The Private Eyes

Starring:Tim Conway, Don Knotts, Trisha Noble, Bernard Fox, Grace Zabriskie, John Fujioka, Stan Ross, Irwin Keyes, Suzy Mandel, Fred Stuthman, Mary Nell Santacroce, Robert V. Barron, Patrick Cranshaw, Russi Taylor
Director: Lang Elliott
Studio: Henstooth Video
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

gay drama.......2007-06-27

this dvdd shows what we all like a gay cop with some comedy meets a gasy case. All htese actors have some good things and that is there looks but you reconize most of them

Ok, excuse me while I go "out" my dog........2007-05-27

"Third Man Out" proves to be a pretty good movie packed with "film noir" moments and a lot of mystery, suspense and drama. The best part of this film is without doubt, it's star actor Chad Allen, who gives a wonderful performance as "Donald Strachey". Strachey is a gay private detective hired to find who has been threatening a notorious member of the gay community noted for outing prominent people living a double life. When he refuses the case and the notorious John Rutka is reported to have been murdered, Strachey is compelled to solve the crime in spite of his personal disdain for the deceased. To do so, Strachey must protect hundreds of extensive files Rutka kept on high profile individuals he felt were a threat to the gay community. All hell breaks loose when he and his lover become the target of those who had a motive to kill Rutka and are seeking to destroy any evidence which might place them at the top of the list of suspects.

I was intrigued throughout the film to stick with it and find out "who dunnit". Never really a dull moment in this first gay mystery movie. The acting was very well done by almost every one of the nearly all-gay cast. A little overacting on the part of Sebastian Spence, who plays the part of Strachey's boyfriend. Not a bad performance, but probably not best suited for the particular role of the more feminine character. This was a role for which I felt the writing could have been more realistic. Allen's character was perfect, macho and more "straight natured" which fit him to a tee. His acting was flawless. I felt the scripting for the character of Rutka to be written a bit sloppy, and the combination of John Wetherall (Rutka) and Woody Jeffreys as his gay lover Eddie, to be a bit strange, but somehow it worked in spite of that. All in all, the actors all gave a great performance considering the script they were given to work with. There were a few things here and there that I was personally not impressed with, such as one unnecessary political reference that I found very distasteful, a little too much flame in the script for Strachey's lover Timmy, and a few unbelievable lines that I felt could have been much more convincingly written. There was the tattoo that changed from one arm in one scene, to the other arm at one point in the film, and I think a little more attention should have been given to detail throughout. All in all though, this is a great movie, very well done, and a first for gay media. Not your typical "coming-out" theme, or dime a dozen gay film topics. It was a nice twist making a GAY police drama, and I personally enjoyed viewing it. If you like suspense and mystery, you are gonna like this film.

There is also a great DVD extra for your viewing. It is a featurette with behind the scenes interviews with the cast. It is well worth watching and fills in a few details you may miss the first time you watch the film. This screenplay is Loosely adapted from the novel "Third Man Out", and the first of a series of Donald Strachey films. I will be watching for the next one. Hopefully it will be a little better written and directed than the first, BUT that being said, I highly recommend this movie. Just don't go overboard with your expectations. It's not the best mystery flick you've ever seen, but the gay theme behind it, gives it a nice flair, and the acting of Chad Allen makes it well worth watching. A great mystery that will keep your attention and dispense a few surprises along the way.

Which is more odious: A man who outs closeted gay hypocrites or drug company CEOs? Strachey helps us decide.......2007-04-19

Which would be worse if you're a gay detective based in Albany, New York...slugged in the kisser by an irate blonde who doesn't care for the photos you took of her husband or being called "Nancy-boy Drew" by the corrupt and catty manager of a hotel who secretly films the doings of some of the guests? Donald Strachey (Chad Allen) doesn't much care for either, but this is nothing compared to what he is about to get involved in. Fortunately, Strachey is a happily married man, or as close to it as a gay man can be. His partner, Timmy Callaghan (Sebastian Spence), is a smart, affectionate political assistant to an elected New York state assemblywoman. Strachey's latest case brings him a client that both he and Timmy are repulsed by.

John Rutka (Jack Wetherall), an aging, self-righteous gay demagogue, publishes a cable expose program called The Rutka Report. In it he outs closet gays, especially well-known married public homophobes who promote family values and sponsor anti-gay legislation while secretly making nighttime visits to highway rest stops and wearing their leathers at, ah, small, intimate parties. After someone breaks into his home and shoots him in the leg, Rutka goes to Strachey for protection. Strachey turns him down. Outing people, Strachey and Timmy agree, is one of the lowest forms of human activity. But the need for Strachey to earn an income changes their minds. Even though Strachey has to hold his nose, he takes on the job. It's not long before a charred corpse turns up and is identified through dental records and that gunshot wound by the cops as Rutka. Strachey took the man's money; now he's determined to find the man's murderer. There are three prime candidates, one of whom Rutka was going to pick as the cover-boy for his next broadcast. From Rutka's files, Strachey identifies Ronnie Linklater, the host and star of a hugely popular children's television show who enjoys using his hand-puppets in unusual ways; Bruno Slinger, a powerful, anti-gay Congressman who thinks B&D without a little pain for his partner is for sissies; and a person Rutka identified only as "the ultimate hypocrite." From there, Strachey doggedly goes through piles of Rutka's documents, financial records and computer files. Along the way he visits sleazy motels, a Catholic church, a hospital and a funeral; he encounters Rutka's body-building partner, Rutka's foul-mouthed sister, an exercising granny who puts moves on him, and various tough guys who push him around and pistol whip him. He leaves one of them limping, after Timmy gets beaten up, by using a power nailer to plow a nail into the guy's foot. Strachey also visits a porn call-in site where the owner, Dik Steele, for a fee will talk to heavy breathing call-in chumps. Even Strachey looks put off a bit at the operators posing as Steele...balding, chubby males and grannies with deep voices, all pretending to be Dik Steele in the throes of ultimate passion. Kind of like internet sites. The conclusion carries a powerful and unexpected twist which some may like and some may not.

Third Man Out is the first of what may be a series of Canadian cable movies featuring Chad Allen as Donald Strachey. The second, Shock to the System, was broadcast in 2006. It seemed to me that with Third Man Out, director and writer Ron Oliver was still in the process of finding the right balance between message and mystery. Oliver and Allen deal with a lot of issues here, some head on, some in passing, everything from hypocrisy, AIDs and the costs of AIDs medicine, the ethics of outing, gay relationships and on and on. For me, all these messages began getting in the way of the mystery, which I thought was well-constructed with clever false leads, good characters and a disturbing conclusion. With Shock to the System, I think Oliver found the formula that works...make sure you put the mystery first and keep the messages low-key. For readers, the Donald Strachey mysteries by Richard Stevenson, all eight of them, are worth buying. The plots are strong and Strachey makes for a believable, sometimes cocky private eye. They are solid mysteries that happen to feature a gay private detective; they're not simply gay mysteries.

This is obviously a made-for-TV movie. Everything has that clean, careful TV look. The main characters do fine acting jobs but some of the secondary roles lack a little skill. There is one bonus feature, "Coming Out with the Cast and Crew," which I didn't watch. It comes down to this: Whether you enjoy the plot may depend on whether you see the ethics of outing as the same moral equivalent of being the CEO of a drug or insurance company. Tough call.

Taking time out, for "Third Man...".......2007-03-23

I'm not familiar with the book that this movie is based on, so I can't make a fair comparison of the two. This film, though not the same caliber as "Brokeback Mountain" and "Maurice", is still a decent addition into the genre of gay films and a fairly decent mystery film.

Much of the film's success certainly is due to the likeablity of Chad Allen as Donald Strachey, a private eye who is hired by a loathesome man who's life is spent outing politicians and celebrities on his website. When the man turns up murdered, Strachey is unwillingly drawn in to the mystery of his death.

QAF's Jack Wetherall does a fair job as the murdered man Strachey is originally hired to protect. Sean Young appears (barely) in a role that can't be considered more than a cameo role. And Sebastien Spence, as Donald's lover Tim, strives just a little too hard to prove that he's a friend of Dorothy---little white dog in tow each time he's in their apartment is just a little too much for me.

The director could have upped the suspense factor a little and, if needed, tinkered more with the storyline and characters. Overall, however, its a decent movie. Now that the second of an apparent series is out, it will be interesting to see it and compare the two. Let's hope the director strives to improve on what could be an entertaining franchise. Worth a look.

Loved the movie.......2007-03-21

Loved this movie over all...weak in spots but it was all made up with the second movie. Buy it and add it to your collection today!

Average customer rating:

Another wonderful Disney Movie
Great Mouse Detective
One of Disney's Best
Classic
Great Mouse Detective = Great Disney Film

The Great Mouse Detective
Starring: Vincent Price , Barrie Ingham , Val Bettin , Susanne Pollatschek , and Candy Candido
Director: David Michener , Burny Mattinson , and John Musker
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005T7H5
Release Date: 2002-07-23

Amazon.com

Just because Walt Disney created contemporary and traditional classics of animation doesn't mean the studio is out of ideas--not by a long shot. The Great Mouse Detective is richly animated and offers a clever tale. It may not be as easily recognized a title as Aladdin or The Little Mermaid, but all three share the same director, Ron Clements. Originally released theatrically in 1986, the mystery borrows easily from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and is based on Eve Titus's book Basil of Baker Street.

When a brilliant toymaker is kidnapped by a creepy peg-legged bat, his daughter, Olivia, enlists the aid of the legendary Basil. Basil, Olivia, and Basil's assistant, Dr. Dawson, are part of an intricate city system of Victorian-era London mice. Basil quickly realizes his archenemy, Professor Ratigan (a rat who wants to be a mouse), is behind the abduction. Ratigan (voiced by Vincent Price) fiendishly aspires to take over London rodents--and will stop at nothing to achieve his greatest desire. The unlikely trio of good guys become heroes, of course. The engaging story line is a perfect introduction to Doyle's work and mysteries in general. Look for a very cleverly executed voice-cameo by Basil Rathbone (as Sherlock Holmes, natch). Alan Young (Mr. Ed) also provides a voice. Ages 4 and up. --N.F. Mendoza

Description

The clues are in, the chase is on, and the case of the century is about to break wide open in Disney's greatest little mystery in history! Let the creators of ALADDIN and THE LITTLE MERMAID take you on an adventuresome journey through the cobblestone streets of 1897 London, where some suspicious "mousechief" is the suspenseful start to this thrilling musical adventure. Olivia, the brave daughter of a beloved London toymaker, turns to Basil of Baker Street for help with her father's disappearance. Basil's jolly assistant, Dr. Dawson, and loyal dog Toby lend a hand ... and nose ... as they sniff out clues through their charming miniature world. The final chase leads to Professor Ratigan (voiced by Vincent Price), a hard-hearted criminal whom Basil must outwit to save all of Mousedom! Now digitally remastered, fully restored and full of unforgettable characters and spectacular animation -- all leading to a climactic climb atop Big Ben -- it's elementary who you'll want to watch again and again ... THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE!

Customer Reviews:

Another wonderful Disney Movie.......2007-04-12

Disney doesn't disappoint!! This is a nother wonderful Disney adventure that you will enjoy!!

Great Mouse Detective.......2007-03-16

Very pleased with the quality of the product and the timely delivery.

One of Disney's Best.......2007-02-12

This is one of Disney's best stories. The amusing mystery, spooky characters and charming leads will delight young and old alike.

Classic.......2007-02-06

This is another disney classic. Set in the heart of London a Sherlock Holmes type mouse sets off to find a missing father with the help of his friend, a Watson type mouse. This is a great movie for all ages.

Great Mouse Detective = Great Disney Film.......2007-01-24

When I first got this movie, I thought this would totally not be as good as the Lion King. But I realized then that it was an awesome Disney film! The animation is dark and quite exciting. The humor is also likeable, and Ratigan is totally the best character in the film, thanks to Vincent Price. One of the best Disney Villains of all time! Not to mention "The World`s Greatest Criminal Mind" and "Let Me Be Good To you". The striptease part in the bar and Ratigan`s drunken henchman made me chuckle.

I think Great Mouse Detective is very underrated, and should belong in the True Classics of Disney-list with the Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, Rescuers Down Under, Little Mermaid and Hercules.

Shock to the System: A Donald Strachey Mystery

Average customer rating:

Mystery and love for everybody!
Stimulating, Riviting, and Good Depiction
Not a shock to my system - it was an injection of pleasure.
Not so shocking, another pleasant film!
A nice, complicated murder mystery with an interesting private eye. Don't forget to read the books by Richard Stevenson

Shock to the System: A Donald Strachey Mystery
Starring: Chad Allen , Sebastian Spence , Michael Woods , Daryl Shuttleworth , and Morgan Fairchild
Director: Ron Oliver
Manufacturer: Regent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000K2V7EG
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Description

(Gay Thriller) When private eye Donald Strachey finds his latest client dead, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Strachey's investigation leads him on a dark and dangerous trail into the world of "gay conversion therapy" - a twisted mix of psychology and religion designed by a doctor to turn homosexuals "straight." Based on the best-selling series of novels by Richard Stevenson

Customer Reviews:

Mystery and love for everybody!.......2007-06-13

I loved "Third Man Out", the first Donald Strachey Mystery movie and this one is even better. The great thing about "Shock To The System" is that the characters are more developed, especially Donald. You get to know him better and in the scene when he tells Timmy about the Army (I can't give details) you feel and cry with him. Chad Allen is a excellent actor but in that particular scene he is simply superb.

I love murder mystery either on film or in books and "Shock To The System" is a great film for those like me who love this genre. But what truly caught my heart is Donald and Timmy's relationship... they are adorable together! This movie is MUST for cute-couple-suckers like me... you can't get wrong with these guys!!!

Stimulating, Riviting, and Good Depiction.......2007-05-13

For anyone who has wondered if the movies would change from showing us the stereotypical gay man, here is a set of films that do. A gay detective embarks on a mission to discover the devious deeds that lead to another mans death. Yet, this film shows much more than just an interesting plot. This is the second film in the Donald St. series and gives the audience a more indepth picture to who the hero really is as well as to how he is coming to understand what life is about. Through this film the protagonist, Det. Don, battles many fears and insecurities all people suffer from, not just a homosexual adience. He confronts a past that still haunts him and stands in the way of his current relationship as well as deals with the oppressive need to fit. Something the murder victim was struggling with.
So, if you enjoy a good murder mystery that also allows you to see how human a person can truly be, I highly recomend this film. You will enjoy the plot as well as charater development and be able to identify with many of the feelings and emotions portrayed within this film. Of course this is only my opinion, but I can safely say you will not be disapointed with the purchase of this video.

Not a shock to my system - it was an injection of pleasure........2007-05-11

This is the second movie in the Donald Strachey Mystery series. It is an improvement on Third Man Out (the first) which also was a thoroughly watchable mystery.

The characters and the storylines are developing well. There is more background information to show how Strachey became the man he is: loyal, trustworthy, tenacious and attracting trouble like a magnet. His partner Tim (Sebastian Spence you can put your shoes under my bed at any time:0)), although not as prominent also developed more depth in this installment of the series. It was like he is settling in for the long haul, relaxing into the role.

I felt the story flowed more easily than Third Man Out and it was a little harder to pick the murderer - although I did by the second murder (but I usually do because I LOVE mysteries).

I don't know if the fact that Chad Allen is actually an out gay man means he brings depth, understanding and a comfortableness to his role but he definitely portrays the character well and shows emotion realistically in the scene where he recounts his first gay relationship experience and the tragic outcome of that. He seems relaxed and real - which is not an easy thing to do - as Strachey.

I think although being gay oriented, because of the characters, it is not an in your face type of prominence. It shows being gay is as normal as being blonde - it just is, you can't change it (although ironically the storyline in this movie is centred around this being otherwise). I like that it is woven into the story showing gay people have real lives, real relationships, real problems and real love. (Sigh) I love a love story and this fits into that liking as well. It gets to me on a couple of levels which is refreshing - mutli-satisfying.

I am definitely looking forward to the next one. If they keep developing in depth and quality this will prove to be a must-have series for film buffs, especially those that love the mystery genre.

Not so shocking, another pleasant film!.......2007-04-23

The gay detective is back! After a promising turn in "Third Man Out", private dick Donald Strachey returns in this second mystery starring Chad Allen.

[...]

[...]

The story and the plot are much better than the first, a definite sign that the series is improving with each film. Sebastien Spence returns as Donald's partner,Tim, and Nelson Wong becomes Strachey's new office manager, Kenny Kwon. Chad Allen does a very good job as the main character and is a wise choice as the film's protagonist.

A good mystery film and worth adding to your dvd library. I hope we see another Donald Strachey film soon!

A nice, complicated murder mystery with an interesting private eye. Don't forget to read the books by Richard Stevenson.......2007-03-22

"Trevor Cornell is one of the most successful reparative therapy providers in New York," says Timmy Callahan. "I wonder what his idea of 'successful' is," says Donald Strachey, a private eye. "Dressing badly," says Callahan, "decorating your home with duck decoys, breaking out in a rash whenever Barbra Streisand sings."

To explain: Reparative therapy means conversion from being gay or lesbian into happy, contented heteroes. Timmy Callahan (Sebastian Spence) is a political type in Albany, New York. Donald Strachey (Chad Allen) is not only a capable and tough private eye in Albany, he and Timmy are married. "At least," as Strachey says, "as close as two men can get to it...more important, I'm in love with him." Those who find a gay agenda under every leaf, revolver and bloody baseball bat may not like this movie. On the other hand, those with a fondness for well-constructed mysteries that feature politics, victimization, murder, martinis and phenalzine should enjoy the story, the style of Donald Strachey and the puzzle. Bet you don't guess the murderer. It's worth pointing out that you don't need to be a collie to enjoy "Lassie" or a guy with a gut to enjoy John Wayne. And you don't need to be gay to enjoy Shock to the System. The movie has it's faults...it was made for cable with awkward acting in some of the secondary roles and it has that clean, careful look of most made-for-TV films. But the mystery is satisfyingly complicated, with a nice number of red herrings. Chad Allen makes a believable, interesting private eye. And his happy home life with Timmy would probably be the envy of many married couples, gay or straight.

Paul Hale, a frightened 20-year-old man, wants Strachey to help him. But before he can tell Strachey what he wants, he is found dead. At first it's thought Hale died of a stroke, but when a lethal mixture of alcohol and barbiturates is found in Hale's system, Strachey decides to find out what was going on. And that takes him undercover to the Phoenix Foundation, a successful institution led by Dr. Trevor Cornell and his wife, where gays and lesbians, Dr. Cornell says, can find their true path to heterosexuality. It turns out that Hale was going to be a poster boy for the Foundation when Cornell announced a major push to go nation-wide with his cures. Not only does Strachey find himself taking part in group therapy and flashing back to his own earlier life, he gets threatened, beaten up, chased and shot. Almost as frightening, he encounter's Hale's wealthy, well-groomed and surgically-enhanced mother. "My son was not gay!" she says. "He was...confused." Strachey eventually solves the crime. Justice, formal and informal, is dealt out.

Donald Strachey is the gay private eye in eight mysteries written by Richard Stevenson, beginning with Death Trick in 1981. They are first-rate reads with clever, involved and sometimes violent plots. In other words, they aren't gay mysteries...they're mysteries that happen to feature a gay private eye. Two of the books have been made into cable movies; this one was shown in 2006 and Third Man Out was shown in 2005. The books are well worth reading if you like mysteries. This movie is no classic, but it makes it's "gay agenda" points low-key enough that they don't interfere with the story. And although there is a bit of beef cake that shows up from time to time, one or two friendly smooches and a quick flash of frontal nudity, the movie has none of the leering smarminess that seems built-in to many of the boy-girl Hollywood films nowadays.

The DVD transfer is excellent. The disc has a director's commentary and two or three extras. I didn't bother to sample them.

Average customer rating:

Loved it
The Private Eyes
"You know what my mother used to say to make you throw up?"
The Private Eyes
Hilarious

The Private Eyes
Starring: Tim Conway , Don Knotts , Trisha Noble , Bernard Fox , and Grace Zabriskie
Director: Lang Elliott
Manufacturer: Henstooth Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305976481
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Amazon.com

Don Knotts and Tim Conway star in The Private Eyes, a 1980 comedy about two bumbling detectives solving a murder. It's an impressively incompetent affair. Every ancient joke falls with a muffled thud as Knotts and Conway ham their way through the pointless story: The lord and lady of a capacious manor are killed, and the lord's ghost seems to have returned to knock off the staff one by one. There's an austere housekeeper, a snooty butler with compulsive twitches, a sexy upstairs maid, a deformed groomsman, and a buxom young heir to the estate, who of course is going to be in some state of undress before the movie is over. People get killed, their bodies disappear, Knotts and Conway wander aimlessly through secret passageways, dimly seeking some way out of this movie. Conway cowrote the script, so he gets most of the blame; Knotts was probably just happy to have the work. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Loved it.......2007-05-17

My family thought this movie was great. My sister and I loved this movie as kids and were pleased to find it on video. It is a family movie night type of film.

The Private Eyes.......2007-05-08

I received this movie super fast. It is great quality and I have been looking for this movie on DVD for years. Thanks

"You know what my mother used to say to make you throw up?".......2007-05-07

That's one of Tim Conway's lines, which starts a bunch of gross notions that will make you giggle, big time. His silly sense of humor is all over this movie (he cowrote it).
All I can say is, when you bring Tim Conway and Don Knotts together, you are sure to have fun.
They are two of the funniest people ever.

This was one of those flicks that, back in the 80's, came on tv on a Saturday afternoon and you'd watch it and laugh. My favorite running gags are the pigeons and the "alarm gun".
This movie is right up my alley, along with stuff from Monty Python, Mel Brooks, Danny Kaye, Martin Short, Carol Burnett, Steve Martin, and also Woody Allen's early films.

And the fact that it's a broad homage to whodunits is gravy. It's a great companion to Murder By Death, and Clue.

The Private Eyes.......2007-01-29

This movie was a wonderful movie for most families. Don Knotts and Tim Conway are two of the craziest people and you put them together, anything can happen and usually does. I recommend this movie for family night.

Hilarious.......2007-01-10

I would recommend this movie for those who love Tim Conway and Don Knotts!

Average customer rating:

Stars' Lives are Never Easy
hollywoodland
Who are all of these people
Great historical fictional film about a well known legend of tv
DISSERVICE TO GEORGE REEVES

Hollywoodland (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Adrien Brody , Diane Lane , Ben Affleck , Bob Hoskins , and Lois Smith
Director: Allen Coulter
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000KWZ7JC
Release Date: 2007-02-06

Amazon.com

The fact-based mystery of Hollywoodland takes place in 1959, when the death of Adventures of Superman TV star George Reeves cast a pall over the waning days of golden-age Hollywood. As written by Paul Bernbaum, this intriguing whodunit effectively evokes the tainted atmosphere that surrounded Reeves' death (officially ruled a suicide but never conclusively solved), and speculates on circumstances to suggest that Reeves may have been murdered. In combining the melancholy course of Reeves' career with the investigation of a down-and-out private detective into the possible causes of Reeves' death, the film evolves into an engrossing study of parallels between lives on either side of the Hollywood dream. Building upon a distinguished career in TV including episodes of HBO's The Sopranos, Rome and Six Feet Under, director Allen Coulter finds a satisfying balance between the tragic overtones of the Reeves case and the time-honored elements of the gumshoe genre, with Adrien Brody doing fine work as private eye Louis Simo, a fictional composite character who is our conduit to the desperate yearnings of Reeves' final months.

In a critically acclaimed performance, Ben Affleck plays Reeves in moody flashbacks, caught between Superman stardom and financial dependence on his lover Toni Mannix (Diane Lane), the somewhat predatory wife of Hollywood "fixer" and MGM honcho Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins), whose mob connections suggest foul play as Simo's investigation progresses. Reeves' subsequent lover (played by Robin Tunney) may also be culpable, and as Simo's own personal life unravels, his empathy for Reeves takes on added significance. In presenting its mystery as a set of plausible scenarios, Hollywoodland holds interest as a mystery that's refreshingly compassionate toward the fate of its characters. Warts and all, they're likable dreamers in a town where dreams don't always come true. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Stars' Lives are Never Easy.......2007-06-28

I really enjoyed this well-acted and directed movie that brought back a lot of memories of earlier times. We see a frustrated George Reeves who tried to give an outward cheery demeanor to his adoring public (just about every kid in America) while being prevented from doing what he wants to do (star in mainstream films and direct). Some of the problems were related to being typecast (we see the audience laughing at him when he appears in From Here to Eternity) though I believe if you are good you can get past that (they laughed at Cher at the premiere of Silkwood). Other issues were related to having a controlling mistress who was married to a movie studio executive and she appears to use her influence to prevent George from doing anything outside the cape and tights.

There is an interesting subplot as we see George hating the adoration of all kids, while the investigator of his murder Simos (Adrienne Brody) is clueless to have any meaningful relationship with his own kid.

Simos tries so hard to unravel the "mystery" behind the night of Reeve's death and misses many obvious clues from another client that hired Simos to trail his suspected unfaithful wife. Several times during the movie Simos' focus seems to shift from one suspect to another until a little piece of film makes him realize what probably really happened.

I am surprised that this movie did not fare well as a theatrical release but it really should not be missed!

hollywoodland.......2007-06-11

always loved george reeves as superman. I wish the movie was a little more accurate.

Who are all of these people.......2007-06-09

This was a mish mash of a film. The screenplay was poor to begin with but the film editing left it so choppy and disorganized that it was hard to determine what was going on. There is no background,motivation,or connection, the characters simply appear and disappear. The casting made sure that all of the actors and actresses looked alike so it was hard to distinguish who was who. The film starts with a group of people who are never really identified as to who they are or why they are there. This is a problem that persists throughout the film. The actors do the best they can but they have very little to work with. The connections between the various people are left to the viewer to sort out and some of them never did make any sense. Brody does his best but the character Simo is really the only central theme and in an attempt to give the film direction and some sort of continuity and plot, Simo takes on several subplots that only serve to distract further from the film and what apparently was the central plot.

I gave the film two stars because it does offer three logical theories regarding Reeves death, without actually endorsing any of them. I thought the touch of gray hair at the very end made a huge statement and lent a silent credibility to the suicide alternative. The actors all did well with a very poor screenplay.

Great historical fictional film about a well known legend of tv.......2007-06-07

George Reeves will forever be known and best remembered as TV's Superman, but he actually tried his best to be a legitamate movie actor. This movie works through many different possible theories around his death, and how one P.I. hired by Reeves mother had a theory other than one the police came up with. Adrian Brody is great in his role as a struggling ex cop/private investigator trying to keep a grip on his family and his job. Even Ben Affleck does a descent job, but how could he not, this was a well directed and written screenplay. Worth a look at.

DISSERVICE TO GEORGE REEVES.......2007-06-03

This movie is not very good and it is a disservice to the memory of the Late Great George Reeves

Noel Serrano
George Reeves Group-2007
Hi.5 Network

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother

Average customer rating:

A silly little movie, and a bit more.
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother
One of Wilder's best.
Wilder
funny movie

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother
Starring: Gene Wilder , Madeline Kahn , and Marty Feldman
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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The World's Greatest Lover
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Silver Streak

ASIN: B000E6ESJ4
Release Date: 2006-04-04

Product Description

The younger brother of the consulting detective tries to steal Sherlock's glory by solving an important case assisted by an eccentric Scotland Yard detective and a lovely but suspicious actress.

System Requirements:
Running Time: 91 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

After co-writing and starring in Mel Brooks' smash hit Young Frankenstein, Gene Wilder graduated to his own directing debut with another spoofy take on a cultural icon. The 1975 Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother gives Wilder some great trademark meltdowns, even if the movie doesn't sustain its initial comic energy. Wilder plays Sigerson Holmes, third (and bitterly resentful) brother to the more fabled Sherlock and Mycroft. Two Young Frankenstein co-stars help bring the game afoot: Madeline Kahn, as an opera singer with a problem in distinguishing truth from lies, and Marty Feldman, as a Scotland Yard man with "photographic hearing." The long early sequence that introduces all three characters to each other--and culminates in a lunatic song-and-dance number, "The Kangaroo Hop"--is truly funny, and Dom DeLuise summons up some broad yoks as a singer with a bad toupee. The British are represented by Leo McKern and Roy Kinnear, as well as a mysterious cameo by Albert Finney. (Mel Brooks isn't around, but you can spot his unmistakable pipes in a moment of voiceover.) Things become routine fairly quickly, and the last half-hour is something of a slog, so you'll have to be a Gene Wilder fan to love this one. Still, the rapport of Wilder and Kahn is something to behold: two expert comedians who always suggested an undercurrent of melancholy beneath their clowning. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

A silly little movie, and a bit more........2007-06-09

On the surface this is a silly Sherlock Holmes parody, courtesy of Gene Wilder and Co. And as a parody it works OK, though at times (several times) it is almost too silly.
However, there are several bonuses here:
1) Wilder is wonderful. Playing a character (Sigerson) who is wildly intelligent and talented. His character would be an absolute standout in any field he might choose to pursue - except his chosen field - following in the footsteps of his brother - Mr. Sherlock Holmes. As such we see this intelligent, talented fellow as a miserable failure who is just smart enough to realize by the end of the show the genius, competence and love of his brother.
2) The Sherlock Holmes of this movie is superb. Here, Sherlock, has a small and mostly behind the scenes role. But the Holmes we see is THE BEST HOLMES ever brought to film. He is simply superb.
3) The ending scene where Sigerson approaches a costumed Holmes and through eye contact conveys his understanding and acceptance of their relationship and acknowledges their relative skills and talents - this is a well done scene. It is worth watching a whole movie for a scene like this.
4) Lots of nice hat tipping to Holmesian lore.
5) The zany Moriarty. Leo McKern does a nice performance here.
6) As do all the "friends" of Wilder (Feldman, Kahn, De Luis, etc).

PS - I am not much of a Wilder fan - but his Sherlock Holmes alone - small as his role is - earns this movie 5 stars.

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother.......2007-05-06

Always like Mel Brooks movies,, especially with Gene Wilder & Marty Feldman.
If you liked Young Frankenstein type comedy then you will love this.

One of Wilder's best........2007-04-12

This movie was most likely Gene Wilder's best. The story and main characters were clever and enjoyable. At times Wilder makes his movie too silly to the point of nearly insulting the viewer. If you like any of his work, you need to watch this one. Check out his World's Greatest Lover.

Wilder.......2007-03-30

I am a huge Gene Wilder fan and loved Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, The World's Greatest Lover, Stir Crazy, etc. This movie however just didn't work for me. With Kahn and Feldmon I thought this would be a winner, especially with Wilder writing and directing. I love his humor, but I just didn't laugh with this movie. I think this one you should rent first if you haven't seen it. It is certainly not for everyone judging by the wide swing of ratings.

funny movie.......2007-03-29

gene wilder is very funny in the movie--he always seems on the verge of losing his sanity. if you are a fan, you will like it. if not, you will like gene after seeing it.

Average customer rating:

Jim's best humor 5/5 stars
At first, I just didn't see Carrey's humor, then I just started watching Ace Ventura again and again... and again!!!
Ordinary Movie Made Compelling by Jim Carrey's All Out Performance
Not Jim Carrey's best film
Car 54,where are you?What about Studio 54?

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Starring: Jim Carrey , Courteney Cox , Sean Young , Tone Loc , and Dan Marino
Director: Tom Shadyac
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 0790732157
Release Date: 1997-08-26

Amazon.com

The 1994 box-office hit that turned comedy maniac Jim Carrey into Hollywood's first $20-million man, this gag-filled no-brainer stars Carrey as the titular rubber-faced gumshoe who tracks down lost pets for his heartbroken clients. Ace's latest case involves the apparent kidnapping of the Miami Dolphins' team mascot, Snowflake the dolphin (natch). His investigation is a source of constant aggravation for Miami police lieutenant Lois Einhorn (Sean Young), who turns out to be packing more than a pistol under her skirt. Friends fans will appreciate the presence of Courtney Cox, who remains admirably straight-faced as the Dolphins' publicist and Ace's would-be girlfriend, but of course it's Carrey who steals the show with shameless abandon. One viewing may suffice for a lot of people, but Carrey's hyper antics have made Ace Ventura: Pet Detective one of the bestselling videos of the 1990s. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Jim's best humor 5/5 stars.......2007-05-12

Amazon recommended this movie for me ace ventura was so incredibly funny and this is what jim carrey should stick to comedy and not playing in any boring drama or horror which i can't picture him in because im more use to him playing in comedy than drama. the animal loving ace ventura (jim carrey) is on a mission to search for a missing mascot dolphin from the miami dolphins has to search for the inusual insane clues that nobody but ace can find or suspect and I find myself laughing out loud over his insane personality when all he does is become humorous when he talks. This movie never gets old for me

At first, I just didn't see Carrey's humor, then I just started watching Ace Ventura again and again... and again!!!.......2007-04-15

Jim Carrey was an acquired taste for me..

.. now that I've become accustomed to him, I believe that Jim Carrey
will go down as simply one of the most versatile comedians
ever to have lived..
his impersonations are fantastic.. his ability to mimic..
his combo baritone/tenor range makes his voice a dream..

After having watched tons and tons of 90s and 2000s comedies,
it is clear to me that no other comedian has come close
to replicating Carrey's antics.. a superstar in his own right,
Carrey is simply one of the funniest guys alive!

Ordinary Movie Made Compelling by Jim Carrey's All Out Performance.......2007-03-30

Once in a while, a movie with a lame story line will be elevated by the tremendous efforts of one of the cast members. This is the case with Ace Ventura, a film about a pet detective hired to find an abducted dolphin who happens to be the mascot for the Miami Dolphins.

The movie is silly, and the story line (and its conclusion) is utterly ridiculous, but Jim Carrey is so darn funny that you don't mind that the script writing is inept and juvenile. So is Carrey, and he is great!

If you like Jim Carrey, you'll love this movie, which turned out to be his breakthrough into cinema stardom. If you hate Jim Carrey, then you will hate this movie as well.

Not Jim Carrey's best film.......2006-11-20

I'm gonna remain loyal (and probably upset a lot of Ace Ventura fans), but I still love Liar Liar and Bruce Almighty. They are my favourite Jim Carrey films, and this will probably run a close fourth, after Man On The Moon.

Ace Ventura I wasn't sure about watching. My boyfriend got the new deluxe edition, with both films included, and I hated the cover on sight. But it is the perfect film to watch after a hard and stressful day's work. I ended up in tears within the first 20 minutes of the film, but with laughter, which is a good thing. Normally only Liar Liar can do that. When he rescues that cute little dog from the big bad guy, and is busy escaping in his car, the guy takes a baseball bat to it. (Hence the reason why Ace has to drive with his head hanging out the window like a dog, cos he can't see through the windshield, it's all cracked. This brings on more funny moments.) When the bad guy is bashing in the back window, Ace cannot get the car to start, so he asks the guy to give him a push. I had to actually pause the film until I stopped laughing - but then I had to watch it another two times.

Most of the hilarity - as always - comes from Jim Carrey's manic expressions and phrases. "Aaaaaaaaaaalriiiiiiiighty Then!!!!!!" That guy can pull some faces.

Most of the plot is paper thin, and probably the film would never have been a success without Jim Carrey's input. The "pet detective" of the film has to find a missing dolphin who's the missing Miami Dolphins mascot, and lots of twists and turns happen, including a woman who everyone seems to like used to actually be a man. It's pretty silly, and by this time, you feel like there can't be another twist.

Ace Ventura Pet Detective is a very wacky movie, not up to Jim Carrey's standards that I have been used to, but still a good movie to see at least once.

Car 54,where are you?What about Studio 54?.......2006-07-30

Saw this movie once&don't want to see it again.

Jim Carrey,before getting more mature roles in "Man in the Moon","Eternal Sunshine"&"Truman Show",indulges in endless slapstick,gets plenty of gross-out humor,beds Courtney Cox (before "Friends",David Arquette&baby Coco)&finds out oh!the horror!the horror!he's kissed a man.Since this was before "Brokeback"&Heath&Jake won their Best Kiss from the MTV movie awards,Jim goes through an elaborate "purification" ceremony.

It relies on gags;this isn't a great movie.It ranks with "Wild Wild West" as one of the worst.Do yourself a favor&avoid this movie.

Average customer rating:

A Minority Report
Great suspense ride
I'm Not Roman
A REAL SLEEPER
Fast, facile fun

Dead Again
Starring: Jo Anderson , Obba Babatundé , Raymond Cruz , Patrick Doyle , and Richard Easton (II)
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305882525
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Amazon.com

British thespian and sophomore director Kenneth Branagh follows up his adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry V with this abrupt change of pace, a slick, stylish thriller evocative of Hitchcock, classic film noir, and gothic shockers. Sporting an exaggerated American accent, Branagh stars as L.A. private eye Mike Church, a hard-boiled but softhearted detective who takes on the case of a mysterious amnesiac (Branagh's then-real-life wife, Emma Thompson). With the help of an offbeat furniture dealer and part-time hypnotist (Derek Jacobi), Grace (as Mike has named her) dredges up her hidden memories. Little do they realize that her recollections are of a past life in L.A.'s recent history, and as she recounts the details of a famous marriage that ended with a notorious murder (played out as black-and-white flashbacks starring Branagh and Thompson), events of the present begin to mirror the past, as if fate were pulling the two into fatal replay of history. Branagh's flashy, flourished direction echoes with an array of '40s and '50s classics and near classics (most notably Hitchcock's Rebecca and Spellbound) and drives the story with an edgy urgency, all the better to distract from some of the sillier elements of the plot. But while this film may not make literal sense in the harsh light of day, in the twilit, shadowy world of classic Hollywood this slyly inventive thriller is a bravura bit of old-fashioned entertainment, done up with modern flair. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

A Minority Report.......2007-05-19

This minority report says that DEAD AGAIN could have been, but is not, a great film. DEAD AGAIN was obviously made as a loving parody of the Hitchcock/film noir genre, because some scenes, camera work and music are so broad that the tongue positively sticks through the cheek. However, much of the movie is played straight, and thus, overall, the tone is confused. My minority report says that the American accents of Branagh and Thompson, both superb British actors, were not convincing. In fact, their efforts to sound American in their modern "incarnations" caused their acting to suffer. Branagh thinks that to sound American is to be a Noo Yawkuh (sorta), and Thompson is so busy trying to sound Amurik'n that her character lacks luster, even taking into account that the character is a victim of amnesia walking around in a perpetual state of hyper-vigilance, caution, confusion and/or dread. Similarly, I disagree that the performance of Robin Williams was good. His character was creepy for no particular reason, although one sinister close-up of him looking back at our protagonists hints at some darker purpose, which is never revealed. Just another "fake out" in the service of phony film noir suspense.

Yes, the film has a very clever plot twist at the end. But my minority report has a serious bone to pick with those reviewers who feel that DEAD AGAIN holds up on second viewing, once you know the secret: A major flaw involves the sloppy use of flashbacks in the form of hypnotic regressions that are performed on Branagh or Thompson by Derek Jacobi's antique dealer-hypnotist. Although ostensibly coming from either Branagh's or Thompson's hypnosis session, the flashbacks frequently reveal both their actions, even when they're separated from each other at the time. For example, during one of Branagh's hypnosis sessions, he recalls being inside at a party, having a conversation with another man, while simultaneously somehow recalling Thompson and Garcia outside having a conversation in the garden. It's impossible for Branagh to have been in two places at once. He couldn't possibly have heard or seen the interaction between Thompson and Garcia that is supposed to be a product of his own memory. The audience thus receives more information than it logically should. This method of plot exposition is fundamentally flawed.

And somebody please explain to me how a person that's been stabbed deeply in the knee with a sharp pair of scissors can still walk, or how somebody who's been shot at close range in the left side of the chest can revive themselves sufficiently to fight on and survive.

Add up these annoying inconsistencies and deficiencies (and others I won't bother to list here), and place them side by side with the earnest and committed work of otherwise excellent actors. You end up with a 3-star movie: entertaining in a campy, kitschy kind of way, but not great, as it might have been. See the film if you love the actors, but be prepared to be disappointed.

Great suspense ride.......2007-04-22

Dead again is one of my favorite movies. I must admit I have probably wached it a dozen times or more over the years. Ken Branagh gives a clever performance here as the devil may care private detective vs his past life performance as the maestro who is sitting on death row as the movie opens. It's too bad Ken gave up his acting for directing. Emma Thompson is wonderful as the amnesiac who falls into hypnosis like a duck does to water. The plot keeps twisting and turning and you never really know who is undoing who. Robin Williams, whose name isn't even in the opening credits gives a dark intriguing performance here in a small, but quite good as the used to be psychiatrist. And Derek Jacobi, the infamous Frankie the hypnotist took a step away from London and Shakespeare to Hollywood for this film is very convincing. The Hitchkock like supsense that keeps bouncing back and forth from present to past is fascinating. The DVD comentary keeps referring to it as a noir film whatever that is, it truly keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. I am a hypnotist with
a fascination with past lives, this story has all the right elements for me. I highly recommend this film

I'm Not Roman.......2006-12-12

This film is clever, dramatic and full of some very interesting twists. Garcia is top notch especially as his character "matures." Wayne Knight has a very interesting part to play here as a photographer who relays a story of lost memory to Mike and Grace. Robin Williams has never been better in this very low key role of a former shrink. Jacobi playing the rather off beat antique dealer has a really clever role here, very different from I Claudius even though th-th-they share commonalities. The final scenes where all players meet again for the final show down are a bit contrived and drawn out way too long, but over all an interesting film. Branagh and Thompson are always good to watch. An interesting point about this movie is that the beginning scene let's you know who is who, but you just don't figure it out until three-quarters of the way through. Just remember that E does not = M, C?

A REAL SLEEPER.......2006-09-02

This is a tale split in two- with a modern day story starring Branagh and Thompson echoing a story told in flashback from the 1940's (also starring the same duo who were married at the time). Extremely well done and it's very reminiscent of old mysteries, film noir, and Hitchcock movies. Branagh evidently must be a fan of these also as his film is a real treat to anyone who enjoys classic mystery- suspense films. It will keep you guessing until the end and it is a film you will want to see again. A definite 5 star movie!

Fast, facile fun.......2006-07-27

with a well crafted script, good actors at the heights of their powers and brisk no nonsense direction. Emma Thompson has done better work since but Kenneth Branagh hasn't unfortunately.

Too bad really. Branagh may still be a pretty good director but I think working with Emma is what lent him an appeal and warmth on screen that he has not been able to recapture. His Hamlet was glossy, chilly, unpleasant and too old. Nevertheless, I'm grateful that we at least have this, as well as his Henry V and Much Ado About Nothing.

Average customer rating:

Brilliance
A simple plot with sublime execution
Overlooked Martin
Steve Martin acts with some of the best movie stars of the 1940s
Still Uproarious Film Noir Pastiche Thanks to Clever Editing

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Starring: Brad Baird , Jean Beaudine , Eugene Brezany , Dieter Curt , and Kent Deigaard
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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The Cheap Detective

ASIN: 0783232063
Release Date: 1999-03-16

Amazon.com essential video

This is one of the best parodies of the '40s hardboiled detective genre, with a very clever conceit: weaving the plot and production design around memorable movie clips (The Killers, The Big Sleep, Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend, White Heat, This Gun for Hire, Sorry, Wrong Number, Notorious). Steve Martin plays the cool Rigby Reardon, who tries solving an incomprehensible mystery with the assistance of Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Burt Lancaster, Fred MacMurray, Ingrid Bergman, and Ray Milland, among others. It's all silly hokum with Rachel Ward as the pretty moll and director-cowriter Carl Reiner as the nefarious villain. Miklos Rozsa takes us back to yesteryear with his lush score, and, fittingly, Edith Head handles the period costumes in her final production. --Bill Desowitz

Customer Reviews:

Brilliance.......2007-06-14

Steve Martin and Carl Reiner sat through hundreds of hours of classic films to find the footage they needed to splice in to "their" movie. The results were pure genius.

The editing and set designs were so flawless that it actually appears as though Steve Martin was starring in a film with the likes of Alan Ladd, Humphrey Bogart, Vincent Price, James Cagney, Veronica Lake, Joan Crawford, the list goes on and on.

The premise and plot are wacky, but it doesn't matter. This movie is so refreshing that you are able to overlook the rediculous plan of the major villain and the outlandishness of the situations that Martin constantly finds himself in (in one scene, he pours coffee grinds into a pot for two minutes and eight seconds!).

Martin geniously portrays a street-savvy, deadpan, hard-boiled private eye and still manages to make you laugh hysterically while maintaiing his straight-line, tough-guy persona . How he didn't crack himself up while filming these scenes is beyond me.

The film itself is very enjoyable, but it's also fun to try and pick out the scenes from the "classic" films and try to idenify who the actors are and what films the scenes were taken from.

If you don't want to buy the DVD, please, by all means, RENT it! This movie will please comedy fans, Steve Martin fans, and real movie buffs.

Steve Martin (in voice-over): "The one thing I liked about Jimmie-Sue was the fact that the words 'I can't' weren't in her vocabulary. (to Veronica Lake) Hi, Jimmie-Sue. I need you to do something for me.

Veronica Lake: "I can't."

Steve Martin (in voice-over): "Well, I guess she'd added them since the last time I'd seen her."

A simple plot with sublime execution.......2007-05-19

Steve Martin stars in this satire of 1940's film noir detective stories. The plot is simple, but the execution is sublime. Steve Martin's character is hired by a beautiful and mysterious woman who thinks that the death of her famous scientist father was no accident, despite what the police and newspapers are reporting. The movie is filmed in black & white and employs creative editing to splice in scenes of the great actors of the Golden Age: James Cagney, Veronica Lake, Burt Lancaster, Humphrey Bogart, Charles Laughton, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Barbara Stanwyck, Betty Davis and more.

The action teeters between melodramatic and pure slapstick, with sharp dialog. The photography is stunning, and I remember being amazed at the glow in the actors eyes', even with black & white film. Costuming was done by Edith Head, the winner of more Oscars than any other woman. Head was the perfect choice to match the modern actors costumes to those in the classic film footage.

Overlooked Martin.......2007-04-28

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (DMDWP) is probably Steve Martin's most overlooked film. Coming at the time when Steve was still "Wild & Crazy", many were turned off by this movie. But this is actually one of his best. The seemless interplay between Martin and the great actors/actresses from the 30's and 40's is genius. Filmed in black & white, Martin plays a gumshoe detective. Rachel Ward plays the love interest. Filmed before computers allowed you to insert anything into a scene, the editing must have been a nightmare. But the end result is worth it. The comedy is dark and satirical. It is Martin's tribute to the great detective and murder mystery films of Hollywood's golden years. Best way to view this film; Wait till it's nighttime, stormy and have a large popcorn. This film is simply great entertainment.

Steve Martin acts with some of the best movie stars of the 1940s.......2007-02-07

+++++

QUESTION: What do the following legendary movie stars from the 1940s have in common? Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Ingrid Bergman, and Vincent Price.

ANSWER: They all appear in this private eye movie set in the 1940s with the hilarious Steve Martin.

Martin plays gumshoe Rigby Reardon who has a sensitivity to the words "cleaning women" and is hired by Juliet "Doll Face" Forrest (Rachel Ward) to investigate her father's (a scientist and cheese maker) mysterious death. Reardon smells a rat and follows a large maze of clues that turns this case into the "The Carlotta Mystery."

As Reardon attempts to crack this mystery, he encounters the legendary stars mentioned above (and many others) with some being friends, some being foes, or some being just important leads.

The ingenious, creative gimmick of this movie is that you have clips of legendary movie stars being intercut with the action so as to create a mystery. This gimmick works quite well.

Martin (who co-wrote this movie) plays his role as shamus Rigby Reardon with lots of funny one-liners and sight gags. Ward, who looks stunning in this movie, is a perfect "straight man" to Martin's humor.

Be aware that this is not a "laugh-out-loud" kind of movie but one that makes you chuckle a lot.

The background music of this movie is quite good as are the costumes. It was filmed in black and white.

There are two major problems I had. First, this movie tends to drag in places becoming, at times, tedious to watch. Second, all the legendary movie stars were difficult for me to identify (even though I did recognize the majority of them). Thus, this movie may be of interest only to those who are familiar with older movies.

Finally, the DVD itself (the one released in 1999) is perfect in picture and sound quality. It has minimal extras.

In conclusion, this is a gem of a movie, being one of Steve Martin's hilarious early comedies!!

(1982; 1 hr, 30 min; black and white; wide screen; 18 scenes)

+++++

Still Uproarious Film Noir Pastiche Thanks to Clever Editing.......2007-01-21

Carl Reiner's 1982 pastiche on 1940's film noir has never received its due as a genuinely clever, often hilarious salute to a genre that is ripe for satirical treatment. Filmed in a rich black-and-white by Michael Chapman, the film unique intercuts footage from actual films of the period to make it seem like the then-current actors are interacting with the stars of those movies. Consequently, Steve Martin looks convincingly like he's talking to the likes of Humphrey Bogart in "The Big Sleep", James Cagney in "White Heat", Ingrid Bergman in "Notorious", Alan Ladd in "This Gun for Hire", Burt Lancaster in "The Killers", Kirk Douglas in "I Walk Alone", Fred MacMurray in "Double Indemnity", and several others. The result means there are some contrived plot turns and certainly variations in the graininess of the film stock (since 1982 was still well before the enhanced computer graphics we see today), but the film is still quite a kick after a quarter-century.

The basic plot is straightforward. Rigby Reardon is a classic, world-weary gumshoe in the Philip Marlowe mold, who is hired by the beautiful and mysterious Juliet Forrest to find out who killed her father, a renowned cheese scientist. The story gets complicated because a number of random characters are introduced through the creative editing of the classic film clips. Reardon meets up with some familiar faces, and just to watch their non-reaction to Reardon's antics is worthwhile in itself. Credit needs to go to the smart screenplay co-written by Reiner, Martin and George Gipe. Most of the scenes, originally intended as straight melodrama in their original context, have been turned into uproarious slapstick comedy routines (including Martin in drag as Barbara Stanwyck's blonde femme fatale from "Double Indemnity"), wicked double-entendres and shrewdly off-kilter dialogue scenes.

The film's climax lifts a long dramatic sequence from 1949's "The Bribe" in which Ava Gardner, Charles Laughton and Vincent Price actually appear to be playing more substantial roles in this movie. In what is probably my favorite of his early screen performances, Martin has a good time as Bogie wannabe Reardon, gratefully harnessing the manic energy he displayed in his previous collaboration with Reiner, "The Jerk". Just before she broke out big in "The Thorn Birds", the stunning Rachel Ward lends a hint of welcome sarcasm to the sexy, Bacall-like languor she provides as Juliet, tapping into a genuine comedy talent rarely used since. Reni Santoni has the only other role of significance as the grinning Captain Rodriguez, who gets entirely too preoccupied with Reardon's pajamas. Legendary costume designer Edith Head did her final work on this film, which is fitting since she did many of the costumes on the earlier films. The 1999 DVD unfortunately has no extras.

Average customer rating:

Unbelievable stupid !!!
Silly Sexy Fun
three and a half stars
The Angels are "RED HOT!"
Great movie if you're a misandrist

Charlie's Angels (Special Edition)
Starring: Cameron Diaz , Drew Barrymore , Lucy Liu , Bill Murray , and Sam Rockwell
Director: McG
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000056PMV
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Amazon.com

For every TV-into-movie success like The Fugitive, there are dozens of uninspired films like The Mod Squad. Happily--and surprisingly--this breezy update of the seminal '70s jiggle show falls into the first category, with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore (who also produced), and Lucy Liu starring as the hair-tossing, fashion-setting, kung fu-fighting trio employed by the mysterious Charlie (voiced by the original Charlie, John Forsythe). When a high-tech programmer (Sam Rockwell) is kidnapped, the angels seek out the suspects, with the daffy Bosley (Bill Murray in a casting coup) in tow. A happy, cornball popcorn flick, Charlie's Angels is played for laughs with plenty of ribbing references to the old TV show as well as modern caper films like Mission: Impossible. McG, a music video director making his feature film debut (usually a death warrant for a movie's integrity), infuses the film with plenty of Matrix-style combat pyrotechnics, and the result is the first successful all-American Hong Kong-style action flick. Plenty of movies boast a New Age feminism that has their stars touting their sexuality while being their own women, but unlike something as obnoxious as Coyote Ugly, Angels succeeds with a positive spin on Girl Power for the new millennium (Diaz especially sizzles in her role of crack super agent/airhead blonde). From the send-up of the TV show's credit sequence to the outtakes over the end credits, Charlie's Angels is a delight. --Doug Thomas

Description

They're beautiful, they're brilliant and they work for Charlie. This is a sexy, high-octane update of the popular hit show, Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Dylan (Drew Barrymore) and Alex (Lucy Liu), alongside faithful lieutenant Bosley (Bill Murray), must foil an elaborate murder-revenge plot that could not only destroy individual privacy and corporate security worldwide, but spell the end of Charlie and his Angels.

Customer Reviews:

Unbelievable stupid !!!.......2007-01-28

Nice moves, nice girls, nice... what? Stupid flat jokes all around the movie.

I've seen many bad films over the years. I've also seen a few which have been made solely for financial success, without any creative ambition. Charlie's Angels is possibly the worst film i've ever seen.

It never actually seems to kick in. All we have is a montage of clips that don't seem to be in any particular order, all with countless short cutting techniques. McG seems to have forgotten that he is no longr making a pop video, and he has churned out a pop video of over 1 and a half hours. Was it to give the film a modern look? The only thing is succeeds in doing is making it appear over stylised and very self concious of the fact that it was going nowhere

A film with over 18 writers and 30 separate drafts of the script does not sound good from the start. Then there was the fact no ending was agreed upon when shooting started. What on earth were Columbia thinking? I can't understand why they hired McG, who has made such a disasterous start to his movie career, that he is being hailed as the worst director of all time. He simplified the already simple premise of the television series. He made every angel the same, and they were reduced to just being a smiling bunch of assets. It is ridiculous that Diaz, Barrymore and Liu agreed, and Barrymore even owned the rights. At the height of their careers, why did they choose to make such a shallow and degrading film towards women.

Bosworth is reduced to being the angels pimp. We may expect to have a few laughs from Bill Murray, well to be honest, we don't. I have rarely seem a film without one single redeeming feature to remember in hindsight. I can't think of one positive to take from Charlie's Angels. A bunch of big egos, and ridiculous ideas combined have made a shambles.

It would have been easy to make a happy and cheery movie from the subject matter, true it would not have been groundbreaking, but it is nearly impossible to make such a catastrophy from such a likable premise. Every teenage boys wet dream must surely have become their nightmare. Let's not even start on the sequel

Silly Sexy Fun.......2007-01-19

I did not expect much when i put this DVD in the player and found myself surprised. No, this was not a great film by any means, but it was it silly, sexy fun. If you don't take it serious you are in for an ok 90 minutes.

Once again, Cameron Diaz shows why she is one of the hottest females in film. Her charecter is silly and comes off as a "dumb blonde", but she is oh so easy on the eyes.

three and a half stars.......2007-01-13

Since dts doesn't play on all dvd players, and this disc automatically starts as dts, I have to remember to change it, which isn't convenient. I think that it is pathetic, and shouldn't be like this. But otherwise, the features are good, and so was the price, but I honestly think that the second one was better. B+

The Angels are "RED HOT!".......2007-01-10

Charlies Angels out does its sequel Full Throttle what they should have done was cut it off with the first movie. The main characters Diaz, Berrymore, Lu are drop dead sexy plot makes sense, the dialoge is a little cheezy but remains witty and funny, the villans are sudutive and creepy, Bill Murrey is a great Bosely (I hope that's spelled right), the effects are fantastic, and the sound is great.

Great movie if you're a misandrist.......2006-07-25

Lets see...in about the first five minutes:

1. A male flight attendant shows himself to be a total jerk
2. A male terrorist is easily overpowered by a woman wearing a mask
3. A male drill seargeant is knocked out cold with a single punch by a woman
4. A man is told by a woman that he's not fit for sex, and then promptly commits suicide

Notice a pattern here?

This movie is so misandrist* it makes Thelma and Louise look positively pro-male.

"So what? It's just a movie," you say? Well consider a movie that consistently put down and ridiculed women. Would that be okay? How about a movie that put down black people, unrelentingly portraying them as brutes, weaklings and mental deficients. Would that be okay? After all, it's "just entertainment."

Any guy who thinks this is a swell movie is too stupid to realize he's being insulted.

*Misandrist (one who hates persons of the male sex, the opposite of a misogynist)

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