Description

Screen legends Gene Hackman and Barbra Streisand star as the oddest couple ever to beat the odds in this offbeat comedy that proves a man can lose everything and still love happily ever after. After successful executive, George Duplier (Hackman), is demoted to managing a seedy all-night drugstore, he decides to totally change his life. Leaving his wife, he takes up with Cheryl (Streisand), a sexy but ditsy neighbor - who's already had an affair with his son (Dennis Quaid)! Now his hands are full with his wild new woman by day and his weird and crazy customers by night and this screwball romantic comedy. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Gomlak hit it on the head
Wow! Finally a man like Gomlak has come out of woodwork and hit it on the head with this trenchant 1981 masterpiece entiled "All Night Long." This Hackman/Streisand/Quaid gem has been a secret for much too long. Witness Hackman in his hilarious dealings with his neuortic wife and all of her untrammled malevolence and her support group of odd French women. Oscar must of been smiling down on that superb actor with the weird haircut during the filming of this piece of museum. The only problem was Streisand. I would have preferred Ruth Buzzie or Joanne Whorley in her role as an adulterous waif married to the Peter Pan-like Kevin Dobson. By the way Keven -- nice hair job!

Hackman's "never underestimate me" quote and cracking a Budwieser at 8:30 a.m. has endeared me to women and employers for years. Five stars!!! 'Nuff said.

Gene Hackman's comedy classic
Gene Hackman gives one of his finest (and most under-appreciated comic performances) in the 1981 comedy, "All Night Long." As George Duplar, a hapless corporate executive demoted to night drug store manager after hitting his boss when he is passed over for a promotion, Hackman is funny and honest as he wrestles with who he is and what to do with the rest of his life. He meets free spirit Cheryl, played by Barbra Streisand, who helps him regain his self-confidence and live the life which he's imagined -- as an inventor.

The best moments of the movie center around Hackman's interactions with an endless parade of nutty characters -- love interest Streisand, her uptight firefighter-husband Bobby (Kevin Dobson), Hackman's unforgiving wife Helen (Diane Ladd), his goofball son Freddie (a youthful Dennis Quaid), Helen's divorce lawyer (William C. Daniels), and a number of very amusing bit players. Working off a clever script by W.D. Richter, Hackman brilliantly plays the straight man, a little like Bob Newhart on his 1970s show. When Freddie shows up stoned at the drug store to tell George of a relative's death due to a "brain hemorrhoid," Hackman raises the teen's sunglasses, pauses and asks with perfect timing, "Hemorrhage?" George eventually quits the drug store, but not before his boss reminds him that he'll be throwing away all his pension benefits and declares: "Even you're not that stupid, Duplar!" "Hey," Hackman responds, drawing out the word, "Don't overestimate me."

So he quits his job -- he'd already been kicked out of his home after being accused of adultery -- and moves into an abandoned warehouse, where he begins toying with a few inventions. The funny thing is that the more Hackman's Duplar breaks frees of the shackles that he's placed on his life, the more irritated others get. He pays a surprise visit to Cheryl while her controlling husband Bobby is home one afternoon and begins privately pressing her to tell him who was a better lover -- George or son Freddie, with whom she'd also had an affair. As Bobby gets angrier at George's flirting, he says he's got to leave and Cheryl asks where. Hackman motions to the neighbors and announces, "I think I'll go bother those people for a while." Another hilarious scene comes when George and Freddie return to their home to find wife Helen with her divorce lawyer - who's wearing George's robe. They ultimately all sit down for coffee, and George chides his wife, "You didn't make this." The lawyer confesses he made the coffee and Hackman says with bemusement, "You're a lucky woman Helen." And he winks at his son.

Although this film recently made an appearance on the "We" channel as a Barbra Streisand vehicle, this is not a Babs movie - and in fact one could argue she's a little miscast. Hackman owns this film from beginning to end, and it marked one of the first times (along with the "Superman" series) that this great American actor established he could do comedy as well as drama. Former Washington Post film critic Gary Arnold argued for an Oscar nomination for Hackman in 1981, and a case could certainly be made because it was so different from anything he'd done before. This movie just wouldn't be half as funny without Hackman, who taps so well into the frustrations of the ordinary man. I'm glad Gary Arnold recommended this story of one man's decision to go on "life's incredible journey" and I'm glad it can still be found on video.

"And don't take candy from strangers."
A huge box office bomb upon release, ALL NIGHT LONG has been criticized by many for it's uncomfortable mix of odd-ball comedy and quaint slice-of-life drama. Though it received some positive reviews (most notably from Pauline Kael and "Rolling Stone" magazine), most mainstream critics hated it and audiences all but completely ignored it. It is also often cited by most of Streisand's die-hard fans as their least favorite film of the actress. While the film is certainly not without it's flaws, I have interestingly always thought ALL NIGHT LONG contained somewhat of a bizarre charm, and I've always wished it would receive a re-evaluation from the film-going public.

As mentioned before, the film has it's problems. It's paced too leisurely (it's only 90-minutes in length, but feels more like two-and-a-half hours), Jean-Claude Tramont's direction is too light (the film needs more of a thematic punch in several scenes), and much of it's humor is surprisingly too subtle (odd seeing that most film comedies have the opposite problem). Having said all of that, the film is still worth checking out. Though Tramont's direction may be a tad too limp, his skewed perception of the American dream gives the film a dreamy, almost art house-like feel that makes the film more inherently interesting than the screen play would merit alone.

Also, the varied cast is a lot of fun, almost all of them playing against type. Gene Hackman brings a equal mix of unusual serenity and touching pathos to his role of the would-be inventor who manages to find his true self by loosing nearly everything that was once-important in his life. In an early role, Dennis Quaid throws himself completely into part of Hackman's airheaded son, making the intelligent personae he would develop in later films like DREAMSCAPE and THE BIG EASY even more impressive. Barbra Streisand is clearly miscast the role of the bimbo housewife who woos both Hackman and Quaid (Streisand replaced Lisa Eichhorn, who was fired from the film after two weeks of production), but her performance is still worth catching. Though she's never totally believeable as Cheryl (a role that was poorly-defined in the screenplay to begin with), she is still a very likable, always watchable, and occasionally endearing presence in a unusual little film that deserves a second chance. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Vestron Video vs. New Star Video release
I was a little hesitant in ordering this DVD when I read some of the previous reviews for this '80s trash-flick. Points mentioned like the frame stability of the movie, blurry transfer etc. Having the original Vestron VHS from 1985, I figured I would take the plunge & buy the DVD to make a comparison & make your decision to buy this '80s drive-in movie easier. First off, New Star has retained the original box art of "Savage Streets" that was used for the Vestron VHS version. The only difference is that the artwork has been compressed so that Linda Blair doesn't look as wide as on the VHS box art. The "Savage Streets" logo has changed to a white block letter font compared to the pink lettering used in the original artwork. The same synopsis has been used on the back of the DVD as the Vestron version. For the picture quality, it's about the same. This movie has always had a misty-veiled look to it. It's in focus & the fleshtones on the DVD are a little more natural than the Vestron VHS version. With the Vestron VHS, the flesh tones looked a little washed out & pastey. One thing that stands out is the frame instability of this movie. It's more apparent on the New Star DVD than on the Vestron VHS version. The beginning credits move up & down in both versions & some scenes throughout this film, but the DVD really shows up this filming flaw more. I never noticed a problem with the sound on the VHS version, but the DVD version is very clear, even on a circa 1982 mono Electrohome console TV. Finally, in the DVD version, there are a couple of scenes that show a clear horizontal noise line which looks like it has originated from the master tape. This is not a big deal, but you would think that if Jef Films (New Star) invested in digitally remastering this movie, then they would at least get a prestine print of it. My only complaint is that at the beginning of the disc you are forced to sit through a preview of "Cannibal Taboo". It doesn't allow you to exit this preview, you have to fast-forward through it to get to the main menu. The only added feature on this disc is a written biography of Linda Blair & a list of her theatrical releases(her made-for-TV ventures are not included). There are also scene selections, which is basic fare for a DVD. In conclusion, if you are a fan of Linda Blair, like I am, or you like '80s vigilante flicks, then this New Star DVD release is not as bad as previously reviewed. It would have been a nice touch to include the original movie trailer, and a keepcase insert of the original movie poster, but that's just a suggestion on my part. There are far worse DVDs out on the market, so with this one I give 5 stars for the movie & 4 for the actual DVD production.

hooked on linda
Well to say the least i must be in love with linda blair,
because to except the dvd SAVAGE STREETS i must be.
It appears to be another one of those bad transfers its almost,
like watching a vhs the qaulity is ok but if i wanted it on vhs,
i would have bought a vhs.But anyway this movie is in my opinion one of her better roles.Even though this movie is a low budget flick it will maybe keep your attention.The start of the movie is most interesting linda dresses in that old style spandex and a very tight and reveling shirt.Ive said too much already.
But how i wish it was dvd qaulity but anyway i will add it to my collection and someday maybe someone will release a real dvd version.

thanx
linda fan

A good perf spoiled by the remastering
A small thriller with the good actress Linda Blair ruined by the absence of technical treatment ( the film is almost 20 years old)
the sound is fine. But the image shakes a lot at the beginning it is awfully blurred and waned as if the technician brought a digital camera in a movie theater to record the film... on the screen !
Avoid this version (New Star Video) that is supposed to be digitally remastered.
too bad for the original I appreciated in 1984

one of Linda Blair's Best!
This is one of my, if not my favorite Linda Blair film. It's about Linda Blair and her friends who are in a fun loving but tough gang. after she and her friends play a joke on the local bad boy gang "scars, they get even with her. ... blair goes after them for revenge... her way. this is one i have seen countless times and i could watch it again. the only scene that i thought went too far was the rape scene. that was horrible.
Linda Blair is one of my favorite actresses and i remember seeing the ads for this in the paper when i was about 10! I should've snuck into the theater! This is one of those movies many consider trashy but i think its great. classic one liners are everywhere. see this movie!

girl power
This is one of my favourite 80's movies. The rape scene and the violence is quite intense but frightfully realistic. At times your so drawn into the movie that your full of compassion. The music draws you into the whole 80's experience... ... Read more

Description

A blind woman, whose sight has only recently been restored, thinks she's witnessed a brutal murder. Starring Madeline Stowe and Aidan Quinn. Directed by Michael Apted. Year: 1994 Director: Michael pted Starring: Madeleine Stowe, Aidan Quinn, James Remar ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Just a little creepy
Stowe portrays a blind musician who has undergone surgery to correct her vision. While she is adjusting to her new reality, she becomes a witness in a murder investigation. Quinn is the detective assigned to the investigation. Laurie Metcalf (from Rosanne) has a minor role in this as well. I especially enjoyed the music. If you like your mystery blended with romance, this would make a great Friday night rental.

Thrilling and Chilling Original Plot Line
Since first teamed up as boyfriend and girlfriend in the 1985 Richard Dreyfuss/Emilio Estevez comedy 'Stakeout', Madeline Stowe and Aidan Quinn make a huge comeback together in 'Blink'. Madeline Stowe is a young woman in her twenties who undergoes an operation that lets her regain partial vision after being tramatically blinded as a child. While still making the drastic adjustment to a new world, she unfortunately becomes the only witness to a murder. Handsome and cool Chicago police detective John Halstrome's (Aidan Quinn) attraction forces him to defend this witness to his doubting collegues as being credible. He subsequently winds up juggling a steamy affair with Stowe, and decifering true or false whatever she actually sees...and what are mere dellusions brought on by fear and the recent surgery. Two strong-willed and attractive stars make for a very good romantic scenerio, neither could've done better than Stowe and Quinn. The movie I think is a great for Chicagoians, staying true to the city and its make-up especially with it's native star Quinn and his awesome windy city accent. As for the plot, its a thrilling and interesting crime as it begins to unfold, adding touches of fear with scenes of the killer...seen mostly through Stowe's blurry eyes. You really need to see the movie unedited to get the full thrust, which is why I bought it a while ago. You really couldn't see a movie with these two without being able to watch their passionate love sequences, and I always thought watching a really good murder mystery that had frequent commercials was like making love with coffee breaks every ten minuets. Take a look at this great, new-classic thriller with plenty of comedic touches and you wont regret it.

Don't Watch This or You'll Go Blind
This film had great potential but was ruined by non-heroic and even pathetically unsympathetic characters. "Blink" is about a blind woman who undergoes a corneal transplant and meets the murderer of her upstair neighbor the first night home from the hospital. She is still half blind but she is the only witness.

Before this premise starts to interest you too much, please note that the investigator given us to solve the murder first encounters the blind woman while he's doing a striptease for his buddies when she's playing the violin at a pub. And who was he trying to attract: this well-groomed, perfectly coiffed blind lady with a perfect body who goes around asking questions like: "Am I pretty?"

Her mother pushed her face into a mirror when she was playing dress-up so now she is a harridan prone to tantrums, drinking, and acting out dependency issues, none of which is ever presented as qualities in need of psychotherapy (which they all are) but presented as NORMAL. Our hero, the drunken detective, finds these qualities "fascinating" and falls madly in lust with her. When is an irrational, emotional, yowling female throwing things ever anything BUT fascinating!

Yet her doctor has fallen in love with her too! Rather than having us focus on the murder conflict, we get two pedestrian love-interests on which to focus during the muddled middle of this twisted train wreck of a film. You'll almost forget there was a murder and a few good scares in the beginning. Her psychiatric therapy and subsequent medication with anti-depressants would've been much more interesting, dramatic, and realistic.

Can people really behave like this and expect to solve murder mysteries, play the violin, and heal the blind! Am I supposed to care about such unrealistic and fake people! Anyone of them could have been run over by a Cadillac and I would've cheered. The only character in the film I liked was her seeing- eye dog and HE was the one who was hit by a Cadillac!

By the end of this bilge the investigator, rendered impotent at solving the crime by his immaturity and poor taste in "fascinations", winds up the doormat for the irrational, emotional, blind vixen after she finds and kills the murderer herself. But by that time you'll be mopping up spew and have completely forgotten the cool premise that made you watch this film in the first place.

Whoever came up with the original premise deserves 10 stars. The writers who fleshed out the characters need to take some advice: We the audience are not the idiots you think we are! We can't sympathize with someone because she is blind if she is an irrational harpy making stupid decisions. We don't buy it that such a shrew can be found "Fascinating". We can't admire people who put "play" before work and "play" before "plot". We can't accept as sympathetic a disabled character disabling those who are trying to do their jobs, help others as well as herself. This makes it too evident that she is reducing the world to her level so she can function on higher planes of existence. This serves no one's interests. Don't try to cover this up by portraying the character as self-sufficient when the whole crux of the story hinges on the fact that she is not yet completely competent and has even more issues to overcome psychologically than physically. Sorry comrades, but you just can't pull it off!

What we have here in "Blink" is a film so bad you'll have to scrub the stains out of the whites of your eyes with laundry soap. But then...you'll go blind. That's probably the entire point. Wink Wink.

Don't Watch This or You'll Go Blind!!!
This film had great potential but was ruined by non-heroic and even pathetically unsympathetic characters. "Blink" is about a blind woman who undergoes a corneal transplant and meets the murderer of her upstair neighbor the first night home from the hospital. She is still half blind but she is the only witness.

Before this premise starts to interest you too much, please note that the investigator given us to solve the murder first enounters the blind woman while he's doing a striptease for his buddies when she's playing the violin at a pub. And who was he trying to attract: this well-groomed, perfectly coiffed blind lady with a perfect body who goes around asking questions like: "Am I pretty?"

Her mother pushed her face into a mirror when she was playing dress-up so now she is a harridan prone to tantrums, drinking, and acting out dependency issues, none of which is ever presented as qualities in need of psychotherapy (which they all are) but presented as NORMAL. Our hero, the drunken detective, finds these qualities "fascinating" and falls madly in lust with her. When is an irrational, emotional, yowling female throwing things ever anything BUT fascinating!

Yet her doctor has fallen in love with her too! Rather than having us focus on the murder conflict, we get two pedestrian love-interests on which to focus during the muddled middle of this twisted train wreck of a film. You'll almost forget there was a murder and a few good scares in the beginning. Her psychiatric therapy and subsequent medication with anti-depressants would've been much more interesting, dramatic, and realistic.

Can people really behave like this and expect to solve murder mysteries, play the violin, and heal the blind! Am I supposed to care about such unrealistic and fake people! Anyone of them could have been run over by a Cadillac and I would've cheered. The only character in the film I liked was her seeing- eye dog and HE was the one who was hit by a Cadillac!

By the end of this bilge the investigator, rendered impotent at solving the crime by his immaturity and poor taste in "fascinations", winds up the doormat for the irrational, emotional, blind vixen after she finds and kills the murder herself. But by that time you'll be mopping up spew and have completely forgotten the cool premise that made you watch this film in the first place.

Whoever came up with the original premise deserves 10 stars. The writers who fleshed out the characters need to take some advice: We the audience are not the idiots you think we are! We can't sympathize with someone just because she is blind (especially if she is an irrational harpie making stupid decisions). We don't buy it that such a shrew can be found "Fascinating". We can't admire people who put "play" before work and "play" before "plot". We can't accept as sympathetic a disabled character disabling those who are trying to do their jobs, help others as well as herself. This makes it too evident that she is reducing the world to her level so she can function on higher planes of existence. This serves no one's interests. Don't try to cover this up by portraying the character as self-sufficient when the whole crux of the story hinges on the fact that she is not yet completely competent and has even more issues to overcome psychologically than physically. Sorry comrades, but you just can't pull it off!

What we have here in "Blink" is a film so bad you'll have to scrub the stains out of the whites of your eyes with laundry soap. But then...you'll go blind. That's probably the entire point. Wink Wink.

I'll be seeing you
Blind musician gets her sight back just in time to witness a serial killer strike. Unfortunately, the lead now suffers from visual agnosia meaning that her mind is no longer used to seeing things and that there is often a delay between the actual event and her mind processing the image. So she doesn't realize she is a witness until several hours after the attack. While the skeptical police work to catch the killer, the death tool mounts and ultimately a mysterious connection is found between all the victims. Now the killer returns to snuff out the one witness who has seen him and lived.
I would have to say that this was average to possibly a little below average except I really enjoy the Irish music that played on the sound-track. This was a very typical 'cop meets semi-helpless woman in distress and believes in her when no one else does' film. I liked it and I liked the music and if you like this sort of movie then this is a movie you will like. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's a great relief--and not just to the filmmakers--that Stolen Summer turned out so well. As winner of the first Project Greenlight contest, aspiring filmmaker Pete Jones was plucked from obscurity to direct his winning screenplay for this touching drama, in which young Catholic Pete O'Malley (Adi Stein) learns that there's more than one route to Heaven. During summer vacation 1976, this earnest second-grader learns from his fireman father (Aidan Quinn) that "Jews can't get into [Catholic] Heaven," and decides to earn his heavenly passage by attempting to convert the young son (Mike Weinberg) of a local rabbi (Kevin Pollak). Interfaith friendships develop, and the situation yields heartfelt humor in Jones's compassionate, tolerantly sentimental screenplay. Quinn, Pollak, and Bonnie Hunt (as Pete's mom) are exceptional in well-drawn roles, and for all his first-time jitters and penchant for pathos, Jones earns the opportunity that talent and good luck gave him: Stolen Summer is the kind of sweetly humanitarian film that Hollywood could use more of. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A Wonderful Movie Filled with Heart (4.5 stars)
This was the script that won the "Project Greenlight" contest. First-time writer/director Pete Jones was given the opportunity to give us a tale about family and faith. And it all takes place in Chicago. I admit, I was a little worried at first, and was even a little doubtful of the movie being any good. There were a lot of things that went wrong for Pete and the crew during the filming of this movie. I guess they only showed us what went wrong because there must've been a lot of things that went right that we didn't get to see. Because "Stolen Summer" is a wonderful film that's filled with humor and heart.

The movie is about Pete O'Malley, a young boy in an Irish-Catholic family. He's worried that he isn't going to Heaven and wants to find a way to assure God that he's worthy. He gets the idea of converting the Jewish so they can go to Heaven. He meets Rabbi Jacobson, who finds Pete's Quest to be creative and caring, despite his religious beliefs. That is when Pete meets and befriends Rabbi Jacobson's son, Danny. Pete wants to convert Danny in hopes that they will both make it to heaven. It is a very emotional and sincere movie that plays on all of your emotions.

I'm not a very religious person, I admit, but I found the movie to be very creative and entertaining. The script does take risks, but the overall product is presented to us in a way that we can't help but smile and even laugh at times. As the movie progresses, we learn it isn't just about religious differences, it's about the friendship of two boys trying to make sense of the world around them.

The acting was really superb, especially from the two boys. They did a really great job in the film. The cast also includes Aidan Quinn, Bonnie Hunt, Kevin Pollak, Eddie Kaye Thomas, and Brian Dennehy. Aidan does an awesome job playing Pete's father, who can be quite humorous in his ignorance at times. He can be forceful, but caring at the same time. Bonnie Hunt also fills the film with light as the mother. Kevin Pollak is great as the Rabbi, who can show us his humorous and serious side. Everybody did their roles justice.

Pete Jones does a really great job, being that this is his first film. Remember, this is a man who has never had any prior experience in film, or at least none that I have heard of. Sure, there were some mistakes, but then again, what film DOESN'T have mistakes?

I really enjoyed listening to the commentary, which was done by the director, co-producer and producer Chris Moore. It was funny and informative. They even point out some of the mistakes that happen during the film. (If they had kept their mouths shut, I probably would've never noticed any of them!) I usually don't listen to commentary, but after seeing the "Project Greenlight" series, it was almost like I had to listen to it. I'm glad I did.

Overall, "Stolen Summer" is a terrific film. Pete Jones and the rest of the crew should be proud of themselves. You don't have to be very religious to enjoy this movie, so don't let make you think you will not like it. DO NOT BUY THE MOVIE ITSELF IF YOU PLAN TO GET THE SERIES! The series already includes the full length movie with all of the special features that are included on this DVD. One of the better movies to come out of 2002, if you ask me. It may not be perfect, but it's still a heart-warming gem. A great film for the whole family.

Well acted, well directed, heart warming heresy.
Read the other reviews for plot synopsis and film description. I will say that the script is a bit lacking, but with the skillful acting and direction, the script serves to show the characters as more genuine people (except Daniel, who is far too dramatically cute). Most of us are not typically well-scripted and most of our characters are not well-educated, making their dialogue all the more believable. Adiel Stein (Pete O'Malley) is the real gem of this film. His sincerity, playfulness and inquisitiveness just roll off the screen. He is a joy to watch and listen to.

The problem is that this movie is based on the false ideas of insincere, works-based, self-gratifying religiosity. It is typical, and with cause, that Roman Catholicism is used for the framework of such heretical portrayal of Christianity and the relationship of God and man. Although this is a heart-warming story of a young boy trying to do good and the friendships he develops, the genuine fact is that it is a typical contemporary perversion of biblical Christianity. Religion is portrayed as subjective, relative, and the construct that people have created and use to deal with tragedy or organize their lives. In that way it is right in step with Freudian postmodern culture. The most blasphemous statement comes at the end when Peter O'Malley says to Rabbi Jacobsen, "Jesus is just a symbol." No, Pete, you may have been taught that or inferred it from the vague religion you've been raised with, but Jesus is not a symbol. He is the perfect son of God, who died on a cross for the sins of humanity, and is the only way to salvation. Read your bible, don't just let someone tell you about it. The reinforcement of working for your salvation, that doing good means being good and that that somehow obligates God to ignore your sin, is what biblical doctrine strictly refutes. Read Paul's letter to the Galatians and it should be much clearer.

Watch the movie, enjoy it, just don't believe in anything it says about salvation or the nature of our relationship to God.

Absolutely terrible
This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The film has no rhythm and nothing to keep the viewer riveted, not to mention the story is just plain horrible. A young Catholic boy attempts to convert the people around him, and his efforts focus on a Jewish family and especially a Jewish boy because he thinks that if he converts them, everyone will go to heaven. He tells the Jewish boy - who has cancer - that he can become Catholic and go to heaven if he completes ten tasks. The movie then proceeds to take another predictable turn when the boy dies before he completes his tasks and the Catholic boy learns his lessons about Jewish people going to heaven.

The characters are dull, the story is dull, no one really comes away with learning anything they didn't already know. The only thing that credits this movie with two stars is the fact that it's a first-timer.

This is not a commercial film
My pre-teen daughter loves Romeo and Juliet (she has gone through it a number of times) and even Hamlet but unsurprsingly ( even though much to my dismay ) she couldn't finish this movie: she didn't even want to start watching it in the first place.

Not much actions here not to say drama, and the main subject hinges more on talks or words than action, more from the kids words than any body else. There is no poignancy nor humour, nor wits as far as the script is concerned, not for the grown up nor for the kids. Not much imagery to start with. The message is clear but it doesn't impress... simply not convincing enough.

So, if your are looking for excitement, you might very well be disappointed; and if you're looking for entertainment, well, it depends. But do make sure if your kids would like it.

GENTLE, WELL-MEANING TALE WITH A LAID BACK PACE.
I chanced upon this movie on cable, but Stolen Summer isn't the kind of film that gets made too often nowadays -- light and cute, but balanced with a touching serious side that carries universal messages about religion, God, love, family, growing up.

The director's style is of the point-and-shoot variety, which isn't necessarily a bad thing as over-the-top visual flourishes likely would've taken our attention away from the ample dialogue. The script contains a good amount of surprises, and the character development is quite caringly done.

A word for the acting. Though the characters get gritty on occasion, the film is paced very well. Some protagonists are young (kids) but their work is impressively natural. Bonnie Hunt in particular should have merited more screen time, she works a taut but tender magic as a straight-talking mother.

If you care for meaningful cinema, I think this would make for a very worthwhile rental. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This Cinemascope production brought Lerner and Loewe's hit Broadway musical to the big screen with Gene Kelly and Van Johnson as the American hunters who stumble upon Brigadoon, the magical Scottish village that went to sleep in 1754 and awakens for just one day each century. MGM had originally planned to shoot this film on location in Scotland, but budget considerations turned it into a studio production, costarring Cyd Charisse as the bonny lass who wins Kelly's heart. Although it has never been ranked among the great musicals of MGM's golden age, Brigadoon has still got plenty of charm and continues to gain a loyal following. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Brigadoon an Overlooked Masterpiece
Brigadoon is widely considered as one of Vincente Minnelli's lesser achievements. The critics were somewhat disenchanted that Brigadoon was filmed on a sound stage in Culver City rather than "on location" in Scotland. MGM had not helped matters by actually dispatching Minnelli and Producer Arthur Freed to Scotland to scout for suitable filming locations. MGM, like the other major studios, were finding themselves in somewhat dire financial straits due to competition from television and certain pieces of anti-trust legislation that loosened their monopolistic grip over the entertainment industry. When MGM pulled the plug on the concept of an "on location" shoot (they were well aware of Minnelli's obsession with perfection and expected that he would go well over budget if given a free rein), the entire project became saddled with an image problem. By 1954, movie audiences expected something more than fixed indoor sets and painted scenery, especially from a work so site specific as Brigadoon.
Minnelli faced other obstacles. Ansco was a cheaper and somewhat inferior colour processing system than Technicolor, which no doubt irritated his refined sensibilities. He also had to come to terms with the new demands of Cinemascope and full stereophonic sound, with somewhat mixed results.
Even more troubling is that the choreography was in the hands of Gene Kelly, who seemed determined to emphasize the dancing rather than musicalelement at the heart of Brigadoon. The two had worked wonderfully together on "An American in Paris", but on the set of Brigadoon their artistic visions clashed. It is telling that Brigadoon was their last collaboration.
Critics in the 1950's were also a better informed breed than they were 20 years earlier and they were quick to pounce on certain "inaccuracies", such as the outrageous blends of tartans, which cerainly would have made any Laird wince, and the suitability of much of Mr. Kelly's choreography; hardly Scottish by a long stretch.
Yet in spite of these encumberances, I love this film. The painted diaramas are in keeping with the preposterous nature of the storyline, and what beautiful sets they are! Minnelli's artistic flourishes are evident eveywhere, such as the ample plantings of heather which must have caused a state of full employment for local florists. Minnelli"s outstanding contribution to American Film was his refined palette of colour schemes, and in Brigadoon his genius achieves its climax. Make no mistake, Brigadoon is a feast for the eyes.
The music by Lerner and Loewe is superb, with haunting melodies and stirring choruses. Cyd Charisse, always more celebrated for her dancing than her thespian skills, in Brigadoon achieves her finest hour, even though her singing voice is dubbed. Gene Kelly's type of acting is perhaps an acquired taste, but there is no denying his cat like grace and radiant boyish good looks.
On the whole, the imperfections of Brigadoon only make it more endearing. It is the one musical I never tire of seeing over and over again.

Strange color transfer
Has anyone else noticed a problem with the new DVD transfer? My copy has a constant "flicker" in which the color tint changes back and forth to a pinkish hue...This is supposed to be a new digital transfer.....

MINNELLI'S DREAMY LANDSCAPE STILL SOARS
Forget the jelly beans. Toss the chocolate bunnies.And, please, not a peep out of those inedible marshmallow peeps.
There's only one way to spring into spring ... and that's by giving it the ol' soft shoe. Such moves by easier than unwrapping one of those foiled-encased candy eggs, thanks to the fine folk at Warner Home Video who have made this holiday "eggs-xtra" special by releasing five must-have movie musicals. It's a mixed basket of treats --- hits and misses, yet still a library of must-haves, each with enough extras to fulfill the wildest fanatic's dream. Between the audio commentaries, vintage newsreels, star-studded premieres, cast bios and alternate takes, we can all feel like Fred Astaire. Or Cyd Charisse. Or at least Robert Osborne.
Let's begin with Easter Parade (1948). We'd be satisfied with the 17 Irving Berlin tunes, the thrilling digitally remastered color print and the knock-out performances of Ann Miller, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford and Judy Garland. But Warner has added an entire second disc bursting with bonus material: a new documentary about making the movie musical,the triple Emmy-winning American Masters program Judy Garland: By Myself and the musical outtake, "Mr. Monotony." This is Americana at its finest, from Fred and Judy singing and swinging, to Annie Miller Chasing the Blues Away to the final walk down Fifth Avenue's during the Easter Parade.
Fred Astaire also stars in Finian's Rainbow (1968), his last musical lead. Unfortunately, as talented as co-stars Petula Clark and Tommy Steele are, their more modern style seems to grate against the texture of the Burton Lane and Yip Harburg score.Whimsy is a difficult thing to capture, and Francis Ford Coppola, whose starkly realistic films include The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, may not have been the ideal director. This fantasy about racism was wildly ahead of its time when produced on Broadway in the late `40s, but by the time it was filmed two decades later, the story comes across as antiquated and uncomfortably old-fashioned. Still, nothing can tarnish the score, a lush one that includes the poignant "Look to the Rainbow," "Old Devil Moon" and "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?"
Van Johnson, Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly gently romp through Brigadoon (1954), the pre-My Fair Lady Lerner and Lowe fantasy. The magic of a village that exists only one day each century --- but exists in the hearts of lovers forever and always --- translates to the screen very well under the helm of Vincente Minnelli. The score is just as magical as the dream-like color and sets, with Almost Like Being in Love and Heather on the Hill especially charming.
Judy Holliday recreates her role in the Broadway hit Bells Are Ringing (1960) with a certain degree of success, but the episodic, troublesome book remains, as well as the charmless characters and costars, including, if not especially, Dean Martin, wildly miscast as a successful playwright. Written and adapted from their successful stage show by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and tailored especially for their long-time friend Holliday, the movie is strangely distant and incomplete, too stagy and stale. Holliday looks ill-at-ease at times; six years after the film was made, she died, two weeks shy of her 44th birthday, of cancer. Hal Linden has a bit role (blink and you will him) as a nightclub performer with a penchant for gold lame; he reminisces on a bonus track that reminds us just how warm and wonderful Holliday was off-screen.
The Band Wagon (1953) is the gem of the collection, and not just in terms of the sparkling digital transfer, nifty commentary by Michael Feinstein and Liza Minnelli, musical shorts and outtakes.However, like Easter Parade, the proof is in the pudding, and what a delicious dish this is!The Band Wagon is the ultimate backstage show, a musical masterpiece about creating ... a musical masterpiece! Fred Astaire (who, in 1931, starred on Broadway with sister Adele in The Band Wagon, a revue that lent some of its songs to this film) and Cyd Charisse are the temperamental stars, Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant play the harassed authors (looking strangely like Betty Comden and Adolph Green, the real authors) and Jack Buchanan plays the genius hired to create the masterpiece.Alas, he creates a musical version of Faust. When Faust flops, they all go back to the drawing board and create what the audience really wants: entertainment!The show's most famous tune, "That's Entertainment," has become an anthem of all things amusing and animated; other classic songs include "Dancing in the Dark," "By Myself" and that wonderfully silly homage to Hollywood and film noir "Girl Hunt Ballet."
Trust us. These are Easter treats that are as satisfying as they are song-filled. We've been gifted with an enviable collection, and even a semi-clunker, a miscast lead or a misguided director can't really dull the sheen of this sparkling collection. All together now: "Oh the clown/With his pants falling down ..."

Weak color on new 16x9 DVD
After seeing a breathtaking color dance number in the recent DVD release of That's Entertainment III, I was really looking forward to the 3/15/05 release of Brigadoon. While this new disc has sharper clarity thanks to the 16x9 transfer, someone has seen fit to reduce the color levels dramatically. Not only is the new pressing less vibrant than the 'Entertainment' clip, but noticably weaker than the older DVD. Note the grey heather on the hills! This marks the third try on DVD for this title. Here's hoping they get it right on HD!

Almost Like Being in Love
The reason I saw this is because I am a huge Gene Kelly fan and I love Cyd Charisse as well! This isn't the greatest MGM musical but it was one of the last ones from the "Golden Age" that make this movie very special. The movie is about two hunters named Tommy(Gene Kelly) and Jeff (Van Johnson) who are in Scotland. While they are lost they stumble into this little village that isn't on their map. The village happens to be Brigadoon and it happens to wake up for one day every one hundred years. Tommy starts to fall in love with Fiona (Cyd Charisse) but Fiona can't leave the village if she does the town will disappear forever. This movie has a lot of great music my favorites are "Heather on the Hill", "Waitin' for My Dearie", "I'll Go Home With Bonnie Jean", and "Almost Like Being in Love." This is really one the last great musicals! This a must see movie! I am very happy that Warner Bros. re-released this on DVD with good extras!

Here are the extras:

First-ever New Digital 16x9 Transfer (2:55:1)
Soundtrack Remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1
Three Outtake Musical Numbers: Come to Me, Bend to Me, From this Day On and Sword Dance
Audio Outtake: There But for You Go I
Theatrical Trailer
Languages: English & French
Subtitles - English, French and Spanish

Go out and get lost and fall in love with Brigadoon! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Joel McCrea as Buffalo Bill
Well,so this Western biopic is wildly off from an historical point of view, but, nevermind, as entertainment it fills the bill and more. BUFFALO BILL is the kind of wholesome, patriotic film that fifty years ago provided solid good entertainment with good production values--and we kinda miss its kind today. McCrea never did a bad job of acting in any of his films, and here he keeps the action going, even when it becomes a bit desultory during the second half of the movie. He really is a pleasure to watch and hear...so easy in the saddle and with his lines. So, lay back and enjoy this film, and with family.

Sanitised biopic
This is standard movie biography of a legendary figure of the old West and modern showbiz and it follows the sanitised version of Cody's life perpetuated by dime novel writers such as Ned Buntline .It does not ecplore the gap between myth and legend but instead follows the advice of the editor in the Ford classic " The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance " -namely "When the facts conflict with the legend -print the legend "
The Cody of this lavish and colourful movie does not have feet of clay but is presented in an uncomplicatedly heroic and mythic mode which may have gone down well when it was made but which now comes across as horribly simplistic and patronising .
Cody is written and played as a plaster saint -handsome ,deeply moral and a spokesman for the cause of the Native American and one who earns their respect by defeating their war chief in hand to hand combat.The first half while inaccurate has vigour and pace and is entertaining enough but interest sags when Cody leaves the West for Washington and thence to a career asa world travelled circus proprietor
Macrae does a decent job in the title role bringing a quiet gravity to scenes showing the character being reduced to a humiliating side show attraction astride a rocking horse before his return to fame and fortune .There is a customarilly peppy performance from the great Maureen O'Hara anda zestful cameo by Thomas Mitchell as the ebullient Buntline ,Cody's chronicler .
Not to be taken seriously as history but a decent if dated movie shot in lustrous colour and which should please lovers of the Western

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A Good Way To Pass The Time on a Saturday Evening...
This is a good film for all ages indeed. Growing up in Stonewall, Texas (birthplace of Lyndon Baines Johnson), I remember seeing this film with my parents in the theatres when I was 15. The cast is perfect with heavysupporting players such as Anthony Quinn and Linda Darnell. So what lowersmy rating by one star you ask? Well, the length. Although it couldn't bemore that 100 minutes, there is slightly a tad less action than there isverbal communication and the picture sticks to the same theme too long(i.e. Buffalo Bill's friendship with the Cheyenne Indians). If only thedialouge was a little more fast paced, this film would be of moreentertainment.

Yet as my headline reads, if you have not too much to doon a Saturday evening and feel like passing the time with a historic movie,watch this then. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Set in 1797 at the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars, Damn the Defiant! (also known as H.M.S. Defiant) is an enthralling British naval drama made to capitalize on MGM's epic remake of Mutiny on the Bounty, also released in 1962. It's based on Frank Tilsey's novel Mutiny and stars Alex Guinness as a fair-minded captain locked in psychological conflict with his manipulative, coldly malicious first officer (Dirk Bogarde), and the parallels with the famous true story are clear. However, there were many naval mutinies during this period, and this large-scale saga, which includes some spectacularly staged widescreen naval battles, offers a realistic depiction of life in the British navy at the time--from the press gangs and floggings to the appalling food and living conditions.

Director Lewis Gilbert--who previously helmed Sink the Bismarck! (1960)--strikes a good balance between the personal drama and sweeping maritime adventure. Guinness successfully varies his firm-but-fair officer from The Bridge on the River Kwai, Bogarde is chillingly hateful, and Anthony Quayle gives strong support. --Gary S. Dalkin ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Grand film for Patrick O'Brian and Hornblower fans
There aren't a lot of movies about the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, despite the popularity of novels such as those written by Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester, but "Damn the Defiant" is an action film far above average. Not only does it boast fine acting by Alec Guiness and Dirk Bogard, it presents an unusually realistic look at life aboard a warship in the Age of Fighting Sail. If you like Jack Aubrey and Horatio Hornblower, then this is a movie you shouldn't miss.

If you are a Hornblower fan, you'll like this one!
The movie presents a side of Napoleanic British Royal Navy life I have seldom seen in film. Lashings are common enough in sailing films, but the use of corporal punishment, press gangs, and poor shipboard life and the like reveal a picture of life in the Royal Navy in the early 1800s less often shown.

As for the movie...while a a good and decent ship's captain (played by Alec Guinness) prepares for sea, we learn that his young son will ship out with him as a new midshipman. In the meantime navy pressgangs are out on the streets rounding up men to be pressed into service in the navy. Involved in rounding up men for the crew is a new first officer (Dirk Bogard).

The story centers around conflict between the good and fair captain and his devious and conniving first officer. Caught in the middle of them is the young, innocent midshipman son of the captain.

A supporting plot involves a plan by the sailors to seek for improved conditions...and there is, of course, the war.

One thing leads to another, and the captain is wounded in battle. While the captain is bedridden the now outwardly abusive first officer takes over and runs roughshod over the crew and the ship.

I enjoy this film for it's fine efforts toward historical accuracy. The character development is excellent, and you can feel the strain on the captain as he stands by and is helpless to remove his son out from under the thumb of the 1st officer.

An excellent yarn of life at sea. Guinness is, as always, outstanding. Top notch! Top marks! 5 stars.

Excellent story of the age of wooden ships and iron men!
This is a fine story of life aboard a British naval vessel during the Napoleonic wars. Alec Guiness stars as the enlightened and thoughtful captain, Dirk Bogarde is the cruel and hard first lieutenant (executive officer). The two are locked in a battle of wills and leadership concerning the means by which the ship will be commanded. The captain believes that a happy ship is an efficient ship, and seeks to lead by inspiration. The first lieutenant believes in merciless discipline, reinforced with his sadistic love of inflicting punishment. This conflict is complicated by the fact that the men of the British fleet are plotting the famous Spithead mutinies, and the first lieutenant has influential friends in London. This is a very interesting story of leadership and conflict.

The storyline moves along smartly most of the time, and the acting is quite good. The special effects are very good--no "bathtub ships" or battles. Guiness does his customary excellent job in his role as captain, although I personally thought he might have exerted more personal force than he did; his leadership style as portrayed in the film is somewhat understated. Bogarde is excellent as the villainous first lieutenant--you'll hate him by the end of the movie.

This is a fine movie worth watching more than once.

Excellent Portrayal of the British Navy
The film is an excellent portrayal of the British Navy in 1797. The scenes showing the press gangs, the hard and dangerous work, the brutal floggings for relatively trivial offenses, the bad food, and the eventual and inevitable mutiny amply demonstrate the bad living conditions with which the ordinary sailor had to contend. The smug superiority of the British officer class is also demonstrated. The film contains a good historical description and engaging dramatization of the naval conflict between England and France. Also, an interesting story as men resolve a conflict between personal interest and the greater good. I highly recommend the film.

Rousing, sea tales with superior acting!!
What can you say about the powerhouse teaming of Alec Guiness and Dirk Bogarde?? Two of the greatest actors of our time. The dynamics of Guiness' Captain, controlled by a malicious Scott Pagent the first mate, played with a wicked gleam by Bogarde, is something to watch!!! There is excellent supporting work, and super battle scenes, but it is the power struggle between Guiness and Bogarde that is the sole and centre of this film.

DVD only enhances that and made me feel like I was seeing this for the first time!!

Wonderful historical drama, wonderful character struggle.......

A definite must for fans of Guiness, the gorgeous Bogarde or historical dramas. ... Read more

Description

"He Who Seeks Revenge Should Dig Two Graves"

Alex Cox's new film is a scathing black comedy about love, sex, family,murder, incest and revenge, set in a post-apocalyptic Liverpool. Afterten years in hiding, Vindici (Christopher Eccleston-28 Days Later, TheOthers) returns to destroy the Duke (Derek Jacobi-Gosford Park,Gladiator) who murdered Vindici's wife on their wedding day. During hisabsence Vindici's family fell into poverty, while the Duke, Duchess andtheir decadent sons acquired wealth and power, ruling over their courtobsessed with transient beauty, money, inherited privilege and power.Determined to exact his revenge, Vindici sets out to gain the confidenceof the Duke and his villainous heir, Lussurioso (Eddie Izzard-Dressed ToKill, Circle).

Featuring brilliant performances by Eccleston, Izzard, and Jacobi,Revengers Tragedy proves once again that Alex Cox (Repo Man, Sid &Nancy) is one of the few truly subversive filmmakers at work today.Somewhere between A Clockwork Orange and Baz Luhrmann's Romeo & Juliet,this updated telling of Thomas Middleton's notorious 17th century playis an energetic and stylish masterwork. ... Read more

Reviews (110)

The Rookie
This movie had everything. It is the first movie I've seen in a long time that there were no swear words, no sex scenes, no violence. It was a wholesome movie, good for all ages. It was based on a true story which made it all that much better. Here's a great guy, who teaching great kids, not foul mouthed like I hear so much of coming out of the mouths of kids everywhere, in the malls, on the streets, in the movie theatres.
This teacher loves his wife, his kids and baseball, and in that order. And the director or whoever hire the lead knew what he was doing. We just don't see enough of Dennis Quaid. He is the very best actor on the scene today. You guys out there in Movieland. Let's see more movies like this and much,much more of Dennis Quaid.

The Rookie
The best movie I have seen in years. It's not just another sports movie. This one transcends multiple levels to make it an outstanding, must-see movie. The direction is superb with surprising yet appropriate scoring. Believability is where most sports-topic movies fail. Not this one. The casting and acting make each character so realistic that you feel every emotion.

It is about time!
It is about time that we have a great family movie for children and grown-ups to equally enjoy that is rated G with no violence or foul language! I highly reccommend this movie for you and your family! You will enjoy it immensly!

The Rookie
Amazing that Hollywood can make a good movie with no sex, violence and/or bad language. Very well done movie but could have been 15 to 20 minutes shorter. Dennis Quaid is remarkable. A must see for the whole family. A movie with a message!

Nice for all who have a Dream.
This was a wonderful movie. It's about a man named Jimmy Morris who had a dream of playing pro-baseball. His father is in the army and they are constantly moving. He moves to TExas where there is no baseball, after a while, when he grows up he is a baseball coach in a highschool.
He is now married and has children. His son his almost like a member of the team even thought he is only around 7, 8, or 9. He has his own uniform and is always at practices and the games. He also has a daughter around the son's age and another son around the age of 1.
One of the team members discovers how good Jim pitches, he then does it at practice and he makes a deal with the team that if they start winning and win the highest game or something like that, that he has to try out for the major leagues.
They win and he has to go and try out..........

The rest I won't say, See the movie to find out what happens :). It's a great movie for anyone who ever had a dream that they wanted to accomplish. :) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Since many movie depictions of famous figures are cringe-worthy, it is pleasant to report that Two of Us creates a smart, informed, and intimate portrait of two music gods. This made-for-TV feature is a fictional speculation about a day in 1976 when Paul McCartney popped into John Lennon's New York apartment by surprise. With Yoko away on business, it's just the two giants spending a day together--bickering, goofing, toking, and eventually coming to a bittersweet reconciliation. There are awkward TV-movie moments, and some psychobabble, but the film respects its characters too much to round them off into simpletons. Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg made Let It Be, so he could draw on first-hand experience, and Jared Harris and Aidan Quinn are totally committed to their roles. For an even better speculative Beatles film, check out The Hours and Times, a superb study of Lennon and Beatles manager Brian Epstein. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A DAY IN THE LIFE ... A GREAT TRIP !
This movie will touch the hearts of any Beatles fan. The two actors who portray Lennon & McCartney really nailed down the personaltities, if not, on some occasions ... their appearance. Going back to '76 .. a time when there was still that possibility of the Beatles getting back together .. we still had John, we still had George. This infamous meeting has been mentioned in books .. All throughout the '70s .. we never even saw a picture of John & Paul together! This movie is a real treat .. it's like taking that trip back in time & never wanting it to end. You want to go back & spend another day with your heroes ... you want history to be changed .. you want to GET BACK to where you once belonged!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! It really feels like you are witnessing John & Paul together again in a chance meeting in '76.

OUTSTANDING
This movie is exceptional in every way. The actors are completely committed, and I fully believed I was watching Lennon and McCartney interact. Furthermore--and something people have yet to mention--the screenplay is loaded with details of these two men from the period in which the movie takes place and written with a palpable warmth and love for John and Paul without being syrupry, cliched, or sentimental. As a die hard Beatles fan who has read more than 40 books on these two geniuses, this was the movie I had always wanted to see. The experience stayed with me for days. I waited for a long time to see the release of this film on DVD.

Inspired movie making
Michael Linsey-Hogg, the director of Let It Be, weaves fact and fiction into a compelling movie about two of the greatest personalities of our generation.

McCartney comes off a bit too warm in this but its hard to see that as a flaw. Reputed to be a 'cool' person at the best of times perhaps we see through to the real Paul. Lennon on the other hand is accurately portrayed from the clowning to the acid wit he was so well known for.

While the actors don't physically resemble John and Paul that well they certainly come across as them if you just squint your eyes and pretend a little.

Best moments in the movie:

McCartney in a heartfelt moment telling John how during the break up of the Beatles he felt as though he was losing his best friend. Lennons acid response. "We were never that close mate".

A scene in Central Park with the two of them in disguise. Reminiscent of A Hard Days Night is the exchange between them and two mounted police. We laughed out loud at this one and the scene just felt right.

A scene in a restaurant when an elderly couple finally get there nerve up to approach John. They make the gaffe of requesting that he sing a few bars of Yesterday (Pauls song). Lennons response again had us laughing out loud and again it felt as though it really was John saying it.

The best moment of all is one with John and Paul on the roof of the Dakota. I won't attempt to describe this one but it brought tears to my eyes and confirmed to me that the chemistry between John and Paul was truly magic.

This movie brings back a little of the joy the Beatles brought to the world way back when. A celebration of John and Paul and the real world magic of Beatle music.

Fooled me!
When I first heard about this film, I thought, "Harris and Quinn?" How will they pull it off? For one thing, there was the item of physical non-resemblance. But with the addition of a little nose putty, I was suprised to be able to see Lennon quite easily in Harris. Quinn's physical resemblance to McCartney is even more remote (you can add putty to a nose but you can't perform rhinoplastic reduction with makeup!), but factor in the clothes and hair and he comes closer. But it's the body language and speech which make him convincing. I didn't notice in the credits if there was a vocal coach, but if there was, he/she knows his/her stuff. If the actors developed their own accents and cadences, that's even more to their credit. They obviously studied these men assiduously. In some scenes I found myself feeling horribly sentimental, being of a "certain age." The picture is nicely staged, paced, and photographed. Entertaining start to finish.

JARED HARRIS IS FIRST-RATE AS JOHN LENNON!
A must-see for all Beatles fans. This film is worth seeing alone for Jared Harris' outstanding portrayal of John Lennon. It doesn't matter that Harris doesn't exactly resemble Lennon; his mannerisms, expressions, posture, accent and attitude are pure Lennon. Best scene: Lennon in a local cafe verbally sparring with a stuttering fan as to whether Paul McCartney & Wings' "Silly Love Songs" is worthy of #1 status in America. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Call this an Irish family reunion, onscreen and off. The brothersQuinn--debuting writer-director Paul, actor Aidan, and cinematographerextraordinaire Declan--pooled their talents on a movie about a middle-agedschoolteacher (James Caan) who makes a pilgrimage back to the Ould Sod, wherehe hopes to discover the truth about his mysterious dad. What he digs up, inflashback, is a Romeo-Juliet love affair blighted by class, religion, andsheer human meanness. Turns out Caan's father (Aidan Quinn, bulked up out ofhis usual lean good looks) was a farmhand--slow, inarticulate, pure ofheart--who fell in love above his station. Vividly beautiful Moya Farrellyplays a nonconforming college girl on vacation, first amusing herself bydrawing Quinn's locked-down soul into chats, dancing, and friendship, thencoming to love the complex man she has freed from loneliness. But Irish angstmust be served: Moya's unloving, jealous mother (Gina Moxley) and asex-hating clergyman (Stephen Rea, wonderfully over the top) set their sightson killing the couple's happiness. In contrast to this old drama, thepresent-day framing story is distracting, even irritating, and cameoappearances by Colm Meaney, Brendan Gleeson, and John Cusack stick outlike... well, charming guest shots. We want Paul Quinn to stay focused on theThomas Hardy tragedy that beats at the heart of This Is My Father so that wecan have more time to savor the strong, heartbreaking performances byFarrelly and his brother, backed by Declan (Leaving Las Vegas) Quinn'sbeautiful vision of the rich, dark world of Ireland past. --Kathleen Murphy ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Great Irish Romantic Tragedy
In a lot of the time-split movies I've seen, the present story is never as interesting as the past one, which is the case with "This is My Father." The present story revolves around Kieran Johnson (played by James Caan), a middle-aged Chicago high school teacher, as he travels abroad to Ireland with his teenage nephew, Jack (Jacob Tierney), in search of his unknown paternal roots. Upon arriving, Kieran Jr. learns of his father, Kieran O'Day (Aidan Quinn), via the Irish fortuneteller they're boarding from.

The movie then switches periodically to the summer of 1939, when Kieran Jr.'s young mother, Fiona Flynn (played by Moya Farrelly), returns from Catholic school and resumes her friendship with Kieran Sr., only to have it blossom into a forbidden love affair. Why their relationship is taboo is never fully explained, though the Catholic church, Kieran Sr.'s being a "poorhouse bastard", and their age difference are vaguely touched upon. However, a lot of it's left up to the viewer to draw their own conclusions.

In addition to the lack of any major taboo, I thought the past story between Kieran Sr. and Fiona would have been better at the forefront of this movie. It was certainly more entertaining than watching Kieran Jr. brood or Jack flirt with two local girls (or, rather, they were flirting with him; he just looked lost). But despite the little things, "This is My Father" is a great movie. It has a somewhat predictable demise at the end, but it's still sad enough to interest fans of romantic tragedies.

Sleeper
Why don't we ever hear about great films like this one. It has a wonderful story with a tearful conclusion. It is worth seeing, if only for the glimpse of Irish culture in 1939 and surely accurate depiction of the Catholic Church of that time. One gets the notion that in the Irish countryside of today, the Church probably still operates as it does in this film.

Aidan Quinn, who went out of his way to make this film, is terrific in his part as Kieran O'Day. He gained weight for the film and it is far from a glitzy role. Actually, all the acting is top notch and the characters are all believeable. Having grown up in a Catholic Church that is very close to what is portrayed in the film, made it even more interesting for me.

It's not a flashy film, but one of the best of this century.

Same old Irish drivel
I am sick to death of this kind of Irish film where the same old actors are wheeled out in their tweed jackets and flat-caps to portray yet another load of down-trodden Irish characters with something to moan and whinge about. Films about modern Ireland never ever seem to be made and I get the feeling that the world must think that Ireland is stuck in the 1940s as thats all you ever see in these films.

The story is the usual rubbish about forbidden love and it's been done a thousand times before. I do however disagree with the comment by a reviewer which claims that this film is 'anti-catholic' - it is not - this is unfortunatly how Ireland was at that time - ruled by the iron fist of the church. But this need by Irish film directors to constantly hark back to this time period is beyond me. Have they no other ideas they can turn into a film?

Utter rubbish

A real tear-jecker
No matter how many times you see this, It will make you cry. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. If you wish to seen a movie that goes to the pit of you heart this, and Sophie"s choice are the two. Reminds you want in the end is most impotant.

Compelling, Moving, Beautiful, and Unforgettable!!!
This is an unforgettable film which deserves a huge audience. It moves back and forth through past and present, weaving both together through a family and its history, and a lonely, burned out teacher's exploration of his roots. Each view and each perspective in this family -- past and present -- is sensitively explored. The most compelling, however, is the grandmother's love story with Kieran (Aidan Quinn) in County Galway in Ireland. This film explores Irish life and the Irish perspective, and the blessings and curses of each. The cast is superb, and Aidan Quinn gives a wonderfully moving performance as Kieran, the Father.

There are other Fathers in this film. Exploring these and musing about their meanings and their meddlings, past and present, is something best done by each individual viewer. Beautifully photographed, superbly acted, and wonderfully conceived, this is a must-see film for everyone, but especially for anyone with an interest in Ireland. This wonderful country and its history, its people, its music, its curses, its blessings, and its magic are all captured in loving detail onscreen. Highly, Highly recommended!!! ... Read more

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Band of the Hand was executive-produced by Miami Vice creator Michael Mann, but this violent relic of the '80s begs for a smarter script and Mann's directorial flair. Instead it's got TV's "Starsky"--Paul Michael Glaser--seemingly asleep at the wheel, barely controlling a rainbow coalition of bad actors as punky Florida jailbirds, given a second chance when they're dropped into the treacherous everglades and whipped into a crack unit of urban warriors by a gruff marine (Stephen Lang) who supervises their juvenile "reform." One of the reluctant recruits has a girlfriend (fresh-faced newcomer Lauren Holly) who's tied up with local drug lords (Larry Fishburne, James Remar), and the inevitable showdown offers guerilla warfare in pastel shades. Wretched dialogue and lackluster action don't stop this from being a Vice-like guilty pleasure, populated by garishly costumed stereotypes and ending like the pilot for a TV series that never happened. Even the DVD liner notes admit the movie is "infamous"; accepted on those terms, it's a hoot. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Band of the Hand
Let me start by saying I love this movie. I first saw this film in the theatres during it's original theatrical release. I have this film on vhs. I have been waiting for the past few years for this film to be released on DVD. Finally it has arrived. I wish they had preserved the original theatrical aspect (widescreen), but at least they remastered the audio and video. The film itself stands as one of the best and most entertaining action films of the 1980's. This largely overlooked classic embodies the look, the feel and the attitude of 80's cool and features the most memorable soundtrack of this era. The story centers around a group of juvenile delinquents who have committed serious crimes and are given one last chance at rehabilitation.
This last ditch effort begins in the Florida Everglades and culminates in the "program" relocating to Miami. Once in Miami the ever reforming juveniles have to learn to work together, resist the temptation of their former lives and also confront the harsh realities of their past. Each character undergoes personal growth and ultimately they decide on their own to wage war on the local ... cartel and the action really heats up. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes action movies with humor and substance. Band of the Hand has excitement and flair to spare, considerably more than the standard fare.

Pure 80's goodness!
So long.....I have waited so long for this movie to be released on DVD. Last year, I was forced to buy a well used and badly warn VHS copy on Ebay. Forced, you say? Yes, Forced. This movie is goodness. That's all there is to it. I saw it on cable when I was a kid and it quickly became one of my favorite movies of all time.
Please, do yourself a favor and buy this movie. As some people have said above, they really do not make them like this anymore. It's got that special something that modern movies lack...and I'm not just saying that because I'm older now, and that's what older people are supposed to say about things from their chldhood. It's a fact. My praises cannot do this movie justice. You have to watch it to understand. Band of the Hand is hidden and forgotten treasure. Those who call it corny, or say the acting is "bad" simply do not get it. I get it, and I hope you do too.

Finally, on DVD.
One of the many movies I thought worthwhile, but unavailable on DVD.

Until now...

Glad to see "Band of the Hand" is finally out. Far from a perfect film, it captures a bit of those heady 1980s in a time capsule.

I saw this film when it originally came out - one of the few who did - and I've always refered it to friends as Miami Vice's "What I Did on Summer Vacation" movie.

Now, if we can only get the Miami Vice series out on DVD...

Great 80's time capsule even if it's not great
Band of the Hand is one of those movies that you can watch as a time capsule of teen-focused films of the 1980's. Rather than focus on the angst of upper middle class kids and their love lives, Band of the Hand looks at the criminal element of the era. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky and Hutch) and produced by Michael Mann (Miami Vice), this film is more visual than visceral. The premise is only slightly realistic (and only more recently so, as rehab programs vaguely similar have cropped up in the 90's), but it's fun to watch.
The characters are sinister bad boys, but not so much so that you can't love them. There's the drop dead handsome drug dealer, a new wave looking kid who committed patricide (but only because the guy beat his mother and sister), two gang members (one Puerto Rican and one black), and a rough uneducated car thief.
We see these boys commit their crimes and then get busted - all done in a very Miami Vice sort of way. They are all relegated to a new experimental rehab program that involves them surviving on their own in the everglades. If they graduate (which you know they will) they'll move into a really rough area of Miami and learn to live in the city.

Not only do these boys succeed, they do so with flying colors. Rehab is a wonderful thing! This is obviously a liberal conscience at work - none the less it is fun to watch.

I won't spoil the film (because I do enjoy the film even if it is trite and overly empathetic to the characters), but suffice it to say there is a lot of excitement and eventually - intrigue and action in this film.

My complaint is that the film is very uneven. It seems to be bits of several films stuck together. There's a sense of a three act play at work - and the third act is where the fun is.

The acting is good and the interaction of the young and older actors is believable, even if the script is silly.

In the end, you'll enjoy this bit of escapist 80's fun.

Finally!
This is a great movie. At the time, Miami Vice was king (still is to me)and this has the same flavor, just with a coming of age storyline. The charachters are kind of like a group from the Magnificent Seven and the Dirty Dozen combined. All in all, a fun action movie with some good messages just under the surface. Biggest thing about this movie is the incredible soundtrack! Used to have the tape, and would kill for a cd. ... Read more

Description

Set on the moon in the year 2087, the action/adventure comedy "Pluto Nash" stars Eddie Murphy as the title character, an audacious nightclub owner who finds himself in hot water when he refuses to sell his club to the local mob. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Another Man on the Moon?
Eddie Murphy plays a bar owner named Pluto Nash who is famous on the Moon. That sounds out-of-this-world! A couple of dirty businessmen want him perished because he has the hottest spot on the Moon! How insane is that? "The Adventures of Plu