Reviews (5)

Uneven (like most bios), but not without its rarities.
This film is a curiosity more than anything else. I rented it years ago and found it uneven at best. Like most of MGM's alleged 'composer biographies,' it distorts the details of the composer's actual life (in this case, Broadway stage/operetta afficionado Sigmund Romberg) and hangs all of his magnificent songs on an all-star coatrack. And there lies the attraction: seeing Gene Kelly in his only on-screen appearance with real-life brother Fred; seeing Jose Ferrer's bride Rosemary Clooney in her fresh-faced beauty and ear-delicious voice; watching grande dame soprano Helen Traubel sing "Aufwiedersen" to a dying Merle Oberon; and most of all seeing Ann Miller blend the Charleston with her signature tap dancing (I'm not kidding) and superbabe Cyd Charisse in probably the single most erotic dance performed on film: an Arabian Nights-influenced duet with James Mitchell to the song "One Alone." And how she moves in that all-lace, form-fitting gown is anyone's guess.

Not So Deep
I'm conducting a wake for Rosemary Clooney (Born May 23, 1928. Died June 30, 2002.) I read "Girl Singer: an autobiography" and got the conveniently packaged "Songs from the Girl Singer: a musical autobiography " CD set. Like Girranimals, the similarly titled pieces have the same picture on the front so that the purchaser will know that they go together. I heartily recommend both. But I can only give a mid-depth recommendation to "Deep In My Heart." Perhaps this is because of reading Rosemary's book and determining that the Star, Jose Ferrer, was a real-life scoundrel to her. And it may also have to do with my unfamiliarity with the Sigmund Romberg oeuvre. The joy and spectacle of the "Specialty numbers" with guest stars including Gene Kelley, Ann Miller (how does she even WALK in those super-high stilletos - let alone do that dazzling dance?,)Merle Oberlin's "Camille"-like turn, Ferrer's Jolson-esque "Jazza Do" synopsis, and the piece de resistance: the "Mr. And Mrs." song and dance duet by Ferrer and his real-life newlywed bride, Rosemary Clooney, make this an Oldie worth renting, but I'm not going to rush to buy a copy.

Such beautiful music!
This movie is a real pleasure to watch. Good, old-fashioned entertainment with lots of singing and dancing. Jose Ferrer is a surprisingly good song and dance man in this story of Sigmund Romberg, the man who wrote the music for The Student Prince, Desert Song, Maytime, and many others. There are production numbers from many of his shows featuring famos stars in cameos and a little romance, too. A heartwarming film for music lovers!

Great Music, Cast, and Film
A biography of Sigmund Romberg, the musical and operetta composer. Anything which features his music must have some good features, but this is superlative all the way around. Jose Ferrer is charming as Rommie, Merle Oberon gives a nice performance as his love interest, and the list of cameos is starry, with Rosemary Clooney shining in one number and the great operatice soprano Helen Traubel singing "Softly" as it must be, a touching plea full of torment, angst, and ultimately acceptance. Beautiful technicolor, good direction. Very amusing, filled with some of the best songs ever written, and beautifully performed and captured on film.

Great dancing
The only thing good about the movie is the dancing. Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, and Ann Miller. They are 3 of the best dancers and you won't see anything like this again. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A wimpy remake of an already anemic movie (the 1947 Rita Hayworth vehicle Down to Earth), this glitzy musical from 1980 improbably stars Olivia Newton-John as a heavenly muse sent here to help open a roller-derby disco. Gene Kelly is mixed up in this well-meaning but goofy effort to fuse nostalgia with late-'70s glitter-ball trendiness, and he looks just plain silly. Directed by Robert Greenwald, the film doesn't even work as decent kitsch.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (149)

Merely the Ultimate Musical
I've watched "Xanadu" probably about fifty or sixty times - or more. I've worn out two VHS videos, and am now, even while typing this, watching my Xanadu DVD. I can't believe that anyone would call this undiscovered wonder of the world "wimpy" or "anemic". This movie deserves its current status as a cult classic.

The Stars. I'll have more to say about Gene Kelly later. Olivia Newton John, still on the top of her conversion from Country Western to Pop Rock, never sounded or looked better. Her ability to seemingly switch back and forth on a moments notice from her old image of sweetness and nice to her new image of almost a dominatrix was great. Her combination of any boy's fantasies with a girl you could take home was wonderful. Mike Beck does a good job as "Sonny" - the modern-day version of Danny McGuire, although, in comparison to Kelly and Olivia, he looks kind of flat. But who could hold a candle to that caliber of actor or actress?

The scenes. The scene where Danny dances with Kira and ends up with her in his arms ("Whenever You're Away from Me"), followed by a similar scene with Sonny and Kira minutes later in the movie ("Suddenly"), only help to reinforce the Deja-Vu like sense of wonder that permeates this entire film. We are treated to this sense of deja-vu over and over again. The scene where the Big Band era meets the rock-and-roll era still gives me a thrill. Olivia Newton John's singing blends virtually perfectly with Electric Light Orchestra's symphonic sound, but heavy rock influence.

The musical numbers. Done by Electric Light Orchestra and Olivia Newton John, they include the pop hits "Xanadu" and "Magic", as well as: "I'm Alive", "All Over The World", "Dancin' Round and Round", "Suspended in Time", "Whenever You're Away from Me", "Don't Walk Away" and "Suddenly". Imagine, if you can, a blending of the best of the 30's and 40's Big Bands with the best of the 70's and 80's rock and disco. Now imagine it on the same stage - blended almost perfectly. That =is= what happens in this movie.

The dancing. What can anyone say about Gene Kelly that hasn't been said already? Watching Gene trip the light fantastic with Olivia was worth the price of admission all by itself. This was, I believe, Gene Kelly's last movie, and it is a fitting send-off to his long career. It was kind of fun to see him as a clarinet player and construction company boss. He doesn't look the least bit "silly" - it's easy to see where he could have been Kira's love interest back in the 40's. It was appropriate to see Gene's character called "Danny McGuire" as that was actually the name of one of Gene's characters in another movie.

In addition, to cap off this film, Don Bluth did the animation for a wonderful sequence ("Don't Walk Away") where Kira and Sonny are transformed into fish and birds. This provides a perfect sense of surreal to Sonny's and Kira's developing love.

This movie means more than its outer shell of "a muse is sent from 'heaven' to help with the creation of a disco roller derby". It means it's OK to have dreams - because a dream is a wish your heart makes. The emphasis, told in various ways, that you should always follow your dreams, is a message that needs to be emphasised today. Both Danny's dream of opening a new club, and Sonny's dream to do something more than his boring job of painting recreations of album covers are fused together by Kira (or should I say "Terpsichore"? :-) into a single dream that they, with her help, make a reality. Do a search on the Greek Muses and you'll find a lot of the inspiration for this movie.

If there really is a real Xanadu, I would love to go there. If there never really was a real Xanadu, there should be. This still ranks as one of the most underappreciated musicals ever. Get it. You will not be disappointed.

The movie bites big time - but the music is awesome!
Xanadu is a hard film to review, because, as a movie, it is a terrible piece of dreck. As a music video it works just fine and even succeeds immensely at times.

Originally conceived as a disco movie, the producers decided to cash in on the popularity - at the time - of roller skating, so they made the movie - at the last minute - a roller disco film. Throw in Olivia Newton John and Gene Kelly and you've got: DISASTER!

The plot of the film is so transparently thin that it falls apart several times throughout. The dialogue is so agonizingly bad that even Gene Kelly (a man not known for his acting but his dancing) must have been embarrassed by it.

As the male romantic lead, a little known actor by the name of uh, just a minute I'll think of it.....was cast on the heels of his turn in the highly successful fantasy gang film: The Warriors. Michael Beck (the actor's name) can't act, can't sing, and can't dance...... so he was cast in the lead of a musical? Huh?

Newton John plays a Muse (of the old Greek mythology variety) who comes to life off of a wall painting - why we just don't know. She decides to glom onto Michael Beck's character (an architect who wants to create the most fabulous nightclub ever - Xanadu). And that, folks, is the plot of the movie. Oh, that, and apparently John's Muse was once the inspiration for Gene Kelly's character back in WWII. Huh?

Anyway, if it weren't for the producers wisely employing Electric Light Orchestra, The Tubes, and Newton-John, then this would have been insufferably bad. As it is, the movie has some really fantastic moments of musical fun. There's an interesting mixture of styles when The Tubes performs with a pseudo-swing band from the 1940's. Then there are Newton-John's songs throughout, which were orchestrated by ELO. The title song is possibly the most fun because it is where Newton-John met her former husband Matt Lattanzi (he was a dancer in the sequence). However the sequence employs the whole roller disco thing (not terribly effectively) and feels forced and just looks terrible!

However, as I said earlier - Xanadu works as an extended music video - something that was not in true existence at the time - it would happen about a year later on MTV.

Xanadu was made in the very late 1970's and released in 1980 and just happened to hit theatrers when disco was becoming reviled and New Wave was the latest sensation. Also by 1980 roller disco was VERY passe. Xanadu laid a big old egg (although I've read that it did fairly well at the box office on Newton-John's Grease fame and general popularity alone).

Get the DVD and select the song chapters and you'll have a great time watching this. Don't bother actually watching the film.

Love the movie, but DVD transfer quality is so-so.
I really enjoyed this as a kid (10 yrs old when it was in theatres). I even have the LP soundtrack somewhere. So I was excited to buy the DVD. On the nostalgia level, it doesn't disappoint. Great scenes with Gene Kelly, Olivia Newton John, and the real star of the movie -- the Pan Pacific Auditorium in LA, an art deco landmark that burned down years ago. But technically, I think Universal did a lazy job. The sound is wimpy and muddy, which is disappointing. These awesome ELO songs should jump out of speakers, not struggle out of them. The picture quality is also substandard: it looks like a 3d generation videotape (except with the ability to freezeframe). If you're like me, you'll hold your nose and buy this, because it's the only game in town. It's unlikely that Universal will go back and remaster this for another DVD release (but who knows?). Overall, it was a great late-night, flashback DVD to watch, and I'll definitely watch it again, as time goes by. One final thing: don't expect toooo much from the DVD extras. Other than the film trailer, all you get are static text bios to flip through.

A CULT CLASSIC and an EXCELLENT SOUNDTRACK
When this big budget Olivia Newton-John vehicle hit the silver screen, it actually did make money at the box office. However, because of the high expectaions of the film's star, Olivia Newton-John's performance in "Grease", it was called a bomb, which, financially it wasn't. It also became one of the top selling videos in 1981 in days when Vhs and Betamax both ruled the markets! The soundtrack went #1 and has 5 hit songs spun off of it, and it later gained a bigger following when it hit the movie channels! Critics hate this movie, but I don't care! I LOVE IT! Olivia Newton-John is so gorgeous and sings some great tunes as well as dances it up with Gene Kelley(in his final movie role). Michael Beck, however, falls flat on his face, showing no charisma and terrible acting chops. But Olivia and Gene pick up the slack, thankfully, and the end result is a very glitzy, campy,yet dazzling old fashioned musical tinged with 80's songs by Olivia, E.L.O. and The Tubes.Light on plot, heavy on song and dnace and special effects, Xanadu is fun for the entire family. Just don't expect anything more than to be entertained and you'll love it!

Roller-Disco epic from the 70's! Outrageous!
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You have to wonder what they were thinking when they decided to re-make the Rita Hayworth film "Down to Earth" as a roller-disco musical epic starring Olivia Newton John.

It's interesting, but when you realize that the running time of this film itself lasts longer than the actual fad of roller-disco did, you have to wonder why they bothered!

Gene Kelly seems lost in a musical nightmare, and the production numbers seem to scare him silly. It's as if he wonders how he got on the soundstage at all.

The music is cute, the production numbers are a perfect example of 70's excess, and the story is ridiculous.

All in all, I think it's a guilty pleasure to watch. Just don't tell anyone you enjoyed it, because they'll probably make fun of you.

A perfect double-feature evening would be to watch this along with "Can't Stop the Music" starring the Village People. (Read my review on that one!)

To quote Olivia Newton John: "Xanaduuuuuuu, Xanaduuuu-uuu-uuu!" ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Greatest of All Time
There are few words that can accurately describe the magnificent performance of Larry Parks in "THE JOLSON STORY". With Larry's performance, Morris Stoloff's Orchestra, and the great Al Jolson's voice, this movie is easily hands down, the best musical biography ever made. Along with it's sequel, "JOLSON SINGS AGAIN", it stands in a class of it's own. Sure reviewers of today have deemed it a little hoaky, but that is how wartime Hollywood movies were. In addition, although the movie is obviously fictionalized, the facts of Jolson's accomplishments are TRUE, and cannot and should not be denied with regard to their historical importance as it relates to the evolution of American Entertainment and the great American Songbook. Jolson was the KIng of Showbusiness for more than four decades, and his accomplishments are legendary. For those who have not yet seen this movie, take note of some of Al Jolson's achievements: 1st million selling record; 1st million selling album; 1st to take a Braodway show on the road; 1st to go overseas and entertain the troops in the USO; and the list goes on and on. Do yourself a favor...watch this movie...see history...discover America's Greatest Entertainer.

Why isn't this on DVD (yet)? WELL, IT FINALLY IS!!
THE JOLSON STORY is one of the greatest musicals of all time! Jolson's story (based on fact, but fictionalized), his actual singing and Larry Parks' acting and lip-synching are beyond compare!

I think it's a shame that every junky new movie is put on DVD and we have to wait for a classic like this to come out.

THAT'S WHAT I HAD WRITTEN, BUT ALAS, IT'S ON DVD EFFECTIVE 10/21/03!
Sound is good and picture is good, but not excellent. There are dirt flicks during the movie, especially when Young Al is in the audience singing to his future manager (William Demarest). Houw could this have been digitally mastered? Also, there is NO TRAILER and NO EXTRAS! The cover looks awful! But ... it's on DVD!

One of the Greatest Entertainers & Movies
I first saw "The Jolson Story" in 1946 when I was a child. I developed a crush on Larry Parks, and a love of the music of Al Jolson. Periodically, I watch the video, as I did today. Ludwig Donath, who starred as Al Jolson's father in the film was a friend of my family. I have two personally autographed pictures of him. He was an accomplished actor from Austria, and a fine person. There is little comparable to the "Anniversary Song" as performed later in the film. My mother saw Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler three times in person in the San Diego area and in Los Angeles. "The Jolson Story" is one of my all time favorites. I wish that we had more contemporary entertainers like Al Jolson.

THE WAY MOVIES USE TO BE
I"M A MAN OF FEW WORDS WHEN IT COMES TO THIS MOVIE, THE MOVIE
IS NOTHING SHORT OF WONDERFUL ENTERTAINMENT. THERE ARE ALOT OF
DISCREPANCIES ABOUT TRUTHS DATES AND ACTUAL HAPPENINGS, HOWEVER
THE MOVIE IS MAGIC, IT WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO A TIME OF INNOCENCE
AND WHEN AMERICA TRULY HAD GREAT ENTERTAINMENT, SO SIT BACK GRAB THE POPCORN AND BE PREPARED TO TRULY ENJOY THIS MOVIE WHICH I"M SURE WILL LEAVE YOU HUMMING SOME OF THE WONDERFUL SONGS,AND LONGING TO CRANK UP THE DVD PLAYER AND WATCH IT AGAIN AND AGAIN

Finally, my favorite movie on DVD
Like another reviewer, I have literally seen this movie over a hundred times. I grew up watching this movie on TV every time it came on. The Laserdisc release was very good. I am happy to report that the DVD transfer is very nice. The packaging is awful and would lead you to believe this is one of those throwaway bargin DVDs, but the package does indicate the re-mastering was done in high definition. The sound indicates mono, which most of the movie is, but it is really the stereo version of the movie which as a few pans of some sound effects taken from the original mono release. For Jolson Story fans, I do not need to sell on this, but for those who have never heard Al Jolson, this is the best way to hear him. ... Read more

Description

The widow of a murdered bank president and a maverick financier must prevent a crisis when Arab nations threaten to pull their funds from U.S. banks, thereby causing a worldwide financial collapse. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Worth a look
Much like the film Kristofferson made previously, "Heaven's Gate", this film is not as bad as it's reputation makes it out to be. I will not try to summarize the plot; that has already been done. What I do want to point out is that this movie is filled with solid performances from Kris Kristofferson (as usual) and Jane Fonda. Also appearing is a fine set of supporting players, from Josef Sommer to Hume Cronyn. The technology is dated, but the idea is somewhat timely. What if the Arabs decided to pull their money out of circulation and put it "under the mattress"? There are some tense moments and some 70's era paranoia. (Much like "All the President's Men" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", mistrust of the government is a common thread) This is a movie with flaws, but if you are a Kristofferson fan, you will enjoy yet another intriguing performance. If you are tired of the teen movies that plague the multiplexes weekly, try this out and enjoy an adult drama.

very strange
This is a very odd movie, which Leonard Maltin amusingly calls financial science fiction. Director Alan J Pakula is in one of his paranoid conspiracy theory moods a la Parallax View and All the Presidents Men, and as Jane Fonda's IPC company produced it, she thinks she's doing The China Syndrome. Apparently international currency is dependent on the Saudi Arabians whose ownership of oil makes them the richest people in the world. When they contemplate investing in gold rather than lending their wealth to support the banks, wall street fears a new world depression. This all sounds very scary until one wonders if the Arabs bankrupt everyone, what good will the gold be? One also wonders how seriously we are to take this when Pakula casts Kris Krisofferson, sans beard, as a banking troubleshooter! Casting Fonda as a former movie star who gave up her career to marry money is kind of prophetic consider her future marriage to Ted Turner. We aren't given a clue as to what kind of actress her character was, but the way Fonda is styled and lit suggests Joan Crawford, so then we can free associate Crawford with Pepsi and Al Steele. Whatever suspense Pakula is trying for is ruined by an awful music score by Michael Small, and the romance between Kristofferson and Fonda doesn't work either. Kristofferson is laughable as a he-man, and there is something icky in the idea that this is the kind of behaviour that Fonda responds to. There is also the unfortunate coincidence of their matching hairstyles - it recalls Lily Tomlin and John Travolta in Moment by Moment. One curiosity is the kind of computer software used at the time. ... Read more

Description

After 25 chart-topping hits, the singing star becomes a movie star!George Strait makes his film debut in an entertaining look into the heart and soul of country music from Young Guns director Christopher Cain.

Superstar Dusty Chandler (Strait) is tired of the smoke, the strobe lights and the overmiked sound of his arena spectaculars.One night, something snaps."I'm just going to take a little walk," Dusty says as he walks out of the empty hall, ditching his beard, ponytail - and temporarily, his career - to reclaim his down-home country roots.But his manager (Leslie Ann Warren) retaliates:a stand-in (Kyle Chandler) lip-synchs his songs in concert.And a romance with a lovely rancher (Isabel Glasser) is on again, off again like a rodeo cowboy.The simple life can be complex, but it's nothing a revitalized country boy can't handle! ... Read more

Reviews (47)

The best movie I ever seen!
Without a doubt one of the best movies to feature great country music in a true country atomosphere (not like Urban Cowboy or Rhinestone), is the movie Pure Country starring George Strait, Lesley Ann Warren, and Isabel Glasser. The plot centers around the career of a country music singer by the name of Dusty Chandler played by George who gets tired of performing shows that are too extravagent and look lik a forth of July celebration with fireworks, smoke, and music so lound that nobody can hear the words. Dusty's manager is the flirty Lula Rodgers played by Warren. When Dusty just takes a walk one night he ends up back in his old home town, one thing leads to another and the next thing you know he's romancing a beautiful young woman named Harley Tucker (Glasser) who is struggling to keep the family ranch out of the bank's hands. All the while Dusty tours goes on without him. Lula feeling that she has no other choice sends out a Dusty impersonator in the form of Buddy Jackson (Kyle Chandler), a member of the road crew who just happens to be her boyfriend. In the end Dusty gets his girl and he gives a great performance, just him and his guitar. The performance of "I Cross My Heart" is enough to make the anybody anybody wish that they could find a love this true. I get choked up every time and watch and I wish that it was me singing on that stage. At that point he is pretty much the luckiest person in the world. A great career and a great woman. The music this movie has to offer is, how can I say it, greater than any other movie ever made. There is something for every fan of country music, from heartbreak songs to love ballads to songs that you can't help but dance too. If you want to watch a movie that really makes you want to fall in love watch this one and if you like country music and you haven't seen this movie that plaease watch it, I beg of you. Buy the soundtrack too. To wrap this up buy the movie, rent it, do what you have to do. It's the best movie I ever seen and I can't stress that enough. The movie is clean so you can watch it with your kids, your girlfriend, your boyfriend, your spouse, watch it with anybody you want to. Trust me you'll be doing them a favor. Thank you very much and have a good 'un. END

Thumbs up! Country star Strait proves he can act too.
It's been a few years since I've seen this, but I remember it being enjoyable, a little bit of everything : comedy, drama, music. A somewhat predictable story line but overall well done....with some good country music to boot. I've always liked George Strait, and was pleasantly surprised by his seemingly effortless ability to act. He is completely at home in front of the camera, very natural. Leslie Anne Warren turns in a great supporting performance, too. One of her more memorable roles.If you like George Strait, you'll love this movie. If you're not a fan, you will be after you see this film!

Not bad
I'm not a fan of any of the people in this film except for one, the Lovely Lesley Ann Warren, I simply Adore her and originally saw this due to the fact that she was in it. I found the film a fun film, a good story with decent acting. It probably grabbed alot of female fans due to George Strait starring in it also. Thats ok, some stars pull in good crowds. Not a bad movie but not one of my favorites. I'd give it an "average" rating.

The worst Country Music Movie I ever seen !!!
The only good thing is the Music shows by George, his rol is ridicolous because the script is a totally ordinary and used once and again in others films.

The truht Actress Lesly Ann Warren is horribilis because since she is her carrere ending, has to do a rool without any resources to make his best as she peformed in "Official and Gentelman" and "Urban Cawboy".

I got this DVD in USA (Region 1) but being aware that no Spanis language was referenced as available doub in the audio.

But when I been back in Madrid (Spain) and play the DVD... Bingo! a ridicolous Spanis-Mexican Doubing start to sound....

So, In the most powerfull Nation of the heart where are living more Spanis speakers than in Spain and it is inside the American Continent discovered by Columbus and havin more than 300 Millions of people, the Movies Industry on DVD allways include French audio doubing and let the Spanis language audio doub be done by Mexicans and hide it on the features credits list on the DVD case rear side. PATETIC!!!!!!!!! :( :( :(

A "Pure" Movie the Whole Family Will Enjoy!
With the large amount of smut, ultra-violence and graphic language in movies today, "Pure Country" is a breath of fresh air for anyone looking for a movie that is entertaining for young and old alike. The film, which debuts country superstar George Strait's acting ability, is a quality film with a fun story that takes a look at the world of country music from the singer's point of view.

George Strait plays Dusty Wyatt Chandler, a Garth Brooksesque superstar whose show has outgrown everyone's expectations, especially his own. While performing at a massive arena to a sold out show, he has an epiphany that the fans are so caught up in his hype, in the pyro-technics and the fireworks and all the flash and dance, that they fail to notice when Dusty stops singing for several seconds. Downed by the realization that people have forgotten his music, and angry with his manager, Lula Rogers (Lesley Ann Warren), after a disagreement about how his show should be performed, Dusty takes off, hitch-hiking his way back home to his small-town roots, leaving Lula, the band, and indeed, his entire entourage, scrambling to find him before their next show.

When he returns home, he re-discovers why he began on the musical journey that took him into the big time, and at the same time meets and falls for Harley Tucker (Isabel Glasser), a proud but struggling ranch owner whose ranch is in risk of going under.

The story takes the audience on a journey into America's heartland, where front porch philosophy, strong family values, and the need to return to your roots are the more important parts of a "pure country" life. Through the experiences that unfold in his time off, Dusty discovers that there he must be responsible to the people that depend on him, but he must be true to himself and his music as well.

With a "feel-good" ending that's sure to please, this movie is chock full of George Strait's music, including the hit "I Cross My Heart" which went on to become a number 1 hit for the singer after the movie's debut.

This is a great film for all ages, and a movie parents can feel comfortable watching with the kids. (NOTE: Minor "make out" scene near beginning of the film (nothing inappropriate, but as I am labelling this a "family" film, I want parents to be aware for younger audiences)).

In a time when the world seems to be reeling from a lack of values, this is a great film that really is "Pure Country", with a down-home feel good story for the whole family.

-Scott Kolecki ... Read more

Reviews (53)

I loved it!
Even if you dont like hip-hop(which I dont know why you wouldnt), you'll still love this movie. It had awesome dance moves in it. But thats not all the movie's about. Jessica Alba(Dark Angel) stars as Honey Daniels, a dancer who deserves to make it big, and she does. It is kind of a mix between Save the Last Dance and You Got Served, but it is way better than both of those movies combined. I really hope that they make a sequel to this movie. It rocks! There are a lot of cool cameos. The best being from Missy Elliot. There's nothing that I dont love about this movie. I would definitely recommend that you buy it. Jessica Alba shines once again. Cant wait to see her in The Deep Blue next summer.

Love the movie!
I like hip hop and stuff so I really enjoyed this movie! I was watching it w/a friend from work and her two yr old daughter and boy did her daughter move to the music! There are many amazing moves in this movie and I was wishing I had her moves. This was an inspiring movie and since I'm an emotional person, I almost cried. If you wanna learn moves, watch this! Jessica also inspired me to go for my goals in life like she did!

Cliche To The Hilt
An MTV/BET hybrid film starring Jessia Alba who was clearly chosen for her looks. It is my understanding that she had to be taught how dance which baffles me because the last time I checked Mya is a trained dancer and since acting skills were not a prime concern, she could have done the role. I think the change in casting alone could have saved this movie from the absolute trash heap into at least renting class. After all, there would have been some real reason to expand on the dancing. Beyond that gripe, the numerous cliches were overwhelming to the point where my 13 year old younger sister could stand no more.

Honey
This movie really sucks. The dancing was good but the story is really bad. Jessica Abla does not know how to act. She is very cheesie. She looks good but that about it. If i could give it a zero or worst i would.

This Year's "Glitter"
First, the obvious question - why was I watching this? Well, when my younger sister was visiting me she rented it, and half from morbid curiosity/half from Jessica Alba's abs, I sat in.

This film chronicles the journey of Honey Daniels, from teaching dance at the unspecified "center" all the way to stardom as a choreographer of the stars. Along the way she's confronted briefly by a mother who knows "there's a whole beautiful world out there for her to see," the slimy agent who wants to exploit her, the unsympathetic best friend, domestic violence, and well...now I'm boring myself.

I'll start with positives: It could have been worse. It at least looked like a real movie with real actors (for the most part). Alba looks pretty amazing, and for what dancing there is, it's well done.

The problems...well...let's be realistic. You kind of know what you're going to get with a movie like this, so it seems almost bully-ish to bring up things like plot and dialogue. Unfortunately, every character in this movie is a walking, breathing cliché, with as much depth as a puddle in your driveway. If that seems unkind, consider that I called them "walking and breathing." That was benevolent. The other major problem is with the dance content. The only thing this movie really had going for it was Alba and her dancing. There isn't all that much of it. The story has her going off to be a choreographer, not a dancer, which takes her out of the action that most of this movie's potential audience wants to see. The only way for "Honey" to be successful would have been to cram it with Alba dancing. They didn't get that memo.

There are two reasons to see this film. 1) If you are an aspiring dancer and want some inspiration, and 2) if you really, really, really like Jessica Alba. I hope Alba gets past this one and makes some more films. She's much less annoying and much more talented than the current slew of canned actress/singers (Mandy Moore, Hillary Duff etc.). I did give it 2 stars, however, since it wasn't as bad as Glitter, the all-time low for movies of this type. If Glitter is 1-star, then this has to be at least 1 higher, so Jessica can thank Mariah for setting a standard so low that even this can surpass it. ... Read more

Reviews (84)

Consider it a wonderful experience
The movie musical was on its way out by the time 'Oliver!' hit theaters in 1968. Happily, this marvelously fun and entertaining film swept the Oscars and earns my vote for the best musical of the 60s (although 'The Music Man' ranks a close second). Mark Lester is adorable in the title role and Jack Wild is a kick as the mischievious Artful Dodger. Then there's Ron Moody recreating his stage role as the villainous (but still likable) Fagin. He's not exactly the same character created by Charles Dickens but he's memorable just the same. And Shani Wallis' Nancy along with Oliver Reed's Bill Sikes give the film some real dramatic punch. The production design strikingly recreates the feel and flavor of mid-19th century London. And the songs which include 'Consider Yourself' and 'Oom Pah Pah' are the icing on the cake. Do your family a great favor and add this timeless treat to your DVD collection.

I'm reviewing. . . .the situation.
I bought this movie because I had some vague, but pleasant memories of it from my childhood. I must say that the movie did not disappoint. It is a well-crafted musical with vivid characters. While they're not exactly analogous to their Dickensian counterparts, who portray a much darker, seamier side of London's underworld, the characters sparkle. Ron Moody as Fagin is unforgettable, and Wild as the Dodger was a perfect casting job. The musical numbers are memorable, hum-inducing performances, such as "Consider Yourself" "Oom Pa Pa" "You got to Pick a Pocket or Two" and "Who Will Buy". My personal favorite is "Reviewing the Situation" because I feel the lyrics to that song are so well done and so well executed by Moody. The adorable Mark Lester is the weak link in an otherwise strong chain. He plays a passable Oliver, but lacks the oomph that the others bring to their roles, and his voice is somewhat airy but sweet (according to other reviewers, too sweet). Nevertheless, he fulfills his end of the bargin, portraying a rosy cheeked cherub in the presence of villains. Oliver Reed plays Sykes to perfection, exuding such dark evil that his sinister shadow precedes him onto the screen. I handled his killing of Nancy better as a grown-up; however, young children may find that scene as distrubing as I did twenty years ago. Overall, this is a finely done musical, and for me, was time well spent.

I think I'd better think it out again.

CONSIDER THIS ONE A WINNER - OSCAR WINNER, THAT IS!
Carol Reed's "Oliver!" is the musical version of Dicken's Oliver Twist. It stars Mark Lester as the irrepressible street urchin, suckered into the lair of a vagabond by The Artful Dodger (Jack Wild) and forced into a life of crime by Fagin (Ron Moody). But when Oliver is salvaged from the slums by a benevolent philanthropist, Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed) decides to make a quick buck off of the trade. Shani Willis costars as Sikes' girlfriend, Nancy, who thwarts the kidnapping plot and pays for her betrayal with her life. This is a very stoic, stagy and rather dry musical that may capture the essence of Dickens in its settings characters and plot but seems totally out of touch with the effervescence of the traditional Hollywood musical. Even with such main staple songs as "Consider Yourself", "Boy For Sale" and "Food, Glorious Food", truly, the spoon full of sugar remains a bitter pill to swallow on this occasion.

Columbia Tri-Star has made "Oliver" available in a startlingly good looking transfer. Colors are solid, rich, vibrant and bold. Contrast levels are exactly where they should be. Blacks are incredibly deep. Fine detail is fully realized. Only occasionally do age related artifacts betray the vintage of the film. The audio is 5.1 and wonderfully spread across all five channels of the sound field. There are no extras. This film is spread across two sides of a single disc. The break comes at the point of intermission.

Moody's Fagin steals classic OLIVER!
Until CHICAGO reenergized the movie musical genre, this musical version of Charles Dickens' immortal "Oliver Twist" was widely regarded as one of the last of the great movie musicals. Indeed, with its high-energy performances, infectious music, steady direction by Sir Carol Reed and glorious sets, this movie won the 1968 Best Picture Oscar over such formidable competition as THE LION IN WINTER, CHARLEY, and FUNNY GIRL.

Of course, most people are familiar with the classic story of young Oliver Twist, whose mother dies giving him birth and is forced to be raised under the cruel supervision of the English workhouse officials. When he dares beg for more than his meager ration of gruel, the youngster is apprenticed to an undertaker and his extremely nasty family. After escaping this hostile environment, he finds himself taken in by the roguish Fagin, the Artful Dodger(Fagin's best pupil), and the rest of his band of young pickpockets. In time, however, Oliver will find his home, but not before dealing with the likes of the brutal Bill Sikes with the help of Sike's sympathetic lover, Nancy, and the kindly Mr. Brownlow.

As musical films go, it is hard to fault the wonderful casting in this film. Mark Lester makes a perfectly, if maybe overly, innocent Oliver, while Jack Wild is a delight as the rascally Artful Dodger. Shanie Wallis is heart-rending as the tragic Nancy. Oliver Reed (Sir Carol's nephew) is truly scary as the menacing Bill Sikes. Harry Secombe displays a glorious tenor in the comic role of Mr. Bumble, the beadle of the workhouse. However, it is Ron Moody's fantastic performance of the rascally Fagin that steals this movie. It is not surprising, when you consider that he created the role when the musical was first produced in London. Of course, the character itself has gone quite a change from Dickens' original, going from the debatably nasty anti-Semitic portrait of the novel to that of a lovable, if sneaky, eccentric. Indeed, Moody's excellent portrayal would set the tone for almost all future performances of the role to date, including those of such actors as George C. Scott and Richard Dreyfus, among others.

Some Dickens fans may quibble about the liberties taken with the book, from the softening of Fagin to the elimination of Oliver's evil step-brother Monks from the storyline. And it isn't a perfect film by any means. (The child singer who dubbed Mark Lester's songs sounds like she's in an echo chamber of some sort, which makes Oliver's singing a jarring contrast to the rest of the cast.) But, as a musical film, it is a wonderful entertainment and superb introduction to the classic story. As a result, this is one musical that I would DEFINITELY recommend.

Excellent
If only movies were made like this today. This film is filled with witty comedy, wonderful music, and great acting. One of the best musicals out there!! This film displays a boy's life going from the lowest of low (an orphanage) and slowely rising to a better life. The only thing is, it makes stealing look a little. .. well . . fun! But i'm sure we can all live with that right? ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Wonderful Film, An Homage to USA Jazz In Paris
The late saxophonist, Dexter Gordon, was absolutely fabulous in this film about an American jazz musician in Paris as the 1950s come to a close. He befriends a young Frenchman who tries to help him but ultimately such friends will always be the givers in a relationship with a jazz artist. There is dialogue in this movie that is always the first thing I remember about it. Gordon's character wonders why people always expect that by escaping to somewhere else, that they will find a new life. "But you're still yourself when you land there," he adds, "You'd have to be a different person inside if you wanted to escape into a new life." These are prophetic words because although race-blind Paris will offer yet another jazz opportunity to this American black musician, he will never escape from himself. He ultimately sees a French psychiatrist when he can't stay away from booze and drugs. "I can't turn off the music in my head," he says, "It is always playing." Perhaps no truer words have ever been spoken by an artist because even those with smaller gifts in the fine arts see images or hear music in their heads. They might be able to turn it off at times but a huge talent won't be able to do so. As they say, there is no free lunch. This film also offers a superb soundtrack that I had to buy upon leaving the movie theater. This is an excellent film where you are justified in owning both the DVD film and the CD soundtrack.

Real emotions from real characters
This touching and realistic movie is quietly dedicated to jazz pianist Bud Powell and saxophonnist Lester Young (both expatiriates who lived in Paris) on whose life the character of "Dale Turner," the saxophonist, is based. The character of Dale Turner, a jazzman in his last days, is played by Dexter Gordon, a jazzman soon to die of throat cancer. Dexter Gordon, a real-life expatriot jazzman who spent much of his playing years in Denmark, deservedly received an academy award nomination for his moving portrayal based on not only a real life story but people and settings with which he was personally familiar. In many ways it is the story of all three musicians, Gordon, Powell and Young. But even more it is based on a fine book on the life of Bud Powell by the young Frenchman who befriended him (which I cannot put my hands on right now). It's as close to truth as you can come. By the way, Dexter played Montreux the next year and while he sounds fragile in the film, he play with great strength.

Gordon rips off Bud Powell
This is a rip off of the Bud Powell story, plain and simple. Francis Paudras was an artist of sorts, similar to the graphic artist in the movie. Francis lived with his girlfriend rather than his daughter. Buttercup was the devil woman in Powell's life, they don't even bother to change the name here. Making money off of the story of Bud Powell without having to pay anyone for it seems ridiculous to me. If you want the real story behind this movie, read "Dance of the Infidels: A Portrait of Bud Powell", written by Paudras himself. The book, while tedious at times, is drenched with the emotion of a truly heartbreaking story, rather than this cheap ripoff.

Friendship, music and far too much whisky
This movie stars Dexter Gordon and features among others Herbie Hancock, Billy Higgins, John McGlaughlin, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Freddie Hubbard and Ron Carter. If you like jazz that's probably all you need to know to make you go see it.

It's a loving recreation of Paris in the 1950s when many of the best American jazz musicians liked to hang in and around the Blue Note café, a venue which, if I only had a time machine is probably where I would most want to spend my evenings. There we find Dale Turner (Gordon) who is in France playing his tenor and drinking himself to death. Turner is based on a kind of amalgam of Bud Powell and Lester Young. His self-destructiveness and bizarre speech habits (all his male friends are nicknamed "Lady" something or other) are pureYoung. The friendship with a young Frenchman Francis (Francois Cluzet) with forms the film's dramatic centre is based on an episode in the life of Powell.

Cluzet's character is perhaps one of the weaker aspects of the film. His conversations with Turner are a bit unsuccessful in getting very far past fanspeak, You are so wonderful, I love your music so much, etc., etc., which I confess I started finding a little tiresome. But generally it's a really delightful movie and one it is possible to enjoy even if you aren't a jazz nut.

But the music is certainly a huge treat. The scene where Gordon and Lonette McKee's Darcey Leigh (clearly based on Billie Holiday) perform "How Long Has This Been Going On" is one of the most unforgettable and mesmerizing musical moments in any film.

Music aside, it's a rather quiet, low key drama about how Turner befriends Francis and his young daughter who must then struggle to help him control the drink habit which is inexorably killing him. It's fairly slow moving. Not a lot happens. But it's a touching and likeable movie, slow and tender like much of its soundtrack, and is kept interesting mainly by Dexter Gordon's marvellous performance as Turner, a heartbreaking mixture of poetry and kindness on the one hand and hopeless alcoholic desperation on the other. He acts almost as well as he plays and he plays, well, he plays like Dexter Gordon.

Jazz anyone?
Being a sax player, I was completely sucked in. It's one
of my favorites. It's a slow-paced movie, but the acting is
exellent and it's very real. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Technical Tour de Force!
I saw this movie a few times when I was a kid, and of course I remembered that it was a good twin/bad twin story. But it was only last year or so when I rented it as an adult that I was bowled over the special effects employed to have Bette play opposite herself. Quite frankly, this movie ought to be part of film studies curricula everywhere--it's an outstanding job! There's a remarkable scene where Bette comes over to talk face to face with her "sister", and even puts her hands on her "sister"'s shoulders. It's wonderful! Excellent use of a good body double for scenes when Bette walks past herself in her bedroom. The only downside is that the men kind of let it down: Glenn Ford as a boring leading man, contended for by both sisters (the war must have still been on or something), and Dane Clark as a misunderstood misfit artist who tells the good twin Kay that she's missing something as a woman. Why would she put up with that, really? But I guess that's so she can flirt with walking on the wild side before being reunited with Glenn. After all, even he knew Kay was lacking something or other, what he described as "icing" to the bad twin when he thought she was the good twin who had suddenly turned up the voltage sexually. Yeah, the real stars are those special effects--don't miss 'em!

Good Bette And Bad Bette, Both In The One Movie
"A Stolen Life", is a real curiosity piece in the work of Bette Davis and was the last of her highly successful films in her incredible run from 1937 - 1946 as Queen of Warner Brothers. This period saw her play everything from Queens, to murderesses, heroines dying of brain tumours and flighty heiresses. This incredible body of work produced an almost unbroken string of Box Office Hits culminating in this rather (for the time) original story. "A Stolen Life", offers fans of this legendary actress like myself, the unique opportunity of seeing her play identical twins, and secondly for witnessing the at times superb special effects of having Davis supposedly performing with herself in many scenes. Even by todays standards the effect of having two Bette's apparently performing in the one scene is stunningly achieved and this excellence to a certain extent makes up for the rather incredible story with its unlikely twists and turns. After this film Bette Davis experienced a real career slump which was only rectified four years later after she had left Warner Brothers, in her stunning comeback film "All about Eve".

Bette Davis plays New England sisters Kate and Patricia Bosworth, and typically in these kind of stories their personalities are for the most part the exact opposite. Kate a struggling artist is the more sensible and down to earth of the two while Patricia tends to be the more forward one who is also quite aggressive about getting the men in her life. Kate while on a trip out to the Maine lighthouse falls in love with young lighthouse keeper Bill Emerson (Glenn Ford), a romance develops however when Patricia sets her eyes on Bill a tug-a-war for his affections begins which eventually sees Patricia winning out and marrying him much to Kate's distress. Comforted by cousin Fred Linly (Charles Ruggles) she then makes the acquaintance of tempermental artist Karnock (Dana Clark) who begins to work with her in her studio which also ignites a stormy love/hate relationship between the two. Kate is surprised however to find Patricia on her doorstep at the Maine house and in an attempt to get along better the two decide to go sailing which unfortunately results in Patricia drowning. Recovering after the accident by a fluke Kate is mistaken for Patricia as she is clutching Patricia's wedding ring and with little thought Kate decides to play along with this charade as a way of finally getting the man she has always loved. However it is not smooth sailing when she assumes Patricia's identity as it is revealed she and Bill were heading for divorce and Patricia has had a string of ex lovers one of which is still very much part of her life. Finding it impossible to maintain the charade any longer Kate flees back to her New England roots where eventually all is resolved and Kate's real identity is revealed . Reconciled with Bill the belief is that the two will start again to use Bill's words and make a new beginning as Kate was always the one he was best suited to of the sisters anyway.

Despite the stories incredible situation and very predictable conclusion there is much to enjoy in "A Stolen Life". Bette Davis does sterling work as the two very different sisters and it's a mark of her great abilities that she doesn't go down the easy path of making each sister the total opposite of the other. Both clearly have shades of grey in them and her acting supposedly against herself in the sister's joint scenes is a masterwork of technique and receptive acting. Glenn Ford handles his role in a capable style but in her first effort as a producer in her new contract with Warner Brothers it is obvious it is Bette's show all the way. The film has a very romantic feel about it with the stunning Cape Cob settings with many of the scenes taking place on mist shrouded hillsides looking down onto crashing waves. First and foremost however this film will always be remembered and talked about because of the special effects that see one performer playing two characters in the one scene. Indeed the technique here is smoothly done and scenes where the two "sisters" actually touch or look each other directly in the eye are quite remarkable. Bette Davis obviously saw this as a challenge as she repeated this in a similiar story about two sisters called "Dead Ringer", in 1964. Directed by veteran director Curtis Bernhardt the usual expertise you expect from all personnel in the golden years of the great Studio system is evident from sets, musical score by Max Steiner and well selected supporting players such as Charles Ruggles and the always excellent Walter Brennan.

"A Stolen Life", makes highly entertaining viewing and shows the multi talents of Bette Davis in full bloom. While certainly not one of Bette's best efforts it has alot to recommend it to viewers. The seemingly tacked on "happy ending", does seem forced and unnecessary but when viewing these types of melodramas one has to look past it's obvious flaws to appreciate the great effort that went into it's construction. It has to be remembered too that in 1946 the idea of two sisters, one good and one bad was still a fresh one and hadn't been done to death yet in countless television productions. Either way Bette Davis always makes compulsive viewing and here she has a field day playing twins who are headed for a collision over the love of one man. Enjoy!

Great Entetainment
This one features Bette Davis at her devious, overwrought best.
If you've ever seen Carol Burnett's parody, "A Swiped Life", you will have a hard time keeping a straight face through the real thing.
"A Stolen Life" is great fun, especially if you're in the right mood.
No one is more watchable than Bette, and I think this is one of her best.
She is wonderfully entertaining in the role(s) of twins, while those around her, particularly the men, react with appropriate bewilderment.When the character Bill marvels that "I can't tell you apart",I want to shout, "That's because they're the SAME PERSON, moron!"
This movie is not exactly subtle. The old standards are present: the crusty old salt with a heart of gold under the gruff exterior, the sensitive loner who needs only to meet the woman who understands him, and the misunderstood, non-conforming artist who tries to "awaken" inhibited Kate but mercifully stops short of telling her that she's beautiful when she's angry.
It all amounts to a lot of fun, though.

pure genius
I throughly enjoyed this film especially the twist in the end. I would love to see it again, and again, and again!!

A Stolen Opportunity
Bette Davis stars as twins after the same man. There's Good Bette, a sensitive, reserved artist, and there's Bad Bette, a socialite apparently without morals. Glenn Ford is the man who finds himself between them. He opts for Bad Bette, leaving Good Bette heartbroken and deflated, willing to accept berating from a rough artist, Dane Clark. However, she gets another chance, following a boating accident in which Bad Bette drowns, and people accidently assume it was Good Bette. She has the opportunity to take her sister's life and get back the man she wanted ... if she can pull it off. Like the twins, there are good and bad points to the film. On the good side, you have Davis and the effects. She does a very good job with two characterizations here, even when one is pretending to be the other. The special effects to create the illusion of twins are surprisingly good for 1946. It's not the usual split-screen work you would expect, but more complicated set-ups where they pass things to each other and appear to be touching. On the bad side would be the story and Ford. The story starts promisingly, but begins to fall apart after Ford chooses Bad Bette. The Dane Clark character is irrelevant to the film, since he does not figure into the resolution. The resolution is also very weak, neatly wrapping up a situation that is far too complicated to be so easily solved. Glenn Ford comes across very weakly here, a combination of a badly drawn character and poor performance. Davis and the special effects help to salvage the film. Too bad the script lets them down. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This period drama is hot, hot, hot. Stylish and sexy, it is adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, by Oscar Hijuelos, the story of two brothers who flee from Cuba in the early 1950s, heading for New York. Hoping to make a name for themselves as famous musicians, the duo face hardships and painful discoveries along the way. Armand Assante is the older of the two, with a smoldering Antonio Banderas as his younger, more impetuous brother. (In his first English-speaking role, Banderas delivered all of his lines phonetically.) The pulsating, sweaty energy of the first half of the film is not sustained throughout. Partly this is because a movie about the rise and fall of minor celebrities has been done to death. Even when the action slows down, however, the story does not bore. There is too much sensuality and vitality exuded by both Assante and Banderas. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (20)

CUANDO SALI DE CUBA...
I really enjoyed this film, based upon the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" by Oscar Hijuelos. With its sexy, pulsating, and rhythmic soundtrack, as well as the strong performances by the entire cast, this film is highly entertaining.

The events in this sharply stylized period film take place in the nineteen fifties, at the height of the mambo dance craze. Two young Cuban musicians, brothers Cesar (Armand Assante) and Nestor Castillo (Antonio Banderas), flee Cuba after a love triangle takes a potentially deadly twist. The love sick Nestor leaves behind the love of his life, the beautiful Maria Rivera (Talisa Soto), now married to his romantic rival.

The brothers arrive in New York, where Cesar meets the lushly sensuous, blonde bombshell, Lana Lake (Cathy Moriarty). They eventually marry, while Nestor, still carrying a torch for Maria, meets the sedate and quietly pretty Delores Fuentes (Maruschka Detmers), whom he eventually marries. Given a helping hand by fellow Cuban, Desi Arnaz, Sr. (Desi Arnaz, Jr.), Cesar and Nestor shortly become stars of the dance halls and clubs they play, where they are christened the "Mambo Kings".

Unfortunately, Cesar's dreams are not necessarily Nestor's dreams and conflicts arise. The brothers also run into trouble when Cesar's arrogance pits him against a musical syndicate that rules the clubs and dance halls with an iron hand, derailing their careers for a time. Moreover, Nestor's marriage is seriously troubled, because of his obsession with his lost love. Still, no matter what, there is always the music.

Armand Assante gives an over-the-top, manic performance as Cesar, the older brother whose arrogance and single-minded ambition nearly alienates his brother. He over-acts the part, making his character almost cartoonish, at times. It is as if he were drowning in his own machismo. Still, he infuses the role with a certain energy that makes him strangely compelling. Moreover, the guy can really dance!

It is the bittersweet performance by Antonio Banderas, however, that takes one's breath away. Antonio Banderas infuses the role of the artistic, younger brother, Nestor, with a poignancy, sensitivity, and sensuousness that is remarkable. He handles the role with a delicacy that nearly brought tears to my eyes. Banderas makes the viewer feel Nestor's pain, so palpable is his anguish over his lost love, Maria. When he sings his ode to her, ""Beautiful Maria of My Soul", the viewer is transfixed, so beautifully does he sing it.

Look for a cameo by the late Tito Puente. The late Celia Cruz also appears in this film, cast as Evalina Montoya, a popular club singer. The viewer is in for a treat with these two salsa greats doing what they do best. It was also somewhat eerie to see the role of Desi Arnaz, Sr. played by his real life son, Desi Arnaz, Jr., as the resemblance is so remarkable, right down to the accent. Special note should also be taken of Roscoe Lee Brown's silky performance as club impresario Fernando Perez.

The film captures the flavor of the nineteen fifties, when night clubs were synonymous with night life, and big bands still held sway. I particularly enjoyed this film, because my parents emigrated from Cuba. Having grown up in New York City during the nineteen fifties, this film holds a certain amount of nostalgia for me.

Great Movie that transports you to another time and place
Definitely on my top 10. The Mambo Kings has several things that make it an all time favorite. First, it uses the medium to pull you in an give you the feeling you are part of the moment. The sets, costumes, cars, and music are detailed to perfection. Especially the music! Cameo's by the great singers of Cuban music make it real. Celia Cruz and the late Tito Puente are awesome! The theme song is beautiful and nothing less than haunting. Check out fantastic soundtrack.

Second, the plot takes some unique twists and turns. The relationship between two brother seems formulaic at the beginning and then both characters acquire unexpected depth and traits. I believe that both Antonio Banderas (this was his first Hollywood film) and Armand Assante give their best performances to date.

I had to go buy a copy
This film is quite stylized tho some of the performances are naturalistic. The way the band, club, and dance sequences are filmed heightens the glamor and excitement, which is perfectly appropriate and well done - especially all that fierce color. American films of the period seem very black-n-white, as well as white, and perhaps the color used here was a corrective.

I agree that it's melodramatic. One hopes the plot will continue the initially triumphant story of the brothers as they take Manhattan and America, but that wasn't what Hijuelos wrote. Assante was as over-the-top as his character - I thought it was a wonderful performance - and one can feel the ultimately fatal difference between the brothers right from the start.

One thing I appreciated about this film (besides the music) was that the sex was presented as goofy. Films so often present sex as fraught with tension or guilt or some such, and here, two sex scenes have people giggling like fools. Much closer to my experience.

The soundtrack has the signature song sung in Spanish and IMO is better than the version used in the film.

One of the Best Period Dramas
This is one of the best and most entertaining dramas depicting immigrants in America and one of the few featuring Cuban immigrants. Armand Assante is phenomenal as the older brother. Reviewers have written about Antonio Banderas in this movie, and his performance is noteworthy, particularly because it was his first English-speaking role, and he did a great job. But Assante's acting, his dancing, his excitement and his ENERGY have rarely been equaled on the screen. He worked his heart out in this movie. Assante's performance in "Mambo Kings" was Oscar-worthy, and I think he is a totally underrated actor who has never really been given his due. This film is a must see, and you won't be sorry you spent the time.

Hot Cha Cha
I can't say that I'm a big fan of either Armand Assante or Antonio Banderas, but this movie was touching, poignant and very, very sexy. Assante just bowls you over with his portrayal of "Cesar." He oozes old fashioned animal magnetism. Banderas is is touching as the weaker younger brother who is pining for a love he left back in Cuba and cannot appreciate Delores, the gem of a girl me meets and marries in New York. Kathy Moriarity is perfect as Cesar's big, blowsy but beautiful girlfriend. The music is irresistable. Tito Puente's duet with Assante is way too short. If Assante and Banderas did their own singing, they're surprisingly good. But it's Assante who fills the screen. Sexy, swaggering, full of bravado. His character is in love with his brother's underappreciated wife and Assante's scenes with her are subtle and compelling. I have to say, in this movie, the man is fabulous. "Mambo Kings" inspired me to hunt down some other Assante films but nothing comes close in terms of script, acting or quality. It's a shame, too. This man is too gorgeous and too sexy not to have at least a few vehicles that show him off to better effect. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A great movie for kids who like seals
I remember watching this movie back when it first premiered on television, and now, years later, I watched it again. I enjoyed it both times. A family decides to take in a seal as a pet once they find it on the verge of death. Two people in the family, the father and the youngest kid, get attached to the seal, but they both know that the seal, named Andre, cannot stay there forever.

"Andre" is one of the best family movies that I've seen in awhile. Andre is a smart seal that can be both entertaining and hilarious at the same time. I'm not a kid anymore, but I can see where "Andre" is best suited for kids. A little girl is the one that mainly takes care of and hangs around Andre, so when kids watch it, they'll probably be imagining themselves raising a seal. As a matter of fact, you shouldn't be surprised if they ask for a seal or if they want to go to the zoo right after they watch this movie.

If you have any kids that like seals, or if you just need a great family movie that you can sit down and watch over and over with your kids, niece, nephew, etc., I recommend getting "Andre."

A great movie for kids who like seals
I remember watching this movie back when it first premiered on television, and now, years later, I watched it again. I enjoyed it both times. A family decides to take in a seal as a pet once they find it on the verge of death. Two people in the family, the father and the youngest kid, get attached to the seal, but they both know that the seal, named Andre, cannot stay there forever.

"Andre" is one of the best family movies that I've seen in awhile. Andre is a smart seal that can be both entertaining and hilarious at the same time. I'm not a kid anymore, but I can see where "Andre" is best suited for kids. A little girl is the one that mainly takes care of and hangs around Andre, so when kids watch it, they'll probably be imagining themselves raising a seal. As a matter of fact, you shouldn't be surprised if they ask for a seal or if they want to go to the zoo right after they watch this movie.

If you have any kids that like seals, or if you just need a great family movie that you can sit down and watch over and over with your kids, niece, nephew, etc., I recommend getting "Andre."

Wild about Harry
The movie is captivating, and the acting is good, but nobody seems to be able to imitate the coastal Maine accent right, and Andre was a wild Harbor seal, not a trained sea lion. I lived near Boston in the 70s, and Andre was quite the celebrity every October when he arrived at the New England Aquarium, and every TV news station tracked his progress when he left in the spring, based on eyewitness reports. He was a real charmer who knew how to work a crowd. He was a wild seal, but his heart belonged to Harry, and his love for Harry always took him back to Rockport year after year. I saw Andre perform 3 times, including his last performance, when he half-heartedly did a few tricks then raced out to sea for the last time. For me, the movie wasn't as good as the real thing. But if you never saw Andre, and you want a well-done, funny, heartwarming family movie, this is it. Enjoy!

Great Kids Film
Andre is the story of a girl and her pet SEAL! The story is fresh and alive, starring Tina Majorino(Alice In Wonderland,Waterworld) as Andre's owner...owner? More like friend. This film is reminiscient of Free Willy, but made for a younger audience. However, as a family film, if you watch it pass the kleenex, as the last third of the movie rolls. I like this movie, and so do my kids.

andre-i thought it would be good, but no
andre more like bad. i mean come on that scene where the cow flew that was totally fake. and that one part where the dog made that dunk, come on, and when the guy shot ghandi that was totally unfair

yes i realize these are parts from twister, air bud, and ghandi
but when rolled into one you get this movie, Andre, i would rather jump off of the grand canyon than watch this one. my recomendation----NO WAY ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Elvis is chased by girls in Spinout!
"I'm not going to marry you, I'm not going to marry her, I'm staying single, single, single, single, single." That is what Mike McCoy (Elvis Presley) is tring to do. Mike has 3 girls wanting to marry him. (The 3rd person will start later on in the film).

An author named Diana St. Clair (Diane McBain) wants to marry Mike McCoy. She writes books, like Ten Ways to Trap a Bachler and the mating habits of the single male. While that a millionairess name Cynthia Foxhugh (Shelly Fabares) wants to marry him too.

Her father (Carl Betz) wants her to marry his worker named Philip (Warren Berlinger). Like Girl Happy, Elvis sings with a combo. This time the combo is made up of Les, Curly and Larry, (Deborah Walley, Jack Mullaney, Larry Hawkins, Girl Happy).

Cynthia claims she gets everything she wants. She even gets her old man to pretend to kick Mike and his combo out of town. A police officer (Will Hutchins) shows up.

Mike asks if they can leave in the morning, and the police officer replies, "Sure, who does he think he is kicking people out of town in the middle of the night."

He is Cynthia's old man.

But soon thier is trouble when Les makes a move on Mike. But does he stay single or marry one of the 3 girls? Watch to find out.

The music's better than the movie
SPINOUT is another hard movie to sit through, thanks to the weak dialogue and even weaker storyline.

Elvis plays a singing race car driver (for the second time), who is being chased by three women. These include a spoiled brat (Shelley Fabares), an erotic author (Diane McBain), and his own drummer (Deborah Walley).

The music is actually listenable in this picture. Highlights include "Stop, Look, and Listen" and "I'll Be Back".

Elvis appears to be sleepwalking through this one. His appearance is also disturbing: slightly overweight and his hair looks like a big black ball on his head.

Again, not QUITE the worst, but far from the best. Buy something more worthwhile first.

THANK YOU WARNER BROTHERS!
This cover is EXCELLENT! Glad someone smart at WARNER BROTHERS decided to use the original poster art! ENTERTAINING film with a GREAT Soundtrack! ELVIS looked GREAT and the supporting cast did too!

FLUFF, BUT FUN
This movie was not and will not be remembered as great cinema... but one of the 50 worst films of all time? Terrible? You have got to be kidding.
Simply put, if you don't like Elvis, you won't like this movie. If you are a fan of modern movies containing gratuitous violence, nudity, foul language and etc, you should avoid this movie because I guarantee you will not like it. BUT, if you want a innocuous, family film with fun music and a star who could charm the birds right out of the trees, you will enjoy this movie.
Was Elvis out of touch in the mid and late 60's? YES. And I for one am glad he was and appreciate the fact that he made music and movies that were entertaining, light-hearted and able to be played in the same room with children. In the 60's, Elvis' movies helped to create an escapism from a world that seemed to be falling apart and represented a gentler, more innocent time.

CORNY?...YES!, COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER?...DEFINITELY!, but a bad movie...NO! Compared to other star vehicles of the day (Frankie and Annette, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin's Matt Helm films, Don Knotts, and etc) it is a very good movie.

Who else would have three beautiful women after him?
"Spinout" has Elvis playing a singing race car driver with three beautiful women who want to race him down the aisle to marriage. They are Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, and Deborah Walley. Looks like Elvis has a tough decision. I can't decide myself. In "Spinout" you'll find two veteran stars in the height of their stardom: Cecil Kellaway and Una Merkel in one of her last roles. Also, the man who plays Shelley Fabares' father is Carl Betz who also starred with her as her father on "The Donna Reed Show". So, try to not to knock this movie. It's got great songs and the title tune was a top 40 hit by just that much. So, treat yourself to a swinging film that you just can't understand why Elvis wants to stay single. ... Read more

Reviews (172)

Rice & Lloyd Webber's Operatic Passion Play on Film
After the bizarre Broadway staging of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera, the film version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" had to be a more traditional offering. Producer-Director Norman Jewison filmed on location in Israel, using natural settings and sparsely constructed sets for what is essentially a string of music videos (since it was written as a studio album first, the music presents problems for moving from one scene to the next). The framing device for the film is the cast arriving/departing by bus. Ted Neeley's voice is suited to the role, but certainly he is the shortest Jesus I can recall seeing in films. Yvonne Elliman and Barry Dennen remain from the original studio album and Broadway production as Mary Magdalen and Pilate, which is perfectly all right. However, it is clearly Carl Anderson as Judas who gives the best performance in the film. The film version suffers from the inadequate voices of several of the supporting cast members (most notably Josh Mostel as Herod) and the grossly reduced chorus of singers which never comes close to matching the number of bodies on screen, and there are a few unintentional laughs (as when Israeli tanks come over the dune and chase Judas). But the use of paintings depicting the crucifixion and the final shot of sheep being herded past the cross the cast leaves behind on the hill, are particularly effective. Of course as with most movies, if you want to watch it you want to get a hold of the widescreen edition, otherwise you cannot appreciate the Last Supper tableau or just enjoy the compositional elements of the shots. Every Easter weekend I watch this film, even if I do not have time to do all of "Jesus of Nazareth" or "The Greatest Story Every Told." The only thing radical here is the music, but I still have to think it qualifies as the requisite joyful noise.

Controversial Rock Opera
Jesus Christ Superstar was Andrew Lloyd Webber and Time Rice's first major success. The rock opera was first a concept album that exploded on the charts hitting number one and spending almost a year in the top ten and unleashed Murray Head on the world. It was then made into a successful Broadway play starring Ben Vereen. In 1973, respected director Norman Jewison (In The Heat Of the Night, Fiddler On the Roof) brought it to the big screen. The film was shot on location in Israel and that gives it an authentic feel. There is no dialogue in the film, everything is sung in true opera fashion. It kind is like a forerunner of the music video in that fact. Mr. Jewison mixes the biblical setting with modern nuances such as guards carrying machine guns, tanks and planes appear and at the beginning of the film, the cast arrives by bus and at the end it leaves on the same bus. The beginning of the film shows the cast setting up what appears to be a play. They get into costumes and set up for the play. The movie focuses on the last seven days of Jesus and Ted Neeley appears in the title role. The movie focuses on Jesus' relationship with Judas, who is played by Carl Anderson. The plot likens Jesus to a modern-day rock star, who rises above all the other prophets due to the hype-machine. Judas thinks that Jesus is believing the hype and moving away from his humble roots. He turns traitor in the belief he is helping the nation. At the end, we are left wondering if this was just a play or was it real as all the cast members get on the bus except Mr. Neeley. The movie fades out quite powerfully in the sunset on the cross. The movie moves along through the series of songs and is well choreographed. The album, play and film were highly controversial due to its take on the Passion of Jesus, but putting religious beliefs aside, it is an excellent film.

Most powerful movie ever produced!
Too many people miss the point. This movie was not made as a literal portrayal of Jesus' last days...it was (and remains) a figurative interpretation of the last days of one who would inspire a new branch of religion.

From the opening moments of the movie when Carl Anderson (Judas) sings ("...my mind is clearer now, at last, all too well, I can see, what we all, soon will be...") through Ted Neely (Christ) during "Gethsemane" ("Allright! I'll die, just watch me die!") the viewer is mesmerized by some of the most powerful music, lyrics, and staging ever written and performed. This particular sequence (when Jesus is climbing the mountain, fairly crying out for God's explanation of things to come ~ "Show me just a little of your omnipresent brain") still brings tears to my eyes and I've seen this movie at least 100 times!

The movie was shot on location in Israel a few years after the 6 day war, and during the Vietnam war. These realities are not lost on the writers, and evidence of their beliefs and opinions are sprinkled throughout the movie (the tanks coming over the horizon and the F-16's flying over Judas' head were a nice touch). Their religious convictions are displayed in such moments as when the priests are on the scaffolding ("He is dangerous") and the crowd extols Jesus below ("Haysanna, hosannah, sanna sanna ho, sanna hey sanna hosanna; hey JC, JC won't you die for me...") watch Jesus' face at that moment....

Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdelene) does a fine job of balancing the angst of Judas with the over-arching compassion of Jesus, and Barry Dennen (Pilate) captures a high point when he washes his hands of Jesus' plight. Bob Bingham's (Caiphas) bass rattles your soul with his deep melodic tonality.

While the acting is certainly not on par with the great actors of our times, one has to take that with a grain of salt. I was 7 when I first saw it and I still watch this movie at least once per year (can you guess which day? :) By far this is Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice at their best.

Who the Hell did they get to play Jesus?!
The guy who plays Jesus is an awful singer. He ruined the entire movie sounding like the lead from some punk band. Also, it's clear they did not cast the actors based on their looks (or even their talent for that matter). I tried very hard to like this. I love musicals but this ranks down there with Cats, Hair, and Nine. If you want a great musical based on the scripture, check out the amazing Godspell.

awesome
OK, granted this musical was done in the early 70's and therefore has some 70's overtones, but the acting and singing are magnificent. The relationship between Judas and Jesus is powerful, and Ted Neeley stares right into your soul. I first saw this movie when I was about 7 years old and it left a lasting, positive influence on me regarding Christ. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A funny thing happened to Finian's Rainbow in between its debut as a Broadway musical in 1947 and its appearance as a film in 1968. After 21 years, its theme of racial tension in the American South was no longer cutting edge, and the fact that its heroes are a group of sharecroppers called the Rainbow Valley Tobacco Cooperative dates it even further. Add a number of subplots and the heavy hand of a 29-year-old Francis Ford Coppola directing his first and only musical, and the two-and-a-half-hour running time feels bloated. Hermes Pan (best known for the classic Astaire-Rogers movies) is credited with choreographing the overbusy musical numbers, but he was reportedly overruled by Coppola at every turn. Still, there is a lot to enjoy in this movie, most notably Fred Astaire in his last lead role in a musical. Fred plays Finian McLonergan, an Irishman who has traveled to America in hopes of planting a pilfered pot of gold near Fort Knox and watching it grow. Even at 69, Fred shows he is still capable of a sprightly step and warbling "Look to the Rainbow." Another plus is the casting of '60s pop icon Petula Clark as his daughter, as she sings with an unaffected loveliness. Finally, the score by Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg includes two of the best Broadway songs ever written--"Old Devil Moon" and "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?"--as well as the comic ditty "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love." --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (25)

My favorite movie
I have a hard time understanding why several other reviews keep saying that the themes to this story are outdated -- wishful thinking, perhaps. But unfortunately, the themes of bigotry, prejudice and hatred are still alive and well and living in the U.S. today (should anyone doubt this, consider that the first successful murder conviction in the south against a white man for killing a black man occurred in the 1970's!) Abuse of power and the overwhelming gap between the poor and the rich are also as healthy as ever.

Sure, there are some specifically outdated elements -- sharecropping, for instance. And the tobacco subplot isn't really very PC nowadays, though it's pretty funny. But what's important is still contemporary.

The acting is marvelous, and the chemistry between Fred Astaire and Petula Clark is very strong, making Sharon's instant infatuation with Woody much more believable than it might otherwise be. "He's just like you!" And Og is wonderfully comical with just a hint of a serious edge, making him utterly loveable. Though probably my favorite bit of acting in the show is Howard's complete non-expression in the scene where he is being taught how to "act black".

There is a plot hole big enough to drive the Death Star through, I admit -- but I choose to see it in a slightly different light. If Og made two of the wishes -- well, you figure it out. I like to believe that maybe things aren't quite what they seem.

All in all, I think it's a wonderful, delightful and moving story and I've loved it passionately since I was six.

Hurray for Tommy Steele!!
It was neat to see Fred Astaire (I like old movies) and TOMMY STEELE! He was my favorite character in "Finian's Rainbow", also my favorite in "Happiest Millonare." I think Tommy Steele's character, Og, was one of the most interesting. This movie has romance, comedy, and drama. The main male character,Mr. Mclanagan,(Fred Astaire)came from Ireland to America to bury the crock of gold he stole from the leprachans back home. He also brings his daughter, Sharon, along (Petula Clark). Og (Tommy Steele) is the leprechan who follows Mr. Mcglanagan to America. Mcglanagan finds this out after he buries the crock. "Oh, give it back Mr. Mcglanagan," Og pleads, because now that the crock has left Ireland all the leprachans are turning mortal including himself. He has grown so much that by that scene his pant cuffs are above his ankles. Mr. Mcglanagan is too greedy and refuses to give it back. Sharon, on the other hand falls in love with a tobacco share cropper, Woody, Og falls in love with Sharon, and then Sharon, angry with the unfair way the senator was treating blacks, made a big wish on the senator and the crock granted it. It makes a whole mess of problems, because now the neighborhood thinks Sharon is a witch. My favorite scene is when Og woos Susan, Woody's mute sister, since Sharon's already taken by Woody. He thought Susan was Sharon at first, though, because when her back was turned she looked like Sharon: Og:I'm 99% mortal now, and my feelings for you, . . it's a frenzy, a frenzy! Ah, but it feels better just bein' near ye, the scent of the air the touch of your hand, oh the miracle of it, the miracle of it, the sweet, sweet, miracle of it! (He reaches for her hand to put it to his cheek and Susan pulls away startled) She loves me! Her hand fits me cheek! Oh, Sharon you are the only one, the only one! (He sees her face) Wha- but- you're not Sharon at all! You're Susan "the silent." . . yet I feel the same frenzy for you. . is this what it's like to be mortal? Is every girl the only girl? Huh! I'm beginin' to like it! (Then breaks into a funny song) This one of my favorite movies as you can tell!!

One of the Worst Musicals I have Ever Seen
Let me say something before I go into how bad this movie really is. I am a seriously big Fred Astaire fan, and I can honestly say that 30 out of 31 of his musicals have been nothing less than atleast worthy of watching. That single one that slips up, and makes it to the list of "Fred Astaire Completists only" is this one, for sure.

If Fred Astaire was not in this movie, it would not even get the one star rating, it would deserve absolutely nothing. This is a complete embarrassment, to the otherwise brilliant list of films Fred Astaire has been in. Being a completist, even I, myself have trouble over thinking that this movie is actually in my collection.

Fred Astaire, the greatest male dancer to ever appear in the movies, is completely wasted here. For some stupid reason, the very little dancing that poor old Fred does in this movie, might aswell have been cut out completely. When filming a dance number, you should NOT cut out the view of the dancers feet. I am personally insulted by the waste of such a great talent. Fred Astaire is also a great - and very much underrated - singer. He does do a few numbers, but even they cannot save this movie.

Moving away from Fred Astaire for a bit, I'll get on with the co-stars. Petula Clark is a fairly good singer, and she does actually have a few good songs to sing in this movie. But, then we have to be tortured by that leprechaun, played very annoyingly by Tommy Steele. This film is insulting in another way, also, which I wont explain here, because if you choose to watch the movie, you will know, more or less, straight away what I am referring to.

I had to, simply HAD to sit through this movie, so that I could say I had seen it, and therefore complete the films of Fred Astaire, and I tried my best to watch it a second time. I managed to, but let me say this, it was one of the most torturing things I have ever had to put up with. The film is very long, also.

I am amazed by the amount of people who have already written their own thoughts on this movie. Some of them even saying it is their "favourite movie". I can guarantee there are more people out there that hate this movie, than there are that like it. I have came across a whole load of them. I guess nobody seems to want to put it in print. This movie was a huge flop when it was released, and personally, I can't understand why the negative, and all prints of the film, were not burned. The only explanation I can think of, is due to Fred Astaire fans having to need to watch this, and then being able to say they have seen all of his movies.

Believe me, Fred Astaire completists only should watch this. I can write so much about this movie that I hate, but I honestly cannot think of a single thing I like about it, except Fred's appearance. Nothing else. Terrible, terrible movie. It's torturing to watch. If only Fred had of not made this movie, I would never of had to watch it. Watch Fred Astaire in any of his other musicals, and just pretend he never made this, for your own good.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..........
What the....? I thought this was supposed to be one of those musicals like Singin In The Rain or Anie Get Your Gun. Thank goodness it's not. To say this movie is weird is an understatement, but to let it mingle with other musicals is even weirder. This movie shows two Irish immigrants who move to a town of hillbilly wackos in order to bury stolen gold. An obnoxious leprechaun, played by Tommy Steele, follows them there to claim his rightfully owned gold. My favorite scene with him in it is when he chases the drunken Fred Astaire through the Tennesee woods at night, disguised as a Christmas tree. Also in the story is the Senator, played by Keenan Wynn, who lives in a tumbledown house outside of the town, in a rural area. My favorite scene with him in it is the infamous "ham and cheese sandwich" scene on the baks of the bayou. The one con is: Too many bad songs. The songs are not very good, like they were in Fiddler On the Roof, and there are way too many of them. But if you are looking for a great black comedy, search no further. Finian's Rainbow is the best there is.

Bizzare 60's Musical
Although the story is very complicated, I will try to tell it the best I can. Two Irish immigrants move to a backwoods town of bizarros, in order to bury some stolen gold. The guy who the gold was stolen from, (in this case a leprechaun), has tailed them to the backwoods to take it back. Between songs and dances like 'Woody's Here' and 'How Are Things In Glocka Morra' the town battles against the intense, ramshackle house-living Senator, played by Keenan Wynn. This is quite bizzare for the usual light-hearted, song-and-dance musical, but I really wouldn't expect anything else to come out of the late 1960's. If you are interested in a queer, sly movie, get this. But you won't really go for this if you are a fan of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. ... Read more

Reviews (246)

Dynamic Dance Duo
Save the Last Dance (2001), starring Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas, is more than your average teen movie. This romantic drama deals with grief, guilt, interracial relationships, violence, and inner conflicts. While most romantic dramas are extremely predictable, Director Thomas Carter II does a wonderful job with plot twists.
The movie begins with Sara Johnson (Julia Stiles) on a train headed for Chicago to live with her estranged father, Roy (Terry Kinney). Sara begins to have flash backs on the train, and soon we find out that Sara was an aspiring ballet dancer, and while auditioning for the Julliard School of Dance, her mother was killed in a tragic car accident on her way to the audition. Grief and guilt cause Sara to hang up her ballerina shoes.
Sara arrives in Chicago and is forced to live a completely different life style than she is accustomed to. She attends a predominantly African American high school on Chicago's rough South Side. In her first English class, she gets into a debate with Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas), and immediately dislikes him because of his attitude. Sara feels out of place until she befriends Chenille (Kerry Washington), a single teenage mother. It turns out that Derek is Chenille's brother, which is totally unexpected by Sara and the viewing audience.
Sara quickly adjusts to living in an African American culture with the help of her new friends. Sara begins to take an interest in Derek when he asks her to dance at a popular hip hop club. As Derek begins to coach her on hip hop dancing, an interracial relationship begins, and so do the social problems.
Dancing is the key to this movie because that is how most of the relationships develop. Most of the conflicts take place during the dancing scenes as well.
Overall, I rated this film a four star rating. I was expecting another teen movie, and instead I got so much more out of it. If you are interested in a serious drama that touches on a plethora of topics this film is worth viewing.

Don't Save the Last Dance for Later
The 2001 movie Save the Last Dance, starring Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas, is probably one of the better films I have viewed this past year. It is not your typical teenager flick where superficiality is at the core of the film. Instead of focusing solely on the drama of relationships, this romantic drama genre film deals with more mature issues. Director Thomas Carter weaves several serious themes throughout the plot, including grief and guilt, interracial relationships, and urban violence. One thing about romance genre films is that they are generally predictable, but Save the Last Dance offers several surprising plot twists.
The film begins with Sara (Julia Stiles) on a train headed for Chicago to live with her estranged musician dad, Roy (Terry Kinney), after her mother's tragic death. Sarah was an aspiring ballet dancer, and incidentally was auditioning for the Julliard School of Dance when her mother died in a car accident on the way to the audition.
Sara arrives in Chicago and is forced to live a completely different lifestyle in the inner city in her father's shoddy apartment. She attends a predominantly African American high school, where she immediately befriends Chenille (Kerry Washington), a single teenage mother. In her first English class, she gets into a debate with Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas), and initially dislikes him for his "know it all" attitude. It turns out that Derek is Chenille's brother, which is an unexpected coincidence. Surprisingly, Sara adjusts to living in an African American culture quite quickly with the help of her new friends.
Sara and Derek are both presented as smart, talented individuals with their own belief systems. They are much more complex characters than I was anticipating in this film, thanks to Stiles' and Thomas' standout performances. Sara begins to take an interest in Derek when he asks her to dance at the ever-popular Steps Club. Eventually Derek becomes her hip-hop dance mentor, and that is when their relationship blossoms. Incidentally, their relationship marks the beginning of the problems for both characters.
As the film's title suggests, dancing is key to the movie because that is how many of the relationships are formed. Most of the important conflicts take place during those scenes as well. Nevertheless, the dancing in some of the scenes was not very impressive. Good dance moves should appear natural and flow along well, but much of the dancing in this film did not live up to this expectation. Much of the dance choreography appeared rough and unnatural.
The end of the film was the only part that was predictable, but the fun part really lies in getting there. The lighting in the scenes was dim most of the time, which added to making the film more serious in tone, and therefore more realistic. Furthermore, the film was paced perfectly; at no time did I feel like it was dragging on. All of the cast members displayed decent acting and characterization, with the exception of Roy (Terry Kinney). Roy's character was not very developed, but his character had the potential to be quite interesting because of his inner city lifestyle.
Overall, I would give this movie a four star rating. If you have an interest in dance, romance, or serious drama, this film is worth seeing. Even if you are not interested in any of these topics, one can appreciate the good acting displayed by the main characters. After viewing the film, I felt the urge to get up and dance, and that is precisely what I did.

One of the best movies
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It was the first movie I ever saw with Julia Stiles in, and she is now one of my favorite actresses. The story is so real. It starts when Julia's character, Sarah's, mother dies, in a car accident. She goes to live with her estranged father, in an almost-all black community. There is this whole inter-racial theme going on, and really puts up with what it is for whites to date blacks. The whole story is amazing, and there are so many sub-plots; teenage pregnancy, drugs, parent problems, (i.e. splitting, and death,) moving, and relationship. Sarah wants to go to Julliard for ballet, but then after she moves she goes to a club where everything is hip-hop, and she's on the outside. An amazing movie with an excellant cast.

AWESOME Movie !!!
What more can I say - Julia Stiles ROCKS !!

Don't Save This Movie For Last
Want to see a great movie with realistic drama, great characters, and plenty of excitement? Than make sure not to miss "Save The Last Dance".

Starring in "Save The Last Dance" is Julie Stiles, who plays Sarah. Sarah has just moved in with her dad into a not-so-nice neighborhood in Chicago. Sarah's mother died on the way to Sarah's Julliard dance recital, leaving Sarah overwhelmed with guilt and wanting nothing to do with dancing any longer. Sarah is immediately thrust into a new school where she is outnumbered by race. However, she manages to fit in, yet at the same time make some enemies. She finds a place for herself in a crowd that frequents the local dance clubs; and it's through this dancing she finds herself a boyfriend, a guy named Derek (played by Sean Patrick Thomas) who is planning to become a doctor. Derek is a sensitive and intelligent young man, but his friends leave a lot to be desired. After a somewhat rough start between Sarah and Derek, they hit it off pretty well.

But things are never far from exploding into disaster. Racial tension mounts between Derek's best friend and Sarah, who openly disapproves of their interracial relationship. Derek meanwhile is trying to get Sarah to open herself back up to dance and at the same time confront her irrational feeling of guilt over her mother's death. With pressure coming in at all sides to Sarah and Derek, their relationship seems doomed. Will Sarah ever be able to achieve her once strong desire to become a dancer? Will she and Derek ever be able to overcome their many obstacles? Will violence overcome both Sarah's relationship and friendship? Watch Save The Last Dance and find out.

A major plus in this movie is some of the dance scenes and music, if you like rap/hip-hop and dance. Sarah's last dance scene actually gave me goose bumps; it was an awesome display of modern dance and hip-hop mixed in with ballet. In the after-movie interview that you get with the video, Julia Stiles confessed that it took weeks to film that one dance scene, and that she trained very hard for the part. It shows. Another plus in this movie was the realistically gritty scenes between the characters. Racial tension is a difficult subject to tackle sometimes. However, Save The Last Dance manages to pull it off pretty well.

I really liked Sarah, the character that Julia Stiles played. She comes across as a tough, won't-take-anything-from-anyone type of girl who also has her share of emotional issues. I loved how she was so straight out and wouldn't take any crap from the people who insulted her. Many will also be able to empathize with her guilt and heartache at losing her mother, and her uncertainty in dealing with her father, who she barely knows. I also liked the part that Sean Patrick Thomas, as Derek, played. He managed quite admirably to pull off the role as bad-boy-turned-good and a serious student headed for Medical School. He also came across very convincingly as a caring boyfriend any girl would love to have. In the movie, one of Derek's best friends, to whom he is actually indebted (the guy covered for Derek in a past crime they both committed, back when Derek was into petty crimes and such), is trying to both bring him down by insulting Derek's girlfriend and by coercing him to join into his violent and illegal activities.

The other characters in "Save The Last Dance", although I didn't like them all, played their parts very well and helped the movie come together as a realistic, gritty high-school drama.

There wasn't much about this movie I didn't like. There is however a little bit of violence in the movie (it is rated PG13), and some disturbing racial tension. Sometimes I felt the racial problems were a little overdone, and sometimes the characters in that way were too cruel. I was a little annoyed at all the people who obviously wanted Derek and Sarah apart because of their different races. I mean, if they are happy, who cares about color? Leave them alone already! The movie seems to have a bit more meaning to it then you would think, especially if you've watched it as many times as I have.

Overall, I think many people will like this movie. It is of course available in both DVD and VHS formats, and sometimes is played on the premium movie channels on cable TV. Why not rent it and check it out if you already haven't? If you are turned off by movies with racial tension and some violence, then by all means skip this one. However, if you want a dramatic and realistic movie about growing up in a ghetto-like Chicago neighborhood, with a little romance thrown in, and want to see some awesome dancing, make sure to check out "Save The Last Dance"! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The best SANTA I ever did see
This is the best Santa Claus I have ever seen. Are you sure Mr. Seidelman didn't go to North Pole and hire the real one?

Rediscover Christmas..
This movie explores the Christmas spirt and unconditional love through the eyes of a child, as he tries to get the one present that he truely wnts for Christmas.

hfd
100 ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Hello Frisco Hello
This is a wonderful movie, I love this movie, if you like mucicals you've got to have this one. 1943, but its truly a classic. I saw it on T.V. and I just had to have it and you will too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Faye Wows Them in San Francisco
"It's fifty cent hack ride down to the bottom of Nob Hill but it takes a million dollars to get back up."

Such are the memorable words of John Payne, musical performer and production impressario, in "Hello, Frisco Hello." Payne's musical review with romantic interest Alice Faye along with Jack Oakie and June Havoc achieves success along San Francisco's Barbary Coast. The ambitious Payne, however, has much more in mind. He wants to become a major player in the ritzy Nob Hill scene. Faye has the common sense to know that Payne is getting in over his head, but is powerless to stop him when he meets society matron Lynn Bari. She has a social name and standing but is currently broke while Payne believes she is his key to cracking the big time so they unite.

Alice Faye impresses moviegoers because of her inner sincerity as well as her unswerving loyalty. When Payne ultimately strikes out with Bari, who tells him bluntly, "I never said I loved you," Alice, after a successful performing run in London, sneaks money to drunken visionary Laird Cregar, who had previously panhandled Payne, convincing him that the money is no more than a loan, and that he will eventually strike it rich by finding gold. Payne, immensely prideful, accordingly believes that his own gold earnings are bankrolling his shows, not the fiercely loyal Alice. Eventually Cregar reveals the truth by accident when he has had too much to drink...

From San Francisco with Love...
I love this film! It's a mythical and musical romp through San Francisco (as seen by 1943 Hollywood.) It's survived the test of time and changing sensibilities remarkably well unlike other movies of the era...just lots of toe-tapping music and campy stage settings of SF landmarks.

Faye knocks 'em for six on the Barbary Coast
Hollywood legend Alice Faye was at the peak of her career when she made this costume musical drama. She is knockout in all her numbers, particularly so in the title song, and "Doin' the Grizzly Bear."

In this one, she is reunited with one of her favourite co-stars, the darkly-handsome John Payne, and the comedy relief comes from old timer Jack Oakie, and June Havoc, who was the character Baby June in the musical "Gypsy" - the sister of the famed Gypsy Rose Lee, who walked out on Mama Rose while a teenager to find fame in Hollywood! A tuneful musical, beautifully photographed in Technicolor. Miss Faye never looked lovelier.

why doesn't your review include list of all musical songs
wish i could understand why all the songs in this movie aren't listed-since thats what most people are interested in-in reviewing this movie! ... Read more

Reviews (335)

No sense of pace whatsoever
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY is really a shame. Here are all the elements of an engaging, literate thriller--decent performances, a remarkably disturbing and insightful story (thanks largely to Patricia Highsmith's novel), a chillingly atmospheric score, and a well-realized sense of time and place. The trouble is, I didn't give a damn. This movie is so poorly paced, so slow and uninvolving, that watching it is like trying to slog through a pond of molasses.

It doesn't help that Matt Damon is the wrong choice for the elusive psychopath, Tom Ripley. Damon isn't a bad actor, just a miscast one, and while he nails the various impersonations Ripley must perform and seamlessly switches between identities, he never really fascinates or enthralls on-screen. It also doesn't help that Jude Law, as Dickie Greenleaf, completely upstages Damon in an Oscar-nominated performance that's equal parts fire and ice. The only character less interesting than Ripley is Dickie's long-suffering fiancee, Marge, played by a terribly dull Gwyneth Paltrow, who looks almost as bored by the story as I was.

There are a few great, nail-biting scenes that expertly raise the tension, including the murder sequences and a climactic confrontation between Ripley and Marge. If only the rest of this movie were as rivetingly suspenseful. The denouement takes about half an hour to unravel--I soon lost count of the number of times I thought, "Oh, good, this is finally wrapping up" before the script dashed my expectations by plunging ahead with some new plot contrivance that would require an extra ten minutes to play out. Even at under two and a half hours, this movie feels eons longer than an equally self-indulgent project like...oh, say, TITANIC. The truth is, RIPLEY is smarter, craftier, and more psychologically plausible than TITANIC ever was. It's not a better film, though. How sad is that?

CLASSY & INTELLIGENT THRILLER
Mistaken for a Princeton graduate whilst wearing a borrowed blazer, the low born New York charmer, Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), is dispatched by rich businessman Herbert Greenleaf (James Rebhorn), to travel first class on an all-expenses-paid mission, to bring his errant young playboy son, Dickie (Jude Law), back to New York from his champagne and party filled life on the Mediterranean. However, on meeting the handsome and charismatic Dickie (and his equally attractive girlfriend), the awestruck Tom falls for his charms and an ambiguous relationship begins. Tom, the social chameleon who has talents for forgery and impersonation, feeling that he cannot enter this world as himself begins to transform his identity, by learning new skills, studying jazz, art, geography and foreign languages. He not only changes his clothes he also changes his character. Meanwhile the innocent and trusting Meredith (Cate Blanchett) who met Tom on his arrival in Europe accepts Tom as an equal because she thinks he is Dickie Greenleaf. But all is not well in the playground of the rich, for Dickie is in turns as unpleasant and rude as he is debonair and charming, and soon he and his rich friends begin to tire of the financially inferior and all too clingy Tom, who has no intention of being cast adrift, for it is his belief that "its better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody"...

The Talented Mr Ripley subtly portrays the hedonistic lifestyle of rich, young Americans in the 1950's. In the movie, Tom is less the casebook amoral psychopath of the novel and more a victim of class in his desire to be like the rich but cruel Dickie and Freddie. The film is, however, anything but simple and only about an hour in does the film become anything approaching an orthodox thriller. You are kept hooked throughout as we guess at Tom's motives..., which is at best ambiguous. We observe the mercurial Dickie toy with his affections, whilst Dickie's girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow), aware of Dickie's weaknesses, looks on.

Although fans of the novel may be unhappy with the liberties taken with both the plot and the characters from Patricia Highsmiths novel, most people will agree that Anthony Minghella has done an excellent job in imaginatively and successfully bringing The Talented Mr Ripley to the big screen. Not only does he direct this excellent and very intelligent thriller with a sure and subtle touch but he perfectly captures the beauty of the mediteranean, as the movie moves from one spectacular venue to another; from San Remo to Naples, Rome, and Venice. It also stars a top notch and perfectly cast array of the worlds finest young actors, including Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare In Love), Jude Law (A.I.), as well as Philip Seymour Hoffman (Happiness) and Cate Blanchette (Elizabeth), all on top form. Damon's Ripley is an odd figure, his cumbersome awkwardness contrasting perfectly with Jude Law's cool and casual arrogance as Dickie Greenleaf, lolling around on his Riviera deck-chair as if the world owes him a living. And, although Matt Damon is truly outstanding, it is Jude Law's Oscar-nominated turn and Hoffman's brilliantly obnoxious performance as an ugly-rich American that come close to stealing the movie.

There are many unforgettable moments, in this beautifully crafted movie that Hitchcock would be proud of, as Tom struggles to maintain his dual identity. More dramatically satisfying than The English Patient, The Talented Mr Ripley is an intelligent film, carefully cast and immaculately performed. Highly recommended this for people who love suspense and prefer to watch movies that come with an IQ!!!

Horrible
I must say that this is one of the worst films that I've ever watched. It was very long, and very boring. I didn't care about what happened to any of the characters, as a matter of fact I didn't like any of the them. The story didn't unfold effortlessly but instead seemed to move slowly and with difficulty.

Beautiful Film With Dark Anti-Hero
"The Talented Mr. Ripley" is one of the most unsettling, vivid thrillers made since Hitchcock. Matt Damon leads an All-Hollywood Under-40 cast, including Jude Law, Ms. Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Phillip Seymore Hoffman (reprising his obnoxious spoiled brat from "Scent of a Woman," with his arrogance on steroids) in one of his most convincing performances to date.

Set in the 1950's, "Ripley" perfectly captures the look and feel of the period through rich costumes and fabulous sets -- director Anthony Minghella uses the same voluptuous direction that he used to such great effect in "The English Patient." But there are elements of subversion in the movie that match Ripley's subversive, evil soul -- the rise of jazz ("noise," as one character derisively calls it), characters who do nothing but spend their parents' fortunes, and homosexuality and adultery tearing at the rigid social fabric of the times all mirror Thomas Ripley's unnerving ability to manipulate the truth to his own ends.

Ripley is not content to be the best person he can be -- Ripley wants to be the best person that someone else could be. In this case, it's Dickie Greenleaf (Law -- fiendishly handsome), heir to a shipping fortune and ladies' man extraordinaire. Ripley is sent to Italy by the elder Greenleaf to retrieve his son, idling away on the beach with his girlfriend Marge (Paltrow). Teaching himself jazz and inventing stories of schooldays at Princeton, Ripley soon charms his way into Dickie's house.

Ripley knows that the key to being a great liar is to tell the truth as much as possible and allow others to draw their own conclusions. This takes great wit and timing, and Ripley pulls it off fabulously. For a while, things could not be better, but soon the impulsive Dickie tires of the ever-present Ripley, whose attachment to Dickie goes beyond mere friendship into unsettling territories. This leads to a horrifying boat trip where the two Ripley-proclaimed "brothers" speak truths that probably should have gone unsaid.

Ripley finds himself caught up in the world of his own making, and the lies he has spun threaten to ensnare him even as he uses them to break free from his former anonymous life. Delicately balancing new lies and capitalizing on what is, to our modern eyes, a quaintly obsolete communications system (my God, they actually write letters!), Ripley eventually finds himself living the good life in a wonderfully decorated Roman penthouse.

As good a liar as Ripley is, he can't prevent some from figuring out his various lies and secrets. And this is where the movie really gets dark -- Ripley is a man filled with rage, and that rage can lead to gruesome results.

Ripley is a man of considerable talents and appetites. His hunger for acceptance and for love -- there is virtually nobody in the film whom Ripley does not seduce -- is exceeded only by his instinct for self-preservation. Even Ripley is horrified by what he is capable of, and the climactic scene leaves no doubt that for all his talents, Ripley is not someone you ever want to meet.

"Ripley" achieves a lot of its effect through implication, and the films most charged scenes, whether violent or sexual, are actually quite restrained in what is actually shown on-screen. But like "Pulp Fiction," the scenes are perhaps even more powerful for not showing exactly what happens, but by their implications. In that sense, the entire movie is an implication, a set-up for future stories (there are other "Ripley" stories) involving our favorite murderous impersonator. I hope that Hollywood can pull it together to make another installment with Damon as the lead -- he nails it.

VERY GOOD STUFF
The Ripley charector is great to watch he is like a child trying to fit in, he knows something about himself is diffrent but he cannot describe it. Because you have to have a conscience to know the answer. I remember seeing the talented mr. ripley in the theatre and how pleased I was with the ripley charector. His charector was created some time ago and most people do not know it but he inspired most of hollywood's classic villians particuarly the hitchcock ones. Also see RIPLEY'S GAME. I think John Malkovich is even better in the sequel. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

WOW
There is almost nothing else to say. The Duke is wonderful, so is the plot and overall the movie was superb!!! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Another waste of money,even if it was only £1.
That's it,next time I'm renting her Playboy video.Though superior to the mind blowingly awful Naked Souls,Good Cop,Bad Cop still doesn't feature enough sexually gagging-for-it Pamela to satisfy the red blooded male.There is quite a titillating romping session in an alleyway and seeing Pam in night-atire is never unappealling,but this is all I want,not a boring conspiracy story to go with it.The soundtrack to this film is a really irritating and repetitive sample of Bad to the Bone,David Keith is a poor man's Michael Madsen and Robert Hays is a poor man's James Woods.And one of the bad guys seems to think he's Robert DeNiro.Their lame acting would be perfect if this was the most sexually explicit piece of trash around.Sadly,it's anything but.Still,stay on the screen Pamela baby.And I'm sure you had no intention of playing the good cop.

raw justice=raw pamela!
pam fans, i give you heaven! the story is there is a cop running around after the bad guys. the acting isn't great, but thats not what i got it for! pambo delivers (and shows) the goods. the hot alley scene will make ya' feel good. plenty of nudity, sex, and violence make up a great pam film!

-Raw Justice - Hot & Steamy!
Well, well... This is an action/thriller staring the ultimate buxom babe, Pamela Anderson. Who cares about the plot! Well, Pamela encounters some mean 'ol nasty criminals, and she has no choice but to team up with her trusty side-kick, David Keith. Did I mention Pamela takes a throbbing love muscle up her pretty littlebuns! Well, she does, and she takes it pretty well. You can actually hear her sweet moans of pure pleasure! Pamela with out a doubt, has some delicious buns! Botom like... Pamela delivers the goodies. Check this movie out!

wow
bad movie, great scene. You don't want to rent this movie, you want to buy it. So you can watch they alley scene over and over again. It will get anyone going at any time of day.

WooooHoooo!!!Pamela=Extreme BABE!!!
ok now this movie is good and kinda sucky, what i mean is like as far as the plot goes boring stuff indeed!!. a loser cop running around constantly trying to catch the bad guys.but what keept my absolute attention was pamela,pamela is hot and they expose her well especially in the hot alley scene buy this movie and you'll see what i'm talking about good stuff!!! ... Read more