Reviews (13)

Dolph Lundgren great again
I thought this movie was great, definitely one of Dolph's best, I thought he did an excellent job, as a quite killing machine, who was known as a man of few words. Some of the greatest action scenes as well, with terrific explosive effects. This movie has power, humor, excitement, and a great portray of how the Soviet Union is, with their communism. I was only 6 years old when this film came out, and went and saw it with my older brother at the theatres, and loved it even when i was just a little kid, but im not saying let a 6 year old watch this, that was a mistake for me to see it at that young,but Red Scorpion rocks, enjoy!!

My Favorite So-So Movie!
I don't know why I like "The Red Scorpion" so much, but I do. It's not because of the film's production values, which aren't bad, but don't set any standards for excellence. It's not because of the acting, which ranges from over-the-top to wooden. It's not because of the story line which is serviceable, with one exception -- there's a terrific sequence involving Dolph Lundgren and a bushman that is touching and funny and moves me every time I see the film. I'm hard-pressed to actually cite something specific about the film that makes it so much fun for me to watch. Lundgren is completely believable as a special forces soviet trooper. It may be the part he was born to play. His character is a trained killer but with a mind. And he uses it. I've watched this film a dozen or so times over the past decade. I finally bought it on DVD because my tape won't last forever. The DVD image is sharper than my VHS and the sound is clean. Special Features are sparse...I seem to recall some bios and, maybe, some stills. But maybe not. There's no commentary or "making of" feature. I bought the DVD because I think I'll want to see it many more times. It doesn't make sense to me when I think about why, but there it is! I really like this movie!

must see
this movie is great defenatky dolphs best the story was so gret best ever much better than something like platoon or kip great 5 star action

A New Lord is Born
Dolph Lordgren kicks mucho buttero in this movie. Nicknamed "Red Scorpion," the lord went against his own people to save others. Bar fights, explosions and gun battles are common in this goddage movie. Yes, lordage.

When people share one thing... humanity!
A lot of words have been spent describing, criticizing or simply discarding this movie. Pity, after all it's an inoffensive adventure movie a la Tarzan and as such it should be considered.

My three stars go out to the poor bushman who probably played himself and didn't get mentioned in the credits.

He's actually the reason why this movie is worth watching. All the rest is cheap anti-communism propaganda of the lowest and brainless level.

The director seems to tell us "Hey guys, the Communists got it up their a... in Afghanistan and in Africa too, so why should we blame our boys for having lost the Vietnam War?".

The script came from a spoiled child with too much time to do something useful with it.

And yet, despite all the "propaganda" bit, "Red Dawn" it is not... if you know what I mean. Thank God for that!

It's the simple story of a Spetnaz (the russian equivalent to Special Forces in the U.S. Army or the S.A.S. in the British Army) who gets an assignment as an undercover hitman to kill an African rebel leader.

Unfortunately for him, once in the midst of the Rebel group he starts to understand why they revolt and sympathises with their cause.

Bad mistake! He's captured by the Russian secret service, tortured and thrown out of the Spetnaz with dishonor.

Abandoned in the midst of an unknown African wilderness, he's suddenly confronted with the harshness of the land and must learn very fast how to survive in it.

Unfortunately for him some lessons learned are soon forgotten thanks to exhaustion and sleepiness. In fact, no sooner is he asleep that a very venomous scorpion decides to sting him.

The real movie starts here. Will he survive or not? Well, thanks to the said Bushman he gets his skin saved for a little longer.

At first, the giant Lundgren mocks the little man for being so primitive and so backward and seems to take pleasure at teasing him, despite his gratefulness for having being saved by the Bushman.

Very soon though the positions get reversed, and this is the really interesting plot twist of the movie. Lundgren is not a great actor, or even an actor at all, but in his clumsiness and genuine naivete' he gets through in convincing us about his helplessness out there in the wild.

Soon enough the wisdom of the old Bushman gets revealed to him and now a true friendship starts to ensue between two worlds as alien and as far apart as can be.

Not only do they become friends but start to respect each other as human beings, and out of this relationship comes the final strong reaction of Lundgren when he sees that the Bushman's entire village, family and friends have been wildly butchered by so-called "civilized" people. Lungren's own bunch.

While the Bushman hardly utters a word watching the scene and seems to linger in a state of deep shock at what he sees, Lundgren gets upset and swears to the old man that his family won't have died in vain.

A noble reaction, but probably one the Bushman wouldn't accept, also because it is not in his nature.

From here on the movie returns to his old actioner cliche' of Rambo's fame.

Naturally, somebody must have had some doubts on how to end the movie, but such doubts didn't last very long... Pity!

Lundgren seems more comfortable acting with the Bushman than surrounded by professional actors and at his level it is more than comprehensible. This is also where he is at his best.

So, in conclusion, if you are a Tarzan fan, this movie comes very close to that genre, with a touch of Rambism and a touch of Italian Stave Reeves' Hercules you may be served.

If you thought about a deep movie, this is absolutely not it.

It's pure escapism with a touch of sprinkled Pathos on top.

I would still recommend it just for the poor Bushman who did his job with honesty and generosity.

If you are an actor or a Drama student watch him carefully because you may still learn a thing or two about how an amateur can sometimes steal the show from a professional, despite his training and upbringing.

I only wished somebody someday will finally retrace the Bushman's name and include it on the DVD or VHS tape cover. He deserves it more than Lundgren... ... Read more

Description

As a stand-up comedian, a comedy album recording artist and the star of six television series, Bob Newhart has been bringing his unique and subtle brand of deadpan humor to American audiences for four decades.Most agree, however, that he did his greates ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Needs Complete Season DVD Boxsets!
The Bob Newhart Show is one of my favorite classic shows and I remember watching this show when I was a kid and I also watched reruns on Nick at Nite and TV Land but they are always either changing the schedule or not showing it at all for long periods of time. I really want this show to be released in complete season DVD boxsets and can't believe they haven't done it already. The tape is fine and has good episodes but they would be better on DVD.

includes Episode 81 : Who is Mr. X?
includes epsiode 81 : Who is Mr. X? Bob accepts a seemingly innocent invitation to appear as the guest on a TV discussion program. He winds up in the jaws of a dilemma when the show host turns out to have the disposition of a shark.

Bob Newhart never tires out!!
Once again,Bob shows that his character lives on forever. Makes you want to have a friend like him in real life. All the episodes are great. I have seen them all too.The ceiling hits Bob is very good. Jerry,Howard and Carol, are excellent support for Bob. Not to mention his patient like Mr. Carlin. It would be nice to have a peeper series. Bobs old school friend. That would be awesome. I would buy that in a minute. Tom Poston is brillant in that too. ... Read more

Description

Three tales from acclaimed short stories and an all-star cast.The many sides of love explored.Stories of a boxer who must decide between love or his career; a marriage and a habit that are both on the rocks; and a writer in Paris who comes up with a novel way to spend an evening. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

GREAT VALUE VALENTINES MOVIE
good couples movie for valentines. 3 complete individual stories; watch all 3 or just one. feels like a harlequin come to life. originally for hbo cable so not quite standard tv fare; really quite nice, and worth the money. we liked the last story best!

Watch if for the Figgis.
A trio of mini-TV movies based on short stories by outmoded American writers. 'Kansas' is 'The Wizard of Oz' updated to working class New York in 1939, on the eve of war, with Kyra Sedgewick as an awful wife longing for escape, forcing her boxer husband (Matt Dillon) into a potentially fatal fight.

'Dilemma', paying homage to the 1950s Hollywood melodrama, features Ray Liotta as an advertising executive, having nightmares because of work pressure, alco-wife, fears for his kids, and the possibility that he might have to go fight in Korea.

Mike Figgis' 'Mara' is what you'd expect from a Henry Miller story set in Paris, much talking of talks, little walking of walks.

The first two films are done in the style of glum Masterpiece Theatre (e.g. Eugene O'Neill), with contrived situations and stilted dialogue. figgis, hampered by poor material, squeezes some of the empathetic visual magic he would perfect in 'One Night Stand'. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

AFI top 100- Winner of 8 Oscars-Including Best Movie 1953!!
"From Here to Eternity" made from Best Seller book of 1951 written by James Jones. Now digitally re-mastered both in video and sound provides us with this classic on DVD with background extras. The cast (Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Cliff, Donna Reed and Frank Sinatra)was perfectly chosen and proved by the 13 Oscar nominations and winner of 8 including "Best Picture and Director - Fred Zinneman". Frank Sinatras "Best Supporting Actor" come back role is just the beginning.
In Summary: a few days prior to Pearl Harbor we find ourselves involved with these military characters and women struggling to find better lives in the volatile world of 1941. Knowing war is coming they try desparately to make their lives more meanigfully. The main focus is around the Army life style and how their lives were effected by events they had no real control over. Lancaster played a top sergeant having an affair with his Company Commanders wife (Kerr), Cliff and Sinatra were 2 soldiers in the same company who befriend each other and end up both being killed by circumstances in this troubled time of December 7, 1941.
This Black & White classic film broke all kinds of barriers for subject matter and character/star representation. Reed as a saloon gal. Kerr as a steamy temptress (infamous Beach Love scene with Lancaster).
Sit back and take a ride "FROM HERE TO ETERNITY".

"A man don't go his own way, he's nothing."
Fred Zinnemann's "From Here to Eternity" simply has not aged well. It's place in cinematic history remains secure: Frank Sinatra's Oscar, Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr embracing in the surf, and the Oscar for Best Picture. Yet, what was considered an adult film back in 1953 plays like a run-of-the-mill soap opera in the present day.

As Sergeant Warden (Lancaster) and Karen Holmes (Kerr), the wife of his superior, start to fall in love, Private Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) is trying to find a way to avoid participating in his unit's boxing championship. Prewitt finds support from his friend Maggio (Sinatra) who tries to protect him from the pressures around him and finds love with Lorene (Donna Reed), a "working girl" who has temporarily relocated to Hawaii. Into the mix is thrown a sadistic warden played by Ernest Borgnine and the bombing of Pearl Harbor which plunges all involved straight into World War II.

"From Here to Eternity" is filled with one character after another who is desperate. All of them are either desperate for power, desperate for love, desperate for acceptance, or desperate to escape their past. Yet, the plotlines in the film do not produce the same emotional jolt it did five decades ago. Extramarital affairs, bullying authority figures, and fallen women are all topics on trivial daytime television shows today. These mature themes just do not hold your interest anymore when looked at through the veil of time. When this aspect of the film is removed, what is left is just a routine "day-in-the-lives" story.

Yet the film still has many things going for it. All of the performances are fine: Sinatra reminds viewers just how talented an actor he was in years past, the chemistry between Lancaster and Kerr is still electric, and Clift turns in another low-key but effective performance. And even though it's legacy may be slightly diminished, "From Here to Eternity" will always be fondly remembered as the film that more than any other made making out at the beach fashionable.

1950's Hollywood Mess
The Godfather got Sinatra the part of Maggio, but I think the producer was right; Sinatra stinks in that part. Talk about over acting; Sinatra has no subtlety at all. Now Lancaster is terrific, a soldier's soldier and Deborah Kerr slips into the part of a lonely wife of a louse effortlessly. The script of the James Jones book is a mess. The Lancaster-Kerr romance works almost, but the Cliff-Donna Reed love story is hurried and unbelievable. She's a dance hostess my a**. The mores of the 1950's did this interesting story wrong. These people are seething with sexuality, but somehow, Hollywood squeezed the juice out of em.

Great movie, so-so DVD
While the digital transfer is good and I enjoyed the movie for the first time without all the white noise and sound pops, all the special features that it boasts are disappointing.
For people who enjoy classic movies, you really can't do better than this. The movie is able to stand well enough on it's own without really needing these "features" to back it up and I recommend this DVD version only for that reason.
However those who love collectors edition DVD's, especially ones on Oscar flicks may feel slighted. There are two lackluster featurettes. One being a "Making Of" that is more or less a rehash of the production notes found inside of the case. The other focusing on Fred Zinneman, the movie's director, is slighlty more interesting. But both have more footage of the film itself than behind the scenes and both run under ten minutes. What they should have done was combine the two. The Commentary by the son of the director also leaves much to be desired. The only reason why I harp on these is that I know what Columbia is capable of doing better. Take a look at "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai"

However, I'm glad I got this and recommend it despite my gripes. Just be aware of the its shortcomings. It's a great film that speaks for itself and after having the DVD for a few years now, I still find myself taking this off the shelf from time to time.

The Peacetime Classic !
"From Here to Eternity" is a Hollywood classic. It may be the finest film ever about the military in peacetime. The background is Schofield Barracks, Hawaii in the Fall of 1941. That was the old "brown boot" Army! This reviewer is a Vietnam era vet, so I can't address the realism of the setting. Judging by the crisp dialog and snappy khaki uniforms, I'm giving the director the benefit of any doubt. I always thought it fascinating that an Austrian born Director could be at the helm of such classics as "High Noon" and FHTE -in consecutive years no less. What did Mr. Zinnemann know of the Old West or the American Army? The male lead is Burt Lancaster as First Sergeant Warden, a tough but fair NCO that any enlisted man would want for his "top". The second male lead is Private Prewitt, played by Montgomery Clift. Prewitt is a top bugler who isn't allowed to bugle and a top boxer who reuses to box for the company team! How that automatic conflict plays out is the heart of the movie. Another conflict is between Frank Sinatra, a happy go lucky but harmless enlisted man who trouble seems to follow and an evil Ernest Borgnine, the top MP at the Schofield stockade. Their "dispute" plays out too, with Clift a surprise key figure in its' "resolution". This reviewer believes that far too much attention has been lavished on the affair between Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, the wife of the Company Commander. I found it hard to swallow that any serious career man would run around openly with an officer's wife. Lancaster was one step away from a bust down to the lowest private and a trip to the stockade. The real female star here was Donna Reed, a bar "hostess' who would be a prostitute in real life. Her sensitivity toward Clift produces some of the best scenes in FHTE. Someone must have agreed because Donna walked off with the Best Supporting Actress Oscar- and promptly fainted after receiving it. The interplay between Lancaster/Kerr and Clift/Reed caused some huge challenges for the Director in making the bawdy best selling novel "clean" for the silver screen in the still conservative, prudish America of 1953. FHTE also contains some of the sharpest dialog and one liners this reviewer can remember. Two favorites: "Never disturb a man when he's drinking" (Lancaster) and "No one lies about being lonely"(Clift). In addition to Reed, Oscars were awarded for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Film Editing, Cinematography and Supporting Actor, (Sinatra). The last two are important: FHTE revived Frank's career. Many believe that "pressure" was applied to Harry Cohn and Columbia Pictures to hire Sinatra. Do we remember the "horses head in the bed" scene from Godfather I? Others claim that his then wife, Ava Gardner, supplied the "influence". Finally FHTE is yet another example of why black and white classics should not be colorized. If there is such a thing as "beautiful black and white", it is this one. .... ... Read more

Description

Best Screenplay Award Mar-del-Plata FF, 1970. Best Direction Award Vallaoid IFF, 1970. First feature movie by a famous director. The film is based extensively on the director's personal experiences. A metropolitan member of the scientific elite visits an old friend and colleague who has retreated with his wife to a remote meteorological station.

Cast: Jan Myslowicz, Andrzej Zarnecki, Barbara Wrzesinska.

1969, black & white. 76 mins. English subtitles. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This tale of a boy, a legendary seal, and the hunters after her valuable pelt has enough animal footage and young-boy heroics to keep the kids fascinated, and it has sufficient suspense and plot twists to keep parents' attention. Set in the Aleutian Islands, the story begins with a lonely 10-year-old (Torquil Campball) in search of a pet. Instead he finds the real-life embodiment of a mythical golden seal purported to have deserted the human race because of its greed. With a huge bounty on her head, this seal of native lore returns to be hunted down again, this time with only the boy to protect her and her newborn cub. Despite some awkward lines and performances (with the notable exception of Michael Beck as the snaky charmer of a villain), the story works and the action will keep family members of all ages riveted. The PG rating is for brief swearing as well as some gunplay at the end. With that in mind, this 92-minute movie could be considered suitable for children 4 and older. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Film!!
This is an excellent film about a boy and his relationship with his seal and trying to protect the seal from some greedy hunters.Set in beautiful Alaska!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fascinating Like a Train Wreck
With the variety of entertainment available on today's market, it is rare to find an action film that can actually hold a is even rarer to find one that does so simply due to the poor quality of the film. This movie is so utterly repulsive that one can't help but stare on, fascinated by the sheer lack of imagination, befuddled by the few snippets of dialogue that string together into a "plot" (and I use the term VERY loosley), and generally curious to see just how much worse the movie can get. This movie could be used as a form of capital punishment (as it seems repeated viewing could cause brain atrophy), except that such a punishment would most assuredly fall into the category of "Cruel and Uusual". Actually spending money on movies such as "Shootfighter 2" only encourages studios to produce more of its ilk. In short, not only would I recommend never watching this movie, but I would also recommend that any existing copies be destroyed.

Average martial arts movie
My only complaint is that I got this movie to see Bolo Yeung and he was really only in 2 fight scenes. It did have some good fights with the other guys though.

Good but not as good as the prequel
I saw this film because I'm a fan of Bolo Yeung. It compares well with his other films, especially those from Hong Kong in the 70's which often have poor film quality. The plot was nothing spectacular but it was original. The action scenes were very good. Yeung was mesmerizing in that respect, as usual. Overall I enjoyed the film, and recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Execs "Knew" Best
From what I read years ago, there were actually 8 (maybe 9)"Police Squad" episodes, but the network killed the series before all aired. Execs there apparently knew what we liked better that we. They probably figured "What's the point of Nielson informing the show's many fans that a hospital is "a big building full of sick people, but that's not important now."

The Naked Truth Part 2, Yankees 1
Although this is an okay tape, it is not as funny as the first. If you buy the first one and like it, consider buying this one. The name of the first tape is Police Squad: Help Wanted.

a MUST see!!!
You'll laugh you ... off!

Buy it NOW!!! You'll thank me later.

More comedy classics from the files of "Police Squad"
"Police Squad," which aired in 1982, starred Leslie Nielsen as Detective Frank Drebin, Alan North as Captain Ed Hocken, Ed Williams as scientist Ted Olson, William Duell as Johnny the Snitch, and Rex Hamilton as Abraham Lincoln. This second tape preserves the final three episodes from the short-lived but well-remembered comedy created by the Zucker Brothers. Once again, I have included both the title that appeared on the screen and the one intoned by the narrator (in that order), as well as the "guest star" who is killed off in the credits that week.

(4) "Revenge and Remorse"/"A Guilty Alibi," with guest star William Shatner (dodgers gunfire but then drinks poison), finds Frank investigating the death of a judge and prosecutor who are killed in explosions. The prime suspect is Eddie Casales, a bomber just released from jail, but Frank (as always) has other ideas. (5) "The Butler Did It"/"A Bird in the Hand," takes out guest star Robert Goulet (firing squad after refusing a blindfold) before Frank has to race the clock to find a kidnapped young socialite. Meanwhile, Johnny the Snitch gets a visit from a desperate Tommy Lasorda. I love it when the monkey runs around during the end credits while everybody pretends to stand frozen. (6) "Testimony of Evil"/"Dead Men Don't Laugh," with guest star William Conrad (also thrown from car with knife in chest a'la Lorne Greene in the pilot), Frank has to go undercover as "Tony Dawonderful," a so-bad-he's-funny comic, to infiltrate a night club and break up a drugs ring.

"Police Squad" was one of the funniest television shows ever and the movies, while welcomed, lack the simple charm of these episodes. For my money, Nielsen just mugs it up to much on the silver screen, although Priscilla Presley makes up for an awful lot. This is one of those rare shows that is as funny as you remember it being when you catch it again on videotape.

Cigarette? Yes I know.
The tape contains the last three episodes of the series. I can't believe there were only 6 in the series! These are absolutely halarious, the jokes do not stop. Nielsen was never funnier and Alan North is perfect as Ed Hawkins. If you liked the Naked Gun and the Airplane! films you will love this. This is one of the most original televison series ever created. I keep hoping that another tape of unkown episodes will surface. Wouldnt that be dreamy? I love how the special guest star of each episode dies during the opening theme. Brilliant! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

the dvd quality is no fun
Warning! Great movie but the dvd is no fun at all. The dvd looks cheap and my first though was that I bought some kind of copied version. The only extra related to the movie is a trailer.

The movie itself has no chapters, so if you want to see something in the end of the movie you'll have to use the fast forward button from the beginning of the movie. There are no subtitels. The movie is full screen and the quality of the picture isn't great either.

I'm happy that i finally got a dvd version of this movie. Not that happy on the dvd itself. Four stars for the movie. If the dvd was better, and had extra's like a commentary, i might have rated it five stars.

Not a great DVD, but the film is superb.
I've been looking for this film on a good format for years. I even shelled out first-run prices for a rental VHS copy years ago, just to have a good copy for keeps. So I was very happy upon discovering this release of Fun on DVD.

My response to the DVD itself is mixed. Not much in bonus materials -- this is of course a by-product of how low-budget the production was. I had interviewed a key member above the line who said that this shoot was literally scrapped together, so it's a marvel the film came together at all.

Though director Rafal Zielinski is known mostly for trashy exploitation flicks (Screwballs, Jailbait), this was his moment of greatness. Much credit, however, should go to writer James Bosley. The screenplay was adapted from his stage play and the dramatic scenes and characters are so compelling that the film was already halfway there. The dialogue moves with a relentless forward momentum and there's never a boring moment with the characters' internal life. The vital central scene between tough-as-nails counsellor Jane (24's Leslie Hope, giving her career-best performance) and hyperactive teen Bonnie (a staggering performance by Alicia Witt) literally crackles with life and pathos.

Fun was rightly celebrated for its acting (two acting awards at Sundance Film Festival), or it is the four performances that hold this film together. Witt is a marvel, a whirlwind of energy that gives way to unexpected intensity and sorrow. Renee Humphrey gets the more conventional brooding role and does a fine job, but it is Witt's erratic, lovable, yet internally seething Bonnie which embodies the spirit of the film. She had brought many elements of herself to the role (Witt herself was the one who had learned to speak at the age of one month), and while that strays from the original play (where the character was far less precocious and much more of an everygirl), it works wonderfully in the context of the film. Hope has never been better, her steely resilience anchoring the film's perspective, and William R. Moses is great as visiting journalist John, and the audience's way into the psychological world of Bonnie and Hilary.

One more honorable mention to cinematographer Jens Sturup, who executes the dual visual style of the film beautifully. The scenes in colour look assured, warm and expressive, making it hard to believe this film was shot in a matter of days. And Sturup's handheld camera work in the black-and-white sequences is superb, where he executes a degree of "editing in camera" which made me believe, for the first several years since seeing this film, that there was far more intercutting in those dialogue scenes than there actually was.

The gripes I have about this DVD is that though the film was made low-budget, the release is really a bit too cheap. The DVD sleeve, for example, looks like a low-res colour photocopy, and the layouts are quite amateurish as well, far worse than the VHS release from the mid-'90s. That wouldn't have been a problem, but the DVD itself also suffers from jumps and lapses. While this could be a one-off problem on my personal copy, I somehow got the feeling that this release wasn't done by pros.

If another superior edition of this film comes out on DVD, I'll definitely be first in line. In the meantime, I think it's still worth owning this DVD, if only to see one of the best, most emotional independent films made in the '90s, made against the odds in true guerilla fashion.

horrifying look into the minds of two young girls
Hillary and Bonnie are two teenaged girls who meet and decide, just for the fun of it, they will kill an elderly woman. They don't even know this woman beforehand, they just select her to be their victim. The story is told in flashbacks from the juvenile detention hall where the two girls are held (separated from each other) and meet with a therapist/counselor Jane.

This story is reminiscent of "Heavenly Creatures", one of Kate Winslet's first films and based on a true story. I recommend both films, but warn the potential viewer that there are pretty gruesome scenes in both movies. So much for sugar and spice -- one wonders if these girls are anything other than pure evil ....

A Few Words... Of Warning? Of Enthusiasm?
I am both driven to warn people about this movie, and to be enthusiastic about it. Definetly not for the faint of heart, it is terribly disturbing. I watched the film with my best friend and we both kept staring at eachother in amazement, which could be a true sign of how masterful the piece is. Great characters and story line. If you think you can handle the psychological implications and chilling plot of this movie, then go for it!

Not bad... but not "Heavenly"
The performances of Renee Humphrey and especially the amazing Alica Witt are the main reason to watch this movie. However, yes, it IS a whole lot like Heavenly Creatures, which was much more powerful in the writing and directing categories. The ending was especially odd and contrived. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Duh, this movie isn't supposed to make sense
I read a lot of reviews of this movie and they all say pretty much the same thing, it's unintelligable, but i think that's kind of the point. The first time I saw this movie it was on TNT at 1:00 in the morning, which is the time i recommend people watch this movie if they want to get the full effect, because when you are extreamly tired, you don't care about a plot, you just say hey, that's a cool movie, which is what this movie is. There's some great visuals like sam and dave's split apartment, and plastic figures hanging from wires that are apparently suspended in mid air. You must keep an open mind when watching this movie, don't ask how sam and dave get from a bus stop bench in a dark ally to an island in the blink of an eye, just go with it...and watch out for the snake

A very funny movie
This movie was a very good movie, I can not belive anyone would give it a bad review, but then again some people in this world must not have a since of humor, I belive that evey time you have Feldman and Haim paired together you are in for a very entertaning movie, and this movies proves that to be true, I would tell eveyone reading this that you to should watch this movie!

This movie's SUPPOSED to be stupid.
This movie was written with every intent to make you role your eyes and laugh. And, for me, it succeeded very well; I didn't stop laughing through the entire thing. It takes nothing seriously, especially itself (that's called a farce). It pokes fun at the film industry and itself. If you want to take a break from reality, be thoroughly entertained, and learn nothing of redeaming value, this is the perfect movie.

WOW! WHAT A HORRIBLE MOVIE!
Ok, first off, I love Corey Feldman and Corey Haim, and I love movies, but I almost couldn't even finish this movie. They get fired from their job and kicked out of their apartment, so Feldman's uncle that is an ex-pirate actor magically warps them to his island to become scuba instructors, but his uncle's old on screen nemesis tries to take over the island and blah blah blah. I would like to meet the guy that wrote this script and thougth he had something special. The only reason I gave this 2 stars is because the two Corey's are in it, and both of them rule, they just got caught in a very bad movie.

Great Movie
Not only is this a great movie, but it has Corey Feldman! Now Corey Feldman can do no wrong by me. I think every Corey fan should see this movie. And I think Corey is one of the most talented people out there and I don't care who knows it! So make fun of him all you want because to the people that really like him it doesn't matter. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Pure genious
These are the first three episodes of Police Squad, the program that laid out the ground works for the Naked Gun series and a lot of other parodies out there (stuff like chalk outline jokes and name puns). I personally consider Police Squad to be better than the Naked Gun series, and all other parodies made by the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team. Too bad there were only six episodes made, as this is just pure gold in my humble opinion.

The Naked Truth
This is an extremely hilarious tape. It is just as funny, if not more, than the NAked Gun movies. Watch it a few times and you'll realize all the jokes you've missed.

POLICE SQUAD forever and ever and...
What, only 6 stinkin' episodes is all this show has? Shows you what Hollywood thinks is and isn't funny. The cast is great and the Jokes...Sight Gags that really make you feel good about Vision! A Must Have- What No DVDs?

The original television series is funnier than the movies
"Police Squad," which aired in 1982, starred Leslie Nielsen as Detective Frank Drebin, Alan North as Captain Ed Hocken, Ed Williams as scientist Ted Olson, William Duell as Johnny the Snitch, and Rex Hamilton as Abraham Lincoln. The first three episodes from the short-lived but well-remembered comedy created by the Zucker Brothers are preserved on this tape. I have included both the title that appeared on the screen and the one intoned by the narrator (in that order). Oh, and please remember that the "guest star" for each episode is always killed during the title credits. Now, back to the episodes:

(1) "A Substantial Gift"/"The Broken Promise," the March 4, 1982 series premier with guest star Lorne Greene (dumped out of a car with a knife buried in his chest), finds Frank investigating the murder of a teller at the bank. His girlfriend Sally says it was a recently fired employee, but Frank has his doubts. There is a great scene involving Frank trying to get clear about "Jim Fell" and an equally funny visit to the Dentist. (2) "Ring of Fear"/"A Dangerous Assignment," with guest star Georg Stanford Brown" (crushed by a falling safe), has Frank working the case of a boxer who is murdered after refusing to take a dive. This means a visit to Jim's Gym for Frank, who ends up working with a real dog. (3) "Rendevouz at Big Gulch"/"Terror in the Neighborhood" takes out guest star Florence Henderson (gunned down in her kitchen while making a meal and singing) before Frank and Norberg go undercover at a dance studio to crack down on a protection racket. I really like the fight at the studio.

Why on earth did this hysterical show not succeed? Well, apparently there were so many sight gags (e.g., the Japanese Garden consisting of Japanese people standing in large flower pots), that people actually had to WATCH the show, which, it seems, they did not like to do. Now they have to pay to watch Frank Drebin in the movies. Go figure.

A six-episode comedy classic!
Perhaps, in some wonderful alternate time-band, "Police Squad!" lasted beyond six episodes to survive for, say, two seasons. Or three. Surely, true fans of the series are asking but one question at this point: "My name is not Shirley, but can you tell me how to get to this wonderful time-band?" I'm afraid I can't, but if anyone knows the secret, please share it with me--care of Shirley, of course.

As it stands, six installments are all we have, and they are the funniest TV episodes ever produced, with a dream comedy cast headed by Leslie Nielsen, Alan North, and Peter Lupus. North and Lupus were to continue onto the big screen for the "Naked Gun" series, but studio bigwigs insisted they be replaced by actors with greater name recognition. What a shame!

This, and the second "Police Squad!" video, present the episodes in uncut form. The less said about heavily-edited cable airings of this masterpiece, the better. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This is one of those wildly vulgar comedies full of scattershot jokes and random acts of silliness, directed by Airplane codirector David Zucker. For good measure, he's cast South Park creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, as a pair of slacker pals who invent a game (blending baseball and basketball) that takes the country by storm. Intended as a satire on the raging greed of professional sports, it trades extravagantly in rudely vulgar humor; the jokes are so numerous and fly in so many directions that they're bound to offend--and amuse--everyone at some point. A key aspect of the game: defending players get to psych-out their opponents in gross and insulting ways, which is where Parker and Stone shine. The film's real discovery is Dian Bachar, a tiny comic dynamo, who plays the team's most put-upon player. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (161)

I love it, but it's not for everyone.
I love this movie! I live in Australia and it went sraight to video over here, probably beacause it made very little money at the box office in America. But don't let either of these facts put you off. The only thing that should put you off this movie is if it's just not for you, which is pretty likey in today's political-correctness-obsessed society. But if you're willing to remind yourself that it's just a joke, and that they mean nothing by it, you may actually have a good time.
Personally, I thought it was great. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the guys who created South Park, star as a pair of lifelong friends, and losers, who create a game which is a cross between baseball and basketball (hence the name BASEketball). They're not serious about it, and are just doing it for fun, but when a famous billionaire decides to sponser them to go pro, they become overnight superstars. From here on in, the whole thing becomes downright silly, one of the main reasons that I like it so much. It also becomes full of sight gags and gross-out humour, and this won't appeal to some people. It's not the type of gross-out used in Austin Powers or American Pie - it has just a little more bite than that, and will definitely cause offense somewhere on the planet at the best of times. But it's all in good fun, and so silly that it doesn't get nasty, and there's never any doubt that it's all make-believe.
The two leads are just great - really funny, with natural chemistry, because they are best friends in real life. Also worth a mention is Dian Bachar, who you might remember as the postman from Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place. He plays Kenny "Squeak" Scolari, best described in South Park analogies -the Stan to a pair of Cartmans. He is mainly used as a vehichle for the movie's cheapest slapstick gags, but he's also a believable character, and there were a couple of points where I really felt sorry for the poor little guy! The only performance that disappointed me was Yasmine Bleeth, but at the time I didn't know she had been on Baywatch, otherwise I would have expected bad acting (sorry Baywatch fans!). Her character Jenna has some pretty good lines, but they should have got someone who could deliver them well. Fortunately, all of the other performances were much better.
Anyway, you're probably sick of hearing what I have to say by now, so I hope I've inspired you to watch this movie. Like I said, you might like it, you might not, but I'd advise you to give it a try anyway.
Oh, and a message for any other girls out there who are reading this: Trey Parker is really cute. Not that that has anything to do with the actual movie, but I just thought I should express my opinion.
Thanks for reading my review. Party on! :)

It's this new game we learned...in the hood!
BASEketball is a surprisingly clever comedy that works on many different levels. While it parodies feel-good sports movies it also posts a savage social commentary on the commercialization of American sports and American life in general. The movie stars South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, however it wasn't written by them, so fans of South Park and Orgazmo may find the movie a little tame. However, with David Zucker (of "Airplane!" fame) at the helm, the movie skips along merrily, with plenty of sight gags, running jokes, and one-liners. I also think it's prudish to call this a "gross-out" comedy - there's nothing on a par with the "frank and beans" scene in "...Mary" for the squeamish to avoid. Instead most of the humor revolves around the male bonding displayed by Trey, Matt and diminutive co-star Dian Bachar. The rituals of teasing, name-calling and hazing have rarely been portrayed as lovingly on screen before...
Numerous guest star appearances begin to drag toward the end of the film, but the acute social satire never lets up, and in the end the movie has a saccharine, feel-good flavor. In fact, the only reason this picked up an idiotic R rating must've been the habitual usage of the f-word. Otherwise there's no sex, no nudity, no violence and frankly the language wouldn't really shock an 8 yr old these days. But these are the censored times we live in...
Anyway, BASEketball is great, it zips along merrily, you have to pay close attention to get some of the more subtle gags and the pace slacks toward the end, but all in all I think you'll watch it enough to warrant buying over renting.

An underrated treasure
Disgusting? Check. Juvenile? Check. Sadistic? Check. BASEketball is all these things, but it is also so much more, thanks to the Zucker (Airplane, Top Secret!, Naked Gun) touch.

Though it stars Matt Stone and Trey Parker, BASEketball doesn't really resemble South Park so much as Zucker's other straight-faced screwball comedies, and it's obvious these two fit into that rubric perfectly. It is not merely that Matt Stone puts a sex toy in his mouth, it is the zeal with which he attacks it that makes the scene a gut-buster. Zucker supposedly cast the duo before South Park became such a phenomenon, and it's a gamble that paid off artistically.

Not everyone's gonna like this movie. Some won't get it, a few more might be really turned off by a guy-on-guy kiss near the movie's climax, and the rest just won't find it funny for whatever reason. For everyone else, there's no shame in howling with laughter.

Humor Only a Prepubescent Boy Could Love...
Okay, so I'm not a prepubescent boy. I'm a nearly thirty-year-old woman who was made to watch this ridiculous film quite against her will... And, damn it if I nearly peed my pants with laughter!

However, I do not recommend this to anyone who dislikes bathroom humor on principle. Though each joke is well-executed, each corny, melodramatic quip delivered with deliberately dewy-eyed sincerity, it is unapologetically juvenile, raunchy, and pretends to have no amount of redeeming value. But even its lack of values came as a surprise to me, for I can't help but give it more credit than it seems to give itself for having very strong underlying themes of maintaining integrity (believe it or not), and of course, friendship.

Bottom line - if you're looking for good clean fun, this is not for you; but if you're feeling a little off-color, goofy and in the mood for a guilty pleasure, this is a film that, at the least, will make you laugh in spite of yourself.

"Steve....Perry!"
This is one of my favourite movies of all time, no doubt! Matt and Trey have been my heroes since I was ten years old (I was a very demented 10 year old). It's hilarious and strongly reccomended to anyone fond of...well, laughing! And if you like watching BASEketball, try and get together with some friends and play it. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

A year after a devastating friendly fire incident during the Gulf War,Lt. Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) is in a Washington, D.C., desk job assigned the rudimentary task of overseeing a Medal of Honor candidate who died in the war. However, the case and soldier in question are a political hot potato--Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) is America's first female soldier to be killed in combat.

Serling soon finds discrepancies in the case of a downed Medevac helicopter in the rocky Kuwait territory. What unfolds in flashback are several versions of Walden's tactics (à la Kurosawa's Rashomon) to rescue the soldiers and survive the downing. As with Glory, Director Edward Zwick's cast of unknown and famous faces always comes off as the real article. Walden's crew is especially convincing. Matt Damon as the medic comes off as the giddy scaredy-cat when telling his story to Washington. In battle he's a flawed, humorous soldier. The most surprising work in the movie is done by Lou Diamond Phillips (as the group's gunman), whose career hadbeen headed to straight-to-video oblivion.

Then there's Ryan. She has done well with dramatic work in the past (When a Man Loves a Woman, Flesh and Bone) but has never been able to escape the romantic-comedy image. With dyed hair, a light accent, and the dramatics of the situation, Ryan finally has an enduring dramatic film. Even though she has half of Washington's screen time, her brave and ultimately haunting performance makes Courage something special, right down to its curious but rewarding final scene. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Washington and Ryan in a Gulf War "Rashomon"
The basic plot line of "Courage Under Fire" is that Lt. Col Nathaniel Sterling (Denzel Washington) is investigating an incident during the Gulf War to determine whether or not the Medal of Honor should be awarded to Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan). It does not take us long to find out that the title of this film refers to both Sterling and Walden. The initial story on Walden, the pilot of a rescue helicopter, is that she made a spectacular rescue of a downed helicopter crew, then fought off attacking Iraquis after her own copter crashed, dying right before they were rescued themselves. But as Sterling questions the surviving members of Walden's crew, he discovers their various versions do not jive, and he begins to question what is the truth. Moreover, Sterling is haunted by his own actions during the Gulf War, where he was responsible for a "friendly fire" incident that resulted in the death of American soldiers. To complicate matters, Sterling is drinking too much, has grown distant from his family, and is being hounded by a commanding officer who wants the P.R. value of Walden receiving the medal and a reporter who knows something of what happened to the Colonel in Iraq.

"Courage Under Fire" makes excellent use of the "Rashomon" technique, wherein we get to see each person's version of what really happened in Iraq. Sterlings own feelings of guilt and responsibility for what happened in Iraq provide an additional level of depth to the narrative (more so than in Kurosawa's original classic film in fact). Some may find the parallel attempts to find redemption to be somewhat heavy handed, but ultimately the film succeeds because of the solid acting performances. In addition to Washington and Ryan, who knew have a scene together, there are solid performances from Lou Diamond Phillips and a very underweight Matt Damon as surviving members of Walden's crew, Michael Moriarity as the General, Scott Glenn as the reporter, and Regina Taylor as Sterling's wife. Certainly this film is closer to the reality of Desert Storm than "Three Kings," but the main enjoyment here is watching Ryan and her crew do the same lines with totally different meanings because of radical changes in context while Washington tries to find meaning in his own life.

Very Good
On the surface this was a good movie. Denzel Washington must investigate the situation surrounding a medical chopper being shot down and if the commanding office of that chopper, Meg Ryan, should receive the medal of honor. She would be the first woman ever to receive this decoration, and it would be posthumously. Denzel's character receives conflicting information and is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on. The cast is rounded out by Lou Diamond Phillips, Matt Damon and a few other familier faces.

Under the surface this becomes a better movie. Denzel's character is struggling with a friendly fire incident he was just involved in and is willing to take responsibility that the Pentagon will not allow him. His inner struggle is a fine secondary story line and as any good soldier would do he is doing without the help of his family (his wife is trying to help) or his friend and commanding officer (whom he will not turn to).

An excellent insight into human emotion, the conflict of war, the battle of the sexes and one man's struggle to do what is right. A worthwhile addition to any DVD library.

Good movie, compelling story...
Courage Under Fire stars Denzel Washington, who plays a very convincing LTC Nathaniel Sterling, a tank commander in the Gulf War; and Meg Ryan as a CPT Karen Walden, a pilot killed in action during the Gulf War who is considered for recommendation for the Medal of Honor, the first woman to be considered for this award.

Meg Ryan appears in the movie only in several of the numerous flashbacks. The movie revolves around two storylines: the facts behind the death of Meg Ryan's character, CPT Walden, and the life of LTC Sterling who has the unfortunate assignment to uncover what really happened when CPT Walden was killed.

Throughout the movie, LTC Sterling must face his own demons, including a drinking problem, difficulties with his wife, and a Washington reporter hounding him for information on the story he's researching.

Lou Diamond Phillips and Matt Damon also appear in the movie, both of whom portray soldiers who witnessed the events that led to CPT Walden's death.

Good, involving story
Yes, I praise the film for its veracity and the qualities of the various members of the cast. But, let's remember the only woman who has ever been awarded the Medal of Honor in all the
history of the award, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, of Civil War fame.
Don't lose sight of the real thing!

Big-name stars: A great story, brilliantly acted.
First off, the time for this review is a little off. (09/2003) Right now the "anti-war" crowd seems to hold sway ... at least in the media. But take it from a former soldier, this is a great and very realistic story about what happens under fire.
(War ... IS ugly. But perhaps September 11th, 2001 taught us there are some battles you should not run away from.)

You should also read a few of the other reviews about this movie, they are very well-done.

This story is about Denzel Washington's character (Sterling) who is assigned to investigate a dead helicopter's actions after their aircraft went down in the first Gulf War. (1990) The deceased helicopter pilot is Meg Ryan's character (Walden); she gets precious little screen-time in this movie ... it is perhaps the only criticism I can think of that is valid.

I don't need to tell you the rest of the details, story and technique of this film, other reviews do this as well as anyone possibly could. What I do have to offer is a word about the acting of this movie.

Normally Denzel Washington plays action characters, and Meg Ryan almost always seem to do a comedy/drama about a woman in love. Here both actors are engaged in a radical departure from their normal fare.

I don't know how many Oscar's this film was nominated for, (and I don't really care, Oscar's seem to be as much about politics as anything else); but Washington, Ryan, and Damon all give performances that are quite worthy of this award. And the rest of the cast is very good as well. I would personally like to say that this film could have easily been the best picture of the year, and the actor's could have easily walked away with several statues. The director could have won an Oscar as well.

In the end, you are irrevocably drawn into the story and live it, just as you should be with a really good film. My only word of warning is that this is a real tear-jerker, the end of this one could have you crying like a baby.

There are few films that I would recommend to anyone, this movie is definitely one of those. (Of course you have to put the kids to bed, some of the words, action, and violence are not really suitable for children.) A+ ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Good Movie Based On a Totally Bogus Premise
I place Courage Under Fire in the same class with A Few Good Men as "A military movie that would have been a lot better if the people writing/directing it had actually done a bit of research on the military." Let me hasten to add, I enjoyed Courage Under Fire, but I had two gripes:

(1) In the scene where the Meg Ryan character dies while charging the Iraquis and firing an M16, we can see down the muzzle of the rifle, and the "muzzle" is a mere pinprick. Obviously, this is a blank gun. A small thing, but jarring to those who know guns, at a key moment in the film.

(2) The entire premise of the movie is bogus. An Army helicopter pilot played by Meg Ryan has been killed in combat, and has been nominated for a posthumous Medal of Honor. Denzel Washington's character is tapped to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. This is a political hot potato because, if he recommends her award, she will become (drum roll) THE FIRST WOMAN EVER AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR.

False. Historically, factually false. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker of the Civil War Union Army was awarded the Medal of Honor on November 11, 1865. This is, um, kind of an important point. Either the folks making this movie didn't know that, in which case they're sloppy, or they chose to ignore it, in which case they're willfully dishonest.

Did I mention I enjoyed this movie?

A Gulf War Rashomon with Washington and Ryan
The basic plot line of "Courage Under Fire" is that Lt. Col Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) is investigating an incident during the Gulf War to determine whether or not the Medal of Honor should be awarded posthumously to Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan). It does not take us long to find out that the title of this film refers to both Serling and Walden. The initial story on Walden, the pilot of a rescue helicopter, is that she made a spectacular rescue of a downed helicopter crew, then fought off attacking Iraquis after her own copter crashed, dying right before the besieged group was rescued. But as Serling questions the surviving members of Walden's crew, he discovers their various versions do not jive, and he begins to question what is the truth of what really happened. Moreover, Serling is haunted by his own actions during the Gulf War, where he was responsible for a "friendly fire" incident that resulted in the death of American soldiers. To complicate matters even more, Serling is drinking way too much, has grown distant from his family, and is being hounded by both a commanding officer (Michael Moriarity) who wants the P.R. value of Walden being the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor and a reporter (Scott Glenn) who knows something of what happened to the Colonel in Iraq and wants to know the rest.

"Courage Under Fire" makes excellent use of the "Rashomon" technique, wherein we get to see each person's version of what really happened in Iraq. Serling's own feelings of guilt and responsibility for what happened in Iraq provide an additional level of depth to the narrative (more so than in Kurosawa's original classic film in fact). Some may find the parallel attempts to find redemption to be somewhat heavy handed, but ultimately the film succeeds because of the solid acting performances. In addition to Washington and Ryan, who never have a scene together, there are solid performances from Lou Diamond Phillips and a very underweight Matt Damon as surviving members of Walden's crew, Michael Moriarity as the General, Scott Glenn as the reporter, and Regina Taylor as Serling's wife. Certainly this film is closer to the reality of Desert Storm than "Three Kings," but the main enjoyment here is watching Ryan and her crew do the same lines with totally different meanings because of radical changes in context while Washington tries to find meaning in his own life.

A Meg movie that is not a comedy
Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serving (Denzel Washington) makes the ultimate boo boo. In the heat of the moment he targets our side. While still in a slump over this he is challenged to check out Captain Karen Emma Walden (Meg Ryan) who is inline for the Medal of Honor. We go through several versions of her story. And she does a good job of portraying the different personalities describe. ... Read more

Reviews (73)

DEEPLY MOVING ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS
Instead of the usual over-the-top heavy-sentiment scenes in a dysfunctional family, Marvin's Room finds a clever, non-contrived way to end by leaving its characters at a magical moment of mutual understanding. It is one of the most powerful endings I've ever seen in a film.

Greatly acted by almost everyone (including a very young Leonardo Di Caprio), great score, excellent screenplay, a tinge of wry humor through it all, and gutwrenching emotion.

I picked up the DVD for Streep, and found her character a little one-dimensional. But when I really think of it, the most remarkable thing about the film is how it reveals how similar the two sisters are, despite their non-trivial character differences. Both abandon one part of their family to sacrifice for another part -- they each merely take different parts, and that's why Lee's character is not as bad, selfish or one-dimensional as she first seems. Lee's problem was understanding love. Despite all her lovers, Lee (Streep) had to learn the real meaning of love from her spinster sister Bessie (Keaton).

Worth buying, as anyone with a heartbeat will watch this gem more than once. Highly recommended.

An Emotional Rollercoaster
"Marvin's Room" is not only a wonderful movie that has both comedy and drama, but it has an excellent cast. I was very surprised that it wasn't nominated for Best Picture at the Oscar's. Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep shine as two sisters who have not seen each other in twenty years. Their bond is very easy to relate to. And then you have Leonardo DiCaprio (beofre "Titanic"). He is wonderful as Hank, the older son of Lee (Streep). You can tell that he wants attention, mainly from his mother who has her sights set on other things. Bessie (Keaton), in a very moving and loving way shows Hank that he is loved, by his mother and by herself. I thought that the car-ride by the water was wonderful. It showed the two of them bonding, which is what they do more and more as the film progresses.

Gwen Verdon is wonderful as the absent-minded Aunt Ruth who really brings a lot of comedy into the movie. Hume Cronin was simply wonderful, even though he didn't have any actual speaking lines, his actions throughout the movie seem to bring the disfunctional family together. Robert DiNero plays the very kind Dr. Wally who also brings a sweetness into the film. But the person who, in my opnion, really shines in this film is Diane Keaton. She has a rare talent and it definitely shows in this movie. The ending was so wonderful as well. I am glad that they ended on a positive note instead of a sad one. My advice: Rent this movie!!!!!

Witty, Funny and Heartwarming
Taken from a play by Scott McPherson, "Marvin's Room" at first seems like it might be a dreary tear jerker of a drama. But wait, there is a dream cast involved and somewhat maudlin scenarios turn out to be sheer delights. Imagine a film with Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Robert DeNiro, Leonard DiCaprio and Hugh Cronyn and you cannot go wrong. Keaton is taking care of her long failing father (Cronyn) when she discovers she has leukemia. She contacts her long estranged 'beauty school graduate' sister (Streep) and pyromaniac nephew (DiCaprio) as possible donors. When the families unite in Florida, it's a flurry of funny, hard-nosed and real life dialogue. All cast members are at their best and Streep and Keaton juxtaposed as sisters is amazing. DeNiro plays Keaton's scatter-brained doctor and he is priceless. There's strong warmth and reality in this film and despite the occasional tear, the ultimate feeling is happiness. This movie is a keeper.

Marvin's Room
Beautiful, touching and funny film that shines on every level. Two long-estranged sisters, Bessie (Diane Keaton) and Lee (Meryl Streep), come together when Bessie discovers she has lukemia and needs Lee and her two sons, one of whom is a patient in an Ohio mental hospital (Leonardo DiCaprio) to be tested in order to save Bessie's life. With a beautiful music score, simple but inspiring direction, compelling performances (especially from Keaton, DiCaprio and Streep), and a simple but moving story, this is one of the true classic films of all time. "Marvin's Room" is a must for all to see.

DEEPLY MOVING ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS.
Close to a perfect movie as you can get. Instead of the usual over-the-top heavy-sentiment scenes in a dysfunctional family, Marvin's Room finds a clever, non-contrived way to end by leaving its characters at a magical moment of mutual understanding. It is one of the most powerful endings I've ever seen in a film.

Greatly acted by almost everyone (including a very young Leonardo Di Caprio), great score, excellent screenplay, a tinge of wry humor through it all, and gutwrenching emotion.

I picked up the DVD for Streep, and found her character a little one-dimensional. But when I really think of it, the most remarkable thing about the film is how it reveals how similar the two sisters are, despite their non-trivial character differences. Both abandon one part of their family to sacrifice for another part -- they each merely take different parts, and that's why Lee's character is not as bad, selfish or one-dimensional as she first seems. Lee's problem was understanding love. Despite all her lovers, Lee (Streep) had to learn the real meaning of love from her spinster sister Bessie (Keaton).

Worth buying, as anyone with a heartbeat will watch this gem more than once. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (503)

Man Out Of Time
It's hard to think of a movie in which the hero ponders a metaphorical crossroads in his life while standing at a literal crossroads. Insipid or inspired? The problem with Robert Zemeckis's visually and viscerally eye-punching Robinson Crusoe ins that you can't say for sure. Could the movie really be as thematically trite as an insprirational office poster? Or is it an admirably stripped- down examination of the ancestral essence of being human?
Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) doesn't worry about such big questions. He's airlifted into Moscow and other emerging capital hot-spots when local operations are absolutely, positivly running from that tireless hunter: time. (It's alerrgorical! Get it?) Summoned on Christmas to make an emergency run, Chuck leaves his fiencee Kelly (Helen Hunt) with the promise that he'll return New Year's Eve. Cue from a "Perfect Storm": Chuck and the FedEx jet crew lose radio contact and crash into the Pacific Ocean in a truly harrowing, you-are-there disaster sequence. This is no film for the squeamish, particularly after Chuck and a few FedEx packages wash up on an unnamed, utterly uninhabited island (Fiji's Monukiri and Mana, actually).
Almost everything, from what Chuck's forced to eat to his horror at consequences of a desert-island toothache, is accompanied by all the blood and guts left over from SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.
Add in Chuck's deteriorating hold on sanity---evinced by the inspired conceit of his relationship with a volleyball on which he has drawn a face---and you have a long middle section of bravura filmaking.
But once Chuck get home, the film turns anticlimatic and emotionally nil, and there's a startling lack of chemistry between Hanks and an unimpressive Hunt.