Stakes

Starring:Wayne Althoff, Steve Backus, Jamie Bell (III), Leanna Chamish, Erin J. Corsair, Syn DeVil, Donna DeVilbiss, Jason C. Evans, Anne Frith, Steven King (II), John Michaelson, Akila Pearson, Greg Redmer, Steve Redmer, George Stover, Nathalie Taborda, Joe Travagline, James J. Waltz, Ashira Zimra
Studio: Key East Ent
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

It takes stones to steer clear of trouble andd wrong choices - Turturro
A Great Gambling Movie
rounders
Poker Players Only?
DVD Review

Rounders (Collector's Edition)
Starring: Matt Damon , Edward Norton , John Turturro , Paul Cicero , and Gretchen Mol
Director: John Dahl
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Cincinnati Kid
Good Will Hunting (Miramax Collector's Series)
High Roller - The Stu Ungar Story
Swingers (Miramax Collector's Series)
Fight Club (Collector's Edition Steelbook)

ASIN: B0002DRDB4
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com

A little drunk on its own arcane exotica as a gambling movie, Rounders is a film that takes us inside a world of high-stakes card players but falls short on such essentials as character development, relationships, that sort of thing. Still, it is a real curiosity, written by a couple of guys (David Levien and Brian Koppelman) who appear to know something about the dark underbelly of card hustling for fun and profit. Matt Damon stars as a reluctant law student who can't put aside his subterranean career of playing poker and blackjack for big money. After he loses his post-grad nest egg to a weird Russian kingpin (John Malkovich)--and also loses his disgusted girlfriend (Gretchen Mol) in the process--Damon's character turns to an unreliable old buddy (Edward Norton) for a dangerous game of sharking wherever there happens to be a game underway: frat boys, cops, bad dudes, you name it. Norton appears to be living out every young actor's fantasy of re-creating Robert De Niro's prototypical head case in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, and while his performance is burdened by obvious quotation marks, his estimable talent still shines through. Damon's charm and intelligence bring some oomph to the curiously flat proceedings, and while his hushed, soul-bearing scenes with Martin Landau (as a law professor who takes a shine to the kid) seem gratuitous, they're still nice to watch. Behind all this is director John Dahl (Red Rock West), who is not exactly at the top of his game here but who brings his distinctive toughness to the crime-noir tone. --Tom Keogh

Description

Academy Award(R) winner Matt Damon (GOOD WILL HUNTING, Best Original Screenplay, 1997; THE BOURNE SUPREMACY) and Edward Norton (THE ITALIAN JOB) star in this story of passion, risk, and the extreme price of friendship! After losing a high-stakes card game, Mike (Damon) gives up gambling for law school and a fresh start with his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol -- CRADLE WILL ROCK). But then his best buddy (Norton) gets out of prison and in over his head with a ruthless card shark (John Malkovich -- BEING JOHN MALKOVICH). From there, Mike's strong sense of loyalty -- and the lure of the game -- draw him back to the tables in a game he cannot afford to lose! Also starring John Turturro (O BROTHER, WHERE ARE THOU?) and Oscar(R) winner Martin Landau (ED WOOD, Best Supporting Actor, 1994).

Customer Reviews:

It takes stones to steer clear of trouble andd wrong choices - Turturro.......2007-05-25

ROUNDERS (1998), with an exceptionally well chosen cast (John
Turturro, Ed Norton, Matt Damon, Martin Landay, and John Malkvich) is
a movie that will appeal to those above 25 / 30, considering the
strong mental and rational aspects that the movie emphasizes, coupled
with other human aspects that everyone will relate to, nonetheless.

If you believe that full stars should never be awarded to a story
that has a happy ending, (guy gets the girl and the money), then you
will understand how this movie is a remarkable achievement, yet not
the best I've seen, due to the Hollywood policy of avoiding tragic
endings, steering clear of despair, suffering from gambling
addiction or otherwise, due to entertainment reasons.

The acting is splendid and beyond reproach, from all actors, by
exposing the subculture of gambling as a hobby and as a social
networking and human release tool. It also exposes those players who,
naturally, take advantage and profit insidiously from the humanity
and compelling addition that exists in the weaker players at the
tables.

As such, the story is a somewhat of a microcosm of what goes on in
the financial markets, the greed and fear emotions that go back and
forth among the traders, the majority of whom lose as much as they
gain from the game, in the long run, not knowing when to stop or how
much is enough.

With a pleasing widescreen release, and sharp, professional
technique, and perfect transfer to DVD, the story underlines the
importance of one's reputation and ability to socially network to be
able to get a seat at the tables where the action occurs. It also
brings up the banking aspects, and loan sharks charging "juice", and
of collectors who are called on to act on difficult debts, the
pariah mechanics, the special visual reading skills needed to be
successful in beating opponents.

Perhaps unnoticed, is the aspect of the movie, that contrasts and
compares the various protagonists character, who they really are,
their destinies, how they found their niche, by choosing settings at
peep shows, or libraries of wealthy reputable judges, lawyers, at
police officers messes, intermixed with convicts, gambling addicted
people of all kinds, including innocent tourists to Las Vegas, etc.

Catchy one-liner: "It takes stones to steer clear of trouble and the
wrong choices" ... yet overall, the movie suggests to viewers that
those making no choices, stopped in the middle of the road of life,
still get run over.

A Great Gambling Movie.......2007-05-14

Matt Damon and Edward Norton team up in this Gambling drama about two men who love to play cards. Both men live different lives, and conflicts arise but in the end one thing is never forgotten; How good these guys actually are at what they do.

rounders.......2007-05-10

this is a wonderful story about two guys who cheat at everything. A few ups and a lot of downs. hustlers to the enth degree. very entertaining

Poker Players Only?.......2007-03-25

There seems to be mixed reviews about this movie. One either likes it or has very little if any response. I'm a poker player and I loved the story and the cast is excellent. If you like poker as well as suspense, I believe this film will be very satisfying to you. If you don't fit that description, it's still worth a look.

DVD Review.......2007-02-01

Quick delivery, quality picture, good price. What more can you ask for?

Average customer rating:

It takes stones to steer clear of trouble andd wrong choices - Turturro
A Great Gambling Movie
rounders
Poker Players Only?
DVD Review

Rounders
Starring: Matt Damon , Edward Norton , John Turturro , Paul Cicero , and Gretchen Mol
Director: John Dahl
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

The Cincinnati Kid
Good Will Hunting (Miramax Collector's Series)
High Roller - The Stu Ungar Story
Swingers (Miramax Collector's Series)
Fight Club (Collector's Edition Steelbook)

ASIN: 6305268789
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

It takes stones to steer clear of trouble andd wrong choices - Turturro.......2007-05-25

A Great Gambling Movie.......2007-05-14

rounders.......2007-05-10

this is a wonderful story about two guys who cheat at everything. A few ups and a lot of downs. hustlers to the enth degree. very entertaining

Poker Players Only?.......2007-03-25

DVD Review.......2007-02-01

Quick delivery, quality picture, good price. What more can you ask for?

Average customer rating:

This movie is money!
Great to Learn about Yuppies
Couldn't Sit Through It
Failure to Communicate
Self-Hype

Two for the Money (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Al Pacino , Matthew McConaughey , Rene Russo , Armand Assante , and Jeremy Piven
Director: D.J. Caruso
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Red Eye (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000CBCWRG
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Amazon.com

Two for the Money has a formidable cast: Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey, and Rene Russo (Get Shorty) play compulsive personalities caught up in the high-testosterone world of sports betting. Brandon Lang (McConaughey, Sahara), a once-promising football player sidelined by an injury, has an uncanny knack for totting up the statistics and personalities involved in any football game and picking the winner. But he doesn't gamble himself: He offers tips via a phone line. His string of successful picks attracts the attention of Walter Abrams (Pacino, The Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon), a man building a media empire on sports tips, even though he himself can only resist his own gambling addiction thanks to the fierce devotion of his wife, Toni (Russo, Tin Cup, Get Shorty). Brandon swiftly becomes Walter's protege and transforms into an aggressive, high-risk salesman, even going so far as to change his name to create a new self. But when Brandon starts to think of his knack as magic, everything Walter has built around his golden boy starts to teeter. Two for the Money starts with punchy dialogue and razzle-dazzle acting, but midway it starts to founder; the characters never quite feel real, the plot grows labored and implausible, and the basic themes--gambling, addiction--turn vague and fuzzy. The actors have charisma to burn, but they can't overcome an unfocused script. Also featuring Jeremy Piven (Entourage), Armand Assante (The Mambo Kings), and Jaime King (Bulletproof Monk). --Bret Fetzer

Description

Academy Award winner Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey star in this adrenaline-charged thriller about the sexy, high-stakes world of sports betting, where fortunes can be made and lost with a flip of a coin.

When Brandon Lang (McConaughey) becomes the protégé of sports gambling's power player, Walter Abrams (Pacino), he swiftly becomes the golden boy of the high-rolling world for consistently picking football winners. Now, with millions on the line, he finds himself in a deadly game of con-versus-con with his new mentor.

Also starring Renee Russo and Jeremy Piven (TV's Entourage), Two For The Money sizzles with intense, non-stop thrills!

Customer Reviews:

This movie is money!.......2007-02-17

This movie is all about Sports Handicapping!

It's based on a true story. I know the guy it's based on and Matthew McConaughey does a great job portraying him!

I am a top rated professionally sports handicapper, check out my website!

Great to Learn about Yuppies.......2007-02-16

I should have known this movie would be terrible because it stars Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey plays one thing well - the smarmy yuppie. Having grown up in a working class Manhattan family, I know the type well. He does an excellent job at this one role for which he is type cast again and again. This film is no exception. The worst thing about this movie is that even though I only watched about 2/3, I had to use grease-cutting cleaner to clean my tv screen free of all the slime.

Couldn't Sit Through It.......2007-02-11

I'm giving this movie two stars becuase McConaughey looks really good with his shirt off (one star) and it has Pacino and Russo (the other star). After twenty five minutes, I decided I was wasting valuable time of my life watching this forgettable and worthless story.
The end.

Failure to Communicate.......2007-02-04

This isn't really a sports movie, it's a so-so morality tale on gambling addiction. You probably could've replaced the gambling with any other addiction without losing much. Though "Two for the Money" is easier to sit through than "Barfly."

Al Pacino is scary intense as Walter Abrams, a big money betting agent who takes Brandon Lang (Matthew McConaughey), under his wing. Brandon's a college ball player whose career had been cut short by a broken leg and who was having incredible success predicting wins on 900 sports betting lines before Abrams found him.

If you're expecting a sports comeback movie, get something like "Invincible." "Two for the Money" is more about Walter slowly wearing down Brandon into compromising every one of his values, eventually taking away his identity (his name even is changed), until he's just Walter's predicting machine. Then the film depicts Brandon's eventual recovery after the machine begins to fail.

I thought Pacino did a good job humanizing Walter's character, since it often seemed the director/screenwriter wanted him to be the devil himself. (I guess it could've been vice-versa.)

Rene Russo is good as Walter's wife, Toni, who puts up with the two's bickering, and flirts a little too much with Brandon. Her exchanges with Walter during his paranoid, jealous rants are probably the best thing about the film.

Also worth mentioning is Entourage's Jeremy Piven, who turns in another weak, Cusack-less performance as arrogant, longtime employee Jerry, who feels threatened by Brandon's winning streak. For a while, it looks as if the rivalry will lead to something bigger, but Walter fires Jerry not even ten seconds into their first big argument -- I suspect because the director realized Piven was incompetent.

Also, Gedde Watanabe ("Sixteen Candles") makes a short, funny appearance as a limo driver.

McConaughey takes off his shirt several times.

There's a brief interview with the writer Dan Gilroy and the "Real" Brandon Lang on the DVD, which should be interesting to both sports fans and filmmakers (maybe even caddies), even if you aren't able to make it through the whole feature.

As far as the big game tomorrow, I predict: Heads

Self-Hype.......2007-02-02

This is a good GUY flic, nothing special, but fun for gamblers and football fans. The whole thing is kind of a self-hype, true story. The gambling predictor as ladies man and hero, puffed up and glamorized, but the fantasy is the thing for young men. Gambling, chicks, and swell clothes is what it's all about. Shallow, no?

Average customer rating:

This movie is money!
Great to Learn about Yuppies
Couldn't Sit Through It
Failure to Communicate
Self-Hype

Two for the Money (Full Screen)
Starring: Al Pacino , Matthew McConaughey , Rene Russo , Armand Assante , and Jeremy Piven
Director: D.J. Caruso
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Crime & Criminals | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Sports | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)
Flightplan (Widescreen Edition)
Wedding Crashers - Unrated (Widescreen New Line Platinum Series)
Red Eye (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000CBCWRQ
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Amazon.com

Description

Also starring Renee Russo and Jeremy Piven (TV's Entourage), Two For The Money sizzles with intense, non-stop thrills!

Customer Reviews:

This movie is money!.......2007-02-17

Great to Learn about Yuppies.......2007-02-16

Couldn't Sit Through It.......2007-02-11

Failure to Communicate.......2007-02-04

Self-Hype.......2007-02-02

Average customer rating:

The Con Man's Bible
Decent flick...Would recommend to poker fans/Stallone fans
TEXAS HOLD'EM POKER and various hustlers on the make
This movie is tight.
A heartfelt tribute to Cincinnati Kid

Shade
Starring: Patrick Bauchau , Mark Boone Junior , Tony Burton , Gabriel Byrne , and Jason Cerbone
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001XAQB4
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Description

The hand is quicker than the eye in LA's underground gambling scene, hustlers getting hustled and fortunes ride on every deal. Three small time grifters devise with a plan to beat the ultimate card mechanic- The Dean. But a seat at The Dean's table doesn't come cheap

Customer Reviews:

The Con Man's Bible.......2007-07-05

There's something in all of us that wants to "get over" on somebody else, thus this movie deals us all a great hand and can be watched many times over. Love the special features!

Decent flick...Would recommend to poker fans/Stallone fans.......2007-05-20

The movie all around wasn't bad, but not to say it was anything memorable. It does throw some twists and turns. A short-lived section of the movie with Jamie Foxx and his antics, Sylvester Stallone and his ability to "play it cool". Some of the acting could have been better, the movie was pretty short as well. I liked it, but again I've seen better.

TEXAS HOLD'EM POKER and various hustlers on the make.......2007-03-29

This movie, starring Sylvester Stallone as a master TEXAS
HOLD'EM POKER player, with other competitors, played by the
charismatic, laid back, and relaxed actors Gabriel Byrne, and
Stuart Townsend, has that typical, surprise ending, that will
knock most people's socks off, as was the case with "Nine
Queens" or "MatchStick Men", for example. You really don't see
it coming at all, just when the movie seemed to have reached its
peak.

Among the strong points of this picture, is the tasteful
soundtrack, that is modest, not drawing the attention of
viewers from the story, or the quality wide-screen release, or
the fine acting.

The editing is innovative, as it tries to avoid a one -
dimensional unfolding of the story, by presenting multiple
flash-backs, at the start and towards the middle of the movie,
allowing the audience to catch up with who is who, and where the
movie is heading, so the story unfolds rapidly, wasting no time.

Obviously, the movie's, when taken as pure entertainment, works
fine as successive grifters and poker players using various
cheating techniques, get "eaten" by their fellow "carnivores" in
one scam or other. The audience will perhaps consider that they
had it coming to them, sooner or later.

Melanie Griffth is lovely, and Stallone does an outstanding job,
in bringing a certain world-class status to the movie, by
simply being himself, both enjoying themselves over the course
of the 90 mins.

Clearly, this is a fun picture for people who've enjoyed poker
and card games, and cynically wonder whether there is something
else going on behind the scenes when certain participants
repetitively meet success. Theatrical or DVD release, SHADE is a
winner.

This movie is tight........2007-01-04

Great cast, excellent plot, and just enough twists to keep you guessing. Props to R. Paul Wilson for teaching the non-magicians proper slight of hand.

A heartfelt tribute to Cincinnati Kid.......2006-04-28

One of the most delicate factors to take into account at the moment you decide to make a remake (of such emblematic movie like the Cincinati Kid has meant through the yeras)is to play hard, to strike with a sonorous punch, giving that touch of genius, and avoiding to fall into common places.

The anecdote has been told too many times (The Big Lewoski, for instance), the classical challenge between the young and inexpert apprentice and the master champion.

The poker is probably, one of the most exciting card games. It demands from you the absolute and total domain of the wide gamut of psychological profiles; cold blood and that intuitive perception about when to play hard or retire. In this sublime instant of concentrated eternity, the copious adrenaline and the cold sweat so typical of this special moment.

Sylvester Stallone and Gabriel Byrne were specially effective I this hair raising movie where the emotional tension reached a true climax in the last sequence.

Average customer rating:

GONI CABRON
"Politicians offer marvels--heaven, earth and sea, but they never come through."
"We are going to win this election if we choose the right frame. The frame for us is crisis. We must brand crisis"
It's about the art of political campaigning and the spreading of free-market capitalism (not democracy)
Fantastic and courageous film!

Our Brand Is Crisis
Starring: Tad Devine , Carlos Mesa (II) , Manfred Reyes Villa , Robert Shrum , and James Carville
Director: Rachel Boynton
Manufacturer: Koch Lorber Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000GDIBSO
Release Date: 2006-09-05

Amazon.com

"We must own crisis and we must brand crisis." So says advertising consultant Tad Devine in this insightful documentary. Along with James Carville, Jeremy Rosner, and other Greenberg Carville Shrum (GCS) pollsters and strategists, he's helping to shape the campaign of Bolivian presidential candidate Gonzalo "Goni" Sánchez de Lozada of the MNR Party (Goni first held office from 1993-1997). That was in 2002. As with most American elections, things start off on a positive note and soon turn negative as the "crisis" changes from the economy to the competition, Evo Morales (the MAS Party) and Manfred Reyes Villa (the NFR Party). Goni's own campaign manager believes that his age and perceived "arrogance" are stumbling blocks (and possibly the cigar-smoking millionaire's wealth, since only the very rich can afford GCS). Rachel Boynton's debut feature tracks the process from start to finish: 100+ days of brainstorming sessions, focus groups, and television appearances. It's The War Room, Part II: The Bolivian Years. Unfortunately, Bolivia is not America and Goni is not Bill Clinton. The violent anti-government riots that break out in 2003, as the country's economy remains in tatters, bring to mind the old saw, "Be careful what you wish for..." In the end, it's easy to demonize GCS, but Boynton doesn't point fingers--with a true populist like Clinton, their plan just might have worked. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

A Film by Rachel Boynton

For decades, U.S. strategists-for-hire have been quietly molding the opinions of voters and the messages of candidates in elections from the Middle East to the South American jungle. Our Brand is Crisis follows James Carville, Jeremy Rosner and a team of political consultants as they launch a media-savvy campaign for Bolivian presidential candidate Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada. With unprecedented access to think sessions, media training and the making of smear campaigns, witness a shocking example of America "spreading democracy" overseas and its earth-shattering aftermath.

"Momentous…astounding!" - Laura Kern, The New York Times

"a fascinating glimpse of the Americanized marketing of international politics" - Premiere Magazine

WINNER
International Documentary Association
IDA Award

Customer Reviews:

GONI CABRON.......2007-06-09

The political campaign-consultant firm of Greenberg-Carville-Shrum are hired to help neoliberal Gonzalo Sanchez se Lozada squeak through in the '02 presidential election in Bolivia.

As is the real problem with the U.S. Democratic Party in recent years, these consultants (who are famous US Democrats) end up pushing a Washington Consensus program on poor Bolivia. Goddamned DLC Democrats are to the right of what mainstream GOP were a generation ago!

This is why the documentary is titled as it is. These Washington Consensus whores really care only about hefty fees they'll be paid for their expertise, rather than assisting in promotion of the well-being of the majority of Bolivians. "Our Brand" is nothing other than a product to be sold.

So, by default they end up pushing the candidate of the wealthy minority, because a genuine statesman such as Evo Morales would not stoop to have himself marketed as a product. And it's probably also true that these DLC Dems actually agree on issues more with de Lozada than they do Morales.

So, they get to pimp de Lozada, get paid handsomely for doing so, and even sleep at night (?).

"Politicians offer marvels--heaven, earth and sea, but they never come through.".......2007-03-17

The political documentary "Our Brand Is Crisis" illustrates the behind-the-scenes realities of getting a candidate elected. The candidate in this case is Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozado "Goni" and the country is Bolivia. Goni, who served as Bolivia's president from 1993-1997 opened national companies to foreign investment--an action that was not particularly popular with many of the country's inhabitants who saw Globalization as the 'selling' of their country with the result of the loss of jobs to foreign workers. With this negative view of his past performance as the country's president, but still wanting to win the 2002 election, Goni employed American consulting firm, Greenville, Carver and Strum (GCS) to help him win. "Our Brand is Crisis" refers to the strategy Goni's team decided to employ for the purposes of winning the election and regaining the presidency.

The film does an excellent job of showing how a candidate is packaged for the voters. The GCS team package Goni as a product, and they create an image they think will get the votes--specifically by the use of focus groups. Information gained from the focus groups is then analyzed and Goni is molded accordingly into the sort of candidate his political strategists think the people will vote for. In candid moments, it's quite clear that the attitude of the 'real' Goni is far different from the official presentation. And the behind-the-scenes clips of Goni's little trips out into the countryside to meet the peasants don't reflect flatteringly on this extremely wealthy man who is frequently seen as "part of the oligarchy." But the mission of GCS is to get their candidate elected--and--an old familiar phrase here--spread the "democratic process."

There's something overwhelmingly wrong with this set-up. Here's a wealthy Bolivian, educated in the US who uses his resources to influence an election. It seems unlikely that the resources used to gather information from the focus groups are available to the other candidates, Evo Morales (Movement Towards Socialism), for example. We see Goni and his team using the word 'crisis' throughout his campaign, and we also see GCS's strategy of smearing a "dirty candidate." It seems so ludicrous, at times, to see the poverty of the Bolivian people when compared to the wealth and privilege enjoyed by Goni.

While I really enjoyed this film (and if you enjoyed "The War Room" chances are you'll enjoy this too), some questions remain unanswered. Did Goni fund GCS himself, or did he receive some sort of assistance? It doesn't take a great deal of imagination to project just how much it costs to fund this large GCS team for a long period of time. Also, why did Goni continue to use the services of GCS after the election? What exactly was their function then? The film implies that GCS remained in an adviser capacity to monitor the revolution barometer of Bolivia but these questions remain unanswered. Directed by Rachel Boynton, the film is in English and Spanish with subtitles--displacedhuman

"We are going to win this election if we choose the right frame. The frame for us is crisis. We must brand crisis".......2007-02-17

"Our Brand Is Crisis" (2005) is an extremely interesting documentary that tells us about the campaign of Gonzalo Sánchez de Losada to become president of Bolivia. How did he become president, and why did he decide to "brand crisis" in order to run a successful campaign? What role did the American political strategists he hired played in the 2003 Bolivian elections? And what ended up going wrong, after he was elected? The answers to those questions, and more, can be found in this dvd.

I would like to highlight the fact that this documentary is made out of real life footage of meetings between Sánchez de Lozada and his advisors (before, during and after the campaign), and also contains some footage of the events that led to his resignation. This is not fiction, but reality, and that is one of the reasons why it is so illuminating.

I believe that this dvd should be seen by those who are interested in political campaigns, political advertising or mass media, but also by the kind of people who like to watch an engaging documentary that helps them to understand the world we live in. "Our Brand Is Crisis" shows us that a presidential candidate is promoted in more or less the same way a product is advertised. However, if you buy the wrong product you can always return it. If you choose a president that is not good for your country because you believe what a wonderful advertising campaign designed through polls tells you, your country suffers.

All in all, I am very happy I watched this dvd. It is the kind of documentary that you don't forget, and that gives you food for thought. Highly recommended!

Belen Alcat

It's about the art of political campaigning and the spreading of free-market capitalism (not democracy).......2006-12-24

This documentary traces the re-election campaign of Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada (Goni), which was largely run by paid, American political consultants. Their challenge: to get their candidate re-elected even though as president his highly unpopular free-market policies had done nothing to alleviate the extreme poverty and unemployment the country was facing, and even though he was perceived as an arrogant, elitist, fair-skinned, American-raised "gringo" who was out of touch with the poor, indigenous majority of Bolivia.

Despite all these obstacles, we see how the consultants were able to use polls, focus groups, negative attack campaigns and advertisements to successfully market their candidate (Noam Chomsky always talks about how political campaigns are like selling toothpaste; here we see a perfect example). They also benefited from a political system in which a candidate could win with a plurality of the vote: the vote ended up being divided between three main candidates, allowing Goni to win with only 22% of the popular vote.

However, as Goni continued to implement unpopular policies even after the election, the Bolivian people took to the streets en masse to demand his ouster. Goni fled to the U.S., where he now resides, while his vice president took over until the next election in which the indigenous, left-wing candidate Evo Morales came to power with an overwhelming majority of the vote.

What I found most amazing was how little the paid, American political consultants knew about the policies that "their" candidate was implementing and how adversely they were affecting the people. Knowing that he was the "free-market" candidate (a supporter of the so-called "Washington consensus"), was enough to convince them to work for his re-election; and these are the people who represent the "left" in the U.S. (James Carville and the like). It was also shocking and disappointing to see how easily people are manipulated (i.e., Goni is not faring well in the polls so the political consultants run some ads discrediting his opponent and re-inventing Goni's image; the next focus groups and polls show that it has had the desired effect: people now like Goni better than his opponent). People always say they know political ads are bogus, but yet they clearly work each and every time. One questions the viability of "real democracy" when so many people are so easily manipulated.

Personally I would have liked to see more information about the mass protests that ousted Goni and brought about the rise to power of Evo Morales. But, I suppose that would really be another documentary. Still, this one is worth watching.

Fantastic and courageous film!.......2006-11-10

What a shocking image of how powerful political consultants can be when they decide to spread American democracy to other countries. Provocative film!

Average customer rating:

unedited version=Good Action
Editing
Amazon needs to sell the unedited Director's cut
Some info for reviewers and a review
An excellent pick

Mezzo Forte
Starring: Mezzo Forte
Manufacturer: Anime Works
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Kite
Mezzo - Complete Collection
Sprite: Between Two Worlds
Cutey Honey - Essential Anime Collection (Vols. 1 & 2)
Mouse - Stealing Temptation (Vol. 1)

ASIN: B00005O5AP
Release Date: 2001-11-13

Customer Reviews:

unedited version=Good Action.......2006-08-12

In the unedited version...it's better. More action and I mean in all genres. Of course in the edited version, there is going to be things that are left out but in the oringinal unedited version it explains it all with blood, violence and sex? yes the oringinal has more sex scenes, panty shots,nipples and other things which could be considered rated 'H' but it's still very good with the action as it delivers. If you are looking for bloody action with a little rated 'H' on the side then buy the Oringinal unedited version of Mezzo.

Editing.......2006-06-10

The story left alot of things unsaid and there could have been alot more done with it. As far as the amount of sex whether it is present or just hinted at depends on if you get the edited version or not. All the reviews I have read for this one say it was only hinted at and had a few panty shots. But the version I own there is at least two sex scenes with the first lasting a couple minutes and the other about 5 or more I think.

Amazon needs to sell the unedited Director's cut.......2005-10-04

Well, for one, this dvd does not need to be called Adult/Hentai. The anime does have a few seconds of nudity but nothing sexual. It does however, try to squeeze in panty shots whenever possible. The action is much like Kite but less graphic and is more suitable for a younger audience. When I mean younger, I don't mean 15. If you like Kite the edited version, then you will like this as well, this one with a bit humor added to in. Expect gore and lots of guns, as always.

Some info for reviewers and a review.......2005-06-25

I am wondering if people are getting Mezzo forte mixed up with Intermezzo. Having seen Intermezzo a few years ago now and Mezzo Forte now, from what I remember Intermezzo was the same group of people however it was full of unedited sex. And the girl seems to be a few years older in Intermezzo than she is in Mezzo forte.

Personally Mezzo Forte for me was just as good as Intermezzo was. Whether or not you see the busty babe having sex she still has that same sexy attitude and kicks ass in a big way!

An excellent pick.......2004-09-27

This is an excellent anime. I really enjoyed mezzoforte. the art work was outstanding. The story could have used a little work though, there were alot of "things" left unsaid that could have seen a little more depth. I think over all it was very entertaining though. And I don't mind watching it more than a couple times.

American Experience: Race to the Moon: The Daring Adventure of Apollo 8

Average customer rating:

Michael Smith
There really is a Santa Claus
Educational and Extremely Interesting

American Experience: Race to the Moon: The Daring Adventure of Apollo 8
Starring: Kevin Kercher , Ben Loeterman , Mark Zwonitzer , David McCullough (II) , and Marion Ross
Director: Rocky Collins , and Matthew Collins (III)
Manufacturer: PBS (Direct)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

NOVA - To the Moon
The Race to the Moon (History Channel)
Apollo Moon Missions: The Unsung Heroes
Apollo 1
Apollo 13: The Real Story

ASIN: B000CPHA9W
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Customer Reviews:

Michael Smith.......2007-03-21

Race To The Moon takes the viewer inside the emotions and thoughts of those who rode with Apollo 8 on its epic voyage to the moon. Accompanying the crew's story are the fresh insights from the wives, which adds a human dimension that astronauts usually struggle to convey. The wives portray the drama of this flight across the unknown with an honest and raw account of what it was like for them to live through the emotionally draining journey. This documentary captures the full scope of an Apollo mission - from the crews perspective and from those the left behind.

Apollo 8 was a political gamble that produced an engineering triumphant and the unexpected stirring of the human spirit. The documentary deals with the spiritual and human aspects of witnessing the first earth rise above the lunar horizon. Race To The Moon tells the story Apollo 8 from the political, technical, emotional and spiritual perspectives, capturing the drama of the most significant event of human exploration - the first journey from the earth to the moon.

There really is a Santa Claus.......2006-09-15

An interesting documentary with excellent coverage specifically of Apollo 8, the first and overwhelmingly successful manned mission to orbit the Moon. This DVD runs slightly under 60 minutes, however there are about another 30 minutes or so of deleted scenes provided as extra features on the disc.

For a home entertainment DVD version of the original broadcast on TV, as a part of the ongoing PBS series, the American Experience, I do not understand why the publisher did not simply include all the scenes (uneditted) and make this a 90 minute feature. All deleted scenes are completely relevant to the storyline and likely be of keen interest to the average viewer.

I particularly liked the deleted scene with Astronaut Bill Anders explaining his first sighting of the Moon (closeup, just prior to going into orbit) while it was still in total darkness (Double Umbra).

The many additional interviews with the other Astronauts, Jim Lovell, the Command Module Pilot, and Frank Borman, Mission Commander, their wives and Mission Controllers, TV commentators (Walter Cronkite) and space historians, and their reflections of the event, were also very interesting.

There was an interview with Frank Borman's wife, Susan, that reveals at one point during the mission while her husband was already orbiting the Moon, she insisted on knowing what the astronauts' chances were for a successful return to Earth. Kris Craft, head of Houston Mission Control, gave her his honest opinion, as no better than 50-50.

The pictures of the Earth from a quarter million miles away are breathtaking, as is true of most other movies about the Apollo program. My favorite is of the "crescent" Earth as scene from outer space, as opposed to a fully illuminated sphere. I find such photos to be absolutely stunning; truly awe inspiring.

In summary this DVD is well worth viewing and the successful mission of Apollo 8 is still quite remarkable and truly inspiring. Forget about the political motives that encouraged the space race with the Russians, a course set for the nation by President Kennedy. This event was truly risk taking in its finest form, and a spectacular historical accomplishment for all mankind, particularly NASA on behalf of the American flag.

This and subsequent U.S. manned space flights to the Moon, notably Apollo 11, the first lunar surface landing, will forever be imbedding in any proud to be an Americans' mind who lived through that unforgettable era. This DVD will surely bring back those fond memories, and renew your faith in American pride.

Educational and Extremely Interesting.......2006-02-23

A well-told, informative film that captures the essence of the Space Program. Using the perspectives of the astronauts, their wives, cosmonauts as well as engineers and journalists, this documentary tells how the Apollo team accomplished the aggressive goal of reaching the moon and how this historical mission touched their lives.

Those interested in the space program, history and quality films will find this is a must watch.

Mezzo Forte (DVD and T-Shirt) (Edited for Content)

Average customer rating:

Action packed and better than the series
this sets a good example for kids
Mezzo Forte=Explosions, Blood, and Sex

Mezzo Forte (DVD and T-Shirt) (Edited for Content)
Starring: Tomoko Kotani , Takumi Yamazaki , Taichirô Hirokawa , Shôzô Îzuka , and Akemi Okamura
Director: Yasuomi Umetsu
Manufacturer: Anime Works
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Mezzo - Complete Collection
Full Metal Panic! 1C-THP - The Complete Collection
Kite
Elfen Lied - Vector Three
Elfen Lied, Vol. 4 - Vector Four

ASIN: B000C6NP5E
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Description

1 Disc, plus extra lart tee shirt!

Customer Reviews:

Action packed and better than the series.......2006-03-20

The reason I said that was because i decided to watch Mezzo forte before the series. Watching the main character kill people in the movie kinda makes it weird when they try not to kill in the series. Well anyway Mezzo forte is not your usual anime that contains non stop action (unless you refer to adult situations action). I actually enjoyed watching the movie even though the adult schenes got out of hand sometimes but its still a likeable anime and the edited version is out there for those of you that can't handle that kind of situations. But over all who doesn't like two girls blasting each other with firearms?

Story: 4(Intresting plot its likeable)
Music: 4(it seemes to blend in with the movie)
animation: 5 (Very good specially the action parts which seem intresting not those...)

this sets a good example for kids.......2006-02-20

This UNCUT version includes graphic sex, which is why it has garnered lots of buzz in the anime circles. The action and violence is great I love Mezzo Forte.

Mezzo Forte=Explosions, Blood, and Sex.......2006-01-20

I've been waiting a long time for Amazon.com to pick up the uncut version of this title so I can review it, and here it finally is, with a bonus T-shirt to boot. Fanboy's rejoice.

First off, Mezzo Forte Uncut is a hentai film. Though maybe not as blatant as other animated porn, it still has two very graphic sex scenes in it that may turn people away, especially since they deal with the rape of the main character. If this bothers you (and I wouldn't blame anyone if it did) then redirect your attention to the edited version, which has everything but the sex scenes, and doesn't lose much because of it, at least story wise. And, before you leave now, after this paragraph the sex scenes will not be mentions henceforth.

That out of the way, Mezzo Forte follows Mikura, a tough chick who can and will fight anybody who crosses her path. She's apart of the DSA, a group of private-eye-like agents who only accept dangerous jobs, and they accept their most dangerous job yet in Mezzo Forte. They are charged to kidnap the savage owner of a baseball team named Momokichi. Of course, they accept the mission not knowing exactly what they are getting themselves into; for Momokicki has a daughter who in many ways rivals Mikura, both in skill and in looks, only she's as unstable as an active volcano. What follows is a series of back-and-forth battles between Mikura and Momomi.

The action in this movie is great, and very detailed. The exaggeration of the action, with Mikura doing impossible flips and spins and leaps, makes it all the better. The animation is great as well, better in fact than its non-hentai sequel Mezzo. Though the voices could have been done better, this can be solved by watching the subbed version instead.

Depending on your tastes, I'd recommend this or the cut version to anyone who enjoys solid action in their anime. Also, if you're curious about some of Mikura's past, which is explored a little in the Mezzo series, then pick this up, because some of the cut-scenes seen in Mezzo go all the way back to here. And, because it was made by the same director, Mezzo Forte is almost a direct clone (and they even make jokes about this in the film) to Kite, so pick this up if you liked Kite.

Average customer rating:

Average
"I got junk in the chromosome lottery."
A really good movie.
Another good release from NoShame.
Solid Italian Crime Film

Gambling City
Starring: Luc Merenda , Dayle Haddon , Corrado Pani , Lino Troisi , and Enrico Maria Salerno
Director: Sergio Martino
Manufacturer: NoShame Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Almost Human
Emergency Squad
Colt 38 Special Squad
A Man Called Magnum
Street Law

ASIN: B0009WFEUU
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Description

Hidden within the nightclubs of Milan are private casinos that offer illegal gambling to the highest bidders. Into this world comes Luca Altieri, the fastest card shark in town. Now, he's caught the eye of "The President", the underworld's most powerful figure, and he's no longer working alone. What's worse, Luca's fallen in love with Maria Luisa, the gorgeous girlfriend of the President's power-mad and insanely jealous son, Corrado. Can Luca make off with the girl and his winnings without getting killed? Even a betting man like Luca has to admit that the cards are stacked against him this time.

Better known for his giallo and polizia thrillers, GAMBLING CITY shows that director Sergio Martino (TORSO, MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD) could also handle lighter fare with great ease. Working off of a script he co-wrote with frequent collaborator Ernesto Gastaldi (THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH, MY NAME IS NOBODY), GAMBLING CITY is an exciting and action-packed thriller with plenty of romantic and comedic touches populated by likeable characters. The first-rate cast is lead by Luc Merenda (THE VIOLENT PROFESSIONALS, LES MANS) as Luca, supermodel Dayle Haddon (NORTH DALLAS FORTY), Enrico Maria Salerno (NIGHT TRAIN MURDERS) and Corrado Pani (ROCCO AND HIS BROTHERS), and filled with beautiful locations in Milan and the French Riviera. In the tradition of such card shark classics as THE STING, GOD OF GAMBLERS and ROUNDERS, GAMBLING CITY is a royal flush of style and entertainment.

NoShame Films is proud to present GAMBLING CITY for the first time on video in the U.S. in its original widescreen aspect ratio, digitally re-mastered from the original negative, uncut and uncensored.

This DVD is dedicated to the memory of Corrado Pani (1936-2005).

Customer Reviews:

Average.......2006-04-20

Another very average movie given the superb No Shame treatment. Why can't Noi Shame put out some better quality films from this genre / era, instead of the very averge stuff they choose to release. Not worth the time of any Italian movie buff.

"I got junk in the chromosome lottery.".......2006-03-24

According to the liner notes included with the DVD release for La Città gioca d'azzardo (1975) aka Gambling City aka The Cheaters, released in the states in 1976, the movie came about due to the popularity of the American film The Sting (1973), both dealing con artists plying the tricks of their trade. This didn't really surprise me, as I can't begin to tell you how many shoddy Italian productions I've seen created specifically to leech off a popularized genre by copying much better films, the main difference here being Gambling City is actually an excellent feature. Co-written and directed by Sergio Martino (Case of the Scorpion's Tail, All the Colors of the Dark, 2019: After the Fall of New York), the film stars Luc Merenda (Violent Professionals, A Man Called Magnum). Also appearing is Dayle Haddon (The World's Greatest Athlete, Spermula), Corrado Pani (The Cat with the Jade Eyes), and Enrico Maria Salerno (The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, Execution Squad).

Luc Merenda plays Luca Altieri, a petty, yet adept, card shark, working Milan's illegal gambling parlors. After falling into an upscale game and fleecing his competitors for a rather large sum of money, he's made an offer by the wheelchair bound owner of the club, an underworld figure known as `The President' (Salerno). Seems The President wants to bankroll the talented Luca and have him work his club, allowing Luca to keep a percentage of his winnings, the rest going back to the house, i.e. The President. Luca accepts, but soon finds himself in hot water after crossing The President's son Corrado (Pani) by performing the horizontal mambo with Corrado's girlfriend Maria (Haddon). Things escalate between Corrado and Luca (Corrado's goons give Luca a near crippling beating) to the point where The President decides to liquidate Luca, if only because he's now considered a danger to the organization (he's tempted to do the same with his idiot son, but doesn't), but later has a change of heart, perhaps feeling guilty for his idiot son's actions, allowing Luca to run off (with a briefcase full of money), warning him to never gamble again, or else it's curtains. Luca leaves town with Maria to recuperate, while Corrado engages in a coup d'etat, but since he doesn't have his father's head for business, things quickly sour. Luca's eventually drawn back into the life, despite the threat of death, and soon finds himself in the position to make one, last big score, despite Maria's pleading to give up the life and start anew.

As I said, I thought this an excellent film with an outstanding and stylistic sense of direction. Some of the scenes I liked best where when Luca was practicing his adeptness with cards. There was one shot in particular when he's playing where we see from an interesting vantage point how he manages to make a better hand for himself by palming some bad cards and switching them for good ones, all of this being imperceptible to his opponents. Merenda appeared to perform some of the tricks himself, while some of the others were most likely done by someone else as there's a number of scenes where we see close ups of hands manipulating cards. I thought Merenda, who was quite handsome, did particularly well as the smart aleck, passionate hustler, supremely confident in his skills (on and off the tables), blindsided by his affections towards a woman who was nothing but trouble. Once he's forced out of the life (due to his injuries), he sees there's more to life than just cards, but since that's the only thing he's good at, the desire to return to the old ways is too much. Dayle Haddon also did all right, despite her relatively minor role as a kept woman who realizes that while money can buy a lot of things, it doesn't necessarily equate to happiness. And then there's Corrado Pani as the smarmy, spoiled, vindictive, misogynistic, power hungry, extremely petty son of the big boss. I really enjoyed the scenes where after he took over the organization, things started to fall apart specifically because no one respected him, and only saw him as unworthy usurper to the throne through an unwarranted sense of self entitlement. These sequences may not have had a whole lot to do with the actual story, but they were satisfying as a form of comeuppance. It was funny how, despite all the problems that developed after his taking charge, he still had time to nurse his grudge against Luca. The engaging story moves along at a good pace, and features quite a bit of action, including a few bloody fight scenes and an exciting chase sequence near the end. There is one aspect about this film I found completely bizarre and that was the bouncy, upbeat, almost comical main theme. There are slight comedic elements in the story, but they didn't justify the main theme music, which seemed to have been lifted from a Pink Panther film. This bit of music plays throughout the film, with more serious (and appropriate) pieces thrown in the mix. It was a decent piece of music, but just not for this film. Also, I thought the ending terribly sappy, but this shouldn't deter anyone interested in seeing this otherwise wonderful film.

No Shame provides an impeccable anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) transfer on this DVD release. The picture is sharp, clean, and clear, exhibiting no flaws. The audio, presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (included is both the original Italian track along with the dubbed English track), is very strong, but does have a couple of very minor dropouts, each lasting perhaps a fraction of a second, and only worth mentioning only because they stood out against an otherwise beautiful release. I would most definitely not discourage anyone interested to avoid this release because of this negligible flaw. As far as extras, there's a moderated commentary track featuring star Luc Merenda, a 35 minute piece titled Chatting with the Cheaters featuring interviews with the director Sergio Martino, cinematographer Giancarlo Ferrando, and star Luc Merenda, the original, Italian theatrical trailer, English subtitles, a poster gallery, and an insert booklet with talent bios and liner notes by Richard Harlan Smith.

Cookieman108

By the way, the line I used for the title of this review came from the character of The President, as he was talking about his feelings towards his son.

A really good movie........2005-12-21

I don't need to already say what has been said about Gambling City apart from this is a terrific film and I am a big fan of Luc Merenda & Italian Cinema. I am particularly impressed with the quality of the " No Shame Films " dvd's so much so that I have bought everything they have released and I have not been disappointed once. I cannot reccomend this company higher.

Another good release from NoShame........2005-10-18

And another solid Sergio Martino picture. The documentary here is actually way above average in terms of content. Too bad the same can't be said for the commentary - which, although not completely without interest, is still one of the most pitiful I've ever sat through just because nobody seemed to know what they were doing. Oh well. This is still a quality package, and the background we are given adds real value. Hearing about how these movies were made in the 70's really brought home for me the fact that the cinema, as the vibrant popular art form it once was, is now really and truly dead.

Solid Italian Crime Film.......2005-07-20

In Sergo Martino's entertaining "Gambling City" Luc Merenda plays likeable card cheat/professional gambler Luca Altieri. Impressed by Luca's poker playing skills, the head of a crime family gives Luca a lucrative position in one of his Milan gambling houses fleecing unsuspecting customers at the high stakes poker tables. The partnership proves profitable for both until Luca falls for the wrong girl - a pretty brunette who also happens to "belong" to the boss's hot-tempered son. Now gambling with his own life, a bloodied and broken Luca attempts to beat the odds, elude capture and start a new life with the woman that he loves, far from the corrupt, crime-ridden Milan underworld.

Gambling City is a very good Italian crime film featuring a fine cast, a solid Ernesto Gastaldi written script, and some really striking cinematography from Martino regular Giancarlo Ferrando. However the lion's bulk of my praise must go to director Sergio Martino who seems to finally be getting his due with recent DVD releases of many of his films. With excellent gialli like Case of the Scorpion's Tail (just to name one of many), a highly entertaining western in Mannaja, and now with the release of Gambling City, it is apparent that Martino's talents were truly wide-ranging. This DVD from NoShame is another excellent addition to their Sergio Martino Collection. The restored print looks spectacular! There are also two audio options, english dub or original Italian soundtrack (with optional subtitles), both sounding good with only a couple minor fluctuations in quality. The most prominent extra on the disc features a thirty minute documentary consisting of interviews with Martino, Ferrando and Merenda. All in all a very fine presentation that should make fans very happy and convert a few new viewers.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Dudley Do-Right

Accattone: The Scrounger

Two Women [Special Edition]

DVD: Love to Kill

Uptown Saturday Night