The Fall

Starring:Sheffer, Defougerolles
Studio: Trinity Home Ent
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

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

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

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

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

Barbaro - A Nation's Horse
Ruffian: A Race Track Romance
Ruffian: Burning from the Start
Barbaro: The Horse Who Captured America's Heart
The Life & Times of Secretariat, an American Racing Legend

ASIN: B000OCY7KI
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Description

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating:

The Godfather
The Godfather
One Of The Best!
IMHO, closer to the reality
The movie that started the modern American mafia genera

The Godfather (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Marlon Brando , Al Pacino , James Caan , Richard S. Castellano , and Robert Duvall
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

The Godfather, Part II (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)
The Godfather, Part III (Widescreen Edition)
GoodFellas (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Chinatown
Citizen Kane

ASIN: B0001NBNB6
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Amazon.com essential video

Generally acknowledged as a bona fide classic, this Francis Ford Coppola film is one of those rare experiences that feels perfectly right from beginning to end--almost as if everyone involved had been born to participate in it. Based on Mario Puzo's bestselling novel about a Mafia dynasty, Coppola's Godfather extracted and enhanced the most universal themes of immigrant experience in America: the plotting-out of hopes and dreams for one's successors, the raising of children to carry on the good work, etc. In the midst of generational strife during the Vietnam years, the film somehow struck a chord with a nation fascinated by the metamorphosis of a rebellious son (Al Pacino) into the keeper of his father's dream. Marlon Brando played against Puzo's own conception of patriarch Vito Corleone, and time has certainly proven the actor correct. The rest of the cast, particularly James Caan, John Cazale, and Robert Duvall as the rest of Vito's male brood--all coping with how to take the mantle of responsibility from their father--is seamless and wonderful. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

The Godfather.......2007-07-05

Long before "The Sopranos," a young Coppola transformed our understanding of the relationship between organized crime and corporate American profiteering with this operatic ode based on Mario Puzo's acclaimed novel. Moody and violent, with Gordon Willis's Technicolor photography adding a sepia-toned period look, "Godfather" combines a bullets-blazing mobster film with a gripping family saga. And what a cast: Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Diane Keaton are all superlative. Brando, of course, achieved yet another level of cinematic fame with his iconic portrayal of the title character. Coppola fought with Paramount to achieve his personal vision, but ultimately triumphed, winning the 1972 Oscar for Best Picture.

The Godfather.......2007-06-21

The greatest movie ever. It can teach you all you need to know about life in 180 minutes. There you go, life in 3 hours

One Of The Best!.......2007-05-15

What can I say, this is a fantastic epic! In my opinion, it is one of the best movies of all time. A+++

IMHO, closer to the reality.......2007-04-15

It's sad to see the mafia or cosa nostra portrayed as a couple hundred thugs in New York hustling up money. The mafia is a worldwide organization and in the overall evaluation performs many good deeds and must benefit others more than it harms (Aquinas - "The greatest good for the greatest number"). The governmental systems in all countries always leave people behind and there must be some underground that picks up these people and helps them survive. Also, it seems to prove useful to have an underground which is at least somewhat prepared to fuel revolutions. Frequently, the mafia within a given country can prove a great asset to its government since they are usually privy to intelligence that escapes the ears of the government's agencies.

Everyone knows this movie, I would point out that I really liked the development of the expansion of the Cosa Nostra and in the sequels the international expansion.

The movie that started the modern American mafia genera.......2007-04-14

The Godfather set the American Mafia movie genera. A good plot line with a tight scrip, superb direction and well acted. There are many murders, after all this is about gangsters but why it's rated "R" is beyond me. It's way less gruesome with less disturbing violence than Casino and many modern MA films are much more violent.

The power plays, honour and business scheming between the Mafia families give the framework of the film with personal trial and tribulations providing more depth for the character development that echo throughout the genera ever since and make The Godfather repeatedly watchable.

I wanted a copy for a present and after spending months looking for a copy in the retail shops without success, I found this widescreen version at a great price on Amazon within seconds and, I ended up keeping it.

Average customer rating:

More than expected
Downfall
absolutely mesmerizing potrayal by Bruno Gantz
For History Buffs and Cinephiles
good history, good movie

Downfall
Starring: Bruno Ganz , Alexandra Maria Lara , Corinna Harfouch , Ulrich Matthes , and Juliane Köhler
Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

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

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

The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)
Munich (Widescreen Edition)
Good Night, and Good Luck (Widescreen Edition)
Capote
Auschwitz - Inside the Nazi State

ASIN: B0009RCPUC
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Amazon.com

The riveting subject of Downfall is nothing less than the disintegration of Adolf Hitler in mind, body, and soul. A 2005 Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film, this German historical drama stars Bruno Ganz (Wings of Desire) as Hitler, whose psychic meltdown is depicted in sobering detail, suggesting a fallen, pathetic dictator on the verge on insanity, resorting to suicide (along with Eva Braun and Joseph and Magda Goebbels) as his Nazi empire burns amidst chaos in mid-1945. While staging most of the film in the claustrophobic bunker where Hitler spent his final days, director Oliver Hirschbiegel (Das Experiment) dares to show the gentler human side of der Fuehrer, as opposed to the pure embodiment of evil so familiar from many other Nazi-era dramas. This balanced portrayal does not inspire sympathy, however: We simply see the complexity of Hitler's character in the greater context of his inevitable downfall, and a more realistic (and therefore more horrifying) biographical portrait of madness on both epic and intimate scales. By ending with a chilling clip from the 2002 documentary Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary, this unforgettable film gains another dimension of sobering authenticity. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

More than expected.......2007-06-16

Some good history for those who haven't heard it before. Some great acting for everyone. Well worth your time. Some echoes for our time. "They gave us a mandate... "

Downfall.......2007-05-30

a poor actor showing the world how anybody, driven by hate, will go down in history in the worst way.

absolutely mesmerizing potrayal by Bruno Gantz.......2007-05-28

I had no idea Ganz had it in him to be this great until I saw him here as Hitler. Alexandra Maria Lara as his young and naive secretary is also very good. Cast is excellent. Director Oliver Hirschbieger deftly pulls it all together and will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through--even though we all know how the tale ended.

The film gets under your skin and gnaws at your psyche long after you have seen it--and that is some trick. How were the makers of this motion picture able to accomplish this? By avoiding the usual approach of making Hitler and his murderous SS thugs as two-dimensional cartoon characters, instead they show the lot of them to be what they were: human. Mixed-up, misguided, fanatical, barberic, coldblooded mass-murderers--and all in the quest for power (that they never attained), but human none-the-less.

What is sad here, as far as I am concerned, instead of encouraging his nation to focus all that energy on making the world a better place, because Germans, the German people, have given us so much more than fine cars and excellent beer and camera lenses...Hitler and his thugs had their people squandering all that potential on causing destruction and mayhem, misery and pain...for nothing.

I realize quite a few Germans didn't care for Hitler and his loony notions...only there wasn't much they could do about it (once he came into power and they saw where he was actually taking them...straight to Hell). Any German who opposed the dreaded SS and the Gestapo ended up dead or in some camp somewhere to suffer the consequences.

I always wondered what it must have been like for Hitler and his people down in that bunker during the final months/weeks/days... This powerful motion picture shows you what went on--and then some.

For History Buffs and Cinephiles.......2007-05-15

Incredible cinematography. Bruno Ganz is exceptional as the lead character. Very intricate portrayal of the last days of the Third Reich. Enables the viewer to see an interesting side of [...] that hasn't been explored very often.

good history, good movie.......2007-05-12

I am a college history professor. One of my students had this movie and asked me if I would view it and let him know how accurate it was etc. I viewed it and was very impressed. So impressed I bought one for myself. This is very accurate history as well as well done movie making. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the last days of WWII in Europe.

Average customer rating:

TV series at its best!
It's About a &%*# Time Colt!!!!
Great '80's nostalgia and tough guy show
Heather Thomas, chases, Heather Thomas, crime fighting, Heather Thomas, stunts, and Heather Thomas what more could you want?
Fun-lovin' action!

The Fall Guy: The Complete Season 1
Starring: Nedra Volz , Jo Ann Pflug , and Markie Post
Director: Sidney Hayers , Don Medford , Alan Crosland (II) , Jack Arnold , and Vince Edwards
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

CHiPs - The Complete First Season
Airwolf: Season Three
The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries: Season Two
Mission: Impossible - The Second TV Season
Diagnosis Murder - The Second Season

ASIN: B000O77SNG
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Amazon.com

The hero of The Fall Guy, Colt Seavers--played by Lee Majors, the former Six Million Dollar Man--is a Hollywood stunt man, which lets the show do all kinds of spectacular car crashes with no justification whatsoever, and he's a bounty hunter, which lets him get into all kinds of fist fights and ridiculous plots with no justification whatsoever. It's the perfect 1980s TV show, and it's no surprise it was created by Glen Larson, the mastermind behind such hits as Knight Rider, Battlestar Galactica, and Magnum, P.I. Assisted by his handsome but not-too-bright cousin Howie Munson (Douglas Barr) and sexy stuntwoman Jody Banks (blonde bombshell Heather Thomas), Colt grapples with a corrupt sheriff, a mob hit man, a government secret agent, a neo-Nazi biker gang (which, naturally, Colt had to infiltrate through cunning disguise), women wrestlers, and more, more, more. Preposterous? Absolutely! It's all an excuse to set things on fire and parade scantily clad young women around (Thomas had a popular bikini scene that led to a top-selling poster), while the Hollywood setting allowed for cameo appearances by stars ranging from James Coburn (In Like Flint) to Lou Ferrigno (appearing as himself playing the Incredible Hulk--it's downright postmodern) to Farrah Fawcett (Charlie's Angels), Majors' just-divorced ex-wife.

But what kept The Fall Guy running for five seasons wasn't silly plots or leaping cars. Lee Majors is one of those relaxed, genial actors who were made for television. Manly but gentle, handsome but down-to-earth, Majors appealed to men and women equally, could toss off a snappy one-liner without effort, and gave the impression that, no matter what happened, it would come out all right in the end. He even sang his own theme song. The Fall Guy: The Complete First Season is pure comfort television. (Season 1 is the only season with Jo Ann Pflug as Colt's boss, "Big Jack"; her adult sexiness and worldly wit were much-missed on later seasons.) The only extras are a couple of brief but entertaining featurettes, featuring interviews with Majors, Thomas, and Larson. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Lee Majors stars as the Fall Guy, Colt Seavers, a stunt man moonlighting as a bounty hunter who uses Hollywood stunt tactics to capture criminals.

Customer Reviews:

TV series at its best!.......2007-06-27

If you never seen this show you don't know what you're missing. If you have then it speaks for itself. It's the best. I can remember watching this when I was little with my family. It's got it all, stunts, action, without all the drugs, swearing, and other crap on tv today. Now the question remains when will the other seasons be out>

It's About a &%*# Time Colt!!!!.......2007-06-09

MY God, it has been about 26 years since The Fall Guy debut on TV!!?? It just amazed me that it took this long to bring this show back on DVD. This DVD offers full screen and mono audio, and it does not provide today's standard such as widescreen or multi audio channels (not even stereo)
Ironically, it did not bother me at all because that was how I watched the show back then. This show turns out to be retro classic. It is unfortunate that we no longer see those old fashioned good tough ole boy like Colt Seavers on TV today, and it is priceless watching Lee Majors in action on this DVD.

Great '80's nostalgia and tough guy show.......2007-06-07

It's great to see the TV shows the way the used to be, with tough guys and studly vehicles. The action is great too, with stunts and car chase scences that you only see the in the movies now. It also reminded me how guys used to be (tough and macho), not the cafe latte coffee house crowd. I'm not meaning to say that isn't cool, it's just different, but it shows how our society has changed and what is deemed as cool. It's a great TV show to watch.

Heather Thomas, chases, Heather Thomas, crime fighting, Heather Thomas, stunts, and Heather Thomas what more could you want?.......2007-06-06

I have not watched anything yet but the featurette about the theme song, but wanted to say that I loved the series and am glad it is on DVD. I hope they do them all. I have loved this show since I saw Heather Thomases first poster (with the fall guy pickup truck) in at 3D 20 some odd years ago. But lest, you think she was the only reason to watch, I truly liked the show. She is just what made this guy check out the show when he was around 13-14.

A few points I did notice was that there are three separate DVD cases (holding 2 discs each). There is no booklet telling about the series, but on the back of each cover it lists the episode title, original airdate and a brief (one sentence or so) description of the plot. In some ways this is better, but I would have liked to have had a little more in the way of info although a lot of sets that have booklets probably don't give this much or a whole lot more. Maybe one of the bonuses will tell more. Bonus items are a featurette on the theme song (with Lee Majors and others) and "remembering the fall guy" (Which I haven't watched yet.)

I was really surprised at Lee Majors though. He is thinner (from what I saw), older (of course) but his voice also is pitched higher. I truly had to do a double take. I am pleased that he was involved in this and hope he is doing well.

Fun-lovin' action!.......2007-05-22

It's obvious that the cast and crew had a good time making this series. It was always a blast to watch; I'm looking forward to all the episodes WITHOUT the commercials! Go get 'em, Lee!

Average customer rating:

Well done all around
Wickedly Entertaining, Shocking
Long, Repetitive and Biased
Works on computer only
Excellent

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
Starring: Peter Coyote , Reverend James Nutter , Bill Clinton , Lou L. Pai , and Colin Whitehead
Director: Alex Gibney
Manufacturer: Magnolia
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

The Corporation
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
Good Night, and Good Luck (Widescreen Edition)
Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron
Why We Fight

ASIN: B000C3L2IO
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Product Description

Based on the best-selling book of the same name by Fortune reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, a multidimensional study of one of the biggest business scandals in American history. The chronicle takes a look at one of the greatest corporate disasters in history, in which top executives from the 7th largest company in this country walked away with over one billion dollars, leaving investors and employees with nothing. The film features insider accounts and rare corporate audio and video tapes that reveal colossal personal excesses of the Enron hierarchy and the utter moral vacuum that posed as corporate philosophy. The human drama that unfolds within Enron's walls resembles a Greek tragedy and produces a domino effect that could shape the face of our economy and ethical code for years to come.

DVD Features:

Available Audio Tracks: English (Unknown Format)
Commentary by: writer-director Alex Gibney (Unknown Format)
Deleted scenes
"The Making of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" featuring research footage and exclusive interviews with writer-director Alex Gibney and investigative journalist Bethany McLean
Enron company skits
Enron commercial
Where are they now?: updates on the executives, traders, and whistleblowers
A gallery of Enron cartoons
The original Fortune magazine articles

System Requirements:

Running Time 110 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

One of the greatest scandals in American corporate history is chronicled in the riveting documentary Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. Based on the bestselling book by Fortune magazine reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkin, and directed by Alex Gibney (who also produced The Trials of Henry Kissinger), the film is an epic morality tale, drawing upon a wealth of insider interviews and archival material to show how Enron, once the nation's seventh largest corporate entity, essentially faked its bookkeeping to report profits that never existed. The corrupt and closely-guarded mismanagement by Enron executives (including Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, later placed on criminal trial) is revealed through such heinous concepts as "Hypothetical Future Value" (a way of reaping fortunes based on false profit projections) and the use of offshore "shell" companies to hide the massive losses that eventually toppled the company (along with the venerable Arthur Anderson accounting firm) and left 20,000 employees jobless. As a maddening portrait of hubris and white-collar crime, Enron transcends political and corporate boundaries by showing how smart and powerful men grew blinded by greed and brought ruin upon themselves, along with thousands of otherwise innocent victims. For better and worse, it's a perfect double-feature with eye-opening 2004 documentary The Corporation. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Well done all around.......2007-06-20

Well made and interesting documentary, that tells the whole story of Enron from start to finish. Amazing how much free reign businesses have these days, and how greed & corruption can flourish.

Wickedly Entertaining, Shocking.......2007-06-20

This documentary on the collapse of "energy giant" Enron plays out like a gripping crime thriller. Fraud abounds and lies pile upon lies until a business that took decades to build comes crumbling down in a matter of weeks.

Writer/Director Alex Gibney provides a model of documentary filmmaking in this taught story of corporate greed. Using news footage and trial coverage, Gibney avoids the "talking heads" trap that hobbles most documentaries. There are talking heads in this film, the most prominent of which is Fortune senior editor Bethany McLean. As co-author of the book on which the movie is based, McClean offers fascinating analysis on the financial industry and the corporate stupidity that led to Enron's downfall.

But it's the film and sound footage that make this movie a must-see. To hear a flustered Jeffrey Skilling stumble through a non-explaination of Enron's finances and finally call his questioner an "a**hole" is hilarious; sound clips of Enron traders laughing gleefully while engineering California's rolling blackouts are nothing short of chilling.

We've been hearing about Enron now for six years, now. I never understood what exactly Enron did before seeing this film. Now I don't feel so ignorant, as this documentary makes clear that at times Enron didn't know what Enron did. One Enron trader puts it best in saying, "I had a lot of questions about what was going on, but I didn't ask them because I didn't want to know the answers."

Watch this movie and stay for the bonus material. As the Enron convictions continue to roll in half a decade after the fact, "The Smartest Guys in the Room" gives profound insight into the corruption and incompetence leading to the scandal.

Long, Repetitive and Biased.......2007-06-10

The content of this documentary (?) could easily fit in a 30-minute piece. There is an attempt to sensationalize things. For instance, they make a big fuss about the trips made by top execs to Baja, making a tenuous connection to the risk-taking culture at Enron. There is practically nothing of substance. For instance, one would like to know more details about the actual shady dealings that Enron went through, rather than a depiction of trading room banter. Very shallow.

Works on computer only.......2007-05-29

Watch out, this one only runs on a computer & that wasn't made obvious in the description. That's what WMVHD means. If you want the DVD which plays on a regular DVD player, buy the 1-disc set which is actually a valuable one to have. It's a very good story, very enlightening & informative.

Excellent.......2007-05-28

Just can't stop watching this movie again and again. I'll recommend it to anyone.

Average customer rating:

Great dvd
Pochahontas
Pocahontas purchased from Amazon
Pass On the "Gold Collection" and get the "10th Anniversary"
Special Edition Nothing

Pocahontas (10th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Irene Bedard , Judy Kuhn , Mel Gibson , David Ogden Stiers , and John Kassir
Director: Mike Gabriel , and Eric Goldberg
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

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

Mulan (Special Edition)
Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)
The Little Mermaid (2-Disc Platinum Edition)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame

ASIN: B0007KTBIU
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Amazon.com

Disney's take on this historical confrontation between European settlers and Native Americans follows the paths of two future lovers. One is British adventurer John Smith, who travels the Atlantic with the Virginia Company to establish Jamestown. On the shore is Pocahontas, a typical Disney heroine: bright, beautiful, mischievous, and motherless. The two meet in the untamed wilds of America (the first meeting is quite divine), fall in love, and try to ward off the warring factions. It's Disney's version of a Native American West Side Story. Two Disney trademarks do not quite muster up: the villain isn't hissable and the score's only high point is the Oscar-winning "Colors of the Wind." Calling it "historical" is a stretch, but Disney created a very natural look at the two cultures. The Native American characters are handled especially well, and kids should be intrigued by their world; the movie is a far different lesson from the one their parents and grandparents learned. Disney has discovered a few things, though: you don't have to kill to solve your problems, and you can end the film without a happily-ever-after, illustrated by a touching final visual. (Ages 5 and older) --Doug Thomas

Description

All the music, adventure, and colorful fun of Disney's POCAHONTAS come to life like never before in the 10th Anniversary Edition 2-Disc Set. Bursting with all the "Colors Of The Wind," POCAHONTAS tells the story of a free-spirited girl who wonders what adventures await "Just Around The Riverbend." Pocahontas -- along with her playful pals Meeko and Flit -- relies on the guidance of her loving and wise Grandmother Willow when English settlers arrive on the shores of their village. Her chance meeting with the courageous Captain John Smith leads to a beautiful friendship that bridges the gap between two cultures, and changes history. Now fully restored, POCAHONTAS includes the song "If I Never Knew You," and never-before-seen animation seamlessly integrated into the original film. This 2-Disc 10th Anniversary Edition is loaded with spectacular bonus features, all-new games, and soaring Academy Award(R)-winning music (1995 Best Original Musical Score, Best Original Song, "Colors Of The Wind"). Disney's POCAHONTAS is a fun-filled adventure your whole family will enjoy.

Customer Reviews:

Great dvd.......2007-03-11

My favorite Disney movie of ALL time and this is a wonderful DVD! It has extras on a second dvd and the scene of Pocahontas and John Smtih singing together was added back in! GREAT DVD!!

Pochahontas.......2007-03-07

great storyline - a bit of history in animation . teach the children while watching a great film. The music is very well done and a great film to watch.

Pocahontas purchased from Amazon.......2007-02-26

I was under the impression that the dvd would be enclosed in a cardboard cover like it was picture, because there was no indication that it wouldn't be. I was disappointed at this, but other than that I have no complaints, it was a rather speedy delivery and the product worked wonderfully.

Pass On the "Gold Collection" and get the "10th Anniversary".......2007-01-27

The Gold Collection disc is too flawed to seriously consider at this point with the "10th Anniversary{ two-disc set now out.

Gold Collection:
1. Worst DVD tranfer of a Disney film in recent memory
2. No "If I Never Knew You". Not even the rough cut.
3. Extras: a Trailer and some music videos. Not much going on here.
4. Not anamorphic

10th Anniversary:
1. Anamorphic 16:9
2. Great new transfer
3. "If I Never Knew You" in the movie and completely animated. Major addition to the last half of the movie.
4. Both versions of the film, the 1995 cut and the 2003 "Director's Cut".
5. Loads of extras including a documentary, updated audio commentary track, sections for each major character with art, concept drawings, deleted scenes, scenes that never made it past the concept stage......you get the idea.

Special Edition Nothing.......2007-01-08

Of course, Pocahontas is a beautiful film. It's a great story, pretty good animation, and some of the best Alan Menken songs. But the special Extras DVD is a joke. This DVD set is worth it just because of the added If I Never Knew You sequences, but was passed over for the special treatment other classic films got.

Average customer rating:

Combat, the Way it Should Be.
A Roman Epic
Great movie!!!
Gladiator one of the best
INCREDIBLE MOVIE

Gladiator (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Russell Crowe , Joaquin Phoenix , Connie Nielsen , Oliver Reed , and Richard Harris
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

Braveheart
Saving Private Ryan (Special Limited Edition)
The Patriot (Special Edition)
Kingdom of Heaven - The Director's Cut (Four-Disc Special Edition)
Black Hawk Down

ASIN: B00009ZYBY
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Amazon.com essential video

A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews:

Combat, the Way it Should Be. .......2007-06-24

Although it really isn't history the way it should be as the real Commodus was a whole lot more bizarre than this one, and Maximus is as fictitious a character as one would think based on his name. It's a good thing though to familiarize modern audiences with the likes of Marcus Aurelius, however, and the movie deserves the accolades that it got. Russell Crowe is magnificent here as was Joaquin Phoenix. The latter's career is rising at present in the same manner as the mythic creature with the production of outstanding work in both The Village and Walk the Line. They're both excellent actors and are perfectly cast in this epic. Gladiator has about all you need from a film with constant action, beautiful sets, and an intriguing plot. It's a quick couple of hours and you'll find yourself surprised at how soon it is over. I fond it delightful.

A Roman Epic.......2007-06-20

This is a superb film from the opening battle scenes right through to the end. As it was directed by Ridley Scott this shouldn't surprise you, since he is one of the most consistent directors around.

Russell Crowe takes the leading role of Maximus, a Roman General who is betrayed by the son of the Emperor and he gives a commanding performance. The authority he gives off as a Roman General is spell-binding (not to mention his impressive physical condition) and if anything I would have given best Oscar for this role rather than A Beautiful Mind. In fact its a stellar cast all round with Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi and David Hemmings all playing good supporting roles. Joaquin Phoenix plays Commodus, the treacherous son of Marcus Aurelius and Connie Neilson his sister.

The cinematography and cutting is excellent, and although this was made 7 or 8 years ago now, the CGI efects still look good to this day. There are some brilliant scenes inside the Colloseum, noteably where the Tigers are released during a Gladiator fight, and during the scene involving the chariots.

Although the film is nearly 2 and 1/2 hours long, you'll never be looking at your watch during this. This is what cinema and film (and I include DVDs in this as well) were meant for. There is no basis of fact behind the story, but in the end who cares this is just great entertainment.

Great movie!!!.......2007-06-17

Lots of action and great special effect! 5 stars!!!

Gladiator one of the best.......2007-06-14

Glad I bought this one, saved me from renting it at least twice a year from here on out...

INCREDIBLE MOVIE.......2007-05-17

If you don't own this yet, please ADD TO CART now. This is an amazing movie, and when I put it in the DVD, I am always sad to see it end the way it does. But IT is a MUST have.

I wish I could give it 10 STARS.

Average customer rating:

Prefer the Judy Garland one
Evergreen...
Barbara is amazing
A star is born
When Streisand Sings Rock, It's Also Great.

A Star Is Born
Starring: Barbra Streisand , Kris Kristofferson , Gary Busey , Oliver Clark , and Venetta Fields
Director: Frank Pierson
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

A Star Is Born
The Way We Were (Special Edition)
Streisand: Live In Concert (2 CD's)
Barbra Streisand - One Voice
Barbra Streisand - The Television Specials

ASIN: B000AYEL1A
Release Date: 2006-11-28

Amazon.com essential video

This film actually began with the idea of remaking A Star Is Born with the then-hot couple James Taylor and Carly Simon. Eventually, it evolved into this vanity production for Barbra Streisand, with Kris Kristofferson as the designated stud muffin. The story remains the same: A superstar on the decline meets a young singer on the way up. They marry as their career trajectories intersect, and his eventual demise is meant as a sacrifice to further boost her career by ridding her of the burden of him. Kristofferson's rock & roll numbers are decidedly lousy--Hollywood's idea of rock music--and Streisand looks good and always sounds fine (she won an Oscar for cowriting the song "Evergreen"). But you can feel her heavy hand guiding every shot; she seems to serve as puppet master for director Frank Pierson, framing every image of herself for maximum glow. The ultimate date flick (if the guy can sit still through it). --Marshall Fine

Description

The fire of Barbra Streisand. The magnetism of Kris Kristofferson. The reckless world of big-time rock 'n' roll. All three bring a new passion and timeliness to A Star Is Born, one of the screen's classic love stories (previously filmed in 1937 and 1954) and winner of five Golden GlobeO Awards, including Best Picture, Actress and Actor (Musical/Comedy). Paul Williams, Kenny Loggins, Leon Russell and others worked with Streisand on one of the most popular song scores ever, topped by the Streisand/Williams Evergreen winning the Academy AwardO and Golden GlobeO Award as 1976's Best Original Song. Their teamwork resulted in a box-office triumph as well as "a considerable achievement" (Clive Hirschhorn, The Hollywood Musical).

DVD Features:
Additional Scenes:Additional Scenes/Alternate Takes
Audio Commentary:Commentary by Barbra Streisand
Other:Wardrobe Tests
Theatrical Trailer:A Star Is Born Trailer Gallery

Customer Reviews:

Prefer the Judy Garland one.......2007-06-30

I am a great fan of Barbara Streisand but I prefer the Judy Garland version.

Evergreen..........2007-05-30

Barbra Streisand plays a singer who is discovered by a superstar, performed by Kris Kristofferson, whose career is going down the tubes because of his alcohol and drug dependency, combined with a reckless personality.

They soon initiate a relationship and fall madly in love with one another. They get married but he continues to diminish his stature while she gains in popularity. While his songs and music are decreasing in popularity and quality, her voice is capturing the hearts of fans everywhere, and the melodies she produces start to win awards.

Both performances are superb and the magnetism of both stars makes this movie a rather interesting story to watch. Evergreen shall forever enchant audiences, and owning a DVD where it is performed by Barbra Streisand and then hummed by her is simply... magnificent. Don't miss it!

Barbara is amazing.......2007-05-12

The films in itself isn't the best, but her singing simply draws you into the story in such a way that in the end, I cried! snif. Yep, it was gooooooooood.

Go babara!

A star is born.......2007-05-12

I saw this movie the first time it came out in 197? I loved it then and have waited along time for it to come out in DVD it is just as good as I remeber LOVE IT !!! LOVE IT !!! if you have never seen it and you are a romantic it is well worth the money and then some .........

When Streisand Sings Rock, It's Also Great........2007-05-12

We normally are familiar with Barbra Streisand singing ballads. But, when she does rock 'n' roll, she delivers it with another effect, which is also terrific. Personally, I don't think this one is my favorite movie by Streiand, but, it is a remake of a classic ... so, I should have it in my collection. Streisand fans should obtain this DVD because it features some deleted scenes and Streisand's commentary.

Average customer rating:

A fantastic film for people who truly did their homework
One of the best films!
Made a fool out of her

Factory Girl (Unrated)
Starring: Colleen Camp , Illeana Douglas , Charles Ferrara , Beth Grant , and Edward Herrmann
Director: George Hickenlooper
Manufacturer: The Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Zodiac (Widescreen Edition)
Black Snake Moan
Miss Potter
Breaking and Entering
Little Children

ASIN: B000QGDXG6
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Customer Reviews:

A fantastic film for people who truly did their homework.......2007-06-21

This film got an exceptional amount of poor reviews by people who had a faint idea of who Edie Sedgwick was and the effect she still has on people today. She was the underground, self-indulgent, addict version of Audrey Hepburn. Everyone wanted to be her. She couldn't help herself, but everyone wanted to help her until they realized the enormity of that task. Edie was a poor little rich girl, yes, but she was raised to be that way. She was someone who was heavily medicated from a young age, someone who was taught to go to others for your problems. She wanted to escape, but the foundation of who she was was never solid enough for her to make it on her own, hence her inability to be completely independent. Enter Andy Warhol, the sychophant who relished in her beauty, charm, and complete lack of self-awareness. She was everything he wasn't, and vice versa. Once Warhol had capitalized on her and milked her dry, he left her wanting, so she found other means. Therewithin is her demise.

Knowing Sedgwick, and especially the nuances of this film, makes you look at it in a different light. The too-fast pace marked by subtleties such as "is the salmon fresh?". If you don't know that era, those people, the Warholian group, you'll dislike this film. Simply because you won't appreciate how much went into developing the characters. Any press will show you that Sienna worked on the role well over a year, Guy lost loads of weight, and Miller had to master a voice that crept away from the person who possessed it in a very short time. Not an easy task.

It's a fantastic film. If nothing else, appreciate the artistry of it.

One of the best films!.......2007-06-10

This movie got so much bad reviews, but in my opinion it is one of the best films ever. Reminds me of those old classic films kind of like Breakfast At Tiffany's or Lolita. One where you fall in love with the protagonist.
Sienna Miller is amazing in this film.

Made a fool out of her.......2007-05-29

One of the most notorious self-destructs of the last century was Edie Sedgwick, a glamorous poor-little-rich-girl whose distant pixielike beauty made her Andy Warhol's muse.

Too bad her biopic "Factory Girl" is basically a piece of drivelling trash, with all the depth and artistic intelligence of a "Biography" episode, based on the director's massive crush on his subject. And it doesn't help that the supremely untalented Sienna Miller gives Edie all the life of a block of wood.

Edie Sedgwick (Sienna Miller) was an American blueblood, with vast quantities of money and a bright future. But she encountered Andy Warhol (Guy Pearse), the pop artist who turned the art/music world on its ear, and soon she was his "muse," even starring in some of the brief films that Warhol directed. For a time, she was on top of the world.

But soon Edie's inner torment began to surface, as two men began a tug-o-war with her affections -- Warhol, and the handsome young folkie Bob Dylan.... I mean, Quinn (Hayden Christensen). And Edie's lover can't stop her from descending into a personal hell, which ultimately destroyed her.

They've been trying to drum up notice for this film by sprinkling the rumor that Christensen and Miller really had sex for the cameras. Well, the rumors are actually more interesting than the movie itself -- despite Sedgwick's life of sex, film, glamor and drugs, "Factory Girl" is dull as ditchwater.

Basically, it's a love letter from director George Hickenlooper to Edie, and his unwillingness to grasp that the ruination of her life can't be blamed on anyone.Though Sedgwick was already on drugs and pain when she met Warhol, here she's a pitiful waif damsel who is being fought over by handsome Dylan and the evil queeny Warhol -- who, the movie not-so-subtlely suggests, ruined her life.

The whole movie feels rushed. Hickenlooper tries to include every style and bit of trivia of the period, making it feel like a clumsy cram. And the messiness extends to the story -- a tangle of flashbacks, splicing, parties, trashy glitz, and characters that flit in and out without much consequence -- not to mention the "interviews," which are apparently included because the plot is too incoherent. Oy.

And the actors cannot bring their legendary characters to life. Miller is a screeching, histrionic creature without glamour, range or poignancy, and definitely without Edie's beauty. Christensen is choking on his role as a thinly-veiled Bob Dylan... oops, I meant Quinn. Guy Pearse is the only bright spot, despite the flimsiness of his character.

Instead of semi-accurately portraying Sedgwick's life, "Factory Girl" is a blinkered love letter, a rewriting of history in which all Sedgwick's problems were due to Warhol. A glitzy, glamless disaster.

Average customer rating:

Do yourself a favor and get it
Motown disappointment
FANTASTIC!
I never really liked Motown...
Standing In The Shadows of Motown

Standing In The Shadows of Motown
Starring: Richard 'Pistol' Allen , Jack Ashford , Bob Babbitt (II) , Benny 'Papa Zita' Benjamin , and Eddie 'Bongo' Brown
Director: Paul Justman
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DTS | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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

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

Standing in the Shadows of Motown: Deluxe Edition
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
The Temptations
Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Funk Brothers

ASIN: B00008J2HC
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Amazon.com

Standing in the Shadows of Motown is a must-see film for any fan of the Supremes, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, or any other classic Motown stars. This swinging documentary celebrates the Funk Brothers--the team of studio musicians who powered dozens and dozens of hit Motown songs--by combining reminiscences, reenactments, and clips from a recent concert put on by the Funk Brothers, featuring singers like Chaka Khan, Ben Harper, and Joan Osborne on classic tunes like "What's Going On," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," and "Heatwave." This crafty gang of elderly musicians will charm your pants off with a slew of entertaining anecdotes. Though it seems that there's a lot of dirt they're declining to dish, the movie deftly outlines the history of Motown, surely the most significant music label in American history--the label that turned segregated "race music" into chart-topping success. A soulful delight. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Detroit, Michigan, 1959. Berry Gordy gathers the best musicians from the city's thriving jazz and blues scene for his new record company: Motown. For the next 14 years these players are the heartbeat on "My Girl," "Baby Love," "Ooo Baby Baby," "Bernadette," "I Was Made To Love Her," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Dancing In The Street," and every other hit from Motown's Detroit era. By the end of their phenomenal run, the unheralded group of musicians plays on more Number One hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles combined, making them the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music. They call themselves the Funk Brothers. But no one knows their names...this is their story.

Customer Reviews:

Do yourself a favor and get it.......2007-07-04

This might be the best 10 bucks you'll ever spend if you like Motown or heck if you like music. It leaves you wanting to know more and many of us who grew up with this music should know more. While some of their stories are heartbreaking it was a pleasure to see Pistol Allen smiling behind the drums even though he was so sick he would die shortly after the completion of the film. It was a sad moment too when two of the surviving brothers describe their last encounter with James Jamerson who would die the day after their visit. But there is fun too, fun for the Funk Brothers and fun for us as we are honored to hear these guys play and play they still can. The band is still very tight and very good. The vocalist do an admirable job of interpreting the hits. It would have been nice to have been graced with Marvin Gaye's and David Ruffin's presence but this is about the Funk Brothers and I for one am damn glad I got to see it.
Thanks to Dr. Lick's for putting this together.

Motown disappointment.......2007-06-27

I was looking forward to seeing the actual footage of the singers. I do appreciate the story of the fellows behind the artists but still, I think the video would have been more enjoyable had they included the actual singers.

FANTASTIC!.......2007-06-18

I rented this from Blockbuster,and immediately bought it. It's sooooo good and informative, I can't describe it. I loaned it to someone who stayed up until 2:00 a.m. to see the whole thing. There are absolutely great live performances from: the late Gerald Levert, (His "Shotgun" is outstanding) Me'shell Indegeocello (sp.)(who sexes up "You Really Got A Hold On Me"), Bootsy Collins, ("Cool Jerk"). Joan Osborne does a great ("What Becomes of the Broken Hearted") and Ben Harper all sing 2 songs. (The only performance I HATED was Ben Harper's "Heard it through the Grapevine"). Chaka Khan, Montell Jordan & Tom Scott also appear. The remaining "Funk Brothers" musicians who played behind the Motown groups,tell funny stories about each other, how they met, Berry Gordy and the label's performers. They even go to "Hitsville" where it all started. There are reinactments, and old photos. It's so good I've seen it at least six times. You will almost cry at the finale when they introduce everyone, even the musicians that have passed away. Their photos are on stage with the remaining members. There is a second disc of extras that I have yet to finish, but the movie itself is wonderful. I've watched it with Black and White people, young and old, and everyone loves it. Go get it. Now.

I never really liked Motown..........2007-05-25

...and the Motown sound. I saw it as a saccharine, watered-down parody of Soul for mass consumption.

This DVD changed all that for me.

The story of the Funk Brothers and their different personalities --personal and musical-- was fascinating and a revelation. The music is top-notch and the modern vocalists they got for this film and for the excellent soundtrack --buy it, even if you think you don't like the Motown sound-- bring out the magic of those famous tunes I dismissed at an earlier age.

Maybe the current crop of singers have more soul or more influences to draw on than the originals artists, or maybe the engineers/producers sucked some of the guts out of the original tracks... I don't know, but these songs sound great!

What is more or less the same is the line-up of the Funk Brothers, finally getting a very small measure of the recognition they deserve.

The filmmakers and the the artists featured in this film turned me from detractor to a fan of the Motown sound. I can't give a better review than that.

If you like music documentaries and you haven't seen this one, you're missing one of the best!

Standing In The Shadows of Motown.......2007-05-14

Excellent documentary brings to light the artists behind the music that was the "Motown Sound".

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

The Plays of William Shakespeare - King Lear

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Complete Season Five

Mary Lou's Flip Flop Shop: Our Special Friends/Shaping Our S

DVD: Troy Cory Show; Prisoner Of Love; VRA4001; VRA TelePlay

Requiem für eine romantische Frau