Reviews (2)

The "Ghosts" of La Forge and Ro try to save the Enterprise
"The Next Phase" always strikes me as a cross between "Tom Sawyer," "The Odd Couple," and "Ghost." La Forge and Ro Laren disappear when beaming back from a Romulan ship they were helping to repair. Everyone thinks they are dead, but the Romulans had been working on a cloaking device that puts people out of phase instead of rendering them invisible. Consequently, like Tom Sawyer the two Starfleet officers get to witness their own funeral. Like Patrick Swayze they are unable to communicate with their friends. But since La Forge was the one who most vocally objected to the Bajoran joining the crew of the Enterprise ("Ensign Ro," Episode 103) there is a Felix and Oscar in the great beyond aspect to the episode as well. Some of the best moments in the episode are as the two of them argue over whether or not they are dead and what they are supposed to do if that is indeed the case. However, there are more important concerns as the Romulans become convinced the Enterprise is going to figure out about the cloaking device and they send over their own phased crew members to blow up the ship. La Forge and Ro become aware of the plot but are unable to communicate with Picard or the others.

This is an above average episode, with the interplay between Michelle Forbes and LaVar Burton (it is so nice to see somebody really get under Geordi's skin and who gives better than she gets) overcoming the gaping holes in the whole being out of phase idea (they walk through walls but not through floors). But if you are not willing to engage in the willing suspension of disbelief by now when watching Star Trek, I just ain't never going to happen. The scientific nonsense is there to set up the character confrontations and developments. In that regard "The Next Phase" does signal a larger acceptance of Ensign Ro by the Enterprise crew, since the natural inclination is to focus on the good points of someone when you think they are dead.

One of thier best
One of the great strengths of TNG was it's cast, and two of the best (Michelle Forbes, Levar Burton) dominate in a well-paced story. Ensign Ro and Geordi LaForge find themselves slightly out of phase with the rest of the universe, and they employ heroic efforts to get back in time to keep the Enterprise from disaster. Sounds like your basic potboiler, but the complications and humorous twists make for solid entertainment, with a genuine cliffhanger ending. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great, and is a real joy to watch!
Dr. Ray Flemming (played by Gene Barry) has it all, he's a rich psychiatrist, has powerful friends, and has a beautiful mistress. But, with his wife threatening to pull it all down in a messy divorce, Dr. Flemming decides that it is time to kill her off in the perfect murder. But, disaster strikes when into his apartment walks a little man in a rumpled raincoat, police Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk). Now, with Columbo hot on his trail, Dr. Flemming only needs to keep everything together, but he has one weak link... [Color, released in 1968, with a running time of 1 hour, 33 minutes.]

This movie was produced in 1968, and is indeed the first Columbo show ever made! The music and fashions are definitely 1960s, with big hairdos and cat-eye glasses, and no jeans to be seen. Peter Falk looks young (about 40 years old), but other than that, all of the elements are there - the rumpled raincoat, the pretence of simplicity, the cigar, and the doggedness that marked all of Columbo's career.

My wife and I are real mystery fans, and have always loved the Columbo shows. Well, this one is just as great, and is a real joy to watch! A little more polished than subsequent Columbos, but that just helps to make this a real joy. So, what I say is, this is a great mystery - if you can buy it, then boy it! You won't regret it!

They just don¿t make them like this anymore.
People forget that "Columbo" started out not as a 1970s TV series, but as a single TV movie in 1968 that pitted an arrogant genius against a streetwise bulldog of a detective. Falk is wonderful as a criminal's worst nightmare-a rumpled little man who disarms his opponents with his cheap suits and scatterbrained demeanor. In "Prescription: Murder," Columbo is considerably more polished-and aggressive-than in the TV series in his attempt to take down a psychiatrist (played regally by the always-polished Gene Barry) who's murdered his wife in what he thinks is the perfect crime. The production is sumptuous for television fare, with sets and color that rival cinema productions of the time, and even if all of the Columbo telefilms essentially copy Alfred Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder," the story is quite satisfying. As was standard for the time, the best part of "Prescription: Murder" is watching two great actors spar with each other in a plot that is more chessmatch than car chase. They just don't make them like this anymore.

Columbo Series A True Classic
For those old enough to remember Columbo was I think one of a family of tv movies that were all part of 'The Sunday Mystery Movie'. Some of the other mystery types shows in the group were McMillan And Wife and a cowbody type detective (Dennis Weaver ?).

The Columbo series is a true classic. I don't think I've ever seen an episode of Columbo that I didn't like.

'Prescription Murder' was the premier episode for the Columbo series. The Columbo character in this first movie is a little different than the other episodes I've seen. The series creators made some adjustments to the character after this movie. They generally softenned up the character in the later episodes even including giving him a softer hair style. However that's what makes this movie interesting also.

The villain in this case is a psychiatrist who gives Columbo a psychological evaluation. This is interesting. It really defines the character as far as he lulls people into a sense of false security while constantly waiting for the suspect to get careless and reveal something.

If I recall correctly Peter Falk played a bad guy in 'Murder Incorporated' but I don't think that was a great casting job.
True greatness in a movie character I think requires perfect casting. The casting of Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo was a stroke of genius by someone. I suspect perfect casting only occurs when the character shares some personality traits with the actor in real life.

For some reason just lately I was thinking about the Columbo movies and I took out the videos and watched a lot of them again. It's probably a sign that something is good when you can watch them many times and still enjoy them.

There's usually some pretty girls in the Columbo movies and this one is no exception.

These movies are good too because they get into human nature and the good and evil in people.

The plots themselves are totally contrived and would never really happen. In real life civilians would never be allowed to interact so closely with detectives. Also many things that Columbo does to catch people are against the law in real life such as tricking people.

But that doesn't hurt the movies at all. In fact if they were more realistic they probably wouldn't be any fun to watch.

It's All There!
Most pilots of successful televsion series are in a "raw" form, i.e. the formula that subsequently works well and the chemistry between the characters in the series has not been fully developed. Therefore fans of the series are often disappointed in the pilot. That is most definitely NOT the case with this film. All the main features that made Columbo so good are present here (except for his old Peugeot 403 convertible!). Falk puts in as good a performance as any of his subsequent ones and the script is superb. We see Columbo's eye for detail and the battle of wits between the detective and the suspect. Gene Barry puts in a fine performace as the murderer. The popularity of the Columbo series proves that a program does not need a lot of "action" (fist fights, gun battles, car chases, etc) in order to be spellbinding. Incidentally, one little item to watch for is the fact that the camera usually focuses on the right side of Peter Falk's face where we see his artificial eye and the surgical scar which was a result of the operation to remove his eye when he was a child. I believe this was done deliberately because it makes him look a little "strange" which emphasizes his outwardly slovenly appearance which is a key to his character.

Dial C for Columbo
This old Sunday-night drama special - based on Richard Levinson and William Link's light, commercial, conventional Broadway thriller (though it never actually made Broadway) - would lie in the shadow of Frederick Knott's theatre work and a dozen anthology shows, were it not for the appearance of a certain Mr Columbo. Seen out of context the film looks pretty routine, but the fans of the ensuing series will enjoy witnessing the establishment of the Columbo formula. As ever, a killer's beautifully thought-out plan is blown to pieces by the obsession with detail and ruthless logic of our hero, the latter trying to trip him up over his own words, making subtle insinuations at every opportunity, and flashing a cherubic smile when he suspects his adversary is too tense to give himself away. Both killers and the old boy himself would later utilise more complex and ingenious strategies when playing this game: plotwise, this is not very inventive, though there are some lovely moments and the performance of a remarkably youthful-looking, almost handsome Falk is a joy. ... Read more

Description

Quartet is the story of a girl who, adrift with her feckless husband amidst the glitter and literati of Paris in the 1920's, is entrapped by a rich and sybaritic middle-aged English couple.Far from the wistful and melancholy of this autobiographical novel by Jean Rhys (Wide Sargasso Sea), the film is full of intense confrontation dazzlingly acted by Alan Bates, Maggie Smith, Anthony Higgins, and Isabelle Adjani, who won the Best Actress award at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival for this performance.The characters do not act out their passions exclusively in the usual seedy cafTs and louche hotels of Rhys's Parisian novels, but as well in smoky jazz haunts and lavish nightclub settings of an Ivory film.Nevertheless, in theme Quartet remains one of the Merchant Ivory team's darkest-and most compelling-dramas of relationships dangerously intertwined. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

an overlooked Merchant/Ivory treasure
Since its release in the early 1980s, Quartet hasn't been remembered as much as some of their other films. Thats a shame because Quartet is one of their finer works. A very engrossing drama about mind control and deceit. As one would expect from M & A, the attention to detail in recreating the roaring 20's is fabulous. Alan Bates does a wonderful job as H.B., the controlling maniac disguised as a gentleman. Maggie Smith is heartbreaking as the passive wife who tries desperately to cling to her husband despite his infidelities. But its Isabelle Adjani who steals the show. Her character's development from innocent, to arrogant, to ignorant makes Quartet memorable. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Unknown Dance Movie!!
This is a great underrated,unknown Dance movie that highly recommended.It's a must see flick!!!

Disco history actually!!
this video should be remembered as the very first piece of celluloid to ever record the dance steps of the (then) growing craze of the hustle in disco. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Over-rated by most of these Reviews!
Yes, I do believe that most of these reviewers have over-rated this film. One star indeed - where do you folks get off with such generosity? I too picked it up because of Sandra Bullock's pic on the cover, but I'm convinced that I overspent - I got it free at the library! I will recommend to them that they put it in the fireplace where it can actually be of some value - little though that will be.

SAVE YOU'RE MONEY!!!!
I give this movie a -10 stars because this movie isn't even worth one star! Well this film is one of the worst films that I have ever seen and wish to never see again. After about 20 minutes into the movie, I fell asleep. This is even worse than when my daughter watch the Teletubbies and they were colorful and did have some method to the madness!!! I gave this DVD away, because it was so horrible, and believe it or not...the darn thing was returned to me with a note that read: "Thanks, but no THANKS!!!" I guess that note says it all. I have filed this "movie" (and I use that term very loosely), in file 13 -- THE TRASH!

Very near the worst movie I've seen
The only movies that come to being as bad as this movie have all been on Mystery Science Theater. I'm sure this one would end up there if it weren't for all of the violence. The acting is downright horrible (never made it to the part with Sandra in it... I was about to throw up after 30 minutes and couldn't take any more). The cinematography is even worse... some of the worst angles, light/dark problems, etc. I've ever seen. I'm convinced games like Doom took their idea from this movie... there are shots where you are following guns around and watching them shoot people.

Another reviewer mentioned that High Schoolers could make better movies... I agree and I'm not so sure a middle schooler couldn't.

I found this one in the bargain bin at Walmart... it doesn't belong in the bargain bin, it belongs in the trash bin.

what a bummer
I HAVE SEEN WORSE, 1950S SCREEMING SKULL, THE BRAIN THAT WOULDNT DIE.
I WANT MY 90 MINS. BACK!
I FOUND THE ORIGINAL MOVIE POSTER DIDNT HAVE SANDRA ON THE POSTER AT ALL, IT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD MARKETING PLOY TO PURCHASE THIS DVD , LIKE I DID. THIS MOVIE HAS HORRIBLE STORY , HARD TO FOLLOW,THE ONLY SAVING GRACE WAS SANDRA .
IT WAS A BIT LIKE LOOKING AT AN OLD YEARBOOK.
ACTION PACT, EDGE-OF-YOUR SEAT THRILLER, I THINK NOT , IT TOOK 2 WATCHINGS, BETWEEN NAPS TO FINISH.

High School kids have done better movies
Save your money. I bought it, regret it, and filed it in the trash. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Political intrigue among the stars!
Guest star James Sloyan is riveting as the "defector" in the episode's title. Almost like a companion piece to "Deep Space Nine's 'Duet'", the show is an exercise in the politics and machinations of war.

Like the best "Treks," this one mixes science fiction with biting social commentary. This third season offering was one of the best.

Nothing is as simple as it seems in "The Defector"
When we saw the face of the first Romulan, memorably played by Mark Lenard, there was a strong element of quiet nobility associated with the character. Often on the original Star Trek the Romulans were reduced to a standard stereotype, the "Chinese" to the "Soviet" Klingons at odds with the Federation. But there are times when that initial nobility comes back, and there is no better example of this than "The Defector." This is one of the best Next Generation episodes because it is about "people" and not specific effects.

Responding to a distress call from a Romulan scout ship, the Enterprise beams aboard an apparent Romulan defector named Setal. He claims that he is a simply low-ranking officer who has learned the Romulans have created a hidden base on Nelvana Three as a prelude to taking over the Neutral Zone. Of course, Worf is suspicious, with good reason. "Setal" is really Admiral Jarok, who made his reputation in engagements against the Federation. Should Picard belief Jarok's story and investigate Nelvna Three, thereby violating the treaty between the Romulans and the Federation? Is he a true defector or are there plans within plans within plans? Enjoy playing along with Picard in this episode as he tries to determine the truth. Another classic Star Trek character study well worth the viewing.

The best episode
The Defector is the best Episode of Star Trek in my book. I like how the writers of Star Trek are telling us that every culture has its flaws. The Federation has the little worm things (conspiracy), the klingons have civil wars (Redemption), the Ferengi have Moogie, the Cardassians have the dominion, and the Romulans have defectors.

Besides seeing the mighty Romulan Empire become more realistic, I like the events that show the inner workings of Starfleet. Suddenly, the Enterprise is far enough away that recordings have to be sent, and conversations happen over days, not minutes. The Enterprise can now make deals with alien races on its own, and the Starfleet Intelligence Network begins to show promise (section 31? Maybe). But if you want one that will keep you thinking, look at this one.

Complex character portrait in an action show
Classic STAR TREK's two (hard to believe, but that's all there were) episodes depicting Romulans were very much one-man shows: Mark Lenard as the very noble Romulan in BALANCE OF TERROR and Joanne Linville as the passionate Romulan commander in THE ENTERPRISE INCIDENT.

THE DEFECTOR is Admiral Alidar Jarok, strategist, war hero, butcher, and traitor -- depending on your point of view. But what of Jarok's point of view?

Skillfully introduced by Picard's and Data's evocation of "a little touch of Harry in the night" from HENRY V, Jarok shows that the "king's cause" -- or that of the Romulan Star Empire is one thing, but the cause of his own conscience is more powerful yet.

Skillfully played, the character takes us from one reversal to the other, one step behind the ENTERPRISE's crew, which is often angry, often contemptuous at the first defector in Romulan history. Curiously, the one who is most compassionate to him is Data.

Jarok knows what he can expect, what he has sacrified, and what his people will do to him. But he has done it for love of his baby daughter, and the scene in which he explains this to Picard puts, for once, the intrepid Captain firmly in the wrong.

Picard closes the show with what one hopes is a promise that can be kept.

An excellent episode
This episode is one of the best that TNG has ever made. It has lots of action, above average special effects and great acting. It has a real surprise twist at the end, too! Fans of TNG or star trek in general shouldn't hesitate to buy this truly stellar episode! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good solid film
Jesse Owens is a Hero.he stood Hate in the Face&Looked it down and was a Champion not only of Sport but of Human Rights.Dorian Harewood a Good Actor who i have seen in countless films does a solid job here.

Great story... is it all true?
I am a major fan of Jesse Owens, and this film is definitely for fans. Dorian Harewood portrays Jesse very well, but almost in a god-like perfection. Of course, biographies are supposed to emphasize good qualities, but this film leaves you wondering if Jesse Owens had any bad ones. Still a very good film, and an excellent way to introduce people who don't know about him to a great role model, a great athlete and world class human. ... Read more

Description

Three best friends on the corner of life, trying to decide which way to go. When one of them shares a life-threatening secret, they hit the road until a truckstop waitress turns their journey and their lives around. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Comedy meets sadness and what a beautiful melody!

Whoa! This one threw me. First of all the notes on the back cover mention two of three best friends are not on speaking terms and the third one tries to get them back together. Then on the front cover, the caption reads "Three buddies on the road trip of their lives run into a once-in-a-lifetime woman".

The back cover's description is a very weak description that was somewhat misleading while the caption on the front cover was totally off!

This movie is about death! The one buddy is terminally ill, this is the "shocking secret" that brings the two angry friends together and they go on a roadtrip not only physically but emotionally and mentally as they bond together and come to terms with mortality. As for the once-in-a-lifetime woman, well she is a waitress they meet up with and take with them because she wants to go to California and one of the guys has the hots for her.

This movie is like a guy-version of Terms Of Enderment that touches your heart and at the same time, makes you laugh. Now that is the crazy part about this movie. It IS a comedy to an extent especially with it's cute antics (Tom Howell's, rappin' really took the cake here.) but there are many along the way... But then there is the serious side as the three come to terms with death. The death aspect takes center-stage here, not our once-in-a-lifetime woman nor do the two angry friends who seem to come to some sort of truce for obvious reasons. While dealing with death is the overtone here, somehow the comical aspect harmonizes with the story rather than coming off as morbid.

In the end the movie leaves you touched and sobered. It makes you ponder the fraility of life and the certainty of death and the meaninglessness of quarrels over girls and such. It is sad because death claimed so young a person but even if that were not the case, it makes you realize that nothing is forever.

Very well done.

IT was so sad
it was so sad and i loved the songs

I don't like you but i love you!
This movie was great! It came on HBO once when my friend and I were having a sleep over. We laughed, cryed, and sang along with the guys. It's a great movie about friendship! I recommend it for everyone! P.S. Lane, "this one is my husbands, this is my lover, and this is my future lover..." ~line from the movie

I thought it was great!!
It was a funny yet sad movie. It is one of the best movies I have seen. So go out and rent or buy or at least watch this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Definite kid-pleaser
My three-year-old daughter fell in love with this the first time we borrowed it from the library. I enjoyed it myself; my only gripe is Conchata Ferrell's performance. This usually very talented actress seems bored to tears and injects absolutely no feeling into her role as Thumbelina's mother. It's as if she was directed to perform as stoically as possible. I don't get it at all. I am also not impressed with Carrie Fisher's singing here. I know she is capable of singing quite beautifully, I just don't think the folkish songs in this tale are well suited to her instrument. It's hard to pull off such dirges unless the singer has that ethereal, almost mediaeval quality to her voice (think Loreena McKennitt, Mediaveal Baebes). But those minor complaints are of no consequence whatsoever to the intended audience. Children will certainly be enchanted! It's witty script and a fun production.

The Little Thumb with a Big Heart
"Thumbelina" is a fantastic retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, "Little Thumb".

Produced in 1983 (and released the following year), as part of Shelley Duvall's charming live-action "Faerie Tale Theatre", the narrative is told with good humour, imagination, and a great sense of fun. The magnificent cast adds much colour and warmth to the proceedings. In particular, Carrie Fisher, in the title role, delivers a captivating performance. She makes an extremely attractive heroine, not to mention one who's "more than just another pretty face". She's an absolute delight, adding her unique qualities to the role. Not only is she pint-sized in real life (although not quite as tiny as a thumb!), she has a lovely, deep voice that is quite at odds with her diminutive stature. When she sings, it is a beautiful and rewarding experience. Indeed, she sings with "an angel's voice". (This is also a highlight for any Carrie Fisher fan, as she began her career as a singer, and yet she only sings briefly in "Hannah and Her Sisters", 1986, and in the Walt Disney live-action comedy, "Sunday Drive", also released in 1986.)

Carrie Fisher is supported by equally delightful character actors. The late Burgess Meredith is in top form as Mr Mole, the second would-be husband of Thumbelina. Likewise, William Katt makes a very positive impression as the Prince of the Flower Angels.

This wonderful fairy tale is further enhanced by excellent production values, including great music, atmospheric sets, and good costumes and creatures like Mother Toad, her hapless son, Herman, the Fieldmouse, and the Swallow.

The script faithfully follows the original story, although the gender of the Fieldmouse has been changed, making for a more convincing friendship with Mr Mole to exist, as well as creating a heartfelt guardianship of Thumbelina along strictly platonic lines.

This well-written and perceptive tale ("I'm always the bride, but never the bridesmaid") makes for enchanting family entertainment. "Thumbelina" delivers a great message, too, but above all, it's storytelling at it's most memorable.

I applaud executive producer Shelley Duvall, and all involved, for giving such a wonderful gift. It's up there with Jim Henson's equally engaging "Storyteller" anthology series, produced in the late 1980s, and the "The Doll", an Emmy Award winning episode of "Amazing Stories" (of the same era).

For me, it's an extra special treat because Carrie Fisher became much more than just Princess Leia with this performance. Besides, she continues to melt me every time she smiles as the Ultimate Flower Angel! Let's hope that this "Faerie Tale Theatre" production, along with my other favourites like "Beauty and the Beast", are re-released soon. Preservation on DVD for future generations is highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

not bad , quite surprising for non-Japanese ...
hi every1 . I've seen this video within the studies of my varsity . It's nice and introduce the Japanese style of life and most of all their way of dealing with funerals.

To be short I will only say that the most overwhelming thing in the movie was that the mourning family had to use a VIDEO CASSETTE with instructions about how to act in a funeral and what TO SAY !!!!!!

enjoy

Soushiki: not a comedy by any means
At first I was worried when I purchased this film, because my fellow amazon reviews gave it such a low rating, however, I was pleasantly surprised that it was the DVD not the movie itself, that received such low scores. This is a wonderful film, although, for the life of me, I can not figure out why this film is refered to as a "comedy." It is true there are some funny moments when the main character and his wife are learning their lines to address mourning guests and at moments such as when the phone rings during a prayer. What this film's strongest point is, however,a glimpse of Japan while the bubble economy was at it's peak. Even someone just giving a cursory glance at this film ill realize how important money is to the family. It is the chief conversational topic throughout the movie. How much do we have to pay for the coffin? How much are the obento lunchboxes, etc. The power of money can really be seen when the monk arrives in a very stylish car and is given a gift of french tile to make a table for his garden. Funerals are extraordinarily expensive in Japan, so many Japanese do not look at Buddhist monks as a sign of benevolence, but as money lovers. However, although money is a major subject, as is the preocupation of acting a certain way during the funral, the key point of this movie is that although the world might be completely obsessed with money, in death one can bring members of the faily closer together, and in death there is also rebirh, as can be evidenced at the end of this film.

Not what I expected.
This film was nothing like I thought it would be. Having spent four years in Japan I wanted to see for myself what all the controversy was about surrounding 'The Funeral'. Well, I really liked this film, and found it had a lot to offer. From start to finish there is a lot going on at all levels of the emotional spectrum. I found it very touching, a little sad, a little funny, and very human. The quiet love and dignity of the widow and her daughter are the glue that hold the family and friends together. The widows humble expression of thanks to the guests after the funeral, thus releaving the son-in-law of the obligation, is nothing but poetic. I Recommend this film.

Cathartic and Hillarious if...
In order to really appreciate this film, you really have had to been through the experience... for that reason, there are a lot of people who will watch it and not get it.... - - I first saw the film before I really knew very much about Japanese culture... Some elements of the humor were universal... and I still could appreciate the Itami Juzo's dry surrealism... but after seeing the film I came to live in Japan on and off for 9 years and went through the experience, watching the film went beyond "interesting and sometimes funny"... one one had it was incredibly cathartic... on the other hands, uncomfortably hillarious... Its one of those films that if you'd just been through the experience and you watched it, it would definitely serve as a cathartic dose of laughter... - - Too many scenes, unfortunately, parody experiences and rituals (sometimes seemingly senseless, others incomprehensibly complex) that you'd really have to experience to appreciate... If you haven't been through them, those scenes might be a bit boring... for this reason my advice is this : read up on the subject first... and also, watch the film with an understanding that Japanese funerals are very different than Western funerals... The strange scenes in this film in many way present Japanese funerals as they are, and in other ways parody them...

All in all, having been lucky to have gone 9 years without any close personal losses in Japan, but recnetly having lost an important member of our family, I can't tell you how thankful I am that Juzo Itami made this film !

A wry commentary on the loss of meaning in traditions
There are times when death has been appropriate and hilarious material for a comedy. The juxtaposition of the seriousness of a funeral with wacky hijinks and hootenannies makes for funny stuff. But don't expect to find any of that in Itami's social commentary, "The Funeral" ("O-soshiki.") This film has been done a great injustice by marketers, who in the hopes of possibly capturing a quick sale labeled it "...A Deadly Comedy." You certainly don't find it in the comedy section of a Japanese video store! The scene on the cover, where a man tries to hike up his trousers while a watching woman mocks him, is one of the saddest in the movie.

It is, in fact, an incredibly insightful exposition of the meaninglessness of tradition and ritual in modern Japan. A family, so far removed from the society that first created these traditions, tries to struggle though an "appropriate" funeral for the deceased father. They rent videos on appropriate greetings and responses, they hire experts to tell them what direction the coffin should face, and how many sticks of incense to light. The ritual has far more importance too the family than the actual loss of the father, as does presenting a proper face.

The elderly, as the vanguard of the traditions, are the only ones who care. In fact, the dead man's daughters are shocked and impressed when one of their father's friends shows actual sorrow at the loss. "That's the way to do it," they say. Money is the symbolism for the loss of tradition, the idol that has replaced emotion at the altar. The Buddhist priest is made a gift of Italian tiles for his garden, and the climax of the film is when a case of money opens up to the wind, and the family grasps at it desperately.

While rough in nature, and clearly a first film, Itami manages to artfully wrap these various elements together, without stating the message directly. In the Japanese style, much is implied and little is said. A particularly capturing moment, is a black and white home movie of the family laughing and having fun, while a sad lament plays in the background. The pace is slow and patient.

The DVD is lacking, and the white subtitles can be almost unreadable. It is presented in pan-and-scan as well, with no change from the VHS version. Unfortunately, "The Funeral" seems to be a much-misunderstood film, and has not been given the release it deserves.

The critique of Japanese culture is honest and authentic, and I highly recomend this film to anyone who wants to see real Japanese people living real Japanese lives. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

TheBoy Who Left Home to Find out Aboutr the Shivers
The Shivers is the greatest Faerie tale in the whole theatre.I grew up on these videos. I have been searching for a few years now to purchase these videos.I can't wait for them to become available. I would love to own the whole collection.These classic tales should be available for all children to see and enjoy.I must say The Faerie Tale theatre collection is the greatest among faerie tale production.

Utterly Enjoyable!
The Fairy Tale Theatre Series is wonderful. I watched them as a child, and still enjoy watching them. This one especially. It makes you laugh and at the same time has enough scare to it to make a child feel that they just watched their first horror movie. In actuality there there is nothing horrible about it. A perfect family entertainment movie.

Truly a classic!
Faery Tale Theatre movies are masterpieces! They follow the tales they tell fairly faithfully as they were originally written. I only hope they will soon be re-released as my children are now asking for copies, and I don't want to give mine up!

My favorite out of the Faerie Tale Theatre collection.
I am a collector of these series by Shelly Duvall. I have the complete 26 set of movies. It is a great set of movies for families, young and old alike. My sister's favorite is "Cinderella," starring Jennifer Beals and Matthew Broderick. My Mom's favorite is "Rumpelstiltskin," starring Ned Beatty. This is a great collection of movies and a must for every family. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In this quaint Irish comedy about a remote town run by the large number of widows, who are led by the monarchical Mrs. Counihan (Joan Plowright), Natasha Richardson is a newly arrived English widow who brings sex appeal and the possibility of mischief when she starts courting Counihan's befuddled son (Adrian Dunbar). This sets in motion a mystery akin to an Agatha Christie tale, led by suspicious Mia Farrow. The setup is fine and the acting first-rate, but the final act forces its hand far too soon. What starts off as an accessible film turns into a prize only for those who liked Enchanted April and similar movies. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Smashing! A Must-See for Any Mystery Buff!
"Widow's Peak" is one of the few films I have ever seen that I would characterize as flawless. The performances of Joan Plowright, Mia Farrow and Natasha Richardson are first rate. The story keeps you laughing despite the obviously sinister plot. The scenery is wonderful. Richardson does an excellent job as a villainess you love to hate. Farrow has never been better than in this role as the mousey and mad Mrs. O'Hare, who (a la Cassandra)no one believes when she talks about the sinister nature of the newly arrived widow. Plowright is perfect as the know-it-all grandam of the small Irish town of Kilshannon. And through it all, right along with Ms. O'Hare you know exactly what is going on--or do you? This quaint and well-crafted tale has a surprise ending that, in a non-supernatural way, is just as startling as that in "Sixth Sense". I laughed out loud when I realized how thorougly I had been "had" all the way through the film. John Irvin is to be highly commended for the way he guided the cast thorugh this superb creation without giving away the real nature of the mischief afoot until the very end of the film. A must-see for any mystery film fans, especially fans of mysteries in the UK.

A Wickedly Good Time!
I don't own this movie, but I rent it from our local library quite often because I enjoy it so much! Widow's Peak is a film I couldn't recommend highly enough if you like comical mysteries, catfights, films with lavish costumes, beautiful scenery, and great dialogue. Thanks to John Irvin, this movie delivers all of these things, and the overall result is pure lighthearted entertainment with just a sinister enough twist to keep you interested throughout.

Filmed on location in the beautiful, green rolling hills of post WWI Ireland, Kilshannon is a town divided into two classes: the rich widows who own houses upon the hill referred to by the lower class as Widow's Peak, and the lower classes who live below them. Widow's Peak is a vertual female mafia of rich, manless snobs headed by Joan Plowright's character, Mrs. Counihan. Her son Godfrey (Adrian Dunbar) is considered the single gem of the community, and one poor woman named Miss O'Hare (Mia Farrow) lives rent-free on the peak, but nobody questions it...at least not until Edwina Broome (Natasha Richardson), the beautiful young American widow of an English soldier moves to Kilshannon.

This is where the fun begins! Mrs. Counihan's son Godfrey--a mama's boy in denial--falls completely head over heels for Edwina while Mrs. O'Hare takes an instant disliking to Edwina for reasons nobody is quite sure of. It would appear she dislikes Edwina because she married an Englishman, but she boards quite a few English tourists at her house. The two women simply dislike each other to a point where they will stop at nothing to damage each other's social standings, but why? Miss O'Hare claims that Edwina Broome is "up to murder," and yet it also looks like the same could be said for Miss O'Hare.
The entire town is in an uproar over the war between the two women, and one outrageous turn follows another.

Joan Plowright is funny and somewhat dispicable as the snobby Mrs. Counihan, and Adrian Dunbar plays the foppish and clumsy Godfrey very convincingly ("She actually asked me to go back to work!"). Mia Farrow is both sympathetic and frustratingly stubborn as Miss O'Hare, and Jim Broadbent turns in a fine performance as her longsuffering beau and hilarious ethics bending dentist, Mr. Clancey. The real jem here is Natasha Richardson, whose American accent is virtually flawless, and whose character is so transparently scheming that you know the town only have themselves to blame for what happens.

What happens? Rent or buy this movie to find out. The first time I saw it, I had to laugh, because I only saw it coming for a second...and then I wasn't sure...You get the picture. Have fun!

Worth Watching
Don't give up on this film. There may be several times where you may want to, but trust me, there will be a pay off and a great ending, should you ride it out.

That and the fact that this is a cast you just can't assemble these days! Excelllence all around. Acting. Screenplay. Directing. Just get it! Or if you don't get it, you really don't "get it."
BEK

We Want It On DVD!
This is a top rate murder-comedy that more movies should be like. Think of the movie "Clue" only in Ireland.

OK... so the main performers are mostly English with an American thrown in for good measure -- still, it's set in Ireland with many talented Irish actors involved and the humor is as Irish as it gets! ("Back that at 8 to 1, ya bollix.") Each non-Irish actor is thoroughly convincing though and I had no clue that Natasha Richardson wasn't born in America her accent is that good!

The movie itself is set in Ireland with all the beautiful rolling hills, quaint towns (Inistioge? Help me out, people...) and scenic lakes that country has to offer. I can watch this movie over and over for the background alone - and often do. The twist had the end is one you'll never see coming which makes the movie that much the better.

If you love great acting, Ireland, mystery and a good laugh then watch this film. And be sure to bug New Line Studios for a DVD version!!

A charming, gentle comedy
Widow's Peak continues to stand out as one of the most delicately charming, and above all, funny movies of the last twenty years. This well-told tale thoroughly transports you to an Irish hamlet dominated by landowning widows (headed by the ever-quirky Joan Plowright) and concerns the town secret - why the snobbish women have taken poor-as-Job Mia Farrow under their wing, and the arrival of mysterious young widow Natasha Richarson to stir things up. Delightful characterizations and turns of the phrase will make you chuckle throughout and leave you smiling for days. With Jim Broadbent. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Best Live Action Fairy Tale movie I have seen!
My favorite part of the movie is when the "Red Fairy" (Sylvia Miles) appears in a burst of Fire! It stars Morgan Fairchild as the Queen and Tahnee Welch has Rosebud or Sleeping Beauty. This is also a movie with lots of wonderful songs!

Fairy Tale Fever
I first watched this movie when I was just a little girl, so I probably love this movie partly because of the nostalgia it creates. But saying that, this is also a good movie in itself - a reasonably faithful retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, and any dramatic liberties it takes only enhance the plot line. Morgan Fairchild plays the sad Queen who longs above all things for a child and Kenny Baker (who I think is the guy they stuff into R2D2 every time a Star Wars movie is made) is the elf who vows to help her by brewing up a magical potion. It works, and in a few months the Princess Rosebud is born. On her christening day, the fairies gather at her crib to bless her with their individual virtues - beauty, wit, grace, poetry and so on. But because one of the fairies' nine golden plates were missing, one fairy has been crossed off the list - the Fairy Red, who is none to pleased to be excluded. She curses the baby, vowing that on her sixteenth year she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and 'drop down dead'. However, not all hope is lost as the Fairy of White - who was late getting to the party - eases the curse. Rosebud will not die, but instead sleep for one hundred years till she is awoken by love's first kiss. Awwww.
Although the costumes and sets may look a bit dated now, the costumes of all the supernatural characters still look fresh and vibrant, from the elves' feathery clothes to the fairies' sweeping, floating dresses. The songs are beautiful too - look out especially for the Fairy of White's "Quickly, now Quickly," Rosebud's "Something in the Dark" the Prince's "Sleeping Beauty" and the triumphant "How Good It Is". Dancing is outstanding as well, especially the fairies' graceful slow-motion ballet dance to Tchaikovsky's original score is wonderfully choreographed and performed.
One thing that did bother me though, is that apart from Rosebud, nobody had any names! The Queen was simply 'the Queen', the Elf was just 'The Elf' the Prince was merely 'The Prince'. Some names to personalise everyone would have been nice.
It might be funny to see Morgan Fairchild in such a role, but she pulls it off really well and Kenny Baker and David Holliday as the King get most of the laughs. Although I must confess I thought the Prince (Nicholas Clay) was 'icky' when I was a kid, he is a pretty good Prince Charming, and has a great singing voice. Sylvia Miles is pretty darn scary as the Fairy of Red (sensitive kids might need a grown-up present) and Star Trek fans might recognise Jane Wiedlin as the lovely Fairy of White.
All in all, this is a great treat for fairy-tale fans and it is successfully funny, scary, sad and joyful.
I would also recommend to fairy-tale lovers - "The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns", a new take on a familiar story.

LOVED THIS
I first saw this movie on TV when I was really little...like, 6, maybe. My mom taped it off of TV, and I watched it all the time. I couldn't find the video that my mom taped it for a few years, then about 3 years ago I found it...and annoyed my mom when I watched it again, and again, and again...I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I am 19 and I still love this movie...my friends and family think I am crazy, because of my age...but the movie is absolutly beautiful, and the songs are so memmorable. Even Morgan Fairchild does a good job. I love the white fairy...she's my favorite character. I think everyone needs to see it!

AN EXCELLENT FILM VERSION OF THE CLASSIC TALE
When I first saw this movie on the Disney channel in the late eighties/early nineties, I was so amazed by the film that I constantly rented it from a local video store. The sets, costumes, music and acting are superb and the effects are perfectly suited for a film of this genre. I especially love the sequence where the fairies are bestowing their gifts. You don't feel like you're watching a boring or cheesy film, I think it feels more like something along the lines of Legend starring Tom Cruise or Labryinth starring David Bowie. The acting is great and it doesn't hurt that Sylvia Myles plays the evil fairy of red. There are times of both happiness and sadness as well as some moments of suspense as one would think. I've read numerous reviews on this collection of fairy tale films and everyone seems to love the music. I go right along with them and agree that the music is absolutely wonderful. A favorite song of mine from the film is sung by Jane Wiedlin (of the Go Go's) entitled quickly, now quickly. Overall, Morgan Fairchild is perfect for the role of the queen, Tahnee Welch is beautiful as Rosebud and Kenny Baker is enchanting as a little elf who watches over the kingdom (well sort of). It is one of the best in the Cannon Movie tales collection. I reccommended these movies to many people, and I still reccommend them to everyone who loves fantasy/fairy tale films. A TRULY WONDERFUL FILM!!!!

YOU'VE NEVER SEEN A VERSION THIS LOVELY!!!
As much as I love the classic Disney version of this tale, there is definitely something that must be said for such a beautiful live action film. Part of the legendary (and impossible to find) Cannon Movie Tales series, Sleeping Beauty is an enchanting classical treat! The sets, costumes, songs, and actors are all beautifully "spun" together to create the perfect family viewing experience. Sylvia Miles should recieve an award for her LARGER THAN LIFE portrayal of the angry Red Fairy....oooh!
It's quite simply an enveloping, mesmerising film. If you can still find a copy of this one, get it! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Filmmakers Dream Project
In 1885, the Lumiere Brothers perfected a hand-cranked movie camera that moved the world. This 100th year anniversary takes forty filmmakers to task with the same camera to produce a film less than a minute. It's not as interesting in its results as one might have hoped. It was a huge challenge and few really completed something of interest. Of those, David Lynch, Patrice Leconte and Alaine Corneau are the most intriguing, while well known directors like Spike Lee and Liv Ullmann are less so. However, this is subjective. Many of the directors are asked simple questions with the hopes of profound answers. "Why do you film" and "Is cinema immortal" get answers as mundane as 'climbing a mountain because it is there'. Film students will, however, be fascinated with this project and historians will marvel that an invention so old can still be of artistic use. For the average viewer, this 88 minute documentary might seem boring, but at the very least, it is historic.

Cinemaphiles will love this film
As a tribute to the spirit of motion pictures, Lumiere & Company is a tremendous achievement and a sublime experience for true cineastes who are fortunate to find a copy on DVD. Produced in celebration of the centennial of what is considered to be the first motion picture camera, invented by the Lumiere Brothers of France, the approach is similar to asking the most accomplished electric guitar player to go acoustic.

The producers asked a collection of international film directors to create a 52-second piece each using the same technology as the Lumieres did more than one hundred years ago, 52 seconds being the amount of time it takes for one spool of film to run through their camera. Therefore, each of the segments is done in one take. All the directors are well respected, but among the more well-known participants are David Lynch, Wim Wenders, John Boorman, Spike Lee, James Ivory, Zhang Yimou and Liv Ullman.

Each segment is intriguing. While the results are understandably uneven, the pleasure of watching this film is in discovering the remarkable diversity in the working minds of motion picture's prominent practitioners. The DVD allows for free roaming and alternative selection of each short film. Given the nearly limitless possibilities available in the modern film industry, it's worth noting how the directors make use of their limited time and yet still reveal their own styles.

The subject matter ranges from miniature narratives to political statements and social documents. The locations are as varied as the directors themselves, from Bedford-Stuyvesant to Hiroshima. Although this film may seem a bit obscure and tedious to the non-enthusiast, historians and die-hard cinema fans will marvel not only at how limitations forcibly create ingenious ideas to spring forth, but also at how well the Lumiere camera still functions.

The DVD release also offers production notes, a trailer, French language, and English subtitles.

GOOD GOOD VERY GOOD
THIS IS GREAT WORK,GOOD GOOD GOOD VERY GOOD,YOU MUST TO SEE

A gem.
Lumiere and Company (Sarah Moon, 1995)

No, Lumiere and Company is not some sort of obscure sequel to Disney's Beauty and the Beast. (And where I got that idea, which I had for years, is completely beyond me.) Instead, it's Sarah Moon's third film, and a kind of global version of her second, Contriere l'oubli. Moon took the original camera manufactured by the Lumiere brothers, set some ground rules, and asked forty world-famous directors to shoot a fifty-two second scene with it. She then made a documentary incorporating behind-the-scenes footage with the short pieces themselves.

The result is a wonderful look into the mind of the filmmaker as he goes about the filmmaker's art. Each of the filmmakers does something completely different, and each answers the five questions put to him by Moon so disparately that the overall effect is one of a sort of comprehensive feeling about how films get made; one that no one director would subscribe to, but all embrace.

The short films themselves are directed by such luminaries as Costa-Gavras, Spike Lee, David Lynch, Liv Ullmann, Lasse Hallstrom, and many others who are easily recognizable; the trick was to get Moon, the relative neophyte, to create a wrapper that is the equal of the movies therein. And she did so, admirably. The is a fine little gem of a film, and well worth seeing. **** ½

Less Is More
What an intriguing idea. Take several well known directors used to working with today's state of the art equipment and see what they can do with the first practical motion picture camera. And to make it more of a challenge, give them less than a minute to work with. The results are naturally uneven. How could they not be? I won't name names but even the weakest entries have something to offer while the best lend credence to the old adage "less is more". The viewer will ultimately have to decide for him or herself which is which. As a longtime admirer of silent films I found the voiceovers during the segments rather distracting in the manner of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. One of the rules should have called for no comments made during filming to be allowed on the soundtrack. Let us supply our own voices to what we see. All in all an interesting concept that is well executed and worth seeing for any serious student of film. The DVD format is ideal for this type of omnibus film as you can easily select the segments that you want to see again and again. You should also check out the LUMIERE BROTHERS FIRST FILMS on DVD to see what was originally done with this remarkable piece of equipment. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This John Irvin film is a small, hard-edged little gem, full of crisp action and tough-minded codes of honor. Harvey Keitel stars as a retired professional criminal whose younger brother (Timothy Hutton) lures him to Los Angeles for a can't-miss heist in Palm Springs. But Hutton hasn't picked his other partners very well, particularly wheelman Stephen Dorff: when it's time to divvy up the spoils, Dorff kills Hutton and a fourth partner and tries to rub out Keitel. Keitel escapes, however, and trails Dorff back to L.A., where he also figures out which Chinese mob he's tied in with. It's strictly revenge time from there on out, with Keitel as the one-man wrecking crew cutting a bloody swath through the L.A. underworld. Keitel is grittily good, a man of few words and many bullets, while Dorff is an enjoyably sleazy psychopath. A violently propulsive little noir. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (12)

The BEST Heist Film Ever Made!
This film gets two thumbs up and even some toes! The actors were incredible. The middle was a bit draggy, but Stephen Dorff ruled this movie. His character Skip stopped at nothing to get what he wanted and this is one of Dorff's best films. Keitel and Hutton were good too. The movie is fast-paced for tough men and women who like their action and money fast! If you ever need hints on how to rob a bank or jewelry store, City of Industry is the movie for you! If you're looking for a good film to watch and kick your feet up with...be my guest. This movie was all that and a bag of chips!

"I'm my own police."
City of Industry is another entry into Tough Guy Cinema. The story could be from any noir of any decade. It's a stylish, violent crime movie. You're either on board or off.

Roy (Harvey Keitel) comes to LA to help his brother (Timothy Hutton) and two other hoods pull a high profile robbery. They take down a jewelery store and before you know it they're splitting the cash. Then Skip (Stephen Dorff) caps Timothy Hutton (who looks like preppy sleaze with that scruffy beard).

This movie is about Harvey Keitel getting revenge, no matter what. He dedicates his life, or about a week in his life, to hunting down Stephen Dorff. It's a stylish, slick film, full of LA 'industrial' locations of the machinery and criminal type. Take a bit of To Live and Die in LA, a bit of old fashioned noir, a lot of blood (including a head-bashing finale), and Harvey just being Harvey. A highlight is the laptpop bit in the lawyer's office. Subtle menace.

Highly recommended.

Get this-
Lucy Liu is topless in it. I'd say that's just about the only reason you need to buy this.

Very solid film
Start with the great depictions of some unseen parts of L.A. and graft on themes of revenge, anger, reciprocity, obligation and stoic acceptance and you have City of Industry - a little-seen film that pleases on a number of levels. Keitel is a master in this role and wonderfully plays against Jamsen, while Dorff's full bore anger makes his extermination that much more interesting. A real treat of a noirish-type movie with a stellar soundtrack that well matches the landscape and mood of City's undercurrent L.A.

Modern Film Noir
Interesting characters, believible plot. I have watched it a number of times, and enjoyed it each time. Probably my favorite DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Video
This video was the greatest. I enjoyed all the songs.

Great Video
No matter what enyone says, this is my favorite video! I love the songs. I mean come on, the twins can't be PERFECT all the time. I like this video very much! It's a good video and if you get it, I don't think you'll be sorry.

BURY THIS ONE AT SEA AS WELL
This film stinks. It is stupid and predictable. Any story involving the world's most famous twins will be a happy ending and a predictable story line. You don't need a prequel or a sequel. The songs are lousy. "Who Would You Be" is without a doubt the girls' worst tune. It has no redeeming features. "Who would you be? A Kennedy" is insulting to everybody's ears and intelligence. The song stinks and should be buried well below sea level.

And yes, the girls' dad DOES recover his computer. With Mary-Kate and Ashley, would you expect otherwise?

Great!
This film is a great video to see if you love the Olsentwins. It's even better if you first watch The case of the sea world adventure, as this one is a sequel to it. The twins are on board of a cruise ship as their father's computer is stolen. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Blues Brothers, Gidget Goes to Shock Therapy and More!
Loved the video, two episodes of "The Best of SNL" combined on one tape ... Read more