Reviews (141)

Not a 5 star movie, but it has 5 star appeal!
Director "Savage" Steve Holland does a masterful job of showing how HS aged teens perceive the world around them. And a young John Cusack does a great job as the inwardly tortured teen with the twisted view of reality (funny, but twisted). It is, after all, our perception of reality that is, for us, reality.

John Cusack plays a HS teen obsessed (and I mean OBSESSED!) with his girlfriend. When she dumps him for the captain of the HS ski team it's amazing what happens to and around him.

This movie includes laugh out loud scenes. You'll love his nemesis on the street racing scene, his neighbor "Ricky," and the French foreign exchange student who sees Cusack when he can't see anything else.

Watch for lines that will live forever, like... "Oh, please, don't let it be a bugger." "Gee Ricky, I'm sorry your mom blew up." "Language lessons." "You know...friend." and "I want my two dollars!"

There are, however, students at the HS dance who cannot possibly still be of HS age -- but that's typical for the movies...people want to remember themselves as being older, more mature than any HS students are anywhere -- talk about twisted views of reality!

Anyway, this is a grand movie with lots of wonderful lines, a fun story line, some interesting side trips into Cusack's daydreams, and an ongoing feud between Cusack's dad and the paperboy.

Check it out, it's a 4 star movie with 5 star hilarity.

Alan Holyoak

Can I Date Beth?
Better Off Dead is a small little gem from the mid 80's. With all of the other teen/school comedies of that era, it's no wonder this appealing and funny film got lost in the mix. John Cusack stars as Lane Myer, a normal kid with a not so normal family. His mom is a little off her rocker. She cooks horrendous food and makes deer coats for Christmas. His little brother tries to pick up trashy women. Lane's Dad is battling the paperboy. But, worst of all, Lane doesn't make the ski team and his beloved girlfriend, Beth, dumps him for some pukey captain of the ski team. Then, Lane meets a cute foreign exchange student who's staying with his obese neighbors. Lane tries to win her love as does the son of the family she's staying with. The movie is funny. Dan Schneider, as neighbor Ricky, is downright hilarious. An underrated comedic performance. Cusack, as always, is solid and appealing. The remaining cast includes Curtis(Revenge Of The Nerds)armstrong, Vincent Schiavelli, David Ogden Stiers FROM "Mash", and Kim(True Grit)Darby. There's even a cute animation sequence involving hamburger. You heard me right. The onrunning joke about a psycho paperboy is pretty funny. The best comedy from this film is, as I've mentioned, the
nerdy, overweight nerdy boy Ricky. This is a lost comedy gem that deserves to be exposed again.

Utterly Unbelievable, Lane Myer - Cusack Classic!!!!
John Cusack has done some campy flicks One Crazy Summer and Better Off Dead. This one far exceeds the first. There are so many funny scenes I don't know where to begin. The soundtrack although disappointing on the CD will not disappoint on the DVD. Too bad no additional footage or goodies like that. To me this was John Cusacks best movie.

Favorite Moments (Close your eyes and remember)

1) CHRISTMAS! DO THEY HAVE CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE? CHRISSSSMASSS! Opens picture of Ricky and goes outside and laughs for about 5 minutes on the front step.

2) TWO DOLLARS, PLUS TIP! I don't think there can ever be a more evident line for a movie than this. All you have to say to someone is "TWO DOLLARS!" Chances are if they saw this flick they will say "BETTER OFF DEAD".

3) "DUDE, RIGHT NOW I CAN BE MAKING SOME KILLER EGGNOG FROM LIGHTER FLUID!" "CHICKS WILL GET STERILE JUST LOOKING AT YOU" "BUCK UP LITTLE TROOPER" Charles Demar or Booger as you may have come to know him steals the scene on several occassions.
The funny thing is he teams up with Cusack again in One Crazy Summer.

4) BARNEY RUBBLE ASKING LANE TO GO OUT WITH BETH. Need I say more.

5) IT'S GOT RAISINS IN IT, YOU LIKE RAISINS - With that the green slime crawls off of its plate and across the table.

I could go on for hours, do yourself a favor and buy this movie! If you want to remember the eighties all over again this will bring it all back home. A great cast, script and many, many laughs. Also check out One Crazy Summer, along the same lines.

TWO DOLLARS!

Review #143 (and that should tell you something)
This is a great movie to have around for those nights when you really don't want to think about how it is, but would rather think about how it was. 143 people can't be wrong. John Cusak might be the most easily identified with actor of my generation, (with apologies to Jon Cryer, who makes a good race out of it.) The first time I saw it in the cheap local theater I almost suffered an incontinent moment when Layne (Lane?) uttered, "Gee, I'm sorry your mom blew up, Ricky." It's lines like that, scenes like David Ogden Stiers in the reindeer head coat, and the only known soundtrack appearance of Van Halen's "Everybody Wants Some" that make me go back for this one again and again.

Fun, stupid movie
This is a great rainy day movie, in other words: a movie you don't need to think about too much that'll still make you smile. Take care of who you watch it with, however, as you may find yourself embarrassed to be laughing at the dinner slowly crawling off the table or David Ogden Spears being foiled by the paperboy. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

True Grit-True Hit!
John Wayne scores big points in this memorable western. He won his only Oscar for his larger-than-life portrayal of the drunken, overweight, and completely fearless one-eyed Marshal, Rooster Cogburn. It's not hard to tell that Glen Campbell is an amateur when it comes to acting, but he in no way ruins the film. Kim Darby is terrific as Mattie Ross, the little spitfire girl who gives even the Duke almost more than he can handle.

Robert Duvall and Strother Martin almost steal the show themselves as villians you'll love to hate. Although Duvall's character does expose a sensitive side near the end of the film, he is still an outlaw, and his thirst for revenge against Cogburn ultimately gets the best of him.

Campbell's character suggests the brash, arrogant, inexperienced macho man who is really more talk than walk, while Darby's character is defiant even in the face of pure evil. In this respect, the two characters are a bad complement, but that's precisely why they are so entertaining. The many confrontations and disagreements that Campbell and Darby's characters have throughout the film even provide a bit of comic relief to the Duke's hard-lined, albeit amazing, performance.

All in all, if you want a movie with larger-than-life heroes, villains that are dirtier than a sandbox after a rainstorm, and just a bunch of great actors in a great movie, look no further. One of my all-time favorites, and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Entertaining late era John Wayne western
True Grit is an entertaining western starring John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, a US Marshal, who is enlisted by a murdered man's daughter played by Kim Darby, to track down and get his killer.

Wayne is excellent as the ornery Cogburn. There is real chemistry between he and Kim Darby, and that chemistry really propels the movie along towards the great climax at the finish. Kim Darby does a fine job as Mattie Rose. She's a no frills by the numbers young women and her run-ins with the men in "True Grit" make for some very fun viewing.

Glen Campbell is adequate as the Texas Ranger who is involved in tracking the same killer, but he's a bit wooden and a different actor might have brought more to the role. There is also a wonderful supporting cast. Look for Strother Martin, hilarious as a suffering horse dealer who must deal with Mattie and also Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper.

"True Grit" delivers some decent fun and entertainment. If you enjoy westerns and John Wayne you won't be disappointed.

western masterpiece
This is only the second wayne movie I have ever watched. So I basically went into it with my eyes wide shut. This is a remarkably likable movie in which I think co star kim darby steals the show! This movie had alot of funny one-liners that were very witty. I figured this movie would be just like all the rest of the westerns I have seen, but this one stands out. John Wayne won an oscar for this movie. Very impressive!

"Baby Sister"...and..."The Big Fella".....
This review refers to the Paramount(Widescreen Collection) DVD edition of "True Grit"...

A great big nod to Paramount for giving us The Duke's Academy Award winning role as "Rooster Cogburn" on this superb DVD. This fabulous Wayne western from 1969 looks immaculate. Presented in widescreen, the picture is clear and sharp, and all the beautiful scenery in Technicolor is glorious.The sound in DD2.0(MONO) was surpisngly good as well.(Could be great in surround though).If you love this film, John Wayne or a great western, grab this one up!

The story for those that may have missed it, is very adventurous as well as highly amsuing. Rooster Cogburn is a take no prisoners U.S. Marshall. That's not all he is though...he's an old, overweight,brash drunkard. But he's got 'grit'. And that is exactly what young Maddie Ross is looking for when she hires him to go after the man who killed her father.Maddie(Kim Darby), now affectionatly called "Baby Sister" by our guy, is also a take no prisoner's kind of gal..but not exactly in the same way as Cogburn is. Maddie is a proper young lady, who's family "has property", and brandishes her lawyer as her weapon of choice. And what's more..she's going along on the hunt for this bad guy who has joined up with a group of some really bad hombres. Also in on the ride is an inexperienced but gung-ho Texas Ranger(Glen Campbell)who Maddie is immediatly at odds with.The sparks fly as this trio hits the trail.

John Wayne IS Rooster Cogburn.Rooster Cogburn IS John Wayne. The Duke delivers the lines as only he could.There's a great scene, where a drunken Cogburn falls off his horse, flat on his face, but yet doesn't spill a drop of the open whiskey bottle he holds.Later on you'll thrill to seeing him riding in, guns blazing in each hand as he goes after the bad guys.It's pure Wayne! The bad guys by the way are legends in themselves, Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper among them. Strother Martin also adds to the fun going toe to toe with Maddie on a horse deal. Elmer Bernstein provides the glorious music, and Campbell sings the title song. Directed by the great Henry Hathaway, it's a film filled with immense talent.

It's fun and adventurous and is rated G, but there are some scenes that may be a bit too violent for younger viewers.
The DVD also includes English Subtitles for hearing impaired viewers. There are no special features, but for me, seeing this film restored so beautifully, having The Duke looking so great on my screen was bonus enough.

Saddle up with "The Big Fella"...and enjoy...Laurie

This is one of Wayne's best!

This is typical John Wayne, in his later years, and one of his best. I think his best was The Shootist, perhaps closely followed by The Quiet Man.

The supporting cast, played by Kim Darby (Mattie Ross), and the villainous Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper as a young Texas Ranger was a good foil for Wayne, played their parts admirably.

This was great entertainment, with John Wayne playing John Wayne (as he always did, with only the name changed to protect the guilty.)

If there is anyone left who has not viewed this film, it is trime you did--perhaps even for the second or third time.

Joseph (Joe) Pierreauthor of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books ... Read more

Amazon.com

Teen Wolf is a flip-flop of the horrorific I Was a TeenageWerewolf story: this time, lycanthropy makes the afflicted high-schooler abig man on campus. An otherwise routine teen comedy, this one works because ofthe customary bounce of Michael J. Fox, in one of his first leading roles (itwas shot before Back to the Future but released in that blockbuster'swake, and cashed in nicely). Although his werewolf makeup makes him look morelike Bigfoot than Lon Chaney, Jr., Fox manages to convey his peppy personalityeven under all that hair. Teen Wolf Too, however, is not even bearable.Here Fox is replaced by Jason Bateman, who finds that his wolfish inclinationhelps him become the big dog on the college boxing team. The sole bright spot isveteran actor Paul Sand as the boxing coach. The rest is howlingly unfunny. - -Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Wow.
I'm a big fan of Michael J. Fox, and it isn't hard to see why. He has immense talent, and he's a very coordinated actor with MANY fine elements to his performance. Jason is a great actor too, although Michael pulled it off much better in my opinion. I always get a certain kind of wholesome feeling from watching Teen Wolf the original rather than in Teen Wolf Too, I feel like there's a guy trying to steal Michael's role. I think the director knew that it'd be a bad idea to cast someone else in Michael's role if they were to continue on the storyline from the original Teen Wolf into Teen Wolf 2. Obviously you can't have Scott Howard without the cool Boof, whoever the hell would name their daugher that, but anyway lol. Susan Ursitti would have to have been another "must have" to be able to pull off a sequel. The chemistry between her and Michael is great, and it can't be matched, because it's their spotlight.

I'd recommend this awesome classic for anyone that's interested in watching a good wholesome movie.

Like Highlander, there can be only one
The only reason I'm not giving This forthcoming DVD five stars is that it's paired with the sequel, which is better left in the vaults of the MIB. The original is, simply put, a masterpiece that transcends the genre of teen movies. It takes the clever idea of using lycanthropy as a coming of age symbol and plays it out beautifully. Michael J. Fox is at his best, and the rest of the cast compliment with excellent chemistry. It's just as fun to watch the tenth time around as the first; I'm finding myself memorizing and quoting it like Star Wars. The sequel does it no justice. Jason Bateman does OK, but the script was too much an attempt to duplicate the original, while the first movie clearly broke ground.

My Favorite "Feel Good" Movie Of The 80's
This movie, to me, is one of my most favorite movies ever. it has something in it we can all relate to...feeling like you're a nobody & wanting to be something more to everyone in your life. It has a great cast, michael j.fox was great as scott howard, but i loved james hampton as "the dad", because he was just like scott at his age. he knew how tough it was to fit in. but the movie is so good, the story is so funny, it brings back so many memories for me. the dvd itself could've had extras on it like explaining why there were so many scenes where the actor's voices weren't in sync with their dialogue. If you feel down in your life & need a feel good movie that makes you go for your dream, take a look at "Teen "Wolf". I would also love if they could bring the soundtrack out on cd, it has been deleted for some time now, & i am sure i am not the only one who would like to see it back in the stores & would buy a copy. the second movie however, is pretty bad. the director (quite plainly) wanted a exact carbon copy of the original classic (let me tell you, he failed miserably) the actor who took over the roles of coach finstock can't act for nuts, he didn't even want to play the part. but getting back to the first movie, i would love to see an extended version of the film, when you watch the preview, you see scenes that are not in the final cut of the movie. please director rod daniel, bring out a extended edition of this classic. my favorite part is at the end when scott throws the ball into the hoop for the final winning shot to clinch the championship for the beacontown beavers, then the crowd all raised their fists & cheered, that scene always makes the hairs & goosebumps all over me stand up & cheer too. i always watch the credits too, i think i've only ONCE only half watched the credits. this movie will always be in my heart forever. "Teen Wolf" HOWWWWWWWWWWWWWLLLLLLSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

Good stupied funny movie
I dont think they should sell it with the second one. the first on was good. he ia a high school basketball player who finds out his family is ware wolfs. sound weird but it is good. the second one sucks its not michael j fox. them make him a college boxer and i think its a waist of time to see the acting is ok just not a movie that needed a second one

Your typical 80's teen comedy...
Let's see: a 'geeky' guy is on some sports team that REALLY needs to win. He also has this unpopular girl as his friend (who happnes to have a crush on him), and has a crush on the most beautiful & popular girl in school, who couldn't care less about him. Suddenly, the guy discovers he had inherited the family 'curse' - he is a werewolf. After the initial scare, he finds out he can use it to his advantage - he helps his sports team win, which makes him popular, which attracts the beautiful & popular girlfriend, which makes her boyfriend (who is, incidentaly, on the opposite team) mad, which leads to a big fight, which leads our protagonist to the conclusion that he had abused his power as a werewolf and the importance of team work. This leads to a confrontation with some sort of an authority figure, but eventually the team (lead and inpired by the protagonist) wins the day, and the guy gets together with the geeky girl he discovers he liked all along.

Since this can describe both the movies, the unoriginal & repeated story line is the biggest fault I could find with the Teen Wolf 2 movie. OK, that and the fact Michael J. Fox (who made the most of the 1st film) wasn't in it.

These are typical early tot mid 80's teen dramas, and the fun in them (at least for me) is the memories rather than the story and the laughs. And oh yeah, Michael J. Fox. ... Read more

Reviews (263)

Well, at least his mask looked pretty cool
Ah yes, the sixth installment in the Halloween series. I watched this over and over and over and still have mixed feelings about this. The plot from this movie differs a bit from 4 and 5, and that's what this series needed, a change. But the change the movie took shoudn't have happened like this. Don't get me wrong, I liked this movie just like every other Halloween but I mean come on, thorn? I remember the good old days when Michael was just a psychopath who escaped from a sanitarium. That was simple. When you introduce the thorn aspect it "totally" takes away the simplicity that made the original so great. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasance) returns for his last film before he past away. And as always, he gave a great performance. This movie is explicitly violent, and gory. The soundtrack was just annoying. And the fact that they killed Jamie was a real dissapointment to me. Hey, at least the plot was interesting and fresh. And as always, the ending made us wonder which is always a plus. In conclusion, I think die hard Halloween fans will enjoy, while other movie buffs will not be impressed. You have anything to say about what I said about this movie? E-mail me at: omicron_30@yahoo.com

Scary and atmospheric sequel that will deliver the goods!
They haven't made a bad HALLOWEEN movie yet. Each new sequel manages to be a stand-out above all other horror sequels, showing that effort is being made by the film makers. HALLOWEEN 6: THE CURSE OF MICHEAL MYERS is one of the finest and scariest HALLOWEEN movies in the series. Director Joe Chappelle creates moments of intense suspense and drenches the movie with haunting atmosphere. The script also introduces some very intresting and fun characters such as Tommy Doyle, Kara Strode, and of course the return of Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence in his final role). Viewers who are not familiar with HALLOWEEN 4 and 5 may find this movie a little confusing, so I do suggest watching the previous sequels first. H6 has a few plot holes, but nothing that can't be forgiven. If you get a chance, try and find the Producer's Cut bootleg which explains a lot more. But I do recommend this movie to people looking for good scares and a quality sequel.
Side Note: Avoid the DVD becuase it doesn't have ANY extras. Save a few bucks and go with the VHS for now.

The Makings of a Great Sequel, what a shame...
Let's get started by saying that I personally liked the "thorn"-related Halloween movies (4 and 5 to be specific), but this was very disappointing.

Halloween 4 was a solid movie. H5 was somewhat weaker, but was still OK, as it presented the mysterious "man in black".

Why was this movie so terrible? This is a long story but, first of all, it was somewhat doomed from the start. Mid-way through production, director Joe Chappelle viewed the currently shot footage and found it to be horrible. He went to Dimension Films and asked to reshoot the ending as well as various additional scenes, all of which Dimension greenlighted. At the same time, Halloween 6 had its budget slashed by two million dollars, which is something it definitely did not need. Chappelle reshot the scenes, but this "alternate" version of the film was not what was eventually sent to theaters. Instead, was a film that many found confusing. And, it truly was. Many of the connecting plot lines had been cut out. The film ended up being a box-office failure. One can blame it on many things, but I point it to a loosely-connected plot, poor script, and poor use of Donald Pleasance. And yet, he was the best thing about the movie. His performance is solid, as it always is. Pleasance, who was ill during filming, died before the film's release. Coincidentally, his last film would be a sequel to the one that made him famous.

After hearing about why this film ended up being one of the poorer Halloween sequels, you may now want to know what it was about. H6 is the most intensely thorn plot-centered movie of them all, and starts off with an adult Jamie giving birth to a baby. Jamie and the baby escape, but Michael quickly shows up and murders Jamie. Tommy Doyl, whom you may remember from the original Halloween, is now an adult, an is devoted to tracking down Michael Myers. He and Dr. Loomis team up in an effort to protect the baby from Michael.

My advice would be to avoid this movie. If you are one of those people who are interested in seeing "what could have been", track down the famous "Producer's Cut" DVD, which is available on many online auction sites and containes 43 minutes of alternate footage.

i hate moustapha akkad
DO NOT see this. it sucks. it is wretched. it has no suspense, all the characters suck, and the thorn thing, what the F@$#! it was scarier when michael just killed his family for no apparent reason. just skip this trash along with 4,5,6 and ressurection. stick with the first two and you can't go wrong. H2O wasn't bad either. and season of the witch is good, just don't expect myers to be in it. watch it as if it was NOT part of the halloween series and you will have fun.

Lacking in suspense, thick with cliche
This is the worst film in the long running "Halloween" series. By trying the desperate attempts of bring in a new story line about a bizzare paganistic cult is more funny than frightening, the use of gore in this film is shocking, belting it out to hideous and camp levels with no style or originality.

The only elements that are worth credit are the revamped score and the fact the mask in this movie is closer to that of Carpenter's orginal. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

True Grit-True Hit!
John Wayne scores big points in this memorable western. He won his only Oscar for his larger-than-life portrayal of the drunken, overweight, and completely fearless one-eyed Marshal, Rooster Cogburn. It's not hard to tell that Glen Campbell is an amateur when it comes to acting, but he in no way ruins the film. Kim Darby is terrific as Mattie Ross, the little spitfire girl who gives even the Duke almost more than he can handle.

Robert Duvall and Strother Martin almost steal the show themselves as villians you'll love to hate. Although Duvall's character does expose a sensitive side near the end of the film, he is still an outlaw, and his thirst for revenge against Cogburn ultimately gets the best of him.

Campbell's character suggests the brash, arrogant, inexperienced macho man who is really more talk than walk, while Darby's character is defiant even in the face of pure evil. In this respect, the two characters are a bad complement, but that's precisely why they are so entertaining. The many confrontations and disagreements that Campbell and Darby's characters have throughout the film even provide a bit of comic relief to the Duke's hard-lined, albeit amazing, performance.

All in all, if you want a movie with larger-than-life heroes, villains that are dirtier than a sandbox after a rainstorm, and just a bunch of great actors in a great movie, look no further. One of my all-time favorites, and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Entertaining late era John Wayne western
True Grit is an entertaining western starring John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, a US Marshal, who is enlisted by a murdered man's daughter played by Kim Darby, to track down and get his killer.

Wayne is excellent as the ornery Cogburn. There is real chemistry between he and Kim Darby, and that chemistry really propels the movie along towards the great climax at the finish. Kim Darby does a fine job as Mattie Rose. She's a no frills by the numbers young women and her run-ins with the men in "True Grit" make for some very fun viewing.

Glen Campbell is adequate as the Texas Ranger who is involved in tracking the same killer, but he's a bit wooden and a different actor might have brought more to the role. There is also a wonderful supporting cast. Look for Strother Martin, hilarious as a suffering horse dealer who must deal with Mattie and also Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper.

"True Grit" delivers some decent fun and entertainment. If you enjoy westerns and John Wayne you won't be disappointed.

western masterpiece
This is only the second wayne movie I have ever watched. So I basically went into it with my eyes wide shut. This is a remarkably likable movie in which I think co star kim darby steals the show! This movie had alot of funny one-liners that were very witty. I figured this movie would be just like all the rest of the westerns I have seen, but this one stands out. John Wayne won an oscar for this movie. Very impressive!

"Baby Sister"...and..."The Big Fella".....
This review refers to the Paramount(Widescreen Collection) DVD edition of "True Grit"...

A great big nod to Paramount for giving us The Duke's Academy Award winning role as "Rooster Cogburn" on this superb DVD. This fabulous Wayne western from 1969 looks immaculate. Presented in widescreen, the picture is clear and sharp, and all the beautiful scenery in Technicolor is glorious.The sound in DD2.0(MONO) was surpisngly good as well.(Could be great in surround though).If you love this film, John Wayne or a great western, grab this one up!

The story for those that may have missed it, is very adventurous as well as highly amsuing. Rooster Cogburn is a take no prisoners U.S. Marshall. That's not all he is though...he's an old, overweight,brash drunkard. But he's got 'grit'. And that is exactly what young Maddie Ross is looking for when she hires him to go after the man who killed her father.Maddie(Kim Darby), now affectionatly called "Baby Sister" by our guy, is also a take no prisoner's kind of gal..but not exactly in the same way as Cogburn is. Maddie is a proper young lady, who's family "has property", and brandishes her lawyer as her weapon of choice. And what's more..she's going along on the hunt for this bad guy who has joined up with a group of some really bad hombres. Also in on the ride is an inexperienced but gung-ho Texas Ranger(Glen Campbell)who Maddie is immediatly at odds with.The sparks fly as this trio hits the trail.

John Wayne IS Rooster Cogburn.Rooster Cogburn IS John Wayne. The Duke delivers the lines as only he could.There's a great scene, where a drunken Cogburn falls off his horse, flat on his face, but yet doesn't spill a drop of the open whiskey bottle he holds.Later on you'll thrill to seeing him riding in, guns blazing in each hand as he goes after the bad guys.It's pure Wayne! The bad guys by the way are legends in themselves, Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper among them. Strother Martin also adds to the fun going toe to toe with Maddie on a horse deal. Elmer Bernstein provides the glorious music, and Campbell sings the title song. Directed by the great Henry Hathaway, it's a film filled with immense talent.

It's fun and adventurous and is rated G, but there are some scenes that may be a bit too violent for younger viewers.
The DVD also includes English Subtitles for hearing impaired viewers. There are no special features, but for me, seeing this film restored so beautifully, having The Duke looking so great on my screen was bonus enough.

Saddle up with "The Big Fella"...and enjoy...Laurie

This is one of Wayne's best!

This is typical John Wayne, in his later years, and one of his best. I think his best was The Shootist, perhaps closely followed by The Quiet Man.

The supporting cast, played by Kim Darby (Mattie Ross), and the villainous Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper as a young Texas Ranger was a good foil for Wayne, played their parts admirably.

This was great entertainment, with John Wayne playing John Wayne (as he always did, with only the name changed to protect the guilty.)

If there is anyone left who has not viewed this film, it is trime you did--perhaps even for the second or third time.

Joseph (Joe) Pierreauthor of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books ... Read more

Reviews (3)

INTENSE DRAMA INTENDED AS BLACK COMEDY?
The psychotic kiler. The young heiress. The kidnapping that becomes a love story.

This violent, over-the-top Robert ("DIRTY DOZEN") Aldrich directed thriller is a remake of the 1948 British film "NO ORCHIDS FOR MISS BLANDISH" which was in turn adapted from the once banned-as-pornographic novel of the same name.

It's the 1920s. Kim Darby is the beautiful young heiress Barbara Blandish who is kidnaped by the brutal Grissom gang. Their plan is simple and savage: keep the ransom and kill the hostage. Unfortunately (for the gang) dimwit Slim Grissom (Scott Wilson) falls in love with Barbara. And the even more unfortunate Barbara is forced into a relationship -- as the poster says -- of "violence and desire."

Finally, when the police close in and the gang comes apart, the question becomes: Who will survive the final frenzy of love and bullets?

Tony Musante, Ralph Waite, Robert Lansing and Connie Stevens co-star in this still shocking, extremely vicious gangster thriller. The tense screenplay is by Leon Griffiths and the edgy, very 70s score is by Gerald Fried.

Those who knew director Aldrich, who was also responsible for "KISS ME DEADLY" and "THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE," say this film was intended as a black comedy and was a reflection of his bizarre, almost sadistic, sense of humor. He said, "if it makes you laugh or cringe or both is more about who you are..." ...

GANG BANG ( BANG )
Another superb DVD has just been released by Anchor Bay : Robert Aldrich's THE GRISSOM GANG, adapted from James Hadley Chase's "No Orchids for Miss Blandish". Excellent movie but only the choice between the standard and the widescreen version and a scene access as bonus features. Extra meager. Sound and images more than OK for me.

Robert Aldrich is more known as a successful director of action movies like THE DIRTY DOZEN than as a sensitive observer of psychological dramas but with THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE, released in 1968 and THE GRISSOM GANG, Big Bob showed that a golden heart was beating under his elephant skin.

Don't get me wrong ! THE GRISSOM GANG is also a gangster movies loaded with machine guns duels and vicious killings but what's more interesting is the description of the relationship between Slim, the psychotic killer, and Barbara Blandish, the spoiled heiress. This unusual couple has to face a collection of secondary characters one will not forget so easily. For instance, Ma Grissom, played by Irene Dailey, a criminal genius and an overprotective mother, or Eddie - Tony Musante - Hagan, the archetype of the gangster of the 30's, so seductive but ready to kill anything that moves, even women, if necessary.

In the good guys section of the movie, there is someone who, in spite of his millions, could have been part of the Grissom gang : Wesley Addy, Barbara's father and often present in Aldrich's films, his attitude is one of the most disturbing seen in a movie.

All in all, an excellent addition to your library.

A DVD zone Bonnie and Clyde.

Grisly gangster saga with blazing machine guns....
Adapted from the 1939 novel "No Orchids for Miss Blandish", Robert Aldrich's 1971 gangster flick is violent and punishing in it's nature. Set in the poor and barren Mid-Western region of the US during the Depression, the film immerses the viewer in a world of poverty, greed & lust.

Kim Darby plays snotty society girl Barbara Blandish, the product of her boorish and society climbing parents who is kidnapped by a group of petty thugs....however they in turn are ambushed by a more professional crew of hoodlums. Irene Dailey plays Ma Grissom, the cold blooded leader of the small time gang....Scot Wilson is the simple-minded and lovestruck thug, Slim Grissom....Connie Stevens portrays the air headed blonde gangster moll, Anna....and Tony Musante is the oily and vicious, Eddie Hagan.

Whilst definitely not a gangster classic, "The Grissom Gang" is an over looked addition to the genre that's not without it's redeeming qualities. Aldrich had a flair for directing hard edged films that explored the more violent side, and the underbelly of human nature....and this film does all that !! ... Read more

Description

The movies came alive with the sound of music when Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II teamed up to pen a spectacular string of musical hits, including "Oklahoma!" The King and I," "South Pacific" and of course "The Sound of Music." Join host Shirley Jones and leading ladies Julie Andrews, Rita Moreno, Nancy Kwan and Charmian Carr for the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour of their motion picture masterpieces. With spectacular film footage and never-before-seen outtakes, screen tests and home movies, "Rodgers and Hammerstein: The Sound of Movies" shows us why these are the songs we'll be singing for a thousand years. Shirley Jones, Julie Andrews, Rita Moreno, Nancy Kwan, Charmian Carr Kevin Burns 96 1995 Not Rated No Full Frame Color 5.1 Dolby Digital English No None None Unknown 1 ... Read more

Reviews (3)

charming insight
This documentary is a charming insight into the collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, featuring lush widescreen clips from all of their filmed musicals, and photos from stage plays.

Shirley Jones, Nancy Kwan, Charmian Carr, Rita Moreno and Julie Andrews share their memories about starring in some of the greatest musicals ever filmed, while the commentary is engrossing, and never boring.

It's great to see such moments as Nancy in FLOWER DRUM SONG, performing the famous "I Enjoy Being A Girl" with the three-way mirror. We also find out that Charmian Carr (Liesl from THE SOUND OF MUSIC) performed most of "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" with a twisted ankle! Now that IS a trouper!

The intergrated overture comprising tunes from all the shows at the beginning, is ingenious, as is the whole enterprise. This is a must for fans of R&H and classic movie buffs alike.

RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN LIVES ON
For my final critic,i've made a nice pick with this excellent documentary, that has excerps of all of the duo's screen adaptations ,along with some footage of DICK AND OSCAR on GROUCHO MARX SHOW(he makes fun of their names)and some scenes never seen before ,like FRANK SINATRA singing a song from CAROUSEL.To present this, they choose actors who were in these movies:SHIRLEY JONES,JULIE ANDREWS,RITA MORENO ,and even the girl who dubbed DEBORAH KERR for THE KING AND I.A documentary well worth seeing ,that can certainly be the start for future fans to be.You'll have fun seeing screen adaptations in different countries.There is no doubt today that RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN are part of the AMERICAN culture heritage, it's no wonder that TIME made them entertainer of the century.

Fall in Love with Rodgers & Hammerstein
I was browsing through the DVD section when I came across this gem. I'm not a big musical lover myself but I found myself humming along by the end of the DVD. "Rodgers & Hammerstein - The Sound of Movies" is a well done A & E television production. The various sections of the DVD are hosted by Shirley Jones, Rita Moreno,Charmian Carr, and Nancy Kwan. The documentary covers classic movie productions of State Fair, Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I, The Sound of Music, etc. With interesting tidbits about casting, production, missing scenes and/or songs, this documentary has something both people who love the musicals and those who have never seen them before. By the end of the documentary, you actually will want to see the movies themselves. There are no special features to the DVDs except the ability to do chapter searches so there probabily is no advantage to buying this on DVD versus VHS or laserdisc. ... Read more

Description

From the age of one and a half to thirteen, Katie, was imprisoned by her parents.Locked in a room, tied and immobile, bound to a "potty-chair", Katie endured years of isolated silence punctuated by brutality.When Katie’s case finally came to public attention she was moved to a hospital in Los Angeles, where it was discovered she had never been taught to speak.Katie was an anomaly, amodern day Wild Child. Medical and psychological doctors descended on the girl in droves, often with selfish motivations in this heart-breaking story. With stunning care to detail Mockingbird Don’t Sing tells Katie’s story of imprisonment, discovery and her difficult road to joining the human family as a beautiful young woman. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

little town of strathmore
my niece, lee ann moses was an extra in this film at the high school scene. i did not watch this movie until i moved back here from idaho 12 years later. but after i watched it, i was highly impressed. the film stuck in my head. it has a very good meaning. as soon as i watched this film i saw the lady actress in alot of movies. who knew? lol. but who is the guy? he's cute but where is he? why did don most pick my town i wonder. well im glad he did. it put us on the map once again. see this movie. you'll never forget it. thanks don.

The Last Best Sunday
Better movie than first thought. Simple, but makes a good statement I thought. Good actors as well for the most part. A good commentary on certain things.

Predictable, bad acting
The movie gave away most of its plot, which makes it predictable and uninteresting. The actors are perhaps at best B-rated in term of acting abilities. Don't waste your time. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sure, everyone's seen The Sound of Music, but how about Flower Drum Song? Or State Fair, either the 1945 version (a remake of a 1933 nonmusical) or the 1962 re-remake with Bobby Darin, Ann-Margret, and Pat Boone? Rodgers & Hammerstein: The Sound of Movies is a comprehensive and entertaining 97-minute documentary surveying the film career of the beloved songwriting team and how their screen work was interwoven with their stage work. (State Fair was written directly for the screen before they began adapting their stage shows for film.)Host Shirley Jones (the ingenue in both Oklahoma! and Carousel) provides numerous trivia tidbits on most of the films, while segments on The King and I, Flower Drum Song, and The Sound of Music are presented by those who appeared in them: Rita Moreno (Tuptim), Nancy Kwan (Linda Low), and Charmian Carr (Liesl), respectively. Also of interest will be original casting possibilities (James Dean in Oklahoma!, Marlon Brando in Carousel), rarely seen outtakes, live television performances, and clips from films that inspired Rodgers and Hammerstein's shows (including Rex Harrison as the king of Siam). Because Rodgers and Hammerstein's films were deeply involved in the development of widescreen techniques such as CinemaScope, this documentary is savvy enough to present its clips in letterboxed widescreen format, but that footage is occasionally grainy. Unfortunately, The Sound of Movies was filmed in 1995, four years before the release of sumptuous remasterings of six of these featured films. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (3)

charming insight
This documentary is a charming insight into the collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, featuring lush widescreen clips from all of their filmed musicals, and photos from stage plays.

Shirley Jones, Nancy Kwan, Charmian Carr, Rita Moreno and Julie Andrews share their memories about starring in some of the greatest musicals ever filmed, while the commentary is engrossing, and never boring.

It's great to see such moments as Nancy in FLOWER DRUM SONG, performing the famous "I Enjoy Being A Girl" with the three-way mirror. We also find out that Charmian Carr (Liesl from THE SOUND OF MUSIC) performed most of "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" with a twisted ankle! Now that IS a trouper!

The intergrated overture comprising tunes from all the shows at the beginning, is ingenious, as is the whole enterprise. This is a must for fans of R&H and classic movie buffs alike.

RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN LIVES ON
For my final critic,i've made a nice pick with this excellent documentary, that has excerps of all of the duo's screen adaptations ,along with some footage of DICK AND OSCAR on GROUCHO MARX SHOW(he makes fun of their names)and some scenes never seen before ,like FRANK SINATRA singing a song from CAROUSEL.To present this, they choose actors who were in these movies:SHIRLEY JONES,JULIE ANDREWS,RITA MORENO ,and even the girl who dubbed DEBORAH KERR for THE KING AND I.A documentary well worth seeing ,that can certainly be the start for future fans to be.You'll have fun seeing screen adaptations in different countries.There is no doubt today that RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN are part of the AMERICAN culture heritage, it's no wonder that TIME made them entertainer of the century.

Fall in Love with Rodgers & Hammerstein
I was browsing through the DVD section when I came across this gem. I'm not a big musical lover myself but I found myself humming along by the end of the DVD. "Rodgers & Hammerstein - The Sound of Movies" is a well done A & E television production. The various sections of the DVD are hosted by Shirley Jones, Rita Moreno,Charmian Carr, and Nancy Kwan. The documentary covers classic movie productions of State Fair, Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I, The Sound of Music, etc. With interesting tidbits about casting, production, missing scenes and/or songs, this documentary has something both people who love the musicals and those who have never seen them before. By the end of the documentary, you actually will want to see the movies themselves. There are no special features to the DVDs except the ability to do chapter searches so there probabily is no advantage to buying this on DVD versus VHS or laserdisc. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Gripping Thriller about uncovering the thuths
With his reckless and arrogant style of reporting, John McNamara (Michael Roocker) has made one too many enemies with the Metro Examiner. When a fellow reporter turns up missing, McNamara is thrust into a treacherous investigation that exposes a powerful force of citywide corruption led by the president of a construction company (Judge Reinhold) and involving his own father (Robert Culp) a judge with an impeccable reputation. But as he digs deeper, he follows a twisted road of lies and deception which leads him to a deadly game where someone wants to silence his investigation...forever ... Read more

Reviews (3)

little town of strathmore
my niece, lee ann moses was an extra in this film at the high school scene. i did not watch this movie until i moved back here from idaho 12 years later. but after i watched it, i was highly impressed. the film stuck in my head. it has a very good meaning. as soon as i watched this film i saw the lady actress in alot of movies. who knew? lol. but who is the guy? he's cute but where is he? why did don most pick my town i wonder. well im glad he did. it put us on the map once again. see this movie. you'll never forget it. thanks don.

The Last Best Sunday
Better movie than first thought. Simple, but makes a good statement I thought. Good actors as well for the most part. A good commentary on certain things.

Predictable, bad acting
The movie gave away most of its plot, which makes it predictable and uninteresting. The actors are perhaps at best B-rated in term of acting abilities. Don't waste your time. ... Read more