Reviews (182)

Cameron Crowe's Masterpiece
I don't know if it's just me, but writer/director Cameron Crowe always seems to hit the mark. Whether it be his first effort at writing a Script (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), his second directorial effort (Singles), and the absolutely fabulous Jerry Maguire and this year's sure fire Best Picture, Almost Famous.

Unlike most films, which begin with a screenplay, producer, James L. Brooks asked Cameron Crowe to write the story in prose first. The result was a 90-page novella that became the outline for the film, and from which Crowe wrote the final screenplay.

This movie stars John Cusack (who must have been about 19) as Lloyd Dobler, an eternal optimist who seeks to capture the heart of Diane Court (Ione Skye). He surprises just about everyone-including himself-when she returns the sentiment. But Diane's over possessive, divorced Dad (John Mahoney) doesn't approve and it's going to take more than just the power of love to conquer all.

This is my favourite movie by Cameron Crowe. As with all his movies, the dialogue is true to life and flows. Every aspect of this film borders on unbelievable brilliance. John Cusack is terrific as Lloyd Dobler, the sweetest guy in the whole world. He's one of those guys that girls would love to have, but one of those guys that guys would love to be. The situations are true to life situations teens would absolutely be put in (I love watching Lloyd make his first phone call to Diane -- it reminded me of me) Ione Skye is also great as the object of Lloyd's affection torn between her love for her father and her love for Lloyd.

Besides being Cameron Crowe's best film, this movie also sports the greatest love scene of all time (I won't ruin it for those who haven't seen it), and can give inspiration to any guy who has ever wanted a girl as much as Lloyd. Guaranteed though, after seeing this particular scene, be prepared to fall in love with Peter Gabriel's Song "In Your Eyes".

If you haven't read through all of this (if you got bored, I don't blame you), just read this last paragraph. This is a terrific movie. One that you can watch over and over again without getting tired of it. If you haven't seen it, you are indeed missing out. Roger Ebert declared it one of the best films of the year in 1989.

- "We just don't want to see you get hurt" "I wanna get hurt"

John Cusack's 2nd Best Movie of All Time
There is no denying that "Say Anything" is quite simply one of the best films of all time!

HOWEVER...John Cusack's best role will always be that of Walter Gibson in "The Sure Thing".... which needs to be released on DVD IMMEDIATELY.

"Say Anything" is a different film than "The Sure Thing." It is in a class all by itself. It is quite simply marvelous, poignant and forever endearing. It deserves so much more than 5 starts! 10 stars for this beautiful film.

What can be said about this film that hasn't already been said? It is the perfect love story. Lloyd meets girl. Lloyd falls in love with girl. Girl's father objects to Lloyd. Lloyd loses girl. Lloyd wins her back. True love reigns.

This DVD is PACKED. Worth every cent you will pay should you wish to own a classic gem. There is commentary by director Cameron Crowe, John Cusack, & Ione Skye!! (Right there, worth the price!) There are so many behind the scenes stories and anecdotes to be listened to here. There are theatrical and television trailers, 10 deleted scenes, 13 extended scenes & 5 alternate scenes with commentary!! What more could you want?!

DO NOT miss out on owning this DVD. If you've by some chance never seen "Say Anything" do yourself a favor and do so right away! You're truly missing out.

SPOILER FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE SEEN IT.... No matter how many times I have seen this masterpiece, I still get choked up when Lloyd tells Diane, "You've just described every success story." And then we wait for the "ding" along with them.

And then... the "ding." CUT TO BLACK. (Gets me every time.)

I love this movie. Absolutely love it.

SOMEWHAT SIMPLISTIC BUT CHARMING TEEN ROMANCE DRAMA..
Whether it is young John Cusack's skittering sense of comic timing, Yione Skye's riveting beauty (no idea why she hasn't been in other known films!), or the sweet but memorably amusing moments littered throughout this film, there is something very charming about this candypop romance from the 80s.

A dorky but confident guy falls head over heels in love with the school's super brainy girl. Things happen, ups and downs ensue, all leading to an ending that is so satisfying, so overwhelmingly right, that immediately we fall back into step.

My minor grouse with the story was how conveniently the solid parental characterization of the girl's father turns out to be such a snake. One wonders if teenagers may not pick up from this the tired and rather sad message that parents are not to be trusted, no matter how sincere.

But that doesn't detract Say Anything from being a hot recommendation from me, particularly if you have a thing for lovey-dovey light dramas. It generally maintains an intelligent and realistic contour, which is more than one can say for most romantic comedies being made today.

A Modern Romance Classic
It's so pertinent for our times. I think almost anyone can relate something similar in their lives to the scenes in this movie. That's why it's so appealing. In a world where not every guy gets the girl, this is the stuff of dreams...and for a little while, somebody out there who is watching it gets to live that dream.

Teen Charmer
A teen movie of the late 80's, I found this charmer, "Say Anything." John Cusak is the quirky misfit teen in love with the unattainable. The unattainable is the senior class brain, Ione Skye. Ione has a wonderful smile, which she uses to disarm. Her acting skills are limited however, so Cusak's antics move the story to the opposites-attract finale. John Mahoney, the dad in "Frazer" on TV, plays Ione's businessman, father in deep soup with the IRS. He wants her to go to England on a scholarship. She is wooed, charmed, and then makes it with shiftless Cusak. I must say that Mahoney is believable in a complicated character, both loving father and a secret embezzler. Ordinarily in these teen operas, parents are total dotes. There is the obligatory teen beer-bash, but this one is fairly realistic with kids that actually like each other, as opposed to bashes where kids are trying to be too cool. Nice little date flick for teens. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You won't need a bottle of rum to enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, especially if you've experienced the Disneyland theme-park ride that inspired it. There's a galleon's worth of fun in watching Johnny Depp's androgynous performance as Captain Jack Sparrow, a roguish pirate who could pass for the illegitimate spawn of rockers Keith Richards and Chrissie Hynde. Depp gets all the good lines and steals the show, recruiting Orlando Bloom (a blacksmith and expert swordsman) and Keira Knightley (a lovely governor's daughter) on an adventurous quest to recapture the notorious Black Pearl, a ghost ship commandeered by Jack's nemesis Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), a mutineer desperate to reverse the curse that left him and his (literally) skeleton crew in a state of eternal, undead damnation. Director Gore Verbinski (The Ring) repeats the redundant mayhem that marred his debut film Mouse Hunt, but with the writers of Shrek he's made Pirates into a special-effects thrill-ride that plays like a Halloween party on the open seas. Aye, matey, we've come a long way since Jason and the Argonauts! --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (1787)

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!
Any one who has not seen this moive or dosen't like it has poor taste in movies!! This is a MUST see! This is my new all time favorite movie! I can't waite till they make the next one! Jonny Depp is PERFECT to play Captain Jake Sparrow! If you like the ride, you will love the movie. It will make you want to sing Yo HO Yo Ho A Pirate's Life for Me.

Leave 'yer Disbelief behind, Matey!
Disney went on a new marketing binge a few years ago and decided to commission feature films loosely based on attractions at their amusement parks.There were a couple made based on the Haunted Mansion and the Country Bear Jamboree that were not well-received, but Pirates of the Caribbean hit a lot of people in their "lets-have-fun-at-the-movies" bones and won Johnny Depp a well-deserved Oscar nomination as a pirate captain named Jack Sparrow who teeters constantly at the edge of over-the-top.As Roger Ebert observes - there's a scene where Captain Jack gets drunk as a skunk on rum on a deserted island, and his personna really doesn't change at all.Captain Jack has lost his beloved pirate ship, The Black Pearl, to his rival Captain Barbossa, played in an equally fun and over-the-top performance by Geoffrey Rush.Barbossa is the yang to Sparrows ying and he gets absolutely fantastic lines like "I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request - that means NO!"

Barbossa and the remainder of the Black Pearl crew are also inflicted with a curse that makes them undead, and when hit with moonlight they turn into skeletons - which makes for some fun and convincing special effects.Keira Knightly plays the beautiful governor's daughter in the damsel-in-distress role and Orlando Bloom is rather bland as her intended.

As long as you can accept pirate curses and fighting skeletons - suspend your disbelief and enjoy the ride.... er movie.Keep your hands and feet inside the boat at all times and absolutely NO flash photography....

Heeeeeeer's Johnny!
Yep, Johnny Depp has priate blood in him for sure otherwise how could he play this role so magnificiently?He's lovable, serious and funny and I think his best role ever. Just his actions, and much black mascara, convince you he is a true pirate. Orlando Bloom and him make the perfect duo. We loved the ghost pirates and the excitement of the curse and how it played out in the movie, kept you on the edge of your seat.This is a definite "have to own" DVD just because you can watch it over and over without getting tired of it.

A Fun Pirate and Ghost Adventure
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Warning: NOT FOR THE VERY YOUNG!!!
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Summary:

An enjoyable, interesting and fun pirate adventure with lots of good humor, great scenery, solid script supported by excellent acting all around.

WARNING :

ONLY for older kids and possibly teenagers and not too squeamish adults.The "Living Dead" pirates (shown 2/3's of the way through the film) can bother more sensitive viewers!!

With that said, my young son - the pirate lover -was able to differentiate between the story's realism and the "Living Dead" make believe - but, his older sister was not able to.

Review:

Fun movie with a great script, great filming, great editing, great special effects, great story, great acting, good humor, great scenery, lot's great story evolution, of fun. (this review is just too easy).

But, too scary for some people and not appropriate for the very young.I really wish this had not been so well pursued, because I think this would otherwise be a fun movie for my young son.

Story:
Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is an affected pirate Captain in port in search of a ship in the 18th century Caribbean who finds the "leverage" (blacksmith and expert swordsman Will Turner played by Orlando Bloom) to re-acquire "his" "Black Pearl" ship that was taken from him by his mutinous crew and the infamous Captain Barbossa (expertly played by Geoffrey Rush).Sparrow and Turner's adventure is propelled forward by Turner's love for Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley - in a very talented role as the Governor's daughter) who has been kidnaped by Captain Barbossa by mistake in her identity.

DVD's Extra's

Commentary is good, not great.I wished for more.Other DVD extra's are plentiful and excellent:like making of the film, deleted scenes, etc. and well worth the time and investment for the DVD.

Brilliant family entertainment
This book is based on the Disneyland ride of the same name, not something that would inspire you to watch it....however, suspend any preconceptions because this is a terrific film. Starring Johnny Depp as the pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, Orlando Bloom as Will, the young blacksmith and Keira Knightly as Elizabeth, the governor's daughter, this movie couldn't fail.
The story is a simple one. There is a ship, the Black Pearl, formerly owned by Captain Sparrow and now led by an evil captain (Simon Callow) and crewed by pirates cursed never to die until a final piece of stolen gold is returned to its rightful place. Elizabeth has been in possession of this missing gold since she was a girl but never known its significance. When the Black Pearl discovers the whereabouts of this missing treasure they set forth to Elizabeth's home and kidnap her. Soon Will and Jack are in hot pursuit, Will because he loves Elizabeth and Jack because he wants revenge on the pirates who stole his beloved ship from him.
Johnny Depp is brilliant as the camp, funny Captain Sparrow (whom he based on Keith Richards of Rolling Stones fame) and he certainly steals the show in spite of worthy performances from the rest of the cast. This, alongside excellent special effects and a myriad of extras (some hidden) on disc 2 make this a DVD well worth purchasing.
... Read more

Amazon.com

The Longest Day is Hollywood's definitive D-day movie.More modern accounts such as Saving Private Ryan are morevividly realistic, but producer Darryl F. Zanuck's epic 1962 account isthe only one to attempt the daunting task of covering that fateful dayfrom all perspectives. From the German high command and front-lineofficers to the French Resistance and all the key Allied participants,the screenplay by Cornelius Ryan, based on his own authoritative book, is as factuallyaccurate as possible. The endless parade of stars (John Wayne, HenryFonda, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, and Richard Burton, to name a few)makes for an uneasy mix of verisimilitude and Hollywood star-power,however, and the film falls a little flat for too much of its three-hour running time. But the set-piece battles are still spectacular, andif the landings on Omaha Beach lack the graphic gore of PrivateRyan they nonetheless show the sheer scale and audacity of theinvasion. --Mark Walker ... Read more

Reviews (131)

Comparisons are inevitable; they're also unhelpful
The comparisons are of course between THE LONGEST DAY and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. The only similarities are: both movies depict the allied landings at Normandy on D-Day, they are tributes to the servicemen of WWII, and most importantly, both are good movies. That said, general comparisons are unhelpful because the realism that made Spielberg's movie so memorable is totally absent from THE LONGEST DAY; for two very good reasons: (1) technically, the capability was unavailable in 1962 and (2) morally, that level of graphic violence would have been unacceptable. Also, Mr Zanuck, as director, did not want to make bloody messes of his numerous stars.

Realism aside, on its own merits THE LONGEST DAY is a tribute that has stood the test of time. The huge collection of stars (over 40) and the near 3 hour length qualifies it as epic. On an emotional level, it is a patriotic salute to the soldiers who went ashore. With a scope larger than Omaha beach, the focus is not exclusively American; the movie depicts the role of the British, and other allied troops, as well as the work of the French resistance. German dialogue is subtitled to add some realism. Perhaps the best aspect of the movie is that as an adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's book of the same name, it is based on a historically accurate account of the battle.

For realism, patriotism, and a sentimental heroic story, only partially based on real events of D-Day, watch SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. For an old fashioned, "clean" war movie based on history with good acting (Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, John Wayne, Curt Jurgens) watch THE LONGEST DAY. Better yet, view both, just don't spoil the experience with a lot of comparisons.

The Longest View
Unlike Saving Private Ryan, The Longest Day was filmed to dramatize the true, unfolding story of the invasion of France beginning several days before the invasion, which was documented for all time by journalist Cornelius Ryan. Ryan did something few historians have successfully accomplished since the end of the war. He compiled thousands of interviews and wrote a realistic account of the invasion which reads like a suspense and action novel. The movie seeks to combine many characters taken from Ryan's book, and is therefore fiction as well as history, but it is masterfully done and is otherwise true to history. Stereotypes of incompetent German officers and troops, so common in film and television of the early 1960's was not a problem in this movie, nor is the graphic violence of Private Ryan observable. The true story is the focus of the movie, and it was made primarily for veterans who had seen the real violence and had fought tough, intellegent and brave Germans, and had no need to be reminded of those horrors. They did have a desire to see their sacrifices and trials acknowledged alongside the background of historical context. It is a gripping movie. A side note for those who might want to compare The Longest Day with Saving Private Ryan. These should compliment each other, not be compared with each other. The audience for The Longest Day was primarily the veterans, their peers and children. The audience or Saving Private Ryan is primarily the grandchildren of the veterans, young people who are in the main, quite ignorant of history. There is no doubt that Saving Private Ryan is more accurate a portayal of historical American and German weapons and villages, but this was not even attempted in the Longest Day. If you will read The Longest Day before watching Saving Private Ryan, you will see that the sites and sounds remembered by many of the interviewed veterans who were at Omaha and Utah beaches somehow happened at the same time and place in Saving Private Ryan. That makes Saving Private Ryan as inaccurate for what it shows, as is The Longest Day, for what it doesn't show. Both movies are excellent, and both are moving.

IT HAS NOT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME
Director Darryl F. Zanuck tried his best with the technical resources at his dispostition at the time and using the narrative standar for epic movies of that time. But watching this movie today is a really act of courage. It drags and drags, the three hours seem to never end. Also, even if they tried to give a view of the global situation, they failed miserably.

The movie is an endless sequence of shell and fire sounds, a really pain. I simply don't like the movie, although I understand what they tried to do.

Only a Partial View of D-Day and Operation Overlord
Although this film is certainly worth watching, the viewer who has little idea of what Operation Overlord was about won't learn very much about it. Of course, we see many examples of heroism, but so much was left out that one can easily get a distorted view of things.
(1) Contrary to the impression that the Hollywood movie industry gives, the Americans and British did not defeat Germany alone. Three-quarters of the strength of the German Wehrmacht was destroyed by the Soviet Union. I realize that this film was made a the height of the cold war, but still some mention should have been made of their contribution to victory.
(2) The most impressive part of Overlord were the meticulous preparations made. Some mention of it was made, but more of it should have been shown, such as the various special weapons and ships that were made to ease the assault on the fortified beaches. Archive film could have been easily procured to show the various devices used to clear mine fields and barbed wire.
Most crucial was the development of the "Mulberry" artificial ports.
(3) This film used several Germans as advisors such as Blumentritt who were in the Wehrmacht High Command. They use this film as a vehicle for pushing the now largely discredited line that "if only Hitler had let the Generals run the war, they would have won it for him", and the also the myth that they opposed Hitler and held nothing but contempt for him (von Rundstedt calls Hitler "that Bohemian Corporal" in the film). In reality they were all very loyal to him and they really strongly supported him and his criminal policies when they were winning the war.
(4) The importance of the deception campaign making the Germans think the assault will be at the Pas de Calais and not a Normandy was very important and continued even after the landing on D-Day to make the Germans think Normandy was just a diversion.
This was not mentioned. A whole "virtual army" was created with fake radio traffic opposite Calais. This could have been shown as well.
(5) Although I have nothing personal against the man, John Wayne is a very poor actor and I have no idea where he got his reputation as one of Hollywood's leading men!

The Longest Movie
I watched on June 6th 2004 "The Longest Day" to learn about D-Day June 6th in 1944. In general it was a painfully boring movie. I accomplished my goal of learning about D-Day, but it was at a cost of wasting about three hours of my life. It is my belief that this story could have been told in one and a half hours instead of three. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As another entry in the video-game-to-movie genre, Alone in the Dark certainly delivers in terms of its splattering gore and number of things that get shot or blown up with the kind of arsenal familiar to any fan of games that allow the player to shoot or blow things up. You could argue that some game-based movies have been big successes--gauged either by audience appeal or box office scores. Even though a lot of hardcore gamers probably won't care, Alone in the Dark is not of that ilk. At least the Resident Evil and Tomb Raider series had some interesting characters and locations (not to mention sexy stars). But Alone in the Dark is crippled from the first by a mundane setting of caves, laboratories, and street-fighting backgrounds as well as a cast (including Christian Slater, Stephen Dorff, and Tara Reid) that couldn't be less interested in the overly complex plot. The absurdity starts right away with a long expository pre-title text crawl that carries all the gravitas of a "Monty Python" sketch intro. The gist of the plot has a group of scientists, special-ops military guys, and paranormal freaks and geeks investigating evil creatures that were once harnessed by an extinct subset race of Native Americans. Unleashed again, the creatures must be destroyed, which is where the video game blasting and attendant gore comes into play. Considering the cult following the game series carries (the first installment is over a decade old), Alone in the Dark could find a nice little life on DVD, but theater-goers might discover the title's a little too literal. --Ted Fry ... Read more

Reviews (67)

crap
Things blew up, there was blood and aliens or something...fortunately, Tara Reid remained scantily clad for the majority of this film...other than that I have no idea what the point of this movie was. Plot hung on by a dangling thread, and was pretty much left unresolved, i guess. Please for the love of God, don't spend money on this, please. I'm telling you this for your own benefit. Do something more constructive with your money. Buy your girl something nice, take your mom out to lunch. Whatever you choose, i'm sure it will go towards something a little more worthwhile than this. 'Nuff said...Christ.

Great Plot - so-so acting - low budget=Coulda Been Better!
The overall plot and storyline were pretty good.Somewhat reminiscent of something like the movie Stargate or The Mummy.

The plot in a quick word, is this:In 1967, mine workers discovered artifacts attributing to an ancient Native American Civilization called the Abkani.The Abkani believed there were two worlds on this planet..one of light and one of darkness.To the darkness there was a door, and if that door was opened, something evil would slip through.

The Abkani abrubtly ceased to exist.Literally wiped off the face of the earth, overnight.

From there we have some artifact hunting that leads to clues (think National Treasure LITE) to a puzzle that when pieced together, solves the mystery of their disappearance..or very well opens a door for the disappearance of the human race!

As said before, I think the overall plotline and story are really good.I can see this movie actually being great with say, Jerry Bruckheimer directing it.Lots of action scenes and intense fighting, some histories mysteries, a little Alien/Predator feel to it as well.

Now for the cons, as other reviewers have also noted:Tara Reid did not help this movie.We needed someone who was exhilirating, realistic, and witty.For whatever reason, this role did not fit her.I could see Claire Daines in this role or perhaps Bridget Moynahan, but they probably cost to much payroll wise.

I thought Christian Slater did a decent job as well as Stephen Dorff.This movie is one of those that tried to work with the budget it had, and didn't do a terrible job.There are so many things in this movie that just didn't quite tie together, and I don't mean it didn't make sense, I mean there was a lot to the story and some better cast actors and better directing would have made it much more "solid" than "disconnected".We needed a Morgan Freeman...We needed a Donald Sutherland...

Overall it's okay, but I do feel it's much better than some of the lower budget movies out there on the shelf.The overall cinematic feel is good as well as the pace of the movie, the mystery, and the suspense.As said before, we needed Claire Daines...An Eric Bana...Perhaps Barry Pepper...

No video game story here.Only characters used.
This "Alone In The Dark" is based upon the video game series (1996-2001) beginning with "Alone In The Dark: One Eyed Jack's Revenge" (by Kokopeli) to "Alone In The Dark 4: The New Nightmare" (by Darkworks/Infogrames).
This story is meant to take place after "Alone In The Dark 4: The New Nightmare".The elements in the developing 5th game of the series were used in this film, however the video game was not ready at time of film's release. The video game, "Alone In The Dark 5" will be released in early 2006.
If you are unfamilar with "Alone In The Dark", I recommend you purchase "Alone In The Dark 4: The New Nightmare".
A stone begins to glow and a crate is opened by theives.We see some people doing very ordinary things in their home, but suddenly they drop whatever thay are doing and leave out the door.Nineteen people are now "missing" and the only clue Edward Carnby (Christian Slater) has is all the missing people were in the same orphanage he was in.Edward teams up with Aline Cedrac (Tara Reid) who works for a museum.They have teamed up bewfore during other adventures.They also have monsters to deal with.The missing people have become zombie-like and they have a larve attached to their spinal cord.Edward Carnby just found out he has a larve inside of him too, but he was electrocuted when he was young, so the larve is dead.
Easter Egg: Scroll down the "Special Features".Use the left/right button instead.As you slowly get to Trailer Gallery and then to Main Menu (may have to do this a second time), an outtake of Slater scaring Reid in bed is shown.

To make this film more fun to watch, in "Special Features", go to the "Trivia Track".You can turn this feature "On" for interesting facts while you watch the film.However, the blue seal that contains the trivia information is difficult to see.They should have used the color yellow.
Also in "Set Up", there is audio commentary with Director Uwe Boll.
You can play "Trivia Track" and audio commentary at the same time.

Alone In The Toilet
Once again the worst director in the world, Uwe Boll, delivers to us another log from the turd factory.Following up his previous crapfest 'House Of The Dead' is this film, 'Alone In The Dark'.And once again, he sodomizes us with one of the worst film ever put to celluloid.

Probably my favorite thing about Boll is his complete disregard for continuity or coherent story, and he desregards both in spades in 'Alone In The Dark'.There is no thread of a plot in this film's running time.Nothing makes any sense.People show up randomly to places that you have no idea why they are there.The special effects are marginally better than a completely low budget flick.The action scenes are absolutely pathetic.The acting is pathetic:Tara Reid is the worst scientist ever, Christian Slater is completely lame(any one who says here that he did the only good acting in this film is insane), and Stephen Dorff rocks a mullet.

Put in plain english:this movie is crap in its purest form.Now, while 'Alone In The Dark' is not quite as crappy as 'House Of The Dead', don't be fooled into thinking its better.It isn't.It just sucks in a slightly different way.Uwe Boll has tried to make a putrid pile of a film and he has truly done the job...again.Avoid this film like it is an infected turd.A little piece of you will die if you watch it.

On a sidenote, Boll is set to direct 'Bloodrayne', which be be his third straight film based on a video game.I'm sure it will suck too.

Horrible, horrible film with the most awkward sex scene ever
I remember reading all the horrible, horrible reviews for this film when it came out. I meant to go see how horrible it was but it was out of theatres in three weeks. The only other movie to manage that is Gigli.

When the movie came out on DVD, I bought it to see how awful it was. I couldn't think of the sheer horrorible attention that this film was getting was possible. After seeing it, I can understand.

First off, let me say that this film is not without some cool shots. There's a nice shot at the beginning that shows a bullet being fired from inside the gun, which I thought was neat. And the way the monsters in this movie die is sort of cool to look at; but it gets old after the first time you see it.

Let me start with the worst thing in this movie: Tara Reid. If bad acting was a sin, then Hell would've chucked Tara Reid right out since she's so unbelievably awful in this movie it's unthinkable. And of all the roles, she plays a curator. Now if she played a dumb, empty-headed sex toy then maybe I might be able to forgive her for how she treats her character. Apparently, Uwe Boll didn't realize that, although he did seem to think that if she took off her shirt in the movie, people would see it. He just didn't realize that making her do that in the middle of the film at the absolute wrong moment just made the movie even more hilariously bad. And is that a mexican song or something during the scene of dry humping? I couldn't tell.

Which brings me to my next complaint: Uwe Boll shows off some of the worst directing skills you'll ever see in a movie. I mean, I'd give House of the Dead an F (and I only do that for very few movies) but HotD would score at least a B compared to this screwed up piece of junk. The movie starts off with a very, very long narration that causes immediate confusion (and read by a horrible narrarator) and from there, the cuts are really, really dumb. There's this one point where Slater and Reid are looking around a building that's been destroyed and the screen blackens out. When it comes back, Slater and Reid are shotting everywhere and suddenly, an entire army has joined them. Huh?

And someone did NOT bother checking the mistakes in this movie. At one point, a team breaks through glass, but the glass breaks before they touch it. Tara Reid's earrings switch colors in the middle of one scene and after Slater walks away from a dead commrade, you can see her begin to get up.

As for the story... I was really lost. Something about an old tribe releasing darkness and someone "opens the path" or something and all the evil monsters pop out. It's just an excuse to have a lot of gun scenes (the technology is so advanced here that no character ever needs to reload in this film) that get, quite simply, BORING.

I bought this movie hoping to laugh at how incredibly stupid it was. I didn't laugh, but I still think it's stupid. Very, very, very stupid. ... Read more

Reviews (77)

A classic
I don't want to make a bigger deal out of this movie than it deserves. It's not a world-changer and the ending is a bit predictable, but it is a wonderful and charming coming of age story and an honest look at small-town America. And cycling and Italians play central roles -- a plus for an American cyclist living in Italy, like me.

But having an affinity for things Italian or for bike racing is not necessary in order to enjoy this 25-year-old classic. What is necessary is an appreciation for small things and memories about the mysterious period between adolescence and adulthood. If that describes you, then chances are you'll enjoy this touching film.

Amid the praise I should say that the DVD package is only average: the original trailer and teaser are there, but it would have been nice to have some commentary from director Peter Yates, some of the actors, or from critics who were fans of the film. A "Making of Breaking Away" mini feature would have also been a welcome addition.

One note: Breaking Away is a very American film, and so I'm not so sure how much of it will hit home with foreign viewers.

Inspiring Coming-of-Age Quirky Heartwarming Film
This is the story of four boys who have just finished high school and who live in Bloomington, Indiana. They are trying to figure out who they are and who they could be. They run up against the animosity of the college kids who look down upon the townies or "Cutters" (Bloomington is also a rock quarrying town) as inherently inferior.

The main character is irrepressible Dave Stohler (Dennis Christopher) who decides that he wants to be an Italian international bicycle racing star, even though he has never been out of his home town and doesn't happen to be Italian. He pours himself into the role of becoming Italian and becoming a star-quality cyclist. His loving parents are bewildered and worry if their son will ever be normal. He doesn't want to be normal; he wants to be outstanding.

This movie does a wonderful job of blending comedy, character development, and action. After watching it, you feel like you were there and you knew these people. I was inspired by this film to look for other Dennis Christopher movies (e.g., "California Dreaming") but none even approached this one. "Breaking Away", with the multiple meanings to its title, is one of the most likable movies I've ever seen. A great pick-me-up if you're down in the dumps.

Remember Being 18? You Will...
Watching "Breaking Away" is like visiting an old buddy in a familiar town. The film is about four friends who have graduated high school and aren't quite sure whether to embrace adulthood and the future or to shun it and cling instead to their childhood identities and each other. There is a great deal of warmth and gentle humor throughout the film, and the performances are winning.

Mike (Dennis Quaid), the leader of the group, clings to his friends as reminders of his days as high school quarterback and fears they will prove to be his best. Moocher is eager for adulthood and is planning to marry his girlfriend. The only problem is he cannot keep a job! Cyril (Daniel Stern) is resigned to the fact he may never leave Bloomington, but remains buoyant regardless. Dave Stohler is the main character, he knows exactly what he wants to be, an Italian Cyclist. There is only one problem- he isn't Italian! Dave learns through a young woman he meets and eventually through his father that simply being Dave is more than good enough, and that he must embrace his natural talents and the future. There have been countless "coming of age" pictures, but this one is the most enjoyable!

DVD: The production values of the DVD leave something to be desired and therefore I only give the product 4 stars. The lack of 5.1 surround is a disappointment, as well as the quality of the video. A commentary track featuring the four leads would have been an interesting addition. The only extras are a couple of trailers.

Wide appeal.
This film has wide appeal. At the outset it really seems to be one of those movies that were made specifically to cater to rising trends of the times -- in this case, the bike boom of the early 70's. And yet, even though our protagonist rides a Masi, this film has few things in common with other flicks like Torque, The Fast and the Furious, Top Gun, Wildstyle, Quicksilver and others that feebly attempt to elevate their respective scenes to almost mythical underground status by building stories and jargon completely around the sport or subject itself. Initially I watched Breaking Away because I was into bicycles. But bicycles in this movie surprisingly take somewhat of a backseat in relation to its main thrust; this film could be said to be not just about coming of age in small town America but more about taking pride in your own cultural identity while finding the courage to pursue your own dreams. And however cliche it might sound, the struggle is a real one, especially concerning the 'vicious cycle' that exists in our supposedly classless American society. And this I think, has a far more timeless appeal than a kid going around thinking he's a professional italian cyclist, however charming it may seem.

A classic
A sleeper that made the grade and graduated into the realms of Classic Flicks, Breaking Away is one of those wonderfully uplifting and subtly patriotic movies that champions small-town America. Steve Tesich won the screenplay Oscar for this semi-biographical story about four 19yo kids who can't quite decide what to do with themselves after high school. They live in Bloomington, Indiana, where the guys from the university look down on the townies and make derogatory comments about their rock quarrying forebears. One of them drifts, then runs, into the world of Italian bicycling, much to his used-car-salesman father's dismay and embarrassment.
You'll feel yourself pulled into rising excitement as the marvelous finale hoves into view, and, though sorry to see the film end, you'll hit the rewind button with a big smile on your face. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After her long and wholesome run as America's Sweetheart, Doris Day quit movies with this well-scrubbed picture. With Six You Get Eggroll--oof, what a title--caught the wave of blended-family comedies, coming just after Yours, Mine and Ours and just before TV's The Brady Bunch. Doris has three sons, and new beau Brian Keith has an 18-year-old daughter (the still-baby-faced Barbara Hershey). It's family-friendly sitcom stuff, with both Day and Keith doing their comfortable, patented thing; when the two of them are onscreen together it's like watching a couple of old sweaters mate. This one is straight formula for fans only, although connoisseurs of camp will enjoy the whiff of Aquarius in the otherwise square proceedings (it was 1968, after all) when Doris goes to a nightclub where the Grass Roots are playing. There's also a hippie gang (featuring Jamie Farr and William Christopher, before M*A*S*H) with ponchos and love beads. The times they were a-changin', and kudos to Day for bowing out gracefully. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (23)

JUST DESSERTS
Doris! The perky big band singer of whom Oscar Levant once quipped "I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin." I thought back to my visit to Carmel, California, a few years ago, where I dropped by the golf course to glimpse her house ...briefly visible from hole three. (Listen real carefully and you can hear her dogs barking.) I thought back to my beloved Great Dane, she with the baby blue eyes --- was named in honor of Doris, though Dory (for short) was actually named by the breeder from whom I purchased the 186-pound beauty.
And I thought back to the first (and only time) I had chatted with Doris Day. It was the January 28, 1986 --- the day the Challenger had exploded, killing her seven crew members (including Sharon Christa McAuliffe, America's first teacher in space), 73 seconds after launch.
I called Doris at her Carmel, California, home, and was in tears.
"Can you believe what happened," she asked her voice muffled and mournful. "I am so shocked. Those poor men and women. Their families ... the children ..." The tears flowed freely for several minutes. She cried. I cried. We both cried. This, I thought between tears, is going to be some challenge.
After a few minutes, she sniffled one last time. And so we began to chat about her life and loves and long career --- Doris was starting a new talk show, and Rock Hudson --- then so deadly sick with the AIDS virus --- was the first guest), her films, her music and of course, her animals. She told me how she cooked her own dog food, steaming rice and boiling chopped beef, then skimming off the fat, before blending in freshly cooked vegetables and a hint of spice. At the end of the conversation, I was salivating and ready to drop to all fours and beg for a taste.
As luck would have it, I am not the only one thinking about Doris Day these days. Paramount Home Video has just released Teacher's Pet, the 1958 comedy in which Clark Gable stars as a hard-nosed newspaperman who's smitten with journalism teacher DD. Not a great film --- gee, did Gable really so badly? --- though the title song is super, as is Mamie van Doren, as Gable's galpal who sings "The Girl Who Invented Rock and Roll." A better flick is Day's last one: With Six You Get Eggroll, also from Paramount Home Video,the 1968 blended family comedy, with Day solidly supported by Pat Carroll, as well as Alice Ghostley, George Carlin, Barbara Hershey, Jamie Farr and the once-hot rock group, The Grass Roots.
Warner Home Video has just released the box set, Doris Day Collection, a slipcased collectible featuring six new-to-DVD titles: Young Man With a Horn (1950), Lullaby of Broadway (1951), Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1962), The Glass Bottom Boat (1966) and newly restored versions of Love Me Or Leave Me (1955) and Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962)--- both of which feature new Dolby Digital soundtracks making Doris seem as fresh as, well, a new Day; along with Calamity Jane (1953) and The Pajama Game (1957), both of which have been repackaged for this collection. All the discs are packed with bonus features, including vintage shorts (including two starring Ruth Etting, whom Day portrays in Love Me or Leave Me), featurettes, cartoons and trailers.
But the best is saved for last. On June 28, MPI Media Group unveils the long-awaited The Doris Day Show: Season 1, the heart-warming comedy series that ran on CBS from 1968-1973. This was Day's TV series debut, and she proved that her big-screen likeability transferred, quite well thank you, to the small screen ... even if some of closer-ups seem a bit too gauzy for our tastes. Day played Doris Martin, a widowed mother who leaves the city to raise her two young sons on the Mill Valley, California farm of her father Buck, played by Dukes of Hazzard icon Denver Pyle. The four-disc box set includes all 28 original episodes from the show's first season, as well as never-before-seen bonus material.The bonuses offer additional insight into Day's warm, off-screen persona: there are TV promos and messages to network affiliates, as well as her two appearances as the "mystery guest" on What's My Line --- the first spot, from 1954, marked Day's TV debut, and her attempts to disguise her voice through a series of hi-pitched squeaks is a sheer delight.

I love love love love love love this movie!
As far as the '60s blended family sub-genre goes, this one is the best. You have bratty, angry step-kids, a married couple who actually seems hot for each other, and a goofy car chase. Great silly and sweet family comedy. I'd like some plum sauce, please.

Excellent DVD of Day's Last Film
Paramount has done a great job on this DVD.The picture quality is excellent with a very sharp transfer and bright vivid colors.The sound has been remixed into a vibrant 5.1 mix, which a very nice touch.And all for a very nice price. After years of grainy, faded videos, this DVD is the ONLY way to see this funny, family comedy.

this is MY life!
as a mom of many, i can relate. i love this movie. love Doris Day. i love the old days when a movie didn't have all the swearing and nudity and violience like now a days. i love swearing, nudity and violence - but there is just something refreshing about not haveing it, and not being tence through a whole movie waiting to be assulted. know what i mean?
this movie is kind of like the Lucile Ball movie "your's mine and ours" with less kids. so, if you liked that one - you'll like this one. and this one does have some really great stuff. funny!!!

Inspiration for The Brady Bunch...
This film was Doris's last ever feature film, released in 1968 and is also said to have inspired the TV sitcom, The Brady Bunch. Not one of her best pictures but cute none the less.

In it, all hell breaks loose between the children of two families, when their widowed parents, Jake Iverson (Brian Keith) and Abby McClure (Doris Day), both start dating and plan to marry. Incidentally, this picture was also the debut for actress Barbara Hershey (from Beaches). ... Read more

Description

The Academy Award winner for Best Original Screenplay, Gosford Park is a whodunit as only director Robert Altman could do it.As a hunting party gathers at the country estate, no one is aware that before the weekend is over, someone will be murdered - twice!The police are baffled but the all-seeing, all-hearing servants know that almost everyone had a motive.
This critically-acclaimed murder mystery features a who's who of celebrated actors.With a diverse cast of characters - all with something to hide - it'll keep you guessing right to the surprising end.Gosford Park proves that murder can be such an inconvenience. ... Read more

Reviews (343)

Not for 14 year old boys?
While taking all those guided tours through cavernous estate houses in England and Ireland (and even a few on the north shore of Long Island), I always wondered what it was like to live that lifestyle. But of course, walking around those still houses doesn't really tell you about the people who lived there anymore than a stage tells you about its actors. However, Gosford Park was a great way to fill in those blanks. The way it pulls you into the world of 1930's English high society and all its pretense and hypocrisy is great. This movie definitely enlivened my understanding of class in old European societies.

The reason Gosford Park has such great insight is the film's screenwriter, Julian Fellows who himself grew up as part of the English aristocracy. Much of what makes this film fun is the idiosyncrasies of its characters and their world that Fellows has personal experience with. A maid and driver stand in the pouring rain until their mistress gets in the car. Servants only refer to each other by their master's name, and they maintain the same hierarchy as their masters so that a duke's servant is treated better by other servants than a baron's. Only married women are allowed to have breakfast in bed; unmarried women must go to the dining room. What a strange world they lived in, especially to someone like me who grew up in a middle class New York neighborhood.

The spine of Gosford Park is, without question, NOT the murder mystery. In fact, the murder mystery plot is about 5% of the movie-if that. It's what's known in film lingo as a McGuffin, a device that helps propel the plot in a story but is of little importance in itself. If a viewer turns to the murder mystery plot for what this movie is all about, they will most likely be sorely disappointed, seemingly like many of the negative reviewers here were.

The key to enjoying this movie is to think about what it's like to live in a society that is extremely oriented by class. What must it take to keep it going? As I alluded earlier, pretense and hypocrisy grease the gears of high society. From scene to scene, we peep around corners and into bedrooms to see characters trying to hide one secret or another. And in the end, we see the unpleasant consequences of this duplicity.

This is definitely not a film that lays out its purpose before the audience. Since the almost 60 characters (for a chuckle, look under product details above for the colossal cast list) each add something unique to the larger picture, and since the audience is usually only told something once, you definitely have to be your own detective. However, Julian Fellows does a brilliant job interweaving these characters into a solid whole, and he definitely deserves the Oscar he received for the screenplay.

Since this is a complex and subtle film, multiple viewings are helpful, but unlike some other reviewers, this is something I really enjoyed. Like a good album, each time with it reveals another layer and increases your appreciation. Robert Altman, the director, says in his DVD commentary (which was boring except for a few insights, but Julian Fellow's commentary was excellent) that the film is "like looking in through the windows of a house, you only get part of the picture at a time." I think this analogy fits nicely, especially since the film is set in a house. Altman also acknowledges what some of the negative reviewers complain about, saying he meant the audience to be left wondering after the first viewing. He didn't intend this movie for the "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" set. In fact, Altman went out of his way to insert curse words, guaranteeing an R rating so that "14 year old boys couldn't walk off the street and watch it."

And of course, last but not least, the acting was great. Gosford Park has an excellent ensemble cast with not a single weak link. Maggie Smith as the snobbish Aunt makes you smile; Kelly MacDonald as the Aunt's young, innocent maid makes you want to give her a big wet kiss (maybe that's just me); and Clive Owen's cool restraint as a mysterious footman keeps you following him around the screen.

All through, Gosford Park is a movie very well done.

Buy this DVD and watch it again and again....
because you miss most of the film the first time around!

On the surface this appears to be a very formulistic murder mystery. It has the classic setting, 1930's period, an isolated English manor house filled with guests for a weekend shooting party, and all of the servants both resident and visiting. Everybody has secrets, the tension is so thick it could be cut with a knife and there is conveniently one missing from the kitchen. For more than half the film we see motives offered and wait for the murder and yet after it occurs it becomes evident that this is NOT a murder mystery at all!

The film has been compared to Upstairs Downstairs and it does involve the lives of those both above and below stairs, but it is much more than that. The various stories are added layer by layer some, such as the imposter in the servants' hall are obvious while others like the secret abortion are only alluded in a couple of lines. The various stories are, while interesting, not really the point of the film either. This is a beautifully drawn portrait of a way of life that is long gone and will probably never return. Almost everyone has read about or seen depictions of English Country Life in the '20's and '30's. It is a setting that has been used in drama, comedy, romance and of course mystery genres for years but Gosford Park makes it clear that we have only the faintest ideas of what that life was really like. The genius of this film is that it takes all the information that could have been spread out in a PBS documentary series and used fiction to illustrate the same points in a much more effective and enjoyable way.

The cast is huge and filled with actors, both well known and soon to be well known. No one is given such a large role that it becomes their film and yet each performer manages to turn their scenes into a polished little gem.

The extras included in the DVD are wonderful. They include deleted scenes (with commentary), features on the making of, and authenticity of the movies as well as Q & A with cast and filmakers. The best of the extras by far are the commentaries with the director, Robert Altman and screenwriter, Julian Oscar.

I highly recommend the purchase (as opposed to the renting) of this film. It is so packed with detail that it would be impossible to absorb it all in just one or two viewings.

"Nothing's more exhausting than breaking in a lady's maid."
The upperclass friends and relations of Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) arrive at his country house for a weekend of shooting, accompanied by maids, footmen, and valets, all of whom will be staying under one roof. Sir William is a mean-spirited and self-centered old man, married to a much younger, emotionally distant wife (Kristin Scott Thomas), with many family members dependent upon his continuing largesse. The hilariously waspish Countess of Trentham (Maggie Smith), who believes she has a lifetime stipend, arrives with young Mary Maceachran (Kelly MacDonald), who is trying valiantly to become a good lady's maid. Ivor Novello (Jeremy Northam), a Hollywood star, and Morris Weissman (Bob Balaban), a producer of Charlie Chan movies, are the only guests without aristocratic backgrounds and inherited privilege. The atmosphere of the house, filled with venomous "friends" and relations, soon becomes even more poisonous.

The "below stairs" lives of the servants are also fully revealed, as they share living quarters, eat meals together, tend to the laundry and cooking, and gossip about their employers. The butler Jennings (Alan Bates) and the head housekeeper (Helen Mirren) run the household and try to guarantee that no real-world cares will intrude upon the lives of their employers. Since "upstairs" and "downstairs" occasionally meet very privately at night, secrets abound, many of them secrets of long standing. When Sir William is poisoned and stabbed ("Trust Sir William to be murdered twice"), nearly everyone has a motive for wanting him dead.

For director Robert Altman, the primary focus of the film is on the characters, their way of life, and their values, with the murder mystery secondary. Set in late November, the end of the year 1932, the action takes place when this secure aristocratic lifestyle is also nearing its end, something that the arrival of the newly rich Hollywood characters, Novello and Weissman, illustrates. Dramatic cinematography (by Andrew Dunn) emphasizes the cold and rainy dreariness of the weekend, and suggests parallels with the coldness of the dying aristocracy.

Interior shots reveal the contrasts between the elegant and mannered lives of the "upstairs" characters and the hardworking daily lives of the "downstairs" characters, who adhere to their own rigid social codes. Every detail rings true, and as the characters' lives and interrelationships are revealed obliquely in brief snippets of seemingly unrelated conversations, a broad picture of the upstairs and downstairs lifestyles gradually emerges. Fully developed, many-leveled, wonderfully acted, often funny, and impeccably directed and filmed, this is a film one can watch again and again with delight. Mary Whipple

The Triumph of the Tried and True... a la Robert Altman!
GOSFORD PARK is an enchanting movie on every level and should please even the most discerning audience. Quite unexpectedly, Robert Altman has thoroughly researched the Agatha Christie murder mystery-type stories, the archetypical British mystery/drawing room genre, and (more important) the stuffy and unbelievable class disparities of olde England and has produced a stylish, smart, lushly beautiful recreation of England in the 1930s. The settings are elegant - a mansion/castle where the 'haves' and their lowly servants carry on their lives as though 'to the manner born'. Blessed with a dream cast that includes nearly all of the greats of the British acting school, Altman has given plumb roles to Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Eileen Atkins, Emily Watson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Stephen Fry, Michael Gambon, Jeremy Northam, James Wilby, Alan Bates, and Derek Jacobi. The story is an interesting murder mystery but it merely serves as the matrix upon which these fine actors, writer, cinematographer and director capably flaunt their skills. This movie is Delicious! It is so fine that it bears repeated viewings just to make sure you catch all the innuendoes and rapid, superb double entendres encased in this bit of magic. Altman devotees will not be disappointed and those who are not fond of the eccentric director's previous films are bound to be won over to the genius of Robert Altman.

Upstairs, downstairs, cold stares
No matter how many actors, including bankable stars, appear in a Robert Altman movie, it seems to be about Altman. He has an individual, if by now familiar, style of filmmaking that is always calling attention to itself. That style includes very fluid camera movement, quick-cut editing, and a good deal of dialogue that is covered by other dialogue or sounds distant. We are meant to be awed by the spontaneity and naturalism of it all.

Apparently many people are impressed by this mannerism and consider it a sign of artistry. On the whole, I find it pretentious and irritating. In one of the supplementary features on the DVD, Altman, his screenwriter and a handful of the actors from Gosford Park are interviewed in front of a studio audience. Altman and the writer rattle on about how every scene is shot by two cameras that are always in motion, so that the actors are never sure whether they are going to be foreground or atmosphere, or what angle they'll be seen from. Does Altman really think he invented the idea of shooting a scene from multiple angles, and choosing one during editing? And why is a camera that's gliding and panning constantly somehow more "truthful" than one that's framing the character or group that the director believes is most essential to telling the story at that moment?

It can be said in Altman's favor, though, that he never makes a merely conventional or routine film; they are all a bit eccentric (a compliment in my book) and, despite my reservations about the camera and sound-recording style, usually offer a fresh view of the theme or its environment. Gosford Park is your standard Agatha Christie-style murder mystery set among a dinner-jacketed, evening-gowned crowd in an English manor house in 1932 -- except, in this case, the doings of the upper crust are set against the army of servants below stairs who work their tails off to make everything straight, gleaming and smooth for their social betters.

Altman and his screenwriter Julian Fellows do a very creditable and humane job of conveying the personalities and individuality of the servants; they aren't just symbols of The Oppressed. The characters of the gentry, though, while ably portrayed (the acting talent makes sure of that), are almost universally so sour, rude and calculating that it's hard not to feel that there's a touch of old-fashioned, left-wing agit-prop involved. (The one exception is Jeremy Northam, who plays Ivor Novello -- a real singer and film star of the period -- with considerable charm.) I can believe that an assembly of English bluebloods in that era might have carried within themselves much wickedness, but they would have been far too polished to display it as openly and crudely as they do in Gosford Park.

Altman recruited a clutch of A-list British stage and film actors, and they don't fail him. Altman's casual attitude toward the basics of craftsmanship (as opposed to displaying his self-assumed creative genius) ensures that you will be lucky to figure out who half the characters are and their relationships with one another by the time of the denouement, but their cultivated swinishness holds the attention anyway. I think actors love playing obnoxious and unlikeable characters; these seem to be enjoying their roles, and you will, too.

The English have a term, "curate's egg." The meaning is, "parts of it are very good." ... Read more

Reviews (1707)

Titanic Triumphs Over Sinking Feeling
James Cameron's 1997 Titanic is, of course, the biggest box office hit of all time, edging out such blockbuster films as E.T., Star Wars, and Jurassic Park for that title. This film, with its tale of star-crossed lovers Rose and Jack intertwined with the real-life tragedy of the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic, won 11 Academy Awards and the loyalty of its millions of fans.
In 1997, though, no one involved in its making (except maybe the determined Cameron himself) believed this movie would float to box office glory. It was so ambitious and so expensive that not one but two studios (Paramount and 20th Century Fox) financed it, splitting the distribution rights and spending over $200,000,000 to recreate the fatal maiden voyage of the 1912 world's largest ocean liner. Yet Cameron, who had previously directed the first two Terminator movies, The Abyss, and True Lies, was proven correct when world-wide audiences embraced this touching and technically brilliant movie.
Yes, this first movie to reap $1 billion in box office gross did capture the hearts of millions of teenage girls who repeated screenings to see Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack Dawson woo Kate Winslet's feisty socialite (and soon-to-be-wed) Rose. And while many detractors scoff at this admittedly clichéd poor-boy-meets-rich-girl love story, it is exactly through this pairing that we get a feel for what it was like to travel at sea in those Gilded Era days before the First World War destroyed the old Europe forever.
This film has much going for it. It has, in addition to actual location shots of the real Titanic wreck (the minisub sequence is NOT special effects), a winsome couple, a classic mustache-twirling villain (Billy Zane) with the usual henchman (a menacing David Warner), a great supporting cast which includes Danny Nuccio, Bernard Fox (who used to guest star in TV series such as Hogan's Heroes and Bewitched), Kathy Bates, Bill Paxton (who has appeared in most of Cameron's movies) and Gloria Stuart (who plays the older Rose Dawson). Titanic also has a great musical score and incredible visuals: the sinking of the great liner is certainly realistic - even if the CGI effects are a bit artificial-looking. This picture certainly was difficult to make .... Thankfully, in spite of the media hype and negative publicity, Titanic proved to be a good and entertaining film. I recommend it to anyone who likes love stories or epic disaster films. This movie mixes both genres very well.

The Maiden Voyage
O.K. I'll admit it, while I'm usually not much for the sappy romantic films, James Cameron's Oscar winning epic Titanic is a very good movie. And I did see it more than once on the big screen.

An undersea expedition, led by explorer Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton), is searching for a valuable diamond aboard the wreckage of the Titanic. The team, instead finds a drawing of seventeen-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater, (Kate Winslet) who is on the way to her wedding to wealthy tycoon, Cal Hockley (Billy Zane). Now an old woman (Gloria Stuart) Rose tells her story of the fateful voyage to the team. While the ship races to meet its fate with an iceberg, Rose falls in love with Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) a free-spirited artist and third-class passenger who ignites a passion inside her.

The film itself is a technical marvel. Cameron and his crew recreated the ship and her history with such skill and percision that it's easy to go along for the ride. I liked the way the fictional story of Jack and Rose was interlaced with actual historical figures and facts. For example "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown (Kathy Bates), Captain Edward J. Smith (Bernard Hill), and shipbuilders J. Bruce Ismay (Jonathan Hyde) & Thomas Andrews (Victor Garber), all have a place within the love story. Speaking of which, for me, it's Stuart that sells the romance. Acting as "narrator", she makes it possible to care about these characters more than you would have otherwise. The chemistry between DiCaprio and Winslet is very apparent and Zane is pitch perfect as Cal. The sinking sequence is really something and no disaster film since has matched its scope.

As it stands right now, the DVD doesn't have any bonus material on it, save for the theatrical trailer. Enough time has passed that another edition is warranted. That said, the bare bones DVD is recomended. For some additiional perspective on the history of the disaster, I also suggest, James Cameron's documentary Ghosts Of The Abyss.

movie hits an expensive iceberg
this is my opinion should have its own category in the video store.by this i mean it should be under terrible movies that cost to much along with the day after tomorow.I think that this movie really did hit an iceberg and it was only popular because of its stars these stars i must add were not that great they were ok but nothing special.And i would rather shoot myself than hear another person singing my heart will go on.I really do not like this over expensive movie bu5 i suppose that thats just my opinion.

LOVE IT!
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORETE MOVIES OF ALL TIME!THE ONLY GROSS PART IS WHEN ROSE TAKES OF ALL HER CLOTHES!?YUCK!BUT ANYWAY,IT`S A GREAT AND ROMANTIC MOVIE!

build a bridge
titanic...The Movie....Is just that.
I enjoy the story, from that perspective.
I appreciate the effort to create a level of interest in such an event. Drama can attempt to capture, only you can respond!
In reading short 4-5star reviews, and Loooong 2-3star reviews, I believe the connection has been made, as planned! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Ocean's Eleven improves on 1960's Rat Pack original with supernova casting, a slickly updated plot, and Steven Soderbergh's graceful touch behind the camera. Soderbergh reportedly relished the opportunity "to make a movie that has no desire except to give pleasure from beginning to end," and he succeeds on those terms, blessed by the casting of George Clooney as Danny Ocean, the title role originated by Frank Sinatra. Fresh out of jail, Ocean masterminds a plot to steal $163 million from the seemingly impervious vault of Las Vegas's Bellagio casino, not just for the money but to win his ex-wife (Julia Roberts) back from the casino's ruthless owner (Andy Garcia). Soderbergh doesn't scrimp on the caper's comically intricate strategy, but he finds greater joy in assembling a stellar team (including Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Carl Reiner) and indulging their strengths as actors. The result is a film that's as smooth as a silk suit and just as stylish. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (510)

Shallow "Ocean" Needs More Depth.
Steven Soderbergh adds a stylishly slick film to his roster with this re-make of the 1960 rat-pack Frank Sinatra outing. ................ Although the cast was terrific, with dialogue sharply delivered by top billing box office stars, as well as veterans Carl Reiner and Elliot Gould in amusing roles, something is missing within. That something is true character development. Despite all the aforementioned positives, this missing element takes away a dimension from the story. Who are these people? Roberts was married to Clooney before he was sent to prison, but I couldn't find the emotion between them until the very end of the film. There didn't seem to be much fire between Roberts and Andy Garcia's elusive, cold and non-descript character either. Garcia is a favorite of mine, but he doesn't shine with his usual warm, emotional performance here. ................. Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt? I never really got a good idea of any of them. So, despite the fantastic ensemble cast, exciting Vegas atmosphere, intriguing premise and Soderbergh's expert direction, this "Ocean..." left me somewhat dry. ............... While "Ocean's 11" is a movie that will certainly entertain you fleetingly as you view it, the desired effect while we watch, it's not one I'd see again and again. There are films that you know you can view repeatedly without tiring of them, and then some where you say, once IS enough. In my opinion, "Ocean's 11" falls into the latter category. ................ For me, character development is an important factor that makes a film realistic and believable, but if it is not integral for your enjoyment, I would not hesitate to recommend you catch this wave once too, at least for the positives it DOES have going for it.

Take it on its own, it's a very good film.
George Clooney, Brat Pitt, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Don Cheadle, Elliott Gould, Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Edward Jemison and Shaobo Qin are all brought together in one of the best ensemble cast films I have seen in a long time. That takes care of Ocean's Eleven (Danny Ocean played by Clooney) but they are matched against Andy Garcia & Julia Roberts. Steve Soderbergh (Traffic; Sex, Lies & Videotape) directs a masterpiece of action/drama with some of the biggest names in the business.

The mystique of Vegas, the lure of cash and the romance of life make this a film for everyone. Great dialogue, excellent dramatic shots from Soderbergh and incredible acting by the entire cast put most other crime based movies to shame. Andy Garcia makes you hate him, you feel for George Clooney, but you also see the reasoning in Pitt's character and Reiner's performace is great too.

Anyway, if you enjoy the James Bond movies, the Mission Impossible movies, or any other fun action films, you should give Oceans 11 a chance. DO NOT base your viewing of this on the original Sinatra and the Rat Pack film. The only similarities are the ensemble cast, Vegas Casinos, money and the title of the movie. This is not a remake, it is a reinterpretation based loosely on the original script. At least give it one viewing, you may fall in love.

yet another example............
Hollywood has managed in this film to once again show
how really great it is to be a thief.....And they managed to use, in my estimation, the top worst to do it.
Clooney, who always portrays himself in no matter what role he takes...Pitt who walks thru his role like a zombie throwing in one liners to make it interesting???? And let's not forget the token female, Roberts, who I am still trying to figure out how she can be the most beautiful woman in the world, or is it one of the top five in the world? I forget......
The only redeeming thing about this film was the presence of Garcia and maybe the Las Vegas location. I have no plans to see the sequel as I am sure it will be more of the same humdrum
as this turkey was. To me it was just as boring as the original one only an updated version.

mediocre, boring, pathced
1. Difficult to imagine such boring movie with so many stars. The very presence of Julia Roberts only slowed the action, and took precious time from the main action. Her role was schematic and straightforward: could have used some young, beautiful actress instead, and spend less time on her. At the end, it was not clear to me, why did she have to leave Benedict and return to Ocean. Benedict could have said anything he wanted to Ocean to get his money back.

2. Most of the characters remained obscure and flat. I had to watch it 2 times in a raw to just figure out their faces, but I still have no clue what was their crucial point in the action. Compare to "Sneakers" for example, where all characters were vivid and exactly on their places.

3. Il-logical sequence. Why not use larger O2 cylinder for the chinese guy (what was his name?) and have more time for surprises? Why did they need to introduce the explosives with a trunk and bother with "dying" of the Soul Blum/Zorga, why not simply put them in the container with the chinese fellow? When climbing down the elevator well, where was the elevator cell???
If it was UP, how did they got under it?

4. How easy was to steel the "pinch"!!! Just went there and got it! I want a pinch also. But, even if the pinch did black-out the whole city, how come the electricity came back so soon??? The EM pulse destroys fuses and inegrated circuits. The whole casion going completely black? Highly improbable: This is 21 century, USA guys. Safety comes first: Every public and comercial building has a few light bulbs that never go out. Just for cases like this. Same for the motion detectors in the elevator well: they should be UPS-ed. Unlike the batteries in the remote control triger of Brad Pitt.

5. Illogical: How did they get the porno-adds INSIDE the vault? There were 6 big bags of them, the ones that got blown-up at the end?

6. Who needed to show that a whole minivan can be driven from a distance by a remote control? Why give the terorists (and bank robbers wannabe) ideas they can use literally tomorrow???

All made-up from bits and pieces, turned out into a poorly connected patched movie. Boring and un-impressing.

I wasn't impressed.....
I heard great things about this movie, and it did very well at the box office, but it really wasn't that good. it was definitely confusing. Also, I didn't like how it only had one robbery. In movies like Bandits (which you should go see) there are several robberies. Also, there wasn't much character development. I reccoment Bandits instead. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Dallas season 3
I cant wait for this boxset to come out. I was bought the season 1 and 2 boxset for christmas and since I finished watching them I have eagerly anticipated the release of this one. I only wish that they would release more than 1 a year as I have been told is going to happen. Dallas is truly the best of it's kind and still holds up years and years after it was first concieved.

Best season of the entire show
Season 3 was, IMO, the best of the entire series.Almost every episode was a classic.Everything worked, the writing, the acting, and the charisma of the stars.Top-notch TV entertainment.Note: notice how slim Larry Hagman is during this season.

The who Shot JR Ewing Year??
Dallas was always must see Tv back in the 80's. hard to believe it's been 25 years since who shot JR Ewing? talk about a Larger than life role? this was probably the Ultimate Dallas season&everything about the Show was in Prime&Peak feel&vibe. I can't wait to get this collection on DVD.I use to watch this show all of the time back in the day&this show is One of the Greatest ever IMO.the Whole Cast was on point.

The Soap Opera Season of All Time
This is it, the season of Dallas where JR is shot, finally coming to DVD!It's also considered by many to be the best year of the series, and it certainly is top notch.With all the original cast members including Barbara Bel Geddes, Jim Davis, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Larry Hagman, Steve Kanaly, Ken Kercheval, Victoria Principal, and Charlene Tilton, it also was the first full season which the writers planned ahead of time to be a continuing serial, thus it flows and feels 10 times more like classic Dallas than season 1, which took a while to take off.With announced special features including cast interviews about Who Shot JR, it's also sure to be a better DVD than the last one too.Anyway, if you are an absolute Dallasatic like myself, you will need this DVD the day it comes out, and will have to rewatch every episode numerous times.Also, though it's been said before, their numbering system stinks and this is really the 2nd season.Just tape a piece of paper over the title that says second in your head. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Opening with a Bond-style action sequence, the 2005 Disney Channel Original Movie Kim Possible: So the Drama finds our heroine attempting to foil Drakken's most insidious plot yet.What can he possibly want with robots from Nakasumi Toys (the company from the series' first episode, "Crush"), Dr. Possible's cybertronic technology, creepy syntho-drones, and the latest teen fads?Kim's used to fighting Drakken; the bigger problem is finding a date to the prom, or--worse--going with Ron, who's so not that kind of friend.Enter the new guy in school, Eric, who's cute enough to inspire cootie alerts.But that means no more hanging out with Ron, who's also having major issues with Bueno Nacho's new management.Hang-ups aside, the two friends will have to figure out a way to save the world one more time, leading to the debut of a spankin'-new outfit and a surprise ending.So the Drama marks the end of Disney's Kim Possible series.For its cool adventures, its nifty gadgets, its hip wit, and a teen heroine that appeals to both youngsters and oldsters, it will be missed.--David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (26)

BADICAL!!!!!!!!
I saw this when it first aired on Disney Channel April 8th. I recorded it because I am a HUGE K.P. fan. This movie was AWESOME or in the words of Kim's best friend and sidekick: Ron Stoppable It's "BADICAL"! I must have watched it like 5x's everyday since the DVD came out then I watched DVD just as much if not more and I still am! I love this movie! I am 20 I know too old for cartoons, well I don't believe you are ever too old for cartoons! K.P. is a perfect example of this! I know grandparents who are huge fans! And Disney is DUMB for wanting to cancel the only good show on TV today! Hey Disney once you get rid of K.P. I will never watch your channel ever again! Have fun watching yourselves go down the toilet because YOU made the mistake to cancel K.P.! Anyways this movie deserves more than 100 stars! The story is:

Kim is bummed because her cheerleader rival: Bonnie Rockwaller(major snob!) told her she is pretty much pathetic for not having a boyfriend or in Bonnie's eyes a star athelet BF like herself and the rest of the cheerleader squad.Especially since the prom is coming up! Then Erik appears and him and Kim fall for each other while her best friend and sidekick Ron is left out and realizes his feelings for Kim(it is very sad watching Ron being left out and sad). Meanwhile Dr. Drakken, Kim's evil archfoe and my fav character on the show is planning an evil(with Drakken everything is evil, lol) scheme that no one knows about but himself. Not even his awesome and definitly the coolest evil henchwoman and villainess EVER (and his crush, awww. You go Dr. D!): Shego knows. His excuse for not letting her in(first time ever!)on his evil plans is Kim Possible is not smarter than her so if she can't figure it out Kim can't figure it out. Drakken is very very successful in his evil scheme and what a cool evil scheme it is! Kim goes to the rescue with Ron, her new and very cool suit, and to save her bf:Erik(Oh poor Kim, she doesn't know what's in store for her with Erik. It makes for a great turn of events though!) after he was captured by Drakken and Shego for an awesome showdown and with a cute ending that should please K.P. fans!

The fights and action in this movie are awesome! Though the final fight between Kim and Shego(both of them I should say, since it's kinda a 2-part fight) could of at least been a minute longer! The opening sequence is awesome enough!

The music in this is really good and clicks really well with the sc