Reviews (20)

Bette As Janis
Those of us of a certain age well remember the ultra-talented and ultimately doomed 60s icon, Janis Joplin.

In this thinly disguised Joplin biography, Bette Midler outdoes herself as an out-of-control, incredibly talented, self-destructive singer who turns to the bottle, sex, and anything else she can to hide from her intense inner pain. It sounds like a cliche, and by now it is, but that was Janis--and Bette does her one better. Her angst shines through with great poignancy, even when she is belting out hit after hit, responding to her audience as though she is making love.

Hard living, hard boozing, and bent on destroying herself, the singer has us riveted to her story. Her tearful phone call to the father who never approved of her is one of the high points of the film: Bette pulls out the stops.

Alan Bates is divine as always as the singer's manager, but this film belongs to Bette. If you are not aware of Midler's incredibly wide-ranged talent, this is the perfect movie. It can make you a lifelong fan.

Leaving off one star due to the directores missteps
Pure, powerful, raw, intense and unforgettable. This movie really is all those. Bette Midler took a role that legally had to change it's main characterization and managed to give that years best (yes, even over Sally Field) performance. She is thee reason to watch and though the time period should have been more defined it still gives a sense of how music was changing to the corporate [stuff] we now have before us.

After many years, still powerful...
This film brings back memories, and I'm glad the DVD finally came out, though there are no extras. Bette, in her film debut, was brilliant and deserved every award she got. Often compared to Janis Joplin, I think the screenplay of Bill Kerby & Bo Goldman gave Midler a bit more personality and personal angst. Midler handled it all like a seasoned pro. A truly excellent performance. Her concert scenes were good, too. Frederic Forrest was nominated for an Oscar, and he was quite fine (he was also in "Norma Rae" with Sally Field, who won the Oscar over Midler in '79). But it was Alan Bates as the oily, manipulative agent (baby-sitter?) who truly deserved recognition. The Oscars also recognized the film for its Sound and brilliant Editing. Sorely missing from the nominations were the Adapted Score and the wonderful title Song, written by Amanda McBroom. This is a powerful and entertaining film, with fine acting and great direction by Mark Rydell, loaded with humor, pathos and sadness, and all brought to life by the remarkable Bette Midler.It's worth watching again. Also, watch for David Keith (her personal bodyguard/masseur, later on), who later made such a strong impression in "An Officer and a Gentleman".

Great movie...so-so DVD
First of all, this is a fantastic movie with a great searing performance by Bette Midler and electrifying musical numbers. However, I am disappointed with the lack of features. It didn't keep me from buying the DVD, as I did not own this movie previously. The only features are a theatrical trailer, some trailers for other movies and DVD issues, as well as a commentary by director Mark Rydell. A movie like this definitely deserves a Special Edition, single-disc or double-disc. However, I bought it in Best Buy for $9.99, so for $10, it's a good DVD, but in the future, I'd love to see a special edition.

Another pro to the DVD, besides a commentary and a low price, is the picture and sound quality. Much better than what I saw on television, although it could probably stand to be restored to even better quality. Maybe on the Special Edition DVD, if there ever is one, it will be fully restored.

All in all, if you don't own this movie, like I didn't before I bought this, then buy it, even though it's pretty bare bones. If you own the movie on VHS, I'd hold out for a Special Edition, unless you absolutely have to own it on DVD, then go for it!

The Rose - close corollary to a Carly Simon Saga
For any of the 'young'uns' out there in Lurker Land, this 'old' 'dude' wagers that not only will s/he *not* recall, s/he would not give a 'hoot' re: the close correlation between any of Miss Carly Simon's (btw, we're touching on the Simon and Schuster Publishing House, 'case you _care_) well-articulated, heart-on-her-sleeve heartwrenching songs, Miss Joplin, and every single Decent -and- tormented Lady -and- Gentlemen since Woman was fashioned to be Man's companion (boo! hiss! evolution SMELLS).

Translation: The Rose, like Ms. Simon's many pouring outs of her heart into her music, is no less than The Story of A Good Woman in Lonely Agony ... not that her scuz of a 'manager' ... or even her 'fans' ... could *really* give a 'holler' .....

How can I emote this strongly, you may be wondering / not welcoming ... well, chiefly 'coz, 23 YEARS after viewing Bette Midler in THE ROSE in our Student Auditorium at College, in my own world, I've yet to find confirmed in the fickle, hypocritical, abusive, neglectful, tormenting, uncaring, unfeeling JERKS that are my felllow "men" (-and- women !) more so gracious, loving, kind hearted, mature, and principled "ladies and gentlemen" than, ruefully, the aforementioned, assorted, fruits and nuts.

And no, I am not happy about it. And yes, I think I and those who suffer this CRUEL world in the way Bette so superbly depicted dear Janis as having had to, only can speak of the hurt, the pain, the loneliness and the terrible torment foisted on us. You Go, Rose !! ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Best weekend of my life
Boy, when I rented this movie, I had no idea whatsoever that it would be this funny.

When Larry (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard (Johnathan Silverman) uncover an embezzlement scam at their office, they report it to their boss, Bernie Lomax (Terry Kiser), expecting a promotion, not expecting that Bernie himself is the culprit. Bernie invites them to his beachhouse that weekend, planning to have them killed by a mafia hit man. But, the mafia bad guys have other plans, and they have him killed before Larry and Richard arrive. When they discover Bernie's dead, they at first want to tell the police, despite the fact that they may inadvertendly frame themselves. They soon decide to keep up the face the Bernie's still alive and kickin'.

Did I laugh? HELL YEAH!! WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S has got to be one of the funniest movies ever. It's hilarious to watch Larry and Richard desperately trying to make Bernie's corpse appear to still have a spark, like in the scene where they try to get on a boat with Bernie's body. How they make it appear that he's walking is hard to describe, and even harder not ot laugh at.

Another great scene, involving Bernie's girlfriend from NYC, who goes into a room where Bernie's body is waiting. She emerges from the room as a necropheiliac without even knowing Bernie was dead. This was somewhat overlooked by the critics, but it is worthy of positions held in the "greatest movies of all time list" by movies like VERTIGO or TITANIC, which aren't very good.

That's more than I can say for the sequel, WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S 2, but if you can laugh at things like a corpse jetskiing (so to speak), and I'm sure you can, than stop by BERNIE'S this WEEKEND. As I said above, it was the best WEEKEND of my life.

Funny; just... just FUNNY
Alright alright ALRIGHT, I admit it; I love this movie. I have never so unapologetically laughed until I cried at a more stupid movie in my entire life before seeing this flick! Somehow some people in Hollywood got together and found a creative team to create the perfect vehicle for a succession of some of the most stupid, implausible, and absolutely hilarious sight gags and jokes and bits I have ever seen. the runnig gag in my family, every time we bring this up is "...I'm blind..." Awww BERNIE!

Trust me, I love a good Gore vidal or Toni Morrison novel as much as the next guy, and there's nothing like a Foreign or Spielberg or classic film from the 40's or 70's to challenge your mind body and soul... and then every now and then you need something that you can just pop in a VCR and laugh until you cry, rolling off the couch onto the floor, spilling popcorn and the whole nine! Where many comedians and much of Jim Carrey's stuff attempts this (and misses for me), WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S did it.

Funny. Like, for real.

Dark Comedy, Light Fun
The cast is perfect and the sets, music, and all that went into this movie seem to meld to make a very funny movie. Andrew McCarthy as Larry Wilson and Jonathan Silverman as Richard Parker are a good match for co-workers at an insurance company. Larry the brown nosing party man and Richard the hard working nerd. When Richard discovers a two million dollar mistake in claims their boss Bernie invites them over for the weekend to discuss it. What happens after that is sick, demented, and funny. Any fan of "8 Heads in a Duffel Bag" and "The Whole Nine Yards" should enjoy it. This is one of those rare movies were seeing a dead person being lugged around, beat up, dropped, bareface ski, washed around in the tide, shot, strangled, and more is just plain outrageously funny.

"Can't you see he's dead?"
I got this movie as a birthday gift from my ladyfriend. As I'd never seen it before, I asked her why she chose it. She said she thought it was a favorite of mine, as my friends and I referred to it a lot. While true, we weren't discussing the plot; just how my friend George looks a lot like Bernie when he's passed out. Anyway, one morning while I was nursing a nasty hangover, I deemed myself in the proper state to handle this movie.

To quote Elaine from "Seinfeld," "This is so stupid! Bernie is dead! Just because you put a hat on him isn't going to make him less dead!" This movie is awful. I love 80s comedies - heck, I consider "Bachelor Party" Tom Hanks's best work (just read my review) and eagerly await the next installment of "Police Academy" - but this movie is miserable. The only times I laughed while watching "Weekend at Bernie's" it was at my ladyfriend for actually finding something humorous in the movie.

My friend Dan, knowing of my disdain for "Weekend at Bernie's," got me "Weekend at Bernie's II" (it's voodoo, baby, voodoo). Expect my review of that film to be posted a day or so after the next time I decide to wash down some vodka and Gatorade with a hurricane.

Best movie ever.
Anyone with cable has probably seen and will see at least a few minutes of Weekend at Bernie's every week for their entire life. It's so a part of our culture that we don't question it anymore. But imagine having never heard of Weekend at Bernie's, and through the filter of a modern sense of irony, seeing a preview for it in the movie theater. "Hey, this looks sort of funny. I like these movies about partying at the beach... hold on... are those two dudes playing with a corpse? Oh my god - they're dressing it up and taking it to the party with them. I hope it leaks something infectious onto their sick asses!"

Anyways, Weekend at Bernie's is the awesomest, eightiesest, most radical movie of all time. Rent it. Buy it. Sleep with it. Just watch it. Sheer 80s awesomeness. *thumbs up* ... Read more

Reviews (29)

"...You've attacked an innocent dwarf!"

Director: Colin Higgins
Format: Color
Studio: Paramount Studio
Video Release Date: June 2, 1998

Cast:

Goldie Hawn ... Gloria Mundy
Chevy Chase ... Tony Carlson
Burgess Meredith ... Mr. Hennessey
Rachel Roberts ... Delia Darrow/Gerda Casswell
Eugene Roche ... Archbishop Thorncrest/Archbishop's brother
Dudley Moore ... Stanley Tibbets
Marilyn Sokol ... Stella
Brian Dennehy ... Fergie
Marc Lawrence ... Rupert Stiltskin
Chuck McCann ... Theatre manager
Billy Barty ... J.J. MacKuen
Don Calfa ... Scarface
Bruce Solomon ... Bob Scott
Cooper Huckabee ... Sandy
Pat Ast ... Mrs. Venus
Frances Bay ... Mrs. Russel
Lou Cutell ... House manager
William Frankfather ... Whitey Jackson
John Hancock ... Capt. Coleman
Barbara Sammeth ... Sally
Queenie Smith ... Elsie
Hope Summers ... Ethel
Irene Tedrow ... Mrs. Monk
Ion Teodorescu ... The Turk
Janet Wood ... Sylvia
David Cole ... Theatre Usher
Bill Gamble ... Dickinson
Cyril Magnin ... Pope Pius XIII
Michael David Lee ... Limo driver
Neno Russo ... Luigi
Rollin Moriyama ... Japanese man
Mitsu Yashima ... Japanese woman
M. James Arnett ... Truck driver
Jophery C. Brown ... Cop
John Hatfield ... Security guard
Joe Bellan ... Man in phone booth
Chuck Walsh ... Newscaster
Connie Sawyer ... Screaming lady
F. Jo Mohrbach ... Fat lady
Garry Goodrow ... Henpecked husband
Enrico Di Giuseppe ... Nanki-Pooh, the Son of the Mikado of Japan
Glenys Fowles ... Yum-Yum, a schoolgirl, betrothed to Ko-Ko
Kathleen Hegierski ... Peep-Bo, a Schoolgirl
Sandra Walker ... Pitti-Sing, a Schoolgirl
James Tomlinson ... Pish-Tush, a Noble Lord
Richard McKee ... Pooh-Bah, Lord High Everythingelse
Jane Shaulis ... Katisha, an Elderly Lady of the Mikado's Court
Shirley Python ... Esme

A newly divorced Gloria Mundy (Goldy Hawn) picks up a hitchkiker, Bob Scott (Bruse Solomon) on California's Highway One north of San Francisco. He is being followed. He makes a date with Gloria for the theater that evening, and gives her a pack of Marlboros into which he puts a roll of film without her knowledge to hold for her. He shows up at the theater, collapses in the seat beside her and dies, after telling her to "beware the dwarf" and that there would be a murder. When she goes for help, the body disappears.

Enter Detective Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase), whom she had met previously at a party. The bad guys try to kill her a couple of times, and to get the pack of smokes, unsuccessfully.

This is an excellent story with a great cast. Pity the dwarf Bible salesman, poor unlucky Stanley Tibbets (Dudley Moore) and the owners of all of the cars wrecked in the chase across town.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

San Francisco at its Best!
Once you see the lead in to the movie with Barry Manilow singing "Ready To Take a Chance Again" and sweet and pretty Goldie Hawn driving south on Highway 1 to downtown...you are hooked.
The view of the coast with the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge is so beautiful it can make you cry. Believe me, it is even more beautiful when you are there. Everything is here in one movie - action, comedy, satire, thrills, car chases, etc. Chevy Chase is young, dashing and handsome while a good supporting actress is Goldie's sidekick at the Library where they work. She advises Goldie to give it to them "right in the nuts" with a knuckle duster. Beware, her handbag has more weapons than cosmetics. Burgess Meredith is superb as a compact ex-US Marine turned anthropologist. He is old but a helluvaa tough guy and.. he's a Karate expert to boot. Dudley Moore is hilarious with his beaver trap apartment complete with piped in Bee Gees music. You'll never hear "Staying Alive" again without remembering this scene and Dudley's hilarious gyrations. Watch this movie and you'll be happy you did. I loved it.

Finally This Will be On DVD
I love this movie. Finally a dvd release date : Nov. 16, 2004. Thank you GOD

always a great film to see
I have always loved this movie. Its great from start to finish. I hear the DVD release date for this movie will be November 16, 2004. Too bad its even that far down the road, and not sooner. Oh well.

This Movie Needs To be Put on DVD!
Foul Play is a hilarious movie and I can't believe it hasn't been given the DVD treatment yet! Seems Like Old Times which Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase made after Foul Play is on DVD and that is also a funny movie but Foul Play is funnier and really should be on DVD. I would love to have either a Letterbox widescreen DVD or an anamorphic widescreen DVD! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Do ya wanna party?" challenges the soundtrack to this freaky and funny reworking of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. Paced to the beat of a pounding rock score, this comic flesh feast delivers both laughs and outlandish gore. No longer lumbering, moaning creatures, these lithe, feral, and cunning undead claw their way out of the cemetery and into the skulls of a human smorgasbord. They even master the art of home delivery: "Send more cops," croaks a corpse into a patrol car radio. Director Dan O'Bannon even takes pains to explain their motivation between the tributes to the granddaddy of zombie horrors ("Well, it worked in the movie!" screams James Karen when a pickax to the skull hardly phases a lively cadaver). Not that it really matters amid the gore and gallows humor, but it does add a kick to the cynically sinister climax. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (141)

"It worked in the movie!"
Re-animated corpses, swearing, blood & gore, full-frontal female nudity, iconoclastic jabs at American culture, and lots of gallows humor--what more could a horror fan ask for?

Any genre fan who has a morbid sense of humor is sure to enjoy 1985's THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. In the same vein as other tongue-in-cheek horror shtick such as the Chiodo Brothers' KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE and Sam Raimi's ARMY OF DARKNESS, this one's specifically a spoof of George Romero's classic and highly revered zombie film NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Director/Screenwriter Dan O'Bannon, probably best known for having penned the original ALIEN movie, does a fantastic job of lovingly poking fun at the Horror and SF genres while at the same time satirizing everything from the U.S. Military to Punk Rock. This movie is not only funny, it's got plenty o' "brains"!

And you can't beat the financial value of the DVD edition. Not only does it cost less than a lot of other full-length, widescreen DVD thrillers--including some that are hardly worth the plastic and aluminum it took to make 'em--but it also includes these cool extras: an optional audio commentary by O'Bannon and production designer William Stout; both the G-rated and R-rated theatrical trailers; over 5-minutes of various TV spots; some storyboard-like production stills; and a really cool "Designing the Dead" featurette, in which O'Bannon and Stout discuss the evolution of the final look and feel of the movie (lots of great shots of Stout's EC-Comics-like designs for the zombies offered in this one).

THIS FILM ON DVD WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT
Well, Well, Well, here's a film that offers great brain food ... RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. This film was a surprise hit in August 1985 when this film was released theatrically. I think both cops and peramedics enjoyed this film as well.

This film stars James Karen, Clu Galuger (Nightmare 2), Thom Matthews (Jason Lives : Friday the 13th Part6), scream goddess Linnea Quigley (who plays Trash in this movie), Miguel Nunez and Marc Venturini (whom both appeared in Friday the 13th Part5 - The New Beginning) and a bunch of other actors we all never heard of.

This film pays homage to Night of the Living Dead - the George A. Romero 1960 classic. It also blends in horror along in with comedy (one of the first horror films to do it) with satisfying results. My favourite part of this film is when Trash (Linnea Quigley) visits the Resurrection Cemetary with her friends and tells them her fantasy of dying - to be attacked by older men and eaten alive - and Trash just happens to get her wish.

This film deals with a medical worker (James Karen) and his assistant (Thom Matthews) encounter cannisters of dead cadavers, that splits open that awakes the dead and they turn to a crematorist for help - with disasterous results. The army eventually gets involved and the dead are ready to party.

This film has a good sound mix for a film of the 80's era. A good 80's soundtrack that is now hard to find. A noted song in this film Tonight (We'll Make Love Till We Die) by SSQ was better known as Stacey Q who would later sign on with Atlantic Records the year later with the #2 hit "Two of Hearts". Unfortunately for Stacey Q, she was a one hit wonder, made two albums and was dropped by Atlantic Records in 1990.

I have nothing but great things to say about this film and this DVD. MGM did a great job with the transfer of this film, both piture and sound quality wise. This film is presented in tis standard version and for the first time in widescreen (1.85:1) version. Extras include a soundtrack commentary, a "Featurette" with the writer and director Dan O'Bannon, tv spots and two theatre trailers. This film is a must have for fans of the genre and of this film. Highly reccomended for cops and peramedics !!!!

This film and DVD is well worth the wait so do get your copy today !!!!

"Not the common Zombie flick"
In this sequel of N.O.T.L.D, a mortician I guess you could say, cremated a Zombie and the smoke from his ashes created acid rain which brought the dead back to life. Like I said it's not the common zombie flick, in this sequel the zombies run and talk, which is kind of a disappointment, but it was something different plus it wasnt a Romero film but it was pretty good. Its worth buying and holding on to. It was pretty cool when they basically interviewed the Head of a zombie to ask why it was killing people, so that was a plus. Pretty good and like I said its definately worth buying.

i love all the return of the livind dead's
hi i just want everyone to know these return of the living dead are the best movies i had ever seen ....i wish so bad they will make a remake of this movie like they did to the dawn of the dead cause these movies were my favorite especially this part ..part1 ....i am so happy they are starting to make zombies movies agin....that i remeber it was residents evil first it was ok but not a real zombie movie then dawn of the dead....now i want my favorite one ...(return of the living dead)remakeings...

Perversely funny and haunting
Taking the old zombie/living dead legends and movie treatments, and then standing them on their ears, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD is a perversely funny and, yet, fiercely frightening movie. A combination of "The Night of the Living Dead," "Thriller", and a little bit of "Sid and Nancy", RETURN OF THE LIVING Dead is a great punk horror film. The tag-lines are hysterical. (My favorite: "Hey, guys, how can you kill something that's already dead?" "You know, Frank, the kid's got a good point there")

Some gruesome special effects, especially the make-up, are effective, but they do not overwhelm the film. The cast, playing it up between tongue-in-cheek camp and true terror, is made up mostly of no ones but they are quite up to the task. RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD is a great horror comedy. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Running Gags
The buddy cop film has often delved into the comic arena, and this is no exception. Where it stands out is how well the comedy is mixed into the films reality. Instead of funny situations, it is the characters legitamate word play that makes us laugh. Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines play the 2 Chicago Cops in search of a drug kingpin played by Jimmy Smits. Director Peter Hyams (2010) does a nice job of balancing between teh comedy and action all the way through a comic homage to the French Connection, a fast car chase ON the elevated train tracks. This is a sturdy film similar in flavor to BEVERLY HILLS COP, and that ain't such a bad thing. This is an inexpensive disc but, don't let the price fool you, its a nice video and audio transfer and a safe purchase.

The original cop buddy dramatic comedy
Before the Lethal Weapon and Die Hard series, there was Running Scared. Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal turn in a wisecracking performance right up there with Mel Gibson, Danny Glover and Bruce Willis. Two of Chicago's top plain clothes detectives, Ray Hughes (Hines) and Danny Costanzo (Crystal) have been duking it out with the bad guys for a long time. Their latest nemesis is Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits, excellent in his movie debut), a drug dealer looking to become Chicago's "next Al Capone". As they pursue Julio, a situation gets out of hand and our boys have to be rescued by a couple of undercover cops, convincing their Captain that Hughes and Costanzo need a break. Next things you know, they're in a bar in Key West, trying to break out of their funk. As they walk out to the beach, there is a crowd of people staring out into the ocean. Danny asks a beautiful woman: "What's going on - did a ship sink or something?" "No.." she replies, "We're watching the sun set." Danny gives her an incredulous look : "The sun sets every day!" She smiles: "Yes - and we come down to watch it every day." Looking back at the ocean, he retorts: "Well, this had better be good!" As they skate, fish and sunbathe the days away (not to mention enjoying the company of a variety of gorgeous bikini-clad babes), they start to enjoy themselves and end up buying a bar ("We'll have wet T-Shirt nights for women over 60!") in preparation of retiring when they return to Chicago. (After seeing these scenes, I just had to visit Key West and have been going back each year ever since!) Relaxed and ready to retire to the good life, they return to Chicago and give their 30 days notice. Upon learning that Julio is continuing his rampage, they vow to put him away before they retire. Many chases (including one on the "el" with a priest and nun as suspect drug couriers), gunfights and general mayhem ensues, leading to the final showdown in the capitol building against incredible odds (after all, what fun is it if the heroes aren't massively overmatched?). I think this is one of the big underrated movies in that it's got lots of action and laughs from this wise-cracking duo. I'm thrilled that this is coming out on DVD as I've worn out two VHS tapes of this flick. If you liked Lethal Weapon and Die Hard, then buy this DVD. You'll enjoy it again and again!

The BEST "buddy cop" movie!!
A guilty pleasure; I probably watch "Running Scared" at least once a year. This is probably the best of the "buddy cop" genre of films and also the best of the "cops n' comedy" movies too - thanks to the onscreen chemistry between Hines and Crystal. (There's a reason why all the Amazon reviews mention this "chemistry" - because it's really there, and it's the backbone of the movie!) The comedy comes not so much from actual punchlines, but from the sense that these two guys are married to one another; razzing each other, sharing a high-five (or even a hug), and having a million inside jokes and rituals that only the other knows. Thanks to the "chemistry" between Crystal and Hines, we believe Constanzo and Hughes are longtime police partners and friends, with a love for each other and a history that goes back 15 years.

Most of the other reviews have covered all you need to know about the movie (one reviewer going so far as to repeat all the dialogue from a scene that could've been cut), so let me digress and just explain what the title means. Police partners Hughes and Costanzo are reckless... going it alone, never calling for backup, hot-dogging, breaking the rules, and generally risking life and limb for the job. But after tasting the good life and handing in their month's notice, the two partners start playing it safe. Suddenly they're running scared, just trying to get through the month without dying. They call for backup. They begin wearing bulletproof vests. "You're being careful," their Captain observes. "Careful gets you killed."

Other reviews compare this movie to "Lethal Weapon" and "Die Hard," but those films - while possessing some comedic elements - lean a little more towards the action side. "Beverly Hills Cop" is a better comparison, but perhaps "Running Scared" could best be compared to "Stakeout" with Richard Dreyfus and Emilio Estevez: both are underrated action-comedy "buddy cop" movies, and both rely heavily on the chemistry of their stars to work... and both DO work. "Scared" is probably the better of the two films, but after buying this one, I recommend you check out the other.

GOOD CHEMISTRY AND TIMING, BUT THE MOVIE IS HIT & MISS..
If not for the crisp camaraderie between Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal as two hardboiled big city cops, this movie had very little going for it.

No catchy oneliners that one'd expect from Billy, just some occasionally amusing banter. No bravura performance ala Lethal Weapon or Tango & Cash, but instead doozy villians who operate like imbeciles and are generally clueless how to give the cops a run for their money.

But perhaps that was the point, the emphasis was meant to be on paperweight comedy rather than sensible action. If that's it, then it makes for a decent Friday night rental. It also has some neat visuals of Chicago.

Classic Comedy and Action but heads
Gregory Hines, and Billy Crystal have the type of chemistry together that most actors wish for. A true classic action/comedy, the originator of the buddy genre. This is where Lethal Weapon, and Die Hard began. This is one of those movies that has become an under appreciated classic. Well worth the price, especially now that is is on DVD. Required viewing for anyone who truely likes the buddy cop movie. ... Read more

Reviews (82)

The movie was good, it's not what people expect from Murphy.
I really liked this movie. It was funny and yet different considering what people usually expect from Eddie Murphy. He was not rude or used a lot of bad language. It shows that he is a very versatile actor. He can do good roles an roles where he hast to be the crudest person on earth. Anyway, I thought that having the animals really talking and their lips were in sinck with thier voices was a job well-done. Some of the actors that you think would never be good as a voice were pretty funny. John Legazamo was good as one of the rats. The drinking monkey was also hilarious. Well, I can say nothing but good for this movie.

vastly superior to the sequel, IMHO
Like a lot of people who believe themselves to be worldly, I put my little barriers up when I encounter a film like "Dr. Dolittle". When you think of yourself as a sophisticate, it's hard to reach the child within. You hope the kid left long ago.

The truth is that few people grow up entirely. Halfway through this movie, I threw in the towel and decided to admit I was enjoying this adolescent gem. It's infectious.

Eddie Murphy's Dr. Dolittle is not recognizable as the character in the Hugh Loftis book. He's been totally updated. The only element left from the novel is Dolittle's ability to talk to animals. He understands them. They converse. Thankfully they do not sing, as they did in the dreadful Rex Harrison musical comedy thirty years ago. That film lost a fortune for Fox Studio. At this late date, Mr. Murphy and friends seem to have recovered its money.

It may seem like a gift to be able to communicate with guinea pigs, owls, dogs, pigs, pigeons and other creatures. This gift could be a one-way ticket to the funny farm, which is the problem Dolittle faces.

One of the best things about "Dr. Dolittle" is that it's short. The producers were wise enough to get in and out before the audience realized this was basically a one joke, one special effect story.

Murphy seems to have undergone a personal transformation in the last few years. Now he is completely at ease and in control in gentle comedies like this and "The Nutty Professor", just as he was in the sexy and crime-driven vehicles that made him a movie star in the 1980s.

It was bathroom humor that earned this picture a PG-13 rating. It may have deserved it, but kids seem to learn this stuff younger these days. Maybe they are just more open than my generation was. This touch of crudeness helps "Dr. Dolittle" to work. Full of smart remarks, these animals are survivors. They are also endearing. They assure that the movie never becomes sickeningly sweet. Besides, nobody expects Eddie Murphy to give up his bad boy image completely.

One element I found interesting is that, despite all the advances in digital special effects, when you see a lot of animals talking on screen, it doesn't look any more real than it did in the days of Francis the Talking Mule. It just cost ten times as much to create the effect.

Laugh out loud comedy.
Dr. John Dolittle (Eddie Murphy) has the so called "perfect life", a beautiful wife, two loving daughters and a career that could not be better. All that changes one night when he nearly hits a dog with his car. As he is leaving, the dog calls him a bonehead then runs off. From that day on his childhood ability to communicate with animals is back. Soon, animals are showing up at his home to get help. His colleagues suspect he's going crazy and many decisions still have to be made regarding the sale of the clinic. Just as everything is about to fall apart, a circus tiger falls seriously ill and it's John's turn to prove to everyone that he's not crazy.

No Repeats
This is a movie I bought first, primarily for the kids because of the reviews. No one ever asked to watch it a second time. I say this because one of my kids was watching the Lion King last night, for the umpteenth time. So yes, I agree that eddie murphy impressed me again with his talent... but it just didn't grab my kids, 3 boys and 2 girls. I had to give it a good rating of 3 rather than a 2 to encourage the making of good movies.

Where's Richard Pryor when we need him?
eddie murphy is a comical guy, but is he really the right guy to play in something as stupid as this? Of course, who is the right guy for it? One of the questions i can't stand to think about in this movie, is how Dolittle hears the animals speak, but their lips move and nobody notices. Can't they connect the dots? Obviously not. And obviously, the filmmakers couldn't either. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In The Postman Always Rings Twice Jack Nicholson teamed up again with his Five Easy Pieces and King of Marvin Gardens director Bob Rafelson for this 1981 version of James M. Cain's hardboiled novel of lust and murder. This version takes a much grittier (and sexually explicit) approach to the material than the slick 1946 MGM version starring John Garfield and Lana Turner. Nicholson plays Frank Chambers, a drifter who happens upon a roadside diner run by Cora Papadakis (Jessica Lange) and her swarthy Greek husband, Nick (John Colicos). Sparks fly, and before you can say l'amour fou, Frank and Cora are making the beast with two backs on the kitchen table. One thing leads to another and they conspire to murder Nick. The movie is still a little too cold and distant to fully convey a hot-blooded passion that leads to murder, but it is a strangely haunting and disturbing film nevertheless. The screenplay is by David Mamet, the photography is by the great Sven Nykvist (Ingmar Bergman's cinematographer), and watch for Anjelica Huston in a supporting role. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Underwhelming
THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (1981) serves as a cautionary lesson to anyone who's considering renting or buying a film on the strength of its starring leads, and then proceeds to plunk down dollars after asking the rhetorical question, "With that cast, how bad can it be?"

Jack Nicholson is drifter Frank Chambers, who washes up in a rural roadhouse run by Nick Papadakis (John Colicos) and his too young (for him) wife, Cora (Jessica Lange). The time is the 1930s, and the place somewhere in the coastal mountains between Los Angeles and San Francisco. After Chambers is employed by Nick as a mechanic in the outpost's garage, Frank and Cora soon ignite a spark of mutual lust that eventually spreads into a conflagration of betrayal, attempted murder, murder, violent sex, insurance company venality, blackmail, and bad driving.

There's a good story here somewhere, so how did it go so badly wrong? Most damaging, there's no likable character for the audience to champion. Nicholson's character is as sleazy and vicious as any role he's ever done. Cora, married to an unsuitable older man for reasons we never learn, initially gains some audience compassion, perhaps. But then, after she demonstrates a cold-bloodedness worthy even of Frank, I ceased sympathizing with the character. Of the lot, only Nick is blameless, but he's such an old fool that it's hard to care.

The supporting cast is no better. The award for Worst Performance In A Negligible Role (Female) has to go to Anjelica Huston as Madge, a lion tamer and manager of a traveling wild cat show, who sports a goofy accent and hairdo worthy of Natasha (of "Boris and Natasha" on the old Bullwinkle TV series). The same award for a male actor is due William Traylor as Sackett, the Los Angeles DA out to nail our heroic couple.

There are only three reasons to view this film. First, if you're a diehard Nicholson fan. I'm not. Second, if you're a diehard Lange fan. I am. But, while she's undeniably gorgeous and indulges in tempestuous sex that would make my Mom blush and fuels my personal fantasies, prurient interest isn't enough to carry the day. Lastly, the scenery surrounding the roadhouse is beautifully pastoral.

I haven't seen the 1946 release of THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, nor do I intend to because Jessica isn't in it. This 1981 version is over-acted, over-scripted, under-edited, and implausible. It's just silly in a lurid sort of way.

Underrated, but still not entirely realized
This remake of the 1946 film which starred Lana Turner and John Garfield is significantly better than its reputation. The script, adapted from James M. Cain's first novel, is by the award-winning playwright David Mamet, while the interesting and focused cinematography is by Sven Nykvist, who did so much exquisite work for Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. An excellent cast is led by Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange, whose cute animal magnetism is well displayed. Bob Rafelson, who has to his directorial credit the acclaimed Five Easy Pieces (1970) and The King of Marvin Gardens (1972), both also starring Jack Nicholson, captures the raw animal sex that made Cain's novel so appealing (and shocking) to a depression-era readership and brings it up to date. Hollywood movies have gotten more violent and scatological since 1981, but they haven't gotten any sexier. This phenomenon is in part due to fears occasioned by the rise of AIDS encouraged by the usual blue stocking people. Don't see this movie if sex offends you.

Lange is indeed sexy and more closely fits the part of a lower-middle class woman who married an older man, a café owner, for security than the stunning blonde bombshell Lana Turner, who was frankly a little too gorgeous for the part. John Colicos plays the café owner, Nick Papadakis, with clear fidelity to Cain's conception. In the 1946 production, the part was played by Cecil Kellaway, who was decidedly English; indeed they changed the character's name to Smith. Also changed in that production was the name of the lawyer Katz (to Keats). One wonders why. My guess is that in those days they were afraid of offending Greeks, on the one hand, and Jews on the other. Here Katz is played by Michael Lerner who really brings the character to life.

Jack Nicholson's interpretation of Cain's antihero, an ex-con who beat up on the hated railway dicks while chasing any skirt that came his way, the kind of guy who acts out his basic desires in an amoral, animalistic way, was not entirely convincing, perhaps because Nicholson seems a little too sophisticated for the part. Yet, his performance may be the sort better judged by a later generation. I have seen him in so many films that I don't feel I can trust my judgment. My sense is that he's done better work, particularly in the two films mentioned above and also in Chinatown (1974), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and such later works as The Shining (1980) and Terms of Endearment (1983).

The problem with bringing Postman successfully to the screen is two-fold. One, the underlying psychology, which so strongly appealed to Cain's depression-era readership, is not merely animalistic. More than that it reflects the economic conflict between the established haves, as represented by the greedy lawyers, the well-heeled insurance companies, the implacable court system and the simple-minded cops, and to a lesser degree by property owner Nick Papadakis himself, and the out of work victims of the depression, the have-nots, represented by Frank and Cora (who had to marry for security). Two--and this is where both cinematic productions failed--the film must be extremely fast-paced, almost exaggeratedly so, to properly capture the spirit and sense of the Cain novel. Frank and Cora are rushing headlong into tragedy and oblivion, and the pace of the film must reflect that. A true to the spirit adaptation would require a terse, stream-lined directorial style with an emphasis on blind passions unconsciously acted out, something novelist Cormac McCarthy might accomplish if he directed film. I think that Christopher Nolan, who directed the strikingly original Memento (2000) could do it.

For further background on the novel and some speculation on why it was called "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (Cain's original, apt title was "Bar-B-Que") see my review at Amazon.com.

All happiness demands its prize!
There we have a well remade from the James Cain's novel . It's good to remind that Visconti made a superb film in 1941 with Ossesione but without this cast and this atmosphere ; Visconti is concerned about other issues and abandons the clues of the film noir.
Nicholson is hired to work in a gas station ; the seductive Jessica Lange (who lives a ficticious live with an alcoholic and inhuman greek husband) establishes the chemical and sexual rapprot with Nicholson and become lovers.
There will be too much to watch in this sordid , nocturnal and bitter tale ; but the dazzling direction of Nichols , the ravishing acting of Lange and the cold blooded mind of Nicholson make a team hard to equal . There are smart twists about Macbeth and his wife in this one (a man without ambition is not a man) . I've always thought the film noir is the last son of the greek tragedy: any happiness is innocent ; and only under this gaze it's possible to understand and to discuss a film like this.

Excellent and fundamental in your golden collection. A cult movie and a classic sample of the purest film noir.
It's remarkable to state that the best trilogy of films noir in the eighties were with this one ; Bad timing and Body heat .

Postman is right, the second time around
Twice is nice. Hollywood had to try twice to get this story right. Lana Turner was beautiful in the 1946 version, but Jessica Lange was something to kill for opposite Jack Nicholson.

Such raw sensuality would easily persuade a man to lose his very soul. Nicholson's part is certainly unscrupulous to begin with, but in Jessica Lange he finds a confederate with even less scruples. The legal loose ends that dangled in the earlier version are avoided this time with a more plausible chain of events... and the story ends when the story ought to end, instead of being dragged on.

Wonderful character and situation development, intriguing and engaging, even when you know the story. Nice twists of the story from the Lana Turner and Italian ("Ossessione" 1943) versions.

Much closer to the book
This movie was much closer to the book than the original movie, which for me was a treat. Filled with torrid sex and self centered reckless abandon, the two main characters convey those in the book as they were meant to be. This fleshes out the story quite nicely and keeps it moving through the twists and turns in the plot. Though there were a couple of minor changes in the story, what surprised me, and really let me down was the very ending. Though viewers should pick up on the irony of the situation, it is really driven home in the book! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

"Our Own Court Of Last Resort"
Michael Douglas and Hal Holbrook star in 1983's "The Star Chamber", an excellent drama which has Douglas portraying Superior Court Judge "Steven R. Hardin", who, time and time again, is forced to return criminals to the streets due to legal technicalities. Eventually, he can take it no more -- and resorts to joining an exclusive nine-member organization composed of fellow judges -- The "court of last resort" (as Holbrook puts it during the film).

Hardin's internal struggle in dealing with his newly-acquired (and ultra-secretive) "power" is dealt with nicely in the film, with Michael Douglas giving an outstanding performance in this reviewer's opinion.

In fact, everyone in this cast is letter-perfect in their parts here. From Douglas (who was 38 years old when he made this movie) .... to Holbrook .... to Sharon Gless (who plays Michael's wife) .... to Yaphet Kotto (who gives a very good and restrained performance as a police detective).

And the actors that the filmmakers got to play the killers and assorted crooks in this movie will give you the willies by just glancing at them. The two main bad guys in the film are played by Don Calfa and Joe Regalbuto, and both are wholly convincing as all get out, especially Calfa as "Lawrence Monk". This guy's "look" and ever-bulging eyeballs just scream "shady character". He'll give you the creeps right from the get-go. Great casting, IMO.

I also very much like the way members of the police are portrayed in "The Star Chamber". They seem like "real" cops to me in this picture; not phony in any manner -- another first-rate job of casting and characterization.

For baseball fans, there are even a few brief "cameos" made by some major-league baseball players (circa 1982 or very early 1983) when the filmmakers took their cameras to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles to film a scene. The two judges (Douglas and Holbrook) take their wives to a ball game between the hometown Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. During the course of this scene, several different Dodgers' and Braves' players appear on screen -- such as veteran Atlanta knuckleballer Phil Niekro (who was pitching against Los Angeles that night), first baseman Chris Chambliss and catcher Bruce Benedict of the Braves, and then-L.A. stars Dusty Baker and Steve Sax.

About the only humor in the movie comes during this Dodger Stadium scene, with several funny lines of dialogue being spoken, such as Holbrook's character repeatedly referring to various Dodger players as "class acts" ("Baker's a class act"; "That Sax is a class act"; "Come on Guerrero! A class act, that guy").

Holbrook gets in another witticism when he looks around at the crowd in bewilderment and utters: "Why does everybody here bring radios? As if they won't believe what they see until Vin Scully tells them HE saw it too." (LOL.)

Sharon Gless gets in a good line too (after discovering that Dusty Baker is making $800,000 a year, which is, of course, a mere pittance when compared to today's ridiculous sports salaries) -- "Eight hundred thousand DOLLARS? That's four times more than the President of the United States makes."

To which Holbrook's character chimes in with -- "Baker's a better hitter." :-)

This "20th Century Fox" DVD sports a very good Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) version of "The Star Chamber"; plus there's a Full Frame/Pan-and-Scan (1.33:1) edition of the movie on the other side of this dual-sided disc.

The Widescreen version is (naturally, IMO) by far the best way to watch this motion picture -- or any other movie that was originally filmed in a Widescreen format.

A good example of the drastic difference between the far-inferior Pan-and-Scan (1.33:1) format and the intended Widescreen (2.35:1) version of this movie comes in DVD Chapter #13. There's a scene which has Hal Holbrook's character (at his home) getting up to get a drink, while Michael Douglas stands on the far right side of the frame. This nicely-photographed scene, via the proper aspect ratio of 2.35:1 Widescreen, shows Holbrook on the far left side of the screen, while Douglas remains in the shot on the far right.

But if you watch the horrid Pan-&-Scan version of this disc, you'll see only Mr. Holbrook during the above-mentioned portion of the film; while Michael Douglas is completely cut out of the shot (due, of course, to the zooming in and "re-formatting" that is required to blow up a 2.35:1 image to fill up a 1.33:1 TV frame.

There are several well-composed shots in "The Star Chamber" that benefit nicely from the w-i-d-e 2.35:1 composition. Lighting and shadows are also used quite effectively here, with "shafts" of light accentuating the visuals in several parts of the movie. The film is in Color, and the colors are well-rendered and natural-looking on this DVD.


Let's take a look at some more information regarding this DVD-Video product................

>> AUDIO -- Three separate Dolby Digital soundtracks are provided -- English 5.1 Surround; Spanish 2.0 Stereo; and French 2.0 Stereo.

>> SUBTITLES -- In English and in Spanish.

>> MENUS -- Static, non-animated variety of Menus. ... Sub-Menus for "Languages", "Scene Selections", and "Special Features". ... No music utilized.

>> CHAPTER STOPS -- 28 total chapter breaks included.

>> BONUS MATERIAL -- The only supplements are two Trailers. One is a full-length Original Theatrical Trailer for "The Star Chamber"; the other is a shorter "Teaser Trailer" for the film.

>> PAPER ENCLOSURE? -- Yes. There is a two-sided, one-page color insert (with Chapter Index). The front side of this insert, btw, features a different photo than that of the cover art on the DVD's Keep Case. Nice job on the DVD photos, IMO.

>> THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE FOR THE FILM -- August 5, 1983.

>> DVD RELEASE DATE -- February 1, 2005.

>> MPAA FILM RATING -- "R" (For Language and Violent Content).

>> FEATURE RUNNING TIME -- 1 hour, 48 minutes.

------------------

This 1983 "sleeper" has awakened on an excellently-presented DVD edition from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment!

If you currently own the Pan-&-Scan-only VHS version of "The Star Chamber", then toss it out immediately and upgrade to this superior DVD version.

Great movie finally available on DVD!
Hard to believe it took so long for this one to be released on DVD!

A class act finally on DVD
This is a real "in your face" drama that has been all but forgotten about.Hopefully the rumors of the remake are true.
A couple of key things without rehashing the plot....great dialogue, especially from Hal Holbrook and the other judges.When they were looking to fill a vacancy in their ranks and a name is brought up, they disdainfully tore up the potential nominee...."he's a lightweight....I'm sure he's nice to his cocker-spanial, but that's just not good enough".Great stuff.And when Holbrook finally explains it all to Michael Douglas..."you are depressingly familiar".I love that line.

Yes, there are some weak plot points in spots, but overall this movie presents complex issues without clear answers.You have to ask yourself...what would you do?The Doctor who's little boy was killed says it all....."You don't escape so easily".That's what makes this so rivoting....no black and white.

Go buy it....its time to get your fingernails dirty.

The only verdict is "guilty," the only sentence is "death!"
It is often said that one of the cornerstones of our criminal justice system is the concept that it is better to let a hundred guilty men go free than to convict one innocent.But what if youhad to live in the community where those hundred guilty murderers and rapists were set free...?

Although an imperfect film, I thought it did a good job of being fair to both sides of the argument (just like the film "Magnum Force"), being unusually free of the usual liberal Hollywood bias.

The criminal justice system will always be flawed, because human beings are flawed, they still make mistakes even when they try their best.But let's face it, even though the standard is supposed to be "proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," day after day after day suave defense attorneys bamboozle sheepish jurors into a standard of "beyond the shadow of a doubt."Many defense attorneys often don't try cases -- they try causes.They ask the jury not to render a verdict based on the evidence or the facts of the case at hand, but instead based on how they feel about some social or political issue that they claim is the REAL reason why their client was charged.Time and again, judges, jurors, prosecutors, police and the public are asked to gouge their own eyes out and lobotomize themsleves into ignoring clear evidence of guilt -- even when it proves guilt beyond the shadow of a doubt -- because of some highly unlikely technical interpretation and misapplication of the letter of the law in order to violate its spirit.To many defense lawyers, the term "intellectual honesty" is an oxymoron....(If you doubt anything in this paragraph, then you've obviously never heard of the OJ Simpson case.)

It is easy to understand Michael Douglas' frustrations as a judge.Clearly, the system needs improvements.But by the end of the film it becomes equally clear that Hal Holbrook's changes are not improvements!Erring too far on EITHER side of the equation erodes people's faith in the system, which results in just the sort of breakdown we see in society today.

So, now that "The Star Chamber" (and "Magnum Force") has shown us the dangers of the criminal justice system moving too far to the right, when is Hollywood going to show us the dangers of it moving too far to the left...?Don't bother holding your breath -- read the newspaper instead....

Judges, Jurors, And Executioners
Michael Douglas portrays an idealistic L.A. County superior court judge who finds himself in a cabal of judges known as THE STAR CHAMBER, in this 1983 film of the same name directed and co-written by Peter Hyams (OUTLAND; CAPRICORN ONE; 2010).His character is frustrated about letting criminals go scot-free on charges ranging from kidnapping to murder because of technicalities; even though the evidence would clearly put these thugs on ice, improper procedures by the police force Douglas to obey the letter of the law and dismiss them.

But he gets a look into this Star Chamber cabal from his mentor (Hal Holbrook, good as ever), where he and seven other judges, plus Douglas now, pass judgment on and later find and execute the criminals.In essence, this Star Chamber consists of judges so fed up with the System that they resort to vigilantism.Douglas, however, doesn't see this particular cabal as the answer, and he has to struggle with this dichotomy.

In a twisted sort of way, this seems like the 1973 Dirty Harry film MAGNUM FORCE as reimagined by John Grisham (though this was years before Grisham was ever widely known).But I think the film, though imperfect in places, makes it clear that a private cabal of judges deciding on the violent punishment of criminals who slip through on technicalities is no better (and realistically far worse) than a flawed prosecution in a real court of law.We may think the justice system is slanted so heavily in favor of the criminals, but that's only because that one day, through some weird twists of fate, we too may find ourselves in the position of the criminals.

Douglas and Holbrook are well-matched here, and Hyams' direction, aided by his co-screenwriter Roderick Taylor, brings out some good points in a somewhat flawed but otherwise well-done courtroom drama that is in need of a revival. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Misunderstood Classic!
I first saw this adaptation in a college film class and have been trying to get a VHS or DVD since. Yes, it is supposed to be funny, but funny odd not funny ha-ha. Absurdist theater takes normal behaviors and exaggerates them so we see how weirdly we act and how distorted our values sometimes are. The character Zero Mostel plays is fastidious in his morals and attire, but even he changes. The character Gene Wilder plays resists to the end, but has to admit the sound of a rhinoceros is stranglely compelling. Are our civilized behaviors just neurotic expression or are we really superior to animals? Oh, by the way, I do find this movie ha-ha funny. But maybe it's a matter of taste.

Hilariious Americanized Ionesco
One of the great things about this DVD is that it includes an interview, taped in 2002, with the film's director, Tom O'Horgan. (He was the guy responsible, along with Galt McDermot, for the original Hair on Broadway). Among other things, O'Horgan talks about the conversion of the original Eugene Ionesco play into a cnematic version, giving great credit to the screenwriter, Julian Barry.

And with good reason. While Ionesco is one of the great absurdist playwrights, his sensibility is decidedly European. This means that the sense of humor expressed in the original play would very likely fall on deaf (American) ears, to a large extent. What the screenwriter has done is to essentially Americanize the dialogue, making it truly hilarious in many scenes.

And of course it helps to have a great cast. The two leads, Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, are perfect for their roles, especially Mostel who is funny enough to make you micturate in your trousers, if you catch my drift. Seen first as a man overly concerned with appearance and manners, he descends, in the course of the film, to the level of the titular creature.

The story is of a small town which is beset by a bizarre plague, if one can call it that--the transforming of humans into rhinos. Ionesco was commenting on the radical changes occurring in society as the Cold War became a reality--meaning, more than anything else, as people had much more to be afraid of than they did before. Fear makes us lose our rationality, become less human. Even become rhinoceri.

This is a really funny film that is just as good now--maybe even better--than it was when originally released in 1974. In supporting roles, Percy Rodriquez and Joe Silver are especially good--staunch representatives of corporate America. Karen Black does a great job as a sexy woman who Stanley (Gene Wilder) works with and is smitten with and eventually anguishes over as he is the sole remaining human in a town full of rhinos.

Much, much better than you might think. Definitely recommended.

A movie about the absurd
Stanley is a bored, alcoholic young man who feels disconnected from the rest of society. His best friend John is contstantly trying to help him to fit in and get over his feelings of awkwardness. One Sunday morning, while the two are at a restaurant, a rhinoceros rampages through the streets. Soon, Stanley notices more and more rhinoceroses and begins to realize that everyone in town is turning into them. Determined not to change, he confronts John with the problem only to watch his transformation in a rhino. As the rest of the world changes, including Daisy, the woman of his dreams, Stanley desparately tries to transform, but realizes that he can't and that he won't.

This is a good adaptation of the absurdist play by Eugene Ionesco and changes the setting from a small French town to a big US city. Wonderful performances by Gene Wilder as Stanley and Karen Black as Daisy; and a standout performance from Zero Mostel as Stanley's friend John. Tom O'Horgan's direction is definitley unique, making it feel as though the viewer is watching a stage play. The only drawback is the bad '70s music that doesn't fit.

The DVD has some great extras including an interview with Tom O'Horgan, an interview with Zero Mostel, information about Eugene Ionesco, and the original movie trailer, to name a few. The trailer gives an idea of how the studio marketed this film as a comedy, even though it views more along the lines of a drama or a very, very dark comedy.

Having read the play in college, I enjoyed this adaptation. If you enjoy a movie that makes you think, then this is definitely the movie for you.

For those who love the quirky and marvelous
I guess I can understand how some folks don't like Ionesco or this play in particular. I have quirky taste. If you like Tim Dorsey or Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiassen, you might like this. I watched it by myself on television long about 1976 or so and almost died laughing.

The film is strangely up to date and topical too, with a kind of virus sweeping New York (IIRC). It's a stagey piece, with the two main actors providing almost all the energy. New Yorkers, being New Yorkers, have varying responses to crises, which is part of the fun.

And the virus itself is a barely disguised version of what really has gripped our nation since this play was written. Everyone should see it at least once.

Well, maybe not everyone.

One of the worst
I see I'm in the minority among Amazon reviewers on this one. All I can advise is that you read what critics have had to say about this film before making a purchase. Most, you will find, rate it as quite poor -- and for good reason.

Some might wish to pick up this DVD for the re-pairing of "Producers" duo Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. Think again. Whatever one may think of the original absurdist Ionesco play that is its source, it's clear that it doesn't work on the movie screen.

In fact, it's excruciatingly bad (and not in an enjoyable way). Even fans of Mostel and Wilder are not likely to find any redeeming value. ... Read more

Description

Troma Entertainment unleashes the Tromillennium Edition of cult favorite CHOPPER CHICKS IN ZOMBIETOWN! Digitally remastered and restored, featuring Academy Award® Winner BILLY BOB THORNTON (Monster's Ball, A Simple Plan, & Sling Blade), Chopper Chicks In Zombietown comes complete with Zombies, Rock N' Roll Music and tough, hard bodied biker beauties! Meet the Cycle Sluts, a rebellious & free spirited gang of female bikers made up of tough-as-nails lesbians, a former homecoming queen, and a mute. The Cycle Sluts leave their troubled lives behind to go on a tour of America only to encounter a town overrun by Zombies created by the local Mad Scientist (Don Calfa - Weekend At Bernie's, Return of the Living Dead, "Barney Miller") to mine nuclear radioactive material. The Cycle Sluts refuse to be run out of town by anyone, including Flesh Eating Zombies! Ganging up with local outcasts, including a school of blind orphans and a dwarf, and armed with black leather, whips, chains, machine guns, chainsaws, and dynamite, the Cycle Sluts know how to fight until the end!A true feminist cult classic, Chopper Chicks In Zombietown literally offers hours of DVD entertainment! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Great spoof of 50s/60s chick biker flicks!
This film has EVERYTHING a good b-movie needs to be a Good b-movie!, el cheapo effects, horrible actors/actresses, Horrible singing, and hot chicks on bikes! given this is Billy Bob Thorton's first endeavor,, he won't win any awards here, but he does o.k.
This film is for those who remember USA's Up All Night with Rhonda Shear!!!!! thats where I saw this Many years ago!
It is also for those who remember the 50's/60's biker movies! And for lovers of cheesy Troma films.
Cheesy acting, horrible but Funny zombies make this a cult classick!
Don't expect a "Night of the living Dead" style zombie flick, this film was made to make ya laugh! At least give it a rent If not interested in buying, otherwise Buy it! its a GREAT one to own and laugh at over, and over again!

So bad it's ..... still pretty bad
When the zombie motif has already been self-parodied with such class and black humour as Romero's Dawn of the Dead and Peter Jackson's hilarious Braindead, any movie trying to follow in those famous footsteps has to be pretty special. And special, Chopper Chicks in Zombietown ain't.

Ok, it's got a few inspired moments - I liked the ice-cream van chiming out "Dance Macabre", the zombie transfixed by the CCTV was amusing, and the Uzi weilding kid bemoaning the zombie attack on their school bus by grumbling "what rotten luck - going blind, being orphaned and now THIS!" has to be the best line by far in the movie. The townsfolk are reasonably well observed 1950's B-movie caricatures, and the choice of weaponry by the chicks in the final showdown with the zombies was quite amusing.

The overall impression however is dull, tedious and lacking the usual Troma gross-out but stylish trademark. Even at only 83 minutes, it feels overlong and the absence of any outtakes or any other bonus material on the DVD makes poor value for money.

I got my copy for just £3-99 in a high street clear-out sale. With a total of three half-chuckles throughout the movie, I don't feel like I got a bargain.

You've got to own this movie
I went to a private showing of this film with Oakland's Harley Owners Group years ago at the Pizza Hut after a Berkeley theater decided to cancel the showing.

This film brings new meaning to the designation "low budget". The "Cycle Sluts" are a pack of tantalizing beauties who ride hard across the desert on shiny new hogs by day and sleep around a campfire each night. However, in every scene the girls appear as though they have just stepped out of the beauty salon.

When the biker women come across a small town and find that the dead are coming back to life,... Sound familiar? This flick doesn't try to hide the fact that it's "The Wild One" meets "Night of the Living Dead". The only way to kill a zombie is by burning it, and just before they burst into flames, the zombies turn to motionless manikins. The plot and the actors get dumber by the minute.

You've got to own this movie. Only one thing -- just don't want to watch it sober.

Zombietown, Indeed.
Well, at least the title is right. The Chopper Chicks come to Zombietown, and...well, that's about it. I loves me some Troma, so I figured "CC in ZT" would at least entertain me for 90 minutes, but nope. This one's a stinker.

Apparently "CC" wants to be a parody. We can tell it's a comedy by the goofy, Candyland-style music that plays when the zombies attack. But what is it a parody of, exactly? Itself? The filmmakers provided themselves with mad scientists, lesbian bikers, midgets, blind kids, and zombies...but they forgot the screenplay. Billy Bob and Martha Quinn should provide some entertainment, right? Well, Martha tries, but Billy Bob is just dull. Don Calfa is in it...he's usually good for a larf or two, right? Nope. The flick is boring, slow-paced, dimwitted, and boring. But hey - you take your chances with Troma, right?

Why did Troma pick this movie up?
Chopperchicks in Zombietown, what an awesome title eh? i really expected way more. let it be known that i am an avid troma fan and know what troma fans like. i bought this movie on a whim because the title sounded so cool, i really wish i hadnt bought it. if youre a billy bob thorton fan, dont even bother his part isnt that big. the movie was just downright boring. if you want a good troma movie get tromeo and juliet, the toxic avenger, or an out of house production like killer condom. this movie is a true disappointment and i wish i could give it no stars at all. ... Read more

Description

A combination of the Old West and the New Testament; a zoot-suited drifter (Allan Arbus) discovers his true calling and begins to perform miracles. What he really prefers though is doing his boogie-woogie song-and-dance act. In his wanderings he attracts many followers and finally gets to play The Palace, a saloon run by ruthless Seaweed Greaser (Albert Henderson). The act is a success, but Greaser's spoiled daughter, Cholera (Luana Anders), his hitherto star, is furious--"A man with holes in his hands is a bigger hit than me?"--and all according to the Gospel of cult filmmaker Robert Downey (Putney Swope, Pound). ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Who is he gip
This movie is one of the best movies of all time featuring such memorable lines as Herve Valaquez yelling for his male, flannel night gown bearded lover, "Petuniaaaaaa . . . Petuniaaaaaaa" or the recurring line throughout the movie, "Who is he gip" or the other line, "If ya feel yer healed" -- this is a can't miss movie.

"I shake my white locks at the runaway sun..."
Addendum to my previous review of "Greaser's Palace": in this film, God The Father looks like Walt Whitman. Since we all know that to be truly the case, it is another reason to recommend the film.

Jesus-Krishna
Jesus copulates with a young woman in the front cab of a surrey-with-the-fringe-on-top. He does quite a good job of it-their ecstasy is such that said surrey collapses. Was reminiscent of the fable of Krishna and the milkmaids (although this paralell theme here is handled with ridiculous, outrageous humor- that's fine, humor doesn't have to take a back seat to solemnity!).

Also stuff about valuing humanity over technological comfort- meaning, as a cautionary not to become too enamored of the creation of man instead of recognizing the value of the creation of God.

Also stuff about how some meanness in this world could be the result of dyspepticism.

Good camera work. Good music (which creates a religious feel).

Way to go, Robert Downey, Sr.!!!

This film will mess you up.
It's a good thing that Robert Downey opted to run the credits first, because after you see the film, you have to sit there and try to process exactly what you just saw. You kind of have an inkling that it had something to do with the New Testament and the Old/Wild West, but somewhere along the way SOMEBODY dropped the brown acid just to see if it was as bad as they said it was at Woodstock. And you know what? It was.

This is a film you will want to show to your friends to see how they react...much like the British couple that kept the placenta from their most recent child's birth, made a pate and served it to friends at a dinner party. Just remember...your friends may not feel up to operating a car or any other kind of heavy machinery after viewing this.

Don't you want to buy it now?

A Bent Classic
This truly warped classic almost defies description. A zoot-suited Jesus Christ parachutes into the old west. He is on his way to Jeruselem to be a star. All he wants to do is sing and dance and he gets to do both at Greaser's Palace...a saloon run by Seaweedhead Greaser, who spends a lot of time in a lofty outhouse trying to entice a bowel movement, while the townsfolk (and a mariachi band) wait below in anticipation. I don't know if this movie has a hidden message and I don't really care. It is prime lunacy from start to finish (why is that Indian smacking himself on the back, mercilessly, with an old boot?) and if it was meant to offend religious people, I think it succeeds gloriously. This movie belongs on your shelf next to other genre classics like "....And God Spoke", "Life Of Brian" and "Dogma".
Get your copy now....this one's a real jaw-dropper!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the best comedies of the 1970s, Blake Edwards's ode to midlife crisis and the hazards of infidelity now plays like a valentine to that self-indulgent decade, and it's still as funny as it ever was. In the signature role of his career (along with "Arthur"), Dudley Moore plays a songwriter with a severe case of marital restlessness, and all it takes is a chance encounter with Bo Derek (in her screen debut) to jump-start his libido. Julie Andrews plays Moore's wife, who will only tolerate so much of her husband's desperate need to reaffirm his sexual vitality, while Moore pursues Derek to a tropical rendezvous. The action builds to the now-famous bedroom scene that sent everyone rushing to the music store for their own copy of Ravel's Boléro. Talk about a classical climax! --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Five Stars for Dudley and Julie
In 10, Dudley Moore gives a five star performance on two fronts as both a comic and music genius. Film fans may be unaware that Moore scored several films and performed as a concert pianist in his career in addition to his acting talents.

Moore plays a fortyish songwriter who has developed the mother of all mid-life crisis's. Julie Andrews (who looks fantastic here BTW) shines as his impatient love interest and Bo Derek is lovely as Dudley's fantasy girl. Brian Dennehy and Dee Wallace-Stone are very good in supporting roles.

The DVD transfer is good especially for a film that has a little age. The sound is mono only which is disappointing but understandable. This is one of Blake Edwards best films and a must see for fans of romantic comedy. It is sad and sobering to realize that both Moore's and Andrew's gifts have been diminished by illness. Grab this DVD and take time to remember how really talented they both are.

Pleasant little outing for Dudley Moore and Bo Derek
Buying this DVD shortly after the unfortunate demise of Dudley Moore brings home how little of the artists work is currently available on DVD and CD.

Growing up in England in the 1960s in England it was hard to miss the revolution that was taking place in comedy as well as in other areas of the arts. Dudley Moore was an integral part of that revolution along with his friend and colleague Peter Cook. Sadly much of their recorded output is no longer available. Even sadder is the growing number of those performers who were part of that revolution who are no longer with us.

10 is the story of a wealthy composer who has everything that money can buy and a long-suffering girlfriend played by Julie Andrews who has a mind of her own.

Moore sees Derek, in her first starring role, and pursues her through a series of misunderstandings from the moment he first sees her on her way to a wedding to finally being alone with her in her hotel room where he discovers her to be a hedonist only seeking self-gratification.

The movie is notable for the consideable degree of nudity and for it's moralising on the relaxed social attitudes, if in fact there were any, following on from the nineteen sixties social revolution. There is a moralising tone throughout as we follow Dudley's escapades and although there are a number of humourous situations it is hard to tell whether it was intended as a comedy or whether there was a more dramatic intent.

It is nevertheless a warm nice movie and in some ways is more representative of Dudley Moore the person than his other silver screen appearances. Bo Derek gives a faultless performance as the pleasure seeking girl but that is all her role is limited to. Julie Andrews will forever remain to me the way she was in the Sound of Nusic and that is all I can say about it.

This DVD is a pleasant way to remember Dudley Moore. He would be better remembered if his catalogue of films and music were once again to be made available for public pleasure and enjoyment.

Good movie - poor casting
I would just like to use this space to contest that Bo Derek never was qualified enough to be a 'sex symbol' character in anything. So, to cast her in this movie as the 'sex' interest of Dudley Moore doesn't quite work. (I keep wanting someone to yank those raggedy beads off her odd looking head.)

I would also like to give a special message to John Derek: John, may Providence strike you down for subjecting us to misshapen, no-talent hacks such as Bo Derek and Linda Evans. Two unsexy and boring women (unless one is in to women who look like Skeletor from He-Man).

Also, Julie Andrews gives one the impression of being Dudley's mom, not his wife. Why not cast Doris Day as the wife of Dudley's character?

Sorry all, I had to vent.

Likeable comedy
This is a likeable, interesting comedy. The movie is mostly remembered for Bo Derek, but her screen time is far less than the two main stars, Dudley Moore and Ju