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Bruce McDonald's wry adaptation of a W.P. Kinsella novel is an engaging,touching story about an awkward passage into manhood and love for an18-year-old Indian metalhead on the Kidabanesee Reserve in Ontario.SilasCrow (Ryan Black) is a drifting young fellow dragging his feet about enteringa school for auto mechanics.While loosely entertaining the idea of writing,Silas unprofitably kills all his time with a thickheaded buddy, FrankFencepost (Adam Beach), and watches his old girlfriend, Sadie Maracle(Jennifer Podemski), grow away from him as she takes up native issues withadmirable commitment.A visit by Silas's older sister, Ilianna (Lisa LaCroix)(with her new, white-and-uptight husband reluctantly in tow), plus thesimultaneous reappearance of Ilianna's old flame, ex-con Gooch (MichaelGreyeyes), and the unpunished murder of a native girl by a white thug set offa series of events culminating in redemptive acts of love and honor.Bigthemes, yes, but McDonald (Highway 61) has wisely chosen to emphasizethe charm of his characters, make sport of spiritual clichés and Indian chic(there's a funny bit in which Silas gets Ilianna's husband drunk andintroduces him to a bogus animal guide), and allow the cruelty of whitejustice against natives to speak (often comically) for itself. --TomKeogh ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Effortless
I'm a (non-Indian)racial minority who usually likes to see a political message in "ethnic" movies. This isn't really an "ethnic movie," though. "Dance Me Outside" is an indie comedy-drama about 90's life on an Ontario rez, with a mostly Native cast, but it is lovable by Americans of many different cultural backgrounds. It is also by all accounts one of the best movies I have ever seen. There are an (unfortunately small) handful of subversive movies referencing the colonial experience which shock us/force us out of our "cultural relativism comfort zone." Such movies {e.g. "Clearcut," "The Battle of Algiers,") shock us because they reflect the natural bitterness and residual hate of cultural clash; colonialism, genocide, and outright invasion and land theft are uncomfortable things that make us feel uncomfortable when we're forced to confront them. "Dance Me Outside" as an "ethnic" narrative works in entirely the opposite fashion, but it works brilliantly. This movie is the bomb, people.
Director Bruce McDonald, a non-Indian, has co-written a fabulous snappy script (based on Kinsella's story)that is almost literally back-to-back one-liners:immensely quotable. Every type of humor--from broad physical to ironic wry humor--is at work here. McDonald's approach to directing is obviously well thought-out, yet we never sense him at work when we are watching; all we see are the loose, engaging, charming results--this movie unfolds almost effortlessly, seamlessly. I dare anyone to say they feel uncomfortable while watching this movie, even during its so-called "darker" moments. Euro-Americans will be comforted to know that "Dance Me Outside" is not an in-your-face political Indian movie, of the afore mentioned type. Conversely, even I, exasperated with the sympathetic portrayal of Whites in most movies about minorities, can not help but be charmed by Kevin Hicks' bumbling, well-meaning "white husband" character. This brings us to the other shining strength of the movie: the awesome, awesome ensemble cast. Ryan Black is too witty, good-humored, and genuine to be a superstar. He simply has too much personality to be a Hollywood star. His natural elegance and affability really anchor this movie; holding it all together, he's like a rock--WHAT a breakout performance. The more widely-known Adam Beach has done his best work here. He is completely charming, disarming, and engaging--a reflection of the spirit of the whole movie. I heard he almost didn't get cast in this role; say a prayer of thanks that he did, because the naturalism of his performance--while, by nature of the character, not as subtle or as elegant as Black's-- is astonishing. The Podemski sisters are delightful, especially Jennifer as the feisty, down-to-earth girlfriend. Her younger sister has a smaller role, to which she brings every bit as much spirit, sass, and conviction. In fact, no role in "Dance" is too small for its actor to give it the attention it deserves. The wryness of the all-knowing mother, the sophistication and intelligence of Lisa LaCroix as Illianna, and, of course, the presence of Michael Greyeyes, who injects into his tough-guy role as ex-con Gooch the most poignant and believable undercurrent of vulnerability: the beauty of this movie is in its detail. Sandrine Holt ("Black Robe"), here as Poppy, in a forgettable performance, perhaps unfairly gets star billing, but this is a minor flaw indeed. Each and every character reaches out to you. Even the racist skinheads are likeable!
Most people should be able to watch this movie three or four times consecutively, easy. It's that light, refreshing, and well-crafted. It's that good. All elements of "Dance Me Outside"--screenplay, cast, editing, and the kickin' mixed Indian and mainstream soundtrack--converge as though by divine design to form a near-perfect piece of film narrative. I don't want to compare it to that OTHER recent movie about rez youth because they're two different movies with different goals in mind, but, as good as "Smoke Signals" is, "Dance Me Outside" kills it. I don't know how--both have superb casts and musical scores--but "Dance Me Outside" is better. I think it's the effortlessness of it. "Dance Me Outside" is good enough to be used in film schools as an instruction manual on independent films. Don't even bother to rent it. You may as well buy it, if you're going to buy a movie this year, or ever again. It will make you feel so at ease you may then choose to go out and see a subversive hard-hitting political movie to counteract the sheer buoyancy and joy of "Dance me Outside"--although I think finding a movie that could eclipse this much charm would be pretty hard.

Better late than never
Well, call me a late-bloomer, but I don't care. Even though "Dance Me Outside" is eight years old, and I had a devil of a time finding it in my local video stores, I finally ordered it through Amazon, and it was truly worth the wait. Never before have I seen such realist acting from a cast that I had barely heard of. This is definitely a movie you will watch again and again. It has absolutely everything; humor, sadness, violence, love, and a whole lot of truth. The thing I liked most about it was how it really took me back to my own youth (I'm not ancient, but a well-preserved "40-something") in that it deals so well with the age-old question of "well, I'm out of school now, what do I do?" All kids go through what is in this movie, native or non. But we all do. The plot, dialogue, actors, all superb. And by the way, even though my girlfriends and, it seems, women everywhere, are so into Adam Beach and Michael Greyeyes, I was totally captivated by Ryan Black. What a face. Do not just rent this movie. Buy it. You will watch it over and over again.

Very Good
I watched it one night, well actually one morning when I couldnt sleep at like 1:00 in the morning. Ever since I saw it I have been trying to rent it or buy it. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen..and I thing about anyone will like it.

dance me downunder
Whilst recently living in Canada i had the opportunity to see 'dance me outside' several times as well as enjoy a number of other local products involving first nation actors.As my work involves working with indegenous peoples on both sides of the globe i was struck by the many parallels between the lifestyle portrayed in the films with that of the lifestyles of our local aboriginal peoples and the mission settlements of the more isolated regions of australia. On a purely aesthetic level i found the movie very enjoyable with its skillful use of irony, tragedy and comedy, not to mention the talent of actors such as Adam Beach, a very powerful medium for portraying what could almost be called universal issues of young indigenous peoples. This is one movie i would love to have in my collection but unfortunately i have had problems finding the video in a format that works on our local vhs players. If anyone has any suggestions i would be very grateful. All-in-all i would recommend the movie to anyone.

Hurt my heart
The ugliness of the plot hits home too often. As a Native Nation we are sensitive about our stories, past or present being aired. This film is a story of a regular day(s) as a Native. Want to know what its like to be us... Picture yourself with the skin and the restrictions and watch it a second time... We love this movie because it's about a day in our life... Without a moment of fantasy or misrepresentation. I can connect, and it hurts. Passion, fury and smiles, that is we as a people. Don't rent it, buy it and pay homage for the pain. And then, be proud. ... Read more

Description

Academy Award(R)-winner Julie Andrews (Best Actress, MARY POPPINS, 1964), enchanting newcomer Anne Hathaway, and Hector Elizondo (PRETTY WOMAN) lead a charmed cast in Disney's THE PRINCESS DIARIES, a hilarious, hip, and heartwarming modern-day Cinderella story. Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway) is a bright but terribly shy and gawky teenager whose goal in life is to survive each school day with a minimum of attention and embarrassment. Unfortunately, her wish to be invisible is thwarted when her estranged grandmother arrives and delivers the shocking news that she's a real-life princess -- heir to the throne of Genovia! Furious and incredulous, the reluctant royal agrees to take "princess lessons" and make the biggest decision of her life -- in three weeks. And so begins a comical transformation toward poise and princess-ness when she finds herself in the middle of a media storm, jealous schoolmates, and a takeover plot of her country! Funny, uplifting, and affirming, your entire family will thoroughly enjoy this crown jewel. ... Read more

Reviews (351)

A Predictable, But Delightful and Optimistic Gem
Pretty Anne Hathaway, who, interestingly enough, has the same name as Shakespeare's wife, plays the lead character in a modern fairy tale that the Bard himself might have found amusing.
Hathaway's Mia Thermopolis is a gawky teen living with her artist mother (gently and generously portrayed by Caroline Goodall) in San Francisco (whereas, in Meg Cabot's book, her home was New York). She attends a private school via the financial support of her father, who had passed away shortly before the story begins, has a best friend involved in social activism, (played by a loud and cynical Heather Matarazzo), a crush on a heartthrob who doesn't notice her, and a clique of annoying cheerleaders who constantly taunt her, led by pop singer, Mandy Moore.
One day, a meeting with her grandmother changes her life, and Mia discovers that her father was the Crown Prince of Genovia. While reluctant to accept her heritage at first, Mia gradually warms to the idea. As the very regal Queen Clarice, Julie Andrews combines her two Broadway roles in "Camelot" and "My Fair Lady" as she begins the process of training the gawky Granddaughter she had never met before for the role she may one day have on the world stage. Scenes of Mia's Princess lessons are reminiscent of scenes in the film, "Gigi".
The makeover scene is enjoyable to watch, as we see Mia turn from looking like Sarah Jessica Parker's character in "Square Pegs" to looking more like Queen Rania of Jordan. She is truly beautiful with her big, sparkling doe eyes and softened hair as she sees her outwardly polished self in the mirror.
Her friend, Lilly, taunts her about her metamorphosis, while Lilly's brother, Michael, played by an adorably sweet Robert Schwartzman, admires it. After a few tumultuous and embarassing incidents, Mia must make a final decision about where she belongs, and is ultimately influenced by her best friend's opinion in so doing. Genovia may receive a new heiress, and the prospective Princess might be on her way to finding true love as well.
All the while, it is the cool-headed Hector Elizondo's Joseph, the head of the Queen's security detail, who helps the young girl through her dilemma, providing sage advice, and helping to reconcile both grandmother and granddaughter after Mia generates some bad press.
The books on which this film was based have a bit more of an edge and may be more cynical. The premise is a teenage girl's answer to the 1991 film, "King Ralph". But once again, Disney has provided viewers with light and wholesome entertainment.

DELIGHTFUL FAMILY FILM
In the great tradition of such Disney live-action family films as The Parent Trap, Garry Marshall spins a perfectly fine fairy tale with The Princess Diaries. Featuring a sparkling performances from natural comedienne Anne Hathaway and seasoned vet Julie Andrews, this movie is one virtually all members of your family can enjoy together -- it is truly G-rated, and in this case, the G-rating does not mean boring. A nerdy San Francisco highschooler is dumbfounded -- and not terribly happy -- to learn that she is in fact royalty -- and the chaos that ensues is both compelling and highly entertaining. What a welcome sight to see Julie Andrews -- the 60s queen of G-films -- return to form in the role of a Queenly grandmother! The movie has the amiable pacing and gentle humor of a romantic comedy, and unfolds in a way that is predictable without being flat. The score, laden with pop music, adds to the fresh warm-hearted gloss. Watch for a minor car accident, and its subsequent scene, to earn the biggest laugh, though there are giggles and smiles aplenty.

PRETTY GOOD!
PRETTY GOOD MOVIE!GREAT ACTORS,GREAT EVERYTHING!JULIE ANDREWS IS REAL GOOD AS THE GRANDMOTHER!ME AND MY MOM LOVED IT!WE LAUGHED THE WHOLE TIME!

really cute
this was a really cute movie, really different from the books which i think are better. Something for the whole family to watch.

The book is better!
Apparently based on some of the reviews I've seen here, a plethora of people do not seem to know that the movie is based upon (or is supposed to be) the book "The Princess Diaries" by Meg Cabot, I believe.

This movie is cute. However, this is not to say that it barely follows the book. The only things that are in the movie that are like the book, are the fact that Mia acquires princess lessons, goes out with Josh to the dance, finds out she's a princess, Mia's mother dates one of her teachers, Lilly yells at her when she sees her hair, and a few other things.

In the movie, when Lilly sees that her friend is turning to someone similar to Lana, she becomes angry. In the book, she ignores her for quite a large bit of the story. In The movie gives the impression that Mia's grandmother is a loving woman but they have not spoken in fifteen years. In the novel, Mia does speak to her grandmother but never was able to figure out that she was a princess (in the book grandmother is a princess, not a queen) of Genovia herself. In addition, Mia's grandmother is not the nicest of people. Furthermore, the Prince of Genovia, Mia's father is still alive. The only thing is that he can not have any more children.

I think you understand my meaning. Please, read the book instead. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

truly magnificent
in this awesome edition,the falcon crashes on endor.this is a planet full of tiny tree dwelling teddy bears with intelligence.to a point.this is definately the most family friendly of the star wars films.they are hanging out and discover the one weakness that could shut down the empire for good.so a battle ensues over the building where it is housed.george lucas is the directer.did he ever do anything basides these?it is the final episode of them all.most anyone will like it.the makers of nontendo made a game that borrows heavily from this film.it is called body harvest.the movie independance day uses it a lot too.by borrowed i really meant ripped off.i dont use that term very often but it was pretty blatant.the only chick is still leia,but at least shes kissing the guy whose NOT her brother this time.the emporer is very very ugly.this movie is spectacular.dont belive anything else.the special effects are cool.the future is done for this batch.this is the last.but if yoiu were born in the 70s,theres still 3 more parts released after this one.prequels.they all are outstanding!

"Jedi" Triumphant
"You, like your father, are now mine."
- The Emperor underestimates The Skywalker bloodline in "Return of the Jedi"

George Lucas' sci-fi saga comes to a satisfying close in Episode VI, "Return of the Jedi".

"Jedi" opens with Luke Skywalker returning to his home planet of Tatooine to rescue his friend Han Solo from the gangster, Jabba the Hutt and his creature co-horts. After bargaining negotiations fail, a spectacular battle commences as the young Jedi (with the help of Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, R2-D2 & C-3PO) fights a huge monster called The Rancor and then does a battle royale with Jabba and his horde of weird galactic denizens and servants. The film then jumps to Luke returning to the swamp planet Dagobah to complete his training as a Jedi, only to discover that his master, Yoda, has fallen deathly ill. In his final breaths Yoda reveals the truth about Luke's family ties and gets reassurance, & a final bit of guidance from the spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi. In order to complete his training, Luke must face Darth Vader again, as well as, Vader's master, Emperor Palpatine. Meanwhile, The Rebel Alliance has prepared for an all out final assault on the Galactic Empire after recieving secret information of a new battle armored space station secretly being built by the Empire. If completed, this new Death Star will spell certain doom to the small band of freedom fighters, as well as, the fate of the galaxy.

First off, its hard to top "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back" (I'm a die-hard fan of the films (yeah, the prequels too, but don't get me started!). "Jedi" comes close to those first two films, but, not close enough (its still better than the prequels!). Directed by the late Richard Marquand, "Jedi" is packed with both special and creature effects alike. The problem is "Jedi" is much like the first two films, but, on a more massive scale. The film's main premise is to tie up all the loose ends of the saga, and it does a great job of doing just that. Highpoints in the film include John Williams' oscar nominted score, the speeder bike chase, the space battle, Jabba the Hutt, the battle on Endor & the redemption of Anakin Skywalker. Lowpoints - the death of Boba Fett (embarrasing to the point where the character is resurrected in the Marvel comic book and survives in the expanded universe), the Ewok Celebration at the films conclusion and the Lapti Nek number in Jabba's palace is an ominous shadow of Lucas' cutesy side that weighs heavily on the prequels (I remember a lot of fans seeing this & going "What the f**k!?!").

The biggest highlight of all is Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia dressed in the metal bikini as Jabba's slavegirl. What a hottie! During filming there actually was a stagehand who had to make sure that she felt comfy in that bikini, making sure that she wasn't getting hurt to vital parts of her bod (that had to be one of the best jobs on the planet at the time of filming).

Originally titled "Revenge of the Jedi", making the folks at Paramount Studios retitle "Star Trek II: The Revenge of Khan" to the "Wrath of Khan". Lucas changed the title, stating Jedi don't seek revenge. Nominated for 7 Oscars including original score, costume design, set design, and recieving a special Oscar for the film's SFX (presented to Dennis Muren by Cheech & Chong!). Released on 5/25/83 (for the Memorial Day weekend) "Return of the Jedi" has grossed 309 million at the U.S. box office.

"Return of the Jedi" is a satisfying capper to the classic "Star Wars Trilogy" and the conclusion to the most influential and best science fiction saga in film history. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

You'll Laugh! You'll Cry! You'll Hope He Comes Back!
This is probably the most emotional of all the Peanuts movies and specials combined. Sure, you have the moments that'll have you laughing: the 500+ "No Dogs Allowed" signs (complete with a hilarious song sung in deep bass!), the obnoxious Clara who kidnaps Snoopy and loves him nearly to death (like Elmira years later on Tiny Toons), Snoopy challenging Lucy to a fight (with one boxing glove on his nose!), Linus telling Charlie Brown "You got a used dog!", and of course Snoopy fighting Linus for his blanket (can you blame him for tossing that beagle the shoe! ). Then there's the tear-jerking moments: the going away party where everybody is in tears (even Lucy), Lila begging Snoopy to come to stay with her (btw, Lila is Snoopy's original owner), and the scene where Snoopy says his final goodbye to Woodstock (who makes his screen debut) and Charlie Brown (it's going to be hard not to miss the long-suffering round-headed kid if you're depending on him to feed you!). Tough decision on Snoopy's part.

"He's Not Much Of a Dog, But, After All, Who Is?"
I don't know what exactly Lucy was trying to say in her going away speech (and I'm sure she didn't either), but let's face it- Snoopy was more than just a dog. This is the most emotional of all Peanuts efforts (and is Woodstock's animation debut). The plot: Snoopy gets a letter from his original owner, Lila, who misses him and wants him back. This means he would leave the security of the Brown residence. It has his funny parts: the No Dogs Allowed signs everywhere (one of them is just what he needs in the end!), Snoopy surfing, fighting Lucy with 1 boxing glove (on his nose!), fighting Linus for his blanket (Linus retaliates by flinging 1 of his shoes at Snoopy!), the obnoxiously friendly Clara who kidnaps Snoopy (probably inspired Elmira on Tiny Toons), and Linus's classic line: "You got a used dog, Charlie Brown!". Then, of course, are the tear-jerking scenes: poor, sweet Lila begs Snoopy to stay with her, Snoopy's going-away party in which the entire Peanuts gang is in tears (even the crabby Lucy), and Snoopy bidding his final farewell to his pal Woodstock and his long-suffering master, Charlie Brown (who laments "I need more hellos!").

Snoopy's Worst! (SAD MOVIE)
Although I enjoyed lots of Snoopy entertainments but I have to say that "Snoopy Come Home" dissapointed me. This is certainly a sad story, lonely story about loss which can sometimes make me a bit sad, but I enjoyed "Nemo". I don't remember a Snoopy movie making me cry, but they were so funny and no why are they putting some sad stuff in a Snoopy cartoon. Children should laugh and enjoy and we adults should try to let them enjoy their childhood and protect themselves from the sadness. There'll be plenty of time for that when they grow up. Visually, Snoopy's so CUTE and he's really funny and worth watching but this movie was so sad than funny. If you want something funny than sad, then watch "Shrek 2".

Classic Peanuts and a tearjerker.
I bought the VHS (because it has not been released on DVD) version of this movie for my 5 y/o daughter (an avid Peanuts fan) and myself. I last saw this movie at least 25 years ago, yet I remembered all the songs/lyrics as if I had just watched it yesterday. My little girl was captivated by the movie and the so very sad "goodbye scene" even made her cry (which in turn almost made me cry).

I can't stand it... I just can't stand it
You know, under this façade of sheer machismo, I'm really just a pathetic little wuss-bag of a girly-man. Yep, here I am in my late twenties, and I still get misty watching "Snoopy Come Home"! Oh, I've tried endless viewings of Clint, Sly & Arnie flicks- and any other cinematic fare that's saturated in pure manliness- to exorcise this little skeleton in my closet, all for naught. Snoopy's drawn-out farewell to ol' Chuck is just as weepingly heart-breaking today as it was when my eight-year-old eyes first saw it. If it weren't for the upbeat ending, I'd likely be on heavy antidepressants now!

But that's not the worst of it- some time ago I let a close friend in on my softer side surfacing whenever this harrowing tale comes on the tube. This ended up being one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made. Not one to keep the knowledge of a fellow man's secret shame to himself, he made sure my little quirk became well-known among our other less-than-sympathetic hang-out buds. Now I can't even host an old-school Star Trek eppie marathon party without some wiseguy slipping a "Snoopy Come Home" video in between the second season finale & the third-season premiere. With friends like these, who needs grief counselors?

My word of advice to you: if watching "Snoopy Comes Home" (or any other movie for that matter) leaves you feeling a little misty- and no one else knows about it- do yourself a favor and keep it to yourself. You'll be spared quite a bit of pain & anguish if ya do, believe you me!

'Late ... Read more

Reviews (231)

So, what's your diag-nonsense?
The movie is based on the real life story of Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder), who was admitted to Claymoore, a mental institution, in the late 60's after drowning a bottle of aspirin with a bottle of vodka. She insists this wasn't a suicide attempt, but her parents and psychiatrist don't agree. While at Claymoore, Susanna meets the ohter inmates, Georgina (Clea Duvall), her roommate, who's a pathological liar, Polly (Elisabeth Moss), who everyone calls Torch and has been badly scarred by fire, Daisy (Britanny Murphy), who won't eat in front of anyone, Janet (Angela Bettis), who won't eat at all, and most importantly, Lisa (Angelina Jolie). Lisa is a sociopath. She constantly escapes Claymoore, only to return after having a crisis (or running out of money). She "runs" the place and is a major pain in the ass for Nurse Valerie (Whoopi Goldberg).

Soon after, Susanna starts to wonder if she's indeed crazy or if she's turning crazy by being there. The doctors at Claymoore, Melvin (Jeffrey Tambor) and Dr. Wick (Vanessa Grave) seem to think she's mentally ill, while her boyfriend Toby (Jared Leto) disagrees.

Susanna has to deal with the situation, trying not to spiral into insanity, but at the same time finding a substitute for a home amongst this group of rejects.

As for the acting, it is solid all across the board. Ryder does a convincing job as the lead character and all of the other actresses shine in their roles, especially Murphy, but this is Jolie's film. She steals almost every scene she's in, from the distressed crying on one of her downs, to frighteningly mad outbursts, to maniac lunacy. She earned a well deserve Oscar for her supporting role.

The director, James Mangold, has also helmed films like Cop Land (1997, with Sylvester Stallone, Robert DeNiro and Harvey Keitel), Kate & Leopold (2001, with Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan) and Identity (2003, with John Cusack, Ray Liotta and Amanda Peet).

"I didn't try to kill myself...I had a headache"
"Girl, Interrupted" is the true story of Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder), a young woman who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder during the 1960s. My favorite parts of the film were the transitions between scenes; the movie flowed beautifully. Susanna signs herself into Claymoore, a mental institution, after a failed attempt at suicide. At Claymoore, she meets a wide variety of different girls, each with different problems. There is Lisa the sociopath, played by Angelina Jolie and Daisy, a loner, played by "Clueless's" Brittany Murphy. Whoopi Goldberg rounds out the cast as Valerie, the head nurse on Susanna's floor. A bit reminiscent of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Girl, Interrupted" is one of the finest films I have ever seen. Winona Ryder is brilliant, I have never seen her portray a character better.

One Flew over the Girl
Of course any movie made about people in a psychiatric ward will resemble the classic 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'. This we also do not know for sure if the leading character is sane or not.

Winona Ryder is great in this movie, though a little too pretty. The best perfomance comes from Angelina Jolie, who is just amazing. The movie is sometimes a little sad, frightening, scary but also moving. The ending is a little sweet but not too sweet. A happy ending with a twist.

The music is great since it plays in 1968, although the theme of the sixties is a little underplayed. It is still a great movie though.

It gives you a new look on how normal some people are.
This is one of the most brilliant movies. The acting is superb, and the story grabs you. Angelina Jolie and Wynona Ryder do really good performances. The movies makes you think about how different people are and not to judge and be more aware of people's feelings. The movie is awesome. I highly reccomend it.

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
Girl Interrupted was on last tonight. You know when the shoplifter reads about BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER? What a revelation! That's me - well, except for the CASUAL SEX - but the DIRECTIONLESSNESS and the SELF-DESTRUCTIVE ACTS (I quit my job the other day).

All this time I thought I was an existentialist. I was wasting my evenings on Camus and Kierkegaard (my back is like a tightrope dancer's, twisted in my childhood, and therefore it is easy for me. One, two, three - I can walk upside in existence). What comfort: the condition is medical not metaphysical.

All I needs do is clear up my skin. Then I aim to complete those symptoms ... and I'd like to begin with Anjelina Jolie ... and even if she got all serious on me, that would be okay: I'd explain to her: the disorder was what was casual (- it was part of my directionlessness). Not you. My aim is true - I'm an existentialist. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Surprisingly good movie!
I first saw The Jerky Boys movie back in 1995. I walked into the movie theatre with low expectations, but I actually liked the movie.

You may find this hard to believe, but this movie actually has a plot. Johnny Brennan (a comic genius and the voice of Frank Rizzo and Sol Rosenberg), gets in trouble when he crank calls the Mafia. Anyway, Johnny and Kamal spend most of the movie trying to avoid the Mafia.

There are some great scenes in the movie, such as the scene at Burger Bob's, a drive-through fast food restaurant. Sol Rosenberg takes an order from a family in a car. When Sol screws up the order, the driver of the car asks to speak with the manager. Then, the Frank Rizzo voice asks for the man's order. Rizzo says "Gimme your order there, toughguy!" I almost lost it when I saw that scene. It's hilarious!

Buy this movie.

Hey Toughguy, buy this flick fruity!
Jerky Boys Johnny and Kamal go from the audio crank calling world to Hollywood. This movie is basically just about the guys hanging out and doing what they do best: acting like wackadoos. A must watch movie for goombas like me! The movie was co-produced by Tony Danza and Emilio Estevez (an odd couple, what else have they teamed on I wonder?) Anyway, when the guys from Queens make a few calls to the wrong people they end up in the world of the New York mob. Vincent "Big Pussy" Pastore is perfectly cast here playing the character he's best known for. Also noteworthy for those who love the fictional mob world, Johnny's mom is the same woman who plays Carmela's mom on Sopranos and before that she was Karen's mom from Goodfellas. For all you other goofy fruitcakes out there, Ozzy Osbourne (whose lines are a little more understandable than on his MTV show--although not much), Tom Jones and many others make appearances in this wacky wild and hilarious film. The only missing cameo was by The Diceman.

fruitty ass
the story lags in a lot of spots but the pranks and the jokes from Johnny B. , Kamal and Ernie make this one a great view. Alan Arkin as Ernie is uproarous and the 2 Jerkys are great. Johnny B. looks like if Sean Astin was chubbier and had a mullet.

favorite lines
Ernie- wha...what the hell is a fruitty ass?

Frank Rizzo- what kind of fruitty ass opertion you running down there
Ernie- **ck you fruitty ass, thats what kind of operation we're running down here

Tough Guy Cinema
I don't know why I feel compelled to write a review for a movie this old and played out and forgotten except for the most die-hard Jerky Boys fans, of which I sincerely hope I may not be considered (but secretly know I am).

The Jerky Boys are prank callers extraordinaire, back in the day before *69 and prevalent Caller ID ruined all the fun. Using several personas, including Frank Rizzo, an irate tough guy, Sol Rosenberg, a slightly senile old man who comes off as your slightly senile grandmother, and random Indian cab drivers, the duo were underground until they signed a record contract and started churning out album after album of tracks like "Terrorist Pizza", "Roofing", and the classic "Drinking Problem".

Once you realize that this is The Jerky Boys and not Godard, you can sit back and enjoy every Jerky reference up to that point (they still had a few albums forthcoming when this appeared) including non-sensical yet inexplicably hilarious insults such as (and I'm sure [Amazon.com] will edit these out) "sizzle chest", "milky licker", and references to potato-hurling tennis ball machines and their use.

The two self-described "lowlifes from Queens" play themselves. On the one hand, we have Johnny B, aka Johnny Brennan, who is pretty much the whole Jerky franchise in my opinion. I don't care what people say, or even that he describes himself as a "lowlife", this guy has talent. Honestly, this guy has more talent than most Saturday Night Live alum these days and we still have to be punished with the Deuce Bigolos and the Corky Romanos. At least Chris Farley had the decency to check out not that long after it was realized that he just wasn't that funny.Riding his mullet is the less impressive Kamal. Folks, when you have to PLAY YOURSELF and you still can't act, there is a problem.

The "story" involves Johnny B, as Rizzo, prank-calling the Mob and getting into a lot of trouble. In a jaw-dropping turn of casting, Alan Arkin plays a mob boss and honestly looks like he's trying not to laugh as he delivers dialogue. We also get a pre-Sopranos Vincent Pastore doing a stretch and playing a mobster. Since being offed on the Sopranos I can only guess that he's hoping there's a Jerky sequel in the works.

There isn't.

If you're unfamiliar with The Jerky Boys, this might go right over your head. If you like The Jerky Boys, it's on the so-bad-it's-good level, occassionally slipping into just plain bad.

...

And, as if you needed more recommendation points for tracking this masterpiece down, Ozzy Osbourne has a walk-on cameo sporting an unstructured, mauve sports jacket and appearing befuddled that his bands' crew have been hired away by The Monkees.

on johns review
Great idea my friend would be fantastic to put on DVD
with the boy doing a call and having their face on camera
at the same time

Great movie for everyone you NOOKIE LICKERS

peace out

G Hatzis
(i have appered in video's with Human Nature) ... Read more

Description

From one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema comes the most acclaimed film of 2002. Hayao Miyazaki's latest triumph, filled with astonishing animation and epic adventure, is a dazzling masterpiece for the ages. It's a "wonderfully welcoming work of art that's as funny and entertaining as it is brilliant, beautiful, and deep" (Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal). SPIRITED AWAY is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl, Chihiro, trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world. An unforgettable story brimming with creativity, SPIRITED AWAY will take you on a journey beyond your imagination. "To enter the world of Hayao Miyazaki is to experience a kind of lighthearted enchantment that is unique to the world of animation" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times). It's a fantastic tale the whole family will want to experience over and over again. ... Read more

Reviews (598)

An incredible animated movie
"Spirited Away" won the Oscar for 2002's Best Animated Film. It richly deserved this award, for it is by far the best movie of its type in years. It may not be funny like 'Monsters Inc." or entertaining like "Shrek", but for sheer beauty and artistic integrity, it's almost impossible to top. Since words, like any other medium, have built-in limits, you will have to experience it for yourself to see what I am saying.

Imagine this: A little girl is riding in a car with her parents. They are headed to their new house. Dad makes a wrong turn, and they wind up traveling along a dirt road which ends at what appears to be a deserted train station. Dad decides that it's really the entrance to a failed amusement park. He and Mom decide to go exploring, and the little girl, filled with trepidation, has no choice but to go along. After awhile, the little family discovers a restaurant that is still operating. The parents gorge themselves until they are turned into pigs. Suddenly alone, the child finds herself in a place full of witches, ghosts, goblins and other assorted spirits. Aided only by an unearthly boy, she must now save her parents and find her way out of this surreal place.

The movie was made in Japan by animation master Hayao Miyazaki and his crew. It became the highest grossing movie of all time in that country. The people at Disney bought the American rights and lovingly added an excellent English soundtrack. The company's marketing department apparently was at a loss as to how to sell such an unusual animated movie. It was seen by relatively few Americans in theaters. I suspect that this masterpiece will find its audience here via video and DVD.

Hayao Miyazaki's Latest Masterpiece
From the legendary Studio Ghibli and anime director Hayao Miyazaki (of "Princess Mononoke," "Castle in the Sky," and "Kiki's Delivery Service," among others) comes a new favorite among otaku (anime fans) world-wide. "Spirited Away" is the story of a young Japanese girl named Chihiro (literally, "heroine") who is, as the title implies, taken from her normal life and deposited reluctantly in a small town built around a bathhouse for spirits. Chihiro overcomes fear and other obstacles, including a large, faceless monster and a black-hearted witch named Yubaba (literally, "old hag") to save her parents from a rather unpleasant fate. The story is exciting, well-paced, and thoughtful, with a good mix of humor, symbolism, emotion, traditional Japanese legend, and moral.

From an animation standpoint, "Spirited Away" is astounding. The sheer amount of movement and energy in Hayao Miyazaki's most recent work is quite impressive. Combined with the beautiful scenery (including several awe-inspiring and detailed shots of the bathhouse that can by themselves be regarded as masterpieces), and the realistic textures of the grass blowing in the wind, the flower gardens around the bathhouse, and the interior of the bathhouse, "Spirited Away" is truly a work of art.

The only flaw in the otherwise near-perfect film is the dialogue. A few lines sound a little forced, and some intended to be funny simply aren't. Fortunately, these slip-ups are few and far between.

Already, "Spirited Away" has earned several prestigous distinctions, including the 2003 Oscar award for Best Animated Feature. Also, "Spirited Away" was anime released in movie theaters, which is rare in the United States. Ever rarer, it became the top-grossing film in America for several weekends in a row. Not surprisingly, it was also popular in Japan, where it became the top-grossing film in that nation's history.

Most people I have talked to have been very impressed with the quality of "Spirited Away." Many of these have been adults, mislead by the films "Disney" tag. When they sat down to watch it with their kids, they simply expected another children's movie, but instead found a film they could enjoy and appreciate as well. On the face, the plot is simple enough for younger kids to understand, but the symbolism and artwork is so complicated and intricate that it can be enjoyed by adults and older kids as well. In other words, however cliché those words may be, this film really does have something for everyone, and is well worth your time and your twenty-five dollars.

A work of art!
First of all,don't listen to people who give this masterpiece bad reviews... they probably think disney movies are the only animations worth watching!
This anime is fantastic... Miyazaki is truly a genius. Everything about it blew me away, from the animation and characters to its storyline! The characters have depth, and they show real emotion, and unlike disney movies, there are no annoying sidekicks or crappy songs... in fact, the music is very beautiful and heightens the feel of the movie.Even the dub is pretty good(at least in my opinion), but of course the original japanese with subtitles is best(as always)!
I HIGHLY recommend this one to everyone, anime fan or not!This is definitely worth your money! Don't hesitate!

Simply Amazing
I must admit that if it weren't for my friends, I probably would have never even given this title a second look, but after I watched it, I was amazed. Miyazaki has managed to create one of the most beautiful, not to mention entertaining, movies I have ever seen. The characters (especially Chihiro) are very true to life. I highly recommend "Spirited Away" even if you aren't an anime fan or, like me, are an otaku (you know who you are). I also encourage you to check out Miyazaki's other works, two of my favorites being "Princess Mononoke" and "The Castle of Cagliostro."

6 stars
This movie feels like a dream. There are not many works of art that can do this, but with this one I distinctively got the feeling that watching this film was the same as a really sweet dream. I love it. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Garry Marshall's 1988 drama about a 30-year friendship between two women, one wealthy (Barbara Hershey) and the other (Bette Midler) seeking her fortune in show business, is well written (based on the novel by Iris Rainer Dart) and nicely textured in its contrast between the characters' separate destinies. When Hershey becomes ill with cancer, the film takes a predictably sentimental course, yet Marshall brings out the best in both actresses and catches some very fine drama. The film is a little too long, perhaps, but overall it is a fine experience.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (100)

ENTERTAINING SUDS
Barbara Hershey and Bette Midler form an unlikely alliance in this contemporary/traditional "woman's picture". Well-produced musical numbers, charting CeCe's (Bette) singing/performing career, add zest and emotion, though the central relationship is exceptionally well-played by both the young and older versions of the characters. I particularly loved the way this movie grows with the characters; the story evolves over much time, and, unfortunately, spends too much time, and the film's most overrated song (Wind Beneath My Wings, which has a bizarrely self-involved lyric) in its final half hour wallowing in suds. However, the actresses retain a power throughout, and the tears this movie works to summon forth do not feel shameless -- an age-old friendship will likely always suffer its highs and lows, though perhaps not with this many strings playing in the background.

Friendship that never dies.....
I fell in love with the movie the first time that I saw it and still love it. One of the most brilliant performances by both Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey I have ever seen.I enjoyed very much seeing Bette showcase her voice in the movie because she has such a strong and beautiful voice, not to mention she is so hilarious. The scenes in this movie are emotional, uplifting, comedic and poignant. This film reminds of a special friendship that I have, and just watching the movie reminds me a lot of my relationship with my friend. It depicts that all friendships aren't perfect, everyone has their differences but that in the end that one special friend will always be there for you. In this world today, it is hard to find a friend like that. There were also some stellar performances by John Heard as the love interest of Bette Midler, Laine Kazane as Bette's mother Leona. What a wonderful movie, a real tearjearker and call it a chick flick if you want but this is a movie that was made for both men and women.

I love this movie
Bette Midler is wonderful in this movie. Barbara Hershey gives an outstanding performance. I love their friendship and how it goes through the different phases, and yet at the end they are there for one another, to support one another. This movie is definitely a tear-jerker, yet a classic.

Made me feel dirty
Watching this movie was a very unpleasant experience for me and left me feeling like an emotional voyeur. It was just too harrowingly weepy. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with a movie that appeals primarily to the emotions, but I felt that Beaches went way past the saturation point. By the end I was simply tired of feeling!
I have, however, given Beaches three stars because the fact that it is so well loved by so many suggests that it must successfully fulfill some sort of need for many viewers. Just be warned that, depending on your tastes, you may want to fulfill that need elsewhere.

Sad but Good!
I never read the book this movie is based on but we rented Beaches and I thought it was a good movie. It is a tearjerker that is really sad and I don't always like sad movies because sometimes they can be too melodramatic and real downers but I liked this movie and I think Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey gave good acting perfomances and I was also impressed with Mayim Bialik (Blossom) who played Bette Midler's character C.C. when the character was 11 years old. I recommend this movie! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A powerful, emotional rollercoaster ride!
All the actors are great in this "tear jerker" movie. Susan Hayward is beautiful and lovable. Vera Miles is beautiful, but she is intolerable and a drunk!--proves how good an actress she is. John Gavin is effective as he portrays the man caught between these two women. If you want a great movie to watch over and over and to shed tears every time you watch it, this is the one!

GONE IS THE ROMANCE
Okay, folks...clearly this movie was made for another time, another decade, another life....it's 1961, and Ross Hunter has churned out these weepers for years now. The audiences wanted a love affair that appeared "heavenly," "bad," etc. Sure John Gavin is a cad..he never bothers to tell Susan Hayward that he's married and has two children. Sure, Vera Miles is the ultimate bitch---cold, calculating, unloving, and an alcoholic to boot. Sure Gavin should get a divorce in spite of Miles' threats. Sure the kids are hokey and unconvincing actors. Too many gowns, too many starry eyed I love yous...but isn't this what movies like BACK STREET are all about. No matter what, one can't deny the tissue factor when hunky Gavin lies dying in his bed, and when the children ask if they can visit Rae.
This isn't cinematic history folks..it's just a glitzy and moving tearjerker, which will probably stand the test of time.

TEARSTAINED IN MINK
Susan Hayward and Lana Turner battled it out on the screen in the early 1960's for the heavy weight crown of tearstained mink queen of the movies. What was left for an actress over 40 in 1961 but the highly glamorous gloss of a Ross Hunter picture or the grand gargoyle glamour of something like "Baby Jane"? Not much. To be a female movie star of a certain age at that time in Hollywood and to some extent even today meant only one thing, you're Over The Hill baby.
Both actresses had done their best work during the preceding two decades. It was Lana of the tawdry emotions versus hard Hayward of the rat-a-tat Brooklyn delivery always punctuated with a Garlandesque gesture. With films like "Ada", "Stolen Hours" and "Where Love Has Gone", Hayward wins the crown.
"Back Street" is the jewel in this crown. The essential Hayward tearjerker with all the required elements, an impossibly beautiful mannequin of a leading man for her and the audience to project their dreams upon. A truly wicked wife for him to make it almost impossible to denounce Hayward for coming between them, and two throwaway children to soften the tragic end of the film in one final surge of violins and Kleenex. All of this played out in the glamour capitals of New York, Rome and Paris provided by Universal's backlot (and a few lovely locations in Monterey County doubling for the Italian coast). Add to the mix the highly sophisticated costumes of the early 60's and sets of stunning beauty, all strung together to one of the most lyrically beautiful scores ever written for this genre. The result is the glossiest most improbably romantic film of her career that can be taken today in one of two ways, high camp comedy or lush romance. It all depends upon your point of view.
In support of Miss Hayward there is Virginia Grey as her older (and I mean much older!) sister Janenee. She provides throughout the picture the image Rae "All small letters, very chic. Smith, carries of what an ideal marriage and family means. She hits all the right notes as the loving sister who pushes Rae out of her small mid-western life in Lincoln Nebraska and into the world of high fashion in New York.
Reginald Gardner is the perfect picture of the perfunctorily gay designer Dalian who helps her to make her name and sends her off to Europe, or at least around the corner to the "Rome" set. His is just an extension of the Franklin Pangborne harmless gay man of the early years of movie history. Elegant sophisticate always ready with a bon mot and a hanky. He is alarmingly memorable in the role.
John Gavin, more beautiful than Rock Hudson and with a better body, is Paul Saxon, the spineless Ken Doll upon which Rae drapes all her dreams as if he were a mannequin to dress for each love scene. But with such a man around she and the audience need nothing more than what appears. He is the perfect vessel to dream about, create a personality for, and waist a good twenty years loving while passing up the opportunities presented for a real life.
About a quarter of the way into the film the fun arrives in the cool resplendent form of Vera Miles as Liz (perhaps the screenwriter chose that name to make a subliminal connection with the then scandalous Elizabeth Taylor) Saxon, wife to Paul. She is given all the attributes of a monster, alcoholic, unfaithful and a lousy mother. (Sounds like the tabloid "Liz" we all know and love.) She is perfectly designed to make us love Rae and her sad little back street affair. For there was just no other way to get around the taboo of infidelity in those days but to have a Liz on hand. Her confrontation with Rae is supremely bitchy and utterly wonderful.
As the beautiful Rae Susan Hayward plays one of her few completely sympathetic characters in her long and lustrous career. She approaches Rae as if this was a chance to win a second Oscar and in fact in the scene where she calls late one night from Rome back home on Thanksgiving she is magnificent. Her beautiful bourbon flavored voice is used to accentuate her loveliness in every scene. Her trademark gestures are at a minimum and only called into play when they are most needed. She carries the improbable picture on her perfect shoulders and gives a fine and detailed performance that is perfection in the soapy atmosphere of Europe. A few of the many highlights is the scene where she finds out that Paul is married, the phone call from the hospital and the race to the airport in Lincoln early on in the film. She is stunningly dressed in gowns by Jean Louis that are smart and very contemporary to what the ladies are wearing on the red carpet today. David Webs beautiful jewelery complements her and adds a feel of true richness to the picture.
As I mentioned earlier the score by Frank Skinner is perfection and punctuates the drama in so many ways that are essential in this movie.
The direction by stalwart David Miller is right on target. He should know how to do it, after all he did the same for Joan Crawford in "The Story of Esther Costello" and "Sudden Fear", as well as Doris Day in "Midnight Lace" and Lana Turner in "Diane".
This all was helmed by the master of the genre, Producer Ross Hunter who defined the genre with such hits as "Imitation of Life", "Portrait in Black", and "Madam X".
"Back Street" remains to this day the shinning beacon of the last gasp of the woman's picture where women were smart, strong, self-made in a mans world and all the while ever glamorous in tearstained mink.

Sidesplittingly funny
This movie must have arrived in garbage rather than film cans, and via the sewage rather than the postal system. Susan Hayward, pace an earlier reviewer, was possibly the worst actress in Hollywood history, which is saying something. She makes such simple, everyday acts as answering the phone or walking to her car seem fraught with unseen danger: in fact, she makes Anne Bancroft seem positively restrained. The terminally stolid John Gavin is ideally cast as her "lover" - for comedic purposes. This couple has an unsettling way of looking like Oedipus and Jocasta. Add to this the impossible-to-underrate Vera Miles (in the role she was spawned to play) and the two most unattractive child actors ever as her whelps, mix in some of the most horrid injuries ever inflicted upon the music of Johannes Brahms, and you have the single funniest movie ever made in the most ridiculous of all Hollywood modes.
That this was made AFTER the death of Buddy Holly and not long before the Bay of Pigs should make you laugh even harder.
There is not a sincere frame anywhere in this abortion. If you take it seriously, you should not be allowed in public unsupervised.

Back Street
I believe this is one of the best movies of all times. It is an emotion-evoking movie. The dialogue is clear and decisive and above all there is no vulgarity throughout the film. It is the type of movie that can tirelessly be seen over and over again. The story could be anybody's life. The acting is very convincing. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Powerful!
I like this movie because of it's powerful, dramatic story. As George Lucas says in the beginning It's designed to show the horrors of war, so don't expect comic relief, because there is none to be found. The reason why is this film appears to be very grim. It's also very serious. I highly recommend this film to future Indiana Jones fans, and for future High School history classes. Part one of this movie is horrific. It's just a warning of what you shouldn't expect. That's all. I also recommend that future High School teachers, and students watch this video as part of their history classes.

Indiana Jones Lost in the Trenches
"Trenches of Hell" is one of the few modern examinations of World War I, and for that alone it's worth the purchase price. It has a fine "slice of life" feel about it, meandering from the horror of gas warfare to camraderie stolen amongst the hodgepodge of allies that made up the allied side in this "war to end all wars."

What it doesn't have is Indiana Jones--or very much of an ending. There is, after all, no reason for Indy to be present in the telling of the tale--we learn nothing about him nor are we even treated to any of his trademarked mannerisms. Yes, we get lost in this world, and the storytelling--until the surprisingly weak ending--is intriguing enough to demand our attention. But the protagonist could've been Anyman for as much as the spirit of Indiana Jones appears here. Flanery is a fine actor, and his performance is clearly one of the hooks that keeps us interested, but he needed a few scenes of genuine character development to tie his Indy in with Ford's. Instead, this is another Young Indy epsiode in which the name "Indiana Jones" has been stolen for the noble purpose of introducing a wider audience to history.

Thus, like some other entrants in this series, "Trenches of Hell" leaves Indy fans disappointed, but better off for the experience.

Please sir, I want some more
If you watch these videos in chronological order (which you should) this provides a fascinating follow up to the cute and funny Spring Break Adventure (even the more serious Mexico half featured jokes like the letter Indy wrote to his dad). The only problem is, that it shouldn't follow directly after like it does. There were two episodes, "Ireland, April 1916" and "London, May 1916" that were not put on video. Instead, we jump from what must be March (in Mexico) to "Somme, Early August 1916" and "Germany, Mid August 1916". One might ask why this was done.

Once you stop wondering how Indy got to be a Corporal and all that, this video is very good. It really is too bad that there are so few WWI movies out there, compared to all the WWII ones to pick from. I've read some reviewers complain about the fact that the series would be better if it took place in WWII, but it wouldn't exactly be YOUNG Indy, then, would it?

Personnaly, I enjoyed the second half more, as it was less grim and more adventurous. Charles de Gaulle is the only one who seems to recognize Indy's American accent for what it is. It's too bad the ending is so abrupt. Indy doesn't even get out of German territory, which leads to yet another big gap between this video and the next one, where Indy is magically in Africa with Remy, whom I swear died in "Trenches of Hell." Yes, indeed, there are two more episodes, "Verdun, September 1916" and "Paris, October 1916" which are not included.

So, the video itself is great, but for a person who likes to know what's going on all the time, this video series leaves me feeling gypped way too often.

Outstanding - Best of the series
These are arguably the greatest episodes in the series. They are emotional, moving, action packed, and realistic. If there's a knock on the series it's that it's often hokey, and Indy runs into too many famous people. But this episode pulled no punches and delivered on all cylinders. It is so excellent, I rate it better than the last two Indiana Jones movies.

I should also point out I agree with reviewer James Irwin in his comparisons. I found SPR a nice story, and I love Tom Hanks, but if you want a much less Hollywood drama, and something to both thrill you, and move you, check this out. I also agree on BWP being the most overhyped film ever....but that's another thread.

If you're at all curious about the series, buy this, you won't be disappointed.

A harrowing tale of the horrors of war
The 8th chapter in the Young Indiana Jones series, this is a dark and harrowing look at the horrors of war. The movie is divided into three parts:

It starts out in France where Indy, Remy, and a whole army of French and Belgian soldiers are all assigned to take a chateau at the top of a hill. German soldiers have the place surrounded, and the soldiers must fight their way through trenches, past Germans, grenades, and gas. The whole gas sequence is flat out scary and harrowing. The mortars firing gas bombs and the sight of German soldiers in gas masks turning the knobs on tanks filled with poion gas is scary, and gets even worse when out of the clouds of gas come Germans wielding flamethrowers. It is an awesome sight, and quite graphic for a made-for-television movie.

Then we move on to a German P.O.W. camp where Indy and a group of French soldiers dig their way out of the camp, in a scene reminiscent of THE GREAT ESCAPE, right down to the partial collapsing of the tunnel. Although I have always questioned the scene where the German Officer comes into the room to inspect everything but does not notice the giant piles of dirt hidden in the showers that are extremely evident to the viewer.

The third and final part is a second P.O.W. camp (which is actually a castle) where Indy is thrown after being caught trying to escape from the first camp. The castle is for all the "bad apples", and he is put there after being mistaken for a French Officer who has made many escape attempts. Here he meets Charles De Gaulle who together plot their escape from the camp. In a very tense scene, they escape the camp and death of incineration in a giant furnace.

Overall it is a great movie, and truly shows the horrors of war associated with "no man's land" and trench warfare. Definitely an episode to see, and one to consider buying. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

i loved it!
As someone who was in a production of "Teahouse of the August Moon", I loved this movie. Most directors do not suggest watching a movie of the play before starting rehearsal because most movies are worse than their plays. However, our director showed the film at one of our rehearsals and it gave a place to aspire to go. I recommend anyone to see this film and have fun with the subtle comedy and life lessons.

Timeless, comedy with a fantastic script
This movie will be funny for people watching it 1000 years from now. This is a classic comedy with a few "life lessons" as well. My husband who typically does not like anything made prior to 1960 laughs outloud at this film. We use lines from this movie as a code. For example: Glenn Ford's character says "Alright, I'm sorry, shall I kill myself?" Paul Ford's character replies "Don't minimize this." If that kind of dialogue tickles your funny bone then this is the film for you. "Socks up!"

DVD???
When will we see a DVD??? (in widescreen please) Loved the movie but watching it on fullscreen VHS does ruin things a bit. Hope Warner Brothers will see what a gem theyve got in this movie and release a DVD soon.

Fabulous Film
We just spent 4 years in Okinawa and it is a paradise on earth. The people are what make the island a great place to be. This film presents the wonderful aspects of the island and is hilarious in showing how the US Army tries to run the island after the war and the travails of one Capt. who tries to build what the Okinawans actually want. The author of the book (which is also excellent, and is different enough from the movie to warrant its purchase) was stationed on Okinawa and the story reflects an awareness of the island and the actions of the Army. This is a great movie that can be watched over and over. The movie is especially relevant given what is going on currently in Iraq - it makes you wonder if there will be similar stories from our building up of Iraq.

If you can't wait for DVD and/or If you missed it on TCM...
It's a lot to ask of yourself and your pocketbook, but if you absolutely *have* to watch this fantastic film in letterbox widescreen - then you might want to consider a Laserdisc.

It's terribly out of date and functionally a dead-end technology. But for the true fan of films like this - it's the only way to go for now.

This film and about a half a dozen like it are the only reason I scoured through a ton of eBay auctions trying to find a decent used LD which has the 'auto-flip' function and a remote.

That was four years ago and I *still* get tremendous joy being able to watch 'Teahouse' in a true digital widescreen format. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Despite an irritating, tacked-on voice-over narration that somebody must have thought was necessary to make sense of the story (it wasn't), Last of the Dogmen is actually a very moving and magical film. Tom Berenger plays a Montana bounty hunter who helps an anthropologist (Barbara Hershey) search for the descendants of a Cheyenne tribe who disappeared in the 1870s. What the two find in a remote mountain stretch is an entire community of Cheyenne who have kept themselves cut off from the modern world. A Dances with Wolves parallel emerges as the white outsiders gradually fit in, but Last of the Dogmen stands up just fine without comparison to any other films. As in Kevin Costner's Oscar-winning movie, however, there are ways in which this film captures a similar sense of yearning, mystery, and loss. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (68)

I loved this movie!
This movie just sort of snuck up on me. I was having a bad day, and it was on TV, so I thought I'd give it a chance. And it turned out to be *just* the thing to pick me up from my doldrums.

A very, VERY sweet movie that is interesting, gripping, has some mystery, romance, and is fine for the whole family. Highly recommended.

Beautiful scenery (I always love beautiful scenery) and two wonderful main characters. Tom Berenger is a grumpy, reclusive and rather shy tracker who get sucked into a very unusual quest -- to find a lost Native American Tribe. He is wonderful in his roll -- he does "grumpy but lovable" better than most other actors I can think of.

Barbara Hershey is fantastic too. Beautiful, brainy, capable, dedicated and a perfect compliment to Berenger's character. I really admired her in this film.

I won't reveal too much of the plot here, but it is a delightful film, and I highly recommend it. Maybe a little on the longish side, but I wouldn't have it any other way. One of my favorite movies to date.

MAGICAL MOVIE
I don't usually watch westerns but when my father told me about this movie, and I saw the awe that filled his eyes, I knew I had to watch it. I did and I was enchanted by everything about it. I loved the performances of Tom Berenger as the tormented Lewis Gates, Barbara Hershey as the bookish anthropologist Lillian and especially, Zip, the scrappy little bob-tailed dog that had so much personality! I also enjoyed Wilford Brimley's narration throughout the movie - it was entirely believable because he is so down to earth. The story is slightly implausible, bordering on fantasy - a bounty hunter and an anthropologist find a "lost" tribe of Cheyenne Indians living in an incredibly remote area of Montana. But the movie is so well done you find yourself wishing it were true. The actors who potrayed members of the lost tribe - especially the man who played Lone Wolf - were extremely authentic without being caricatures or stereotpyes. And the music - this movie wouldn't be as good without that marvelous music. And last but not least, the scenery. The mountains, the rivers where the escaped convicts and later Lewis run for fresh water - made me wonder if such a place really exists. This is a must-have movie best viewed when you are in need of hope and a reason to feel good about the world. And sometimes I wonder if Lillian and Lewis "lived happily ever after" with that lost tribe. I sure hope so!

Excellent
I had purchased the VHS of this movie on a whim, thinking my husband would like it. He likes anything "Western". I found myself totally absorbed in this movie. The theme was different than I expected, but I was not disappointed. I would recommend viewing this movie to anyone with an interest in the West and its history. Tom Berenger is one of my favority actors, anyway.

Modern Day Western With A Century Old Feel
This review refers to the HBO DVD edition of "Last Of The Dogmen"...

"Last of the Dogmen" is a beautiful story that takes my breath away everytime I watch it. It's one of those films that even if you start out viewing it alone, pretty soon, you'll find the rest of the family gathered around simply because one glimpse of the scenery,one paragraph of the dialouge,one look at the story and it's got a hold on you.

It's a modern Western, with all the romantic adventure of one that may take place 100 years ago. Lewis Gates(Tom Berenger) is a bounty hunter hired to track three deadly criminals who have escaped deep into the "Oxbow" of the Montana wilderness. As he follows their trail, he begins to uncover a 100 year old mystery. One of the clues is an arrow that could only have been used by a tribe of Cheyennes that existed over a century ago.
He can't let go of what the possibilities may be and convinces the beautiful Dr Lillian Sloan(Barbara Hershey), expert in Native American culture, that there may be something incredible out there. Their search begins as they try to uncover the past, and what they find is a way of life too beautiful to be spoiled by modern day man and it is up to them to save it!

It's just an incredibly beautiful film that interweaves the search for the past with Gates' own ghosts from his past. The friendships formed,the evolving romance, the cinematogrpahy, the musical score, and the heartwarming story all combined for a wonderful film.
Even "Zip" the dog(played by "Zip"), will be tugging at your heart.Berenger and Hershey worked beautifully together, and Steve Reevis and other American Indian actors were not only wonderful but lent a great deal of realism and authenticity to the film...Bravo!

The DVD presents a wonderful widescreen picture, taking in all the majesty of the Rockies. The DD5.1 is very good. The sounds of nature and the modern day sounds of helicopters and such, are quite a contrast to behold in surround sound.The DVD also has some nice features. It may be viewed with the sound in either the Theatrical version, or the Director version. Both are in DD5.1, and the main difference I found was that the Theatrical version has the captivating narration by Wilfred Brimley,and the Director's version does not. There is the option of Director(Tab Murphy) commentary, and it also provides subtitles in English, French and Spanish for those needing them.There are other features that include, cast bios and costume sketches as well.

If you liked "Dances With Wolves", give this one a try. I can not say enough good things about it. If you have already seen it, you will enjoy it again on this DVD. It's for Western lovers, adventure lovers, romance lovers and anyone who just wants to get lost in a good story for a couple of hours.It is rated PG(there is some violence and mild langauge)

Happy trails and enjoy.....Laurie

A neglected gem of a movie
When this movie was released in 1995 alongside other competition, it flopped due in part to it's main idea, a movie about Indians. But it was never given a fair shot and by this review I hope to change that. The basic plot of the movie is very simple but very interesting. What if there was a lost pocket of Cheyenne in the wilderness of the Northwest? This question brings together two very well developed characters, Tom Berenger as a lonely tracker/bounty hunter with his sidekick dog Skip, and Barabara Hershey, a professor of Native American history. A relationship builds between the two and they are taken in by the native Americans. But, they leave a trail, and are followed by the local sheriff who hates Gates (Berenger's character) and would love to see him in the slammer. A lot of effort and thought was put into this movie, making it not only epic and romantic but also thought provoking and insightful into what we can and should do for the Native Americans. The question I mentioned above is asked later in the film, answered and ends with one of the most spectacular conclusions rivaling that of the Shawshank Redemption. The musical score by David Arnold who has worked on many films including the most recent James Bond movies, is very sweeping and majestic with a lot of romance. I loved this film and I would recommend it to pretty much anyone. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bernard Slade's smart, funny, and touching play about an adulterous couple who meet one weekend a year for 26 years is nicely adapted for the screen by Robert Mulligan (To Kill a Mockingbird) in this 1978 film. The two-person story stars Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn, both of whom are outstanding at conveying a rainbow of emotions over a quarter-century as life gives and takes away, and the world convulses with change. Mulligan brings taste and honesty to the film, and Alda and Burstyn give full, living performances. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Superb Film.....
...as is the chemistry between leads Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn who make an extremly convincing couple in this film which is sympathetically inclined to some cases of adultery.

Two guests at a travel inn, the nuerotic and somewhat manic George and the clever, clear-headed Doris, both married and parents, meet and fall instantly in love. After that night, they end up spending the whole week-end together and eventually decide to meet up there every year.

Although their relationship is not conducted in the ideal situation, they are certainly likeable and interesting as both individuals and a couple and that's thanks to good writing, acting and direction.

As they grow over the years and tackle the unpredictability of life head-on the film progresses at a nice, even pace and is an utter joy to watch. Even the cliche scene where Doris is pregnant can be forgiven.

Having started as a stage play I only became acquainted with this flick via the television but I have seen the sequal performed at the theatre and that is a joy as well. And, just in case you were wondering, the write of this play says he writes from imagination. I believe him, thousands wouldn't......

Very good indeed.

Well written, well acted . . .
This is one of those rare gems -- a movie based on a stage play that is true to the original.

The premise is simple: a man and a woman happen to meet at a romantic Pacific coast inn in the 1950s, spend a night together, and discover that they're both married -- with children, no less! How do they deal with it? Well, after getting past the initial shock and guilt (she yells into a towel, he lies about his wife's name and the number of children he has), they agree to meet every year, same weekend, same place. We, the audience, are allowed to observe every 5th meeting in the same room.

We see the changes in the relationship, the changes in each of the participants, the changing times. We get to know Doris and George through these slices of time, laugh with them, cry with them, always with the question -- will they ever leave their respective partners and follow their hearts? It's definitely a relationship based more on mutual respect and friendship, despite its extra-marital foundation. You get the feeling that these two individuals are truly soul-mates who just happened to meet.

Alan Alda gives an amazing performance, beginning as a guilt-ridden rather milk-toast-ish accountant. Without giving away the plot twists, he goes through many changes and personal crises, and still manages to stay a reasonably likable, vulnerable man.

Ellen Burstyn, as Doris, enters into this as a rather ditzy young wife on her way to a Catholic retreat with the nuns, who manages to grow up over the years. It's a treat to see the changes in these characters with each change of scene.

Bernard Slade's original two-person play with its witty dialogue is preserved almost intact, with only one new character in the movie that isn't in the play ("old