Description

When it's your teddy bear's birthday, you want to celebrate in style!That's why Big Bird is throwing a dance party for Radar.Everyone's getting into the act, and they're doing all their favorite dances!So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to party Sesame Street style! ... Read more

Reviews (26)

People who gave thumbs down missed the point.....
.... If you have a motivated child who LOVES music and dancing this is perfect. Big Bird's teddy bear (Radar) is having a birthday party and YOU are invited. That's why the dance teacher keeps looking at the camera. To make your child a part of the party!!! ....

My daughter is 16 months and knows all the steps and songs. The first song is instructional, where you touch your toes, turn around, pull on your ears etc. After dancing with her, my daughter knows all her body parts!

My daughter (22months) loves this video
I agree with others that the dance teacher is annoying, but my daughter loves this video. This video really has taught her how to follow directions. She does the dances along with the kids on the show and has fun. She asks for it almost every day. I actually bought it for the "Animal Birthday" song because I love Kingston Livingston the 3rd, but the rest of the video is fun. Especially the last song. Whenever she starts to get cranky, we can sometimes avoid a tantrum by singing the "I'm a Little Airplane" song and she will start being an airplane instead! Whatever works!

Dancing Machine!
My two year old son LOVES LOVES this video. In fact we already owned it and he carries it everywhere, in the car, to friends houses, on trips so it's pretty tattered! We took it to a party tonite and it entertained all the kids, but it's on it's last play I think! I just bought another and hope it gets here fast before the old DVD self destructs! I also have a one year old and they both love to do the dance moves and it's good exercise for mom too! It's just a FUN video for everyone and I actually like all the songs - not too annoying! Any toddler would love this video/dvd!

One of the best videos I've bought
My daughter who is 17 months and her friend who is two yrs. love this video. My daughter tries to dance along with the kids, and she loves the songs. I only wish I had it on dvd.

Great!
My 2 year old daughter loves to dance along to this DVD. She has the routine of the first dance memorized, and it's so cute to watch her do the dances. It's a great way to get your child to exercize, and stay entertained. Usually, she gets sick of these DVD's rather quickly, but she's watched this one about a hundred times, and still loves it! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

The Best Version of Cinderella w/ some good butt kicking
Drew Barrymore plays Cinderella as never seen before. With a quick wit,brains,looks, and the willingness to kick alittle "step-sisterly bootie" , she wins over the heart of a handsome prince, played by Dougrey Scott. The story alters more with the help of a step-sister who in the end makes you love her as much as Cinderella. Also, you have a wonderful cast who brings this to life, altering a "fairy-godmother" to a "fairy-godfather" with the help of famous artist Leonardo. You will laugh and cheer as you let yourself be pulled into this wonderful story of love, comedy, and "just rewards".

A realistic version of the timeless fairy tale
In this more realistic version of Cinderella, Drew Barrymore plays Gabrielle, a pretty farm girl who's strength and courage(not prince charming) save her from a bleak future. In order to save one of the house servants, Gabrielle passes herself off as a courtier and confronts one of the King's men. Amidst this confrontation, Prince Henry shows up and is impressed by Gabrielle's guts, intelligence, and beauty. Smitten by the Prince herself, Gabrielle lies to him about who she really is.
But Gabrielle's stepmother (Angelica Huston) is determined to have the prince marry one of her daughters and she'll do whatever it takes to get Gabrielle out of the way. Highly recommended for its romance, humor, and suspense.

great family viewing
Drew Barrymore has this charm about her on screen, whether it's in ET as a pretty little girl, or as a beautiful young woman in this Cinderella story that will captivate your heart and senses. This is fairytale but believable because human nature is always the same whether it's fantasy or reality; and it's romantic but very tasteful. And I'm sure many will be pleased with the happy ending :)

David Rehak
author of "A Young Girl's Crimes"

Excellent movie!!!!
This is one of my favorite movies of all time! Of course, as its known by the title the story is based on the Cinderella fairy tale, but in this movie the heroine is smart and strong, yet vunerable at the same time. Drew Barrymore is great and Angelica Houston is just wondrously wicked as the evil step- mother. This movie is recomended to every woman!!!

Going back to the olden times. 15th april 2004.
Danielle de barbarac is a servant, thats the job she does, her cruel mother is like an enemy to her, she can never anything right. [The posh dresses, just like the olden days]. ... Read more

Amazon.com

James Stewart reunites with his Harvey director, Henry Koster, in this 1962 comedy, which is charming enough even though it doesn't seem quite up to the level of talent involved. (The screenwriter is the legendary Nunnally Johnson--writer and director of The Three Faces of Eve, among many other titles--and the music is by Henry Mancini.) But it is pleasant, summery entertainment with Stewart and his screen wife, Maureen O'Hara, taking their urban family to a crumbling, seaside house for a vacation. The film was calculated to pull in older fans with Stewart as well as draw in a younger crowd that would enjoy the fairly extensive beach scenes with pop-star Fabian. Stewart is deft with the easy jokes about bad plumbing and such, and golden in several nice moments where he gets to play an attentive dad to his kids. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Very funny movie.
This is an enjoyable movie, with some very funny scenes and lines. One of my favorite lines takes place in the scene when Jimmy Stewart's shy daughter is at a dance, being the wallflower, and none of the boys ask her to dance. He asks Fabian to ask his daughter to dance (for a $5.00 fee). While they are dancing, Maureen O'Hara (his wife in the movie) asks "How did you find that boy?" and Jimmy Stewart answers "I yelled out 'Joe' to a group of boys. There is always at least one Joe in a group!"

Very Funny!
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation and Harvey are two of the funniest Jimmy Stewart movies. Vacation is especially fun because of the relationship between Maureen O'Hara and Jimmy. You will not be disappointed with this movie.

cute movie!!!
My wife loves the scene in this movie when Lauri Peters and Fabian sing "cream puff,shortcake" at the pizza place.Lauri is so cute trying to hide her braces.

Wonderful Jimmy Stewart at his comedic best!
I am still amazed at the number of people who haven't seen this movie! Mr. Stewart even narrates, here and there, throughout the story, this wonderful tale of his summer vacation with his family at a rented beach house, along with the family maid. There is a running gag throughout the picture about the plumbing and the maid misunderstands the English language, and Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs try very hard to understand their adorable teen-age daughter (Lauri Peters) who falls in love with an adorable boy (played by none other than Fabian!), who shows up at the local dance and then there's a son who prefers to watch westerns on TV all day and night. There's a sexpot neighbor that lives in a nearby beach house who attempts to read War and Peace, and later the Hobb's daughters show up with the misbehaving grandchildren and want nothing to do with "Boompa", otherwise known as Mr.Hobbs! Don't miss the scene when Jimmy Stewart bird-watches with his son-in-in-law's boss and learns "the proper walk". The chemistry between Maureen O'Hara and James Stewart is so wonderful, it's no wonder they were so successful in several films together! She is so convincing as the jealous wife, especially when Jimmy innocently tries to help his son-in-law's boss's wife (Marie Wilson) while she is in the shower and runs into trouble........don't miss it, you'll laugh all the way through this marvelous movie. Let's hope Twentieth Century Fox soon gives us a widescreen DVD version with extras, like an interview with Maureen O'Hara & Lauri Peters!

Very cute family movie
You can enjoy this with the kids and everyone. Good clean funny entertainment, that will make you laugh and remember a more innocent time. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Part mystery, part wartime polemic, Lifeboat finds director Alfred Hitchcock tackling a cinematic challenge that foreshadows the self-imposed handicaps of Rope and Rear Window. As with those subsequent features, Hitchcock confines his action and characters to a single set, in this instance the lone surviving lifeboat from an Allied freighter sunk by a German U-boat in the North Atlantic. A less confident, ingenious filmmaker might have opened up John Steinbeck's dialogue-driven character study beyond the battered boat and its cargo of survivors, but Hitchcock instead revels in his predicament to exploit the enforced intimacy between his characters.

Indeed, we never actually see the doomed freighter--the smoking ship's funnel beneath the credits simply sinks beneath the waves, and we're plunged into the escalating tensions between those who gradually find their way to the boat, a band of eight English and American passengers and crew, plus a German sailor (Walter Slezak) rescued from the U-boat, itself destroyed by the freighter's deck gun. Heading the cast and inevitably commanding their and our attention is the cello-voiced Tallulah Bankhead as Connie Porter, a cynical, sophisticated writer whose priorities seem to be hanging onto her mink and keeping her lipstick fresh. Gradually, the others find Porter and her lifeboat, forming a temporary community that inevitably suggests a careful cross section of archetypes, from wealthy industrialist (Henry Hull) to ship's boiler men (John Hodiak and William Bendix).

Hitchcock juggles the interpersonal skirmishes between the boat's occupants with the mystery of their German prisoner, which itself becomes a meditation on the fine line between nationalism and morality, a line that Slezak walks delicately until his identity is resolved. Visually, Hitchcock transforms his back-lot set and its rear-projected cloudbanks into a desolate stretch of ocean, while capturing the horror of an amputation through an economical set of images culminating in an empty boot. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (22)

A Forgotten Film From The Master Of Suspense
Lifeboat where do i begin? well for starters i guess it would have to be that this is one of my all time favorite Films from Alfred Hitchcock. But to most people they have never heard of Lifeboat. Yeah it was one of his early works but one of his best. Most people when they think of Hitchcock they think of Psycho ans The Birds and Vertigo. But this is better than the birds. It has a human story and ever increasing the tension. In a by gone era of hollywood when movies were grand in spectical not budget.

Lifeboat is about a freighter that is heading to New York. But is sunk by a German U-boat and in the opening scenes there is Tallulah Bankhead in a lifeboat all by herself with all of her belongings. Then one by one they pick up more survivors the tension increasing when they pick up a crewman of the U-boat. Only Hitchcock would make his backlot movie with fake clouds seem so real and make a the ocean look vast and barren. He also manages to elict good performances from Bankhead,Walter Slezak, Canada Lee and others.

I would highly reccomend that you check out this film from the master of suspense. this is not to be missed of put of. It is very suspensful i mean would you come to expect less from Hitchcock.

SEE THIS MOVIE I BEG YOU.

Lesser Known Hitchcock
Lifeboat isn't as famous as some of Hitchcock's other films, but it deserves to be seen today. It's a chance to see Tallulah Bankhead, who if anything, had a very interesting screen presence. She was an original. It's also a chance to see a very human portrayal of an African American character (Canada Lee) at a time when Hollywood rarely did that. There is also a lot of commentary about the Germans and the war, which given the time when this film was made (during the war), makes it all the more fascinating. The performances are good (including a very young Hume Cronyn), and Hitchcock manages to keep the action moving despite having so limited a space in which to do so. If you like Alfred Hitchcock, this is one you should see.

BANKHEAD -- HITCHCOCK
Tallulah Bankhead was one of the 20th century's best actresses, taking over from Ethel Barrymore as the Toast of Broadway and the London stage. She made few films, and this is her best role. (For a very long time the joke was that Bankhead's stage roles were taken over by and became film hits for Bette Davis. Certainly that's true with Hellman's THE LITTLE FOXES.) Here, one has the opportunity to observe how an actress of supreme talent, handles a role in which everything is shown; in which practically nothing can be hidden. Every would-be actress ought to study not only what she does, but more importantly, what she doesn't do, for as a stage acress par excellence all through her younger years, some movie people thought her too big for the screen. Probably she wasn't, but simply needed a good director. Here, she got the best in the business, and the results show.

Hitchcock was fascinated with women, with actresses, and particularly beautiful ones. And, if Connie's beauty here, is not young, and fresh, it is nevertheless, compelling. She is like a thoroughbred mare among mules and cab nags in an auction pen of chance. She stands out because of her breeding. She has lines. Her costume? A white silk blouse, good nylons, a full-length mink coat, and a diamond bracelet. And, of course, that wonderful mane of hair.

If you study Hitchcock, it would make a wonderful double bill to see LIFEBOAT and STAGE FRIGHT close together. Here, he studies Bankhead; in STAGEFRIGHT he studies Dietrich; two fair-haired actresses of wildly differing personal style, but of exceptional power and interest. And, what they have in common and what both display in these two films, is their unusual, and unusually expressive voices. Bankhead was a famous radio actress for many years, as well as a stage star. Dietrich too was a radio actress, and all her life was a singer and recording artist. The trick in working with an artist with an exceptional voice, is to carefully trim and arrange the dialogue in such a way as best to show off the voice's characteristics.

Admirers of Lesbian Chic might want to imagine what Ann Sheridan, or Barbara Stanwick, Rosalind Russell, Ruth Hussey or Lizabeth Scott or any one of a number of others might have done with this "Contralto" role: You know, the wise-cracking, hard boiled newspaper dame. The role is a Type, very popular during the 30's, and with a lesser actress and a lesser director, we might have gotten a good movie out of the material, but not a black-and-white masterpiece, like this one. After all, what if CASABLANCA had been cast with Ronald Raegan and Heddy Lamarr?

You can watch this movie over and over. A director's tour de force, the trick, I think, is to watch for Hitchcock's cutting sequences; the way he manipulated the editing around the actors' speeches within the episodes. Extremely clever. So good, the seams are nearly invisible.

Its a great propaganda movie, but of an unusual kind; far subtler than most. Its a great Camp, or G/L movie, but again, far subtler than most. Its a great Murder movie too, etc., etc...

Great.
'Lifeboat' is a great film by the late Alfred Hitchcock. He is really truly a master of filmmaking and very few directors could make such a fantastic story from such a limited setting. Not many people know of the film, but one should definately check it out.

Hitchcock in a Tank?
A very nice ensemble cast delivers the claustrophobia in this
"Lifeboat"

Heather Angel and Henry Hull always seem to be least recognized in this drama although thw whole cast is seemless .

Bill Bendix could walways play comedy or drama with equal terms.
I think a Dick Cavett story on Bankhead and Chico Marx may be in order. " Chico said " I want to ... You" and Bankhead , always the wit said " and so you shall young man" !

Slezak on the other hand was always an actor who used his rubber face to great effect. Watch out for waves and few script flaws but stay dry ! ... Read more

Description

THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER is the award-winning animated tale of friendship, loyalty, and courage that has become a huge favorite with young and old alike! Five electrical appliances suddenly feel dumped when their young master mysteriously disappears! The dejected toaster rounds up the vacuum cleaner, electric blanket, and bedside lamp and radio, and together, they set off for the big city in search of their beloved owner! Featuring the voices of "Saturday Night Live's" Phil Hartman and Jon Lovitz, and catchy original songs -- you're on the high road to a humorous and heartwarming adventure you'll never forget. ... Read more

Reviews (46)

"Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey," for appliances!
"The Brave Little Toaster" is a treasure of a family classic. My family's been watching it for years. It was made the year I was born, so I grew up with it and still adore it to this day. Even my father adores it. In fact, it's usually his idea to watch it!

A truly unique film, "The Brave Little Toaster" centers on the determined voyage of five totally lovable appliances (the meek electric Blanky, the droll Lampy, the vociferous Radio, the austere vacuum Kirby, and the compassionate Brave Little Toaster). Their trip home to their beloved master involves an office chair and a battery. Seeing the world from the point of view of an electrical appliance makes for one thoroughly interesting, enjoyable movie. Instead of the problems that would be encountered by traditional flesh-and-blood characters, we glimpse into the perspective of machines, each in possession of a soul. And what a wonderful glimpse it is.

We meet a great number of these sentient beings throughout the movie. Among its finest features is the music; three of the songs stand out for me because they're performed by a fascinating 'company' of various appliances. The first song in the film is "City of Lights," which is a catchy tune about the optimistic beginning of their journey. My father loves this song. The second song is performed in a parts shop, by deranged and mutilated appliances who've resigned themselves to an awful death. The sequence is ominous and deliberately frightening, but not too scary for children. The point is not that these characters are evil; on the contrary, they're quite pleasant to their own kind. Who can blame them for being creepy? For them, life is a horror movie, complete with a Peter Lorre ceiling lamp.

The tone of the movie is, on the whole, much darker than most animated children's films. But this should not deter audiences. It's a shame that movies like this are not more popular. Certain scary moments include Toaster's clown nightmare, the Jack Nicholson air conditioner exploding (rest assured, he's repaired later), and the final scene in the junkyard. Fear not this amazing film, however; you'll be glad you saw it.

The interactions of the main characters make them come across as very 'real'; audiences feel for them as for a main character who's a human, or a dog, or any other kind of animal. The characters are very funny and, despite their constant quarrels, very attached. The attachment clearly shows when disaster strikes (ie, at the waterfall, in the quicksand, in the junkyard, in the parts shop.)

To further the comparison to animal characters, the 'house pets,' if you will, during the majority of the film are then certainly the high-tech appliances. The colorful, futuristic scene in the master's apartment is flooded with various modern characters, seemingly led by a new-looking purple lamp cleverly named Plugsy. His proud demeanor belies the fact that he serves essentially the same purpose as old Lampy. A telephone, computer, boom box, toaster oven, green bagless vacuum, two-faced sewing machine, and entertainment center are among those who sing to their 'inferior' counterparts that they are 'on the cutting edge' and offer 'everything you wanted and more.' Except for the friendly black-and-white television (who is really a human onscreen), these appliances are seemingly insecure and nasty, packing our five heroes off to the dump in the master's absence. Somehow, they remain likable. The TV even seems to coexist peacefully with them; Blanky asks where the master is, and a surprised TV asks, "Didn't anyone tell you?" Of course no one told them. The cutting edge appliances aren't the nicest guys in the world.

The junkyard scene is sad because, unlike the parts shop appliances who escape, these worn-out cars are crushed. Their song, "Worthless," tells the tale of several cars who've accepted their fate. Naturally, in the end, the brave appliances wind up safe and happy with the Master; who's now off to college.

The variety of characters is what I really love, among many other things, in this movie. The woodland creatures who first entertain, then irritate, the appliances are not intended to make kids dislike them. How often do they see appliances in the wild?! They're just reacting to the new stimulus in the environment with curiosity. Also, be sure to listen for subtle humor; my dad cracks up when the customer says, "Heaven sent you to me" with very flat emotion to Elmo St. Peters. Aside from that, this unusual movie has no love story in it except for the obvious relationship between the Master and Chris, but even that is not stressed. There aren't too many girls in it anyway, save for the toaster oven, phone, some of the cars, sewing machine, and two parts-shop characters, including the Joan Rivers 'mish-mosh.' She's a can opener, a lamp, and a shaver. But these little points really don't make much difference, when the movie on the whole is so delightfully appealing.

The old-fashioned brave little toaster and all his friends will toast their way right into your family.

Excellent
This film is Excellent for all ages! I remember seeing this when I was younger and for a film that came out in 1987 it holds up well on dvd. The dvd won't win any awards with fans but its enough to NOT hamper the film. Kids wouldn't know anyway! The story is a good one and one that is a timeless classic. New cartoon films don't seem to have all of the heart that this one does. Its nostalgic, its fun and its a classic.

Greatest Movie Ever!
This was one of my three favorite animated movies when I was a kid and it still is (the other 2 were Rankin/Bass's "The Hobbit" and "Return of the King")! The songs are wonderful and should've won the Oscar (I don't know if it did or not). This should've won the "Best Animated Feature" Oscar of 1987 (again, I don;t know if it did or not). Overall, a great movie!

A Childhood Favorite
I still remember watching this charming, quite teary-eyed movie as a kid. I adore the film even though I'm older and mature now, but I still find that THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER can still hold up to today's animated movies.

When five household appliances- a brave toaster, a scared electric blanket, a talkative radio, a comical lamp, and a mean vaccum cleaner- learn that they're beloved master is nowhere to be seen, they decide to go on a journey to find the owner who mysteriously left them.

Of course, the film delightfully has the appliances have a grand old adventure, singing songs, encounter foes and obstacles and a sad and emontional return to their owner.

Although I haven't seen this movie in a while, I still like this film. Recommended mostly for the kiddies, it's also fun for the parents. THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER also sends a good message about courage, friendship and redemption.

The Brave Little Toaster
My daughter and I love The Brave Little Toaster, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars and The Brave Little Toaster To The Rescue. These films are not only entertaining, but they also have a message. We all have things from our past that bring us joy and comfort(i.e. toaster, vacuum, light, etc.). It was cute that the Master and his appliances were in search of each other. The Brave Little Toaster To The Rescue reminds all of us how animals are used for experiments whether good or bad. I can't imagine someone not enjoying these films. They are all well done. My daughter's favorite is The Brave Little Toaster Goes To Mars. She enjoys the appliances helping the little master. This particular film is my least favorite, but as I said I like them all very much. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

ROMERO
Esta película fue filmada por el director Australiano John Lawless Duigan. Él nació en Inglaterra en 1949 pero se mudó a Australia en 1961 para vivir junto a su padre australiano. A él le gusta mucho dirigir películas sobre los jóvenes y sus confusiones durante esa etapa de vida. También le gusta dirigir películas sobre diferentes culturas y la política de algunos países. Él ha filmado varias películas pero algunas que son bien conocidas son "Sirens" en 1994, "Flirting" en 1991, "The Year My Voice Broke" en 1987 y "Trespassers" en 1976. Sus últimas dos películas son "Paranoid" en 2000 y "Molly" en 1999. No solamente es director de películas sino también es escritor, productor y actor de filmografía. John Duigan es más conocido en otros países que en los Estados Unidos porque ha sido el director de una sola película estadounidense "Romero" en 1989 pero como quiera ha sido reconocido como un buen director de filmografía. La película "Romero" está basada en la vida real del arzobispo Oscar Romero de El Salvador quien sufrió una transformación de carácter cuando se dio cuenta de la opresión social de la mayoría de las personas viviendo en su país. La opresión que estaba ocurriendo era por la mayor parte de la oligarquía quienes tenían poder sobre la mayoría del pueblo salvadoreño. Romero (Raúl Julia) siendo "amigo" de la oligarquía no se había dado cuenta de la opresión que estaba ocurriendo hasta que tomó su puesto de arzobispo y después del asesinato de su mejor amigo el padre Rutillo Grande (Richard Jordan). Después de que el arzobispo Romero se dio cuenta de lo que estaba pasando él decidió empezar una concientización en el pueblo salvadoreño por medio de la teología de la liberación. Esta teología ayudó al pueblo a ver que en sus vidas no tenían que sufrir, que Cristo es parte de todos, los pobres no tenían que vivir reprimidos, que cada quien tenía que hacer algo para combatir su opresión, y también que los pobres y ricos tenían los mismos derechos en decidir cómo vivir su vida. El arzobispo Romero fue asesinado en 1980 por militares porque el se había convertido en una persona que demandaba la paz en su país, luchaba por los derechos de los pobres, y quien se había involucrado políticamente contra el gobierno salvadoreño. Sus esfuerzos ayudaron a traer una concientización en su pueblo pero su país no ha podido cambiar el gobierno militar que todavía existe en El Salvador. Esta película me encantó pero es muy lamentable que no había podido atraer la atención del mundo. El contenido de la película fue un poco gráfico pero ayudó a que la audiencia sintiera todos los problemas que estaban pasando en El Salvador. Fue muy triste saber que el arzobispo Romero había sido asesinado por una causa tan noble y humanista para salvar a su pueblo. Recomiendo esta película a todas las personas del mundo para que se den cuenta de las cosas que pasan en otros países por medio de la mala política que existe en algunos países.

Powerful Story of Conversion to the Poor
Oscar Romero, Archbishop of El Salvador, had the courage to live the teaching of Jesus, even though this meant alienating the rich and powerful who oppressed, tortured, murdered, and defrauded the poor of that nation. He stood in the pulpit of the national cathedral and urged soldiers to obey their Lord and disobey commands of oppression. He paid for this, taking a bullet to the heart while blessing the wine during mass.

This movie portrays the story of a quiet, bookish man who stood in the gap between the machine of dehumanizing globalization and the children of Jesus. We watch him wrestle with discovering an authentic Christian response to the injustices and oppression prevalent in El Salvador. We see him reprimand all those who would practice violence, whether as military authority, rebels, or institutionalized violence that robs people of their humanity and ability to feed their families.

The movie was filmed in Mexico, not Hollywood. Raul Julia deserved an Oscar for his performance as Romero. Mexican extras bring a feeling of authenticity that could not have been realized in Hollywood. The telling manages to avoid most of the "splatter" depictions of violence that most box office draws include, and by so doing, makes the violence even more heinous.

This is a powerful story, whether you are Christian or Pagan, Marxist or Capitalist. It is superbly told. This is the story of a person finding his authentic place in the midst of a struggle for justice.

(If you'd like to discuss this review or video in more depth, please click on the "about me" link above and drop me an email. Thanks!)

THE ROAD IS NARROW, AND DOWN THE MIDDLE
The most unlikely of heroes, Romero, with owlish glasses and demeanor, is reluctantly thrust into a role much like Thomas More almost five centuries earlier.

20th century El Salvador, like 16th century England, is enduring bloodshed and havoc. Insurgent Communist rebels compete with paramilitary squads and the oligarchy for control of the tiny Central American nation. Priests and the flock they lead are caught in the middle. Those who cry for justice are photographed and marked for extinction because they speak the language of Marxism.

Archbishop Romero recognizes that Marxists and the ruling oligarchy are merely obverse sides of the same coin-- ideologies who rule by force contrary to the the rule of God.

He is equally harsh with Communist sympathizers as he is with the paramilitary squads who rape, torture and execute advocates of justice and human rights.

Like a nail driven into wood, Romero meets each new situation, bewildered at first, but rising to the occasion with increasing faith, anger and determination.

In one scene, he arrives at a church which has been turned into an army barracks. He announces that he has come to remove the Blessed Sacrament. A belligerent soldier responds by unloading a round of bullets into the tabernacle and shatters the crucifix hanging above the altar. Romero stands transfixed, astonished at the utter desecration, then leaves. He pauses outside where a crowd has gathered, unsure as he himself is what he will do next.

Suddenly, collecting the courage to face the evil that expelled him, he wheels around. He brushes past the insolent soldier and stoops to gather the consecrated wafers in trembling hands. The soldier fires another round above Romero's head. Undeterred by the gunfire, the intimidation, and the soldier who shoves Romero with his boot, he completes his work then exits.

But he isn't finished. He returns yet again to restore the church to its rightful owner--the people of God. The soldiers in their turn stare blandly at the audacity of this meek soldier of God who dares to stand up to their jackbooted authority and in his turn expel evil.

Archbishop Romero fights every battle his Redeemer once fought: the apathy of the elite, the treachery of those in power, and betrayal within his own ranks. One of his own priests reveals that he carries a weapon. Romero angrily and loudly denounces him because "You lose God just as the others have!" Another parishioner denounces Romero for betraying their class by "forcing" her baby to be baptized along with "all those indians."

This video should stand next to A Man For All Seasons. Raul Julia, like Paul Scofield, has memorably portrayed one of the Church's most celebrated martyrs. Julia carries a heavy load, but the entire cast contributes

A hero's tale.
In a country that was troubled by injustice and murders, the ruling elite gave Romero a powerful job as an archbishop. The reason why he was given this job, was that they believed that Romero would stick by the rules, and never fight against the cruelty and the injustice that the people of El Salvador had to endure.

How wrong they were! In this film we are allowed to witness how Romero gets more and more involved in the fight for justice and freedom for all citizens. In the end he has to pay with his life, as he is being murdered in front of the altar during a church service.

Accurate, well acted, and well worth watching!
Archbishop Oscar Romero is one of my personal heros, for the faith and courage he showed in standing up when he saw people being oppressed and speaking against those attrocities.

Raul Julia is an excellent actor and he captures this role beautifully, it is an inspiring story of going from a milquetoast bishop to a fighter for the people.

Well worth it! ... Read more

Description

In this enchanting film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's delightful bestseller, Harry Potter learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and posseses magical powers of his own. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. He learns the high-flying sport Quidditch and plays a thrilling game with living chess pieces on his way to face a Dark Wizard bent on destroying him. For the most extraordinary adventure, see you on Platform 9 3/4! ... Read more

Reviews (1789)

Video Excellentus!
In 2001, two fall blockbusters involving witchcraft and wizards reached the theatres. Unfortunately, I don't have a wand with which to say "Review autoscriptus!" or some snowy owls on one-day delivery standby so I have to do this with my fingers (sigh) and create words of wonder on the movie I liked better.

While I haven't read J.K. Rowling's books, it must have been chock full of detail I don't know of the movie:book accuracy ratio, but for director Chris Columbus to fit it in two and-a-half hours, it must have been a book spectacularis.

Witches and wizards were persecuted throughout the ages, regarded as threats more than freaks as Harry's aunt did her sister, and more often than not, burned at the stake. With Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the song remains the same, only this time, his uncle, aunt, and obnoxious cousin treat him contemptuously, as if he's an unwanted burden. Who knows how his life would have been without the flurry of invitations to Hogwarts School courtesy of one-day owl delivery? Fortunately, giant Rubeas Hagrid comes crashing to the rescue. The real adventure begins from there.

Daniel Radcliffe gives a performance competentus and credibilis as the totally likeable title character. Of the troika of main characters, he's the most human. However, Emma Watson as the resourceful and well-read Hermione Granger steals the show wands aloft. Despite being snooty and knowing who she is, she proves herself to be a cut above others in classes (see her frantically waving on Professor Snape to call on her, and her proficient wand handling). She does have feelings, though, as she angrily stomps past through Weasley, who fed up with her conceit, was verbally cutting her down a peg to Harry, finishing with "No wonder she doesn't have any friends." If Hermione's character leads more children to flip pages instead of flipping bad guys on their PS2's or X-Box's, so much the better. Rupert Grint, as Ron Weasley, makes a good foil for both his counterparts, being a fellow explorer and Christmas holiday companion with Harry or someone for Hermione to impart knowledge.

The other performer to whom this show belongs to is veteran actor Robbie Coltrane as the friendly giant gameskeeper Rubeas Hagrid. After Krull, Nuns On The Run, two James Bond movies, and From Hell among others, he has finally become a recognizable face on American shores. American audiences should have warmed up to this talented performer earlier, and that's something I should've said.

As for other veteran actors, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, and Zoe Wanamaker do wonders as the professors of Hogwarts, but Alan Rickman turns in a solid performance as the sinister Professor Snape, who doesn't seem to like Harry all that much.

People, (or should that be muggles?) this is one movie specialus. The special effects, while spectacular, do not detract from the character development or dialogue, like certain films I'm not going to name. They merely support the magic whether it's the entrance to the square or the action scenes, such as the Quidditch match.

Well, review terminatus, and see you at the theatres for the Chamber of Secrets

I didn't want it to end!
Though by no means the only example of the subject, Joanne Rowling's imaginative book about an eleven year old boy discovering his new-found talent for magic, reintroduced the age-old genre of the fairy story to modern children. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" benefits enormously from modern CGI effects to bring to life a film which will entertain everyone. The basic story concerns an orphaned boy living with his appalling cousins who are determined that he should not find out that he was actually born a wizard. Through outside help from the magical community, he finds himself enrolled at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the fun starts.

Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane and Alan Rickman help to back up the principal child stars and give this film some real presence. Daniel Radcliffe is rather flat as Harry Potter and Emma Watson, as the precocious Hermione Granger, is excessively theatrical and both are shaded by Rupert Grint who is excellent in the role of their cynical friend, Ron Weazley. No doubt all the child actors will improve with time, given that they stay with the series. At the moment they are still finding their feet.

There are plenty of special effects to amaze and amuse and I can't imagine how such a film could have been made without them. The cinematography by John Seale, ACS, is excellent and the whole film has a very pleasing look. The two-disc DVD set has many extras, some of which seem to require an intimate knowledge of magic to access.

On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this film and I wait with baited breath for the sequels. It is not a five star film; I did not expect it to be, but it certainly rates considerable merit. I have yet to figure out why WB chose to release it as anything other than "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", since that is both the title of the original book and the title of the film in any other market than the US. Apart from a few little blemishes, an excellent movie. Kids will give it five stars; parents will enjoy it, too. Thoroughly recommended.

"A rather BIG surprise"
When Harry Potter came to the big screen, I did NOT go to see it. I was of firm standing that it was kidd stuff. Then, a few weeks ago, the people on abc2 news had it on as a "movie event". I figured since it was free, why not watch it? Needless to say, I was realllyyy surprised. I sat, spellbound through ALL commercial breaks, so I would'ent miss any of the story. I've never read a single book in the series, so I can say with out them, this movie still can stand on it's own. P.S. John Williams' score is amazeing!!!! P.S.S. Still, I will say that "The Lord of the Rings" are much better movies, and if you LIKE Harry Potter, You'll LOVE them.

The Best Movie of 2001
Harry Potter is a great movie that the whole family can sit down and enjoy. And the Harry Potter series has a big future. This is the first one in the series that introduced the school of withcraft and wizardry that Harry Potter would be going to. It's called Hogwartz. It introduces many characters such as Harry himself, Ron Weasley who becomes Harry's friend, Hermione Granger who also becomes Harry's friend, Draco Malfoy who is Harry's enemy, Albus Dumbledore who is the headmaster of Hogwartz and many more. Get your kids, get this movie and watch it. Trust me your going to love it. It's great fun really. Then when your done this one go to the store and get Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and then see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in theatres.
10/10
Rated PG for Some Scary Moments and Mild Language.

helloo! its the best!
harry potter is the BEST series in the world and kj rowling is sooo talented!!! there's a reason why harry potter's so popular! get THEM ALL ... Read more

Description

Three cowpokes band together with a feisty widow to recover a cache of stolen gold. John Wayne meets Ann Margret and you'll keep guessing who meets whose match! Year: 1973 Director: Burt Kennedy Starring:John Wayne, Ann-Margret, Rod Taylor ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Late Duke entry
The Train Robbers is a late film of the Duke's, but it is still an entertaining film. Directed by Burt Kennedy, the story follows a widow who hires Wayne to escort her to a cache of hidden gold that belongs to her recently deceased husband. Joining Wayne are a couple of old friends who come along. There are not any identifiable bad guys except for a nameless group of gunman making their own go at the gold. This is not a great John Wayne western, but it is not the worst. Still very entertaining.

Joining Wayne are Ann Margaret, Rod Taylor, Ben Johnson, and even Ricardo Montalban in a small but funny role. Taylor and Johnson are great together with plenty of laughs between them throughout the movie. Even though this may not be the best Duke western ever, it still deserves a DVD release like so many other of his movies that have been released recently. This is a good western that deserves a watch if for nothing else than the twist at the end. Very entertaining!

Wayne light!
One of the later Wayne westerns is pretty thin on action and excitement.It's from the time where they more or less stopped making westerns - until the revival with Kasdan's "Silverado". This one is really clinging to a straw.

Standard late Duke fare....
This was by no means a Duke classic, but standard fare for his later westerns. It was about a group of men helping a widow recover hidden gold she was told about by her late husband. Hot on their trail are 20 bad guys after the loot. A real twist ending and some great explosions and outstanding scenic backdrop. Too bad this is not avail in widescreen. The Duke in his standard tough as nails ex-cavalry role. It's not as bad as it's reputation but I think it could have been better if they gave the bad guys some characterization and persona. But instead they are just shown as 20 faceless riders every now and again. No speaking roles in the whole lot. Better than Rio Lobo but not as good as Chisum, The Shootist or The Cowboys. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This majestic, French-made film wishes viewers a "latcho drom"--a safejourney--as it follows the roots of the Rom, traveling people better known as Gypsies. Stunning and evocative, it transcends language and culture, bringing together the best elements of National Geographic-style documentary and music video in a kind of anthropologicalMTV. Using only music and image, without any steady characters or plot, award-winning director Tony Gatlif (himself of Rom descent) tells a compelling story of Rom migrations from Northern India to Europe and the rest of the world. Beginning with a gathering of lavishly dressed nomads singing across the harsh deserts of Rajasthan, viewers are transported through the lush oases of Egypt into the ghettoes of Turkey, from the muddy lanes of Eastern Europe through lush French fields to the windswept coastal cities of Spain. Every step of the way, there are hypnotic reminders of the harshness and beauty of the Rom lifestyle: the rhythms of labor pounding into vibrant dance, the songs of Turkish flower sellers merging with the plaintive political satires of a gray-haired Romanian violinist. Music is everywhere--children barely able to walk dance alongside great-grandmothers--and covers all styles and subjects--from the wintry strains of an Auschwitz lament to a flamenco devotional in a Spanish shrine to a festive Dixieland number that borrows as much from New Orleans as from northern India. And wordless stories abound, told in the smiles of strangers waiting for a train or in the frowns of rifle-toting farmers come to evict travelers from their land. --Grant Balfour ... Read more

Reviews (25)

An enthralling glimpse into a hidden world
If you've ever been interested in learning about Gypsy (or more accurately, Rom) culture and history, this is the film for you.Made by Tony Catlif, himself a Rom, the film (the title means "Safe Journey," a serious blessing in this culture) takes the viewer on the same path travelled by the gypsies themselves a thousand years ago. It begins in India, showing a gypsy band in a desolate spot, telling their own story in dance and song. He travels ever westward, through Egypt, Turkey, Eastern Europe, France, and finally Spain, where the stunning beauty of gypsy flamenco dance and music will hold you spellbound. There is no dialog: Catlif lets the lyrics of the songs, the language of the dances, and the unforgettable faces of the gypsies themselves tell the story. You'll feel like you've been given a brief but magical tour of a mysterious, rarely seen world. Gypsies have always been persecuted and ostracized; this film, made by one of their own, gives them a voice in their own language. END

Stunning
The film Latcho Drom is a unique product, which is more like a 2 hour long music video, showcasing gypsy music (and sometimes dance) from all around the world. This is an amazing way of seeing the common treads that unite Roma (or gypsy) culture in all parts of the world, but also how these people have adapted to their surrounding by adopting bits and pieces of local traditions. This is also finally, a positive and maybe even objective look into Roma culture, free of stereotypes and prejudice. For fans of "Deep Forest", one of the songs from the film, the one from Slovakia, was sampled for one of their pieces on "Boheme." This film has rapid beats and heel-taping rythms, but also sad and melancholic songs and laments. Some images will make you want to get up and dance, while other can move you to tears, for example the old Roma lady singing about gypsy persecution at Auschwitz during WWII. A true pleasure to watch and listen to. I just hope there would now be a Latcho Drom 2 to explore the other regions of the world where Roma culture flourishes, but which were not included in the film.

extraordinary!
one of the most beautiful films of the past 20 years, almost shocking. what an extreme pity the film is not available on dvd so that it can be projected in home theater settings----a visually spectacular film on a large screen.

not a documentary in the usual sense in that there is no script or text, no interviews. the story is told wholly through gorgeous visuals and incredible music----and it is not any less informative for that fact! furthermore, by beginning in india and moving its way circuitously west to spain, one hears in sequence the transmutation of the musical styles---an obvious and simple yet truly amazing cinematic structure.

the sensitive viewer will absorb the pathos of rom people without difficulty. not a film for literalists, however, or those who need their cultural experiences explained to them. in this way the film is also very french.

Should be on DVD
Others have amply described this film. I just want to note that it would be great on DVD, because unlike most documentaries, the production values are on a par with Hollywood feature films. It's shot in 35MM wide screen, beautifully staged and lit, with a high quality digital audio track. Seen on the big screen it has immense impact because it transcends the documentary genre.

Greatness
When I first saw this video I could not belive it. It is truly beautiful, the music captivating and soulful. Although I was stoned out of my mind (high as a kite) I really new this was greatness and went out to pursue the soundtrack. It is one of my favorites to this day. I'm patiently waitng for the DVD release because let's face it video cassettes blow....cassette... wow, is that how youreally spell cassette.... weird man..... wierd. ... Read more

Reviews (220)

EVERYONE SHOULD SEE THIS MOVIE
Truman Capote's influence is felt everywhere in both the book and film versions of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Harper Lee's classic, beautifully haunting story of childhood, innocence lost, and of the cruelty that exists in people everywhere. Yes, Gregory Peck is Atticus Finch, and all of the players here inhabit their roles with grace, humor and gravity, but it is Mary Badham as Scout who steals the show, as it should be. The simplicity of a father's touch, of a rapist's grimace, of the wind gently blowing through the trees at dusk -- everything in this movie evokes, from Scout's point of view, a time we each have in our lives that transforms us into adults. There comes with it an aching sadness -- as if saying goodbye to a comforting old friend -- but the revelation carries with it a profound joy. Elmer Bernstein's score realizes each emotional chord of the film, and transports us without ever lambasting us -- it is the best kind of movie score. You will be hooked from the opening credits, which are creatively brilliant -- those crayons, the haunting and beguiling theme softly begins on the piano -- through to the closing credits, at which point there will be well-earned tears softly falling down your cheek.

The Summer We Discovered Life
Every so often, as surely as night follows day, a film comes along that manages to transport us from our everyday lives and into a time and place that is recalled through memories of better and in a reversal of fortunes, turbulent times. To Kill A Mockingbird is such a film.

In a Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Harper Lee, the small town of Macomb, Alabama is portrayed in the summer of 1932, during the deepest depression that the United States had ever experienced. Over the course of the next year and a half, events will burrow inside this sleepy southern town and the lives of its residents will be transported by actions, ideas, perceptions and convictions that will influence one and all in ways that will ring true for years to come.

Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) is a lawyer and widower, raising two small children, Scout (Mary Badham) and her older brother Jem (Phillip Alford). Into their lives enters a visitor, Dill (John Megna) from Meridian, Mississippi, come to spend two weeks with his Aunt Stephanie (Alice Ghostley). Macomb is a town with nothing to do and if there were, no money to spend on it. The stage is being set for a life shattering episode that will not go quietly into that good night.

Childhood holds its fascinations, its myths, its coming of age and through the eyes of the three children, the audience is allowed to peer into the adult world around them as perceived through the minds and souls of innocence that will be all too easily shattered as time whistles down the track. One of the stories woven so masterfully within its covers is the local urban legend of bogeyman, Boo Radley (Robert Duval), who lives on the same block as the Finch family. In a narration, rather like playing telephone, his persona takes on all the familiar attributes of a raving lunatic, a monster out for blood. His aura becomes the end all for Scout, Jem and Dill as they seek to master the mystery surrounding Boo and the ability to live to tell the tale!

Into this world of innocence, a shattering crescendo of complexity wraps itself in the lives of the townspeople in the form of an alleged rape of a white woman, Mayella Violet Ewell (Collin Wilcox) by a black man, Tom Robinson (Brock Peters). Atticus Finch is called upon to act as counsel for Robinson and in doing so, the stage has been set for a dance with race relations and the exemplary lengths that are gone to in order to allow justice to prevail in the face of malcontent.

The performances throughout To Kill A Mockingbird are stunning. Gregory Peck, as the gentleman lawyer, mired in small town attitudes and thoughts that were so representational in the southern gothic sphere, has collected and held a restrained order to his character, and in the process, he has allowed us all to be on the receiving end of hate as conveyed through the actions of small minds and small people. The children, especially Mary Badham, are siblings of more than a movie making venture. They show the absence of preconceived notions, and the guile of beings before the actions of adults can render their world as lost and gone with the shedding of time.

James Anderson as Tom Ewell is the complete representation of oily slime as Mayella's father. He embodies all of the hate and prejudice that continues to be harboured to this day in the souls of those who would attempt to wield their vision of the way things should and ought to be. He has a foul baseness that lingers like a bad rash as he attempts to invoke his arguments through drunken bullying and hatred. Collin Willcox as Mayella is excruciatingly convincing as the bored, housebound white woman who tries to tempt Tom Robinson into kissing her and through her actions sets in motion a rollercoaster of tragedy to come. Her speech to the assembled courtroom is superb and as the audience, you feel her anger and resentment at having to be put in such a position, having to lie to save face and what little position she has in the town. Brock Peters as the aforementioned Robinson is equally sure in the allotted time he spends on the screen. There is a noble demeanor to his bearing, and yet we are aware of the restrictions that blacks were held to in their relationships with whites at the time.

Robert Mulligan, the director and Horton Foote, the screenwriter, have presented us with a look into our pasts and faithfully etched a portrait of quiet and artfully rendered proportions that draw us into the canvas and the lives of those assembled. We have walked a mile in their shoes and been under their skin. Foote worried about being able to do justice to Lee's novel, but he worried for nothing. He has completely evoked an era that now rests behind clouds of dust, blown by the winds of time into oblivion.

The cinematography by Russell Harlan and the set decoration by Oliver Emert carry us back through the courtesy of black and white to a depiction seen only in old photographs and clouding memories of those who lived in those precarious times. Black and white films seem to have had a curse thrust upon them by the younger generation today, as boring and tedious, but through the courtesies extended by Harlan and Emert, we are richer for those perceptions that would harken back throughout the pages of history.

Elmer Bernstein's film score carries us like an old friend and helps us to make our acquaintances with the characters held within this framework. He has achieved much with a simple theme and persuades us that said simplicity is fulfilled with less rather than more.

To Kill A Mockingbird is beautifully haunting and having been made in the 60's, at the height of the Civil Rights movement, it garners our attention to stop and take the time to truly 'see' what the human race is all about and what it can and should be, if taken over the bumps in the road and onto a path of sincere honesty and purpose. No special effects were needed, no huge Hollywood budget, no splashing of a story that had a happy ending for everyone involved. It is an open book into the realities of a world tilting temporarily off its axis, and being brought back on track through the goodness that sits in the hearts, minds and souls of mankind, if given half a chance.

See it and be amazed at what real moviemaking is all about.

Destruction of the innocent by the evils of the society
Destruction of the innocent by the evils of the society
Kuldip Kumar Garhwal

"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but... sing their heart out for us. That's why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird." The movie 'To kill a mockingbird' depicts the destruction of the innocent by the evils of the society. Mockingbird is a symbol of innocence, characterized by Tom Robinson and Arthur Radley (Boo) where racial prejudice and ignorance are the symbol of evils in the society.

Tom Robinson, an African-American is accused by Mayela, a white woman, of sexual molestation. Atticus, a prominent lawyer of the town Maycomb, has proved that Tom Robinson is innocent but still the "all-white jury" convicts Robinson of the guilt. Tom Robinson, a "quite humble respectable Negro", becomes the victim of racial prejudice. Arthur Radley (Boo) has been emotionally destroyed by his father, as his father did not let him step outside the house. Boo is one of the "mockingbirds" in the story, who is the victim of ignorance; evil of the society which is trying to kill the good. Boo had a deep affection for children, which is later displayed in the story, when Boo saves Jim and Scout from Bob Ewells.

"There are some men in the world who are born to do unpleasant jobs for us; your father is one of them", said Maudie to Jim after his father (Atticus) lost the case of Tom Robinson. Atticus helped his children to learn values of life and he showed them how to live life by the values; preaching by practicing. Atticus allowed his children to call him by his name instead of 'father'. He wanted his children to explore freedom, but also taught them to stay in limits. Jim is brave, intelligent, and caring. He learns courage, dignity, and value of life from his father. He is transforming into adulthood.

Scout is still a kid; she does not know anything about the existence of evil in the society. She is learning about evils from the real life example of the victims (Tom and Boo) of the evils in the society. By the end of the story Scout's perspective on life develops from that of an innocent child into that of a near grown up. "Mr. Tate was right", said Scout to Atticus, after Mr. Tate, the town Sheriff explained Atticus indirectly that whatever Boo did was correct and he is not supposed to be punished for that. "It would be like shooting the mockingbird, wouldn't it." Scout shows a high level of ability to comprehend at the age of five, and understands the whole situation and judges what is right and what is wrong.

The Music Director of the movie has done an excellent job. Music plays an important role in the movie, by setting the mood for what is been screened. The movie starts with a musical note, which seems like it is played by a kid, one note at a time. The movie also has gothic music to create the horrifying or thrilling environment, when Jim and Scout were walking home after the Halloween Party and they had an encounter with Bob Ewells. Most of the places the movie has melancholy music to produce the feeling of thoughtful sadness. The pleasant arrangements of musical notes in the movie create an atmosphere where we feel that we are a part of the movie, and we go back into our nostalgic memories and look back into our childhood. The movie itself seems like a mockingbird song.

My favorite scene in the movie is when Atticus is walking out of the courtroom after the trial is over and all the "colored" people sitting in the balcony stands up to pay respect to Atticus, a white man, who tried his level best to save a "Negro." The Reverend says to Scout who was sitting, "Stand up Jean Louise. Your father is passing." The scene says it all, there is not much dialogue but the expressions on the faces of the black people was marvelous, with a slow melancholy music at the background. As it this situation there is nothing left to say, because everyone knows in the courtroom that Tom Robinson is not guilty but still the jury has convicted him of the rape, just because of racial prejudice.

_____________________________________________

Kuldip Kumar Garhwal(...)

To Kill a Mockingbird is like a sin
'To Kill A Mockingbird' is of course the movie adaptation of Harper Lee's movie with the same title. Gregory Peck is a lawyer in rural Mississippi who is asked to defend a black man accused of raping a white woman.

The movie starts however with a seemingly unrelated event, the lives of Atticus Finch's two children. His daughter is a tomboy and his son is trying to keep her from getting into more trouble. The stumble upon some strange items and look at the house of a strange man called Boo Radley.

Then the movie goes into the court case. It is of course very obvious that the black man is innocent, but this is 1930's South with an all white jury...

Then the two parts of the movie come back together again...

The acting in this movie (in black and white) is superb. I recall that Gregory Pecks perfomance was voted the best of the century. Even the little girl is superb, she even got a nominatation for an oscar. Boo Radley is played by Robert Duvall, though he says next to nothing and is only in the movie for a few minutes. He of course 10 years later would play Tom Hayden in The Godfather. For Star Trek fans: Tom Robinson, the black man accused, is Sisko's Father of DS9

Its children¿s world that evolves with racial prejudice
We shall say "To kill a mockingbird" is a classic of the century that unfolds reality into film with profound simplicity. Its character development along with the approach of realism supersedes many contemporary works of literature and film. The historic flavor of the film creates an impression of a southern community of America during the great depression. Apparently the quintessential theme of the movie is the social stigma and prejudice. We see conflicts between the blacks and whites in the same community where justice has upheld my one of the central character called atticus.

Tom Robinson, a black guy living in the same town called Mayconb was one of the central characters in the movie has been accused of raping a white woman. However, eventually he was convicted as guilty of charge and subjected to unfair justice system by the ignorant majority that have taken part in the jury. But there were other themes that also have significance to its crafts also. Its amazing reality of children's life that is so universal. It created a reality of vividing contention that helps the viewers to understand how the children see and think about the world. It also calls into attention of the activities that children by their vary nature involve in a family. For instance, Scout and Jem who are the central characters have enormous interests in scary yet joyful venture to Boo Radly's house even after being forbidden by their father. It was also important to observe how the children have collected gifts from the tree given by a isolated guy who they never been acquainted with.

The phenomenal curiosity of children is almost inescapable from the viewer's notice in the movie. They were inquisitive in every detail of what has been happening around them. That gives us the idea of their emotional reopens to the world and family relationships. As you will see, if you watch the movie, their father atticuls who has been a significant moral authority to them. He has great influence on how they develop the ideas of people and differences of good and evil that remain in their fantasy world.

The story of the movie has a unique way to tell you about a community and what is going on to its families. It takes us to the journey to reflect on our own childhood fantasy world and the adventures that still remains in our mind a thrill. ... Read more

Description

While visiting London, Sue and her brother, Eddie, are out sightseeing on their own while their parents attend a business conference. At first bored, they are delighted when the bus stops at the infamous Terror Tower.But the fun turns to fright when the kids see the wax statues in the Tower's torture chamber moving as is they are real...and ghostly images start calling out warnings to them.Suddenly, Sue and Eddie are running for their lives as they travel back in time to the Middle Ages to escape the dark fate awaiting them in Terror Tower.

... Read more

Reviews (11)

Possibly, The Best Goosebumps Video
Actually, I give this Goosebumps video 4 1/2 stars. I have seen all of the Goosebumps videos, and this may very well actually be the best one. The only one I really didn't like was "Stay Out of the Basement." I did like "The Werewolf of Fever Swamp." I really liked "Welcome To Deadhouse," "The Haunted Mask," and "The Haunted Mask Part 2." But if I had to choose the best, I would have to say this is the one. Like good horror, the movie STARTS normal and harmless. Gradually, some spooky things start to happen. One fine thing about this video is that a harmless practical joke ("We tour guides have to have some fun") foreshadows the horror to come. It's hard for me to talk about this without ruining the surprise, but I will do my best. Things go along normal for some time, but then spooky things start to happen. The setting of the tower provides a wonderful background for an alternation of fear between real threats to Eddie and Sue and trivial objects that just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Without ruining this video for you, I will say that it will keep you guessing. The greatest thing about this video is that while their are some really implausible events, (such as a journey far away Eddie and Sue will take), the implausible events eventually lead the way to a tragic event that ACTUALLY DID HAPPEN in 1483. Once this is established, we stop worrying about the implausible aspects of this story, and we are able to concentrate on the horror that DID ACTUALLY HAPPEN in history. I don't want to ruin the final scene, but I will say we are given a great combination of relief and sudden fear. The scenery is wonderful and the movie will keep you in suspense. Another thing I must compliment is the smooth transition between scenes and locations, and scenes where we think one thing, and then start to realize another. If you like the Goosebumps, you absolutely MUST have this video tape.

I loved it!
"A Night in Terror Tower" was my favorite Goosebumps book by R.L. Stine. The movie leaves out a lot of the detail in the book (as do all movies adapted from books). However, it is pretty neat to see after you read the book.

Very Good Episode
NOT SCARY- fun to watch!!!!

Have a new appreciation for Canadian Actors!!!!

you wouldnt wanna but this book down tell u read it all.....
this is one of the best books i have ever read when you read one page you wanna keep going and going it like so good..if you havent read it then you are messing out on something and whn you get one reading this you really gonna wanna read it so let me gte started and tell you about it its about to kids that are in england and they are on a tower in a tower that was aa terrior tower and they have like waxed fringers and the starts to see them move.so he tells his siter and she done believe him ,but then she see it move to and then she gets really freaked out also so they run and catch up with the tour group and thisi guy graps them and does like this rock thing and they go back in the time.and they find out there a prine and princess and ther parents are the king aand queen and the are in the terrior tower with this man that tells what they are and they are about to get tortured and you have to read the book to see if they get free are not..>>>by kim<<<<

All Locked Up And No Place To Go!
Sue and her brother Eddie are visiting London when they run into a little problem. The can't find their tour group. Still there's no reason to panic. No way their tour guide would just leave them. All alone. In a gloomy old prison tower. No way they'd get locked inside. After dark. With those eerie sounds. And a strange dark figure who wants them...DEAD!!! ... Read more

Reviews (265)

See the Movie Before Reviewing It
Why do people pan a movie so harshly when they haven't even seen it yet? I have seen VAN HELSING in an audience preview, and I will tell you that the trailer doesn't come close to describing the film. As the Universal folks said, the special effects weren't finished in time for the trailer... but the final product is absolutely stunning.

No, critics will probably not like this fun romp through Van Helsing's monster adventures. It might not win an Academy Award for its script. But if you liked The Mummy or other epic adventures of its type, you ARE going to be the right audience for VAN HELSING.

This movie is just plain fun. The story pays homage to the classic monster legacy films in Universal's vault, as well as many modern day adventures. Van Helsing is a James Bond character of dark Transylvania. And his battles against Dracula are a roller coaster ride with non-stop action and vivid, beautiful scenery.

If you're an art film snob or the type who overanalyzes everything, forget about VAN HELSING. You've missed the entire point -- badly -- and you'll spoil all the fun. If you like the occasional mindless, delicious, sit-back-and-hold-on entertainment, this is your kind of movie.

Laughably bad summer monster
Before I completely devour this horrible movie, let me say that I was a fan of both Mummy films by director Sommers. That being said, I almost walked out of this movie. Poor Hugh Jackman can't save this wreck. His performance and Kate Beckinsale's looks are the only redeeming elements of this otherwise terrible outing. The effects are very sub-par by today's standards, especially in the fake-looking warewolves and annoying brides. Gollum and even Dobby put them to shame. For that matter, so does Shrek (who makes a cameo in the beginning as Mr. Hyde, it seems). Everything about this movie is over-the-top in the worst of ways. The dialogue in particular. Richard Roxburgh's portrayal of Dracula couldn't help but make me think of the count from Sesame Street. Also, the shameless rip-offs from completely unrelated movies like James Bond and Jackman's claim-to-fame X-men only cheapened it more. In short, I'll always remember Van Helsing as a two-hour viewing of my watch that couldn't go by fast enough.

It's cool.. if you like all that stuff of vampires
i think thats is a great movie. the people who likes to see movies like "queen of the damned" and that kind of stuff you will love it but isn't similar. when i saw it i fell in love with that movie. but you have to watch it and understand it.

Helsing is HELLISH
This is probably one of the greatest action films of all time. With all of your favorite characters such as Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolfman, and Mr. Hyde, this movie is a blast. Van Helsing is a monster killer packed with the most advanced weapons of his time. I guarentee that you will enjoy watching Helsing match all of you favorite monsters and I urge you to rent it. It will be worth the money.

Van Helsing Kicks Butt!
A horror movie freak's DVD collection is not complete with out this wonderful movie. This genera-blending flick brings together some of the greatest horror characters in movie history. Imagine this: The wolfman, Frankenstien and Dracula all smushed into one action packed movie. This movie stars Hugh Jackman as the famous Van Helsing. Many people may think that this is just a stupid plotless movie that just throws these monsters together but it all really connects beautifully. Comedy, romance, horror and action: this movie has it all! Plus the very good looking Hugh Jackman beating up some of the most famous monsters ever! A great sound track, stunning special effects and a very well thought out story line adds to it. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Relatively Early, Excellent John Ford Movie
Relatively early, I say, because I think Ford really hit his stride in the 1940s once he started his John Wayne cavalry pictures.

"Drums Along the Mohawk" is a wonderful treatment of an era curiously left alone by most American movie studios, the Revolutionary War. Henry Fonda is a farmer on the Mohawk River in upstate NY, who brings home a "city" bride, Claudette Colbert. Much of the early part of the film is her adaptation to this backwoods life, so different from her father's home. Colbert's character is emblematic of the original settlers of the American continent, who left familiar ways behind them and set off into an adventure undreamed of. Bit by bit, her citified ways have to be jettisoned if she is to be a good wife to her honest and plain-speaking husband. Gradually their smaller domestic drama is engulfed in community concerns as the Revolutionary War whips up the warpath of the Indians surrounding the colonists, and they must fight for their very existence as that new concept, Americans.

There are some really pricless episodes in "Drums Along the Mohawk", such as when Fonda holds his newborn baby for the first time, Colbert goes into hysterics at her first encounter with an Indian, Edna May Oliver confronts Indian braves invading the sanctity of her home, and someone has to get word out of the beseiged fort to the soldiers for relief.

You'll be very glad to see "Drums Along the Mohawk", I assure you.

A Revolutionary War classic
Drums Along the Mohawk is a very good movie about a period in American history that not many movies have been made about. Set during the Revolutionary War, the story is about two newlyweds and their new life in the Mohawk Valley. The couple is trying to establish themselves with a home and farm of their own, but are interrupted when the British and the Mohawk Indian tribe begin to raid all along the valley. The settlers must deal with the raiding Indians while also trying to survive. There is plenty here for fans of Henry Fonda also. The action scenes are excellent, especially the attack on the fort. However, it is also very effective when the characters talk about a battle and how horrible it was rather than the viewer actually seeing it. An enjoyable film that is still very good!

Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert play Gil and Lana Martin, the newlywed couple struggling to survive. Both are very good and believable as husband and wife. This was a good period for Fonda when he made The Grapes of Wrath around this time. There is an excellent supp