Christine

Starring:Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Robert Prosky, Harry Dean Stanton, Christine Belford, Roberts Blossom, William Ostrander, David Spielberg, Malcolm Danare, Steven Tash, Stuart Charno, Kelly Preston, Marc Poppel, Robert Darnell, Richard Collier, Bruce French, Douglas Warhit, Keri Montgomery, Jan Burrell
Director: John Carpenter
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Description

Lindsay Anderson's If.… is a daringly anarchic vision of British society, set in a boarding school in late-sixties England. Before Kubrick made his mischief iconic in A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell made a hell of an impression as the insouciant Mick Travis, who, along with his school chums, trumps authority at every turn, finally emerging as violent savior against the draconian games of one-upmanship played by both students and the powers that be. Mixing color and black and white as audaciously as it mixes fantasy and reality, If…. remains one of cinema's most unforgettable rebel yells.

Customer Reviews:

Schoolboys In Disgrace.......2007-06-27

The exclusive private school portrayed in "If.." serves as a scathing metaphor of class and privilege in the United Kingdom. What makes the statement that director Lindsay Anderson is trying to convey more stinging is that he treats his subject matter as dark comedy. What I also found interesting is that Anderson doesn't direct most of his criticism at the school administrators, whose crimes are allowing such a stifling atmosphere to perpetuate. Rather, the worst criticism is directed at the Whips, the sniveling fascist students who are given free reign to terrorize and subjugate their fellow students to the worst kind of torment. It's easy to criticize authority but our worst enemies are our peers who will later become the leaders of our world because that's the way it is. The film is anchored by a mesmerizing performance by Malcolm McDowell who portrays rebel iconoclast Mick Travis. Travis belongs in this stifling environment as much as he needs a hole in the head. Travis serves as everyman and reacts to the inanity around him with a knowing smirk. In one memorably hilarious exchange with a Whip Travis accuses him of serving Coca-Cola to the underclassmen while expecting them to lick his fingers for the rest of their lives. What gives this scene more power is that Travis says it knowing it will subject him to a more severe beating. If you could best describe "If..." I would say it's a dark comedy with dramatic and surreal elements. It would serve as a good double bill with another indictment of English classism, Peter Medak's "The Ruling Class". On a final note will somebody, Criterion or Warner Brothers, release "O Lucky Man" on disc.

IF only I could decide..........2007-06-21

In high school in the middle 1970s we never could get to see this movie but we all owned a copy of the screenplay. Finally I saw the film at a university showing in 1978 or 1979. I hadn't seen it since. From the reviews since 2000 it appears some people in the US had it on VHS or DVD but I don't know how that was possible. I never could find it. I assumed it was being surpressed out of political fear. Anyway, all these years later, I'm still not sure I like how the movie slips the bounds of reality to the point where you're not sure this isn't supposed to be just a fantasy (the vicar in the drawer, the main characters not speaking the last 15 minutes of the movie, the charage across the clean quad that in the previous shot was battle strewn). This shift to fantasy is jarring because up to the last half hour of the movie it is as brutally naturalistic as This Sporting Life (except for the fantasy sex sequence - clearly meant to be fantasy - in the cafe). Am I wrong to find this shift to fantasy an artistic capitulation? Am I the only one who thought the lads burning the stuffed crocodile meant this was all to be seen as something like the collages with pictures from Africa? Nevertheless, I know I'll be watching this DVD many times.

Just one of the Greatest Unknown Films of the 20th Century.......2007-06-18

I first saw "If..." during its original release in the late 1960s in a theater in Pittsburgh. I saw it several times then ...which was not the easiest thing to do as a grad student. Maybe it had something to do with having attended a New England prep school and my brother about to start one.

I have owned a copy on VHS, I own a book with the script and commentary by Lindsay Anderson, and I am ordering a copy of this DVD.

Most reviewers talk about the theme of rebellion due to repressive conditions and such. The concern ... I want to say fear ... that it will trigger more school tragedies is misplaced. What Lindsay Anderson has done is help us explore the challenges that are faced by young men coming of age so that as a society we can learn how to respond to those challenges. Why today do schools still tolerate bullies?

When I saw the movie "Animal House" a few years later, my immediate reaction was that it was an Americanized version of "If..." but with more humor. I am amazed that no other reviewer has spoken of the parallels. I have never read that Landis or the writers of Animal House were even aware of the film. Maybe that speaks to the timeless theme of the film.

This may not be an easy movie for many to watch, but the Missa Lubba soundtrack is unforgetable and continually brings you back into the film.

Enjoy.

Don't forget the music!.......2007-06-10

I have waited years for IF to be released on DVD - I trust that the amazing MISSA LUBA that was used as the sound-track will also get a new release.

Much anticipated!.......2007-04-24

I've been waiting for a release of If... for a long long time, and it is so good to see it will be given the deluxe treatment with Criterion. Lindsay Anderson created a landmark film which captured the talents of a young Malcolm McDowell at his best. You get the feeling that Wes Anderson took his cue from this film when he made Rushmore, but what sets If... apart is the surrealism that creeps into the movie and eventually takes it over, resulting in its wildly hallucinogenic climax. All the extras will make this anxiously awaited DVD a real treat, as hopefully we will be able to get a peek into the mind that created this film. The addition of Thursday's Children certainly makes this deluxe package worthwhile.

Average customer rating:

This Movie Does No Justice for Ruffian!
Okay for a TV movie
Ruffian, Horse Racing, And The Decade Of The 1970s
The Legend of the Real Life Black Beauty
What About Her Legacy?

Ruffian
Starring: Sam Shepard , Frank Whaley , Jason Douglas , Laura Bailey , and Christine Belford
Director: Yves Simoneau , and David Dwyer
Manufacturer: ESPN Original Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000OCY7KI
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Description

(Sports / Doc) Based on the story of the great filly who was undefeated until suffering a fatal breakdown in a match race against Foolish Pleasure at Belmont Park in 1975 . Only lasting two short seasons on the track, Ruffian was unbeaten through her first ten starts - shattering records at nearly every race. It was the much anticipated 11th race, on July 7, 1975 in front of a packed house at Belmont and a television audience of 18 million viewers, that proved to be her last. Hailed as the battle of the sexes, Ruffian went head-to-head with Kentucky Derby winning colt Foolish Pride, in what became the last match race in professional horse racing. Just short of the one mile marker, Ruffian went down hard with a broken leg, ultimately leaving doctors with no other option than to put the horse to sleep. The next day, she was buried at Belmont and to this day remains the only horse granted that honor.

Customer Reviews:

This Movie Does No Justice for Ruffian!.......2007-06-27

This movie is lame and doesn't do justice for her. Ruffian was an exquisite, wonderful being. I watched her race... it was amazing. I watched the match race... it was horrendous. Why make us relive it? The last 30 minutes of the movie was just as horrible as it was watching it real time.

The best part of the movie was the ending credits where it actually showed Ruffian. (I only saw the movie when it aired on tv.) Maybe the additional clips on the DVD are worth it; not sure. I recommend instead purchasing the book "Ruffian" by Edward Claflin.

Okay for a TV movie.......2007-06-19

This review is for the TV movie, which I viewed. I haven't seen the DVD extras, so I can't rate them. This movie was probably as accurate to the facts as one could expect for a TV movie. It has the usual dramatic device of a protagonist (Nack) who is around for nearly every scene, even though in reality he wasn't. I agree with one of the other reviewers that it's a little disappointing to see horses that look much older and heavier (probably quarter horses) portraying the tall, slender Ruffian, but I suppose it can't be helped, given the limitations of the filming process and budget. Overall, this is worth seeing if you're a fan of Ruffian or horse racing in general. The TV broadcast did include some very short clips of some of Ruffian's actual races. I hope the DVD includes more of that.

As an aside, there are several mistakes in the description of the movie's story on the Amazon product description page. Ruffian isn't the only horse buried at Belmont (she was the first), she was injured well before the mile marker, the date was July 6th, and she didn't fall hard on the racetrack. Also, the second time Foolish Pleasure is mentioned, his name is listed as Foolish Pride. Pretty sloppy on the part of whomever wrote that story description.

Ruffian, Horse Racing, And The Decade Of The 1970s.......2007-06-15

When I heard they were making a film about Ruffian, my first reaction was that I didn't want to see it and relive the emotions I felt back in 1975 while watching the match race on TV.

But by the time the movie debuted on ABC, I decided to watch it and I'm glad I did. Seeing the movie helped put it back in perspective and made me remember the glory of Ruffian and not just the tragic ending.

If you are too young to remember 1975 or weren't born yet, please watch the movie to see the cultural significance of the "He vs. She" match race. It was an indelible part of the 1970s decade, coming on the heels of the 1973 Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Fisher tennis match, and the rise of Women's Lib.

There are a lot of other things about that tumultuous decade that we'd like to forget (such as polyester!), but in horse racing, it was the best decade of all. Three smashing Triple Crown winners in Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed; the rise of jockey Steve Cauthen as a household name; women jockeys breaking down the doors of the men-only club; plus Ruffian and other horse racing greats such as Spectacular Bid, Forego, and Alydar.

There are always inaccuracies that plague horse racing movies, and the Ruffian movie is no exception. Workout scenes show Ruffian alone with no other horses on the racetrack. I worked as an exercise rider for 20 years at Thoroughbred racetracks, and believe me, horses don't train alone. There are hundreds of horses on the track galloping and breezing during training hours, which really changes the dynamic of the scene.

The horse they used as Ruffian on the racetrack was a fairly decent representation of the real Ruffian, but the horse they used for the barn scenes looked like a Quarter horse, and just stood there like a nag. I'm sure it was for practical reasons, they needed a quiet horse to put up with all the filming, but I wish the barn-scene horse was more true to Ruffian's looks and personality. Ruffian was an extremely high spirited horse, she kicked up a fuss on a regular basis, and part of her allure and fame was due to her high voltage personality.

Even though in reality Bill Nack's character wasn't there for Ruffian's every move, I don't have an objection to him constantly being in and around the Whiteley barn as Bill Nack helped explain and drive the story. If the story was told from Frank Whiteley's perspective alone, it would have been a near-silent movie as he was cranky and didn't say much in real life.

In the 30+ years since Ruffian died, she has stood the test of time as an all-time great. Sports Illustrated included Ruffian as the only non-human on their list of the top 100 female athletes of the 20th century. The Blood Horse Magazine ranks her #35 in their top 100 racehorses of the century.

Real footage of Ruffian racing is shown at the end of the movie, it's a great addition as she truly was a dynamo. The inaccuracies I stated above don't detract that much from the real story, so I am giving it my top rating.

The Legend of the Real Life Black Beauty.......2007-06-13

My late father worked in horse-racing in NY for 35 years,
and I grew up listening to horse stories. No horse ever
captivated my heart and mind in quite the way that Ruffian did.
She was the real life Black Beauty for millions of little girls,
and the day she died, I walked away from horse-racing forever.
I was seventeen years old.

While the film may not be 100% historically accurate,
it was accurate enough to break my heart all over again
and send me hunting through my drawers to find my old Match Race
pins so I could hold Ruffian one more time while I cried for her.

It was accurate enough to make my best friend scream and grab her own
bad leg (previously broken several times)when Ruffian's leg snapped.
I think Ruffian's story still has the power and the magic to make little
girls everywhere believe that anything is possible, and that they can
truly be Champions like the Magnificent, Tragic Ruffian.
I will be going back to Belmont to visit Ruffian's final resting place
one more time.

Sam Shepard and the rest of the Ruffian "crew" did an excellent job
of portraying both the love and the limitations inherent within
the close-knit support system of the beloved Heroine Filly.

What About Her Legacy?.......2007-06-13

I think the movie was humble, in that it did not credit Ruffian, rather, let the facts speak instead; it did mention at the end, where it listed who went on to do what, that it was the last match race in professional horseracing. However, Ruffian's legacy may be much more: For example, the Wikipedia (where they edit each other's writing mercilessly) article about her recalled that,
'Her breakdown and tragic death led to a public outcry for more humane treatment of racehorses. One result was that medications, such as Lasix for bleeding and corticosteroids for inflammation and pain management, came into common use in racehorses.'
The article goes on with the rather astute observations that,
'While helping the horses in the short term, the increased use of medications at the track had a downside, as many horses were raced while injured. It can be argued that thoroughbreds are becoming more delicate as a result; racehorses today run only half as many starts before retirement as did their counterparts 50 years ago. Some of this effect is likely also due to breeding practices that select for horses likely to have short, brilliant careers--like Ruffian's--instead of the traditional racing career which might have lasted several years. Indeed, Ruffian's bloodline may be considered at least partly to blame for her broken leg; her sire, Reviewer, suffered three breakdowns.'
The movie shows Ruffian's burial at Belmont, also mentioned in Wikipedia, but neither point out that she has been the only horse honored with burial there. ESPN's coverage of the 2007 Belmont Stakes seemed complete, but failed to show Ruffian's grave at the pole or make the connection, upon the occasion of Rags to Riches being the first filly to win in over a hundred years, that their host, ABC, would air the movie Ruffian later that evening, about a filly who was leading to have won at the same Belmont Park, had a foreleg not broken, or anything about her. Certainly the movie, much less ABC, has no responsibility for ESPN or Wikipedia content, so I plead guilty to being a Monday-morning quarterback (I am interested in contributing to Wikipedia, but feel that I would have to return to college in order to wade through all their rules and regulations, etc.).
Yes, I specified 'foreleg,' as both the movie and the article mention her other leg breaking, but which leg is her 'other leg?' The article refers to Ruffian 'thrashing about wildy' coming out of anesthesia, so as to break the cast and her 'other leg' (front, presumably), but the movie only illustrated a running motion with her front legs, breaking the 'other.' Also not shown in the movie is the description in the article of how far/long she ran on after her leg broke, 50 yards, or as one account put it, to the effect that, the ambulance was there by the time she quit running. Perhaps the post-surgery running effort shown was chosen to illustrate this part of her reaction, the story of which may have gotten better over time. Without meaning to criticize the movie or the article based merely upon my own incomplete research, I point out these elements and the others as worth a look, because the running lame and fighting surgery, for example, touched the hearts of the country, I am sure, and are, therefore, important parts of her history/story.
The movie does show Ruffian's grave marker with epitaph paragraph, but in a flash like credits; to read it, I will have to buy this DVD and put it on pause, or else drive up to Belmont Park, in which case I could find out, too, if she is buried at the finish pole or the flagpole, or, maybe they are one in the same. You may also wish to see my Listmania list, 'Great Horse Movies on DVD.'

Average customer rating:

Usual Suspects
Definitely a DVD to Own - But Don't Read Any Plot Spoilers!
Violent yes but it blew me away!,
Good Blu-ray trans for a great movie
Who in the heck is Kaiser Soeza?

The Usual Suspects (Special Edition)
Starring: Stephen Baldwin , Gabriel Byrne , Benicio Del Toro , Kevin Pollak , and Kevin Spacey
Director: Bryan Singer
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005V9HH
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Amazon.com essential video

Ever since this convoluted thriller dazzled audiences and critics in 1995 and won an Oscar for Christopher McQuarrie's twisting screenplay, The Usual Suspects has continued to divide movie lovers into opposite camps. While a lot of people take great pleasure from the movie's now-famous central mystery (namely, "Who is Keyser Söze?"), others aren't so easily impressed by a movie that's too enamored of its own cleverness to make much sense. After all, what are we to make of a final scene that renders the entire movie obsolete? Half the fun of The Usual Suspects is the debate it provokes and the sheer pleasure of watching its dynamic cast in action, led (or should we say, misled) by Oscar winner Kevin Spacey as the club-footed con man who recounts the saga of enigmatic Hungarian mobster Keyser Söze. Spacey's in a band of thieves that includes Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, and Benicio Del Toro, all gathered in a plot to steal a large shipment of cocaine. The story is told in flashback as a twisted plot being described by Spacey's character to an investigating detective (Chazz Palmintieri), and The Usual Suspects is enjoyable for the way it keeps the viewer guessing right up to its surprise ending. Whether that ending will enhance or extinguish the pleasure is up to each viewer to decide. Even if it ultimately makes little or no sense at all, this is a funny and fiendish thriller, guaranteed to entertain even its vocal detractors. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Usual Suspects.......2007-05-13

Great Movie - Who is Kaiser Sosi? This where I became a real Kevin Spacey fan. This was his first Oscar winning role and he deserved it. The story is engrossing, and the climax terrific. If you haven't seen it, you won't guess what happens. I have never met anyone who has seen this film who didn't think it was terrific.

Definitely a DVD to Own - But Don't Read Any Plot Spoilers!.......2007-05-13

The Usual Suspects is a film noir movie set in modern times. I adore film noir movies, and one of the first things you learn about this genre is NOT TO READ PLOT DETAILS! I will not give away ANY plot details in this review. If you get even the inkling of what happens in the plot, it tends to make you "wait" through the entire movie for that particular twist or turn to happen. It is so much better to watch the movie all the way through the first time, plot unknown, to watch how it unfolds. That's what makes the film noir movies so great for watching and rewatching. The first time you see it, you are caught up in how the mystery elements are linked together and unraveled. In subsequent watchings, you know what the end game is, and you now enjoy all the clues and hints that are laid out for you along the way. Where most movies can get boring after a viewing or two, I've seen many of my film noir movies quite a large number of times.

The beauty of The Usual Suspects is the stellar cast involved - Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Kevin Spacey, and many others. Every one of these actors does a fantastic job. There are so many quotes, so many specific lines of dialogue, so many tiny eye movements and looks that just bring incredible depth to this story. Again, I don't want to give away the details of the plot for you to "watch for". Once you've seen the movie, there will undoubtedly be moments that stand out for you. But don't stop there. Go back and watch it again. Suddenly you'll realize the meaning in the way someone looks at someone else - the way someone reacts to a specific line of dialogue. It's simply brilliant.

There are a number of heavily accented characters here which means the first time through you might not really realize what someone is saying. They do that on purpose. Those people *have* accented voices. It means you don't really understand what's going on in some scenes. Again, when you re-watch, you start to sink deeper into the environment. You realize what certain words mean. You realize the context of the situation. It is a multi-layered adventure and each time you take a look, something else unfolds for you.

Definitely recommended for owning. This isn't a one-time-watch film. It's something you see multiple times, share with family and friends, and then discuss afterwards. Highly recommended!

Violent yes but it blew me away!,.......2007-05-11

I remember after watching Pulp Fiction, it became hard for me to find new films during those days that excited me. I mean "Pulp" was so unique and original that I was so stunned when I first watched it. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was funny, violent and it wasn't meaningless either because at the end of each story there is a message of redemption. Now it brings me to "Usual Suspects." I didn't really know what to expect when I first watched it because it looked like it was going to be some prison movie. But I was wrong. The plot just kept twisting and turning which kept me on the edge of my seat. It was suspenseful and mysterious, the whole bit with Keyser Soze, it's gold! And the ending is what made this movie. The film truly has THE BEST ENDING in any movie ever made. I'm not gonna ruin it for those who haven't seen it.

So I desperately urge all of you who haven't seen it to go out to either rent it or buy it. Buying it is good because this one is a keeper; I have a copy of it myself. It's always fun to watch it with someone who hasn't seen it just to see their reaction. And of course, great performances on behalf of Kevin Spacey (who's career skyrocketed after his role as Verbal Kint) and Benicio Del Toro (whose talent was recognized after his useless role as Fenster where he basically took a guy who only had like two lines in the whole movie and actually was able to turn him into a character that people care about after watching it.

Good Blu-ray trans for a great movie.......2007-04-30

This movie's resolution on Blu-ray is fantastic in most sceens. There will be a few that look a bit grainy, but over all it's very nice for being a older movie produced before HD became common.

It's just a bit weak in extra features on Blu-ray and a bit pricy.

Who in the heck is Kaiser Soeza?.......2007-04-08

If you like complex, action filled films with a mystery element that keeps you guessing, this is definitely your film. Perfect? No--that title for me goes to the film where this film's title came from, "Casablanca."

Average customer rating:

The Greatest
Best Zombie Gift Ever
George A. Romero's original Dawn of the Dead
The best, deepest, richest horror movie ever
AWSOME!!

Dawn of the Dead (Ultimate Edition)
Starring: Ted Bank , Tony Buba , Sharon Ceccatti , Pan Chatfield , and Jim Christopher
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Night of the Living Dead

ASIN: B0002IQNAG
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com

George Romero's 1978 follow-up to his classic Night of the Living Dead is quite terrifying and gory (those zombies do like the taste of living flesh). But in its own way, it is just as comically satiric as the first film in its take on contemporary values. This time, we follow the fortunes of four people who lock themselves inside a shopping mall to get away from the marauding dead and who then immerse themselves in unabashed consumerism, taking what they want from an array of clothing and jewelry shops, making gourmet meals, etc. It is Romero's take on Louis XVI in the modern world: keep the starving masses at bay and crank up the insulated indulgence. Still, this is a horror film when all is said and done, and even some of Romero's best visual jokes (a Hare Krishna turned blue-skinned zombie) can make you sweat. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest .......2007-07-04

A must have DVD'S
the best George Romero movie...
Ultimate edition is great !!!

Best Zombie Gift Ever.......2007-07-04

I purchased this collection for my husband and he loves it! The packaging is stunning as well.

George A. Romero's original Dawn of the Dead.......2007-07-03

Romero's ghastly sequel to his legendary "Night of the Living Dead" is equally brilliant and perhaps even more unsettling than the first installment. It is also spine-chillingly funny, making blunt comparisons between the dead-eyed, gore-loving zombies and vapid American consumers. (Next time you're at a mall, the impression will be hard to shake.) But for all its satirical wit, "Dead" also features riveting action sequences, culminating in the final showdown involving soldiers, bikers, and endless waves of the undead. Tom Savani's ghoulish effects are not for the faint of heart, so be sure you're in the mood for explicit slaughter.

The best, deepest, richest horror movie ever.......2007-06-23

I wasn't going to write about this movie, because I'm not sure that I really have anything to say about it that hasn't been said by 40 million other people. But as I was creating this site I noticed that nearly every horror review I wrote mentioned it in some way, and I thought I should make some comment on it. I also realized that I would then have to update the links on all those horror reviews. Drat!

The movie opens with chaos at a television station. A talk show is being interrupted as the cameramen and studio people shout at the man being interviewed. This scene, while cleverly delivering crucial exposition, also effectively conveys the panic and disorder overtaking society. There is just something that says "society is falling apart" about a television show, normally so scripted and controlled, devolving into chaos, and behind-the-camera people, whose entire profession depends on being quiet and staying off camera, shouting and disrupting a broadcast.

Even this scene abounds in small details that seem disturbingly true-to-life and while also helping to fill in the backdrop of the world this film is positing. The station manager is broadcasting the locations of rescue stations that he knows have closed, likely sending people to their deaths, because he wants to be seen as purveying hope. One of the cameramen says to Francine [Gaylen Ross] that she should go ahead and leave. He just stands there calmly, and one wonders: why has he given up on himself so easily?

The movie then switches to a housing project overrun with zombies. It begins to focus on a prejudiced cop who is beginning to lose his grip in the face of the rising zombie threat. This sequence is poignant in showing a man who is trying use his own prejudices about another racial group as a way of holding on to reality! Strange, unsettling, but also uncomfortably true-to-life.

You'll just have to get used to the fact that this is all happening accompanied by significant gore.

The four main characters soon assemble in their helicopter and take off. Their aerial perspective allows the film to serve up a lot of exposition about the general state of the country as the zombies take over. In this case we have a bunch of rural folk who seem to be treating the entire thing as some sort of hunting party, having a picnic, kids running around, passing around drinks, and occasionally stopping to shoot a zombie. They are soon joined by a bunch of jovial National Guard folks who essentially do the same. These scenes, including the ones in the television station and housing project, go very far to establish the different ways that the country is responding to the crisis. Compare this to Zack Snyder's 2004 remake, which stayed in the perspective of the main characters from the start and never wavered, thus losing the wider context of the world the main characters are struggling to survive in.

After a brief interlude at a fueling station, our quartet arrive at the shopping mall. Quickly realizing that they could hole up here for a nearly indefinite amount of time in relative safety, they decide to stay. There are a number of survival tableaus and schemes in which the characters essentially "shop," but what interests me most here is the character development.

As they fight zombies to furnish their home in the upper floors of the mall, certain tensions between the characters develop. Stephen [David Enmgee], the helicopter pilot, seems to be jealous that he isn't as cool as the other two guys, and wants to be able to use guns and be cool like them. Scotty [Scott Reiniger] eventually becomes a bit of a daredevil, wanting to show off his skills, which leads him to make some rash decisions that put himself and others in danger. Near the end he becomes more and more mentally unstable and unable to recognize how hyped-up and volatile he is. Meanwhile, Peter [Ken Foree] stays collected, while Francine [Gaylen Ross] slowly becomes more focused and able to handle and protect herself. Romero's zombie movies have always had the distinction of really taking the situation seriously, and providing a lot of attention to the psychological effects the zombie takeover would have on his characters, which make his films richer in both depth and emotional heft, as these characters all have flaws and weaknesses. Some of them overcome them, while some do not. To me, these characters and the way they develop are what set this film apart, and make it truly fascinating. Compare this with the characters in the 2004 remake and how it is shown that they deal with the reality of the collapse of society; they make a game of shooting the zombies that look like celebrities. Whereas the characters in Romero's original bring their neuroses with them into the mall, and he gets a lot of tension and resonance out of how these petty tendencies endure even in the face of the end of the world. The characters in the remake simply get used to their situation and try to pass time. The remake is a great thriller, but just doesn't have the resonance of the original.

A lot of people hate what they consider to be the slapstick comedy that occurs when the bikers invade the mall at the end-particularly the pie-in-the-face scene. It doesn't bother me. In fact, I thought it was a successful continuation of the theme, as it follows the line of degrees of obliviousness to the real threat. We, the audience, by that time, have learned not to underestimate the zombies, and I found it affecting to watch the foolish bikers do silly things like the pie in the face and the blood pressure machine, as it shows the downside to their casual and mocking attitude toward life, and how people with that attitude can really screw things up for others. It also provides a good contrast with the main characters, who may engage in small and petty interests, but in general work together and for a longer-term goal, as opposed to the bikers, who seem to unknowingly risk everything just for an immediate thrill. I find this moving and vital to the film, but I guess to many people a pie in the face can never be anything but slapstick.

The movie ends without much of a resolution-only that the characters must keep moving, trying to survive-but what has come before is so involving, moving, and true-to-life that what sticks in the mind afterward are the characters, their struggles, and the hopelessness that they have fought against, rather than the gore or exploding heads, and that goes a long way toward explaining why this movie is as enduring and resonant as it is.

AWSOME!!.......2007-06-18

This movie is sweet. Tons of Action, terror, gore,humor and a good political message. Gorge A remaro is a genius and you are not a true horror fan if this ones not in your colletion.

Average customer rating:

Painfully searing and thought provoking
Wow... Just Wow
Makes you think!
garbage
XXXX...

American History X
Starring: Edward Norton , Edward Furlong , Beverly D'Angelo , Avery Brooks , and Jennifer Lien
Director: Tony Kaye
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305313687
Release Date: 1999-04-06

Product Description

Edward Norton's Academy Award nominated role as a White Supremist who sees the error of his ways while jailed for murder. Unfortunately, he leaves prison to find his brother (Edward Furlong) heading down the same path.

Amazon.com

Perhaps the highest compliment you can pay to Edward Norton is that his Oscar-nominated performance in American History X nearly convinces you that there is a shred of logic in the tenets of white supremacy. If that statement doesn't horrify you, it should; Norton is so fully immersed in his role as a neo-Nazi skinhead that his character's eloquent defense of racism is disturbingly persuasive--at least on the surface. Looking lean and mean with a swastika tattoo and a mind full of hate, Derek Vinyard (Norton) has inherited racism from his father, and that learning has been intensified through his service to Cameron (Stacy Keach), a grown-up thug playing tyrant and teacher to a growing band of disenfranchised teens from Venice Beach, California, all hungry for an ideology that fuels their brooding alienation.

The film's basic message--that hate is learned and can be unlearned--is expressed through Derek's kid brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), whose sibling hero-worship increases after Derek is imprisoned (or, in Danny's mind, martyred) for the killing of two black men. Lacking Derek's gift of rebel rhetoric, Danny is easily swayed into the violent, hateful lifestyle that Derek disowns during his thoughtful time in prison. Once released, Derek struggles to save his brother from a violent fate, and American History X partially suffers from a mix of intense emotions, awkward sentiment, and predictably inevitable plotting. And yet British director Tony Kaye (who would later protest against Norton's creative intervention during post-production) manages to juggle these qualities--and a compelling clash of visual styles--to considerable effect. No matter how strained their collaboration may have been, both Kaye and Norton can be proud to have created a film that addresses the issue of racism with dramatically forceful impact. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Painfully searing and thought provoking.......2007-06-27

I really can't remember a more emotionally charged movie. American X will make you feel angry, frightened, uncomfortable, shocked, sad, and hopefully introspective. It plunges deep into the heart of racism and ultimately exposes the ignorance that fuels it.

Edward Norton is scary. He received an oscar nomination as he became fully immersed in this role as Derek, an angry white supremist.

One of the scenes I found most profound was a glimpse of his upbringing. He is having a conversation with his father, explaining his admiration and respect for his school teacher, who happens to be a black man with two Phds. His dad drops subtle little hints and discriminatory remarks to discredit the man, and his son takes it to heart.

That's really the point of this whole movie, that nobody is born with hatred. Sadly, sometimes it is learned.

This movie is filled with intense moments where the rage and racism are much more blatant. Derek's hatred for all minorities keeps growing, even though he doesn't bother to get to know any of them. Until he goes to prison, and his work partner shows him the error of his ways.

Although this plot development is predictable and Derek's complete change of heart unfortunately seemed a little forced, this still is an exceptional movie. There are so many human frailties exposed and subjective topics examined. It is an obvious message film with high aspirations.

What king of response it triggers depends on you.

Wow... Just Wow.......2007-06-22

A good friend of mine suggested this film, and I really didnt know what to expect going in, but after this film was over, I sat in stunned silence. I knew that racism was horrible, but I found through this film that it does not come without a terrible price..the loss of love, friends, family...and the realization that everything that you believed to be true isnt always the way things are. Edward Norton's performance takes the viewer through this journey, and its not a pretty one. He goes from an bright young man, to a vengeful bigot, to a remorseful excon with a brothers life in jeopardy, and you feel as though you are looking in on someones life in the course of 2 hrs. All of the acting in this film is first rate, and the ending wasnt quite as predictable as others might have you believe...it is quite shocking, as is much of the film. It causes quite a debate on the way people view others whos skin color is not the same. As Dr. King said, judge me not on the color of my skin, but on the content of my character. I live with racism, because I am a black man living in America...it exists, but if we educate ourselves like the main character in AHX, it wont stay around for much longer.

Makes you think!.......2007-06-10

I was skeptical when I first heard about this movie, as I was originally mis-informed as to what it was really about! I am definetly glad I finally sat down and watched this film.

After seeing this film, it has quickly become one of my favorite films that I have ever seen. As others have said, Edward Norton plays his role so well, you may actually find yourself partly agreeing with what he says. The message of the film is very well done, and the ending is one of the most shocking I have seen.

Excellent acting, directing, and story-telling. This is a film to own, and a film that has become a classic within the world of movie-making!

garbage.......2007-05-23

A waste of a fine performance by Norton. The film is an idealistic mess. Trite and melodramatic. I like the ending, because it completely skewers audience expectations, but beyond that, the film feels as if it has been patched together at the last minute. Segments don't entirely match, and most of the acting is uneven. The story is straight out of a tv movie.
If you are one of those typical film students who wears a trenchcoat, has a goatee and won't shut up about Clerks and Fight Club, this will probably be your favorite movie.

XXXX..........2007-04-03

The fear of foreign races or people, and it evolving into an actual phobia, an intense and irrational dread, in other terms, racism, has been around since primitive man began forming tribes, millions of years ago. American History X examines racism in the context of present day neo-Nazism, and similar to the German Nazis of the 30's and 40's all foreigners are blamed for everything wrong with the State. The solution to unemployment, a high cost of living, rocketing welfare and rising crime is to jettison all immigrants, foreigners, from the country so that the original people, the white's in America or the Aryan race in 30's Germany can flourish as they are truly destined to do. This notion is one of the foundational tenets of fascism, and added to this, violence and war is the only method to achieve a `pure' flourishing State.

American History X is a strong film presenting the arguments for the Right and the Left where, for the most part, the propositions on both sides have valid points, however, it is impossible to argue a subject as complex as immigration, rising crime and the cost of living by blaming these situations on a particular race of people. In fact, the argument is absurd because there are always exceptions, and as this important film points out with force and powerful emotion, racism is about hate, fear and personal anger, projected on a generality because it is convenient, a scapegoat for a lack of control and responsibility.

Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) is an intelligent young man but somewhere along the line began to hate Black American's, Asian American's et al, and under the tutelage of an older and influential White Supremist, (Stacy Keach), becomes the leader of a `skinhead' gang in Venice Beach, trashing foreign owned grocery stores to finally be jailed for the brutal murder of two teenaged Black Americans because they attempted to steal his car. Derek is strong, passionate, and terribly angry and now, a cold blooded killer and his younger brother, Danny, (Edward Furlong) idolises him.

Edward Furlong as Danny was perfect casting as he has a sensitive and forlorn, lost gaze, almost innocent because he loves his brother so much, and when his brother is released from prison with a different point of view, at first goes a little crazy, but will go along because he worships and loves him. Of course this makes the ending that much more forbidding and terribly moving. Furlong is a talented actor and is restrained in this picture, resulting in his performance being totally believable.

A film about such a controversial subject matter cannot avoid presenting a message for the viewer. In the case of American History X, racism is not an innate condition but a learned one, passed on from generation to generation.

American History X is not a good film but a truly great one and should be viewed by all concerned about our society and the hate and fear it contains...

Silver Spoons - The Complete First Season

Average customer rating:

"The Ricker" Returns !
Silver Spoons - Long Awaited and Still The Greatest
Silver Spoons, My All time Favorite television Show
Eighties time capsule, fun and nostalgic series
Erin Gray is worth watching

Silver Spoons - The Complete First Season
Starring: Alfonso Ribeiro , Ray Walston , Jason Bateman , Corky Pigeon , and Christine Belford
Director: Bob Lally , Jack Shea (III) , and Luis Soto
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

One Day at a Time - The Complete First Season
Welcome Back, Kotter - The Complete First Season
Family Ties - The Complete First Season
CHiPs - The Complete First Season
The Fall Guy: The Complete Season 1

ASIN: B000OVLBH6
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Amazon.com

Back in 1982, it was perfectly fine to refer to the 12-year-old star of Silver Spoons as Ricky Schroder. It wouldn't be until his young adult years, when he went on to star in such projects as Lonesome Dove, 24, and NYPD Blue that Schroder would try to distance himself from the sitcom that made him a household name and replace Ricky with Rick. But no matter how many plum roles Schroder gets, we will always have fond memories of Ricky--or the Rickster, as he was sometimes called on the show. The first season opens with millionaire man-child Edward Stratton III (Joel Higgins) learning that he is the father of a tween boy. Straight out of military school, little Ricky moves in with his dad and the two fill needs in each other's lives that they didn't realize needed filling. Schroder already had proven his dramatic acting chops in the 1979 theatrical release The Champ, for which he won a Golden Globe. With Silver Spoons--especially during the first couple seasons--he didn't have to do much else than look adorable (And look adorable he does). Playing the wise child to Higgins' somewhat immature (and emotionally stunted) dad, he's a natural whether helping his father land a date, dealing with a school bully, or making sure his father and grandfather come to terms with their complicated relationship. This three-disc box set includes all 22 episodes, which aired on NBC from 1982-1983. The guest list from the first season is impressive. Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) has a recurring role as his friend/foe Derek. And Sharon Stone, Mr. T and Joey--sorry, Joseph--Lawrence all make appearances. Silver Spoons won't go down as a serious contribution to the world of television. But like cotton candy, it's a welcome treat that's fun to indulge in on occasion. --Jae-Ha Kim

Product Description

It's a train ride of laughs in the first season of Silver Spoons, the classic `80s hit sitcom starring 12-year-old Ricky Schroder as the loveable, preppy, wise-beyond-his-years Ricky Stratton. His dad is millionaire Edward Stratton III (Joel Higgins), an overgrown kid with more interest in his toys than in business or his beautiful assistant Kate (Erin Gray). This season, Ricky realizes that Edward's relaxed attitude toward discipline doesn't mean Edward doesn't love him. Ricky gets his first taste of puppy love and learns to stand up to the school bully. Kate and Edward realize they have feelings for each other. Plus tons of guest stars including Mr. T., Sharon Stone, Joey Lawrence and Jason Bateman.

Customer Reviews:

"The Ricker" Returns !.......2007-06-25

It's wonderful to finally see Silver Spoons released on DVD ! It's about time ! These episodes bring back so many memories ! I can't wait for the other seasons to be released.

If you were a fan of the show... this first season is a MUST HAVE !

It makes me want a rideable train in my living room all over again !

Silver Spoons - Long Awaited and Still The Greatest .......2007-06-24

I was so happy when I heard that they were re-releasing "Silver Spoons". It was one of my favorite series growing up as a child. I watched the entire first season in one day!

In the series premiere, twelve year old Ricky Stratton unexpectedly turns up on the doorstep of his father Edward Stratton the third, who had no idea that he even had a son. It turns out that Ricky was a product of Edward's during his six day marriage to Evelyn. The mom had Ricky shipped off to military school after her second marriage. At first it looks like Edward who (according to him) doesn't know how to be a good husband, father, son etc.. is about to abandon Ricky too but he quickly realizes that having Ricky around is a lot better than NOT having him around - plus, now childlike Edward's finally got someone to play with!

Throughout the season, there are guest appearances that are made by other tv greats like Mr. T and Gary Coleman aka Arnold Jackson from Diff'rent Strokes. Ricky's friend/foe is Derek (Jason Bateman) whom I think can best be described as a wolf in sheep's clothing.

This sitcom was a true gem in TV history. I can't wait to see Season 2!

Silver Spoons, My All time Favorite television Show.......2007-05-26

This TV show IS and WILL ALWAYS be my favorite show. I have all of these episodes taped from way back when I was a kid when the generation of the VHS (recorders came out). and that was not long after 1982 when Spoons began. I had to wait until reruns so I could tape them but it was worth all the wait. Now the tapes are dragging but (NO MORE). Sony did it! I know this will make Rick,Joel,Erin,Jason,Alfonso,Corky proud that this was released. Oh, and lets not forget the sly Christine Belford (Ricks Mom)..and, If only Mr houseman were alive. He made that show as well. He was (the greatest Grandfather). the bond between Rick and his grandfather was so great. "Gotta love the learning to drive episode". There are also some great guests on the show, Including Whitney houston,Mr T,Gary Coleman,Pearl Bailey and the ever so popular Menudo. This show makes you laugh,Cry,get angry like I did when Rick told freddy Lippincottleman that he wasnt his friend lol. The hardest thing in the world to see was derek leaving the show. That episode was very emotional. I was feeling at first that it wasnt going to be the same but the show was great from start to finish. For all you new people that are going to buy this....You are in for a real treat! Rick Schroder,(Ricker) youre an awesome actor!

R.I.P for two great actors franklin seales,John Houseman

PS: For those of you that worry that you have to buy so many sets that you might lose interest in this (do not worry) This show ran from 82 to 1987 so not many sets to buy. Please buy this so that Sony will continue to release them. I promise you wont be let down. Every season is great! of course the first three seasons are my favorite and rick grows in every season but all of them have a very good story!

(ADDED NOTE) I got the DVD set today and let me tell you...Brilliant picture quality. Fine remastering. I am so pleased to toss out my first two VHS tapes that has the first season on them. I kept them because I was a little worried that they were going to edit the show's ending like they do sometime on tv for air time but sony did not butcher the show. silver spoons lovers will be very happy with what sony has presented us with this set. (Lets just hope they dont botch it up and leave people hanging for a year or so for each additional season release.

Eighties time capsule, fun and nostalgic series.......2007-05-24

Silver Spoons was one of definitive eighties time capsule. This series was pure eighties, break dancing, big hair, music, posters. Ricky Schroder shines his title role, and he surrounded many well-remembered characters. Even legendary actor John Houseman appeared and Erin Gray really made big impression with her stepmother role. But, my favorite character is probably Rick's pal played by Alfonso Ribeiro. He was funny character. Everytime He appeared, there was some kind of funny things happened. Yes, by the today's standards, it's maybe cheesy but you certainly agree it's lot of fun, and I believe eighties will never duplicated.

I had many fine memories with eighties, and Silver Spoons was certainly one of them. If you're eighties growing-up kids, you'll love this dvd set. I can't wait to see those fun adventures with Rick and family, friends again after all these years. Thanks for reading.

Erin Gray is worth watching.......2007-05-18

Like the posting below, I agree Erin Gray makes this show worth watching. I am thankful the first season is coming out and the retail price is great, making it affordable. I watched this show when I was in middle school and it hasn't aged a bit. Erin Gray is eye candy (I get to meet her in September at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention where she is a guest) and I only hope the rest of the cast helps with commentary or an extra documentary with the DVD. By the way, Amazon.com's price is much better than their competition, so I recommend buying your complete series today.

Average customer rating:

Pimpin' Zoolander Review
What can you say about Ben?
Zoolander DVD
FAST SERVICE!
Fun Movie

Zoolander (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: David Duchovny , Will Ferrell , Tom Ford (VIII) , Judah Friedlander , and Cuba Gooding Jr.
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00003CXPJ
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Amazon.com

Charge your micro-mini cell phones and whip up some orange mocha Frappuccino, 'cuz Zoolander is on the runway, and you're gonna laugh your booty off! Based on a sketch created by writer-director Ben Stiller and cowriter Drake Sather for the 1996 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards, Zoolander is a delirious send-up of New York's fashion scene as epitomized by male model Derek Zoolander (Stiller), a dimwitted preener who's oblivious to a Manchurian Candidate-like plot to turn him into a brainwashed assassin. Tipped off by a reporter (Christina Taylor), Zoolander teams with rival model Hansel (Owen Wilson) to foil the poodle-haired fashion designer (Will Ferrell) who's behind the nefarious scheme. The goofy plot's only half the fun; with roles for Stiller's parents (Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara), dozens of celebrity cameos, endlessly quotable dialogue, and improvisational energy to spare, Zoolander is very smart about being very stupid, easily matching the Austin Powers franchise for inspired comedic lunacy. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Pimpin' Zoolander Review.......2007-06-11

This movie is HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it so so so so so so so so so much. It is a great plot, and quite creative. Your an idiot not to buy this movie!!

What can you say about Ben?.......2007-05-13

Ben Stiller is hysterical in this unique comedy set in the world of jet-setting male models. Stiller has once again knocked it out of the park with his hysterical portrayal of Derrick Zoolander. Blue Steel and Magnum forever!!!

Zoolander DVD.......2007-04-11

Not everyone I watched it with or spoke to about it liked this movie but I'm a big Ben Stiller fan and I thought this spoof on male models was hilarious! I guess it just depends on your sense of humor!

FAST SERVICE!.......2007-03-10

thank you for your quick service! i received the movie in less than a week.

Fun Movie.......2007-03-08

I have enjoyed watching this movie several times. It is a bit off-beat but hilarious. Ben Stiller & Owen Wilson are 2 of my favorite actors. The humor is "ridiculously" funny. It does have about 2 scenes that are a bit "risque" so you might want to be aware of that with kids but overall a comedy worth seeing.

Average customer rating:

fascinating comedy
Lots of Laughs
The Birdcage
Bird, Bird, Who's got the Bird ?
YEA!

The Birdcage
Starring: Robin Williams , Gene Hackman , Nathan Lane , Dianne Wiest , and Dan Futterman
Director: Mike Nichols
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0792833198
Release Date: 1997-03-26

Amazon.com

The great improvisational comedy team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May reunited to (respectively) direct and write this update of the French comedy La Cage Aux Folles. Robin Williams stars as a gay Miami nightclub owner who is forced to play it straight and ask his drag-queen partner (Nathan Lane) to hide out when Williams's son invites his prospective--and highly conservative--in-laws and fiancée to a meet-and-greet dinner party. Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest play the straight-laced senator and his wife, and Calista Flockhart (from television's Ally McBeal) plays their daughter in a culture-clash with outrageous consequences. May's witty screenplay incorporates some pointed observations about the political landscape of the 1990s and takes a sensitive approach to the comedy's underlying drama. Topping off the action is Hank Azaria in a scene-stealing role as Williams's and Lane's flamboyant housekeeper, "Agador Spartacus." --Jeff Shannon

Description

Lies and deceptionit's all in the family when Robin Williams must convince his future in-laws that he's as upstanding and uptight as they are in "the funniest comedy you'll see this year" (Gene Shalit, "Today Show"). Co-starring Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest, Christine Baranski and Calista Flockhart, The Birdcage is an uproarious comedy that will send your spirits soaring. Armand (Williams) and Albert (Lane) have built the perfect life for themselves tending to their gaudy Miami nightclub. But their pastel tranquility is shaken when Armand's son announces that he's getting married to the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Keeley (Hackman)...and they're all getting together for dinner! Can Armand and Albert transform themselves into Mr.and Mrs. Family Values in time? It'll take the performance of their lives, but they'll do anythingand everythingto pull the chiffon over Keeley's eyes!

Customer Reviews:

fascinating comedy.......2007-06-04

Great acting and full of contrasts. Highly enjoyable and hilarious. I'm not into comedy, but this one is excellent. Nathan Lane's character is fantastic and Robin Williams plays along with the same quality as in most of his movies. A nice comedy on the gay lifestyle in South Beach; a little exagerated, but that's what makes it so charming!!.

Lots of Laughs.......2007-04-15

"The Birdcage"

Lots of Laughs

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

I usually do not like commercial comedies but "The Birdcage" is an exception. I watched it again last night and I find it absolutely amazing just how funny it is. I had already seen "La Cage Aux Folles" several times before and in all of its incarnations. Hands down, "The Birdcage" is a great remake of an already classical film. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are wonderful as the lead couple. This may be one of the funniest films I have ever seen.
Armand Goldman owns a popular drag nightclub in Miami. His long time lover is the star of the show, Starina. The two have a son, Val, (actually he is Armand's son from an earlier "straight" marriage) who comes "home" to announce his engagement to Barbara Keely, daughter of a United States senator. Senator Keely also happens to be the vice president of the Committee for Moral Order. The senator and his family come to South Beach to meet Val and his family and what ensues is the funniest chaos we have had on the screen in a long time. Lies and deception rule the day. What else can we expect when a guy must convince his future in-laws that he is as honest and upright and socially correct as they are. Armand and Albert (Starina) have been a Garden of Eden for themselves as they run their gaudy club. The tranquility of their lives is shaken when Val announces that he is bringing his ultra-conservative future in-laws to meet the folks. And they are all planning to have dinner together.
I could not stop laughing as I watched this movie again. All of the characters are so stereotypical, the acting is over the top, and the whole thing is completely unbelievable. With this, the script is obviously written by someone who has no intention of contributing to the stereotypical view of the drag community. Rather it appears that the script was written to create characters that are lovable as they look at us and say. "Do not take us seriously".
There is nothing realistic about the movie. It is not politically correct but isn't society a bit too hung up on political correctness anyway? You cannot help but love the characters in "The Birdcage" because they are so stereotypical and they are brought to life by a cast that is determined to make you love them and laugh. Even though there is little trace of reality here. This does not distract from the overall effect the movie provides. The story is shallow but the details are what make the movie funny.
The cast is great bar none. Both Robin Williams and Nathan Lane wear their roles like good pairs of broken in Levis. Both men are comic geniuses, Dianne Wiest with her ditzy self is amazing and Gene Hackman in the last scene almost walks away with the entire film. Obviously they all had a great time making it and we all had a great time watching it. The verbal repartee between and among the actors is stellar. The entire movie is hysterically entertaining. I have so many favorite scenes that I find myself laughing as I write this review which is probably the reason t has took me so long to review it. Hank Azaria
as Agador, however, has to be one of the highlights of the film. This is a movie that you can watch again and again and it ever gets old or trite. It
was filmed to entertain and that is exactly what it does.
"The Birdcage" is way over the top but utterly and completely hilarious. Nothing in the film is subtle and the characters were written to be caricatures of every gay stereotype. Isn't it great to be able to laugh at ourselves and the way we live? Once you submit to the impossible plot of this irresistible comedy directed by the incomparable Mike Nichols you may have to dry your eyes. The gifts of perfect timing and superb direction along with a wonderful cast makes this movie the fun film that it is.

The Birdcage.......2007-03-11

I LOVE this video. Every actor is great and the characters are a real hoot!

Bird, Bird, Who's got the Bird ?.......2007-03-09

This is the best of the"La Cage " films. The French versions are interesting but not nearly as comical as Williams and Lane. If you have viewed La Cage a Folle's 1 &2, you have missed the best, If you have the "Birdcage" you can forget the rest.

YEA!.......2007-02-14

AFTER WATCHING THIS VIA NETFLIX I HAD TO HAVE IT. THIS MOVIE IS DELIGHTFULLY FUNNY AND SOPHISTICATED. A REAL CHEERUP WHEN I'M ALONE AND GREAT FOR A PARTY. HAVE FUN!

Average customer rating:

A courageous movie
Truly romantic
A Beautiful Film
Times Sure Have Changed!
Least favorite movie

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Starring: Spencer Tracy , Sidney Poitier , Katharine Hepburn , Katharine Houghton , and Cecil Kellaway
Director: Stanley Kramer
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: 0767821483
Release Date: 1999-02-02

Amazon.com essential video

Spencer Tracy's last performance was in this well-meaning, handsome film by Stanley Kramer about a pair of white parents (Tracy and Katharine Hepburn) trying to make sense of their daughter's impending marriage to an African American doctor (Sidney Poitier). The film has been knocked over the years for padding conflict and stoking easy liberalism by making Poitier's character in every socioeconomic sense a good catch: But what if Kramer had made this stranger a factory worker? Would the audience still find it as easy to accept a mixed-race relationship? But there's no denying the drawing power of this movie, which gets most of its integrity from the stirring performances of Tracy and Hepburn. When the former (who had been so ill that the production could not get completion insurance) gives a speech toward the end about race, love, and much else, it's impossible not to be affected by the last great moment in a great actor's life and career. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

A courageous movie.......2007-06-30

In the context of the times in which it was made, this movie is even more amazing than it first appears--and it is very courageous on first appearances, so that is saying a lot!

Marriage between ethically diverse people was still illegal in quite a number of states, racism and all the terrible crimes it fosters was rampant. Into this maelstrom came a movie about two well-educated and very intelligent people who wish to get married. They deliberately made the doctor (Sidney Poitier) a paragon, so that it would be clear that any hesitation on her parents' part would be solely because he was Black.

My favorite parts are the beginning, when they arrive in California and go to her home and meet her mother (Kate Hepburn), and the end, when her father (Spencer Tracey) does his amazing speech, which earned him an Oscar (and rightly so).

The prejudice of the art gallery "lady" (note the quote marks) was accurate for the times (and, sadly, is still accurate at times) and well done by the actress in that role.

"Those who do not learn from history..." Let us keep watching this movie, so that we can learn, remember, and avoid sinking into the same mire again. And let us applaud the unknown people of courage, who did what was portrayed in this movie--trailblazers and pioneers in a wilderness no less challenging because it was subtle.

Truly romantic.......2007-06-10

Sidney Poiter is magnificent and always awe-inspiring, but the real draw of the movie is watching the interaction between Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. When their real-life romance and difficult relationship is taken into account, their characters are given an extra dimension of honesty. This is particularly true of Tracy's speech at the end of the movie about what it means to love someone regardless of the circumstances. Very touching, brought tears to my eyes.

A Beautiful Film.......2007-05-07

I recently read a biography of Sidney Poitier which emphasized his role as "The Black Actor" of his time, and what this meant culturally and politicaly during the conservative 1950's and the turbulent 1960's. Poitier's mere presence in a film during this time assured black audiences that "Yes, there were roles of merit for blacks in Hollywood" while simultaneously letting white people know that all blacks were not dangerous, sex-craved animals, or buffoonish syncophants, but upstanding citizens like you and me. It seemed at times that Sidney Poitier, The Icon, overshadowed many of his screen endeavors, pushing the film's plotline into the background (with the exception of "In The Heat Of The Night") Which brings me to "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner". Released in 1967 (it was the THIRD box-office hit for Poitier in a single year. A feat no other actor since, with the exception of Tom Cruise in 1996, has accomplished) an extremely tumultous year when the nation grappled with civil rights and Vietnam, "Guess Who" provided a fresh breath of air. Its the story of a prominent black doctor, John Prentice, who falls in love with a younger white girl,Joanna. He is 37, she is 23. The couple arrive at the girls' parents' house to announce to her parents their marriage plans. But the good doctor has a secret that he is keeping from his fiance: He has promised himself that if the father (Spencer Tracy) disagrees he will not marry her. He has come to this conclusion because he knows full well the problems the two of them will face as an interracial couple, and if they have disapproving in-laws to contend with as well, the marriage might not survive. This particular aspect of Poitier's character is what nailed it for me. What a strong statement to make, and the reserve to back it! How many of us who have been fitfully in love would EVER make a proposal like this?! Most people would say to Hell with the in laws, but this is what seperated Poitier from most stars of his day and which contributed to his overall popularity. Upon its release, the film was not a CRITICAL favorite, but it was certainly a box-office fav. The problem most critics had with the film was the preposterous love story itself. "What would an accomplished doctor who had been married once want with a young, naive girl 14 years his junior? " asked many critics (as if you really had to ponder THAT one!)I have never discovered why the director Stanley Kramer put this age difference into the film in the first place, the only answer I have is that Katherine Houghton was the niece of the Great Hepburn. Nepotism strikes again, right? But that was not the most gnawing question in the film. Most critics simply missed the point. A point that the movie-going public got: It is a FANTASY. Kramer over emphasized everything, from the techni-color skies to the immaculate skin complexions of his stars, to let the public know just how ridiculous skin color prejudices (and prejudices in general) are. Poitier's character is so PERFECT, that the ONLY problem Tracy and Hepburn have with him is his skin color. Brilliant. Yes the film is dated a little, but unfortunately it is still a timely and beautiful film.

Times Sure Have Changed!.......2007-04-23

I remember watching this movie for the first time with my mother. We were shocked, but tried to keep an open mind. Today it is not shocking at all. Times have really changed for the better. We still have a long way to go. I thought about showing this movie to my students, however, they wouldn't understand what the big deal was as we did the first time. Still, it's a good movie and it has a powerful message.

Least favorite movie.......2007-04-12

by this duo. I just didn't like it. All the actors were great. I love Sidney Poitier. But I just couldn't like the movie. I hated the speech in the end. I felt like he was lechuring me!

Underworld - Evolution (Widescreen Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Love the concept.
What was I thinking?
I enjoyed it.
There Could Have Been More Killing....
Chapter 2

Underworld - Evolution (Widescreen Special Edition)
Starring: Kate Beckinsale , Scott Speedman , Tony Curran , Derek Jacobi , and Shane Brolly
Director: Len Wiseman
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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