Reviews (14)

Simplistic
What is most surprizing about this short (50 min) film is that it was made in 1991. One would have thought that by then we had gone beyond the 'pre-Maurice' stage of sociological development. E.M. Forster's book could not be published in his lifetime because it's ending did not involve imprisonment or death for the gay couple! This film would have been much more interesting and complex if the boy's love-object could have overcome his school-boy homophobia--even if in private--and there was at least a moment of joy. But this is simplistic: there is no joy and not one moment of understanding for anyone. It does, however, beg the question: is there still rampant and dangerous homophobia in schools today? I think we all know the answer to that one, Matthew Shepard.

Very powerfull drama
I thought To play or to die was an exelent movie, wich caught my attention fully. Great performances of the young actors and beautifuly filmed. I didn't consider it to be homophobic, but more as a tragedy of a young guy who is caught in complete loneliness, fighting his way out. Having no friends at all, the beautiful and at the same time brutal guy from his class is his only challenge. I can recommend this film strongly.

Excellent
Don't be put off by the short running time of this film. It conveys more in 50 min than most films do in 2 hrs.

Not for the faint of heart!
Good video, good drama but very VERY disturbing!

You want the "nitty gritty" of gay adolescents? This is the video to add.

Spelen of Stevern
A beautiful movie which examines the emotions of Kees, an intellectual lonely teen who clearly falls in love with a more
street wise class mate. His friend Charel does not have the intellectual acumen to see above the society he currently lives in, which is to obey the laws of the norm. As a consequence
there is a clash of two different worlds and unrequited love.
It is a sad end which many gay teens fear will happen to them and of course it does. It happened then as it does now.
Maybe time changes everything: maybe not; I listen to each tick of the clock as the tears fall as snow upon frosted ground. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

WOW!! Rory Cochran is AWESOME!!
I just loved this movie. I am a big Rory fan and just thought that he was sexy in this movie. Really hot!!! And Gina was just as good. And a very nice suprise in the end. If you don't want your typical I know who did it in the beginning, then this is your movie.

Black and White is your standard good cop bad cop tale
The old riddle about a newspaper goes, "What's black and white, and read all over?" Well, the best way to sum up this movie is to say: it's called Black and White and I read right through it. A cop is on a killing spree through the dark streets of Los Angeles, shooting junkies and other no-good-nicks in the left eye. Rookie cop and Chris O'Brien is partnered with the beautiful, veteran female cop, Hugs to solve the case. The evidence starts to pile up against Hugs, and O'Brien must choose to trust his partner or his employer interesting movie good thriller

Black & White
Not one of Gina Gershon's best roles. The plot has plenty of twists and turns. You won't know "who dunnit" until the very end of the film. Some interesting nude scenes. If you're a Gina Gershon fan...buy BOUND. Much better.

letdown
I have recently watched Thief and Internal Affairs for the third or fourth time and both of these movies are still more engrossing than B & W which I saw for the first time. There are several flaws in this film not least of all casting, directing and script! It starts off with high expectations and quickly fizzles.

Black & White: Best Movie of the Year, Gershon is Brilliant
Black & White is the best movie I have seen to date. Gina Gershon is brilliant as an LAPD officer with a new partner and also under suspicion for murders taking place within her police division.

The writing is clever. Gershon delivers with brilliance and humor, pure talent; a real gift to movie fans.

Black & White is captivating and will leave you guessing until the final scene. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nobody's Baby combines the kidnapping high jinks of RaisingArizona with the sheer goofiness of Dumb and Dumber. Billy (SkeetUlrich) and Buford (Gary Oldman, channeling Michael Jeter with scraggly hair andmoustache), like characters in the crazed comedies of the Brothers Coen andFarrelly, are as kindhearted as they are softheaded. The two grew up in the sameorphanage and have been like brothers ever since. Due more to stupidity thanmalicious intent, most of their adult lives have been spent behind bars. After alucky escape from a paddy wagon (just as they're about to be sent to separateprisons), Billy witnesses a car crash and rescues the sole survivor--a baby. Hedecides to keep it. Buford would prefer to exchange the tyke for ransom money,but fate has other plans in this black comedy that works best as drama, but isless effective when reaching for laughs. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Funny and Touching
I was sitting at home one night and this movie came on. I really didn't expect to watch it so I flipped through some other channels for a little while and came back to it. I must say, I really laughed a lot with this movie and it also touched me as well. My eyes were all teary and I had the biggest smile when it was over. There is just so much love on the screen that it will bring you into the movie. It's worth a buy...

Gary Oldman and Skeet Ulrich are a hilarious duo!
I had never heard of this movie - perhaps it was a "straight to video" film - but, being a huge Gary Oldman fan as well as enjoying the work of Skeet Ulrich (the "poor man's Johnny Depp" I have heard him described), I decided to give it a shot. I was amazed! This movie made me laugh AND made me cry and the performances, especially Oldman's and Ulrich's are wonderful. The cast also includes Mary Steenburgen, Matthew Modine, Ed O'Neill as well as some very talented actors I was unfamilar with. Granted, many people (myself included) will think at first that this movie is just another version of "Raising Arizona" but it has some twists and turns in it as well as a very poignant ending that separates it from the Coen Brothers' film. I was also interested to see in the credits that Mr. Oldman was one of the producers. He and Skeet should team up again sometime!

The Best I've seen in to long
I must say I didn't think much of the title when I saw it sitting on the shelf and I would never have picked it up had it not had Gary Oldmen in it. However, I must say, and I am not saying this lightly, Nobody's baby is Great film.

I am a major movie lover and if I had to rank this film I would put this in the top five of all time. the movie made me laugh and the ending made me cry. A big thank you to the writer, director,producers, and actors.

Nobody's Baby
This is the best film I've seen produced by the SE8 Group. I loved it! The comedy smacks of Cheech and Chong. Other parts of the film made me end up sobbing. Especially, the ending. It was an emotional roller coaster.
I'm one who tends to be critical of every aspect of a film or play (as anyone who knows me can tell you), having done theatre most of my lifetime. I've watched this one several times already and have yet to get bored with it. However, I'll wait to purchase a copy when the price comes down a bit. ([price]for VHS! Please!)

Very funny, awesome performances
Being a huge Gary Oldman fan, I bought this DVD the second it came out on..., and I can't say I got dissappointed.

The basic storyline:

Buford (Oldman) and Billy (Skeet Ulrich) are two petty criminals, who get sentenced to serve 10 years in jail. They manage to escape though, and get seperated. Billy rescues a baby from a car wreck, and Oldman spots a perfect opportunity for extortion when he's contacted by Billy.

The story goes on with Billy growing really attached to the baby. On their way to find out who the baby's parents are, they encounter a trailer park community (featuring Peter Green ('Zed' from Pulp Fiction) and the gorgeous Radha Mitchell), and a typical car dealer (Ed O'Neill (Yes, Al Bundy)).

Overall, the movie is both funny and heartwarming. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Not the Movie for Everyone, but Loved by Some
This movie has been panned by countless critics and dissed by even more amateurs all of whom have underappreciated its beautiful subtlety. I'll readily admit that the plot, which often seems to be nonexistant, is annoyingly vague, based on a short story that provides the basis for pretty much only the first ten minutes of the film. But it is an interesting starting point.

Much like she did in her previous (and more widely appreciated) film "My New Gun", director Stacy Cochran sets up the idea: What would happen if an outsider (the elusive, lovely, and slightly dangerous Patty, played by Winona Ryder) were to literally fall into the anxiety-ridden, closed world of a boys prep school. This recurring theme of the influence of an outsider plays out just as it did in "My New Gun," with the main character experiencing a liberating revelation through contact with a mysterious intruder. Imaginative schoolboy John, played by Lucas Haas, is inspired by Patty to leave his life of frustration at the school and defy his oppressive father. After some of the plot details work themselves out, this film ends suddenly. Both "Boys" and "My New Gun," though superficially such different stories, end on the same note of jubilant, romantic defiance.

"Boys" is not for everyone. This is a slow, meandering study of an improbable situation. Its plotlessness makes the actors performances all the more impressive. Ryder and Haas handle the difficult material with maturity and subtlety. A word of praise for excellent cinematography as well- the light and colors of autum permeate every scene with an unforgettable moodiness.

Good movie
An interesting concept, Once again Winona Ryder shows what a great actress she is

A little boring...but otherwise ok
Like I said before, a little bit boring but otherwise ok. This movie was hard to understand and I didn't get the plot at all. What I am looking for is the name of that one hot blonde dude that was a friend of John Baker's in this movie? Also, where can I find some pics of him? Anyone know, please e-mail me at icycool7227@aol.com. Thanks!!

It Is What It Is...
Winona Ryder plays Patty Vare, a troubled young woman with a dangerous secret. Lukas Haas plays John Baker, a prep school student straining against the restrictive and highly rarified lifestyle forced upon him by his ambitious father. Patty recieves a visit from the police and immediately afterward goes for a ride, but in her distracted state of mind winds up falling off her horse. When Baker finds her unconscious in a field, he decides to take her back to his dorm room (Patty comes around just long enough to tell him "no doctors" then conveniently swoons again). While Baker's attempts to keep Patty safe from his marauding dormmates escalate, Patty periodically flashes back on the event that led to her hiding out in a dorm in the first place.

All of the actors in this film do a good job with what they have to work with. The cinematography is lovely. The plot, unfortunately, is thin, improbable and increasingly incoherent. This is not a film to watch for the sheer joy of witnessing marvelous storytelling. This is a film to watch when you're feeling nostalgic for the Gen X heyday of the mid-90's. Winona Ryder, with all of the opposites she is able to encompass (waifish and voluptuous, little-girl-lost and Charlie-girl-who-knows-what-she-wants, Prep School Queen and Goth Princess) is the ultimate Gen X heroine, and Haas, who is sensitive but edgy here, makes a good Gen X hero. The soundtrack is pure mid-90's alternative pop-rock -- soaring guitars and wistful lyrics, all performed by bands you've probably never heard of but whose members you probably have. The clothing and hairstyles worn by the actors scream "'90's!" as loudly as any John Hughes film heralds the '80's -- for instance, Patty starts the film wearing minimalist styles in somber colors but eventually puts on some of Baker's casual clothes and winds up looking grunge.

All things considered, the film's story is too confusing to be truly enjoyable, but the mood is palpable and might be enough to hold your attention on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Terrible story -- excellent time capsule.

Tries to do everything - Winds up doing nothing!
Have you ever been in a situation where you want to do several things but you become so uncertain as to what to do you wind up doing nothing?

That is the problem with Boys. Is it going to be a crime drama? A teenage sex comedy? A coming of age film? A youth in revolt film?

Whoever made the film could not decide what it was supposed to be about, end result it does a little of everything, and a lot of nothing!

It is a classic jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none situation.

Give me Dead Poets Society any day of the week! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Awesome
I saw this movie on TV today and all i can say is its awesome. The action adventure will u keep you glued to the TV screen. Since i saw it on TV i bet the DVD will be even better ... Read more

Amazon.com

With the smash hit Scream, novice screenwriter Kevin Williamson and veteran horror director Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street) revived the moldering corpse of the teen horror picture, both creatively and commercially, by playfully acknowledging the exhausted clichés and then turning them inside out. Scream is a postmodern slasher movie, a horror film that cleverly deconstructs horror films, then reassembles the dead tissue, and (like Frankenstein's monster) creates new life. When a serial killer starts hacking up their fellow teens, the media-savvy youngsters of Scream realize that the smartest way of sticking around for the sequel is to avoid the terminal behaviors that inevitably doom supporting players in the movies. They've seen all the movies, and the rules of the genre are like second nature to them. One of the scariest/funniest setups features a kid watching John Carpenter's seminal Halloween on video. As Jamie Lee Curtis is shadowed by Michael Meyers and the kid on the couch yells at her to turn around, Craven reverses his camera and we see that the kid should be taking his own advice. The fresh-faced young cast (including Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette) is fun to watch, and their tart dialogue is sprinkled with enough archly self-conscious pop-culture references to make Quentin Tarantino blush. The digital video disc includes an audio commentary by director Craven. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (515)

A must see film!!!
If anyone says that this film is boring, dull, or anything else like that, I ORDER you to shut them up. Scream plays with you like 'I know what you did last summer' or 'Halloween' never could. This movie IS the original teen slasher, a mix of humour and suspense, that will leave you terrified all night. Although it is not as good as its sequel, Scream 2, I feel that Scream is much funnier, and more clever.

The movie is about a group of teenagers, and one by one people in their high school are being brutally murdered. Neve Campbell plays the starring role as Sidney Prescott, a teenage girl who is being stalked by the killer that murdered her mother. The movie also includes Countney Cox, as annoying and persistent News reporter Gale Weathers, and David Arquette as the dim-witted cop, Dewey. The film also features a cameo performance from Drew Barrymore, who's appearance made the film a smash hit, even if she was only in it for 10 minutes!

All in all, this film is a masterpiece from horror director, Wes Craven. You HAVE to see this film. I INSIST!

Make Sure to Watch This Movie With The Lights On!
Scream is one of my favorite, not to mention scarest, movies I've ever seen. It's about a group of five teenage kids, who are all obsessed with scary movies, find themselves in a situation where they are being prayed on by an unknown killer. EVERYBODY'S A SUSPECT, states Randy (Jamie Kennedy) geeky, fifth wheeler of the group. This movie's cast was picked very well. The starring role for Scream is:

starring:

Deputy Dwight "Dewey" Riley: David Arquett Sydney Prescott: Neve Campbell Gale Weathers: Courtney Cox Stuart Maker: Matthew Lillard Tatum Riley: Rose McGowan Billy Loomis: Skeet Ulrich

Co-starring:

Casey Becker: Drew Berrymore Kenny the Camera Man: W. Earl Brown Randy Meeks: Jamie Kennedy Cotton Weary: Liev Schreiber Sheriff Burke: Josheph Whipp

Which one of these 11 people will survive, which of these will die, which one of these 11 suspects are the killer, because tonight, SOMEONE HAS TAKEN THEIR LOVE OF SCARY MOVIES ONE STEP TOO FAR.

Tips to survive: -Don't have sex -No Drugs/Alcohol -Never Say, "I'll be right back" Cause you won't be back -Never answer the phone -Never answer the door -DON'T TRUST ANYONE...EVER!

"Thank you Randy" Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich)

Good luck!

Do u like scary movies?
When I first saw the movie I was totally in love with it. But that was in like what? 1997. Anyways, I still think its a really good movie, but not scary at all. The first time I saw it i did think it was, but after that I was like " and why did I think this was scary?" But the plot in the movie is really good and original. I also like how they make fun of other horror movies. This is one of the best teen/slasher flicks though. The Sequals are pretty good. I read someone else's review and I totally agree with them on how the third one probably wasnt the way Kevin wanted it to be. I would have like to see what he came up with as the last installment. But whatever, the guy who wrote it still came up with a good idea.

Scream, ahhh.
If seeing a guy running around in a cheap coustome that he got from party city killing teens and every one's craking jokes all the wile entertains you, there's nothing wrong with that. If seeing all that scares you, well, you better get some help. Scream is a movie that tries hard to scare you but fails. I don't know if it was that cheap costume, the jokes, or the fact that it's amazingly not scary, Scream is a falire. If you want to be scared, go see Halloween. Speaking of Halloween, I was hoping that Michael Myers would come and beat up the killer in this film by the end.

Scary
Scream is an extremely scary movie, but when it isn't scary, it's funny, and that's what makes it so good. The story is Drew Barrrymore's character is murdered one night, so everyone at her school is being questioned by the police. Later that night, Sydney Prescott the main character is attacked by the killer, until her boyfriend Billy comes to rescue her. Sydney then notices that Billy has a cell phone[the killer called her first], which leads Sydney to believe that Billy is the killer. After this accident, Billy is sent to jail, but Sydney gets called again. After that happens, Sydney believes Billy isn't the murderer, and after what happened to Sydney, school is canceled, which leads up to a party that the killer is attending, so in turn, many deaths follow, making this a very scary movie. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Sharon Stone, more than makeup and short skirts
I stumbled across this movie on television recently and was mesmerized by Sharon Stone's performance. Her looks were down-played for her role of death row inmate and what showed through was luminous acting and touching vulnerability. Her character, bred from white trash and convicted of a brutal double murder, brought a new insight into the circumstances surrounding violent crime and the reform found in prison. This movie made me doubt my firm stance in support of capital punishment (and that's not easy to do). Rob Morrow is both sensitive and powerful as the rich kid attorney that finds something to fight for in his defence of this woman. Overall, a moving and tragic movie not to be missed, and definitely notable among other death row dramas for its gender reversal and the new perspective that brings.

see it if you haven't seen dead man walking
OK, I haven't seen dead man walking, so I'm not as mad as most people who think this is a rip-off of that movie. The movie isn't lame, it isn't very powerfull either, but it still makes a sad compelling movie. Rick chooses his first case, that of Cindy, who was convicted of a double murder. After she, not having close relatives but a brother whose also locked up, isn't intersted of being saved, he thru showing her compassion and caring, she finally realizes that there's so many things for her to do, she didn't want to die, but she didn't want to be locked up in there forever, but after that, she just doesn't want to die. So, I liked the movie, I was surprised by the ending, because it seemed that rick had done so much, but really, it just seemed that way since you get so involved in seeing how he tries so hard to save her. It shows you how some people can really change, and the dilema of having less than 30 days to save someone you've gotten so involved with.

Dead Woman Walking
Yes, released on the heels of Dead Man Walking, it suffered in comparison. But it does have strong performances by Sharon Stone and Rob Morrow. Other good actors grace the cast list too. It's nice to see Chicago Hope alum Jayne Brook in something else--wish she'd had more to do. Randy Quaid and Peter Gallagher could have been used to better effect. The gender switch makes the prison movie cliches a bit more tolerable.

A very good movie but not as powerful as dead mn walking
This was a very good movie and it was a nice drama but it ain't something where u get that powerful feeling like dead man walking but i do recomend it

definitely inferior to Sean Penn's movie Dead Man Walking
Having seen Dead Man Walking, I became interested in seeing more movies about the death penalty so I got a hold of this movie.... I hated it. The acting was corny and cheesy. Sean Penn's performance as a condemned prisoner facing imminent execution was vastly superior and definitely more convincing than Sharon Stone's. It beats me why this movie was released shortly after Dead Man Walking. In fact, it beats me why it was released at all. Stick to Dead Man....don't bother with this extremely lame ripoff. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

sonny side of cher
i recorded this show off T.V. I did not think that it would come DVD. i am sure that i will ditch my VHS copy and get the DVD. i love sonny and cher. although i am not a flower child, born in 1972, their leggacy lives on through music. i remember that i recorded this show a few years ago, and i had for got to catalog it in my movie collection. about a few weeks ago i watched it all the way through. the person that playes cher is awsome. i dont think that she is as tall as the real cher but her actions very much was like cher. "sonny" was good as well. i know that i saw him on another show but i cannot remembver where. i WIll get this DVD ASAP. if you are a fan of Sonny and Cher, and like bios as much as i do then get it. now they need to release "The Karen Carpenter Story" next.

Pretty good biopic!
The actress who portrays Cher is uncanny! All of Cher's mannerisms, vocal inflections and snarky attitude were marvelously captured. The actor who portrays Sonny did not fare as well, though. Perhaps it is the obviously fake nose, but even the voice seems more cartoonish than the real Sonny. The film follows their lives from when they first meet to superstardom to divorce to reconciliation on the Letterman show. Better than your average TV movie. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

much more than a chick flick
College roomies Casey (Frye) and Grace (Taber) are a contempo odd couple. Casey, a quasi goth bohemian-esque performance artist with a penchant for bad boys,sex,profanity and pot, garbs herself in black and heavy mascara. Preppy good girl Grace just wants to ace her classes and wed her frat boy Romeo (Wil Wheaton). When Casey's obnoxious taunts and schemes put Grace's plans in jeopardy, she resolves to get even.

The Girls' Room" nicely develops its characters, resisting the urge to limit them as easy stereotypes.Nor does Amanda Beall's script demonize either character. Casey, it turns out, knows she was dealt a bad hand from the start, whereas Grace subtly begins to question her sheltered Southern upbringing.


Girls room is way more than a chick flick.do to the fact that its verry understandable no matter what gender or race you are.its more or less implies that sheltered well off people have issues too and that their not always the antagonizers like in most mediums.though i don't belive people really denied that,we know that rich sheltered girls have issues aswell.though to be blunt i will say their not the same as everyday people problems but i digress.


Both women are flawed, to be sure, but despite their surface antagonism, each harbors a real desire to explore the other's life. Their mutual attraction-repulsion keeps the tension percolating and thankfully leaves some surprises for the final reel. The characters ultimately emerge in the script as wholly rounded and,as realized in Taber and Frye's empathetic performances, neither easy to like nor completely despicable

Cool Chick Flick!!!
Punky Brrewster fans will love this film!Soliel Moon Frye is so hot!A funny and touching coming of age story about two college roommates who are complete opposties.It's a story about friendship and figuring out who you are and where you want to go in life.I bought this for my 20 year old sis in college and she loved it! I thought it was well directed too.I think this is the director's first film.Well done!!

A must see indie film!
This film is especially well directed, and flows well.A Southern college story that is both heart-warming and funny.I've seen this film twice and love it.Great performances from Cat Tabor and Soleil Moon Frye.Grab a bowl of popcorn!

Women in real life
This is a great film-It covers real friendship, real love and the hard parts of trying to be yourself.And its funny.And it has cute guys.Watch it with your girlfriends. Watch it with your fiancee.Realize that there are many ways to arrive at a happy ending.Enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Zombie Film with Humor
I thought the movie was entertaining and humorous. It was a typical zombie movie of the era (Caribbean Island with old house,and a sinster character controlling the zombies) with a plus--humor provided by Mantan Morland (he also starred in some Charlie Chan movies).

dull vintage horror movie, but Mantan MORLAND is fun
Although I am not a fan of vintage horror films I purchased KING OF THE ZOMBIES because of a very favorable review in a German movie magazine.
The plot has an US secret agent, a pilot and their black servant crashland on a small Caribbean island. It turns out that the island is ruled by a German expatriot, who has kidnapped an American general and uses black magic Voodoo Mumbo Jumbo to get some military secrets out of the unfortunate high ranking officer. Of course the zombies of the title are not the flesh-eating ghouls of todayÂ's splatter films, but the living dead of Voodoo magic, will-less slaves of the Nazi, who uses them for his sinister plans. Will our heroes succeed in thwarting the NaziÂ's evil plan? Well, I do not want to give it away, so watch for yourself...
Despite the unusual storyline involving espionage, a sinister Nazi, Voodoo and zombies, I found KING OF THE ZOMBIES rather dull and talky. (I am aware that fans of vintage horror will have a different view and likely rate it higher than I did.)
Despite the brief running time of a little over an hour it drags in places. However black actor Mantan MORLAND was fun and his many funny lines will make you laugh throughout. While I am usually not into comedy, I found his performance a real joy to behold. Be aware that KING OF THE ZOMBIES shows his age. This is evident not only in the choice of the baddie as a German (owing to the propagandistic needs of the time), but also in a few of MORLANDÂ's jokes, which are of a racial nature (like commenting his appearance, when he looks into a mirror, "the tropics sure gives a man a colour"). DonÂ't watch, if you dislike such jokes. However there is no doubt that MORLAND was a great actor. Were it not for him, this film would have been a complete waste of my time. I also liked actor Victor HENRY, who played the baddie. As usual in these films the heroes are bland and boring.
The DVD is a bare-bones release, with no extras whatsoever. And donÂ't expect picture quality to be as good as of a recent blockbuster movie. This is only natural given the filmÂ's age.

Get Zombified With Laughter!
When it comes to Poverty Row horror classics of the 1940s, King
of The Zombies has to rank right at #1, personally that is.
Yet King of The Zombies is not really "horror", it is actually
a comedy with Mantan Moreland as the TRUE STAR of this picture.
The Roan Archive DVD edition of this film is beautifully
restored to crystal clarity. Other DVD versions of this film
I have seen were either too dark or the source material was of
a bad VHS transfer to disc variety. Now, enjoy the film.

OK Copy?
One of the reviews for this DVD actually refers to another edition which was paired on a double feature with 'Revolt of the Zombies'.
I haven't heard any complaints about the print quality on this particular release.

king of the zombies
King Of The Zombies is a very fun movie for the entire family to enjoy...This film stars comedian Mantan Moreland who is one of the funniest men ever in movies...Although the film is very low budget it is well worth watching or buying just to see Mantan Moreland...Watching this film is time well spent and will make you feel better and laugh more than you ever have...I would advise any serious movie fan to watch this almost forgotten classic and enjoy it again and again...thanks...Jeff Johnson ... Read more

Amazon.com

Even by the degraded standards of early-'80s slasher films, The Incubus is pretty hard to sit through. A grumpy John Cassavetes plays a small-town doctor investigating a series of sex murders with a supernatural twist; the only other name actor is John Ireland, and everybody else is atrocious. Most of the genre's conventions are trotted out, albeit at a glacial pace: shower scene, young couple swimming at an isolated lake. The one quirky element, a suggestion of unhealthy intimacy between Cassavetes and his teenage daughter, might have creepy potential if it weren't so obviously a red herring. To his credit, Cassavetes passes through the entire film looking as though he would like to disappear into a corner. This low-budget Canadian offering is not to be confused with Incubus, the daffy William Shatner picture shot in the language of Esperanto, which is actually pretty fun. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Doesn't deserve it's bad reputation!
I just finished watching this movie on DVD and I simply don't understand why it has such so-so reviews. Cassavetes gives a fine performance(as usual), it's violent and gory, and the ending is nice and twisted. I miss horror films like this and wish more were made. Too many folks now have been spoonfed junk by the likes of Wes Craven and company for over the past 15 years, which has unfortunately caused some movie goers to expect flash, dumb characters, stupid stories and highly marketable villians. Of course I'm not saying that this film is high art or anything but it is highly creepy, has some nice camera work, good performances, and doesn't treat the audience like they were a four year old. If you haven't seen it then give it a look. You might like it.

A great date movie . . . . . .
Not really, unless you have some very strange dates. I first saw this movie on an afternoon horror/sci fi theater program on commercial television, and found it intriguing and also wondered what the movie actually was like without all the commercials and station breaks. After watching it, I am glad it is available on DVD. However, the movie has wooden acting, somewhat repetitious in the murders and the blood special effects are poor. The movie takes place in New England, but the car of the main character has Wisconsin license plates. A man shoots off his foot, but is thrown out the side of a building showing both feet intact. But, after all this is a B-movie and still enjoyable. There is obviously a red herring in the plot but you may or may not figure it out. I am not sorry I bought the DVD as it is a good example of movies of its type (for horror content and when made). I only wish it were a bit less costly. It is not a high budget movie and does not have Oscar quality acting, but then I didn't expect it to have anything different. A worthwhile addition for one who is collecting movies of its type. Certainly a cut above the rest for movies of its type made in the early 1980's.

No, this is not that good!!
I saw this many years ago. You may guess the story, and I bet you win. This is about beast-man who rapes girls and murder victim. It's part of satanic rites practice.
The best part may be when you guess, if this monster he or she..

Better than the Blair Witch Project !!!
This early 80's indy horror classic holds up surprisingly well. Sure its pretty low budget but John Hough's brilliant direction and creative camera use makes the most out of a so so screenplay.The Incubus isnt shown until the end of the film and the Make up on it is pretty Cool looking. John Cassavette's performance is pretty solid and darkly brooding easily over shadowing the lesser acting talents here. I dont want to give away the cool twist ending but,they should have shown Cassavette's ripping some sh_t up after the revelation of the Incubus!!! That would have rocked...;) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Walking Wounded
Sensitively told coming-of-age film set against Las Vegas and the early years of atomic testing. Rose (Annabeth Gish) is thirteen and very much wants to connect with stepdad Jack (Jon Voight), an alcoholic WWII veteran still possessed by the demons of combat. Trouble is, she's operating on one track, while he's operating on two, so that just when they seem at last to converge, he goes off on a destructive delusionary binge. Movie is notable for the exceptionally fine performances of these two actors. Gish, tottering atop two gawky legs and peering out from behind the cosmetic curse of horned-rim glasses, is the very real, aching embodiment of adolescent angst. Hers has to be one of the finest, least mannered renderings of teen-age yearning and self-doubt in many, many years, and made even me, a hardened old curmudgeon, feel a kindly regard for the hopelessly pubescent. Voight's character is less sympathetic and more complex. Victimized by the evils of war and beset by alcohol and impotence, he's having trouble with his masculinity in a house full of women. He wants to fulflill a positive role for his wife and stepdaughters but the inner turmoil keeps erupting unpredictably.You want Jack and Rose to connect, to heal one another's emotional wounds, but circumstance is against them. Movie leaves off on suitably ambiguous note as atomic test parallels emotional family blowup. We know time will take care of Rose's problems, but what of Jack. Film is not so much about dysfunction as it is about adolescence and the walking wounds of war, such that you'll remember the characters long after the various plot complications have subsided. What a fine piece of non-commercial movie making this is thanks to Sundance Productions and writer-director Eugene Corr. Their work along with that of the entire cast shows once again why "the obscure little movie with something to say" continues to be one of our finest film traditions.

an overlooked gem
This is a well acted movie.I especially like annabeth gish..she is so sweet and lovely in her character.I felt sorry for her being mistreated by John Voight`s character.Ellen Barkin is great too.

A story of a troubled family
I think this movie was extremely good. Great acting by Annabeth Gish and Jon Voight. Having this movie be Annabeth's first big screen. About a troubled father who got hurt in the war and abuses his oldest step-daughter. A compeling story of protecting yourself, and love, and betraying the people you love.

Very troubling story.
Jon Voight is the stepfather with a drinking problem and a bad temper. Annabeth Gish plays his oldest stepdaughter who wants very much to be accepted by him. He is constantly badgering them about the A-bomb tests about to commence in the desert near Las Vegas. I just saw this movie on HBO.

A good movie about growing up
This is a very good movie about growing up in a disfunctional family. It shows that things can happen and that hope was not given up. Annabeth gish shows early on in her career that she will become a great actress. Also stars Ellen Barkin as her drunken down-on-luck aunt. Also see Radio Flyer. Coming of age film. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Perhaps the Definitive Version of This Lugosi Classic
Among horror fans, Lugosi fans, and fans of psychotronic films in general, "The Devil Bat" holds a special place. Made by poverty row studio PRC in 1940, the film is a wonderfully ridiculous chiller about a mad scientist (Lugosi, of course)who takes revenge on his double-crossers (no, not the producers of this movie) by enlarging a normal bat to gigantic proportions through electrical treatments and using a new shaving lotion he perfected as the bait to attract the bat to its victim. ...)...

The film has kicked around the public domain for the last decade or so, with the result that VHS prints of it were either excellent or hardly watchable. DVD versions in general have been clear, but this version beats the others and comes close to being a definitive version of the picture, if one is possible.

Released by the Lugosi estate, "The Devil Bat" is the first in a proposed series of definitve versions of Lugosi films. (The unjustly overlooked "Bowery at Midnight" is the second movie in this series.)Extras on this DVD include stills from the movie, a poster card (very well done), and a commentary track featuring Bela Junior and film historian Ted Newsom. The commentary track is a laugh in itself as the two quickly run out of things to say about the movie (in fact, one wonders if Bela Jr. even saw it before this)and switch topics to Bela Junior's memories of life with father. As he provides some unusual insight into the life of his father, the commentary track is a must for all Lugosi fans, and, combined with the price, makes for one of the biggest bargains for film fans.

so bat it is goot
This would have simply been a terrible movie with laughable special effects if Bela Lugosi were not the star. As it is, he lends the film his uncanny talent of elevating even the worst flicks into pure entertainment.

It is funny. Some of the stock characters banter and talk real cool. A gigantic furry bat on a string shrieks like a teradactyl. Bela tells each of his victims "goodbye" before he sends them to their deaths at the maw of the devil bat.

Still Lugosi is worth watching as he plays yet another mad scientist bent on revenge. This time a brilliant perfume maker who is also capable of raising and training gigantic bats. There is a high body count for a film of this era, and unlike too many Lugosi films, Bela gets plenty of camera time.

The print looks good to my untrained eye--far better than my video copy. The extras aren't bad-- it's great to have any extras--most Lugosi films don't. The radio show is an interesting curio. I hope this DVD sells well so there will be more films in this series to recieve this deluxe treatment--such as The Corpse Vanishes...

Bela Goes Batty!
Dr. Paul Carruthers (Bela Lugosi) is a scientist who invents new fragrances for a successful aftershave maker. His failure to invest in the company has left him without the millions he feels he deserves. Carruthers is a bitter man who has sworn revenge. How? Does he plan to sue for his fair share of the profits? Nah, the sinister doc creates a small army of giant, mutant, killer bats to exact his vengeance! These fuzzy monsters are attracted by a new aftershave lotion he's formulated in his secret laboratory. He gets his intended targets to splash some on their faces. One by one, the victims are attacked, their throats ripped out by soaring, shrieking, stuffed devil bats! Bela is priceless as always. This movie belongs in every horror collection...

THE povery-row Lugosi film
Here's a nice treat: Bela Lugosi Jr. has acquired to rights to some of his famous father's lesser films, and the first offering is the lovable, laughable PRC programmer THE DEVIL BAT.

Bela is Dr. Carruthers, plotting the death of his enemies by training giant mutated bats to attack those who wear the doc's new experimental shaving lotion. Bela has some great, darkly-comic dialogue. When one intended victim comments on how smooth the new lotion is, Carruthers offers, "I don't think you'll ever wear anything else."

THE DEVIL BAT has, of course, been previously available on DVD and VHS, in various conditions. The best previous DVD release is certainly the one offered by Roan. This new "official" version compares favorably to the Roan disc, though acute listeners might find the sound is a touch clearer on this new disc. Bela Lugosi Jr. partners with genre critic Ted Newsom for an interesting commentary track, which unfortunately shows how little Bela Jr. actually knows about the film.

There are 2 other Lugosi theatrical trailers (but not one for Devil Bat?), some archival photos and a pretty neat audio-only feature: A radio play from the 1940's starring Bela.

If you're a fan of these type of "poverty row" horrors, DEVIL BAT will certainly make your day. If you're a fan of his more popular Universal features, this is a good introduction to a very different career path that poor ol' Bela got stuck on around 1940.

Just a few drops on the neck, where the skin is tender
OK. The plot of Devil Bat doesn't sound that impressive, but Bela Lugosi's performance earns the movie five stars from this reviewer. Lugosi plays Dr. Carruthers, a doctor and scientist beloved by everyone in the village of Heathville; he is the last person anyone suspects when a series of strange murders take place. The first three victims are all sons of the rich and powerful Heath and Morgan families. These two families made their fortunes, it turns out, on one of Dr. Carruthers' formulas, and all the doctor got out of the deal was a measly ten thousand dollars compared to their millions. Ah, yes, we have a motive. Of course, these are no ordinary murders; they seem to have been made by some type of unknown wild animal. It couldn't be a bat, of course, because the killer was definitely a pretty large specimen. Carruthers' plan is hokey but brilliant. He still works for the cosmetics firm, and he has just come up with an experimental new aftershave formula. Naturally, he wants the Heaths and Morgans to try the product out themselves before marketing it-just a few drops spread across the neck, where the skin is always tender. He doesn't bother to tell his victims that bats really, really hate the smell of the formula's secret ingredient, nor does he mention the fact that he has figured out a way to use electrical stimulation to turn a normal bat into a Devil Bat. Everything is going according to plan until a nosy reporter shows up and starts snooping around.

Lugosi is great in this movie. By 1940, he had the whole mad scientist act down to a science, and his secret scowls are enhanced by just the right touch of madness in his eyes. Best of all is the way he tells his victims "Goodbye" in a sinister voice once he has them in the soon-to-be clutches of his Devil Bat. One thing that bothers me about great old horror movies like this is the fact the moviemakers always felt compelled to provide some comic relief in the form of a goofy character-this time around, we have the newspaper photographer "One Shot" McGuire who is more interested in shooting pictures of the Heath's French maid than any silly old bat. The Devil Bat itself isn't very impressive; without the grainy, far from perfect black and white print, I am sure it would look quite ridiculous. It never even moves when Carruthers is handling it, it looks more like a hawk or eagle to me when it is flying, and its swoop attacks on unsuspecting victims make me think of the scene in Naked Gun where Frank Drebbin struggles against a towel thrown in his face. None of that matters, though, because Lugosi is just so much fun to watch. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Standing The Test Of Time
BEAT THE DEVIL is a very funny movie which retains its subtle charm even after many viewings, It reminds me of the MALTESE FALCON not only because of the similarity of some of the characters but also because of the likeness of the screenplays. Both films essentially focus on a treasure hunt with an array of buffoons vying for the prize. Humphrey Bogart's characters seem to be about the only really normal people in either movie. While it is definitely considered to be a comedy, BEAT THE DEVIL is also not a bad adventure story. Most of the subdued action takes place on shore while the assorted crooks and cutthroats are waiting for a leaky old ship to take them to Africa.

The cast includes Humphrey Bogart, Robert Morley, Jennifer Jones, Gina Lollobrigida, Peter Lorre, Ivor Barnard and Edward Underwood.

John Huston was the director and Truman Capote contributed heavily to the screenwriting after the filming began in Italy.Truly a ton of Hollywood talent was assembled for this one movie in a relatively charming location.

It is no wonder that the movie is standing the test of time and is now enjoying a revival of sorts with even a minor cult following.

Either You Get It or You Don't
Optioned as a drama by Humphrey Bogart's own production company, this movie was hijacked by director John Huston and screenwriter Truman Capote, who turned it into a subversive comedy under Bogart's nose. Some swindlers assembling in Italy would like to clean up a uranium concession in Africa but can't seem to keep the plot on the tracks. Almost entirely dialogue-driven, this satire relies in no little part on the mangled English dubbed for several of the characters by Peter Ustinov. Critic Pauline Kael quoted Humphrey Bogart about it: "Only phonies think it's funny." But even phonies like to laugh.

GOOD MOVIE ???
Great story with a great cast,but horrible sound and picture quality.

A jar of pickled clichés
Certainly not a masterpiece with a terminating Humphrey Bogart and a debutante Lollobrigida. Two odd couples with crossing affairs lost in a small harbor no one knows where because their derelict ship has broken down, surrounded by a band of three or four would-be gangsters who are nothing but weak bad boys. They even end up with a taxi jumping into the ocean, an attempted murder by overboard throwing in the middle of some ocean night, a shipwreck that brings all that nice group of adventurers to some Morocco where they are forced to bribe the locals to get through, and that is not as easy as one may think. In other words quite a compilation of clichés. And yet it is some fun to see such naive queer composition that someone in Hollywood called a film.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

FILM NOIR SPOOF
This glorious spoof of the film noir genre of the 1940's, has direction by John Huston, an ever evolving script by Truman Capote and stars:Humphrey Bogart - HB (Billy Danreuther), Jennifer Jones - JJ (Gwendolynne Chelm), Gina Lollobrigida - GL (Maria), Edward Underdown - EU (Harry Chelm), Robert Morley - RM (Pierson), Peter Lorre - PL (O'Hara) and other notable character actors.

Basically a group of rogues are vieing with each other to be the first to obtain a rich uranium deposit somewhere in "British East Africa" but we are never told where precisely.It was filmed on location in Italy and features the only other comic role of JJ, (her first being "Cluny Brown (1946)) as a congenital liar, whose Spanish Nurse taught her all there is to know!.What a pity Selznick did not recognise the comic potential of his wife and instead of putting her in soulful dirges like "Indiscretion of an American Wife"(1952), he had developed her natural comic potential."Beat The Devil" did not perform at the box office in 1953/4 when released but is now, thankfully, being re-evaluated by discerning film connoiseurs, achieving almost a cult like status.

Being a strong amateur chess player, I particularly liked the scene outside the Italian cafe where JJ is "duffing up" EU again with an almost instant sight of the board, while chatting up HB.(Note to chess geeks - JJ plays much more weakly in "A Farewell to Arms (1957) vs Rock Hudson!!).Incidentally HB liked to play chess himself when off camera.

The plot twists & turns and being English with a bawdy sense of humour, I laughed when GL says to EU "I've brought you some tea & crumpet" while almost smothering EU in the eye with her... well you get the point! It is reported John Huston rather sadistically requested JJ to climb to the rocking crow's nest- a fearsome climb - to do her leg stretching exercises on the ship taking them to Africa.The gang, led by RM, hope she breaks a leg - & not in the theatrical sense!My favourite scene is in the office of the African potentate who is questioning the motley group of rogues.In reality all he wants to know is whether HB has met Rita Hayworth as he is a big fan!.If you look carefully you can see her pin-up on his office wall.The quivering of RM's various chins when he is threatened with torture, is a delight to behold.

The trick of Nazis having escaped to Latin America after WWII, is lampooned by PL who insists everyone calls him "O'Hara" (our little Irish leprecaun!).Everyone seems to be having a ball.Look out for Bernard Lee playing his usual police inspector role.This was long before he shot to fame as "M" in the Sean Connery, James Bond series from 1962 onwards.I've noticed in memorable films there is usually a catchy tune somewhere and here is no exception as played by an Italian brass band.I even find myself whistling the pianola music played on the ship while Ivor Barnard is away with his stabbing swagger stick ready to bump off EU.I voted 3/5 stars for this film. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

penny for [all] your THOUGHTS ........
'X' rated by the Brits when released in '62 [well, it DOES feature a 'live' home birth at the end ..... then that dangerous experiment .....] Close to "The Pumpkin Eater" and possibly "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf - with Kids?" - this very advanced thriller set in the early 6oties tentatively explores "Isolation Tanks" - and the effect on its subject - or victim.

BOTH DIRK BOGARDE and MARY URE are stellar as the Mr. & Mrs. involved - Mary Ure especially has fine moments as the loving and later abused pregnant wife - tough stuff for that period [although we did have 'Saturday Night & Sunday Morning'] - but it does somewhat explore the approach to 'mind-bending' - and reprogramming of the subject - timely stuff.....

Bogarde was on the eve of his stellar career - the beautiful blonde, blue-eyed Mary Ure left so few examples of her work - but worth visiting "Look Back In Anger", etc. {NOT forgetting Miss URE in D.H. LAWRENCE "SONS AND LOVERS" - a missing treasure from 1960 long due for a DVD release!!}

Tone of movie is suitably sombre, photography is moody and the score very suitable .... a neglected treasure from that period.

Oh, yes and a young Edward Fox pops in and out of a few scenes as a student.

Pallid
In spite of the obviously psychedelic packaging for this film, The Mind Benders is marginally science fiction. Instead, this is a drama with SF trappings. The story of a scientist, Dr. Longman, played by Dirk Bogarde, who comes to believe that the suicide of a colleague was caused by prolonged exposure in a sensory deprivation tank, he is forced to prove his theory by a British intelligence agent and undergo the same treatment himself.

The agent is convinced that Longman's colleague was a spy and engages in some subtle brainwashing of Longman after he's spent eight hours in the tank. While the opening half hour is definitely gripping--including Longman's harrowing experience in the tank--the final two thirds of the film is sorely disappointing for science fiction fans--or even for those who are expecting a substantial buildup focused on the theme.

The development after the first 30 minutes or so is pretty weak, centering on Longman's relationship with his wife which has been put to the test, and is a real letdown. Although Dirk Bogarde and Mary Ure as his wife are more than competent actors, the film runs out of steam long before its happy ending.

The real value of this film, as indicated in the liner notes of the DVD, is that it is a precursor to Altered States and The Manchurian Candidate. For completists who want whatever film they can find about brainwashing, this is a must. For anyone else, it's really not great. A far better vehicle for Dirk Bogarde fans, also available on DVD, is The Servant. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A story about the Relationship that Really Matters
Road to Redemption is dubed as a comedy movie. Although the comedy part of the movie, allowed a chuckle now and then. The movie made a bigger hit in it's message. A young girl living with her lover works for a Mob boss. She and her lover in get in trouble by talknig illegal money mailed to her boss. Financially dry, she and her lover blow it on fixed horse racing bets. When they loose all the money, she travels to her meet her rich retired grandfather, who by the way has not seen her since she was a little girl. He agrees to give her the money owed under one condition. That she takes him fishing. Off they go cross country, with the mob at their heels, and her lover who turns eventually out to be her traitor. The theme is no doubt directed towards a grandfather who wanted to start a new relationship with his granddaugther, who is only intrested in getting the money she needs. A Good story, with a God inspired message, a good dvd for all young and old.

A++++
Road to redemption was better than I hoped for. A Christian movie with some humor. Don't miss out-Get the DVD version! You will get many extras that you won't find on the VHS. This is not a witnessing tool, but a good addition to the Christain DVD collection, try "Vanished" by cloud ten pictures for a witnessing tool. If you liked this movie try "Something to sing about" & "A Vow to Cherish" both are heart warming Christian movies and are also by world wide pictures. Plus they have many extras if you purchase the DVD versions.

Very funny and moving
It's always a risk to buy a DVD sight unseen, but I bought this gem based on some reviews I've read and the fact that it's made by Worldwide Pictures who have produced some great movies (Vow to Cherish, Something to sing about).

Road to Redemption tells of a young couple Amanda Tucker (the lovely Julie Condra) and Alan Fischer (Jay Underwood) who are sick of struggling along financially so "borrow" some money from Amanda's boss who also happens to be a Mob boss, along with the money comes racing tips for some fixed races so off they go to the racing track. All does not go to plan and Amanda finds herself having to leave town to track down her Grandfather Nathan (Pat Hingle) in order to hit him up for some cash so she can pay back her boss.

There are some excellent performances put in by the lead actors as well as the supporting mobsters Tony Longo as Vincent the enforcer is very amusing as it Wes Studi as Frank Lightfoot. There are some real funny set pieces in this film and some of it reminded me of the also excellent Dumb and Dumber (minus the crudeness).

Road to Redemption is a family friendly comedy with real heart. It's extremely amusing and a joy to watch. It also very moving and touching as well as Amanda gets to know her Grandfather and learns about what is most important in life. I recommend it whole-heartily for anyone needing a good laugh and it's refreshingly free from smut, foul language and jokes made in bad taste.

Enjoy this film and thanks for reading.

Is the Mob after you? God can handle it!
This is one Christian film that lots of people will enjoy. I mean believers in Christ and non-believers. It's a great insight on following the road to Christ. It's about a couple, Amanda (Julie Condra) and Alan (Jay Underwood) who found stolen mob money. They decide to gamble the money on horse racing and lose the money. The gangsters find out about this and go after the couple. The grandaughter, Amanda seeks the help of her wealthy grandpa Nathan (Pat Hingle) for the money she needs to pay back the mob. But grandpa has plans. It seems he "got religion" and is willing to give her the money. But she has to drive him to visit his favorite fishing hole some 800 miles away. There are some breathe-taking scenes of Utah. So they're all on the run from the mob and along the way learn a valuable lesson of choices and consequences. In the meantime, God gets Amanda's attention and God gives the mob a run for their money. The movie is rated PG for thematic elements and mild violent content, but still a clean Christian movie. It's advised that very young children shouldn't view this. For older teens and adults may find a lesson to be learned that doing something you know is wrong can only get you into deeper trouble. Billy Graham's 'Road to Redemption' is really a great movie with a great message to lead those to Christ.

This movie is really great!
We had movie night this past Sunday at church, and I have to tell you that this movie really moved within the church. I thought it was going to be a cheesy movie, but little did I know that the movie was going to be awesome. I think that this movie would make a great witnessing tool for non-believers to get an insight of how someone would come to know Christ. God Bless All!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Sarah (Neve Campbell) strikes up a conversation with a sad-eyed man called Alex (William H. Macy) at her therapist's office, she asks, "Are you one of those middle-aged guys who's tired of his marriage and thinking maybe a beautiful young thing could help him out?" She's right, but the source of Alex's depression is far from typical: he's a second-generation hit man who wants out, but his mom and dad won't let him quit.

Donald Sutherland makes Alex's laconic and utterly monstrous father the most frightening parent since John Huston in Chinatown. A series of flashbacks show how he introduced Alex to his trade, beginning with shooting squirrels in the woods. We never find out whether Alex's father has mob connections, and the fact that it's just a business to him ("This one's a big job, lots of moola, I'll buy your mother a Lexus") makes him all the more chilling. Alex's mother (the steely Barbara Bain) knows all about the family business, but his wife (Tracey Ullman) thinks he runs a mail-order company, and the only person he confides in is a therapist (John Ritter). When he meets and falls for Sarah, Alex realizes that he alone can stand up to his father, and he needs to act before his own son becomes the next apprentice.

Henry Bromell's debut film as a writer-director probes the same dark corners of the middle-aged male psyche as American Beauty and The Sopranos. Alex's tormented life is a symbol of the damage that parents can inflict on their children, and Bromell imbues his story with a tragic inevitability. Panic received a shamefully limited theatrical release, in spite of its rare combination of a great script and brilliant performances. It deserves to be rediscovered and appreciated by a much larger audience on home video. --Simon Leake ... Read more

Reviews (37)

A Small Masterpiece
This film needs your support! It was apparently completely disregarded by critics when it played theatrically... Written and directed by Henry Bromell, writer-producer of the Baltimore-lensed HOMOCIDE TV series, PANIC is a tight little masterpiece (clocking at less than 1 hour and 25 minutes) of ensemble acting and superior screenwriting. All principal actors hit just right notes in their roles, from William H. Macy (one of the best actors currently working in the US, who single-handedly made my experience of watching ultra-sophomoric FARGO durable), Donald Sutherland, John Ritter, Barbara Bain (Remember MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?), Tracy Ullman (TRACY ULLMAN?!) and, oh, Neve Campbell. The characters are so well-written and so devoid of historionics that some viewers may actually suffer from disorientation, adjusting their brains from the state of overexposure to usual mind-numbing stereotypes in Hollywood movies. Ritter's psychiarist, for example, is one of the two or three among hundreds of psychiarists I have seen in Hollywood movies who actually behaves like a NORMAL PSYCHIARIST and acts SENSIBLY. (MUCH superior to Lorraine Bracco's shrink in THE SOPRANOS) David Dorffmann plays Macey's son, and even though he is supposed to be a super-smart kid, he is NEVER annoying. The scenes are all underplayed with minimum of melodramatics, but they nonetheless pack emotional wallop. The quiet, beautifully lit sequence in which Donald Sutherland introduces the child version of the Macey character to "family business" is not only absolutely chilling, but also immesaruably sad. PANIC reminded me of Paul Schrader's AFFLICTION and Claude Chabrols' morally complex thrillers, such as THIS MAN MUST DIE. It is also like a particularly well-made 1950s film noir suffused with psychological insight ordinarily missing from them.

The DVD version includes a generally informative if a little reticent commentary by Director Bromell, and six deleted scenes. The deleted scenes provide additional background information for characters and deepen our understanding of them, but they also include some stilted and overblown dialogue completely absent in the actual film, the reason I suspect they were in the end dropped from the final product. I am a little disappointed that the audio commentary does not come with Macey, Sutherland and others discussing their acting strategies, given the fact that this film's success depends so much on their contributions, but this is nit-picking. I definitely recommend this movie for anyone who is a fan of Macey, Sutherland, Campbell and those who appreciate morally complex human dramas and/or thrillers. NOT RECOMMENDED, however, to those who want an action film like AIR FORCE ONE or a "quirky" movie like FARGO.