Reviews (167)

Best. Movie. Ever.
The following is quoted from the Official Buckaroo Banzai website, and should be taken as canon. These guys work with the facts, and I hope this helps people who are on the fence about buying the DVD edition...

"Wow - we've just gotten our hands on the revised and final list of specs on MGM's upcoming The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Special Edition (street date 1/1/02), and you guys are gonna flip for it! These come straight from the amazing Mojo, who was an associate producer on the project. The disc was produced by Michael Arick, whose other recent work includes Forrest Gump and The Magnificent Seven. So here goes... special features on the DVD will include a brand new anamorphic widescreen transfer (presented for the first time on home video in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio), remixed Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, 2 versions of the movie (the theatrical cut plus a special extended version with restored opening sequence starring Jamie Lee Curtis), feature audio commentary from director W.D. Richter and Reno from the Banzai Institute, a behind-the-scenes documentary and retrospective, 14 deleted scenes, the original teaser trailer, an all-new "Jet Car" special effects trailer, extensive interactive menus with new material from Buckaroo Banzai screenwriter Earl Mac Rauch, special 'watermelon' Easter eggs, Pinky Carruther's Unknown Facts subtitle track, the Banzai Institute Archives, a Banzai Radio segment, original production designs, Jet Car secrets revealed and a still gallery with never-before-seen photos. SWEEEEET! I actually ran into Mojo at the recent Studio Day event here in L.A., and from what he told me, this may be one of the coolest discs in a long time! Everything on this thing is done up as if the disc was produced by the Banzai Institute itself, and there's a ton of new and original film-themed material produced by the folks who worked on the movie. If you love Buckaroo Banzai as much as we do here at The Bits, this is a must have title if there ever was one. ... It's a adventure/sci-fi/comedy in the same vein as Big Trouble in Little China, and it's just plain fun. Don't miss it..."...

Where The Future Begins Tomorrow...
This movie was unfortunately released before its time. It got good reviews in the newspapers and magazines, but I saw it on opening night in a nearly-empty theater and it was gone shortly afterwards. A few years later, films such as Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Big Trouble In Little China (same writer as BB), Men In Black, and Galaxy Quest would make audiences more receptive of sci-fi and/or fantasy movies that played as comedies. Its production values aren't the greatest, and it definitely looks dated (8o's hairstyles, clothing, and music), but it has a quirky, hip quality to it. The movie also features a lot of stars (John Ligthow, Christopher Lloyd, Ellen Barken, Peter Weller, Jeff Goldblum) who went on to bigger and better things. A campy film that could have been the start of something great...too bad it never caught on!

Elvira would be proud to narrate this...!
Okay, here's the bottom line line: If you didn't like this movie you should go to the morgue and check to see if you are late... as in 'the late Mr. Smith', 'cuz you don't have a pulse or a funny bone. Peter Weller did this better than he did 'RoboCOP'. Jeff Goldblum is suave and funny in this feature, even more so than in 'Transylvania 6-5000' with Ed Begley, Jr. and Geena Davis. To V. Mejia: Calling this a boring film is the most absurd thing that I have ever heard since George Bush said 'Read my lips.'. You must have been watching a different film or the humor is just beyond you. It is hard to be funny when your audience doesn't understand little things like science and levity. If you don't laugh every couple of minutes at this film you should hit yourself in the funny bone with a rubber mallet. If that doesn't work, well, get yourself a toe tag and follow the instructions in the first sentence above. Where else could you find some calling themselves 'John Big Bootay'? Hmmm??? Buy this, show it to your kid, your grandkids and everyone else that you know. This movie is on a par with 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'Clue', 'Back to the Future' (I,II & III), and many other classic cult films. As Elvira would say: 'Unpleasant Dreams...'.

Live Japanimation
This movie came out before Japanimation became big. If this movie was animated it would make more sense to those who don't get it. It's a parody of Japanese movies, particularly the animated ones. The bizzare costumes, the aliens, and the implied history are all aspects of these films.

pure torture
Like many other reviewers here, I have tried and tried to watch this film in its entirety. But it's just not possible. This movie is tedious. The entire opening home-movie sequence is incredibly laborious. There are a few funny moments in the film, but overall, this movie is painful. The folks at the School of The Americas could probably use this movie as part of their torture training program. John Lithgow's performance is excrutiating to watch. It's uncomfortably over the top. I first saw this movie when it came out in theaters and fell asleep. This movie is BAD. People say it's a cult classic, but it's nothing like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, which is a true cult classic. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the year 2018, violence and crime have been totally eliminated from society and given outlet in the brutal blood sport of rollerball, a high-velocity blend of football, hockey, and motor-cross racing sponsored by the multinational corporations that now control the world following the collapse of traditional politics. James Caan plays Jonathan E., the reigning superstar of rollerball, whose corporate controllers fear that Jonathan's popularity has endowed him with too much power. They begin to pressure him according to their own ruthless set of rules, but Jonathan has rules of his own--the rules of a man determined to retain his soul in a world gone mad. As directed by Norman Jewison (who was enjoying a peak of success during the early and mid-1970s), Rollerball creates a believable society that's been rendered passive and compliant by the homogenization of corporate dictatorships, where the control and flow of information is the only currency of any importance. It's a world in which natural human aggressions have been sublimated and vented through the religious fervor toward rollerball and its players. Rollerball now looks like one of those 1970s science fiction films (another example being Logan's Run) that seems a bit dated and quaint, but its ideas are still provocative and fascinating, and the production is visually impressive. The DVD includes full-screen and widescreen versions of the film, audio commentary by director Norman Jewison, a behind-the-scenes featurette, an interactive "rollergame," trivia, and production notes. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (61)

Excellent futuristic sports film with a message
Definately one of the best science fiction films ever to grace the big screen, and one of James Cann's finer films. Rollerball is an excellent futuristic ports film with a message. A message that informs the audience of a future that could happen. Corproartions running the world, as well as Orwellian themes. The film tells the story of a Rollerball player Jonathan E. who is the top player in a violent futuristic sport that is a combination of roller derby, ice hockey, football, and gladiatorial fighting. The film has outstanding sets, costumes, music, characters, a solid plot, and good actors. Indeed an international flavor. One that ITC Entertainment could have produced. The film also tells the story of how the corporation wants Jonathan to retire from the game for fear of him being too good for his own good, and fear of him in general. Yet, Jonathan does not want to retire, which leads to the corporation making certain decisions that would make Jonathan retire. Retire or die.

The film has some violent moments, bordering on the graphic and explosive. Yet, it is still entertaining and enjoyable to watch. Filmed on location at Pinewood Studios in London, England and Munich, Germany, the film truly represents a 21st Century world that could very well happen. The ending of the film is even better. One of the most thought-provoking. If you enjoy good science fiction as well as sports, check this film out. The melding of the two is very unique, if not lethal.

"This was never meant to be a game! Never!"
The rollerball game of the future was created for a special reason. "To show the futility of individual effort." To make anyone that wants to go his own way, bow dowm to the powers that be. James Cann, in one of his best roles, is Johnathan E, rollerball's super star. He's relaxed and friendly off the track, and a determined gladiator on.

The action is great and strangly hypnotizing as skaters and motorcyclists race around a large circular track, trying to throw a steel metal ball into a basket.

John Housman makes one of the best establishment heavys as he hints, demands, and threatens Johnathan to retire. For people that like gladiator movies, sports action, or the lone man trying to survive, Rollerball will excite you. You'll be shouting Johnathan's name along with the crowd. And after it's over, you'll feel like taking on the world. Yes, a great motivational movie as well.

Pay no attention to remake. This is the one and only "Rollerball".

are you kidding me?
I've heard nothing but bad reviews and it looks like they were justified because this movie blows. Plot is pretty weak and the fact that its set in Kazakhstan is even stupider. I think filmmakers just like the way it sounds because its they seem to forget that they are many other soviet republics ( but I guess any time there is any action is all happens in Kazakhstan) . Geez. Naveen Andrews who did quite a good job in Kama Sutra looks like a total dweeb with a wedge haircut. Jean Reno is a caricature of a villain. It also looked like the half of the cast of La Femme Nikita had supporting roles in this movie. And that green light in the final sequence! What the hell were they thinking?! I guess they wanted something artsy but it just looks ridiculous. Oh, and the last straw was that Chris Kline nerd. Not only he is a lousy actor but casting him as a main bad boy who loves adrenaline is the stupidest thing anyone could have done. He has no personality and no charisma. He is bland, bland, bland.

A cult movie
In the future you will live horror nightmares , and feel the pression of an overcrowded world , but instead you'll have always Rollerball!
I saw this film from its release in 1975 , and I watched again three months ago . The film hasn't lost just a bit from its initial impact.
The knock out performance given by James Caan supported by a dark story about the fate of these future gladiators will let you thinking about the entertainment as mass media phenomen and the deep implications about the way of living .
Caan obviously is tired , he refuses to keep that job and wants to escape from this show business cycle but you know : the rules are the rules. The conflict is announced and the final combat will be an unforgettable experience.
Good transfer on DVD!
Superb script and dazzling direction!

Great Movie - But You'll Need Coffee for the Commentary
The commentary uhhhhhh option for this film, dirrrrr, uh, director Norman Jewison, uhhhhhhh, talk..... ing about the making of, uh, the film, really makes one wonder ahhhhhhh how a narcolepsy-inducer like this could ever make an action film as fine as Rollerball. Buy the DVD for sure, but -- uh, errrrrrr -- SKIP the director's comments! ... Read more

Description

FBI Agent Diane Knox (Tia Carrere) has been undercover for six months when her sting is foiled by DEA Agent Max Perish (Thomas Ian Griffith). Both agencies are searching for Thomas Livingston (John Lithgow), the master-mind behind a partnership between the Italian, Chinese, and Russian mafias. Livingston is about to ship its entire years shipment of cash to various offshore banks. Whichever agency is able to find the money will be able to keep the funds. Their best hope of capturing Livingston is by finding Garrett (Donald Sutherland), a hitman that Livingston recently double crossed. However, when Diane runs a check on Max, she discovers he is no longer with the DEA. In this deadly game of cat and mouse, who can you really trust…? ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Awesome Action
This movie has great bad guys and very funny jokes. The action in this movie is great. I've seen it about 50 times and love it more every time I watch it.

Action packed & full of laughs
Thoroughly enjoyed this movie, from start to finish. Although there were some VERY unbelievable parts, it was well worth watching. In fact, I had to rewind certain parts again & again, (garage door scenes) and I laughed so hard I cried! Donald Sutherland makes an almost loveable asassin, & T. Griffith & T. Carrerre sizzle! Never would've thought to involve guns in romantic foreplay, but they pull it off! Gotta own this one!

Hollow Point
Thomas Ian Griffith plays super-action tough guy who also seconds as comedian and thirds as hopeless romantic in the hillarious action-thriller. Tia Carrere, Donald Sutherland, and John Lithgow are all magnificent supporting casts. Not sure if this ever made the big screen but it should have. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes high-action flicks with excellent plots. It's one of my favorite movies...even my wife loved it!

Griffith reveals his humorous side
Hollow point is a combination of action and humour. The cat and mouse game between Carrera and Griffith added to the enjoyment of the movie. Sutherland was a devious and witty character and Lithgow made an excellent bad guy! I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie!

AWESOME MOVIE
I'm believe this movie was not in theatre, which is too bad because it is a great movie. There was a lot of big screen action moments, humor, revenge, and romance. Everything you can ask for a good and nice movie. The tension between the roles of Carrere and Griffith was totally awesome. It was all sugar and spice, love/hate relationship that made the movie very fun to watch. Overall great movie. I wish there are more movies like this. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When it was released in 1999, The Omega Code surprised Hollywoodby scoring $2.4 million in its opening weekend, following a promotional blitz on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. The Christian televangelical outlet, which funded this chaotic biblical thriller, had built widespread awareness among its viewership, and the film attracted an appreciative Christian audience. While it's true that The Omega Code offers a wealth of biblical prophecy that Christians will study for years, it remains a pedestrian, headache-inducing movie that's too busy "decoding" the Bible to make any dramatic sense. With a cast that could populate an Aaron Spelling miniseries, it's too badly written to inspire serious religious discussion, and not terrible enough to qualify as entertaining schlock. It's just painfully, pretentiously bad.

Rife with snippets from the book of Revelation, the convoluted plot finds a famous motivational speaker and "Bible Code" expert (Casper Van Dien) under the influence of an ultra-wealthy philanthropist (played by ultra-hammy Michael York) who schemes to crack the Bible's secret codes and take over the world. He's a vessel for the Antichrist (with snidely Michael Ironside as his henchman), and by the time Van Dien gets a clue from a pair of resurrected prophets, The Omega Code has jettisoned any pretense of religious importance. Rather than dare a meaningful examination of faith and the power of evil, the movie opts instead for cheesy pyrotechnics, hackneyed action, and enough bad acting to make Arnold Schwarzenegger's End of Days look like a masterpiece. Do you want to feel closer to God? Just read your Bible, forget about the code, and avoid this gawd-awful movie. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (170)

A Major Step in the Right Direction
I've read a lot of negative reviews based on how reviewers felt the Omega Code compared to secular big budget films. The problem with comparing Omega Code with these films is that the producers never intended or pretended that it would be a secular big budget film. It was intended to be a soul-winning, prophecy based movie.

Another area of "grief" in the reviews seemed to be that it did not include prophetic events like the the mark of the beast and people being "Left Behind" as in other movies. Here again, the purpose was not to include every end time prophecy but to give a fictional set of probabilities related to the use of the fairly new discovery of the Bible encodings which have and still reveal the current happenings like the newspaper.

REMINDER: Low budget means less money to spend on a myriad of sound and special effects. What is being underplayed is the fact that the christian community pulled together from the grassroots and made it possible for this movie to be in the limelight or reviewed at all.

No, everything was not perfect but it most certainly a step in the right direction and an encouragement for all aspiring writers, directors, actors and producers to know that there is an audience out there for Bible based films.

Was this deliberately hilarious, or what?
It's been a long time since I've seen a movie quite this terrible. After about ten minutes I realized I was watching an unintentional comedy directed by some jackass zealot. Notice that during the previews all the movies are religious. "Crosswalk Entertainment".

It begins with a man (Michael Ironside, prostituting himself for cash) shooting a monk SITTING BEHIND A F**KING LAPTOP with a silencer and then being apprehended by to men who give him his hat and let him go. These guys are angels. Praise the Lord.

It spirals into the worst cinematic attempt at a Biblical message I have ever seen. The funniest parts involve the Antichrist, this idiotic English guy who can't act and takes over the world in, ah, about a week. But wait! Jesus comes to save the day! That is, once the 90210 looking protagonist breaks down his satanic doubt and PRAYS! This is bust a gut comedy.

Turn on Lifetime TV instead. The quality is about the same.

Skip This- Watch "Left Behind" Instead
I'm a Christian, and I like the idea of more Christian friendly films. But this is a terrible mess. For a Christian movie, it seems to have (relatively) high production values, but the redeeming value is in its cover art. You know that's a problem, when the cover is literally the best thing about it. Skip this one.

Disappointing
I prefer Meggido over this one any day.

Worst...movie...ever
I've made it a point to try and see as many of the films in the IMDB 'bottom 150'. I wasn't surprised to see The Omega Code in that esteemed list. It's a dreadful film that hasn't found any niche. Born-again fundamentaloonies never took to it because it isn't 'biblically accurate.' Most sane people dismissed it off-hand. If it didn't completely bomb at the box office, it's because of it's 'limited theatrical release' and the fact that it was [messed with]so well by TBN. Now there's your 2.7 mil at the box office. The TBN crowd (read: instant gratification evangeloonies) flocked to see this croaker. They also put money in Benny Hinn's pockets. Enough said.

Well, it didn't take me long to get a hold of this. Most video stores have this stored away somewhere. This is pure MST2K stuff, people. The acting is wooden, the plot is nonsensical and it's just totally pointless. Was this supposed to make me drop to my knees and praise the Lord?

I was too busy laughing. Avoid! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Ugly, the Bad, and the Good
When you buy one of those DVDswhich include several films for acheap price, you often get whatyou pay for; PRAY FOR DEATH is anoutstanding case in point. THE UGLY: One reason why I gotthis one is NIGHT OF THE DEATH CULT, which is the fourth of theBlind Dead series, and I'm sorry to report that the picture qualityis atrocious. It clearly came froma substandard videotape source, and is full of the sort of hideous artifacts that plagued budget VHStapes. Let's hope for a bettercopy of this title someday soon. THE BAD: The prerelease infoindicated that the notorious MARKOF THE DEVIL PART 2 was part ofthis package, but if you orderedit for that reason, you're goingto be bumming, as DEATH CULT is the only announced title which isactually included...come on, guys! THE GOOD: As to the movieswhich ended up being included,THEWEREWOLF VS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN is acampy Paul Naschy vehicle which isentertaining in its goofy fashion.SISTERS OF DEATH features an oddperformance by 1950s Sci-Fi heroArthur Franz as he menaces, amongothers, the ill-fated Playboy model Claudia Jennings...this oneoffers better acting than usuallyseen in such low-budget fare. Andlastly we have the ubiquitousSATANIC RITES OF DRACULA in apretty decent letterbox print. Iguess that Hammer must really notcare about this title, judgingfrom the number of cheap DVDs onwhich it can be found. All threeof this group are watchable, if not exactly DVD demo material. VERDICT: All in all, it's OKfor the price, but I'll be morewary in the future.

Excellent martial arts action. Villains are evil.
This movie is a classic martial arts gem. The fight scenes are well done, and the main villain is extremely evil which makes the ending even more appealing. This is a must see, if you like good martial arts scenes, and like to see really bad villains get theirs in the end. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Vineyard
All he wanted was a wife. One that would love, honor, and care for him. He kept getting women that used him for his money, so he locked them in the basement. He has dreams and wakes up to find himself turning into a monster. He has to beg his lord to make him young again. In his Vineyard there are bodies of the dead which return to life night after night. When a group of would be actors and actresses visit the island to be in one of his movies, will they figure out his darkest secrets? ... Read more

Description

An exciting, explosive adventure ripped from today's headlines, "Lima: Breaking the Silence" is an intense drama based on the true story of Peruvian rebels who in 1997 kidnapped several hundred high-ranking diplomats and government officials in an attempt to force the release of 400 political prisoners. Joe Lara, Billy Drago and Christopher Atkins star as three very different men caught up in a world where intrigue and danger rule and no one can be trusted. Trailer ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Candidate For Worst Movie Ever Made
This is a badly made and badly acted movie that plays fast and loose with reality. Although the Fujimori regime was far from angelic the fascist-type depiction of the goverment in this movie is a distortion of reality. Also, one must realize the Tupac Amaro and the Sendero Luminoso were terrorist groups responsible for the murder of thousands of Peruvians. Having lived in Peru during the Fujimori regime, he was considered a hero by most Peruvians who hated the violence and murder committed by the terrorist groups portrayed in this movie. In conclusion, count this movie as another Hollywood distortion of reality, badly made, badly acted, and best left for the garbage can of badly made movies. ... Read more