Blitz

Starring:JÃ¼rgen Prochnow, Senta Berger, AgnÃ¨s Soral, Daniel GÃ©lin, Stefan Meinke, Peter Matic, Bernhard Wicki, Osman Ragheb, William Conrad, Axel Scholz (II), Marina Larsen, Klaus Mikoleit, Wolf Gaudlitz, Oliver Rohrbeck, Uwe Hacker, Willie Richter, Dieter Kursawe, Richard SÃ¼ssenguth, Rene Hennig, Georg Tryphon
Director: Michael Verhoeven
Studio: Brentwood Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Perfect title for this wonderful documentary
An Entertaining Gem
Great Film!
Congradulations, spelling chapms!
Casts a spell and keeps you enchanted!

Spellbound
Starring: Angela Arenivar , Nupur Lala , Meena Lala , Ted Brigham , and Dan Brigham
Director: Jeffrey Blitz
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000WN13Q
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Amazon.com

Who would have thought that a documentary about spelling-bee contestants could be as suspenseful as a Hitchcock thriller? Spellbound, which follows eight kids from their early victories in regional spelling bees to the national competition in Washington, D.C., is an out-and-out nail-biter. Each of the kids--who range from a quietly driven African American girl from a run-down D.C. neighborhood, to a genial Connecticut girl who talks about bringing her au pair to a previous competition, to an almost zombie-like boy whose immigrant father has paid 1,000 people back in India to pray for the boy's success--gets captured so vividly that you can't help but get emotionally immersed in their brave, nerve-wracking struggle to spell slippery, treacherous words. Along the way, Spellbound contrasts the crazily different populations that make up the U.S. and shows how this facet of intelligence truly makes everyone equal on the podium. A riveting, wrenching, must-see movie. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Spellbound is the extraordinary documentary that follows eight teenagers on their quest to win the National Spelling Bee competition.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect title for this wonderful documentary.......2007-06-09

"Spellbound" is exactly how this film leaves you. I've rarely been so focused on a group of people we get to know early on as they prepare for the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. in 1999. Coming from all walks of life and from different economic classes, they have at least one thing in common...intensity.

The first half of "Spellbound" is dedicated to being introduced to the eight kids on which the film is based...their families, friends and teachers all provide a loving (and often nail biting) bond with these present and future competitors. But it is the second half where everything comes together. There's more drama here than in most action movies and it is a winner of a film on many different levels.

I highly recommend "Spellbound". It's a timeless wonder... warm, sometimes funny, occasionally heartbreaking but always satisfying. These kids and their families teach us a good deal about love, learning, and competition. You'll be spellbound.

An Entertaining Gem.......2007-06-02

A documentary about spelling bees by no means sounds like something the average person would call entertaining. However, ignoring any initial hesitation one might have, this film is definitely worth seeing and is an unique, funny, and overall entertaining experience.

The subject matter is basic enough; the film chronicles eight hopefuls vying for a chance to win the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Each of these eight are truly unique characters, hailing from all over the country and with completely different traits; they represent a true cross-section of our nation. We are given an initial overview into of all of the children's lives, before we are led on to the national competition itself. From this instant we realize that we have some true characters on our hands and that the dedication and intelligence found in some of these children is remarkable. From here I was hooked; anyone who is a sucker for human interest stories will find this flick quite endearing.

Once we reach the national level of the competition, the film takes an entirely different turn. The filmmakers manage to capture the intensity of the competition- the pressure the spellers themselves face, standing in front of the crowd and television cameras, the anxiety that the parents feel, hanging on every letter, and the pure joy of getting a word correct. Never in my life had I imagined a spelling bee could be so exciting, yet here I was in front of my television screen, rooting on my favorites like I would my favorite sports star. For the most part, all the spellers and their parents are likeable, however a few of them can be irking at times.

Each person will have a speller that they can identify with, and this is what makes the film truly special. Speaking of this, one of the most interesting bonus features is the "Where Are They Now" portion. The rest of the bonus material is nothing to speak of, but this is not why one would by the DVD in the first place.

Spellbound won the 2002 Academy Award for best documentary, a well-deserved recognition. This film is truly something special, a treat for the entire family. No amazing visuals, nothing to straight out blow you away- just pure, innocent family entertainment; something that is needed terribly these days. Although it is not something one would typically grab for right away, the sheer entertainment value warrants it a viewing. Highly recommended.

Great Film!.......2007-05-26

This is a great film that follows the young spelling champions to their ultimate goal of winning the national spelling bee competition. I loved every minute of this movie and I was surprised how much I was drawn into each of the story lines of these students. Watching the parents was interesting too as they talked about what winning this competition meant to their child as well as to them. How they helped - or didn't help - their children was interesting too.

Nothing objectionable in this film. Lots of fun. Enjoy!

Congradulations, spelling chapms!.......2007-05-23

I participated in the Scripps-Howard Bee in 1977, although I was ousted at the city level (my word was "justification"; I left out one of the middle "I"s).

These eight participants (11 if you count the DVD extras) are a cross-section of America, and their "Where are they now" pieces reflect this, and yes, this does include Ashley White, the inner-city black girl who became a homeless single teenage mother. Only the Indian stage father, who coached his son 8 hours a day and promised to buy meals for 5,000 hungry Indians if his son won, was really an unappealing person, as was the apparently well-to-do divorced mother in the extra who clearly lived her life through her kids' accomplishments. The other parents appeared to be supportive of their children but not pushy. The teacher who said Indian kids "always" have a spectacular work ethic made me cringe a bit as well. My personal favorite was Allyson, the 10-year-old who papered the walls at home with neon Post-Its with various big words written on them. This child was dedicated!

After watching the live telecast of the finals last year, I imagined those kids going home and doing things like sitting upside down on the couch with their Ipods, or my co-worker whose 11-year-old son had awakened him and his wife a few days earlier at 4am to tell them he was going to throw up ("And why are you in here telling us this? Would you just go to the bathroom?), and stuff like that. Same thing with these kids.

If a 4 1/2 star review was possible, that's what I would give it because I would have liked to have seen a little more from past winners. I especially enjoyed the interview with the very first winner from 1925, who was about 90 years old and you could tell his mind was as sharp as it was on that day 70-plus years ago.

They will be showing the finals once again this year, and I plan to watch it again.

p.s. A group of benefactors, upon learning of Ms. White's plight, have made arrangements for her to attend Howard University, and she is an honor student while living in transitional housing and raising her daughter. I wonder what happened in her family that she couldn't live with her mom any more.

Casts a spell and keeps you enchanted!.......2007-05-13

I've seen this documentary twice now and was as captured by it the second time as the first. The filmmakers do a superb job of capturing the hopes and dreams of the eight spelling bee participants they choose to highlight. The economic, educational, and family backgrounds of these kids are all so varied and it is fascinating and movign to hear their thoughts and those of their parents, to watch how they prepare, and how they hold up in the competition. It also delves into the question of why the kids do it and what pressures might be on them to succeed, sort of the dark underbelly of spelling bees.

By the time the competition is on screen, you have a vested interest in nearly all of them (yes, I had my favorites) and yet you can't help but feel for them all. This movie was more suspenseful than most thrillers, and contained so much humanity! If you don't weep at least once, I'll be surprised!!

This documentary spawned other "competition" documentaries, one about a dance competition in a New York school district ("Mad Hot Ballroom") and one about a New York Times Crossword PUzzle competition ("Wordplay"). Both of these are excellent and worth watching, too, though neither comes up to the level of Spellbound.

Average customer rating:

dear 20th century fox.......
One of the best movies of ALL TIME
Either you like it or you don't
What the Heck !?!?!?!?!?!?
you can laugh too much

Young Frankenstein (Special Edition)
Starring: Anne Beesley , Oscar Beregi Jr. , Rusty Blitz , Peter Boyle , and Johnny Dennis
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: 6305168857
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Amazon.com essential video

If you were to argue that Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein ranks among the top-ten funniest movies of all time, nobody could reasonably dispute the claim. Spoofing classic horror in the way that Brooks's previous film Blazing Saddles sent up classic Westerns, the movie is both a loving tribute and a raucous, irreverent parody of Universal's classic horror films Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Filming in glorious black and white, Brooks re-created the Frankenstein laboratory using the same equipment from the original Frankenstein (courtesy of designer Kenneth Strickfaden), and this loving attention to physical and stylistic detail creates a solid foundation for nonstop comedy. The story, of course, involves Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) and his effort to resume experiments in re-animation pioneered by his late father. (He's got some help, since dad left behind a book titled How I Did It.) Assisting him is the hapless hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman) and the buxom but none-too-bright maiden Inga (Teri Garr), and when Frankenstein succeeds in creating his monster (Peter Boyle), the stage is set for an outrageous revision of the Frankenstein legend. With comedy highlights too numerous to mention, Brooks guides his brilliant cast (also including Cloris Leachman, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, and Gene Hackman in a classic cameo role) through scene after scene of inspired hilarity. Indeed, Young Frankenstein is a charmed film, nothing less than a comedy classic, representing the finest work from everyone involved. Not one joke has lost its payoff, and none of the countless gags have lost their zany appeal. From a career that includes some of the best comedies ever made, this is the film for which Mel Brooks will be most fondly remembered. Befitting a classic, the Special Edition DVD includes audio commentary by Mel Brooks, a "making of" documentary, interviews with the cast, hilarious bloopers and outtakes, and the original theatrical trailers. No video library should be without a copy of Young Frankenstein. And just remember--that's Fronkensteen. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

dear 20th century fox..............2007-07-03

To the marketing idiots at 20th Century Fox: don't worry, I'll wait till you maroons give us an anamorphic transfer. What year is this???, oh, yeah, 2007!

One of the best movies of ALL TIME.......2007-07-03

If you don't like "Young Frankenstein," you need therapy. And this special edition is a wonderful way to celebrate an all-time classic that has endured, despite its lack of car chases, shootouts, and helicopters.

Either you like it or you don't.......2007-07-03

I like it and watch it a few times a year so I guess I'm getting my monies worth...

What the Heck !?!?!?!?!?!?.......2007-06-28

I usually love Mel Brooks movies and I'm a huge fan of Get Smart from TV - I even have the box set :) But this movie sucked! I wasn't even born when it was made and it felt like all the jokes were so cliched when I watched it. Now there could be 2 reasons for that - Number 1 is that this film was so influential that every other movie copied it so I had already heard the jokes a million times before or Number 2 - The jokes actually were cliched. Either way I didn't really enjoy this like I wanted to. I'm still keeping it though - although if I run out of room in my new DVD holder this is going in the trash first thing.

you can laugh too much.......2007-06-11

Is this movie the product of a genius I don't know I'm not a genius but I did find it the funniest movie I ever saw.
Is this movie well made I don't know I don't make comedies but it is the funniest comedy I've seen in the last fifty years.
Does the story stick to the book yes. The book is rather simple in principle and without a lot of pedantry describes the power of a dream that comes true. Young Frankenstein takes not only the book Frankenstein and gives it some room to grow it gives vent to all those silly horror movies of the same names. Don't get me wrong please Young Frankenstein is silly but not stupid it comes from a lot of hard work I'm sure and the acting is the best I've ever seen like I say but the script they use does roll into the weeds from time to time.

The first time you see this one your sides hurt from all the timeless jokes scattered all the way through in what I'm sure the business calls perfect timing. I still don't know how they got the cast of stars to all fit on the same set to make this very funny movie but to this day after just seeing it again on TV I'm glad we have it around none the less as it is a classic even in it's own write and it's in black and white so you have to have been around long enough to have seen at least one of the early Horror movies we used to have to watch back in the good ol' days when every thing was in black and white and usually a horror on it's own don't you know.

The second time around you'll probably just laugh because it's a funny movie just that a very funny movie. Just the thing if you've seen everything before and perhaps need the last place you look for it to get you into the air.

This is a scary movie for kids though least I think so because the places the movie takes you can be a little foreign unless you've been to Transylvania and that's hardly likely for this audience but if you did come from there you never saw the places Young Frankenstein takes you I hope.

Frankenstein is a little over the top in this movie mostly from other old black and whites but almost believable in his complexity as a character I'm sure you'll admit.

His girlfriend has always been near the top of my most attractive women list and her acting is something you have to see for yourself to criticize .

There's a love interest in this one for Frankenstein and after a twist of fate more a thrust he gets the girl and the castle and the whole bowl of rice but with a lot of class that's rare and only found in this spoof of the Baron Von Frankenstein of many an imagination gone wild. She's played by Terry Garr the girl from Star Trek that ends up marrying the secret-agent from another planet with the cat that talked and the typewriter that doubled as secretary and the ... wasn't funny.

Egor the faithful servant of every Frankenstein we see on TV is played by Marty Feldman. A funny guy even in his own write Marty makes you laugh even when you're not looking and keeps the whole movie in the air all the time.

There's some cameos by most of the other funny men of the day and a whole lot of story for a comedy especially about such a difficult subject like Frankenstein so if you've got a book report to do you can always budget it as research because this movie made an awful lot of bigbucks and still does so there.

Average customer rating:

Pure Fantasy
Absolute Disaster
A Profile of a Train Wreck.
More Sid And Nancy Than The Real Nancy and Sid Were
Can't stop watching it

Sid & Nancy
Starring: Sandy Baron , Perry Benson , Xander Berkeley , Debby Bishop , and Rusty Blitz
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
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ASIN: B00004ZBVO
Release Date: 2000-12-19

Amazon.com

After the cultish success of Repo Man, maverick director Alex Cox made the film that remains his masterpiece--a loud, brash, abrasive, painful, funny, and utterly brilliant screen biography of British punk rocker Sid Vicious and his American girlfriend Nancy Spungen. As played to perfection by Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb, Sid and Nancy are made for each other, serving their mutual strengths and weaknesses and rising with the punk-rock fame of Sid's group, the Sex Pistols, while falling into the ultimately lethal pit of drug abuse. Cox doesn't pull any punches or compromise the unsavory aspects of this passionate love story, so the film presents a harsh mix of emotional and physical anguish tempered by the very poignant and genuine love shared by its tormented central characters. Through it all, the film emerges as an intimate and yet oddly epic chronicle of punk's glory days of anarchic sex, drugs and rock & roll. It's as dynamic and confidently directed as any screen biography before or since, no less fascinating for its unpleasant aspects as for the touching emotions at its very human core. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Gary Oldman (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Lost In Space) and Chloe Webb (The Newton Boys) execute performances that are nothing short of phenomenal (Los AngelesTimes) as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his unforgettable junkie girlfriendtwo socialmisfits who literally love each other to death. In this riveting biography of burnt-out icons (The Washington Post), award-winning* writer/director Alex Cox (Repo Man) creates a great film ('siskel & Ebert ) about the destructive lives of two 1970's punk legends. Their love affair is one of pure devotion. Sid falls hard for groupie Nancy Spungen, who seduces him with her affectionand addiction to heroin. Their inseparable bondto each other and their drugseventually corrodes the band, sending Sid and Nancy down a dark road of despair. Out of money, hope and options,the despondent two hit rock bottom while living in squalor at New York's infamous Chelsea Hotel. But their journey takes yet another tragic turn as they face their final curtainand attempt to fulfill their destiny of going out in a blaze of glory! *1986: Critics Award, Sao Paulo International Film Festival

Customer Reviews:

Pure Fantasy.......2007-05-06

Hey kids, let's glorify the use of heroin!

This film was a big mistake and terribly misleading to the younger generations who were not around for the origination of the Punk scene and the real news that surrounded the deaths of the Sid and Nancy.

Super for the "emo's" who love a tragic tale, but absolute drivel when it comes to reality. One gets the sense that these two ended up in a happy rock and roll heaven and all is well. What glory? Nonsense! Take it as fiction because the facts were much more harsh, pathetic, and disappointing.

I have been a fan of the Sex Pistols since the 70's and can only shake my head when I think of Sid- a very naive young man who couldn't handle stardom and fell into the hell and sorrow of drug addiction. Nancy did not help as she was a dealer and major manipulator.

The only thing that saves the film and makes it worth two stars is the integrity in which John Lydon is portrayed. There is some truth in that and they did do justice to his character.

If I had time to sit and watch any film even related to the Pistols, it would be the documentary "The Filth and The Fury." There you will find the truth. You will hear from Nancy herself about being a prostitute and from Sid about his feelings regarding his drug addiction.

Absolute Disaster.......2007-05-02

As a fan of Punk, this is one of the most disappointing films I've seen.The "Actor" who plays Sid Vicious is pathetic- nothing like him at all. Worst Punk film ever.

A Profile of a Train Wreck. .......2007-03-11

What I enjoyed most about Sid and Nancy was the profile of the Sex Pistols who (unfortunately) are only a vicarious part of the plot. I know that Johnny Lydon did not approve of this film, but I absolutely loved Schofield's portrayal of him here. In fact, he almost steals the spotlight from the train wreck that is the relationship between the main protagonists. I also thought that technically this film was outstanding. My favorite scene involved the press/party boat. After it was forcibly docked, the shot of Sid and Nancy gliding through the melee was exceptional. This movie has something in common with all period pieces we remember--it is incredibly well-done. My own appreciation for the film, however, was sabotaged by the fact that I was not even remotely interested in the love affair between Sid and Nancy. I found the gradual disintegration of their lives to rather depressing.

More Sid And Nancy Than The Real Nancy and Sid Were.......2007-02-17

I think Sid & Nancy might just be the best rock-based biographical film yet done. Better than Oliver Stone's The Doors, better than last year's dismal Brian Jones flick whose name isn't worthy of being repeated here. The reason Sid & Nancy rises above the rest can be summed up in one word: talent. Sid & Nancy is the result of a passionate filmmaker getting near-perfect performances from his well-chosen cast, of welding great music and attention-grabbing scenery to a modern tragedy that touches many emotions. The result is a five-star film.

People are surprised when I tell them the Sex Pistols rank among my all-time favorite groups. No, I was never a punk, and besides, when I was growing up `70's punk bands were mostly curiosities from modern pop culture history, but I do like the music the Sex Pistols produced on their one and only legitimate album, and the film Sid & Nancy, much criticized by pompous purists and much praised by most everyone else, is a chronicle of that era and two of its most infamously doomed participants. The chameleonic Gary Oldman brings Sid Vicious not only to life, he somehow surpasses the original to vicariously embody a character more memorable than the flesh and blood young man on whom the role is based. Likewise Chloe Webb (who really deserved better career choices than she got after this movie) brings the manic-depressive Nancy Spungen back from the grave in all her alienating, irritatingly pathetic hideousness.

Some say this movie takes liberties with the timeline of Sid and Nancy's short lives, and others say it manages to glamorize them for the wrong things. Probably legitimate gripes, I'll grant, but there are also those who refuse to see the greatness in, say, Shakespeare's Richard III, because the fictionalized villain bears scant resemblance to the real man. That's much the same case here. For all one might say in criticism of this movie, Alex Cox did the impossible and revived the decaying, culture-shocked world of 1970's London, and against that stage he crafted a story that works well. Sid & Nancy is about drugs, music, twisted love between two misfit human beings, needless death, and a revolutionary movement that imploded on its nihilism even as its message was lost on the masses. Sid & Nancy is not only about Sid and Nancy, so emblematic of their time and place, it is the tragic chronicle of the spirit of misguided post-adolescent reaction against a dismal age.

Can't stop watching it.......2007-02-07

I love the Sex Pistols and the whole british punk movement of the 1970's. I think Johnny Rotten wrote the greatest lyrics for the band and Cook & Jones are the true backbone musicly of the Sex Pistols. Glen Matlock certainly got cheated and so did the band when Sid Vicious joined as their, ahem, "Bass Player." (Was glad to see Glen was back for the reunion tour and you can hear his great bass work on Filthy Lucre Live=plus hear the band as a four piece rather than the Sid version with a singer, drummer, guitarist and a fashion plate standing stage left.)

I love Alex Cox's RepoMan film and when I read he did the "Sid & Nancy" film, I bought it. The two that play Sid & Nancy did a fine job. I liked that Courtney Love had a bit part in it too. The story is crazy yet amusing. It is a demented love story that was based around nothing but Sex, Drugs and (Punk) Rock N' Roll. But the Rock N' Roll (as in music) was pretty much left out, since Sid really wasn't a musician. Sid befriended Johnny Rotten and got him to join the band after they parted with Glen Matlock. Here in the film, you see that Johnny, Paul & Steve were probably thinking it was a HUGE mistake having Sid in the band, plus they had to deal with his girl, Nancy.

Just goes to show you the devestating effect drugs can have on the poeple that use them and the heartache it can bring to others. Sid had a role in the disbanding of one of the most important bands in rock history and possibly had a hand in the death of his girlfriend. Did someone else visit Sid and Nancy and got high together and killed Nancy? Did Sid just hold a knife and Nancy went to jump on him during a fight and was accidently stabbed by Sid? Only Sid & Nancy know. One thing is for sure, they were certainly made for each other and both had a death wish.

As far as the acting, I wished they picked better poeple to play the other Sex pistols. The guy who played Johnny was okay but he should have played it more obnoxious. The Sex Pistol songs done for the movie by other musicians are very sterile sounding without any punk bite. Same goes for X Ray Spex "Oh Bondage, Up Yours!". I didn't like that Johnny Rotten was kinda portrayed a bit wimpy, too. But the feel and crazyness of the film is cool and it's pretty much a derranged story that has some memorable scenes and is great to watch alot just for those.

This movie is certainly a cult classic. If you like movies such as Repo Man, Heathers and Pump Up the Volume, you will enjoy Sid & Nancy.

Average customer rating:

Murder amidst sophistication arttistically done
"The thing is, I don't believe anyone is ever watching."
Malkovich is a natural as the conscience-less Ripley in dark little film
Same Talent, Different Ripley
This Was Just Terrible....

Ripley's Game
Starring: Ray Winstone , John Malkovich , Uwe Mansshardt , Hanns Zischler , and Paolo Paoloni
Director: Liliana Cavani
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
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ASIN: B00018D40O
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Amazon.com

The slippery protagonist of The Talented Mr. Ripley returns in another deadly guise in Ripley's Game, a well-appointed star vehicle. The star this time is John Malkovich, whose older Tom Ripley has settled into an Italian villa and a life of aesthetic contemplation (a little like Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal). A former partner (Ray Winstone) drags an innocent frame-maker (Dougray Scott), dying of leukemia, into the role of unexpected hit man. Ripley, for his own enigmatic reasons, helps. Liliana Cavani, of The Night Porter notoriety, directed this handsome if nebulous film (which has no connection to the Matt Damon picture, other than a Patricia Highsmith source novel). Malkovich exudes his usual oily disenchantment with the world; Lena Headey, like the location footage, is gorgeous. The same novel was adapted in very different style by Wim Wenders for his brilliant 1977 film, The American Friend, with Dennis Hopper and Bruno Ganz. --Robert Horton

Description

Mr. Ripley emerges from retirement to preside over one last deadly game, but can he persuade an innocent man to commit murder?

Customer Reviews:

Murder amidst sophistication arttistically done.......2006-12-29

Insults lead to bad tidings in "Ripley's Game", an Italian production that contrasts high art with everyday murder and thievery and effectively pulls off this dichotomy. John Malkovich stars as Ripley, a self-described "talented improvisor" that lives like a prince in an Italian estate thanks to his mischevious nature. His lifestyle as killer and art thief supports his girlfriend's high falutin' keyboard career in addition to his own very prosperous lifestyle.

When a 9-to-5 married picture framer unknowingly insults Ripley during a party, he sets up the schnook through lowlife partner Ray Winstone -- an earthy foil to Malkovich's refined character -- and he is soon knee deep in an enterprise of murder and mayhem that monumentally disrupts life for his lovely wife and young son. This, Ripley suggests, is "the game."

Soon the picture framer -- who is driven to murder by greed and his own cancer -- is led into a deepening morass of killing and greed where Ripley is both antagonist and protagonist. The action is carried out with worldliness, humor and subtlety, all very European. In the end it is never clear who wins or loses and which is really the bad guy. Almost everyone besides Ripley loses something, proving he is master of his own game.

My favorite John Malkovich movie was filmed in Italy and Germany. Ennio Morricone's alternately minimalist and lyrical score adds dimension to the mystery. This is a rewarding flick for anyone that likes mystery, murder and good filmmaking with a few plot twists. There are enough unexpected turns -- watch for Malkovich to exit a train's restroom at a critical juncture -- that the movie never gets boring.

"The thing is, I don't believe anyone is ever watching.".......2006-09-18

The always-superior Malkovich, as Tom Ripley, is the central piece in this mob-hit run amok, the sophisticated killer as blasé about his crimes as he is appreciative of the finer things of life, the elegant details of his Italian villa, his gifted harpsichordist/lover, his excellent taste in artifacts. In contrast, a gangster from Ripley's past, played perfectly by Ray Winston, a crude, deliberative criminal, orders executions to facilitate taking over key aspects of the Russian mob's trade. Miffed after an insult by a guest who is dying of leukemia, Jonathan Trevanny (Dougray Scott), Ripley submits John's name to the gangster as a potential assassin for the Russian hits, since the ill man is desperate for money. But Ripley's former Berlin crony (Winston) gets greedy, expecting the dying Trevanny to perform ever more outrageous acts, threatening his family if he fails to cooperate. Chastened, or out of some obscure gentleman's instinct, Ripley steps in to assist Jonathan and the best laid plans quickly spiral out of control when one of the Russians survives the garrote and the gunshot, coming to Italy in pursuit of his attackers; he hasn't come alone.

With his usual suave demeanor and penchant for downplaying the dramatic, Malkovich, as Ripley, takes it all in stride, preparing for the inevitable bloodshed. Violent confrontations ensue, bodies strewn across the Tuscan landscape, the usual fallout of mob conflict, desperate men and professional killers. The twists and turns of a well-plotted script enhance the believability of this film, but it is Malkovich's play all the way, as riveting as ever in his skillful rendering of a complex character who savors each moment of existence. While Dougray Scott can't compete with the master, he gives his role a good shot, the inimitable Ray Winston uncouthly memorable as is his wont. This unusual group makes a fine romp of what could have been a foolish film, each actor bringing his own subtle touches to bear. Luan Gaines/ 2006.

Malkovich is a natural as the conscience-less Ripley in dark little film.......2006-08-27

Thomas Ripley has been a literary star for years, but got his big Hollywood break in 1999 as Matt Damon portraryed him in "The Talented Mr. Ripley," also starring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. That film, which was the first in the "Ripley" series, showed how a young, vulnerable Tom Ripley launched his "career" as a murdering con artist. Matt Damon was phenomenal at capturing the desperation of the young criminal genius balancing on the razor's edge and coming to terms with his own dark side.

"Ripley's Game" takes on Tom Ripley at the twilight of his career, and John Malkovich is the perfect casting choice. No longer is Tom Ripley vulnerable, or wondering about exactly who he is. No stolen identies, no phony back-stories, Tom Ripley now lives openly and well as himself, having made his millions, restored a gorgeous villa in the Veneto, and charmed his way into the heart of a nubile harpsichord prodigy (Chiara Caselli). He's still an enigma to his neighbors, all of whom are aware of him but none know him.

A poor picture framer, Jonathan (Dougray Scott) makes the misfortune of giving voice to his envy of the rich American millioinaire at a party. Unaware that Ripley is standing behind him, Jonathan complains that Ripley has "restored the soul out of" his villa, and he's the worst kind of American - rich but with no taste. Ripley stars at him with those reptilian eyes, and you can see the wheels of vengeance turning even as Ripley accepts Jonathan's lame apology.

And what revenge! It is an open secret that Jonathan is relatively poor but also has terminal leukemia. Married to the gorgeous Sarah (Lena Headey) and father to a young tyke, Jonathan is furious at fate and desperate to provide for his family after he is gone. So Ripley offers up Jonathan to an oily former colleague, Reeves (Ray Winstone, of "Sexy Beast") who needs a hit man to off a rival. Dangling money and the prospect of the best health care money can buy, Reeves soon has Jonathan committing murder for hire.

All this is a set-up for when things get really interesting after the first murder and things, as things always do, spin out of control. Ripley has to step in to help the floundering Jonathan as the bodies continue to pile up. But what happens as Ripley begins to form an attachment with Jonathan even as he tears Jonathan's life apart?

Malkovich is one of our best actors, and Ripley is a perfect role for him. Nobody can out-do Malkovich when it comes to conveying dark meanings with a simple glance, turn of the head, or innocent question. Beyond droll, beyond laconical . . . Malkovich carves a niche standing among other people, but outside of them. Ripley stares at his enemies as he would an interesting insect, and he stares at his "friends" in much the same way.

A creepy, sexy, violent movie, "Ripley's Game" is not for the faint of heart. There is much less of the [...] undertone that disturbed so many in "The Talented Mr. Ripley," but that's not to say that Ripley has become any more traditional or comforting. He is an amazing, repellent character, and this movie is a wonderful vehicle for him.

Same Talent, Different Ripley.......2006-08-15

"Ripley's Game" is the semi-sequel to Anthony Minghella's brilliant "The Talented Mr. Ripley." I want to say first and foremost, if you didn't like that film...Stay away from this one. Anyway, I call it a semi-sequel because there's no connection between either film besides the source novel by Patricia Highsmith. In Ripley's Game, Tom Ripley is much older now and living in Europe with a wife Louisa; But he's still up to his old tricks and he's still talented. The movie begins after Ripley has a disagreement with a man he's selling some drawings to; Ripley is dealing with a man named Reeves (Ray Winstone, 'Sexy Beast'), but what happens isn't even that important. Ripley makes it clear he doesn't want to see Reeves again which essentially sets the plot in motion. Three years later, Reeves returns and offers Ripley a large sum of money to kill a Russian guy. Ripley doesn't want to do it, however and suggests Jonathan Trevanny (Dougray Scott, 'The Legend of Zorro'). Jonathan barely knows Ripley and has no idea that Ripley has just suggested his name as a potential hit man, but when Reeves offers Jonathan the money...He eventually agrees, due in part to the fact he was just diagnosed with leukemia. This movie eventually becomes Jonathan's movie for the most part. Every event in the movie is basically guided by Ripley, but his screen time isn't what you would think it would be. This film, for the record, is not better than The Talented Mr. Ripley. It's not as beautifully photographed, nor as entertaining. But, John Malkovich is the definitive Tom Ripley. Don't get me wrong, Matt Damon was amazing as Ripley...He captured the many layers of Ripley's personality, being both charming and murderous. Malkovich does the same thing, but Malkovich has the icy cool stare and way of speaking that makes him the embodiment of Ripley. Malkovich just has this way of saying his dialouge, which I might add is great. There's some lines that a lot of actors couldn't do, Malkovich thrives on them. "Be careful with that watch, because if it breaks I'll kill every person on this train". But besides Malkovich; Scott, who I hated in Zorro, is surprisingly effective as Jonathan; Winstone is great as Reeves...The whole cast is great. The movie is entertaining; I think the train/death scene with Malkovich and Scott was very fun to watch. As I said, there's no relation between either film. There's not even a scene where Ripley reminisces...Despite that, looking at this as both a sequel and stand alone film it works.

GRADE: A-

This Was Just Terrible...........2006-04-17

I don't even know what to say. How this got such great reviews is beyond me. And it's not even just that it's so pale in comparison to the Matt Damon/ Jude Law film. This movie is terrible in and of itself.
First of all there's the cinematography that looks like it belongs on tv, scratch that, on tv in the 80s.
Then Ennio Morricone's score that sounds like a B horror movie. (And I'd like to state here that Morricone always disappoints I don't understand how he managed to write the haunting score to the Mission, which is surely one of the best in movie history, as every other soundtrack I've heard by him is just [...]) It's better to have no music and than bad music and this movie should have opted for plan B.

I feel that cinematography and music are among most important aspects of movie, not because they make a movie good, but because they can soooooo easily destroy a movie that would be good otherwise. If these two things are screwed up the only thing that can save the movie is the best script and actors money can buy. This movie has neither. I've never seen such over acting outside of a melodrama and as for the script, sometimes I thought it was going for a comedy and missed. To be honest I can't even imagine Patrica's original novel could have been any good in the first place as the plot is so silly.
At the start I said I don't know what to say and I've said a lot but really I think I could say it best by pointing out the fact the Mystery Science Theater 3000 has often featured better movies than this failure.

Average customer rating:

A great historical love story.
Sugartime
Really A Thrill
Sugartime is a Goodtime

Sugartime
Starring: John Turturro , Mary-Louise Parker , Elias Koteas , Maury Chaykin , and Louis Del Grande
Director: John N. Smith
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Crime & Criminals | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Murder & Mayhem | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000C1VAF6
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Description

Based on the true story of the life and times and love affair of mobster Sam Giancana and America's songbird, Phyllis McGuire. Their too public relationship and tense atmosphere of the times could put an end to her career - and his life!

Customer Reviews:

A great historical love story........2007-05-13

I love this movie! It's fun, piquant, thoughtful, provocative. This movie was my introduction to John Turturro, a delightful actor with a thoughtful presence. In spite of the character of the mobster Sam Giancana, I could see the soft, lovable side of him that Phyllis Maguire simply could not walk away from. I could even see his integrity: in spite of being offered complete immunity, he refused to talk once he was arrested.

Maguire's denial about Giancana's "work" was palpable - as was his own. I could not believe I could find them an adorable couple - and yet I did. I've been a Mary-Louise Parker fan since Fried Green Tomatoes, Boys on the Side, Angels in America and Weeds. This is a side of her I had not ever seen. She's delicious. A great, historical love story.

Fried Green Tomatoes (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

Sugartime.......2007-01-18

A great movie about the McGuire Sisters and the Mobsters. Fabulous music and singing for those who like the 40's and 50's ear.

Really A Thrill.......2000-08-22

What a great movie. I loved everything about it. Mary Louise Parker has never been more radiant. In this movie, she has it all: talent, attitude, romance, and a little humor on the side. And speaking of wornderful performances, John Turturro gives, in my opinion, one of his best. We love to hate him and he makes being a gangster seem glamorous and suprisingly ethical. The added "gansta" crimes only add to the plot of this movie, as does the story of the stunning McGuire sisters. By the end you with laugh and cry and flat out have a good time. It is a nice change from all of the other garbage around. Excellent!

Sugartime is a Goodtime.......2000-06-16

Sugartime is an interesting and entertaining movie. It is most interesting when Mary-Louise Parker is on screen. She is prim and beautiful and is a perfect offset to Turturro's portrayal of Sam Giancana. The movie tries its best to place historical references to Kennedy, Hoover, et al. Sugartime is an excellent choice for a fun, enjoyable evening.

Average customer rating:

An Emotionally, Powerful Documentary About "London's Longest Night"

The Blitz: London's Longest Night
Starring: Blitz-London's Longest Night
Manufacturer: Pbs Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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All | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000BYRCC4
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Description

The story of the war's most concentrated aerial attack on London in 1941 and how the city nearly perished under the German barrage. Featuring harrowing first-hand accounts from survivors of the attack and dramatic recreations of events based on newly declassified information, this film brings to life the story of one night that nearly changed the course of history. Had Hitler trusted the intelligence on the amount of damage to the city and continued his attack, London would have crumbled under the sustained barrage.

Customer Reviews:

An Emotionally, Powerful Documentary About "London's Longest Night".......2006-04-28

The PBS documetary, "The Blitz London's Longest Night" is a fascinating look at both the facts and feelings, that surrounded the night of December 29, 1940, when Hitler's bombers lead an unprecedented ariel attack apon the city of London. The ferocious fires, that the attack started, nearly burned a whole square mile of London to the ground. The main target of the attack seems to have been, St. Paul's Cathedral, which was both an iconic part of the London skyline and also an important symbol of English history. The intent was to have been to try and scare the British people into overnight submission and break their will. Luckily, history did not play out that way. Instead of being bombed into submission 'the Blitz' united the British people into a common cause. The documentary is aptly named, because it really does seem to be "London's Longest Night". The film takes us on an hour by hour progression of what happened. It shows us every step of the bombing and the response of both the British firemen and ordinary London citizens alike to extordinary events. The documentary shows us this, through a mixture of narration, actual archival footage, interviews with elderly witnesses and dramatizations of their stories. These elements are seemlessly weaved together to tell an interesting and emotionally arresting tale. The dramatizations are very well done and most effective. Among these stories we meet a family in a bomb shelter, a man accompanied by his wife trying to return to his rescue unit, two foreign reporters getting the story, a number of firemen working to contain the fires and a priest and his cohorts trying to protect St.Paul's from burning down. The story of St. Paul's Cathedral is most important, because it really is the emotional backbone (or spine) of the film. It's a symbol of England's survival, in that dark night of history. By the end of the film, we are shown a juxaposition between a fire bombed London, just after the attack and the new modern city, that has risen out of the fiery rubble & ashes like a Pheonix. This is an excellent documentary, that is not only factual, but is quite moving and will leave you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

dear 20th century fox.......
One of the best movies of ALL TIME
Either you like it or you don't
What the Heck !?!?!?!?!?!?
you can laugh too much

Young Frankenstein (Special Edition)
Starring: Anne Beesley , Oscar Beregi Jr. , Rusty Blitz , Peter Boyle , and Mel Brooks
Director: Mel Brooks
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000065FWU
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

dear 20th century fox..............2007-07-03

To the marketing idiots at 20th Century Fox: don't worry, I'll wait till you maroons give us an anamorphic transfer. What year is this???, oh, yeah, 2007!

One of the best movies of ALL TIME.......2007-07-03

Either you like it or you don't.......2007-07-03

I like it and watch it a few times a year so I guess I'm getting my monies worth...

What the Heck !?!?!?!?!?!?.......2007-06-28

you can laugh too much.......2007-06-11

Najica Blitz Tatics: Complete Collection

Average customer rating:

A Shame...
Fan Fare
Steer clear of this unless you like panty shots every second
Nishijima loves panty very much
Warning Extras Not In This Set !

Najica Blitz Tatics: Complete Collection
Starring: Najica Blitz Tactics
Manufacturer: Adv Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video

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Rune Soldier - Complete Collection
Mezzo - Complete Collection
Legend of Himiko Complete Collection
Those Who Hunt Elves - The Complete Collection
Cutey Honey - Essential Anime Collection (Vols. 1 & 2)

ASIN: B000A2UBY8
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Customer Reviews:

A Shame..........2007-04-20

I gave this set 3 stars instead of 2 because the story had potential.

Unfortunately, the creators or producers, whoever, decided that the show would be about panties instead...

Its actually funny just how akward the pans and shots are in the show just to include more panty shots, a full minute without 15 seconds of upskirt angle is rare. 95% of the people in the show are women, all wearing skirts so short that a stripper would blush walking around in public. Being an action/shooter/spy genre, many of these women are knocked out or killed, falling to the ground either spread eagle or a55 high and face in the dirt.

Simply put, this show is geared toward the stereotypical horny nerd anime fan, i'm embarrassed to own it.

Fan Fare.......2007-04-15

The anime in this series is really good. It is like watching a feminine James Bond series. No bloodshed here because she uses plastic bullets and knocks out her opponents. The ending leaves you guessing a little is it real or a dream?

Steer clear of this unless you like panty shots every second.......2007-03-23

I almost gave this anime 3 stars but after thinking about it I'm a little hesitant to give it this. Najica Blitz Tactics contains just about every cliche involving secret agent movies and the innocent but deadly teenage looking, anime girl. The stories suffer from bad writing and needless panty shots. The stories are surrounded by a female agent named Najica. She is the best they have. And all of her missions end with her targets laying down with a red rose on their chest. And just like all secret agent movies. Najica is objective by the very mention of a new partner. She must work alone. This introduces the second main character who looks very innocent and very cute Lila. Shes not even human. She's called a humaritt, a creature that was created by sometype of advanced technology and is extremely loyal to whomever is their master. I'm sure you know whats next... yep, you guessed it, she's a professional in firearms, hand to hand combat, and is almost indestructible. In fact the general plot is for Najica to recover these creatures before they fall into the wrong hands. All of the episodes are actionpacked with lots of gunplay and hand to hand fighting.

The character development shows some promise involving Lila. Lila basically behaves like an infant and the world is new to her. Najica spends some time trying to teach her how to be human. The things Lila pulls off are pretty funny at times. Later, Najica begins to ask questions like, can these creatures live like humans? Can they ever think for themselves? Can they develop feelings? Later on these questions are answered.

Now I love women in all sizes, I like gunplay, I like fighting, I like to see womens underwear, I like anime. Then why I dont like Najica Blitz Tactics? Hmmmmmm. The major reason to me is the excessive amount of panty shots in every single episode. I kid you not, there are at least(rough estimate) between 25 to 50 panty, crouch and a** shots in every imaginable position possible. Standing, walking, running, shooting, driving, sitting, dodging, rolling, fighting, eating, and dying. It got to the point by the middle of the first episode I was sick to death of this. Almost every single female to include both main characters are wearing miniskirts(with panties showing), bathing suits( with crouch showing), or spandex. I truly didn't see the point of this at all. The director obviously has an uncontrollable obsession with animated panties.

Now the stories suffer mostly due to its repetitous episodes, bad ideas, and writing. Here's a situation from one of the episodes that had me scratching my head a little. Najica and Lila covertly board a ship from underwater using sometype of pod. They fire suction cup grappling hooks underwater in bathing suits with no goggles. Upon boarding the ship Lila's top piece to her suit comes off. Najica points this out. Lila replys, "It got caught on something while I was coming up". Najica responds, "I have a rule, ladies wear clothes". Now mind you, Najica hasn't been fully clothed the entire time up to this point, and never is fully clothed later. She never dresses ladylike even once for that matter. The director could have thought of something better or maybe his definition of a lady differs from mine.

*Spoiler* Skip this if you want.
The plot in this anime is basically for Najica to capture all the loose humaritts. In one episode she had a choice to let a humaritt live in peace with the man she fell in love with and he fell in love with her. As if no one saw this coming. She replys that her orders say for her to retrieve the humaritt. Najica encounters this again. Then she has a change of heart and lets two humaritts go. When she clearly knows one barely has enough sense to function on her own. The blind leading the blind. Najica must also realize if the orders came down she would have to hunt these humaritts down later. This action contradicted the entire story. *Spoiler over*

The animation in Najica Blitz is pretty good, but I don't like the soundtrack at all. The collection I have, came as 2 disk with all 12 episodes and extras. After watching far superior anime involving chicks with guns like, Gunslinger Girl, Noir, The Dirty Pair, Kino's Journey and Gunsmith Cats. Najica Blitz just really doesn't have anything good to offer. With its weak stories and even weaker charcters. To include the numerous panty shots. If your the type who loves hentai, animated nudity and panties. Then this is for you. The director gives you panty shots in very, very, very, large doses. If your looking for something with a deeper story, great characters, good action, then you have to see Noir or Gunslinger Girl. Pretty much all the ones I just mentioned. But those two are the best.

Nishijima loves panty very much.......2007-01-09

I'm not sure why he loves white panty so much, but he loves indeed, he may have a certain reason =P

This anime is 'hommage' of AIKa, and this was JPN TV series. In Japan, erotic anime cannot be broadcasted, therefore I was surprised to watch this. (AIKa was sold-anime.) I heard, creators in Studio Fantasia thought so too, its very interesting (@_@)

If also you love white panty, please watch this and wait new 3 episodes of 'AIKa R-16FVIRGIN MISSION' =D

Warning Extras Not In This Set !.......2006-06-08

I have already watched Najica and enjoyed it.Najica is a fast paced spy/adventure with alot of gun play and chase scenes.It also has much fan service, so steer clear if you are not into
that.I'm not going into a detailed review because I want to get to my reason for the 1 star rating.

I already stated in the title about the lack of extras,witch might be okay,however the previous single dvd releases had some good extras.I owned the first volume and wanted to buy this collection to replace it and because the thinpacks look really nice.However I noticed the thinpack dvds are missing the extras witch included clean open/close,art gallery,and a pretty funny commentary with some of the voice actors.I have also found out that the other volumes have different commentaries too.I'm not sure ADV's reason for the lack of extras on the thinpacks,but I know I will not be buying any more sets from ADV until I know they do not lack any of the previous release extras.I am very dissapointed in ADV for doing this,at least they could have let their customers know about this somehow.

Average customer rating:

Creepy, Weird, "A different type of Horror"
ALICE IN FUNGILAND
Be Careful of Growing Things Indoors
Intelligent Sci-Fi
For Sci Fi Lovers Only

Habitat
Starring: Balthazar Getty , Tchéky Karyo , Alice Krige , Kenneth Welsh , and Laura Harris (II)
Director: Rene Daalder
Manufacturer: Allumination
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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

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ASIN: B00008HCCB
Release Date: 2003-08-05

Description

Planet Earth's worst nightmares have come true. When a brilliant but obsessed scientist, Hank Symes moves to a new town, his radical biology experiments transform a suburban house into a terrifying living creature. His plans for accelerated evolution spiral out of control and Symes and his family mutate as their house begins breathing, oozing and threatening anyone who enters. Mother Nature has never been so lethal as she takes revenge on the people who abuse her. Welcome to their living hell.

Customer Reviews:

Creepy, Weird, "A different type of Horror".......2007-02-06

Very interesting, well written, sensual, and very well directed.
Gives a take on the environment and how nature can take control of humans.

Very enjoyable in very weird sort of way!

Enjoy!

John

ALICE IN FUNGILAND.......2004-09-04

It amazes me that so many reviewers rate a movie on how much T&A and/or nudity there is. If it's not relevant to the plot, it's merely padding for a usually dull movie. Alice Krige is a beautiful woman, and a mesmerizing actress. However, Alice is lost in this ludicrously staged movie. Also, why do they constantly get actors with thick accents (like Tcheky Karyo) to reveal important plot points. You need to turn on your subtitles just to see what they're saying.
Balthazar Getty is very ineffective in his leading role, not much better than a high school thespian in their first role; Laura Harris (The Calling) is okay in her first role, but she's not really given that much to do; Kenneth Welsh tries to act like Vincent Price in his role as the coach, but can't achieve the flashy overacting he so obviously intended; Brad Austin as the somewhat studly Blaine comes on like a young Travolta, but can't match the intensity; the special effects which basically consist of a bunch of flashing dots is mundane. The plot about the ultimate evolution is so incoherent, it doesn't truly make sense, and the ending is flat.
Not the classic some people suggest; merely a waste of time.

Be Careful of Growing Things Indoors.......2004-06-29

I had a pleasant surprise after seeing the video Habitat. The surprise was that it was quite well done (no pun intended) and rather uplifting. I have since had to add the DVD to my collection.

The Earth's ozone layer has been completely destroyed. People stay indoors and only dare to venture out at night. But one scientist is looking to bring back the greenery, but indoors. Combining fungi and various plants, the scientist hopes to create a new ecosystem. Runaway failures have forced him and his family to be on the run. At his latest location an underground pocket of water causes a disaster in the basement lab and the organisms mutate and spread through the house. The scientist becomes infected with the new organisms and dies (or so it seems).

As the new ecosystem gains more control of the house, it is learned that the scientist is not dead, but has been transformed into an energy-like state. In this state he is able to attack people and make them immune to the sun's burning rays. But eventually the authorities catch up and try to stop the ecosystem. While they manage to destroy quite a bit, they are unsuccessful at stopping this new hope for the world. Man will no longer have to huddle in the dark and rely on artificial foods.

I really enjoyed this one. I was expecting some fun schlock but found higher quality lurking in the cheesy box. The necessity of camera angles and visibility make the sun shades look rather inefficient but all in all quite well done.

Intelligent Sci-Fi.......2004-04-24

Okay, here's my theory of why so many people don't like this movie: Perhaps someone hears about the three nude scenes (don't forget the science lady who's clothes get ripped up just right)plus some nice see-through outfits. So they're thinking, Hey! there's no good T&A flicks on Cinemax tonight, so let's go get that movie! They go rent it, and lo and behold, it actually has this really deep story that lays on the science pretty heavily, where you have to be very alert and somewhat intelligent to understand everything the characters are talking about. Well, if you're just watching it for a few nude scenes, then you're going to be really upset and disappointed with the rest of it!
This movie is very well thought out, the special effects are very convincing (the house really does give you the creeps), the script is beautifully written,and the actors pull it off splendidly. I love some of the lines in this movie, such as when Clarissa (Alice Krige) tells the bully that comes into the plant-infested house, "Young man, you don't go barging into the animal den. You may end up on the wrong side of the food chain." Another favorite line is "Through the bonds of matrimony, copulation is no longer fornification. It's procreation." These aren't direct quotes-I'm going from memory. Anyway, this is indeed one of those forgotten gems in which a small budget was used to make a great piece of work, much like The Wraith or Sleepwalkers (another with Alice Klige at her best). Give this movie a try when you're in the movie for some serious, yet highly entertaining sci-fi that really makes you think.

For Sci Fi Lovers Only.......2003-11-08

Yep! It's me again. You must think all I do is sit around and watch movies. You're right. In a stressful job this is the best therapy. At work I earn every penny of my salary. At play (home) I indulge in my love for film.

So what did I think of the Science Fiction thriller "Habitat"? It's definitely for Sci Fi folks...only. It is a bizzarre tale of what happens when the ozone layer is destroyed and mankind must shield itself from the microwave effect of sunlight.

So why is it called "Habitat"? An obsessed scientist and his beautiful and sexy wife, create their own environment inside the confines of their home...a vegetation filled fantasyland of plants and flowers that literally ooze with life.

This one plays out like an expanded episode of "The Outer Limits"...but it is definitely "R" rated for the seductive passions of mom and girlfriend. Quite bizzarre. A definite 8 on my 10-scale for Sci Fi. Many people did not like this flick. I was intrigued and thoroughly entertained. A great Friday Night flick...in early November...alone in my own HABITAT. Paul

Average customer rating:

For such a Fun band, this is a BORING DVD
shoddy treatment of AWESOME material
Great band, shame about the DVD ...
Misleadingly packaged documentary
Worth Seeing but could have been Better..

Glitz, Blitz & Hitz
Starring: Sweet
Manufacturer: Eclectic DVD Dist.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Platinum Rare
Live at the Rainbow 1973: The Complete Concert
Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be
Sweet Fanny Adams
Very Best of Sweet

ASIN: B0001LYFMC
Release Date: 2004-04-13

Product Description

GLITZ, BLITZ & HITZ (SWEET)

Customer Reviews:

For such a Fun band, this is a BORING DVD.......2006-12-27

I bought this believing that it was chalked full of "full length" videos of the sweet performing. Instead we get three very boring men discussing a very small amount of information on the band. The three men consist of one of the song writers, the guitarist and an early manager. The song writer has more gravel to his voice than Tom Waits, the guitarist is sadly very bloated, and the manager is slouched on a sofa wearing khaki shorts complaining about how the band should have gotten into arena rock. (He's the worst of the three!)

Just as I was enjoying "wig wam bam" when the video cuts off and back to the chat! No little Willy video at all!
They also don't include more than 30 secs of the
"love is like oxygen" video. That's sick to fool the fans into thinking they're buying a music video/concert dvd when it's simply a lame documentary.
Don't buy it, watch the videos of youtube or buy a dvd from the UK.

shoddy treatment of AWESOME material.......2005-03-23

Man, is this one ANNOYING DVD. The people at CREEM have some absolutely incredible vintage Sweet footage to draw on, and THIS is the best they could do?!?? I'd horsewhip the designers of this DVD if I had a horse. The excellent clips of The Sweet are buried among long, detailed interviews (that would have made for great bonus material), and there's no quick way to get to the music -- you just have to fast-forward through all the bloody yackin'. That being said, any serious fan of The Sweet will want this until (or if) a more intelligent treatment of this material is available -- it does include awesome contemporary footage, and most of it is relatively complete (but not all -- "Wig Wam Bam," for example, is cut in half to work in MORE CHAT). Basically, the vintage clips rate 5 stars -- their presentation in this DVD rates about a 2. Shame on CREEM for this one -- although I'll still hope for a new, revised edition in the future.

Great band, shame about the DVD ..........2004-07-22

How do you make a dull documentary about The Sweet? It would seem difficult considering what a nutty bunch of guys Sweet were but these folks have managed to pull it off.

The main problem here is too much talkin' and not enough rockin'. The Sweet were a wild band but you'd hardly know it from the meagre visual evidence provided.

What little there is though is great and well worth the price. It's just that it could have been so much better.

Misleadingly packaged documentary.......2004-07-05

I was very excited when I came across this DVD. It is presented by Creem magazine, who did a fantastic job with the Iggy and the Stooges DVD recently. The blurb on the back led me to expect complete performaces of each song. Wrong. This is a 90 min. "Behind the Music"-type television documentary. If you're a fan of the band, it's interesting enough to watch once. I was most disappointed with the poor-quality lip-sync performance clips. Cool to see a Sweet DVD on the U.S. market, but it could have been so much better. Chalk up another reason to buy a region-free dvd player...

Worth Seeing but could have been Better.........2004-04-21

I think this is the only Dvd available in the US format of "Sweet". I love all their songs and wanted to see some live footage of them, as I was too young to have seen them in the 70's. This video was a bit slow moving with too much talking and repetitive comments by the bands manager & producer. Sweets gutarist "Andy Scott" is also interviewed , but where are the interviews of lead singer Brian Connolly(who has passed on to Rock n' Roll Heaven) and the other band members Mick Tucker and Steve Priest? It would have been more interesting to hear from them. It was interesting to see how their music changed from a very innocent Bubble gum sound of their early days to the Hard glam rockers they became..

The music is the best part of this dvd, but there should have put more music clips, and why didn't they make the music clips with easier access, like when I want to watch "Fox on the Run" I don't want to listen to the manager guy talk for 5mins before the song starts. Also a couple of clips are cut short like "Love is like Oxygen" and it was cool, that was disappointing, Yikes!! But seeing the very sexy Brian Connolly and guy's in those tight pants, all glam,Big heels, & hair flying, singing great songs like "Action", "Fox On the Run", "BallRoom BLitz", "The Sixteens", "Teenage Rampage"etc.., made this Dvd well worth buying for any Sweet fan wanting to see them in their hey day.I can only imagine how good they would have been in concert!! It's easy to see how they influenced 80's Heavy Metal music and glam rockers yet to come. They had their own sound & style and made their mark in rock and roll history as one of the best bands of the 70's. I would like to see a better collection put together of them hopefully soon! I think Sweet deserves better than this, but I still really enjoyed it..

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