Special Day

Starring:Sophia Loren
Studio: Jef Films Inc.
Product Type: DVD

Saving Private Ryan (Special Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Great movie
A very good movie
Very bloody movie
63rd anniversary
Outstanding Movie

Saving Private Ryan (Special Limited Edition)
Starring: Tom Hanks , Tom Sizemore , Edward Burns , Barry Pepper , and Adam Goldberg
Director: Steven Spielberg
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Band of Brothers
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ASIN: B00001ZWUS
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Amazon.com essential video

When Steven Spielberg was an adolescent, his first home movie was a backyard war film. When he toured Europe with Duel in his 20s, he saw old men crumble in front of headstones at Omaha Beach. That image became the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan, his film of a mission following the D-day invasion that many have called the most realistic--and maybe the best--war film ever. With 1998 production standards, Spielberg has been able to create a stunning, unparalleled view of war as hell. We are at Omaha Beach as troops are slaughtered by Germans yet overcome the almost insurmountable odds.

A stalwart Tom Hanks plays Captain Miller, a soldier's soldier, who takes a small band of troops behind enemy lines to retrieve a private whose three brothers have recently been killed in action. It's a public relations move for the Army, but it has historical precedent dating back to the Civil War. Some critics of the film have labeled the central characters stereotypes. If that is so, this movie gives stereotypes a good name: Tom Sizemore as the deft sergeant, Edward Burns as the hotheaded Private Reiben, Barry Pepper as the religious sniper, Adam Goldberg as the lone Jew, Vin Diesel as the oversize Private Caparzo, Giovanni Ribisi as the soulful medic, and Jeremy Davies, who as a meek corporal gives the film its most memorable performance.

The movie is as heavy and realistic as Spielberg's Oscar-winning Schindler's List, but it's more kinetic. Spielberg and his ace technicians (the film won five Oscars: editing (Michael Kahn), cinematography (Janusz Kaminski), sound, sound effects, and directing) deliver battle sequences that wash over the eyes and hit the gut. The violence is extreme but never gratuitous. The final battle, a dizzying display of gusto, empathy, and chaos, leads to a profound repose. Saving Private Ryan touches us deeper than Schindler because it succinctly links the past with how we should feel today. It's the film Spielberg was destined to make. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews:

Great movie.......2007-06-27

Great WWII movie. the best that depicts what the invasion of Normandy was really like for the United States.

A very good movie.......2007-06-18

This movie show you went really went on in WWII.

Very bloody movie.......2007-06-09

This is a very bloody movie and thats why i like it!

63rd anniversary.......2007-06-07

It's the 63rd anniversary of the allied invasion of Normandy today so in honor of the fact, I watched this movie! Although I have seen it countless times and can speak every line from memory, this movie never ceases to amaze me. The only problem that I have is that the landing on Omaha beach, despite having some of the best special effects, still isn't accurate in terms of the gore (not that that matters anyway). You see, I watched this film with my mom's uncle who is a surviving veteran of the same opening scene on Omaha beach. He saw everything shown in the film 63 years ago and said that it does a great justice to the men who fought and died, but Spielberg got it all wrong. He was touched by the movie but told me that if I could only imagine it infinitely worse, the blood, gore, and death on a larger and more horrifying scale; I would barely be able to grasp what he had to go through. Nevertheless, I love this film.

Outstanding Movie.......2007-05-18

This movie starts with the D-Day landings and that ~20 minute scene reminds you that war is not a "splendid" idea...it's a horrific reality. Once that tone is set, the movie eases off a bit and lets you become enveloped in the concept of several people risking/sacrificing their lives for someone they've never met. That concept is very well developed throughout the movie. -- In addition, the CD includes an interview with Tom Hanks where he says (roughly), it's easy to get a picture of what it was like to be there...but there's no way a guy like me can ever know what it FEELS like to be there. -- As a diabetic who cannot serve in uniform, that accurate statement alone made the purchase worthwhile. -- I encourage people to watch this movie in order to remember what we can do when the chips are down.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off Bueller...Bueller... Edition (Special Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

OK, if you saw it when it was new, you should now watch it with your kids!
One of those great 80s movies
Ferris Bueller, you're my hero!
A classic movie, but stick with original release
BEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!

Ferris Bueller's Day Off Bueller...Bueller... Edition (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: Jason Robert Alderman , Louie Anderson , Stephanie Blake , Matthew Broderick , and Virginia Capers
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Better Off Dead

ASIN: B000BNX4MC
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Amazon.com

Like a soda pop left open all night, Bueller seems to have lost its effervescence over time. Sure, Matthew Broderick is still appealing as the perennial truant, Ferris, who fakes his parents out and takes one memorable day off from school. Jeffrey Jones is nasty and scheming as the principal who's out to catch him. Jennifer Grey is winning as Ferris's sister (who ends up making out in the police station with a prophetic vision of Charlie Sheen). But there's a definite sense that this film was of a particular time frame: the '80s. It's still fun, though. There's Ferris singing "Twist and Shout" during a Chicago parade, and a lovely sequence in the Art Institute. But don't get it and expect your kids to love it the way you did. Like it or not, it's yours alone. --Keith Simanton

Product Description

"Bueller…Bueller…?" Sorry, not here! Instead, high-schooler Ferris Bueller (Mathew Broderick), his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), and his best bud Cameron (Alan Ruck) are off on the spontaneous romp through Chicago known as Ferris Bueller's Day Off. You'll also enjoy righteous bonus materials that give you an insider's peek at this hilarious comedy hit from John Hughes (Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Sixteen Candles). So, barf up a lung, forge a "sick note" from the parents, and tag along on the funniest adventure to ever sweep through the Windy City. What are you still doing here? Save Ferris!

Customer Reviews:

OK, if you saw it when it was new, you should now watch it with your kids!.......2007-05-19

Everyone knows this movie. At least that is what I thought until I realized that my fourteen year old son had not seen it. So, we watched it together and, of course, it has the same issues of conformity, rules following, boredom, freedom, life, learning, and stupid power trips for him as it does for everyone. A terrific movie that you should watch with any of your teenagers who haven't seen it.

What brought it up was the insurance commercial with the guy playing as the Risk that Never Sleeps and I pointed out to my son, "Hey, that's the guy from the parking garage in "Ferris Bueller". "What?" he answered. So, it was a must see.

He loved the point about Cameron (indelibly played by Alan Ruck) being so tight that a lump of coal placed strategically in his anatomy could turn coal to diamond in a week. Rooney being made the fool constantly is always enjoyable (perfectly played by Jeffrey Jones) and we enjoy seeing him get stuck in the mud, embarrassed, attacked by a dog, kicked in the face, and confronted with his wallet. Edie McClurg as Grace is the PERFECT foil for Ed Rooney. Who doesn't love her pulling pencil after pencil out of her teased up hair or the way she says "righteous dude".

Of course, Ferris could be a monster if not played with just the right charm and lighthearted mischievousness that Matthew Broderick brings to the role. If Ferris didn't actually care about other people and was only a sociopath it would be an awful story. It really only works because Ferris is fooling parents who should have been paying closer attention, a sister who shouldn't be so uptight, a friend who is so miserable at home that trashing a rare Ferrari is the lesser crime, a principal who is vicious as well as stupid, and a headwaiter who is arrogant without any warrant to be so. If all of these were caring and supportive people and Ferris was using him this way, well, he would be the bad guy.

In any case, the movie is full of classic scenes, such as Ben Stein's calling roll and his little lecture on economics, the growth of the Save Ferris movement, Jennifer Grey's perfect performance as the steamed and jealous sister, and the performances mentioned above. Mia Sara's performance as Sloane Peterson provides the one grounded and sane character in the whole movie.

The extras on the disk I viewed were great (I assume there are various editions). I learned lots of things about the making of the movie. One of the interesting bits is that Cindy Pickett and Lyman Ward (the parents, Katie and Tom Bueller) became a couple because of these roles and are actually married. Also, Ben Stein had a feature talking about life and how Ferris shows us about freedom and how Ferris Bueller changed his life. One of the funny bits is when Ben explains how Richard Nixon is the reason he got the role in Ferris Bueller and is responsible for all the good things that have happened to him because of that role. I always enjoy Ben Stein talking about anything.

An excellent and fun movie that I think benefits everyone who sees it.

One of those great 80s movies.......2007-05-07

Ferris is easily one of my favorite movies, especially from the 80s. It was fun, hip and in style then, and watching it now it's fun to laugh at the clothing and hairstyles you remember wearing. Though Ferris and his friends seem outside that 80s style bubble and will always seem timeless to me, his charm and ability to get what he wants, even at the cost of others, is what always draws me back. Always a lot of fun seeing him outsmart his principle and drive his older sister to the brink, but in the end, everything turns out A-OK. Why they never made a sequel I will never know.

Ferris Bueller, you're my hero!.......2007-05-03

hard to believe it's been 21 years since this movie was released. I can't tell you how I did my best to incorporate so many of his suggestions when trying to get out of going to school.... unfortunately it didn't work as well for me as it did for him!

That having been said, I love the DVD format of this movie. It's crisp and clear and I'd swear there are scenes that were not on my VHS tape that broke many years ago. I could be getting old but I do think they stuck some extra footage in.

Whatever the case, this movie is just as good now as it was 21 years ago. But I think I'll wait till my son is 18 to let him view it! He doesn't need any more ideas!

A classic movie, but stick with original release.......2007-05-02

This is one of my all time favorite comedies. I remember watching it all the time when I was a kid and I still get a kick out of watching it now. So, your probably wondering why I only gave it 3 stars. I'm writing this review solely based on the special features. Like some other people have said, the special features on this edition is just ok. The one thing that really hurts this edition is the missing audio commentary by John Hughes, which can be found in the previous dvd release. Overall, an amazing movie with just so-so special features.

BEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!.......2007-04-15

This is my all-time most favorite movie ever!!!!!!!... It is a true testament to taking life easy, and having fun. Some times we all just need to relax and take the day off! Ferris fakes sick and takes the day off with his girlfriend Sloane and best bud Cameron. They travel around the city of Chicago doing all sorts of crazy things. THIS IS A MUST SEE MOVIE. Matthew Broderick is totally awesome in the movie. You can't beat it!!!!! "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller

A Room with a View (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

One of My Favorites
best movie ever
Great scenery of Florence, but Just okay movie
Superb film from top to bottom
Love Letter to Florence

A Room with a View (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Maggie Smith , Helena Bonham Carter , Denholm Elliott , Julian Sands , and Simon Callow
Director: James Ivory
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Gosford Park

ASIN: B0001DCYUU
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Amazon.com essential video

The prestigious filmmaking trio of producer Ismail Merchant, director James Ivory, and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala had made other critically acclaimed films before A Room with a View was released in 1985, but it was this popular film that made them art-house superstars. Splendidly adapted from the novel by E.M. Forster, it's a comedy of the heart, a passionate romance and a study of repression within the British class system of manners and mores. It's that system of rigid behavior that prevents young Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) from accepting the loving advances of a free-spirited suitor (Julian Sands), who fears that she will follow through with her engagement to a priggish intellectual (Daniel Day-Lewis) whose capacity for passion is virtually nonexistent. During and after a trip to Italy with her protective companion (Maggie Smith), Lucy gradually gets in touch with her true emotions. The fun of watching A Room with a View comes from seeing how Lucy's thoughts and feelings finally arrive at the same romantic conclusion. Through an abundance of humor both subtle and overt, this crowd-pleasing "art movie" rose to an unexpected level of popular appeal. The Merchant-Ivory team received eight Academy Award nominations for their efforts, and won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, Art Direction, and Costume Design. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Nominated for eight Oscars in 1986, including Best Picture, and winner of three (Costumes, Art Direction and Adapted Screenplay), A Room with a View is the film that defined Merchant-Ivory as the masters of the romantic period piece. A brilliant adaptation of E.M. Forster?s novel, A Room with a View tells the story of the coming of age of Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter). Longing to burst free from the repression of British upper class manners and mores, she must wrestle with her inner romantic longings to choose between the passionate George (Julian Sands) and the priggish but socially suitable Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis). Boasting a brilliant supporting cast, A Room with a View is one of the most romantic of romantic comedies ever filmed.

Customer Reviews:

One of My Favorites.......2007-06-06

Now I'm a girl that loves a period piece movie but this is one of my all time favorites. All the roles are great campy caricatures (my favorite is the pompous Cecil), beautiful Florence is the setting and it has humor, romance and adventure.

best movie ever.......2007-05-26

What can I say about is this movie that it does not say in the movie already. Buy, watch the movie, you will see.

Great scenery of Florence, but Just okay movie.......2007-05-22

This is an okay movie with a basic plot. I really wanted to like this movie when I bought it. Do not misunderstand: I liked the movie, but I thought the plot was shallow and it could've been layered more. On the positive side, it was great seeing Florence from a turn of the century perspective. Pretty cool.

Superb film from top to bottom.......2007-04-29

If you love Florence, (and if you've ever been there you do), then you will love this film. Beautiful shots of Florence, the narrow side streets, the Piazza Santissima Annunziata with the facade of Brunelleschi's Spedale degli Innocenti (the first foundling hospital in Europe and the first truly Renaissance building), views of the Duomo from across the Arno, the church of Santa Croce, the Tuscan countryside were all lovely.

The acting was excellent and it was a beautiful love story. The sound track was bellisimma!

The only minor flaws were talking about the equestrian statue in the piazza Santissima Annunziata, possibly one of the least appealing statues in Florence and ignoring the Spedale degli Innocenti which was right there.

Also, the negative comments about the frescoes of St. Francis in the church of Santa Croce I could have personally done without.

That being said it was a lovely film and took me right back to Florence which is one of the most lovely cities on earth. Who cannot love Florence? Could there be a more beautiful setting for a love story?

The fight in the piazza della Signoria was gratuitous but it gave me a chance to be transported there once again so I didn't ming the fight. It was a great excuse for the camera man to film the beautiful statues in the loggia della Lanzi by the Uffizi.

I really enjoyed this film for its wonderful acting, great cinematography and beautiful soundtrack.

I can't imagine that anyone having even a remote interest in the author or the city of Florence would not love this film.

Love Letter to Florence.......2007-03-15

This film - outside of being a great love story - is also a visual love letter to Florence. It sparked my trip last summer - alas I did not find my "George Emerson."

But, it did kindle what I hope is a lifelong love of Italy - next year, Rome, Capri! Somehow, though, I think I will always come back to Florence. Eleanor Lavish makes a cogent statement when she says young Lucy is transfigured by Italy - and why should she not be? It happened to the gods! This dialog ran through my mind over and over again as I wondered the ancient streets, falling in love with everything I could take in with five senses: smells, language, music, sights.

The other thing I absolutely loved about this film was Daniel Day-Lewis playing so against character as Cecil. Talk about a 180 from Last of the Mohicans, or My Left Foot for that matter. He is truly a master at the art of acting.

Average customer rating:

Mad Max
More a first draft than a real classic
All time favourite
Mad Max
Wrong format for Europe

Mad Max (Special Edition)
Starring: Mel Gibson , Joanne Samuel , Hugh Keays-Byrne , Steve Bisley , and Tim Burns
Director: George Miller (II)
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Road Warrior
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ASIN: B00005R2IS
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Amazon.com

The Road Warrior is already a classic, sans condescending genre distinctions like "sci-fi" or "action." But the story of Mel Gibson's stately antihero begins in Mad Max, George Miller's low-budget debut in which Max is a "Bronze" (cop) in an unspecified postapocalyptic future with a buddy-partner and family. But unlike most films set in the devastated future, Mad Max is especially notable because it is poised between our industrialized world and total regression to medieval conditions. The scale tips towards disintegration when the Glory Riders burn into town on their bikes like an overamped cadre of Brando's Wild Ones. Representing the active chaos that will eventually overwhelm the dying vestiges of civil society, they take everything dear to Max, who will exact due revenge. His flight into the same wilds that created the villains artfully sets up the morally ambiguous character of the subsequent films. --Alan E. Rapp

Description

Setting Mel Gibson on a sure path to superstardom, this highly acclaimed "crazy collide-o-scope"(Newsweek) of highway mayhem "cinematically defined the postapocalyptic landscape" (TV Guide). Featuring eye-popping stunts that are "electrifying and very convincing" (Variety) and "an authentically nihilistic spirit" (The Village Voice), Mad Max is "pure cinematic poetry" (Time). In the ravaged near future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face ofa police force hell-bent on stopping them. But they underestimate one officer: Max Rockatansky (Gibson). And when the bikers brutalize Max's best friend and family, they send him into a mad frenzy that leaves him with only one thing left in the world to live forrevenge!

Customer Reviews:

Mad Max.......2007-07-04

George Miller's first entry in the three part series helped boost Gibson to stardom, and showed Hollywood a thing or two about making an explosive action flick on a shoestring budget. The bleak, desolate near-future is intriguingly rendered: the world looks like a junk shop in a desert. The baddies are a dirty, gruesome lot, which only gets the audience more revved when Max goes after them in earnest. Gibson has "star" written all over him. Hyperkinetic stunts punctuate this raw, rugged actioner.

More a first draft than a real classic.......2007-02-25

It's not altogether surprising that Mad Max got such short shrift when it came out Stateside with an unfortunate dubbing job to eliminate the `Strine accents so American International could pretend it was an American film (Mel Gibson suffered perhaps a worse indignity with his screen credit moved to last position, just before the lab credit on the trailers). Much of what people remember and love about Max is delivered in the sequel rather than this first outing. Indeed, at times it feels more like a blueprint than a proper movie and Gibson barely registers in the surprisingly little screen time he has - the villains, who all seem to be doing either premature Danny Huston impersonations or somewhat more timely German New Romantic turns make much more of an impression. Not only do huge sections of the film keep him offscreen, but he makes little impact in his underwritten role when he is on. In many ways, this is just a first low-budget draft of Max's world - civilization hasn't entirely crumbled yet and the precious juice is still flowing even if parts are getting hard to find. Still, the car stunts are good, if somewhat thin on the ground, but this is one case where the sequels are definitely better.

MGM/UA's special edition offers reasonable extras, but they are limited by the non-involvement of George Miller and Mel Gibson and the unavailability of any archive footage. The making of featurette and audio commentary from crew members are the best of the bunch while the Gibson featurette tends to be too much of a puff piece. Despite being listed as the Australian trailer, the theatrical trailer and the accompanying TV spots are all from the US release. Thankfully the original Australian soundtrack to the feature is included on this disc.

All time favourite.......2007-02-16

I remember sneaking into the Forum Theatre in Melbourne as a kid to see this gem (R rated). It is still as good today on the big plasma as back then. The boys come over and watch it every AFL Grand Final day. Glad to see they released this in the States with the original soundtrack. You will be amused to know we in Australia specially purchased your old version to see how it was dubbed. Pretty funny stuff seeing as Mel has a bit of an American accent in the film anyway. Love how it is all shot around where we live in Melbourne. If you liked this, check out Odd Angry Shot, another film not to be missed

Mad Max.......2007-02-13

Enjoyed the movie, I can see why it gave Mel Gibson's career a boost

Wrong format for Europe.......2007-01-12

20 wasted dollars! I obviously missed that the dvd was in american format. Luckily my son living in USA was home, so I could watch it on his apple-computer. It was also in no way possible to copy and open the film for european standard.
Please make clear in the presentation of films if they only could be played in american format.

Average customer rating:

great comedy with empathy
Good Stuff
FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY!
FUNNY
Hilarious!!

Groundhog Day (Special Edition)
Starring: Carol Bivins , Ken Hudson Campbell , Brian Doyle-Murray , Rick Ducommun , and Robin Duke
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

What About Bob?
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Forrest Gump (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
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ASIN: B00005U8EM
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Product Description

Bill Murray at his wry, wisecracking best in this riotous romantic comedy about a weatherman caught in a personal time warp on the worst day of his life.

Teamed with a relentlessly cheerful producer (Andie MacDowell) and a smart-aleck cameraman (Chris Elliott), TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. After a surprise blizzard traps him in small-town hell, things get even worse; Phil wakes the next morning to find it's Groundhog Day all over again... and again... and again.

System Requirements:
Starring: Bill Murray, Chris Elliott, and Andie MacDowell.
Directed By: Harold Ramis.
Running Time: 101 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2002 Columbia TriStar.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Bill Murray does warmth in his most consistently effective post-Stripes comedy, a romantic fantasy about a wacky weatherman forced to relive one strange day over and over again, until he gets it right. Snowed in during a road-trip expedition to watch the famous groundhog encounter his shadow, Murray falls into a time warp that is never explained but pays off so richly that it doesn't need to be. The elaborate loop-the-loop plot structure cooked up by screenwriter Danny Rubin is crystal-clear every step of the way, but it's Murray's world-class reactive timing that makes the jokes explode, and we end up looking forward to each new variation. He squeezes all the available juice out of every scene. Without forcing the issue, he makes us understand why this fly-away personality responds so intensely to the radiant sanity of the TV producer played by Andie MacDowell. The blissfully clueless Chris Elliott (Cabin Boy) is Murray's nudnik cameraman. --David Chute

Customer Reviews:

great comedy with empathy.......2007-05-20

One of Bill Murrays best. Great Harold Ramis direction. One for the collector's shelf

Good Stuff.......2007-05-07

We should all be so lucky as to have our own personal groundhog day.

FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY!.......2007-03-26

I watch this movie every Groundhog Day with my wife. Goundhog Day just happens to be her birthday and she loves this movie! A smart funny romantic comedy with Murry at his comedic best. The DVD is a good transfer and should be in everyones collection.

FUNNY.......2007-03-14

One of the funniest movies I have ever seen! Also, one of the best movies I have ever seen. Great Movie. No flaws.

Hilarious!!.......2007-03-13

This is one of the funniest movies you're going to see...but it's also got some thoughtful messages about life. Some of the funniest scenes are when Murray's character realizes he not only can't get out of Groundhog's Day, but there are no consequences to his actions, because he keeps waking up to the same day. What follows is a hilarious string of self-destructive situations...just how many ways CAN a person try to kill themselves?! My personal favorite scene is in the diner, where Murray gorges on every artery clogging breakfast treat, while smoking a cigarette...gluttony at it's best! As the movie moves along and he tires of his self-descructive attitude, Murray's character starts to explore the possibilities of having unlimited time to do all the things a person would ever want to do and how much more meaningful it is to be kind instead of cruel. Interesting twist...while being lots of fun.

Saving Private Ryan (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Great movie
A very good movie
Very bloody movie
63rd anniversary
Outstanding Movie

Saving Private Ryan (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Tom Hanks , Tom Sizemore , Edward Burns , Barry Pepper , and Adam Goldberg
Director: Steven Spielberg
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

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War Epics | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

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( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
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Black Hawk Down
Braveheart
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We Were Soldiers (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0001NBLVI
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Great movie.......2007-06-27

Great WWII movie. the best that depicts what the invasion of Normandy was really like for the United States.

A very good movie.......2007-06-18

This movie show you went really went on in WWII.

Very bloody movie.......2007-06-09

This is a very bloody movie and thats why i like it!

63rd anniversary.......2007-06-07

Outstanding Movie.......2007-05-18

Day of the Dead (Divimax Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

I WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THIS ONE
The least popular in the series
zombie love
Not very good.
Deserves a second look...

Day of the Dead (Divimax Special Edition)
Starring: Terry Alexander , John Amplas , Don Brockett , William Cameron , and Lori Cardille
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Dawn of the Dead (Ultimate Edition)
Night of the Living Dead (Millennium Edition)
Land of the Dead (Unrated Edition)
Night of the Living Dead
The Return of the Living Dead

ASIN: B00008G8L9
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Amazon.com

Chapter three of George Romero's mighty zombie trilogy has big footsteps to follow. Night of the Living Dead was a classic that revitalized a certain corner of the cinema, and Dawn of the Dead was nothing short of epic. Day of the Dead, however, has always been regarded as a comedown compared to those twin peaks--and perhaps it is. But on its own terms, this is an awfully effective horror movie, made with Romero's customary social satire and cinematic vigor--when a "retrained" zombie responds to the "Ode to Joy," the film is in genuinely haunting territory. The story is set inside a sunken military complex, where Army and medical staff, supposedly working on a solution to the zombie problem, are going crazy (strongly foreshadowing the final act of 28 Days Later). Tom Savini's makeup effects could make even hardcore gore fans tear off their own heads in amazement. --Robert Horton

Description

Divimax is a High Definition (HD) film transfer process that provides state-of-the-art picture quality--and can be viewed on any home entertainment system.

Customer Reviews:

I WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THIS ONE.......2007-06-21

I LOVED THE NIGHT AND DAWN OF. THIS ONE HAD SUCH BAD LANGUAGE I COULD NOT WATCH IT. I LOVE BLOOD AND GUTS BUT THAT LITTLE FOUR LETTER WORD, YOU KNOW WHICH ONE, REALLY PUTS ME OFF...

The least popular in the series.......2007-05-31

"Day Of The Dead" is, without a doubt, one of the GORIEST films ever made. The premise is pretty simple. A medical team, and a military unit are holed up in an underground missile silo, occaisionally flying a helicopter up and down the coast, looking for fellow survivors, while unbelievably gruesome experiments are being performed by one of the medical personnel on captured "specimen" zombies, in an attempt at finding why the dead are walking. The soldiers just want to shoot them in the head, as that's all that has been proven to stop them; the problem? The zombies outnumber the living by at least 400,000 to one. There's just too many. With a way to modify their behavior, maybe the survivors can stand a chance, but the odds are slim to none of such an insane idea working.

Of course, tensions mount. The claustrophobic living conditions, the bleak atmosphere, and physical and mental strain are taking a very heavy toll, as hope is quickly vanishing. They just want to get out of there, but, as Doctor Logan says, "...where would you go?" People critical of this movie say it has too slow a start, but I say no. The script focuses mainly on how these people are coping, and they aren't coping very well. Detractors say the dialogue has too much shouting, but I wonder how these people themselves would act in such egregious, horrible conditions. No, it is a very well-written script, albeit not George Romero's original one, which everyone says is far superior. It is a very tense screenplay, depicting, in what I would call a very realistic scenario. Not the world being overrun with walking dead, of course, but imagine a somewhat diverse group of people who really can't stand one another, being trapped in a situation where they must cooperate, but just can't anymore. A bloodbath is just one bad day away.

The special make-up effects are among Tom Savini's best work. The zombies in this installment are more decayed looking, which ties in with how the story unfolds in the series. In "Night..." most of them look somewhat ordinary, and the black and white film just makes it eerie. In "Dawn... (the original)" Most of the undead are just discolored, with a few really nasty ones, as time has taken its toll. In this installment, in 1985, seventeen years after the contageon has started, most of them are in the final stages of post mortem rot. It really is what the world would be if such an awful thing could take place.

One little subtlety in the script, that looks like an inconsistency, but isn't, would be when Rhodes decides to start executing people. The people he shoots do not get back up. And one of the soldiers suicides after being bitten in the shoulder by a zombie. He doesn't get back up, and the hordes of undead feast on his carcass. These deaths happened underground, not from infected zombie bites. Keeping in mind, the reason for this outbreak was in "Night..." in 1968, and the reason was some kind of radioactive fallout from a contaminated space probe. The air above ground is contaminated. Hence, underground, and no reanimation. Plus, two of the deaths were from gunshots to the head, guaranteeing no reanimation.

It is a simple, yet very complex story, and some people don't get the ending. It's simple, really. The first scene (spoiler here) is a dream sequence, and after all the nightmarish events of the story, the last remaining characters flee to an island somewhere out in the ocean, and apparently one fell asleep, just to wake up on the island. Physical exhaustion. The last part of the escape, jumping to the island, is nothing more that a time-lapse in the script.

Yes, this is a very good movie of this type, one that I feel is underappreciated.

zombie love.......2007-05-30

Don't get me wrong, here--this is a film with flaws. It had quite a low budget even for its time, and it is nothing if not completely over-the-top (but in a good way). The blood is a little too red. Some of the zombies are just people wearing black and blue spray-on paints. The ending is a bit lacking, and far too comic-booky/Hollywood for some.

However, it's still cleverly done, and once you get into it, the cut corners will fly past your vision. There are some special effects that are still amazing to this day, the characters are interesting, the dialogue is well done and at times intentionally hilarious, and it's got some of the most ridiculously gory and memorable death scenes, right up there with the sleeping bag sequence from Friday the 13th and Phantasm's first death-by-sentinel-sphere.

I can't bring myself to compare it to the other "Dead" films, because it has a distinctly different feel. It's gritty, harshly lit, and consummately '80s.

As for the zombie called "Bub"--be prepared for a rather confusing experience. I had mixed feelings about Bub at first, but now I think I'm in love with him. He is a mouldering, humanoid Gentle Ben. Sherman Howard's performance is enthusiastic, and, dare I say, cute. He obviously got a kick out of the role, and it's always nice to see actors having as much fun as he obviously did (and said as much, in the supplemental materials, which are a blast to watch in and of themselves). Don't underestimate ol' Bub, though. He proves himself to be quite the hardass in the end, even if he does love Beethoven. It's worth noting that a lot of the scenes involving Bub were mostly ad-libbed, which, if you're aware of the fact, adds to the experience.

Long story short, I love the hell out of this movie, and it's probably my favorite of the original trilogy. It's a fun romp, and if you can get past and/or embrace the idea of an adorable gun-toting zombie, you're guaranteed a rip-snortin' good time.

Watch the extras, too! It's worth it if only for the hilarious behind-the-scenes videos of actors struggling with the makeup. Buh huh huhh!

Not very good........2007-05-29

People who are enjoying newer zombie movies like the remake of Dawn of the Dead and 28 Days/Weeks Later may want to steer clear of this one. It's full of rock stupid, bickering, cruel human characters that scream obscenities at each other. It's not good. It's really painful to watch, and I think it'll turn your soul to tar and your brain to oatmeal with repeated viewings.

The best zombie movies in my opinion are the ones that make you feel like it's the end of the world, with violent death around every corner. It's you, with perhaps a small band of survivors, trying to hold out against the destruction of civilization and the human race. This one makes me root for the zombies, and frankly, it loses me there.

I highly recommend you skip this one, and see Dawn of the Dead (2004) or 28 Days Later instead.

Deserves a second look..........2007-05-17

When I first watched "Day of the Dead" many years ago, I must say I thought it was boring. My mind was not ready for the philisophical musings, the complicated relationships, and the strong decisions made by all of the characters.

Watching it now, I realize what an outstanding movie it really is. The plan "B" of the original idea, this movie stands out with a deep story and lots of zombie gore.

The Remains of the Day (Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

"Z. Hayes" took the review right out of my minds eye :)
PERFECT in every way
Thought Provoking
Compelling performances by Hopkins and Thompson
Entertainment and a Little Slice of History

The Remains of the Day (Special Edition)
Starring: Terence Bayler , Peter Cellier , Paul Copley , Peter Eyre , and Patrick Godfrey
Director: James Ivory
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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Howards End - The Merchant Ivory Collection
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ASIN: B00003CXC9
Release Date: 2001-11-06

Amazon.com essential video

This excellent film is probably best described as subtle elegance. Framed in the present, the movie deals with the lives inside an English country home just prior to World War II. Reunited with the filmmakers from Howards End are Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton, the head housekeeper, and Anthony Hopkins as Stevens, the impeccable butler. The bittersweet story centers on Stevens and his dedication to his master, Lord Darlington (a suitably officious and slyly pompous James Fox). Stevens summarizes: "I don't believe a man can consider himself fully content until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer." Enveloping Stevens's world are the pending war with Germany, Darlington's horribly misguided interests in said war, and, most effectively, his relationship with Miss Kenton. Stevens is the very essence of repression, but as played by Hopkins he is neither piteous nor self-righteous. Like his master, Stevens becomes misguided in his loyalties, although his is an emotional deprivation, possibly condemning him to lifelong regret. There's so much going on in this film, and yet the action is skillfully depicted through understanding and knowing glances, through emotions expressed only through eye contact. Like other Merchant-Ivory-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala collaborations, this film is sumptuous to look at, capturing the period effectively and affectingly. Jhabvala respectfully adapts from the Kazuo Ishiguro novel. Excellent in supporting roles are Christopher Reeve, Ben Chaplin, and Hugh Grant. --N.F. Mendoza

Customer Reviews:

"Z. Hayes" took the review right out of my minds eye :).......2007-06-19

Z hayes "myrradine" below kind of nailed the coffin shut on reviews for this tremendous work of exceptional purity. I HIGHLY disagree with anyone that thinks the screenplay was not keeping true to the book. In fact, as "myrradine" states below, it's even better than the original work. I concur.

This truly shows what one can masterfully do with a book. Take an exceptional director like Merchant Ivory, with the "raw" talent of Hopkins and the exceptional pure realism of someone like gorgeous Emma Thompson, and you have what movie making should be about: timely, percise, flowing and elequont.

I can clearly see how many people would find this very dull and boring, but there are very few films that can utterly show you the pinnacle of the craft. Remains of the Day is clearly that type of movie.

Without a doubt five stars in every direction.

(ok so I lied z. hayes, I did one anyway) :)

PERFECT in every way.......2007-05-24

Have just become a fan of Merchant Ivory films and think this must be their best. Excellent performances by everyone in the film, excellent cinema photography, excellent screenplay. Have been watching it over and over and over and still am not bored.

Thought Provoking.......2007-05-13

This movie has a great message. It shows, how loyalty, to a profession, nullifies and does not allow for expression of any emotional involvement with others, whether that may be a family member or possible romantic interest. It also shows, that one has to live with the choices one makes. Hopkins, again, gives a star performance as Stevens, the British butler. To me, it was sad to see how a "fanatic" devotion to his work, did not leave any room for him to experience love.

Compelling performances by Hopkins and Thompson.......2007-05-12

Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day was a masterpiece, and yet this movie adaptation is not only faithful to the novel, but in my opinion outshines the book. One reason is the excellent casting. Sir Anthony Hopkins plays the by-the-book butler whose icy demeanor actually belies a fondness and even love for his efficient and charming housekeeper, played excellently by Emma Thompson. His insistence on decorum and adherence to the politics of the houselhold cause him to refrain from ever proclaiming his true feelings for his housekeeper, and so also goes his chance of personal happiness. Fast forward years later, and the aging Hopkins now has a new master, an American [played by Christopher Reeve]...he has the opportunity of engaging a new housekeeper, and thinks of his old housekeeper...but things are not as easy as he believes...and whether he gets to rectify his past mistakes makes up the rest of the story. A well-told tale of love lost, and also a good movie that provides a glimpse of politics in England during a time when Germany was rising in power.

Entertainment and a Little Slice of History.......2007-03-19

See pre-WWII England through the eyes of dedicated household servants. This is one of the finest performances of all involved, especially Christopher Reeve, who brings a touch of America to a staid English manor. A tale of servitude, the shaping of history, faithfulness to cause and service, "The Remains of the Day" is at heart the inexhaustable yearning for love lost.

Average customer rating:

Purple Rain In DVD
A musical Masterpiece.
More performances,,...Less documentary.
It's all about the music, man
Worth a look for some of the bonus disk features

Purple Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Prince , Apollonia Kotero , Morris Day , Olga Karlatos , and Clarence Williams III
Director: Albert Magnoli
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B0002CTSUY
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Amazon.com

The late Albert Magnoli directed this ragged but effective 1984 drama (with lots of musical interludes) starring (the artist formerly known as) Prince as a Minneapolis musician whose ego is his biggest obstacle to fame and love. In the backdrop is a strong story about the character's violent family life and a father made monstrous by broken dreams. Prince's film debut as an actor is not bad at all, and he is surrounded by a few people (Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, and members of his own band) for whom he has served as a mentor in real life. The music is loud and good: "When Doves Cry," "Purple Rain," "Let's Go Crazy"--you remember the soundtrack. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Purple Rain In DVD.......2007-05-19

Saw the movie in theater when released, like having it in the player to listen to the music, watch again, view some songs. Parts of this movie music still send chills down my spine. Our Sharp LCD tv will zoom the letterbox to fill the screen, works good. Not sure about the subtitles of dialog, they get cut off then, couldn't find a way to turn them off, the player seems set right. No special stuff for extras. I like some Prince, this is one worth having. Have the VHS, DVD better than tape!

I enjoy having this, esp. to use as music video while I get tv time before what my wife wants to see comes on. Can stop, find my place again later or next night.

A musical Masterpiece........2007-04-19

Purple Rain is one of the iconic Black films of the 1980s. Forget about plot, story and acting, this unique movie is like Prince himself: It's is all about the music.

Prince is the Kid, a struggling Black Minneapolis rock musician. He's not thinking about getting big just trying to get by. He struggles to keep his band playing a local nightclub where he hasn't been packing them in lately. His band wants to break up and he's got stiff competition in rival band The Time and its charismatic bandleader Morris Day who is trying to persuade the club owner towards featuring his acts exclusively. In the quest to stay in the club, keep his band together and fight for the affections of Apollonia Kotero, the Kid suffers for his art. In between the inspired and original music videos we see his pain in every frame of this film.

In his personal life, the Kid is desperate not to turn into his father, an alcoholic musician who mercilessly beats his Mother. He doesn't want to repeat the violent behavior of his Father, but his frustrations about the direction of his career seem to be getting the better of him in his relationship with Apollonia. I don't want to give away any more, but in the end he overcomes his struggles, ends the cycle of violence, and gets the girl. The movie ends with the performance of "Purple Rain". Seeing this concert footage of this song alone is worth the purchase price of the DVD.

Purple Rain is a unique movie experience. Part autobiography, part rock video part documentary it comes together into a beautifully crafted film. Director Alberto Magnoli's camera takes the viewer into the world of Rock music in Minneapolis. Production values are sparse, but that works to Magnoli's advantage. It allows him to capture the grittiness of the mid 80's beautifully. Filming out of those homes, alleys, and city streets takes us back to that time before Prince became a worldwide superstar. And yes, people did wear clothes and hairstyles like that back then.

The music-without it, there wouldn't be a movie. I heard many of these songs way back when I was a kid in 1984 and all of them still stay with me. Princes' music is a one-of a kind experience. There's so much heart, passion and emotion in every song, in every beat of music. Watching this movie again twenty-three years later I now understand the pain behind his creative process. As a writer and artist myself I've come to appreciate this movie even more. Anyone who wants to be a musician, rapper, writer, or "artist" should have a copy of this movie and the soundtrack on hand.

There isn't much acting here, since everyone is just playing themselves, but the heart and passion of this production shows onscreen. Prince is Rock solid as the Kid. Appolonia Kotero is charming and engaging. The late Clarence Williams III is incredible to watch as the abusive father. Williams adds great depth to the character; It's the best performance of his career. Olga Karlatos is solid as the Kid's Mom. Morris Day steals a lot of scenes as Princes' rival.

Purple Rain is a Top Ten Five star essential Shawn James video. You have to have this movie in your collection!

More performances,,...Less documentary........2007-04-01

The 2 disc DVD was pretty good. Really could have done without the movie...and provided more of Prince's performances. Overall, enjoyed watching it though.:-) Got bored with the interviews and the documentary part of the movie.

It's all about the music, man.......2007-01-23

Yes, this is an iconic film...but it's strickly because of the music. Bad acting galore and a high school script at best. But the stars had aligned just perfectly for Prince in his first acting gig because this movie had transcended everything that was going on at the time. Even to this day you can't help but move with the music. It will still be a classic twenty more years from now. Jam on, Prince. Jam on. Highly recommended.

Worth a look for some of the bonus disk features.......2007-01-02

I agree with many Amazon reviewers who say PURPLE RAIN was, when no one was singing, a dud of a flick. But this anniversary two-disk release is worth seeing for some of the stuff on the bonus D.V.D.. In particular, the M.T.V. PURPLE RAIN premiere footage features appearances and interviews with Little Richard, John Mellencamp, Eddie Murphy, Weird Al Yankovic, Sheila E. and Pee-Wee Herman. The M.T.V. host asks Eddie Murphy his opinion of PURPLE RAIN but Murphy dodges the question, saying he is such a Prince fan he liked it. Diplomatic of you, Eddie.

The M.T.V. program also shows Prince Rogers Nelson for just a moment as he enters the party. Walking past the crowds and cameras, Prince says nothing. (One will note that "Personality" is a song Prince never sang.) But then, Prince may have chosen to say nothing rather than say we will like the movie.

Make sure you read the February 13, 2000, review of PURPLE RAIN for a comprehensive summary of the film's flaws.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Just another love story
A literate, moving film
A well made adaptation!
Threesome with tanks
Don't let the title fool you!

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis , Juliette Binoche , Lena Olin , Derek de Lint , and Erland Josephson
Director: Philip Kaufman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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9 songs - Unrated Full Uncut Version
Lie With Me

ASIN: B000CBG5PG
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Amazon.com essential video

Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Tomas, the happily irresponsible Czech lover of Milan Kundera's novel, which is set in Prague just before and during the Soviet invasion in 1968. Lena Olin and Juliette Binoche are the two vastly different women who occupy his attention and to some extent represent different sides of his values and personality. In any case, the character's decision to flee Russian tanks with one of them--and then return--has profound consequences on his life. Directed by Philip Kaufman, this rich, erotic, fascinating character study with allegorical overtones is a touchstone for many filmgoers. Several key sequences--such as Olin wearing a bowler hat and writhing most attractively--linger in the memory, while Kaufman's assured sense of the story inspires superb performances all around. --Tom Keogh

Description

Let others in 1968 Prague fret over liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Prague surgeon and avowed womanizer Tomas is focused on the happiness of pursuit. He's determined to live with a lightness of being unfettered by things like commitment and Communism. A young doctor's quest for sex and his stumbling into love are part of the rich storyline of this lyrical film from the landmark Milan Kundera novel, produced by Saul Zaentz (The English Patient, Amadeus) and directed by Philip Kaufman (The Right Stuff, Henry & June). Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin indelibly form the romantic triangle at the center of Tomas' world. It's a shifting world of hope spoiled and renewed, of lives blighted by oppression and reinvigorated by deep, maturing love.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by Philip Kaufman, Jean-Claude Carriere, Walter Murch and Lena Olin
Audio Commentary:Commentary by Philip Kaufman, Jean-Claude Carriere, Walter Murch and Lena Olin
Documentaries:Emotional History: The Making of Unbearable Lightness of Being
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

Just another love story.......2007-05-18

The Unbearable Lightness of Being is one of those occasional attempts by American filmmakers to make a European arthouse movie in English, in this case taking on an `unfilmable' novel and trying to solve the problem of turning inner monologue into a credible narrative. Despite, or perhaps because of Jean-Claude Carriere's presence as co-writer with director Philip Kaufman, this tends to take the form of the odd conversation between shags rather than an attempt to turn ideas into images, leaving a rather conventional narrative about a philandering surgeon who ultimately needs the oppression of the Russian invasion rather than the freedom of the Czech Spring to focus his emotional commitments and principles. Some of this is done well, some of it less well, but at the end of the day it's just a love story, although it deals well with the personal consequences of the political crackdown and the ending is quietly moving. Which, in a way, reflects some kind of emotional triumph - whereas for most of the film we don't really care for the characters, merely go along with them, by the end, like he hero, we have at least attained some genuine level of emotional commitment.

Whether that entirely justifies 171-minutes of screen time is debatable, though in its defense the film never feels that long. There are moments that grate, not least the sporadically clumsy integration of the main characters into archive footage of the Russian invasion that draws attention to itself by the crude device of adding scratches only to the new footage. The photography session doesn't quite work either despite an interesting start, not quite pulling off the shift of power and veering off into self-indulgence. The performances are slightly problematic too, especially with the Czechs limited to the smaller supporting roles in an Anglo-French-Swedish-American cast leading to a variety of composite accents (often more Germanic than Slav) and a feeling that the casting directors thought "Yeah, he sounds foreign, he'll do" at times. Daniel Day Lewis fares well as the coldly charismatic and fickle doc but still hadn't shrugged off that well-trained British stage actor feel to his performances; Juliette Binoche is genuinely appealing in one of her more open performances, although it's a bit of a stretch that her character never loses her naiveté; but as the more passionate of his loves Lena Olin is somewhat more problematic, her performance getting less convincing as the film progresses until rediscovering its humanity in her final scene. Of the supporting players, Erland Josephon has one good scene as a former ambassador reduced to being a janitor that underlines the way that even love and sex can be used as weapons of political oppression merely through the introduction of doubt - an idea that becomes strangely more powerful because of the way Kaufman frequently