Reviews (14)

Wonderful adventure, obscure Jules Verne
When this first came out I was around 3 years old! My memories were hazy but fortunately I was able to catch in on a reissue around 20 years later. The action set-pieces are nothing short of visually spectacular, as Disney was always on the cutting-edge, years ahead any other studio. One sequence in particular, when the characters cling for their lives to a piece of ice SLIDING down a mountainside following a landslide, I believe inspired a similar (if not as logical) scene in INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (Spielberg has long been a huge Disney fan!). My 2nd viewing revealed that, like some Roger Moore 007 films, the plot is strung along so thinly between action scenes at times it's hard to recall how and why the characters got where they are! And I'm not entirely sure, but based on a footnote in the Verne novel THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, I believe the book this is based on is actually titled "CAPTAIN GRANT'S CHILDREN". (Anyone who knows better, please let me know!)

Wonderful adventure, obscure Jules Verne
The action set-pieces in this are nothing short of visually spectacular, as Disney was always on the cutting-edge, years ahead any other studio. One sequence in particular, when the characters cling for their lives to a piece of ice SLIDING down a mountainside following a landslide, I believe inspired a similar (if not as logical) scene in INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (Spielberg has long been a huge Disney fan!). On the other hand, like some Roger Moore 007 films, the plot is strung along so thinly between action scenes at times it's hard to recall how and why the characters got where they are! I'm not entirely sure, but based on a footnote in the Verne novel THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, I believe the book this is based on is actually titled "CAPTAIN GRANT'S CHILDREN". (Anyone who knows better, please let me know!)

Great film!
While this movie is a bit hokey when compared with modern technology, It is a fun movie to watch with the whole family. I remember seeing it in the theater with my mother when I was young. It was so exciting, especially the night spent in the tree, and the journey through the ice caves, (I don't want to give to much away if you haven't watched it yet). It has something for everyone, action, adventure, suspense, romance, and music. Although a bit hokey, I would highly recommend it, just make sure you leave your expectations for high quality special effects at the door (remember, it was filmed in 1962). Lighten up, sit back and enjoy!

A Walt Disney/Jules Verne Story Worthy of any Collection
I concur that this account is based on the Jules Verne story titled "CAPTAIN GRANT'S CHILDREN". It is a beautiful mix of suspense, fantasy and charm that only Walt Disney himself could bring to the big screen. With majestic and divine photography, we can only hope that Disney Studios will not "Black Beard" the release and produce a cleaned and digitally restored DVD with the Original Aspect Ration preserved.

A Must-have Disney Adventure
For Disney Adventure, Jules Verne, and Hayley Mills collectors and completists, this one even qualifies as a disaster movie! It probably helped to inspire Spielberg & Lucas for the Indiana Jones movies! Although not a perfect film, Disney collectors must have this gem! Enjoy!! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

I've Been Waiting For This!!!!
Oh finally!! Ever since I started watching ER, I bought the first complete season, then I was itching to get the second one!

The second season starts with "Welcome Back Carter!" as Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) starts his internship in the ER. And as we know Carter, he comes unprepared and his first day is comic. The season goes out with a bang with "John Carter, M.D." as Dr. Carter misses his own graduation because he stayed at the hospital to watch over a patient. Dr. Susan Lewis (Sherry Springfield) takes responsibility for her niece Susie after Chloe, Susan's sister abandons her daughter. This puts a strain on Susan's work and creates tension with the other doctors. Another highlight is when Dr. Doug Ross' (the beautiful George CLooney) different treatment techniques threatens his fellowship. He then saves a child trapped in a drainage pipe filling with water during a storm. His fellowship is renewed and is presented with an award for his heroic actions. My favorite episode in this season is "A Shift in the Night". Dr. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards) is one of the very few attending doctors taking a shift at the E.R. He is overwhelemed by all the patients, and more coming every hour. The last ten minutes of the episode is classic. This season introduces Dr. Kerry Weaver, who annoys everybody. Guest stars include Lucy Liu and NBA superstar Scottie Pippin.

A new feature in this DVD is that it now includes subtitles and captioned for the hearing impaired. There are more special features too.

I am really looking forward to getting my hands on this DVD. Let me tell you, this show is so good, doctors and nurses don't like to watch is because it's just like going to work. Need I say more?

MUST HAVE
IF YOU ARE AN ER FAN LIKE ME THEN THEESE BOX SETS ARE A MUST HAVE I CAN NOT WAIT TILL ER THE THIRD SEASON COMES OUT IT REALLY GOT GOOD IN THE THIRD SEASON

Solid Television
Second season E.R. is the season that the show really took off. Supported by good acting and great scripts, E.R. went on to be top of the charts for months in a row.

But the reason I have decided to write in a review is in response to a response. Yes, John Doe's review was, in the nicest of words, pathetic. But that gives nobody the right to tear apart the greatest show on T.V. today. I am, of course, talking about the Sponge Bob. You knock Square Pants again, and Bob, Patrick and Plankton will go toe to toe with Dr. Carter, Green, and any other E.R. staff of your choosing.

The Finest Show On Television
The second season of the multi-Emmy winning show "ER", 1995-1996, proves to be equally as great as the first season. Producer Michael Crichton wonderfully works his own medical experiences through this show. Many changes for the good happen through the episodes. This offers great variety that never becomes boring. This DVD set proves that "ER" is one of the best TV dramas on the air. Its combination of medical theme and the characters' personal lives (love, family, depression, etc.) offers the intensity that keeps audiences interested in every moment. No dull moment ever arises in a single episode. Every episode still holds its heavy impact as they did when they originally aired. Such quality answers why this deserved to have been the #1 show on television.

The acting from every cast member is wonderful. Everyone works at their fullest in every episode. They offer their own sense of theme into the plot, which keeps everything more interesting. This season saw the introduction of Gloria Reuben as Jeanie Boulet and Laura Innes as Kerry Weaver (she didn't become an official cast member until the third season; Weaver was a minor character on the second season). Those who didn't watch "ER" at the time will have an opportunity to see all the original cast members in action: Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Noah Wyle, Sherry Stringfield, and Eriq La Salle.

Beginning viewers of "ER" will get an opportunity to see Dr. Carter (Wyle) when he was still a medical student, Dr. Lewis (Stringfield) before she left for Phoenix, Dr. Boulet before she was diagnosed as HIV-positive, and Dr. Weaver before she realized she's a lesbian. This DVD set will give people an opportunity to see part of how the environment, the characters, and the plot became what it is now. It also shows part of how the show's quality has evolved through its run.

The second season of "ER" is an essential for all "ER" fans. This is sure to please many audiences. Those looking for more should also buy their first season and watch for the other seasons to be released shortly.

Heeeerrre's Weaver
Season 2 marks the debut of Ole Stick herself, Dr. Kerry Weaver!

The second season is where I really got hooked on this show. Interesting plots revolving around Susan and baby Susie, Hathway and the EMT and Benton & Boulet really stand out. ... Read more

Description

Sid & Marty Krofft's classic TV show returns to DVD on April 26th.A devastating earthquake has torn away Will and Holly's father, along with Cha-Ka's elders.Luckily, Uncle Jack arrives to join the expedition and help fight the evil Sleestak.Land of the Lost and Krofft fans will delight in the 3-disc collection which includes all 17 original broadcast episodes, along with commentary and an interview by Ron Harper (Uncle Jack).. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The rapid trip downhill!
The third season of Land of the Lost sadly shows signs that the creators didn't really care any more.The expensive new sets look fantastic, but don't expect any of the thought-provoking or intriguing stories (or big-name writers!) of the first two seasons.In fact, the writers apparently didn't pay much attention to the previous seasons, as there are some serious discrepancies.There is also a tendency to rehash plot points, and some Gilligans-Islandism in the form of mysterious one-shot guest stars who appear and depart.

The extras for the Season 3are sparse as well.The only commentary is one by the actor who played Uncle Jack, and it mainly consists of his talking about how great the show was.

High Point--The addition of a Cro-Magnon man, Malak, as an alternate villain.Malak is a God-wannabee. The Marshalls have to save the Sleestack from him--interesting twist, and it could have gone in very cool directions with less lazy scripting.

Low Points--

The Marshalls choose to move into the temple in the lost City, basically on the front porch of the Sleestack.Smart move.

Uncle Jack replaced Rick Marshall, and is not as likeable a character.It might have worked better if they had made him a different sort of person, rather than dumping him right in Daddy's shoes. He even wears the same khaki clothes...

Cha-ka switches to full pidgin English, and forgets his grammar so far as to regularly refer to himself as 'a Pakuni' instead of a Paku.

Holly is somehow still wearing the same jeans and shirt she was lost in, in spite of the fact that she's a foot taller and developing a bosom. Months/years of running from dinosaurs and climbing rocks seems to have not worn any holes in the knees or made any stains on the shirt.I bet a lot of parents wish they could buy their kids an outfit like that...

The Sleestack leader is able to talk...but he is apparently not the intelligent Salatch of Season 1, but just a talking Sleestack as ignorant as the others.The Sleestack (including Enik) refer to themselves as 'Sleestack' rather than Altrusians as in Season 2.(They call Enik an Altrusian occasionally, though.)Enik pretty much becomes the errand boy of the Sleestack, and starts channeling Spock in his commentary on what is 'logical' all the time. Every other episode involves the Sleestack going to the library of skulls to ask how to get rid of the Marshalls. I guess too many people said the library was cool!

Apparently having exhausted their store of science-fiction ideas, fantasy elements are added.These include a fire-breathing dino, a two-headed dino, a unicorn, Medusa, the Flying Dutchman, etc.The Marshalls accept this all without so much as a "What the heck?"

And, the kiss of death--Will gets a cheesy-looking home-made banjo and starts singing bad 70's-style tunes with full orchestral accompaniment.Whenever a main character starts singing at the end of the program (or worse, starts a rock band) you can bet that series is on it's last season.

Goodbye, Land of the Lost!You were murdered most foully in Season 3, but still you left your mark on the hearts and minds of a generation of Saturday-morning toon watchers...and the DVDs are proving popular with a new generation, too.

Season 3 shakes things up -- Literally!
At last, we arrive at the third and final season and in an effort to stave of audience apathy, they decide to shake things up (literally) with an earthquake, which conveniently sends Rick Marshall through a time portal and simultaneously transports "Uncle Jack" in his stead. The sleestaks start speaking and even Chaka has suddenly acquired the broken English that Frankenstein, Tonto, and Tarzan made famous before him.

Still not impressed? How about a series of surprise guests...each more outlandish than the last: a caveman (played by the same actor who portrayed James Bond villian Jaws); Medusa; The Flying Dutchman; the Yeti; a repairman for the sun (!); and the kitchen sink too.

And in the tradition of Greg Brady, Will picks up a banjo made out of a cantolope and a stick and sings a few romantic folk songs every few episodes. What a dreamboat (sigh).

In a series that was already teetering on the ridiculous, season three just jumps balls-out into the thick of it!

Disappointing
After the incredibly imaginative seasons one and two, the third season is a real letdown.A few elements, like the Marshall's new home, work well, but there's just no "meat" to the series, which loses all logic in this season.Prime example: Holly, trapped in a frozen part of the Land of the Lost, complains repeatedly about how cold she is, but she never even rolls down her sleeves!I also disliked the sudden frequency of visitors to the Land in Season 3.

It's a shame that the series underwent such radical changes; it would have been much more interesting to see the series develop on its original trajectory.

At least we have closure...
For a while it was rumored the Third Season release had been cancelled, but thankfully, here it is.And while it is the much-maligned Third Season, it isn't that bad.Still better than the average kid shows I see today.Imaginative, if low-budget.Season 3 heralds the exit of Daddy (Spencer Milligan) and the amazing (if not coincidental) arrival of Uncle Jack (Ron Harper).The shows begin to lose any thread of continuity (Sleestaks are talking, coming out in the daylight, Enik turns bad, Chaka suddenly has an amazing control of the English language), but still good storylines.One funny thing about the final season is the network's (or maybe just the producers') push to make Wesley Eure a teen hearthrob, having him perform ballads on a homemade guitar that somehow manages to produce an entire orchestral arrangement while Holly stares google-eyed (it's her brother for heaven's sake!) and Uncle Jack grins and bears it.For extras, disc 1 includes an enjoyable interview and commentary over the first episode by Ron Harper.Seems like he enjoyed his time on the show and remembers back on it fondly.If only Spencer Milligan had coorperated similarily on the Season 1 or 2 discs.It also would have been nice to have some more commentaries on the Third Season with Wesley Eure and Kathy Coleman.Oh well.

too much fruitiness in third season
the third season of land of the lost adds too many human characters just about every episode. it lacks the eeriness of the first two seasons, and the interest as well.
it resembles kroffts more childish work in the third season,
but it is still the original land of the lost so it's still great. undeniably part of the legacy.... if you are a beginner to this program, start with the first or second season before getting this one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Many lesbian movies are long on charm and short on production values; Better Than Chocolate has a solid dose of both and steamy sex scenes to boot. Our heroine Maggie (Karyn Dwyer), a clerk at a lesbian bookstore, meets footloose butch Kim (Christina Cox) and, after Kim's van is towed away, they move in together. Unfortunately for their romantic bliss, Maggie's mother, Lila (Wendy Crewson), and teenage brother move in that very evening thanks to Lila's impending divorce. But what really complicates matters is that Maggie can't bring herself to come out to her mother; even when she tries, Lila steamrolls through the conversation, like she knows what's coming and doesn't want to hear it. Interwoven with this is the struggle of Judy (Peter Outerbridge), a male-to-female transsexual who's in love with the bookstore's owner, Frances (Ann-Marie MacDonald), who's freaking out because customs officers are holding a list ofbooks at the border that they claim are obscene. The overlapping plots are deftly juggled, the personal and political are compellingly interwoven, and, most satisfying of all, the characters have problems that aren't going to be easily resolved. A handful of candy-colored lip-synching musical numbers give the movie some flash and the sex scenes give the movie some heat, but it's the elements of sorrow and ambiguity that really make the joy in Better Than Chocolate something to savor.--Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (131)

8 out of 5 stars!
Better Than Chocolate describes itself in the title... a feel good, laugh a lot movie, BTC will hook you into the plot right from the first scene. With an incredible array of characters, including a transgendered(male to female) woman named Judy, the movie is funny and heartfelt. The low budget filming makes it seem that much more real and the storyline is excellent, though the acting may be slightly amateur and the dialogue a little cheesy. The main couple, Maggie and Kim are lesbians, but they represent any other couple going through real-life problems. Wendy Crewson is wonderful as the lonely, unknowing mother, and she steals at least one of the hilarious scenes. Anne-Marie MacDonald plays Frances, the boyish owner of Ten Percent books, where only ten percent of the merchandise is books. Overall, it is a warm, feel good movie, predictable at times but for some reason, I keep watching it, and I find myself crying right along with the characters every time. Definitely see this movie if it's the last thing you do...

Better Than Chocolate between...
I give this movie five out of five stars. Although it moves rather quickly you can't help being hook. Twenty minutes of the movie has past and Maggie, 19, not-quite-out, college dropout, and working at Ten Percent bookstore (no it's not a discount store) meets Kim, a nomadic artist, butch but sweet and romance starts. There's a scene that will leave many people exploring the arts.

Within the first twenty minutes, Maggie meets and falls in love with vivacious Kim, helps her conservative lesbian boss fight customs who seem to be trying to put her out of business. Oh, don't forget Maggie has to find a place to live, because her newly divorce mother, Lila is moving in with her along with sibling, Paul, neither who know that Maggie's been living in a bookstore since she quite law school, and she's gay!

Couple this with her omisexual co-worker, and transgender friend, Judy, who has love and parent issues of her/his own, and you've got a great story.

I almost cracked up when Lila goes..."Kim do you have a boyfriend?" and Kim replies, "No...Funny that!" Everyone seems to be in on the joke, but Lila who replies, "What's wrong with boys?" Maggie's fighting off an uncontrollable need for laughter and the audience does too. Wendy Crewson as Lila is an added addition to this romantic comedy.

All said in done, I wonder what it's like to live in that world. Definitely never a dull experience. This is a must see regardless of your lifestyle.

Wonderful and fun filled
We have watched this over and over again and it is still a wonderful movie.

WOW!
This is one of the all-time best movies. The chemistry between Karyn Dwyer (Maggie) and Christina Cox (Kim) is amazing. (I was shocked when the director seemed to say in her commentary that both are staight.) Maggie's interaction with her mother reminded me so much of how hard it was for me to come out to my mother. The soundtrack is wonderful.

Probably just as good as chocolate...
Better Than Chocolate is a great movie.. with one or two big flaws. The story is great - it deals with the pain and frustration of coming out (or just figuring out your sexuality), falling in love, losing the one you love, and standing up for what you believe in juxtaposed nicely with commentary on the role of family in ones' life, what constitutes a family, and how we can all become happy with our lives. Quite a lot of themes for just one film. And Better than Chocolate handles each of them fairly well, if only briefly. The actresses portraying Kim, Lila, Judy and Frances are just wonderful. Each of them brings dimension to characters that could easliy have been played in a very one-sided way. They become human rather than just symbols or stock players to fill up Maggie's world. The friendship that develops between Lila and Judy is one of the best parts of the film. Maybe this is just me, but I find that Maggie is a totally unsympathetic character. She's whiny and immature and even snotty at times. I care the least about her of all the characters in the film.. which is unfortunate because this is really a film revolving around her and the way her relationships (and those of her friends and family) work. I just wish that the role had been cast differently or spun a bit differently.. it would have brought a lot more to the film. Ultimately, I enjoy the film. The relationships and issues dealt with in the film are difficult to deal with, but the film does a reasonably good job. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Comic book artist Jhonen Vasquez's outré sci-fi spoof, which ran on Nicktoons at Night from March 2001 to December 2002, remains the object of a vociferous cult following. Pressure from the fans compelled Nickelodeon to resume production of Invader Zim twice before the show was cancelled permanently. The title character is a zealous, none-too-bright agent from the Irken Empire posing a human boy. Zim imagines he's gathering vital information for the imminent conquest of Earth; the Irken leaders actually sent him here to get rid of him. With the rather spotty assistance of Gir, his robot sidekick disguised as a dog, Zim alternately sneers at humanity and gets himself into trouble. The only person who recognizes Zim as an alien is his UFO-obsessed classmate, Dib.

The two-disc set is loaded with extras that will delight fans of the show, including commentaries by Vasquez and several of the story and voice artists, a second "commentary" of pigs grunting, subtitles in Irken, and the original pilot for the series. The uninitiated may find Invader Zim suggests a cross between Dexter's Laboratory and Jimmy Neutron re-imagined by Tim Burton. The bizarre designs, over-the-top vocal performances, and bodily function jokes are not for the faint-hearted, but they're not supposed to be. (Unrated, suitable for ages 10 and older: cartoon violence, gross humor) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (108)

I quit being banished.
Quite possibly the greatest cartoon of all time, though not rated that by Nick, this DVD is definitely worth a purchase.
I have seen all episodes of Invader Zim except "Tak, The Hideous New Girl."
Here are some specs from "roomwithamoose.com"

Release Date: 5/11/2004
Discs: 2
Episodes: 17
Running Time: 270 minutes

List of episodes and commentary currently known:

Unaired Pilot Episode (a half-length short starring Billy West of Futurama as Zim) - Commentary with Jhonen Vasquez (Zim Creator, Head Writer, Art Direction)
The Nightmare Begins - Commentary with Rikki Simons (Voice Actor - Gir and Color Artist), Wally Wingert (Voice Actor) and Jhonen Vasquez
Bestest Friend - Commentary with Rikki Simmons, Ian Graham (Storyboard Artist) and Jhonen Vasquez
NanoZIM - Commentary with Rikki Simmons and Jhonen Vasquez
Parent Teacher Night - Commentary with Rikki Simmons and Jhonen Vasquez
Walk of Doom - Commentary with Rikki Simmons and Jhonen Vasquez
Germs
Dark Harvest - Commentary with Eric Trueheart (Writer and Various Voices) and Jhonen Vasquez
Attack of the Saucer Morons - Commentary with Eric Trueheart, Rikki Simmons and Jhonen Vasquez
Career Day
Battle-Dib
Planet Jackers - Commentary with Rikki Simmons and Jhonen Vasquez
Rise of the Zitboy - Commentary with Eric Trueheart, Rikki Simmons and Jhonen Vasquez
Invasion of the Idiot Dog Brain - Commentary with Rikki Simmons and Jhonen Vasquez
Bad Bad Rubber Piggy - Surprise Commentary!
A Room with a Moose - Commentary with Rikki Simmons and Jhonen Vasquez
Hamstergeddon - Commentary with Eric Trueheart, Ian Graham, Rikki Simmons and Jhonen Vasquez

Yes, the pilot WILL be featured, thank god.
Eventually, in the other volumes of this series, will be the unaired episodes of Invader Zim!

From Zim's "quitting being banished" to his "you speak craziness", you'll love the show. From Gir's "i saw a squirrel" to his "aww...i wanted to explode...", you'll love the show.

Zim and GIR's dynamic duo...of stinkiness and stupidity...will continue to reign over all in DVD form.

Oh, and just so you know, Zim has remained popular even after two years of it being cancelled. So, there ya' go.

THE ZIMNESS IS OF RECORDY STOOFER DVD THINGERS!

"Can I be a mongoose dog"
5 STARS!Invader Zim is the most awesome show ever.I seriously don't watch Nick anymore because they cancelled it.I did watch Nick on May second just because they showed one episode on alien invasion day.That was the only show on that special worth watching.When I first saw the commercial's I was really confused because they made no sense at all.But once I saw the show I fell in love with it.It's about a troublesome green alien that get's sent to the unknown planet earth.So Zim was sent there to conquer the planet.Actually they just wanted to get rid of Zim.The reason Nick probably cancelled it is because of the dark humor.And sometime's it can be disturbing like a giant zit exploding.Here's the cast of character's.

Zim:The main character.He has a lot of attitude.His so called mission is to conquer earth.But he has alot of patience since he has to deal with...
Gir:Zim's crazy robot dog.Gir is where most of the humor come's from.He has the IQ of...well...nothing.And he has the attention span of...nothing.Gir's a taco loving,cupcake munching,pig loving freak.Now do you see why he's funny.
Dib:Zim's human enemy.Dib is just a poor,poor boy since almost nobody believes what he ever say's.
Gaz:Her plot through out the whole series is to play video game's and say how much she hate's Dib.
Miss.Bitter's:Miss.Bitter's is zim's bitter "SKOOL" teacher.
Scary monkey:Zim and this monkey have some problem's.He is seen a few time's through out the show.The monkey actually is on a T.V. where it just...stare's...at...you.It's Gir's favorite show.
Zim's parent's:Zim's parent's are actually robot's he made to seem human.There kinda creepy.

There are a few more character's but they don't really matter.Zim is compleatly allergic to water.And there is 1 episode based around that.They should have just aired the show on another station.But I'll just wait for the DVD.The reason I said the show can be disturbing is because Zim develope's a huge hypnotic zit named Postulio that control's people by wiggling around.The disturbing part is when postulio explode's and everybody is floating around in zit juice.For some odd reason they have soda called diet poop.I love the episode when Gir take's over the house.There are very little time's when Gir turn's serious but as you were guessing a few second's later he goes back to stupid mode.On the first episode the doom song is so awesome.Well Invader Zim is a drop dead funny show!Well I gotta leave.So listen to Postulio...and buy this DVD.Bye!!!...(...).

I wish there was more to come
The only thing I can say against Invader Zim is that it is now over. One of the best cartoons of the past decade. DVD = good.

Hilarious
I never even watched this show on Nickolodeon, but now that I think about it I wish I would have. This is a fantastic show. Though it is just another stupid cartoon show, there's a real point in this show. Who doesn't want to see an alien trying to take over Earth? The character's are classic, along with the episodes. The ideas for everything are so original.

The first time I watched it was when a friend came over, bringing the DVD to show me 1 or 2 episodes. I wound up watching all 4 hours of it right there. I was hooked after the first 5 minutes where you learn what the show is about.

Its cheap, original, and funny. What more could you want?

Recipient of the Most Evilest Villian Award
Let's all sing the DOOM song!

Although I'm a fan of Jhonen Vasquez's "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac" comics, I never really gave Invader Zim a good look through. Then, through the miracle of DVD players, I was given a rather impressive introduction. Zim is one of the greatest cartoon villians ever: campier than Izma (Emporer's New Groove), more ruthless than the Decepticons (Transformers), more sex appeal than Skeletor (He-Man) and has a maniacal laughter that makes Darth Vader jealous. Zim is the over-zealous, ruthless super-space invader who has proven that he's just a little too battle-hungry for his own good.

I don't mean to be preaching to the choir, especially since Invader Zim has already developed a worthy cult following, but this series is dangerously addictive, with very original and cutting-edge humor. Zim's stories follow his espionage mission to Earth, where he tries to pass himself off as a grade-school human, while collecting data on Earth for the inevitable invasion by his home planet. However, even mad geniuses sometimes overlook the small details, like the fact that his own superiors sent him to Earth to get rid of him, after Zim decided to "quit" his exhile.

As Zim fruitlessly tries to prepare for the invasion of Earth, we watch his daily battles between him and his archnemisis, the sci-fi conspiracy-theorist geek, Dib and his apathetic computer-game playing sister. Zim will struggle to adjust to human nature while creating robotic parents for Parent-Teacher night at School, getting lost in the big city because of his moronic robot side-kick, harvesting human organs to disguise his alien physiology to daily battles with Dib.

While the cartoon is playful and highly stimulating, I can understand why Nickelodeon dropped it from their network. The humor is mix matched, sometimes appealing to a younger audience, but mostly to an older (and perhaps more deranged) one. Still, I do hope that somebody will wake up and realize such a masterpiece that Jhonen Vasquez has put together.

If you have read all of this review, then add Invader Zim to your shopping cart right away. With the steady downfall in entertainment (and the horrible recycling of most cartoon shows), I doubt we can expect anything as unique and entertaining to come out soon. BUY THIS NOW! ... Read more

Description

Rodrigo Mendoza (ROBERT DE NIRO) was a violent soldier-for-hire in 1750s South America. Now he is a man of peace serving the Rain Forest Indians he once enslaved. But armies of Spain and Portugal threaten the lifestyle and safety of the native peoples. Now Rodrigo may have to pick up his sword and musket once again. From the producer of Chariots of Fire and the director of The Killing Fields comes a powerful epic co-starring JEREMY IRONS and graced with dazzling Academy Award-winning cinematography, set to a memorable music score and scripted by the Oscar-winning screenwriter of A Man for All Seasons and Doctor Zhivago. ... Read more

Reviews (158)

Theodicy or Corrupt Politics
The Mission

The Mission directed by Roland Joffe is the story of the struggle between theocracy and theodicy. Ironically the church has the mission to bring theodicy to the world and it does this through the message of God's Love and Forgiveness. It tries to accomplish this through the sending out of missionaries, in this case the Jesuit priests, to tell the story and bring others to the knowledge of God's Love and Forgiveness. Tragically politics and greed for power in the hierarchy of the church (in this case the Roman Catholic Church) brings about a situation where the people of God are killed supposedly in the name of God. This story opens and ends with Cardinal Altamirano (Ray McAnally) dictating a letter to the Pope informing him of the events that had transpired after giving church missions in South America over to the Spaniards and Portuguese. The nature of the setting is beautiful. Views of the waterfalls are breath-taking and spectacular.

The message of theodicy is played out in the story involving two main characters Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) and Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert De Niro). Father Gabriel brings theocracy to the Natives of South America. At the beginning of our story Rodrigo is a slave trader who undergoes a traumatic conversion experience and serves those whom he had sold into slavery before. His story of transformation is one of heartache, murder, repentance and extreme penance which he imposes upon himself. It is the forgiveness and acceptance of those who he former hunted that sets him feel to serve both God and the Natives. Another film that shows a similar vein of acceptance after tragedy is the classic movie Hawaii (1966) based on James Michener. Rev. Hale accepts the Native Hawaiians as he begins to mellow in the aftermath of his losses. In Rodrigo's case is his acceptance by the tribe that helps them to fight against the imposed theocracy of the Cardinal later on.

At issue here, in spite of the beautifully portrayal of conversion to Christianity of the Native people of South America, is the imposed will of governing forces of politics around greed ownership of land. Yet this was done under the auspices of the Church as God's Will, which is called theocracy. The people of the land had no say, they were the conquered, to be exploited and were considered as chattel, for them there was not theodicy. Their willingness to share and work for the common good of all, even though a principle of Christianity was considered a threat to the economy of others with political clout. Because they would not give up that which they had worked for, they were condemned to death. When Cardinal Atlamirno orders them to leave the Mission; they wanted to know why? His answer was that they had to submit to the will of God. Their answer was had God changed his mind? They were doing what they had been taught was God's will for them. Theodicy was not served as there was no justification in this case.

The Mission portrays the mission of Christ
The Mission is a powerful movie with a powerful message about sin, redemption, and love. It probes deep into the evils of the Catholic Church in Spain and Portugal in teh mid 18th century. Robert De Niro brilliantly portrays Rodrigo Mendoza, a dynamic character who transforms his life to a murderer who trades slaves to a Jesuit priest who fights for those seemingly 'enslaved' natives - the Guaranese. Jeremy Irons ixquisitley plays the role of a truly Christ-like figure. Father Gabriel is the epitomy of compassion, lvove, and understanding. With an incredibly written screenplay by Robert Bolt (who also wrote A Man For All Seasons), the Mission is an incredible film which explores the depths and beauty of morality and life ont he path to Jesus Christ.

the beauty and the horror of the catholic church
i think tom keogh's a bit 'off' kilter and it echoes the reviews that came out when the film was released.
the charge of emotional vacancy has since been rendered somewhat mute by the films growing status.
now admittedly, the overriding emotional sense that most people seem to experience when seeing this is one of anger, rather than one of tragedy and ,yes, that is partly due to our never really getting to know the indians who are, predictably, massacred.
we are emotionally more jolted upon seeing the murder of the priests who we have gotten to know.
that aside, i think joffes direction works because what he is attempting to show, and succesfully does so, is both the beauty and the horror of catholicism.
there is a touching beauty upon seeing deniros character finally reaching his muddy penneance,and in the scene where he cooks a steaming stew for his fellow priests.
perhaps one of the most beautiful, simplistically effective moments is when deniro narrates first corinthians 'love is not puffed up'.
yes, the conclusion is all too predictable. not just because we know the history, but because as much as we all can see the beauty in the church, everyone is also well aware of its ugliness.
i am suprised that the catholic church showed its support of this non flattering film, which shows, perhaps, a certain amount of theoretical penance on its part.
one of the last scenes which shows two naked indian children aloft in a boat after the massacre is an example of a picture telling a thousand words.
in one sense mr keogh is correct in recognizing an inherent coldness in the film but i think that is a realization of the harrowing cold heartedness that catholic church has shown in its history, which paradoxically is unified with its undeniable beauty.

This Sucks!!!!!! Very Very Sucky and Boring
I just watched this movie in Morality class and it is a really boring movie that just drags on and on. How does end by every one including De Nero and Irons (major characters) along with everyone else. There is only one movie that pulled off having all the characters die in it and that was Glory. I don't under any circumstances think anyone should see this movie unless you have a boring life or just sad than see it otherwise see Glory a much much better movie except different plots.

Emotionally Wrenching, Enchanting Film
Not for the squeamish, "The Mission" explores the duality of Europe's presence in South America -- the salvation brought by the Jesuits and the condemnation brought by "civilization."

Roland Joffe, the director, pulls few punches. The film opens with the dictation of a letter to the Pope by a prominent religious figure, Altamirano, who has just undergone the events that will transpire in the film, and we learn that these events are not pleasant: "the local savages are now free to be enslaved by his Holiness . . ."

These events "were brought about" by the horrifying martyrdom of a Jesuit priest, who had journeyed to the "uncivilized" lands of the Indians above the falls (and what falls!). The local Indians, apparently rejecting his Christian teachings, crucify him and toss him into a river . . . a river that soon flows to the falls, and the descending cross is one of the most haunting images you will ever see on film.

In response, another Jesuit priest, Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) heads above the falls, and uses his music (score by Ennio Morricone of "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" fame) to win the trust of the locals. Soon he is preaching the Word of God among them.

Unfortunately, the slaver/mercenary Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert De Niro) is hunting the Indians for slavers. He ominously warns Gabriel about the futility of building a mission among the Indians, and he seizes several.

On his return to "civilization" below the falls (the dusty town stands in marked contrast to the lush greenery above the falls), Rodrigo learns that his beloved Carlotta does not love Rodrigo, but has fallen for Rodrigo's younger brother, Felipe (Aiden Quinn). Rodrigo, far from a reasonable sort, kills his brother shortly thereafter in a trumped-up quarrel. Distraught, Rodrigo eventually agrees to do his penance above the falls with Gabriel and his fellow Jesuits (including a young Liam Neeson).

Following a tortuous climb above the falls with his lodestone of arms and armor, Rodrigo finds salvation and seeks to become a Jesuit. The mission above the falls takes shape, and all seems to be right with the world.

Of course, this is not to be. The slavers need their slaves, and they exert enormous pressure against the church -- the Catholic Church is not as strong as it once was, and the militant Jesuits are becoming a nuisance by sapping the supply of slaves (apparently it is too inconvenient to enslave Christians, so the slavers argue that the Indians are monkeys without souls -- nice).

Altamirano agrees to visit both the local mission (a gorgeous, mammoth structure complete with farm and Indian priests) as well as the more primitive mission above the falls . . . which is even more impressive despite (and perhaps because of) it's remoteness.

But, politics being politics, the missions are doomed and the Indians will be enslaved. Rodrigo and the younger priests decide to fight, leading to one of the more disturbing battles you will see on-screen. It's not "Saving Private Ryan" in its horrors, but it is emotionally wrenching to see the Jesuits and the Indians fight such in such a foregone conclusion.

Even more gut-wrenching is Gabriel, who chooses a non-violent response. In a pitch-perfect performance, Irons emobodies the Jesuit commitment to the simple words of Christ . . . not that it does him or the Indians much good in this world.

A haunting spectacle and far from a feel-good movie, "The Mission" deserves full marks for its depiction of a common conflict (Europe versus the New World) in a different setting. A top-notch cast and a wonderfully shot film make this one for the video library. ... Read more

Description

Two teenagers experience the excitement of first love. Written and directed by Maria Maggenti.Year: 1995Starring:Laurel Holloman, Nicole Parker ... Read more

Reviews (48)

Very Pleasantly Surprised
I'm as straight as they come, got my man and baby and everything. So I wasn't really sure how I would feel about this film.I thought,"Hey I'm either gonna love it or be really wierded out." But 'Two Girls In Love' turned out to be excellent. Even though I am straight I really related to the experiences and growing pains that Evie and Randy go through, especially the overall opposition to the relationship. No one wanted me to see my man for various different reasons and like Evie when she told her friends about her & Randy, I also lost a lot of friends because of the guy I was seeing. The bliss between the two of them all throughout the movie and the wonder/joy of your first time making love are all things that I can remember feeling so strongly with my guy. Gay or straight, this movie accurately and poignantly portrays universal themes that everyone experiences; and that is what makes this film so special. I laughed a lot and enjoyed 'Two Girls In Love' very thoroughly. I recommend it to all of you. (By the way-for all gay fans of this movie who live in California, I voted against Prop 22. I thought it was completely unnecessary and unfair.)

Fantastic!
I completely agree with some of the first reviews that said this movie makes you feel 'warm and fuzzy,' and it's funny too. It's just wonderful.And if you enjoyed this one, rent Trick as well. For me it was really refreshing to see a movie where the "butch" girl is also sensitive and sweet, not all hard and detached. The first time I saw this I was nervous the whole way through it thinking that one of the girls would end up getting gay bashed or something(after watching Boys Don't Cry, I was expecting anything.) Especially since they live like out in the middle of nowhere.I was VERY pleasantly suprised to find out that this movie has nothing much to chew your nails about.Also don't expect there to be much sex, there's one scene, and it's not even very graphic, at all, it's beautiful. This is awesome for anyone who's ever had a crush, or been in love. It's a great TGIF movie, so grab some popcorn, get under the covers, and enjoy!

Great Coming of AgeFlick
I saw this movie YEARS ago, going to a freebie screening. I recall only that I really thought it was "sweet" in the way it portrayed the two teenagers falling in love (straight or gay). How believable it was, moments of not-so-great acting by others not withstanding, the heart of the movie, the chemistry between the two very young actresses, seemed so sincere. Having recently watched Showtime's new "The L-Word" I was reminded of this film. The actresses playing the L-Word's primary couple do a great job of portraying lesbians (with credit due to storyline & leadership), and I was so floored to find that one of these stars is "Two Girls" own Laurel Holloman. This spurred me to watch this movie again, enjoying it even more with age and an appreciation for innocence of youth, and the knowledge that these two young women have gone on to successful careers (Parker starring in Soul Food, which ironically airs after The L-Word on Sunday nights).

A ... MUST HAVE ... AYE !!!
I was 16 as I remember when I saw this amazing film first. And gotta say it is one of the greatest movie I have ever seen. The music was also very good especially one track which reminds me Pink Floyd's Hey You from The Wall, I guess the guitar rings the same in the film but maybe I just solve the two songs into each other cause the mood of this part of the Wall (Hey You and following few tracks) is the same for me as in the film. This mood this feeling (now I relate on the film) aw this is such a wondering feeling of me. You feel something which is in opposite with the world cause of one thing ... but you feel you are right ... and maybe you are much closer to the essence of things than others ... and the feeling you are to know this is so catartic. You throw some very unnecessary thing away and this makes you feel to be really free, you feel you fly above the world and nothing gonna stop you. And you feel yourself enough strong to break out of the wall and leave the show in which you would have to play a silly roleplay and what's more and this is the point you found a true girlfriend for you and what you feel is the beautest feeling of you which ever can build up in you and you say aw that's what I want that's what I waited for and you feel some miracle is about happen to you and the miracle is your split soul comes to one part and the other just found part is her. And the most distressing feeling that you are only a half is getting away and from only thinking about who and what you found a crawl comes and runs all over your body. This film tells you about a world which if once you found you could never turn back because in this world you find the essence of you, know what I mean. This film tells you about cracking up the door and what's behind drives you to a truly credible world which fully meets the deepest of you. Sex scenes ... well exactly there is no well evolved sex scenes in obscene way but this is the best way to draw well this world. A kiss, a kiss gives the most from you to your lover and that's the beautest way to tell her: my sweet princess you are the one. And both of you feel in fact you are in the doorway of another world ... and you are just lovin and kissin yourselves into it by holdin each other's hand. And the flower of your common soul is just ridin and ridin on to grow upon your hearts. Like the fresh wind blowing a pure morning rising upon you and you, smiling hearts just keep kissin laughing and exulting to each other. And that's what this movie is all about. And highly recommended to stay tuned ...

Great Movie
This was a great movie! I am 20 years old and when I first saw this I was 16. This movie was everything I was feeling at the time. Im a butch lesbian also. I was proud to have actually seen a decent lesbian film. Boy's Don't Cry also another goodie a tragic one but none the less true in the sense of finding yourself and being who you are no matter what. This is a movie I wouldnt mind seeing a plethora of times. Bound is also a good one. Jennifer Tilly plays one sexy seductive lesbian. Whew! Give it a go. You may actually find yourself saying awww. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

More down to earth than I thought
Jerry Seinfeld is as comfortable on stage as any comic I've seen. He comes out casually and just starts into his routine and he's got quite a lot of fresh material for this show.
What struck me the most was how humble the guy appears, despite his success with his show. He seems genuinely touched when the audience gives him a standing ovation both at the beginning of his set and at the end.
The DVD itself is really great. You get a very nicely-shot show and on top of this you get a q&a with Jerry that happened post-show. Jerry is quick with witty comments as the audience asks him to do "Hello Newman" and offers other various comments. Jerry Seinfeld is definitely one of the best comedians out there, both on TV and on the stage.
Definitely worth the asking price.

Interesting, but it's been done before
I have to say, I was very remotely disappointed with this DVD. I do think that it was an amazingly gutsy thing for Jerry Seinfeld to do. If I were a stand-up comedian (and thank goodness I'm not) I would never be able to bring myself to throw out all my material and start from scratch.

The thing which is disappointing about this HBO special, is that you probably have heard it all before. Or most of it anyway. A fair half of the material is used either in the Seinfeld TV series, or SeinLanguage. However, there is enough new and hilarious material to keep true fans happy and to convince them to buy this DVD.

Oh, but don't get me wrong. I had a lot of fun watching this special. I thought it was quite funny, and I liked it enough to buy the VHS when I saw it on sale at a local bookstore.

A good follow-up to this DVD would be "Comedian" which you could describe as a sequel to "I'm Telling You For The Last Time." This is the documentary of how Jerry Seinfeld rebuilds his act and assembles an entirely new repetoire of jokes. Very interesting and very enlightening.

HILARIOUS!!!!
Jerry Seinfeld's comedy is very subtle, not like Robin Willaims or Adam Sandler (both good, but no Seinfelds) which are loud and obnouix. He's very funny. He talks about every subject you can think of, and I don't understand reveiws saying his heart wasn't into it, because being comfortable on stage is a GOOD thing!!!!

Something of a letdown
The 75-minute stand-up routine has its funny moments, but Jerry's heart just doesn't seem in it after the several times I've watched this DVD. I don't regret the purchase, but it's not as good as I expected. The bits, of course, are trademark Seinfield stuff, throwaway conversation that Jerry makes funny with his classic delivery. There's an odd, somewhat amusing would-be funeral for Jerry's material before the actual performance, and it features Ed McMahon, Alan King, Garry Shandling and many other comedians. Cute, but not terribly memorable. But the Q&A session after the performance is very interesting, and it displays Jerry's comedic genius admirably--you realize immediately how fast on his feet he is with his snappy comebacks to questions from audience members. Recommended for anyone who loves Jerry Seinfeld, but it might not be the laugh riot you're expecting.

IS THIS SUPOSSED TO BE CALLED "COMEDY"?
Jerry Seinfeld has to be the lamest stand-up comedian that I've ever heard. The guy seems to find things like airplane peanuts, computer dust, and socks in a laundry basket funny.

If you really want to hear a truly funny and intelligent stand-up comedian, check Chris Rock. ... Read more

Reviews (83)

I CAN SEE!! I CAN SEE!! or TURN THOSE MACHINES BACK ON!!
Trading Places. One of THE ALL TIME BEST films of the careers of Dan Ackroyd and Eddie Murphy. Finally coming to DVD. I thought Paramount was gonna torture us and never release it. What should be some extras that Paramount should put in? Well, The scene where Mr. Beeks gets the crop report and poisons the guard should be included. Actually, The Internet Movie Database has a great listing of the left out and alternate scenes. Look for Trading Places and check out the Trivia and Alt. Versions sections.

A fine cast backs up Dan and Eddie. Ralph Bellemy, Dan Ameche, Denholm Elliot (God Rest Their Souls), Jamie Lee Curtis (In her sexy Breakthrough Role), & Paul Gleason (His portrayal of Clarence Beeks could be how he got to be in The Breakfest Club). And great Cameos by Bo Diddley, Al Frankin & Tom Davis, and a rare small part by James Belushi (Possibly at Dan's Request). And who can forget the Landis trademarks like the still picture montages and of course "See You Next Wednesday".

I just know once I pop the DVD in my player, I'll be screaming at the end with Don Ameche, "TURN THOSE MACHINES BACK ON!! TURN THOSE MACHINES BACK ON!!"

Good Day Mr. Duke.

Social statement beyond the comedy
I first saw this film in the theatres in 1983, and I loved it! It is still one of my favorites, one that I can't help but watch whenever it comes on television. I wasn't until I was much older that I understood what a profound social message it gave out. Does someone's surroundings and circumstances influence the type of person they will become? Or is it in the genes whether they succeed or fail? We see the question answered in John Landis' "Trading Places". Yes, it's a comedy, one of the funniest of the 1980s. But it also makes you look at something deeper.

The plot focuses on two men: a privileged and successful (but uptight and snobbish) Philadelphia commodities broker, Louis Winthorpe (Dan Ackroyd) and a down and out street hustler, Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy). Through a twist of fate during the holiday season, these two cross paths and a bet between two elderly but crafty rich brothers, played wonderfully by Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy (for the insane amount of ONE DOLLAR), will answer the questions posed above. How so? By taking away everything the rich commodities broker worked for (and inherited) with a brilliantly orchestrated scandal where he is publically humiliated and arrested in front of his peers -- and giving it all to the former street hustler, who blossoms under the guiding hand of the two rich brothers into a respected and efficient executive. Meanwhile, Louis continues to spiral downward into a world he had never known: jail, poverty, drugs, homelessness and crime -- but one that Billy Ray had been all too familiar with. But little do either men know, that both of their situations were going to be temporary because it was just an "experiment".

Jamie Lee Curtis, up until she had done "Trading Places", had played in so many slasher movies, she was crowned as queen of that genre. But in this movie she convincingly plays a sexy, good-hearted lady of the evening who befriends Louis and helps him get back on his feet. Eventually these two get together.

The ending is a hilarious tale of revenge and triumph, and if you have never seen this movie (don't see how anyone could've missed this), I urge you to check it out! Non-stop laughs are a guarantee! Excellent, all around.

movie
You ever wonder what the others live like? Well you'll see when a rich white man and a poor black man switch lives based on a one dollar bet. Classic movie!

Must have in your DVD collection
This is a classic. That is all there is to say.

A very very funny movie
Buy this movie it is so funny your stomach will hurt and your eyes will be blood shot. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Be Cool takes its own advice: It's slick, Hollywood entertainment that kills two amusing hours with relative ease and comfort. Better than leftovers but not as tasty as a full-course meal, this sequel to 1995's hit comedy Get Shorty (and based on Elmore Leonard's 1999 sequel novel) finds former loan shark Chili Palmer (John Travolta) itching to get out of the movie business, so he hooks up with a newly widowed music executive (Uma Thurman) to launch the career of an up-'n-coming Beyoncé-like singer (newcomer Christina Milian). A mock-black manager (Vince Vaughn), his sleazy boss (Harvey Keitel), and an upscale gangsta-rap executive (Cedric the Entertainer) all have a competing stake in the fast-rising pop diva's future, and this sets the plot rolling in a fun but rather hand-me-down fashion that lacks the savvy panache of Get Shorty but still provides plenty of lightweight humor. The Rock and Outkast's André Benjamin provide the best laughs in supporting roles that effortlessly relieve the movie from the symptoms of sequelitis. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Amazon.com

NASA's worst nightmare turned into one of the space agency's most heroic moments in 1970, when the Apollo 13 crew was forced to hobble home in a disabled capsule after an explosion seriously damaged the moon-bound spacecraft. Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton play (respectively) astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise in director Ron Howard's intense, painstakingly authentic docudrama. The Apollo 13 crew and Houston-based mission controllers race against time and heavy odds to return the damaged spacecraft safely to Earth from a distance of 205,500 miles. Using state-of-the-art special effects and ingenious filmmaking techniques, Howard and his stellar cast and crew build nail-biting tension while maintaining close fidelity to the facts. The result is a fitting tribute to the Apollo 13 mission and one of the biggest box-office hits of 1995. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (137)

Engrossing, Excellent, Awesome & Inspiring!
We really enjoyed this DVD... it's one of our "keepers" and definitely worth owning and viewing regularly -- it will remind you (as it has our family) that is is so very good to be born/raised/live in this country.

It begins with a voiceover by Walter Cronkite (and yes, our announcer is the real thing!) which introduces us to the heroes as they walk across the gantry, and pays tribute to the three we lost in that disastrous fire on the launch-pad....

The movie follows those fateful days (beginning in pre-launch) and then in orbit, and it focuses on the united effort in bringing our boys home. These men are so smart -- all of them (not just in space but at Mission Control) and is a realistic view of the times. You'll see the old Izod shirts (remember the Alligators?) and Corvettes, Mission Control (hey, they smoke -- this was not a purified/Politically Corrected re-enactment/revision of truth)... I appreciated that.

Oh, and it's not all drama. There are moments of smiles, and it's not too intense excluding the JOYOUS moment when we hear them respond after four minutes coming through the atmosphere.... Still, I wouldn't suggest youngsters under age eight view it alone.

[Note: our family is protective of our children and they have not been raised on a diet of broadcast television. Yours may be used to intense programming -- please use your own judgment. There is nothing bloody-gruesome in the movie, nor in the commentary. That said, you will CARE DEEPLY about all the people you see.]

One more little (out of sequence) note: The end has Tom Hanks (who plays Jim Lovell) narrating a mini catch-up to present of the whole story. We learn what happens to the individuals in the movie. It's a wonderful "wrap" to an amazing six days in space.

If we are going to do a docu-drama, one might also suggest that future writers/directors view this one to get an idea that they public will spend perfectly good money on QUALITY shows that are truthful, accurate and not hack-jobs. (End mini-rant!)

I found the scenes compelling and recall the "lump in throat" of those days. To me though, seeing the families perspective broadened the effect. Oh, and Mrs. Lovell is a force to be reckoned with -- I liked her a lot! She's a classy lady.

Minor Quibbles: In two places there are swear words (Mrs. Lovell -- who in the commentary states she doesn't "talk like that" -- when discovering the magnitude of Jim's problems swears... I thought that extraneous. Also, in another section one of the astronauts uses a bad word (appropriate maybe, but basically, unnecessary).

The Best Stuff: After the movie we are provided with a mini-movie on how they filmed it all. NASA cooperated and many of the scenes were filmed in those planes that "deliberately plunge toward the earth" so the actors/film-makers/lighting guys et al were weightless. One of the brave actors in particular didn't want his testosterone questioned but... ;)

I particularly enjoyed the interviews... you could really see how much the whole crew wanted this to be an *excellent* movie, one to last through the ages. It's brought out that the movie will be (at some point in history) a look back on the whole era. We (the USofA) have some incredible individuals to be proud of... this is perhaps one of the best patriotic movies I have ever seen -- notwithstanding war epics. It makes me glad to be an American.

Okay, so you also see the real gents appearing on the Johnny Carson Show too. One more thing -- at the very end of the movie you see Jim Lovell -- he's the Captain of the ship that picks up the astronaut. His wife appears once too, but don't blink! (grin)

Also, the Bonus Materials include two voice-over commentaries. The first is made by Director Ron Howard (you know, he's good -- very good!) and tells inside things about the creation of this movie. I enjoyed it.

The best Commentary though was done by Mr. and Mrs. Lovell -- ah, and Ron -- that con-trail isn't supposed to be there. (winks)

All in all, this is one of our favorites... I'd go so far as to suggest you Pay Retail, and maybe even opt for First Class shipping so you won't have to wait. It is that good!

Fellow Reviewers, I Have a Problem
I posted a review of this film some four years ago after I had purchased the "Collector's Edition". About a year later, I watched the movie one more time. Since that time, my DVD has been stored in its jacket, safe and sound. About one month ago, I was going to view the film again but my DVD player tells me, "This Disc Cannot be Played on this Player". Cleaning and otherwise re-inserting the disc proved useless. I have since tried the disc in both my computer's DVD drives, two other different DVD players, a laptop and one more computer, all to no avail. I keep getting the same message. Does anyone know what happened to my disc while stored safely in its jacket? Why did it play well two times, and now says it can't be played, on the same player. Has anyone experienced this problem? Thanx...........

A bit of history hits the big screen...
Nominated for nine Academy Awards including Best Picture, Apollo 13 is one of the best movies of its decade. Despite prior knowledge of the historical outcome, it's guaranteed to keep viewers steeped in suspense. Director Ron Howard creates yet another fantastic picture, solidifying his transformation from Mayberry's favorite son on Andy Griffith to one of the most accomplished director/producers in all of Hollywood. Standout performances by Gary Sinise and Tom Hanks (on the heels of their Oscar-caliber portrayals from Forrest Gump) make Apollo 13 especially enticing to the movie connoisseur. Based on the true story of the Apollo 13 mission, the film stirs emotions of all types - hope, fear, and patriotism among them. In the end, it's one of those rare movies where the characters are able to intimately connect with the audience. In short, Apollo 13 provides a true glimpse into the lives of those who defined history...

Tom Hanks plays the role of real life astronaut Jim Lovell, member of the three man crew of Apollo 13 - the 1970 lunar landing mission. Accompanied by fellow crewmates Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon), Lovell rockets into space in pursuit of his dream of walking on the moon. Unable to make the flight, fellow astronaut Ken Mattingly (Gary Sinise) reluctantly remains on the ground.

Meanwhile, Americans show little interest in this latest lunar mission despite the fact that barely a year has passed since Neil Armstrong's famous words. Apollo 13 is perceived as "routine" and the flight gets little press coverage until Lovell utters some famous words of his own, "Houston, we have a problem"...

When things go horribly wrong on Apollo 13, the mission changes from one of moon landing to astronaut survival. Lovell, Haise, and Swigert feverishly work to uncover the problem. Meanwhile, in Houston, flight director Gene Kranz (Ed Harris), bumped crew member Ken Mattingly, and the legions of NASA ground control work around the clock to maintain contact and bring the astronauts home safely. As the minutes pass, the entire world holds its breath in anticipation of the outcome...

Following on the coattails of Tom Hanks back-to-back Academy Awards for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump - Apollo 13 hit the movie theaters with widespread anticipation. The monumental expectations of movie goers were not without merit as the film's multiple Academy Award nominations will attest. But what makes Apollo 13 such a strong and emotion-driven epic is its connection with the historical record. The events that unfold happened for real, and at the time, no one knew the final outcome. Unlike today, traveling to space was not routine (or at least not as overlooked as it is now). The men who flew the Apollo 13 mission were true heroes in every sense of the word.

And although they failed to reach the moon, the astronauts of Apollo 13 are immortalized in history in ways they never would have been had their flight gone off without a hitch. Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, and their colleagues do justice to this classic story of man's triumph over adversity. Compelling, suspenseful, and filled with drama, Apollo 13 is an unforgettable film - and a definite must-see movie...

The DVD Report

10th Anniversary Package Makes Superb Movie Soar Even Higher
I will always remember those tense three days in April 1970 when the Apollo 13 astronauts seemed suspended in space, and this was well before the days of 24-hour coverage by CNN and Fox. For those who have yet to purchase this movie on DVD, the tenth anniversary two-disc set is a must-have for any adventure film-lover, especially for those like myself who were obsessed with the nation's space program in the 1960's and early 70's. Ron Howard, the director, came of age with this thrilling recreation of the aborted Apollo 13 mission, as defining a moment in NASA's history as the tragic Challenger explosion. The 1995 movie was a faithful depiction of what went wrong with the flight and how the mission changed dramatically to one of saving the three astronauts from being marooned in space forever. One would think that knowing the ending would rob the viewer of the suspense factor, but Howard does an amazing job in making the story feel fresh by guiding us through the heroic acts both in the capsule and at NASA's Mission Control in vividly realistic detail. He also evokes the atmosphere back then with emotional and visual accuracy, showing how anti-climactic the mission was perceived in light of Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon just the year prior. A rupture in the oxygen tank changed things completely as the movie illustrates a desperate attempt at survival with computer systems turned off, the capsule moving toward freezing temperatures and the three men relying on their gut instincts to maneuver the capsule home.

What I appreciate most about the movie is that Howard does not derail the basic story with unnecessary subplots or flourishes of melodrama. He realizes the real story is more than enough to engage the viewer and that the attention to detail, often technical in nature, is not off-putting.Howard even creates blood-pumping suspense out of the ground effort to jerry-build a scrubber to clean carbon dioxide from the capsule's air supply.This kind of film is all in the details, even the more predictable home scenes where family members try to confront their increasing sense of fear. The movie has a solid testosterone-heavy cast - Tom Hanks stalwart as always as Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell; Bill Paxton as Fred Haise; Kevin Bacon as last-minute substitute Jack Swigert; Ed Harris as determined flight director Gene Kranz; Gary Sinise as grounded astronaut Ken Mattingly; and bravely leading the homefront is Kathleen Quinlan as Lovell's wife, Marilyn. Even though the move is full of familiar suspense elements and the characters' interactions are often just officious, there is hardly a wasted dramatic moment in the entire film, pretty impressive given its 140-minute running time. This is a superbly done real-life adventure film and docudrama and aside from Philip Kaufman's 1983 adaptation of Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff", probably the best movie about the space program.

The smoothly edited, 116-minute IMAX version (produced in 2002) is on the second disc, and the widescreen orientation coupled with the enhanced sound makes for great viewing as well. There are three documentaries included spread across both discs: the comprehensive making-of feature, "Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13 - The Making of Apollo 13", which has interviews with Howard and the cast, as well as insight into how the space shots were created; "Conquering Space: The Moon and Beyond", a 48-minute general overview of the race to the Moon and the exploration of Mars, produced mainly for the uninitiated; and a twelve-minute NBC Dateline feature called "Lucky 13: The Astronauts' Story", which contains interviews with the astronauts and members of Mission Control for the Apollo 13 mission. There are two alternative commentary tracks, the first with Howard who is extremely knowledgeable and highly infectious in his descriptions of the shoot, the other with Jim and Marilyn Lovell providing valuable insight as to how it really felt as the events were unfolding. A truly excellent package.

The NASA Mission That Began 35 Years Ago Today
People can sometimes become complacent when it comes to technology and forget that it is the product of human endeavors that are far from perfect.Usually, engineers and builders do their best to ensure that the technology to be used is safe.However, mistakes can and sometimes do happen.Such was the case during NASA's Apollo 13 moon mission that was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 11, 1970.Intended to be the third landing and human exploration of the lunar surface, many people had lost interest in the program following the huge success of the previous two missions that included the first-ever manned landing on the moon.However, such complacency was quickly replaced by fear and anxiety, as the fates of the three Apollo 13 astronauts were unknown following a potentially lethal accident.These fears, anxieties and hopes were beautifully captured by director Ron Howard in his 1995, Oscar-nominated film aptly named "Apollo 13".

In the film, the three Apollo 13 astronauts, Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon), have a flawless launch as they set out for the moon.Jack Swigert was not originally supposed to be part of the Apollo 13 crew though.It was supposed to be Ken Mattingly (Gary Sinise), but when NASA doctors thought that he might have the mumps, he was grounded and Jack Swigert replaced him.This caused some minor consternation among all involved, but the mighty Saturn 5 rocket was launched on April 11, 1970 anyway.Everything appeared to be going normally until April 14, some 205,000 miles away from the Earth.Jack Swigert was instructed to mix the oxygen tanks, which, when he did, caused an explosion.The explosion caused multiple failures on board making the Mission Control personnel initially think that there was simply a communications or monitoring equipment failure.However, once Jim Lovell & Fred Haise regained control of the damaged ship, Jim Lovell reported to Mission Control those immortal words, "Houston, we have a problem."Once Mission Control personnel realized the severity of the situation, they considered ordering the crew to turn back, but there was no way to know whether the main rocket booster had been damaged.Instead, they opted for the safer, but longer route that would have the damaged ship go around the moon, then begin its return to Earth.Since the crew had to shut off power and had no active guidance computer, the tension was very high as Jim Lovell & Fred Haise manually operated the lunar-lander's rocket to cause the ship to return to Earth.Other problems included the intense cold (since there wasn't enough power for heat), having to adapt the square air filters from one ship to work in the round filter holes in the other so that they would not die from asphyxiation, boredom, not knowing whether or not the ship's systems would come back on properly, not knowing whether the heat shield had been damaged and Fred getting sick.This was truly one of NASA's finest moments in being able to assist the otherwise helpless crew be able to return to Earth, including Ken Mattingly working hard on the ground to help ensure that the Apollo 13 crew would be able to turn on what they need with the little power that they had available.

Other memorable characters in the film include Mission Control chief Gene Kranz (Ed Harris), Marilyn Lovell (Kathleen Quinlan) and Blanch Lovell (Jean Speegle Howard, 1927-2000).For its overall realism, wonderful cinematography, engaging story and wonderful acting, I rate "Apollo 13" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars.The film won two Oscars for Best Film Editing and Best Sound, but was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Visual Effects, Best Art & Set Decoration and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.Additionally, Ed Harris received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, as did Kathleen Quinlan for Best Supporting Actress.If you have never seen the film, but aren't sure that you want to purchase a copy, I highly recommend seeing it at least once. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

A movie that made a big splash
"Splash" was a big hit when it first hit the screens back in the 80's and it's still fairly popular today. A man (Tom Hanks) that has been waiting to find the right woman for a long time finally finds her. But there's one problem that he doesn't understand until he really gets to know her, she's a mermaid (Daryl Hannah). How will a man and a mermaid work it out and stay together?

"Splash" is a real entertaining movie and it's not all drama. It tells a story of true love and it does have a lot of drama in it, but it also has a little bit of comedy to it in some parts, and most of that is credit to one of the best comedy actors ever, John Candy, who plays as Tom Hanks's brother. If you like good movies, I definitely recommend getting "Splash." It's bound to make a big splash while you watch it.

One Of My All Time Favourite Comedys!
I will never forget the first time I saw the movie "Splash". It was in California 6 years ago and I watched the tape with my cousin. I thought it was so creative and the acting was so good. It was also a very humorous and did have a few sad parts in it, but all in all, I still liked it and watched it as many times as I could on TV because it was on alot. I then ended up buying my own copy. Ok, enough about me, let me tell you a bit about the storyline

Tom Hanks plays Allen Bauer, a single bachelor who is looking for a love. After a boating accident, he is rescued by a mermaid (Daryl Hannah) and falls in love with her and names her Madison. For he thinks she is a normal, everyday American woman, he has no clue he is dating a mermaid who has 6 days to have legs and not fins!!! Of course this film has lots and lots of surprises, it never tires me out when I watch it!

What a film! No wonder why it is a classic! Rated PG for Language.

SWEET, FUNNY, ROMANTIC, ORIGINAL, WHAT ELSE CAN YOU ASK FOR?
Usually when I hear "an 80's comedy" I really hear "a silly, gross, stupid comedy"...but not this time my friends, because "Splash" is one of the funniest films of the 1980s. You see, it really has it all: funny jokes, tender moments, romance, an intelligent script, and a very charismatic cast.

In "Splash" we can see a very young Tom Hank