Little Mother

Starring:Relja Basic, Mark Damon, Ivan Desny, Anton Diffring, Slobodan Dimitrijevic, Vida Jerman, Christiane KrÃ¼ger, Radley Metzger, Marina Nemet, Ivica Pajer, Ignac Pavkovic, Hermina Pipinic, Siegfried Rauch, Andrea Saric, Elga Sorbas, Branko Spoljar
Director: Radley Metzger
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Michael Caine was robbed of an Oscar. He gives his finest performance in a decade as big-talking small-time agent Ray Say, a paunchy, pale life of the party hiding his desperation under gold chains and cool bravura. When he hears the almost magical voice of Jane Horrocks's meek little LV (short for Little Voice) fill her bedroom with the rich voice of Judy Garland, he sees his ticket to the big time. Little Voice is ostensibly LV's story, and in fact the original play was written for Horrocks, whose amazing vocal impressions of Garland, Shirley Bassey, and Marilyn Monroe (among others) form the centerpiece performance of the film. But as directed by Mark Herman (Brassed Off), the story of this mousy girl who shuts herself in from a bellowing world is just as overwhelmed by the bombastic characters as LV herself. Brenda Blethyn babbles a blue streak as LV's overbearing mother, Mari, an aging widow who escapes her unhappiness in carousing and becomes almost pathologically jealous when Ray's attentions turn from her to LV. As Ray puts his dreams on the line for LV's showcase, he reveals his true self: a venal man who spits and barks out his bottled-up anger in an astoundingly bile-filled delivery of Roy Orbison's "It's Over." The showstopping moment once again overwhelms LV's tale, but Caine's performance is so astounding it seems a fair trade. --Sean Axmaker

Description

World-class stars Michael Caine (HANNAH AND HER SISTERS), Brenda Blethyn (SECRETS AND LIES), and Ewan McGregor (STAR WARS: EPISODE I, BLACK HAWK DOWN) deliver acclaimed performances in an inspirational story about a painfully shy young woman and how the power of music leads her to an amazing transformation! A hopeless introvert, "Little Voice," (Jane Horrocks, TV's ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS) can only manage to express herself by singing in the timeless voices of Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, and others. But once her eccentric mother's (Blethyn) new boyfriend -- a sleazy talent scout (Caine) overhears Little Voice's incredible crooning, he'll do anything to drag the recluse into the spotlight and make her a star! Cheered by critics everywhere -- don't miss your chance to enjoy this truly exceptional motion picture!

Customer Reviews:

Real Little.......2007-02-02

Annoying people doing annoying little desperate things is this one. A little light hearted, but mostly the villian, Michael Caine, a talent agent of little worth, makes Little Voice a local star for a little while, till she breaks away from her loudmouth mummy and has a little romance. I watched this with three people and one fell asleep by the little ending.

A Must Have in Any DVD Collection.......2007-01-12

Jane Horrocks gives an incomprable performance and gives most of us a glimpes of her amazing vocal and acting tallents

Gigantic talent.......2007-01-10

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

Jane Horrocks, who played numerous characters in the cult English sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous", shines here as a sorrowfully shy girl with a talent beyond belief.

After her father died, many years ago, she resigned herself to listening to his old records, and singing along with them. She soon became a virtuoso, capable of imitating Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, and others. In equally brilliant performances, Michael Caine and Brenda Blethyn (Pride and Prejudice) the former wants to bring LV's talent to the world, certain that great riches are but a step away. Brenda (LV's mom) is at first completely oblivious to her daughters talent, as she is far too egocentric to notice anything or anyone but herself - unless it's a man. In that case, she's quite the player.

There is a somewhat interesting - although perhaps unnecessary - love interest between LV and Billy (Ewan McGregor). It seems to serve as helping LV to open up to the world, but there are so many things/occurrences that can happen to a person that incite change that I'm a little fed up with movies taking the easy way out with a love interest. AND, there was such an occurrence in the film itself. Still, Ewan plays his part well, and while his interest in LV is a bit difficult to understand, it's not entirely unbelievable.

What IS unbelievable is Jane Horrocks's amazing voice. You'd think that the filmmakers would have her lip synch while either a recording of Judy Garland, or someone who could imitate her, was singing. But they didn't need to do so. Horrocks did so herself. She imitated all of the artist's brilliantly, and nearly perfectly.

It was easy to see, after this performance, what a remarkably gifted actress she is. The characters she played on "AbFab" were hysterical and widely variant, though she is best known as the mentally challenged Bubble.

An Undiscovered Gem.......2007-01-04

There's never been a film quite like this. Brenda Blethyn is at her boozy best as the screaming mother of "Little Voice." Ewan McGregor delivers a very subtle, warm performance as a guy who finds comfort only with his homing pigeons until he meets "Little Voice." Michael Caine plays the loud jerk so well, but you still feel for his character as the agent searching for the career making client. Jane Horrocks is a wonder as "Little Voice", the girl who barely whispers, but who comes alive belting out tunes made famous by Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Bassey and others. Viewers should know that Horrocks does all her own singing, she's not lip synching. They note this at the end of the film, but I think viewers will be astounded knowing it as they watch her amazing renditions.

you won't believe the music, incredible.......2006-11-04

This little gem of movie often gets overlooked by Americans. The star is the same woman who plays the ditzy secretary, Bubble, on AB FAB. Her voice is so incredible at first I did not believe it was "Bubble" doing the singing. Great story, don't miss this one.

Average customer rating:

A moving and poignant story.

Little Man
Director: Nicole Conn
Manufacturer: Reel Indies
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Music and Lyrics (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000OQDSFY
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Product Description

Without warning, a family is brought to its knees when they must choose between the destruction of their idyllic family and the life of their infant son. When Nicholas is born 100 days early, he weighs only one pound and faces unbelievable odds for survival. Exposing the rawest of human conditions by portraying her family with unflinching honesty, filmmaker Nicole Conn invites the viewer to probe the most private of questions with her: When does caring become cruelty and at what price, life?

Customer Reviews:

A moving and poignant story........2007-05-25

I saw the last part of this film one night while flipping channels and was immediately riveted and ordered the DVD in order to see the entire story. The reason I was so touched by it is that I am a grandmother of quadruplets born 10 weeks premature. "Little Man" is the only film I have ever seen that shows the reality of what a family goes through when a precious little one is born too soon. A lot of the film follows Nicholas as a premature newborn in the NICU - where Nicole quotes a medical resident as saying, "This isn't medicine, it's voodoo." The film shows the impact on Nicole and her family when Nicholas is discharged to home on oxygen, an apnea monitor, and breathing treatments, and what it's like to deal with running a mini-ICU in the home. I had never seen that portrayed in any film before. Nicholas had more problems come up in time and the film follows the changes that occur as he struggles. This is a compelling, beautiful, and poignant film and I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Slow paced story about a 1980s Chinese-American family
Landmark Asian American Film
what a bomb! stay away from this deadbeat.

Dim Sum - A Little Bit of Heart
Starring: Joan Chen , Helen Chew , Jarrett Chew , Kim Chew , and Laureen Chew
Manufacturer: KOCH LORBER FILMS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Chan Is Missing
Eat a Bowl of Tea
A Great Wall
The Chinese Feast
Eat Drink Man Woman

ASIN: B000BRBABA
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Description

In San Francisco, an immigrant Chinese widow welcomes the new year with some unhappiness: she's 62 now, she wants to make a trip to China to pay last respects to her ancestors, a fortune teller has told her this is the year she'll die, and a daughter, Geraldine, remains unmarried. Geraldine does have a boyfriend, but she's not sure she's ready for marriage, and, anyway, he lives in Los Angeles and Geraldine doesn't want to leave her mother alone in her declining years. Mrs. Tan's cheerful brother-in-law tries to help out. Is there any solution that will enable Mrs. Tan to hold onto her culturally-influenced and deep-seated hopes, yet keep those hopes from suffocating Geraldine?

Customer Reviews:

Slow paced story about a 1980s Chinese-American family.......2006-02-20

It is hard to decide if "Dim Sum:A Little Bit of Heart" is a good movie or not. It is a very low-budget, slice-of-life film that shows a Chinese-American family living in San Francisco during the 1980s. There is no false drama imposed on the family, and their life is no more exciting than mine. The dialog is realistic, with awkward pauses and such. The mother speaks mostly sub-titled Chinese, although the rest of the characters speak mostly English. There are some minor plot points. The mother, who thinks that she will die when she is 62 because of a fortune tellers prophecy, would like to see her daughter get married. Often, they just have dinner and chat. Sometimes they watch TV.

And that is the hard part. "Dim Sum:A Little Bit of Heart" can be down-right boring. Nothing really happens. It is just a few days in the life of a family, and not particularly eventful days at that. The characters all seem like nice people. Victor Wong, who I always like, is charming as ever. It is nice to see him in a lead role. The film is very dated. Each item of clothing screams 1980. It seems like a student film, and perhaps it was.

I think that if I had been a Chinese-American living in San Francisco in the 1980s, then there would be more in this film for me. All the cast is talented, and many appear in the most excellent "Joy Luck Club" by the same director. The ending is very heart warming, and worth sitting through the whole film for.

All in all, I recommend "Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart." with some reservations. Know what you are getting yourself in for.

Landmark Asian American Film.......2006-02-02

When I first saw this in 1985, it was the first time I saw on the big screen a genuine portrayal of the Asian American experience. I fell in love with this film. At last! My experience and my culture in commercial media. It rang so true to me, and I was and am thankful that Wayne Wang created such a gem. There are many beautiful shots in this film, and detailed depictions of Chinese American life: ie, the shoes at the front door, which is typical of Chinese American households; the bird cage with the red paper character luck placed upside down, meaning luck will descend upon you (unfortunately such details went right over the head of the reviewer below). The Cantonese is a bonus, it's my native language, and there it is in film, and lots of it.
I saw Chan is Missing later, and that, of course, is another landmark film, portraying the diversity in the Chinese American and Asian American community.

what a bomb! stay away from this deadbeat........2006-01-23

do we need to watch this deadbeat movie? is there director here? what a lousy script. the daughter talked to her mom in english, her mom only answered in cantonese dialect? if the mom understood english, why she never responded in english? so the husband also talked to this wife in english, but she also only answered in cantonese? this movie is in a slow-motion speed. drives you nuts. typically formatted cliches from the very beginning. bored me to death. there are lot of still-life like scenes, such as bird cage, chinese paintings, flower on the table, shoes on the doorstep, again and again, what's the big deal? is there any art in showing some shoes, even plastic shoes to the viewers? any philosophic depth or meaning here? nada. but, if you think you think life is not short and you could afford wasting couple of hours, go ahead, rent it, buy it, watch it, i could not care less.

Average customer rating:

An 'unforgettable journey'
a.k.a. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS..
Poor instruction of MWSD

Square Dance
Starring: Jason Robards , Jane Alexander , Winona Ryder , Rob Lowe , and Deborah Richter
Director: Daniel Petrie
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
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Illegally Yours
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Boys
1969
Masquerade

ASIN: B0000844J1
Release Date: 2003-03-18

Customer Reviews:

An 'unforgettable journey'.......2004-04-13

Anyone who is of the opinion that Rob Lowe comes across as being 'dull' on screen, or perhaps 'just a pretty face', should take time out to watch 'Square Dance'. His 'Golden Globe nominated performance' was justly deserved for his portrayal of the 'mentally-impared man-child', Rory.

There are some films watched during your childhood or teenage years that have a profound effect on you and, for me, 'Square Dance' is one such film. It is nice to see it released on DVD format so promptly.

Lowe skilfully plays the role of Rory, eliciting what can only be described as an emotional reaction from myself and, I'm sure, many others who have watched this heart-warming drama. It is roles like this and his portrayal of deaf mute, Nick Andros, in Stephen King's 'The Stand' that substantiate Lowe's talent and versatility as an actor.

'Square Dance' also features Winona Ryder in her acclaimed screen debut as Gemma, a 13-year old girl tired of living in Texas with her quarrelsome grandfather (Jason Robards), and who decides to go live with her mother (Jane Alexander) in Fort Worth. Whilst there, Gemma falls in love with Rory. She also discovers some hidden truths about her mother and the father she has never met. Life in Fort Worth turns out to be not as exciting and uncomplicated as she had initially expected.

Critically acclaimed, 'Square Dance' is an emotional drama that will remain with you forever.

Music: Don Henley, Ricky Scaggs, George Strait and Trace Adkins.

Special Features: Widescreen presentation; Audio commentary by producer & director Daniel Petrie ('Cocoon: The Return' & 'A Raisin in the Sun'); Director's biography.

a.k.a. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.........2004-02-09

For a drama made in 1986 on a low budget "Square Dance" isn't bad. It does have a few rewards to offer. First off it has a top-notch cast. Winona Ryder is wonderful in her first lead role. She first appeared in a supporting role in "Lucas". Also Rob Lowe is convincing playing a semi-retarded boy. Jane Alexander is a scene stealer as Ryder's loose living mother. Not to mention Jason Robards as Ryder's grandfather who (if nothing else) does one nice thing for her. He taught her how to square dance. For fans of Winona Ryder, you'll be happy to see that she is in every scene of this nearly 2 hour coming of age drama. If your reading this your likely to be a fan of Winona Ryder. Here is a list of other films you may like to see her in. LUCAS, 1969, BEETLEJUICE, HEATHERS, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!, WELCOME HOME ROXY CARMICHAEL, MERMAIDS, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, NIGHT ON EARTH, BRAM STOKERS DRACULA, THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS, REALITY BITES, LITTLE WOMEN, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, BOYS, LOOKING FOR RICHARD, THE CRUCIBLE, CELEBRITY, ALIEN RESURRECTION, GIRL INTERRUPTED, AUTUMN IN NEW YORK, LOST SOULS, MR. DEEDS. camero appearances in.. ZOOLANDER (and) SIMONE.

Poor instruction of MWSD.......2002-03-25

This was done by a non square dancr

Average customer rating:

Little Lord Fauntleroy

Little Lord Fauntleroy
Starring: Eric Alden , Reginald Barlow , Freddie Bartholomew , May Beatty , and Daisy Belmore
Director: John Cromwell
Manufacturer: Vidtape
ProductGroup: DVD
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Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936) (B&W)
Captains Courageous

ASIN: B00023BLWQ
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Customer Reviews:

Little Lord Fauntleroy.......2007-05-12

This old movie may be about a boy, but it really deals with a mother's emotions regarding giving her son over to live with a crotchety old man (her father-in-law). Yes, the child redeems him and in the end all are living happily ever after. I would not expect a young child of 8 or even 10 to understand the depth of what is going on. They would very likely be quite upset at the thought of being separated from their mom in a similar way.

Radley Meztger Collection Volume 2 (Little Mother / The Dirty Girls / Score)

Average customer rating:

Classic Films, Mediocre Transfers

Radley Meztger Collection Volume 2 (Little Mother / The Dirty Girls / Score)
Starring: Claire Wilbur , Calvin Culver , Lynn Lowry , Gerald Grant , and Carl Parker
Director: Radley Metzger
Manufacturer: First Run Features
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Radley Metzger Collection, Vol. 3
The Radley Metzger Collection, Vol. 1 (Therese and Isabelle / The Alley Cats / Camille 2000)
The Image
Joe Sarno: Girl Meets Girl Trilogy
Images in a Convent

ASIN: B0006U5VA8
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Description

Radley Meztger Collection Volume 2
Include the Films:
Little Mother • The Dirty Girls • Score
Credits:Films by Radley Metzger

Customer Reviews:

Classic Films, Mediocre Transfers.......2005-05-04

Own these films individually on DVD from Image Entertainment. Nice to have them in boxed sets like this though I must let Metzger fans know that the transfers from First Run are not as good as the Image versions. Where the Image versions are color saturated and sharp, the First Run transfers have murky, faded out color and soft pictures.

Still, for the price, these boxed sets aren't a bad buy.

Average customer rating:

Superb Performance by Diane Ladd

Hush Little Baby
Starring: Diane Ladd
Director: Jorge Montesi
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002S64Y6
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Customer Reviews:

Superb Performance by Diane Ladd.......2005-07-08

.
The day 25-year-old Susan Nolan, who was adopted soon after birth by loving parents, meets her biological mother Edie (played by Diane Ladd) she thinks she has found the one thing that is missing from her life. She is dead wrong!

Edy has spent a goodly part of her adult life in a mental institution, where she was placed by a judge for allegedly endangering her child, a fact she does not reveal to Susan.

Diane Ladd's performance in this is blood-curdling, yet heart-wrenching, thriller is superb! The other actors also give superb performances. The writer-editor deserves a Best Story award. The director deserves a Best Director award. The producer deserves a Best Producer award. Had this film been produced by The Hollywood Film Kingdom instead of by Canadians, it no doubt would have taken many Academy Awards and Diane Ladd might have won Best Actresss of the year.

Average customer rating:

Great Liteature brought to life!
FORCED TO SEE GRAY

Ernest J. Gaines' The Sky Is Gray
Starring: Olivia Cole , James Bond III , Margaret Avery , Cleavon Little , and Chez Lister
Director: Stan Lathan
Manufacturer: Monterey Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Richard Wright's Almos' a Man
Barn Burning
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The Blue Hotel

ASIN: B0002VGSU8
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Description

Seen on PBS

Written By: Ernest J. Gaines

Starring: Olivia Cole and James Bond III

Directed By: Stan Lathan Description: From Ernest J. Gaines, author of "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman", comes a deceptively simple, yet emotionally complex tale of a young boy's discovery of what it's like to be black in Louisiana during the 1940's.

James, the boy in question, has a raging toothache that necessitates a trip to the dentist. His mother (played by Emmy-winner Olivia Cole), accompanies James to town on an eye opening odyssey where the boy gains valuable insights into poverty, racism-and his own sense of pride.

With an exciting musical score by Webster Lewis, this multi-award winning film explores a child's discovery that the world is a complicated place…where things are never truly black or white…only shades of gray.

DVD Extras: About the Author, Actors' Bios, About the American Short Story Collection, Henry Fonda Intro, Printable Study Guide

Customer Reviews:

Great Liteature brought to life!.......2007-01-15

I first discovered this film at my college library. I had heard of the author's ...Miss Jane Pittman but was soon delighted to discover this gem. I've watched it over and over again. Read the short story or watch the film, the film remains true to the story. And each time many messages may be spoken in this film. One message in particular: Life is what you perceive it to be not what others say it is. The moral of the story can be found throughout the film and 1 important moral can be found in the dentist office scene. Remember, "Grass is black and the wind is pink." This is one of my favorite lines as well as is this one: "It's green 'cause they say its green." Eveyone can take something from this film/short story.

FORCED TO SEE GRAY.......2001-08-27

Young James' world is limited to the Negro Quarters of rural Louisiana until a tootache forces him into a world he never imagined. A trip into town to get a tooth pulled ends up as a classroom for life's lessons and ambiguities. Set in the early 1940's, "The Sky is Gray", is the film adaptation of Ernest Gaines' short story. It is a classic piece in that a young Black boy comes face to face with the contradictions in the black and white adult world. Seen through an adolescent's eyes you will feel his surprise, raise his questions and share his hurts. This wonderful film is sensitive in its portrayal of a young boy forced to grow up in a hostile world. Gaines' black and white characters move beyond the stereotypes of southern society. Through James' eyes you see a young man confronting the slave mentality of a preacher while waiting for his dental appointment. You see James' mother attempting to maintain her dignity and pride when she knows her earnings are meager.Yet you find a woman who is willing to accept kindness, on her own terms. She makes it clear to her son that they are not beggers but working people. Most of all this film teaches us the lessons youth must be forced to learn especially if they're in an environment that is determined to keep them poor, ignorant and disenfranchised. James' mother must force him to grow up fast before he is consumed by the world. James sees the grays in this adult world but there is hope that he will be able to overcome the obstacles. This is a beautiful story about adolescence, becoming a man and learning how to live with dignity and pride regardless of your status. You will enjoy this touching story that reaches into your heart and fills you with joy for James and all young boys who must walk a similar path.

Charlie Rose with Alanis Morissette (December 17, 1999)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Alanis Morissette (December 17, 1999)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

The Canadian singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette speaks about her new album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. She discusses the roots of her music career, hugely successful album Jagged Little Pill, and her foray into film with her performance in the movie Dogma. The interview also contains clips from Morissette's performance on MTV's Unplugged.

Average customer rating:

A Little Romance
Starring: Marcia Cross , Polly Draper , James Karen , Annie Korzen , and Liz Sheridan
Director: Joshua Beckett
Manufacturer: Indican
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000LC4CI8
Release Date: 2007-03-06

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

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