Actress

Starring:Actress
Studio: Leo Films
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Good intro to anime
All the lives of Chiyoko-san
Satoshi Kon's first animated masterpiece
not worth the time
Metaphoric and Artsy

Millennium Actress
Starring: Miyoko Shôji , Mami Koyama , Fumiko Orikasa , Shôzô Îzuka , and Shouko Tsuda
Director: Satoshi Kon
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AK80C
Release Date: 2003-10-28

Amazon.com

The second film by director Satoshi Kon and screenwriter Sadayuki Murai recalls Perfect Blue, but Millennium Actress is a more complex, subtle, and sophisticated work that evokes the history of Japanese cinema. After nearly 30 years of living in strict seclusion, the aged film star Chioyoko Fujiwara grants an interview to journalist Genya Tachibana. As their conversation begins, Kan intercuts scenes from Chioyoko's films with her memories of pursuing the mysterious artist she met as a young girl. Accompanied by his blasé cameraman, Tashibana finds himself within Chioyoko's memories and films, alternately observing and aiding the woman he adores. Kon's skillful direction and subtle use of color strengthen the intriguing story: Chioyoko's memories are rendered in shades of gray, with hints of muted color highlighting the overall composition. American viewers will find their appreciation of this shimmering, spiral narrative deepens with repeated viewings. (Rated PG: violence, mature themes) --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews:

Good intro to anime.......2007-06-02

If you are an anime fan, you will enjoy this movie, but may find it unremarkable. If you have never seen anime, or you have not found anime that you liked, this would be an excellent point of entry into the finer side.

Creative and often downright stunning in its imagery, the movie opts to take a meta-meta-meta-drama approach. Okay, I just put in an arbitrary number of "metas" but the point is that the plots of different movies are constantly being woven and blended into the flashback sequence that covers the main story. You'll realize that, yes, it's partly surreal, but at the same time it is not too difficult to pick up on "what really happened."

What it all comes down to is that it's hard to say why, but this is one of those profoundly Japanese animated films that really plays to the strengths of the medium while avoiding all the pitfalls that can turn off Westerners.

All the lives of Chiyoko-san.......2007-04-05

This is a very touching movie and an elaborate journey through time. We don't really get to see Chiyoko's inner character that much, but we still end up liking her. The ending is sad, but fits perfectly with the rest of the story. The only problem is that anime newbies might have a problem with the complicated story. But one good thing about anime is that some of it makes you really think. This is one of those anime. I usually rate Hayao Miyazaki's movies high on my favorites list, but this is up there too with the rest of them. Highly recommended!

Satoshi Kon's first animated masterpiece.......2007-02-03

One of my big resolutions for 2007 is to travel through time more. But when I rented "Millenium Actress", I had no idea that that was what I would be doing. I merely knew that I was renting a film by Satoshi Kon, and that although his first opus, "Perfect Blue", had left me rather cold, I consider his "Tokyo Godfathers" one of the best animated movies I have ever seen.

But travel through time I did. "Millenium Actress" is a biographical film about a fictitious but incredibly attractive Japanese movie star (even at 60!), who gets to be interviewed by a life-long admirer turned journalist. As the audience discovers, her life simply summarizes one century of Japanese cinema (from silents to "Godzilla"), and her movies themselves, a thousand years of Japanese history (hence the title.)

"Millenium Actress" is a film that wraps the viewer into its perfectly imagined little world from the very first image and never lets him go. In fact, I was so immediately entranced by it that I realized I wanted it to end rapidly, afraid as I was that it might fail to fulfil its promise, and utimately lose momentum. But this obvious labour of love (from all parties involved) does manage to sustain to the end that unique combination of sweet and sour nostalgia, hopeless but ever hopeful romanticism, deliberately clicheed melodrama and occasionally overblown humour.

My only regret is renting the film rather than buying it with my eyes closed. I will not make the same mistake when Paprika is released on DVD.

not worth the time.......2006-12-12

Although the animation is good, this movie had the most disappointing ending! After the reviews I read on amazon I was expecting a powerful response, but the ending was unclear and hypocritical of the entire plot. Don't waste your time with this movie.

Metaphoric and Artsy.......2006-11-03

An intricate puzzle, this film reminded me of artsy films that win Emmy awards (that also bore me to death).

I found the first thirty minutes confusing and slow. I had a hard time distinguishing life-flashbacks and older movie sequences. The woodgrains in the background added subtle overtones into the emotional mixtures, but I noticed them because the story totally dragged.

According to the extras, Kon's intended the movie as a story stereogram. A stereogram is an object that resembles different objects depending on your mindset and interpretation. My opinion is the director went too far, adding non-linear elements to a point where the story itself became unclear.

If you are a sophisticated cinema lover, you'll enjoy this movie immensely. If you wanted to watch an entertaining anime after a mentally taxing day at work, look elsewhere. The mystery never wrenched me because it could also be a bedtime story. The suspense never scared me because it could also be romance. The adventure never thrilled me because it was always a flashback. My problem with the stereogrammatic approach was the opacity took away purity.

Overall I felt unmoved at the end. Reminded me of completing a crossword in the newspaper -- slight satisfaction for comprehending a self-appointed puzzle. I could appreciate the methaphors, animation sequences, and visuals, but not the story.

Average customer rating:

wild and wicked Hollywood satire
What an underrated show!
I hate myself for liking this show
Fiance Loves It!
Seeing Kirstie in a new light

Fat Actress - The Complete First Season
Starring: Kirstie Alley
Manufacturer: Showtime Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0008ENIWK
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Description

Loosely based on Kirstie Alley's real life struggles, this unscripted reality /comedy hybrid follows a semi-fictional film and TV star, in an ongoing attempt to find work and love in the cruel environment of Hollywood. Kirstie comically contends with an unforgiving public and media in the wake of her struggles with weight.

Customer Reviews:

wild and wicked Hollywood satire.......2007-07-05

When Hollywood branded her as just another overweight and unemployable star, Kirstie Alley hit back with her very own television series. FAT ACTRESS revolves around a somewhat-fictionalised Kirstie as she battles and schemes to reinvent herself in fame and in life.

FAT ACTRESS is a great show, because it features Kirstie Alley playing an alternate version of her own persona, plus a range of guest stars who aren't afraid to poke fun at themselves. Much of the dialogue was improvised, which gives a freshness to the episodes.

The main characters in FAT ACTRESS are Kirstie, her personal assistant Eddie Falcone (Bryan Callen), hairdresser Kevyn (Rachael Harris); and diet guru Quinn Taylor-Scott (Kelly Preston), who eats Kleenex tissues.

COMPLETE EPISODE LISTING:

"Big Butts" - Kirstie forces her agent to set up a meeting with NBC president Jeff Zucker; and after a steamy night with one of his executives, manages to get a holding deal. Guest starring John Travolta, Jeff Zucker, Mark Curry and Michael McDonald.

"Charlie's Angels" - Bloated to the point of violent diarrhea after swallowing a series of laxatives and caffeine, Kirstie attends a meeting with "Charlie's Angels" director McG.; whilst Eddie decides to stalk Carmen Electra. Guest starring Kid Rock, Edie McClurg, Carmen Electra, and Melissa Gilbert.

"Holy Lesbo, Batman!" - Desperate to meet Gwen Stefani, Kirstie plots to intercept her regular afternoon walk, only to wind up being arrested in a gay pick-up sting. Guest starring Mayim Bialik, Kevin Nealon, and Mo Collins.

"The Koi Effect" - After being embarrassed on the street by Leah Remini, Kirstie decides to take drastic measures in her dieting. With a new method, Kirstie surrounds herself with small people and things, and turns her mansion into "Tiny Town". Guest starring Mayim Bialik, Wallace Shawn, and Leah Remini.

"Crack for Good" - Kirstie's crackhead brother arrives for a visit, just as Kirstie is trying to get a free kitchen makeover on "Oprah". Guest starring Connie Stevens, Christopher McDonald, Geoffrey Lewis, and Larry King.

"Crybaby McGuire" - Kirstie's new man is just a little bit too sensitive, as she and her assistants discover during a weekend getaway. Guest starring Bill Smitrovich and Merv Griffin.

"Hold This" - With her holding deal about to expire, Kirstie will stoop to new depths... Guest starring Jeff Zucker and Rhea Perlman.

FAT ACTRESS is a side-splitting comedy series that will be remembered for a very long time. Kirstie Alley gives a fearless performance that sees her into some very graphic and confronting material, yet she still manages to be the same loveable Kirstie that endeared her to "Cheers" and "Veronica's Closet". The supporting cast is first-rate, especially Kelly Preston as the Botox-lipped Quinn; and Mayim Bialik (TV's "Blossom") will surprise you with her cutting self-parody.

The DVDs include bonus audio commentaries and cast biography pages.

What an underrated show!.......2007-01-27

After watching the first season's seven episodes I am disappointed this show never caught on because it is laugh out loud funny.

This show, to me, is basically "Curb Your Enthusiasm" only instead of an avuncular bald Jew, you have a fat actress. Kirstie Alley plays herself with such a great sense of humor. She is as funny as she has ever been and has a supporting cast that absolutely shines. Rachel Harris plays Kevyn, Kirstie's friend/assistant, and regualrly steals the scenes she is in. Bryan Callen, from MadTV, plays another friend/assistant of Kirstie. I never really cared for him on MadTV but he is very well cast in this series. The guest stars are many and they are very well used, from Kelly Preston to Kid Rock to Leah Remini.

The plot is basically Kirstie battling her weight and trying to get back on TV. In the same vein as "Curb Your Enthusiasm" Kirstie has multiple social blunders per episode. Her blunders are very overstated (for lack of a better word) and can lie outside the realm of believability which is my only complaint. Even so, the scenarios are quite funny if not believable.

I hate myself for liking this show.......2006-11-10

OK, it's shameless gratuitous self serving schlock. It's cheap and lacking in redeeming qualities - but I liked it anyway. Poor me, poor us. Order it now. bg

Fiance Loves It!.......2006-08-19

I had never seen the show on tv but my fiance had and loved it. I perchased it and I have only watched one episode and that is enough for me. I was not impressed with it but he loves it. So it was for him and as long as he thinks its great then that works for me!!!

Seeing Kirstie in a new light.......2006-07-04

Kirstie Alley stars in a show that pokes fun at her being overweight, and I have to say there were times this show was hilarious. I really found myself laughing, and laughing hard. It was over the top at times, but it really made me admire her for taking this situation, and making it work for her.

The show opens with Kirstie Alley getting on the scale and sobbing in hysterics when she sees the number on the scale. She will not get work until she loses weight and all her agent has to offer her is a spokesperson for a weight loss product. This simply sends her running for the nearest burger joint for a burger and fries. She mentions all the overweight men in the industry who seem to have no problems finding work, and wants to know why she has to lose weight in order to get a new television show. Her make up artist suggests she find a black man to date, that blackmen love ample figures, so off to the Soul Food place she goes. She is being judged by the sisters sitting in the restaurant, but thinks she spots a guy who is interested in her. The scene that had me laughing is why she is walking down the hall the looks of horror she is getting. I mean okay she put on weight, but folks were looking at her like she weighed 400 pounds or something. The music they used for that scene cracked me up.

While talking about a potential deal she meets Max who is an executive at the company. The scene where he keeps slapping her backside and she slaps his face is hilarious!!! I had to watch that a few times because I was laughing so much. There is another scene where she is trying to find pants that fit, and is upset that out of all the pants she has tried on, nothing seems to want to fit her. She solicits the help of some diet guru who suggests she finds a creative way to throw up, or take laxatives, or other horrible bad stuff to be skinny. Kirstie has a major crush on Kid Rock and dreams of doing him. Kirstie takes the laxatives and coffee sets them off and she goes running to the bathroom, and ends up being confronted by a woman who thinks she is pregnant. Then Kirstie finds out an ex lover of hers is gay, and she ends up thrown in jail for cruising with gay men. She is needless to say puzzled by him being gay being they lived together for 2 years. While in jail she convinces a female guard who keeps hitting on her to use her cell phone so she can get out of jail.

A man falls in love with Kirstie and showers her with gifts but the man has issues of his own. Can you say therapy?

Seeing Mayim Bilik (Blossom) was amazing. I don't think I've seen her on television well since her show went off the air, and her doing her intro from her show was too funny.

There are times the endings of the show simply did not make sense, and the show did not always flow from episode to episode, but I was entertained, and there are times some images will pop in my head and I will find myself chuckling. Hearing Kirstie cuss was a hoot. I also enjoy watching her dance. Kirstie has some moves on her.
The show has a host of guest stars like Mark Curry (hanging with Mr. Cooper), Kelly Preston, Kid Rock, John Travolta, Leah Remini, and some other notable actors. Kirstie really had some support from her friends for this project.

The most funniest part had to be the crack head brother coming to the house while she is waiting for Oprah to redo her kitchen. Kirstie is hoping redoing her kitchen will help her get skinny. Brother suggests she become a crack head because "you don't see overweight crackheads." Instead of Kirstie smoking the crack her make up artist Kevyn ends up smoking it and is a mess. Then it turns out the whole family seems to have some kind of addiction.

I seriously doubt there will be a season 2 being she has lost the weight and looking fabulous, unless they decide to name the show Formerly Fat Actress. To truly enjoy this show you have to have an open mind, and a crazy sense of humor. I don't plan to add this show to my DVD collection, but it's one I enjoyed renting. It's worth a rental if you don't want to own the series.

Average customer rating:

ok video
Could be instructional if...

Nude Yoga Instructor

Manufacturer: CustomFlix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Fitness | Fitness & Yoga | Genres | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Natural Yoga Techniques Featuring Amanda
Naked Stretching Techniques
Naked Yoga Teacher
Totally Nude Aerobics
Idyllic Visions

ASIN: B000KGGMLU
Release Date: 2006-11-09

Customer Reviews:

ok video.......2007-04-12

not a lots of close ups.. and sometimes their could have been better angles the model/actress was facing the wall.

Could be instructional if..........2007-01-18

It says on the back cover 'not an instructional video' along with other disclaimers, however it could be instructional "if" you already know some Yoga and need to workout with a nude woman for motivation. The 'instructor' is average looking and enjoyable to watch, but not very good as an instructor. She goes through the Yoga poses to fast and for too short of a time. In addition, Yoga is balanced; if you bend forward your next pose should be bending backwards. If you do something with one leg, you then need to work the other leg. This is not done for most of the Yoga positions, so to use the DVD properly you will need to use 'pause' on your remote control a lot, or play it in slow motion to allow time to fill in the gaps. In some places the sound is pour and you can't hear the 'instructor' over the music, half way through it switches to just music with no voice. In some parts the film editor did not catch repeat poses from different camera angles so you see segments twice. The 'instructor' is also obvious in her reading of "off camera" dialog and reading her list of what pose to do next. In general, the DVD is workable for instruction and it shows some Yoga positions not often shown to beginners and some Pilates material. The chapter option is better than some for getting to different workout segments. Overall it could have been better, but it sure could have been a lot worse too.

Average customer rating:

ZZZZZZ!
Love Conquers All!
If You Liked Pretty Woman...
i love Charlotte Gainsbourg
THE FRENCH, THEY ARE A FUNNY PEOPLE

My Wife Is an Actress
Starring: Jean Abelanski , Lionel Abelanski , Keith Allen , Aurélie Babled , and Laurent Bateau (II)
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006RZ2W
Release Date: 2002-12-10

Amazon.com

A slight but appealing dramatic comedy, My Wife Is an Actress explores the marital downside of fame. It's about the hazards of being married to someone--in this case the fine French actress Charlotte Gainsbourg, playing a fictionalized version of herself, also named Charlotte--whose profession and celebrity pose a constant threat to matrimonial harmony. The movie dispels the fantasy of a movie-star spouse (i.e., would you really want to marry Julia Roberts?), exploring the reality with adequate humor but precious little insight. Gainsbourg's actual husband, Yvan Attal, is also her director and costar, playing Charlotte's sports-reporter husband (named Yvan), and turning jealous when she gets friendly with her current film's costar, played with world-weary charm by Terence Stamp. Surely this scenario was fascinating for French filmgoers, and as lightweight drama it's a pleasant enough diversion. Unfortunately, Attal discreetly avoids the deeper details of his life. Instead we get the shallow version, still authentic but not authentic enough. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

ZZZZZZ! .......2005-05-06

I love Charlotte Gainsborough, but this movie was not only way too slow and drawn out as French movies often are, but also surprisingly very commonplace! The plot could've easily been taken from any run of the mill American B-movie or made-for-TV movie, there was nothing even particularly "French" about it other than the fact that it's set in Paris and the characters speak French, other than the usual fits of French hyper/melodrama here and there.

Normally I enjoy European cinema, but this one made me long for a nice Tarantino movie...

Love Conquers All!.......2004-11-06

A pleasant movie, with some very funny spots. Is the job of being an actress just like any other job? In the end, according to this movie, it is . . . but I can sympathize with her husband who suffers what he considers the indignity of being a non-entity when he is with her. European actresses are not necessarily as glamorous as American actresses, and that has something to do with it too. An American actress in America would most likely not be able to have anything like a "normal" life, but it is different in Europe. An enjoyable couple of hours . . I would recommend it.

If You Liked Pretty Woman..........2004-10-01

Then you'd probably love this movie.
Not much in terms of plot construction, vague character development and shoddy resolution. All in all it has the makings of a great Hollywood remake.
Oh, but dig the train- they must have spent a fortune on first class tickets! (actually, I'm sure it was all studio shot except for the exterior scenes)

i love Charlotte Gainsbourg.......2004-09-26

This movie is somewhat enjoyable, but nothing great. However, Charlotte Gainsbourg is uniquely beautiful and capitivating, and steals the movie and my heart. Worth seeing, just for her.

THE FRENCH, THEY ARE A FUNNY PEOPLE.......2004-06-02

Yvan Attal, the French Woody Allen? Maybe. What's wrong with this film? Well, it doesn't amount to much. It's frivolous and unimportant. It needs a little Allen sermonizing on love and life to put a heart in the center of it's romantic spirit. What's right with this film? It's an engaging superficial comedic collage viewed as one would a not-very-deep but pleasing French painting of, say, summer people with parasols on a beach, or maybe a bird in a cage looking out the window to a beautiful morning while a lady with grey hair knits nearby. Suffice to say, I love this film. Director, writer and star Yvan Attal, who casts his real life wife, Charlotte Gainsbourg opposite him, is a comedic marvel, like a juggling, dancing all purpose clown at center stage of the circus refusing to let our eyes wander, as his ordinary life begins to unravel when he suddenly discovers a jealous streak towards his wife's romantic celebrity status. That is the thrust of the plot, but it all keeps rolling along in big, and little and sometimes contrived funny bits that pay off well.

I Like to Play Games Original English Audio - Spanish Cover UNRATED

Average customer rating:

I Like to Play Games Original English Audio - Spanish Cover UNRATED
Director: Moctezuma Lobato
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Pray for Power
Alien Terminator
Midnight Tease 1 & 2

Product Features:

Regions 1 and 4 NTSC (This is compatible with all US Players)
1:30:19 Minutes (Confirmed)
Optional Spanish Subtitles
Dolby Digital Stereo (English)
UNRATED

ASIN: B000R9ZN8I

Product Description

This DVD is compatible with all US DVD Players. This favorite erotic thriller starring actress and former Playboy Playmate Lisa Boyle is very rare worldwide on DVD, and this release has all the footage from the Unrated Version. Lisa's fans should also check out "The Night that Never Happened", which like this, also has fantastic image quality and fantastic footage

Average customer rating:

LYNDA CARTER

Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Born To Be Sold / The Last Song
The Best of the Muppet Show Featuring Liberace / Rita Moreno / Lynda Carter
Terror Peak
Wonder Woman: The Complete History
Born to Be Sold

ASIN: B000E372BS
Release Date: 2004-01-14

Description

As Wonder Woman, she was the ultimate example of girl power, and millions of fans tuned in for her weekly adventures on ABC. But what has happened since the show went off the air?From her days as a beauty queen to her current role as a DC power mom, BIOGRAPHY® chronicles the life of Lynda Carter, whose off-camera exploits are worthy of her super-hero alter ego. Follow her long and bumpy journey to stardom, which included a stint as a cabaret singer, and track her career in the days after Wonder Woman. Finally, see how she has adjusted to life in the nation's capital, and examine the sensationalism that has surrounded recent allegations about her life. Filled with clips, family photos and insights from friends and costars, this is a captivating portrait of a distinctive star.

Average customer rating:

When Fiction Becomes Reality: Very Surrealistic Film!
Fox Wedding
Real Unreality and Unreal Reality
Obfuscation
Wonderful film, but DO NOT BUY THIS DVD

The Mystery of Rampo
Starring: Masahiro Motoki , Naoto Takenaka , Michiko Hada , Teruyuki Kagawa , and Mikijiro Hira
Director: Rintaro Mayuzumi , and Kazuyoshi Okuyama
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Ronin Gai

ASIN: B0000YEEOE
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Description

Hailed by critics around the world, this "exciting and impressive." (Variety) tale of love and obsession based on the writings of Rampo EdogawaJapan's answer to Edgar Allan Poeis "an astonishing, first-rate achievement on all fronts Not to be missed" (Boxoffice)! Although Rampo is the literary toast of Japan, the government has banned his latest manuscript: a dark tale about a woman who suffocates her husband inside a hope chest. And when a local man is murdered by his wife in the same manner, Rampo becomes obsessed with her and embarks on a quest to unlock the truth about the crime. But as he traverses the line between his fantasy and her reality, is Rampo really trying to save the woman of his dreams or simply destroying the fragile shell of his own sanity?

Customer Reviews:

When Fiction Becomes Reality: Very Surrealistic Film!.......2007-02-28

Although "The Mystery of Rampo," is not based on any of Edogawa Rampo's writings, the film was motivated by the writings on Rampo. Edogawa Rampo was known as the Edgar Allen Poe of Japan; and Rampo even took his pen name from Poe [Japanese for Edgar Allen Poe]. This film may not appeal to many viewers, but I really liked the film. It is recommended with caution; however, I do own the film as I believe it is a very good film. The film is set in the late 1920s at the start of the Showa era of Japan. Edogawa Rampo (Naoto Takenaka) has just finished his latest novel. But there is more to this latest novel than meets the eye.

Rampo's finds that his latest work has been censored by the government. The government is concerned with the morals of the people, and believe the novel will set a bad standard. The novel deals with a woman who has murdered her husband, by allowing him to suffocate in a wooden chest. Upset with this, Rampo burns his latest work. However, upon reading the details of this murder in the newspapers the next day, which is brough to his attention by his assistant, he discovers that the circumstances of the man's death is identical to his latest novel. Something that this woman could not have known about since his novel was censored by the government. Therefore, Rampo decides to seek this woman out.

When Rampo encounters this woman, Shizuko (Machiko Hada) he discovers the woman also has the same name as the antagonist in his novel. And in a strange twist, when he decides to resume writing the novel, events in his book begin to happen in real life. The directors created a very atmospheric film with mystery and suspense. I knew that I was going to enjoy the film from the begining when the viewer is given a sweeping look of Rampo's library where one sees the mystery novels in his collection. And yes, there are the novels of Edgar Allen Poe. The film has excellent cinematography and a terrific score. It may not appeal to many viewers, but I enjoyed the film immensely. I recommended the film, however, rent it first to see if it appeals to your tastes.

Fox Wedding.......2006-06-10

Well, i've had this on a videotape for almost ten years and just yesterday decided to watch it. I'm glad i did! Unfortunately it wasn't widescreen, but apparently the colors are better on video, and i'd prefer that. Mono no aware! (the sadness of things)
ps. for advanced cases of nippophilia, try Lafcadio Hearn.

Real Unreality and Unreal Reality.......2005-11-04

The film was motivated by the writings of Edogawa Rampo (1894-1965) - a play on the name of Edgar Allan Poe. Rampo was a controversial Japanese thriller author whose work was often banned in the 1930s - which play themselves out in the movie and starts the tale off. The author was often compared to Edgar Allan Poe - for conjuring up the very same types of gothic imagery. In this movie, fantasy merges with reality in this mystery cum thriller. A woman has murdered her husband in a manner very similar to a killing depicted in an "unpublished" work of Rampo's. The irony is that the government has banned the novel of the same subject. In line with the fusion of reality cum fantasy upon meeting the killer, the writer is astonished to observe that she also bears an eerie physical similitude to the character that emanated from his mind's eye. The author/character Rampo soon becomes so fixated with her that he subsequently re-creates her as the woman a protagonist in his new novel. Often moving from one realm to the other and driving the lives of both fictional and real characters. However, complications develop when Rampo starts situating himself within the fictional realm/world he created. Before long, and this is where the genius of the movie really lies, that it is tricky for him - and the viewer - to figure out the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Michiko Hada is stunning in her portrayal of gothic damsel in distress. Beauty and the Beast never looked so good.

Miguel Llora

Obfuscation.......2005-05-09

Author Hirai Taro took the pen name Edogawa Rampo as an homage to Edgar Allen Poe, who inspired Hirai to become Japan's first and greatest author of weird fiction. He is as well know in his native Japan as Poe is in the United States, and his stories continue to haunt the Japanese sub-conscious in the same way as "The Tell-Tale Heart" or "The Raven."

"Mystery of Rampo" is neither an adaptation of one of Rampo's works, nor a biographical piece. Instead it is a jazz riff, a lush dream-painting, taking us on a journey inside the mind of a writer, one who happens to be Japan's master of obsessive mystery and imagination. It attempts to capture the feel of a Rampo story, the obsession, the dark sexuality and fetishism, the madness. The story drifts back and forth between the real-life Rampo and the actor who stars in his adapted films, transformed into an Avatar of Rampo's fantasy life. Mixed in is a woman, perhaps real, perhaps not, who's life is a mirror of a story that Rampo is writing. A story banned by the rising militaristic government.

The film is heavily stylistic, relying on visuals and sound to tell the story and blend the lines between dream and reality. It is more David Lynch in tone than any Japanese film I have seen previously, It is beautifully shot, and the dance between the different stories is a pleasure. The story does assume an existing familiarity with Edogawa Rampo's character and life, something which might be lost on Western audiences.

The actors are all wonderful, especially Naoto Takenaka as Edogawa Rampo. Takenaka is more familiar as the crazy dancer of the original "Shall We Dance?" and Butterfly Joe in "Ping Pong." It is nice to see him stretch his range, and take his place as one of the top Japanese actors working today.

Unfortunately, a rare opportunity was missed in the DVD version of "The Mystery of Rampo." In Japan, producer Kazuyoshi Okuyama was unhappy with director Rintaro Mayuzumi's finished version, and reshot roughly 40% of the film himself. The two versions were released simultaneously, to test who had the better vision, Rintaro or Okuyama. Okuyama's version won, easily beating the original director's version at the box office. It is the winning version that appears on this DVD. What a treat it would have been to have both versions available, so we could have the same contest!

Wonderful film, but DO NOT BUY THIS DVD.......2004-10-21

Don't misunderstand my intention. This is a superb film. In fact, it's one of the most beautiful, haunting, and complex films ever made. I've loved it from the moment I saw it. Deep, rich, engrossing, elegant. A hell of a ride. Intellectually and cinematically, a masterpiece. So why shouldn't you buy the DVD? Because it's simply atrocious. It's truly tragic how poorly the colors are rendered. Where the film's photography is lush, rich, and vivid in color (an element which, by the way, is essential to the film), the DVD renders none of this. The DVD colors are dim and washed out. And not only is the luscious color completely lost, the sound is mediocre as well. Horrific, absolutely horrific. Where do I go to complain?

Biography - Grace Kelly: Hollywood Princess

Average customer rating:

Biography - Grace Kelly: Hollywood Princess
Starring: Grace Kelly
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Grace Kelly, American Princess
America's Castles - Prince's Palace In Monaco
Hollywood Icon Journals: Grace Kelly
True Grace: The Life and Times of an American Princess
To Catch a Thief (Special Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B000FKP0GO
Release Date: 2006-05-02

Description

Magical and tragic tale of the Philadelphia girl who became a major movie star, gave it all up to become a Princess in Monaco, then died when she had a stroke while driving, which caused her car to plunge off the road. Includes clips from Grace's greatest movies, including "Rear Window", "High Society", and "The Country Girl".

Average customer rating:

Delicious Dearly Departed: Hopefully not just volume one
Excellent! A "Must Have!"

Dearly Departed: Vol. 1
Starring: Scott Michaels (III)
Director: Michael Dorsey (II)
Manufacturer: CustomFlix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Platinum Blonde
The Hollywood Book of Death : The Bizarre, Often Sordid, Passings of More than 125 American Movie and TV Idols
China Seas
Falling Down
Roseanne - Season 7

ASIN: B000M32TXQ
Release Date: 2006-12-21

Description

Filmed in Hi-Definition, this feature-length documentary focuses on how and where Hollywood celebs have died, humorously led by Hollywood historian Scott Michaels (E!'s "25 Most Horrifying Hollywood Murders," Dearly Departed Tours, FindADeath.com). The film features 18 profiles, with modern-day visits to the real L.A. locations where the action went down (over 50 locations in all), as well as historical footage, photographs, death certificates and autopsy reports, all supported by meticulously researched details and interviews. Dearly Departed is entertaining, funny, shocking, and loaded with surprising revelations that shed new light on even the most well-known stories, and bring some of the more obscure tales to the screen for the first time ever. The DVD also contains a 15-minute bonus video of Scott Michaels' annual presentation to Hollywood Underground in October 2006.

Customer Reviews:

Delicious Dearly Departed: Hopefully not just volume one.......2007-03-30

Having been a fan of Scott Michaels' website for a few years, I was delighted when he released this DVD.Living in the UK, I went online, ordered and waited with baited breath until it dropped through my mailbox. Was it worth the wait? The answer is a most definate, YES!
Packed with fascinating insights into not only the deaths of the Stars but of their lives too, this is a delicious drive through the rich and famous from where they liked to hang out to where they died. Listening to the commentary, you can tell that not only does Mr Micheals loves what he does but that as he puts it.. "Gets it"
We see inside famous death scenes, hear what the autopsy report has to say and then see the death certificate.Be outraged as we hear about The Ambassador Hotel and see what became of this beautiful, historic building. Chuckle as you listen to Scott's opinions as we visit the Bat Cave and view the Hollywood sign (as you've never seen it)
For me, the segment where you see Marilyn Monroe's house, just to glimpse that famous window to her bedroom is worth the price of this DVD alone.
I could sit here and rave on and on about this DVD but instead I will say this: If you want a hugely entertaining, funny, clever and very well crafted afternoons viewing that you will never tire of watching then buy this DVD now. Hopefully Volume two will be released soon, in the mean time I will have to settle for this viewing. Don't delay....

Excellent! A "Must Have!".......2007-02-26

I strongly recommend this DVD to anyone interested in Hollywood history. Scott Michaels is an excellent host and he reveals some of the darker stories that come from Hollywood. He does so with a sense of humor, but never out of disrespect. Some of the images can be disturbing, so I would not recommend this DVD for young children or those who get upset easily.

Scott takes you to the locations where some of the Hollywood famous died and gives accurate information. Michaels has done his research very well. This DVD is a great addition to anyone who has been able to go on the tour itself and would also be good for those who do not live close enough to Hollywood to do so.

Average customer rating:

ABC News Classics Grace Kelly - 1982

Manufacturer: ABC News
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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

Biography - Grace Kelly: Hollywood Princess
True Grace: The Life and Times of an American Princess
To Catch a Thief (Special Collector's Edition)
Grace Kelly, American Princess

ASIN: B000R9GMI8
Release Date: 2007-05-24

amazon.com

The last interview with the Hollywood princess who wore a crown in Monaco. Just days before her death, Princess Grace sat down with "20/20's" Pierre Salinger to speak about her life, her children and her world. She was often called cool and frosty, and a private person. But in this rare and candid interview, Princess Grace talks candidly about her life as princess of Monaco, as a queen of Hollywood, and as a mother and wife.

DVD:

DVD

DVD: Requiem for Murder

Black & White