Reviews (359)

Even After So Much Time Has Gone By
Only Citizen Kane was ranked higher when the American Film Institute announced its list of "America's Greatest Movies." (The Godfather, Gone with the Wind, and Lawrence of Arabia complete the top five.) My own opinion is that AFI ranked Casablanca higher than it deserves. Nonetheless, the film remains immensely popular among critics and film historians as well as so-called movie buffs. It received an Academy Award as best film in 1943, as did Michael Curtiz for directing it. Bogart and Bergman are joined by an especially strong supporting cast (notably Greenstreet, Henreid, Lorre, Rains, and Veidt). There really isn't much to the plot but the dialogue is first-rate. (Philip Epstein, Julius Epstein, and Howard W. Koch shared an Oscar for best screenplay.) It is tempting to over-analyze this film by, for example, devoting excessive attention to American versus European sensibilities during World War II, the conflict between what Rick and Ilsa want to do with what they think they ought to do, etc.

Obviously, the war in progress outside of Rick's cafe cannot be denied although he makes every effort to insulate himself and his clientele from it. There is no shortage of social and political issues and yet, in my opinion, the significance of the film -- and its enduring appeal -- is explained by the development of the relationship between Rick and Ilsa. The final resolution is necessarily somewhat ambiguous, I think, precisely because the relationship between two people in war time faces quite different challenges, obligations, and implications than it would otherwise. Ultimately, having recently seen this film again in a special edition, accompanied by an abundance of supplementary features (e.g. Roger Ebert's commentary, Lauren Bacall's Introduction, and about ten minutes of additional scenes and out takes), I think the film now has a special symbolic significance which could not have been evident when it was released in 1942. More specifically, it somehow dramatizes what so many of us also struggle with when seeking a balance of obligations to ourselves and to others as well as to certain values which sustain the human race, especially during crises which threaten its survival. Perhaps I make too much of this film but these are among the reasons why it continues to hold special meaning for me.

Rounding Up the Usual Suspects
(To the reader: This review is about the original MGM DVD release and NOT about the 2-disc edition just released.)

Casablanca!

The very name conjures up an exotic mix of adventure, intrigue, heroism, selfless sacrifice, and romance. Hear the title of this 1942 Best Picture winner and your memory will provide you with images of Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Dooley Wilson, Peter Lorre, and Claude Rains. Or maybe you'll hear snatches of Max Steiner's unforgettable score, with its interpolation of Herman Hupfeld's "As Time Goes By" and the stirring strains of "The Marsellaise."

Based on the stage play "Everybody Comes to Rick's" by Murray Burnett and Joan Allison, the movie tells a dramatic story of refugees fleeing from wartorn Europe and making a perilous trip to Casablanca in French Morocco. It is December 1941 and that French colony is under the control of "unoccupied France." Ostensibly neutral in World War II, Vichy France is nevertheless a German vassal state, as the arrival of Major Strasser (Conrad Veldt) clearly demonstrates.

Strasser's mission in Casablanca: to stop Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo (Henreid) from obtaining one of two exit visas stolen from two murdered German couriers and escaping from the Gestapo. Having tracked the defiant Laszlo after his escape from a Nazi concentration camp, Strasser is determined to capture the symbol of anti-Nazi resistance once and for all.

Accompanying Laszlo is the beautiful Ilsa Lund (Bergman), a young Norweigan student whom he married in secret before he was captured by the Gestapo in 1940. Devoted to her husband and his great cause, Ilsa has been at his side since Laszlo's miraculous escape and sudden reappearance in Paris.

Unbeknownst to Laszlo, however, his fate will now rest in the hands of American saloonkeeper Rick Blaine (Bogart). In the months following Victor's escape from the concentration camp he was reported as "presumed dead." In loneliness and despair, the grieving Ilsa met and fell in love with Rick in Paris shortly before the German occupation began. For a brief time the lovers were together, only to tragically part ways when news of Laszlo's return reached Ilsa.

Now, in the eve of America's entry into World War II, Victor Laszlo's fate hangs on the conflicting emotions felt by both Rick and Ilsa, as well as the shifting loyalties of French police Capt. Louis Renault (Rains).

The screenplay by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch is a wonderful mixture of romance, intrigue, drama and comedy (the latter provided both by colorful characters and witty exchanges). Director Michael Curtiz and producer Hal B. Wallis made Casablanca as one of many movies produced in 1942, never knowing that it would become a classic of Hollywood's Golden Era.

"As Time Goes By" This Is The Best Film You'll Ever See
From the first frame of "Casablanca" you know you are about to watch something special. There is not a moment in the film where you will find yourself bored or overwhelmed. It is perfect in every way. I have seen many films in my time and I am only 17. I have an extensive collection of over 180 DVDs and this is by far my most prized. I saw this film for the first time exactly one year ago and purchased this Two-Disc Special Edition the day it came out. Not a day goes by when this film does not pop into my mind.

There are many movies but very few great films. The few include Gone With the Wind, Wizard of Oz, Lawrence of Arabia, Schindler's List, The Godfather, and, of course, the rarely seen Imitation of Life. This is at the head of those. It is at the head of all films.

"Casablanca" is about Rick (Humphrey Bogart), the owner of an American bar in Morroco, who is visited by Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the object of a love affair in Paris a few years earlier. She is accompanied by her husband (Paul Heinreid) who knows nothing of this but is only interested in acheiving two exit visas because they are both wanted. What follows is the most romantic and thrilling film of all time.

The DVD transfer is nothing short of miraculous. The film looks like it had been filmed today in B & W. Even the mono soundtrack sounds breathtaking. The DVD does not shy away from some amazing special features. I don't want to spoil them but anyone will find them interesting. I promise you this is one of the finest DVD packages on the market.

So go out now and buy the film that recieved three Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay; the film that was called the Second Greatest Film of All Time on the AFI's 100 Best List (it's second to Citizen Kane); and also called the Most Romantic Film of All Time by the AFI's 100 Most Romantic Films.

"Play it again, Sam."

Best Gin Joint in the world!
Simply the best movie ever made.
Bogie at his best, Bergman as always splendid! Add in a wonderful supporting cast headed by Peter Lorre, and the result is the perfect bittersweet love story. A must have for any Bogart fan, and a must see for everyone!

Black & White For A Reason
Ah, kids today. "Man, it's crap if there's no color to assist my info-ladened cranium!" Get a life. It's "Casablanca", for God's sake. It NEEDS to stay in B&W format. And, might I say, this film is a cult classic for more reasons than just minimalist acting. Dialogue: Heard of it, kids? It's what actors used to do instead of blowing (...)up or flying through the air in front of a blue screen. I love my DVD of "Casablanca", and cherish the fact that I don't have to rewind a tape to get to some of my favorite quotes. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This gorgeous adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic children's story is well worth watching with the whole family. Produced for Canadian television, it's one of those rare productions that actually sticks to the book and even enhances it through first-rate performances and an excellent script. Set on bucolic Prince Edward Island in the late 19th century, Anne of Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and headstrongorphan. When brother and sister Marilla and Mathew Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan boy to help Matthew work the farm, they are astonished when Anne arrives at the train station by mistake. "What use is she to us?" grumbles the gruff Marilla."We might be of some use to her," answers Matthew, who has taken an instant liking to the talkative Anne.As Anne grows up, her adventures are both hilarious and moving. It's a delight to watch as she forms a friendship with the beautiful Diana and her admirer--the dashing Gilbert Blythe--then dyes her hair green, cracks a slate over Gilbert's head when he calls her "Carrots," and finds a sympathetic teacher who encourages her to attend college.

Richard Farnsworth is perfect as the shy and gentle bachelor Matthew, who confides to Anne that he never went courting because "I would have had to say something." Colleen Dewhurst delivers a nuanced and powerful performance as Marilla, a seemingly cold-hearted spinster whose no-nonsense exterior conceals a warm heart. And as Anne, Megan Follows strikes the perfect note, maturing from freckle-faced orphan to elegant and poised young woman. --Elisabeth Keating ... Read more

Reviews (231)

Excellent film!
This is a terrific adaptation of the classic L.M. Montgomery coming of age story. It centers on young Anne Shirley, a strong willed, independent orphan who is adopted by siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. They originally wanted to adopt a boy to help out at their farm, but instead received a surprise when Anne arrived at the train station. Anne's adventures growing up are both funny and heart-warming. This is a fantastic movie that will please youngsters and adults alike, as there is something here for everyone! Megan Follows is excellent as Anne Shirley, Colleen Dewhurst is wonderful as the stern but loving Marilla and Richard Farnsworth is great as gentle Matthew. The supporting cast also give splendid performances. Highly recommended!

Timeless memories of a Canadian childhood
I can still remember the excitement I felt when I first saw Anne of Green Gables almost fifteen years ago. It accurately and lovingly captures the thrills of childhood, of breathless anticipation, the joys of friendship, and the final moment when we must bid our childhood goodbye and take our place in the grownup world. The performances are flawless and capture the original flavour of each of the characters from the book. Megan Follows IS Anne Shirley, Shuyler Grant is a kindred Diana Barry, and Colleen Dewhurst is the stern Marilla Cuthbert who finds her heart unexpectedly embracing the joys of motherhood.

Everything about Anne of Green Gables is done with the utmost love and respect in regard to the original novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Anne is every child, with her eyes open to the world, her thirst for knowledge, her immediate trust, her quest for adventure, and most of all her imagination. Megan Follows captures the timeless appeal of the orphaned Anne with spirit, grace, and wit. Her humorous mishaps, personal struggles, and her newfound love for the Cuthberts as well as her love for Avonlea make her an enduring heroine throughout the ages. Who knows? After seeing this film you may discover that you are a kindred spirit as well!

its a classic!!!
What can i say, I LOVE this movie. I grew up watching this one and Anne of Avonlea(now the sequel) I also read the books when i was young. I still enjoy watching them as an adult. I just wish i had a daughter to watch it with and enjoy with me. (we have two wonderful boys and most likely wont have any more) The characters fit the roles perfectly and are excellent. You just fall in love with them all.

DVD QUALITY GREAT ! I can see the print of the wallpaper
After watching this often on vhs I bought a DVD and I noticed the difference right away! You can see the print of fabrics, wallpaper, and details of everything much better. This is a wonderful story and the music is beautiful. All the actors are excellent. Great movie for little girls with red hair! Its not easy growing up with red hair. I love the way Anne is portrayed in this movie. There is a black and white version made in the 1930's and its okay. This movie also shows a girl taking her education seriously. The only thing I didn't like was that Gilbert is a little too much the lovesick fool. I think most guys would have given up on her, she was very mean to him.

A Favorite For Any Generation
This series has always been in my heart and always will be. I can always see myself in Anne Shirley, just as I'm sure every other young girl will. Kevin Sullivan did a beautiful job of bringing to life the works of Lucy M. Montgomery's series of Anne of Green Gables. I loved this movie the first time I saw it on television on PBS and I was thrilled to finally find it on DVD. Anne Shirley is a young orphan girl with a huge imagination, daydreams, and a huge talker. She's transferred from home to home and then back to the orphanage until she is finally picked to live in a town called Avonlea. She lives with a family Marilla & Mathew Cuthbert (played by: Colleen Dewhurst & Richard Farnsworth). After worrying she wouldn't be adopted because she's not a boy she warms their hearts and starts a new life with them. And she then soon meets her bosom friend Diana Barry (Schuyler Grant) and of course Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie). We follow the lives of these characters that Anne meets along the way. This series is for any young girl or for any girl at any age to enjoy and the entire family. The fun part is you can also see parts of the cast that end up being in Kevin Sullivan's production of Road to Avonlea. But this series is wonderful, charming, and full of adventures. The supporting cast is quite amazing as well they include: Rachel Lynde (Patricia Hamilton), Miss Stacy (Marilyn Lightstone), & Aunt Josephine (Charmion King) just to name a few of my favorites. This movie is also about life and the human heart that we see through Anne's eye's. The DVD is full of tons of great stuff such as Megan Follow's audition, a small behind the scene's moments, missing scene's, & tons more. So I do highly recommend this film for everyone. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Think A Summer Place, and you'll probably be humming Max Steiner's wonderfully romantic instrumental theme song, a hand-holding hit in 1959. The movie itself is similarly irresistible, a colorful soap opera about the passions of a pair of dewy-eyed teens and their straying parents. At an island resort in Maine, Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue (the reigning teen idols of the day) fall hard for each other. What they don't know is that her father (Richard Egan) and his mother (Dorothy McGuire), lovers 20 years earlier, have rekindled their affair. Both, inconveniently, have spouses, which is what makes this a soap opera. Lovers of camp will find much to savor in the incredible '50s attitudes, and in the innocence of supervirgin Dee ("Johnny, have you been bad with girls?"). Yet the sincerity of writer-director Delmer Daves, cowriter of An Affair to Remember, comes shining through the corn; and the grown-up affair anticipates The Bridges of Madison County by 30 years. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Just remember the ending...it's the part everyone remembers.
This super teen movie from 1959 is still a great date movie today. Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue play innocent teens whose parents are having an affair. The kids fall in love, spend some time at the beach, and everything is great...until Sandra gets some bad news from the doctor....

Dee and Donahue were the perfect teenage couple then, and they are still adorable. This film was considered quite racy when it was released; it's more PG today, but still dramatic, intense, and thought-provoking. The stars are such a pleasure to watch; they were so young and beautiful. And could anyone ever forget that gorgeous theme music? It IS the music of young love. This is still a great movie to watch with someone you love...or a bowl of popcorn!

The original 'teen date' movie.
Two teenagers in love(Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue) strive to be "good" and do the "right thing" by not going "all the way". This slick, colorful Hollywood soap opera about love and heartache among teens and their elders may have dated too much to have significant meaning to some tastes. Still arresting, however, as a look at 1950's lifestyles and values. This was, in its day, a box-office smash, and indeed, the premier teen date movie. The magnificent score by Max Steiner is still hauntingly beautiful, and was also big hit when the film was initially released. Yes, the realistic subject matter of the film itself has been glamorized and Hollywoodized, but it's so well-handled by the cast that it hardly matters. Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue light up the screen as the young lovers. And Dorothy McGuire and Richard Egan are sensational as the older set trying to rekindle the flame. The strong performances by this amazing quartet, and, of course, Max Steiner's enchanting title tune, make this rise far above the ordinary Hollywood fluff.

Where is the DVD
This is definitely one of the best teen movies ever made. Every time I hear the beautiful theme song it takes me back to my own innocent youth. I sincerely hope that Amazon will be offering the movie again, in the DVD format.

Great theme music
I have yet to watch the movie, but here is my encounter with its theme music more than **20** years ago, in China!

I first heard the music from my university radio station in the early 1980's. I was attracted to it immediately --- the music (no words) was so beautiful and so touching to the young minds. And the good thing is that the station broadcasted it once every day for a long period of time, as the signing off music. That was very appropriate because the ending of the music is vey gentle, fading gradually, like a wind drifting, drifting, until it disappears in the horizon.

At that time, I didn't know who wrote the music, or which country it came from, I even didn't know its title! And the strange thing is that, after I graduated, never once had I ever heard the music again!

Recently I found I have to try hard to recall the melody. So I took my rescue effort: I sang pieces of the music to a librarian in my local public library, who kindly helped me find the music. Only then did I know that the song is calld "A Summer Place"! and it's a love song!

WHERE IS THE DVD!!???
This needs to be on DVD. I have worn out my VHS copy!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE release this on DVD!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Purchasers of Disney's "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," the second volume of the company's Sing Along Songs series, may discover that not everything is as "satisfactchull" as it could be with this tape--it all depends on why you're buying it. If you've sought out the video because of a sentimental devotion to the musical the title tune is taken from, Song of the South, then you're bound to be disappointed. Disney's undying efforts to make nice have spilled into this segment (the first of a nine-song package), and all is sanitized so that the original film's disconcerting depictions of then-de rigueur racial inequality cause no modern-day discomfort. But that's not to say the scene of Uncle Remis strolling a hummingbird- and butterfly-lined road and singing his song isn't a sure-fire mood-lifter, or that it doesn't succeed in its mission, which is to jog joyful childhood memories. And it is the only way to see any of the film on video; Disney has no plans to ever release the controversial film. In fact eachof this collection's numbers (all ingrained collectively on a generation now raising its own kids), aims to knead adult viewers' nostalgic sides (presumably part of a strategy to perpetuate Disney die-hards). Especially effective are Cinderella's "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," the Davy Crockett series' "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," and Snow White's "Whistle While You Work." --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (73)

You CAN find the ORIGINAL Song of the South!! USA format!!!
I became nostalgic reading all these wishful reviews and thought I'd like to do something positive, (see Collectibles, above) and had to see this movie again, so I looked and looked until I found a digitally mastered copy. Now my children (and yours!) can have a bit of their heritage back!
It truly is a shame that Disney today makes so much values-trashing junk, and is denying their great cultural history by banning a warm, wonderful classic such as this. Dear Walt is spinning!
Watch it and weep...and laugh, and sing! (and tell your friends!)

Original Song of the South Video
I don't understand -- what's so controversial about the original movie? Friendship between blacks and whites? People with goodness in them? Give me a break. We can show murder, rape, violence, evil, but this movie is controversial? I think Disney must either be out of their minds, OR they're planning some big and expensive release of the movie. I bought a pirated copy, and I thoroughly enjoy watching it along with my two little girls. They'll watch that over violent and evil movies any day!

Political Correctness gone too far!
The one star rating is aimed at the Disney coorperation. They're obviously afraid to re release this classic because they're afrian people will be offended by the racial "steriotype" of Uncle Reemus. First of all, by keeping the whole movie under lock n key a briliant African American actor, James Baskit, remains forgotten. Second, if you watch the WHOLE movie (last reissued in 1986) you'll see Uncle Reemus is smatter than ALL the white people in the story! If you check Ebay you'll see a LOT of bootleg DVDs of the COMPLETE version. This is hurting Disney in their wallets. Guess Disney would rather eat several million $$$ than be accused of being "insensitive".

Song Of The South
It is amazing to me the way our society today is trying to rewrite history. So what if Uncle Remus lives happily as A Slave. At least it's more realistic than period shows of today such as Dr.Quinn that shows blacks and whites of the old west getting along without any predjudice at all. I cringe everytime I see this in A modern Western. It just didn't happen folks! So bring back Song Of The South at least for a little while.

Need to read about the tape
When I bought this tape I was looking for "Song of the South" & that is what I typed in. When this tape information came up I didn't totally read it so I ordered it. When I found out that I did not order "Song of the South" but a Sing Along Songs, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah it was too late to do anything about it. I bought it from a outside vender so I could not cancel the order. It did arrive quite fast but it was not what I thought I had ordered. It is kind of cute & does show a tiny part of Song of the South but very little. Then I checked to see how long the tape was & it was only 26 minutes. And I paid $19.74 for a 26 minutes tape that wasn't even the one I wanted. From now on when I order a tape I will read everything before I order it. ... Read more

Description

The adventure epic about a distinguished military leader whose reign was touched by scandal, betrayal and victory ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Excellent movie
I just loved this movie ever since I first saw in 1997. I thought Nathaniel Parker did an excellent job of portraying David - he made David seem very believable. I also liked the fact the film ended with great hope - the promise of the temple whereas in the 1985 movie "King David" that David seemed bitter and disillusioned at the end. I know "David" is not a perfect movie but it definitely struck an emotional chord in me. I highly recommend it.

Saul or David?
I suppose we would have to compare this video to the 1985 production of 'King David' starring Richard Gere. There is far more action in this earlier film, which brings me to the point in this review. It must have been stymied by that wretched breed: ACCOUNTANTS! a pox on them! There was far too much in the production that smacked of cost-saving, particularly the 'Goliath' scene which rendered it incomprehensible c.f. the Bible account. Now that I have that off my chest, they have redeemed themselves by employing great actors. I particulaly liked the portrayal of Saul by Jonaththan Price. They could have added another 30 mins. or so to the 1st. part and issued it separately as 'SAUL', then a 2 part series on 'DAVID'. Jonathan's effective portrayal of a man going from greatness to madness is worth the price of the video alone. Leonard Nimoy also portrays the prophet Samuel very well as a compassionate man of God who must stick to principle, no matter how much it grieves his soul. As other reviewers have stated, too much is missed out. Overall, good acting makes up for the short-fall in detail, worth buying, get the 1985 version as well!

Request for DVD
Hello iam looking for this movie on dvd but i dont find it anywere is there anywere ese that i can find it or it never came out dvd?

Please let know. Thank You!!!!

Splendid Biblical tale!!
This "David" from the Bible Collection, is a really good view, and it boasts a great deal of authentic settings and story telling. Here we see the beginnings of this story, and watch King Saul get anointed by the Prophet Samuel (Leonard Nimoy), until such time as Saul disobeys the Lord. Then we see the Prophet next anoint young David, in a moving portrayal, and ultimately he becomes the ward of the King and Jonathan, Saul's son, befriends David, and they establish a life long covenant with each other.

The video has two parts to it, and the second part deals with David's indiscretion with Bathsheba, and its consequences for the Kingdom of Israel. The scene is handled with great taste and it is not exploitative in the way it might be filmed today. It was essentially non-offensive, but the idea was communicated that David committed adultery.

We then follow the consequences of David's actions and witness the rebellion of Absalom, and the household of David become divided from within. Then there is the other earlier situation where Tamara, his daughter, is raped, but again it is handled with a great deal of wisdom in its filming.

A highly recommended movie, and if you have other movies in this collection, this would be a wonderful addition.

the great psalmist and king
This is a marvelous production, filmed in Morocco, with wonderful costumes, textiles, and rustic sets, making this telling of King David's life visually believable. It has some standout performances, and Nathaniel Parker, always a favorite of mine, fares well as Israel's second king. As Saul, the casting of Jonathan Pryce is an odd choice (Saul was "a head taller than his people" and there was "not a man more handsome than he") but it works, and he is exceptional as the tormented and demented king.

Gideon Turner is very good as the young David, Dominic Rowan is a great bit of casting as Absalom, and as Joab, Maurice Roeves is terrific. Other notables play the two prophets, Leonard Nimoy, in an appealing and powerful portrayal of Samuel, and Franco Nero as a handsome Nathan.
Due to this being made for TV, some of the editing does not move smoothly (one assumes these are cuts for ads) but that aside, the photography is lovely (by Raffaele Mertes) and the melodic score by Carlo Siliotto enhances the mood (the final title music is by Ennio Morricone).

The story line picks up at 1 Samuel, Chapter 9, with Saul looking for his father's mules, and proceeds through much of both books of Samuel, often being quite faithful to them. It is interspersed with the occasional Psalm, and writer Larry Gross has blended scripture and dialogue quite effectively. It is interesting to watch this with Bible in hand, to see just how cleverly this has been done.

There are some moving scenes, like David's annointing, and his proposal to Abigail (played by the beautiful Lina Sastri). The only part that does not work for me is the story of Amnon; it is pieced together in an awkward and sluggish way, but fortunately does not last long, and the rest of the intricate story moves along at a quick pace, making this is a way above-average film for television.
There are a few gory battle scenes that would be too violent for the very young, but otherwise this is an excellent family film for older children, with the complexity of King David making it a fascinating story for discussion and repeated viewings. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After her success with Basic Instinct, Sharon Stone opted for familiar territory with this campfest that purports to be a sexualized thriller about voyeurism but in reality is more of an excuse to get Stone and costar William Baldwin out of their clothes. Rear Window it ain't. Stone plays it drab and quiet as a successful career woman on the rebound from a bad marriage who moves into a mysterious Manhattan high-rise. Once there, she discovers that she has a few admirers: a hunky and enigmatic neighbor (Baldwin), a popular writer of crime novels (Tom Berenger), and someone who seems to enjoy watching her every move on the building-wide surveillance system. And is one of them the serial killer who's stalking the comely female tenants? Scripted by the erstwhile Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct and Jagged Edge), Sliver follows the standard Eszterhas plot line of a protagonist suspecting that his or her lover may or may not be a vicious killer, the tension mounting as clue upon clue is discovered. Unlike both Instinct or Edge, though, Sliver delivers little suspense, thanks in part to a reshot ending that changed the original identity of the killer in the Ira Levin novel and confounded students of rational thought. However, if you're looking for an unintentionally funny thriller with loads of extraneous nudity, Sliver is an enjoyably huge hunk of cheese. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Stone in yet another over-charged sex-thriller.
This super-sleazy sex-mystery features Sharon Stone as a lonely book editor who moves into a handsome, slender Manhattan apartment building(the "Sliver" of the title), and later learns that it is the scene of a series of brutal and unsolved murders. Unfortunately, this filmization of Ira Levin's reasonably suspenseful novel focuses more on Stone's steamy relationship with practicing voyeur William Baldwin rather than the mystery/suspense angle. This muddled mess was obviously an ill-fated attempt to cash in on the success of "Basic Instinct" and attract that same audience, but it was all for naught because "Sliver" still crashed and burned at the box-office. Admittedly, there are several hot and heavy sex scenes, but they would be more at home in a hardcore skin flick rather than a film like this that tries to pass itself off as a suspenseful murder mystery. The unrated version features several minutes worth of even more sexually explicit material. If you're going to buy it, get the unrated version since the few sex scenes are the film's only real virtue anyway.

SLIVER, WANNA WATCH?
Sliver is a fantastic film. The best out of all the erotic thrillers filmed between the years of 1987-1995, preferably the time in which the Erotic Thriller genre was big. Ending with Eszterhas's JADE. Eszterhas (Basic Instinct, Jade, Jagged Egde) wrote Sliver. A film starring Sharon Stone as Carly Norris, stuck in this age of loneliness after coming out of a 7 year bad marriage. Moving into a slick and sleek sliver apartment building, she is warmly welcomed by all of it's tennants. Including, Vida Warren a woman with a dark double life. Gus Hale, a man that is willing to tell all dirty little secrets. Zeke Hawkins a handsome young man that takes a sexual interest in Carly, FAST. And Tom Berenger a classy writer, with a macho jerk attitude. When Carly gets involved, very involved, with Zeke she begins to learn that inside the walls of this building hides a secret that could reveal everything. With an ending so fast paced it will blow right by you, but a very satisfying ending if I do say so in the least. Again, buy SLIVER in the unrated version, sit down and relax in the darkness and remember that there is no place more frightening than home...

Very sexy but empty
There was a time when movies were slicker than they are now, when they pushed the buttons of sexuality/abhorrent sex. This is a lot about voyeurism and the thrill of being stalked. Sharon Stone was of course capitalizing on the Basic Instinct success. Billy Baldwin is very attarctive and they make a sexy couple but it didn't make a good movie. The soundtrack is amazing though!

LONELINESS - exemplified !!!
Few films have a matching soundtrack.This is one of those few.
The script is strong.The pace is quick.Actors/Actresses have done a commendable job.It's all about people , who have made good money - stable lifestyle - those who are already out of the daily rat race - who now have time for some mischief & pleasure.And , a rare combination of Money & Loneliness formulates a unique approach to life.This is it.The best that the people of this status can do in life.The beginning is simply superb - mystery commences right from shot 1 - excellent dialogue quality - absolutely no useless chatter - just to the point action & dialogues.A great addition to the collection - for sure.

So much for the "erotic thriller" genre
Sharon Stone is Carly Norris, one of those sucessful types who, in Hollywood's mind, must be tortured by insecurity and self-loathing. She's just moved into a new building which, for its stark loveliness, leaves her feeling even more unsettled than usual. (Because Joe Ezsterhaus perpetrated the script, the regular denizens of the building are into rough and otherwise generally unconventional intercourse. Closer to Carly are two suspicious admirers ' Lanford (Tom Berenger), a hardboiled crime novelist, and the building's owner, Zeke (Billy Baldwin). Lanford telegraphs his problems in the way he introduces himself ' running into people while jogging in Central Park. Zeke has a bigger problem ' he's wired the building for sight & sound, using a hidden control center stacked with monitors and recorders on which to view whatever's going on in his building (lover's pressuring their mates into rougher sex; parents molesting their children, women shaving, etc..) When suspicion exuded by the characters isn't enough to get the story going, a string of murderers is tossed in. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

This is the best of the best!
I just got this video in the mail today and did it immediately- it satisfied me beyond my expectations. You start out with a slow warm up, reviewing the four basic steps- walking, side steps, knee lifts, and kicks. The music really gets you into the mood to burn fat! The pace picks up and you start really doing power walking at its best. Leslie integrates arms into the workout, and after about 14-15 minutes, you have finished one mile! The workout gets more intense than ever and the 2nd mile is the fastest mile of them all. Aerobic walking takes over, and Leslie shows us some variation in the arms and the steps, and we move around the room. The walking is very brisk. The third mile comes before you know it, and Leslie shows you new steps like double kick backs, tapping with double side steps, grape vine, and more. The fourth mile also goes by quickly, and before you know it you are cooling down after a great workout! Of course there is stretching.

I recommend this video to everyone- it is really for all ages (there are people in this video that range from 20 to 72!!!). It gets your heart pumping and it really makes you sweat!

Leslie Rocks
I've been using Leslie's workout videos for years and I believe the 4 mile super challenge is her best so far. If you're just starting to exercise again or you're out of shape you might want to start with mile 1 or 2 but if you feel that you need a bigger challenge, that is fun and very motivating, mile 4 super challenge is for you. The music helps you keep a fast pace, Leslie's postive attidude keeps you from wanting to quit, and the exercises throughout the program are so simple that anyone with two left feet can do them. I own several of the Walk Away the Pounds videos because I can mix and match the different miles and create my own exercise program. These are wonerful videos and anyone who wants a workout that is challenging but easy to follow should try them in a heartbeat.

AWESOME workout - my favorite of all WATPs!
This is a pure walking workout; i.e., no "accoutrements" like bands or hand weights. Very similar to the Express 3 Mile in terms of the music, the set and the group of walkers (but the 3 Mile uses the stretch bands). Loved the music--very hip and dancey, like club music, which I love. I have done this workout 2 or 3 times so far and it is fantastic. "Joyful" is the word that came to mind when I was doing it. The miles go by so fast, there was never a point where I was thinking "OH GAWD, when are we getting to the next mile?!" I MUCH prefer this to the older 4-mile WATP I have which has SOOOO much repetition of the same movement that I get exhausted and annoyed at the same time. This one gets a big THUMBS UP from me!

power walk
This is a nice long workout pretty low impact a wonderful workout for all ages i would reccomend this to all.

Fantastic!
This exercise video is perfect for someone who does not like to exercise! ... Read more

Reviews (227)

Brad Pitt as Achilles
Brad Pitt stars as the legendary Greek warrior Achilles in "Troy," an epic drama full of action and adventure based on Homer's Iliad. Lovesick Prince Paris has run off with Helen to his land of Troy. Helen's husband wants her back, and convinces Greek King Agamemnon to "launch a thousand ships" and bring Helen back. The King enlists the aid of Achilles, and the battle begins.

On the plus side, the movie looks just great, with spectacular sets and thousands of soldiers who fight gallantly. The supporting cast is wonderful; in particular Eric Bana as Paris' brother, Hector, and Peter O'Toole as his father, King Prium. Their scenes are the best in the film.

On the down side, Brad Pitt, while ruggedly handsome and sincere, never really loses himself in the character of an ancient Greek hero; you can't forget he's Brad Pitt. The actress who plays Helen is not the classic beauty one would expect and looks like so many modern starlets. The battle scenes are for the most part filmed in close-ups and edited in very quick shots, which makes them look blurry and chaotic, and you may need a scorecard to keep up with all the characters.

Troy has the look and feel of a good epic, but isn't a great one. If you enjoy sword and sandal war movies with handsome leading men, you'll like Troy. Brad Pitt is delicious eye-candy and that just may be good enough after all.

A Beautiful War
If you happen to be a fan of Homer's epic, be warned that it is time, place, and character that are the same but not truly the story. Filled with beautiful people, scenes and clothes, this movie misses the mark. Helen could no more inspire me to go to dinner than to war and I need to eat to live. Orlando Bloom as Paris, is so beautiful of a boy that it is unbelievable that he would have the requirements needed to steal another man's wife, no matter how usavory the other man proved to be. Yet he would be just the fool to wage a ten year war over a woman. Only in the movie the war accounts for slightly over 12 days worth of action.
How the Greeks managed to be so hard up that after 12 days or so of war they need to build a wooden horse to enter the city is beyond me.

However Hector is amazingly played as are most of the other roles, with the exception of Achilles who falters here and there. You manage to be blinded by the beauty of the spectcale presented to you, and when you begin to object to the brusing of Homer's great works you see Brad Pitt semi-naked and forget all about it. For that alone I give this move 3stars and well worth seeing. You should know, that if you plan to see this move instead of reading the book you will fail. Neither is this movie a match to the TV movie of the Odyssey which manages to capature the book and you along with it. But Brad Pitt naked should not be missed.

Not Homer, but great, lively entertainment!
OK, so the film's not faithful to Homer's epic. That doesn't really matter. It's good, old-fashioned entertainment with lots of spectacle, fine battle scenes, gorgeous performers (mostly male), and some fine acting. Critics tend to penalize Brad Pitt for his remarkable good looks, but he does a very nice job here. His Achilles, of course, looks godlike whether in armor or in the buff, but he also conveys an undercurrent of humanity, even sensitivity, beneath the sullen, violence-prone facade. Eric Bana is also excellent as the stoic, honorable Hector. Brian Cox has a hammy old time as Agammemon, and Peter O'Toole is memorable as Priam. Two pretty faces, Orlando Bloom's and Ms. Kruger's, don't do much for the movie acting-wise, but provide some eye candy for the younger viewers. Quibbles: it would have been nice to have a little greenery in the scenery instead of all that sand, but the walls and city of Troy looked spectacular. All in all, "Troy" is worth seeing more than once (perhaps not for those under the age of 12).

What was the name of this movie???
I don't think it was Troy! Why? Because it had nothing to do with the written story by Homer. Menelaus dies only because he has to be the bad guy in this movie... and there wasn't enough time to show the real death of Agamemnon, (he was killed in his bath by his own wife after returning to Greece) , so they killed him in a way they liked best. Also, Achilles (Brad Pitt) and Hector are the only ones who fight quite well. The rest just get slaughtered. But as we know from the Iliad there were also other great fighters which in this film were left at home! The only strong thing in this movie is Brad Pitts performance but he alone can't save this fiasko! The t.v. movie HELEN OF TROY is closer to the true story although its low budget and this unbelievable and unexeptable bald Achilles... Just read the book! You will love it!

"This will be the greatest war the world has ever seen"
Hollywood's recent obsession with historical epics has produced some truly amazing films... and some truly not. "Troy", mercifully, falls into the former category. The whole production was a risky endeavor; would mainstream audiences be interested in ages old myths? Would scholars and classics devotees condemn the film for it's reworking of Homer's "The Iliad"? And of course there was the expensive price tag; $200+ million, which brought to mind the similarly-themed and legendarily pricey box office bomb, "Cleopatra". Though never quite reaching such wondrous heights as historical epics such as "Braveheart" and "Gladiator" and not earning enough domestically to make a profit, "Troy" succeeds as a fine film reminiscent of old Hollywood epics such as "El Cid" and "Ben Hur".

The production values are simply astounding. Wolfgang Peterson's flawless reproduction of Ancient Greece engulfs audiences in the wonder and glory of the age. The breathtaking cinematography by Roger Pratt makes this a film best seen on the silver screen. From the pulse-pounding battle sequences to the sweeping shots of the Greek fleet that shall be emblazoned in my mind forever, this is a truly handsome film. James Horner creates yet another pitch perfect score that works perfectly with the film's visual style.

The acting chops of Brad Pitt are (quite literally at times, ladies) put to good use here. It is my belief, and one that is most certainly not shared by all, that Pitt is a wonderful and versatile actor. Consider some of his most prominent roles; as Death in "Meet Joe Black", a vampire in "Interview with the Vampire", a criminal in "Ocean's 11", a mental patient in "12 Monkeys", a cowboy in "Thelma and Louise", an Irish boxer in "Snatch", a detective in "Seven" and on and on. This boy has talent! He proves himself even further with the role of Achilles. Pitt 100% becomes the legendary fighter, from the body to the mannerisms to the swordplay. He IS Achilles. I pity all actors who have played Achilles or will play him in a future film; their performances are/will be tremendously dwarfed in comparison. The rest of the cast; Brian Cox, Brendan Gleeson, Diane Kruger, and Eric Bana are all fantastic with the exception of Orlando Bloom, who proves without a doubt that a handsome face does not equal talent. Bloom should take notes from fellow heartthrob Pitt, who does indeed know how to act!

Like the old Hollywood epics, "Troy" does regrettably lack that certain level of emotional pull and human drama that modern audiences demand (i.e. don't expect to be sobbing uncontrollably by its finale as you might very well have done in "Braveheart"). "Troy" and old Hollywood epics also share a certain level of melodrama and almost joyful corniness. Audiences nowadays dislike this style of filmmaking, yet I found myself embracing it simply because it helped to make "Tory" even more old Hollywood. ... Read more

Reviews (641)

Schizophrenia is *not* this pretty
It's extremely difficult to get into the mind (and therefore the world) of the patient with schizophrenia or a similar thought disorder. Necessarily simplified from the biography of mathematician John Nash, this film achieves dramatic pace and structure that has no analogue in the life of even some of the most extraordinary individuals suffering from such a condition.

Setting aside the fact that Ron Howard's work is not true to the nominal subject of the movie, however, this film comes laudably close to a good clinical depiction of the desperate vividness of the auditory and visual hallucinations suffered by patients with schizophrenia, including the sort of elaborate structures of delusion which the more intelligent individual has been known to develop.

I would wish that Howard and his associates had managed to portray something more of the adverse effects of the drugs available to treat schizophrenia in the '50s and '60s. Indeed, I would've liked to have seen Russell Crowe add to his superb performance some intimation of these harrowing elements so that the audience could better understand the pharmacotherapeutic factors that drove Nash to discontinue his neuroleptic medications and undertake what is essentially self-directed cognitive therapy in order to address his thought disorder. Even the more recently-developed "atypical" antipsychotic medicines have pretty nasty side effects, and we are far from perfection in the medical management of schizophrenia today.

This is in no way a perfect movie, certainly. It is, however, good art, and we owe the makers of this film our thanks for helping increase the general public awareness of thought disorders. Schizophrenia is a great deal easier to treat (both with and without neuroleptic agents) when it is brought to appropriate medical attention at the earlier phases of development, and Russell Crowe has succeeding in putting a human face on the disorder -- much as Tom Hanks did for HIV/AIDS in *Philadelphia* -- with great power and (I hope) telling effect.

An Excellent Film
While many complain that Ron Howard whitewashed much of John Nash's life in A BEAUTIFUL MIND, those same fail to acknowledge that the film as it stands is in and of itself quite a strong picture. And while those same people scream of sentimentality throughout, there is nothing here that suggests anything sentimental or even likable about the person of John Nash. Granted, there are a few moments where scenes with his wife teeter on sappy, but overall I think the film depicts rather well the horror that must have been, and still is, Nash's life as a schizophrenic. The acting is uniformly excellent--Russell Crowe shows far more of his capability(and should have got the Oscar) here as an actor than in GLADIATOR The supporting cast is also first-rate--Jennifer Connelly gives a quiet, beautifully restrained performance as Alicia Nash(and I think it's safe to say the Oscar wasn't completely unjustified), and there's also equally fine work from Ed Harris, Paul Bettany, and Christopher

Plummer. Best Picture of the year? Nope, that would have been LORD OF THE RINGS. But I think this is a solid second choice.

"They are my past. Everyone is haunted by their past."
Ron Howard's "A Beautiful Mind" is a tragic and inspiring masterwork that showcases one of the most impressive acting performances in recent memory. If there were still any lingering doubts as to the extent of Russell Crowe's acting prowess, this film dashed them all.

John Nash (Crowe) is a brilliant mathematician who makes an amazing breakthrough in his field while a student at Princeton. After graduating, he teaches at M.I.T. while working for the federal government as a code-breaker. He begins a relationship with a graduate student (Jennifer Connelly) and soon they are married and settle into a quiet domestic life. However, Nash soon starts to see patterns and associations of information everywhere and it is soon discovered that he is suffering from schizophrenia. Serious questions as to his perceptions of the real world, both in the past and in the present, must now be confronted.

Virtually all aspects of "A Beautiful Mind" work beautifully. Howard's confident direction and the strong lead performances by Crowe and Connelly is the glue that holds the entire production together. However, the important contributions made by supporting actors Paul Bettany, Ed Harris, and Christopher Plummer, composer James Horner, and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman should not be underestimated and should also be acknowledged. Furthermore, "A Beautiful Mind" deserves credit for not sentimentalizing Nash's struggle against mental illness. The darker aspects of his tortuous road to recovery are not avoided and are unflinchingly presented warts and all. It is a credit to Crowe's talent that we come to know John Nash so well and come to care so much for him. Nash's life is an amazing story and "A Beautiful Mind" is an amazing recounting of it.

Not a true tale
Let's be clear from the start: This is a movie about A Nobel Prize winning mathematician that suffers from schizophrenia named John Nash. However, this is not the true-life story of THE John Nash, a Nobel Prize winning mathematician that suffers from schizophrenia. Nor is this the screen adaptation of the book "A Beautiful Mind," by Sylvia Nasar. The two share a title, a mental illness, and character names but little else.

That said, the movie does an excellent job of portraying the life of a promenant individual who suffered from many classic symptoms of schizophrenia in the 60's & 70's. But it does not present the illness from both sides equally. We see how the main character (not named in this section to avoid confusion) is afflicted, but we do not see enough of what those around him see. Nor does it quite arrive at showing how glorious the "light at the end of tunnel" is after decades of fighting the darkness.

The movie does not discuss John & Alicia's real-life divorce, the repeated coast-to-coast trips, or the years John spent living in Europe. And definately does not offer any hints at John's experiments with homosexuality (discussed at length in the text, but reportedly excluded at Nash's request).

In short, this movie is a starting place for future movies about mental illness, but is not an end-all experience.

Darn This Movie
I can't stop watching it. The music always gives me goose bumps and I cry every time Crowe says goodbye to the little girl. And I never even noticed the pigeons the first time!....duh. ... Read more

Album Description

Soundtrack with music by Michael Kamen, for this 1997 filmdirected by Alan Rickman and starring Emma Thompson. 13tracks. Varese. 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A work of visual beauty....
The setting for "The Winter Guest" (based on the stage play) is a small fishing village in Scotland where the sea is frozen as far as the eye can see. Frances (Emma Thompson) is a professional photographer mired in grief over the recent death of her husband. She cannot make herself climb out of bed -- even for her son. Photographs Frances took of her deceased husband line the walls and run up the stairs. At one point during the film her son tells a friend their house is haunted and his dead father has imprisoned his mother.

One cold winter day, Frances' mother Elspeth (Phyllida Law--Emma's real mother) comes calling -- she is the 'winter guest.' She encourages Frances to start living again. At Elspeth's urging, she and Frances spend the day together walking and talking in the frozen landscape -- Frances with her camera in hand and Elspeth with her cigarettes. At the end of the walk, Frances seems a bit less grieved and the frozen space between the mother and daughter has thawed.

Three subplots have been worked into the main tale: two small boys playing hooky; Frances' son meeting a new girl; and two older ladies taking the #22 bus to an out of town funeral.

Alan Rickman dircted this masterpiece of stunning visual beauty. The film consists of shot after shot of black and white photographs suitable for framing. Some color is provided by the occasional jumper (sweater) or other inanimate object, but mostly this is a black and white film. If you're fascinated with photograpy and/or cinematography, you will enjoy this film. The musical score is lovely and quite appropriate for the setting (piano solos by Michael Kamen with a female vocal during the final credits).

The photography reminds me a bit of the footage from "The Sweet Hereafter" though most of it is very original. The story line is reminiscent of "Truly, Madly, Deeply" which starred Rickman. This is a thoughtful film. My husband has watched it twice, so I don't think it appeals only to women.

This "Winter" is warm, indeed.
The conversations, the discoveries, and the small adventures of four various "couples" are shown to us in this lovely film, set in a small, sea-side Scottish village during a bright, but bleak, Winter's day. Two young boys delight in the frozen world around them, rather than attend school, and talk about their folks, their future, the things they find on the icey beach, etc. A young woman's fancy toward a young man she has spied on for some time becomes a curious friendship/affection when she finally approaches him, in her own rambunctious way. The young man's recently-widowed mother is visited without notice by her own doting mother, bent on snapping her once-lively daughter out of her funk, and hopefully, encouraging her not to go back to Australia where she met her departed-husband. Finally, two older ladies who delight in attending the funerals of strangers, for their own macabre reasons, take the lone bus out of town for the day to attend yet another. On this cold day, one of the ladies becomes frightened, apparently at the knowledge of her own mortality, and it's up to her more stoic friend to "keep her from falling." The stories of these four pairs often intersect with one another, and almost-equal time is spent with each couple, which I appreciated. This is a very mature film, lovely to watch and listen to. Several key scenes stand out for me. One is when the elderly mother slips and grabs for a railing on the slippery sidewalk, as she approaches her daughter's street; at that moment, the camera shows the daughter in bed, dreaming perhaps, raising her hand up to grab the head-board rails, as if she sensed her mother's plight and wanted to keep her from stumbling, too. Such a small scene, yet so perfect. A final scene with the young boy holding a kitten he has found, walking out onto the frozen-over sea, telling the feline he and her will explore this new world, while his friend calls for him to come back, oblivious to the first boy's intention to keep going, is moving and eloquent. There are humorous moments sprinkled throughout, so this drama isn't as dry as I was led to believe. The striking scenery, the touching dialogues, the lovely piano-score; it all adds up to one memorable movie, for those who will appreciate it.

Winter Guest
riviting. drama at it's best. A wonderful story about life's problems, growing up and changes.

Bleak yet wonderful... with magical horizons ahead
With Alan Rickman's commitment in playing Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movies, it's doubtful he will ever return to the director's chair to deliver a memorable movie such as this.

At a Scottish coastal town facing the North Sea, the sea has frozen over so that it's like a wonderland, with an endless horizon. The discovery of new horizons in the experience of life is key to The Winter Guest.

Four dual relationships are examined here. The first is that between Frances and her mother. Frances (Emma Thompson) is a recently widowed photographer who lives in a studio flat with her young son. Her mother (Thompson's real-life mother Phyllida Law), has walked all the way from her house, minus her walking stick, to break the defensive barrier Frances has erected. The mother keeps chatting on, fixing the bed, but Frances at first spends time avoiding her in the bathroom.

The confrontation is much on the mother trying to get Frances to live again, to become full of life. As she tells her daughter on some photographs, "Why not use colour? The world's in colour." And why photograph buildings instead of people? The mother is more in colour and livelier than the death that has gutted Frances of any feeling of life. She firmly believes that "it's the kingdom of youth we're living in" in response to Frances's defeatist talk of embracing the years and welcoming instead of fighting them. She wants the best for her daughter and if it takes being emotionally overbossy, so be it. "A happy woman does not ruin her own beauty", as she believes Frances has done by her haircut.

Alex, Frances's son, has an unexpected encounter with Nita, a dark-haired tomboy who gains his attention. Nita's more impulsive, daring Alex to walk on the ice, and Alex is more cautious, perhaps living under the gloomy shadow of his father's death and the aura of his mother. Alex's grandmother espies the two from the flat and while seeing the encounter as normal, all the same speaks to herself. "Be careful. It wants that face. Give her the moon, she'll want the stars as well." Fortunately, Nita isn't that way at all.

The thin bespectacled Lily and fat Chloe are two elderly women who keep themselves occupied attending funerals to the point of looking through the paper and jotting them down on appointment books. Chloe, though seemingly dotty, proves to be the more lively and stronger of the two, literally on the bus and metaphorically having the window seat. Yet they wonder about today's ways. "There's nothing like watching a coffin slip down to the earth and the soil thudding down." They question cremations and how that squares with conservation and ecology.

Tom and Sam are two truant youngsters in their early teens and they hang out on the shore talking about things. The red-haired Sam is shorter but is more in tune, more aware of things than his taller friend. He has hopes for a future, whereas Tom feels hopeless, resigned to a fate of pushing carts at a food mart. There's little to do other than go to school and be at home and obey one's parents, and what's it all for, wonders Tom?

Of the pairs, it's clear who emerges as the stronger and braver of the two. However, one of them turns out to embrace that spirit of hope and possibility, surprising the ostensibly more assertive one. All the pairs work wonderfully together in this slow-paced drama.

The Scottish coast town is bleak yet wonderful, a place I'd like to visit or even live in one day. The setting appears to be in Fife County, separated from Edinburgh by the Firth of Forth. Michael Kamen's haunting piano score, most of it in a higher octave, matches that bleak and wonderful tone, as does the closing song "Take Me With You" by Elizabeth Fraser.

It all comes down to that certain strong and loving someone saying, as Lily tells Chloe, "You will not fall while I'm here."

A Beautiful Masterpiece of cinematic art...
Not to mention hilariously funny. Sean Biggerstaff (who you HP junkies may recognize as the all-grown-up Oliver Wood) turns in an absolutely hysterical performance that had my girlfriends and I rolling on the floor. A preview:
Boy#1- Ugh! It's a worm! A big skooshy worm!
Sean- It's not a worm. It's a condom.
Boy- Aack! I TOUCHED that!
Sean(as boy wipes hands in snow)- I once found one up a tree. Can you imagine doin' it up a tree?... Can you imagine doin' it?
All of this done in the cutest Scottish accents... well, now I'm just sounding like a smarmy American. But that doesn't even touch the surface... there's still the Deep Heat incident ("You try it, just you bloody try it!"), Fanny the cat, and those two old ladies who go funeral-hopping. Add to the innate humor the poignant beauty and marvelous acting from the entire cast, and you have one of the greatest movies of all time... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Oddball scientist Fred Z. Randall (Harland Williams) is nobody's idea of an astronaut. But he turns out to be NASA's only hope when the first manned mission to Mars comes up one man short. So it's up to Fred, who instantly rubs the ship's commander (William Sadler) and specialist (Jessica Lundy) the wrong way--but makes eerily good friends with the ship's chimp. A movie whose rude, gas-laced sense of humor will appeal to kids; adults may also get a few chuckles out of Canadian funnyman Williams, who does countless impressions and makes endless faces and funny noises. Think of him as the poor man's Jim Carrey. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Rocketman soars with laughs
When I first started watching "Rocketman," I thought it was gonna be corny and that it wouldn't be a good movie. I was wrong, it was hilarious. An unlikely candidate for the first ever mission to mars goes on the mission with an experienced mission commander and an attractive woman. Also on board to stir things up is a monkey.

"Rocketman" has some parts that are hilarious and will keep you laughing for awhile. Some of the funniest parts are when the monkey steals Fred's (Harland Williams) contraption in which he's supposed to sleep for months in and when Fred and Captain Overbeck (William Sadler) go for a walk on mars and Fred finds out that he's got just a little bit of gas overload.

"Rocketman" is hilarious and if you like comedy movies, I recommend getting it. It's a comedy movie that you can watch with the whole family and never get tired of it.

One of the Funniest Movies I've Ever Seen
Strange as it may seem, this really IS one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Unexpected twists. Bizzare stange things that make no sense. And weird goofy euphemisms. That's what makes me laugh. As another reviewer said, the fist time you see the "anti-theft device" you can't help but laugh. And I really get a kick out of the things Fred says instead of curse words "Sweet swirling onion rings!". And the way he keeps launching into old classic songs (the one from the wizard of OZ was pretty great), it's just not the kind of humor you see in movies very often. But I think this movie's funniest moments come from the over-the-top crazy things that keep happening (the monkey biting his hand and him flailing across the room while other people talk in the next room over oblivous to what's happening, and the testing he goes through in the isolation chamber and the G-Force Tunnel).

This movie is good, clean fun and truly appropriate for all ages. If you like any of the movies I mentioned at the outset, or are just looking for something to show the kids, give this one a try.

AWESOME!!
About 6 years ago I had an incident in school which left me bedridden for a few weeks. A couple boys decided they wanted to fight and I happened to be in their way. Anyways, my Dad was constantly renting me movies since I had nothing else better to do. He rented this movie and I absolutely fell in love with it. I had him rent it 6 more times because I loved it so much! It just brightened my day with laughter. Recently I rented it again and had my sister and brother-in-law watch it and they felt the same way. Their favorite part was the gas on Mars. Such comment as "It wasn't me... It was the hairy one!" My brother-in-law just laughed so hard he almost cried. Needless to say this is my all time favortie movie!!

Tim Man
Origninally I rented this movie for my kids but I think I may have laughed harder than they did, then again maybe not.... Favorite part in the movie was of course the gas on Mars scene, "that had to be Julie"..and, "its in my mouth!!"........such classic moments, my kids and I will remember that movie forever......now if we could only get it on DVD......Spectacular fun for the whole gang...Perfect dinner and a movie night movie, just don't drink and watch at the same time.

bring it to DVD!!!!
Rocketman has got to be hands down the funniest movie my family has ever watched. We laughed till we cried and I had to watch it a second time to see it all because my eyes were shut laughing so hard during a few scenes. It is a great family movie for any age. My only wish is that Disney would bring it out on DVD. Come on Disney!! We've been waiting years!! ... Read more

Reviews (119)

It doesn't get any better than this!
How can you top something like this? This movie musical is as close to perfection as it gets. Perfectly cast, marvellously directed and filmed, beautiful music magnificiently arranged, The Music Man sets the standard for all movie musicals, even though it was the last big musical filmed in that era. Meredith Willson's brilliant musical wit and talent reached their pinnacle in this musical. Considered by many to be the best musical ever written, this filmed version is worthy of the musical itself and leaves nothing to be desired.

This DVD release is equally marvellous. A fitting tribute to one of Hollywood's finest efforts of all times. The Music Man is one of the movie industry's brightest stars, and this DVD edition will be a prized possession in any movie collection. Even if you "don't know one note from another," you'll love this spirited romp through 1912 small-town Iowa, and through some of the best music ever written for the stage or screen. The transfer to DVD is excellent. Vivid colors, sharp images, beautifully remastered soundtrack, the whole package is excellent.

The extras on the disc are also great, including a 30-minute special on the making of the musical and the movie, narrated by Shirley Jones and with comments by Buddy Hackett, Onna White (the choreographer), and Susan Luckey (Zaneeta Shinn).

This DVD is one of my most prized possessions. My only complaint is I wish Warner Brothers would package it in a better-grade all-plastic case rather than the cardboard snap case. It won't hold up over time as well, and this baby will be in my collection for a very long time!

Libertine Men and Scarlet Women
Before watching "The Music Man" on DVD I knew next to nothing about the show's writer/director Meredith Willson. Thanks to the Shirley Jones-hosted documentary included on disc, I now know he hailed from small-town Iowa. I appreciate all the more those exquisite little details in the film that turn River City from stock caricature set into living, breathing character.

Any movie musical is bound to split into two separate films: the exquisite musical numbers, with their witty rhymes, elaborately choreographed dance sequences, and impact on the plot; and then the perfunctory, stilted dialogue bits that bridge those numbers (if you want to see this theory in action, rent "West Side Story").

Thanks to Willson, "The Music Man", however, is perfect in that its linking "book" portions are just as successful as the musical numbers. And we're talking some pretty heavy musical numbers too. Nearly every song in the film is worth memorizing -- if you can manage to catch all the words! I thought I had them commited to memory years ago, but then I watched the DVD release with the English subtitles on, and realized I'd been missing entire lines -- good lines, too.

The DVD presentation is sound. The audio quality suffers, most notably during the dialogue-only portions. As I said, the presenttion is "sound". The extras are minimal, as to be expected from the perfunctory Warner Brothers back catalogue, but the 30-minute documentary bears viewing and sheds new light on the film. I'm not sure that a separate commentary track would work here, but I don't have to worry because, as usual, WB doesn't provide one.

It can be viewed all at once, or you can skip straight to select chapters and watch the film as a series of music videos, as I did on the first night. But whatever you do -- don't damage the flimsy cardboard packaging! :)

Among top musicals of all times
I don't remember how many times I have watched this movie, including the remake with Matthew Broderick. Robert Preston is the one and only Music Man, hands down. No one will remember any other movies he did, except may be for Victor Victoria, for which he actually won an Oscar. Joyous music, and wonderfully innocent story. Enough said.

A Standout but definately not a "masterpiece"
Before I complain I liked the Music Man. It is one of the most light hearted and charming movies I have ever seen and it does have good music. In the days of West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music, somewhere in their is The Music Man. It failed to be better than all the films I have mentioned above. It was more slapstick and mediocre, and somewhat reminded me of some of the musicals MGM did in the 30s and 40s. All the performances were average but not something to hand out an Oscar for. Robert Preston, Ronnie Howard, and Shirley Jones did well. All in all it is enjoyable and very likeable, but it just did live up to the other film musicals of the 1960s. I do reccomend this film.

Renee from Florida
The Music Man was not at all what I expected. I bought it for a family movie night, we love musicals usually. This was so boring you could barely make it through it. Actually, I made myself finish it because i spent money on it. I will be tossing it or passing it on. If anyone's interested, it's going cheap! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The definitive screen adaptation of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, the 1961 production of The Innocents remains one of the most effective ghost stories ever filmed. Originally promoted as the first truly "adult" chiller of the big screen (a marginally valid claim considering the release of Psycho a year earlier), the film arrived at a time when the thematic depth of James's story could finally be addressed without the compromise of reductive discretion. And while the Freudian anxiety that fuels the story may seem tame by today's standards, the psychological horrors that comprise the story's "dark secret" are given full expression in a film that brilliantly clouds the boundary between tragic reality and frightful imagination.

In one of her finest performances, Deborah Kerr stars as Miss Giddons, a devout and somewhat repressed spinster who happily accepts the position of governess for two orphaned children whose uncle (Michael Redgrave) readily admits to having no interest in being tied down by two "brats." So Miss Giddons is dispatched to Bly House, the lavish, shadowy estate where young Flora (Pamela Franklin) and her brother Miles (Martin Stephens, so memorable in 1960's Village of the Damned) live with a good-natured housekeeper (Megs Jenkins). At first, life at Bly House seems splendidly idyllic, but as Miss Giddons learns the horrible truth about the estate's now-deceased groundskeeper and previous governess, she begins to suspect that her young charges are ensnared in a devious plot from beyond the grave.

Ghostly images are revealed in only the most fleeting glimpses, and the outstanding Cinemascope photography by Freddie Francis (who used special filters to subtly darken the edges of the screen) turns Bly House into a welcoming mansion by day, a maze of mystery and terror by night. Sound effects and music are used to bone-chilling effect, and director Jack Clayton, blessed with a script by William Archibald and Truman Capote, maintains a deliberate pace to emphasize the ambiguity of James's timeless novella. The result is a masterful film--comparable to the 1963 classic The Haunting--that uses subtlety and suggestion to reach the pinnacle of fear. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (66)

The greatest ghost story ever filmed
Jack Clayton's superb film version of Henry James's novella THE TURN OF THE SCREW is unquestionably the most faithful rendition of James ever brought to the screen: the film retains not only all the famous ambiguity of the novella but also all the beauty as well as all the suspense and horror. Deborah Kerr gives the performance of her life (with the exception only, perhaps, of Sister Clodagh in BLACK NARCISSUS) as the beautiful and hysterical governess brought to a gigantic mansion to care for two odd children, who may or may not be communing with the ghosts of Kerr's predecessor and the manor's manservant. The uncertainty as to whether the ghosts are real--or products of the governess's repressed fears and insecurities--is the famous crux of the James novella, and beautifully translated into the film. There are teasing moments of narrative uncertainty, such as the classic sequence in the schoolroom, that capture all the mystery of the original source, and the great sequence with Kerr trying to restrain a hysterical Flora from joining what looks to be the ghost of Miss Jessel out by the manor's lake in the pouring rain is authentically creepy.

Another classic chiller
This black & white movie starring Deborah Kerr is truly chilling. Without the use of blood, guts or special effects the film has a creepy quality that makes you watch every dark corner for an unexpected scare. Shadows and haunts weave in & out of the lives of two children (brother & sister) left to the care of hired help. When Miss Giddens (Kerr) comes as governess to care for the children she soon discovers she has competition for the attention and affection of the two youngsters. As she confronts dark force