Amazon.com

Bill Murray was heading toward a career peak on the back of comedies such as this one from 1981, the second film in his ongoing collaboration with director Ivan Reitman (the two went on to make Ghostbusters). Murray plays a chronic loser who joins the army and fails to find a fan for his ironic sensibilities in his by-the-book sergeant (Warren Oates). When push comes to shove, however, the smirking hero takes charge of his ragtag unit and turns them into fighting machines, albeit to the rhythm of hit songs by Manfred Mann and Sly Stone. The film is occasionally funny, but it mostly plays like any one of a dozen underachieving comedies featuring players from Saturday Night Live and SCTV. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (67)

Classic Bill Murray
If you like Bill- this movie in my opinion is a must own. This is Bill at his best!! I have the older version of this dvd- and this version has more "goods" do I would easily reccomend!!!!!
4 1/2 stars

Not exactly the special edition we were hoping for, but...
If you grew up during the 1980s, chances are you saw or heard of "Stripes." It's one of the pioneers of the bad taste genre -- a bunch of social misfits with bad attitudes take back the power. It started with post-Vietnam films such as "M*A*S*H" and extended into "Animal House" and, by 1981, "Stripes."

Now the film will be coming out on a Special Extended Edition next month (June 7th according to Amazon). The special features are:

-- Available subtitles: English, French
-- Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
-- Features 18 extra minutes, including 6 never-before-seen deleted scenes

-- Hour-long documentary

-- Interviews with Bill Murray and the cast

-- Mastered in high definition

It's worth noting that the interviews with Bill Murray and the cast are part of the documentary, which means the only special features for this disc are:

1. A new transfer
2. An hour-long documentary

For those of us who enjoy this film and have been waiting on the Special Edition for quite some time (it's been rumored for as far back as two years! I actually held off buying the previous disc because I was waiting for an SE), the features here might be rather disappointing.

I expected something like this:

DISC ONE

1. Commentary by Harold Ramis and Ivan Reitman
2. Commentary by Bill Murray (he hasn't spoken to Ramis since the filming of "Groundhog Day," so a commentary together is highly unlikely)
3. New anamorphic widescreen transfer
4. New DD5.1 Surround and DTS 5.1 Surround audio tracks.
5. Teaser trailer
6. Theatrical trailer
7. Talent files
8. Photo gallery

DISC TWO

1. An hour-long documentary
2. Separate reel of new interviews
3. Goofs/outtakes
4. Screen tests
5. John Candy retrospective documentary
6. Original "Making-of" featurette

That was more of what I was expecting from something two years in the making (and perhaps even longer!).

My main worries about this new DVD are:

1. The special features are dire
2. It looks like a typical double-dip rip-off
3. The new artwork is atrocious

I liked the old artwork better.

That said, I am happy at least that the film is coming out on a new DVD and I will purchase it. I'm not obsessed with this film by any means, and in fact I think it loses a lot of steam in the final act once they leave boot camp, and after that it turns into a pretty tiresome action-adventure movie with no laughs until the very end.

But the first 3/4 of "Stripes" is very funny stuff in the typical underdog-film-style. I was at least hoping for a commentary by Ramis or Reitman on the new DVD, but oh well.

what a hoot
i watched this on comcast in demand last night and man was it hilarious!!john candy rules and cover your little children's eyes 'cause there are naked ladies sometimes.

Stripes 5 Stars For DVD (1 Star for Regular TV Broadcasts!)
Just buy the DVD or tape or what have you or try to catch it on the premium cable stations. DO NOT watch STRIPES on COMEDY CENTRAL or TBS or TNT or other network broadcasts because it is always butchered beyond recognition.When shown on COMEDY CENTRAL, there's a commercial every ten minutes and the whole rhythm of the film suffers. Otherwise this is a classic Bill Murray vehicle that's funny from the beginning to the very end.The film features the late John Candy and the late Warren Oats (who is excellent as Sgt Hulka), Sean Young (before she went psycho), and Harold Ramis (Murray's co-star on GHOSTBUSTERS, director of GROUNDHOG DAY). NOTE: Classic Scene(s)- The "Graduation Drill Excercise" with Murray leading the platoon to synchronized perfection; Bill Murray and Harold Ramis leading the platoon to march to the lyrics of Manfred Mann's "DO WAH DIDDY DIDDY"; the "Urban Assault Vehicle"; and Harold Ramis (as Russel) teaching foreignors to speak English.

Classic that remembers funnier than it is while watching it
Stripes is one of those movies that I remember more affectionately than I feel towards it while watching it.I chuckle as I remember Sgt. Hulka, Ox, the fool Stillman, and so forth.There are so many little scenes, such as the beginning cab scene with the old woman wanting to get to the airport and giving the depressed Winger (Murray) a hard time.His defiant parking of the cab in the middle of a bridge, blocking two lanes, and throwing the keys into the river, retain some of the leftover anti-establishment feeling of the 60s & 70s that has become the seeming birthright of all teenagers since.

I love the scene where Winger is shooting baskets in his apartment and puts it through a window out into the street and asks people below for a "little help".They throw the ball back to him through the unbroken window.The scene where the young guys are all telling Hulka about what led them to the army is funny as is Winger's and Hulka's exchange about Hulka being the big toe leading their foot.

And the classic mud wrestling scene with John Candy as Ox.The Murray speech rallying the men the night before graduation and their entrance onto the graduation grounds.

There are so many funny scenes.I am SURE you can think of many more.

Yet, it still never really gels as a movie and it really was never meant to.It seems to me that it remembers funnier that it is in watching it now.The culture has moved on.Remember, this was just after Vietnam and Carter and at the beginning of Regan.Pre-AIDS, pre-fall of the Berlin Wall and the USSR.Clearly, it is a Baby Boomer comedy.

Since so much of this movie, like Animal House and Caddy Shack, have become cultural touchstones, seeing the movie is almost a requirement.However, there are scenes where you will find yourself wondering why the heck THAT was necessary.That effect is a measure of how far we have moved on from 1981. ... Read more

Amazon.com Customer Note

We regret that this DVD is under certain restrictions that prohibit sales to customers who live outside the North American continent. If you do not live in the United States or Canada, we will not be able to ship you this DVD. Thank you for understanding. ... Read more

Reviews (746)

THE FUTURE IS DISMAL - SO IS THE TRANSFER!
Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is an apocalyptic postmodernist vision of the future. The story involves a bounty hunter, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) who is assigned to kill three replicants - android style robots that look identical to humans, but who have come to earth to seek revenge on their creator - Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel). Sean Young costars as Rachel, the latest model of replicant who is so incredibly life like that not even she knows that she's not human. Also in the cast are Rutgar Hauer as Roy Batty - the ultimate killing machine, Edward Olmos as a drugged out police detective, Gaff, and Darryl Hannah, as the psychotic replicant, Pris. Flawed in its narrative, but visually stunning, "Blade Runner" has developed a cult following - and it is easy to see why. The production is layered with multi-references to the steady moral and social demise of our own society that stir the mind into rethinking this movie as much more than a sci-fi adventure. This version of the film is the re-edited director's cut that audiences were never shown in 1982. The subtle tweaking of story and plot elements really doesn't enhance one's viewing experience so much as it just alters the story in a different direction.
But what a shame about the transfer! Though the general color balancing and attention to fine details, even in the darkest scenes, is adequate, there is simply NO EXCUSE for leaving the chips, scratches and in some cases, tears in this DVD transfer. Pixelization crops up now and them, but the most disturbing part of the transfer is that it fails to pay attention to the dirt and (in some cases) hair, stuck to the film negative. The result is a dirty looking picture that, while perhaps in keeping with Ridley Scott's vision of a dank, hard universe of the future, is most definitely not what the director had in mind. Saving grace: the transfer is anamorphically enhanced for widescreen televisions. The sonic characteristic of the 5.1 audio is rich, though dated. Strong bass and reasonably well balanced dialogue and effects, though there are a few perceived occasions where dubbing in of dialogue sounds possible. And one final insult from Warner Brothers, this disc has NO extras - not even a theatrical trailer!

Stunning - The Best Sci-Fi Film Ever Made
Directed by Ridley Scott, possibly the best director in Hollywood, Blade Runner: The Director's cut is an outstanding medley of action, noir, sci-fi, and suspense. Robots have been taken to a new level - Nexus 6 Generation Robots called "replicants", which outmatch humans in strength and ability and equal in intelligence, but lack one human quality - emotions. They were used for "slave labor" to work in places too hazardous for humans. However, replicants after a few years begin to develop their own emotions, which causes them to rebel against their masters. Special cops, called blade runners, were assigned to exterminate criminal replicants. Eventually replicants were declared illegal on earth, and were banished to a shuttle in space. LA, 2017. Rick Deckard, (Harrison Ford) a retired blade runner, is forced to "retire" five replicants that have escaped from the shuttle, but winds up falling for one, Rachael. (Sean Young) Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) leads the other three replicants to find their creator, Eldon Tyrell, to expand their short four-year life span. Incredible action scenes, dark, brooding noir, creeping suspense, and excellent sci-fi, Blade Runner: The Director's Cut will please fans of any of these genres. The Director's Cut offers production notes, subtitles, added character developement, the original ending, a unicorn dream sequence, and the deletion of unnecessary scenes and the annoying voice-overs. Plus, it is digitally restored to excellent picture and sound quality. Some "sensitive" viewers might find the plot and noir atmosphere cold, but action, noir, sci-fi, and suspense fans will enjoy it very much. With stunning special effects, incredible cinematography, compelling plot, and rich, incredible characterizations (esp. Rutger Hauer), I strongly recommend Blade Runner: The Director's Cut to action/sci-fi fans.

Not quite the Blade Runner I remember
After purchasing and viewing the DVD director's cut release, all I can think is "where can I find the original theater release version". I sat my family down to watch it two nights ago and they lost interest very quickly. While it is still visually stunning to watch, it is not enough overcome the seeming lack of narrative/plot. In fact, one of the key things removed from the director's cut version is the voiceover narrative by Harrison Ford's character Deckard. For those that know the original version, it can even be a challenge to remember the significance of each scene. For new viewers of BR, they're left wondering, scene after scene, "OK what just happened and what relevance does it have to anything?". Bring back the voiceover!

The Director's Cut is AWFUL.
Compared to the original version the Director's Cut is awful. Background narration has been removed; the ending has been changed. Don't waste your money.

this is still a good DVD
but not as good as the original release. I preferred the narration and for that reason, I probably don't watch this movie as much as i did when I had it on VHS. I really don't understand why they don't make both versions available. ... Read more

Reviews (746)

THE FUTURE IS DISMAL - SO IS THE TRANSFER!
Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is an apocalyptic postmodernist vision of the future. The story involves a bounty hunter, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) who is assigned to kill three replicants - android style robots that look identical to humans, but who have come to earth to seek revenge on their creator - Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel). Sean Young costars as Rachel, the latest model of replicant who is so incredibly life like that not even she knows that she's not human. Also in the cast are Rutgar Hauer as Roy Batty - the ultimate killing machine, Edward Olmos as a drugged out police detective, Gaff, and Darryl Hannah, as the psychotic replicant, Pris. Flawed in its narrative, but visually stunning, "Blade Runner" has developed a cult following - and it is easy to see why. The production is layered with multi-references to the steady moral and social demise of our own society that stir the mind into rethinking this movie as much more than a sci-fi adventure. This version of the film is the re-edited director's cut that audiences were never shown in 1982. The subtle tweaking of story and plot elements really doesn't enhance one's viewing experience so much as it just alters the story in a different direction.
But what a shame about the transfer! Though the general color balancing and attention to fine details, even in the darkest scenes, is adequate, there is simply NO EXCUSE for leaving the chips, scratches and in some cases, tears in this DVD transfer. Pixelization crops up now and them, but the most disturbing part of the transfer is that it fails to pay attention to the dirt and (in some cases) hair, stuck to the film negative. The result is a dirty looking picture that, while perhaps in keeping with Ridley Scott's vision of a dank, hard universe of the future, is most definitely not what the director had in mind. Saving grace: the transfer is anamorphically enhanced for widescreen televisions. The sonic characteristic of the 5.1 audio is rich, though dated. Strong bass and reasonably well balanced dialogue and effects, though there are a few perceived occasions where dubbing in of dialogue sounds possible. And one final insult from Warner Brothers, this disc has NO extras - not even a theatrical trailer!

Stunning - The Best Sci-Fi Film Ever Made
Directed by Ridley Scott, possibly the best director in Hollywood, Blade Runner: The Director's cut is an outstanding medley of action, noir, sci-fi, and suspense. Robots have been taken to a new level - Nexus 6 Generation Robots called "replicants", which outmatch humans in strength and ability and equal in intelligence, but lack one human quality - emotions. They were used for "slave labor" to work in places too hazardous for humans. However, replicants after a few years begin to develop their own emotions, which causes them to rebel against their masters. Special cops, called blade runners, were assigned to exterminate criminal replicants. Eventually replicants were declared illegal on earth, and were banished to a shuttle in space. LA, 2017. Rick Deckard, (Harrison Ford) a retired blade runner, is forced to "retire" five replicants that have escaped from the shuttle, but winds up falling for one, Rachael. (Sean Young) Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) leads the other three replicants to find their creator, Eldon Tyrell, to expand their short four-year life span. Incredible action scenes, dark, brooding noir, creeping suspense, and excellent sci-fi, Blade Runner: The Director's Cut will please fans of any of these genres. The Director's Cut offers production notes, subtitles, added character developement, the original ending, a unicorn dream sequence, and the deletion of unnecessary scenes and the annoying voice-overs. Plus, it is digitally restored to excellent picture and sound quality. Some "sensitive" viewers might find the plot and noir atmosphere cold, but action, noir, sci-fi, and suspense fans will enjoy it very much. With stunning special effects, incredible cinematography, compelling plot, and rich, incredible characterizations (esp. Rutger Hauer), I strongly recommend Blade Runner: The Director's Cut to action/sci-fi fans.

Not quite the Blade Runner I remember
After purchasing and viewing the DVD director's cut release, all I can think is "where can I find the original theater release version". I sat my family down to watch it two nights ago and they lost interest very quickly. While it is still visually stunning to watch, it is not enough overcome the seeming lack of narrative/plot. In fact, one of the key things removed from the director's cut version is the voiceover narrative by Harrison Ford's character Deckard. For those that know the original version, it can even be a challenge to remember the significance of each scene. For new viewers of BR, they're left wondering, scene after scene, "OK what just happened and what relevance does it have to anything?". Bring back the voiceover!

The Director's Cut is AWFUL.
Compared to the original version the Director's Cut is awful. Background narration has been removed; the ending has been changed. Don't waste your money.

this is still a good DVD
but not as good as the original release. I preferred the narration and for that reason, I probably don't watch this movie as much as i did when I had it on VHS. I really don't understand why they don't make both versions available. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The 1994 box-office hit that turned comedy maniac Jim Carrey into Hollywood's first $20-million man, this gag-filled no-brainer stars Carrey as the titular rubber-faced gumshoe who tracks down lost pets for his heartbroken clients. Ace's latest case involves the apparent kidnapping of the Miami Dolphins' team mascot, Snowflake the dolphin (natch). His investigation is a source of constant aggravation for Miami police lieutenant Lois Einhorn (Sean Young), who turns out to be packing more than a pistol under her skirt. Friends fans will appreciate the presence of Courtney Cox, who remains admirably straight-faced as the Dolphins' publicist and Ace's would-be girlfriend, but of course it's Carrey who steals the show with shameless abandon. One viewing may suffice for a lot of people, but Carrey's hyper antics have made Ace Ventura: Pet Detective one of the bestselling videos of the 1990s. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (104)

"Alrighty Then".......
I don't think I've ever laughed sp hard in a movie theater before in my life. That's something that I just don't do much of. This movie changed that. Now, this kind of comedy is an acquired taste. Not everyone is going to get it or appreciate it or the brilliant talent of Jim Carrey. Calling it stupid is not bashing the movie, it's only praising it. Get it?. Carrey stars as a pet detective hired by pre - "Friends" star Courteney Cox to find who stole the local football team's mascot. Sean Young is in on the fun as the police captain. It takes real smarts and talent to do what Jim Carrey does. It's not just acting goofy and silly. Some people don't get things. This is an uproarious film. If your in a bad mood or funk or whatever, and you need your sppirits lifted with ridiculous laughs, then you can't go wrong with this movie.

Not as funny as Austin Powers, but worth watching!
This movie is so funny. Jim Carry's perfomance was totally good. I give him 2 thumbs up for doing this movie. Carry will make you laugh if you watch this. Jim Carry plays Miami's top (and only) pet detective Ace Ventura on his biggest case yet. Although Carry's role in this movie appears to be an idiot, he always gets the job done no matter what it takes. The movie also stars FRIENDS' Courteney Cox who plays the detective who hires Ace. The case is mainly about the kidnapping of Miami Dolphin's dolphin, Snowflake. Ace has a little competition in solving this case with the LT of the police, Lois Einhorn, who finds Ventura worthless. Ace uses every piece of little evidence he finds. Whenevery he tries out his theory, he ends up in some zany mess which will make you laugh. I really liked the part when he was in the tank with a shark. Miami Dolphin's QB Dan Marino plays himself who also gets involved with kidnappings. Get this movie, you'll love it!

A Classic Comedy!
I have watched this movie so many times over and over, yet I am still entertained each time. This movie will keep you watching until the end just to see what hilarious antics Jim Carrey will do next. I have enjoyed most of his other movies but this one is his best. Get for a good laugh and a good time.

Very Great Movie
This movie is so funny I could just watch it again and again. If you don't like Jim Carrey you would still love this movie. I think this movie is sooo good. Every time I watch it (even though I know all of the words) it is still very funny.

Very Funny Movie
I bought this movie the other night after I got off of work. I love this movie just as much as the second one. I'm so glad I finally found it on dvd. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

"Gone Sailing"
4.5 stars. I was walking up and down the aisles of my local video store the other day and I was getting frustrated. The new release I wanted to rent wasn't there, none of the films on my short rental list were even available. So I wandered the aisles, sulking, when I noticed a movie I hadn't seen in years. It was "Cousins," with Ted Danson and Isabella Rossellini. Why not? I really didn't remember much about it other than rave critical reviews from the time. I was a teenager at the time so it is not really surprising that I don't remember a romance film. That was the last thing on my mind. Anyway, I got it home, dished up some spaghetti, and sat down to watch an "okay" movie. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself interested in the goings on of each and every character in this large ensemble cast. But the throughline story involves the two main actors, Ted and Isabella. Their romance is both realistic and fantastical, where they are able to see all the wonders of the world merely by staring into each other's eyes. Now, at first that may sound sappy. Believe me, I'm the last man on Earth to be attracted to a romance film, but somehow this one got to me. It could have been Isabella Rossellini, who for a large part of the film resembled her gorgeous mother, Ingrid Bergman. It was like watching a "classic romance" filmed for a different era, Mrs. Bergman's daughter absolutely glowing like her mother used to. There are also obvious nods to the film "Moonstruck" with its sometimes quirky characters caught in realistic situations. This movie could have been called "3 Weddings and a Funeral." It has a Hollywood ending, complete with sailing off toward the horizon, all the couple's dreams coming true, but somehow I loved it. I must be getting old. :) What's impossible to believe is that this was directed by Joel Schumacher, who directed the abysmal "Batman and Robin." It's really too bad he didn't stay with films about real people, because this film shines. This is a nearly lost, mostly forgotten gem of a film, and it is easy to recommend.

Laughed, cried, and have seen it again and again and AGAIN!!
This movie is exactly what I need when I'm ho-humming about what video to watch. It's worked every time. If you like 'Sliding Doors' and 'Sense&Sensibility' (two of my other favorites) try this, you'll probably enjoy it. There are lots of layers to this one too. Ted Danson does an incredible acting job, though it may take a repeat viewing to kick the habit of seeing him as "Sam." Isabella Rosellini personifies beauty (as always)and effectively portrays an unhappy but loyal-'til-the-end wife. And Lloyd Bridges is fantastic, cast as Danson's father. This film is all about extended families, and marriages, and the intertwined inner-workings of the two. Sean Young's outfits are a little cheesy, but fit her character. And at times the film is loudly representative of the 1980's. But it's largely a feel-good movie where what you want to have happen happens and what you don't want to have happen only happens a little.

Superb and sweet romance
This is one of those incredibly charming,disarmingly sweet, and totally touching comedic romances that you can watch over and over and over again- and still get that warm and fuzzy feeling inside.The plot is pretty typical, but the entire cast(Isabella and Ted have GREAT chemistry, the dialogue, and just the entire atmosphere of the thing make it work-big time.They just don't make too many romantic comedies like this anymore.Even if you hate the genre, but are just in the mood for something light, I definately recommend this sweet little gem!

Great Movie.
This is a great movie. Definitely one to own.

An absolutely lovely movie
I have watched this movie a dozen times, and I never tire of it. It is just a beautiful love story and Isabella R. and Ted Danson have wonderful chemistry. It is one of those movies where you laugh and cry and it leaves you feeling better for having seen it. The soundtrack alone is worth watching the movie. One of my all time favorites. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

INTRICATELY CRAFTED POLITICAL THRILLER
If only the ending could be just a tad different, this would be twice as popular as it ever got. The topnotch, passionately made film largely goes unsung, a bit like "The Siege," only because it threw away all the riveting plot twists when it reached its ho-hum finale (some may call it a great final twist).

Quibbles aside, this fast paced nail-biter may be one of the quickest 2 hours of cinema ever filmed. Costner plays a Navy commander assigned to a high level post in the DOD, where he, and the Secretary of Defense become embroiled in a murder/scandal. The bulk of the film chronicles the Departments Under Secretary's attempts to quash the problem. A high level Russian mole in the U.S. government is being pursued throughout the film. The chase keeps narrowing down more and more drawing the government officials closer and closer to the culprit. The tension became almost unbearable as the mole was about to be trapped.

Costner, for a change, is really convincing in his role, the tight dialog helping him immeasurably. Sean Young actually smiles in this movie and looks twice as good as all her other newer movies put together. Gene Hackman has the usual commanding screen presence.

All in all, a fabulous politically charged thriller you ought not to miss!

Good suspense, excellent on first viewing
An early Kevin Costner film which many argue is one of his best. Filmed in 1987, "No Way Out" focusses on a cover up where Kevin Costner is assigned to frame the wrong person. The problem is, he is the wrong person. He then has to find a way to identify the true killer while saving his own butt in the process.
Sean Young stars as an unconvincing lover of both Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman. As one reviewer said, she does not pull off enough charm to convince the viewer that she is worthy of such attention from these men.

How does "No Way Out" fare 15 years on? I admit, I loved this film when it first came out, but now it just reeks of the 80's. Bad music, bad costumes, and quite poor acting from Sean Young and Kevin Costner. Kevin comes across as if he is in a daze the entire movie. Still, for those who have not seen it before, there are some definite suspenseful moments.

DVD SUMMARY: An early DVD release by MGM, and despite it being labelled as "16:9 enhanced", it is not. Nevertheless, the picture is surprisingly clear for a film of its age. The sound quality is just average.

A well-made political thriller with some pleasant twists...
Having lived around the outskirts of Washington, D.C. myself, it's always a nice treat to watch a film that literally takes place right where I have stood, at one time or another. It's just very fun to know that a famous movie was shot where you once walked. (Although I now regret visiting the set of "101 Dalmations" in London--that's one story I don't often tell people with a smile on my face.)

At the beginning of "No Way Out," we get to see Washington from above as the camera glides through the air, swerving and going around in circles, until we land inside a small interrogation room housing a convicted murderer (Kevin Costner), who is in fact innocent and has been framed. "When's he coming out?" he asks as he walks over to a one-way mirror and looks through the glass. Right as we start to think, "Whom is he talking to?" (Or "Does he mean Hackman?" if you've read anything about the film), we fall backwards in time and land in the same place some number of months earlier.

"No Way Out" is a government thriller about an officer wrongly accused of murder--when the Secretary of State himself is the culprit trying to avoid a scandal by launching a top-secret cover-up. Costner is the officer, and Gene Hackman is the Secretary of State. After meeting a beautiful young woman (Sean Young) at a party, Costner takes her into a limo and they have a quickie--before they even know each other's names.

What's this got to do with anything? Why is my review so choppy and linear-challenged? We'll get there.

The relationship between the two turns into a big romance until Costner is sent out to sea, where he saves a sailor from falling overboard and is praised in all the papers--where his girlfriend back home sees his face and is reminded of him. (Now she's the mistress of Hackman, by the way--that complicates matters quite a bit.)

When he arrives back home, they go on a romantic getaway--but Hackman finds out and accidentally murders the girl while trying to get her to tell him the name of her lover. Ready to turn himself in, Hackman is persuaded by his gay friend to cover everything up and blame someone else. The gay man even goes and gets rid of the evidence himself--with pride, I might add. (It's like Mr. Burns and Smithers from "The Simpsons"--the latter loves the former, but the former is too powerful and naive to ever notice.)

The clever twist in "No Way Out" is that Costner knows Hackman killed Young, but Hackman doesn't know that he knows that. (Get it?) As he runs around the Pentagon and other government establishments, the evidence starts to pile up against him--the negative off the back of a Polaroid camera, a few eyewitnesses who claim they saw a man outside Young's apartment the night of her murder, etc.

The great thing about "No Way Out," and another factor that separates it from the rest of its kind, is something that's hard to explain to someone who hasn't seen the film. Essentially, no one knows who killed the girl--and Costner isn't placed under arrest straight away because no one has uncovered any evidence pointing towards him. As the negative off the back of the Polaroid is scanned through a computer and painstakingly altered to reveal the man's face on the photo, Costner runs around trying to eliminate evidence before anyone finds out. The photo will eventually reveal his own face, yes, but he has a number of hours until then to find the true evidence that convicts Hackman.

This is a smart thriller with a few pleasant twists, particularly the very end. It's not a great movie by any means, but it's well-acted and solidly directed by Roger Donaldson, who also made last year's "The Recruit" with Al Pacino and Colin Farrell. The guy obviously likes government thrillers. This one is a lot more plausible than "The Recruit," too.

A really good politcal thriller. Good suspense film.
Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young, and supporting cast all turn in excellent performances in this underrated but very effective political thriller. This is a very good and effective movie dealing with inside Washington politics and intrigue, and international espionage. The plot moves at a breakneck pace, there are few draggy lulls of the type that plague so many movies these days, and the film never fails to capture and retain the viewer's interest. This is a great "beer and chips" film for a Friday evening.

No spoilers here, but just let it be said that as one watches the film, it twists and turns and continues to surprise the viewer. Costner is very effective here, Gene Hackman has his usual presence, and overall, this film solidly succeeds in its goal, which is to entertain. Recommended.

Gold-Standard of Political Thrillers now on DVD
Often, a film is compared to "No Way Out"--it's a gold standard of political thrillers. Made in the 80's, it holds up well in its genre. Now it's on DVD (without many "extras"--just the release trailers) and that's worthwhile if you are a political thriller fan.

Gene Hackman does his usual excellent job as a power-monger Secretary of Defense. He plays it subdued with restrained violence; you know this is a man capable of nearly anything. Will Patton is stunning as the bootlicking lackey, and Costner is reasonably good as the hapless pawn (?) of the Secretary's machinations. Sean Young plays a nervy, Washington bimbo. She's annoying, but actually, that seems to be part of the character and I thought she was superbly cast. The horror of the 80's overly-ornate costuming and gaudy makeup are the only hint of the age of this film.

The story is laden with clues dropped in a seemingly meaningless way and the tension builds superbly, racheting suddenly with a surprise in the action. At the end, another surprise is delicious, especially if you picked up all the red herrings (I didn't. Maybe you will.) If you love political or espionage thrillers, this one has a great payoff. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Young Doctors in Love
Love the movie, I wish it was on DVD.

"Airplane" Gets hospital teatment
Jammed full of soon-to-be-stars(or at least well-known performers) had tough job to better other hospital satires, and succeeds. Gags are just as good or better than most send-ups of this type, and story has beginning, middle and ending. Loved Dr. Prang's (Dabney Coleman's)role. Michael McKeon delightful obsessive-compulsive. Strictly for those who can enjoy this type of comedy.

Right On The Pulse!
Very, very funny send up of the daytime hospital soap operas. Lots of jokes. Some don't work....most do!! I don't want to repeat any here but pay attention, because they come thick and fast....'Airplane' style. Dabney Coleman and Harry Dean Stanton really crack me up, and it's hard to look at a young Michael McKean and not think of "Spinal Tap." The main thing I want to draw your attention to is something that worried me when I first ordered this tape. At such a reasonable price, I thought it might be recorded in the dreaded EP mode. IT ISN'T!! It is a fine print from Anchor Bay in SP mode, great price, funny as H*LL, do yourself a favor and check it out. I'm glad I did.

A movie as a sit-com as a parody of a soap opera
There are some yucks in this burlesque of TV's General Hospital, but you've got to concentrate. What is interesting is the cast and what has become of them since, and what they were before, especially in TV land.

Michael McKean, who plays the lead, has had a fine career, but I remember him best as Lenny Kosnowski on TV's "Laverne and Shirley"; Michael Richards who plays a bumbling mafia hit man became Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld; Patrick Macnee was John Steed of "The Avengers" from the sixties; and although I'm sure you recognized Dabney Coleman, do you remember him from "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman"?

Director Garry Marshall directed both "Laverne and Shirley" and "Mork and Mindy," which explains why "Young Doctors in Love" plays a little like a scattered sit-com. Nostalgic in a cameo was Jacklyn Zeman, who, last I heard, is still "Bobby" on General Hospital; and eye-popping in another cameo was Demi Moore, looking, I swear, a little like Monica Lewinski with muscles. (Moore was at the time also a regular on General Hospital.)

This was the year (1982) in which the beautiful Sean Young, who plays the female lead here, was also presented in the classic sci fi "Blade Runner." Who can ever forget those close-ups as Harrison Ford examined her eyes to see if she was a replicant?

The prize for best acting, however, goes to little known Pamela Reed as frigid mousy Nurse Norine Sprockett, who is sexually awakened by being romanced for her key to the drug cabinet, a surprising bit of reality amid the general mayhem.

Young Doctors in Love
This movie does for medical school what "Airplane!" did for airline disaster movies. It is a must-have for those with a love of the "B-side" comedy and have a few extra beers. It follows the paradigm of a soap opera with all the cliches. Without giving away too much, an assorted bunch of characters pursue their medical degree (and each other) and move through their residency. Good for some very good laughs: "Due to a mix up in urology, there will be no apple juice served today." Oh, yeah, Demi Moore and Sean young... ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Extremely fun, campy romp!!
I wasn't expecting much from this film, after it's limited theatrical run. So, when I sat down to watch it at home, I wasn't too excited. Probably the only reason I bought it was because I'm a huge Jason London fan. But, I had some friends over and we sat down to watch the movie.

We laughed from beginning to end! The characters were so funny, and so real, it has us rolling. The writing from Michael Addis and Tony Urban was awesome. The actors were all at the top of their game, especially London and William Devane. The one who stole the show was Jacob Tierney. The only actor who I thought did a poor job was Tim Kazurinsky. He was really poor, but his 2 scenes were very short, so it didn't harm the film.

Don't expect this to be an Oscar winner. Just take it for what it is, a very campy romp through the trailer parks of the midwest.

Great fun!

Hilarious!
This film was hilarious! For a low budget movie, I was surprised how well paces, and fun it was to watch. The acting was particularly good. Sean Young was a trailer park mom. That's something I haven't seen before. William Devane and Jason London almost stole the movie. A lot of quotable dialogue. Well written! And very well directed!!

You won't want to miss A LINE!!!
From the moment I first saw this film, I was drawn in to it. The entire film is hilarious and each and every time I see it ( and I have seen it over and over)I find yet another bit of hilariously hidden gems, whether it's the scenary, the great looks of the characters or the witty lines, you can easily miss, while in the middle of laughing at something else.
Once, when I watched this film with my best friend, we rewound the same scene over and over again, laughing harder and harder each time!!!
Take a chance and you will be so glad you did!!! BUT POP YOUR POPCORN AHEAD OF TIME YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE THE TV!

Lots of Problems but Lots of Laughs
Welcome to Sunrise, Illinois, a town that plays host to a significant contingent of lower class, trailer dwelling, criminally prone hillbilly types loving referred to as "Poor White Trash." Starring such recognizable names as William Devane, Sean Young, and Jaime Pressly, the film focuses on the antics of the Bronco and Lake families, with several other individuals floating around on the periphery. Linda Bronco, played quite well by Sean Young, only has one wish in her miserable existence of one night stands and fly by night jobs: she wants her son Michael to go to college at the University of Southern Illinois to major in psychology. After yet another fight with her washed out professional wrestler husband, Linda must step in and take control of Michael's life if her dream is to be realized. Regrettably for Linda, Michael and his friend Lenny Lake find themselves in a heap of trouble after swiping a six-pack of near beer at the local convenience store. This thoughtless action throws Michael's plans for school into turmoil, thereby requiring Linda to lead her son and his friend on a robbing spree for tuition money and enough scratch to hire a decent lawyer to fight the robbery charge. Along for the ride is Brian, the son of the local sheriff who Linda picked up in a bar and who now wishes to take part in the antics.

To disentangle her son from the robbery charge, Linda and her son turn to Lenny Lake's grandfather, Ron Lake. The elder Lake is a strange character, a one-time felon who now works as a big shot lawyer. Ron just married the gorgeous but dangerous Sandy, and the two live in Ron's trailer adorned with a garden of sculptures made out of beer cans. Ron is as crooked as they come, though, and to get his help Linda and her trio of would be criminals must agree to split their take with Ron and his wife. Everything goes down the drain from this point, as the four rob a retirement home and a local eating establishment. They get the money, but they get double crossed too, an incident which leads to hilarious trailer trash retribution involving trailer stealing, fireworks, automatic weapons, and duct tape.

There are more problems with "Poor White Trash" than there are pluses. The organization of the film is a disaster, with scenes that run too long, sloppy camera work, and a script often bogged down with too much detritus. What this movie desperately needed was an excellent editor, someone to go through the scenes and cut out all the awkward dead weight. About half way into the movie, I started to suspect that somebody, maybe a studio, mucked around with the finished product and left us with a movie that is more often a hodgepodge of scenes than a seamless film. Another big minus here, at least for me, was the relegation of Danielle Harris to a minor role as Suzi (the one with an "i"), an employee at the local restaurant robbed by Bronco and company. Harris, who in my opinion could never appear in enough films, gets marginal screen time. At least we get one good shot of her smiling face, and I guess that is better than nothing.

Despite these problems, "Poor White Trash" works on many levels, and works spectacularly. I would be completely insane if I did not mention the stellar performance of William Devane as Ron Lake. I have never liked Devane as an actor, probably due to his appearance in too many of those unctuous "movie of the week" productions. But here he shines like the sun. Devane has all of the best lines of the film, none of which are reproducible here because they usually deal with romantic entanglements in prison. His outfits are hilarious, his law office, located in a mall, bears the name "Land o' Law," and his philosophy about beautiful women is a scream. Devane chews the scenery in this film and it is a better movie because of it. Devane's role along with numerous effective sight gags, helps propel "Poor White Trash" to easily watchable levels.

The DVD throws in a commentary by Sean Young and director Michael Addis, as well as some production stills, three trailers for three obscure films I never heard of, and cast and crew profiles. Add in these extras with the actual film, and you have yourself an effective way to burn a few hours. "Poor White Trash" will never win any awards, but it ultimately delivers with good performances and some good gags.

"You're hotter than doughnut grease."
College bound Michael Bronco (Tony Denman) and his nefarious chum Lenny Lake (Jacob Tierney) are caught stealing a six-pack of Near Beer from the local mini-mart, and as a result, Michael's college plans seem destined for the toilet. An inept Public Defender bungles the case, and the lads realize they need a lawyer to get them out of the mess they've created. Lenny's brilliant plan is to get his Uncle Ron--who owns the Land O'Law to represent them 'pro-bono'(Lenny says this is French for 'half-off'). Uncle Ron, "the best lawyer in town since he got out of jail" isn't cheap, and so Michael and Lenny burglarize a neighbour's trailer as a quick way to get cash. Soon the lads embarked on a crime spree, and Michael's mum, Linda (Sean Young) forms an inept gang with Michael, Lenny, and Brian Ross--the son of the local sheriff (and Linda's one-night stand).

Linda Bronco just wants to be a "normal mother," but that's not in the cards for this latter-day Ma Barker. In fact, there's nothing normal in the entire film. Everyone lives in a trailer--even Uncle Ron--the legal eagle--who has made a formidable beer can sculpture garden to enhance his trailer's attractiveness. And Uncle Ron even has a pool--not quite the traditional idea of a pool--but a pool, nonetheless.

It's the perfectly drawn characters in this film that make it so hilarious. Michael's desire to be a psychologist runs as a standing joke, and Lenny treats his friend's ideals with respect while noting that "psychology causes people to have mental problems." Michael's dad is a pro-wrestler hoping for the cash to get a false eye--this is the one roadblock in scheduling a grudge match with an opponent. Ron Lake (William Devane) as the sleazy lawyer plays the role to perfection--the clothes, the swagger, the jewelry--and don't forget his t-shirt slogans--all add up to the lawyer who practices law with the intent of getting away with what he can. Ron Lake's nymphette wife--the manipulative and grasping (Jaime Pressly) is the perfect complement to Ron.

But my favourite character of all the great characters in this film has to be Lenny Lake. His one-liners, antics, and faulty logic--along with the looks he casts--simply make this film. "Poor White Trash" has no socially redeeming values, and no moral message, but it doesn't compromise on laughs. The film is deceptively clever and moves along rapidly from the first hilarious scene at the mini-mart right up to the finale. Due to language and sexuality, this is not one for the kiddies--displacedhuman. ... Read more

Description

Here's one of the most exciting, nonstop action-adventure hits since TOP GUN! When an international enemy turns to high-tech weaponry, the U.S. Army enlists the aid of the Apaches -- America's elite airborne task force specially trained for aerial assault! Flying the world's most advanced attack helicopters, these hotshot 'Fire Birds' battle an evasive foe -- hovering, diving, and dodging death on dangerous secret missions inside hostile territory! Starring Nicolas Cage (MOONSTRUCK), Tommy Lee Jones (THE PACKAGE), and sexy actress Sean Young (NO WAY OUT), FIRE BIRDS is an explosive action-epic, full of aerial gunfights and combat acrobatics ... audiences will be blown away by every thrilling second of FIRE BIRDS! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

The first all helicopter action movie.
So it isn't terribly original and the plot isn't exactly ingenuous. This movie leaves Top Gun far behind. At least it doesn't have a corny Freudian father-trauma or mysterious foreign powers. It's enjoyable to see and for me, that is what counts. The actors, especially Jones make the most of their parts and the action scenes are excellent. If every movie had to be based on a brand new idea, hollywood would have been out of business a long time ago.

Top-Gun in Helicopters
I must say that I disagree with Mr. Maltin's review of this movie. Although it is not well known, it has everything popular action movies have and more, including a great cast (Cage, Jones and Young). The arial combat scenes are intense, and the competition and trainingg of the pilots is very similar to Top Gun. One of the differences is that Young is actually involved in the action instead of sitting on the sidelines "consulting" ala Kelly MicGillis. To sum things up, this is a great movie and I recomend to anyone who is a fan of the actors or the genre.

Fire Birds is HOT!!!
If you're as much of an aviation buff as I am and love to watch machines being put through their paces, you need this movie in your collection. I've waited a number of years just to find Fire Birds in print -- having an old, taped-off-a-movie-channel copy I've just about worn out -- but to find it in DVD was a true gift. This has some of the hottest flying sequences I've ever seen, especially where helicopters are concerned. (I'm still amazed the things can leave the ground.) The acting may stall out a time or two, but the action is guaranteed to leave you doing rotor spins in your seat long after the movie's over. The chemistry between the main characters -- played by Nicolas Cage, Tommy Lee Jones, and Sean Young -- is truly inspired and great fun to watch. Overall, if you have an itch for fun and for flying, and for the fun of flying, then this is your movie.

If you liked Top Gun....
If you liked Top Gun...then go buy Top Gun. If you to know what army aviation is really like, then ask an army pilot, but do not, under any circumstances see this movie. this was 90 miniutes of my life i will never get back. Nick Cage's acting is up on the same scale as billy baldwin. this is the probably the only movie that ever made me want to walk out and take a smoke break (this reviewer is a non smoker). it's one redeeming factor is it's value to certian drinking games every time you hear a cheesy line from nick cage. i know i gave it one star, but i do not know how to rate in the negative.

Fire Birds
Outstanding movie that exaggerates Army Apache flight. It was great to see a movie made about it though. Tommy Lee Jones and Nick Cage were great ... Read more

Description

From the director of Drugstore Cowboy and My Own Private Idaho comes a star-studded comedy based on the best-selling novel by TomRobbins.The cowgirls on the Rubber Rose Ranch are staging a rebellion. Delores Del Ruby (Bracco) is leading the uproarious uprising, but it?s really Sissy Hankshaw (Thurman) who?s providing the spiritual leadership for this rag-tag bunch of female bandits. With her marvelous thumbs and her funky brand of femininity, she shatters all male chauvinist illusions and boldly goes where no woman has gone before. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Stop Making Sense
After reading the Robbins novel my sophomore year in high school, I was fortunate enough to see this movie three times in the theatre shortly after it got released. Watching it again tonight reminded me of how much it blew my mind back then. Granted, the whole thing is gratuitously symbolic, and most of the actors speak as if they'd just skimmed their lines for the first time seconds before going on camera. Still, Even Cowgirls has a fun, campy quality to it that shouldn't be overlooked. If you like Tom Robbins then you'll appreciate the narration and the way Van Sant has the characters talk to one another. Plus the story is lovable ("greater freedom of movement"), the cast is all-star, the costumes are a riot, and William Burroughs is in it! Just relax and enjoy.

Some kinda awful
I can't believe the actors who lent their talent to this no-talent film.

An abomination, disappointment, and travesty
I was terribly excited when I learned of the film version of the first Tom Robbins novel I read. Learning of Gus Van Sant, Uma Thurman, Keanu Reeves, John Hurt, and even Rain Pheonix excited me even more. However, I was severly let down. This is, without question, the worst movie I have yet to see. As tavision so eloquently put it, "It is so bad, it isn't even good for being bad."

The plot is an abbreviation of the novel, to say the least. Granted, some cuts are to be expected, but some characters were reduced to such a shred of their literary counterparts it raises the question why Van Sant included them at all. The character of Dr. Robbins is completely absent, and the brevity with which the Chink is represented reduces him to a fortune-spewing, mountainman horndog. Pheonix is unbearable as Bonanza Jellybean. Her monotonous tones, lack of presence, and persistent lack of any cuteness destroy what could have been an excellent role. The character of Dolores Del Ruby is also disappointing; she lacks the wildness and distinction from the other cowgirls that the novel provides. This is despite an annoying soliloquoy directly to the camera and all too abundant whip-cracking. Uma Thurman would be the film's saving grace, but salvaging anything from this bastardization is akin to making sno-cones in hell. Hurt's Countess is fair, but again, the rest of the film drags it down. The voice-over by Robbins isn't spectacular, but his prose does carry some charm over.

At the end of the film, if K.D. Lang's original soundtrack hasn't been associated with the most painful cinematic experience of your couch's life, you are "treated" to a music video of the most played song in the movie, K.D. Lang's "Movement."

Do yourself a favor and spend the time reading some Robbins or praying if he attempts a film again he finds a director who can do his work justice.

Re-Defines how bad a movie can be.
There are movies like "Plan 9" that are so bad they have a charm about them, there are some like "Waterworld" that have the same inexplicable draw as a car accident, and there are some like "Desperate living" that you hate to admit you love. Cowgirls have none of these redemptions. The cast assembled has enough talent to make almost any plot watchable, and from what I've been told, the book is enjoyable.

How then could this movie be so intolerably bad? To begin with, it seems the director brought together a cast of names with no other tie than what will bring in the 20 somethings. Then tell them to do their best Kevin Costner imitations. Open the book at random and start shooting whatever is on the page making sure to keep the wide expanses of America from being interesting in any way. Finally give the editing job to your brother-in-law, because the meat packing plant just laid him off. He does have twenty years of cutting experience.

This movie now defines the basement for me. It is so bad, it isn't even good for being bad.

A brave project from the director of Good Will Hunting
Gus Van Sant is a bold film maker. He experiments with unusual ideas and occasionally hits the jackpot. Most would agree that Good Will Hunting and Finding Forrester were successful in every way, but this picture generates violent disagreement. Sadly the majority would dismiss this film as a failed experiment to bring an odd 1970s lesbian cowboy novel to the big screen. There is however a vocal minority who absolutely love the quirkiness of this film. Its difference is at the heart of its charm, and together with Uma Thurman's star quality and k.d. lang's score this movie rises above the everyday action comedy dramas or romances most film-makers are producing.

I have read the book and Van Sant's adaptation is very faithful. The sexuality is only hinted at and this is carried forward in the film in the brief scenes of touching between Rain Phoenix and Uma Thurman. Despite being twenty years old, Rain still manages to look like a young teenager, and this perhaps undermines the intention of the scenes with her. If there is such a thing as perfect casting it is that of k.d. lang as the soundtrack composer and performer, which fits as perfectly as you would expect. John Hurt almost reprises his Quentin Crisp in his role as The Duchess, a much louder performance than I imagined from the book, but nevertheless funny and well-observed. All in all, there are some enjoyable and interesting bits and pieces in this film, even if it doesn't quite hit the high tide mark of Van Sant's other achievements. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Enjoyable,
I've been eagerly awaiting word that this was to be released on DVD...what a cast! John Candy, Jimmy Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Young, Richard Lewis, George Hamilton (his best comedy role), the great Giancarlo Giannini, even a humorous turn by the director, Eugene Levy (Candy's buddy from SCTV) as a casino cage manager! This one harkens back to the screwball comedies of the forties, and is a real joy. It's a comedic crime caper that unfolds in romantic Rome and exciting Monte Carlo, with loveable characters scrambling to avoid suspicion and arrest by the suitably weighted (yet hilarious) Giannini as "Inspector Bonnard"...and who'd have thought Richard Lewis would hold his own as Sean Young's love interest? As a feuding American couple, Shepherd & Belushi are priceless, as they rediscover their love, by discovering they have larceny in their hearts; and in the end, we finally learn who the real culprits are in one of those "gather all the suspects together in one room and reveal the murderer" scenes (always fun!)...can't tell from the info, but the DVD's "extras" will be probably be few, the picture and sound will be good to very good (MGM puts out good transfers, normally), but unfortunately, it looks like this small gem is not going to get the widescreen treatment it deserves...why a studio EVER releases anything in Pan & Scan is beyond me. But hey, at least it's available, and that's great news for those of us who love this film...and those of you who will now have the joy of discovering it!

crime romp stolen by a dog
This is a funny movie and the actors like John Candy and James Belushi carry off this light hearted farce with style and wit. But what cinched this movie for me and has made it one of my all time favourites, is the star, a minature red dachshund! This little fellow leaves all the humans in the outer. He is the real star. For everyone who loves the weiner this movie is up there with Disney's Ugly Dachshund. Oh and Monte Carlo and the Riviera setting is quite nice too. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Amazing and realistic look at how powerful drugs are!
There are some among us who would like to legalize drugs. They ought to watch this film. There are some who think that drug addiction is just an excuse. They ought to watch this film. In fact if you ever wanted to know what its like to be addicted to cocaine, just watch this movie.

This movie is simply the most powerful depiction I have seen of the devastating effects drugs can have on people. James Woods is brilliant, and the gradual erosion of his life seems to happen without his knowledge. Like the frog boiling in water, it all slips away subtly and quietly. In the end, he depicts the painful and harsh reality of a person who cannot see that he is in any way at fault, and if he gets just "one more break" it will all work out again.

Tremendous film and a very under-rated performance by Woods.

a great film.
James woods is excellent as a high powered salesman who's life goes of the rails as he becomes involved in drugs and high powered business deals.It shows how drugs can ruin ones life.

Cautionary Tale of Drug Abuse
Released during the "Just Say No" 1980s, this film is a cautionary tale of drug abuse. Lenny is a guy just trying to stake his claim in the world, to make a little money. He soon impresses a big wheel who moves Lenny and his wife to California where they are at first overwhelmed by the opulence but then become willing participants in it. Lenny continues to buy, buy, buy until it all crashes down. When the money stops rolling in, he is introduced to cocaine and the story then takes a dramatic turn as we watch Lenny lose it all. James Woods is fabulous as Lenny. I've seen this movie many times and now that I'm writing about it, I think it's time to pop this one into the VCR for another viewing.

WOODS AT HIS BEST
Although somewhat cliche ridden and certainly overly dramatic, "The Boost"presents a truly frightening depiction of cocaine and kinds of drug abuse. A picture of self destruction that is almost hard to believe.

James Wood outdoes himself in yet another fine performance. A film is worth seeing if only because he is in it. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Fatally Funny: A Parody Of The 90's Classic Thrillers
This movie was on tv about a week ago. I could not stop laughing. The comedy is top notch in much the same lines of The Naked Gun/Leslie Nielson movies. On DVD, the experience must be as hilarious as its original release in 1993. Armand Assante (yes a serious actor in a comic role really works although they could have easily used Leslie Nielson for the part) stars as the victim of the scheming Lola (Sean Young) who will stop at nothing to see his marriage ruined. Like the title suggests, the movie is a cross between Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct. Those were the two most standard thrillers during the early 90's period. Both films starred Michael Douglas as the target of a scheming and obscessed woman. The laughs keep on coming as the obvious parodies are executed. I.E. the famous Interrogation Scene in Basic Instict, the murder in the bath tub and the cooked rabbit in Fatal Attraction. Also on here are parodies of Sleeping With The Enemy starring Julia Roberts and Patrick Bergin, a 1991 thriller about a husband who is obscessed with his own wife and who likes to have his own things in the house arranged his way. This movie is really great comedy and really will take you to the 90's. The 90's is long gone and many were too little to remember everything in detail. But it was a time in which movies were full of thrillers. I wish they had made a spoof of "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" on this film too. It was a time of laughing at criminals and their schocking crimes. Remember the Melendez Brothers ? Remember Lorena Bobbit ? And let's not forget the secret plotting of Tonya Harding against Nancy Carrigan. All this happened in the 90's. This was the time of the O.J. Simpson trial after all. I really recommend this movie. Many can easily dismiss it as cheap comedy but there are some genuinely comic moments, such as Armand Assante and Sean Young's lovemaking scene, the final part of the movie is funny too. A must have for fans of comedies of the 90's.

Bad Reviews? I Don't Know Why...
This movie was slammed by critics. The most common review of this said that there was 'just too many jokes' in it. I watched it with a critical eye, and thought it was a really fun movie.

I didn't laugh out loud with tears running down my face, but did spend the entire run time giggling at the antics of all the characters. The cast consists of several Serious Actors (Kate Nelligan, Armand Assante) who play their parts as though they were in a drama. To me, those are excellent comedic acting skills. It's when actors play for laughs that they are not funny.

You might not be tickled by this one if you aren't familiar with the 'film noir' and detective film genre. If you are a fan of those, you will laugh as you recognize all the devices in those films over-used to good effect in this one.

I had a good time watching it...give it a try!

Wonderfully funny movie
Love this movie! After watching it on TV for the umptenth time, have decided to buy the DVD. It will be great to pull off the shelf for a good time! It's a humorous compilation of several good thriller/suspense movies, with a 1950-60s backdrop. Love the scene where they call recess during the courtroom trial.

If you like Airplane, you'll howl at this gem of a movie
This brand of comedy is not for all, but if you like Airplane, Naked Gun, etc., then you'll love this movie. Some like this type of humor only with Leslie Nielson as the lead, but Armand Assante pulls this one off superbly as the dragnet-type of detective who happens to be a lawyer. Sean Young is terrific in her role as Lola, a scheming femme fatale. The movie spoofs other movies, but even if you don't catch them all, the humor is nonstop and, in some cases, hilarious enough to chuck your popcorn all over the floor...

Good film, finally on DVD, but... in full screen?!?
No, thanks. The commentary and outtakes are a perfect addition, but the film's being in awful full screen format ruins it immediately. I'll wait for a real, widescreen version, even if it's without the extras. ... Read more

Description

An intimate portrait of three lives on the brink of emotional and spiritual explosion. Hedonistic Robert (Norman Reedus, BOONDOCK SAINTS, MIMIC) circulates in a BLOW UP-style world of models, sex, drugs and fashion photography while engaging in an affair with an isolated married woman.Also starring Kathleen Robertson (Beverly Hills 90210, Scary Movie 2), Sean Young and Michael T. Weiss (TV’s The Pretender). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A gem
A dark and intese drama, Until The Night is packed with top notch performances from a first rate cast. Kathleen Robertson turns in a pitch perfect performance that rivals work done by most working actresses today. I only wish we can see more of her soon. Norman Reedus is great as usual. Greg Hatanaka brings us an intemate haunting tale of heartbreak, love, and loss. Highly reccomended. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Why isn't this great movie on DVD?
I won't tell you the story because the other reviews already did. Just know that, though this isn't the best movie ever made, it's not that bad either. The other people who reviewed this movie as poor are way too critical. Relax and have fun. A wacky comedy that's enjoyable and weird. Hopefully, it will be released on DVD.

The Movie
I first saw this movie on cable and liked it. A friend of mine had this movie and we watched it. It was great. A remake of the original and ten times better. It starts off when Dr. J canges into Ms. H. Well lets just say she reveales some great parts of her body to us. This is a deffinate buy.

Delightfully campy spoof on the horror book
This 1995 spoof of the famous "Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde," is disappointing in its comedy, mostly focusing on body references and sexual humor to only produce chuckles and groans.

Tim Daly (Dr. Jacks) tries to find a potion to cure the source of human evil by adding estrogen to the potion. By doing this, he transforms into sexy (and annoying) seductress Helen Hyde (Sean Young) on occasions. Helpless to stop this process of man to woman and woman to man, Dr. Jacks tries to convince his fiancee, Sarah (sexy and always watchable Lysette Anthony) to help him find a cure for taking Helen out for good.

The movie is delightfully campy in the beginning, but in the last 15 to 30 minutes, suddenly turns somewhat suspenseful, hilarious, and romantic. A hilariously campy movie with a satisfying ending. Rated PG-13 for crude sex-related scenes and humor, sexual innueudo, nudity and language.

Poor, bad, horrible, painful to watch, take a pick
A young doctor transforms into a psychotic woman on a regular basis. If this plotline excites you, than you might find something you like in this movie. I didn't. I actually found it to be one of the worst movies I have ever watched. Sean Young is a strong contender for being the most annoying actress there ever was, back to back with Melanie Griffith. This film is unfunny to the extreme and I strongly suggest that people beware of it.

Not good
This movie is dumb, but it's worth it just to see Tim Daly in his white undies. What a sight. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bill Murray was heading toward a career peak on the back of comedies such as this one from 1981, the second film in his ongoing collaboration with director Ivan Reitman (the two went on to make Ghostbusters). Murray plays a chronic loser who joins the army and fails to find a fan for his ironic sensibilities in his by-the-book sergeant (Warren Oates). When push comes to shove, however, the smirking hero takes charge of his ragtag unit and turns them into fighting machines, albeit to the rhythm of hit songs by Manfred Mann and Sly Stone. The film is occasionally funny, but it mostly plays like any one of a dozen underachieving comedies featuring players from Saturday Night Live and SCTV. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Bill Mu