Embryo

Starring:Rock Hudson, Barbara Carrera, Diane Ladd, Roddy McDowall, Anne Schedeen, John Elerick, Vincent Baggetta, Jack Colvin, Joyce Brothers, Dick Winslow, Ken Washington, Lina Raymond, Sherri Zak, Joyce Spitz, George Sawaya, Hank Robinson, Chuck Comisky, Bob Reynolds (IV)
Director: Ralph Nelson
Studio: PASSPORT VIDEO
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Rock Hudson stars in this science fiction story of an experiment gone very wrong. He plays a scientist who decides to create a human from basic genetic material. The result is lovely Barbara Carrera (the sexy villainess of 'Never Say Never Again') in the role of the creature grown from an embryo. Although beautiful, she displays not only her physical charms but aberrant and definitely homicidal behavior. As she becomes more erratic, the enamored doctor is faced with perhaps destroying his own creation. Roddy McDowall and Diane Ladd also star in this unusual tale mixing sex with science. Running time: Approx. 106 minutes Includes the original theatrical trailer! Approx. 2 minutes

Amazon.com

Perhaps these films are like the Star Trek movies: The even-numbered episodes are the best ones. Certainly this film (directed by French stylist Jean-Pierre Jeunet) is an improvement over Alien 3, with a script that breathes exciting new life into the franchise. This chapter is set even further in the future, where scientists on a space colony have cloned both the alien and Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), who died in Alien 3; in doing so, however, they've mixed alien DNA with Ripley's human chromosomes, which gives Ripley surprising power (and a bad attitude). A band of smugglers comes aboard only to discover the new race of aliens--and when the multi-mouthed melonheads get loose, no place is safe. But, on the plus side, they have Ripley as a guide to help them get out. Winona Ryder is on hand as the smugglers' most unlikely crew member (with a secret of her own), but this one is Sigourney's all the way. --Marshall Fine

Description

A group of scientists has cloned Lt. Ellen Ripley, along with the alien queen inside her, hoping to breed the ultimate weapon. But the resurrected Ripley is full of surprises for her "creators," as are the aliens they've imprisoned. And soon, a lot more than "all hell" breaks loose. To combat the creatures, Ripley must team up with a band of smugglers, including a mechanic named Call (Ryder), who holds more than a few surprises of her own.

Customer Reviews:

Fairly Awful.......2007-07-03

Just because you have the computer technology doesn't mean you should go cuckoo-for-cocoa-puffs with it.

I must say that this movie is full of tension; it hardly ever lets up (much like the second film). But it's clearly the creepiest, weirdest, goriest, and nastiest of the franchise. It's overkill. There's no solid story, and it's all becoming too familiar in its endless variations of the tired 'escape the monsters' formula. I am surprised at how many people give this movie four or five stars. It's not worthy.

Ripley's manicure manages to stay nice all through the harrowing ordeals. Not a crack or a chip. I nearly laugh when they show closeup shots of her hands. Didn't the director or any of the cast or crew notice this during the rushes?

But how about that disturbing, gruesome, gutwrenching scene before the end? Too much. (Shudder.) I'd rather watch "Sophie's Choice".

Of all the Alien films, I always gravitate back to the first, the original suspense-filled monster movie that created the whole egg/facehugger/birth/acid blood/alien concepts. I do enjoy the second movie for its action and thrills, but I've watched the first one the most. It is fairly brilliant, frightening, and purposely slow in building its tension to a wonderful climax.

Alien Resurrection is the kind of film you'll watch once, most likely...unless you enjoy cheesy, gore-laced action flicks with stereotypical characters and dialogue. It won't beg repeat viewing like number one does.

"Kill me ... kill me ...".......2007-06-15

"Alien: Resurrection," released five years after the failure of David Fincher's "Alien3," sounds delightful. It's written by the utterly brilliant Joss Whedon, creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" among others, and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the man behind "Amelie." Mixing Whedon's trademark creativity with Jeunet's vibrant style seems like the perfect remedy for those who disliked "Alien3." Unfortunately, it's not. Written shortly before he created "Buffy," Whedon's script reads like a comic book, sorely lacking the structure of the series' previous entries. It's in Jeunet's directing where the film really plummets, though. The actors seem to have had little guidance (Jeunet didn't speak a word of English at the time the film was made), the performances are over-the-top to the point of being cartoonish, and Jeunet's style is all about in-your-face grotesque imagery.

Here's the story: 200 years after "Alien3," a group of military scientists have successfully cloned Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and extracted the baby alien queen from within her. Also, they've experimented by combining her human blood with alien blood. The result is a far more out-there, carefree, bizarre Ripley, devoid of the humanity that made the character so appealing in the other films. That's not to say that this new Ripley isn't appealing. On the contrary, she's quite fun, thanks to an enthusiastic and oddball performance by Weaver. The supporting cast includes Winona Ryder, who shines as a determined young space pirate with a secret, Ron Perlman, future "C.S.I." star Gary Dourdan, Dan Hedaya, and Brad Dourif, who is creepy as usual.

Comparing these films, Ridley Scott's "Alien" and Fincher's "Alien3" are the suspense-based, claustrophobic, "nowhere to run" entries in the series, while James Cameron's "Aliens" and this movie are the action-packed, shoot 'em up entries. Jeunet knows how to direct a sci-fi film, and it would appear he knows how to direct an action film as well (his style is actually similar to scribe Joss Whedon's in "Serenity"). Unfortunately, he has no idea how to direct an "Alien" film. It's this disregard for the previous films that makes "Alien: Resurrection" seem like your everyday sci-fi thriller.

As this is the most recent of the solo "Alien" films (excluding Paul W.S. Anderson's foolish "AVP: Alien vs. Predator"), it has some more bombastic visual effects than its predecessors. However, they aren't always better - in fact, these are the weakest effects of the series. Granted, there are some highlights, such as the utterly horrifying, foul alien hybrid (and his stomach-churning demise), or any scene featuring the alien queen. But there's frequent use of CGI, and part of what made the titular beasts so frightening in the earlier movies was the realism that came with using a guy in a suit. That realism is lost through this film's CGI effects, and with it dies much of the terror contained in the previous films.

So who's to blame for this movie's many problems? Many a finger points to Joss Whedon. Whedon has defended himself by saying that though not much from his original screenplay was changed, the finished film follows it very loosely: actors speak the lines wrong, scenes are filmed wrong, everything looks wrong. Even a glance through Whedon's script proves that, in the hands of the right director, it could've been a decent film. Regardless, it's too much like an action comic and not enough like an "Alien" movie.

However, most of the blame should go to the director. In the introduction to his "special edition" cut of the film presented in the "Alien Quadrilogy" boxset, Jean-Pierre Jeunet says that he is extremely proud of the movie in any form. Sadly, there's nothing to be proud of here; truthfully, this film is a disgrace. How odd that the director who brought us "Amelie," one of the best and most refreshing films ever made, should be responsible for such a turgid movie as this. And turgid it is: "Alien: Resurrection" is unquestionably the worst of the "Alien" movies. It's a cartoon version of the "Alien" saga, filled with drifting actors and a shoestring plot. It's gross, frequently confusing, and just plain weird (take, for example, a scene in which Ripley apparently has sex with an alien).

At its end, "Alien: Resurrection" is a perfect example of what happens when foolish studios keep series going after they've run their course. "Alien3" would have been a fitting close for what may be the greatest science fiction series of all time, but instead we're left with this stupid, dull mess of a film. It's ironic that through "Alien: Resurrection," the title a reference to what execs planned to do the saga after its near-death through "Alien3," the powers that be unwittingly killed off the series. Ten years after the film's release, there's been no "Alien 5," and with the overwhelmingly-negative response to Paul W.S. Anderson's "Alien vs. Predator," it seems likely that the "Alien" saga, at least on its own, has reached its end.

Witness the Resurrection of Fear..........2007-06-10

When "Alien 3" was released to theaters with lackluster results, it left both the studio and fans wondering if there was any need for further installments in the franchise or had it simply run its course. After 5 years of wondering whether we had seen the last of those nasty creatures known simply as `aliens', 20th Century Fox released what they hoped would be their redemption for the failure of their previous effort with the appropriately titled "Alien: Resurrection".

"Alien: Resurrection" picks up approximately 200 years after the events of "Alien 3" a group of scientists have found a way to clone Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and successfully remove the Queen that had been inside of her. But this clone Ripley isn't exactly the Ripley we remember, during the cloning process her DNA became spliced with that of the alien's, leaving Ripley with the ability to sense their presence and also giving her enhanced strength and stamina. When a team of smugglers come aboard carrying human cargo to be used to breed new aliens, they quickly discover that the creatures are far more dangerous than they expected, and much smarter too (thanks to Ripley's DNA). In no time at all, the aliens have found a way to get loose aboard the space ship, and not surprisingly, they make quick work of most of the crew, save for a few who managed to survive along with the smugglers and Ripley. Now Ripley must decide whether to save herself or fall back into her old habits and destroy the aliens that have plagued her for years and years.

After "Alien 3" brought the franchise to its knees, this fourth installment allowed the `Alien' saga to once again stand tall and become a film series that 20th Century Fox could once again be proud of. "Alien: Resurrection" brought back the horror and ominous atmosphere that Ridley Scott had used so successfully in "Alien", and packed exhilarating action sequences that reminds you of the glory days of James Cameron's "Aliens", all wrapped up together with a very strong, well-written script that tied up the series nicely and left fans with a satisfying movie experience that allowed them to forget about the less-than-stellar "Alien 3". I was happy that the creative team behind "Alien: Resurrection" decided to incorporate story elements that occurred in "Alien 3" rather than ignoring the film altogether like some franchises do with lackluster installments. Of course that may have been a decision heavily backed by the studio in an attempt to save face for their tampering with the previous movie, but that's just my assumption.

The cast was comprised of great actors who all turned in excellent performances, Michael Wincott, Winona Ryder, and Ron Perlman were by far the biggest standouts as far as the new members to the franchise are concerned. Of course, the biggest star of the movie was Sigourney Weaver, who was having much more fun here than she did in "Alien 3", and her performance was evidence of that, as she appeared to breathe new life into her character Ripley. I believe she truly enjoyed getting to play the much darker side of the character, a side that had not been seen in any of the previous installments, and made the movie even more enjoyable, since you never knew for sure what Ripley was going to do from one moment to the next.

The special effects were the best in the franchise, and the decision to use CGI at times to create the aliens was nice, giving them much more fluidity and freedom to their actions. But even with all the great CGI work, the practical effects employed in this movie, and throughout this entire franchise for that matter, is by far some of the best in all of Hollywood, and should be held as the standard for what all other monster movies should aspire to.

If you were one of the many fans that was disappointed, and perhaps disillusioned with the franchise by "Alien 3", then you should definitely give "Alien: Resurrection" a look, as it will quickly redeem the series in anyone's eyes, and it serves as an excellent ending (at least so far) to a terrific science-fiction/horror franchise that spanned almost 20 years.

"Alien: Resurrection" is rated R for violence and language.

Excellent end to a great scifi series........2007-05-24

This is the final chapter of the Alien saga unless you count AVP which I kinda count as both a prequal to the Alien saga and a sequal to the Predator saga. I remember being very excited when this came out for two reasons. I love the Alien movies and this is the first one I got to see in the theaters. It was very well done all around IMO. The acting was great as usual and the special efects were outstanding for the day. Even in 10 years it amaing how much CG has improved. This was a great movie then and even better now with this release. While not a directors cut it adds more depth to the film and the ending gives a much better finale than the orriginal ending. My only gripe with the special edition is the cheesey opening but all in all it's a great movie and great release.

Part 2 was better, heck should've really ended with 3........2007-05-15

While this movie is nice for just a popcorn flick, this series really should have just ended with 3. While I could enjoy the movie for what it was, which is why I'm giving this a 4 star rating.

Average customer rating:

From Conception to Birth
Director: Jonathan Grupper
Manufacturer: Discovery Channel
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Science & Technology | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

National Geographic - In the Womb
National Geographic: In the Womb - Multiples
NOVA - The Miracle of Life
National Geographic: In the Womb - Animals
Childbirth From Inside Out (Part 2: Delivery and the Post-Natal Period)

ASIN: B000NO23WQ
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Description

FROM THE MIRACLE OF CONCEPTION TO THE WONDER OF BIRTH, THIS IS AN INSIDE VIEW OF OUR MOST FASCINATING JOURNEY. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HUMAN LIFE IS REVEALED WITHIN A WOMAN'S BODY - FROM THE INCREDIBLE FIRST MOMENTS OF CELL DIVISION THROUGH THE BABY'S AWE-INSPIRING GROWTH OVER THE NEXT NINE MONTHS. THIS AMAZING DVD, FILLED WITH TRULY UNIQUE AND MAGICAL IMAGERY, IS NOT TO BE MISSED.

Alien - Resurrection (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Fairly Awful
"Kill me ... kill me ..."
Witness the Resurrection of Fear...
Excellent end to a great scifi series.
Part 2 was better, heck should've really ended with 3.

Alien - Resurrection (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Sigourney Weaver , Winona Ryder , Dominique Pinon , Ron Perlman , and Gary Dourdan
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Alien 3
Aliens (Special Edition)
Alien (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Predator 2 (Two-Disc Special Edition)
AVP - Alien vs. Predator (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B00012FXBI
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Fairly Awful.......2007-07-03

"Kill me ... kill me ...".......2007-06-15

Witness the Resurrection of Fear..........2007-06-10

Excellent end to a great scifi series........2007-05-24

Part 2 was better, heck should've really ended with 3........2007-05-15

While this movie is nice for just a popcorn flick, this series really should have just ended with 3. While I could enjoy the movie for what it was, which is why I'm giving this a 4 star rating.

Average customer rating:

Rental
Retarded
I was surprised it was so good!
Keep on rockin' me baby!
rosemary's baby iii

Baby Blood
Starring: Christian Sinniger , Jean-François Gallotte , Francois Frapier , Thierry LePortier , and Emmanuelle Escourrou
Director: Alain Robak
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Superstition
Don't Go Into the Woods...Alone!
Dust Devil - The Final Cut
Dark Waters
Masters of Horror - Imprint

ASIN: B000H1RFGY
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Description

It is a voracious parasite from the dawn of creation, surviving centuries in search of the one thing it needs: To be born of a human. But when this cunning creature slithers inside a sexy circus performer (voluptuous French starlet Emmanuelle Escourrou), it demands gallons of fresh blood to grow stronger. Now this reluctantly expectant mommy and her chatty mutant fetus are off on a cross- country killing spree where pre-natal care means violent carnage, horny men make tasty meals, and the ultimate mother's milk is BABY BLOOD! Throw away those grainy bootlegs and get ready to feel this one kick: BABY BLOOD - also known as THE EVIL WITHIN - is now presented totally uncut and uncensored with all of its infamous womb-raiding, gore-spewing and flesh-baring beauty fully restored for the first time ever in America!

Customer Reviews:

Rental.......2007-04-22

"Baby Blood" starts out promising, reminding me somewhat of "Freaks" with its circus setting. It seems that some sort of parasitic creature has infected one of the circus animals. It eventually breaks out, invades a woman and then she goes on a killing spree to "feed" her host baby. There is a fair amount of blood spurting and nudity but not much else. The film depicts the communication between the woman and her parasitic invader and this voice over stuff never really works. It is basically a road trip story with the woman moving from place to place and then killing someone. One thing that I found amusing is that there is a lengthy period towards the end of the film where the woman is covered in blood. No one seems to really care or even ask if she is okay, they treat her requsts for a ride as if she looked otherwise normal. You would think that if someone walked up to you covered in blood you would at least take notice. Really not much in this film worth a purchase, no special features of note, rental only.

Retarded.......2007-03-30

***Warning*** Spoilers.

Baby Blood has a certain charm to it for sure. In reality it is on par
with other dark humored splatterfests like "Braindead aka:Dead Alive",
"Brain Damage" and even the "Basket Case" movies. The movie plods along
without really delving much into Yanka's (the main character)story much
other than that she is an abused woman living in a dominant man based
society.
The fun is where you can see her strong distaste for men and
how later she even revolts against mankind (men mainly and a few women
that get in the way for good measure!haha). She has enough of men
treating her badly and lashes out at them sexually and later with some
old fashioned cold blooded murder. Or is it? After all baby must get
blood to survive!
The film has it's very random moments of "what
the???" scenes but pretty much delivers in the splatter and nudity
departments making it silly, gory and fun pretty much. If you can't
laugh at a lot of it this isn't your film.... but the fun is the
connection between Yanka and the beast within her (Even the subtle hint
of her inner woman breaking out to wreak havoc on men as all men are
bad! Bad I tell you!).
The film really has its moments of brilliance for this type of film but the weakness is the ending. It basically makes NO sense and almost seems like they either forgot the ending when shooting or the editor was a little drunk when editing.
They are driving in a bus full of evil men and the creature starts to eat the bus driver's head while Yanka steers the bus (as she seemingly wants to live!) and well, the bus just explodes! NO reason just BOOM! Then you
get a POV shot of something rushing into the ocean. The end..... one of
the worst endings EVER. But in the end I guess you can't watch these
movies for sense and sensibility I suppose. It is what it is, French
Horror with Nudity, Gore and a retarded ending. I'd really give the
movie a higher rating but sadly the ending ruins the film and gets a
low score for me. The ending is just illogical. (Unless you're drunk I
suppose)

The Dvd looks superb! I've actually seen some people gripe that mid way the film has subtitles! LOL. This is funny because they must have missed the HUGE message at the beginning that states it is the full uncut film and parts were cut and in the original language and have subtitles. Uh HELLO PEOPLE?!?!?!

The sound isn't too shabby also! It's a fun film. Not the best dvd out there but still a fun gory, silly film.

I was surprised it was so good!.......2006-12-19

This is a very good movie. Well made,acted,directed. I didnt know what to expect.I bought a used vhs from amazon that was cheap in case I didn't like it. from the start it looked like it was going to be good and it was.

Keep on rockin' me baby!.......2003-07-31

I lived the first fourteen years of my life in Austria and so I was often present within European video stores. I picked this box up with a friend and marveled at the vile cover art(the version that I picked up, depicted the mother holding a monstrous baby drenched in gore) and new that we had found a winner for the night.
Baby Blood, as I knew it, was and still remains, one of the most facinatingly grotesque and visceral movies that I have ever seen. I found the idea to be truely terrifying (aliens meets rosemarys baby).
Finding an uncut version here in the states could prove to be somewhat of a challenge, however if you are a gorehound, I declare this struggle, highly worth your time and effort.
This is not your average splatter flick.

rosemary's baby iii.......2003-06-28

After the success of Rosemary's Baby, they decided to do a sequel involving the manhood of the baby, entitled Look What's Happened to Rosemary's Baby. It bombed so bad they had to do a third, where it shows the process of how the baby comes to be. The actual "baby" comes from hell and possesses the normal baby. This has to do with the daughter of Rosemary's Baby, for he was seduced by a woman named Yanka in the second one. By the way, I wonder if the baby thought it was from the ocean because of the salt water in the womb. All I know is that I own the Rosemary's Baby trilogy, and this is far superior to the awful second one. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

timothy hutton should be ashamed of himself
Underrated adaptation from Romero
ROMERO IS A GENIUS! A great film that does justice to the book.
The book is probably better.
The Dark Side revisited

The Dark Half
Starring: Timothy Hutton , Amy Madigan , Michael Rooker , Julie Harris , and Robert Joy
Director: George A. Romero
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Night Flier
Needful Things
Stephen King's: Sometimes They Come Back
The Tommyknockers
Graveyard Shift (Ws Sub)

ASIN: 0792841328
Release Date: 1999-09-28

Amazon.com

Although it lacks the creepy subtleties of Stephen King's celebrated novel, George Romero's underrated adaptation of The Dark Half ranks among the best films based on King's fiction, with Romero taking care to honor King's central theme while serving up some gruesome gore in the film's much-criticized finale. Inspired by King's own admission that he wrote several novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, The Dark Half explores the duality of a writer's impulse, ranging from literary respectability to the viscerally cathartic thrills of exploitative pulp fiction.

Author and teacher Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) finds himself torn between those extremes when he "kills" his profitable, pseudonymous alter ego George Stark (the bestselling "dark half" to Thad's light), who then assumes an evil, autonomous form (again played by Hutton) to lethally defend his role in Thad's creative endeavors. Forced to wrestle with this evil manifestation of his own unformed twin, Thad must fight to protect his wife (Amy Madigan), their twin babies, and his own survival as an artist. Romero skillfully develops the twin/duality theme to explore the writer's dilemma, and Hutton is outstanding in his dual roles, playing Stark (in subtly fiendish makeup) as a redneck rebel with a knack for slashing throats. Julie Harris adds class in a supporting role, and horror fans will relish Romero's climactic showdown, in which swarms of sparrows seal Stark's fate. It favors a pulp sensibility with clunky exposition to explain Stark's existence, but The Dark Half is a laudable effort from everyone involved. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Masters of horror Stephen King (The Shining) and George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead) have created a "gripping, creepy, frightening" (L.A. Reader) film that "thrills, shocks and works us over" (Los Angeles Times)! Featuring an "intelligent screenplay and first-rate cast" (The New York Times), including OscarÂ(r) winner* Timothy Hutton, The DarkHalf will keep you captivated to the chilling end. Horror writer Thad Beaumont (Hutton) hopes to distance himself from his murder novels and from George Stark, the name he has used to anonymously author them. To achieve this, he cooks up a murder of his own: a publicity stunt that should lay Stark to rest forever. But when the people around him are found gruesomely slainand his own fingerprints dot the crime scenesBeaumont is dumbfounded until he learns that Stark has taken on a life of his own and begun a gruesome quest for vengeance! *1980: Supporting Actor, Ordinary People

Customer Reviews:

timothy hutton should be ashamed of himself.......2007-06-22

why are most stephen king novels that are mildly brilliant all turn out to be absolute decrepid gutter ca-ca? (tommyknockers, storm of century, Needful Things) I mean Stand by Me, classic, Shawshank classic, this is just so awful, and its amazing the fan base George A. Romero has, he has got to be the biggest joke in the industry, save for some really visually impressive scenes in Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead was just an absolute B Movie joke.

To think this movie has a fan base, reminds me totally why I live alone, and choose my friends wisely. The film has no depth, no character interpersonal qualms, lacks emotion and undearing understanding of consequence, and utterly sinks beneath the spectrum of talent, and Hutton should cringe whenever he is flipping through the channels, and happens to see this on TBS.

A 1.5 for some sophmoric cinematic magic.

Underrated adaptation from Romero.......2007-06-11

Stephen King's The Dark Half is one of the few big screen adaptations of his work to actually be pretty good. Zombie meister George Romero adapted King's tale, which features Timothy Hutton as a writer attempting to put an end to his popular, horror writing, pen name alter ego, but gets a big surprise instead. Soon enough, he's literally struggling with himself while trying to protect his family, all concluding in one of the most memorable endings you'll ever see in a big screen King adaptation. While it may be longer than it had to have been, Romero successfully weaves a film that does King's work justice while also putting a bit of his own spin on it at the same time. The gore and makeup effects are very well done as well, and the cast, which also includes Amy Madigan, Michael Rooker, Julie Harris, and Robert Joy (who would be in Romero's Land of the Dead a little over a decade later) also take memorable turns, but it's Hutton who shines above the rest in one of the best performances of his entire career. All in all, The Dark Half is not only an underrated King adaptation, but it's one of Romero's most underrated films as well, and regardless of you being a fan of either or both horror maestros, The Dark Half is definitely worth a look.

ROMERO IS A GENIUS! A great film that does justice to the book........2007-02-10

This is Timothy Hutton's best performance, for he was born to play George Stark and Thad Beaumont. Yes, it did do some changes to the storyline, but it was overall faithful to the book. They pulled off King's conclusion greatly. This is a great film, but the title of the best adaptation goes to Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. This film does the book perfect justice and it is as good as the novel. Well shot, acted, and directed. Recomended to fans of horror, George Romero, and Stephen King.

The book is probably better........2006-04-20

While I do enjoy a lot of Stephen King's horror, most especially The Shining and Salem's Lot, I must say that this movie hardly left me aghast. The Dark Half was just not complete, sort of half of what I was expecting. I can hear the irony giggling in the corner. There were some interesting things there on the screen, but whatever I found interesting was soon discarded.

For example, the character of Reggie, played by the great stage actress Julie Harris, was full of potential but was on screen for about three minutes. Maybe the character is fleshed out more in the novel. I started to really like her, smoking her pipe, keeping a room decorated with creepy ventriloquist dummies and decrepit baby dolls. Weird but very interesting.

The disc itself is unfortunately a shrunken fullscreen image "formatted to fit your tv", but it's okay because, let's face it, this isn't 'Lawrence of Arabia'.

All in all, a decent brainchild of Stephen King and George Romero. Pun fully intended. But this just didn't scare me.

The Dark Side revisited.......2005-09-07

The actors did an admirable job. The story was a little disjointed, but, one could follow the story line. Enjoyable experience for fans of Stephen King.

Average customer rating:

Synchronicities abound!
Truly warm and wonderful film
A spiritually uplifting film that should have had a wider release
One of the best family films ever made... really!!!
Great movie!

Delivering Milo
Starring: Anton Yelchin , Albert Finney , Bridget Fonda , Campbell Scott , and Hank Harris
Director: Nick Castle
Manufacturer: Hanover House
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Dust Factory
An Angel For May
Magic Rock
Small Miracles
Boys of Lost Island

ASIN: B0007XG4XW
Release Date: 2005-06-07

Customer Reviews:

Synchronicities abound!.......2007-02-19

I had a near-death experience (NDE) 30 some years ago. I went on to become a researcher and interviewed more near-death experiencers than I can count. I have four published books on the NDE and natural spirituality -- I wish I had thought up this story myself.

This plot is excellent.

For anyone who has or believes in sychronicities and serendipity -- this movie goes right to the heart. The child actor is wonderful. He doesn't over act but walks around in this heartfelt plot like any child his age would. Albert Finney always gives a good performance and is particularly good here as a scoundrel. There are a panel of angels that add so much comedy in their very straight way. And, Bridget Fonda plays a believable role as the mother to be who is so traumatized by her father's abandonment when she was a child. It all comes together in the end not just cleverly -- but spiritually.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
They are calling it a family movie but it's rated PG. There's some drinking and gambling in Atlantic City and one scene in a hotel room where Leslie Ann Warren is taking a bubble bath and Albert Finney is waiting in the bed. It's very cute and they don't really show anything but I'd ask my kids before I'd watch it with my grand kids.

The movie came out in 2001 around the time of 9-11. In fact, United airlines was showing it the day of 9-11. So it was put on a shelf for a while (never shown in the theater -- it's an independant film) and just came out not to long ago on DVD. I saw it on Showtime. This is a real feel good movie that makes one want to applaud and cheer at the end.

So put it on your list for a time when you want to be entertained and just feel good!

Truly warm and wonderful film.......2007-02-05

I taped this show on my DVR to watch while my husband was watching the Super Bowl. I started watching it early and I couldn't stop. This show was really touching, very entertaining and not over done. I would recommend this film to anyone that wants a "feel good" movie. We have family movie night every Saturday and I am going to have us watch this next weekend. LOVED IT!!

A spiritually uplifting film that should have had a wider release.......2005-12-14

I never even heard of this film until this month when my Spiritual Cinema Circle subscription featured this film in its November 2005 mail-out. For those who don't know, Spiritual Cinema Circle is a mail distribution service where members get a dvd each month that includes 3 short films and one feature film of spiritually inspiring content. They bring little known films into your home and I haven't been disappointed yet.

Anyhow, in the film "Singles", Campbell Scott's character and Bridget Fonda's character agree that while their relationship as a couple didn't work, that they were probably a "scorching couple in another universe." Well, once again they team up as a couple for this film. I'm a big fan of Bridget Fonda and try to see all of her works. She's made a lot of movies, but most of the roles haven't been high-profile as they were in the early 90s. In this film, she really shines as a pregnant wife who still carries the pain of having a father walk out on her at a young age.

The spiritual aspect of this film revolves around Milo, a card-playing boy who doesn't want to leave heaven for a lifetime on earth. His refusal to go when his time comes up has catacalysmic effect on the earth, so the board members who determine birth cycles enlist the help of a cantankerous old man serving time in hell for a lifetime of carnal desires. He has one day to convince Milo to be born. What ensues is a romp through Manhattan, hitting all the sights/activities that children tend to enjoy. Albert Finney as the old man is hilarious and reminds me of Jackie Gleason. He's thinking more about himself than the boy, so when he crosses paths with an old flame, played by Leslie Ann Warren (everything I've seen her in, she plays a floozie who can't stop giggling), they take a trip to Atlantic City for some adult fun of gambling.

By the time the film reaches resolution, we see the connection and purpose for everything, and it reaches a surprising yet satisfying conclusion. One thing I particularly enjoyed in this film were the members of the board...essentially kids acting grown-up, one of them an African American speaking with a very snobby-type of accent, which is done for humorous effect. I love how they keep the old man on the mission everytime he gets distracted by the ladies.

So, give this film a chance. I have no idea why it didn't get a wide release. It was supposedly released in 2001, and seeing New York with the World Trade Center, I don't know if that was an issue post 9/11, but if that's the case, it was a wrong decision. We could've used an inspiring comedy with spiritual elements to help us through our shock, grief, and trauma of that horrible day and the dark weeks after. This film will inspire you and maybe even give you something to think about regarding the children who choose to be born to you.

One of the best family films ever made... really!!!.......2005-10-02

What a surprise to discover a great film that is otherwise unknown to the masses! After reading a glowing review in the Boston Globe, I had to order this DVD and see for myself. Yes, it's all true: DELIVERING MILO is a superb feature film that balances humor, philosophy and drama in a modern day twist on "It's A Wonderful Life." Without giving away the plot, I can say that no one is likely to be able to resist the affable Albert Finney and the enchanting young Anton Yelchin as MILO. Check it out!!!

Great movie!.......2005-07-22

I can't believe this movie didn't get wider release in theaters. A truly thoughtful and entertaining film for children and adults alike. It's an inspiring story of redemption and the love of life. Albert Finney is outstanding, and Anton Yelchin is the most believable child actor I have seen in years. I highly recommend it!

Average customer rating:

Barbara's Beauty
Silly junk
JACK COLVIN...Oscar Moment????
Barbara Carrera, Where Art Thou?
Embryo / DVD

Embryo
Starring: Rock Hudson , Barbara Carrera , Diane Ladd , Roddy McDowall , and Anne Schedeen
Director: Ralph Nelson
Manufacturer: PASSPORT VIDEO
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Rock Hudson Screen Legend Collection (The Golden Blade / Has Anybody Seen My Gal? / The Last Sunset / The Spiral Road / A Very Special Favor)

ASIN: B00003ES3E
Release Date: 1999-11-23

Description

Rock Hudson stars in this science fiction story of an experiment gone very wrong. He plays a scientist who decides to create a human from basic genetic material. The result is lovely Barbara Carrera (the sexy villainess of 'Never Say Never Again') in the role of the creature grown from an embryo. Although beautiful, she displays not only her physical charms but aberrant and definitely homicidal behavior. As she becomes more erratic, the enamored doctor is faced with perhaps destroying his own creation. Roddy McDowall and Diane Ladd also star in this unusual tale mixing sex with science. Running time: Approx. 106 minutes Includes the original theatrical trailer! Approx. 2 minutes

Customer Reviews:

Barbara's Beauty.......2006-06-30

I remember seeing that movie when I was a teenaged kid. Unfortunately my DVD was not too clear, but I enjoyed seeing how beautiful Barbara was and still is.

Silly junk.......2005-12-08

Best actor: the dog
Best Actress: wasn't in this movie
Running time with banter of witty friends and cocktails: 114 minutes
Running time home alone: 114 hours
Winner: Worst production values for the year
Winner: Worst copy to DVD - EVER

JACK COLVIN...Oscar Moment????.......2005-02-19

The scene with Rock Hudson in which Jack Colvin (playing Dr. Winston)was torn between medical ethics and mere trust in a dear friend is the pivotal moment in this film. The excruciating agony in which Dr. Winston is debating in his subconscious is no doubt evident in this accomplished actors face. Dr. Winston makes no promise at that time but we can tell that an internal battle will be raging within him until his final decision can be made. Later Dr. Winston, in full operating gear, calls Rock to inform him that he's got what Rock's looking for. Fatigue and uncertainty is worn well on the actors face, for the result( as later we learn) could be disastrous.
Jack Colvin, the greatest character actor of the 20th and possibly the 21st century hits another homerun in this "pre-Jack Mcgee" performance. I believe before Rock Hudson passed on he was quoted as saying, "One of the greatest accomplishments of my life was working with the legendary Jack Colvin."

Barbara Carrera, Where Art Thou?.......2004-08-13

EMBRYO is about Dr. Paul Holliston (Rock Hudson), a scientist who has recently lost his wife (also a scientist). Holliston hits a doberman with his car (a 3 ton cadillac) on his way home one stormy night. He rushes the dog home to his lab, where he is unable to save her. However, the doberman is pregnant, so the good doctor keeps the doggy fetus alive, injecting it with an experimental growth hormone. The little canine grows at an amazing rate, reaching adulthood within hours! Holliston names the dog "Number One" and is astonished by it's intelligence (the dog gets it's own food out of the fridge, drops the empty bowl in the sink, opens doors, etc.). Unbeknownst to the doc, Number One also has a mean streak, as is displayed when it kills another dog and hides it's body. Of course, Holliston thinks everything's great, and soon looks for a human fetus to try his serum on. He gets his chance when another doctor helps him acquire a fetus from a doomed prostitute. Back in the lab, Dr. H. performs his latest experiment with similar results. He watches as the fetus grows up at super-speed. Next thing he knows, he's got an adult woman on his hands (Barbara Carrera), with superior intellectual powers matched only by her exotic beauty. Some of the best parts of the movie come when she is busy absorbing knowledge. Named "Victoria", she is introduced at a party as Holliston's new assistant. In one fun scene, Victoria plays an arrogant chess master (Roddy McDowall) to a humiliating finish. Unfortunately, things get serious when Victoria starts getting sick and figures out that she is not long for this world. This causes her to seek out the method by which she can stay alive, at the expense of others. A pretty good mad scientist thriller, EMBRYO has enough creepy / funny moments to keep my interest...

Embryo / DVD.......2000-06-15

Shame on Passport Video. My VHS Tapes look better than this DVD. The transfer looks to be off someones 6 hour tape. What a waste. I'll think twice before I purchase another Passport Video.

Childbirth: From The Inside Out (Part 1- Pregnancy and The Pre-Natal Period)

Average customer rating:

Out-Dated

Childbirth: From The Inside Out (Part 1- Pregnancy and The Pre-Natal Period)
Starring: Dr. John Tyson
Manufacturer: VIEW Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Childbirth From Inside Out (Part 2: Delivery and the Post-Natal Period)
NOVA - The Miracle of Life
National Geographic - In the Womb
National Geographic - The Incredible Human Body
NOVA - Life's Greatest Miracle

ASIN: B0000APTK3
Release Date: 2003-07-17

Description

WINNER OF...
American Video Conference/Billboard Magazine
National Education Film & Video Festival
American Film & Video Festival
V.S.D.A. "Homer" Awards- Finalist

This two-part series presents comprehensive, medically sound information that deals simply and honestly with the many aspects of childbirth. It answers many of the sensitive questions of parents-to-be, enables them to formulate a list of concerns to discuss with their physician, and promotes a healthier, safer pregnancy.

Part 1 of this six-phase program series takes us from pregnancy and the planning stages up to the actual delivery. Areas covered include Amniocentesis and Ultrasound, morning sickness and drugs. Group discussions, exercise segments and actual births make this the most comprehensive program of its kind.

This extensive enhanced DVD production includes an Interactive Pregnancy Risk Test, a Pregnancy Checklist, phase-by-phase reviews and other Bonus Features. CHILDBIRTH: FROM INSIDE OUT was written and hosted by Dr. John Tyson, an internationally recognized medical scientist and clinician, who has worked for over 20 years as a broadcast communicator of medical information. Dr. Tyson's background includes teaching, research and a clinical practice for 12 years in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He also brings great knowledge as an experienced physician, personally involved with the conduct of over 3,000 pregnancies.

PART 1 PREGNANCY & THE PRE-NATAL PERIOD
Phase 1- Preparing for Pregnancy
Phase 2- Nutrition and Exercise
Phase 3- Psychology of Pregnancy

DVD BONUS FEATURES
Over 40 Chapter Selections
Instant Access to All Chapter
Bonus Pregnancy Risk Tests
Bonus Pregnancy Checklists
Warning Signs
Bonus MusicL
Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Digitally Mastered Audio & Video
Multi-Directional Interactive Menus

Customer Reviews:

Out-Dated.......2004-08-18

This series is out-dated. Some of the information is good- nutrition and exercise, but most is obsolete. Today, things in our hospitals are done very different than in the video. I was looking for an educational video, and this is NOT it.

Average customer rating:

OK until the end
Beautifully Haunting !
Jess Franco at his best
Visually exuberant

She Killed in Ecstasy
Starring: Soledad Miranda , Howard Vernon , and Paul Muller
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Vampyros Lesbos
The Devil Came from Akasava
Venus in Furs
Nightmares Come at Night
Vampyres

ASIN: B0002W4U2U
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Description

Dr. Johnson (Fred Williams) lives in bliss with his beautiful wife (Vampyros Lesbos' Soledad Miranda) until his unorthodox experiments with human embryos cause a medical committee to reject his findings and order him to discontinue his work. The unstable doc does the only sensible thing: slashing his wrists in the bathroom. Devastated, his wife vows to seduce and kill the three men and one woman "responsible# for the suicide. Erotic and chilling, this twisted shocker from the mind of Jess Franco (Exorcism, Eugenie) offers a catalog of carnal sins captured even more brilliantly in this digitally remastered edition, a must for fans of Eurocult cinema and classic prog rock/lounge music scores!

Customer Reviews:

OK until the end.......2007-06-12

Soledad Miranda is fascinating to watch, but a car that slides down a hillside, gently comes to a stop on the beach, and then bursts into flames? I felt like I was watching a Simpson's cartoon.

Beautifully Haunting ! .......2006-10-06

This is a classic euro cult thriller from Jess Franco that definitely belongs in every fans collection without a doubt. Some very beautiful cinematography,great score & also some great body language acting from Franco film regular Soledad Miranda(Vampyros Lesbos). "She Killed In Ecstasy" is not perfect & definitely has it's dated flaws,the end could have been done better/more realistic,but these problems don't do much harm to it's all around haunting beauty or the core of it's morbid/creepy premise.

Jess Franco at his best.......2006-09-13

This is most likely Jess Franco's best movie ever. The music is excellent (same as in Vampyros Lesbos), the scenery is beautiful and there's plenty of Franco's trademark zooms. Soledad Miranda makes a haunting performance and the supporting cast (including Paul Muller, Ewa Strömberg, Howard Vernon and Franco himself) also do a good job.

Overall, the style is very much like that of "Vampyros Lesbos", but the pace is faster, which makes it more enjoyable. This film is truly a classic that should be appreciated by film buffs in general and Franco fans in particular. A must-see!

Visually exuberant.......2005-08-06

"She Killed in Ecstasy" it's a kind of number 2 from Jesus Franco's classic "Vampyros Lesbos". The cast is almost the same, some locations too. And, of course, the beautiful Soledad Miranda (or Susann Korda), the Countess Nadine from Vampyros, stars both movies. She had very expressive eyes, and was a good actress. The story is common, a young woman who wants revenge, but Jesus realize's with in a diferent way. Her scenes on the sofa are hot, and the first scene, when Soledad appears with the black dress and the purple coat, are a good moments.
It's an interesting movie.

André Sancovsky, from Rio de Janeiro

Average customer rating:

Embryo (CREATED TO KILL)
Starring: Rock Hudson; Barbara Carrera; Diane Ladd; Roddy McDowall; Ann Schedeen; Dr. Joyce Brothers
Director: RALPH NELSON
Manufacturer: Reel Enterprises
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000L42NO6
Release Date: 2006-11-27

Description

A pregnant mother is mortally wounded in a horrific car accident, surviving only long enough for her fetus to be retrieved and placed in an artificial womb. A scientist (Rock Hudson), looking to create the perfect woman, begins experimenting on the fetus and discovers a method to accelerate the fetus' growth into a fully-developed woman within a few days. But the beautiful woman named Victoria (Barbara Carrera) soon begins to deteriorate quickly and becomes a demented and ruthless killer, who Rock Hudson must stop at all costs.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Suite 16

The Water Margin - Season 2 -

Timeline: 1937

DVD: Renegade Force

Wallace And Gromit