Amazon.com

When producer Joe Roth was named head of Walt Disney Studios in 1998, he was always cited as the first studio head who had also worked as a movie director. What no one ever seemed to mention is that Roth was a wholly mediocre moviemaker, as evidenced by this film and his other two titles (including Revenge of the Nerds 2). This formula comedy, set in the summer of 1963 (which, as everyone knows, was the summer before America lost its innocence with the Kennedy assassination), is about three brothers whose tyrannical father (Joseph Bologna) commands them to jointly drive a brand-new Cadillac from Detroit to Florida, where Dad will present it to their mom as a birthday present. And God help them if they get so much as a scratch on it. The brothers--an uptight control freak (Daniel Stern) and two variously goofy types (Arye Gross and Patrick Dempsey)--have never gotten along. You can see where this one's heading before the car even gets out of Michigan. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (11)

An overlooked gem
As others have said, ignore the Editorial Review. ... The father is brilliantly played by Alan Arkin--one of his best performances this side of Glengarry Glen Ross. As one reviewer said, if the Editorial Reviewer lists Joseph Bologna as the father, you have to wonder if he even watched. Is Coupe De Ville formulaic? Yes. But who cares. Not everything has to be high art. It's an enjoyable, funny, warm-hearted look at the complicated relationship between 3 brothers. Of course one is strict, the other is a romantic and the youngest is a spoiled brat. But who cares?? The fun is watching the three of them interact, deal with their anger and resentment towards each other, as well as their devotion and willingness to forgive and forget. I just wish this was out on DVD. Another 80's gem, To Live and Die in LA was just released on DVD, so I guess there's hope yet. By the way, this movie was written by Mike Binder, who was in the short-lived HBO series, The Mind of the Married Man. Check out another great movie he wrote, "Crossing the Bridge." Unlike this, it's already out on DVD. Great job Mike on both movies!

Very well scripted and acted - a must-see
As "rseeman" said, ignore the editorial review. If reviewer Marshall Fine didn't like the film, I can live with that. But the amount of inaccuracies in the review is inexcusable. Firstly, the father, Fred, is played by Alan Arkin, and is not particularly tyrannical, merely cranky. Joseph Bologna plays his brother, Uncle Phil. Secondly, the car isn't brand new - its 9 years old (its a 1954 Cadillac - the film is set in 1963). Thirdly, while one of the younger brothers (played by Arye Gross) is supposed to be goofy, the youngest (played by Patrick Dempsey) clearly is not.

As for mediocre moviemaker, Joe Roth also wrote the film. Anyone who has seen will be able to tell you not just how funny it is, but also how well scripted generally. Very often the three brothers talk over each other the way people argue in real life, and the consistency in behavior is also very well done. The characters are also not cliched. It's hard to explain - just watch the film. On top of that, all three actors are very settled in their roles - the look on Marvin's (Daniel Stern) face when he gets angry makes me laugh every time.

While the plot could be regarded as quite predictable, there is more going on here than merely a story. There is the study of the relationships between the 3 brothers, not to mention also between them and their dad. Special note also to the music, which fits the period and helps everything go along smoothly.

This is much much more than a formulaic comedy. It truly is one of the best films I've ever seen.

Pay no attention to Amazon's own review of this film.
First of all, how do you confuse Alan Arkin with Joseph Bologna? Embarrassing. I worked with the director of this movie, Mike Binder, back in his stand-up comedy days at the Comedy Store and I can fairly state that this film is simply a beautiful work; a combination of hilarity and wonderfulness. Anyone who loved Mike's stand-up routines, will go on to love his smart-as-a-whip screenplay and story in "Coupe Deville", and the twists and turns will not only crack you up, but will tug at the heart strings as well. The actors are all so brilliant especially ALAN ARKIN and Daniel Stern. Definitely get this movie!. You'll have a very moving and exhilirating experience.

Editorial Reviewer Lynched By Angry Mob!!
This is an extremely enjoyable film. This story about three brothers on a cross country adventure is both humorous and touching. The outcome may be predictable; but the twists and turns during the journey are not.

There are some solid performances from a great cast: Patrick Dempsey as the smart mouthed, bordeline delinquent younger brother, Daniel Stern as the controling, borderline psychotic older brother and Alan Arkin as the gruff but completely lovable father.

This is definitely a feel good movie, a quality member of a genre that is far too under-sold and under-rated by critics

I can't wait for it to come out on DVD to add it to my collection in a higher quality format.

"It's A Sea Shanty..."
This is hands-down one of the funniest movies ever produced. It's a perennial family favorite at my home. We gather around to watch it every few months as a family, and still laugh as hard today as we did the first time we saw it.

As the others have said, the editorial reviewer has no idea what he is talking about. Sure, the plot is predictable. What do you expect when you put three brothers who hate each other in a car that "better not have a scratch on it?" But it's the little things along the journey that make this movie, not a thrill-a-minute twisting plot.

In fact, this movie contains one of the funniest bits I think Hollywood has ever churned out -- the "Louie, Louie" debate at the gas station. Three brothers who could not be less alike and their equally opposing view of what the lyrics really mean. It's classic. I'm laughing now just thinking about it.

All I can say is that this is a movie you cannot miss. The critics loves it when it was released in theaters, but audiences ignored it, and missed it the first time around. Don't miss it now. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Italian star and filmmaker Massimo Troisi was dying of heart failure even before this film, his dream project, began production, and he prevailed upon British director Michael Radford (White Mischief) to see him and the film through to the end. (The 40-year-old Troisi, a beloved comic actor in Italy, died the day production wrapped.) Based on true events, Troisi plays a shy postman who strikes up an unlikely friendship with exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret). Through Neruda's example and tutelage, the hero learns to think of his Italian fishing village in lyrical terms, as well as how to talk to women and even find the strength to take his political stands. Sweet as it is, the film finally pushes beyond its charming borders to become an even more complex and poignant story about the pain of growing into one's destiny. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (66)

A Film That Will Make You Want To Write Metafore
The other day I had to watch this movie for my Italian class. The movie was fabulous. In the beginning of the film I felt bad for Mario (brilliantly acted by Massimo Troisi), he just seemed so awkward, and because he didn't like fishing, it seemed like he was a failure to his father and the rest of the village. This begins to change when Mario becomes a postman, delivering mail to the Chilean love poet Pablo Neruda. Mario and Neruda develop a great friendship + Mario becomes more confident and falls in love. I had heard very good things about this movie, but watching it was a fabulous experience + it was better than I expected.

Today in Italian, we watched an interview with the director and the TV special about Neruda that are included on the DVD. I didn't know, while watching the film, that the star Massimo Troisi was dying during filming. Learning that he was holding on to life just to complete this film, made it all the more special and sad. I also learned that the actor who played Neruda (Philippe Noiret) acted in French and was later dubbed into Italian. I thought that was a really interesting fact.

All in all this is a great film. It will make you cry. It will make you want to read Neruda's poetry, and even more so, it will make you want to write poetry of your own.

Beautiful, Enchanting, Understated...a Masterpiece
This is definitely one of my all time favorite films and one I just had to own. It's so beautifully understated and so deeply human that I don't know how anyone could fail to fall in love with it and remain in love with it, always. IL POSTINO is a film with everything: comedy, pathos, beauty, love, loss, poetry, beautifully understated performances by all the actors, gorgeous cinematography. I don't know who could ask for more.

IL POSTINO takes place in 1953 and centers around an unlikely friendship of sorts between a shy, backward postman, Mario, and the great Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. It takes place on a little island off the coast of Italy where Mario (Massimo Troisi) has just been given the job of delivering mail to the island's newest inhabitant, Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret). Mario, who has the soul of a poet, though he doesn't realize it yet, can't help but notice that Neruda, a very unlikely Casanova, receives many letters that seem to be from women. In fact, there is a woman who lives with him (probably his wife) and Mario can see how deeply in love they are.

Mario knows there's something special about Neruda, even if he can't articulate exactly what it is, and he decides to get to know him better, no matter what. His first attempts are almost akin to stalking (and probably would be if he weren't Neruda's postman), but Mario perseveres and the friendship between the two men eventually flourishes. Initially, Mario wants to get to know Neruda so he can learn how to pick up girls (not a bad reason), but, as the men get to know each other, Mario learns that there is so much more to life, and so much more to his own soul, than simply "picking up girls."

One of the things that makes IL POSTINO a masterpiece is the fact that all of the actors, and especially Troisi and Noiret, give very gracefully nuanced, very understated performances. There is no glitz and glamour here, thankfully, and none is needed. This film is so "real" and so "human" that it weaves a web of magic around the viewer before the viewer is even aware of what is happening. One of the most telling, and heartbreaking, moments comes near the film's end after Neruda has departed the island. Mario is reading a newspaper clipping in which Neruda is quoted as saying of his time on the island, "I lived in complete solitude with the most simple people in the world." Although Mario doesn't comment on this, his facial expression, which barely changes, reveals just how deeply hurt (and complex) he is. Philippe Noiret's very understand performance is lovely as well, and he and Troisi play off of each other wonderfully.

IL POSTINO was Massimo Troisi's "dream project" and, sadly, he died the day the film wrapped production. With IL POSTINO, however, he left us a wonderful legacy. This film is quiet and understated, but it is also charming, endearing, beguiling and enchanting. It says more about "life" than any mega blockbuster ever could. IL POSTINO is a film made with love, about love. It is a masterpiece of life that most viewers will treasure.

Enjoyable and delightful film!
Massimo Troisi's last work as Il postino became his undesired cinema testament. His acting became in one of the most expressive performings ever given : amazing, charming, overwhelming , powerful and sincere.
Noiret is a multiple skill gifted actor ; his presence literally invades the whole screen and his performance as Neruda is top notch.
The landscapes are arresting : the plot is full inspired and the direction is towering . Radford got a sublime work : an unforgettable artistic work. Besides the music is another brilliant actor: even there is a jazz version of the Yellowjackets.
And don't forget the funny and clever statement of il postino : "The poem doesn't own to the poet but whom needs it*

"MAN HAS NO BUSINESS WITH THE SIMPLICITY OF COMPLEXITY"...
What a poignant and bittersweet Italian comedy about the friendship between exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and his shy postman (played by Troisi), made so in no small measure by Troisi's quietly contained but gripping performance.

The lyrical screenplay perfectly balances the intimate story of a local postman with the social and political realties of 1950s Italy, suggesting that the backwater, impoverished Italian "Mezzogiorno" could find new potentials just like the movie's protagonist.

In weaving its leisurely unfolding tapestry (hint: the movie may feel slow to people who're used to Hollywood's wham-bam), the film works on many different levels -- a tribute to the power and beauty of poetry; a tale of brotherhood; a charmingly quirky romance (between Troisi and barmaid Maria Grazia Cucinotta).

Unfortunately, the ending of the film is somewhat mishandled with couple of unnecessary scenes, but it is this very ending that I found the most memorable because it eerily corresponds with the tragedy of real life behind cameras.

Couldn't recommend this lyrical gem highly enough.

Glorification of collaborator in mass murder
If this movie used a mythical accomplished poet to build the story around, I would find it a pleasant if light diversion. But it not only gives us Neruda, it is unabashedly enthusiastic about Neruda's remorseless support for Stalinist mass murder. He may have created interesting metaphors, but he was unable to comprehend morality. It wasn't that Soviet crimes were unknown in Neruda's time, it was that he chose to support them. His career was devoted to extolling Marxism, and he accepted the Stalin prize from the Soviet murderers.

It is impossible to imagine a film made today that glorified an artist who was a Nazi, but we are still subjected to the mythmaking that, at once, conceals and implicitely justifies communist mass slaughter. The movie does not merely place the characters in the time of Soviet brutality, and refer in passing it, it shamelessly revels in communism. It is thin and evil propaganda. ... Read more

Reviews (182)

Fantasy romp is a real pleasrure
I recently said that Hollywood may have forgotten how to make family movies. It seemed like an art lost in a sea of social changes. It is often said that children aren't as innocence as they used to be. If so, this is equally true of adults. Stories that entertained our grandparents are ones that many of us today find tame, trite and tedious. So, Spy Kids is a welcome surprise. It's fast, funny and innovative. By design, it's greatest appeal is to children, but most parents should enjoy it, too. It is like a Tim Burton movie [The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Sleepy Hollow] with all the dark overtones happily banished. It doesn't make any sense, but, like all great tall tales, it exists in its own space and time.

It took an odd pairing to create this movie. Its star, Antonio Banderas, gained fame as a very hot lover in movies in his native Spain. Director Robert Rodriguez started out in Mexico making movies that were stylish and creative but extremely violent. Until Spy Kids, his American movies were the same. I don't know what drew them to this project, but I'm glad they chose to do it.

Carmen and Juni [Alexa Varga and Daryl Sabara] are kids who live in a cool house overlooking the ocean. Their parents, Gregorio and Ingrid [Banderas and Carla Gugino] are loving but decidedly uncool as far as Carmen and Juni are concerned. Mom is overly protective, and Dad seems to be a wimp. They run a consulting business out of the house. What the kids don't know is that Mom and Dad used to be international spies. Currently, Gregorio and Ingrid are looking into the disappearance of some former coworkers. Juni is obsessed with a wacky children's show starring the bizarre Fegan Floop [Alan Cummin]. The boy, as well as the rest of the family, is about to learn that Floop and the disappearing spies are very much connected. When Gregorio and Ingrid also vanish, the kids set out to find them. It will prove to be the adventure of a lifetime.

The sets are colorful and imaginative. There are lots of cool gadgets - crayons that are actually lasers, neat cars that are also boats and submarines and so forth. Floop has a treasure trove of creatures he has created, including the robot children he plans to use to take over the world. My favorite characters are his bodyguards - pudgy, waddling things that are literally all thumbs.

Banderas is fun as Gregorio, playing a kind of a parody of himself. Varga and Sabara make the children likable. These aren't the cloyingly cute kids you see in most family films. They have personalities with flair and great senses of humor. Cummin plays Floop as a Pee Wee Herman gone completely mad. He's a great villain.

Spy Kids may be about kidnapping and espionage on one level, but it's also about the importance of family, not in the sense of so-called family values, but in the sense of love and loyalty. There will be a sequel in 2002, and, for once, I'm glad to hear it.

In my top 5 of 2001!
GENERAL: Spy Kids is truly a delight, not offensive at all and can be watched over and over again. This movie exceeded my expectations by so much that I bought it. One of the best films in a long time.
ACTING: Wow, Alex Vega and Daryl Sabara knocked me over with their pro performences. The bounce off each other perfectly, and really seem like siblings. The rest of the supporting(adult) cast is great too- 100% flawless.
PLOT: Original and gripping, this is the entertaining story of two children whos parents are captured- while on a spy mission, which the kids have no idea about. Now the kids(Carmen and Juni) have to save their parents and the world from a creative madman.
HUMOR: Wonderful, I laughed hundreds of times during this film and have done so all 10+ times I have seen the movie since.
SPECIAL EFFECTS: This movie has a brand of special effects all it's own, completely original and convincing. A breath of fresh after the doses of metallic Star Wars CGI.
MUSIC: The score, by the director, is beautiful and original. Completely perfect, something that I will never forget. Worth buying the soundtrack.
SPECIAL FEATURES: This is one of the most bare-bones DVDs I've ever seen, terrible for such a great movie! Unless of course all you want is (dun dun dun dun) a trailer!
CONCLUSION: A wonderul family/comedy/thriller, great for anyone and memorable. Spy Kids is definitely worth buying on DVD, if only for the lasting sound quality and picture clarity.
MY GRADE: A+

a great first!
this movie was real good!when i first saw the trailer i didint think it would be that good!but we were going to see a movie but the tickets were sold out,so we just decided to go see this!i was surprised of how good it was!this movie is awsome!

OK but Could Have Been Better
We rented Spy Kids and it was ok and had a couple of scenes that were amusing but I think it could have been better. It was okay to watch once but not a movie I could watch again and again. It just didn't live up to all of the hype it received when it was released to the theaters though it did have a great cast, Antonio Banderas, Alan Cumming, etc but the movie seemed like it was rushed and over edited and some scenes are a little choppy and also this seems like a movie that a child would find more appealing then a adult but that is just my opinion.

Don't Watch This Movie
I saw this movie when it first came out in theatres and was incredibly disappointed. I found this strange considering that, at that time, I was the film's target audience. There was so much room for a clever spoof of spies like James Bond, but the whole movie seemed like an insult to spy movies. The film struggles and fails to be funny. At the theatre where I saw it, no one laughed. I suppose the cheap special effects and awful plot are something to laugh at. But it just felt sad. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This two-hour CBS movie from the much-loved series Dr. Quinn,Medicine Woman depicts the long-anticipated wedding of Dr. Michaela Quinn(Jane Seymour) to mountain man Byron Sully (Joe Lando). Any show that featuresthe marriage of the two lead characters has built-in appeal, and this one is noexception. The wedding of Dr. Mike and Sully is the most exciting thing that'sever happened to the tiny frontier town of Colorado Springs. The time is 1870,as the attractive period sets and costumes attest. The charming scene in whichthe very first train--an adorable steam locomotive--pulls into the town's brand- new station will delight train buffs, and the appearance of historical figureGeneral George Custer ups the story's action quotient. The show doesn't strivefor strict accuracy, however. Its tone resembles a historical romance novel,without the bodice-ripping. Like Little House on the Prairie, Dr.Quinn glorifies the traditional American family values of a simpler, bygoneera. Yet the script also incorporates modern-day concerns. (Dr. Mike doesn'twant to change her name after marriage, and Sully won't wear a wedding ring.)One theme of the movie is timeless: what to do about meddling relatives whenplanning a wedding. All told, Dr. Quinn's worldwide following of devotedfans will find this movie full of all the romance, excitement, and drama theyhave come to expect. --Laura Mirsky ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Irresistibly Romantic
The Dr. Quinn/Medicine Woman series had, in my opinion, some of television's most truly romantic moments (in contrast to the crude sex scenes of many movies which leave nothing to the imagination and fail to touch the heart). The chemistry between the rough yet articulate and noble-hearted Sully (Joe Lando)and the idealistic, headstrong Mikaela Quinn is palpable. This particular episode marks the triumphant climax of their long, stormy courtship and is filled with warmth, tenderness and heart-pounding sensuality (in spite of the G rating). True romantics will not be able to resist! Aside from romance, this series is top quality family entertainment with excellent character-development, positive role models, and accurate historic events/issues, many of which are still relevant today (e.g., environmental protection, civil and women's rights).

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman: For Better or Worse
I absolutely love this video. Its very interesting to me how a woman in the 1800s had to win the respect of a man to have equal rights. In doing all that she won the heart of an extremely cute guy in the process. I think that Jane Seymour and Joe Lando are the perfect actors to pursue these characters, very interesting characters. I just cannot say enough about this video and the whole series for that matter. You just have to get it. I highly recommend it for a person at any age. Preferrably a teenager and above.

The Greatest Love Story in History
This was one of the best episodes of Dr.Quinn Medicine Woman ever. Jane Seymour and Joe Lando are magic together. The way they fought to have the type of wedding they wanted was very inspiring and romantic. I think that all their fans would love to see them together in another project. I continually look at all the reruns on television and I never get tired of looking at them. My goal is to one day own all the episodes, from the first one to the last one.

A great continuation of the TV series
Mike and Sully continue their life and in this movie, there is lots of action! I enjoyed seeing the same people of Colorado Springs again, and hope there are more movies coming! I am sorry the series went off the air!

DQMW For Better or Worse
This is an excellent quality video, clear, sharp and good sound. The music and scenery are fantastic! A video for all ages, well done and worth watchng over and over again. Great Video for the price. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This elephantine tale set on Easter Island gets points for trying to explain the reasons behind the gigantic structures found there, but it unfortunately surrounds itself with a preposterous love story. Director Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) knows how to handle physical sequences, but his human actors (led by Jason Scott Lee) suffer from dreary, old-fashioned story elements: the love triangle, an aging chief, a back-stabbing aide, a clan conflict. Esai Morales (the brother in La Bamba) shows enough talent to make you wonder why he hasn't been in more projects. The movie concludes with a race sequence that ends in the most laughable way, and Sandrine Holt must have the most unflattering female role of the '90s. The scenery is the best part of this movie, which was filmed on location on the island. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Scenes from the Class Struggle in Polynesia
While it lacks some important facts that were the primary reasons for the destruction of Easter Island's decline, the film "Rapa Nui" makes a modest attempt to try to recreate life on the most isolated piece of land on earth.

Called "Rapa Nui" by its' Polynesian inhabitants, the island was named "Easter Island" after being discovered by a Dutch schooner on an Easter Sunday in the 18th century. Produced by Kevin Costner ("Dances With Wolves"), and directed by director Kevin Reynolds ("Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves") "Rapa Nui" stars a young cast and features breathtaking scenery.

Jason Scott Lee ("Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story") and Esai Morales ("La Bamba"; "My Family") star as members of rival tribes. When Jason's character falls in love with a woman (Sandrine Holt) from the opposite tribe, troubles, rivalries, and tensions arise as both men attempt to win her love.

Filmed entirely on location on Easter Island, the film has a feeling of authencity as we can see the island's famous "moai" statues everywhere. While the birdman race, and the roles several minor characters play in the film can detract from the main story, the film makes an nice attempt to recreate the greatest civilization to arise from Oceania.

The island (annexed by Chile during the 19th century) has a blend of Latino/Polynesian cultures where Spanish and Rapa Nuian are spoken, the filmmakers really didn't cover the island's deforestation, which is believed to be the main culprit for the island's collapse. Regardless, the film allowed an anthropology student as myself to get a view and feel of Rapa Nuian culture as it could have been. Seeing it on film is much more better than seeing it in a textbook.

Fans of Thor Heyedahl's book "Kon Tiki" will probably like the film, because it explores the theory that Easter Islander's original inhabitants could have come from the South American mainland or from another Polynesian island chain. While there is substantial fact that Easter islander's made contact with their closest island neighbor, Pitcairn Island (famous from the "Bounty" mutiny) which is over 2,000 miles away, I only wish the film could have ended with a conclusion the Lee's and Holt's characters safely made it to terra firma when they set sail from Rapa Nui.

Overall, Rapa Nui will appeal to anthropology and history buffs everywhere. Pick up and check out this film instead of watching reruns of "Gilligan's Island" on syndication.

An exciting thriller, and Jason Scott Lee is HOT!
Hey, I'm a local girl and I just love Jason Scott Lee. But he's not the only reason why I like this movie. It's about Easter Island, which was once called Rapa Nui. This is a very thrilling film, and you get a small sense of what Polynesian culture was like in old times. I can't say if it's accurate or not, but it's very interesting. Also, Jason Scott Lee, Esai Morales, and Sandrine Holt are three very beautiful specimens of the human race! Buy it, it's great!

The "Easter" Egg Race
This movie arouses violent controversy...you either like it or hate it.

I like it.

It mixes faithful ethnographic research with a fairly interesting story (culmonating in an egg-race to beat any other). Alright, the acting is poor and the plot has some tropical-romance cliches, but the film-makers respect the facts of Easter Island's prehistory (as told in books like Aku-Aku) without the need to introduce any white explorers or other people with whom we are supposed to identify.

Nor has any attempt been made to saddle the actors with hokey native accents; they speak English with their own accents - usually New Zealand - and get on with saying whatever they have to say in unadorned fashion. Just the way it would have seemed to us if we had been part of that society. None of that "Me Tarzan, you Jane" syntax. The actors are all Polynesian, except Morales and Holt, and they seem ethnically convincing.

The love-story seems intrusively modern, but there's no reason to think such things didn't happen in ancient times. It ends up like a combination of Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies.

The masterpiece in this genre is Tabu (1931); but the 1990's were a low point in film, and Rapa Nui is one of the better efforts of the decade.

Thought-provoking and cinematically rich
I don't think this is a historically accurate account of Easter Island, which has perplexed historians for a long time, but I still think it's worth seeing as a thought exercise. The Moai raise lots of questions and this film gives a possible explanation.

The most compelling aspect of the film (other than the breathtaking scenery) is the struggle between the two "tribes" as exemplified by Esai Morales' character and the ordeals he faces as a proud and fierce member of the lesser tribe, which is made to work in service of the ruling tribe. You can feel Esai's pain to be in service to those who are destroying the land that they must live upon. Imagine putting all of your energy into a pursuit that you're not sure will pay off, but that you're sure is destroying you...

I recommend this film to anyone who is interested in other cultures, especially so-called primitive cultures, and broadening his or her prespective of the world we live in. It won't give you the answers, but it will help you form more questions. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the love story was perhaps too convenient.

Easter Island
I spent a year on Easter Island (Rapa Nui)in service to the United States. The people were very friendly and willing to talk about their island. The movie was relatively accurate concerning their past, including the cannibalism. If you lived on an island that is roughly 9 by 16 miles and that island had been deciminated by ecological ignorance, cannibalism might seem like a good idea at some point. It was not a continuing thing. The movie was Hollywoodized for entertainment purposes but was well done and the scenery was very familiar. There were two distinct races and they were the long ears and the short ears. Generally archeologist feel that one race was Polynesian and the other was South American indian. The long ears were generally exterminated in the civil war. Places were accurately named. The statues were carved on the sides of Rana Raraku(S?) and the bird men spent much of their time on the larger volcano called Rana Kao(S?) Once a year the stalwarts of the island did race to "Bird Man's Island" to bring back an egg. I believe it was for the glory and special treatment the winner recieved for the following year. I enjoyed the movie thoroughly.-----PJ ... Read more

Amazon.com

An expensive box-office flop when released in 1970, The Molly Maguires can now be appreciated as a compelling drama with potent political undertones. The talent involved is first-rate all the way: In addition to the volatile teaming of Sean Connery and Richard Harris on opposite sides of a Pennsylvania miners' war, director Martin Ritt and screenwriter Walter Bernstein were at the height of their Hollywood powers, determined to give viewers a visceral, grittily authentic drama about the exploitation of Irish immigrant miners in the centennial America of 1876. Connery's secret gang, the Molly Maguires, retaliates by destroying mines and equipment; Harris infiltrates the group as an informer hired by the coal-company owners, leading to his inevitable crisis of conscience. Pub brawls and manly action give the film its meat-and-potatoes appeal, and discerning viewers will appreciate the story's careful pacing and moral ambiguity; ironically, those qualities were blamed for the film's commercial failure. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (47)

i dont recommend seeing ths movie unless you are Irish
The Molly Maguires is a movie that takes place in 1876 on an American coal mining town. The movie stars Sean Connery and co-stars Richard Harris. Sean Connery plays an Irish coal miner by the name of Jack Kehoe. He is the leader of an underground mining terrorist group. Richard Harris plays Irish man by the name of James McKenna/McParlan. Who is hired as a detective to rat out the Molly Maguires. I think the movie was well thought out just did not appeal to me. With visual aid it totally explained what Irish work life was like when they got to Ameica.

CAUTION: Not to be treated as History
The spirit of the industrial boom times is captured, but not in a factual way. With some exageration, and with few facts in order, scenes from the past brought alive in an excellent manner. Totally worth owning if you like action/suspense! Sean Connery does an excellent job, as usual, as does the late Richard Harris. Rumor, with good source, has it that during the making of this film, Harris went to a Hazleton, PA bar and 'hit' on somebody's wife, and was punched out on the spot. Hazleton, PA, is also the childhood home of Hollywood great, Jack Palance.

......But don't treat this movie as the gospel truth - it's not even close.

Viewed with prior knowledge of the period is the best way to go. Once again, Hollywood misfires its facts. Amid the Industrial Revolution, Irish Catholic, in addition to several other ethnic groups (the Irish certainly not the only ones in the mines at the time), worked in horrid conditions when having a job anywhere in the world was an accomplishment, wages were slim, and rarely was there enough to save. If you can justify the shootings and murders of people in order to exonerate a secret society, masked by an organization (the Ancient Order of Hibernians) that was supposed to be humanitarian - for other Irish Catholics.

This movie is not an accurate portrayal of events, but certainly is entertaining, with a very good glimpse of what coal mining was like for many ethnic groups, including: English, Scots, Welsh, Polish, Italian, German, Bulgarian, and Hungarian individuals, not just Irish Catholics. Granted, Irish were mistreated, giving Molly Maguires, who definitely existed, a Saintly Status (which is what some people want to do), is truly ridiculous. They were hanged, caught by another very similar to their own background, in a court system somewhat flawed, red-handed, at a time when few had any tolerance for outlaws and the violence they forced on honest, hardworking communities from many diverse backgrounds. Glorify the Mollies if you must, but don't confuse them with heroes in an objective light and expect to be treated seriously. Read up on it, even the local Catholic Priests condemned them by name, "Molly Maguires," making themselves targets and getting brutally beat up for it. Irish Catholics themselves considered Molly Maguire violence outrageous acts.

Excellent portrayal of Irish gangs and "Shillelagh Law"
This film tells the true story of an Irish gang or 'faction' which was active in the American labour movement in themid to late 1800's. It was brought over from Ireland and further took root among the Irish coal miners of Pennsylvania. Several books have been written about the Molly Maguires, but to understand them in-depth, you need to get the books "Understanding The Molly Maguires", and "Irish Gangs And Stick-Fighting". Martin Scorcese's "Gangs Of New York" is also about Irish gangs like the Mollies, but films usually don't do full justice to this topic. Get this great, very entertaining movie, but for the whole story get the books mentioned above as well.

The Molly Maguires, fact or fiction
Having seen this film several times I was very impressed by the acting, particulary Sean Connery and Richard Harris. The Cinemtography was superb, after all James Wong How was easily one of the greatest Cinematographers of the 20th Century. The music was fantascic and Henry Mancini captured the flavor of the 19th Century Irish. However, even though the script as script was powerful and compelling, it was more fiction than fact. Why is it that script writers must take such liberties with history?
The so-called Molly Maguires, a name invented by the publisher of the Miner's Journal newspaper, were in fact a group of men who were fighting for fair conditions in the coal mines, honest pay for honest work. Many of the men, though certainly not all, hanged were, in fact, innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted. These brave men gave their lives for a movement that would eventually lead to the United Mine Workers of America. However, this being said, the movie is entertaining and certainly worth watching even if only to watch Connery, Harris and the beautiful Anjanette Comer.

A Socialist (...) Film
This film is loosely based on the historical Molly Maguires of Pennsylvania, a secret group of Irish immigrant criminals who terrorized the anthracite coal fields after the Civil War.

In this fictionalized film version, the Molly Maguires are sympathetically portrayed as victimized miners trying to start a labor union. As a matter of fact, however, most of the Molly Maguires who were hanged were not employed as miners, but as saloon-keepers and small-time politicians, and they were condemned by the real miner's union because of the terrorism and cold-blooded murders they committed. The screenplay author who wrote the script for this film and co-produced it, Walter Bernstein, was once a member of the American Communist Party and was blacklisted during the Hollywood red scare. The movie director, Martin Ritt, was also a blacklisted leftist. Be forewarned, this movie is essentially left-wing propoganda with little similarity to actual history. The cinematography and sets are excellent, and the soundtrack by Henry Mancini is very enjoyable. The acting of Sean Connery and Richard Harris, and the effectiveness of their "Irish brogues," are so-so. ... Read more

Description

The greenskeeper is about to start World War IIIagainst a gopher.The judge plays to win but his nubile niece has her mind set on scoring her own way.The playboy shoots perfect golf by pretending he is the ball.And the country-club loudmouth just doubled a $20,000 bet on a 10-foot putt.Insanity?No. Caddyshack.

Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray tee off for a side-splitting round of fairway foolishness that does for golf what Animal House did for college fraternities and Police Academy did for law enforcement.

Chase's laid-back delivery has kept audiences of Saturday Night Live and movie hits National Lampoon's Vacation, Fletch and Spies Like Us in the aisles for years.Sharing his wisdom with a caddy or his bed with debutante Lacey Underall, he never misses a shot.Rodney Dangerfield is well, Rodney Dangerfield.Even when he's off camera, he's on.And fans that have made Easy Money and Back to School box-office hits like him just fine.

Knight-possessor of the best slow burn since Laurel and Hardyfusses, fumes and finesses his way through his role as Bushwood Country Club's one-man Legion of Decency.Murray's hole-in-the-head assistant greenskeeper is straight out of Looney Tunes.Murray, who brought the house down in Meatballs, Stripes and Ghostbusters, is funny even when he talks to himself.

In Caddyshack, the term "golf nut" takes on a deranged double meaningand the laughs are par for the course! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Funniest Sports Flick Ever!
"Caddyshack" combines terrific comic writing, a top-notch cast at the top of its game, and America's love affair with the silly game of golf to form comedy gold.

Using the most cliched plotlines imaginable (the "cools versus the rules," and "the little guy needs to find his way in life"), "Caddyshack" nevertheless breaks a lot of new ground with its timeless characters. Chevy Chase plays golf-stuf/playboy Ty Webb, who mangles philosophy while performing dazzling golf feats on the Bushwood Country Club course -- yes, the name "Bushwood" is revealing. Chase has never been better than in this film, and it's almost sad to see how phenomenal he once was when you stand this performance next to the dreck he's put out in recent years.

The underappreciated Ted Knight plays Webb's nemesis, Judge Smails, an uptight petty aristocrat who plays essentially the same role as Dean Wermer in "Animal House." Smails is Elmer Fudd to Webb's Bugs Bunny.

Rodney Dangerfield is also in the film, playing essentially himself as an obnoxious real estate developer with zero fashion sense -- ask ten people to name the character Dangerfield plays in "Caddyshack," and you'll stump ten people. But it's likely that most of those ten will be able to quote Dangerfield's character: "Lovely boy -- now I now why tigers eat their young!" "You're a caddy, huh -- for Italians, this is skilled labor." "This is the ugliest hat I've ever seen, I bet when you buy this they give you a can of soup . . . but it looks good on you, though."

And last but not least, the immortal Bill Murray plays Carl the Groundskeeper. Carl is charged with ridding Bushwood of a gopher, a varmint who loves nothing more than vandalizing golf courses and dancing to Kenny Loggins. Murray, in a performance bordering on madness, tries various futile strategies to nab the gopher, including sniper rifles, decoys, hoses, and plastic explosives, but it's his mumbled soliloquies that are the most hilarious. Murray's imagined golf game, whacking flowers with a rake, is one of the funniest scenes in any movie, ever.

Our "hero," Danny (Michael O'Keefe), is a minor character completely overwhelmed by these other characters, but his storyline is the thread that ties all the other subplots together. He cheats on his girlfriend Maggie (Animal House alum Sarah Holcomb, inexplicably with an Irish accent) with the gratuitous slut, Judge Smails' niece Lacey Underall (Cindy Morgan), and finds himself pitted against the Judge in the climactic golf match.

Not much of a plot. The movie's greatness is in its execution. The writers (Brian Doyle-Murray and Harold Ramis) find the underlying humor in the country club lifestyle and the unique culture that surrounds golf and skewer everything in sight. Be on the lookout for comic stereotypes . . . from the spoiled rich brats to the doctor who's never in the office to the profane pastor, nobody is safe. Fortunately, "Caddyshack" knows to stay just on this side of crude (coming nearest to the line with its classic "Jaws" parody involving a Baby Ruth) -- this is a witty film, not a cruel film.

This movie is a must for every guy's film library. Just be careful -- there's always a temptation to quote "Caddyshack" out on the golf course. Be warned, only about 5 million people have done it before you, and the novelty's wearing off.

Also be warned -- "Caddyshack" sparked quite possibly the worst sequel ever, "Caddyshack 2." Do not watch that movie!

Caddyshack-Golf at its funniest
"It's in the hole." Is only one of the great-remembered lines in the comical, 1980's golf film, Caddyshack. One might think that the words themselves is not funny, but when delivered by Carl Spackler (Bill Murry) a demented greens keeper, who is living out a fantasy of making a hole in one, using the tops of well groomed flower tops as golf balls. As the flower pedals are scattered all over the ground from the blow of an imaginary golf club, (sickle) you can't help to laugh at the hysterical scene. The brilliant script, written by Brain Murray and Harold Ramis (who also directed the film) is packed full of numerous hysterical lines which are used today when we are out on the golf coarse, laughing at our incompetent golf games.

The story kicks off as a snobbish head of a ritzy golf coarse, Judge Smails (Ted Knight) tries to take advantage of an high school student, Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe) who is interested in law school, but needs the job as a caddy to pay his way through college. Judge Smails is put in his place as a wealthy land developer, Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) come on the scene and wants to build condominiums on the exclusive golf coarse. Ted and Rodney go at each other throughout the entire film, which leaves the viewer on the floor, laughing uncontrollably. If that's not enough, Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) a quiet co-founder of the coarse gets involved and gives his on hilarious performance as the middle man, pulled in many different directions. And of coarse, the most remembered character is the lonely green's keeper, Carl Spackler (Bill Murry) who is having his own private war with a gopher that has been digging up the golf coarse.
The above summery does not do the film justice. With an all star cast and a hilarious script, a soundtrack full of 1980s rock. How can you go wrong? Golfer enthusiasts, who see this hysterical comedy, will be chanting the funny punchlines every time they have a chance to, on the golf coarse. This is why I highly recommend this film and give it 5 stars.

Welcome to Bushwood Country Club
When I first saw the previews on HBO, it was to see Mr. Gopher, that wascally wodent, and yes, I'm ashamed to admit it, but to see Lacey Underall in action. Hey, gimme a break! I was thirteen, okay? I'm not attracted by that type anymore.

As for Mr. Gopher, he becomes the target of Carl (Bill Murray), the assistant groundskeeper, who is something of a basket case. He has funny monologues with himself, watches the elderly woman golfers and mutters things with ... undertones, and seems to be living in his own little world.

The previews described this as the slobs against the snobs. Well, Judge Smales (Ted Knight), Dr. Beeper, and the bishop definitely fit the latter. They try to keep certain people from becoming members, and are clearly the elite class. Result, they turn Bushwood into what Al Czervik calls a "crummy snobatorium." As Smales snidely tells off caddy Danny Noonan, who is unsure what to do with his life, but is aspiring for the caddy scholarship, "Well, the world needs ditchdiggers." His attitude changes when Noonan saves the judge from a golf mishap, but hey, as Czervik tells him, "Who made you pope of this dump?"

The laid back Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) is probably the one who's got the best philosophy to golf, just to play it. There's even a parodic reference to a certain George Lucas movie, when he tells Danny "There's a force in the world that makes things happen, and all you have to do is get in touch with it." Let's see, three years after... that'd be right. And I sincerely doubt that Matsuo Basho said this quote attributed to him by Ty, or if he did, it must have been in some very obscure renga verse of his: "A flute with no hole is not a flute, and a donut with no hole is a Danish."

In contrast, there's Al Czervik, a rich, loudmouthed, snazzily-dressed, life-of-the-party type who is full of jokes, wisecracks, and whether you like him depends on how uptight or laid back you are. At dinner, check out his rapid-fire delivery, "My compliments to the cook, this is low-grade dog food. The steak still has marks where the jockey was hitting it." He then makes a funny face as he passes gas, and asks, "Oh! Someone step on a duck?" His table dissolves with laughter. However, when an uptight man next to him fails to laugh, Czervik says, "The graveyard's two blocks to the left." Judge Smales taken an immediate dislike to Al, especially as the latter constantly needles him until he explodes in a temper.

The swimming pool scene is notable for the Busby Berkeley parody number, the usual party-like hijinks in the pool, and whenever I see Baby Ruths at my local store, I inwardly snicker--no pun intended. Although the next time I'm near a swimming pool...hmm, why not? With a candy bar, not what it was thought... never mind!

Dangerfield gets the best laughs and hands-down steals the movie as Al Czervik. Sure, he's got a big mouth and is an instant insult machine, but it's towards the uptight snobs. He also doesn't care too much for the club rules. Anytime I hear Journey's "Any Way You Want It", I think of this movie. And love his hi-tech gadgets! "Einstein sold me this golf club. Nice man--made a fortune in physics."

As for blonde Cindy Morgan (Lacey), okay, she only has one topless scene, but I've seen better looking models than her. And although the chittering, squeaking Chuck E. Rodent, who apparently loves swaying to Kenny Loggins' theme song "I'm Alright," clearly does not resemble a real gopher for laughs, he is to Bugs Bunny as Carl is to Elmer Fudd.

Much of the movie relies on Rodney Dangerfield's funny lines, Ty's deadpan quips, and some cartoon-style hijinks involving Mr. Gopher. In other words, classic 80's humor. But Danny Noonan's quest to find himself is a major part of this movie. Overall rating, 3.75, rounded to 4.

Winning the Caddy Scholarship, or just puttering around?
..."Caddyshack" might be the funniest film I ever have viewed... Writer/Director Harold Ramis and writer/actor Brian Doyle Murray have woven many strong comedic threads into Caddyshack's fabric.

Danny Noonan must win Bushwood Country Club's Caddy Scholarship to afford college. Danny circulates among Bushwood's members doing everything possible to win that scholarship. Danny panders to Ty Webb (Chevy Chase), an undermotivated overachiever whose father helped found Bushwood. Danny panders to Judge Smales (Ted Knight), the stuffed shirt who currently runs Bushwood. And Danny panders to Lacey Underall, Judge Smale's visiting niece who does not play ... golf. Meanwhile, Rodney Dangerfield plays Al Czervik, a nouveau riche real estate developer who attempts to breathe life into Bushwood's forest of bored stiffs. And Bill Murray plays Carl, the burnt-out assistant groundskeeper whose mission to trap a gopher escalates into World War III -- and the gopher survives.

"Caddyshack" shows Bushwood's members at extravagant play while the staff watches with scorn. *Carl, the burnt-out assistant groundskeeper, might be Bill Murray's greatest role.* Add original songs by Kenny Loggins and the result is an unforgettable masterpiece. "Caddyshack" has something for everybody -- even golfers.

Hillarious!
Loaded with a few of the greats in comedy. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Better than expected
I wasn't expecting much from this movie since it was a new release 6 months ago and you can already find it in the dicounted section of certain stores. It's well worth the money. It's a good romantic comedy. I never thought Charlie Sheen was much of an actor but his performance here is better than usual. Denise Richards isn't too outstanding. She really can't act and that shows here and in everything else she's ever been in. It's Angie Harmon who steals the show. She's a very beautiful, very talented actress who pretty much dominates this movie. She hasn'e been in too many movies before, but hopefully we'll see more of her. Another highlight is Sheen's friend, played by Jon Lovitz, a P-whipped plastic surgeon married to a controlling wife played by Rosanna Arquette. They add a lot of comic relief to the movie. Don't let the fact that this movie is already in the dicounted section at stores fool you into thinking this movie [is bad]... It's worth the money depending on where you buy it.

Good Romantic Movie
I saw this movie on cable and watched it. It's a pretty good romance between a down-and-out Wall Street whiz and an editor of a newspaper. Charlie Sheen plays a financial whiz who loses his job due to a scandal and takes the place of his shallow and insensitive girlfriend who runs off to Brazil with another man. While writing the advice column, he falls for the studious editor played by Angie Harmon.
My sister thought the movie was shallow but to me I thought it was romantic as a man was dealing with hisself and the people who read his article.

Sassy, Silly, and Funny. Quality Entertainment
I bought this movie on the advice of my sage friend Pnut and because this movie featured Charlie Sheen, who is a top-flight actor who usually picks decent scripts. I was not disappointed. This is a fun and sassy show with a good story and slightly implausible but satisfying finish. Well acted and scripted and loaded with laughs. Warm and lighthearted comedy at its finest. Definitely recommended.

Better than expected, a good DVD for the Price!
I just saw this movie last night. I was flipping through the channels and decided to give this one a try. I thought it was going to be lame, but it wasn't! The comedic performances of Angie Harmon's secretary, full of inuendo and some pretty hysterical remarks really made it all worthwhile. John Lovitz and his gold-digger wife also contribute much with their love-hate dialouge. Denise Richards doesn't have a huge part, but does a good job in this comedy. Charlie Sheen, although not usually a favorite of mine, was pretty good in this one, thanks to Angie and her Sec. Enjoy!

Good, but...
This was an interesting, sometimes narrow film. There were too many striking similarities to the movie "Wall Street" (Charlie Sheen was also in that) to be called anything different than a copy of it. While it was good, I kept wanting to picture Gordon Gekko as the head of the newspaper rather than the other guy. Overall good, but too much a copy of "Wall Street" to be recognized as different. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

What sounds like a high-concept romantic comedy pitch from hell--widower president falls for smart lobbyist while the world watches--is actually intelligent, charming, touching, and quite funny. Granted, it's wish fulfillment all the way (when was the last time you saw a president who was truly presidential?), but in the capable hands of writer Aaron Sorkin (TV's Sports Night) and director Rob Reiner, The American President is incredibly enjoyable entertainment with quite a few ideas about both romance and the government. Michael Douglas stars as the president, who after three years in office starts thinking about the possibility of dating. When he auspiciously encounters cutthroat environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), sparks begin to crackle and the two begin a tentative but heartfelt romance. Of course, his job gets in the way--their first kiss is interrupted by a Libyan bombing--but darn it if these two kids aren't going to try and make it work! However, they hadn't counted on the president's Republican antagonist (Richard Dreyfuss), who starts carping about family values. The predictable plot--Douglas finally goes to bat for his lady and his country--is leavened by Sorkin's wonderful, snappy dialogue and a light touch from the usually subtle-as-a-sledgehammer Reiner. Both manage to create a believable White House-office atmosphere (with a crack staff including Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Anna Deavere Smith, and Samantha Mathis) as well as a plausible and funny dating scenario. The true success of the movie, though, rides squarely on Douglas and Bening; this is unequivocally Douglas's best comedic performance (ergo his best performance, period) and Bening, usually such a good bad girl, takes a standard career-woman role and fleshes it out magnificently. You can see in an instant why Douglas would fall for her. One of the best unsung romantic comedies of the '90s. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (116)

Makes me happy every time!
This is an all time favorite of mine and absolutely guaranteed to lift my spirits each time I watch it.

Michael Douglas plays somewhat against his usual type as a likeable, widowed, well-meaning single father who is also the President of the United States, Andrew Shepherd. He becomes romantically interested in an environmental lobbyist, Sidney Ellen Wade (Annette Benning) which turns out to cause a lot of problems for both of them.

These two high-powered actors manage to humanize their characters into ordinary, likable people who are just trying to fall in love despite unbelievable opulence of surroundings, ugly political maneuvering and living inside a media fishbowl of publicity. Along the way, there are plenty of funny, heartwarming moments including a couple of very funny telephone calls. (Imagine what YOU would do if you suddenly received a call from someone who claimed to be the President of the United States)

David Paymer, Michael J. Fox and Martin Sheen are excellent in their supporting roles as advisors to the President and Shawna Waldron is wonderful as the 1st daughter.

If you love humorous dialog, beautiful, nearly fairy-tale settings and happy endings, be sure to see this movie. You won't be disappointed.

A fireball of fun from the start
Who would think that widower Andrew Sheppard's (Michael Douglas)decision to date Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening) would cause such a scandal? Normally that wouldn't make every news reporter jump. Except when Andrew Sheppard happens to be the President of the United States and Sydney Ellen Wade is a liberal lobbyist. And did I mention that it is an election year?

As President Sheppard's character ratings falling from personal best 68% to the low 40's, his interests become torn between the crime bill (his top priority) and Sydney's-passing Energy Bill 455. And it is up to the White House staff members A.J. MacInnerey (Martin Sheen), Lewis Rothschild (Michael J. Fox), Leon Kodak (David Paymer), Robin McCall(Anna Deavere Smith) to help him maintain focus against his rival, Bob Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss)

Filled with humor and unforgettable moments, you will not be able to watch The American President just once. The word 'charming' does not do enough justice to this wonderful piece of work.

Just Average...
I found this film to be just average. The story is nice, but a little unbelievable and very predictable. These films are usually my type, but for some reason, this one didn't do anything for me.

ALL GLORY TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!!!!!
TAKE THAT YOU BABY EATING REPUBLICANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SAME GOES TO YOU THIRD PARTY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY YOU NUTTY, COMMUNIST LIBERATARIANS AND 'INDEPENDENT' VOTERS, MOST OF WHOM MOST LIKELY EAT BABIES AS WELL!!!!!!!! HURRAY FOR ENVIRONMENTALISM!!!!!!!!! HURRAY FOR HUGE GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!! HURRAY FOR HIGH TAXES!!!!!!! HURRAY FOR THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT!!!!!!

I love the President!
I absolutely loved "The American President"! I thought all characters and the plot was great, as well as being written with humour and intelligence! Great acting, and wow is Michael Douglass a good president, not to mention a hunk! I'd certainly vote for him! ... Read more

Description

The must-own sequel of the year! Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan team up again in this record-breaking box-office smash hit. ... Read more

Reviews (219)

rush hour 2
Rush Hour 2 is an unbelievably hilarious, action packed, better-than-the first sequel to Rush Hour. I strongly recommend that you rent and watch the first one before you go see Rush Hour 2 because much of the humor and jokes are based on the original one, however, this is not necessary because you will catch on quickly and only miss a couple of the related jokes. Rush Hour 2 begins exactly where the first movie leaves off. If you watch both movies in order it will just seem like one long movie. This is a nice feature because it makes the movie easier to follow and understand.
Rush Hour 2 is about two detectives, Detective Lee (Jackie Chan) and Detective Carter (Chris Tucker). While on their vacation to Hong Kong Lee and Carter are called back to duty to investigate and bust an international counterfeiting ring. This is no easy task, however, as they soon find out. Carter and Lee find themselves locations around the world such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and even Tokyo.
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker give a perfect and encore performance doing what they do best. Jackie Chan plays the serious logical and skilled martial artist Detective Lee. Chris Tucker portrays the never serious, ego boosted LAPD officer, Detective Carter. I don't believe that this movie would have had the same punch without these talented actors working together in this fabulous duo.
The action in this movie is spectacular. As always, Jackie Chan performs unbelievable stunts during his fighting rendezvous. At one point in the movie he jumps and dives through a very tight slot, much like one at a cashiers cage. On the other hand
Chris Tucker, let's just say... is not very good at Kung Fu, but nevertheless great comical relief.
The humor in this movie is absolutely bladder busting. Ethnic and personality differences between Carter and Lee create humorous situations. For instance: Carter speaks his own version of Chinese. Obviously, he just says a bunch of random gibberish and makes himself look like a total idiot in front of a rather large group of Chinese people. Carter is quick to the tongue and is always bashing on the Chinese culture. Lee is just simply funny while acting so serious and straight-faced: A perfect contradiction.
I recommend that you go see this movie or rent it when it comes out in January 2002 It will be worth your time and money, and because it stars Jackie Chan, you will get to watch the comical, and quite painful out-takes at the end of the film during the credits. You'll laugh your way through Rush Hour 2 with its wonderful blend of action and comedy.

Feel the Rush...
A sequel that exceeds its predecessor. That in itself is an anomaly these days, but Rush Hour 2 packs enough wallop for both movies. How about some of the best lines in an action comedy in recent years? From one liners to the chemistry that has evolved between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, this movie will make you pause the scenes until you finish laughing. Hit play again and you'll be slapped with more humor. Carter runs through downtown Hong Kong, where no one knows what he is saying, yelling, "Get outta the way! L.A.P.D!" There's a moment in Hong Kong where Carter meets up with a chicken vendor and the laughs keep coming. Rush Hour 2 opts for a more sexy approach with the Chinese massage parlor scene, and the 2 main female characters who are sure to boggle the eyes of the male population. As for action, there's plenty of it to support the clever dialogue. The movie is so realistic and unrealistic at the same time, you'll be bringing the first movie back out and panting for Rush Hour 3. I can't leave out the fact that a story goes with this and it's told quite well, and for what this movie is, it doesn't burden the high-jinks, but supports it. Simply put, Inspector Lee has an old vendetta with the man who killed his father and Carter is pulled along from Hong Kong to L.A. A few plates need to be found from a counterfeit ring using them to make a "Superbill," which is identical to a real bill. Not quite an original story, right? Well, it's all in the way you tell it and Rush Hour 2 pulls off a good time and that's what we wanted to see.

Robert Eldridge (...)

Funnier Then The First...
Slick, chaotic, and decently entertaining sequel picks up where the first movie left off. LAPD Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) is on vacation in Hong Kong with his friend, Detective Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan). Carter just wants to relax, have fun, get some "mu shu", but Lee can't stop doing his job even for a minute. This time, he's hot on the trail of gangster Ricky Tan (John Lone), who may have been behind an Embassy bombing.

More-of-the-same in terms of content AND style, but still pretty engaging, with lots of action and thrills. Chan and Tucker still share the same chemistry, and overall there are some good laughs. (Worth it just to see Tucker perform Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough"...) For me, one of the perks of this sequel is watching "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" beauty Zhang Ziyi as a very fetching and lethal assassin.

Terrific High energy sequel is GREEN!
Not satisfied to just build on the personalities and chemistry created in Rush Hour -RH1, this action movie delivers an inventive script and great action. I would have given 5 stars but I down grade for language.

Chris Tucker delivers another high energy, comedic performance. Since Chris first caught my attention in the Bruce Willis vehicle, Fifth Element. He has proven himself to be a real comedy - action star. This movie might have worked with a different actor playing chans part, but jackie chan is the genious that created these incredible films and may now be our top action star.

Highly recommended, but only partially family friendly.

Better than the first, alot better!
Take peoples word for it when they tell you this is better than the first Rush Hour movie, even Chris Tucker is much funnier in this one. The movie is funny, not amazingly funny but you can expect for laughs than the first one. Though there's alot of stupid things in this movie it wasn't made to be serious, now really two guys fighting off 10 guys at once on several different occasions. The ending was not bad, it was a pretty cliche ending but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. After watching it, I am looking forward to a possibly Rush Hour 3 and I hope they make one, if you're into action/comedies this is a must watch. ... Read more

Reviews (473)

The Ultimate Cult Horror Film!
The first of the Evil Dead Trilogy this cult horror classic is the most fun you'll have watching a horror movie. This Special Edition DVD from Elite is top-notch. Evil Dead has been released on DVD in 800 or so different versions but if you're looking for a great one, look no further.

This disc presents the film in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio with an extremely sharp transfer with strong color definition. Audio is presented in a great 5.1 surround mix or 2.0 original mix.

The disc includes an impressive list of bonus features including:
- commentary from director Sam Raimi & producer Bruce Tappert
- commentary from start Bruce Campbell (which, incidentally is one of the best and funniest DVD commentaries you'll ever come across!
- alternate takes/outtakes
- still gallery
- theatrical trailer

For the price, this is a great version of the flick. Pick it up!

An excellent film for it's day.
The film, "Evil Dead" is one notch above the usual horror-slasher-zombie films. Set in a desolate cabin in the dark woods, this movie sets out with a typical premise; a group of four young people are being stalked by an ancient evil force in the woods. This evil was awakened by a scientist in the cabin who was reading from an ancient Sumerian text of the dead, the "Necronomicon ex Mortis". A book written in blood, and bound in human flesh. The evil returns and slowly traps the frightened people there in the woods, takes over their bodies, turns them into Zombies, and kills them. The lone survivor, Ash, is forced to do battle with the forces of evil. Overall a good time, and for a film made on a shoestring budget, (less than 50,000 dollars I hear), it was a fun time. Director Sam Raimi did a fantaboulous job of making this film one of the New American Cult Classics. I would definitely see it, and would highly recommend the follow-ups, "Evil Dead II: Dead Before Dawn", and "Army of Darkness". Horror purists may groan at these, as they incorporate more humor, but overall, a worthwhile few hours. Buy the ticket, take the ride!

the ultimate horror movie!
This film is the ultimate horror movie. Great sneaky gore with a good storyline (unlike most horror movies) and not-so-bad acting or directing to be such a low budget film.

Very gruesome and gory, but it's really great !
Evil dead it's a very entertaining movie to watch, but it really impacts to you how bloody and how too much gore does it has, anyway you can't miss this frightening movie which makes you jump out of your sit and forces you to don't sleepp.

Okay, but soooooo over-rated...
I watched this movie tonight not expecting to like it. Why did I watch it in the first place then? Becasue I thought maybe I would end up liking it. Well, I did and I didn't. I love slasher flicks, but im not really into zombie movies. The two other zombie movies I have seen were "Dawn of the Dead" and "Day of the Dead", which I didn't like, and thought were WAY over-rated. This one was to, and certainly is NOT worth all the hye, but is still okay. The thing I liked about was that is was simple, sort of in the way "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" was, but it's hard to explain HOW it was simple. It mostly takes place in the living room and cellar of a cabin, not in a big gothic mansion, so it's some-what realistic, and, like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", it's hard to explain HOW it's realistic. There were also a few cool scenes worth the rental alone. What I didn't like about it was it was some-what boring. It was also just felt a *bit* too short. So I wouldi't reccomend fully, unless you really like zombie flicks, or you just feel like you have to see every popular horror flick as I do... ... Read more

Amazon.com

This epic Western won the 1931 Academy Award for Best Picture. Heartthrob Richard Dix plays Yancey Cravat (yes, really, that's his name) a frontiersman, newspaper editor, and former gunslinger who's studly enough to fill in as preacher or lawyer should the situation demand. Yancey brings his young bride Sabra to the wild Oklahoma territory to taste the adventure, crusade for social justice, and leave his family for years at a time. Modern viewers will have trouble making it past one or two horrifying racist caricatures at the start, made doubly odd because of the film's intended message of tolerance. Once it gets underway, though, Cimarron can be quite a bit of fun. Most of its pleasures are of the guilty variety--Dix's performance in particular is endearingly huge--but there are a few genuine highlights. The Oklahoma Land Rush sequence is still exciting and wet blanket Sabra turns out to have far more gumption than anyone imagined. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (13)

BEST PICTURE OSCAR, 193O.
This sprawling Western family saga, which takes place in Oklahoma in the period from 1889 to 1929 dates badly, although it was a big early talkie. Some viewers are a bit too harsh on this film. The opening scenes depict the Oklahoma Land Rush which is positively awe inspiring: thousands of extras rush pell-mell on foot, horseback and wagon in a mindless dash to outwit & outride each other in order to gain free land. Much of the movie rests on the considerable talents of Irene Dunne, who goes from an innocent child-woman to a grand old lady in a span of 4O years. Believe it or not, this film was considered to be the cinema's finest Western until the likes of RED RIVER, HIGH NOON and SHANE made their marks. The film received rave reviews and this along with THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES were the only two RKO films which won a AA for Best Picture. The screenplay was written by Howard Estabrook, based upon the source novel by Edna Ferber. The film cost RKO 1.5 million dollars to film: it also won Oscars for Best Set Decoration and for Best Adoptation.

An Uunfortunate Product of its Times
Rascist, Sexist, boring, pendantic, poorly acted and not particularly well made. I bought a VHS copy, watched it once and threw it in the trash. Hard to believe Cimarron is one of only 3 Westerns to win the Best Picture Oscar and the other 2 were won in the 90's. Most of the early winners of the BPO were excellent picks that have survived the test of time. Cimarron is all but forgotten and fairly so.

A profound old movie
You know, I have to agree with Mr. Erdelac - the movie is progressive for its time. For those of you who judge a movie by the degree to which it beats a political or social drum, there is much here to admire.

But there is more. There is something artistic. There is an odd balance between melodrama and something really substantial, something actually edifying to the viewer. I think a large part of why this movie doesn't descend into the sludge of cinematic slop is because the characters are all flawed, and in those flaws the viewer cannot help but recognize a touch of human frailty. Every individual in this movie is at times ridiculous and at other times supremely dignified. This, I believe, gives it a certain depth.

The characters in any great movie MUST be larger than life if the piece is to avoid being either a documentary or a soap opera. But here the larger than life characters seem firmly rooted in the earth, which brings them closer to us. I like that.

Overall, I think the sensitive viewer will find in this movie much that is both emotionally and philosophically stimulating, if he/she is willing to look past the inevitable veneer of 74 years. I personally consider it a particularly moving and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Horrible Audio!
I could not really enjoy the film. I purchased it recently on VHS and the audio quality was horrendous. I don't think anything was ever done to remaster the audio, and it is very annoying to follow. Don't waste $19.95 on it. Watch it on TCM; even there the audio is distorted. I only got it because it is a very early Irene Dunne movie, and I was curious to watch it.

Years Ahead Of Its Time
What are some of these reviewers thinking? I just watched this movie for the first time, and considering the period, this has got to be one of the most progressive films ever to come out of the 1930's. Yes, like most, I inwardly cringed at the sight of `Isaiah' whistling and shining shoes during the opening credits, but I really felt that the character wound up being much more than a stereotypical clown (this is NOT Gone With The Wind). Consider the societal constraints under which the creators of this film worked, and I should think its obvious that they did what they could, perhaps subversively. Back then they just couldn't have a black character or a full blooded Indian character who spoke for and defended himself, but they could find a way to espouse more liberal views through the character of Cravat. In the end, by way of his actions, Isaiah certainly becomes a more heroic character than Mammy or Uncle Remus. Likewise, the treatment of womens' roles and Indian rights are amazingly far ahead of their time -even going so far as to touch on interracial marriage and the potential of women to be stronger and even more efficient than men -which at a time when the suffragists were still alive, has got to be commended. And don't forget that Dix's character is part Indian. How many films prior to `Broken Arrow' portrayed Indians in a positive light, let alone made them the hero?

There is a lot of talk of Dix's overracting and praise for Dunne. I thought Dix captured the blustery over the top persona of Yancey Cravat (who was based on a real-life gunslinging attorney who was a son of Sam Houston -the courtroom soliloquy to save the prostitute is culled directly from historic record) perfectly. I particularly liked the scene where he `crows' at the bad guy in challenge. Yes, Dunne did a fine job as well portraying a character who represents all the economic and social intolerance of the period. Moreso because with the help of her firebrand husband she manages to evolve and change (and even become a Congresswoman!) beyond these small views. But I don't think Dix deserves all the criticism, nor Dunne all the credit. Yancy Cravat doesn't seem true to life because he is BIGGER than life. Nobody complains about George C. Scott's rendering of Patton, because we know Patton really was that way. Is it incomprehensible to think that such giant characters, dandily dressed and sporting pistols and purple words ever walked the land before 1930? All this talk of dating (at the risk of sounding dated) is a lot of hooey. When you watch a movie like this you've got to put yourself in the mindset of the audience of the period, or of course you're always going to think its `aged badly.'

The film is shot well. The Land Rush is great, as is that scene where Dunne runs through the spattered men of the oil field at the end (it reminded me of Claudia Cardinale walking through the slew of r