The American President (PBS Box Set)

Starring:Hugh Sidey, Mario Cuomo, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Herbert Hoover, William McKinley, Benjamin C. Bradlee, Tim Russert, Lloyd Bentsen, William Howard Taft, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Millard Fillmore, Calvin Coolidge, Chester Arthur, Dan Rostenkowski, Warren G. Harding, William F. Buckley
Director: James A. Edgar, Philip Kunhardt III, Peter W. Kunhardt
Studio: Pbs Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Who were the U.S. presidents? What did they accomplish? What qualities defined them, both as public figures and private men? In this made-for-PBS documentary series, brilliantly adapted from the acclaimed book The American President, these questions and others related to the presidents are answered with rare insight and intimacy. As in the book, the 41 lives of the 42 presidencies (Grover Cleveland served on separate occasions as the 22nd and 24th president) are not presented chronologically but are, rather, episodically linked by common personal traits and circumstances of their terms in office. For example, an episode called "The Heroic Posture" explores the careers of four presidents--Washington, Harrison, Grant, and Eisenhower--who came to their positions as a result of heroism in the service of their country. "Happenstance" looks at five presidents who moved from the vice-presidency to the White House upon the death of the president, and how these ascensions tested their worthiness as politicians. "An Independent Cast of Mind" weighs the pros and cons of presidencies marked by a lack of the messy political maneuvering that is apparently necessary for presidential success (none of the four portrayed--including John Adams and Jimmy Carter--achieved a second term).

Amazon.com essential video

What sounds like the high-concept romantic comedy pitch from hell--widower president falls for smart lobbyist while the world watches--is actually intelligent, charming, touching, and quite funny. Granted, it's wish fulfillment all the way (when was the last time you saw a president who was truly presidential?), but in the capable hands of writer Aaron Sorkin (TV's Sports Night) and director Rob Reiner, The American President is incredibly enjoyable entertainment with quite a few ideas about both romance and the government. Michael Douglas stars as the president, who after three years in office starts thinking about the possibility of dating. When he auspiciously encounters cutthroat environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), sparks begin to crackle and the two begin a tentative but heartfelt romance. Of course, his job gets in the way--their first kiss is interrupted by a Libyan bombing--but darn it if these two kids aren't going to try and make it work! However, they hadn't counted on the president's Republican antagonist (Richard Dreyfuss), who starts carping about family values. The predictable plot--Douglas finally goes to bat for his lady and his country--is leavened by Sorkin's wonderful, snappy dialogue and a light touch from the usually subtle-as-a-sledgehammer Reiner. Both manage to create a believable White House-office atmosphere (with a crack staff including Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Anna Deavere Smith, and Samantha Mathis) as well as a plausible and funny dating scenario. The true success of the movie, though, rides squarely on Douglas and Bening; this is unequivocally Douglas's best comedic performance (ergo his best performance, period) and Bening, usually such a good bad girl, takes a standard career-woman role and fleshes it out magnificently. You can see in an instant why Douglas would fall for her. One of the best unsung romantic comedies of the '90s. --Mark Englehart

Description

The world's most powerful man has met his match! Michael Douglas is the widower President wooing environmental lobbyist Annette Bening in this romantic hit by Rob Reiner.

DVD Features:
Interactive Menus
Production Notes
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

A lot of politics and some romance........2007-06-16

The American President is a lot or politics with some romance thrown in for good measure. President Andrew Shepard and Sydney Ellen Wade, lobbyist, manage to light a spark in each other while overcoming turmoil in the political arena. Does it work? All I can say it that the President manages to walk away with a heart.

It's amazing really. I never think about the personal life of our President. I'm not sure exactly what I thought he did outside of the oval office (except fiddle around at his ranch a lot, but that's another story.) I guess this movie just puts things in to perspective. It made me realize there is a man behind the President.

And, It's really weird watching the political take on things before 9/11. So many things have changed.

The Perfect President (if you have liberal views).......2007-06-15

"The American President" is one of my confort movies...you know, the ones you watch over and over to cheer yourself up when you want to escape the world. Michael Douglas is the President I wish we had, courageous, funny, extremely bright and able to inspire a nation to step up to its challenges and face them honestly. As this is a romance there is a equally focused and idealistic love interest played by Annette Benning who does not water down her character or make her a simpering trophy wife.

The rest of the cast is wonderful too...Michael J. Fox, Martin Sheen and the rest of the President's "staff" are admirable, familiar characters in this nicely written script. If you are not a staunch conservative, this movie will inspire feelings of patriotism that ironically usually fall into the domain of right wing politicos....

The American President gives you a degree of comfort that we sorely need. To paraphrase Richard Dreyfuss in the movie...."the pride is back!"

DPollard.......2007-06-10

I love this movie. Regardless of your politics this does provide some insight into the political process. Plus it is a great love story.

The most wonderful movie.......2007-06-07

I watch this movie when I feel tired and with stress. It is refreshing and leaves the viewer thinking that falling in love is possible and wonderful. Yes, I really love this movie.

The American President.......2007-05-09

Very cute movie! Not very realistic though but still a cute movie!

The Sum of All Fears (Special Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Like a roller coaster, this movie has ups and downs
The Sum of All Fears (Special Collector's Edition)...
terrorism and wmd brought to the big screen
Sadly disappointing!
good dvd

The Sum of All Fears (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: Ben Affleck , Alan Bates , John Beasley , Michael Byrne , and James Cromwell
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Disaster Films | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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

Mystery & Suspense | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Clear and Present Danger (Special Collector's Edition)
Patriot Games (Special Collector's Edition)
The Hunt for Red October (Special Collector's Edition)
Paycheck (Special Collector's Edition)
The Recruit

ASIN: B00005JL8F
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Amazon.com

It's not easy replacing Harrison Ford as a beloved screen hero, but Ben Affleck brings fresh vitality to The Sum of All Fears, reviving Paramount's Tom Clancy franchise in the role Ford made famous. As CIA agent Jack Ryan, Affleck is a rookie in the covert ranks, unraveling a plot that lures Russian and American superpowers into a nuclear standoff, while a neofascist faction turns most of Baltimore into an atomic wasteland and holds the world in the grip of a terrorist nightmare. Affleck combines sharp intelligence with a new-guy's perspective, while a senior agent (Morgan Freeman) passes the torch of back-channel authority. The result is one of the best Clancy films to date, ably helmed by Phil Alden Robinson (whose comic thriller Sneakers was sorely underrated) with a stellar supporting cast, and adapted with abundant humor, humanity, and thrills by Donnie Brasco screenwriter Paul Attanasio and cowriter Daniel Pyne. Even the typically reticent Clancy would approve. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Like a roller coaster, this movie has ups and downs.......2007-06-30

After watching this movie once, I don't watch the whole thing any more. What makes it worth purchasing are segments of the movie--not the whole story. I'd have preferred someone other than Ben Affleck in the lead role, but Morgan Freeman was superb in his role. Who can forget his expression as he finally "gets" the word "Baltimore" as the bomb location, and gazes around the football stadium? Another great moment is when Ben's character has been cut off during his message read by the leaders of both America and Russia, and the Russian courageously takes a step back from the escalating nightmare.

I was impressed with the supporting role of our spy in Russia--an actor who has played comedy roles such as the boyfriend one in Kate & Leopold, but was superb in this role...very believable with both dry humor ("so, write a report about it") and in the end sequence.

If it wasn't uneven, I'd give the movie 4 stars.

The Sum of All Fears (Special Collector's Edition)..........2007-06-02

This is a good movie that invites one to think. The acting was very good. Morgan Freeman again, is outstanding!

terrorism and wmd brought to the big screen.......2007-04-03

Great video with all star cast that shows the realities that face us here in america. A terrorist mastermind wants to drag the U.S. and Russia into WW3 and uses a smuggled nuclear device to do it. The only thing i would have done differently, is to have used Islamic terrorists to make it more lifelike.

Sadly disappointing!.......2007-02-14

Tom Clancy's "Sum Of All Fears" is a 900 page thriller - complex, highly detailed and smart. A mini-series would be necessary to preserve the integrity of the story, but alas it was squashed into two hours for the theater. Large parts of the story were completely discarded and what remains has been compressed to the point of being barely recognizable. What makes the book so interesting is the premise that the US and Russian governments could be manipulated by clever terrorists, and in spite of all safeguards the world could be brought to the brink of nuclear war. The movie shows us the escalating danger, but without the insights. Be afraid, be very afraid!

While I can understand the problem of creating a coherent screenplay I cannot understand the characterization of Jack Ryan (played by Ben Affleck). Jack Ryan (as portrayed by Tom Clancy) is not just a guy who runs with guns. He is smart, thoughtful, and highly articulate. He is the Deputy Director of the CIA and an advisor to the President! Yet in this film he says things like "I really don't believe the Russian leader would act that way, Sir." Apparently we are supposed to believe that Jack Ryan saves the day because he can walk away from helicopter crashes, and because he's really, really sincere.

Still, on the plus side the film is nice to look at, moves at a fast pace, has a few well done special effects, and some decent acting (notably Morgan Freeman). The ride can be enjoyable if you don't think about it, so I give it two stars. Regardless of how you feel about this film I say read the book. You won't believe how much more there is to this story.

good dvd.......2007-01-04

It is a good merchandise very low price. It a great opportunity to collete all those movies that can t bee fond in any store.

Average customer rating:

A STORY THAT ROCKED THE NATION
Just Unbelievably Awesome!!!!!!!!
Sally Hemings: Excellent Story Told of Love, Betrayal and Oppression
Godawful
GREAT LOVE STORY!!!

Sally Hemings: An American Scandal
Starring: Sam Neill , Carmen Ejogo , Diahann Carroll , Mare Winningham , and Mario Van Peebles
Director: Charles Haid
Manufacturer: Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Miniseries | Television | Genres | 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

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

Mr. & Mrs. Loving
Jefferson in Paris
Nightjohn
Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All
Gore Vidal's Lincoln

ASIN: B0007LPS7W
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Customer Reviews:

A STORY THAT ROCKED THE NATION.......2007-07-01

As a genealogist, I collect period movies. This is one of the first movies I ordered. This story is only one of many stories that occurred during the slavery peiod in this country. Because it was Thomas Jefferson - that made it big history. There were several slave owners who not only bed their slaves, some fell in love with them. The acting is excellent and the movie is very relevant. I highly recommend it.

Just Unbelievably Awesome!!!!!!!!.......2007-03-20

I ordered this movie and it came within a just a week. I love it. I culd watch it over and over again becuz i've been searching everywhere 4 this movie dying 2 c it again; I remember the movie from when it came on CBS back in '99 or 'oo. Tina Andrews did her research well and I love the way Sally Hemings was protrayed in the film. She's beautiful (thanks to Carmen Ejogo) and intelligent as well as feirce and kind at the same time. She's quite confident of herself. I also liked the way Jefferson was portrayed. It's almost completely believable to me-it's nice 2 hav an imagination. The other acters like, Diahann C., Mario V.P., Mare W., Amelia H., and Klea S. are great as well. I wish it culd hav gone into detail about her mother's, Betty, life and her Sally's two youngest sons, Eston and Madison. If you're interested in good entertainment of or the scandal of the U.s. 3rd president, you shuld seriously consider viewing this movie. I really like it and I am sooo glad I own it.

Sally Hemings: Excellent Story Told of Love, Betrayal and Oppression.......2007-03-08

This movie was excellent. It was much better than the version that came out in the early '90's. If you love period films than you will definitely love this historical piece. This is the perfect example of people caught between privilege and oppression. Excellent!!!

Godawful.......2007-02-27

Just terrible. Makes claims that not even the most ardent Sally Hemings promoter believes. Turns Sally's brother James into some sort of martyr to the cause of political correctness. Has Jefferson (atrociously played by the completely out-of-place Sam Neill) traipsing around with Sally Hemings in public in a completely unrealistic way. Given the almost certain fact that Jefferson really did have children with Sally Hemings, this premise might have made an interesting and insightful movie. Instead, the producers used it as an excuse for creating a complete historical romance fantasy that tries at the same time to be titillating and preachy, and maybe it succeeds--but at the cost of any degree of historical accuracy. If you want a movie about Jefferson, get the much less awful Jefferson in Paris, which at least has beautiful production values and nice music.

GREAT LOVE STORY!!!.......2007-01-09

I bought this dvd as a gift for my mother and she loves this movie. If you love romantic love stories, this is a good buy to witness a great love affair that happened between President Jefferson and Sally Hemings. I have seen this movie more than once; and everytime it is a joy to watch.

Average customer rating:

The AP vs. Dave
The American President/DWP
THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT / DAVE
Excellent!
Great movies but...

The American President / Dave
Starring: Michael Douglas , Annette Bening , Martin Sheen , Michael J. Fox , and Anna Deavere Smith
Director: Rob Reiner , and Ivan Reitman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

The Fugitive / U.S. Marshals (1998)
Sabrina
You've Got Mail
Sleepless in Seattle (10th Anniversary Edition)
While You Were Sleeping

ASIN: B000JYW5B4
Release Date: 2007-01-02

Description

Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline are both President and accounted for in two hit comedies about the nation's Oval Office. Rob Reiner directs The American President [Side A], starring Douglas as a widower chief executive whose poll numbers plummet when he falls for an environmental lobbyist (Annette Bening). Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Richard Dreyfuss and more top talents co-star in this nimble exploration of private romance in a public Presidency. And in a land where anybody can become President, anybody just did! Kline and Sigourney Weaver star in Dave [Side B], the wry Ivan Reitman-directed story of a lookalike who becomes a stand-in for the country's actual President. From coast to coast the votes are in: this double feature is a winner by a landslide!

Customer Reviews:

The AP vs. Dave.......2007-06-28

The American President is far better compared to Dave. The AP has a better story and you would be more likely to watch The AP multiple times compared to Dave which would probably be one of those movies you brought, say huh at the end, and then put it back on the shelf until six months later when you forget if you liked it or not so you watch it again and the process starts over. Besides the cast in the AP is far better than those in Dave. But considering this DVD is only two dollars more than just the American President on its own, its really not a bad buy.

The American President/DWP.......2007-04-06

Love this movie. It is a great romance, but also gives some insight into the workings of politics. I have watched it over and over and always find something new to like

THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT / DAVE.......2007-04-04

BOTH OF THESE MOVIES IN ONE DISK ARE A LOT OF FUN AND A PLEASURE TO WATCH

Excellent!.......2007-02-08

I like them both, but "American President" is by far the best of the two and a very good love story.

Great movies but..........2007-01-09

American President and Dave are among my favorite movies. 2 great movies on the same dvd !

The quality of the video in these dvds leaves much to be desired. The quality reminds me of something you would see if you taped the show and you didn't have cable/satelite (antenna) and then tried to use filters to reduce noise. The original DVD release of American President had noise in it too but the picture seems more "pixelated" in this release. I guess since these movies are well over 10 years old a higher quality format doesn't exist? Actually, My eariler comments about the quality was its appearance on a LCD monitor. It looks quite decent on TV.

That being said it is very convient having 2 movies on 1 dvd at a great price, so I would recommend this dvd over VHS anyday.

Average customer rating:

+1 for Mo'nique
Leaders of the Cool School
A must own for a stand-up comedy lover!
hilarious
something to laugh about

The Queens of Comedy
Starring: Laura Hayes , Adele Givens , Sommore , and Mo'Nique
Director: Steve Purcell (IV)
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Documentaries, Real & Fake | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | African American Cinema | Genres | DVD | Video

General | African American Cinema | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( Q ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Original Kings of Comedy
Platinum Comedy Series - Mo'Nique - One Night Stand
Wanda Sykes - Tongue Untied
Martin Lawrence - You So Crazy
Platinum Comedy Series - Sheryl Underwood: Too Much Information

ASIN: B000056BOX
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Description

They're loud, proud and outrageously funny - they're The Queens of Comedy, captured live onstage in Memphis during their triumphant comedy tour! Miss Laura Hayes (Def Comedy Jam), Adele Givens (The Tracey Ullman Show), Sommore (The Hughleys) and Mo'Nique (The Parkers) lauch a full-scale laugh attack that's not afraid to go over the top - or below the belt. No one is safe from their merciless wit, as they take on such topics as skinny women, marriage, children and, most importantly, men. And you'll also go behind-the-scenes with The Queens, as they display the magical chemistry that made them a top-drawing concert act.

Customer Reviews:

+1 for Mo'nique.......2007-03-20

This is a tough film to review. It actually consists of four performances. Of the four, only Mo'nique's performance is a standout. Let's focus on her performance, since she really makes the show. Mo'nique takes the pain associated with being a Black woman of size, and transforms hert pain into cathartic beauty.

While she doesn't hate skinny women per se, she is free to speak her mind when women of size are slighted by skinny women, and really by all people in general. As a Black woman of size trying to maintain a relationship, she speaks honestly about some of the accommodations she is forced to make in order to keep her man.

Mo'nique is real, she is funny, and yes she is Beautiful.

---

Certainly, none of the other three performers are nearly as polished, and the package as a whole cannot stand up to the Kings of Comedy, Mo'nique's performance alone makes the film worth seeing.

Adamm

Leaders of the Cool School.......2006-11-15

Anyone who DOESN'T collapse in hysterics within minutes of this DVD's start has to either be male, skinny, misogynistic, or just plain all of the above.

I must have watched this on repeat at every opportunity for about a fortnight straight; I told EVERYONE i knew about it, and quite frankly, it kicks the 'Kings' back in the womb til they're born again - half as funny (as these ladies)!

I'll admit that Ms. Laura's wig joke is old and tired now, but the first time you see her do it will keep you stitches you still feel hours later.

My highlight I have to say though, is So'more and the 'Hula Hoop Theory' - I haven't seen ANYTHING to this day - 4 years later - that is as funny as that.

A must own for a stand-up comedy lover!.......2006-11-08

I finally found this after years of looking for it. I watched this with my barracks roommate back in 2001 when I was in the Army and I was laughing so hard that I was in tears! These ladies are by far some of the funniest female comedians I've ever seen. They all had their own things to gripe about, but Miss Laura Hayes was one of my favorites. Pick it up, you won't be dissatisfied.

hilarious.......2006-02-26

a must for collectors. I hate going to crowded clubs and halls with people who are disrespectful. Sitting at home and watching the queens is the next best thing. I can laugh as loud as I want, for as long as I want and pause it for my own intermission and not miss a thing. I laugh to the point of tears every time I watch it.

something to laugh about.......2006-02-23

This has to be the funniest stand up comedy act every produced, these ladies just compliment one another, it is 10 times more funny than the kings of comedy...I am really looking forward to a part 2 if they ever consider it. Also the delivery was great I ordered on a sat night standard and on monday afternoon it was at my door step so it was an great overall order!!!

Average customer rating:

Possibly the worst movie ever
Terrible excuse for a movie, and poorly executed
Art Imitates Life, and back again!
Not a gutsy satire
gutsy little satire

American Dreamz (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Hugh Grant , Dennis Quaid , Mandy Moore (II) , Willem Dafoe , and Chris Klein
Director: Paul Weitz
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Satire | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

The Break-Up (Widescreen Edition)
The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
The Devil Wears Prada (Widescreen Edition)
Thank You for Smoking (Widescreen Edition)
Click (Special Edition)

ASIN: B000GPPNMY
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Amazon.com

Thinly disguised versions of American Idol and the Bush presidency collide in the satire American Dreamz. Bored and self-loathing, Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant, About a Boy) wants to give his hugely popular reality show American Dreamz an extra boost by courting political controversy--but suspects he may find personal redemption in the form of scheming contestant Sally Kendoo (Mandy Moore, Saved!), who manipulates her boyfriend (Chris Klein, Election) to give herself a vote-winning backstory. Meanwhile, equally desperate to court popularity, the President's chief of staff (Willem Dafoe, Spider-Man, looking suspiciously Dick-Cheney-esque) gets Tweed to let the President (Dennis Quaid, The Rookie) be a guest judge on the show. But unbeknownst to all, a privately conflicted terrorist (Sam Golzari) has been selected as a contestant, and his sleeper cell wants him to blow up the President in the final competition. This complicated storyline doesn't quite have the bite it's reaching for; the political edge is particularly blunted--even diehard Republicans are unlikely to be offended. But sharp and funny lines are sprinkled throughout and the cast is uniformly excellent; the relationship between Grant and Moore is oddly touching, and Marcia Gay Harden (Pollock) makes an amazing First Lady--is this satire, or what we all wish Laura Bush was really like? An uneven movie, but with some delicious tidbits. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Possibly the worst movie ever.......2007-07-09

This movie is AWFUL! It doesn't deserve me spending much time on this. I like Mandy Moore a lot, and I am a huge Hugh Grant fan. However, the movie is very cheesy, and superficial. It's obviously a spoof of American Idol and how more people pay attention to that than politics, but it ends up being so pointless (horrbile ending) that you sorta loose the point in the whole ridiculousness of it all. This is Hugh Grant at his worst, not funny, and trying to be a "Simon Cowell" type. It was way OVERDONE. Yuck!

Terrible excuse for a movie, and poorly executed.......2007-07-01

There's really no redeeming value to this flimsy film, intended as a satire of Fox's American Idol. The show is tremendously popular, following the least common denominator method of catering to the basest members of society, for whom the show is must-see TV. It's amazing how little amateur musical talent is left out there! Kelly Clarkson is the only contestant who has the vocal power and maturity to really perform at a professional level. Subsequent contestants, even the eventual season winners, have disappointed in a big way. American Dreamz appears to be cast with actors (Mandy Moore, Hugh Grant, Dennis Quaid) that display as much talent as recent Idol cast-offs. Moore is herself a poor musician and mediocre actor, Grant is a talentless Brit who's best quality is making quippy comments with an incoherent accent, and Quaid is best known as a recovering bulimic and B-level actor. Of these top-billed cast members, only Willem Dafoe has distinguished himself as a gifted actor... but you won't find that performance here. Do yourself a favor, and stay away from this colossal waste of your time. Instead, take a look at Dafoe's better turns in Platoon or Clear and Present Danger.

Art Imitates Life, and back again! .......2007-06-02

In a nutshell, A President is faced with falling numbers, his approval rating is severely LOW. What to do? Appear on the #1 Rated Show in America, "American Dreams" -- For anyone who saw the movie a few months back, and then watched Bush only weeks ago end up on our own "American Idol" (on the Fox Network) one can only wonder why he doesn't have folks around him who are smart enough to tell him that he has become the joke. Marcia Gay-Harden does a dead-on version of what I hope Laura Bush would be like, having to live with such a blow-hard fool. A must see, as far as I'm concerned. I have to warn you though, I laughed through the first part, and then realized of course that none of it was funny. It was all too chillingly real to me in light of recent events. (Which makes the film sad more than anything else, because the truth of it is, the majority of our country are now EXACTLY as they are portrayed in this movie.)

Not a gutsy satire.......2007-05-22

The movie says basically everything that you've said to your friends, only it's said here in a more hushed tone, lacking any kind of ferocity. Bush is represented as a complete moron (also his name given to him in the movie, Joe Staton, sounds very much like Joe Stalin) but the true face of evil is the vice president, who looks comically devilish and controls everything the president says. At the end of the movie we see Dafoe's "Cheney" left behind by the president --and here's where we see some serious lack of teeth--and then the president blossoms from moron to an independent, intelligent, kind and resourceful president as if to say without real life Cheney, real life Bush would be awesome.

Everything about the show is very obvious, with the obnoxiousness of American Idol represented by American Dreamz, Cowell represented by Grant, etc. The marine of the movie is probably going to get the most undeserved praise/hate because he is a bumbling moron, but the movie clearly lacks the balls to say anything of the sort about the troops as a whole in such a way, so to examine the character (or anything else in this movie, for that matter) is an empty exercise. Moore does a great job of convincing us that she is an actress and not a singer, then throws it all away in an excruciating 3 minute song "Dreamz with a Z" (or something like that).

The movie is very obvious and brainless but fun at the same time. It doesn't "go there;" instead it visits the same old talking points about the current administration and the absurdity of pop culture.
Dreamz is a fun popcorn flick and not anything to think about; something to be watched in passing and a guilty pleasure for anyone over the age of 20.

gutsy little satire.......2007-04-20

Paul Weitz' "American Dreamz" is so completely "out there" in both concept and execution that one can't help but give it the benefit of the doubt even when it's not always succeeding in what it's trying to do. I mean, how many comedies have the chutzpah to feature an al Qaeda terrorist cell plotting to assassinate the President of the United States on a live TV variety show modeled on "American Idol"? And where else will you find the suave Hugh Grant playing against type as a smarmy, ego-driven Simon Cowell wannabe, Sam Golzari as an Arab suicide bomber with a passion for Broadway musicals, or Dennis Quaid as a dim bulb chief executive (based on guess who) who becomes a guest host on a television talent show in an attempt to resurrect his image with a celebrity-obsessed American public? For sheer ingenuity and audacity alone, "American Dreamz" far exceeds what normally passes for comedy in the multiplexes these days.

Plowing much of the same territory familiar to us from last year's "Little Miss Sunshine" - namely, Middle America's fixation with performing and celebrity - "American Dreamz" is so good-natured in its attitude and tone that it's hard to be offended by its frivolous treatment of a serious subject or its occasional lapses into the overdrawn or the obvious. The sly, clever screenplay makes fun of its characters while, at the same time, treating them with affection and respect. The George Bush parody becomes a trifle obvious and heavy-handed at times, but, for the most part, the movie doesn't push too hard to get its laughs. It may bite off a bit more than it can chew, but at least it's willing to take a few risks and not always play it safe as most movies do. And for once, thanks to the breeziness of the writing, directing and acting, and its refusal to take itself too seriously, we have a "feel-good" movie that actually makes us feel good.

Beyond Grant, Golzari and Quaid, the movie is filled with truly inspired comic performances by Mandy Moore as a not-quite-as-shallow-as-she-appears-to-be, aspiring singer; Jennifer Coolidge as her show business mother maniacally spurring her daughter on to dreams of fame and fortune; Seth Meyers as her sleazy agent quick to exploit any opportunity for publicity purposes; Chris Klein as her naïve, sweet-natured boyfriend whose romantic declarations have the opposite effect of driving his true love further and further away from him; Tony Yalda as a flamboyant performer with dreams of making it big in the entertainment world; Willem Dafoe as a Machiavellian Karl Rove-type presidential adviser who literally plants a bug in the President's ear as a way of controlling his every move; Marcia Gay Harden as the President's wife who has her own methods for getting her man to do what she thinks ought to be done; and Shohreh Aghdashloo (so brilliant in "The House of Sand and Fog") as the perpetually optimistic aunt of the high-stepping, albeit reluctant suicide bomber commandeered by his fellow terrorists to take out the President (as well as himself). Without exception, all these actors more than know what their characters are about, so that we don't have to worry that the comedy is going to veer over the edge or lose sight of its mission or goal (as evidenced by its surprisingly uncompromised and uncompromising ending).

Underrated and neglected at the time of its release, "American Dreamz" is a gentle little satire that will tickle your funny bone while showing you a thing or two about life in this great, big, glorious, and crazy place we call America.

Average customer rating:

Best Documentary-Drama about Nelson Mandela so far.
Great Showing
When Vision Is Not Enough...Make It Reality!
the best video i have seen

Mandela and de Klerk
Starring: Sidney Poitier , Michael Caine , Tina Lifford , Gerry Maritz , and Ian Roberts
Director: Joseph Sargent
Manufacturer: Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | African American Cinema | Genres | DVD | Video

General | African American Cinema | Genres | 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

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

Bopha!
Cry, The Beloved Country
Cry Freedom
Brother John
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

ASIN: B0008FXT3M
Release Date: 2005-06-07

Amazon.com

Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine both received Emmy nominations for their performances in this made-for-TV movie. The plot follows Nelson Mandela's 27-year struggle to end apartheid. That segregation was abolished without bloodshed also had much to do with the political maneuverings of South African President F.W. de Klerk, played with convincing and tired resolution by Caine. Poitier plays the more powerful personality, and shines as the self-assured leader. Filmed in Cape Town, this extremely talky and sometimes static film is intriguing as a historical study. As a drama, it is a bit dry. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Product Description

Mandela & De Klerk was filmed in South Africa. Most of the locations are those where the actual events took place, and the dramatized sequences are augmented with newsreel footage to ensure the most accurate portrayal possible of recent historical events.

Customer Reviews:

Best Documentary-Drama about Nelson Mandela so far........2006-12-16

I have not figured out, why someone like Spike Lee ,has not done a film about Nelson Mandela yet.He could have cast Morgan Freeman.He was in the excellent short film ,'Death of a Prophet'(1972),about the remaining days of Malcolm X's life.This film ,'Mandela and deKlerk',is above average.But, would have done better if it had stayed true with his autobiographical story,'The Long Walk to Freedom'.I saw the deKlerk role as a filler and the film focusing less on Mandela's political struggle and search for equal justice.The long walk to freedom is not just Mandela's personal struggle and for his Afrikan people but all just people of the world.Let's hope another film takes a closer look at Nelson Mandela's story and credo.Before history repeats itself.

Great Showing.......2003-03-08

this Made for TV Movie truly Captures so many Elements within the South African Commnunity.MR.Mandala&Mr.Deklerk were Portrayed Very Strongly respectively by Sidney Poitier&Michael Caine.A Strong Performance.

When Vision Is Not Enough...Make It Reality!.......2000-11-05

This video is an excellent follow-up to the former video produced where Danny Glover plays Mr. Mandela. It takes up where the other video leaves off! Not only does it do an excellent job of portraying the struggle of a people but enables you to see all prospectives involved, namely those of the white South African community. My whole family is inspired by the life of Mr. Mandela and all those involved. And after seeing this version of the circumstances, I was able to see the sacrifices of Mr. DeKlerk also! I am inspired to achieve those visions in my own life and not to fear what man or society may do to me! Thank God for men with a vision and a will to see it became a reality!

the best video i have seen.......1999-03-03

yyoui will love this version as it shows mandella in his 27 years sentanc

Lincoln and Lee at Antietam: The Cost of Freedom

Average customer rating:

Excellent!
The Antietam reason:

Lincoln and Lee at Antietam: The Cost of Freedom
Starring: Dennis E. Frye , Mike Brown (XVIII) , Ed Mantell , Cindy Brinkerhof , and Sam Edens
Director: Robert Child
Manufacturer: Inecom Entertainment Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Documentary | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

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

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

Horses of Gettysburg - Civil War Minutes® IV Box Set (2 DVD)
Gettysburg and Stories of Valor - Civil War Minutes III DVD Box Set
Blue Vs. Gray - Killing Fields
Gettysburg: Three Days of Destiny
Wicked Spring

ASIN: B000CA6D9K
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Product Description

The Single Bloodiest Day in American History

Told by Ronald F. Maxwell, director of Gettysburg and Gods and Generals Written, directed and produced by Robert Child

It s September 17, 1862 and President Abraham Lincoln needs a victory in order to issue the Emancipation Proclamation and end slavery in the South. But Robert E. Lee has other plans invade the North. When Lee s strategy falls into the hands of the Union Army, the result is the single bloodiest day in American history at the Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Maryland. Includes scarce footage from the 125th, 135th, and 140th Antietam Reenactments.

Historical insight provided by:

-James M. McPherson, Princeton University, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom and Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam

-Allen C. Guelzo, Gettysburg College, America's only repeat winner of the Lincoln Prize; Nominated by President George W. Bush to the National Council of the Humanities

-Dennis E. Frye, National Park Service (NPS) Historian at Harpers Ferry, author of Antietam Revealed and the Associate producer of Gods and Generals

-Patrick Falci, actor/performing historian portrays General Ambrose Hill at Antietam

-Paul V. Chiles, National Parks Service (NPS) Historian at Antietam National Battlefield Park

-Features Stanley Wernz, President of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, as Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Black as General Robert E. Lee

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

The bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil is thoroughly examined in Lincoln & Lee at Antietam: The Cost of Freedom, a worthy addition to anyone's Civil War video collection. Directed and written by Robert Child and narrated by Ronald F. Maxwell (the director of the definitive Civil War epics Gettysburg and Gods and Generals), this straightforward, no-nonsense documentary emphasizes the tactics, strategies, and historical context of the battle at Antietam, in Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862. Further emphasis is placed on the wartime conditions (political agendas, ready status of armies, etc.) that led to President Abraham Lincoln's orders to defeat Gen. Robert E. Lee's exhausted army at Antietam. Lee and other Confederate strategists had hoped to stage a surprise invasion, but Lee's battle plans fell into the hands of the Union army, and Lincoln's victory--which was essential to his issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery--turned Antietam into the pivotal battle of the war. Although Child (who also directed Gettysburg: Three Days of Destiny) uses dramatic readings, maps, and photographs (especially the legendary battleground photos of Matthew Brady) in a manner similar to Ken Burns' epic-length documentary The Civil War, the look and presentation of Lincoln & Lee at Antietam is entirely different, with many sequences involving contemporary Antietam reenactments. Many of the Civil War's most colorful and important figures factor into this detailed 90-minute account, which clearly benefits from impeccable in-depth research. A 25-minute interview with Maxwell reveals the filmmaker's massive 15-year commitment to bringing his epics to the screen, and his feature-length commentary with Child lends another layer of detailed information to this authoritative DVD. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2007-01-10

I bought this for my husband who loves anything Civil War related. I read the reviews and seemed to be well received. It was excellent. We both thought it was very well done. I highly reccomend it!

The Antietam reason:.......2006-02-08

Lincoln and Lee at Antietam covers the entire struggle of the Antietam Campaign. The political concept about why Lincoln needed a Union victory and Lee's need to take the war north were covered as well as the battle. With various interviews featuring historians such as James McPherson, this documentary is very well done. The battle coverage is brief and not entirely descriptive although it includes reenactment scenes from the 125th, 135th and 140th Antietam Reenactments. A majority of the footage and photography is excellent as it shows the beauty of the Maryland landscape around Antietam. Some of the film really points out General McClellan's "slow-to-react" method of dealing with Lee's invasion and how he missed a multiple of opportunities to really whip Lee during this campaign.

Being a reenactor, covering a battle in detail in under two hours is nearly impossible. Naturally I would like to see more. I did enjoy the political views shown on both sides be it Union or Confederate. It showcased the importance of how crucial this conflict was to each party. It presented the facts about what could be gained and lost for both armies and governments that I liked.

For a veteran reenactor or student of the battle of Antietam, a majority of this presentation is fairly basic and might be too standard although McPherson's explanation about why Antietam was politically important for Lincoln is something most people could learn about in this great presentation.

American Experience: TR: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt

Average customer rating:

Excellent introduction to TR

American Experience: TR: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt

Manufacturer: PBS Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

American Experience: Truman
American Experience: FDR
American Experience: LBJ
American Experience: Jimmy Carter
American Experience: Woodrow Wilson

ASIN: B000BYRCFQ
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Description

He personified America at the turn of the last century--confident, exuberant, involving-but suffered from hidden demons. He was Teddy Roosevelt, or TR, heroic figure of boundless energy and bleak emotions. Family letters and diaries, authentic film footage and interviews with family members and others profile an ambitious man: fearless in combat, loving and generous with family, and unafraid to take on powerful financial interests.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent introduction to TR.......2006-02-15

Easily my favorite in the American Experience presidential series, this biography of Theodore Roosevelt is informative, enlightening, challenging, touching, and even inspirational. Narrated with gusto by the late TR buff, Jason Robards, and featuring interviews with noted Roosevelt historians and key family members, this is an exciting journey through the life of the first modern American president.

At no point in covering TR's life is there necessity to spice things up or add color. His story is a dizzying, wild ride that parallels the expansion of the nation, its influence, and its lifestyles from the Gilded Age of the Second Industrial Revloution to the War to End All Wars. Roosevelt was a precocious asthmatic child with insatiable curiosity and a love of taxidermy; a boxer at Harvard; a state legislator; rancher; sheriff; nationally respected naval historian; big game hunter and authoritative ornitholgist; a reformist New York City police commissioner; the Assistant Secretary of the Navy; a heroic volunteer colonel in the Spanish American War; Governor of New York; Vice President; and (upon the assassination of William McKinley) the youngest man ever to become President. All before his 43rd birthday!

You owe it to yourself to view this film and learn from the life of this incredible human being who was described as "a steam engine in trousers." He was a bit eccentric at times but he was NEVER boring. His life is certainly motivation to take life by the horns and live it to the fullest.

American Experience: John and Abigail Adams

Average customer rating:

A Must-Have
Very good
History brought to life
More of a movie than good documentary
Wonderful

American Experience: John and Abigail Adams

Manufacturer: PBS Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Benjamin Franklin
The War That Made America - The Story of the French and Indian War
American Experience - Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided
American Experience: TR: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt
American Experience: FDR

ASIN: B000BMSU9K
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Description

Relying heavily on the extraordinary correspondence between the second president and his wife, this joint biography sheds light not only on the characters of two remarkable people, but also on the tumultuous times through which they lived. John and Abigail Adams played a critical role in many of the pivotal events of their era: he was a vociferous participant at the Continental Congress; she was an important eye-witness reporter during the Siege of Boston; he was an important war-time emissary to France. This AMERICAN EXPERIENCE reminds us that the Founding Fathers - and Mothers - were not men and women of marble following a script that made independence and American national success a pre-ordained conclusion, but rather real, flawed, multi-dimensional people, who had no idea how things would turn out.

Customer Reviews:

A Must-Have.......2007-05-27

This is an in-depth account of the remarkable team of John and Abigail Adams. It's a must-have for any history buff or anyone interested in the period of time of our nation's founding. An incredible story.

Very good.......2007-04-07

Very good! Fills in more details than the Play & Movie 1776.

History brought to life.......2006-12-23

In American Experience: John and Abigail Adams, we have a masterful blending of drama and documentary. Fine actors portray the characters, while some of our generation's most popular historians (Freeman, McCullough, Ferling, Ellis, etc.) provide the commentary. It is a celebration of individuals who of late have finally been getting the credit that the U.S. public has never given. Both John and Abigail come across as passionate patriots who are utterly devoted to one another, the image one perceives if one reads their personal correspondence. Jefferson comes across in a less than complimentary manner, taking some well-deserved lumps for his behavior during Adams' presidency. Interestingly, Abigail is placed squarely within a discussion of the highly controversial Sedition Act, citing concern over John's safety and the security of the U.S. government. Another reviewer called this television at its best. Imagine the world if this sort of quality was what was featured nightly on television.

More of a movie than good documentary.......2006-07-04

Whether or not you would give it low stars is all about your personal taste. If you like documentaries like Ken Burns makes or the other presidential documentaries in the American Experience, this is not for you! This is largely just actors being filmed, which I find very dissappionting! I would never use it in the classroom.

Wonderful.......2006-05-16

I caught this documentary on PBS tonight and immediately went online to see if it was available on DVD. The story of John and Abigail Adams is one of the most poignant in American history, and this film makes it accessible to even the most uninterested history-phobe. Interviews and cheesy re-enactments are cut to a minimum, and most of the story is told in voice-over and with quotes from letters written by John, Abigail, and their contemporaries, making it easy to watch as well as riveting. I was pleased with the portryal of John Adams here as well as Abigail; the insight into the founding of the US through their correspondence was eye-opening.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

The Boston Strangler

Norman Granz Presents Duke Ellington With Ella Fitzgerald

All I Want For Christmas [1991]

DVD: Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg

The Fugitive