Maryam

Starring:Mariam Parris, David Ackert, Shaun Toub, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Maz Jobrani, Victor Jory (II), Sabine Singh, Michael Blieden, Jason Nash, Goli Samii, Al Nazemian, Armin Amiri, Gillian Thomas (II)
Director: Ramin Serry
Studio: Fox Lorber
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Turbo-charged comic Jack Black shakes School of Rock to its foundations, wailing with born-again metalhead passion as Dewey Finn, a guitarist who gets kicked out of a band because he grandstands too much--or, to put it another way, enjoys himself. Through an intercepted phone call, Finn gets a job as a substitute teacher for a fifth grade class at a private grade school. Neither students nor teacher quite know what to do with each other until Finn discovers that some of his young charges can play instruments; at once he starts turning them into a blistering rock & roll troupe that can crush his former band at an upcoming competition. School of Rock is silly and formulaic, but director Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused), writer Mike White (The Good Girl), and especially Black and co-star Joan Cusack invest the formulas with such glee that the movie is irresistibly fun. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

In the Black.......2007-06-13

School of Rock is one of those films that's tailor-made for the comedian performing in it. This has become all the rage since Robin Williams played the Genie in Aladdin, Jim Carey in The Mask, or Will Ferrell in Elf. These sorts of films play to the comedian's strengths and minimize their weaknesses, and when they get it right, it's movie magic.

And so Black gets his moment in School of Rock. Black's been playing the overweight guy pining for the good old days of rock like geeks pine over the original Star Trek series, with pop-eyed enthusiasm far outweighing the energy that most people muster for just about anything. Black is truly the uber-music geek and the title is well earned through a film history of Black essentially playing the same guy: Bio-Dome (as Tenacious D), High Fidelity (as Barry), Shallow Hal (as Hal), and of course Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny. In short, if there's going to be a film about kids learning about the pedigree of rock and roll, Black would be the guy who wrote, directed, and acted in it.

What's surprising is that this movie ISN'T Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny. As a music geek, Black's tastes for music could easily alienate much of the audience. School of Rock isn't just about rock; it's about music appreciation, the lack of attention paid to kids in school, teacher malaise, and a society that no longer fights the Man. Or to put it another way, this is a movie made for the mainstream.

Which is what makes it so much fun. Our slacker hero, Dewey Finn (Jack Black), has been crashing at his substitute teacher friend's house (Ned, played by Mike White). When Ned's girlfriend (the lovely Sarah Silverman, playing a decidedly unfunny role) pushes for Dewey's ouster, the slob has to get a job. And so he does, by impersonating Ned at a private school for upper class kids. It's not long before Dewey throws out the curriculum and teaches the kids his own brand of history: good old, wholesome rock and roll.

School of Rock spends a lot of time struggling to justify the madness: the kids soundproof the room, teachers occasionally think they hear something, the uptight principal springs surprise visits (played by the delightfully naughty Joan Cusack), and parents start to get worried. Just about none of it is believable, most specifically when Dewey is finally caught by the police and ends up dashing down the hallway, two guitars in hand, without any further consequences.

But that's beside the point. Who cares if School of Rock bends the laws of time and space to allow Dewey's one chance in the sun, not as a rock star but as the aging patriarch of a band of insanely talented pre-teens? We came to see a rock show, and we get it.

Black flops around, he sweats, he tosses his head with manic glee, but most of all he passionately TEACHES. He teaches a large girl that her weight doesn't matter, teaches the geek that he should ignore the kids who make fun of him, teaches the brat some discipline, and encourages the brilliance of the lead queen bee to use her powers for good instead of evil. He makes a difference with the kids by bringing what he knows best to the room; not school learning, but plain old-fashioned street smarts. Dewey's, and by extension Black's, sheer enthusiasm makes up for his rough edges.

If only teachers were this enthusiastic about anything these days!

So Funny.......2007-06-12

We love Jack Black... my son (8 yrs. old0 loves it and it have decent humor for us too

concerned mom.......2007-05-29

This movie was is an entertaining story for pre-teens and teenagers. Although the star is somewhat flamboyant in presenting himself at times, the moral of the story, "you can do whatever you put your mind to", is well presented. It is a story of how team work and diversity of talents can be brought together for the good of everyone, if used properly.

SCHOOL OF ROCK with Jack Black!!!.......2007-04-11

Jack Black deserves more than an Academy Award for his Spectacular and Explosive Performance in
SCHOOL OF ROCK!!! A Must . . . for anyone who has ever worked in or attended a school.
In a School System that too often discourages all enthusiasm and passion for any subject . . .
Jack Black . . . Shows Em How!!! In Living his Passion and Truth . . . He Brings to Life . . .
All of the Kids in their different ways!!! One could say it is the Theme of THE BLUES BROTHERS
i.e. Let's Get The Band Together!!! . . . This is Another Good Time Classic . . . of Fun and Celebration of Life!!!
Phenomenal Energy and Dynamic Performance on the part of Jack Black . . . and All Character Actors including
Sarah Silverman . . . Excellent Also!!!
~ Sara Izod

Dead Rockers Society.......2007-03-25

"School of Rock" falls squarely inside the traditional "inspiring teacher" genre of film. Yes, it's predictable, though that's not necessarily a bad thing, since it delivers on all the good feeling that one expects at the end of such a movie. Also, Jack Black is hilarious. It's just so fun to watch his mugging, dancing, wild gesturing and so forth. He is plain perfect for the part of Dewey Finn.

But what's unexpectedly wonderful about "School of Rock" is how it is also a send-up of the "inspiring teacher" film. Black is so dominant in this film (and Joan Cusack makes such a fine prep-school principal) that it's easy to miss how unexpectedly great the kids are -- how convincingly and charmingly they play from inside their stereotypes, pushing on those types -- and also how unexpectedly realistic are the parents (not to mention Black's roommate the real Ned Schneebly). Just at the moment you expect the parents to cave in and embrace "Mr. S's" unusual methods, they surprise you, and react as real parents would. The final scenes of the film thus both are and are not typical. This movie doesn't really subvert its kind, but it's constantly playing the genre just on the edge.

That's only part of what makes it wonderful

Average customer rating:

Run, Don't Walk Away From this One
The Prince & Me 2 - The Roy Wedding
Very disappointed
Yes, it is that bad.
The Prince & Me 2

The Prince & Me 2 - The Royal Wedding
Starring: Luke Mably , Kam Heskin , Maryam d'Abo , Clemency Burton-Hill , and Jonathan Firth
Director: Catherine Cyran
Manufacturer: First Look Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000CDSS0Y
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Customer Reviews:

Run, Don't Walk Away From this One.......2007-06-06

You just saw the Prince and Me, and with magic in your eyes you want more, well, you are not going to find it here in this straight to video horror.

The scene where the Prince's future wife walks into a room of the worst computer animated butterflies should have been hint enough but there is more...

First you wonder where the rest of the cast has gone, not even the minor, minor characters have returned for a reprise (except the poor Prince).

The plot is not worthy of a movie of the week. It is the typical "We must prevent a commoner from ascending to throne."

Trust me, put the first one back in the DVD player and lets pretend it just did not happen. Watch it and you will be royally sore.

The Prince & Me 2 - The Roy Wedding.......2007-05-30

A fine, light romance movie, have enjoyed watching it several times. The only thing that would have made this movie better would have been to have the original cast members from "The Prince and Me" movie. But still a very fine movie and beautiful scenery.

Very disappointed.......2007-05-26

It's hard to like a second movie like this one... Only 1 actor returned out of the big characters in the 1st movie. That is what really disappointed me. Julia really made the character in the 1st movie, and would have really made a huge difference in this film.

Yes, it is that bad........2007-04-27

I finally watched this movie on the Disney channel the other night. Well really I can only say I watched half of the movie. I just couldn't take it anymore. If you liked the first one, DO NOT WATCH THIS! The actress that took over for Julia is much more better suited for the evil Norwegian princess role than Paige Morgan. Luke Mably is the only redeeming actor in the movie and even he feels like he is just there for the paycheck. It's a real turd.

The Prince & Me 2.......2007-03-16

What most people are forgetting is that this is (yes, though a sequel) also a movie of its own. If you don't compare the two movies, what you get is not too bad. The acting is... decent, the set is still rather beautiful, and you also get a bit of laugh out of it.

When you compare the first and the second though, of course, the first one is going to be better. The cast in the first one is more ably than the second.

In the first movie, you have Julia Stiles and Miranda Richardson. They alone ably moved the movie right along. In the second one, you have a completely new cast, and every actor has a certain way in which they see their character; so, you mustn't be too harsh when you've seen the differentiation.

What I consider to be the downfall of the movie is the presentation of the characters and even the actors they chose, because it is the actors that brings a certain something to a film.

Paige's look in this movie is prissy. I thought the actress, Kam Heskin, is better fitted in a movie such as Mean Girls or something of the like. She also doesn't hold onto the portrayal very well. She seems to lose grasp on the concept of Paige's character every now and then (And she pouts too much).

Luke Mably seems lost and uncomfortable in the film. During the first movie, his performance isn't bad. It is actually quite good. I think he gets a bit lost in this movie because he doesn't have a compatible actor to work against as in the first one with Julia Stiles.

What is also disappointing is the lack of depth in the plot. The plot seems almost silly and childish. There's a lacking of character development in the script (which may have also caused the actors to fail a bit in this department).

If you really want to watch this film, I highly suggest that you rent it first.

Average customer rating:

Good film but not one of my favorites
Dalton's Debut Is Impressive

The Living Daylights
Starring: Timothy Dalton , Maryam d'Abo , Jeroen Krabbé , Joe Don Baker , and John Rhys-Davies
Director: John Glen (II)
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000NDEXPM
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Amazon.com

Timothy Dalton made his 007 debut in the lean, mean mode of Sean Connery, doing away with the pun-filled camp of Roger Moore's final outings. This James Bond is ruthless, tough, and romantic. The Living Daylights, set during the thaw of the cold war, begins with the defection of Russian KGB General Koskov (Jeroen Krabb) and his revelation of a Soviet plot to eliminate Britain's secret agent force. Assigned to eliminate Koskov's Soviet boss (John Rhys-Davies), Bond uncovers a conspiracy involving Koskov and an American arms dealer (Joe Don Baker). Veteran series director John Glen's action scenes have never been better--especially the show-stopping mid-air battle on the net of a speeding cargo plane--and he returns the series to the smart, rough, high-energy adventures that made the Bond reputation. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

Good film but not one of my favorites.......2007-06-14

Dalton did a great job in his short time as Bond. They didn't give him a lot to work with in this one, but he still did a good job.

Dalton's Debut Is Impressive.......2007-04-04

The first thing that struck me about this film is that Timothy Dalton could act and he took the part very seriously. I found THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS to be one of the better James Bond films. I think it is the best since ON HER MAJESTY's SECRET SERVICE. I really liked Timothy Dalton as James Bond, the James Bond he gave us in this film (THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS). He was not the hard edged civil servant but more of a thinking man's blunt instrument as he demonstrated his reluctance to get the job done "their" way as opposed to "his" way.

John Barry delivered his last 007 score and it is one of his best. I also enjoyed a-ha's rich and lyrical theme song played over Maurice Binder's main titles, which are very reflective. This was also the last Bond film made during the actual cold war. We see a much more intelligent British agent discern that the KGB is not made up of a bunch of hoodlums but instead it is actually headed by an equally intelligent counterpart to "M" and the like. The dark yet richly colored photography and locations bring back much of the feel of the earlier Bond films.

Timothy Dalton deserved to be around much longer as James Bond based on his work in this film.

Average customer rating:

In the Black
So Funny
concerned mom
SCHOOL OF ROCK with Jack Black!!!
Dead Rockers Society

School of Rock (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Jack Black , Adam Pascal , Lucas Papaelias , Chris Stack , and Sarah Silverman
Director: Richard Linklater
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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School of Rock
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ASIN: B00018U9FW
Release Date: 2004-03-02

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

In the Black.......2007-06-13

So Funny.......2007-06-12

We love Jack Black... my son (8 yrs. old0 loves it and it have decent humor for us too

concerned mom.......2007-05-29

SCHOOL OF ROCK with Jack Black!!!.......2007-04-11

Dead Rockers Society.......2007-03-25

Average customer rating:

The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships?
Helen of Troy
"Helen" not so bad
Way too much Helen, not enough Troy
How do you say "Horrible" in Greek?

Helen of Troy
Starring: Sienna Guillory , Matthew Marsden , Rufus Sewell , John Rhys-Davies , and Maryam d'Abo
Director: John Kent Harrison
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JMH8
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Description

One of the most epic adventure stories of all time comes powerfully to life in this original four-hour epic-series. Filmed in exotic locales with an international cast and featuring state-of-the-art special effects, Helen of Troy depicts one of the greatest battles ever fought to win the love of the world's most beautiful woman. Though married to Menelaus, King of Sparta, Helen (Sienna Guillory) falls madly in love with Paris (Matthew Marsden) a handsome Trojan prince. Together, the lovers flee to Troy, where they are given safe haven by Paris' father, King Priam (John Rhys-Davies). Bent on bringing Helen back, the king's ruthless brother Agememnon (Rufus Sewell) leads the skilled Spartan army to the shores of the fabled city. There the Greeks lay siege to Troy, thus beginning one of history's most legendary wars which would ultimately decide the destinies of two empires.

Customer Reviews:

The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships?.......2006-09-21

This version is fairly well-made; my only complaint was the casting of Helen. Obviously when casting such a role, one cannot please everyone. But I found it impossible to believe this woman was the most beautiful woman in the world, whose appearance so bewitched and fascinated men that they would kill and die for her. The actress cast as Helen is certainly pretty, but in a rather waif-like and generic "Vogue" way that is certainly not representative of classical ideals of beauty in any way. Helen should not be merely "pretty", like most modern magazine models are, but her beauty should be more unusual and striking. For a perfect example of this kind of beauty, I refer you to Leelee Sobieski as the nymph Deianeira in the 2005 TV version of "Hercules". Now that's a Helen.

Helen of Troy.......2006-05-28

Personally, I found the movie entertaining and did get more than a few chuckles out of the present handling nad mischaracterization of the Greek story. It has little or nothing to do with the epic Helen or the Illiad, and Oddessey which could cause the movie to fall flat on its face for lack of any real connection to the actual story. The very worst part to me is the mishandling and misrepresentaion of Achilles and the way he lived, fought, and died. The portrayed rape of Helen by Agamemnon was a serious deviation from the epic poetry and other than groos and unnecessary sensationalizing of a terrible event which is entirely missing from the literature. Helen did accompany Menelaus back to Sparta and they seem to have lived out their lives there. I would recommend this movie for entertainment purposes only with the hope that it might stimulate others into reading Homer, about Crete, About Mycenae, and about Greek in particular. I will not criticize tha actors in this drama although I think they were underprepared for the role but did the best they could with what they had been given. If it stimulates the viewer's interest into exploring the other fine books and DVD's that are currently coming out, the movie will have far exceeded its potential. I would strongly recommend Homer's Illiad/Oddessey, Paul Cartledge's The Spartans, Anything by Bettand Hughes, a historian extrordinaire and a story teller of the very highest quality. Her books and DVD's will touch you heart and soul. In addition, Tom Holland's Persion Fire is an exceptional read which literally makes history come alive as does Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire which is a historical narrative of the Battle for the Gates of Thermoplyae. Having experienced the blood, sweat, tears, fear, and terror of hand to hand combat, I can attest the his book will make you feel like you were there and you understood, and will understand, why men can dedicate themselves to a country and a cause much bigger than themselves. All soldiers fear being hurt or killed on a humbug (events bordering on incompentence) but are prepared to die honorably if the cause is just. His book is the closest you will ever come to sharing the frontline without actually getting out there and doing it. Kudos to him. I love the book.

"Helen" not so bad.......2006-01-17

I actually enjoyed this TV version of the fated story...it was not the epic that "Troy" is, with the multi-million dollar scenery and costumes--not to mention Brad Pitt--but the storyline was much more Homer...plus I feel that the actors were more into their characters and not so "Hollywood." (It's kind of hard to see Brad Pitt as Achilles, b/c he's Brad Pitt, even if he is a great actor)...I saw this on TV and fell in love with it...I really liked the way Agamemnon and Helen's relationship was portrayed, even if it isn't accurate...Helen is portrayed as much more childlike and naive, but she was only a child, a beautiful, pawned child...Agamemnon is seen as teetering on the brink of madness throughout the entire movie, as he probably was...the fight scenes were nothing to write home about and neither were several of the performances, but they had Cassandra and her foretellings, Agamemnon sacrificing his daughter in order to sail for Troy, Agamemnon being killed by Clytemnestra (even if it was in Troy), the pre-story of Paris and the fate of Troy, Pollux (but no Castor), and the fact that Helen was a Spartan (not through marriage to Menalaus but by birth--Menelaus inherited Sparta by marrying Helen)...in all, this movie is worth watching, if only for another take on the classic story.

Way too much Helen, not enough Troy.......2005-10-26

If you are wanting to see anything that even vaguely looks like the Illiad, forget this movie. The death of Hector is poor beyond belief. It was a waste of money, oh well.

How do you say "Horrible" in Greek?.......2005-08-01

This movie was horrible! Why did they choose such an inexperienced actress to play Helen? She wasn't that beautiful and I just couldn't see anyone making a big fuss over her. Also, her acting wasn't that great. I just didn't get into this overly long movie, which probably didn't do justice to this great story. Was a complete waste of time. If I could give it a zero, I would have.

Average customer rating:

New is not always bad.
Dark, haunting and beautiful...A wonderful adaptation!
BUY THIS FILM NOW!
Nothing compared to the book or original movie!
Russian history brought to life...(kleenex in tow)

Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries)
Starring: Sam MacLintock , Keira Knightley , Bill Paterson , Sam Neill , and Celia Imrie
Director: Giacomo Campiotti
Manufacturer: Acorn Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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Doctor Zhivago

ASIN: B0000C2IQG
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Amazon.com

The miniseries treatment is suited to Doctor Zhivago, the sprawling Boris Pasternak novel of a Russian physician-poet whose comfortable life is upended by the Revolution. And this near-four-hour British production lucidly demonstrates that Pasternak was one heck of a storyteller: the torment of Zhivago (Hans Matheson) as he must choose between his well-bred childhood sweetheart (Alexandra Maria Lara, real comer) and the tragically beautiful Lara (Keira Knightley, from Pirates of the Caribbean) remains compelling. The TV treatment can't match the epic sweep of David Lean's feature film, of course, with its cast of thousands and astonishing production design. Devotees of that 1965 version will undoubtedly yearn for Maurice Jarre's tinkly hit "Lara's Theme," too; here, Ludovico Einaudi's score is serviceable by comparison. Matheson never gets untracked in the title role, but the uncannily gorgeous Knightley and a supremely decadent Sam Neill (as her dreadful seducer) keep their characters vital. The limitations of the small screen duly noted, the frosty location shooting is handsome. Given the choice, see the Lean film on the big screen every time; but this is sturdy introduction to a classic story. --Robert Horton

Description

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
A man torn between two women amid the chaos and brutality of the Russian Revolution
One of the world's most famous love stories and half a century of Russian history come to life in this adaptation of Pasternak's masterpiece by celebrated screenwriter Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones's Diary, Pride and Prejudice). War and revolution bring poet and physician Yury Zhivago (Hans Matheson) together with the beautiful Lara (Keira Knightley), his muse and all-consuming passion. But both are haunted--Yury by guilt over his betrayal of Tonya, his beloved wife, and Lara by fear of Komarovsky (Sam Neill), the powerful man who means to have her any way he can.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE 70 minutes of cast and crew interviews, photo gallery, filmographies, Boris Pasternak biography, English subtitles.

Complete UK broadcast edition
RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES

Customer Reviews:

New is not always bad........2007-03-22

I too prefer this version.

But I am odd-man out because I never loved the original screen adaptation. Perhaps because although full of great talents, it failed to make me care about the characters. I did love the "making of" footage on the collector's edition I bought, but the film never impressed me. Like many of the other reviewers I have a great deal of respect for Julie Christie as an actress but her performance fell flat, which I blame on the director. Lean may have been great at epic scope, but making an audience connect with and understand the main characters seems not to have been his focus, in this project at least.

This new Zhivago does not leave you scratching your head wondering why it's such a celebrated love story. Yes that is due mostly to having more time for the story to unfold. We get to know the characters and sympathize with them. This version gave me a much greater respect for Tonya, and made Yuri's struggle between his passion for Lara and his devotion to Tonya plainer to the viewer. Andrew Davies (writer) has a brilliant talent for bringing the essence of a story to the screen in the miniseries format.

The real stand out for me (other than the always delightful Sam Neill) was Kris Marshall. He was a brilliant Pasha. A far cry from the dorky Colin of "Love Actually." He is also great in "The Merchant of Venice" with Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons.

The comparisons I have seen of "Matheson to Sharif" and "Knightley to Christie" have been inappropriate. Acting, though essentially the same, was done in a rather different style back when the original was made. Rather wooden compared to some modern interpretations (not a statement of quality, just saying I'm used to something different). This was not always the case but I consider it as good a reason as any why two such great artists as Christie and Sharif failed to move me in that film. I'm not entirely convinced those who criticize the new leads by comparing them with the old aren't looking more at the lifetime of work the former actors have to their credit, rather than their specific performances in Dr. Zhivago. "Luminosity" can be acheived with proper makeup and lighting.

One might also consider what the filmmakers intended to convey. If their goals are acheived, it should be considered an accomplishment regardless of personal taste.

In honesty I must admit that I have not yet been brave enough to tackle the book. Something about Russian drama in literature intimidates me, I suppose.

I don't expect anyone to go by my review really. I simply offer my opinions to counter those I see here with which I disagree. See the film for yourself and decide. There is no law that says anyone must love any adaptation.

Dark, haunting and beautiful...A wonderful adaptation!.......2006-11-17

It has been almost a whole decade since I read the Boris Pasternak classic novel this miniseries is based on and I admit that my memory of the book was kind of sketchy, but having watched this gorgeous adaptation has brought it all back to me. I have read some novels set during the Russian Revolution. The last one I read with the aforementioned setting was an erotic novel called The Captivation. Most of the books I've read based on revolutionary Russia glossed over the events, but Pasternak gave a clear and disturbing image of everything that went on. Doctor Zhivago is brought to life with a unique love story set against the backdrop of one of the most memorable wars in history. Hans Matheson plays Dr. Yuri Zhivago -- a young man whose main passions are caring for his patients and writing poetry. He marries the young woman he grows up with (Alexandra Maria Lara) and has two children with her. During the revolution and the first world war, he is driven apart from his family. He reunites with them only to become exiles. When Zhivago meets and falls for Lara (Keiran Knightley), he is torn between honor and duty for his wife and his passionate love for Lara. Lara has gone through many things herself. She tries to get away from the man who takes away her innocence (Sam Neill) and marries a young man who becomes obsessed with the revolution (Kriss Marshall). Through almost four hours in this powerful miniseries, we see the struggles the star-crossed lovers go through during the midst of the revolution, and how their love survives in spite of the obstacles.

I never saw the 1965 film version so I cannot make any comparisons. In fact, I am glad I haven't watched the previous film because I cannot help compare the old and new works. All I can say is that once again Andrew Davies has done a marvelous job adapting another classic. This miniseries is dark, poignant and haunting and it has affected me a great deal. There are disturbing scenes here that stay in your mind long after you've watched them. People have complained about British actors in what is supposed to be a Russian film, speaking with an English accent instead of using a Russian accent, but I think the actors chosen have done a wonderful job. And I'd rather hear them speak with their natural way instead of using a phony Russian accent that would probably make them sound silly and in turn drag you out of the story and dialogue. Hans Matheson is wonderful as Dr. Yuri Zhivago. He brings his conflicting emotions to life. Even though I am not a big fan of Keiran Knightley, I think she is wonderful as Lara. Alexandra Maria Lara is very pretty and turns in an engaging performance playing Tonya, Yuri's wife. Sam Neill plays the villainous Victor Komarovsky with aplomb. He is hateful and ammoral and you hate him from beginning to end. The most surprising actor here, however, is Kriss Marshall. Having seen him in the BBC sitcom My Family and in the movie Love, Actually, he struck me more as a comic actor, but I see that he has a wide range of acting skills and I was suitably amazed by his performance. As for other aspects of the film, the early twentieth century setting and the backdrop of the Russian Revolution are quite wonderful, haunting and beautiful. Well, the scenes related to the revolution are quite graphic at times, but I'm glad about that. I get tired of watching films where they gloss over these important events. I love this story centered on star-crossed romance and heartbreak. I felt awful for Tonya for losing Yuri to Lara, but I always got the feeling that his affections for her were more brotherly than romantic, for they grew up together. Lara is the proverbial flawed, tragic heroine and she moved me to the core. As said before, Knightley isn't one of my favorite actresses but she does succeed in moving me here. All in all, I love Doctor Zhivago. This is a must-have for your DVD collection. The other reviewers have piqued my interest and I think I shall give the 1965 film a whirl as well.

BUY THIS FILM NOW!.......2006-08-06

I love this adaptation of Dr Zhvivago it is amazing, so moving and thought provoking it is simply brilliant. Kris Marshall gives a stellar performance as Strelnikof and he is HOT but that isnt why I like the movie!! You wont regret buying this film.

Nothing compared to the book or original movie!.......2006-07-22

This Brit re-make just doesn't cut it! Russia has been open to Westerners since 1991! Why use a Brit [Knightley] trying to act like a Russian, which she can't do, when they could have used Russians in the lead roles? If they HAD to use Knightley for star appeal, put her in a lesser role. It doesn't ring true but maybe that's because I have spent a lot of time in Russia with real Russians. In fact, I have my own Russian Love story but that could be another movie!

Russian history brought to life...(kleenex in tow).......2006-04-29

I have never read the book by Boris Pasternak nor have I seen the original 1965 movie (I plan on reading the book and renting the David Lean version soon, though). That said, I loved it! I was really impressed by Keira Knightley's performance, especially as she was only 16 or 17 at the time. Hans Matheson plays the torn poet/physician to perfection. (Other reviewers who panned the two leads must have a different standard of acting than I have...they were great in my book.) Yury Zhivago and Lara cross each other's path three times b/f they work side-by-side as doctor and nurse during the end of WWI and the onset of the Russian Revolution. Lara peers into the window of a cafe where Yury is sitting with Tonya and his friend, Mischa (the three friends are discussing the nature of love and whether or not it can be analyzed); the future lovers' eyes meet and they exchange smiles. Their second meeting is more dramatic. Dr. Zhivago resuscitates Lara's mother after she attempts suicide. Their third meeting is the most dramatic. Before the Revolution, Lara tries to avenge the seedy Komarovsky, who has misused her. She interrupts an aristocratic party that Yury attends by storming in and firing at Komarovsky; unfortunately, she misaims. Boris Pasternak penned a villain we love to hate in the character of Komarovsky: an opportunist without much of a conscience. His urbane mannerisms do little to compensate for his complete want of emotional intelligence or integrity. Lara feels defiled by the same man who was only a short while ago her mother's lover. When she tries to break with Komarovsky, he won't let her, and from then on, he unrelentingly pursues her.

Yury does love Tonya, but I get the idea that his love for his wife is more of a friendship and based on Yury's sense of obligation to his adoptive family. (Yury and Tonya were basically raised as brother and sister, so I can see how it would be difficult from Yury's perspective to suddenly transform his brotherly affections for Tonya into a passionate, romantic love, despite Tonya's many noble characteristics.) Mischa loves Tonya romantically, but never acts on his feelings and remonstrates Yury for not fully appreciating Tonya. (The actor who plays Mischa is very handsome, by the way.) Lara marries Pasha, a young man who will soon help bring about a bloodbath in the name of the Revolution and because of a misguided attempt to protect and impress Lara (in such a way that will only further endanger and horrify her). Pasha senses that Lara does not really love him romantically, and he resents that his wife "treats him like a child." They have a daughter together, as Yury has children with Tonya. One of the themes of this movie seems to be mismatched couples. Yury delivers (in my opinion) the film's most memorable lines when he says to Lara, "I wish I could live two lives. My own and the other to see you well and happy..."

I read in another review for this movie that in the novel, Yury has another lover whom he has known since childhood (Marina). This movie makes no reference to Dr. Zhivago's third lover.

I'm glad that Pasha lived to regret his mistakes and rued that after all the bloodshed (no small part of which was at his direct orders), men like Komarovsky were still in power both before and after the Revolution (and despite the ideals of a "classless" society, lived in luxury). Sam Neill was uncanningly convincing as Komarovsky, one of fiction's most detestable villains. (Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Sam Neill isn't really like the character he portrays, but his acting is so "method" :-), that he leaves chills.)

This series was very well done, and I look forward to comparing this remake with the original movie. This remake integrates archival film clips into the movie, which makes the movie even more haunting, as a love story becomes a history lesson (also, we see the real victims of these harsh times, not actors portraying them). This movie didn't have its actors adopt a Russian accent. For example, most of the actors are British and kept their British accent.

Average customer rating:

The First Dalton Outing
Timothy Dalton brings back the danger in Bond...
strong contender for worst bond film
Dalton is James Bond genetically
A Different Side of Bond

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ASIN: B00004W9CB
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Amazon.com

Timothy Dalton made his 007 debut in the lean, mean mode of Sean Connery, doing away with the pun-filled camp of Roger Moore's final outings. He establishes his persona right from the gritty pre-credits sequence, in which he hangs from a speeding truck as it barrels down narrow cobblestone streets, battles an assassin mano a mano, and lands in the arms of a bikinied babe. This James Bond is ruthless, tough, and romantic. The Living Daylights, set during the thaw of the cold war, begins with the defection of Russian KGB General Koskov (Jeroen Krabbé) and his revelation of a Soviet plot to eliminate Britain's secret agent force. Assigned to eliminate Koskov's Soviet boss (John Rhys-Davies, cutting a memorable figure in his brief appearance), Bond uncovers a conspiracy involving Koskov and an American arms dealer (Joe Don Baker). Maryam d'Abo makes a fine Bond girl as Koskov's beautiful cellist girlfriend, a classy innocent who soon loses her naive blush and shows her pluck. The villains are lackluster--Krabbé is a clown and Baker a blowhard--and Dalton hadn't yet mastered the delivery of the trademark quips, but it's a sleek script with a no-nonsense attitude. Veteran series director John Glen's action scenes have never been better--especially the show-stopping mid-air battle on the net of a speeding cargo plane--and he returns the series to the smart, rough, high-energy adventures that made the Bond reputation. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

The First Dalton Outing.......2007-06-17

My favorite bond in a fun movie. Heavy Euro and Middle Eastern scenes in fact none were set in America, which is a switch from the previous Bonds by Roger Moore. Good flck, although the villians are softer than previous and perhaps since. One of the vilians here appeared again in one of the later Bond movies with Pearce Brosnan. See if you can guess who!

Timothy Dalton brings back the danger in Bond..........2007-01-07

Timothy Dalton became the fourth actor to portray James Bond... Having replaced Roger Moore, Dalton's appearance on the scene inspired a sharp reversal of policy in the approach to Bond's films... Moore's comfort with witty lines, light comedic situations, and fantasy plots was replaced by a hard-edged reality and some violent episodes that were better suited to Dalton's more realistic approach to the character of 007...

Dalton has the perfect Bond qualities... He's good looking, athletic, commanding... He's believable as a British secret agent with a license to kill, who can bed any lady he wants... Dalton's debut in "The Living Daylights" is astonishing... His first close-up on the Rock of Gibraltar is riveting as he spies the death of a fellow agent... His arrival via parachute onto the yacht of a playgirl is equally perfect... There is no hesitation in his performance...

But unfortunately, the problem with "The Living Daylights" is its lack of strong villains... General Georgi Koskov (Jeroen Krabbé) is too nice to be dangerous (he hugs practically everyone he meets), and Brad Whitaker (Joe Don Baker) is denied enough screen time to develop any true malice... He's a gunrunner who likes to play with army toys...

The only truly villainous character in the film is Necros, played effectively by Andreas Wisniewski... But he's not on-screen long enough to make any true impact, and even he has his sympathetic moments... The plot is another throwaway because just as you're starting to figure out why Koskov and Whitaker are partners, the plot switches to a big drug deal in Afghanistan...

Maryam D'Abo is the perfect mate--an elegant, well-mannered, soulful woman dedicated to her musical craft, who is drawn into the adventure of a lifetime...

Romance, a key element missing from many of the Roger Moore James Bond movies, is present in "The Living Daylights" in large doses as a definite on-screen chemistry develops between Bond and Milovy... It's helped, of course, by the fact that both characters spend a great deal of time together on-screen... Not since "Thunderball," "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," and "The Spy Who Loved Me" has Bond been given the special time to develop a believable relationship with a woman...

Desmond LLewellyn, who hadn't missed a Bond film since "Live and Let Die," returned as Q, this time supplying Bond with an updated Aston Martin V8 with 'optional extras fitted.'

Caroline Bliss, an actress who had come to prominence playing Lady Diana Spencer in ABC's 1982 drama "Charles and Diana: A Royal Love Story," stepped into Lois Maxwell's shoes as a younger, doe-eyed Miss Moneypenny...

strong contender for worst bond film.......2006-12-13

No wonder the franchise died out a bit in the 80s. This movie was absolutely horrible. It was literally painful to listen to the dialog in this movie; The actors could barely carry the terrible plot; all the class of a bond movie was replace with gaudy 80s pop culture. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this film and had to immediately rewatch "From Russia with Love" as to not loose respect for the series.

Dalton is James Bond genetically.......2006-11-28

I love this movie, Dalton fits so well as 007, that's why hard core James Bond fans considered this one as their favorite. This is difinitely the dark side of James Bond. And of course the bond girl is very beautiful sometimes she looks like Nastassja Kinski from the movie Paris Texas. Accdg. to the novel James Bond drinks and smokes , and this one you often see James smoking and has a fine taste for wines. Thats why accdg. to Desmond Llewelyn(famous for the character Q) he felt that Timothy Dalton's performance was the closest to the way Bond was portrayed in the original novels. And the villains, was so cool, esp. the one who plays Necros(Andreas Wisniewski) his skills are equal to agent 007, he's a professional killer opposite to Bond, now James has to meet an enemy which is equal to him which is great, man their fight scenes on the airplane was so intense.

Overall its very realistic, romantic and has an excellent cinematography and I love the way James Bond shows his human emotion esp. when his comrade was killed by Necros.

A Different Side of Bond.......2006-08-21

"The Living Daylights" is actor Timothy Dalton's first outing as the British super spy. He replaced Roger Moore, whom I regretfully have never seen in a Bond film. Actually, I've only seen 3 Bond films prior to this one.
(Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds are Forever). One thing most Bond fans agree on is that Sean Connery was the best James Bond.
I'd say that's accurate, but Dalton's approach to the character is far different from what we've previously seen. James Bond is, overall, an under developed character. He's a super-spy who loves martinis and women. In the films I've seen, James Bond is given no back story and shows little human emotion. Don't get me wrong, in this film there's no back-story either...But there is a little emotion. Anyway, the film has a great opening sequence; But, as usual, this sequence has little to do with the rest of the plot. It's merely used to get the audiences pumped for the rest of the story. The story involves Bond being hired as a sniper to protect a Russian officer named Georgi Koskov. Koskov is afraid that he is being targeted by a sniper; Bonds orders are to shoot any sniper he sees that poses a threat to Koskov. Well, Bond does see a sniper. Only the sniper is in the form a beautiful cellist named Kara (Maryam d'Abo, a really hot Bond girl). Making a last minute decision, Bond opts not to kill Kara and instead just wounds her. He then transports Koskov to a remote hiding spot. Koskov is then abducted from his hiding place and it's up to Bond to find him. As he does, with Kara's help of course, he uncovers a semi-complex weapons scheme. The plot is really nothing special, overall, but back to Dalton. In the previous Bond films, Bond usually woos a Bond girl and beds her. In this film, Bond seems to fall in love with her. Of course, there's no exchange of "I Love You" here; But the romance is a little different. The action sequences are good and the art direction is fantastic. It's nice to Bond in a normal place, like a fair. The scene where Bond and Kara have to escape from an Afghanistan prison is exciting. The film does have it's spot where it lags, but this is a worthy entry in the series. Hell, it's just nice to see a different side of James Bond. Another thing this film does is show a little more skin then you're used too. All the other Bond films use mere sexual innuendo; In this film, you actually side-nipple.

GRADE: B+

Average customer rating:

Scacchi and Finney positively make this Browning Version!
This is a truly excellent film.....
Flawed but worth watching
Where's the original Browning Version film?
I say--good show!

The Browning Version
Starring: Albert Finney , Greta Scacchi , Matthew Modine , Julian Sands , and Michael Gambon
Director: Mike Figgis
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AUHOD
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Description

Directed by Mike Figgis, THE BROWNING VERSION is based on the 1948 play by Terence Rattigan about an English schoolteacher who is forced into retirement by a series of life complications. Albert Finney stars as Andrew Crocker-Harris, a professor who is at crossroads in his life. Not only is he hated by almost every student at school and asked to retire, but his seemingly lovely wife is also found to be having an affair. Coming to grips with his failed life, now Andrew must struggle to regain his own self-respect.

Customer Reviews:

Scacchi and Finney positively make this Browning Version!.......2007-03-27

Having seen Terrence Rattigan's play performed live several times,as well as having seen the original 1951 film adaptation,director Mike Figgis has scored a real triumph with Greta Scacchi and Albert Finney in the roles of Laura and Andrew Crocker-Harris.The play itself is not IMO the most lively of stories,nor certainly the finest play yet written,but what Scacchi and Finney bring to the table as this terribly ill suited husband and wife is screen magic and their performances alone put this BROWNING VERSION at the very top.Andrew,a professor of Greek at an exclusive English Prep School has been anything but endearing over the years to his students.Obviously his younger and gorgeous wife,Laura,has enough baggage of her own to be a sexual minx with an American faculty member (Matthew Modine,who seems like...well...Matthew Modine-not a memorable performance).It is one student,Taplow (Ben Silverstone),who has been sincerely touched by his crochety professor, who , wise beyond his years,is the key to unlocking the long-ago closed heart of Andrew.But it is the outstanding performances of Finney against Scaachi that really set this film into gear.It is their relationship that director Figgis shows us in such gut-wrenching detail with long,reflective closeups.Figgis has chosen to allow the camera to dwell into the faces and souls of his characters,instead of pushing along the story.This is Figgis' decision and it works magnificently.You will be hard pressed to find a better piece of directing and acting when it comes to expressing the regrets and failures of a mismatched couple.This is a film of regret and resignation,not of a happy ending....hmmmn....like life sometimes,huh?

This is a truly excellent film............2006-09-09

If you love Albert Finney, & Gretta Scacchi (as all humans in their right mind should of course), you will enjoy this movie. I saw another person here complaining about Albert Finney's performance, but I think it's wonderful, & he "carries" the film IMO. Gretta Scacchi......well, I would go watch her read the phone book, but this may not be her absolute best film performance--hard to say if that's the direction, or what, but she still does a great job at portraying the gorgeous (adulterous) wife of a repressed English School teacher.

The one "Clinker" here is Matthew Modine, IMO. He doesn't seem to have much range as an actor, & in scenes with Albert Finney & Gretta Scacchi, that is even more painfully apparent. Another Plus tho is Michael Gambon (who played LBJ in the HBO movie Path to War), as the Headmaster.

Highly recommended.

Flawed but worth watching.......2006-07-04

I had never seen the Redgrave movie and I watched this for Finney. I never cried so hard, mainly for lost opportunities. Yet, there was hope for Crocker-Harris at the end. I would hope so. His decision to part from his wife was his first step towards freedom. My problem is that since it was updated to the nineties, why didn't they divorce? She could have left him years before that, when divorce was acceptable.

And Matthew Modine. Unfortunately, in too many British films and television series, the Americans are portrayed as loud mouth buffoons. When Modine's character says he never heard of Aeschylus, I have to wonder about the anti-American attitudes that the Brits have for us.

And while I think Crocker Harris seemed cold, he did what a teacher should do: teach and try to open minds. Today's youths want things "easy" and spoon fed. Much easier to mock the teacher than actually think.

Scacci was perfect: brutal, uncaring, passionate and long suffering. Too long suffering; I don't know why she didn't leave him long before.

Still, now I want to see the Redgrave version. But Finney is remarkable here, as he always is.

Where's the original Browning Version film?.......2005-03-10

I am astounded first of all about the rave reviews of The Browing Version film starring Albert Finney produced in 1994 when the first and finest version (to use a pun) was released in 1951 starring Michael Redgrave.

The 1994 release is a very poor remake compared to the original classic and if you think Finney's film is great, then you have much to look forward to see the other picture.

Why oh why can't the Redgrave movie be converted to DVD? Anyone out there know if such a CD is available or being planned for release?

I say--good show!.......2004-11-11

Fine tear-jerker about English boarding school teacher (Albert Finney) who is unceremoniously dumped because of his stubborn adherence to the classics and academic rigor as opposed to the school cricket spirit...and that's just not cricket, old boy.

Average customer rating:

Worst Ever!
Good bad B movie!
Pretty bad movie... even if you love randomness.
Best Dad on Earth!
When Tony grows up, he's going to be just like Daddy!

Xtro
Starring: Robert Austin , Danny Brainin , David Cardy , Maryam D'Abo , and Robert Fyfe
Director: Harry Bromley Davenport
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A59Q64
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Description

Three years after the disappearance of Sam Phillips (Philip Sayer), his young son Tony (Brazil's Simon Nash) pines for daddy's return when mom Rachel (Macabre's Bernice Stegers) takes up with another man. The fractured household, which also includes a sexy babysitter (Bond girl Maryam d'Abo), is further upset when Sam mysteriously returns -and has a nasty habit of attacking local residents and seeping mysterious fluids from his wrist. Despite his father's menacing behavior, Tony continues to idolize him...even after he realizes dad might not even be human at all. A grisly, fast-paced blend of sci-fi thrills and gut-churning horror, Xtro became an instant audience favorite and remains one of the most popular British cult films today.

Customer Reviews:

Worst Ever!.......2006-07-14

I saw this in the theatre back in 1982 and it is the worst movie I have ever seen...still to this day! I'm shocked it's on DVD.

If you want to see a great horror/science fiction film watch THE THING by John Carpenter.

Good bad B movie!.......2006-02-22

I saw this film at the cinema when it first came out and there are some sequences that have stuck in my mind ever since. This flick is a whole lotta fun when you're not in the mood for a serious drama or heavy type of film. For a low budget job, it has very good acting and some cool sfx, and whilst it's obvious where it's inspirations come from, it really does'nt matter, at least not for me. (and I like serious sci-fi too!) It does have some very creepy moments and seriously stomach-churning gore, but it's just so weird you can't look away. Recommended for lovers of good bad B movies and thoroughly deserved of it's cult status.

Pretty bad movie... even if you love randomness........2005-12-18

First of all the special effects are bad, but this is to be expected in the early 80's. It's almost bad enough to look like it was made in the early 70's though. I wasn't expecting too much here though, so no surprise.

What's disappointing was the story. I enjoy random events in movies (The Lost Highway for example), but this movie was random half the time, and the other half it tried to tell a story. This conflict made it impossible to enjoy the movie. It had 2 or 3 enjoyable scenes, which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1. But they weren't enough to make this movie bearable.

I watched the commentary by the director Bromley-Davenport after the movie. Can you be any more ridiculous? He trashed his own movie for like 10 minutes - "This film is just trash." And you know what? He's right, this movie sucks. I wouldn't even call this a decent B movie.

Best Dad on Earth!.......2005-11-28

In the "It followed me home, Mom---can I keep it" camp of storytelling comes XTRO, a little tale of intergalactic parenting that goes to show the lengths some guys will go to to get out of paying child support.

"Xtro" proves that even if you're the ultimate in deadbeat Dads---one who traded the basic patriarchal duties to go intergalactic bar-hopping for a few years with alien abductors---you can always go Home again.

Only: Home might not be exactly what it was. And you might not be exactly the same Dad you were to begin with. And when you get done, Home is going to *definitely* have gone through some radical remodelling.

Call it Home Improvement, E.T.-style.

That's pretty much the raw meat and bloody viscera of "XTRO", a deliciously sick, gloriously gory, considerably raunchy little tale of alien invasion, glistening, silky little alien eggs, bloodsucking parasites, leering circus dwarves, coughing panthers, and one man's quest to secure visiting rights to his estranged son, and the Devil take the consequences!

Whatever you think of XTRO, you've got to admire Sam Phillips's (Philip Sayer)pluck in getting back together with his kid (wee little Simon Nash). For one thing, the flick's relatively sane opener---a scene of Yorkshire domestic bliss, daddy playing outside a rustic cottage with his son---is interrupted by a little fire in the sky, and poof!: XTRO serves up one nasty alien abduction, piping hot!.

Things careen from one level of insanity to another pretty much after that.

Sam, evidently, sustains something considerably more life-changing than an anal probe. Then, two years later, without even phoning home to tell his long-suffering wife "the check's in the mail", he shows up.

Well, sorta.

After a fairly complicated re-entry---you'll know what I'm talking about when I see it---Daddy Sam re-inserts himself in his estranged family's life. I mean, Hell, who can blame the Old Man: he just wants life to be like it was, back before he went on an unscheduled Extraterrestrial Magic Carpet Ride, back before Mommy got a whiny new boyfriend (who, frankly, merits instant destruction: look at it from Sam's viewpoint).

Back before Daddy was so dang seepy and goopy.

Anyway, Sam is back in the future, and before long starts working on building a real Family Nest Egg.

If you know what I mean.

Now: all sarcasm aside, "XTRO" is some pretty demented, outrageous, fairly nauseating filth. If I weren't the jaded, gore-crazed monster I am, I might even have found it fairly disturbing. Strike that: I *do* find it disturbing, especially the fate that descends on hot little Maryam D'Abo, a fate that shouldn't happen to a dog.

It's genuinely scary and creepily repulsive. Take that POV-shot of a car, headed down a dark, mist-shrouded, winding English road: what's that---is something hauling itself through the heather, crawling weakly towards the side of the road? What's that---my God, *that*, in the headlamps!

Or take the way Harry Bromley-Davenport upstages Japanese wildman Takashi Miike by about 20 years with his---umm, unexpected---alien re-entry method. And no, it doesn't involve a space capsule.

Or take the sustained, purposeful nastiness of XTRO: its relentless goopiness, its gleeful obsession with the seminal, the fluid, the fact that we human beings are an incredibly messy species, and the myriad ways in which a fiendish alien intelligence could take advantage of this to spread the spores, so to speak.

XTRO likes webbing. And things that spit. And bile, and pus, of course: and most of all slimy extrusions. Oh, and Eggs. Definitely Eggs.

Really, this should serve as warning: I can't get over just how unrelentingly disgusting XTRO is.

The extra features include an embarrassed interview with the director, Bromley-Davenport: it's evident that he felt he was meant for better things, and that he was slumming it with XTRO. Which is a pity, too: a glance at his subsequent career (from the IMDB) shows that he had it exactly backwards, and should have staked his ground deep in horror territory---if XTRO was achieved more by accident than by design, as Bromley-Davenport claims, then the man had a rare gift for horror.

At any rate, posterity has this marvellous little gem---erm, egg---to delight, repulse, confound, and horrify. It's actually scary, which can't be said about many flicks. And for those seriously deadbeat dads out there scraping bottom on excuses for not getting the child-support, it's inspirational!

Oh: and for anyone with a sensitive psyche, XTRO might very well blast your sanity.

JSG

When Tony grows up, he's going to be just like Daddy!.......2005-10-02

Earlier this week I watched a thoroughly disgusting movie called Slugs (1987)...and tonight I watched Xtro (1983), another sloppy charmer featuring some wildly visceral and repugnant imagery. It's not that I mind the gross out stuff so much, but too much of it does create a strain on my gag reflex...oh well, don't weep for me, Argentina, as I follow the path, regardless of mucky entrails I may stumble over and slimy gristle I may slip on, in my perpetual endeavors in acquiring true, cinematic enlightenment. Co-written and directed by Harry Bromley Davenport (Xtro II: The Second Encounter, Xtro 3: Watch the Skies), the film features Philip Sayer (Slayground), Bernice Stegers (Sky Bandits), Danny Brainin ("John and Yoko: A Love Story"), Simon Nash (Brazil), and former Bond girl Maryam d'Abo (The Living Daylights, Timelock), in her cinematic debut (hers and her `twins').

As this English production begins we see a cottage in the countryside, and a man playing with his son in the yard. Shortly after the mother leaves, the skies turn dark, the wind picks up, strange lights appear overhead, and poof! the man is gone...fast forward three years...the boy, named Tony (Nash), who lives in the city with his mother Rachel (Stegers) and her boyfriend Joe (Brainin), still has nightmares about the event, one which no one believes happens, as the thought is his father, Sam (Sayer), just picked up and left, never to return. Until now. Once again some strange lights cruise the night, depositing something in the area where Sam disappears so long ago...something nasty. The creature finds an unwilling participate in a bizarre mating ritual (an extraterrestrial shagfest), which results in one of the more repulsive scenes in the movie as Sam makes his grand entrance (if you've seen the movie, you know what I mean). Sam then `arranges' a ride to the city for an awkward reunion of sorts with his family, bearing a gift for his son. Tensions rise as Rachael doesn't know what to make of her supposedly amnesiac husband, and Joe distrusts him completely, thinking his intentions are to try and pick up where he left off. Also, it seems Sam's picked up some strange habits since his return, like eating reptile eggs and purposely breathing gaseous vapors, along with giving his son a hickey you wouldn't believe...and then the killings start...a throat slash here, a bayoneting there...and what's the deal with the clown dwarf with the rubber hammer, seriously? And let's not forget about Analise (d'Abo), the live-in housekeeper...I don't think her job description included being the `eggbearer'. If I seem obtuse in my descriptions, it's intentional as to say much more would be to give away all the depraved, nasty little treats in store for those who choose to watch...

First of all, for much of the film I though Maryam d'Abo's character was named `Analease', like the lubricant, as that's exactly how it sounded whenever someone said it (her character's actual name is `Analise'). While watching Xtro, the often bloody, surreal, and often absurd and warped imagery reminded me of something you might see in a David Cronenburg (Shivers, Rabid, Videodrome) film, the difference being where Cronenburg's movies tend to present underlying, thematic assessments of modern beliefs, Harry Bromley Davenport offers up none of that, but rather a superficial mixing of curious sci-fi and grotesque horror with no ulterior motive other than to entertain. There is a structure within the story, but it's fairly fractured, even more so as the film progresses. Despite this, things did work themselves out (for the most part), and after the film ended a good deal of it made sense, so I would suggest, if you are going to watch this feature, to just sit back for the ride and not focus too much on that which will never be understandable (who says everything has to make sense in a film anyway?). The creepiest part of the movie for me was what happened to Maryam d'Abo's character, and her eventual role within the context of the story...a truly revolting fate, if you really think about it. One of the things that really impressed me was the special effects, and their level of sophistication...no computer generated images here. The humanoid grasshopper, the birthing scene, the implantation mechanism, the pulsating larva sacs, the creature near the end, all done very well and quite effective, in grotesque fashion. I thought all the actors did pretty well, but I can't help wondering now what their thoughts were at the time they were making this movie, given its overall mondo weirdo nature. Maryam d'Abo didn't have much of a part, but she's probably the most memorable particularly due to her willingness to appear nekkid...homina homina...all in all a creepy, low budget, decent production values film that wallows around in its own vulgarity, worth seeing if only to serve as a reminder that not all aliens eat Reese's Pieces and heal ouchies with glowing appendages. If you have delicate sensibilities and a weak stomach, best stay away from this one.

The picture presentation on this DVD is in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1), and looks decent enough, but it could have used a little cleaning up. There are some noticeable elements on the picture, but nothing that stands out as major defects. The Dolby Digital mono audio track comes though nicely, and I have no complaints. There are some good extras, or `Xtras' (Get it? Stop it, you're killing me...), including two alternate endings, an `Xtra' scene (sans audio), a featurette titled `Xtro Exposed' (17:21), which is a great interview with the director who's a really funny guy, a theatrical trailer, and an Xtro gallery. The film was followed by two sequels, Xtro II: The Second Encounter (1990) and Xtro 3: Watch the Skies (1995), neither of which has much of anything to do with the original (I heard the second one, featuring Jan-Michael Vincent, is particularly craptastic).

Cookieman108

If I learned anything from this film it's that you should never let an alien use your telephone, because it will cause it to get all hot n' melty...

Average customer rating:

Good Movie
Is this the Brokeback Mountain of Slasher flicks?
A Contender For "Greatest Unheralded Horror Of The Decade"
Lots of potential, not a lot of substance.
SWAMPED

Evil Remains
Starring: Jeff Galpin , Maryam d'Abo , Will Rokos , Daniel Gillies , and Jeff Bryan Davis
Director: James Merendino
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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