Serpico (Ws Sub)

Starring:Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe, Biff McGuire, Barbara Eda-Young, Cornelia Sharpe, Tony Roberts, John Medici, Allan Rich, Norman Ornellas, Edward Grover, Albert Henderson, Hank Garrett, Damien Leake, Joseph Bova, Gene Gross, John Stewart, Woodie King Jr., James Tolkan, Ed Crowley
Director: Sidney Lumet
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Based on a memoir by former undercover cop Joe Pistone (whose daring and unprecedented infiltration of the New York Mob scene earned him a place in the federal witness protection program), Donnie Brasco is like a de- romanticized, de-mythologized version of The Godfather. It offers an uncommonly detailed, privileged glimpse inside the world of organized crime from the perspective of the little guys at the bottom of Mafia hierarchy rather than from the kingpins at the top. Donnie Brasco is not only one of the great modern-day gangster movies to put in the company of The Godfather films andGoodFellas, but it is also one of the great undercover police movies--arguably surpassing Serpico and Prince of the City in richness of character, detail, and moral complexity. Donnie (Johnny Depp, a splendid actor) is practically adopted by Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), a gregarious, low-level "made" man who grows to love his young protégé like a son. (Pacino really sinks into this guy's skin and polyester slacks, and creates his freshest, most fully realized character since his 1970s heyday.) As Donnie acclimates himself to Lefty's world, he distances himself from his wife (a terrific Anne Heche) and family for their own protection. Almost imperceptibly his sense of identity slips away from him. Questioning his own confused loyalties, unable to trust anybody else because he himself is an imposter, Donnie loses his way in a murky and treacherous no-man's land. The film is directed by Mike Newell, who also headed up Four Weddings and a Funeral and the gritty, true crime melodrama Dance with a Stranger. --Jim Emerson

Stills from Donnie Brasco (click for larger image)

Beyond Donnie Brasco on Amazon.com

DVDs starring Al Pacino
More Gangster Movies
The Memoir

Customer Reviews:

Great movie; unusually prescient commentary.......2007-06-19

It is hard to believe the best organized crime movie set in the U.S. would be directed by a British director, but that is exactly what you find here. Donnie Brasco eschews the melodrama of lots of mafia films and creates a personal, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and social film all in one--and to top it off it's aesthetically brilliant, and Al Pacino reaches somewhere (not sure where) and creates the most on target portrayal he or just about any actor has done on film. I say this as an actor--and serious actors can tell when an actor 'gets it' or not. It's not clear whether Mike Newell helped him, but Newell provides a min-course in film directing through his commentary--it's the best commentary I've ever heard--and demonstrates, despite what critics don't like to admit (or perhaps don't want to know)that an articulate artist can explicate a work of art better than a critic who is not an artist. This is not an anti-critic rant; just an observation I've made from reading both sides of the equation.

extended scenes already in the origial cut.......2007-06-18

5 stars for better picture quality. Very clean picture quality. Great sound mix.
3 stars for the new cut. Prefer the original cut.
2 stars since the deleted scences are already in the original cut
1 star... No new features. Missing commentary.

One of my favorite movies.......2007-06-17

This is an all around outstanding film. The script is great, the acting is great. The scenery and costumes all feel very real. It's a violent subject (and not one I normally like for a movie) but the film makes you feel for the characters, especially Donnie Brasco/Joe Pistone. And, even though he's the bad guy and I know he got what he deserved, I couldn't help but feel something for Lefty Guns, too.

The film interested me so much that I bought both the book that it was based on and Joe Pistone's follow up book, "Unfinished Business." I highly recommend both of them. Joe Pistone is a true American hero.

GREAT MOVIE!!!!.......2007-06-13

LOVED THIS FILM.IT IS TRULY A MASTERPEICE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE.

Donnie rules! Three thumbs up........2007-05-17

It's a good freakin' film, fuhgedaboudit! If you love Goodfellas, you'll really like Donnie Brasco.

Average customer rating:

The book with the same title is more exciting and gripping
Monument of cinematic quality
Movie was not what I expected from Al Pacino
Pacino's Performance Stands Up Over Time
Classic Pacino

Serpico (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Al Pacino , John Randolph , Jack Kehoe , Biff McGuire , and Barbara Eda-Young
Director: Sidney Lumet , and Laurent Bouzereau
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006JU7T
Release Date: 2002-12-03

Amazon.com essential video

Tony Manero (John Travolta) in Saturday Night Fever and Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) in Boogie Nights have one major thing in common: They both have posters of Al Pacino as Serpico on their bedroom walls. As the real-life NYPD detective whose integrity cost him virtually everything (and almost cost him his life), Pacino became one of the icons of gritty, realistic 1970s filmmaking. Released in 1973, between the first two Godfather movies, this is the true story of Frank Serpico, a long-haired, idealistic, iconoclastic cop who reluctantly goes undercover to investigate dirty colleagues who are on the take. This is one of the definitive Pacino performances, along with his role as Michael Corleone in the Godfather saga, and Sonny the bungling bank robber in Dog Day Afternoon (which reunited him with his Serpico director, Sidney Lumet)--and Pacino was nominated for a best actor Oscar for all of them (although he wouldn't actually win until 1992's Scent of a Woman). --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

The book with the same title is more exciting and gripping.......2007-06-18

The book with the same title is more exciting and gripping. This movie is not a showcase of Al Pacino's great acting either.
This film is worth renting not buying.

Monument of cinematic quality.......2007-05-21

Sidney Lument made a brilliant move choosing to direct Serpico. And executive producer Dino De Laurentiis made a brilliant move choosing him to direct it. This is the film that put Al Pacino on the map.

With realistic acting and realistic actors - no makeup and flashy costumes and shots- Serpico has a gritty realistic feel that makes the story stand out even more than it would have otherwise. Al Pacino showcases his acting technique in the portrayal of a beleaguered New York cop who just wants to do his job. When he finds himself amidst high levels of corruption and money payoffs, he sets out to make it right. Unfortunately, the higher up he goes, he only discovers that the corruption is higher up than he could have thought.

Time has been good to this film and it still shines over 30 years later as a superb police film and real-life dramatization. Frank Serpico is a hero in the true sense of the word: putting his own life on the line in order to stop corruption.

The DVD package is great, and includes several special features including a making of featurette where director Sidney Lument talks about his quick and dirty directing style (and the fact that Serpico went from filming to theatre in only five months). There's also a short about Serpico himself, and the book by Peter Maas, that the movie was based on, as well as a brief short with Lument detailing his favorite scenes from the film.

Don't miss this film if you want to see a monument of cinematic quality and Pacino establishing himself as a true star.

Movie was not what I expected from Al Pacino.......2007-03-18

I am a fan of many Al Pacino movies including all the Godfather's, Carlito's way, Scareface, Heat, and others. I expected this movie to match the caliber of those movies but was greatly disappointed. The movie lacks a lot of action and is extremely predictable. To me it was extremely boring, with the main focus of the movie dealing on police corruption. Sure it was corrupt back then but so are so many other organizations and businesses, I really do not think it was necessary to make a movie out of something that lacks exciting material, maybe the movie would of been much better as a documentary rather than a feature film that really has very little content. The movie dragged on and on and could of been summarized in 10 minutes.

Pacino's Performance Stands Up Over Time.......2007-02-12

This early 70's classic starring Al Pacino as Frank Serpico , a NYC police oficer who's fight against corruption led to the Knapp Commission hearings and reforms , is a film that still pacts dramatic punch. While somewhat dated and Pacino's hippy cop act can seem almost campy 35 years later, his overall performance in this is still one of his best and following the Godfather established him as a major star.
The supporting cast is excellent as well, with so many guys playing tough ,jaded NYC cops from the era.
I guess the definition of a classic is a movie that represents it's era and yet can be viewed and enjoyed years later. Serpico certainly meets that criteria.

Classic Pacino.......2007-01-20

"The Godfather" may have alerted us to the great actor Al Pacino but that classic first instalment of the trilogy was really Marlon Brando's movie. It was Sidney Lumet's "Serpico" released a year later, that confirmed his status as a movie star in his own right. This true story of an NYPD cop standing alone in the midst of corruption on a staggering scale, is both compelling and engaging. Pacino immerses himself in the role and it's not only his appearance that changes as the movie progresses. It seemed as though I could see the exhaustion gradually wearing him down from the sheer stress of trying to do his job with integrity, while enduring the hostility of his colleagues and the futility of fighting a system he couldn't beat. I loved every minute. I love these old-school New York movies anyway (made back when cars still had yellow licence plates) and even the music, by Mikis Theodorakis and arranged & conducted by jazz legend Bob James, was brilliant. Supporting cast give great performances, especially Barbara Edna-Young as Serpico's long-suffering girlfriend Laurie but this is essentially Pacino's movie.

The DVD extras include the original theatrical trailer, and a couple of documentaries: "Serpico: from Real to Reel", a very interesting one that tells the story of how the book by Peter Maas got made into the movie, "Inside Serpico" is another short with Sidney Lumet telling us about some of his methods making the actual movie, there's "Serpico: Favourite Moments" with both producer and director telling what some of their favourite scenes in the movie are and finally, there's a Photogallery of stills with commentary from director Sidney Lumet also talking about how the movie was scored.

This is a must for any Pacino fan or any lover of classic movies.

The Hannibal Lecter Collection (Manhunter / The Silence of the Lambs / Hannibal)

Average customer rating:

Classic, fantastic horror set
Worth it....
Great buy, but a little disappointed.
Hannible "Trilogy"
It was more than what I expected

The Hannibal Lecter Collection (Manhunter / The Silence of the Lambs / Hannibal)
Starring: Anthony Hopkins , Julianne Moore , Gary Oldman , Ray Liotta , and Frankie Faison
Director: Ridley Scott , Jonathan Demme , and Michael Mann
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000G3R0
Release Date: 2007-01-30

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Manhunter:Though it will always be remembered as the movie featuring the "other" Hannibal Lecter, Michael Mann's 1986 thriller Manhunter is nearly as good as The Silence of the Lambs, and in some respects it's arguably even better. Based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon, which introduced the world to the nefarious killer Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter, the film stars William Petersen (giving a suitably brooding performance) as ex-FBI agent Will Graham, who is coaxed out of semiretirement to track down a serial killer who has thwarted the authorities at every turn.

Graham's approach to the case is a perilous one. First he seeks counsel with Lecter (Brian Cox) in the latter's high-security prison cell--an encounter that is utterly horrifying in its psychological effect--and then he begins to mold his own psyche to that of the killer, with potentially devastating results. As directed by Mann (who was at the acme of his success with TV's Miami Vice), this sophisticated cat-and-mouse game never resorts to the compromise of cheap thrills. Predating Anthony Hopkins's portrayal of Lecter by four years, Cox plays the character closer to Harris's original, lower-key conception, and he's no less compelling in the role. Petersen is equally well cast, and as always Mann employs rock music to astonishing effect, using nearly all of Iron Butterfly's heavy-metal epic "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" to accompany the film's heart-stopping climactic sequence. All of this makes Manhunter one of the finest films of its kind, as well as further proof that Harris's fiction is a blessing to any filmmaker brave enough to adapt it. --Jeff Shannon

The Silence of the Lambs: Based on Thomas Harris's novel, this terrifying film by Jonathan Demme really only contains a couple of genuinely shocking moments (one involving an autopsy, the other a prison break). The rest of the film is a splatter-free visual and psychological descent into the hell of madness, redeemed astonishingly by an unlikely connection between a monster and a haunted young woman. Anthony Hopkins is extraordinary as the cannibalistic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, virtually entombed in a subterranean prison for the criminally insane. At the behest of the FBI, agent-in-training Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) approaches Lecter, requesting his insights into the identity and methods of a serial killer named Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). In exchange, Lecter demands the right to penetrate Starling's most painful memories, creating a bizarre but palpable intimacy that liberates them both under separate but equally horrific circumstances. Demme, a filmmaker with a uniquely populist vision (Melvin and Howard, Something Wild), also spent his early years making pulp for Roger Corman (Caged Heat), and he hasn't forgotten the significance of tone, atmosphere, and the unsettling nature of a crudely effective close-up. Much of the film, in fact, consists of actors staring straight into the camera (usually from Clarice's point of view), making every bridge between one set of eyes to another seem terribly dangerous. --Tom Keogh

Hannibal: Yes, he's back, and he's still hungry. Ten years after The Silence of the Lambs, Dr. Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins, reprising his Oscar-winning role) is living the good life in Italy, studying art and sipping espresso. FBI agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore, replacing Jodie Foster), on the other hand, hasn't had it so good--an outsider from the start, she's now a quiet, moody loner who doesn't play bureaucratic games and suffers for it. A botched drug raid results in her demotion--and a request from Lecter's only living victim, Mason Verger (Gary Oldman, uncredited), for a little Q and A. Little does Clarice realize that the hideously deformed Verger--who, upon suggestion from Dr. Lecter, peeled off his own face--is using her as bait to lure Dr. Lecter out of hiding, quite certain he'll capture the good doctor.

Taking the basic plot contraptions from Thomas Harris's baroque novel, Hannibal is so stylistically different from its predecessor that it forces you to take it on its own terms. Director Ridley Scott gives the film a sleek, almost European look that lets you know that, unlike the first film (which was about the quintessentially American Clarice), this movie is all Hannibal. Does it work? Yes--but only up to a point. Scott adeptly sets up an atmosphere of foreboding, but it's all buildup for anticlimax, as Verger's plot for abducting Hannibal (and feeding him to man-eating wild boars) doesn't really deliver the requisite visceral thrills, and the much-ballyhooed climatic dinner sequence between Clarice, Dr. Lecter, and a third unlucky guest wobbles between parody and horror. Hopkins and Moore are both first-rate, but the film contrives to keep them as far apart as possible, when what made Silence so amazing was their interaction. When they do connect it's quite thrilling, but it's unfortunately too little too late. --Mark Englehart

Description

Disc 1: HANNIBAL Disc 2: THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS Disc 3: MANHUNTER

Customer Reviews:

Classic, fantastic horror set.......2007-06-06

I recently bought Hannibal Rising, and was very impressed. It reminded me of the horrific energy I remembered from the earlier Hannibal Lecter movies.

It's been years since I've seen the earlier movies, so I bought this set from Amazon. I also ordered Red Dragon, individually. It has not yet arrived.

All of these movies are excellent. They're some of the best horror movies I'd seen in decades. I love this boxed set.

Worth it...........2007-05-29

I am a relatively new fan to this genre of movies and after reading the book Silence of the Lambs it was the next best thing. I throughly enjoyed this movie and haven't yet watched the others, yet is the key word, I'm sure I'll enjoy them as much as Silence of the Lambs. I highly recommend this collection for purchase....

2-Chance

Great buy, but a little disappointed........2007-03-31

I love the Hannibal movies. So I bought the three disc edition. The thing that was a little disappointing was that these dvds had NO BONUS FEATURES. I understand maybe Manhunter or even Silence of the Lambs probably wouldn't have any. But Hannibal definitely was released in the time frame to have special features. Regardless, they're still great movies, and I really enjoy them.

Hannible "Trilogy".......2007-03-27

Being the movie buff I am, I enjoyed this set; however, I was disappointed a bit. When I watched Hannible, it says, to watch the special features, insert disc 2. That's where the problem lies; there is no disc 2. Other than that I enjoyed it, although I wished it also included Red Dragon. Overall, I was very pleased with the set.

It was more than what I expected.......2007-03-21

Because it had manhunt which is the first version of red dragon and the first in the series. I give it two thumbs up.

Average customer rating:

Great movie; unusually prescient commentary
extended scenes already in the origial cut
One of my favorite movies
GREAT MOVIE!!!!
Donnie rules! Three thumbs up.

Donnie Brasco (Extended Cut)
Starring: Al Pacino , Johnny Depp , Michael Madsen , Bruno Kirby , and James Russo
Director: Mike Newell
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000NHG7BG
Release Date: 2007-05-08

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Stills from Donnie Brasco (click for larger image)

Beyond Donnie Brasco on Amazon.com

DVDs starring Al Pacino
More Gangster Movies
The Memoir

Product Description

Posing as jewel broker Donnie Brasco, FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone (Johnny Depp) is granted entranceinto the violent mob family of aging hit man Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). When his personal and professional lives collide, Pistone jeopardizes his marriage, his job life and, ultimately, the gangstermentor he has come to respect and admire. From acclaimed director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral), and featuring an extraordinary supporting cast including Michael Madsen, Anne Heche, BrunoKirby and James Russo.

Customer Reviews:

Great movie; unusually prescient commentary.......2007-06-19

extended scenes already in the origial cut.......2007-06-18

One of my favorite movies.......2007-06-17

GREAT MOVIE!!!!.......2007-06-13

LOVED THIS FILM.IT IS TRULY A MASTERPEICE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE.

Donnie rules! Three thumbs up........2007-05-17

It's a good freakin' film, fuhgedaboudit! If you love Goodfellas, you'll really like Donnie Brasco.

Average customer rating:

Okay thriller
Utter Garbage
Sophisticated political thriller
So many names...
Good actors save movie

The Interpreter (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Yvan Attal , Earl Cameron , Jesper Christensen , Robert Clohessy , and Curtiss Cook
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JNQA
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Amazon.com

Director Sydney Pollack delivers megawatt star power, high gloss, and political passion to The Interpreter, his first thriller since The Firm. With Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn delivering smooth, understated performances, the film more closely recalls Pollack's 1975 Robert Redford/Faye Dunaway paranoid thriller Three Days of the Condor, trading conspiratorial politicians for potential assassination in the United Nations General Assembly (this being the first film ever granted permission to use actual U.N. locations). Kidman plays a U.N. interpreter who inadvertently overhears hints of a plot to kill the reviled, tyrannical leader of her (fictional) African homeland; Penn is the Secret Service agent assigned to protect her, or to determine her role (if any) in the assassination scenario. By distancing itself from real-life politics, The Interpreter softens its potential impact as a thriller about contemporary globalization and threats to international peace, but the Penn/Kidman personal drama (between two people who gain a deep appreciation for shared anguish, without being artificially forced into romance) adds a richly human dimension to Pollack's expert handling of the thriller elements of a complex yet easily-followed plot. Indie-film stalwart Catherine Keener shines in her supporting role as Penn's sarcastic by sympathetic Secret Service partner. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn star in the action-packed thriller, The Interpreter. In one of the hidden corridors of power at United Nations headquarters, translator Silvia Broome (Kidman) overhears a potentially explosive secret about a planned assassination attempt. But when federal agent Tobin Keller (Penn) investigates her claim and digs deeper into Silvia s dangerous past, he begins to question whether she is a victim - or a suspect. From Oscar-winning director Sydney Pollack comes the riveting, edge-of-your-seat story of international intrigue that Ebert & Roeper give Two thumbs up!

System Requirements:
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn
Directed By: Sydney Pollack
Running Time: 129 Min.
Copyright Universal Studios Home Entertainment 2005

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Okay thriller.......2007-06-21

For 2 hours entertainment this wasn't too bad. However two points stood out for me that I thought I'd mention

1) There is a scene where a guy is playing chess (perhaps against himself?) Playing as Black he could clearly take the white Queen with his bishop, yet moves another piece! Idiocy. Also later as white his Queen could take the Black bishop, yet moves a pawn. Perhaps this is some incredibly deep metaphor for the relationship between whites and blacks in Africa but I personally think it was just a scene shot by someone who can't play chess very well.

2) In a close up scene when NIcole Kidman is crying a booger is clearly visible in her right nostril. Boogers are not sexy.

Utter Garbage.......2007-03-10

Most Hollywood products are designed to indoctrinate the audience in one way or another. The main propaganda punch line for this move is this: People who work for government agencies are intelligent, kind, ethical, emotionally mature, trustworthy and have your best interests at heart. The US is a beacon of light, goodness, equality and justice.

Sophisticated political thriller.......2007-03-05

The premise in this tightly wrought thriller directed by the very accomplished Sydney Pollack is that Zuwanie (Earl Cameron) the old dictator (once "freedom fighter") of an African nation called "Matobo" is coming to New York to make a speech in front of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman), an interpreter at the UN, overhears part of a conversation after-hours that leads her to believe that there will be an assassination attempt on the leader's life. She tells security. Federal agent Tobin Keller (Sean Penn) is called in to investigate and help prevent an assassination.

Keller quickly discovers that Silvia is from Matobo where her parents were murdered by some of Zuwanie's henchmen and where she was subsequently involved in some political/paramilitary activities. Two questions that Keller must answer are, does she have some sort of motive to lie and how is she involved?

The problem with the film (aside from some of the usual improbabilities and contortions found in Hollywood thrillers--and to be honest there weren't that many in this one) is the ending. Without giving anything away, the probability of Zumanie being left alone after what had happened is something like zero. But the real problem is what happens between Tobin and Silvia at the end. They are both very available and after they have had the opportunity to bond under very difficult circumstances, can you guess how their relationship is resolved? I understand there was an alternative ending. Maybe Pollack should have employed it.

Pollack's films going back several decades are characterized by diversity of subject matter, excellent scripts, and star power. Four of his best are They Shoot Horses Don't They? (1969) (depression ear dance marathon drama starring Jane Fonda); Tootsie (1982) (romantic comedy starring Dustin Hoffman); Out of Africa (1985) (adapted from the famous book by Karen Blixen under her pen name "Isak Dinesen," starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford); and Sabrina (1995) (splendid remake of the Audrey Hepburn film this time starring Julie Ormond and Harrison Ford). But he tends to like action/adventure as much as comedy or drama. He is one of filmdom's most versatile directors, and this film, while not his best, is very representative of his work.

But what carries the film is the charisma of the stars, Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman, especially Kidman who seems the very impersonation of what an interpreter at the UN might be. She manages to be delicate but tough, thoroughly professional and beautiful. I have seen her in seven or eight films and can say that she is as talented as any actress currently working. In her ability to concentrate and to completely immerse herself in a role she is comparable to Meryl Streep. Some early films of hers that display her youthful vitality and the natural sophistication and nuanced manner of her style are Dead Calm (1989), Flirting (1991), and To Die For (1995).

By the way, "Matobo" is not an actual nation but is the name of a national park in Zimbabwe and as far as I can tell "Ku" is not an actual language. (I have no idea what they were speaking.)

Bottom line: Can a film directed by Sydney Pollack starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn be anything but worth seeing?

So many names..........2007-02-20

Sean Penn, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack... they could've created stronger film especially the end of it.

Good actors save movie.......2007-02-18

The cast of The Interpreter obviously saves this movie. Although the plot is intelligent enough, no way this movie would have been an outstanding success without the acting capabilities of Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman!
After Interpreter Kidman overhears some information she shouldn't have the rising tension is being displayed very well. However there is a very remarkable fact in this movie, that doesn't make any sense. Why isn't Kidman's part played by a black actress? Having white Kidman speak a native African language like this Ku is absolutely ridiculous! What was going through Sydney Pollack's mind when he had Nicole Kidman say lines like: "I'm going back to my people in Africa!"? (SARR)

Hannibal (Collector's Edition Steelbook)

Average customer rating:

Bad Ending & Not the Same Without Jodie Foster...
Hannibal: 2-Disc Collector's Steelbook Edition Warning
Read the book!
Mythoughts
Pretty great sequel

Hannibal (Collector's Edition Steelbook)
Starring: Anthony Hopkins , Julianne Moore , Gary Oldman , Ray Liotta , and Frankie Faison
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Silence of the Lambs (Widescreen Special Edition)
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ASIN: B000OPOAMA
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Amazon.com

Yes, he's back, and he's still hungry. Ten years after The Silence of the Lambs, Dr. Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins, reprising his Oscar-winning role) is living the good life in Italy, studying art and sipping espresso. FBI agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore, replacing Jodie Foster), on the other hand, hasn't had it so good--an outsider from the start, she's now a quiet, moody loner who doesn't play bureaucratic games and suffers for it. A botched drug raid results in her demotion--and a request from Lecter's only living victim, Mason Verger (Gary Oldman, uncredited), for a little Q and A. Little does Clarice realize that the hideously deformed Verger--who, upon suggestion from Dr. Lecter, peeled off his own face--is using her as bait to lure Dr. Lecter out of hiding, quite certain he'll capture the good doctor.

Description

Anthony Hopkins is "perverse perfection" (Rolling Stone) in his return to the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the sophisticated killer who comes out of hiding to draw FBI agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore) into a high-stakes battle that will test her strength, cunning and loyalty.

Customer Reviews:

Bad Ending & Not the Same Without Jodie Foster..........2007-06-27

Julianne Moore is a phenomenal actress in other movies, but for some reason didn't bring the character of Clarice Starling to life on the silver screen for "Hannibal". Her portrayal of Clarice Starling was extremely flat and dead compared with Jodie Foster's performance of Clarice Starling in "Silence of the Lambs". So, I was sorely disappointed not to see Jodie Foster return to play the role of Clarice Starling in this movie as she gave a vibrant portrayal of this character.

I've also read the book "Hannibal" by Thomas Harris and was completely disappointed that the filmmakers of "Hannibal" didn't keep the ending of the movie in line with that of the novel. The ending of "Hannibal", the movie version, felt empty and hollow without the original ending for which the author had intended.

Plus other aspects of the storyline were a bit off too. Had "Hannibal", the movie version, had Jodie Foster playing Clarice Starling and other aspects of the movie, like the ending, been more accurate to the novel, I would have given it a higher rating.

Hannibal: 2-Disc Collector's Steelbook Edition Warning.......2007-06-11

Sure this movie was not as grand as Silence of the Lambs, but I thought it was an interesting turn of events in how it all panned out. There is an alternate ending on this DVD 2-Disc Collector's Edition, but I much perfer the original just the same.

Now, I may have a defected copy of this Steelbook Edition, but if not, be warned that the subtitles and Spanish and French audio tracks may not work. I sometimes like to read the English subtitles as I'm listening and watching the movie at the same time. However, I was not able to do so with this DVD packaged set. Not with either my Samsung, JVC, or Panasonic DVD players. The Steelbook Edition is a re-print of what has already been released, so I assume these features were lost in the re-printing process. However, all other bonus features and footages worked just fine.

Read the book!.......2007-05-12

Hannibal is a great movie, and it is worth watching. But, if you did not feel satisfied from the movies ending, then read the book. It will more than fill your appetiete for Hannibal Lector. Hannibal is by far the best book in the series and it has alot more information than the movie. The only reason I gave it four stars is because the book was so amazing.

Mythoughts.......2007-05-07

Excellent movie especially in full screen edition and recommend it to all that enjoy psychological thrillers and why they do not adapt all of the movies in the 1:33:1 format as an alternative purchase from widescreen format for those consumers who prefer it I will never know

Pretty great sequel.......2007-01-20

Anthony Hopkins returns as one of the great villains in screen history, Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter, in this riveting sequel to The Silence of the Lambs. Lecter's only surviving victim, the hideously scarred Mason Verger (Gary Oldman), tries to draw the serial gourmet out of hiding using the one person he cares about: Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore). Now, the novel on which this film was based had a slow pace and was nice and lengthy. If the film tried to be exactly like the book, it would have been at least 3 hours long, maybe longer. I would have enjoyed watching it.I thought the acting was excellent. Most of what's essential in the book in kept in the movie, though reading it ahead of time makes everything a little clearer. I was glad to see Ray Liotta here( specialy the brain eating scene lol, turned some peoples head!), and I thought Julianne Moore did a great job as Agent Starling. This film has almost "A Clockwork Orange" mentality as it appears to celebrate Hannibal's evil. True, Hannibal is always witty and polite, regardless of what terrible thing he is doing. The film is expectedly grotesque, which never bothers me. Hannibal is truly a different type of film than "Silence of the Lambs"; if you're looking for that, you should probably see "Red Dragon" instead (also good). My biggest complaint is the change they made to the ending of the story, which in the book was far more disturbing. And I'd like to say that Ridley Scott's direction isn't quite as suited to the material as Jonathan Demme's. Good and effective, but read the novel if you really want to get freaked out. I still recommend every one to watch hannibal if you haven't yet. Its truly a great movie. Also The music selected for this film was all that one would expect for such a thrilling screenplay, exciting, touching, unobtrucive and atmospheric. The highpoint for me was the scene at the Opera which left me spellbound. So delightful was the piece that I hummed it for days afterwards. The thrill was boosted by my finding out that a fellow Irishman, whom I had met often around Dublin over the past few years, Patrick Cassidy, hed written "Vide Cor Meum" especially for the scene. Woe of woes! I had hoped that it was an Opera which I could buy the next day. The good news is that the piece is featured on this soundtrack and Patrick is rumoured to be incorporating the piece into a forthcoming Operatic work. I can only commend you to his exceptional talent, recordings of which are available from Amazon and hope that you too will await the new work with my baited breath.
Hans Zimmer seems to be the composer of the moment in Hollywood, and why not? His score for "Hannibal" further proves that when he's on, he's really on -- his score for "Hannibal" is more entertaining than the film it has been written for, not to mention more haunting, scary and beautiful. But along with being a popular film composer comes the wrongheaded ideas that often get forced upon film soundtracks. Why are there dialogue snippets here? Sure, Anthony Hopkins is a wonderful actor and I love to hear his voice, but not when the music he is speaking over is superior to the film! Most dialogue tracks on soundtracks are annoying, and these are no different. Two big releases raped Zimmer's music in this fashion in the same year (remember "More Music from Gladiator"?). That being said, this is top-notch work from Zimmer and collaborator Patrick Cassady. Especially wonderful is the final track, an original operatic piece with a libretto taken from the writings of Dante Aligheri. Absolutely astonishing music in that last cut.

Average customer rating:

Okay thriller
Utter Garbage
Sophisticated political thriller
So many names...
Good actors save movie

The Interpreter (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Yvan Attal , Earl Cameron , Jesper Christensen , Robert Clohessy , and Curtiss Cook
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0009YKWAK
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Amazon.com

Product Description

Customer Reviews:

Okay thriller.......2007-06-21

Utter Garbage.......2007-03-10

Sophisticated political thriller.......2007-03-05

So many names..........2007-02-20

Sean Penn, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack... they could've created stronger film especially the end of it.

Good actors save movie.......2007-02-18

Average customer rating:

Bad Ending & Not the Same Without Jodie Foster...
Hannibal: 2-Disc Collector's Steelbook Edition Warning
Read the book!
Mythoughts
Pretty great sequel

Hannibal (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Anthony Hopkins , Julianne Moore , Gary Oldman , Ray Liotta , and Frankie Faison
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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The Silence of the Lambs (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Hannibal Rising (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00026L7O0
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Bad Ending & Not the Same Without Jodie Foster..........2007-06-27

Hannibal: 2-Disc Collector's Steelbook Edition Warning.......2007-06-11

Read the book!.......2007-05-12

Mythoughts.......2007-05-07

Pretty great sequel.......2007-01-20

Average customer rating:

Great movie; unusually prescient commentary
extended scenes already in the origial cut
One of my favorite movies
GREAT MOVIE!!!!
Donnie rules! Three thumbs up.

Donnie Brasco
Starring: Al Pacino , Johnny Depp , Michael Madsen , Bruno Kirby , and James Russo
Director: Mike Newell
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 0767802551
Release Date: 1998-01-20

Amazon.com

Based on a memoir by former undercover cop Joe Pistone (whose daring and unprecedented infiltration of the New York Mob scene earned him a place in the federal witness protection program), Donnie Brasco is like a de- romanticized, de-mythologized version of The Godfather. It offers an uncommonly detailed, privileged glimpse inside the world of organized crime from the perspective of the little guys at the bottom of Mafia hierarchy rather than from the kingpins at the top. Donnie Brasco is not only one of the great modern-day gangster movies to put in the company of The Godfather films and GoodFellas, but it is also one of the great undercover police movies--arguably surpassing Serpico and Prince of the City in richness of character, detail, and moral complexity. Donnie (Johnny Depp, a splendid actor) is practically adopted by Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), a gregarious, low-level "made" man who grows to love his young protégé like a son. (Pacino really sinks into this guy's skin and polyester slacks, and creates his freshest, most fully realized character since his 1970s heyday.) As Donnie acclimates himself to Lefty's world, he distances himself from his wife (a terrific Anne Heche) and family for their own protection. Almost imperceptibly his sense of identity slips away from him. Questioning his own confused loyalties, unable to trust anybody else because he himself is an imposter, Donnie loses his way in a murky and treacherous no-man's land. The film is directed by Mike Newell, who also headed up Four Weddings and a Funeral and the gritty, true crime melodrama Dance with a Stranger. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

Great movie; unusually prescient commentary.......2007-06-19

extended scenes already in the origial cut.......2007-06-18

5 stars for better picture quality. Very clean picture quality. Great sound mix.
3 stars for the new cut. Prefer the original cut.
2 stars since the deleted scences are already in the ori