Reviews (291)

'The Rocky Horror Show' Movie
There is one reason why everyone should see "The Rocky Horror Picture Show": it is the best cult film ever made. There are also three reasons why everyone should want to watch it: 1) It is one of the only 'R' rated musicals in existence. 2) It has strong science-fiction overtones. 3) It is very funny. The movie starts Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon (before they were stars) as the recently engaged Brad and Janet. However, they are upstaged in nearly every scene by Tim Curry who plays Frank N. Furter, the mad doctor. The cast delightfully performs many memorable songs including "Over at the Frankenstein Place" and, of course, the "Time Warp". To fully enjoy RHPS, one must not be closed minded or the picture could prove to be quite offensive. Don't think it's gratuitously violent- it isn't. Merely, the situations the characters find themselves in could shock or appall overly sensitive viewers. If you think you won't enjoy RHPS, going to a midnight screening might be your best bet. The live audience participation will guarantee you a good time, despite your opinion of the actual film. So overall, RHPS is quite a good adaptation of Richard O'Brien's original concept, which always honors its roots on the stage.

DVD = Perfect format to truly experience "Rocky" at home
I loved going to "Rocky Horror" when I was in college, but watching on home video just wasn't the same. I'm probably committing heresy but there's a reason why this sci-fi, horror, B-movie satire, rock musical didn't really make it big until theaters started showing it as a midnight movie and fans started attending in costume and talking back to the screen. The 25th anniversary DVD, with several audience participation options, really is the next best thing to being there.

For the uninitiated, "Rocky Horror" tells the story of two clean-cut American youths, uptight Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick of "Spin City") and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon of "Dead Man Walking") whose car breaks down on a dark, deserted road in the middle of a storm--the classic beginning to many horror movies--and who seek help at a nearby castle. Castles, as Rocky fans know, don't have phones! What this castle has instead is a cross-dressing mad scientist Frank-N-Furter Tim Curry, in perhaps his finest performance), two very creepy servants, Riff-Raff (Richard O'Brien, who wrote the musical) and Magenta (Patricia Quinn), and various other hangers-on, including lovers Columbia (Little Nell) and biker Eddie (Meat Loaf). Brad and Janet walk in on a party celebrating the creation of Frank-N-Furter's muscle-bound boy-toy "Rocky." Bed-hopping chaos soon ensues, until the servants reveal their true identities and take control.

Punctuating this wacky plot are some of the wildest rock-musical songs ever written. In addition to the classic "Time Warp," there's O'Brien's salute to cult-classic B-movies, "Science Fiction Double Feature," Meat Loaf's "Hot Patootie," and Sarandon ode to sexual self-discovery, "Toucha Toucha Touch Me!"

So much for the "Rocky virgin" portion of the review... What makes the DVD so exceptional is the chance to experience "Rocky Horror" at home nearly like you would in the theater. The DVD has the option of turning on the audience screen comments as well as another option for viewing members of the Rocky Horror Fan Club performing select scenes before returning to the main movie. For those less familiar with audience participation, the DVD can prompt when to throw toast, toilet paper, rice, etc., light a match, put your newspaper on your head, etc.

The second disc contains fascinating interviews with cast members, where fans can find out about their reaction to starring in this cult classic. Meat Loaf's description of not realizing what "Rocky Horror" was going to be about and running out of the theater when Tim Curry entered wearing fishnet stockings, spiked heels, a merry widow, and a leather jacket and singing "Sweet Transvestite" is hysterical. Patricia Quinn talks about how her fondness for the opening song, "Science Fiction Double Feature" made her want to take the role even though she hadn't read the rest of the script. What? Don't remember Quinn singing that number? In the stage versions she did, but the song got reassigned in the film version--and Quinn makes her feelings about that QUITE clear. Sarandon makes the interesting observation that "Rocky Horror" probably kept a lot of art house theaters in business over the years, since they could count on good revenue from the midnight movie, even if the latest regular-hours offering flopped. In Bostwick's interview, however, the actor sounds a bit like William Shatner giving his anti-Trekkie diatribe on "Saturday Night Live."

The only disappointments on the DVD are that the outtakes really aren't that interesting and actor bios aren't provided. I would have liked to see what else the "minor" cast members did after Rocky, but that information is limited to a few lines in the companion booklet. Also, some of the audience-participation comments are nearly impossible to understand because fans are talking over each other. But then that's part of the modern-day theater experience. Even Sarandon noted in her interview that talking back to the screen has gone from the more unison catechism approach to a loud free-for-all.

What seemed so risqué and shocking a few decades ago seems much more innocent today, but it was great when it all began and it's still great! If you've never ventured into the theater to experience "Rocky Horror," this is the best way to experience it at home.

Mesmerizing film.
This is a very outrageous movie. The rock is the background to tell us a horror movie but also spiced with sex , ransvestism and above all a splendid tribute to the movies specially King Kong .
One couple strands in an old house full of weirdos . This movie (here between you and me)could have inspired for Tim Burton in Beetle juice .
In this decade there were great visuals films too . Sherman built a magnificent story absolutely free , intelligent and sarcastic, irreverent and bitter . You might state that Fellini's influence (dressed of english manners and clothes) is present all along the film .
Inmediatly after its release this one acquired the status of cult movie.

The original is still the best!
Don't bother with the play, or the music from the play. The original is still the best. Nobody can fill the shoes of Sarandon, Curry, etc. They originated the roles and have been associated with them for far too long for anyone else to come in try to change them so many years later and attempt to redo them. Stay with the best.

Those Gold Shorts!
Ahhhhh...Rocky had such a lovely outline showing in his gold lame shorts. ... Read more

Reviews (779)

Absolutely Brilliant
I have never really liked Drew Barrymore but after this movie I fell in love. I can't think of anyone else better to play Danielle,(cinderella). I had never heard of Dougray Scott before but he was a totally awesome Prince Henry,(prince charming). He was extremely handsome, witty and he always knew what to say, a very smooth talker. Angelica Houston was the most perfect Step-mother. She brings her character to life so well. All of the characters were so believable that you couldn't help but feel what they were feeling. I cannot think of another movie that kept me smiling through the whole entire time. There are a few scenes where I wanted to cry but other than that I was smiling. I especially loved the scenery and costumes. They were so real and I felt like I was there with them. I often wish I lived in the 16th century just so I could wear those clothes. From the moment I turned the movie on I was enraptured in the story. There wasn't a minute where I was bored or lost. I loved every minute of it. I like how they had one mean step-sister and one nice step-sister. They both played their parts extremely well. I loved how Leonardo DiVinchi was kind of like the "fairy god-mother". Drew and Dougary had such a great chemistry it was hard not to fall in love with them too. My favorite part was when Leonardo DiVinchi was walking on the water and saw Danielle and said "looks like rain". That was so funny. There is something for almost everyone in this movie. There is romance, action, drama, comedy and lots more. It was wonderful that Drew was a very strong willed, hopeful, passionate young woman. She never gave up and always looked for the best in things, even her family. She really wasn't the one who needed to be rescued. Dougray was so hansome you couldn't help being drawn to him. I think it was fantastic how Prince Henry rejected Danielle when he found out who she really was and then came to his senses and realized that he couldn' live without her. It was definitely a romantic movie. I have seen it over 10 times and never tire of it.. I learn something new every time. I think we all want a love like this, a true love which nothing can break. If you watch this movie I am positive that you will fall in love with everything about it, especially characters, just as I have.

Deconstructýon of a Fairy Tale
Ever after is an impressive attempt at historicising and deconstructing a fairy tale. The novel, unlike the fairy tale, placed events in a historical context. It is France in the Sixteenth Century. More over, the Cinderella of the fairy tale is beautiful, fragile, dependant on the supernatural (magic), and a highly sentimental female; whereas the new Cinderella is every thing feminists want to see in a woman: she is smart, hardworking, has guts, and independent. I loved the scene when Prince Henry towards the end comes dashing to save her from her captor to be faced by a defiant disarrayed woman with dirty nails and dirt smeared face saying "I saved myself" thus rescinding the conventional tale and emptying it of all its male-superiority claims. The part where she rescues the Prince from the king of Gipsies and carries him on her shoulder says it all. Ever after is a film I would love to show to my students.

The Most Amazing Cinderella Story Ever!
Cinderella always has been my favourite fairytale. But this movie is classy and features an incredible cast. Drew Barrymore couldn't be more perfect for her role as Danielle. Anjelica Huston is FANtastic as the evil-stepmother. Dougray Scott is somewhat of a hottie, and he and Drew make the sweetest on-screen couple! Leonardo Da Vinci is the funny, witty, 'fairy godfather' inventor, who also turns out to be a matchmaker. The two stepsisters are a necessity, one kind-hearted but gut-less, the other as evil as her mother.
The story is beautifully written. Danielle is forced to sleep with the pigs, but her character is beautiful. Independent, intelligent, spirited, beautiful (inside and out), and kind, her will to overcome her scheming step-mother and stepsister Margheurite is mind-blowing.
This movie is an incredible experience, one movie I will never forget as the perfect, classy Cinderella story!
The version with Whoopie Goldberg and Brandy is ugh!

no fairy tales or pixie dust
At first when I saw they were making this movie I was intrigued, but also skeptical, about this new twist on Perrault's Cinderella, this time starring Drew Barrymore. Well, Cinderella is my second favourite fairy tale, so I should probably force myself to sit through it for that reason alone. Barrymore's also not that bad of an actress, not the best, but hey not the worst. Then I notice Anjelica Huston is in it also, and hey I really like her so why not go and see it?

Well eventually I completely forgot about the movie, never did get around to seeing it in theatres. Then while surfing through the channels on my TV I see a commercial for the movie being shown on some station and I'm intrigued all over again. So I tune in to see the movie, and wow, I was not expecting this movie to be as great as it was.

This is not Disney's version of Cinderella, not by a long shot, so if that's what you're looking for in your tale of Cinderella I suggest you search elsewhere. Instead of the pixie dust and fairy tails you get the legend of Cinderella, the supposedly true story which the fairy tales were later based off of. The movie opens with the brothers Grimm arriving at a castle in France invited there by an again woman who wishes to tell them the true story of Cinderella without the magical pumpkins or a faery godmother. I'll spare you all the details of the film which every other reviewer has already gone through. I will however tell you that the performance is average from Drew Barrymore, no fireworks with her acting here, just the way she usually is, which isn't that bad but she's not going to be winning an Oscar anytime soon I promise you that. Anjelica Huston was amazing and easily stole the movie away from Barrymore, she was simply delicious as an Evil Stepmother, the role fit her like a glove. Perhaps my favourite role in the film was of Pierre le Pieu played by Richard O'Brien more widely known as Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I nearly fell off of my seat the first time I saw this movie and he first appeared!

You'll not be disappointed at all by this movie if you decide to take the time to sit and watch this movie. It is however a "chick-flick" if you haven't already noticed so considered yourself warned. It's not quite as bad as most of them, but it has the makings to make most men wish to rip their hair out at having to even think about watching this movie.

Cinerella in a New Light
This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I am speaking of Ever After starring Drew Barrymore and Angelica Huston. This is a Cinderella story with a bit of a twist.

The film opens with an ageing Princess being visited by to two gentlemen who turn out to be the Brothers Grimm. She compliments them on their work and mentions her fascination with the tale of the little cinder girl. While the brothers joke about pumpkins and fairy godmothers the princess reveals the glass slipper and offers to tell them the true tale.

Danielle gains a step-mother and two step-sisters when her father marries a Countess. Soon she runs into the Prince. She thinks he is a thief and pelts him with apples. When she realizes her mistake she offers up her life. But the Prince in on the run so he rewards her with gold. Danielle uses the gold to buy back the husband of one of the servants. But to do so she must impersonate a courtier and runs into the Prince again. She manages to sneak away but only after giving her mother's name as her own.

The stage is now set. The Prince does not want to marry the Spanish Princess his father has arranged for and seeks out Danielle. Under the pretense that she is a courtier they spend time together and a romance blossoms. The Prince is all set to announce his engagement (made at midnight at a ball) to Danielle but her step-mother reveals her base heritage and the Prince becomes angry. But in the end everything works out and the scene returns to the Brothers Grimm and Danielle's great-granddaughter.

There are no elements of the fantastic in this tale. No magic of fairies. Instead an attempt is made to place the tale firmly into history. The story is set in France in the Sixteenth century with the Prince being the Crown Prince of France. A little more cement is added in the form of Leonardo Da.. Vinci who has arrived to be the Royal Artist. Could this be during the two-year gap in Leonardo's history? I don't know. I do know that the movie is filled with humor, adventure and romance and stars a Cinderella who is a bit more competent than other renditions.

Angelica Huston is perfect as the step-mother. She really has the knack of being totally evil and proper at the same time. My only problem with the film was that the younger step-sister resembled Drew Barrymore a little too much. But that is a very minor point and hardly detracts from the film. I whole-heartedly recommend this film to anyone who likes a bit of fun, adventure, romance or any combination of the three. ... Read more

Reviews (291)

'The Rocky Horror Show' Movie
There is one reason why everyone should see "The Rocky Horror Picture Show": it is the best cult film ever made. There are also three reasons why everyone should want to watch it: 1) It is one of the only 'R' rated musicals in existence. 2) It has strong science-fiction overtones. 3) It is very funny. The movie starts Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon (before they were stars) as the recently engaged Brad and Janet. However, they are upstaged in nearly every scene by Tim Curry who plays Frank N. Furter, the mad doctor. The cast delightfully performs many memorable songs including "Over at the Frankenstein Place" and, of course, the "Time Warp". To fully enjoy RHPS, one must not be closed minded or the picture could prove to be quite offensive. Don't think it's gratuitously violent- it isn't. Merely, the situations the characters find themselves in could shock or appall overly sensitive viewers. If you think you won't enjoy RHPS, going to a midnight screening might be your best bet. The live audience participation will guarantee you a good time, despite your opinion of the actual film. So overall, RHPS is quite a good adaptation of Richard O'Brien's original concept, which always honors its roots on the stage.

DVD = Perfect format to truly experience "Rocky" at home
I loved going to "Rocky Horror" when I was in college, but watching on home video just wasn't the same. I'm probably committing heresy but there's a reason why this sci-fi, horror, B-movie satire, rock musical didn't really make it big until theaters started showing it as a midnight movie and fans started attending in costume and talking back to the screen. The 25th anniversary DVD, with several audience participation options, really is the next best thing to being there.

For the uninitiated, "Rocky Horror" tells the story of two clean-cut American youths, uptight Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick of "Spin City") and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon of "Dead Man Walking") whose car breaks down on a dark, deserted road in the middle of a storm--the classic beginning to many horror movies--and who seek help at a nearby castle. Castles, as Rocky fans know, don't have phones! What this castle has instead is a cross-dressing mad scientist Frank-N-Furter Tim Curry, in perhaps his finest performance), two very creepy servants, Riff-Raff (Richard O'Brien, who wrote the musical) and Magenta (Patricia Quinn), and various other hangers-on, including lovers Columbia (Little Nell) and biker Eddie (Meat Loaf). Brad and Janet walk in on a party celebrating the creation of Frank-N-Furter's muscle-bound boy-toy "Rocky." Bed-hopping chaos soon ensues, until the servants reveal their true identities and take control.

Punctuating this wacky plot are some of the wildest rock-musical songs ever written. In addition to the classic "Time Warp," there's O'Brien's salute to cult-classic B-movies, "Science Fiction Double Feature," Meat Loaf's "Hot Patootie," and Sarandon ode to sexual self-discovery, "Toucha Toucha Touch Me!"

So much for the "Rocky virgin" portion of the review... What makes the DVD so exceptional is the chance to experience "Rocky Horror" at home nearly like you would in the theater. The DVD has the option of turning on the audience screen comments as well as another option for viewing members of the Rocky Horror Fan Club performing select scenes before returning to the main movie. For those less familiar with audience participation, the DVD can prompt when to throw toast, toilet paper, rice, etc., light a match, put your newspaper on your head, etc.

The second disc contains fascinating interviews with cast members, where fans can find out about their reaction to starring in this cult classic. Meat Loaf's description of not realizing what "Rocky Horror" was going to be about and running out of the theater when Tim Curry entered wearing fishnet stockings, spiked heels, a merry widow, and a leather jacket and singing "Sweet Transvestite" is hysterical. Patricia Quinn talks about how her fondness for the opening song, "Science Fiction Double Feature" made her want to take the role even though she hadn't read the rest of the script. What? Don't remember Quinn singing that number? In the stage versions she did, but the song got reassigned in the film version--and Quinn makes her feelings about that QUITE clear. Sarandon makes the interesting observation that "Rocky Horror" probably kept a lot of art house theaters in business over the years, since they could count on good revenue from the midnight movie, even if the latest regular-hours offering flopped. In Bostwick's interview, however, the actor sounds a bit like William Shatner giving his anti-Trekkie diatribe on "Saturday Night Live."

The only disappointments on the DVD are that the outtakes really aren't that interesting and actor bios aren't provided. I would have liked to see what else the "minor" cast members did after Rocky, but that information is limited to a few lines in the companion booklet. Also, some of the audience-participation comments are nearly impossible to understand because fans are talking over each other. But then that's part of the modern-day theater experience. Even Sarandon noted in her interview that talking back to the screen has gone from the more unison catechism approach to a loud free-for-all.

What seemed so risqué and shocking a few decades ago seems much more innocent today, but it was great when it all began and it's still great! If you've never ventured into the theater to experience "Rocky Horror," this is the best way to experience it at home.

Mesmerizing film.
This is a very outrageous movie. The rock is the background to tell us a horror movie but also spiced with sex , ransvestism and above all a splendid tribute to the movies specially King Kong .
One couple strands in an old house full of weirdos . This movie (here between you and me)could have inspired for Tim Burton in Beetle juice .
In this decade there were great visuals films too . Sherman built a magnificent story absolutely free , intelligent and sarcastic, irreverent and bitter . You might state that Fellini's influence (dressed of english manners and clothes) is present all along the film .
Inmediatly after its release this one acquired the status of cult movie.

The original is still the best!
Don't bother with the play, or the music from the play. The original is still the best. Nobody can fill the shoes of Sarandon, Curry, etc. They originated the roles and have been associated with them for far too long for anyone else to come in try to change them so many years later and attempt to redo them. Stay with the best.

Those Gold Shorts!
Ahhhhh...Rocky had such a lovely outline showing in his gold lame shorts. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you're a fan of brooding comic-book antiheroes, got a nihilistic jolt from The Crow (1994), and share director Alex Proyas's highly developed preoccupation for style over substance, you might be tempted to call Dark City an instant classic of visual imagination. It's one of those films that exists in a world purely of its own making, setting its own rules and playing by them fairly, so that even its derivative elements (and there are quite a few) acquire their own specific uniqueness. Before long, however, the film becomes interesting only as a triumph of production design. And while that's certainly enough to grab your attention (Blade Runner is considered a classic, after all), it's painfully clear that Dark City has precious little heart and soul. One-dimensional characters are no match for the film's abundance of retro-futuristic style, so it's best to admire the latter on its own splendidly cinematic terms. Trivia buffs will be interested to know that the film's 50-plus sets (partially inspired by German expressionism) were built at the Fox Film Studios in Sydney, Australia, home base of director Alex Proyas and producer Andrew Mason. The underground world depicted in the film required the largest indoor set ever built in Australia. Befitting a film of such ambition, the DVD includes a feast of bonus features, including audio commentaries by the director, producer, writers, and cinematographer, and also by film critic Roger Ebert, who named Dark City one of the best films of 1998. Also included is an isolated music track, an interactive game, and a photo gallery of production stills and set design sketches. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (353)

original? no... but stylish as hell
Dark City seems to me to sum up an entire universe of sci-fi and third-stream movies in which reality is not what it appears. This movie brings in influences from Blade Runner (the most obvious influence), Barton Fink (whence the seedy hotel), The City of Lost Children (the "strangers" are VERY similar to the "cyclopes"--I could almost picture their leader saying "j'ai vu un monde qui était un monde de chien!"--and they even use the phrase "lost children" at one point; also, the vials that contain synthesized memories look a lot like the probosces of Marcello's robotic fleas), Brazil (possibly the origin of Dark City's lost-in-time feeling), The Crow (same director, thus a similar direction style), Twelve Monkeys (one man manipulated by a faceless committee...), The Nightmare Before Christmas (Tim Burton likes spirals too), and even to some extent Lost Highway (notably in the cinematic treatment of half-remembered images), although that only came out a year earlier. There are also hints at earlier things--film noir, Peter Lorre. So while it's not original, and certainly not perfect, this movie seems to combine all those aspects into a single coherent whole, which is rather impressive. The plot is revealed well, and doesn't have too many holes in it. Certain scenes when John starts to figure out what's going on are really chilling. And the movie manages to have a happy ending that's not stupid! I couldn't believe it. And of course, the cinematography is beautiful.

I'd also like to mention that the Matrix is very clearly a rip-off of Dark City, using the same basic concept (a group of superior beings that control our perception of reality), a lot of the same imagery (people who don't rely on gravity), and a very similar pre-climactic scene. The Matrix, however, undermines itself with a lot of pointless fight scenes, truckloads of inconsistencies, revealing everything too soon, and Keanu Reeves. Dark City is a far better movie.

Better than Amazon thinks
Dark City may have been one of those pictures you never got around to seeing at the theater. And you may have planned to rent it at one time but forgotten. It's a terribly under-rated movie--maybe because it defies easy genre classification. Dark City isn't science fiction in the popular Aliens or Star Wars sense, nor is it horror, nor is it the detective flick it starts out as.

However Dark City is a very compelling film with a terrific premise and a well plotted story. There are complaints on this board that the characters are too one-dimensional, but this in fact is critical to the way the story unfolds for its main character, Murdoch. To be swayed from sampling this movie because of anyone's claim that the plot is excessively thin is to do yourself a diservice.

The effects in this film are universally impressive, but what's more, refreshingly integral to the story. Both the sound and the picture are fantastic. If you're able to watch this on a good television capable of deep blacks, you'll find yourself marveling at just how great DVD is all over again.

Be warned that some of the extras listed in the product description here are somewhat underwhelming. This "Platinum Edition" doesn't measure up to some of New Line's other "Platinum Edition" DVDs such as Boogie Nights or Magnolia. For example, the "Comparisons to Metropolis" feature is a wonderful idea, but is executed here with about as much thought as goes onto the back of a cereal carton.

Of the two alternate voice tracks, Roger Ebert's is actually the more insightful. The film makers' voice track is muddled with too many participants. You realize pretty quickly that the director, writers, production designers, and photographer recorded their comments separately. The unfortunate result is a disjointed and repetetive commentary track. No matter how you feel about Roger "the fat one" Ebert or about critics in general, he will teach you something you didn't know in his commentary track.

One of the last great films during the 20th century!
"Dark City" will be remembered as the film that bridged the film noir genre at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st.

Alex Proyas directs a suspenseful story on the meaning of reality in a dark, foreboding dream world. As people go about their lives, almost no one notices something is seriously wrong with their world. Until one man wakes up alone, one fateful night.

John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) awakes in a hotel room to find he's lost most of his memories. Even worse, he may have committed a string of brutal murders against local prostitutes. Fleeing the crime scene, he finds himself pursued by not only the police, but also a mysterious cabal of cloaked men.

Assisted by a cowed doctor and a supportive woman who claims to be his wife, Murdoch learns the truth of the city, and its secret Masters, the Strangers.

The feature actors all give strong performances, as a confused Murdoch and a supportive Jennifer Connelly as Emma. Keifer Sutherland is impressive, especially when you contrast the cowardly Dr. Scheber vs. his characters from "The Lost Boys" or "24."

The sets are as compelling as the actors, and credit is due for the deliberate "retro" look of the city. Making of movie of this style look creative guts, and it paid off.

I just beg of the producers of the story one request: don't make a sequel, this story will always stand as a one and only!

A Triumph
In a city covered in perpetual darkness a group of strange beings known as "The Strangers" attempt to understand what makes us human and identify what the soul is. These strangers change the city and erase peoples memories and assign them all new lives, but one of their specimens also has this unique power. Now he must save the day and prove that he's not a killer.

Much has been said about Dark City. Roger Ebert called it the best movie of 98. A visually stunning sci-fi/noir tale of a man who wakes up with no knowledge of who he is or how he got to where he is. From the opening narration by Dr. Schreber (Sutherland), we learn that is a world that only mirrors our own. The inhabitants are nothing more than guinea pigs for a group of "strangers from another solar system" to study. Schreber knows that Murdoch (Sewell) has the ability to "tune" where he can change things around him by concentrating. The strangers also have this power and use it to change the city and imprint the inhabitants with all knew lives to see what makes us tick. But they must first take care of Murdoch who they in the process of imprinting with the life of a serial killer. Then we meet Inspector Bumstead (William Hurt) and Emma (Connelly), the detective on the case and Murdoch's wife. He must learn who he really is, stop the strangers, and prove he is not a serial killer.

Dark City is a movie that's hard to forget, not only for its visuals but its great story and acting. Proyas (The Crow) gives us more of the same dark and dreary visuals from the The Crow, but in Dark City they are on a grander scale. Proyas delivers visuals with a flare and style all his own. Proyas and his writing team also delivered an original and brilliant story. The acting is dead on here too. Sewell is great as Murdock, Sutherland is amazing as the doctor, Hurt plays the hard edged copy well, and Connelly as usual looks great and is a hell of an actress. Throw all those elements together into an exhilarating comic book type flick and you have Dark City.

What you've heard about this flick is true. Its a masterpiece! A brilliant and beautiful film that you won't soon forget. It's not just a sci fi or a noir flick, its much more. Its a film about what makes us human. Although we are surrounded by darkness, the human spirit will triumph and that's just what Dark City is. A triumph.

The myth of the ocean
Imagine a city that is always dark, that lives in eternal night. Imagine its inhabitants that are human beings whose memories have been erased and replaced by some borrowed recollections from other human beings, hence artificial. Imagine that city is being built and rebuilt every-« day » in that eternal night at what corresponds to midnight when everything stops, everyone goes to sleep and forgets everything to regain when waking up a newly arranged consciousness in a newly arranged environment that has been reorganized following the dreams or recollections of some human beings that are not even in this city. Imagine that all this is done by some extraterrestrial species that is testing the human race to see how they live and react. Then this city is nothing but a bubble in the middle of cosmic emptiness. The discovery of the extraterrestrials is that some humans can resist this process and then they stick to some dream of sunlight, a beach, the ocean, etc. And this dream will lead these human beings into breaking the bubble to go beyond this selfcontained city. That's the film. It is interesting but it remains rather superficial : a real human being always wants to escape a limited space or time that is imposed onto him or her.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU ... Read more

Reviews (277)

Well, it's better than Episode 1
As a fan of high fantasy, I was only slightly disappointed with Dungeons & Dragons: The Movie when leaving the theater. After all, it was the first time I had seen orcs and axe-toting Dwarves, tall Elves and all of those other cliched fantasy elements ONSCREEN. What has become trite in the world of fantasy fiction is almost ground-breaking in the movies. However, since then I've seen The Fellowship of the Ring, which is based on the very tale that turned these things into conventions in the first place - and not only that, it is infinitely superior in every way imaginable, just as The Lord of the Rings is to every other fantasy novel published since.

The primary problem with D&D: The Movie lies in its Star Wars inspiration. Clearly, director Courtney Solomon loves the Star Wars films, and tried to turn D&D into one of them. Instead of a heroic quest, grand adventures, and an ensamble cast of companions, we get Ridley the rogue, a handful of underveloped sidekicks, shoddy editing (all of the deleted scenes should be in the film), and a tired plotline of a wizard (Emperor) and his dark enforcer (Darth Vader) trying to rule the world.

The really interesting characters, such as the Dwarf Elwood and the Elven tracker Norda, get absolutely no backstory, and join Ridley's quest for reasons that are never clearly explained. The movie also adheres to D&D gaming rules to a fault (which can confound non-players), and yet inexplicably allows for dragons with little to no intelligence and a complete lack of clerics. The movie also ends on a confusing (and supposedly hopeful) note that is rather ridiculous.

The bottom line is this: it's not bad, but it could have been so much better had it not tried to emulate the Star Wars films, and stayed truer to its source material.

Even the nerds will hate it
This is close to the worst movie ever. Even the nerds who played this game that I used to religiously persecute back in High School would hate it. Did the producers of this film have balckmail on Thora Birch and Jeremy Irons that forced them to do this?

This movie was an insult to the name, Dungeons and Dragons!
I was so thouroughly dissapointed with this movie. Everything about it sucked, save for the animation on the dragons.
I am a true DND nerd. I have played for years and know every subtle nuance of the game. And the director/writers of this film clearly never even saw DND in action.
All the characters were bumbeling morons, the scenes from the movie looked like cheap star wars rip offs. They took classic DND monsters and totally rewrote the entire concept behind them. I was left unfulfilled from moment 1. The magic in the movie was stupid, everyone used "magic dust". There were no cool spell incantations. Just loud unrememberable music. I found myself routing for the bad guys to hope they kill the heros (Especially Marlin Wayans). The fights were bad, the plot was bad. Any true DND player will despise this film. The only people who will enjoy this movie are people with no expectations. If you never played a fantasy game in your life and don't really care about plot, then rent it. Definately do not buy it.

This was Awesome!!!
This is one of the best movies of all time! It's almost as good as Gremlins 2! I nearly peed my pants when I saw all the big red dragons. Eeeeeeeek!!! I am a huge Jeremy Irons fan and I hope that if there is a sequal they can find a way to bring his character back. I LOVE this movie! I own 2 copies of it on DVD in case one gets worn out from being watched so much. I hope if there is a sequal they can somehow incorporate unicorns.

Just Dragons
This film had alot of dragons, but was seriously lacking in dungeons. I don't know about you, but I like alot of dungeon action. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

In a kingdom, far, far, away.....
For those who enjoy a good laugh mixed with a generous dose of romance, these movies will surely appeal to you.

This is Drew Barrymore at her best in "Ever After", a Cinderella twist done with all the enchantment of the Rennasaince. Barrymore plays Danielle, a strong yet sweet girl, beloved of her father (played by Jeroen Krabbe) and hated by her stepmother the Baroness Rodmilla De Ghent (suberb role by Angelica Houston) and her stepsister Marguerithe. Contrary to the original tale the other stepsister,Jacqueline, instead of being as wicked, is belittled by her mother and sister for being overweight, thus she takes Danielle's side when the time comes to get Prince Charming back (or in this case, Prince Henry).

The same could apply to "Never Been Kissed", although this time Prince Charming comes in the form of Michael Vartan (Alias). This is the tale of a journalist who, in search for a great story so she could prove once and for all that she has talent, enrolls in her old high school as a part of the research. Beloved of the Math Club and hated by the A-Popular Girls, Josie "Grossy" Geller has to put her fears aside in order to succeed. But she does not count on Sam Coulson (played by Vartan), the cute literature teacher that will make her feel whata real kiss is all about.

Again, you want fun, a good laugh, and yes, a good cry, these movies are one of the best choices.

Great movies, Drew Barrymore Rocks!
Both of these movies are great!

Excellent movies!
These movies are both excellent, especially Ever After. Of course, as its known by the title, Ever After is based on the Cinderella fairy tale, but in this movie the heroine is smart and strong, yet vunerable at the same time. Drew Barrymore is great and Angelica Houston is just wondrously wicked as the evil step-mother. This movie is recomended to every woman! Never Been Kissed is also enthusiastically recommended. Its both very funny and romantic! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Avant-garde spirit and punk-rock attitude combine with iconoclastic results in Derek Jarman's defiantly uncommercial Jubilee. Filmed in 1977--the silver jubilee year of England's Queen Elizabeth II--this fascinating hodgepodge of political dissent and audiovisual experimentation now stands as a vibrant document of its time, both immediate and enduring in its bold rejection of all things conventional. (Compared to this, the quasi-punk Repo Man and angst-ridden Sid & Nancy seem positively tame.) Jarman's film deserved its mixed reviews; like the films of Andy Warhol, it's a slapdash affair, cobbled together by Jarman and his fringe-dwelling friends, ostensibly designed as a kaleidoscopic glimpse of London's future, infused with apocalyptic nihilism and populated by proto-punks (including Adam Ant and Rocky Horror's Little Nell) in an anarchic orgy of gay and straight sex, music, violence, and (in retrospect) astonishingly accurate pop-cultural prophesy. It's the pioneering, angry/funny work of a genuine artist, as essential to punk film as the Sex Pistols were to music in the dreadful days of disco. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Love It
This is a cool movie with a lot of cool people in it. Adam Ant, Toyah Wilcox, Jordan (punk goddess), Little Nell, Richard O' Brien........lots. Sure, its weird. Yes, there is a lot of nudity. If that is offensive to you, then you shouldn't buy this movie.

If you want to see some of the people that were a part of the "punk scene" when it first started then buy this movie. And Plastic Surgery (which is a real Adam and the Ants song that Adam wrote and was performing with his band at the time....Deuchester Girls is in it too, but you hardly hear it) is a greeeaat song. And he looks HOT singing it. Heck, he looks hot through the whole thing. This movie was 3 years after Rocky Horror Picture Show and it is cool to see Little Nell and Richard O'Brien in another movie together.

Anyway- what I am trying to say is.....BUY THIS MOVIE. Even if you don't like it personally, people will think you are a hip guy just for owning it.

And it is cheaper here then at the movie store. Trust me.

An essential for any early punk fans
This is a highly unusual and artisticly revealing cinematic pleasure. If anyone has seen director Derek Jarman's films before, you probably know that he doesn't follow the conventions of film narrative. For punk fans it offers a view of the wasteland fantasy world that isn't too far off from the truth. Early glimpses of Adam Ant(the soon to be Mtv poster boy looking very young), Little Nell (Rocky Horror Picture Show), and Ian Charleson (Chariots of Fire). For any fan of the Sex Pistols' movie, "THe Great ROck and ROll Swindle"- this movie is perfect for you. IT contains lots of nudity- both male and female and has alot of questionable acts of violence. Not recommended for everyone- but definitely a rare treat.

not at all what i expected
i had a lot of trouble watching this, partly because it made no sense and partly because it wasn't interesting at all. a coherent storyline isn't really that essential for me, i enjoy david lynch. even though lynch rarely makes much sense his films are beautiful and hold your attention. technically jubilee was fair, visually it was okay. i ususally trust the criterion company with their releases but this is one of the few that i recommend against.

I would rather sleep
This movie is about as boring as a thanksgiving parade, i wouldnt really call this art either, its just basically a punk movie with punk influence. If you want a real art/punk film check out sid and nancy, its 5 stars better than this movie.

Anarchy & Beauty
Jubilee is a wildly beautiful - and entertaining - film which strikes a precarious, and compelling, balance between sheer anarchy and genuine beauty. I was so struck by it that I watched it three times in one week. Yet it remains an elusive work, constantly tantalizing with new connections and still more layers of meaning. The outstanding Criterion Collection DVD offers a wealth of supplemental features, making it an excellent introduction to both the film and director Derek Jarman.

The basic plot of this experimental fantasy is simple: Queen Elizabeth I has the historical alchemist John Dee summon the spirit Ariel and transport all of them 400 years into the future, where they find London a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The talented Jenny Runacre plays both Queen Elizabeth and the anarchic latter-day "queen" Bod, who leads an all-female biker gang.

Made in 1977, at the height of the Punk movement, Jubilee has misleadingly been called a "Punk movie." Despite its trappings (from clothing to casting several well-known singers), ultimately it seems more about Punk than of it. How Jarman uses then-rising star Adam Ant is revealing. With his sweetly boyish persona - made just a bit wild by the black leather and painted-on lower sideburns - Adam Ant as "Kid" is undeniably appealing. But throughout he is as passive offstage as he is frenzied onstage. And Kid, unable to connect with anyone, will do anything for his career. He signs with the grotesque Borgia Ginz, the multinational mogul who controls the entire planet's media - hence political, even religious - power structure. Ginz immediately rechristens Kid as "Scum. That's commercial. It's all [the audience] deserves." One of the film's most haunting images is of Kid lasciviously kissing his own image on a TV. How's that for a postmodern twist on the myth of Narcissus?

Beyond the Punk movement, Jarman turned to many diverse sources to flesh out his vision for Jubilee. It's powerful on its own terms, without any need for "footnoting," but the wide-ranging references create a fascinating texture. He uses film (notably Cocteau's Blood of a Poet, Godard's La Chinoise, Pasolini's Oedipus Rex, and Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange), literature (Huxley's Brave New World, Orwell's 1984; also his pastiche Elizabethan dialogue is beautiful: "I cast for Ariel, pearl of fire, my only star...."), history and myth (suggested by character names, from the historical female ruler of ancient Britain, Bodicea - i.e., "Bod" - and the Borgias to mythical figures like Sphinx and Angel), and even dance club culture (characters named Amyl Nitrate and Crabs). He is also one of the most creatively playful of modern filmmakers, and that schoolboyish "let's put on a show" energy keeps his films, even with their density of themes, buoyant and wonderfully entertaining.

Jarman also brings great emotional resonance through his characters (most of whom he cast from friends and lovers). I was often surprised by how much I cared about these eccentric, and sometimes lethal, allegorical people. Although each viewer will bond with different characters, I was most moved by the "triangle" between the two teasingly incestuous brothers, Sphinx and Angel (who utters the classic line, "I didn't know I was dead till I was 15"), and the artist Viv (whom Jarman described, affectionately, as a "butch dyke"). Their tangled connections, although genuinely caring, never reach true equality: The two men, on one level, can be seen as using the woman as a way of enhancing their own (masculine, even incestuous) relationship. Still, they become all the more affecting at the film's climax (which I will not divulge).

There is so much more to Jubilee than I can suggest in the brief space here: It is visually gorgeous (Jarman is a master of composition and lighting; he began as a painter, and stage and film designer), makes fascinating use of music (from Punk to classical) and sound effects, offers a provocative series of ideas about history (as Amyl says, "History still fascinates me. It's so intangible. You can weave facts anywhere you like. Good guys can swap places with bad guys"), media manipulation and artistic narcissism and audience passivity, and, ultimately, the duality of beauty and anarchy, which are perhaps two sides of the same double mirror. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The audience for this rickety spoof is probably limited to three groups: diehard fans of Elvira, cultists of '60s horror (specifically the Edgar Allan Poe and Hammer offerings), and people who believe rim-shot, borscht belt humor ought to be brought back. The last group apparently includes Cassandra Peterson, the comedian who dreamed up Elvira; her fondness for vaudeville one-liners is either groan-worthy or infectious, depending on your tolerance for such things. Sample: "The village people say this castle is evil." "Ah, who listens to the Village People any more?" Ouch. Her Mae-West-meets-Vampira shtick wears surprisingly well at feature length (1988's Elvira, Mistress of the Dark is actually a pretty good time), although this movie simply runs out of material halfway through. Bonus: Rocky Horror genius Richard O'Brien contributes some amusing ravings as a mysterious Carpathian castle owner, pining away for a dead wife who suspiciously resembles our heroine. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Another fun, funny and long overdue Elvira adventure!
Finally! After 14 years, Elvira's second feature film debuts. It's quite different from her first, but equally entertaining. Setting out to spoof some of her favorite horror films, Cassandra Peterson and her writing partner John Paragon fuse elements of the classic Roger Corman/Vincent Price/Edgar Allen Poe films The House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Tomb of Ligea into a campy farce - perfect fodder for Elvira's unique talents.

Elvira recruited Rocky Horror's Richard O'Brien as her co-star, and he gives a great performance as Lord Hellsubus. Rounding out the cast are several members of L.A.'s Groundlings comedy troupe, Mary Scheer and Mary Jo Smith. Heather Hopper is terrific as Hellsubus's doomed sister, and Scott Atkinson does an amazing job as the two faced doctor with both an aristocratic and cockney British accent.

The sets are enormous and detailed. The cinematography is virtually flawless, and there are several very well done special effects (and Elvira comments on them in the film...). Of course, Elvira's campy quips and physical humor are the stars of the show. There's also a great running gag with the stableman's bad English dubbing. All in all, this is a long overdue and highly enjoyable adventure. Well worth checking out, especially if you enjoy Elvira's first film, or if you're a fan of the Roger Corman Poe films. You might also want to read the Elvira series of paperbacks(if you can find them...), also written by Cassandra Peterson and John Paragon...Elvira Transylvania 90210, Elvira Camp Vamp, and Elvira The Boy Who Cried Werewolf....they are a lot of fun too.

Elvira is BACK!....finally!!!
ELVIRA'S HAUNTED HILLS is the Mistress of the Dark's long-awaited followup to her beloved first time, 1988's ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK. It has been well worth the wait, believe me!

In this loving parody of the Hammer and AIP gothic-horror films of the 60's, Elvira plays a busty entertainer circa 1851, who gets caught up in a tangle with the mysterious residents of the Castle Hellsubus. Vladimere Hellsubus (Richard O'Brien - THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW) takes a shying to Elvira when he discovers that she looks exactly like his dead wife Elura, who died under mysterious circumstances.

Together with her robust maid ZouZou (Mary Jo Smith), Elvira sets out to escape from Vladimere's evil house and pendulum, with her cunning tricks and her showstopping number "Le Music Hall".

Hilarious. Filmed entirely on location in Romania, the production values are lavish and Elvira looks as gorgeous as ever in the long-overdue sequel that will surely be relished by fans.

Also starring Scott Atkinson, Mary Scheer and Heather Hopper.

The DVD includes making-of featurette, trailer, Richard O'Brien interview and photo gallery. (Single-sided, single-layer disc).

You go Girl
Thank God for Elvira, she is a dying breed. A sexy actress who is single-handedly trying to keep alive the lost art of Vaudville. When it comes to one-liner quips, sexual inuendos, sight gags, and of course boob jokes, Elvira is the Queen.

Few could argue that Haunted Hills is better than her first movie from 1988. It's just that with such a long wait between movies, expectations were so high. Kind of like Mr. Lucas' problems with Star Wars. However, this film is not complete garbage as some here would have you think.

Elvira at her age still looks better than half the actresses walking around today at half her age. Her body is still enough to make any man's eyes glued to the screen. Her comic timing is still razor sharp and throughout the movie she can even laugh at herself, which is refreshing.

What Elvira attempted to do (and she explains all this in the special features) is make a tribute to the films of Peter Lore and Vincint Price (whom the film is dedicated to.) Maybe this film wasn't as succesful because people have forgotten the old classics and wanted a more modern type comedy. I applaud Elvira for doing what she did. Movies aren't made like this anymore and it's a shame that in this day and age people have forgotten where modern horror and comedy have come from. I mean for the most part, this movie looks and feels a lot like a play on a stage.

With an excellent supporting cast (including Rocky Horror's own Riff Raff Mr. O'Brian) Elvira pulls off a good movie that will bring a few chuckles and plenty of eye candy.

Absolutely awful
I should say that I LOVED the first Elvira film. A classic camp, ridiculous comedy!
I was SO excited when I heard a new film had come out.
Wow - was this the biggest let down!
Its appalling - beyond bad.
Its not even so bad it's good - its just BAD.
Elvira is Elvira- the blame doesn't necessarily lie with her.
the co-stars are awful (Richard O'Brien should just bask in his Rocky glory - obviously a one-off), and the direction is terrible - I dont think the director has any understanding of comedy.
However - judging from the other reviews here, its obviously a love or hate film...

Elvira Sags with "Haunted Hills"
When I rented Elvira's first movie, "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark," I did so with the lowest of expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Ironically, because I liked "Mistress of the Dark" so much, I actually went into viewing "Elvira's Haunted Hills" with raised expectations, and was summarily disappointed. Elvira (Cassandra Peterson, who also co-wrote the script) sticks with "Mistress of the Dark"'s formula of double entendres, goofy puns and silly sight gags, but her schtick doesn't have quite the same charm this time around. There are plenty of fat jokes at the expense of Elvira's maid Zou Zou (Mary Jo Smith) and "Rocky Horror"'s Richard O'Brien's role is essentially a self-parody. By the movie's final third, the humor is quite thin. There are a few laughs in "Elvira's Haunted Hills"' 90-minutes, but most are in the movie's first 30. I particularly enjoyed her musical number "Le Dance Hall." Ultimately, though, "Elvira's Haunted Hills" isn't as funny as the old Roger Corman/Hammer horrors it's spoofing. ... Read more

Description

Strange energy waves from the planet Mongo pull the moon out of orbit threatening Earth, and NY Jets quarterback Flash Gordon and the lovely Dale Arden must destroy Mongo's ruler, Ming the Merciless, before Earth is annihilated. Music by Queen. ... Read more

Reviews (99)

An overlooked classic from the 80's
Sometimes certain films end up being much better than they have any right to be. Flash Gordon is one of those films. It is, in fact, and I say this in mortal fear of being mocked and shunned by my peers, one of my all time favotite movies. I can watch this film endlessly, and every time I see it I walk around smiling for the rest of the day... it's just that kind of movie.

The cast, first and foremost, is excellent. They work wonders with the material they're given... admittedly this isn't Shakespeare, but it plays remarkably well, with very few cringe-worthy moments. Standout performances include Max Von Sydow as the astoundingly evil Ming, Peter Wyngarde as the almost equally evil Klytus, Brian Blessed as the leader of the Hawkmen, and Topol(?) as an eccentric Dr. Zarkov. Then, of course, there's the absolutely stunning Ornelia Muti as Ming's beautiful daughter Aura... she's wonderful to look at, and has an exotic accent to boot. When I saw this film in the theater as a wee lad, I had quite the childhood crush on Miss Muti... sigh. Anyway, all of the actors seem to be having a grand time with their roles, and it definitely shows.

With all due respect to the actors, however, I really think it's the brilliant soundtrack that makes Flash Gordon stand out most in my mind. Queen, near the peak of their popularity, provided a wonderful, throbbing, highly eccentric collection of songs and instrumental bits that fit the film perfectly. I badgered my poor mother to buy me the 8-track, in fact, and then proceeded to play it at every opportunity... a very patient woman, my mother. She probably still hears "dumdumdumdumdumdumDUMDUM **FLASH!!** ah-AHH!..." in her sleep. Sorry, mom.

The special effects are actually still pretty impressive, as well... bear in mind, however, that I have a soft spot for 1980's effects. I really miss the days when the answer to "How'd they do that?" wasn't always "With computers." There's a certain mystery to these old effects, and I always respect the effort and creativity that went into making things happen with such limited technology. Sigh... Still, the film is very,very colorful, and there are a LOT of costumes, backgrounds, etc. Everything has a very shiny, surreal sort of look to it, in stark contrast to the realistic, worn-out look of the Star Wars films. It's pretty neat in its own way.

In the end, though, Flash Gordon is just plain entertaining. There's hardly ever a dull moment, and the film's almost 2 hour running time goes by in a flash (pun fully intended, with all apologies to the reader). You get a lot of action in those 2 hours... there are laser battles, lots of starships, hand to hand combat on a floating spike disk(?), catfights (in a harem, no less), flame-throwing rings, dominatrix henchladies, evil Space People, a surprising amount of implied sexuality, and the list goes on and on. Just put it in, turn off your brain, and for God's sake HAVE FUN!

On a side note, I have to say that the DVD release is a bit disappointing. The five star rating is strictly for the film itself, not for the disc. Although the video and audio quality is fine (easily the best version currently available), there is absolutely nothing in the way of extras. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Not even a trailer, for crying out loud. Here's hoping that someone, perhaps Anchor Bay (king of the cult classic), will have the good sense to release a Special Edition. I would love to see outtakes, trailers, making of bios, commentary, etc. This film certainly deserves better treatment than it's given here.

Still, this DVD is currently the best edition of Flash Gordon you're going to find (and it's WIDESCREEN!). Plus, it can be picked up pretty cheaply, if you can actually find it. I wholeheartedly recommend that you search it out, watch it over and over, and then join me in waiting patiently for a collector's edition to come along. Even with its shortcomings, Flash Gordon on DVD most definitely deserves a spot in your collection. Just file it under "Guilty Pleasures." :)

Goofy but Affectionate Escapism
"Flash Gordon" has more in common with 1968's "Barbarella" than the comic strip hero of the same name, but still manages to deliver many of the goods expected of campy adult fantasy. Sam Jones is a dopey version of Buster Crabbe's dashing serial hero--fittingly, an over-hormoned football star with a heart that works faster than his brain. Lovely Melody Anderson embodies Dale Arden as a spunky 1930's girl-next-door transplated into the plastic, "modern" 1980s, while sultry Ornella Muti, as Princess Aura, is every adolescent boy's imagining of sex. International stars Topol and Max Von Sydow chew up the scenery as astrophysicist Zarkhov and evil Emperor Ming, respectively, and Peter Wyngarde and ex-James Bond Timothy Dalton do dark turns in secondary roles. The story, laced with PG-rated violence and sexual innuendo, is a tongue-in-cheek rehash of the serials, as Ming ravages Earth until our intrepid heroes rocket to his kingdom to set things straight. This time, they find worlds created with the most elaborate visual effects of the day, some convincing, many not, but all strangely beautiful. If you liked the original, you'll see that most of the swipes are gentle and that as juvenile as the script is, the movie is really aimed at grown-ups. A spirited performance by British TV veteran Brian Blessed and a thumping soundtrack by rock supergroup Queen help make this one memorable.

Cool Movie, Lousy DVD
This review applies to the current Image DVD release. Most people who purchase Flash Gordon remember it from their childhood and wish to relive a part of it. No complaint there! Unfortunately, the DVD is now out of print and a copy can be expensive. About the only thing commendable about the disc is its widescreen aspect ratio. The soundtrack clearly warbles in places, the sound mix is not in 5.1 and generally lousy, and the video is grainy throughout. This is quite a shame, because the soundtrack and effects lend themselves to a great presentation. There are no extra features at all.

The DVD release rights were licensed by Universal to Image Entertainment. I have purchased 3 Image DVDs and they have all been massive disappointments. Fortunately, Universal re-released Sixteen Candles and I hope they will eventually do the same for Flash Gordon.

Flash Gordon and Max
Many reviewers have focused on how fun this movie is. Others have commented on Princess Aura who is...very fine indeed. However, I enjoy the performance of Max von Sydow. As Ming, he is perfect. Max has a sneer that meets if not beats that of Harry Potter's Professor Snape. Ming is amazing to the end...or did he end?

Classic filmaking
It's ia classic right up there with Star Wars. The acting isn't all that great but, it deserves credit for great scenery and costumes. It is definitely worth buying. ... Read more

Reviews (779)

This is an " I feel better about myself movie ."
I really think this is a great movie. Usually when I watch old movies that portray way, way, long ago plots I'm bored out of my skull. Especially the ones with the historical views. This movie is amazing, because they have managed to sneek some historical bits in the scenes(leonardo)without making it into a history lesson. Don't get me wrong it's not an "educational" movie or anything(for all of you moms who want to trick us kids) but,it does have some interesting views on that time. Of course this movie is about romance,and that's one of the best parts about it. so if you like Cinderella with a twist,and way back when movies. You'll love this one.

The most romantic, uplifting, and empowering movie I've seen
Ever After is one of the most beautiful movies ever filmed. An update on the classic happpily-ever-after story, it does not contain deep insights or revelations, but it does present a romantic story lacking crudeness and most other things that are so abundant in the other movies made in the last few years. Cinderella has undergone a makeover and has become Danielle du Barbarac, played wonderfully well by Drew Barrymore. In the face of oppression, Danielle stands proudly, quoting Thomas Moore while her intellect and passion charm the prince (Dougary Scott) into falling in love with her. It is a movie for all females, showing that men do not have to control things in order for them to succeed. This is a most excellent movie, must see. (Anna and the King, by the same director, is equally breathtaking and a bit more thought-provoking.)

A Great Family movie!!
This is an excellent movie about more than just being beautiful and therefore the man falls in love... the end! This movie takes us much deeper into the personality and intelligence of Danielle (Drew Berrymore's character). She is not the prettiest girl. She is just a girl who speaks her mind, who works hard and loves deeply! I wish more movies were produced like this that can make you feel good, give a great moral lesson and be entertaining to the entire family. I recommend this DVD to all my friends. The DVD sound and picture is wonderful!!

Just for "young" girls? I don't think so
This movie is for women of all ages. I have been wondering why hollywood never makes a GOOD woman's movie. Here is one, finally. When you consider the huge sales of romance novels, which are basically all the same, there has to be an extremely unfullfilled audience out there!!! I thought Danielle was just a shade too modern, but the movie was too wonderful to quibble about. Dougray Scott was incredible. I hope he is cast as a leading man more often. I saw he was in MI2, but can't remember him. In this movie, he beats every established hollywood hunk by at least a mile.

I Love This Movie
This movie is really good. It is like Cinderella yet different. The story of this movie is really good and well throught up. One part that I find wierd is the part with Leodardo da Vinci and how he relates in the story it is a little wired, but don't get me wrong he is a great charactor and adds humor to the story. Drew Barrymore acts wonderfully in the Middle Ages backgroud with all the elegent clothing. Angelica Huston is also a great charactor playing the evil step mother and having a world of her own. This movie is a sad someparts throughout the movie, but over all this is a great movie and I think you should see it today. ... Read more

Reviews (277)

Well, it's better than Episode 1
As a fan of high fantasy, I was only slightly disappointed with Dungeons & Dragons: The Movie when leaving the theater. After all, it was the first time I had seen orcs and axe-toting Dwarves, tall Elves and all of those other cliched fantasy elements ONSCREEN. What has become trite in the world of fantasy fiction is almost ground-breaking in the movies. However, since then I've seen The Fellowship of the Ring, which is based on the very tale that turned these things into conventions in the first place - and not only that, it is infinitely superior in every way imaginable, just as The Lord of the Rings is to every other fantasy novel published since.

The primary problem with D&D: The Movie lies in its Star Wars inspiration. Clearly, director Courtney Solomon loves the Star Wars films, and tried to turn D&D into one of them. Instead of a heroic quest, grand adventures, and an ensamble cast of companions, we get Ridley the rogue, a handful of underveloped sidekicks, shoddy editing (all of the deleted scenes should be in the film), and a tired plotline of a wizard (Emperor) and his dark enforcer (Darth Vader) trying to rule the world.

The really interesting characters, such as the Dwarf Elwood and the Elven tracker Norda, get absolutely no backstory, and join Ridley's quest for reasons that are never clearly explained. The movie also adheres to D&D gaming rules to a fault (which can confound non-players), and yet inexplicably allows for dragons with little to no intelligence and a complete lack of clerics. The movie also ends on a confusing (and supposedly hopeful) note that is rather ridiculous.

The bottom line is this: it's not bad, but it could have been so much better had it not tried to emulate the Star Wars films, and stayed truer to its source material.

Even the nerds will hate it
This is close to the worst movie ever. Even the nerds who played this game that I used to religiously persecute back in High School would hate it. Did the producers of this film have balckmail on Thora Birch and Jeremy Irons that forced them to do this?

This movie was an insult to the name, Dungeons and Dragons!
I was so thouroughly dissapointed with this movie. Everything about it sucked, save for the animation on the dragons.
I am a true DND nerd. I have played for years and know every subtle nuance of the game. And the director/writers of this film clearly never even saw DND in action.
All the characters were bumbeling morons, the scenes from the movie looked like cheap star wars rip offs. They took classic DND monsters and totally rewrote the entire concept behind them. I was left unfulfilled from moment 1. The magic in the movie was stupid, everyone used "magic dust". There were no cool spell incantations. Just loud unrememberable music. I found myself routing for the bad guys to hope they kill the heros (Especially Marlin Wayans). The fights were bad, the plot was bad. Any true DND player will despise this film. The only people who will enjoy this movie are people with no expectations. If you never played a fantasy game in your life and don't really care about plot, then rent it. Definately do not buy it.

This was Awesome!!!
This is one of the best movies of all time! It's almost as good as Gremlins 2! I nearly peed my pants when I saw all the big red dragons. Eeeeeeeek!!! I am a huge Jeremy Irons fan and I hope that if there is a sequal they can find a way to bring his character back. I LOVE this movie! I own 2 copies of it on DVD in case one gets worn out from being watched so much. I hope if there is a sequal they can somehow incorporate unicorns.

Just Dragons
This film had alot of dragons, but was seriously lacking in dungeons. I don't know about you, but I like alot of dungeon action. ... Read more