Love and Death

Starring:Georges Adet, Frank Adu, Edmond Ardisson, FÃ©odor Atkine, Albert Augier, Yves Barsacq, Lloyd Battista, Jack Berard, Eva Betrand, George Birt, Yves Brainville, GÃ©rard Buhr, Brian Coburn, Henri Coutet, Patricia Crown, Henry Czarniak, Despo Diamantidou, Sandor ElÃ¨s, Diane Keaton
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Science fiction and romance collide in The Fountain, the ambitious third feature from director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream), who labored for four years to complete this epic-sized love story that stretches across centuries and galaxies. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (Aronofsky's real-life companion) play lovers in each of the film's three settings--16th century Europe and America (Jackman is a Spanish explorer searching for Incan magic), the present day (Jackman is a doctor attempting to cure his dying wife), and the 26th century (Jackman is a space traveler seeking a gateway to the afterlife)--who struggle mightily to stay united, only to lose each other time and again. Aronofsky may not have chosen the easiest presentation for audiences to absorb his theories on the lasting qualities of life and the transformative powers of death--the final sequence, in particular, with a bald Jackman floating through space in a bubble, harks back uncomfortably to "head movies" of the late '60s--but his leads have considerable chemistry (and look terrific to boot), which goes a long way towards securing viewers' hopes for a happy ending. Critical reception for The Fountain has been nothing short of bloodthirsty, with Cannes audiences booing, but there are elements to enjoy here, even if the premise throws one for a loop. Ellen Burstyn (who earned an Oscar nomination for Requiem) delivers a typically solid performance as Jackman's boss in the present day sequence, and special effects (most done without the benefit of CGI) are also impressive given the film's low budget (spurred by a mid-production shutdown after original stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett ankled the picture). And science-fiction fans whose tastes run towards the metaphysical (Asimov, Le Guin) will appreciate the attempt to present the genre in a serious light. -- Paul Gaita

Description

Yesterday, today, tomorrow. Past, present, future. Through time and space, one man embarks on a bold 1000-year odyssey to defeat humankind's most indomitable foe: Death. Hugh Jackman plays that man, devoted to one woman (Rachel Weisz) and determined to protect her from forces that threaten her existence. His quest leads him to a Tree of Life...and to an adventure into eternity. Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) directs, continuing his string of imaginative, involving filmmaking with a tale alive with ideas and filled with astonishing vistas. "Not many films can blow your mind and break your heart at the same time, but this one will" (Drew McWeeny, Ain't It Cool News).

Customer Reviews:

A dud.......2007-07-04

I gave it 2 stars - 1 for being in HD and a 2nd star for being a visually beautiful film. That's as far as it goes. The story is ... well what story? Well acted but ....

never given 1 star before.......2007-07-04

I don't think that i've ever given a movie one star before, nor have I told thse around me "Really, don't waste your time." This is perhaps one of the worst waste of two hours in my life. The effort to try and bring together Christian, Jewish, Bhuddist themes was terrible and meant nothing to nobody.
It's got love in it, but it is not primarily a romance flick. Its an effort to describe in poetic terms the life/rebirth cycle and unless your metaphysical and thelogical views are normally shapped by hollywood, you'll be bummed.
I prefer Hugh Jackman with claws and a cigar.

Confusing and disapointing.......2007-07-03

when i saw the preview to this movie i thought it would be excellent, but i was wrong it was boring and on top of that it was confussing for me. I will have to give it credit on a good story but was made wrong.

graceful.......2007-07-02

I enjoy watching movies that stretch my imagination, and bring me in and pose large questions. However, I often find that art movies go out of their way to make things too complicated. The focus is too often on the plot - it might have a bazillion jumbled pieces, which actually fit together (say, Momento), or which don't even come together (say, anything by David Lynch), or which are made to represent something I don't understand (say, The Last Temptation). But if I were looking for mere symbolism or complexity of thought I'd read an essay about mechanics or something. The truth of the matter is that artistic cinema has a more to offer than mere complexity or intellectual wackery.

The premise for The Fountain is deceptively simple: A cancer researcher's wife is dying of cancer; in the meanwhile, she is writing a historical / mythical book about Spain's conquest of the Mayans. The movie progresses by interweaving her book and his experiences - threads of reality, history, and myth - none of which, again, are very complicated.

Written above, it all looks somewhat bare perhaps a bit cheesy. But movies aren't meant to be read, they're meant to be watched. And this one unfolds very graciously. It quite literally ebbs and flows, thanks to the accomplished cinematography, editing, and score. The style has a way of digging its way inside your head: A shot of a smiling woman spontaneously running around a house feels like a personal revelation and a past regret about life slipping away; a shot of a warrior being boldly carried off by the enemies seems like a body attacking a bacteria. The movie can even be seen as a story of movement, with some story arches literally going up, others going down. A passing shot into an intriguing piece of wallpaper feels like an inevitable approach.

Most movies use such stylistic techniques for the sake of character development, or to move along the plot. However, in The Fountain, these elements are in fact the movie. Like the directors other great movies, this one capitalizes on these elements in order to portray a progression of events and feelings in a manner that only cinema can. While such attention to style can often be devastating for a story, The Fountain uses it in good taste: And why not use the tools of cinema, in congruence with the way in which humans watch and register things? Ignoring such tools would be like writing an essay without any periods.

Consequently, some people might ask, "What's the message this guy's trying to get across?" and "Who are these characters?" But these questions miss point, (and any movie that could answer such questions, I'd argue, is a bad movie, because it might as well be a book); The Fountain feels more like a symphony - you wouldn't ask those questions to Beethoven about his Fifth, would you? Of course, much of the movie's impact will depend on its aesthetic effect on you: It's difficult to explain why you like a piece of music, it just feels right. But if you surrender yourself to this one's feelings - its progression, texture, and flow - you might get totally sucked in. And at the center there isn't an idea, a message, or an unforgettable character; there's a feeling: Awe. The feeling is wrapped in timeless questions about the pursuit of science, man's mortality, the differences between man and woman, and the reality of myth; it's wrapped in the steps that one needs to take to experience it. But at the same time it's not too removed or abstract; it registers as brutal and thought-provoking, and so very *human*.

Perfection.......2007-07-01

It was nice to see some bigger names in an Aronofsky film finally. I suppose this means he's jumping a little more into the mainstream, which is great because his films are thoroughly enjoyable and different than the cookie cutter crap that comes out of Hollywood. The effects in The Fountain are gorgeous and the plot is original and touching. I absolutely love the score, it has a wonderful sound that will stay with you. Hugh Jackman is great as the lead. My favorite scene is the part shot in the mosque in southern Spain, it is absolutely flawless. I definitely recommend having a look at this one, it is very mellow and has some great allegories and allusions for everyone. Enjoy.

Average customer rating:

Darcy has got nothing on Edward Ferrars...
The best of Jane Austen
Very endearing movie!
Chick Flick
Anything by Jane

Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)
Starring: James Fleet , Tom Wilkinson , Harriet Walter , Kate Winslet , and Emma Thompson
Director: Ang Lee
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 0800141660
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Amazon.com essential video

Emma Thompson scores a double bull's-eye with this marvelous adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. Not only does Thompson turn in a strong (and gently humorous) performance as one of the Dashwood sisters--the one with "sense"--she also wrote the witty, wise screenplay. Austen's tale of 19th-century manners and morals provides a large cast with a feast of possibilities, notably Kate Winslet, in her pre-Titanic flowering, as Thompson's deeply romantic sister. Winslet attracts the wooing of shy Alan Rickman (a nice change of pace from his bad-guy roles) and dashing Greg Wise, while Thompson must endure an incredibly roundabout courtship with Hugh Grant, here in fine and funny form. All of this is doled out with the usual eye-filling English countryside and handsome costumes, yet the film always seems to be about the careful interior lives of its characters. The director, an inspired choice, is Taiwan-born Ang Lee, who brings the same exquisite taste and discreet touch he displayed in his previous Asian films (such as Eat Drink Man Woman). Thompson's script won an Oscar, and 1995 was a fine year for Jane Austen all around: Persuasion was made into an excellent picture, and Emma became the spritzy high school comedy Clueless. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Darcy has got nothing on Edward Ferrars..........2007-07-03

Yes, yes, if you are an Austen fan Mr. Darcy is dashing and bold to be sure, but the quiet gentleness and honorable love of Edward Ferrars for Elinor Dashwood is a delight to partake in, in this adaptation of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." This film was quite faithful to the book, and the actors and actresses were suberbly chosen, as were the costumes, setting, and dialogue. It's such a lovely story with very good lessons to take to heart, as Emma Thompson (Elinor Dashwood) learns to hope that what is lost, is not lost forever, and Kate Winslet (Marianne Dashwood) learns how sensibility can prevent a broken heart. So, if you are craving the delightful romance, agony, humour, and hope of love in Jane Austen's England, this film will not disappoint.

The best of Jane Austen.......2007-06-30

Anyone watching this show can determine how hard it was for a woman to survive in the pre-industrial England.

I have a preference for 19th century movies and books. This movie did not disappoint me. The actors and actresses all fit so perfectly into their roles. It was like magic to see them perform.

The Dashwood women, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret with along with their mother are forced to leave a life of luxury when Mr. Dashwood dies and they move into a cottage in the country. (Women have no rights to inherit when a man dies.) The money usually is given to the eldest sons in the family. The women must find another means to survive unless the one who inherits is generous enough to allow them to stay on. In this case, the greed of the son's wife overrules the son and the women are pressed upon to leave very quickly.

The oldest daughter develops a romantic interest in her half brother's wife's brother-in-law, but the sister-in-law makes certain that they are separated so that nothing more can develop.

The younger of the two oldest daughters abandons sensible conduct and rushes headlong into folly with a rake.

The two sisters are then taken into London for a season, and the truth is known about both men on their lives. One is already secretly engaged (entrapped is more like it)and the other has proposed to a wealthy woman because of his own bad debts.

Everything works out for the best and everyone gets what they deserve in the end. Life doesn't always look like it works that way, but it probably does. At least this movie inspires me to believe it.

The music in it is outstanding along with all of the beautiful panoramic scenery of England's countryside.

Very endearing movie!.......2007-06-30

I have a preference for 19th century movies and books. This movie did not disappoint me. The actors and actresses all fit so perfectly into their roles. It was like magic to see them perform.

The Dashwood women, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret with along with their mother are forced to leave a life of luxury when Mr. Dashwood dies and they move into a cottage in the country. (Women have no rights to inherit when a man dies.) The money usually is given to the eldest sons in the family. The women must find another means to survive unless the one who inherits is generous enough to allow them to stay on. In this case, the greed of the son's wife overrules the son and the women are pressed upon to leave very quickly.

The oldest daughter develops a romantic interest in her half brother's wife's brother-in-law, but the sister-in-law makes certain that they are separated so that nothing more can develop.

The younger of the two oldest daughters abandons sensible conduct and rushes headlong into folly with a rake.

The two sisters are then taken into London for a season, and the truth is known about both men on their lives. One is already secretly engaged (entrapped is more like it)and the other has proposed to a wealthy woman because of his own bad debts.

Everything works out for the best and everyone gets what they deserve in the end. Life doesn't always look like it works that way, but it probably does. At least this movie inspires me to believe it.

The music in it is outstanding along with all of the beautiful panoramic scenery of England's countryside.

Chick Flick.......2007-06-08

This adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility was an exceptional one. With the starring cast who could hardly go wrong. Enjoy!!

Anything by Jane.......2007-06-04

My favorite movie of ALL TIME!! Anything by Jane Austin is wonderful and Emma Thompson did a wonderful adaptation of this story.

Sleepless in Seattle (10th Anniversary Edition)

Average customer rating:

What is last line spoken by Meg Ryan?
Wonderful
What I think about Sleepless in Seattle
Feel Good Movie!
Outstanding Romantic Fantasy

Sleepless in Seattle (10th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Tom Hanks , Meg Ryan , Bill Pullman , Ross Malinger , and Rosie O'Donnell
Director: Nora Ephron
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AOV4I
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Customer Reviews:

What is last line spoken by Meg Ryan?.......2007-07-01

Also one of my favorite movies. This classic is shown at least once a month on one or another of my cable channels. I am particularly impressed with the way the music moves the story along as it reaches its conclusion. I'm still trying to get the last line--spoken by Meg Ryan just before the elevator doors close and the credits begin. Can anyone tell me what she says to Sam and/or Jonah. Thank you for your assistance. Mary McCue

Wonderful.......2007-06-16

This is a classic film, full of romance and yet the 2 main characters are almost never together...great job!

What I think about Sleepless in Seattle.......2007-05-18

This was supposedly a little known film that made a big impact on me and the general product. Anthing with Tom Hanks is usally a good bet it's going to be good, plus add in Meg Ryan and it's going to be a winner. I realy enjoyed this movie

Feel Good Movie!.......2007-03-18

This is such a feel good movie. It makes you believe in "Love At First Sight" or Love at first touch. This is a movie I watch over and over again. When I am sad and want to be lifted up. When I want to believe in love. There is a line in the movie that goes something like this, "it was like coming home, but not to any home I have ever know before". That's what you want to believe love is, like coming home.

Outstanding Romantic Fantasy.......2007-02-07

I dislike most chick flicks, so I wondered why I found Sleepless in Seattle (SIS) so entertaining and emotionally satisfying. I concluded that it succeeds for me primarily as a fantasy. My remarks here focus on that aspect of the movie and ignore its other strengths, notably its witty screenplay and the outstanding acting, by both youngsters and old pros.

For me, a good fantasy, in a movie or in a book, does at least two key things. (1) It uses a fantasy environment to strip away distractions from underlying truths that are basically important and emotionally resonant but that are so simple that they seem trite when considered more baldly. (2) It provides characters with whom one can easily and enjoyably identify because they act -- within the unrealistic fantasy environment -- in ways that are very plausible, human, and appealing. The actions of these characters may be more admirable than the viewer or reader typically aspires to in everyday life, but they do not reach the point of being unrealistic (like the fantasy environment) and unbelievable.

To illustrate my first criterion for a good fantasy, consider the subgenre of heroic fantasy, where the defining underlying truth is that some battles are worth fighting, and some causes are worth risking one's life for. In a typical non-fantasy story about WWII, it is not entirely satisfying to realize that one is being induced to forget that many of the German or Japanese soldiers that are being mowed down would have lived entirely decent lives if the war had not occurred. On the other hand, in the fantasy environment of Lord of the Rings (LOTR), one is much less distracted by such issues when orcs and Uruk-hai are being mowed down. The empathetic consideration of bravery thereby becomes more powerful and satisfying. (Tolkien's books take a few moments to wonder about the family lives of orcs, but those moments are fleeting.)

Considering SIS as a fantasy, the most important underlying simple truth for me -- admittedly trite -- is that there is an important element of chance and luck in finding a more compatible partner, not to mention one that is more universally desirable.

Key elements of the SIS fantasy environment are more exaggerations than the kind of pure contrivance commonly employed in heroic fantasy: (1) Compatibility with a partner ideally exceeds a recognizable threshold beyond which it becomes "magical," and prospective long-run satisfaction from the relationship takes a quantum leap. (2) A few minutes of overheard phone conversation or a few seconds of direct observation are sufficient to identify a potential soul mate with high probability of success. (3) Certain gifted preadolescents can be extremely mature and perceptive in identifying promising and unpromising potential soul mates for adults.

From very limited examination of chick flicks, my impression is that most do not work as fantasy because they do not partition unrealistic plot elements into a fantasy environment. Instead, lack of realism pervades the plot and the behavior of the lead characters. The behavior of the lead characters is often made even less appealing because they are overwrought and self-absorbed.

In two-world heroic fantasies such as Chronicles of Narnia, the heroes typically have great initial skepticism about the fantasy world they have encountered, which serves generally to reinforce the realism of the heroes' personal behavior and particularly to reinforce the partitioning off of the fantasy environment. In SIS, protagonists Annie and Sam do something similar. Moreover, they do it with entertaining humor, which is even better.

Many professional movie reviewers liked SIS but seemed to be embarrassed to admit it and seemed compelled to express reservations. Considering SIS as a fantasy, their reservations tend to become insignificant or irrelevant. A typical criticism was that the plot was contrived and gimmicky -- a stunt. However, saying that the fantasy elements of the SIS plot are contrived is akin to criticizing LOTR because there is no such thing as a ring of power that can make its wearer invisible. The observation is literally correct but, for the cooperative viewer or reader, fundamentally irrelevant. Another typical reservation from the pros was that the proceedings of SIS are entirely feather-light and ephemeral. However, for me at least, a light touch is exactly what best serves the underlying simple truth that this fantasy is considering.

SIS particularly resonates for me because I have been lucky enough to find a wife who puts up with me much better than I deserve, despite idiosyncrasies that are more reminiscent of Walter than of Sam Baldwin. In fact, I am writing this commentary primarily for Valentine's Day 2007. I will be including a copy, with this concluding paragraph highlighted, in my card.

Average customer rating:

Romeo and Juliet
Impression of Romeo & Juliet years after first seeing it.
A Great Love Story
The power of love.
"For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

Romeo & Juliet
Starring: Leonard Whiting , Olivia Hussey , John McEnery , Milo O'Shea , and Pat Heywood (II)
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0792165055
Release Date: 2000-05-23

Amazon.com

Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was unique in its day for casting kids in the play's pivotal roles of, well, kids. Seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting and 15-year-old Olivia Hussey play the titular pair, the Bard's star-crossed lovers who defy a running feud between their families in order to be together in love. Typically played on stage and in previous film productions by adult actors, the innocent look and rawness of Whiting and Hussey resonated at the time with a burgeoning youth movement from San Francisco to Prague. The tragic romance at the center of the story also clicked with anti-authority sentiments, but even without that, Zeffirelli scores points by validating the ideals and passions of strong-willed adolescents. Less successful are scenes requiring the actors to have a fuller grasp of the text, though the best thing going remains the unambiguous duel between Romeo and Tybalt (Michael York). Lavishly photographed by Pasquale de Santis on location in Italy, this Romeo and Juliet brought a different tone and dimension to a story that had become tiresome in reverential presentations. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Romeo and Juliet.......2007-06-28

My favorite version of this oft-filmed classic is Zeffirelli's Oscar-nominated version. Starring two unknowns in the title roles (17-year-old Whiting and 15-year-old Hussey), the movie remains true to Shakespeare, while making the language more accessible to modern audiences. Both Michael York (as Romeo's nemesis, Tybalt) and Milo O'Shea (as Mercutio) lend strong support, while Zeffirelli's unabashed romanticism is enhanced by magnificent period detail and a sweeping score from Nino Rota. The story of youthful rebellion also spoke to basic issues arising in the restive sixties. A top-notch rendering of an eternal classic.

Impression of Romeo & Juliet years after first seeing it........2007-06-16

I first saw the 1968 version of Romeo & Juliet the year it was released.
In our small town, we had only one theatre, and it showed the same movie
for about 5 days. I was studying Shakespeare in college and decided it
might be a good idea to see the film. The first viewing made such an
impression on me that I was left wanting more. I know I went the first
night it opened and then went every night again till it left the theatre.

In the period between 1968 & 2007, I didn't see the movie...even though
VHS & DVD releases made it possible. I'm not sure why I decided to see
it again...by accident, I guess. After so many years, I was surprised
to have the same emotions as I'd felt so long ago. Leonard Whiting &
Olivia Hussey are perfection in their title roles...both in appearance and delivery of the famous lines. If nither of them had never done anything else in their careers, they've left a lasting impression (as teenage actors) which will be ageless. Others may try to better this production of Shakespeare's famous play, but none will ever come even close to equalizing the 1968 production by Franco Zeffirelli. Do yourself a favor and buy the movie in DVD or VHS. You'll want to watch it again and again to see scenery you've missed and understand lines you've heard.

I've read some reviews indicating [...] aspects of the 1968 production.
These people need psychiatric help. Their repulsive suggestions toward
the acting/actors in this production couldn't be more off the mark.
There is nothing [...] or degrading about this movie.

A Great Love Story.......2007-06-08

I saw this movie when I was in High School. I have LOVEd it ever since. The Nurse charater just cracks me up. Olivia Hussy was really beautiful. For you kids out there that think nothing existed before 1980, this version is just as good as the Leonardo DiCaprio version.

The power of love. .......2007-05-25

I only have one thing to say. This movie shows what true love really is.

"For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.".......2007-04-28

I've loved it since I saw it first time - I was 16 and for me, Romeo and Juliet were not the Shakespeare's characters, they were just a girl and a boy who loved each other and died together because they could not live without each other. I did not know the names behind the production but I remember that the costumes were gorgeous (I still remember the red and gold dress Juliet wore in her first scene), the score and song were sweet and tender, and the cinematography brought to life a very real Verona, colorful and violent. Only much later I learned that Nino Rota was the composer, Danilo Donati a costume designer, and Pasqualino De Santis a cinematographer. Both Donati and De Santis won very well deserved Oscars.)

I was absolutely charmed by Olivia Hussey - she could be the most beautiful (and sensual and youngest) Juliet ever on screen. The only other film I've seen her was "Death on the Nile" - and she was not lost among very famous costars (Peter Ustinov, Bette Davis, and Angela Lansbury among others). I also remember that even though I was in love with Leonard Whiting's Romeo, I realized that as an actor he was much less interesting than John McEnry (whimsical Mercucio), Milo O'Shea (Friar Laurence) and Pat Heywood (the Nurse). Zeffirelli came from a successful career as an international opera designer and director in London, New York, and Milan with a reputation for opulent spectacle. It may explain his ability to handle crowds on the screen so effortlessly and skillfully. He also at one point of his career worked as Luchino Visconti's assistant - perhaps he learned a lot from him. In "Romeo and Juliet" he was able to make a very dynamic film that did not feel at all as an adapted play and also was a great romance which made me feel incredibly close to its characters. Four hundreds years seemed to disappear and Shakespeare became my contemporary. I've seen "Romeo and Juliet" many times and I believe Zeffirelli's is the best adaptation of the play. Well, there is of course, the ballet with the Sergey Prokofiev's music - but it is a different story altogether.

Average customer rating:

one more person willing to love this film
Best movie ever.
TOP 100 MOVIES OF DANY LYNEN
"Harold and Maude, a Cerebral Love Affair"
Harold and Maude timeless, naughty and quirky...

Harold and Maude
Starring: Harvey Brumfield , Eric Christmas , Bud Cort , Cyril Cusack , and Gordon Devol
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 6305882592
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Amazon.com essential video

Black comedies don't come much blacker than this cult favorite from 1972, and they don't come much funnier, either. It seemed that director Hal Ashby was the perfect choice to mine a mother lode of eccentricity from the original script by Colin Higgins, about the unlikely romance between a death-obsessed 19-year-old named Harold (Bud Cort) and a life-loving 79-year-old widow named Maude (Ruth Gordon). They meet at a funeral, and Maude finds something oddly appealing about Harold, urging him to "reach out" and grab life by the lapels as opposed to dwelling morbidly on mortality. Harold grows fond of the old gal--she's a lot more fun than the girls his mother desperately matches him up with--and together they make Harold & Maude one of the sweetest and most unconventional love stories ever made. Much of the earlier humor arises from Harold's outrageous suicide fantasies, played out as a kind of twisted parlor game to mortify his mother, who's grown immune to her strange son's antics. Gradually, however, the film's clever humor shifts to a brighter outlook and finally arrives at a point where Harold is truly happy to be alive. Featuring soundtrack songs by Cat Stevens, this comedy certainly won't appeal to all tastes (it was a box-office flop when first released), but if you're on its quirky wavelength, it might just strike you as one of the funniest movies you've ever seen. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

one more person willing to love this film.......2007-06-27

Ok, so like 272 people have had wonderful things to say about this film and what more could I possibly add to the discussion? This movie has over the years fed my soul and "reason to be". It is a beautiful reminder that after all the education and family and work stuff there are still other reasons to remain here. To choose to live. As imperfect as it all is. As sad as our mortality can make us. Life has an aspect to it that is so rich, so lovely, so enchanting, so alluring, that, provided we are capable to slowing down long enough to take a good look at it, can be loved and embraced and followed, like a moth following a candle. Finding yourself wasn't just a sixties slogan, it had to do with letting go of those things we think are important, so that we might truly begin to embrace those things that are essential to happines and to life. Harold and Maude is about all that and more. And as Forest Gump once said, "That's all I have to say about that."

Best movie ever........2007-06-24

The more I watch this film the better it gets, so many subtleties. I bought a copy for my brother to show it to his teenage kids.

TOP 100 MOVIES OF DANY LYNEN.......2007-06-23

THIS MOVIE IS HEART MOVING, AND TEACHES A VALUBLE LESSON IN THE GAME OF LIFE!

"Harold and Maude, a Cerebral Love Affair" .......2007-06-11

This is a terrific movie and has been one of my favorites since I first saw it on VHS late last century. Now it is available upon DVD which means it has a very good quality picture reproduction from the celluloid original upon which it was originally recorded and the audio is as good as it was in the theatre. I just need to acquire the audio components upon which to listen to this movie so I can visually and aurally go back in time, also I can watch it over & over and not have to worry about tape degradation. Amazon.com made acquiring this movie a very good and most cost effective endeavor for me; I will be a customer for the rest of my life and encourage friends of mine to shop @ Amazon.com.

Harold and Maude timeless, naughty and quirky..........2007-05-28

Harold and Maude is a movie that brings to light an assortment of social and familial issues. Both actors do an outstanding job of portraying their characters in pure form. Love this movie!

Average customer rating:

great movie
Love's Abiding Joy
great-clean- meaningful
Love's Abiding Joy
good movie. too bad it didn't follow the book's storyline...

Love's Abiding Joy
Starring: Erin Cottrell , Logan Bartholomew , Frank McRae , William Morgan Sheppard , and Drew Tyler Bell
Director: Michael Landon Jr.
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Love's Long Journey
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Love Comes Softly
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ASIN: B000ICLRJS
Release Date: 2007-01-02

Description

Directed by Michael Landon, Jr., this fourth installment in Janette Oke's beloved "Love Comes Softly" series is now a satisfying, heartwarming feature. Following a treacherous journey West, Missie and her husband have set up a homestead where they've begun to raise a family. And now that a railroad line connects the states, Missie's father is able to visit. But when the joyful reunion is interrupted by tragedy, the faith and love of this family is once again challenged in a story you and your family will never forget.

Customer Reviews:

great movie .......2007-05-15

This is a great movie you should get all of them> I really liked them. When i was done i shared them with my best friend and also my mother.

Love's Abiding Joy.......2007-05-14

I believe this movie, as well as the others in the series, are wonderful family entertainment. They teach life lessons as well as how to be a good person. Most importantly, they teach that you can depend on God. I hope there are plenty more of these movies! My family and I love them.

great-clean- meaningful.......2007-05-13

this is a wonderful movie for the family not only providing entertainment but there are humorous moments, tearful moments and spiritual moments---makes us think about a more simple way of life

Love's Abiding Joy.......2007-04-19

The fourth in a series, Love's Abiding Joy takes the young couple Missie and Willie forward in time on their ranch. The visit of Clark for the first time to see his grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law. During the visit Clark helps the young couple get past the sudden infant death of their baby. The offer of a job as sheriff helps the young couple manage to hang on to their cattle ranch during hard times. The unselfish generocity of Missie, who sells her dresser set and her locket to fend off foreclosure of a neighbors ranch. The movie drags slightly in spots, and does not follow the book. The series has been a welcome addition to my DVD library and was given as a gift to my 79 year old mother who adores the series.

good movie. too bad it didn't follow the book's storyline..........2007-04-16

I liked it as a movie, it was a tearjerker. However, you should watch it with the expectation that it's a totally different storyline from the book. About the only things the book and the movie have in common are the title, willie and missy, the fact that they live on a ranch, the fact that they get visited by family, the fact that they have a son already, and the fact that there is a tragedy during the course of the story. In the book, Clark and Marty both came to visit, they already had more children than just Arnie and Aaron, Missy and Willie hadn't adopted any kids and they had two sons. The tragedy that takes place in the book is ENTIRELY different. In the book, there is an accident that causes Clark to lose his leg, but there is no death of a granddaughter. In addition, in the book, there is no forbidden romance and to the best of my recollection there aren't even a family by the name of Dorros. The whole movie is barely even loosely based on the book. Even saying that is pushing it.

Bambi (2-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)

Average customer rating:

BAMBI: EL AMOR A LA NATURALEZA
Walt Disney's Greatest
Still Disney's masterpiece...a beautiful achievement in sight and sound...
A great Disney Classic
Bambi 2 disc edition

Bambi (2-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)
Starring: Thelma Hubbard , Mary Lansing , Jack Horner , Janet Chapman , and Will Wright
Director: David Hand , and Wilfred Jackson
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002YLCOM
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Amazon.com essential video

It always comes up when people are comparing their most traumatic movie experiences: "the death of Bambi's mother," a recollection that can bring a shudder to even the most jaded filmgoer. That primal separation (which is no less stunning for happening off-screen) is the centerpiece of Bambi, Walt Disney's 1942 animated classic, but it is by no means the only bold stroke in the film. In its swift but somehow leisurely 69 minutes, Bambi covers a year in the life of a young deer. But in a bigger way, it measures the life cycle itself, from birth to adulthood, from childhood's freedom to grown-up responsibility. All of this is rendered in cheeky, fleet-footed style--the movie doesn't lecture, or make you feel you're being fed something that's good for you. The animation is miraculous, a lush forest in which nature is a constantly unfolding miracle (even in a spectacular fire, or those dark moments when "man was in the forest"). There are probably easier animals to draw than a young deer, and the Disney animators set themselves a challenge with Bambi's wobbly glide across an ice-covered lake, his spindly legs akimbo; but the sequence is effortless and charming. If Bambi himself is just a bit dull--such is the fate of an Everydeer--his rabbit sidekick Thumper and a skunk named Flower more than make up for it. Many of the early Disney features have their share of lyrical moments and universal truths, but Bambi is so simple, so pure, it's almost transparent. You might borrow a phrase from Thumper and say it's downright twitterpated. --Robert Horton

Description

The forest comes alive with BAMBI, the critically acclaimed coming-of-age story that has thrilled and entertained generations of fans. Now digitally restored with state-of-the-art technology, BAMBI sparkles in this new Special Edition. This grand adventure is full of humor, heart, and the most beloved characters of all time -- Bambi, the wide-eyed fawn, his playful pal Thumper, the lovable skunk Flower, and wise Friend Owl. Featuring breathtakingly beautiful artwork and Academy Award(R)- nominated music (1942, Best Scoring Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture and Best Song, "Love Is A Song") Bambi's story unfolds from season to season as the young prince of the forest learns valuable lessons about friendship, love, and the miracle of life. Everyone will be "twitterpated" by this endearing classic tale of BAMBI, one of Walt Disney's greatest triumphs and a film experience you'll never forget.

Customer Reviews:

BAMBI: EL AMOR A LA NATURALEZA.......2007-06-30

Uno de mis clasicos favoritos, nos muestra cuanto debemos proteger y cuidar la belleza de nuestra naturaleza, la flora, la fauna y la ecologia en general; aqui no hay animales malos , el unico criminal y depredador, que mata y destruye es el hombre mismo, mostrandose sobre todo en la inolvidablemente triste escena de la muerte de la madre de Bambi (nunca dejo de llorar cuando veo esta escena, y eso que soy muy hombre, conste); peliculas como esta me hacen ver cuan sensible debo ser hacia la creacion de Dios, cuanto debemos amar a nuestro mundo y cuanto debemos crear conciencia en salvar este mundo tan bello en que vivimos... ¡UNA PRECIOSA JOYA DE DISNEY!!!

Walt Disney's Greatest.......2007-06-09

This movie is just incredible. The animation is great-the animators really captured the movement of deer and other animals perfectly; it's so graceful. The music is unbelievably beautiful. It gives me chills to hear it. The backgrounds are equally amazing. I hate the stereotype that it's "too childish". People who say that obviously have never seen it or haven't seen it in years. I've read the novel, and I like the novel better when it comes to storytelling, but the film is great, too.

Still Disney's masterpiece...a beautiful achievement in sight and sound..........2007-06-08

From the opening scene where the multiplane camera glides through a quiet forest until the stirring forest fire climax, a viewer has to be aware he is watching one of the all-time great films. So much of the cycle of life is covered that it's hard to realize the film is a mere 69 minutes. In a book called 'The Making of Bambi', Ollie Johnston reveals that originally there was much more footage that Disney eventually trimmed, cutting out whole sequences before the film previewed. Obviously, he made a wide decision.

There is no extraneous scene here, it moves seamlessly through its cycle of life story with the charming animal creatures carrying the story to its logical conclusion. The background music complements all of the drama and comedy. The storm sequence is the most beautiful blend of music and drawings ever achieved by the Disney artists. The naturally drawn deer are the result of months of careful preparation and study, giving the entire film the feel of a nature study as well as giving the audience great entertainment.

The choral work is extremely effective, particularly on songs like 'Love Is A Song' (Oscar nominated), 'I Bring You A Song' and 'Little April Shower'. The impressionistic forest glows with a life of its own and is the real star of the film, thanks to the influence of Japanese artist Tyrus Wong. No wonder this was Disney's favorite film. It will stay fresh and young forever. An awesome achievement!

In conclusion, having done some choral work myself as a glee club singer, I especially appreciated the great contribution made by the mixed chorus (male/female) that does such a wonderful job on all of the choruses that blend so seamlessly with the rich background score. Truly exceptional choral vocals conducted by Charles Henderson.

A great Disney Classic.......2007-05-24

The beginning of the movie tells you a lot about how great this film is. It has a drama, it has a fun and above all its about how important is to have friends all around you. Stunning animation, great voices, nice songs. What else I can add...

Bambi 2 disc edition.......2007-05-09

Disney classic on DVD. What does one write that hasnt already been written.

Average customer rating:

Finally, A Refreshing Movie for Everyone
Nice couple-in-love or family flick
Very romantic... Interestingly modern moral dilemma
CUTE AND TYPICAL OF SOME FAMILIES
Very good romantic comedy

Return to Me
Starring: Chris Barnes (IX) , James Belushi , William Bronder , Dick Cusack , and Minnie Driver
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Return to Me: Music from the MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack
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ASIN: 6306012419
Release Date: 2000-10-31

Amazon.com

Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) and Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver) have very little in common. Granted, they both live in Chicago and they're both a bit lovelorn, but that's about it. Still, fate has something in mind for these two somewhat-depressed souls (a construction worker and budding artist, respectively), who've both recently had brushes with death--he's a recent widower, she's just recovered from a heart transplant--and are a little more serious than their friends and relatives. After a series of misbegotten blind dates and almost-meetings, though, these two finally get together, and find that they fit seamlessly with each other. Despite their differences, they have a lot in common--in fact, quite a lot. It seems that the heart that now beats inside Grace's chest once belonged to Bob's wife (Joely Richardson), who died in a car crash. Coincidence? We think not.

A gentle, pleasing romantic comedy, Return to Me marks the directorial debut of Bonnie Hunt, an acclaimed actress known most famously for her role as Renee Zellweger's sister in Jerry Maguire. A shining, happy bright spot in whatever role she's in, Hunt has also invested the film with her trademark brand of humor: dry but sincere, sarcastic but not caustic, and with a deep current of humanity and romance. In the midst of all the permutations that fate surrounds them with, Driver and Duchovny make a pleasantly low-key couple; the triumph of the film is that despite all the contrived angst, the romance is never overly saccharine. They provide a quiet center in a film that has a fair amount of chaos in it, particularly due to Driver's extended family of Irish and Italian relatives (which occasionally tips the film into cutesy territory) and most hilariously to Driver's best friend, played by director Hunt . As a harried mother with innumerable kids and a likable oaf of a husband (James Belushi), Hunt again steals scenes effortlessly; Belushi is a comic revelation, better than he's been in years. You'll have the pleasant memories of both of these couples--one falling in love, one together for years--with you a long while after seeing this film. --Mark Englehart

Description

Who knew that when he ordered the special, he d get the dish of his life? David Duchovny ('the X-Files ) and Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) ignite sparks in this warm-hearted winner (JeffCraig, 'sixty Second Preview ) about a widower and a waitress who meet and fall in love. Featuring an incredible all-star cast, this hilarious romantic comedy delivers a lot of laughs, tears and joysthat will make your spirits soar. It took a lot of cajoling to get Bob (Duchovny), a recently widowed architect, to go on a blind date at a quirky Irish-Italian eatery. Once there, he's smitten instantly not with his date but with the sharp-witted waitress, Grace (Driver). With unsolicitedhelp from Grace's matchmaking grandfather (Carroll O Connor), Bob asks her out. And as their relationship blossoms, everything seems to be going great, until an unbelievable truth is revealed one that could easily break both of their hearts for good.

Customer Reviews:

Finally, A Refreshing Movie for Everyone.......2007-05-25

I thought this movie was a delight even though it was one of those "that'll never happen" movies. The whole family can watch and enjoy it, so it was worth every penny. I plan to share it with friends.

Nice couple-in-love or family flick.......2007-05-19

Enjoyable. Bought only because girlfriend likes to re-watch favorite movies regularly (and VHS copy finally broke). Otherwise, would have rented and been fine.

Very romantic... Interestingly modern moral dilemma.......2007-05-12

I admit it I am a fan of both (actually several) stars of this movie. After Minnie Driver's new show on FX the Riches, reminded me how much I liked her, I got to remembering this film, then coincidentally it was showing on broadcast TV the other day when I came home from work and my wife was watching it and told me to order it, so I did, and we watched it with our youngest who also enjoyed it very much.

But this is a very sweet and touching tale with an interesting twist that is strong on a not too subtle metaphor.
Watch this with your sweetheart for a romantic night at home.

CUTE AND TYPICAL OF SOME FAMILIES.......2007-05-02

THIS IS A CUTE MOVIE ,THOUGH SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IS NOT GOOD FOR CHILDREN,ONE OF MY FAVORITES.

Very good romantic comedy.......2007-02-18

From an absurd plot - Chicago architect Duchovny falls in love with the much younger woman who (unknown to him) has received the transplanted heart of his dead wife - first time director Bonnie Hunt (who also has a good role in the movie) has crafted a very good romantic comedy. Minnie Driver, in particular, as the virginal Grace (this is a very catholic movie) has never been better as the object of Duchovny's chaste affection. The main question of the movie is how Duchovny will react when he learns about Grace's history - and how that will affect their relationship. The film is also a paean to a particular milieu - working class ethnic America, particularly the Italian, Polish and Irish groups that intersect in Chicago - that is fast disappearing as a result of assimilation.

Average customer rating:

Top notch story and acting
The Heiress
Montgomery clift at his best!
The Heiress
Rising Up the Staircase

The Heiress (Universal Cinema Classics)
Starring: Olivia de Havilland , Montgomery Clift , Miriam Hopkins , and Ralph Richardson
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000KGGJ1I
Release Date: 2007-02-06

Amazon.com essential video

Olivia de Havilland's Oscar®-winning performance in The Heiress is so good that even hard-to-please critic Pauline Kael hailed it as de Havilland's "finest work ever." Like director William Wyler's previous masterpiece The Best Years of Our Lives, this tightly controlled drama is an all-time classic (it was added to the Library of Congress's National Film Registry in 1996), and as Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne observes in his DVD introduction, its reputation has steadily improved with the passage of time. It was de Havilland who sought the services of director William Wyler for this superlative film adaptation of Henry James' 1881 novel Washington Square, after director Lewis Milestone urged her to see the acclaimed stage adaptation by married playwrights Ruth and Augustus Goetz. De Havilland had already won her first Oscar (for her role in the 1946 drama To Each His Own), and recognized a prestigious opportunity when she saw one. Wyler enthusiastically agreed, and The Heiress was fast-tracked for production in early 1949. Released on October 6 of that year, the film eventually earned eight Academy Award nominations, winning the Oscar® for Best Actress, Art Direction, Costume Design, and Music (the last for Aaron Copland's splendid score). When Martin Scorsese was preparing to film The Age of Innocence in 1992, he cited Wyler's film as a primary influence. (Washington Square was filmed again in 1997, with its original title and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Catherine.)

De Havilland is heartbreaking, docile, victimized, and ultimately cruel as Catherine Sloper, a plain-looking aristocrat who stands to inherit a fortune from her ailing physician father (Ralph Richardson), as well as his well-meaning but cold-hearted demeanor. Dr. Sloper disapproves of Catherine's passionate suitor Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift, perfectly cast), certain that the penniless young man has proposed marriage to win Catherine's inheritance. Catherine's too much in love to consider this potential betrayal, and when circumstances lead her to misinterpret Morris's intentions, The Heiress reaches an unforgettable conclusion that brilliantly supports the richly psychological nuance that Wyler brings to the preceding romance. Universal's "Cinema Classics" DVD is skimpy on extras, but Osborne's introduction is informative (as always), and despite a grainy quality of some scenes (typical with films of this vintage), the DVD transfer impeccably captures the mood-setting excellence of Leo Tover's flawless cinematography. The film's original theatrical trailer is also included. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Academy Award winner Olivia De Havilland and Montgomery Clift light up the screen in this spellbinding, landmark drama. De Havilland is Catherine Sloper, an aristocratic young woman living under the scrutiny of her malevolent father. When a handsome but penniless suitor proposes, her father believes he could only be after her vast estate and threatens disinheritance. Can she be rich in love and money? Based on the stage version of Henry James' renowned novel Washington Square, this is the "****" (Leonard Maltin) winner of four Academy Awards, featuring an all-new, digitally remastered picture. A masterpiece of love, deception and betrayal, The Heiress remains a shining example of a true cinematic achievement.

Customer Reviews:

Top notch story and acting.......2007-07-04

This movie is a superb piece of story-telling, acting, and pacing. Olivia de Havilland shows her acting skills as even stronger than in "Gone With the Wind." I was especially convinced of her character's portrayal who just couldn't see the truth before her very eyes. Sir Ralph Richardson's character as her father was quite convincing and made me dislike him throughout the whole movie. He always took advantage of any moment in which to belittle his daughter, and you will not like the father at all (outstandingly played by Richardson). Montgomery Clift and Miriam Hopkins were perfectly cast. You actually do like Clift at the beginning, but his true colors gradually emerge, and the final minute of the film shows him completely with transparency. Of course, the biggest star in the whole movie is the direction by William Wyler. He paces the film just right and gets fantastic results out of his actors. This is one of those movies which you will want to watch again right after seeing it for the first time.

The Heiress.......2007-06-25

Widely hailed as a masterpiece, and boasting an Oscar-winning performance from Olivia De Havilland, Wyler's powerful and haunting drama was adapted from Henry James's novel, "Washington Square." De Havilland's transformation from dutiful and docile daughter into a grown-up who thinks for herself is one of the great rewards of seeing this film; Richardson shines, too, as an overbearing man who nevertheless feels conflicted about blocking Catherine's right to decide her own future. With a splendid score by Aaron Copland, majestic costumes by Edith Head, and Wyler's mastery of psychological tension, "The Heiress" is a Hollywood treasure.

Montgomery clift at his best!.......2007-06-22

I absolutely love this movie! Montgomery clift is very good but the movie belongs to Olivia De Haviland. The acting and writing is top notch and montgomery is as beautiful as ever.

The Heiress.......2007-06-19

As soon as I got the alert that this film was availabe on DVD, I clicked on the link and bought it. This film is excellent and I hope viewers enjoy it as much as I did.
I first saw the movie at my Dad's suggestion. I thought it was going to be boring but have truly enjoyed it from the first time I saw it. It literally captivated me.
It's a wonderful movie. I can now tape over the VHS tape I keep this movie on.

Rising Up the Staircase.......2007-05-31

I'd been meaning to see this amazing film for years and it is finally on DVD. What an amazing experience in film viewing!

At first I was overwhelmed by the period setting and Jamesian language but I quickly settled in and it all started making sense.

Rather than describe the plot, I just wanted to point out a few things about this amazing film- that means spoilers ahead.

Olivia de Haviland is amazing here as everyone knows. One of the most incredible things about this film is how she eventually takes it over completely. This is the story of one woman's individuation. In the beginning of the film she is awkward, homely and passive- almost a supporting character in the film but as the events unfold, slowly this victim becomes stronger and is the last one standing at the stunning climax.

Reviewers here have commented on how sad it is that de Haviland's character is alone at the end- it does not matter- this is an unflinching look at people, class and society as only Henry James could muster. de Haviland's Catherine IS homely- she does lack in the social graces but by the end she no longer cares. This is more than a tale of revenge. This the story of a woman taking control of her own life and refusing to be abused and victimized any longer.

In the emotionally crushing scene where all is lost and her lover (handsomely played by the beautiful Montgomery Clift) stands her up, we see Catherine, humiliated, dragging her bags up the stairs. The only man who had ever paid attention to her- that she would settle for, knowing all he wanted was her money- has refused her. Is there a sadder scene in film history? This is a woman without hope.

This is contrasted in the end by another scene centered around the same staircase. As sleezy Morris pounds on the door- his last chance at a meal ticket fading, we see Catherin anew. Glowing. Radiant. With a strong look in her eye- smiling her own secret smile. She effortlessly ascends the same staircase she trudged up before. A victim no longer. An abused child no longer. She is now a fully actuated woman rising up into her own dignity and self-worth.

The rush of exhileration in this scene is one of cinema's great joys and will leave you cheering.

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

General | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

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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

DVD:

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DVD

Age Is Only A Number with Gary Null

Spaceman

Digimon - The Movie [2001]

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