Amazon.com

Mel Brooks's 1987 parody of the Star Wars trilogy is a jumble of jokes rather than a comic feature, and, predictably, some of those jokes work better than others. The cast, including Brooks in two roles, more or less mimics the principal characters from George Lucas's famous story line, and the director certainly gets a boost from new allies (SCTV graduates Rick Moranis and John Candy) as well as old ones (Dick Van Patten, Dom DeLuise). Watch this and wait for the sporadic inspiration--but don't be surprised if you find yourself yearning for those years when Brooks was a more complete filmmaker (Young Frankenstein). --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (267)

HEY MEL BROOKS WE DON"T NEED A SECOND SPACEBALLS WE NEED
A FIRST ROBIN HOOD MEN IN TIGHTS. After viewing widescreen,fullscreen of the original dvd and the fullscreen vhs and then the TBS presentation not one of them gives you the complete picture.They all give you different corners WIDE;hides the floor and ceiling.FULL;covers elbows and noses TBS;gives you an extreme view to the far right so you can actually see the princess' OLD NOSE!! (which is barely noticible on either side of the original disc) But of course the left side suffers from lack of attention. I don't care what kind of bonus features you put in, bad picture presentation is BAD PICTURE PRESENTATION. All I had to do was read the picture dimensions on the so called "collectors edition" and I knew this was a waste of time and money. And that's a shame because the movie itself is very good and deserves better treatment than just a reissue of the widescreen side of the original disc and a second disc with a lot of fluff.

Collect what? A forced pre-menu trailer?! Not all bad tho!
This is an A++ movie, but the "special" DVD release is not as special as I had hoped.

Let's look at the bad parts first!

The pre-menu "don't pirate this disc" bit is a new live-action waste of time and seems to run much longer than the old-sk00l FBI warnings, despite the new version being in english only.How much money went into producing that claptrap anyway?The usual English/Spanish/French full-screen blurbs are more than adequate.Save the disc space for a better compression rate (not that this DVD release fails where it counts...).

Along with the new, patronizing, live-action piracy bit is an advert for the remake of the pink panther movie.One I was not able to cirumvent by pressing every menu button on my remote.This does not make for a happy viewer.And not just because it's yet another remake of yet another old movie that trashes the old and can't draw in the viewers at the theatres too, making execs wonder what went wrong as they then proceed to make a remake of another old film...but I digress.I also double-checked the price of the disc and all the blurbs on the box.I didn't pay for a pathetic trailer I can't get around.I paid for a movie.Not extra advertising in every place they can shove it.

Also, for "flubs" I had read "bloopers".Unless I missed a menu, there are no bloopers - which are usually far more interesting than pointing out flubs (production goofs such as pointing out the camera tracks in one scene and a poorly set up mirror in another), most people will find or just not care about.I want actors saying the effenheimer or the sclhizzlebler because they couldn't remember a line correctly!!

On the plus side, the opening menu (disc 1) is HIGHLY entertaining if you let it sit there and just run for a while.

DTS sound is AWESOME too.Alone it's worth the price!Specially in the F/X shots, you'll be blown away by the remix - it is INCREDIBLE and exceptionally well done.

Video quality is excellent for a restored 19 year old film too.

Nice to see the trailers and featurettes; especially when they hadn't been given the restoration treatment.(not being sarky here, it's incredible what they can do to restore and preserve film these days!)

The trivia game seems trivial; very obvious questions and the response sequences are too few to maintain interest.

But all in all, the restoration and enhancement of the video and audio is well worth the price.

As for the movie itself...easily one of Brooks' best works and is a great parody of the original Star Wars series, most of which were good in their own right but this parody of the original trilogy is stingingly funny.

I sincerely hope Brooks does a sequel (prequel) to Spaceballs because the "prequel" SW trilogy is so horrendously awful that any spoof of it would rake in far more money, of that I have no doubt!!

DinkDink,DinkDinkDinkDinkDinkDink !
Mel Brooks's "SPACEBALLS" is one of the funniest movies ever! From my childhood until forever this movie is a classic!

One of my favorite movies
I have watched this movie from begining to end so many times that I have lost count! As a clear spoof of all things sci-fi, Spaceballs goes all the way with the references to all the most popular science movies like Star Wars, Star Trek and even Alien.It's technical crew included many of the greats who worked on the original movies that it spoofs.The story is about Lone Starr and his friend Barf who is a half-man, half dog. (He's his "own best friend".) They are on a quest to rescue a runaway spoiled Druish princess who has come too close to the Spaceballs who are trying to steal the pure air from her home planet, Druidia.It is a great story that stands all on it's own without leaning too heavily on the movies that are beinging spoofed.

We needed more Schwartz in the Collector's Edition!
The movie itself is pure Mel Brooks. I really enjoy how Mel brings hilarious havoc to the sci-fi genre, spoofing movies from Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers to Star Trek and Star Wars.I am surprised that MPAA had originally given this movie a PG rating instead of a PG-13 rating since the movie is heavy on adult humor, language, and sexual innuendos - not exactly what I would call a flick for the whole family.Enough about the movie; this review is about the newly released Collector's Edition (CE), especially the bonus material.

The Dolby 5.1 sound quality has been enhanced compared to the original 2000 DVD release, but I will need to confirm this.I'm glad MGM offers a DTS track on disc 1.I have not yet compared Mel's commentary on the CE to the original release.I did make some limited comparisons of the picture quality: The colors are more vibrant (perhaps too much on the red?) and the picture is clearer to my eyes; the skin tones look correct to me. Since the video presentation is not THX quality, you will see some specks and film blemishes. The aspect ratio on the CE (1.85:1 for 16x9) is the same as the original 2000 release, but on my Sony monitor (4:3) the CE widescreen version is "slightly" zoomed in more than the 2000 widescreen released version.

I am disappointed in the Special Features. Why? For one reason, it does not include Rick Moranis.He is mentioned but is not interviewed at all - how can Mel not include Dark Helmet!In addition, you will not find any behind-the-scenes coverage (other than still photos) such as those found on the 2000 DVD release. Mel did not include any deleted scenes or bloopers (no, the film flubs don't count).However, there is a well-produced 29 minute documentary that includes the other main actors and crew members. You will learn that the actors and crew members had more laughs making this movie than the audience had watching it.If this is true, Mel should have included some of those comical moments in the Special Features.Also missing on this CE is a featurette about special-effects.The conversation between Mel and co-writer Thomas Meehan is rather boring, but the tribute to comical genius John Candy is commendable, touching, and about time.

The CE is a 2-disc DVD set.It is a shame that MGM and Mel could not/would not include more about this classic comedy.Overall I give the CE version a 3/5. The movie gets 4/5! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

One of the first Hollywood films to deal openly with white racism toward Japanese Americans during World War II, this drama directed by 1950s action maestro John Sturges (The Great Escape) stars Spencer Tracy as a one-armed stranger named MacReedy, who arrives in the tiny town of Black Rock on a hot day in 1945. Seeking a hotel room and the whereabouts of an ethnic Japanese farmer named Komoko, MacReedy runs smack into a wall of hostility that escalates into serious threats. In time it becomes apparent that Komoko has been murdered by a local, racist chieftain, Reno Smith (Robert Ryan), who also plans on dispensing with MacReedy. Tracy's hero is forced to fight his way past Smith's goons (among them Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin) and sundry allies (Anne Francis) to keep alive, setting the stage for memorable suspense crisply orchestrated by Sturges. Casting is the film's principal strength, however: Tracy, the indispensable icon of integrity, and Ryan, the indispensable noir image of spiritual blight, are as creatively unlikely a pairing as Sturges's shotgun marriage of Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen in The Magnificent Seven. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Solid "Rock"
This is a thrilling suspense film from start to finish.Though set apparently in post World War II Arizona the film has the feel of a traditional western.One could draw parallels to another classic western, "High Noon", in that the film's protagonist MacCreedy (Spencer Tracy) is confronted with sociopathic bullies and has difficulty enlisting the aid of the few people of good will in Black Rock.Whereas "High Noon" was considered a metaphor for McCarthyism, "Bad Day at Black Rock" tackles the theme of racism, in this case the prejudice that was prevalent at the time against Americans of Japanese descent.John Sturges crafts such an effective tale that you don't feel you are being preached to.Tracy is solid as the one-armed inquisitor.The supporting cast is all first-rate with Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine, and Lee Marvin especially good as the creepy heavies.Great Technicolor and tremendous use of widescreen on display here.Andre Previn contributes an effective score.

Audio track for french language - discusting
The english audio track is good, but as far as the french track it's not worth a penny, noise on the track are so loud; My French friends we're so disappointed.
I think WB is producing full sh.. DVD and have no respect for customer. They don't do quality testing on DVD products...
It's an excellent movie, but not the right compagny to produce a DVD...

Excellent!
Spencer Tracy as the mysterious man in black. What is he doing in a small middle of nowhere desert town? It's film noir in color! It's absolutely fascinating and when it's ended, one has to see it over again because it's almost a perfect movie. There are no wasted shots. And the music score by Andre Previn is a perfect compliment to this widescreen thriller. It has Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, and Robert Ryan at their nastiest!! It's great!!

Tracy at his best
Tracy portrays a one-armed man who arrived in a small town only
to discover it is hiding things.Led by Robert Ryan he is stonewalled in discovering the truth but eventually does. This
film also features Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine in supporting
roles.This is a perfect film to watch Tracy.He appears to be
doing nothing but is absolutely wonderful.Anne Francis is very
good also.This is one of Tracy's finest efforts and the dvd
release is most welcome.

Myfavourite film
This is a really good thriller Weston.The cast is wonderful all first class performers especially Tracy and Ryan. It has been around in the pan form. It will be great in wide screen with a good sound track.I can't recommend it enough. ... Read more

Amazon.com

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

Reviews (26)

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

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

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

The music in this is really good and clicks really well with the scenes! I really loved the K.P. theme song remix during the opening credits. It was kinda like James Bond style! And Christy Carlson Romano's(who voices our heroine K.P.) new song: "Could it Be" is really good and fits right in with the world of K.P. And of course all the original songs we hear everyday on the show are in this movie with some new added songs(like the song playing when Kim fights Shego for the first in her battle suit).

The voice acting is perfect! Christy is always great with Kim Possible and really brings her to life. Will Friedle is perfect as Ron and in fact the way he does Ron's voice makes him more funny and enjoyable! John DiMaggio(he used to do the voice of Bender the Robot on Futurama) is EXCELLENT as the evil Dr. Drakken! His voice matches him perfectly! Nicole Sullivan(Of MadTV) is AWESOME as Shego! You can tell she has fun voicing this awesome villainess! And the rest of the cast is just as good! Everyone is perfectly casted and all the voices match the characters perfectly!

I highly recommend this movie for fans and those who don't know what K.P. is exactly. And hopefully due to high DVD sales on this movie alone Disney will come to their senses and have K.P. come back for at least 1 if not more seasons!

Drakken is wrong, Kim IS all that
Kim Possible is a witty, adventurous, fun-filled cartoon series and this short movie lives up to the same expectations. On top of saving the world, Kim has the added pressure of finding a Prom date.The Evil Drakken hatches a clever plan (yes, Drakken can be clever!Amazing!) involving buying out the Nacho chain and distributing evil toys that are really some kind of mutating cybernetic gizmos. Ron Stoppable (and Rufus the naked mole rat) are upset with all the changes going on at his favorite Nacho restaraunt...but he has other problems too.When Kim finds the perfect Prom date, Ron suddenly wonders why he should be so jealous.Could this be the start of something more between Kim and Ron?
Ron is always comic relief for Kim but this adventure has a sweet romantic twist between Kim and Ron.The villians, the story, and the jokes keep things lively and fun too, as always.
Just so you know, I'm a 35 year old, but I still love this show.It's clever and action packed and better than a lot of stuff on TV.The animation is top-notch and so is the writing.
Kim may have been inspired by old shows like Johnny Quest, but it has a lot more style and character.If you're like me, you're getting burned out on the cynical animated antics of warped characters like those on Family Guy and other shows.If so, Kim Possible is for you.Grown-ups, kids, and everyone should watch this show.

"Syntho-dude you are going down!"
I submitted a review two weeks ago that didn't go through so I am trying again. My daughter and I have loved this TV show since it began in 2002 and are hoping the Disney will soften its stance on the 65 episode policy. Animated though she is, Kim's an outstanding role model - a true heroine but always struggling with insecurities too.

This movie exceeded my high expectations. The storyline was very interesting, the animation (especially the fight scenes) was darker and more gripping (the culminating fights are especially brutal - I literally flinched when Drakken's robotic "son" slammed Ron face-first into the wall. Kim and Shego's fight scenes throughout the movie are spectacular animated works of martial art.)

It's the chemistry between the leads that makes this such a touching work. He faces the prospect of losing her to a handsome newcomer at the school and keeps it together to prove himself backing her up as they face Drakken and Shego. Kim and Ron are heroes to each other. The end of the movie is very sweet and affecting. That this can be conveyed in a cartoon is also an accomplishment.

I am not sure what direction the series would go if it could be renewed, on the other hand, the series creators are enormously inventive. I am sad to see it end. I am hoping that interest in and kudos for the movie might change the bureaucratic mind of Disney Corp.

Nancy Melucci
Huntington Beach CA

*hyperventilate*
Sorr about my spelling but, i have a big headache and cant speel properly today. i thought this movie was so cool, i like shego but kim is cool. ron and kim are cute, so say 1 million others, and i am SO MAD at the disney channel for cancelling Kim Possible! I will never watch them again, if they do this. i will watch nickalodeon. i have downloaded the song, could it be, its so nice. this movie is my faveourtie movie now, lol!

How to save Kim Possible from cancellation
I don't wish to repeat myself so referring to this amazing film I will only say that I recommend it to everybody and I think if you appreciate good animation, you should buy it.

The main message of this review is to tell everybody how they can help save this amazing show form cancellation. Simply go to http://kp.savedisneyshows.org/index.html and read the information on the website. It tells you how you can send letters, emails and do everything you can to save this show for future generations to enjoy. From this site you can find links to other sites which are about saving other Disney shows which are doomed because of their limited episode rule. Please we need your help because without it, we will never achieve our goal. ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Two on, two out, Bonds is up again....
This movie was panned by the critics (as I recall it was on Roger Ebert's Worst list that year) and sank without even a bubble at the theaters. Why? I have no idea--I have watched this movie about 10 times now and I just love it! Kelsey Grammar is perfect as a think-outside-the-box Naval officer with "Welcome Aboard" tatooed on his docking probe. Bruce Dern is the by-the-book admiral who doesn't want Grammar's character promoted to sub captain. Admiral Rip Torn has other ideas, wanting to use Grammar in a naval exercise. Dern tries to sabotage Grammar by sending him the worst crew he can find: inexperienced diving officer Lauren Holly, the guy who played the psycho in Something About Mary is the sonar man, and a way-over-the-top Rob Schneider as the Exec. San Francisco's own U.S.S. Pampanito stars as the rust-bucket Fleet Sub they're all assigned to. This is a fun, goofy movie that does not take itself too seriously. There are a number of hilarious scenes (IMHO) that quite frankly depend on sophomoric humor. Who cares! It's not as gross as Animal House, and the plot moves quicker. Give Down Periscope a shot.

The Studio Must Think We're Idiots
I love this movie. I've seen it 20 times on tape at least. So when the DVD arrived this morning I couldn't wait to put it in the player. But wait, as the widescreen version (both are allegedly included on the DVD) played, it didn't look right to me. I started flipping between the widescreen and standard versions, and it confirmed my worst fears: THE STUDIO CARVED THE WIDESCREEN VERSION OUT OF THE STANDARD VERSION! I have never seen this done before on DVD. You will see the tops of everybody's heads cut off in the opening scenes. Later in the movie when captain Kelsey Grammar accuses dive officer Lauren Holly of being "almost out of uniform," the joke is completely ruined by the cropped view of Holly's uniform. This magnifying of the screen lowers the contrast and makes it look grainy. Did the studio think we wouldn't notice? I think this really shows contempt for us, the customers. When I buy a widescreen DVD, I expect to see what I saw in the theater! But here, you'll see more by watching the standard version. This is inexcusable.

The audio is presented in 5.1, which adds a great deal to this movie. However, better use could have been made of the surround speakers; the background is not well separated.

Now the movie: Kelsey Grammar is a "think outside the box" naval officer given command of the Stingray, a World War II Vallejo class Diesel sub. His assignment is to try to outwit the nuclear navy and run a blockade. To sabotage his efforts, Admiral Bruce Dern gives him the worst crew he can find including diving officer Holly, sonar man Harlan Williams, and an electrician who's taken "a lot of volts." Down Periscope was sunk by the critics when it came out--Roger Ebert put it on his worst of the year list. The humor is sophomoric and silly, and therein lies the charm of this movie. It has a good heart. Grammer is perfect as a goofball captain who is really very, very good at his job. This is kind of movie that will either work on you or it won't. If you like silly movies, give Down Periscope a shot. As for the butchering of the widescreen version of this movie on the DVD, let's hope this doesn't start a trend.

a unique comedy
Down Periscope is hilarious from beginning to end. It is one of those movies that has a serious plot invaded by superb humor. I laughed almost every couple of minutes while watching this movie. Down Periscope is one humorous movie that anyone can pretty much agree on. What is amazing to me is that this movie did not do well at the box office. I definately think it was good enough to spawn a sequel.

IT ***IS*** IN WIDESCREEN!!!!
I really hope the last reviewer comes back to see what else has been said. This is one of my favorite movies and I was a bit dissapointed that I wasn't going to be upgrading my poor, overwatched VHS tape that is hanging on by a thread, for a full Widescreen DVD with all the bells & whistles. I got the DVD anyway and noticed that one side is printed with "Side A Full Screen" while the other side is blank...cusriosity got the best of me and I figured that if it has "Side A" there must be a reason...so I put the DVD in on the other side...and the movie is there...AND IN WIDESCREEN! Apparently they forgot to print the label for side B, but it most certainly exists :)

I Think It's Funny!
I watched Down Periscope when I ordered it from Direct TV on the Satellite and I thought it was a good movie. I'm not really a fan of fart jokes but even I have to admit that the scene when the people on the ship were listening in on the submarine and someone farted and the sound was magnified and the guys on the ship couldn't figure out what the loud noise was was actually funny. Down Periscope is a 3 1/2 star movie that I recommend and I will have to think about buying the DVD which has both a widescreen version and a pan and scan version. I would definitely prefer the widescreen version! ... Read more

Reviews (147)

Early DiCaprio is great
This is a great movie, which features Leonardo DiCaprio, playing a role which is so distant from any other roles he's ever done, and he really shines. If you've seen Titanic, and a couple of his other movie roles, you'll be really shocked, that he can play a totally different role. He's not a pretty-boy as he normally is.

It's never really explained what's the matter with Leo's character, Arnie. He has a lot of different characteristics which relate to different special needs people. I tend to think he's autistic, but he never comes across as especially autistic. So it does get a bit confusing.

There is a really powerful connection between Johnny Depp's character, Gilbert, and Arnie. Gilbert is really protective of his younger brother, and ashamed by everyone else in his family. This relationship comes to a terrific climax later in the movie, which will shock everyone who's enjoyed their relationship up until then.

Juliette Lewis plays the girl Gilbert falls in love with, and who he gives up his older, married lover for. Most people in other reviews I've read don't seem to like her character, but I do. She was great for the part, and although I wasn't keen on her too short hair, I loved everything else about her role.

Darlene Cates plays the abnormally obese mother, who hasn't stepped out of the house in 7 years, until Arnie gets arrested. I'm not sure whether the sheer size of her was for real, or whether it was body padding/suit kinda thing. Her size is almost too realistic to be a body suit.

All in all, this is a terrific movie, which wrenches at your heart strings, and has you in tears with the dramatic finale.

THIS IS AN ENTERTAINING, ENJOYABLE AND SWEET MOVIE.
"What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is the kind of movie which you don't expect too much before you see it, but after you've seen it, a smile in your face will appear.

The movie tells the story of Gilbert Grape, a nice guy trapped in a small town, with a dysfunctional family (as almost every family is), a job without a future and a relationship with a married woman. And despite all this, he is not a sad man, he is not depressed, he is not worried about himself; his main reason to live is to take care of his family. Everything else comes in a second place, including himself.

Johnny Depp is the center of the movie and his low-key performance is excellent, but the reason why this movie works so fine is the supporting cast; Leonardo DiCaprio is terrific as the mentally retarded brother, he and Depp are the fuel of the story. The rest of the cast includes: Darlene Cates as the big, big, big mother, John C. Reilly as Gilbert's best friend, Juliette Lewis as Gilbert's new love interest and Mary Steenburgen as the married woman who is having an affair with Gilbert, all of them are terrific in their roles.

The main purpose of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is to entertain audiences, and it does...a very enjoyable movie.

Excellent
This movie is indeed a tear jerker, yet work seeing.

What's eating Gilbert Grape?
..Well that's very simple. It's Gilbert's (Johnny Depp) disfunctional family. His brother (Leonardo DiCaprio) is mentally challenged, his mother (Darlene Cates) is morbidly obese, his youngest sister is a brat, there is also a house wife (Mary Steenburgen) who orders groceries from the store Gilbert works at, she has reasons of her own that does not include the need for food. She's quite capable of going to the supermarket herself. Let's just say she has more than a little thing for Gilbert. Gilbert's father passed away years earlier. Now only himself and the older sister seem able to take care of the home and family. I would like to mention that actress Darlene Cates has lost over 200 lbs. since this film was made. What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a wonderful, funny, sad and off beat drama that is sure to have something for everyone. I think it was very silly for one reviewer to say that this film makes fun of obesity and mentally impaired people. Are we not ever to have these types of characters in movies? I'm not sure if this person watched the entire film. It does have a positive message about these issues. This film doesn't make fun it only points out ignorance in people who do. When you see an overweight person do you stare at them? What if they are very overweight? I really liked the scene when Gilbert's mother said "I haven't always been like this." and Becky (Juliette Lewis) said "I haven't always been like this either." As if Becky didn't even notice that Gilbert's mother was of a beyond plus size. I myself work with mentally challenged kids everyday so Arnie just seemed like a kid to me. But in reality I have to say Leonardo DiCaprio was superb. On a less superb note however the DVD has zero extras. Well I guess if you wanna call having a theatrical trailer an extra feature go right ahead. I think a few featurettes and a director commentary is a must now days. Other than the lacks of DVD features this is a must purchase. Add it to your movie library ASAP.

the heart: you'll know it when you see it.
Needless to say this movie is NOT about making fun of the mentally retarded, the obese, grocery store stockers, randy housewives, or anyone else.
This movie is about the human heart, its complexity, pain, love, and cruely.
Gilbert is trapped by his heart. He wants to be a 'good person', but really he's already good enough, and its killing him: his spirit, his hope, and his love.
This is a wonderful movie if you can withstand the bleakness of Gilbert's life and not despair.
In the end, the story is lovely and the actors are marvelous. And where there's a good heart, there's hope. ... Read more

Description

Bill and Stan are mistaken for murderers while on vacation. Bill's family sends his cousin, Vinny Gambini, to defend them in his first case as a lawyer. Vinny's girlfriend, Mona Lisa Vito, joins him to help win the case because of a promise he made to her that he would marry her when he won his first case. Marisa Tomei won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in this film. ... Read more

Reviews (92)

You Can Still Call Me Gambini...
My Cousin Vinny is one of the funniest flicks ever. Take Joe Pesci, the hilarious little Italian fella and put him with the beautiful Marisa Tomei, and you got a great combo and a laugh-riot movie. Pesci, is Vinny, Brooklyn-born lawyer, who ain't the perfect lawyer--but has a lot of heart. His wife-to-be, Mona Lisa Vito, helps out Vin when he's down... and they are both down--wayyyy down south in Alabama, defending his wrongfully accused murder suspect cousin (played by Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio in a great role), and his buddy. Italians and non-Italians will love this Pesci flick--it ranks right up there with GoodFellas & Casino anyday. Tomei won an Oscar, and why not, she's dead-on balls accurate as a New Yawker--and damn cute too! Great video. Buy it today, I guarentee you a thousand laughs.

South Brooklyn meets The South
Subtly employing the city mouse/country mouse theme, MY COUSIN VINNY is a light-hearted courtroom comedy. While it occasionally stoops to some stereotyping, the movie doesn't do so mean-spiritedly. In any event, both sides get equal skewering.

Vinny Gambini, brilliantly portrayed by Joe Pesci, is a Brooklyn boy who has finally passed the Bar (after repeated failures) and now finds himself defending his nephew and his nephew's friend against murder charges in the Bible Belt. Along with his too beautiful fiancee, played by Academy Award Winner Marissa Tomei, Pesci investigates the southern style of life, as he fathoms southern courtroom procedures and tries to get some sleep. The resulting clash of cultures is sometimes predictable, but honestly, is very inventive for the most part.

The comedy of the court room scenes is heightened by the late Fred Gwynne who plays the presiding judge. His by-the-book habits and short-fused temper are a perfect foil to Vinny's laconic style. It is their interaction that feeds most of the cultural clashing. But there is also a clash of the sexes that underlies the film, as Vinny stubbornly refuses the help of his fiancee. This confrontation is also highlighted in the courtroom when the DA refuses to believe that she could possibly be considered an expert in automechanics, even though her brothers, her father, her uncles, and just about everyone else in her family are expert mechanics. (The DA becomes convinced in a wonderful cross-interview scene.)

MY COUSIN VINNY was both critically well-received and a huge box-office success. There's a reason for that: it is a well-written, well-directed and perfectly acted comedy that stands up well even after repeated viewings. See it for yourself and you'll understand why, too.

My Cousin Vinny (1992)
In 1992, My Cousin Vinny was the one movie that made everybody laugh until their sides split. I've been watching the film ever since it was released and all I did was laugh my rear-end off. Twelve years have gone by since the film was released and I'm still laughing today. Any actor or actress can get a rise out of you if they knew the right way to do it, but nobody can get a rise of you the way Joe Pesci does in this film; nobody can do it they way Marisa Tomei does in this film.

When two college buddies by the names of Bill (played by Ralph Macchio) and Stan (Mitchell Whitford) are driving down the roads of Beecham County, Alabama, they are suddenly arrested for the murder of a grocery store clerk, but what the police of Alabama don't know is that Bill and Stan are completely innocent. Unable to afford a public attorney, Bill turns to his cousin, Vincent Gambini (played by Joe Pesci), an ex-auto-mechanic turned lawyer from Brooklyn, New York, who just past his bar exam after failing it the first five times and knows absolutely nothing about law. By his side is his beautiful fiancee, Lisa Vito (played by Marisa Tomei, in her Oscar-winning role), who is an out-of-work hairdresser that knows every damn thing there is to know about cars. The court is led by Judge Chamberlain Haller (played by the late Fred Gwyne), who has absolutely no patience for any kind of misbehavior in his courtroom. Seems as though Vinny has now finally realized his no longer in New York and is now in a state where no one gets away with any kind of behavior or crime and has finally met his match. Can Vinny pull his cousin out of this mess without screwing up the case? Watch My Cousin Vinny as he desperately tries to save his little cousin while he gives you non-stop laughter along the way.

Northern Lawyer meets Southern Justice - unexpected results!
Joe Pesci and Marisa Tormei are both an absolute scream in this movie. The sparks fly between Pesci and girlfriend Tormei, as well as between Pesci and Fred Gwynne's Chamberlain Holler, an Alabama Judge. I had dreaded seeing it - the television ads almost made me cringe as I anticipated a film which would bash southern rednecks. What I had NOT anticipated was that a story could be told about a couple of New Yorkers falsely charged and locked up in an Alabama jail that could be resolved in a way that justice could be served and the southerners would be portrayed in a way that was not at all stereotypical. I can think of no other plot that has as one of its essential elements a comparison of the amount of time required to properly cook grits. "No self-respecting southerner would make instant grits" a character proclaims from the witness stand during the trial that is the centerpiece of this witty screenplay, and the other southerners in the film's jury nod their heads in understanding. Fred Gwynne is light-years away from Herman Munster as the wise southern judge who is out for justice, but not to be trifled with. Ralph Macchio and Mitchell Whitfield have little to do other than look worried that Ralph's Cousin Vinny isn't going to come through and save the day. At less than 10 bucks, I'd buy this DVD if only to watch Tormei's hilarious response when Pesci tells her that he has been invited to go deer hunting with the Lane Smith's District Attorney.

Mike Hint
i think that this movie was one of the best movies i have ever seen. Joe Pesci was the right person for this movie he played a great and convincing roll. I like the way that the writer of the movie made Joe Pesci not know what he is doing so he had to learn so his cousin didnt go to jail. I loved the twists and turns that made you think. All in all this was a great movie and i would reccomend you to see this. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Otto Preminger expanded his vision in the 1960s with a whole series of ambitious, expansive dramas with huge casts and big themes. Advise and Consent, an examination of deal making, party politics, and congressional diplomacy in Washington's legislative halls (based on the novel by Allen Drury), is one of his best. Preminger broke the blacklist with his previous film, Exodus, and it rings through in this drama about a controversial nominee for secretary of state (a confident, stately Henry Fonda) accused of being a Communist. The nomination process becomes the center ring of the political circus, with fidgety accuser Burgess Meredith in the spotlight; devious, silver-tongued Charles Laughton cracking the whip as a southern senator with a grudge against Fonda; and party whip Walter Pidgeon lining up votes behind the scenes. Arm twisting and diplomatic hardball turns to perjury and blackmail, and a melodramatic twist gives this lesson in party politics a salacious soap opera dimension. Preminger's style has been hailed as "objective," but it's really a matter of attentiveness: he gives all the character their due and their say, eschewing heroes and villains for an exploration of people clashing over opposing goals. In fact, the weakest elements of the film are the unscrupulous populist senator played by George Grizzard and the badly dated caricatures that populate a notorious underground club. The video preserves the handsome widescreen black-and-white photography, keeping Preminger's careful and measured editing intact. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Mildly Interesting Political Drama
Anybody who has seen C-Span can verify the authenticity of the Senate debates portrayed in the film.All the rhetoric and long-winded posturing on display here feels real.The film is long and at times it borders on the tedious, but so is alot of Senate debate.The film is almost torpedoed by a subplot involving the skeletons in one senator's closet.The film recovers at the end for a thrilling floor vote of a controversial Secretary-of-State nominee(Henry Fonda).Probably the film's best performances come from the older cast members, Walter Pidgeon, Lew Ayres, and Paul Ford.Fonda, the film's ostensible star, basically appears in a glorified cameo and seems to be phoning it in.

Not as goodas"The Manchurian Canidate", from the same
year, (1962).But it is still a very good political mellow drama.The excellent cast presents a primer on how congress works, the presidency, succession & party politics. An almost comatose Henry Fonda plays the Secretary of State nominee, Robert Leffington & suspected Communist. Walter Pidgeon does a fine job as the Majority Leader sheparding the nomination through the Senate. The real scene stealer is Charles Laughton in maybe his best role as Senator Seab Cooley, a red-baiting, red-neck determined to destroy Leffington at all costs.
A fine well know cast included, Lew Ayres, Peter Lawford, Gene Tierney & Burgess Meridith. Charles Laughton however, saved his best performance for last.

A classic for all times
This book is a classic.The acotrs are marvelous.Orrin Knox could have been more involved in the movie like he was in the book.I really didn't like the actor who protrayed Orrin Knox.The ending of the movie was brilliant.Seab Cooley and the vice president have always been two of my favorite characters.The movie is just as good as book (which I have read numerous times) and this is unusal.Both the book and the movied should be required in both high schools and colleges.

"C'mon in! Don't just stand there!"
Talk about an all-star cast: when Otto Preminger brought Allan Drury's epic study of a Senate confirmation of a morally ambiguous nominee for Secretary of State, he got just about everyone in Hollywood to participate. Though the best roles go to Charles Laughton as a manipulative (but intensely likeable) South Carolina senator and Franchot Tone as the tortured President, not everyone got so lucky; the novel had so many characters that some big actors (like Gene Tierney, wasted as a Washington hostess) are pretty much trapped in throwaway roles.

Preminger was pretty progressive by Hollywood standards, and so the Senate he depicts is remarkably diverse, with senators of many ethnic backgrounds. There's a great cameo (the film's standout moment) from Betty White, who, as a shrewd Kansas senator, trounces George Grizzard, the despicable Senator Van Ackerman (from Wyoming, of course, so as to offend the least number of audience members possible) in open debate on the Senate floor. Preminger was really daring (for the time) in his willingness to tackle the subject of the blackmail of homosexuals in the film. It should be said, however, that the film's notorious depiction of a gay bar (the first Hollywood film to do so openly since the institution of the Hays code) as a nightmarish cesspool of vice, where the fat effeminate bartender hysterically beckons in the horrified Don Murray (see my title), probably did more to keep gay men in the closet in the Sixties than anything Hollywood ever did.

The Granddaddy Of Political Movies!
This ultra-realistic 1962 drama of the goings-on in Washington, D.C. must rank as one of the best films of its type ever made. It's a lengthy one (2 hrs., 19 min.), but it never gets dry.The many veteran actors assembled to comprise this cast see to that.The roster includes Henry Fonda, Franchot Tone, Charles Laughton, Lew Ayres, Walter Pidgeon, and Burgess Meredith!There's also Don Murray, who probably gets more screen time here than anyone else. And I think Murray shines bright in his role as the senator with a deep, dark secret!Pidgeon is also particularly convincing in this film.This was Mr. Laughton's final motion picture.

If you've never seen Advise & Consent ..... then get it today!It's a thoroughly engrossing and powerful movie experience! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Divorce Italian Style is a comedy milestone--a brilliant, biting satire that was originally conceived as a drama; directed with nonstop inventiveness by a filmmaker who had never done comedy; and featuring an actor who, though not even among the first dozen players considered, cemented his international stardom with this performance. The movie also marked a breakthrough for foreign film in America, winning popular as well art-house success, Academy Award nominations for director Pietro Germi and star Marcello Mastroianni, and--the first of only a few foreign-language films to do so--the Oscar itself for Original Screenplay.

On the sun-blasted island of Sicily, Baron Ferdinand "Fefè" Cefalù (Mastroianni) breaks out of his heat- and boredom-induced stupor long enough to be smitten with mad passion for his 16-year-old cousin Angela (Stefania Sandrelli). But he's married--to Rosalia (Daniela Rocca), she of the unfortunate mustache--and the Italian Penal Code gives him no way out... except, of course, for catching his wife in adultery and availing himself of the patriarchal license to commit a "crime of honor." So Fefè searches for a way to fling Rosalia into the arms of another man.

Mastroianni's Fefè is an indelible masterpiece, visually and behaviorally: a portrait in painterly chiaroscuro, with brilliantined hair, eternally drooping eyelids, a cigarette holder angled in perpetual salute, and a manic, conspiratorial slouch, like Groucho Marx on painkillers. Germi's direction hustles the film along with bold, mobile camerawork, stream-of-consciousness lurches into fantasy and flashback, Fefè's feverish voiceover commentary, and a wonderfully propulsive music score by the late Carlo Rustichelli. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (11)

High-Styled Hijinks!
Pietro Germi's companion piece to his earlier "Seduced and Abandoned," this comedy comes so close to tragedy it takes your breath away. Only the director's insight into theocracy and Italian mores keeps "Divorce Italian Style" from succumbing to the darkness that lurks inside this material. Although Marcello Mastroianni and Stefania Sandrelli are the big names, in star-making performances, the picture is really held together by Daniela Rocca's tricky and subtle work as the dutiful wife who must be murdered to have a happy ending. This was very daring stuff in the 1960s, and Criterion's jaunty DVD transfer does it full justice (don't miss the nifty interview supplement). Germi's satirical epilogue will remind you of the one in "All About Eve," it's that good.

When Love Withers in Brilliant Comedy...
A flower's life span is nothing compared to humans, yet flowers go through similar developmental stages.The most memorable part of a flower's growth is the blossoming progress where it goes from being a small bud until it dwindles to the ground in a rapid withering phase.Occasionally, love uses the life span of a flower as a symbol for the affectionate spell under which two individuals bond.When the flower withers, the relationship turns numb, which is the case with Ferdinando "Fefé" Cefalú (Marcello Mastroianni).Fefé merely stays with his wife Rosalia (Daniela Rocca), as societal restrictions are enforced by the Catholic Church, family, and public, which forces people to remain married until death do they part.In the light of this notion, the audience will truly experience a socially important comedy, which plays with the ideas of divorce through more hideous plots such as murder, deceit, and other troublemaking.

The film opens on a moving train as Fefé exits the public toilet while he bumps into two Sicilian police officers.Quickly Fefé leaves them behind, as he slowly makes his way through gentle zigzagging around other passengers to the dining car.Seated while ordering roast beef and two potatoes, Fefé continues to gaze upon the passing Sicilian countryside, which does not seem to have changed much since the Roman Empire.This is a familiar place for Fefé who begins to disclose an amusing tale of why he is on his way home, as he recollects in homesick manner his hometown Agramonte. This opening has several suggestive nods towards Fefé's character, his family and what is important in Agramonte, which will be comically and profoundly illustrated as the story unfolds.

In the introduction by Fefé the audience learns through his words, the camera, and the actions of the characters that societal progress does not seem to be high on the agenda.Instead the audience learns about how politics and the Catholic Church seem to be intertwined in this small town.The slow progress has generated some very rigid guidelines, which no one seems willing to challenge.In this societal stalemate the men only seem to pay attention and gossip about one thing - women.This is essential information, as it depicts the boredom that helps the withering of the flowers.

The story goes into great detail to depict Fefé's monotonous life.He is unemployed due to social status because he is a Baron, which means that he often sleeps in.Whenever he does not sleep his exceedingly caring and nurturing Rosalia tends to his needs while it actually seems as if she is only annoying him.There is a wonderful scene where Fefé escapes everyone to read in peace and enjoy the soothingbreeze from a small fan in his study while Rosalia enters with coffee and turns off the fan.Fefé turns the fan on again while Rosalia turns it off with a smile, as she serves him the coffee.This scene oozes of tension between the two while Fefé keeps his cool and Rosalia tries her best to be a good wife. Yet, it offers him an opportunity to begin to imagine different methods of how he could kill her.

In between Fefé's annoyance and boredom he discovers the stunning teen Angela (Stefania Sandrelli) whom infatuates him with a brief look at mass.Fefé begins to think about Angela while he sneaks to the bathroom to steal a peak at the youthful girl through the window.Eventually, Angela expresses her mutual desire for Fefé, but they have to be careful so they do not cause a scandal, or worse.This provides an opportunity for Fefé to begin to actually think of how to get rid off Rosalia, which turns out to be a comically ugly event as he cannot divorce her by law.

The audience will feel empathy for Rosalia who tries to be a good wife, but Fefé does not allow it by being distant.Simultaneously, one cannot help to feel understanding for Fefé who now begins to study the law and how he possibly could get away with murder.It is a sad thought, even though the presentation of the topic is jovial, that the people are ready to commit the worst possible act in the name of love.Yet, it is also here where the film's strength lays, as it delivers a funny depiction of how a passé society can squelch life and frown upon societal progress, which was a big deal in the 1960s.A notion arises in regards to progress--should one have the freedom to find their own blossoming flower?

Divorce Italian Style offers a well-written and genuine comedy with deliberate intentions for the audience to ponder regarding the society and the social restrictions that govern the unhappy.The cast does a marvelous job in portraying the different characters.For example, Daniela Rocca's illustration of Rosalia provides authentic view of a woman who seeks love form her husband, but does not receive it.In addition, Marcello Mastroianni does a brilliant job through his dual performance in the film by also being in the Fellini's La Dolce Vita, which is shown in the film.However, Mastroianni's visual persona suggests his infatuation with beautiful women that can be explored if one views La Dolce Vita.Lastly, the camera work, mise-en-scene, and the framing of each scene enhance the complete ideas, as they transcends the expectations of the film.

That's it, I want a divorce!
Just so you know, divorce is now permitted in Italy. But in 1962, the only way you could get a divorce was by... well, "Divorce Italian Style," a ka bumping off your adulterous spouse. This delightfully warped black comedy focuses on that very idea -- a disgruntled husband who goes to absurd lengths to get a "divorce."

Ferdinando Cefalú (Marcello Mastroianni) is a middle-aged Sicialian noble who is displeased with his life, and his adoring wife Rosalia (Daniela Rocca). In true midlife-crisis fashion, he falls for his angelic-looking cousin Angela (Stefania Sandrelli), but he can't get a divorce. Divorce isn't allowed in Italy at this time, so Ferdinando is left stewing over his problems, fantasizing about murdering Rosalia.

But then he hears about an odd law: if an adulterous spouse is caught in flagrante, then the wronged spouse can kill the adulterer and get off with a light prison sentence. So Ferdinando starts desperately searching for a potential lover for Rosalia, but she remains faithful. Then he locates an ex-boyfriend of hers, hoping to rekindle the old flame. But nothing goes quite according to plan...

Yes, it's a bit sick. But in such a funny way that it really doesn't offend. At a certain point it becomes less about Ferdinando trying to murder his wife, as it is an increasingly overwrought attempt to get her to commit adultery. Not to mention a spoof on traditional views on "family honor," where it is more shocking to NOT kill your adulterous spouse than it is to do so.

Ferdinando carefully straddles the line between being slime and being a funny character -- his surreal murder fantasies are hilarious, such as when he shoves Rosalia into a vat of soap. And in keeping with the spoof atmosphere, the romance is overemotional, the fighting is overwrought, and the contrived adultery/murder scheme is absurd. The final scene is the final tragicomic flourish, hinting at future disaster that Ferdinando deserves.

Pietro Germi at first seems to be making an offensive movie, but viewing it with a sense of humor shows that he's poking fun, and making wry social observations. He was also not above plugging Mastroianni's other movies -- one scene has a priest denouncing "La Dolce Vita," followed by crowds rushing to see it. Ferdinando's future brother-in-law ogles the beautiful Anita Eckberg, then hastily tells his fiancee that Eckberg is pretty, but "she has no soul."

The immortal Mastroianni injects just enough humanity into Ferdinando to keep us from loathing him -- in the middle of a midlife crisis, he seems increasingly confused as the movie goes on. Daniela Rocca sits on the fence between being devoted and annoying, while Sandrelli plays a girl who acts like an angel, but definitely isn't.

Thankfully Italian spouses no longer have to bump each other off to get a "divorce," but "Divorce Italian Style" remains a classic black comedy/social satire.

Amusing
Charming story indeed.Baron Pepe Cerafulu gets bored with his wife's over nuturing and nagging ways.Oh how he yearns for his teenage cousin, Angelina.Baron does give us some amusing facial gestures.

His schemes to arrange for this divorce are kind of far fetched.They will certainly have you chuckling especially when the tape recorder fails to catch his wife in the act. Carmello is quite charming in his role as the painter.

The Black and White Cinematography works well depicting Italy several decades ago.The subtitles are a little out of synch but otherwise this old movie is certainly a goodie.

The Film Is Great, The DVD Is Not
Divorce, Italian Style is a superb movie from the 1960's genre.The story is highly entertaining and the characters are witty, especially Marcello Mastroianni, whose dry, cynical humour is an absolute pleasure.However, the DVD from Hen's Tooth could certainly be better.The excessive scratches do take away from some stunning black and white cinematography, but the film itself more than makes up for it.The film is definitely worthy a spot in the Italian film aficionados' collection, but wait for a new DVD version. ... Read more

Reviews (338)

Nothing Will Never Surpass The Goonies!
Like many before me, I grew up with The Goonies. I ran around my house as a young one, trying to act like Mouth, or doing the Truffle Shuffle to entertain friends (I lacked on the truffle, but I could do the shuffle).

The Goonies holds something that every kid should find magical, even though the only magic in the movie is the magic of friendship. Steven Spielberg wrote the story about a group of friends who are about to lose their houses so a country club can be built where they leave. They come upon a treasure map that supposedly has a legend behind it, and leads to a great treasure. Mikey and his colorful bunch of friends set up to go in search of the treasure not knowing the villianist trio, the Fratellis, are also out for the treasure. Along the way, chaos ensues, friendships go stronger, and they meet a creature who has nothing but love to share and Baby Ruths to eat.

The characters are all likable . . . are all lovable, and the actors who portray them made them all that they were. The Fratellis are even, in some ways, likable throughout the movie, but in the end, they get what they were asking for. The directing, of course, is awesome. None like it actually. And the sets are amazing. Especially the pirate ship set. That was too awesome, and enough to satisfy any adventure lover.

The DVD should satisfy any Goonies fan with the word of all the extras to be on it. And I'm ready to see the infamous deleted octopus scene. I hope it's on there. I believe I read somewhere that some of the cast had gotten together to do a commentary. Now there's wishful hoping that that did happen!

"SLOTH LOVE CHUNK!" And Josh loves this movie.

best movie!
When my sister and I were introduced to THE GOONIES about 10 years ago, by our dad, we fell in love with it. My sister and I have watched this movie literally 100 times, and no matter how many times we've seen it, we still continue to get captured into the excitement, adventure and fun the movie holds. For Christimas this year, we got the movie on DVD and its better then ever. Including the original movie, it has a commentary with the cast of the movie, a music video the cast did with Cyndi Lauper, outtakes, the orginial trailer and a look at the making of the goonies. Whenever our friends come over, we ask them, "Have you ever seen 'the goonies'?" And if they hadn't, we introduce them to our favorite movie.
When Mikey (Sean Astin) and his friends, the goonies, encounter a treasure map, they embark on the adventure of a lifetime. With characters like Mouth,(Corey Feldman), Data (Ke Huy Kuan), Chunk (Jeff Cohen) and Mikey's older brother, Brand (Josh Brolin), and the girl goonies, Andy(Kerri Green) and Stef(Martha Plimpton) the jokes are endless. As they out run the bad guys, dodge the booby traps, and find the treasure of One-eyed-Willy, its a thrill a minute adventure that will capture the hearts of young and old for generations to come.

Pinchers of peril!!! The Ultimate Goonie DVD experience!
Growing up in the 80's - The Goonies was one of the most incredible movies for me. It captures all of the childhood joy and want of adventure and excitement that a normal day just doesn't bring. This movie, while it is clearly an "80's" flick, does not appear dated in any way. It still has that spark that gave it life nearly 20 years ago.

That said, here's what you get with this DVD and here's why you should buy it today:

The movie itself is enough however...

The deleted scenes are a lot of fun. We finally get to see the ever-fabled "Octopus" scene. For years, I would scratch my head when Data said "The Octopus was really scary!" Huh? What Octopus? Well, he's in this DVD. You also realize why the scene was cut out. Let's just say the animatronics weren't all that great.

Those old music videos starring Cyndi Lauper and various classic WWF wrestlers are here too. Remember Rock "n" Wrestling? I found myself saying "oh yeah....I remember that!" Watch for a cameo of Susanna Hoffs from the Bangles in the video!

The DVD commentary is a lot of fun! While almost every new DVD has a commentary in place, it almost always bores one to tears with the director or a star just kind of droning their way through the movie. Often, the major stars don't even do the commentary (great example is Rocky - where the commentary features everyone but Stallone himself!) This commentary has all of the original Goonie stars plus Richard Donner. There's a lot of joking around and the stories they tell are funny and don't go off the subject. Note: Sean Astin disappears about halfway through the flick. Also, beware Corey Feldman who talk over everyone to further perpetuate that he is the biggest glory hog in show business.

Enough already. This is such a great movie and the special features are ones that you'll actually watch more than once! Buy the DVD already!

Goonies Never Say Die!
What can I say? This movie has it all! Action, Suspense, Romance, Sean Astin pre Samwise Gamgee. What more could you want?

Steven Spielberg brings a story about a misfit group of kids who set out to save their home. It all hinges on finding the treasure of One-Eyed Willie, a famous pirate who was rumored to have hid his treasure somewhere around where they live.

Throw in a mafia family who has recently broken out of jail, a treasure map, a Baby Ruth, and a wonderful dance called the Truffle Shuffle and you've got an instant classic!!

Also, look for the line about battling the octopus in the end, then think about the octopus battle. Something doesn't add up does it??

I like some types of Korn...............
but this movie was way too corny for my tastes. This movie managed to use every single cliché that ever existed. This ranges from the group of misfits going on an adventure to save their home from evil corporate rich people to mobsters with guns to a pirate treasure cave filled with booby traps to a fat kid who saves the day to a disfigured grotesque monster suddenly gaining human knowledge and capabilities and rebelling against it's owners to love between two 13 year olds. The reason that I gave this movie two stars is because there are worse films than this one and one scene was funny. Other than that, I do not recommend this film to anyone who likes hardy boys and other meaningless kids detective stories. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Ron Burgandy gets tiring after awhile
Will Ferrell (Old School, Elf), Paul Rudd (Wet Hot American Summer, The Cider House Rules), David Koechner (Bruce Almighty, Tv's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart), Christina Applegate (Tv's Married With Children, A View From The Top)and Fred Willard (Best In Show, How High) star in this movie about Legandary Anchorman Ron Burgandy. There are a lot of raunchy and disgusting things in this movie that really pull it down but it's main punch is those little clever jokes on the side. Examples are when Ferrell is talking to his dog. The anchormen brawl in the alley. All the anchorguys singing. If your a fan of Ferrell's then go see this, you wont be dissapointed. Actors who make guest cameos are the following: Luke Wilson (Old School, Alex and Emma), Vince Vaughn (Dodgeball,Swingers) , Jack Black (School Of Rock, High Fiedelity), Tim Robbins (Mystic River, The Truth About Charlie), Danny Trejo (Spy Kids, Once Upon A Time In Mexico) and for the love of god, this man should take a break from making movies, Ben Stiller (Dodgeball, Zoolander).

im storming your castle my lady with my great steed (best line)
I think that's how it went but it was a funny one liner

Absurbly Funny
Seeing the words: 'starring Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate' gave me the clue that I would be watching another golden performance from Ferrell himself. But I was still not prepared for how over-the-top and idiotic this film was.

On the other hand, however, I laughed the better portion of my head off - and so did most of the audience. And, when you think about it, that's not a bad way to spend a good 90 minutes in a dark movie cinema, is it?

The film tells the tale of Ron Burgundy, a vain, ridiculous, fictional San Diego television news personality in 1976 who's the #1 network news anchor in the local ratings and presumably based on 70s anchor Harold Green. A billboard says it all: 'If Ron Burgundy says it - it's true.'

He leads a pompous, sexist group consisting of redneck alpha-male sportscaster Champ Kind, played by David Koechner, sleazy Geraldo Rivera-like ladies man in Brain Fantana, played by Paul Rudd, and moronic weatherman, Brick Tamland, played by Steve Carrell, who rebel against the station's manager, Ed Harkin (Fred Willard) when a beautiful woman, Veronica Corningstone, played by Christina Applegate is brought in for diversity's sake.

Burgundy thinks diversity means an old, wooden Civil War ship, but soon falls for the blonde, curvacious former star of Married With Children head over heels.

Unfortunately, a run-in with a burrito, Jack Black on a motorcycle and Burgundy's pet pooch on the Coronado Bridge changes the newsman's life - for the worst (which results on a great scene). With Corningstone's star on the rise and Burgundy in decline, he falls into a three-month drunken stupor (on milk, no less) before an opportunity comes along to change his fortunes.

Like his previous turns in Old School and Elf, as well as most of his characters on Saturday Night Live, Ferrell is as hilarious in his addled simplicity and gives a very good comedic performance capturing the misogyny and ignorance of many 1970s male chauvinist pseudo-celebrities, especially those who populated local TV and radio stations before cable came along.

The silliness of the wild leisure suits, white shoes, overstarched hair, sideburns and mustaches is only matched by the gang fight scene in which Burgundy's group goes up against the likes of other newsmen, including Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller and, of all people, Tim Robbins.

Though it sweetly preaches acceptance and equality, McKay's scattershot comedy is primarily founded on the premise that there's nothing funnier than dialogue strewn with ludicrously illogical lines, such as Burgundy, grief stricken over the sudden murder of his beloved Spanish-speaking dog Baxter (who he refers to as "a miniature Buddha covered in hair"), screaming to his friend from a phone booth, "I'm in a glass case of emotion!" Carell's brain-dead Brick randomly exclaims about women "I read somewhere that their menstruation attracts bears!" and Burgundy's vain crew engages in a weapon-filled rumble with Vince Vaughn's competing, second-rated local broadcast team in which the only rule is "No touching of the hair or face." Anchorman's satiric skewering of the era's fashion, cheeky optimism, and sexism occasionally grows a bit stale, but it's hard to keep a straight face when somebody thinks San Diego means "a whale's vagina."

hilarious!
this movie was awesome! it is extremly funny and enjoyable. anyone who likes comedies, will love this!!

Scotchy, scotch, scotch...
I went to see this with no more expectation for this movie, than to have some good laughs and on that, Anchorman delivered. I liked that it was set in the 70's and in San Diego! No place I would have rather grown up in the 70's, than in SoCal! :)) Great music too!

Once again, some Amazon reviewers are too serious. If you actually go to this movie intending to see something with a deep plot or soul shaking message, you will be disappointed! Go rent the Mel Gibson/Jesus movie for that!

oh shut up
i thought this was a really funny movie. And i dont lead a shallow life. You may walk out thinking that it was odd but then you begin remembering all of the funny stuff that happened. If you like Will Ferre then you like Will Ferrel, adn if you dont, then why did you even go see the movie? dorks! ... Read more

Reviews (66)

Bless them all...bless them all....
I am unable to recall another film whose opening and closing scenes are more effective than those in this brilliant portrayal of the 918th Bombardment group based in England which flew almost daily missions to Germany during World War II. The character of General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck) is reputedly based on Brigadier General Frank A. Armstrong, Jr. Sy Bartlett wrote the book and then the screenplay. Brilliantly directed by Henry King, we are introduced to a combination of combat fatigue and self-pity which results in the replacement of Colonel Keith Davenport by his friend Savage who is told by his commanding officer, General Pritchard (Millard Mitchell), to shape up the 918th while avoiding Davenport's problem: Becoming overly involved emotionally in decisions to send B-17 crews on exceptionally dangerous missions, day after day after day. Savage immediately establishes his authority and almost immediately loses whatever goodwill he may have had. He applies and then maintains constant pressure on the crews to improve their performance in all areas of flight operations. Underachievers are reassigned to one B-17 renamed "The Leper Colony." Morale deteriorates to such a point that those at headquarters become concerned. A formal investigation of the situation is conducted. This is a critical moment for Savage. If he has "lost" his men, he cannot continue. In fact, he expects to be relieved and begins to pack his personal items. However, for reasons revealed in the film, Savage remains in command. And then....

It would be a disservice to those who have not as yet seen this film to say any more about the plot. Suffice to say that brilliant direction, great acting by everyone involved (notably by Dean Jagger who received an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role), superb cinematography (Leon Shamroy), and haunting music (Alfred Newman) are seamlessly integrated in this analysis of effective leadership (especially decision-making) under wartime conditions. The film begins when Harry Stovall (Jagger) makes an especially significant purchase in an antique store and then proceeds to what has by then become an abandoned air base. As we begin to hear the bombers' propellers whine as the engines roar to life, we are transported back in time. Later, as the film ends, civilian Stovall climbs back on his rented bike and departs what is again an abandoned air base. Stunning images throughout both sequences.

Peck included this among his favorite films, while adding that he was especially proud of his performance as Frank Savage. When first released more than 50 years ago, it did not receive the recognition (much less the appreciation) it so obviously deserves. Whenever CEOs and other senior-level executives ask me to suggest war films which offer important lessons about leadership and management, Twelve O'Clock High is first on the list, joined by (in alphabetical order) Command Decision, The Dirty Dozen, The Enemy Below, Fort Apache, The Hunt for Red October, Paths of Glory, Pork Chop Hill, The Red Badge of Courage, They Were Expendable, and Zulu.

The best war movie I've ever seen. Magnificent!
Twelve "O'Clock High is a powerful and true-to-life film dealing with the early days of the 8th US Air Force in Great Britain. Its mission: to bomb Germany not by night in saturation bombings as the British were doing, but instead to boldly engage in "precision daylight bombing." No one knew if the concept was viable because no one had ever dared try it before on a large scale. Gregory Peck plays the role of a leader suddenly thrust into command of a deeply troubled, demoralized, and shot-up bomber squadron. How he motivates the men and overcomes the fact that the men well know that their chances of survival were poor (the worst survival odds of any American combat assignment in the war) is a deeply moving, powerful, indeed unforgettable story. This is a great movie.

The cinematography of this movie is wonderful, featuring actual combat footage of B-17s engaging German Focke-Wulf fighters in deadly combat. The sense of authenticity that this movie brings to the screen is total. One feels transposed back into England in 1942, engaged in a life-and-death struggle in the air against the Germans. The uniforms, dialogue, everything, about this movie reeks of authenticity. The storyline moves along at a breakneck pace--no dull interludes. And yet this is not just a "shoot-em-up" war flick. It is a stirring story of leadership, personality clashes, honest fear and human imperfections that reminds us what an incredible debt we all owe to the men who fought and won the air war over Nazi Germany.

This is a DVD movie to keep and watch repeatedly over the years. It is not only a great movie, it is wonderfully entertaining. This is truly one of the all-time great war movies.

The best review from someone who lived it.
My father, a b-17 bomber pilot, flew 52 missions out of England (Bassingbourn) during WWII. He spoke very little about his war-time experiences, but he said that this was the closest that Hollywood ever came to capturing what it was like for the B-17 bomber squadrons during WWII. It is a great film about human beings under extraordinary stress, making extremely difficult choices and living with their consequences - but most especially it is a moving portrayal of the complexities of leadership and friendship, and the trust needed to get others to do difficult, if not impossible things.

the meaning of "Maximum Effort"
This is a magnificent World War II film about U.S. airmen stationed in Britain in the fall of 1942, and so much more; it's about the psychology that goes into situations of extreme stress, and what makes a man a winner or loser when put to the test. As General Savage (Peck) says in his pep talk, "fear is normal, but stop worrying about it". Savage has no time for self pity, for himself or anyone else, and his toughness and high principles bring out the best in his men, and it also points up the dangers of emotional attachment in the wrong situations.
The script by Sy Bartlett and Beirne Lay Jr., from their book which is loosely based on a true story, is intelligent and insightful, and the direction by Henry King meticulous. The cinematography by Leon Shamroy is crisp and marvelous, and also includes riveting portions of actual WWII battle footage interspersed in the aerial shots.
The Alfred Newman score also adds much to the film.

Gregory Peck is perfect as General Savage, fabulously handsome, with one of the greatest voices of the 20th century, one cannot imagine a better actor for the part. Dean Jagger is also splendid as Major Harvey Stovall; wise and often witty, it is through his eyes that we see the story, told in flashback as he wanders the deserted airfield in 1949.
Other excellent performances come from Gary Merrill and Hugh Marlowe, but every cast member is good, with strong turns from all.

Nominated for a Best Actor and Best Picture Oscar (losing out to "All the King's Men" on both counts), "Twelve O'Clock High" spawned a much better than average TV series (1964-67) that I enjoyed watching, especially in its first season when it starred Robert Lansing.
This is a film that is actually used in "leadership seminars" for business executives, and by the U.S. Airforce as a teaching tool. It has lessons for the average person too, but most of all, it's a superb film, with memorable performances. Total running time is 132 minutes.

Excellent Movie for Leadership
This movie is a classic tool used by the USAF Squadron Officer School. It is a great way to see the different styles of leadership. When we viewed it in an educational fashion the movie carried a much greater sense of meaning for us. For all military buffs this movie has to be in your collection. Tobey Jugs, leather caps, B-17s...Bless them all, bless them all... ... Read more

Amazon.com

As upscale sitcoms go, Something's Gotta Give has more to offer than most romantic comedies. Obviously working through some semi-autobiographical issues regarding "women of a certain age," writer-director Nancy Meyers brings adequate credibility and above-average intelligence to what is essentially (but not exclusively) a fantasy premise, in which an aging lothario who's always dated younger women (Jack Nicholson, more or less playing himself) falls for a successful middle-aged playwright (Diane Keaton) who's convinced she's past the age of romance, much less sexual re-awakening. As long as old pals Nicholson and Keaton are on screen discussing their dilemma or discovering their mutual desire, Something's Gotta Give is terrific, proving (in case anyone had forgotten) that Hollywood can and should aim for an older demographic. Myers falls short with the sitcom device of a younger lover (Keanu Reeves) who wants Keaton as much as Nicholson does; it's believable but shallow and too easily dismissed. Myers also skimps on supporting roles for Frances Mc