!
This movie is excellent to watch and is based on a true account that happened in Cuba a few years ago. It really sheds light on how awful, oppressive, and manipulative the Cuban government is, and also you can also see the underground struggle for personal freedom and democracy that many of the Cuban people share but can't outwardly express. This movie is a very powerful film.

5-0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Film and Hanuntigly Devastating
This is an incredible film that was made on a very small budget. I believe some if not all the actors worked for free. If you are from Cuba you know how realistically real and scary this movie is. Leon Ichaso, the film's director hit the nail on the head on this movie because everything in it is exactly how it is and is all true. I left Cuba when I was four but I have since gone back to visit a few relatives that I have there and I can tell you that it is devastating to walk thru the streets and see all the filth,hunger and desperation of its people. This film hit me too close to home and I was moved to tears when I first saw it. To this day everytime I watch it I can't help the tears from rolling down my face. I'm glad that this brilliant movie has been made available on DVD so that more people can see it and take a closer look at the way desperate people live in a country that was once beautiful now torn apart by the harsh and cruel not to mention unhumane regime of Fidel Castro. The film was shot in black and white which makes it all the more real since it would be foolish to do a movie that takes place in Cuba in color since there isn't any. All of the actors did an excellent job with their roles. I wish this film would've of reached a bigger audience when release in 1996 but since it was a low budget film it was only seen by most people living in Miami where the majority of its population is cuban. If you care about what really goen on Cuba today and the struggles that the people over there go thru to break free from under its fascist regime you should see it. I have it in my movie collection and is one of my favorites but I can't watch it too often because it hurts too much. Overall is an excellent movie, I was dissapointed that it was not even considered for an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign film. This movie deserved not only the Oscar but praise and recognition worldwide.

5-0 out of 5 stars Great movie
I though the movie was stimulating. I creamed in my pants a couple times.

5-0 out of 5 stars A fifth star for having the guts to make this movie.
Made in beautiful black and white plus an infinite range of greys, this is a "Romeo and Juliet" in modern world story with Capuletos and Montescos being the People vs Big Brother Castro.

It's not Casablanca but it could be a classic if the academia one day took off their mask and recognized its quality.

As for the reviewer below, this is not propaganda from Miami. This is about people who want to be free and people -like you- who want others to be slaves. And listen up: there is no blockade, millions of sex-searching tourists with no conscience seek the island every year leaving their money at hotels where Cubans are not allowed to enter and the tips to the prostitutes.
Cuba is a slave country, you are in your right to like it, but at least admit it.

5-0 out of 5 stars When you have nothing, why not do nothing together?
This visually stunning, slap-in-your-face film is ultimately painful to watch. You have to admire revolutionaires that for nationalism & personal conviction are willing to put up with so little so much of the time. Watching those young people applauding at the outdoor Castro speech rallies makes you wonder what other options they had. They either wanted to be there & feed their anti-Yankee imperialism beliefs or felt that they would be questioned for staying away. Or perhaps there was nothing better or more interesting to do than attend that outdoor group experience. When you have nothing, why not do nothing together & show solidarity en-masse.

The fresh music & performances heard in the movie, esp. the afro cuban (more afro than cuban, interestingly enough) is a delight to hear and enjoy the proto-African flavored dances that both black & white execute in this film.

When my uncle was last permitted to vacation in Miami--before Clinton made it difficult for the frequent immigration & visits of Cuban nationals--he was often questioned as to why he kept returning to Cuba after his yearly visits to Miami. He was well read in Marxist authors & it showed when he spoke. His Miami relatives questioned him as to why if things were so scare as he claimed they were, though not so scarce that he would repeatedly return to Cuba visit after visit during the 90s, why didn't the remaining Cubans with nary a roast chicken to eat even on Sunday, not rise up & rectify things. His reponse was: we don't rise up because all the brave & decisive Cubans have left & migrated to the USA or other ports of haven.

Or maybe the brave Cubans are still in Cuba holding onto what little remains of a native Cuban culture & identity there still is instead of wanting the wild abandon & comfort & endless summer after a hard day at the offices or local Walmarts of Miami, USA. ... Read more


58. The Best of Saturday Night Live:Hosted by John Goodman
Director: Gary Weis, Bill D'Elia, Dave Wilson, Walter Williams (IV), James Signorelli, Tim Robbins, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Christopher Guest, Mike Judge, Robert Altman, Adam McKay, Eric Idle, Andy Warhol, Robert Marianetti, Claude Kerven, David Wachtenheim, Paul Miller, Albert Brooks, Paul Thomas Anderson, Robert Smigel
list price: $14.99
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Asin: 630307765X
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 62850
Average Customer Review: 5 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (1)

5-0 out of 5 stars John goodman, one of the first members of the Five time club
There is a reason John Goodman keeps getting invited back to host SNL... that reason is he is hillarious! I got this video and can tell you I have watched it many times and still to this day get lots of laughs out of it! I only hope they do a more recent video soon with some up to date John Goodman hosting on it! ... Read more


59. Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 177: All Good Things...The Final Episode ('94-'95)
Director: Larry Shaw, David Carson, Gabrielle Beaumont, Timothy Bond, Kim Manners, LeVar Burton, Richard Compton, Jonathan West, Marvin V. Rush, Michael Vejar, Robert Becker, Chip Chalmers, Peter Lauritson, Joseph L. Scanlan, Alexander Singer, Robert Iscove, Gates McFadden, Winrich Kolbe, Robert Wiemer, Robert Legato
list price: $19.95
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Asin: 6303954367
Catlog: Video
Sales Rank: 14869
Average Customer Review: 4.74 out of 5 stars
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Amazon.com

This two-hour finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation is a very satisfying piece that leads the seven-year-old television series back to its beginnings in the original TNG pilot. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), whipping through time uncontrollably, simultaneously finds himself back at the start of his tenure on board the Enterprise while also on the ship's deck in the present--at the same time he tried somewhat feebly to forestall a disaster in the distant future. As fans might expect, a certain imp named Q seems to be behind the mystery...but not necessarily for bad reasons. A wonderful wrap-up to seven years of TV legend, All Good Things deserves to be a TV classic. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (31)

5-0 out of 5 stars 'All Good Things' Run Forever In Syndication
Most television series exit the boob tube on only one leg, but STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION sailed off into the small screen sunset with this incredible thought-provoking opus, "All Good Things."

With a stellar performance by Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard, the adventure travels the gamut of three separate periods in time ... the future, the present, and the past ... juggle a series of events that might, in fact, forecast the end of all mankind (not just the series, that's how much was at stake here).

While I never REALLY liked Q (played by John de Lancie), his role came full circle in this science fiction twist with shades of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. In this two-hour episode, Q rose above being a mere plot device and showed that, as a character, he had worth that the viewers couldn't have possibly imagined.

So ... where's the Q movie?

5-0 out of 5 stars Spectacular end to a great series...
This TV movie is the last episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and it isn't to be missed. Captain Picard is moving back and forth through time, where an anomaly is destroying life in the universe. It doesn't take long for him to find out that the mischievious Q is behind it all. Very exciting conclusion to the long-running series. It's especially good if watched right after the episode "Encounter at Farpoint," the first show. John DeLancie is always excellent as Q and Patrick Stewart is the only man who could ever play Picard correctly. The biggest reason to see this is if you're a fan of Star Trek. If not, don't bother.

5-0 out of 5 stars Better than any of the movies.
While the original crew had it better with the movies, The Next Generation was the only Star Trek TV series that I watched consistently. The show had a cast that at least equalled that of the original, boasted better production values, and plots that were intriguing and touched on varieties of concepts that Kirk, Spock, and Bones never got the chance to explore. Deep Space Nine was too mired into the whole "war of the quadrants" to explore any ideas with real satisfaction, and while Voyager had the best effects and the best premise, the cast was middling at best. As for Enterprise, hell, I tried to watch one episode and got too damn bored.

All Good Things..., the swan song episode for TNG, is possibly the best of Star Trek, period, focusing on mind-boggling concepts while retaining the character development and human interest that made the show so appealing. It's the seventh year that the crew of the Starhip Enterprise have been together, but Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) is experiencing odd timeshifts. He's constantly switching between three different time periods; to the past, right before the Farpoint mission, the present, and the future, where the crew has long since split up, Picard is retired and is diagnosed with a debilitating mental illness. Naturally, the rest of the crew is skeptical (be it in any time period), but when Picard discovers the true nature of his constant shifting, he realizes it is both the means and cause with which the existence of mankind could be erased.

I hesitate to give too much away, though I doubt anyone with a passing interest in Star Trek hasn't already seen this episode. But it plays as an interesting comparison and contrast to the series' first episode, Encounter at Farpoint, which it directly ties in to with Picard's timeshifting to the past. There's been a notable improvement in the quality of the sets and the visual effects, and also the acting, the pacing, and the plot development.

All Good Things... has all the solid acting one expects from the cast, and a human touch that was missing from the latest film, Nemesis. It's interesting to note that this episode (meaning the whole series, as well) ends with the door open for all sorts of possibilites; at this time, this clearly implied the much-hyped transition to the big screen.

Unfortunately, some of the more open-ended questions this episode focused on were never even touched on. Sure, the Worf/Troi/Riker triangle was resolved, but one of my favorite ongoing side stories, the burgeoning romance between Picard and Dr. Crusher, was completely ignored in the movies. And the final scenes lead one to believe that the movies would take us to "places" never explored, even though the most recent film was merely a plotless action movie that didn't even have enough action to warrant the movie's existence.

Stewart is the true highlight of this episode, displaying the great acting chops he's been known for. The fact that we care for him and the rest of the crew as well, adds a sense of urgency and involvement in the proceedings that the otherwise quite frantic pace alone might not have been able to develop. The plot twists are pure Trek, each mysterious element giving away to some big revelation that only leads to more questions. The story is engrossing, the dialogue is strong, and the performances and characterizations are spot-on.

There are a few problems with All Good Things. The timeshifting obviously means we're going to see past and future versions of the cast, but everyone's aged to the extent where they can't quite pass for their more youthful selves, and the old-age makeup is never entirely convincing (Old Riker's first appearance gave me a good laugh). That said, I would like to make mention of what full-blown hotties Marina Sirtis and especially Gates McFadden became (McFadden is easily the most attractive post 50-year old actress I've ever seen).

The continuing movie series actually began quite well; Generations and First Contact were enjoyable adventures, but everything seemed to fall apart with Insurrection. Funny, All Good Things... is a title that turned out more prophetic than anyone would have guessed.
**** 1/2 out of *****

5-0 out of 5 stars Brilliant - what else can you possibly say?
If you were tempted in the beginning season of TNG as many were, to compare the personalities of Kirk and Picard, I think that by the time you got to this production, actually the final one of all, you would have long given up. As a character in a fiction, Picard in no way is even an analogue of Kirk. This virtual tour de force is confirmation of this, if it were needed at all.

My sons and I actually saw Patrick Stuart in the flesh in Leeds on my sisters birthday (I should really have gone there instead, but there you go), watching his signposted one man performance about Shylock - Shakespeares alien. It was quite famous over here, and very well attended. I wish I could relate this to you, but I would go WAY over the 1000 word limit and not even begin to scratch the surface. Sufficient to say, that Stuart's vocabulary as an actor is enormous, and he brought so much intelligence to bear on this very rich and complex play (the merchant of Venice) and interwove it most perspicaciously with recent events - terrorism, racism, and his own fascinating recollections of performances, character interpretations, and so many other things. It was like being on board a ship in a gale, exhilarating and wonderful, and no-one wanted it to end.

It's a fact that when we had the opportunity to ask questions, and also at other times during the show, Patrick mentioned his relationship with Paramount in several ways. I don't want to quote these comments, but sufficient to say that all the cast members felt that things were not always on an even keel. In fact, there was evidence of a really complicated and not always simple state of play at many times. Fortunately, during the last season, there was relatively little in the way of compromise, largely due to the continuous diplomacy of Spiner and Stewart. The result of this diplomacy in the case of this episode pair is just about as good as it gets, and is a truly magnificent way to conclude the series.

Picard, in this episode, has to deal with the final and inevitable onset of the final enemy - age, and mortality. In this he plays beautifuly an far older man than the younger commander seen at Farpoint, though the story is ingeniously composed in such a way that this ending episode is wrapped in an inescable embrace with this very first episode. I doubt whether this could ever have been pulled off by anyone else so well. But what is so well done is to (within the confines of the show format) to produce a strange sense of the timeless and the memorable. This is an astonishing effect. The whole thing seems... haunted by a strange atmosphere which would have been impossible to script in if you were aiming for it intentionally.

I think there is a remote chance that this may just happened anyway, by accident. Perhaps, this is may have been due to the time paradoxes and folding in of the plot. But this atmosphere is surely due in greater part to the unconscious realisation by all participants that this was, in fact, the last time that all the cast would be gathered together in precisely that time and place and circumstance, a sort of breaking of the fellowship.

After the gymnastics of a complicated plot, which gradually reaches a rather dramatic climax, the final stroke of genius is that the ending is positioned somewhere and sometime, but where exactly... Who knows? I suspect in a future which is that strange ambiguity that we know as happily ever after - no irony intended - in fact, you can truly imagine that the ending never actually happens at all,at least not one witnessed, but trails off into memory forever, into the furthest of distance. And it is there that we bid good bye.

Of course, it's not really over, but here the story TELLING naturally ends, and most satisfyingly so. My gosh, what a way to go...

5-0 out of 5 stars The End
This final episode of TNG stands alone as an all-time classic science fiction episode. "All Good Things", (co-directed by David Carson, from Star Trek: Generations) moves back and forth ac