Reviews (2)

her greatest fear is
Who would have guessed from her 1991 Victim of Beauty that Jennifer Rubin could steal a movie? But steal this one she does, even outshining usually stronger performers like Christine Lahti and Dylan McDermott. It probably helps that Rubin's role as the new tenant of agoraphobe Lahti's house and girlfriend of McDermott is a psychopath, but Rubin is very funny and as physically free as she was stiff as the model in the Paul Lynch film. At times she reminded me of Sharon Stone, and I liked her screaming that she does what she likes in Lahti's face. The screenplay by David Birke doesn't give much explaination for Lahti's phobia. She tells McDermott that is a progression of her panic disorder but we're not told of the incident that pushed her to this extreme, and we know there had to be one because at one point Rubin reads from a psychology book, and of course makes fun of the pseudonyms used for patient testimony. Lahti remains housebound to make her an easy target for a pair of criminals seeking refuge, with a house that features Caligali-like narrow hallways with tiny doors. Director Leon Ichaso uses either a golden brown tint to show how homey the location is or a blue phospherous lighting state for nightmarish ultraviolet atmosphere, and eventually any kind of truth Lahti tries for is dwindled away by the endless reincarnations and the increased meaninglessness.

A movie where your thoughts determine your direction in life
This is a most see movie. It speaks to those of us in society who have dissasociated with the outside world. The lesson learned from this movie is that you turn your fears into a reality by concentrating on them. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Welcome to Mr. Robinson's neighborhood
The magic of Eddie Murphey's final season on SNL is captured on this best of 1983 tape... and when I say magic I mean Murphy truly went all out before departing from the show. You would have to see it to actually experience the magic that is Eddie Murphy on SNL. I don't want to give away any surprises, and believe me, if you've never seen it before then there are plenty of surprises. But obviously there's Mr. Robinson's neigborhood and Buckweet. No Gumbi on this one, but there is a really good sketch with James Belushi and Joe Piscapo. The star though is Murphy, doing an impersination of Michael Jackson that will have you laughing all night. The only reason I didn't give this one 5 stars is because they rolled the credits right in the middle of James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Tom Hanks is a legend
This video shows the highlites from 3 seperate episodes as hosted by Tom Hanks. The video is hillarious featuring many great skits including "the deleted scenes from Big" which makes me laugh just thinking about it! Rare video so if you can snap up a copy I can't reccomend it enough! Check it out! ... Read more

Amazon.com

While hordes are ready to stream into any theater with his name on the marquee, you can actually experience the mother lode of Adam Sandler giggles in the comfort of your own home. This collection of nearly 20 skits from the comedian's 1991-95 stint on Saturday Night Live is an essential tool for anyone who's taking life too seriously. The classic characters are all present and accounted for: Operaman, Cajun Man, Gap Girl ("Didja cinch that?"), Kirstie Alley's exuberant bellboy ("Bellissima!"), and, of course, Canteen Boy, found here in a hilariously unsettling encounter with Alec Baldwin's randy troop leader.

The highlights, however, are the tunes, from "The Chanukah Song" ("Paul Newman's half-Jewish. Goldie Hawn, too. Put them together--what a fine-looking Jew!") to the all-out opus "Lunchlady Land," featuring a bemoled Chris Farley rocking out like no one in a hairnet ever has to the "Slop-Sloppy-Joes" chorus.

All in all, it's a nice trip back through SNL time. When it comes to getting in touch with his inner goofy 8-year-old, Adam Sandler is comedy's big daddy. --Bob Michaels ... Read more

Reviews (26)

A Sandler CelebraSHON
For me, Saturday Night Live stopped being funny enough to watch about the same time Adam Sandler left the show. This collection of Sandler moments is a little uneven and fails to include some of my favorites, but there is still plenty of great comedy to be found here. You get performances of such Sandler classics as The Chanukah Song, Lunch Lady Land, and a less famous little Christmas ditty (but, alas, no Red Hooded Sweatshirt song), not to mention his Springsteen performance of Dancing in the Dark alongside Courteney Cox. His Operaman persona is well represented with performances scattered throughout the 87 minutes of comedy mayhem. Cajun Man puts in an appearance, as does Lucy the Gap sales girl. The Canteen Boy segment is rather hard to forget, featuring the icky advances of Scout leader Alec Baldwin to Sandler's innocent persona. Proving that this comedy remains timely, Iraqi Pete shows up to draw the jeers of an American audience. There are a couple of skits of the typically inane SNL variety that seemed out of place here: the house-sitting and New York restaurant guide commercials; it is actually Chris Farley who manages to extract significant humor out of these otherwise unimpressive offerings. The selection from The Denise Show is very funny, but I would have favored the final one featuring Nicole Kidman as the better choice. I was very happy to see one of Sandler's Halloween costume suggestion skits included here; as funny as this selection is, though, I was a little disappointed that it was not the very first one-that was one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life. All in all, there is something here for every Adam Sandler fan; it is a tribute to his comedic genius that there was not enough room on this tape to include all of his fans' favorite moments from the show.

Please God, give me cancer now!
This is probably funnier than all of AS's films, and that is saying a lot! From the Zagat's skit (the book is gone, but the mouth keeps on!) to the now classic Schmitts Gay commercial, it really is the BEST of Adam Sandler, the best in the series. The Denise Show was a skit I don't remember, but it's funny as hell. (here's the part of the show where I absolutely lose it!) and of course Canteen Boy is another great one. (Alec Baldwin-a great SNL host) The Operaman montage is hilarious (I especially love the two Pearl Jam bits, the Al Gore song, and of course the Demi Moore "dry-humpo!" song) Cajun Man is in here, as well as the Hannukah song. Of course, the now classic "Bellissima!" skits are untouchable, and the Gap girl skits are hilarious. It's very hard to pinpoint the best skit on here, but I would say a tie between Canteen Boy and the Operaman montage. Opera Man, bye bye!

Omigod! It's The Best Of Adam Sandler!
While not as versatile as Dana Carvey or Phil Hartman, Adam Sandler had his own special brand of humor that made him one of "Saturday Night Live's" must - watch comedians during the early 1990s'. Relying more on characters than impressions, he had an intense flair for physcial comedy, something few castmembers were good at.

For a solid 70 minutes of laughter, this dvd can hardly be beat. All of his most popular charcters are here - "Canteen Boy" (in a rather memorable sketch with Alec Baldwin), "Cajun Man", Lucy the Gap girl and , of course "Operaman". Also, there's more than a few one - time characters who make their appearnaces. "Iraqi Pete" seems is hilarious, though has eerie echoes of what's going on in the world today. The bellboy from the "Room Service" sketch (actually, he also appeared in the "Il Cantore" sketch) is also funny. My favorite is Hank Gelfand from the "Zagat's" sketch, though Chris Farley actually does better than him here.
And of course, there's the music: "The Hanukkah Song", "Present Song" and "Lunchlady Song" (though in this one, Farley once again outshines him). Plus, there's his hilarious costume suggestions ("I'm Backwards Man").

I suggest this dbd. I guarantee you'll laugh your pants off. Here's hoping tha Lorne Michaels gets his stuff together and asks Sandler to host the show again soon.

Magnifico
During the years 1986 to 1991, a few new comedians joined the cast of NBC's "Saturday Night Live". Dana Carvey, Mike Meyers, Kevin Nealon, Dennis Miller, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Chris Rock, Victoria Jackson, Phil Hartman, John Lovitz, Julia Sweeney, Chris Farley and a host of others built what is arguably the only ensemble to rival the first five years with Gilda, Dan and Chevy. Another comedian who joined the show around this period was Adam Sandler, then a struggling comedian who (as one reviewer pointed out) had already starred in one movie called "Going Overboard".

"Saturday Night Live - The Best Of Adam Sandler" is an excellent compilation of some of his zaniest characters (and some in which he plays himself singing a song or giving costume suggestions to the unfortunate ones who couldn't find one for Halloween. There are 20 skits here, so I'm going to just the name a few of my favorites.

"Zagats" is my favorite. A bewigged Sandler acts alongside Chris Farley and David Duchovny (both in drag) as an elderly Jewish man who is celebrating his 35 th anniversary with his wife Bev (played by Farley). Sandler's insults and one - liners ("Give me cancer now, God") are among his best work. Liken him to Mr. Roper from "Three's Company", only Jewish.

"Canteen Boy" is a rather provocative skit, with not - so - subtle allusions to sodomy and homsexuality, with Alec Baldwin as a scout master pining for a more than a little uncomfortable Sandler. Very racy, but extremely funny stuff.

Finally, there are four different "Operaman" skits. Here is where you'll hear Sandler zing such notorious figures as Amy Fisher, Lorena Bobbit, George Bush, Hilary and Bill Clinton, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and a hilarious song about Pearl Jam in which Operaman expresses his non - gay crush on Eddie Vedder. John Lovitz and Glenn Close also pop as Operaman's brother and his sister - in - law.

Other skits like "The Denise Show", "Grandma" and "The Herlihy Boy"are equally funny and memorable. For me, the only skit not included that I wish they did was "Operaman's Lotto Ticket". But this is still an essential collection, especially if you are a big Sandler fan.

Not the best of Adam Sandler, but still fun for "SNL" fans!
During the early to mid-90s, a few comedians ruled NBC's "Saturday Night Live," and they got future film careers out of it all. Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, and now even Rob Schneider have all gone on to fruitful film careers, with Carvey finally getting back in the game (hopefully) after heart problems (though "Master of Disguise" didn't help him too much). Other funny comedians such as Kevin Nealon and Phil Hartman, though equally funny, never got very far. Nealon made some cameos in his fellow "SNL" friends' films ("Happy Gilmore," "Master of Disguise," "Anger Management"), while Hartman was shot by his wife before he got anywhere at all.

Adam Sandler has probably gotten the most out of "Saturday Night Live." He appeared in one film prior to his casting on "SNL." It was a film called "Going Overboard," and it is a true cinematic disaster. After "SNL," however, he has appeared in such flicks as "Billy Madison," "Happy Gilmore," "The Waterboy," "The Wedding Singer," and last year's "Punch-Drunk Love," in which he displayed his true feelings behind the goofy boy persona.

"Saturday Night Live: The Best of Adam Sandler" is a compilation of his greatest moments on the famed television show, ranging from skits involving original characters such as Canteen Boy and Operaman, to the host of "The Denise Show" and The Herlihy Boy Homesitter.

I stumbled upon this DVD while I was at my video store picking up another "SNL" DVD. I was happy because I like the early 90s segments of "Saturday Night Live" much more than the recent episodes, especially now that Will Ferrell has left the show. I was pretty excited that I had found it.

Which is why I was a bit disappointed. I liked this collection of his so-called "greatest moments," but I can't necessarily say that I've seen nothing better. In fact, some of the skits on this DVD are not that funny after a while. The Herlihy Boy Homesitter gets old pretty fast, and while I liked "The Denise Show," I recall seeing a much funnier sequence of the same fake TV show with Nicole Kidman as a guest star - and it was funnier than this one.

Thinking back, I didn't laugh a whole lot at all the skits. They weren't as funny or outrageous as those included in this year's "The Best of Will Ferrell." Is it because Adam Sandler himself isn't funny? Many people think so. I think he's good at what he does. I like his goofy comedies like "Happy Gilmore" because they put a smile on my face (though he's far from being a great comedian at all). Also included on the DVD is the song that inspired his animated feature film "Eight Crazy Nights," as well as Iraqi Pete (an odd skit but pretty funny). I had already seen a few of these skits on television before, including that involving Kevin Nealon and guest star Kirstie Alley being bothered by sex-craved Italians in a hotel.

My favorite skit, however, would have to be one that has Michael Keaton paying Chris Farley to keep an eye on his frail grandmother while he goes back to his room with a girl for a half hour. The grandmother (played by Sandler with a wig) wants Joey (Keaton), and she doesn't want anything to do with Farley. Farley tries to help her with everything but "she" screams and claims he's attacking her. Keaton comes out and beats up Farley a few times in the process. Funny stuff, but still a long shot from anything extraordinary.

And just as with "The Best of Will Ferrell," I am disappointed in this DVD's length. 73 minutes is short for a collection such as this. I understand that it originally aired on television, and with commercials it runs to a full 90 minutes. However, why not make it a full two hours with commercials? That would mean the DVD, without commercials (of course), would run closer to 90 minutes than 70. Or why not include a batch of extra "Best Of" scenes for the Special Edition DVD? That would interest many more buyers.

There are also no special features on this DVD, save one single photo gallery that scans through a handful of snapshots from the skits for about thirty seconds. The new "Best Ofs" contain dress rehearsals, outtakes, Conan O'Brian interviews, and photo galleries. I suppose there wasn't much footage left over since Adam Sandler's skits were filmed before DVDs and Lorne Michaels never thought of saving some deleted scenes and so on and so forth. But it would have been interesting to have more than a photo gallery. Maybe even trailers for some of Sandler's movies?

Strictly speaking, it's not an overblown Special Edition DVD like so many nowadays. It is basically exactly what it says - a collection of his best moments. No real special features, no commentaries, etc. Just the same as the TV broadcast only on DVD format. I guess that's OK.

If you're a fan of "Saturday Night Live" or Adam Sandler, I recommend picking up this DVD. However, if you want a good laugh, I recommend picking up "The Best of Will Ferrell" or "Dana Carvey," which I am told is hilarious and is next on my list. Steve Martin is always a good bet, too, but you may have more trouble finding older episodes - not many people care for them anymore. I'm still waiting on "The Best of Dan Aykroyd," "Chevy Chase," and "Gilda Radner," to name a few of many....

"Saturday Night Live: The Best of Adam Sandler" runs 73 minutes, and includes many different skits. It is not rated and contains some sexual content and language. Its single bonus feature is a photo gallery. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Steve Martin and Dan Aykroid
Everything on this tape is classic. My favorite, though, is Aykroid and Martin as the Frestrunk Brothers because they are... TWO WILD AND CRAZY GUYS! Anybody who is a fan of the show would enjoy this year. Garret Morris, Bill Murry, Steve Martin, and the Blues Brothers all perform songs in this one. Showing how musical the original cast really was. Other sketches include cheesebuger cheeseburger, X-Police, and the Coneheads. It's simply some of the most hillariousely memorable comedy ever filmed.

A Charming and Funny Experience
This is a great video, which is the best of the best of Saturday Night Live. It is hilarious, with cast members such as Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, and the rest shining as brightly as they ever have. With highlights such as Bill Murray as the Lounge Singer singing "Star Wars," and Steve Martin singing "King Tut," this video will not disappoint you! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In this tale of intersecting lives in New York City, Sidney Poitier plays a powerful Manhattan business executive whose roots were in a Brooklyn ghetto, and Poitier's daughter, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, plays a teenager living in a South Brooklyn housing project who wants to break free from her desperate circumstances. The lives of the characters happen to collide when a robbery attempt at Nicole Turner's place of work, a fast-food franchise, turns bloody, and Will Clemmons, who has helped the old neighborhood with investments, returns to deliver an inspirational eulogy. Realizing what life has to offer, Nicole tracks down Clemmons, and after overcoming his considerable reluctance, becomes his student. That plot admittedly seems like standard fare, something of a Pygmalion in "the hood," but the performances, especially that of the elder Poitier, elevate the film. He burns the screen with passion and is charmingly good-humored as he endeavors to turn Nicole into, as he puts it, "a thinking individual." Some plot developments, thanks to both Nicole's impulsive personality and her role as the witness to the shootings at her former job, provide bumps in the road, but this is mostly a tale of uplifting oneself from dire circumstances, and the acting overcomes any predictability in the story. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Look beyond your horizon
I have just finished watching this film for the second time and I'm still inspired. Mr. Poitier gives a phenominal performance as does his daughter. I'm buying a copy for my 15 year old niece, I think every teenager should see this so that they know that there is more out there in the world than what they are currently living today. The importance of education is something far too many people are taking for granted. Use your inner self and reach for the stars! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Most television movies about real-life rock & roll heroes are adeadening mix of biographical bullet-points and sensational recreations ofoutré behavior. Rarely does the essence of a pop artist, great orotherwise, come into focus within the spuriously tragic atmosphere of the kindof TV bio-pic that has made fools of the likes of the Beach Boys and JohnLennon. Happily, that's not the case with Leon Ichaso's Hendrix, aremarkably sensitive film, originally broadcast on cable, that refuses toexploit guitar legend Jimi Hendrix's mythic appetites nor reduce his prodigiousgenius to bite-size drama. It is, instead, a portrait of the artist as a fieldof incongruous energy, sprawling everywhere and nowhere at once, remote from hisroots and pained by the disruptive, implacable force of his awesome talent. WoodHarris (Remember the Titans) is wonderful as Hendrix, masterfullycapturing the rock god's legendary shyness, unabashed sexual adventurism, andconstant redefinition of his purpose and sound. Keeping him on a short tether isHendrix's management team, which insists he keep up a grueling schedule for themoney and throws obstacles onto the path of his creative freedom. Cuban directorIchaso (Sugar Hill) makes clever use out of a fictional, black-and-whiteinterview Hendrix supposedly gave a journalist on the day he died. In it hetalks about everything that comes to mind: playing guitar for African Americansingers on the old rhythm & blues circuit, the thrill of his triumphs during theLondon blues scene in 1967, and his efforts to mollify advocates of blackmilitarism without becoming involved in it. Terrific support work by Billy Zaneas Hendrix's would-be puppeteer, Christian Potenza as former Animals bassist- turned-rock-manager Chas Chandler, and Dorian Harewood as Al Hendrix. --TomKeogh ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Catches the spirit of Hendrix
At times I wonder if I saw the same video as those
who gave the negative reviews. I thought it was a
good easy-viewing synopsis of the career of Jimi.
Although I never met him, I think I've tuned into his
personality through his between-song comments and
movie and television interview appearances. He was,
as presented in the movie, a kind and easy-going soul
who was somewhat unsure about his leadership role in
the music industry. He was prone to let others take
advantage of himself.
At that time, the drug culture was in vogue in 60's
London -- and Hendrix fell right into that trap. It's
too bad, but a mighty creative force is also balanced
by a highly destructive one. Hendrix rode his creative
force into superstardom, but his self-destructive
demons caused his early demise.
I believe that the people who were consulted during
the making of this film know more about Jimi than
some of the negative reviewers on these pages. By the
way, Eric Clapton did look that way during the late
sixties in his Cream incarnation. Also, the soundtrack
was extremely well done! I have been trying to find
out who did the guitar parts. He (or she) captured the
subtle inflections of Hendrix's playing marvelously.
I think that Jimi would have been honoured.

Unintentional Humor and Intentional Boredom.
Hmmm... Where to start?
Wood Harris isn't really that terrible of an actor. (Although I've only see him in one movie.) This has to be one of the most challenging roles for any actor. Wood, however, plays Hendrix as if he was a mumbling airhead. The filmmakers also needed to get an actor who could actually play guitar. He didn't have to necessarily be good, just know enough to fake it. (Hendrix is one of the best guitarists in history, so it's okay if you can't play like him.) Also, this film, being a TV-movie, had a limited budget. The Woodstock scene was painful to watch, especially when it appeared as if Hendrix was only playing in front of a crowd of 10 extras. The costumes were great, but the hairpieces really needed some work.
The biggest disappointment was the music. Since, the filmmakers were unable to license Hendrix's music, we get some really bad cover tunes with a singer that doesn't even sound like him. It should have been a sign that his movie should have never been made.

Horrific
I would rather have my eyelids pinned open and be forced to watch Gigli for 24 hours strait than live through another 20 minutes of this horrific movie. O. My. Gawd. This is seriously the worst rock-n-roll movie of all time. I said: ALL TIME WORST. It is so bad I almost cried. The poor actor can't even play a chord. He would just slide his hand up and down the neck flipping his fingers around. Oh, this is sooo sad. The only thing sadder is that some people (obviously being sarcastic) gave it more than 1 star in their review. I am in tears. Jimi, if you can hear us, we apologize for this atrocity.

Don't buy it
This movie is horrible. Picture a guy with 6 pack abs talking effeminately, pretending to be Jimi Hendrix. It's that bad. They throw in a softcore lesbian scene, hoping to save the movie I suppose, but it can't be saved.

It's worth seeing once despite it's many flaws.
"Hendrix" isn't exactly a top-notch movie, in fact, in many ways it's a real dud. However, it is a movie that is indeed worth seeing at least once if you're a Jimi Hendrix fan. Admittedly there are many problems with it, and while it has some positive aspects it's not easy to overlook the downsides.

First and foremost the movie very hastily covers Hendrix's early years, most notably his childhood, which should have been focused on more. His cold relationship with his mother is hardly established, aside from a brief scene between the two. Another important part of Jimi's life, his tenure in the U.S. Army as a Paratrooper is very hastily done and is quite dissapointing. While it's entertaining to see Jimi outplay Little Richard and then get booted off the tour for doing so, it's incorrect, I wont bore you with facts, but it's something to keep in mind. Jimi's time as a studio musician is only mentioned by Jimi himself during one or two scenes, and that's about it.

Now I can overlook those facts, but the thing that dissapoints me the most is how they handled The Experience. Bassist Noel Redding, while with some short and so-so scenes, is hardly paid any mind to, and even less for drummer Mitch Mitchell. They fail to truely give Hendrix's band mates credit, nor do they do justice to the charisma between the three. Hendrix's time after The Experience with The Band of Gyspys is served even less time, another important fact to Jimi's career brushed aside.

Another flaw are the "musicians" themselves...they aren't even playing the instruments or making any attempt to make it look like they are for that matter. During several drum rolls Mitch Mitchell sits there and hits one cymbal, it looks quite ridiculous to say the least. Even Hendrix himself looks like he's just an amature who walked into a guitar shop, plucking the strings. Last, but not least, is the movie uses no actualy Hendrix recordings, calling upon studio musicians to try and mock Hendrix, as many reviewers have mentioned before, the National Anthem at Woodstock is almost painful to listen to.

So why see this movie just once? To be honest, while I took issue with all of these negative facts, I still enjoyed it to a degree. Wood Harris, who plays Hendrix, does a fairly good job of capturing Jimi, though this is almost impossible to do. The dialogue between Hendrix and others is entertaining with some unrealistic yet memorable lines. I was glad that Hendrix's conflict between appealing to a mainstream white audience and appealing to his black roots was shown during a conversation with two Black Panther representatives.

If you're a Hendrix fan, be prepared for this movie to have it's flaws, but don't dwell on them, see it at least once for the positive aspects, not the negatives. As for the three men who wrote this, if you plan to write a more in depth sequel of sorts, do it right this time. A movie about Jimi Hendrix needs time to establish his life, his career and his downfall, even if it meant a three hour film, I don't know of one Hendrix fan who wouldn't enjoy every minute of it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rockin Roll Crime Fighters
When I saw the pilot, I couldn't wait for the series to begin. This is crime fighting at its best. Every character was interesting and the writing was superb! My only regret is that I didn't have the VCR on "record" for the entire series. If anyone does or knows where I can get complete copies of the series on tape, write me back at humbert@midusa.net

A dark, rockin', guns 'n' chrome story.
From the chase up Lake Shore Drive in dueling '59 Ford squad cars, to the heat of Lt. Torello's stuffy office, this is one mesmerizing movie. The music, clothes, dialogue, action - everything comes together to present a wacked-out look at the greasers in the Chicago Outfit in the early 1960's and the good guys in black suits and thin ties who chased them. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Oh Noooo - Toonces Can Drive, Just Not Very Well
This is a hilarious 2 VHS set, featuring two of Saturday Night Live's best charachters, MR. BILL and TOONCES. The first tape features 19 great Mr. Bill skits, along with all of Mr. Bill's buddies, including Spot, Sluggo, Miss Sally, and of course, Mr. Hands. The second tape (my favorite) features Toonces (The Cat who Could Drive a Car). There are some great guests on the Toonces tape, including Steve Martin, Randy Quaid, George Wendy, Griffin Dunne, Karen Allen, Linda Hamilton, and SNL regulars like Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Julia Sweeney, and Victoria Jackson.

Toonces and Bill on video
I don't know much about this I haven't watched it all , I wasn't too interested in it, but Mr.Bill is a putty figure that keeps on getting killed in many ways and Toonces is some cat that likes to drive around and stuff. Sorry I couldn't give you enough info , this didn't really catch my attention. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The original cast of Saturday Night Live
This was in my opinion one of the best years ever for Saturday Night Live. The greatest comedy geniuses the world has ever seen all in one cast on one show. You can't beat that. Chevy Chase shows up for his final season as a cast member, John Belushi is excellent in Samuri Delicatessen, and he premiers the Blues Brothers in his killer bee costume while singin "King Bee". Gilda does her Barbra Walters impression, and my favorite is Dan Aikroid's Nixon sketch. If you enjoy classic timeles sketch comedy than you'll love this tape. I would recomend taking halucinagyns at the same time if you get a chance because this thing is a phsycadelic trip. Definetly a must for any fan of the show.

the best videos, the good old days
this was when the show was truly revolutionary. The got a load of influence from monty python and were ready to shock the world. Aykroyd, Murrey, Bulishi, curtin and even chase are amazing here. this is funny stuff that is really on of if not the best time for the show ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Jesse Jackson was wonderful
I am looking for the episode of Saturday live when Jesse Jackson read Green Egg & Ham as a tribute to the death of Dr. Seuss. I believe that this episode aired on September 24, 1991 the day Dr. Seuss died. September 28, 1991 Michael Jordan / Public Enemy ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Classic Tale of the New York Salsa Scene
It's scary how well director Leon Ichaso depicts the people he makes movies about. Crossover Dreams is the classic movie of the salsa scene in the late 70's and early 80's. If you love the music and the culture, you'll love the movie. If you want to learn about it, this is the movie to see along with El Super and Pinero. Ruben Blades plays the unassuming Rudy Veloz, a young singer on the New York salsa club circuit that dreams of crossing over to pop mainstream. Rudy goes through some ups and downs, but finally lands a contract with a rock producer. But his new life is not all its cracked up to be and Rudy's star falls as fast as it rose, and he loses his girlfriend Rosie (Liz Pena) in the process. Crossover Dreams delivers the heartfelt "don't forget where you come from" message -- in this case, Spanish Harlem. The movie is filled with guest appearances of great salsa musicians, especially the velvet voice and style of Virgilio Marti, who sings the hands down greatest version of the Cuban classic "Llora Timbero". Pick up the CD soundtrack just for this hit. Crossover Dreams falls short of five stars because of some choppy editing, a plot that sags towards the end of the film, and some one dimensional supporting characters. The ending could have been better developed. But the music, funny lines and beautifully filmed images of El Barrio make the movie a great contribution to New York nostalgia.

More like 3 and a Half
The film has spice and color, even though the story line is formula, except the part about the girlfriend, sort of a funny twist there. It is about a Harlem Salsa Singer trying to crossover, but his fate is a bit different than Selena. He ends up rising very quickly and crashing even more quickly. I really really liked the color and the shots of East Harlem. I even liked more the music. It had a liveliness that made the film come alive more. I thought Ruben Blades did a great job in acting his part, staying right with his character. His film presence is very magnetic. I also like Elizabeth Pena, although she doesn't have a whole lotta of spark in this film. It was a nice film and I suggest it and recommend it.

Lisa Nary

Young Ruben Blades.....worth the movie
This is one of Ruben Blades' first movie starts in the film industry. It is about a young salsa, Latin Jazz musician, who is trying to make it in New York City in the mid 1980s. The character, Rudy Veloz, is trying hard to make it, even crossing over to mainstream music (popular/ non-latin).

This movie saids a lot about how many Latin talents had to struggle in trying to bring their cultural, or part of their background, to this great country and had to undergo much hardship.

Blades is, without question, a talented, well respected and known Latin artist. He is also well versed in the area of politics, possessing a Harvard Law School international law degree.

Crossover -- and you'll pay!
This was the movie that introduced me to Ruben Blades, and I loved it from beginning to end. The movie is the BOMB, and the theme is one that today's young musicians better pay heed to: when you make it, you'd better keep your soul and your friends or else you can lose both! I read somewhere that this movie, shot in Spanish Harlem, was made for around $600,000. What a deal. A young salsa singer makes a hit record and then abandons his friends and environment (sells out). He is pressured for a second record, but can't do it because he no longer has his former buddies around him. HE ends up back in Spanish Harlem. But the trip that he took is worth study and analysis, because far too many "stars of color" forget where they came from. If you have "crossover dreams," it means that for the most part you give up what you are so you can be more "marketable" to the other side. The seamier side of how these stars are "sold" to the public is also shared in this movie. IF there's a soundtrack, get it because the music is fantastic and indeed, Blades does have a band and can really sing! He's also got a law degree. You go Ruben!

A GREAT MOVIE
I LOVED THIS ORIGINAL MOVIE AND ITS GREAT MUSIC. RUBEN BLADES AND DIRECTOR LEON ICHASO DESERVE HIGH PRAISEON SUCH A POIGNANT AND TRUE STORY. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I expected more
After watching it a couple times, some of the skits grew on me, but in the beginning I was disappointed. I guess that I just didn't agree with what they considered to be the "best" of SNL for that year. But Mike Myers' "Phillip" skit with Nicole Kidman was hysterical... ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Gripping story of a great Puerto Rican writer
"Pinero," written and directed by Leon Ichaso, tells the story of Puerto Rican playwright Miguel Pinero. Benjamin Bratt turns in a charismatic performance as the title character, and is ably supported by an outstanding group of fellow actors. Pinero's story is told in a fragmented style, and Latin music effectively accompanies the story.

The performances in the film are really special. Mandy Patinkin is a powerful presence as theatrical figure Joseph Papp. Giancarlo Esposito plays writer Miguel Algarin, and he has superb chemistry with Bratt. And I was particularly moved by Rita Moreno's portrayal of Pinero's mother; one scene between her and Bratt is particularly heartwrenching.

The film covers many important aspects of Pinero's life: his time in jail, the opening of his landmark play "Short Eyes," his Puerto Rican/"Nuyorican" identity, and more. Ichaso paints his canvas with some powerful and disturbing visuals.

Despite the many good aspects of the film, I didn't find it wholly satisfying; in a sense I find Pinero the man even more of an enigma after seeing the film. But this is still a film well worth seeing.

the voice of the nuyorican poets
He was a poet & an actor more so he was an artist, this film captures the essence of this brillant writer. Benjamin Bratt
becomes Pinero, you see pinero's spirit take on that of bratt.
It's hard to believe there isn't much on Miguel Pinero's life,
finally with this Film we get an window into the world of this man and his poetry. see this film with an open mind

You'll Want to Bathe After Watching This One!
This movie is a portrayal of the "Nuyorican" poet and playwright Miguel Pinero. Pinero wrote the play "Short Eyes" based on life in prison. It's a harsh look at the life Pinero lived, a life enveloped with crime, drugs, and disease. I'm not the one that picked out this movie, so I wasn't that interested in it even before it began. After watching the street life of Pinero I felt dirty!

A great movie although very sad and tragic
Pinero is based on the life of puertorican playwright, actor and poet Miguel Pinero. His life from early childhood was a constant struggle for survival since his father abandoned his mother (played by the great Rita Moreno)when he was a small boy. Pinero turned to a life of crime while still in his early teens and served time in Sing-Sing for arm robbery and stealing cars. While on the inside Pinero turned his anger and frustrations to writing short stories which later became plays such as his most successful and controversial play "SHORT EYES" which was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Play in the late 70's. Pinero also started a theater group in jail and perform for the other inmates plays that he had written. Joseph Papp, the legendary theater producer read Pinero's play "SHORT EYES" and decided to produced it Off Broadway while it became a success despite is limted run.

I have never been fond of Benjamin Bratt as an actor but in this movie he did an excellent job and really transformed himself into the character. This movie is a bit strong and somewhat harsh since it depicts the reality of the character. Miguel Pinero was not only a convict but a drug addict who took heavy doses of cocaine and would inject large quantaties of heroin on his arms. Pinero lived the life of a bum through out his life and even as he reached moderate success as a playwright he still hard a tough time fighting his inner demons. He died in 1988 at the age of 40 of Aids (I believe) after he overdosed on more heroin.

This movie is not for everyone but it is a good movie whose main character lived a very sad and tragic life and just as he lived life on the edge he ended his run on earth the same way.

Miguel Piñero, 150614
After his father abandons his family, Miguel Piñero starts a journey that will take him through the lowest and highest points imaginable. Miguel was prayed upon by perverted adults in his childhood, became a drug addict, and ended committing a series of crimes and going to prison (prisoner 150614). During his stay in Sing Sing a visit by his mother urging him to make her proud motivates him to start writing a play about life in prison called Short Eyes, which will be his first step towards stardom.

Life after prison did not change much, he was successful as a poet and writer, but his personality made him return to his bad habits. His belief was that a painful and troubling life results in devotion to the truth, and therefore allowed him to write in such an exceptional way.

The movie shows the particular relationship Piñero had with some of his friends, two of which appear as particularly prominent, Miguel Algarin and Tito Goya; the former a professor at Rutgers, the latter a partner in crime and drugs. This also shows the duality that was present in other aspects of his life. There are several other manifestations on this duality throughout the movie, for example Miguel had a "stable" relationship with Sugar, his girlfriend, but he also had amorous relationships with other men.

The style in which the movie is presented corresponds well with the inner turmoil Piñero experienced. There is an interesting use of alternation between black and white and color scenes and the action keeps moving forward and backward in time without any clear array.

The performance given by Benjamin Bratt is extraordinary. I do not like this actor particularly, but in this case I have to acknowledge he fitted the role perfectly. He also performed extremely well in the parts in which it is required from him to recite poems.

This is an amazing movie and I think everyone should see it. Nevertheless, if you are uncomfortable with non-linear sequence in the action, or are not interested in the least in poetry, it would be better for you to skip it. On the contrary for those of you that have watched and enjoyed the show "Def Poetry" in the past, this movie will be memorable. The poem in the last scene will give you goose bumps and leave you breathless! ... Read more