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This enjoyable and touching biography of martial-arts film star Bruce Lee stars Jason Scott Lee (no relation), an actor with a lively face and natural intensity, who makes every moment of this film compelling. Directed by Rob Cohen, Dragon traces Bruce Lee's slow rise over myriad obstacles--most of them race-based--to become an international superstar in films. Lee's origins are oddly set in San Francisco instead of his real home in Seattle, but then again there is plenty of artistic license going on as Cohen explores the actor's psyche through some powerful fantasy sequences. Lauren Holly is good as Lee's wife, Linda (whose book about her late husband inspired this movie). A scene involving Bruce's rescue of son Brandon (who died in a filmmaking accident in 1993) from a murderous spirit is plain spooky. The special-edition DVD release has a widescreen presentation, director interview, featurette, screen tests, closed captioning, optional French soundtrack, and optional Spanish subtitles. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (79)

A life worth remembering
Rob Cohen's DRAGON THE BRUCE LEE STORY is the best film that Bruce Lee never made. Though Cohen recounts the man's life in some kind of chronological order, he doesn't simply "tell it like it was", preferring instead to visualise Lee's major achievements in terms of his philosophy and beliefs. Therefore, alongside the development of Lee's martial arts techniques (demonstrated in a series of increasingly fluid fight sequences) and his relationship with his wife and children, Lee's inner demons are personified by way of a spectral Ming warrior who seems to intrude on his everyday reality, prior to claiming him forever in 1973 at the age of 32. Perhaps the film's major triumph is the fortuitous casting of Jason Scott Lee in the title role, giving the performance of a lifetime under what must have been hugely difficult circumstances, and he dominates a fine cast of supporting players, including newcomers Lauren Holly and Sterling Macer, and veterans Robert Wagner, Michael Learned and Nancy Kwan. Universal's region 1 DVD is a replica of their 'Signature Collection' laserdisc, and is probably the last word on this exceptional film. Presented in glorious Panavision widescreen (though not, alas, anamorphically - the disc's only real flaw), the images are solid and colorful, and Randy Edelman's evocative music score is well-served by the Dolby Digital soundtrack. There's a wealth of extras, too, including the obligatory (but very welcome!) trailers, production notes, star profiles, and an eye-opening director's commentary which manages to bridge the difficult gap between education and entertainment. The "Making of" documentary could have been longer and more detailed, I suppose, and it took me ages to figure out that the storyboards and photo-gallery sections could only be manipulated using the chapter-skip function on my remote control, but the disc is otherwise an essential purchase for anyone even remotely interested in the subject matter. All in all, a worthy tribute to the enduring legacy of a remarkable man.

Well Meaning, But Too Over the Top
This well-meaning but flawed film purports to be about the life and times of Bruce Lee, the intense, talented actor and martial artist who died tragically all too young. There is dispute over the biographical truth of the film, which is really neither here nor there, as the film seems far less interested in delving into Lee's biography than it does walking a strange line between drama and melodrama. Though he doesn't much resemble the real-life Bruce Lee, star Jason Scott Lee tries hard to capture the actor's raw power and charisma, with mixed results. He's best in the film's quieter moments, when the sincerity of his face gives the film much-needed grounding, and worst when his frenetic facial expressions and frequent shouting border on camp. But this probably isn't Lee's fault, as the film itself drifts in and out of wanting to be taken seriously and wanting to be a pseudo-chopsocky matinee, all to an often-syrupy music score. Co-star Lauren Holly is believable as Lee's caucasian wife, who struggles with him against racism that comes from so many in society--even her own mother. It is here that the film works best, illustrating the humiliation and degradation of anti-Asian racism that Lee, who simply wants to be recognized as the American he is, endures from fellow Americans, even after achieving his fame. A particularly clever--and dead-on accurate--scene reveals the isolation and thoughtless prejudice that Asian Americans frequently face: amidst a crowd of whites roaring with laughter, Lee quietly suffers Mickey Rooney's grotesque yellowface characterization in the critically-acclaimed "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Had the film focused more on meaningful emotional pyrotechnics like these, rather than the frequent, goofy interplay between Lee and a symbolic Mongol warrior, it might have captured the essence of the man instead of his onscreen persona. Like "Boogie Nights," it would have risen above the obvious exploitive qualities of its subject matter.

Inspiring
"Dragon" is an epic depicting the life of Bruce Lee. In my opinion, it is one of the most entertaining biopics of recent times. It follows the life of Bruce Lee from his childhood in Hong Kong to right before his death. The DVD version is particularly interesting because it comes with a few interviews that really shed light on Bruce Lee the man. This movie doesn't just focus on his martial arts, but it also shows his life as a family man, and an American. I found his struggle against racism to be the most moving point in this movie. Prior to Bruce Lee, the roles of Asians in Hollywood were restricted to laundrymen, villians, and caricatures. Through his effort and self-confidence, Bruce was able to make Asians into Hollywood heros. Suddenly Asia was cool.

Jason Scott Lee does a great job of portraying Bruce Lee and it's a shame that we can't see more of him these days. You can really feel the power of his performance on the screen. If you have any interest in Bruce Lee, you have to check out this film. It's sure to inspire you to reach for your own impossible dreams.

"Dragon" REVIEW
Biographical pic of martial arts legend Bruce Lee (inspired by a novel written by his widow) is as intruiging as it is exciting. The film follows Lee from his arrival in the United States to showcase his transformation from a shy bus boy to an international movie icon. Along the way, we learn about Bruce's decision to bring Jeet Kun Doe to the Western civilization despite heavy objection from his peers. "Dragon" is also treated as a love story as director Rob Cohen shows us the origins of Bruce's romance with wife Linda. While Cohen uses a great deal of artistic license in telling the "true story" of Bruce Lee, it certainly makes for one hell of an impressive movie. Randy Edelman's first-rate musical score is the icing on the cake.

Not a documentary, just a great movie!!!!
Director Rob Cohen intended this movie to be an entertaining and thought-provoking homage to Bruce Lee and his wife Linda, not a historical re-enactment. As such, the movie only follows the outlines of the real Bruce and Linda Lee story. And the movie is definitely as much about Linda as it is about Bruce. It is as stirring a love story as any other put onto the big screen in recent times.

For all those hyper-Bruce Lee fans who have panned this movie, I have just one thing to tell you - watch the DVD version with the Director's Commentary turned on. You might learn a thing or two about the real Bruce Lee story. Yes, Rob Cohen's commentary track is worth it all by itself to get this DVD, because he discusses many of the changes made in the movie from the real story, and explains why he made the changes. He doesn't have time to explain everything, but he covers a lot (e.g., the deletion of Seattle from the storyline came about because the Univ. of Washington pissed him off with their refusal to allow him to film on campus, so he just scratched out the entire city and changed it to San Francisco). Along the way, he throws in a number of little historical gems, pointing out things in the movie that might have been put in for dramatic effect but in fact really did happen (e.g., Linda's mother making the comment to her about "having yellow babies" - Linda's mother, who was still alive, actually signed a release to allow herself to be portrayed this way).

Anyway, here's why this movie is great:

1. It is one of the first of the few major Hollywood movies ever made that depict an interracial love story of a Chinese/Caucasian couple where the Chinese person in the story is a MAN. Even today, Hollywood still seems to be much more comfortable with putting cute Chinese women matched with Caucasian leading men onto the big screen.

2. The movie really emphasizes the racial discrimination aspect of the Bruce Lee story, for example, bringing out to the general public the real story behind how David Carradine got the TV show "Kung Fu" (Carradine became very defensive about this part of his acting resume after this movie came out). Cohen dwells on this racism aspect more so than either Linda or Bruce Lee ever did in real life. Most likely, they preferred to ignore the racism and rise above it rather than draw attention to it. It's great that themes like this finally get explored in movies.

3. Jason Scott Lee is terrific. He's bigger and buffer than the real Bruce Lee (who at 5' 7" was shorter than my teenage daughter) And he's a better actor. And no, he's not as quick as the real Bruce Lee, but few people ever were, and for somebody not trained in the martial arts, he sure did a great job of faking it. Unfortunately, since this movie, Jason seems to have undergone a Bruce Lee experience of his own - after making a few more major movies, his career has started to fade from the big screen as more "authentic" and bankable (in the Asian market anyway) Chinese actors such as Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat take over Hollywood's slot for Asian leading men.

4. The soundtrack by Randy Edelman is terrific (if somewhat repetitious). One of the most beautiful parts of the movie was the scene where Jason Scott Lee and Lauren Holly go through their balletic kung-fu excercises in perfect unison to Edelman's stirring score.

5. Lauren Holly is terrific. She too is a Hollywood improvement on the original. For one thing, in the movie, although she cuts her hair short after marriage, just like the real Linda Lee, her hair never takes on the 60's - era puffed bun look of the original Linda Lee (geez, was there ever a more horrible hairstyle than the puffed bun). For another, her role is much more aggressive and pro-active, more of a proto-feminist from the 90's. The ending of this movie makes it seem as if she was close to leaving Bruce Lee to return to the U.S., whereas the real truth was that Bruce Lee at the time was already traveling back and forth to the U.S. as well as all over the world, and it would have been far more likely that he would have been the one to spin out of her orbit as he scaled the heights of international superstardom.

This is not just a movie about Bruce Lee, it is a great and moving love story. Listen to Director Rob Cohen again as he talks about the final scene in this movie, when Jason Scott Lee gives a good-bye kiss to Lauren Holly and then climbs up the stairs to the Han Island movie set:

"When I look at this scene, no matter how many times, I still get choked up.... Part of it is that how much these people loved each other. Part of it was how beautiful they were together, and what a stand they made for their time. Part of it is that, as he's finishing this film, he's finishing his life, and we know it and he doesn't.....I wanted to give the homage of his fellow martial artists to the great image, the great work, the great place in history of Bruce Lee....to see him again, mythically, legendarily, above and eternal, in motion, never stopping, always kinetic, and always with us." ... Read more

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In the closing paragraph of his 1996 review of Dragonheart, noted critic Roger Ebert summed up this adventurous fantasy quite nicely: "While no reasonable person over the age of 12 would presumably be able to take it seriously, there is nevertheless a lighthearted joy to it, a cheerfulness, an insouciance, that recalls the days when movies were content to be fun." That's precisely the quality that makes Dragonheart so appealing, despite the fact that it didn't exactly take flight and breathe fire at the box office. The movie takes itself seriously without sacrificing the wit and cleverness that make it so entertaining. It's about the last of the great dragon slayers, Bowen (Dennis Quaid), who teams up with the last of the great dragons, Draco (and voiced by Sean Connery), after they realize that killing each other would put them both out of business!So they devise a bogus dragon-slaying act that's a huge hit as they tour from village to village. Later, they must rouse the peasantry against the loutish Prince Einon (David Thewlis), whose life was once saved by Draco, but who now violates the "Old Code" of honor with a ruthless reign of terror. As Ebert rightly noted, Dragonheart is no masterpiece, and its story (which was originally conceived as a darker, more serious drama) isn't likely to capture everyone's heart (dragon or otherwise). But it's full of exciting action, witty dialogue, and gallant heroism, and in the presentation of a realistic talking dragon it's a milestone in computer-generated special effects, far surpassing the breakthroughs of Jurassic Park three years earlier. --Jeff Shannon. ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Leaping Lizards
Director Rob Cohen (XXX & The Fast and the Furious) brings mythical creatures to life in the grand fantasy adventure "Dragonheart". In a medieval land, Bowen (Dennis Quaid), a fallen knight of the old code of honor, forms an unlikely alliance with a noble fire-breathing beast (voiced by Sean Connery). These two sworn enemies aid a peasant rebellion against a spoiled tyrant. "Dragonheart" is a truly entertaining epic fantasy for the whole family. Its enchanting story is quite engaging and its characters are certainly memorable. The film contains some great action, amazing special effects and delightful humor. Dennis Quaid delivers a surprising performance. Draco is a terrific visual creation and Sean Connery is perfectly cast as the voice of the dragon. The cast also includes David Thewlis, Pete Postlethwaite, Dina Meyer and Julie Christie.

As one of Universal's earliest DVD releases, "Dragonheart" Collector Edition is a highly recommended purchase. The 1996 fantasy adventure is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen format. The DVD contains a spectacular picture quality with striking detail and bright colors. Its 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is great with fine clarity and good bass. Unlike the DTS version, this DVD features numerous supplements including an audio commentary by director Rob Cohen, the excellent "The Making of Dragonheart" documentary, theatrical trailers, outtakes, picture galleries and production notes. Overall, "Dragonheart" (Dolby Digital version) has a superb DVD presentation and scores a definite "A-".

One of the best fantasy films of recent years!
In 1996, a fantasy film by the name of "Dragonheart" hit theaters and didn't really garner much at the box-office. Quite a shame, because this movie is quite a good one. "Dragonheart" took place during medieval times in England with a story about a bloodthirsty king's son's (David Thewlis) pact with a dragon to live with the half of the dragon's heart. The dragon, Draco (Sean Connery's voice), later befriends Bowen (Dennis Quaid), Einon's mentor, after they realize Einon has the same treachorous blood of his father's.

The acting is quite good in the film, especially Quaid and Pete Postlethwaite as Gilbert (he's a poet and a monk, and he gets the best lines). Julie Christie plays Einon's mother and she does a decent job. The only one I can detract is Dina Meyer's and considering her character's father is murdered by the evil king, I expected a more angst-filled performance. Unfortunately, she plays the role rather blandly and it's quite a shame; she was excellent in "Starship Troopers" (one year later) and very good in her small role in "Star Trek Nemesis." Oh well, onto the other good stuff...

The dragon effects were VERY WELL DONE and detailed, and it's not surprising that one of the head dragon creators (Phil Tippett) from 1981's "Dragonslayer" is involved. Sean Connery gives the character much personality and I'd place him #2 in the best lines category for this film (as I mentioned above, Gilbert has most of the best). The music was composed by Randy Edelman, a prolific composer of notable films including "Kindergarten Cop," "The Last of the Mohicans," and the brilliant "Gettysburg," among many other films. The music is superb.

On a closing note, I'd say for recent years, this is an awesome film. It may not be academy award winning material, but it's visual grandness for the medieval period and it's overall great sense of fun, it's a winner. It almost feels like those old Indiana Jones/Romancing the Stone/Back to the Future/etc. films in which a movie is content on being fun, whether or not a lot of brainpower is involved. A good film, excellently directed by Rob Cohen ("Fast and the Furious").

This movie will bring the heart out in you!
I don't know about you guys,but I difinitly belive! The story of a valent Knight serching for the last of the dragons,who he belives bewitched his student. Dennis Quaid never ceases to amase me! And Sean Connory will make anyone belive. But, put those two together and you got a great movie. David Thewis even adds to the excitment. I would not trade this one for anything. I guess it's safe to say that I enjoyed this one immensly!!!

LOVED IT!!!!!
(I'm really 17 but I'm not a customer, my parents are. BTW.)
This is a brilliant movie, the story and the acting was beautiful and stunning!
I'd recommend this to everyone because I feel that it's that good!
However, if you'd like to read how it was supposed to be, I'd highly recommend that you read the novel of the same title based on the original screenplay. It takes the story to a whole new level, bringing more to the story and a slightly darker tone to it as well!
I hope you find this helpful.
P.S.
You must read the book!!!!!

The Best Dragon Movie EVER!!!
I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! It is one of the best ever!!! It shows dragons the way I think dragons should be shown: as good guys, with feelings and a personality, not the way some movies show dragons as mindless, heartless murdering beasts.

Summary: A knight of the Old Code named Bowen has sworn himself to hunting down and killing every dragon in the world. The reason: his apprentice, Prince Enion, was badly wounded when the villagers revolted against his father, the King. The Queen took the prince to a dragon that lived nearby and the dragon saved him by giving the boy half of his heart. Soon after, the ex-prince became the King and began to forget everything Bowen taught him. Bowen, thinking it was the dragon's heart that corrupted Enion, vows to kill all dragons.

12 years later: Bowen comes across a dragon who claims to be the last dragon. After a endless fight, the knight and dragon form a truce. After their schemeing makes them a lot of $, Bowen and the dragon, who Bowen named Draco, meet a villager named Kara, who wants to lead a revolt against Enion. With the help of Bowen and Draco, she is able to get villagers to join their cause.

As the fight begins, Draco is captured. Now Bowen must find a way to rescue his dragon friend and somehow kill Enion. But... what will the knight of the Old Code do when he finds out that there is a terrible and deadly connection between Draco and Enion? What will Bowen do when he finds out that the only way to end Enion's terrible ways once and for all is to...

I love how the director added in the parts of light humor along with action and slight plot twists which all add up to a slightly surprise ending. The end (which I wont give away) is so sad that I always get teary eyed no matter how many times I watch it. Bring lots of tissues to this movie. If you like dragons, then you will LOVE this movie!!! I can promise you!!! ... Read more

Reviews (656)

The ultimate guy flick
"The Fast and the Furious" is, if nothing else, the ultimate guy flick: full of fast cars, hot chicks, and macho dudes who beat each other up before bonding over barbecue and Coronas.

It is a testosterone-fueled, pumped, hyperkinetic dude fantasy that draws on old '60s and 70s chase films like "Bullitt" and "Grand Theft Auto," but adds a rewarding layer of character and relationship depth.

Mind you, when we're talking about character depth, we're not talking about "Glengarry Glen Ross" here, but unlike recent car-chase flicks like "Gone in Sixty Seconds," we at least understand what drives the relationships. Heck, we see that there are relationships.

The central relationship revolves around Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker). The former is a street racer who has a side business hijacking trucks; the latter is an undercover cop who infiltrates Toretto's gang. Of course, there's a male bonding experience here - Toretto beats O'Connor in a race (run through curiously traffic-free Los Angeles streets), and afterwards O'Connor saves Toretto from being picked up by the police.

Soon thereafter, O'Connor is more or less accepted into Toretto's gang, and while the central purpose of of this is to bust the gang, O'Connor finds himself becoming friends with his intended collars, and drawn into the alluring world of street racing. He also falls in love with Toretto's sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), even though that would seem to violate every rule known to undercover police work.

Of course, "The Fast and the Furious" isn't a realistic crime caper; if it were, would Toretto's gang really rip off trucks while they're moving? Their method is to surround the truck with a small flotilla of hopped-up compact cars, shoot a rope from one of the cars into the cab of the truck, and use the rope as a bridge to jump onto the truck. From there, I suppose it'd be a matter of gaining entry into the cab, subduing the driver, and stealing the truck. Now, all this is pretty exciting stuff on screen, but hasn't it occurred to Toretto that it'd just be easier to rip off the truck when it's parked?

But realism isn't the point here - adrenaline is, and "The Fast and the Furious" delivers just that, with a healthy dollop of style and testosterone. Enjoy the movie, but just don't think about it too much.

Entertaining Thrill Ride.
When a young speed demon racer (Paul Walker) is the new guy on the Streets. While there`s another racers charged the streets of Los Angeles, every night is a championship race with nitro-boosted fury. Dominic (Vin Diesel) rules the road turning all his challengers into a hard core winner and he could be under suspicion of Stealing Expensive Equipment. But when the young racer proves himself to Dominic, he`s one of the fastest driver out-there but What Dominic doesn`t know is that the young racer is acutally a undercover detective and he also unexpected falls in Love with Dominic's Sister (Jordana Brewster).

DVD`s has an strong anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound including also DTS 5.1 Surround Sound. This was One of the Biggest Unexpected Box Office Hits of 2001. The Flick's only Flaw, it's suffers a Thin Story-line. DVD Extras are:An running commentary track by director:Rob Cohen (Dragon:The Bruce Lee Story, Triple X, Day Light). Deleted Scenes with/without commentary and more. This film has excellent car-racing scenes full of excitement. Panavision. Grade:A-.

Bad!
I hate this movie. Do not buy or rent.

Why? Why?
I nominate this as one of the dumbest movies ever made. The dialogue is painful to listen to a lot of the time. The plot? Geez. Road pirates???
My mouth was agape half the time and I was shaking my head slowly. Even the Hollywood gloss couldn't help it enough.
Only knuckledragging special-school folks will love this movie. Go get your helmet. You're going to special-school!

THIS MOVIE HAS NO OTHER PRETENSION THAN BEEN AMUSING.
"The Fast And The Furious" is obviously a guilty pleasure. The movie has amazing cars, attractive women (Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster), corny dialogues, summer movie visual stunts, bad actors (Vin Diesel) and a MTV movie soundtrack. But the funny thing is that the movie works despite all that (or perhaps because all that).

"The Fast And The Furious" is an amusing movie because the director and cast never pretended to be part of a groundbreaking film, they knew that they were filming a popcorn movie, so they enjoyed the whole process, and the result is evident, "The Fast And The Furious" is an entertaining movie.

Of course, this kind of trick only works once, but Hollywood don't care, the studios love to repeat successful formulas, even if they know they are going to release a bad movie, they do it because they also know that it's going to do well in the box office. So Hollywood made a sequel, "2 Fast 2 Furious", but obviously that movie is just average or below average. This kind of formulas (cars + visual effects + attractive women) only work once.

Anyway, "The Fast And The Furious" it's a very amusing, entertaining film. I would recommend you to rent it first, and if you like it a lot, well, get it. If you don't like it that much, at least you will have a good time for two hours. ... Read more

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Hey, chicky baby--it's a cuckoo thing, ya dig? You, too, will find yourself speaking Rat Pack lingo after watching this made-for-HBO biopic about that brief and shining moment when Camelot met Hoboken-on-the-Pacific. The film does a good job of capturing the heady, anything-goes feel of the late-1950s, early-1960s era when Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and their running buddies ruled Hollywood, Las Vegas, and, it seemed, the world. The story centers on Sinatra's relationship with John F. Kennedy (William F. Petersen) before and after he was elected president. It's not particularly flattering to either man, as Sinatra pimps Kennedy into a relationship with Judith Campbell, at the same time she was the favorite consort of mob boss Sam Giancana. Ray Liotta is a forceful Sinatra (though it's not much of an impression); Joe Mantegna has the look and the sound of the surprisingly sober Dean Martin; and Don Cheadle does a great job as the racially conflicted Sammy Davis Jr. Not great cinema but it's never less than engrossing. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (34)

A Litttle Off-Center, But Brilliant Nonetheless
No matter how you slice it, "The Rat Pack" is a good movie. Great performances, a very well-written script that captured the subjects beautifully, a swinging soundtrack and stylish visuals all combine to make this a fantastic film..

A better Sinatra could have been found out there, surely. Ray Liotta is a great actor in his own right, but just wasn't the right choice for this part. However, Joe Mantegna as Dean Martin and Don Cheadle as Sammy Davis, Jr. (both were nominated for Emmys) were spot-on. Mantegna was wonderfully elusive as the deadpan, enigmatic, very sober Dino, and Cheadle stole the show as the immensely conflicted Sammy. I very much enjoyed Angus MacFadyen as long-suffering Peter Lawford and, even though he appeared only one or two times, Bobby Slayton as Joey Bishop. Good performances also came from William Petersen as JFK, Megan Dodds as May Britt, and Dan O'Herlihy as the scheming Joe Kennedy. And it doesn't hurt that the makeup (Emmy-nominated also) was great--take a look at the briefly-shown old Sinatra at the beginning!

The movie tries way too hard to cover several years in a couple of hours. It completely skips any backstory (including the Pack's formation), leaves out lots of things and people, and ends far too early, cutting out the many interesting developments in the years to come; also, many key players included are downscaled, like Bishop, Monroe, and mobster Sam Giancana. Also, incredible dramatic license is taken in places, ranging from the not-so-important (like the fact that the Pack always had their hotel rooms on the same floor, and "One For My Baby" was recorded years before the end) to the major (Peter informed Frank that Kennedy wasn't coming over the phone from D.C., and Dino and Sammy weren't there, either). But, somehow, it all still works.

Plot defects aside, there are some moments of sheer brilliance; the gang's music was used in striking ways to enhance what was onscreen. Sammy's first scene, with him singing, dnacing, and playing the drums AND the trumpet, really showed the immense body of talent he possessed (arguably more than any other Pack member) and the one-man showstopper he was. The group's carousing was caught nicely with the Summit re-enactment, and the after-parties in the great segment with "Ain't That A Kick in the Head" playing while the camera enters each member's hotel room. (Dean really would settle in with a comic book and a Western on TV!) The scene with Frank sailing with JFK at Hyannis Port, when Frankie was on top of the world, had "I've Got the World on a String" playing under it (it also played over the credits). Sammy singing "I've Got You Under My Skin" to the Ku Klux Klan; the juxtaposition of the lyrics and the situation--suddenly the words aren't about love anymore, but strong hate! This is a number that will leave you reeling. The final segment, with Frank singing "One For My Baby" as we see what becomes of the Pack and all their cohorts and remember their glory days, before Frank disappears in a cloud of smoke a la his "retirement" concert in '71, is as beautiful as it is stunning. I got chills when I saw the scene with Sammy, dressed in black satin pajamas, watching racist television reports about himself in an entirely white room. And Frank's introduction, singing "Live Till I Die," is beyond words. The lyrics sum up his life so well it's scary: "Those blues I lay low/I'll make them stay low/They'll never trail over my head/I'll be a devil till I'm an angel...Gonna dance gonna fly/I'll take my chance riding high/Before my numbers up I'm gonna fill my cup..."

It may miss here and there, but all in all, "The Rat Pack" is an motion picture experience that should not be missed.

terrific entertainment
Chris Dudley must be a famous movie maker, that's why he knows so much more about making films than the people who made this piece of terrific entertainment. Why, this film doesn't "focus" on how each one of them became famous. It spends too much time on Sinatra, when really we all wanted to see more of Peter Lawford. At least Dudley knows how to spell "non-sequitur" but either he doesn't understand it or doesn't get why the lyrics to the song "I'm Gonna Live" perfectly presage the extracts from the life of its singer, Frank Sinatra, we're about to see.

Dudley doesn't want a movie, he wanted a 10-hour mini-series.

What we got was fun and exciting, with several scenes you will remember forever (at least I will), not just because it's like you're watching the real history we never knew at the time, but because they are well played and paced. For example, the scene in a nightclub with Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter, Marilyn Monroe, Joe Dimaggio, and Jack and Bobby Kennedy sitting at a big table, with Judy Campbell (later to become Exner) sitting at a small table off to the side, with mobsters Johnny Roselli and Mickey Cohen over there, is extraordinary. The "High Hopes" number was great, and yes it did happen. The meeting between Joe Kennedy and Sinatra where the Kennedy clan patriarch directs Sinatra to ditch the blacklisted writer he had hired and to get his mob pals to help "win" the West Virginia primary is all the more powerful for being so brief. Frank's passionate argument with Ava showed how much two people who really love each other can hurt the other. How much more can you reasonably ask from a 2 hour TV movie, or indeed from any movie?

I didn't see this until just the other day and I damn near stayed up all night just to watch it, and it takes something arresting to grab my attention and keep it that late at night when I really had no intention of seeing the sun come up.

Rat Review
I thought the Rat Pack was an excellent movie. Charactor portrayals were very close to what I remember them being having grown up in the early 50's. Tensions abound inside the Pack as they deal with the evolution of entertainment industry close friendships and outside as Sinatra draws the Pack through a politics-meets-the-mob maze. Perhaps the most telling and eloquint of all lines spoken, Sinatra's reflection on days past, "I miss my guys."

If you haven't seen this movie, you're cheating yourself out of a delightful romp through the old days of wine, women, and song.

OK movie but Not all that Realistic!
I had this DVD, it was one of the first DVD's I bought when I got my DVD player and it was an ok movie but perhaps containing more fiction then fact. The acting was good even though most of the cast didn't resemble the people they were portraying except maybe Angus MacFadyen who looks a little like Peter Lawford but I think Bobby Slayton who played Joey Bishop looked a lot like the real Joey Bishop. While this movie wasn't a totally true accurate account of these guys it was worth watching once and I do think that Ray Liotta (Frank Sinatra), Joe Montegna (Dean Martin) Angus MacFadyen (Peter Lawford), Don Cheadle (Sammy Davis Jr) and Bobby Slayton (Joey Bishop) gave good performances even if most of them didn't look much like who they were portraying. An ok movie but after I watched it I went to a store that lets you sell or trade your DVD's and I traded it in for another used DVD.

Entertainment 4 stars, accuracy 2 stars maybe
This movie is indeed good entertainment and nothing more than that. It somewhat captures the swinging late 50s and early 60s before the onslaught of the Beatles changed the music industry forever.

There are a bunch of half truths and rumors in here but the movie is fun to watch anyway if you take it with a grain of salt. For example, by early 1962, Sinatra was no longer at CAPITOL and the song ONE FOR MY BABY was recorded at CAPITOL in 1958.

None of the rat pack except maybe Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford's character closely resemble the real legends in looks and speaking voice.

As stated earlier, this is a good half truth, half fiction movie. ... Read more

Reviews (91)

Straight forward plot, very familiar actors
Joshua Jackson (Pacey from Dawson's Creek) turns in an interesting performance as a college senior trying to pay for Law School by joining a Secret Society (a la George Bush). The story holds up and Jackson teams with Leslie Bibb (from Popular) to try to get fellow Skull Paul Walker to tell the truth. Walker is the old money bad boy who can't live up to the expectations of Craig T. Nelson, but there are other machinations going on behind the scenes (be sure to see the outtakes for the possible relationship between Jackson and the distiguished gentleman from Virgina). This movie bears a similarity with The Firm, but Jackson is not Tom Cruise, so many won't remember it a year from now. As a WB young star vehicle it fails, as a thriller it is so so, but it was worth a look.

Noteworthy Thriller
The Skulls is a well-paced and well-acted thriller. Joshua Jackson is Luke McNamara. An Ivy League college student who isn't doing to well with paying his tuition. To certify his place in completing college and have a successful future, he wants in with the Skulls. An intermediate group of young men who are guaranteed anything they want in life. After getting in, Luke's life begins to fall apart as his best friend is murdered and his girlfriend is on the run. Should Luke trust the secret society and his new friend Caleb, or try to get out of the society alive?

The Skulls, for some reason, gives me an at-home feeling. I kind of relate to each character in a way, and that shows that each actor gave a pretty good performance. Joshua Jackson, Paul Walker, and Leslie Bibb shine as the leads. Craig T. Nelson also gives a nice performance. The plot and pacing of The Skulls is excellent. The scenes meant to be intense are just that, and scenes meant to be heartfelt and fun are just that too.

The DVD isn't loaded, but it's pretty note worthy to any fan of the movie. A commentary is given by director Bob Cohen. I actually found this quiet entertaining as Cohen explains concepts of the movie and other things. There are a few deleted scenes with commentary by Cohen. It is seen why these were cut. There's also a Making Of featurette that works mostly as a promo spot. To round it up are the theatrical trailer and some very interesting production notes.

For any fan of the movie or its stars, this DVD is a must have and a must keep.

Not what I expected.
I got this movie, expecting to see a thriller based on fact. What I got instead was a teen-flick that seemed more like Scream than a movie about the powerful elite that (purportedly) runs countries and continents. Don't get me wrong however, this movie is definitely a thriller but it isn't sinister enough. The Skulls seem more like a group of spoilt brats than a highly efficient secret organization filled with the best minds.

The story was not very credible, how do a group of teenagers bring down such a secretive society that is said to span the globe? Surely the Skulls are not so incompetent as to allow a teen-journalist to enter their most sacred chambers with such ease and steal all their secrets.

There must be better movies about the skulls out there because this one was a real disappointment. I can only recommend this movie to those who like thrillers, just don't get this movie if you are expecting an expose on the skulls.

There was one reviewer who said he would have liked to see Jackson and Walker more physically involved with each other. It amazes me that there are such deviants who watch these movies to fulfill their perverted fantasies. The movie was about the Skulls not about homoerotic fantasies.

It's no mystery
This film lacks any of the suspense or intensity that makes good thrillers memorable. Cohen claims it is a message film aimed at teenagers headed toward college. The message I took away from it is find a better script before you start making your movie or it will wind up like this -- hackneyed and predictable.

There are plenty of implausibilities and downright silliness, not to mention groaners in the dialogue and some serious over-acting.

But if you think this movie is bad, just check out the sequel...

Skull Shattering!
SKULLOVE IT! I love this movie! I watch this movie like every other day! A sort of complicated story, it does very well!! ... Read more

Reviews (355)

Best of the summer blockbusters, to date.
XXX (Rob Cohen, 2002)

Here's a surprise: Rob Cohen, whose The Fast and the Furious was not only one of the biggest surprise hits of 2001 but also by far the biggest of Cohen's career, teams up again with Vin Diesel. The major lineup change here is the addition of screenwriter Rich Wilkes. Anyone familiar with the name should be ready to crawl under their seats right about now; Wilkes has been responsible in the past for such deathless cinematic fare as The Jerky Boys and The Stoned Age.

Whatever Cohen did to Wilkes, though, he did it right. XXX is absolutely typical run-of-the-mill shut-your-brain-off spy movie fare, so cut from the cloth of James Bond that the opening scene of the film features a nameless tuxedoed secret agent getting shot in the middle of a Rammstein concert. Cohen and Diesel threw down the gauntlet from the get-go to Albert Broccoli and Co. (and if the trailers for the new Bond film are anything to go by, "Bond"'s death at the beginning of this film is most welcome. Actually, it probably should have come after A View to a Kill. But let's not be petty.)

XXX goes right into the wonderful world of Bond starting soon after, including a scientist/weapons geek (relative newcomer Michael Roof, last seen in Black Hawk Down), a number of fabulous one-liners, and the most beautiful women in Hollywood falling at his feet, in this case Asia Argento. (Asia fans take note: you won't see nearly as much of her, in any respect, as you did in b.Monkey. Grieve now.)

So what is it about XXX that makes it the best of the big-budget summer films? The movie does exactly what it promises. You go into XXX looking for a mindless action movie, and you get a mindless action movie. Diesel is one of Hollywood's hottest properties right now, Cohen is finally hitting his stride after two decades of failed attempts to be deep and meaningful, Wilkes wrote a script that actually contains some humor, and the three of them will be back together again for the sequel in 2004.

Eighteen films from now, hopefully, someone will shoot Xander Cage in the middle of a Rammstein concert, and there will be a new superspy. Until then, sit back and enjoy the ride. *** ½

The Next Big Thing¿
Many have claimed that Vin Diesel (along with The Rock) may very well be the next big action stars in the vein of Arnold and Stallone. Diesel's latest entry, "XXX" may very well prove all doubters that he is in fact, The Next Big Thing.

THE STORY:

Xander Cage is a non-law abiding citizen, an extreme athlete/punk, who gets chosen by Uncle Sam as one of the next generation of secret agents. An unlikely hero, Cage gets sent off to the Czech Republic in pursuit of a group of former Soviet anarchists and winds up sampling the fine Eastern European big-money party life while raising Cain in between.

THE COOL STUFF:

Well my friends, if you love action, this has got action!!! Cohen and Diesel kick it up a notch outdo themselves VERY much from the "Fast and the Furious." Bond, Stallone, Arnold, Chan, Li, Cruise, Vam Damme, Segall or anyone else for that matter has nothing on Diesel in this one. The cool gadgets and the awesome action scenes will please just about anyone watching this.

The coolest thing about "XXX" that does separate this movie from others in the action genre is the use of all the "Extreme Sports" mainstays (motorcross, snowboarding, hot cars) in the filming of all the action/fight scenes.

The stunts and the cinematography of them are simply amazing and breathtaking. Cohen's filming really does put the XXX in XXXTreme. Awesome stuff!!!

THE BEST STUFF:

1. The snowboarding scene

2. The motorcross scene

3. The tons of cool "spy gadgets."

THE COMMENTARY:

Admittedly, if you are watching this for superb acting performance, etc, you really are watching the wrong movie/watching this movie for the wrong reasons. Sure, some of the plot was not that easy to follow and may have been a little confusing. Sure, Diesel will probably not be the next Tom Hanks or Mel Gibson which is alright because that's probably not his talent. A XXX franchise will probably NOT be the nail in the coffin of James Bond. However, the quality of the action in this flick and the pure adrenaline rush it exudes will help experts' claims that Diesel might be the next Arnold or Sly become all that more true.

THE VERDICT:

Again, this is just a great movie if you are looking for your action fix. I'll put the action right up there with anything Arnold or Sly's ever done plus a few bonus points for all the cool usage of the XXXtreme sports stuff. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!!!

Highly Recommended

Rebellious, in a conformist sort of way
While "XXX" may be a movie for white suburban teenagers who listen to raprock and think they're rebellious, it manages to overcome this impediment and be an entertaining popcorn flick. It turns out to be a solid star vehicle for Vin Diesel as Xander "XXX" Cage, an extreme sports star impressed into going to Europe to spy for his country. Combining the bad action movie with the spy thriller (think Bond James Bond crossed with Schwarzenegger), "XXX" is a good deal better than it has a right to be. It is, as many before me have pointed out, a total ripoff of the James Bond franchise, complete with the unrealistic action scenes and outrageously lame one-liners. That said, the movie isn't without its redeeming qualities. Despite the its two-hour length, the plot, concerning XXX trying to stop a group of baddies with vague eastern European accents from nerve-gassing Prague, moves along pretty quickly. Of course the plot is basically just an excuse for lots of cool stunts and explosions, and the movie doesn't fail to deliver in this aspect. Although I'll be the first to admit that it's all pretty mindless, it's hard not to enjoy such scenes as XXX driving a sports car off a bridge, riding a serving tray down a railing, and outracing an avalanche on a snowboard. There are some pretty nifty visuals as well, most notably Asia Argento as XXX's Russian love interest (yet another plot point lifted straight from the Bond series). For the most part, the acting is pretty good, certainly better than that of most of the bad action movies of the '80's (not that I don't like those movies). Deisel is clearly a talented actor, as he manages to keep his dignity even when uttering lines that would make Sean Connery and Roger Moore wince. And of course, Samuel L. Jackson is always reliable, and he seems to be having fun as the government agent who may or may not be on the level. Overall "XXX" get my thumbs-up, even though it does cut it pretty close.

Vin Diesel Revs Up in Triple X
Triple X is a non-stop thrill ride with an action hero as resourceful and clever as he is atypical of the secret agent genre. In this refreshing, highly entertaining vehicle, young Vin Diesel demonstrates he has inherited (actually co-inherited with The Rock) the crown of action movie star from the likes of Van Damme, Schwarzenegger, Willis, and Stallone.

The female co-star in here is pretty good as the moll of a Czech crimelord. She has a very expressive face, unlike the blank Barbie faces of some of the actresses in these types of roles.

Shameless
This movie had me lost within 10 minutes. As soon as Vin started spewing his tirade about how bad the government was because it tried to censor any cliched "Gen-X/Y" touchstone, i.e. video games and rap music, I looked at the rest of the movie through the eyes of someone who was trying to be blatantly marketed to. This never stopped, between the then trendy music, the constant attempts to be hip (mentioning Playstation a few times), it was obvious they were trying to create a franchise by throwing everything 20-somethings are supposed to like in a pot, blow stuff up around it and watch the money roll in. I have never felt so insulted by a movie in my life. If your idea of a good time is watching a movie that does nothing but pander to the cliche of what the "young generation" likes according the a studio's marketing department, watch "XXX" (even a porn reference in the title to "spice" it up). This movie is one of those terrible 60s beach movies with half the intelligence and 100X the budget. Marketing departments shouldn't write movies, writers should. ... Read more

Reviews (355)

Best of the summer blockbusters, to date.
XXX (Rob Cohen, 2002)

Here's a surprise: Rob Cohen, whose The Fast and the Furious was not only one of the biggest surprise hits of 2001 but also by far the biggest of Cohen's career, teams up again with Vin Diesel. The major lineup change here is the addition of screenwriter Rich Wilkes. Anyone familiar with the name should be ready to crawl under their seats right about now; Wilkes has been responsible in the past for such deathless cinematic fare as The Jerky Boys and The Stoned Age.

Whatever Cohen did to Wilkes, though, he did it right. XXX is absolutely typical run-of-the-mill shut-your-brain-off spy movie fare, so cut from the cloth of James Bond that the opening scene of the film features a nameless tuxedoed secret agent getting shot in the middle of a Rammstein concert. Cohen and Diesel threw down the gauntlet from the get-go to Albert Broccoli and Co. (and if the trailers for the new Bond film are anything to go by, "Bond"'s death at the beginning of this film is most welcome. Actually, it probably should have come after A View to a Kill. But let's not be petty.)

XXX goes right into the wonderful world of Bond starting soon after, including a scientist/weapons geek (relative newcomer Michael Roof, last seen in Black Hawk Down), a number of fabulous one-liners, and the most beautiful women in Hollywood falling at his feet, in this case Asia Argento. (Asia fans take note: you won't see nearly as much of her, in any respect, as you did in b.Monkey. Grieve now.)

So what is it about XXX that makes it the best of the big-budget summer films? The movie does exactly what it promises. You go into XXX looking for a mindless action movie, and you get a mindless action movie. Diesel is one of Hollywood's hottest properties right now, Cohen is finally hitting his stride after two decades of failed attempts to be deep and meaningful, Wilkes wrote a script that actually contains some humor, and the three of them will be back together again for the sequel in 2004.

Eighteen films from now, hopefully, someone will shoot Xander Cage in the middle of a Rammstein concert, and there will be a new superspy. Until then, sit back and enjoy the ride. *** ½

The Next Big Thing¿
Many have claimed that Vin Diesel (along with The Rock) may very well be the next big action stars in the vein of Arnold and Stallone. Diesel's latest entry, "XXX" may very well prove all doubters that he is in fact, The Next Big Thing.

THE STORY:

Xander Cage is a non-law abiding citizen, an extreme athlete/punk, who gets chosen by Uncle Sam as one of the next generation of secret agents. An unlikely hero, Cage gets sent off to the Czech Republic in pursuit of a group of former Soviet anarchists and winds up sampling the fine Eastern European big-money party life while raising Cain in between.

THE COOL STUFF:

Well my friends, if you love action, this has got action!!! Cohen and Diesel kick it up a notch outdo themselves VERY much from the "Fast and the Furious." Bond, Stallone, Arnold, Chan, Li, Cruise, Vam Damme, Segall or anyone else for that matter has nothing on Diesel in this one. The cool gadgets and the awesome action scenes will please just about anyone watching this.

The coolest thing about "XXX" that does separate this movie from others in the action genre is the use of all the "Extreme Sports" mainstays (motorcross, snowboarding, hot cars) in the filming of all the action/fight scenes.

The stunts and the cinematography of them are simply amazing and breathtaking. Cohen's filming really does put the XXX in XXXTreme. Awesome stuff!!!

THE BEST STUFF:

1. The snowboarding scene

2. The motorcross scene

3. The tons of cool "spy gadgets."

THE COMMENTARY:

Admittedly, if you are watching this for superb acting performance, etc, you really are watching the wrong movie/watching this movie for the wrong reasons. Sure, some of the plot was not that easy to follow and may have been a little confusing. Sure, Diesel will probably not be the next Tom Hanks or Mel Gibson which is alright because that's probably not his talent. A XXX franchise will probably NOT be the nail in the coffin of James Bond. However, the quality of the action in this flick and the pure adrenaline rush it exudes will help experts' claims that Diesel might be the next Arnold or Sly become all that more true.

THE VERDICT:

Again, this is just a great movie if you are looking for your action fix. I'll put the action right up there with anything Arnold or Sly's ever done plus a few bonus points for all the cool usage of the XXXtreme sports stuff. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!!!

Highly Recommended

Rebellious, in a conformist sort of way
While "XXX" may be a movie for white suburban teenagers who listen to raprock and think they're rebellious, it manages to overcome this impediment and be an entertaining popcorn flick. It turns out to be a solid star vehicle for Vin Diesel as Xander "XXX" Cage, an extreme sports star impressed into going to Europe to spy for his country. Combining the bad action movie with the spy thriller (think Bond James Bond crossed with Schwarzenegger), "XXX" is a good deal better than it has a right to be. It is, as many before me have pointed out, a total ripoff of the James Bond franchise, complete with the unrealistic action scenes and outrageously lame one-liners. That said, the movie isn't without its redeeming qualities. Despite the its two-hour length, the plot, concerning XXX trying to stop a group of baddies with vague eastern European accents from nerve-gassing Prague, moves along pretty quickly. Of course the plot is basically just an excuse for lots of cool stunts and explosions, and the movie doesn't fail to deliver in this aspect. Although I'll be the first to admit that it's all pretty mindless, it's hard not to enjoy such scenes as XXX driving a sports car off a bridge, riding a serving tray down a railing, and outracing an avalanche on a snowboard. There are some pretty nifty visuals as well, most notably Asia Argento as XXX's Russian love interest (yet another plot point lifted straight from the Bond series). For the most part, the acting is pretty good, certainly better than that of most of the bad action movies of the '80's (not that I don't like those movies). Deisel is clearly a talented actor, as he manages to keep his dignity even when uttering lines that would make Sean Connery and Roger Moore wince. And of course, Samuel L. Jackson is always reliable, and he seems to be having fun as the government agent who may or may not be on the level. Overall "XXX" get my thumbs-up, even though it does cut it pretty close.

Vin Diesel Revs Up in Triple X
Triple X is a non-stop thrill ride with an action hero as resourceful and clever as he is atypical of the secret agent genre. In this refreshing, highly entertaining vehicle, young Vin Diesel demonstrates he has inherited (actually co-inherited with The Rock) the crown of action movie star from the likes of Van Damme, Schwarzenegger, Willis, and Stallone.

The female co-star in here is pretty good as the moll of a Czech crimelord. She has a very expressive face, unlike the blank Barbie faces of some of the actresses in these types of roles.

Shameless
This movie had me lost within 10 minutes. As soon as Vin started spewing his tirade about how bad the government was because it tried to censor any cliched "Gen-X/Y" touchstone, i.e. video games and rap music, I looked at the rest of the movie through the eyes of someone who was trying to be blatantly marketed to. This never stopped, between the then trendy music, the constant attempts to be hip (mentioning Playstation a few times), it was obvious they were trying to create a franchise by throwing everything 20-somethings are supposed to like in a pot, blow stuff up around it and watch the money roll in. I have never felt so insulted by a movie in my life. If your idea of a good time is watching a movie that does nothing but pander to the cliche of what the "young generation" likes according the a studio's marketing department, watch "XXX" (even a porn reference in the title to "spice" it up). This movie is one of those terrible 60s beach movies with half the intelligence and 100X the budget. Marketing departments shouldn't write movies, writers should. ... Read more

Reviews (656)

The ultimate guy flick
"The Fast and the Furious" is, if nothing else, the ultimate guy flick: full of fast cars, hot chicks, and macho dudes who beat each other up before bonding over barbecue and Coronas.

It is a testosterone-fueled, pumped, hyperkinetic dude fantasy that draws on old '60s and 70s chase films like "Bullitt" and "Grand Theft Auto," but adds a rewarding layer of character and relationship depth.

Mind you, when we're talking about character depth, we're not talking about "Glengarry Glen Ross" here, but unlike recent car-chase flicks like "Gone in Sixty Seconds," we at least understand what drives the relationships. Heck, we see that there are relationships.

The central relationship revolves around Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker). The former is a street racer who has a side business hijacking trucks; the latter is an undercover cop who infiltrates Toretto's gang. Of course, there's a male bonding experience here - Toretto beats O'Connor in a race (run through curiously traffic-free Los Angeles streets), and afterwards O'Connor saves Toretto from being picked up by the police.

Soon thereafter, O'Connor is more or less accepted into Toretto's gang, and while the central purpose of of this is to bust the gang, O'Connor finds himself becoming friends with his intended collars, and drawn into the alluring world of street racing. He also falls in love with Toretto's sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), even though that would seem to violate every rule known to undercover police work.

Of course, "The Fast and the Furious" isn't a realistic crime caper; if it were, would Toretto's gang really rip off trucks while they're moving? Their method is to surround the truck with a small flotilla of hopped-up compact cars, shoot a rope from one of the cars into the cab of the truck, and use the rope as a bridge to jump onto the truck. From there, I suppose it'd be a matter of gaining entry into the cab, subduing the driver, and stealing the truck. Now, all this is pretty exciting stuff on screen, but hasn't it occurred to Toretto that it'd just be easier to rip off the truck when it's parked?

But realism isn't the point here - adrenaline is, and "The Fast and the Furious" delivers just that, with a healthy dollop of style and testosterone. Enjoy the movie, but just don't think about it too much.

Entertaining Thrill Ride.
When a young speed demon racer (Paul Walker) is the new guy on the Streets. While there`s another racers charged the streets of Los Angeles, every night is a championship race with nitro-boosted fury. Dominic (Vin Diesel) rules the road turning all his challengers into a hard core winner and he could be under suspicion of Stealing Expensive Equipment. But when the young racer proves himself to Dominic, he`s one of the fastest driver out-there but What Dominic doesn`t know is that the young racer is acutally a undercover detective and he also unexpected falls in Love with Dominic's Sister (Jordana Brewster).

DVD`s has an strong anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound including also DTS 5.1 Surround Sound. This was One of the Biggest Unexpected Box Office Hits of 2001. The Flick's only Flaw, it's suffers a Thin Story-line. DVD Extras are:An running commentary track by director:Rob Cohen (Dragon:The Bruce Lee Story, Triple X, Day Light). Deleted Scenes with/without commentary and more. This film has excellent car-racing scenes full of excitement. Panavision. Grade:A-.

Bad!
I hate this movie. Do not buy or rent.

Why? Why?
I nominate this as one of the dumbest movies ever made. The dialogue is painful to listen to a lot of the time. The plot? Geez. Road pirates???
My mouth was agape half the time and I was shaking my head slowly. Even the Hollywood gloss couldn't help it enough.
Only knuckledragging special-school folks will love this movie. Go get your helmet. You're going to special-school!

THIS MOVIE HAS NO OTHER PRETENSION THAN BEEN AMUSING.
"The Fast And The Furious" is obviously a guilty pleasure. The movie has amazing cars, attractive women (Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster), corny dialogues, summer movie visual stunts, bad actors (Vin Diesel) and a MTV movie soundtrack. But the funny thing is that the movie works despite all that (or perhaps because all that).

"The Fast And The Furious" is an amusing movie because the director and cast never pretended to be part of a groundbreaking film, they knew that they were filming a popcorn movie, so they enjoyed the whole process, and the result is evident, "The Fast And The Furious" is an entertaining movie.

Of course, this kind of trick only works once, but Hollywood don't care, the studios love to repeat successful formulas, even if they know they are going to release a bad movie, they do it because they also know that it's going to do well in the box office. So Hollywood made a sequel, "2 Fast 2 Furious", but obviously that movie is just average or below average. This kind of formulas (cars + visual effects + attractive women) only work once.

Anyway, "The Fast And The Furious" it's a very amusing, entertaining film. I would recommend you to rent it first, and if you like it a lot, well, get it. If you don't like it that much, at least you will have a good time for two hours. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This echo of 1970s disaster films stars Sylvester Stallone as the disgraced former head of New York City's Emergency Medical Services, a loser who is nevertheless a compulsive rescuer of people in danger. When the Holland Tunnel is sealed off after a fiery explosion and car passengers are trapped within, he goes inside and leads a group of survivors (a mixed group allegorically representing America's diversity) through all manner of pestilence toward safety. Directed by the imaginative Rob Cohen (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story), Daylight finds Stallone outrageously (and to almost campy effect) pushing the envelope of his martyr persona to near-religious levels. He throws himself, quite literally, into this part, and between that entertainment factor and the unnervingly convincing effects, this is a pretty watchable film. The collector's edition DVD release has optional widescreen and standard (pan and scan) versions, optional Spanish subtitles, and Dolby soundtrack. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (32)

'Daylight' Is a Breakthrough for Stallone
It's been a long time since I've given a Sylvester Stallone flick a positive review, maybe not since First Blood which was released thirteen years prior. But Daylight is maybe his best action movie, a disaster film that'll make you think twice before driving through a tunnel ever again. Sly plays an EMS chief whose been disgraced after losing a team while looking for survivors in a collapsed building. And when an explosion closes the tunnel connection Mannhattan and New Jersey on both ends he offers to go in after any survivors. He's seeking redemption which Stallone plays with subtle grace, giving his best performace since Rocky. The supporting characters are equally well acted and includes Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy), Viggo Mortensen (The Perfect Murder) and Dan Hedaya (A Civil Action). I don't want to make this sound like your typical dumb popcorn movie but Daylight will keep you on the edge of your seat with suspense and once the action gets started don't be expecting a chance to catch your breath because it's not coming. The DVD is fabulous, you'll never knew you're not in the tunnel yourself with the creaking walls and splashing water filling every one of your six speakers (if you're so lucky). If not the picture is crystal clear and with special features like this it's hard not to recommend it to everybody.

A collector¿s edition in DVD that is worth every penny!
Here is a disaster flick that puts the audience into a real life situation, which is unique and quite different from the typical action and adventure films. The movie, Daylight, is based on a real life occurrence of a tunnel accident in the late 1940s at the Holland and Lincoln tunnels under the Hudson River. Directed by Rob Cohen, the movie is a visionary masterpiece of a tunnel explosion that brought the whole character set to work together and risk their lives on this horrible disaster situation with the elements of nature involved. The character set is where the true inner beauty of the movie rests. It is one that I describe as not too well known to the public with a notable exception of Sylvester Stalone, who played the lead part. Here, Stalone played a sympathetic character, who brought the survivors to daylight. Although he has the persona of Rocky and Rambo, Stallone was, in the movie, an ordinary citizen who blends perfectly well with the others in the set without putting emphasis on muscles or action. Amy Brenneman (NYPD Blue) plays the female lead. She adds a freshness and excitement in the film. The presence of Viggo Mortenssen (Crimson Tide) was also exceptional who played a role as a sports celebrity. The family role models of Steven & Sarah and their daughter Ashley and an older couple put emphasis on values of caring and loving in a disastrous situation. The juvenile offenders were also terrific. Stalone's son in real life, Sage Stalone, especially gave some good highlights in the movie. The tunnel cop, George, played by Stan Shaw was a symbol of sheer humanity and warmth as he put the survivors together. Lastly, the worthwhile appearances of medical-relief workers, firemen and engineers have given their dedication for making this movie so believable for the audience to like it.

Besides the good casting, this film is appraised for its outstanding cinema production as far as visual effects are concern. The filming of an explosion at the tunnel is one of a kind. What really amazes me here is the long fire ball sequence that takes the audience into this journey, for the first time, of looking inside the horrible flame that is rolling as it impacts every object in its path, melting and burning down vehicles. The DTS sound quality of the DVD is amazing here. Also, there is a lot of stunt work involved here, of course, in order to make it believable. Stalone's stunt work in the fan sequence was a thrill portion to see. Feeling the power of the water reaping through the ceiling, turbulent tremors and explosions, and the tile cracks are all formidable forces that alert the audience to join the character set to express true fear and is really amazing. The blowout was the climatic scene between Stallone and Brennemen for their last chance to escape. This blowout scene is very original and is enriched with animated graphics and stunt work, which is beautifully accomplished.

One thing to comment is the excellent musical score. The musical effects present in disaster films like Daylight have the essence of thrill, fear, escape and hope. In Daylight, the musical score is one that depicts on heroism, failure and triumph of the human spirit over fear. In the introduction of the movie title itself, it has a speedily haunting sound, as it travels with the audience through a laser journey through a tunnel at night and at fast speed, which really prompts the audience to be prepared for that unthinkable situation that is about to happen.

As a huge fan and collector of disaster films, the movie, Daylight, is a great flick. The DVD Collector's Edition is packed with bonus materials. It includes this film in anamorphic widescreen, a special "making of" and behind the scene track, feature commentary, production notes, cast & filmakers, theatrical trailers, a featurette and even a music video of the movie love theme "Whenever There Is Love" performed by Donna Summer. All of this in one DVD, it is definitely a movie to own.

The best part is watching the cliches fight for dominance
This movie goes way off the unintentional comedy scale. A rag-tag group of survivors, containing every possible patented Hollywood character, from the dignified elderly to the know-it-all WASP and the fiesty token minority, are subjected to a truly hilarious disaster that makes the Poseidon Adventure look like Citizen Kane. My favorite part of this film is the invincible dog. You can always tell a Hollywood hackjob by the invincible dog, which always survives everything and is, gosh, just so darn *cute* that you're supposed to get all weepy with relief when it survives through to the credits. A classic example is the golden retriever in Independence Day that, in an awe-inspiring display of poor blue screening, somehow jumps out of the way of a fireball that just destroyed Los Angeles..and of course just at the last moment. A cousin of that redoubtable pup is found here, where it actually disappears for half the movie and then suddenly comes paddling out of nowhere in a moment that is clearly intended to be triumphant, but is just flat out funny. It's long been known that people watching a movie react far more emotionally to injuries to dogs than to people, but you've stooped pretty darn low when you have to fall back on that as a plot device.

not the best film, but the special effects are mindblowing!
This movie has a good but not great plot element to it. The acting was also not the best, but the special effects for the tunnel explosion are some of the most incredible I have ever seen!

I didn't really like this movie ia a favorie but I bought the DVD - just for the explosion scene alone. I watch it frame by frame on my dvd player.

The filmmakers even said that they wanted the fire to have a plasma like look to it and they did a really good job at it! In my opinion, the special effects in that scene are one of the best pyrotechnics displays in cinematic history!

Introduction to some new Stars
I liked this film. I own this film. Yes, it "stars" Sylvester Stallone of Rocky and Rambo fame. He did a very fine job - a nice switch from the beat-'em-up movies he's been type-casted into.

But what I like best about this film is that it "quietly" includes two individuals who are now big hits in Hollywood ... Viggo Mortensen of the recent trilogy Lord Of The Rings and Amy Brenneman of the current TV hit, "Judging Amy."

I like both of these actors so I have a special appreciation for "Daylight." It was one of Amy's first films, but it was just one of many for Viggo. Viggo has worked a long time in film, quietly in the background, offering wonderfully crafted supporting roles. I'm excited that Viggo is now being casted as a Leading Star. Good for him. He is a fantastic actor. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

see your past and your future
one of the best there is to see ann arbor in 1970

TOUCHY TABOO TOPICS........
This one's fairly well-hidden, after all when I originally saw it a few conservative [ahem!] audience members walked out in disgust just as Brad Davis, Karen Allan and Jameson Parker decided to become 'close' friends - nothing shocking, but slightly too much back then and probably today. [Yes, it does somewhat touch on the world of the bi-sexual, or is it just experimentation? It is also a rather good movie about EMOTIONAL CONTACT between three young people.]

It covers THAT radical period in our history [Viet-Nam and all of that!] - students exploring and discovering various 'things'. Don't ever mix love and politics I guess!

BUT it's more of a memory play - along the lines of a modern 'Our Town'. These are also great minor performances in the movie - the conservative guy who turns radical with deadly results.

MISS Brad Davis spontaneous talent - gone too soon - something of the Dean quality there and Dean would probably have approved of this movie.

Also equally stellar? Mr. Parker and Ms. Allen for just daring to be so bold!

Bravo!

[Then there's also the somewhat period but 'based on fact' - "Jules and Jim" - not forgetting "Sunday, Bloody Sunday"]

They shared everything. why not each other?
The most resonant element of director Rob Cohen's film is the music score by Jim Steinman, which includes the melody that was later recorded as Total Eclipse of the Heart. Otherwise this tale of a supposed menage-a-tois between Harvard university students Brad Davis, Karen Allen and Jameson Parker is as dramatic as the cartoon opening and closing sketches. The screenplay by Ezra Sacks attempts coverage of the Vietnam era from 1967 to 1971 from a student activist point of view, but the tri-romance hardly seems from the same era since it isn't until towards the end that there is any suggestion of bigamy. There is also even less suggestion of homosexuality interest between Davis and Parker. When the 3 finally go into the same bedroom, the camera is left outside and the door closed. Their lack of involvement in activism is paralled with the radicalisation of a Texan boy scout who comes to Harvard at the same time and ends up a terrorist, and highlighted by a campus riot that comes out of nowhere. Even the Vietnam connection as a comment on the relationship and vice versa doesn't work. Sacks opens with Parker reuniting with Allen in "the present" before we start flashbacking to 1967, with Davis' absence pre-empting the outcome, and Cohen supplies matching love scene montages. Davis' has steam so apparently is more erotic and ends abruptly, whilst Parker's is set to Chances Are and ends more positively. Sacks has 2 lines I liked - a technique of breaking into a glass window "I saw it on I Spy or was it The Untouchables", though Cohen repeats it, and "Only men would come up with a draft lottery using balls". Utilising period TV and photographic images - the assassinations of the Kennedy's and Martin Luther King - and a series of bad wigs, the only sense of reality and truth comes in a moment when someone sings the Star Spangled Banner to TV closure. Davis has the impossible charming/wild man role, not helped by his looking older than the others, and the best he can do is stare child-like for vulnerability. Allen doesn't have a strong screen persona so it's easy to think one is watching Amy Irving or Janet Margolin or Brooke Adams. Of the 3, Parker probably comes off best even when saddled with a Colonel Sanders look. His character's basic dullness is probably the reason he needs to be reunited with Allen. Even when the competition is Davis, anyone that prefers to experiment with rats rather than go to an Ingmar Bergman film is definitely worth reconsidering as a partner. Watch for Shelley Long as a photographer, and Daniel Stern, billed as Dan.

I was an extra in this movie
I got paid $35.00 for 12 hours work. Brad Davis pushed me in the critical student protest scene. I'm the one in the blue sweater.

A warm, evocative look at the campus 60's
A story set in the 1960's of the imagination, A Small Circle of Friends by the use of a young and almost self conscious cast manages to convey the wonder,possibilities and awkwardness of the time.

While giving an idealized view of Ivy League life of the period a viewer familiar with the time will still find so much that is achingly real.

In a word the show is evocative. There is a scene were Jameson Parker stands in the rain reading aloud the names of men killed in Vietnam as apparantly uncaring crowds pass by. Been there-done that and seeing it again brought back the feelings.

That is the strength of this movie. It may not be great art but it is good cinema. It lets you look back and see and it punches the right buttons. It is well worth the watching. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

'Daylight' Is a Breakthrough for Stallone
It's been a long time since I've given a Sylvester Stallone flick a positive review, maybe not since First Blood which was released thirteen years prior. But Daylight is maybe his best action movie, a disaster film that'll make you think twice before driving through a tunnel ever again. Sly plays an EMS chief whose been disgraced after losing a team while looking for survivors in a collapsed building. And when an explosion closes the tunnel connection Mannhattan and New Jersey on both ends he offers to go in after any survivors. He's seeking redemption which Stallone plays with subtle grace, giving his best performace since Rocky. The supporting characters are equally well acted and includes Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy), Viggo Mortensen (The Perfect Murder) and Dan Hedaya (A Civil Action). I don't want to make this sound like your typical dumb popcorn movie but Daylight will keep you on the edge of your seat with suspense and once the action gets started don't be expecting a chance to catch your breath because it's not coming. The DVD is fabulous, you'll never knew you're not in the tunnel yourself with the creaking walls and splashing water filling every one of your six speakers (if you're so lucky). If not the picture is crystal clear and with special features like this it's hard not to recommend it to everybody.

A collector¿s edition in DVD that is worth every penny!
Here is a disaster flick that puts the audience into a real life situation, which is unique and quite different from the typical action and adventure films. The movie, Daylight, is based on a real life occurrence of a tunnel accident in the late 1940s at the Holland and Lincoln tunnels under the Hudson River. Directed by Rob Cohen, the movie is a visionary masterpiece of a tunnel explosion that brought the whole character set to work together and risk their lives on this horrible disaster situation with the elements of nature involved. The character set is where the true inner beauty of the movie rests. It is one that I describe as not too well known to the public with a notable exception of Sylvester Stalone, who played the lead part. Here, Stalone played a sympathetic character, who brought the survivors to daylight. Although he has the persona of Rocky and Rambo, Stallone was, in the movie, an ordinary citizen who blends perfectly well with the others in the set without putting emphasis on muscles or action. Amy Brenneman (NYPD Blue) plays the female lead. She adds a freshness and excitement in the film. The presence of Viggo Mortenssen (Crimson Tide) was also exceptional who played a role as a sports celebrity. The family role models of Steven & Sarah and their daughter Ashley and an older couple put emphasis on values of caring and loving in a disastrous situation. The juvenile offenders were also terrific. Stalone's son in real life, Sage Stalone, especially gave some good highlights in the movie. The tunnel cop, George, played by Stan Shaw was a symbol of sheer humanity and warmth as he put the survivors together. Lastly, the worthwhile appearances of medical-relief workers, firemen and engineers have given their dedication for making this movie so believable for the audience to like it.

Besides the good casting, this film is appraised for its outstanding cinema production as far as visual effects are concern. The filming of an explosion at the tunnel is one of a kind. What really amazes me here is the long fire ball sequence that takes the audience into this journey, for the first time, of looking inside the horrible flame that is rolling as it impacts every object in its path, melting and burning down vehicles. The DTS sound quality of the DVD is amazing here. Also, there is a lot of stunt work involved here, of course, in order to make it believable. Stalone's stunt work in the fan sequence was a thrill portion to see. Feeling the power of the water reaping through the ceiling, turbulent tremors and explosions, and the tile cracks are all formidable forces that alert the audience to join the character set to express true fear and is really amazing. The blowout was the climatic scene between Stallone and Brennemen for their last chance to escape. This blowout scene is very original and is enriched with animated graphics and stunt work, which is beautifully accomplished.

One thing to comment is the excellent musical score. The musical effects present in disaster films like Daylight have the essence of thrill, fear, escape and hope. In Daylight, the musical score is one that depicts on heroism, failure and triumph of the human spirit over fear. In the introduction of the movie title itself, it has a speedily haunting sound, as it travels with the audience through a laser journey through a tunnel at night and at fast speed, which really prompts the audience to be prepared for that unthinkable situation that is about to happen.

As a huge fan and collector of disaster films, the movie, Daylight, is a great flick. The DVD Collector's Edition is packed with bonus materials. It includes this film in anamorphic widescreen, a special "making of" and behind the scene track, feature commentary, production notes, cast & filmakers, theatrical trailers, a featurette and even a music video of the movie love theme "Whenever There Is Love" performed by Donna Summer. All of this in one DVD, it is definitely a movie to own.

The best part is watching the cliches fight for dominance
This movie goes way off the unintentional comedy scale. A rag-tag group of survivors, containing every possible patented Hollywood character, from the dignified elderly to the know-it-all WASP and the fiesty token minority, are subjected to a truly hilarious disaster that makes the Poseidon Adventure look like Citizen Kane. My favorite part of this film is the invincible dog. You can always tell a Hollywood hackjob by the invincible dog, which always survives everything and is, gosh, just so darn *cute* that you're supposed to get all weepy with relief when it survives through to the credits. A classic example is the golden retriever in Independence Day that, in an awe-inspiring display of poor blue screening, somehow jumps out of the way of a fireball that just destroyed Los Angeles..and of course just at the last moment. A cousin of that redoubtable pup is found here, where it actually disappears for half the movie and then suddenly comes paddling out of nowhere in a moment that is clearly intended to be triumphant, but is just flat out funny. It's long been known that people watching a movie react far more emotionally to injuries to dogs than to people, but you've stooped pretty darn low when you have to fall back on that as a plot device.

not the best film, but the special effects are mindblowing!
This movie has a good but not great plot element to it. The acting was also not the best, but the special effects for the tunnel explosion are some of the most incredible I have ever seen!

I didn't really like this movie ia a favorie but I bought the DVD - just for the explosion scene alone. I watch it frame by frame on my dvd player.

The filmmakers even said that they wanted the fire to have a plasma like look to it and they did a really good job at it! I