Reviews (112)

Classic!
This epic comedy adventure begins with Pee-Wee getting out of bed and playing with his toys like a normal...whatever he is. He fixes himself and his dog Speck breakfast with a fancy breakfast-making contraption and weighs himself. The scale reads 98 lbs. and gives him the ominous daily horoscope "Don't leave the house today."

Of course, our hero ignores this advice so he can go to the store and pick up the horn for his bike. He parks his bicycle, visits the Magic Shop, then to Chuck's Bike-O-Rama. But when he comes back, his treasured bike has been stolen!

To begin his search for his bike, he sees a fortune teller, who tells him it's in the basement of the Alamo. This starts him on his journey, which has him hitching rides with convicts and phantom truck drivers; working in a restaurant; riding bucking broncos; hanging out with bikers; and finally, ending up at Warner Bros. Studios. He knows that his bike is there, but getting it back won't be easy!

Tim Burton's over-dramatic directing gives the movie a feeling more like a cartoon than a live-action movie, and Reubens' acting is great. The plot is simple yet exciting, since there's always a good joke or something interesting happening. Danny Elfman's lively score for the movie is the perfect accent to the adventure.

This is my pick for one of the greatest movies of all time.

Large Marge Sent Me...
...and she said that if you don't get this feature-packed DVD, you'll be missing out on a real treat! We all know the film is funny and inspired: Mr. Reubens and Mr. Burton made magic on a budget. But this picture holds up like Miss Yvonne's hairdo and the generous additions take full advantage of the DVD format. The commentary by the star and the director is quite casual and down-to-earth. No pretense here. It's as much a treat to hear them covet certain props and reveal which they "kept" after the film as it is to learn how Tim Burton got the director's job. There is also an interesting, informative piece that features production sketches set to commentary from the set designer. Extremely cool. Danny Elfman also talks about his memorable score on an isolated track. The salvaged bits in the "Deleted Scenes" section are a bit rough visually but worthwhile nonetheless. Cool DVD interface, too. Your money will be well-spent on this. Paging Mr. Herman, Mr. Pee-wee Herman...

A one-of-a-kind classic comedy
It is really such a shame about what happened to actor Paul Reubens and his alter-ego Pee-wee Herman. This is an absolutely delightful, one-of-a-kind classic comedy. The follow-up film, Big Top Pee Wee, while it has it's moments, can't possibly even begin to compare. As one film critic said of this film at the time it was released, just leave your sanity at the door and enjoy it!!

Unwatchable
This film made me physically sick. Peewee has a grating personality and the jokes were... well... uninspired at best. Skip it and watch something funnier... like paint drying or the teletubbies.

I must admit, I only got through the first 25 minutes before I had to turn it off. Maybe the last hour transcended the first part, but I wouldn't put a wager on it.

Paging Mr. Herman...
This movie is truly one of my all-time favorites. I love it because I've seen it tons of times and each time I laugh again. Every scene I could easily call my favorite scene. This movie is great for fans of the show. I would recommend this movie to anyone with a sense of humor. ... Read more

Reviews (68)

An actress way out of her depth
As a public service to high school students who has been assigned to read The Scarlet Letter and decided to watch this movie to cheat, I have one word of advice: don't. (Unless you are certain that your teacher majored in secondary education instead of a real subject.In that case, go ahead. She or he won't know the difference.) This film has only the most tenuous connection with the Hawthorne novel. The novel was a study in contrasts between the hypocrisy of the Puritan clergy, people as superstitious, arrogant, and self-righteous as Hollywood types with causes, and the nobility and courage of a "fallen woman" willing to undergo public humiliation to protect someone she loves. This is, instead, a romance novel, a bad romance novel, on film. As far as I can tell, the new-and-improved plot exists mostly to give Demi Moore a excuse to get rolled in the hay. Her ability to fake (I assume) an orgasm is impressive, and she cries on command very well. Other than that her performance was embarrassing to watch. She really ought not to attempt period pieces. They often require acting. The only reason I didn't hit the eject button about a third of the way through was the fine supporting cast whose performances only heighten the contrast with Ms Moore. There are actors and actresses, and there are movie stars; Ms Moore is the latter. (Why is it that so many British actresses can do flawless American accents and most Hollywood stars do British accents so badly it is like listening to fingernails on a blackboard?) Unless your erotic recreation requires the juxtaposition of barns, petticoats, and fear of the authorities, skip this one.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!?!
I read all of the reviews for this film and even amazon trashed it! Here is my question. If you read the book, and you know that whenever they turn a book into a movie it's going to be an obvious abomination, what the hell are you expecting. Cast all preconceived notions aside and just enjoy the flick! The Scarlet Letter was a wonderfully acted and directed spectacle for the eyes. I am not really what you would consider a "Demi Moore fan" but I think she did a remarkable job here. The scene where Matumba is bathing is enriched with metaphorical images that strikes a chord in the imagination department, all the while as the movie's integral scene is taking place between Demi and Gary Oldham, is this not cinematic splendour? Yes I will admit, I never read the book, maybe that is why I enjoyed Scarlet. Overall, this is a descent movie. It takes you back in time and lets you relive the puritan hell days on earth, all over again. A great Thanksgiving movie, wouldn't you say?

We still love you Demi!

Oldman does it again!
Not a big fan of Romance movies, but a sucker for anything Oldman stars in, I bought this DVD without ever having read the first thing about it. And once more? I cannot say I was dissappointed.

The story is about Hester Prynne (Demi Moore), a young wife who travels to the new world to prepare for her husband's arrival. She ends up in a conservative community, who are rather shocked with her modern ways of dealing with certain things.

When Hester's husband travels to the new world, he is believed to be murdered by the Indians. She falls in love with the Reverend Dimmsdale (Oldman), whose feelings match hers. Out of their love, a child is conceived. However, since her husband hasn't been proven dead, the child is seen by the community as being born out of wedlock.

The conservative and very religious communion demands Hester to name the father of the child, which she denies. She's locked up in prison and has her baby there, while Dimmsdale is torn over whether to step forward as the baby's father.

Hester then is freed but ordered to walk around town wearing a Scarlet Letter 'A', which is meant to belittle her whereever she goes.

Shortly after the child is born, her husband (Robert Duvall) suddenly reappears, and tries to incite the indians (whom he befriended) to act against the community. Single-handedly, he manages to offset the fragile peace that was between the two peoples.

Moore doesn't do too bad of a job as Hester, Duvall is good as the husband, but Oldman still manages to steal the show. All in all, even though I don't enjoy romances, the movie managed to keep me amused.

Scarlet Letter
Although the movie veered off from where the book went, I found that, differently from the book, the movie focused more on the intimacy between Hester and Dimmsdale (which for the hopeless romantics out there like me-- is a perk!) I loved the actor who plays Dimmsdale and Demi Moore comes through with a strong performace as well.

Letter "S" for sizzling!
Demi Moore is an early American colonist who loses her husband in a Native American attack. She seeks a new soulmate with the town doctor. She gets pregnant out of wedlock which is deemed sinful by the colony & is branded for her adultery by being forced to wear the scarlet letter "A" everywhere she goes.
And to make matters worse, her husband wasn't killed in the attack & he seeks revenge on the man who got his wife pregnant. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Cool comedy thriller
I really liked this movie. Justin Berfield is always great and Robert Carridine was a likeable Dad. My favorite was the humorous villain, Mr X played by the British star Martin Jarvis. I loved him in Titanic and Buster and here he was different again - keen to dominate the world, just like a James Bond bad guy. Great fun - all our family loved it.

Justin Berfield
Justin Berfield Defenatly adds Major Pionts, cuz he is soooo Hott! This movie is only good cuz of him!

it's okay
The best thing about this movie is that Justin Berfield is extremely good-looking and funny. Otherwise it was sorta corny. Check out "Mom, can I keep her"; Justin is in that one too.

Justin is a diamond in the rough
This seemed like a typical young kid vs. bad guys movie. But having Justin Berfield as the star made it a 5 star film. He has such good comic timing. The scene in the middle was classic---where Justin was fixing macaroni & cheese and he was singing and dancing in his uncle's kitchen.   

Typical kiddie fodder
Were it not for Justin Berfield starring, I probably would have passed on this one. He is one of my favorite young actors though, so I gave it a view. The story was good and there was plenty of action; but the rest of the actors were only so-so. (Especially the girl who played the lifeguard; she seemed bored.) If you're a fan of Justin's work---check out the TV show "Unhappily Ever After". Justin is way funnier than his older brother on the show. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

LOW BUDGET SCI-FI HORROR FUN!
If you enjoy low budget, independent horror and sci-fi films, CREATURE is definitely one to own. Klaus Kinski's performance alone, as a lecherous survivor, is worth watching this film for. While it is certainly a low budget effort (made for less than 4 million dollars), the effects, for the most part, are good, and there are some genuinely chilling scenes. It's more a moody, highly atmospheric, and at times even somewhat introspective kind of film than it is an all out action movie, but there are plenty of surprises and scares and again, it's a lot of fun. After the enormous success of ALIEN, several imitations and Alien-like films were made in the 80s, most of them low budget and cheesy. Of all the low budget movies the success of ALIEN spawned, CREATURE is by far the best. It's not Citizen Kane, OK? But it's not supposed to be. It's fun, it's scary, and on DVD it's well worth the price.

What A Piece Of Crap!!!
A genuine rip-off of Alien. Cliched to the extreme. Acting was pathethic, even Kinski. Special-effects were crap, even for mid-nineteen eighties. Sorry I just couldn't find any possitives about this movie. I rest my case.

it has its charm
This 1985 SciFi/Horror film is poorly made. The acting isn't that great (Klaus Kinski is particularly bad), the writing and directing is only mediocre, as is the editing, the story at times makes little sense, and it is shot poorly. But there is something about it that makes you really enjoy the film. There is plenty of suspense, horror, action, violence, and some nudity. It is one of those films that Alien spawned. Not as good of a movie, but one I think you'll enjoy anyway. Quite frankly, this is one of those bad movies that I like regardless.

One of the best Alien rip-offs
I have never seen a rip-off movie try so hard to be original. Director William Malone sure tries hard, in both his directing and his script, but still fails to show any originality. Everything fromt he female lead to the actual design of the creature itself is a direct steal from Alien. With that said I have to say that Creature is actually one of the better Alien rip-offs that I have seen, and believe me there are plenty of Alien rip-offs out there. Most are very poor (Star Crystal and Dead Space come to mind), and though Creature itself isn't a great film, it actually comes out as one of the better of the bunch. Most of the cast actually try to pull this film off, especially the Stan Ivar and Wendy Schaal, but a few of the cast members come off looking really bad in the acting department. And what about Klaus Kinski? THat man was considered a great actor in his time, so what is he doing in Creature? Whatever the reason, I was still glad to see him and his short but memorable presence brings the film up in quality level. So is Creature a good film? No. Is it cheesy? Yes, though it tries hard not to be. Is it entertaining? You bet. A great midnight film that deserves a proper DVD release. Diamond Entertaiment gives us a nicely priced disc but the picture quality is only slightly better than the original VHS release from Media Home Video. Though the image isn't the best, it is far from unwatchable, and it can make a great entry into any sci-fi fans DVD library.

TRIVIA: THe film ahd a budget of $4 million and was titled The Titan Find in other parts of the world. The special effects crew went on to do the special effects for Aliens a year after working on creature. (I guess Creature was good practice for them)

How NOT to do cheese
This movie opens with two astronauts finding some capsules on Titan. The capsules are semi-transparent, and they look into one and see a scary monster, which opens its mouth to reveal a bunch of sharp teeth. They jump back, but then for some reason convince themselves that they didn't see what they just saw (a trick of light or some such). So one guy wants to take a picture of the other guy standing next to the capsule, but he can't get both the astronaut and the capsule in the picture (why doesn't he take a step back?) so he has him sit on the capsule. Oh look, now the capsule has a hole in it...but not to worry. "Gee, I sure wish it was you sitting on this capsule" the guy says saveral times.

Guess what happens next? I mean, how can a person take anything that happens after that opening scene seriously? The rest of the movie isn't quite that bad, though some parts come close. The other big problem is that the dialogue is terrible throughout. The characters act like vacant love-struck teenagers. Although the characters are rather likeable and the females are certainly very attractive, I just couldn't get past the clunky, silly words coming out of their mouths.

There are some scary parts, in fact this could have been one heck of a scary movie, but everything is just so...well, goofy. Anyhow, I give it three stars because after a while you get used to the cheesy dialogue and the plot is actually interesting. The monster is quite well done considering the limited budget. Recommended for viewing after you've been smoking the same thing the writers and cast members were smoking. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

This is a film for theatre people!!!
In the same way that Waiting for Guffman is truly appreciated by theatre people by the simple fact that we've known and worked with people in our lives like the characters in the movie.

This film also exemplifies how the love that is spurned from creating art with people is strong enough to withstand life's trials. A truly inspiring film. This film is also very similar to "Peter's Friends" starring a cast of amazing British acotrs including Kenneth Branaugh (sp?) and Emma Thompson.

This is a movie for theatre people!!!
I understand that most people wouldn't understand or like this movie becuase you have to be a true theatre person to be able to relate to this dysfuntional family dynamic. The love that is spurned from creating art together is something that can cause a lot of the dysfuntion explored in this film, but that love is also strong enough to withstand the hardships. I think theatre people relate to this movie the same way they relate and understand Waiting for Guffman.

but it is a great movie!
I rarely take the time to sit and write movie or book reviews, but having seen all these negative reviews for "Last Summer in the Hamptons" I feel compelled to speak my piece.

What is so powerful here is not the dysfunctionality of the family portrayed within, but what is at the core of this dysfunctionality: it is the inability of its members to walk away from its greatness, its fame within the highest circles of the artistic world. This movie is, in a way, a modern "Buddenbrooks", but it delves much more deeply into the reasons for the family's implosion. From the teenager who is pathologically rebellious because, as she explains to her cousins, it is the only way she can find to establish her independence from this great theatrical institution which is her family; to the brilliant director who, in order to create, has renounced, monk-like fashion, all sexual contact; to the most deeply studied pair of characters: the brother and sister pair who are so caught up in the web of their family, that their own sexual passions are trapped within the family, self-directed in an incestuous relationship.

This is the saga of a family which is admired, coveted, and idolized from outside, yet whose members are suffocating under the weight and tremendous magnet of its fame. It is a family which is the embodiment of Blake's sick rose.

This is a great movie, or a great play; it is a very powerful piece which will stay with you for a long time.

This movie is just plain bad.
Thinking it was an updated Big Chill-type flick with a spectacular cast, I looked hi and low for this movie so my wife & I could enjoy it. All I can say is what a complete waste of time and money - and nothing like the Big Chill! If this movie was one of the year's 10 best (LA Times), a recipient of 4 stars (NY Post, LA Times), brilliant, enchanting & exquisite (60 Second Preview), & finally Two Thumbs Up, than I must have no idea what a good movie is. This was one of most ridiculous films we've ever seen.

I don't live in a big market city and I do realize that some think I lead a sheltered life, but give me a break! What kind of characters are in this flop? Well, there was a gay guy that somehow was able to seduce a guy who wasn't gay. If fact, this confused guy had just slept with the gay guy's sister and she revealed how jealous she was of him because he always winds up taking her boyfriends. HUH? Then come to find out the sister of the gay guy had sexual feelings for him and even acted on those feelings.

There was an actress that had to 'act' as a baby seal at one point and a perform as a leopard to 'deal' with issues in her life.

The only thing the reviewers and I could agree upon is this sentence: 'Perhaps the world's most dysfunctional family.' And how.

If Henry Jaglom is 'the definitive Hollywood filmmaker,' and this film was 'his best yet,' I think we'll heed that advice and never watch another of his films. I'd rather be locked in a room and be subjected to 'Dumb & Dumber' for 108 straight hours than watch this 108 minutes again.

Blah!
I like to read movie reviews in the newspaper, in magazines, and on the internet to find out about movies that I otherwise might never find out about. Over the years, this has led to many wonderful films that I otherwise never would have known about. So, when this movie was releaed, I read several reviews from critics, and I noticed that this movie had gotten quite a few very positive reviews. So I went to the theater and I saw it. Boy was I ever disappointed! This movie is nothing more than a bunch of people siting around talking. Now, if the characters and their conversations are interesting, then that can make for a fine movie. For example, I loved the movie "Smoke" with Harvey Keitel. That movie had lots of interesting characters with plenty of interesting things to say. But "Last Summer in the Hamptons" lacks those good things. The characters in this movie are boring, their conversations are boring, and their lives are boring. And what makes it even worse is that the characters are not aware of the fact that they are boring. Instead, they all think that they are just oh so important. Simply put, this movie is the very definiton of the phrase "artsy fartsy." I think that there must be some kind of a clause in movie critics' employment contracts that requires them to give this movie a positive review and a high rating. Or, perhaps the critics are just trying to pretend that they can see something that the ordinary "common man" cannot see. Well, whatever the reason, the critics are wrong about this one. This movie is boring and dull and the characters are pretentious and boring and dull. And the movie is bad and I didn't like it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For over three decades, Henry Jaglom has been traveling a cinematic path unlike any other director's:his noodling, searching, utterly un-commercial pictures (with dialogue largely improvised) are as personal as novels. Venice/Venice is vintage Jaglom, which will spell pleasure for his many fans and exasperation for nonbelievers. Jaglom plays a movie director visiting the Venice Film Festival--with footage captured during one of his visits there--whose romantic fling contrasts with his home life back in Venice, California. Jaglom's needy persona, and his unseemly tendency to linger over close-ups of his own teddy bear face, become tiresome here (he's wisely put others center-stage in subsequent films). But for all the dorm-room philosophizing, there is something dreamlike that emerges from this film as it nears its end. All the self-indulgent nattering does lead to something personal, and though the journey is something annoying, at least it's an authentic journey. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (4)

"Happily Ever After" in a nutshell
Wow - this is the first Henry Jaglom movie that I have seen, but you can bet I'll be seeing more. His interviews with the women and how the movies influenced their perceptions of how relationships "should be" was incredible. In almost every single interview segment, I had a little, "yup, that sounds right" experience. Yes, the romance was wonderful, as was the duality of the Venice, Italy life with the Venice, California life. And I had my own "wouldn't it be wonderful to be floating around on a canal in Venice" point of view. So I was doing exactly what he shows us the movies do! ;) Anyway, a wonderful film, I plan to buy it, and replay it whenever I feel the urge to run after that "perfect man who will sweep me away and solve all my problems."

sometimes even self-absorbed dilletantes hit home runs : )
the only other jagfilms i've seen are hamptons & babyfever,neither of which are NEARLY so good. dualities (man/woman,movies/life, italy/l.a. etc.) resonated through this one poetically,accompanied as they were by that exQUISite music which i pray is released someday (both the score and the marshall barer/david colin ross song halfway thru)! a woman i showed this to remarked, "henry's a jerk, but he's a cool jerk." to which i'd add, "his flick may be bull#$@$, but it's marvelous, transporting bull@#$$." btw, v/v's washed-out light & color palette makes it ideal viewing on a sunny winter afternoon :) vt

Jaglom 101
This film allows the first time Jaglom viewer access to some of the director's best work, w/o the guessing usually involved in exporing an artist for the firsts time. A must for anyone serious about film.

the man has the consistency and essence of vomit
I just saw this movie and would only buy the book if 80 million dollars was at stake. I am a woman, an attractive and intelligent woman and I am completely alienated from his "vision". He portrays only the Cathy Guisewite view of womankind and all woman should chase him down and put wasabi on his oily, phony, grotesquely malformed testicles. I have never been so repulsed by another human.I imagine htis review is not suitable in that I did not suffer it in book form but I feel the need to warn the inoccent. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I'm Alive
I can relate to the 40 yr-old wife. I am 70, and consider myself a latent extrovert. I will purchase this video, and send it to my "girl"-friend. She needs to lighten-up. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Only for die-hard fans of Klaus Kinski
The whole movie is boring. The only reason to buy it is the scene with Klaus Kinski, which you can - fortunately - access directly. A shame that great Maestro Kinski accepted to waste his talent in such a crappy film. For Kinski alone I give one star. ... Read more