Reviews (1)

Puss in Boots
This is a great movie. It's real light hearted and comical. The characters are all very love-able, except for the ogre of course! I also thought it was neat that all the main characters are African American. I highly recommend this film if you're looking for a good, clean, fun movie to enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very good, under-rated western.
This is probably my favorite Kirk Douglas western. Although it has plenty of action this is not just another action western. Rather it deals with the implacable transition of the west from open range available to all to individually-controlled patches of range that are fenced off with barbed wire. Dempsey Rae (Douglas' character) loves open range and keeps drifting north to avoid the barbed wire which destroys it. Finally, however, he realizes that the small ranchers must fence off the range to protect themselves from the massive herds of a greedy rancher and her ruthless foreman and helps string and protect the wire that he hates so thoroughly. I love this under-rated western.

Man without a star
I thought this was a good movie with alot of substance towards its story. It stars Jeanne Crain as a young, unmarried girl without much experiance in the world. I reccmommend it only if you don't mind the overacting thats seen alot in old, dramatic movies. ... Read more

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Although this is one of the minor efforts in King Vidor's filmography, it's also among the most sheerly enjoyable movies the august director ever made. Vidor was a Texan, and the scrappy story line he and his wife, Elizabeth Hill, cooked up appears to have accommodated every colorful anecdote he'd ever heard about his native state's legendary constabulary and the individual acts of heroism it spawned.

At the outset, three young desperadoes get separated during some dirty work. Jim (Fred MacMurray) and Wahoo (Jack Oakie) run for cover by enlisting as Texas Rangers. Their pal Sam (Lloyd Nolan) continues to ride a crooked trail, and Jim and Wahoo do their utmost to be looking the other way whenever he passes through. Then, the dangedest thing happens: the workaday courage and resourcefulness of their fellow Rangers start to get to our two reluctant law keepers, till eventually you couldn't tell them from honest men. Neither can Sam, and he doesn't like it one bit.

John Ford made more poetic Westerns, and Anthony Mann, more demonically driven ones. But King Vidor had the most rugged sense of landscape, light, rock, dust, and the way death can come in startling yet matter-of-fact ways. Edward Cronjager was just the right cameraman to serve this vision, and frame after frame of The Texas Rangers is a thing of rough, angular beauty. Jean Parker is nicely feisty as the Ranger commandant's daughter, and the old boy himself is played by that pillar of American Gothic, Edward Ellis. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fred MacMurray Rules in this Classic Western!!
Fred MacMurray rules in this classic western that makes it very well worth watching!! ... Read more

Reviews (145)

Despite Flaws, Recall Is Total As A Fun Sci-Fi Story
Paul Verhoeven has become among Hollywood's better known directors. His most recent work, Starship Troopers, did well at the box office thanks to its outstanding special effects, interesting premise, and surprisingly good cast.

Verhoeven first earned widespread movie fame with Robocop, but it was 1990's Total Recall that stands as his best work.

Arnold Schwarzenegger gives a genuinely great performance as Douglas Quaid, a construction worker in the late 21st Century who, out of an unconquerable fascination with Mars - now a colony run by vicious corporate dictator Vilhos Cohaagen - goes to Rekall, Inc., a company that implants "memories" of experiences in those willing to pay. But when Rekall implants a memory of a trip to Mars, it "pops a memory cap" in Quaid, who turns out not to be who he thinks he is. When his wife Lori (the overrated Sharon Stone in the only performance of hers that is truly worth watching) tries to kill him, Quaid forces! her to tell him that a supersecret Agency under the direction of Cohaagen erased his memory and implanted a new one.

Quaid dodges the guns of the murderous Richter (a delightfully insane performance by Michael Ironside) and gets help from a former buddy of his on Mars. He then travels to the Red Planet and gets mixed up in a bloody civil war between Cohaagen's goons and rebel followers of a being called Kuato. But seemingly nothing is as it appears to Quaid, until he learns from Kuato just what the secret is that Cohaagen wants.

It is fairly easy to point out what is wrong with this film - it is excessively violent and gory, and includes some action scenes - like a bloody bar brawl - that are unnecesary. The pivotal scene - when Quaid is strapped in an implant chair to have his memory erased again, but he rips free and slaughters the scientists performing the procedure - is effective, but ruined because it allows Quaid to pull off an absurd flexing of muscle - he rips ! a heavy arm restraint out, anchor and all, and rips it thro! ugh the throat of one Cohaagen scientist thug. There is also the usual absurdity of action films - the wholesale slaughter of enemy soldiers without so much as a scratch on the one or two good guys. There is also a PREPOSTEROUS speech by Cohaagen during the final act that is a glaring example of the cliche of the villian who has the hero cornered, but spends so much time talking it gives the hero an opportunity.

Nonetheless, it is a superior script, with many twists and a fascinating climax. END

"See you at the party Richter."
Total Recall is one of those movies I can watch over and over and never get sick of. It is what every true Arnold fan wants in an Arnold flick. And aside from being one of Arnold's best films it is a very great sci-fi flick period.

Arnold plays everyman Douglas Quaid, a guy living an average life on the near future earth who is obsessed with the idea of going to Mars(which is colonized). He decides to go to a futuristic company called Recall, which sells it's customers memories of vacations they did not really take. Quaid decides to do it and while the salesman is making his pitch he poses the question, "what is the same about every vaction you have ever taken?" The answer: You. So Quaid buys the secret agent package and that is when the action begins. Suddenly everyone is out to get Quaid and he can't figure it out, all he knows is he has to get his "a** to Mars." He does and the film really takes off with mutants, rebels, women, corruption, double crossing, heavy carnage, planet saving, and Arnold, smack in the middle of all of it.

The story in summary can actually be found within the movie, which is a very unusual plot device, but it works in this film. The guy at Recall says by the time this is over you will kill the bad guys, get the girl, and save the planet. So is Total Recall a dream or a reality. This question is one of the things that makes it such an engaging movie because you don't know. Really though the best part of this film is Arnold. He is in tip top form in this film and it is certainly one of his best. The character allows him all the elements to shine, odds against him, guys always trying to fight him, lots of guns, and terrific one-liners. Paul Verhoeven(Robocop, Basic Instict) has crafted a awesome film. The set direction is great and it makes the fantastic action that much better. Sure Verhoeven may get a little carried away with violent nature of his action, but would anyone really want this film any other way? Not me.

Total Recall is a blast. On an additional note I just picked up the DVD Collector's Edition and it is a must have for fans. The commentary with Verhoeven and Arnold is hilarious and the making of's are very well done. This is one of those films that will become a classic over time because that is what it is, CLASSIC.

ETMR - Total Recall
1. Humanity: What problems do you see in the Mars colony in the film? Is the colony a feasible idea for today?

2. Implications: The movie is centered around the question of what is reality, and how to discern truth from fiction. What dangers does the film speak of for today, in terms of distinguishing reality from a created world?

3. Evolution: It could be said that the technology expressed in the film is very basic, compared to technological innovation today. Concepts like terraforming using a combustion of air, planetary colonies with glass windows, and cheap, robotic androids are all scientific anomolies in that they seem to belong to a past age. How has the technology in the movie changed in our world?

4. Realism: Philip K. Dick's stories are heralded because of their closeness to what an actual future will be like. Do you think the story in Total Recall is an accurate prophecy for the future?

5. Stageplay: Verhoeven, the director, is known for his elaborate and overblown stories told with a comedic satire, using colorful special effects. But aside from the eye candy, do the actors convince you?

Verhooven to subtle for his own good...
I used to hate this film. Which is odd, because I like Philip Dick, I like Verhooven and, then, I liked Schwatzenegger. The film was actually good up to the end. I just thought the end was too soapy and stuid even by Hollywood standards. Then I read the book "Dead Air" by Iain Banks. There the film is explained, and suddenly it all made sense to me. Verhooven's films are full of action and gore, which tend to overshadow that they also tend to have a quite strong message. That's why Total Recall always bothered me: where is the message? But it is there, quite obvious really: it all takes place in Schwartzenegger's head; he is still in the reality simulator! That would explain why things start happening shortly after his visit there. It would explain why the girl on Mars looks exactly like the girl he chooses for the reality simulation. The whole ending with them close to dying in the low pressure on Mars is a total replay of what he experiences in the beginning, when we know he is in the reality simulator. Finally, it explains how ridicilously fast the Martian atmosphere is replenished by the melting glacier. Suddenly the film becomes really good, and truly follows the spirit of Dick. I think I must watch it again.

"Come to Rekall!"
Another Arnie flick? I've already lost count... Well anyway, this film, loosely based on Phillip K. Dick's "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale" is pretty much worth your while, especially since Arnie has one of his better roles here.
Doug Quaid (Arnie) has dreamed continuously of going to Mars. He talks with his wife Lori (Sharon Stone) about it, but she does not like the idea. One day, Quaid hears about a company named Rekall that can take you on a virtual vacation. Arnie tries it out, only to find that nothing is what it seems... and that he may not really be who he thinks he is. He travels to Mars, and discovers that he is a rebel leader fighting against the ruthless Cohagen (Ronnie Cox) and his man Richter (Michael Ironside).
Arnie acts well in this flick, Sharon Stone is good as his wife, and Cox and Ironside act as if they are truly evil. The story is somewhat complex, and will have you hooked.
BUT: Don't forget that this is a Paul Verhoeven film, and Paul Verhoeven=Lots of shooting and gore. This is definately not for the squeamish, but if you can stomach it, you be on for a wild ride. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Engrossing WWI Drama
Another fine movie not availiable on vhs or dvd. The Big Parade is a bit derivative of All Quiet on the Western Front but holds its own as solid entertainment. I enjoyed it but I can't honestly say I missed any sleep thinking about it.

By FAR the best silent film of all times!
The Big Parade is hillarious, touching and an easy story line to follow.If you've never seen a John Gilbert film this film is a great introduction to the man who was the Tom Cruise of his time. The film was made a mere 7 years after WW1 and it was a revolutionary look at war on film. It made the most money for MGM untill Gone With The Wind.
The film follows, three men Bull, Slim and Jim (Gilbert). Jim is a rich man's son who has never had a days work in his life. When WW1 one breaks out and all his friends become enlisted and preasure from his girly friend Jim enlists along with the dim-whitted Slim and the grumpy, bossy Bull. When they get to France they are surprised at what war is really like, it was not what they were expecting. An adorable and funny affection blooms, and is torn apart in a classic dramatic 1920's scene.
When the real war is introduced to the boys you experience the pain and horror with them, as they loose friends, enemies and even eachother. Jim suffers a great loss and gets to go home to his loving mother, I won't give away the ending because everyone needs to experience this film for themselves. Deffinantly worth your time and money. Everyone in your family will love this must see movie.

A Great Film that Deserves a Proper DVD Restoration
In many ways, King Vidor's The Big Parade did for WWI films what Oliver Stone's Platoon did for Vietnam War films: it brought home the realities of the war in a fashion that better represented what had actually happened. In the process, it is thoroughly entertaining: scenes of typical silent melodrama are quickly replaced by serious thematics (eg, "patriotic" mob peer-pressure & bursts of nationalist fervor), fun male-bonding scenes, wonderful light romance and comedy, and finally, compelling and often very realistic scenes of warfare. The film is full of marvelous subtle allegorical references (eg, "mother knows best" comes to mind) and plays-on-words (the curse-rhyming soldier songs make one think of the title, which rhymes with the French-originated "charade"). I cannot praise this film highly enough for its modern story-structure and production values, which were eons ahead of the times.

I agree with the previous reviewer who said that the Big Parade does not best The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, primarily due to its later arrival, its more narrow theme, and the fact that John Gilbert was not Rudolph Valentino. But I do feel that in a funny way it completes what that film was trying to do; namely, by filling in its two greatest weaknesses: its reliance on silent melodrama and its lack of time dedicated to the actual horrors of fighting the Great War. Thus it is a perfect complement to that film.

As interesting trivia, both stars died shortly after the silent era came to a close, Gilbert of alcoholism/heart failure and Renée Adorée of tuberculosis. The actor who played Slim, a Dane, shot himself in the head after the talkie era had reduced him to selling hotdogs outside the studio, making his fate in the film all the more eerie...

A Memorable Film of WWI
Along with the earlier FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE and the slightly later WINGS, THE BIG PARADE is one of the three great World War I films of the 1920s--and the most financially successful. Made at a point when most producers believed the public only wanted to forget the horrors of World War I, THE BIG PARADE is generally regarded as the single greatest financially successful film of the entire silent era.

The story divides into two parts. In the first, spoiled rich boy John Gilbert whimsically joins up, ships out to France, and winds up in a small French village where he flirts and falls in love with Renee Adore. This portion of the film is leisurely told with many comic flourishes--and provides a necessary contrast to the second portion of the film, which begins when the troops are given orders to move out. The scenes in which Renee Adore searches frantically for Gilbert among the departing men are full of memorable images, as are the the scenes in which the company progresses slowly toward the front, first picked off by snipers, then by machine guns, and then facing the hell of "no man's land."

At the time of its release, THE BIG PARADE was considered an anti-war film. Seen today, it feels more like a balanced vision than anti-war per se. Matinee idol John Gilbert, who defied convention by allowing himself to be photographed covered in the muck of battle, is seen to great advantage here, as is Renee Adore and army buddies Tom O'Brien and Karl Dane. Although THE BIG PARADE doesn't really best the earlier FOUR HORSEMEN, it remains a landmark of the late silent era, a memorable film of World War I made by those actually old enough to remember it. Recommended.

Excellent Early Film on the First World War
The Big Parade is a lengthy film but, for the most part, it is lively and fast-paced. At the beginning, I thought the film was the classic tale of a naive, spoiled rich kid (played by the great John Gilbert) drawn to the battle field by the parades and glamorization of the war. It is so much more than that. The main character, Jim Apperson, acually adjusts to soldier life very well. He quickly acquires two close buddies (played by Tom O'Brien and Karl Dane), demonstrates impressive innovation and ambition (creating a shower out of a barrel) and--of course--gets a French girlfriend, Melisande (played by Renee Adoree).

The first half of the film is a bit slow at times, although the antics of O'Brien and Dane provide comedy relief that is often hilarious (especially Dane's character). It is definitely worth the wait when Jim's unit goes off to battle. Melisande desperately clings to Jimmy not to leave (symbolism that foreshadows Jim's ultimate fate). Once on the battlefield, the fighting scenes are as well-done as any I've seen on the First World War. The troops slowly move through the devastated landscape, preparing for the next sniper attack. The three buddies end up in a trench together and spit in a target to decide who will go over the top and take out a German machine gunner (the WINNER goes over the top), Jim goes after a German he has wounded in order to finish him off and then finds he is unable to when he sees that his enemy is just a young kid. When Jim realizes the horror of war, only one thing really matters: the French girl he left behind. He must find her again! The film is one of the funniest, suspense-filled, and touching films I've seen (yes, it's all those things and more). Give it a try! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

star trek fan
this is my favorite episode, It keeps me on the edge of my seat, I had to order it to complete my season. Highly recommended!

Captain Picard and Mark Twain change places in Time
In "Time's Arrow, Part I," the fifth season's finale, Picard led an Away Team that followed a pair of alien predators into the past: 19th-Century San Francisco to be precise. There they join Data and Guinan (the Guinan of the past not the present Guinan who is still in the future). Together they discover the cave that would contain all of the artifacts, including Data's head, which were found in the 24th-Century at the start of this story. Unfortunately, at the key moment Samuel Clemens (Jerry Hardin) intervenes and the time portal opens. The resulting blast sends Data's body, but not his head, back to the future. Picard stays behind to take care of a wounded Guinan, while the rest of the team follows Data's body, quickly followed by Clemens.

"Time's Arrow" was the least exciting cliffhanger in STNG's long run, so it is not surprising that the conclusion is above average but nothing special. We do see the "first" meeting between Guinan and Picard, but, of course, that is only from HER perspective, so it is not like we have uncovered a key moment in their history. Jerry Hardin does a marvelous job as Mark Twain, certainly capable of giving Hal Holbrook a run for his money and the significance of Data's head being buried for 500 years does have an interesting explanation. This is an enjoyable two-parter, but hardly a STNG classic.

Back on Earth
This two-parter was a great set! The plot line was ok, but the episode was totally made by the appearance of Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain, and the explination of Picard's and Guinan's relationship. I love any story when they are back on Earth.

Breathtaking
If you haven't seen Star Trek The Next Generation you're missing all the excitement.

I loved it!
I guess I loved it mainly because it features my three favorite characters: Brent Spiner(Data), Whoopie Goldberg(Ginen), and Patrick Stewart(Jean-Luc Picard). It is a suspensful story that keeps you on your seat. I have it on video already! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The holodeck needs a bit of maintenance, so the Enterprise checksin to Starbase 74 to allow some Bynars (beings who can speak in binary code and who sound like fax machines) to update the programming. While Riker doesn't trust the Bynars, he forgets all of his complaints when he tries out the holodeck. Setting himself up as a trombone player in a 1958 Bourbon Street bar, he meets up with a sultry brunette. "What's a knockout like you doing in a computer-generated gin joint like this?" is his none-too-subtle pickup line. Her reactions turn out to be more complex and more "human" than the program ever exhibited before, and when Picard walks in on the couple he is equally charmed. While they're lost in the holodeck program, theEnterprise starts to self-destruct. This forces an evacuation ofeverybody (except Riker and Picard) and an eventual hijacking of the ship. Thereasons behind the events are very smart, making this a nicely thought-outepisode, despite little things like Data learning to paint and Riker'smasturbatory fantasy. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (5)

"Believe it or not, Worf is developing a sense of humor."
A year before the Borg made their grand debut, the theme of interdependency between organic beings and technology was explored in "11001001." Even though the pale-skinned assimilators made more of a long-lasting impression, you gotta wonder why they never adopted the Bynars' strategy of duping Starfleet officers with attractive holograms - if this episode was any indication, it seemed like a pretty effective strategy to distract Starfleet officers.

The Enterprise-D arrives at Starbase 74 to have their computer system upgraded by the Bynars. The crew evacuates the ship when it appears that its magnetic containment field is on the verge of collapse. However, the emergency is actually a ruse staged by the Bynars so that they can steal the Enterprise. Yet, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) are still aboard. The two officers eventually regain control of the ship after pulling themselves away from an alluring hologram named Minuet (Carolyn McCormick).

There are some genuinely cool aspects to "11001001." It's great to see the exterior and interiors of Starbase 74 which rekindles memories of Spacedock from "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" (1984) and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" (1991) and it's great to see a replay of the auto-destruct moment from "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" (1969). Yet, the whole subplot revolving around Minuet is not totally convincing. You would think the captain and first officer of the Federation's flagship would notice that their ship is traveling at warp speed when it should not be doing so. Guess that Minuet must really have been far more radiant and captivating than it seemed on the small screen. Yet, in the final count, "11001001" is goofy fun and one of the more amusing outings among the first season efforts.

One of the gems of the inaugural season
Among the best shows of the first season was this very succinct and compact story of Riker meeting and falling for the woman of his dreams...with a twist. Although the storyline of Trek characters falling in love only to lose their loved one is an oft used plot device, the unusual background and setting for this episode rises above the mundane and entertains us supremely.

Arriving at a starbase, the crew is introduced to the Binars a computer-independent and androgynous alien race who will initiate some necessary repairs to the Enterprise. Most of the crew is granted shore leave during the interval with Riker somewhat inadvertently ending up on the holodeck immediately following some updates and enhancements implemented by the Binars. He designs a program to reflect a mid-20th century New Orleans jazz club where he meets an incredibly beautiful and sultry "woman" named Minuet. She instantly causes the first officer to fall head over heels in love with her and he all but completely forgets that she is a creation of the holodeck. During this time the crewmembers still present experience a ship wide emergency causing them to evacuate and the starship is then placed on autopilot to clear it's space dock. Only after the starship is gone a great distance does the crew at the starbase realize that someone is attempting to hijack the Enterprise - and that the captain, the first officer and the Binars are most likely still aboard.

'11001001' is a well-conceived episode that balances both ongoing plots expertly. The Binars were one of the most interesting alien races the Enterprise and crew encountered and it's a real shame they weren't brought back for additional appearances. Carolyn McCormick as Minuet is a knockout and it's easy to see why Riker would fall so hard for her; the writers constructed the ending of the show excellently, helping make the point that you fall in love with the illusion and the image not the person. Riker's conversation with Picard in the finale bears this out. Riker also has the best line in the show. When he checks in with Data he finds the second officer getting painting lessons from Geordi. Quickly thinking on his feet he tells them to keep notes on the session. Befuddled, Geordi asks him why. "A blind man teaching an android to paint? That's gotta' be worth a couple of lines in some historian's book," is Riker's smart reply!

I found an oddity in the story when I watched it recently. When Picard and Riker sense a problem they question Minuet about it and she explains she isn't programmed to give that information. Several minutes later they approach her again with the same question - and without hesitation she spills her guts this time! An oversight by the writers? Perhaps.

Some final notes: Gene Dynarski, who played one of the miners in the Star Trek original series episode 'Mudd's Women', becomes the first guest star to make separate appearances in the two different Trek series. The auto destruct sequence changes drastically between this show and the second season show titled 'Where Silence Has Lease'. Here it's observed that it is automatically set for five minutes and cannot be altered; in the latter episode Picard and Riker are allowed to choose a time limit.

Program Enhancement
Minuet and the Gin Joint Program Enhancements

The surprising aspect of this episode is that it wasn't only humans that programed the Enterprise. The Bynars make their first and last appearance in this segment. The Enterprise returns to star base for the Bynars to work on updating the programming. Supposedly each one of them works as part of the greater whole. Shades of the Borg mentality here. Wonder why they didn't help out the Federation? Well, they hijacked the big E to their planet were a supernova was set to destroy their master computer.

The crew is evacuated by a false warning. Riker and Picard are still on board. This is were it gets interesting.......Riker steps into a holodeck Jazz bar in New Orleans in the 20th century. Since the program is influenced by the Bynar everything has more "enhancement."...not the run of the mill shallow programs. When Riker asks for the perfect date it creates Minuet. Will Riker jumps into a relationship that can't last.

The Jazz Bar scenes and the abduction of the Enterprise by Bynar hive mind make this an unusual mix of drama and romance. Scenes of the Enterprise entering the star base were lifted from the effects shots from the movie the "Search for Spock."

Meanwhile, back on the holodeck . . . Gee, its Minuet!
If you think about how far computer technology has come in the last decade let alone the last half-century, can we even begin to imagine what the ship's computer on the Enterprise must be like. Most Star Trek episodes take the computer for granted, which makes "11001001" an exception to the rule. The Enterprise is at Starbase 74 for routine maintenance checks and computer upgrades, the latter being performed by the Bynars, a race that has attained an amazing high level of interconnectedness with the main computer on their home world. After enhancing the holodeck, the Bynars suggest Riker give it a try. Conjuring up a New Orleans jazz bar, Riker is confronted with a beautiful woman named Minute. Picard joins his First Officer and the two of them are both amazed and enchanted by the sophistication of her enhanced programming. It turns out this is all a diversionary tactic by the Bynars who have the ship's computer warn of an imminent warp engine explosion. After Data evacuates the ship, the problem suddenly disappears and the Enterprise warps away towards the Bynar's home world. Meanwhile, back in the holodeck, Picard and Riker suddenly realize they have been tricked.

"11001001" is the second Next Generation episode after "The Big Good-Bye" (Episode 13) to explore the nature of reality on the holodeck. The initial idea that it is a giant entertainment center that, in Picard's words, "has given us woodland and ski slopes, figures that fight, and fictional characters with whom we can interact," is gradually giving way to more philosophical concerns. In future episodes the notion of what constitutes a sentient being will be dealt with in terms of holodeck creations (e.g., Professor Moriarity), as well as with Data and various alternative life forms. This is the episode that really starts the series off in that particular direction as the show starts to create its own identity instead of trying to offer constant reminders of the original show.

I liked this Episode beacause it was very exciteing.
I liked the part where data gets a call on his comm//saying the magnettic grid was detiriorateing.Then they had to Evac.Ship with the captain and will in the holodeck. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Movie!! A Must for American Pie Fans!!
This is a great comedy about 3 college guys trying to pass their college exams with one will inherit a 50 million dollar fortune and three sexy ladies trying to make them fail.It's a must for American Pie Fans!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In his effort to experience what it's like to be human, Data hasinstalled a program to simulate dreams, but the program seems to have gone onthe fritz. He keeps having nightmares and oversleeping. In his dreams,there's a hole in one of the ship's walls that early 20th-century miners aremaliciously opening with their pickaxes, followed by a high-pitched whine.They notice Data and begin to disassemble him. In later dreams he sees Worfeating a piece of cellular peptide cake (with mint frosting), Dr. Crusherdrinking from a straw coming out of Commander Riker's head, and himself beingforced to cut a piece of cake made out of Counselor Troi, who screams whenthe knife enters her frosted shoulder. To solve this dilemma, he goes to theholodeck to talk to Sigmund Freud. Over in "reality," Geordi is havingtrouble bringing the new warp core online, while Captain Picard is secretlythankful that their troubles might make him miss a boring admiral's banquet.In this episode directed by Patrick Stewart, the holodeck Freud is more of acaricature than anything else, and begs the question of whether or not dreamtheory has advanced at all since the 20th century. The story pays off,however, when Data decodes the dream and discovers a deadly menace onboardthat he was only subliminally aware of. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

UGH! Did he say cellular peptide cake - with mint frosting?
Besides featuring some of the most effective and creepy images from the TNG series, 'Phantasms' is also one of the very best episodes to focus on Data. The sixth season of ST: TNG had a number of episodes with dark themes and disturbing images and this show seems to have been created in its aftermath. In the sixth season's two-parter 'Birthright' Data experienced a surreal vision that turned out to be part of a dream program he had been unaware was installed. That storyline resurfaces here and is dealt with in much more depth and provides us with a good mystery also.

Since Data's dream program initiated several months ago he has had 111 dreams before experiencing his first nightmare, and a rather unsettling one at that. Both Geordi and then later Troi tell him it is only natural to occasionally experience fantastic and upsetting images during dreams; that evening however he has a similar disturbing dream and then suddenly finds himself being awakened by Troi, Geordi and Worf because he has overslept - a programming impossibility that further perplexes him. Data then begins having waking dreams and in a catatonic state attacks Troi, stabbing her right shoulder several times before Riker and Worf fortunately intervene. Remembering nothing about the incident Data is confined to quarters while a solution is developed; during Troi's recovery in Sick Bay Beverly detects the presence of interphasic creatures feeding on the cellular peptide of humans. Picard and Geordi deduce that there is a connection between the dreams Data is having and the presence of the alien species. Using the holodeck to implement Data's dream as a projected image Picard, Geordi and Data find the solution to the problem - with somewhat of an assist from a holographic Sigmund Freud!

The opening sequence to 'Phantasms' is an immediate attention grabber. The use of the wide-angle lens is a telling tool that informs you instantly of the surreal nature of the episode; the dream sequence that unfolds is quite shocking with Data being literally ripped apart before he bolts wide awake in his quarters. Each of the following dream sequences gets more horrifying and outrageous causing a sense of trauma within Data. Though he is unable to experience fear he is acutely aware of his instability and that is conveyed superbly in the scenes where he attempts to either understand or explain his nightmares. Troi as a cake, Beverly sucking fluid out of Riker's head through a straw, Worf eating cellular peptide cake (with mint frosting), Data having a mid 20th century telephone inside his chest and Sigmund Freud insisting to Picard he should "Kill zem! Kill zem all!" are all truly memorable providing shocks and laughs. The use of Freud in this episode is inspired even though it does seem he would be out-of-sync with 24th century scientific thought. The sideline stories dealing with Picard desiring to avoid attending the dreadfully boring Admiral's Ball and Geordi having to gratuitously accept the admiration of a young female ensign come off very well also. 'Phantasms' was one of four shows to deal primarily with Data during the seventh and final season, the others being 'Inheritance', 'Thine Own Self' and 'Masks'. In an unusually weak season of TNG these episodes provided a much-needed shot of adrenaline for the series' many discriminating and demanding fans.

"A good cat. And a pretty cat."
Data finds himself very worried as he starts experiencing nightmares, but no-one takes his concerns seriously. When a strange discovery threatens the lives of the Enterprise's crew, it seems that Data's dreams may hold the key to saving everyone. But can they figure out what is going on in time?
The director did a good job in bringing a dream-like quality to many of the scenes in this episode, and all the dream imagery played out nicely in the real world. But the scene in the turbolift that was meant to be shocking wasn't half so scary as it should have been, and there were too many unanswered questions. There were some good comic touches in this episode, though, particularly those involving Worf, Data, and Spot.
One final note: Counsellor Troi got it wrong yet again! And I think they all owed Data an apology for not taking him seriously.

Can Sigmund Freud helps Data save the Enterprise crew?
The Enterprise has a new warp core installed and Data has activated a new program that allows him to dream. The only problem is his dreams are basically nightmares: Counselor Troi is some sort of sheet cake and Worf is eating a piece from her left shoulder. When he is awake, Data sees a mouth on Troi's shoulder and stabs her in an attempt to remove it. Dr. Crusher tends to the wound and notices an odd rash surrounding the area. Further tests reveal strange creatures are feeding on Troi's cellular peptides. Crusher discovers the Enterprise is infested with the creatures, which are feeding on the crew. However, because they exist interphasically, they canot be seen except with an interphasic scanner. Meanwhile, Data has been on the holodeck explaining his dreams to Sigmund Freud...

"Phantasms" is one of the most bizarre STNG episodes, mainly because of Data's strange dreams and the weird little creatures munching on the crew. Aside from that, this is an average strange mystery for the crew to solve by putting together all the clues type episode. What stands out is Data's session with Dr. Freud (and their discussion of the symbolic meaning of cigars) and Data's instructions to Worf on how to feed Spot the cat. Oh, and of course, Troi as a cake (an homage to Tom Petty's classic music video?).

Psycho without the shower scene . . .
Man! Data can be downright frightening when he wants to be! In his dreams, everyone's favorite android cuts a slice out of a cake that looks like Deanna Troi. Mere hours later, he begins cutting into the REAL Deanna Troi with a knife--a detached, blank look in his eyes the ENTIRE time! We are now entering . . . the Twilight Zone.

As an aside, this episode gives some indication that Deanna's not a big fan of Sigmund Freud. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the most distinctly creepy characters ever to appear on The X-Files, Donnie Pfaster is a guy with a few personal issues. Fired after his funeral director boss catches him clipping the hair from a corpse, Donnie begins to pursue his real interests in earnest. His escalating fetish leads him to seek out new, living victims, despite Mulder and Scully's attempts to stop him.

Sporting the funniest opening sequence in the show's history, Die Hand Die Verletzt tells the story of a small town with very singular religious practices. When teenagers begin to be murdered, Mulder and Scully investigate the locals' claims of witchcraft, but find instead a number of unexplained occurrences that defy the laws of nature and evidence of possible misconduct by the local school's officials. This lighthearted yet disturbing episode exposes the true nature of substitute teachers and demonstrates the repercussions of becoming lax in certain faiths. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Snake's Touching
Irresistible & DHDV are two of the best episodes from the second season, the even better being Little Green Men, The Host & Humbug. Die Hand..is very creepy and has a nice scene with a snake strangling and later eating a man. It's also the last episode written by Glen Morgan & James Wong, before taking a break from the third season, and returning in the fourth with the sick "Home". Once again they're showing us to be two of the most original & absorbing writers, dealing with a fragrant subject for an X-file, satanism. The unusual practisings being a bunch of secretive school inspectors, another feature of the well-known black humor. A mystical woman with a snake's eye & organs in her deskdraw, is also doing her part of the tricks, and it all gets more exciting.

Irresistible presents a real weirdo, perfectly acted by Nick Chinlund (Billy Bedlam, Con Air) When you hear this psycho talk, you know something isn't right about him. He's also a deadly fetishist, collecting hair and nails from his victims. Cutting off their fingers, when starts killing on his own, instead of only picking on dead people. The episode is extraordinary, because of the much emotion it adds to the character of Scully. Making her very fragile, when hitting her weak spot. Gillian Anderson is credible here, & I like the last scene where she really let go of all her feelings in front of Mulder. Besides being suspenseful and riveting, it's also the first episode not dealing with the paranormal. A thing the X-files also needs sometimes.

Two X-Cellent Episodes That I Could Watch Over And Over
As a major fan of the X-Files, I must say these are two of the greatest episodes of the X-Files ever. 'Irresistable' is incredibly creepy.. In that wonderful X-Files way! The acting is amazing, Gillian Anderson portrays a more vulnerable Scully than we usually see. Her acting in this episode is simply superb. And the guy who plays Donnie Pfaster is also very talented, he brings the character to life as a creepy, creepy guy. Creepy is why we love the X-Files, and this episode is plenty creepy. At the end, there is tender, beautiful scene with Mulder and Scully. It isn't to sappy, it can be enjoyed by both No-Romos and Shippers like myself. It is also the first in a sequence of two episodes about Donnie Pfaster, the death fetishist. He comes back in Season 7, to go after Scully yet again. I guess the thought he was such a great character that they had to bring him back. One of my favorite episodes ever.

Die Hand Die Verletzt is also a superb episode. It is creepy, and at times funny too. It does get dark for a while, and it's not happy go lucky, although it does involve raining toads, water going down the drain the wrong way, and one *big* snake. Not to mention a weird PTA and an even weirder substitute teacher.

I could watch both of these episodes hundreds of times, no exaggaration. They are amazing, and I highly recommend them. You don't even need too much background on the series to see them. Actually, you don't really need any! Great episodes for new-comers to the series or old fans. It all comes down to two words.. BUY IT!

A Must See for any X-Files Fan!
I've got to say, of all the X-Files episodes available on video, Die Hand Die Verletzt is one of the best episodes ever besides The Host, Niesi and 731. Irresistible is okay too. In that episode, several mutilated bodies make Mulder and Scully think of alien attacks, while the real culprit is a man who collects the hair and body parts of young women. This is a pretty sick episode, but its still quite fun to watch. Die Hand Die Verletzt is about a group of New Hampshire teenagers who stumble upon what looks like an altar. When one of the teens jokingly summons "dark spirits" his words actually do conjour up some black magic and soon people in the town start dying. I love that giant snake that swallows Lisa's father alive. Get these episodes and avoid getting Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose.

Wicked and Nasty X
Season 2 of X Files had plenty of great shows, two of the better/best ones are included here and both dabble with the creepy and scary aspects of the dark side.

IRRISISTABLE has our intrepid FBI duo traveling to chilly Minnesota and learn that a grave desecration thought to be done by aliens is actually the work of a morbid cosmetologist with a penchant for young women's hair and other body parts. Mulder faces impossible odds at finding the sicko in Minneapolis but at the same time he must deal with the fact that Scully's strong independence is permitting her from expressing to Mulder that she is terrified of the foe they seek.

I am not a shipper (Non X fans, this is a person who likes to see involvement in Mulder and Scully's personal lives together) but the penultimate scene to this episode with Mulder and Scully is very special nor is it sappy in the least, and I applaud the writers and actors for pulling it off well. In the whole series, it is one of if not my most favorite scenes.

DIE HAND DER VERLETZT is a step deeper into darkness where some New England highschoolers are trying to impress their girlfriends with they're "dark powers" and may have accidentally conjured up more then they could chew when everybody starts noticing odd changes in town particularly when the school kids start dying and acting strange. Mulder and Scully step in to investigate the mayhem and may end up the victims of a town's dirty secret.

This isn't an episode for the meek or timid as some rather unpleasant goings on are abundant. Anyone else though have fun, especially trying to figure out what part and what character Mrs. Paddock, substitute teacher has in the show.

Up for a fun evening with nasty things going on? By all means pick up this chapter in the X Files second season.

Creepy!
Irresistible was so freaky! I was terrified when Scully was in the house with Donny Pfaster! But the episode also had some funny bits (How Pfaster had all the different shampoos). Overall, one of my favorite episodes! Die Hand Die Verletzt wasn't as scary as it was spooky. The snake was so neat! Little touches (Water running counterclock wise, the frogs, e.t.c.) kept you wondering what exactly was happening. The opening scene, where the PTA starts muttering a satanic prayer, was kind of funny in a sick, morbid way. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Pacing Is Slow - But Situations Are Funny.
KISS ME GUIDO is one of those off beat movies that has a kick to it. It's funny, it's charming and it has a lot of sass to it. It stars Nick Scotti (Bullet, Detroit Rock City) as a straight Italian lover who thinks an add with GWM in it means 'Guy With Money' instead of what it really means which is 'Gay White Male'.

He then befriends this gay man looking for a roommate to help paying bills played by Anthony Barrile (Sinatra, Hamburger Hill) who has an ex-lover (Played by Craig Chester (Frisk, Bumping Heads) )who has a new boyfriend actor (Played by Christopher Lawford (Exit Wounds, Thirteen Days) ) who is about to put on a play production.

Guido is an actor who has no talent in the people skills area but seems to have a natural affinity for 'gay' acting roles until he realizes he must, and has to, kiss a man. The rest is pure comedy. From the straight laced strict Catholic Italian families of New York to the stereo typical 'Queens' of gay New York City

The movie made me chuckle and chuckle many times. Cleverly directed by Tony Vitale (Very Mean Men, Jungle Juice) the films makes you believe anything is possible. Fun and charming - all the way around. ...

It made me laugh so hard it hurt haha
A lot of people don't really know of this movie. It's not a movie for everyone and it may not be the best gay movie but I sure loved it. I couldn't stop laughing because of the characters' personalities. The land lord Meryl is one of my favorites and Tony's brother is someone you love to hate. God, just give this movie a chance. It's worth at least one time of watching.

Not the Best Gay Movie
Frankie is a slightly dense Italian working in a New York pizzeria while dreaming of becoming a famous actor. When he discovers his brother screwing his girlfriend, he impulsively decides to leave the family business and pursue his dream. He finds an ad in the newspaper for a GWM seeking a roommate. Frankie assumes GWM stands for "guy with money" and moves in with no questions asked. It doesn't take long for even the dim-witted Frankie to realize that his new roomie Warren is gay. The homophobic Frankie is horrified and wants to move out, but can't afford to find another place, so the two must learn to overcome their differences and get along. Can they pull it off? And could they possibly even become friends in the process?

This movie is based on so many stereotypes and rather flimsy plot premises, that I don't really know where to start. Italians and gays are both parodied in a well-meaning if unremarkable script. It's not a horrible movie; it's just not a particularly good one either.

Interestingly, CBS tried to turn this movie into a sitcom called "Some of My Best Friends" starring Jason Batemen as Warren, but a weak movie idea makes an even weaker TV show, and it quickly flopped.

Can a straight Bronx man live with a clean gay man?
After catching his brother having sex with his girlfriend, Frankie (Nick Scotti) is upset (no marriage now) and feels he must move out of Brooklyn. He ends up in a room-for-rent situation. So he decides to live with Warren (Anthony Barrile). He later finds out Warren is gay. But Frankie is a straight Bronx, a Guido. Both are in a financial situation and the apartment is nice, so Frankie stays the night. Can this odd couple possibly live together and make it work? Watch out for that landlord (Molly Price, NBC tv-series "Third Watch") She's a ball-buster. Followed by the short-lived CBS tv-series, "Some of My Best Friends" (2001), starring Jason Bateman and Danny Nucci.

My Favorite Movie!
A Witty, Entertaining Movie.
Have shown it to many friends and family to the delight of all.
Rent & watch this movie...you will come back here to buy it for your collection. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Ole!
La Bamba is one of my top 25 favorite films. Lou Diamond Phillips comes across for real. I was surprised when I saw a picture of the real Ritchie Valens. I had forgotten what he looked like (when I was a teenager). Lou doesn't look like him, but who cares? This is a great suspension of disbelief.

Esai Morales doing a great job as the troubled brother Bob. it is easy to feel his pain. And it is almost impossible to tell the difference between Los Lobos' rendition of the title song and the original Ritchie version. The hint is in those couple of seconds of silence that Los Lobos does near the end. And then there are those excellent imitations of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Jackie Wilson and others.

The DVD has two feature-length commentaries that are worth listening to. Beyond this, I have also turned on the Spanish-language track and watched the film a few times that way. If you have some understanding of both languages, it helps to show how they get the nuances across it slightly different ways.

One of the best rock biopics ever.
I saw La Bamba the other night for the first time in many years, and was delighted to see how well it had held up. Of the many tragedies in the history of rock, there are few more bitterly poignant than that of Ritchie Valens, and director Luis Valdez makes us feel the full force of the tragedy. He makes us love not only Ritchie (Lou Diamond Phillips) but also his supportive mother Connie (Rosana De Soto) and his troubled brother Bob (Esai Morales), then ends the film as he should, on a note of raw, unmitigated grief. On the way to the tragic end, however, we also get marvelous recreations of vintage rock songs by Los Lobos, Brian Setzer, Marshall Crenshaw, Howard Huntsberry and others. Seeing La Bamba again brings up a smaller tragedy: why Phillips, Morales and De Soto didn't become bigger stars, as they clearly deserved to become from their performances in this movie. Only Phillips came at all close to stardom, and for every step forward he took--his change-of-pace villainous role in Courage Under Fire, his Broadway triumph in the revival of The King and I--he took two steps back with some straight-to-video flick. But in any case you can still see them in La Bamba, and laugh, cry, and applaud.

fantastic
I love this film!! after being introduced to it by my older sister i have never looked back!!! Lou diamond Phillips is amazing as Ritchie Valens and Esai Morales is equally great!!! the supporting cast helps what is already a fab film become a classic!! The soundtrack is great and the end music that they play in the final scenes makes it so emotional. The film really reminds us what a loss it is when someone as talented as Ritchie Valens was dies so young... The film has never stopped making me cry and i am sure i will continue to love this film.. it is a timeless piece which is a fitting tribute to one of Rock n Roll's finest!

Good but it has major problems too
Film needed more period flavor. What's with Ritchie's brother Bob's hairdo? Too 80's. Also, the film gets goofy towards the end with the Big Bopper going around saying "Hello Baby" to everyone and a weak performance by Marshall Crenshaw(Sp?) as Buddy Holly.

all musicians should see this
this movie is about late 50s rock n roller ritchie valens who along with buddy holly and the big bopper died in a plane crash ritchie was an amazing talent with a beautiful voice he was only 17 lu diamond phillips does such a wonderful job portraying how hard it was coming up as a latino in the 50s and how ritchie loved a whitegirl but her parents wouldnt let them be together but they found ways anyway and he was going to propise to her before he got killed this movie has alot of great moments and music by the band labamba youll end up crying once u realize what a musical loss ritchie valanz buddy holley and the big bopper were to that generation and generations after all musicians should buy this dvd right away if u havent seen it u owe it to these founders of rock n roll ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) gets what seems to him an unpleasant surprise when the Klingon emissary beamed aboard the Enterprise on an urgent mission turns out to be his old girlfriend, K'Ehleyr (Suzie Plakson), who is half-Klingon, half-human. She's there to help the Enterprise intercept a Klingon warship, which has been in a cryogenic sleep for almost a century. They've been gone long enough that crew members don't know that Klingons are at peace with the Federation--sort of the equivalent of Japanese soldiers on remote Pacific Islands who never heard that World War II was over. K'Ehleyr's job is to convince these warriors that they are no longer at war. While she's waiting for them to show up, she has enough time to ruffle Worf's feathers by trying to rekindle their old feelings.

Plakson has a delightfully tart way with her lines, which work well at needling the usually implacable Worf. Interestingly, K'Ehleyr is the one pushing for the couple to get down--but then bridles at the notion that, by mating for the sheer fun of it, they are bound for life. Traditionalist Worf, by contrast, can't imagine having sex without commitment--which just goes to show the difference between humans and Klingons. Plakson--as K'Ehleyr--would show up in a later episode, with the child produced by this encounter. Unfortunately, the interpersonal moments consume so much time that, when the Klingon ship finally appears, the tension in that encounter winds up feeling perfunctory. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Worf gets his first command, the chair is comfortable
The Enterprise is diverted to intercept a small vehicle that contains a Klingon emissary (K'Ehleyr). She is half-human and half-Klingon and is a former lover of Worf's. The Enterprise is being sent to intercept a Klingon warship that was in cryogenic sleep for over a century. When the crew was placed in stasis, the Federation and the Klingon Empire were at war, so their standing orders are to fire on any Federation outpost. The emissary and Worf both tell Captain Picard that he must destroy the Klingon ship, as they will never surrender. Picard does not accept this, asking his command crew to find an alternative other than destroying the ship.
Meanwhile, Worf and K'Ehleyr renew their relationship, albeit after some initial hostility based on problems with their parting. However, Worf wants to make their union permanent, something that K'Ehleyr rejects. Worf is of course upset at this, but it has a positive result, in that it causes him to come up with an alternative that will spare both ships. By donning the full regalia of a Klingon commander Worf assumes command of the Enterprise and orders the Klingon captain to surrender or be destroyed. After some hesitation, the Klingon captain surrenders and further violence is avoided.
This is one of the better episodes in the series, although quite frankly, the reappearance of old lovers is a plot line that is growing stale. The Federation and the Klingon empire cover thousands of cubic light years, millions of creatures are no doubt in their respective fleets and yet everyone is always encountering old lovers. I am restricted to only one tiny segment of one planet, some old flames live within twenty miles of where I do and yet I encounter them by accident once every ten years. For those with similar interests, it rises to about once every five years. With so much diversity in the universe and the enormous amount of territory to explore, the stories would be better if the old flame-returning theme was dropped in favor of something a bit more original.

klignons do have a sense of humor!
I really do love the character of worf's girlfriend, she added an interesting twist to the episode. I believe that the show would've been a bit slow in the plot without her. Love her outfits and the way she bounces back at worf. its worth seeing!

Some calisthenics programs are better than others....
That was Kehlyr's response to Worf's coldness after their holodeck rondevous. That one-liner is typical of the chemistry & dynamics of the episode. While the sci-fi side of the plot may have been a little thin, the personal side & character developement was hot. As a long time trekkie, this is one of my all time favorite episodes from all the series. And guys, the romantic twist makes it a great one to watch with your sweetie. :^)

Worf has a romantic past--and quite a romantic future
"The Emissary" in question is K'Ehleyr, a half-Klingon and half-Human warrior who once upon a time was involved with Worf. Apparently at some point in the past when Worf was being raised by his human foster parents he managed to get to Klingon where he hooked up with K'Ehleyr because they were probably both scorned by the "real" Klingons (In other words, this episode is filling in more chunks of Worf's back story). K'Ehleyr briefs the Enterprise crew on their new mission: A Klingon ship is returning from a secret mission with a crew that has been in suspended animation, meaning they still think their Empire is at war with the Federation. Once they wake up, they will start attacking Federation outposts. While K'Ehleyr could make it there on a probe with all the details of the mission, the nearest Klingon ship is somehow days away. K'Ehleyr's recommendation after traveling so fast and so far (in a probe, no less) is to destroy the Klingon ship. Of course, Captain Picard has other ideas.

It is ironic that of all the characters in the Star Trek universe, Worf ends up being the romantic one. I mean, think about it: he ends up having a long-term relationship with Deanna Troi and ends up marrying Jadzia Dax. Romance on Star Trek usually consists of one-episode stands (Kirk and Edith Keeler, Picard and Kamala, Data and Tasha) or unrequited love (Spock and Nurse Chapel, Kira and Odo, Seven of Nine and the Doctor). There have been a few long term pairings (Tom Paris and B'Elanna), but Worf had two and ended up getting married (which puts him up on Sisko who did get married but only because his wife died in the DS9 pilot). So here is our first look at Worf as a lover as well as a fighter, although apparently Klingons manage to combine the two. This is not an important episode for Worf's character, but it certainly sets up one (Episode 81, "Reunion"). Certainly Michael Dorn gets a chance to show Worf's softer side (remember, he's a Klingon, so this is a relative issue) and Suzie Plakson as K'Ehleyr seems eminently capable of going toe-to-toe with the big fellow. They certainly have Klingon chemistry.

Give Worf a Girlfriend
In this episode a Federation ambassador is being sent to the Enterprise inside of a probe case for speed. A Klingon sleeper-ship from the 23rd century is about to awaken it's crew who will still believe the Federation and the Klingons are at war.

While the premise for this episode is weak, Suzie Plakson plays K'Ehleyr very well. She is the perfect foil to Worf and it is easy to see why they fell for each other. However the idea that the Klingons would have a ship full of sleeping Klingons ready to fight the Federation at some future point seemed a stretch to me. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

CLASSIC HOKUM
Although this flick is essentially sheer hokum, THE CHAMP was made with such superb professionalism in all departments that it achieved record business in depression - stricken 1931; it also gave Wallace Beery and screenwriter Frances Marion Academy Awards. It was M-G-M's biggest smash hit of the year. This third ideal role Marion wrote for Beery was that of a broken-down boxer who made a comeback for the sake of his idolising son, Jackie Cooper. The nine-year-old graduate from OUR GANG got even praise from the critics - and audible sobbing from audiences! The great director, King Vidor, extracted genuine pathos from both stars and there is also good work from the likes of Roscoe Ates, Irene Rich and Hale Hamilton.

An old-time favourite
Take a sentimental journey but don't forget to bring your Kleenex! This old time film classic will transport you right back to the 30's like few else can. As a kid I remember waiting up til 11 o'clock at night to see the Late Show or even the Late Late Show just to see Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper....who said big girl's don't cry? DMM ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Faerie Tale Theatre: The Nightingale
Mick Jagger stars as the Emperor of Cathay in this beautiful and lavish production from Faerie Tale Theatre. It's one of the most touching faerie tales, and it turns out to be one of the best episodes from this series. Jagger turns in an excellent performance as the Emperor, and Barbara Hershey is absolutely charming as the loyal kitchen maid. A spellbinding episode that is one of my favourites.

Sweet and affecting
Mick Jagger stars as the Emperor of Cathay in THE NIGHTINGALE, FAERIE TALE THEATRE'S great new telling of the tale.

He is quite good in his acting role here, although one can't help thinking that someone more suitable could have been found, considering the series' impeccable casting in all its productions.

Barbara Hershy plays the Little Kitchen Maid who opens the Emperor's heart by bringing him the magical Nightingale, who is voiced by Shelly Duvall (creator and producer of the series).

Also featured are Mako and Edward James Olmos. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Jaime Pressly is the only feature here
Jaime Pressly is a knockout, but that's about as far as the movie goes for interest. She's a young woman who returns to a home where her mother had an affair with the father of a family when Jaime was a child. Supposedly her mother's life was ruined by the family after the affair was compromised and Jaime holds the family responsible. So she's up to some evil tricks for revenge. It's fairly erotic and Jaime Pressly is worth seeing. Not a lot of difference between the "R" and "Unrated" version (both available on the same DVD). What's hilarious is the "letterbox" mode that only imposes black bands on the upper and lower sections of the screen, there's no actual change in the ratio of the screen, except that the upper and lower sections are covered to create a letterbox format. Best to watch in the full-screen mode.

A sexy, fun movie
I was incredibly surprised by this movie. After having endured and zapped countless, boring Cinemax-like erotic thrillers, it was great to see one that is extremely sexy, intelligent, witty and fun. Jaime Pressly is absolutely stunning as the girl out to avenge her mother. Her performance is also outstanding, a great balancing act between being a teenager, a femme fatale, but all this done in a tongue in cheek way. By the way, her nude scenes are jaw dropping.
The movie also has fun with itself, playing with many of the genre's clichés. All in all, a great surprise.
The DVD contains the R-rated and unrated versions, as if anybody would want to see an R-rated version. It contains no extras. It would have been great to have seen behind the scenes footage and interviews with the cast and director. Still, a great buy.

Greg and Jamie
Greg Vaughn was so hot in this movie. His facial expressions and body are great. He doesn't look too hot now on GH, bad casting for character Lucky Spencer :( Jamie is soo hot. She has a great body. In this movie you get to see Jamie and Greg nude!

The joke is on me
Picked up a used copy of this DVD and didn't look carefully--I fully assumed I was taking home the original "Poison Ivy" with Drew Barrymore and Sara Edwards. As I now know, this edition of "Poison Ivy" brings the Violet character (lovely Jaime Pressly) into the lives of banker Michael Des Barres (Ivan) and tennis star Megan Edwards (Joy), who's eager to please a hard to please dad. Violet is returning to her childhood home a decade into the future and carries considerable baggage from her past--which is intertwined with the aforementioned characters.

Although the first "Poison Ivy" wasn't exactly "Citizen Kane," it did feature fine performances by Barrymore and Edwards. Not in this bomb, however. There's nothing mysterious whatsoever about this flick--it's clear that Pressly is on her way to seducing and/or killing each member of the family. This is supposed to be an erotic flick, but because there's nothing remotely sexy in Violet's mannerisms and actions, the sex scenes are ice cold. Eventually the maid gets wise to Violet, but it's too late for her. Ditto for Joy's boyfriend (whom Violet has already seduced). Ditto, eventually, for Ivan (whom Violet has already seduced). But what's truly ridiculous is the ending. There's no point in going into it--suffice it to say that it makes no sense whatsoever and completely sinks this wretched film.

There are rabid five-star reviews for this film, and I have no doubt that most of them came from the enjoyment of Jaime Pressly in the buff. I understand--but it is possible, guys, to make good movies with steamy sex scenes. Takes good directing and acting. This has neither.

Oh, yeah--if it's worth anything to you, you can watch both the R-rated version and the unrated version on this DVD.

DAMN!
I didn't give this movie five stars for Oscar-winning performances. Yes the cast does do an okay job, but Jaime Pressly's flawless body steals the show. Like I said, DAMN! So, if you're looking for a deep, thought-provoking movie look esle-where, but if you wanna see a great T&A flick this is the one. ...