Heaven Can Wait (Criterion Collection)

Starring:Gene Tierney, Don Ameche, Charles Coburn, Marjorie Main, Laird Cregar, Spring Byington, Allyn Joslyn, Eugene Pallette, Signe Hasso, Louis Calhern, Helene Reynolds, Aubrey Mather, Tod Andrews, Doris Merrick, Maureen Roden-Ryan, Dickie Moore, Anne O'Neal, Trudy Marshall, Gerald Oliver Smith, Florence Bates
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Studio: Criterion
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
The last masterwork by Ernst Lubitsch--whose other gems include Trouble in Paradise, Lady Windermere's Fan, Ninotchka, and The Shop Around the Corner--Heaven Can Wait was nominated for best picture and director Oscars in its day but largely neglected thereafter. Partly it's a matter of no one expecting a 1943 Fox movie featuring Don Ameche, the star of so many bland Technicolor musicals at that studio, to be a comedy of rare loveliness. Also, there's the confusion engendered by the existence of another film with the same title: the 1978 Warren Beatty movie that was the remake of a classic '40s comedy-fantasy--but Here Comes Mr. Jordan, not Heaven Can Wait. It's high time to get our priorities straight.

Following his demise, the aristocratic Henry Van Cleve (Ameche), having no hope of Paradise, betakes himself "where all his life so many people had told him to go." Hell, or at least its antechamber, would appear to be a luxury hotel in neoclassical mode, and--this is a Lubitsch movie, after all--His Satanic Excellency (Laird Cregar) is a perfect gentleman and the most gracious of hosts. To establish his credentials for spending eternity there, Henry begins to narrate a life which, though lacking any notable crimes, "has been one continuous misdemeanor."

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Considered by many to represent a low point in Steven Spielberg's career, 1990's Always did suggest something of a temporary drift in the director's sensibility. A remake of the classic Spencer Tracy film A Guy Named Joe, Always stars Richard Dreyfuss as a Forest Service pilot who takes great risks with his own life to douse wildfires from a plane. After promising his frightened fiancée (Holly Hunter) to keep his feet on the ground and go into teaching, Dreyfuss's character is killed during one last flight. But his spirit wanders restlessly, hopelessly attached to and possessive of Hunter, who can't see or hear him. Then the real conflict begins: a trainee pilot (Brad Johnson), a likable doofus, begins wooing a not-unappreciative Hunter--and it becomes Dreyfuss's heavenly mandate to accept, and even assist in, their budding romance. The trouble with the film is a certain airlessness, a hyper-inventiveness in every scene and sequence that screams of Spielberg's self-education in Hollywood classicism. Unlike the masters he is constantly quoting and emulating in Always, he forgets to back off and let the movie breathe on its own sometimes, which would better serve his clockwork orchestration of suspense and comedy elsewhere. Still, there are lovely passages in this film, such as the unforgettable look on Dreyfuss's face a half-second before fate claims him. John Goodman contributes good supporting work, and Audrey Hepburn makes her final screen appearance as an angel. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Reminiscense.......2007-04-11

I leanded how to pilot a plane at Hemet Ryan Field in Hemet, CA and I know that the PBY in this film belonged to Venable Flying Serive and that MAKES this film more special to me than anything........

Fantastic score... wish they left the oldies stuff off.......2007-03-20

I would have preferred more of the etherial Williams music and less of the oldies and country stuff. It's a very good score... very sedate stuff for the most part (and hushed, too... you have to crank the music to hear some of Williams' music)

Always.......2007-03-11

Wonderful movie. Great flying scenes and a love story the ladies will love!

Always.......2007-03-11

This movie is a great story of love and loss. If you liked Ghost, then you'll love this flim its the aviator version of that story. This film has an alstar cast Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, John Goodman,Audrey Hepburn. Always is about daredevil firefighter pilots that fly planes to help put out forest fires.

Always.......2007-01-22

I haven't gotten to watch this movie yet but it is movie my husband and I have always enjoyed. I am so glad just to have it.

Average customer rating:

A literate look at an eventual subject

Meet Joe Black [HD DVD]
Starring: Marcia Gay Harden , Brad Pitt , Jeffrey Tambor , Jake Weber , and Anthony Hopkins
Director: Martin Brest
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000OHZL1C
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Description

Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) has it all - success, wealth and power. Days before his 65th birthday, he receives a visit from a mysterious stranger, Joe Black (Brad Pitt), who soon reveals himself as Death. In exchange for extra time, Bill agrees to serve as Joe's earthly guide. But will he regret his choice when Joe unexpectedly falls in love with Bill's beautiful daughter Susan (Claire Forlani).

Customer Reviews:

A literate look at an eventual subject.......2007-07-04

I have been captivated by this movie for many years now so the "HD DVD" purchase was just a foregone conclusion. With each viewing I'm totally moved by each actor (even you Quince;) and enthralled that this 3 hour marathon feels shorter than many 2 hour action flicks (like the new Die Hard). Brad Pitt surpasses anything I could have hoped for in the role of Death and this is one of the few times ever in the history of cinema I have seen Anthony Hopkins equaled in a film (but not bested:). The movie 5/5

Sadly, there are (again) no special features that weren't already on the standard def version, in fact the extra's here ARE in standard def which to me is like a slap, with a twenty and a fiver. However since we are dealing with a movie already clocking in at the 3 hour window I can overlook it. The extras 3/5

In closing, the tears are real, the performances are jarringly raw and all this is only heightened by one of the better looking HD DVD releases. Yes, all that glitters is not high definition gold.. or Blu, but in this case an upgrade is not only worth your money it's worth your Kleenex as well. Stock up. The conclusion 5/5

Average customer rating:

DEFENDING ALBERT BROOKS
A Pleasant Comedy
Heavenly
Thought provoking afterlife
got it from Netflik and then bought it here before it was even over!

Defending Your Life
Starring: Wil Albert , Sage Allen , Gary Beach , Roger Behr , and Beth Black
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Mother
Death Becomes Her
Heaven Can Wait
Real Life
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (WS)

ASIN: B000056WRG
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Amazon.com

Albert Brooks proves there's laughs after death with this almost heavenly comedy--almost heaven as in Judgment City, where recently perished Daniel Miller (Brooks) learns whether he is worthy of advancing to a higher plane of existence or will be sent back to earth for another incarnation.

His fate will be determined in a very special trial, during which scenes from his life are replayed on a giant screen. "Isn't it realistic?" a judge asks. "It makes some people nauseous." While the steely prosecutor (Lee Grant) will try to prove that Daniel failed in life to face his fears and insecurities, his glad-handing, reassuring defender (Rip Torn) will argue on behalf of this hapless "little brain" (a Judgment City term for residents of earth).

As Woody Allen did for the future in Sleeper, so does Brooks create an original vision of the afterlife. In Judgment City, white-robed residents can eat as much as they want without guilt or fear of gaining weight. They can also visit the Past Lives Pavilion, where they are greeted by a hologram of--who else--Shirley MacLaine.

Daniel finds himself touched by an angel. Meryl Streep gives an enchanting performance as Julia, whose exemplary life is in stark contrast to his. During her trial, the court watches in rapture as she saves not only children, but a cat from a burning building.

Daniel and Julia are a match made in Judgment City, but first Daniel must summon up the courage to express his true feelings for her, or she will surely advance without him.

Defending Your Life is Brooks's most ambitious film and, with Mother, his most accessible. --Donald Liebenson

Description

Immediately following his death by bus, Daniel finds himself in the afterlife facing his past. If you can't make a case for having lived a full and fearles

superb music score won an Academy Award.s life, you must go back to Earth and try again. But Daniel doesn't want to go back after he meets Julia in this heavenly fable written and directed by Albert Brooks.

Customer Reviews:

DEFENDING ALBERT BROOKS.......2007-07-01

This is Mr. Brooks at his side-splittingest and most sardonic as he prepares to enter the afterlife and must defend the decisions he made in life. This film is clever on all levels. Casting Meryl Streep as someone who has nothing to defend was a stroke of genius. Watch for Shirley MacLaine in a howlingly funny cameo. I have watched this again and again to make up for all the people who didn't see it in the theaters. I have given it as a gift many, many times to people who have never heard of it. I hate to use the term "feel-good" as it is overworked with regard to film, but when this one ends, I'm happy that I watched it.

A Pleasant Comedy.......2007-06-27

I agree with most of what good things everyone says about this movie - I saw it in the theatre when it came out and bought it on DVD, although I'm a tad disappointed there aren't any extras on the DVD. Albert Brooks has always made me laugh but it's nice to see Meryl Streep possibly enjoying a film role for once - it seems like a good pairing of two cerebral actors - you may laff when you hear Brooks' name and the word cerebral in the same sentence but his movies have always made me think he has a good insight into the human psyche. The middle of the film where Lee Grant shows his various mistakes is hilarious and make you think that Brooks' character is just outside of being passed on to Heaven, until the last part of the movie - Rip Torn is his usual funny self, and his ambiguity and vagueness comes off as funny.

Heavenly.......2007-06-10

A good look at The Other Side a.k.a. Heaven. Eating whatever you want, past life regression, moving on. A movie I believe gives people some real good insight into the afterlife. A positive outlook for paradise.

Thought provoking afterlife .......2007-05-12

Family friendly (no bad words), thought provoking movie about the afterlife and what might happen to get all the way into the pearly gates....reviewing your life....not just the bad and good you did, but how you handled yourself (self doubt, self confidence, etc.). I enjoyed it and have watched it at least 3 times.

got it from Netflik and then bought it here before it was even over!.......2007-05-04

Awesome for helping you see that fear can hold us back in our lives! and funny

Average customer rating:

Heart and Soul has heart.
Heart and Souls
A chic flick my husband watched and enjoyed
Heart and Souls DVD
Favorite Movie

Heart and Souls
Starring: Robert Downey Jr. , Charles Grodin , Alfre Woodard , Kyra Sedgwick , and Tom Sizemore
Director: Ron Underwood
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0783230079
Release Date: 1998-11-17

Amazon.com

Robert Downey Jr. has never been more charming than in this comedy about a yuppie who is revisited in adulthood by the spirits of four people who had been his friends as a child. The ghosts (Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard, Tom Sizemore) all have unfinished business in this world before they can move on to the next, and Downey's character agrees to let them inhabit his body while they sort it all out. The appealing cast alone strongly recommends this movie, but Downey's remarkable facility for physical comedy--manifesting the personalities of his supernatural pals as they possess him--is a riot. Elisabeth Shue makes the best of her part as the hero's girlfriend; Leaving Las Vegas was still ahead of her, but one can see her talent straining to get out here. The DVD release has a widescreen presentation, production notes, theatrical trailer, biographies of the cast, closed captioning, an optional French soundtrack and Spanish subtitles, and Dolby sound. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Heart and Soul has heart........2007-05-09

This movie is a must for any Downey fan. It has a little of everything comedy, drama, and romance. The story is basically about 4 individuals all killed while on the same bus. Their souls are connected to the nearest baby being born(downey's character). The little boy grows up having "imaginary friends". Of course, once he's in school this poses a problem for him. He's seen talking to himself, etc. His school begins to think he's in need of therapy. The souls do the selfless thing and disappear(though they are still with him). The man he becomes is a bit of a jerk. Eventually the souls reveal themselves when they find out that he is their corporeal being to be used to tie up their loose ends here on earth. Along the way Downey's character learns a few lessons and becomes a better person for it.

Heart and Souls.......2007-02-21

One of my wife's favorite movies and now on DVD! Puts a smile on her face and lifts her spirit every time she watches it. It's the first DVD she lends out when someone needs a care package.

A chic flick my husband watched and enjoyed.......2007-01-13

This is an oldie but goodie. Robert Downey Jr is great! He plays a man who assist 4 dead people to find peace and move on. I was surprised when my husband sat down and watched it with me. I even caught him laughing more than once. (It was odd because he NEVER watches chic flicks!) I would recommend this movie to anyone.

Heart and Souls DVD.......2007-01-10

I purchased the DVD "Heart and Souls" from Amazon.Com. I looked for this movie everywhere and could not find it. Sure enough Amazon had it !!!! Ordering was easy and delivery was fast.
Thank you Amazon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Favorite Movie.......2007-01-04

A must have for Robert Downey Jr fans! Funny, clever, original story! Tear jerker too! Good for the entire family.

Average customer rating:

Historical Gem
Old Time Religion
classic musical
Cabin in the Sky
Cabin in the sky

Cabin in the Sky
Starring: Ethel Waters , Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson , Lena Horne , Louis Armstrong , and Rex Ingram
Director: Vincente Minnelli , and Busby Berkeley
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Carmen Jones

ASIN: B000BNTMAA
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Amazon.com

The first film directed by Vincente Minnelli (who directed the original Broadway version), this musical offers its pleasures, but also may make you squirm at the racial stereotypes that were considered both acceptable and entertaining in 1943. A story of the struggle between good and evil for the soul of a man named Little Joe (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson), the film plays with the same kind of racial notions that made Stepin Fetchit a star. Still, there's much to recommend it, particularly performances by some of the greatest musical stars of the day: Lena Horne, Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington, among others. The film also includes a terrific score, a combination effort by Ellington, Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, and E.Y. Harburg that includes the song "Taking a Chance on Love." --Marshall Fine

Description

Hollywood's first all-black film since The Green Pastures tells the vibrant fable of rascally Little Joe, torn between the love of his good wife Petunia and the wiles of good-time bad girl Georgia Brown...and caught in a tug-of-war between emissaries from the Lord and Satan. How can virtue triumph over evil? Well, as Petunia says, "Sometimes when you fight the devil, you gotta jab him with his own pitchfork." Debuting movie director Vincente Minnelli (An American in Paris, Gigi) and stars Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington are more than a match for the devil in this musical treasure. With a soundtrack of dazzling standards including Taking a Chance on Love and Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe, Cabin in the Sky is a joyous classic.

Customer Reviews:

Historical Gem.......2007-05-07

Thank God this film has been saved as a historical reference for African-Americans in film. It is a treasure, a gem and a legacy.

Old Time Religion.......2007-04-09

This is a sweet and funny tale about the dangers of sin and the way of redemption.

classic musical.......2007-03-30

overall an excellent film, despite the racial overtones. But that is understandable when you consider the era in which this film was made. The story is timeless and the performances by the cast are wonderful. I highly recommend this underrated film to anyone, especially if you are a movie history buff like me.

Cabin in the Sky.......2007-01-10

Cabin in the Sky is an amusing adventure of good vs evil. Just be cautioned to always do the right thing!

Cabin in the sky.......2007-01-09

I loved the movie. It was well done even though it was made years ago. I really enjoyed it and has loaned the movie to friends who equally enjoyed it as well. This movie should be added to your library.

Average customer rating:

Low Expectations, Great Impressions
Funny, Suspenseful, and Soooo Romantic
Living with a lost loved one!
The 3 Stars Is Because I Am Extremely Skeptical About This Disc
One of the Best Movies of All Time

Ghost (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: Patrick Swayze , Demi Moore , Tony Goldwyn , Stanley Lawrence , and Christopher J. Keene
Director: Jerry Zucker
Manufacturer: Paramount
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ASIN: B000LE16VW
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Amazon.com essential video

Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze are the passionate lovers whose romance is undone when the latter is murdered during a bungled hit arranged by a rival. The clever concept by screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin (director of My Life) extends outward into comedy (Swayze's character communicates through a sassy medium played by Whoopi Goldberg, who won an Oscar for this role), horror (the afterlife is populated by hell-bound demons and the like), and romantic complications (a handsome suitor, played by Tony Goldwyn, comes on to Moore while Swayze's spirit is still hanging around). Directed by Jerry Zucker, previously best known for codirecting Airplane! and similar broad comedies, Ghost is a careful balancing act of strong commercial elements, but at heart it is a timeless Hollywood tearjerker that easily gets under one's skin. --Tom Keogh

Description

Patrick Swayze plays a ghost who teams with a psychic (Whoopi Goldberg) to uncover the truth behind his murder - and to rescue his sweetheart (Demi Moore) from a similar fate. "The word of mouth is that Ghost is a must-see romance," says Entertainment Weekly. Ditto to that!

Customer Reviews:

Low Expectations, Great Impressions.......2007-02-21

I'm not sure why I never watched "Ghost" before until last night. For some reason, I didn't pay much heed to it when it was first released and never thought it was worth watching on TV. I'm glad I gave it a chance because this is a GOOD movie. What makes it good is its' skillful mixture of suspense, romance, comedy, and the supernatural. That would seem to be too much to tackle for one movie but we get it all in the right balance. I was drawn rather quickly into the movie and got to where I couldn't wait to see what was coming next. There were a few "convenient" capabilities that these ghosts had that were necessary for the story to work. I'm a rather pragmatic person but, by the time these things came up, I was so caught up in the story that I WANTED these things to be possible.

Obviously, the writer and director deserve accolades for their work and the actors do as well. I wanted to make note of the quality of acting because it was probably the cast that left me uninterested in watching "Ghost". I was prepared to be unimpressed in particular with Whoopie Goldberg so I want to confess that I thought her Best Supporting Actress Oscar was well-deserved. I figure that I was one of the last persons in America to see "Ghost" but if there are others of you out there who still haven't seen it, give it a look; it's well worth it.

Funny, Suspenseful, and Soooo Romantic.......2007-02-19

This definitely goes on my list of all-time-favorites. Demi Moore is beautiful as the grieving girlfriend, while Patrick Swayze projects the appropriate anger, sex appeal, and bafflement as the dead boyfriend, now a ghost. He badgers Whoopi Goldberg into helping him communicate with Demi.
Whoopi is funny! The scenes between the two lovers (before and after death) are quite touching and romantic. The action is dramatic and suspenseful as Swayze realizes who had him killed and that Moore is now in danger.
Great Movie!

Living with a lost loved one!.......2007-01-31

I thought this was a great love story, that I would love to have happen to me if I lost a love the way she did, don't get me wrong I would be so afraid a first,but I would adjust and be glad to have him back in any way that I can.

The 3 Stars Is Because I Am Extremely Skeptical About This Disc.......2006-12-26

I know it's a few months away (till this disc is released), but I have a lot of questions and skeptical thoughts surrounding this release. Didn't they already release this DVD a few years ago? What more could they add that the previous release didn't already have? Do they really think people are going to repurchase this film on DVD just for a couple of featurettes? For me, there better be a commentary by the actors (not the director & screenwriter...they already had their commentary). I'd like to hear Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, & Whoopi Goldberg sitting down watching this film and talking about the experience. I'd also like to see some deleted scenes and outtakes. I can't imagine the film was made without a couple of scenes excised (for pacing or otherwise). I'd also like to see some archival footage of awards shows (Golden Globes & Oscars...particularly Whoopi's acceptance speech and Bruce Joel Rubin's speech for Best Original Screenplay). Last but not least I'd also like to see every bad review written (and spoken) about this film compared with every good review (written & spoken) and see who was totally right and totally wrong (Eh hem...Siskel & Ebert...well, Ebert... Siskel's dead...can't fault him much...not posthumously anyway). Those would be reason to buy this film again on DVD. Not a couple of retrospective featurettes (most likely carried over from the previous release) and a commentary track from the director & screenwriter (also carried over from the previous release). That is not worth anyone's money or time. Paramount...are you listening? If you're not doing something along the lines of what I just described then scrap this project! It's the right thing to do!

One of the Best Movies of All Time.......2006-12-03

This movie has a little everything that will appeal to just about everyone. There's plenty of comedy, lots of romance, a bit of action and suspense and a more or less happy, tear-jerker ending. Not to mention the beauty of a young Demi Moore. And as a plus, the paranormal aspect gets plausible treatment. If you haven't seen this, I say you 'must'. Go out and buy it to watch over and over.

Average customer rating:

Low Expectations, Great Impressions
Funny, Suspenseful, and Soooo Romantic
Living with a lost loved one!
The 3 Stars Is Because I Am Extremely Skeptical About This Disc
One of the Best Movies of All Time

Ghost
Starring: Patrick Swayze , Demi Moore , Tony Goldwyn , Stanley Lawrence , and Christopher J. Keene
Director: Jerry Zucker
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000059TEP
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Low Expectations, Great Impressions.......2007-02-21

Funny, Suspenseful, and Soooo Romantic.......2007-02-19

Living with a lost loved one!.......2007-01-31

The 3 Stars Is Because I Am Extremely Skeptical About This Disc.......2006-12-26

One of the Best Movies of All Time.......2006-12-03

Average customer rating:

All the elements of a great movie
A good movie for TV
Reviewing the movie, " Purgatory."
more then a western
A Fantastic Fantasy Western

Purgatory
Starring: Sam Shepard , Eric Roberts , Randy Quaid , Peter Stormare , and Brad Rowe
Director: Uli Edel
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007OY2OO
Release Date: 2005-05-17

Amazon.com

Purgatory is a down-and-dirty Western with a twist The Twilight Zone's Rod Serling would have loved. A band of 19th-century desperadoes, led by the monstrous Blackjack Britton (Eric Roberts), takes a wrong turn while fleeing a posse and rides into an otherworldly, off-the-map town called Refuge. Sedate, almost repressed, and guarded by an unarmed sheriff (Sam Shepard), Refuge is a weird haven of hospitality with no jail, a literate shopkeeper (J.D. Souther), an erudite dandy of a doctor (Randy Quaid), a restless deputy (Donnie Wahlberg), and a beautiful young woman (Amelia Heinle) with no apparent family. In short order, Blackjack figures Refuge is his for the plundering. But the youngest of his gang, the innocent Sonny (Brad Rowe), slowly realizes the town's residents are, in fact, dead legends of the American West--Wild Bill Hickok (Shepard), Doc Holliday (Quaid), Jesse James (Souther), among others--spending a violence-free interim before being taken to Heaven (or Hell if they fail). A purely fun if slightly hokey piece of fanciful adventure, Purgatory's colorful cast plays the whole thing straight and gives this made-for-cable film (directed by Uli Edel of Last Exit to Brooklyn) some exciting, six-gun grit and emotional authenticity. --Tom Keogh

Description

Between somewhere and nowhere in the untamed West is the small town of Refuge. There, neither the sheriff nor his deputy carry a sidearm. There's no jail either, because shooting, carousing and bad blood are not in the town's character. What peaceful folks live there? Wild Bill Hickok. Doc Holliday. Jesse James. Billy the Kid. All long dead. All mysteriously given a chance to undo their violent pasts in Purgatory. All put to a stern test when Blackjack and his ornery gang ride into town.

Customer Reviews:

All the elements of a great movie.......2007-05-10

I must admit that I was pleasently surprised at the quailty of this movie, which features all the elements that make up a great movie. Starting with an interesting story line, great acting and action sequences, and a number of special moments wonderfully esentuated with moving music.

A good movie for TV.......2007-05-07

It would be hard for me to give this movie more than a three, since it is in the movie category and thus is competing with truly classic westerns such as, The Good the Bad and the Ugly. That being said, it is a good movie when you consider that it was made for TV. An entertaining western which has some great actors and an amusing plot. If I was to compare it to other TV movies, only, then I would say that it rated a strong 4.

Reviewing the movie, " Purgatory.".......2007-03-23

Interesting movie with a bit of Romance.., of course, as in most westerns, the heroes. Wild Bill Hickock, Doc Holiday, Jesse James, and of course, Billy the Kid. And of course the villian, Black Jack...
Very good movie. I've watched it several times already.

Thanks!

more then a western.......2007-03-14

this movie more then your average,shootem up western!really,this is a tale of redemption .well written,acted, and directed...I got flick as gift for my wife[she rated it 5 stars!]

A Fantastic Fantasy Western.......2007-01-10

Often when genres combine in unexpected ways the result is less than stellar, but this is not the case with Purgatory. Combining all the drama and bravado of your typical western with a supernatural spin, Purgatory brings together many of the wild west's greatest heroes for one last hurrah. A beautifully imagined and produced piece of cinema highly reminicent of Deadlands: The Weird West, Purgatory is definately worth the price and should be added to any collection.

Average customer rating:

Carousel
Sinatra made a good call.
Carousel gives you a catharis
Life is like a "carousel"
Carousel great, DVD skips

Carousel (50th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Gordon MacRae , Shirley Jones , Cameron Mitchell , Barbara Ruick , and Claramae Turner
Director: Henry King
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000HT3PFG
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Amazon.com

Like its immediate predecessor, Oklahoma!, this 1956 screen musical boasted then state-of-the-art widescreen cinematography, stereophonic sound, a starring romantic duo with onscreen chemistry, and the Rodgers & Hammerstein imprimatur. Adding to its promise was a source (the venerable Ferenc Molnar play Liliom) that had already been filmed three times. Yet unlike the original Broadway production, and despite evident craft, Carousel proved a box-office disappointment. Why? Hindsight argues that '50s moviegoers may have been unprepared for its tragic narrative, the sometimes unsympathetic protagonist, and a spiritual subtext addressing life after death.

Whatever the obstacle, Carousel may well be a revelation to first-time viewers. The score is among the composers' most affecting, from the glorious instrumental "Carousel Waltz" to a succession of exquisite love songs ("If I Loved You"), a heart-rending secular hymn ("You'll Never Walk Alone"), and the expectant father's poignant reverie, "Soliloquy." Top-lined stars Shirley Jones (as factory worker Julie Jordan) and Gordon MacRae (as Billy Bigelow, the carnival barker who woos and weds her) achieve greater dramatic urgency here than in the more successful Oklahoma!, with MacRae in particular attaining a personal best as the conflicted Billy, whose anxiety and wounded pride after losing his job are crucial to the plot. It's Billy's impatience to support his new family that drives him to an ill-fated decision that transforms the fable into a ghost story. Adding to the luster are the coastal Maine locations where 20th Century Fox filmed principal photography. --Sam Sutherland

Description

Gordon MacRae is Billy Bigelow, a smooth-talking carny barker who falls in love with a millworker (Shirley Jones) on the colorful coast of Maine. Filmed on location, with a beautiful seaside setting as a backdrop and a thrilling score for accompaniment, their romance unfolds. But right before the birth of his daughter, Billy is killed while committing a robbery. Now in heaven, years later, he returns to earth for one day to attend his daughter's high school graduation and teach her one very important lesson.

Customer Reviews:

Carousel.......2007-06-25

The score's the thing in the bittersweet musical "Carousel," based on yet another Rodgers and Hammerstein play. Though on release the film's darker themes played less well with audiences than jauntier predecessor "Oklahoma," time has been kind to this picture. Once again MacRae and Jones make a winning, handsome couple, and their mellifluous voices do full justice to timeless classics like "If I Loved You" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Sinatra made a good call........2007-06-04

"Carousel" is a worthy musical among the great tetralogy by Rodgers and Hammerstein, representing American musical theater at its zenith. (I have little to no patience with the self-congratulatory "ultra sophisticates" who for some reason can't praise the undeniable song-writing brilliance of Rodgers and Hart unless it's at the expense of Hammerstein, who gets hammered for serving up only "schmaltz.") No one has come close to the Rodgers and Hammerstein team (except Hammerstein himself, in the case of his collaboration with Jerome Kern for "Showboat") at creating American melodrama (a fusion of music and drama) that is at once profound, socially-conscious, and archetypal in its representations of a nation's "unwritten" history. So to the extent that the film makes a larger public aware of an original, indigenous lyric theater, not to mention deeply moving songs, it deserves some credit.

The musical, however, deserves more credit, because it's primarily on the strengths of the original that this flat, artificial, leaden movie, the weakest of any Hollywood adaptation of a major R&H musical, has held up. (Ironically, the fifth and weakest of the major musicals, "The Sound of Music," is probably the best movie of the bunch.) Everybody by now knows the story of Sinatra accepting the role of Billy Bigelow, then welching on the agreement once he learned he would be required to shoot two final takes of each scene--a separate one just for the new, wider anamorphic ratio, for which a minority of theaters were equipped. In retrospect, he made the right call. This is filmmaking at its worst--a belief that the novelty of technology--lots of color and a really big screen--will satisfy cinema's and the public's requirements for "realism."

It's instructive to compare the story (and film) of "Carousel" with Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life." Almost contemporaneously, both films addressed deep-seated insecurities and fears felt by viewers after the war years, "Carousel" most directly with "You'll Never Walk Alone," a consolation if not uplifting message for those who had been left behind. In "Carousel" Billy Bigelow, the no-good, "earns his wings" by doing well by his daughter after a botched stick-up results in his death. In Capra's darker, more profound yet more life-affirming film, George Bailey has earned all kinds of wings, practically becoming a savior-saint to his community. But that righteous pride proves his undoing: he can't handle the thought that he's let down all of Bedford Falls by losing what they had invested in him--one thousand dollars. And for that single "grave" mistake he commits suicide (Billy Bigelow in the movie falls on his knife by accident). George can't redeem himself or earn any more wings--he's performed too many good deeds already. So it's poor wingless Clarence who is sent on a mission to Bedford Falls to restore to George his flawed, imperfect humanity. In the process, George and we discover that civilization is not overrun by Mr. Potters: people actually can be unselfish and forgiving.

The pity is that "Carousel" wasn't filmed in the 1940s, and by a creative and inspired filmmaking giant like Frank Capra. At least there's the consolation of the unequaled interpretation of these songs by the Sinatra-Nelson Riddle team ("The Concert Sinatra," Reprise, 1963). Any expectant father who hasn't heard Sinatra's dramatic, poignant, and timeless reading of the "Soliloquy" has missed out on one of the true joys of being a father.

Carousel gives you a catharis.......2007-05-13

This movie is full of joy and love and pain. It is the story of the life of a man who is a Carousel barker - a good one, too, but who doesn't know who to earn money any other way. He meets a sweet and independent, beautiful young woman, who works at a mill. They soon find themselves out of work, married and with a baby coming.

And it's about second chances. The Carousel barker gets a second chance to set things right after he dies trying to find a way to get money to support his family.

The movie is the origin of one of my favorite songs of all times - You'll Never Walk alone. "When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of the storm is a golden sky and the sweet silver song of a lark...."

Life is like a "carousel".......2007-04-19

Ok, so some of the songs didn't hit the top 40, but the ballads don't belong there. . .they belong in your heart. Soft ballads sung by some of the most talented voices to hit the screen none other than Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones, together again in "Oklahoma." The story is simple: local girl falls for good for nothing carousel barker bum and sees only the good in him, whereas most folks just see the bad. Fine songs include, "You'll never walk alone", "If I loved you", "June is busting out all over", and the tremendous "Carousel anthem." The best thing about this musical are the scenic Maine lakes and coastal areas, plus the final musical splash number with excellent choreography. Soundtrack with deleted songs is additional plus!

Carousel great, DVD skips.......2007-04-05

Of course Carousel is a classic, and the music endures, however, I was excited to view this DVD of Carousel with my daughter so she could audition for an upcoming summer stock production. I was disappointed that the DVD stalls and gets hung up regularly. It was so frustrating to watch that we gave up. This is the second time since Christmas that this has happened when purchasing a DVD thru Amazon.... After ordering the Star Wars 6-pack, Star Wars II was not watchable. Does Amazon have any quality control behind the scenes???? Repackaging and returning it doesn't seem worth the expense....

Average customer rating:

Great Movie.
Almost perfect
What a beautiful, touching film!
Perfect
Meet Joe Black

Meet Joe Black
Starring: Brad Pitt , Anthony Hopkins , Claire Forlani , Jake Weber , and Marcia Gay Harden
Director: Martin Brest
Manufacturer: Universal Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0783233477
Release Date: 2002-06-11

Amazon.com essential video

Meet Joe Black seemed almost fated to fail when it was released in 1998, but this romantic fantasy--a remake of 1934's Death Takes a Holiday--deserves a chance at life after box-office death. Although many moviegoers were turned off by director Martin Brest's overindulgent three-hour running time, those who gear into its deliberate pace will find that Meet Joe Black offers ample reward for your attention.

Brad Pitt plays Death with a capital D, enjoying some time on Earth by inhabiting the body of a young man who'd been killed in a shockingly sudden pedestrian-auto impact. Before long, Death has ingratiated himself with a wealthy industrialist (Anthony Hopkins) and pursues romance with the man's beautiful daughter (newcomer Claire Forlani), whom he'd briefly encountered while still an earthbound human. Under the assumed identity of "Joe Black," he samples all the pleasures that corporeal life has to offer--power, romance, sex, and such enticing pleasures as peanut butter by the spoonful.

But Death has a job to do, and Meet Joe Black addresses the heart-wrenching dilemma that arises when either father or daughter (the plot keeps us guessing) must confront his or her inevitable demise. The film takes its own sweet time to establish this emotional crisis and the love that binds Hopkins's semidysfunctional family so closely together. But if you've stuck with the story this far, you may find yourself surprisingly affected. And if Meet Joe Black has really won you over, you'll more than appreciate the care and affection that gives the film a depth and richness that so many critics chose to ignore. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie........2007-06-15

I watched this movie for the first time while surfing through my HD Channels. But I'll admit that I wasn't interested in watching this movie when it was first released or any other time it was available on premium channels. However, more recently I have become more intrigued by Brad Pitt and it's probably because of all the current media hype he's recently received as half of the hottest Hollywood couple. Aside from wanting to see more of Brad and his acting, the picture quality was quite amazing and enough to get me into the movie. Each scene was like still life photography. From the rooms of the Parrish mansion to the boardroom, the color and tone of the set was just beautiful. Even some of the elements such as the cake samples were unique and colorful and lend such timelessness to this film. Although the sound editing put me and my remote to work with its highs (Music) and lows (Voice), the video quality fared much better as HD made for some wonderful viewing, especially of Brad. The early scene of Brad's freak pedestrian accident was so unfortunate, but convincing enough to link him to his Death character. I anticipated every scene and found some scenes and acting a bit quirky (peanut butter), while other scenes, particularly the intimate one, simply enthralling. Needless to say, I became a willing hostage up to the party scene, at which time I had to pull myself away for another urgent commitment. However, I will have to savor the rest and probably the best parts of the film for when I purchase the DVD. I really look forward to viewing it again from beginning and to the very end.

Almost perfect.......2007-06-08

What a cast! Anthony Hopkins his usual professional self and Brad Pitt doing as well. It would have earned a 5 star rating but for the times that the musical background overwhelmed conversations, especially intimate ones. Not a problem if one uses close captioning.

What a beautiful, touching film!.......2007-06-03

Today is the first time I have seen this movie and I must say I am amazed at the depth of the story and the love in the family. I had no idea how deep and moving the story was. Admittedly, I had no interest in seeing this movie when it first came out because I am not a Brad Pitt fan, but I have to admit he puts on an amazing performance in his ability to show his love for Susan through his facial expressions...just breathtaking.

Sir Anthony Hopkins also delivered an amazing performance, as always. Regardless of what role he is playing in a movie, he always manages to take me breath away; I just love him. He is one of few actors in Hollywood would actually enjoy meeting.

Perfect.......2007-05-22

Nevermind what you hear about the length of this film. The beautiful and almost flawless acting on the part of all makes up for it. Especially moving are Brad, Claire and (of course) Anthony Hopkins. Not to forget to mention the music! Awesome! I would watch this movie over and over again. There is almost always something you miss that, when found or realized, makes the movie even more touching and awesome and you are able to appreciate even more the hard work that was put into it. Perfect movie for an evening at home. A true audio/visual conversational masterpeice.

BSDj

Meet Joe Black.......2007-04-08

Never get tired of watching this. I wore my old tape out so I had to buy another. If you haven't seen this you should. Great movie. I think any age could watch this.

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