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By following up their debut thriller Bound with the 1999 box-office smash The Matrix, the codirecting Wachowski brothers--Andy and Larry--annihilated any suggestion of a sophomore jinx, crafting one of the most exhilarating sci-fi/action movies of the 1990s. Set in the not too distant future in an insipid, characterless city, we find a young man named Neo (Keanu Reeves). A software techie by day and a computer hacker by night, he sits alone at home by his monitor, waiting for a sign, a signal--from what or whom he doesn't know--until one night, a mysterious woman named Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) seeks him out and introduces him to that faceless characterhe has been waiting for: Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). A messiah of sorts, Morpheus presents Neo with the truth about his world by shedding light on the dark secrets that have troubled him for so long: "You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad." Ultimately, Morpheus illustrates to Neo what the Matrix is--a reality beyond reality that controls all of their lives, in a way that Neo can barely comprehend.

Neo thus embarks on an adventure that is both terrifying and enthralling. Pitted against an enemy that transcends human concepts of evil, Morpheus and his team must train Neo to believe that he is the chosen champion of their fight. With mind-boggling, technically innovative special effects and a thought-provoking script that owes a debt of inspiration to the legacy of cyberpunk fiction, this is much more than an out-and-out action yarn; it's a thinking man's journey into the realm of futuristic fantasy, a dreamscape full of eye candy that will satisfy sci-fi, kung fu, action, and adventure fans alike. Although the film is headlined by Reeves andFishburne--who both turn in fine performances--much of the fun and excitement should be attributed to Moss, who flawlessly mixes vulnerability with immense strength, making other contemporary female heroines look timid by comparison. And if we were going to cast a vote for most dastardly movie villain of 1999, it would have to go to Hugo Weaving, who plays the feckless, semipsychotic Agent Smith with panache and edginess. As the film's box-office profits soared, the Wachowski brothers announced that The Matrix is merely the first chapter in a cinematically dazzling franchise--a chapter that is arguably superior to the other sci-fi smash of 1999 (you know... the one starring Jar Jar Binks).--Jeremy Storey ... Read more

Reviews (2882)

What is the Matrix?
The Matrix will go down in film history books as "The film that changed cinema forever". True, films have done that before: (Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Pulp Fiction et al) but the Matrix is different in that not only did it change audience's expectations of action cinema but also impacted on countless movies to date.

The film itself is the epitome of cool that stands out from the slew of unimaginative science fiction that Hollywood reels out, and with Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne Moss making an unlikely duo in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by artificially intelligent machines, the film finds itself worlds away from admittedly second-rate sci fi cinema.

You could argue, as some critics did, that the film's plot is simply an excuse to hang cool effects on, but the premise slowly shapes into such an intricate plot, where machines have taken over the world (a popular idea for sci fi films, with this having similarities to Terminator 2) and then the small amount of snotty critics are silenced. What the Wachowski brothers have done is so imaginative that no film has ever come close to its intricacies and futuristic ideas. Add hints and nudges from Vertigo, classic Western films and Kung-fu karate films into the story and the amazing journey is made even more fascinating and involving.

The visuals incorporated throughout the story are absolutely amazing; with the "flow-mo" being the coolest visual effect those effects boffins have done since that water tentacle flowed through air in The Abyss. Imitated to death, the scene where Keanu's character Neo dodges bullets is nonetheless the pinnacle of uber-coolness. With thought provoking, mind-bending lines like: "It's the smell, if there is such a thing"; the film's script is peppered with fascinating lines concerning the very nature of "what is real?" Hence the clever advertising campaign for the movie's release: "Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is, you have to see it for yourself".

The Matrix has indeed changed cinema. Regardless, it's a great film, loaded to the retinas with out- of- this-world effects, great villians (Agent Smith!), great action set-pieces and awesome stunts from martial arts expert Wu Ping. And with the DVD (awesome stuff, everyone has to own this disc) and upcoming sequel in progress- The Matrix Reloaded, the Matrix is a film that not only has affected filmgoers everywhere, but has also leaked into the fan boy culture of the movie world. To quote Neo: "Whoa".

A dynamic and intelligent triumph
A stunning blend of action and science fiction, "The Matrix" tells the tale of a computer programmer who stumbles into an alternate world that forever changes his perception of reality. There's a reason why "The Matrix" won a pile of awards (and made a pile of money at the box office). A masterpiece of technical wizardry and storytelling skill, this is one of those memorable films that succeeds on every one of its many ambitious levels.

Fans and critics have raved about the film's mind-blowing special effects and fight scenes, but they are only part of the film's excellence. The superb performances of the actors are equally important. Particularly noteworthy is Laurence Fishburne's as Morpheus--his is a performance of controlled but passionate intensity. And Carrie-Anne Moss' performance as Trinity brings to the film a tenderness and humanity which greatly complement the high-tech milieu.

"The Matrix" is a wonderfully literate film whose dialogue includes references from Greek mythology, the Bible, Christian theology, and English literature. And one of the central themes of the film--the defiant resistance to an enslaving force--is one that can be found in many of the world's great works of literature. Watch "The Matrix," and then read the 1845 classic "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave"--you'll appreciate the film even more.

very good
very good action, acting, plot, and dvd. much better than the dissapointing reloaded. haven't seen revolutions.

"Why oh why didn't I take the BLUE pill?"
After hearing so many good things about this film, I was actually underwhelmed the first time I saw it. I already new the basic premise so it wasn't a surprise to me. It wasn't until the SECOND time I saw it that it really hit me. Very well written, with some philosophical underpinnings hidden throughout, the Matrix is a smart sci-fi action film -- but not TOO smart: that would have to wait until The Matrix Reloaded (which is so dense it's hard to understand what's going on with just one viewing).

mind-blowing special effects
LOVE ALL 3 MOVIES SO DAMM MUCH. ALL HATES GO AWAY AND YOU'RE SO STUPID AND UGLY CAN'T WATCH THESE MOVIES. BYE BYEEEE!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (338)

Nothing Will Never Surpass The Goonies!
Like many before me, I grew up with The Goonies. I ran around my house as a young one, trying to act like Mouth, or doing the Truffle Shuffle to entertain friends (I lacked on the truffle, but I could do the shuffle).

The Goonies holds something that every kid should find magical, even though the only magic in the movie is the magic of friendship. Steven Spielberg wrote the story about a group of friends who are about to lose their houses so a country club can be built where they leave. They come upon a treasure map that supposedly has a legend behind it, and leads to a great treasure. Mikey and his colorful bunch of friends set up to go in search of the treasure not knowing the villianist trio, the Fratellis, are also out for the treasure. Along the way, chaos ensues, friendships go stronger, and they meet a creature who has nothing but love to share and Baby Ruths to eat.

The characters are all likable . . . are all lovable, and the actors who portray them made them all that they were. The Fratellis are even, in some ways, likable throughout the movie, but in the end, they get what they were asking for. The directing, of course, is awesome. None like it actually. And the sets are amazing. Especially the pirate ship set. That was too awesome, and enough to satisfy any adventure lover.

The DVD should satisfy any Goonies fan with the word of all the extras to be on it. And I'm ready to see the infamous deleted octopus scene. I hope it's on there. I believe I read somewhere that some of the cast had gotten together to do a commentary. Now there's wishful hoping that that did happen!

"SLOTH LOVE CHUNK!" And Josh loves this movie.

best movie!
When my sister and I were introduced to THE GOONIES about 10 years ago, by our dad, we fell in love with it. My sister and I have watched this movie literally 100 times, and no matter how many times we've seen it, we still continue to get captured into the excitement, adventure and fun the movie holds. For Christimas this year, we got the movie on DVD and its better then ever. Including the original movie, it has a commentary with the cast of the movie, a music video the cast did with Cyndi Lauper, outtakes, the orginial trailer and a look at the making of the goonies. Whenever our friends come over, we ask them, "Have you ever seen 'the goonies'?" And if they hadn't, we introduce them to our favorite movie.
When Mikey (Sean Astin) and his friends, the goonies, encounter a treasure map, they embark on the adventure of a lifetime. With characters like Mouth,(Corey Feldman), Data (Ke Huy Kuan), Chunk (Jeff Cohen) and Mikey's older brother, Brand (Josh Brolin), and the girl goonies, Andy(Kerri Green) and Stef(Martha Plimpton) the jokes are endless. As they out run the bad guys, dodge the booby traps, and find the treasure of One-eyed-Willy, its a thrill a minute adventure that will capture the hearts of young and old for generations to come.

Pinchers of peril!!! The Ultimate Goonie DVD experience!
Growing up in the 80's - The Goonies was one of the most incredible movies for me. It captures all of the childhood joy and want of adventure and excitement that a normal day just doesn't bring. This movie, while it is clearly an "80's" flick, does not appear dated in any way. It still has that spark that gave it life nearly 20 years ago.

That said, here's what you get with this DVD and here's why you should buy it today:

The movie itself is enough however...

The deleted scenes are a lot of fun. We finally get to see the ever-fabled "Octopus" scene. For years, I would scratch my head when Data said "The Octopus was really scary!" Huh? What Octopus? Well, he's in this DVD. You also realize why the scene was cut out. Let's just say the animatronics weren't all that great.

Those old music videos starring Cyndi Lauper and various classic WWF wrestlers are here too. Remember Rock "n" Wrestling? I found myself saying "oh yeah....I remember that!" Watch for a cameo of Susanna Hoffs from the Bangles in the video!

The DVD commentary is a lot of fun! While almost every new DVD has a commentary in place, it almost always bores one to tears with the director or a star just kind of droning their way through the movie. Often, the major stars don't even do the commentary (great example is Rocky - where the commentary features everyone but Stallone himself!) This commentary has all of the original Goonie stars plus Richard Donner. There's a lot of joking around and the stories they tell are funny and don't go off the subject. Note: Sean Astin disappears about halfway through the flick. Also, beware Corey Feldman who talk over everyone to further perpetuate that he is the biggest glory hog in show business.

Enough already. This is such a great movie and the special features are ones that you'll actually watch more than once! Buy the DVD already!

Goonies Never Say Die!
What can I say? This movie has it all! Action, Suspense, Romance, Sean Astin pre Samwise Gamgee. What more could you want?

Steven Spielberg brings a story about a misfit group of kids who set out to save their home. It all hinges on finding the treasure of One-Eyed Willie, a famous pirate who was rumored to have hid his treasure somewhere around where they live.

Throw in a mafia family who has recently broken out of jail, a treasure map, a Baby Ruth, and a wonderful dance called the Truffle Shuffle and you've got an instant classic!!

Also, look for the line about battling the octopus in the end, then think about the octopus battle. Something doesn't add up does it??

I like some types of Korn...............
but this movie was way too corny for my tastes. This movie managed to use every single cliché that ever existed. This ranges from the group of misfits going on an adventure to save their home from evil corporate rich people to mobsters with guns to a pirate treasure cave filled with booby traps to a fat kid who saves the day to a disfigured grotesque monster suddenly gaining human knowledge and capabilities and rebelling against it's owners to love between two 13 year olds. The reason that I gave this movie two stars is because there are worse films than this one and one scene was funny. Other than that, I do not recommend this film to anyone who likes hardy boys and other meaningless kids detective stories. ... Read more

Description

Catch him if you can. The Fugitive is on the run! Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones race through the breathless manhunt movie based on the classic TV series. Ford is prison escapee Dr. Richard Kimble, a Chicago surgeon falsely convicted of killing his wife and determined to prove his innocence by leading his pursuers to the one-armed man who actually committed the crime. Jones (1993 Academy Award and Golden Globe winner as Best Supporting Actor) is Sam Gerard, an unrelenting bloodhound of a U.S. Marshal. They are hunted and hunter. And as directed by Andrew Davis (Under Siege), their nonstop chase has one exhilarating speed: all-out. So catch him if you can. And catch an 11-on-a-scale-of-10 train wreck (yes, the train is real), a plunge down a waterfall, a cat-and-mouse jaunt through a Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade and much more. Better hurry. Kimble doesn't stay in one place very long! ... Read more

Reviews (126)

Fugitive is Dr. Richard Kimball: Go get this movie.
If I were stranded on a desert island and all I could have was my abysmally sparse movie collection, I would make sure "The Fugitive" was in it. Thankfully, it is. This is one of the most entertaining and engaging movies ever, far superior to a lot of movies playing these days. For the few of you who don't know the plot, I'll run it past you without spoiling much...

The story revolves around a Chicago surgeon named Dr. Richard Kimball (Harrison Ford) who is convicted of murdering his wife (Sela Ward). He pleads innocent, claiming that a one-armed man committed the heinous crime (the opening sequence, showing the murder in flashback style, is chillingly realistic). Well, no one believes the good doctor's alibi, and he is sentenced to death. However, after his prison bus crashes into a train, he escapes back to Chicago to find the murderer, while keeping away from US Marshal Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) and his team of deputies.

Having never seen the old TV series, this movie was nevertheless fantastic. The thrills just keep coming, as well as the tongue-in-cheek humor, courtesy of Tommy Lee Jones and Joe Pantoliano (as Cosmo, Sam's deputy), who really steal the show in a lot of scenes. The screenplay is obviously very sharp. The train-and-bus wreck will take your breath away, as will the waterfall sequence. Aside from these action scenes, it's great that this movie is shot in Chicago, one of the greatest cities in North America. Sorry, personal bias, I loved Chicago when I visited a couple years back. The acting is very well done, and the characters are very three-dimensional. Sometimes it feels like you're watching a modern "Les Miserables". Nice transition from action thriller to action-mystery as the film enters its second half. If you follow the plot, which is fairly easy to keep up with, the ending will shock you. All in all, "The Fugitive" is definitely worth the bang for your hard-earned buck. If you haven't seen this wonderful piece of movie-making, do so ASAP.

Quality-wise, the DVD is pretty good. Director Andrew Davis does a cool little documentary on how the train wreck was filmed.

MOVIE-10/10
DVD EXTRAS-8/10

Ford hits another home run
Ditto what that other reviewer said: this is another great Harrison Ford vehicle. They really DON'T make movies like this any more. It needs not typical DVD additions, not cut scenes, not trailers, or interviews.

Back in the day, Wednesday morning school was dominated by the discussion of the latest episode of "The Fuge" from the night before. This is the only film I can think of which actually did justice to the classic television show from which it sprang.

Tommy Lee Jones is a fantastic U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard. He appears not to be obsessed with the capture of Dr. Kimble (as was his television predecessor, portrayed by Barry Morse). Nonetheless, we get the feeling that he brings the same determination to every case he has. Ford once again is the "everyman" (if a doctor who gets sent to prison for killing his wife and then escapes can be thought of in those terms) who prevails through all manner of adversities. [As an aside, I wonder how well Ford could stretch himself - could he ever be convincing as a real bad guy, like a John Malkovich or Anthony Hopkins?]

This movie has a lot of pluses. It is a great story, updated from one of the sixties' best shows. Sure, there were great stunts. The bus crash/train wreck was stunning (made even more so by seeing Ford almost comically hobbling along, trying to outrun the carnage while wearing leg shackles).

However, it is the competition between the two dogged adversaries Jones and Ford that makes this work. They are one real pair of incredibly strong personalities- (and screen presences) Nothing better than the sequence in the dam early on with Ford protesting his innocence and Jones equally sincere reply "I don't care". Both smart, even though Jones hides his behind a gruff and self-deprecating exterior. The good and decent Doc must be determined (after all, it is his can on the line), but seeing him persevere - hiding his own persona in a hospital, evading the police while tracking down the one armed man is intense, even though we know the outcome.

Great editing; especially when we think the Marshals are getting close to the big bust, and we find out that they are actually making a collar across town.

This one is a winner.

A classic action thriller
What makes "The Fugitive" such a successful and superior film is that it knows what it is: an action/mystery film. It makes no attempt to make itself bigger or more intellectual than it is (as did the American version of "The Vanishing"). Harrison Ford, surprisingly underplaying the role of Dr. Kimball--others might have overworked his grief and angst--turns in a brilliant performance. And the always reliable Tommy Lee Jones does an icy, sparkling job as Kimball's persuer, US Marshal Sam Gerard. So good a performance that he earned a well-deserved Oscar for it.

The other key to the movie's success is Andrew Davis' dazzling direction. He keeps the pace frenetic for a good deal of the film, and the pot is always kept boiling. Close calls and intense chases keep the tension and suspense at fever pitch. "The Fugitive" will endure for a long time as a classic action thriller.

I did not kill my wife
That is well known sentence from this action hit which put an Oscar in hands of Tommy Lee Jones. Somebody killed dr. Richard Kimble's (Ford) wife, but all clues are against him. After all, who can be stupid enough to say that - One arm man did it?! His escape after bus accident will be his second chance to proove his innocents. But, that will be damn hard. Especially because after him is federal marshal who "doesn't care" about anything, except to bring the fugitive back (by any costs). Kimble will discover that he was in strong net made of lies and conspiracy, and that his only way out is to find proofes to clear his name and bring killer in front of justice. Jones supposed to be a good guy, but you'll hate him all the movie (well, it's not his falt, he's just good actor). Harrison is great, older, but still in good shape. Since Indiana Jones, he never has better role than this. You'll be right next to him, trying to solve the puzzle, hoping that he will succeed to find who ruined his life. Excellent story, good locations and ideas. Definetly collection material.

Train Wreck of Action
This is one of the best-crafted action/suspense films I've ever seen. I've viewed this many many times and have been rewarded each time by picking up on different subtle nuances.
Every element of this film works in unison and are what make this a great film and give it the punch that it has. There's the story which is as finely crafted as they get, a cast that couldn't have been any better (and boy do the actors deliver in their performances), tight pacing, great photography, and some unbelievable effects.

This is a modern masterpiece! ... Read more

Reviews (154)

Coming of age for a young boy and Spielberg
Made back in 1987, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, is based upon the best selling book by J.G. Ballard. It tells the story of Jim, (Christian Bale) a young British boy, who is separated from his parents, during World War II. His family is living in Japan at the time. The young boy is thrown into a Japanese internment camp. As the story unfolds, Jim befriends 2 Americans (John Malkovich and Joe Pantiliano) also trying to stay one step ahead of their captors and fight for freedom. As it says on the back of the DVD "Through [Jim's] eyes we see the facination and horror of war." Jim goes from being a child of innocence to an adult who is just trying to stay alive in a harsh world.

When the film ended, I had forgotton how flawless the movie is. This was not only a young boy's coming of age story, but a coming of age for Spielberg as a Director as well. This was his 1st film (up to that point) without a real "Gee Whiz" element to it The performance by Bale is outstanding. As the viewer, you really get a sense of what it must have been like to be held captive in that prison. The scene where Jim runs back to the comforts of his home, shortly after being separated from his Mom and Dad, only to find it ransacked, and his parents gone, is particularly effective. The scene is both horrible and funny at the same time The film also boasts some fine production design and a good film score by John Williams. The film was the first to be shot in the People's Republic of China and eagled-eyed viewers will note a supporting role from funny man Ben Stiller.

The only extra feature of note on the DVD is, a good 45 minute documentary, made at the time of production. The documentary is narrated by Actor Martin Sheen. When this movie was released, I remember the reviews being somewhat mixed. That is a shame. It is one of the only movies from Spielberg, that you don't hear much about, even today. I guess I just wanted to remind folks that EMPIRE OF THE SUN is still out there and certainly worth a first or second look

An Unheralded Masterpiece
This epic film is the first of Spielberg's World War II trilogy that includes "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan." It was made at a time when Spielberg was financially successfully but artistic merit eluded him. That this remarkable piece of filmmaking has been overlooked is no reflection on him; it is the failure of the tastes of critics and the public alike. Spielberg tells a beautiful story of the horrors of war, how families are uprooted and separated, and how the human spirit overcomes adversity. Christian Bale is superb in the film. I cannot comprehend why his career did not soar after the film's release. It was good to see him in the role of Jesus in the recently televised movie on Mary. John Malkovich is his usual fantastic self as a fellow POW who becomes Bale's Long John Silver, a sly comparison to the classic "Treasure Island." The film is beautifully photographed and has a subtle and moving score from Spielberg stalwart John Williams. It is a must for fans of the director and those who appreciate masterful storytelling.

a skewed reality, how a twelve year old boy would see things
A film by Steven Spielberg

Film critic Ernest Rister has written a brilliant review of "Empire of the Sun" where he details the unreality of the movie, how the viewer cannot trust what we are seeing on screen because it is the impressions of a 12 year old child and Spielberg gives us enough hints and allusions and images in the film that with a little bit of work, the viewer should be able to figure this out. Since I had read Mr Rister's review more than a year before I finally saw this movie, I tried to keep that knowledge in mind when I was seeing "Empire of the Sun" for the first time.

"Empire of the Sun" is the story of Jim (Christian Bale), a 12 year old British boy living in China with his parents. The movie is set during World War II when Japan was attacking China. During a raid on the city they are living in, Jim and his parents are trying to escape when they are separated. We don't know what happens to his parents, but Jim ends up in a Japanese internment camp. Jim meets an American named Basie (John Malkovich), whom he befriends and sort of tags along after. "Empire of the Sun" deals with the isolation and loneliness of this one boy who is quickly losing his innocence. That is really the heart of "Empire of the Sun", the loss of Jim's innocence in the midst of World War II.

The one thing that I struggled with was not taking this film at face value, that the events on screen are not truly happening, but rather how Jim is remembering them. They are happening as a twelve year old boy is seeing them, heightened and slightly distorted. I did not catch the clues that Mr. Rister wrote about, but I suspect you have to be studying "Empire of the Sun" to really grasp what Steven Spielberg is putting into the movie. Fortunately, "Empire of the Sun" works on two levels: as a straightforward film, and also on the level that Rister discovered and Spielberg intended.

-Joe Sherry

Wunderbar
One of the greatest dramas ever. Buy it. Watch it. Many times.

Empire of the Sun - Spectacularly Moving
What a sensational film. I'm curious as to why it has been so overlooked all these years. It's so much more than a war movie. It not only speaks to the tenacity of the human spirit, but also to it's frailties.

When Jim reunites with his mother in the final scene, it always brings tears to my eyes. Yeah... lots of tears. ... Read more

Reviews (915)

A refreshingly original masterpiece.
Christopher Nolan's 'Memento' is unlike any other film you'll ever see, a piece of film noir so original and so tense, it will stick with you for days. Told in reverse, the film follows Leonard (Guy Pearce) as he tries to find the man who raped and murdered his wife. There's just one snag: Leonard suffered a brain injury while trying to protect his wife that fateful evening. He can no longer make new memories, only able to recall his life before the event, everything else fading away within minutes. He wakes every morning still expecting to see his wife, never remembering who to trust and who to fear. Relying on Polaroids and tattoos to keep track of clues he drifts on, forever looking for a man who may be a lot closer then he thinks. From this premise, writer/director Nolan weaves a perfectly crafted tale which unravels itself slowly and methodically through flashbacks. We, like Leonard, are completely lost. By starting at the 'end' of the film, we gather more and more information as the story is presented, a chunk at a time, until the shocking finish, which makes the preceding 110 minutes all the more devastating. 'Memento' is a perfectly executed film, full of wonderful montages and unpredictable twists and turns. The cast shines. Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano are by turns sympathetic and heart-breaking and Pearce has never been better. There are few films out there that truly attempt at reinventing a genre and even less that succeed. This is one of those films and it is not to be missed. If I see a better movie then 'Memento' this year, I will be greatly surprised. A masterpiece.

"Momento" is a Courageous and Challenging Masterpiece
Guy Pearce deserves an Academy Award nomination for portraying a man no sane person should ever envy. An Academy Award nomination is also warranted for Joe Pantoliano in his supporting role of Teddy. The character Leonard is permanently brain damaged by a criminal during the latter's sexual assault attack upon his wife. A blow on the head leaves Leonard with total short term memory loss. Leonard searches for those responsible to bring them to justice and also provide meaning to his life.

The action is fast paced and riveting. We observe Leonard trying to hopelessly unravel the mystery by writing down copious notes, taking countless Poloroid snap shots, and even having tattoos concerning supposed evidence placed all over his body. Who can he trust? Is the mysterious Teddy a friend or foe? Leonard succumbs to the charms and pleas of the bartender played by Carrie-Anne Moss. We see her as mean and manipulative, but Leonard is nonetheless beguiled by her pretended well meaning earnestness. Yet, is she truly despicable or merely hiding a warm heart behind a cold exterior? The highly talented character actor Stephen Tobolowsky brings much depth to his role of Sammy Jankis. Leonard is riddled with guilt for his earlier handling of Sammy's insurance claim. Is this guilt justified, or is Sammy truly a con man? Director Christopher Nolen splendidly uses flash backs to help us follow the plot. The screen writing is simply fantastic. Rarely has so little been accomplished with such a small budget. Nolen is also to be congratulated for not selling out to the Hollywood financial establishment by changing the story line to attract a wider audience. We leave the theater somewhat frustrated wondering how to distinguish between fact and fantasy. How do we make sense of what we just saw? A real life Leonard, though, is doomed to never realizing the significance of his most recent actions. Nolen makes us suffer the same fate.

The director is not indulging in silly decontructionist existential claptrap like Sean Penn's absurdly awful "The Pledge." This is not a brain dead pretentious film that dares us to declare that the emperor is wearing no clothes. Nolen is instead inviting us to consider how a human being might adjust in real life to a horrifying predicament that thankfully few of us will ever have to endure. I have absolutely no hesitation in giving this great film 5 stars.

This film is horrible. Please, don't waist your time.
I don't have to say much about this movie to let you know don't waist you time or money. I paid $21 for it through Columiba house. I relied upon the good comments of others before I bought it. It was boring, sensless, and a downright waist of time. If you must put yourself through such torture at least go rent it. The only movie that comes close to such idiocy is The Man Who Fell to Earth.

One major flaw!
I thought this was an excellent film. The script was absolutely original and really kept you guessing until the very end. I give it four stars but I found one problem that really blows the whole concept. If he can't remember anything that happened after the attack how does he know anything about his illness. He seems to wake up fine and know that he has this problem of no short-term memory. It doesn't seem like he should be able to remember that. I may be being a little picky but it does seem crucial the plot.

More Mystery Than Murder.. Still an Ingenius Movie
Just goes to show that you act on instinct when your memory goes....It's as simple as that ... Read more

Reviews (68)

Mark, from an era forgotten
I do think something is lacking here. The sequel is not available. Uh, would you by Star Wars and forget about the Empire Stricke Back, I think not. To the distributors, get II on the street, it will sell especially to those of us that not only like it, but also belive a set should be complete. Get the DVD to the fans.

Having read all the reviews I agree this is a great movie and I think some modern so-called musicians should take a hard look. Eddie was all about the music and the way it was created and played (even in the sequel). He wrote it and performed it as a real musician should. It had nothing to do with the show and everything to do with the quality and message the music was relaying. It may only be a movie, but it realys music of its time. Modern singers (most at least)--not musicians-- have lost sight of the meaning of musical creativity. Now it is all about putting on the show. I may be out of touch, hey I have seen STYX 5 times since they regrouped--they still get large crowds and still make music. Bands like that don't take their clothes off, don't have dance numbers, don't kiss on stage, don't have plastic surgery to attract a crowd, and don't hide behind someone elses skill. Bands like that write, create, and perform their own music. They don't hire bands and writers, they are the bands, they are the writers/creators of their own music. Maybe that is why we still listening to the Beatles and Led Zeplin and for the most part forgotten about performers like Britney and Christina. Once the get older and the appearance/persona has gone so have they.

One of those nostaglic gems that captures the times
As the Cruisers walk into Tony Marts in Somers Point NJ and tell Tom Bereger to tell the manager, "The cruisers are here," I did a double take. From the age of 16, Tony Marts was my favorite hangout! (Yeah, the drinking age was 21, but I was a tall kid and no one asked for ID). So, you know I love this movie. I have probably watched this movie two dozen times and shown it to all of my friends and dates. To a person, they fell in love with in (and not surprisingly Eddie Lives the sequel, charming for its own music. Michael Pare captures the role and until one night that I watched the movie and then went out to see Beaver Brown (the real band) perform the same music, I was convinced he was singing and still don't get distracted by the lipsynching. Enjoy this wonderful movie, don't over analyze it and, well, if you spend your childhood on the South Jersey shore (Ocean City across from Somers Point) in the 1950s and 1960s as I did, it's real special.

A Really Great Movie!
I'm guessing that this was a B-Movie which grew into a cult film, and I'm glad that it did!

This movie really manages to pull you into a fantasy- where Eddie Wilson was 15 years ahead of his time...and nobody can find the missing tapes, of what WOULD have been his next album- had he lived.

A news woman interviews the remaining members of Eddie's old band, to try and shine some light on the mis-understood stories, the blurred memories and complex ideas.

To enjoy this film, you have to ignore the REAL history of rock n'roll and pretend that THIS is how it went. It was well paced, the acting was good and the music fits!

As for DVD extras...you don't get very much, but that doesn't ruin this classic movie, now does it?

ROCK ON, EDDIE!!!!!

Disagree with Amazon Review!
This film is a fantasy!! Pretend! And.. wonderful! Have seen it countless times and it always manages to evoke so many positive feelings, it's impossible to list. The "Editor's Review" says the story is impossible to accept- I disagree!! It's fun and I love it..again and again! No problem here!

Also have to put in my vote to those who are holding up the release of Eddie and the Cruiser's 2...what's in the way of this release? Work it out!!

Eddie and the Crusiers II Eddie Lives
I totally agree VHS is old school DVD is the new way to go.I have the original Eddie and the Crusiers on DVD and would love to have Eddie Lives on DVD. If the original can be on DVD why not Eddie II...Bring it out on DVD ... Read more

Reviews (114)

BOUND to Please
A thoroughly absorbing caper from the first scene to the last. If you like sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering what in the world is going to happen next, then you'll love being plopped down into the intricate maze of this film. The story twists and turns unpredictably, and the billiantly quirky cinematography and seamless editing add to the fun. Great star-turns by Jennifer Tilly, Joe Pantoliano, and especially Gina Gershon who never hits a false note. There's also an edgy, over-the-top performance by Christopher Meloni as a gleefully sadistic mobster; Meloni makes his scenes crackle with barely contained malice, and proves once again that he's a highly capable actor with a commanding on-screen presence.

The DVD presentation of this underrated gem is quite good. "Bound" is much more enjoyable when viewed in widescreen, and the sharp transfer offered on the disc is a vast improvement over the VHS version. The theatrical trailer and audio commentaries are enjoyable extras. A "making of" featurette would have been a nice bonus - but even without it, this is a great DVD that current and future fans of the movie will be proud to own.

A brilliant mob movie played against type.
This is a wonderful movie, and being used to the standard offering where macho italian mobsters beat up on their dumb molls, it is a real breath of fresh air.

Jennifer Tilley oozes sexuality from the opening scene in this movie, and never stops right to the end. She plays Violet, her character, brilliantly. A mob club Vamp who is there as furniture for the boys, and they drool and fight over her, little realising her true nature.

Enter Gina Gershon, the butch ex-con called Corky, flaming obvious lesbian, replete with tattoos and leathers. Boom! Violet moves from Vamp to seductress in some of the hottest sex scenes ever filmed - gay or straight!

Having formed a sexually charged but shallow bond, the ladies embark on a plan to relieve the mob of a couple of million in blood money. Violets significant other, Caesar (played brilliantly by Joe Pantoliano) is busy in the apartment laundering the money for the mob. In a tongue in cheek parody, he actually has to launder the money, washing off the blood, haning it to dry, and ironing it.

In classic Hitchcock tradition, Violet and Corkey tell us exactly how the heist is going to go down. And of course, it all goes horrible wrong. Caesar is not as dumb as they thought, and the plot escalates into angst, madness, violence and murder with a neat Tarantino-esqe twist.

This is a great movie - Hitchcock meets Tarantino. Lots of atmosphere and suspense, but also lots of laughs, not to mention mayhem and murder. Not a movie for those who are squeamish around blood, murder, violence, lesbianism or drain clearence. But highly recommended for those who love bondage, leather, tattoos, butch lady decorators and shiny stainless steel sink traps.

Very entertaining movie
for what it is: a decent caper film with a great performance by Joe P., one of his best. Tilly isn't bad either, but it's hard to take her seriously with that voice, I have to admit. But it's still holds your attention. BTW, don't buy this if the lesbian scene between Tilly and Gershon is all that interests you. Yes, it's steamy, but we're talking maybe 30 seconds on screen. That's it. Buy this because it's an enjoyable movie.

By the Directors of the Matrix
I heard of this movie when I saw the Matrix DVD bonus extras. This was the movie that got them the Matrix. I felt that is was excellently done with plot twists and mistakes in plans that were excellently directed. Well worth seeing.

Innovative film portrayal of lesbians and good noir.
For warchild27: Yes, on track 18 of my DVD, Joey Pants' commentary cuts out for most of the rest of the track. From track 19 on, the commentary should be fine. However, I bought a used copy which has visible scratches. If your audio cuts out on some other track than 18, then you have a defective disk (and so do I).

Film is an actor's film, rich in suspense and nuance. Joey Pants is great as always. Tilly is odd, and Gina Gershon is a bit disappointing to me, but all of the character actors were great, especially Law & Order SVU's Christopher Meloni, a riot as a whacked-out psychopathic henchman.

I was a bit disappointed in the editing, although some shots and editing are clever. Some of the editing decisions are explained in the commentary, which I found to be a hoot and which genuinely enriched my experience of the film. Too bad all of the stars showed up late for the commentary session, Tilly and Gershon coming in about 30 minutes before the end of the flick!

This is not a lesbian suspense film; it's a suspense film in which the protagonists are lesbians. The film attempts, I think successfully, to make their lesbianism seem normal. ... Read more

Reviews (915)

A refreshingly original masterpiece.
Christopher Nolan's 'Memento' is unlike any other film you'll ever see, a piece of film noir so original and so tense, it will stick with you for days. Told in reverse, the film follows Leonard (Guy Pearce) as he tries to find the man who raped and murdered his wife. There's just one snag: Leonard suffered a brain injury while trying to protect his wife that fateful evening. He can no longer make new memories, only able to recall his life before the event, everything else fading away within minutes. He wakes every morning still expecting to see his wife, never remembering who to trust and who to fear. Relying on Polaroids and tattoos to keep track of clues he drifts on, forever looking for a man who may be a lot closer then he thinks. From this premise, writer/director Nolan weaves a perfectly crafted tale which unravels itself slowly and methodically through flashbacks. We, like Leonard, are completely lost. By starting at the 'end' of the film, we gather more and more information as the story is presented, a chunk at a time, until the shocking finish, which makes the preceding 110 minutes all the more devastating. 'Memento' is a perfectly executed film, full of wonderful montages and unpredictable twists and turns. The cast shines. Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano are by turns sympathetic and heart-breaking and Pearce has never been better. There are few films out there that truly attempt at reinventing a genre and even less that succeed. This is one of those films and it is not to be missed. If I see a better movie then 'Memento' this year, I will be greatly surprised. A masterpiece.

"Momento" is a Courageous and Challenging Masterpiece
Guy Pearce deserves an Academy Award nomination for portraying a man no sane person should ever envy. An Academy Award nomination is also warranted for Joe Pantoliano in his supporting role of Teddy. The character Leonard is permanently brain damaged by a criminal during the latter's sexual assault attack upon his wife. A blow on the head leaves Leonard with total short term memory loss. Leonard searches for those responsible to bring them to justice and also provide meaning to his life.

The action is fast paced and riveting. We observe Leonard trying to hopelessly unravel the mystery by writing down copious notes, taking countless Poloroid snap shots, and even having tattoos concerning supposed evidence placed all over his body. Who can he trust? Is the mysterious Teddy a friend or foe? Leonard succumbs to the charms and pleas of the bartender played by Carrie-Anne Moss. We see her as mean and manipulative, but Leonard is nonetheless beguiled by her pretended well meaning earnestness. Yet, is she truly despicable or merely hiding a warm heart behind a cold exterior? The highly talented character actor Stephen Tobolowsky brings much depth to his role of Sammy Jankis. Leonard is riddled with guilt for his earlier handling of Sammy's insurance claim. Is this guilt justified, or is Sammy truly a con man? Director Christopher Nolen splendidly uses flash backs to help us follow the plot. The screen writing is simply fantastic. Rarely has so little been accomplished with such a small budget. Nolen is also to be congratulated for not selling out to the Hollywood financial establishment by changing the story line to attract a wider audience. We leave the theater somewhat frustrated wondering how to distinguish between fact and fantasy. How do we make sense of what we just saw? A real life Leonard, though, is doomed to never realizing the significance of his most recent actions. Nolen makes us suffer the same fate.

The director is not indulging in silly decontructionist existential claptrap like Sean Penn's absurdly awful "The Pledge." This is not a brain dead pretentious film that dares us to declare that the emperor is wearing no clothes. Nolen is instead inviting us to consider how a human being might adjust in real life to a horrifying predicament that thankfully few of us will ever have to endure. I have absolutely no hesitation in giving this great film 5 stars.

This film is horrible. Please, don't waist your time.
I don't have to say much about this movie to let you know don't waist you time or money. I paid $21 for it through Columiba house. I relied upon the good comments of others before I bought it. It was boring, sensless, and a downright waist of time. If you must put yourself through such torture at least go rent it. The only movie that comes close to such idiocy is The Man Who Fell to Earth.

One major flaw!
I thought this was an excellent film. The script was absolutely original and really kept you guessing until the very end. I give it four stars but I found one problem that really blows the whole concept. If he can't remember anything that happened after the attack how does he know anything about his illness. He seems to wake up fine and know that he has this problem of no short-term memory. It doesn't seem like he should be able to remember that. I may be being a little picky but it does seem crucial the plot.

More Mystery Than Murder.. Still an Ingenius Movie
Just goes to show that you act on instinct when your memory goes....It's as simple as that ... Read more

Reviews (71)

The Odd Couple
Midnight Run is solid action comedy that has a fine cast, a clever and witty script, and confident director calling the shots. The film also was the first time that I remember tough guy Robert De Niro making me laugh.

Bounty Hunter Jack Walsh (De Niro) is hired by the mob to bring in one of their accountants, Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin), for stealing some of their cash. The cross country trip seems like easy money for Walsh, after all, how much trouble could an accountant be? Walsh soon discovers that he'd much rather have a bullet wound than put up with Jonathan, a germ-a-phobic neat freak, who's also affraid to fly. Soon the two men discover that the mob and the Feds are getting restless. FBI Agent Alonzo Mosely (Yaphet Kotto) and his team are traking them, as are the mafia's Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina) and Eddie (Joe Pantoliano).

The team of De Niro and Grodin is just great, and harkens back to the chemistry between Lemmon and Mathau, in all of their work together. Grodin is the perfect foil for De Niro and vice versa. Extra Kudos to De Niro, as he underplays it all, until just the right moment. After which, you are sure he is really going to kill Grodin for real. The script by George Gallo is filled with enough laughs, action and close calls for two films. Directed by Martin Breast, Midnight Run is a fine follow up to Beverly Hills Cop, in the action comedy genre.

As good as the film is, the DVD extras, left me disappointed. Aside from, a brief making of feturette and the theatrical trailer, there's not much else. Special edition anyone?. Still, if you want something to watch that will make you chuckle, then Midnight Run should fit the bill

TOP NOTCH ACTION COMEDY!!!
This is the story of a bounty hunter (De Niro) trying to get to LA with white collar criminal (Grodin) to collect a million dollar bounty. Unfortunately for him though, not only his bounty ann incessant pain in the ass but he's also got the mob, the Feds and another bounty hunter all trying to stop him collecting his pay check. Midnight Run is a rare gem, a top class action comedy with one of the most unusual screen "buddy" partnerships in cinematic history, which has sadly been somewhat overlooked by the majority of people and that's a great shame because it boasts great characters, great comedy, great action scenes, a wonderful plot and a brilliant script with stand-out performances from Dennis Farina, Charles Grodin and in particular Robert De Niro who proves what a great comedic (as well as character) actor he is. Expertly directed by Martin Brest, who directed Beverly Hills Cop (and Scent Of A Woman), this is in my opinion a much better movie than the much lauded Eddie Murphy movie and a must see, particularly if you are a fan of Robert De Niro. In fact it is so good I'd give the movie five stars if it weren't for the lack of extras on the DVD but (especially at a budget price) this is definitely one well worth adding to your collection.

FAST-PACED, WHACKY, A DAZZLING TALE OF FRIENDSHIP AND MORALS
One of the funniest films ever made that still manages to hold up an engaging plot. A total winner.

It features some of the most genuinely stupid and amusing tough guys in the history of cinema, and a tantalizing slow burn by Deniro, a shortchanged ex-cop, who just wants a peaceful little coffee shop as payment for his decency and integrity. The comic chemistry between Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin is top-drawer. Surrounded on all side by ethical infants, these two characters at least know the difference between virtue and vice, and are ironically the moral backbone of the film.

Comedies that don't wallow in their humor are twice as much fun, and Midnight Run maintains a swift pace throughout. Situation-wise, it's a dynamo of action. I found the denouement to be quite moving as well, at the very least it provokes thought.

If you're looking for a comedy with depth, bite, wit and excitement, then catch Midnight Run. The DVD's spiffy special features quite simply reinforce my recommendation of purchasing this one, not just renting.

Perhaps the best "buddy" film ever made
The story focuses on a man that has jumped bail named Johnathan "The Duke" Mardukas ( Charles Grodin). Mardukas is the ex-account of a Las Vegas mob boss named Jimmy Serrano ( Dennis Farina). The Duke embezzled millions of dollars from Serrano and gave it away to charity before being arrested. Eddie Marcone (Joe Pantoliano)is the bail bondsman that bailed The Duke out of jail. Marcone only has 5 days left, before the bond is forfieted and he is out $100,000. So he sends bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert DeNiro)to retrieve The Duke and bring him back. Unfortunately, Jimmy Serrano wants The Duke dead, and sends two hitmen to kill him. Not to mention the fact that the F.B.I. want to be the ones who bring The Duke to justice. If things couldn't get any worse, there is also a rival bounty hunter named Marvin ( John Ashton)who is trying to bring The Duke in himself. Now it is up to Jack to keep The Duke alive and in one piece, while avoiding Marvin, the FBI, and the two mafia hitmen that are hot on their tails. However, with The Duke constantly trying to escape Jack's custody, Jack begins to realize that he is in for much more than he bargained for.

Midnight Run is without a doubt the best "buddy" film ever made. The reason is because Jack and The Duke's friendship takes the whole movie to develop. Nothing about their relationship is cut and dry. The Duke will do something to make Jack like him one minute, and then upset him the next with repeated escape attempts. The film also features the perfect mix of action and comedy as well. There are certain points in the film that are extremely funny and entertaining. The dialogue in this film is first rate. Then you are also drawn into the film because there are so many obstacles Jack and The Duke must overcome on their way to L.A.. There are tons of close calls in this film. The two mafia hitmen, the FBI, and Marvin the bounty hunter are all equally close to catching up with them. Robert DeNiro has had a lot of great performances. However, I still feel after all these years that his performance in "Midnight Run" is one of the best he ever gave. Charles Grodin manages to be just as good, and even better than DeNiro at times. DeNiro and Grodin's personalities are so different, that they end up making the perfect pair.

After all these years, "Midnight Run" is still a favorite of mine. I have seen the film many times, and it seems to get better after each viewing. Overall, the film features first rate laughs, an action packed story, and great performances from DeNiro, Grodin, Dennis Farina, and Joe Pantoliano. This is definately a must own film.

A solid 5 stars...

Easily, best movie I've ever seen...nothing can come close..
Best line ever in a movie: "That's right and i got two words for you: Shut the f.;k up!" Watch the ad-libs on the bus as Grodin bugs him to put the cigarette out, DeNiro has to hold from laughing, holding a sick smile, going, "I can't believe this f'n guy"...DeNiro, Pantiliano, Grodin, Ashton, Farina, Kotto,...with a great script by Gallo, Brest directing, Danny Elfman's bluesy music...are you kidding me...this movie is funny, touching, adventorous...just watch it...it's one that never grows old cause' it says so much about all of us... ... Read more

Reviews (551)

A fun, dark superhero film
No, it's not as good as Tim Burton's Batman, nor the original Superman or the recent Spiderman movies. But Daredevil still is a good comic book film that wins much of my praise by being true to the page in creating a very dark character in a harsh world

Still, it is not without its flaws, and if it weren't for some very unique traits I would rate this film as only mediocre. But what works here works exceptionally well. Beginning with the traditional origin story of Daredevil (Ben Affleck), a blind superhero whose remaining senses are greatly heightened, the movie shows how he became a vengeful vigilante who kills the bad guys rather then turning them in to face a potentially corrupt court system (Daredevil's alter ego Matt Murdock is a lawyer by day). This world is mean, and so is its superhero. But he wrestles with his conscious and wonders if he is a bad guy too. In this comic book world, people die. Including those you don't expect to. In other words, it more accurately depicts real life while still in a superhero world.

One particular unique thing about the film is how it illustrates Daredevil's radar sense. The vibrations he picks up are shown in a fantastic visual effect that has to be one of the best film realizations of a superpower in history. From the origin scene when he goes blind to a wonderful scene with Elecktra in the rain where he first "sees" what she looks like from the drops of rain on her face, the technique is used for characterization and "film moments," and never just to show off a cool special effect.

Unfortunately, the movie isn't perfect. There isn't enough development of Elecktra and Daredevil's relationship, and bad guy Kingpin (Michael Clark Duncan) doesn't have enough screentime to villainify his presence. All the characters could have benefited from further characterization as well. But this is a comic book movie, after all, and in the end what matters most is how much fun it was. And Daredevil is a blast.

Truth Or Dare
Daredevil is yet another comic book hero that takes a crack at movie stardom. Created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett in 1964, for Marvel Comics, the film adaptation ends up as a mixed effort at best.

At the age of 12, young Matt Murdock (Scott Terra) is left blinded by dangerous chemicals, while running away from a the scene of a crime, in Hell's Kitchen New York. Soon after, he realizes that the same chemicals that took his sight, have somehow enhanced his remaining senses and made him superhuman. As Matt grows up. he vows to use his powers to fight crime and bring order to Hell's Kitchen...Now an adult Matt (Ben Affleck) is a defense lawyer by day and the masked Daredevil by night...Our hero is being hunted by a ruthless assassin named Bullseye (Colin Farrell), who was hired by the Kingpin of Crime (Michael Clarke Duncan) to take him out. Things get even worse for Matt as the woman he loves, Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner), blames his alter ego for a devasting loss.

Written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, the film serves the character's origins pretty well, in other words, it stays true to the original comic book.. The film boasts some cool action sequences and solid effects. I especially liked the way in which Daredevil used his power and how that was shown on screen. Since many of the stunts in the movie were staged by the team that handled the Matrix. I was never bored or put off by what I saw there. As usual actors Jon Favreau, playing Matt's pal Frank Nelson, and Joe Pantoliano, as New York Post reporter Ben Urich provide the film some comic relief. Cameo watchers will notice creator Stan Lee and a famous comic book fan turned film director in the film as well.

While the film does have its good points, I found the casting of the film troublesome, and in the end, that's why I only rate this film 2 and a half to three stars. When it comes right down to it, in order for a super hero film to work, it has to be well cast. Without a solid cast to breathe life into the characters, the best special effects can't do it alone. Take the villians. Colin Farrell (can you say over exposed), Hollywood's latest rebel, with his raspy portrayal of Bullseye, come sacross as having a bad case of laryngitis, instead of posing any threat. I also thought the nature of the Kingpin character was lost because other than the film's finale-MCD really had little to do in the film-even though sequels are a certainty, the role was all too brief. Therefore I felt any bald actor could have played the role.As for Affleck, he was just kind of just there, like so many of his roles, he seems to be on cruise control. He did Ok I guess. But at the same time he didn't WOW me either. As good as Garner may be at kicking butt, I didn't think she
shared a lot of chemestry, with Affleck and she seemed to over play it at times in the film. My final gripe with Daredevil is its running time. At just above 90 minutes, the film felt rushed for a comic book flick Fans of the character will see the film anyway. All others might want to skip it and wait for it to come out on video or DVD

Daredevil rocks with or without the mask
Affleck has never been my favorite actor but his Matt Murdock made this movie for me. I can relate to his desire to see justice done and to stand up for the little guy. I loved it that he only defends clients that he believes are innocent even if they can't pay him. I also liked the fact that he grappled with his own morality and battled to keep his desire for revenge from getting in the way of his desire for justice. The Kingpin is Daredevil's enemy and like Daredevil he comes from a violent past. It's Daredevil's struggle to remain on the side of justice that makes him different from the Kingpin. They are as different as they are the same. Will there be a Daredevil sequel? Daredevil was a money maker and the plan all along was to get Elektra off the ground next and that's what's still being planned. We'll have to stay tuned to see exactly what's next for Daredevil at the movies. Meanwhile we have the Daredevil DVD. It's too bad so many people insist on wanting Daredevil to be another Spiderman but I like Daredevil for he is. With or without the mask Matt Murdock is a guy with his heart in the right place who struggles with his demons and tries to do what's right.
I like that.

A FEW MISTAKES, BUT OVER ALL PRETTY GOOD
First of all I would like to say that I am a big Marvel comics fan, and I happen to think that Ben Affleck is a good actor. Now with that said....

Lets get the mistakes out of the way first.

1.There was not enough time spent with the Kingpin, we should have gotten his back story as well. [he was white in the comics, but Mr. Duncan did a good job.

2.some moments wee very cheesy. [see foryourself]

3.And finally.....that's it.

The film was actually better then I thought it would be, I mean after the Hulk came out I thought Marvel was slippin. I now see that I should have seen this in theatures. I can just imagine what it would have looked and sounded like on the big screen.
The effecs in this film were off the hook as well, as well as the camera angles courtesy off Ericson Bore. As far as dialouge goes that could have been a little better at times but over all good, that would be credited to mark steven johnson. I also liked the fact that one of my favorite filmmakers shows up, Kevin Smith. That right there alone makes me want to buy it, oh wait I already did. Casting was on point with this on, putting Ben Affleck as Daredevil was like putting Tobey as peter parker it's a perfect match. And Michael Duncan did a good job as The Kingpin Wilson Fisk. I think the addition of Colin Ferrell as Bullseye was key, he did an excellent job. And Jennifer Garrner did an ok job as Elektra, could have been a little better. Over all I feel that this was a pretty good film, u should check it out.

the man without fear
lets get its flaws out of the way first.its not necessary to show a small boy being blinded,screaming in agony at the hospital and the like.what is it with movie makers and graphic portrayels of kids suffering?damn!would you all stop it already.the whole daredevil comic was also summed up in one movie.it has been out a long time.some of daredevils stunts all over the rooftops were hardly belivable,especialy for a blind man.and lastly,that the kingpin is a gigantic,fat white guy not a pretty big,thick,black man.are we color blind?does it just not matter what a guys color is?i bet you a lot of people would get mad if a movie got made about oprah with rosanne playing her or one about martin king with danny devto cast as the doc.now the cat woman is black too.this is stupid.can eveyone just stay the right color please?in this one a kid gets blinded .his other senses get bettter,but his take off to super extraordinary levels.he becomes the daredevil.lawyer by day,masked vigilante by night.well,the kingpin whos now a homeboy crimeboss.since were on the subject,crimeBOSSES,are almost always white.the thugs are black.check your statistics!but,anyway the kingpin is getting pod that his men keep getting wasted.yes,they are white.so,he gets this crazy irish guy called bulleseye to kill him.bulleseye has a few powers of his own.1-anything whatsoever he picks up,he can use lethaly.2-he never misses-except in this movie when hes fighting the daredevil,3-his bones are laced like wolverines with admantium.im betting they didnt use that in the movie either.ben affleck plays daredevil.it is the best ben affleck movie ever! i like jay and silent bob strikes back better.but he was in that for only a few minutes and whined like a littlke girl the whole time.youre the parent you make the call with this one.i couldnt really say.it is one of the better comic book films lately.if you liked them,youll like this one too.elektra is a long time rival of daredevils in the comic book but here shes his girlfriend and she is HOT!!!!!!!!!too bad she never goes full frontal.hype says its not that good.the real deal is its better than the average comic flick.the action is awesome.there is a fight between dd and everyone i named.will there be a sequel?if you watched the credits,and lets be honest,nobody does,you ll see bullseye all muffed up in a hospital bed.now this did happen...........wait a minute!no it didnt!daredevil had a building fall on him from bulleseye.nevermind!its a good movie.the creators just had a hard time seeing to make it with thier heads so far up thuer asses.maybe thats why its about a blind guy. ... Read more

Reviews (167)

Wild and Hilarious
It took them 8 years, but Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back for Bad Boys II taking on the evil Cuban Ecstasy cartel and BOY does 8 years make a difference.

THE STORY

Miami P.D. cops Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Smith) return to the big screen to take down a Cuban Ecstasy distribution ring. In between raising havoc on the streets of Miami and dealing with some personal issues (Mike's too much of a loose cannon and Mark's getting too old for this stuff) the boys, like in the first movie, wind up in some pretty hilarious situations.

THE COOL STUFF

The action is awesome and the comedy is still as sophomoric and hilarious as ever (that's a GOOD thing). Eight years makes a BIG difference in the terms of special effects and Bad Boys II has taken some pages out of the Matrix, CSI and Fast and Furious in terms of FX and action. The result as the Boys would say is some real COOL [stuff].

Best Scenes

1. The Freeway CHASES

2. Rat Hunting (Hilarious!!!)

3. The Video Store Scene (HILARIOUS!!!!)

4. The Morgue scene (gross, but funny)

THE CRITIQUE

The one MINOR critique with the film is its length!!! At a whopping 2 and half hours this thing is long but thankfully doesn't drag. The action is so intense it's a literal whirlwind ride. The movie DOES take a page from Pearl Harbor though in that JUST when you think the movie is about to end a new plot development opens up and continues for another half hour. The movie may very well have been better to have cut just a half hour earlier but the action in the last half hour, while feeling tacked on, was just as solid as anything else.

THE DVD EXTRAS

Well, not only do you get a stacked movie, but you also get a STACKED set of extras. So much, in fact, that they needed to put it on a whole extra disk.

Among the goodies we get are:

1. 8 theatrical trailers

2. Seven deleted scenes

3. Six sequence breakdowns

4. 19 production diary featurettes

5. A Jay-Z video

Waaay too much to get into but if you're an extras fiend you've got a whole extra disk of it to go through.

THE VERDICT

This is your prototype modern day action flick: pounding soundtrack, TONS of guns, TONS of cars and some pretty wicked street humor to go along with it. Whether you buy it or rent, it's a solid film to watch and a solid addition to your collection if you're into it.

GRADES

The Movie: 5 stars
The Extras: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars

Highly Recommended

The Quality of DVD Authoring = Bad
Bad Boys II was a great movie to watch, full of action humor. Some of the camera work for this movie was truly amazing, and a lot of original ideas were explored. but the intent of this short review unfortunately isn't all praise.

While I liked the movie, the DVD itself was disappointing. The Second disc is loaded with cool extra features that didn't disappoint. However, the main feature was flawed. Chapters 10 through 14 (From Phat's Electronics until the chapter when Smith and Lawrence pick up the KKK guy from jail and put him in the trunk) are interlaced, which is really odd. It's hard encoded 3-2 interlacing, 3 progressive frames followed by 2 interlaced ones. Watching on a normal TV, you wouldn't notice at all, as they display interlaced images. However, on any HIgh definition system (Including a computer), these 4 chapters will look like utter crap. On my home theater system which includes a High-Def Projector with a built in Ti deinterlacer, these 4 chapters still looked bad. So, in short,

IF YOU HAVE A HIGH DEFINITION SYSTEM, DO NOT BUY THIS DVD!

I think this was simply an authoring mistake, but it is one which really annoys me. I haven't seen this information posted anywhere, so I felt the need for a review. Hope this was helpful for some.

mindless
Modern movie action, not much of a story. All special effects and crazy car chases.

cvsnxdf
a very good action movie. a lot of great car chases and shootouts. also a funny movie. the exta features are not very good.

Long Film But Funny Nonetheless
I actually liked this one better than the first! Could've done without all the language though. Even the Lethal Weapon films didn't have all that cursing but other than that.

Don't get me wrong, I ain't bashing that part of it. It has it place but a lot of times they were just cursing just to be doing it it seemed. Still a great film overall and a nice touch adding the incredible Gabrielle Union to the mix! ... Read more

Reviews (551)

A fun, dark superhero film
No, it's not as good as Tim Burton's Batman, nor the original Superman or the recent Spiderman movies. But Daredevil still is a good comic book film that wins much of my praise by being true to the page in creating a very dark character in a harsh world

Still, it is not without its flaws, and if it weren't for some very unique traits I would rate this film as only mediocre. But what works here works exceptionally well. Beginning with the traditional origin story of Daredevil (Ben Affleck), a blind superhero whose remaining senses are greatly heightened, the movie shows how he became a vengeful vigilante who kills the bad guys rather then turning them in to face a potentially corrupt court system (Daredevil's alter ego Matt Murdock is a lawyer by day). This world is mean, and so is its superhero. But he wrestles with his conscious and wonders if he is a bad guy too. In this comic book world, people die. Including those you don't expect to. In other words, it more accurately depicts real life while still in a superhero world.

One particular unique thing about the film is how it illustrates Daredevil's radar sense. The vibrations he picks up are shown in a fantastic visual effect that has to be one of the best film realizations of a superpower in history. From the origin scene when he goes blind to a wonderful scene with Elecktra in the rain where he first "sees" what she looks like from the drops of rain on her face, the technique is used for characterization and "film moments," and never just to show off a cool special effect.

Unfortunately, the movie isn't perfect. There isn't enough development of Elecktra and Daredevil's relationship, and bad guy Kingpin (Michael Clark Duncan) doesn't have enough screentime to villainify his presence. All the characters could have benefited from further characterization as well. But this is a comic book movie, after all, and in the end what matters most is how much fun it was. And Daredevil is a blast.

Truth Or Dare
Daredevil is yet another comic book hero that takes a crack at movie stardom. Created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett in 1964, for Marvel Comics, the film adaptation ends up as a mixed effort at best.

At the age of 12, young Matt Murdock (Scott Terra) is left blinded by dangerous chemicals, while running away from a the scene of a crime, in Hell's Kitchen New York. Soon after, he realizes that the same chemicals that took his sight, have somehow enhanced his remaining senses and made him superhuman. As Matt grows up. he vows to use his powers to fight crime and bring order to Hell's Kitchen...Now an adult Matt (Ben Affleck) is a defense lawyer by day and the masked Daredevil by night...Our hero is being hunted by a ruthless assassin named Bullseye (Colin Farrell), who was hired by the Kingpin of Crime (Michael Clarke Duncan) to take him out. Things get even worse for Matt as the woman he loves, Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner), blames his alter ego for a devasting loss.

Written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, the film serves the character's origins pretty well, in other words, it stays true to the original comic book.. The film boasts some cool action sequences and solid effects. I especially liked the way in which Daredevil used his power and how that was shown on screen. Since many of the stunts in the movie were staged by the team that handled the Matrix. I was never bored or put off by what I saw there. As usual actors Jon Favreau, playing Matt's pal Frank Nelson, and Joe Pantoliano, as New York Post reporter Ben Urich provide the film some comic relief. Cameo watchers will notice creator Stan Lee and a famous comic book fan turned film director in the film as well.

While the film does have its good points, I found the casting of the film troublesome, and in the end, that's why I only rate this film 2 and a half to three stars. When it comes right down to it, in order for a super hero film to work, it has to be well cast. Without a solid cast to breathe life into the characters, the best special effects can't do it alone. Take the villians. Colin Farrell (can you say over exposed), Hollywood's latest rebel, with his raspy portrayal of Bullseye, come sacross as having a bad case of laryngitis, instead of posing any threat. I also thought the nature of the Kingpin character was lost because other than the film's finale-MCD really had little to do in the film-even though sequels are a certainty, the role was all too brief. Therefore I felt any bald actor could have played the role.As for Affleck, he was just kind of just there, like so many of his roles, he seems to be on cruise control. He did Ok I guess. But at the same time he didn't WOW me either. As good as Garner may be at kicking butt, I didn't think she
shared a lot of chemestry, with Affleck and she seemed to over play it at times in the film. My final gripe with Daredevil is its running time. At just above 90 minutes, the film felt rushed for a comic book flick Fans of the character will see the film anyway. All others might want to skip it and wait for it to come out on video or DVD

Daredevil rocks with or without the mask
Affleck has never been my favorite actor but his Matt Murdock made this movie for me. I can relate to his desire to see justice done and to stand up for the little guy. I loved it that he only defends clients that he believes are innocent even if they can't pay him. I also liked the fact that he grappled with his own morality and battled to keep his desire for revenge from getting in the way of his desire for justice. The Kingpin is Daredevil's enemy and like Daredevil he comes from a violent past. It's Daredevil's struggle to remain on the side of justice that makes him different from the Kingpin. They are as different as they are the same. Will there be a Daredevil sequel? Daredevil was a money maker and the plan all along was to get Elektra off the ground next and that's what's still being planned. We'll have to stay tuned to see exactly what's next for Daredevil at the movies. Meanwhile we have the Daredevil DVD. It's too bad so many people insist on wanting Daredevil to be another Spiderman but I like Daredevil for he is. With or without the mask Matt Murdock is a guy with his heart in the right place who struggles with his demons and tries to do what's right.
I like that.

A FEW MISTAKES, BUT OVER ALL PRETTY GOOD
First of all I would like to say that I am a big Marvel comics fan, and I happen to think that Ben Affleck is a good actor. Now with that said....

Lets get the mistakes out of the way first.

1.There was not enough time spent with the Kingpin, we should have gotten his back story as well. [he was white in the comics, but Mr. Duncan did a good job.

2.some moments wee very cheesy. [see foryourself]

3.And finally.....that's it.

The film was actually better then I thought it would be, I mean after the Hulk came out I thought Marvel was slippin. I now see that I should have seen this in theatures. I can just imagine what it would have looked and sounded like on the big screen.
The effecs in this film were off the hook as well, as well as the camera angles courtesy off Ericson Bore. As far as dialouge goes that could have been a little better at times but over all good, that would be credited to mark steven johnson. I also liked the fact that one of my favorite filmmakers shows up, Kevin Smith. That right there alone makes me want to buy it, oh wait I already did. Casting was on point with this on, putting Ben Affleck as Daredevil was like putting Tobey as peter parker it's a perfect match. And Michael Duncan did a good job as The Kingpin Wilson Fisk. I think the addition of Colin Ferrell as Bullseye was key, he did an excellent job. And Jennifer Garrner did an ok job as Elektra, could have been a little better. Over all I feel that this was a pretty good film, u should check it out.

the man without fear
lets get its flaws out of the way first.its not necessary to show a small boy being blinded,screaming in agony at the hospital and the like.what is it with movie makers and graphic portrayels of kids suffering?damn!would you all stop it already.the whole daredevil comic was also summed up in one movie.it has been out a long time.some of daredevils stunts all over the rooftops were hardly belivable,especialy for a blind man.and lastly,that the kingpin is a gigantic,fat white guy not a pretty big,thick,black man.are we color blind?does it just not matter what a guys color is?i bet you a lot of people would get mad if a movie got made about oprah with rosanne playing her or one about martin kin