Casino

Starring:Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Frank Vincent, Pasquale Cajano, Don Rickles, Kevin Pollak, Vinny Vella, Alan King, L.Q. Jones, Dick Smothers, Joseph Rigano, John Bloom, Melissa Prophet, Bill Allison, Gene Ruffini, Dominick Grieco, Erika von Tagen, Frankie Avalon
Director: Martin Scorsese
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

James Bond Has Lost His Sparkle
AMAZING
best ever?
Sooooo disappointed...so NOT James Bond!
An Edgier Bond Than We've Never Seen

Casino Royale (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Daniel Craig , Eva Green , Mads Mikkelsen , Judi Dench , and Jeffrey Wright
Director: Martin Campbell
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Babel

ASIN: B000MNP2KI
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Amazon.com

The most successful invigoration of a cinematic franchise since Batman Begins, Casino Royale offers a new Bond identity. Based on the Ian Fleming novel that introduced Agent 007 into a Cold War world, Casino Royale is the most brutal and viscerally exciting James Bond film since Sean Connery left Her Majesty's Secret Service. Meet the new Bond; not the same as the old Bond. Daniel Craig gives a galvanizing performance as the freshly minted double-0 agent. Suave, yes, but also a "blunt instrument," reckless, and possessed with an ego that compromises his judgment during his first mission to root out the mastermind behind an operation that funds international terrorists. In classic Bond film tradition, his global itinerary takes him to far-flung locales, including Uganda, Madagascar, the Bahamas (that's more like it), and Montenegro, where he is pitted against his nemesis in a poker game, with hundreds of millions in the pot. The stakes get even higher when Bond lets down his "armor" and falls in love with Vesper (Eva Green), the ravishing banker's representative fronting him the money.

For longtime fans of the franchise, Casino Royale offers some retro kicks. Bond wins his iconic Astin-Martin at the gaming table, and when a bartender asks if he wants his martini "shaken or stirred," he disdainfully replies, "Do I look like I give a damn?" There's no Moneypenny or "Q," but Dame Judi Dench is back as the exasperated M, who one senses, admires Bond's "bloody cheek." A Bond film is only as good as its villain, and Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre, who weeps blood, is a sinister dandy. From its punishing violence and virtuoso action sequences to its romance, Casino Royale is a Bond film that, in the words of one character, makes you feel it, particularly during an excruciating torture sequence. Double-0s, Bond observes early on, "have a short life expectancy." But with Craig, there is new life in the old franchise yet, as well as genuine anticipation for the next one when, at last, the signature James Bond theme kicks in following the best last line ever in any Bond film. To quote Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin, now I know what I've been faking all these years. --Donald Liebenson

Stills from Casino Royale (click for larger image)

Beyond Casino Royale on Amazon.com

On Blu-ray
CD Soundtrack
Why We Love Daniel Craig

The Amazon.com James Bond Store
Where Have I Seen Daniel Craig?
Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale Book

Product Description

Casino Royale introduces James Bond before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status. "M" (Judi Dench), head of the British Secret Service, sends the newly-promoted 007 on his first mission that takes him to Madagascar, the Bahamas and eventually leads him to Montenegro to face Le Chiffre, a ruthless financier under threat from his terrorist clientele, who is attempting to restore his funds in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. "M" places Bond under the watchful eye of the Treasury official Vesper Lynd. At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together. Le Chiffre's cunning and cruelty come to bear on them both in a way Bond could never imagine, and he learns his most important lesson: Trust no one.

Customer Reviews:

James Bond Has Lost His Sparkle.......2007-07-05

Its a shame that relentless violence takes the place of a good story and character acting. There are parts that are not suitable for human consumption. I'm sure Daniel Craig is a good actor its such a shame.

AMAZING.......2007-07-05

I own all the James Bond movies, and this one is my favorite. Hands down.

best ever?.......2007-07-05

The latest Bond incarnation may be the best. Daniel Craig brings a whole new energy to the character. This Bond is serious, dangerous, and sexy.

Sooooo disappointed...so NOT James Bond!.......2007-07-04

No longer suave, no longer sophisticated.

Would have been a good movie if it hadn't been labelled as Bond

An Edgier Bond Than We've Never Seen.......2007-07-04

It took me a while to actually sit down and watch CASINO ROYALE, but I finally got the chance to see it. Now, I wish I would have saw it in the movie theater and I would have gotten a better effect. This one, I would have to say ranks up there as one of the best BOND films. Just love OCTOPUSSY and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME.

Daniel Craig shines as the new 007. He's edgier and charasmatic. This Bond is pretty good. After hearing that he will be in the upcoming new BOND film (that will be directed by Marc Forster), I think it's safe to say that people are going to slowly embrace Daniel as the new Bond and CASINO was a great jumping off point. He carries this film with ease and it's fun everytime that he is on the screen.

My only trouble with this film was the female lead, Vesper Lynd (played by Eva Green). She's beautiful and all, but I felt that she wasn't a strong choice as a Bond heroine and not to mention there's another female character that looks just like her in this film and there was no uniqueness about each woman. The acting was one dimensional for me. But, then again, this is mostly an action film and he delivered on the action. It is definitely an edge of your seat type thriller.

Overall, this film is great - there are some parts of it storyline wise that I wish were stronger, but it still delivers on all levels.

Average customer rating:

the boys are back
Have you ever watched a film where you wanted the bad guys to win?
WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST MOVE
My son't favorite movie
stealing from a casino....crazy!

Ocean's Eleven (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Don Cheadle , George Clooney , Holly Marie Combs , Matt Damon , and Michael de Lano
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000062XHI
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Product Description

Danny Ocean likes his chances. All he asks is that his handpicked squad of 10 grifters and cons play the game like they have nothing to lose. If all goes right, the payoff will be a fat $150 million. Divided by 11. You do the math.

System Requirements:
Starring: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, and Elliott Gould.
Directed By: Steven Soderbergh.
Running Time: 116 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Standard" format.
Copyright 2002 Warner Home Video.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

Ocean's Eleven improves on 1960's Rat Pack original with supernova casting, a slickly updated plot, and Steven Soderbergh's graceful touch behind the camera. Soderbergh reportedly relished the opportunity "to make a movie that has no desire except to give pleasure from beginning to end," and he succeeds on those terms, blessed by the casting of George Clooney as Danny Ocean, the title role originated by Frank Sinatra. Fresh out of jail, Ocean masterminds a plot to steal $163 million from the seemingly impervious vault of Las Vegas's Bellagio casino, not just for the money but to win his ex-wife (Julia Roberts) back from the casino's ruthless owner (Andy Garcia). Soderbergh doesn't scrimp on the caper's comically intricate strategy, but he finds greater joy in assembling a stellar team (including Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Carl Reiner) and indulging their strengths as actors. The result is a film that's as smooth as a silk suit and just as stylish. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

the boys are back.......2007-06-08

nice to have all the ocean series good entertainment for a rainy day for myself and guests

Have you ever watched a film where you wanted the bad guys to win?.......2007-06-01

I have trouble calling this a remake, because it doesn't share much in common with the `rat pack' original except the name of the lead character and that it is a casino heist. Actually, this is a better film than its namesake, apart from the fact that the cast of the original was filled with entertainment legends.

Director Soderbergh takes a vacation from serious filmmaking with this film, which on his resume is something of a lark. Everyone seems to be having a good time and it is clear that the actors enjoyed making this film. The overhauled screenplay pops with snappy dialogue, riddled with deadpan humor and a decent, though somewhat far fetched plot. It has a little of the whimsical feel of `The Sting', though the screenplay isn't as strong. A crew of professional thieves plans to knock over three casinos on a fight night by raiding the impregnable vault that serves all three. The plan is elaborate, full of high tech wizardry, daring deceptions and acrobatic stunts. The caper runs into more than the normal amount of foul ups, but our devious team of burglars is always up to the task of working around the glitches.

The cast is very solid. George Clooney is perfectly cast as the brainchild of the scheme. He is dapper, macho and smooth with a sardonic wit that keeps the film's tone serious yet light. Brad Pitt plays the always eating Rusty, who is really the brains behind the operation, coordinating it flawlessly. Except for `The Mexican', this is much lighter material than Pitt usually tackles, yet he gives a suave performance seeming very comfortable with his character. Despite the fact that this is an ensemble cast, Pitt carries a lot of the weight and makes the story as close to believable as could be possible given its improbable nature.

Don Cheadle continues to impress, rendering a terrific demolitions expert. His cockney accent is great and with this part Cheadle shows once again what a terrific character actor he is. In a little twist of irony, Cheadle plays an analogous part in this film to that played by Sammy Davis, Jr. in the original, and he also played Sammy in the TV movie entitled `The Rat Pack'. Poor Andy Garcia has the thankless task of playing the heavy in a tongue-in-cheek film, but he does a marvelous job. Matt Damon plays the rookie, giving the character a charming naiveté and a mischievous bent. Julie Roberts is nothing more than a throw in, with a minor role as Ocean's ex-wife.

If you don't take this film too seriously, you are in for an entertaining evening. It is smartly done without too much melodrama, and provides just enough suspense and realism to keep it from being a farce.

WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST MOVE.......2007-05-08

NOW I COULD EASYLY SAY THIS WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GRATEST MOVE EVER MADE IN THE WORLD THAT IS SO FOR SHORE & THAT IS PUTTING IT LIGHTLY

My son't favorite movie.......2007-05-07

My son loves this movie. He found the ratings on Amazon pretty much perfect. The music is really good.

stealing from a casino....crazy!.......2007-04-30

George Clooney plays Danny Ocean. Danny just got out of prison for a mistake he made 5 years ago. Along with that mistake, he lost his wife. Coming out of prison doesn't deter him from crime. He immediately rounds up 10 men to help him steal from a vault that stores money from 3 casinos. This is a big and dangerous mission. There has been 3 attempts to rob the casinos and none of them have been successful.

In the midst of their planning and training, an tidbit of information comes to light. The owner of these casinos is Terry Benedict (Garcia). That's not the important part. The important part is that Terry's current girlfriend is Tess (Roberts). Tess is Danny's ex-wife. So the question is...is Danny doing this for the money or is he doing this for his ex-wife? Of course, the gang is upset as it puts the mission in jeopardy.

Nonetheless, the mission continues with some adjustments. The question is will Ocean and his gang succeed with the mission?

I have to say that *Ocean's Eleven* is one of the best heist film that I've seen in recent years. I may not have agreed with the selection of actors but I do have to say that the chemistry between them was great.

Average customer rating:

Blu-Ray Heaven
Best Bond I've Seen
Good movie, if your not a bond fan
Best Bond Flick!? Definitely best Bond in Audio-Video!
Casino Royale sets a new standard for modern Bond films

Casino Royale [Blu-ray]
Starring: Daniel Craig , Jesper Christensen , Isaach de Bankolé , Judi Dench , and Jeffrey Wright
Director: Martin Campbell
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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The Prestige

ASIN: B000MRA5NS
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Amazon.com

Stills from Casino Royale (click for larger image)

Beyond Casino Royale on Amazon.com

On Blu-ray
CD Soundtrack
Why We Love Daniel Craig

The Amazon.com James Bond Store
Where Have I Seen Daniel Craig?
Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale Book

Product Description

Casino Royale introduces James BOond before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status. "M" (Judi Dench), head of the British Secret Service, sends the newly-promoted 007 on his first mission that takes him to Madagascar, the Bahamas and eventually leads him to Montenegro to face Le Chiffre, a ruthless financier under threat from his terrorist clientele, who is attempting to restore his funds in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. "M" places Bond under the watchful eye of the Treasury official Vesper Lynd. At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together. Le Chiffre's cunning and cruelty come to bear on them both in a way Bond could never imagine, and he learns his most important lesson: Trust no one.

Customer Reviews:

Blu-Ray Heaven.......2007-06-30

I must sympathize with the makers of this movie as it must be one of the hardest BD titles to sell. Don't get me wrong it is reference quality in video and audio but with Sony's marketing ploy of giving this title away with every sale of a PS3, really the market has been saturated with freebies. I know a lot of people have received 2 or even 3 free copies of this BD movie and they are themselves giving their free copies away on forums.

Best Bond I've Seen.......2007-06-23

I've seen it about 5 times now (2 in theaters, 3 at home) and I still get into it. The quality of this film on Blu-ray is spectacular and I'm continually impressed. I'd suggest that everyone watch it at least once, even if you're not a fan of the 007 series

Good movie, if your not a bond fan.......2007-06-14

I was very dissapointed when I saw this movie. Not because it is a bad movie it is actually a really well made movie, but because it isn't a good James Bond movie. It doesn't contain the witty dialect and sexual tension that we have come to expect and love from 007. And Craig, although attractive, doesn't posses the Bond charm or larger than life quality. So if your looking for a good shoot em' up movie this is a great movie for you, if you want "Bond, James Bond" go for the classics.

Best Bond Flick!? Definitely best Bond in Audio-Video!.......2007-06-03

I don't know why but Bond films always are very entertaining to me, even several times around. The storyline here is great, following the original by Ian Fleming story well (unlike the funny spoof from a long time ago that is also well worth watching). And Daniel Craig is a near-perfect 007 for this "first Bond film" (could perhaps be "elevated"). Eva Green is luscious and the rest of the cast (miss "Q"!) is superb...interesting to see Giancarlo Giannini (see Lina Wertmuller films)! Even if you don't like Bond films in general and feel like some action or a storyline with twists, this is simply a classic to watch. The audio and video quality is excellent as well, showing off Blu-ray HD...if your audio system actually goes down to the bottom in sub-bass (e.g., see Buttkicker), you'll also get extra enjoyment. BUY IT!

Casino Royale sets a new standard for modern Bond films.......2007-05-26

Casino Royale raises the bar for modern Bond films. I must admit, I was a bit disturbed upon hearing Daniel Craig would play the role of Bond. He was blonde (we had never had a blonde bond before) and didn't really seem to fit the part based on previous works of his that I had seen. Now after seeing the film, I can safely say he was a great choice and my fears were not necessary. The film is full of great characters, exotic locations, and everything else that makes a true 007 film.
Buying this film on Blu-ray should be a no-brainer considering you have a Blu-ray player. Myself, I have a Playstation 3 console which according to reviews on the internet and in magazines is the best Blu-ray player on the market. It played Casino Royale beautifully on my HDTV in 720p and 1080i. The scenes are full of detail, I even paused the movie on a scene that had a large crowd. You could make out all of the faces and every detail about them. You can't see that kind of detail on DVD! Bond fans must buy this!

Casino Royale (2-Disc Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

James Bond Has Lost His Sparkle
AMAZING
best ever?
Sooooo disappointed...so NOT James Bond!
An Edgier Bond Than We've Never Seen

Casino Royale (2-Disc Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Daniel Craig , Eva Green , Mads Mikkelsen , Judi Dench , and Jeffrey Wright
Director: Martin Campbell
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000MNP2K8
Release Date: 2007-03-13

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Stills from Casino Royale (click for larger image)

Beyond Casino Royale on Amazon.com

On Blu-ray
CD Soundtrack
Why We Love Daniel Craig

The Amazon.com James Bond Store
Where Have I Seen Daniel Craig?
Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale Book

Product Description

Customer Reviews:

James Bond Has Lost His Sparkle.......2007-07-05

AMAZING.......2007-07-05

I own all the James Bond movies, and this one is my favorite. Hands down.

best ever?.......2007-07-05

The latest Bond incarnation may be the best. Daniel Craig brings a whole new energy to the character. This Bond is serious, dangerous, and sexy.

Sooooo disappointed...so NOT James Bond!.......2007-07-04

No longer suave, no longer sophisticated.

Would have been a good movie if it hadn't been labelled as Bond

An Edgier Bond Than We've Never Seen.......2007-07-04

Average customer rating:

Charming film, bad DVD
Treasure
A Hard Day's Night
not exactly what was expected
the fab 4 are still fab!

A Hard Day's Night
Starring: Lionel Blair , Wilfrid Brambell , Deryck Guyler , Kenneth Haigh , and George Harrison
Director: Lester, Richard
Manufacturer: Miramax Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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The Beatles - Help
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ASIN: B0000542D2
Release Date: 2002-09-24

Amazon.com essential video

The Fab Four from Liverpool--John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr--in their first movie. Nobody expected A Hard Day's Night to be much more than a quick exploitation of a passing musical fad, but when the film opened it immediately seduced the world--even the stuffiest critics fell over themselves in praise (highbrow Dwight Macdonald called it "not only a gay, spontaneous, inventive comedy but it is also as good cinema as I have seen for a long time"). Wisely, screenwriter Alun Owen based his script on the Beatles' actual celebrity at the time, catching them in the delirious early rush of Beatlemania: eluding rampaging fans, killing time on trains and in hotels, appearing on a TV broadcast. American director Richard Lester, influenced by the freestyle French New Wave and British Goon Show humor, whips up a delightfully upbeat circus of perpetual motion. From the opening scene of the mop tops rushing through a train station mobbed by fans, the movie rarely stops for air. Some of the songs are straightforwardly presented, but others ("Can't Buy Me Love," set to the foursome gamboling around an empty field) soar with ingenuity. Above all, the Beatles express their irresistible personalities: droll, deadpan, infectiously cheeky. Better examples of pure cinematic joy are few and far between. --Robert Horton

Description

In 1964, the Beatles had just recently exploded onto the American scene with their debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show." The group's first feature, the Academy Award-nominated "A Hard Day's Night," offered fans their first peek into a day in the life of the Beatles and served to establish the Fab Four on the silver screen, as well as to inspire the music video format. Songs: I'll Cry Instead, A Hard Day's Night, I Should've Known Better, Can't Buy Me Love, If I Fell, And I Love Her, I'm Happy Just to Dance with You, Ringo's Theme (This Boy), Tell Me Why, Don't Bother Me, I Wanna Be Your Man, All My Lovin', She Loves You.

Customer Reviews:

Charming film, bad DVD.......2007-07-04

Having not watched this film in about ten years, getting reacquainted with it recently was almost like discovering it for the very first time all over again. The cinematography is beautiful (the early Beatles just seem to exist in black and white; it's very hard for me to picture them in color at this point in their career), the songs are terrific, the film really brings to life just what Beatlemania was like, with those hoardes of screaming young girls chasing their idols, and in spite of not having that much of a plot, the story is carried through very well by its young stars. In spite of not having been professional actors, The Beatles just have so much charm, wit, and vibrancy in this picture, back before they became weary of so much touring and all of those screaming fans, back when it was still all new, fun, and exciting to them. They were all so young and good-looking in this film! And being from this early stage of their fame, one gets a genuine sense of them being almost like four brothers who care about one another and enjoy one another's company, a far cry from the tension and acrimony present in LIB. At times it doesn't even feel like they were using a script, but that they were just ad-libbing most of it and acting like they would have in real life, four crazy, fun, and ultimately caring good young men dealing with the pressures of fame as best they could.

However, this DVD release leaves a whole lot to be desired. Disc one has a documentary of sorts, which is nothing more than a collection of interviews from people involved in the making of the film, and disc two is entirely taken up with interviews from all sorts of people who were involved in the making of the film. While there are some genuinely nice interviewees, such as George Martin, Klaus Voorman, David Jaxon (who played the young boy), and director Richard Lester, most of them aren't from such high-profile people; indeed, some of the interviews can be rather boring, and don't give us any real new information. Who, for example, wants to see an interview with Betty Glasow, their hairdresser, over, I don't know, an interview with an actual Beatle? Some of the interviewees mention deleted scenes, but we're not even shown any of them. While they're interesting to watch once, they're not something that most fans are going to want to see over and over again. Where are actually substantial bonus features like trailers, newsreels, the making-of documentary "You Can't Do That," the aforementioned deleted scenes, photo galleries, galleries of PR material, or an audio commentary? It's inexcusable that such a wonderful and famous film gets the short end of the stick in this rereleased format. The lacking bonus features aren't the only downside, either; the film is shown in phony widescreen, with the wrong aspect ratio, and therefore portions of the picture are cropped out. And while I normally find excessive complaints about audio quality to be sheer pedantry, complaining about relatively minor things that normal people don't really notice or care about to such a huge degree, even I noticed that there was something a bit off about the sound, particularly when it came to the songs. Additionally, the front cover almost looks like the cover of a bootleg. Whatever happened to the original cover design?

This is still a fun charming film after all of these years, but it really deserved better packaging and treatment. One would be better-served searching out the original DVD release, which had better bonus features, sound, and aspect ratio, or, if one can still find it, the older CD-ROM which I feel lucky to possess, which also gives the film the respect it deserves. How is it that such a classic rock musical gets such shabby treatment while the music videos and movies put out by modern day no-talents are treated with more care and concern?

Treasure.......2007-06-29

These are "My Boys". I don't know what else to say. I loved them then and I love them now. This movie transports me back to a wonderful time when they were everything to me. I still watch it with a big smile on my face and laugh at the ease with which they toss off a "comeback" line at each other.

They look beautiful. The sound is great. The music is amazing still.

If you were ever a Beatles fan, the ownership of this film is a must.

A Hard Day's Night.......2007-06-27

I absolutely love this movie! I wasn't sure that I was going to like it before I had watched the movie. (I thought that it was going to be just another boring black and white movie.) The cover does not do the movie any justice. . . But I was hooked from the very beginning: The song "A Hard Days Night" started playing, and one of the Beatles members tripped running from a crowd of obsessed fans. From that point on, I laughed the entire time it was playing. Watching it was the reason that I fell in love with the Beatles in the first place. John, Paul, George and Ringo are such witty individuals, and I think that every person should see this movie . . . . at least twice!! I don't consider myself to be a movie critic by any means, so as far as acting abilities, plot, ect. are concerned, I would not be the best person to give a review of that nature. But I do know a good movie when I see one, and this is definitely one of them. . . .

not exactly what was expected.......2007-06-23

Perhaps my expectations for this dvd was a bit too high, but it wasn;t all that I had hoped for. I enjoyed the packaging ad certain features, but it jsut didn't seem complete.

the fab 4 are still fab!.......2007-06-13

I first saw this film in 1964, just after its release in the U.S. The comedy and music are as fresh and funny and exciting and touching today (33 years later!) as then. From a devout beatles fan.

Desert Hearts (Two-Disc Vintage Collection)

Average customer rating:

desert hearts
Terrific Bonus Features!
The Bonus Disc - Info
coming out
Great Classic

Desert Hearts (Two-Disc Vintage Collection)
Starring: Andra Akers , Dean Butler , Patricia Charbonneau , Denise Crosby , and Katie La Bourdette
Director: Donna Deitch
Manufacturer: Wolfe Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Girl Play

ASIN: B000OVLC0W
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Amazon.com essential video

When college professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) arrives in Reno in 1959 to get a quickie divorce, the last thing on her mind is romance. A prim intellectual, crippled by a sterile marriage ("We're a professional couple") and hiding behind her education, she moves into a ranch belonging to Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) and tries to keep to herself. But Parker's beautiful, sassy tomboy of a stepdaughter proves to be quite a distraction, and a love affair slowly blossoms. Cay (Patricia Charbonneau) refuses to be bound by convention or by expectations of how a nice girl should behave, and her devil-may-care attitude both attracts and terrifies the nervous professor.

Shaver is terrific as Vivian, and the slow thawing of her character is beautifully paced--you can feel the tension break when she finally lets down her guard. Another strong performance comes from Audra Lindley as Frances. She's a tough old bird with a drinking problem, but Lindley keeps the character from descending into stereotype, and she gives full rein to the tragic side of this lonely woman, especially as she struggles with her reaction to the developing relationship between Cay and Vivian.

There are scenes in Desert Hearts that would be painfully clichéd if they appeared in a heterosexual romance, and even here they only just escape that fate--relying a little too much on significant glances and lines that just don't sound like real conversation. Nevertheless, first-time director Deitch breathes new life into a standard straight-arrow-meets-free-spirit plot, and steadfastly refuses to turn this love story into an "issues movie." Add to that a strong feel for the period and a soundtrack filled with the likes of Patsy Cline and Gene Vincent, and the result is a warm, well-acted film that packs a real emotional punch. --Simon Leake

Customer Reviews:

desert hearts.......2007-07-03

This is one of the best lesbian movies of the time. It never grows old.

Terrific Bonus Features!.......2007-06-07

I loved the interviews with the lead actresses that come with this new release! The fact that Donna Deitch decided to conduct the interviews herself makes them so much fun to watch. Shaver and Charboneau are both very candid and there's lots of giggling throughout both interviews.

Helen Shaver is an absolute dreamboat and in my ideal world, an interview with her would be included on every dvd that I bought. When she starting speaking about her own nipple, I had to pause the dvd and get a drink of water.

Buy this new release! If you're like me, you'll fall in love all over again.

The Bonus Disc - Info .......2007-06-06

Most people purchasing this item have seen the film. Desert Hearts is a contemporary classic and ahead of it's time when first released. It's a standard now in most every gay-girls DVD collection. This newly released two-disc edition includes some bonus materials.

I'll review the bonus disc as there are plenty of well written reviews of the actual film.

1. The "never before seen footage" of the famous love scene. This is the first bonus item on the extra disc. It is NOT a re-cut extended scene. This is the raw footage from, argueably, the most famous lesbian love scene ever. We are not necessarily given more content, but simply the same content from different angles, over multiple takes.

2. Commentary by director Donna Deitch. Fun and informative.

3. Interviews with the two main stars by director Deitch. To me, this feature is worth the price of this collection. Donna Deitch interviews both Patricia Charbonneau ( Cay ) and Helen Shaver ( Vivian ). These are one-on-one sessions which recall memories of filming and, more importantly, the impact the film had on both actresses. These interview sessions were done in March 2007. The only thing that might have made them more interesting would have been if the actresses had actually been reunited for the interviews. They are each interviewed, separately, by Deitch. While both actresses are fun to watch, it is Helen Shaver and her insights that are the most rewarding.

4. The Theatrical Trailer - This is actually interesting because, while the film hold up strongly, the trailer comes across as rather dated.

All in all, I'd recommend this set. It's a wonderful film, and the bonus disc will add a nice dimension to viewing it again.

coming out.......2007-05-24

i first saw this movie 14yrs ago on bravo.. i knew i felt different about women then men. this movie opened my heart because i had the same feeling as the professor.. within a few days i finally told someone i thought i was a lesbian.... finally i had my identity!!!! this movie will always be close to my heart

Great Classic.......2007-05-23

A truly enjoyable movie once you get past some of the corny lines and scenes. Both women are just beautiful for their time and I loved the transformation of Helen's character because I could relate personally. I would of liked if they would of ended the movie without leaving us guessing where the relationship was going but at least it left us still hopeful!

Average customer rating:

One of the best 007 movies!
From Russia With Love
The Bond movie that started a craze
An excellent addition to the Bond franchise.
One of the best of the entire series

From Russia With Love
Starring: Sean Connery , Daniela Bianchi , Pedro Armendáriz , Lotte Lenya , and Robert Shaw
Director: Terence Young
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000NDEXPC
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Amazon.com

Directed with consummate skill by Terence Young, the second James Bond spy thriller is considered by many fans to be the best of them all. Certainly Sean Connery was never better as the dashing Agent 007, whose latest mission takes him to Istanbul to retrieve a top-secret Russian decoding machine. His efforts are thwarted when he gets romantically distracted by a sexy Russian double agent (Daniela Bianchi), and is tracked by a lovely assassin (Lotte Lenya) with switchblade shoes, and by a crazed killer (Robert Shaw), who clashes with Bond during the film's dazzling climax aboard the Orient Express. From Russia with Love is classic James Bond, before the gadgets, pyrotechnics, and Roger Moore steered the movies away from the more realistic tone of the books by Ian Fleming. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

One of the best 007 movies!.......2007-06-28

Along with Goldfinger, this is probably the best of the early James Bond films. Sean Connery was excellent in it. The story and the cast is great. The fight scene on the train between Connery and Shaw is worth the price alone! A face paced, well thought out and entertaining film.

From Russia With Love.......2007-06-27

This stylish second entry in the Bond franchise features a less cold-blooded, more dashing 007, played to the hilt with campy savoir faire by the ever-classy Connery. Young streamlines the action, too, and in the absence of fancy gadgets (those came later), gave audiences thrilling, well-orchestrated chases and clashes, culminating in a heart-racing death match between Connery and deadly, dyed-blond assassin Shaw aboard the Orient Express. The kittenishly seductive Romanova is fetching as Bond's dicey love interest, but German chanteuse Lenya has the most fun springing poisonous blades from her shoes. Racy, exhilarating, and loads of fun, "Love" breathes flashy new life into Ian Fleming's classic novel.

The Bond movie that started a craze.......2007-06-27

From Russia With Love set the stage for all the James Bond movies that followed. With an excellent startup from Dr. No, James Bond gets into full swing battling SPECTRE up and down Europe, and has one of the best Bond fights on the Orient Express. Beautiful women, tough bad guys and just the right amount of Bond toys make it one of the best James Bond movies of them all!

An excellent addition to the Bond franchise........2007-06-16

Brimming with tension, suspense, and understated cool, From Russia with Love is one of the very best movies in the entire James Bond series. The plot, which revolves around the criminal organization SPECTRE and its attempt to steal a Soviet codemaking machine by manipulating and ultimatley murdering a certain British secret agent (guess which one), is clever and engrossing. Part of the movie's charm comes from simply watching SPECTRE's plan unfold. The film is also incredibly atmospheric: Bond travels to a lush, decedant Istanbul before heading back west on a train trip that hangs heavy with mystery and paranoia.

Sean Connery is, of course, incredible. To put it plainly, the guy simply IS James Bond. He's in complete command of the character, playing his role with absolute confidence, brimming with wit, charm, and ruthless intelligence. Connery's Bond is mesmerizing, his performance a masterpiece. The rest of the cast is fantastic as well: Lotte Lenya is unforgettable as the brutal Colonel Rosa Kleb, playing her part with relentless authority and barely subdued insanity. Ditto for Robert Shaw, whose portrayal of ruthless assassain Donald "Red" Grant is fiery and intense. Shaw turns his charater into an omen, a source of constantly escalating tension and nervous energy. Pedro Armendariz is superb as the exuberant, friendly, and loveable Kerim Bey, who befriends and assists Bond in Istanbul. The film also contains the first appearance of Desmond Llewelyn as Q, one of the series' most beloved characters (he'd appear in every subsequent Bond film until 1999's The World is Not Enough).

Throw in John Berry's tension-filled soundtrack and some of the sharpest one-liners ever found in a Bond film and you've got an absolute classic, and one of the finest entries in an excellent series.

One of the best of the entire series.......2007-04-08

A favorite of many Bond fans and filmmakers alike is this second entry into the EON Bond film canon (a separate production company had produced Fleming's CASINO ROYALE for American television CBS in the 1950s). Alongside 1969s ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE as one of the more faithful movie adaptations of the Fleming book this movie is disliked by some for its slower pace and less fantastical plot and adored by others for precisely the same reasons.
I suppose it all depends on what you are looking for in a Bond movie. For it was not until the next entry in the series in 1964s GOLDFINGER that the movies budgets ballooned and took on the more recognizable Bond-movie shape of fantastic world domination plots, cartoonish action and over-the-top villains. Here, we have a more quiet down-to-earth plot involving extortion and revenge, but its carefully woven plot makes the movie just as thrilling and the action just as compelling.
There are some deviations from the plot of the Fleming novel, but nothing that detracts too seriously from what is the most important element here - the story and characterization. For example in the book Flemings villains was the real-life Soviet agency SMERSH, which is changed to the fictional private organization SPECTRE (which Fleming created along with Kevin McClory for a failed movie script after he had written the novel on which this movie is based.) No doubt the filmmakers decided to change the villain for political reasons as well as to develop the recurring villain mentioned in passing in the first of the EON movies (1962s DR. NO).
The plot concerns SPECTRE's attempts to use British intelligence to steal a valuable Soviet decoder, blackmail British intelligence and murder British agent James Bond in revenge for the loss of their agent Dr. No.
In order to pull off this audacious scheme, SPECTRE's Col. Rosa Klebb (brilliantly played by Lotte Lenya) enlists the aid of Russian clerk Tatiana Romanova who believes that she is working for the KGB. Romanova is chosen for her beauty as a lure for James Bond and the Lektor decoder as a lure for 007 and British intelligence. Indeed the ploy works to perfection as we witness later the disinterest of 007 change to amiable interest after being shown a picture of Romanova.
Following the traditional gunbarrel sequence we are given our first true precredits sequence. In the first movie the gunbarrel went straight into the credits sequence, but here we are treated to a mini-adventure in what would become a standard trademark for the series. James Bond is on the hunt, or is he the hunted? Stalking around a garden in the middle of the night when all of a sudden Bond is set upon by a giant man (played to perfection by the always excellent Robert Shaw.) Who then pulls a wire from his watch and garrotes the British agent. The sequence serves as a foreshadowing of a scene towards the end of the movie and is also the first instance in which the audience is tricked into believing that 007 has been killed. In the future 007 movies 1967s YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE and the rogue movie 1983s NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN this ploy would also be used. Sure enough following the death of "James Bond" the lights go up revealing a big estate house (actually a house on the backlot of Pinewood Studios) and it is revealed as a SPECTRE training session with a man posing as 007.
Shaw is excellent as Red Grant. Even today over 40 years later he regularly tops the list among Bond fans as a favorite villain. He plays the role with understated deliberate menace and the fight scene on the orient express (which is usually cut down for television) is brutal and frenetic. Similar scenes of fighting on a train have been repeated in later Bond movies but none have quite matched this one.
Other elements that would become a series trademark also make their first appearances in this picture. We have the introduction of a real bona fide gadget and the first screen appearance of the actor who would become famous for introducing James Bond to all manner of incredible gizmos while in real-life being the most un-mechanically minded of people - the late Desmond Llewelyn.
Here Bond is equipped with a briefcase with such hidden qualities as a knife that protrudes out of the side, coinage for bribing enemy agents and a innocent looking bottle of talc that is actually tear gas for disabling prying eyes who open the case the wrong way. Of course all of these help save 007 later on in the movie (strange how he always seems to have just what he needs for any eventuality).
Overall then we have a taut, well-crafted James Bond movie with standout performances from all the principal actors. Of particular note is the Mexican actor Pedro Armendáriz who plays the Turkish British agent Kerim Bey. There seems to be a genuine friendship between Bond and this amiable rogue, a chemistry similar to that between Bond and Columbo in the 1981 movie FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.
With a travelogue feel that was a feature of the early movies, this was after all before the holiday shows and Discovery Channel documentaries on different areas of the world. And some compelling action (though on a smaller scale than later scenes the fight between Bond and Klebb with the latter wielding a poisoned tipped shoe is white knuckle stuff). This is a movie that should be on everyone's must-see list.

Average customer rating:

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