Dangerous Relations

Starring:Brooke Bundy, Ellen Weston, Ken Pogue, John Varnum, Sam Bell
Director: J. Ford Bell
Studio: Platinum Disc
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

A classic film by Ms. Ross!!!
Good but not Great
DIANA ROSS RADIATES SUPERSTAR GLAMOUR IN A FUN FILM!!
Excellent
Miss Diana Ross

Mahogany
Starring: Diana Ross , Anthony Perkins , and Foch
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Sparkle
Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition)
Claudine (1974)
Reflections: The Definitive Performances 1964-1969
The Wiz

ASIN: B000B5XOSY
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Amazon.com

One simple question, people: Do you know where you're goin' to? And furthermore, Do you like the things that life is showin' you? These questions are posed in the unavoidable theme song (a huge Seventies hit) from Mahogany, a splashy, diva-sized vehicle for Diana Ross. Miss Ross was hot off her unexpected and critically approved starring role in Lady Sings the Blues when she embarked on this musical, a rags-to-riches saga of a Chicago girl who dreams of being a fashion designer but becomes a supermodel instead. Original director Tony Richardson was replaced behind the camera by Motown founder and puppetmaster supreme Berry Gordy, who knew something about turning Ross into an idealized vision of femininity (for more on their relationship, check out the fictionalized version in Dreamgirls).

Ross looks a little overwhelmed by the plot machinations, which take her from the orbit of a regular-guy activist (Billy Dee Williams) into the glam world of European fashion--the latter courtesy of a cranky, unstable photographer played by Anthony Perkins. Perkins is sky-high fun in this thing, as though he suspected the movie was in trouble and decided to let the tics and nerviness fly. These days Mahogany is treasured either as a fond childhood memory or as a ripe camp-fest, and that's probably about where it belongs. Still, it looks positively restrained next to the other big diva musical of the same historical moment, Barbra Streisand's 1976 A Star is Born. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

A classic film by Ms. Ross!!!.......2007-06-13

This film just happens to be one of my favorite films of all time. Diana Ross gives another stellar performance. I would have to say that this film should have done well at the box office. Thankfully, I own it on DVD. Billy Dee Williams is so damn sexy. Add this film to your list of favorites!!!!!!!

Good but not Great.......2007-06-10

I thought that Diana's performance in this movie was good, it wasn't great. I would have love to seen the other characters in the movie reaction to her success. How did Diana's(Tracy's) character discover her love of fashion, why did the film not bring her success to America. None the less, the movie was good not great.

DIANA ROSS RADIATES SUPERSTAR GLAMOUR IN A FUN FILM!!.......2007-06-09

This is a super camp movie because of the incredibly implausible script. However, it is also incredibly entertaining with a wonderful musical score. Diana Ross looks gorgeous in unbelievably glamorous costumes, jewels, make-up and furs. And, in spite of the movie's flaws, Diana's acting is really good while poor Anthony Perkins is atrocious. Beautiful scenes of Rome, Italy! This is a must for any Diana Ross fan! Unfortunately, some of the scenes, notably the "Kabuki Fashion Show" have been cut for the DVD while other unnecessary scenes have been left in. It is a tragedy she didn't make may more movies after this one.Mahogany

Excellent.......2007-06-08

I absolutely love this movie. It is definitely a keepsake. Oh and the price was just lovely. Amazon is the place to purchase DVDs.

Miss Diana Ross.......2007-06-03

People can say what they want about her,but what a good movie I always wanted this movie but could never find it. Thanks to the making of Dreamgirls I was able to enjoy one of my all time favorite movies.If you're out to look for something special either rent or make a purchase of this one.

Average customer rating:

110% Over-the-Top & I Love It
SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT
the first truely "adult" western
Duel in the Sun 1946
Brilliant!

Duel in the Sun
Starring: Jennifer Jones , Joseph Cotten , Gregory Peck , Lionel Barrymore , and Herbert Marshall
Director: William Dieterle , David O. Selznick , and Josef von Sternberg
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Epic | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Romance | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Westerns | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Big Country
Yellow Sky
The Bravados
The Man From Laramie
Warlock

ASIN: B0001GF2HY
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Amazon.com

Legendary producer David O. Selznick dreamed of another magnum opus like his 1939 production of Gone with the Wind; he also purposed to make Jennifer Jones, his ladylove and eventually second Mrs. Selznick, a megastar. Accordingly, he micromanaged the making of Duel in the Sun (Lust in the Dust to some), an extravagant Technicolor epic about the collision of the old West with the new, wide-open spaces with railroads and barbed wire, and hot-blooded outlaws with civilized folk, often wimpy or unwell. Beginning among giant rocks drenched in a blood-red sunset, with velvet-voiced Orson Welles intoning the leibestod legend of doomed Pearl Chavez and her demon lover, Duel never strays far from lush romanticism, spiced with a dash of S/M. Orphaned Pearl (Jones) comes to live at Spanish Bit Ranch, where frail Laura Belle McCanles (Lillian Gish) tries to make a lady of her, despite her questionable origins and insistent voluptuousness. Sexual license versus law--Pearl's choices--are symbolized by the McCanles brothers: dark, undisciplined Lewt (a lubriciously wicked Gregory Peck) and reasonable, forward-looking, repressed Jesse (Joseph Cotten). The cast is huge (Lionel Barrymore, Walter Huston, Harry Carey, Herbert Marshall, Charles Bickford, Butterfly McQueen) and there are unforgettable set pieces: summoned by a cacophony of bells, the gathering of McCanles cowboys from the four corners of the earth; Pearl in heat, clutching Lewt's leg and being dragged across the floor as he makes his getaway to Mexico; and the lovers' final shootout among those red rocks, as orgiastic a finale as you could ask for. --Kathleen Murphy

Description

From the acclaimed producer of Gone With the Wind comes a torrid tale of passion and romancethat's loaded with "all the sweep and panache of a giant American action movie" (The New Yorker)! "Flawlessly cast" (The Film Daily) with a bevy of film legends, including Jennifer Jones, Gregory Peck, Joseph Cotten, Lionel Barrymore and Lillian Gish, this salacious saga is "virtuallyimpossible not to love" (The Hollywood Reporter)! When her father is hanged for murdering his wife, the stunning beauty Pearl (Jones) is taken in by a wealthy Texan, his wife and their two grown sons (Peck and Cotten). But Pearl soon becomes trapped in an emotional tug-of-war between her love for one son and her lust for the other, igniting the most tempestuous triangle the West has ever seen!

Customer Reviews:

110% Over-the-Top & I Love It.......2006-08-03

Overacted, overstaged, too colorful--"Duel in the Sun" makes that "I'll never be hungry again" scene in GWTW look understated.

The strange music, Pearl's weird dancer movements, a totally carnal Gregory Peck, Joseph Cotten so repressed that you would swear if he took off his clothes he'd be like a paperdoll with the underwear printed on, the cruelty...WOWEE. Someone said it was an opera and that's what it is, all right. They could be singing the lines with broad sweeping gestures and too much flesh and makeup.

I love this movie although, again like some other reviewers, I found it was an acquired taste.

SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT.......2006-05-19

The legendary Producer David O. Selznick,of Gone with Wind Fame,wanted to produce another classic and he mightily tried with Duel in the Sun,directed by King Vidor,and starring Selznicks' paramour and later wife Jennifer Jones.
Ms Jones is Pearl Chavez a half breed who lands on her "white" relatives ranch,run by reactionary Lionel Barrymore.The fetching ms Jones attracts the attention of Barrymores' amoral son Lewt,played by Gregory Peck.
After a great opening the film becomes something of a bore with Peck playing a rather repulsive character.
Lillian Gish,Herbery Marshall, Charles Bickford,Joseph Cotton,Walter Huston,hamming it up as a bogus preacher,Otto Krueger,and Harry Carey,sr.,all lend a colorful hand to the very mediocre proceedings.The technicolor is great and there is an excellent score by Dimitri Tiomkin.

the first truely "adult" western.......2006-05-09

this is a very high camp western and as a child i didn't care for it much. now that i'm older i find i really enjoy this cheesey slice of the west. gregory peck(long before the boys from brazil)is a very bad man and he is really very good. matching him step for step is the lovley jennifer jones as his love/hate romance in the movie.
one last thing the ending is ,well the best word for it is really campy. buy it and see .
the transfer looks good and the film has never looked better.

Duel in the Sun 1946.......2006-04-20

From the acclaimed producer of GONE WITH THE WIND (David O . Selznick 1902-1965) comes a torrid table of passion and romance thats loaded with "all" the sweep and panache of giant American action movie (The New Yorker 1931) ! . Flawlessy cast with a bevy of film legends , including Jennifer Jones (1919 - ), Gregory Peck (1916-2003) , Joseph Cotten (1905-1994) , Lionel Barrymore (1878-1954) and Lilian Gish (1893-1993) , this salacious saga is virtually impossible not to love . When her father is hanged for murdering his wife , the stunning beauty Pearl (Jones) is taken in by a weathy Texan , his wife and their two grown sons (Peck and Cotton) But pearl soon becomes trapped in an emotional tug-of-war between her love for one son and her lust for the other , igniting the most tempestous triangle west has ever seen ! . A Lawish , sensual spectacle ! Irresistibly Entertaining . High Quality Transfer . Recommended

Brilliant!.......2006-04-10

Its not a great film, certainly, but you knew that already. A must for camp enthusiasts, to be sure. A classic.

Average customer rating:

Drama About Domestic Terrorists
hel(l) bound lady
Stunning performances from Berenger and Winger
FBI misses chance
A Surprisingly Frank Look At RAHOWA

Betrayed
Starring: Debra Winger , Tom Berenger , John Heard , Betsy Blair , and John Mahoney
Director: Costa-Gavras
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery & Suspense | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Shattered
Someone to Watch Over Me
Black Widow
Love at Large
Detective

ASIN: 079284355X
Release Date: 2000-02-29

Description

"Debra Winger and Tom Berenger are simply magnificent" (Rex Reed, At the Movies) as mismatched lovers who try desperately to share each other's lives, but ultimately destroy each other's worlds, in this explosive film of unwavering "suspense, drive and power" (Newsweek). Whena controversial radio personality is brutally murdered by masked assassins, FBI undercover agent Cathy Weaver (Winger) finds herself drawn deep into America's heartland...and into a dangerous relationship with the prime suspect! Romantically attracted to the handsome widower (Berenger), Weaver is convinced of his innocence until she discovers his true natureand a shocking secret that threatenseverything she believes in. Torn between love and duty, Weaver is forced to make the most difficultdecision of her life: Will she betray the man she loves...or the country she's sworn to protect?

Customer Reviews:

Drama About Domestic Terrorists.......2006-12-10

This film starts with an event based on a true crime. A talk radio show host in Denver was killed by an American Nazi. (This event inspired the "Talk Radio" play and film.) This film continues with scenes from a small town in a farming region. No mention of their economic status; are they losing dollars and population, small businesses, etc. Instead we see a small group of white racists who abduct a black man to hunt and kill him! This seems too exaggerated to believe. Federal agents are aware of this but don't want to act yet. Their agent is sent back to get more information. There are groups like that in some sparsely settled areas. The film doesn't explain what created them. It shows how some politicians try to use them for votes and contributions. No real names, of course.

The Federal agent meets to report to her higher ups. Then we see terrorists prepare to hold up a bank to raise money for their activities (based on real events). Most bank robberies are done by ordinary criminals who are not part of any group. (The FBI put an end to organized gangs that robbed banks in the 1940s.) This Federal agency doesn't interfere because they want more information on their aims (and their leaders). More terrorism is planned: dynamiting a courthouse, attacking a power station, etc. The terrorist plots here would keep this small group busy 24 hours a day! Kathy finds a secret list of "friends". This is quickly copied with a camera. The Federal agents need to know who this group will target so they can arrest them. Gary meets with the leader (who arrives in a helicopter!) And shows documents that say Kathy is a special investigator. Is Kathy being served up as a sacrifice? Gary and Kathy travel to Chicago, where an assassination is planned that will make Gary the fall guy. (Another Lee Harvey Oswald?) A second "lone gunman" shoots the politician in front of a building. Gary fails to shoot, and won't ever try this again.

Costa-Gavras gained world fame with his 1969 film "Z". A few years later his film about rebels in South America was popular. His later films have seemed mediocre. A better story might not have tried to cover so many details and plots as this film does; better pacing could help. The threat from domestic terrorism still needs a good film (e.g., Timothy McVeigh). Those who gave this film a high rating must love the images more than the facts.

A better film today would show the bad results from "NAFTA" and "Free Trade" in harming most Americans economically. But Hollywood would never allow a film about this "war on the middle class". The word `nafta' in Greek and Arabic refers to `petroleum'. NAFTA is a symbol for the policies designed for Big Oil. It is like George W. Bush calling his policy "Operation Iraqi Liberation".

hel(l) bound lady .......2006-04-05

Betrayed
Amazon.com
05april06

Berenger died for his love
Debra killed him in despair
of getting isolated
from community he belonged to
Berenger got absolved
in loving till death parted them
she got cheeky enough
to suck to daughter of man
she just murdered
.....
i see patriot americans
vs servants to system that's
gone overboard for outsiders
.....
we make our own choices
who to love who to betray
the split personality
plays it from both ends

Stunning performances from Berenger and Winger.......2006-03-11

This is an incredibly memorable film about white supremicists that explores racism in it's most extreme form. Debra Winger is an undercover agent who infiltrates a community of seemingly innocent hard working farmers but as the film progresses the hatred and evil lurking beneath the surface becomes more and more evident. Shocking at times and realistically written and acted, this is a thought provoking and disturbing movie that deserves more attention than it has received. Not one you will soon forget.

FBI misses chance.......2006-01-22

Hey it's really sweet where the fbi girl gets her chance to do that thing with the black guy but come on, really, if the sexes were turned wouldn't the agent be expected to do "something else" first?

A Surprisingly Frank Look At RAHOWA.......2006-01-06

Let me first say I'm truly shocked that anyone ever made a film this raw in 1988 or any year.

The plot: After the murder of a Jewish radio host in Chicago, FBI agent, Katy (Debra Winger) goes undercover with farmers to seduce widower and father of two, Gary (Tom Beringer). Katy forms a close bond with Gary and his family and even moves in with him. Gary is a suspect in the murder and Katy is trying to learn more about Gary's KKK terrorist group and their plan for future attacks.

The title suggests this is the classic story of love vs. duty. Katy loves Gary but she is bound by duty to take him down.

However this film is so much more. As some have already noted this is based on a true story of "The Brotherhood". A Nazi terrorist group that based itself on `The Turner Diaries' and indeed murdered a Jewish radio host and committed a high profile armored car robbery taking a record amount of money (which the FBI never recovered). The film is faithful even to their choice of firearms, Ingram Mac-10s which each member carries.

`Betrayed' accurately depicts a family trip to a Klan rally where the children shoot at paper targets of black and Jew cartoons. This Klan camp is based on Elohim City, a Nazi training camp. (The same one Timothy McVeigh was later to attend.)

They also refer to America as ZOG. Zionist Occupational Government.

`Betrayed' is smart to make no real political statement. They tell the story, we decide.

The production quality of `Betrayed ` is good with fine acting all around. Honorable mention is deserved by underrated actor John Heard who plays Katy's commander and suitor. In 1988 he was still thin.

Surprisingly a film this smart was written by Joe Eszterhas. I'm amazed Eszterhas could form complete sentences but he really did his homework in accurately depicting RAHOWA.

Average customer rating:

Hip Hop's 1st Scary / Horror Flick
Modern Day Cult Film
I BEG YOU, DONT BUY OR RENT OR WATCH IT ON TV
New York is wild - nothing seems normal - everything seems out of place.
So Horrible It's Funny!

Def by Temptation
Starring: Cynthia Bond , Rony Clanton , Guy Davis , Minnie Gentry , and Kadeem Hardison
Manufacturer: TROMA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Vampire in Brooklyn
Tales From the Hood
Eve's Bayou
J.D.'s Revenge
Mother's Day

ASIN: 630485241X
Release Date: 1998-02-10

Amazon.com

There's a succubus--a female vampire with a disturbingly sexual modus operandi--thinning out the male singles-bar population in New York, and it's up to a young Southern divinity student and his friends to stop her from continuing to act upon her hellish urges. A funky urban nightmare from quadruple-threat newcomer James Bond III (actor, producer, writer, and director), this self-assured debut is notable for being the first all-black horror film in quite some time. One of the few films of merit to be released by the notoriously low-rent Troma Studios (home of The Toxic Avenger, Surf Nazis Must Die, and many others), it's a provocative and scary movie with a professionalism that belies the obviously minuscule budget. The exquisite cinematography is by Spike Lee regular Ernest Dickerson. --Andrew Wright

Description

In one of his earliest pre-Pulp Fiction performances, Samuel L. Jackson helps face off against a supernatural menace to society in this theatrical sleeper hit shot on colorfully vivid 35mm. A sexy female succubus is hell-bent on destroying Joel (A DIFFERENT WORLD's Kadeem Hardison), a young divinity student, through her powers of seduction. One by one, Joel's friends fall victim to her charms, leaving Joel to face the temptress...and his destiny...alone. Bill Nunn (DO THE RIGHT THING) also stars in this terrifying story of vampires and lust. Featuring star power, lavish production values and smoking urban locales, Def By Temptation showcases the brightest young black cast and crew in a thoughtfully frightening horror extravaganza.

Customer Reviews:

Hip Hop's 1st Scary / Horror Flick.......2006-12-04

Kadeem Hardison, Bill Nunn, Samuel L. Jackson, and James Bond III (writer, director) all appeared in Spike Lee's School Daze. Even the plot is formulaic, there are some funny moments and the proverbial battle between good and evil sets up a possible sequel. The female vampire meticulously picks off her victims, seducing them and revealing their secrets (one scene has her screwing this gay dude who comes off straight). The soundtrack is haunting. Not a lot of theater play when this film was 1st released back in '90, but it stands up and is a perfect companion to Tales from the Hood...

Modern Day Cult Film.......2006-11-12

No this movie isn't for everyone, but over the years it has become my favorite movie. Like any cult film this movie is filled with one-liners that viewers will embed in their memories. If you are looking for the ideal film for fun to share with your friends ... this is it. Watch it once and make your judgement, either you will hate it and never want to see it again, or you'll be a true die fan like me and watch it over and over again, until you can speak each line word for word with the actors as I and my friends do.

I BEG YOU, DONT BUY OR RENT OR WATCH IT ON TV.......2006-04-01

You be very sorry that you did.

This movie is the worst horror movie I ever saw in my life. The story plot is pure crap and this film dont work on any level.

The writer who wrote this film should have never wrote this crap. The person who gave this film the go head to be be made should have been put in the funny farm, because I think he/she must have been out of his/her mind when he/she gave this film the go a head and if you people saw this crap and like it, you all should be in the funny farm with people just like you who are out of there fliping minds

New York is wild - nothing seems normal - everything seems out of place........2005-08-11

When you look at the title of this film, what do you think the word Def means? At first, I thought that it may have something to do with the hearing of the main character. Perhaps he would fight this evil while having a physical defect. If you thought the same as I, well ... I hate to tell you this ... but you are wrong. I believe that this is actually a misspelling of the word "death". Now, I cannot be certain, but if you watch this film than look at the title it only makes sense. Imagine if this film were called Death by Temptation, wouldn't you know more about what this film was about than if it were called Def By Temptation? I believe that by shortening the title, the filmmaker lost some of their audience. A word of advise to those looking to title films out there ... always complete the entire title no matter the length, you will yield better results.

Now, let's get into the "nitty gritty" of this film. The acting was amateur, the cinematography was preschool standards, and the overall plot of this film reached further than I could when I was in high school. Kadeem and Samuel L. Jackson headline this film, but it is really a film about Joel. Why isn't his face on the cover of this film? This may have helped as well because then viewers would not have been so anxious to see just Jackson or Hardison, they would have wanted to see what this film was truly about. This was nothing more than Troma capitalizing on two more famous people than the main character played by James Bond III. Not even Jackson could perform well in this film. His portrayal of a father/minister seemed too over-the-top and controlling. I needed more substance, and I think this is what was generally missing from this film. Substance. By the second succubus killing, I didn't care anymore. I felt that they had spent too much time on her, because she was the "beauty" part of this film, and therefore rushing the remaining portion of the movie.

If you were to ask me the question about "K" and Joel being friends, I would not have believed it. The characters were so poorly written and acted that you could tell that they were just going through the motions. Then, as if brought out of thin air, "K" befriends Dougy (the undercover Federal Agent) to fight this evil creature. AND ... where did Grandma come from? These actions were taking place over the course of one night, how could she suddenly get from North Carolina to New York without being winded? If I were "K" or even Joel, I would question the Grandmother more than the succubus. If you watch some of the comments before the film, there is an interview with a gentleman from Troma that talks about how the camera guy left at the end of the film to "bigger and better things", and you shouldn't be able to tell the difference in one camera style from the other. Well, this was yet again another wrong statement. The end of this film was nothing like the beginning, and the change of camera style was very evident. Needless-to-say, I was impressed with one aspect of this film. There was one scene when "K" was chewed into the television, and I thought that was a very well produced shot. Why couldn't the rest of the film be more like this?

Overall, I wasn't impressed with this one. It did make me interested in seeing more Troma films, but definatly stay clear of the one entitled Def By Temptation.

Grade: * out of *****

So Horrible It's Funny!.......2005-07-17

First off, Make no mistake this is a troma movie (need I say more)! This movie is so terrible some of the scenes in the film made tears come to my eyes from laughing so hard! The only reason I give this film 4 stars instead of 1 is because of how horribly funny the movie is.

Average customer rating:

New York streetfights and Capoeira!!
Great feel good movie and great body
Greatest Capoeira Dance Film Ever!! Gedrick Rules!!
Greatest Capoeira Dance Film Ever!!!

Rooftops
Starring: Jason Gedrick , Troy Beyer , Eddie Velez , Tisha Campbell , and Alexis Cruz
Director: Robert Wise
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Promised Land
Crossing the Bridge
Silent Cradle
Power 98
The Last Don II

ASIN: B00008VGNK
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Customer Reviews:

New York streetfights and Capoeira!!.......2006-05-24

Yes this is a low budget money but who cares..theres a lot of action and the characters have a development, nice to see T kickin the b.... of the drug dealers of east New York and his friends helping him, i love this movie. but not try even to compare it with "Only the Strong"

Great feel good movie and great body.......2004-05-18

This movie is a real feel good movie and if you love capoeira you should really see it. And girls enjoy the great body of Jason Gedrick in the movie!!

Greatest Capoeira Dance Film Ever!! Gedrick Rules!!.......2003-10-09

This is a great dancing(Brazilean-Capoeira)movie starring Jason Gedrick.It's highly recommended!!

Greatest Capoeira Dance Film Ever!!!.......2003-03-26

This superb street/dance drama that uses the graceful Brazilean Dance/Martial arts style known as Capoeira is produced and directed by the reknowned Robert Wise(West Side Story)is about a group of teenagers who dance and fight it out on the rooftops of lower eastside New York City.The group leader(Jason Gedrick)falls in love with a girl involved with drug dealers where a street battle follows.It's a film very well worth watching!!

Verdi - Otello / del Monaco, Capecchi, Carteri, Clabassi, Serafin, RAI Opera

Average customer rating:

Unrepeatable.
Mario reigns supreme
Great Otello

Verdi - Otello / del Monaco, Capecchi, Carteri, Clabassi, Serafin, RAI Opera
Starring: Tullio Serafin , and Plinio Clabassi
Manufacturer: Hardy Classics DVD
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

( V ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Verdi - La Forza del Destino / Corelli, Tebaldi, Bastianini, Christoff, Capecchi, Dominguez, Molinari-Pradelli, Naples
Verdi - Il Trovatore / del Monaco, Gencer, Bastianini, Barbieri, Clabassi, Previtali, RAI 1957
Andrea Chénier
Verdi - Don Carlo / von Karajan, Carreras, Baltsa, Furlanetto, d'Amico, Cappuccilli, Salminen, Salzburg
Verdi - Il Trovatore / Domingo, Kabaivanksa, Cossotto, Cappuccilli, van Dam, Zednik, von Karajan, Vienna Opera

ASIN: B00005RE6U
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Customer Reviews:

Unrepeatable........2004-12-13

I'm no special fan of things past, rather proposing that each age has its special conductors, singers, orchestras and that idolising per se performances of 30, 50 or more years ago may turn you away from your own surroundings and set you to unnecessarily living in a past that will not return, leading you to ignore very important events going on in your surroundings. There are exceptions, of course, and one of them is this 45 year old film (yes, film, not video tape and there lies its main problem, read below).

Let me begin by stating that this is an Otello practically impossible to reassemble today because you'd lack its main feature, which is none other than its supreme italianità. Del Monaco was THE Otello of his generation (and for many, still unsurpassed by later singers), much as Domingo is ours'. There were other singers tackling the part at the time, of course, but he was alone in appropriating the rôle to himself, as in her way did Callas with Norma or Tosca, by conveying like any other the complex personality of the character, an impersonation which evolved from long and intimate study. In 1958, when this was filmed by the Italian Broadcasting Corporation (RAI), he was at the absolute prime of his vocal condition (he had behind him a commercial recording of the rôle for Decca and would two years later re-record it in stereo for the same company, in Vienna and with Karajan conducting). His Desdemona is the delicious Rosanna Carteri, highly regarded in her time in Italy as a worthy competitor of Tebaldi, Callas or Stella in rôles like Violetta or Desdemona but sadly now largely forgotten, so much so that she's not even listed in Grove. Older collectors may recall her excellent Traviata recorded for RCA with Monteux conducting. The outstanding Iago is Renato Capecchi (Grove's entry on him has him as still living), better known for "nicer" rôles like Schicchi or Bartolo but notwithsatnding one of the most intelligent Iagos I've come across. Complementary parts are taken by renouned italian singers of the time, the indispensable support singers of italian theatres that are at the core of that country's operatic tradition. The wise conducting of the veteran Tullio Serafin shows an italian operatic conductor at the winter of his career, albeit alert and vital as a conductor many decades younger.

So, musically this is an outstanding Otello, a performance for the ages wholly worthy of looking back into the past to learn from it.

Now to the minus side: as I said above, this is film and not video tape, and italian film of the tame was plagued by bad image/sound synchronisation (and would remain so for many years still). The worst offender seems to be Capecchi but the other principals are affected too. Also, the film appears to have by now physically deteriorated somewhat and there are a few unexpected jumps and odd changes in luminosity that make it appear, especially in the beginning, as if it had been shot decades before than 1958. However, and in spite of these shortcomings, it is indeed fascinating to see Del Monaco in his most famous rôle, his grimacing, his moods as the work evolves from the triumphant "Esultate" to his suicide in the last act. Carteri's movie star looks are a delight and does a visually very appealing and credible Desdemona, on a par with her singing. Capecchi, his poor job at lip-synching and all, is a phenomenal Iago, not just vocally as I said above but certainly looks the part and wisely eschews the "bad guy" stereotype trap so easy to fall in.

The sound is mono, and is of indifferent quality. I don't know if the original tapes that comprise the film soundtrack are in good condition; if they are, we lovers of this work will be in eternal debt towards a record company that rescues them from the RAI archives and restores them (much as Sony, DG and others have done with ORF tapes of Salzburg performances), for likely a better sound quality may be extracted from them that what Hardy has got from the film. So, in resume, not a sole Otello for a collection but one certainly to have (and in a place of pride).

Mario reigns supreme.......2004-10-05

Watching this version of del Monaco's "Otello" confirms once again that he was, is, and ever will be the finest tenor in the world. There is nothing one can say against this performance - beautifully sung and acted by all. The technicians at Hardy Classics are to be commended for the superb job they have done.

Great Otello.......2003-09-14

This is a 1958 Italian TV production with Mario Del Monaco as Otello, Renato Capecchi as Iago, Rosanna Carteri as Desdamona with Tullio Serafin conducting RAI Orchestra and Chorus, Milano. They prepared the audio portion separately, and lip-synced (badly) for the video portion. The mono audio recording is very good, and all sang very well. It is the best performance from Del Monaco that I have heard. He actually sings softly when he has to. Capecchi, more known for his Rossini and Donizetti comic roles, is a fine Iago. Carteri, who sounds a lot like Tebaldi but with better high notes, sings very well indeed, although she was not quite Tebaldi's equal in the Willow song or Ave Maria. And she looked very good in the video, as did Del Monaco, slender and handsome, but not very tall. The fuzzy video quality is about what you would expect from 1958 black and white TV, but the sets and often dark lighting were imaginative, and the acting, except for the lip-syncing, was splendid.

Average customer rating:

The Blue Hotel
Starring: Tom Aldredge , John Bottoms , Rex Everhart , Henry Fonda , and Lisa Pelikan
Director: Ján Kadár
Manufacturer: Monterey Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Barn Burning
The Jilting of Granny Weatherall
Paul's Case
American Short Story Collection: Soldier's Home
Rappaccini's Daughter

ASIN: B00082ZQYU
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Description

Seen on PBS

Written by: Teleplay writer Henry M. Patrakis, adapted from the Stephen Crane classic

Stars: David Warner, James Keach

Director: Jan Kadar (Academy Award - "The Shop on Main Street")

Description: Nebraska in the 1880's…bleak, lonely, and far from what you'd expect The Wild West to be. But for a naïve Swedish immigrant, the frontier parlor of "THE BLUE HOTEL" represents the quintessential western fantasy.

No one can convince The Swede that his dime-store notions about The West are foolish. He sees murderous intentions all around him…and in his terror he turns everybody against him.

Inevitably the Swede attracts tragedy. However, who is responsible? The negative Swede? Or the cliquish hotel guests? Academy Award-winner Jan Kadar ("The Shop on Main Street") directs this timely story of how society punishes outsiders for being different.

Amazon.com

Based on a creepy Ian McEwan novel, this Paul Schrader film stars Natasha Richardson and Rupert Everett as a married couple who find their marriage sliding into a morass of tedium. To reignite it, they visit Venice, where they fall under the spell of an urbane older couple, played by Christopher Walken (in one of his most chillingly insinuating roles) and Helen Mirren (who seems to be more his crippled acolyte than his wife). British reserve forces the younger couple to be polite to these strange birds, but increased exposure to them through coincidental meetings gradually pulls them into their deadly orbit. Adapted by Harold Pinter, it's a slightly arid but still goose-fleshy film in which nothing is what it seems to be and, what's worse, nothing familiar looks familiar anymore. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS.......2006-03-09

The DVD was in good shape, what more can I ask for. I'd seen this movie in the past, I simply wanted to own it on DVD, I'm content.

Dead in the Water.......2005-09-04

This second Ian McEwan novel to make it to the screen arrived with dizzying credits, apart from the stature of the novelist himself. It was directed by the daring Paul Schrader, adapted by British playwright Harold Pinter, and scored by the innovative Angelo Badalamenti. In the power cast are Rupert Everett and Natasha Richardson as lovers vacationing in Venice, and Christopher Walken and Helen Mirren as Venetians who befriend them. They are costumed by Giorgio Armani and photographed by Dante Spinotti, who shot "The Insider" and "LA Confidential." The canals are impressive, but the movie is dead in the water.

Beautiful locations (old world interiors, glassmaking at Murano) and beautiful people are good for so many minutes. Nudity, lovemaking, homoeroticism and sado-masochism carry this movie a little longer. But eventually you have to tell an interesting story with plausible characters, as McEwan did in his book. That essential has eluded Schrader and his famous collaborators. The concluding murder is unbelievable and inevitable at the same time, and the ending is maddeningly ambiguous. At least the victim, like the viewer, was not bored to death. That's the best you can say about this bad DVD transfer of a disappointing film.

Pretentious and Wooden.......2005-08-16

This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Rupert Everett is a perfect mannequin, standing around modeling his clothes in the WORST performance by any movie actor in history; Helen Mirren is totally wasted; she looks like she's barely paying attention. Richardson looks embarrassed, and Walken hams it up as his trademarked cliched "creepy guy", who's about as intriguing as a Chicken McNugget. He reminds me of the Euro seducer "The Continental" from SNL. Even the mood music is bad. The only mystery about this movie is why these horrible, stupid, and completely boring characters don't just pass out from ennui as they spout out their inane, stilted streams of dialogue. Really, this is a movie about ventriloquist dummies who get lost in the somewhat confusing streets of Venice. You will not care about these people; in fact you will need coffee to stay awake to the end.

A Haunting and Deep masterpiece of cinema! MUST SEE!.......2005-02-14

The Comfort of Strangers will appeal to those who are perceptive, have a long attention span, and love films that require attention to detail. This film is the model for understated elegance, with a plot line that at times seems mundane but with a world of subtext that could only have been created by the combined genius of Harold Pinter, Ian McEwan, and Paul Schrader.

Rupert Everett gives an excellent performance alongside Natasha Richardson as the self-obsessed boyfriend. But Walken and Mirren are even better, putting in career defining performances as the deviant couple that pulls Everett and Richardson into their twisted web.

There seems to be some confusion over the relationship of Everett and Richardson's characters. They are a couple that is considering moving in together, but nowhere in the film does it say that they are married as several reviewers have stated. In fact, Richardson is not even sure if Everett likes her kids, and she does an excellent job evoking the angst of the single mother trying to decide what she wants out of this man. Their state of uncertainty is important to this film because it provides the vulnerability that Walken preys on.

Everett and Richardson do find comfort in their sexual connection, but it needs to be noted that this connection only peaks after they've been subjected to the cruel mind games of Walken's "Robert." They too are strangers, in a sense, to each other. Robert senses this, and cunningly picks apart their fears and weaknesses. In the end, their polite tolerance of Robert and Caroline's strange games has very negative consequences.

The dialogue of the movie can alienate the viewer sometimes. The "thighs conversation" and the "we were this gang" monologue are slightly forced. But these are minor bumps in a road that requires careful study and appreciation. The characters speak out of things from the recesses of their minds and hearts. It's not always "entertaining," but it is always meaningful and profound.

The film is also visually stunning, evoking of sense of Venice as few other films have. The use of colors and lighting make this a masterpiece of cinematic precision. While this type of shooting is more commonplace today, the high quality is really stunning when considering this movie was made in the early 90s on an independant film budget. Simply brilliant.

I highly recommend this picture. Fans of Pinter and McEwan will not be disappointed! Enjoy!

a very sexy Christopher Walken.......2004-12-05

Strange movie, creepy almost. But I loved it so much that I had to go to Venice. I had to see it for myself. The story is about a couple who lost the magic in their marriage and go to the romantic Venice to find it again. Instead they find this other couple, kind of strange but seductive and their intentions are not the best. A sensual movie about romance and death. The end is at least a huge surprise, you'll never see that coming. I confess, I like Christopher Walken and therefore the movie. It's creepy, shoking!, decadent, seducitve...everything, nice setting and great music. Watch it. You might love it or hate it, but you won't get bored and won't forget it.

Average customer rating:

110% Over-the-Top & I Love It
SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT
the first truely "adult" western
Duel in the Sun 1946
Brilliant!

Duel in the Sun
Starring: Jennifer Jones , Joseph Cotten , Gregory Peck , Lionel Barrymore , and Herbert Marshall
Director: King Vidor , William Cameron Menzies , and Josef von Sternberg
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Cowboys & Indians | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Epic | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Romance | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Westerns | Cult Movies | Genres | DVD | Video

Westerns | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Big Country
Yellow Sky
The Bravados
The Man From Laramie
Warlock

ASIN: 6305307083
Release Date: 1999-01-19

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

110% Over-the-Top & I Love It.......2006-08-03

SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT.......2006-05-19

the first truely "adult" western.......2006-05-09

Duel in the Sun 1946.......2006-04-20

Brilliant!.......2006-04-10

Its not a great film, certainly, but you knew that already. A must for camp enthusiasts, to be sure. A classic.

Average customer rating:

110% Over-the-Top & I Love It
SEX DRIVEN WESTERN FALLS SHORT
the first truely "adult" western
Duel in the Sun 1946
Brilliant!

Duel in the Sun (Roadshow Edition)
Starring: Jennifer Jones , Joseph Cotten , Gregory Peck , Lionel Barrymore , and Herbert Marshall
Director: King Vidor , William Cameron Menzies , and Josef von Sternberg
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Cowboys & Indians | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Epic | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Romance | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video