The Humanoid

Starring:Ken Kramer, Yumiko Shibata, Ward Perry, Kazuyuki Sogabe, Hidekatsu Shibata, Michael Dobson, Sarah-Anne Dafoe, Janyse Jaud, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Eiji Maruyama, Runa Akiyama, Robert O. Smith, Cathy Weseluck, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Kazuki Yao, Mark Hildreth
Director: Shin'ichi Masaki
Studio: Us Manga Corps Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

With a reported budget of $172 million, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines starts in high gear and never slows down. The apocalyptic "Judgment Day" of T2 was never prevented, only postponed: John Connor (Nick Stahl, replacing T2's Edward Furlong), now 22 and disconnected from society, is being pursued yet again, this time by the advanced T-X, a sleek "Terminatrix" (coldly expressionless Kristanna Loken) programmed to stop Connor from becoming the savior of humankind. Originally programmed as an assassin, a disadvantaged T-101 cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger, bidding fond farewell to his signature role) arrives from the future to join Connor and his old acquaintance Kate (Claire Danes) in thwarting the T-X's relentless pursuit. The plot presents a logical fulfillment of T2 prophesy, disposing of Connor's mother (Linda Hamilton is sorely missed) while computer-driven machines assume control, launching a nuclear nightmare that Connor must survive. With Breakdown and U-571 serving as worthy rehearsals for this cautionary epic of mass destruction, director Jonathan Mostow wisely avoids any stylistic connection to James Cameron's Terminator classics; instead he's crafted a fun, exciting popcorn thriller, humorous and yet still effectively nihilistic, and comparable to Jurassic Park III in returning the Terminator franchise to its potent B-movie roots. --Jeff Shannon

Description

A decade has passed since John Connor (NICK STAHL) helped prevent Judgment Day and save mankind from mass destruction. Now 25, Connor lives "off the grid" - no home, no credit cards, no cell phone and no job. No record of his existence. No way he can be traced by Skynet - the highly developed network of machines that once tried to kill him and wage war on humanity. Until?out of the shadows of the future steps the T-X (KRISTANNA LOKEN), Skynet's most sophisticated cyborg killing machine yet. Sent back through time to complete the job left unfinished by her predecessor, the T-1000, this machine is as relentless as her human guise is beautiful. Now Connor's only hope for survival is the Terminator (ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER), his mysterious former assassin. Together, they must triumph over the technologically superior T-X and forestall the looming threat of Judgment Day?or face the apocalypse and the fall of civilization as we know it.

Customer Reviews:

Second DVD reveals the real "stars" of the film.......2007-06-17

Though the casting is perfect (Arnold again in his trademark role, Kristanna Loken as the sexy and equally as destructive "female" cyborg, and Nick Stahl appropriately looking like the spawn of Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn) and the direction and pacing is tight and relentless, the DVD provides insight into the technical artists that are responsible for the fantastic effects of the movie, along with the preceding films in the franchise.

The second DVD in the compilation profiles Stan Winston, visual effects director, and his talented staff as they explain the many "tricks" of the trade in the making of this movie.

Though it might be a bit disconcerting to discover the process behind "movie magic," just revelations are informative to those that are really into the technical aspects of filmmaking.

Much has changed in the almost twenty years since the first film was made and this sequel; and the filmmakers are anxious to explain the "how's" and "why's" of said change.

Good movie, looks amazing in HD.......2007-06-14

The video quality is nothing short of spectacular.

Tame third instalment.......2007-05-08

Passable only extension to the terminator franchise, this serves only to set the stage for more potential films. As a stand alone product it's pretty futile, Sarah has died, John is still living on the fringes whining a lot, a new improved terminator wants him dead and Arnold wants to keep him alive. Much of this repeats stuff you've already seen in T1 & T2, but tamer as they clearly want to keep the rating as low as possible. Scenes that went over well in the first two get recycled almost unchanged in three, it's depressingly derivative.
Linda Hamilton wisely bailed, Arnold needs so much make up to combat the ravages of time he looks rubberised, the new caste members aren't really good enough to take up the load and the jokes are so laboured they creak. It's entertaining enough, but you really wonder why they bothered.

Good Quality - Not the Best of the Trilogy.......2007-05-07

The HD DVD comes with excellent picture quality. The sound is amazing.
But Terminator 1 was definately the best one of the trilogy.
Anyway if you like it, this HD-DVD is a must in the home collection.

T1 and T2 in a blender.......2007-04-20

As with the years that passed between the first and second films, the speculation as to wether or not a third film was going to happen at all was very high. We all heard the conflicting statements of both Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron. Finally Cameron said he would do it if 20th Century Fox would release it. Obviously that didn't happen and Arnold changed his mind after saying No.

The story of T3 is mediocre to average at best and I'll tell you why. To begin with, a lot of necessary exposition is missing. The writers essentially left out a major plot point with the former Cyberdyne Systems and Miles Dyson. Having a situation where Dyson designs Skynet's hardware and Brewster designs the software would have tied T3 a lot more strongly to the franchise. Another thing is what happens to Sarah Connor. This character has basically been the pennacle of the Terminator mythos. If the reigns have to pass from Sarah to John that's fine. But it would have worked better that we see her killed trying to escape after Skynet comes online.

Lastly the concept of The Terminatrix. Now just to be clear, I don't mind a woman being a Terminator. What I do have a problem with is the writers splitting hairs trying to differentiate the T-X from the T-1000. Now we could all see the difference between Arnold and the T-1000. But if the best they can do is showing the T-X endo during a copy, then that won't cut it. There are ways to come up with new concepts on something established. Maybe that's where Cameron could have worked some magic.

The only two things that worked for me were Arnold's description of what will happen in the future in terms of the war. The ending surprised me though. It set up the fourth film pretty well. The missing elements Cameron's nightmarish vision and storytelling smoothness are what crippled this film. Not bad, but could have been better.

Average customer rating:

The Fresh Prince vs. I Robot's. (Now it's on.)
Nice special effects, somewhat implausible plot
Daring Racial Theme
More than meets the eye...
A good Will Smith movie

I, Robot (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Will Smith , Bridget Moynahan , Alan Tudyk , James Cromwell , and Bruce Greenwood
Director: Alex Proyas
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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Spider-Man 2.1

ASIN: B00005JN0T
Release Date: 2004-12-14

Amazon.com

As paranoid cop Del Spooner, Will Smith (Independence Day, Men in Black) displays both his trademark quips and some impressive pectoral muscles in I, Robot. Only Spooner suspects that the robots that provide the near future with menial labor are going to turn on mankind--he's just not sure how. When a leading roboticist dies suspiciously, Spooner pursues a trail that may prove his suspicions. Don't expect much of a connection to Isaac Asimov's classic science fiction stories; I, Robot, the action movie, isn't prepared for any ruminations on the significance of artificial intelligence. This likable, efficient movie won't break any new ground, but it does have an idea or two to accompany its jolts and thrills, which puts it ahead of most recent action flicks. Also featuring Bridget Moynahan (The Sum of All Fears), Bruce Greenwood (The Sweet Hereafter), and James Cromwell (Babe, LA Confidential). --Bret Fetzer

Description

In the year 2035, technology and robots are a trusted part of everyday life. But that trust is broken when a scientist is found dead and a skeptical detective (Smith) believes that a robot is responsible. Bridget Moynahan co-stars in this high-tech action thriller that questions whether technology will ultimately lead to mankind's salvation . . . or annihilation.

Customer Reviews:

The Fresh Prince vs. I Robot's. (Now it's on.).......2007-06-17

I recently had the opportunity to view the film I, Robot, or Short Circuit 3 as it has come to be known by the Ft. Collins cultural elite. Although this movie is set 30 years in the future, Detective Del Spooner's (Will Smith) jokes and witty antics keep with the times and never fail to elicit uproarious laughter. I guess phrases like "Oh, hell no" and "Now that's what I'm talkin' bout" are timeless comic masterpieces. Don't let the Fresh Prince's diction fool you, this movie pushes as many P.C. hot buttons as Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 and Mel Gibson's recent emotional masterpiece Lethal Weapon 4. I, Robot exemplifies a tried and true statement: when there are a lot of fancy robots in the future, all types of ill stuff will happen. Sure it's the same lesson we learned in The Terminator trilogy but let's face it, jokes and robots never really get old. The producers certainly did their homework in taking some ingredients from other popular sci-fi movies to complete their futuristic recipe for 100% action. A certain scene comes to mind when Will Smith must traverse a giant staircase, pure Ghostbusters. They might as well have suited him with a proton pack and warned him of the dire consequences that may arise by crossing the streams. I guess I can't argue with success. Does the film do its job? While I wasn't impressed very much -- and I am an avid fan of the Bad Boys films -- I have a good feeling that the younger crowd got the message loud and clear. As I was leaving the theater with a few friends, some teenagers in a futuristic looking Subaru yelled swear words at us and drove somewhat recklessly thereafter. (It should be noted that one of us looks strikingly similar to a robot.) They were obviously fired up by what they had just seen and had taken notes from a few of the car chase segments in the film. My fellow theater goers and I shook our heads and laughed: These kids today have no idea, one little fight and your mom may get scared, then you're moving with your auntsie and uncle to Bel-Air.

Grade C-, spend 7 dollars on one of those hats that make it look like there is an arrow through your head instead.

Nice special effects, somewhat implausible plot.......2007-06-17

I was inherently suspicious of this film, having heard that only about five percent of it had anything whatever to do with Asimov's novel. Taking it on its own terms, though, it's really not a bad hour and fifty minutes of escapism. Will Smith plays Detective Spooner, a man with a bias against robots generally, even though he turns out to be partly bionic himself. The principal architect of the positronic robot revolution -- there's one for every five humans, now -- has apparently committed suicide but Spooner becomes convinced he was killed by one of the new generation of robots U.S.R. is about to release on the market. Asimov's Three Laws don't allow that, but (of course), a way has been found around that little problem. Aside from the fact that the laws even of Newtonian physics are ignored, and that Spooner's weapons seem to hold many thousands of bullets, the gymnastics of the big climatic scene are no more implausible than those in Star Wars. Nice CGI, too.

Daring Racial Theme.......2007-05-01

I am not quite sure if everyone picked up the daring racial theme in this movie. The robots operate as a type of slave society on which humans rely, much like ancient Rome or America as a developing nation. Keep in mind that not only did the economy of the Old South depend on black slavery but Yankee trading firms greatly strengthened their capital base through the well-known "triangular trade", in which captured Africans would be transported across the Atlantic and sold at great profit.

So, here we are in the future with robots now the subject class. Will Smith plays the standard Black American action hero. However, instead of sympathizing with the robots, his character appears to be working out some sort of vendetta toward them -- and prejudice. Detective Spooner is right to suspect a robot uprising but his motives hardly seem pure.

At the end of the movie, we see that Detective Spooner's hostility toward the robots is not because they are different from him but because they are too similar. "I, Robot" rejects the standard movie sentimentality toward Black American males and holds its protagonist up to an unsparing moral judgment.

More than meets the eye..........2007-04-29

I'm not a devotee of Will Smith/Asimov/Sci-fi nor a film buff, so there's no reason for me to prefer this kind of film, or bring any bias or preconceived baggage to watching it, and I rented it originally. However, I have to say this is a thoroughly absorbing, thought provoking and intelligent film which, for these reasons, kept me entertained right from the start - and isn't that the whole point? The film works on many levels, from an appreciation of the superb set design, CGI design and special effects (so good that they sometimes detract from the storyline as your chin hits the floor in amazement!), good dialogue, great action sequences, an excellent performance from Will Smith, and a central character that can draw out your sympathy and even steps it up as the film progresses, and is the real star of the whole show, having to face the ultimate choice each of us must make - choosing one's own destiny.

If you haven't seen it, I envy you. And yes, I have bought a copy. If you only watch it once, you'll miss so much.

A good Will Smith movie.......2007-03-29

Will Smith shows a little more maturity in this one and is good as a robot-hating detective on a case that implicates a robot in a murder, something robots are not supposed to be able to do. Alan Tudyk's portrayal as Sonny, the robot with its own personality that can choose not to obey the three laws was really good. He really is the soul of the film.

I admire the fact that director Alex Proyas tried to blend a good science fiction story with a popcorn movie mentality, although it falls well short of being a classic because of that. Even the special effects, the fights, and the bots were all good. This is one of Smith's better movies (up there with Independence Day). The film works, but one wonders what could have been if Smith didn't always try for a laugh, or if they went for a darker feel. However, despite those problems, it was a fun film.

Average customer rating:

Great Sci Fi
Ridiculous film doesn't even make sense
Great Movie
Some Good Changes, Some Not
Time Machine (2001)

The Time Machine
Starring: Yancey Arias , Jeremy Irons , Doug Jones , Phyllida Law , and Lenny Loftin
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Time Machine
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ASIN: B00005JKLZ
Release Date: 2002-07-23

Amazon.com

While the 1960 version of The Time Machine remains a science fiction classic, this adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel benefits from a dazzling CGI facelift. Digital wizardry shows us the awesome splendor of eons passing in an eye blink, while Wells's heroic time traveler--played with appealing conviction by Memento's Guy Pearce--is given a stronger motivation for piloting his time machine 800,000 years into the future. Long after New York City has crumbled and the moon shattered by a nuclear accident, Pearce finds a new home with the peacefully primitive Eloi, after confronting the subterranean Morlocks (courtesy of Stan Winson's monster shop) and their evil overlord (Jeremy Irons in wicked, pigmentless makeup). Trading Wells's social commentary for pure adventure, director Simon Wells (the author's great-grandson) maintains the story's legacy of wonder, despite a few hokey embellishments. Catering to a younger audience, this Time Machine is fun without being particularly distinguished--a treat for the eyes, if not the brain. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Great Sci Fi.......2007-04-25

if you like sci fi, and enjoy a large scale presentation (on a big home system), this movie is haunting, sad and powerful. i do not understand the poor reviews by some unless they do not like sentimental and unhappy endings...

Ridiculous film doesn't even make sense.......2007-04-08

This insipid remake takes far too many liberties with the story, butchers its source material, and unsurprisingly ends up being quite a mess. Furthermore, the movie doesn't even really make sense when you think about it. The protagonist this time wants to travel to the past to save his love, and finds he can't alter what happened. He then goes to the future where he CAN alter events. The remake entirely forgets the point that the Eloi are supposed to be human cattle. That they're not kind of entirely destroys the whole point of the book, and the film greatly suffers as a result. The character played by Jeremy Irons was a dumb addition to the story. Ironically, the special effects used to depict the Morlocks were better in the 60s film!

Great Movie.......2007-03-15

I have read Well's book and seen the older movie. That said, I love this movie. Guy Pearce is very convincing in his role.

We see a man in love. When he looses that love, he uses his genius to try and save her. Failing to do that, he embarks on a quest to find out why. When he gets his answer, he realizes he has found a new life, and to leave the past in the past.

I thought the ending, with the past next to the future, was well done.

And Orlando Jones role is entertaining.

Some Good Changes, Some Not.......2007-03-13

H.G. Wells's classic tale of adventure and social commentary gets a new face in this latest film version. A scientist obsessed with his work and always late manages to build a machine capable of moving through time. His first attempts to improve things do not go as planned. He seems able to change details of the past but not the main results so he turns toward the future. He sees the progress of humanity as it builds and moves forward. A catastrophic event involving the moon changes the world drastically. Finally, 800,000 years into the future he stops. There he meets a peaceful and idyllic people. They are both primitive and advanced at the same time. This seems like a beautiful new world. But then the Morlocks rear their heads and the truth of the world is revealed.

Morlocks live underground and come up from time to time to prey on the innocents above. While they do not like things this way they have no way to fight back. The time traveler feels he needs to help these people and rescue those who have been taken. Eventually he is successful to a point and works to make a new life for himself among these people of the future.

This film often seems less like a new adaptation of the novel and more like an adaptation of George Pal's film. There are three main differences. The nuclear catastrophe has been replaced by the Lunar mishap (no Cold War anymore). The Eloi are less child-like. The Morlocks are more like Verne's Selenites from FIRST MEN IN THE MOON. Replacing the original Cold War fears was a good idea but its replacement was silly. I approve of the new Eloi and Morlocks although they are further from Wells's original. In the end the film has some parts that are better and some that are worse. Having now seen the film I am not surprised at its poor performance. It lacks the action and intensity that successful films of this genre usually have. But it is not a bad film, just one that won't particularly appeal to the main body of movie goers.

Time Machine (2001).......2007-03-09

As always, I am very pleased with this product. I started purchasing my DVDs through Amazon last year and this purchase, like so many others, was very satisfactory. The DVD is in mint condition, as promised, and the price couldn't be beat!
J. Stout

Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines (2-Disc Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

Second DVD reveals the real "stars" of the film
Good movie, looks amazing in HD
Tame third instalment
Good Quality - Not the Best of the Trilogy
T1 and T2 in a blender

Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines (2-Disc Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Nick Stahl , Claire Danes , Kristanna Loken , and David Andrews
Director: Jonathan Mostow
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000CC5CS
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Second DVD reveals the real "stars" of the film.......2007-06-17

Good movie, looks amazing in HD.......2007-06-14

The video quality is nothing short of spectacular.

Tame third instalment.......2007-05-08

Good Quality - Not the Best of the Trilogy.......2007-05-07

T1 and T2 in a blender.......2007-04-20

Average customer rating:

The Fresh Prince vs. I Robot's. (Now it's on.)
Nice special effects, somewhat implausible plot
Daring Racial Theme
More than meets the eye...
A good Will Smith movie

I, Robot (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Will Smith , Bridget Moynahan , Alan Tudyk , James Cromwell , and Bruce Greenwood
Director: Alex Proyas
Manufacturer: Fox Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Spider-Man 2.1

ASIN: B0007PALSE
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

The Fresh Prince vs. I Robot's. (Now it's on.).......2007-06-17

Nice special effects, somewhat implausible plot.......2007-06-17

Daring Racial Theme.......2007-05-01

More than meets the eye..........2007-04-29

A good Will Smith movie.......2007-03-29

Average customer rating:

The Fresh Prince vs. I Robot's. (Now it's on.)
Nice special effects, somewhat implausible plot
Daring Racial Theme
More than meets the eye...
A good Will Smith movie

I, Robot (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Will Smith , Bridget Moynahan , Alan Tudyk , James Cromwell , and Bruce Greenwood
Director: Alex Proyas
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Minority Report (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Spider-Man 2.1

ASIN: B0006419J6
Release Date: 2004-12-14

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

The Fresh Prince vs. I Robot's. (Now it's on.).......2007-06-17

Nice special effects, somewhat implausible plot.......2007-06-17

Daring Racial Theme.......2007-05-01

More than meets the eye..........2007-04-29

A good Will Smith movie.......2007-03-29

Average customer rating:

3D is technically possible
Best monster movie
On a Tributary of the Amazon
Julia Adams as the Beauty.
In the beginning.......

Creature From the Black Lagoon
Starring: Richard Carlson , Julie Adams , Richard Denning , Antonio Moreno , and Nestor Paiva
Director: Jack Arnold
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0783240953
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Amazon.com

Jack Arnold's horror classic The Creature from the Black Lagoon spawned not one but two iconic images: the web-footed humanoid gill-man with a hankering for women and the leggy, luscious Julia Adams, the object of his desire, swimming the lagoon in a luminous white bathing suit. Not since King Kong has the "beauty and the beast" theme been portrayed in such sexually charged (though chaste) terms. Arnold turns an effectively B-movie plot--a small expedition up a remote Amazon river captures a prehistoric amphibian man, who escapes to wreak havoc on the team and kidnap his bathing beauty--into a moody, stylish, low-budget feature. The jungle exteriors turn from exotic to treacherous when the creature blocks their passage and strands them in the wilds. Much of the film is shot underwater, where the murky dark is animated by shimmering shards of sunlight, creating images both lovely and alien (the studio-built sets of the creature's underground lair are far less naturalistic, but serve their purpose). As with most of Arnold's '50s genre films, he's saddled with a less than magnetic leading man (in this case the colorless but stalwart Richard Carlson) and a conventional script, but he overcomes such limitations by creating a vivid and sympathetic monster (helped immeasurably by a marvelous suit of scales and fins) and establishing a mood thick with atmosphere. The film was originally shot in 3-D. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

3D is technically possible.......2007-05-27

It is not true that a special projecting procedure is necessary to view this film in 3D. It was broadcast once in the 80ies in German TV and 3D glasses were given out for free at the newsstands the days before. Maybe the effect is not as good as watching it in a cinema, but I still remember very good how I saw air bubbles emerging out of the ground in front of me sitting in my armchair :) So I will definitely wait for the 3D version on DVD!

Best monster movie.......2007-02-16

This is a classic. A monster movie that you sympathise more with the monster than with anybody else. Kind of in the footsteps ofthe original King Kong (not the remakes). The photography is superb and so is the directing. This is a must see and must have movie so you can watch it again!!

On a Tributary of the Amazon.......2006-10-16

We had the pleasure of seeing this the other night in San Francisco at the Castro Theater, in dual projection 3-D against a silver screen. Flimsy little glasses were provided to help blend the images poppped out onto the screen by the twin projectors. It must have cost a mint just to stage this show, but happily the event was packed with like minded Creature lovers and everyone cheered, ooeh and aahed as soon as the Brazilian diggers uncover, in a solid block of limestone, the skeletonized hand of a long dead Creature, its webbed fingers beckoning right out over the audience's heads! It was a powerful punch to the solar plexus and a reminder that even archaeology has its thrills.

The 3-D effects are more subtle than you'd think. There's nothing else, for example, as in your face as the ping pong ball that jumps repeatedly off the screen in HOUSE OF WAX. Here, director Jack Arnold seems to be trying really hard to give flesh and blood to his two pprotagonists, Richard Carlson and Richard Denning, showing them off as the brain and the emotions, while Julie Adams plays sensitively and sympathetically to both. Is she sort of trying to figure out which side of the bread her butter's on? The doctor tells her that she repaid any debt she owed Richard Carlson long ago--she doesn't owe him anything anymore her playing Pygmalion to her untutored Galatea.

So in a way it's hard to tell upfront which man she's going to wind up with. The Creature I found sympathetic in a way, but I think the performance must be docked a wee bit because of the different actors playing the part. Up on top it's the sensitive, tortured Ben Chapman, while down below, Ricou Browning's frisky balletic style. like Harold Land underwater, makes him seem more fancy free.

To top it off Julie Adams and Ben Chapman were there, discussing the complex dynamic of the "beauty and the beast" scenario producer William Alland dreamed up on a South American jaunt with Orson Welles. Miss Adams has got to be in her 70s surely, and yet she is still heart-stoppingly gorgeous and lovely. She spoke to anyone who approached her, seemingly grateful to the fans who have kept the "Creature from the Black Lagoon," and the woman he loved, alive in cultural memory for more than fifty years now. It was an enchanted evening--in dual projection 3-D no less.

Julia Adams as the Beauty........2006-02-01

The Creature has a good reason for wanting Julia Adams for his own! She wears this hot bikini thoughout most of the movie, revealing much of her legs and figure. A dicription of her throughout the movie would be, Long black beautiful hair, small tight frilly bikini revealing her breast figure, most of back is naked , and so are shoulders. The bathing suit comes up short on her hips revealing both legs. Barefoot throughout the whole movie. You might say half naked! If you are looking for a movie with true American beauty, watch Julia Adams in {The Creature From the Black Lagoon}

In the beginning..............2006-01-30

The 1954 classic available for your own collection! This is more than just another talkie. This is sort of a peice of cinema history. The classic beauty and the beast story is told in a wonderul way! With great underwater shots and fairly good special effects, this is a wonderful item for anyone to own. I think what I liked most about it is that it was a little bit different than all the other monster flicks. Beacuse you really feel sorry for the Creature when he gets shot. I think one of my favorite scenes was when he bust's the cage and and escaped the ship. There are just so many wonderful things about this movie. Like how well Rieu Browning swam in that heavy suit, and the classic scene where Julia Adams decides to go take a swim, not knowing that the Creature was trieing to get her attention below. And Finally after a bunch of lousey attemps to steal his precios beuaty, he sneaks on the boat and walks up behind her, puts her over his shoulder and carrys her down to his watery home. Let me point out that Julia Adams is lousey screamer for monster movie's! Not very important considering she is so beautiful throughout the movie, but definetley no Fay Wray. One of the best clips is when the Gill Man lifts up his hand out of the water and almost grabsthe girls foot, but she moves in the nick of time! The first time I ever saw this however, I was a little disapointed with how sort of sudden it ended. Right after the guys come to Julia's rescue, they shoot him and he wobbles back into the ocean and die's.Maybe a little too breif I thought. However there are two sequels after the original, that showed the Creatures sad encouters with mankind and civilization. This will always be one of my favorite movies and Im sure you'll enjoy it if you havent already seen it. Seen it or havent, it is a spectacular movie to own, and I also reccomend the two seqeuls.

Review by Michael Peters.

Average customer rating:

Don't Panic!
Jennifer Drake?
AMAZING Film, TERRIBLE version of it
"Can I keep him, father?"
public domain

Fantastic Planet
Starring: Janet Waldo , Barry Bostwick , Jennifer Drake (III) , Hal Smith , and Hubert de Lapparent
Director: René Laloux
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305307156
Release Date: 1999-02-16

Amazon.com

Based on French science fiction novelist Stefan Wul's Oms en Serie ("Oms by the Dozen"), René Laloux's La Planète Sauvage (its title changed to Fantastic Planet for the U.S. release) paints an animated tale of humans kept as domesticated pets by an alien race of blue humanoid giants called Traags. The story takes place on the Traags' planet Ygam, where we follow our narrator, an Om called Terr, from infancy to adulthood, when he escapes his subjugation with a Traag learning device with which to educate the savage Oms and incite them to revolt. As a French-Czech coproduction, this story had much resonance for its makers as an allegory of Czechoslovakia's invasion by Soviet troops in the late '60s, and had to be completed in Paris due to political pressure. While the story does not distinguish itself in the annals of science fiction, the imagination invested in the surreal backdrops, with its eerie creatures and landscapes, does. The animation technique--moving paper cutouts across backgrounds--contributes to the overall feeling of other-worldliness. Fantastic Planet won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973. Included on the DVD are three early short subjects by Laloux showing his evolution toward Fantastic Planet. You have your choice of audio: French with English subtitles, or English with English subtitles. But choose the latter so you can see how much the subtitles are cheating you. --Jim Gay

Customer Reviews:

Don't Panic!.......2006-09-15

If you are dismayed by the revelation that the U.S. Anchor Bay DVD edition of this animated sci-fi classic is now out of print and only available via typically price-gouging independent sellers, I have good news. There is a lovely new UK-issued edition out in summer of 2006 that I was able to pick up at one of my more discriminating local video stores (I see you can also order through Amazon UK). This latest reissue (from the Eureka studio) features an anamorphic transfer of the film. Unfortunately, the film has still not been restored, so there are artifacts and "dirt" here and there; but after an "A/B" comparison with my old Anchor Bay copy, I discerned a definite improvement. Another plus: the Eureka edition gives you the option of deleting the subtitles if you wish. Also included: The complete soundtrack (audio only) and two short films by director Laloux-"L'Escargot" (from 1965) and a beautiful 1987 piece based on a Chinese parable, "Comment Wang-Fo Fut Sauve" ("L'Escargot" was also included on the Anchor Bay release; "Wang-Fo" was not). There are two other Laloux shorts on the Anchor Bay release which are not on the new UK package, so I suppose that still gives the Anchor Bay version some degree of collectibility. For overall quality, however I would recommend the Eureka edition. The only caveat: it does require a multi-region player.

Jennifer Drake?.......2006-07-24

Thirty years ago I fell in love with a "Voice"...the Hypnotic (but meaningless!).."The Uvas of Gome are dominated by an inland fibulous sea.."etc., and wonderfully, the subtitles generally say something different again! If this was intended as allegory, I suppose that we ARE "hypnotised" by repetition in our youth, so that we are reluctant to QUESTION...It is an ironic joke therefore, that for 30 yrs. I have actually longed to be once again hypnotised by this Beautiful Voice: a veritable Siren-Song.BUT..who IS Jennifer Drake?.Does anyone know?There MIGHT have been a record version of this soundtrack at one time, because all the music is SO "familiar"..but then, so is the imagery...it's as if it has been secretly playing in my deeper mind all these years. Incidentally I got the VHS tape. Does the DVD mention THE VOICE?

AMAZING Film, TERRIBLE version of it.......2006-06-10

This film is completely spellbinding and amazing. The Terry Gilliam/Monty Python-esque animation is totally stunning. The only PROBLEM is that this is a HORRIBLE, I repeat HORRIBLE, version of it. I own a VHS copy and was thrilled when it first came out onto DVD, but little did I know my VHS VERSION IS ACTUALLY SUPERIOR. The color on the VHS version is better and on the DVD release YOU CANNOT TURN OFF THE SUBTITLES!! The subtitles even overlay the picture and do not stay in the black letterbox bars and at times DO NOT EVEN MATCH THE DIALOGUE OF THE CHARACTERS. I cannot BELIEVE this is going for $99 now when it's such a horrible version of the film. Save your money and buy the VHS version! The DVD is only in stereo anyway, so you won't lose any sound quality. I really hope another distributor gains the rights to this film and releases a version worthy of its caliber as the masterpiece it actually is, because this version is so substandard it makes me sick.

"Can I keep him, father?".......2006-03-10

This is only film I can think of that is actually better dubbed in English. When the blue girl says in that creepy little voice, "Can I keep him, father?" it gives me chills, every time. And the computer's silky hypnotic repetition, "...while our mallian globes regulate the pressure..." Hilarious. This movie is so beautiful -- the music, the colors, the designs. It's audio/visual candy. I love the scene where the blue girl sits in front of her mirror and draws lash lines under one eye. Was that an homage to "A Clockwork Orange" or the other way around? This film is a must for anyone that's into trippy/arty/70's kind of stuff.

public domain.......2006-01-28

Great film - and in public domain! I have several duplicate copies for sale (DVD quality) way below the used prices on here. No one should have to pay so much for this masterpiece!! I am also interested in trading.

Average customer rating:

Worth a look.
Entertaining but slow moving at times.
Classic Camp!
boring
Samurai Werewolf

Kibakichi
Starring: Ryuji Harada , Miki Tanaka , and Mubu Nakayama
Director: Tom-o Haraguchi
Manufacturer: Mti Home Video
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Kibakichi 2
Echo of Destiny: Shadow Hunters II
Shadow Hunters
Mail
Yokai Monsters - Along With Ghosts

ASIN: B00097E76M
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Customer Reviews:

Worth a look........2006-05-13

In an attempt to diversify it's portfolio, MTI Studios (Japan) along with it's newly born Saiko Films, threw together an inspired and ambitous little movie called Kibakichi, admittedly to gain some Asian Horror cred and cash in in the current success of the genre. This is the new label's first film. The studio's summary also appears on the Region 1 dvd. What it leaves out is that Kibakachi is standard B-Movie fair. I had higher hopes for it.

The film opens with a deep, ominous voice; "A long time ago humans and monsters called Yokai, and nature lived in harmony without getting in the way of each other. But soon, men began to destroy the Yokai. Some fled to the mountains and some turned themselves into men, women, and the elderly to hide from the human world."

Now, there are obviously clear parallels in Kibakichi's story between world history's conflicting countries or populations within countries in man's quest for advancement or simply the ability to conquer and rule. Whether it's rooted, in the film's case (?), in feudal Japan's emergence into a more technologically advanced world (which I don't know a lot about, regrettably), or the Europeans going to America and taking land from the Indians, or even more contemporary instances, there's definitely a moral backdrop in Kibakichi. But such situations have taken place for thousands and thousands of years and in the end, it's the way the world has worked for just as long. So I tried to set that on the back burner while taking in the spectacle of Kibakichi.

The "spaghetti western" aspect of the movie is evident from the start. Kibakichi is strolling through a dry, grassy plain, while a group of bandits try to get the jump on him for some reason. The camera ping-pongs back and forth between sides and then, as if an homage to Sergio Leone, freezes on the blazing afternoon sun. Needless to say, Kibakichi will continue on his way that day. And similar to Clint Eastwood in his famous trilogy, Kibakichi, with reason, (as we find out later in the movie), will agree to extend his services to help pacify the village's turmoils. But unlike The Man with No Name Trilogy, Eastwood didn't encounter talking frog or turtle monsters on a narrow bridge leading into the tiny town. I'll have to check on that though. Kibakichi takes some sake at a pub and is quickly "recruited" to gamble at the local casino (for lack of a better term) and just like that, the meat of the story kicks into high gear. He sits at a long, low table to wager on a dice game that's based on an "even or odds" outcome. Many other patrons are also gambling , as well as enjoying the company of one of the many giggling geisha girls. It's not long before Kibakichi is raking in the cash and then suddenly pulled away from the table and asked by the village leader Onizo for his help as different factions of the region maneuver for respect and land rights. While other are more interested in recognition and power.

All in all, Kibakichi is a gutty effort from first time director and studio alike. It's well-rounded in it's mix of samurai fighting and monster mashing; along with a decent story. Even with it's flaws and the unexpected appearance of some modern weaponry, fan's of the genre shouldn't be left hanging. There's a little for everyone here. It's not exactly horror, as the studio claims (horror/action/fantasy). But I guess that depends on what you consider to be horror. I'd say it's closer to "slasher" if I were being pressed. And despite the often cheesy dialogue (ex. "Life is like a spot on a dice, we won't know until we shake it.") and freshman effort on the part of the director, which may have been a budget issue, Kibakichi wraps up nicely with some (literally) high flying action and ties up the story nicely as well. I don't think it's necessary to go into specifics here, especially with character names and individual motives because Kibakichi does jump around a bit and a couple very small plot holes left me wondering a little, but didn't distract me from enjoying it, somewhat. Kibakichi, I believe, is a love it or hate it type movie. Personally, I think it had an identity crisis. But I'll begrudgingly recommend it for it's uniqueness.

Entertaining but slow moving at times........2005-09-03

Kibakichi has everything I like in a movie: monsters, martial arts and explosions. Unfortunately, mixing all these elements together in a movie is tough, and Kibakichi needed a much bigger budget to make them fit inside this action-fantasy film.

People looking for a pure slam-bang action film from start to finish will be in for a surprise since this film has quite a few slow spots between all the blood-letting.

Classic Camp!.......2005-08-04

I grew up on "Kung Fu Theater". I happened to see this title at the video store and figured it was time for a good cheesy movie...in that frame of mind, I wasn't dissapointed.

In the early 1700's, men and monsters lived in peace with each other and nature. It wasn't long before men lost their fear of mosters, and soon turned on them, determined to wipe the monsters from Japan. Though largely sucessfull, small bands of monsters survived, hiding out deep within the mountains. Enter Kibakichi, a ronin from a slaughtered band of werewolves. Kibakichi happens upon one of the last surviving towns populated by monsters. The head of the clan has a dream that once more, men and monsters can live together, though the town feeds off of gamblers who come to the local casino. Though Kibakichi warns them against this corse of action (Kibakichi once trusted humans, but his trust lead to the massicre of his clan of werewolves, who, interestingly enough, are a clan of Japanese dressed up like Native Americans!), the clan leader persists, putting his trust in a band of humans (what's the clue that the humans will betray the monsters? How about the fact that the humans are all dressed in "Hellraiser" / cenobite style outfits, and their leader wears a Ku Klux Klan style hood!) The humans decide to betray the gullible monsters (gee, we didn't see this coming!), and with Gatling Guns bought from England (and dispite it being the 1700's, a batch of billet aluminum cased hand grenades, as well as WWII German "Patato Masher" Grenades), the humans begin to decimate the township of monsters. This pisses off Kibakitchi so much, he turns into a werewolf, and there begins a classic monster bash, streight out of "The Guiver"!

If you are into a top notch action thriller with great makeup, special effects, acting and care about a good story line, this movie definately isn't for you. If you love badly dubbed, '60's Shaw Brothers titles, cheesy makeup, badly choreographed sword fights, limbs and heads being cut off and torn off, showers of blood sprayed from hoses through obvious prosthetic makup limbs and bad wire-fights, you'll love it! The first half is like a third rate copy of a Zatchitoi (Blind Swordsman) movie, the ending is pure campy Japanese monster movie.

Too bad "Mystery Science Theater" isn't still on the air...this would have been a feature on that show in no time. If you love campy, cheesy movies, this is worth watching once (any more than that, you'll surely go into a coma!)

boring.......2005-07-21

i was not impressed by this movie. it started off so well too. a nice action scene where the kibakichi took care of many foes all at once cutting off one mans hand in the process. i started thinking of this as live action anime. only problem was it took so long to progress from this point. i hope i wasn't expecting too much but the story was just boring. half of the movie was just gambling and not even interesting gambling. sorry, but i just didn't like this movie.

if only this movie had a large enough budget to support the supposed special effects then this movie might have had a chance. i would rather resort to some anime then watch this again.

Samurai Werewolf.......2005-07-02

This movie has some good things going for it--but all in all-it's not a very coherent storyline--and tends to get a bit boring at times. The Werewolf-in particular--is a rather poor depiction by modern cinema standards--though passable. The fight scenes are okay--though for my taste--there was too much gun power. A fair amount of gore--a human head being eaten, a plate of noodles and eyes, a few body parts hacked off--though these represent a very minor part of the story--the plot is basically that the Yokai have tried to live apart from humans for their own preservation--but a group of humans with the typical "Boss" found in these type movies--wants to use them for target practice with his new gatlin gun.
The storys ok--but lacks the humor of Zatoichi or Hanzo and actually pales beside a movie aimed more at children/teens-"Yokai Monsters along with Ghosts" Still, if you like Samurai/sword movies--it's worth a watch--I was a little disappointed but I still enjoyed the movie. Sub-titles and a dubbed English version are available on this disc as well as the original language!

Average customer rating:

NO STARS FOR THIS DISASTER
Ugh...
Don't listen to others views...check it out for yourself
4 stars???? are you high? want some wine with that?
Pleasant Surprise

Subhuman
Starring: William Macdonald , and Paralee Cook
Manufacturer: Mti Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Scarred
Rest Stop (Unrated Edition)
Black Christmas (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0007NMKF8
Release Date: 2005-04-19

Customer Reviews:

NO STARS FOR THIS DISASTER.......2005-09-19

SUBHUMAN has to be one of the stupidest horror films in recent history. Filmed on less than a shoestring budget, this disastrous film makes little or no sense, has ridiculously inept acting and special effects. Writer Mark Tuit must have consulted every dimestore philosophy book he could so that he could use these euphuisms in abundance, making absolutely no sense and contributing nothing to the storyline. No explanation for the cause of these "vampires," or the "vampire hunter." Credit William McDonald for trying to act like he was in a classy movie, but chalk this one up as one of the worst you will have the misfortune to stumble upon.

Ugh..........2005-06-01

The majority of the reviews here are the correct ones. Awkward story telling, bad acting (with the exception of the main guy, MacDonald - a stand out amongst the rest of the poor cast) The reviewer below is correct: The rest of the cast ARE people to look out for - look out for them on C Movies for the rest of their careers...blech...

Don't listen to others views...check it out for yourself.......2005-05-03

I just want to say that Subhuman is a good film. I read up on this and it's amazing what these guys did for a low-no budget film. I take my hats off to these guys for doing it. As far as riping off Blade..not even close...two totaly different films. Mark Tuit is a smart writer, he accomplishes telling a story that makes sense and keeps you interested through out the film...it's deffinintly not your typical horror film it has more depth to it. Then just slicing off heads. Canadain veteran actor William MacDonald shines as Martin and newcomer Bryce McLaughlin is deffinatly someone to watch out for. Those who don't have expectations when watching a film and just love the enjoyment of what movie are made for....entertainment. Will really enjoy the film...Good going guys and gals.

4 stars???? are you high? want some wine with that?.......2005-04-26

This is basically a really bad vampire hunter movie. It is sort of like Blade, but to compare it (or contrast it) to Blade in the same sentence is an insult to blade, and the whole horror movie industry. This movie is really bad. The picture qaulity looks like a home video, but even worse than that(adult movie qaulity if you will). It has a grainy picture. It has really bad actors and actresses. It has some of the worst special effects I have seen in awhile. Like rubber arms and rubber heads. It has really generic blood. I honest