Reviews (1707)

Titanic Triumphs Over Sinking Feeling
James Cameron's 1997 Titanic is, of course, the biggest box office hit of all time, edging out such blockbuster films as E.T., Star Wars, and Jurassic Park for that title. This film, with its tale of star-crossed lovers Rose and Jack intertwined with the real-life tragedy of the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic, won 11 Academy Awards and the loyalty of its millions of fans.
In 1997, though, no one involved in its making (except maybe the determined Cameron himself) believed this movie would float to box office glory. It was so ambitious and so expensive that not one but two studios (Paramount and 20th Century Fox) financed it, splitting the distribution rights and spending over $200,000,000 to recreate the fatal maiden voyage of the 1912 world's largest ocean liner. Yet Cameron, who had previously directed the first two Terminator movies, The Abyss, and True Lies, was proven correct when world-wide audiences embraced this touching and technically brilliant movie.
Yes, this first movie to reap $1 billion in box office gross did capture the hearts of millions of teenage girls who repeated screenings to see Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack Dawson woo Kate Winslet's feisty socialite (and soon-to-be-wed) Rose. And while many detractors scoff at this admittedly clichéd poor-boy-meets-rich-girl love story, it is exactly through this pairing that we get a feel for what it was like to travel at sea in those Gilded Era days before the First World War destroyed the old Europe forever.
This film has much going for it. It has, in addition to actual location shots of the real Titanic wreck (the minisub sequence is NOT special effects), a winsome couple, a classic mustache-twirling villain (Billy Zane) with the usual henchman (a menacing David Warner), a great supporting cast which includes Danny Nuccio, Bernard Fox (who used to guest star in TV series such as Hogan's Heroes and Bewitched), Kathy Bates, Bill Paxton (who has appeared in most of Cameron's movies) and Gloria Stuart (who plays the older Rose Dawson). Titanic also has a great musical score and incredible visuals: the sinking of the great liner is certainly realistic - even if the CGI effects are a bit artificial-looking. This picture certainly was difficult to make .... Thankfully, in spite of the media hype and negative publicity, Titanic proved to be a good and entertaining film. I recommend it to anyone who likes love stories or epic disaster films. This movie mixes both genres very well.

The Maiden Voyage
O.K. I'll admit it, while I'm usually not much for the sappy romantic films, James Cameron's Oscar winning epic Titanic is a very good movie. And I did see it more than once on the big screen.

An undersea expedition, led by explorer Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton), is searching for a valuable diamond aboard the wreckage of the Titanic. The team, instead finds a drawing of seventeen-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater, (Kate Winslet) who is on the way to her wedding to wealthy tycoon, Cal Hockley (Billy Zane). Now an old woman (Gloria Stuart) Rose tells her story of the fateful voyage to the team. While the ship races to meet its fate with an iceberg, Rose falls in love with Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) a free-spirited artist and third-class passenger who ignites a passion inside her.

The film itself is a technical marvel. Cameron and his crew recreated the ship and her history with such skill and percision that it's easy to go along for the ride. I liked the way the fictional story of Jack and Rose was interlaced with actual historical figures and facts. For example "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown (Kathy Bates), Captain Edward J. Smith (Bernard Hill), and shipbuilders J. Bruce Ismay (Jonathan Hyde) & Thomas Andrews (Victor Garber), all have a place within the love story. Speaking of which, for me, it's Stuart that sells the romance. Acting as "narrator", she makes it possible to care about these characters more than you would have otherwise. The chemistry between DiCaprio and Winslet is very apparent and Zane is pitch perfect as Cal. The sinking sequence is really something and no disaster film since has matched its scope.

As it stands right now, the DVD doesn't have any bonus material on it, save for the theatrical trailer. Enough time has passed that another edition is warranted. That said, the bare bones DVD is recomended. For some additiional perspective on the history of the disaster, I also suggest, James Cameron's documentary Ghosts Of The Abyss.

movie hits an expensive iceberg
this is my opinion should have its own category in the video store.by this i mean it should be under terrible movies that cost to much along with the day after tomorow.I think that this movie really did hit an iceberg and it was only popular because of its stars these stars i must add were not that great they were ok but nothing special.And i would rather shoot myself than hear another person singing my heart will go on.I really do not like this over expensive movie bu5 i suppose that thats just my opinion.

LOVE IT!
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORETE MOVIES OF ALL TIME!THE ONLY GROSS PART IS WHEN ROSE TAKES OF ALL HER CLOTHES!?YUCK!BUT ANYWAY,IT`S A GREAT AND ROMANTIC MOVIE!

build a bridge
titanic...The Movie....Is just that.
I enjoy the story, from that perspective.
I appreciate the effort to create a level of interest in such an event. Drama can attempt to capture, only you can respond!
In reading short 4-5star reviews, and Loooong 2-3star reviews, I believe the connection has been made, as planned! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

There are several occasions when this rousing Australian thriller from 1987 should have ended with a well-placed shot from a speargun or a stronger knot of rope, but you don't think about these nit-picky details when you're being scared out of your wits. In a role that catapulted her to international stardom, Nicole Kidman plays a young wife who's joined her husband (Sam Neill) on a yachting trip to recover from the tragic death of their son. Far out to sea, they encounter a sinking ship with one survivor (Billy Zane, ten years before Titanic), but inviting him aboard turns out to be a very bad mistake. While Neill attempts to salvage the sinking boat, Kidman is fighting for her life against the psychotic Zane--a villain so creepy that you eagerly look forward to his demise. By the time that moment arrives director Phillip Noyce has resorted to a typical slasher-movie climax (proving that no boat should be without a flare gun), but until then Dead Calm is a nail-biting thriller that's guaranteed to keep you in a state of nail-biting suspense. To accommodate the widescreen compositions on the open ocean, the DVD offers the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (29)

a very memorable suspense thriller
I watched this movie on cable on one of the less popular movie channels, and was pleasantly surprised to find it such a good one. Nicole Kidman was obviously somewhere at the beginning of her Hollywood career when she acted in this. She is refreshingly simple in her appearance, and her acting is superb - she is so expressive and she looked every bit the part for each scene she's playing. I can see why Hollywood decided to make her a megastar after performances like this.

All 3 of them - Nicole Kidman, Billy Zane and Sam Neill were all fantastic actors in this film, which is also why this movie succeeds in being such a good suspense thriller. Its not too long a movie, and you can be sure you'll be holding on to your seat throughout the whole thing!

Billy Zane isn't always at his best in all the movies he acts in - those of you who've seen him in other movies would know this by now - but in this gem of a movie, he really shines as an ultra-convincing psycho. He didn't overact or overplay his role and that's what made him so believable as the charismatic, charming but unpredictably mentally-twisted person his character is. Strange that I've always liked Billy Zane as an actor even though its so difficult to find him in a good movie nowadays... this is one movie I will never forget because of its great storyline, great acting, and its unique setting where almost everything takes place on a yacht drifting and drifting along in the sea... its all very nice.

An smart suspense thriller.
The Plot:Joe(Sam Neill) and Rae(Nicole Kidman) Ingram are trying to start a new life, after the lost of thier Two old son. Since they are sailing in the open sea. After they pick up an only survivor(Billy Zane) from an crippled schooner. Then the strange who survive become danger to the couple, and the couple gets separate by the Stranger. Now is a fight to survive to the horrific nightmare at the sea.

DVD`s has an flawed but fine widescreen(2.35:1) anamorphic format and Pan & Scan is alivable. Dolby Surround 2.0 Stereo has good surrounds and some good base. Good Trailer also. Strong Performance by Kidman, Neill and Zane. Strong Direction by Philip Noyce(Patroit Games, The Bone Collector). Fine music score by Graeme Revell(The Crow, Titan A.E., Bride of Chuchy). Co-Produced by George Miller(He directed-Mad Max Trilogy, The Witches of Eastwick and he also produced the children classic film-Babe and also underrated sequel). One of the strong thriller from the Late Eighties, also if you like Dead Calm, then see the tense thriller-The Hitcher(1986). It has a silmilar strong tense moments in these two fine good thrillers. Grade:A-.
Panavision.

GOOD PREMISE, POOR PACING
A COUPLE [NICOLE KIDMAN AND SAM NEILL] ARE TERRORIZED BY A PSYCHO [BILLY ZANE] AT SEA. THIS MOVIE HAS A CLEVER PLOT, BUT IT'S JUST PACED POORLY AND AFTER A WHILE, THE LACK OF ACTION SEEMS TO REALLY GET ME BORED. THERE IS A REAL STEAMY SEX SCENE BETWEEN NICOLE KIDMAN AND BILLY ZANE THAT IS WORTH WATCHING. I WILL GIVE IT THAT. IF YOU LIKE MOVIES SET AT SEA, YOU'LL DEFINITELY LIKE THIS.

Stay Calm, Cool, And Collected
Before Nicole Kidman catapulted to international fame, Sam Neill faced the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, or Billy Zane took a ride on Titanic, and director Philip Noyce helped action hero Jack Ryan, they all collaborated to make Dead Calm a memorable thriller.

After Rae (Nicole Kidman) and John (Sam Neill) Ingram suffer the devastating loss of their child, the couple decides to take a sailing trip, in the hope of dealing with the tragedy. Once on the high seas, the pair discovers a disabled cruise vessel, with a lone survivor on board. It seems that the the rest of the passengers died mysteriously. John stays aboard the ghost ship to try to get her working again, while Rae tends to the welfare of Hughie Warriner (Billy Zane). Little does the couple realize that Warriner is not exactly as friendly as they are led to think--putting both of them in considerable danger.

It's pretty amazing that the film is as taut as it is, given that, the film's plot is a simple one and that it only centers around three characters. Noyce makes great use of confined spaces and settings. Kidman is great as Rae. She proved just how talented she is, even back then, holding her own agaist Zane's chilling psychotic portrayal. Zane, who has had an up and down career, gives what I think is his best performance here. And for his part, Neill is good too, considering he has to act alone through most of the movie. The film does lose a few points for resorting to a well worn tricks for some of the climax. However, by then, your hooked, and it shouldn't (?) matter too much.

Save for the film's theatrical trailer, the DVD offers, no other bonus material. Given, what has happened to the principal actors and the director since, some sort of retrospective or commentary would be nice...in the future perhaps? Viewers can watch the movie in either the full-screen or widescreen formats.

Dead Calm is a fine thriller, that despite a few hiccups, is recommended. The small cast is the reason to watch this one

Sexy Saturday Afternoon Movie!
I thought this was a great movie. Nicole Kidman in here younger days, I was actually frightened at some scenes. However, I do love movies set at sea ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Great if you love disney sequels
Why does Disney love to come out with sequels. Last year we had The Return to Neverland. And to mention these sequels to. The Return of Jafar, Aladdin and the King of Theives, Cindrella 2: Dreams come True, 101 2: Patch's London Adventure (out today). What is next? Lilo & Stitch 2, The Ememror's Neve Groove 2? As the movie opens, the King of London believes Radcliff's lies, so he orders that John Smith (Mel Gibson) to arrested. But when John Smith learns that he is being arrested, he falls into water. While in America, Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) had learned of his death, and is confused on where she should go from there. But when when John Rolfe (Billy Zane) shows up on orders from the king to bring back the chief, an indian decides that Pocahontas should go to London instead of Chief Powhatan (Rusell Means). Powhatan has another indian who never talks to make the journey to london.

WORST EVER
This movie was soooo BORING!!!!! Well okay it was ok at the beginning but near the end I was thinking to myself "I'll only like this movie if she chooses John Smith!" And guess what? SHE DIDNT!!!!! GRRRR it makes me heartbroken! I looved the Lion King 2, Peter Pan 2, and Aladdin 3 (Aladdin 2 was reeeally bad heheh) and I havnt seen any other sequals unless you count Fantasia 2000 which I think doesnt seem like a sequal at all, more like a whole new movie! But back to Pocahontas... I LOOOOOVED JOHN SMITH!!! I know that the person I borrowed this movie from is only keeping it to expand her disney collection... (she has probably almost all of them) and if Ariel can see Eric once, fall in love, take some time off and finally come up with a plan to see him again (which, when you think about it, must take some time for the movie to progress and such) She still loves him and marries him BUT WHAT ABOUT JOHN SMITH????? IT'S ALMOST THE SAME!!!!!! DONT RENT THIS MOVIE!!!!!! SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!!

RUBBISH ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!
this movie was rubbish from the start and had a spactacularly rubbish ending. the animation wasnt up to much. it loored like they had taken the original charaters from the first movie and melted them! all the walt disney "classics" have all had their own style. ie. the lion king had very pricisely drawn figures and was done in bright colours. pocahontas was made of more subtle colours and had a slightly abstract feel about the charcters. in this movie, the drawings just melted into the style of all teh other recent, rubbish disney sequals, nothing special or significant, the sort of animation taht can make you feel sick after watching it to long. this movie didnt quite reach the stage of making me naucious but it very easily could have if it was drawn with a few more of the really rubbish "pictures". the voices were all different, allthough that might not have been disneys fault.it only had about 3 songs in it and all them sounded like the writen had written them in his/her sleep!
allthough im not sure if the hole ball thing was actually a reference to hitory (i suspect not)i think that was completely FAKE and unrealistic. and since when has pocahontas been able to speak english?!? i know that in the first movie she and john smith could speak in the same languge but 1) you dont know what language that is 2)that was only because the tree did something weird.
was it js me or did pocahontas look completely hidious for a cartoon in this movie?
everyone was SO(...) mean to the little dog (what was his name?!?). pocahontas was hugin meeko all the time but she ignored the dog untill the end. meeko was just evil to the dog, apart from in the rare occasions that he was being sweet to the dog. bt i will admit that meeko (and the dog, and, yes, evan flit) was sooooooooooooo CUTE!
finally, the RUBBISH ending. firstly, pocahontas rejects john smith, who is like, the love of her life(in the first movie anyway)!!!!!! he was completely cool with it as well. she was like "we walked the same path once, but no i know my place." and he was like "i hope you find happiness." ok. im 13 and i definately know that my boyfriend isnt long term but evan if HE rejected me like that i would proabl slap him. and john smith was like THE LOVE OF HER LIFE. and then, to make it worse, she went with that pathetic excuse for an animated character JOHN ROLFE who had an unaturally posh accent anf "falls in love with him". THAT WAS W(...)-R(...)-O(...)-N(...)-G(...).!(...)
and john smith was SO(...) SWEET to her throughout the entire movie. one of the fisrt things he said to her were "ive though about you every day!" that was soo sweet. and pocahontas still loved him at the begining.SHE SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH JOHN SMITH!!!!!!! like ive already said THE ENDING WAS WRONG!!!! walt disney movies always have the same two messages
"friendship"
and
"TRUE LOVE"
theyre not supposed to be making films about players.
this movie is RUBBISH!!!!!!!! save yourself the agony and DONT WATCH IT!!!!

The Worst Movie in the World!!!
There's only one word to describe how I feel about this movie: HATE!!!

This was probably one of the first Disney sequels I ever saw, and also the worst. Even "The Return of Jafar" was better than this one, and that's saying alot!! I can't believe she ditched John Smith. It just dosn't make any sense. Mr. Rolphe isn't very outstanding either. Though they never show it in this movie (I don't think), there is a little bit of a historical record in it. Pocahontas DID marry John Rolfe. She went back to London with him and became a Christian. About 2 years later she died of a disease.

I have this sense of knowing when a movie is bad from the very beginning. After Flit smashes into that flower painting I knew this would be a bad movie; and it is!! I finally had to sell this movie to forget about it forever. Thankfully, I can now watch the first Pocahontas in peace, without worry. :)

So please, don't waste your money on this garbage. Buy a good, decent film instead. Like Finding Nemo....

Why I hate this movie (Part III)
I'm sorry and I know that I can't shut up about this movie, but I can't. It is probably the worst movie I've ever seen and that's saying a LOT! A few more things:

If you haven't read my other reviews on this movie, please do, because they say a lot!

Rolfe is hella ugly whereas Smith is the dashing explorer!

I was embarrased for Pocahontas because she acted like a moron with her love life!

Since when do people care about animated movies being historically correct. As if Poca1 was perfect. I say if you're gonna make it, ya might as well go all the way! This movie not only shames itself, Pocahontas, and Disney, but also makes it slightly painful to watch the wonderful first movie. This movie was directed towards kids and since when do they care if it's historically correct?!!? My younger cousins hated this movie, because they liked Smith. I think that kids are more satisfied and concerned with Pocahontas and Smith being in love than the educational value of this movie. If people always watched movies for information, then there'd be a major problem. since when does Disney care about being informative?!!? I hate that jerk Rolfe!!!!!

I own the movie and soundtrack for the first movie and they're both amazing. I hate the second movie and soundtrack!

Don't watch this movie. Pocahontas and John Smith were two of my favorite disney characters ever and this makes me sad. I wish I had never seen the second one. IT IS PROBABLY MY LEAST FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME! Don't watch this!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (51)

A Travel Brochure to Love
Norman Jewison created this warm and airy ode to love, and gave it both the beauty and fragrance of a flower cart on the cobbled streets of Italy. The scenery will take your breath away and the story make you smile in this light romantic comedy.

The always sweet and engaging Marisa Tomei is Faith, on the the verge of marriage when a phone call from her fiance's friend will stop her dead in her tracks, simply because his name is Damon Bradley. A game played when she was a child and a Gypsy fortune teller at a carnival in her teens told her the man she would love and marry would be named, Damon Bradley.

Bonnie Hunt shines as Faith's sister-in-law and best friend, who takes off to Venice with her in search of her destiny, written in the stars. When they discover he has left the hotel he called from, the search will go from Venice to Rome, and the lovely Italian coast, as Norman Jewisn gives us a gorgeous view of romantic Italy.

Robert Downey Jr. is at his most charming as Damon Bradley, who Faith meets by chance, or perhaps fate, and falls in love with. Faith will discover, however, that destiny has a few twists and turns in store for her, in this truly delightful violin concerto to love.

This film will work its magic on you if you enjoy a light romantic comedy with a 1950's feel, and will surely become one of your favorites if you are seeing it for the first time. Don't let destiny, or this film, pass you by.

Some enchanted evening....
That is what it is when you watch this movie. Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey, Jr. has such chemistry it's hard to believe they're not a couple in real life. Tomei plays Faith, an engaged woman chasing her destiny all the way to Italy. Unbeknownst to her, Downey IS her destiny. This movie really makes you believe in true love, destiny, and that one special someone. See it with someone you love.

And I personally love all of Downey's works--but I'm biased. To me, there is no better talent in this movie. And he is so good looking! I fell in love with him too!

Buy it, watch it, love it!!!
I love this movie. On a rainy day, with nothing to do, curl up on the couch and feel good. What a great movie to lose yourself in. If you believe that there is just one person for you, if you ever believed in destiny....this is the movie for you. Take it at face value, don't over analyze it. Just love it. Both Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. were never better.

What am I missing???
I don't really understand all the favorable reviews of this movie. Let me list the things I like:

Marisa Tomei's opening scene in the classroom
The beautiful scenery
The allusion made by her name--Faith

The rest of this movie was a huge disappointment to me. Especially as I was expecting something of the same calibur as Sleepless in Seattle, which lot's of people compare this to. First of all, a ridiculous plot. Who would fly half way around the world because of a NAME of someone you were supposed to marry?!? Secondly, Peter (aka, Damon 1) claims to be in love with Faith after knowing her less than 24 hours. And alleged feelings seem actually to be only sexual chemistry. Not much basis for a long term relationship between "soulmates." Yes, I know they had some common interests. So what? I have common interests with hundreds of people, some of which I might be attracted to--not really enough reason to declare lifelong devotion after only a few hours. The premise of this movie does exactly what Kate (Faith's sister-in-law) claims that movies do. They paint a picture of a false reality. I know all movies do so, but most movies don't claim NOT to. And if this is someone's idea of reality, pity to them. Wake up! Love is much deeper and more multi-faceted than this farce of "divine predestination." Of course, as a good Calvinist, I believe every event is predestined--both good AND bad. However, not every predestined relationship will be all asparkle with sentimentality and unbridled passion.

One of the best romantic comedies
This is one of the best romantic comedies! The age-old concept of star-crossed lovers is beautifully portrayed by the always charming and talented Robert Downey Jr. and the wonderful Marisa Tomei. It's a must see for all romantic comedy lovers. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Director John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood, Rosewood) made an earnest effort in this, his second, film to say a great deal that is true and relevant about living and loving in a violent, difficult time in American history. Janet Jackson plays a beautician and poet who withdraws into herself after her boyfriend is murdered by gangsters. The late Tupac Shakur plays a postman who tries to get through to her, and the two travel on a course through urban America, connecting with family and community. Singleton has so much on his mind that the film comes out a terrible muddle, but there is a certain integrity peeking through the fog. Shakur makes a startlingly good impression in his film debut, and Jackson strips away her star veneer to play something like a real person--and entirely succeeds. Maya Angelou wrote the poems that pass as those penned by Jackson's character, and she also appears in the film. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (59)

This is a great film!
Poetic Justice is about a girl named Justice (Janet) who writes poetry and is trying to get through hard times that have happened in the past and start over. Justice and her friend Keisha take a trip to Oakland with Keisha's boyfriend Chicago and friend Lucky (Tupac). Justice and Lucky fall in love through the movie. This is a really good flick to watch again and again. It also has a great ending and the bomb soundtrack.

Great film; lots of humour, romance, etc.
I loved watching this film. I saw it the first time on TV and afterwards I went out and rented it and saw it a lot more times. It was just wonderful! Full of different emotions. There was romance and love, sadness, fights, and a lot of great humour!! The main actors (janet jackson, Tupac Shakur) were also terrific and they proved that they could be actors as well as a singer/rapper/song-writer. It was the first time I saw Tupac in a movie, acting. After this film I just had to rent more movies that he was in!

Poetic Justice
I was fifteen years old when I first saw this movie when it first came out at the theaters back in the summer of 1993. I liked how the story showed a young black woman healing from the hurt and pain of losing her boyfriend, and how she wrote poetry to help her get through her pain. I thought that the poetry was really good. But the real reason why I give this movie three stars is because there was too much profanity and all the arguing and bickering that went on in the movie. I felt like all of that wasn't necessary for the movie. "Boyz N The Hood" will always be the #1 movie from John Singleton.

janet's acting career
Many kids today forget that before janet became a musician, she was an actress who starred in sitcoms and the jacksons tv show doing skits. If they had known, they would have seen that she had acting skills back then, but this movie is not really representative of it though it's not a bad film. I guess the role was a new kind of role for janet and she has said before that cussing didn't come her naturally back then, and it shows. But if you want a romantic comedy with a street style to watch, you just may want to check this out.

WOW!!! THIS IS SO STUPID!!!!!
Boyz N the Hood- now that was a good movie. I guess John Singleton thought he was invincible when he came out with this goofy movie. Janet Jackson is very hot and has a nice set but not even that can save this one. You've got this girl- her name is "Justice"?!? - and she JUST HAPPENS TO WRITE POETRY?!? - so of course... we get the movie "POETIC JUSTICE". Brilliantly stupid. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

SUPER FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT five stars
He is a hero who is simple a decent person. A hero without super powers or trust funds. A very humane person with a code of decency. A hero who is certainly needed today. It is a film that is needed today. It is a film to watch and enjoy. This movie leaves one with a good feeling. It is not a film to nitpick or compare to others because that would totally miss the reason for escaping into it. A truly wonderful family film, that will live in the memories of those lucky enougn to watch it together. What a great cast! Billy Zane,his penetrating eyes framed by the Phantom' mask, brings the hero to life. Kristy Swanson and Catherine Zeta-Jones are strong,independent women. Veteran actors such as John Capaodice, Al Ruscio, and Samantha Eggar to name a few,lend their considerable expertise to the production. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa appearence dominates the screen, generating much excitement. Patrick McGoohan's presence and voice is a outstanding. He is truly an screen legend.

Unfortunely the critics in their wisdom contributed to the short run at the box office office nevertheless the viewers know quality. The Phantom and all he stands for lives in the hearts of those willing to understand.

Ineptly written and directed
The Phantom has one saving grace: Billy Zane. Without this fine actor, the film would have been absolutely horrendous, possibly unwatchable. The simple fact is that The Phantom could have been good entertainment, but it's so poorly written, directed, and acted, I have to wonder why the film was greenlighted in the first place.

Sure, the prospect of an Indiana Jones-type film is a fun idea, but it's nowhere in the vein of the the films in that series; it never generates any thrills or genuine fun. The action sequences are simply too routine and are occasionally terribly choreographed.

As for the script, it's been a while since I've heard dialogue this hackneyed. It makes the recent Mission to Mars look like something written by David Mamet in comparison. The plot's also fairly ridiculous and is done with a touch of camp, but nowhere near enough to at least make the movie so bad it's almost enjoyable to watch. I can't believe Jeffrey Bowman doesn't show any of the creative touches he put in The Last Crusade.

Performances, the less said the better. The only guy who does a fine job is Billy Zane, and though he never always convinces as a superhero, he's charismatic enough to make the experience bearable. Treat Williams as the villain overacts to an extent I would rather not describe. Catherine Zeta Jones also shamelessly hams it up with a cheesy accent; I bet she's taken this film out of her resume. As for Kristy Swanson, I guess we can tell why she won't nowhere. If anything, the movie proves she's not a very capable actress.

Pulp hero
Billy Zane plays the Phantom perfectly. He's not a dark, grim superhero like Batman or a neurotic superhero like Spider-Man. The Phantom loves being a superhero and being the good guy.

This is one of the best adaptions of a comic book (cartoon strip) ever captured on film. This is the type of movie meant for children of all ages. If you're looking for a movie with deep meaning, thought provoking dialogue and lots of introspection, what the heck are you doing watching The Phantom? Go see a different movie. If you're looking for entertainment in the vein of pulp fiction heroes from the Golden Age this is the movie for you.

Nifty live-action comicbook
This is the type of DVD that works best if you watch it on a rainy Saturday morning. I missed "Phantom" when it was released theatrically many years ago and discovered it on DVD. This is an old-fashioned comicstrip/movie serial sort of film that's perhaps too straightforward for most tastes. There's no irony or winking references here, which sets it apart from most other superhero movies. I liked it, but didn't love it, and I can fully understand if it's not to everyone's taste. I suggest you rent it, watch it on a gloomy weekend and see if it doesn't make you feel like a kid again if only for a few minutes.

Great Comic adventure
The Phantom is quite good and the cast is great too. The Phantom was an enjoyable facinating comic, and any fans of the comic book will find no reason not to watch the feature-length movie. This movie is a great action ride adventure and i'm sure you'll love the story. Same charecters and no flaws, this movie is perfect. 8.5/10. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Billy Zane Rocks!
Funny, scary, and entertaining, "Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight" is the first of a series of films that are derived from the popular HBO series. Unlike the "Creep show" and "Tales From the Darkside" films of the past, "Tales From the Crypt" focuses on one tale of horror and suspense each time, allowing the story to develop into a more entertaining experience.

Directed by Ernest Dickerson ("Juice") "Demon Knight" features the immense talents of William Sadler, Jada Pinkett Smith, and the ever versatile, amazing Billy Zane in a horror movie laced with plenty of comedic moments. The story revolves around a key that Sadler is carrying in order to pass on to the next guardian. There are a total of 7 keys, representing a galaxy each. According to Sadler's story, the key contains the blood of Jesus Christ. While dying on the cross at Golgotha, a follower of Christ pour his blood into the key to prevent the conquest of earth and the rest of the universe by Satan and his legion of demons. Until all keys are together can this happen, and with 6 of the keys in the hand of demons, the fate of the universe lies on Pinkett Smith's character, who is the chosen one to carry the key after Sadler.

I must praise Billy Zane. He is amazing. He plays the perfect villain, and in this role he is dynamite. His performance is more comedic, and he would make similar villains of the past such as Freddy Krueger very proud. I can understand why Hollywood has typecasted him as a villain in almost all of his films after seeing this film. Zane's intense sex appeal will captivate many viewers, and his range of emotions is incredible.

Pinkett Smith who was coming into films fresh from the cancellation of the long-running NBC series "A Different World," is great. As the heroine of the movie she really can kick butt, and her on-screen chemistry with Zane is perfect.

In conclusion, this a great film to view if you are in the mood for horror mixed in with a bit of dark humor. The film can be strong at times with the sight of gore and violence, but if it weren't for Billy Zane's performance, I wouldn't have cared to watch this film at all. He is one of the film world's most gifted actors and this film was a showcase of his talent before he became a bigger name when he starred in "James Cameron's Titanic." "Demon Knight" is an excellent example of how to create an entertaining horror film. Skip "Blair Witch" and try this film instead.

horror movie or comedy?
It seems to be a great combination of the two!

I don't think I ever saw this show on TV but since reading some of the reviews on this particular edition and the impressive cast list, I was curious to see what the fuss was about. That and the fact that I am a fan of Billy Zane and now William Sadler. I never realized that the latter actor was in so many things, such as "The Green Mile" and the "Roswell" series. I also don't think that I've ever seen Jada Pinkett Smith in anything before. I'm glad that she had a good strong character to sink her teeth into.

What WAS interesting was the way the story developed by way of verbal explanations and flashbacks. At the beginning you weren't quite sure who was the good guy or who was the bad guy but Billy Zane played his role extremely well as the wickedly, funny Collector!

Since watching this movie I was interested to see how many other "Tales from the Crypt" were available to buy on DVD. Especially with the !number of famous people which you can always find in the querky stories. Unfortunately there are only 2 that I could find. Hopefully, there will be more of them in the near future.

A great way to spend 1½ hours!

Demon Knight!!!
Wow! What a good Movie! This is byfar the best Demon Possesion movie since the Evil Dead. The demons look a lot like pumkinhead, but with long rock band hair. William Saddler and Jada Pinkett lead the fight against the sly and funny collector (Billy Zane). The fun begins right away with a cool beginning action sequence. As The film goes on, introducing the charcters, the demons arrive and the war begins. I'd say the best parts of the movie is where you see the demons takeover people.

It's really gross! They mutate and deform in different ways! But, if you like funny, actiony horror films that are explosive, This is It!!!

Cheap, B-Movie Fun!
Demon Knight is a blast which is a lot to say for a film that seems to be made on a sixty dollar budget. The special effects are nothing spectacular ( but I appreciated that more than outrageous tricks relied on by films like The Matrix ). This film is the best Tales From the Crypt episode you'll ever see. It may not be filled with the greatest acting or dialogue but it is one of the most entertaining films you'll see in a long time. I saw this in 95' and enjoyed it since then. I've just purchased the DVD and cannot wait to sample the film on high quality stock. Billy Zane shines although a lackluster Jada Pinkett should have been replaced by a more vibrant black actress such as Nia Long. Zane and Pinkett have no chemistry and it surprises that the filmmakers decided to have Pinkett be the " chosen mistress " to Billy's underlord persona. Anyway, this film has a few minor faults but nothing to make this film less than a five-star gem. A hidden jewel if I say so myself.

Tales
Very interesting movie. Some scenes are a bit disgusting. Nevertheless the connection of the story line with the crucifixion of Jesu-Christ is quite interesting. And maybe not so crazy after all.
A film worth seeing and thinking of. Not for children! ... Read more

Description

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and one of the most acclaimed independent films of recent years, The Believer is a daring and courageous portrayal of a young Jewish man living an impossible contradiction as a neo-Nazi. Danny Balint (Ryan Gosling) is an intense young man whose fierce intelligence and inexhaustible curiosity once made him a star pupil at his local Yeshiva. Now, at age twenty-two, he focuses this intensity on altogether more sinister aims; as a rising star in local neo-fascist circles, Danny spends his days attacking synagogues and fomenting hate among a devoted band of followers. Yet while working tirelessly to realize the destruction of his own people, Danny finds himself inexplicably drawn back to Judaism. This terrible inconsistency in the heart of Danny's soul - the yearning to study Torah and to attack Jews - and the avoidance of easy psychological explanations, make The Believer one of the year's most complex and provocative films. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

A good film, but nothing special
It seems like every few years now another neo-nazi movie comes out. The last one was American History X and before that Romper Stomper and Made in Britain way before that. Now it's the The Believer. As you probably already know, this movie is about a jewish neo-nazi, which of course, doesn't make any sense. This was a good movie all around but what makes worth watching is Ryan Gosling's performance. Maybe people don't know or remember but he was in Remember the Titans as one of the extras for the football team. Come to think of it, Ethan Suplee from American History X is also in Remember the Titans, how strange. Anyway Ryan Gosling has been compared to Robert DeNiro's character Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver which is totally appropiate considering this was one of the best performances I've ever seen. Ryan Gosling totally gets lost in his part completely out-doing any of the supporting actors in the film, including Billy Zane. I mean, he makes them look bad, he's that good. However, aside from the fantastic performance given there is nothing else special about this movie. There is nothing that's going to make you want to watch it again and again. There wasn't even that much violence, which I thought was odd for a skinhead movie. Yes, there is racism but it seems muted amongst the skinhead's extreme hatred for jews. There's hardly a mention of other minorities and only one scene actually inlcudes them the group's agenda. Other than that, it's jews, jews and more jews. It's kind of noticable that in every neo-nazi movie there's always one main target and all other minorities are insignifacant. American History X it was blacks, Romper Stomper it was asians and now it's jews. I guess that's understandable because the main character is jewish, after all. So anyway, this is definately a movie to see, you should check it out from the video store, but it's not worth buying. Like I said, there's nothing special about this movie that makes it better than so many others. You may not even want to watch it twice, there's just no motivation.

I believe it's good
Okay, I'll get the cliche out of the way right now: "The Believer" is a thought-provoking movie. Love it or hate it (and this is a movie that could easily inspire both views), "The Believer" will almost certainly make you think. Telling the story of a Jewish neo-Nazi named Danny Balint, the movie is a harrowing examination of the nature of belief and self-perception, every bit as provocative and hard-hitting as the better-known "American History X." Although the idea of a Jew who hates his own people may seem contradictory, the movie reconciles it very well. Through frequent flashbacks to Danny's Yeshiva class, the audience sees that Danny feels God is a bully and the entire history of the Jewish people is one of weakness and submission. Although much of his propaganda is just tired repetition of Nazi beliefs, Ryan Gosling's performance invests what he says with undeniable conviction. Danny's hatred is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences, and unlike many of his skinhead bullies, he *believes*. At the same time, Danny seems conflicted about what exactly it is that he believes. In one scene vitriolic anti-Semitic sentiments are pouring out of his mouth, in another he's repairing a sacred Jewish scroll that his friends have damaged. No matter how hard Danny tries to reject his roots, it seems the connection to them is too strong to sever completely. I think what "The Believer" was trying to get at is the confusion young people experience between accepting what they're taught and forging their own beliefs. Danny clearly has strong feelings and wants to believe *something*, but is having trouble figuring out what it is. In that sense, "The Believer" is about as apt a title for a movie as I've ever heard. It can be viewed in its most obvious form as a cautionary tale about the seductive nature and the dangerous potential of hatred, but that's a somewhat narrow view. What I thought the makers of the film were really going for was an examination of the difficulty young people can have in finding both their place in the world and their own belief system. But whichever way you look at it, "The Believer" is a gripping view, and highly recommended.

Mesmerizing script!
This film is deeply disturbing. We are in front of one of the challenging works made from the independent films. Winner of the Sundance in 2001 ; the movie deals about an outlaw from the jew religion who decides to make a breakthrough with his past traditions seeking for answers . He's a very clever man and very often he made extreme questions to his teachers.
So he makes the whole cycle and becomes Nazi as a rebelness signal , but his memories are stronger and keeps in the deep of his soul respect from the learned traditions . The dialogues are a real tour de force , and there are many disturbing questions without answers.
And since the movie has rapture moments that will remind you to Taxi Driver and American Story X, the film is far beyond from the other two, and it demands a major attention from you.
One of the most powerful cult movies from this new century!

Can't take your eyes away from the screen
this movie was amazing, i literally couldn't take my eyes away from it. Ryan Gosling does an amazing job this movie proves that he is truely is a great actor. the entire cast was great and the director made the movie very believeable and makes it look almost like their following a real life story happening at that very time. all i can say is that the movie was amazing along with the cast but mainly Ryan Gosling!!!

..........there's nothing up there, Danny...........
The story of Danny Balint, a young and intelligent neo-nazi that is recruited by an ambitious neo-fascist organization. The only problem lies within Danny's paradoxical secret: he's jewish.

Danny is just one of many intelligent thinkers that end up renouncing their religion in the spirit of "free-thinking". In Danny's case, he begins to hate Judaism so much that the only alternative for him seems to join the ranks amongst the opposing side. But even surrounded by those with similar opinions, Danny cannot seem to escape the ignorance that he feels plagues society. Immersed in idiotic nazi philosophy, he begins to despise his new peers as much as his heritage. Danny's problem is that he just hates everyone, especially himself. Never really belonging in the world and plagued by his own consciousness, is there no redemption for the troubled young man?

Superb acting from Ryan Gosling (Murder by Numbers) as Danny Balint. The scene in the coffee shop.......one take focused on Danny as he spits his rhetoric....brilliant. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

A good film, but nothing special
It seems like every few years now another neo-nazi movie comes out. The last one was American History X and before that Romper Stomper and Made in Britain way before that. Now it's the The Believer. As you probably already know, this movie is about a jewish neo-nazi, which of course, doesn't make any sense. This was a good movie all around but what makes worth watching is Ryan Gosling's performance. Maybe people don't know or remember but he was in Remember the Titans as one of the extras for the football team. Come to think of it, Ethan Suplee from American History X is also in Remember the Titans, how strange. Anyway Ryan Gosling has been compared to Robert DeNiro's character Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver which is totally appropiate considering this was one of the best performances I've ever seen. Ryan Gosling totally gets lost in his part completely out-doing any of the supporting actors in the film, including Billy Zane. I mean, he makes them look bad, he's that good. However, aside from the fantastic performance given there is nothing else special about this movie. There is nothing that's going to make you want to watch it again and again. There wasn't even that much violence, which I thought was odd for a skinhead movie. Yes, there is racism but it seems muted amongst the skinhead's extreme hatred for jews. There's hardly a mention of other minorities and only one scene actually inlcudes them the group's agenda. Other than that, it's jews, jews and more jews. It's kind of noticable that in every neo-nazi movie there's always one main target and all other minorities are insignifacant. American History X it was blacks, Romper Stomper it was asians and now it's jews. I guess that's understandable because the main character is jewish, after all. So anyway, this is definately a movie to see, you should check it out from the video store, but it's not worth buying. Like I said, there's nothing special about this movie that makes it better than so many others. You may not even want to watch it twice, there's just no motivation.

I believe it's good
Okay, I'll get the cliche out of the way right now: "The Believer" is a thought-provoking movie. Love it or hate it (and this is a movie that could easily inspire both views), "The Believer" will almost certainly make you think. Telling the story of a Jewish neo-Nazi named Danny Balint, the movie is a harrowing examination of the nature of belief and self-perception, every bit as provocative and hard-hitting as the better-known "American History X." Although the idea of a Jew who hates his own people may seem contradictory, the movie reconciles it very well. Through frequent flashbacks to Danny's Yeshiva class, the audience sees that Danny feels God is a bully and the entire history of the Jewish people is one of weakness and submission. Although much of his propaganda is just tired repetition of Nazi beliefs, Ryan Gosling's performance invests what he says with undeniable conviction. Danny's hatred is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences, and unlike many of his skinhead bullies, he *believes*. At the same time, Danny seems conflicted about what exactly it is that he believes. In one scene vitriolic anti-Semitic sentiments are pouring out of his mouth, in another he's repairing a sacred Jewish scroll that his friends have damaged. No matter how hard Danny tries to reject his roots, it seems the connection to them is too strong to sever completely. I think what "The Believer" was trying to get at is the confusion young people experience between accepting what they're taught and forging their own beliefs. Danny clearly has strong feelings and wants to believe *something*, but is having trouble figuring out what it is. In that sense, "The Believer" is about as apt a title for a movie as I've ever heard. It can be viewed in its most obvious form as a cautionary tale about the seductive nature and the dangerous potential of hatred, but that's a somewhat narrow view. What I thought the makers of the film were really going for was an examination of the difficulty young people can have in finding both their place in the world and their own belief system. But whichever way you look at it, "The Believer" is a gripping view, and highly recommended.

Mesmerizing script!
This film is deeply disturbing. We are in front of one of the challenging works made from the independent films. Winner of the Sundance in 2001 ; the movie deals about an outlaw from the jew religion who decides to make a breakthrough with his past traditions seeking for answers . He's a very clever man and very often he made extreme questions to his teachers.
So he makes the whole cycle and becomes Nazi as a rebelness signal , but his memories are stronger and keeps in the deep of his soul respect from the learned traditions . The dialogues are a real tour de force , and there are many disturbing questions without answers.
And since the movie has rapture moments that will remind you to Taxi Driver and American Story X, the film is far beyond from the other two, and it demands a major attention from you.
One of the most powerful cult movies from this new century!

Can't take your eyes away from the screen
this movie was amazing, i literally couldn't take my eyes away from it. Ryan Gosling does an amazing job this movie proves that he is truely is a great actor. the entire cast was great and the director made the movie very believeable and makes it look almost like their following a real life story happening at that very time. all i can say is that the movie was amazing along with the cast but mainly Ryan Gosling!!!

..........there's nothing up there, Danny...........
The story of Danny Balint, a young and intelligent neo-nazi that is recruited by an ambitious neo-fascist organization. The only problem lies within Danny's paradoxical secret: he's jewish.

Danny is just one of many intelligent thinkers that end up renouncing their religion in the spirit of "free-thinking". In Danny's case, he begins to hate Judaism so much that the only alternative for him seems to join the ranks amongst the opposing side. But even surrounded by those with similar opinions, Danny cannot seem to escape the ignorance that he feels plagues society. Immersed in idiotic nazi philosophy, he begins to despise his new peers as much as his heritage. Danny's problem is that he just hates everyone, especially himself. Never really belonging in the world and plagued by his own consciousness, is there no redemption for the troubled young man?

Superb acting from Ryan Gosling (Murder by Numbers) as Danny Balint. The scene in the coffee shop.......one take focused on Danny as he spits his rhetoric....brilliant. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jeremy Davies is a different kind of American in Paris. In the heady days of 1969, this aspiring director edits a silly sci-fi spy adventure by day while spending his nights obsessively filming his own life, much to the frustration of his stewardess girlfriend (Elodie Bouchez), who tires of his using his camera to avoid intimacy. First-time director Roman Coppola (son of Francis) creates a slight but fun picture steeped in 1960s movie lore: the film-within-a-film is a pop-art spectacle that recalls Barbarella, Modesty Blaise, and Danger: Diabolique, while its Italian producer (Giancarlo Giannini) is a high-living Dino De Laurentiis. If the film is slight, the details are right, from the opulent and outrageous sets to the meticulously retro special effects to the groovy music by Mellow. You could think of CQ as Coppola's 8½, about a man so busy filming his life he forgets to live. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Roman Coppola's Interesting Homage to the Time of Barbarella
"CQ" is the first feature film directed by Roman Coppola, son of much famous director Francis Ford. But you should forget that fact for a while, and enjoy the strange world of the 1960s he created for the film.

The film is set in Paris in 1969, the time of revolution. An American film editor Paul (Jeremy Davis) is working for a small studio there hired by an Italian producer (Giancarlo Giannini, "Hannibal"). At his small flat, with his camera, Paul keeps on filming his own life, or making a film about the "truth" of life -- meaning cinema verite, you got it? -- while his sweet French girlfriend is not so enthusiastic about his works. Well, his life seems going nowhere when suddenly he is given a chance: a chance to direct a grade B-Sci-fi movie "Dragonfly" (not that Kevin's film). But there is one big trouble. They could not find the right ending of the film yet.

Coppola's "CQ" proceeds side by side with Paul's film-within-film "Dragonfly," featuring the titular female spy, who looks as if coming straight from "Modesty Blaise" and "Barbarella." Paul is absorbed in making this film, and drawn to the heroine (and its actress Valentine, perfectly played by Angela Lindvall) while his own life, especially the relations with his girlfriend, begins gradually to play the secondary role.

Even if you are not particularly a fan of the films of the late 60s, you'll soon find that the greatest virtue of "CQ" lies in its re-creation of the psychedelic fashion and energetic atomosphere of the time. Cheep-looking, but strangely amusing production designs, and delightfully quirky costumes of "Dragonfly" would be joyful to you, especially when you have some knowledge about the time of Yellow Submarine even though Paul's own story is, compared with the detailed images of "Dragonfly," weak and uninteresting.

You can, however, find lots of intriguing reference to the films in the past, and its interesting cast are really helpful. See. for example, the faces of Billy Zane, Jason Schwartzman, Gerard Depardieu, Sophia Coppola, Dean Stockwell, and John Phillip Law (who was in, yes, "Barbarella"). The film (I mean the entire "CQ" and "Dragonfly") is sometimes too self-indulgent, but the first-time player Lindvall is so credible as beautiful Dragonfly/Valentine that if you fondly remember that constumes of Jane Fonda, you will love her anyway. And the French group Mellow's soundtrack, which might remind you of the music of the Beatles of post-Sgt. Pepper era, is another merit of the film.

CQ, Dragonfly, & A 1st Time Directors' Vision
Cheeky, cheesy, funny, and thoughtful! I discovered this small gem of a film and rented it w/no idea of it except for what the back cover disclosed. Upon initial reading, I thought it might be akin to the "Matt Helm" or "Flynnt" films of the 1960's with a twist or a spoof of the spy film genre. I was wrong.

It's Roman Coppola's (Nicholas Cage's cousin) sentimental treatment of his early movie-watching experience as well as the personel odyssey of a first time director against the backdrop of the making of a late 60's/early 70's spy film. The idea of a film within a film is not new and could be confusing; however, Mr. Coppola's use of the technique works for him here. Though it is not the best film of 2002, it is an intelligent, thought-provoking, and entertaining little movie.

The caliber of talent Mr. Coppola assembled in Jeremy Davis, Elodie Bouchez, Angela Lindvall, Giancarlo Giannini, Gerard Depardieu, Jason Schwartzman, John Philip Law, and Dean Stockwell go a long way in making this a little gem and not a lump of coal. The choice for casting worked nicely for this 1st time director. The confusion and searching portrayed by Davis' character kept me interested in his trials and tribulations as he tries to find truth through the media of movies in his life. It is his search that ultimately made me like the film. This main character is neither good or bad, but a man trying to find his way in the world he has chosen, meanwhile, like the rest of us, he still has a day job [sound editor-turn-director] to contend with while searching. It is Mr. Coppola's handling of this character that will either keep or lose you in the film. His first outing shows he has definite potential and not just b/c of family ties. As his first directorial movie, its likable.

On a secondary note, the music and cinematography are reminiscent of the times. The Dragonfly visual sequences and soundtrack provided by Mellow almost take you back to those psycodelic times. Compare the Dragonfly scenes w/movies of the same period and you will notice how well the cinematography was done. The background music, though could sound cheesy, comes across authentic. In both categories, Mr. Coppola did nicely. It would seem his choice of music was influenced by his sister's "The Virgin Suicides" OST, except the dark electro-synth sounds of Air are replaced in "CQ" with the dreamy, relaxed sounds of Mellow.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a little movie done sentimentally, but not sappy about a person searching for truth to the background of some laid-back sounds, then CQ is the film for you.

Excellent DVD for three films within one
There are tons of specials within this disc so that makes worthwhile purchase in value especially considering that this film didn't make that much of a fuss in the theatres. OK the film is actually about three films. 1)The introspective short film made by the protagonist who is the editor/director of a 60's B-movie. 2)That 60's B-movie and 3)The making of both of those films behind the scenes. It truly evokes a past era of filmmaking. It's a mild film, but I can see where people who are interested in film style of the past, this would be essential. Good job, Roman Coppola.

Excellent
CQ really is a treasure. I was first intrigued by this film when I saw the soundtrack lying in a local bookstore. I thought it was a film from the 60's, but sure enough there was a cast that included modern-day players like Jeremy Davies, Billy Zane and the ever-quirky Jason Schwartzman. I found the film and was really intrigued by it for a long, long time. Finally I decided to buy it, without even viewing it first. And I'm very happy I did. CQ is a real delight about the little guy rising up and taking charge.

Jeremy Davies is really enjoyable as Paul Ballard, a young American filmmaker living in Paris, searching for his inner-self. Angela Lindvall gives a suprisingly real and sweet performance as Valentine and a sexy, cat-like performance as Dragonfly. I was surprised that this was her first film.

The extras on this DVD are very unique and watchable. In closing, CQ is a really fun, well-written, well-directed film and my advice is that you buy it!

I'd have clapped long and hard in the theaters...
if I had known of this films existence before today. What a great movie. All around entertaining. Everything that could have made this movie great was in there. On the spot acting! Jeremy Davies is awesome. Angela Lindvall shows an incredible performance for a newcomer. And beyond any earthly explanation, no matter how small his role, anything Billy Zane has been in somehow becomes one of my favorite movies. This film is no exception. Roman, I hope to see your name attached to a lot more writer/director credits in the future. If you were a band I'd buy your t-shirt and put you in heavy rotation on my iPod. (now I just need an iPod...)
Don't think, just buy it.

- Scott ... Read more

Reviews (76)

A well done movie.
Many people criticize the lack of historical accuracy in this production, and understandably so. However, if you do not take a historical viewpoint and view the movie as you would view any other romance-tear jerker, you would realize that it is well done and the actors and actresses have done a superb job. It seems that by now people would realize that the last place you should go to for historical accuracy is a made for t.v. movie. Reading other reviews, I become slightly annoyed with other's disgust with Cleopatra. Their main argument was that, hisorically speaking, the movie was extremely off base and the characters were poorly portrayed. I would ask anyone watching this movie to keep in mind that the producers, directors, and actors who participated in this production were targeting a general audience. Unfortunately, the general audience is composed of people who merely want to be entertained, not educated. This movie accomplishes it's purpose, to entertain, which makes me believe that it is worthwhile. Congratulations to Billy Zane and Timothy Dalton for a job well done in portraying two of Rome's most famous characters: Marc Antony and Julius Caesar. Leonor Varela, while her Cleopatra was not the one whom I have come to know and love so well from history books and biographies, seems to have taken a lot of grief for her performance. I believe that she suffered from poorly written dialogue (the writers disregarded the real Cleopatra's intelligence and wit) and carried her part well. In short, I award this movie four stars. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would like to see the actors and actresses receive more credit for their performances, as they all did excellent jobs.

An epic of grand scale!
This movie was amazing, especially for being made for TV. Great, wonderful, awesome... all of the above.

Thrilling drama
Dramas based on history, usually are not historically accurate. This movie is not less historically accurate that Shakespeare's Julius Caesar or Anthony and Cleopatra.
The fact is that it is a thrilling drama, with steamy romance, gripping action and intrigue.
It is probably true from the evidence that Cleopatra was not an extremely beautiful woman, which leads some to fault the casting of the gorgeous Leonora Varela.
But it is totally unfair to fault Leonora as an actress. She is a fantastic actress, and it is great to watch her Cleopatra. Indeed, who could not fall in love with Leonora Varela's Cleopatra? So what if she is not Elizabeth Taylor (she is rather more beautiful than Elizabeth Taylor)

The truth is that Cleopatra in reality was, no doubt, an unscrupulous, and scheming woman, and if anything the casting of the lovely Leonora, in her very sensually charged portrayal of this role, makes me more sympathetic to her character.
I hope to see much more of Leonora, she'd make a great Osnat, the wife of the Yosef, the Hebrew who rose to become Prince of Egypt, Queen Esther of the Purim story, or Pocahontas.

Timothy Dalton as always, was his grand self and added the required force to the role of Julius Caesar, and Billy Zane knew how to do a great Mark Anthony.

I thought some particularly memorable scenes are where Cleopatra shows some skill with weapons in defending herself from would-be-assassins, the portrayal of the Roman Senate, the rally after Caesar's assasination where Mark Anthony swears revenge against Caesar's murderers and enflames the crowd against Brutus , Cassius and company , and the recreation of Alexandria.
Octavian is well displayed as a scheming, power-player, and whoever had the idea of him presenting Brutus' head to Mark Anthony in a basket.

And a nice role played by Kassandra Voyagis as Cleopatra's short lived sister Arsinoe. I was sad to see her go like that, and it certainly showed Cleopatra's cruel side.

Best "Cleo" Yet
This is the best Cleo on the market. Exotic sets & scenery, steamy love scenes. The script is sameoldsameold, but what can you do with this story? The beauty in the title role sends Liz back to Beverly Hills, & the acting level of these two stars is about even.

One Awesome Movie
I orginally saw this movie on tv but I missed a lot of it. I was really interested in seeing the entire movie so I bought the DVD. Trust me it was worth it. I love the costumes that they used in the movie and Leonor Varela isa great actress. She was perfect for the role as Cleopatra. I recommend this movie to everyone. ... Read more

Description

Carnivorous aliens who feed on human flesh invade Earth. Starring Dee Wallace-Stone and M. Emmet Walsh. Year: 1986 Director: Stephen Herek Starring: Dee Wallace-Stone, M. Emmet Walsh, Billy Green Bush ... Read more

Reviews (38)

A highly entertaining and fun movie.
A cult 1986 classic mix of Sci-fi and horror with comedy tells the story of a group of flesh-eating Furball Aliens who escape from a Prison Ship in Space now comes to earth and lands in Kansas only to feed on human flesh, a pair of Shapeshifting Alien bounty Hunters persue them and must exterminate them.

This has wit and skill, it's even Billy Zane ( Titanic) in his first film and this features one of my favorite actors " Terrence Mann", a very underrated but brilliant actor portrays "Ug" the Bounty Hunter with the body and face of a Rock Singer.

followed by it's superior sequel " Critters 2".

Critters (1986)
Director: Stephen Herek
Cast: Dee Wallace, M. Emmett Walsh, Scott Grimes, Don Opper, Terrence Mann.
Running Time: 87 minutes.
Rated PG-13 for violence, some gore, and language.

Possessing all of the ingredients of a sure cult-classic even while still in the theaters, "Critters" is an extremely enjoyable science-fiction monster yarn that will make you laugh, scream, and cr...(well not cry), well you get the idea. The premise is simple and humorous all the same: A spaceship directed by fiendish little alien creatures that are searching for blood crashlands on earth on a farm owned by Dee Wallace and M. Emmett Walsh. Their rambunctious teenage son, played by Scott Grimes, suspects that something is up, but he can not convince his parents otherwise--only the goofy repair man Opper believes Grimes. The aliens speak their own hilarious extra-terrestrial language, roll into balls when they need to gain ground on their pray, shoot sedative porcupine needles, and grow larger with every victim that they eat.

In hot pursuit of the evil little creatures are two bounty hunters that can change forms and faces. These crazy characters are nearly as tormenting as the flesh-eating critters, shooting their bazookas all over the place and causing a stur. While almost too ridiculous to be believable, the great cast does a fine job keeping a straight face and with the blend of a few genuine scares, "Critters" is a superb, campy romp similar to frighteningly funny flicks such as "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" and "Gremlins". One of the better little gems of the horror genre in the middle 1980's. Spawned three sequels--but the original is the best.

More like 4.5 stars
OK, what can I say about critters...CULT CLASSIC OF THE 80'S!

Critters is a horrific story of carnivorous aliens who come to Earth in a feeding frenzy for human flesh. Although i said its "horrific" there really is only one scary part, the rest is hilarious! this movie is seriously one of the best out there! you can normally find it really cheap at places like wall mart or shopko or hastings! if you like this one get the second one and maybe the third one...but skip the fourth one! Its crap!

Critter 1 in the Buss.
The best horror movie I have ever seen. If you like action there is plenty of it. Critter is horror but it also has some fun parts in it. Like when crit says they have weapons. The other says so what the wife blast him to bits with her rifle. The other Krite says the f word and rolls away. Don Opper is wonderfull as Charley. Bradly brown is adorable as a little boy. The funnet horror movie since Gremlins. If you like this there other three. Note 3 and 4 are not as good as 1 and 2. Only 2 people get killed during all of three.

If you want to she lots of gore you second one you want. Critters was and alway will be best exitent horror series ever written. There should not of stop making them. If you are really sensitive you should not watch these film. There was this one guy who review Critters 4. There was one guy that saw Critters 4 that cried for 3 hours after he finished watching them.

The krites are evil like the gremlins but not a smart they do some dumb things. Eatting and drink inatimate objects one thing that is done in Critters 1 2 and 3. A good series funny and hillarious. I recetly purchsed these 4 in DVD format.

a decent little sci-fi flick for it's time
Ah, Critters. I saw this movie along with it's other sequels a number of years ago and liked them for the most part. This and Critters 2 came on back to back on HBO recently and of course I wanted to see them again. Well on to the review of Critters. Let me start off by saying that this movie is geared more toward teenagers and adults may rate this as a typical "B movie". I won't ruin the plot for anyone who hasn't seen Critters so I'll just say that if you like a dark sci-fi with a bit of humor than you may want to check this out. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you've never seen an aviation movie before in your entire life, you'll be blissfully ignorant of the fact that Memphis Belle shamelessly (and yet gloriously) incorporates just about every cliché in the flight-movie handbook. If you're a big fan of aviation movies--especially movies about World War II bomber crews--you'll be glad that the genre's clichés have been handled with such professional flair. As it follows the crew of a B-17 bomber on its final and most dangerous mission over Germany, Memphis Belle may be little more than a slick and highly authentic presentation of familiar thrills and characters, but it's a rousing piece of entertainment. Featuring an ensemble cast of fresh faces who've since enjoyed thriving careers (including Billy Zane, Sean Astin, Eric Stoltz, D.B. Sweeney, and Harry Connick Jr.), the movie exists as a fitting tribute to the men who fought and often died in the air over hostile territory. It's the Hollywood version of a 1944 wartime documentary made by legendary director William Wyler (whose daughter served as one of this film's producers), and as such it's a bit contrived and melodramatic. And yet, this exciting movie is almost certain to grab and hold your attention, offering an honorable reminder of the bravery and integrity that were crucial ingredients of any bomber's crew. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (66)

Twelve O'Clock Medium...
If you can penetrate (like a B-17 cutting through cloud cover) all the character cliches and a certain old-fashioned hokey aura, you'll find a harrowing depiction of daylight bombing, circa 1943. What you won't find is an accurate account of the real Memphis Belle's 25th mission, or anyone resembling the actual men who flew her that day.

Matthew Modine captains this fictionalized crew, with support from resentful co-pilot Tate Donovan, dishonest bombadier Billy Zane, panicked navigator D.B. Sweeney and wiseacre belly gunner Sean Astin. Tailgunner Harry Connick, Jr. gets to display his vocals and piano skills in a musical number, dedicated to waistgunner Eric Stoltz, that stalls the film in the early going.

While the real Memphis Belle experienced a somewhat less dramatic run to a different target, this film's mission is to depict the aerial terrors of that year in Europe, when American airmen suffered more losses than any other branch of our armed forces. Direct hit! Massive B-17 formations thunder across the sky, flak rips planes apart, and in one chilling moment, an enemy fighter slices one bomber in half, and our heroes hear the panicked screams of its doomed crew over the radio.

The battle scenes are horrific, and the character scenes are just horrible. It's not that the acting is of poor quality; it isn't. It's that each crewmember faces some sort of hackneyed personal crisis and comes through in true cliched fashion, which somewhat cheapens what the real crew experienced. It's literally one thing after another, a bombing run as group therapy. The film relies exclusively on stock Hollywood types, rather than human beings. Plus, Sweeney's fearful character does a disservice to the real Belle's navigator. Modine comes off best, with his youthful appearance and dedication, as he admonishes his crew not to shout their targets over the intercom. John Lithgow has the thankless task of portraying the coldblooded PR officer who's more concerned with publicity tours than the men's welfare, or their mission's stategic/tactical importance.

Despite its failings as a "true" story, this is a film worth watching. Not until "Saving Private Ryan" would a film surpass "Belle's" depiction of nerve-wracking combat.

Great Hollywood Introduction to Vital American History
A little background. First of all, there really was a plane called the Memphis Belle. It is traditionally considered the first B-17 to complete the obligatory 25 missions and survive. If you are going to learn about the real 'Memphis Belle', I highly recommend you watch the William Wyler documentary, made during World War II, that chronicles the story of the actual plane and its crew. You may also want to read the book that came out in the past year called "The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle" about the Belle's pilot, Robert Morgan, because it is a fascinating book about a man who went on to fly B29's in the Pacific after surviving in Europe. And to watch a movie that accurately chronicles the trials and tribulations of bomber crewmen in Europe in WWII, I recommend "Twelve O'Clock High" and "Pistol Packing Mama".
That having been said, I must add that most air veterans think that the 1990 "Memphis Belle" movie is unrealistic, and in many ways they are right. However, I have done enough research to appreciate that the film is a great way to get introduced to the exploits of the brave aircrews who flew over Germany in World War II. It is an entertaining film. I think the director would have been much better off NOT calling the film "The Memphis Belle", because the story is mostly fiction. So why did he/she do so? It was put out by the daughter