Fighting Disease

Studio: History on Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

family involvement
Fantastic Movie
Cant get enough
2nd Best Soundtrack of Any Stallone Film!
Soon on Rifftrax, Commentary for this 80's Wonder

Over the Top
Starring: Sylvester Stallone , Robert Loggia , Susan Blakely , Rick Zumwalt , and David Mendenhall
Director: Menahem Golan
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007TKNKG
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Amazon.com

Arm-wrestling might be far down on most viewers' list of "most cinematic sports," but Sylvester Stallone certainly goes the distance to prove the contrary in this lightweight but entertaining mid-'80s action/family feature. Stallone (who co-wrote the script with Stirling Silliphant) plays taciturn trucker Lincoln Hawk (though he's called "Hawks" by large portions of the cast), who faces two considerable challenges at once: to win the Las Vegas Arm Wrestling Championship, and to impress the son (David Mendenhall) who's been turned against him by his grandfather (Robert Loggia, snarling up a storm). Menahem Golan's direction and the soundtrack of bombastic '80s pop-rock (by Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and others) is anything but subtle, and the host of opponents Stallone faces look like they were culled from professional wrestling (indeed, veteran grappler Terry Funk is in the cast), but Sly stalwarts and '80s action aficionados may find this rousing entertainment. The widescreen anamorphic DVD offers only the original theatrical trailer as an extra. - Paul Gaita

Description

Rocky and Rambo star Sylvester Stallone gives fans another reason to stand up and cheer. He stars as hard-luck big-rig trucker Lincoln Hawk and takes us under the glaring Las Vegas lights for all the boisterous action of the World Armwrestling Championship in Over the Top (co-scripted by Stallone). Relying on wits and willpower, Hawk tries to rebuild his life by capturing the first-place prize money - and the love of the son (David Mendenhall) he abandoned years earlier into the keeping of his rich, ruthless father-in-law (Robert Loggia). He matches muscles with some of the game's gargantuan greats - and grips you tightly with a rousing finale in crowd-pleasing Rocky style. Grab hold for rip-roaring fun!

Customer Reviews:

family involvement.......2007-06-27

The movie was something I wanted to share with my grandchildren to show them the values and importance of a parent/child relationship, and the rewards that each receive, even through the past "not so great" issues in one's relationships.

Fantastic Movie.......2007-06-11

This is hands down one of the best movies from the 80's. It is the BEST Sylvester Stallone movie every made. It has a little something for everyone... Need a little action? It has arm wrestling. Are you with your lady and need a little drama? It has Hawk trying to gain the love of his son. Like motor vehicles? It has freaking TRUCKS! BIG ONES! Seriously what more is there? I do not understand how you people could give this movie anything under 4 stars. I think all the low reviews are just Stallone haters.

Cant get enough.......2007-05-29

I grew up as a kid with this as my favourite movie. Still today it ranks as a favourite. Great movie for all audiences.

2nd Best Soundtrack of Any Stallone Film!.......2007-03-22

An "ok" movie with a GREAT ,but overlooked soundtrack.The music is perfect to use with work-outs.Next to "Rocky" this music "will take you HIGHER"!!!

Soon on Rifftrax, Commentary for this 80's Wonder.......2007-02-10

Rifftrax [...] announced that on 2/19/2007 they will release the "Mystery science theater 3000-esque" commentary track for this "classic".

I dont want to sound TOO much like a commercial for them, but this movie is bad in a good, cheesy way and the Rifftrax commentaries are perfect to play along while you are watching this film.

I remember watching this movie at the theater when it came out and groaning during the movie. I cannot to watch it again with the humorous commentary.

Philadelphia (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

awesome
"What do you love about the law Andrew?"
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Certain times I like it, others I don't

Philadelphia (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Daniel Chapman , David Drake , Karen Finley , Charles Glenn , and Tom Hanks
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002XNT0I
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Amazon.com essential video

Philadelphia wasn't the first movie about AIDS (it followed such worthy independent films as Parting Glances and Longtime Companion), but it was the first Hollywood studio picture to take AIDS as its primary subject. In that sense, Philadelphia is a historically important film. As such, it's worth remembering that director Jonathan Demme (Melvin and Howard, Something Wild, The Silence of the Lambs) wasn't interested in preaching to the converted; he set out to make a film that would connect with a mainstream audience. And he succeeded. Philadelphia was not only a hit, it also won Oscars for Bruce Springsteen's haunting "The Streets of Philadelphia," and for Tom Hanks as the gay lawyer Andrew Beckett who is unjustly fired by his firm because he has AIDS. Denzel Washington is another lawyer (functioning as the mainstream-audience surrogate) who reluctantly takes Beckett's case and learns to overcome his misconceptions about the disease, about those who contract it, and about gay people in general. The combined warmth and humanism of Hanks and Demme were absolutely essential to making this picture a success. The cast also features Jason Robards, Antonio Banderas (as Beckett's lover), Joanne Woodward, and Robert Ridgely, and, of course, those Demme regulars Charles Napier, Tracey Walter, and Roger Corman. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

awesome.......2007-07-02

love this movie. it was awesome, it moved me. great acting, just awesome. it def. shows how awful AIDS is.

must see movie

"What do you love about the law Andrew?".......2007-04-21

If you are reading this review, you may have one of these 3 questions:

1) Are the extras on this DVD worthwhile? Yes, the documentaries not only remind us of the cultural mindsets that were dominant in the 1980s, but they also remind us of the sea change force this movie had on U.S. culture. The two main documentaries are exceptional and Springstein's video reminds us why we listen intently to whatever Springstein has to say.

2) Was Tom Hanks' performance worthy of the Oscar? Watch the movie and decide for yourself. Tom Hanks' understanding of pathos is lightning in a bottle. It is uniquely gifted. From the scenes talking to his mother on the phone, to defending his gay lover who's being threatened to be expelled from his hospital room, to his efforts to seek some basic human recognition (or call it justice) as his body is rapidly dying.

3) Is the movie worth watching again or for the first time? Yes, it is a well crafted movie. Jonathan Demme's direction is superb, coming off his Best Director Oscar for Silence of the Lambs, he chose this project and he is in full form. The movie moves quickly, with the pace of a thriller. The story had universal morals that, before this film's release, had not been so well presented to such a mass audience. Watching the acting performances gives a remarkable master class in understanding vocal demeanors, non-verbal cues, and concise word selection.

The title of this review is a question asked to Tom Hanks' character as he is on the witness stand, defending himself while he knows he likely only has a few days left to live. His response to the question is this:

"I . . . many things . . . uh, what I love most about the law? . . . Is that every now and again, not often . . . but occasionally you get to be a part of justice being done. That really is quite a thrill when that happens."

This movie was also a part of justice being done. It effectively helped change popular perceptions about AIDS & homosexuality. It did more good than 100 winning court cases. It disarmed so much stupid discrimination.

Before this movie, as is quoted in the film, the following was true: "Subsequent decisions have held that AIDS is protected as a handicap under the law, not only because of the physical limitations it imposes, but because the prejudice surrounding AIDS exacts a social death which precedes . . . which precedes the actual physical one."

After this movie, social perceptions about AIDS and the treatment of people with AIDS greatly improved, due in part to the artfulness and clarity of ideas beautifully expressed in this film.

What do I love about the arts? They have the ability to make practical, widespread cultural perceptual changes, changes that are more quickly and effectively enabled when the arts are allowed to be expressive and prominent.

Philadelphia.......2007-02-24

Philadelphia is the best acting Tom Hanks has ever done. The movie shows how a struggle with AIDS cannot only kill but change someone's perspective.

Philadelphia.......2006-08-28

Denzel Washington is probably my favorite actor. Even in that dog of a movie called THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, he shone. Tom Hanks? Well, lemme quit hating the guy. This is a well-intentioned movie, Tom did a creditable job, and we had extreme close-ups with funny colors to camouflage the spots where he overreached. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Antonio Banderas fly in the face of his Latino studliness by playing a gay guy. A passionate one, though, since he's still a Latino, after all.

Actually, this is a Hollywood "message movie," and you know what that means. It's about as subtle as Michael Moore. Those who agree with the message flock to be beaten about the head by it for two hours. Those who the filmmakers would like to see the movie, those who don't agree with the message, stay as far away from it as possible.

There's a scene in the library where nobody wants to sit at the table with AIDS boy. The way they stared at him reminded me of "lao wei in China" experiences. Denzel's character was reminded of segregation, even though he's too young to remember it, and started to care about Tom Hanks' character.

AIDS discrimination is bad. Actually, any discrimination at all is bad. And that's the movie's message. I agree with the message, but still. That's all we've got.

As a totally irrelevant non-sequiter, if the name "Sam Francisco" means anything to you, you've seen subtle commentary on discrimination.

I love a great courtroom drama. This one was merely good. With so much of an agenda to squeeze into a two-hour film, they had to take a few shortcuts here. Sad, ain't it? But even so, a well-intentioned film that I'm glad I saw. Once. Not twice. Once is enough, thank you.

Certain times I like it, others I don't.......2006-08-28

How do you separate a socially important film from a great film? Sure this film tackled the AIDS/homosexuality issue head-on but that doesn't automatically make it a great film. I'm not knocking this film, of course not. But there's a lot of parts in it that I didn't like which maybe made it appear to be a lesser film than what it wants to be, it is or what everyone makes it out to be.

Andrew Beckett works for a prestigious law firm working on a big account. His health declines a little bit nothing overly serious until he's fired for apparently botching the case. Turns out not only is he a homosexual but he has AIDS so he figures that's why he was fired. He needs representation so he hires Joe Miller, a top and famous attorney who is, rather bluntly, very intolerant of gays. So they form an unlikely duo to battle a top firm while dealing with gay bashers to closet gays.

One small nitpick: it seemed like anyone that is in Andy's family or friends circle is against him. There was not a lot of normal everyman citizens who supported him. A similar problem in Brokeback Mountain where any scene with the 2 men was gorgeously shot while them with their wives looked rather bland and desolate looking, complete with sad looking wives. It's nothing that derails the film though. And I don't know why but I never liked Jonathan Demme's trademark of looking in the camera. It works for Silence of the Lambs but here it looks...weird, and maybe a bit too on the nose.

Now Tom Hanks did win the award for Best Actor but honestly it should've went to Denzel Washington who manages to be visibly struggling with his less-than-enthusiastic view on gays and the changing perspectives dealing with the case. Hanks, in a way, reminds me of Charlize Theron who put on ugly makeup for Monster. Losing a crapload of weight does not automatically give you an Oscar. No knock against Hanks but it seems funny it went to him instead of Washington.

Is it a watchable film? Of course, it's quite good and performances are excellent. I don't know whether you should blind buy it though, that's up to you.

Average customer rating:

From a patient's perspective

State of Emergency
Starring: Joe Mantegna , Lynn Whitfield , Melinda Dillon , Paul Dooley , and Jay O. Sanders
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Manufacturer: HBO
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000M5AJKY
Release Date: 2007-04-17

Description

Dr. Novelli is a doctor in a crumbling hospital system, facing an endless stream of emergencies and a shortage of equipment and manpower. So when a man's life hangs in the balance, should the doctor play by the rules and let him die, or take a chance that might save him? It could cost a life - or a career.

Customer Reviews:

From a patient's perspective.......2000-10-26

I first saw this movie when it came out on cable TV and thought it was terrific then. This movie is a MUST for anyone thinking about going into healthcare or those teaching students in healthcare. The majority of the movie is portrayed from a patient's perspective, down to filming the ceilings while a patient is lying on a guerney in the crowded emergency room. It is a fast paced, enjoyable film though at times there is strong language used. As a registered nurse with many years experience working in emergency rooms, I highly recommend this video.

Fighting Meningococcal Disease (NTSC Version)

Average customer rating:

Fighting Meningococcal Disease (NTSC Version)

Manufacturer: CustomFlix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Product Description

Meningococcal disease (which can take the form of meningitis and/or septicemia) is the most lethal infectious disease known to man. It attacks mainly babies, children and young adults, with around 3,500 cases in the United States and Canada each year. The disease can kill within 24 hours of the first symptoms appearing. But early diagnosis and treatment can save lives. This clear, practical and comprehensive guide tells you everything you need to know about recognizing, treating and preventing meningococcal disease. It is essential viewing for parents, teachers, child carers, teenagers, young adults and health professionals. Sections include: about the disease, how it's transmitted, risk factors, recognising the symptoms of both meningitis and septicemia, the septicemic rash, what action to take, diagnosis and treatment, close contacts, long term effects, vaccination, taking precautions. Includes interviews with ten people who have done battle with the disease, and pass on their tips for survival.