Amazon.com

Perhaps the definitive episode of Married... with Children is near theend of the second season, when Al and Peg Bundy (Ed O'Neill and KateySegal), pretending to be their recently married neighbors, go on a gameshow that tests how willing each newlywed is to torture their spouse. Thisepisode has everything: The cascade of blithe insults, the cheerfulshredding of all dignity, the outright celebration of humanity's worstinstincts-- everything that has led self-satisfied arbiters of "culture"to proclaim Married... with Children the most sordid, distastefulsitcom in the history of mankind. In short, it's sheer genius.

As the petty, miserable, conniving, yet perversely vital Bundy family,O'Neill, Segal, Christina Applegate, and David Faustino give performancesthat walk a fine line between outrageous satire and painful truth. It'sthe anti-Cosby; family breeds contempt. Children scoff at theirparents, parents resent their children, husbands and wives eye each otherwith suspicion and disdain. Episodes hinge on neutering their oversexeddog, fighting the phone company, and trying to humiliate a high schoolnemesis in a bowling tournament, but it's all an excuse for squaliddelirium. This is not an ironic description of the show; Married... withChildren is both ruthless and deeply funny. (Though created by men,Married... with Children was frequently produced, written, anddirected by women, which is unusual in the sitcom world. This doesn'tnecessarily have anything to do with its sense of humor, but its eagernessto skewer and roast sacred cows is shared by such women-driven shows asRoseanne and Absolutely Fabulous.) The jokes are like bluntinstruments, yet delivered with a unique panache that got honed to razorsharpness in the second season. If you've never experienced the Bundyclan, this is an excellent place to start. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (25)

great show - average season - average dvd quality
We need more people reviewing these DVD sets AFTER they've actually bought them. It's easy to review the show and say how great it was, but what about the quality of the DVDs, what about the extra features? Fine, the second season of Married With Children gets 4 out of 5 stars. It's a slight improvement over the first season, and still beats out some of the goofier/sillier/cartoonish later seasons (you know, for example, like where they show episodes about Kelly landing her own TV show in Hollywood, or where Al sees Aliens stealing his socks - the sort of outlandish - but still hilarious - stuff you'd NEVER see in these early seasons of the series).

As for the DVDs themselves, they're average looking. They aren't what you'd expect of top quality DVDs, but they are serviceable. It's not like you're expecting to watch a widescreen presentation of some awesome sci-fi or fantasy show that dwells on visuals. This is just a comedy, meant for laughs, and what you're seeing on these discs is better than what you'd record on VHS. They squeeze 22 episodes onto 3 discs, which is a tight fit. So there's noticeable compression in the overall look of the show, plus it's grainy and blurry at various times. But it's not so noticeable that it takes you out of the stories. You soon lose yourself in the laughter and forget about the so-so look of the picture.

The much talked about easter egg "bonus features" are simply unaired portions of the cast talking during the reunion special they aired in early 2003. Most of the clips are short, between 30 seconds to a minute. Sometimes it's interesting, sometimes it's like, "Huh?" But I hated the easter egg idea. It's not fun when you goof around with your remote looking for a specific clip, and then you are "rewarded" with a quick 30 seconds or so of cast members talking over each other in a chaotic way about what they thought of the show. Yikes. Stop with the easter eggs. No more! Just place any special features in the menu in a regular way in the future, thank you!

Oh, did I mention they include on the DVD a bunch of advertisements for other shows? Yeah, gee...thanks Sony.

To sum up:
Married With Children: *****
Season Two: ***1/2
Season Two DVD set: ***

AWSOME TV SITCOM
DA BUNDYS WERE PART OF MY UP BRINGING AND THE EARLY SEASONS WERE DA BEST,SEASON 2 IS GOOD BUT PLEASE BRING OUT SEASONS 3 AND 4 BECAUSE THESE ARE PRIMO LAUGHS ALL DA TIME.

Flawed Picture + Zero Extras = Disappointed Fan
THE SHOW:
Season 2 is not jam-packed with great episodes, but there are a few good ones. It's amusing that Kelly is pretty smart in the early going of the series. She's much funnier an airhead of course, can't wait 'til that happens. Bud is getting funnier and funnier. And Al & Peg already have their characters down pretty early in the series which is great!

PICTURE QUALITY:
Discs 1 and 2 for some moronic reason are loaded with NINE episodes each, and the 3rd with only FOUR. Stupid enough for any of you? Yes, these filthy rich companies can't even add for some reason. Does no one check the product before it is released?

Many episodes, especially on the 2nd disk, are plagued with LINES ON THE SCREEN. A single, translucent vertical line just hangs on the screen in the same place for a few seconds at a time, disappearing then returning, in several episodes (and no, it's not my dvd player or my tv to blame). This is VERY annoying. The 3rd disc, SURPRISE SURPRISE, suffers NO such defects, and the picture is brilliant. I can only attribute these flaws to OVER-COMPRESSION.

DVD PRODUCER'S THOUGHTS: Hmmm. Let's see. 22 episodes on 3 discs. I know! Let's overload the first 2 discs with 9 eps each and leave the third one virtually empty with only 4! It makes perfect sense!

Couldn't they just have done 8+7+7 instead of 9+9+4? DUH???

THE EXTRAS:
Terrible. The "extras" are pathetic easter eggs hidden in menu screens you have to search for like a moron. And these so-called extras are nothing but very short CLIPS from the MWC Reunion Special that aired on Fox not too long ago. What the hell?

Why no commentaries? Not even for one episode? I'd love to hear from the creators of the show, or at least the actors for at least ONE episode. Why not?

OVERALL:
An O.K. season of the Bundys on a pretty lousy DVD set. Why couldn't they do this one up right?

Married with Children 2nd Season
I have to agree with most of the other people out there who have wrote reviews. Married with Children is a classic sitcom the same as Andy Griffith or I Love Lucy.... I am anxious to collect all of the seasons as they are released. I just don't understand why it is taking so much time for them to be released. I prefer the episodes with Jefferson instead of Steve but I would rank them all with 5 stars.

One Of The Best TV Series Ever!
I can't wait to have all the seasons in my hands. Why is it taking so long to have them all available? "Married With Children" is like "I Love Lucy"... a classic forever... and funny forever. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Married... with Children debuted on Fox TV on April 5, 1987 (followed by The Tracey Ullman Show a half-hour later), the grungy sitcom became an instant flagship for Rupert Murdoch's upstart network. The program's much-publicized working title, Not the Cosbys (a dismissive reference to the cheerful vitality of Bill Cosby's hugely popular television clan on NBC's The Cosby Show) was a dead giveaway. Married... with Children was going to be a trashier, raunchier, and far more cynical view of the American nuclear family. But it turned out the series actually fell into other caustic-domestic entertainment traditions, notably the Don Ameche and Frances Langford radio comedy series from the 1940s, The Bickersons, and Jackie Gleason's TV classic, The Honeymooners.

The jokes were savage, key relationships were marked by ennui and indifference, and the Bundy family name couldn't help but make one think of America's most notorious, real-life serial killer at the time. Yet the show had a hint of Golden Age Hollywood gloss, a retro-screwball feel that one could detect in the snappy verbal warfare between husband Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill) and wife Peggy (Katey Sagal). The characters, and the show, eschewed sentimentality, which certainly opened the floodgates to comic cynicism but also kept a door ajar for moments of genuine sweetness. A decade later, however, by the time Fox cancelled the increasingly expensive series, Married... with Children's first-season tone would be considerably different, replaced by a stronger reliance on running jokes and character stereotypes, particularly concerning Bundy children Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Bud (David Faustino).

That evolution makes watching Married... with Children's first 13 episodes, once again, quite instructive. Those programs are all on this two-disc set, including the startling pilot, in which Al and Peggy lock horns over marital politics and enlist naive new neighbors Steve (David Garrison) and Marcy (Amanda Bearse) in a battle of the sexes. There's also the classic "Whose Room Is It, Anyway," concerning the Bundys'competition to connive Steve and Marcy into building a recreation room, and "Thinnergy," a very funny piece about a diet that supposedly boosts sexual interest. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Long live anti-cosby!
Finally, after hearing fans that wanted full-fledged season box sets, Fox answered their prayers. So get ready for those outrageous Bundys in Married...with Children:The Complete First Season, featuring all 13 episodes from the show's debut. Though the funniest episodes are yet to come in the second season, season 1 is the groundbreaking season that completely changed sitcoms forever. This taboo-shattering hit series was often deamed too hot for TV, introducing everyone's favorite dysfunctional house hold. These are the 13 episodes:

1.Pilot-Peg forces Al to forfeit his coveted basketball game to have dinner with their annoying new neighbors, Steve and Marcy.

2.Thinergy-Hoping to rekindle Al's flame, Peg takes Marcy's advice and goes on a crash diet, much to Al's dislike.

3.Sixteen Years And What Do You Get?-After Peg runs his credit card to the max, Al is forced to show up at his own wedding anniversary empty-handed.

4.But I Didn't Shoot The Deputy-Mistaking it for a burgler, Al accidentally shoots his neighbor's watchdog.

5.Have You Driven A Ford Lately?-After restoring a vintage Mustang, Al discovers the backseat isn't the only thing "hot" about his cherry ride.

6.Whose Room Is It Anyway?-A battle between Al and Peg is waged over who has the final word on the neighbor's room addition.

7.Al Loses His Cherry-After a bad fight, Al vows to teach Peg a lesson by not coming home all night. Instead he's the one who ends up getting schooled by a blonde bombshell.

8.Peggy Sue Got Work-When Al refuses to buy Peg a new VCR, Marcy convinces her to get a job herself.(laughs)

9.Married...Without Children-When Al and Peg get away for the weekend, Marcy and Steve volunteer to baby-sit Bud and Kelly-but get more than they bargained for.

10.The Poker Game-When Steve sits in on a Friday-night poker game, he loses more than his shirt to Al.

11.Where's The Boss?-Fooled into thinking his boss is dead, Al threatens to quit his job unless he gets a little respect.

12.Nightmare On Al's Street-Marcy is living a nightmare when a too-sexy Al starts popping up in her dreams.

13.Johnny B. Gone- When Al's favorite hamburger joint closes, he must choose between family and food

Remastered and avalible for the first time on DVD, this show is truly a gem, so go out and get this set today!

Definitely not the Cosbys!
Being a child of the 80's, it was hard to miss all the wonderful sitcoms on television. I still vividly remember watching "Married...With Children" every Sunday night, and I feverishly looked forward to each new episode. In the years since then, I have seen all the episodes many times in reruns, and I am now glad to own them (at least the first season) on DVD. It is one of the few shows I have never gotten tired of.

The first season is rarely the strongest in the series, but the first season of "Married..." has quite a few gems. The second episode, "Thinnergy", has Peggy putting the family on a crash diet, with Al obviously disapproving. The dinner scene always cracked me up, especially Al's sarcasm when he tosses out the salad. Another excellent episode was "Where's The Boss", where Al threatens to quit his job at the shoe store unless his boss meets him and commends him on his work. It has the first of the classic "fat woman" jokes ("Madame, when Shamu needs a mate...you'll be there!"). But my favorite episode is the season finale, "Johnny B. Gone", where the kid's problems prevent Al and Peggy from going to the closing of their favorite restaurant. Seeing Marcy in a towel and Al making fun of her ("Here's a mystery...what's holding that towel up?") never dulls.
The first season contained 13 episodes, which you'll go through pretty quickly. My hope is that the second and third seasons find their way onto DVD soon.

The DVD package is light on the extras (most TV show DVD sets are), but there is one main attraction. The much-lauded "Reunion" special in 2003 is included here, which is a must have for fans. While is provides nothing of real substance, it is fun to see the cast out of their element, reminiscing about their experiences on the show. The only drawback to this is that very little is touched upon about the show's cultural impact in the 80's, which was not inconsiderable for the series. It is just a fun reunion of the cast, nothing more. Sadly, they did not include the E! True Hollywood Story that was done on the show. It would have been a prize addition to the set.

While better episodes were to come in later seasons, the first season is still very solid, and should satisfy fans of the series waiting for a proper release. And with the addition of the Reunion Special, it is a must have for fans of the series. Add this to your collection along with the two "Most Outrageous Episodes" DVDs that are already out.

The Bundys first run
I don't see why so many are bashing the picture quality, I don't think it's bad at all. I love Married ... With Children and this DVD is a great way to start off the collection, for I'm sure they're will be more.
The Married ... With Children show did get a lot better once Steve was gone and Jefferson came into the picture, but these are still classic, great episodes. You can tell these are the early days for Al seems a lot more affectionate towards Peggy and Peggy seems more loving to Bud and Kelly but they are still funny, especially when they do go off and insult each other.
This show has the best insults, it's witty and hilarious. There really is no DVD extras so I suggest if you already have them on tape, there is no need to get this. This is just for people who want to keep reliving the old episodes.

Bad picture quality
While the episodes themselves get an automatic 5 stars, the DVD has bad picture quality. I didn't notice it at first until I viewed one of the first season episodes on regular cable--the picture quality was much sharper, clearer and felt like it added a good five years to the episode's age. Other than that, the DVD could have used some more extras, but the picture quality is a real pain in the ass for the money you dish out. Still recommended, because we're not seeing any other 1st or 2nd Married... DVDs.

GREAT EPISODES.......HORRIBLE PICTURE QUALITY
TO SUM THIS REVIEW UP......I THINK THAT THE EPISODES A VERY FUNNY BUT I WAS BLOWN AWAY ON HOW HORRIBLE THE PICTURE QUALITY IS!!! ALL THE REVIEWS ARE TRUE!!! I THOUGHT EVERYONE WAS JUST PICKY BUT I WAS WRONG! THE QUALITY LOOKS LIKE AN OLD VHS TAPE OR A LOCAL STATION ON TV!! IF YOU DON'T MIND PICTURE QUALITY THEN BUY IT.......BUT IF YOU DO .....RENT IT FIRST SO YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF!!! ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Masterpiece it is NOT
The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, starring Andrew Dice Clay. Raw, raucous, and totally unconventional. Unbelievable. Un-f@*!ing-believable. I don't need to recap the film as most of the other reviewers have summed up the story succinctly. Ya gotta love the cameos, Sheila E, Morris Day (remember The Time?), David Bowie, and the cast has Lauren Holly (the sexy redhead cop in Picket Fences...mmmm..wanted her so badly....mhmmm...but she had to kiss Dice...yuuuuuuk!), Ed O'Neill, Gilbert Gottfried (in a role that puts Howard Stern to shame!)

I originally bought this movie on VHS because I am a long-time Yello fan and I discovered that Yello scored the movie. I bought it on VHS years ago, watched it once and was disgusted that Yello had put their name on such trash. I could see why Yello never scored another film. Well, I just watched it again, with fresh eyes, and despite the fact that there is not much Yello, other than some clips from their 1990 album Baby (I now understand why Baby was such an uneven album, many of the songs were written for this film and they just don't flow properly in an album format. That or they are too closely tied to the same storyline as the film.) Yes, despite the fact that there was less fresh Yello in the film than I wanted, the film is actually well crafted. I planned on watching just a bit of the beginning to check out again how much Yello is in the film, and I simply couldn't stop watching. Two hours later and I discover there is a DVD version. While it is not my standard fare in humor and style, I am going to have to get the DVD to see what it looks like in widescreen format.

My first watching years ago was on a small television, so perhaps that had something to do with my first impression of "::shrug::" Watching the VHS version on my projector the other night was a completely different story. You really need to consider how easy it is to get bored by a film when it is on a tiny TV screen. Watching it in a larger format or in the theatres gives a whole new twist and perspective to the viewing. Definitely worth the trouble here.

While I am not fond of the humor, I give the movie a solid three stars, maybe 3-1/2 or 3-3/4. Sorry Dice, I just can't bring myself to give you four stars...no dice.... Definitely worth the time and effort to buy in DVD and view on a large screen, and enjoy the soundtrack on something better than crappy old worn-out VHS.

An entertaining trashy comedy.
An crime fighting Rock & Roll Detective (Andrew Dice Clay in a vulgar comic performance) has been hired by his best friend (Gilbert Gottfried) & an mystery woman (Priscilla Presley) to find an missing young groupie (Maddie Corman), who could be linked to the mystery death of Bobby Black (Vince Neil of Moltey Crue) is murdered on Stage. Soon the hippest detective is having problems with his secertary/girlfriend (Lauren Holly) and an Cop (Ed O`Neill) but the worse he gets involved with an sleazy ruthless record executive (Wayne Newton) and a merciless hit man (Robert Englund).

The film is a gulity pleasure, directed by Renny Harlin (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4:The Dream Master, Driven). Andrew Dice Play`s Performance keeps the film entertaining. This was a Box Office disapointment for Harlin. Harlin did get Fans from this film, years later after this film`s release. DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an good-Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD has a Interesting Commentary Track by the Director, Music Video, a Featurette and the Theatrical Trailer. This is an very underrated comic film, which is not for all comic tastes. Panavision. Grade:A-.

So many as*ho*es, so few bullets
Finally, one of the best movies comes to DVD. After having checked the availability for the past ten years I finally discovered this gem at a local Wal-Mart in the worthless bin. This has to be the best thing I have ever purchased for $5. Anyway, THANK GOD!

"No Thanks! I've got me own!"
All I have to say is....IT'S ABOUT F****N' TIME!!!!!!!!! A cult classic that made the term, "cult classic", mean something. Now if we can just get "The Soldier" starring Ken Wahl, and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" starring Cary Elwes, then we'll ALL be happy little DVDites!!!!!!Go to Amazon.com and tell them what you want to see on DVD. MAKE THEM RELEASE IT!!!!!! Later people.........

finally!!!! the dvd i've been waiting for.
Andrew Dice Clay as Ford Fairlane is one of the most underated movie characters of all time. The movie comes off a little dated after all these years , but is still great fun. Cameos from Robert Englund , Ed O'Neal and Kari Whuer. The dvd is awesome. The commentary is good , a very short making of and the trailer.
Maybe one day a sequel? ... Read more

Description

Inspirational and entertaining, PREFONTAINE is another acclaimed success from the makers of HOOP DREAMS. It's the true-life story of legendary track star Steve Prefontaine, the exciting and sometimes controversial "James Dean of Track," whose spirit captured the heart of the nation! Cocky, charismatic, and tough, "Pre" was a running rebel who defied rules, pushed limits ... and smashed records ... in an incredible against-all-odds quest for Olympic gold! Now a major motion picture, the triumphs and heartbreaks of this unforgettable champion will have you riveted from beginning to end! ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Great movie, better of the 2 Prefontaine movies
I've seen this movie several times. The first time it was just my wife and I. Even though she's not a runner, the movie helped her to better understand where I'm coming from. A few days later we watched it with a few members of the high school cross country and track teams. I'm a volunteer coach at the high school and they really enjoyed the movie. The team members have read the book about Pre, as well as seen both movies, and the head coach at the high school also shows them the documentary that aired on CBS in 1995 a few nights before the state cross country championships. This has become a tradition as our team has qualified for the state meet quite a few times. But, back to the movie the team members agree that Prefontaine was better than Without Limits. I think most runners would agree with us. The movie is about more than just running it's about life, determination. Setting a goal and going for it, running to win, even if it means you lose. Then getting back up, to run another day. Knowing that you'll always leave your race on the track (where it belongs). Not, stepping off and thinking "what if". And that's the way life should be LIVED. I noticed alot of reviews were into what was accurate and what wasn't, but we all know that in the world of Hollywood, accuracy doesn't always sell. I was only a freshman in high school when Pre died. And just finishing my first full year of running when we heard the news. This movie helped answer alot of questions I had back in 1975. I will definitly be adding it to my video library.

Inspiring story of unmatched desire
As a person who is too young to have actually had the pleasure of watching Steve Prefontaine run, I am so glad that this movie gave me a chance to learn about his life. Anyone who watches this movie will be taken back by Pre's sheer will power and supreme confidence in himself. While there are some inaccuracies, they only occur because there has never been a biographical account of any person on film that was 100% accurate. As a runner, I was inspired by this movie and try to maintain Pre's attitude while I run. I have also watched this movie with people who do not run, but have enjoyed the movie as much as I did. We should all strive to live our lives with the same spirit and drive as Pre did. I have also seen "Without Limits," and enjoyed that movie, but not as much as "Prefontaine." However, both movies have a similar effect on the viewer's emotions because of the great subject, Steve Prefontaine.

if you dont have it, get it
This movie is amazing, I have to watch it before all of my big track and cross country meets. It is very inprational and one of the best movies I have ever seen. If you are a runner this movie inspires you to be even better that you could possibly imagine. If you don't have it, get it. It is worth it.

Better than "Without Limits"-A Must See for Runners
Another movie that is a must see for runners of all ability. I would definitely say that I rate "Prefontaine" above "Without Limits." From the makers of "Hoop Dreams," Prefontaine follows in the same footsteps and creates a docudrama that is unforgettable and very watchable-even to those not interested in the sport. The main cast, Jared Leto and R. Lee Ermey as the unforgettable Bill Bowerman, are really quite good for a film of this budget. "Prefontaine" follows Pre's story more closely than "Without Limits" and definitely offers more for runners to sink their teeth into.

Admittedly, the film's appeal is probably limited to those who are truly interested or inspired by the sport of running (or know someone who is). But athletes of all sports will enjoy Pre's story of defiance and heart. If you watch one of the two films, I'd see this one.

Overfocus on Pre
I liked the movie. It carries the plot loyally and consistently. It shows the athletic talent, as well as the human side of a young man obsessed with competing to the limit, playing fast, and winning gold in Munich.

However, I was not particularly fond of the overfocus on Pre as if he was the greatest of his time - a far cry from the truth. I did not care for the image defamation of Lasse Viren, who is depicted like the bad boy of Munich only because he is an introverted and quiet Finn and - let's face it - a better athlete than Prefontaine.

I guess the storyline tries to hypnotize the audience with Pre's feats in the US (that frankly were more of a show than an international athletic milestone), and in so doing, fails to remind it that there were legendary long-distance runners at that time from Tunisia to Finland. After all, Prefontaine never ranked in the top 10 list of 5000 or 10000 meter runners between 1970 and 1974! As digressing a question as this may sound for a film review, how come he did not compete in Munich's 10000 meter race (like Puttemans, Bedford, Gammoudi and Viren did)? His times were great... in the USA, but with the exception of Frank Shorter, American long distance runners have not made much of a name for themselves since 1970.

You want to make a long-distance runner movie? Make one about Lasse Viren winning the gold medal in the 10000 meters at Munich in world record time after falling down in the middle of the race! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Released in late 1999, The Bone Collector was originally promoted as a thriller in the tradition of The Silence of the Lambs and Seven, suggesting that it would earn a place among those earlier, better films. Nice try, but no cigar. The Bone Collector settles instead for mere competence and the modest rewards of a well-handled formula. With a terrific cast at his service, director Phillip Noyce (Dead Calm, Patriot Games) turns the pulpy indulgence of Jeffery Deaver's novel into a slick potboiler that is grisly fun only if you don't pick it apart.

Noyce expertly builds palpable tension around a series of gruesome murders that lead us into the darkest nooks of New York City. Now a bedridden quadriplegic prone to life-threatening seizures and suicidal depression, forensics detective Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) gets a new lease on life with a sharp young beat cop (Angelina Jolie) who's a wizard at analyzing crime scenes. She does field work while he deciphers clues from his high-tech Manhattan loft, and as they narrow the search their lives are increasingly endangered. As this formulaic plot grows moldy, Noyce resorts to narrative shortcuts, using perfunctory scenes to manipulate the viewer and taking morbid pleasure in his revelation of the murder scenes. And yet it all works, to a point, and the cast (including Queen Latifah and Luiz Guzmán) is much better than the material. If you're looking for a few good thrills, The Bone Collector is a pretty safe bet.--Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (181)

Unwilling Suspension of Disbelief
The Bone Collector is two movies in one; the good movie has some nice acting from Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie, some creepy special effects, and a couple of really terrifying and suspenseful moments for the killer's victims. That's the movie you'll want to suspend your disbelief for--and that suspension would consist solely of accepting that this serial killer would leave clues to engage the police in a game of Cat and Mouse rather than just go directly for his real target. That fictional convention would have been enough, and had the premise that forensics will triumph been followed though, the film could have been truly excellent.

The other movie just asks too much; that a patrol cop who's never worked a crime scene would be the only policeperson allowed on a scene; that the scene of a crime would reveal only those clues intentionally left behind by the killer (isn't that the whole point of forensics, that you find out things the killer didn't intend you to discover?); and on and on. This second movie apparently takes place on that alternate Earth on the opposite side of the sun from ours, where the writing is all backwards and the superhero the Flash looks like the FTD florist's logo. When audience members find themselves thinking (or saying aloud) "That wouldn't happen!" over and over, there's something drastically wrong with the plot and the screenplay. It's certainly not a problem unique to the Bone Collector; in fact I'd venture to guess that plot implausibility is one of the leading cause of death for Hollywood's hit status, only capable of being overcome by the infusion of massive star power. Washington and Jolie, as attractive as they are, don't quite make it here. All in all, The Bone Collector is probably worth renting, probably not worth owning. I certainly wouldn't bother to see it again.

One of the best
I read over some of the other reviews putting this movie at an "average" rating, but I kinda disagree. First off, I think the director and producer put this movie together perfectly. In case you do not know about this movie, Ill start off by describing it a bit... The main theme lies in the thriller/mystery department, so if you like these kind of films, you will most definitely like this movie. The two main charactors in the movie are Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Denzel plays a disabled Crime Scene Investigator and Angelina plays a rookie police officer who laters finds out her talent as a crime scene investigator. The setting of the story takes place in New York City (which is a perfect spot for this type of movie) and is cast in modern day life. Basically, the plot of the movie is about a phsyco murderer who, very strategically, plans killings by using his job as a taxi cab driver to kidnapp people. I dont want to get too in depth, but the good guys would be Denzel and Angelina and a few other police bureau workers who try to solve the mystery behind all the kidnappings and hopefully get to the crime scene in time to save innocent people. You might have preconcieved notions about this movie being kind of average, but what makes this movie stand out is its outstanding film features. By features I mean, great music and excellent effects (everything such as lighting, settings etc). If your going to watch it, here are some VERY recommended suggestions...

1. Make sure its dark- 50% of the movies general "effect" comes from the ambience in which you watch it. 2. Watch on a fairly large television with a fairly good sound system. - try to get the best TV and sound system to watch the movie otherwise dont even bother with the movie. 3. Must get it on DVD! - Dont watch the VHS version, I saw it and its horrible. Film quality is bad and it doesnt include all the extras which tell about the Bone collector. Sound is also improved on DVD version. Any way you look at it, you need to give the Bone Collector a try. Great movie for all.

A Chilling, Above Average Suspense Thriller
"The Bone Collector," based on Jeffrey Deaver's best-selling novel, is a gothic suspense thriller that takes the viewer below the streets of New York City, to places dark and chilling, where an evil serial killer does his dirty deeds. Creepy!!

Police detective Lincoln Rhyme, (Denzel Washington is wonderful in this role - but isn't he always?), is considered to be THE genius of forensic science. His books on the subject are mandatory study at the Police Academy. During an investigation, four years before, Rhyme was involved in a terrible on-the-job accident which left him a quadriplegic and bedridden. Attached to life sustaining machines, he is only able to move one finger and his head and neck. He is subject to seizures that threaten to leave him a vegetable. A very angry man, he is bored and, at times, suicidal. Still an official member of the force, his former colleagues visit him constantly and involve him in difficult cases. A new, troubling case forces them to seek his help, yet again.

Rookie cop, Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie), works with the city's troubled youth. By chance she discovers the half-buried body of a powerful New York City businessman, near a railroad track. She, almost intuitively, knows what to do to protect the forensic evidence. Sending a witness off to buy a disposable camera, she takes photos of the crime scene before a rainstorm can wash away the evidence. She then, single-handedly, stops a train to preserve valuable clues. Rhyme decides she has natural forensic talent and demands she be placed on the case. So she reluctantly joins his team. Donaghy does the leg work, connected by a headset to Rhyme, while he instructs her. The two puzzle over clues and work the case from his bedside. And the leg work is brutally grim. This killer, intelligent and demented, thinks up some awful ways to commit murder. The crime scenes are elaborately set-up and clues are purposefully left that would stump the most avid puzzle addict. The gruesome crimes remind me of those in the movie "Seven."

The mystery is intriguing and the forensic work absolutely fascinates. The chemistry between Rhyme and Donaghy is palpable. This is more than a student-mentor bond, although it takes them a while to get the relationship off the ground. He is cranky and imperious - she is just plain ornery. Amelia brings him to life again and he stops contemplating euthanasia. In turn, he brings new energy to Amelia's life and forces her to open up. Queen Latifa (as Rhyme's nurse) and Luis Guzman (as a fellow cop ands friend) are show stealers.

This is no "Silence of the Lambs," but it is good entertainment. The camera gives the ambiance a dark and brooding look and provides some interesting angles. Often predictable, there are still surprises and the growing closeness between the detective and the cop is very well done and subtle. Although "The Bone Collector" is not a "must see," it is certainly an exciting way to spend a rainy night.

Fractured Bones
Why does almost every film about a serial killer, made after Silence Of The Lambs, have to be compared to it? I can't think of one example where that turned out to be true. Despite the prescence of Denzel Washington and a usually surehanded director, behind the camera, The Bone Collector is just another predictable thriller, devoid of any real spark.

A murderer is loose on the streets of Manhattan. The killer leaves a trail of cryptic messages hidden at the scene of the crime. Clues which only a brilliant mind can interpret. Lincoln Rhyme (Washington) a gifted New York City detective specializing in forensics, was one of the the country's leading criminologists. Rhyme has a keen eye for details and a nose for clues. Following a near fatal injury in the line of duty, Rhyme is left bed-bound, his arms and legs useless, and with little will to live. Now as the city lives in fear, Rhyme is persuaded to help with the case. A rookie cop Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) is assigned to become Rhyme's eyes, ears and legs. The two must work together in order to get inside the mind of this madman and defeat him before the next victim falls.

Phillip Noyce, the man behind the intense Dead Calm, and actioners Patriot Games & Clear And Present Danger, certainly knows what he's doing. But as is the case with the thriller, the film rises and falls, with its script. Unfortunately, the screenplay, based on the book by Jeffery Deaver, adapted by Jeremy Iacone is pretty weak. The killer reveal and other twists and turns are easy to figure out. It's a shame that Washington makes almost no connection with Jolie. In one of her other thrillers, Taking Lives, she had similar troubles with Ethan Hawke---Do I sense a pattern here? What tension the film does have, is moot, thanks to the problems the movie has.

As far as the extras found on the DVD are concerned, most of it, comes across as fluffy filler. The audio commentary track from director Noyce is worth a listen, if only to get insight on directing in general. The "making of" spotlight on location is just a pre release bloated commercial for the film. The theatrical trailer, production notes, filmographies, and previews for other Universal products, top off the disc.

The Bone Collector is just for those Washington fans or when there's nothing else to watch

My opinion: Waste of time!
Shallow characters and a story with many holes. Judge for yourself, if you must...I want the time I wasted watching this BACK! ... Read more

Description

Detective Thomas Dooley (Jim Belushi) takes on canine partner Jerry Lee, a German shepherd with a nose for solving crime and an appetite for destruction in the action-comedy collection, K-9:The Patrol Pack. They weren't exactly the perfect pair, but when this cop learns to trust his new best friend, and his dog teaches his "master" a few new tricks, these two unlikely partners become an unstoppable team. It's a guaranteed case of high-speed thrills, wall-to-wall action and out-of-control laughs, because when these two are unleashed, they're sure to take a bite out of crime, and anything else that gets in their way. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

3 very funny and exciting films!
This is a fantastic bargain. There is one disc here, but you get all 3 K-9 films. The first 2 films on side one. The 3rd film of the trilogy on side 2.

James Belushi is perfectly comfortable in his ad-lib role as the cop with the German Shepheard partner. The timing is right on and the action non-stop. Bravo!

awesome
a must have! this pack is well-priced, and lots of laughs. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here are more select episodes from the grungy, middle-class existence of the Bundy family, centerpiece of Fox TV's early hit series Married with Children. Choice bits include "A Man's Castle," finding Al (Ed O'Neill) in a crisis of masculine confidence after wife Peg (Katey Sagal) redecorates his bathroom fortress-of-solitude with frilly trappings. "Who'll Stop the Rain" concerns Al's misguided (and cheap) effort to fix a roof leak, resulting in multiple, earthbound falls. "Raingirl" is a good showcase for sexy comic actress Christina Applegate, playing Bundy daughter Kelly as a television station intern-turned-weather bunny suddenly offered a $250,000 contract; the problem is that her manager is also her bungling father, Al. "If Al Had a Hammer" finds the Bundy patriarch building a private room with his heirloom hammer--until the secret gets out. Gross, outrageous, but often sharp about the heaven-hell dichotomy of family life. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Married with children DVD
Once again companies refuse to understand that best of dvd's are pointless. While they capture a variety of episodes from varies seasons, a true fan would much rather have a complete season that is organized and packaged well. I would not recommend buying this because of the fact that shows like Friends did the same thing and came out with best of dvd's and then followed that with complete seasons. The clock is ticking though for tv shows to appear on dvd and before too long the TV powerhouses will come out(FRESH PRINCE, SEINFELD, Home Improvement, and Roseanne)

Married with Children vol2
it is great tv show married with children if everything goes well we will be see the married with sesaon sets soon because the people at are tri-star are going to see if the public like vol1,2,they will start making sesaon set with lots of extra i hope so call tri-star and tell them you like to see sesaon sets with lots of extra stuff not that boring stuff you see in past dvd shows from tri-star because fox gives good extra stuff on dvds

Great series - DVDs need work though
Married With Children is the show that reinvented the sitcom. From its debut in 1987 to the finale in 1997, it provided non-stop laughs. And now, five episodes are available on DVD at long last. But is this a good thing? Read on and see.

First and foremost, the good points about this DVD:
-DVD means excellent picture quality and sound
-5 extremely funny episodes
-The price
-Each episode is the complete original, not the syndication edit

Now onto what ultimately derails this collection - the bad points:

-It's a compilation of episodes from mixed seasons. Why not just release a first season box set, and then a second season, and so on?
-Episodes are NOT in original air order
-NO CHAPTER SELECTIONS! Uh, isn't that one of the reasons we hold the DVD format in such high regard?
-No extras other than trailers. I was hoping for interviews with cast and crew.
-ONLY 5 EPISODES!? Surely more than that can fit on a DVD, especially assuning they sacrificed chapter selections and extras!
-I don't care what the title says, there are episodes many times more outrageous than this.

Overall this collection is disappointing, compared to what it could have been. The other reviews also demonstrate this point excellently. Rather than buying this, consider holding off and seeing if Fox releases box sets.

You gotta be kidding me!!!!
Let me start by saying, Shame On You Fox!!! This was one of the greatest comedy sitcoms of all time. It changed comedy on tv, like no other sitcom before it. And you got the stones to release these sub par "best of" sets...no chance, i aint buying! This was the only tv show that i watched with my father growing up. This show has fans from all age groups. This series needs the respect it deserves...Season by season box sets!!! So many stupid shows get season by season releases...just take a look at any dvd section in any store!!!! these "best of" discs are a joke. If fox has any respect for the fans that stuck by that amazing show for so many seasons that will release the greatest season by season box sets this world has ever seen. We want Justice, No Pieced together "best of" sets!!!!!

more crazy Bundy-fun!
This second volume of episodes from the cult classic MARRIED WITH CHILDREN contains some real gems, including the infamous "Raingirl" and "If Al Had a Hammer".

"A Man's Castle" - Peg (Katey Sagal) takes a redecorating class to help the Bundy abode look more livable. But when she decides to make-over the bathroom, Al (Ed O'Neill) will stop at nothing to protect his most sacred sanctuary!

"Raingirl" - When Kelly (Christina Applegate) becomes the weather-girl for the local TV station, it looks like financial success may finally be in the forecast for the Bundys. But with her reading-skills as scant as her outfits, it may not be sunny skies for long...

"Have You Driven a Ford Lately?" - Al and Steve (David Garrison) buy an old Ford Mustang and bond over fixing and restoring the hunk of junk to it's former glory, much to Peg and Marcy's (Amanda Bearse) dismay. But the boys' dream of cruising the open road 'Born to Be Wild'-style are about to come to a crashing halt...

"If Al Had a Hammer" - A new li'l Bundy is on the way and Al, in need of some space, builds his own private quarters with the help of his father's beloved hammer. But not even this mystical mallet can save his manly oasis from Peg and Marcy and their group of pregnant girlfriends!

"Who'll Stop the Rain?" - It's raining and pouring but it's never boring...especially at the Bundy house! To save money, tight-wad Al goes the do-it-yourself route when the house starts leaking, but he'll end up with both roofing and medical bills when he's finished!

These hilarious episodes will keep the entire family laughing for hours.

Also starring David Faustino. The DVD also includes a promo for the "Salute to Sinatra" CD. (Single-sided, dual-layer disc). ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Good film, not great
Walken revises his role in the Deer Hunter here, playing a mercenary involved in one of those politically torn countries down yonder. Its a good movie, from the early 1980's, but if you have the Deer Hunter already, you wont need this. I am a big Walker fan- i think he is brilliant, but otherwise there isnt much to this film. Still, its one of only a hundred films that I hand picked for my life-time collection.

'Vive Le Mort, Vive La Guerre, Vive Le Sacre Mercenaire!!'
While Dogs of War is not as exciting and crowd-pleasing as the gold-standard in mercenary movies, The Wild Geese, it is certainly the most thoughtful. It starts off slow, spending over two-thirds of the film setting up the characters and the situation. While the pace occasionally lags, the events are realistic (in terms of a 1970s mercenary operation) and there are occasionally interesting quotes like the one serving as this review's title. Christopher Walken's character is fleshed out and given depth which makes his actions in the climax the logical payoff to his development in the movie. The real problem with this film is the big action finale. It simply isn't exciting enough and is far too brief. There are one or two nice flourishes, but the bottomline is that you expect more payoff with all that build-up. Dogs of War is still a good film but it may leave you a bit unsatisfied. Try the aforementioned 'The Wild Geese' as well as 'Men of War' (1994) if you want more exciting mercenary action.

my favorite book in film
this could have been the superhit with a better script and higher budget. its still a good movie, but not even remotely close to the quality of the book.
if u liked this movie read forsyth's books the r extremely well written and researched.

Dogs of War
This is a great movie! Lots of action, well crafted production.
I read the book first and prefer its ending to that of the film.
However, it is still a fine tale and well worth seeing several times.

Cry Havoc...
From start to finish, this is the kind of movie that most young actors would kill to star in; smart, with a good script and enough character actors to anchor the film firmly into your subconscious.

I should admit I'm a huge Chris Walken fan from way back, so of course I'm biased, but if you watch the film carefully, you'll see that it warrants repeated viewings.

If I have any complaints at all, it would be the video quality, which is why the DVD is a much better bet. Still budget priced, and due to its age, the movie doesn't have much in the way of extra features, but that doesn't detract from it one bit. ... Read more

Description

Two brothers, one a former football hero and the other a warm-hearted klutz, find themselves at odds when they coach opposing peewee football teams. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Refreshing family entertainment!
Man I never thought those Little Giants would have a chance! I really feel that the cast is superb, even if actors/actresses such as Shawna Waldron (Becky O'Shea), Devon Sawa (Junior Floyd), and Sam Horrigan (Spike) appear to be too old for Pop Warner League football (but each plays his/her part magnificently!). With that aside, this is a movie I would recommend to anyone. It is a cute movie and provides many lessons for kids as they grow to become adults. Great cameos by Madden, Entman, Smith, Brown, and Smith from the NFL!

A Cool sports comedy with Love and Camaraderie
This is indeed a wholesome family entertainment which I enjoyed really most.Little Giants would have a chance because of their camaraderie and oneness.I really feel that the cast is superb like Shawna Waldron (Becky O'Shea), Devon Sawa (Junior Floyd), and Sam Horrigan (Spike). This is a movie I would recommend to anyone. It is a cute movie and provides many lessons for kids as they grow to become adults.A lesson of friendship, respect,love,adventure, sportsmanship, wit,etc. All in one movie which I learn to love it.

Great show for kids
We watched this movie and The Mighty Ducks this weekend and both have similar story themes about the under-dogs and both are great movies for kids. Worth while renting or buying. We rented it.

#52 is a hunk
hey everyone, i'm glad you enjoyed the movie, we worked long and hard at it that summer of 94, but it was soo much fun... i'm now 19 years old and i really don't look like i did when i was 10 but i still like talkin about it, and i'll never forget the kids i worked with to make this movie great!

I could not wait for the dvd
I rented this movie for my 6 year old son -wow! I guess I enjoyed it just like he did. I had wanted to by the vhs a while ago but something kept telling me to wait a little and that the dvd would come sooner or later. Well, here it is! This is a great movie for kids but beware- you might get hooked- don't say I did't tell you. Get it now! ... Read more

Description

Lou Diamond Phillips (COURAGE UNDER FIRE) and Fred Gwynne (PET SEMATARY, MY COUSIN VINNY) team up with a gang of professional criminals who have everything it takes to rob a bank -- except their boss, Corbin Bernsen (MAJOR LEAGUE, L.A. LAW), a car, and a plan. The only things they do have going for them are a cop, Ed O'Neill (MARRIED ... WITH CHILDREN) and his partner, who are dumber than they are! By the time the gang hits the bank vault, it's a safe bet there's going to be organized insanity -- and disorganized crime! This hilarious hit from the makers of STAKEOUT delivers an arresting combination of action, suspense, and comedy! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Diamond in the Rough
It cost only 10$. But it's worth 3 times that. I saw this ages ago (just after it came out) and always loved it, so I had to have it for my collection. I dig movies about bumbling thieves too, but these guys aren't the bumbling kind. And besides, the Bank Vault with all that money may motivate the characters in the film, but ultimately it's not about that. Rubén Blades is just so superb in this. His behaviour always provokes fits of laughter. All the actors play off each other so well, whether it's the late Fred Gwynne, Young Guns' Lou Diamond Phillips, or Ed O'Neill from TV's Married With Children. I really can't recommend this more. It doesn't play like the usual caper, because the humour isn't necessarily in great jokes or great physical stunts or the like. The laughs come from the dynamics between the characters - their interaction and communication with one another; it's in how they say things, their facial expressions. Subtleties. And all this from actors who don't earn 20 million per picture. Plus, you know, it cost only 10$!

Loved this movie!
You'll either love it or hate it! I saw it in theaters with a friend years ago and giggled and giggled. The laughs build throughout the movie and I still quote one-liners from it. My poor friend, however, hated it.

Disorganized Crime
I bought this DVD based on the Customer Reviews in Amazon.com. I guess I just don't have the same sense of humor these people have. In all fairness, it has it's moments...although very few and very far between. The price in dollars I can live with. But, this DVD is a total waste of time. By the time it was over, it felt as though it was 3-hours long. If you have nothing better to do, watch it. That's what I did. To me, it wasn't worth it!

One word- HILARIOUS!
This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen! There are so many funny scenes that I can't pick my favorite. I wish more comedies were this good.

Where the deer and the antelope laugh and play
This film was so funny that I couldn't poke the clicker's STOP button to stop watching for a popcorn break. It was a perfectly cast comedy about crooks and cops who invade the Bitterroot, Montana valley to wow you with laughter. The professional crooks can't find their recently jailed ringleader. He escapes custody. Custody is lost by the New Jersey cops who chase the ringleader over the countryside convinced that he is pulling robbery capers actually performed by the crooks. The ringleader eludes the cops but his New Jersey bringing-up doesn't prepare him for the horrors of a night in the critter infested Montana nasty woods and bramble--GROWL GROWL. The leaderless crooks make the choice to pull off a bank-safe burglary and that's where the deer and the antelope began to laugh. I certainly laughed and I've never been to the Bitterroot Valley. DISORGANIZED CRIME is a well-written comedy. I rate it five ***** but it deserves every star in the Montana sky. It is FUNNY. ... Read more

Description

America's most outrageous family comes to DVD! Married With Children, featuring the delightfully dysfunctional Bundys--Al (Ed O'Neill), Peg (Katey Sagal), Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Bud (David Faustino)--changed the face of television comedy with its bawdy humor and campy characters. Volume 1 is a collection of the show's wildest episodes sure to offer hours of hilarious domestic bliss! (Includes the infamous "Lost Episode," deemed too raunchy for TV!)

Includes the following hysterical episodes: A Dump of My Own, You Better Shop Around Part 1, You Better Shop Around Part 2, No Chicken No Check, I'll See You In Court (The Lost Episode). ... Read more

Amazon.com

Carl Reiner, who paired with Steve Martin in The Jerk, takes another rewarding gamble in Sibling Rivalry, matching comic actress Kirstie Alley with a screwball tale of mistaken identities, three sets of siblings, and a pesky corpse. Alley plays a neglected wife encouraged by her sister (Jami Gertz) to have a fling; when she does precisely that with a handsome stranger (Sam Elliott), he not only dies in bed but turns out to be a long-lost brother-in-law. Further complicating matters is a salesman (Bill Pullman) who thinks he inadvertently killed Elliott's character, plus a lot of doctor jokes (Carrie Fisher plays a bullying gynecologist married to a protologist) and a deadpan cop (Ed O'Neill). The screenplay's comic complications take a little too long to reach critical mass, but when they do, Reiner masterfully controls the essential screwball timing and Alley, Pullman, Gertz, and screen veterans John Randolph and Frances Sternhagen thoroughly deliver. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A Family Tree Becomes A Family Bush
I found this movie so funny and mind-bending. About a woman, Marjorie Turner, who is so bored with her husband, Harry Turner, is persuaded to have an affair by her sister, Jeanine. Marjorie does, indeed, have the affair (which is against her character): Unwittingly, with her husband's brother, Charles Turner Jr. Talk about loving someone to death! A salesman, Nick, enters the hotel room, with the body under the covers. He tries to install vertical blinds, and they fall on the head of the dead chap. Nick thought that he killed Charles. He manages to call Marjorie, to tell her about the news of the death of what he thought to be her husband. (Marjorie tripped over Nick's blinds, things spill out of her purse. She hurries into the lift before Nick discovers her wallet.) Both of them find themselves in a sticky-wicket. Neither can contact the officials (for Marjorie's husband and his family are doctors, and Nick's brother is a policeman.) So they try to make it appear that Charles committed suicide. Brothers and sisters of Marjorie, Harry, and Nick all get involved somehow or another. It's difficult to give details without confusing you (as I said, it's mind-bending) and/or giving out too much information. Kirstie Alley is Marjorie Turner; Bill Pullman is Nick; Scott Bakula is Harry Turner (who, by the way, looks absolutly gorgeous with longer hair and beard at the end); Sam Elliot is Charles Turner Jr.; Jami Gertz is Jeanine; etc. Three families intertwine so much that they are no longer family trees, but a family bush! Enjoy!

Sibling Rivalry - A Family Tree Becomes A Family Bush
I found this movies so funny and mind-bending. About a women, who is bored with her husband, is persuaded to have an affair by her sister. Marjorie does have an affair: unwittingly, with her husband's brother. Talk about loving someone to death! A salesman, Nick, enters the hotel room, with the body under the covers. He tries to install vertical blinds, and they fall on the head of the dead chap in bed (Charles Jr.). Nick thought that he killed Charles. He manages to call Marjorie, to tell about the news of the death of what he thought to be her husband. Both of them find themselves in a sticky-wicket. Neither can contact the officials (for Marjorie's husband [Harry] and his family are doctors, and Nick's brother is a policeman.) So they try to make it appear that Charles committed suicide. Brothers and sisters of Marjorie, Harry, Nick, all get involved somehow or another. It's difficult to give details without either confusing you or giving too much information away. The cast is good. Kirstie Alley as Marjorie Turner; Bill Pullman as Nick; Scott Bakula as Harry Turner (who, by the way, looks absolutly gorgeous with longer hair and beard at the end); Sam Elliot as Charles Jr. Turner; Jami Gertz as Marjorie's sister, Jenenne; etc. Three families intertwine so much that they are no longer family trees, but a family bush. Enjoy!

Horrible
I'll make this review quick: This movie was so awful that I seriously contemplated jabbing my eyes out with a rusty fork so that I would no longer have to watch it. The acting is ok, but for the people in the movie (especially Kirstie), it's very below par. The plot is convoluted and stupid, and by the time 1/4th of the movie has passed, any interest or concern for what happens to the characters is replaced by a concern for how much longer the film can possibly continue. Save yourself the money and time that I will never be able to get back: don't watch this movie.

A funny little Movie
This movie has some scenes in it that make you laugh until you cry. Kirsty Alley's character who is a bored wife of a Doctor has a crazy fling with Sam Elliott's character. She thinks it's a one night stand until she finds out he is her husband's brother returning to the US after being away for years. When her brother-in-law dies of a heart attack in the motel room, the movie takes off as Bill Pullman a nerdy blind salesman tries to help her make it look like her brother-in-law committed suicide. Carrie Fisher plays a snotty Sister-in-law. A Great cast and a funny movie.

Rolling on the floor laughing
There are not many movies I can watch 6 times and enjoy every
time. Kirstie Alley, Sam Eliott, Ed O'Neil, and Carrie Fisher
are all at their best, and this commedy does not hold back any
opportunity to score laughs. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

A LOT FUNNIER THAN EXPECTED!
"LUCKY NUMBERS" didn't do big numbers in its theatrical release but is worth a look if you're in the mood for a rowdy, raunchy heist farce.

John Travolta is big fish TV weatherman in a small Pennsylvania pond. Beset with financial woes -- his snowmobile dealership is not doing well during an unpredictably warm winter -- so he teams up the Lisa Kudrow, the station's angry, sleep-around lottery girl, and with the help of wanna be gangster and strip bar owner Tim Roth, they devise a plan to rip off the state lottery.

Things quickly go very bad. And get much worse. Not quite up to the Coen brothers, but a lot funnier than most alleged comedies. Nora Ephron directs an Adam Resnick screenplay supposedly based on a real incident.

Unexpectedly funny. But Travolta will have to do many more little gems like this to make up for the pain and suffering his fans endured in "Battlefield Earth."

Lucky Numbers is an odds on riot of a dark comedy!
Lucky Numbers is a pretty likable movie. For a dark comedy it's pretty appealing and while it doesn't have a ton of belly laughs, it's really quite funny. Imagine Ruthless People crossed with Fargo and you have a decent idea of what to expect in this film.John Travolta shines as Russ Richards, TV weatherman and mega star in his own mind. He drives a Jaguar, lives in a huge home and has a booth (and parking spot) reserved for him at the local Denny's. Russ even owns his own snowmoble dealership which is hurting due to the warm winter. To make matters worse, Russ has spent much more money than he has, so, to preserve his local celebrity persona, Russ becomes a desperate man. His friend Gig (Tim Roth in a welcome return to the screen), a sleazy barkeep suggests he get his girlfriend Crystal (Lisa Kudrow), the lotto girl, to rig the drawing. From here on in, things get out of control. Russ and Crystal's scam works, all of a sudden, everybody wants in on the action. Crystal's strange cousin (Michael Moore of 'Roger and Me' fame), Dale the Thug (Michael Rappaport), and even TV station manager Dick (Ed O'Neill), who is having an affair with Crystal, all want a pice of the lottery fortune. Bill Pullman turns up towards the middle (as a lazy cop illegally collecting disability) to investigate the goings on. All of this adds up to quite a funny movie. All of the cast seem to work well together, the chemistry is great and the dialogue very funny. While Lucky Numbers isn't always such a winner in terms of its plot, there is a superb ensemble cast here, and every one of them give it their all.Travolta is very funny as the stressed out 'celebrity' whose scam falls apart before it really begins. His increasingly frenzied behavior is hilarious by the end. Bill Pullman steals the show as the cop who'd rather be doing anything else, and Lisa Kudrow is both likable and despisable as the greedy woman who cares only for the money. In smaller roles, Ed O'Neill, Tim Roth and Michael Moore also pull off their roles with charm. For a film about backstabbing and greed, there certainly are a lot of likable characters. Lucky Numbers may not be a comedy masterpeice, but it's so fun to watch that audiences should enjoy themselves with it. Director Nora Ephron is better known for her 'romantic comedies', she directed You've Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle. Ephron takes on a different film with Lucky Numbers, a comedy about people trapped in middle America and will do anything to get out. This may not be the most admirable message to try and get across, but the movie itself is pure fun. With such a good cast and plenty of chuckles, Lucky Numbers is a million dollar winner all the way.

Definitely NOT a comedy but...
It's an interesting approach at what people will do for money. Still, I hated it. John Travolta was terrible [as usual]. Lisa Kudrow, who was the reason I watched this, was so incredibly unlike her role on "Friends" as she was a murderous goldigging nympho-biatch who made you mad every time she was on screen. I was very disappointed with her performance. I can't believe this hilarious comedic actress went for such a ... part. The other supporting actors were no good either with the exception of Bill Pullman, who was pretty funny as the "I could give a damn about it" cop. The best thing about this movie though, is the cute, gullible waitress named Wendy who's only on screen about five minutes throughout the entire film. Anyway, skip this one. It was just plain awful.

Just saw it on TV for the first time
Not only was the movie set in Harrisburg, most of it was filmed in Harrisburg, as well as the suburbs(Palmyra, Hampden Township and Wormleysburg) and is loosely based on the Real Lottery scam in Pennsylvania on April 24, 1980 when the Daily Pick 3 game was rigged by the station announcer in Pittsburgh (the Late Nick Perry, who I had the pleasure of growing up watching do various bowling programs. In Pittsburgh, "Bowling for dollars aired immediately after the drawing on Channel 4, WTAE.) Just like in the movies all but the #4 and #6 balls were injected with paint, and 6-6-6 came up. The drawings were moved to WHP-TV (channel 21) the next day, where State Officials kept a better eye on things. Nick and the stage hands at channel 4 went to Jail (here in Camp Hill).

So the story was as advertised, amusing, not great; and it was great to see big time celebreties visit town. Especially Ed O'neill. Those of us who lived in Harrisburg for a long time will get the inside jokes, and geographic references. My wife yelled at me, when I was over-commenting, finding bloopers, and trying to pick out the local scenery, most of which had buildings remodeled, and again shot outside of Harrisburg in the suburbs. So some of the local bloopers showed Russ trying to drive the truck down Route 22 and Devonshire Road (in Downtown Colonial Park, where I live), and it wrecked. Was he trying to get to I-81 or I-83? Not the way to get to Colorado from Harrisburg. Eighteen wheelers don't go down Devonshire Road (winding and hilly and two-laned)too well, and Rt. 22 at that intersection is a 6-lane divided highway. There is actually an auto dealer at that corner, but was not used in the filming.

Like I said us locals caught some of the inside jokes (like the Perry County School Teacher who locked the student in the broom closet, and the mobster from Linglestown), which made the movie more enjoyable than the critics gave it credit for.

For those who don't know although there is no channel 6 in Harrisburg, there is (sort of) well, was really WTPA-TV. WTPA-Radio is still on the air. New owners years ago changed the call letters to WHTM, and is actually channel 27. Keeping that in mind, Al Bundy, er, Dick Simmons comments on real-life then WTPA now WHTM weatherman Chuck Rhoades, who has a breif cameo in the movie, and on whom Travolta's character is loosely based (Actually Bill Murray's wheaterman in Groundhog Day is closer to the real Chuck Rhoades, a thirty year fixture on local TV). To me, Chuck is the big star in the movie, even though he is eeen from a distance for a few seconds. Chuck's best acting job to date. And he wasn't acting! That clip is from 1988 when the movie was set, when Harrisburg had one of its biggest heatwaves ever. Anothe Harrisburg weatherman, Don Rooney has a cameo scene at the TV station.

When the movie was filmed out here, it was the biggest deal to hit Harrisburg , since the Three Mile Island accident. Yes, Harrisburg is really like that-- and Denny's is the Classiest Bistro in Town, at least the one in Hampden Township (US Rte. 11--where JT is seen jaywalking to the Evergreen (actually Hampden) Diner.

All in all an enjoyable movie for us in Harrisburg.

Probably the worst Travolta movie ever made
"What was he thinking?" was all I could think while watching this ... This is, without a doubt, John Travolta's worst movie since 1978's Moment by Moment with Lily Tomlin. The script is [weak] and the performances are lackluster. Lisa Kudrow, as in every role she plays, is downright annoying with her ever present snarling lip. Travolta is too talented an actor to waste his time on [stuff]like this. It's more suited to a ...comic like Rob Schneider or Adam Sandler. Director Nora Ephron also loses some credibility for having anything to do with this film. ... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here's another smart sports movie penned by Ron Shelton (Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump). It's an incriminating look at major college recruiting in the days of secret payoffs, circa the early 1990s. Coach Pete Bell (Nick Nolte) seems to be the only honest man left in sports, and the pressure to win at his UCLA-like school soon takes its toll. For action fans, the well-staged games are only at the bookends of the movie: the film is about scandalous recruiting and the passion of the coach. Shaquille O'Neal's ballyhooed debut is short and sweet as a nearly mythical basketball warrior. The biggest acting surprise is Boston Celtic legend Bob Cousy's deft debut as the school's AD. The film is a little too preachy at times, but the sermon is worth listening to, especially with some solid laughs from Shelton's stinging pen. Director William Friedkin's change-of-pace film would only be half the movie without Nolte, who is instantly believable as the workaholic coach. In game situations where opposing coaches are the likes of Bobby Knight (one of many excellent cameos), Nolte comes off as the real thing. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (19)

What happened?
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. In the `70s, director William Friedkin was at the peak of his powers. The one-two punch of The French Connection and The Exorcist made him a force to be reckoned with. And then, he made Sorcerer, a critical and commercial failure. His industry clout disappeared as fast as he had acquired it. Studios did not want to deal with his inflated ego and hard-headed pragmatism. Other than the excellent, To Live and Die in L.A. Friedkin has made one forgettable film after another through the `80s and `90s. On paper, Blue Chips must have seemed like a good idea. Team up Friedkin