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In 1985, Steven Spielberg launched the anthology TV series AmazingStories, directing one of the early episodes, "The Mission," a taut, emotional story set during a World War II combat flight.

Kevin Costner plays the pilot of an American bomber running raidsinto German airspace. During a dogfight with Nazis, a piece ofenemy aircraft wedges itself into the hull of Costner's rig and jams thehatch of the ball turret gunner. The shootout cripples the landing mechanism,and the net effect is that the gunner (Casey Siemaszko) is stuck in histransparent shell, unable to get back up into the body of the plane andcertain to die horribly during an imminent, emergency landing.Spielberg keeps tightening the screws, brilliantly directing a handful of goodactors (Kiefer Sutherland is in the mix) in a tight spacerapidly filling with dread and grief. While it has to be said that theresolution of "The Mission" may well be the most improbable turn of events in television history, everything up to that point is as exciting as TV can get.

Also on Book 1 is "The Wedding Ring," starring real-life spousesDanny DeVito and Rhea Perlman as a married couple who spice up their 10thyear together after DeVito, playing a costumer in a wax museum, gives hismousy bride a ring that belonged to a black-widow killer. Perlman, cast as a beleaguered waitress exploited by a callous boss, gets a personality makeover whenever she dons the ring, becoming insatiable in bed and a convincing femme fatale everywhere else. The only problem is that she's soon chasing herterrified husband around with a large kitchen knife, imbued with more thanthe sexy spirit of the ring's previous owner. Directed by DeVito, this cute episode works best as a different kind of vehicle for Perlman, who reallydoes make the screen sizzle. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Best hour of TV ever
I remember watching this Amazing Stories premiere and being
rendered slackjawed for the entire episode. I can remember no
better television, ever. It was like watching 'Raiders of the
Lost Ark', '1941', and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' all
wrapped up in an hour of tension. This is a masterpiece worthy
of film.

...and the DeVito episode is pretty good too.

:)

With dream's, You live
I can seriously relate to the characters in the mission. My grandfather was a tailgunner during WWII. Once he was sick and unable to go on a mission. His entire crew and plane were destroyed on take-off. And where would I be? Out of existance. Steven Spielberg directs the first in a series of Amazing stories, a story about heart and survival. Kevin Costner is the captain of a crew of airmen in WWII. The Bellygunner dreams one day of drawing for Disney, and hopes as soon as the war is over, to work in the land of magic.

Kiefer Sutherland, a more serious character and close companion, always keeps an eye out and protects his friend nomatter the cost. On one mission in flight over enemy lands, the plane is hit my enemy fire. The good news is they can make it back to base. But the tragedy is, the door to the bellygunner is stuck and the landing wheels are jammed. Sutherland has a tremendous decision to make, and is faced with a hard decision of his life.

In a tension mounting climax, you see how the dreams and ambitions of one man can change the lives of the others around him forever. Absolutely great.

The other story, The Ring, is funny as all get out. If the decision had been left to me, I wouldn't have stuck these two stories together because they are so different. I would wait a half an hour between the two so you can get the most out of them. Devito and Pearlman have a hard lesson to learn about love, and what it takes to rekindle it. Good stuff.

The First Episode Reviewed, not the second!
The first episode, "The Mission", is a very enetertaining tale that anybody under the age of 20 would enjoy. I consists of fighting in WW2 and of the lives of B-17 pilots. It is a miniature "Memphis belle" yet is in its own class. A B-17 has many gun turrets on it, and one is located on the bottom of the plane. In this episode of Amazing stories, the belly gunner's bubble is damaged, and he cannot get out. To make matters worse, the bombers landing gear will not go down, so the crew has to risk a belly landing, which would spell the end of our cartoon-drawing, luftwaffae-fighting, and caring hero, Kevin Costner. The ending is surprising, and has a bit of magic to it. This is, of course, my opinion. And the music by John Williams! WOW! amazing, to say the least. Especially when the AS theme surges as the gunner frantically creates his solution to the problem. If you wanna know how it ends, scroll down as far as you can go

The gunner, being a cartoonist, frantically draws his airplane, while John Williams them races and flares. He draws his plane, and adds a pair of balloony, cartoon tires to the landing gear, which results in an impressive bending of animation and live action, for the time. And thus, the B-17 lands safely, and the gunner is united with his lady, and the crew lives happily ever after.

First in the series of Amazing Stories videos not so strong.
This tape includes both "The Mission" and "The Wedding Ring." The Mission is helmed by Steven Spielberg. This special one-hour episode has his style written all over it. The cinematography is a gorgeous sepia and the winning score by John Williams is properly heroic. The whole episode is very grand for television including the superstar casting (Kevin Costner, Kiefer Sutherland). Even the screenplay is a direct, no-nonsense approach to the situation. However, the magical ending is a major letdown and is totally removed from the earthly tension Spielberg builds up through that point. In fact, one of the attempted solutions to their problem, involving passing an opened parachute through a little window to the belly gunner for him to use after he kicks out of his plexi-glass cock-pit would make for a more promising, dare I say 'Amazing' ending. Next on the tape is Danny DeVito's "Wedding Ring." This was the second season opener and, other than the star power of Rhea Perlman and husband Danny DeVito, is an un-Amazing whimper. DeVito and Perlman do portray a cute couple and the musical score by Craig Safan is enjoyable, but otherwise, this is a tired, boring story. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

The Houseguest Nobody Would Want
Monty Woolley stars as Sheridan Whiteside, a critic with a gift for insults and getting his way, who falls on the porch of the home of a family eager to meet him. He must stay with them while he recuperates, and they discover that having him around isn't the honour they thought it would be as he turns their house and life upside down. Bette Davis stars as his patient assistant who falls in love with a local would-be playwright, and Ann Sheridan stars as a two-faced actress in search of a good role. The performances are all excellent. Woolley blusters and puts down everyone with great style (especially his nurse, Mary Wickes), and Davis is excellent in a straight role that helps to keep the film from becoming too much of a farce and gives it some heart. The dialogue and one-liners are terrific, and the whole movie reminds you of what movie comedies used to be like.

A FINE COMEDY
A wonderful little movie in which Monty Woolley gives his classic interpretation of Sheridan Whiteside, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER and stayed and stayed.....Bette Davis should be admired for taking the secondary role of secretary Maggie Cutler and for playing her so moderately and so well. Davis was thought by many to be misguided in accepting the decidedly secondary role, but in fact she gives one of her most attractive and unselfish performances - wry and witty, without demeaning herself in the rather stodgy romantic interludes. Reginald Gardiner is brilliant in his role as Carlton while Ann Sheridan is in fine faddle as Lorraine. Ruth Vivian is eerie as the formerly axe-wielding Aunt Harriet and Grant Mitchell and Billie Burke are the perfect flabbergasted hosts. Jimmy Durante pops in to cause assorted mayhem and sing at the piano: "Did you ever get the feeling that you wanted to go? And still get the feeling that you wanted to stay"? It may not make much sense, but it's fun. Originally, the great John Barrymore was to be cast as Whiteside, but he was sick and had trouble with his lines (he died in 1942); Laura Hope Crews was originally going to play Billie Burke's role but she died suddenly during production. Witty lines and great performances make this a special delight from 1941.

Shoddy adaption of a fine play
Kaufman and Hart's stage-play was a gem, hilarious and tightly constructed. Adapting it to film, however, drained much of the life out of it.

First of all, the film version comes across and formless and rambling. It's never clear what the central story is: is it the obnoxious houseguest vs. the owners of the house, or is it his secretary's love-affair, or is it something else? On stage, the division of the play into separate acts imposed a sense of order onto all of this, but in the movie its just stitched together. What's more, the movie adds brief scenes - Whiteside arriving in the town, the secretary skating with her boyfriend - that distract from the plot without adding anything.

Almost every good scene is defeated by incompetent choice of camera shots. Close-ups are brought in at inappropriate moments. The rhythm of the film is constantly in flux.

Monty Wooley does not, in my opinion, play the leading role very consistently. Some of the supporting performances are dreadful: the nurse, the young writer/newspaperman (one of the worst actors I've ever seen). Bette Davis is not bad, but her chemistry with Wooley is erratic; sometimes she laughs gently at him, other times she takes a hard-bitten cynical approach to his behavior. The problem is less with her than with the direction. Ann Sheridan and Billy Burke give the only really satisfying performances.

Bette Davis herself complained: "I felt the film was not directed in a very imaginative way. For me it was not a happy film to make--that it was a success, of course, did make me happy."

Why waste time watching this when you could be watching -
- watching Now, Voyager or Mr Skeffington?

Usually I like to watch a movie twice or even three times when I intend to review it. This one I just can't bring myself to give another chance. Monty Wooley was the star and so aggravating and predominating that Bette Davis' brilliant performance as his secretary was shadowed beyond recall. The best part that didn't involve Bette Davis was the climax when the lady got put into the mummy case. The only other good part that I recall was the skating scene with Bette and Boyfriend.

That is all I can bring myself to say about this. Watch it if you like, but I advise you to rent it first. Then you can make your own judgement.

cruzzardly fun
The scenery in the play was beautiful, but the actors got in front of it.
-Alexander Woollcott

The Stanley's of Mesalia, Ohio are quite honored to have the famous critic and radio personality Sheridan Whiteside come to dinner. Whiteside, an irascible, elitist, buzzard of a man is less thrilled. When he slips on
their front steps, is confined to a wheelchair, and effectively commandeers the Stanley house, no one's very happy. Soon the tyrannical Whiteside is dispensing flippant advice to the Stanley children, having octopus
and penguins delivered to the house, and dining with convicted murderers on loan from the state penitentiary.

On a more serious note (though still played for laughs, of course), he meddles in the nascent love affair between his devoted secretary (Bette Davis) and a local newspaper man (Richard Travis), who just happens to
be an aspiring playwright. When it begins to look like she'll leave his employee to marry her young man, Whiteside brings in a vampish gold digger, who thinks she'll get to be the lead in what Whiteside assures her is
the young man's masterful drama.

The whole thing is as madcap and zany as it gets, but the film is completely dominated by Monty Woolley as Whiteside. Woolley had played the role on Broadway too, a role that George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
based on the profoundly unpleasant but very powerful NY Times drama critic Alexander Woollcott. Rarely has egomania been more amusing, though it's sure to offend some sensibilities. In particular, he's just brutal
to his nurse, Mary Wickes, though she does get off a great line when she finally quits :

If Florence Nightingale ever had the misfortune to take care of you, she would have forgotten about founding the Red Cross, would have quit
nursing, and would have married Jack the Ripper.

Even less politically correct is a cameo by Jimmy Durante as a lecherous vaudevillian. But if these antiquated bits don't entertain you, there's a thoroughly modern homosexual subtext to the whole affair that's sure to
grab your fancy.

It begins with Woollcott, who at one point conceived a mad passion for Harpo Marx, unrequited we're told. Meanwhile, Woolley was Cole Porter's cruising partner, though the two supposedly parted ways because
Woolley only wanted to dally with black men while Porter was less finicky. Finally, there's a character in the film named Beverly Carlton, who's supposed to be Noel Coward. The movie's practically a prequel to
Can't Stop the Music.

Today's viewers can be excused for finding this classic both hoary and whorey, but it remains great cruzzardly fun and it's worth seeing just for Woolley's brilliant performance.

GRADE : B ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This 1973 television movie about 110 years of American history as seen through the eyes of a black woman from Louisiana (Cicely Tyson) is a terrific achievement, a window onto racism from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Tyson gives a career performance as the title character, whose personal life is inextricably woven into the fabric of the African American struggle for equality. A mixture of the sentimental and the unflinching, this is the kind of educational experience that fully engages a viewer. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Fiction Was Never This Real
This is one of those works of fiction that is so realistic that the viewer can only assume that this is the story of a real American heroine, not a composite of the many unsung greats of the past. Cicely Tyson is magnificent as both the young and aged Miss Pittman. Her performance should go down as one of the best ever done for the small or the big screen. Every minute that she is in view is a major glimpse into the talent of a great actress.

The excellent script that traces the 110 years of the title character includes many of the critical points in the life of African-Americans from Reconstruction on to the Civil Rights struggle of the early 1960's. This is history that is informative as well as entertaining.

As an educator by profession, I heartily recommend this film to be a staple in every media center's video library. Timeless and relevant, "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" is an undeniable masterpiece!

That's MISS Jane to you.....
I first saw this movie in the gymnasium of my elementary school years ago when it was probably just released! Wow! History revealed through the eyes of a 110 year-old woman who was born into slavery and lived to see the turbulent civil rights movement era. Standout performances by all. When I was younger, I used to think Miss Jane Pitman was not just a fictitious person! The only thing that keeps me from giving this dvd five stars is the picture and sound quality could have been improved. I still wouldn't let that deter anyone from purchasing this dvd. Watchable over and over again. I dare you not to get a little misty eyed in the final scene of this film!

Excellent!
All I can add is that it's better than the book, at least in one significant way: The book does not have the ending the movie has, and the book leaves one just hanging out there, while the movie brings the story to a beautiful climax.

Read the book (or listen to it on tape), and then watch the movie. Awesome. Having read the book after seeing the movie several times, I felt like I had been ripped off and couldn't believe the book ended at a dead end. Thanks to the movie, my mood is repaired.

Better than the Book
It is not often that a movie is better than the book based upon. But this is one case where even a great book is surpassed. I needn't add to other reviews. It is an absorbing movie, very moving to those sensative to human rights. Even though the movie concerns Black Americans, it speaks universally to the injustice usually found in the heart of the human race.

But I will mention one thing about the movie that I believe definitively places the movie above the book. I will not describe this thing so that those who have read the book, but haven't seen the movie, will have it spoiled for them. The book ends at a particular point, I believe an unfortunate point, resulting in a dead ending. But the movie continues where the book leaves off, and the sequence of scenes is wonderful, truly pulling together the movie in a truly powerful ending.

Finally, I believe the movie is better than Roots (the series). And if you are interested in Roots, the book is better than the series.

Unforgettable
I saw this movie when it was first released with my brothers and cousins. I was the youngest at six years old. I had nightmares for that summer expecting men in white hoods to leap through my window and I was a six year old white child. Now that I have grown up and am knocking on 37 years of age, I have been wanting to see that movie again. I was too young to see it when I did, but it is an exceptional movie, one that I believe blows Roots out of the water. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Rock Just wants to have Fun
In this show Zed trys to get rid of the poerrangers again so he puts a spell on a pinball game.Rocky starts to play the pinball game he hipmotised in to playing the game.he won't come when the powerrangers are in trouble. Will Zed finally destroy the power rangers? ... Read more

Reviews (54)

The Story of God's Love
The Robe

An epic in its time due its being the first motion picture in Cinemascope, it remains a great testimony to the values and morals of its producers and director. I remember watching this movie as adolescent. Victor Mature, as Demetrius a Greek slave, stood out for me in this movie and in other movies (Demetrius and the Gladiators, Samson and Deliah) as the epitome of Christian virtue. Ironically, however the story plot was not about him, but he did play a very important supporting role, his story is in the sequel Demetrius and the Gladiators. Given that this film was an epic in its time 1953; it still has not lost the inspiration and awe of the strength of the test of faith, at least for me, that it inspired when I first saw it.

This epic film was directed by Henry Koster, a German who also is known by the name Herman Kosterlitz. His works include A man called Peter (1955), Harvey (1950), and The bishop's Wife (1947). I believe that major premise that Koster was portraying to the public was that faith in Christ is worth both searching and dying for. No matter who you are there is hope for you in finding the Jesus of the Cross.
The Robe is based on a fiction novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. The story is full of life's major issues that most of us have to work through jealousy, anger, betrayal, forgiveness, reconciliation, and the progression of and test of personal faith.

While titled the Robe, the story really evolves around Marcellus (Richard Burton) a tribune in the service of Rome. He was ordered to crucify Jesus. He wins the robe while gambling at the foot of the cross, but when he touches it he becomes tortured in his mind. When overcome, he cries out "Where you there.?" Ironically the best that anyone can do for him is to send him on a quest to find the robe and destroy it, thinking that will bring his mind to rights. When he finds the Robe he finds peace of mind, through reconciliation to God through belief in the Christ who wore the Robe. Instead of destroying the Robe he instead joins the Christians in declaring God's love for humankind. The ending of the movie is magnificent! When brought to trial by Caligula (Jay Robinson) Marcellus is ordered to pledge allegiance to Rome and renounce his faith in Christ on the penalty of death. He does renew his pledge to Rome but refuses to renounce his faith in Christ. He is sentenced to death for his faith.

The beginning of this story starts before Marcellus has to crucify Jesus, yet the cross, signified by the Robe itself is central to the story. Without it there would be no new life and faith in Christ to die for. Some have called it another story of the Crucifixion, yet I would say no. It is the continuation of the reality of the meaning of the crucifixion... i.e. the Love of God for humankind.

Wide Screen Classic
The first film to be released in the CinemaScope process, The Robe is a fairly interesting fictionalization of Roman life after the death of Christ. Richard Burton stars as Marcellus, the centurion in charge of the crucifixion. Marcellus's life is never the same after he wins Christ's robe in a gambling game. Consumed with guilt and the haunting belief that Jesus was perhaps the Son of God, Marcellus almost goes mad. With the help of some Palestinian Christians, he gets his sanity back and charts a new and dangerous course that puts him at odds with the Roman emperor. A beautiful production featuring an all-star cast including the beautiful Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, and Michael Rennie, The Robe is still enjoyable entertainment some 50 years later. The DVD quality is good and if you have a home theater, the surround sound is quite impressive. Too bad they didn't add any extras, like a commentary by Jean Simmons (the only major star still living). You would think a documentary on the development of CinemaScope would have a least been in order. After CinemaScope, all major studio productions were produced for the wide screen, and The Robe's success helped pave the way for this new process.

Jesus Christ Never Existed.
'The Robe' is a famous film some people have seen or at least heard about. Most people fail to realize all of that doesn't matter because Jesus Christ never existed!! Jesus Christ is a mythological figure the church has exploited for hundreds of years and now the film industry has for almost a hundred years. There is absolutely no archeological or historical evidence that Jesus Christ existed. Even if he did exist, it would be highly unlikely he would have received that kind of punishment.
It is a shame that con artists like these filmmakers are using this mythological figure to make millions of dollars. People have to start swaying away from the manipulations of the church and the filmmaking industry and start looking at the hard facts. Jesus Christ and his crucifixion never happened.

"as for me, I have found another king"
A marvelous epic melodrama, with portions that are emotionally stirring, and with two exceedingly attractive stars, this film ranks high in the "sword and sandals" genre.
This is prime-time Richard Burton, at age 27, heavenly to look at and even better to listen to; his crisp enunciation makes the English language shine, and though some of his scenes are a little "over the top", he carries them off with charismatic presence. Jean Simmons is exquisite as Diana, the woman who has loved Marcellus (Burton) since childhood, and their screen romance has a rare depth and spark.
Other notable performances come from Victor Mature as Demetrius the slave, with a mute but moving scene at Christ's crucifixion, and Michael Rennie is grand as Peter. Jay Robinson is wonderfully rotten as the vicious Caligula.

I always like a good fight sequence, and there is a brilliantly choreographed one between Marcellus and a centurion. It is the kind of swordplay great Shakespearean actors have perfected, and it is a delight to watch.
Directed by Henry Koster, it has an exceptional score by Alfred Newman, and vibrant Technicolor cinematography by Leon Shamroy. I like the way the night scenes have a deep blue glow to them, and the costumes are wonderful. Oscars went to Best Art Direction/Set Design (color) and Best Costume design (color). It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Cinematography (color), and was the first film to be released in CinemaScope.
I saw this film many years ago, and had thought it a little silly, but we have both aged well; I can now watch it repeatedly, and appreciate the depictions of courage, and the beauty and humanity of it. Total running time is 2 hours and 13 minutes.

Great Cinemascope Epic
Richard Burton gives a good performance as his soul contorts his mind after being given divine inspiration. The story and photography are well done. The finale is very moving. Great score by Newman. ... Read more

Reviews (77)

Better than "Citizen Kane"
The muse has spoken. Vanilla Ice's feature film debut is absolutely astounding. Astounding because this film was actually made to cash in on Vanilla's success as a one-hit rapper whose popularity was dubious at best and was only equalled by the vitriolic backlash he received shortly after. Contains Oscar-calibre dialog like "drop the zero and get with a hero". Jesus wept. I cannot hardly imagine who put their hard earned ducats down to see this in the theatre. The saving grace is that this film is so undeniably bad that it's good. To quote another reviewer: "Vanilla Ice accomplishes what every comedian dreams of; he makes the audience crack up without making a single joke". Kristin Minter is shortchanged as Ice's love interest being that she is hot and can act but due to poor direction and the fact she likes Vanilla her talents are wasted. At least Michael Gross is given one last chance onscreen before his career sank without a trace. To summarize, the sheer fact that this movie exists is a testament to how poor our taste was in the 80's. Beats out every bad movie I've seen to be number one. I give it 4 stars for irony. A classic of the genre. Rent it, you'll thank me.

Simply the Most HANDSOME AND POWERFUL MOVIE ON EARTH!
I laughed! I Cried! I hurled! I've seen this movie over 30 times -- more than any other movie that I have seen in my life. I take that back. To call this a movie is an insult...it is film at its finest. And there are so many fine points to the film. For example when Nik and Cat are leaving the Sugar Shack, every car in the lot is white. Also, did you notice the writing on the wall, how about the tv set with the planter? Can you read what's on the side of Vanilla's shades? What's Johnny's last name? Do you remember the name of the model in the opening sequence (monique) who was a VERY popular swimsuit model in the early 90s? Just look at the blossoming careers of the stars. Tommy was in sandlot, Kat on ER, the goon has been in Seinfeld. Obviously, Cool As Ice was the springboard to their success! Vanilla Ice owns his own extreme sports store in Fla and is most recently been on tour at major venues across the States! From the classic one-liners "Aww yeah. Drop that Zero and get with the hero" "You need a psychiatrist" "I'm kinda busy right now know what I'm sayin?" "Lookie lookie lookie in Kat's black bookie" "I'm gonna drop some funky lyrics" "Scmucks" "You know, the chick who drives the horse" "You're seein me now" "See ya dick. That's nick. Oh yeah yeah ....Nick" "You are ours!" "Hey you hit pretty good for a girl" and the unforgettable "yup yup she likes me" "dissed again" Of course these are only a few of the classic lines from this classic tale of adventure and romance. Most of all, there is no profanity beyond a "hell" and a "damn" therefore it is family entertainment at its finest! Why have your kids watch Bambi and end up crying when Bambi's broke mommy gets the smackdab? Johnny'd tell them kids to "drop that zero and get with the hero." The kids will cheer the ending of Cool As Ice and want to watch it again and again and again. For $80, it's a wise investment in what has made American Film "the best around."

Dr. Shawn E. Chase, P.E., J.D. D.V.M., M.D., MBA, OBgyN

Fact of the matta is ill.
Yo word up. This be the greatest love story in da world. You can forget all 'bot Romeo and Juliet. Now it's on with Johny and Cat. If the world ever needed anything more than a boy, his girl, and his bike, than everything is whack.

Even the credits are ill phat. Naomi Campbell herself sings the opening song. How bad be that? This whole flick is slick with sick to the max. Yo.

Vanilla Ice is the hero and we all be zeros. There will never again be a 'Nilla Ice. He was the coolest, he was the smoothest. He was cold. Cold as Ice.

An incredible motion picture...
What can I say about Cool As Ice that hasnt already been said?

Probably nothing. Still. I recently received a foriegn DVD release of the film and was THRILLED.

From the action (Ice makes a jump on his bike so bad-a$$ that it makes a horse freak out!) to the dialogue ("Well, I'll see you.." "Yer seein' me NOW."), this is a WONDERFUL motion picture.

See, I believe in a thing called a Happy Accident. Movies that are SO INCREDIBLY BAD that they actually end up being wonderful.

There are TONS of bad movies, but very few Happy Accidents. Road House was one. Showgirls was another. Wild Things was the most recent.

But Cool as Ice? BEST. HAPPY. ACCIDENT. EVER.

What made it so great was that you could tell it wasnt MEANT to be bad. Someone actually thought they were writing a good movie!!!

All in all... if you can find an old video store that has this? Rent it. If you have ANY type of sense of humor, you will NOT regret it.

absolutely terrible....
after a freinds recommendation I watched this film - without doubt it is the single, most terrible thing that has ever appeared on my television. I now have one less freind - and some horrible memories of seeing Vanilla Ice try to act.... please don't make the same mistakes I did - avoid this film at all costs.
If bad acting, awful script writing, weak directing and shoddy storylines are your thing then this movie is the one for you. ... Read more

Description

Cole leaves his home in the Amazon jungle in search of his destiny, carrying his mysterious Red Animal Crystal, a symbol whose meaning he doesn't yet understand. Finding himself in the Animarium, a magical kingdom hidden in the sky, Cole is befriended by giant animals -- the Wild Zords. Their king, Red Lion, tells Cole that his Red Crystal links them, and Princess Shayla tells him that he has been chosen to lead the Rangers. As Danny, Max, Alyssa, and Taylor show Cole their Animal Crystals, Cole realizes he is indeed a Ranger. Repeating the "Wild Access!" call, Cole morphs into Red Ranger and joins the others in a fight against Plugma Org and Turbine Org, who are terrorizing the city. The rangers combine their weapons to form the Wild Force Jungle Sword and quickly defeat Plugma Org. But suddenly, Turbine Org becomes Turbine Org Giant! Using his Crystal Saber, Cole summons the Wild Zords, and they triumph over Turbine Org Giant. But perhaps more importantly, the Power Rangers Wild Force is born! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Power Rangers Wild Force
This video has the following episodes of Power Rangers Wild Force:

LIONHEART
A young man named Cole leaves his home in the wilderness to find his real parents. His journey leads him to the Wild Force Power Rangers, where he joins them in battling the evil Orgs as the Red Ranger.

DARKNESS AWAKENING
Master Org resurfaces, and begins plotting the destruction of mankind. The Rangers discover that they can combine their Wild Zords into the Wild Force Megazord.

CLICK, CLICK, ZOOM
The Camera Org makes Taylor (Yellow Ranger) invisible. Cole races to defeat the monster to restore his teammate, as well as other citizens who have been zapped.

These three episodes are filled with action and suspense. Power Rangers Wild Force is one of the greatest Power Rangers incarnations that I have ever seen. Buy this video. You won't be disappointed.

Power of the rangers
419: LIONHEART (2/09/02)

A young man named Cole leaves his home in the wilderness to find his real parents. His journey leads him to the Wild Force Rangers, where he joins them in battling the evil Org as the Red Ranger.

420: DARKNESS AWAKENING (2/09/02)

Master Org resurfaces, and begins plotting the destruction of mankind. The Rangers discover that they can combine their Wild Zords into the Wild Force Megazord.

421: CLICK, CLICK, ZOOM (2/16/02)

The Camera Org makes Taylor invisible, and Cole races to defeat the monster to restore his teammate, as well as other citizens who have been zapped.

422: NEVER GIVE UP (2/23/02)

To prove himself to the Rangers, Max stakes out a haunted temple, where he finds Bell Org. When he is captured, Danny overcomes his fear of heights to rescue him.

Wild Force The Best Series Ever!!!!
This video is just awsome it has the first 3 episodes of power rangers wild force its about a jungle boy named Cole he has to traval to turtle cove city to find his missing parents he rescues a dog that toxica and jindrax capture anyways the 4 rangers taylor yellow ranger,danny black ranger,alyssa white ranger,and max blue ranger are fighting monsters called orgs after the undefeted orgs left max,alyssa,and danny say they need a fifth ranger but taylor the current leader sayes there doing fine later in the video Taylor didn't get along with Cole but in the end it all worked out this video was awsome i liked how they actually had a female ranger leader because in the other seasons no rangers were a tough as taylor so thats somthing thats cool about wild force.

Perfect Movie
I have been watching the Power Rangers for years and now my three year old son is a big fan. I rented the Power Rangers Lion Force for him, and ever since this has been the only thing he talks about. Now he has the whole collection of power rangers This is a great movie, he learns a lot, with working together with others.

MY SON WATCHES THIS CONSTANTLY!
I have a 4 yr old son who watches this movie non -stop all day long. Keeps him out of my hair while trying to do household chores! He even recites the words. The movie may seem kind of unrealistic to me with bad acting, but to a 4 year old it is the perfect level. The monsters arent too scary and it teaches the value of teamwork. I recommend this movie. ... Read more

Description

Locked in a fierce battle with Venomark, the Rangers are bitten by the venomous mutant ... except for Wes, the Red Ranger, who runs to his father's lab for the antitoxin. Saved by the serum, the Rangers, Q-Rex, and Shadow Force Blue defeat the vicious Venomark. Jen warns Wes that his dad's serum must be destroyed or the future could be in danger of shifting. But Mr. Collins refuses. It's too profitable to give up, he says. Desperate for the antivenom, Ransik and his mutant Severax attack Bio-Lab and unbeknownst to Wes, they severely injure his father. Suddenly, a mysterious man from the future appears and the Rangers are stunned to see that it's Alex, the original Red Ranger. They thought he was dead -- killed by Ransik. The future has shifted, he says, and he has been sent to fix it. He tells Wes that his father has been injured and soon he will die. At the hospital, Wes reluctantly promises his father that he will take over the lab while Lex replaces Wes as head Ranger. Meanwhile, Frax sends his robot Dragontron to attack the city. With Shadow Force Blue and Q-Rex, the Rangers fight off the robot, but their team isn't the same without Wes. Dragontron returns and the Rangers use their Megazords to fight, but they're overpowered. Are they doomed? Will Wes return? The answers lie within. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

And we thought he died in "Force From The Future".
Yes it's true. Alex- You know, Jen's fiance who we thought died in the first episode is back. And he's not a happy camper. In fact he's pretty darn angry cuz he thinks the Time Force Rangers have changed the future. Not a good thing in the Time Force code book. He's come back to see that time doesn't change, but in doing so he could end up ruining his relationship with Jen for all time. "Dawn Of Destiny" is a dawn of destiny for both Alex and his 2001 counterpart Wes. This video is pretty epic in what it is trying to achieve. It seems that we could have seen more emotion from Jen in seeing Alex again, but due to the imminent danger in the story this doesn't happen, and with good cause. Frax has something a lot more powerful than the Power Rangers' zords. So sit back, relax and tune into the action on screen. This video isn't the best Power Rangers has to offer since it mainly focuses on the typical upcoming zord battle. If only it focused more on the tension between Jen and Alex. Still, I bought it, and I definitely don't regret doing so. Check it out and make up your own mind.

Dawn of Destiny
This video contains the following episodes of Power Rangers Time Force:

FRAX'S FURY
Frax releases Venomark, who infects the city and four Rangers with the same poisonous bite he gave Ransik many years ago. By snagging one of Ransik's vials, Wes is able to get the serum reproduced by Bio-Lab, saving his friends and the city.

DAWN OF DESTINY
Out of serum, Ransik raids Bio-Lab to steal their supply. He succeeds, and injures Mr. Collins during the break-in. Frax, who is on the run from Ransik, works on building his own giant sized robot. After fending off Ransik's forces, the Rangers are approached by Alex, who tells them that their actions are changing the future.

FIGHT AGAINST FATE
Alex reclaims his role as Red Ranger, as Wes leaves to see his father in the hospital. Alex organizes a pre-emptive strike against Frax's new robot, Dragontron, making him retreat with the help of Eric and the Q-Rex.

DESTINY DEFEATED
Alex finally realizes that the Rangers need Wes to defeat Dragontron. With Wes back as the Red Ranger, the team manages to destroy Frax's creation. Alex also saves Mr. Collins from death, and learns an important lesson in making your own destiny.

These episodes are some of the best in all Power Rangers history. Sadly, these episodes were better than the Power Rangers Time Force finale. I recommend this video to Power Ranger fans and non-fans alike.

Power Rangers Are Terrific
I love it a lot because it's full of non-stop excitement from beginning to end and I can't wait for Power Rangers Wild Force to come out on VHS very soon. ... Read more

Description

Based on Anais Nin's pre-WWII book.The lead character is an eager American writer with sex on her twentysomething mind, either as voyeur or as a participant. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Not for the faint of heart
This movie, as with all of Zalman King's, has its weaknesses, but of them all, this is the best. I never fail to find it empowering, beautiful, envigorating, and, of course, scintillating to watch. Very few of this type of movie reach an emotional level as well as a physical level, and as such, very few are truly aimed at the thinking and feeling woman. Even Red Shoes and the Wild Orchid series (don't forget Shades of Blue) miss at times and sink to the common standard of male oriented meaningless sex. This movie, based on a novel that is about nothing but the meaning of sexual exploration and emotional risk, rises far above the norm to be a cornerstone in any woman's video library. Anais Nin would have been pleased.

A flowing, beautiful, and delightfully erotic film.
Those who are familiar with Zalman King know that he is one of the few directors who is able to create erotically stimulating films without sacrificing production quality, cinemtography and acting. Delta of Venus is, in my opinion, his greatest accomplishment as the film flows with poetic motion, draws sumptuous romanticism from its setting in pre-World War II Paris, offers a lovely musical soundtrack, and excites the viewer with beautiful actors who interact with splendid chemistry.

If you are looking for a simple sex film or a picture exploding with action, this is not the film for you. It moves at a purposefully slow pace, like generous foreplay, leading the audience through a series of visual and auditory climaxes. It will appeal mostly to women, but also to men who delight in the slow, attentive pleasuring of a woman.

Although the R-rated version of the movie is well worth seeing, it does not compare to the unrated copy, which bursts with scenes that will propel any couple into a torrid evening of lovemaking.

Visual poetry
"Delta of Venus" is beautifully filmed. The production values are exquisite. The acting is excellent. The character development is strong. And, yes, it is truly erotic. Beautifully and sensually erotic. The voice-over is softly and touchingly done, and the narration itself uses very poetic language. The editing is first rate. This is not just a good erotic movie. It's a good movie period. I warn you, though. You must be in the right frame of mind to appreciate it. You have to be mentally and emotionally prepared to immerse yourself in this beautiful delirium. I'm a harsh critic of so-called erotic films (check out my review of "The Image"). So believe me when I say, this one is a real winner!

Splendid
I too am a huge fan of Zalman King's, and this is by far the most beautiful film he has ever done. I am now spolied beyond repair.

Beautiful, supremely erotic, evocative, and so real... I can't say enough about this film. The historical references to the war are well researched and depicted, the people are gorgeous. It's an intelligent and very well directed film. I am stunned that I waited until this came out on DVD to see it.

about the movie delta of venus.....
What I can remember a little about this movie is that the movie in the end is something about the escape after the war broke out and what I know is that, this movie at NC17 did not contain explicit, very violent or sex sceneS. What I can say is that it contains two sex scenes inside, one is a few minutes after starting the movie and the other is at the part of the movie where it is at the staircase of the house(something like a house, don't know how people name it). ... Read more

Reviews (156)

Wow, what a EXTRAORDINARY movie!!
I have just finished watching the movie, The Odyssey. It was good in many different ways. It had a lot of actors in it and many of them played their part very well. My favorite character would have to be Penelope (Greta Scacchi). She had a hard time handling the fact that her husband, Odysseus (Armand Assante), was gone at war and may never return home. The fact that her husband left right after their son was born was upsetting as well. She made a promise to her husband that when their son grew into a man, she would have to choose a new husband. After the Trojan War ended, Odysseus yelled to the gods that he didn't need their help after all, when he actually did use their help. The god of the sea, Poseidon, heard him and put a curse on him that he couldn't go home to Ithaca. Odysseus went through many extraordinary adventures and many didn't creatures while trying to get home. One of these strange creatures was Cyclops, Poseidon's brother. Cyclops (Reid Asato) is a giant with one huge eye in the middle of his forehead that loves to eat humans. Odysseus and his men floated down to the island where Cyclops lived and Cyclops asked Odysseus what his name was and Odysseus said that it was nobody. While Odysseus and his men were there with the Cyclops they gave him the gift that they had brought, which was wine. After some cups, Cyclops started to lay down and fall asleep. Once they thought that he was asleep, they took a large stake and jammed it into the Cyclops' eye. The Cyclops immediately jumped up and started to run around yelling, Nobody hurt my eye. The men escaped quickly, but the Cyclops ate the fiddler. The men that were left, left the island and floated along some more for many more adventures. In conclusion, I thought that this movie was great! It used a lot of facts from the epics by Homer.

Movie Review for THE ODYSSEY By Phil
THE ODYSSEY is based in the book THE ODYSSEY by Homer. It tells the exciting tale of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who, on the day of his son's birth, was called to fight in the Trojan War. However, the movie is not about Odysseus fighting in the Trojan War. The real plot begins when Odysseus begins his journey home after the war. As the war ended, Odysseus happened to anger a very vengeful god named Poseidon, who is the god of the sea. Poseidon decided to make Odysseus' journey home as miserable as possible. Now Odysseus must make it home to Ithaca while avoiding Poseidon's wrath. During his long, hard journey, Odysseus and his crew encounter many strange creatures. Some creatures are friendly and try to help Odysseus and his men. Others are not friendly and try to destroy Odysseus and prevent him from reaching Ithaca. Here are some of the main characters: Odysseus:The mighty king of Ithaca and main character of the story.(Armand Assante) Penelope:Odysseus' beloved wife who waits patiently for his return.(Greta Scacchi) Athena:Odysseus' guardian god who guides him in times of need and gives him helpful advice.(Isabella Rosselini) Circe:Odysseus was unlucky to run into this woman. After someone drinks her magical honey wine, she turns them into swine.(Bernadette Peters) Calypso:Another unfourtunate accident of Odysseus' was running into Calypso. She kept him on her island for two whole years!(Vanessa Williams)

THE ODYSSEY has a very strong visual impact on the audience that watches it. It is full of action and suspense and the special effects are amazing, especially the scene where Poseidon was speaking to Odysseus through the waves. Also, the acting and costumes were realistic. The actors talked and wore clothes that were worn in that time. The soundtrack is also realistic to that time, The music on the soundtrack is mostly old Greek music.

Overall, I give THE ODYSSEY five stars.

Best Odysseus I've Seen
Armand Asante does an excellent job as Odysseus. As with all movies, there will be some significant differences from the original Homer. After having seen the recent release of Troy, I'd have to say The Odyssey is a better movie. If you prefer to watch a movie that remains faithful to the original classic with good casting/acting, this is for you. If you want cool special effects and big name stars in a story that is loosly based on a classic tale...then see Troy.

Still compelling after 3000 years.
Homer would have endorsed this rendering of his tale. Full of wonderful special effects, gorgeous Mediterranean vistas, and gods and goddesses who look their parts, this movie is still driven by personalities. The casting was brilliant: Armand Asante is all that one could wish in an Odysseus -- engaging, passionate, mature, heroic in every dimension. Isabella Rosellini and Greta Saachi are perfect in their roles as Athena and Penelope, respectively. Telemachus is a classical adolescent only child, and Antichea, Odysseus's mother, dominates each of her scenes. While this production is eye-candy from beginning to end, the visual appeal cannot distract from the timeless humanity of its characters. There is a reason that Homer's story still reaches us after 3000 years, and this telling does justice to its ancient material.

A great story
In my English class, on the last weeks of school, our teacher said she wanted us to watch a movie that will be educating for years to come and pulled out The Odyssey. At first the whole class seemed dull by the ideal of the movie but from the beginning, we were stuck.

The story has an amazing plot, and the actors are pretty good. Some of the special effects were kind of lame but that wasn't the movies fault, it was their budget. This is really good for a TV miniseries.

From the spooky lair of Syclla to the amazing Island of Ithaca, this movie really portrays the story well. It's very enjoyable, and I'm going to have to order the movie to keep! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Almost Too Realistic Story of a Disjunkted Family
Portrays Shirley McLain as recently widowed, being persued by a man who has held the fantasy of courting her in his heart for many years and has waited for her husband to pass to come forward...and he does just that on the day of his funeral. Deals with life on an almost too realistic level,where air conditioners make sensible gifts...daughters overeat and over react. Mothers look for reassurance that their presence is still welcomed with a common thread of tradition ...and understanding running through this crazy quilt of love and denial. Moonstruck without the seasoning...

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!
You will laugh when Shirley MacLaine smashes the dish in the hall while screaming her head off at Kathy Bates and when she tells her daughter that her nephew needs a mother and not Zsa Zsa Gabor!
Marcia Gay Harden is one of the best things in this movies, dressing up as Faye "Bonnie" Dunaway, Marilyn "7-Year-Itch" Monroe, Barbra "Funny Girl" Streisand, Anne "Graduate" Bancroft, Audrey "Breakfast-At-Tiffany's" Hepburn and countless others.
I have watched this movie lots of times and I am happy I finally bought it!!
Also worth to watch the scenes between senile-playing Sylvia Sidney (love her lines!!!!)and Jessica Tandy!
You won't regret buying this one!

touching comedy
A touching, bittersweet fable of love lost and found, USED PEOPLE is a charming film indeed.

Pearl Berman (Shirley MacLaine) has just lost her husband. Together with her two daughters, mixed-up Norma (Marcia Gay Harden) and Bibby(Kathy Bates), she faces a life alone.

Into her life comes Joe (Marcello Mastroianni), who wisks her off her feet, and introduces Pearl into a whole new life. Norma and Bibby become similarly transformed thanks to Joe's encouragement.

The first-rate cast also includes Jessica Tandy, Sylvia Sidney and Doris Roberts.

In the tradition of STEEL MAGNOLIAS and MERMAIDS comes this sunny funny fable of love, USED PEOPLE.

A total gem that's charming and warm!
Shirley MacLaine is wonderful in this underrated comedy-drama that I feel rings very true and warm (contrary to critics like Roger Ebert and Leonard Maltin). It's a smart, funny movie about a Jewish woman who realizes on the day of her husband's funeral that an Italian-American man has loved her for years. It also richly explores the generations of a family, the struggles and the joys they face, and what life is all about for us. I remember seeing it around late 1992 in theatres and haven't gotten around to seeing it ever since I rented it again tonight. But surprisingly I still remembered every moment of its utter beauty as I watched it again eight years later. That should tell you something.

Loved it
How can you not love a great movie? I sat down and watched this, and absolutely loved it. Marcia Gay Harden is hillarious with her dead movie star impressions (Audrey Hepburn "Breakfast at Tiffany's", Marilyn Monroe "The Seven Year Itch", Anne Bancroft "The Graduate"). Kathy Bates was delightful as the low self-esteemed Bibby, who never seems to please her mother. Ah...Here comes the stars of the film: Shirley MacLaine and Marcello Mastrionni. These two are great! They make the whole film worth buying. The chemistry between the two is terrific and touching, and must I say that there will never be a charming, sweet-talking Italian like this man. It swept me off my feet listening to his song he made for the love of his life. After adoring her for 23 years, he finally gets the nerve to ask her out; at her husband's funeral! Terrific movie. 5 stars. Definitely. I'd buy it right now if I were you. ... Read more

Album Details

Lloyd Banks, Member of 50 Cent's G-unit, Delivers the First Single from his Debut Solo Album "The Hunger for More". ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Great Viewing
This movie is just plain fun, silly, silly fun. The premise is absurd: a scientist accidentally zaps his toddler with a magnification ray and the kid "blows up" to 120 feet tall and menaces Las Vegas. No one gets hurt in this humorous spoof of 1950s horror films in general and a sweet sequel of the classic Honey I Shrunk the Kids in specific. Watch it with your children and tell me which scene you liked best, the giant toddler refusing to take a nap or the hulking toddler dressed up in oversized hunting gear to look like "my wife's strange" uncle from Ukraine? This is a warm film. Lots of laughs.

toy car
I like the part when Adam picks up the car with the two teens in it and starts to play with the car.

Deja Vu
This is a great movie for kids. I know because once my 3 year old saw it, we didn't stop watching it the whole week. I think to date we have watched it at least 10 times. So, if you want your small children to be entertained...rent or better yet, buy this one. As an adult you may get tired of watching it but you can catch up on that rather much needed rest while the movie is on. Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

An excellent follow up to the original..
Usualy sequals to movies like this can really lack and leave a lot desired but this follow up to the hit "Honey I shrunk the Kids" is actualy a lot of fun and a nice change on the size changing themes that were developed in the first.

This movie realized that we probably saw enough of the shrinking and being lost in the backyard idea and decided to do the opposite. A few new characters were introduced in this movie to make things work. The most important being Wanyes new son Adam who is a 2 year old toddler and will be the focus of this latest instalment with the wacky inventor and his family. Wayne now is part of a big company who wants to use his size alteration invention for their own uses. The only problem is he can't get the growth part to work correctly. On a surprise visit to the lab with his two sons to do some extra work, 2 year old Adam accidently gets caught under the rays of the growth ray only to wind up growing very slowly over a long period of time. Before they can blink he has grown to over 100 feet tall and terrorizing
downtown Las Vegas. To make matters worse an evil partner in the company is trying to take control of things and wants the kid destroyed.

Its a fun story that really has a lot of creative moments like His other son and the babysitter getting captured by the giant and stuck in his shirt pocked for most of the movie. They make it look really realistic with the giant baby towering over some famous Las Vegas casinos and the crowd reacting pretty realisticly. Kinda like one of those silly Godzilla movies but still with a Disney charm to it. It has a great story and a good climax and everything seems to end up happily ever after. Its defintely a movie that all ages would enjoy, some may not like it more then the first but this one relies more on fewer characters and a focus of one huge character compared to a lot of small characters. So its a fair tradeoff I feel and worked well.

Unfortunatly though the movie has a few problems. One was that they totaly write out the daughter sending her to college, the neighbors too are not mentioned and they don't really show a lot in the way of the kid growing . He sorta just is one size one moment and bigger another. They could have done a little more with such things but those are minor problems.

Bottom line. If you are looking for a fun, carefree and family safe movie. This is the one for you. If you liked the first or any of the "Honey I..." movies this is a must get for the colection. You won't be disapointed.

Tons of fun!
Another one of Wyane's wacky idea's brings him to enlarge his baby child to maybe 50 times! He causes all sorts of trouble for the parents, then the babysitter, and then the city. Ice cream trucks and teddy bears and fire trucks try to stop him, but it's not that easy when your life is at stake for a "squishdown". His mom then intentionally enlarges herself, too, when nothing works. Great movie to enjoy alone, with family, or maybe with friends! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

An earlier Elia Kazan film, the 1949 Pinky, now seems dated because its "scandalous" subject, miscegenation, has become a social nonissue. If anything, the reputation of this legendary 1956 romp about a child bride in the Deep South has shifted the other way; the ripe image of Carol Baker as a mentally challenged nymphet who sucks her thumb as she lures grown men into her crib (an actual crib!) would probably be hounded off the screen today. When it was originally released the film won a "condemned" rating from the Catholic Legion of Decency, but it isn't as explicit as that might suggest. Current audiences are likely to be shocked not by what's actually shown, but by the mere fact that the movie is a comedy, in effect a sex farce, adapted by Tennessee Williams from a couple of his raunchier one-act plays. Karl Malden is the divine cream puff's sad-sack husband, who has agreed to keep hands off until she turns 19; Eli Wallach is a high-stepping rival in the cotton business who harbors no such scruples. --David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Eros and commonwealth
This is a film about sexuality in a world that sexuality, as well as everything else, is a (valuable) commodity, that can be invested in, as a bond that will be cashed when it is ripe. An entrepreneur, sort of Mac the Knife in a miniscule scale, (Karl Malden), (an investor type, retentive of today's harvest to enjoy tomorrow) has got, among other acquisitions, (decrepit houses that can be rebuilt, with small cost, in the future; unpaid employees that can also serve as a buffer, when tension rises in the house, etc) a young wife,virgin, delicious and blonde, (Carol Baker, in the paramount role of her career) due to be deflowered by him, as husband and rightful owner, at the night of her coming of age only, as per marriage contract.

In the course of the story, we follow the sexually radiant young wife, who exudes a rampant erotic aura, an irresistible invitation to every one man within a few kilometres around; but her own husband is lost between fending off all males and the anticipation of sweet pleasures to come, in due course, so to speak.

There emerges a business- like man from the old world, a Sicilian chevalier , (unbelievably, Elli Wallach!). True to the age-old virtues of a rural world, he treats the young woman with grace, and is playfully responsive to her tenacious call, without betraying the code of honour between men, not to take another man's wife-- unless...

We then follow the desperate attempts of the husband to stay by his rights, property, husbandry and mastery of his house in front of an undisguised affront against his authority by both wife and intruder stranger, and even by the servant, who won't stand his abuse of power...

To his rescue come the local police, who stay loyal to their unwritten law of allegiance between authorities, as it goes in their community.

This is essentially a renaissance story, of exposing the frail and unstable values of a society that no longer serves humanity, but is irrationally and grossly inhuman.

It says that love will sweep away all that garbage, love as a natural power will prevail.

This is a disturbing film, for it does not let one identify easily with any part of protagonists; they all stink, innocent though they are: it is the arrangement of relations between them that is all wrong, stale and eventually evil...They all suffer, none is happy.

Yet this powerful figure, the woman, as personified by that glorious Carol Baker, will persevere, cutting through the deadly misery of social arrangements, liberating life itself.

This film reminded me of early Ingmar Bergman. Kazan may well be a far better artist and certainly is a better storyteller than Bergman. But that renaissance theme, that is present in all the laborious erotic play, and that liberating affront to man's authority by the woman and her beloved, is common to both artists--and I think it is a Greek note.

This is a great, many faceted film which renders film-making as good a means of ideas, as any great book, and as pleasurable an art as the best pictures.

A Southern Romp
This is the type of film you watch on a steaming hot summer day with a cool glass of sickenly sweetened ice tea in one hand and a wicker fan in the other. The power struggle between the two cotton rivals did not interest me as much as the tension between the Sicilian cotton business man played by Wallach and his rival's young and almost mentally retarded wife Baby Doll. Karl Malden's performance as the frustrated husband is very well done but I really get a kick out of Wallach's devilish performance. Especially the scene where he's chasing Baby Doll through the house with his riding whip (no horse mind you) swigging a jug of spiked lemonade trying to make the house appear haunted. His character is a master at psychological manipulation. I found the ending unsatisfying and the portrayl of the blacks as dehumanizing. If I were Southern I'd be offended by this film. But for those who like to study films, this is an interesting one to look at.

Shot in B&W No Colorized Versions Exist's
Well, these reviews are something that make us all wonder are they kidding. This film was made in B&W not in color. No colorized copies of this exist so please don't assume anyone has this in color just B&W. Although a gem for its taboo breaking story of a southern Child Bride Carrol Baker who sleeps in a crib as her Husband goes mad is classic southern cinema. It is not that great a film and sorry for the devotees out there but this is one boring film. The ending although unexpectedly shot on a very dark night was very well done and maybe the only redeeming acting in the film. Unless you like films with southern drawls please find a copy of Ella Kazan's East Of Eden now that is a real legend!

Brilliant Character Study And One of Our Great Comedies
There are two great - and as of yet - unrecognized comic American masterpieces that have yet to receive their full due: "Beat the Devil" and "Baby Doll." Time to shake off the silly, antique "decency" controversies that surrounded "Baby Doll" after its initial release and recognize it as the brilliant comic character study it is, with superb performances by Baker, Wallach, Dunnock, and particularly Malden, who deserved an Oscar for his turn as one of the funniest hotheaded backwood hicks ever committed to celluloid. We'd be lucky to see a comedy of this inventiveness in any given year. Often it takes decades to recognize the greatness of a film. They didn't know how good it was when it was first released. Now we do. Time has only enhanced its near perfection. "On the Waterfront" may be Kazan's greatest drama - equal due must now be given to his greatest comedy, "Baby Doll." Don't miss it. And can we get it on DVD, please!

An important film, but not for its aesthetic qualities!
The setting of "Baby Doll" apparently is the agrarian South of the 1940s. Carol Baker plays an ingenue who's married to the much older Karl Malden. He calls the immature girl his Baby Doll and promises not to touch her sexually until she turns 19 years old. Needless to add, this marital relationship leaves something to be
desired. Malden is in the cotton business and attempts to manipulate his competitor El Wallach by inviting the latter over to the house. This turns out not to be a wise decision for a man in Malden's precarious predicament. Wallach is attracted to Baby Doll's innocence and vulnerability. He set his sights on her particularly after Malden is suspected of trying to burn down his cotton mill. Baby Doll is initially hesitant and then eager to indulge in some hanky-panky with the more virile Wallach.

Is "Baby Doll" an aesthetically great film? No, it barely warrants 4 stars. The Director Elia Kazan had to do his best with little financial backing. The supposed summertime outdoor scenes were actually filmed during the cold months of the year. These actors had to exercise considerable self control to complete the movie. The temperatures were often slightly above freezing. Tennessee Williams may have written the script, but this is definitely not his greatest work. And yet, I strongly believe that "Baby doll" should be required viewing for all college students. Moreover, everyone should see "Baby Doll," released in 1956, at least once in their life. This might be the best movie to assist one to realize the mind boggling social changes the United States has undergone in the last 46 years. There is no nudity, no
vulgar language, and the adulterous sex is merely implied. However, religious organizations throughout America soundly condemned this relatively bland movie. It seems laughable that "Baby Doll" has a current "R" rating for it hardly warrants a PG-13. Anyone not yet 40 years old will be particularly bewildered by the controversy surrounding "Baby Doll." Most parent wouldn't hesitate to permit their teenagers to see it. The typical TV program of today is far racier. Are these dramatic changes good or bad? Has our culture evolved or declined? I will dodge these valid questions, and instead encourage you to reach your own conclusions. "Baby Doll" deserves a place on the shelf where you place your history books and videos. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A dynamite true fantasy?
Please understand that I just finished the book, Palestine and Israel, by Quigly, which I highly recommend on this fine vendor. When I say fantasy, I refer to the White Knights of the Israeli Military so, so effectively making the world safe for goodness, etc. This movie will quickly win your willing suspension of disbelief about the goodness, and of course, those folks are nothing if not effective, and you will get to wallow in it as you view this captivating and exhilarating movie. It's been one of my favorites for a long, long time.

very true to life
This is one of the most factual movies I have seen. It tells it
from the people who were there and lived through it. All of the
actors were superb.

Outstanding Movie!
This movie was a good report of the actal raid that occured in 1976.An airline jet had been hijacked and commandered to Entebbe
Uganda.All of the Jewish passengers were held hostage by the
German terrorists.Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin put together a
daring raid to rescue the prisoners who were being held by the
terrorists.Under the dark of night the Israeli special forces
swept into Entebbe and pulled off a stunning rescue mission.The hostages were freed with only one Israeli casualty.The Israeli
citizens were flew home to safety.This was a corageous stand and
attack on terrorism.All of this occured on the 200th birthday
of America. An excellent movie.

The Defeat of Terrorism
Even with some of the liscence given to a Hollywood production of a significant moment on history, this tale stays close to the facts of one of the most daring raids in Modern Times. This daring rescue of over 100 hostages with only 3 casualties amongst them and one casualty among the Israeli troops (Benjamin Netanyahu's brother, Jonathan) showed the world that terrorism could be defeated. All of the terrorist hijackers were killed as were many of the Ugandan Military.

This raid inspired other daring counterattacks against terrrorism. Less than year later Dutch commandos stormed a train and a school and rescued 160 hostages from terrorists. A few months later German forces liberated 86 hostages aboard a German Airliner that had been hijacked by Iranian terrorists.

An amazing story done justice by a gripping film.

This film should be rereleased on DVD as well as VHS. ... Read more