The Hang

Starring:Don Grusin
Studio: Sovereign Artists
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

An actual apex in film-making
DVD Content!!!
Greatest action film of the past 15 years! By Ian Colvin, 12-year old filmmaker

Hard Boiled (Two-Disc Ultimate Edition)
Starring: Chow Yun-Fat , Kwan Hoi-Shan , Cheung Jue-lin , Tsang Kong , and Philip Kwok
Director: John Woo
Manufacturer: Dragon Dynasty
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000N4SHNK
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Description

A tough-as-nails cop teams up with an undercover agent to bring down a gun smuggling ring. Features some of the most amazing and influential action set pieces in cinematic history.

Customer Reviews:

An actual apex in film-making.......2007-07-02

The movies don't get much better than this, folks. John Woo (the real John Woo, not the body snatcher who made `Paycheck') brings us a true cinematic masterpiece that will leave you on the edge of your seat, salivating, and praying that the ride will never end.

"Give him one gun, and he's superman; give him two, and he's God," is one the characters description of Chow Yun-Fat's character Tequila; in typical John Woo fashion, he's invincible and brooding, with a tell-tale back story of sorrow and loss. Although devoid of martial arts, the slow-mo gun fights more than make up for it, and keep the movie running along a breakneck speed, a true paragon of action and intensity. Tequila is more Chow Yun-Fat than the haunted cop he's made out to be, but the rest of the characters are pretty well developed between the ample shoot outs, and there's even a neat bit about paper cranes. In fact, the paper cranes just about the most memorable scene in the movie, and are what really push the movie over the edge from just "Great" to "Unforgettably SpottieOttieDopilicious".

While Hard Boiled could have taken a wrong turn and been just a mediocre, shoot-`em-up action flick, it instead excelled, and completely redefined what "Stylistic" means to this genre: Just plain Cool.

The Bottom Line: With all the extras promised in this special edition, the Ultimate Edition of Hard Boiled is a must have for anyone not suffering from dementia.

DVD Content!!!.......2007-06-22

This is the content of this DVD

Hard Boiled: Ultimate Edition (2-disc) (1992) DIR.John Woo
#Commentary by Hong Kong cinema expert Bey Logan
#EXTRAS:
--A Baptism of Fire --featurette
--John Woo: Partner in Crime --featurette
--Terence Chang: Art Imitates Life --featurette
--Mad Dog Bites Again --featurette
--Location guide
--Hong Kong theatrical trailer + U.S. promotional trailer
#Subtitles: English and Spanish
#Picture format: Anamorphic NTSC
#Soundtrack(s): Catonese DTS 5.1, DD 5.1, English DD 5.1 & eng Mono

Greatest action film of the past 15 years! By Ian Colvin, 12-year old filmmaker.......2007-05-26

John Woo's 1992 action film "Hard Boiled" is without a doubt the greatest shoot-em' up actioneer of the past 15 years. Finally Dragon Dynasty is releasing a 2-disc ultimate edition supposedly even containing a newly shot featurette where we see all the locations from the film now-a-days. It looks to be a great package that I will certainly (and gladly) display on my shelf.

Average customer rating:

Eastwood's first Malpaso production. . .
Clint Eastwood - Hang 'em High movie DVD
a should-be-better western fell flat by a deteriorated screenplay
Individual vs. Collective Crime and Punishment
Awesome Eastwood

Hang 'em High
Starring: Clint Eastwood , Inger Stevens , Ed Begley , Pat Hingle , and Ben Johnson
Director: Ted Post
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6304698801
Release Date: 1997-11-19

Amazon.com

After starring in the now-legendary trilogy of spaghetti Westerns for Italian director Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood became a box-office star and imported the style of those classic shoot-'em-ups for this 1967 Western directed by Ted Post, with whom Eastwood had worked during their days on the television series Rawhide. Eastwood plays an innocent rancher who is mistaken for a cattle rustler and sentenced to hang by an angry mob. When he is saved from the noose by a passing lawman, he embarks on a renegade campaign of vengeance against the men who attempted to lynch him. Hang 'Em High offers a number of memorable moments and stylistic flourishes, and features a superb supporting cast of Western veterans, including Ben Johnson, Ed Begley, Pat Hingle, Dennis Hopper, Bruce Dern, L.Q. Jones, and the "Skipper" himself, Alan Hale Jr. Made just three years before Dirty Harry, the film marked a turning point for Eastwood, who would soon move into a prolific period of contemporary thrillers. The digital video disc offers standard and widescreen formats and a remastered soundtrack. --Jeff Shannon

Description

They riddled him with bullets. They strung him up. They left him to die. But they made two fatal mistakes: they hanged the wrong man...and they didn't finish the job. In his first American-made western, Clint Eastwood indelibly carves his niche as the quintessential tough guycool-headed, iron-willed and unrelenting in his pursuit of revenge. Oklahoma, 1873. Jed Cooper (Eastwood), mistaken for a rustler and killer, is lynched on the spot by crooked lawman Captain Wilson (Ed Begley) and a rampaging band of vigilantes. But as Wilson and his gang flee the scene, there's one very important detail they've overlooked: Cooper is still alive! Out for justiceand vengeanceCooper takes on the job of deputy marshal...and, one by one, tracks down the nine men who "done him wrong."

Customer Reviews:

Eastwood's first Malpaso production. . ........2007-05-10

HANG 'EM HIGH was Clint Eastwood's first production for his Malpaso company, and his first American film after the spectacular successes of the Man With No Name films. It's a tight, well-written revenge western with a great supporting cast (which has been properly documented in other reviews). No extras to speak of on the DVD: just the trailer for the film, and you do have the option of watching in widescreen or fullscreen.

A very good western with just a few slow spots. HANG 'EM HIGH was written and co-produced by Leonard Freeman and Mel Goldberg, just before Freeman went into the production of his TV series HAWAII FIVE-O. When you watch the film, look carefully--there are a few plot threads left dangling. I won't spoil HANG 'EM HIGH for you if you've never seen it before, but upon recent re-viewing, I swear that it's an unsold TV pilot, retooled for feature production. Now, that doesn't mean that the film is below par: it just has the feel and pacing of a two-hour television opener.

A fine addition to any Eastwood collection, HANG 'EM HIGH is a keeper.

Clint Eastwood - Hang 'em High movie DVD.......2007-04-12

A Must have for all Clint Eastwood's classic spaghetti western fans.

a should-be-better western fell flat by a deteriorated screenplay.......2007-04-06

it was when the mass hanging scene was stupidly inserted two , not just one, long church hymns, with a cardboard-like preacher on the gallows to conduct the crowd to sing them, and a condemned-by-hanging rapist kept monologuing about 10 minuntes to synchronize those two hymns, this movie was beginning to fall flat miserably.
the other ridiculous and illogic part was when the marshal escorted the two young rustlers and that murderer back to where the hanging judge resided, why he suddenly had to take a route across a vast desert instead of going back by the original path where the posse came from? there's no way and no excuse to make such stupid arrangement simply just because the director and the screenplay writers wanted to show how difficult and tough the marshal got to do a heroic dead-man-walking mission, then turned himself out for the next lame a-hero-was-born scene.
there were wonderful moments of this film, but it started to drag along and lag behind gradually. it often gave you an impression that both the screen writers and the director didn't have a clue how to make this movie going, they could only asked clint eastwood, the marshal, to do lot of unnecessary hollow scenes.

Individual vs. Collective Crime and Punishment.......2007-03-17

Clint Eastwood's 1967 debut in an American western after successfully starring in Sergio Leone's internationally reknown trilogy of westerns that made him a star.

The screenplay is a more sober portrayal of the western genre without the surreal motifs portrayed by Leone. The film follows Eastwood's character who was wrongly accused of being a cattle rustler and lynched by mob of thugs. Out for revenge, Eastwood nevertheless wants to do it by the law and is deputized as a marshall by a judge who needs new necks to hang from his gallows to give his town the semblance of order. Accepting the assignment, Eastwood's character tracks down his past attackers one by one. Eastwood's character also seeks the affections of a woman who seeks revenge against those who raped her and murdered her husband.

This is a good western in which the characters and their motivations are well developed. As one reviewer mentioned, this film explores the concepts of personal vs. collective retribution against past wrongs and the personal conflicts they entail. The story explores the notions of what is crime and what is proper punishment. It explores how barbarism and lawlessness are treated where legal instututions are lacking and span as far as the boundaries of a small frontier town. It looks at how rampant crime and the absence of law generate both a sense of injustice and an overzealous desire for retribution. The film also explores the consequences of crimes committed by groups in which the perpetrators differ by intent and degree in their participation. Who is really more to blame? The only down side to this film is that the ending is somewhat abrupt and rather empty in light of the climax of the story. Otherwise, this is a good film worth owning or renting.

Awesome Eastwood.......2007-01-19

Not the best Eastwood film I've seen, but it still is a pleasure to watch. Eastwood is the best western actor that I've seen and he doesn't disappoint here.

Shaolin Master Killer (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

Still a classic
GORDON LIU=A LEGEND IS BORN
This is the good Master Killer
Must see for all martial arts lovers
classic '36th Chamber Of Shaolin'

Shaolin Master Killer (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Chia Hui Liu , Lieh Lo , Chia Yung Liu , Norman Chu , and Yang Yu (II)
Director: Chia-Liang Liu
Manufacturer: Crash Cinema Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Five Deadly Venoms
Shaolin Wu Tang
7 Grand Masters
Fist of the White Lotus
36th Chamber

ASIN: 6305511705
Release Date: 2000-02-08

Amazon.com

A pure old-school martial arts movie, beloved by aficionados, that also appeals to nonfans simply as a rousing action film. The often-imitated fact-based plot (see The Karate Kid) centers upon the rigorous training process undergone in the mid-19th century by the anti-Manchu Chinese patriot San Te (Gordon Liu). It's depicted as a grueling voyage into the unknown. Cast out of his home village when he stands up to the cruel warlord (Lo Lieh) who slaughtered his parents, the refugee seeks out the martial monks of the Shaolin Temple, who steer him through a torturous series of "chambers"--horrendous ordeals designed to build strength and agility--before he's even allowed to study boxing or swordfighting. Finally he defeats a rival by inventing a brand-new weapon, the three-section chain-linked staff. But innovation can be carried only so far; when San Te suggests opening a "36th chamber" in the temple that would teach Shaolin techniques to the populace at large (so that they can fight the nasty Manchus) he is drummed out of the corps. Naturally he returns to his home village, slaughters the baddies, and prepares to open China's first public Shaolin-style kung fu school. Many of the pupils San Te recruits in the final reel became legendary martial artists in their own right, the "Fathers of the Church" of the Chinese kung fu tradition. This is strong action entertainment with real historical resonance. --David Chute

Customer Reviews:

Still a classic.......2007-04-02

No matter how many years pass; still one of the best kung fu flicks ever made!

GORDON LIU=A LEGEND IS BORN.......2006-05-28

this movie no doubt is arguably the greatest of all-time you can consider it the martial arts version of the godfather because its mainly an initiation and training then the last 20+ minutes or so is where all the fun and action begins. this movie is approximately 1 hr 55 mins long. for the 1st 25 to 30 mins you see gordon liu with hair (which is pretty odd to see) and his friends in a school and the manchus taking over. you see lau kar wing trying to plot to kill the head manchu general but lo lieh anticipated it and they have a battle with their weapons which lau kar wing is killed at the hands of lo lieh. then later gordon liu and his friend try to escape to shaolin but unfortunately for his friend he dies. my faovrite chambers were the waterbucket chambers, reflex chamber, and the fighting chamber. best fight was gordon liu vs. great wing chun master lee hoi sang about 100 times. this movie also stars wong yu, norman tsui siu keung, wilson tong (who had a sizeable role), henry yu yung (who bares a resemblence to jason pai piao), and late great simon yuen siu tien. this movie is widescreen 2:35.1 and the sound you know about that i have to turn up 3 quarters of the way to hear it. but pick this up and find a better trasfer if you can.

This is the good Master Killer.......2006-05-18

I've been trying to get my hands on this movie for a long time. My teacher told me that he saw it 23 years ago and loved the training scenes. I didn't know which Master Killer it was though so I ended up buying "36 Chambers", "The Master Killer Trilogy", and "Return to 36 Chambers" before finally getting it right. IT WAS WORTH IT.

The quality is surprisingly good, Chia Hui Liu is at his best, and the storyline isn't the typical revenge story you've seen a thousand times (well not entirely anyway).

What I love about this movie is that it shows the protagonist overcoming real mental and physical obstacles along the martial way with great dedication and patience thus bettering himself and contributing to the art. Fantastic.

Must see for all martial arts lovers.......2006-04-10

Firstly, this is the "36th Chamber of Shaolin", now for the rest.

There is something noble about fighting with bare hands or with olden day weapons (like the sword, spear, bow and arrow etc.). It is that the actual human spirit is involved in their mastery (as opposed to children sporting a gun in a threatening way). The movie talks about this human endeavour, how discipline can take man to higher realms of self mastery.

Firstly it is clear that the mind is most important for martial arts (if you see the old man pushing the hero of the movie from many meters away). Secondly, the movie talks about bringing archaic knowledge to all sections of society for its enrichment, like starting a 36th Chamber.

I watched this movie in my school when I was in my 8th or 9th standard. There was an aura of greatness in the protagonist which I never forgot. I still see greatness in the movie, I would want to watch it many times. It reminds me that human endeavour and discipline would make us great men, nobility and faith would make us Shaolins, or Devas (gods) as my upringing would have me to believe.

classic '36th Chamber Of Shaolin'.......2006-03-28

amazing film, much less humor than your average kung fu flick. the film has brilliant scenes of physical strength when San Te is in training and excellent fight scenes towards the end. also much deeper story.

i definetly recomend this film (one of the best in the genre), but maybe not this version.
i myself got the vhs version, and from what i can tell from these reviews, its as good, if not better than the quality of this dvd.

Average customer rating:

Breathless
A Stunning Martial Arts Film that gets the Adrenaline Pumping!
Good piece of fiction
Jet Li martial arts vehicle
CLUELESS

Jet Li's Fearless (HD DVD Combo Format)
Starring: Anthony de Longis , Jet Li , Masato Harada , Betty Sun , and Dong Yong
Director: Ronny Yu
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000K2UW1A
Release Date: 2006-12-19

Amazon.com

A moving and inspiring story of redemption and personal triumph in the face of great odds, Jet Li's Fearless is the based-on-facts story of Chinese folk hero Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li). The son of a martial-arts master whose greatest strength was his restraint, Huo grows into an unbeatable fighter whose pride and thoughtlessness lead to a chain of tragic losses. After a classic wanderer-in-the-wilderness penance, Huo reinvents himself as a mature instructor of Wushu, a martial arts system that embraces all forms of fighting without preference or pre-judgement. He also becomes a populist symbol, at the dawn of the 20th century, of China's refusal to entirely capitulate to the boot of Western colonialists. Taking on whatever European, American, or Japanese fighter the outsiders bring in to demoralize the natives, Huo becomes a legend that, in real life, is still revered. Thrillingly directed by Ronny Yu (Warriors of Virtue), Jet Li's Fearless is a dazzling action movie that transcends its breathless fight sequences with Huo's sportsmanship virtues, i.e., knowing when you've won by example, rather than by the fist. Jet Li is superb in the role. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Breathless.......2007-07-04

Jet Li's 'Fearless' has all the best aspects you'd want from an Asian movie: combat with stunning movies that shuffle the deck, ancient, wise lessons, and exquisite beauty that lingers on like a butterfly. 'Fearless' does all of this and more. The film focuses on a likable protagonist, Hao Yuanjita (Li) who is at the top of his "wushi" discipline, and so successful is he that everyone in town wants to be his apprentice.

The movie takes place at the turn of the last century during the Qing Dynasty. In most scenes the buildings have ancient beauty that is framed by the picturesque horizons, so it is easy to watch. Every opponent who challenges Hao is introduced and brings a different sort of menace to the stage where a large audience gathers. For big, burly Master Chin there's sparring over a coffin for a nice effect. The tension each new challenger Hao must hurdle is given time to build up, especially at the local restaurant where Hao is keen on buying rounds (and gathering debts) of wine for everyone.

There are wisely times for recuperation--for the hero and for the audience. Lessons about honor, respect, revenge, discipline, and humility are given Confucian treatment, so we care about what happens to all the characters. Time outs for tea and planting rice maintain a properly restful mood for Hao and the observer.

Exciting and absorbing, 'Fearless' leaves its audience breathless.

A Stunning Martial Arts Film that gets the Adrenaline Pumping!.......2007-06-27

Okay, lets get one thing straight first: this is not Jet Li's last Martial arts epic. The trailers were wrong about that and confused alot of people. This is Jet Li's last period Wu Shu film. As many already know, Li is currently working with Jackie Chan on the film the Forbidden Kingdom, in which it is already a fact that they will fight together.

So, now that we have that straightend out, let me tell you my opinion about Fearless.
Jet Li plays Huo Yuanjia, a Chinese Martial Arts Master who is the founder of the Jin Wu Sports Federation and who fought at a tournament to protect the Chinese honour. The way he portrays this interesting character is very energetic and lively. Not just in the fighting, but also in the dialouge scenes. At first it seems a bit unrealistic, but I got used to this style of acting very quickly and only found it very watchable and nice to see. Li shows that Huo Yuanjia was also a normal human being who enjoyed life and had certain issues and does this well.
The film starts very energeticly and shows you one fight after the other, with only some short breaks in between. The movie goes on like this for the whole first hour, which gives alot of excitement and gets the adrenaline pumping for sure for Martial arts and action fans. Then after a dramatic switch in the story, the character leaves his world to the countryside were he stays for a long time. This time is about twenty minutes in the movie were there is no fighting at all. I found this a beautiful and peaceful contrast with the first part of the movie and liked this silence moment. Still, alot of other people don't like this "break". It takes away the tempo of the film for that moment, at what I agree, but definitely returns to a stunning final. Either you like this break, like I did, or you find it slow and boring. But I assure you that the scenery is absolutely wonderful in this quiet moment in a storm.
Looking at the sets and atmosphere of the film I can only come to one conclusion: the sets are magnificent and even though you can sometimes see that the computer effects have helped here and there a bit, it gives the film a stunning look. And the scenes that take place on the countryside gives the film a beautiful and almost spiritual atmosphere. The sets are large and beautifully made and they help you to get into the story and feel the atmosphere.
Looking at the action, the film is definitely strong as it gives, like some critics said, "bonecrushing action!" It is fastpaced, well shot and shows Li at his best. The only little thing I didn't like at the fights is that even though the editing is fantastic, that at some shots they cut away a single shot out of a movement. This give the movement a certain look. For example, someone falls down to the ground. One second you see him flying through the air, the next second you see him on the ground (still in the same camera-angle), and a part of his falling down has been cut out. Their are only a few small ones of those editing moments, and they overall don't bother you, so don't worry: The fighting is magnificent.

So an energetic and powerful Jet Li in a stunning motion picture that is a must see for martial arts and Jet Li fans. But also for people who want their adrenaline pumping and for who wants to sit on the edge of their seats.

Good piece of fiction.......2007-06-10

While this movie is about Huo Yuanjia, it isn't a true story. Did he exist? Yes. Did he found the Chin Woo Association? Yes. Did he compete in a series of fights for the honor of China? Yes.

That is where the truth ends. He was not someone who looked for a fight every chance he got, nor was he a spoiled rich kid. The movie states that he had one daughter and she was killed in revenge by his rival's nephew.

It depicts him as never remarrying or having any children when he died. Not so, that is why Huo's grandchildren are so upset at this films production. A far as this film is concerned they don't exist.

The film is well done and script was well written, just wish they hadn't removed the seen where he saved the child from being punished for trying to steal the cow. Choreography was top notch.

I would have given it a higher rating if not for the lack of truth about Hou Yuanjia's character before the challenge matches and his family or in the case of the film, lack thereof.

This isn't Jet Li's final martial arts film, but it is his last martial epic. He just will no longer be doing this type of movie.

Jet Li martial arts vehicle.......2007-05-12

"Fearless" a film featuring the stunning martial arts skills of the incomperable Jet Li also has a compelling historical story line. Li plays Huo Yuanjia, the most famous Chinese martial arts master at the turn of the 20th century. In a 1910 tournament in Shanghai, Huo fought against the best fighters representing countries who were carving up Chinese territory during the age of colonialism, restoring national pride.

The film directed by Ronny Yu is a flashback chronicling the life of Huo who was the asthmatic son of a Tianjin martial arts master. Years of practice established him as the best fighter in his region. When a blood feud with a rival master turned deadly killing his family in an act of revenge, Li flees wandering aimlessly through the rural countryside.

He is restored by the affections of blind country girl Moon played by Betty Sun and her grandmother. Purified in his beliefs he returns to Tianjin and teams with lifelong friend Nong Jinsun played by Yong Dong to form the prestigious Jin Wu Sports Federation.

Jet Li's skills are rivaled only by the legendary Bruce Lee. If "Fearless" is truly Li's last martial arts film then that is a sad loss for all viewers.

CLUELESS.......2007-05-12

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ What can I say? Been there done that... This movie reminds me of "Once Upon A Time In China 1,2,and 3". I just wasn't feeling this movie at all. When it was over, my son and I looked at eachother, and shook our heads in disjust; that's the God's honest truth.
I bought this movie based on everyone else's high praise for it, and I feel jipped. I will say this...the fighting scenes were okay, but all the melodramatic talking and the blind woman who helped show him the "light" just negated all the good fighting. Don't waste your time or money on this movie.

Average customer rating:

Kung Fu Hustle (Axe-Kickin' Edition)
Starring: Yuen Wah , Leung Siu Lung , Stephen Chow , Feng Xiaogang , and Lam Suet
Director: Stephen Chow
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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Hard Boiled (Two-Disc Ultimate Edition)
Hot Fuzz (Widescreen Edition)
Taxi Driver (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Heroes - Season 1
Lost - The Complete Third Season

ASIN: B000QGEB12
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Product Description

Stephen Chow (director and star of Shaolin Soccer) is at it again with his newest action-packed and comedic martial-arts adventure, Kung Fu Hustle. From wildly imaginative kung fu showdowns to dance sequences featuring tuxedoed mobsters, you've never seen action this outrageous and characters this zany! With jaw-dropping fight sequences by Yuen Wo Ping (famed action choreographer of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Matrix), Kung Fu Hustle will blow you away! In a town ruled by the Axe Gang, Sing (Stephen Chow) desperately wants to become a member. He stumbles into a slum ruled by eccentric landlords who turn out to be kung fu masters in disguise. Sing's actions eventually cause the Axe Gang and the slumlords to engage in an explosive kung fu battle. Only one side will win and only one hero will emerge as the greatest kung fu master of all.

Icons of Horror - Boris Karloff (The Boogie Man Will Get You/The Black Room/The Man They Could Not Hang/Before I Hang)

Average customer rating:

Interesting Collection
An Unsung Karloff Performance
Lesser Karloff with at least one good film
Krisp Karloff Kollection
Five Stars for One Star

Icons of Horror - Boris Karloff (The Boogie Man Will Get You/The Black Room/The Man They Could Not Hang/Before I Hang)
Starring: Boris Karloff , Marian Marsh , Robert Allen , Thurston Hall , and John Buckler
Director: Roy William Neill , and Nick Grinde
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Hollywood's Legends of Horror Collection (Doctor X / The Return of Doctor X / Mad Love / The Devil Doll / Mark of the Vampire / The Mask of Fu Manchu)
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Inner Sanctum Mysteries: The Complete Movie Collection
Charlie Chan Collection, Vol. 2 (Charlie Chan at the Circus / Charlie Chan at the Olympics / Charlie Chan at the Opera / Charlie Chan at the Race Track)
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ASIN: B000HEVZ7G
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Amazon.com

Boris Karloff made his fame during the great horror cycle at Universal Pictures in the 1930s, but he also flaunted his iconic status at other studios. At Columbia, Karloff etched a handful of good mad doctor roles (notably The Devil Commands, available on a separate DVD) and other oddities. Four of these mostly low-budget pictures are gathered in this two-disc set--which, if not a collection of classics, is nevertheless a real boon for Karloffians.

Although it is called the Icons of Horror Collection, the "horror" is more macabre mood than monster mash. The best (and best-looking) film in the set, 1935's The Black Room, is a wonderfully lurid costume romp with Karloff in a dual role: twin brothers who inherit a baronage but live under a family curse. One is good, one bad, and happily enough, the bad brother has the upper hand. Karloff is in terrific form, and the film features a secret chamber (complete with torture pit) that provides just the right Gothic oomph. Director Roy William Neill later did Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man.

The Man They Could Not Hang, from 1939, is a solid mad-scientist picture. Karloff's Dr. Savaard has perfected a re-animation process, but the police arrest him before he can revive a student--and so the doctor is sentenced to death for murder. The hanging isn't a problem, not when the doctor's assistant has the process down pat, and now Karloff can take elaborate revenge. Before I Hang (1940) opens a similar vein, with Karloff once again sentenced to death and this time conducting experiments in prison (aided by Edward Van Sloan, filmdom's original Van Helsing). However, using a murderer's blood in the secret serum proves a fatal mistake.... These cheaply-made films are solid enough programmers of the era, and surprisingly literate--although it would be a stretch to call them scary.

The Boogie Man Will Get You (1942) goes the comedy route, spoofing Karloff's image as a white-haired gentleman who should not be allowed to run experiments in the basement. An Arsenic and Old Lace vibe prevails (Karloff had been starring in the stage production), and the labored comedy has Karloff and Peter Lorre using boarders at an early-American hotel as subjects for experiments. Larry Parks and "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom co-star. Lorre, who's in his slim Maltese Falcon period, is as sly and peculiar as ever; of course, he and Karloff would team up again for more horror-comedy in the 1960s: The Raven and Comedy of Terrors. --Robert Horton

Description

Boris Karloff was to the Horror Movie what Fred Astaire was to the Musical: the epitome of class and style. No matter how grisly the circumstances, he'd rise above them with talent, poise and even charm. And here, for the first time on DVD, are four of his finest chillers from his peak years in the 1930s and 1940s, all demonstrating his amazing range. In The Black Room, he plays twin brothers -- one good, one evil, naturally -- in a small country where beautiful women seem to turn up missing. The Man They Could Not Hang and Before I Hang present him in his classic "Mad Doctor" persona as forward-thinking scientists who run afoul of the law and become crazed killers. And in The Boogie Man Will Get You, he sends up that image in a delightful farce that also stars Peter Lorre (M) and Larry Parks (The Jolson Story). It's a collection all fervent classic-horror fans have been eagerly waiting for!

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Collection.......2007-01-10

This is an interesting, odd little collection for Karloff fans. I don't think you'll be disappointed although the "Boogie Man..." is a little odd.

An Unsung Karloff Performance.......2007-01-09

The main reason for owning this collection is the superb, yet surprisingly underrated "The Black Room," a period film in which Karloff plays twin brothers, one good, the other evil. Karloff is exceptionally good in this 1935 film, which never received the recognition of his "Frankenstein" or "The Mummy" films. Production values of "The Black Room" are first rate, even though the movie was made on a low budget. Karloff makes the material glow. The other films in the collection are fun, but do not achieve the quality of "The Black Room."

Lesser Karloff with at least one good film.......2007-01-08

Boris Karloff may have been one of the great horror actors, but that did not mean he was always in great movies. The Icons of Horror Collection for Boris Karloff features the actor in some of his lesser efforts, including some of his "mad scientist" roles for Columbia.

Actually, one movie in this four flick set is pretty good: The Black Room. In this film, Karloff gets to play two roles as twins: evil Gregor and good Anton. They live under the shadow of a prophecy that states that the slightly younger twin (Anton) will kill his brother in the so-called Black Room of the family mansion. Anton is exiled, but is called back by Gregor, who has a scheme to take Anton's place; it seems Gregor's homicidal tendencies are too much for the townspeople and he needs to make a hasty escape. Although not a perfect movie (most viewers will know the ending long in advance), it benefits by Karloff's wonderful portrayal of villainy.

The Man They Could Not Hang and Before I Hang are similar movies, both featuring Karloff as a scientist who winds up being sentenced to hang for deaths caused by his work. In the former, Karloff is resurrected by his assistant using an experimental technique; he subsequently seeks revenge on those responsible for his conviction by luring them to his house to be cleverly killed. In the latter movie, he eventually gets a pardon, but his experiments in restoring youth have made him a homicidal killer. Both movies are watchable but completely unexceptional.

The Boogie Man Will Get You also features Karloff as an elderly scientist, but this time the film is played strictly for comedy. He plays a professor doing typical mad scientist experiments in the basement of an inn. Peter Lorre plays the local coroner/justice of the peace/notary, etc. It is a decent enough movie that demonstrates Karloff can do comedy, although there are only a few chuckles in this piece.

This set has no extras and only rates three stars overall. The thing about Karloff is that he's at his best when he plays either monsters or truly evil figures, and only in the Black Room do we get such a role. In his more "kindly" roles, he is okay, but his potential is never realized. But while this set is hardly representative of Karloff at his best, none are really bad; nonetheless, this set is for Karloff completists only.

Krisp Karloff Kollection.......2006-12-18

These four films by Boris are of VERY good, crisp, black-and-white quality, all from Columbia Studios. THE BOOGIE MAN WILL GET YOU (1942) is the rarest film here, and it's about time...I've been looking for this for years. There are some bootlegs of this film out there, but get this one; the quality is the best. THE BLACK ROOM (1935) has the feel of a 1930's Universal horror film, as Boris plays twins - one good, one evil; BEFORE I HANG (1940) has Boris as a man who injects himself with the blood of a killer and starts murdering against his will; and THE MAN THEY COULD NOT HANG (1939) is great - Boris is executed only to be revived from the dead and wields revenge on the ones who condemned him - the last 20 minutes are not what you'd expect and it's very, very absorbing!

The Universal Karloff DVD set may have five films instead of four (and they could've picked better movies as well!), but this Columbia set is far superior.....quality, acting and plot-wise, it's the better of the two. Karloff fans won't be disappointed!

Five Stars for One Star.......2006-11-24

By that title, I mean this collection gets 5 stars because of its one star, Boris Karloff. Karloff was a fine actor when given fine projects. Like his "running mate," Bela Lugosi, he sincerely applied himself to whatever the material. But unlike "poor Bela," Boris frequently got QUALITY roles and films. This collection shows a nice range, from two mad doctor roles (of which he played several for Columbia) to comedy to a nice tour-de-force of a dual role as twin brothers.

Despite the title of the collection, these aren't "horror" films. They're dramas or melodramas (as TV Guide used to call them when they were shown on TV in the 50s). The sole comedy, THE BOOGIE MAN WILL GET YOU, is a welcome change of pace and a nice chance for Boris to be silly and get away with it. (Some of the other people in the cast don't fare as well, though Peter Lorre and Maxie Rosenbloom are delightful).

It's nice to see Karloff get the releases he deserves on DVD. I still have my wish list (like DEVIL'S ISLAND and a watchable print of THE APE). But this set is a nice chance to see a fine old actor parade his talents.

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Ultimate Westerns DVD Giftpack

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Westerns | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Military & War | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Classics | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Ultimate War DVD Giftpack
Rio Bravo (Two-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition)
Clint Eastwood Western Icon Collection (High Plains Drifter/Joe Kidd/Two Mules For Sister Sara)
The Fall Guy: The Complete Season 1
The Magnificent Seven (Special Edition)

ASIN: B000NQQ0AK
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Amazon.com

This giftset includes 10 favorite classic westerns including: The Big Country, Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Extended Cut (2-Disc Collector's Edition), Hang 'Em High, Heaven's Gate, Hour of the Gun, The Magnificent Seven (Collector's Edition), The Missouri Breaks and Red River.

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Korean Cinema... Kim Ki Duk and The Isle
What's the point?
OUTSTANDING, IMAGINATIVE KINKY THRILLER
Places Where Fishhooks were Never Meant to Go
Beautiful and Mysterious

The Isle
Starring: Jung Suh , Yoosuk Kim , Sung-hee Park , Jae-hyeon Jo , and Hang-Seon Jang
Director: Ki-duk Kim (II)
Manufacturer: First Run Features
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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

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Bad Guy
Samaritan Girl
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring
3-Iron
Real Fiction

ASIN: B00008QS9I
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Customer Reviews:

Korean Cinema... Kim Ki Duk and The Isle.......2006-10-29

This is your typical Korean drama: Misfits of society who are unable to cope with the realities of life choose an escape.

The anti-hero in the Isle for whatever reason decides to mark the final moments of his life in a fishing lake. These fishing lakes have little shack on water where one can rent them for as long as one desires for a fee. These little shacks on water is the symbolic theme of the Isle. Separated from the surrounding world, these little rafts serve as a world within a world. For the anti-hero, a new life begins. However, tragedy awaits. In the end, he is unable to sever himself from his previous life and looking forward, he cannot live through the life on the raft.

As one can imagine, thses characters are almost always pathetic. Yet, one cannot help but sympathize with them. This is where Director Kim Ki Duk is at his best. He transforms their frality, either physically or emotionally, and their ultimate demise into characters who are very human. Underneath the rage lies a serene sense of inevitablity that we are all mortal.

All of Director Kim's movies are twisted, some more than others. However, he somehow manages to cut through the haze, usually the doldrums of daily life, and finds beauty in unconventional angles.

Sorrow and failure are major themes of Korean dramatic movies. I think this genere presents itself this way to the audience in effect to show that there is another path that one should take to avoid such tragedy.

I digress. Back to the Isle. The Isle is a twisted, sick movie. Yet, at the same time, it is moving and romantic. This is the world of Kim Ki Duk. Enjoy at your own peril.

What's the point?.......2006-05-24

Play this movie at 2x speed with the subtitle turned on and you won't miss a thing. It has minimum dialog (the main female character being mute) and is painfully slow.

The DVD cover photo is misleading--This is not a beautiful movie. The characters are unattractive and the cinematography monotonous.

The people who say "noone goes to the movies to have a bad time or to learn anything" were proven wrong by the success of United 93, which is not enjoyable but riveting. The Isle, unfortunately, is neither entertaining nor educational. I am not a prude and appreciate a good erotic thriller, but the only thing I'm left with after watching this one is revulsion. Those who gave this movie 5 stars are describing the emperor's clothes.

OUTSTANDING, IMAGINATIVE KINKY THRILLER.......2006-03-17

A long time fan of Italian giallo and artsy thrillers of all types, I have recently discovered the exquisite joys of Asian cinema, which is setting a new standard for imagination.

Since the advent of video, the world of cinema has split into two camps of production. The Hollywood studios increased spending on select "event" movies in hopes of continuing to lure audiences to the big screen, and set up indie wings to compete with the lower budget product in the straight-to-video markets.

Unfortunately the big budget movies quite often suck, churned out according to tired formulas under the hands of packaged talent lucky enough to have secured the strongest agency representation. On the flip side, quantity has supplanted quality in the video arena. In the U.S., anyone who can slap together a story shootable on the lowest budget possible is most likely to win financing.

As a result, cable channels and DVD racks are filled with boring epic productions, usually based on comic books (excuse me, graphic novels), or cheesy low budget rip-offs of earlier, better movies.

Thank God for the Asians!! While Hollywood was churning out a spew of glossy retreads in the horror genre, ranging from the blasphemously horrible "THE HAUNTING" to the ho-hum "TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE", filmmakers from Japan to Thailand were dishing up fresh and original fare like THE GRUDGE, THE EYE, SCARECROW, and other flicks which took genre movies in bold new directions.

THE ISLE is a kinky thriller which proves that low budget does not have to mean cheese. Blessed with a very unique and cinematic location, it weaves a haunting spell with its subtly intriguing twists and revelations.

This is not a film for weak stomachs, however. Puritans should steer clear of it. There are extremely graphic images, and the characters are demented. Their most sympathetic qualities spring from human weakness. Viewers imprinted with Judaeo-Christian moral standards will find it hard to love anyone in this movie.

More sophisticated viewers, open to the full spectrum of emotions and human behavior, will find plenty to like about this film. The story pulls you in, and the imaginative twists and turns of the character interaction are fascinating. Each new arrival at the tiny resort brings new anticipations, and they're paid off well.

Hedonists will appreciate the sensuous, remote, misty setting, the sexy actors and costumes, and the intelligent direction which milks every frame for beauty and drama.

Purely on the basis of cinematic achievement, I would give this 10 stars if I could.

Places Where Fishhooks were Never Meant to Go.......2006-03-06

On a small island the mute Hee-Jin supports herself by operating an odd fishing site in which small houses are constructed on rafts. To aid her patrons Hee-Jin paddles out in a small boat and sells such things as bait and coffee to the fishermen. Besides the mundane items, Hee-Jin also sells her body to the fishermen who seem to consider her little more than part of the fishing tour package. Besides selling her own body, Hee-Jin also transports prostitutes in her rickety motorboat to her patrons. Remaining completely silent, Hee-Jin lives out her days in this dreary manner.

One day, however, a new patron arrives. Carrying only a couple of bags and his pet bird, Hyun-shik rents the yellow raft and spends his time in solitude. Haunted by his past actions, Hyun-shik plans to kill himself, but he cannot find the gall to do so. Miserable in his existence, Hyun-shik bursts out crying and unbeknownst to him Hee-Jin watches him at his most vulnerable. Moved by this spectacle of emotion, Hee-Jin does her best to attract Hyun-shik in her silent way until one rainy day she rows her boat over to the yellow raft and offers herself to Hyun-shik. However, instead of trying to make love to her, Hyun-shik rips off Hee-Jin's clothes and attempts to rape her. A strong woman, Hee-Jin is able to force off Hyun-shik and escape. This attack, however, does not mean Hee-Jin has given up on Hyun-shik.

After a young prostitute becomes attracted to Hyun-shik because of his quiet nature, Hee-Jin becomes increasingly violent which is aimed at first at animals and later towards other people. However, it seems that Hee-Jin has a history of violence herself and is not afraid to use it if it gains what she wants.

Infamous for its scenes in which fishhooks are put in places fishhooks are not meant to be and its scenes of animal cruelty towards birds, frogs, fish, and dogs, The Isle is a silent and slightly disturbing film. With almost no dialogue, Kim Ki-duk creates an atmosphere that is quite intense. The scenes between Hee-Jin and Hyun-shik are simultaneously frightening for possibility of violence and quite tender. There is one scene in which Hyun-shik fans Hee-Jin that must be seen to be believed.

Beautiful and Mysterious.......2006-01-16

I enjoyed this very much - such a relief from the unremitting body counts, computer graphics and car chases of so many current films. Gory bits? Yes, but then again, mild compared with the modern action film's "how to blow as many people to bits in as short a time as possible" philosophy. While the treatment of animals may seem shocking to western eyes, I'm not sure the director set out with that intention. Anyone who has travelled a little in the Far East will know that attitudes differ considerably. (Whether people really do eat live monkey brains, I don't know, but I've seen them eating live prawns, and half-live fish). What's it all about? Man vs woman? Mankind vs the "spirit of nature"? Figuring this out is half the fun of a film like this. And if you haven't a clue what the ending means, you're in good company!

Hang: The Manifest Destiny of the Longboard Cult

Average customer rating:

Hang: The Manifest Destiny of the Longboard Cult
Starring: Hang: Manifest Destiny of the Longboard Cult Surfi
Manufacturer: Bayview Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Singlefin: Yellow
Longboard Fever - A Pure Surfing Experience
Longboard Magic / Multiple Personalities
Siestas & Olas - A Surfing Journey Through Mexico
Zen & Zero

ASIN: B000AO96R4
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Product Description

Hang is a verb. It's a noun. It's a transitive state of being. It's an attitude—a suspension of gravity and disbelief. In surfing, “hanging” means putting ten toes over the nose in the supreme act of finely honed edgework, the Hang Ten. To hang ten means to hang your hide out in full screaming trim down-the-line commitment with no leash and no net. It's a tightrope jig over the abyss—dancing stylishly on the edge of disaster. “Hang” is also an investigation into the Manifest Destiny of the Longboard Cult. Featuring the elite of modern day longboarding, “Hang” is a two-year, round-the-globe expedition that pays homage to six modern Meccas of state-of-the-art longboarding. Shot on location in : Hawaii, Samoa, Australia, Indonesia, Costa Rica and California, “Hang” offers exciting new footage and on-the-beach interviews with over fifty longboard masters of all ages who attempt explain why the world is divided between those who can hang and those who can't. Surfers profiled include: Bonga Perkins, Dino Miranda, Belinda Baggs, John Peck, Robert August, Beau Young, Andrew LoGreco, Joel Tudor and more. There is an in-depth chapter featuring the new breed and a fun legends trip to the exotic Mentawai Islands with Melvin Pu'u, Titus Kinimaka, Dave Kalama and Jeff Hakman.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful movie!
Don't attempt filmmaking...
Modern view of oppressive traditional Chinese way of life
Beautiful people, glorious photography, and romance.
So bad...it's good!

Pavilion of Women
Starring: Willem Dafoe , Yan Luo , Shek Sau , John Cho , and Yi Ding (II)
Director: Ho Yim
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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Pavilion of Women
The Wooden Man's Bride
Farewell My Concubine
Springtime In a Small Town
Zhou Yu's Train

ASIN: B00005RHG5
Release Date: 2002-01-15

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful movie!.......2006-04-18

I bought this movie on clearance because it was very cheap (I never read the book, so I can't compare) but I admit having seen it, this is one of my all time favorite movies! Sure the storyline is pretty predictable but so what? This is a beautiful movie (it's also a tear-jerker) with gorgeous scenery and really shows the viewer about chinese culture. The actors are great too! I highly recommend this movie.

Don't attempt filmmaking..........2005-04-26

...it you have no skill at it. What was lacking? An excellent and thoughtful plot? Well-developed characters? A moral conundrum that has falls into shades of gray and is not black and white? Pearl Buck provides all of these in her skillful novel. The lady of the house does not fall in love with the American priest because her husband is as disgusting as he is portrayed in this film. In the book, he is a common, simple man, whose greatest fault is stupidity.

I watched only the early part of this film and then trashed it. The first analogy that came to mind, like another reviewer, was the rendition of Mansfield Park on film where there is a similiar obsession on the part of the filmmakers with sex and violence (together in the same scene), thereby denoting that they always go together. PLEASE, spare us your excessive imaginations. DON'T mess with a classic. If both Pavilion of Women and Mansfield Park are classics and have survived through so many years and are beloved to so many readers, consider this fact. Their authors know MUCH MUCH more than you do, are FAR more sensible people, have a MUCH greater sense of how humanity functions than you, (quite obviously with your record here) will EVER have.

Kapish? Don't mess with greatness, and don't add your own seamy and dirty version of what you consider to be reality to it. If you do want to make films like this, join another branch of the film industry and leave the greats alone.

Modern view of oppressive traditional Chinese way of life.......2003-07-31

I remember reading Pearl Buck's "Pavilion of Women" as a child and loving it. I've forgotten the details of the plot long ago. But I do remember it was about Madame Wu, a wealthy Chinese woman who, on her 40th birthday, decided to stop marital relations with her husband and find him a young concubine. At that time 40 years old seemed very old to me. Now it seems quite young.

This 2001 adaptation of the novel is set in 1937 and was filmed in China and partially financed by the Beijung Film Studios. The Chinese actress Yan Luo not only stars as Madame Wu, but also helped write the screenplay and produce the film. She's beautiful and stately and gives a fine performance. Willem Dafoe is cast as a village priest who runs a local orphanage. They are attracted to each other and the inevitable happens. But that is only part of what the story is about. Basically, it's about the oppressive world of the old-fashioned traditional Chinese family. And the future promise of communism. I read the book a long time ago and don't remember such a strong emphasis on communism. But this film is, after all, produced from a modern Chinese point of view.

Many critics hated this film, called it too slow and too romantic. And all of them objected to the fact that the characters spoke English. I usually would agree with all those objections. It IS an overblown soap opera after all. However, I found watching this film a delight. I loved the opulent world of pre-communist China that I remember so well from Pearl Buck novels, including the acceptance of the concubine. And I liked the fact that the bedroom scenes were much more explicit than what was hinted at by Pearl Buck. I just relaxed and let myself be part of this fantasy world for a little while. And even though the film was a full two hours long, I never was bored.

Taste is personal, of course. And even though I can't understand why I enjoyed Pavilion of Women so much, I do recommend it.

Beautiful people, glorious photography, and romance........2003-05-29

This film is one of those movies you like to watch with your better half on a rainy Saturday afternoon with a large couch and a bowl of popcorn. Don't expect a lot from this particular movie (loosely based on Pearl Buck's book). It would never win an Academy Award, but not every movie is made for such shallow recognition. The Chinese women characters are stunningly beautiful, the location photography is breathtaking, and even Willem Dafoe is pleasant enough to watch in this film. This is one of those movies guys love because it has enough story to keep the girls interested, and enough slow periods where you can get a lot of hugging and kissing in. For that reason alone, I should have given this movie 6 stars!

So bad...it's good!.......2002-12-16

'Pavilion of Women' is an unintentionally hilarious film. The movie is set in China, all the dialogue is in English - stilted English at that (including Willem Dafoe's as a matter of fact) - though it is meant to be in Chinese.

The characters are incredibly broadly drawn - husband's a sex-addicted lying cheat, wife's a saint, son's a rebel, etc. Watching this film, we turned to each halfway through and wondered "Why haven't we turned this off yet?" The answer: the movie was so bad that watching it had become fun - just *how bad* could it get?

Well, when the son and his girlfriend come over the hill wearing their new Communist attire...Aahhh! We knew the filmmakers had attained camp nirvana. You can't invent a moment that goofy. Simply wonderfully bad moviemaking! Excellent!!

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