Reviews (13)

A Real Classic
This is a real classic movie. Don Ameche and Tom Selleck did a supurb job. As any movie it has its slow spots but keeps you laughing. Ive watched this flick a dozen times already and still laugh just as hard and times even harder. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who's looking for a warm comedy with lots of laughs. Now if it would only come out on DVD.

Folks Is One Of The Funniest Movies Out There!
I would recommend this title to everybody! It is one of the funniest movies that I have ever seen and I couldn't stop laughing the first time I saw it! This Video is a MUST GET for all movie lovers!!!

My uncle loves it!
I purchased this for my uncle to show at the VA Hospital. Alot of the veterans had not seen "Folks". THEY LOVED IT!

the worst movie ever
I'm sorry, but this is one of a few movies I've ever seen that I couldn't finish. It's that bad. Poor acting, poor script, poor everything. Only good for tormenting someone.

very funny
Totaly enjoyable, very funny. Tom Selleck is very good in this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One Of My Favorite Comedies!
Gets better and better with each viewing. This is a highly enjoyable and entertaining remake of His Girl Friday and The Front Page. Ted Kotcheff (First Blood:Rambo, Whose Killing the Great Chefs of Europe-also one of the producers of Law and Order Special Victims Unit) directs with terrific pacing and a wonderfully likeable cast that includes Henry Gibson, Kathleen Turner(giving one of her absolute best performances-which is saying quite a lot), Christopher Reeve in a brilliant and over the top comedic turn, Burt Reynolds (charming as usual) and Ned Beatty who basically steals the show from everyone in every single scene he is in. I love this movie! It has been coming on cable for years and it is having seen this film literally over a hundred times that I realize just how good it really is...It is HIGHLY underappreciated. Very funny, well made and lots of fun. Great script. One of the better remakes. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jane Fonda was so respected as a serious actress that her comedy chops sometimes were overlooked. But it should be remembered that her first real hits (Barefoot in the Park, Cat Ballou) were comedies. This underrated 1977 outing also played for laughs, though it had social-satire underpinnings that still ring true. Fonda and George Segal play an upwardly mobile couple in the time before yuppies--think of them as protoyuppies. But their status-oriented existence suffers what could be a fatal blow when hubby is maneuvered out of his job. Broke and unemployed, they become armed robbers--and discover that crime can pay for them to live in the style to which they've become accustomed. Segal and Fonda have a breezy ease as confused suburbanites who bring the same neurotic thoroughness to crime that they do to their careers. But the script (whose authors include Jerry Belson and Mordechai Richler) never uses either the Robin Hood angle or any other angle that could sustain a sharp edge; as a result, the comedy winds up more cute than knowing. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Columbia Home Vid Forgot the DELETED Scenes!!!
I loved this movie ever since i saw it when i was a kid.
Two additional scenes were added to the broadcast television premiere on ABC. One that stands out is a scene with Jane (Fonda) getting a job behind a cosmetics counter and having to confront a very difficult obese older female customer. This was a very funny scene that seems to now be lost and Is NOT going to be included in the new DVD release.
I didn't have a VCR at the time to timecapsule this extended version, It never was again! I hoped that it would make it's way onto DVD.
Columbia why do this!!!!! that scene as I rembember it was one of the best scenes in the film and made it even more enjoying. Unhappy fan :(

A Comic Tour De Force!
This film is a great comedy form the latter half of the 1970's.
Jane Fonda and George Segal play well of against eachother as a husband and wife forced to face economizing and pinching their pennys after Segal loses his job. After losing welfare and unemployment benifits, they resort to crime to pay the bills!
All in all a god movie and finally worthy of the DVD treatment!

One of my favorite movies
Charming and still funny. Sadly unknown. If you watch this alongside "Klute," you'll see how versatile Jane Fonda is.
RELEASE THE DVD!

Yes, where's the DVD version of this great movie ?
I bought this recently wondering if the fun would still be there after a few decades. Sometimes things have to be rethought, updated. "Dick and Jane" still works all by itself. We might be conditioned to think of Jane Fonda for her dramatic roles, but she is a superior comedian and does a superb job as Jane.

I consider it one of the top movies of all time -- but many people need weight and heft before they will stake any such claim. If you are one of those, I'm sorry. I will always love this film.

If anyone knows how to campaign for a DVD version, let us know. A few other reviewers have asked for a DVD version, I see.

One reason I wanted to write this review is that I recently saw "The Morning After" and was surprised that my opinion was so different than most reviews I researched. This is a fine look at Jane Fonda's ability by Sidney Lumet. I think a lot of people misunderstand what they are seeing, however. If you don't "get it" you might not appreciate the brilliance of this performance: we don't know who Fonda is portraying for most of the movie. Seeing an actor is most often like receiving a specially prepared gift. The actor's work ususally supplies a lot of "givens" to the developing story. Not the case in "The Morning After." Here, we are challenged rather than coddled to. Only near the end do we find that the character's history includes more than the status of a "ne'er-been" TV walk-on actress.

I was will be thinking about this movie for days and watching it again. And watching "Fun with Dick and Jane" more, too. Both of these films should make you proud of a job well done by Jane Fonda.

Hysterically funny and clever!!
I actually saw this at the theater when it first came out. I nearly wet my pants laughing. It's a little dated in styles now but still just as funny as ever. I'm sure everyone can relate to some of the scenes. One of my all time favorite movies and I am waiting to buy it on DVD! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

A very savvy, 1978 film directed by Ted Kotcheff (First Blood) dealing with the seamier side of professional football. Phillip Elliott and Maxwell (Nick Nolte and Mac Davis, respectively) are players for a Texas football team loosely based on the championship Dallas Cowboys. Though at the peak of his football career, Elliott is a personal and physical mess, needing all manner of drugs prescribed by the team physician to play and even to move around. The indifference of the team management and the hypocritical stance toward recreational drug use versus the drug abuse practiced by the players leads to a crisis of conscience for Nolte. The combination of Nolte's volatile presence and Davis's understated performance as the quarterback who thinks he's seen it all helps make North Dallas Forty one of the best sports films around. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (12)

a real good film
Nick Nolte&Mac Davis give great performances in this film.this film pre-dates all of the maddness that has happened in the NFL since it's release.drugs,sex,coaches,etc..this film is one of the best sports movies.the real life Dallas Cowboys finally caught up with the film in the mid-90's.

For movie lovers and football fans
NORTH DALLAS FORTY delivers first-rate entertainment. Football fans will note stinging parodies of a few famous NFL players/coaches. Among quality performances from Nick Nolte, Mac Davis, Charles Durning and the late John Matuszak, actor Bo Svenson stands out. Svenson adds depth to what could have been a cartoonish role of an immature, stupid muscle-head, and it is unfortunate that I have not seen him in anything else this good. The film's poster makes NORTH DALLAS FORTY look as though it is a pro football version of ANIMAL HOUSE. Sure, NORTH DALLAS FORTY is funny at times, but the film also takes on the abuses in big league sports and management's selective enforcement of the rules. Sports journalists, let alone other sports films, ought to address those issues as boldly.

LIKE A HELMET TO HELMET HIT
NORTH DALLAS FORTY is not just a sports film, it's an indictment of corporate America that was the forerunner of the "Greed is good" films of the 1980's. One of the nicest acting surprises of 1979 was Mac Davis as Seth Maxwell, the consumate huckster who fails in his quest to save his friend, Phil Elliott from his own pre determined gridiron destiny. As Elliott, Nick Nolte, gives 1 of his 3 best performances and he and Davis play perfectly off each other. This film is a winner. All that was missing was NFL Films "Voice of God" John Facenda, with the play by play.

You, and B.A., and all the rest of you coaches are.....
An NFL wide receiver (Nolte) who purportedly has "the best hands in football" has been benched and is being used as a substitute. It's not for lack of ability or effort but because of his "attitude". He's been a starter for years and it's hard to take ("I'll die on the bench"). He needs to "give 'em what they want" and "you had better learn to play the game, and I don't just mean the game of football". Advice from his buddy Seth Maxwell (Mac Davis), who's the team's quarterback and a "star", is good advice, but Elliot (Nolte)doesn't seem to have it in him to follow it. Catching a winning TD pass from Maxwell in the closing seconds isn't enough. The play was a "fluke", as summed up by their head coach B.A. (G.D. Spradlin) while analyzing the game film the following week. The week after the game is what the show is about. The meetings, practices, workouts and various extra curricular activities, all leading up to the next game in Chicago. Charles Durning plays an assistant coach who is a constant bother to the players while he drinks bottles of Maalox. Bo Svenson (Joe Bob) and John Matuszak (O.W.) play excellent supporting roles along with many other actors. If you grew up thinking professional athletes were the salt of the earth this show may very well make you reconsider.

North Dallas 40 rocks!
Nick Nolte does a supurb job as a veteran wide receiver playing for a top team in the NFL during the late 60's or early 70's. The fact that he is an individual in a team sport makes this story even more exciting. Although he has come to the time in his career when medical science and tons of pain killers are a necessary daily diet in order to lace up the old cleets one more time for the team, he does not shirk his responsibilities or take the easy road when it comes to performing his job. Mack Davis turns in a creditable acting job as Seth the veteran QB of the team that has his way even when he is wrong. Now if you think that this movie is all about football you will miss the true meaning and emotion of the entire event. In the midst of a savage and hostile working environment a person can still be true to self amidst the greedy management side of a very tough sport. I hope that this whets your appetite to get this movie. There are memorable moments in and out of the locker room. The tell all book written by Peter Gent was more than an eye opener back a few decades ago and this rendition of the book does it justice in every way. Once you start watching this movie you will not want to turn it off! If you are a fan of football reality, you will want this movie. Oh, by the way, the author Peter Gent played professional football for the Dallas Cowboys back in the 60's I believe. That is what makes this movie so creditable and Peter does not hold back anything. Enjoy!! By the way I think that this movie is rated "R" for brief nudity, language, and violence. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A QUANDARY FOR MS. SIEMASZKO
The lovely Nina Siemaszko is faced with the quandary of choosing between two adept lovers, the suave continental Phillipe or a wholesome all American type who is just a delivery boy to the office where she works. However, the latter does get her into an elevator where he shows her, to her delight, just how adept he is. Phillipe, though, is no fool and can make her wiggle with delight in bed too. Plenty of nipple kissing and simulated sex here. She resolves the quandry by dumping both. I would suggest that another solution would be to have her engage in what the adult film industry calls a DP.

Recommended
I've been into this Red Shoe-concept since its inception, mostly due to the presence of David Duchovny, so I've viewed a good many of these segments. The segment involving Richard Tyson is absolutely a breed apart from most anything I've seen in the soft-core category. Maybe all that means is that I've led a sheltered life. In any case, I've (watched ...) this video more than once, and I strongly encourage others to view it as well.

EXCELLENT SOFT CORE FILM
An excellent soft core film from the Showtime Red Shoe Diaries series, not all of which are on video. High production values and a pretty good plot. It's always a pleasure to see Nina Siemaszko, a very beautiful and sexy woman, in action. I recently saw her in "Sinatra" where she does a pretty good job portraying Mia Farrow, one of Sinatra's wives.

very cool and with taste
have been watching these for a while and we are not ever tired of them, they are done very nicely and very erotic for lovers only for sure ... Read more

Description

European chefs are being killed in the manner that their signature dishes are prepared. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Food, Mystery and Intrigue
As Dr. Michael Lim, The Travelling Gourmet, I have dined and tasted fine wines all over the world. I love this movie because of its humour, attention to detail and great food. Jacqueline Bisset is the most voluptuous Chef ever, although I did know a blonde Chef of wondefully statuesque proportions, and I am not referring to her Bombe Alaska. Great story, bizarre but believable. This is not a high brow movie for arrogant and pompous people but one for those who love life and have that joie de vivre that only the truly secure can ever appreciate. If Jacqueline Bisset can cook as good as she looks in this movie, she can fry my Bratwurst, grill my Schweinshaxe and flambe my Bananas Foster any time! George Segal, the Canadian actor is wonderful as the straight man, and it is obvious that all the actors are having a hell of a time on the set of this movie. Robert Morley, the gargantuan actor is very funny too as the stiff, upper lipped Englishman. One my favourite restaurants is a star in this movie. It is the regal la Tour d'Argent overlooking the Seine in Paris, the City of Light. I love to go there for the Duck a la Tour d'Argent and to see my old friend, Claude Terrail, the Directeur. A movie for gourmets, gourmands and food lovers with a good sense of humour. See it and then eat a large banana split with lashings of strawberry sauce & chocolate sauce and be happy you are alive. Guten Appetit!!! By Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet

Delicious Romantic Comedy To Feast On
"Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?", is total fun from start to finish with an irresistable cast, beautiful locations, superb food on display and wonderfully comic writing all wrapped up in one of the most appealing comedies to come out of the late 1970's. It really is a gourmet's delight as we get to see some of the most superb eateries in some of the most beautiful parts of Europe serving as a backdrop for a very funny murder mystery that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

"Chefs" stars the perfect team of George Segal (in one of his most endearing comedy roles of the late 70's and early 80's), the gorgeous Jacqueline Bisset in without a doubt her most appealing performance and the incomparable Robert Morley in a character role tailor made for his unique talents. It tells the very comical story of crass fast food Giant Segal and refined pastry cook expert Bisset, bickering former husband and wife, who find themselves drawn into a real life murder mystery set against some of Europe's most exotic backdrops. It seems for some unexplained reason that the greatest chefs in Europe are being killed off according to what their speciality is. Their ends are very grizzly as one is cooked like Roast Beef, another is drowned with his famed lobsters, while another dies in a duck press. These "creative" deaths seem to indicate that Natasha (Bisset) is the next target as her speciality is desserts and the race is on to solve the mystery before she becomes the next statistic on the menu!! All ends well in a fiery climax when Natasha is almost killed while preparing her famed Icecream Dessert on a TV talk show where she is saved in the nick of time by Robby (Segal). The finale in a surprise twist, reveals the murderer from a totally unexpected source which I wont reveal for the benefit of those who haven't had the pleasure yet of seeing this delightful film.

The three leads of this film make "Chefs" a memorable viewing experience. George Segal delivers a delightful performance as the loud mouth American fast food retailer who is the exact opposite of the world inhabited by seasoned gourmets Bisset and Morley. He is at times, crass, outrageous and really sends the comedy into high gear. Jacqueline Bisset, a much underrated actress has never been more delightful than here, finally in a role that totally suits her considerable talents. She has rarely been more gorgeous as the talented pastry cook who hates her loud ex-husband but finds herself falling in love with him again. Robert Morley as the self proclaimed food expert who lives solely for the sole pleasure of eating literally steals the film with his witty and outrageous line delivery and his putting down of everyone and everything around him is absolutely priceless . His is a memorable performance that really raises "Chefs" to the level of a great comedy. The film benefits from some of the most beautiful locations possible in London, Paris and Venice and the masses of gorgeous looking food used throughout the film will be guaranteed to have your mouth watering from start to finish! The use of a mainly European cast in the supporting roles of the chefs and Police adds greatly to the warmly continental feel of the film and actress Madge Ryan who plays the ever suffering and ever loyal Beecham, personal assistant to Max (Morley), really scores and plays a major part in the films climax.

If a film could be called "deliciously edible" then "Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?", would be it. Everything about this film is a treat for the eye but what must not be forgotten is that it also is a very witty, and well performed murder mystery with the emphasis on laughs and intriguing twists as we follow the trail of a highly creative murderer. Such fun is rarely experienced in films of today and "Chefs" deserves to be better remembered for providing just that! Dine out on "Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?", soon!

This is a very funny film.
Great acting. Great Plot. This is a real scream.

Under-cooked!
Someone is killing the great chefs of Europe...and we're supposed to care??!!

WHO IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS
ONE OF THE ALL TIME FUNNEY FILMS I HAVE EVER SEEN ... Read more

Reviews (2)

WOW!
Stars
Paula Barbieri, Anthony Addabbo, David Duchovny, Francesco Quinn, Ron Marquette

Film Credits
Melanie Finn Screenwriter

Description
Another of Zalman King's steamy diary entries, this one featuring sultry model and O.J. Simpson ex Paula Barbieri.

This one grew on me. It's now one of my favorites.
Red Shoe Diaries 05 -- Weekend Pass.

Being repetitive, because in some respects the same can be said of every Red Shoe Diaries story, if you want only eye-candy go elsewhere and enjoy. If you want eye-candy (always), mind-candy (often), skilled actors (always) and easy-to-hear music, try one. Then try to stay out of bed.

In the stories in this movie, I see people dealing with strongly-felt needs to face life alone.

Early in the first story, Double or Nothing, you hear the words "Risk all to gain all." A woman who'd chosen between hustling her body or hustling pool battles her own past and a male pool hustler to find self-respect. The first time I viewed it I wasn't prepared for its intensity and disliked it. It's now my favorite of these three.

In the second story, Bounty Hunter, a woman is hired to find a fugitive. She finds him and both a contest of wills and a surprise ending follows.

In the third story, Weekend Pass,...gee, I could say more than that in the military (the U. S. Army here) some things have changed since my time in the then-all-male Navy and some things haven't. View the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

WOW!
David Duchovny hosts three more episodes of the popular adult series. Contains the episodes: "The Psychiatrist," "Four on the Floor," and "Emily's Dance."

Segment: "The Psychiatrist." Linda, the client played by Demetra Hampton (Valentina [1988]), picks up men on trains and in hotel bars and accepts money for various active and passive sex acts but contends that it's the psychiatrist with the problem. Linda asserts, "You sit there in your big chair and listen but you feel nothing." The "Psychiatrist" (Denise Crosby) writes to Red Shoes lamenting, "Whom does he psychiatrist talk to?" (Actually, the role looks more like that of a psychologist, because she seems to rely on logo therapy rather than drugs.) The Psychiatrist goes to the hotel bar and hooks up with the same man (Georges Corraface) replicating the experience of Linda. On "The Man's" prompts, she progressively removes items of her clothing, accepting various amounts of money for each garment. But eventually she turns the tables on him by demanding that he touch her. Has she gotten in over her head or can she manage a real relationship with him? Segment: "Four on the Floor." An old movie featuring two couples who engage in group sex while on a vacation far from home serves as the inspiration for the story. The Red Shoes correspondent (Rachel Palmieri, I think) reports having seen the movie during a break from final exams preparations at college. Later, when she and her lover are involved in a car accident while on a double date with their best friends, they have to take shelter from the rain in an old abandoned building. Of course, they must all remove their rain-soaked clothing and huddle together to keep warm. Is history (as told in the movie) about to repeat itself? Segment: "Emily's Dance." Emily (Kent Masters King) is an aspiring dancer. Her technique is excellent and the film makers like her looks, but she can't let herself "get into" her performance. She gets a tryout on a project directed by Zalman King (Himself), who is assisted by Ashley Lowengrub (Herself) and which is choreographed by Tony Ciulla (Himself). Freedom Williams is the lead male dancer who also coughs up the rap stuff in the background. He sees her talent and tries to push her over the line where she will finally be free to express herself through her dance. Will he succeed or just break her spirit?...

Not sure if this is same version? Different Box
The one I have, I like the first story best with Denise Crosby from Star Trek Next Generation. She plays a psychiatrist and mimics her patient's wild adventure, except she is better. It is called The Psychiatrist. The next one is called Four on the Floor like the title, it is sexy, but as the other reviewer stated these are soft porn. The last one is Emily's Dance, it is really sexy dancing. The first story is the best. I was going to put it up for sale here, but since it has a different box, I will put it up in auctions with a picture.

My Review
This is one of the best porno movies that i have ever purchased it has some of the best details. And the picture is so CLEAR. The movie has some of the hottest girls I have yet to see in a movie. The one thing i didn't like about this movie is their wasn't enough hardcore. It was just a lot of softcore. I would strongly recemend this movie if you are into softcore, but i would look for something else if you want hardcore. ... Read more

Reviews (91)

Fast paced action thriller set in the Pacific Northwest
First Blood is the story of a Special Forces Vietnam veteran John Rambo who returns home to America to find that he doesn't fit in. Hiking throught the Pacific Northwest Rambo finds out that his best freind from Nam has died from agent orange induced cancer. He wanders off and in a nearby town encounters a small town sheriff who first harasses him and then arrests him. Rambo busts out of jail using the skills that were taught to him in Nam. It turns out that Rambo was a member of an elite special forces group and that he is in essence a killing machine. Most of the movie revolves around Rambo taking to the woods with the local police and then the State Police and National Guard giving chase. Of course they are no match for Rambo who is able to demonstrate his fighting skills admirably. The action sequences in this film are excellent. Stallone is at his best as the crazed predator hunting down the inept police force. The film holds your attention and is interesting to the end. The only downside is the final speech given by Stallone which is so rambling and hard to understand that it could put the audience to sleep. Stalllone is best when he is not talking but attacking and this is what made this film 4 stars.

Watch the Movie-Then Go to Film School With David Morrell!
***Note-This is an update to my previous review***

The latest DVD version of the classic Stallone action flick provides several supplemental features, the most notable being the outstanding commentary by David Morrell who wrote the novel the film is based on. More on that in a moment.

First Blood is about a Vietnam vet named John Rambo who comes to a small Washington state town (actually British Columbia) to find the last surviving comrade from his elite Green Beret unit. When he discovers that he too is dead, Rambo makes his way into town for a bite to eat and instead winds up being arrested by the hick local sheriff (Brian Dennehy). While in custody, Rambo is abused by the locals but manages to escape sparking an all out manhunt.

This film has 55 minutes of action out of 96 total highlighted by the jail escape and subsequent chase. Jack Starrett is great as the cop that does most of the abusing while Davis Caruso is fine as the only deputy (among the surprisingly large local force) that seems to have a conscience. Dennehy is good as always and makes a worthy opponent for Rambo. Richard Crenna is great as Rambo's former CO and he and Dennehy play off one another quite well. Even though he has limited speaking parts, this is probably one of Stallone's best performances highlighted by the "Vietnam speech" near the end of the film.

The film is presented in digitally remastered widescreen 16:9, and is without a doubt the best video presentation of First Blood to date. The movie was shot in the temperate rain forest of BC and is quite dark at times. However, the darkest scenes have been enhanced here and are much improved over the various VHS versions some of which are terrible. Sound is Dolby 2.0 only but not bad considering. Also included are a cute trivia game (get all 10 right without a mistake to see a Rambo cartoon), production notes, and a teaser and trailer. The "featurette" is nothing more than a glorified trailer.

Now on to the best feature of this DVD, one that is worth the price of admission all by itself. If you are at all interested in how films are made and the behind the scenes tidbits about Hollywood, then RUN do not walk (or let your fingers do the walking online) to your local video store and get this disc. Why? For the outstanding commentary of writer David Morrell. This talented man begins to speak before the opening credits and does not stop for 96 minutes. When he does you will wish he could have continued for 96 more. You will find yourself listening again and again and picking up something new each time. This is without a doubt far and away the best commentary on any DVD.

Here is just a partial list of the things Morrell covers:

1. The many differences between his novel and the film-very fascinating stuff. 2. His experience when seeing First Blood the very first time. 3. The three act structure of films. 4. How he chose the name Rambo and other character names. 5. How First Blood set a number of precedents for the industry. 6. Why films were kept to 90 minutes in length for so long a time. 7. A touching story about his son and Stallone. 8. The story of how Kirk Douglas was scheduled to play Troutman and why Richard Crenna ended up with the role.

And that is only scratching the surface.

In conclusion, First Blood was a precedent setting film featuring top-flight actors and some of the best believable screen action. The wonderful commentary of David Morrell caps off a great experience.

A tremendous movie....
When Sylvester Stallone is involved....you know youre going to get terrific action. But the movies story and Stallones character of John Rambo are very interesting as well. The thing that appealed to me most of all in this movie is Rambo barely says 2 words througout the whole movie and at the end he just blows up. He explodes about the war, his buddies getting killed, etc. Its an explosive and dramatic moment....the topper of the whole movie.

Again, terrific movie, if youre into action/drama, take a look at this one, its great!!!

America missed the meaning of this movie
I remember seeing this movie for the first time on July 4, 1984. I know back then I was into long hair, and alot of 60's and 70's music. Didn't do acid, or any drugs as I was 16, and grew up in a police officer's house. I always knew police brutality existed, but after this movie I suddenly realized that men in short hair aren't always the good guys. I mean after all there are no pictures of the devil with long hair, or at least from what I've seen. I know watching this movie I've developed a intense prejudice of hick folks, and country bumpkins, and the such as I feel that they are self-righteous, and know it alls, and that they are God. I know that the only other people in movies that rubbed me the wrong way were Sherrif Buford T. Justice from "Smokey and the Bandit", and the corrupt sherrif who smacked around his deputy in the movie "Tank". However, don't get me wrong the same way that Sherrif Teasle, and crew are accountable so is Rambo. Rambo still is accountable for murdering an officer of the law even though it was self-defense. He'd have to go to court, and prove it as such. The Veitnam war no doubt has ruffled alot of feathers, and in my opinion while I understand why some ran away to Canada I also understand why some went there. I can only imagine what the soldiers went through there as I was only a baby when this was all going on. Like all veterans of all the wars the Veitnam Veterans should've been given dignity, and respect all along for fighting to keep our freedom. Mind you I'd have to start digging for the whole 30 year war over there, and why it impacted us so much. The same way I feel that the laws back here are to be respected, and a police officer should be given the same dignity, and respect as that of a soldier who went overseas to fight. I know one phrase was powerful when Teasle said "That if a prisoner is mistreated, by a deputy he brings it to him, and then Teasle(him) goes to the deputy, and that's how the law works", but what happens when the head vigilanty is your Sherrif? Overall this movie should've made America reflect on how we reacted, and treated these brave soldiers when they returned from Veitnam, and come to grips with our actions, and our attitudes. However, America missed the boat by glorifying Rambo for all the wrong reasons, and diffused the character, and the message. They made Rambo a gun toting vigilanty, and that was America's new superhero. Rambo wanted no war. He wanted to visit his friend, and became heartbroken when he found out his friend was dead. All Rambo wanted was a hot meal, and a chance to grieve before moving on; who knows Rambo may had found peace for once in Holidayland, but now it's citizens will never know as Prejudice was standing at the door when Rambo knocked. To me America is still acting that way, and it's time to forgive, and reconcile, and move on.

First Blood is still best of three Rambo movies
The first Rambo movie called First Blood was released in the fall of 1982. The movie was arguably Sylvester Stallone's best performance since Rocky II. First Blood is about a Vietnam veteran named John Rambo who comes to a small town in Washington the state(it was actually filmed in the dead of British Columbia, Canada's winter of 1981/82) to meet a fellow comrade/friend from his elite Green Beret unit. When he discovers that he died of cancer, Rambo sadly in disbelief makes his way into town for a bite to eat and instead winds up being harassed and arrested by the hick local Sheriff Will Teasle(Brian Dennehy). While in custody, Rambo is abused by Deputy Galt(Jack Starrett) and fellow sheriffs Ward and others but a flashback to being abused and tortured in a POW prison while being processed causes Rambo to snap and manages to escape jail by taking out five cops and sparking an all out manhunt between 200 people versus one Rambo. This film is a 96 minute action rollercoaster highlighted by the jail escape and subsequent chase and fighting with the national guard. Jack Starrett was great as the hillbilly cop that did all of the abusing while David Caruso was fine as the only deputy that had a conscience and a heart and did not abuse Rambo. Dennehy was superb and made a worthy opponent for Rambo. Richard Crenna gave his best performance as Rambo's former Colonel Sam Trautman and he and Dennehy play off one another quite well(originally Kirk Douglas was to play Trautman but that fell through at the last minute). Despite the fact he had very limited speaking parts, First Blood was one of Stallone's best performances highlighted by the Vietnam speech near the end of the film. (..). This DVD is well worth the money. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Based on a true story, this action film set in the post-Vietnam era casts Gene Hackman as a retired military man who gets tired of government inaction in tracking down the whereabouts of his son, who has been listed as missing in action in Vietnam. So he gathers and trains a rough group of Vietnam vets to launch his own mission into Laos, where his intelligence tells him the son is being held. Hackman brings sorrowful power to the role of determined father, and has a rugged supporting cast (including Patrick Swayze, Fred Ward, and Randall "Tex" Cobb) to keep the story moving forward, even when the machinations become formulaic. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (19)

RAMBO WHO?
This was the first movie to address the previously hidden subject of soldiers missing in action after the Vietnam War. It predates Rambo First Blood II by almost two years. Comparing the two films is like comparing Muhammad Ali to a preliminary boy. Uncommon Valor is an excellent movie - well directed, well scripted and the incredible versatility of Gene Hackman shines through. It was the first movie to show Vietnam veterans in a positive light and changed the groundrules for portraying veterans and the war on the big and small screen. Many people were upset by the film's ending - if you like happy endings this is not for you. Still, it is handled sensitively and doesn't detract from the rest of the film. One shining talent is the fellow who plays Blaster (Reb Brown) whom producer John Milius previously used in Big Wednesday, another classic film. Reb appeared in several other movies as well as a guest spot on the 1970s TV sitcom Happy Days. Another actor who glows like a beacon is Randall "Tex" Cobb. Robert Stack puts in a glowing performance as the millionaire businessman who finances the mission to rescue the POWs. An interesting thing is the fact that this was one of Patrick Swayze's first films. The success of movies like Dirty Dancing and Ghost can be traced back to his role as the young and gung-ho marine who joins the mission to rescue his father. When this film was released in Australia it was called Uncommon Valour and had different opening titles. It was also rated PG. I can't for the life of me understand why the video is rated R. Perhaps the bad odor created by Rambo First Blood II has tainted all movies in this genre. Don't be put off by the rating - this is a movie you will want to play over and over.

Uncommonly Good!
I loved this one!It is so much better than those stupid Norris films!There is a great cast here that does a fine job(Hackman, Swayze, Stack, Randall "Tex" Cobb, Fred Ward,Reb Brown, Tim Thomerson, and Harold Sylvester).I almost wish they did a sequel, but this may not measure up. I saw this on the big screen when I was 14, and even then I was interested in learning more about the Vietnam War.This may not necessarily be a guidebook to what the war was like, but it certainly is a tribute to those that fought, got captured, and died in that war.Film is excellent and does not waste any time. Training scenes are best.One of the best parts is when the men learn that wanna be gung ho type Marine(discharged for striking an RTO who fell asleep!), who was not in Nam, wants to go save those men because his father was shot down in the war. Film is a fine production with good effects, and an effective use of location shooting. Interesting characterizations are conveyed to the audience rapidly as we learn a little about each man that is recruited by Hackman to go find the missing POWS(his son among them).I got teary-eyed at the end as survivor reveals to Hackman how his son died in the prison camp.If any American is not moved by this scene then you need about 20CCs of humanity.Highly recommended and important film.

Good, but not great
The plot for this movie was something that could result in a war-movie masterpiece. But everything is too jam-packed and fast-moving. Dramatic tensions aren't as strong as they could have been because he haven't been given enough time to get into the story, and at 107 minutes, they could have easily taken longer. But I liked it nontheless. Hackman is a good actor who plays the role well as a father rescuing his son, a Vietnam POW. He gathers up other troops in his son's old regime who've escaped capture, trains them in a replica of the camp, and they infiltrate in a well-filmed action squence. And I liked how the final scene show Hackman embracing a rescued POD who tells him that his so scrificed his life for that man's survuval. But all in all it was good, but not great, my main complaint is that we don't know enough about Hackman's character's realtionship with his son in the first place

Mission MIA remade into a movie
It had been a few years since I had last seen this movie but I can honestly say that it has held up better than most Vietnam War action movies. This movie is what those cheesy Chuck Norris vehicles aspired to be like but fell far short of. For all those who have seen and enjoyed this movie, I would reccomend that you try and locate the book by J.C. Pollack titled Mission MIA. Uncommon Valor was a blatent remake of this very entertaining book so much so, that you will be wondering why the producers just didn't credit the author. If I remember correctly, this was one of the first movies that actually portrayed Vietnam vets as honorable and in a positive light. All in all, this was a good movie about a topic that most Americans should think more about, our missing sevicemen. Let us not forget them.

Attention to Detail
Galveston, Texas, is located within a region called the Coastal Plains, which extend from Florida and border the Gulf of Mexico all the way around to the Yucatan Peninsula. The region stretches inland for more than 60 miles at most points. The Coastal Plains are sandy, covered with stubby scub-oak, and are flatter than anything you can imagine -- level, flat, completely flat, ugly and relatively barren.

So you can just imagine how Houston theater audiences reacted, about half an hour into this film, after a commando team has been assembled to train for a mission back to Nam... and we see a helicopter floating above a vista of beautiful, rugged, tree-covered low mountains divided by sparkling streams, with the onscreen caption "Somewhere Near Galveston, Texas." ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Realistic Yet Fascinating
I loved this film. It always appealed to me each and every time I viewed it. If you're in the mood for getting in touch with all your emotions, this movie is a MUST! McGillis and Russell are brilliant actors; there's no question about that.

Underappreciated! Very interesting and compelling...
This was a very memorable, unusually compelling movie with outstanding performances by Kurt Russell and Kelly McGillis. What a great movie! Kurt Russell was absolutely fabulous... almost as good as in Tombstone.

Quiet film about give and take, forgiveness and love.
A period story set in the North Carolina hills in what appears to be a place right smack dab in the middle of the Hatfields and McCoys--this time Wrights and Campbells. A shy sensitive widowed clock maker, Wayland Jackson, played by Kurt Russell on his way through the mountains with his only daughter becomes stuck in a creek and ends up sticking around for longer than he bargained. There he meets the elusive Collie Wright (Kelly McGillis's character) who with her only son seems to be living alone off from the small town. Immediately you sense a spark between the two but as the story progresses you realize there is a dark looming secret which threatens both lives. It appears Ellie's family has an ancient hatred that runs deep for their neighbors and would shootem' just as look at'em. Enter dark loomy character which is the babe's father and he's from the other side of the mountain. He is the exact opposite of our shy clock maker and Ellie knows this. Perhaps when some see the performances as cheesy or over acted they've never actually met any mountain folk, and thusly are insistent that the histrionics are over played. If you have been to the mountains and can feel the spirit of them then I think you will love this picture. It is about the give and take, the act of forgiveness and of course true love.

Do you love mountains in the fall?
I really enjoyed this movie. Its setting in the mountains during the early 30's was quite entertaining. It's sort of like a 20th century version of red badge of courage. I would recommend it.

Under-rated film.
John Ehle is an excellent regional writer and "Winter People" is probably the best of his works. The movie adaptation holds true to the book and for the critical viewer tired of cliques, car chases, and shallow characters, this film is a rare luxury. There are no stock characters in this film. And the storyline is different ... holding you tight to your armchair to the very end. The acting is tremendous: Kurt Russell is finally challenged to a multi-part role befitting his talented depths. The symbolic uses of the clock and the bear-killing rite are intriguing elements in the film. "Winter People" is an under-rated film. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Weekend at Bernie's starts when two lowly clerks at an insurance agency uncover a $2 million fraud and report it to their boss, Bernie (Terry Kiser). Unfortunately for them, Bernie is the one behind the fraud, and he invites them to his island beach house for the weekend, where he intends to have them killed by his mob contacts. Unfortunately for Bernie, the mob decides to rub him out instead--and thus begin the necrotic hijinks. The clerks, Richard (Jonathan Silverman) and Larry (Andrew McCarthy), arrive and discover Bernie's body. At first they panic and start to call the police, but when a party of islanders sweeps in, Richard and Larry also discover that the local residents are so self-absorbed they don't notice that Bernie is dead. So if our heroes can just convince everyone that Bernie is still alive for they weekend, they can have a splendid time. Unfortunately, they also convince the mob hitman, who keeps trying to take Bernie out. Weekend at Bernie's was made at the height of 1980s fashion and features many amusing outfits and hairstyles--often the styles are funnier than the dialogue, and the characters are tissue-paper thin. Still, there's no denying that the movie chugs along from bit to bit and never takes itself more seriously than it should. A cheerful, disposable piece of fluff. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Best weekend of my life
Boy, when I rented this movie, I had no idea whatsoever that it would be this funny.

When Larry (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard (Johnathan Silverman) uncover an embezzlement scam at their office, they report it to their boss, Bernie Lomax (Terry Kiser), expecting a promotion, not expecting that Bernie himself is the culprit. Bernie invites them to his beachhouse that weekend, planning to have them killed by a mafia hit man. But, the mafia bad guys have other plans, and they have him killed before Larry and Richard arrive. When they discover Bernie's dead, they at first want to tell the police, despite the fact that they may inadvertendly frame themselves. They soon decide to keep up the face the Bernie's still alive and kickin'.

Did I laugh? HELL YEAH!! WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S has got to be one of the funniest movies ever. It's hilarious to watch Larry and Richard desperately trying to make Bernie's corpse appear to still have a spark, like in the scene where they try to get on a boat with Bernie's body. How they make it appear that he's walking is hard to describe, and even harder not ot laugh at.

Another great scene, involving Bernie's girlfriend from NYC, who goes into a room where Bernie's body is waiting. She emerges from the room as a necropheiliac without even knowing Bernie was dead. This was somewhat overlooked by the critics, but it is worthy of positions held in the "greatest movies of all time list" by movies like VERTIGO or TITANIC, which aren't very good.

That's more than I can say for the sequel, WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S 2, but if you can laugh at things like a corpse jetskiing (so to speak), and I'm sure you can, than stop by BERNIE'S this WEEKEND. As I said above, it was the best WEEKEND of my life.

Funny; just... just FUNNY
Alright alright ALRIGHT, I admit it; I love this movie. I have never so unapologetically laughed until I cried at a more stupid movie in my entire life before seeing this flick! Somehow some people in Hollywood got together and found a creative team to create the perfect vehicle for a succession of some of the most stupid, implausible, and absolutely hilarious sight gags and jokes and bits I have ever seen. the runnig gag in my family, every time we bring this up is "...I'm blind..." Awww BERNIE!

Trust me, I love a good Gore vidal or Toni Morrison novel as much as the next guy, and there's nothing like a Foreign or Spielberg or classic film from the 40's or 70's to challenge your mind body and soul... and then every now and then you need something that you can just pop in a VCR and laugh until you cry, rolling off the couch onto the floor, spilling popcorn and the whole nine! Where many comedians and much of Jim Carrey's stuff attempts this (and misses for me), WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S did it.

Funny. Like, for real.

Dark Comedy, Light Fun
The cast is perfect and the sets, music, and all that went into this movie seem to meld to make a very funny movie. Andrew McCarthy as Larry Wilson and Jonathan Silverman as Richard Parker are a good match for co-workers at an insurance company. Larry the brown nosing party man and Richard the hard working nerd. When Richard discovers a two million dollar mistake in claims their boss Bernie invites them over for the weekend to discuss it. What happens after that is sick, demented, and funny. Any fan of "8 Heads in a Duffel Bag" and "The Whole Nine Yards" should enjoy it. This is one of those rare movies were seeing a dead person being lugged around, beat up, dropped, bareface ski, washed around in the tide, shot, strangled, and more is just plain outrageously funny.

"Can't you see he's dead?"
I got this movie as a birthday gift from my ladyfriend. As I'd never seen it before, I asked her why she chose it. She said she thought it was a favorite of mine, as my friends and I referred to it a lot. While true, we weren't discussing the plot; just how my friend George looks a lot like Bernie when he's passed out. Anyway, one morning while I was nursing a nasty hangover, I deemed myself in the proper state to handle this movie.

To quote Elaine from "Seinfeld," "This is so stupid! Bernie is dead! Just because you put a hat on him isn't going to make him less dead!" This movie is awful. I love 80s comedies - heck, I consider "Bachelor Party" Tom Hanks's best work (just read my review) and eagerly await the next installment of "Police Academy" - but this movie is miserable. The only times I laughed while watching "Weekend at Bernie's" it was at my ladyfriend for actually finding something humorous in the movie.

My friend Dan, knowing of my disdain for "Weekend at Bernie's," got me "Weekend at Bernie's II" (it's voodoo, baby, voodoo). Expect my review of that film to be posted a day or so after the next time I decide to wash down some vodka and Gatorade with a hurricane.

Best movie ever.
Anyone with cable has probably seen and will see at least a few minutes of Weekend at Bernie's every week for their entire life. It's so a part of our culture that we don't question it anymore. But imagine having never heard of Weekend at Bernie's, and through the filter of a modern sense of irony, seeing a preview for it in the movie theater. "Hey, this looks sort of funny. I like these movies about partying at the beach... hold on... are those two dudes playing with a corpse? Oh my god - they're dressing it up and taking it to the party with them. I hope it leaks something infectious onto their sick asses!"

Anyways, Weekend at Bernie's is the awesomest, eightiesest, most radical movie of all time. Rent it. Buy it. Sleep with it. Just watch it. Sheer 80s awesomeness. *thumbs up* ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Best weekend of my life
Boy, when I rented this movie, I had no idea whatsoever that it would be this funny.

When Larry (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard (Johnathan Silverman) uncover an embezzlement scam at their office, they report it to their boss, Bernie Lomax (Terry Kiser), expecting a promotion, not expecting that Bernie himself is the culprit. Bernie invites them to his beachhouse that weekend, planning to have them killed by a mafia hit man. But, the mafia bad guys have other plans, and they have him killed before Larry and Richard arrive. When they discover Bernie's dead, they at first want to tell the police, despite the fact that they may inadvertendly frame themselves. They soon decide to keep up the face the Bernie's still alive and kickin'.

Did I laugh? HELL YEAH!! WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S has got to be one of the funniest movies ever. It's hilarious to watch Larry and Richard desperately trying to make Bernie's corpse appear to still have a spark, like in the scene where they try to get on a boat with Bernie's body. How they make it appear that he's walking is hard to describe, and even harder not ot laugh at.

Another great scene, involving Bernie's girlfriend from NYC, who goes into a room where Bernie's body is waiting. She emerges from the room as a necropheiliac without even knowing Bernie was dead. This was somewhat overlooked by the critics, but it is worthy of positions held in the "greatest movies of all time list" by movies like VERTIGO or TITANIC, which aren't very good.

That's more than I can say for the sequel, WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S 2, but if you can laugh at things like a corpse jetskiing (so to speak), and I'm sure you can, than stop by BERNIE'S this WEEKEND. As I said above, it was the best WEEKEND of my life.

Funny; just... just FUNNY
Alright alright ALRIGHT, I admit it; I love this movie. I have never so unapologetically laughed until I cried at a more stupid movie in my entire life before seeing this flick! Somehow some people in Hollywood got together and found a creative team to create the perfect vehicle for a succession of some of the most stupid, implausible, and absolutely hilarious sight gags and jokes and bits I have ever seen. the runnig gag in my family, every time we bring this up is "...I'm blind..." Awww BERNIE!

Trust me, I love a good Gore vidal or Toni Morrison novel as much as the next guy, and there's nothing like a Foreign or Spielberg or classic film from the 40's or 70's to challenge your mind body and soul... and then every now and then you need something that you can just pop in a VCR and laugh until you cry, rolling off the couch onto the floor, spilling popcorn and the whole nine! Where many comedians and much of Jim Carrey's stuff attempts this (and misses for me), WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S did it.

Funny. Like, for real.

Dark Comedy, Light Fun
The cast is perfect and the sets, music, and all that went into this movie seem to meld to make a very funny movie. Andrew McCarthy as Larry Wilson and Jonathan Silverman as Richard Parker are a good match for co-workers at an insurance company. Larry the brown nosing party man and Richard the hard working nerd. When Richard discovers a two million dollar mistake in claims their boss Bernie invites them over for the weekend to discuss it. What happens after that is sick, demented, and funny. Any fan of "8 Heads in a Duffel Bag" and "The Whole Nine Yards" should enjoy it. This is one of those rare movies were seeing a dead person being lugged around, beat up, dropped, bareface ski, washed around in the tide, shot, strangled, and more is just plain outrageously funny.

"Can't you see he's dead?"
I got this movie as a birthday gift from my ladyfriend. As I'd never seen it before, I asked her why she chose it. She said she thought it was a favorite of mine, as my friends and I referred to it a lot. While true, we weren't discussing the plot; just how my friend George looks a lot like Bernie when he's passed out. Anyway, one morning while I was nursing a nasty hangover, I deemed myself in the proper state to handle this movie.

To quote Elaine from "Seinfeld," "This is so stupid! Bernie is dead! Just because you put a hat on him isn't going to make him less dead!" This movie is awful. I love 80s comedies - heck, I consider "Bachelor Party" Tom Hanks's best work (just read my review) and eagerly await the next installment of "Police Academy" - but this movie is miserable. The only times I laughed while watching "Weekend at Bernie's" it was at my ladyfriend for actually finding something humorous in the movie.

My friend Dan, knowing of my disdain for "Weekend at Bernie's," got me "Weekend at Bernie's II" (it's voodoo, baby, voodoo). Expect my review of that film to be posted a day or so after the next time I decide to wash down some vodka and Gatorade with a hurricane.

Best movie ever.
Anyone with cable has probably seen and will see at least a few minutes of Weekend at Bernie's every week for their entire life. It's so a part of our culture that we don't question it anymore. But imagine having never heard of Weekend at Bernie's, and through the filter of a modern sense of irony, seeing a preview for it in the movie theater. "Hey, this looks sort of funny. I like these movies about partying at the beach... hold on... are those two dudes playing with a corpse? Oh my god - they're dressing it up and taking it to the party with them. I hope it leaks something infectious onto their sick asses!"

Anyways, Weekend at Bernie's is the awesomest, eightiesest, most radical movie of all time. Rent it. Buy it. Sleep with it. Just watch it. Sheer 80s awesomeness. *thumbs up* ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Another masterpiece by Mordecai Richler and
Ted Kotcheff. This great movie is based on the book by Mordecai Richler "Joshua then and now". The movie is both funny and serious at the same time. It is a satirical look at the life of Montreal born Jewish writer who married a rich gentile. Joshua had a rather interesting upbringing (his mother a stripper and his father a small time gangster) in the Jewish ghetto of Montreal. His travels take him to Europe where he meets his wife (the daughter of a rich Canadian senator). The collision of the two worlds makes for some humorous scenes.

The duo of Richler and Kotcheff are also responsible for the smash hit and award winning movie "The apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz".

One of the most ...
This is one of the most enjoyable movies I have seen in a very long time. I have given this video to many of my friends. Based on the life of Mordecai Richler, (The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz) aka Joshua Shapiro , played by James Woods, tells the story of a man who makes choices in his life which lead to roads taken and not. It is also a story of family love and the truth about going home again.Alan Arkin is wonderful as "Joshua'a "father and Gabrielle Lazure is perfect as Joshua's wife . The screen play was written by Mordecai Richler. A truly rich movie.

A Real Winner!
It has been years since I've seen a film I've enjoyed as much as this. Filled with mature humor (or immature depending upon your viewpoint) it abounds with warm, but quirky characters much like "Lost in Yonkers" but with an adult perspective. Stellar performances by Alan Arkin and James Woods, as well as the rest of the cast! I've ordered 3 copies to share with my closest family and friends. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A dangerous game, a delicious cake, and a family feud
Okay, I'm going to be a little bias on critiquing this DVD. This is because I am the writer of the story of one of the three episodes on this DVD.

This DVD consists of the Red Shoe Diaries episodes: The Game, The Cake, and Like Father Like Son.

'The Game' is about a woman who broke herself free of a relationship that was based on a sexual 'truth or dare' style game. This episode is for the "no holds barred" type of lovers out there.

'The Cake' is the episode I wrote the story for. It's about a woman who can't decide on a birthday cake at a bakery for her husband. The baker gets an idea to decorate her as the birthday cake. The results? You'll have to see for yourself. :) This episode is for anyone curious to try new things.

'Like Father Like Son' is about a man infatuated with his father's lover. She, at first, thinks of him as just a boy but thinks otherwise later and has to decide between the two.

The DVD has some excellent additions to it:

Photo galleries from all 3 episodes

An option to hear commentary from producer/director Zalman King during the episodes

A Red Shoe Diaries trivia game

Behind the scenes footage (mostly in 'The Cake') that you can view at the appropriate moments of the episode

English and Spanish Translations

For the Red Shoe Diaries fans, this is a must have DVD. I hope you like it (especially my episode).

Oh, I do have a 1 1/2 second cameo on 'The Cake'. If you use the 'commentary' option, Zalman will point me out to you. :)

Enjoy! ... Read more

Description

A temperamental director and a powerful producer revisit a familiar scenario of love.Now, after one incredible night, it seems like nothing’s changed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's easy to forget that this Spartan, violent film, which begat the Rambo series, was such a big hit in 1982 because it was a good movie. Green Beret vet John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into the wrong small town to find a fellow 'Nam buddy and gets the living heck kicked out of him by the local law enforcement (led by Brian Dennehy). The vet strikes back the only way he knows how, leading to a visceral, if unrealistic, flight and fight through the local mountains. Based on the 1972 novel by David Morrell, this film saved Stallone's then-foundering career and the Rambo character became the inspiration for countless political cartoons. But this film is Deliverance without the moral ambiguity. --Keith Simanton ... Read more

Reviews (91)

Fast paced action thriller set in the Pacific Northwest
First Blood is the story of a Special Forces Vietnam veteran John Rambo who returns home to America to find that he doesn't fit in. Hiking throught the Pacific Northwest Rambo finds out that his best freind from Nam has died from agent orange induced cancer. He wanders off and in a nearby town encounters a small town sheriff who first harasses him and then arrests him. Rambo busts out of jail using the skills that were taught to him in Nam. It turns out that Rambo was a member of an elite special forces group and that he is in essence a killing machine. Most of the movie revolves around Rambo taking to the woods with the local police and then the State Police and National Guard giving chase. Of course they are no match for Rambo who is able to demonstrate his fighting skills admirably. The action sequences in this film are excellent. Stallone is at his best as the crazed predator hunting down the inept police force. The film holds your attention and is interesting to the end. The only downside is the final speech given by Stallone which is so rambling and hard to understand that it could put the audience to sleep. Stalllone is best when he is not talking but attacking and this is what made this film 4 stars.

Watch the Movie-Then Go to Film School With David Morrell!
***Note-This is an update to my previous review***

The latest DVD version of the classic Stallone action flick provides several supplemental features, the most notable being the outstanding commentary by David Morrell who wrote the novel the film is based on. More on that in a moment.

First Blood is about a Vietnam vet named John Rambo who comes to a small Washington state town (actually British Columbia) to find the last surviving comrade from his elite Green Beret unit. When he discovers that he too is dead, Rambo makes his way into town for a bite to eat and instead winds up being arrested by the hick local sheriff (Brian Dennehy). While in custody, Rambo is abused by the locals but manages to escape sparking an all out manhunt.

This film has 55 minutes of action out of 96 total highlighted by the jail escape and subsequent chase. Jack Starrett is great as the cop that does most of the abusing while Davis Caruso is fine as the only deputy (among the surprisingly large local force) that seems to have a conscience. Dennehy is good as always and makes a worthy opponent for Rambo. Richard Crenna is great as Rambo's former CO and he and Dennehy play off one another quite well. Even though he has limited speaking parts, this is probably one of Stallone's best performances highlighted by the "Vietnam speech" near the end of the film.

The film is presented in digitally remastered widescreen 16:9, and is without a doubt the best video presentation of First Blood to date. The movie was shot in the temperate rain forest of BC and is quite dark at times. However, the darkest scenes have been enhanced here and are much improved over the various VHS versions some of which are terrible. Sound is Dolby 2.0 only but not bad considering. Also included are a cute trivia game (get all 10 right without a mistake to see a Rambo cartoon), production notes, and a teaser and trailer. The "featurette" is nothing more than a glorified trailer.

Now on to the best feature of this DVD, one that is worth the price of admission all by itself. If you are at all interested in how films are made and the behind the scenes tidbits about Hollywood, then RUN do not walk (or let your fingers do the walking onli