The Congress

Director: Ken Burns
Studio: Pbs Paramount
Product Type: DVD

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!

Legally Blonde 2 - Red, White & Blonde (Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Red, White & Bland
disappointed
Legally Blonde 2 - Red, White & Blonde (Special Edition)
A Real Disappointment
Laugh a Little

Legally Blonde 2 - Red, White & Blonde (Special Edition)
Starring: Reese Witherspoon , Sally Field , Regina King , Jennifer Coolidge , and Bruce McGill
Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Satire | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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

Legally Blonde (Special Edition)
Sweet Home Alabama
Miss Congeniality 2 - Armed and Fabulous (Widescreen Edition)
Miss Congeniality (Deluxe Edition)
Two Weeks Notice (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00005JM55
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Amazon.com

The winning comic finesse of Reese Witherspoon drives Legally Blonde 2: Red White and Blonde. It's astonishing that the sequel could possibly be daffier than the first movie, but Legally Blonde 2 leaves reality behind like an unflattering outfit. Unemployed lawyer Elle Woods (Witherspoon) sets off to our nation's capitol to ban cosmetics testing on animals, after discovering that her beloved chihuahua's own mother is being used as a test subject. Washington, D.C., becomes a testing ground for Elle's mettle, as she grapples with callous committees, backstabbing representatives, and devious aides to get her bill considered by Congress, with some help from her sorority sisters and her hairdresser friend Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind). Witherspoon bursts with charisma and dazzles with sheer performing skill; she's the comic heir to screwball comedienne Carole Lombard--which is high praise. Also featuring Bob Newhart and Sally Field. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Red, White & Bland.......2007-07-06

I'm a bit at odds with Legally Blonde 2. The tension between the real world and Elle's naivete which constituted the parameters in the first film's dialectic (and which gave it meaning) is here wanting. Her opposition are straw dogs set up to bring Elle's ingenuity into relief. Her artless, winning ways are ridden on the "means and ways committee" of Elle's too easily won-over circle of admirers. They must have all seen her come out on top in the first movie since her accomplishments are cited by Regina King's impressive lawyer early on.

The situations are entertaining, but silly (and in some instances tasteless). And that's okay too. Silliness can be entertaining, but not emotionally engaging, and that's where the film breaks ranks from the earlier effort.

Witherspoon is still fun to watch in her take-no-prisoners Pollyanna ways that proably sounds a ubiquitous chord. Regina King more than ably fills the shoes of Selma Blair's similarly agonistic role, as an intolerant, envious lawyer who finally lets her inherent decency get the better of her.

The movie? Too bad it all seems like a rehash of the first one, at best; at worst, a bit too silly and predictable.

Frank De Canio

disappointed.......2007-05-21

unfortunately I have been unable to watch this DVD.iT IS NOT PLAYABLE ON MY EQUIPMENT.iT IS THE FIRST TIME i HAVE BOUGHT A dvd OVER THE INTERNET AND MAYBE i DIDN'T ORDER PROPERLY.dON'T THINK i WILL TRY AGAIN----EXPENSIVE MISTAKE.

Legally Blonde 2 - Red, White & Blonde (Special Edition).......2007-04-11

Too funny...have to get it so you can watch it over and over!!!

A Real Disappointment.......2007-01-17

I purchased this DVD a few years ago and still have not watched it all. I really enjoyed the first Legally Blonde movie. I am a fan of Reece Witherspoon and have several of her movies in my DVD collection.I found her performance as Elle totally over the top! Who ever wrote this script turned Elle into some kind of superhuman. Elle has the ability to change how Washington operates just by being Elle. (complete with the stupid snap cup congress voting routine)

Although the cast was great, the script and the directing was sub-par. The director added a pink glow above Elle's head whenever she was in a scene.This was pointed out by the director in the DVD extra segment.Did he get this idea from Touched by an Angel? Thank goodness they never made Legally Blonde 3.Although Elle Woods' movie career maybe over,Reece Witherspoon's career continues to shine!I believe she has totally outgrown her Legally Blonde chararcter.

Laugh a Little.......2006-11-16

Even if you missed Legally Blonde, this comedic outing is just for fun and can stand alone. Elle Woods takes on the Washington insiders and keeps coming out on top through a combination of sheer luck, connections, and by blondely working out the problems based on her earlier sorority experience.

Somewhat dippy, but fun anyway. I thought the grand speech didn't really have what it took to bring about the happy ending, but hey, you have to suspend your brain a bit with this story anyway.

Enjoy it for what it is and don't expect great literature, just a fun little film.

The DVD included some interesting interviews with the actors and director.

Average customer rating:

Great technical achievements with stereotypes galore
a hard to find movie worth seeking out
"The Devil's Cabaret" is on this disc!
Cimarron
A profound old movie

Cimarron
Starring: Richard Dix , Irene Dunne , Estelle Taylor , Nance O'Neil , and William Collier Jr.
Director: Wesley Ruggles , Nick Grinde , and Rudolf Ising
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Epic | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

The Broadway Melody (Special Edition)
The Life of Emile Zola (Special Edition)
Grand Hotel (Snap case)
The Champ
Kitty Foyle

ASIN: B000BYA4HE
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Amazon.com

This epic Western won the 1931 Academy Award for Best Picture. Heartthrob Richard Dix plays Yancey Cravat (yes, really, that's his name) a frontiersman, newspaper editor, and former gunslinger who's studly enough to fill in as preacher or lawyer should the situation demand. Yancey brings his young bride Sabra to the wild Oklahoma territory to taste the adventure, crusade for social justice, and leave his family for years at a time. Modern viewers will have trouble making it past one or two horrifying racist caricatures at the start, made doubly odd because of the film's intended message of tolerance. Once it gets underway, though, Cimarron can be quite a bit of fun. Most of its pleasures are of the guilty variety--Dix's performance in particular is endearingly huge--but there are a few genuine highlights. The Oklahoma Land Rush sequence is still exciting and wet blanket Sabra turns out to have far more gumption than anyone imagined. --Ali Davis

Description

Spaces were neither wide nor open in most early Sound Westerns. Not so in Cimarron. It starts with one of the most renowned giddy-ups in cinema history: a thundering recreation of the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush. From there Cimarron, based on the bestselling epic by Giant and Show Boat novelist Edna Ferber, traces the generations-spanning saga of that land. There rugged Yancey Cravat (Richard Dix) and his resourceful pioneer wife Sabra (Irene Dunne) sink roots, persevere, give shape to their dreams. It's a saga of change, told with an authenticity that moviegoers who had lived through that era recognized - and told with a skill that earned it three Academy Awards * including Best Picture!

Customer Reviews:

Great technical achievements with stereotypes galore.......2006-12-22

Often, in the early talkies, you'll notice what you thought were sane actors talking to inanimate objects instead of their fellow castmembers. Of course, what they were really doing was talking into the hidden microphones, but the whole image can be quite a hilarious spectacle to the unknowing audience. Cimarron was an early talkie that made great strides in sound, allowing natural interaction between the cast and a more natural movement of the camera, allowing the filming of some truly spectacular scenes.

The film is very impressive when taken in the context of its technical achievements. The shots of the opening of the Oklahoma Land Rush, and the Land Rush stampede itself involve ground-breaking sound and cinematography that make it one of the most realistically shot scenes up to that time. Other well filmed scenes include those of Osage's dusty streets with the camera tracking the main characters as they walk along while hundreds of extras bustle about them, showing the life of a busy boom town shortly after the land rush. Unfortunately, this is pretty much where my praise of this film ends.

This film stars Richard Dix as Yancey Cravat, a man who was born under a wandering star. Unfortunately, that didn't stop Yancey from taking a wife and having children, it just stopped him from taking any responsibility for that same wife and children. Yancey goes after one hair-brained scheme after another while his long-suffering wife Sabra (Irene Dunne) must come up with ways to clothe, feed, and house herself and their children. Sometimes Yancey's adventures keep him home, other times they take him away for years at a time. It's all the same to Yancey as long as he is in the midst of excitement of some sort. The film focuses on Yancey's adventures, while the whole time I'm wondering what Sabra is up to. In modern times, her story is much more compelling and sympathetic.

Richard Dix's performance is quite hammy by modern standards. You'll find yourself laughing in places that were not intended to be funny by the film's creators, and in spite of your laughter, you'll still find Yancey to be completely unlikeable. He would make a great politician in the 21st century - he is very apt at doing one thing, saying another, and still finding time for splendid oratory.

The worst thing about this film, which was not unusual for its day, was the rendition of Cravat's servant Isaiah. The stereotypes are truly jaw-dropping. For example, in one scene Isaiah gets very excited when Yancey points out a cart full of watermelons at his new home. It makes you wonder how the actor portraying Isaiah felt about this, how the filmmakers felt about this, and how the audience felt about this sort of material back in 1930. Honestly, what were they thinking?

The extras on this DVD are stingy. There's a vintage color musical short - `The Devil's Cabaret' - which is a very strange musical number with an even stranger pre-code storyline, and an example of something that could only have been done pre-code. At "Satan & Co., Inc.", the Devil is upset because too many people are going up to Heaven rather than down to Hades. He gives his assistant, Mr. Burns the task of getting more people to his domain. In front of a nightclub, Mr. Burns invites a crowd of people to come inside to "The Devil's Cabaret" and be entertained. After they enjoy songs and dancing, the people go willingly to Hades. To me, this was more entertaining than the movie. The second extra feature is a classic cartoon - `Red-Headed Baby' - that runs six minutes. It's an early Merry Melodie that focuses primarily on a Baby toy that Santa is building. After Santa goes to sleep, the toy sings a song for the other playroom toys. The animation has that primitive charm that is trademark Merry Melodie, but as a whole there is nothing really special about it. There are no extras related to the film itself.

Remarkably, this film won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1931. Even more remarkably, Richard Dix was nominated for Best Actor for his performance in this film. Less remarkably, Irene Dunne was nominated for Best Actress for her performance, in spite of the lack of depth of the examination of her character in the film. There are two reasons to watch this film (a) To see the very good technical achievements it featured in sound and cinematography (b) To see the very bad things about it including Dix' hammy performance, the stereotypes that were common in films of that era, and the fact that in the early twentieth century nobody apparently thought that the long-suffering Sabra was doing anything other than her duty as a wife in spending most of her time waiting for her husband to come home from his misadventures.

a hard to find movie worth seeking out.......2006-08-03

one of the first best picture oscar winners, this was (appallingly) the only western to win until "unforgiven". like other adaptations of edna ferber novels, the source material is too sprawling to work, but its fascinating in its (for the time) relatively compassionate views towards race and towards "working girls". richard dix is pretty wooden as the male lead and irene dunne gives little early evidence of the glory that was to come, but as usual in this type of film there are wonderful performances in smaller roles. also, the scene depicting the beginning of the land rush in 1889 is spectacular, and one wishes a certain mr ron howard had studied this sequence before he made that crappy tom & nicole thing. a historical curiosity maybe, but i enjoyed myself nonetheless.

"The Devil's Cabaret" is on this disc!.......2006-02-22

There is another reason to pick up this DVD: the inclusion of the pre-Hays Code short film "The Devil's Cabaret." This short was created as a vehicle for comedian Edward Buzzell, but the highlights are the sequence with secretary Mary Carlisle (who is amiably daffy and cute to boot), and the extended "nightclub from Hell" sequence where girls strip off their clothes and happily sell their souls to the Devil. This is a vintage reminder of how racy the times were before the government piddled on the party.

Cimarron.......2005-09-18

One of the best films ever made in America..a milestone of the transition from silent films to talkies.

A profound old movie.......2004-04-30

You know, I have to agree with Mr. Erdelac - the movie is progressive for its time. For those of you who judge a movie by the degree to which it beats a political or social drum, there is much here to admire.

But there is more. There is something artistic. There is an odd balance between melodrama and something really substantial, something actually edifying to the viewer. I think a large part of why this movie doesn't descend into the sludge of cinematic slop is because the characters are all flawed, and in those flaws the viewer cannot help but recognize a touch of human frailty. Every individual in this movie is at times ridiculous and at other times supremely dignified. This, I believe, gives it a certain depth.

The characters in any great movie MUST be larger than life if the piece is to avoid being either a documentary or a soap opera. But here the larger than life characters seem firmly rooted in the earth, which brings them closer to us. I like that.

Amazon.com essential video

"Mr. Murphy Goes to Washington." As a sly con man from Florida, Thomas Jefferson Johnson (a name he enjoys reciting), Murphy seems just about perfectly cast. And the notion that a crook would be drawn to Capitol Hill like a fly to honey is a cheap, cynical idea that could be milked for a few belly laughs. The chief bad guy, a greedy lobbyist aptly named Dick Dodge (Lane Smith), is a perfect, smarmy target, but the movie loses its cool and turns earnest and patriotic, striking a high-minded attitude that it has scarcely earned. It may have seemed a clever idea hiring a Brit, Jonathan Lynn (Clue) to direct, but he doesn't bring a fresh eye to the material. Sheryl Lee Ralph and Joe Don Baker bat cleanup. --David Chute

Description

Comedy superstar Eddie Murphy (BOWFINGER, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR) brings down the house in THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN, the hilarious new comedy hit about a small-time con man who runs for Congress -- and miraculously wins! As Thomas Jeffferson Johnson, Murphy hustles his way to the big time and wins an elected seat in the U.S. Congress. But that's only the beginning -- with the perks and power of his new position, Murphy cons for cash and doesn't have to break the law to bamboozle the big bucks! You can be sure you'll love it when Eddie Murphy goes to Washington!

Customer Reviews:

One of Eddie's Toppers.......2007-01-10

I really enjoyed this movie again. After having viewed it several times in the passed I decided that it must be in my collection. Charlton Francisco

Great DVD.......2007-01-09

My husband and I had seen this movie several time on our TV but our children missed it. We wanted to purchase a copy as a Christmas gift. Finding one in the used sections of various stores was impossible, so I went online and learned it was available from [...]. I ordered it and within three days in was in my hands! Not only was it a swift delivery but the item was new, still in its sealed package. I would use this method of ordering again.

A Modern Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.......2005-12-12

As some wiseman once observed, if Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was made in the 1990s, it would be The Distinguished Gentleman. In many ways, both movies tell the same story, which shows how little the film industry and probably the American people's impression of Congressional politics has changed over fifty years. In The Distinguished Gentleman, the United States Congress is shown to be an assembly of self-interested career politicians whose ultimate goal is to stay in power. Congressmen are portrayed as being the greatest of conmen, who have learned how to ally themselves with political action committees and reap great benefits in the guide of representing the American people. Any action that may benefit the people but harm the special interests, such as the effect an investigation of the connection between power lines and cancer clusters would have on the power companies, will be obstructed by the politician who needs the special interests' support.

A major element of the story, one which is not present in Mr. Smith, is election politics. The protagonist, Thomas Jefferson Johnson, is a conman who discovers the potential wealth in being a Congressman. He learns that name recognition is a more powerful tool than the issues in a campaign. Since he has the same name as recently deceased Congressman Jeff Johnson from his district, and people will overwhelmingly vote for the incumbent, whose name they recognize, they will elect Thomas unwittingly. His initial goal is to abuse the system, like the Congressmen around him, to get as much money as possible. Unlike Jefferson Smith, who begins as a simple man whose naivete gets shaken, Thomas Johnson begins as a opportunist who gets a conscience. Thomas' conscience comes in the form of a beautiful woman, Celia Kirby, and a sick girl who are fighting hopeless cause against the powerful power company.

Olaf Anderson is the head of the power company, which is the special interest, or the Tim Taylor political machine of this movie. As a special interest, the power company supplies great amounts of money to Congressmen in return for them acting favorable toward the power company. Celia and the families being harmed by the power company cannot match the financial power of the special interests. Dick Dodge, the chairman of the Power and Industry committee and the Joseph Paine of this story, takes any and all measures to ensure the protection of the power company, and the power company will reciprocate. Dodge takes Thomas as a pupil, showing him how easily the benefits of Congress can be reaped if one is willing to be unscrupulous, and in this way Dodge is even more forthcoming in admitting his corruption than Paine was. When Thomas tries to open an investigation and help the people, Dodge and Anderson first try to persuade, then bribe, and finally intimidate him into staying out of the way of the special interests. Thomas will eventually win the day by using his abilities as a conman for the common good instead of his own self-interest.

This movie perhaps portrays Congress in an even more cynical fashion than Mr. Smith did, giving a larger portion of the corruption to the Congressmen and a less-evil but just as self-interested role to the special interests. Again, as in Mr. Smith, the power concentrated in the special interests reduces the sovereign power of the people, portraying more of an aristocracy than a democracy. As a critique on the abuses of modern democracy, The Distinguished Gentleman shows how American democracy is constructed in a manner which allows for functionality and flexibility to serve the people, but that it can easily be corrupted by those who chose to take advantage of its flexibility. While Mr. Smith portrayed this perversion to be more of an exception to contrast Smith's altruism, The Distinguished Gentleman portrays this corruption as be the general rule, predominant among Congressmen. The message is the same, however: The people of the United States need to decide if they are going to allow the type of corruption that people widely believe is present in Congress in reality, to forfeit their representation or to take action. People need to pay closer attention to what is going on, both in election campaigns and once their Congressmen are in office, and hold those people who are supposed to represent them accountable for their actions, which is an even more empowering and activist position than in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Because The Distinguished Gentleman was even created, it can be argued that people had not yet heeded Frank Capra's warning and needed to be reminded. We will, no doubt, continue to see more movies with this theme.

disappointing but has some moments........2003-06-27

I am a political junky AND an Eddie Murphy fan and I had great expectations for this movie. And for the most part the first half has pretty interesting and entertaining. But the script bogged down and just flattened out towards the end. EM still makes it fun to watch. This is a rental, not a purchase.

Boy, politicians should have been great fodder for a comedy but this movie missed its potential

Subtle Humor with Few Belly Laughs.......2003-04-25

It is tempting to compare this movie to other political satires of previous years. However, it is at heart an Eddie Murphy movie, and you know that Eddie Murphy is always over the top.

The plot is relatively simple. Eddie Murphy is a small-time con artist. Having recently overheard a conversation between several lobbyists and a congressman, Eddie realizes that (in his opinion) being a congressman is the biggest con of all. One day he happens to be in the right place at the right time when a congressman with virtually the same name as his dies. Eddie runs for election to replace the dead congressman with his only platform being that "you know the name". You must know that Eddie wins in a landslide.

Eddie's initial goal is to figure out how he can get as much money as possible. However, as is the case with all con artists, their undoing is when they begin to care. In Eddie's case, his undoing is a beautiful woman and a little girl diagnosed with cancer. The combination of the two makes Eddie care about someone other than himself, and you see Eddie change from that point.

Lane Smith plays Dick Dodge, a senior congressman on the powerful Power and Industry committee. Dick Dodge is a wheeler and dealer who knows all the ins and outs of Washington, and the best way to wield power and profit from his position. Initially Eddie looks to Dick as a mentor. While Eddie initially identified with Dick Dodge, as Eddie discovers that there is a harmful side-effect on ordinary people by the actions of people such as Dodge, Eddie eventually uses his abilities to remove Dodge from power.

This movie is a bit more cerebral than Eddie's typical movies. "Trading Places" was generally slapstick and situational comedy. "Beverly Hills Cop" was one-liners and irony. The humor in this movie is often more subtle, and in some cases may be lost on some viewers. There are places in the movie where the humor is slapstick and one-liners, however, much of the humor is satirical and often harder to discern.

Amazon.com

General George Armstrong Custer has been portrayed as everything from a vain but ultimately honorable hero (Errol Flynn in They Died with Their Boots On) to an insane, pompous incompetent (Richard Mulligan in the biting Little Big Man), but few have attempted an ambitious look at the man in all his contradictions. Robert Siodmak's Custer of the West, his final American production, attempts the task with fine results, portraying the career soldier as a pragmatist, a disciplinarian with a bullying streak, a loner, and ultimately an Old World romantic in the modern age. Robert Shaw gives the role a regal bearing (though his continental accent keeps drifting in) and a sense of dignity, depicting a man who ironically identifies more with the Indians than with the U.S. Army. Jeffrey Hunter and Ty Hardin costar as his battling junior officers and Robert Ryan is memorable in a brief appearance as a gold-mining deserter. Shooting in handsome widescreen and vivid Technicolor, Siodmak makes his outdoor settings come alive and nimbly handles the many action scenes, most notably a chase that sends an escaping soldier whooshing down a log water chute like a Disney ride. Siodmak's sweeping visuals deliver both grand images and ironic counterpoint, but ultimately Custer of the West eschews the heroism of Hollywood adventures for a portrait of the corrupt state of the American military and one man's hopeless fight against it. --Sean Axmaker

Description

From decorated war hero to doomed commander, General George Armstrong Custer is brilliantly portrayed by Robert Shaw (Jaws, The Sting) in this stunning, "giant spectacle of a film" (Motion Picture Herald). With an all-star cast that includes Jeffrey Hunter and Robert Ryan, thisepic adventure vividly chronicles the rise and fall of this larger-than-life legend! Afterhis triumphs in the Civil War, General Custer becomes one of the most renowned military figures of his time. But he infuriates as many people as he impresses never more so than in the days leading upto the Battle of Little Bighorn, where his sense of pride overshadows his dedication to duty with disastrous consequences.

Customer Reviews:

MOST BIZARRE TELLING OF THE CUSTER LEGEND.......2007-07-09

It was once said that you shouldn't get your history or your religion from the movies, and this is a GREAT example! It would have you think that the U.S. Civil War was fought with about a dozen Confederates and a handful of Federal cavalry. There were even scenes of unmanned cannon firing themselves -- not an artilleryman (or anyone else) around! In fact, throughout this movie all battle sequences were anemic, lethargic and DULL! The Little Big Horn battle is a laughing stock. It is weirdly setup and staged. Probably the biggest historical inaccuracy in the whole sad world of historic inaccuracies. To make matters worse, it was shot mostly from long distance. Any detail of action you get will remind you of a bad-guy-indian raid on a wagon train in some obscure "B" western matinee. The story of Custer between these "battles" is BORING! You couldn't care less about the main characters! To be fair, though, Mr. Shaw (very miscast) does his best with this weak script and story. In a couple of the early scenes he almost "channels" Errol Flynn. Jeffrey Hunter, Robert Ryan (who turns in the BEST performance here -- but brief) and Ty Hardin were all wasted in this project. BUT the MOST glaring fault of the movie: "Garry Owen" was never, ever played! Not once! Speaking of tunes, the odd soundtrack lends nothing to the flick at all. The tunes rarely match up to the mood you should be in, or what is happening on the screen. All-in-all, it is easy to see why this never made a splash in the U.S. movie circuit. Vastly better films are: THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON (historically off, but the "Last Stand" battle is probably the closest to the scope and intensity of the real fight); LITTLE BIG MAN (the history of the Little Big Horn is essentially "on the mark" from the warrior's point of view, but Custer is portrayed here for comedic relief as a buffoon and nut-case); and SON OF THE MORNING STAR (probably the most accurate of the Hollywood Custer stories). After all is said and done, CUSTER OF THE WEST is not worth the purchase, a rent or the trouble. Who would EVER fall asleep when the command "CHARGE!" is given? You will!

Custer of the West.......2005-07-16

CUSTER OF THE WEST (1967) might be a good movie, although it's definitely not a very good or great one. I say it might be a good movie because the version I watched was the Simitar Video release from 1998, which is the full screen, pan-and-scan version. Sorry, you just aren't supposed to watch an action movie that's missing more than a quarter of the image.

Robert Shaw plays Custer in this biopic, director Robert Siodmak's last American film and the weakest one of his I've seen. The movie follows Custer from the Civil War to his Last Stand at the Little Big Horn. Most of the film is devoted to Custer fighting the Cheyenne, warning Congress of government corruption, and leading his small host to its appointment with destiny. Episodic and detached, about the only high point in the movie is a short segment in the middle with the marvelous Robert Ryan playing an Irish calvary man who wants to leave the service to take up gold mining. Physically Shaw looks enough like Custer to pass, but he doesn't have the theatrical flair, the bigger-than-life quality that the role demands. Even if I'd seen this in a widescreen format I don't think I would have liked it much more than I did seeing it in its butchered state. You might want to rent this one before you consider buying it.

Completely Bland. Seek a better movie........2005-07-07

Robert Shaw as Custer ??? Yes, he was miscast. The scenes at Little Big Horn were laughable. I viewed this film in an attempt to find the most factually correct depiction of the events leading up to the battle of the Little Big Horn. This film was perhaps least satisfying of all. "Son of the Morning Star" still stands as the best effort to date, but it is also flawed. No film shows us the truth about Deep Ravine.... an extremely important aspect of the battle.

MGM DVD Not Up To Par.......2004-07-28

I bought this movie because I indulge myself in Custeriana. As history it is highly flawed as I suspected it would be. As in most Custer movies this one manages to capture some facets of a highly complicated life and personality. For contrast, I think that

MGM has gone BAD!.......2004-06-17

MGM is releasing older films in widescreen (which is good )but not Enhanced For Widescreen T.V.'s ( Anamorphic )which is very bad.Along with "Custer Of The West" titles include "Follow That Dream", "The Magnificent Seven Ride!", "Shalako" and "A Minute To Pray, A Second To Die". There are sure to be others. Why is MGM doing this? The only reason I can think of is to save money. If no one buys these DVD's maybe it would get through to them that this is unacceptable. If you feel the same way as I do send MGM an email.

Average customer rating:

The DVD is now the complete movie - it's been corrected
Misleading--this is only the second half of the series.
Only 1/2 the Mini-Series!
Only Half The Story
Hmmmm. I wonder if this will be like another Patrick Dempsey...

JFK - Reckless Youth
Starring: Patrick Dempsey , Terry Kinney , Loren Dean , Yolanda Jilot , and Robin Tunney
Director: Harry Winer
Manufacturer: Mpi Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | 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

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

Lucky Seven
Loverboy
Can't Buy Me Love
Something About Sex
Escape

ASIN: B000EXZFSK
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Customer Reviews:

The DVD is now the complete movie - it's been corrected.......2007-03-23

I bought the DVD when it first came out and just got around to watching it (it IS 3 hours, and I'd seen it when it originally aired), and discovered I had a defective DVD. Thanks to reading the below comments, I knew it was a manufacturer's error and contacted the manufacturer's customer service, asking if the problem had been corrected and, if so, would they exchange it. Within the hour, they sent me an email requesting an address to replace the disc. I've just watched the new and improved DVD, so buy with confidence! (And the movie is really well done.)

Misleading--this is only the second half of the series........2005-12-24

This series was originally on public television, and the original story encompassed JFK's life from childhood through his election to Congress. This DVD was a disappointment as it begins at the period just prior to WW2, leaving out some fascinating material dealing with Old Joe's ambassadorship to Great Britain, which was a fiasco, and other interesting components of JFK's early life.

Setting that aside, this one is worth owning and viewing. It gives a balanced view of the famous "PT109" incident, as well as of JFK's first run for Congress. Just know that this DVD is not the complete "JFK: Reckless Youth" series.

Only 1/2 the Mini-Series!.......2005-10-07

Previous reviewer is correct, this release contains only the second half of the mini-series. The box clearly states 183 minutes, yet the one disc contains only 91. It should have been a two disc set. Someone at MPI really blew it on this one. The film film itself is not bad...

Only Half The Story.......2005-09-17

This much delayed release of the 1992 mini-series is one that I hade long awaited. However, my expectations have turned to dismay as the disc appears only to contain the second half of the show.
Despite the packaging and disc listing a running time of 180 minutes, my copy, purchased in Cambridge, Mass, runs for merely 91 minutes.
Inquiries to the manufacturer have proven to be less than helpful, and I am therefore unable to recommend a purchase of what should have been a welcome addition to the DVD market for this title.
I look forward to the rectification of this over-sight by the disc manufacturer, but fear that it may be a long time coming.

Hmmmm. I wonder if this will be like another Patrick Dempsey..........2005-09-15

Campus flick where he teaches everybody the 'cool, new dance' he got from a National Geographic type show? Okay, I'm just saying Patrick Dempsey? Uber-nerd from the 80s? As JFK? Well, I'm quite sure he's buried his past in film to be the right man to play JFK. Okay, just as long as JFK doesn't give money to the most popular girl in school so she'll look like she's dating him. Who knows - maybe Kirstie Alley will appear as Marilyn Monroe, so Patrick and her can have a 'comic-reteaming' after another movie they did in the 80s (Loverboy). Okay, okay, just as long as JFK doesn't hit it off with one older woman, and through the grapevine, become a gigolo of sorts who just talks to and dances with the older women - you know, what gigolos did in the 80s. It was all so watered down. Just like this. You've been warned!

The Big Buy - Tom Delay's Stolen Congress

Average customer rating:

Great documentary
A long deserved expose of the top sleazebag in Congress
Fairly straight-forward and descriptive documentary about Tom Delay's career
There Has Been Too Much Delay Already
Delayed Punishment

The Big Buy - Tom Delay's Stolen Congress
Starring: Rosemary Lehmberg , Pete Gallego , Jacqueline Blankenship , Jeff Wentworth , and Paul Burka
Director: Jim Schermbeck , and Mark Birnbaum
Manufacturer: Brave New Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Documentary | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

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

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

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

Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers
Why We Fight
An Inconvenient Truth
Who Killed the Electric Car?
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

ASIN: B000F9UEK2
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Description

"By the time we finish this poker game, there may not be a federal government left! Which would suit me just fine." -Tom DeLay, 1994

In a stunning 1994 interview, shortly after the now infamous Republican revolution, Tom DeLay sat down and laid out his vision for America: to destroy the Department of Education, HUD, OSHA, the NEH, the NEA, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. His self-stated goal was to "completely redesign government."

The Big Buy: Tom DeLay's Stolen Congress is the story of how he did just that. It's the story of one of the most blatant power grabs in American history, and how a District Attorney in Texas turned out to be the biggest threat to the national DeLay Machine. The film is a warning about how easy it is for American democracy to be hijacked by a combination of relentless ambition and corporate millions. It makes the case that DeLay built a "custom-made Congress" that is still providing votes for his agenda.

Customer Reviews:

Great documentary.......2007-04-10

This video really helped clarify what Tom Delay and his corporate pals did to steal the election... what a democracy we have! I highly recommend it.

A long deserved expose of the top sleazebag in Congress.......2007-02-11

This DVD was produced before Tom DeLay got his just rewards before the courts, but you can see it coming anyway. The "Republican revolution" of the 1990s turned into the Republican contest to see who could be the biggest sleazebag, and Tom DeLay was certainly in the running. This documentary pretty much gives him his comeuppance, and if ever there was anyone who deserved some upside-the-head comeuppance, this pest exterminator and pest to end all pests surely did. Highly, highly recommended.

Fairly straight-forward and descriptive documentary about Tom Delay's career.......2007-02-11

The Big Buy contains an accumulation of interviews from various politically-related individuals, including Molly Ivins, Ronnie Earle, and political columnists, authors, lawyers, and representatives. If you've followed the Delay trial at all, most of the information presented will be familiar to you, but it's nice to see it all organized here in an easily viewable and digestable manner.

If you don't know much about Delay, watching this DVD will really just remind you how important corporate money has become in our government and how corrupt our "public servants" have become.

If the story presented here seems fairly one-sided, check out the list of groups and individuals that denied the filmmakers an interview (including Tom Delay) and you'll see why there's not as much information coming from Delay's side, mainly because the case against them is very clear, especially as it is laid out here by lawyers and Ronnie Earle himself (and since Abramoff plead guilty and so did Delay's former top aide).

On the bonus features of the DVD, there's an interview with the filmmakers that really offers a lot of back story to their process of making the documentary. Originally they intended the documentary to be from Tom Delay's point of view as a strong political figure in the midst of a political controversy. When Delay's office didn't get back to them, they contacted Ronnie Earle and interviewed him, which helped to shape the film as it is.

Definitely worth watching if you're interested in politics, and especially if you're interested in Texas politics and Tom Delay.

There Has Been Too Much Delay Already.......2007-01-22

This DVD catalogues the rise of Tom Delay from Texas backbencher to US Congressional power broker to his indictment and downfall.

What makes Delay so special or infamous is his reform of congress for the worse. He parceled out money for votes, demanded that lobbying firms contribute money and hire republicans before he would even entertain their interests. (Some would call this bribery or conflict of interest. In our congress it's called business as usual.) He held votes open long after the normal voting period, and brought bills to the floor for vote without legislators even having a chance to read them.

He "gerrymandered" Texas redistricting in a deliberate attempt to gain republican seats in congress. He managed to pull this off despite Texas legislators fleeing across the Oklahoma border so that a quorem could not be mustered. The hammer lost that round but eventually muscled his way to victory, and got more republicans elected.

Delay's undoing was his insistence on corporate sponsorship (money) to his political action committee called Trmpac. This was patently illegal in a state that already has weak campaign laws. His reaction was to mount a campaign against the prosecutor that was unsuccessful. Finally, Delay resigns in disgrace and vows to help republicans win. His only hope was the people of Texas would re-elect a republican to his old seat. Even in this, Texans had apparently had enough of his shenanigans and elected a democrat.

This story may interest those fascinated with Delay, or for those who know very little about him. But it is clear that this is a low-budget production. A couple of times my attention wondered, and I found myself pressing the back button.

It is worth a look, and you can always resell it. So, don't delay.

Delayed Punishment.......2006-11-07

I grew up in Pearland, Texas, the neighbor to Tom Delay's hometown of Sugarland and also one of the larger towns within his former Congressional district. Every time I go home I have the misfortune of having to stare at "Vote for Tom Delay" signs that litter the yards of my small hometown (still to this day). I wish I could purchase thousands of copies of THE BIG BUY and hand it out to every single one of these brainwashed zombies so they would have a clue as to what is going on in their own back yard.

Whether you are a Democrat, a Libertarian, or a Republican, you should be wary of Tom Delay and his Gang of Corporate C*&%$uckers. THE BIG BUY drives home the reason very clearly, concisely, and in an entertaining manner. Delay, Abramhoff, Norquist, Bush, McCain, Lienerman, et al are strictly in it to screw Joe American Citizen and to line the already overflowing stuffed pockets of Mega-Rich Corporate America.

THE BIG BUY eventually narrows down to a simple battle of Good vs. Evil. We know who Evil is...What about Good? He comes in the form of one Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle. I mentioned Earle briefly in my book, MURDERED INNOCENTS, about the Austin yogurt shop murders. Let's just say that he comes off better in THE BIG BUY. With extensive access, the filmmakers get a look at a man who is fighting the most powerful person in the country, simply because he knows it is the right thing to do. Earle stresses that men such as Tom Delay are beholden, not to the people that they represent, but rather the Corporate Interests and the Republican Party.

Tommorow is the mid-term election. I am curious to see if there is a change afoot in America. Hopefully, some voters out there will have had the opportunity to watch this film and do their part to get rid of the Culture of Corruption that has infiltrated and festered inside the Republican Party. THE BIG BUY is a warning to those of you that want to "Stay the Course."tm

When all aspects of government are controlled by one party, you are asking for pain. When government is controlled solely by corporate largesse, greed, and the bottom-line mentality, you are assured of receiving said pain.

Highly Recommended.

Corey Mitchell
Author of MURDERED INNOCENTS, EVIL EYES, DEAD AND BURIED and more.

Average customer rating:

Fairly decent DVD but slightly dated

Washington, DC: An Inspiring Tour

Manufacturer: Finley-Holiday Film Corp.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Mr. Dreyfuss Goes To Washington
Washington DC: City out of Wilderness, the Definitive History
Washington, D.C.: Our Nation's Capital
Where America Began: Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg & Yorktown
The Official Guide to the Smithsonian

Product Features:

DVD Extra - Interactive Menus Chapter Search
DVD Extra - Bonus 1920s Footage of Washington
DVD Extra - Bonus Six Additional Virginia Historic Sites
DVD Extra - Screen Saver Internet Resources
DVD Extra - Digital Picture & Sound Quality

ASIN: B000EMBLLG

Product Description

Explore the Smithsonian Institution and its museums. Tour the White House, as well as the Capitol Building, National Archives, Library of Congress and Ford's Theatre. Visit inspiring memorials: Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam Veterans, World War II and FDR, plus the Washington Monument, Kennedy's gravesite & Arlington.

Customer Reviews:

Fairly decent DVD but slightly dated.......2007-02-16

I picked up a copy of this DVD at the Postal Museum in DC and for the most part, it's informative and enjoyable. It seems to be slightly dated but the bonus material is nice. I would give it 4 stars but the cheesy soundtrack seems to have been composed on a $50 Casio keyboard by a high school student and soon becomes very annoying.

Average customer rating:

The Ken Burns' America: The Congress
Director: Ken Burns
Manufacturer: Pbs Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Politics | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( K ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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

Ken Burns America Collection - Brooklyn Bridge
Ken Burns's America: The Statue of Liberty
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
Ken Burns America Collection - Huey Long
The Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower

ASIN: B000BITUG6
Release Date: 2004-09-28

The Federal Reserve; A discourse by G. Edward Griffin

Average customer rating:

The Federal Reserve; A discourse by G. Edward Griffin
Director: G. Edward Griffin
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve
The Creature from Jekyll Island : A Second Look at the Federal Reserve
Terrorstorm - A History of Government Sponsored Terrorism
America: Freedom to Fascism
The Corporation

ASIN: B000G3KQXW

Product Description

G. Edward Griffin, author of The Creature from Jekyll Island, addresses these issues: What is the Federal Reserve System? Who drafted the plan for the Fed and when did it occur? How is money created? What impact has this had on the American dollar? Should our currency be backed by Gold or Silver? Where does Congress get most of its funding? What is the solution to the problem of fiat money? Why do bankers get away with it? What might happen if we continue on our current path? What might come from a return to constitutional money? What can concerned citizens do to help?

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

A Small Circle of Friends

Favourite Classic Tales : DVD

Once Upon a Time in China II

DVD: Rapid Fire

Das tierische Alphabet - Kinderleicht durchs ABC