Reviews (152)

Ignorance is bliss
...Anyone who has done the least bit of research will know that David Lynch has final cut of everything he does. He chose to cut the movie down from its original inception. Please know that this is a fantastic movie, and the DVD IS Lynch-approved. As for the commentary and deleted scenes, Lynch has stated many times that he will NEVER do commentary, and does not agree whole-heartedly with including deleted scenes. He also refuses to use chapter stops (this is good). If you need someone to hold your hand while you watch this movie, and explain how to think for yourself, then I propose you find a different film to watch.

Goodbye Cherry Pie
Remember Laura Palmer? She's the one who was into sex, drugs and..., ended up killed by..., wrapped in plastic, and then it all began. Well here is the oft-times lurid, unsettling and sometimes plain scary film about Laura. This is not the eccentric drama/comedy we know as "Twin Peaks:TV series, and it's not for the fair weather Peaks fans. David Lynch lets us know that this is the flip side right at the opening credits when the violent destruction of a television is followed by a bloodcurdling scream. No wonder they hated it! I love it, and thanks to NewLine who in conjunction with none other than the maestro himself have produced a gorgeous digital transfer of this essential work. Forget the deleted scenes fiasco..with this quality sound and picture, and a good price, this is a no brainer for true Twin Peaks fans. I docked a star because the only substantial extra, the "documentary" is quite a disappointment. If you have absorbed the series and permit the Lynchian universe to enfold you, "Fire Walk with Me" will reveal itself as a coherent,disturbing and beautiful adventure. Great performances by Sheryl Lee and Ray Wise, but the real star is the director who gave us something that we never expected, and it gets better at each viewing.Wow Bob Wow!!

The Reason this movie wasn't as good is becuz.....
In the David Lynch "motion pictures" collection, there are 8 films that have been made since 1978. "Eraserhead," "Elephant Man," "Dune," "Blue Velvet," "Wild at Heart," "Fire Walk With Me," "Lost Highway," and his latest, "Straight Story." The four best are Eraserhead, Fire Walk With Me, Blue Velvet and Lost Highway.

David Lynch's vision of "FIRE WALK WITH ME," is not bad because he wanted it to be. The original fire walk with me movie is romoured to be over 3 and a half hours long. There is PROMISED to be a FIRE WALK WITH ME DVD coming out soon. It should be out later this spring with all the cuts that werent originally in the TWIN PEAKS movie. Please.... dont be disappointed with the original though, it is a good movie. You should try this movie, I THINK, before you watch, rent or buy the TWIN PEAKS TV series.

thanks

garmonbozia, all right.
See, this movie is yet another intentional turkey in the David Lynch stinkography. When will you people believe me when I tell you the man simply likes to make bad movies?!? The picture comes off as a demented episode of Northern Exposure with the plot-wiring torn out and the character development up on blocks. Throw in the obligatory sinister midget and sundry unemployed freaks and... Weee're in business! Oh, wait... we need something for the characters to do... well, they can all just take turns going insane, can't they? Problem solved! David Lynch is a modern freak show operator. The freak show has never gone away. It has just been billed as something else.

Prequel sets the stage for series pilot
Shot after the series was cancelled because there was a demand overseas for more "Twin Peaks" material, "Fire Walk with Me" gives us a glimpse of what occurred just prior to Laura Palmer's murder in the pilot. While it spells out some things only hinted at in the pilot and is a bit more literal than the series, "Fire Walk with Me" also has the benefit of being a theatrical film and, as such, we get to dig deeper into the underbelly of the town.

The first thirty minutes of the film are devoted to a murder similar to Palmer's that occurs in another town. A pair of FBI agents are sent in to investigate (Chris Issak and Keifer Sutherland). When they run into resistence from the local law enforcement, they're forced to flex their FBI muscles a bit. While investigating a clue in a trailer park, one of the agents vanishes. Agent Cooper (MacLachlan)is called in to find the missing agent.

Far more surreal than the series with a number of high profile cameos (David Bowie, Harry Dean Stanton), this is a bit more bizarre as well when compared to the series (and even the pilot). The DVD is chapter encoded (unlike the frustrating "Mulholland Drive"), has an original documentary that's shot in a style like Lynch might have used with the original cast (save Piper Laurie, Michael Ontkean, Jack Nance and a couple of other cast members)about the impact of the show.

It's an excellent companion piece of the pilot (available as of now only as a region 0 DVD from Taiwan)and the series (available as a boxed set for the first season only with, reportedly, the second season coming next year some time). Picture quality is exceptionally good with the sound particularly outstanding in its use of 5.1.

A solid cast with a good script that meanders a bit, "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" plays better than parts of the first season but isn't quite as strong as both the pilot and first 8 episodes of the series. It's still worthwhile for fans of the show. ... Read more

Reviews (157)

Prince of Action Heros
Kevin Costner got a lot of... for his English accent, and while it wasn't great, it wasn't that distracting. "Robin Hood: Prince of Theives" slightly brakes from traditional myth in that Robin Hood is a returning knight from the Crusades. In the absense of King Richard, Sherriff of Nottingham attempted to take power. When Robin returns he swears vengence against the sherriff who killed his father and defamed his name. Then it's basicly "Die Hard" in the forest. The greatest change is Morgan Freeman's Moorish warrior traveling with Robin. Freeman is good, as usual. Christan Slater is full of fire and wind (putting it nicely) as Will Scarlet. Costner dose well as Robin, I really thought he did excellent. Mary Elizabeth Mastrentonio is pretty good as more or less independent Maid Marion (she has a lot of 1990s style "Thelma and Louise" attitude than was not realistic in the Dark Ages). But it's Alan Rickman's Sherriff who steals the show. He is wild, over the top, very funny to watch. This movie is dark, violent, and kind of scary with it's witch and occultic themes. This is pure action from start to finish. Just excellent.

Entertaining
First off, I wanna address this whole thing about Kevin Costner's accent. What difference does it make at all??? If you think it makes the movie more historically accurate, well, I hate to break it to you but, you're wrong. English people in 1194 weren't speaking in modern British accents, they were speaking in Old English, which is basically a dialect of German. So, with that thought, the British actors were as from the historical truth as Costner with their accents. Costner I think plays a very realistic Robin Hood, who is a lot more human than the other Robin Hoods. He shows emotion, and in the beginning, really plays well his role of a spoiled, rich boy. A lot of people commend Allan Rickman on his performance here, but I think he was one of the worst characters. When talking about him, people spoke so frightenedly about him, but in every single one of his on screen moments, he was acting like a goofy weirdo. I couldn't ever tell if what he was saying was supposed to be serious or a joke. I think his character took away from the more serious, adventurous tone of the rest of the movie, and made Prince of Thieves seem like a parody in itself. Not to say that he was a bad actor, I think that s a fault of the writers. There were a few inaccuracies, like the way that the Scots dressed. My exact first thoughts of that scene are expressed by other reviewers. They looked more like people who would have been ravaging the Roman establishments in Britain in the 4th and 5th centuries, not like Scots of the 12th. A lot of people have complained about the witch, and although I m not sure what her purpose was in the movie, she was entertaining, and kind of scary at the same time. On the whole, this was a good movie that s entertaining to watch, not too far away from Braveheart. (Although Robin's rhetoric skills are definitely much worse than William Wallace's. I could not comprehend at all what he is trying to say while he s lecturing the people from the fallen tree. He started off with something about being freedmen, and then ended with making weapons from the forest, I don't understand that connection. If they are free men then while in the hell are they living in the forest? I think that if you re free you can live wherever you want, not be forced into a "haunted" forest in the middle of nowhere. And if they were already free, they wouldn't need to fight back.)

4 1/2
Much better than the original release. This version has optimal quality in the picture and sound and has lots of bonus features. Now I can review the content of the film as this version is the best you can get! The film presented here is pretty good, well done. Im not a huge Costner fan but he does fairly well here, this story of Robin Hood did well in the theatres but skyrocketed with the help of Brian Adam's song "Everything I do, I do it for you". Its a good film with a great soundtrack and it helped sell cereal, toys and books...Good film, GREAT dvd! Must buy

Prince of Leaves
I'm rating this film so low only because of the dvd itself. Its a double sided disc that doesnt need to be flipped but the studio was so cheap they made it double sided at the time! The film itself looks average, not wonderful. Do yourself a favor...get the new extra disc version....

aging slowly but surely...
This was one of my favorite movies way back when it came out in '91. What may have even prompted me to see it was that it wasn't gonna be the proverbial 'men in tights' satire. But Kevin never really did much that was meant to be an intentional comedy (some only turned out to be that way not by design). Hilarity was an element was not intended to dominant the script. However, anyone who may have been expecting this to be anything like Dances With Wolves will have been thrown a curveball. Costner did not hold the directorial reigns and it shows, with no disrespect to K. Reynolds.
I bought the DVD recently and I cringe at some of the choices the project had taken. It's easy to say it in hindsight but the truth is rough considering the lineup of some high-profile actors cast. Bottom line: It fumbles from being having all components of a comedy, drama, and romance in one release. In other words, typical Hollywood fare.
I found the second supplementary disc sub-par. I'm surely not asking for anything on the level of the Lord of the Rings, Terminator 2 or Star Wars prequels, but I thought the SE version was going to merit more information and detail. I also grew weary of Costner's commentary here.
I might have given Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves three stars. But the cast did all they could do to save a rushed screenplay. The movie did do well in the theatres in '91 so it did have its charm. Get this only if there is absolutely nothing on the store shelf. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On regular television, punctuated by frenetic commercials, the leisurely pace of the horror miniseries Rose Red probably felt grueling; but on its own terms, the effect is like settling into a long book full of detail--a book not unlike those of Stephen King, who wrote the script. The story (about a researcher into the paranormal who takes a team of psychics into a haunted house) recycles themes that King has used before--a telekinetic girl, a house with its own consciousness--but for his fans, the familiarity is probably comfortable and even enjoyable. The cast (including Nancy Travis, Julian Sands, and Melanie Lynsky from Heavenly Creatures) give committed performances, and the special effects are television-grade but used pretty well. Most of it doesn't make much sense, but at its best Rose Red is absurd and creepy at the same time. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (119)

"Some Houses Are Born Bad"
Rose Red was N Xcellent piece of work by the master of horror, Stephen King. When I found about the movie's premier last year, U would not believe how Xcited I was 2 C it. It was worth getting Xcited over. The special effects R amazing and the ghost make-up is stunningly scary. In fact, the whole story-line was incredibly horrifying.

Nancy Travis was absolutely fantastic in her role of Joyce Reardon. Matt Keeslar was pretty good in his role of Steven Rimbaeur, only because his acting was a little dry. Matt Ross was really agitating in his role of the Post Cognitive, Emery Waterman. I thought that Julian Sands was awesome in the role of telepathic Nick Hardaway. Kimberly J. Brown was really wonderful as the autistic, yet telekentic Annie Wheaton. Judith Ivey (one of my favorite actors inth film) was incredible in role of the automatic writer, Cathy.

If N E body is looking 4 a good Stephen King horror flick, check out Rose Red. It's a real Scream.

Stephen Kings Haunted Abode.
The Chilling Tale of Dr. Joyce Reardon an obsessed psychology professor who commissions a team of psychics and a gifted 15 year old autsitic girl, Annie Wheaten, to literally wake up a supposedly dormant haunted mansion.....ROSE RED. Thier efforts unleash a myriad of spirites and uncover horrifying secrets of the generations whom have lived and died there.
This movie has lots of extras from a complete abc documentary, to design artwork, to a diary, a making of documentary, and production commentary. Dolby Digital 5.1
Not the best stephen King Movie.....yet not the worst.

was expecting MUCH better
If you're looking for a good haunted house movie, pass this one up. Its overly long and totally disjointed. The obvious places for commercial breaks don't help. None of the characters are sympathetic in any way. And the ending is neither satisfying nor cathartic. It just ends.

Again, if you want a GOOD haunted house movie, watch 'The Haunting' (1963) with Julie Harris or 'The Legend of Hell House' with Roddy McDowall.

Fantastic movie...Stephen King strikes again!
Well, Stephen King did an absolutely fantastic job writing this story for the production of this movie. Even though the movie is 4 hours long, the movie didn't bore me for one second. I really enjoyed this, especially Annie, the little autistic girl. I thought she was a very good touch to the story line. I would recommend this movie to anyone who's out for a good thrill.

Scared the s**t outta me!
I thought I had seen so many horror movies that I had desensitised myself to fear and shock. I can honestly count on a single hand the number of movies that have actually frightened me, and none have done it as thoroughly as Rose Red. Let's face it, the storyline is flimsy, and the acting is atrocious but it has such a powerful aura of suspense that even a shot of trees seems scary. For four hours I sat sweating and white-knuckled, gripping my seat. Don't think I could do it again but it was worth it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Though followers of current science fiction television series may dismiss V: The Final Battle as a quaint relic from the pre-computer animation days, the six-hour miniseries about an alien invasion of Earth was a ratings juggernaut for NBC in 1984 and should still provide some entertainment for hard-bitten devotees and fans of '50s-style sci-fi. The Final Battle picks up four months after the shock conclusion of the 1983 prequel miniseries, with a small group of humans known as the Resistance struggling to convince their fellow humans that a fleet of seemingly friendly visitors from space are in fact bent on world domination.

Executive producer Kenneth Johnson (who oversaw most aspects of the first series) only supervised the sequel's script (which underwent several changes before its airing), and the writing occasionally suffers due to the lack of his attention. But the series still delivers its share of action and intrigue, as well as one showstopping gruesome moment involving the birth of interspecies twins. Acting is again a stumbling block, with leads Marc Singer and Faye Grant as bland as any performers from the American International Pictures stable; character actor Michael Ironside makes the strongest impression as a tough Resistance member, and a pre-Freddy Krueger Robert Englund is amusing as a kind-hearted alien. The miniseries was followed by an inevitable weekly series featuring most of the same cast, which was demolished in the ratings by Dallas, but a faithful Resistance-like following remains to this day. --Paul Gaita ... Read more

Reviews (70)

A nice continuation of a great miniseries.
This is the second miniseries of the sci-fi phenomenon known simply as "V." This movie tells us more about the interesting characters from the first series and brings up some more problems for these freedom-fighters to solve. I won't give anything away, but one of the charcters ordeals is unbelievable! As with the original series, this is a sci-fi series that relies more on storytelling than on flashy, repetitive special effects, which makes this series appealing to a larger audience than most sci-fi. There are some funny and touching moments, but the whole story is focused around the humans struggles to defeat the fascist "visitors" who oppress them (similar to Hitler's fascist regime and the Holocaust of that time). The whole series goes by very smoothly until the end, where the ending is a little weak (which is why I gave it four stars instead of the five I gave the original series), but other than that, this is a great series and stands up well with anything else produced at the time. With a cool story and believable acting, this is a true classic that should be in any sci-fi fan's collection!

Come back Kenneth Johnson --all is forgiven
1984's 3-part miniseries "V: The Final Battle" more or less picks up where Kenneth Johnson's imaginative "V" left off. As with all network-mandated sequels, this installment is a far weaker story and lacks the "you are there" realism of the original. Johnson's absence from the project is the single greatest loss. The first miniseries was a brilliant homage to freedom fighters throughout history. Unfortunately the sequel has lost sight of its own origins: the allegories to the rise of Nazi fascism are only briefly touched upon in throwaway lines in part 1, and are completely abandoned by part 3. By then, even though the element of a Visitor "ultimate weapon" is injected into the plot, the story has become less about saving humanity than it is about a grudge match between Diana and Mike Donovan. A clue to the weaker storyline might be in the opening credits: this installment lists seven different writers!

To synopsize: several months have now passed since the conclusion of the original series, and the Visitors are now firmly in control of human society, rounding up humans under various pretexts for "processing" into food shipments to the mother ships. The underground resistance hasn't had much success opposing them --far from the triumphant ending of the last chapter, the L.A.-based rebels are being rebuffed at almost every turn by superior alien firepower and body armor. The resistance comes up with a daring plan to "expose" John on international television. Most of Part 1 revolves around the staging of this plan, which is carried off brilliantly but ends with Julie's capture. In Part 2 the Visitors discover resistance headquarters and stage a counterattack, but the rebels are able to flee thanks to the timely help of an old adversary of Donovan's. Julie is rescued, but she has been through the conversion process and the resistance is wary. Part 3 revolves around the birth of Robin's alien babies and an unexpected dividend from that birth.

The strongest element to this sequel is the return of virtually the entire original cast, further developing the wide array of characters that have been thrown together by extraordinary circumstance. Besides Donovan (Marc Singer), Julie Parrish (Faye Grant), the Maxwells (Michael Durrell, Blair Tefkin, Viveka Davis, Marin May), Elias Taylor (Michael Wright), Sancho (Rafael Campos), Willie (Robert Englund), and Harmony (Diane Civita), a few new faces have joined the resistance, my favorites being ex-CIA operative Ham Tyler (Michael Ironside) and demolitions expert Chris Faber (Mickey Jones). Tyler and Faber are supposed to represent the "world network;" reminding the viewer that the goings-on in L.A. are not the center of the universe. Tyler is especially compelling to watch; he has a cold, take-no-prisoners exterior that puts him at odds with Donovan the boy scout, although we do get a brief glimpse of his surprisingly affectionate side later on in the second chapter. Most of "V's" original villains are back as well, including fleet commander John (Richard Herd), collaborator Daniel Bernstein (David Packer), and of course the vengeful Diana (Jane Badler). Also back in a greatly expanded role is alien "Fifth Columnist" Martin (Frank Ashmore).

Aside from superior character development (proof that a truly gifted actor really can make something out of any script), "The Final Battle" just has too many flaws. There is little emphasis on allegory and too much emphasis on chase scenes, makeup effects, and laser battles. The resolution of many of the story arcs from the first chapter are the saving grace of this miniseries, but enjoyment of it really requires the viewer's familiarity with the original. Replacement director Richard T. Heffron has done a heroic job of salvaging Kenneth Johnson's ideas, but in the end it just doesn't measure up. The greatest disappointment is in the final hour of the story --the much-hyped "Final Battle" comes down to a tired old shootout with a handful of troops in the corridors of the mothership. Plotwise, the sudden addition of a brand new character in the final segment is an outright cop-out, and the final scenes --including the way-too-upbeat soundtrack-- are among the cheesiest moments in the entire series.

If you absolutely must know "what happened next" to the cast of the original "V," then go ahead and obtain "The Final Battle." But if you're expecting a second helping of allegorical brilliance, prepare to be disappointed.

Re-Visiting a classic mini-series.....
Back in the 80s, V and V: The Final Battle were huge hits on television. The story of mankind uniting and fighting back against an intergalatic menace is still an appealing storyline and a welcome addition to my dvd collection. Though you will notice (after seeing movies such as Attack of the Clones, for example) that the special effects are a bit cheesy, it is the story that pulls you in and delivers a good sci-fi treat. The reason I didn't give this dvd 5 stars is that it has no extras. I was hoping to see some TV commercials, maybe some commentaries by the director and actors, deleted scenes---any of these would have been welcome. That being said, if you were a fan of this 80's hit or if you are a sci-fi fan, you'll enjoy this dvd. I have to add that Jane Badler is an excellent villain. She was my favorite character in the series.

i really love this
This second V mini series wasn't quite up to the standards of the first V and yet it was still a helluva lotta fun. Loved it. Popping it into the DVD player is always a blast! Sure I know it's not highbrow but hell it's FUN. Just have fun watchin' space lizards get their butts kicked by Marc Singer. Works for me!

This is Dallas in sci-fi form
Both these TV movies and the short lived series that followed were cheesy soap opera plots put into a science fiction form. It was pretty much a case of stories where someone was trying to stab someone else in the back, someone was sleeping with someone elses girlfriend and the rest of that daytime soap genre. In this second movie, two characters played by Sarah Douglas and Jane Badler struggle for the leadership of the alien ships that have conquered earth and it leads to one killing the other and that's it. Oh yeah, and there is a silly romance that goes on between the charecters played by Faye Grant and Marc Singer (but I won't go there). End result, you are better off watching One Live to Live then this phooney balooney series. ... Read more

Description

The Superbit titles utilize a special high bit rate digital encoding process which optimizes video quality while offering a choice of both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. These titles have been produced by a team of Sony Pictures Digital Studios video, sound and mastering engineers and comes housed in a special package complete with a 4 page booklet that contains technical information on the Superbit process. By reallocating space on the disc normally used for value-added content, Superbit DVDs can be encoded at double their normal bit rate while maintaining full compatibility with the DVD video format. ... Read more

Reviews (246)

Brilliant, original, ingenious filmmaking
The first movie to tackle the internalized process of screenwriting, Spike Jonze's dazzlingly original film is also about biology, the need for passion, the inevitability of change and the absolute urgency of adapting to it. Kaufman's ingenious screenplay manages both to lampoon and confirm Robert McKee's asinine admonitions on Hollywood screenwriting - it breaks all the rules AND follows them - but it can do this only because it's constantly drawing attention to the process. It establishes its own terms of reference, it tells you how to watch it - and it works brilliantly. Other films do this, too, such as "Requiem for a Dream" and "Mulholland Drive". These films don't ignore "the rules" of screenwriting so much as invent new ones and take you along for the ride. "Adaptation" isn't as hilariously enchanting as "Being John Malkovich", but that's because this film is thematically more subtle and has a central character who is somewhat less endearing. Kaufman's crippling insecurity, as performed by Cage, is utterly palpable. The other performances are universally excellent, with Streep and Cooper deserving their Golden Globes. Clearly, Kaufman should win the Oscar for this script. He should have won it three years back for "Being John Malkovich". But the Best Adapted Screenplay category is awash with deserving potential nominees this year: "Insomnia", "The Hours", "The Quiet American", "Chicago", "About Schmidt", "Minority Report", "Road to Perdition" ... the list is almost endless. However, following the arcane logic of the Academy, they'll probably give it to "The Two Towers" (one of the worst adaptations ever written) because last year they incomprehensibly neglected to give it to "Fellowship of the Ring" (which, for my money, is all-time best).

"Don't say 'industry.'"
A second triumph for "Being John Malkovich" team Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman, "Adaptation." is a painfully funny look at the mechanics of inspiration, obsession, and ultimately, of course, adaptation. The film is based on Susan Orlean's bestseller "The Orchid Thief," and is about a screenwriter named Charlie Kaufman trying to adapt a book called "The Orchid Thief" for the screen. If that sounds confusing, it isn't. More verbally adept than "Malkovich," "Adaptation." manages to keep its head planted firmly in the clouds, giving the actors (especially Cage, in his best performance since "Raising Arizona") room to give us charming and even endearing performances, the lack thereof being "Malkovich's" main flaw. Most of the characters in this film are "real," including screeenplay seminar guru Robert McKee, Kaufman, and Orlean, though Kaufman and Jonze's verbal and visual trickery keeps us guessing. The real centerpiece here is Cage, who plays Kaufman and Kaufman's fictional twin (credited as the co-writer) with such a tender sense of brotherhood that the logistics of such a feat simply vanish. I found myself wondering if he would be competing with his own performance for an Oscar. An extraordinarily moving film.

The becoming cover up!
The absence of creativeness and the absence of absolute commitment , the desperation , the hunger for winning no matter how , the maquiavelian moods and the duality , the breakthrough in the personality of a human being metaphrically represented as twins invades this original script.
Obviously the movie always keeps a hidden card in your reservoir plot. The story is told through great narrative elipsis which overlaps one to another . This puzzle technique reminds us to Memento , in this sense. And Robert Altman 's style. (The player or Shorts cuts)
This smart use of two twins has been employed by other directors (Sean Penn in the indian runner , for instance) , but the resourec that keeps you in the seat is the richness in the second characters .
Since a no sense accidents shapes the life of a man , who tells his private life to a greddy writer, to inspire her , will be without knowing them the sparkling issue to exploid the dramatci nucleus .
The film certainly lost his fierce impact gotten in the first half of the film , seeking may be the critical gaze about the decay moral .
Good work for all the cast . Superb direction and extraordinary special effects ( the crash car in both cases)

uhhhhhh... no.
I guess I should've known better, being that I loathed Being John Malkovich, but I was pretty shlitzed when I hit the video store so what the hell.
So tonight I put on the DVD, only to find that the first minutes, while white credits are slowly getting gone through on a black screen, are occupied by a voice-over by Nicholas Cage, whining about his life at great length like a Woody Allenesque self-pitying slob. "I need to get my life back on track, gotta start running five miles a day, really do it this time, make it happen maybe I'll take up rock climbing I'm really in a rut...." This person has a severely neurotic personality which is not attractive in the least. Its at this point you begin to see what you're in for with this picture: a kind of more irritating, slightly more functional version of Rainman, only minus the card counting. The movie progresses from there to self-consciously daffy scene-making, where you get to see a band of guys ripping off an endangered orchid from like the everglades. A park ranger shows up and this orchid-stealing piece of white trash gives him some claptrap about how his associates are all American Indians and as such would be immune from prosecution for stealing the orchid, since they apparently have some special dispensation which states that they can do as they please on the grounds that they are inscrutable savages who should be left to their backward ways. You know, they use the orchid for some vague and hypothetical tribal type purpose that no white man should interfere with etc. etc. This is all supposed to be very entertaining. Don't ask me why.

Sublime Puzzle
I did not see Being John Malkovich. It was brought to screen by Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, but I will correct that error shortly. Adaptation is a Hollywood insider movie. Like Hollywood Boulevard with Gloria Swanson and William Holden, it takes you behind the scenes. This is a fictionalization of real screenwriter, Charlie Kaufman's bizarre difficulties with adapting a novel, Susan Orlean's real book, The Orchid Thief. A fictional brother was created for Charlie. Donald is the gabby and cheerful alter ego of morose and introspective Charlie, and Cage plays both. This is a nice turn for Cage because he gets to play the twin-opposites with amazing clarity. Charlie is the screenwriter that believes originality and cerebral acrobatics are the stuff of art. His brother, the wifty, Donald is writing a screenplay too. His Hollywood screenwriting guru, Brian Cox plays Robert McKee. The guru preaches formula. But Donald's script is accepted immediately and his success with the ladies is driving his brother crazy. Charlie's writers-block over the Orchid script paralyzes not only his writing but also his ability to love. Meryl Street plays the real life author Susan Orlean. The writer becomes passionately involved with goofball horticulturalist and adventurer, John LaRouche played by Chris Cooper. LaRouche risks his life to find the perfect orchid, a Conradian theme from Heart of Darkness. But if that orchid can be ground up into powder and snorted like cocaine to produce a state of perfect passion, then can we blame the addicted Meryl Street for loving toothless LaRouche? Then there is violence, car chases, and the sex scene. This is the real Kaufman being sarcastic, playful, and err formulistic. I once heard it said that there are only 24 plots available to the writer in human experience. ... Read more

Description

The magic, the excitement, the wonder of the true Peter Pan comes to life for the first time in this spellbinding fantasy that critics proclaim "a fun and fantastic tale!" (Daily Herald).Brimming with spectacular special effects and non-stop action, this all-new adventure is sure to be a family favorite for years to come!"One of the finest films of the year!" (Daily Gazette) ... Read more

Reviews (247)

flawless adaptation of this children's classic
I have a child. I have seen EVERY version of Peter Pan made -- many many times. Imagine my *delight* at seeing yet another version (sarcasm here) when the film came out in theaters. I have to admit, however, that I was immediately and continuously impressed by this superb adaptation of J.M. Barrie's classic children's tale, and bought the dvd as soon as it came out.

The cast is absolutely perfect. Jeremy Sumpter in the title role is wonderful, bringing a mischievous energy and boyishness to the part that has been amazingly and consistently missing (having been played by Mary Martin and Robin Williams). I'll also single out Rachel Hurd-Wood as Wendy and Jason Isaacs as Captain Hook/Mr. Darling for their great performances, but the entire cast is terrific.

The script is spectacular, exploring the subtext of the Pan story in a simple but profound way that puts film critics' shameless psycho-jargon to shame. It is the kernel of truth wrapped round a rousing adventure story -- replete with cruel pirates, brave Indians, sinister mermaids and loyal parents. Captain Hook's cruelty is evident, but takes place mostly off-screen and is never gory. This is a thinking (little) person's Peter Pan, certainly, drawing as it does on previously unexplored themes of the complexity of growing up, the consequences of our choices, and the acceptance of our children as they grow up, but it's also a gorgeous realization of Barrie's (and Wendy's) fantastical imagination.

DVD extras are quite entertaining and include: an alternate ending, deleted scenes, Jason Isaacs' video diary, "The Legacy of Pan" with Sarah Ferguson, and a number of micro-minifeaturettes on flying, sets, etc. Too bad it lacks a commentary track but otherwise lots of fun.

For Pan fans, highest possible recommendation;
for all others, see above.

An endearing tale of everlasting childhood
I just got done watching the movie adaptation for Disney's "Peter Pan" and enjoyed it immensely. I've never been a fan of the animated version but I absolutely loved this recreation of the classic story about the adventures of Peter Pan, a boy who refuses to grow up, the intriguing storyteller and mother to the lost boys, Wendy, his pirate nemesis, Captain Hook, who seeks revenge from losing his right hand, which was fed to a crocodile that has since then continued to follow him with a ticking clock inside, wanting to taste more, and of course the magic that is Neverland. However, this new edition doesn't just focus on the greatness of staying young forever (or until you die) but it also shows the sadness of it too, giving this film more substance and meaning. It's definitely geared toward adult audiences who take pleasure in enchanting fantasies, like me, but it's certainly suitable and fun for the whole family.

Although this is based on the popular animation they are similar in plot yet details are slightly altered, giving this several interesting twists so that your uncertain as to what is going to happen next. The beginning even takes place before Nana (the dog nurse) captured Peter Pan's shadow, which I found to be very clever as I always wondered how that happened... Tinkerbell was dazzling as the jealous faery, the sets, or rather special effects were all magnificent, and the entire cast was superbly chosen. This is, in my opinion, one of the better films to come out of 2003 so come be a kid again and enter a world that shall bring that to the surface... That is until you wish to return home.

The Best Movie I've Ever Seen
I loved this movie! I watched it 9 times in five days. I cannot get enough of Jeremy Sumpter. The effects are amazing. I think you would have to be crazy to dislike this movie. It is by far better than Hook. I hated that movie. I was watching it and fell asleep. But P.J. Hogan's version of this classic story kept me wide awake.

An Excellent Adaptation!
I loved this movie! It really stayed with the storyline in J.M. Barrie's novel, but with a few wonderful extras. It was like the play comes to the bigscreen. I loved how the mermaids were portrayed, very creative. Jeremy Sumpter does excellent in his portrayal of Peter Pan, and his costume was very realistic. The soundtrack added to the magic and playfulness of the film. To see Peter and the Darling children fly the way they did was awesome and breathtaking. I can't stop watching this movie. I always felt that the story of Peter Pan was a love story between Peter and Wendy, and this movie reveals that with gentleness and wimsy. A wonderful movie all the way around.

Best movie I've seen in a REALLY long time!
Peter Pan is a really awesome movie! I'm right at that age where I think about guys a lot, so one big factor is that Jeremy Sumpter is really cute! But, I also really love the movie overall. It looks so real that sometimes I go off into huge dreams about visiting Neverland! The movie shows everything just as vivid and bright as I imagined!!! Great work, guys! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Too old for Hamlet and too young for Lear--what's an ambitious actor to do? Play the Devil, of course. Jack Nicholson did it in The Witches of Eastwick; Robert De Niro did it in Angel Heart (as Louis Cyphre--get it?). In The Devil's Advocate Al Pacino takes his turn as the great Satan, and clearly relishes his chance to raise hell. He's a New York lawyer, of course, by the name of John Milton, who recruits a hotshot young Florida attorney (Keanu Reeves) to his firm and seduces him with tempting offers of power, sex, and money. Think of the story as a twist on John Grisham's The Firm, with the corporate evil made even more explicit. Reeves is wooden, and therefore doesn't seem to have much of a soul to lose, but he's really just our excuse to meet the devil. Pacino's the main attraction, gleefully showing off his--and the Antichrist's--chops at perpetrating menace and mayhem. The film was directed by Taylor Hackford (Against All Odds, Dolores Claiborne), who provides alternate-track commentary for the movie itself, plus a dozen deleted scenes. Also note: due to a settlement with artist Frederick Hart over the movie's use of a sculpture resembling his Ex Nihilo in Washington's National Cathedral, future releases of the film will be altered. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (174)

Is it just me?
The plain and simple truth is that Keanu Reeves can't act. Never could, but somehow this inability was disguised until "Devil's advocate". But Reeves' characterization of a southerner lawyer turn into a hotshot in one of the most preeminent firms in New York (was it NY? Don't remember) is, to say the least, pitiable. There's one scene in special that embarrassed me, and I kept thinking that this guy is in fact being paid millions to do that. Well, the blame should be divided with the director, the person responsible for the casting and with millions of spectators that still think he's an actor.

Aside from that, "Devil's advocate has many other flaws. Al Pacino as John Milton/The Evil One is laughable. And I like Pacino. If Satan was half as idiotic as Pacino portraits it, the world would be an eternal rainbow-sunshine scene. The plot of this movie is so thin I already forgot it. All other characters (with the exception of the two women) are just ridiculous sidekicks in the unfinishable story of the battle of Good against evil. I can't remember one single actor in this movie other than Reeves, Pacino, Theron and Nielsen. The final confrontation scene and the whole situation it involves is so grotesquely scripted that the movie looses even the aura of "fable", something that could save parts of the story.

I give "Devil's advocate" two stars because of Charlize Theron and Connie Nielsen. The south african is extremely beautiful, and a competent actress that draws attention whenever she's on screen. The dane , though barely opening her mouth, has an unforgettable facial expression, and is also very beautiful.

Watch this only if it runs on TV on Wednesday night and you have absolutely nothing else to do.

Sensational!
I loved this movie. Outstanding in practically every way. Al Pacino's portrayal of Lucifer is exactly how I have always perceived the dark angel to be. The devil does not have horns or a tail, he has the face of man himself. I am always amazed at how the religious zealots seem to conveniently forget that Lucifer was the highest angel, an archangel, thrown out of heaven because of his arrogance and rebelliousness, not because he was a mad demon.

Pacino plays this character beautifully - he is sly, charismatic, chilling, and seductive all at once. One of my favorite scenes was the elevator scene where Milton bates Kevin's mother by calling her "Mrs. Lomax" and asking her slyly that "surely this wasn't her first trip to New York". Absolutely wicked! Then, as Milton casually wisks Kevin off to a night on the town at the Flamingo club and the boxing match (naturally Don King would have an alliance with Satan), I was mezmerized watching Milton weave his spell and reel Kevin smoothly into his web. Pacino's climaxtic argument is brilliant as he exclaims that he's a fan of man and why. As I watched Kevin's descent from Maryann,(Charlize Theron and Keanu had wonderful chemistry as a married couple),I was reminded of how we all make certain decisions then try to justify our actions later, usually with the precursor that, "It wasn't MY fault, it was the work of Satan... then, like Kevin, we make the same decisions over and over.

I thought Keanu Reeves was perfect as the cool, arrogant, hotshot attorney who knows that he is so...good. I am completely baffled by all the haters panning Keanu's acting, he did a great job. I thought the casting of all the actors were on point in this movie, everyone connected with each other and with their characters.

My only complaint is that the deleted scenes cannot not be viewed without the director's commentary. The sub-titles can't even be displayed. While this DVD has one of the best director's commentary's, it would be nice to have the option of watching the deleted scenes on their own since these scenes contribute to the continuity of the story and clear up questions a viewer may have. Overall, this movie is just outstanding!

A Guilty Pleasure
The story a lawyer who works for the devil, not as dumb as it sounds, in fact a surprisingly great movie. Both Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino in great roles.

It makes your stomach churn in two different ways.
"The Devil's Advocate" is one of those movies that you can't stop thinking about after it's finished. Scenes keep replaying through your head. It's a movie that makes you think, despite it's strange, fantasy-like plot-line. Al Pacino, without a doubt, delivers one of the best and most potent performances of his career. Keanu Reeves isn't up to his usual standard of acting, but he plays wooden characters very well. Once again, in "The Devil's Advocate", Keanu is wooden. That's alright though, it really doesn't take anything away from the story line. It doesn't matter who the director intended to be the movies main character; Pacino steals the show, but don't get me wrong. He has his competition.

Charlize Theron delivers a performance the caliber of which I didn't think she was capable. She portrays the stages of madness through which her character stumbles through very accurately, cryptically, and passionately. Her character (Keanu Reeves' wife) is slowly isolated and cut off from her husband through the doing Pacino, who uses the seven deadly sins to manipulate Keanu and keep him as far away from his wife as possible while at the same time manipulating her with a various assortment of devilish tricks.

The dialogue in this movie is incredible. The conversations in this movie alone are worth watching. Pacino generally has the most thought-provoking lines in the film, though Keanu's mother and Theron have their moments. I can't think of a single flaw in the character chemistry and interactions within this movie. It's perfect. Half the movie you feel your stomach writhing and twisting as you find yourself thinking and re-evaluating issues and aspects of your life you'd either forgotten about or taken for granted. These aren't the only time in which you'll feel your stomach doing helixes in your bowels, however.

For the other half of the movie, your insides will squirm with discomfort. This movie is one of the most R rated movies I've ever seen. Chalked full with graphic images including nudity, horror, blood/guts, violence and dialogue that includes some seriously disturbing topics, this movie becomes increasingly difficult to sit through as you go on. The director makes it very clear he's not sparing the viewer for anything. The camera rarely ever cuts or zooms in during the appropriate moments. Instead, he captures everything in startling detail. For instance, a suicide scene in which a character slits their throat is very, very graphic and terrifyingly realistic. Another scene of sequence of violence goes back and forth between Pacino talking about humans greed and a character in the movie being beaten to death by two demons (supposedly sent by Al Pacino). Other examples of disturbing images would be a series of scenes that feature Charlize Theron, one in which you see her completely nude with large gashes and slashes across her body, and another scene which could easily be classified as horror and is too difficult to really describe. It suffices to say that it involves Charlize Theron and a baby child within a conjured halucination of Pacino's; yet another way of driving Theron's character mad.

When these two elements combine, it makes for a compelling and thought provoking film pot-holed with graphic imagery and disturbing themes. Even the climax of the movie includes an impressive amount of nudity, sexual content and violence. Despite all of this though, "The Devil's Advocate" is a very worth-while and ultimately poweful film, if not completely comfortable to watch all the way through. I don't recommend this movie for family viewing or young children. It's a movie that you need to mentally prepare for, and perhaps have an "antidote" movie lined up, perhaps a good-hearted comedy. There is one more good thing I can say for this movie; it has a satisfying ending. It's a film where the ending could make or break the entire feel of the movie. If you're going to sit through a movie that feels twice as long as it is with the constant assaults on your senses and comfort with controversy, adult themes and disturbing images, you're holding out for a good ending. Well, without a doubt, "The Devil's Advocate" delivers. In short, this movie is worth seeing simply for it's thought-provoking dialogue and plot-line.

Will You Play The Expression?
Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) is a success in the courtroom and out of it. He's a young Florida defense attorney who has never lost a case. No matter how repugnant the crime, no matter how guilty the defendant, Kevin Lomax has the power to mesmerize the jury into accepting his arguments, buying into his logic, being convinced by his charisma; and freeing his clients. Soon after he has successfully won the case, where he defended an obviously guilty child molester, Lomax is invited to New York, where a powerful law firm has become aware of the Florida hotshot's acquittal record. Here he meets John Milton (Al Pacino), the founder and head of "Milton, Chadewick, Waters", a mysterious and powerful law firm with contacts and clients all over the world. It is this charismatic and charming man that opens the door to a completely different world; a world of luxury and pleasure, wealth and power; a world of endless possibilities. This is heaven on earth. But as Lomax tastes the power of being a wealthy New York attorney, something in him changes. Winning is no longer just a goal; it becomes an obsession. Soon he starts to realize that things are not what they seem to be; and all the things he once had and cared about -a happy marriage with Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), his relationship with his mother, all his happiness - everything disappear amidst the sparkling illusion of paradise. He suddenly realizes that Heaven and Hell can co-exist at the same place and at the same time.

I do not intend to reveal anything else, since all of the interesting surprises will be presented in the intense and inspiring climax. This is probably Reeves' best performance. He manages to create a believable character - a kind of example, a role model for the American way of life. Kevin's wife, Mary Ann, is most likely the hardest character to play, since she goes through a complex and difficult emotional evolution. From being strong, devoted and ambitious (a female copy of her husband) to vulnerable, hurt and on the verge of madness. Charlize Theron gracefully floats into this character. The most interesting of performances and characters is John Milton - the essence of Kevin Lomax's temptation. Al Pacino is nothing less than astonishing, an award worthy performance that is as good as anything seen this year.

An inspiring thriller, visually stunning as well as thought provoking, 'The Devil's Advocate' should be viewed with an open mind. ... Read more

Description

Thrilling performances by Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, and Burl Ives make this adaptation of Tennessee Williams' story about a wealthy plantation owner succumbing to cancer, one of the most acclaimed movies in history.Year: 1958Director: Richard BrooksStarring:Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Burl Ives, Jack Carson, Dame Judith Anderson ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Powerful, though altered, version of the play
Tennessee William's play, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", was considered so controversial that its Broadway producers forced the playwright to alter the third act. Either in spite of or because of the changes, the play was a huge hit. Even with the changes, it had to be further watered down for Hollywood's 1958 movie version. Once more, it was a boxoffice smash. It went on to garner six Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Elizabeth Taylor and Best Actor for Paul Newman. Despite the industry's timidity back then, the movie was a searing, powerful drama about a family in crisis. That it remains so to this day, despite massive changes in social values and mores over the years, is a credit to its brilliant cast and to its director, Richard Brooks.

Brick and Maggie [Newman and Taylor] have come to his father's big plantation in Mississippi to celebrate the old man's 65th birthday. Everyone calls him Big Daddy, and as portrayed by Burl Ives, he truly is a larger than life figure. Brick's brother, Gooper [Jack Carson], his wife, Mae [Madeleine Sherwood], and their five 'little no-neck monsters" are also there. Big Daddy has just returned from several weeks at a clinic where he was treated for cancer. He thinks he is cured, but the doctors have lied to him. He's unlikely to see his next birthday. Rivalry and intrigue abound among the siblings and their families as everyone fights over who will take over the plantation. Brick has major problems of his own. The former star athlete drinks too much, refuses the advances and affection of the gorgeous and calculating Maggie because he blames her for his best friend's suicide, and is bitter about his father, who doesn't seem to love him or anyone else. Brick is also hobbling around on crutches, having recently tripped while trying to leap a hurdle one drunken night. Through all the bickering and fighting, his mother, Big Mama [Judith Anderson], tries desperately to hold onto whatever happiness and dignity the family still possesses. But a storm of confrontations is brewing, and she's powerless to stop it.

The 'shocking' element that was changed was the revelation that Brick and his friend had been lovers and that Maggie's 'crime' was her attempt to eliminate her rival. This was changed to the friend's killing himself because he was weak. I think when you know this, you can easily see what is going on underneath the surface between Brick and Maggie. It also makes the characters more understandable and believable. Their constant fighting makes more sense. The story becomes about more than greed, power, money and land. It becomes about the power of the human heart.

"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is highly recommended, script changes notwithstanding.

Every line filled with tension, and the acting is wondeful!
This adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play was nominated for six academy awards in 1959. It stars Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie, rejected over and over by her alcoholic husband, Brick, played by Paul Newman. His father, Big Daddy, played by Burl Ives, has just returned to his Mississippi mansion after exploratory surgery. There's bitter rivalry in the family as they speculate about his death. Jack Carson plays the older son, who, with his pregnant wife, played by Madeline Sherwood and their five obnoxious children are determined to inherit Big Daddy's fortune. But Big Daddy despises him, as he does his own wife of 40 years, Big Mama, played by Judith Anderson.

As this film was originally a play, most of it is sharp and cutting dialogue, every line filled with tension and double meanings. Close-ups reveal the artistry of the actors, all of whom are excellent. I especially liked Burl Ives, whose performance called for a wide range of emotions, showing his vulnerability as well as his strength. And as the characters battled with each other, the story, which I understand was rewritten to fall within the guidelines of 1950s censors, slowly revealed itself. Some critics say this ruined this movie adaptation. I can't comment on that because I though the story was great. Most of the film takes place inside a house and there's almost no physical action. Not necessary. The dialog does it all. And it does it well. Recommended.

Humanity at it's best...
"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is a spectacular visual masterpiece about the human spirit.
Every character has three dimensions, and every line is perfectly written and delivered. Credit is needed for the original playright(although I am aware the plot was altered to please the strict critics of the time), who along with the screenplay writers are as important as the actors.
Speaking of actors, Liz Taylor, Burl Ives and Paul Newman were all flawless in their roles. They were human, and as a painting they were more real than reality. My opinions of the characters changed continually throughout the film. It was as if you were peeling away the skin layer by layer to find the truth. Annoyance turned into hate, hate turned into compassion.
The most important element of this film was feelings;emotions the players have, and have to deal with. As well as how you feel about them, and their situations.

Superb
Acting doesn't come any better than this. Newman and Taylor have such chemistry its unbelievable, and although the movie may drag in certain parts, overall it is a great character study.
Taylor is heartbreaking as the sexually deprived wife as Newman, a hardened man who suspects his wife of infidelity. Once again the theme of homosexuality is present ( as it is in all of Williams' plays), but in the movie it is thankfully downplayed and subtle. The definitive film version of the play, whose highlights are pretty much every scene in which Maggie and Brick are alone in their room bickering.

MEEEOOOOW!
"Cat on the Hot Tin Roof"
Has so much tension, one can't cut it with a machete... Just another very dysfunctional family, which Tennessee Williams writes so brilliantly.

You have Maggie (the cat) The only character in the extended family who is 'Normal' The only one who seems to be keeping the family from killing one another. Liz, of course plays her beautifully, superbly, very sexy as 'The Cat'

(Brick) Paul Newman plays her husband...A drunk with many devils he needs to let out, such as why he will not sleep with Maggie, why won't he stop thinking about his foot-ball buddy who killed himself. The viewer will wonder if his has other preferences... Because who wouldn't sleep with (The Cat)??

Big Daddy...played by Burl Ives... The GOD of the family, the one with all the money, Power, the one who's dying. (Excellent performance)

(Goober) Brick's brother and his wife wait impatiently for Big Daddy's fortune. The wife is appalling enough to make one sick. Continually taunting Maggie about not having children, having a bad marriage, not controlling Brick. Her kids run around the house like little, foul animals.

This family is a disaster waiting to happen...The pressure cooker is on high, baby, and when she blows
Watch out...All hell will break loose all over the place.

They don't make um' like this anymore.

MEEEEOOOOOW! ... Read more

Reviews (68)

A Blazing Saddles style parody
Steve Martin is one of the funniest actors on the planet and also one of the best comedic writers. This movie is styled somewhat after Blazing Saddles in that the characters alternate between crazy and outrageous. The plot centers around three silent film stars who are summarily canned from their studio for the audacious request of actually being paid for their work. Broke, they are sent a telegram from a small town in Mexico with what they think is a request for a personal appearance. Unfortunately, the request was not clear because the town was so poor they could not afford all the words needed in the telegram to explain they want the Amigos to rid the town of a killer bandito by the name of El Guapo. The movie is very funny, filled with bizarre characters, such as the singing bush, surreal moments, like the Amigos singing around a campfire or singing to a room full of desperados, and extremely funny conversations. Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short all do good comedic turns. The only thing I do not understand is how this movie got rated R; besides the sometimes rough language, this should be a PG-13.

FUNNIEST COMIC TRIO SINCE "THE THREE STOOGES"
I have this very funny movie in my collection. SUPERBERBLY directed by John Landis, here is an UPROARIOUS comedy about three loveable bumblers, who are way in over their heads. But come what may, they'll always remain the "THREE AMIGOS". Steve Matin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short travel a dusty road to adventure and laughter lin this ZANY mix of sharp one liners and clever sight gags. The "THREE AMIGOS" are a silent screen comedy act who have seen better days. So has a remote Mexican hamlet which is being TERRORIZED by a FIERCE bandit gang. FINALLY, in desperation, a naive villager sends the actors a telegram asking for help. [THREE AMIGOS HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA. YOU ARE VERY GREAT. 100,000 PESOS TO COME TO SANTO POCO. PUT ON SHOW. STOP. THE INFAMOUS EL GUAPO.]. THINKING they're being offered a fortune for a personal appearance, the hapless trio arrives in Mexico. ONLY TO DISCOVER that this time they're dodging REAL bullet!!!. This is a VERY FUNNY movie and I recommend to my fellow viewers to buy it and add it to their video library collection. I PERSONALLY CAN NOT WAIT FOR A SEQUEL TO BE MADE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

The (Un) Magnificent Trio
The movie was produced at a time when Martin and Chase were trying to revitalize their movie careers. Martin Short was just starting to make films. THE THREE AMIGOS was supposedly a live action variation of Disney's THE THREE CABALLEROS but couldn't secure the rights and its a good thing. This is pretty much an unwatchable one joke premise film. Three soon-to-be unemployed silent screen actors whose movie screen personas are "The Three Amigos" are unknowingly hired to go to a south of the border town to get rid of a bandito (El Guapo) who is wreaking havoc to all the village townsfolk. The three arrive thinking they are to perform for the people and end up fighting the villian. Not much here as all three 'Amigos' have the same lame-brain personalities. Director Landis (ANIMAL HOUSE, THE BLUES BROTHERS) can't get much from the one-joke, not-very-original script (SNL's Lorne Michaels) and not one funny performance from either leads. There is a musical sequence reminiscent of the old singing cowboy movies that is mildly amusing (and again not very original). Otherwise, this is a very forgettable movie.

Funniest movie of all time
The Three Amigos is the absolute funniest movie of all time. Each time you watch it you will find new things that will crack you up. Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short are gods.

three aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamigos!
Are you ready to laugh your socks off? If yes, get this movie and start watching it! This mix of three amazingly hilarious comedians make an outstanding team that will certainly make your stomach hurt from laughing. Chevy Chase, Martin Short, and Steve Martin play the "Three Amigos," who are out-of-work actors asked to go fight the infamous El Guapo in Mexico. Thinking that El Guapo is "more than famous" instead of horrible, they take the job. As you can probably see, this mix-up causes quite a few problems that aren't at all too serious. After seeing this movie once, you'll be wanting to see it again and again. ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Great Movie
Little Buddha is a wonderfully entertaining and historically accurate film. The story has two plots, making it confusing at some times. One tells of a Buddhist priest searching for the reincarnation of his dead teacher, while the other tells the story of Siddhartha Guatama, the Buddha. (Played by Keanu Reeves)

As far as the acting goes, this film gets five stars from me. Siddhartha, (Reeves) is played beautifully, along with Lisa Conrad, (Bridget Fonda) and Lama Norbu. (Ruocheng Ying) Another plus about the acting are the three children who played the candidates for the reincarnation of the teacher. I especially liked Gita, who is the only girl candidate.

I liked the costumes, too, as they are historically accurate, and stand out with the bright colors and makeup. I found it strange that the men wore makeup, but they do, and the film portrays it brilliantly.

All along I have been mentioning how historically correct this film is. I have been saying this because it is the truth. Not only is the story of Siddhartha correct, but all of the facts about Buddha and Buddhism are too. If you know nothing about the religion, watching this film will give you a basic introduction to Buddhism.

There are two things that would have made this film better. If it did not flash so much between the two plots, it would have been less confusing. Also, I did not like the music. I don't know if it just was not my type or if it didn't go with the movie, but I didn't like it. Little Buddha is a grea movie and I recommend watching it, but don't waste your money on the soundtrack.

Educational
Cast: Ying Ruocheng, Alex Wiesendanger, Keanu Reeves, Chris Isaak, Bridget Fonda

Little Buddha is both an enjoyable and educational movie. This movie has two story lines. One is about the quest of a group of monks, to seek out the reincarnated spirit of a great Buddhist teacher, Lama Dorje. And the other is a retelling of the story of Siddhartha, and how, having reached enlightenment, becomes the Buddha.

During the first plot line, Lama Norbu comes to Seattle in search of the reincarnation of his dead teacher, Lama Dorje. His search leads him to young Jesse Conrad, Raju, a boy from Katmandu, and an Indian girl. Together, they journey to Bhutan where the three children must undergo a test to prove which is the true reincarnation. After finding his teacher the monk then meditates and dies.

The second story is about Siddhartha and how he became the Buddha. It traces his spiritual journey from ignorance to true enlightenment. Young Siddhartha lived a carefree life in the palace. His father, Kind Suddhodana, is shielding him from all unpleasantness such as elderly, sick or dying people. Gradually however, Siddhartha begins to get curious about the world out there, and one day sneaks outside the palace gate. Siddhartha comes in contact with suffering, desires, and death. This movie really opens your eyes to the basic concepts of Buddhism and the theme of reincarnation.

I really liked the costumes and scenery in this movie, because they cam across well along with the theme. The music also added that extra effect needed to keep your attention throughout the movie. There was extremely good acting in this movie, especially by the children. Although this movie was well-written and well thought out, there was no emotional depth or appeal. The running time on this movie is also a little too long, which is not aided by the ragged transitions. And the characters never really connect with the audience, so the viewer's attention span is greatly tested. But overall I really enjoyed this movie and the themes it presents.

A wonderful family film
"Little Buddha" is a wonderful family film that is entertaining and educating without being educational. It provides a view on Buddhist beliefs and explains the basis of this way of life.

Embedded in the main story of the film is the story of the Buddha's journey to enlightenment. It is told in a fashion that will be enjoyable to people of every age. This work is also filmed beautifully and shares with you life in many cultures.

Please take some time and enjoy this film!

PS - Keanu Reeves as Siddhartha (Buddha) - takes some getting used to...

Little Budda, Little thought
It seems to me that this movie was rushed through production. I feel that this movie could have gone deeper into the truth of Buddism and not lingered on the top of it. I don't understand how the parents of the little boy would just leave him with perfect strangers or let him run off by himself in Bhutan. There seemed to be no point with the fact that the fathers freind died, except that it showed connection between Siddhartha and the boy. In the end of the movie, I didn't understand how the kids ended up watching Siddhartha be temtped under the Bo tree and reach enlightenment. While many of the things shown about Buddism were true, they forgot some main ideas such as the four noble truths and the eight fold path.
In all, I feel this movie could have been taken more time on in the making and resulted in a pathetic movie that stretches the reality of our lives

Excellent Film
I really love this film, it wasnt at all what I expected, and that is even more awesome.
I let my son watch this film and he enjoyed it so much he had a ton of questions regarding Buddha and the expeirences of all the children. No child is too young to develop an open mind.
I suggest this film for anyone interested in Eastern Philosophies and/or Reincarnation. Or if you have questions or uncertainities about Buddha, this film brings Buddha's teachings forward and expresses the compassion that his love had. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Lust, sex, deception and the old South
This fairly erotic movie features strong performances by Sherilyn Fenn, who displays quite a bit of skin in the movie, Louise Fletcher, the late Burl Ives, and a surprisingly not bad looking Kristy McNichol, in a tale of lust, sex, and the old South.
Without giving the plot away, Fenn is a girl who can't say no to an all teeth, tanned, and long haired carnival worker; befor she marries into an upper class Southern families (or better to say merges the two families). (And she has the nerve to wear white!) Her grandmother and the local sheriff and friend of the family (Ives)have other ideas. There is a fairly hot dancing sequence with Fenn and McNichol (who definitely left any traces of her character on "Family" behind, exposing a little skin of her own; though she's clearly overmatched, bodywise, by Fenn). Not a bad movie, I wonder how the sequel will be.

An erotic story for women
I went to see this film in a movie theater when it was released. A man in the audieance yelled out "What is the point of this?" during the movie. Honey, there is no point. Zalman King's movies typically are geared toward male sexual fantasies, but this film will appeal more to women. Sherilyn Fenn is gorgeous and Richard Tyson will have women drooling. This is what porn should look like, from a woman's point of view. Every woman friend that I know that has seen this has liked it. The plot is questionable, like plots are in a lot of Zalman King's films, but it is erotic and steamy visually. Check out "Red Shoe Diaries" & "Delta of Venus" for more hot and sexually charged visuals.

Chick Flick Indeed
OK. So it's either a masterpiece or cheesy soft porn. This is still one of the best chick flicks to see after a break-up. I own it now and watched it for the first time while in a long-term relationship. It still works. The cinematography is beautiful, the costumes are white and the story is timeless. What woman wouldn't want to cross over to the dark side if she can encounter someone like Richard Tyson? Yum! Besides, men can appreciate Sherilyn Fenn and women can see the full monty, although not Tyson's. Order a pizza, pour a diet Coke or Pepsi, invite your female friends and just enjoy.

hardly worth it
I picked this film up after seeing Fenn in Kiss of the Beast. The love-making and overall acting of this one are both very weak! It's basically a cheesy romance novel with no heat. They need to make Kiss of the Beast into a DVD version. That film is much better!

about the movie two moon junction.......
This movie is basically about the actress whom at first gouing to marry someone but got 'intimated' with another man whom work in the fun park(something like knots Berry farm) and then he switched job top become a dish washer after he went to the actress home to bathe without her consent to enter the house. The story ends with him almost killed by 'rangers' during the time when the actress is about the get married(excution plan ordered by the actress family members). The last part shows that she in the end went to the actor's place to bathe and this concludes the story. There are two sex scenes in this movie as I've seen the Malaysian bootleg version DVD9(as good as code 1's clarity) after my friend brought back from there. For those whom are interested in this genre of movie by Zalman King....recommended purchase...... ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Wonderfully flavored baseball movie
What a fun movie! This film is a depiction of the 1919 Chicago WhiteSox who are alleged to have "fixed" the World Series that year against the Reds.

Here's what I loved about the film. The portrayal of Charlie Comisky, the White Sox owner is outstanding. I found myself quickly siding with the players from the outset and bristling at his obviously unethical and cheap approach. The time period depicted has a great "feel" to it. The baseball scenes are excellent and have a realistic feel as well. John Cusak and DB Sweeney are excellent as Buck Weaver and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson.

The portrayal of the newly appointed commisioner Kennisaw Mountain Landis is also excellent. After watching this film you will better understand the current situation with Pete Rose, and where his expulsion from baseball originates. If you are at all a baseball fan you will enjoy the film.

My only criticism is that too much film time is spent of the gangsters and the announcers. That was a little tedious, and limited the further character development of the players, the depiction of the game, the owners, and the era.

I recommend this film though easily to any baseball fan.

Great look into the White Sox world series of 1919
This movie examines the role of the Chicago White Sox in the famous White Sox world series scandal of 1919. I thought it was one of the most appreiciated baseball movies of all time. It deals with the corruption of gambling in sports and the temptations that this particular group of athletes had in throwing the world series. Watching this movie helped me understand why sports betting, for the most part, is the major corporation it is today.

John Cusak is wonderful as Shoeless Joe, one of the White Sox who does not want to go along with the scheme. This movie is very detailed: we get an inside point-of-view from the audience, mob, player and player's wife's perspective. It is a look at the conscience of the White Sox players who must either "sell out" and throw the World Series to make the extra buck and keep the sports sharks off their backs, or keep the integrity of the game intact by giving their all on the field and denying the prospects of more money.

I recommend this movie not only for baseball fans, but all movie junkies. It examines many of the sports issues that we deal with today, such as corruption, integrity of the sport, and gambling.

Sayles' masterpiece
It's difficult not to get your personal feelings called into play when watching an obviously slanted film like EIGHT MEN OUT. John Sayles, like Oliver Stone, is an obvious agit-prop master for the left or at least for labor in its battle against owners. But so are several others movie-makers. However, those others do not get the responses that Sayles has evoked because they don't have half the talent that Sayles possesses. There is no fence-sitting when watching his films, and that's because his visions and messages are clear, uncompromising and passionate. EIGHT MEN OUT is one of his highest achievements in those regards.

In his analysis of the rigging of the World Series of 1919, Sayles targets White Sox owner Comiskey as the true villain. And I believe this is accurate, if not justifiable, at the very least. The Black Sox scandal, as it came to be known, was undoubtedly the lowest point in baseball history, but it could have been avoided. Had Comiskey treated his players as they merited, it is doubtful any of it would have come about. This is not to say that these athletes were angelic: Sayles goes to great