Ice Age: Continental Drift

Predictable, nothing new, but still fun for the whole family
The Ice Age series, across the four in the series, has been full of adventure and fun, and Continental Drift is no different. Scrat the squirrel starts the continental drift in his never ending pursuit of the acorn. Manny is separated from Ellie and Peaches during the drift and there begins his adventure with buddies Diego and Sid.

Sid is united with his family who, it turns out, just wanted to leave his granny with him and disappear. The granny, voice of Wanda Sykes, brings in fine humor. The pack, in their attempt to reunite Manny with his family, runs into evil Captain Gutt, the reigning pirate of the frozen waters. They venture off with his boat after beating his crew, only to run into him again. Here starts a friendship between Diego and Shira. Captain Gutt in a desperate attempt to get even with Manny holds Peaches hostage. Manny and the entire pack, including Granny, fight back with gusto.

The overall pace and adventure of The Continental Drift is at par...

Great animated family film!!!
Last summer, my family and I saw this movie, as we are die-hard fans of the Ice Age film franchise since the first film was released in 2002. Laughed from beginning to end. We saw it twice in the theater, we enjoyed it that much! When it came out on Blu-ray/DVD (which I got for Christmas), we enjoyed it even more!

The plot: Sid, Manny and Diego are definitely in for the ride of their lives when they met a set of pirates, and Diego gets a girlfriend (voiced by J-Lo!).

If you liked Pirates of the Carribean and if you love the Ice Age movies, you'll love Ice Age 4: Continental Drift!

Totally Awesome
I thought this was an excellent movie. The story line was perfect for children to understand that chosen friends based on looks or how cool they appear to be, doesn't make them good friends or the type of person you would really consider a true friend.

Ice Age gets better with each new version.

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Convento

Disturbingly Beautiful
If you want to be transported to a different universe with robot mules, ants and bird skulls that have been reanimated (c'mon, who doesn't?), then you need to watch this film. The cinematography is reminiscent of 60s and 70s horror and sci-fi classics (imagine 'Don't Look Now' merged with 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers') with a modern spin and brilliantly beautiful close-up photography worthy of being in an art museum. The cast remind me of the type of characters Herzog works hard to find, but here, they're wonderfully three-dimensional. Jarred Alterman has engendered an entirely defamiliarizing work of visual poetry about artists living and creating within a once-vacant monastery in Portugal that will disturb and remind you that being human can sometimes be very strange. Throughout the film, the cinematography, with its long takes and ambiguously pleasing angles (it took me a few minutes to identify a bucket), creates a palpable silence that only a master director could pull off;...

Odd, interesting and beautifully photographed documentary.
An artistic and quite off-beat Dutch family unit (a mother and two adult sons) live in an abandoned monastery in Portugal.
We get a little back-story on their lives and how they got there, but mostly we focus on their lives in the here and now; the
mother, an ex-prima ballerina, and then choreographer in Holland now spends her days gardening, so the family can largely
live off the land. One son mostly cares for his horse ("my best friend") and the animals on the land, while the other creates
surreal, complex, disturbing and fascinating kinetic sculptures made from dead animals brought to macabre, nightmarish
life with gears, wires and some basic electronics.

The film doesn't dive deeply into their personalities or motives for their life choices, mostly letting us in by quietly observing
- both the family and the beautiful location itself.

The pace is quite leisurely (too much so for me at times). I didn't find the film had a lot of...



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Resident Evil: Retribution

I Don't Get These People
I don't get the people who trash these movies. What are they expecting? The RE series has never been about superb storytelling, characterization, and acting. It's about style and excitement! And that's what these movies are: High-octane action movies for guys. Especially their inner 14-year olds.

People here spend a lot of time trashing the RE movies, and this movie in particular. Why? It delivers what I've come to expect here. Some awesome action sequences, an interesting (albeit completely nonsensical) storyline, and some really incredible cinematography. What else do you want? I submit that if that's not good enough for you, then you're just watching the wrong kind of movie.

Those who trash the story of Resident Evil: Retribution as "the worst of the lot", or whatever, need to go watch something else. It is what it is. I for one think it is excellent!

I like how the storylines of the movies continue from movie to movie, which each one ending in a...

RE: RETRIBUTION 3D REVIEW: Even better 3D than Afterlife 3D
Resident Evil Retribution 3D Review: Even better 3D than RE: Afterlife

Resident Evil doesn't cater to non-action fans, and Resident Evil Retribution proves this point with it's non-stop action onslaught from the opening credits to the ending.

STEREO 3D:
The 3D in Resident Evil Retribution delivers in spades, being filmed in three dimensions with on the set 3D camera rigs, we get a consistency of powerfully layered visuals, with clear stereo 3D distance between the objects onscreen. There are also plenty of pop outs to flinch away from as bullets and blades fly out of the screen to great effect. This is one of the best 3D movies you can get as Anderson shows he's not only a master of action movies, but stereo 3D scene composition. So if you're looking for another demo worthy 3D disc, look no further than Resident Evil Retribution, boosting the 3D up even more than Resident Evil Afterlife 3D. Exceptional 3D.

STORY:
This movie plays with your...

Awesome flick!!!
I enjoyed Resident Evil Retribution more than any other Res. Evil. It exceeded my expectations, its a great action flick. The fight sequences were great, of course Alice does some mega moves on her enemies but shes Alice. :) It keeps your attention from start to finish. I did not see in 3D none the less I was 110% satisfied. I pressume 3D effects would have made it 100x better.

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Forced to Fight

THE GLOVES ARE OFF
Scotty (Arkie Reece) is a fighter for crime boss Danny G.(Peter Weller). When he refuses to take a dive, it cost Danny money. Scotty is punished for his actions and his brother, a retired fighter (Gary Daniels as Shane), is coerced back into the ring to pay off his brother's debt. Shane doesn't want to fight as he now is raising a family. Alexandra Weaver plays his wife Connie.

While his brother Scotty is at home recovering, Shane is fighting. He can fight Apollo Creed, Mr. T, and the big ugly Russian guy all in one night. The film consists of fighting and Shane's deteriorating home life as he uncharacteristically goes off the deep end against family and friend. This aspect was not well developed. In the beginning, the fighting seemed like choreographed kick boxing. It didn't look real. The characters overall needed better developing and the plot needed a better twist or at least a decent one. They also needed to develop the fight opponents better. Unless you're a fan of...

STAR DESERVES MORE PRAISE
I've always been a big martial arts film fan. It started when I first saw ENTER THE DRAGON while in high school. To me that film remains the best martial arts film ever made and one of the top ten action films ever created. It was also the film that opened the door for more martial arts films that made their way into the mainstream in the 70s and increased in the 80s and 90s.

There were a number of martial arts stars during those decades that seemed to come out of nowhere and find themselves at the center of films. Billy Blanks, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Sho Kusugi and more were front and center on the video shelves. Towards the end another star emerged as well, Gary Daniels. While his movies did well, he never seemed to get the attention he deserved. What was nice was that he did get the chance to continue on where so many just disappeared. He even got to star in some great movies such as THE EXPENDABLES. And now he returns to be the name above the title in the just...

Gary Daniel's best yet!
I always have been a big fan of Gary Daniels and he is one of the few great martial arts/actors.He gives a solid performance as a family man forced to fight to clear a family debt.Peter Weller was great as a sleazy fight promoter.He kinda reminds me of the father from Hardcore Pawn.The ending was awesome as the credits roll.I hope to see him in more films as the lead.It's well worth the 10 bucks at Walmart.

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Hit & Run (2012)

A very human movie
Billed as an action film - and it certainly has that element - it's at its core a touchy-feely romance comedy, with a very sweet, pro-human attitude. If you can, watch the first two minutes; if you like them, you'll like the movie as a whole. I'm in line for whatever Dax Shepard writes next.

Action and comedy that doesnt do either well
Hit and Run is a comedy about a young couple (Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard) that risks it all when they leave their small town life and embark on a road trip that may lead them towards the opportunity of a lifetime.

The problem with this movie is that it cant make up its mind what it wants to be..is it a comedy, is it an action movie? And normally a mix of the two would be fine, but in this case, it cant do either well. The action is stupid and like the car chases goes in circles too many times. The comedy is not funny and filled with boring monotonous lines that make you wish it was over and not wasting your time.

Not worth a purchase or rent unless you want a B quality movie that is totally pointless in its plot.

Uneven Comedy with Great Soundtrack Music and Nice-Looking Cars
Dax Shepard writes, stars and co-directs (with David Palmer) in "Hit and Run," a comedy about "Charles Bronson" living in a small town in California, with his girlfriend Annie Bean (Kristen Bell). "Charles Bronson" is shocked to hear that Annie, specializing in nonviolent conflict resolution, has a job interview for a department chair position in Los Angeles. But "Charles Bronson" - of course, this is not his real name - cannot go to Los Angeles, where he left his troubled past four years ago.

Well, in fact the film is nothing serious. Filled with quirky dialogue and eccentric characters, "Hit and Run" is an action comedy that leans towards comedy, or comedy of off-the-wall humor. Made on a budget of $2 million (half of which was reportedly spent to secure music rights), the action scenes of "Hit and Run" are modest at best.

As a comedy, however, this is really a mixed bag. The leading characters are likable, with charming Kristen Bell, but their storyline is...

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone [HD]

Excellent adaptation of the book! Brought it alive!
As a Harry Potter fan, I'm so happy with this movie adaptation. It's very true to the book (which is fabulous in my opinion, I don't know why some people complained about that), although there are some slight differences. The movie makers have done a wonderful job bringing Rowling's world on screen. The visual effects, especially Fluffy, ghosts, chess pieces, Quidditch game were done exceptionally well.

The second disc is all extras. I guess it was designed for Harry Potter fans and people who enjoyed the movie very much because it was assumed that you've watched the movie beforehand. The deleted scenes were a little hard to find since several steps have to be taken. First I had to go to get the key and take money from the Gringotts bank in Diagon Alley. Then purchase wand from Olivander's. Then return to the school and attend classes. Go to potions class and answer three questions. The questions were a little bit of a hassle for me. Answer for the 1st question: Aphrodel...

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ULTIMATE EDITION Blu-ray
To start off this isn't a review of the movie itself, by now you should have already formed an opinion of the movie for yourself or from other reviews of just the film. This is a review for the Ultimate Edition.

Two words: Absolutely Amazing!

This isn't just some scam from Warner Bros to get a few more dollars squeezed out of the Harry Potter movies, this is brand new and refreshing. Warner Bros packaged this set to be (or what appears to be) the last Harry Potter set to be had. Everything that you could want in a collectors set it included here.

The booklet included is surprisingly well done. The book keeps with the theme of the special feature exclusive to the ultimate edition. For example, in the Chamber of Secrets edition the booklet is all about the characters and their development, both at the beginning of the series and how they have evolved through the years. Included are stills from the movie, pictures of the theme (ie. characters,...

Leaving the Muggles Behind
As a reviewer, I have a tendency to wordiness, and usually look disparagingly at reviews of ten words or less, all in caps, which basically say "WOW!" This is the first time I have had to struggle with the temptation simply to say something like "ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! THIS MOVIE WILL BLOW YOUR MIND! DON'T COME HOME WITHOUT IT!" and leave it at that. For one thing, it really is that good. For another, there is so much to say about it that one's mind boggles at trying to keep within a reasonable limit. Since there will be countless reviews that discuss plot, effects, and individual performances, I will leave those to others, and focus on some things that I found of special note.

The first thing that struck me about the film (other than the fact that I was unable to stop staring at my monitor while it was playing) is the sense of 'rightness' one gets while watching. What I mean by that is, given a book that has way too many events to capture in a film, the...

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Laura

LOVE LETTER TO NYC
THIS WAS AMAZING ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SUBJECT.
LAURA IS SO INCREDIBLE.
I RECOMMEND THIS FILM FOR THE DREAMERS AND THE FASHIONESTAS.
THE MUSIC, THE AMBIONCE IT WAS A LOVE LETTER TO NYC..

INTERESTING CHARACTER
I particularly like documentaries about people...quircky people "crazy " people...Laura is eccentric,spiritual,shallow and deep.I really liked this film but if you are not enchanted with out of the box characters this film may not be for you.



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Reveal the Path

A tragedy of missed opportunities.
My wife and I have been waiting for a movie that shares the inspiration of traveling via bicycle. Unfortunately this film only came close in the trailers and previews.

The sound was a problem for us as poorly placed music bites and off mic sounds like crackling fires and pouring rain suppressed much of the dialogue. The scenery was beautiful and left us asking whens and wheres, but there was little facilitation. Distances, objectives, even serendipitous encounters with interesting people or creatures were squandered with the lack of much desired story telling. It was like a Terrence Malick film without the talents of Terrence Malick. The breaks between 'chapters' were embarrassing and unclever but the only tool in order to distinguish one part of the journey from the next.

As ironic as it sounds the film lacked a direction. We kept searching for profundity until it became painfully clear that it was absent. Any intended plot seemed based on some nice...

Good but not Great
Having received this film in the mail yesterday. I was excited. Even Facebook'd that it arrived. Maybe I set the bar too high. What I expected was a better, more thought provoking global version of Ride the Divide. The film misses in many cases. It does not outline the clear route. It does not account for how many miles or even days that were spent on the bike. There are many clear opportunities for amazing bike footage and it does not exist. When Matthew Lee rides the Alpe d'Huez on a loaded mountain bike the film compresses this great feat into about 25 seconds. There are great scenes that are really enjoyable in Morocco and Nepal yet no real mention about distance. At one point in morocco the film shows a SUV driving the bikes to a shooting location. It appears that the team spent only days in each location... Yet I don't want to believe this to be true.

Having backpacked through Grindelwald, I expected the group to at least ride from Interlaken to Grindlewald,...

Uhh... wha.. did I just watch??
I agree with the other reviews here. This was like being invited to someone's house, then they through on their home videos of their vacation. No logical order. One minute, you're in Nepal, about 1 min of actual riding, and to make matters worse, it's on a fire road! Que??, then the next minute you're in some other place? No explanation of a goal or purpose for each place. There's truly only about 20mins worth of actual 'biking' if you want to call it that, broken up by some monotonous conversation with themselves. I think all the bike footage in the movie can be seen in the trailer! Not much action at all, boring. I did like the film 'Ride the Divide', but this one falls WAAAAY short...

H.E.L.L Riders
El Castigador

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Bloody Christmas

Awesome movie!
This movie is a lot of fun. One of the most unpredictable movies I've seen in a while. It's the perfect mix of sad, funny, and gory. The movie is well-acted, well-edited and the cinematography is reminiscent of '70s horror classics. And there is a scene where a girl's chest gets lit on fire in the shape of a cross! You could not ask for much more in an independent Christmas horror movie. I can't wait to watch it again!

Bloody Awful
This is an extremely low budget and low talent creation. It is ineptly made and ineptly told. The idea that they would ever, even within a week of its release, suggest a price of $15 might be a crime against humanity. The reviewer who gave this five stars must have been the director or a simpleton. It was actually emotionally painful for me to watch. Thank goodness I received a free copy rather than paid anything for it. The only way you will come across this is to see it in the schlock section of Netflix and you might think it'd be a bit of fun. Don't think that. It is worthless. Can I give it negative stars? It pains me to give it one.

See my extended review on JustPressPlay.net



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Legend of Heroes Complete Collection

Anime was Good
its came in good condition with no problem it is an excellent anime and it was amazing to watch and see

May not be a "complete" collection
Perhaps I'm being paranoid, but Amazon says this is the "Complete Collection" but nowhere on the case (front or back) does it say this. So, there is a chance they made a mistake.

Also, if you search for the title in Japanese on Amazon Japan, there is no such title. The closest are volumes 1 and 2 of an OAV that was released 2011 and 2012. I guess this could be volumes 1 and 2 bundled together -- I'm not sure. If so, there could be other OAVs after; so probably 'complete' would not be correct.

I'm not sure if I can post links here, but if you search for "oav" and the Japanese title, then you should find the Japanese publisher's web site which has trailers, etc.

Legend of Heroes
Romance comes first to mind with me... Warriors defending the world from evil and only one place defends itself. But during their work one really awesome boy grows up forgetting his memory until he comes to him somehow and he needs to break away from his best friend you is a young girl growing up and they find love beginning to surface but he wants to go his own way and clear up his past before he moves on so he kisses her with a sleeping drug and slips away...

Many months go by but she keeps looking for him and finally she joins him with so much action and adventure it is like i am falling off my seat seeing her get thrown off a cliff and he comes to rescue with a hook and line and swings her around to safety under the enemy's nose... Really cool moves they both develop while separated but we find she does not plan to leave him once she returns a real kiss! This makes it cooler and more impressive but i have to wait for more films to be made ? rats i want more!

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Pitch Perfect [HD]

Aca-mazing!
If you read a synopsis of Pitch Perfect, it just sounds like your typical rom-com, coming-of-age, singing movie; but I swear to you it's not. After being forced to see it by my stepbrother and his girlfriend, I was very, very pleasantly surprised. Pitch Perfect is probably one of my favorite movies ever now. As soon as the credits started rolling I knew I was in love and I needed to see it again. So I did, a week later. The music was aca-mazing! The soundtrack is absolutely off the charts! I am obsessed! My favorite song from it is the Bellas finals. The plot was a bit cliché, but good. The acting wasn't fantastic, but the goal here clearly wasn't to try and get nominated for an Oscar. They just wanted us to like the movie, and I more than liked it, so they succeeded.

Anna Kendrick played Beca, an amateur DJ who wants nothing more than to leave college and move to Los Angeles, causing her to be miserable all the time and shutting out everyone who cares about her. Her...

Action movie manly man who loved this film
I'm not a Ron Swanson, but I am a beer drinking, boot wearing, steak eating Die Hard loving guy. In other words, I was pretty much not the target audience for this film. But enough of my lady friends convinced me to give it a shot. I got these girls into Sons of Anarchy and Spartacus: Blood and Sand respectively so I figured I owed it to them to take their word.

I loved this film for a variety of reasons. I remember seeing the trailer and rolling my eyes and assuming it was some kind of terrible Glee era product trying to capitalize on the success. And honestly it could have been, but that still didn't detract from my enjoyment.

First, so far as I can tell this is an original script/film etc. And whether that's good or bad doesn't detract from my appreciation. So already points for being something new, even if the story is as predictable as you can kind of guess it is. But I've seen Die Hard tons of times. It's about the journey not the destination...

"Glee" and "Mean Girls" have a baby named Pitch Perfect
Definitely a PG-13 flick, this over-the-top story of a talented DJ who discovers the Accapella Diva within is well worth adding to the DVD library. Crazy talented men and women, some sweet relationship development and just enough raunchiness from the ladies to to keep any viewer on their toes, this is a movie that one will watch over and over and over again. Sure, it's a movie with a bunch of pretty people set at a college that looks nothing like reality, but hey . . . stranger things have been made believable on the silver screen.

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The Fly (1958) [HD]

Always been a well done movie
This is and always has been a good movie . Jeff Goldblum is a good artist and plays his part well. The story line though probably not likely is a believable plot !

a classic
the original is still the best. Any re-makes will only use technology and effects, and that doesn't improve the story.

Good old movie whole family can watch.
I got a kick out of this movie. First it says its a horror movie, rated pg. lol. Except for a little blood at the beginning, this is ok for 6 and up to watch. More suspensefull than anything.

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Lifeboat [HD]

OVERLOOKED HITCHCOCK GEM GETS ROYAL TREATMENT - AT LAST!!!
Lifeboat is an early masterpiece from Hitchcock, whose today is better know for his colour-period other masterpieces like REAR WINDOW, VERTIGO, NORTH BY NORTHWEST, THE BIRDS, etc.

But this great film (I guess, the only one he made to Twentieth Century Fox) is one his best works from his american B&W period along with REBECCA and NOTORIOUS. And it shows....

Lifeboat was a play by John Steinback, in which, after a dramatic sea battle, a group of passengers get together on a lifeboat after the ocean liner they were travelling at gets sunk by a german U-boat (that also sunk).

This premisse is the perfect environment for Hitchcock to show his best characteristic: a director who loves to work under self imposed constrictions so he can turn these same constrictions to his own advantage. The constriction I'm talking about is his best mark: closed spaces, single settings, the challenge of making the audience unaware that they are in just one big room...

Underrated Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock's daring wartime drama rises to the technical challenge of being confined to a small set. Based on a story by John Steinbeck, "Lifeboat" (1944) remains among the director's most humanistic works with its emotional claustrophobia and incisive characterizations. Though a bit dialogue-heavy, the Master of Suspense creates a surprising amount of tension and intrigue throughout the film's 96-minute length. Tallulah Bankhead gives her finest screen performance, yet the entire cast is excellent. A minor classic in the Hitchcock canon.

an answer as to the wait for the Lifeboat DVD
I have a pal at Fox Home Video. The reason we have all been waiting for this release is due to the poor condition of the original film elements. For those of you who owned the laserdisc edition, remember that the first reel was plagued with water damage (almost fitting for this type of movie). Rumor has it that this fine grain master print was the best Fox had available at the time...that the negative was not around...not necessarily lost, just not able to be located. My buddy tells me that this is no longer the case and that restoration work has been ongoing for the better part of a year on this title. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.

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The Boston Strangler [HD]

Saw a review copy.....some nice features on this DVD
Tony Curtis and Henry Fonda star in the critically acclaimed movie based on the true events of a serial killer that killed 13 women from 1962 to 1964. This movie takes a documentary style approach in following the investigators as they piece together the clues behind a seemingly random series of murders. Fonda stars as police detective John S. Bottomly and Curtis co-stars as Albert DeSalvo, the man who eventually confessed to the crimes. Of particular interest on this DVD is the inclusion of the 21-minute Backstory documentary on the movie that originally appeared on the AMC cable channel, interviewed on camera are Tony Curtis (who gushes with his appreciation of the movie), the director Richard Fleischer and producer Richard Zanuck. Also featured is a three-minute Fox Movietone newsreel of the actual events that appears to be missing part of its audio track. Rounbding out the special features is a selection of eight trailers including a theatrical trailer and teaser for the main...

" Murder, Mayhem and Madness"
Tony Curtis gives the best performance of his life! The Boston Strangler is without a doubt the greatest camera work I have ever seen, split screen, widescreen, multi camera frames on one screen. Mr. Fleischer you made a real piece of artwork that will stand the test of time! The camera tell's and reminds you how each seen is played out on a multi pictured screen! It is a puzzle that you have to put together in your mind , a lot of fun! Tony you played the greatest Psychological character I have ever seen on screen! I know because of my own experiences. Albert De Salvo the real Boston Strangler while in prison made 2 leather wallet's, in which he gave them to Dir. Fleischer & com. Tony did not receive one! (I guess De Salvo did not like my performance Tony once said!) This is a rare one! A must see! Thank you Tony for one of the greatest performances!

Haunting
This movie is haunting, creepy, and fascinating. The first half of the movie deals with the gradual shock and horror in Boston as the stranglings continue, and focuses on the search by the police for the killer, including many false leads (which are fascinating in themselves). The camera work is interesting (including split screen effects) and contributes to a sense of unease as the search intensifies. (This movie should be seen in widescreen so I hope the DVD version is forthcoming.) The acting may seem a little flat and Jack-Webbish at times.

The second half of the movie is incredible. Henry Fonda finds Tony Curtis and suspects he may be the strangler. Their scenes together are powerful. Henry Fonda gently but forcefully guides the strangler to a realization of what he's done. There are scenes that are filmed in such a way that you are able to feel along with the strangler a sense of dread and horror as the truth of what he's done begins to unfold. Tony Curtis is gives a stunning...

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Return Of The Fly [HD]

Film Noir is alive and Flying
This is an interesting sequel to 1958's "The Fly." Brydon Baker's black & white photography gives it a feel of film noir instead of science fiction. Both Vincent Price and Bret Halsey turn in believable performances. This can be attributed to Director Edward Bernds' choice to concentrate on characterization over the science fiction elements, which had also been effectively accomplished in the original. John Sutton as Inspector Charas turned in his best performance since 1952's "Five Fingers." The score by Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter was very effective to the mood of the piece. This is an excellent and highly underrated film.

Curiosity Killed the Fly
David Hedison's character is dead, but his son returns in the form of actor Bret Halsey. Halsey follows in his father's footsteps. Vincent Price returns and reluctantly helps Halsey with the experiments. This is not a bad sequel but its black & white photography and plot about stealing scientific research secrets, which was ahead for its time, sets it apart from the original.

Big Head
The Return of the Fly is 78 minutes long and was released August 1959. This film was shot in black and white to save on costs. Also with this Fly, his head is bigger and his left arm and right leg are part of a fly. In the original only the head and left arm are parts of the fly. With the fly only the head of the human is showing; the right leg and left arm are missing. The story is set fifteen years in the future. The movie starts off with the funeral of Helene DeLambre. Her son Philippe DeLambre and his Uncle Fran

The Kremlin Letter [HD]

Still waiting...
One of the best spy movies I've ever seen. Deception, betrayal, violence, sex, perversion--and that's just in the opening credits. But seriously, it is a great movie and I want to be able to share it with friends. After growing up with Richard Boone on Paladin, his blond persona in this movie was quite a shock.

Available At Last!
No major American director has had a lower percentage of his films available on DVD than John Huston. Part of the reason is that Huston made a number of his films for smaller, newer companies that appeared after the collapse of the old studio system in the late 1960s. These companies quickly went bust leaving the question of who owns the rights to these films in limbo. Another is that Huston's choice of material was eclectic and mostly downbeat in tone which is never a key to financial success on the big screen or off. THE KREMLIN LETTER was innocent of the first charge having been made for 20th Century Fox but not of the second for its overall tone and outlook at international espionage makes THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD look like a comedy. Still there were films like it already out there so its failure came as a suprise to Huston and to Fox. The real surprise is that Fox has not allowed it to be on any form of home video until now. Be thankful for small favors but hurry as this...

Let this Classic Never be Forgot!!!!!!!!
"The Kremlin Letter" is one of the grittiest, realistic espionage thrillers I have ever seen. What a shame this isn't available on DVD. The cinematography is first rate, the acting is spot on, and the story, while a bit hurried, is AFI top 100 worthy! I have never heard of this film until today, (April 14, 2009); apparently it was a flop in 1970, I cannot imagine how this isn't hailed as a classic the world over. The realism and believability of the "hard espionage" mind games portrayed in this film make it a worthy addition to any collection. I can only hope and pray that it is released soon.

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Boomerang! [HD]

Goes on Sale Again September 2!
Update!! It's in stock and for sale at Amazon Canada at CDN $16.99. Maybe Amazon U.S. can't get this disk. (limited release?)

(I have tried to ask customer service twice why this DVD is not listed. It is listed on Amazon Canada as a pre-order.) This DVD was released once before but it was withdrawn from sale soon after. It is based on a true story-a drifter(who is not guilty)is arrested and charged with the murder of a respected citizen in a small town. This nightmarish scenario is handled wonderfully well in a semi-documentary style by the director Elia Kazan. Dana Andrews gives another excellent noir performance.

Part of the flowering of post war films
Dana Andrews had just appeared in the acclaimed Best Days of Our Lives, when Director Elia Kazan lured him to do this film. It is a fine piece of work as Dana Andrews plays a moral man in a political and moral quagmire of an ordinary American town. The documentary style was often repeated, but Kazan got it right first time.

It is a feast of fine acting with the camera moving from one small story to another. There are so many good actors in this film, but Lee J. Cobb delivers the best as the old time police officer.

This film was made just before the HUAC investigation of Hollywood which drove out social criticism of American life. It is an example of where Hollywood was going before the investigation strangled the life from Hollywood. The Best Days of Our Lives was another example of this type of film. It is direct and honest.

The choice of ending where it is not made clear about the killer makes it all the more interesting. I have no idea why this film is not readily available...

A killing in a small town
Elia Kazan's third directing effort was "Boomerang!" - a solid murder drama that explores the sometimes polluting effect that politics exerts on the legal system. In a small town, a beloved pastor is murdered in the street, shocking the local residents. Dana Andrews plays the prosecuting lawyer trying the case: clearly the biggest assignment of his career. A shifty ex-serviceman (the talented Arthur Kennedy) is indicted and appears unquestionably guilty. But is he? Everyone involved in the case seems to have an ulterior motive, and Andrews' character is determined to see justice prevail. The Oscar-nominated story was inspired by a true case; Andrews portrays Homer S. Cummings, who later became U.S. Attorney General in the FRD administration.

Despite being a satisfying crime drama, "Boomerang!" is a relatively neglected film, especially among Kazan's outstanding canon. Why has it been ignored? All aspects of the film essentially are good to very good, including the...

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Dive Travel - Hawaii: Maui and the Big Island

It's alright
It's worth 1.99 to rent, there is some good footage and some very nice information. I really didn't care about the big island, and that is where most of the footage is from.





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Little Spirit: Christmas in New York

Entertaining and Enjoyable!
Although several reviews I read online for this children's movie were negative, my children adored it! For my 4 year old, she was enthralled by the story. With Danny DeVito recounting the story of a boy who lost his beloved dog, Ramona, when he moved to NYC, my daughter was riveted by the children in the film, the unique animation, and the "Little Spirit." A genuine story of love, moving to a new place, and difficult family changes, we watched this enchanting Christmas tale several times. I would recommend this film to people with small children everytime!

A new Christmas Classic
Little Spirit is a great new addition to the animated Christmas classics. The tale of the boy who loses his dog in Central Park and then has to rely on the kindness of strangers to get her back has a wonderful world peace message. Plus it's very funny and exciting. The animation is gorgeous and the music is wonderful. I highly recommend this film for family viewing.

We like it
We liked the little spirit movie, but I don't understand why in every movie there is always a part where there is someone mean and my 3 1/2 yrs is still too young to see this but when he his older it will definitely be a great movie.

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Killer Joe Unrated Version

A New Cult Classic
Roger Ebert said in his review for "Killer Joe" that the film left him speechless--and that's saying a lot, especially from a guy who's seen a lot of films. Rated NC-17, this was only available at the Opera Plaza Theater in the city (SF), but the small theater was packed! The audience laughed, gasped and--just like Ebert said--were rendered speechless by the shocking, blood-soaked finale.

This is a sure-fire cult classic; there are many memorable scenes (fellatio on a chicken drumstick, anyone?), and a lot of slick, smooth dialog--especially from Joe (brilliantly played by Matthew McConaughey) who just happens to be a police officer who moonlights as a killer for hire.

Hats off to director William Friedkin, at 76 he has lost none of the edge he displayed in the 70's with his gritty police thriller "The French Connection", or his synth-infused masterpiece from the 80's "To Live & Die in L.A.". The story, adapted from a play by Pulitzer Prize winning author Tracy...

4.5 stars... film (ultra) noir with outstanding performances
William Friedkin has been around for many, many years but the man still knows how to direct a movie. Now in his mid-70s, his sense for movie-making is as sharp as it was 40 years ago when directing "The French Connection" and "The Exorcist" brought his wide acclaim.

"Killer Joe" (105 min.) was originally screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival but a battle with the MPAA over the film's NC-17 rating held up its US release for almost a year. The distributor LD Entertainment ultimately decided to release the film unchanged and with the NC-17 rating. The plot centers around Chris (played by Emile Hirsch), a small time drug dealer desparately in need of money, and lots of it. With the help and support of several others, including his dad and also his mom's boyfriend, Chris decides to hire a contract killer, Joe, played by Matthew McConaughey, to kill his mom and collect the insurance money. All I will say is that eventually Joe does his part of the deal, but that there are a...

A Roaring Comeback for Friedkin and a Career Renaissance for McConaughey
Few films contain such a palpable mix of dark comedy and brutality as William Friedkin's Killer Joe. The film reunites Friedkin with writer Tracy Letts, who last worked together on 2006's Bug. That film was a memorable little oddity that polarized audiences. If you have the stomach for it, Killer Joe is the superior film. For Friedkin, whose career was built on successes he had decades ago, it's a roaring comeback. For the star Matthew McConaughey, it's a career renaissance. In the last year, after serving time as the go-to guy for romantic comedies, McConaughey has begun taking on more daring roles and this is his most daring yet. It's also his best performance.

Most of Killer Joe takes place in a trailer park somewhere in Texas, home of the Smiths, a family of rednecks for whom the word `philistine' was almost certainly invented. Chris Smith (Emile Hirsch) is a drug dealer whose mother has stolen his stash and left him desperately in debt to some guys who will kill him...

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Saving Grace B. Jones (2009)

Excellent performances, difficult to watch.
Make no mistake, this ia a dark movie, and a gothic true-life horror story. I saw a trailer which praised the performances, and I would very much agree. If you are thinking of Connie Stevns as the ultra cute 60's icon, and Tatum O'Neal from her early roles, you are in for a shock. Connie Stevens does not appear except in voice over, but it is based on true events from her life. Set and shot in Boonville, MO in the 1950's, it tells the tale of a small town woman whose brother brings her home from a huge mental asylum after nearly 20 years. There is also a relentless flood of the Missouri River at the time. He believes love can save his sister, although the matron of the asylum (Piper Laurie) and Grace herself keep saying she really is crazy. Tatum O'Neal and Penelope Ann Miller give wrenching performances, and the rest of the cast is very good also. The R rating is hardly deserved (one loving sex scene featuring a married couple), and some violence. Whether you will like it or not is...

REMARKABLE
This was an unknown film to me but I watched based on the only other reviewer. Don't miss this heart-wrenching movie. Tatum O'Neal is phenomenal in this part. The whole cast is sensational. I'm in awe of this film and those who made it, namely Connie Stevens who is the narrator and the small girl in the film. Don't miss watching this, I just can't believe how magnificent it was from beginning to end. Again, Tatum delivered an Oscar-worthy performance - just, well remarkable.

Good
Tatum ONeil's performance was awesome. Other actors left a lot to be disired and the production choppy at best, but Tatum did a great job of "bringing home" mental illness and the damage wrought by institutionalization.

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The Words (Director's Cut)

A film about writers for writers
Lay aside the critical reviews that have filleted this movie, and perhaps even your friends and family that didn't get it.

If you are a writer, you will get it.

The meat of this movie is as much about the struggles living up to expectations as it is about plagiarism. The pressures to have a "real job" and the approval you seek from those around you and what price you are willing to pay to hang on to that approval. When you feel it is your calling to be a writer, you constantly are filled with self doubt. Will I ever be good enough? Will my writing ever be good enough?

Because these are the driving forces of the film, of course it isn't some after-school special aimed at bringing an end to plagiarism. It is structured around the choices we make in building our lives. What are we willing to sacrifice for success?

While the nested stories could have gone very wrong, the film is well-executed and not hard to follow. And while Dennis Quaid...

Literary lovers delight, my wife and I enjoyed it on the screen
Already my wife wants another viewing. I'm prone to agree. We're 2 book addicts, drama film lovers, and this film's depth is not often seen in big screen theater. It's about sacrificing integrity for fame and money. It details how an unscrupulous decision can implode and create collateral emotional damage to cherished people. The Words is presented in storyline layers, woven together like literature, not easily tracked by those simply looking at action, FX, and adventure. THE WORDS is intellectual with a capital WOW.

Hammond (Dennis Quaid) writes a story about an ambitious, but not stellar, young writer Rory (Bradley Cooper) who has ripped-off an unpublished manuscript written by an old man (Jeremy Irons) over 60 years earlier. If you don't understand `plagiarism', stop here and don't bother viewing. It's the entire plot in one word. The story progresses in the same fashion as a bestseller novel, layers woven together, scenes jumping from 2012 to 1940 Paris, and back, from...

'The Words' will speak to you
In The Words, Bradley Cooper stars as Rory Jansen, a struggling writer that stumbles upon a briefcase which contains a story that holds the key to launching his career. Shortly after publishing the story, success launches his career. However, an old man (Jeremy Irons) confronts Jansen about publishing this 'thought to be' lost story and from there a plot line within a plot line within a plot line unfolds - all of which revolves around the overlying theme: fame/success vs. choice/consequence. Yes, there's also some romance. Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde, and Dennis Quaid co-star.

It's easy to say the plot becomes predictable about half way through the film (and it does), but films don't always have to be about the sudden 'twist' ending that nobody saw coming. Sometimes it's nice to watch a film and think about the meaning behind the story - in this case it's about the choices we make that affect our lives and the lives of the people around us. It's especially interesting...

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Trouble With The Curve

I liked it
Your one surviving parent is slowly losing his sight. You have a very difficult relationship and, at the same time, are coming to a turning point in your own career. What do you do tend to, your career or your family?

Gus Lobel (played by Clint Eastwood) is a scout for the Atlanta Braves and has resisted the change occurring in his business and the world around him with every fiber of his being. While his immediate superior and longtime friend Pete (played by John Goodman) values Gus's opinion and defends him against his detractors, one of them is Pete's boss and Gus's ultimate superior. That man, Pete Silver (played by Matthew Lillard) is determined to fire Gus even though he is completely unaware of Gus's failing eyesight. To Silver, a man who relies on statistics and equations over experience and first-hand observation, Gus is a relic of a time gone by. Gus is given one chance, scouting a highly-coveted player in North Carolina, to prove his value to the organization...

Eastwood's Well-Rounded Return To Acting
After starring in the remarkable "Million Dollar Baby" in 2004, then following it up with the gritty "Gran Torino" in 2008, Clint Eastwood announced his "retirement" from acting, instead focusing on on directing/producing films. When the script for "Trouble with the Curve" came along, though, Mr. Eastwood decided that it was too good of a vehicle to pass up. Thus, in his return to leading-man status, the 82-year old thespian proves that his filmmaking (or film-choosing) instincts are as solid as ever.

For a basic plot summary, "Trouble with the Curve" focuses on Gus (Eastwood), an aged baseball scout who relies on his eyes, senses, and gut feelings to scout the top prospects. The trouble is, his eyes are failing and his job is on the line. As such, Gus's friend Pete (John Goodman) is concerned about him and gives a call to Mickey (Amy Adams), Gus's daughter. Predictably, the father-daughter duo do not share a strong relationship with each, and that is tested on a road trip...

Clint Eastwood May Be Slowing Down But He Can Still Hit The Curve
I have to say up front that I like baseball movies, a lot. Add that to my lifelong admiration for Clint Eastwood and the fact that I find Amy Adams to be absolutely charming and very easy on the eyes makes "Trouble With The Curve" a true home run for me.

It's obvious that Clint Eastwood is slowing down a bit with age, but that just makes him the perfect fit here for the aging baseball scout who scouts for the Atlanta Braves but is having vision problems. Since it's hard to actually scout anything without proper vision, his estranged daughter, played by Adams, who is a hot-shot lawyer on the partner path decides to join him out on the road for his latest scouting mission.

"Trouble With The Curve" is a quiet little movie that may telegraph its pitches a bit, but for me that just added to the charm of the movie. There are no major twists and turns, just a simple and heartfelt story being told with grace. Adam's character wants to know why her dad abandoned her...

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Along Came Polly [HD]

Let It Rain!
This movie fits the mold of a romantic comedy perfectly. Stiller does well and has some hilarious moments. Jennifer Anniston supports his purpose and does well on her own, also.

For me, the standout role was played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman. From the equivocal sex and relationship advice he gives to Stiller's character - to his commentary on the basketball court (screaming out "Let It Rain", "Iceman" and "Raindrops" while his gut comes flying out of his shirt, for example), he is hilarious. Hoffman also gets to speak the most memorable line of the movie when he tells Stiller's character that he just sharted and that it is indeed time to leave the party.

I recommend this movie if you're a fan of most Ben Stiller movies. It's a movie that will remind you of a dozen other romantic comedies, but it is worth the viewing.

A CUTE LITTLE COMEDY...
If one is a fan of Ben Siller and one enjoyed him in the films, "Zoolander", "Meet the Parents" and "Something About Mary", then one will enjoy this light, fun filled comedy that does not take itself too seriously. It revolves around insurance risk-assessment analyst, Reuben Feffer (Ben Siller), who marries the woman of his dreams, Lisa Kramer (Debra Messing), only to lose her on their honeymoon, when she betrays him with the very buff Claude (Hank Azaria), the scuba diving instructor with a seriously deranged French accent.

Returning home from the honeymoon, alone and forlorn, he runs into an old childhood friend of his, Polly Prince (Jennifer Aniston), who has gone from being a math geek to being a totally free spirit. They begin dating, even though they appear to be total opposites. Let the games begin! There are a lot of jokes in the film, often scatological, and sight gags. The path of true love certainly does not seem to run smoothly when one...

Subscribers of Non-Threatening Romantic Comedies will like it
I caught this film while channel surfing after I'd finished "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" on Pay Per View. After watching a few minutes I thought, these are the same characters.

If Uma Thurman's G-girl didn't have any powers in "Ex-Girlfriend" she'd be a lot like Jennifer Aniston's ferret-loving Polly Prince. Ben Stiller plays a risk assessor for an insurance agency who's just as dorky and introverted as Luke Wilson's "Super Ex" architect. And instead of Rainn Wilson ("The Office") as the boorish best friend dishing out bad relationship advice, "Polly" has Philip Seymore Hoffman ("Capote") as a washed-up child-star slob, egging Stiller to slap Aniston's rear during sex and ask "Who's your daddy?" It's this exchange that sets up the film's conflict: Aniston, repulsed by the comment, boots him out of her apartment. Stiller then has to learn to see Polly through his own eyes and prove his love before he loses her in the third act.

"Along Came Polly" is as safe,...

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War of the Dead

Watchable, But Not Memorable: An Interesting Fusion Of War And Horror That May Night Completely Satisfy Fans Of Either
While I have an undeniable soft spot in my heart for the flesh eating undead, the zombie genre has been a bit overworked lately with projects (whether in film, TV, or books) of varying degrees of quality. Let's face it, the walking dead are everywhere! I'm certainly not complaining, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to find entertainment that still feels fresh and vital. With a cover blurb that references HBO's stellar "Band of Brothers," "War of the Dead" seemed like an interesting new addition to the zombie lexicon. The film does not go for the cheesiness or camp factor that you might anticipate when dealing with the assault of WWII monsters. It's a refreshing choice, to be sure, to play things somewhat realistically. Ultimately, though, the movie crosses two genres (war and horror) without really making a strong mark in either. As a B-movie, "War of the Dead" is perfectly serviceable entertainment. I'm pleased enough to have watched it, it just isn't incredibly...

2.5 Stars: Stylish Zombie B-Movie Has A Lotta Brawn But Virtually No Brains
Zombies are all the rage these days. Why, it seemed like just yesterday that vampires were en vogue, what with the TWILIGHT film series in full hype. Werewolves? Meh. They've gone to the dogs. Today, the best scares are found in the ranks of the undead. Even AMC TV is getting into the craze with its stellar "The Walking Dead" program. I guess it was only a matter of time before some enterprising filmmakers figured out it was time to revisit the depths of history for some previously unexplored moments in our zombie past. You can bet the primary merchants of evil - the Nazis - experimented on re-animating flesh. After all, what possible malevolence didn't those dastardly villains exploit?

(NOTE: the following review will contain minor spoilers necessary for the discussion of plot and characters. If you're the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then feel free to either read elsewhere or skip down to the last two paragraphs for my final...

Good zombie movie.
Fast zombie type. Gotta love a decent period piece set in WWII. As for the plot, its always good to kill undead Nazis.

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Born Yesterday [HD]

Eliza Doolittle Meets Betty Boop.
From the moment she enters the picture and screeches "Whaaaaattttt??", in a voice that could peel wallpaper, you can't take your eyes off Judy Hollidays "Billie Dawn." In this movie adaptation of the Garson Kanin play, directed by famed "womans director" George Cukor, she takes a wonderfully written character and turns her into a classic movie performance that no one else could have played. Her crass, monosyllabic Billie is SO dumb, that, when her corrupt bully boyfriend, played by Broderick Crawford, first proposes to the owlish journalist, played by William Holden, that he refine Billies rough edges so she can be presented into the Washington society that he hopes to manipulate, well...you wonder how he can EVER mold this dim-witted clay. Along the way, she, for the first time, begins to actually THINK, and her development of a conscience and awareness of her self worth is as moving as it is comical. The backdrop of corrupt politicians who can be bought for a price (some things...

Flawless!
Delightful! Hilarious!

How often do we get to see a perfect performance? We're closing in on a century of movies and, as we can see, it's pretty rare. So flawless was Judy Holliday's portrayal of Billie Dawn that, as a relative unknown, she came from behind to beat out two heavyweights for the Oscar in 1950. I'm sure this was due in no small part to her refining the role for nearly three years on stage.

Everything else fell into place as well. Broderick Crawford was just excellent as Harry Brock. Crawford is able to swing you back and forth between anger and sympathy for his character. Not an easy task! William Holden is perfectly calm and reserved as Paul Verrall. His character forms a wonderful opposite to Billie. And, with direction, George Cukor worked his usual magic.

Most of the themes are timeless. A person lives in ignorant bliss until their eyes are opened. They realize that there is a better life for them and begin their struggle...

Razor Sharp and Lots of Fun
Judy Holiday won an Oscar for this film, and no wonder: her performance of Billie Dawn, a "dumb broad" who suddenly wises up in a most unexpected way, is certainly one of the finest and most original film performances in 20th Century American cinema. The story, from the stage success, concerns a crass junk yard tycoon (Broderick Crawford) who goes to Washington to buy a Senator--and promptly considers that his blonde-bimbo mistress Billie Dawn (Holiday) lacks enough poise for such refined circles. He accordingly entices a reporter (William Holden) to "smarten her up." But things soon get out of hand: once her mind is awakened, Billie Dawn begins to perceive her lover and his political intrigues in a very different light.

The comedy is genuine, and Crawford and Holden are as memorable as Holiday herself. But there is some serious stuff behind the hilarity: issues of personal integrity, honesty, and civic duty become increasingly important as Billie evolves, and...

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The Lady From Shanghai [HD]

Misunderstood Masterpiece
The most tragic aspect of Orson Welles' career is the accepted wisdom that he only made three good films. In fact he made 13 films in a 40 year career (a tragically small number in itself) and ten of them were arguably masterpieces. That's a track record that bears comparison with anyone.

The Lady from Shanghai is a classic example of a misunderstood Welles masterpiece. The studio didn't understand the plot and the film got buried; in addition it was put forward that Welles intended revenge on his ex-wife Rita Hayworth by casting her as the bad girl (in fact Welles only interest was in making a great film and Hayworth's astonishing performance merely consecrates his success).

Welles fully understood the attractions, both of film noir themes (jealousy, greed, paranoia) and the mandatory visuals that go with the genre. The great cinematographer Stanley Cortez once said of Welles that he understood lighting better than anyone in the Cinema. Many scenes stand out as examples of...

"Innocent is a big word--Stupid is more like it"
Stupidity--not innocence, not heroism, not any virtue at all--is the major theme of *The Lady from Shanghai*. Therefore, to some viewers this film will appear to be a stupid movie. That's unfortunate, but that's Orson Welles.

Everybody--EVERYBODY--is stupid in *Lady*! The Welles character, Michael O'Hara, admits he is stupid right off the bat. Elsa, played by Rita Hayworth, seems to be the cleverest of them all until the end...when she and her husband Arthur Bannister die together in the Crazy House, her husband gasping at her, "For a clever girl you make a lot of mistakes." Arthur, "the world's greatest lawyer", obviously has brains and knows what's going on through the whole story, but he's so grotesque (practically crawling through his scenes like a daddy longlegs spider) that his intellect is self-defeating: he's just one of the sharks that Welles describes in the beach scene, ravenously devouring himself. And the Grisby character...take one look at this guy and it's hard...

"Black Irish and a Blonde Bombshell"
What was once considered Orson Welles' most notorious failure is now regarded as a classic by movie buffs. THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI, the story of a man driven to obsession and murder by a beautiful blonde temptress, is filled with striking imagery and amazing performances. Based on a novel by Sherwood King, the story focuses on world-weary crewman Michael O'Hara (Orson Welles) who literally stumbles across the path of beautiful Elsa Bannister (Rita Hayworth), and almost on the spot he's invited to join the crew of her yacht, about to set sail on an international cruise, that soon dissolves into murder and mayhem. The plot plays like classic film noir, with many twists and turns. The film is highlighted by the famous `Hall of Mirrors' finale where Welles demonstrates the whole idea of the unknown enemy.

Rita Hayworth is sensational in one of her best roles. It is a very famous story that she was personally recommended for the picture by her then-husband Orson Welles, but...

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The Rundown [HD]

You Have Two Options: Option A- Go See The Rundown.
Option B- I MAKE YOU go see The Rundown.

The Rundown marks the arrival of Dwayne Johnson, A.K.A. "The Rock" as a bona-fide movie star. As Beck, a "Retrieval Expert" who longs for a simpler life as a chef, he displays for the first time on film the humor and charisma that won him "Millions....and MILLIONS!" of fans in the WWE. Dispatced to the South American town of El Dorado (Called Hell Dorado by the locals) to fetch Travis Walker (Seann William Scott), the wayward son of his shady boss, Beck gets more than he bargained for. He finds Travis easily enough, but getting him home might pose more of a problem. Not only does Travis not WANT to go home, but local land baron Hatcher (The hilariously nutty Christopher Walken, at his eye-popping best here) won't LET him go...At least not until Travis finds a mythical golden idol for him. The Rock vs. an army of gun-toting slave-drivers......Place your bets!

As I said earlier, The Rock is awesome in his role, bringing a mix of...

Much better than you'd expect
Well, I wasn't expecting a great deal from this film. In fact, I probably wouldn't have seen it at all if it hadn't gotten surprisingly good reviews. The Rock was pretty forgettable in 'The Scorpion King', although not terrible, but he puts in a great performance here. Tasked with the retrieval of a wayward son, he ends up in a three (or four) way hunt for a mysterious golden idol, along the way enountering everything from homicidal gold miners to jungle rebels to packs of angry monkeys. It is one funny movie, and the action scenes are great. Most importantly, the cast has both charisma and quality, and the dialogue isn't nearly as stilted as you'd expect in a typical action film. You can tell they all had fun making the movie, perhaps because it was actually filmed in Hawaii. Regardless, you should check this out even if you have doubts about it, because it will win you over.

Neat Action Flick Shows The Rock's Stuff!
This movie is truly Rock-solid; the inimitable pro-wrestler turned actor admirably struts his stuff here in terms of sheer muscular star power and heavyweight charisma, and proceeds to turn the Amazonian jungle upside down in the process. This is certainly no dramatic masterpiece, but all of the cast are excellent in this incredible action movie, especially Christopher Walken, doing a turn as a witty yet egomaniacal villain who simply isn't prepared for the consequences as `Beck' (the Rock) arrives on his doorstep in his part of the jungle to retrieve the errant son of a gangster he is indebted to. The murder and mayhem that ensue make up two hours of first class entertainment as we find Rock against the world, and the world getting the worst part of the deal.

The movie is wonderfully photographed, and the comic moments flow from the opening sequences, when Beck step into a crowded bar to retrieve a debt from a pro football player. The ensuing madness is so well choreographed and...

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Heartworn Highways

Excellent!
I am a songwriter based in Nashville and I'm so glad to see that this movie has made it to DVD. These guys, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, etc., are the ones who made me want to become a writer in the first place and it's so great to see them so young and hopeful, like they might be able to do something new and inpired, heartfelt and intelligent. The most moving scenes, for me, are the ones with Townes Van Zandt. He had such a sparkle in eyes back then in '75.

The songs are wonderful and the performances are rough and real, like country music was for a time. Check it out!

Whew!!!!!! What a treat
This is a film that won't get much press, and many will miss. Make no mistake, this is a raw, underground masterpiece. Sound Quality is excellent, and this footage is RARE. I recently read the Steve Earle bio "Hardcore Troubadour" (not a bad read-4 stars) and several times it talks about the jam sessions at Guy Clarks's house. I could only visualize the magic from those mid 70's get togethers. This dvd captures those actual moments. Steve Earle must be under 20 (and hard to recognize). Many other artists also. Guy Clark does a great "Desparadoes Waiting For The Train". One full hour of unreleased music as an extra, is a real treat. This is a sleeper, not to be missed.

A musical vision fulfilled - Townes Van Zandt and friends
I was stunned by this movie. I learned of it and purchased it in 2003. For various reasons it remains for me the best, most emotional movie I have seen about musicians and their music. The producer chose well: He found the songwriters that shaped country and rock for the next 30 years: Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Steve Young, John Hiatt, Charlie Daniels and a tribute to the late Skinny Dennis, immortalized in Guy Clark's "LA Freeway." I wish David Allen Coe had been left out, but no film is perfect.

The songwriters are shown at their best and worst: a drunken, funny TVZ falls into a rabbit hole and Silent Night is rendered by fine musicians too drunk to remember the lyrics.

This movie was made when I was a poor student and musician with a small circle of talented friends in Tampa at the University of South Florida. The difference is that most of my friends and I got straight jobs [we still tried to make a difference] but these...

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Slednecks 15

Awesome!!!
Loved it! The take from the female helps my daughter relate to sledding. Great camera shots. Awesome riders. Beautiful scenery. Great added commentary from the different riders.





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The Gathering (1976)

One of the best holiday heart-tuggers
This is a lovely little made-for-TV film, with a good script, sound acting, and the enjoyment of watching familiar faces. Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton head a cast that includes Lawrence Pressman, Veronica Hamel, Gregory Harrison, Stephanie Zimbalist, Gail Strickland, Edward Winter, and more. Yes, the "dying man making amends" plot seems a little weepy, but this family interacts in a way that reminds us how real families are: lots of ruffled feathers that are ignored when the chips are down. My husband and I have a rare VHS copy of this gem, and watch it every holiday season with a fresh box of tissues nearby.

With all the trash available on DVD these days, it's a shame that this film isn't similarly formatted for all to enjoy. In a nation supposedly concerned with "moral values," people are snapping up far lesser efforts. If you can find this one, it will become a part of you.

christmas drama
The Gathering is an excellent drama set during the Xmas season in a New England town; The family patriarch Adam Thornton, portrayed by Ed Asner, learns that "he's run out of time", and with his death looming shortly, he enlists the aid of his estranged wife, Kate, played by Maureen Stapleton, to have a traditional Christmas "gathering" of the estranged Thornton clan at the family home. The emotional subplots deal with the family's mixed feelings regarding their parents' separation and the potential fireworks which may occur, the reunion of the clan and the many fences Adam needs to mend before he dies- without telling the family of his illness. It does sound a little moribund and yet...the teleplay by James Poe brings the warmth of the holiday season to the fore, as each family member finds love and healing. The production won an Emmy award for outstanding drama and should have received more for the excellent performances by Asner and Stapleton.
This film has become a holiday...

Superb Christmas Drama Highlighting One Family's Forgiveness And Compassion
I first became acquainted with this highly moving 1977 Christmas Television movie during one Christmas season in the mid 1980's when it was shown late on Christmas Eve. I immediately fell in love with its simple story filled with much identifiable human drama, great characters and first rate performances by all cast members. Christmas is often a time of reflection and efforts by families to come together despite their conflicts and differences during the past year and the storyline of "The Gathering", uses these very issues to perfection in its beautifully thought out screenplay. "The Gathering", centres its story around one man's recently diagnosed terminal illness which makes him reflect on his wasted life where ambition and the obsession to succeed in big business has cost him not only his wife, his children and his home, but also his inner sense of self worth. Ed Asner still best remembered for his role on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", here takes on a very different kind of role as...

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Love Actually [HD]

"Love actually is all around..."
"Love Actually" is just the right mix of romantic comedy and drama to leave you with that warm, fuzzy feeling as you leave the theatre. It's an ideal Christmas movie for moms and dads who want to see something else while the kids venture into more PG films.

Writer/director Richard Curtis enlists a plethora of some of the finest British actors (and a few noteworthy Americans) to tell several different love stories. While it seems that there may be a few too many characters at first, the overall flow of the film allows the viewer to keep track quite easily. The cast is led by the ever-so-charming Hugh Grant as the British Prime Minister. While some critics have called this casting unbelievable, Grant actually pulls it off by portraying a more human, but yet stronger PM that we would all love to have leading us. His dance to the Pointer Sisters' "Jump for My Love" borders a bit on ridiculous, but it is nevertheless fun to watch. In the film, the PM is caught between leading his...

The Perfect Stocking Stuffer
This is the perfect Christmas gift to get any member of the group of free-loading moochers you call your friends. It's the perfect excuse to have a movie night at THEIR house, and make them ante up some wine, cheese, grapes and lots of chocolate, then hunker down for an evening of cornball romantic comedy with a difference.

Chances are, with Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson and Alan Rickman on show, you won't even notice that the storyline is hardly Pulitzer Prize material, but you do stand the chance of busting a seam when Hugh does his Footloose/Saturday Night Fever/Risky Business impression at Lot 10 Downing Street, and Bill Nighy makes like Robert Palmer for a video shoot of the worst ever chart topping Christmas song. There's also the incomparable Rowan Atkinson, making like Mr.Bean at appropriately inopportune moments.

In case you think it's all about the guys (it is - but one can't take sides) there's a brilliant performance by Emma Thompson, and...

(4+) Actually Quite Entertaining but Definitely Deserves "R"
My rating is based on my enjoyment of this film. It has both major strengths and serious weaknesses, and as other reviews indicate has fostered very strong reactions, both positive and negative. Its format is somewhat disconcerting if you are not prepared for the methodology of the director. It contains nudity, profanity, sexual situations, and several situations that are very suggestive and some moviegoers may consider to border on the obscene. However, the situations that some people may consider offensive actually serve a purpose in developing the overall theme of the film.

Love, in all its manifestations - wonder, joy, pain, happiness, passion, grief... is the theme of the film. A very talented ensemble cast is utilized to tell several somewhat interrelated stories concerning the emotional lives of the various characters. The cast includes Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Kiera Knightley and Alan Rickman. There are also telling cameos by Billy...

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Keepsake

THAT'S HOW WE DEAL WITH MONSTERS
Janine's vehicle runs off the road. The tow truck driver is a mute who then takes Janine captive. While captive we find out a few things that keep us interested in the film. Janine admits to being a thief and has a stolen photo album in her SUV which she claims is worth money. People are after it. In order to cope with captivity and the zap collar, she escapes into a dream world with her sister Alice where we discover she has daddy issues. What's in the photo album? What's with the dreams and daddy?

The mystery aspect holds our interest because the slow moving film does not. The mystery involves a twist ending, which didn't make the film much better. A borderline pyschological thriller.

F-bomb, nudity (Sunny La Rose, Courtney Hogan)

Not too awful but the acting was incredibly poor (IMHO)
The movie was fairly decent for the genre, nothing especially great about it but nothing too terrible except for the dreadful quality of the acting. Stunningly bad.
Good storyline and not too bad for popcorn fodder.....just please, hire competent actors whenever whoever decides to make a movie makes a movie....don't hire friends of friends or street people or wherever the people in this movie were found. Ruined what could have easily been a 4 star rated film.

Scary m
This is a very dark scary movie that has a lot of depth... You have to really reach down into your mind and soul to understand this girls horror and how she makes it through a long lonely capture. There are times that you are not sure if this is really happening. And I will be sure that I travel with lots of emergency tools and with plenty of company. The young people in the movie are very good actors.

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Bongwater

Why not let the general public see this......because of drug use?
I have been wanting to see this movie for years. I finally found a copy[...], of all places. Why doesnt any walk-in rental store rent this out? They rent out Cheech & Chong movies, but not this? Gimme a break, Hollywood & Blockbuster!! This movie isnt even glorifying drug use, like Cheech & Chong. Instead it is about finding yourself! The performences by Luke Wilson, Brittney Murphy, Jack Black, Andy Dick, and Jeremy Sisto are oscar worthy. Not to mention Alisia Witt.......HOT!! Highly Recommended!! And, you dont even have to be buzzed to watch this. Its that good!

Ring ding ding ding ding ring ding ding ding ding...
A few years or so ago, I discovered this movie on cable. The title of Bongwater caught my attention and I had to see what it was about. Little did I ever suspect that it would become one of my favorite silly movies. Bongwater has an incredible cast though it doesn't seem like they had much of a budget. That's why I give it 4 stars as I think some things in the movie could have been fleshed out more. Jack Black is hilarious as the woodsy pot farmer, hence what I titled this review. If you haven't seen it yet, you'll see what I mean! Jamie Kennedy and Andy Dick also crack me up in this flick. Pull out the bong and pack it up...Bongwater is a great stoner flick you'll enjoy. Consider it a burnout bonus!

An honest review by an honest stoner
To dispell immediately what others may assert, I am indeed a stoner; I am a joker, a smoker, a midnight toker, etc. I own a fine collection of stoner films and my daily interactions often include a bowl and such a film.

That said, this movie is terrible. I cannot fathom how it received an average of 4 stars. Please do not tell me that I failed to understand the majesty of this film; I was high when I watched it.

I and the entire group of diehard potheads with which I watched it concur as to the massive suckage that was Bongwater. At first, I was upset that a movie so devoid of plot and meaning had taken the title Bongwater, which may have been used in true stoner films in the future. However, after reflecting on it with my roommate (who of course smokes), we concluded that the movie was aptly titled. After all, bong water is the leftover that nobody wants. At the movie's conclusion I said, "I need to smoke...for the first time in my life, I NEED to smoke." It...

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Hiding Out [HD]

How Can You Not Like This Movie? Name from a Coffee Can?
I was really impressed with the HBO to Video now DVD. So hidden has this movie been from the spotlight that it I am impressed at how little press it has ever gotten. I own the video and will some day buy the DVD.

This movie takes you from the Boston Stock market and trainyards to an small outlying city where John Cryer hides out at his cousins high school. This is a great story with a rather plausible plot. There are some very funny scenes when Cryer, playing Max, has to explain why he knows so much for a high school senior.

As he faces up to the challenges of 'teen age' he becomes more liked by his 'peers' and gets volunteered to the be the Sr. Class President.

He is hiding out because he is a witness in a case against a mobster for trading issues that involved Cryer (Andrew Morenski) and his team. One of his associates gets bumped off by a hitman and Morenski has to run. And the hitman is relentless in his pursuit of Morenski.

There are some very touching scenes, a...

Hidden Gem
Once upon a time there were some very interesting movies made. This was during the 1980s. Some directors had some interesting ideas about showing how high school can have quirky moments and be educational sometimes but also give life lessons that will help down the road. Even the teachers have political viewpoints, not just parents. Maybe not anymore. After all that wouldn't be politically correct any more to talk about that in class.

I feel sorry for students today, so many things are not allowed I don't know how they can learn anything about life and having a personality. Well back to this movie. It is Jon Cryer's best from all his movies that I have seen. Funny and suspenseful with some love thrown in for romantics. Cryer is a stock broker, Andrew Morenski, that finds himself on the run from hitmen. He hides out with a nephew and finds that being high school student, Max Hauser, is a good cover. Cryer is excellent and the rest the supporting cast are great as well. Any...

Forgotten 80's ...
Hiding Out has been hiding out from the funny 80's teen flicks. It has been lost in between the Brat Pack and John Hughes finest, but it is just as corny/funny as the rest of them. Jon Cryer plays Andrew a stockbroker running for his life from the mob and the feds who are attempting to protect him. After narrowly escaping from the Mob, Andrew assumes a new identity in a new town. What is not planned ahead is the fact that he will be a high-schooler again.

The interactions with teachers, fellow students, love interests, and his dorky cousin Patrick make this movie quality for the genre it belongs in.

Good soundtrack and memorable quotes round out this lost flick.

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Fairhaven [HD]

Loved this movie!
This is a thoughtful, inspiring Gen X movie about "who am I, who are we, and where does it go from here?" This movie will speak to anyone who has ever woken up and wondered if there is more out there than the present moment and what does it take to make the changes to get where we want to go. A deep cast performs flawed characters who win your heart. The cinematography is stunning--great shots of the eastern coastline in winter.

Don't Bother
There was no real story line or plot. The cinematography others may refer to is close ups of getting stoned. I found nothing remotely intersting or noteworthy about this film.

I really wanted to like it but....
I really wanted to like this movie and there were parts when I thought it might get good but it never did!! It lacks a story line. You just feel like you're watching someones life without any direction what so ever! There were a couple parts when I thought it was going to get good but it never did. In the end I'm glad it was only 1hr 20something minutes that I wasted of my life instead of 2 hours.

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Love Me [HD]

An Attractive Young Cast Can't Quite Overcome A Lackluster Mystery
The teen friendly mystery "Love Me" seems perfectly geared toward viewers familiar with the Canadian hit franchise of Degrassi High (specifically The Next Generation) and ABC Family programming. Its young stars have all made a name for themselves in that environment and so a lot of familiar faces can be seen wandering around the fictional halls of Hampton Prep. That is the setting for this romance/thriller in which everyone is a suspect in the disappearance of a classmate. And as suspicions rise to the surface, danger may be lurking for anyone who uncovers the truth. Starring Lindsey Shaw (Pretty Little Liars), Jamie Johnson (the aforementioned Degrassi: The Next Generation), and Jean-Luc Bilodeau (Baby Daddy and Kyle XY), the lead performances are earnest and the actors are appealing. It's the central mystery that strands the entire movie in a kind of inertia. With a lack of real suspects, the resolutions are not difficult to see from the very beginning. So when the shocking...

YOU KILL ME WITHOUT FEELING GUILTY
This low budget film starts out with Melissa (Kristina Elliott) refusing to get into a car whose driver is not seen. She runs into the woods away from the said auto. You see no one, then suddenly she turns around and screams. It is not possible for it to have been the person in the car. Is this a clue? As yet you do not know if it was someone else, or that person popped into that location like a bad slasher film.

The scene changes to Sylvia (Lindsey Shaw) high school student who wants to be in love. She falls for Lucas Green (Jamie Johnston) a rich boy who dated the missing girl and has a high creep factor. They dropped so many clues about him being the killer, you know it is not him. Dayln (Kaitlyn Leeb) is the self centered jealous ex-gf. Harry (Jean-Luc Bilodeau) is the loser geek kid who makes cartoons.

The acting of Lindsey Shaw and Jamie Johnston reminded me too much of the caliber of acting we saw in the "Twilight" series nominated for a number of Razzies...

Blu-ray Review: "Love Me"
There's always room for another "psycho-guy goes nuts over uninterested ex-girlfriend" thriller. Audiences love these types of "who-dun-it" films. Anchor Bay Films isn't ashamed to participate in putting the next one out either. Their newest release in the genre, "Love Me," will air on the Lifetime Movie Network over and over again in a few months guaranteeing them a fat wad of cash for rights.

Sylvia Potter (Lindsey Shaw) falls head over heels for quiet rich boy Lucas Green (Jamie Johnston). Things get complicated when she, her friends, and family discover he's the prime suspect in the disappearance of a 16-year old girl (Kristina Elliott) in the neighboring town of Ridgedale. Lucas swears he had nothing to do with it. Can their love survive the investigation and turmoil? More importantly, can Sylvia survive through it all?

"Love Me" is exactly what it appears to be when picking it up in the video store or at Redbox. It's a PG-13 thriller which appeals to anyone...

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