Awakenings

Starring:Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson, John Heard, Penelope Ann Miller, Alice Drummond, Judith Malina, Barton Heyman, George Martin (II), Anne Meara, Richard Libertini, Laura Esterman, Dexter Gordon, Jayne Haynes, Le ClanchÃ© du Rand, Yusef Bulos, Steven Randazzo, Gloria Harper, Gwyllum Evans
Director: Penny Marshall
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Based on the acclaimed book by neurologist Oliver Sacks, director Penny Marshall's hit 1990 drama stars Robin Williams as Dr. Malcolm Sayer. Sayer is a neurologist who discovers that the drug L-Dopa can be used to "unlock" patients in a mental hospital from the mysterious sleeping sickness that has left them utterly immobilized. Leonard (Robert De Niro) is one such patient who awakens after being in a comatose state for 30 years, leaving Sayer to guide Leonard in adjusting to the world around him. Penelope Ann Miller costars as the daughter of another patient, with whom Leonard falls tenuously in love. Earning Oscar nominations for best picture, actor, and screenplay, this moving fact-based drama was a hit with critics and audiences alike. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

This 'Awakening' made me cry.............2007-06-20

I still remember this film, so many years later. AWAKENINGS made me realize that Robert De Niro had the talent and the ability to portray a deeply human and profound character, Leonard, a man who has lived in his own world for many years, in a very sensitive way. He wasn't just a hit man or a thug! This role solidifies his depth as a performer and was worthy of much praise. Dr. Malcom Sayer (Robin Williams) a shy man, decides to test the effects of the drug L-Dopa on catatonic patients in his hospital--Leonard being one of them. It is a miraculous feat that he seemingly brings those under his care "back from the dead." The transformation is astonishing. It's also amazing that this was based on a true story that occured in the life of Dr. Oliver Sachs. The film also stars Julie Kavner (best known as the voice of Marge Simpson on THE SIMPSONS), as Dr. Sayer's devoted nurse. The film has moments of tremendous joy and heartwrenching setbacks. It doesn't have the 'typical' Hollywood ending, but that doesn't take away from the feeling that awakens in you upon watching AWAKENINGS. Powerful and very memorable.

L-DOPA and the awakening of the "sleeping" patient.......2007-06-16

Let's start with FANTASTIC FILM and take it from there!

Director Penny Marshall hit it big with Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro when she assembled AWAKENINGS for 1990. Other films that year, THE DOCTOR and BEAUTIFUL DREAMERS which also explored breakthrough personalities of the health profession, hit the big screen and all of these films seen together present amazing of the health care profession.

We have Malcolm Sayer( Williams) neurologist and discoverer of the wonder drug L-DOPA as our subject of AWAKENINGS. People fell into complete immobilizing sleep that held many captives for years. This film follows one such awakening from this comatose state,a patient named Leonard (DeNiro),who is brought back to the conscious world through Sayer's administering of L-DOPA.

Not enough great things can be said about this film. It is so well acted and incredibly touching. The film really moves and never lags in the slightest.

Great companion films would be WIT, THE DOCTOR, BEAUTIFUL DREAMERS, THE ELEPHANT MAN and PATCH ADAMS

AWAKENING.......2007-03-26

Wow!I MEAN THIS IS PROBABLY THE ONLY FILM WHERE ROBIN WILLIAMS GETS AWAY WITH THE "HI I'M MR SERIOUS AND I'M A KNOW-IT-ALL DOCTOR WELCOME THE HOSPITAL". TO ME IT JUST OPENED MY EYES TO THE MENTAL ILLNESSES THAT ARE OUT THERE AND THAT DAY-TO-DAY INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE PUTTING UP WITH IT.ROBERT DE NIRO GOT AWAY WITHOUT BEING A TOUGH GUY OR A ITALIAN GANGSTER.THIS MOVIE HONESTLY BOUGHT ME TO TEARS.ThAnKx!:)

A true story of a miracle in medicine.......2007-03-16

This 1990 movie is one of my all time favorite movies.
It is the moving and true story of a boy named Leonard, who in the year 1918 came down with a strange sleeping disease which leaves it's victims catatonic forever.
We then flash to the mid 1960's to a mental hospital, where Robin Williams is hired in as a nice young and ambitious doctor, who takes interest in about 20 patients (of the same disease which Leonard has) who the stafff of the hospital gave up on long ago.

Leonard is now a man (Robert DeNiro) and his faithful and loving mother is still alive, and visits him faithfully after all these years (although he is not aware of her presence)

Williams discovers a drug called ElDopa which he experiments on these statuesque patients with, and this is where the miracle happens!
All these people wake up from thier 40 year sleep, and it is also where the story really begins.

All these men and women have first to come to grips with the fact that not only have they been asleep most of thier lives, but they now live in a world they don't know or understand (The 60's).
Loved ones have moved on without them, some of them have children who are dead, or husbands who divorced them while in the coma.

I won't give away the ending of course, but it is dramatic, and very sad.
It is a must see movie, and if you have already seen it, It has probably been awhile, so revisit it. I did, and it was just as wonderful as it was the first time.
Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro are genius in thier acting.I still think it is both actors best acting to this day.

Great movie!.......2007-01-14

I purchased the movie Awakenings for an assignment for a college course. It is an excellent movie, with outstanding actors. This movie would be an investment for anyone, but especially those in the field of psychology or social work. It provides good entertainment while depicting a true story about the delicate and fragile lives of brain-damaged indivduals.

Average customer rating:

Cheap Production, Little Spice

Sexual Awakenings
Starring: Sexual Awakenings
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006J285U
Release Date: 2004-12-07

Description

Two sexy ladies go wild for the camera when Crystal tells her friend Tina that she wants to submit some photos of herself to a Men's Magazine. Problem is Crystal's husband is a famous photographer who wouldn't approve. All it takes is one sexy shot for Bill to realize "if you can't beat them join them and he sees his hot wife in a whole new light.

Customer Reviews:

Cheap Production, Little Spice.......2005-03-23

This movie appears to be shot on video, and it is cheaply made. The female stars include Amber Michaels, Holly Hollywood, and Alana Evans.

The plot is laughable, if you even notice it at all. There are five scenes, all B/G, a fairly plain and boring format, IMO. Amber has one scene. Holly and Alana have two scenes each. One thing that stood out was the length of the scenes. They go on for 10 to 15 minutes, which is fairly long when compared to other softcore films. Maybe you'll like that, maybe you won't. I think I fell asleep. That's not good!

I just wasn't impressed. I've seen a lot better. However, I did want to give credit to Amber Michaels. I dug her scene a lot. She was really hot in her performance, but like I said, she only has the one scene.

The jury is still out for these new releases from Trinity. It may be cheaply made, but it is also cheap to buy. I'll give them credit for that. I didn't feel ripped off, so I'll try another title from them in the future. As for this film, the only redeeming aspect was Amber Michaels' performance in the one scene. Just to be clear, she doesn't do anything really notable. I just seem to have taken a liking to her. However if you are a die-hard fan of hers, I would still question whether this purchase would be worth it. Personally, I would just keep my eyes open for another title with her in it.

New Getter Robo - Rude Awakenings (Vol. 1) + Series Box

Average customer rating:

Fantastic remake of original Getter Robo, closer to the original Manga.
An excellent revival of a legend
Not as good as Getter Robo Armageddon.
Go Nagai Forever, Back to Force Five.

New Getter Robo - Rude Awakenings (Vol. 1) + Series Box
Starring: New Getter Robo
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video

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New Getter Robo, Vol. 2: The Yin-Yang Master
New Getter Robo, Vol. 3: Hell on Earth
New Getter Robo, Vol. 4: Crash
Getter Robo Armageddon - Power Pack (Vols. 1-4)
Mazinkaiser, Vol. 2: A Fire Blast From the Past!

ASIN: B0006FFRGG
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Amazon.com

The 2004 OAV New Getter Robo brings back the durable mecha franchise created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa in 1974-75. Earth is being attacked by oni ("demons" in Japanese folklore) that may also be aliens. Professor Saotome, who makes Commander Ikari in Evangelion look like Mr. Rogers, has created three vehicles that link to form the redoubtable mecha of the title. ("Getter" comes from getta, "combine" in Japanese.) He needs three pilots who can withstand the strain of guiding these powerful machines: thuggish martial artist Ryoma, screeching fanatic Hayato and none-too-bright monk Benkei. Except for a few bits of CG, New Getter Robo looks no better than the original series did more than 30 years ago. The blood-soaked fights may excite adolescents, but many recent mecha shows offer more coherent story-telling, more likeable characters, and more skillfully directed battles. (Rated 16 and older: graphic violence, grotesque imagery, profanity, brief nudity, sexual and gross humor, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic remake of original Getter Robo, closer to the original Manga........2006-02-23

As a fan of the original Manga and shows (Getter Robo, Getter Robo G, Getter Robo Go, and yes even Armageddon) This one is the best of them all. In the original show the enemy was Evolved Dinosaurs, in this one it goes back to the Manga and they are fighting Demons (The Oni). The Robo's are updates of the originals that look fantastic, the characters are back to the extremes they were in the books. Ryoma is an unbeatable street fighter, Jin Hyato is a downright psychotic murderer. The only diversion to the team is that Benkei is the pilot of getter 3 instead of Musashi. As usual the storyline is bizarre, but it wouldn't be Go Nagai's show if it wasn't a little nutz. The Animation is great, almost as good as Armageddon but I like the style of the new show better. As with all Getter DVD's, go with Japanese audio and subs. The english dub is good, but the subs usually (especially armageddon) explain the stories much better, and the Japanese voices are over the top, which I love. Some of the voices in the dubs a painful in this one, so save it for re-viewing. Awesome show, if you are a Robot fan that you MUST see this, you are missing out if you don't. The anime is also a great drinking game, every time they say Getter down a swig, you won't make it to the 2nd episode.

An excellent revival of a legend.......2005-06-04

Wicked violence, blood everywhere, severed limbs - this isn't your grandpa's old colorful Getter Robo show. In fact, New Getter Robo is actually closer to how Getter was originally intended to be: Although the classic 70's anime adaptation (continued with Getter Robo G, which many know here as Force Five's Starvengers) was toned down for kids, the original Getter Robo comic book was full of gore and graphic violence. Although New Getter Robo dumps the old Reptilian Empire in favor of the creepier Oni, it brings back the dark, violent feel of the original comic, even bringing back some classic moments that never made it into anime form before. However, it's packed with plenty of new material, making it a fresh experience for hardcore Getter fans and newcomers alike.

Although there's not much in the way of immediate character development in this volume and the cast is pretty basic at heart, the characters are brimming with personality and are lot of fun to watch. This goes double for Hayato Jin, destined to become the second Getter pilot: Originally a terrorist (or "revolutionary", as he calls himself) and the brains of his little organization, he won't hesitate to break his normally cool exterior with his psychotic, ultra-violent side when it comes to it - even brutally killing a fellow member of his that chickens out and tries to run away. Watching this side bubble out is quite a sight.

This volume is mostly introduction - each of the first three episodes covering one of the three Getter pilots and the fourth about their struggle to put up with each other and work as a team. Whether you're looking for exciting bloody violence, energetic and downright cool robot fights, or some rough and tough characters like they don't make anymore, this is well worth a look.

Not as good as Getter Robo Armageddon........2005-03-22

I have been following the Getter Robo franchise in the U.S. since its release as The Starvengers in the early 80's as a segment of Force Five. I've always been a fan of The Starvengers, even though it was a bit campy, and was extremely pleased with the Getter Robo Armageddon series released by ADV Films. On that note, I found myself less than satisfied with the first installment of the New Getter Robo series. The mecha designs were very interesting, but the overall story and character development was somewhat lacking. I really want to like the series, and will probably give it a second shot, but if you are looking for the same storay quality that was present in Getter Robo Armageddon, you might be disappointed.

Go Nagai Forever, Back to Force Five........2005-03-15

It is a wonderful seires, the first 4 episodes are really cool.
This is basiclly it for those who know the Getter Robo for the first time,it is a vailoent Giant Robot fighting Alieans searies, this one with the series Box, it is a nice good looking box that you get to put all 4 DVD in it when they are all released by Sep 2005, I am a collector, so I hade to get it.
It also came with a bandana,so I think it is worth the extra $10 over the reguler edition.
Now, for those of us who know the Getter Robo:
This show takes you back as a redo to the very first Getter Robo made in the late 70's,not the one that we knew in the US as Starvengers,no, this one is even for the one before it, it starts with how thw 3 pilots know each other and piloted the Getter Robo.
I really love it as much as I loved the Starvengers, a.k.a Getter Robo G, But I think GoNagai should do a modern version of Grandizer too, he already did Mazinger as Mazinkaizer, Starvengers was was redone 3 times now, Shin Getter Robo in 1999, Neo Getter VS Shin Getter 2001,and now the new Shin Getter. He has also redone Devilman in 1994, it is about time we see a modern versionof Grandizer.

New Getter Robo - Rude Awakenings (Vol. 1)

Average customer rating:

Fantastic remake of original Getter Robo, closer to the original Manga.
An excellent revival of a legend
Not as good as Getter Robo Armageddon.
Go Nagai Forever, Back to Force Five.

New Getter Robo - Rude Awakenings (Vol. 1)
Starring: New Getter Robo
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

New Getter Robo, Vol. 2: The Yin-Yang Master
New Getter Robo, Vol. 3: Hell on Earth
New Getter Robo, Vol. 4: Crash
Getter Robo Armageddon - Power Pack (Vols. 1-4)
Mazinkaiser, Vol. 2: A Fire Blast From the Past!

ASIN: B0006FFRG6
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Amazon.com

Description

Huge monsters stalk the earth! Resembling the ancient legends of Oni, the monsters begin attacking the laboratory where Prof. Saotome developing the Getter Robo, a robot so powerful it overwhelms ordinary pilots! Prof. Saotome then locates three of the most dangerous men on the planet to draft as pilots: Ryoma the fighter, Hayato the bezerker and Benkei the giant!

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic remake of original Getter Robo, closer to the original Manga........2006-02-23

An excellent revival of a legend.......2005-06-04

Not as good as Getter Robo Armageddon........2005-03-22

Go Nagai Forever, Back to Force Five........2005-03-15

Average customer rating:

This 'Awakening' made me cry......
L-DOPA and the awakening of the "sleeping" patient
AWAKENING
A true story of a miracle in medicine
Great movie!

Awakenings [Region 2]
Starring: Robert De Niro , Robin Williams , Julie Kavner , Ruth Nelson , and John Heard
Director: Penny Marshall
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

This 'Awakening' made me cry.............2007-06-20

L-DOPA and the awakening of the "sleeping" patient.......2007-06-16

AWAKENING.......2007-03-26

A true story of a miracle in medicine.......2007-03-16

Great movie!.......2007-01-14

Charlie Rose with Laura D'Andrea Tyson; Oliver Sacks; Kurt Anderson (February 23, 1995)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Laura D'Andrea Tyson; Oliver Sacks; Kurt Anderson (February 23, 1995)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, Laura D'Andrea Tyson, chairperson of the National Economic Council, talks about the Administration's economic perspective. Then, Oliver Sacks, professor of clinical neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and subject of the movie Awakenings, discusses his new book called An Anthropologist on Mars. Finally, Kurt Andersen, editor of New York magazine, will be here to talk about the world of magazines.

Average customer rating:

Awakenings [Region 2]
Starring: Robert De Niro , Robin Williams , Julie Kavner , Ruth Nelson , and John Heard
Director: Penny Marshall
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004RYW6

Average customer rating:

Awakenings

Manufacturer: Industries for the Blind, Wisconsin
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Visually captivating
Magnificent sights and sounds from nature
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ASIN: B000OL46V4

Product Description

Discovering Nature's Beauty Soothing music blended with stunningly beautiful scenes from nature reignite the flame of life and awaken cherished memories from long ago. Music - Pan Flute and Soothing Keyboard by Chuck Lange Digital Video - Wilderness Scenes from Across the U.S. and Abroad.

Nature Lounge - Nature and Music Meditation, 4-CD Box Set

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Nature Lounge - Nature and Music Meditation, 4-CD Box Set

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Tropical Rainforest Awakenings Distant Thunder Ocean Voyages

Average customer rating:

Awakenings [Region 2]
Starring: Robert De Niro , Robin Williams , Julie Kavner , Ruth Nelson , and John Heard
Director: Penny Marshall
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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