Amazon.com

It's easy to get hooked by Claudine, a lean, funny, Nixon-era movie about a romance nearly undone by a patronizing welfare system. Diahann Carroll stars as Claudine, single mother of six children in Harlem and a maid working for under-the-table wages. Forever worried that her white caseworker will discover her meager, outside income (thus eliminating meager government benefits), Claudine further complicates her domestic situation by falling in love with Roop (James Earl Jones). An affable Romeo and absent but financially supportive father of several kids, Roop by his presence jeopardizes Claudine's official status as a mom without means. The couple's decision to go forward results in welfare backlash, personal humiliation, family strain, and corrosive behavior. A sharp script layers the personal story within a socially conscious treatment, while Jones and Carroll's special chemistry turns the characters into fully rounded people. John Berry (From This Day Forward), an interesting if forgotten director, brings a clipped vitality to this urban affair. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The Best
I Love this movie.. And I am so glad that it's coming out on video. You have this woman with a lot of kids(Diahann Carroll), who is on welfare and works on the side to make ends meet. She meets this garbageman(James Earl Jones) who likes her despite the kids, dates her, and despite his own problems, want to marry her. In time,he gets cold feet and runs off for a minute thinking on the committment he's about to take on, but in the end, love rules the day. This movie,which the late Diana Sands got a hold of initially, was about to star in but got sick and later died, is so realistic. You have this woman who is on welfare, but works. You have this man who loves this woman, but he got kids from another relationship, and he got to pay for that too, then marry a woman with five kids?... That's enough to make anyone take a pause for the cause. Not to say it isn't a good idea. I have seen men do it and keep on going. But, it will make you think. A great movie by an unlikely actress. Diahann usually plays classier roles, yet she was good in this one so much so that she was nominated for an Oscar for that role.

A very special film for all time
Well, I admit I'm biased (because my parents wrote and co-produced CLAUDINE), but after seeing the film again as an adult (I was 19 when it came out), I am amazed by the splendid acting and, yes, my parents' remarkable script. This film definitely improved with age, and I'm extremely happy that my late parents' finest work is finally available for the home video/DVD market. It was a total blast working on the DVD commentary track; to find out that the movie meant so much to Diahann Carroll, James Earl Jones, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, and George Tillman Jr. was extremely gratifying. Thanks to all the CLAUDINE fans that clamored for the movie and helped bring it home.

I Looked For This Movie For Years
I remember when CLAUDINE first came out. I was a pre-teen growing up on the South Side of Chicago. I think it was my babysitter who took my sister and I to see the movie. We LOVED it. We wanted to see it over and over, but of course we couldn't; we were children. Who was going to keep taking us to the movies?
When the movie finally got to TV, I had to see it, but it wasn't the same. My sister and I, who almost knew the movie word for word, would ask, "Where's the part where..." It was so edited. Still, when able to do so, I did copy the TV version. Any version was better than no version.
I was so happy when videos came out. I said to myself, "I can finally see the UNCUT version of CLAUDINE.
When my aunt got her first recorder, a Betamax, we would go to the videostore, I think it was called Errols, and check out the maximum number of videos you could. From those early times I searched and searched and asked and asked for CLAUDINE. I looked through that huge video directory that would be in the store, but it was NOT listed and most of the people I asked didn't know what I was talking about. I could not understand why it couldn't be found. I wanted to write in to that question section in the front of the Parade magazine to ask why CLAUDINE wasn't in video format, but I never did.
Imagine my surprise and delight when I walked into Blockbuster yesterday around midnight, and there was CLAUDINE. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I checked it out, and when I got home, though it was after midnight, I not only watched it once, I watched it a second time with the commentary from some of the actors. I am now older than "Claudine" was in the movie, but I STILL absolutely LOVE it and I LOVE the soundtrack!
James Earl Jones and Diahann Carroll have the best chemistry in this movie.
Of course I'm going to buy it, not just for myself, but for my sister and one of my aunts, too.
I highly recommend this movie. It is HEART-WARMING and just WONDERFUL.

Long Overdue
I worked for Blockbuster Video for nearly 10 years, and Claudine was one of the most requested videos ever. Unfortunely it was never released on Video or DVD until now. So unless you got to catch it on Cable in the wee hours of the morning you might not have seen it.It is one of my all time favorite movies. I have already purchased four copies for friends and family. If you have not seen this movie yet take it from me it's the best!!

A REAL TEAR JERKER!!!
THIS IS AN AWESOME MOVIE ABOUT A WOMAN ON WELFARE HAVING A HARD TIME RAISING SIX KIDS I LOVE THIS MOVIE I CRY EVERYTIME I SEE THIS MOVIE AND I LOVE IT I CAN WATCH IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I LOVE THIS MOVIE.... I USED TO WATCH IT EVERYTIME THAT IT CAME ON TV WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL BUT NOW I AM DEFINITELY SURPRISED TO SEE THAT JAMES EARL JONES AND DIHANN CARROLL HAD ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO PLAY THESE ROLES BUT I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR THE BOTH OF THESE VETERAN ACTORS THEY HAVE ALWAYS CARRIED THEMSELVES IN A VERY GOOD WAYS AND I HAVE ADMIRED ALL OF THEIR WORK BUT THIS IS A MUST MOVIE TO HAVE AND OWN ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIKE DIHANN CARROL AND JAMES EARL JONES BUT THIS MOVIE IS VERY EASY TO RELATE TO AND THE SOUNDTRACK IS ALSO CURTIS MAYFIELD ARRANGED, PRODUCED , AND COMPOSED THIS SOUNDTRACK CURTIS IS THE BABYFACE OF THE 70'S HE WAS AN AWESOME PERFORMER AND PRODUCER HE AND GLADY'S HAD DID AN EXCELLENT JOB ON THE SOUNDTRACK TO BE INVISIBLE, ON AN ON, MAKE YOURS A HAPPY HOME, ANY MANY GREAT OTHERS BUT I RECOMMEND THE VIDEO AND THE SOUNDTRACK YOU WILL BE HAPPY WITH BOTH!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Cooley High has frequently been compared to American Graffiti, and for good reason. Like that classic, Cooley High has a loose, multicharacter structure, autobiographical origins, and the rich texture of its time. Set in Chicago in 1964, the movie follows aspiring writer Preach (Glynn Turman) and local basketball star Cochise (Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, who went on to star in Welcome Back, Kotter) as they wander their neighborhood, drifting in and out of their classes at Cooley Vocational High School. The two friends pull pranks, crash parties, commit petty crimes, and generally try to enjoy their lives in an impoverished urban environment. Preach falls in love with a smart girl named Brenda (Cynthia Davis), whom he wins over by reciting poetry--leading to one of the silliest and sweetest love scenes you'll ever see. When Preach and Cochise go on a joy ride with a pair of young hoods, they end up arrested. Their history teacher, Mr. Mason (a superb Garrett Morris), gets them off, but the hoods think the boys sold them out and come seeking revenge. Cooley High depicts the rough life of African Americans in the 1960s with honesty and humor, offering no easy solutions or pat lessons. It's a roughly made movie, but Turman and Jacobs are both excellent, and there's an attention to reality that makes it engaging, refreshing, and ultimately moving. The soundtrack is a great compilation of 1960s soul, including the Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas,Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, and Smokey Robinson. An unjustly neglected film that deserves rediscovery. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (28)

The original "Boyz N the Hood" flick
All of the Black "coming-of-age" films of the 90s -- such as "Boyz N the Hood", "Juice", and even the more romantic "Jason's Lyric" -- owe a debt to "Cooley High". It's as much a classic as "American Graffiti". See familiar faces when they were much younger, like Glynn Turman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, and Garrett Morris. See Robert Townsend's QUICK cameo (on the basketball court in the gym). See the seeds of what would later become the "What's Happening" TV show (Preach, the skinny writer with glasses became Roger, the skinny writer with glasses). See a death scene that had viewers in tears years before the death scene in "Boyz N the Hood". Hear the original version of "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" (Had Boys II Men even been born in 1975?) No doubt about it, there will never be another "Cooley High". [I can't listen to the song "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" by the Four Tops without thinking of this film. Once you see it, you'll understand why.]

A Trip Down Memory Lane
I recall watching this movie at my 7th. grade English teacher's home when it debuted because she was one of the very few people who had cable TV at this time. This movie along with Cornbread Earl and Me hold a deep connection with me as I can still recall the music and general style of the late 60's and early 70's. The main characters were/are so easy for me to relate to that I always have the same touching reaction whenever I think about their story. I almost feel like I knew Preach and Cochise because their characters are so authentic. I played this DVD for a group of my contemporary friends and I saw tears in the eyes of the men as well as the women. Although the audio on the DVD is very poor, Cooley High is at the top of my DVD collection. The ending alone makes this movie a pure classic.

Excellent!
A sad ending for a great film. This was not some cheap, run of the mill Black 70's movie. It was well acted with a solid plot with very good direction, a definite classic.

The Real BOYZ IN THE HOOD
People tend to have short memories. Cooley High, while an interesting film about the urban black experience seems to be dwarfed by newer black films. Not only this, but the film Boyz in the Hood is a direct rip off of this film. The plotlines are very similar, with the protagonist who is about to make it out of the ghetto eventually struck down in their prime. Anyone who sees this and Boyz in the Hood will realize that John Singleton is a sham and that his "breakthrough" work, Boyz in the Hood, was actually a remake of Cooley High.

Love it
Cooley High is a wonderful movie. It is funny and sad at the same time. I am happy that it is on DVD, because I have a VHS copy and I can forward to my favorite scenes. You must own this. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream begins in the1940s, when Joseph Jackson (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) and Katherine (AngelaBassett) meet and fall in love, and ends in the 1980s, when their sons reunitefor the 1983 Victory Tour that brought them back together as the Jacksons. During the first part, "The Early Years," the couple starts a family, andalthough times are tough, Joseph still finds time to play music on the side. When he discovers that his sons have inherited the same talent, the Jackson 5are born.They sign with Motown and start churning out the gold records.Thesecond part, "The Success Years," begins in 1970 at the peak of their fame, butby 1976, the hits have started to dry up.If the acting is uneven and the storysomewhat sanitized, Bassett is affecting, and the series includes Emmy-winningchoreography and a combination of original and re-created material, ranging from"I Want You Back" (1969) to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" (from 1982's multi-platinum Thriller). --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Nicely done
I liked this movie. Much better than some of the other movies about stars from that era. Like the Osmonds, Partridge Family, and Brady Bunch. ... This one however, had more time to go into the WHOLE story with 6 hour play time instead of just 2. I thought the actor who< did Joseph did well. If the movie is a true depiction of Joseph Jackson, he's not that abusive, just strict for those times. Would be considered abusive for this "time out for brats" era. I loved the little guy who played the little Michael. Wonder where he is now. Was that really him singing. He was so cute! Was that Jermaine's son who played the young Jermaine. Looked just like him and just did a wonderful job. The oldest Jermaine was a terrible actor. The only Marlon I liked was the youngest one. The other two were casted terribly and he wasn't that ugly! They did a wonderful job casting Tito on all the ages. Those actors did a great job. The youngest Jackie was believable but not the other one. Vanessa Williams did a great job too. The two older Michaels, I don't think were as good as the first little guy but I guess were acceptable. The oldest ones voice was too deep, and he was skinny enough to be Michael. Did an alright job dancing though. The middle Michael sung well, but wasn't near as cute as the REal Michael Jackson was and not near of good dancer.

Brilliant Flim, Yet good and Bad casting
The Jacksons an American Dream is entertaining MOVIE and well planned with a well thought story. Yet some of the cast wasn't that belivalbe, because some of the kids didn't even look a little bit like the real Jacksons. Even Michael wasn't that well done. the adult one had a deep voice and wasn't skinny enough. And most of all, his nose was too big. couldn't the casting crew just find an MJ inpersonator.The 2nd Micheal was great though. Like a clone. But the Jermaine was not anything like the real thing. He wasn't even that good looking. Yet kathrine was done well by Angela Basset and Joseph played by Laurence. Sussane De Passe was played by Vennessa Williams perfect as a picture. Despite some of the casting, the movie is brilliant,with, fun yet emotinal lerning things you never thought you would know about talened yet troubled Jackson Family!The movie also features some of your favorite classic hits from I Want You Back, ABC, I'll Be There, even Bilie Jean and Beat It Showing hoe MJ became the KING OF POP! If you haven't seen it, SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!

great film, the people that play Micheal are amazing!
This is an amazing mini seris! It's the perfect gift for any Jackson fan! The people that play Micheal are awesome and could pass for the real Micheal Jackson! I must also give credit to the person that played the father because that is a starnge and power person and he made the character even more amazing. The rest of the cast was cute and good! But I am just so amazed by the person that plays Micheal in 1976- 1983 that was one of the best parts of the movie but the best of best part of the movie is when Micheal performs "Billie Jean" is amazing and is actually like Micheal did it. Please see this movie you won't regret it!

Great DVD, but...
Great story line and music. But, I would have like to have some behind the scene footage. I had originally taped it from WABC in 1992 on my VCR, and was pleased when it was released in this format.

MARLON GETS THE BUTT-WHUPPIN' OF A LIFETIME!
In one early scene, Marlon screws up on a dance number, and Joe gets very angry at him. As a punishment, he has to go out and pick a switch to get the butt-whuppin' of a lifetime. When he comes back in, his shirt is off, and Joe's a busy beatin' him until his back is red. He's crying and screamin', "DADDY, WHAT DID I DO?", while his brothers look on. Please see this scene, it's funny! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Review of Tidal Wave: No Escape
DVD features: None
First off the dvd features are bad. Only 2.0 sound english and scene selection make this movie already seem bad. The movie is about a terrorist who is making tidal waves and only 2 people can stop them. This movie lacks character development and and a series of dialogue that is uninteresting and intended to explain how tidal waves are possibly made. Some of the dialogue gets too technical thus making the film lame and boring. Next the special effects are weak and action is little in this film. This movie features mild violence and disaster moment but I would recommend this as a family movie (this movie has no rating). I would highly recommend you don't buy this movie.

Don't Waste Your Time
This movie is amongst the worst "action" films ever! There's barely any action, too much scientific talk, lame plot, and to top it all off--the story setting is in California yet the coverbox for the film shows the East River in New York City! There ya have it.
P.S. I gave it one star just for its effort in "trying" to entertain the viewer.

Pathic
Or you out of your mind! I watched about 5 mins. and I'm speachless. That was the worse movie I ever "started" to watch and couldn't get to the controls fast enough to turn it off. Throw them away, please.

good movie
Overall I'd say it was a good movie. Good plot and effects, but too much technical jargon for the average movie watcher. This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat.

It's sad to see...
Let alone poor cast and ideas; and I even don't speak about level of special effects... but you can't see more wrong presentation of how tidal waves appear. Authors of this movie could do just a little research about it. I would give it 0 stars... ... Read more

Description

With music performances by Beck, Beth Orton, Hank Williams III, Union 13, and Billy Higgins, plus cameos from Laura Prepon, Ione Sky and Elliott Smith, Southlander is a comically uncanny Rock and Roll party adventure. Chance (Rory Cochrane), a hapless LA Musician, has found histicket to fame, fortune and romance with the coveted keyboard, the '69 Moletron, which got him the gig and thegirl (Beth Orton). But now the Moletron is missing, and Chance must reclaim it by working his way through TheSouthlander, the ultimate buy/sell classified paper for musicians in Southern California. ... Read more

Description

In the gritty, grand tradition of Reservoir Dogs, Narc and Jefferson in Paris, Tuesday Never Comes plunges you into the dark world of undercover police narcs with a blood-soaked vengeance. What should have been the perfect drug bust turns into a brutal clash of double-dealing double-crosses between crack-obsessed assassins and gangsters.

With top notch performances by Erik Estrada, Academy Award® nominee Karen Black and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, punctuating the non-stop ferocious action. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

i want wbk on dvd now!!!
I too was not around when this show was released. but i love it.. it is classic tv at its funniest. come on if they have punky brewster on dvd this shows should be soo much more funnier to watch

WHAT.....WHERE.....WHEN......
.....will they put this on DVD? Ah mean, it's like so weird dat it aint. Up the studio's nose with a rubber hose if they don't....

Ow, ow, ow!!!!!!
Arnold: Comonnnnnn Mr Kotterrrrr, wouldn't you like to inmortalized in
DVD format ?
Juan: Mr Kotter, this note signed "Epstein's mother" is wet. She will cry until the show is released in DVD.
Vinne: What? WBK in DVD, Where? Here at Amazon, Why? because it will sell millions
Freddy: Release it so we can all go Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.......

Best show ever.
I wasn't even born when the show came out, but I watched it in re-runs whenever I could. This is one of my favourite shows of all time. Great characters, and good comedy.

First Season (1975-76)
I think the first year of this show was the best.John Travolta was still an equal player in the cast and hadn't skyrocketed out of the classroom with his "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease" movies, and Horshack was still really wierd--which I always thought was hysterical.And those Uncle jokes of Gabe Kaplan's were unforgettable.

Here are the first season episodes--all of which would make for an excellent DVD set.

01 - Welcome Back (9-9-75)
Gabe Kotter starts his new teaching job and meets all the Sweathogs for the first time!

02 - Basket Case (9-16-75)
Freddy 'Boom-Boom' Washington wants to ignore his education for a career as a professional basketball player, but Mr. Kotter intervenes.

03 - The Great Debate (9-23-75)
The Sweathogs try to compete in a debate with the smart kids.

04 - Whodunit (9-30-75)
Rosalie 'Hotsy' Totsie (the late Debra Lee Scott) accuses one of the Sweathogs of getting her pregnant.

05 - The Election (10-7-75)
Vinnie Barbarino runs for student body president.

06 - No More Mister Nice Guy (10-14-75)
Mr. Woodman suddenly turns into everyone's pal, and Mr. Kotter is forced to play their disciplinarian.

07 - Classroom Marriage (10-21-75)
Freddie and Vernajean (Vernee Watson) want to get married.

08 - One Of Our Sweathogs Is Missing (10-28-75)
Juan Epstein loses a fight to school nerd Todd Ludlow.

09 - Mr. Kotter: Teacher (11-4-75)
Mr. Kotter is suspended by the schoolboard for his unusual teaching methods.

10 - The Reunion (11-18-75)
An onld high school friend visits Mr. Kotter.

11 - Barbarino's Girl (11-25-75)
Vinnie starts dating the unpopular girl who's been tutoring him, but he's embarrassed to show her off to his friends.

12 - California Dreaming (12-2-75)
The new girl in class turns all the guys' heads with phony stories about her former life in California.

13 - Arrividerci Arnold (12-16-75)
The Sweathogs miss Arnold after he transfers to a higher level class.

14 - The Longest Weekend (1-6-76)
Mr. Kotter worries when his wife Julie (Marcia Strassman, who wasn't featured enough on the series if you ask me) goes on a vacation trip without him.

15 - The Sit-In (1-13-76)
Mr. Kotter leads the Sweathogs in a protest against the school's lousy cafeteria food.

16 - Follow The Leader: Part 1 (1-20-76)
Freddie replaces Vinnie as leader of the Sweathogs, so Vinnie quits school and moves in with the Kotters, which causes Julie to move out.

17 - Follow The Leader: Part 2 (1-22-76)
Julie moves back home after Vinnie moves out and returns to school.

18 - Dr. Epstein I Presume (1-29-76)
Juan Epstein decides he would like to become a veterinarian.

19 - One Flu Over The Cuckoo's Nest (2-5-76)
A flu epidemic hits Buchanan High School.

20 - The Telethon (2-12-76)
The Sweathogs put on a telethon to raise money for school supplies.

21 - Kotter Makes Good (2-19-76)
Mr. Woodman reveals the shocking truth that Mr. Kotter never completed his high school exams!

22 - Father Vinnie (2-26-76)
Vinine Barbarino tries to honor his dying grandmother's wish by becoming a priest.

Now get these discs out for the public to buy ASAP!!

Signed,
Epstein's Mother ... Read more