Parents

Starring:Randy Quaid, Mary Beth Hurt, Sandy Dennis, Bryan Madorsky, Juno Mills Cockell, Kathryn Grody, Deborah Rush, Graham Jarvis, Helen Carscallen, Warren Van Evera, Wayne Robson, Uriel Byfield, Mariah Balaban, Larry Palef
Director: Bob Balaban
Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
In Parents, director Bob Balaban deconstructs our Father Knows Best perception of '50s suburbia, skewing it via moody cinematography and Angelo Badalamenti's sinister score. Ten-year-old Michael Lamele (Bryan Madorsky) thinks his parents (Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt) are cannibals. His constant fear of his folks and their supposedly evil doings begin to warp his view of the world, and he starts seeing a social worker to confront his problems. Are they merely childhood fears intensified by an overactive imagination, or do Michael's parents really crave human flesh? Much in the way that David Lynch approached the sinister underside of small-town America in Wild at Heart, so too does Balaban challenge our notion of the 'burbs as an escape from the harsh reality of the city. If anything, Michael's parents show their true colors once they become wrapped up in the materialistic, socially predatory world of suburban life. Vastly underappreciated, Balaban's Parents is one of those rare modern horror films that uses psychology to freak you out rather than tossing buckets of blood at you (although there are a few in the film, given its theme). This is one horror film that stands up, and deserves repeated viewings. --Bryan Reesman
Description
Little Michael has everything his ten-year-old heart could desire - including a great dinner every night. But soon he questions where all the "leftovers" come from and discovers that his dad is bringing home much more than the bacon. Yikes, his parents are cannibals! Special Features include: Cast and crew filmographies, trailer, film facts, and scene access. Randy Quaid, Mary Beth Hurt

Average customer rating:

The best of the best !

Good performances by whole cast.

Recommended to all people of all races

Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (Widescreen Edition)

Oh My Goodness

Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Louis Gossett Jr. , Juanita Jennings , Malinda Williams , Gary Sturgis , and Avant
Director: Tyler Perry
Manufacturer: Lionsgate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Gossett Jr., Louis | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
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Deja Vu

ASIN: B000PE0GR8
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Description

Monty (Idris Elba) is a mechanic struggling to make ends meet while raising his three young daughters. When the court awards custody of his daughters to his ex-wife, Monty desperately tries to win them back with the help of Julia (Gabrielle Union), a beautiful, Ivy League-educated attorney. Monty and Julia couldn't be less alike, but a flame is ignited...touching off a firestorm of love and conflict.

Customer Reviews:

The best of the best !.......2007-06-29

Living in Atlanta for over 12 years and owning all of Tyler Perry's films, this is one of the best! A must see and to own! Highly recommend...He is one of the best...he was definitely missed in the movie; however his writing was defintely there in the story line!

Judy Collins
Key Largo, FL

Good performances by whole cast........2007-06-25

Something to show my grands and godchildren for a change. Whole familly loved this movie. Great!!!! Tyler Perry we love you.

Recommended to all people of all races.......2007-06-21

Perry's theatrical experience comes in to play throughout the picture and I like it. He doesn't get into drag and play Madea in this movie -- in fact, he doesn't appear onscreen at all (unless he had an unaccredited cameo where I didn't recognize him). The final product remains representative of the writer/director/producer's abilities and his common themes of the power of family and how much a community can accomplish when they band together. "Daddy's Little Girls" has its funny moments, but overall it's fairly somber from the start.

The movie's opening scene is a montage of people of different ages on a city street, with children playing and men cooking dinner on the grill and women chit-chatting, showing the good aspects of a close-knit neighborhood. Later in the film, Willie stands up in a community meeting with police and politicians and tells his neighbors that the police and government have never and will never do anything to help them, and they all have to band together to help themselves. Perry grew up in New Orleans, and wondered if this scene was meant to reflect his feelings about the poor handling of post-Katrina rebuilding by, well, by damn near everyone except the residents themselves.

The one benefit of Julia (Gabrielle Union) and Monty's (Idris Elba) relationship is that it allows the story to branch out to wax philosophical about one more conflict: class. Julia's friends are not the kind to be amused or in favor of a relationship between a successful legal partner and a struggling auto-mechanic. The snobbery allows the movie to take on some of the all-too-frequent stereotypes that are automatically applied to black men, particularly ideas about being a "baby's daddy" or forty-year-olds in over-sized jerseys. Monty breaks all of these stereotypes as a caring, responsible adult who is still struggling through life despite those character traits. It's nice to see this kind of positive role model portrayed strongly on screen instead of reinforcing negative ideas.

Parts of "Daddy's Little Girls" may be predictable and convenient as the movie tells its tale but there's not necessarily anything wrong with that. The film is one of those ubiquitous "feel good movies" and as such it does its job well. When the final credits roll you'll feel good and maybe, through the film's attempts to challenge a few negative stereotypes, even feel a little better about the human race's ability to come together in moments of adversity. You'll laugh; probably tear a little; and most importantly feel good. Isn't that enough for a movie to provide sometimes?

Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (Widescreen Edition).......2007-06-21

This is a great movie! I am glad to have it as part of my collection.

Oh My Goodness.......2007-06-20

I absolutely looooooooved this film! First of all, this was a perfect example of good casting. All of the charachters seemed so believable, and the chemistry between them all was great as well. This is the third time I've seen Gabriel Union play this kind of charachter (kind of stuck up and well to do) and I kind of get tired of it, but I loved her here. Especially when she was drunk and immitating Lil Jon! My favorite charachter(s) had to be the Macclain Sisters. They were GREAT! Their sassiness could almost put you off at first but when you think about it, children really do behave that way.

This was a lovely film, and I just thank God for Tyler Perry and the positive message he put's out in his movies. It doesn't have to be about Get Rich or Die Trying all the time, or shoot 'em up, bang-bang, or all this other garbage black film makers put out now. He put out a nice film where for once the black man isn't the enemy and it's a great piece of work.

Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (Full Screen)

Average customer rating:

Recommended to all people of all races
Heartwarming and a huge improvement for Tyler Perry and Company
Wish It Would've Continued
TYLER PERRY IS A ROCKSTAR!!!
Absolutely Loved it

Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (Full Screen)
Starring: Louis Gossett Jr. , Juanita Jennings , Malinda Williams , Gary Sturgis , and Avant
Director: Tyler Perry
Manufacturer: Lionsgate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
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Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition)
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Deja Vu

ASIN: B000PE0GRI
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Description

Customer Reviews:

Recommended to all people of all races.......2007-06-22

Heartwarming and a huge improvement for Tyler Perry and Company.......2007-06-21

This story of a blue collar father's fight for custody of his three daughter's from his blatantly selfish and irresponsible ex wife was excellent. Idris Elba is a woefully underrated actor from England who was perfect in this role. I have been a fan since seeing him in the dramatic film "Sometimes in April" which deals with the affect of the Rwandan genocide on two brothers who have opposing idealogies. In that film Idris was awesome as a family man with three children and a wife to protect while the world was spiraling out of control around them. If you haven't seen it, check it out Idris and the rest of the supporting cast are superb.

Here in Daddy's Little Girl's Idris once again gives a honest, heart-felt performance. The chemistry between Idris and Gabrielle Union was great and I loved the date scene at the club where they first begin to really bond. Gabrielle was so amusing playing someone who loosens up after a couple of drinks and reveals a sweet heart under the tough "corporate woman" exterior, another one of my favorite scenes is how humorous she is when she gets home from the club. There wasn't one "false note" in her performance in the film, I enjoyed her throughout.

The three girls in the movie are also biological sisters and were cast perfectly, they each have great talent and I am certain we will be seeing a lot of more of them. Lou Gossett is the headliner and his part as a mentor and friend to Idris is also a great addition to the cast.

My least favorite character is the ex-wife's lover who grossly overplayed all of his scenes.

Overall this is a feel good movie and Tyler Perry's most even-handed attempt at producing and directing. As mentioned the casting of the leading man and woman was right on point, far superior to all the other TP movies. Tyler is continuing to grow in his craft and I look forward to more family-friendly movies from him that deal with life's many challenges.

P.S. I also loved the blues song performed live at the club where Idris and Gabrielle have their first date! Too bad its not on the soundtrack...a sad oversight.

Wish It Would've Continued.......2007-06-19

Pros: I am crazy about this movie. I saw it at the show when it first came out, and I was impressed that once again Tyler Perry has come out with a positive movie for the African American community (as well as any other community) to relate to. I'd never been a Gabrielle Union fan, but she definitely did a great job in this movie, and every single time I see her drunk act at the bar and her house, I fall out laughing. Nobody could've played the handsome man's man role that Idris Elba played. I was not familiar with him before this movie, but boy, am I a fan now. He has undeniable sex appeal. Daddy's Little Girls takes viewers on a ride through a father's life who is trying his hardest to take care of his children and maintain a decent lifestyle, even though he has a dark past and an ex-girlfriend/mother of his children from Hell. I already knew Tasha Smith was going to be a great evil mother since I consistently watch "America's Next Top Model" and I've seen her as an acting coach. The young girls were great playing sassy, intelligent kids, and it was a joy to see the people from Perry's previous plays. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and as soon as it came out on sale, I went flying out of the house to buy it. I'm not convinced that I'll ever get tired of seeing it.

Cons: The guys who played thugs weren't believable at all, especially the main one. He was handsome and he was cool, but nothing about him said thug to me. Even the dudes who jumped the guy who was selling something looked like they were fresh off a college campus. I know Perry wanted to keep the movie PG-13 so I'm guessing that's the reason he didn't go for more hardened characters. That or he was going for dapper thugs.

TYLER PERRY IS A ROCKSTAR!!!.......2007-06-19

TP rocked this movie for real. It has everything, you'll laugh, cry, get frustrated, angry and cheer for Monty. A hard working man that is trying to live life on the right side of the tracks so that he can take care of his girl It is so great to see a man not only step up and take care of their children but FIGHT to keep them. Julia is a hard nosed no nonsense profession woman that learns that sometimes you have to let go and let love. (kinda seen her in this role in Deliver Us From Eva)However Gabrelle Union and Idris Elba (whom I didnt know was from London)played these roles to perfection

Absolutely Loved it.......2007-06-18

I went to see this movie when it first was released in the theaters, then picked up a copy of the movie just this past Friday, and I highly recommend the movie to folks because for one, it doesn't have no nudity or sex scenes, you can relate to what is going on, especially if you have been through a custody battle like I have, and what I love about it is the romance. You can tell that Idris and Gabrielle were feeling each other(had a mutual attraction for those who didn't get that earlier statement), and they kept it without getting into a scene and all that. i respect Tyler for that. Another thing that I took away from this was the sense of community that was there. This guy was absolutely scared to raise three girls by himself, but stepped to the plate and gave it his best shot. He made mistakes, he endured heat from others as well as those he loved, but through it all, he kept his head on and you cannot help but love Idris Elba for it.The McClain Sisters were adorable and look forward to more from them. A part of the movie I didn't care for was Tracee Ellis Ross and Terri Vaughan's roles as the judgmental,funky girlfriends who poo pooed on Julia(Gabrielle Union's role)for Monty and his life, but yet they kept hooking her up with silly, hilarious, funky trifling men. One was married to boot. I truly loved the Aquarium scene and have made a mental note to go to the Georgia Aquarium myself and admire that for myself. Very good feel good, emotional film.

Average customer rating:

A 'MUST SEE' MOVIE
Dear Frankie
Film
Superb
The best Gerry Butler movie to date

Dear Frankie
Starring: Emily Mortimer , Jack McElhone , Mary Riggans , Sharon Small , and Sophie Main
Director: Shona Auerbach
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00094AS9A
Release Date: 2005-07-05

Amazon.com

Driven by intelligent, constantly surprising and moving performances from the film's leads, Dear Frankie stars Emily Mortimer (Lovely and Amazing) as Lizzie, Scottish mother of Frankie (Jack McElhone), a deaf and highly intelligent 9-year-old. Constantly uprooting themselves and relocating from town to town, Lizzie and Frankie are on the run from the latter's abusive father, a fact unknown to the boy, who believes his dad is a busy seaman sending letters full of adventure and love. In fact, Lizzie is writing those missives, but she is faced with a challenge when Frankie discovers his father's ship will dock nearby. Lizzie hires a kind, handsome stranger (Gerard Butler) to play Frankie's dad, creating an odd situation in which ever-growing lies become a conduit for love, and Lizzie's repressed desires come to the fore with a man posing as her husband. The moral tangles are of interest in director Shona Auerbach's charmingly paced, quietly insightful drama-comedy, but so is the glorious feeling of watching these characters come fully alive. --Tom Keogh

Description

This touching and humorous movie has earned the raves of critics and won the hearts of audiences everywhere! To spare the feelings of her fatherless boy, Lizzie (Emily Mortimer -- Disney's THE KID) secretly authors letters from his "father" that detail seafaring adventures from around the world. But she cannot maintain this illusion forever. Torn between exposing the truth and protecting her son, Lizzie gets more than anyone bargained for when she hires a handsome stranger (Gerald Butler -- THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE) to play the role of a lifetime! Winner at both the Heartland Film Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival, this entertaining motion picture is sure to touch your heart!

Customer Reviews:

A 'MUST SEE' MOVIE.......2007-07-03

A beautiful story, a wonderful, heart-warming film, to be watched over and over and over again, with marvelous actors.....especially Gerard Butler. To steal a line from the movie: his "eyes -- they pull you -- right in!" He has to be the most exciting, expressive, multi-talented actor working today. Move over Sean Connery; Scotland has given us another of the most handsome and talented men in the world!

Dear Frankie.......2007-06-27

What a great movie. Its very tender and catches your heart. The characters are wonderful and you will want to see it over and over. The stranger is so believable as the hesitant skeptical man posing as Frankies father. As the story unfolds , he becomes such an important force in the lives of this boy and his mother that you are totally involved in their lives. It is beautifully filmed, lovely scenery and a heartbreakingly wonderful jewel of a film.....I loved it.

Film.......2007-06-11

Cannot beat this film in any category; the story, actors, script, cinematography, set design, and location are first rate. Saw it in a theatre, have watched it many times since the DVD arrived, and shared it with friends.

Superb.......2007-05-25

I won't go over the story line again - that's well-covered elsewhere. Suffice it to say that this movie is simply superb. I logged on after watching it just so I could recommend it to as many people as possible and give it 5 stars.

The best Gerry Butler movie to date.......2007-05-16

I bought this dvd so-so many weeks ago and have seen it countless (I lost count, actually) times. So far this is THE BEST Gerry Butler movie yet. The movie is so simple (and obviously low budget) but the plot is superlative which completely blew me away. I had never been so touched by any movie before and made me cry (especially the person who made me cry was no other than Gerry B). Other casts were just as perfect. Like other reviews, when I first saw the movie it lingered for so long and made me depressed that I needed to pop in some caffeine and jogged for miles to get the adrenaline back pumping. I saw Gerry's latest stint in 300 but it didn't impress me at all. This movie is unassuming but "a real gem" and real acting at its best. So few movies are made like this (and what a pity!). I'm glad I have this dvd copy and I will cherish it for so long.

Akeelah and the Bee (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

I-N-S-P-I-R-I-N-G!
great flix
It's not about just spelling, it's about R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Awsome!!
Surprise Delight

Akeelah and the Bee (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Keke Palmer , Laurence Fishburne , Angela Bassett , Curtis Armstrong , and J.R. Villarreal
Director: Doug Atchison
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000G1R394
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Amazon.com

There aren't enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe the excellence of Akeelah and the Bee. Superbly written and directed by Doug Atchison, this PG-rated family drama covers the same dramatic territory as the acclaimed 2002 documentary Spellbound and the 2005 drama Bee Season, but the fictional story of 11-year-old Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer) is, if anything, even more entertaining, inspiring, and full of hope for the potential of children everywhere. Although reluctant at first (and fearful of being labeled a "brainiac" by classmates at her under-funded middle school in South Central Los Angeles), Akeelah grows determined to win the district, regional, and ultimately the Scripps National Spelling Bee, aided by the able coaching of an English professor (Laurence Fishburne) who, like Akeelah's overworked single mother (Angela Bassett) is slowly recovering from a devastating personal loss. Structured like a conventional sports drama, Akeelah and the Bee rises above its generic trappings to become an uplifting and deeply moving study of friendship, pride, fair play, and above all, the value of self-confidence and realization that there's more to life than winning. As played by the young Palmer in an award-worthy performance, Akeelah is a winner in the best sense of the word, and so is this wonderfully positive movie. --Jeff Shannon

Description

An inspirational drama, Akeelah and the Bee is the story of Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), a precocious eleven-year-old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother Tanya (Angela Bassett), Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne); her principal Mr. Welch (Curtis Armstrong) and the proud residents of her neighborhood. Akeelah's aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and in turn unites her neighborhood who witness the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl.

Customer Reviews:

I-N-S-P-I-R-I-N-G!.......2007-06-05

At first, this would seem like a typical against-all odds themed films that you've all seen before, but there is more depth to this than that. Emotionally complex and gratifying tale of a young girl in the ghetto who overcomes to try to be a spelling champ.

What I found interesting is not only the complex relationship she has with Laurence Fishburne (in one of his best roles) as her mentor and his fascinating (and unexpected) motives in helping the unrelated Akeelah, and the friendship and comraderie she develops with an Asian and Latino competitor (the former's relationship with his father is a subject for another movie itself),.

But one really stereotype-shattering scene in the film that fascinated me more than anything else is when Akeelah's wannabe drug-dealing gangster brother riducules her. The older drug dealer that her brother looks up to puts a stop to this and encourages Akeelah. I loved this because it shows a seldom-seen aspect of ghetto life-even hardcore thugs sometimes want to see kids take another path than what they have chosen. Having experienced this myself as a child, this scene gave this movie an addded icing to the top for me! The way the neighborhood puts a lot of hope into Akeelah and rallies around the child as a symbol of the possible is moving beyond words.

Imagine Jimmy Stewart coming back as a preteen African-American girl and you get the idea. See it, and be I-N-S-P-I-R-E-D!

great flix.......2007-06-01

I was apprehensive at first and did not want to see this in the movies however, decided to rent it on Netflix - I'm glad I did. My interpetation of this movie was not a race issue. It was a story about a community who thought that a girls dream was impossible and foolish, came together and assisted her. She was not your typical child; but had the desire, help and work ethics to accomplish her goal. In this movie children picked their friends because of common interests not race or income. The ending was great - a little spice changes the bee.

It's not about just spelling, it's about R-E-S-P-E-C-T.......2007-05-22

I missed "Akeelah and the Bee" in theatres and I sincerely regret that. This is one of those films that you leave with a tear in your eye and a song in your heart. "Akeelah" is not just about spelling, but about dreaming--and spreading the contagion of dreams to the most unexpected people.

The soundtrack for this film is also one of the best I have ever heard. Whoever orchestrated the music did a fabulous job selecting inspirational songs from Old School to new funk. Both are well worth owning and playing again and again.

Awsome!!.......2007-05-18

I saw the movie for the first time and was thrilled. I thought this was a great family movie and very very encouraging. Keep up the good work Laurence and Angela. Hopefully you guys will do more movies together. All others in this movie did a great job as well. So enspiring for African American families. Would love to see more on this level. Lastly, I have 3 words to say.
Great! Great! Great!

Lynn from OKC

Surprise Delight.......2007-05-16

When Akeelah and the Bee first was released, I did not rush to see it,
depite favorable reviews. It seemed each week that other movies were
more to my interest. Then, I rented it on Netflix. And was I surprised!
This is one of the best family friendly films I have ever seen. From
the first moment, this movie sets just the right tone, and continues to
get everything just right. Keke Palmer and Lawrence Fishburne and the
entire cast are superb. The script is outstanding. I personslly liked
the film better than any of the 5 academy award nominees, including
Little Miss Sunshine, my preference for best picture of the 5 nominees.
Don't miss this gem. My only regret is it is a fictional story.

Average customer rating:

My Wife's Favorite Movie
Golden Oldie!!!
The Goodbye Girl
Goodbye Girl
a great Neil Simon story adapted for the screen......

The Goodbye Girl
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss , Marsha Mason , Quinn Cummings , Paul Benedict , and Barbara Rhoades
Director: Herbert Ross
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00002ND7A
Release Date: 2000-01-18

Amazon.com

The Goodbye Girl is a bittersweet comedy about relationships and taking chances. Though it deals with the human condition, what most quickly comes to mind are those wickedly comedic scenes featuring Richard Dreyfuss in an Oscar-winning role. He plays a struggling actor with a sharp tongue who has sublet an apartment from single mom Marcia Mason, a divorcée with horrific taste in men, who are always running out on her. She is left high and dry once more, stuck sharing her apartment with Dreyfuss when he hasn't the heart to enforce his lease and toss out mother and daughter.

Neil Simon's play shines under the direction of Herbert Ross as these two mismatched people find their contempt changing into mutual admiration. Quinn Cummings is more interesting than most precocious child stars; she seems brighter and her manner is prickly instead of cloying. Watch this film just for the scene in which Dreyfuss plays Richard III in an off-off-Broadway play. He lisps, he limps, he screams. It is the worst theater you will ever see--and thoroughly hilarious. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews:

My Wife's Favorite Movie.......2007-06-28

Richard Dreyfuss, Marsha Mason, great story, romantic, funny and extremely well written. Why they even thought to remake this 1977 classic for television is beyond me. You just don't find chemistry on film like this very often. Richard Dreyfuss won a much deserved Academy Award for his outstanding performance, and Marsha Mason was perfect as these two performers jelled into one of the best and funniest love relationships ever.

I had to buy this DVD for my wife, who could watch this movie morning, noon and night. A real Hollywood romantic comedy that set the tone for all that followed. Quinn Cummings will win your heart over as the young daughter of Marsha Mason. An extremely entertaining experience for adult couples, yet gentle enough for younger teens as well.

Golden Oldie!!!.......2007-05-18

This movie is one of Neil Simon's best, especially with the addition of Marsha Mason(his real-life wife!!) It is a fun, real life story and I loved it!!
Richard Dreyfuss is so young in this and I'm sure starting his brillant career
If you want a "feel-good" somewhat chick flick, then this is a sure bet, and I feel it is timeless!!!

The Goodbye Girl.......2007-05-13

Super movie. Funny, yet sophisticated! Both Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason are terrific! And so is "the kid"! Too bad they don't make 'em like this anymore!

Goodbye Girl.......2007-03-26

First saw this years ago, but never forgot it. A very funny, intelligent, typical Neil Simon film. Simply heartwarming.

a great Neil Simon story adapted for the screen.............2007-03-14

THE GOODBYE GIRL is a wonderful Neil Simon romantic comedy (with emphasis on screwball). The film takes the formula of THE ODD COUPLE (another wonderful film that examines the relationship between a pair of opposites trying to compromise in a living situation) with a twist. Paula McFadden (Marsha Mason) is an out-of-work dancer and single mother whose boyfriend has abandoned her and her young daughter, Lucy (Quinn Cummings)--not a surprise. However, he also subletted the apartment to his out-of-work actor friend, Elliot Garfield (Richard Dreyfuss). This wasn't what Paula had in mind. This wasn't what Elliot had in mind. Nevertheless, the eccentric Elliot--who chants and eats odd, diet specific food-- and the embittered Paula, who has vowed to stay away from actors--must agree to tolerate each other (to put it nicely). This doesn't come easily.

This film has so many wonderful and funny scenes, and Marsha Mason and Richard Dreyfuss have wonderful screen chemistry even when they are at each other's throats. Wonderfully entertaining......Dreyfuss basically steals the movie. You'll love it.

Meet the Parents (Widescreen Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Meet the Parents
Is Your Car Green? If So, You'll Like This Movie.
Extremely disappointing comedy
Non-stop laugh riot!
Great Comedy!

Meet the Parents (Widescreen Special Edition)
Starring: Robert De Niro , Ben Stiller , Teri Polo , Blythe Danner , and Nicole DeHuff
Director: Jay Roach
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00049QLSC
Release Date: 2004-12-14

Amazon.com

Randy Newman's opening song, "A Fool in Love," perfectly sets up the movie that follows. The lyrics begin, "Show me a man who is gentle and kind, and I'll show you a loser," before praising the man who takes what he wants. Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) is the fool in love in Meet the Parents. Just as he's about to propose to his girlfriend Pam (Teri Polo), he learns that her sister's fiancé asked their father, Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro), for permission to marry. Now he feels the need to do the same thing. When Greg meets Jack, he is so desperate to be liked that he makes up stories and kisses ass rather than having the courage of his convictions. It doesn't take an elite member of the CIA to see right through Greg, but that's precisely what Jack is. Directed by Jay Roach (the Austin Powers movies), Meet the Parents is an incredibly well-crafted comedy that stands in nice opposition to, say, the sloppy extremes of the Farrelly brothers. Stiller is great at playing up the uncomfortable comedy of errors, balancing just the right amount of selfishness and self-deprecating humor, while De Niro's Jack is funny as the hard-ass father who just wants a few straight answers from the kid. What makes the Jack character all the funnier is Blythe Danner as his wife, the Gracie to his George Burns, who is the true heart of the movie. Oh, and Owen Wilson turns in yet another terrific comic performance as Pam's ex-fiancé. --Andy Spletzer

Customer Reviews:

Meet the Parents.......2007-06-15

The movie 'Meet the Parents' is a humorous film. It is about a guy named Greg who is a nurse. How weird is that?! Well anyway he meets this girl named Pam Burns. They fall in love and all of that good stuff. But, Pam's dad is a bit suspicious and litterally sniffs out lies. He has this thing called the circle of trust. Greg is given a chance and is in it for.........a little while.

But Jack isn't too fond of his daughter's dates or boyfriends. Well anyway in the movie Pam's cat jinksy gets lost and its up to Greg to find him. Greg really didnt have any luck finding him. But, I think you should watch the movie and find out what happens. You'll love it. This movie is rated PG-13 and is about 2 hours long.

I would reccomend this movie to anyone who likes crude humor.

Is Your Car Green? If So, You'll Like This Movie........2007-05-17

This movie is pretty easy to review. It's funny. Thats all you really have to know. It's not a deep movie, nor is it slapstick. It's just a well made laugher. Ben Stiller plays his part very well as the guy who doesn't know how to tell the truth and always gets the bad break. Robert De Niro is absolutly perfect as the father inlaw from hell whos always down your throat. Everything from his facial expressions to his genius lines are extremely funny. Even De Niro's family are uptight and very unlikable. This movie sounds bad and pointless when you hear the plot: bad stuff happening to Ben Stiller because of De Niro. But it's done very well and it's just a very enjoyable movie.

Extremely disappointing comedy.......2007-01-02

This movie was highly recommended to me and I looked forward to a good comedy but never laughed once. The story could had every opportunity to be so much better; the nervous suitor going home to ask for his beloved's hand, especially with an actor like De Niro to intimidate him. Instead the movie relies on dumb cliches and corny lines that just aren't funny.

Making fun of, and marginalizing, the nursing profession with repeated "jokes" wasn't amusing, (the movie has the girl's parents repeatedly insinuate that he's a nurse because he wasn't smart enough to be a doctor) nor was the hero's bumbling. If he's really so smart, then who do something so stupid - and cruel - as kill a family pet and then try to cover it up with a "counterfeit"?? Not funny at all. Having the cat urinate on the beloved deceased grandmother's ashes was just gross, and that's only a few of many unentertaining gems in this feature.

I was really disappointed, and can't recommend this, especially as a family movie.

Non-stop laugh riot!.......2006-12-20

`Meet the Parents' is one of those classic comedies you can't help but love. Ben Stiller proved he's comic genius, Teri Polo burst onto the scene and Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner stole the entire show. I just have to say I'm so glad my father-in-law isn't THIS insane.

Ben Stiller plays Greg Focker, a male nurse who's about to pop the question to girlfriend Pam (Polo) but before he can get it out she gets word that her sister is engaged. What makes this a bad thing is that Greg then finds out how old fashioned Pam's father is and realizes before he can propose he needs to ask her fathers permission. Her father Jack (De Niro) is not just an intimidating man, he's an ex-member of the CIA who is bent on exposing Greg for the sap he's certain he must be.

With Greg trying too hard to impress everyone he ends up making things much worse for himself, lying to make himself look better, losing Jack's precious cat Jinxie, flooding the backyard with sewage and quite a few other embarrassing and damaging things. What makes this film so delightful is the chemistry between every actor here; no one seems miscast despite what you may think.

De Niro is fantastic here proving once and for all that he's one of our greatest actors, and Blythe Danner is just hilarious as Pam's mother Dina. Great supporting performances by Owen Wilson (proving yet again that paired with Stiller they are dynamic) and James Rebhorn who's hilarious as Dr. Larry Banks. Just pop this one in, sit back and get ready to laugh, laugh and laugh some more.

Great Comedy!.......2006-12-16

This is truly an exellent comedy movie to watch, without being corny. I am not a fan of corny un realistic movies and this one is truly hilarious without being corny at all. I really got a lot of laughs out of this one! I also enjoyed Meet The Fockers, but I liked this one a lot better. Meet The Fockers was a little corny but still very enjoyable to watch, I hope they come out with another Fockers movie! These movies are the best comedies that I have seen in a really long time!

Average customer rating:

Trouble Along the Way
Trouble Along The Way
Where is Sherry Jackson Anyway
Where's the DVD?
Amongst the hidden gems in Duke's career-

Trouble Along the Way
Starring: John Wayne , Connors , and Reed
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000O599X0
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Amazon.com

Trouble Along the Way, a John Wayne movie even John Wayne fans have tended to skip, is an intriguingly complicated entertainment that gets more interesting from reel to reel. The premise scarcely sounds like prime Duke material: Former big-time football coach with an ugly divorce behind him and a little daughter to look out for takes a job at a venerable Catholic college in danger of being shut down. The title nudgingly recalls the sentimental classic Going My Way, with school administrator Charles Coburn replacing Barry Fitzgerald in the doddering-but-sly priest role and Wayne as a nonclerical (and non-singing) substitute for Bing Crosby. In addition to the diocesan politics dooming the College of St. Anthony's, the plot is complicated by ex-wife Marie Windsor's vicious efforts to regain custody of daughter Sherry Jackson; that sparks a spiky ambivalence between social worker Donna Reed and disreputable papa Wayne, who pretty much lives out of a bar where he runs his latterday business--as a bookie.

The script was the work of future Bob Hope writers Melville Shavelson and Jack Rose, and between them and director Michael Curtiz--nearing the end of his long tenure at Warner Bros.--they scuff up Wayne's heroic image in interesting ways. To turn St. Anthony's into a winning football team overnight, Wayne indulges in some outright larceny and extortion; there's even a sly throwaway joke likening his profit-sharing plan for his co-conspirators to a form of "socialism." Instead of the anticipated big-game climax with the St. Anthony's underdogs victorious, the movie veers toward a finale in which several "happy endings" are put on hold till some point in the future. For his part, Wayne gets to deliver more syncopated dialogue than usual, and seems both refreshed and startled by the experience. --Richard T. Jameson

Description

Silver screen legend John Wayne stars as a former top-notch college football coach who tries to maintain custody of his daughter during a tough divorce while earning back self-respect by coaching a small-town Catholic school's football team. A unusually sentimental role for the Duke, in which he proves his amazing gift for comedy and sentiment. Co-starring Donna Reed ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and directed by Michael Curtiz ("Casablanca").

Customer Reviews:

Trouble Along the Way.......2007-07-03

I had not seen this John Wayne movie before ordering it but like John
Wayne. It was a good story. Movie is black & white.

Trouble Along The Way.......2007-05-24

Trouble Along The Way

The Movie
A story about saint andrews church. From the very begining its clear the plot is that st andrews church needs money and teh duke is the man they think can provide. He plays Steve a former football coach who was thrown out for being dishonest. He also has a daughter who he is raising.Along comes Donna Reed as a social worker and the plot thickens.

The Video
it doesn't have the DisneyTreatment but is watchable on my 42 inch plasma. It has mments of grain and goes out of focus in some frames but its brief and barely a distraction.it is presented in. It is in Black & White and is full frame.

The Audio
It is mono 1,0 nothing that is going to rattle the walls but it works for this movie.

The Extras
So You Think You Can't Think Sleep.
A charming story of a man who can't sleep its runs about 15 minutes and is very looney tunes. I enjoyed it not sure i watch it again but was entertaining once.

Muscle Tusle
A Merrie melodies cartoon with daffy duck
Its the one wher a muscle bound duck keeps stealing daffy's gall and he tries to beef up to compete. Most viewers have seen this one many times

Theatrilce Trailer
Like most older trainlers it doesn't really tell you what the movie is about. It is not restored it looks very bad with the white blips but it is a piece of the duke

My Opinion
It turns out to be one of the more enjoyable non cowboy pictures of the duke. I bought this in the six disc set. For those who have seen it is worth a new viewing for those who havn't its a worth while effort.

Where is Sherry Jackson Anyway.......2006-06-01

"Trouble Along the Way," is one of my favorite "little" movies -- films I loved growing up in the 1950s, often for quite personal reasons, ranging from Tony Curtis in "The Great Imposter," to this gem.

Sherry Jackson, who plays Football coach Wayne's precocious daughter, also starred in the Danny Thomas show on TV and all grown up as one sexy android on Star Trek. She turned out so beautiful that I don't think she got as much of a chance to act as one might have wished. She's wonderful in this and I get a crush on her in a paternal sort of way everytime I watch it, and I can't say the same about that Star Trek role, ah hem.

Donna Reed as Wayne's love interest never looked more beautiful nor exuded more charm with the possible exception of her turn in "It's a Wonderful Life."

Charles Colburn as the old priest at suffering St. Anthony's is utterly convincing and entertaining every second he's on screen.

When I first saw this in the 50s, I liked Wayne in it very much because my father looked a bit like him, probably more in my imagination than reality. Still, as another reviewer notes, this film holds up remarkably well and I still enjoy it every time I see it.

Where's the DVD?.......2005-07-29

I won't bore you with story details as this film has already been reviewed. Being in my mid-50's I have seen everything the Duke has done and this wonderful, light romantic comedy has been a favorite of mine for years. A divorced father raising a daughter on his own...it went against the Hollywood stereotypical ideal of family. I continue to watch this film on my off-air copy. I only wish it would come out on DVD. Let's face it, if Wayne's early Lone Star westerns can get the DVD treatment, surely this little gem deserves the same. If you've never seen "Trouble Along the Way", sit and enjoy!

Amongst the hidden gems in Duke's career-.......2004-11-05

This film is still ahead of it's time,today.What a surprise it was for me one day,long ago,to sit down in front of this movie and find myself enjoying it as much as I did,and still do.A quiet masterpiece,I must agree with a previous reviewer who mentioned how mature the approach is here.If you love The Duke and haven't seen this film,do it now.You'll enjoy yourself so much.It works on so many levels,this movie is one of those for which the phrase-"They don't make 'em like they used to..." applies so well.Understated,intelligent,good-humored and sweet,all at the same time.A Classic waiting for Time to discover it.

Average customer rating:

Underappreciated classic
Not history but sure is entertainment - contains spoilers
It Never Gets Old
A moving semi-western with excellent performances and well-controlled mood...
Saved By Performances and Disney-esque Sentimentality

Shenandoah
Starring: James Stewart , Doug McClure , Glenn Corbett , Patrick Wayne , and Rosemary Forsyth
Director: Andrew V. McLaglen
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Friendly Persuasion
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ASIN: B00008CMT3
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Product Description

Shenandoah, a film well-liked in its day, recalls Friendly Persuasion and foreshadows The Patriot as it tells of an American clan traumatized by war on native soil. Virginia farmer James Stewart has never owned slaves, owes allegiance to no one beyond his own kin, and adamantly disregards the North-South strife rumbling just over the hill: "This war is not mine and I take no note of it." That changes when youngest son Philip Alford (To Kill a Mockingbird's Jem) is carried off by Yankees, and the family must ride out to reclaim him. Shenandoah has several affecting moments--notably a homefront atrocity--but much of it is lit and played like a television show. Script and direction are formulaic, Stewart falls back on cozy shtick, and the supporting cast is a collection of bland studio contract players. As the closing credit says: "filmed entirely at Universal City." --Richard T. Jameson

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Underappreciated classic.......2007-04-05

Is it indeed possible to remain neutral in a world that demands we take sides? The Jimmy Stewart character in this movie attempts to do just that and in the end pays the same price as if he had chosen sides. Perhaps the cost is the same whether we choose or not. Or, perhaps the moral cost is greater when choosing sides. Is it better, after all, to choose the lesser of two evils? As many reviewers have already noted, this is not Mr. Stewart's best but the questions it raises about the relative morality of war and our obligation to the state are interesting ones indeed. Mr. Stewart takes the libertarian road less traveled until circumstances force his intervention. And perhaps that is why, despite lacklustre reviews, this movie remains a classic for so many.

Not history but sure is entertainment - contains spoilers.......2007-02-12

I first saw this film over 40 years ago and bought the DVD on the strength of my memory of sitting in the cinema enthralled by the performace of James Stewart et al. The revisited Shenandoah was offered on a DVD which had a pretty good video print transfer, but not spectacular, and an adequate sound rendering in Dolby Digital Mono. The story itself is the stuff of Hollywood and not a history textbook replacement - as was generally the way back in the 60's when this was made. The story of a peaceloving Virginian widower bringing up his family, trying to ignore the civil war around him until it gets to be "personal" with the Union army capture of "the boy" - sounds a bit corny but is very important to the plot. Could have had a bit more war action but the story of "the family" is key to the whole film and not the war. I think I have a need for more action as I get older - but still an excellent film with lots to offer. I do not rate it a 5 but do rate it a good 4 - well worth watching!

It Never Gets Old.......2006-12-02

It is intriguing how some comments confidently classify "Shenandoah" (1965) as an anti-war film and others see it as pro-war propaganda (insert Vietnam here). The anti-war advocates must be basing their position on the film's similarity to "Friendly Persuasion" while the propaganda pundits appear to have been influenced by the fact that screenwriter James Lee Barrett would write the script for "The Green Berets" a couple years later. But given that the screenplay was written in 1963 and actual production was completed by late 1964, it is unlikely that Vietnam (pro or con) was much of a factor. National consciousness was a couple years away from regarding that little adventure as something of real significance.

I think the real strength of "Shenandoah" is that it maintains the same kind of uneasy neutrality that the Anderson family holds to throughout the film. It shows good and bad people on both sides as the family attempts to just distance themselves as much as possible from the conflict. That they are not entirely successful in doing so hardly sends a clear message of either pacifism of patriotism.

Director Andrew V. McLaglen's films are some of the least political you are likely to find, the exception being his frequent focus on strong women. In "Shenandoah", neither Charlie Anderson (James Stewart) nor his six sons are a match for daughter Jennie (Rosemary Forsyth). The father-daughter dynamic purposely gets a disproportionate amount of screen time as Jennie is shown to be the child most like the father and the only one who routinely stands up to him. This merits the most attention if one is looking for subtle political messages in the film.

Stewart is the only cast member with more screen time than Forsyth. Her romantic scenes with Doug McClure are also first rate, with a touch of comic relief as you begin to realize that he has little idea what he is getting himself into. And their reunion scene at the prisoner of war train is handled extremely well.

Civil war buffs will generally enjoy this film as it presents the war from the (until then unprecedented) point of view of a southern family who did not buy into the frenzy for secession in 1861 and remains resolute even as their property is overrun with union troops. It wouldn't be until "Cold Mountain" that another film would present the reality of a not so united southern home front. Eastern Tennessee and western Virginia remained pro-union, and Winston County, Alabama seceded from the state and attempted to stay in the union.

Of course the buffs will find many inaccurate historical details. At one point the doctor mentions losing a son the year before at Gettysburg, yet much later Carter notes that the besieged troops at Vicksburg are eating rats (the Gettysburg battle ended the day before Vicksburg surrendered). And just after Jennie drives away the federal procurement agents with a single shot rifle, the family rides off equipped with the latest lever action models.

Like McLaglen's "The Rare Breed", "Shenandoah" is somewhat of a chick flick, making it a novelty among historical action adventure films.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

A moving semi-western with excellent performances and well-controlled mood..........2006-11-06

With a Civil War background, "Shenandoah" is a deeply human work spread with that current of emotion that is often tried to obtain by directors and actors, but very infrequently found... It is old-fashioned in the sense that it deals with love of family and friends in a tender way... For this, and many other reasons, it stays in the heart and mind...

Stewart has never been in better form than in "Shenandoah." He is an archetypal widower, deeply concerned for his six sons and one daughter on their farm in a remote section of Virginia, while the Civil War rages around them... A pacifist and a man who refuses slavery, Stewart holds himself and his sons away from both the Confederate and Union causes... But, for all his hatred of war, the rush of events finally draws him into that tumultuous and heartbreaking clash...

When he loses his 16-year-o1d youngest boy to the Union soldiers as a prisoner, he is compelled into action... He presides with cold affection over his daughter's marriage to a young Confederate officer... He visits his wife's grave (she had died giving birth to the son who is now a prisoner) and in simple and sincere words movingly talks with her... Stewart's hatred of war is continually intact, but his faith in family remains stronger than ever...

The film is alive with great performances... Katharine Ross, in her first film role, is moving as the daughter-in-law... Rosemary Forsyth is strong and stately as Stewart's only daughter, who dresses in male clothes and joins her brothers in their search for their captured sibling... George Kennedy is effective as a Union officer who helps Stewart with a pass to obtain his son... Paul Fix is affecting as the attentive and concerned family doctor, and many others round out a superb cast...

"Shenandoah" was Stewart's first film with director Andrew V. McLaglen, the 45-year-o1d son of the famous Victor, who had won a Best Actor Oscar in John Ford's "The Informer" in 1935... McLaglen had been an assistant director to John Ford, Budd Boetticher, and others, and had absorbed much from them, before emerging with his own individual directing style...

Nominated for a Best Sound Oscar, "Shenandoah" exudes a quality that seems to have partially disappeared from American life... The picture represents a time of moral sentiment and regardful devotion to certain established ideals...

Saved By Performances and Disney-esque Sentimentality.......2006-08-27

Replace the allegedly anti-Semitic, alcoholic ax wielder from "The Patriot" with taciturn Jimmy Stewart, and you've basically got "Shenandoah," a well-meaning film whose strength lies in its performances and sentimentality and certainly not in its plotting.

Cribbed a bit from the better "Friendly Persuasion," the plot concerns an irascible Southern farmer (Stewart) who stubbornly -- and correctly -- refuses to let his sons join the lost cause that is the American Civil War. His stand is less a moral than a selfish one, and there are several effective moments where is proven right, not the least of which is the slaughter of the command of a young officer who just minutes earlier challenges Stewart's stand. Stewart's point that Virginia didn't lift one finger to help raise his children is an economical and rational defense to the argument that their lives are nonetheless owed to the state.

There are other scenes that rather maddeningly come close to making this a better film than it is: an otherwise capable officer's (Doug McClure, who could be played by a prettied-up Matt Damon in a bio-pic) nervous asking for Stewart's daughter's hand in marriage, Stewart's demands of a sympathetic union colonel (a self-effacing George Kennedy), his fury at the young sentinel who shoots one of his sons, a brief but bloody battle, and the quiet horror when murderous scavengers inevitably invade his all-but-deserted home.

Unfortunately, they're blunted by some rather dopey elements, including Stewart allowing his youngest son (rather annoyingly referred to as "the boy") to trundle about the countryside wearing a discarded confederate cap along with his gray clothes (you can see where that's going), his leaving his home virtually defenseless when horrific battles are occuring just miles away, and the baffling conclusion son Glenn Corbett comes to upon seeing the decimated troop his father kept him from joining.

In fact, I found myself at the end less moved by the power of the story and more irritated as to how Stewart's character, despite his ego, determination, and self-righteousness could not see that had he simply told the kid to take that hat off, none of the tragedy in the story would have happened. I generally prefer older movies because they're so much smarter and more natural than newer ones -- but not this time.

Stewart and the rest of the cast are quite good, though Patrick Wayne is so toothy in his role that you might be torn between sorrow and relief by the ultimate fate of his character. And, despite its thematic heaviness, the film often has much lighter moments more appropriate for a Disney film, which ironically may be what finally holds everything together. Watch for a young Katherine Ross in a supporting role, and try to ignore some of the historical liberties. (While I'd give the film five stars for its performances, the brainlessness of the plot knocks it down to three.)

Average customer rating:

It's an okay movie
Not What I Expected
Family Friendly Fun
mind-numbingly awful
*ICE CUBE* does it again

Are We There Yet?
Starring: Ice Cube , Nia Long , Aleisha Allen , Philip Bolden , and Jay Mohr
Director: Brian Levant
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000803BQC
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Amazon.com

Ice Cube has turned his frown upside down with the family-friendly screwball road movie Are We There Yet? We know the actor/rapper can use his trademark scowl to be funny (the Friday and Barbershop series), or to be mean (Boyz in the Hood)--but can he use it to melt kids' hearts? That's the question Are We There Yet? answers with a resounding yes for youngsters in the audience (which will be the lions' share), but it'll probably be an emphatic shrug for the grownups. The contrived plot has Cube playing a wannabe-player (as in ladies' man) and ex-player (as in washed-up minor league baseball star) who now owns a sports memorabilia business. His partner, played by Jay Mohr is just a throwaway, as is the talented Nia Long, the single mom that Cube sets his blinged-out sights on. To try to get in her good graces, he offers to transport her two bratty kids in his pride-and-joy Lincoln Navigator for a joy ride to a distant city where she's attending an emergency business meeting so they can have a New Year's Eve celebration together. This kiddies version of Road Trip and Planes, Trains and Automobiles has its cute moments, but plenty more gross-out moments which will please the kids no end, especially as the Navigator gets more and more trashed. Suffice it to say they all learn about each others' good sides and hearts are suitably melted all around--until after the credits roll, then you'll probably forget about the whole thing.--Ted Fry

Customer Reviews:

It's an okay movie.......2007-05-12

Not a bad movie. Not a great movie, but not bad either.

Not What I Expected.......2007-05-07

We saw the move, "Are We There Yet?" in the theater and really enjoyed it, so we decided to purchase this DVD. It would be a good movie for kids if not for the swearing and bad attitudes of the children in the movie. We probabbly will not watch the DVD again (at least not with kids).

Family Friendly Fun.......2007-04-12

There is nothing great in this film, but it does have its moments and is pleasing entertainment. Ice Cube believably loses his bad-boy image, Nia Long is always both pleasing to watch and believable in this limited role, and the child actors are cute, but they always look like they are acting. These same two kids again play brother and sister later with Eddie Murphy in Disney's "The Haunted Mansion."

The script is cliche-ridden and predictable, and the direction is pedestrian at best; however, the film is also enjoyable in spite of these flaws. We get a typical guy all hot for a woman whom he discovers later has kids that are resentful of anyone trying to take their father's place. This "road" story has Ice Cube, hoping to get in the good graces of the very hot Nia Long, take the kids to see her in Vancouver, Canada where she is working because her lame ex-husband has bailed out on having the kids (again . . . ). The trio start off hating each other, but end up feeling like a family before all is said and done.

Some good moments: the slow, painful distruction of Cube's Lincoln Navigator, the wacko deer, and the good-intentioned, but easily fooled truck driver. Again, this is harmless family fun entertainment even with it's "been there, done that" feel.

mind-numbingly awful.......2007-04-01

In some sort of alternate universe where Ice Cube does ridiculously lame hack family feel good movies comes "Are We There Yet", possibly the worst movie to come out of 2005. The acting, plot, and overall concept is just so god-awful, a better title would've been "Please, Please God, is it Done Yet?"

*ICE CUBE* does it again.......2007-03-27

I really enjoyed the movie. I think that it is a movie that the whole family can enjoy. If you haven't seen it yet, you should. Definitly watch it with the kids.

Average customer rating:

I actually thought this movie was really good
So what's wrong with a little shallow nonsense?
SHALLOW NONSENSE
Yawn
what a garbage

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
Starring: Lindsay Lohan , Adam Garcia , Glenne Headly , Alison Pill , and Eli Marienthal
Director: Sara Sugarman
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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School Days | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Life-Size
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ASIN: B00005JN0Z
Release Date: 2004-07-20

Amazon.com

Tucked into the middle of Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen is a charming sequence in which two girls from New Jersey (Linsay Lohan and Alison Pill) try to go to a rock concert in New York and have their illusions broken, then restored, and then broken, just a bit, again. Lola (Lohan) yearns for glory by playing the lead in the high school play and getting to meet the lead singer of a band called Sidarthur. Despite the spiteful efforts of a popular girl, Lola gets everything she wants without much of a struggle. Most of the movie takes place in a glitzy but flavorless high-school world with glossy teenagers dressed like a less discriminating Christina Aguilera. Pill (Pieces of April) shines in the thankless role of the geeky best friend. Also featuring Glenne Headley (Dick Tracy) and Carol Kane (Office Killer). --Bret Fetzer

Description

From the studio that brought you the smash hits FREAKY FRIDAY and THE PRINCESS DIARIES, CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN stars Lindsay Lohan (FREAKY FRIDAY) in a hip and hilarious coming-of-age comedy for the whole family! When the always dramatic Lola (Lohan) and her family move from the center of everything in New York City to the center of a cultural wasteland in suburban New Jersey, she feels her life is simply not worth living! But no matter who or what gets in the way, Lola won't give up on her life's ambition: to be a star! In a crowd-pleasing movie treat bursting with music, dance, and excitement, Lola's fun-filled adventure won't be glamorous or easy, but it might just show her that real life could exceed even her wildest dreams!

Customer Reviews:

I actually thought this movie was really good.......2007-06-30

This family comedy is about a 17-year-old girl named Lola Step who dreams of becoming an actress and a singer. She lives in New York City, the center of the universe. Then her mom makes her and her two little sisters move to New Jersey to a small town named Dell Wood. Lola calls it "Deadwood." Though she thinks her dreams are crushed, she does make a new best friend named Ella and they both bond over their mutual love for the band named Stu Aruthur. The popular girl in school is mean to Lola, and they both compete for the lead role in the school play. Lola wins, and she'll be playing Eliza Doolittle. Lola and Ella sneak out to a last Stu Arthur concert where they run into Stu Wolf who is very drunk. As they run in the rain in the streets of New York and follow Stu, they get in trouble with the police. But Lola's dad comes and rescues them. Then, Lola and Ella go the Stu Wolf afterparty and have a great time. They even see the popular girl there. But the next day at school, she pretends she never saw them. This makes Lola very sad and she cries. She even doesn't want to play Eliza Dolittle anymore. But Ella convinces her she should and tells her how much Lola has changed her and made her more confident. So Lola does play Eliza in the play after all, and she's amazing. She acts like the confident and talented actress she is and she also sings. At the after party, Stu Wolf shows up with Lola's necklace that she left behind at the party the other night and gives it back to her. The snotty girl falls into a pool, and Lola is sweet enough to help her up. It proves that she was lying all along, and Lola really did meet Stu Wolf. Then Stu Wolf asks Lola if she wants to dance, and Lola says yes. And they both dance to a very catchy pop song. It's the first time Lola discovers that absloute reality can be so much more fun than fantasy. And that her dreams finally came true. She's an actress, an singer, she meet her idol, and she's disovering herself. Lola is a great role model for girls: she's eccentric, confident, beautiful, talented, and smart and believes in her abilites and follows her dreams no matter how crazy or wild they seem to be. I love Lindsay in this movie, she's awesome. I love Disney movies-they are always happy.

So what's wrong with a little shallow nonsense?.......2007-04-15

If you're looking for the meaning of life, don't look here. But if you like to be entertained by talented young actors playing, and having fun while doing it, their parts ... do look here. Of course this is a silly little film, but it's bright and funny. Like it's "Freaky Friday" counterpart, there is just enough angst, just enough drama, just enough lesson, and a happy ending. Enjoy!

SHALLOW NONSENSE.......2007-03-10

Unless you'e a teenager and I am not, this movie is really little more than a vehicle for then-hot Lindsay Lohan to prove she could sing and capitalize on her girl next door persona effectively launched with FREAKY FRIDAY. But even talented Lohan can't save this one.
All of the characters are vapid, shallow and not entirely likeable. The story puts them in positions of stupidity involving Lohan's obsession with a rock star (nicely played by Adam Garcia). There's not a teen cliche missing, and only Carol Kane as the dotty Drama teacher made me laugh. A really pointless movie.

Yawn.......2007-02-19

After going to the theaters to watch Freaky Friday, and purchasing Mean Girls on DVD, and being pleased with both movies, I decided to give Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen a chance one day when they were giving it on Starz, and boy was I shocked to see that this movie wasn't good at all. The Main character Lola (Lohan), is a Hip NYC teenage girl, whom I couldn't relate to at all, After moving from NYC to the suburbs of New Jersey Lola is the New Girl, and all she does is strive for attention, and trying to compete with the popular girl, Carla (Megan Fox), who's character is just as unbearable as Lola's. Then there is Lola's new best friend, Ella (Alison Pill)who is shy and insecure about herself, and Lola's love interest, who I can't really remember, or barely see much of, but what I did find surprising is that he wasn't popular or a jock, he actually hung out with Lola and Ella. Most scenes in this movie are a total bore-fest, especially the one where Lola is telling Ella about how her father supposedly met her mother and how he "tragically died". We actually got to see a reenactment of the story, which they showed like some sort of really colorful, boppy, retarded looking cartoon, which made me cringe. The choreography was pretty lame, and Lola's wardrobe was pretty outrageous, which didn't bother me ,but they were the sort of things I would've never worn to school. This movie left me un-impressed.

what a garbage.......2007-01-28

I not fan of Linsay Lohan but also have nothing against her acting... didn't had... I bought this movie just to enjoy some nice movie, but i was SO wrong.. this movie is absolutely stupid... and very disappointing.

I just watched Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, well there's 1 hour and 20 minutes of my life that I'll never get back! Truly Appalling. It didn't make sense. It didn't flow. It was totally unbelievable. It had terrible characters. It had a terrible script, and possibly worst of all they tried to make it into a musical type thing...very unwise!

Avoid at all costs if u favour your sanity, it's boring, predictable and badly written.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Telluride Bluegrass Festival:Thirty

Phantom of Chinatown : DVD

Winnie the Pooh: Springtime With Roo (REGION 1) (NTSC)

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Sad Inheritance