Amazon.com

Though often and unfairly dismissed as a Quantum Leap clone, the Fox TV series Sliders earned a substantial fan base thanks to its intriguing central premise--the existence of multiple alternate realities--and impressive special effects, both of which get a fine showcase in this six-disc DVD set. Jerry O'Connell leads the appealing cast as a college student who accidentally discovers a portal into alternate dimensions; with the help of his professor (Lord of the Rings' John Rhys-Davies), a spunky Girl Friday (Sabrina Lloyd), and a soul crooner (Cleavant Derricks), O'Connell encounters a host of strange parallel Earths, including a British-ruled United States and one where dinosaurs roam a national park.All nine episodes of the 1995 debut season and the 12-episode second season from '96, as well as the pilot from '95, are included in the aesthetically impressive set; extras, however, are limited to commentary by creators Tracy Torme and Robert K. Weiss on the pilot episode, and a making-of featurette with O'Connell and Derricks. --Paul Gaita ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Definately a must own!!
Quinn Mallory ( Jerry O Connel)is trying to create an anti-gravity device and accidentally creates a device that opens up a portal. His physics professor Maximillian P. Arturo (John Rhys-Davies), and his girlfriend Wade Wells (Sabrina Lloyd) want to accompany Quinn through the portal to see where it leads. A washed up singer named Rembrant Brown (Cleavant Derricks)is also accidentally dragged along for the ride, when he is walking buy and sucked through the portal with them. Quinn and the rest of the group "slide" to another dimension of earth. The Sliders soon realize that they would much rather return back to their own dimension, but things are not that easy. Once you have entered through the portal, you have to keep traveling to different dimensions of earth to find the right one that will lead back home. Each episode deals with Quinn, Professor Arturo, Wade, and Rembrant exploring each dimension to find their way back to their own dimension. Unfortunately, once the Sliders have entered a particular dimension, there is only a limited amount of time to reopen the portal, and there are only a few select places within each dimension they can do it from. Finding the right place to open the portal is often a challenge to the group because each dimension is different than their own, and can be life threatening at times.

I have heard people often refer to Sliders as a rip off of Quantum Leap. While Quantum Leap was a better show, Sliders is completely different. Quinn, Professor Arturo, Wade, and Rembrant are not traveling through time. They are traveling through other dimensions of earth that differ from their own. This is what makes the show so great, because it is very interesting to see how each dimension will be different than the next. The show also offers tons of suspense. There is a "race against the clock" type feel due to the fact that the group only has a limited amount of time to find one of the few places within the dimension they can "slide" from. Jerry O Connel and the rest of the cast were excellent in their roles, and it is their performances that make the show so entertaining, especially the performance given from Cleavant Derricks as Rembrant Brown. The funniest thing about his character, is that Rembrant never asked to go with them, and was dragged along accidentally. So he often complains about each situation which usually provides for a lot of laughs.

Unfortunately, Sliders did not manage to stay great for the entire run of the show. I have to agree with many of the fans and say that the show went seriously downhill during season three when Professor Arturo left the show. Seasons four and five would become even worse, because the show left FOX to air on the Sci-Fi channel, and by the end of the show, Rembrant was the only original character left. However, the first two seasons of Sliders are what make the show rank among the top of any television show in the sci-fi genre. The best thing about this DVD package, is the fact that you get the two best seasons of the show in one set. While it is a shame that the extras are somewhat limited, this set is worth owning just for the episodes themselves.

A solid 5 stars...

Truly, a classic series
I'm SO glad that Sliders is finally coming out on DVD. Plus, the first two seasons are sold here together and that was the series at it's best. The writing was still at the top of it's game. It was during the third season that things went downhill, so much so, that John Rhys-Davies (Arturo), actually wrote a two part episode himself halfway through the third season, "Exodus" where he had himself killed off! Rest assured though, that for the very best in Sci-fi entertainment, these first two truncated seasons (the first being 9 episodes and the second being 13), are the very best of Sliders and I can't recommend it highly enough!

sliders finally arrives on DVD
(...) I am just glad they are out on DVD. Combining the first 2 seasons is great however I wish and hope they put out Season 3 so I can see Seasons Greedings - seeing the professor refute the materialistic nature of xmas would be worth the price of the DVD. This was a great series with a scientifically sound science underlying its premise. I have nothing bad to say about any of the seasons although 1 and 2 are my favorites.

THE 411 ON SLIDERS
I LOVED THIS SHOW WHEN IT FIRST CAME ON BECAUSE IT WAS HAD A VERY ORIGINAL PREMISE TO IT AND THAT IS WHY I BELEIVE THAT PEOPLE WATCHED THE SHOW!!! I WAS READING SOMEONE ELSES REVIEW OF THE SHOW AND NOTICED THAT THEY WERE WRONG ABOUT ONE THING.wADE AND QUINN NEVER DATED!!!!!! SHE WAS IN LOVE WITH QUINN BUT HE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF HER AS HIS FRIEND AND INSTEAD FELL IN LOVE WITH MAGGIE (THE ARMY BITCH ON THE WORLD WHERE ROGER DALTRY'S CHARACTER KILLS THE PROFESSOR!!!) IF YOU LIKE ORIGINAL SCI-FI STUFF BUY THIS BECAUSE YOU WILL ENJOY SEEING WORLDS THAT ASK THW QUESTION: wHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN OUR HISTORY INSTEAD OF WHAT REALLY DID HAPPEN AND SEE THE FALL OUT FROM THOSE EVENTS

extras
There is a play all option

Commentary on the pilot (in audio)

A making of sliders documentary- including atleast Jerry O'Connell and Cleavant Derricks (Quinn and Rembrant)

There is a photo gallery on the dvd ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Interesting Idea, poorly created
Body Shots is an interesting premise. Mix reality tv (at the the time) like the Real World, fill it with hot young actors, make sure there is a movie plot, make sure there is a lot of sex, and watch it fly. Well unfortunatly thats what they did.

Body Shots is about a group of eight adults, four men and four women who all have different opinions on sex. It's Friday so they all decide to go clubing. The next day all of them got some, but unfortunatly some not in the way they wanted. After the initial club scene where they got drunk they wake up the next day. The latter part of the film ends up focused on the incidenet between Jerry O'Connell and Tara Reid as she claims he raped her. However they were both so drunk they don't remember what happened.

Overall the movie is Ok at best. The only really redeeming value is that we got to see some of Tara Reids Naughty Parts. Past that the movie features a lame been there done that plot, weak sex, poor acting, and overall not what was expected from what seemed like an interesting idea.

body shots
tara reid is so hott in this dvd but i think its a boring plot

NOT QUITE
I have the movie Body Shots it started out just about them having sex. About the middle of the movie the plot just changed It suddenly became about a mystery and trying to solve it. Great acting (Tara Reid, Amanda Peet) TERRIBLE ENDING does not even have an ending you expect the movie to start after the credits. I liked what they were doing with the movie at the beggining but then it got jumbled and confusing. If you like rape sex movies with bad plots then this movie is for you if not dont waste your time.

Interesting idea, TERRIBLE execution
All I can say after having watched this movie is, "What the heck?..."

So a group of guys goes out to a bar to meet up with a group of girls. We all know what that's like, right? And let's be honest here, more than a few of us know what's on the mind at this point. And, in fact, we're right: People - *gasp* - have sex.

Then the tricky twists arise. Well, too many for there to be any real resolution to any of them.

By far, of course, the "date rape" plot line is the most powerful and socially relevant. Did she consent? Was she even capable of consenting? Or, to the contrary, did she actually scream "NO" repeatedly?

Now THAT would have been a good plot line to follow. We're interested. We see the conflicting points of view, and it's fascinating to know that there is NO other witness, and it's his word against hers. While the movie does take this plot line adequately through -- including to its less-than-satisfying conclusion -- it muddies up the progression of this situation with a HUGE slew of otherwise irrelevant and horribly uninteresting sex twists.

Of the four or five couples who end up having sex that night, we really do only really care about the one, right? I mean, in terms of plot line develpment, I don't think we really care about the particular kinky perversions of Batgirl. And yet we're told about it anyway.

All in all, it seems to me that this movie spends too much of its time trying to work "sex sex sex" into its reels -- probably in an effort to draw viewers who really don't care about the meaty date rape plot line -- and the end product suffers as a result.

Superficial treatment of a serious subject
This film flounders by taking the serious subject of date rape and trying to mix it with the twenty-something licentious overdrive of "Sex in the City". Written by David McKenna ("American History X") and directed by Michael Cristofer ("Original Sin"), this screenplay has potential that is dissipated by trying to make it too sexy and hip.

The story starts with Sara (Tara Reid) coming to a friend's house in the middle of the night in her nightgown with face bloodied, claiming to have been raped by her date. We then shift to the events that preceded the alleged attack, as we meet our eight yuppies whose raging hormones are searching desperately for release by means of drunken stupefaction. Interspersed, we receive asides from each of the characters giving their honest and somewhat immature views on sex and relationships. This part of the film is utterly vapid and self indulgent, full of gratuitous sex and nudity, seemingly just to impress us with how shallow and hedonistic these young people are.

After a night of wild and lascivious dancing, everyone gets blotto and hooks up with someone for meaningless flesh pounding. Sara, who has been involved all night in dancing that can only be described as coital pantomime with pro football player Mike Penorisi (Jerry O'Connell), decides to take him home in a taxi after he finishes beating up a guy who bumped into him in the bar.

Fast forward to the present and each participant gives a flashback description of the events, Sara describing being forcibly raped despite her protestations, and Mike describing an nymphomaniac using him to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend and who became infuriated when he called her by the wrong name. The evidence supports both views, with Sara's behavior before the incident clearly provocative and slutty, and her emotional and physical state afterward extremely sincere and convincing. The picture is further clouded by the fact that both were extremely drunk and the reliability of their statements is questionable.

The rape storyline is fertile ground for an excellent drama, but Cristofer draws away abruptly just when the story gets interesting and returns to soliloquies of the various characters giving their reflections on the events that just occurred. The film thus leaves the viewer extremely unsatisfied with the outcome.

Ultimately, the film seems to be trying to make the point that this event was inevitable given the dangerous and irresponsible behavior of the characters. Cristofer tries to infuse the story with the moral that loving relationships are better than promiscuous drunken encounters, but his final scenes are too abstruse to make the argument with any power.

This is a good showcase for some young talent. Most impressive is Tara Reid, best known as Vicki in "American Pie". Reid gives a gut wrenching performance, sexy when she needs to be and utterly devastated after the incident. Sean Patrick Flannery is also good as the nice guy who feels that he has to act like a sex obsessed jerk to fit in with his friends. He has a couple scenes with Amanda Peet that are heartfelt and touching. Peet gives a surprisingly good dramatic performance that is a far cry from the ditzy parts for which she is getting known lately. Jerry O'Connell does well as the jock with the untamed libido. Ron Livingston is outrageously abrasive and droll as Trent, the obnoxious dweeb with an overblown sense of self importance.

This could have been a good film, but it takes the wrong approach to a serious contemporary subject. I rated it a 6/10. While the moral of the story is constructive, the presentation overemphasizes the very behavior it is criticizing, and neglects the true human interest story by skirting the serious issue. Some respectable acting performances, especially by Tara Reid, are reduced by the film's superficiality. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This generic sex comedy--about a guy who can't decide whether or not tomarry his girlfriend because he's still obsessed with a girl he saw in anairport when he was a teenager--really has only one thing to recommend it:Ryan Reynolds (Coming Soon, Van Wilder). Reynolds plays the maincharacter's horndog friend who becomes convinced he's gay, and while much of hismaterial is of dubious taste and quality, Reynolds has a mixture of ironicdetachment and actor commitment that makes the most of his role. Everyoneelse--Jerry O'Connell (as the obsessed guy), Bridgette L. Wilson (as hisunderstandably frustrated girlfriend), Ron Livingston, Bill Bellamy, and AlyssaMilano--have their moments, but the script doesn't offer them much to work with.When it isn't drowning in clichés about men and women, it's trying way too hardto be "over the top." --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Entertaining Yet Uneven
I've watched the miniseries on VH1 and I truly love it. I think it's a great history lesson and entertaining at that. I wasn't there, so I can't tell you how accurate it is. However, I found Michael to be a bit too modern. For most of the movie, it looked like he had wandered onto the set from Friends. Everytime he was on the screen, all I could think about was how he looked like he was in the wrong decade. Some of the other scenes, like the Woodstock scene, seemed trite and overdone. But overall, I enjoyed the story, the characters and of course, the music!

The '60s: Great Movie from Beginning to End!!
I absolutely LOVE this movie!! I've always been fascinated
with the "decade that changed America forever", even though
I wasn't born until 1973. The film has an excellent cast,
and I especially liked Josh Hamilton's performance as
Michael Herlihy...intelligent, sensitive, very socially
conscious...and VERY cute!! I also watched with interest
the relationship between Katie Herlihy and her father.
Having grown up in a strict Catholic family myself, I
could relate to the moral issues and the conflict they
struggled with. (Although I think it's BEYOND RIDICULOUS
that Katie got in trouble at the homecoming dance for
dancing the Twist, labeled "lewd and inappropriate" by
her father & Sister Elizabeth.) Oh, how the times have
changed!! I have watched this movie probably a dozen times,
and probably will watch it a dozen more...I never get
tired of it. If you are interested in the music,
sociology and/or politics of the 1960s, you need to
watch this film. I'm glad I did!

Review of "The '60s"
I enjoyed this DVD, although the acting was a bit cheezy and we didn't see anyone too famous (well, except Dylan, Mario Savio and the rest...) however it was quite enjoyable.

For anyone born a bit too late (like myself) then I recommend watching it.

UHG!
This thing failed to accomplish in many hours what "The Wonder Years" routinely pulled off in thirty minutes. That's it. There's no more to say.

the best movie ever
i'm also a french girl who could watch this movie a few years ago and i really think it's a quite good one.
it's the first time a movie shows as well some historical events.
i advice everybody to learn about the sixties by this movie.only 3 hours to show most important events of that period.
a good way of learning history for students who have problems to remember some dates ot things like that and maybe watch some real pictures of that time!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the best romantic comedies of the 1990s, this box-office hit cemented writer-director Cameron Crowe's reputation as "the voice of a generation." Crowe could probably do without that label, but he's definitely in sync with the times with this savvy story about a sports agent (Tom Cruise) whose fall from grace motivates his quest for professional recovery, and the slow-dawning realization that he needs the love and respect of the single mom (Renée Zellweger in her breakthrough role) who has supported him through the worst of times. This is one of Cruise's best, most underrated performances, and in an Oscar-winning role, Cuba Gooding Jr. plays the football star who remains Jerry Maguire's only loyal client on a hard road to redemption and personal growth. If that sounds touchy-feely, it is only because Crowe has combined sharp entertainment with a depth of character that is rarely found in mainstream comedy. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (135)

Great
"Jerry Maguire" is a romance about the two main characters (Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger), but it's also a very funny comedy about a sports agent trying to survive alone away from a large corporation.

Jerry is fired after writing a "memo" which displeases his boss. He is fired in a crowded place, followed by a scene where Jerry and his boss try to contact as many of their clients as possible to convince them to stay with one agent and not the other. Jerry leaves with a select few clients, some fish, and a brave secretary (Zellweger). They eventually begin dating after Jerry breaks up with his fiance.

"Jerry Maguire" is an intelligent romantic comedy, not really in the same sense that "Sleepless in Seatle" was a romantic comedy. They are completely different films, and "Jerry Maguire" is better and more intelligent for it. It deals not only with the fun of relationships, but with the hard times. There are a few twists to the plot that come unexpectedly and an ending that many probably will know without having seen this movie ("You complete me"). Cuba Gooding Jr. also delivers one of his best performances (both in the film and accepting the Best Supporting Actor award at the Oscars for this film - "Show me the money!") that has not been surpassed to date ("Instinct" and "Chill Factor" don't even come close).

This widescreen version presents the film in the original theatrical format the way it was meant to be seen. Yes, there are the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, but you actually see more of the movie (the stuff that would be edited out for the standard format).

This is a great film worth watching many times.

Everybody loves Jerry !
Every once in a while, a movie comes along that lifts the spirits, gives you a smile, and makes going to the movies a great experience all over again.
Cameron Crowe, of "Say Anything" fame, succeeds in bringing to life an everyday man struggling with everyday problems of the everyday common man. This particular common man is a sports agent, a very successful and, of course, rich agent who has a stunningly attractive fiance, athletes who depend on him to make fortunes, and friends who admirably and openly tell him "I love you, Jerry!". Jerry Maguire is his name. And he is played brilliantly by the ever-so-loved Tom Cruise. Despite all the love around him, however, Jerry does one mistake. It comes in the form of a mission statement where he challenges the business and dares to open up and speak out. The friends at the firm give him an expiration date, "about two weeks!", and it's up to his one time protegee Jay Mohr to tell him that he's fired in one of the most classic moments in movie history, sitting in a restaurant surrounded by a crowd of people (the scene where Tom Cruise stares down at his glass of water after Mohr blurts out 'I'm here to let you go' is as real as reality goes). Jerry is left struggling and failing to keep his clients except for one, the obnoxious Football player Rod Tidwell (played even more brilliantly by Cuba Gooding Jnr) His fiance leaves him labeling him a 'loser' and he finds himself battling to survive with the loudmouthed client and a single mother secretary, who quits the firm for him, who is the only left admirer of his 'memo'!

Crowe, who writes and directs this movie, takes care of the characters' progress throughout the entirety of the movie. Jerry and the secretary (played by the sweet Renee Zellweger) slowly and passionately start to fall in love, and the relationship between Jerry and her only son grows from a goofy friendship into a father-son type of relation. But best of all is Jerry's one on one dialogue with Rod. Jerry can't stand the fact that he's stuck with Rod but faces the fact that he's his only hope left, and Rod still believes in Jerry and more or less becomes his right shoulder and gains him confidence. Like any other everyday man, Jerry still has people around telling him how great he is, even though he thinks very lowly of himself. This is the same theme throughout most of Crowes' films, especially "Say Anything" where John Cusack's character finds confidence through Lili Taylor.
The movie is funny. With serious drama flowing thoughout. And there are catch phrases that people everywhere quote, most commonly "show me the money!"

The DVD features two discs with loads of special features, deleted scenes, rehearsals, and the music video of Bruce Springsteen's 'Secret Garden'.

Highly recommended!

I Love My Wife
I never get tired of Jerry Maquire. This film and Risky Business are my favorite Tom Cruise films. I prefer when Cruise doesn't know it all, has human fallibilities, but we all know that's impossible, not Mission Impossible. The truth is, Tom is one of the biggest movie stars ever and he's beautiful to look at for a short guy. How could anything go wrong in Mr. Perfect's world? That's why Jerry Maguire is so appealing. Even the handsome, fast talking charmer needs the help of his friends, his gal, and a Dale Carnegie enhancement course. Cuba Gooding Jr. has something Tom doesn't, a love for his wife that is nothing less than inspiring. On the other hand, Gooding has no love for his football fans. Tom can help him on the PR front, but then Renee Zellweger and her cute little son show loyalty. The grand finale, Jerry Maguire loves his wife. We all should love our wives. Amen brother.

GET PAST THE (NOW CLICHED) CATCH LINES...
And you find a film full of soul. JERRY MAGUIRE shows Tom Cruise as an actor, not a box office attraction. He works the central character into a likeable, tortured 30+ professional, looking not for redemption, but purpose more in the vein of (Maguire's) father ("My dad worked 38 years for the United Way," he laments. "When he retired, he said: 'I wish they would have given me a more comfortable chair'.") Cruise has his star turn polished by outstanding support (Rene Zellwegger, Bonnie Hunt and Jay Mohr, in a role you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy), the hyperness of Cuba Gooding, Jr. (who sings "What's Going On?" instead of one of his fathers classics) and Cameron Crowe's great script and direction. No sequel, please. Greatness can stand on its own.

A Feel Great Movie,
This picture was the best and really the last time that Cruise was at the top of his game as an actor. The material was great. Story of the fall and slow rise of a man who makes new friends, finds new love, and helps a sports athelete find both personal and professional success on the playing field. The casting was solid and it was a break out role for several actors who have gone on to do even bigger films. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If Brian De Palma directed Mission to Mars for10-year-olds who've never seen a science fiction film, he can be credited forcrafting a marginally successful adventure. Isolated moments in thisfilm serve the highest purpose of its genre, inspiring a sense ofwonder and awe in the context of a fascinating future (specifically,the year 2020). But because most of us have seen a lot of sciencefiction films, it's impossible to ignore this one's derivative plot,cardboard characters, and drearily dumb dialogue. Despite an awesomeand painstakingly authentic display of cool technology and dazzlingspecial effects, Mission to Mars is light years away from2001: A Space Odyssey on the scale of human intelligence.

After dispensing with a few space-jockey clichés, the moviefocuses on a Mars-bound rescue mission commanded by Jim McConnell (GarySinise), whose team (Tim Robbins, Connie Nielsen, Jerry O'Connell) hasbeen sent to retrieve the sole survivor (Don Cheadle) of a tragic Marslanding. During the sequence en route to Mars, De Palma's in hiselement with two suspenseful scenes (including a dramatic--albeitsomewhat silly--space walk) that are technically impressive. But whenthis Mission gets to Mars, the movie grows increasinglyunconvincing, finally arriving at an alien encounter that more closelyresembles an astronomical CGI video game. But this is a $75 millionHollywood movie, and no amount of technical wizardry can lift theburden of a juvenile screenplay. Kudos to Sinise, his costars, and thespecial effects wizards for making the most of hoary material; shame onjust about everyone else involved. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (274)

GREAT SCENERY. BUT MARS MOVIE COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
The story and screenplay can be blamed on writers Lowell Cannon (story) and Jim Thomas. Their plot of MISSION TO MARS is about a rescue mission to find out what happened to a crew of astronauts that successfully landed on Mars, then suddenly disappeared. But in its concept, the movie's story has whiskders: it is a dumbed down, cut-and-paste assembly of Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey," Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," sprinkled with a little Robinson Crusoe thrown in. Indeed, diagnostic is that the best stuff takes place BEFORE the rescue mission even reaches Mars. The ending climax, therefore, is made to be anticlimactic! On top of this, the actors are burdened with banal, meaningless dialogue further adding to the movie's generic feel (example: "Are you sure you want to do this?"/"I'm not sure of anything anymore." ... Wow, how "original"). The cast includes Gary Sinise, Don Cheadle and Tim Robbins who never seems to take the movie very seriously. It is almost as if they were trusting director Brian De Palma to make everything come together in the editing room. Wrong!

To some extent in his rendering of this $100K (where did it all go?) MISSION TO MARS, De Palma showed nerve - while saving LOTS of money - by totally skipping the usual shots of spaceship blastoffs and landings. The audience is left to imgaine how the various space voyagers got into outer space. Also, he completely bypassed the transition from the astronauts' backyard family barbecue in the year 2020 (seems just like 2001) to hurtling towards Mars. He cuts away before each departure, then shows the spacecraft either on its way to or on one of Mars's rusty deserts. Once on Mars, title cards tell us how much time has elapsed [title cards are lots cheaper than FX!]. Eventhough MISSION TO MARS is often realistic, sorry guys but it blazes no new cinematic trails (at risk of mixing metaphors). On the plus side, this flick is more picturesque, efficient, and technically more convincing than many of its earlier counterparts. Seemingly reversing myself, its avoidance of CHEAP whiz-bangs is a plus, in a limited sense. Compared to the way overdone "Armageddon," the plainness of MISSION TO MARS is a pleasure.

Most of MISSION TO MARS is about the rescue mission. The second NASA team of astronauts to Mars is reluctantly sent to retrieve the unconfirmed sole survivor (of four) from the first Mars mission that was unexpectedly wiped out. The second team nearly fails to arrive for rescuing their possibly stranded buddy, and also to possibly find out what Mars is all about. The claustrophobia of the astronauts in close quarters is artistically contrasted with the vastness of the often deadly vacuum outside their spaceship. Some excellent effects are presented to us when co-commander Tim Robbins, and eventually the others, hover in zero gravity or gas propel themselves outside their ship to repair damage done by meteorites.

At its best, the scale and pacing and imagery remind us of "2001: A Space Odyssey." Thanks to De Palma deciding a lot of the action to unfold in silence, he gives us a feel for the remoteness and emptiness of space. Realistically, space travel is mostly long periods of uneventful floating after the blastoff. At risk of giving the movie's big finale away, I must say it is a silly montage of computer-generated special effects which accompanies a touchy-feely revisionist evolutionary theory of life. Evidently, MISSION TO MARS was written with impressionable 10-year-olds in mind. People who're committed to Creationism won't be nuts about the movie's big "revelation." In fact , if that's what evolution is all about (our evolutionary ancestors were UFO driving, bug eyed aliens who came from Mars) I'll take Creationism! But then again, science fiction and religion have never gotten along THAT well, anyhow.

By the way, MISSION TO MARS was produced under NASA's new Space Act Agreement for film and TV. This allows filmmakers to use the Kennedy Space Center for locations and shoot the NASA logo. Taking advantage of the U.S. taxpayers' largesse, that added a realistic look to the spacesuits and equipment used in the film. But, hey folks, these touches of realism couldn't rescue this slow-paced movie to nowhere.

Eh...
This movie doesn't amaze me, at all, but it didn't fall short of my expectations either. The special effects were good, in that they didn't take on a role of their own but still blended well with the movie. Now, putting aside the pseudo-realism (after all this is a sci-fi movie), the story was good at heart, but poorly executed. The acting, however, did not seem to be the problem. I thought Tim Robbins was excellent, Don Cheadle was good, and Gary Sinise was also good, if not great. The problem seemed to be the boring, lifeless dialogue and blocking. When they became trapped inside the face was probably the worst part of the movie. "We're Trapped, no don't take off that wait!" If you're trapped in a giant white face who cares whether you die of atmospheric pressure being too low (or high, if it even is a legitimate issue). This film could have been a great film on the level of 2001: A Space Odyssey, but the story and dialogue fell very short. It's a decent movie to watch, but worth buying the DVD? No. If you want to see it, rent it.

Hideously Horrible! 8-(
Why some people gave this stinker four or five stars is light years beyond me, and I love good sci-fi. I thought Red Planet was pretty bad until I saw this movie, and I realized that even Red Planet had some (not much) redeeming value by comparison. The negative reviews here accurately sum up the reasons why this is one of the worst movies ever made. I really struggled to stay with it 'til the end, if only for morbid curiosity.

Absolutely the steaming pile you've heard it is...

Worst Alien Ever!
*SPOILER WARNING*
How would you like to go through what the characters do in this film, only to come face-to-face with a technologically advanced cartoon? What were the filmmakers thinking?
Derivative and cliche-ridden as it was, the story is actually compelling. Fine efforts were made to replicate scientifically plausible scenes in space. Once on Mars, however, plausibility is virtually thrown out the escape hatch.
Using "The Face" as a plot point was ridiculous since by the time we send a manned expedition to Mars, the planet and its landmarks would have been thoroughly mapped. The characters' sense of surprise at seeing "The Face" was when the film lost its grip on me. Despite the odds against the characters being drawn to "The Face" on a planet the size of Mars being "astronomical", it still COULD be explained by extraterrestrial intervention. Let's forget the fact that "The Face" has already been scientifically dismissed as a natural simulacrum caused by light and shadow. Kids could care less.
Once inside "The Face", we're taken on the "mysteries of the universe" goose chase which made previous films such as "2001" and "Close Encounters" memorable, but here leaves us with a sense of the filmmakers simply throwing away an ending to what has been a compelling narrative. Kids could care less.
But what absolutely lost it for me was "The Alien". C'mon, people; if you can't come up with a scientifically plausible alien, don't give us a damned cartoon! I'm not sure even kids were fooled by this one...absolutely terrible! THAT'S what made this film a waste. It's a good example of how one bad but crucial decision turned a decent entertainment into dreck.
All that being said, the overall production values elevate this film to "guilty pleasure" status. Kids might actually enjoy it in toto. Adults, however, will not look back in fondness upon seeing it.

Worst movie I have ever seen
This is definetly the worst movie I have ever gone to go see in the big screen. I remember I kept wishing for the movie to end and I almost got up and left. Im not going to spoil the ending for you but I am going to say that in movie aliens do exist. This movie isnt worth seeing and definetly not worth buying. Which is why I give it 5 out of 5 stars for the worst movie ever made! ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Have you kissed your roach today?
Is it possible that people exist who are so myopic, so unable to think outside their own sanitized box, that they fail to see and feel the charm of this movie? Of course, I agree that roaches are most appreciated by humans when seen on the bottom side of a shoe, schmooshed. The movie isn't trying to make you boycott Raid. [But, as the film points out, these hardy little creatures will probably be around a lot longer than our own immune 'defested' species.] A plot in this film would have just been distracting. There is no philosophy being preached here, no deep meaning, no overt or covert agendas. Just fun!

The movie is great on many counts. Hear are just a few examples:
-Computer graphics that are nothing short of brilliant.
-A church organ made of lipstick.
-Songs about the healer holding your feeler (while Joe makes love to Lilly!).
-A roach version of Ester William swimming and singing in Joe's toilet.
-A roach sitting on a tube of Prep-H and saying, "What's up his butt?"
-Expert harmonies throughout the film sung with clever (but not overly clever) words, a la The Chipmunks.
-A phrase like, "That tickles!" having, well, a new slant.
-Cute, if predictable, comments made by the roaches.

The film turns traditional values upside-down in a hilarious way, without being pedantic.

The film isn't as serious as a Sondheim lyric, as popular as a Lloyd-Weber musical, as beautiful as a Les Miserable melody. But it doesn't try to be. And it doesn't need to be. It allows the viewer to, for perhaps a too brief period, forget about his or her confining values and exhausting proprieties, and just be entertained. After an escape like this film, we may indeed return to our severe or drab realities refreshed, much like a good night's sleep can make one more alert the next morning. ... I believe that entertainment like this, in appropriate doses, could be just what the world does need....

Jerry's best movie!!
This is my favorite movie of all time! It's humorous look at New York city is hilarious. The animated cockroaches are fun to watch singing and dancing! (Funky towel!) And, of coarse, Jerry O'Connell, whom is my favorite. MTV did great making it's first movie here. My only complaint was that there was no sountrack made! ???? Watch it!!!! Ralph and Rodney will thank you.

A sequel, please!!!
You don't have to be a teenage boy to love this thing.
My wife and I just watched it on cable and she insists
that I get the DVD. We're both 64 and anything but gross.

A Very funny movie
I will never look at a roach the same way. This movie is FUNNY!!
If you just wat to "VEG" out , watch this movie.

A Five Star Cult Classic Ruined
First let me say, I agree with most reviewers. Joe's Apartment is a movie for the "Far Side" crowd and I loved it. But who was the dirty rotten SOB that decided to release it in "Full Screen" format? There is too much going on in this film to butcher it by omiting the widescreen format. This Will probaby be only one of two or three DVD's that I will ever buy in this format. I'm not a movie snob I just want to see "Everything" I saw in the theater. Especially in a campy gonzo movie like this. They ruined some of the visual jokes simply because we can't see them anymore.


If it was up to me, I would slap every person who makes the call to release good or even bad movies in "fullscreen mode" we are all cheated when this is done. Rant's aside, if this is the only way I'll ever get Joe's Apartment then so be it. But I wish more reviewers would stand up and tell the Movie industry where to stick "Fullscreen" especially when we are continuously pushed to buy HDTV and widescreen TV's. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One might reasonably expect Tomcats to be the Porky's of 2001: after all, it concerns a group of young, sexist morons and their fears and fantasies about young women. But Tomcats isn't quite as brain-dead as that, though it is phenomenally more neurotic. Jerry O'Connell plays one of two remaining bachelors within a group of wealthy pals who set aside a cash reward, years before, earmarked for the last among them to get married. O'Connell needs the money to pay off a gambling debt, but his problem is that the other bachelor is a horrendous pig (Jake Busey) unlikely ever to land a gal. A general mean-spiritedness flows through this wearying comedy, manifest in such ugly moments as watching someone's girlfriend run over by a golf cart and an excised, cancerous testicle kicked around hospital hallways. If you're looking for female flesh, however, forget it: Tomcats is far more driven to explore male nudity, while making equally naked today's masculine fears of impotence, mothers, and lesbians. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Three Little Words
Unfortunately, this movie came out at a time when a lot of very funny comedies were on the horizon (Heartbreakers, American Pie 2, Freddy Got Fingered, etc.), so, it didn't review as well as it would have. While it was not as over-the-top as American Pie 2, it does rank right up there. I didn't give it five stars because at times it seems to drag. All editorial and press reviews aside, this was a very good movie. At times, I would find myself almost coughing from laughing so hard.

Here's a synopsis: The movie begins with a group of friends who are very disillusioned, they are afraid of commitment and want to remain "Tomcats" forever. They all place money into a high-yield mutual fund in the mid-90's and thinking that it wouldn't be that big of deal leave it there to collect interest. Flash-forward to present day, the pot is now almost half a million dollars and there are only two unmarried guys left, Kyle (Gary Busey) and Michael (Jerry O'Connell). While at their friend's wedding in Las Vegas, Michael gets in trouble at the craps table to the tune over 50 thousand dollars. He hatches a plan to fix up Kyle (who is filthy rich and pretty much has a different girl every night), with a former bridesmaid at his friend's wedding all those years ago, Natalie (played hilariously by Shannon Elizabeth). What follows are some of the most disgusting, degrading, and downright depraved scenes that I've seen to date (...). See this movie if you're a fan of gross-out comedy, or if you're just looking for a good laugh.

Wretched In Every Possible Way
This movie fails in every possible way a comedy can:

The characters are so repellent and unfunny that you don't care what happens to them.
The story barely exists after 20 minutes.
The "gags" are torturously lame, especially the scene involving a hospital cafeteria and David Ogden Stiers.

Growing up in the 80's, we sat through a lot of horrible comedies aimed at the all-important teen male audience only to hear, "Well, that sucked but at least we got to see (hot actress name here) naked."
TOMCATS doesn't even deliver on that.

What's the point?

Um, anyone for balls?
No matter how many times I watch this movie, it never gets "tiring"!

A pretty good storyline features a host of hilarious moments .... if you ask me, this movie is about typical guys, their dislike of marriage, and the need for cash! In amongst this are some moments, you will never forget .... chasing the testical, throwing the dice, and well, I have to say it - the chick in the back seat of the car and Kyle ..... this is hilariously funny (maybe to the point of disgusting?) ... and of course the 'pretty' funny bachelors party scene ... also deserves a mention!

This is one of the best comedies I have seen in ages and ages, and for all you girls out there, this is not only for the guys! It should be taken in the "tone" that it's set in (it's a comedy and not serious) .... and you should sit back and enjoy the ride! ...... and, if you can't find it funny then it will at least gross you out in parts - enough that you will have to laugh anyways (not so bad if you ask me)!

Either way, you definitely shouldn't miss this one!

3 words
Rude Crude Funny

If you don't like raunchy comedies, than don't bother. However, if you like movies such as There's Something About Mary or American Wedding, than you will like this movie.

This guy has such bad luck with every female he meets.
A group of male pals are at the wedding of a friend. When he gets married, Jerry O'Connell, (as "Michael") and the rest of the men agree to never get married, be single and be a "Tomcat". Horatio Sanz (as "Steve") agrees too, but the next thing they know, he gets married too. Michael and Steve are still friends. Everytime Michael meets a woman, bad luck happens and he gets in trouble with thugs or the law. He's a innocent as can be. Horatio Sanz (NBC's Saturday Night Live) is hilarious and a delight in this film. Billy Hufsey plays a "Pit Boss". ... Read more

Reviews (135)

Great
"Jerry Maguire" is a romance about the two main characters (Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger), but it's also a very funny comedy about a sports agent trying to survive alone away from a large corporation.

Jerry is fired after writing a "memo" which displeases his boss. He is fired in a crowded place, followed by a scene where Jerry and his boss try to contact as many of their clients as possible to convince them to stay with one agent and not the other. Jerry leaves with a select few clients, some fish, and a brave secretary (Zellweger). They eventually begin dating after Jerry breaks up with his fiance.

"Jerry Maguire" is an intelligent romantic comedy, not really in the same sense that "Sleepless in Seatle" was a romantic comedy. They are completely different films, and "Jerry Maguire" is better and more intelligent for it. It deals not only with the fun of relationships, but with the hard times. There are a few twists to the plot that come unexpectedly and an ending that many probably will know without having seen this movie ("You complete me"). Cuba Gooding Jr. also delivers one of his best performances (both in the film and accepting the Best Supporting Actor award at the Oscars for this film - "Show me the money!") that has not been surpassed to date ("Instinct" and "Chill Factor" don't even come close).

This widescreen version presents the film in the original theatrical format the way it was meant to be seen. Yes, there are the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, but you actually see more of the movie (the stuff that would be edited out for the standard format).

This is a great film worth watching many times.

Everybody loves Jerry !
Every once in a while, a movie comes along that lifts the spirits, gives you a smile, and makes going to the movies a great experience all over again.
Cameron Crowe, of "Say Anything" fame, succeeds in bringing to life an everyday man struggling with everyday problems of the everyday common man. This particular common man is a sports agent, a very successful and, of course, rich agent who has a stunningly attractive fiance, athletes who depend on him to make fortunes, and friends who admirably and openly tell him "I love you, Jerry!". Jerry Maguire is his name. And he is played brilliantly by the ever-so-loved Tom Cruise. Despite all the love around him, however, Jerry does one mistake. It comes in the form of a mission statement where he challenges the business and dares to open up and speak out. The friends at the firm give him an expiration date, "about two weeks!", and it's up to his one time protegee Jay Mohr to tell him that he's fired in one of the most classic moments in movie history, sitting in a restaurant surrounded by a crowd of people (the scene where Tom Cruise stares down at his glass of water after Mohr blurts out 'I'm here to let you go' is as real as reality goes). Jerry is left struggling and failing to keep his clients except for one, the obnoxious Football player Rod Tidwell (played even more brilliantly by Cuba Gooding Jnr) His fiance leaves him labeling him a 'loser' and he finds himself battling to survive with the loudmouthed client and a single mother secretary, who quits the firm for him, who is the only left admirer of his 'memo'!

Crowe, who writes and directs this movie, takes care of the characters' progress throughout the entirety of the movie. Jerry and the secretary (played by the sweet Renee Zellweger) slowly and passionately start to fall in love, and the relationship between Jerry and her only son grows from a goofy friendship into a father-son type of relation. But best of all is Jerry's one on one dialogue with Rod. Jerry can't stand the fact that he's stuck with Rod but faces the fact that he's his only hope left, and Rod still believes in Jerry and more or less becomes his right shoulder and gains him confidence. Like any other everyday man, Jerry still has people around telling him how great he is, even though he thinks very lowly of himself. This is the same theme throughout most of Crowes' films, especially "Say Anything" where John Cusack's character finds confidence through Lili Taylor.
The movie is funny. With serious drama flowing thoughout. And there are catch phrases that people everywhere quote, most commonly "show me the money!"

The DVD features two discs with loads of special features, deleted scenes, rehearsals, and the music video of Bruce Springsteen's 'Secret Garden'.

Highly recommended!

I Love My Wife
I never get tired of Jerry Maquire. This film and Risky Business are my favorite Tom Cruise films. I prefer when Cruise doesn't know it all, has human fallibilities, but we all know that's impossible, not Mission Impossible. The truth is, Tom is one of the biggest movie stars ever and he's beautiful to look at for a short guy. How could anything go wrong in Mr. Perfect's world? That's why Jerry Maguire is so appealing. Even the handsome, fast talking charmer needs the help of his friends, his gal, and a Dale Carnegie enhancement course. Cuba Gooding Jr. has something Tom doesn't, a love for his wife that is nothing less than inspiring. On the other hand, Gooding has no love for his football fans. Tom can help him on the PR front, but then Renee Zellweger and her cute little son show loyalty. The grand finale, Jerry Maguire loves his wife. We all should love our wives. Amen brother.

GET PAST THE (NOW CLICHED) CATCH LINES...
And you find a film full of soul. JERRY MAGUIRE shows Tom Cruise as an actor, not a box office attraction. He works the central character into a likeable, tortured 30+ professional, looking not for redemption, but purpose more in the vein of (Maguire's) father ("My dad worked 38 years for the United Way," he laments. "When he retired, he said: 'I wish they would have given me a more comfortable chair'.") Cruise has his star turn polished by outstanding support (Rene Zellwegger, Bonnie Hunt and Jay Mohr, in a role you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy), the hyperness of Cuba Gooding, Jr. (who sings "What's Going On?" instead of one of his fathers classics) and Cameron Crowe's great script and direction. No sequel, please. Greatness can stand on its own.

A Feel Great Movie,
This picture was the best and really the last time that Cruise was at the top of his game as an actor. The material was great. Story of the fall and slow rise of a man who makes new friends, finds new love, and helps a sports athelete find both personal and professional success on the playing field. The casting was solid and it was a break out role for several actors who have gone on to do even bigger films. ... Read more

Reviews (302)

Scream And Scream Again!
After the incredible, phenomenal success of the first "Scream" movie, a sequel was inevitable. Actually, it was inevitable from the start since a part 2 and 3 were already planned and part of Kevin Williamson's deal when selling the first movie. While many people thought this was only made since the first one was such a monster hit, it was not. I'm sure the box office didn't hurt tho!. Kevin Williamson is back with another sharp, fresh, and clever screenplay. Wes Craven is back in the director's chair and makes that screenplay into a stylish thriller that exceeds all expectations and puts the "sequels ..." curse to rest...for now anyways. It's been two years since the grisly murders and stalking of Sidney Prescott in Woodsboro, and now Sidney is enrolled in college and trying to put her life back in order. It's much easier said than done since she is now caught up in the frenzy of a new movie called "Stab", which is a film about what happened in Woodsboro based on the book "The Woodsboro Murders", by tabloid journalist Gale Weathers(Courtney Cox). Two young students(Jada Pinkett, Omar Epps)are killed during the premiere of the film in the movie's dazzling and well executed opener, and the hunt is on once again. A copycat killer dressed in ghost figure attire is jumping on the "Stab" hysteria and stalking Sidney and her friends. Returning is Gale, who is still the money loving, attention getter we loved to hate in the original, but we love more now here. Deputy Dewey(David Arquette)is back as well, having survived the stabbed in the back incident from the original. Unfortunatley, it has left him with a bad leg and limp. Film geek Randy(Jamie Kennedy)is back as well, and sets the tone for the film when he explains the rules of a horror sequel. Cotton Weary(Liev Schreiber)also appears in this one. He has a far more interesting and pivotal role than he did in the brief moments he had in the original film. We are introduced to a new pack of characters as well. Sidney's boyfriend Derek, who is played by Jerry 'O' Connell, film lover
Mickey, Sid's roomate Hallie, and Gale's new camerman Joel, among others. "Buffy" star Sarah Michelle Gellar also appears in one of the films's best moments. Former "Roseanne" star Laurie Metcalfe, and David's father Lewis Arquette, round out the great cast. The movie definitley knows that it is a sequel and is fully aware of how sequels usually go. There's even a great scene about students talking about film sequels. But what the first film did horror films, this one does with horror film sequels and gives it a fresh and clever spin. The scares are great and the suspense scenes are carefully executed and fully effecting. The movie still manages to be surprising and scary and catch us off guard, unlike so many sequels. Neve Campbell is a fabulous scream queen heroine. She does another solid turn as Sidney. Cox looks fantastic in this one. Gale is such an entertaining character to watch. Arquette has the Dewey schtick down pat, although it feels as if he wasn't given much to do this time around and was out of the action quite early than he should have been. While many horror films seem to only care about violence and a high body count, these films are about the characters. Not the killer or what he does and how he goes about doing it. It's about why it's happening and how these characters that we have come to love and cheer on will respond to it. Wes and company did something that many people didn't think they would. They made a sequel that is as convincing, smart, scary, and entertaining as the original. "Scream 2" is a follow up that not only does the brilliant original justice, but it also gives sequels a good name.

One of my favorite sequels
At the time of it's release a lot people I know didn't like it at all. I have no idea why either. The lines are funny, the cast good and it even has it's scary moments. I have no idea why they did part 3 without Kevin Williamson doing the screen-play. His scripts made the movies clever, funny and down to earth. Plus the cast in part 3 is laughable compared to the telented cast in 1 and 2. I mean in this one you got David Arquette "in no doubt his best role", Neve Campbell "in possibly her best role as well", Courtney Coxx, Liev Shrieber, Jamie Kennedy, Jada Pinkett Smith, Timothy Olyphant "Go!", Jerry O'Connell, Omar Epps and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Oh and Roseanne's sister from...Roseanne is in it too. Also look for Joshua Jacksan "Dawson's Creak" in a small role as a film class student.

Anyway this movie is a lot of fun and entertaining. Some things don't work of course though. Like how they use Han Zimmer's score from Broken Arrow whenever they show Dewey. Jerry Connell "singing I think I love you" to Sydney. Things that make it clever though for example, is when it pokes fun at other movies and even at itself. I like how Timothy Olyphant trys to come up with sequels that out-due the originals to Jamie Kennedy's character. It discusses sequels when it itself is one...trying to out-due the original and in some ways it does.

WHAT A DIFFRENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scream 2 is a million times better than the first Scream, which was teribble. The killer is no longer a wimpy teen like in the last film. This film is aimd to an older audiance( the first was aimed to the teens) which I think was good and it really worked for this one. This plot is about someone who saw a movie called Stab, a film based on what happened in the first Scream, and the film drives him mad and makes him turn into a killer. Okay, I know that sounds like a bad plot on papr, but it's much better on screen. They don't make fun of the old movies as much as they did in the first one( the( the orignal was trying to be serios, not like Scary Movie). If you enjoyed movies like Halloween, then you should like this. Much better than the first movie.

Sequel-itis
Unfortunately, Scream 2 falls victim to the oh-so-common sequel-itis that plagues many horror sequels. After the original redefined the term "sleeper hit" by grossing $103 million (domestically), Dimension Films rushed to release the sequel. Less than a year after the release of the original, Scream 2 opened to less than enthusiastic reviews, yet still managed to make a killing at the box office (101 million).
Was Scream 2 a bad film? Not really. In fact it is much better than most of the disposable horror trash on the market today, however it does not hold a candle to the original. The script and acting seem very rushed, and the film falls victim to many of the horror cliches that the original so effectively denounced. The film's biggest downfall is the identity of the killers. Part of what made the first film so great was that all the clues to killer's identity were there. The sequel however, offers no logical clues to the identity of the killers, who turn out to be somewhat minor characters who have played a very small partt in the narrative until this point. When they are finally revealed, it's like "Where did they come from?"
Scream 2 lacks the originality, script (though still helmed by Williamson), acting, and sheer terror that made the original such a classic. That said, it's still worth a rent, but think twice about buying it unless you are a die hard fan of the series.

good movie
Scream 2 is far from as scary as it's predeccesor, but it is still a good movie. Sydney Prescott is at college and having a good time, until a sorority girl[Sarah Michelle Gellar] is murdered. The survivors of the original movie are back, but Randy is eventually murdered, and Dewey hospitalized for being stabbed multiple times. Sydney once again suspects her boyfriend to be the killer, and upon this realization, Sydney and her friend is picked up by the dean to be moved, but the murderer is on their tail, and murders the dean, and Sydney's friend. Sydney then discovers the real murderer, and has the murderer arrested. Not very scary, but less gory than the original, and still fun to watch. ... Read more

Description

Stop that 'Roo! The chase is on when two bumbling Brooklyn buddies sent to deliver a $50,000 mob pay envelope cross paths with a hip-hopping prankster of a kangaroo who sprints off with the loot. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

"Extremely funny, though I don't agree with the rating..."
Don't get me wrong, Kangaroo Jack was extremely funny. I laughed enough to last me three days, but I do agree with other reviewers, there is too much profanity and sexual humor to allow a PG rating. I'd go for a PG-13, but I guess, the humor isn't that bad. And then again, PG means Parental Guidance Suggested. Oh, and Donster, you need to lighten up, dude, you let your kids watch a teen slasher flick but not a mild comedy, you need counseling. Anyway, moving on, I thought this movie was very funny, in fact, I thought it was so good that I went to it three times. My favorite comedy scenes were when Louis (Anderson) and Charlie (O'Connel) were in the bathroom on the airplane talking about the money, but the flight attendants believed they were talking about "things" (that would be PG-13 comedy). The other would probably be G comedy, but still extremely funny, is the very loud and nauseating farts that these camels rip. OMG, I could swear that the next theatre over probably heard it. Okay, well, pretty much the only thing to review about this is the comedy, so I'll leave all other aspects to your thoughts and opinions. Thanks for reading.

Uninspired: Bruckheimer's "Family Picture" Is No Fun
No fun, I say, probably even for kids, for the plot is not simple and the situation is too labored. New York city hairstylist Jerry O'Connell and his buddy Anthony Anderson get in trouble when they accidentally caused a big financial damage to the local mobster (and Jerry's step-father) Christopher Walken. Walken (who obviously does not read script before signing contract), orders the two bumbling Americans to deliver a bag of $50,000 to Australia.

Now, they arrive at Sydney, but soon loses the money in the most ridiculous and incredible way -- a kangaroo wearing a red jacket that contains the envelope runs away in the middle of the deserts! In the meanwhile, unknown to them, gangsters are also sent there to follow Jerry and Anthony, possibly to get rid of them.

The cartoonish idea of two adults chasing the hopping kangaroo is not a bad one, but there is no fun in the chase scenes which are shot like an action movie. Such classic cartoons featuring Road Runner or Willy O Coyote are far superior and ingenious, and the director David McNally (of, incidentaly, the ordinary drama "Coyote Ugly" fame) should have learned a thing or two from these masterpieces.

I see nothing great in actors; they are just OK. Jerry O'Connell looks better than in cult comedy "Tomcats" and Anderson is always fun to watch even though his character (and Jerry's too) tend to scream to each other (like ten times) without particular meaning. Thankfully, Oscar winner (yes, he was, in "Deerhunter") Christopher Walken fare better simply because his role is small, and you get lovely Estella Warren and her swimming in the water (in the middle of Australia, right?) is eye candy for adults.

As is often the case with Bruckheimer films, the film is costly, and you can feel it everywhere. The city of "New York" is actually made in Sidney with the yellow cabs brought to the place for that purpose only, and "Kangaroo Jack" is convincingly made when he (and his pals) speak in rap music. But the awfully insipid and uninspired gags and actions are boring to me, and the character actors like Bill Hunter or Marton Csokas are painfully wasted.

this has a price tag?!?!?!?!?!?!?
let me get this straight....a kangaroo is beating up and out smarting humans(ok,jack is only dealing with oconnell and anderson)???????this junk should be included in some buy 1 movie get this one free deal.

One of the Most Surprising Entertainers of 2003!
When this film came out in theaters I thought it looked too darn silly. Tonight I saw it on Cinemax for the first time and found it very entertaining and funny. The commercial advertisement for the movie did cheat. They made it seem like Kangaroo Jack would be talking all through the film. It turned out he only talked in Charlie's ( Jerry O' Connell ) dream. This film is a very new approach to comedy. You don't get the cliched formula of most buddy films. Unlike other actors who've tackled the buddy films, ( Eddie Murphy & Owen Wilson, Chris Tucker & Charlie Sheen, Skeet Ulrich & Cuba Gooding Jr. ), Anthony Anderson and Jerry O'Connell are the only two I've seen with TRUE chemistry since the good old days of Pryer and Wilder. Both actors are hilarious in their roles. There are a few plot holes when it comes to the criminals in the end but this film is so entertaining you won't care if it gets a little unbelievable. You'll just want to go along with the ride. I strongly recommend this for comedy lovers and fun films for the family. Enjoy! Good clean fun!

Horrible
The commercials were a turnoff. The jokes were a turnoff. The actors were a turnoff. Conan O-Brian, for once, was right. This movie is not worth your money, time, or thought. Did the Raspberry Awards catch this one? I hope so. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great Story, Great Actors
I was wonderfully surprised with this movie. It ran the gambit of emotions for me: laughing, crying... Frankie Muniz and Mathew Modine were EXCELLENT in their roles. The rest of the cast was great as well. The story was interesting all along and you felt warmth and compassion for the 'deaf man' as he grew in stature.

I've recommended this to anyone who'd listen. Good job!!!!!

VHS Much Better
I was waiting for the DVD format to become available as I loved this movie and was wearing out my tape from rewinding and fast forwarding to my favorite scenes.

The VHS version contains interviews with the actors and behind the scenes making of the movie footage. I guess I expected that if footage was on the video, then it would be in the DVD. Boy was I wrong.

The DVD version was good quality, but contained no extras whatsoever. So if you are like me and hoping to replace your VHS with the DVD, you'll be disappointed. Now I have two copies of this movie depending on if I just want to see a particular scene or the behind the scenes footage. I guess the VCR is sticking around a little while longer.

Not a good representative of the Deaf population
Even though the movie is touching, it doesn't represent the Deaf population. Many of them have told me that it is a good movie and wants me to watch it but they do not understand that it is not anything to do with the culture of the Deaf. If you want to understand the Deaf culture, watch the appropriate videotape such as "Children of a Lesser God" or "Love is Never Silent." I would heartily recommended this movie.

Charming, funny, and touching
What the Deaf Man Heard is a poignantly funny story about a boy abandoned on a bus by his mother (telling you why spoils part of the plot), who tells him not to talk to anyone. When he reaches the end of the bus line, he doesn't talk, so the everyone in the town assumes that he is deaf and dumb. The bus station manager (Tom Skerrit) allows him to live at the bus station and becomes his surrogate father. There are too many funny parts to mention here, but as the events leading up to the boy, now a man (Matthew Modine), revealing that he really can hear and talk are funny and touching. James Earl Jones is fantastic (as always) as the only person in town to figure out the truth, though he keeps the secret for his own purposes. You'll laugh, you'll cry. It's better than Cats. You'll want to see it again and again.

Outstanding!
This is a show to be viewed by all, both young and old, big and small. It accentuates on kindness, hidden secrets, love, loyalty and don't forget, determination. I was impressed with it's quality and with it's humor and sentiment. I have only seen it once, when it was shown on television, but it has stayed with me for years, and will continue to be a desired DVD to add to our library. ... Read more

Description

Stop that 'Roo! The chase is on when two bumbling Brooklyn buddies sent to deliver a $50,000 mob pay envelope cross paths with a hip-hopping prankster of a kangaroo who sprints off with the loot. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

"Extremely funny, though I don't agree with the rating..."
Don't get me wrong, Kangaroo Jack was extremely funny. I laughed enough to last me three days, but I do agree with other reviewers, there is too much profanity and sexual humor to allow a PG rating. I'd go for a PG-13, but I guess, the humor isn't that bad. And then again, PG means Parental Guidance Suggested. Oh, and Donster, you need to lighten up, dude, you let your kids watch a teen slasher flick but not a mild comedy, you need counseling. Anyway, moving on, I thought this movie was very funny, in fact, I thought it was so good that I went to it three times. My favorite comedy scenes were when Louis (Anderson) and Charlie (O'Connel) were in the bathroom on the airplane talking about the money, but the flight attendants believed they were talking about "things" (that would be PG-13 comedy). The other would probably be G comedy, but still extremely funny, is the very loud and nauseating farts that these camels rip. OMG, I could swear that the next theatre over probably heard it. Okay, well, pretty much the only thing to review about this is the comedy, so I'll leave all other aspects to your thoughts and opinions. Thanks for reading.

Uninspired: Bruckheimer's "Family Picture" Is No Fun
No fun, I say, probably even for kids, for the plot is not simple and the situation is too labored. New York city hairstylist Jerry O'Connell and his buddy Anthony Anderson get in trouble when they accidentally caused a big financial damage to the local mobster (and Jerry's step-father) Christopher Walken. Walken (who obviously does not read script before signing contract), orders the two bumbling Americans to deliver a bag of $50,000 to Australia.

Now, they arrive at Sydney, but soon loses the money in the most ridiculous and incredible way -- a kangaroo wearing a red jacket that contains the envelope runs away in the middle of the deserts! In the meanwhile, unknown to them, gangsters are also sent there to follow Jerry and Anthony, possibly to get rid of them.

The cartoonish idea of two adults chasing the hopping kangaroo is not a bad one, but there is no fun in the chase scenes which are shot like an action movie. Such classic cartoons featuring Road Runner or Willy O Coyote are far superior and ingenious, and the director David McNally (of, incidentaly, the ordinary drama "Coyote Ugly" fame) should have learned a thing or two from these masterpieces.

I see nothing great in actors; they are just OK. Jerry O'Connell looks better than in cult comedy "Tomcats" and Anderson is always fun to watch even though his character (and Jerry's too) tend to scream to each other (like ten times) without particular meaning. Thankfully, Oscar winner (yes, he was, in "Deerhunter") Christopher Walken fare better simply because his role is small, and you get lovely Estella Warren and her swimming in the water (in the middle of Australia, right?) is eye candy for adults.

As is often the case with Bruckheimer films, the film is costly, and you can feel it everywhere. The city of "New York" is actually made in Sidney with the yellow cabs brought to the place for that purpose only, and "Kangaroo Jack" is convincingly made when he (and his pals) speak in rap music. But the awfully insipid and uninspired gags and actions are boring to me, and the character actors like Bill Hunter or Marton Csokas are painfully wasted.

this has a price tag?!?!?!?!?!?!?
let me get this straight....a kangaroo is beating up and out smarting humans(ok,jack is only dealing with oconnell and anderson)???????this junk should be included in some buy 1 movie get this one free deal.

One of the Most Surprising Entertainers of 2003!
When this film came out in theaters I thought it looked too darn silly. Tonight I saw it on Cinemax for the first time and found it very entertaining and funny. The commercial advertisement for the movie did cheat. They made it seem like Kangaroo Jack would be talking all through the film. It turned out he only talked in Charlie's ( Jerry O' Connell ) dream. This film is a very new approach to comedy. You don't get the cliched formula of most buddy films. Unlike other actors who've tackled the buddy films, ( Eddie Murphy & Owen Wilson, Chris Tucker & Charlie Sheen, Skeet Ulrich & Cuba Gooding Jr. ), Anthony Anderson and Jerry O'Connell are the only two I've seen with TRUE chemistry since the good old days of Pryer and Wilder. Both actors are hilarious in their roles. There are a few plot holes when it comes to the criminals in the end but this film is so entertaining you won't care if it gets a little unbelievable. You'll just want to go along with the ride. I strongly recommend this for comedy lovers and fun films for the family. Enjoy! Good clean fun!

Horrible
The commercials were a turnoff. The jokes were a turnoff. The actors were a turnoff. Conan O-Brian, for once, was right. This movie is not worth your money, time, or thought. Did the Raspberry Awards catch this one? I hope so. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Buying the Cow
This generic sex comedy--about a guy who can't decide whether or not to marry his girlfriend because he's still obsessed with a girl he saw in an airport when he was a teenager--really has only one thing to recommend it: Ryan Reynolds (Coming Soon, Van Wilder). Reynolds plays the main character's horndog friend who becomes convinced he's gay, and while much of his material is of dubious taste and quality, Reynolds has a mixture of ironic detachment and actor commitment that makes the most of his role. Everyone else--Jerry O'Connell (as the obsessed guy), Bridgette L. Wilson (as his understandably frustrated girlfriend), Ron Livingston, Bill Bellamy, and Alyssa Milano--have their moments, but the script doesn't offer them much to work with. When it isn't drowning in clichés about men and women, it's trying way too hard to be "over the top." --Bret Fetzer

Love Stinks
In Love Stinks, Seth (French Stewart from TV's 3rd Rock from the Sun), a sitcom writer-producer, meets Chelsea (Bridgette Wilson, Billy Madison) at his best friend's wedding. He's immediately smitten by her blonde babeness; she's attracted to his income and single status. For the next 45 minutes she tries to get him to commit though a combination of skimpy outfits and wild mood swings. When she finally realizes he's not going to, she turns into a vengeful harpy and tries to make his life hell. This might be funny if you believe that women are manipulative, money hungry, marriage-fixated psychotics--but maybe not. The standard of wit is best expressed in the line, "Drop the probe and step away from my ass," declared by Seth as he's about to receive an unrequested colonic in a spa. It's always wise to be wary of comedies with a comedy writer as the main character, especially when the movie is written and directed by a comedy writer. Writer-director Jeff Franklin previously made two TV movies starring the Olsen Twins; this may have been his attempt to exorcise some relationship