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Reggie Reynolds wants to be a basketball superstar and when the neighborhood junkman sells him a magical pair of sneakers, his dreams come true. But his future is threatened by a shady sport shoe manufacturer. ... Read more

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Director Oliver Stone added 17 minutes of previously unseen footage for the "director's cut" edition of his hypnotic courtroom epic about the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963. That fateful day in Dallas set in motion a sequence of events that would only intensify the mystery behind Kennedy's death, causing New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) to begin an investigation that would gradually become a personal obsession. Bravura filmmaking combined with controversial treatment of historical facts and audacious speculation, this breathtaking revision of history presents a mesmerizing parade of shady figures and conspiracy theories, unfolding like a classic mystery based on history's greatest unsolved crime. A technical triumph boasting Oscar-winning cinematography and editing, Stone's film is guaranteed to grab the viewer's attention with its daring take on the JFK controversy. The stellar supporting cast includes Tommy Lee Jones, Joe Pesci, Jack Lemmon, Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, Kevin Bacon, and Gary Oldman as Lee Harvey Oswald. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (228)

One of the Great Docu-Dramas of All Time
Stone's masterpiece is a marvelous work of cinematic choreography and script-writing. It is equally a profound contribution to media genres which strive to stimulate thought rather than repress it.

The film's importance does not simply end with the movie theaters and reviews. And it is no less significant that even cable-TV channels seem bent on avoiding the film. It had a deep impact on American government, provoking a landmark piece of legislation in the US Congress, passing as the 1992 JFK Records Collection Act. The Act itself was unprecedented, mandating a unilateral review of classified government documents across the entire cabinet-agency landscape by independent academics appointed by the President.

Immediately after the preview of the film before both houses of Congress -- and before its release to the public -- critics scrambled to destroy the film, arguing that it was filled with misleading fiction about Dealey Plaza and that it shamefully revised history, placing a false understanding of historical fact in the minds of America's young. Let's examine those criticisms carefully.

Stone used dramatic artifice to protect living witnesses of the events surrounding Dealey Plaza, and to chronologically relocate factual correspondence and exchanges between the two star consultants to his film-making -- Jim Garrison (d. 1991) and Col. L. Fletcher Prouty (d. June 5, 2001). He replaced Perry Russo -- Garrison's keystone witness in the 1968 Clay Shaw trial -- with a fictional homosexual prostitute in Angola Prison, portrayed by Kevin Bacon in the film. Russo got a bit part in the barroom scene at the beginning of the film. The correspondence between Garrison and Prouty occurred between the late 1970s and the early 1990s, so Stone moved it into the context of the Clay Shaw trial with the fictional meeting of Garrison and "Mr. X" near the Lincoln Memorial on the Capital Mall.

Except with some minor liberties taken with the film's reporting about the death of Eladio del Valle, it dramatically presents the Shaw trial in a reasonably accurate evidentiary context. The film draws much material from Garrison's own book -- "On the Trail of Assassins" (1987).

Viewers who wish to expand their understanding of the facts and suspicions presented in the film will do well to pause the second VHS tape during the black-and-white flashback recalled by Mr. X of the phone conversation presented from the perspective of "General Y's" office, so that they can read the US government nameplate behind the vase on the General's bookcase. With the passage of the Records Act, several witnesses and investigators came forward to publish their memoirs, absolved of their non-disclosure agreements with the government. Viewers who want to examine the publications precipitated by the film can begin with Mr. X and read Prouty's memoir -- "JFK: The CIA, Vietnam and the Assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy" (2nd ed. 1996).

Some viewers and many dabblers in the forthcoming literature of the assassination are glib in their recommendation of Gerald Posner's "Case Closed" -- a work that is suspect just in its timeliness, and which can be torn apart with new evidence and facts. I argue that Stone, despite his many detractors and criticisms of the "Natural Born Killers" film satire, is a film-maker committed to the Truth. That "JFK" merely presented pointers on the assassination-research compass to a general audience was sufficient to Stone's apparent purpose. Its instrumental role in catalyzing the Records Act is irrefutable history. To say he took some liberties with his material is equivalent to saying that Shakespeare adapted the history of Julius Caesar and took advantage of the Elizabethan stage as a money-grubbing opportunist.

The difficulty with the history of Dealey Plaza is the political layer of reality which surrounds it. When the trail-signs enter the exchange of political dialogue about the Dealey Plaza history, certain partisan "believers" either tend to run away or throw stones -- no pun intended. Stone avoids noting those consistent trail-markers that bear a particular partisan stamp -- preferring instead to examine the overall landscape of special interests surrounding the government agencies central to the film's plot. He looks beneath the political icing to reveal the actual cake itself. As the historians of American film-making add to the public's appreciation of the genre in the Future, Stone will be remembered every bit as well as Orson Welles for "Citizen Kane". In fact, both directors bore deep scars on their careers that were consequential to the release of their respective masterpieces.

Makes You Question Reality
This is the best film you could ever watch about the JFK assassination. The movie compells you to research the events leading up to the conspiracy that ended the life of the 35th President of the United States.

Some people have complained that elements within the "JFK" version of the conspiracy are historically inaccurate and fabricated. This was done on purpose by Oliver Stone so people will look at the real-world evidence for themselves and discover the truth. What is the truth? The truth is that a conspiracy occured on November 22nd, 1963 because there is no way in the entire existence of universe that one man could engineer all the events that led up to Kennedy's assassination.

Those who continue to believe that Oswald did it alone will always be in denial and are forever brainwashed by the Warren Commission. Anybody who watches the Zapruder film and doesn't see the glaring evidence of a gunman on the grassy knoll when Kennedys head falls back and to the left during the head-shot is either ignorant, stupid or both. People who believe that Arlen Specters "magic bullet" can pause, stop, spin and do U-turns in mid-air to make the seven wounds in Kennedy and Connally, will believe the moon is made out of green cheese and walk off a cliff when told to do so.

Two versions of history have been a war with each other since that fateful day in 1963; written history and memorized history.

Written history is designed for those who want to control your thoughts with mind control. Memorized history will always keep your mind free from those who want to control your thoughts.

Movie-making At Its Best! All Of It True -- Unlikely!
Oliver Stone's landmark JFK from 1991 made me think twice about what happened in Dallas nearly four decades past, on November 22, 1963. But how could so many different agencies possibly ALL be involved in such a massive plot of assassination and never have anybody from any of these agencies leak any information?! I guess Mr. Stone just wanted to touch every possible base, and throw in the kitchen sink, to boot! But, as far as the filmmaking here, I loved it! Great authentic 1963 shots of Dealey Plaza have been re-created for the movie, intercut with actual news and amateur footage throughout the film. It really is, at times, hard to discern between the re-creations and actual archival footage! The editing of this picture is on a level way above anything else you're likely to see anywhere! Buy this one, but watch the contents with a grain of salt at your side.

Simply One Hell Of A Movie
By in large most of the criticism of JFK is based on Oliver Stones' use of poetic lisence to rewrite the events of October 22, 1963. Personally, I find for better or worse the most plausible explainations surrounding the JFK assassination to be found in Gerald Posner's brilliant book, "Case Closed". Whether you want to believe it or not, 90% or more of the findings in the Warren Commission's report are irrefutable. Yes, there are many unanswered questions, and JFK the movie sheds little or almost no light on these. But, that does not take away from the stunning artistic value of this great motion picture.

Stone treats the entire story, start to finish almost as a Hitchcock thriller. Sure we know where the story is heading and of course there is no surprise ending. So how does he keep us intrigued for two solid hours? How do we remain transfixed on the characters; Osewald, Ruby, Clay Shaw, Jim Garrison and others? Simplely put this project was flawlessly cast, expertly edited, well written and masterfully directed.

Oliver Stone has made some great movies, The Doors, Wall Street, Platoon and Natural Born Killers to name a few. But, JFK will remain his masterpiece. Forget the historical incorrectness. Don't get hung up on the conflicting information from the Warren Commission and other sources. It's easy to dismiss this flim as inaccurate or half-truth. It is however, much harder to dispute the artisic value found here. This is simply one hell of a movie.

Undeniably a great film...
Most of the controversy over this movie has to do with whether it is historically accurate. But Oliver Stone's JFK does not make a grand statement as to what the facts are; it merely pokes about a hundred holes in the Warren Commission's account of what happened. At the end of this riveting film, you are left with the sense that Jim Garrison may not have been barking up the right tree, but the lone nut theory (along with the single bullet and all the rest) seems equally implausible.

Regardless of the historical facts, this is not a documentary, it's a fascinating film inspired by real events, a scary imagining of what might have been. The acting is first-rate, the editing is the best Stone has ever done and the soundtrack is haunting.

Slamming this film over accuracy alone would be like slamming Shakespeare for taking liberties with the lives of certain British rulers and ignoring the work itself.

BTW, I felt that the director's cut did not do much to advance the film. I would have preferred these as deleted scenes, because they slow down the otherwise very taut direction... ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Heart Warmer
I bought this because when Gregory Hines recently died I wanted to see those movies he did that I had missed. Perhaps a poor reason, but better late than never. He was an accomplished actor and dancer. This DVD has a great price on it as well for the entertainment you will get out of it. I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of those feel good sleepers you run across now and then.

When Hines, playing a paraplegic, decides to enlist the aid of a blinded football star, played by D' Onofrio, to win a white water race, anything can happen. The friendship that develops is earned through hard work and the realization that no matter what, we can move forward with our lives.

Fans of movies like "Brian's Song", "Field of Dreams", "Cool Runnings", and "Amazing Grace" should enjoy it. Other than some ocassional bad language the movie is suitable for most the family.

Totally Underrated!!
This is a fabulous "feel good" movie. I've watched it a dozen times and it's still a favorite to pop in the VCR when company comes calling. This movie never got the publicity it deserved so it's pretty much a surprise when I play it for guests. Then, everyone wants a copy. I probably would never have heard of it myself if my mom hadn't been an extra in it. It was filmed in Winchester Bay, Oregon where my mom had a gift shop.

This film is an satisfactory way to spend 96minutes.
I bought this film sight unseen as that is the only way I could see it. No video store had it.{most had never heard of it}And waiting for it to show up on t.v. could take months. I have had mixed results buying films unseen but this one did not disappoint. It won't go down as one of the best I have seen but I don't get the feeling the people behind it were shooting for greatness. They were just trying to tell the story of two men trying to rise above a handicap. And as that it works well. It contains a GREAT deal of bathroom humor. I'm not bothered by it but it's dwelt on to the point it becomes a little tiresome. Otherwise it's an enjoyable film. The performances by Hines and D'Onofrio are VERY good. I found D'Onofrio very belivable as a blind man and most of the films dramatic burden is carried by him. I am sure I'll spend 96 minutes with it agian.

A Pleasant Surprise
I first caught this flick whilst doin' a little insomnia-ridden late-night channel-surfin' a few years back. After encountering nothing but infomercials, I was kinda surprised to discover some real programming! I was just about to see what was brewin' on the next channel up when I saw Vincent D'Onofrio as the blinded and bitter formed NFL superstar Tony 'Olee' Olezniak. Aside from his role as the screw-up-come-Section-8 'Private Pyle' from 'Full Metal Jacket' and the giant-roach-in-disguise in 'Men In Black', I've never really taken a look at D'Onofrio's other thespian efforts, and was curious to see what he could do here. I must admit, he plays a pretty convincing blind man (reminded me of a few sightless folks I befriended many years back). He and Gregory Hines (as 'Lem' the easygoing-yet-oft-irritated paraplegic) display some good comedic chemistry in this umpteenth incarnation of the well-worn 'unlikely-partners-who-start-to-bond-and-actually-like-one-another-at-the-end' comedy with a bit of the 'road-trip' and 'underdogs-overcoming-adversity' formats thrown in for variety.

For a movie about 'gimps' (as Lem likes to call the handicapped), 'Good Luck' is surprisingly light-hearted. The often sophomoric and occasionally scatological humor hewn throughout this production (especially the 'playing-chicken-with-a-train' scene and the part where Olee asks Lem to describe a certain... thing) conveys reasonably solid proof that things aren't being taken too seriously 'round here. Aside from the funny stuff, 'Good Luck' has a little somethin' for everyone! There's Joe Theismann's cameo for all the pro football nuts. There's the pot-farmer-with-a-heart-of-gold to attract the sodbusters AND the stoners. A brief appearance by James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader, is a virtual Star Wars-fan pheromone. The bug-eyed Robert O'Reilly, best known as the Klingon chancellor Gowron on NextGen and DS9, is a sure-fire Trekkie draw. There's even a chicken-foot-wielding, blackjack-playing small town mayor that's sure to bring in... um... well, someone-or-other. And I haven't even gotten to the guy with a clock on his hat yet! I tells ya, this baby is a marketing executive's dream!

'Late

Post Script: If you're interested in buying 'Good Luck' on DVD, be sure to get the Gold Series version (UPC #7-83722-70673-2 / ASIN: B00004ZBHC)! Its picture quality is slightly better (though not by much) than the earlier release, which had some pretty bad 'ghosting' and pixelation. And the new release's sound mix is much better than that of its predecessor!

'Later

Basically, I can watch any movie with Vincent D'onofrio
When I found this movie at the video store I was little nervous but after about fifteen minutes into it I really started to enjoy it. Yes, it is most definitely a guy movie and there is some vulgar bathroom humor. But, the acting and the theme make this a worthwhile rental. I really wish this movie was longer because near the end is when you can really feel the chemistry between D'onofrio and Hines. They really get comfortable with one another and I wanted more. The last thirty minutes of the movie is absolutly terrific because it just really picks up once they get to Gold City. Plus, the audience gets a better indepth perception of Olee(especially) and Lemely. I think that Vincent D'onofrio does a good job at playing a blind man. Unlike some actors he makes it believable throughout that he cannot see(it very natural it is like he is not acting, the way it should be). Rent this movie it is good I mean it only made like 40,000$ at the theater these small films need our support and plus how can you not respect an actor who can do a multimillion dollar film(Men in Black) and then do a tiny film like this one in the same year. Also, I would like to add that I am quite jealous of the guy who wrote a review and he was in the movie. I mean that is pretty cool it is pretty hard to top that! Hey I can be emailed at littlejake4@ivillage.com if you like the film or not. ... Read more

Reviews (194)

This DVD is incredible!
First off, the 5.1 sound is terrific, even the opening credits will blow you away! And the picture has INCREDIBLE color representation. The menus are very fun too, and have very cool graphics. Like a previous reviewer says, the collector series is a better buy than the limited edition, because this one is almost as well loaded and is several bucks cheaper. You'll enjoy this film again and again with the DVD version.

An entertaining sci-fi comedy.
The Plot:When an alien comes downs to earth to steal something extraordinary, something anything you could expect. When special agent named Kay(Tommy Lee Jones) needs a new parner to show him the ropes. When he meets an street smart cop(Will Smith), who has meet an alien. Since Kay has a feeling that the Cop could be a great secert agent, if he gives up the life he has. When the cop decided, then he become Jay(Smith). Jay has become to know every alien life form, which every alien is different. Including some alien are Criminals. When the alien comes down to earth, the alien makes trouble to get and steal something unique, the alien will do anything to get it. When Jay and Kay discover get mixed up by another aliens, including a plot, the coming of the end of the world. Jay and Kay will do anything to stop and save the world, if they could.

This limited edition 2 set DVD, Disc one has a excellent anomorphic widescreen transer(1.85:1) and Pan and Scan in also alivable in this Dual layer DVD. Also a visual commentary by Director-Barry Sonnenfield(The Addams Family 1&2, Wild Wild West) and actor-Jones. Also extra commentary for this editon by the Director-Sonnerfield, Make-up artist-Rick Baker and Industrial Light & Magic team. Also Dolby 5.1 Surround and Dolby 2.0 Surround is in english. Also french Dolby 2.0 Surround track. Disc 2, has a lot of extras like in Deleted and extended scenes, behind the scenes featurettes, edited your own scene and a lot more of extras. This film has a thin plot but it has great winning special make-up effects, Good CGI effects, and wonderful comic performances by Jones and Smith. Grade:A-.

Very funny
I saw when I was younger and I thought it was pretty funny. When I got it for Christmas, Iwatched and it was hilarious! I was so surprised. If you're looking for some laughs, this movie is great! It's not just a sci-fi film.

Smart and Fun.
Aliens are alive on Earth! Disguised as normal people, they live normal lives, for the most part. Like any group of people, um, intelligent creatures, most are good but - there are some bad ones out there. M.I.B. tells the story of Earth's unofficial "alien police" who keep the "bad" aliens in line.

In particular, M.I.B. tells the story of a new potential agent (Wil Smith) on his first case. An assassin alien has come to Earth to kill the prince of an alien empire and steal a rare jewel. Lead by a veteran agent played by Tommy Lee Jones, both agents try to save the prince and capture the assassin.

During the chase, we are treated to the birth of an alien octupus, exposed to amazing technologies, and given "credible" explanation to some of the enduring mysteries of our time. This movie delivers on both the action and comedy fronts. It is funny on many levels, very enjoyable. Usually I like to compare this movie to another because we all have different senses of humor, but it is hard to do here. M.I.B. may not be unique, but I don't know of any films quite like it. Recommended.

Thrilling and Funny
It keep your attention with tommy-lee jones and having will smith there just adds the right amount of comedy. I say anyone over then would like it! It has awsome special affects too! ... Read more

Reviews (317)

Kubrick Had His Duds, Too
...and this is one of them. People wouldn't defend this film so zealously if it had been made by someone other than Kubrick, but his cult of enigmatic personality drives many to believe that he could do no wrong. You'll see a similar blind loyalty to Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut."

This is NOT "one of the best war movies of all time"...that's silly. It doesn't even approach "Patton" in terms of character, nor does it rival "Tora Tora Tora" in scope. "The Deer Hunter" and "Apocalypse Now" are both superior psychological dramas, and "Saving Private Ryan" does a better job of portraying the simultaneous heroism/obscenity of battle. What you do get with "Full Metal Jacket" that you don't get with those other films is Kubrick's trademark pessimism about human beings, which is neither insightful nor particularly interesting. But then most people these days think that good art expresses only one thing--nihilism. At his worst, Kubrick fed that mistaken belief.

short & sweet
don't worry, this is not another one of those long, boring, meaningless not so desriptive reviews.....instead, i'm gonna make this short & sweet and to the point.....i own this DVD, and a big part about being a succcessful dvd collector's is determaining which movies are worth buying and keeping and trust me when i say this people....."FULL METAL JACKET" is definitely worth keeping....to my own personal opinion, FULL METAL JACKET has got to be the greatest war movie ever made, but don't get me wrong, there has been quite a few really great one's just recently released....Pearl Harbor....Black Hawk Down...We Were Soldiers....and i'm almost positive that the upcoming WINDTALKERS directed by the famous renound action super director Jon Whoo starring Nicholas Cage will be one of the best this decade.....but all these movies lack ONE major ingredient, "the roots" of war....all great soldiers come from SOMEWHERE, and "fullt metal jacket" shows you exactly where to find them, this movie is my all time favortie and would recommend it to ANYONE.....whether your a collector or not, and even if it's not the LIMITED EDITION COLLECTOR'S SET, the movie stands on it's own...a solid 5 star rating! without a doubt...WHOA!

Do you talk the talk?
Another great war movie, they even let us watch this in Marine bootcamp for Christmas. Skipping past that, it really brings out the madness of war, getting radio commands from someone far away that make no sense to those on the ground and under fire. How quickly civilians could turn into VC, the boredom between chaos, lots of aspects of war are covered here that you'll never find in the Bruckheimer-Simpson garbage. Moving flick, no Platoon, or Apocalypse Now, but one of the great war films.

The violence feels real, both physically and mentally
Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this 1987 film packs a terrific wallop as it follows the dehumanization of marine recruits as they are first prepared for Vietnam and later sent there. As in other Kubrick films which deal with the dark side of human nature, there's a voice-over narrator and some extreme closeups, particular one called "the glare" in which a character tilts his head slightly down with his eyes looking up. The title itself refers to a shell casing, a metaphor for the tough hollow fighters that these men will eventually turn into. And from the first scene, which is that of an off-camera barber shaving the heads of the recruits, we see their depersonalization as their hair, which once made them unique individuals, is shaved off.

Boot camp takes up more than half of the film, with R. Lee Emery, a former marine sergeant himself, cast in the role of the drill sergeant. His creativity in insults and curses is amazing as he prods the weak spots of the men under his command, especially the chubby misfit he labels "Private Gomer Pyle", played brilliantly by Vincent D'Onofrio who won a Golden Globe award for his performance. Aggression is glorified, with serial killers used as examples of excellent marksmanship as the men are taught to worship their rifles, which they treat as objects of love and recite scripted allegiances to them. It's not surprising when this training results in an act of violence.

The scenes that follow in Vietnam are not as strong as the earlier ones, but clearly show how the training both saves the men's lives and dehumanizes them. Short, episodic scenes set the stage for the final one, where we see the men have come full circle from the recruits they used to be. And when they are finished with the battle, war weary and left with the visions of some hard choices they have had to make, they march back to base singing a popular child's song, in which they spell out the words "Mickey Mouse" to a familiar tune. The resulting effect is chilling.

The video moved fast, holding my attention in an iron grip. I was fascinated and horrified and couldn't keep my eyes off the screen as it bolted along. I felt the agony of the boot camp experience, especially for the misfit, and the horror of Vietnam, including what it must have been like for the Vietnamese. The film made a statement about inhumanity loud and strong. Clearly, it was one of the best war films I've ever seen. The violence is real, both physically and mentally. Highly recommended, but be prepared for discomfort.

Waste of time
Ugh i was so mad! I thought it was going to be a good funny yet serious movie, but it was horrible. First when i was watching it i thought it was about the fat guy then all the sudden its about the journalist, what the heck i didnt follow that story. It should have just ended right when boot camp was over. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After the comparative success of Boys Life, four more buddingfilmmakers were invited to share their talents in aquartet of unorthodox--and very different--20-minute stories about being a gaymale in the four corners of America. Boys Life 2 isn't as affecting asthe original, maybe because the stories are less personal, have less time todevelop character and narrative, and focus more on surface effect--they'rerather like going cruising instead of looking for true love. In fact, only oneof the shorts--"Alkali, Iowa," by Mark Christopher (who later directed 54)--has real resonance and depth. The rest are tainted by stereotypesand buffed-up eye candy ("Must Be the Music" by Nickolas Perry); oddball blackhumor ("Nunzio's Second Cousin" by Tom DeCerchio, which stars Vincent D'Onofriodoing that ranting and raving thing he does so well); and enigmatic wisp ("TheDadshuttle" by Tom Donaghy). Boys Life dealt with freshman themes--firstcrush, first love, and first realization of one's sexual identity--while BoysLife 2 is a second glance, older and a little bit wiser, and more jaded.Like many second efforts it suffers from that thing called "sophomore curse" anddoesn't live up to the early promise and the more soulful impact of itspredecessor. --Paula Nechak ... Read more

Amazon.com

Good Luck--which played the 1997 film festival circuit under the unwieldy title The Ox and the Eye--is a casebook example of good intentions getting in the way of good filmmaking. This is one of those eager-to-please movies that works well on the surface while perpetuating a stereotypical (and therefore condescending) perception of the disabled. The story is strictly movie-of-the-week fodder, involving the odd-couple pairing of a former football star (Vincent D'Onofrio) who was blinded in a freak tackling accident, and a paraplegic (Gregory Hines) who dreams of entering a popular white-water rafting competition on Oregon's Rogue River.

Hines convinces the bull-headed D'Onofrio to join him in the competition, defying all those bumpkin nonbelievers who doubt that two "cripples" can pilot a river raft, and Good Luck settles into its predictable feel-good plotting. The movie is most enjoyable when Hines and D'Onofrio simply play off of each other's considerable talents, and humorous dialogue enables them to give engaging performances (although we could do without the gratuitous profanity and D'Onofrio's gleeful description of a prodigious bowel movement). The problem with this movie is that it avoids depth at every turn, favoring triumph-over-adversity clichés and offering nothing new (or particularly authentic) in its handling of the physical and emotional issues of blindness and paralysis. The direction varies from adequate to amateurish, and by the time the movie indulges an obligatory ending that's pregnant with saccharine uplift, only the most gullible viewer will be suckered into feeling good. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Heart Warmer
I bought this because when Gregory Hines recently died I wanted to see those movies he did that I had missed. Perhaps a poor reason, but better late than never. He was an accomplished actor and dancer. This DVD has a great price on it as well for the entertainment you will get out of it. I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of those feel good sleepers you run across now and then.

When Hines, playing a paraplegic, decides to enlist the aid of a blinded football star, played by D' Onofrio, to win a white water race, anything can happen. The friendship that develops is earned through hard work and the realization that no matter what, we can move forward with our lives.

Fans of movies like "Brian's Song", "Field of Dreams", "Cool Runnings", and "Amazing Grace" should enjoy it. Other than some ocassional bad language the movie is suitable for most the family.

Totally Underrated!!
This is a fabulous "feel good" movie. I've watched it a dozen times and it's still a favorite to pop in the VCR when company comes calling. This movie never got the publicity it deserved so it's pretty much a surprise when I play it for guests. Then, everyone wants a copy. I probably would never have heard of it myself if my mom hadn't been an extra in it. It was filmed in Winchester Bay, Oregon where my mom had a gift shop.

This film is an satisfactory way to spend 96minutes.
I bought this film sight unseen as that is the only way I could see it. No video store had it.{most had never heard of it}And waiting for it to show up on t.v. could take months. I have had mixed results buying films unseen but this one did not disappoint. It won't go down as one of the best I have seen but I don't get the feeling the people behind it were shooting for greatness. They were just trying to tell the story of two men trying to rise above a handicap. And as that it works well. It contains a GREAT deal of bathroom humor. I'm not bothered by it but it's dwelt on to the point it becomes a little tiresome. Otherwise it's an enjoyable film. The performances by Hines and D'Onofrio are VERY good. I found D'Onofrio very belivable as a blind man and most of the films dramatic burden is carried by him. I am sure I'll spend 96 minutes with it agian.

A Pleasant Surprise
I first caught this flick whilst doin' a little insomnia-ridden late-night channel-surfin' a few years back. After encountering nothing but infomercials, I was kinda surprised to discover some real programming! I was just about to see what was brewin' on the next channel up when I saw Vincent D'Onofrio as the blinded and bitter formed NFL superstar Tony 'Olee' Olezniak. Aside from his role as the screw-up-come-Section-8 'Private Pyle' from 'Full Metal Jacket' and the giant-roach-in-disguise in 'Men In Black', I've never really taken a look at D'Onofrio's other thespian efforts, and was curious to see what he could do here. I must admit, he plays a pretty convincing blind man (reminded me of a few sightless folks I befriended many years back). He and Gregory Hines (as 'Lem' the easygoing-yet-oft-irritated paraplegic) display some good comedic chemistry in this umpteenth incarnation of the well-worn 'unlikely-partners-who-start-to-bond-and-actually-like-one-another-at-the-end' comedy with a bit of the 'road-trip' and 'underdogs-overcoming-adversity' formats thrown in for variety.

For a movie about 'gimps' (as Lem likes to call the handicapped), 'Good Luck' is surprisingly light-hearted. The often sophomoric and occasionally scatological humor hewn throughout this production (especially the 'playing-chicken-with-a-train' scene and the part where Olee asks Lem to describe a certain... thing) conveys reasonably solid proof that things aren't being taken too seriously 'round here. Aside from the funny stuff, 'Good Luck' has a little somethin' for everyone! There's Joe Theismann's cameo for all the pro football nuts. There's the pot-farmer-with-a-heart-of-gold to attract the sodbusters AND the stoners. A brief appearance by James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader, is a virtual Star Wars-fan pheromone. The bug-eyed Robert O'Reilly, best known as the Klingon chancellor Gowron on NextGen and DS9, is a sure-fire Trekkie draw. There's even a chicken-foot-wielding, blackjack-playing small town mayor that's sure to bring in... um... well, someone-or-other. And I haven't even gotten to the guy with a clock on his hat yet! I tells ya, this baby is a marketing executive's dream!

'Late

Post Script: If you're interested in buying 'Good Luck' on DVD, be sure to get the Gold Series version (UPC #7-83722-70673-2 / ASIN: B00004ZBHC)! Its picture quality is slightly better (though not by much) than the earlier release, which had some pretty bad 'ghosting' and pixelation. And the new release's sound mix is much better than that of its predecessor!

'Later

Basically, I can watch any movie with Vincent D'onofrio
When I found this movie at the video store I was little nervous but after about fifteen minutes into it I really started to enjoy it. Yes, it is most definitely a guy movie and there is some vulgar bathroom humor. But, the acting and the theme make this a worthwhile rental. I really wish this movie was longer because near the end is when you can really feel the chemistry between D'onofrio and Hines. They really get comfortable with one another and I wanted more. The last thirty minutes of the movie is absolutly terrific because it just really picks up once they get to Gold City. Plus, the audience gets a better indepth perception of Olee(especially) and Lemely. I think that Vincent D'onofrio does a good job at playing a blind man. Unlike some actors he makes it believable throughout that he cannot see(it very natural it is like he is not acting, the way it should be). Rent this movie it is good I mean it only made like 40,000$ at the theater these small films need our support and plus how can you not respect an actor who can do a multimillion dollar film(Men in Black) and then do a tiny film like this one in the same year. Also, I would like to add that I am quite jealous of the guy who wrote a review and he was in the movie. I mean that is pretty cool it is pretty hard to top that! Hey I can be emailed at littlejake4@ivillage.com if you like the film or not. ... Read more