Description

Berlin, 1939: At the dawn of World War II, power-mad SS Officer Wallenberg (Helmut Berger of THE DAMNED) is ordered to find and train Germany's most beautiful women to work in the opulent brothel of Madam Kitty (Ingrid Thulin of CRIES AND WHISPERS). Here these Nazi nymphs will submit to the bizarre passions and carnal degradations of the Reich's highest-ranking men and women while Wallenberg secretly records their acts for blackmail. But when an innocent young prostitute (Teresa Ann Savoy of CALIGULA) uncovers the conspiracy, her revenge will ignite a holocaust of pain, pleasure and shocking sexual perversion. The story is true. The depravity is real. The film is SALON KITTY.

John Steiner (MANNAJA), Tina Aumont (TORSO) and John Ireland (RED RIVER) co-star in this infamous epic co-written and directed by Tinto Brass and featuring exquisite production design by OscarAE winner Ken Adam (BARRY LYNDON, GOLDFINGER). Released in America as the heavily censored MADAM KITTY, this controversial shocker has been fully restored from the director's own personal vault print and features extended scenes of sexual atrocities now presented for the first time ever. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Dull Brass
Interesting only because it was made by Europe's premier exploitation director, "Kitty" is tedious and has pretensions to being an expose of the Nazis. This film is nothing more than a forerunner of the Italian (...) genre that flourished briefly in the 1970's. As to the controversial and perverse elements - they are clumsily handled and pointless. You'll find more (...) readily available elsewhere and the horror of the Nazis is presented much more graphically and forcefully in movies by Speilberg and Polanski to name but two. If you're interested in a more thoughtful attempt at controversy from Italian directors with better artistic credentials, you might try "Seeds of Evil" and Pasolini's "Salo: 100 Days of Sodom".

about the movie salon kitty......
This story is basically how that one man that tried to black mail hitler was shot dead in the suana by the hitler's loyalist(the armed police officer of that time). There are quite a number of quality nudity scene but the sex scenes[what I can say is those whom watch sex scenes in today's movie like forbidden will definitely shy away from this] in this movie as I've watched the Malaysian's bootleg copy DVD9(clarity as good as code 1) which my friend brought back from there. Recommended purchase for those whom are interested in this movie.

So-So Effort From the Director of "Caligula"
Director Tinto Brass is probably better known for lensing the controversial film "Caligula" starring Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, and Peter O'Toole than he is for the sleazy little number called "Salon Kitty." Made five years before the Vidal/Guccione/Brass "Caligula" collaboration, "Salon Kitty" sports several similarities to Brass's later production. This film also takes a historical setting as its starting point, specifically National Socialist Germany of the 1930s. The film boasts similarly impressive set pieces constructed by Oscar winner Ken Adam of "Barry Lyndon" fame (this is saying something because "Barry Lyndon" is one of the best period pieces ever put to film, in large part due to the costumes and sets). "Salon Kitty" even casts the beautiful Teresa Ann Savoy in a major role as the young Aryan prostitute Margherita (she played Caligula's sister in "Caligula"). Yep, it is easy to make plenty of comparisons between this movie and the later "Caligula." It is also quite simple to make comparisons of the bad traits in both films because "Salon Kitty" tends to bore more than it titillates.

Specifically, "Salon Kitty" takes place in 1939 Berlin just as the German military readies itself for war. At some point, higher ups decide to assemble the best examples of young Aryan womanhood in order to train them as prostitutes in service to the German soldiers. A German officer of supposedly impeccable standards, Helmut Wallenberg, runs this new training program. Wallenberg, who has his own nasty little secrets, comes across as the archetype of every German officer portrayed in films since the end of World War II: he is imperious, cold, calculating, and as cruel as they come. In order to put his plan into action, Wallenberg enlists the services of Madam Kitty, a brothel owner of some note who spends her evenings performing cabaret numbers for the customers. Kitty scoffs at Wallenberg's suggestions until the German officer closes down her business in order to force her into service to the state. Kitty finally acquiesces to the Germans and proceeds to turn the young Aryan gals into carbon copies of the prostitutes she once presided over at her brothel. What follows are endless scenes of partying, nudity, and cabaret numbers as Kitty and her coterie perform for the fatherland.

Unknown to Kitty and the nubile Margherita, Wallenberg runs the brothel as a cover for a massive spying operation complete with bugged rooms, bugged telephones, and blackmail. And there is great potential for blackmail as high-ranking National Socialists show up to party with Kitty and the gang. All the while the tape recorders run away behind the walls, capturing any hint of criticism directed against the German government. Margherita eventually discovers these shenanigans when she falls in love with one of her clients only to discover later that the authorities arrested and executed him for treasonous comments he made in the brothel. Armed with deep suspicions about her role as a prostitute, Margherita approaches Kitty and together the two launch their own private war against Wallenberg and his henchmen.

"Salon Kitty" is a sick, morally reprehensible film. The party scenes are exercises in sleaze, with swastikas adorning the most unusual of objects. Every character engages in the most nauseating of acts, and Brass tosses out gruesome scenes in an autopsy room and a slaughterhouse just in case you forget you are watching a movie about National Socialist Germany. The worst scene comes early in the film, and I am not going to say anymore about it except to say you will know it when you see it. In addition to the sordid scenes, the movie further offends with a poor script, mediocre acting, and pacing that absolutely plods along. The picture seems to run for an eternity due to these elements and a few others. Madam Kitty and Margherita don't even put the pieces together about Wallenberg until well into the movie, long after most of the viewers have long wearied of the whole exercise. About the only thing I enjoyed about "Salon Kitty" was Madam Kitty's cabaret numbers and watching the beautiful Teresa Ann Savoy. I think "Salon Kitty" serves as a good example of what occurred in certain filmmaking circles in the 1970s: overly long, overly pretentious attempts to weld sleaze with art house pretensions.

The DVD version of "Salon Kitty," put together by William Lustig's Blue Undergound, gives more attention to this film than it really deserves. The transfer is widescreen and looks darn good for a movie of this age. There are tons of extras, too, including interviews with Tinto Brass and Ken Adam, gallery stills, radio spots, and a trailer for the film. When "Salon Kitty" originally came out in the 1970s, the U.S. print suffered numerous cuts and arrived on our shores under the name "Madam Kitty." Completists, like me, will appreciate Lustig's generous restoration of the film while lamenting that the movie really isn't that great. Still, I've seen much, much worse than "Salon Kitty," so spending a couple of hours with it wasn't a complete loss. If you really must see this film, try and rent it instead of buying it.

One of the worst films ever made?
What alternate universe did the makers of this film come from? It doesn't even deliver on the ick factor like Ilsa She Wolf of the S.S. did. It's just plain embarrassing.

LUSH SEXPLOITATION.....
First of all, there is no "sexual perversion" or "sexual atrocities" in this film. But it IS brought to you by the director of "Caligula". "Salon Kitty" is a very lush, very raunchy and very graphic sexploitation film set in 1939 Europe about an SS officer who converts a popular brothel into a spy operation staffed with specially trained and selected girls. The madam, Kitty (Ingrid Thulin), doesn't understand why she had to relocate and restaff and is unaware of the covert goings on. It supposedly is being done to blackmail certain officials but this kind've takes a back seat to the nudity and sexual cavorting. The officer (Helmut Berger) is a twisted and tortured soul---incapable of any sort of sexual relations or relationships. The heroine, prostitute Margarita (Teresa Ann Savoy), looks innocent but is capable of handling the most demanding situations imaginable. She ends up cluing Kitty into what's going on and helping bust the whole thing open. Nazi symbols are everywhere (even on garters!) and some scenes are mind-boggling in their silliness. At times I was wondering if the whole thing was a satire. But some non-sexual scenes (like the slaughterhouse) are repellent in the extreme. The costumes are extravagant and beautiful and suited to the decadence of the brothel. Miss Kitty's song numbers (oh yes, she performs, too) are a bit much in their Dietrich-esque sultriness. Thulin resembles an aging drag queen as she carries on in her over-the-top costumes and blonde wigs. Savoy is pretty (and looks disturbingly too young) but cannot act for love nor money. And she has chances at both in this film. Berger is all pomp and starch as the officer. He's believable. You wonder if he's gay at times. He refuses the services of Kitty's girls but tries with Savoy. It's unpleasant because he's too cold and too far gone. The sex in "Salon Kitty" IS rather repulsive but there's ample male and female nudity for voyeurs. The soundtrack is good---with appropriately decadent music and song numbers suited to the period and place. The DVD print is mostly good but ranges from too dark in some scenes to quite vivid in others. Overall, it's watchable with plenty of extras and a second disc all about "Salon Kitty". A collector's item for those with a taste for this sort of thing. Just be careful who you show it to. It's very strange stuff. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The core cast of the classic British sitcom Are You Being Served?returns to run a country hotel in Grace & Favour (known in the U.S.as Are You Being Served? Again!). John Inman (as the deliciouslyfey Mr. Humphries), Mollie Sugden (imperious Mrs. Slocombe), FrankThornton (snobbish Captain Peacock), Wendy Richard (cheerfully tart MissBrahms), and Nicholas Smith (jug-eared Mr. Rumbold) transplant theirDepartment-store banter to a small village manor house, where they grapplewith such problems as a stolen gypsy cart, American tourists, a mummifiedcat, and the bubbly attentions of farmgirl Mavis (Fleur Bennett), whoshares a warm bed with a dismayed Mr. Humphries. Some plot elements arelabored (far, far too much is made of this bed-sharing) while others gettossed aside before they go anywhere (Mrs. Slocombe's husband, who lefther 40 years before, appears for a single underdeveloped episode), anda few too many jokes are recycled from the previous series (including alot of sexual double-entendres that don't quite fly when the cast is thislong in the tooth). Nonetheless, the comic ensemble maintains their easy,enjoyable rapport, which is no small accomplishment. This series isunlikely to entice the uninitiated into the fold, but fans of Are You BeingServed? will take to it like comfort food. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wonderful follow up to Are You Being Served?
Wonderful sequel that was cut short in it's prime. It has been shown here in the states on PBS once or twice, but not with as heavy rotation as the original series. To correct another reviewer so slightly, I believe that Mr. Grace doesn't bequeath the staff an estate; if I recall correctly, this is the Grace Brothers Staff Home, and the staff are left to make a going concern (country inn) of it to eat in their retired years. Mr. Humphries may have still been a junior (even if not THE junior) at the end of the original series, and Ms. Brahms was a junior. Between her junior years and the sequel, she did a turn (for many years) as Pauline Fowler on "Eastenders", also a fine show. Mr. H and Miss B are both in the sequel as well as Mrs. Slocombe and Capt. Peacock. Mr. Molterd has to be one of the funniest characters I have ever seen. This one is even more hysterical than the original, I think.

GREAT SHOW- TOO FEW EPISODES
This was the follow-up to ARE YOU BEING SERVED. Unfortunately, the BBC only gave it 2 seasons, and decided it wasn't getting the ratings they wanted. I think it is hilarious, a very funny, overlooked series that was almost as funny as the original show. For anyone who loves the original ARE YOU BEING SERVED, this is a must. If you aren't familiar with that show, this is still a VERY funny, light hearted comedy series, definately worth viewing many times.

Served with increased humor
Loved this series even without the hierarchy of the GB's store.So great to see my favorite cast of characters in another setting which allowed for greater enjoyment.Lots of the same double entendre's the show is famous for and catch phrases each character is identified with.My favorite episode is when the mummified cat is found in the wall and the group takes it to a museum to be displayed.Mrs.Slocom tells a museum worker that she has a pussy of great antiquity and wants the curator to take a look at it. Hillarious.Buy it and enjoy if you loved the first series.The new characters are great, especially Mr.Molturd,and i am unanimous in that!

This show is Great :)
This show is a forgotten jem of Brittish Comedy. The show takes the orignal characters of Are You Being Served and sets them in a country setting. They have inheritted a manor owned by Mr. Grace after he dies and are forced to make money off of it. The show introduces some new characters, Mr and Miss Molturd and Ms. Locklock and none of the people who played the "junior" in the orignal series are there (no trever banister). I'm glad the BBC is finally making this product avaible for public purchase as hasn't been on TV for years.

The greatest shame is this show only had 12 episodes, partly due to Ms. Slocombe's actoress's illness. This show had alot of potential. ... Read more

Description

At the New York City High School for the Performing Arts, students get specialized training that often leads to success as actors, singers, etc. This movie follows four students from the time when they audition to get into the school, through graduation. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Baby Remember My Name
This Alan Parker film came out in 1980, after the director had horrified everyone with visions of Turkish Prison in MIDNIGHT EXPRESS. But here we have a loving valentine to the kids of New York who dream of being performers at the high school for performing and visual arts. It's a musical, but one where the songs and dancing come out of the kids naturally as they goof off or perform for themselves or each other. You get to see four years of high school, and about 8 kids who reach varying levels of realizations about how hard the world really is when you want to be famous.

Finally FAME gets the DVD treatment! A widescreen transfer, featurettes, and a wonderful video commentary that shows 4 of the leads TODAY talking about their 15 minutes of notoriety as a star of FAME. It's a fun experience to see how they have aged, and what they remember of the filming. Alan Parker is the real star of the commentary though! He gets to talk over the entire movie, but thankfully he's witty and informative. My favorite tidbit was the original name of FAME was HOT LUNCH! Okay... that would have been ... disaster.

Best reason to own this? The music! You can watch the movie once, but I dare you to ever forget the title song "FAME". My personal fave is "Out Here On My Own" for sentimental reasons. You'll want to sign up for dance, voice, and acting lessons after this one.

See where all the hoopla started! Before the television shows, before the musical hit the stage ... there was this gritty movie showing foul-mouthed kids trying to make it in The Big Apple. Or at least through high school!

Good DVD release
So finally a movie the caliber of Fame comes to DVD.
I guess if you are here it's because you've seen the movie and wonder if the DVD is worth buying. Just in case: Fame tells the story of a group of students who enter a Performing Acts school in NY. It starts with the auditions and finishes after graduation. Fame has a very good cast, a better script, and even a better soundtrack - featuring of course Irene Cara.
As for the DVD, the picture quality is somewhere from good to very good (no complains, but it won't blow you away) and so is the sound quality.
Extras are 'ok'. I miss new interviews with the crew (there's some from when the film premiered), a 'where are they know' (yeah, we do know Alan Parker is one of the most respected directors, Irene Care had a music career...what about Lee Curreri and rest?
All in all, I think the DVD won't dissapoint to Fame fans that want to have the movie in digital quality.

A brilliant but unsatisfying film!!!
From the opening credits, Fame seemed extremely promising. Here is a musical about the trials and tribulations of the talented kids at a New York City High School for Performing Arts. I mean, you can't go wrong. This just screams masterpiece. And even after the credits began to roll, that promise was still there.
So why didn't Fame hold up to that promise? Maybe because it tried to tell too many stories in too short a time and never fully developed them. Maybe there were to many primary characters. Or maybe because none of the individual stories resolved themselves and the film seemed unfinished, ending too soon and too fast, despite it's lengthy running time.

We follow eight of the accepted students through three years of their education. They grapple with discipline, praise, disappointment, growth, friendship, love, sex, competition, and initiation into the world of entertainment where there are more failures than successes. As in his two previous movies, director Parker demonstrates his gift for working with youth and drawing out their best performances, which greatly benefits the film.

Barry Miller is Ralph, a fast-talking Puerto Rican whose hero is Freddie Prinze and whose hip comic sense hides a painful personal life. Irene Cara plays Coco, an ambitious singer whose longing for fame leads her to the seamy side of showbiz. Gene Anthony Ray is a tough black ghetto youth who dances like a leopard and resists the disciplinary strictures of one of his teachers (Anne Meara). Maureen Teefy is very convincing as a Brooklyn girl who must free herself from a domineering mother in order to express her artistic sensibilities. Lee Curreri plays a synthesizer enthusiast whose single-minded genius is the source of pride for his taxicab-driving father. Also featured are Paul McCrane as a homosexual acting student, Antonia Fransceschi as a rich ballerina, and Laura Dean as a lackadaisical dance student.

Fame is an emotionally involving and exuberant movie. It contains many moments of cinematic poetry. For every clichéd portrait of teenage anxiety there is a matching character revelation of depth. But in the end, it all seems unsatisfying and that's a shame. With all these great qualities going for it, I try not to think about what could have been. It's definitely a motion picture experience worth taking, but it should have been a lot more satisfying!!!!

FINALLY!
I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THAT FAME HAS FINALLY MADE IT TO DVD. I HAVE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR THIS. I WOULDN'T MISS THIS SHOW AT ALL WHEN IT WAS COMING ON. I AM GLAD THAT THIS HAS COME OUT. THIS IS GREAT.

Entertaining, realistic, involving, fun.
In the series of realistic/dark movies about music (like Footloose, Saturday Night Fever). This type of film minimises hollywood gloss, using as many unknown or fresh actors as possible and minimises "I feel a song coming on" moments and other movie-musical cliches. If anything, these movies are closer to movies than musicals. Music is everywhere in Fame, though. Its about dance, theatre, movies and playing instruments - yet instances of any of these are fit into a real-life situation, like kids trying out for a special talent school, or rehersals or performances. For those who aren't really fans of musicals (i am, but i know some people are not), no-one spontaneously bursts into song during Fame. Or when they do it is made seem spontaneous and immensely fun. And fun is the key element in Fame. Like Footloose and Fever, there are definite moments of hard-edged drama, but unlike the other two, there is more than enough fun to be had. You probably like the characters in Fame a lot more than you do in those other two also. The opening audition section very cleverly makes you interested in this quirky cast of characters, and you gladly follow their adventures for the hefty running time thereafter. Well-directed by Parker, Fame is still fun, exciting and involving decades later. ... Read more

Reviews (141)

Does not do justice to this musical
I originally saw Jekyll & Hyde when it first was created here in Houston and have seen it live several times, before and after it went to Broadway and it is my all-time favorite musical, bar none.
So, even though this production had none of the cast I had seen, I figured the musical was so awesome that it would be good regardless.
Well, I was wrong. The songs I loved are there, but this cast doesn't begin to hold a candle to the ones I had seen live and David Hasselhoff is terrible. And the girl playing Lucy can't begin to hold a candle to Linda Eder, who I saw originally create the role. I could barely finish watching it.
Don't waste your money. Instead buy the CD of the original cast and just imagine the visuals in your head.

FANTASTIC !!
I THINK JEKYLL AND HYDE THE MUSICAL IS THE BEST MUSICAL AND SHOULD BE GIVEN A GRAMMY.

thrilling live broadway at it's best!
after seeing this in high definition tv, twice this month, i had to buy the dvd! i think it marvelous. david does a splendid job in spite of some of my co writers here, and the ensemble, emma, and especially lucy (who tares the house down during her curtain calls) are all absolutely splendid! there are great musical highlights that do stop the show cold, esp. in his eyes, the facade, and david's dual personality aria that also gets sustained bravos from the packed new york audience, etc. it is a very intense, highly entertaining show now on a great looking and great sounding dvd! not to be missed, especially for real theatre lovers.the score is so full of dynamic show stoppers, it's hard to count, but i thought it marvelous bravo!

The trivial opinion of an IU voice major
There are MANY things I could say about this production. Many of them are very negative, namely the less-than-decent (to be polite) singing of "pop sensation" David Hasselhoff. I must admit, he certainly HAS come a long way from "Baywatch", but I would definitely not go so far to say that musical theater is his forte. The show is not one of my favorites, but most of the cast is fairly strong, namely George Merritt, who spent a number of years with the Metropolitan Opera. All of the music is well-written; there are just far too many repetitive ballads (lovely music, just slighty "draggy" -- 3 key changes per song, minimum haha). The show has grown on me since I bought this video, but it is still painful to watch Hasselhoff butcher "This Is the Moment". His performance as Hyde is definitely stronger than that of Jekyll (which is very forced, even cheesy), and the show gets better as it goes on, however, I doubt it will ever be a "classic". It's a shame Anthony Warlow couldn't have been part of this cast. If you're already a fan of the show, or have no background in singing or theater, I'd recommend this product (As Hasselhoff's performance is unlikely to mar the opinion of a true"Jeckie" or an untrained ear).

Wonderful doesn't even come close. It's Fabulous.
Though I am unable to attend theater anymore, I do love to be able to watch what is available on DVD or VHS. I was really surprised with David Hasselhoff's lead in this classic hit, "Jekyll and Hyde, The Musical".

I admit that I had never before heard him sing but really, he does have a very strong voice and did a wonderful job as the leading man playing a dual personality. You get the REAL feeling that he truly is two people!

The rest of the cast are outstanding. Coleen Sexton (Lucy Harris) and Andrea Rivette (Emma Carew) had amazing voices and complimented each other very well during duets. George Merritt (John Utterson) was perfect in his role as attorney and friend. I was extremely pleased with his performance and the narration as well as the narration provided by Barrie Ingam (Sir Carew).

The musical score was outstanding, the vocals were amazing, and the acting will keep you on the edge of your seat. Emotions definitely go from one extreme to another going through sheer romance, extreme animalistic lust, simple friendship, and forever unconditional love.

This one is a keeper. It is definitely a work of art for your collection. I have purchased two copies, one for my own collection and one for my mother - who also is a theater buff but, like myself, is not able to attend the theater itself anymore.

As David proclaims during his speech, he has most certainly "come a long way from the beach and the talking car". It was his moment to shine and shine he did. I only hope he will continue on his theatrical quest. ... Read more

Reviews (155)

Script Bad, Actor Good
The script to Oliver Stone's The Doors may not have been great, but V. Kilmer did a good job as Jim Morrison. I am a fan of Jim Morrison's writing and the Doors' music, and I think VK took Morrison on, body and spirit. A few moments in the film, in particular, are extraordinary, where his resemblance to/embodiment of Jim Morrison is uncanny... (*If you saw the movie and you're a Doors' fan, you can't have missed that.)

I agree that the soundtrack was fantastic, however maintain that Val Kilmer was the right one to play Morrison. In fact, I read that Val Kilmer was recorded singing along with Jim Morrison's voice on the last song in the film. For those who feel he was the wrong choice, go back and listen to how well he did that. I am a singer and I know what kind of work it takes to do something like that. It's hard enough to match your own voice, let alone someone else's. Credit where it's due. END

Absorbing movie - i didn't want it to end. (my only friend..
Utterly absorbing bio-pic of Jim Morrison. The name Val Kilmer is, or should be, synonymous with incredible acting that is not merely natural or convincing, but immensely fun and commanding. You may have noticed while watching his recent Wonderland - Val has the ability to make a picture. Here, he IS The Doors: The Movie. There, he WAS Wonderland. I am exaggerating, i suppose. For Oliver Stone has crafted a marvellous film which makes you feel like you've experienced what the sixties were like. Through using The Doors actual music (what was missing from the recent Sylvia, the art of the subject itself - her poetry) to help tell its story and colour its scenes, and filmic techniques to create the drug-induced world vision of Jim Morrison, Stone really takes you into the world of his movie, and the world of the sixties.

This movie made me appreciate what an exciting experience The Doors were, and has actually cultivated love in me for their music. I didn't realise they had more than one classic: Light my Fire, The End, People are Strange, Love her Madly, Break on Through to the Other Side, Riders on the Storm, Touch Me, Roadhouse Blues (Let it roll, baby roll) and probably more i'm yet to discover.

For a better recreation of what Andy Warhol's factory actually felt like, see I Shot Andy Warhol. Crispin Glover actually looks more like Andy than the guy who plays him in "I Shot," but the guy in I Shot much better captured Andy's vagueness and almost unconsciousness while in conversation. This, however, is but three minutes in the movie and has no effect on it as a whole.

Oliver Stone has an amusing cameo: a young film student, Jim Morrison, shows his short film to his class, who are uncouth and disparaging about it, after which camera pans to reveal Oliver Stone standing at the lecturn, (obviously, playing the film professor), who says: "Why don't we ask the author what he thinks?"

Flawed but Fascinating Film.
When a young man by the name of Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer), who writes Poetry and Studying Film in the University of Los Angeles. When Jim falls in love with a beautiful young woman (Meg Ryan). But then, his life slowly changes, when he decide to quit film school to be a songwriter and singer with the help of his close friend (Klye MacLachlan). Jim and his friend, together, they form a band called "The Doors" with two another members (Frank Whaley and Kevin Dillon). Which "The Doors" becomes One of the Most Sensual and Exciting Figures in the History of Rock and Roll, especially the lead singer-Morrison from the Sixties. Which the legendary outlaw, who rocked America's Consciousness-forever.

Directed by Oliver Stone (Any Given Sunday, Born on the 4th of July, The Hand) made a fascinating drama that make Stone's One of his Best Films. Kilmer is Perfectly Cast as Jim Morrison. The Supporting Cast are Terrific, including:Kathleen Quinlan and Micheal Madson. Also Rock Singer:Billy Idol, Cult Star:Crispin Glover and Film Director:Stone appears in Cameos. DVD has an sharp non-anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an digitally remastered-Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround Sound. This DVD is the Director appoved transfer for HD Televisions. DVD Feautres are only:Production Notes, Cast & Crew Bios and Theatrical Trailer. There's also a Special Edition DVD of this film also. This was a Box Office Disapointment and the only flaw in the film is Second Half, where the film slows down. The film is nicely photographed by Robert Richardson (JFK, Kill Bill Vol.1 & Vol.2, Natural Born Killers). Written by the Director:Stone and J.Randall Johnson. Panavision. Grade:A-.

"ALRIIIGGHHHTTT!!!"
This is the best rock movie ever made. Oliver Stone is the most talented filmmaker of all time. This is a film he gets less credit for, but it was very personal to him and brilliantly done. First of all, he nails the life of Jim Morrison, the story of The Doors, and the L.A. Scene (1960s) as perfectly as it can be done. It is beyond nostalgoia, it is time travel.

As great as Stone's use of Doors songs, scenery, drug use and beautiful, heavily-decorated '60s California girls is, it is Val Kilmer who does this turn its proudest. Kilmer probably gets to the core of a real person as thoroughly and realistically as any actor who ever portrayed actual folks.

Next on the agenda, you have to love Frank Whaley as Robbie Krieger and Kyle McLaughlin as a spot on, irritating Ray Manzarek. To those of us who really studied Morrison and The Doors, everything is flawless. The film also conveys the essence of the bar scene, particularly Morrison urinating at Barney's Beanery, which used to be a real rock hangout before it turned into a cafe.

The feeling watching "The Doors" switches between a longing for the romance and excitement of the rock life these people led, and revulsion for the drugs and immorality inherent within it.

Love my girl!

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
...

Fiction Not Fact
For a director who tries to show Jim Morrison as a poet who turned to philosophy and music to discover the truth about himself I have to say I am dissappointed because Oliver Stone created a drunk egoistic poser. Jim Morrison was the lizard king not a sex machine. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

poor but beautiful Cuba!
I have to say that I haven't been to Cuba but I will definetely visit one day. By watching this movie you'll know how primitive, how original, how poor and also how beautiful, how friendly, how much the Cuban people cherish their land, their lives. This is one of my favorite movies so far and you should watch it and own it as well.:)

Gave a Great Laugh to A Cuban Family
When our family sat down to watch Guantanamera we all new the Cuban song from the beggining. Watching this was like going back to Cuba when we traveled across the land. Switching Cars people selling banannas, No road signs, just plain Cuba. The actors in the movie did a great job portraying Cubans. Because you may not believe that's the way real Cubans act, unless your Cuban, but it's what we are really like.

I rated this movie a Four Star because the movie has great laughs for "Cubanos y Gringos". All the irony with cars meeting, people dieing, well I don't want to ruine it for you. But Watch the Movie whether you buy or rent. You'll enjoy it!

'Fresa y Chocolate' better, but watch them both
Filmmakers Tomás Gutiérrez & Juan Carlos Tabio made 'Guantanamera' almost back-to-back with 'Fresa y Chocolate' (Strawberry and Chocolate), and that's how I recommend you view them - rent/buy them as a pair and watch them chronologically, 'Fresa' first.

First, there's the thrill of seeing Mirtha Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría in repeating appearanences, portraying vastly different characters. Of special note is Perugorría's demonstrated range and acting ability. I spent the first half-hour of Guantanamera thinking "That just can't be the same guy."

It was. Amazing stuff.

Also, the film itself presents a take on Cuban life that, while patently absurd to any American, no doubt rings all too true with anyone who has experienced life under Fidel's heavy thumb. Taken together, these two films represent 3 hours of what movies are all about: for me, they were enjoyable and educational; for the filmmakers, they scored a direct hit on the target of their disdain and sarcasm.

Left me laughing and crying all at the same time!!!
As much as I loved "Fresa Y Chocolate" (Strawberry & Chocolate), I love this one even more. The script is superior, and we have the opportunity to meet a wider range of characters, with equally brilliant casting and filming.

If you have seen "Fresa Y Chocolate", then you already love Mirtha Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría. If not, then you will after having seen this film.

If Cheech & Chong, the Marx Brothers & Woody Allen had all collaborated, they couldn't have come up with a film more irreverent, more bitingly satirical, or more delicious with both romance and irony.

And speaking of irony, it seems both impossible that such a film could have come from Cuba in the 1990's, and yet equally impossible for it to have come from any other place. For we have been told, on the one hand, that such burlesque of the Cuban government is not tolerated. Yet, it has always seemed to me that the greatest art arises from the greatest suffering. And Cuba is one of the world's greatest examples of this paradox of human nature. For few nations have suffered as much as the people of Cuba have suffered through out her entire history. And yet, from that island emerges the most beautiful music on earth, and now this!!!

Do yourself a big favor: Don't miss this film!!!

A refreshing Cuban road movie not lacking a sense of irony
The last movie that Cuban director, Tomás Gutiérrez managed to put together alongside his partner, Juan Carlos Tabio, before his death, Guantanamera pretty much can be considered a road movie, but with a very peculiar twist. Irony, an exquisite sense of the most Cuban humor and an important dose of reality can be found in this production, that came only one year after their super-successful "Strawberry and Chocolate," with repeating stars, Mirta Ibarra and Jorge Perugorría, who proved how versatile of an actor he could be: playing a gay character on the first one and a straight macho man on this one. Check it out. You will find it delightful and refreshing. I just give it four stars because it does fall short compared to S&C, its predecessor. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Annette Bening's outstanding performance is the best reason to see Being Julia, a highly melodramatic adaptation of the 1937 novel Theatre by W. Somerset Maugham. With a prestigious pedigree (director Istvan Szabo and screenwriter Ronald Harwood share impressive theatrical backgrounds) and a stellar cast including Jeremy Irons, Bruce Greenwood, and Juliet Stevenson, the film's backstage and onstage theatrics take place in pre-World War II London, when the venerable actress Julia (Bening) fends off middle-age by romancing a stage-struck young American (Shaun Evans) in a calculated attempt to retain some youthful vitality while airing her own dirty laundry onstage in a glorious act of divine diva behavior. Treating life and theater as one big play in which she's the perpetual star, Julia's nothing if not a master thespian, and Bening's got all the chops to keep her in the spotlight. If the film isn't quite worthy of Bening's excellence, at least it gives her performance the showcase it deserves. -- Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Theatre on screen
Genre: Drama, Dark Comedy

Genre Grade: B

Final Grade: A-

This was a great movie that was all about the performance of Annette Bening. Seriously, it must have been a tough choice to choose between her and Hilary Swank for the Oscar. I still think Swank deserved it, but it was a close one. Bening is absolutely hilarious in this movie. By far the best performance I've seen her give. The ending of this movie (or at least what Julia does) is one that will stick in your mind. You probably noticed I gave it a lower "Genre Grade." That's because most audiences won't appreciate this movie, I don't think. Mostly because it's British humor, but also because it is an artistic film that focuses on the acting and is not all about happy endings or traditional Hollywood storylines. The "A-" was because of poor supporting performances from most of the rest of the cast. Anyway, it was a good movie that I recommend, especially if you like theatre.

Being Manic
I wasn't to thrilled about this one.Benning's character is so unlikeable and not in a Bette Davis All About Eve kind of way.Although the film does have some of the same diva theatrics.

Benning's perfomance is best described as manic (and she does do a good job at it) but again, she really is not a likeable or sympathetic character.The others turn in decent perfomances, particularly Juliet Stevenson, but it still isn't enough to keep this one really entertaining.

La Diva
Sometimes, someone comes to his mind and realize that an actress does not need to be young and blonde and less than thirty. Fortunately Mr Szabo is one of those directors. Like the character she plays Ms Benning is a competent, experienced actress and she carry on her shoulders this great and charming film. One of those films where you realize what is performing about, just like her Julia, Ms Benning shows that not only a pretty face can make an actress but how she deals with all the diferent shades she is able to show us in this film.
The story seems simple, a spoiled actress who falls for a younger man and after his betrayal swears for revenge. But between the thrilling of her affair with T-O-M and her revenge the director shows us a wonderful tapestry of a world walking slowly to an abrupt end. The glamour and fake of a theatrical London before the war. And also all the little miseries of everyday's life. Ms Benning is superb, as usual, and she gives us the right dosis of histrionism and countenance just like a good actress should do. In her way she is surrounded by a wonderful cast. Not only Jeremy Irons plays a dazzling gentlemanlike husband. With just the right stuff of irony. But also Ms Margolyes, one of the best supporting actress right now. Michael Gambon like Julia's ghostly mentor, and funny and cocky Juliet Stevens. All of them create a wonderful tapestry where we see how this woman in a very dificult time in her life decides that after all she is still the star in her own life.

Annette Benning Dazzles As The Drama Queen!
Annette Benning plays THE Julia Lambert, the glorious, dazzling 45 year-old diva of the pre-war London stage. She is the toast of the theater world and at the peak of her career in 1938. Ms. Lambert plays to a full-house nightly and fans enthusiastically acclaim her performances. Admirers applaud when she enters restaurants. She, however, is bored. Life lacks verve. Julia complains to longtime husband, ex-actor Michael Gosselyn, (Jeremy Irons), who is also her business manager and director, "Everything's so tedious. I want something to happen." Underneath it all, Julia realizes she will soon be over-the-hill and the prime roles will dwindle.

Then she meets Tom Fennel, (Shaun Evans), a young American accountant only a few years older than her son, who is wild about her. He manages to wangle an introduction and then seduces her over tea at his tiny flat. The verve is back. Bigtime! Julia blooms with all the attention, flattery and, yes, passionate sex. She and hubby Michael have had a platonic, but loving relationship for years, and an "open marriage." The two are a devoted couple, however, as Michael says, they are not "possessive." He understands his wife very well, and realizes she is in the midst of an affair. He also knows that her burgeoning love-life is enhancing her acting performance, which is good for business. And business comes first!

Julia's life has been about acting, performing, seemingly forever. And she is always on - always acting, onstage and off. Her mentor, Jimmie Langton, (Michael Gambon), taught her that "real life does not exist." Langton, long dead, is terrific with his ghostly appearances, giving Julia hell for overacting, and signaling a thumbs-up when she succeeds. Roger, (Tom Sturridge), her teenage son tells her, "You've got a performance for everyone. I don't think you really exist. Once you said something to me, and then you said the same thing on stage that night. Even the things you say are second hand." I found myself trying to discover who the real Julia was, and wondering if a real Julia existed.

Meanwhile, Tom, cannot afford to keep wining and dining Julia, so she picks up the bills. Increasingly more enamored of him, she begins to buy him expensive presents. Ahhh, the callow youth is a cad....he also turns out to be...no, no spoilers here. There's also an ambitious young actress, quite lovely, talented and ruthless, (Lucy Punch), who would just love to step into Julia's shoes. The payback, at the conclusion, is really amazing - a terrific finale worthy of a standing ovation!

Ms. Benning is luminous and truly charismatic as Julia. The film is her vehicle and all other characters take a back seat. Which is not a bad thing. Annette Benning more than carries her own weight and seems to adore every minute, every line and every close-up. The supporting cast is excellent, even with their much smaller roles. Juliet Stevenson is fantastic as Julia's dresser, and the extraordinary Rita Tushingham has a bit part as the aunt who lives on the Isle of Jersey. I loved the period soundtrack.

Ronald Harwood, wrote the screenplay, based on the novella "Theatre" by W. Somerset Maugham. Kudos to director Istvan Szabo - this is terrific entertainment.
JANA

Ways To Get Even
A middle-aged diva (Bening)is tired of her life and work.She settles on a young American interested in her and the theater and takes him under her wing.Her life suddenly blossoms and then, all of a sudden, her young man falls for someone his own age. And then, she gets even...

This story, taking place in London in 1938, is entertaining and easy to follow.Bening plays the character to perfection, showing how Julia can be painfully honest in one moment, a raging diva the next, and smug about her actions the next.This is a movie to watch again and again, especially to learn the subtle way of getting even! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Kurt Russell hits new heights in laconic action heroes with hisportrayal of Sergeant Todd, born and bred to be a soldier in a futuristic army. Raised to kill mercilessly, living only for battle, he finds himself at the twilight of his career (and so-called life) when a regiment of genetically enhanced warriors threatens to make his brand of soldiering obsolete. Despite his extensive skills, he is no match for the best of breed of the new order, and he's left for dead on a planet that serves only as a junk heap. There he encounters a ragtag group of castaways, and in his own strange and silent way slowly begins to learn how to be less a killer and more a human. All is disrupted, though, when the genetic regiment arrives on the trash planet and decides to eradicate the local human "trespassers." Though Todd had been overmatched before, this time he has more than ever to fight for--a home, and friends. Soldier is one of those rare sci fi movies that relies more on plot and action than special effects (though the trash planet is effectively wrought). The pace of action in the last half of the film is relentless and exciting, and Russell's portrayal of the old warrior as he warms to human emotions relies more on expression than words--in fact, he barely utters more than a half-dozen lines. --Tod Nelson ... Read more

Reviews (129)

KURT RUSSELL SWEEPS AWAY ALL OF YOUR EXPECTATIONS
In Soldier, Kurt Russel plays the soldier of the future, one of many raised from birth inside a brutal military training regieme to be the perfect soldier, in an age of space travel and goverments whose militaries kill indescrimanately (well, in that regard, I guess nothing had changed much). Russell and his fellow soldiers are physically powerful, experienced in warfare, and whose only experiences are, battlefields, combat training, and barracks. But upon reaching middle age, Russell and his commrades suddenly find themselves replaced and ultimately degraded by a new generation of genetically engineered and ultimately superior uber-soldiers. Russell's character, Todd, after a confrontation with one of the new soldiers, is left for dead on a planet that's little more than (litterally) a garbage dump and the only inhabitants are a group of shipwrecked colonists who become the first real friends he's ever had. To be honest, I would have never considered renting this movie if not for the talented presence of Kurt Russell because he never disappoints and in Soldier he simply overwhelms you with his performance. Depsite a paucity of lines, he brings his character powerfully to life almost soley through facial expression. While a great soldier, the martial upbringing of Russell's character has left him almost completely without emotion, and watching him deal with emotional situations which he's never experienced was some truly great acting on Russells part. The actions scenes, while not overly immaginative, are also well done and quite brutal, with Todd in one scene gouging out the eye of an opponent while fighting on hanging chains 50 ft. off the ground. His final hand-to-hand confrontation with one of the uber-soldiers (appropriately named Cain) was nicely done for the most part. While the plot of the movie itself is little better than an episode of Battlestar Galactica, Russell and a resoundingly talented supporting cast imbue it with a lot more substance than one finds in other films that have won Oscars. I won't guarantee you'll like it, but even if you don't, you'd probably have to admit (if you're honest) that Russell and the rest of the cast do a wonderful job.

Terrific B movie action adventure science fiction film
Written as sort of a sequel to Blade Runner (it takes place within the same universe) by David Peeples (Unforgiven, Blade Runner), Soldier is a rarity now days; it's a B-Movie masquerading as an A movie. I said it was a rarity because it also doesn't have any pretentions to be anything but that. Kurt Russell plays a man born and bred to be a ruthless, brutal soldier. When he's injured, he's discarded like yesterday's news on a planet where much of Earth's waste is dumped. When the latest genetically enhanced soldiers arrive to dispose of the inhabitants of the planet, Russell's character is pushed into action; he's discovered the barest hints of humanity and compassion that was always denied him before. He's taken to these underdogs and they to him almost as a family.

In many respects the plot for Solider could have been lifted from a Clint Eastwood Western. Here's The Man With No Name suddenly discovering an emotional core he never knew he had. He helps the less fortunate not because of pity but because he realizes he finally belongs. Russell's performance is masterful. While the Russell doesn't have much dialog, he manages to convey what makes the character tick with minimum discussion. Russell uses body language to communicate as much as the dialog. In many respects, he's a variation on the character of Rick Deckard from Blade Runner. He's a man of action that ceases to exist between assignments. This cypher like character suddenly discovers he is more than his past and his actions. In the process he rediscovers his own humanity. Soldier makes a complimentary piece to the Mad Max series.

The film uses the action and science fiction genre for a springboard to examine a lot of different themes and issues but, make no mistake, it is still an ACTION film. The stunts are well choregraphed and the visual effects effective but it isn't drenched in the CGI we've come to expect movies of this type to have.

The DVD transfer is very good as is the audio quality. The extras includes commentary by director Paul W. S. Anderson (Event Horizon, Resident Evil), a theatrical trailer, production notes and both the wide and full screen editions of the movie. My only complaint is the fact that writer David Peeples isn't given any room for a commentary track. Since he's truly the author of the film (and it was intended as a sequel of sorts or companion piece to Blade Runner), it would have been very interesting to get his take on the finished product.

Solider isn't Citizen Kane nor does it pretend to be; it's like many of the classic B-Movies of the 50's to the 80's (most notably The Terminator)in that there's far more than meets the eye going on here.

Stark and subtle tail
I loved this movie. This movie plot has been done before many, many times. Intimidating fighter is thrust into different culture and learns to value it and realizes what he has been missing all this time. What I liked about this movie is the programming the soldiers went through seemed realistic and very possible. I think most people that make movies with the same plot always make the mistake of have the main characters changing too much. This has always seemed unrealistic to me, and quite frankly a little insulting. This movie lets you see the changes in subtle little ways Kurt Russell acts. I would say subtle describes this whole movie. Instead of pounding points into the viewers face, it lets you make your own conclusions on how you would feel if you lived a similar life.

My favourite action movie...not saying much, actually
There are several reviews here which provide a perfectly adequate overview of the movie as a whole, but I want to put in a plug for what is, to me, its greatest appeal. This was one of the first DVDs I ever watched, and it has the first commentary track I ever listened to.
I am a tremendous admirer of Jason Isaacs, who plays a sneering bully (Col. Mekum) in this movie. His role is quite small, but he joins Paul Anderson on the director's commentary and reveals himself to be a man of unusual intelligence and wit. Anderson and the producer, I think, get completely absorbed in self-congratulatory Fanboy minutiae, but I thought Isaacs was hysterically funny. An unusual treat for that reason.

Quite a surprise........
Kurt Russell as an action star? I know that sounds funny, but after you see this movie, you will believe it. I will admit, I thought this movie was going to bite it hard when it came out. I thought it looked cool, but it had "rental" written all over it. After seeing it years ago, I came away entertained. Which is all that really matters, if you think about it. Now that you can get it for a nice price, I would recommend checking it out.

Kurt Russell plays a bio-engineered soldier. He is chosen from birth and trained to kill. That is his only life he knows. He is shown gruesome violence as a young child. He is trained to have no mercy and no remorse. He is a killing machine made by some sort of government. They take children from birth and literally train them to become ruthless soldiers. When they get to their adult years, they are sent out on the battlefield. They are then the perfect soldiers. Of course, there are some downsides to this. They have no social skills. They have never had emotions toward other human beings. And this is where the movie seperates itself from being a 'B-movie'.

Over time, a new super-soldier is created. One that is literally made from the DNA up. This is where the conflict of the movie arises. Sgt. Todd's (Russell) squad is being replaced by a squad of advanced soldiers that are even better than Russell's. They are led by Caine (Jason Scott Lee). Lee plays a pretty decent villianous character. Even though he is just following orders. The orders are coming down from a higher ranking officer (played by Jason Isaacs). Isaacs seems to enjoy this role of playing the main villian. He never goes over the top, but he definately makes you not like him. Gary Busey actually plays a character that is NOT insane. He plays a general (or something) that is the head of the old soldiers. He is reluctant to switch over to the newer soldiers without them ever being tested in the field. Isaac's character overrules him.

So, Russell is dumped like trash onto some planet that has been 'abandoned' (or so they think), and it only used for waste disposal. Upon waking, he is found by a group of outlanders who are living on the plant. They have formed a sort of colony and live peacefully without interference. It is here that Sgt. Todd must learn some human emotion and traits to live with normal human beings. Of course the bad guys want to test out the new brand of soldiers. They send them on (what they think) is a routine "sweep & clear" mission. Little do they know that Sgt. Todd is still alive and is willing to show them a thing or two.

This is an action movie with some heart to it. I thought this was going to be a Rambo-type movie with Russell in the lead role. I was wrong. He defends his new friends and fights for their survival. Along the way, he learns what it's like to care for other people. One of these people is a woman (the insanely HOT Connie Nielson). Her husband was one of the first to befriend Todd. After his death, he takes it upon himself to protect her and her son.

I liked this movie quite a bit. It's kinda low budget and it is an action film. It's not going to win any awards, but it's way better than I thought it would be. I was surprised how big Kurt Russell got for this movie. He only has like 10-15 lines the whole flick and he plays the 'commando' character well. Honestly, I would not pay $20 for this movie, but for $10 it's a steal. It's a fun, yet simple action movie with a nice side of emotion. When I saw the trailer, I was wondering why the hell Russell would want to do a picture like this. After seeing it, I know why.

Not many special features here to speak of. You get a commentary, production notes, and a trailer. That's it. You can find the movie for around $6.99 now, so I guess I can't complain about the lack of supplements. ... Read more

Description

After serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway finds himself with a collection of medals and no war to fight. Training a new group of Marines that are more green than mean, Highway complicates matters by attempting to reconcile with his former wife, Aggie. Rekindling the spark in his failed marriage won't be easy with a crisis brewing in Grenada and his pathetic platoon far from ready. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Heartbreak Ridge
Easily one of my favorite films of all time. From the intro's black and white scenes of the Korean conflict with Don Gibson's "Sea of a Heartbreak" playing, with a dubbed in banjo, in the background to the fade to color present with a battle scared Clint in the drunk tank telling war stories and backing it up with action to prove his point in front of a captive audience. This is a great action and scene packed film. Meant to be taken as tongue in cheek. I look at it as what it might be like if Clint Eastwood did standup comedy. I probably watch this movie 3 times a year. No it's not high art as other reviewers have stated; but who cares. It's a good story, an honest story with some peripheral basis in fact and a lot of patriotism. The story exploits ideals and emotions that most folks over 50 can probably identify with throughout the movie. My 11-year-old son loves the movie. " This is an AK47 assault rifle, the preferred weapon of your enemy and makes a distinct sound when fired at you." This is entertainment at its best.

Clint Eastwood's Marines
Clint Eastwood directed and starred in the lead role of this film about a "salty," battle-hardened career sergeant who whips a platoon of new Marines into shape. Along the way, he attempts to repair his failed marriage and locks horns with the Marine Battalion's Operations Officer.

Eastwood is Gunnery Sergeant Highway, a Korea and Vietnam veteran who won the Medal of Honor and survived a horrific battle in Korea referred to as "Heartbreak Ridge" in the film. He's a warrior on the battlefield, but his aggressive, hard-drinking and "tell-it-like-it-is" personality has cost him promotion and his marriage. Nearing retirement, he receives orders to return to his elite specialty of Force Reconnaissance. Upon arrival, the battalion's operations officer treats Gunny as a washed-up old prima donna and he finds his new platoon comprised of misfits. On the personal side, Gunny's ex-wife still resides locally earning a living as a cocktail waitress.

Tackling his main problem, he commences to breathing fire into his young Marines, turning them into "heart-breakers and life-takers." During his off-time, he tangles with his ex-wife in an attempt to repair their failed marriage. All during this time, he's one step away from being under-mined and kicked out by his nemesis.

The film culminates with their deployment to intervene the crisis on the Island of Grenada (actual operation in 1983), leading the way into combat for the Marine battalion. It is here where the plot unfolds to reveal if Gunny's old-school training methods have worked, if his wife decides to return, and if he'll survive.

Overall, the movie has Eastwood's brand of humor and it's a likeable feature not to be taken too seriously. There are some technical flaws, such as an absence of other officers in the battalion, but this doesn't spoil the movie too much unless you're a proud member of the Marine Corps. Another item about this movie is the use of profanity; it's colorful and there's plenty of it. By rumor, this story was originally written for an Army Ranger battalion, but apparently the Army denied permission to portray their Rangers in this fashion. Whatever the case, it's enjoyable to watch and does touch upon some actual leadership values.

"I'm mean, nasty, and tired"
I can't tell you why this movie is great, if you break it down into individual pieces, it probably wouldn't hold a candle to a bad made-for-TV movie. However, I've watched it dozens of times (and several more on the extra-clear DVD version) and enjoy it thoroughly each.

Eastwood's lines are memorable, if only for their raunchy hilarity. "I eat canstantino wire and piss napalm". Ooh Rah!

A Tribute to Greatness
Heartbreak Ridge is hardly about the military- it's more about greatness and integrity. Clint is assigned to lead a team of rowdy recruits. By demanding greatness from them, Clint is able to transform the group from a bunch of criminals into a well-oiled military team. In doing this, Clint shows the true nature of great leadership. There is also a fair amount of comedy throughout the film, making it enjoyable on multiple levels.

A Great Ride With Clint....To..."Heartbreak Ridge"....
This review refers to "Heartbreak Ridge"...Warner Home Video..DVD edition...

"Heartbreak Ridge" from 1986 is Eastwood's tough guy image personified. He is Gunnery Sgt. Tom "Gunny" Highway. Gunny has seen it all, and done it all. He's a decorated war hero who has survived battle in both Korea and Vietnam.He's tough and gruff and will soon face mandatory retirement.With no war to fight his last assignment is to whip the members of a raw but feisty recon platoon into shape. He's up against an unwilling group,a "follow orders or else"(not exactly his style)type commanding officer, and an ex-wife who's as feisty as the recruits.Both he and his men(and his ex-wife) are put to the test when war breaks out on the Island of Grenada.It was directed by Eastwood, Marsha Mason co-stars and the cast is nicely rounded out by Mario VanPeebles, Moses Gunn, Bo Svenson and the wonderful Eileen Heckart.

This 1986 film looks great on this DVD. Warner has done a nice job with the clarity and colors. The widescreen format lets us in on all the action and the Dolby Dig 5.1 surrounds wonderfully. Lennie Niehaus' fabulous score completes the package.Don't look for much in the way of special features.There are theatrical trailers, some cast film highlights,and subtitles in English, French, Spanish,Portugese and Japanese.It may be viewed in French as well.

If you're a big Eastwood fan, you may want to purchase this in the Eastwood "Hero" 3-pack instead. It also includes "Absolute Power" and "A Perfect World"...You know you'll buy them all anyway and this way will save you some money...check it out!

Thanx...and enjoy.....Laurie ... Read more

Reviews (211)

Unique blend of horror and sentiment.
There's one thing I specifically like about certain horror films, and that is those that contain the horror elements, yet have a story that allows you to feel a great deal of emotion for a main or secondary character, depending on the focus of the plot. When Stephen King wrote his first novel, Carrie, it was shocking as well as emotionally heart-stopping. Brian de Palma's film, following soon after, is groundbreaking and intense, and captures the horror of the character's actions as well as the horror of her secluded and alienated school and home life.

Carrie White has never been popular in school, and the verbal and physical abuse has apparently gotten worse with each year. One day, she gets her first period in the showers of the girls locker room, and frantically running to everyone for help, she is bombarded by shouts of banter and flying tampons. After it is learned that she was never told by anyone about this process of life, we soon learn the reason why: her mother is a Bible-thumping embodiment of a true maniac, who believes that every action committed by man is a sin in the eyes of God. Her treatment of her daughter is extremely harsh, but only until Carrie learns that she possesses a special gift, the ability to move objects with her mind. Meanwhile, Sue Snell, one of the girls involved in the malicious locker room incident, feels guilt over her actions and asks her boyfriend Tommy to take Carrie to the prom. Carrie accepts, and attends the event despite her mother's warnings of doom and sin. But something much worse will happen, something more terrifying than Mrs. White could ever imagine.

"Carrie" is one of the most well-known horror films of all time, and has set the standard for many later films of the genre. The entire premise for the movie is quite original, and the execution of the material is even more powerful and emotional than the novel itself. What makes it so emotional is the fact that there is a human story that happens everyday around the world. Carrie is constantly bantered and teased about every aspect of her life: her home, her mother, her apparel, and her demeanor, and it is done in such a manner that you cannot help but feel a great deal of sorrow for her when she commits the ultimate act in the finale of the film.

De Palma's camera angles and cinematography add an immense amount to the overall effect. Many of his shots usually center on someone in the foreground, while Carrie is somewhere within the near background, making her appear minute and small among everyone else. His use of the two-window effect for the prom sequence helps us to see more of the destruction and the reactions people have to events going on around them. One more notable sequence is opening scene, in the girls locker room, where we see the rest of the girls having fun and making merry while Carrie is alone and singled out in the shower stall. Throughout the movie, De Palma does a spectacular job in making Carrie seem insignificant when put with a group of people.

Sissy Spacek was brought to the project to play the title character, and does a top-notch job. She is the perfect "ugly-duckling" type for the role, and she is able to play out all of the emotion and terror that Carrie experiences throughout the novel. Amy Irving is does a credible job as Sue Snell, and her performance makes us believe that Sue really does feel sorry for what she has done to Carrie. The rest of the ensemble makes the movie believable, and never is there a moment where you will question the authenticity of a performance.

Certain to remain a hallmark of moviemaking, "Carrie" will shock, scare, and incite emotion for years to come. It is a movie that operates on many different levels, each beginning at separate times of the film, yet converging in the end to sweep us up in horror and sorrow.

Here's to the Devil with false modesty...;)
Released in 1976, "Carrie" is a disturbing horror film that's generously fueled by psychological tension and religious iconography. Unlike the decade's other two occult works, "The Exorcist" and "The Omen," this is not a tale about the Devil's chicanery. Although it overlaps ominous images of Christ with the raging feminine hormones of teenagers, the film actually decrys the tragic reality of school bullying; as an underrated form of child abuse, this so-called "rite of passage" involves a youth culture so cruel and thoughtless that it drives its victims to suicide or murder.
Actress Sissy Spacek portrays Carrie White, a shy and lonely misfit who is constantly harrassed by her classmates. After another strenuous game of vollyball, she begins to mensturate in the girls' shower. Terrified at seeing the blood running down her fingers, Carrie hysterically cries to the other students for help. But instead, all of the girls corner her in the locker room, jeering and tossing tampons at her. From that moment on, viewers are introduced to the appalling ignorance of the high school staff; not only do the teachers refuse to take Carrie's word seriously, but even Principal Morton (Stefan Gierasch) can't seem to remember her first and last name. The only official to pity her is gym teacher Miss Collins (Betty Buckley), who realizes that she was never taught how to deal with PMS. Fiercely determined to protect Carrie's well-being, Miss Collins punishes the class with a week's worth of brutal, boot camp athletics; anyone who refused to attend detention was excluded from the senior prom.
Meanwhile, behind closed doors, Carrie is tortured and chastised by her Mother (Piper Laurie), a straitlaced Christian fanatic who corrupts every passage in the Bible, blatantly accusing her daughter of being sinful. After hearing about her first period, Margaret White assumes that Carrie is inflicted with the curse of blood, and that she's tempted by the Antichrist's lust. Forcing her to pray for strength, Margaret drags her helpless daughter into a tiny closet, where a gaunt effigy of Jesus stares into a dark void of nothingness. It seems that all hope is lost for this little girl, but that mood eventually changes. Through library research, Carrie discovers she possesses telekinetic powers; whenever she gets angry or afraid, she can flip an ashtray off a desk, shatter a mirror, or make doors open and close unaided. Eventually, this is the weapon she uses to fight back against her Mother's assault.
Seeking revenge, one of Carrie's most hateful bullies, a spoiled and nasty girl named Chris (Nancy Allen), cajoles her drunk boyfriend Billy (John Travolta) to play a sadistic prank on her. On prom night, after Carrie and poet Tommy Ross (William Katt) are crowned King and Queen, Chris dumps a bucket of pig's blood on her head. Drenched and degraded, she is surrounded by a kaleidoscope of laughing spectators. In an act of murderous rage, Carrie unleashes her telekinetic anger upon the crowd. With her cold and blank stare, she showers water from a firehose, electrocutes the microphone, and engulfs the entire school in flames. In perhaps the most shocking split-screen sequence in history, this unforgettable night of terror is shot through multiple perspectives, while glowing a grisly, hellish red.
If you are seeking a horror classic for your DVD collection, I strongly recommend this film, as well as "The Exorcist," "Evil Dead," and "Nightmare on Elm Street."

Classical
Carrie White is a bit strange. She is friendless, her mother is obsessed with worshipping god, and sin, everybody at school harrases her, and to top it all off, she gets asked to the prom by the "hottest" guy in school, which also happens to be the guy Carrie has "special feelings" for.

Now, when you mix all those things together, do you come to the conclusion that Carrie might be under a lot of pressure? Well sure you do, cause she is. And to her horror, when she and Billy or whoever it is, i forget his name, starts to dance to the school song, a huge bucket of pigs blood is poured on her.

Blood, guts, gore...not really, but during the last half hour or so, the violence is pretty strong, not too graphic, but there are some graphic scenes of violence. When a girl gets crushed by a basketball hoop thingy, and when Carries mom gets killed by knifes being stabbed in her. I am sure there are some other ones, but those are the most graphic that i Can remeber right now.

Not too sexual, but there are definatly some sexual scenes, after all, this IS stephen king we are talking about, read this book and that will be enough dose of sexuality for you for one day, guarenteed.

Chilling ever time I see it
This movie is a very rare type of teen horror moive. It perfectly balences our fears and teen angst with phenominal acting at the same time. I think the reason why Carrie is still so fresh even today is because we all have a little bit of Carrie in all of us. All of us at one point in our lives have been teased, beaten up, or felt like you didn't belong at some point in our lives. We all know exactly how Carrie feels when all the girls laugh at her at the prom, or the excitment she felt when the most popular guy in schol askes her to the prom. We have all experienced these feeling throught out our teen years. Pino Donaggio did a superb job with the sountrack. Its so simple yet so effective. The music playing just before the blood is dumped still gets me everytime. It sounds almost like a clock ticking. Almost as if itsticking away the time that the kids have left to live. Even though I know whats gonna happen that scene never fails to scare me to death. This movie is a must see. Even todays teens will love this movie.

Steven King at his best
Probably the best translation of a Steven King novel into a movie. You can't miss this one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Let's face facts here: You don't watch a movie like Major Paynefor its artistic merit any more than you'd watch Schindler's List for its comedy. If you go in thinking otherwise, you're bucking for a disappointment. So it's a pleasant surprise to discover that Major Payne is more entertaining than a barrel full of bad reviews would lead you to believe. It's a totally formulaic comedy about a bunch of misfit kids who turn into a crack squad of skillfully disciplined ROTC cadets, but Damon Wayans is spot-on hilarious in the title role as the hardened military bulldog who whips the little slackers into shape. Wayans plays the role as if killing and warfare were the only joys in life, and when he finds himself cast adrift without a military commission, a scene that directly parodies Apocalypse Now lets you know that Wayans (who cowrote the script) is going to bring something new to this routine scenario. Major Payne's idea of a good bedtime story is to recall his worst battlefield horrors, and Wayans gives it just the right twist of comedy to put Payne's bullet-pierced heart in the right place--he's really just a good guy with an iron-clad exterior. The young recruits strut their stuff in the final round of their cadet competition (their marching rap is good for a solid laugh), and director Nick Castle keeps it all from becoming too stupid or over the top. It's arguably only for Wayans's most ardent fans, but as a send-up of all the great movie drill instructors, Major Payne is painlessly enjoyable. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Funniest movie I have seen
This movie is simply excellent. Damon Wayans achieves to transform a serious subject into a comedy which never offends the USMC. He plays so well that he deserves them.

The soundtrack is so good. Sounds are quite exagerated and thus become funny. For instance, during the Universal opening title when the (r) registred mark symbol appears, you hear a DING ! When Major Payne meets the Madison school headmaster, you can hear all these insects and butterflies (the headmaster loves entomology) flying and buzzing around and over the shaved head of Major Payne. This scene is purely hilarious, one of my favorite moment. I was laughing so much I thought I shall died. Maybe another victim of Major Payne (fortunately not the final one).

The music by Craig Safan is particularly successful and sustains any funny actions, the Aretha Franklin's musics too. It seems obvious Craig Safan enjoyed to create a real musical background that depicts a "cartoon" atmosphere. Sometimes very serious, and few seconds later so funny.

The story is not only comedy but extraordinary rich thanks to the work of Damon Wayans and the cast. One best moment is when Major Payne offers a bullet from his heart to his new "girlfriend" or when Major Payne understands that Cadet Alex Stone wants to push him outside Madison school (Do you want to see me gone?). Only Damon Wayans can play like that (heartily).

The texts are outstanding (even for a french viewer). The american vocabulary is so rich and the art of using it (and expanding it) is so irresistible. I laugh from the first to the last second of Major Payne.

The french translation is also a success even if the task was enormous because there is so much american idioms. Nevertheless, the french dub is really funny. I do prefer the original voice of Damon Wayans because he talks so perfectly as a USMC drill instructor. This man is not an actor, he is a human VTR! He can spend two weeks with Marines and then speaks like them. The french voice is very good but the dub actor was unfortunately unable to complete such performance.

The scene with the hidden man into the closet and how Major Payne definitely "kills" the Tiger's nightmare is a masterpiece.

Nick Castle did one of my favourite movie, forever and I just wanted to thank him and all the cast for giving us such good time.

Vive the USMC, Vive Major Payne, Vive Damon Wayans.

Hilarious and a good movie
I'm not that big of a Damon Wayans fan, but he does a great job in this movie. He starts a program at a local school for kids who want to be in JROTC. His ultimate goal is to prepare them to win the competition for best cadets in the county JROTC competition that will be held later on. He is real strict on all the kids, so they all want to get rid of him. He has to find a way to get along with the kids while also giving them some discipline.

"Major Payne" is a hilarious movie. While you watch the movie, you'll be laughing a lot, but you'll also see that it's a good movie. I recommend anybody to get "Major Payne."

"...and biz - ness - is - goooood!!!"
If there is any movie as funny as this one, I would like to know what it is. This is the funniest movie I know. Damon Wayans is so talented; he is hilarious in this movie. There is not one moment in this movie that is poorly done. It just gets better with repeated viewings. I really didn't Damon Wayans other than by name until I saw this movie.
The kids in this movie are terrific. Their acting is great! They are all grown up now. If you want to see a funny movie, you have got to get this one. A previous writer was right on the money when he said that Major Payne's character is like a cross between Gomer Pyle and Lou Gossett, Jr.'s character as a drill sergeant. This movie is full of fantastic instant-classic lines that I won't give away here. See it!!!

Major Payne is Major Funny
I loved this movie and I love Damon Waynes character and I love when he insults peaple expacially when he cracks peaples fingers when they say something is hurting them and he said want me to take y