Taps

Starring:George C. Scott, Timothy Hutton, Ronny Cox, Sean Penn, Tom Cruise, Brendan Ward, Evan Handler, John P. Navin Jr., Billy Van Zandt, Giancarlo Esposito, Donald Kimmel, Tim Wahrer, Tim Riley, Jeff Rochlin, Rusty Jacobs, Wayne Tippit, Jess Osuna, Earl Hindman, James Handy, Steven Ryan
Director: Harold Becker
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Memorable mostly as the film that introduced filmgoers to Tom Cruise and Sean Penn, both of whom nearly steal the film from its nominal star, Timothy Hutton. Hutton, fresh from his Oscar for Ordinary People, plays the top cadet at a private military school run by George C. Scott. When the announcement is made that the school will be closed, the inmates take over the asylum with military precision. Hutton is caught among his sense of duty to mentor Scott, the rabid militarism of cadet Cruise, and the rational arguments of Penn, as Hutton's best friend. Then a cadet kills one of the cops responding to the crisis, and suddenly this game of playing soldiers takes on a warlike atmosphere. But director Harold Becker can't hold it together; Hutton isn't up to carrying the film, and the tension rapidly drains from the Darryl Ponicsan script. --Marshall Fine

Description

The riveting tale that took America by storm is now an unstoppable force: TAPS: 25th Anniversary Edition packs an arsenal of extras including an all-new, on-camera interview with Timothy Hutton, an Audio Commentary, two Featurettes and more! "Unequivocally thought-provoking" (Variety) and "spiked with beautiful performances (Los Angeles Times) from a cast including Timothy Hutton, Tom Cruise, Sean Penn, and George C. Scott, this definitive edition of the jarring film delivers an emotional wallop!

When a fiercely devoted group of Military School cadets learn that their school is being sold to real estate developers, they refuse to accept defeat...instead choosing to rise up together to protect the Academy and their honor. But the brave young soldiers soon learn that the most courageous decisions can sometimes have unexpected ? and even fatal ? consequences!

Customer Reviews:

Fine Drama.......2007-06-28

TAPS was filmed at the Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania, where I was a cadet and graduate back in the early 70's. As alumni, we were notified of the filming that would be taking place and so I got to see some of the action going on. Naturally, I looked forward to the movie coming out and I was rewarded with a fine, suspenseful action drama. Certain scenes, like the parade formations, the formals, and the in-barracks fooling around brought me back to my cadet years. Even the run-ins with the "townies" rang true, although it never came to the brandishing of weapons. This is a fine thriller and an opportunity to see a cast of both veteran actors and future-stars perform.

great classic.......2007-05-21

I feel old saying this is a classic but my adult kids never heard of it. Lots of stars & great story line, right up the end.

One of my favorites.......2007-03-29

This movie is about courage, heart, fight, that most Americans (*if any) just don't have. An icon of the military for student soldiers is taken hostage by the students after it is closed but elite students take it a step further. When they are confronted with force they start to loose moral after various demeaning events happen. It's a sad movie. Even with everything crashing down they still remain structured and under control until towards the end. If this movie was about dope or gangs it would be a classic in America but unfortunatly only a few of us can enjoy it for what it's worth.

Great.......2007-03-08

I have always loved the movie and the DVD with all of the extras is great

A Bit Cheesey but I Like It.......2006-12-25

A cheesey coming-of-age movie about young men discovering comradeship and honor. Each is forced to decide what honor demands from him and, ultimately, it is his comrade in arms who matters most. It is not about love of country but love of each other that is the highest code which leads them to do honorable though misguided acts. Is it an anti-war movie? Is it an anti-militarism movie? Or, is it more about the ties with which we bind ourselves to our own cliches? The themes might be lost in the corney dialog but the themes are deep and meaningful despite the corn. A great movie you will find hard to resist.

Average customer rating:

Fine Drama
great classic
One of my favorites
Great
A Bit Cheesey but I Like It

Taps
Starring: George C. Scott , Timothy Hutton , Ronny Cox , Sean Penn , and Tom Cruise
Director: Harold Becker
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005V9IG
Release Date: 2002-03-05

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Fine Drama.......2007-06-28

great classic.......2007-05-21

I feel old saying this is a classic but my adult kids never heard of it. Lots of stars & great story line, right up the end.

One of my favorites.......2007-03-29

Great.......2007-03-08

I have always loved the movie and the DVD with all of the extras is great

A Bit Cheesey but I Like It.......2006-12-25

Average customer rating:

Too much talks, no maps, few taps
More than just a historical piece...brilliant
Official Howard Sandman Sims Biography

No Maps On My Taps
Starring: John William Sublett , Bunny Briggs , Lionel Hampton , Chuck Green , and Howard 'Sandman' Sims
Director: George T. Nierenberg
Manufacturer: Direct Cinema Limited
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Documentary | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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About Tap
Gene Kelly - Anatomy of a Dancer
Tap (Widescreen Edition)
Bojangles
Tony Palmer's Film About Margot Fonteyn

ASIN: B000FP2PEE
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Description

This spirited film offers unique insight into jazz tap dancing as an indigenous American art form. The spirit of tap in its heyday, shown in rare photographs and Hollywood film clips of the 1930s, provides a backdrop for intimate portraits of three surviving "hoofers." Sandman Sims, Chuck Green and Bunny Briggs tell the story of tap as an expression of black heritage and culture. For all dance afficionados, NO MAPS ON MY TAPS is an indispensable historical record of this distinctly American art form.

Customer Reviews:

Too much talks, no maps, few taps.......2006-09-22

It's an important historical documentary , but if you want to see old taps dancers like showed in the dvd cover, avoid it. There are only few short cuts from genius like Bill Robinson and others and many and many conversations and interviews. Try old videos in VHS or the outstanding afro-american dancers in 'Stormy Weather', a Fox musical from the fourties, available in Amazon.

More than just a historical piece...brilliant.......2005-12-27

I saw this in Boston at an art house in the early 80's. I've never forgotten the arresting visuals or the impression of watching these men re-define time and motion. After watching these masters prove that Tap always was an elevated form of modern dance you will wish for wings. Yes, it's that amazing.

Official Howard Sandman Sims Biography.......2005-02-22

Biography

Howard "Sandman" Sims was a distinctive and influential tap dancer who gained his nickname from dancing on the sand he sprinkled on a tap board. Sandman Sims was famed for the range of percussive sounds his sand-dancing could produce - from the sweetest brushing to the most abrasive grinding.

Although he had tap-danced since 3, he discovered his style accidentally while training to be a boxer and shuffling his feet in a rosin box. The result earned him widespread acclaim and sustained him during the decline of tap in the 1950s and '60s.

"They called the board my Stradivarius," Sandman liked to say." I could use any kind of music - or I could do it without any music at all."

He was born Jan. 24, 1918 in Fort Smith, Ark., but would grow up in Los Angeles. One of 10 children, he began dancing with his brothers on street corners. Tap dancing was the street dance, the break dancing of his time. He would walk around with his tap shoes laced over his shoulder, Because the kids helped make a living for the family in his day! "People would throw down their shoes in front of you and said, "Challenge"! This was later dramatized in the movie Tap and an episode of The Cosby Show called Mr. Sandman..

After breaking his hand twice, he gave up boxing and danced in Latin America before Archie Moore, the prize fighter, drove him to New York City in 1947 after World War II. There Sandman joined " The Hoofers ." They characterized the hoofing style of dance. Unlike the heel-and-toe tap performed by Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, a hoofer's steps use the whole foot.

Dance historian Sally Sommer has described Sandman's tap style as strong and vigorous: "body hunkered over, knees bent, feet digging into the floor - and his sand dance was characterized by clear, quick rhythms and subtle nuances."

People would say they liked the effect of shuffling in a rosin box, so he glued sand to a board, but wore out his shoes. Then he tried gluing sand to his shoes, but wore out the board. Finally loose on the sand board was the solution.

He worked at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem for the next 17 years, in the stage left lower balcony he played side kick to famed Executioner of that era Puerto Rico around the mid 1950s, shortly after and for the 30+ years, he acted in the part of "the executioner" which would soon later stand out of the role and just be recognized as "Sandman" who escorted unpopular or downright awful performers off the stage on amateur nights by dressing in hilarious outfits and chase the unsuccessful entertainers in mid-song, firing a blank pistol at them or taunting a chair, tambourine or broken plastic bat!.

He said in a 1987 New York Times interview, "performers wait outside to beat me up." He told disconsolate losers about how he himself had to return 10 times before being allowed to finish his act. But then he danced up storm upon storm and won 25 straight contests, a record that led to the four-win limit now in effect.

He also worked as the Apollo's stage manager and supported himself as a carpenter, mechanic and tap teacher. His students included such stellar dancers and stars such as Gregory Hines, Ben Vereen, Emmanuel Lewis, Savion Glover even Bill Bojangles Robinson and Sammy Davis Jr were fascinated by his signature sand dance.Star boxers, such as Muhammad Ali, Archie Moore and Sugar Ray Robinson came to him to improve their footwork.

Sandman Sims owned a café on 125th Street in Harlem and was a regular in the vaudeville scene. He also held his own Amateur Hour at the Lenox Lanes bowling alley on West 146th street in Harlem.

In 1984, Mr. Howard "Sandman" Sims won a National Heritage Fellowship award, from The National Endowment for the Arts for his craft. "I thought I was making noise all these years," he said at the time. "Now they're calling it culture."

In 1986, he appeared in "The Sand Dancer," a play by poet Sandra Hochman inspired by his life and career. "I wanted my feet to sound like shooting stars," the Sandman character says. Sandman Sims, who danced in that production, was good with words himself. "I'm in show business not for a season, but a reason!"

He narrated and appeared in the documentary "No Maps On My Taps"- 1979, he was also widely seen in the film "Tap", Harlem Nights, The Cotton Club, A Gathering Of Old Men and the PBS special "Tap Dance In America", starring Hines and the Hoofers. He also toured widely in the 1980s, dancing in 53 countries as an embassador for the U.S. State Department.

Sandman was a "virtuoso among virtuosos," said dance critic Anna Kisselgoff, "in a class by himself."

The Howard Sandman Sims Corp. is continuing the legacy of Sandman through "The Sandman Sims Feet First Foundation," which is a non-for profit agency that is implementing free dance programs in various school systems. The Sand Dancer Production Company will continue with The Sandman's legacy in tap on film, television, stage.

Sandman Sims' made the transition on May 20, 2003 at the age of 86, although he long maintained that his age was "a matter of opinion." He is survived by his wife, Solange; his daughter Diane Sims Jones; his son Howard Sims Jr, 5 grandchildren, Shannon, Daniel, Shardonnai, Christopher, Tatianna, Eugenia Sims (daughter in-law) Troy Jones (son in-law), Joe Sims (brother) and Janie B Scaggs (sister).

The Land of Sweet Taps / Rosemary Boross

Average customer rating:

Great for Beginning Tappers

The Land of Sweet Taps / Rosemary Boross
Starring: Rosemary Boross
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

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( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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Tot Tap
Dancing for Kids (Baby Ballet / Tot Tap / Junior Jazz)
Tap with Ginger Series (4 Hours Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Levels)

ASIN: B000G1ALIO
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Description

The Land Of Sweet Taps is a beginner's tap class filled with sweets and fun for children ages 4 thru 8. It is an enjoyable, easy way for children to learn tap dancing fundamentals. It teaches all of the basic sounds, rhythms and steps including shuffles and digs. Children will love the wonderful music and dancing to tunes such as The Peppermint Stick Strut and The Bubble Gum Bounce. The lyrics are fun and they help children to remember their steps and execute them in perfect timing to the music. This beginner's tap dancing class, taught by Rosemary Boross, is a delight for children which introduces them to the joy of dance in a unique way.

The creator of this tap class, Rosemary Boross, has been training children in the art of dance for many years and has performed professionally with such companies as the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Radio City and The American Dance Machine.

Customer Reviews:

Great for Beginning Tappers.......2006-10-31

If you are looking for a great intro to tap for 6 years and up I highly reccommend this video and the accompanying cd. The dances really explain themselves which gives you a little break. My dancers have really picked up on the lyrics and come in singing. This is a great video.

Average customer rating:

Drum Taps
Starring: Hooper Atchley , Al Bridge , Jr. Frank Coghlan , Dorothy Dix , and Harry Semels
Director: J.P. McGowan
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000BITV3S
Release Date: 2005-11-29

Average customer rating:

Fine Drama
great classic
One of my favorites
Great
A Bit Cheesey but I Like It

Taps [Region 2]
Starring: George C. Scott , Timothy Hutton , Ronny Cox , Sean Penn , and Tom Cruise
Director: Harold Becker
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000284902

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Fine Drama.......2007-06-28

great classic.......2007-05-21

I feel old saying this is a classic but my adult kids never heard of it. Lots of stars & great story line, right up the end.

One of my favorites.......2007-03-29

Great.......2007-03-08

I have always loved the movie and the DVD with all of the extras is great

A Bit Cheesey but I Like It.......2006-12-25

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, Sean Penn, who has been called the greatest actor of his generation, is on to talk about his work as a director. His first directorial effort was The Indian Runner. Tonight, he talks to Charlie about a new project, The Crossing Guard, which stars Anjelica Houston and Jack Nicholson. Then, host of NBC's Late Night, Conan O'Brien. He talks to Charlie about finding his comedic voice and how he feels about his job two and a half years in.

DVD:

DVD

Charade (REGION 1) (NTSC)

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