Murder

Starring:Norah Baring, Guy Pelham Boulton, Donald Calthrop, Esme V. Chaplin, Edward Chapman, Violet Farebrother, R.E. Jeffrey, Hannah Jones, Phyllis Konstam, Kenneth Kove, Miles Mander, Herbert Marshall, Una O'Connor, Esme Percy, Joynson Powell, Alan Stainer, Amy Brandon Thomas, S.J. Warmington, Marie Wright
Studio: Delta
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
This 1930 drama was an early field day for Alfred Hitchcock and his evolving ideas about the blurring of opposites: reality and illusion, guilt and innocence, observing and doing, men and women. A rare whodunit in the director's canon, the story finds a stage actress (Norah Baring) convicted of murdering a female friend. Herbert Marshall stars as a veteran theater actor and, coincidentally, member of the jury who has grave doubts about the verdict and decides to investigate the crime on his own. His efforts lead him through a world with which he is sufficiently familiar--that of backstage intrigues--and toward what some critics have charged is an unfortunate link between villainy and a gay stereotype. But that limited critique completely misses the playful overlapping of faulty perceptions invited by this movie, in which Hitchcock deliberately confuses us at times about whether the action we're seeing is real or occurring on a stage. Even when the distinction is obvious, thematic echoes bounce wildly between the two, such as an early scene in which policemen observing a play don't realize the solution to the real murder is weirdly foretold in what they're watching. The print of the film used in the DVD release is serviceable and probably comparable to an average 16mm classroom or museum presentation. The DVD also includes a Hitchcock filmography, trivia questions, a director biography, and scene access. --Tom Keogh
Description
To have characters caught up in a web of chaos beyond their control was one of Hitchcock's techniques. As is the case of an actress caught standing over the corpse of a fellow actress. With no memory of the murder or herself, only one person believes she is innocent.

Includes an intro by Tony Curtis and the trailer for the Hitchcock classic, "Rope".

Menus: English  Spanish  Chinese  Japanese
Subtitles: Spanish  Chinese  Japanese

Amazon.com

First screened in Europe and scheduled for limited release in the U.S., The Illusionist offers welcome proof that "arthouse" quality needn't be limited to the arthouses. Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this stately, elegant period film benefited from a crossover release in mainstream cinemas, and showed considerable box-office staying power--granted, teenage mallrats and lusty males may have been drawn to the allure of Seventh Heaven alumna Jessica Biel, who rises to the occasion with a fine performance. But there's equal appeal in the casting of Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, who bring their formidable talents to bear on the intriguing tale of a celebrated magician named Eisenheim (Norton) whose stage performance offends the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a vindictive lout who aims to marry Duchess Sophie (Biel), Eisenheim's childhood friend and now, 15 years later, his would-be lover. This romantic rivalry and Eisenheim's increasingly enigmatic craft of illusion are investigated by Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), who's under Leopold's command and is therefore not to be trusted as Eisenheim and Sophie draw closer to their inevitable reunion. Cleverly adapted by director Neil Burger from Steven Millhauser's short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist," and boasting exquisite production values and a fine score by Philip Glass, The Illusionist is the kind of class act that fully deserved its unusually wide and appreciative audience. -- Jeff Shannon

Beyond The Illusionist

"Eisenheim the Illusionist" and Other Stories

Paul Giamatti in a More Loveable Role
Magic Kits & Accessories

Stills from The Illusionist

Description

Unlock the mysteries of the year's most spellbinding film from the producers of Crash and Sideways! Oscar(r) nominees Paul Giamatti and Edward Norton lead an all-star cast in this "stunning" film (USA Today) that conjures an exhilarating blend of suspense, romance and mind-bending twists. The acclaimed illusionist Eisenheim (Norton) has not only captured the imaginations of all of Vienna, but also the interest of the ambitious Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). But when Leopold's new fiancée (Jessica Biel) rekindles a childhood fascination with Eisenheim, the Prince's interest evolves into obsession...and suddenly the city's Chief Inspector (Giamatti) finds himself investigating a shocking crime. But even as the Inspector engages him in a dramatic challenge of wills, Eisenheim prepares for his most impressive illusion yet in this "mesmerizing" (Entertainment Weekly) and "beautifully acted" (Good Morning America) film that "teases you until the very end!" (The New York Times).

Customer Reviews:

Who is the REAL Illunonist?.......2007-07-05

Loved this movie. The ending was really messed up, but was good. These two old friends go to great lengths to better their magic shows, while at the same time trying to trick the other into different circumstances. I was expecting real Magic to be involved, but Science is the key factor here, as is most Magic Shows. The love story and how they intertwine with each others lives was complicated and takes a few minutes for you to get a good grasp on at the end. You finish the movie, thinking "Did he really do that?", "How was that possible?", "Which one is he?"...You'll understand at the end of the movie.

Calling All Duchesses.......2007-07-05

Film gets better and better as it goes along, after a bitter beginning in which the scratches and breaks of primitive cinema are aped to give that old time patina, or lustre, to persuade you that you are watching a documentary from that era. (When is the era, anyhow? Though Eisenheim uses actual firepots to illuminate his act, it must be set somewhat after the age of electricity, for Paul Giamatti's police constables produce from nowhere a fully operative movie projector and switch it on!) (And on an adjoining screen we see a sophisticated, and Technicolor moving image years before Technicolor was actually invented!) Like Coppola's DRACULA, or like the recent musical MOULIN ROUGE, director Neil Burger brings in the flaws and cracks of silent era film, and instantly takes us back to the day, though it's not 100 per cent convincing. Nor is his use of Prague for Vienna of all places, when the two cities are so radically different, but Prague must be fantastically cheaper to film in. But that's standard movie practice today, the way that, if one's only exposure to New York City was through the cinema, you would be forgiven for thinking it looks exactly like Toronto.

Anyhow I soon found myself caught up in the story, and to my surprise, Paul Giamatti was much better than he's been in years, and as for Jessica Biel, well, she has a new spring in her step, and she repays the confidence Burger placed in her, for her part couldn't have been an easy one and yet she's truthful and honest in nearly every scene. Does Ed Norton ever hold a ball of light as he does on the DVD cover and poster? I don't think so, but the one pose Eisenheim falls into, arm extended, fingers charging the air around his hand with electricity, is a commanding, Universal horror one. It might also have been invented by Karloff or Lugosi, and yet Norton carries it off.

Who was that actress from Canada who used to be in every other spooky sort of art movie, like Cronenberg's CRASH or Fincher's THE GAME--and she looked like a prototype for Jessica Biel, with the same unseeing eyes and fat, bruised lips? I know, I know, Deborah Kara Unger. She wouldn't have been bad either. She's so great and I haven't seen her since WHITE NOISE.

In THE ILLUSIONIST, is it just me, or how bad is Burger's dialogue whenever Jessica Biel is addressed? She's playing Sophie, the Duchess von Teschen. Does this mean that fellow noblewomen will be saying, "Your dress is so pretty, Duchess von Teschen!" The best is when she goes missing and the Vienna Woods swarm with volunteers all calling out, "Duchess von Teschen! Duchess von Teschen!" No wonder she's not responding, boys.

Superb and SMARTLY written!!!.......2007-07-05

Whoever wrote this movie was definitely in a zone to which every writer should aspire but few truly reach. I was admittedly bored with the pace of this story from time to time, but the brilliant acting of Edward Norton and Jessica Biel (to say nothing of Paul Giamatti and others) was positively enrapturing! I couldn't have turned this movie off if I had tried. I kept wanting to know what would happen next.

I'm usually very good about seeing an ending coming. I can honestly say I did NOT see this ending coming. Anyone that did is a much better movie watcher than I! Or maybe you're just psychic. Either way, my enjoyment of this movie reached its peak when I was slapped in the face by this wonderfully surprising ending.

I do think they could have developed some characters a bit more, but perhaps the mystery was part of the point. MAYBE that's what allows the viewer to become such a prisoner to this movie. So I'm torn. But I was also completely entertained! I knew NOTHING of this movie before viewing it but wow! I'm glad I did!

Excellent mix of old and new.......2007-07-04

Old time drama comes alive with this exceptional performance of magic and love. The actors are exceptional and make you believe you are really back in the day of magicians and when people truly believed witchcraft may be at hand.

I will not spoil the ending, because it is a good one. The progression of the movie included a demonstration from Ed Norton to Paul Giamatti on how a simple magic trick is really done. This sets you up to wonder about the rest of the magic. Is it so simple or is Norton MORE than an illusionist?

The romantic side of the story has been done so many times; childhood boys loves girl, meets her later in life, still loves her. However, it is integrated in this movie so well that it makes the movie into a romance you really buy into.

This movie is worth beyond a rental, because I am making a bet, you'll lend it to someone else raving over how good it is!

Love it.......2007-07-03

This is a great film! Edward Norton is incredible as usual. A lot of people have been comparing this to The Prestige since both were released around the same time and are about illusionists, but that's about it. I think both movies are excellent but each has a life of its own. The Illusionist is a modest yet extraordinary love story that happens to be centered around true magic. Definitely worth a look. Enjoy.

Dead Silence (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

Here today, forgotten tomorrow
Well the town is creepy
Dead on arrival
A scary horror film for the first time in forever
Dead Silence

Dead Silence (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Amber Valetta
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

Shooter (Widescreen Edition)
Black Snake Moan
Ghost Rider (Two-Disc Extended Cut)
The Messengers
Hannibal Rising (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000PMLJMQ
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Customer Reviews:

Here today, forgotten tomorrow.......2007-07-06

The premise of the movie is interesting, but that's about all. In the last several years, there have been so many horror films, and very few have been able to distinguish themselves. "Dead Silence" is no different. We have the photography that makes everything in a blue wash, the barely coherent plot (in this case, a grudge that begins because a boy can see a ventriloquist's lips moving. Yes, really.), the chorus of celestial voices, the fast motion action. It's as though the director went down a checklist of cliches. Yes, the movie looks good but it doesn't look original; it's just more of the same horror shtick we've been getting.

Fault also lies with the plot: there is a big reveal at the end, as there almost always is, but it would have been much more interesting had it been developed. As it is, the reveal left me wanting more, to finally have the movie make sense, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Nothing more than a rental.

Well the town is creepy.......2007-07-05

Just like House of Wax, good set but not so great of a movie. I rented this movie instead of buying it and im glad I did. I have a habit of buying movies before viewiing them. Dvds can be purchased for the price of seeing one in theaters or a rental at the video store. On to the movie, story is pretty weak. I dont see how people enjoyed this been there, done that story that had alright speical effects. Overall, its a renter and not buyer.

Dead on arrival.......2007-07-05

Dead Silence is from director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannel; the same duo who crafted the first Saw film and oversaw their sequels. Dead Silence also marks a departure in terms of changing the pace from the torture horror sub-genre to a more typical slasher fare which we get here. The change isn't necessarily for the better either, even though Dead Silence has more going for it than you may think it does. For starters, it's pretty safe to say that many people think of ventriloquist dolls as being creepy by themselves, and here the film doesn't disappoint. Besides the overly creepy atmosphere though, Dead Silence doesn't do much else right in the horror department, and isn't scary or remotely suspenseful one bit. The gore effects aren't much to write home about either, and the film as a whole just feels lazily put together. In the end, you've just got to feel sorry for Donnie Wahlberg (Saw II and III, Band of Brothers) who gets no help as a detective here. All in all, Dead Silence isn't a total turkey, but there's nothing overly redeeming about it either.

A scary horror film for the first time in forever.......2007-07-03

I'm a big fan of horror movies.cheap ones that make you laugh,gory ones that gross you out,and suspencefull ones that make you jump.I like them all!But I love this one.For the first time since In years I was actually scared.There were some funny parts but unlike most of the time I did not need to pick apart this movie and laugh.The plot was beautiful not to simple or to complicated.Some of the dolls were scary and the lady villan was very scary.Not to mention the scenes were absolutely beautiful.This movie was top notch

Dead Silence.......2007-07-02

I just bought the movie and I also went to see it at the movies. I have to be honest with you. This is the SCARIEST FRIGGIN MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN in theatres! and yes I do watch alot of scary movies, but none of them have ever scared me like Dead Silence. all the scary movies I've ever seen only scared me when something pops out out of nowhere or something happens really fast but in this movie they had like every scary element to keep you scared the whole way. Especially when the dead silence starts and every noise goes quiet, it that feels like when you are about to drop down a rollercoaster really fast, it's like they warn you that something really scary is gonna happen and it does. I still haven't seen it at home but I don't think it's going to be as scary anymore cause I'll just watch it on normal TV with no surround sound

Average customer rating:

Stone Cold
Stone Cold w/ Tom Selleck
Great little made for TV thriller starring Tom Selleck and Mimi Rogers!!!
Very Pleased, Except
TOM SELLECK - EXCELLENT FILM

Stone Cold
Starring: Tom Selleck , Mimi Rogers , Jane Adams (II) , Reg Rogers , and Viola Davis
Director: Robert Harmon
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

Jesse Stone - Night Passage
Jesse Stone - Death In Paradise
Spenser For Hire - the Movie Collection
Last Stand at Saber River
Crossfire Trail

ASIN: B0009FU0ZQ
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Description

Tom Selleck is Jesse Stone, a former L.A. homicide detective who left behind the big city and an ex-wife to become the police chief of the quiet New England fishing town of Paradise, Massachusetts. Stone's old habits die hard as he continues to indulge in his two favorite things - scotch and women. When a series of murders take place, and a high school girl is raped, he's forced to face his own demons in order to solve the crimes.

Customer Reviews:

Stone Cold.......2007-06-27

My wife really loves Tom Selleck, so we really liked the movie. We ordered the other two in the series and are waiting for the forth one to come out on DVD. When it does, you can be sure that we will order it.

Stone Cold w/ Tom Selleck.......2007-06-27

This movie is well done and has a good story. IF you like the Spenser series and others by this author, you will enjoy the mystery plot. Tom Selleck has enhanced a good story, and plays the part of Sheriff Stone as one would imagine in reading the story.

Great little made for TV thriller starring Tom Selleck and Mimi Rogers!!!.......2007-05-24

This is a great little made for TV thriller starring Tom Selleck(Magnum P.I.)and Mimi Rogers(Austin Powers)!!! A modern day film noir thriller!!! Even though this is a made for TV movie,it has solid production values!!! A great little gem from beginning to end!!! Recommended for fans of thriilers and Tom Selleck!!! Five stars!!! A+

Very Pleased, Except.......2007-05-17

This is avery good and typical job of all Tom Selick's movies. He is one of the best. Could have done without the sex scenes. Would have made it an even better movie.

TOM SELLECK - EXCELLENT FILM.......2007-02-09

I agree whole heartedly with all the favourable comments. I really do hope they make more of these books and from viewing the special features on this dvd Mr. Selleck says that they have the go ahead to do more. Very good story - excellent acting throughout so please don't make us wait too long before film 2.

Average customer rating:

THE Shaolin Temple movie
Gordon Liu Pre-Kill Bill 1+2
AKA Master Killer
One of the best kung fu movies I've seen...

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
Starring: Gordon Liu , and Lo Lieh
Director: Lau Kar Leung
Manufacturer: Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

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

King Boxer (aka 'Five Fingers Of Death')
The One-Armed Swordsman
My Young Auntie
Hard Boiled (Two-Disc Ultimate Edition)
Above the Law

ASIN: B000MM0LEG
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Customer Reviews:

THE Shaolin Temple movie.......2007-06-27

Gordon Liu (also known as Lau Kar Fai) stars as a young man who's friends and family have been killed by the new government. He wakes up at the Shaolin Temple, a place he has only heard about a couple of times. When he realizes he is at the best place possible to learn kung fu, he begs and begs to learn so that he can revenge his family. He does finally get taught, but has to start with the basics. Every part of his body must become stronger before he can learn how to fight. After he finishes the first stages of training in record time, he is now highly respected and moves onto learning actual fighting styles. He breezes through this and becomes a great fighter in only 5 years or so. This is not one of those movies that has 1 or 2 training sequences. Gordon is shown in at least 13 of the chambers and half of the movie is spent at Shaolin. So after he has become a master fighter, he is given a high honor and told that he can become second in charge of any of the 35 chambers. A senior monk played by the great Lee Hoi San objects to this and says that he can't have this honor unless Gordon defeats him in a weapons duel. Lee Hoi San does not play a villain, but he does not think that Gordon is a good enough fighter to receive so much praise. His plan works better than he could have ever imagined. He ends up helping Gordon improve as a fighter and as a person. Gordon is told he can leave Shaolin now, and he goes to take revenge on the evil General who killed his family.

One thing that sets this movie apart is that it tries to be a real movie, and it succeeds. Watching Gordon grow up into a man is remarkable to see. The commentators didn't notice, but a lot of the stuff in this movie is very real. When Gordon has to use the pole with the wieght on the end to hit the bell over and over again, that is a real weight on the end of the pole! Gordon talks in the interview (included on this disc) about how the sabres that Lo Lieh uses in the final fight are real, and it just makes the movie that much better. Dont expect your average tale of revenge. I was touched deeply when I first saw this and there are not many kung fu movies that have as much meaning and feeling.

Rating- 5/5

Picture quality is remastered very well. It does get a bit darker and lighter in some scenes, but other than slight print damage once or twice, the picture quality is perfect. The Mandarin, Cantonese and English tracks all sound excellent. In fact, I have never heard the English dub sound this good. The subtitles should have been written better, and the English dub is actually a better translation. They are not horribly written, but could have been a lot better. I am not complaining though since this is the only fault on the DVD.

Special features include a great commentary from The RZA and this Andy Klein guy who does not know very much about the genre. Luckily RZA is there to help him point out actors like Lau Kar Wing, Wilson Tong and Hsiao Hou. I found the commmentary enjoyable. RZA talks about his experiences with this movie, and he is definitely a 36th Chamber expert. And I found it pretty funny that he seems to think Gordon Liu is a monk in real life.

The 17 minute interview with Gordon Liu is very interesting. He talks about many things such as training day and night and how great of an honor it was to work with a megastar like Lo Lieh. Gordon skips over the years like people should know what he is talking about, but just in case you don't, I will fill you in. In 1974 Lau Kar Leung was Chang Cheh's top action director and Gordon Liu was cast as a villain alongside Johnny Wang Lung Wei and Leung Kar Yan in movies like '7 Man Army'. When Lau Kar Leung split up with Chang Cheh he started directing his own movies for the Shaw Brothers, starting with 'Spiritual Boxer'. In his next movie 'Challenge of the Masters', Lau Kar Leung cast his younger adopted brother Gordon Liu as the lead. This is what led to Gordon becoming the star of 'The 36th Chamber of Shaolin', the greatest Shaolin Temple movie ever made.

There is a 17 minute documentary on Shaolin that is basically another 17 minutes of awesome info from Gordon Liu.

The 8 minute interview with film critic/scholars Andy Klein and David Shute is a very good description of how great of a movie this is.

The RZA gets a 10 minute interview where he talks about where he first started watching these movies and also gives his thoughts on the Shaw Brothers and explains why the Master Killer in his rap group took that name.

The trailers are the best special feature. The trailer for 'Shaolin Mantis' is very unique. Instead of showing clips from the movie, the actors introduce what kind of kung fu styles are going to be used (be sure to look for Lily Li!). Lau Kar Leung is the director of 'Shaolin Mantis' and doesn't even have a role in the movie, but he gets to show off his ultra awesome kung fu skills quite a bit in the trailer. I think I have watched this trailer about 50 times, and I will eventually master that Shadow style!

Also included are ORIGINAL trailers for 'The 36th Chamber', 'Return to the 36th Chamber', 'Disciples of the 36th Chamber', '8 Diagram Pole Fighter', 'My Young Auntie', 'One Armed Swordsman', 'Infernal Affairs 3' and the original Master Killer US TV commercial.

The last special feature is a gallery of original movie posters and movie stills.

Gordon Liu Pre-Kill Bill 1+2.......2007-06-21

Here he is in his most important role EVER!!!! OK well that's a matter of opinion but it is in this movie that gordon Liu cements his position in the martial arts movie lexicon by totally nailing this role. He would go on to play a mon many times after this but this is the best of those movies, hands down. For years it's only been available in the dubbed version that many of us probalby saw many years ago. but this beautifully restored and fully remastered version should be a part of every martial arts fans movie collection.

AKA Master Killer.......2007-06-21

This is an excellent martial arts classic. It is a must see flick. Typical of martial arts films, there is a training period, and the training this young monk endures is quite interesting and entertaining (don't want to give anything away).

It is one of the few martial arts films I can watch over and over. There are some moderately humorous parts that keep things moving along (not as funny as Jackie Chan, but still some fun).

If you haven't seen this one, you should.

One of the best kung fu movies I've seen..........2007-06-19

What can I say about this movie that hasn't been said before? A classic. Yes. Influential? Absolutely. Entertaining? Most definitely. This movie is as good a place to start as any if you're interested in the Kung Fu cinema. And if you're already into Kung Fu, you've probably heard of this in the least, and I can't imagine why you haven't seen it. As to this release, really the best I've seen. The picture and sound are great, and the language option is nice. Most of the features are nice as well. Though I don't know how useful the Wu-tang clan video was. Still...a worthy DVD to a great movie.

Average customer rating:

Enjoyable
Very, very different
The Rose is Red like Blood
Overlooked Connery Hit
INQUISITOR VS HOMICIDAL MANIAC AT A MONASTERY

The Name of the Rose
Starring: Sean Connery , Christian Slater , Helmut Qualtinger , Elya Baskin , and Michael Lonsdale
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Detectives | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs as Low as $5.49 | The Big DVD Sale | Stores | DVD | Video

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

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

The Wind and the Lion
The Name of the Rose: including Postscript to the Name of the Rose
The Man Who Would Be King
Syriana (Widescreen Edition)
The Lion in Winter

ASIN: B0001Z37IG
Release Date: 2004-07-06

Amazon.com

Jean-Jacques Annaud's The Name of the Rose is a flawed attempt to adapt Umberto Eco's highly convoluted medieval bestseller for the screen, necessarily excising much of the esoterica that made the book so compelling. Still, what's left is a riveting whodunit set in a grimly and grimily realistic 14th-century Benedictine monastery populated by a parade of grotesque characters, all of whom spend their time lurking in dark places or scuttling, half-unseen, in the omnipresent gloom. A series of mysterious and gruesome deaths are somehow tied up with the unwelcome attention of the Inquisition, sent to root out suspected heretical behavior among the monastic scribes whose lives are dedicated to transcribing ancient manuscripts for their famous library, access to which is prevented by an ingenious maze-like layout.

Enter Sean Connery as investigator-monk William of Baskerville (the Sherlock Holmes connection made explicit in his name) and his naive young assistant Adso (a youthful Christian Slater). The Grand Inquisitor Bernado Gui (F. Murray Abraham) suspects devilry; but William and Adso, using Holmesian forensic techniques, uncover a much more human cause: the secrets of the library are being protected at a terrible cost. A fine international cast and the splendidly evocative location compensate for a screenplay that struggles to present Eco's multifaceted story even partially intact; Annaud's idiosyncratic direction complements the sinister, unsettling aura of the tale ideally. --Mark Walker

Description

"The Name of the Rose" is a gothic medieval mystery thriller set in a 14th-century Italian monastery. Franciscan monk William of Baskerville (Sean Connery) and a young novice (Christian Slater) arrive for a conference to find that several monks have been murdered in mysterious circumstances. To solve the crimes, William must rise up against the Church authority and fight the shadowy conspiracy of monastery monks using only his wit and intelligence.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by Director Jean-Jaques Annaud
Documentary:Vintage making-of documentary - The Abbey of Crime: Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose"
Featurette:All-new Photo Video Journey with Jean-Jacques Annaud
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyable.......2007-06-10

This is the only film that I saw after having read the original book that did not disappoint me in its rendering. Though it cannot translate all the intricate levels of reading this book has (no film ever could ) it is a very good telling of the storyline and transports the viewer pretty much into the atmosphere of that medieval convent and the ambiance of the times. All in all a very good way to spend an evening

Very, very different.......2007-04-14

Numerous reviewers have commented on the differences between Eco's intricate, convoluted, compelling, and periphrastic novel and this spiffy little medieval mystery. For maximum enjoyment of the film, it probably is best to forget all about the novel and view it as a thing-in-itself. Far more mature and sophisticated than the Bond movies that made Sean Connery a household name, The Name of the Rose is visually interesting and compelling throughout. So what if Murray Abraham pushes his character over the top and Christian Slater's ingenuousness is a bit precious, this is still excellent entertainment for those who do not require that their thrillers be accompanied by car chases and gunshots.

The Rose is Red like Blood.......2007-03-12

It may seem a bit depressing and dark at first, but the mystery and sets are great. The music is haunting as well and adds to the atmosphere. Sean Connery's and Christian Slater's preformances are absorbing. The supporting cast are well known supporting actors that turn in excellent performances. To me Ron Perlman's performance was as good as Jack Nicholson in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".
The murder of members of an order at a monastery are convaluted and require close scrutiny to solve. Between the politics, postering, and bazaar secrets the monastery has they have their work cut out for them to unravel the true clues of the murders. Any fans of "Cadfael" series or the "Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders" movie should enjoy it. Book fans, if you don't like the movie, please read the book again. Critizing the movie for not being the book insults our intelligence. After all we know no movies equal to the books of the same name.

Sets, music, and direction make this movie stand out as well. All add to the medieval atmosphere that is needed to keep this from being overly dark and makes a wonderful film. Any fans of murder mysteries should enjoy it. Fans of Connery and Slater should definitely catch it. Thank goodness we can buy this on DVD July 6th.

Overlooked Connery Hit.......2007-02-06

A very detailed and clever mystery with Connery as a Priest detective. The visuals and dialog are both A-one. Any Connery fan should have this movie in their library.

INQUISITOR VS HOMICIDAL MANIAC AT A MONASTERY.......2007-01-28

This poindexter is trying to solve crime with no benefit of technology.

A glimpse of what life looked like 500 years ago.

An archive/monastery gives asylum to a renegade.
The monastery hosts a denominational debate.
Bloody murder ensues.
The renegade flees.
The Inquisition arrives.
Accusations, trials, riots.
The ancient, rare, library goes up in flames.
Cover-up.

Adult content.

Sean Connery at his best.
Christian Slater and Ron Perlman (the man of a thousand faces) are always good.

If you like this movie try the book:
Name of the Rose-Nla

If you like this movie try
The Reckoning

Average customer rating:

A new look on werwolf movies
Bucharest and Special Effects Soften this Werewolf Film
Excellent Film. Better Than Chocolate.
Blood and Chocolate
Book and Movie Don't Mesh

Blood & Chocolate
Starring: Agnes Bruckner , Hugh Dancy , Olivier Martinez , Katja Riemann , and Bryan Dick
Director: Katja von Garnier
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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

Monsters & Mutants | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

Ghost Rider (Two-Disc Extended Cut)
The Messengers
Night at the Museum (Widescreen Edition)
The Fountain (Widescreen Edition)
Bridge to Terabithia (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000OCY7TY
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Amazon.com

When graphic novelist Aiden (Hugh Dancy) travels to Bucharest to research the loup garou legend, he nearly gets devoured in the latest female werewolf film, Blood and Chocolate. In the tradition of Werewolf Woman and Ginger Snaps, Blood and Chocolate stars Vivian Gandillon (Agnes Bruckner), a girl who's forced to face her lupine tendencies in order to discover how capable of loving Aiden she really is. Based on a book by Annette Curtis Clause, the film chronicles the lives of the remaining loup garou who are an extended Romanian family waiting for their pack leader, Gabriel, to select his new mate. His desire for Vivian means trouble when her wish to be with Aiden results in her revealing too much about the clan's secretive lifestyle. In this film, werewolves look fully human until their eyes glow with colored contact lenses while they fly through the air to then land as full-fledged wolves. Gone are the days, apparently, of films showing the transformation in all its hairy, explosive detail. A lack of scenes describing the werewolf metamorphosis make this film more a love story than a monster tale, though two forest gatherings in which the loup garou hunt human sacrifices offer some grizzly satisfaction. Unlike the aforementioned femme werewolf films, Blood and Chocolate features a girl fighting her urge to kill in a bid to unite humans with her brethren, making this movie the most peaceful in its genre. With a tame wolf as protagonist, the potential nightmare is really just a pleasant dream to unite the two disparate worlds. The question is: Do we want that to happen? --Trinie Dalton

Product Description

As a young girl living in the remote mountains of Colorado, Vivian (Bruckner) watched helplessly as her family was murdered by a pack of angry men for the secret they carried in their blood. Vivian survived the attack by running into the woods and changing into a wolf. Ten years later, Vivian is living a relatively safe and normal life in Bucharest, Romania. Vivian spends her days working in a chocolate shop and nights trawling the city's underground clubs, fending off the reckless antics of her cousin Rafe, and his gang of delinquents he refers to as "The Five."

Vivian's life begins to unravel when she has a chance encounter with Aiden (Dancy), an artist researching Bucharest' ancient art and relics for his next graphic novel. Aiden pursues Vivian until she relents and begins to see him, but she can't bring herself to tell him the truth - and lives in fear of showing him who she really is. Even though Vivian has sworn never to kill, she is as much an animal as she is human, and her love for Aiden threatens to cast him to the very wolves who saved her life and who are waiting for their chance to hunt him as prey.

Stills from Blood & Chocolate (click for larger image)

Beyond Blood & Chocolate at Amazon.com

Gothic Horror on DVDs
More from Olivier Martinez
DVDs of "Things That Go Bump"

Customer Reviews:

A new look on werwolf movies.......2007-07-03

Blood & Chocolate is a very good movie it takes a new look on werewolf movies and this movie is awesome.

Bucharest and Special Effects Soften this Werewolf Film.......2007-07-01

BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE (a misnomer at best!) is another in the seemingly endless appetite-for-horror-flicks appeasers. Freely adapted from the Annette Curtis Klause's novel by screenwriters Ehren Kruger and Christopher Landon and directed by Katja von Garnier, this version of the loup-garou legend takes place in Bucharest, Romania and while the corps group of 'night creatures' carrying the mantle of the clan appears small, the group seems more updated in its views of survival in the world of 'normal man' than most: the werewolves are a normal appearing bunch who change into rather elegant wolves through computer generated magic in a manner that removes much of the gruesome element form the film. It helps.

Loup-garou child Vivian (Agnes Bruckner) witnessed the death of her parents at the hands of men in Colorado and escaped to Bucharest where 10 years later she is the next in line to be the 'bride' of pack leader Gabriel (a gaunt appearing Olivier Martinez). Her aunt Astrid (Katja Riemann) with whom she lives had been the first love of Gabriel and a tension is set early in the film about the plight of the pack versus the desire to be a normal human, a tension that will help the resolution of the film's love story. The mysterious, questioning Vivian meets young artist Aiden (Hugh Dancy) who himself has escaped America and his own demons. An obvious infatuation cum attraction occurs and though Vivian admits to warm feelings for Aiden, she knows her affair is doomed: her cousin Rafe (Bryan Dick) and his pack of five discover her tragic near crossover the line of human desire, and the crisis of the story proceeds along the lines of victim and pursuer.

The unfortunate title for the film is clumsily drawn from the negligently important job Vivian has working in a chocolate factory, hardly a comparison for the importance blood plays in the hunt and kill formula that the title supposedly represents. But then it does set up the dichotomy of choice Vivian must make, whether to obey her loup-garou destiny or enter the realm of normal human motivations and desires. Yes, it all gets pretty corny, but in many ways this 'netherworld of monster types' film rises above others in its management of the transformation scenes (actually quite beautiful) and in the acting of Hugh Dancy. In the end it is the chance to see how truly Bucharest as a city really is that makes the movie worth watching. The cast does the best it can with the weak material. Grady Harp, July 07

Excellent Film. Better Than Chocolate........2007-06-28

I watched this film with a modicum of hesitation because it is not really my genre. I was more than pleasantly surprised to enjoy what I consider the best cinematic offering for the year to date. It is a beautiful combination of a "Werewolf in London", the "Bourne Identity" and "Before Sunrise", with Romania providing an exquisite location for what essentially is a very poignant love story, and very tastefully executed, with finesse and class and Romance. The soundtrack is simply first rate, the acting is very capable, with the two very memorable and commanding leads, and the violence is the antithesis to gratuitous. An Avid and very astute reader stated that the film followed the book very well. However, you need not have read the book in order to find this film a truly well done film, with virtually nothing lacking, with the exception of more special features. As of late June, this is the best film of the year, in any genre. After seeing this film, Lace, Chocolate, Romania, the Colorado Rockies, not so much blood, will be all that more appreciated.

Blood and Chocolate.......2007-06-24

Blood & Chocolate [Region 99]

This movie sucked. If you read the book, please save yourself the trauma of watching this!!! The only thing that it did have from the book was the title and the names of characters. It truly traumatized me. My friend said that I sat for 2 1/2 hours saying "what the hell happened? They had the book...what the hell happened?" Needless to say I liked the book and wish I had saved the $9 it cost to watch it in theatre. I should have asked for my money back, but I was too traumatized to think straight.

Book and Movie Don't Mesh.......2007-06-23

Have you ever read a book that you LOVE and then they turn it into a movie that just doesn't seem to match? That's what they did with Blood and Chocolate.
The movie ruined the book, and that's all there is to it.
I LOVED the book, and I had read it more than one time before I had heard that it was being turned into a movie. I was really excited, but then tonight I actually saw the movie.
At the end, for the last 5 minutes, my eyes were open REALLY wide and my mouth was wide open because I couldn't believe what was happening. The ending was almost the complete opposite of the ending in the book...which I happened to like.
If you like the book, don't see the movie.
If you've seen the movie, read the book and then yell at the movie for being so different.

Average customer rating:

The Bogdanovich Commentary Stinks
At Last!
"LAND OF THE PHARAOHS A LONG OVERDUE CLASSIC FOR WIDESCREEN RESTORATION"

Land of the Pharaohs
Starring: Jack Hawkins , Joan Collins , Dewey Martin , Alex Minotis , and James Robertson Justice
Director: Howard Hawks
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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

Becket
Tyrone Power: The Swashbuckler Box Set (Blood and Sand / Son of Fury / The Black Rose / Prince of Foxes / The Captain from Castile)
The Colossus of Rhodes
The Prodigal
Caged!

ASIN: B000OHZJIW
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Description

The Great Pharaoh orders architech Vashtar to build him the highest pyramid in the world as his tomb. After fifteen years, the work slows as the treasury diminishes. The Pharaoh tries to exact tribute from Cypress, which is ruled by the beautiful and ruthless Princess Nellifer. Impressed with her abilities to charm, the Pharaoh marries her. But Mellifer plots to kill the ruling family - so she can rule Egypt.

Customer Reviews:

The Bogdanovich Commentary Stinks.......2007-07-06

The only thing that mars this beautiful presentation is Bogdavoch's commentary. Not only does he have nothing positive to say about the film, he actually has NOTHING to say at all. His presence on the track can only be explained by his having an old taped interview with Hawks in which he leads the director to discuss DeMille and dump on his movie. A total waste of time when there is so much to behold on screen. But get it anyway! It's a great 'Land'."

At Last!.......2007-04-23

Well, I thought it would never come out on DVD. Perhaps it's my passion for all things ancient Egyptian, but I have always loved this wonderfully enjoyable epic. Howard Hawks was a director who always refused to be pigeon-holed, making everything from Bogey's "The Big Sleep" to sci-fi classic "The Thing" (although he credited screenwriter Christian Nyby instead of himself) to stock car racing "Red Line 7000." Here he takes a shot at "historical" epic and does a damned entertaining job of it. Pharaoh Jack Hawkins plays straightman to Joan Collins' campy concubine while James Robertson Justice does a terrific job of keeping a straight face as a tomb architect. Amidst all the stone monuments, the only thing wooden is Dewey Martin as Justice's son. All this may not sound like a **** movie, but it's a guilty pleasure I've watched so many times on VHS that it's embarrassing. That's gotta be worth extra credit.

"LAND OF THE PHARAOHS A LONG OVERDUE CLASSIC FOR WIDESCREEN RESTORATION".......2007-04-14

Am sure that we all are glad that finally TIME/WARNER decided to release this Movie on DVD. Hopefully soon followed by other long neglected films of the 1950th vintage. Like "THE EGYPTIAN" and "VALLEY OF THE KINGS," (ALL STILL GATHERING "STAR DUST," ON THE TIME/WARNER FILM LIBRARY VAULT).

The screenplay for this CLASSIC MOVIE was written by no other than the great American literary genius: "WILLIAM FAULKNER."

Director Howard Hawks, worked brilliantly on this large scale epic, a gigantic production filmed on location in Egypt, using thousands of extras. This movie plot would take you to the time of the building of the Great pyramid at Giza, for Pharaoh Khufu, this Pharaoh is been played here by Jack Hawkings (who also starred on the epic film "Ben Hur.")

Also as the Pharaoh's second wife mistress, you can see the sexy newly arrival to Hollywood of "Joan Collins" (in one of her first starring roles) long before her "Dynasty's Persona Character," whose insatiable lust-greed, would lead to murder, betrayal and much more on this movie plot.

"Land of the Pharaohs" is a very entertaining film, which along with the story featuring the saga of an slaved conquered nation, one which is finally allowed to return to their promise land along with their fellow architect, the designer of this "Seven Wonder of the World," after the death of the conquering Pharaoh. All of them set free by a benevolent "High Priest," upon the completion and sealing of the Great Pyramid as this wonderfull film ends.

"Land of the Pharaohs" with detailed sets, some showing the intrircate complex pyramid's inner labyrinths, booby traped as so no one can learn this Pyramid secrets; along with these film vast desert vistas which so marvelous fill the screen for you, are all very astonishing to the eye in grandeur.

I srongly recomend this film, particularly if it is now finally been released on an "Anamorphic Widescreen DVD Format" fully restored for color and sound, in order to preserve the aspect ratio of its original grand theatrical exhibition presentation in Cinemascope.

Am sure that the late Henry Luce (Yale alumnus & founder of "Time/Life Inc.") would have felt very proud that this long overdue film, written by William Faulkner, would at last see the light of day once more, for all of us collectors of classic movies to own, therefore on account of all this "Thank you TIME/WARNER."

Average customer rating:

GREAT SHOW
Another Great Season!!!!!
More Diagnosis Murder on DVD is Great!!!!!

Diagnosis Murder - The Second Season
Director: Roy Campanella II , Terrence O'Hara , Jim Johnston , Bruce Kessler , and Nancy Malone
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Diagnosis Murder - Complete 1st Season
Murder, She Wrote - The Complete Sixth Season
Murder, She Wrote - The Complete Fifth Season
Perry Mason - Season 2, Vol. 1
The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries: Season Two

ASIN: B000NOIX6G
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Amazon.com

It's not unusual for the medical community to encounter law enforcement over a hospital bed, but there's something about the Los Angeles Community Hospital and its Chief of Internal Medicine Dr. Mark Sloan (Dick Van Dyke) that seem to attract suspicious cases. Far from a "treat them and street them" attitude, Dr. Mark Sloan is a compassionate and understanding doctor whose probing questions and natural curiosity repeatedly uncover mysterious circumstances and details that he invariably feels compelled to investigate. Of course the proper authorities (in the form of his son, police officer Steve Sloan, played by Van Dyke's real-life son Barry Van Dyke) are notified, but, like any good doctor, Dr. Sloan relies on the expertise of his own staff. Thus fellow Doctor Jack Stewart (Scott Baio), hospital pathologist Amanda Bentley (Victoria Rowell), and Dr. Sloan's secretary Delores (Delores Hall) are often embroiled in investigative work that results in an understaffed hospital and a distraught hospital administrator (Michael Tucci). From maternity hospitals selling babies on the black market to dishonest tax lawyers, murderous hospital inspectors, egocentric surgery patients, and dating services whose dates are the absolute end-all, Dr. Sloan and his crew can be counted upon to pursue and solve an abundance of mysteries--and maybe even see a patient or two in the process. Guest stars include Betty White and Bo Jackson. While not one of Van Dyke's best television series, Diagnosis Murder will appeal to Dick Van Dyke aficionados and murder mystery fans alike. --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description

Emmy award winner Dick Van Dyke stars as Dr. Mark Sloan, a dedicated doctor who dabbles in detective work in Diagnosis Murder. Caring and compassionate, Dr. Sloan enlists the help of his police detective son, Steve (Barry Van Dyke) whenever he suspects one of his patients is the victim of foul play. And he won't rest until the bad guys are put to bed - permanently! Working alongside Sloan is pathologist Amanda Bentley (Victoria Rowell). For star performances and classic "whodunit" suspense, the right prescription is Diagnosis Murder.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT SHOW.......2007-06-27

This is one of the best doctor-murder shows of all time. In this season watch Dr. Sloane, go through car troubles and getting his rental car blown up, watch Amanda lose all of her money and Jack trying to get it back for her (and actually does!!!!), Dr. Sloane get accused of murder, and also get locked in a Emergency Room with happy gas, and arrest a girl for muurder, going to court TWICE, without double jepordy. This show is a down heart, good show.Although it is mainly about murders and the sick, Dick Van Dykes character will make you laugh. The show stars Dick Van Dyke (Dr. Mark Sloane), Barry Van Dyke (Lt. Steve Sloane), Scott Baio (Dr. Jack Stewart) and Victoria Rowell (Amanda Bentley) Hope this review was helpfull!!!!

Another Great Season!!!!!.......2007-06-22

This Is Yet Another Great Season Of This Wonderful Show!!! What A Cast And Terrific Writing!!! Please Hurry With Season Three!!!!!!!

More Diagnosis Murder on DVD is Great!!!!!.......2007-06-11

Season Two had 22 episodes, here are the episodes:
Episode 1-Many Happy Returns(September 16,1994)
Episode 2-A Very Fatal Funeral(September 23,1994)
Episode 3-Woman Trouble(September 30, 1994)
Episode 4-The Busy Body(October 7,1994)
Episode 5-My Four Husbands(October 14, 1994)
Episode 6-Murder Most Vial(October 21,1994)
Episode 7-You Can Call Me Johnson(October 28, 1994)
Episode 8-Georgia on My MIND(November 4, 1994)
Episode 9-The Last Laugh Part 1(November 11,1994)
Episode 10-The Last Laugh Part 2(November 18, 1994)
Episode 11-Death by Extermination(December 2, 1994)
Episode 12-Standing Eight Count(December 9, 1994)
Episode 13-The Bela Lugosi Blues(January 6, 1995)
Episode 14-The New Healers(January 13, 1995)
Episode 15-Call Me Incontestable(January 20, 1995)
Episode 16-A Blast From the Past(February 3, 1995)
Episode 17-Praying for Keeps(February 10, 1995)
Episode 18-Sea No Evil(February 17, 1995)
Episode 19-How to Murder Your Lawyer(February 24, 1995)
Episode 20-Naked Babes(March 31,1995)
Episode 21-Death in the Daytime(April 28, 1995)
Episode 22-My Baby is Out of this World(May 5, 1995)

Average customer rating:

This movie is a rip off!!!
AWESOME!
great movie, brand new condition
A Time to Kill
A Time to Kill is actually a racist film

A Time to Kill
Starring: Matthew McConaughey , Sandra Bullock , Samuel L. Jackson , Kevin Spacey , and Oliver Platt
Director: Joel Schumacher
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Murder & Mayhem | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs as Low as $5.49 | The Big DVD Sale | Stores | DVD | Video

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

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

The Client
The Pelican Brief
The Rainmaker
The Firm
The Negotiator

ASIN: 0790729660
Release Date: 1997-03-26

Amazon.com

You wouldn't know it by watching the Batman movies they collaborated on, but this smart adaptation of John Grisham's novel proves that director Joel Schumacher and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman have some talent when the right project comes along. Schumacher had previously directed Grisham's The Client, and brought equal craft and intelligence to this story about a young Southern attorney (Matthew McConaughey, in his breakthrough role) who defends a black father (Samuel L. Jackson) after he kills two men who raped his young daughter. Sandra Bullock plays the passionate law student who serves as McConaughey's legal aide and voice of conscience in the racially charged drama. Added to the star power of the lead roles is a fine supporting cast, including Kevin Spacey, Ashley Judd, and Oliver Platt. --Jeff Shannon

Description

John Grisham's bestseller A Time to Kill hits the screen with incendiary force, directed by Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever, The Client). Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey and Kevin Spacey portray the principals in a murder trial that brings a small Mississippi town's racial tensions to the flashpoint. Amid a frenzy of activist marches, Klan terror, media clamor and brutal riots, an unseasoned but idealistic young attorney mounts a stirring courtroom battle for justice. The superb ensemble also includes Brenda Fricker, Oliver Platt, Charles S. Dutton, Ashley Judd, Patrick McGoohan, Chris Cooper and both Donald and Keifer Sutherland. These and other talents make A Time to Kill "one of the year's most powerful films" (Jeffrey Lyons, SNEAK PREVIEW/ABC WORLD NEWS NOW).

Customer Reviews:

This movie is a rip off!!!.......2007-06-28

I just purchased this movie here in Amazon and what I got, is to see half of the damn movie because the other half will not show in the DVD that is supposed to be 2 ways. I was so upset. What a damn rip off!

AWESOME!.......2007-06-16

This movie is about more than just racism. Even though being from the deep South I know with certainty that a great deal of the elements in this movie are the brutal truth. However, it's more than that, it's about LOYALTY! REVENGE! JUSTICE! and a FATHER'S LOVE! for his child. It goes deeper than it being about the rape of a black girl by white guys. Don't get me wrong, that part is very prevalent to the movie. I just think that any father in his position would've done the same thing if his daughter was brutalized the way this man's little girl was. That's a father's love, and any real father will defend his own. My dad would've done the same thing without thinking twice about it. Not saying that makes it right, but I know there wasn't a dry eye in the house while Matthew McConaughey was doing his closing agruements, and describing in graphic detail what this poor child went through at the hands of these grown men. This is a hard thing for any woman to deal with anyway, but to rip innocence from a child is just plain sick and monsterous. So, Carl Lee put them down like rabid bloodthirsty cannines. Seriously, They almost ripped that poor kid apart, wrecked her from inside out, almost beat her to death and then had the nerve to be gleeful about it on their way out the courtroom. Don't get me wrong, I know it isn't anyone's place to take the law into their own hands, nor think it's o.k to kill someone just because they may feel like it. However, I do think they deserved it, and that justice was served. Frankly, instead of jail they should've given him a medal. I know this review is gonna upset a lot of people, but I gotta keep it real. It doesn't matter if the father were black, white, brown, purple, or blue he still probably would've done the same thing. It's just sad that people can't understand that this girl was only done like this because she was black and no other reason. I guess if you haven't lived it then it's best not to judge it, or even speak on it.

great movie, brand new condition.......2007-06-10

movie was shipped quickly and arrived early. It was also in the new packaging and works perfectly

A Time to Kill.......2007-06-08

Matthew McConaughey is a McDreamy in this one.... That southern boy has it all....

A Time to Kill is actually a racist film.......2007-04-12

At the time this movie came out, I went to see it, didn't care for it, but couldn't quite figure out why. After seeing it again recently, it hit me. This movie is patronizing and in a subtle way, quite racist. The story set up is so unquestionable that one is left with only one conclusion - that Sam Jackson's character was justified and hence, should go free. There is no doubt at the beginning of the movie that those two potbellied, white-trash looking guys raped his daughter in the back of their stars and bars pickup truck (I bet they were also into NASCAR). Never mind that they didn't get a fair trial or that Jackson shot a deputy while taking his revenge on them. But, you know, 'if it was my daughter, I'd do the same thing', says the deputy - so Jackson is forgiven and the jury acquits - especially after hearing the defense attorney's impassioned plea to picture the little girl as white. And of course, everybody has known each other since they were kids - that's the way it is in these small towns of the south you know... Oh, and don't forget the KKK is in there to threaten the white defense attorney's sexy wife, child and friends. And, there's a sexy, bleeding heart, white college girl who comes to town to help out with the defense (but also to create a half baked love triangle for Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd - what beautiful white actors!) There is more, but basically the black actors are in passive roles - the outcome of the trial is in white hands all the way, the prosecution, defense, judge and jury. (Can one really say that a condemned black man would be acquitted in such circumstances?) Samuel Jackson's character sits in jail most of the movie. Charles Dutton's sheriff basically does his dutiful best for the white cast. A Time to Kill doesn't really say anything meaningful about the conflict of racism. So, what story would I have liked to see? First, eliminate the Bullock character completely. Then have the script leave in doubt as to who raped Jackson's little girl. That would give Charles Dutton's sheriff something to investigate, after his first suspects have been killed by Jackson's character. When the Sheriff discovers that some other white guys raped the little girl, then he has a problem and a major part of the story hinges on how he wants to handle the situation. Will he choose to let the court know about his discovery which would probably lead to a guilty verdict or will he keep silent on the chance that Jackson might go free, knowing that Jackson killed two innocent men? And who are the actual rapists? Are they local (members of the KKK maybe, a member of the prosecution)? Does the defense attorney know the truth? Does he try to hide it in the name of winning the case? How will the discovery affect the town after the verdict is rendered? That would have been a film to watch and would have generated a lot of discussion centering around the question of 'What should the sheriff have done?' I know there are a lot of people out there who like this movie. I mean no disrespect - in fact - I would recommend watching the movie again - keeping my POV in mind. Perhaps you will see the potential of what this movie could have been.

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

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Crime & Criminals | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

Fight Club (Collector's Edition Steelbook)
Blow (Infinifilm Edition)
Requiem for a Dream (Edited Version)
American Beauty (Widescreen Edition)
Primal Fear

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...

DVD: