Reviews (68)

A Stirring, Emotional Portrayl of Bitter Times in China
"To Live" was the first Asian film I saw and awed me tremendously. The film is truly a piece of cinematic art. Its acting is supurb - of all the Zhang Yimou films I have seen (four or five) this is the best acted. Gong Li and You Ge give fabulous performances, with excellent body language and characterization.

The story, like Chen Kaige's "Farewell My Concubine" (also a portrayl of Chinese history, with more emphasis on the people than the history), follows people through the Communist Revolution, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution, all highly influential events in Modern Chinese history. (If you are unfamiliar with these events, the first is when the Communists took over China; the GLF is when the country tried to increase production through very extreme measures and failed horribly; the Cultural Revolution was an entire social reorganization aimed to stir up the passions of the people and to weed out Capitalists.)

Anyhoo, the people are Jiazhen (Gong Li) and Fugui (You Ge), husband and wife. In the beginning, Fugui bets away his entire family fortune, which eventually saves them from being labelled Capitalists by the Communists. More events transpire - including two tragic deaths that could have destroyed Jiazhen and Fugui's family for good - until finally thirty years of revolution and tragedy bring them to the 1970's.

In addition to the beauty of the film, the soundtrack by Zhao Jiping is incredible, and almost makes me cry from its sheer power.

This film is truly a winner!

An illustration of a will to live/survive
To Live takes place mid century in China just after the second world war. The story line follows the Xu family and the hardships that befalls them.

It illustrates to what lengths people had to adapt and convert to in order to survive under Communist rule (especially during the cultural revolution). Old friends and even family had to form divisive lines between themselves in order to save themselves from possible prosecution.

The acting and the interactions of the three main protagonists Li Gong, You Ge and Deng Fei are masterful and stirring. To Live is as good a film representing that time period as any other. Definitely on the same plateau as Farewell My Concubine

Stunning; poignant
I have shown this film to my English students after having read Dai Sijie's book, BALZAC AND THE LITTLE CHINESE SEAMSTRESS, because of the portrayal of communism and the effects of the Chinese "cultural revolution". While it at first appears to be loaded with communist propoganda, it becomes apparent by the end of the film that it is an outspoken criticism of Mao and this harsh period of recent Chinese history.

Aside from the political overtones, this is also a masterful study of overcoming loss and adversity that transcends cultural or political boundaries. While my students almost invariably complain about the subtitles at the beginning of the showing, by the end, they have been completely drawn in, and are laughing and crying on cue. If this isn't the true test of a great flick, I don't know what is.

A masterpiece, and one that everyone should see.

Disappointment
This film completely butchers, rearranges, and rewerites an incredibly moving novel. I suggest that you read the book first.

6 Stars +
To Live is a masterful project and deserves the best praises for foreign cinema. It touches every emotion possible in its depiction of one family's faults and successes; life as it might have been in the midst of political chaos. To Live maps the losses and gains of Fugui and Jiazhen--an average young couple moving through China. It's difficult to discuss the turns and movement without spoiling the movie. However, I will say the couple we encounter in the 1940s and end with in the 1960s is triumphant and tells a story never to be forgotten. Highly Recommended!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Jeepers !!!!
I can't say anything bad about a movie with Merle Haggard, Joi Lansing, Lon Chaney,Basil Rathborne, JohnCarradine, and Molly Bee. So what if has little or no plot and some bad corny country humor and a man in a goriila suit......I'd sooner watch this than most of latest so-called country music crap

Yahoo
Mix horror-greats Lon Chaney Jr. and John Carradine with the lovely Lansing and some good country music and you have a fun movie. Thanks to miserably poor acting by Ferlin Huskey's sidekick (Huskey is no actor either), a man in a gorilla suit and continuity errors worse than "Plan Nine from Outer Space" and the unintentional humor makes this much more fun. Watch midnight turn instantly to noon and back again. The slender and loopy haunted house/spy plot is all part of the fun. Buy this one for repeat viewings.

I'd rather eat green road apples in July than see this again
Hey ya'll. Yessa yessa, this film is scraping the bottom of the cider barrel. Although the voluptious 'Boots Malone' and the Oriental chick with the constant pearl necklace give some great eye candy, this film takes a nose dive shortly after the opening credits. I like the car though, it seems to have been made with over 30 handguns and rifles.

Not much to say here some country singers playing honest to goodness country entertainers wind up staying the night in a house that everyone in town believes is haunted. It's not, it's run by spies or something masterminded by the hot Asian chick, who also has Lou Chaney Jr. (aka The Wolf Man) as a henchman. There is also the skinny, corpse like dude who floats around the movie like a ghastly fart.

The directing is imaginative with the dream sequences. This movie also pulls in country acts by showing them on the television. Yeah right, way to break up a non-existant plot. Even if you like old time country Hee Haw music, this movie is a stretch.

Merle Haggard vs. John Carradine!
"Hillbillies in a Haunted House" is a sequel to "Las Vegas Hillbillies" and is one of the most entertaining Country and Western monster musicals ever made. Ferlin Husky, Don Bowman, and Joi Lansing are an act on their way to the Nashville Jamboree who decide to spend the night in a haunted house, where they meet up with, among others, Linda Ho, Basil Rathbone, Lon Chaney, a Gorilla, and best of all, the always cheery John Carradine. Along the way there are many country songs (including one truly dreadful number by Joi all about the history of gowns...) some of which are good, and some of which aren't. I loved "The Cat Came Back", and was amused by the extremely youthful Merle Haggard cameos.

There is a conspiracy involving an agency named M.O.T.H.E.R. and a villain named Dr. Fu. There is a guy in a gorilla suit (George Barrows, perhaps?) Best of all is the television broadcast that Jeepers watches to help him go to sleep in which the hilariously scowling faces of the villains haunt poor Jeepers while a bad C&W song is being performed. Needless to say, John Carradine wins the contest for chewing the scenery. His scowls and eyebrow twitches never fail to make me laugh. There are silly subplots about spies and the like, and homage is paid to Ed Wood in the 'timeless' day/night location shots (and continuity gaffes of positively Woodsian proportions.)

Finally arriving in Nashville, the last fifteen or so minutes of the film are good old C&W stage acts like Merle Haggard, Sonny James, Molly Bee, and Marcella Wright.

If you like Country music, particularly the vintage stuff, or you just like goofy, nonsensical movies that make you laugh, though sometimes you aren't sure why, this film is for you.

A JOI TO BEHOLD!!
If you don't have a serious bone in your body, you'll love this 'so-bad-it's-good' movie. It's a follow-up to LAS VEGAS HILLBILLYS with some of the original characters. Ferlin Husky is 'Woody Wetherbee' again...but this time around, the beautiful Joi Lansing takes on Mamie Van Doren's role of 'Boots Malone.' This is an update of one of those Bela Lugosi/East Side Kids/Ghosts-On-The-Loose-type old dark house movies but with country music and film making from the school of Ed Wood Jr. There are the Ed Wood 'confusion between day and night' shots, boom mike shadows, a graveyard at the back of the house resembling the one in "Plan 9" as Richard Webb (TVs Captain Midnight) hides behind a very skinny branch to see Lon Chaney Jr emerge from the crypt. We have a gorilla on the loose and Oriental spies/villains with names like Madam Wong and Dr. Fu. Great dialog, too. Example- Madam Wong (after seeing a kidnapped, bound and gagged Joi Lansing in the cellar)to John Carradine:"YOU IDIOT!" John Carradine:"THE GORILLA DID IT!" The last 15 minutes of the movie consist of great country music acts from the mid 60s. Merle Haggard does the classic "Swingin' Doors" and Molly Bee (looking a bit like a young Connie Stevens in a sequined cowboy hat) does "Heartbreak U.S.A." Sonny James appears earlier for a couple of numbers and the delectable Joi sings her heart out with "Full-Time Lover." (Joi can also be found as an extra feature on Something Weirds 'Horrors Of Spider Island' DVD. It's a Scopitone juke box film short called "Web Of Love" and is worth the price of the disc alone). Buy this DVD now and put it on your shelf next to "ROAD TO NASHVILLE" and "LAS VEGAS HILLBILLIES." Good fun at a good price! Thanks Amazon. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

The King of Cool Returns! (In A Kilt!)
I have a few hard-and-fast movie viewing rules, and one that's NEVER let me down is this: Any movie with Samuel L. Jackson is worth seeing. Formula 51 is no exception.

Mr. Jackson (The coolest cat in movies today) plays Elmo McElroy, a Pharmacological genius who has been trapped in a state of indentured servitude for 30 years, toiling away making designer drugs for sleazebag drug-kingpin The Lizard (Played by the extra-crispy Meat Loaf). He's created a perfectly legal drug, (Made from ordinary household objects) which he calls POS-51, supposedly 51 times more potent than Heroin and Cocaine. After breaking loose from The Lizard, Elmo makes his way to Liverpool to sell the formula on his own, and finally start living the good life. Unfortunately, The Lizard has sent assassin Dawn/Dakota (The adorable Emily Mortimer) after him; First to kill him, later to keep him safe until he can coerce him into giving up the formula. THEN kill him....

The film plays like a hybrid of Quentin Tarentino, Monty Python, and Hong Kong action flicks, with a distinctly British flavor injected into it by actors Ricky Tomlinson, Robert Carlysle, and Rhys Ifans, all of whom are excellent. Director Ronny Yu is comfortable mixing genres, as shown by the fast-paced action scenes and the laugh-out-loud comedy. I'll never forget the scene in the lab with the skinheads.....Jackson, is, of course, excellent. I haven't had this much fun at the movies in a LONG time; Can't wait for the DVD!

Formulaic 51
A movie that never lives up to its potential, FORMULA 51 seems more like an exercise in filmaking or B-Movie than a major release. People might be looking for a PULP FICTION or a SNATCH here, but it is not quite on the same level. It's more on the level of Mark Wahlberg's 1998 cult action film THE BIG HIT and to no surprise, both films are by directors from the Hong Kong film industry (Ronny Yu and Kirk Wong respectively). What saves the film is the casting of international stars with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Meatloaf, and Robert Carlyle with their outrageous characters. They are in a story about an American (Jackson) who has invented the ultimate drug in hopes to sell the formula to make a final score. He travels to Liverpool, England to meet with mobsters in hopes it will become the next fashion drug at 'party raves'. The dialogue is fast and crisp, the action and gunplay are graphic and bloody, and there is the right amount of comedy mixed in with the violence with some plot twists and turns to keep the film moving. There are some plot holes and predictable plot devices and if the film went beyond the right amount of 92 minutes, the audience would have had enough of all the gratuitousness. Overall, entertaining, but only for the fact of the cast and slight comedic moments.

Formula 51
A qiute good offbeat film that unfortunately misses the mark.
For a start a large number of Americans will not get the irony of the film. Looking at the film in retrospect now, you have to be English to understand some of the humour . Also to our transatlantic cousins, there are other cities in The UK after London!
The superb Samuel L Jackson is playing a toned down caricuture of Samuel L Jackson for us tamer brits; ha ha.
However I do enjoy this film and seeing Jackson trading insults with assorted British tv actors who ( lets be honest )are not going to set Hollywood alight. With the exeption of Robert Carlyle plays a great comical/cynical sidekick who always delivers in his peformances.
It is also refreshing having a British action film, not wussy period dramas or crappy romantic comedies starring the antichrist Hugh Grant!

Formula Movie
Join two cool, hip stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle, add a bland and oh-so-edgy direction, a couple of jokes and visual effects. Then, put a stylish, intrusive soundtrack, lots of f-words, and naturally some sex and drugs. Oh, and a guy who uses a kilt, just to make it a bit more witty. That should make for the absence of an interesting plot, who cares anyway? This is a "Snatch" wannabe (and even that movie wasn`t terrific by any means) that doesn`t quite work. Disposable.

Not a waste of time at least
This movie was good to start out, muddled in the middle, and a small recovery at the end. Samuel Jackson does well, Robert Carlyle is awesome, and Emily Mortimer is great. Where this movie fails is in the complete lack of backup characters. Meatloaf is terrible, but not nearly as bad as others that go unmentioned here. The file has some great visual scenes, a good musical score, and decent dialogue. The movie succeeds at balancing humor and action. One just wishes a little more effort was put forth by all participants. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Caretakers
Down on their luck Abbott & Costello manage to find jobs as caretakers for an all girl school. Because of scandals and publicity the owner of the school threatens to stop funding so the school can go under. Abbott & Costello place a wager on a basketball game between their school and the undefeated champions school hoping to win enough money to save the school. In the meantime they have some incredibly funny scenes. Including when they first arrive at their room in the school and are told to clean it up, Costello manages to find himself in a very "sticky" situation presenting itself as one of the funniest scenes in any of the Abbott & Costello classic...also not to be missed Costello recreates one of the most popular 3 Stooges scenes in which Curly wrestles with some raw Oyster soup...Costello does fairly well in his imitation. Overall this picture is one of their best...a must have for any Abbott & Costello fan.

A very funny comedy from the 40's
This may not be prime A&C but its pretty darn close. There are many classic routines here including the oyster in the soup, the Little Red riding Hood story (AKA Jonah & the Whale), and a long set piece where Lou destroys a kitchen. The film also benefits from having a great heavy: Lon Chaney Jr! This one also has more action than usual with a hilarious girls basketball game and a great and bizarre climactic chase. The best part of the show is when Lou wrestles Lon Chaney. You will laugh!

Good Not Great.
In this film, Abbott & Costello get Abbott's sister enroled in an all girls school.The guys are brought along as caretakers. The best performance is from "The Man with A Thousand Faces" Lou Chaney. Some fair gags but not their best.

ONE OF ABBOTT & COSTELLO'S BEST FILMS
Bud and Lou are at it again. In this feature they are caretakers at an all-girls college. And save it from bankruptcy with the USUAL results. The FUNNIEST highlight of the film is the climatic basketball game scene. Lou dons drag to play for his school "BIXBY COLLEGE". After getting bonked on the head by a member of the rival team, he develops amnesia, and Bud then convinces him that he's "DAISY DIMPLE"- The World's Greatest female basketball star. [Note: ALL of the trick shots in the basketball game were ACTUALLY performed by Lou Costello himself]. 5 STARS once again to Bud and Lou.

ABBOTT & COSTELLO GO TO COLLEGE
Classic 1945 Abbott & Costello comedy. Bud and Lou play caretakers at an all girls school, and turn on it's ear with zany results. BEST highlight of the film is the WILD AND ZANY basketball game sequence. Lou disguises himself as a girl to help out his Bixby College. During the game he gets bonked on the head and develops amnesia,and Bud convinces him that he's "DAISY DIMPLE", the WORLD'S GREATEST FEMALE BASKETBALL STAR. [Note: All the trick shots in the game were ACTUALLY performed by Lou Costello himself]. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

HYGIENE HORRORS
Anyone who has always harbored a fear of the dentist will certainly cringe at the goings on in this over the top, but effective, horror thriller. Corbin Bernsen sinks his teeth (no pun intended?) into the role of Dr. Alan Feinstone, a dentist who seemingly has it all, including a beautiful wife messing around with the hunky poolboy; an IRS man on his tail; and a history of some kind of mental distress. Once he discovers his wife's cheating (on their anniversary, no less), Feinstone goes off his bean, and takes revenge not only on his wife, but on anyone who happens to cross his path, including his staff.
Brian Yuzna directs with a keen eye on the gore, punctuating it with the sound of drills and teeth crashing, etc., etc. Bernsen is perfect for the role, and so good it spawned a sequel which I've yet to see. Notice talented actor Mark Ruffalo (You Can Count on Me) as the studly advertising man paired with the delightfully inane April Reign.
Although a low budget film, it carries itself with dignity and a fine sense of tongue in cheek. It is bloody and disturbing, so be warned. And get out the Ipana now!!!

One of the BEST (and scariest!) horror movies of the 90s...
WOW! I remember the first time I saw this movie back in the 8th grade. It was on network television and CUT! (Therefore meaning that some of the gore may have been left out of the T.V. version) Nevertheless, it STILL scared the hell out of me! Two years later, I watched it again on HBO as a midnight cinema event. It was UNCUT and scared me even more!

Corbin Bernsen ("Major League") plays Dr. Allan Finestone, a man who's got it all; a beautiful wife (Linda Hoffman), a luxurious estate, and a fine practice as the Beverly Hills Dentist. However, after catching his wife cheating on him, Finestone goes over the edge and begins a day treating (or should I say TORTURING?) his patients in numerous bloody ways. Eventually, he gets even with his love as well, by pulling out all her teeth WITHOUT NOVACAINE! (Here's where things REALLY get freaky!) Next in line for an appointment... a snobbish IRS agent, two picky dental assistants, and the poolman! Each one met with their own unique ways of demise for a horror flick. Low-budget has never been THIS good!

(WARNING: This movie contains shocking material of blood and gore involving dentistry and may be too scary for minors. Do NOT see this movie before you go to the Dentist or you may be diagnosed with dentaphobia! However, if you are a gore hound, this is definately the one to own in your horror library! But remember, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!)

All actors (especially Bernsen) and actresses did an excellent job with their roles and it all almost seems and feels so realistic as if this could really happen! The music is also very stylish and creepy and fits quite well with this very rare gem. Every time I watch that one scene with the little boy though, I start to shudder by the experience of how even a normal appointment can be a nightmare! That's why I thought it was good and original that the filmakers chose the dental category in order to make a horror movie, considering that most of us are afraid to go to the Dentist as it already is!

OVERALL: I GIVE IT A 10/10 FOR THE NIGHTMARISH AND GROSTESQUE ATMOSPHERE SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUR EVERYDAY DENTIST. (Not to mention the clever plot) You want a movie that will frighten you and keep you up all night trembling in fear, watch this film alone! (I DARE you!) I also reccomend it's sequel, "The Dentist 2: Brace Yourself" while not being as good as the first, it makes a fine addition for a good sequel. And remember, "Brush three times a day and no candy!"

Gonna make an appointment anytime soon?
OMG! This has got to be the most disturbing movie I have seen in a LONG time. I love it!

Alan Phinestone is teetering on the edge of insanity. But after he catches his gorgeous wife Brooke messing around with the pool guy, it pushes him over the edge. He cuts his wife's tongue out, yanks out all of her teeth (with no painkillers, OUCH) and then starts in on his regular patients, in particular the cute little preteen who has been waiting for a long time to get her braces taken off.

I refused to even THINK about going to a dentist for about 7 years after seeing this and there is still a few parts of it that I cannot watch to this day.

Excellent!

Fairly decent
This is a mediocre, low-grade attempt at a horror flick, but it does pretty well. Perhaps worth the rent.
But the acting and plot are both very thin, weak and poor.

You haven't been brushing, have you?
Out of all the horror movies made in the last twenty to thirty years, I suspect that "The Dentist" is one of the few films capable of hitting a viewer where it hurts. Think about it for a second. How many horror films go completely over the top, completely into the realms of bizarre fantasy, to deliver the shocks? Quite a few. Let's face it; the chances that a killer in a hockey mask will bury a hatchet in your head are probably significantly worse than winning the lottery. When was the last time a pack of bloodthirsty demons from the netherworld accosted you and yours? Or a fairy tale creature-a leprechaun, for the sake of argument-appeared on your doorstep to wreak havoc because he thinks you stole his gold? There's nothing wrong with fantastical horror movies; fans of the genre eagerly suspend disbelief as a matter of course. Unfortunately, you'll have a tougher time getting the unpleasant "The Dentist" out of your head. Here's a horror movie that hits too close to home. Everyone goes to the dentist, or at least has once in their life, so the idea of a practitioner in the fine art of arresting tooth decay going completely insane should scare the bejeezus out of anyone. And it will. "The Dentist" comes from the wonderfully warped minds of Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna, they of such classics as "The Re-Animator" and "From Beyond."

Dr. Feinstone (Corbin Bernsen) appears to have the perfect life. He owns a thriving practice in the suburbs, drives a nice car, is married to a beautiful woman named Brooke (Linda Hoffman), and works hard to earn the respect of his many patients. You couldn't ask for a better existence, yet sinister seeds of discontent begin building in the mind of Dr. Feinstone. Little things, like a lost pair of cufflinks, send him into a dither. Too, the threat of an impending IRS audit conducted by the seedy Marvin Goldblum (Earl Boen) weighs on the dentist's mind like an anvil. What's worse, Feinstone concludes that his wife is cheating on him with Matt (Michael Stadvec), the guy who comes around to clean the pool. Any two of these problems could easily send the most even keeled amongst us shrieking into the abyss, but Feinstone has another problem, a problem that he thinks about aloud only when alone in the car or safely ensconced in his plush office. Apparently, the idea of decay is starting to assume a sublime importance in the mind of our fair dentist. He's beginning to understand that plaque often clings to every aspect of the human condition, that cavities can affect the soul as often as it does teeth. Feinstone, as a trained dentist and healer, soon believes he must do whatever is necessary to remove the decay afflicting the people around him.

Healing is often a painful process. When the dentist confirms that his wife is indeed cheating on him, he takes steps to insure that such acts will never happen again. When Agent Goldblum insists on receiving a free checkup as part of a far-reaching bribe, Feinstone teaches a lesson the G-man will not soon forget. And for all those employees with the temerity to question the boss's directives, well, there are ways to deal permanently with such insolence. What Feinstone doesn't seem to realize, much to the everlasting chagrin of those individuals around him, is that the decay he so fears has effectively sunk its wormy tendrils deep into his mind. Take the case of April Reign (Christa Sauls), a beauty queen seeking advice on how to brighten her smile. Feinstone's actions towards this ravishing woman are so despicable, so outside the boundaries of what comprises a healer, that we immediately recognize the dentist has lost his battle against decay before the war has even started. In a way, we should pity Dr. Feinstone even as the police uncover the bloody horrors in his office and his house. Very few of us appreciate the role dentists play in society. We fear them or make fun of them instead of lauding the brave men and women who undertake such a taxing occupation.

"The Dentist" is a remarkably fun film as well as an effective horror picture. Corbin Bernsen, never a personal favorite of mine, does an amazing turn as the deranged dentist. Even better are the grotesqueries parading across the screen, the reckless drillings, scrapings, extractions, and other assorted dental skills employed to gory effect by Feinstone as he attempts to stem the spread of decay. What he does to Agent Goldblum is downright horrific. "The Dentist" succeeds in many respects, none more so than in writer Gordon's and director Yuzna's brilliant maneuver to extend the idea of tooth decay to society at large. Isn't every nasty attribute of the human race really in essence a form of decay? And if it is, how does a healer go about eradicating the tartar of immorality? It must drive physicians, dentists, and other health care specialists utterly bonkers when they see patients refuse to follow advice that keeps a body and mind fit. Feinstone is obviously insane, but it's to the film's credit that we see why he loses his mind.

Don't expect to see much in the way of extras on the DVD of "The Dentist." Two trailers, for Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive" and one for this movie, and cast filmographies are the only things you get. Too bad. A commentary track from Yuzna, Gordon, and Bernsen might have been a nice touch. If you fear the dentist, this movie will probably give you the sweats. Personally, I'm thinking of giving the film to my dentist as a Christmas present. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Kooky
I loved the Beatnik episode. He was the first character on the show that wasn't overly freaked out by the Addams. It was a refreshing change. I liked the way the children reacted to the beatnik. Overall, it was fun to watch.

Not as funny as I thought.
This episode is very rare and difficult to come by. I put a lot of effort into it because of the title. I was expecting - Beatnik - maybe a poetry writing black turtleneck wearing artist. What fun that would have been. Instead you get this motorcycle guy traveling the country who just happens to break down near the Addams Family home (almost ala Easy Rider but not nearly as cool). I am sorry to say I was hugely dissapointed with this episode. Art was a better episode. Even as a huge fan/collector, I would have to recommend not going thru a lot of trouble to get a copy of this episode. If you want an alternative suggestion - try Wednesday Leaves Home/ Green Eyed Gomez. That is absolutely the best one, in my opinion. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It was a good action/adventure film!
I've seen Hard Justice on cable a couple of times and I decided to buy the uncut, no commercial film version. I've seen it twice already. The special effects were explosive and the fighting scenes were fun to watch. It's really good to see David Bradley again in an action/adventure movie. The "love interest sparks" between Nick and Hannah were sweet. It fits well in the story even though there were mostly shooting, blowing cars, and lots of kick-butt fighting.

On the set of Hard Justice
I played one of the many prisoners in this film. The special effects and the stunts were great, as well as working with the other actors. I find myself watching this video again and again because of the action. It is definitely a video to add to your library if you are an action fan.

HOW DID I MISS THIS IN THE THEATER!?
This is one of those films that belongs on your "gotta rent that" list. But after you watch it, you'll put it on your "gotta own this" list. Crazy action sequences that cause spontaneous laughter and a sudden need to hit the rewind button. The bad guys are the best part. Make the popcorn in advance and kill the lights, this film is a must have for any good couch commando.

Beats "Die Hard"!!! Non-stop excitement! Super-charged!
I was blown away by the intensity of the filmmaking. Crazy stunts that I've never seen before. Slick stylized photography. And alot of my favorite supporting actors. Director Greg Yaitanes took what could have been a typical action-flick and made it look like a fifty-million dollar summer blockbuster. In my ten years of being a published film critic, I have never seen raw gritty directing talent like I saw in "Hard Justice." I saw it at least half a dozen times, and I plan on seeing it half a dozen more. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What's On it!
Evolution of Music
Persian Market Melody
Cry - Featuring Sir Frederick Gas
Sock Myself in the Chin - Featuring Peter James
Melody in F
Hotcha Cornya
Goin' Down South
San
Stranger in Paradise - Featuring Peter James
Life's Not So Bad in Prison - Feat. Eddy Arnold, Joe Besser
Holiday for Strings
That's AMore
Indian Love Call - Feat. Mimi Benzell and Freddie Morgan

GREAT, esp. Stranger in Paradise and Indian Love Call must be seen to be believed -- and even THEN you won't believe it! The usual sight gags and silly slapstick; more skits than the first vol. Enjoy!

Remembering Dad
Dear Sir, When I was a young boy my father showed me an 8mm film with Spike Jones singing Clink, Clink, another Drink and Pass the Biscuits Marandy. Two years ago my father died and as a rememberance ,I have been trying to locate a video thatplays both or either one of the above songs. It would mean alot to me if I could locate that special video. Could you please e-mail me if any of the listed volumes contain those songs? I would be elated to purchase several. Thank You. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

AVOID FULL FRAME BUTCHER JOB
yet again...a studio "dumbs down" a release by not giving us the full image. Teach them a lesson by boycotting these "butchered" releases...Conrad Hall (the cinematographer) deserves better.

Divorce as business
That si nothing but a comedy, but a very good one. No real depth about life but a very clear vision of divorce as nothing but business for both sexes. A man can be nearly destroyed by a divorce, but he can be regenerated by the remarrying of his ex-wife. So everything is organized by everyone so that ex-wives remarry and ex-husbands remarry too. It means no real love but only some business agreements here and there along the way. The twist comes through some hypnosis that completely meddles with the cards of the game and everything can start from the very same point the whole film had started from. Divorcing is some kind of artistic game in the middle-class suburbs.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU ... Read more

Amazon.com

Brace yourself: this is a clever, consistently entertaining, and even inspired continuation of the mean-spirited slasher series. For those not in the know, Chucky is a mop-top kid's doll come to life with the soul of a serial killer and the voice of Brad Dourif (doing his best Jack Nicholson). Revived by his former paramour Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly, looking every inch a life-size Barbie in stiletto heels and skintight black leather), Chucky proceeds to turn his human sweetie into a pint-sized Talking Tina doll with attitude, and together they hit the road for a magic amulet and young new bodies to inhabit. They hitch a ride with sweet young runaways Katherine Heigl and Nick Stabile and leave a trail of corpses bloodied, burned, and cut to ribbons. The kids are cute, but the real heat is generated by the latex lovers who use murder as foreplay and consummate their renewed romance in a night of passionate sex ("Shouldn't you wear a rubber?" "I'm all rubber!"). Hong Kong director Ronny Yu (The Bride with White Hair) directs with a light touch and against all odds transforms walking dolls Chucky and Tiffany into funny, energetic, full-blooded characters: l'amour fou has never been more crazy. John Ritter costars as Heigl's overprotective uncle (another obstacle on the road to dolly freedom) and Alexis Arquette is hilarious as a lanky goth nerd. The wild conclusion leaves room for another high-concept sequel. The DVD features two commentary tracks, a behind-the-scenes documentary, and "Jennifer Tilly's Diary." --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (179)

The best of the "Chucky movies"
"Bride of Chucky" is in my opinion, the best of all the Chucky movies. Although it is not pure horror and suspense, Bride of Chucky still beats out the previous 3 Child's Play movies. The atmosphere is creepy and gothic, and there are a couple of gory death scenes. But the main appeal of this movie is its humor. I loved how Chucky and Tiffany played off each other.

I also thought that the music was perfect for this movie. Instead of using a creepy musical score, they used songs from Rob Zombie and other metal groups.

The features on the dvd were very good. The audio commentary with Jennifer Tilly (Tiffany), Brad Dourif (Chucky), and Don Mancini (the movie's writer) were both informative and funny.

I won't give the ending away, but let's just say that it was unexpected. It was gross and sick...but it was also a perfect ending that will lead to the next Chucky movie.

Jennifer Tilly bumps otherwise average movie up a big notch!
Although I am a horror fan I have never been a fan of the slasher genre and had never planned to see this movie, but I just happened to watch it by accident one night and was very pleasantly suprised.

What places this movie a cut above the usual moronic slasher flick is an OUTSTANDING performance by Jennifer Tilly as Chucky's "bride" Tiffany. I had never seen her in a starring role before, and the whole time she was on the screen I kept asking "Who IS this chick? She's great!!" and couldn't wait to look up her name in the closing credits. -- Definitely not the usual quality of acting you'd expect in this type of B-movie.

After she meets her demise and is transformed into a doll, the film becomes more predictable and gradually descends more to the level of your standard Chucky flick. The late great John Ritter's talents seem wasted here in a pretty cardboard role, and unfortunately the two teen leads are never more than the typical generic "kids in distress".

But director Ronny Yu does seem to have some notion of his film's place within the horror genre, and there's a wonderful and inspired nod to classic horror and "The Bride of Frankenstein" during Tiffany's transformation sequence. Nice little touches like this, and the fact that this movie does not take itself too seriously and often seems more like a parody of the slasher/Chucky genre, made it even more enjoyable for me.

I hear that Jennifer Tilly will also be involved in the sequel currently filming, "Child's Play 5: Seed of Chucky", which should make it interesting. But I actually wish they'd go back and do a PRE-quel to this movie, focusing on living woman Tiffany's life before bringing back Chucky. -- She is one deliciously twisted, mean and sexy momma!

This movie has not made me a Chucky fan, but it definitely has made a new fan of Jennifer Tilly out of me.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a fun, mindless and light movie just to waste a couple of hours on, this one isn't bad.

Stunningly BAD
This movie absolutely puts the rest of the CP series to absolute shame. It's just a slapstick movie with forced laughs and dry humor, and almost no horror. Gone is organization -- they threw in a plot involving an amulent, and Andy could be in hell for all we know. This movie really drops the CP series' quality and honestly, may be the worst movie I've ever seen. The plot is weak. The only plus is good acting, at least by Jesse (Stable) and Jade (Heigl). The movie isn't worth a buy; barely worth a rental.
I do give it credit for not having as many "bloopers" as the first three - editing's been done to the max. But there are a few that I won't mention. Still, the first three had plot holes. This movie technically, unforutnately, has no hole in the plot. It just introduces a new element, which is weak. I think they either could have left the CP then-trilogy alone, or just made something better. But I could see the CP idea getting lame anyway.
Leave it alone...

More funny
I like the Child's Play series and though I personally think the first one is the best, this one is good in its own way. Bride of Chucky has much more humour, a lot killings in more unique ways and an extra doll. If you like the Child's Play series, you will definitely enjoy this one but if you never liked the series, I doubt you will find anything enjoyable about this one.

Hardly a good movie but still a lot of fun to watch
Before Chucky turned killer doll, he had a girlfriend named Tiffany. In this movie Tiffany recovers the body of Chucky from a polive evidence locker. Chucky was pretty much torn to pieces in 3 so she sews him back together and uses the vodoo chant to bring his spirit back to the body. He returns just as evil as ever and horror/comedy takes up the rest of the movie.

This is not a good film. It is a horror movie that is so over the top on ridiculousness that it borders on comedy. I never thought I would see Chucky the killer doll, who I feared so much as a child, in a love scene. Seeing Tiffany the killer doll making cookies for Chucky while they're holding a couple hostage is quite amusing. The domestic dispute that develops between the dolls shortly after this is just hilarious.

This movie isn't for everyone. You'll enjoy this if you were a fan of Jason X, Freddy vs. Jason or the Evil Dead movies. If you have a dark sense of humor you'll probably love this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Gosh! Heather Locklear is a Great Actress!!
The last time I saw Heather Locklear in anything was her performance as Sammy Jo in TV's Dynasty. Come to think of it, she was quite wonderful in that role. This film is has the advantage of a 100 percent cast, story, production, etc., and some rather great music. Let's hope to see more of Heather in films of this calibre. She deserves the opportunity, after all these years, to go straight to the top.

A cut above the rest!
Double Tap is a fresh take on a genre of film that I feel has been lacking creativity for about a decade. It's a classic hitman movie with one of my favorite actors, Stephen Rea(Crying Game, Michael Collins) and some of the all-time greatest supporting actors like Peter Greene(Usual Suspects), Kevin Gage(Heat, GI Jane), and Mikelti Williamson(Forrest Gump). Stylized camera work was bold and effective. One of the coolest action-thrillers on the video shelves!

nothing worse than psuedo artsyness
Ya know, I really hate it when I see an actor I like doing stupid movies. I could care less if heather locklear does a made to video, thats her bread and butter. But Steven(Crying Game) Rea is really annoying here. He's supposed to be some hard core killer or something, but in his attempts to put on a southern (I think) American accent, he sounds more like a nerdy android. Oh yeah- they try to be arty in this drivel and use every stupid film school trick to give this tripe some kind of "edge" Terrible. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

"It's been six months... Time for your check-up!"
The HBO network revived the popular horror movie by bringing back famous actor Corbin Bernsen as everyone's favorite maniacal dentist! While not as good as the first one, "The Dentist 2: BRACE YOURSELF" is still a pretty scary (and at times, funny!) blood splattering, scream frenzy sequel. Made two years later after the original low-budget masterpiece, 'Brace Yourself' (clever title) obviously did not stand out as well with the critics and sadly this neglected gem was long forgotten for quite some time.

Now that it's made it onto DVD, we can all experience this fun and thrilling so-bad-it's good rollercoaster ride and come to realize that not everything is as bad as we may think it is. Continuing where the first one left off, Allan (Corbin Bernsen) escapes the mental institution and makes his way to the beautiful, small town of paradise where he continues his practice as the local dentist.

However, when a few of the townsfolk suspect something about the poor doctor, Allan's sanity cannot be maintained and his haunting past won't stay buried! Once again, it's time for a check-up and this time, there are NO RULES!!!! Can Allan be able to pull through and remain anonymous, or will his alter ego get the better of him?

A nicely done B movie and even though it didn't make it to the theaters back in 1998, it was a pretty decent sequel nevertheless! Only one con I've noticed about this was that there are very few clever ways Mr. Bernsen tortures the patients and some of them are similar to those that have been done before in the first. The ending had quite a bizarre twist to it, but it had me laughing my head off at how bad something may seem can actually turn out to be so funny! This is a MUST HAVE to add to your horror collection, especially for all you gore hounds out there! BRACE YOURSELF FOR NON-STOP FUN!!!!

GGGRRRROOOOSSSSEEEE!!!!!!!!!
AAAHHH!!!! This movie is even worse than the 1st. Its sooo bad, it doesnt even deserve a review. Definitley not one for squemish.

Boring story line & poor acting
Corbin does a miserable job of acting in this one. If you like gore, there is plenty of that in this film, but if you prefer scary movies to contain interesting story lines and reasonably decent acting, you may want to look elsewhere for your entertainment. If you are going to actually buy a DVD, there are better films available here on Amazon. Rent this if you must, but don't buy.

TOOTHSOME GORE
If the Oscars were brave enough to give awards to films like this, they couldn't help but nominate Corbin Bernsen for his brilliant turns in the two DENTIST films. Not since Joan Crawford and Bette Davis did Baby Jane, has an actor fully embraced the idiocy of his role and filled it with superlative turns in mood and emotion. Bernsen seems to be having the time of his career in the role of Alan Feinstone/Larry Crane, the demented dentist who is still trying to convince himself he is not crazy. While this sequel is slow in some spots, Bernsen's over the top shenanigans propel this movie and keep it grossly entertaining. Linda Hoffman is back as Bernsen's silent wife; Clint Howard stops by for a toothache, and Jilliam McWhirter is Corbin's new love interest. The ending is way over the top, but hilarious in its own demented way. I'm sure there'll be no Dentist 3, but Bernsen should be commended for showing that a good actor can take any role and make it something memorable.

Dimented Dentists
This ones actually pretty funny and gory,If you rent it and dont expect too much,you'll love it.Everyone hates to go to the dentist,but this flick will make you lucky that you dont step into Corbin Bernsens office.The ending is pretty weird and lame.Watch it before your next cleaning!! ... Read more

Description

The episodes included are:

Spur Line to Shady Rest

Please buy my Violets ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Out of My Time
I'm 20 years old and hooked on Petticoat Junction. My mother got me into it a few years back and I've watched it every day and night since then. I have a huge poster adorning my wall and other great memorabilia. I recently recieved this video and absolutly loved it. Escpecially all the old commercials which I've obviously never seen before. Every eposide is new to me and it is a joy to watch. Betty Joe and Steve 4ever!

memory lane
I purchased this video here on Amazon and already had these two episodes in my "classic tv collection", but having them with the commercials from when I was growing up truly brings back a whole lot of memories. Yes, you can get these two episodes else-where without commercials, but that is part of the word "CLASSIC", the commercials add that special something. And the price was great. So "Ride the little train that is rollin' down the track to the Junction......" you know the rest.

Amazon forgot this info...
Anyone who is interested in Petticoat Junction videos may already have these particular episodes, which seem to be a couple of the easiest to obtain. The two (2) episodes on this tape are:

Spur Line to Shady Rest, and

Please buy my Violets.

They are plenty good, but, I bought the video without knowing what was on it. The Amazon discription leaves this data out. For $4.60, I took a chance, and as it turns out, I already have these particular episodes. You may, also.

A Great Nostalgic Presentation
Marathon Music and Video has gotten hold of the original television masters of these two premiere episodes of the Paul Henning classic PETTICOAT JUNCTION. Part of Paul Henning's 'Hooterville Trio',which also comprised of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES and GREEN ACRES, it told of Kate Bradley (Bea Benederet) and her three lovely daughters Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo and Betty Jo, who lived at the Shady Rest Hotel.

Also included are the original commercials that accompanied the episodes and it is a great addition to any classic television video collection. ... Read more

Reviews (62)

Great and ultra gory sequel
Return of the Living Dead 3 is a large departure from the other two films in the series. Where as those two films combined dark humor and zombie horror, director Brian Yuzna (Bride of Re-Animator) goes all out with some of the goriest zombie action to see release in this country. When a young girl (Melinda Clarke) is killed in a motorcycle accident, her boyfriend uses the experimental facility where his father works which re-animates corpses to bring her back to life. However, when she comes back, she's got a hunger she's never had before, and it's like the old saying goes; a girl's gotta eat. The acting is surprisingly solid, with Clarke being almost perfect as the zombified girl who still loves her boyfriend. The gore is extremely realistic and there is loads of it, so be warned; gorehounds will find plenty to love here. All in all, this is one low budget horror film that is definitely worth checking out.

Great sequel!
This is the second sequel to the 1985 cult horror spoof "Return of the Living Dead", part II was ok but seemed like a rehash of the original but this one is totally original.

It's about a couple of young adults who are lovers, the boy's girlfriend gets hurt in a motorcycle accident and dies, the boy has a father who works in the military with a experimental corporation that brings the dead back to life. The Boy decides to take his girlfriend to a lab using an experimental gas to bring her back to life but it works, unfortunately she is a kinky Zombie that eats brains and turns people into brain-munching ghoul.

Very entertaining and extremely gory sequel with great make-up effects, a very sexy undead girl, and original story that makes this a must see for fans of Zombie flicks. Watch this movie in the unrated uncut version with extra gore, not for the squeamish!

Also recommended: Resident Evil, Ghosts of Mars, Return of the Living Dead, Day of the Dead, Dead Alive, From Dusk Till Dawn, Re-Animator, Aliens, Lucio Fulci's Zombie, Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Phantasm, Bride of Re-Animator, Scanners, Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, City of the Living Dead, Nightmare City, Hellraiser, Toxic Avenger, Bad Taste, An American Werewolf in London, Idle Hands, Total Recall and The Beyond.

"It's not Romero"
Im almost sad to say I didnt like this one, probably because it wasnt directed by George. Yuzna was great with the Re-Animator and such but this movie was, I think the word is "New." Im a 70's 80's zombie films kinda guy. I think MAJOR Producers should stop after Resident Evil: 2 comes out. Excluding the Independent films. This movie had some pretty good scenes with that dudes head and spine getting ripped out, and the intro was pretty good with the experiments and the zombie revolting and killing the doctors, but it still wasnt Romero.

Really Disappointing!
This film is a complete departure from the 1st two "Return"
movies. Whereas the first two movies in the series are fun
spoofs of the genre, this film attempts to compete with
the Romero films as a legitimate addition to the dead
series. It fails in that respect miserably. Don't waste
your time or money on Return of Dead 3.

Return of the Living Dead 3
The third part of Return of the Living Dead is one of the best to me.
In this movie a teenage couple gets in a motorcycle accident and the boy's girlfriend dies.So he goes to where his father works and uses the 2-4-5 trixon to bring her back but it goes wrong she starts having cravings for things she does not eat and she starts eating people's brains.But the only thing keeping her from eating him is their love. ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Are you ready for the Final Round?!
Even though I'm no longer going to subscribe to Nintendo Power anymore (since my subscription is gone for eternity), I totally love this movie just like all of you Pokemon fans out there. However, this movie can be shocking at first, but once you try it enough times, it shouldn't be that shocking. Anyway, this movie contains the following:

"Pikachu and Pichu", a mini movie that takes place in the big city where the Pichu bros. try their best to guide Pikachu back home before Ash Ketchum notices his Pokemon are missing. It's very funny to see those Pokemon fight against 1 obstacle after another. Ha! Ha! Ha!

"Spell of the Unown", a major movie that takes place in the hilariously bizzare wasteland of Greenfield where everything turns to crystal. Sounds creepy does it? But not only that, you get to meet Entei, a legendary Fire-type Pokemon with the best Pokemon voice, unlike Mewtwo and Lugia which are just plain wimps. That's because those other 2 Pokemon that first existed in Pokemon 1 and 2 tend to have bad voices, but this one has a good voice.

What I do like about this movie:

"Pikachu and Pichu" has really huge laughs, unlike "Pikachu's Vacation" and "Pikachu's Rescue Adventure", plus it has more G/S Pokemon, which is superior.

"Spell of the Unown" has really good animation, good laughs, and good voices, unlike "Mewtwo Strikes Back" and "The Power of One", plus it has 3 soundtracks that has you moving and grooving to the beat, along with 2 excellent looking Pokemon (Unown and Entei) and 3 forms of the final boss, Molly.

What I don't like about this movie:

"Pikachu and Pichu" may tend to get annoying and loud at times during the film.

"Spell of the Unown" is a movie that could be too creepy for little kids, plus it's way too loud! Ahhh!

I'm sure this review will help all of you, but I'll see ya in the Special movie, Mewtwo Returns on December 4, 2001. Good luck! You'll need it!

Da best Pokemon movie to date!
Simply put, this movie is beautiful! The short film, "Pikachu and Pichu", is much better than the previous shorts, basically 'cause Togepi DOESN'T get lost! The main feature, "Spell of the Unown" (or "Lord of the Unknown Tower", however you want to put it) kills both "Mewtwo Strikes Back" and "Pokemon 2000: The Power of One"! Beautifully animated and equipped with a moving plot, "Pokemon 3" is, hands down, the best Pokemon movie to date. Unlike "PK 2000", the characters in "PK 3" actually bend in with the computer-generated graphics. The plot is not as predictable as "PK 1", and it also gives a little background info on Molly and her family, so the audience actually knows what the hell is going on. Not to mention that one of the coolest Pokemon of all appears in this movie.... ENTEI! ^_^ There's only one problem with this movie. Team Rocket is in it for a grand total of five minutes! Team Twerp is way overrated! >_< Hopefully, TR will have a bigger part in "PK 4", but 4Kids may not even bother to put it in theaters, unfortunately. It just might be one of those straight-to-video films.... *sigh* All in all, "PK 3" gets two paws up, and more if I could. Even those who aren't Pokemon fans won't be dissapointed. Show your support to keep Pokemon's flame burning brightly! Ii Kanji!

Pokemon Three - Entei Rules
This is the best Pokemon movie out of the five I've seen, in my opinion. The music is absolutely amazing: if they could make a REAL soundtrack with the ACUTAL music, I'd buy it immediately. You've all heard summaries of it from the other raters, so I'm not going to give one to you here. The voices of the characters match with their personalities, the plot takes a step away from Ash-Please-We-Need-Your-Help-Only-You-Can-Do-It and the 'save the world' junk. Yes, for once, Ashy-boy DIDN'T ride on a mythological being, and he DIDN'T stopped one 'undefeatable I-Am-The-Strongest-Alive' 'Mon from destroying humanity, or whatever. The characters can relate to every-day, real people as well - some are strong, like Entei, some are along a lot, like Molly, and some are so determined it's scary, like Ash...and some are just place ditzy, like James of Team Rocket. This is worth every .5 of a cent, in my view, and I would get the DVD if I could. The character also change in the movie depending on the experiences they went through, much like actual people, instead of shrugging, and saying 'okay, that's over' like a few movies had done.

An okay pokemon movie
I saw this a while ago. It was ok but not the greatest movie ive seen. Ive seen the 1st 2nd and 3rd movie. I want to see the 4th and 5th movie. I kinda out grown pokemon but its ok. I like Chobits, Super Gals, Sailor Moon, And Sakura Wars there all good.

Outstanding!
This movie was Awesome! I saw all the Movies in theatre but this one was my favorite. This movie, as with the other movies had a great message. This one says you're not alone no matter how lonely you feel and that people do care about you. It also says that if you believe in yourself then you will make it through the rough times. It shows tons of new Pokemon and the animation and script were incredible. This movie Rocks You just gotta' see it! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

BONANZA--What Else Is There To Say?
You can't go wrong with any videos of Bonanza. It was a series that was decent (as opposed to anything on the TV these days!)with good values taught.

It's a Bonanza!
...I hesitated for a couple of months to get this video, even considering myself a huge Bonanza fan. The reason for my reluctancy was simply that I had already owned many other episodes on that show and didn't want to take the risk of getting doubles.If you realized, Amazon.com doesn't name the episode, but it's a real Bonanza. If you had the same problem, I think it's over now for I took the chances for you and bought the tape.The episode name is "Blood on the Land". That episode was first seen on February 13, 1960. Sheep and Cows are not supposed to live together on that story. Because of that, Everett Sloane, who is the guest star and plays the role of a sheepherder, kidnaps Adam Cartwright. The "small" Ponderosa is the price for him not to kill Pernell Roberts, our "Adam boy", also known as 'The Dark Cartwright'. It's really worth seeing and owning that tape. Mature the idea if you are a Bonanza fan like me. I'm sure you won't regret watching it. Have fun! ... Read more