Amazon.com

When you get lost between the moon and New York City (ahem), chances are you'll find yourself taking another look at this hit comedy starring Oscar-nominated Dudley Moore as the charmingly witty, perpetually drunken millionaire Arthur Bach. Arthur falls in love with a waitress (Liza Minelli) who doesn't care about his money, but unfortunately Arthur's stern father wants him to marry a Waspy prima donna. The young lush turns to his wise and loyal butler (Oscar-winner John Gielgud) for assistance and advice. Arthur was a huge hit when released in 1981, as was its Oscar-winning theme song by Christopher Cross. Few remember that the movie was, sadly, the only one ever made by writer-director Steve Gordon, who died less than a year after the film's release. Consistently funny and heartwarming, Arthur was hailed as a tribute to the great romantic comedies of the 1930s. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (54)

Funny, Charming, Witty, and Wonderful
Nope, I'm not talking merely about Arthur, the hapless drunk millionaire playboy played so perfectly by Dudley Moore, but ARTHUR, the wonderful 1981 film directed by Steve Gordon. Although I eventually got tired of hearing the overplayed "Arthur's Theme" on the radio back in the early '80's, I really have not tired of watching this movie. It has aged surprisingly well for a film that makes such good use of the New York City locations that existed at that time (not to mention the quaint old taxicabs). This is a film with a basic romantic plot that deals primarily with how love wins over money; however, this film never takes its own plot too seriously. Instead, it has much more fun with the assorted *characters*, like Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore), Linda Marolla (Liza Minnelli), the wisecracking butler Hobson (hilariously played by the wonderful Sir John Gielgud, who deservedly won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for this), Arthur's dominating mother Martha Bach (Geraldine Fitzgerald), Arthur's WASP-y bride-to-be Susan Johnson (a pre-L.A. Law Jill Eikenberry), Susan's brutish father Burt Johnson (Stephen Elliott), and, of course, Bitterman, Arthur's Chauffer (Ted Ross, in a much better role than the Cowardly Lion he played in the big-budget 1978 misfire THE WIZ). Some of dialogue is classic, especially between Arthur and Hobson! Also, this is arguably the last great movie that Liza has ever starred in.

ARTHUR is one of the great comedies that most of the family can enjoy. However, it's not really for kids under age 10, as the language is fairly racy and major plot points involve prostitutes, shoplifting, and in the case of the perpetually inebriated Arthur, alcoholism. In fact, when it was released, many people criticized this film for turning alcoholism into one big running joke, as well as glamorizing it. This is what prompted the much-later sequel, ARTHUR 2: ON THE ROCKS, in which Arthur finally gets to experience the dark side of his habit. Despite its sober theme, it was actually quite funny in its own right. Still, the original is better, and is one of the great films of the 1980's. MOST RECOMMENDED

Excellent comedy, but....
Why is it that such a great movie, it was made only in full screen and horrible sound?
I had my home theater at its loudest and I could barely hear it.
Great movie, wrong format, horrible sound!!

Charming Funny and witty Dudley best
Poor alcoholic rich boy makes good. Dudley Moore was at is maximum charm with this performance. He brightened each scene with his antics and his subtle remarks. The man who never worked could have everything, including the beautiful Susan, a marriage arranged by their families. But then he met and unorthodox young female who had just been caught shoplifting, a common sort, and she changed his life.

When I heard about Dudley becoming ill this is the movie I immediately thought of.

Great at any age!
My grandmother owns this movie, and one year we got tired of watching Pretty Woman (though it's still a classic in the family, year after year you need a new movie) so we put in Arthur. We laughed hours after the movie was over, and it's become a new holiday movie for us. Any time of the year you can hear any of our family quote the movie when we're all together. You can imagine how happy I am to have found it on DVD!

A Comedy Classic
"Arthur" is one of those classic films that ages like fine wine. 23 years after it was released, you can still find undiscovered nuances and scenes that make you laugh non - stop. And even thogh three of its key elements have passed on (director Steve Gordon, John Gielgud and Dudley Moore), it still remains heartwarming and rediculously funny.

Moore plays Arthur Bach, a very rich and usually very drunk playboy. He lives in a posh Manhattan mansion with his faithful and wise butler Hobson (John Gielgud in an Oscar - winning role). Arthur enjoys taking long baths, playing with toys, and drinking. But he may inherit 750 million dollars a wealthy Long Island blond. There's one loophole in this plan: Linda Marolla (Liza Manelli in her best screen role since "Cabaret"), a waitress who captures Arthur's heart while shoplifting. What happens is a gaggle of nonstop laughter that gets funnier with every viewing. So, take a bath, order some booze, and watch this comedy classic. ... Read more

Description

LA Law: The Movie reunites the cast of the award winning televisionseries for a two-hour network film.Nearly the entire original cast returns to the fictionallaw firm, McKenzie-Brackman.Following the series finale, founding Partner LelandMcKenzie (Richard A. Dysart) retires thereby leaving Douglas Brackman Jr. (AlanRachins) as Senior Managing Partner.Another former Partner is summoned in effort tostop the execution of a past client.However, the prosecution is lead by his old flameGrace Van Owen (Susan Dey).Meanwhile, McKenzie-Brackman divorce attorney,Arnie Becker (Corbin Bernsen) deals with his own divorce from his estranged wife. Inaddition to the memorable cast of the series,the reunion also includes new additions tothe firm. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

L.A. Law is back.
The L.A. Law reunion movie was very nice to see. The plot was a little lame and it would of been alot better if Jimmy Smits was in it. Maybe with this release they will do what other studios have done and release the series on dvd in boxed sets. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Playwright Wendy Wasserstein's acclaimed debut, Uncommon Women and Others, rings with uncommon truth and insight into common human foibles. That's what makes this 1978 television production--as presented by New York's Phoenix Theater--so universally appealing, even if its characters aren't always easy to like. Framed by a present-day luncheon between old friends, the autobiographical play flashes back to 1971, their senior year at Mount Holyoke College, where young women are groomed for "Gracious Living" and high expectations. This distaff Ivy League prompts an abundance of lively introspection from the classmates, including Rita (Swoosie Kurtz), the aspiring novelist who'll never write a novel; Leilah (Meryl Streep), tentatively devoted to a humanitarian future; and Holly (Alma Cuervo), whose identity is troublesomely elusive. This amazing ensemble captures the essence of seven diverse characters, wrapping them in humor, sarcasm, and keenly observant compassion. In Wasserstein's view, these seemingly common women are ultimately unique, after all. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great family movie
I rent many DVDs for the family to watch. It's hard to find movies that will be entertaining for the kids and yet keep the interest of the adults. This is one of them. Very beautiful movie - everyone loved it. You'll laugh like crazy but the movie, like Twain himself, is often profound.

A Great American Adventure
After completing The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Celebrated Frog of Caleveras County, I decided to show Roughing to my 8th grade students. Some students had enjoyed Tom Sawyer, but there were quite a few that found the vocabulary very difficult. Many of them were apprehensive, and thought it might be BORING, but the classroom was silent during this film. I ask students after they have watched a film if they would recommend showing to future students. All of them said they would watch it again, at home, if they had the movie.
Roughing It demonstrates the sense of adventure that we expect in the old west, but with the intellectual input of Twain. This film can be enjoyed by people from age 6 to 60 and beyond.

Even if you hate camping, you'll love Roughing It!
This is a great family film. James Garner is wonderful as Mark Twain. The stories he tells about his adventures before he became Mark Twain are fantastic. This movie shows Mark Twain's brilliance as a master story teller. We have been recommending this movie to everyone who will listen to us about it. Definitely a must have for the family video collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The first film to actually bill itself as a "prequel," this Richard Lester effort certainly didn't measure up to the Robert Redford-Paul Newman original, but it's better than you'd think. That's because of Lester's terrific sense of slapstick and his ability to deflate legends. He gets Newman and Redford lookalikes Tom Berenger and William Katt and puts them through a series of screwups and miscues, as the two would-be outlaws find that breaking the law is no easy business. Writer Allan Burns's script isn't long on story, but it offers both plausible and entertaining explanations of how these two came to be partners. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fun Western Prequel!
I am dating myself, but I remember seeing this film in the theatres. (Of course, I was 6. Yeah, that's right...six years old. OK, we'll go with that...)

I enjoyed it in my callow youth, and I find that now that I am a little more (ahem) mature, I still enjoy it. It's a cute little film with lots of future stars, a nice pace and altogether an entertaining movie.

But, as I have noted in other reviews of this film, it doesn't really have a plot. Just a series of adventures these two get into. But that's OK, just know what to expect. No plot, just fun little sketches as our heroes go from one predicament to the next.

Both stars (Tom Berenger doing Butch Cassidy, William Katt as Sundance Kid) do a fine job. If you are familiar with the movie that inspired this one ("Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford) you'll see some similarities in these stars. Katt (who later went on to be in "The Greatest American Hero" and "Perry Mason" in the '80s) has a certain look around the eyes and mouth that is Redford-esque (when the lighting is right). Berenger (Oscar nominated for "Platoon" a few years later) bears some resemblance to Newman at certain angles, and especially when he wears a particular funky hat that Newman also wore. Interesting and ingenious casting choices, in my opinion. (And as an aside, I am still amazed at how slender and trim Berenger was in this movie!)

Other future stars include Peter Weller ("Buckaroo Banzai" and "Robocop") as the guy who is doggedly determined to track our pair down. Jill Eikenberry ("L.A. Law") plays Butch's wife, Christopher Lloyd ("Back to the Future", "Taxi") plays a partner in crime, and so on.

An excellent score by Patrick Williams should not be overlooked. It is one of the more outstanding parts of this film. Beautiful scenery, a cute script and a likeable cast make this a worthwhile film to watch. Just don't expect too much of a plot.

Underrated, and underappreciated because of comparison
I love this film, just as much as the 69 Newman/Redford film. This prequel is often compared to its predecessor and is deemed worse because of itslack of a star cast. But these 'unknowns' as they were then, portrayed theyoung outlaws better than any other actors I can think of.

Berenger hasgot the charming, motormouth, egotistical Butch down to a tee and Katt'sbrooding Sundance is just as attractive as Redford's was.

The film hasalso been accused of having an empty plot, but this just may be because itdoesn't have a solid event to deal with and build up to like the first(i.e. their deaths!). But this pretty prequel deals with smaller, but noless entertaining incidents in their lives: their meeting and teeming up,being a hero, Sundance's patented "stop the bleeding" method,Butch's family, O.C. Hank's revenge and, of course, LeFors.

The EarlyDays also has more jokes, more banter and more action, perhaps making upfor the unknown cast? But it really is hilarious with loads of tiny littletouches that you will still laugh at every time you watch it.

It's a gem,and deserves to sit up there on the shelf next to the 1969 version.

Not good at all...
Tom Barrenger and William katt star as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid.Only watched the video once and it sat in my video cabinet collecting dust. Tom barrenger's role as Butch Cassidy was better then the Sundance Kidrole played by William Katt. Butch was the one that was trying to show himthe ropes of being a GOOD outlaw.. William Katt comes across as a stuffyknow it all. At one point in the film he KICKS a guy in the knee! OVERGROWNBABY!!! If you want to see a true western please check out the originalButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid...This one is not watchable over time.Once was quite enough for me.

Not a Knock-Off, it stands on its own!
Mention this title and most folks roll their eyes, "Oh, just some lame knock-off of the Newman/Redford classic," but not so. This is a really fun and funny movie! It was made years after the Redford/Newmanmovie, so it wasn't just a rush to make a fast buck before the popularitywore off. The story is solid, the cinematography beautiful and it's filledwith little touches that put it a cut above most westerns.

Directed byRichard Lester, who brought us, among other things, A Hard Day's Night,Help and Superman II, but it also has an all-star cast BEFORE THEY WERESTARS! You can see Tom Berenger, William Katt, Jill Eikenberry, BrianDennehy, Christopher Lloyd and Peter Weller, all before they became famous.Well worth a look, a pleasant surprise for all those tired of beingdisappointed by overly hyped crap at the video store. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great acting, superb script
What I like about this film is that it leads the viewer through the heart-wrench and painful gutted sense of a woman who discovers her husband has been unfaithful, and then who goes through the slow process of making a life without him. You actually go through those feelings with the wife. One criticism is that it's a little bit hard to believe Jill Clayburgh, who's otherwise so sharp, could have put her WHOLE life into her dopey husband, since she appears college-educated and has worked part-time even through her marriage. Michael Murphy always plays kind of super-achiever but wishy-washy characters, and typically a woman he'd be involved with would have her own life anyway.

It's never too late to become your own person
I first saw this movie with my mother when it was released theatrically. Because I was just 13 years old, some of the subject matter sailed right over my head, but I was still entranced by the film and cheered Erica on to find her own happy ending.

I have seen the film many times since, and it has become one of my all time favorite movies. Jill Clayburgh shines as Erica and brings such a believability to this role. You are right there with Erica as she revels in her comfortable Upper East Side life, as she walks around in a fog when her husband leaves, as she takes those tentative first steps into the world of dating, as she finds love once again, and ultimately, as she emerges as a woman who discovers who she is and is determined to face life and love on HER terms.

I think this is Paul Mazursky's best work. He was not afraid to explore his feminine side and write this film from a woman's point of view. Many of the themes brought up in the film, such as loss, self-esteem, and independence still ring true today and I am hard pressed to name a recent film that explores this territory as well.

On a purely aesthetic level, I would kill to have Erica's apartment. A spacious, tastefully decorated hi-rise apartment with stunning views of Manhattan...I would be in heaven. The movie gets a star alone for that location.

Unmarried Woman
It`s excellent. I need the films have subtitles in spanish, for my english very bad. The film have a way for persons unmarried, wish we begin the live again. I live in San José Costa Rica, América Central.

One of the Best Films
This is one of the best films I have ever seen. It is well-written, superbly acted, introspective, accurate.

When will this be on DVD!!!???

SEX AND THE CITY IN THE 1970'S
BEFORE SEX AND THE CITY HOLLYWOOD MADE A GREAT FILM IN THE ERA OF THE EQUAL RIGHT MOVEMENT! IN THIS MOVIE A WOMAN WHO WAS HAPPILY MARRIED FINDS HERSELF SINGLE AFTER HER HUSBAND HAS BEEN HAVING AN AFAIR! AFTER THE DIVORCE SHE DISCOVERS HERSELF AND FIGURES OUT WHAT HER NEEDS ARE! ... Read more