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This simply irresistible first feature from the Muppets has Kermit thefrog going from the swamps to Hollywood to be a star. As he travels and picks up his usual friends (Miss Piggy, Fozzie the Bear), Doc Hopper (Charles Durning) is in pursuit, looking for Kermit to be the spokesman for his frog-leg cuisine. A loose rendition of The Wizard of Oz, the film incorporates the same cagey humor as their breakout syndicated TV series The Muppet Show. This is one of the few times that a human cast (notably Steve Martin, Orson Welles, and Carol Kane) are integrated seamlessly with nonhumans. Worth noting is Paul Williams's score, which includes the Oscar-nominated "The Rainbow Connection." Williams's music, much like Howard Ashman's work on The Little Mermaid and other Disney films, provides more than atmosphere; there's a degree of magic here. Williams did not work on the future Muppet films until A Muppet Christmas Carol. His contributions made these films the best of the Muppet series. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (92)

"A bear in his natural habitat....a Studebaker!"
This is one of the first films that I ever remember seeing, and it is still one of my favorites today. This story about the Muppets' cross-country excursion to Hollywood is beautifully told through the wonderful vision of Jim Henson. It answers the question about how the Muppets first came together, and offers the audience a glimpse into the lives of the various eccentrics that made up 'The Muppet Show' before they became famous. My favorite is, of course, The Great Gonzo, the "prince of plungers." His out-of-this-world weirdness always adds more fun to the chaos of the situation, as Kermit and Co. try to outrun the evil Doc Hopper and make it to Hollywood on time to audition. I also love the big Studebaker that Kermit and Fozzie drive around in as they sing "Moving Right Along." All of the songs are memorable, from "Rainbow Connection" to Gonzo's "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday." I have seen this movie a million times and I will watch it a million more. It's just one of those films that you can never get tired of viewing.

A classic for kids and adults
The Muppet Movie is a classic movie that shows how Jim Henson's Muppets made it big. The story begins with Kermit the Frog sitting on a log in a swamp when a Hollywood agent finds him and tells him to go to Hollywood for a casting call for frogs. Kermit hits the road and along the way picks up plenty of new friends while also running into some trouble. The evil Doc Hopper wants Kermit to be his spokesperson for his new frog legs restaurant, but Kermit refuses. Along the way to Hollywood, Kermit meets Fozzie the Bear, Miss Piggie, Gonzo the Great and many others. This is a great movie that has humor for both kids and adults. There are very funny parts that intermingle the talents of many real movie stars in small cameos.

All the Muppets are here from Kermit to Miss Piggie, Fozzie, Gonzo, Rolf the dog, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, Dr. Munson Honeydew and Beaker, and many others. There are plenty of cameos including Edgar Bergen, Milton Berle, Mel Brooks, James Coburn, Dom Deluise, Elliot Gould, Bob Hope, Madeline Kahn, Carol Kane, Cloris Leachman, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Telly Savalas, Orson Welles, and Paul Williams. Steve Martin and Mel Brooks are the funniest as a sarcastic waiter and a mad scientist. Charles Durning is also very good as Doc Hopper with his bumbling assistant, Max played by Austin Pendleton. Fans of the Muppets of all ages with love this classic about how the Muppets came to be!

Never give up your dreams.
A simple story with simple themes: Don't give up on your dreams; sharing your dreams brings you more friends to help you find your dreams. As early as 5th grade I would rewatch this movie, and each time reminds me to keep going an not give up. Yes, its got great songs, great lines, great cameos; but to me its message to not give up is what makes it such a great movie.

Creme de la Kermie.
Mini review of one of my alltime 10 favorite films.

Many people question why this is on my top 10. I think the question is why is it not on theirs? This is pure entertainment for the whole family. It is a movie that works on all levels. The story is enchanting. The music is charming and whimsical. The muppetry is fantastic. It is hard to imagine a better opening to a movie than the rainbow connection sequence.

The movie is a cornucopia of awesome quotes. I think my favorite still remains: If frog's couldn't hop, I'd be gone with the Schwinn.

The cameo roles are excellent as well. Steve Martin excels as a put upon waiter. Dom Delouise is impressive as a hollywood agent adrift in a swamp and Mel Brooks steals the show as a german mad scientist.

Better than a Bucket of Doc Hooper Frog Legs!
I had the pleasure of introducing my two and half year old son to the magic of the muppets through DVDs of the original "The Muppet Show", the syndicated TV program, that I had watched and enjoyed, while growing up in the 1970s. He loved Kermit & company's surealistic, yet hilarious comedy and music, so the next logical step was to move on to the Muppet's various adventures on film. Luckily, the first DVD I bought was the original 1979 film, "The Muppet Movie". The plot is quite simple.In his hometown swamp, Kermit meets up with a lost and nervous agent (played by the ever hammy, Dom DeLuise) who informs him that a major Hollywood studio is looking for frogs with talent.Armed with a dream of making people happy through his dancing and singing, Kermit goes on a road trip to the West Coast to break into the movie biz. Along the way he picks up new found friends Fozzie Bear, Gonzo the Great, Miss Piggy (starting their long running, tumultuous romance), and the rock group, Dr.Teeth & the Electric Mayhem, who all share in dreams of Hollywood fame .Unfortunately, Kermit also gets the attention and ire of Doc Hopper (Charles Durning), a Col. Sanders knock-off, who wants to force our hero to be the spokesfrog for his fast food, frog legs chain, "alive or stuffed". What an adventure! This is a wonderfully entertaining film, which will appeal to both kids and adults alike. Its obvious, that Muppet creator, Jim Henson and his fellow performer, Frank Oz were at their creative peaks.The writing is sharp and never 'dumbed down' ("I think I've lost my way"..."Have you ever tried Hare Krishna?") and the musical numbers are well staged (including Kermit's now classic, "Rainbow Connection"). What's more the film is filled with entertaining cameos from 1970's Hollywood including Madeline Kahn, Richard Pryor, James Coburn, Mel Brooks, Elliot Gould, Steve Matin ETC. My son and I have now collected all the DVDs in the Muppet's cannon of films and we pretty much agree, that this movie is by far, the best of the lot! For great family entertainment get "The Muppet Movie"! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The first three Wallace & Gromit shorts are grouped together in a single volume.

A Grand Day Out
Nominated for an Academy Award in 1990, this was the first short-film adventure starring Wallace & Gromit. This 24-minute comedy was created by clay animator Nick Park over a six-year period at the National Film and Television School in London and at the Aardman Animation studios, which Park boosted to international acclaim. In their debut adventure, Wallace and his furry pal Gromit find themselves desperate for "a nice bit of Gorgonzola," but their refrigerator's empty and the local cheese shop is closed for a holiday! Undeterred, Wallace comes up with an extreme solution to the cheese shortage: since the moon is made of cheese (we all know that's true, right?), he decides to build a rocket and blast off for a cheesy lunar picnic! Gromit's only too happy to help, and before long the inventive duo is on the moon, where they encounter a clever appliance that's part oven, part robot, part lunar skiing enthusiast... Well, you just have to see the movie to understand how any of this whimsical lunar-cy can make any sense! It's a grand tale of wonderful discoveries, fantastic inventions--and really great cheese!

The Wrong Trousers
Clay-animation master Nick Park deservedly won the 1993 Academy Award for Best Animated Short for this 30-minute masterpiece, in which the good-natured inventor Wallace and his trusty dog, Gromit, return for another grand adventure. It all begins on the morning of Gromit's birthday, when Wallace gives his beloved pooch the gift of his latest invention--a pair of mechanical "techno-trousers" that can be programmed to take Gromit out for "walkies" while Wallace sits comfortably at home. Gromit's not exactly thrilled with the new gadget, and things go from bad to worse when Wallace rents a room to a new boarder--a rather suspicious-looking penguin--to offset his rising expenses. As it turns out, the penguin's a notorious thief, and the amazing techno-trousers provide a foolproof method of pulling off a diamond heist! It's Gromit's big opportunity for canine heroics, and The Wrong Trousers turns into one of the funniest, most inventive caper-comedies ever made, with an action-packed climax on a speeding miniature train. Will the notorious "Feathers" wind up in jail, where he belongs? Will Gromit finally get his due recognition? Watch this amazing marvel of clay animation to see why Wallace & Gromit have become global celebrities--this is comedic ingenuity at its finest.

A Close Shave
Hot from the international triumph of The Wrong Trousers, clay animator Nick Park knew that his third Wallace & Gromit film was going to have to be the biggest and best adventure yet for the mild-mannered inventor Wallace and his perceptive pooch, Gromit. With the ambitiously zany plot of A Close Shave, Park and his fellow animators rose to the occasion, and their film won the 1995 Academy Award (Park's second Oscar) for Best Animated Short. This time out, Wallace & Gromit have teamed up to provide a window-washing service, and that's how Wallace meets the lovely Wendolene Ramsbottom, awool-shop owner whose malevolent dog, Preston, turns out to be the mastermind of a sheep-napping scheme! Of course, no Wallace & Gromit adventure can be without a grandiose gadget, so Wallace's latest invention is the Knit-O-Matic, a yarn-making machine capable of shearing a whole flock of sheep just a bit too efficiently! When the villainous Preston gains control of the mechanical knitting marvel, Gromit must race to the rescue, and A Close Shave reaches new heights of clay-animation mastery. Every shot is a testament to Nick Park's patience, his clever ingenuity, and his filmmaking flair. The movie's so technically impressive, in fact, that the whole world wondered where Park could go next. It was clear that Wallace & Gromit would eventually star in an animated feature-length movie, since this marvelous 30-minute film represents its own kind of short-form perfection. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (159)

Simply Grand!
You have all 3 Wallace and Gromit cartoons in one package with this! Anybody interested in animation should see this. Nick Park (also known for Chicken Run and Creature Comforts) uses the Claymation technique (simmilar to The Nightmare Before Christmas) and I was reading 1 review which said his 1st movie, A Grand Day Out took 6 years to perfect. That explains why he has only made 3 films at this writing.

The 1st movie, A Grand Day Out, introduces Wallace, clever crackpot inventor in England who loves cheese, and his dog Gromit, the brains behind the two. Wallace invents a rocketship to take himself and Gromit to the moon (after all, the moon IS made out of cheese, isn't it?). They find out quickly that the "oven" they've been using to heat Wallace's moon-cheese is really a crater-skiing robot who doesn't take too kindly to their visit!

In the 1993 Academy Award winning The Wrong Trousers, Wallace gives Gromit a pair of walking trousers (designed to walk Gromit when Wallace has better inventions to think up!). Gromit feels ignored, especially after Wallace takes in a boarder, a mysterious penguin. Later, Gromit discovers the penguin is a notorious thief and makes plans to save himself and Wallace!

In the 1995 Academy Award winning A Close Shave, Wallace and Gromit go into the window washing business. When Wallace meets the sweet Wendoline (who owns a knitting business) and her evil dog Preston, Wallace invents the Knit-O-Matic, a yarn making machine which strips the wool of a whole flock of sheep as fast as you can say "Confound it, Gromit!". Then when Preston starts playing with the machine, trouble begins (and it's up to Gromit to save the day)!

Each one of these adventures is worth more than 1 view and I look forward to more Wallace and Gromit adventures (and other Nick Park produced efforts) in the future.

No Cheese, Gromit.
The WALLACE & GROMIT shorts have accomplished something very few other franchises can claim. They are as popular with cult-clasping-college students as they are with kindergarten children. For the First episode creator Nick Park needed an excuse to get a man and his dog to the moon... A GRAND DAY OUT was the result. The episode is quaint and filled with great character and humor. The second, and greatest to date, THE WRONG TROUSERS introduces an evil penguin to the mix. Thats right, an evil penguin. The last episode, A CLOSE SHAVE, is an awesome sequel but suffers from the same thing that haunts many live action sequels. It is given a bigger budget and more time is spent on the mechanics of the story than the human side. All three are laugh-out-loud. And coming in short of 30 minutes, they can easily be taken in in one sitting and you won't feel guilty for not getting your bank book balanced. This is the most recent DVD release and includes interesting making of material, commentary by creator Nick Park, and even 4 early animations. Great for the entire family...

The worst animation on Earth
If you can stomach "Wallace and Gromit",I admire you.This is the absolute WORST animation on Earth!I felt like I was punishing myself by watching this horrible DVD.The stories had no plots-they were just a bunch of adlibbed scenes slapped together in hopes of making a plot.The animation itself is sloppy,choppy and cheapThis is NOT worth your time-if you want a good cartoon-get "Tom & Jerry" or "Popeye" instead.

ARE THERE MORE WALLACE & GROMIT OUT THERE ?
We have purchased all the Nick Park/Aardman/Wallace & Gromit DVDs we can find on Amazon. Are there more out there? It seems to me from watching PBS, etc. that there might be. It may take a certain mindset to really appreciate this animation, but we'll take all we can get!

WALLACE AND GROMIT SUCK!
THESE SHORTS ARE NOT WORTHY OF THE ONE STAR WE WERE FORCED TO GIVE THEM. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU PEOPLE???? WALLACE AND GROMIT ARE THE CREEPIEST THINGS ON TV AND SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO BE VIEWED BY CHILDREN (MUCH LESS ADULTS!) WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NIGHTMARES FROM BEING FORCED WHILE BABYSITTING TO WATCH "THE WRONG TROUSERS" WITH A 2 YEAR OLD. WHAT ARE WE MISSING? WHAT IS SO EXCITING ABOUT THESE VIDEOS?? NOTHING!!!! THEY ARE SCARY SCARY SCARY!!! AVOID THESE FILMS AT ALL COSTS. EVERY REVIEW ON THIS SITE PRAISES THESE MOVIES LIKE THEY ARE THE GREATEST THINGS ON EARTH. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THESE MOVIES- SAVE YOURSELVES NOW!! WE ARE REACHING OUT TO YOU!! P.S. We love you but yea craig ... Read more

Description

From one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema comes the most acclaimed film of 2002. Hayao Miyazaki's latest triumph, filled with astonishing animation and epic adventure, is a dazzling masterpiece for the ages. It's a "wonderfully welcoming work of art that's as funny and entertaining as it is brilliant, beautiful, and deep" (Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal). SPIRITED AWAY is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl, Chihiro, trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world. An unforgettable story brimming with creativity, SPIRITED AWAY will take you on a journey beyond your imagination. "To enter the world of Hayao Miyazaki is to experience a kind of lighthearted enchantment that is unique to the world of animation" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times). It's a fantastic tale the whole family will want to experience over and over again. ... Read more

Reviews (598)

An incredible animated movie
"Spirited Away" won the Oscar for 2002's Best Animated Film. It richly deserved this award, for it is by far the best movie of its type in years. It may not be funny like 'Monsters Inc." or entertaining like "Shrek", but for sheer beauty and artistic integrity, it's almost impossible to top. Since words, like any other medium, have built-in limits, you will have to experience it for yourself to see what I am saying.

Imagine this: A little girl is riding in a car with her parents. They are headed to their new house. Dad makes a wrong turn, and they wind up traveling along a dirt road which ends at what appears to be a deserted train station. Dad decides that it's really the entrance to a failed amusement park. He and Mom decide to go exploring, and the little girl, filled with trepidation, has no choice but to go along. After awhile, the little family discovers a restaurant that is still operating. The parents gorge themselves until they are turned into pigs. Suddenly alone, the child finds herself in a place full of witches, ghosts, goblins and other assorted spirits. Aided only by an unearthly boy, she must now save her parents and find her way out of this surreal place.

The movie was made in Japan by animation master Hayao Miyazaki and his crew. It became the highest grossing movie of all time in that country. The people at Disney bought the American rights and lovingly added an excellent English soundtrack. The company's marketing department apparently was at a loss as to how to sell such an unusual animated movie. It was seen by relatively few Americans in theaters. I suspect that this masterpiece will find its audience here via video and DVD.

Hayao Miyazaki's Latest Masterpiece
From the legendary Studio Ghibli and anime director Hayao Miyazaki (of "Princess Mononoke," "Castle in the Sky," and "Kiki's Delivery Service," among others) comes a new favorite among otaku (anime fans) world-wide. "Spirited Away" is the story of a young Japanese girl named Chihiro (literally, "heroine") who is, as the title implies, taken from her normal life and deposited reluctantly in a small town built around a bathhouse for spirits. Chihiro overcomes fear and other obstacles, including a large, faceless monster and a black-hearted witch named Yubaba (literally, "old hag") to save her parents from a rather unpleasant fate. The story is exciting, well-paced, and thoughtful, with a good mix of humor, symbolism, emotion, traditional Japanese legend, and moral.

From an animation standpoint, "Spirited Away" is astounding. The sheer amount of movement and energy in Hayao Miyazaki's most recent work is quite impressive. Combined with the beautiful scenery (including several awe-inspiring and detailed shots of the bathhouse that can by themselves be regarded as masterpieces), and the realistic textures of the grass blowing in the wind, the flower gardens around the bathhouse, and the interior of the bathhouse, "Spirited Away" is truly a work of art.

The only flaw in the otherwise near-perfect film is the dialogue. A few lines sound a little forced, and some intended to be funny simply aren't. Fortunately, these slip-ups are few and far between.

Already, "Spirited Away" has earned several prestigous distinctions, including the 2003 Oscar award for Best Animated Feature. Also, "Spirited Away" was anime released in movie theaters, which is rare in the United States. Ever rarer, it became the top-grossing film in America for several weekends in a row. Not surprisingly, it was also popular in Japan, where it became the top-grossing film in that nation's history.

Most people I have talked to have been very impressed with the quality of "Spirited Away." Many of these have been adults, mislead by the films "Disney" tag. When they sat down to watch it with their kids, they simply expected another children's movie, but instead found a film they could enjoy and appreciate as well. On the face, the plot is simple enough for younger kids to understand, but the symbolism and artwork is so complicated and intricate that it can be enjoyed by adults and older kids as well. In other words, however cliché those words may be, this film really does have something for everyone, and is well worth your time and your twenty-five dollars.

A work of art!
First of all,don't listen to people who give this masterpiece bad reviews... they probably think disney movies are the only animations worth watching!
This anime is fantastic... Miyazaki is truly a genius. Everything about it blew me away, from the animation and characters to its storyline! The characters have depth, and they show real emotion, and unlike disney movies, there are no annoying sidekicks or crappy songs... in fact, the music is very beautiful and heightens the feel of the movie.Even the dub is pretty good(at least in my opinion), but of course the original japanese with subtitles is best(as always)!
I HIGHLY recommend this one to everyone, anime fan or not!This is definitely worth your money! Don't hesitate!

Simply Amazing
I must admit that if it weren't for my friends, I probably would have never even given this title a second look, but after I watched it, I was amazed. Miyazaki has managed to create one of the most beautiful, not to mention entertaining, movies I have ever seen. The characters (especially Chihiro) are very true to life. I highly recommend "Spirited Away" even if you aren't an anime fan or, like me, are an otaku (you know who you are). I also encourage you to check out Miyazaki's other works, two of my favorites being "Princess Mononoke" and "The Castle of Cagliostro."

6 stars
This movie feels like a dream. There are not many works of art that can do this, but with this one I distinctively got the feeling that watching this film was the same as a really sweet dream. I love it. ... Read more

Description

Starring Reese Witherspoon (LEGALLY BLONDE), Colin Firth (BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY), and Rupert Everett (MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING), here is the hilarious adventure of two dashing young bachelors and the outrageous deceptions they find themselves in over love! Whenever Worthing (Firth) wants to leave his dull country life behind, he makes visits to the city posing as his fictitious "brother" Ernest. There, he becomes smitten with the ravishing Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor, A.I.). But when Worthing is in town, his playboy pal Algy (Everett) is in the country and falling for Worthing's young and beautiful ward, Cecily (Witherspoon) -- while also impersonating Ernest! Pandemonium ensues when these two would-be Ernests find themselves face-to-face and in the predicament of explaining who they really are! ... Read more

Reviews (102)

The Importance of "Seeing" Earnest
Since I have not read the play by Oscar Wilde nor seen any previous performances of this work, I came into this movie completely unprejudiced, and left utterly delighted. I thought the film was hilarious; in particular the interplay between the two male leads, Colin Firth (Jack)and Rupert Everett (Algy). Judi Dench, as the austure Lady Bracknell, is of course perfection, and although less impressive, yet still quite good, are the two romantic interests of the gentlemen: Francis O'Connor (Gwendolyn) and Reese Witherspoon (Cecily). The tangled webs woven by our two heroes lead to some wonderful moments for Firth and Everett, especially when Algy shows up at Jack's manor to woo the fair Cecily. The scenes where Jack takes matters into his own hands had the audience roaring, and it was a treat to see Mr. Firth in a more playful role then is his usual.
There is also a sort of side plot involving the vicar (Tom Wilkinson)and Cecily's tutor (Anna Massey) which is also quite entertaining, and both actors display their humourous sides most credibly. All in all, a wonderful movie. I thought it was a shame, however, that the studio saw fit to release it only as a limited engagement. I, myself, had to drive nearly 200 miles to view this gem(well worth the trip, I might add), yet the lack of accessability disturbed me as it seemed to assume that only those in "larger metropolitan areas" would make the effort. Well, not only did I make the effort, I fully intend to purchase the DVD when it is released, and am looking forward to that date with relish, so that I may watch Firth and Everett over and over and over....

Run! (don't walk!) to see "The Importance of Being Earnest"!
This movie is a must-see and the epitome of a playful, feel-good comedy. Having never seen nor read the original play by Oscar Wilde I went to the theater with the expectation of merely staring at Colin Firth (whom i LOVED in P&P2!!) & Rupert Everett for an hour or so. I was pleasantly surprised and elated to discover that the movie was comedic, witty and filled with a cast of actors who played off each other wonderfully.

The movie is hysterical-i laughed throughout the entire thing-and it was not merely the verbal wit, but the physical comedy and dare I say again the chemistry of the actors that made the movie a true delight. Colin Firth and Rupert Everett are absolutely perfectly fitted to their roles, and "the muffin scene" (which those who have seen it must remember!) had me laughing so incredibly hard! Reese Witherspoon is grand, as is Frances O'Connor. Judi Dench's role was perfectly suited to her, and the twists of the story put the characters in such hilarious situtations. I must say, my only regrets after viewing this movie are:
1. It was only opened in limited release
and
2. I did not go and see it sooner.

I cannot wait for the DVD ~ the extra features *sigh* ~
...i can only imagine...

a treat
I haven't seen the 1952 version of Earnest, but I must say that I love this one. I laughed the whole way through. Purists might say that the dialogue goes too slowly, that the acting was underdone, or that Reese Witherspoon was miscast. My opinion: the dialogue is, of course, brilliant. It's Oscar Wilde. It is also delivered wonderfully, with perfect expressions that make the witty lines even more funny. Attention is, at times, required to catch these little expressions, but they are what help make the film so great. Also: I loved the casting. I loved it the first time I saw the film. I appreciate the casting even more now that I've read the actual play--the actors portray the characters exceptionally well, with all the quirks and nuances that I gleaned from the book. The add-ins (like the knight in Cecily's daydreams) make the movie, in my opinion, even more delightful. It should be quirky, and, thank goodness, it is. I highly recommend this film--it is a very well-done, lighthearted story full of wit. I definitely enjoyed it.

GOOD except some...
Brilliant, lovely, impeccable casting by the entire Oliver Parker's production team. Almost perfect performances by GORGEOUS actors and actresses upon beautiful costumes design, greenest of the countryside, and exquisite interior decorations. This Oscar Wilde adaption will no doubt remain timeless for the next three decades at least before another remake emerges in Hollywood.

Everything's so agreeable except Reese Witherspoon's cast here... Parker must have been mistaken for Christ sake! Witherspoon is so NOT right for the choice. Her indifferent beauty and bubbly profile are totally incompatible with the rest of the casts - who has got the lordly Englishness. She plays the "ward" of Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) who's kept and schooled in his country house, no wonder.

Superb
I must admit that I decided to watch this movie for just one reason. Colin Firth. And needless to say, I was not disappointed. The movie itself was very funny, not the slapstick stuff that has invaded the cinema screens in the recent past but hilarious dialogues and characters that are so rich in their stupidity that you can't help but laugh away. The concept of the play itself is lovely, the fact that so much importance is given to being christened with an appropriate name. However, I was quite upset with Witherspoon being cast as Cecily, there are a million wonderful British actresses for God's sake, why her ? I have this image of her in Legally Blonde, and then you see her faking this Brit accent and its sad, to say the least. Evert, Firth and Dench are superb in their roles, a must must watch movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Gérard Depardieu plays a court composer at Versailles whose sense of artistic emptiness causes him to reflect upon his old music teacher (Jean-Pierre Marielle), a man who taught him more than music but whom he ultimately betrayed. (The younger version of Depardieu's character is portrayed by the actor's son, Guillaume.) Alain Corneau's gorgeous 1991 film has a slow, deliberative air about it, with little dialogue and a painterly look (shot by cinematographer-director Yves Angelo, maker of Colonel Chabert) that paradoxically inspires both excitement and meditation. A period costume piece that chooses to understate pageantry for ideas and emotions, this film is quite special. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (19)

A deep, poetic and philosophic masterpiece
A must own masterpiece for every art lover.

It seems like that Pasqal Quignard, the writer, have been involved in Eastern Philosophy very deeply. If not, then once upon a time the Western music had been a meditative tool to escalate human soul, similar to Eastern music which is still so.

The similar guru-disciple dialogs and relationship as it is still in Eastern art.

The same search for the truth, as it is in Zen in Japan, Sufism in Middle East,.... You always search the truth, but never discover "what it is", you only discover "what it is not" just like a sculpture who cuts the stone.

I am not sure whether the existence of the French Film Industry is a benefit to humankind or not : They have created a masterpiece but they dont bother providing English subtitles in the DVD :
http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004VYCO
(seems to be "Out of stock" as of the date of this review)

Some reviewers have compared this movie to Amedeus. Amadeus is a masterpiece itself, but its main concept is not music, it focuses on tragedy of human beings. ( "Eternal Love" and "Farinelli" are not in this leage, so comparison is irrevelant ) However this movie questions the art itself.

French counterpart to a 1670s Zen meditation on sound
After seeing ALL THE MORNINGS OF THE WORLD / EACH DAY DAWNS BUT ONCE a number of times, I discovered its unexpected message: "Listen!" Freed by repetition from concern with a complex plot, I was able to witness key scenes I'd hardly noticed before and to find they carry central meaning for this subtly powerful art work. I had noticed the first time I saw TOUS LE MATINS DU MOND that for the master musician his music was a rigorously pursued meditative practice...ruthless to the exclusion of all else. But it's all there, spelled out as methodically as a "Shin-mondo": a zen teaching story. As in the scene where the master takes his pupil to the studio-home of his [only?] friend, the painter. They sit, silent except for the touch of wine to cup, as across the spacious room the painter paints. The master gropes for words to convey his wordless knowing. He says, "Listen to the sound of the brush." 'Painter stops and [irritably]: "What are you mumbling about?" Master: "I was telling him that your brush is to you as my bow is to me." Painter: "WORDS! Only words!" It's in scene after scene [they take several walks where the student is probed to listen to sounds...wind, night, ...to hear the sound itself.] And this life of searching and communion is juxtaposed--as it would have been in Japan of the same period-- against the opulent distractions of an imperial court. Sound...sumptuous or subtle...permeates all levels of this masterpiece, and is wonderfully augmented by Vermeer-like cinematography. This is one to own.

A Very Pretty Picture
All the Mornings of the World, I really didn't get what the title had to do with the movie, but the movie itself is really beautiful.
This is the story of the 17th century composer St. Columbe, who was a master of the viola de gamba (or what I would identify as the viola di gamba), ancient cousin of the cello. Very little is known of the real St. Columbe, so the movie takes poetic license with the man, based on his music.
Ste Columbe is an interesting study. He is presented as no-frills type of guy. This plays in stark contrast to the gaudiness of the Courtiers who visit him, and want him to come to play for the King. Ste. Coloumbe cannot be persuaded to come to court, earthly riches, fame and fortune mean nothing to him. He is a man who suffered a great tradgedy with the death of his wife, who was in addition to his music,his greatest passion. Without her, he is half a man. Nothing illustrates this better than his relationship with his unfortunate daughters, who suffer this half life with this thoroughly uninvolved father.
Because St. Columbe is miserable & disappointed in love, his daughters live like nuns, without any of the fun.
Entering this happy scene is the eager young student, played with a total lack of conviction by the pretty but wooden Giulliame
Depardieu. Ste Columbe reluctantly takes on this student, but it's trouble from the get go, including an affair with the eldest daughter that results in her pregnancy. The young man is kicked out, but goes on to great fame & fortune by joining the musicians at the Royal Court, ultimatly becomming the head man.
Meanwhile, back at the Ste. Columbe residence, the eldest daughter loses the baby, and starts a descent into madness that begins with anorexia and ends with suicide. The younger. less sensitive daughter goes on to lead a normal life.
All the while, Ste Columbe indulges in his fantasies involving his dead wife, they meet very regularly. I have wondered why this woman doesn't take her husband to task for his rough treatment of their children, but she is always sweetness & light, nattering on about thier love life & his love for crushed peaches.
It might seem like I don't like this movie, au contraire! Its a joy to watch. It's a tragic but interesting story, very sad. The performances by all are excellent, with the exception of Depardieu the younger.
The filmmakers use of natural light, including candelight is stunning, and the locations have a great feel of authenticity. It might not be every ones cup of tea, but if you enjoy foregin films of this genre, it's definitley worth a watch.

A Masterpiece of French Filmmaking
Whenever I think of the highlight of French filmmaking, I think of this film. Absolutely gorgeous in every way: camerawork, art and design, audio and soundtrack, acting and direction and story - everything came together to create a truly beautiful piece of work. One of my all time favorites despite a more than occasionally hollow performance by the younger Depardieu who proves that talent isn't always genetically transfered from father to son. But despite the disappointment of Alain, the soundtrack and filmmaking are enough to make you forget any flaws. Find the best television you can - hook up the highest quality VHS player you have - and enjoy. Hopefully sometime in the near future we will see a Region DVD of this outstanding example of the French film cannon.

beautiful music, awful movie
The music is superb in this movie. I give you that. But the movie is simply downright awful. To me this movie is about a man who becomes obsessed with the viola da gamba to escape the pains caused by the death of his wife. His obsession not surprisingly drives hime to be utterly self-centered and bizarre. He is a monster who abuses and neglects his whole family to focus only on himself. He wasn't making music for us or for the world ... he was making music for himself but by luck his music making is also enjoyable to our ears. Otherwise most of us would recommend that he be locked up in an insane asylum.

If one were asked what makes a French film a stereotypical bad French film, one feature pops into my mind: pretentious philosophical babbling. And this film delivers a bucket full of it. Ugh.

Get the soundtrack. Forget about this movie. This is my honest opinion. ... Read more

Reviews (74)

Enjoyable and Interesting version
This is an enjoyable Godzilla movie and is the third in the series. Godzilla breaks free from the ice that trapped him in the previous movie, Godzilla Raids Again (aka Gigantis, The Fire Monster). Here Godzilla is the bad guy. I think you can probably guess the basic plot.

It gets silly at some points. Don't get caught up in production mistakes. Just enjoy the ride. Here electricity is supposed to harm (or at least slow down) Godzilla, but later in the series, Godzilla gains his strength from lightning. (The lightning comes up in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla - aka Godzilla vs. The Cosmic Monster.) Plus, electrical lines didn't affect him in the original movie either.

This film had the potential of getting into legal trouble. The basic idea for this movie originally came from Willis O'Brien. He had the idea of having King Kong fight a large Frankenstein. Unfortunately, he shared his idea with the wrong person who would later take the idea to Toho without O'Brien's knowledge. O'Brien learned about it just before he died.

I find the packaging for this DVD (and the VHS edition) interesting if you consider some stunts that Toho pulled when promoting this movie. Back in 1963, Toho used images of the 1933 Kong on the posters. The ape costume looks nothing like O'Brien's version of Kong. The packaging for this video edition uses images from other versions of the monsters too. Kong does not look that real. The version of Godzilla shown here (in the lower portion with the red background) looks like the version used from 1973-1975 (Japanese release dates) which included Megalon and the original Mechagodzilla movies. I can't place which movie the close-up is from.

Kingu Kongu Tai Gojira
"King Kong vs. Godzilla" is the 3rd installment of the Godzilla series, and the first Godzilla film to be shown in color. The film was produced 7 years after "Gojira No Gyakushu" and it is immediately clear that Toho has become rusty on how to make excellent Godzilla films. The elements of a classic such as compelling storyline, good kaiju opponent, and several moments of high drama are all present. The problem with this film is execution. The effects are subpar for the series, which really pulls the viewer out of the movie. Worse still the progression of the storyline seems choppy at best. This jarring progression of events in "King Kong vs. Godzilla" really irritates me, because the concept of an intelligent animal like King Kong squaring off against the brute force of Godzilla is very appealing. I suspect some of these problems are due to editing of this film for American audiences, so I may revise this movie review when I see the Japanese version. The US version is 7 minutes shorter than the Japanese version, and the American version has 10-15 minutes of scenes in English only. No doubt these scenes provided at least some of the continuity lacking from the US version Taken as it is, "King Kong vs. Godzilla" is a fair but uneven Godzilla film that leaves me wanting for more. (also, dubbing is good, even excellent, but the American professor is an absolute [X]!)

Not bad, but not good, but at least enjoyable
"King Kong vs. Godzilla" is the 3rd installment of the Godzilla series, and the first Godzilla film to be shown in color. The film was produced 7 years after "Gojira No Gyakushu" and it is immediately clear that Toho has become rusty on how to make excellent Godzilla films. The elements of a classic such as compelling storyline, good kaiju opponent, and several moments of high drama are all present. The problem with this film is execution. The effects are subpar for the series, which really pulls the viewer out of the movie. Worse still the progression of the storyline seems choppy at best. This jarring progression of events in "King Kong vs. Godzilla" really irritates me, because the concept of an intelligent animal like King Kong squaring off against the brute force of Godzilla is very appealing. I suspect some of these problems are due to editing of this film for American audiences, so I may revise this movie review when I see the Japanese version. The US version is 7 minutes shorter than the Japanese version, and the American version has 10-15 minutes of scenes in English only. No doubt these scenes provided at least some of the continuity lacking from the US version Taken as it is, "King Kong vs. Godzilla" is a fair but uneven Godzilla film that leaves me wanting for more.

Sounds entertaing but not
First off the rumor going around that Kong wins in the american version and godzilla wins at the japanese version is false.In the Japanese version both of them roar at the end thats the only difference.

First off this Godzilla was first color picture Godzilla star in.It wasn't a great flick but it wasn't to bad.Godzilla suit was alright not as good as some of the laters ones but it was alright.Kong LOL man he look so cheap i mean TOHO really miss him up bad.He look so goofy,face was stupid and acted dumb in my point of view.It seems Kong loves Electricity and gets stronger
if he gets struck by it what are the chances of that.

First the movies starts an island when an giant octopus attacks
the girl and boy in a house that was full of berry juice.Then
Kong comes out and defeats it.Meanwhile a pilot notice that godzilla is breaking out of an iceberg and was the news all across tokyo.The idea of the people is to let kong and godzilla
fight it out to simply destroy each other.

First off theres no chance in hell King King aka Donkey Kong
would beat godzilla.All godzilla have to do is use his fire breath and the monkey would got roasted but it seems the movie
did a cheap thing about that.But overall the monster fighting
was pretty good but the movie wasn't so be kinda disappointed
about the TITLE

"Ohhh, Godzilla is roasting King Kong"
I would be embrarass to admit how many times I've seen this flick
(and yes any film with "vs."in the title tells you it's bubblegum)
KK v.s Godzilla Cheap and laughable as it maybe was one of biggest
events of it's'63 release year second only to the Ali-Liston fight
Historics aside This film is exactly what it's suppose to be cheap
cheesey entertainment. Japan is in double crisis not only by Kongs
capture but by the reappearance of Godzilla. Both monsters pretty
much tear up most of the asian city before their final title fight
around the Mt. fuji area. Now for those of you just joining in
there is NO alternate fight version of this movie. King Kong wins
fair and square. I mean think about it, in the film that follows
"Godzilla vs.the Thing" when Godzilla reappears again from under
the beach area isn't he disorientated and kind of "punch drunk"
This was the 1st of the Godzilla films in color in a series that
is still going on as long and as the Bond series.

I gave this dvd version a bad rating not for picture quality but
for overall presentation. I mean if if's the 35th anniversary ed
at least add a trailer or the original poster art perhaps. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This third installment of Digimon finds the seven lost campers and their Digimon on an unfamiliar island. In "Ikkakumon's Harpoon Torpedo," Joe climbs Infinity Mountain to get a better look at the group's surroundings, and encounters flying black gears that turn normally friendly digital monsters into combative foes. Luckily, the group follows him, and Gomamon digivolves into Ikkakumon to save the day with his harpoon torpedo. In "Evil Shows His Face," the kids discover that they are "the digidestined": the ones chosen to preserve the existence of the digital world. An encounter with Devimon, the evil ruler of the underworld, and his subjugates Ogremon and Leomon, teaches the group the value of teamwork, and lends insight into the mystery of the flying black gears. Thanks to a little help from a digivice and a host of digivolved Digimon, the kids survive the attack, but find themselves scattered among several different islands.

In "Sub Zero Ice Punch," Tai and Agumon land on an icy island, where they encounter a gear-influenced Frigimon. Agumon dissolves the gear and Frigimon returns to his friendly self, helping the pair find Matt and Gabumon on a nearby island. Initially the two boys disagree about how to proceed: Matt wants to search for their missing friends and Tai argues that the key to everyone's survival is to first defeat Devimon. Only the next episode will tell if their agreed-upon path will be successful.

Digimon is incredibly similar to Pokémon: Both are good-looking animated series starring powerful children accompanied by monsters that evolve into more powerful creatures. Digimon differs from Pokémon in that it focuses more on the concept of teamwork as a powerful defense against a specific enemy rather than on one kid's quest to become a trainer of monsters. If you're looking for true adventure, a great story line, and dandy animation, Digimon is for you. (Ages 5 and older) --Tami Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The Digimon Adventure Continues
This installment is the third in the Digimon series, and picks up right where the second video left off.
At this point the background and setting has been set, and the characters have had time to establish themselves, so the plot gets a chance to become more complex. The pace picks up, there's more room for adventure, and you really get sucked into the Digital World. The dialogue is improving and the characters become more natural.
Digimon will someday be hailed as a classic, as it has all of the elements that make for a lasting show. It's a lot of fun, and stays interesting, so kids and parents can have a great time watching it together.

Oh...wow...another pokemon clone....
pokemon is so uch better than this trash and I'm not even a fan. When this first came out I knew that it was gonna suck and wolla it did. I like charizard, he'd kick greymon's sorry behind. Pkemon kicks butt. Scooter the happy pony could beat wargrwymon.

This shouldn't be allowed on tv...
Digimon is so overated. Its a pokemon clone. Theres no difference, in characters, monsters or anything, I'm glad that it wasn't very popular.

old digimon
its cool i guess i like the new digidestend their asome pokemon digimon dragonballz im the girl of them all rika ken kari

Finally! Devimon arrives and the story picks up....
Do not simply ignore Digimon: Digital Monsters as a knock-off of the infamous Pokemon. It is nothing like it. It is highly original, and contains more depth and emotion in its storylines and characters.

Simple summary:Seven kids get transported to a parallel universe that is digital, where they befriend small creatures called Digimon who can digivolve into powerful forms to help defeat the evil forces that threaten the Digital World and our own.

In this video, the kids have now encountered Devimon, the main evil on File Island, the place where they first arrived to. Here is the first mention of the DigiDestined, the term used to describe the children and which will lead on to a more complex story. Using the power of the Black Gears, Devimon spilts the island into several smaller pieces and all of the children are separated. From there, Tai and Matt will begin to show their hostility towards one another as they try to rejoin the others, and Izzy and Mimi will encounter Centarumon, who will give insight into their digivices and their power.

The video is, as Izzy would describe it, "Prodigious". From here the series picks up the momentum and soon the children will have to confront Devimon and learn the true reason to why they were taken to the DigiWorld. It is very entertaining, very funny, and can be dramatic if you get involved with the series. I highly recommend it for children who crave for fantasy and action/adventure, and who have grown tired of the irritating yellow mouse known as Pikachu. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Michael Caine and the knockout Julie Walters deliver a pair of wonderful performances in this endearingly bittersweet tale of a boozily burnt-out professor's tutoring of (and subsequent tutoring by) a free-spirited cockney hairdresser determined to improve her lot in life.The basic plot won't exactly surprise anyone who's ever seen a movie before, but the ace cast (particularly Caine, who's rarely this subtle) continually finds new directions to spin off from the rather rote path. Although the end result is perhaps just a little too convinced of its own adorability to attain classic status, this remains a rarity in the genre--a feel-good film that earns its emotions honestly.A nice change of pace for director Lewis Gilbert, who is perhaps better known for his contributions to the James Bond series.--Andrew Wright ... Read more

Reviews (31)

One of the greatest love stories ever filmed
Lewis Gilbert's 1983 masterpiece, a sensitive and emotionally-satisfying adaptation of Willy Russel's intelligent and insightful two-character play. Gilbert and Russel would team up again for the wonderful "Shirley Valentine," but their work in this film remains unparalleled. Michael Caine gives one of the most memorable performances in an illustrious career, disappearing into his Frank character, and Julie Walters is magnificent as Rita/Susan. The music by David Hentschel is perfectly appropriate, the cinematography by Frank Watts is inspired, the script is both touching and honest, but the magic of this film is in the interplay between the two main characters. This film captures the journey towards self-awareness embodied in education, as the Rita/Susan character develops from hairdresser to student, intellectual, dilitante, and finally into someone very different than at the start of the film yet still undeniably and uniquely "Rita." The greatest gift one person can give another is the love of learning, and thus I feel this is among the greatest love stories ever committed to celluloid. The ending might be "as inevitable as tragedy," in the words of Willy Russel, but the relationship between Frank and Rita made their emotional journey worthwhile, and we are all the richer for their trip.

Good Reason To Love This Film
One of my all-time favourite films, "Educating Rita" is absolutely brilliant rich in truth, feeling, terrific acting and a wonderfully written script which well-draws the two protagonists together. Julie Walters is excellent as the jaunty yet unfulfilled Liverpudlian hairdresser who desperately yearns for an educated mind and the somewhat underrated actor Michael Caine also gives a good performance as her depressed English tutor who wollows in his own self-pity. In eachother, they find a new lease of life and stike a special friendship which eventually benefits the pair of them. And I simply loved the fact that the writer, Willy Russell, didn't take advantage of the fact that they were good friends of the opposite sex and make them a couple and the way in which we see Rita gradually develop and find herself. Terrific stuff.

An underappreciated gem
Julie Walters and Michael Caine are brilliant in this timeless comedy. The plot avoids the all too easy romantic angle to show the empowering aspect of education in a woman's life. Referring to her future, Rita emphasizes her freedom from anyone else's ability to rule her life, whether husband or teacher, emphasizing, "I'll choose." I wish this was on DVD. The soundtrack by Tangerine Dream is the only thing that really dates it.

Because of this film, I'll never view Mrs. Weasley in Harry Potter the same again. Julie Walters is one of the great masters of character development.

Bittersweet and fuuuneeee!
No one can play a world-weary, boozy burnout as well as Michael Caine. Well, maybe Michael Douglas (Wonder Boys) is sneaking up on him, but still. In Educating Rita, Caine has his hands full with Julie Walters, playing a Cockney hairdresser who is dead set on getting "an edjacation." She's a gum-chewing, short-skirted, sassy-mouthed trollop, and he's a...well, he's mostly out of his depth when in her presence.
It's a feel-good movie that lives up to its expectations and has managed to stand the test of time.

How i discovered this movie
I am a GCSE student at Great Marlow School, and we started reading Educating Rita (the play), and our teacher said the school had a copy of the video if we wished to watch it. I was a bit sceptical at first, but after awhile i got into it and kept asking my teacher if we could watch some more.
This movie is great, i reccomend it to anybody who loves a good laugh! ... Read more

Description

Critically acclaimed as one of the best films of the year -- Miramax Home Entertainment is proud to present SMOKE SIGNALS -- a distinguished winner at the Sundance Film Festival! Though Victor and Thomas have lived their entire young lives in the same tiny town, they couldn't have less in common! But when Victor is urgently called away, it's Thomas who comes up with the money to pay for his trip. There's just one thing Victor has to do: take Thomas along for the ride! You're in for a rare and entertaining comic treat as this most unlikely pair leave home on what becomes an unexpectedly unforgettable adventure of friendship and discovery! ... Read more

Reviews (128)

great road trip movie!
One of the greatest underrated movies ever made!

Most of the emotional bite is taken from Sherman Alexie's "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" leaving a great yet simple story about two Indians (Alexie himself dislikes the label "Native American") on the road from the upper Northwest to Arizona. The mission: collect the remains of the father of Victor Joseph-- played with great complexity by Adam Beach. Along for the ride is Thomas, the local reservation geek who brings along with him a vast array of stories from the past mixed with humor and pain played with resilence by Evan Adams, to the constant annoyance of Victor who has no time for stories or memories, only "truth" and the present tense.

This movie is a series of vignettes as the two travel off the reservation ("You're leavin' the Rez and going into a whole different country cousin." "But it's the United States." "Damn right it is, that's as foreign as it gets!") and into the wilderness of forgotten memories and rough landscape. Mixed in with the ponderings of what it means to be indeginous in America and who makes the best fry-bread is a great soundtrack which includes Dar Williams and Ulali.

This movie does not try to be more than it is: the story of two young men trying to find their place in the world with humor and anger. Director Chris Eyre keeps the story and the settings simple and the flashbacks flow fluidly from one iteration to the next.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone!

A Great Movie About the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Thomas Builds-the-Fire (Evan Adams) tells stories. Anyone who has ever had a father, or a father figure should listen. Smoke Signals is a movie about the stories we tell, about growing up sane in an insane world, and about learning to find the truth in the fiction we create for ourselves.

Based on short stories from Sherman Alexie's brilliant collection of wit, irony and tragic comedy, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, this film shows a sure hand and a light touch. Sherman Alexie knows how to write with irony, wit and subtle humor, and in this screenplay he captures perfectly, as he does in his book, the angst that is uniquely 20th century American Indian. As our two protagonists prepare leave the reservation to claim Victor's (Adam Beach) dead father's truck, a woman who drives backward around the reservation all day in her Chevy tells them to be careful. When they tell her they're only going to Arizona (they live on the Coeur d'Alene reservation in Washington State), she replies, "Unh . . . America, huh? That's about as foreign as it gets."

It is that bemused sense of being an outsider in your own land that drives this independent film and gives it a genuine feel, rather than the typical over-romanticized "Dances with Wolves" version of Indian-ness. Victor, in fact, takes vicious delight in both perpetuating and defying Indian stereotypes, as he leads a chorus of "John Wayne's Teeth" and councils Thomas, who wears thick glasses and his long hair in braids, to look more fierce, "like you just got back from killin' a buffalo or somthin."

It is Beach's performance which seems the most stilted and amateurish, unfortunately, as one of the major characters. But he almost makes it work for him by internalizing Victor's anger and creating another mask, however thin. Another problem is the romance that almost develops between Victor and his dead father's neighbor (Irene Bedard). Perhaps it was a choice between staying with the major theme of the movie and "going Hollywood" on both the casting and the plot in this case. There is real heat when the two are on screen, but it goes nowhere.

These are two very minor irritations with an otherwise delightful movie. The universality of this coming of age story, combined with its unique characters and point of view, make this a video you're going to want to see again and again. Buy it.

It's a Good Day to Be Indigenous....
I want to start out by saying Sherman Alexie is probably one of the greatest writers of our time. When I say "greatest writers" I don't mean "greatest NATIVE writers" or "greatest writers of COLOR," I mean Greatest Writers. Mr. Alexie manages to capture the most universal emotions (grief, joy, heartbreak, anguish) and make the excessible to all, yet he also brings his own unique flavor, style and ironic wit to the mix so we are never bored. I can honestly say that Smoke Signals is one of those films that is really dear to my heart for many reasons, and the screenplay by Alexie definitely is one of the contributing factors.

For starters, there are so many classic lines in this film. The first being that line I used as the subject for this review. "It is a good day to be Indigenous." I don't think we hear that everyday! The negative view of native people even today is really disturbing, and I think when people regardless of background see the portrayal of indigenous people in films, television shows, literature and education it continues to horrify and astound us all.

Secondly, the story is a wonderful and important one that I think everyone can relate to. It touches on the theme of fathers and the relationship with their children. Victor (Adam Beach) is an bitter, angry and distrustful young man who grew up on the Coeur D'Alene "Rez" with his bespectacled friend/nemesis Thomas Builds-the-Fire (Evan Adams). These young men are growing up in a culture separate from mainstream white culture--a culture they eventually leave when they go to retrieve the ashes of Victor's deceased father. What starts out as a road trip turns into something more significant than either of them could've imagined. It becomes ceremonial, and a real opportunity for maturity that changes their relationships with each other and themselves.

Finally, the acting is wonderful. The lead actors are engaging, believable and sympathetic. The supporting cast is strong and they really capture the essence of Alexie's novels. When I read TONTO AND LONE RANGER FISTFIGHT IN HEAVEN (specifically the short story, "This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona," which the film was based on), the way I envisioned the characters (how they would look, how they would talk, etc) matched the image exactly!

Take it from me, a Sherman Alexie fan and self-proclaimed "culture vulture".....this film is all that and a stack of fry bread!

Modern day literary and commercial success!
As a college English professor, I am now showing this movie along with a study of the work "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" upon which "Smoke Signals" is based, as the final assignment in my American Lit II class. The movie is excellent, with numerous themes including the abandonment by fathers and its effect on children, the reality of the modern day reservation, stereotypical characterization, among others. This is an excellent movie and I highly recommend it, along with all the other writings of Sherman Alexie. He is young and already a prolific writer and I think we will be seeing more great work from him in the future and that his work will withstand the test of time. Look to see him included in college textbooks soon!

"It's rough all over, Pony Boy"
Please excuse my Outsider's approximate quotation, but it seems to apply to this movie. At first you are dropped into a new landscape of the modern Native American reservation. The locale seems charming with it's quirky customs - people who drive backwards, a radio station based out of an RV. However, as the story unfolds, you realize that themes emerge that we can all relate to - pain, abandonment, disappointment, anger, loneliness. Well-done, especially if you appreciate slow-paced, dialog-driven films. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The history of film comedy would have been much altered if Peter Ustinov had stayed in the role of Jacques Clouseau, the bumbling French police inspector in The Pink Panther. But Ustinov dropped out, the role went to Peter Sellers, and a classic character was born: suspicious, blundering, with a pompous little mustache and a sometimes impenetrable accent, Clouseau was always one step behind everybody else in the room. The Pink Panther introduced Clouseau hot on the trail of a famous jewel thief (David Niven), who may be planning to make off with an expensive gem known as the Pink Panther. Set in a European ski resort, this bubbly comedy is a wonderful dose of '60s style, from the famous Henry Mancini theme music to the presence of two of Europe's top sex symbols of the era, Claudia Cardinale and Capucine. The film also introduced the popular cartoon Pink Panther, slinking around to Mancini's music in an animated credits sequence. The film's success brought a follow-up, A Shot in the Dark, also released in 1964; after 11 years, Sellers and top comedy director Blake Edwards (10) returned with three more sequels. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (38)

My Favorite Panther
Which Pink Panther/ Inspector Clouseau film is your favorite? I can't really decide between THE PINK PANTHER and A SHOT IN THE DARK. My heart is really with THE PINK PANTHER because I saw that in the theatre first. THE PINK PANTHER was really an event for me. It was such an 'in' film at the time. To me David Niven is really the main character of this film and he brings a lot of himself to the role, which elevates the distinction of the film quite a bit. Niven is the personification of class. The great cast also includes Robert Wagner, Capucine, Claudia Cardinale, Brenda de Banzie and Fran Jeffries (with choreography by Hermes Pan). Besides the cast I also did like the score composed by Henry Mancini. The Pink Panther Theme will live forever. Mancini was a true professional. Plus it has beautiful great outdoor scenery, photography and elegant sets, which makes it very likable and memorable in a way strangely akin to Hitchcock's TO CATCH A THIEF. The costume ball (costumes by Yves Saint-Laurent) was a real showstopper and is one of the most memorable scenes of all time. This is a highly visual told film. For me this is the best Pink Panther film.

Oh my, who was she?
agree with the last reviewer on the scene in the alpine lodge. The girl was indeed beautiful and the scene was perhaps the one I remember the most and the one I look forward to seeing over and over again(and the one I always replay at least once). However, the object of this review would have to be the movie itself.

This was perhaps the only movie that I enjoyed with Peter Sellers as Clouseau. His depiction as the bumbling inspector in Pink Panther was superb. It's unfortunate that he decided to change his style with subsequent Panther movies.

As usual, David Niven was equally magnificent as the "cat burgler" with Capucine and Robert Wagner equally enjoyable in their roles. For those who have not seen this movie, it centers around the eventual attempted theft of the Pink Panther - a jewel of immense value. It belongs to a Princess (portrayed by Claudia Cardinale) who obviously comes from some ficticious Muslim country whose enemies of her regime wishes the bauble be returned to the people. The acting is first-rate as is the cast of this fantastic comedy. It is one of those movies I enjoy over and over again and never tire of it's showing. Of course, I will always enjoy the scene in the alpine lodge, as well as the young lady who performed so magnificently and one who I have had a crush on for far too many years.

No! Not The Stradivarius!
This, the first of the exquisite Pink Panther series, is an amazing film. To know that originally Peter Ustinov was cast to play Jacques Clouseau as a straight, inept French detective is a sobering thought. After Ustinov dropped out, of course, Peter Sellers got the role and after consultation with Blake Edwards, decided to make him not only inept, but also bumbling and accident prone, a characterization that defines how we think of Clouseau today. This film is interesting in that since it is the first of the series it is interesting to see the origins of the character, and how different he is here than in later 'Panther' films. Here is clumsy and prone to pratfalls, but is less flamboyantly slapstick than in the later films.

The film also stars the wonderful David Niven, who plays the perfect suave English thief, and a very young Robert Wagner as his equally debonair nephew. Female stars are the beautiful Claudia Cardinale and Capucine, two of the top European actresses and models from the era.

The movie is a bit more sedate than the later films in the series, but still is one of the funniest movies of the sixties. 'A Shot In The Dark', also released in 1964, as the first sequel, began the transformation to the later formulas with additions such as the wonderful Herbert Lom. 'The Pink Panther' does introduce the animated 'Pink Panther' short for the first time, as well as the often imitated, never duplicated title theme. Other viewers will have their own favorite scenes, and the costume party is surely one of the highlights of the film, but for my money the best scenes in the film revolve around Clouseau trying to woo his wife by playing his Stradivarius violin, over many protestations. The look of pain on David Niven's face during his playing is worth the price of the film alone

If I were doing it today, I would buy this DVD as part of the multi DVD 'Pink Panther' set, where it also includes a few interesting bonuses such as a 'trivia track', which adds great tidbits about the film.

Peter Sellers was a comic genius, and the world still waits for another genius of his stature. I think we will be waiting a long, long time.

Not what i remember.
David Niven, (Sir Charles Lytton) and Peter Sellers (Inspector Jacques Clouseau) star in the Pink Panther, the first in a pretty successful but flawed series.

I was really looking forward to seeing this when I popped it in my dvd player, I have good memories of the bumbling Clousea but wasn't aware that his character didn't really take shape till the next film "A shot in the dark", subsequently I did not enjoy this one and found it rather boring and unfunny. I will give the sequel a chance however as, from what other reviewers have said on here, they are far funnier and contain the Clouseau that I remember.

As far as this one goes, it was boring. The scene with Niven and the princess in his room went on forever, I ended up hitting eject soon after and watched the excellent Wuthering Heights instead.

Thanks for reading, but give the next couple a chance as I will do.

Better as a self-contained movie
Than as the start of the Panther series. Too many questions arise:

1)Where is Chief Inspector Dreyfuss in all this?

2)How is Clouseau ever going to be a cop again if he was convicted of diamond theft?

3)Where is the former Mrs. Clouseau in Return of the Pink Panther?

4)Where is Cato in this film?

And many others. Too uneven. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

A little-known chapter of American labor history is brought vividly to life in this period drama from writer-director John Sayles. It's a fictional story about labor wars among West Virginia coal miners during the 1920's, but every detail is so right that the film has the unmistakable ring of truth. The tension begins when the Stone Mountain Coal Company of Matewan, West Virginia, announces a lower pay rate for miners, who respond by calling a strike under the leadership of a United Mine Workers representative (Chris Cooper). Proving strength in numbers, the miners are joined by black and Italian miners who initially resist the strike, and a fateful battle ensues when detectives hired by the coal company attempt to evict miners from company housing. Violence erupts in a sequence of astonishing, cathartic intensity, and Matewan achieves a rare degree of moral complexity combined with gut-wrenching tragedy. The film salutes a pacifist ideal while recognizing that personal and political convictions often must be defended with violence. To illustrate this point, Sayles enlisted master cinematographer Haskell Wexler, who creates the film's authentic visual texture--a triumph of artistry over limited resources. The result is a milestone of independent filmmaking, and Matewan remains one of Sayles's finest achievements.--Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (37)

An exploration of America's terrible dark side
It's difficult not to get your personal feelings called into play when watching an obviously slanted film like Matewan. John Sayles, like Oliver Stone, is an obvious agit-prop master for the left. But so are several others. However, those others do not get the responses that Sayles has evoked because they don't have half the movie making talent that Sayles possesses. There is no fence-sitting when watching his films, and that's because his visions and messages are clear, uncompromising and passionate. Matewan is his highest achievement in those regards.

Using the coal miners' unionization efforts of the 1920s as his springboard, Sayles explores one of the dark truths at the heart of free-market capitalism: the unblinking willingness of those in power to crush--physically and spiritually--those who work.
Sayles' gritty realism, the gaunt faces of the actual citizens of West Virginia who serve as extras in the film, Haskell Wexler's recreation of a long-gone era, and, of course, the great performances all around, drive that dark point home. Sayles' script, although a little long-winded at points, illustrates well how employers pit worker against worker, worker against scab, scab against scab. In fact, the workers do as much violence to each other as the bosses do to them. Don't dismiss this as a masnifesto disguised as a film. In the tradition of On the Waterfront (also based on an actual event), the characters, situations, and dialogue are all convincing.

This is a great film but be sure to see it on video, not DVD, as others have pointed out.

Rocco Dormarunno, author of THE FIVE POINTS

Bleak mood sets the tone of this coal mine strike story
This 1987 film, written and directed by John Sayles, is based on a real incident from the 1920, when workers from a West Virginia coal mine went on strike. Chris Cooper stars as a labor union organizer who comes to the town which is run the Company that have just brought in a trainload of black men as well as a group of Italian families to do the work of the strikers. James Earl Jones is cast as the leader of the blacks who says out loud that he understands people can't help calling him the "N" word, but no man can ever call him a "scab". Will Oldham is cast as a 14-year old mine worker and sometimes preacher. There are heroes and villains in this film, and Kevin Tighe and Gordon Clapp are the kind of bad guys you love to hate.

The pace is slow as the story unfolds, each actor giving depth to his or her role. The Union is represented as a good and unifying force for the diverse types of people caught up in the drama. The company is represented as bad. Really bad. Not only did they exploit their workers and push people out of their homes, they also did not stop at brutal murder. There were enough personal stories to keep the film interesting although I found some of the speeches a little long and talky. It was all about mood and bleakness and John Sayles sure is a master of setting the mood. Most of the extras in the film lived in the area of Appalachia where it was shot and the close-ups of their faces added to the film's authenticity.

One of the problems was that the transfer of the film to DVD wasn't done well. The sound was muffled and some of the words were indistinct. And the shots set in the forest were so dark that it was hard to tell what was going on. I enjoyed the film although I thought it was too long. Followers of John Sayles work will enjoy it though, as well as those with an interest in union struggle.

MATEWAN as teaching tool
To avoid repeating what others have said, I'll just concur that this movie has the ring of truth about a little-known chapter of American labor history, and writing, acting and photography are superb. I showed it to two classes of students this semester and they were almost all fascinated. (Freshmen!) I was asked why they didn't learn about the mine wars of West By-Gosh in their history classes, which led to interesting discussion questions like "who writes history?" I used the film in conjunction with Denise Giardina's STORMING HEAVEN--a novel about the same mine wars. Both are based on actual events and lives.

For material that promotes fast-paced classroom discussion, Sayle's MATEWAN can't be beat. He is a fascinating writer and producer; MATEWAN is, however, the best Sayles' movie I've seen on all counts--writing, acting, photography, and historical content. Some reviewers here have called it slow-moving. I have watched it at least 5 times and find it just as compelling now as when I viewed it the first time. Buy it--you won't be sorry!

Word to the wise: Canadian widescreen available
Just an announcement for Sayles fans and fans of this film: a very good widescreen dvd of this film does exist, but it's only being produced in Canada. Its sound is supposedly much better than anything else available, and the widescreen transfer is totally decent. You can read a review of this dvd at dvd verdict.

Given what we learned about the peacefulness of our neighbor to the north in Bowling For Columbine, it's ironic that this most bloody-minded of Sayles films should be released there and not here. No other film I can think of more clearly explains the tragic connections between violence and class politics in American history. Lefty types such as myself have always loved this film, but I know a good many conservatives who do as well. The story of the little guy fighting for his very survival against the bully is always a compelling one, never more so than here. And for those who think the bad guys in this film are TOO evil--I have relatives from coal country and they assure me that if anything, the movie could have gone even further. More than in any of his other films of the 1980s, Sayles is just so brutally honest here about the necessities and the strange accidents that can lead us toward a better future, though with much to suffer in the meantime. A dead-solid American classic.

Supposedly Sayles has recorded commentary for an American release of a widescreen dvd, but I can find no evidence of its being produced any time soon.

Great film - awful DVD
John Sayles' best film merits a far better DVD treatment than this technical travesty.

Others here have mentioned the film's amazing cinematograhy, fine performances (indierockers note: a young Will Oldham -- later of the band Palace Brothers -- has a featured role) and stirring story. But it bears repeating that this digital transfer is *atrocious*. The film is presented in "full-screen" format, lopping off the edges of Haskell Wexler's beautiful frames. Celluloid scratches and "reel change" hole-punches are visible throughout. And the sound, if you can believe it, is worse -- it's in hissy, almost inaudible MONO, for God's sake!

Zero commentaries. Almost no bonus extras, unless you count a few panels of "production notes."

Not worth a purchase. Wait for the morons at Artisan to get their collective act together and give this fine film the gold-star release it deserves. ... Read more