Description

Based on the New York Times’ Best Selling Novel by Dorothy Allison, "Cavedweller" tells the story of Delia (Sedgwick), a determined young mother who decides to return to her rural southern hometown after the unexpected death of her second husband (Bacon). There she must face the two daughters and abusive husband (Quinn) she abandoned a decade ago. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

A cute movie and a nice addition to your BSC collection!
This is a very nice and easy going movie that gives a great look at Ann Martin's classic book series. I have to agree that even though Schuyler Fisk is a good actress (she's Sissy Spacek's daughter) she just didn't capture the character and confidence that Kristy has in the book series. Kristy in the movie is whiny and unsure of herself and apologetic. Kristy in the book series is loud and bossy, ever-so-confident and headstrong.
However, the movie is a pleasure to watch over and over again. Rachel Leigh Cook shines as Mary Anne; quiet, reserved, and lovely. Plus Claudia, Dawn, and the rest of the club members were acted well. The movie is not just based on a single BSC book, but chooses to concentrate mainly on the relationship between Kristy and her Dad. She and the other club members also run a summer play camp, which they do many times in the book series, and it features true girl situations, from boys to bullies, from anger to laughter, from trouble with babies to cranky next door neighbors. The ending was cute and is the best part, definitely because Cokie gets what she deserves! For a BSC fan, this movie is very satisfying. Overall, a great movie that shows how fun true friends really are!!

fun movie
I've always been a fan of the Baby-Sitters Club books and the video series, so I enjoyed seeing this movie. In this film, we find the group of girls starting a summer day camp for kids. Kristy is trying to cope with her estranged father's sudden return, Claudia fights to get through summer school, Stacey has a mad crush on a 17-year-old guy, Mary Anne faces challenges with the school snob who's trying to steal her boyfriend, and, most of all, all 7 of them struggle to get through trust issues and such so that they can remain friends. Overall, it's a pretty good movie--very entertaining and a fun film to watch if you're a fan of the books. However, there is one thing about this movie that I never liked ever since I saw it for the first time, and that's the casting of Schuyler Fisk as BSC President Kristy Thomas. In the movie, Kristy seems a little too cowardly and whiny, which is totally against her personality. I loved the girl who played Kristy in the video series. She showed the character as a tough and take-charge tomboy--just as she was meant to be. Schuyler Fisk did do a pretty good job in the role, but the personality of Kristy was completely changed. Other than that, it's a good movie. Fun for everyone. Get it now=)

BSC
Yes, the dialogue is corny, Mallory and Jessi get shafted (practically no lines for Jessi at all), and the tv series was much better. But this isn't a terrible movie either. I was a huge fan of the books as a kid, but hadn't seen this movie until my little sister rented it recently. I expected terrible acting, but Rachel Leigh Cook (of She's All That) really stands out as Mary Ann, and Larisa Oleynik (10 Thing I Hate About You, The Secret World of Alex Mack -what a great show!) and Schuyler Fisk (Orange County) do well too. Ellen Burstyn's appearance, while a bit random and very corny, is entertaining. The only one I wasn't impressed with was the actress playing Stacy. There's a whole lot going on in this movie, as each of the five older babysitters gets a least some subplot to herself, but it all ties together pretty well. There are some genuinely funny moments, and some more serious issues as well (Kristy deals with the reappearance of her deadbeat dad, who wants her to keep his presence a secret from her friends and family). While the movie will be most appreciated by younger girls, I think that people like me who grew up in the nineties will get a kick out of it too, with it's dated clothing, music (that awful rap scene!), pop-culture references, and of course, the babysitters themselves (and in their original form, great for those of us who remember the times before Dawn was replaced by Abby and similar blasphemous changes made).

Dawn And The Huanted House,#2
The story starts when the BSC were on their way to Claudia's house.They stop by a huanted house on a hill and they spot a spooky woman on the window,and when the woman sees them ,they head for claudia's house .The BSC gets new clients,3 kids,and Mary Anne And Stacey get the job.Willy,the oldest of the 3 kids,has a telescope, and he spies on Mrs Slaid (supposedly the witch), and he sees a girl,and he tells Stacey. Stacey looks through the telescope and sees Cluadia!U will be surprised by the great anding!

If you loved the series...
You'll love this movie. I used to be hooked on the BSC books years ago when I was in middle--and even the beginning of high school. I saw this movie the day it came to theaters. It involves Kristy's dad coming by and trying to be a part of Kristie's life..while she (and Maryann) try to keep it from her mom. The other bsc members get a little jealous that the two are so secretive but Maryann doesnt want to break their trust. Claudia is in a dilemma..if she doesnt pass her course in summer school...she will have to leave the bsc per her parents wishes. Stacey is involved with an older boy. Cokie Mason (yep shes in the movie!) is always in Maryann's hair and will stop at nothing to get Logan. All this and they still have to keep the kids under control at the summer camp the bsc has organized. And yes..you will find a lot of the kids mentioned in the books..ie..Karen, Suzy, Buddy, Nina, Rosie, etc.. You wont be disappointed. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Solid gold
Ulee Jackson (played by Peter Fonda) is a reclusive beekeeper who lives in a rustic home in a tiny Florida town, where he raises his two granddaughters. As the victim of past hardships, he also is now the eldest member of a dysfunctional family; his son Jimmy is in prison, his daughter-in-law Helen is a runaway drug addict, his oldest granddaughter Casey is a rebellious teen, and her little sister Penny is a lonely young girl. Ulee is a loner, refusing the help and camaraderie of the local townsfolk. But one day, Jimmy calls Ulee and asks for a favor regarding Helen. Ulee then discovers that, by mustering up tremendous lost courage, he must bring his shattered family together and keep them safe from a pair of thugs.

Directed by Victor Nunez, this critically-acclaimed film wasn't seen much upon its 1997 release. "Ulee's Gold" is a very quiet film, and its unhurried pace and frequent dialogue will probably try the patience of just about anyone who watches it. It takes its time before diving into the storyline, and the viewer doesn't really get involved with the film until after the first half-hour. However, "Ulee's Gold" is ultimately a powerful and effective human drama that moves the soul in its own subtle way.

The film's greatest strength lies in the stirring performances, particularly that of Peter Fonda as the aloof but strong-willed Ulee. At first the viewer thinks of Ulee as just an estranged man who cares about nothing but his beekeeping business; but the character slowly works his way into the viewer's heart as the film progresses. Soon we get to realize how much the man cares for his family, and by the end of the film we are really cheering for him. Christine Dunford also gives a superb performance as Helen, and Patricia Richardson (of "Home Improvement" fame) is also convincing as Ulee's neighbor, the one townsperson whom he allows in on his situation.

Additionally, much of the plot of "Ulee's Gold" lies in the script, rather than through on-screen action; thus the viewer is never presented with overcalculated brutality. Even the tensest of scenes are played out like they would be in an everyday rural or suburban society, without big explosions or fistfights. The drawn-out dialogue gets a little tedious at times, but it makes the characters all the more believable. Throughout the film, these characters go through a lot of changes, especially Ulee. In the end, it is Ulee who has changed the most, having discovered that his "gold" is not just his rare Tupelo honey, but the even-more-precious family that he has fought so hard to protect.

"Ulee's Gold" may not be quite as involving as the more recent "In the Bedroom", but it's a great film for anyone who likes solidly told dramas. It was not aimed at a teenage audience, so anyone my age who happens to be reading this review will probably find it somewhat boring; however, there's a lot of good material in this film that shows profound thought in Nunez's part. See it if it interests you in any way.

Peter Fonda's Best Work
Ulee's Gold is probably one of the most believable films of late it had all the elements of a good movie and put them all together and made a wonderful film. The story is that this man Ulee (Peter Fonda) is a beekeeper and his son who is in jail was married to a woman named Helen (Christine Dunford) who he must find and take care of however one of her biggest flaws is that she is drug addicted and her eldest daughter does not want to see her. Ulee had been taking care of Penny (Vanessa Zima) and Casey (Jessica Biel) since they were young but not into time for Casey to not be scared forever. Can this broken family ever be the loving family that they once were or are they all forever scared. I would recommend this movie to everyone over the age of twelve because it does have a lot of language, drug content, and some violence other than that it is fine. I hope that this review has helped you in making a decision about this film.

Good honey-bee drama...slow as molasses
This is a very low-key movie about a honey-bee farmer named "Ulee" (Ulysses) who is a widower and finds himself having to unite his dysfunctional family. His family includes a son in prison for bank robbery, a drugged out daughter-in-law who spills the beans about the location of the long-lost stolen money to the other accomplices who give Ulee trouble, and two grandaughters, aged about 11 and rebellious 15. There is a helpful neighbor nurse and local sheriff, as well. The End.

Peter Fonda garnered much acclaim for his acting, and in fact all the players did a good job including Jessica Biel and Vanessa Zima as the kids, Patricia Richardson as the neighbor, and Tom Wood as the son.

I found the actual bee-keeping business pretty interesting, but it looks to be a tedious and labor-intensive job, at least on the small-scale shown here.

This story will only appeal to older audiences as there is little "action", even in the action portion. The ending may be a bit more upbeat than the circumstances might dictate, but it could go that way. This is more of a character study, and on that level is quite good.

No DVD extras beyond the usual language/subtitle options and trailer

Superb!
All the players are outstanding in this drama about what really matters in a family. Masterfully directed and compelling.

Highly recommended.

The Bees' Knees or a Classic Film
Watching "Ulee's Gold" again 6 years after it was released reminded me of how great a movie this is. Victor Nunez is an independent filmmaker who usually sets his films in Florida and sits on the board of the Sundance Film Festival. His excellent eye for talent is demonstrated by the introduction of Ashley Judd in 1993's "Ruby in Paradise." Being an independent feature explains why so much of this cast is actors from television. Not to diminish the sterling performance of Peter Fonda, this is an ensemble work that Nunez has directed. Each member of the cast is essential to its success; and it does succeed.

As Ulee Jackson, Peter Fonda gives an amazingly understated but strong performance. You can see the storm of emotions that fly within the character as evidenced by the one scene where he lets his feelings fly as he tells off his daughter-in-law Helen with anger and venom. That edge or spark underlies all of the other well-controlled scenes so that even though Ulee may be quiet, he is always focused, always tense.

The supporting cast is also excellent. TV's "Home Improvement" Patricia Richardson is excellent as the neighbor nurse who tries to help without intruding and winds up attracted to Ulee. That interesting relationship allows the mind to conjure up Ulee 2: The Sequel to see how things develop after this crisis point.

Jessica Biel, the bad girl who posed nude for a magazine and got booted from TV's "7th Heaven" delivers another blockbuster performance as the young adult/late adolescent who wants to be a kid but who fights with her responsibilities to her family and loves them even as she sasses them. I probably won't select to see her in the upcoming "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" because it's not my kind of film, but she certainly shows the potential of an accomplished actress.

The other supporting players are also excellent. Christine Dunford who has worked in TV (Ally McBeal, Law & Order) shows great range as the drug-addicted mother who is dragged out of her habit, and clings to her con hubby. Steven Flynn who also has worked in TV (Ally McBeal, NYPD Blue) as the big brain con Eddie Flowers is sufficiently creepy to keep our interest. His horny sidekick Ferris Dooley is played well by Dewey Weber. Ulee's son Jimmy in prison is played by Tom Wood ("The Fugitive," "Appollo 13") with an edgy performance, conflicting the loose morals that landed him in prison with his love for his wife and kids. Even little Vanessa Zima ("Zoe") as the younger daughter Penny does a good job of being sufficiently innocent.

Nunez has created a marvelous ensemble piece. One could almost see this adapted for a compelling stage play. I was particularly struck by the metaphor of being calm amid the bees which paralells the tense human situation and Ulee's calmness in the face of possible tragedy. The film holds up well and will remain a classic film. Enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

What can Matt, an 11-year-old boy, do when his father is too obsessedwith work to spend quality time with his family? A forgotten school projectturns into sudden inspiration for Matt--if he buys his father's company,Tyler's Toys, he'll become his father's boss and can force him to spend moretime at home! With a little business guidance from his teacher, some helpfrom his friend Danny, and the promise of a major computer chip breakthroughby his sister Kelly, Matt secures $4 million from online kid investors andpulls off a hostile takeover of Tyler Toys. The fun really begins when Mattappears in front of his employees as an animated face on a computer monitorand institutes a liberal new work policy. Matt quickly discovers just howmuch work running a business entails and finds himself in serious troublewith the local bank and the Federal Trade Commission. Can a lot of hard workby the entire family and a little luck save Tyler's Toys? This well-produced,99-minute video features Kevin Kilner, Alexandra Paul, Rich Little, and DomDeLuise. The story is engaging, if strikingly reminiscent of the Tom Hanksmovie Big. While aimed primarily at children ages 7 to 14, enoughadult humor is sprinkled throughout to keep parents sufficiently entertained.--Tami Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good movie, better talent.
First, when I review a movie, I try to grade it on its own terms. It wouldn't be fair to put this one up against "Schindler's List" or "The Breakfast Club". This Disney offering is much like so many other Disney made-for-TV films. It's cute and inoffensive. There are no rough edges, nothing shocking... in a word: kid-safe. In this, it excells at being what it was intended to be. There is enough entertainment value to make The Brainiacs.com fun for adults, too, but I am deducting a point because the writers didn't work hard enough to maintain the suspension of disbelief for those technicially minded enough to be put off by the impossible feats that these kids pull off on their computers (things it would take an army of seasoned programmers and artists weeks to produce, these kids do in a few seconds.) This can be forgiven, though, since it is a common practice for such films and it really doesn't keep the movie from filling the niche it was intended to. I won't rehash the plot since it is already spelled out in the Amazaon editorial. There is one extraordinary aspect of this movie that bears mention, and that is its main star, Michael Angarano. I feel that he is seriously short-changed by whoever designed the outer box. It's obvious that he has a very formiddable talent and it shows here. He is charming and outshines the rest of the cast with his natural portrayal of the main character of Matt Tyler. It is a shame that his name is not even mentioned in the graphics on the front of the VHS box - what a horrible thing to do to a good young actor. It could be argued that being relatively unknown, his name won't sell units. My arguments are that -A> he won't be lesser-known for long, he is a busy enough and talented enough young actor to make a big impression on the business.... and -B> Kevin Kilner's name (which features very prominantly on the front) doesn't sell units, either. Ask a hundred strangers who "Kevin Kilner" is, and you'll get a hundred clueless answers. Truth is, he gets such a nod because he is an adult. Meanwhile, the star of the movie (which is primarily aimed at kids) gets demoted because he's a kid. Gotta love that bean-counter thinking. All preaching aside, if you like Disney made-for-TV movies, or your kids do, go ahead and give this one a try. Its funny, sweet and has a nice message for kids and parents alike. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Great Soap Opera feel.
OK, so it has Julia Stiles in it. That may turn a lot of people off. Or maybe on. This was one of her first rolls and it was a direct-to-video semi-hit back in 1998. It's an amazing film and watching it last night, I had to write this review.

WICKED is a movie where nothing is what it seems.

14-year-old Ellie Christianson (Julia Stiles) lives to run away. In fact, she has a suitcase just for that. She never does, always giving up her fight. She always fights with her mother Karen Christianson (Chelsea Field) who's having an affair with deadbeat loser neighbor Lawson Smith (Patrick Muldoon). She seems to only get along with her dad, Ben (Billy Moses) and little sister, Inger (Vanessa Zima). One day, Karen is bludgen to death with a mask (part of the comedy and tragety masks) in her own home, in a gated community. All fingers point to Ellie who never liked her mother much and is always getting into trouble. Ellie was always the Daddy's Girl and a confessed favorite of her father's. So she decides to take over where her mother left off, wearing her clothes and cooking for her family. After she seduces her father, she thinks that they will be together forever. But when former maid Lena Anderson (Louise Myrback) decides marry Ben to get her green card, Ellie gets the idea that she should try to run away again....

The review seems short but I can't write much without giving anything away.

WICKED is a very visual movie. Spetacular colors are used in several scenes. Before the murder, everything around the house is completly white. Making the viewing of blood a lot more shocking and graphic.

RECCOMENDED TO FANS OF:
Dressed To Kill (1980)
Wild Things (1998)
Poison Ivy (1992)

CAST
Julia Stiles..............Ellie Christianson
Louise Myrback..........Lena Anderson
Billy Moses..............Ben Christianson
Chelsea Field.......Karen Christianson
Vanessa Zima.......Inger Christianson
Patrick Muldoon............Lawson Smith

Linda Hart.........................Mrs. Potter

THE MOVIE: 3.5/4

THE PICTURE QUALITY is a 9.5/10. There are some specks that appear briefly. However it's in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen which drags in an extra point for the rebounds.

THE AUDIO QUALITY is Dolby Surround 2 channel while the box states there is a 5.1 channel on the package as well. 8/10

THE SPECIAL FEATURES are trailers for several movies including this one and filmographies (no doubt to show off what Stiles has been in)

SUBTITLES: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Thai.

Must-see for Julia Styles fans
I admit: the only reason I rented this movie was because of Julia Stiles' picture on the back of the DVD cover, looking unspeakably sultry and irresistible. I expected "Wicked" to be a cheesy B-movie, and it is. However, it's a good one at that; I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

"Wicked"'s main plot revoles around a highly dysfunctional family in that morass we call the American Suburbia. The mother is mysteriously murdered one morning, and there are a variety of suspects like a good B-level whodunit movie, with even a cheesy detective included. However, as the father's oldest daughter begins to reveal the true depth of her obsession with her father by gradually seeking to replace her deceased mother, the murder because somewhat of a sideshow.

Julia Stiles smoulders like never before as the über-sultry, forbidden jailbait sex-goddess obsessed with her father. She eerily dons her mother's gowns, cooks for her father, and eventually seduces him (who could resist? Honestly?) Eventually Ellie (Stiles) becomes increasingly more obsessed and evil as she gets into a power struggle with Lena, her father's new girlfriend. Julia Stile's performance, and the unfolding of the plot, is both grandly disturbing and breathlessly exciting to watch. The movie leaves you feeling very uneasy. The director obviously tried to go for a more dark comedy tone, but I was just disturbed period.

...

Comic Tragedy
Okay, I've read some of what my fellow reviewers have said about this film and some are wrong. Folks, you may not want to believe this, but there really are people out there like this. Yes, there really are cheesy detectives and there really are kids like the Julia Stiles character, Ellie. As a matter of fact, Ellie resembles a highly developed RAD diagnosis. They are manipulative, they are obsessive, and they have no empathy. They can kill without a care if it suits their plan.

You may laugh at this film, as reality through Ellie's eyes can be so absurd that it's funny, but overall, the film has more truth to it than you may want to admit.

Aspires to be like a good DePalma film and fails.
After seeing this straight-to-DVD title, I can easily understand why it was not given a theatrical release. It aspires to be like a good Brian DePalma film, with generous helping of ultra-dark comedy, a labyrinth, thriller/mystery plot, and odd camera angles. Unfortunately, the comedy is not funny, there is no suspense, and the direction appears to be that of a director whose skill never made it past film-school level. One of the main problems is that the protagonist's relationship with an advesary does a complete 180 degree-turn with little to no explanation/rationalization (you'll understand when and if - heaven forbid - you sit through this film). The only thing to really recommend the title is a decent performance from the then-unknown Julia Stiles in her debut but, again, the uninspired direction sinks the film at every turn. Stiles has stated in print that this was her favorite film role. Logical, really, as her acting far outshines every other spect of the movie but, if I were her, I'd try to bury this film by any means possible. I was especially disappointed as director Michael Steinberg co-directed a film I greatly admire: "The Waterdance," a drama starring Eric Stoltz as a paraplegic. Then it all came into focus when I looked up the filmography of the "Waterdance" directors: co-writer/co-director Neal Jimenez (a real-life paraplegic) was responsible for the brilliant "River's Edge" while the only other creative endeavor Steinberg undertook was as one of many co-writers on the painful "Sleep With Me." So, if you like "Waterdance," seek out other Jimenez written films. If you like Julia Stiles, try "State and Main" or "Ten Things I Hate About You." If you like sloppy thrillers which look like they were made for basic cable, by all means, endure "Wicked."

Agreed that some reviews are wayyyy to harsh
I remember first seeing this film at its premiere in the Sundance Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I won't revisit plot points that other reviews go into here, but I will say that it's a rather infectious twist of murder/mystery/thriller/comedy(in a fashion) about a situation dwelling in the realms of the Electra complex.

The fact that it makes you laugh at times almost halts you into thinking: "Should I laugh at this?"

After the movie, I met Julia Stiles at the front of the theater and congratulated her on such a gutsy role. She smiled and thanked me. Little did I know that she would move on in her movie career! If you're reading Julia, GOOD FOR YOU!!

It's not your run-of-the-mill Hollywood flick...I should say, THANKFULLY IT'S NOT. There are definitely no formulas at work here.

Enjoy! ... Read more

Description

Three runaway girls hijack a car and begin the adventure of a lifetime… Life in a Detroit suburb is closing in on Zoe and her two friends, Sarah and Ally.They decide to skip class, skip town and head west following Zoe's obsession over her Native American heritage.The girls cross paths with the English woman Cecilia who's totally out of place on a mission to fulfill her mothers last request: to have her ashes scattered in a mysterious location in New Mexico.Zoe realizes that destiny has brought them together and the two embark upon a spiritual journey.Zoecomes quickly of age after getting lost in a daring, solo walk through the blazing desert. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

What A Treasure!!
There were very few DVD's left at the small video store where I shop on this last 4th of July weekend, and 'Zoe' was one of them. So I thought, "what the heck".
I loved this story! To quote Cecelia in the movie, it is a "secret treasure". Vanessa Zima gives a great performance as an adolescent trying hard to figure out what her place in the world is all about, and with her two friends create a very believable friendship and adventure. She constantly carries with her a page ripped from a National Geographic, and she dreams of possibilities. Jenny Seagrove is perfect as Cecelia, a woman who thinks she has her life in predictable order but finds out that there's more to life than she ever imagined. Both woman and child are destined to share life-changing discoveries about themselves and the world around them and the story is beautiful. If you remember ever feeling like you just wanted your world to change- to somehow right itself, this is a movie you will enjoy.

I doubt that the budget for this was very large, but Deborah Attoinese did a fine job with a touching story and I'm glad that she was able to bring it to film. Only two things I wish for: I wish it was longer! and I wish there was a soundtrack for it. At the very least, I would have liked to get some of the songs by Laurie Webb. However, my search for that so far is elusive. I will keep trying.
And yes, I enjoyed the film so much that I bought the dvd.

Beautiful
Zoe is a movie that you shouldn't miss. It's funny, exciting, wise and moving. The actors are great--don't miss Gordon Tootoosis; he's amazing. So is Jenny Seagrove. The director manages to weave together two or three stories flawlessly and always keeps you interested. Ultimately, it's a story about courage, about going someplace new, about trusting yourself. I loved it.

A simple story of two gentle, lost people
No car crashes, no explosions, no battle scenes -- just a gentle tale about two people looking for their place in the world. Vanessa Zima is wonderful, a mature performance far beyond her years. And Jenny Seagrove -- one of my favorites -- proves once again that her range and talent are virtually endless. She takes this role and wraps every emotion around it, she cradles it throughout the movie, and she presents her character to the audience, vulnerable but never tentative. Some day enough people will come to know this underappreciated sctor, and she will receive the credit for which she is long overdue. A stellar supporting cast and the beautiful desert southwest USA complete this must-see film. Flippin' shame the movie didn't find a distributor. NOTE: Though not rated, I'd probably give it a PG-13. No violence to speak of; brief yet tasteful presentation of sexuality; nudity implied but not viewable. (Review is of a VHS copy of this movie.) ... Read more