Reviews (23)

Klute should have been on the AFI list
Klute is one of my favorite films of all time.It ranks right up there with "The Parallax View" as Allan Pakula's best film.Donald Sutherland gives a superb performance as the low-key sensitive cop, Klute, and Jane Fonda is wonderful (as always).The film is brilliant in so many ways. It is very visually striking, perfectly acted, great musical score, I cannot say enough about this movie. It is a quintessential American film that along with so many others from the 70's: Deliverance, The Parallax View, The Conversation, Night Moves, and from the late 60's, Point Blank, was unjustly left of AFI's top 100 movies list.

klute begat blade runner
"Klute" is far above average for the era... evocative music is used with excellent editing to produce what is still a rarity today: a suspenseful, realistic move with characters an audience cares about. Alan Pakula's spare technique is juxtaposed with rich sets and costumes to set a creepy mood, combining beautifully to give the viewer a gradually increasing chill which culminates in a harrowing climax. Certainly one can see the influence "Klute" in such diverse films as "Blade Runner" (particularly in one scene where Bree rides an elevator to the top floor of a dress factory) and "The Blair Witch Project" which relied on similarly subtle hints to freak out the viewer). Add to the mix superb performances by Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland and you have yourself one hell of a film. And something to think about in the bargain.

A Second Rate Thriller
Klute is a movie that aspires to the cult status of Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation but where The Conversation is compelling, Klute is vapid. It simply lacks inventiveness and originality.

Klute is a second-rate thriller. The plot eventually takes on predictability and is short on logic and terror. Klute is one of those movies that looks great but has no real substance. You don't care about the characters.

Klute does not offer any surprises whatsoever and the ending became quite predictable before it was half over. What good is a mystery if everything is pretty obvious and you can guess everything that's about to take place? This attempt at a psychological thriller is mindless. The plot is thin. Guy kills for no apparent reason.

In sum, Klute is a movie to avoid.

Excellent movie - amazing acting. But...
Jane Fonda was pretty unpopular when she did this movie. So she had alot against her to win and Oscar. But her amazing acting shon through and she won. Donald Sutherland was good and contributes to the atmosphere of the movie.

But..
Here's the problem. Warner Brothers have released this film on DVD which means it comes in an annoying card case instead of the usual plastic durable DVD boxes you'd get else where. They dont last as long, and it's harder to put in to a dvd collection when it has totally different dimensions to the rest.
It's quite a job to cut and place in a normal box. For the sake of 25 cence in cost saving, they've doing themselves a diservice. The security tags are hard to get off due to the sticky tag being stuck to [you guessed it] card.

You won't believe it's 30 years old.
This could be a film -about- the late sixties, done today. It's just superb. It holds up so well ... it makes you struggle with the problem of why most other older films become so dated ... Great DVD image, by the way. Very different than watching it on TV. ... Read more

Description

Film adaptation of Gordon Parks's autobiographical novel about his youth in Kansas. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great movie but waiting for DVD format.
This movie made a very striking and lasting impression on me, I first saw it when I was about 12 years old. It's a movie that both my Grandmother, who is nearly 81, and I, who am 28 years of age now, can both enjoy because it's a drama based on history. It's a learning experience for those who cannot begin to fathom what it was like for blacks in America during those racially charged earlier days in American history.

A true classic in African American cinema.
The story was based off of Gordon Parks real life story. A very good depiction of life in the early part of the century.

Compare this with "To Kill a Mockingbird"
I rank this right up there with "To Kill a Mockingbird"
(which, I admit, I haven't watched for a few years).
I suspect this film is better at showing what life was like for
Blacks and has a better balanced cast of good, bad, and mixed
characters. This probably didn't catch on as much since the
sex was less politically correct for the time (e.g., white boy
gets black girl pregnant), there are onscreen shootings, and
there is minor onscreen nudity.
Extremely appropriate for high schoolers and up interested
in a strongly moving view of the black experience by a very
major artist and writer (Parks).

The Learning Tree?
I reluctantly watched this movie because i was waiting for my mom to finish with the VCR. Anyway, the first time I watched "The Learning Tree", I thought that it dragged on and on. The second time I watched it, however, the story seemed very moving to me. I was really impressed with how good the story is.

A Missed Opportunity
This could have been a great movie. I found the story interesting. The film depicts growing up as an African-American in rural Kansas of the 1920's. Unfortunately, the film is marred by a mediocre script and poor acting. This movie is a missed opportunity to take a memorable story and make of it a moving film. Instead the film falls flat. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Buster&Billie-a wonderful story of love simple, pure & true!
This is a well written and touching love story set in rural Georgia in the 1940's. Starring Jan-Michael Vincent as "Buster Lane", the most popular boy in high school! Buster rules the school with his pack of friends and dates the prettiest girl in town, "Margie Hooks" (Pamela Sue Martin). Buster Lane is a typical country boy with maybe a little more scruples than the average southern country poke. Buster is engaged to be married to Margie in upcoming June and he's been playing touchy-feely with her, but she wants to wait until they're married to go all the way. Buster's best friend is "Whitey" (Robert Englund), they hangout, drink beers together and talk about guy things, especially what else, girls! Whitey's labeled a Geek and he's so pale (almost albino like) that's where he gets his nick-name of "Whitey" from. He was severely picked on when he first moved to town by the other kids until Buster befriended and protected him, giving you an ideal of Buster's good heart and kind nature. "Billie" (Joan Goodfellow) is an painfully shy country girl from a very poor family, she's often known to have sex with several of towns young men in a way of getting some attention and just trying to be accepted. The thing is, you feel nothing but compassion for Billie ... you never think of her as a "loose girl" (to put it politely). Her performance radiates innocence, loneliness, sadness and then absolute joy later in the movie ... you can feel all her feelings as the movie progresses, you are living through these moments with her!
When Buster convinces himself that he just can't hold out any longer for sex with Margie his attention turns to Billie and they're not honorable, not at first. He finds her to be very innocent and sees the beauty in her so pure, he's moved when a simple gesture like buyer her a grape crush soft drink brings her to tears, somebody finally thought of her feelings. He finds himself falling in love but is not sure of his feelings, are they reflecting his lack of experience to this new feeling called love?
Before Buster even realized what his feelings are he acts on his basic instinct. He breaks off his engagement with Margie and begins seeing Billie exclusively. Billie is taken to her first movie with Buster to see a Tarzan movie, and you can see her elated joy at this new experience. When Billie and Buster go swimming Buster looks over at her to see if she is taking off all her clothes before he strips, as if to not offend her. Its little moments like this throughout the movie that all add up, and are very touching. Then getting up in the middle of the night and waiting, cuddled together on a blanket, for the sun to show itself at the horizon. When it does they jump up and down, then hold each other in a very loving embrace, love is good and it's a new day, a new beginning! In time they both begin to realize just how deeply they do love one another, more than each realized they were capable of loving! Billie is taken to a dance by Buster and he walks proudly with her in his arm, you again feel her joy at another new and wonderful experience. Billie is lit up like a Christmas tree, you can actually feel their happiness, especially hers ...
I'd love to tell you more but I can't ruin it for you ...
Bottom line, this is one of my all time favorite movies! I give Joan's performance an 11 and the movie a 10, with 10 being perfect. This movie will always have a soft spot in my heart ... enjoy! :o)

Sabrina's Review
I first saw, and fell in love with this movie, as a teenager. I watched it over and over again, at least 20 times -- and cried each time. I have thought about it many times over the years and checked repeatedly at Block Buster for its availability...no luck! It is a great love story wrapped up in juvenile delinquency and small town minds. A backwoods Romeo and Juliet with a twist. A must see for the underdog and the misunderstood!

Buster and Billie
HELLO!!!!! Where's the DVD? A truly moving movie, with a good storyline acted very impressively by a cast of young and believable cast. Deserves to be on DVD!!!!

Buster&Billie-a wonderful story of love simple, pure & true!
This is a well written and touching love story set in rural Georgia in the 1940's. Starring Jan-Michael Vincent as "Buster Lane", the most popular boy in high school! Buster rules the school with his pack of friends and dates the prettiest girl in town, "Margie Hooks" (Pamela Sue Martin). Buster Lane is a typical country boy with maybe a little more scruples than the average southern country poke. Buster is engaged to be married to Margie in upcoming June and he's been playing touchy-feely with her, but she wants to wait until they're married to go all the way. Buster's best friend is "Whitey" (Robert Englund), they hangout, drink beers together and talk about guy things, especially what else, girls! Whitey's labeled a Geek and he's so pale (almost albino like) that's where he gets his nick-name of "Whitey" from. He was severely picked on when he first moved to town by the other kids until Buster befriended and protected him, giving you an ideal of Buster's good heart and kind nature. "Billie" (Joan Goodfellow) is an painfully shy country girl from a very poor family, she's often known to have sex with several of towns young men in a way of getting some attention and just trying to be accepted. The thing is, you feel nothing but compassion for Billie ... you never think of her as a "loose girl" (to put it politely). Her performance radiates innocence, loneliness, sadness and then absolute joy later in the movie ... you can feel all her feelings as the movie progresses, you are living through these moments with her!
When Buster convinces himself that he just can't hold out any longer for sex with Margie his attention turns to Billie and they're not honorable, not at first. He finds her to be very innocent and sees the beauty in her so pure, he's moved when a simple gesture like buyer her a grape crush soft drink brings her to tears, somebody finally thought of her feelings. He finds himself falling in love but is not sure of his feelings, are they reflecting his lack of experience to this new feeling called love?
Before Buster even realized what his feelings are he acts on his basic instinct. He breaks off his engagement with Margie and begins seeing Billie exclusively. Billie is taken to her first movie with Buster to see a Tarzan movie, and you can see her elated joy at this new experience. When Billie and Buster go swimming Buster looks over at her to see if she is taking off all her clothes before he strips, as if to not offend her. Its little moments like this throughout the movie that all add up, and are very touching. Then getting up in the middle of the night and waiting, cuddled together on a blanket, for the sun to show itself at the horizon. When it does they jump up and down, then hold each other in a very loving embrace, love is good and it's a new day, a new beginning! In time they both begin to realize just how deeply they do love one another, more than each realized they were capable of loving! Billie is taken to a dance by Buster and he walks proudly with her in his arm, you again feel her joy at another new and wonderful experience. Billie is lit up like a Christmas tree, you can actually feel their happiness, especially hers ...
I'd love to tell you more but I can't ruin it for you ...
Bottom line, this is one of my all time favorite movies! I give Joan's performance an 11 and the movie a 10, with 10 being perfect. This movie will always have a soft spot in my heart ... enjoy! :o)

A movie that deserves DVD treatment
I saw that movie on TV about 20 years ago and was quite impressed. Not particularly by the cinematography but by the story and the performance of the actors who give all they have.

This is a really nice little movie, one of the best from the mid-70s. It really deserves DVD treatment. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I keep thinking about what could have been ....
I knew that this film was not going to be Oscar caliber, but I was a little disappointed with the broad strokes the director allowed the Mexicans in the film to be painted with. We see them as outsiders, never delving into their souls and emotions. The Cholos are generic and they sound like "West Side Story" rejects. But the funny thing is that I liked this film. In the hands of a competant director, this material could have been a GREAT film, but as it is, it is just a fair film. The score is excellent, and I wish I could find it. If you have a copy of the soundtrack, let me know!

A Great Chicano Movie
This movie was the bomb, if you are chicano see this movie I am down with cholos and east L.A. this movie portrays all of that, I have seen this movie ten times and still think it is great a must buy.

This movie is Hella Tight
I recomend this movie to anyone out there who is down for LA RAZA!! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Ladies and gentlemen: another disaster from Artisan!
The back of the box says Full Screen Format! What? This is a CinemaScope picture? So I put it in my player just to check it out. And what do I see? Some kind of letterbox image (about 1:2) far from the correct aspect ratio, but better than full screen. Alas, it is not enhanced for anamorphic playback, and the colors are washed out and fuzzy! So is the focus, and there is some kind of "net" pattern so obvious and distracting most of the time, that I finally decide to rate this DVD as unwatchable! Sad, indeed! Yet another disaster from Artisan, one of many DVD distributors that you cannot rely on. Sure, they have given us some pretty nice transfers, but most are far below acceptable standards. When will these people learn that quality means happy consumers, and happy consumers means better sales?

Flies High, But Not Supersonic...
"The Court Matrial of Billy Mitchell" is a gem, albeit not a precious one.

Gary Cooper is in fine form given the constraints of the material he has to work with. Charles Bickford is perfect as General Guthrie, Ralph Bellamy steals his scenes, and Rod Steiger rules his eight to ten minutes of screen time. Here we also have three future stars of television, who round out the supporting cast; Jack Lord, Elizabeth Montgomery, and a cameo for Peter Graves.

The story of the almost prescient Mitchell, who forsaw the then-fanciful advancements in air power, perfectly captures the views of the Army and Navy at the time; that airplanes were nothing more than unreliable toys.

Mitchell, always a crusader for air power, is muzzled and ignored by the military establishment. Only when the Navy airship Shennedoah is lost due to shortsighted Navy orders does Mitchell break with the Army and make public statements accusing the Army and Navy command of negligence. Inviting his own courtmartial in order to finally have his say, Mitchell is given the opportunity to martyr himself in the name of military airmen everywhere.

If anything holds the film back, it would have to be the combination of the script and the oddly detached direction of Otto Preminger. Neither serves the material well, but the film is compelling anyway. The film bogs down a bit as it transmutes from historical action bio into a courtroom drama, but the legend of Mitchell is enough to carry the film over the rough spots, and keep the viewer watching.

The packaging of the DVD says that the film is in standard (or pan n' scan) format, but the disc is actually (and thankfully), in widescreen. The widescreen framing is not perfect, but close enough for satisfaction. The color is a bit "washed out", and the sets are clearly painted in a color scheme meant for black and white film. This combination makes the colors a bit garish at times, but for the age of the film, it looks pretty good overall barring a full-on restoration.

Of special note is the final set piece, the warehouse that served as location for Mitchell's trial. The set is surprisingly true to the photos taken of the actual location during the real life trial.

Billy's Universal Choice: Obedience or Integrity
The events of December 7, 1941 may have come as a total surprise to nearly all Americans, but not to Billy Mitchell, who years earlier had predicted with astonishing accuracy the details of an attack that would cripple United States naval powers for more than two years. In THE COURT MARTIAL OF BILLY MITCHELL, director Otto Preminger dramatizes the dilemma of Billy Mitchell, who had to struggle with his sense of duty that ran counter to a conscience that refused to let his fellow airmen die in preventable air crashes. Gary Cooper as Billy Mitchell was 54 when he made this film and his true life weariness and evident age did not detract from a performance that did not differ materially from the laid back roles he had earlier showed as Lou Gehrig and Alvin York. As disgraced Colonel Billy Mitchell, Cooper uses his stone face and immense dignity that allows him to maintain his purpose while others lose theirs in the heat of the moment. Colonel Mitchell has seen too many trusted comrades die when he and they knew that their deaths were caused by the criminal negligence of his military superiors. Mitchell does the unthinkable. He goes public with his accusations and is court martialed.

The first half sets up this courtroom drama with sterling performances by Jack Lord, Elizabeth Montgomery, and Darren McGavin. As his friends die, you can sense that Mitchell's iron-bound duty not to break the chain of command is beginning to rust. The dramatic center of the first half is internal, as Cooper portrays a man who knows what he wants to do but is forbidden to do. The second half is the trial itself. Although Cooper has to share center stage with Charles Bickford as the presiding judge and a young and arrogant Rod Steiger as the prosecuting attorney, Cooper manages a rare balancing act. He successfully keeps the military jury's and the audience's attention on the need for aviation reform while not allowing the film to sink into a 'message' movie, that might otherwise have been literally true but less interesting. One of the reasons that enabled Cooper to be the megastar that he was was his ability to say commonsense things in a straightforward way that never let the audience forget that a fully-fleshed character truly believed in the veracity of his words. No matter how hard Steiger tries to make Cooper look foolish on the witness stand, it is Steiger--and by implication the army--that was foolish for not heeding Colonel Mitchell's many warnings about the need to upgrade the American air force. The movie ends rather abruptly with no hint that Mitchell's foresight would one day be vindicated. And if the audience is denied the pleasure of seeing Colonel Mitchell vindicated, then, by contrast, the integrity of a man who had only his gut feelings to guide him stamps him as the rarest of men: one who has strong convictions and is unafraid to place his job and character on the line to express them.

The man who predicted the Pearl Harbor attack!
I am reviewing the movie "The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell", and not the VHS copy of it. Gen. Billy Mitchell was the Army/Air Force General who in the 1920's; said, and showed, that aircraft bombers could sink battleships. He also said,(under oath), in the 1920's that the Japanese could launch a Sunday morning aircraft carrier attack on Pearl Harbor, and devestate the USA Army and Navy units stationed there. ENDING SPOILER-Gen. Mitchell was court martialed and forced to resign his commission more for the way he said what he did, than for what he had to say. Seeing this film with it's great cast, especially Gary Cooper in the title role, makes me think about what might have been IF Gen. Mitchell been a little more tactful, or had his higher ranking officers been a little more willing to listen to him. Citizen Billy Mitchell died in the 1930's, so he was not alive in 1941. This is an outstanding film about the only person a US military aircraft was named for; the B-25 Mitchell, and I think it should be shown every Dec. 7th, along with "Tora, Tora, Tora".

An Air Force History Lesson
Gary Cooper stars as a General advocating the need for developing the Air Force following WWI, at a time when the Army and Navy did not believe it would be useful. His insistence on its usefulness leads to a demotion when he goes against orders, and later on, when he makes accusatory statements about the military, he is brought to trial for court martial. The fact that this is a true story certainly lends interest to it, but the slowness of the pacing offsets that. Cooper has a few good moments as the stubborn, heroic general who puts his career on the line to speak the truth and try to make changes, but to be honest, I did not find his performance to be a complete success. He's inconsistent and his laid back style doesn't always work. The supporting cast does better, with Rod Steiger as one of the prosecutors adding a lot of spark, and Ralph Bellamy relishing his role as Cooper's defender. It's fun to watch a number of up-and-coming young stars such as Elizabeth Montgomery (in a critical role), Jack Lord, Darren MacGavin, and Peter Graves. As a history lesson I learned a few things, and as a courtroom drama, it does come to life at times. But director Otto Preminger keeps things moving pretty slowly, and I wish the film had been tightened up a bit. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Otto Preminger's sprawling World War II drama packs a lot into its 165 minutes, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor (which Preminger re-creates in amazing detail) and ending a couple of years later with America's return to the South Pacific in force. John Wayne and Kirk Douglas star as a career naval captain and his self-pitying commander in the peacetime navy who are thrust into battle when Pearl Harbor is bombed while they are on maneuvers. Minutes into WWII, they are already scapegoated and demoted by the embarrassed military brass. Wayne romances a WAVE nurse (Patricia Neal) and attempts a reconciliation with his estranged, spoiled son (Brandon de Wilde) while Douglas sinks into the bottle after the death of his cheating wife until the American fleet rebuilds and calls upon Wayne to lead one of the initial invasion forces. Henry Fonda makes a brief but commanding appearance as the fleet admiral. Burgess Meredith is a former writer turned witty commander, Dana Andrews a showy but indecisive admiral, and Stanley Holloway a genial Australian scout working with the American invasion forces. Tom Tryon and Paula Prentiss play newlyweds torn apart by the war, and also appearing are Franchot Tone, Carroll O'Conner, Slim Pickens, George Kennedy, Bruce Cabot, and Larry Hagman, among many, many more. Loyal Griggs's handsome black-and-white photography is topped only by Saul Bass's impressive closing credits sequence, a rising cascade of crashing waves and rough surf reportedly paced to mirror the dramatic rhythm of the film. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (51)

A bit overlong, but worth the time. . .
It takes an expert hand to mix historical fiction, solid action, maudlin melodrama and stock romantic entanglements and emerge with a coherent story, much less an effective and entertaining film, but Otto Preminger manages the trick with In Harm's Way. John Wayne's acting is John Wayne's acting (just replace the cavalry smock with WWII working khaki), but the true stars of the film are Kirk Douglas, Burgess Meredith and Patricia Neal, all of whom do a wonderful job of augmenting and supporting the Duke without getting in his way. The combat scenes are few and far between and, by today's standards, rather tame. However, this seeming weakness proves a hidden strength in what becomes an excellent character study of divergent people thrown together in the chaotic early days of the Second World War. This film does a very good job of showing the difficulties commanders faced in dealing with equipment shortages, personnel problems and the myriad headaches of a combat commander trying to fight a war on a shoestring. In some respects the plot is a bit predictable but nonetheless holds one's attention. Like most Wayne pictures, this ends up being a flag-waving tribute to the heroism of the American fighting man and woman. What makes this one a bit different is the degree of character development. It doesn't take long before you actually start caring about the people and the combat becomes a secondary issue. As with most of the Duke's movies, there is a good dollop of tongue-in-cheek humor to lighten the mood. The final result is a very effective, surprisingly realistic look at the people side of warfare.

War in the Pacific

Director Otto Preminger made a good war movie, here. John Wayne plays the part of a captain who initially loses his ship, but comes back eventually as a commodore (1 star admiral). Kirk Douglas is his Exec, Cdr. Ettinger (eventually a captain), who has a bottled up violence in his character (well played). Patricia O'Neal plays a navy nurse (Lt.), Dana Andrews plays an egotisitcal admiral, and Henry Fonda plays CincPac.

The picture is well cast. Even a young Carroll O'Conner has a part, and Burgess Meredith plays an intelligence officer very well. Brandon De Wilde (a new name to me) plays Wayne's son, a spoiled college brat brought up by his mother, also well-played.

I was impressed by the details in the movie, including the plane's designations (except for a reference to an AT6 "Texan," which they should have called by its navy designation, an SNJ, instead of the air corps desgnation), and the Japanese ship designations. The battleship Yamato, for example, was identified as having 18-inch guns, as indeed it did have--larger than the 16-inch rifles on America's battle-wagons.

All together, it was a well-told story which held pretty much to reality, except for the fictional islands' names and the presence of so many females that close to the action.

I enjoyed it, as I do most old Wayne movies. And Otto Preminger knew how to put them together.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre, USN (Ret.)

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

Great cast!!! Excellent Movie!!
This movie is far from being a typical jingoistic, flag-waving propoganda piece. It deals with several substantive issues (i.e. love, loss, rape, death, etc.) that are dveloping in people's lives at the same time as the war. Interestingly, I felt like a voyeur as I was watching the movie due to an intimate/personal filming perspective and excellent acting.

Overall this movie for mature audiences that can accept steady character development with action being secondary.

Big thumbs up!!

Not As Good As MIDWAY
IN HARM'S WAY is a film about World War II naval action in the Pacific beginning with the Pearl Harbor attack by the Japanese. The movie contains a lot of battle scenes but it soon gets monotonous - especially when one realizes that model ships are used as props.

John Wayne is the star and the supporting cast is strong. Patricia Neal and Kirk Douglas are standouts. In spite of the superior acting and the efforts of Otto Preminger as director, the film never quite achieves the same level of interest as MIDWAY which is definitely a better motion picture.

IN HARM'S WAY received an Oscar nomination in 1965 for Best B & W Cinematography.

Flatly and indifferently made WWII epic
After the triumph that was THE CARDINAL (available on a highly recommended WB disc) Otto Preminger made a big war film based on a bestseller novel. While many find this film wonderful, I find it to be talky, groundbased, and exceedingly unmemorable film. Nearly everything in the film is at a level of artifice that, coupled with the black and white photography and really inexcusable SFX, makes the film look cheap and indifferent. The plotting is cliched when not unbelievable. For example, Jill Haworth kills herself when she fears Kirk Douglas' rape has left her pregnant. WHY did she not consult her fiancee (also John Wayne's estranged son) or press criminal charges? And why did Douglas not seek a divorce from his nymphomanianc wife (Barbara Bouchet)? It doesn't help that the whole picture takes on a buddy-buddy atmosphere totally inappropriate for 167 minute epic. Rumors, by the way, are around that state the film was once even longer and had an intermission (curious fans of the film should pop in their DVD and go to about th 85 minute mark). If the flick was once longer, I will make every attempt never to see the longer version. ... Read more

Amazon.com

An irresistible, comic drama from director Alan Parker (Evita, Mississippi Burning), overflowing and alive with passion, humor, and music, The Commitments showcases some old R&B standards in a new light. A headstrong, fast-talking, ambitious young Dubliner (Robert Arkins) fancies himself a promoter of talent, and sets about assembling and packaging a local Irish R&B band. His group of self-absorbed, backbiting, but stunningly talented individuals begin to succeed beyond his wildest dreams, until petty jealousies and recrimination threaten to scuttle the whole deal. A moody, vivid, and soulful exploration of the Dublin club scene as well as a showcase for some wonderful unknown actors, the film (and its wonderful soundtrack) also features the actual band covering classic soul tunes from the likes of Otis Redding and Sam and Dave. It's that combination of soul and soul music that makes The Commitments a special little film. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (74)

Roddy Doyle's modern Irish classic
Quite simply, this is one of my all-time favorite films. Based on the first book of Roddy Doyle's Dublin trilogy, The Commitments is more than a story of a bunch of Irish kids forming a soul band. From the harsh realities of poverty to the power of the Irish spirit, this movie is a portrait of life in working class Dublin, and is true to Doyle's book in every way. It is raw and irreverant, extremely funny but also poignant. One of the remarkable aspects of this film is the cast of virtual unknowns - all actually Irish, thank goodness. Andrew Strong, who plays the lead singer, was only about 16 when the movie was filmed, and he did his own vocals. In fact, the cast is extremely musically talented and appears on two very good soundtrack volumes. The one familiar face belongs to veteran actor Colm Meaney (Miles O'Brien on Star Trek TNG/DS9). Meaney also appears in the two other films from the trilogy, The Snapper and The Van. Rent them all and have an Irish film festival! If you want to be entertained with great soul music while being magically whisked away to Dublin, by all means buy this video so you can watch it over and over again.

A MOVIE WITH SOUL
First off, I usually don't like soul music, R&B, whatever you want to call it. I can like anything but bluegrass, country, and rap. But I must admit that, even if you don't normally like soul, this movie will make you a believer. I had to watch this film in my college film class. I must say that I was VERY impressed, and even more so after I heard the following from my film teacher concerning this film: 1-The lead singer(the chubby one, can't miss 'em) was only 16! but he sang GREAT! Like a pro, even. 2-This movie is full of first-time actors, and that is because it was open-audition for all or nearly all parts. With that in mind, someone did a great job in casting this movie. This is one of those movies that keeps your eyes riveted to the screen. There's some comical moments, as well as some normal moments as well. At times you feel like you're watching a live music video. A very well done film, that reminds me in some respects of the Blues Brothers, which I also like. Apart from the language, there isn't much to the R rating. Overall an outstanding film about a bunch of Dubliners singing music that is normally associated with African-Americans. Buy it today and enjoy!

The Soul of the City
Alan Parker once again put together a previously unknown cast and has produced a fantastic movie with some stellar individual performances.

"The Commitments" is the story of the struggle to escape unemployment and poverty, set in Dublin but equally relevant in any major city this movie chronicles the efforts of a new band to achieve fame and glory. The band choose soul music as their vehicle out of the ghetto at a time when James Brown is just a memory adding spice to an already engaging tale. After a faltering start the band start to pull it together only for their lack of discipline and focus to abort their chances at the very moment when real opportunity is at their door.

The music is the star of the show with fantastic numbers such as "At the Midnight Hour", "Mustang Sally" and "Try a Little Tenderness" littered through the movie. The musical performances of Mary Doyle Kennedy (Natalie)and Andrew Strong (Deco)and the acting of Robert Arkins (Jimmy) are really superb.

This movie is enhanced by this new format on widescreen DVD, but what makes it work is the screenplay, great acting and wonderfull music regardless of format.

Say it Once, Say it Loud!
"The Commitments" is a raucous and joyful celebration of music. It's a gloriously simple and lovable tale, told with passion, profanity, and a deep understanding of how music can infect even the most despairing life with joy. About time the movie got its proper release on DVD.

If you've never seen "The Commitments" because you cringe at the notion of white Dubliners singing American soul tunes, well, I hear ya. I fully expected watered-down music along the lines of Michael Bolton butchering Percy Sledge. However, I was wrong - the music, in the context of the movie, is pure and genuine, and performed by young actors who understand that you don't have to pretend to be anything you're not to get soul. Besides, Jimmy Rabbitte, the mastermind behind the band, gives them all a thoroughly convincing speech that assures the lads and lasses from Dublin that they, too, are qualified to sing soul.

The movie - well, it's wonderful. Hilarious, free, sometimes moving, life-affirming. I almost wish the movie let the characters develop a little more before the inevitable and mythical ending, but then Joey the Lips gently reminds me (and Rabbitte), "this way, it's poetry." He's right - this is the proper ending for these guys, and the movie.

The DVD offers some great extras, including a revealing making-of doc, where we learn that director Parker combed the nightclubs of Dublin nightly, looking for fresh talent. I also love the 10-years-later feature, where we get to revisit our old friends again. These are suitable extras for a movie that just plain makes you feel glad to be alive - how much more can you ask of a movie than that?

Howzit? Deadly!
I was excited to find out they were releasing this movie again with some more behind the scenes interviews. I was surprised to see that the cast they did recently interview, looked relatively unchanged. It was like seeing a long lost friend. I remember seeing this movie the first time in the theatres being shocked at their monumental use of the f-word. This time, it just seemed to be natural. Maybe it's because I'm in my thirties now and it takes a lot to shock me or maybe it's because I've had a chance to read the short story the movie is based on. Roddy Doyle's adaptation of his story of a Dublin soul band was, for the most part, straight out from the page. There were a few parts that could have made it into the film, and a few parts in the movie that didn't need to be there, but on the whole I LOVED IT AGAIN! Seeing these actors come together as a real band was fun. I hope they re-release the last of the Barrytown Trilogy, The Van to DVD soon also. ... Read more

Description

The widow of a murdered bank president and a maverick financier must prevent a crisis when Arab nations threaten to pull their funds from U.S. banks, thereby causing a worldwide financial collapse. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Worth a look
Much like the film Kristofferson made previously, "Heaven's Gate", this film is not as bad as it's reputation makes it out to be. I will not try to summarize the plot; that has already been done. What I do want to point out is that this movie is filled with solid performances from Kris Kristofferson (as usual) and Jane Fonda. Also appearing is a fine set of supporting players, from Josef Sommer to Hume Cronyn. The technology is dated, but the idea is somewhat timely. What if the Arabs decided to pull their money out of circulation and put it "under the mattress"? There are some tense moments and some 70's era paranoia. (Much like "All the President's Men" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", mistrust of the government is a common thread) This is a movie with flaws, but if you are a Kristofferson fan, you will enjoy yet another intriguing performance. If you are tired of the teen movies that plague the multiplexes weekly, try this out and enjoy an adult drama.

very strange
This is a very odd movie, which Leonard Maltin amusingly calls financial science fiction. Director Alan J Pakula is in one of his paranoid conspiracy theory moods a la Parallax View and All the Presidents Men, and as Jane Fonda's IPC company produced it, she thinks she's doing The China Syndrome. Apparently international currency is dependent on the Saudi Arabians whose ownership of oil makes them the richest people in the world. When they contemplate investing in gold rather than lending their wealth to support the banks, wall street fears a new world depression. This all sounds very scary until one wonders if the Arabs bankrupt everyone, what good will the gold be? One also wonders how seriously we are to take this when Pakula casts Kris Krisofferson, sans beard, as a banking troubleshooter! Casting Fonda as a former movie star who gave up her career to marry money is kind of prophetic consider her future marriage to Ted Turner. We aren't given a clue as to what kind of actress her character was, but the way Fonda is styled and lit suggests Joan Crawford, so then we can free associate Crawford with Pepsi and Al Steele. Whatever suspense Pakula is trying for is ruined by an awful music score by Michael Small, and the romance between Kristofferson and Fonda doesn't work either. Kristofferson is laughable as a he-man, and there is something icky in the idea that this is the kind of behaviour that Fonda responds to. There is also the unfortunate coincidence of their matching hairstyles - it recalls Lily Tomlin and John Travolta in Moment by Moment. One curiosity is the kind of computer software used at the time. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand star as sociopolitical opposites--he's a WASP novelist, she's an activist--who nevertheless strike up a romance in the 1930s, and have a rocky relationship through the next two decades that reflects much of America's history. An essential part of the movie--the Hollywood blacklist and the McCarthy witch- hunt years--comes across as a botch, due to some excessive cutting before the film was released. But except for that hole in the heart of the story, director Sydney Pollack(Out of Africa) has crafted a strong and moving drama about two interesting characters. Redford (always good with Pollack) is at the height of his powers, and Streisand is persuasive.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Babs is a great actress
These scenes are so well written - credit to the genius of arthur laurents - that any one of them could be taken out of context and make a great scene for an acting student.

The movie is shot beautifully and the score is a classic. (If a little repetitive at times)

The main reason to see this movie is for the great acting of Streisand and Redford. They are incredible.

Barbara has so many great moments in this - probably the "phone scene" is her best but so hard to choose. She is just great in this movie.

Redford is perfect - saying much more when he is silent than any actor does with dialogue.

The ending scene is a classic of american cinema - so sad and perfect. The most classic goodbye scene since CASABLANCA.

The documentary on this DVD is awesome. The interviews with Barbra, Pollack, the Bergmans, Hamlisch are great. The only disapointment is no Redford. The deleted scenes in this documentary are great and worth seeing.

I highly recommend this DVD.

DVD is Well Done - Looks & Sounds Better Than Ever
Finally! THE WAY WE WERE in widescreen! I think it really makes a difference. I've only seen pan and scan versions on video. It is especially noticeable in the opening credits where names/credits appear on one side of the screen and action takes place on the other side. For the first time we get to see Katie at her typewriter and Katie talking to her teacher.

The rest of the dvd is done just as well. The picture and sound are pristine. The menu screens are classy and easy to use. The bonus trailers from FOR PETE'S SAKE and Streisand's later films are fun to see.

The hour-long documentary featuring interviews with Sydney Pollack and Streisand is very revealing. Pollack seems humble and grateful about the film. Streisand is relaxed and beautiful - again, reflective and humble about the experience as Pollack is. There is even a segment with Marvin Hamlisch on piano playing the different versions of THE WAY WE WERE theme. And Alan & Marilyn Bergman are a hilarious couple!

Sydney Pollack's comments on the extra audio channel are interesting as well. I haven't gotten through the whole movie yet, but so far so good!

The dvd is definitely a must-have for Streisand fans. But even fans of this classic romance will find much to like about the dvd as well.

A classic! A tearjerker! Two treats in one!
I've seen this movie many, many times. I can be brought to tears by watching JUST the last scene. This movie is a true visceral experience.

Characters that could have been stereotyped are incredibly complex and true. And that's a big part of the story. We go through life and label people, yet we just don't know what might truly lie beneath.

Katie and Hubble see what lies beneath. How we don't know. Two soul mates who come into each other's lives but cannot stay. I know all of this sounds sentimental but this is a truly sentimental favorite.

Watch this movie!!

"Katie, it was never uncomplicated."
As stated many times before, THE WAY WE WERE is one of only a handful of romantic blockbusters to actually feature an intelligent script and complex characters. Writer Arthur Luarents' based his screenplay (and subsequent novel) on girl he knew in college, who fought for liberal (and sometimes communist) causes. The film was a surprise box office smash when originally released, and became the fifth-highest grossing film of 1973 and an instant classic. Katie Morosky is a character that Barbra Streisand born play, and she delivers on all accounts. Fierce and determined, yet vulnerable and self-conscious, Katie is a tricky character and Streisand inhabits her so deeply that she seems nothing less than completely believable. Justifiably nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, she was unfortunately robbed of the award.

Redford, who actually turned down the role twice before director and friend Sydney Pollack talked him into taking the part, displays some of the best reflective acting ever seen on the big screen and definitely deserved a nomination as well (he was, however, nominated for Best Actor that year for his light comedic performance in THE STING). The film's enduring popular success with the mass audience is due to the magnetic chemistry between Streisand and Redford and the gorgeous visuals and strong directorial hand supplied by Pollack, however it is the complexity of the romance with politics and the strong characterizations by both leads that continues to make THE WAY WE WERE the best love story for adults.

About the DVD: The picture quality is beautiful, quite possibly the best the film has ever looked. The sound quality is also vastly improved. Pollack's commentary track is interesting, but the 60-minute documentary is the best extra on the disc. Featuring insightful interviews from Pollack, Streisand, and Laurents (as well as composer Marvin Hamlisch and lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman) the documentary is well-produced and entertaining, and it was great to finally see those much-debated deleted scenes.

For such a great film, the dvd should have been much more!
I, like many thousands of others love this movie and could watch it over and over again. What should have been a 25th Aniversary spectacular is a very lack luster. My major complaint is with the 60 minute documentary.
1.Great, we get to see some scenes that were cut that really SHOULD have been put in the film in the first place. How about the rest of the cut scenes? Legend has it that there is much more.
2.Barbara's commentary is good but I really think she could have added a lot more. What about the screen play she supposedly was interested in that was, in essence, a part two of this movie entitled "the way we are"?
3.Redford is absent on the disc because of "scheduling" problems? Or so I have heard....Gee, nobody could have waited even to get 3-4 minutes of commentary from him? Something isnt right.

I also dont think the transfer of this movie came out too well. Not exactly great quality for such an icon. ... Read more

Reviews (183)

(3.5) A movie with flaws, but it improves toward the end.
I'm not quite sure where to start with this one. I didn't have high expectations, after seeing the trailer, but I thought it was an interesting premise, so finally I rented it. My initial skepticism was promptly validated. Until about 2/3 of the way through the movie I was going to write a rather scathing review and certainly not give it more than a 3.0 rating. The basic plotline is this: Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) writes a "How to" column for a rather flaky looking magazine that usually covers topics like clothes, diets, dating, etc. Her current topic is "How to lose a guy in 10 days," and she's made a bargain with her boss that if she can successfully drive a man away in that amount of time, she'll finally be able to write about issues that really matter - politics, religion, etc.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey) works in advertising, and is desperate to be the one appointed to handle a contract with a huge diamond company. While trying to persuade his boss that he's the right man for the job, the topic of selling diamonds is somehow made synonymous with Ben's ability to sell himself to any woman alive. His boss agrees that he can have the job if he can make a woman (picked by two of his co-workers) fall madly in love with him in the next ten days. He agrees. The co-workers pick a woman out of the crowd and, big surprise, it's Andie. The two begin to date, with Andie doing everything she possibly can to drive him mad, and Ben doing everything he can think of to win her heart. Predictably, they end up falling for each other, and much professional and internal conflict ensues.

As I said earlier, the first 2/3 of the film did little to win me over. Most of the characters seemed just too incredibly fake to care about, particularly Andie. The makers of the film took a big gamble, whether they know it or not. The power of romantic comedies comes from having the audience truly wanting the two protagonists to get together in the end. Here, Andie comes across as a cold, calculating snob for much of the first part of the movie, while Ben is a cocky, arrogant playboy. I just didn't feel like rooting for either of them.

It's not until the sequence where Ben takes Andie to Staten Island to meet his family that the two really begin to seem like caring, feeling beings. At that point the characters' emotions were much more genuine, and the story began to pick up. From there on I really liked the film, even though the very end was perhaps a little too contrived ... But the chemistry really does come through in the latter part of the film, and thus I raised my rating to a generous four stars.

The acting is fairly good all around, despite the fact that most of Andie's co-workers are rather stereotypical scatterbrains who live on emotional roller coasters and think the world is made better by a cup of coffee and new clothes. I'm not sure whether their characters were supposed to be genuine or satire, but either way it adds some comic value to the film. I particularly liked the scenes with Ben's family, as the interactions there seemed the most genuine, and the people there the most real (they're a bit odd at times, granted, but don't most families have their quirks?).

DVD features include director commentary, a "Mapping Out the Perfect Movie" sequence with cast and crew interviews that provide extra insight into the film, deleted scenes (most of which I'm glad were not included in the actual film), a "Mapping Out the Perfect Location" featurette, and a music video of the song "Somebody Like You." My parting advice: If you don't like romantic comedies to begin with, don't see this movie. It's [probably] not the one that will win you over to the genre. If you do like romantic comedies (or even if you just have a thing for Matthew McConaughey), it's worth seeing, though it isn't the best. I'd advise renting it first to decide if you really like it or not.

Saved by the actors
Would have given it three and a half stars, if the option was available.

Kate Hudson plays an aspiring journalist who assigned a job at her less-than-serious-journalism-beauty-magazine called "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." Her assignment: Find a poor, unexpecting schmuck, make him fall in love overnight, and then do all the annoying little stereotypical quirks that girls do to push guys away - she must get rid of him in 10 days. Matthew M. plays an egotistical womanizing guy who makes a bet with his friends that he can make some poor unexpecting girl fall in love with him in 10 days. What a coincedence -shocker!- these two meet!!! Yeah, I know! I couldn't believe it, either! The rest of the movie is Kate Hudson doing everything she can to be annoying (she succeeds with flying colors!) and Matthew doing everything in his power to be a sweet, sensitive, and understanding boyfriend to try to make her fall for him. There are funny parts, and there are also extremely predictable and dull parts. But, the movie is saved by the acting of both Kate Hudson (who is too cute for words) and Matthew M. (um, hello? sexy as hell) I liked it. Not the best comedy of the year, but definitely worth watching. I think it makes a pretty good date movie, since there is the romance and girl humor for the girls, and guy humor for the guys.

Wow, the realism of this movie....
Damn, they said that life imitates art but as we discover after watching this movie, it's the other way round. This movie is just so realistic. You know, the things that took place in that movie happened to me just last week. And the names! Andie Anderson, Benjamin Barry! Highly imaginative, hugely inovative. And movies like this are rare in todays world. Such an incredible script. I'm blown away.

P.S: I'm a compulsive lier. My shrink told me I should warn you that everything I just said was a HUGE PILE OF CRAP, much like this movie. Let's all hope together that it takes less than ten days to stop having nightmares about this movie.

GREAT MOVIE!!!
Last year, I kind of had 2 B-Day parties, one with like, 28 people (my actual party), and one with 3 freinds (which was on my real B-day). On my real B-day, my parents usually let me have a sleepover where we go to dinner and a movie, and that year, they did. We went to Hops, and then went to see this movie. Just pictue four 12 year olds, an 8 year old, and the B-Day girl's parents going to see this movie. We all loved it! It was such a funny, fun movie! As the movie ended, all I could say was definate buyer!!!

This movie was charming...
I really liked this film. Kate hudsons character is a writer for a fashion magazine. She ends up writing an article on how to loose a guy. Matthew McConaughey is a sports writer, that wants to write a advertisment for diamonds. These two come together in a fun way. They go back and fourth playing some crazy games. she does things to get rid of him and he does things to try to keep her. well all that push and pull made this movie fun. It was romantic. And matthew is just too cute. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An Unsung CLASSIC Of American Comedy!
With "Viva Max!" director Jerry Paris(best known for directing numerous episodes of "The Dick Van Dyke Show")took the skills he had finely tuned for television(sharp, clever, fast-paced comedy)and brought them to The Big Screen. What makes this film such a stand-out from his work in television is that he was successfully able to combine these said skills with social and political themes, creating a film that is both hysterically funny and fast-paced, yet filled with MUCH "Food For Thought".

As a person who hails from BOTH the cultures(Texas Anglo and Mexican-American)depicted in this story, I could relate to the REAL significance of this film. Upon initial viewing, one may only see it as a clever, fast-paced comedy, well-acted by a STERLING cast(indeed, I think John Astin's performance as Sgt. Valdez ranks among the FINEST of his ENTIRE career).

Upon REPEATED viewings however, one can start to recognize FAR MORE to both script and cast of characters, than was initially apparent. The DEPTH of personality(particularly in Astin's and Ustinov's characters)simply DEMANDS repeated viewings to REALLY appreciate. They are complex:both inept and ludicrous, yet oddly courageous, stoic and ultimately WISE in their "Military Conquest" of Anglo-America!

Comedian Jonathan Winters turns in THE performance of a lifetime as the good-natured, befuddled brigadeer general of the Texas National Guard, chosen as a liason between the Mexican Army and the Texas Anglos.

Want to know what Texans are REALLY like? FORGET "King Of The Hill" and WATCH THIS FILM!

Anyone familiar with San Antonio this is a must see.
Fantastic what if story. The picked only serious actors for this politically correct film on manifest destiny. Peter Ustinov is General Maximilian Rodrigues de Santo. Although the story revolves around him many others help carry the story such as John Astin Sergeant Valdez who keeps the general out of trouble and Jonathan Winters as General Billy Joe Hallson of the National Guard.
This film was actually made in San Antonio. Written by Lehrer, James

Basic story is Mexican general is going to retake the Alamo as an act of heroism for his men.

Viva Max?
Viva Max! is a dull, sometimes boring comedy. Filmed on location at the Alamo then relocated in Italy due to angry protesters interference in production, this movie stars Peter Ustinov as a Mexican General trying to re-capture the Alamo. Although Ustinov is great as the bumbling General, the only actor that could breath life into this movie was Jonathan Winters. Although Winters is at his best improvising comedy routines, he still manages to create some fairly funny scenes in this film. This film is a must-have for Ustinov and Winters fans. Otherwise, it bites.

Funny funny irreverent but funny.
This was PBS' Jim Lehrer's first book. The movie, now a video, starred some greats of the past. One almost has to feel sad for General Maxmillian at the end of the story but he most certainly 'saves face' and becomes a hero to his men. One of the most enjoyable books I have ever read and absolutely one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. You'll watch it again and again. Hope you'll tell me I was right! ... Read more

Reviews (199)

"Get off my plane!" President Marshall exclaims!
That line itself is the most classic line of all from this smash hit! Harrison Ford plays the president who after making it clear to the world he will never negotiate with terrorists falls victim to a terrorists hijack of Air Force One! The president is pressed to the ultimate limit when his wife and daughter are held hostage by a Russian goon (Played so deliciously by Gary Oldman)! With the fates of the world & his family both hanging in balance, it up to the president to kick some ... Although the dialog & action is 100% macho, some of the CGI effects for Air Force One leave much to be desired. When you see the end of the movie, you'll know what I mean! Still it has heart and attitude which makes it out to be a true action classic!

Not Unflawed, But Still Superior To Most Action Films
Despite a plot that strains credibility at times, AIR FORCE ONE is still a superior action film thanks to the always-reliable Harrison Ford and the steady hand of German director Wolfgang Petersen (DAS BOOT; IN THE LINE OF FIRE).

Ford portrays President James Marshall, who has just given a speech decrying international terrorism and warning those that would use terrorism for political purpose, "Your day is over." But when a truly despicable Russian national (Gary Oldman) and his men forcibly take over the President's plane, holding not only his staff, but even more importantly his wife and daughter, as hostages, Ford is forced to take matters into his own hands. The result is not always plausible, and some of the special effects don't work quite as well as they should, but one cannot fault the film's pace or the tension and excitement inherent in the story.

Ever since playing Han Solo in STAR WARS and Indiana Jones in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, Ford has developed into a leading man of the action genre--the thinking man's action hero. That aspect blossomed in PATRIOT GAMES, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, and, especially THE FUGITIVE; and here in AIR FORCE ONE he gets to play the most important man in the world. He does it with considerable style. Glenn Close was also a cagey choice to play the first female vice-president, and she does this with incredible fortitude. William H. Macy and Dean Stockwell are equally fine in supporting roles as part of the President's staff. And Oldman, whose performance as Oswald in Oliver Stone's JFK was a miracle performance, is equally superlative as the villain, matching the Bruce Willis/Alan Rickman pairing in DIE HARD.

Petersen's direction, despite some missteps, never allowed the film to sag; and Jerry Goldsmith's music score is appropriately patriotic without being sickeningly so, and always suspense-building. This is a film well worth watching. Don't miss it, especially if you're a fan of such situational thrillers.

A real struggle to enjoy
On one level, this is a highly entertaining, action-packed, moderately complex, engaging film. The President's plane is highjacked by a group of Russian terrorists who support a renegade, imprisoned, Russian general, and they want him released, or else Air Force One, the President, and many of his Cabinet members go kaboom! Harrison Ford, as the President, steps up to the plate, and with a little help from his friends, we get a Hollywood ending.

Why only two stars then? There are elements of dramatic license in most films, but this movie might have broken my personal record for me having to say to myself, "Well, that can't happen, but it's just a movie." Firing machine guns in an airplane without losing pressure? Losing pressure, but the right people hold on and survive? The list goes on and on. This pushes suspension of disbelief almost as far as "The Wizard of Oz" and it could have been much more realistic with only a few modifications. Don't waste your time and money, unless you seek pure fantasy and are very tolerant of illogic.

In the top List
This movie is in the Top list of the most STUPID movies of all time. Is tied with Independence Day, The Patriot an others. If you are givng 5 stars, think about it for a second PLEASE. The president saves the world with his hands. I'm anti commuist but I don't like the Anti communist messages that seem they re made for a Captain American Comic. Seriously. This movie is STUPID. Hollywood always convince peole with non-realistic stories (A movie can be far from the Truth but not THIS far!!!).1997 is too late to be still showing the communist Russias as the danger. But anyway, it worked. I didn't see it at the movies but in my mind I can see and listen the people cheering when Ford says "Get off my plane". Glenn Close and useles looks so funny here. The opposite to Cheney that is the one that controls the States today. I felt sick of the "daddy", "mr president",etc. I felt sick when I saw the way the terrorists got into the plain. And I felt sick when I saw the good old General (Like if we haven't had enough of those in movies related to any scene with a riffle assault) that knows that his boy can fight because of his experience in Vietnam (surprise, surprise...First time we see a Vietnam veteran in a movie fighting against communist forces). Please avoid this stupidity. The reason is simple. I said it before and I'll say again. This movie is Stupid

Bare bonus DVD. Shallow Movie
With TROY now playing in theaters, and it being a big budget/zero substance movie...It is not surprising because AIR FORCE ONE was exactly the same type movie. Harrison Ford is in a thankless role in both a poorly written/and now much more realistic type picture then anyone would care to admitt. There is nothing to like about this movie, it speaks of shotty production values and zero story. Something that Hollywood shamelessly does now and it just stinks. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

short use of good talent
i really must say that it was ok could've been better, alot better! if they only would've taken more time & care on the script. the casting was superb that's why it's a shame it falls soo short of greatest , a great idea just poorly excuted. jeff daniels & catherine o'hara are pefect in their roles but the script leaves little for them to do,the beginning is great but runs out of steam.

there are some funny moments that's about it. it's PG-13 for profanity.

Paydirt - VHS
It's a copy of mad mad mad mad world. Jeff Daniels strikes again, he is one of the funniest people on this planet, what would the world be whiteout him.

PAYDIRT - VHS
It's a copy of mad mad mad mad world. Jeff Daniels strikes again, he is one of the funniest people on this planet, what would the world be whiteout him. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Another John Grisham legal thriller comes to the screen, pairing Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts in a film directed by Alan J. Pakula, who is known for dark-hued suspense pictures such as Klute, The Parallax View, All the President's Men, and Presumed Innocent. The Pelican Brief isn't up to the level of those films, but it is a perfectly entertaining movie about a law student (Roberts) whose life is endangered when she discovers evidence of a conspiracy behind the killings of two Supreme Court justices.She enlists the help of an investigative reporter (Washington) and the two become fugitives. The charisma and chemistry of the leads goes a long way toward compensating for the story's shortcomings, as does a truly impressive supporting cast that includes Sam Shepard, John Heard, James B. Sikking, Tony Goldwyn, Stanley Tucci, Hume Cronyn, John Lithgow, William Atherton, and Robert Culp. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (31)

ENGAGING, WELL MADE THRILLER JULIA ROBERTS IS SUPERB!
Juila Roberts in a great role shows her true acting abilltiy and proves she can hold her own in a serous role. Roberts plays Darby Shaw, a law student who writes a brief concering the mysterious deaths of two supreme court justices and soon is marked for death by hired killers and crooked cops. On the run she trusts no one except one man an ambitous reporter(played to perfection by Denzel Washington)who wants to keep her alive so she can tell her story. Amazing film with the right amount of suspense and intrigue, and what`s so good about this film it managed to rise above the cliches that usually surronds this genre there was absolulty no love angle between the two leads just an innocent woman on the run type of story. Based on the novel by john grisham and probably the best one adapted to the big screen. A little too long 2½ hours long but it reached a staisfying conclusion. The best scene was the On foot chase scene in the underground parking lot. Great movie a must for any Julia Roberts Fan.

Law Student Topples Government
Julia Roberts stars as a law student who writes a brief about the murder of two Supreme Court justices, and through a series of connections, the brief ends up in the hands of the FBI and the White House. Her conclusions are far-fetched but plausible, and as people connected to her and the case start dying, it's obvious she has stumbled onto something. She goes on a run for her life, aided by Washington journalist Denzel Washington, who thinks she's on the right track. Roberts and Washington are very effective in the leads, underplaying their roles and allowing the suspense and plot to drive the film. The supporting cast has a lot of big names, each one solid, from Robert Culp's goofy president to Sam Sheperd's alcoholic law professor. The truth and the contents of the Pelican Brief are gradually revealed to the audience, keeping the viewer's interest, and although the film is long, there is enough chasing and intrigue to sustain it. Only at the very end, after the climax, does the film really lose steam. Most of the last ten minutes should have been cut or rewritten. The direction by Alan J. Pakula is competent, if not spectacular, and even though I have enjoyed other Grisham films more, I would recommend this for a good evening's entertainment.

Filing My Own Briefs
Author John Grisham has certainly had many of his best selling novels, adapted for the big screen, over the years. While I have only read A Time To Kill and The Chamber, I have seen, with very few exceptions, many of the film versions. One of the best of these movies is The Pelican Brief. From its all star cast, its sure handed director, and its exciting story, the film has it all. The problems of the movie are minor.

Law student Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) gets more than she bargains for, when she postulates her theory on the cause of the deaths of two Supreme Court Justices. It seems that her ideas hit too close to home and her name ends up on the conspirators' hit list. Shaw is forced to team up with reporter Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington), who's also investigating the story, as well. Soon the pair find themselves dodging deadly assassins, trying to find the truth, and stay alive.

Directed by Alan J. Pakula, the film is, at times very exciting. The pairing of Washington and Roberts elevates the movie past your average thriller. They are dynamic on screen and Pakula had enough sense to surround the two leads with a great supporting cast. Tony Goldwyn, Robert Culp, Sam Shepard, the late great Hume Cronyn, and Stanley Tucci, are all solid here. The film's story never rests, even during its more sedate moments. Roberts offers Darby as a strong, yet velnerable, person--this is one of her most underrated performances. The film is not problem free--a nit pick for me has to do with the way most of the politicians are portrayed it's rather stereo typical-for the story's sake. I also had a problem with the score from James Horner-too much like his work on Sneakers.

The DVD loses points for its lack of any real extras on the disc. All you get are a few production notes--that's really it. What a shame. That said, The Pelican Brief is still a fun thriller, that's recommened

A good one, and well-acted
Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts are the leads in this dark suspenseful thriller. It's about a law student (Roberts) who discovers a conspiracy behind the murder of a couple of Supreme Court justices. Then, not surprisingly, when the bad guys realize what she knows, her own life is endangered. She turns to an investigative reporter for help, and together they go on the lam as fugitives. It's not great, great, great, but the chemistry between Washington and Roberts, the fear factor of being in hiding, and a great supporting cast will keep you too involved to risk leaving to go nuke another bag of popcorn without pushing the pause button.

Good book, bad movie
I was excited about seeing this movie because I had read the book, which was pretty decent. I always like to read the book first, and then see the movie. This movie, however, does not do justice to the book.
First, the acting was very bad. Actually, it wasn't very bad, it was awful. I can't believe these other reviews that talk about how awesome the acting was from Roberts and Washington. Personally, I think Denzel Washington's acting is over-rated in every film he's ever made. The characters were just not believable. Secondly, there are several good parts from the book that are left out of the movie, or are not explained. For example, Victor Matiesse is not even seen in the movie. There is a very good scene in the book that adds a lot to the story about an agent visiting Matieese, and one of his goons stealthily kills the fibbie. That would have been great if it were included in the movie. The movie explains the killing of the justices in much more detail, and explains that they did not want the FBI protection; the movie portrays the FBI as a bunch of little schoolgirls. There are so many plot holes in the movie, that I can't see how anyone who hasn't read the book would understand what's going on. I really like Julia Roberts, but this is not one of her better films.
John Grisham has written a good novel, don't use this movie to base your opinion of his work. He writes very well though-out novels and develops the characters well, he also does a good job of explaining what is going on. This is just a very bad adapatation. I should have saved myself 2 and a half hours and picked up another Grisham novel. ... Read more