The Treat

Starring:Richmond Arquette, Daniel Baldwin, Mark Boone Junior, Yancy Butler, Seymour Cassel, Georgina Cates, Julie Delpy, Patrick Dempsey, Larry Drake, Pamela Gidley, George Lee Jones, Stuart Lancaster, Fenton Lawless, Alfred Molina, Mariana Morgan, Kitten Natividad, Vincent Perez, Thomas Pescod, Michael York
Studio: Platinum Disc
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Combat, the Way it Should Be.
A Roman Epic
Great movie!!!
Gladiator one of the best
INCREDIBLE MOVIE

Gladiator (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Russell Crowe , Joaquin Phoenix , Connie Nielsen , Oliver Reed , and Richard Harris
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009ZYBY
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Amazon.com essential video

A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews:

Combat, the Way it Should Be. .......2007-06-24

Although it really isn't history the way it should be as the real Commodus was a whole lot more bizarre than this one, and Maximus is as fictitious a character as one would think based on his name. It's a good thing though to familiarize modern audiences with the likes of Marcus Aurelius, however, and the movie deserves the accolades that it got. Russell Crowe is magnificent here as was Joaquin Phoenix. The latter's career is rising at present in the same manner as the mythic creature with the production of outstanding work in both The Village and Walk the Line. They're both excellent actors and are perfectly cast in this epic. Gladiator has about all you need from a film with constant action, beautiful sets, and an intriguing plot. It's a quick couple of hours and you'll find yourself surprised at how soon it is over. I fond it delightful.

A Roman Epic.......2007-06-20

This is a superb film from the opening battle scenes right through to the end. As it was directed by Ridley Scott this shouldn't surprise you, since he is one of the most consistent directors around.

Russell Crowe takes the leading role of Maximus, a Roman General who is betrayed by the son of the Emperor and he gives a commanding performance. The authority he gives off as a Roman General is spell-binding (not to mention his impressive physical condition) and if anything I would have given best Oscar for this role rather than A Beautiful Mind. In fact its a stellar cast all round with Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi and David Hemmings all playing good supporting roles. Joaquin Phoenix plays Commodus, the treacherous son of Marcus Aurelius and Connie Neilson his sister.

The cinematography and cutting is excellent, and although this was made 7 or 8 years ago now, the CGI efects still look good to this day. There are some brilliant scenes inside the Colloseum, noteably where the Tigers are released during a Gladiator fight, and during the scene involving the chariots.

Although the film is nearly 2 and 1/2 hours long, you'll never be looking at your watch during this. This is what cinema and film (and I include DVDs in this as well) were meant for. There is no basis of fact behind the story, but in the end who cares this is just great entertainment.

Great movie!!!.......2007-06-17

Lots of action and great special effect! 5 stars!!!

Gladiator one of the best.......2007-06-14

Glad I bought this one, saved me from renting it at least twice a year from here on out...

INCREDIBLE MOVIE.......2007-05-17

If you don't own this yet, please ADD TO CART now. This is an amazing movie, and when I put it in the DVD, I am always sad to see it end the way it does. But IT is a MUST have.

I wish I could give it 10 STARS.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic musical!
A Classic
Having acted Hair.. the movie seems too shallow
Musicals are back!!!
Bad Hair Day

Hair
Starring: John Savage , Treat Williams , Beverly D'Angelo , Annie Golden , and Dorsey Wright
Director: Milos Forman
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Accessories:

Gillette Fusion Power Replacement Cartridges, 8-Count Package

ASIN: 0792841638
Release Date: 1999-04-27

Amazon.com essential video

The Age of Aquarius is brought to life by the filmmaker who made Amadeus a household word. Milos Forman directed this version of James Rado, Gerome Ragni, and Galt MacDermot's landmark musical in 1979 between his Oscar-winning films One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Amadeus. With mixed reviews (Gene Siskel named it that year's best film) and lukewarm box-office grosses, the film all but disappeared from the collective consciousness. Yet the film beautifully delivers on its promise to bring the '60s back to life. Hair re-creates a colorful world of counterculture finding an anvil to pound on: the Vietnam War. Forman and his design team allow the film to wash over you, starting at the free-flowing opening in which masses of hippies, police, and even their horses eagerly groove to the familiar beat of "Aquarius." In the best work of his career, Treat Williams makes his leading- man debut as Berger, the leader of the Central Park troop who takes draftee Claude (John Savage) under his wing on his trip through New York City and the apex of what the '60s was. The new recording of the music is quite fine, with Chicago band member Don Dacus's rendition of the title song a highlight. As Berger's pièce de résistance number says, "I've Got Life"; so does the film, right down to its poignant declaration to "let the sunshine in." --Doug Thomas

Description

Brimming with the energy, passion and music that rocked a nation, Hair is an entertaining and powerful tribute to the turbulent spirit of the '60s. Brilliantly recreated by OscarÂ(r)-winning* director Milos Forman and screenwriter Michael Weller (Ragtime), this vibrant screen version of the Broadway phenomenon ranks "among the best film musicals" (The Hollywood Reporter)! Fresh from the farm, Claude Bukowski (John Savage, The Thin Red Line) arrives in New York City for a date with the Army Induction Board, only to walk into a hippie "happening" inCentral Park and fall in love with the beautiful Shelia (Beverly D'Angelo, American History X). Befriended by the hippies' pacifist leader, Berger (Treat Williams, Mulholland Falls), and urged to crash a formal party in order to declare his love for Shelia, Claude begins an adventure that lands him in jail, Central Park Lake and, finally, in the army. But Berger's final effort to save Claude from Vietnam sets in motion a bizarre twist of fate with shocking consequences. *1975: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; 1984: Amadeus

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic musical!.......2007-06-24

This movie was upbeat and fast paced. An extremely interesting storyline taking place during an extremely interesting time period in America. The tunes were catchy and I recommend buying the original broadway soundtrack- you'll memorize every song before you know it :-P
I actually had to watch this movie for my Asian Religions class...it's amazing what intellectual insights you can gain from this movie!

A Classic.......2007-05-16

Even if you don't usually like musicals, like me, you should still like this one, it is one of my all time favorites. It has some classic songs in it, including "Easy to be Hard", one of the very few that we are forced to listen to at work that I actually like, here are the lyrics to it:

"How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard, easy to be cold

How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud, easy to say no

{Refrain}
Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about bleeding crowd
How about a needing friend, I need a friend

How can people be so heartless
You know I'm hung up on you
Easy to be proud, easy to say no

{Refrain}

How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be proud, easy to say no
Easy to be cold, easy to say no
Come, on, easy to give in, easy to say no
Easy to be cold, easy to say no
Much too easy to say no

Lyrics by James Rado

It has a young Treat Williams and John Savage, the latter playing a country boy who goes to the big city before he is supposed to go in the military. He meets a bunch of cool hippies led by Treat's character. There are some other classic songs in it like "Aquarius" and "Good Morning Starshine". Glad to see it on DVD. A bit of trivia via IMBD, it was the highest grossing film in Hungary in 1980. You can watch the trailer there, too, at IMBD. This is a very entertaining film, check it out.

Having acted Hair.. the movie seems too shallow.......2007-05-14

As a child of the 60's (1963) I never had the chance to see the plays that must have touched sensitive if not censored issues revolving around those days.. I had the chance of playing it in english here in Caracas in 1983 while in my early 20's.., by going ove the script and the music I got an appreciation for the depth of the play and its musical mastery!! well even in 1983 the director's decided to censor certain "nationalistic" questionings.. so I still hope that sometime I will get a full non-censured performance, is that too much to ask of life?

After this introduction I was excited on seeing the movie.. and what a disappointment, both musically as well as in performance.. and censored!!!! In the play we made people cry at Bergers death..in here, well see for yourself

Musicals are back!!!.......2007-05-12

I recently took a trip to Utah, and saw Treat Williams in a local restaurant. Our host mentioned this movie that he was in..therefore I purchased it as a THANK YOU for our stay..she said she laughed her [...] off watching this movie..now I wished I had bought a copy for myself!

Bad Hair Day.......2007-03-01

First off let me exclude Beverly D'Angelo from everything you are about to read. She is in my opinion one of if not the most talented actress/singers there ever was.....period! She is as always flawless. So here we go. As far as watching this movie ever again.....not if they held a gun to my head. Bad acting, bad directing, bad cinemetography, bad script, bad dance (can we call them dance) numbers, hense bad coreography, bad sound, bad politcal statement, in short a "Bad Hair Day"! A waste of film. Deserves to be in the dollar bin. Buy it and throw the DVD away and just keep the plastic box. It is the only thing in the package that has any value. A stinker!

Gladiator - Extended Cut (Three-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Combat, the Way it Should Be.
A Roman Epic
Great movie!!!
Gladiator one of the best
INCREDIBLE MOVIE

Gladiator - Extended Cut (Three-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Russell Crowe , Joaquin Phoenix , Connie Nielsen , Oliver Reed , and Richard Harris
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009QTS1M
Release Date: 2005-08-23

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Combat, the Way it Should Be. .......2007-06-24

A Roman Epic.......2007-06-20

Great movie!!!.......2007-06-17

Lots of action and great special effect! 5 stars!!!

Gladiator one of the best.......2007-06-14

Glad I bought this one, saved me from renting it at least twice a year from here on out...

INCREDIBLE MOVIE.......2007-05-17

Average customer rating:

Unbeatable!
For Real Comic Book Fans
review
A better title would have been Shyamalan: Unbearable
Unbreakable

Unbreakable (Two-Disc Vista Series)
Starring: Firdous Bamji , Michaelia Carroll , Bostin Christopher , Spencer Treat Clark , and Johanna Day
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00003CXQA
Release Date: 2001-06-26

Amazon.com essential video

When Unbreakable was released, Bruce Willis confirmed that the film was the first in a proposed trilogy. Viewed in that context, this is a tantalizing and audaciously low-key thriller, with a plot that twists in several intriguing and unexpected directions. Standing alone, however, this somber, deliberately paced film requires patient leaps of faith--not altogether surprising, since this is writer-director M. Night Shyamalan's daring follow-up to The Sixth Sense. While just as assured as that earlier, phenomenal hit, Unbreakable is the work of a filmmaker whose skill exceeds his maturity, its confident style serving a story that borders on juvenile. However, Shyamalan's basic premise--that comic books are the primary conduit of modern mythology--is handled with substantial relevance.

Willis plays a Philadelphia security guard whose marriage is on the verge of failing when he becomes the sole, unscathed survivor of a devastating train wreck. When prompted by a mysterious, brittle-boned connoisseur of comic books (Samuel L. Jackson), he realizes that he's been free of illness and injury his entire life, lending credence to Jackson's theory that superheroes--and villains--exist in reality, and that Willis himself possesses extraordinary powers. Shyamalan presents these revelations with matter-of-fact gravity, and he draws performances (including those of Robin Wright Penn and Spencer Treat Clark, as Willis's wife and son) that are uniformly superb. The film's climactic revelation may strike some as ultimately silly and trivial, but if you're on Shyamalan's wavelength, the entire film will assume a greater degree of success and achievement. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson star in a mind-shattering, suspense-filled thriller that stays with you long after the end of this riveting supernatural film. After David Dunn (Willis) emerges from a horrific train crash as the sole survivor -- and without a single scratch on him -- he meets a mysterious sranger (Jackson). An unsettling stranger who believes comic book heroes walk the earth. A haunting stranger, whose obsession with David will change David's life forever.

Customer Reviews:

Unbeatable!.......2007-06-12

Although Shyamalan's "Sixth Sense" perhaps had more chills and more of a classic twist-ending - I personally think "Unbreakable" is his best film. I'm not sure if you would call it's ending a "twist," but it made me gasp when it suddenly brought a whole landscape of emotion into focus with an amazing depth of field.

Furthermore, this movie has one of the most interesting characters I've ever seen on screen. Samuel L. Jackson plays a precise and learned art dealer with a special affinity for original classic comic book drawings. His genetic affliction limits the physical activity he can engage in, but his imagination has always been free to entertain strange possibilities. This truly is an original portrayal that could never typecast Jackson. His role is not as romantic lead, not as supporting character actor, not as doctor, lawyer, merchant... It's what he is that in the end creates the shock of brilliant resolution.

This is a movie whose intricacies will haunt you long after the fact. And even if you never had any interest in comic books, you will probably walk away from `Unbreakable" with a new respect for what Joseph Campbell might call their "power of myth."

One word about the availability of this film - I see a lot of the single-disc versions of it are available only in "Region 2" DVD format. You would need a "Multi-Region" or "Universal" DVD player to play these versions. As I understand it, all DVD players are manufactured with the capability of playing all DVDs. However, the players are then set by distributors to play in only one region, most often the US/Canada Region 1 - in order to block overseas bootlegging versions and other illicit overseas offerings.
There are on-line sites presumably listing decoding sequences that will allow you to "unlock" your specific DVD player so it will play all regions. However most people I've talked with have found these decoding sequences don't work. This can be frustrating because it seems an increasing number of English or foreign movies and comedy series are being offered only in non-Region 1 formats lately.
So if you want to buy one of the single-disc Region 2 versions of "Unbreakable" listed on this website, you might need to consider buying a "Multi-Region" DVD player on-line, or else you might want to go to an ethnic neighborhood (such as an East Indian community) in a large city to find a Multi-Region player.

For Real Comic Book Fans.......2007-06-05

Unbreakable is about the mythology behind comic book superheroes and the purposes that each of us have in life. The film opens with the birth of a baby boy with all four of his limbs broken. He is Elijah Price, who is played by Samuel L. Jackson, and he has type I OI or brittle bone disease. As his life goes on, he gets the nickname of "Mr. Glass" as up the point of present time in Unbreakable, Elijah had broken bones in his body 57 times. Elijah is motivated early on to socialize in some capacity by his mother and his primary interest becomes comic books. As he gets older he soon begins to question what the reason is for his own existence and comes to the conclusion that if people like him exist with his weakness, then surely there must be someone on the other end of the spectrum with massive strengths. Elijah believes there is nothing scarier than to live life without knowing your purpose and he makes the assertion that there are in fact real-life superheroes.

Bruce Willis plays David Dunn, a security officer, who, unlike Elijah, is trying to find his own purpose in life. He gave up his football career for his wife but now his marriage is falling apart. David survives a train wreck that kills 131 people, and he is the only survivor. He was completely unharmed. Elijah believes David to be a real superhero and gradually confronts David with his theory. David's son Joseph believes Elijah and assists David in finding out more about his potential powers. Just to add, I'm of the opinion that it is an absolute pleasure to watch Willis and Jackson act in pretty much anything.

As with any M. Night Shyamalan film, giving too much away is hugely detrimental to the experience and please know that this film is entirely worth going into with no more information then I have already provided. What Shyamalan has done here in retrospect, while considering the recent onslaught of big-budget comic book movies, is create a completely unconventional yet convincing adaptation of comic book heroes' origins. At the same time Unbreakable celebrates the mythology behind these fictional characters. It takes a profound imagination to come up with a screenplay that gives this concept the treatment that Shyamalan has. It is the kind of concept that might have taken almost a lifetime of brainstorming.

A friend of mine once said that the Sixth Sense was a gigantic and nearly perfect movie for absolutely everyone, while as a comic book fan Unbreakable was tailored made perfectly for him. Though I'm half the comic book fan he is, I concur with that assessment enough to confidently invoke it hear. If you truly love comic books, Unbreakable is your film. If you are not a lover of comic books, then try to walk into this film expecting little action and you shouldn't be disappointed.

It can be argued that Shyamalan has lost his way in recent years, although he does retain his technical prowess even now. Nevertheless, Unbreakable is still a joy to watch and is a shining example of Shyamalan during his most inspired and generative phase.

review.......2007-06-01

I'll admit: I've only seen a couple of Shyamalan's other movies, but I didn't like them. I'll admit: I like comic books.

I'll try to keep objective to this movie [as opposed to ranting about Shyamalan's other movies].

The first time I saw Unbreakable, the overall movie generally seemed slow and anticlimactic. However, after a few years I had the urge to see it again, and the second time through was much more enjoyable. The movie starts right off into the main plotpoint: the protagonist is on a train, it crashes, and somehow he walks out of a hospital bed unharmed. The use of color-themes throughout the movie are very alike to comic books. And as the story progresses, this becomes very obvious. As the movie starts, most of the colors are undersaturated and almost dull. But when the story picks up, different colors just jump out. This is a great style of bringing the viewer's attention to something (something comic books uses often).

The overall tone of the characters is set to show: these aren't supposed to be in your face action-packed characters from movies like X-Men or Batman or the like. These characters are supposed to feel like everyday characters. They're not supposed to shine above anyone else. They're supposed to be experiencing everyday life stuff: marital problems, a father trying to bond with his son. The only difference is that something extraordinary has been suddenly discovered by someone who is ordinary: the main character is an everyday man who finds out he can't be harmed. I'll be honest: the movie isn't highly-dramatic. But it's probably a realistic way of showing how an everyday guy is trying to come to terms with something not-so-everyday.

I found the individual characters very well-developed in the respect that they are meant to represent everyday people with an unusual situation thrust upon them. It's not as if real-life-dad and real-life-mom are going to react to this situation by saying, "Hey, maybe you should make a costume out of bright spandex or colorful leather and fight crime with a lot of publicity!" The hero is a husband and father trying to deal with a troubled marriage and a son affected by that troubled marriage. His wife is a wife and mother, trying to keep moving through her life despite the hard marriage. The son is a kid; what do kids do? Over-react. He tries all he can to make sure his parents are happy while at the same time trying to prove his dad is a superhero. It might come off as annoying, but I'm sure anyone can agree kids who over-react are annoying.

If you have the attention span of a five-year-old, where everything has to be fast-paced, in-your-face, bad-guys-flying-in-from-everywhere action, you probably won't enjoy this movie. It's not glitz or explosions or fancy-costumes.

But rating on an objective level: the cinematography is interesting. It tries to keep from being generic Here's the guy talking, Switch to other guy talking, Switch back to other guy talking. The way the contrast and colors are depicted is thoughtful and not overly generic like so many movies. Someones you have to admit it's a nice to not be stuck with generic camera angles and generic color/contrast presentation. The acting is highly skilled. The only actor I would have a problem with would be the kid, but that can slide considering he's still young and not as experienced as his older counterparts. The plot, while it is definitely quiet and has a not-lightning-speed pace, is still something the viewer can get into (again, assuming they don't have the attention span of a five year old). A little bit of high-paced action might have been okay to bring it a wider audience, but to do so would downplay the "normality" of the characters' lives.

A better title would have been Shyamalan: Unbearable.......2007-05-17

Ah yes, here we have another example of the "genius" of M. Night Shyamalan, the writer/director with the uncanny ability to take a silly, fantastical story and transform it into a film that is - well, silly and fantastical. And patronizing, as well. The Sixth Sense was a great movie, but viewings of Lady in the Water and Unbreakable have me convinced that Shyamalan is the most overrated filmmaker to come along in years. Unbreakable is just a bad movie, pure and simple, but what makes it ever so much agonizingly more unbearable is Shyamalan's "holier than thou" approach to filmmaking. He can't put together a single scene without going all artsy-fartsy on us, as if his films are just too important for anything resembling normal cinematic techniques. He gives us panoramic views of characters for no apparent reason, overdramatizes even the most mundane of scenes by showing the film in ¾ time (actually, knowing Shyamalan, it's probably something like 0.7893834343 time), and oftentimes foregoes the use of background music in his far too numerous "let's just pause right here for about five minutes" character shots. Thus it is that Unbreakable, a film largely inspired by comic books, is presented as if it's a cinematic masterpiece of life-changing proportions. Well, it isn't.

Here's the down and dirty description of Unbreakable. Bruce Willis plays David Dunn, a seemingly ordinary guy who just so happens to walk away unscathed from a train wreck that killed everyone else on board. Soon thereafter, he is covertly contacted by Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), an avowed comic book collector and dealer in comic "art" who tries to tell him he's some kind of modern-day superhero. Apparently, Elijah, who was born with a defect that made his bones incredibly brittle and easy to break, has spent all of his adult life seeking a real-life comic book superhero. David blows the guy off but soon begins thinking back on his life. The first thing he does is to try and figure out if he has ever been sick or injured. Now you would think any sane person could answer that question himself - if you've ever been really sick, you're going to remember it, and if you've never been sick or injured over the course of multiple decades, you're going to have picked up on that fact at some point long ago. Eventually, Elijah gets under David's skin, which leads us up to the film's final scenes. These crucial moments in the film ought to generate cinematic fireworks, but they don't. I looked for some excitement, and there was just none to be found.

As I've indicated, I thought the storyline was pretty silly (but not as silly as that of Lady in the Water), but an equally serious problem is the lack of any chemistry whatsoever between any of the main characters, especially David and his wife and son. Apparently, I was supposed to care about the fate of their troubled marriage - but I didn't. I didn't even care if David lived or died, to tell you the truth. And his son was just annoying. Now, you do get the vintage Shyamalan twist at the very end, but the effort required to sit through this movie all the way to the end greatly exceeds the payoff of that "surprise." I haven't seen all of Shyamalan's films yet, so maybe there is still some hope for him, but the evidence is definitely mounting that The Sixth Sense was a one-hit wonder for this filmmaker.

Unbreakable.......2007-05-17

Great Movie! I wish they would finish the whole trilogy. Bruce Willis is perfect for this role.

Prince of the City (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

BEST COP MOVIE EVER
own it
Riveting Sidney Lumet Police Drama
Gripping Tale of Police Corruption
One of the greatest crime films of all time.

Prince of the City (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Treat Williams , Jerry Orbach , Richard Foronjy , Don Billett , and Kenny Marino
Director: Sidney Lumet
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000N3SROA
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Amazon.com essential video

Based on a true story, Prince of the City stars Treat Williams as Danny Ciello, a conflicted New York cop who reluctantly decides to go undercover for the feds to ferret out police corruption. At first, he recklessly gets off on the danger, but as the feds tighten the screws, the guilt-wracked Ciello is forced to compromise his partners and friends, and his own checkered past inexorably catches up with him.

Sidney Lumet, who also directed Networkand Dog Day Afternoon, is esteemed as an actor's director. This film is prime evidence. The peerless ensemble, including Jerry Orbach, Bob Balaban, and a duty roster of great New York character actors, is flawless. If there was any justice in Hollywood, Prince of the City would have been Treat Williams's star-making breakthrough, his Serpico (which Lumet also directed). But this film couldn't get arrested at the box office and was criminally snubbed by the Academy. Due to its length and gritty, profane dialogue, it is severely compromised when broadcast on network TV. For fans of NYPD Blue, Law & Order and Homicide, here is a movie ripe for discovery on home video. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews:

BEST COP MOVIE EVER.......2007-07-03

The mother of all cop movies! God bless Sidney Lumet and Treat Williams! Literally, this is the best movie about cops I have ever seen. Nothing comes even remotely close. It's not an action movie, you won't see any car chases, but you will get an insight into the human condition which is rarely explored in movies nowadays. I've talked to ex-cops and they all cite this movie as being the most accurate in showing NYPD culture as it was and is today. Treat Williams along with the rest of the ensemble cast give truly amazing performances that has to be seen to be believed. Treat Williams, especially, was seriously robbed of an Oscar -- a nomination would not have been enough, he should've got the award dammit. I call this a 'crack' movie because as soon as it starts, it won't let you go. Watch and be amazed.

own it.......2007-06-28

'Prince of the City' is about as good a cop movie as you can ever expect to see. As I recall, Lumet took it on as penance for his so-called trashing of the force as generally corrupt in 'Serpico' (dubious cause, dubious outcome), but whatever his motives, he made a hell of a picture that almost no one has seen. I won't repeat all the other reviewers' kudos for Williams in the lead-- he is spot-on-- the casting, the pacing or the photography. Suffice to say that it is the product of a director at the apex of his talent (hard to believe this is the same guy who brought us 'Critical Care' and 'The Wiz'). It ain't 'Casablanca,' but own it, cherish it.

Riveting Sidney Lumet Police Drama.......2007-06-26

If you are a follower of director, Sidney Lumet's films over the last few decades, you know how absorbed he seems to be with matters of police and government corruption. Mostly based in his hometown, New York, these movies reflect a profound familiarity with his subject matter that lends an amazing feeling of authenticity to each one. The other common characteristic of a Lumet film is his fabulous ability to elicit powerful performances from his casts. Trear Williams, for no known reason, never seems to achieve the level of stardom that an attractive and monumentally talented artist such as he is rightly deserves. He may never have been better than he is in this meaty starring role. The supporting players all seem to be in equally fine form. The film is long and, although it has some lively moments, should not be confused with the typical thrill-a-minute police action show. For the serious viewer who likes to see an intelligent, intensely dramatic study of issues that affect us all, there a few films as deeply satisfying as "Prince of the City".

Gripping Tale of Police Corruption.......2007-05-29

About ten years ago, I picked up a paperback of Robert Daley's "Prince of the City". I found Daley's account of corruption in the ranks of the New York City Police Department and the Knapp Commision hearings mesmerizing. This led me to Peter Maas' "Serpico". Naturally I hunted down the two films that director Sidney Lumet based on these books. As much as I liked "Serpico" I found "Prince of the City" a much more compelling story. I think this has more to do with the fact that Danny Ciello(Bob Leuci in the book) is a much more enigmatic figure than Frank Serpico. Serpico was a maverick but there was no questioning his integrity. Ciello's motives for blowing the whistle are a little more problematic. As a high profile narcotics detective, Ciello took bribes from organized crime figures and provided his stoolies with drugs among his many sundry offences. Now you can say that a lot of what Ciello did were necessary evils in conducting his day to day affairs but he also feathered his own personal nest. When he decides to go clean with the Commision he wants to do it on his own terms, meaning he'll bring down people he has a personal distaste for but not his friends on the force or his partners. Ciello's handlers have a different agenda, however, that doesn't naturally cohere with his. "Prince of the City" is a long film but it never sags. Aside from Lumet's crisp direction he also has crafted an engrossingly complex script with Jay Presson Allen. Treat Williams as Ciello gives a wrenching account of a man in turmoil. This is the kind of performance that gets overlooked probably because Ciello is a morally ambiguous figure. This is one of the great American films of the Eighties and one for all time.

One of the greatest crime films of all time........2007-05-25

This is easily the best film that master director Sidney Lumet has ever made; his masterpiece. I first saw this on cable TV when it came out. Of course Hollywood ignored it, as they do all Lumet films, because he is a New Yorker, and not in their club.
This film has it all: true-story reality, intense drama, pain, humor, perfect pacing, etc. The cast is brillant with the late Jerry Orbach reaching his greatest performance. Also, Treat Williams' best perfomance ever.
I just could not understand why it took so long to release this awesome production on DVD.
This is a true "must" for any film buffs collection.

Once Upon a Time in America (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Haunting and Brilliant.
LONG AND DRAWN OUT
I still say its the best
Great movie...
not a gangster film, but a love story

Once Upon a Time in America (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Robert De Niro , James Woods , Elizabeth McGovern , Treat Williams , and Tuesday Weld
Director: Sergio Leone
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000DI87S
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Amazon.com essential video

This movie has a checkered history, having been chopped from its original 227-minute director's cut to 139 minutes for its U.S. release. This longer edition benefits from having the complete story (the short version has huge gaps) about turn-of-the-century Jewish immigrants in America finding their way into lives of crime, as told in flashback by an aging Jewish gangster named Noodles (Robert De Niro). On the other hand, it's almost four hours long, and this sometimes-indulgent Sergio Leone film is no Godfather. Still, it is notable for the contrast between Leone's elegiac take on the gangster film and his occasional explosive action, as well as for the mix of the stoic, inexpressive De Niro and the hyperactive James Woods as his lifelong friend and rival. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

Haunting and Brilliant. .......2007-06-19

This is an unbelievably beautiful story which is multi-layered and textured to a great extent. Yes, it certainly is a gangster movie and it also is a love story; although, one about as politically incorrect as they come. Both aspects of the film are conceptually executed well. I can't say the same thing about many of its technical aspects, however. At 3:45, this movie is far too long and moves too slow. It could easily have been just as good if an hour had been cut out of it. Furthermore, Sergio Leone is no Martin Scorsese. There's an element of amateurism inherent to the production as the reunion of Elizabeth McGovern and DeNiro is rendered ridiculous as he was an old man despite her not aging a day after 35 years.

Once Upon a Time in America is a very unique film as unlike a Goodfellas or Casino it is rich in sentimentality and the effect is mesmerizing but also very depressing. Ennio Morricone's musical score adds to the film's melancholic feel. It's not the type of thing you can see more than a couple of times but there's no denying that it's excellent.

LONG AND DRAWN OUT.......2007-06-13

WITH AN ALLSTAR CAST YOU WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE SUPER. BUT IT'S NOTHING MORE THAN A SLEEPER. THIS MOVIE WAS TERRIBLE! I FELT TORTURED SITTING THROUGH THIS BOMB! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THIS ONE.

I still say its the best .......2007-05-21

I'll see your "Godfather" your "Godfellas" your "Departed" and your "Scarface" and still beat you every time with "Once Upon a Time in America".

Now outright violence in these types of movies has its place and so does subtly of plot but I think it is only "Once Upon a Time in America" that manages to walk the line between both aspects. It also has something that many other movies, not just mobster movies forget, great charecter development. It has a great cast and a great story to go with it although it can throw people off with the quick pace with which it changes points of view.

If you can't get everything on the first try don't worry watch it a 2nd or 3rd time if you have to that is why god made good movies.

When you finally get it you will be amazed how attached and interested you get in the affairs of David 'Noodles' Aaronson and his friends.

Give it a shot if you like a good movie

Great movie..........2007-05-20

One of the best mob movies ever.. I wish they released this dvd with more features and deleted scenes which would have given us more about the story...Great film.

not a gangster film, but a love story .......2007-05-13

Robert De Niro and James Woods star in this Sergio Leone flick as two Jewish gangsters, "Noodles" and Max, who share a forbidden love for each other that the hyper-macho world they inhabit both creates and scorns. Unable to admit their love, they pursue a series of troubling, violent love affairs (especially Noodles - whose idea of intimacy is rape) with a number of women, whom unfailingly either conform to the stereotypes of the virgin or, more commonly, the whore (the women in this film, oddly enough, are either able to enjoy or forget the times that Noodles rapes them.) By the end of this nearly four hour exploration of unrequited love, Noodles has come to love Max so much that he's unable to take rightful revenge for all the heartbreak and hardship he's caused him. Kudos to Leone, well-known for his tough guy anti-hero films, for having the courage to explore such a taboo subject.

Gladiator (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Combat, the Way it Should Be.
A Roman Epic
Great movie!!!
Gladiator one of the best
INCREDIBLE MOVIE

Gladiator (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Tomas Arana , Russell Crowe , Djimon Hounsou , Derek Jacobi , and Ralph Moeller
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00003CXE7
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Combat, the Way it Should Be. .......2007-06-24

A Roman Epic.......2007-06-20

Great movie!!!.......2007-06-17

Lots of action and great special effect! 5 stars!!!

Gladiator one of the best.......2007-06-14

Glad I bought this one, saved me from renting it at least twice a year from here on out...

INCREDIBLE MOVIE.......2007-05-17

Average customer rating:

I have never enjoyed a show more!
Everwood - The Complete First Season
A Great Collection
Great, Great, Great :)
Wish I could could find the whole series!!!

Everwood - The Complete First Season
Starring: Treat Williams , Gregory Smith , Tom Amandes , Emily VanCamp , and Jane Krakowski
Director: Kathy Bates , Michael Schultz , Steve Gomer , and Stephen Gyllenhaal
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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Everwood: Original Television Soundtrack
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ASIN: B0002DB0FO
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com

Prepare to get hooked on Everwood, a family drama-comedy from the WB television network that looks and feels like a hybrid of Northern Exposure and Picket Fences--both shows, incidentally, being major influences on Everwood's talented creator, Greg Berlanti (Dawson's Creek). A fish-out-of-water tale with unusually high stakes in the relationship arena, Everwood gets much of its charge from near-perfect performances by Treat Williams (The Deep End of the Ocean) and Gregory Smith (The Patriot) as a contentious father and son trying to keep their family going after a catastrophic loss. Williams plays Andy Brown, a world-class neurosurgeon whose Manhattan practice caters to the rich and famous; it also keeps him far removed from daily life and big events within his family. After Andy's wife (Brenda Strong) dies in a car accident, he finds himself raising a gifted 15-year-old boy, Ephram (Smith), who hates him because of years of neglect, and the much younger Delia (Vivien Cardone from A Beautiful Mind), who is scared and confused without her mom.

Andy, often seen in the first couple of episodes speaking to his late spouse, decides the best way to honor her memory is to move the family to little Everwood, Colorado, a special place in her memory. Not just a move--more of a wholesale re-invention, beginning with Andy's new salt-and-pepper beard and including a no-charge medical clinic he opens in Everwood's former train station. The free practice puts Andy at odds with the unpleasant Dr. Abbott (Tom Amandes of the syndicated The Untouchables), whose daughter, Amy (Emily VanCamp), develops a friendship with lonely Ephram while she also pines for her boyfriend, Colin (Mike Erwin), long lost in a deep coma. Over the course of the first season, many lines of connection will be drawn between these folks. Andy will be asked to attempt a risky operation on Colin, with ramifications affecting his son, Amy, and others. Abbott's sour relationship with Andy will lighten up enough for the former to join Andy's practice, and other surprises are in store.

The series is filled out by other, sweet and eccentric regulars, including Debra Mooney as Andy's nurse (also Abbott's plain-speaking mom), John Beasley as her husband and Delia's bus driver, and Stephanie Niznik as Andy's neighbor, Nina, a surrogate mother. Surprisingly gutsy storytelling, generally understated dialogue, heartfelt performances, and gorgeous Colorado exteriors keep one coming back for more. --Tom Keogh

Description

As a world-class neurosurgeon, Dr. Andrew Brown is a hero. As a father, he's a zero. But that is changing. Tragedy makes him a single parent to his two children. And as the first act of his new life, Andy leaves Manhattan and moves his family to Everwood, the tiny Colorado town where big dreams can grow. The relationship between Andy and his talented but resentful 15-year-old son Ephram forms the heart of these 23 first-season episodes of Everwood, the acclaimed, richly layered series created by Greg Berlanti (Dawson's Creek). Treat Williams plays Andy, learning parenting on the fly as he raises Ephram (Gregory Smith) and 9-year-old Delia (Vivien Cardone). Unafraid to tackle big issues, spiked with sharp humor and filled with engaging characters, Everwood is a place and a series that rewards each visit you make.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:On four episodes (Pilot, Episode 20, the Unveiling, Home) with the show's creators, cast and crew, including Treat Williams and Gregory Smith.
Deleted Scenes:"Everwood Casualties"
Featurette:"In Search of Everwood" - a behind-the-scenes featurette about the making of the show.
Gag Reel

Customer Reviews:

I have never enjoyed a show more!.......2007-05-31

Everwood is the BEST show! I cried when it got canceled! I am dying to have seasons 2 through 4. I bought the 1st season and gave the videos to all of my friends and family to watch and now they are in love with the show. If you have not seen it you are in for such a treat! (And I don't just mean Treat Williams!)

Everwood - The Complete First Season.......2007-05-22

I loved it. I wish all four seasons were available. It covers the problems famillies face today.

A Great Collection.......2007-05-13

This DVD collection of the first season of Everwood is wonderful. This series deals with so many issues and difficulties that youth and adults alike face - it can be a great conversation starter for parents and their kids.

Great, Great, Great :).......2007-05-12

After waiting a couple of months for receiving the dvd's, I was glad to have . Very nice state, complete and without any damages of shipment. the extras which were promised were complete and in good shape. Sometimes there are little technical problems (no or scratched picture) but all in all a very good investigation. A musthave for all "Everwood-Freaks" ;)

Wish I could could find the whole series!!!.......2007-05-12

I love this show wish it was still on air. I can't find the rest of the seasons found the series but it is a bit pricy. This box set was in excellent condition and was as promised thank you so much.

Average customer rating:

Good but boring
very emotional, driven by great performances...
Drawn into the Mystic
Much Ado about nothing
Almost Great

Mystic River (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Sean Penn , Tim Robbins , Kevin Bacon , Laurence Fishburne , and Marcia Gay Harden
Director: Clint Eastwood
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001ZX0OW
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Amazon.com

Superior acting, writing, and direction are on impressive display in the critically acclaimed Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's 24th directorial outing and one of the finest films of 2003. Sharply adapted by L.A. Confidential Oscar-winner Brian Helgeland from the novel by Dennis Lehane, this chilling mystery revolves around three boyhood friends in working-class Boston--played as adults by Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, and Kevin Bacon--drawn together by a crime from the past and a murder (of the Penn character's 19-year-old daughter) in the present. These dual tragedies arouse a vicious cycle of suspicion, guilt, and repressed anxieties, primed to explode with devastating and unpredictable results. Eastwood is perfectly in tune with this brooding material, giving his flawless cast (including Laura Linney, Marcia Gay Harden and Laurence Fishburne) ample opportunity to plumb the depths of a resonant human tragedy, leading to an ambiguous ending that qualifies Mystic River for contemporary classic status. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Drama. Mystic River tells the story of three men whose dark, interwoven history forces them to come to terms with a brutal murder on the mean streets of Boston.

Customer Reviews:

Good but boring.......2007-07-01

Clint Eastwood makes boring movies. I don't know what else to say. It may just be that the cinemotography itself is dark so you fall asleep. It was a good film, with the acting saving it and though I never read the book, I heard it was like the book. Sean Penn deserved the Oscar but why this film got a Best Picture Nom. is beyond me. Eastwood is the golden child of the Academy and it is starting to get me mad

very emotional, driven by great performances..........2007-06-09

Sean Penn, without a doubt, is the heart and soul of this movie... Mystic River is one of the very best of Clint Eastwood's pictures and it features highly charged emotions in a great screenplay that flows beautifully despite the length of the film... It all comes back to childhood this is something (I think) we should all know - and something the characters in this movie discover as they fumble around trying to right the wrongs of the world.. Tim robbins' character (i try to be careful not to give away plot elements) is torn inside from a childhood experience and sees the world as a place where vampires roam and suck the blood of the innocent - something he takes upon himself to venge against.. Sean Penn's character is intent on finding justice himself following the death of his daughter.. and kevin bacon (who is a cop) is obviously trying to make up for the wrongs of the world - all three try and fail - because at heart they are children (like we all are) born to suffer in an unjust world.. Mystic river will make you cry if you truly let it break through your personal barriers.. Though i am not normally a fan of such movies (i generally find them predictable) 'mystic river', despite its rehashed dramatic techniques, works out - highly recommended..

Drawn into the Mystic.......2007-04-06

Mystic River is a triumph for Clint Eastwood. Truly a moving film, Mystic River never lets your eyes wander from the screen as you're completely focused on this very disturbing story. A film capturing the adult lives of once childhood friends, played by Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon, you watch as they come together once again after what appears to be many years of brief and intermittent run-ins with each other.

Sean Penn plays somewhat of a wise, yet immature loose cannon of a man, Kevin Bacon as a MPD (Massachusetts) detective and Tim Robbins as the man whose life was forever altered because of a shocking childhood trauma, these three play off of each other very well. I wanted to reach out to each of them. There are moments where some may see Kevin Bacon's character as a bit flushed out, but it appears that this is more effective than not. We jump from age 10 to probably late 30's, early 40's of these three men and we learn little about them that helps to explain so much.

After Penn's daughter is brutally murdered, Bacon and Laurence Fishburne (a fine choice to partner with Bacon) take on the case to find her killer. The three friends are all shaken up (obviously Penn is destroyed over hiss loss) and the mystery seems to unfold quite rapidly. This is definitely one of the most intriguing mystery films I've seen in a long time.

Fans of those earlier mentioned should really enjoy this film. There are also some excellent and shocking performances by Laura Linney and Marcia Gay Harden. I highly recommend this film. Its disturbing and almost heart-wrenching (perhaps even angering) subject will attract any looking for a solid dramatic mystery with some very memorable characters. This is one to add to your collection.

Much Ado about nothing.......2007-04-01

I personally started liking Tim Robbins from Shawshank Redemption & Sean Penn from Dead Man Walking and I believe these were the movies these guys should have recieved oscar for their outstanding roles.
Keeping than in mind and seeing lot of recommendations I saw Mystic River which the review said was the best as far as Clint Eastwood was concerned
Again he had adapted another movie, Bridges of Madison County, which in my personal opinion was much better adaptation of a novel.
The story line eventhough is good about three friends meeting again by fate and all the script is not that strong. I actually fell asleep in between.
Off the cast my personal belief is Kevin Bacon was really good. Sure Tim
Robbins plays a character of sexually abused child with lot of conviction but even that was potrayed better in Shawshank Redemption where he is abused by a few inmates.
And the end is kind of loose.
Give it a miss

Almost Great.......2007-02-18

You have a cast that includes Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn, Laurence Fishburne, Tim Robbins, Laura Linney, and Marcia Gay Harden. This elite cast is directed by Clint Eastwood. The story is meaty and suspenseful. Can't miss, right?

It can and does miss, in my opinion. What makes it just miss is an acting fundamental that most did not pay attention to, and that is diction and enunciation. These actors use sotto voce too much, fake Boston accents with varying degrees of accuracy and precision, and generally speak as though they have a mouth full of marbles. I had to turn my TV volume to 48 to hear some of the dialogue. That dialogue is usually important in a movie or play, and in this film, it is critical. As any high school drama teacher will tell you...if the audience can't hear you, you are cheating them.

This is generally the only mar on an otherwise fine film. All of the actors turn in very good performances, particularly Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, and Marcia Gay Harden. Robbins plays David Boyle, a man who cannot escape the horror and trauma of his rape by pedophiles at a young age. He carries himself with sadness, and his internal rage and confusion show in his face and body. His wife Celeste is capably played by Marcia Gay Harden. Her fear grows as she comes to believe that her husband may have murdered a 19 year old girl. In a panic, she turns to the murdered girl's father (Jimmy) and tells him that she believes that her husband is the killer. In this scene of ultimate betrayal, Harden is at her best. We see it all...relief to have unburdened herself, but guilt and fear knowing that she has likely signed the death warrant of her own husband. Finally, there is Sean Penn's portrayal of Jimmy. Jimmy is an ex-con, who lost a wife as he was going to prison, and then loses the daughter of that wife. He is a man trying desperately to hold it together and operate within the legal rules of society. In the end, his desire for street thug retribution wins out, and his guilt is palpable. Penn turns in a great performance.

So, the movie basically goes from 5 stars to 3 stars because a director didn't insist on clear speech. But hey, if that doesn't bother you, you'll probably find this to be an outstanding, disturbing, impactful film.

Recommended.

Average customer rating:

Boring, Tedious and Unfunny
second time around
Slapstick and Destruction! Wow!!
Don't judge a movie by the names on the box...
1941-Review

1941 (Collector's Edition)
Starring: Dan Aykroyd , Ned Beatty , John Belushi , Lorraine Gary , and Bobby Di Cicco
Director: Steven Spielberg
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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