Reviews (216)

A Gimmicky Love Movie Makes for a Not too Bad Flick!
O.K., Let me start off and say this movie is based on all the "coincidetal" parts in love movies that make females, and some males (I'm a MAN and can admit when I cry), cry.

Yes, this movie is very gimmicky, but that what makes this movie great also. It knows it's very gimmicky and that's what makes this movie, being it's the bases and not to include main plot points.

The story goes like so:

In one magical moment Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) meet unexpectedly and spend a romantic winter day together, although both are involved with other people. At the end of the night Sara decides they must let fate determine if they are meant to be together and disappears without giving Jonathan a way of reaching her. Ten years later, they are both engaged to others but cannot give up the dream that they will meet again. And so begins their journey to find one another worlds apart!

Like I said, very gimmicky, but that's what makes this movie work.

The DVD itself is nothing too special. It has a good anamorphic widscreen presentation, ok audio, and not too many extras besides a few deleted sensces(nothing to go crazy over here) and an On the Set feature.

The romantic comedy of the year!
Everything you've believed about fate may not change once you've seen "Serendipity," which uses just about every trick in destiny's book to its advantage, but that doesn't mean that you won't have a good time. For true romantics and firm believers in fate, this is a sure-fire hit, while those who have no faith in chance will sneer. If you happen to be like me, you will suspend disbelief and accept the movie's reliance on all things coincidental, and just enjoy the movie for what it is: a winning piece of romance, laughter, and warmth.

Underneath the destiny premise is a basic, by-the-numbers plot with trademark characters and subplots. Beginning on a fateful night in New York City (and yes, the Twin Towers have been removed), we are introduced to Sara (Kate Beckinsdale), and John (John Cusack), two single people who spend the evening getting to know one another as they share a dream date of ice skating and coffee at a small restaurant named (of all things) Serendipity.

Just when it looks as if our two smitten kittens have become enraptured with one another, Sara plays hard to get, suggesting that if they really are meant to be together, then fate will take its course in bringing them back to one another. He writes his name down on a five dollar bill, which she uses to buy breath mints; destiny, she explains, will determine whether she gets that five dollars back again or not. She then tells him that she will write her name and number in a book, then sell it to a used book store... you get the picture, and they part ways.

Skip ahead a few years, and our two star-crossed lovers have moved on in life: John is days away from being married, while Sara, who now lives in San Francisco, has just become engaged to a musician of the weirdest sort. Of course, John cannot help but take a peek at every bookstore he walks past, while Sara gives hopeful glances at lingering five dollar bills... you get the picture.

When asked if I liked this picture, I answered with a wholehearted yes. After a summer filled with dead-end blockbusters, stunning suspense tinglers, and fresh comedies, "Serendipity" offers its audience a chance to embrace predictability instead of turning away from it. Every aspect of the plot is easily seen ahead of time by those who know their romantic comedies, but this works in the movie's favor, allowing us to kick back and have a good time without any demands on our mind's thought processes.

This is all made extremely likeable by the charming performances from the two leads, who add a great deal of feeling to their characters. Cusack shows a good amount of emotional capacity, enough so that we are willing to go along with his struggle to find his destined soul mate. Beckinsdale, who is quite becoming of the film, plays Sara's change of heart about fate and destiny to perfection, and then one-ups herself when her character again changes her mind and decides to locate John.

As the movie becomes a will-they-or-won't-they-end-up-together romance, we find ourselves in an arena of familiarity. The story supplies Sara and John each a typical best friend, who provide emotional support, and both of whom play a small key role in bringing the two together. In their search for one another, Sara and John will have so many close calls and near-misses (at one point, Sara steps into a taxi just as John runs behind it) that it makes the whole film seem absurd and ludicrous.

The surprise is, however, that it isn't. "Serendipity" is a refreshing piece of fluff that plays by the rules in all the right ways. The predictability of the material is in the film's favor, making no demands on the audience to sort things out. The story is given a verve and tenacity that sparkles like the snows of the Big Apple, while there is humor and sheer whimsy in every aspect of this fantastic fairy tale of chance. Couple that with some strong, inviting leads, and you have a formula for the most successful romantic comedy of the year.

Serendipity and Stupidity
This premise of this movie is just plain idiotic. Sara poses an almost impossible probabalistic challenge for her lover, Jon, by writing her address in a to-be-sold book. If he succeeds in obtaining this book, "fate" has allegedly worked its magic. The problem with this is that we are living in a probabilistic universe. Just how much "fate" do you need, anyway? Is not the chance of them meeting in the first place a miracle of "fate" in itself? Jon should have, in response, proposed tossing Sara off a skyscraper, leaving to "fate" whether she lives or not. The chances of her having a parachute handy is only marginally more likely than Jon finding her book, and far more likely than her finding sanity.

Connect the dots
OK, so you know how this movie will end. A guy and a girl meet each other under weird circumstances, fall in love and meet years later because they are meant for each other. Like so often.

but it's not bad at all, the clues are very funny and even though it's too absurd it is still funny. A nice 'romantic comedy'.

There are some classic moments that couples must have done before or after seeing this movie. Like connecting the dots (freckles) on a girl's arm... sigh... do soulmates really exist?

I loved it!
This is the best romantic comedy I have ever seen! This is really a one to watch!
This is a movie that really gives you a lovely love feeling inside of you! With the jazz music at the background, and showing the beautiful romantic side of New York makes this the most lovely romantic movie for me! (And of course Kate Beckinsale) The extras on the DVD are very good to give you an inside look of making the movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

While most movie buffs are likely to call Halloween the best movie from John Carpenter, others--die-hard romantics and anyone who cried while watching E.T.--might vote in favor of the director's 1984 hit Starman. It's easily Carpenter's warmest and most beguiling film, and the only one that ever earned an Oscar nomination. That honor went specifically to Best Actor nominee Jeff Bridges for his performance as an alien visitor to Earth who is knocked off course and must take an interstate road trip to rendezvous with a mothership from his home planet. To complete this journey he assumes the physical form of the dead husband of a Wisconsin widow (Karen Allen) who responds first with fear, then sympathy, and finally love. Carpenter's graceful strategy is to switch the focus of this E.T.-like film from science fiction to a gentle road-movie love story, made believable by the memorable performances of Bridges and Allen. It's a bit heavy-handed with tenacious government agents who view the Starman as an alien threat (don't they always?), but Carpenter handles the action with intelligent flair, sensitivity, and lighthearted humor. If you're not choked up during the final scene, well, you just might not be human. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (55)

A WONDERFUL, MOVING FILM
Starman by John Carpenter is by all accounts one of the best science fiction movies I have ever seen. OK there may not be loads of special effects to dazzle you, but this is human life seen through the eyes of an alien, which turns most sci-fi movies on their head. The development of the love story between the two characters is charming and very touching, not to mention great performances by Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen (I've always liked both of them), but Jeff Bridges really does make you think he is an alien, by the way he talks, walks and acts generally.

The music is also very good, and really comes into it's own at the end of the film. It is very haunting and the whole mood of the movie reminds me of The Dead Zone, which is another favourite of mine. I love John Carpenter's other films, eg The Fog, The Thing and Halloween, but this is very different from them.

In summary, I always judge a film by how it makes you feel, and I always feel emtionally touched after this film, even though it is sad, it is uplifting.

John Carpenter's Best Film, Hands Down!!!!!!!!!
Those of you still thinking that Halloween is director John Carpenter's greatest achievement need to look elsewhere, namely right here with Starman. A Sci-Fi/Romantic drama released back in 1985 that is so captivating, so moving and endearing, that it leaves you breathless with deep emotion and thought. Can you not be touched by the scene involving a dead deer? I've seen this film so many times and it never loses it's luster. Jack Nitzsche's music is so haunting, so alluring, so powerful with a wonderful mystical sense of longing that it draws you even further into the picture. John Carpenter has never made another film like this. It's his masterpiece because it gives us so many layers that are not found in any of his other works. You will care about these people. You will truly want them to be together. It's all there. This movie has so much heart and compassion for life. If you are not touched then please open your heart a little more. A special note to Columbia Pictures: Please release a Special Edition of this film with an audio commentary by John Carpenter, Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen (all in the same room together if possible). Mr. Carpenter has done many Special Edition DVD's for his films. Starman must not be the exception.

A Bothered Fan of The Film.
Carpenter is a director with great highs and lows in his career. Who has managed to make special editions for just about everyone one of his movies except this one. Recently I just read Christine (The killer car Movie!) is getting special edition treatment as opposed to this great family film. Long time Jeff Bridges fan I realized that he gives an oscar nominated performance here, so I wonder whats the deal. Why no Starman Special Edition or even Superbit it. this film deserves better treatment.

Starman
A moving love story wrapped in an engaging science fiction yarn. This is so good. It even had me reaching for the kleenex once or twice (don't tell anybody.)

"Yelled 'Greetings', and melted his lugwrench?"
This is a funny sci-fi romantic comedy from director John Carpenter (more famous for his thriller-type movies, which I have not seen.) The movie made me laugh out loud a few times - no easy feat.

The opening sequence shows a Voyager probe going out to space, and then a spacecraft returning toward earth. NORAD tracks the incoming object which crashes off-course in Wisconsin. SETI sends a scientist to find the crashsite. The military is also after it, of course. The alien performs a "symbiotic transformation" into a dead man's body using DNA from in a hair sample found in a photo book. The starman kidnaps the widow, and they start a cross-country journey toward "Arizona maybe" where he must meet up with the mothership, or die. Along the way, there is some social commentary regarding our treatment of foreigners, and our society in general.

"Do you seriously expect me to tell the president...that an alien has landed...assumed the identity of a dead house painter from Madison, Wisconsin...and is presently out tooling around the countryside...in a hopped-up, orange-and-black, 1977 Mustang?"

Well acted by Karen Allen as the widow, Charles Martin Smith as the SETI scientist, Richard Jaeckel as the government man, and Jeff Bridges earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the starman. The direction and photography was good, and I think the special effects are fine (especially for 1984), though some people think they look cheap.

The DVD has the usual set up features and a trailer. ... Read more

Reviews (200)

Meh... It was okay...
I love A LOT of Wes Craven's work, but this had to be his greatest failure! The plot itself seems somewhat rather interesting, but the movie just couldn't cut it! The acting was pretty good but the music score was poor, the colors were grainy looking, and the picture quality has got to be the WORST I've ever seen in DVDs!! (not to mention it really wasn't that scary.) We could at least have a better transfer of this, right?! What's even worse about this movie is that at SOME times it tries to be funny and scary at the same time, which is definetally not a good mix depending on the type of film it's made out to be. (Heck, alot of these 70s films don't really make much sense huh?) The only part I'd have to say I liked was at the very end where the parents get revenge on the killers with the booby-traps and stuff.

OVERALL: I would NOT recommend this movie if you are looking for an Oscar-winner or whatever unless you are a B-movie collector who likes this stuff. I give it 4/10 for a good idea in story but poor sound and picture quality.

How could Wes Craven do this?!!!!
This movie is nothing like people say it is. It is the worst movie I have ever seen. The only part good about it was the breasts( I say breast I was afraid I wouldn't get posted) and nothing else. I didn't even finish watching it.

completly stunk
this movie really sucked, nothing more. I gave it one star because Wes Craven is my favorite movie writer/director.

Wes Cravens first...
Last House On The Left shocked a hardened horror/exploitation fan like me. I couldn't believe that this was made in 1971. The sadistic way Krueg and company acted and how they tortured poor Mari and her friend was nothing short of vile, but the way Craven shot these scenes of torture made your stomach churn twice as bad. The revenge of the parents also made this film something to behold. Last House is classic exploitation. Viewing it is a must.

Clever clever..! -Movie..!! -For a really low budget.
One of Wes Craven's.. -Early film's.. -Has this old
sinnister tale of good old rappe and torture.. -I've
bought this DVD and not half two worry about any
more dang VHS.. -Lucky.. -I am glad that a friend
of mine.. -Bought it for me.. -Becuase..! -I've sold
DVD'S I did not like any more..

I've think.. -Wes is worth it two sell your DVD'S
and respect the man for his buck.. -Craven did a
excellent job.. -I've totally of Wes about all of
his film's.. -The Catholic may condemmed. -Me..!
but Wes will alway's be known as the king of grade
B horror film's.. -In my mind.. -Sean Cunningham..
the Veteran of the Friday the 13th.. -Flick's help
Wes two do this movie in Connecuite..?

Craven.. -Is a cheap cheap film maker..? -And taken
his blood and gut's too serious for this kind..!
Sean did a great job with production value's..!
their is a glimpse as the future Friday the 13th
Steve Minor jumps at the end as he rides with some
drunken roadie's.. -Never mind..!

This movie may disturbed a lot of people..! -But
their is a story two just being a horror film..?
this one did not cost Wes any thing.. -The film
went two their back yards.. -Did something
they've cooed acheived for them selve's..?

Two girls go into a night in town..! -As they've
are hunted by some rapest's..! -The girls get trapped..
after they where headed two a concert.. -Then their
taken two the dimmwitted wooed's two be rape..?
then the movie turn's out a longer for the too ho
have kiddnapped.. -Rape; -and killed these poor
innocent women.. -Then..! -The next day; -the
parent's of the girl.. -Mari Collingwood.. -Goe's
out jogging.. -They've find the girl..?

But the same rapest's go too the house..! -Have
dinner.. -The mother learns that they are the
real killer's.. -So they've plot some fantastic
peice of cinema history.. -Revenge..! -Their are a
lot of disturbing images in this movie.. -And
don't let any one watch this with a bad heart
condition.. -I love the special feature's with

Wes Craven.. -and; -the introduction.. -Which
he explains that he have put back some of the old
violent footage in this flick..?

Wes Craven.. -Shooed of gane an oscor.. -But he
is known as a low budgetted filmmaker..? -You
never guest your going out.. -Two make a low
budget feature.. -Play with stuff that no one
has ever tried.. -And don't win an oscor..?

This is my Grade -A.. -Horror flick.. -Some say
it is not a horror flick..

Wes had a nice try with this..!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Married... with Children debuted on Fox TV on April 5, 1987 (followed by The Tracey Ullman Show a half-hour later), the grungy sitcom became an instant flagship for Rupert Murdoch's upstart network. The program's much-publicized working title, Not the Cosbys (a dismissive reference to the cheerful vitality of Bill Cosby's hugely popular television clan on NBC's The Cosby Show) was a dead giveaway. Married... with Children was going to be a trashier, raunchier, and far more cynical view of the American nuclear family. But it turned out the series actually fell into other caustic-domestic entertainment traditions, notably the Don Ameche and Frances Langford radio comedy series from the 1940s, The Bickersons, and Jackie Gleason's TV classic, The Honeymooners.

The jokes were savage, key relationships were marked by ennui and indifference, and the Bundy family name couldn't help but make one think of America's most notorious, real-life serial killer at the time. Yet the show had a hint of Golden Age Hollywood gloss, a retro-screwball feel that one could detect in the snappy verbal warfare between husband Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill) and wife Peggy (Katey Sagal). The characters, and the show, eschewed sentimentality, which certainly opened the floodgates to comic cynicism but also kept a door ajar for moments of genuine sweetness. A decade later, however, by the time Fox cancelled the increasingly expensive series, Married... with Children's first-season tone would be considerably different, replaced by a stronger reliance on running jokes and character stereotypes, particularly concerning Bundy children Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Bud (David Faustino).

That evolution makes watching Married... with Children's first 13 episodes, once again, quite instructive. Those programs are all on this two-disc set, including the startling pilot, in which Al and Peggy lock horns over marital politics and enlist naive new neighbors Steve (David Garrison) and Marcy (Amanda Bearse) in a battle of the sexes. There's also the classic "Whose Room Is It, Anyway," concerning the Bundys'competition to connive Steve and Marcy into building a recreation room, and "Thinnergy," a very funny piece about a diet that supposedly boosts sexual interest. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Long live anti-cosby!
Finally, after hearing fans that wanted full-fledged season box sets, Fox answered their prayers. So get ready for those outrageous Bundys in Married...with Children:The Complete First Season, featuring all 13 episodes from the show's debut. Though the funniest episodes are yet to come in the second season, season 1 is the groundbreaking season that completely changed sitcoms forever. This taboo-shattering hit series was often deamed too hot for TV, introducing everyone's favorite dysfunctional house hold. These are the 13 episodes:

1.Pilot-Peg forces Al to forfeit his coveted basketball game to have dinner with their annoying new neighbors, Steve and Marcy.

2.Thinergy-Hoping to rekindle Al's flame, Peg takes Marcy's advice and goes on a crash diet, much to Al's dislike.

3.Sixteen Years And What Do You Get?-After Peg runs his credit card to the max, Al is forced to show up at his own wedding anniversary empty-handed.

4.But I Didn't Shoot The Deputy-Mistaking it for a burgler, Al accidentally shoots his neighbor's watchdog.

5.Have You Driven A Ford Lately?-After restoring a vintage Mustang, Al discovers the backseat isn't the only thing "hot" about his cherry ride.

6.Whose Room Is It Anyway?-A battle between Al and Peg is waged over who has the final word on the neighbor's room addition.

7.Al Loses His Cherry-After a bad fight, Al vows to teach Peg a lesson by not coming home all night. Instead he's the one who ends up getting schooled by a blonde bombshell.

8.Peggy Sue Got Work-When Al refuses to buy Peg a new VCR, Marcy convinces her to get a job herself.(laughs)

9.Married...Without Children-When Al and Peg get away for the weekend, Marcy and Steve volunteer to baby-sit Bud and Kelly-but get more than they bargained for.

10.The Poker Game-When Steve sits in on a Friday-night poker game, he loses more than his shirt to Al.

11.Where's The Boss?-Fooled into thinking his boss is dead, Al threatens to quit his job unless he gets a little respect.

12.Nightmare On Al's Street-Marcy is living a nightmare when a too-sexy Al starts popping up in her dreams.

13.Johnny B. Gone- When Al's favorite hamburger joint closes, he must choose between family and food

Remastered and avalible for the first time on DVD, this show is truly a gem, so go out and get this set today!

Definitely not the Cosbys!
Being a child of the 80's, it was hard to miss all the wonderful sitcoms on television. I still vividly remember watching "Married...With Children" every Sunday night, and I feverishly looked forward to each new episode. In the years since then, I have seen all the episodes many times in reruns, and I am now glad to own them (at least the first season) on DVD. It is one of the few shows I have never gotten tired of.

The first season is rarely the strongest in the series, but the first season of "Married..." has quite a few gems. The second episode, "Thinnergy", has Peggy putting the family on a crash diet, with Al obviously disapproving. The dinner scene always cracked me up, especially Al's sarcasm when he tosses out the salad. Another excellent episode was "Where's The Boss", where Al threatens to quit his job at the shoe store unless his boss meets him and commends him on his work. It has the first of the classic "fat woman" jokes ("Madame, when Shamu needs a mate...you'll be there!"). But my favorite episode is the season finale, "Johnny B. Gone", where the kid's problems prevent Al and Peggy from going to the closing of their favorite restaurant. Seeing Marcy in a towel and Al making fun of her ("Here's a mystery...what's holding that towel up?") never dulls.
The first season contained 13 episodes, which you'll go through pretty quickly. My hope is that the second and third seasons find their way onto DVD soon.

The DVD package is light on the extras (most TV show DVD sets are), but there is one main attraction. The much-lauded "Reunion" special in 2003 is included here, which is a must have for fans. While is provides nothing of real substance, it is fun to see the cast out of their element, reminiscing about their experiences on the show. The only drawback to this is that very little is touched upon about the show's cultural impact in the 80's, which was not inconsiderable for the series. It is just a fun reunion of the cast, nothing more. Sadly, they did not include the E! True Hollywood Story that was done on the show. It would have been a prize addition to the set.

While better episodes were to come in later seasons, the first season is still very solid, and should satisfy fans of the series waiting for a proper release. And with the addition of the Reunion Special, it is a must have for fans of the series. Add this to your collection along with the two "Most Outrageous Episodes" DVDs that are already out.

The Bundys first run
I don't see why so many are bashing the picture quality, I don't think it's bad at all. I love Married ... With Children and this DVD is a great way to start off the collection, for I'm sure they're will be more.
The Married ... With Children show did get a lot better once Steve was gone and Jefferson came into the picture, but these are still classic, great episodes. You can tell these are the early days for Al seems a lot more affectionate towards Peggy and Peggy seems more loving to Bud and Kelly but they are still funny, especially when they do go off and insult each other.
This show has the best insults, it's witty and hilarious. There really is no DVD extras so I suggest if you already have them on tape, there is no need to get this. This is just for people who want to keep reliving the old episodes.

Bad picture quality
While the episodes themselves get an automatic 5 stars, the DVD has bad picture quality. I didn't notice it at first until I viewed one of the first season episodes on regular cable--the picture quality was much sharper, clearer and felt like it added a good five years to the episode's age. Other than that, the DVD could have used some more extras, but the picture quality is a real pain in the ass for the money you dish out. Still recommended, because we're not seeing any other 1st or 2nd Married... DVDs.

GREAT EPISODES.......HORRIBLE PICTURE QUALITY
TO SUM THIS REVIEW UP......I THINK THAT THE EPISODES A VERY FUNNY BUT I WAS BLOWN AWAY ON HOW HORRIBLE THE PICTURE QUALITY IS!!! ALL THE REVIEWS ARE TRUE!!! I THOUGHT EVERYONE WAS JUST PICKY BUT I WAS WRONG! THE QUALITY LOOKS LIKE AN OLD VHS TAPE OR A LOCAL STATION ON TV!! IF YOU DON'T MIND PICTURE QUALITY THEN BUY IT.......BUT IF YOU DO .....RENT IT FIRST SO YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF!!! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Priceless Video
Of all the video studies I have seen this one is most accurate and most priceless, taking the viewer on a tour of the artist's life from his illegitimate birth to his death at a very old age. Orginally produced in Italy with Italian and British actors, this movie which spoke Italian has the same dialogue well translated into English, allowing the viewer to understand the true depth, drama, wry wit, and humor of Italians.

Leonardo Da Vinci was a tragic figure to whom painting came as natural as breathing, giving his portraits a life like quality that was niether equalled nor excelled even by his contempory, Michaelangelo. Da Vinci's fascination with mechanics, anatomy, the weather, flight, and all are well presented in dramatic fashion, allowing the viewer to share in his inpiration and lament in his sorrow at not having accomplished all he had hoped to with his brilliant mind. Leonardo Da Vinci's competition with Michaelangelo is all well documented.

Questar's presentation is well worth the money spent on it. In my opinion it is priceless and should be viewed by all who love and study the Renaissance and Leonardo Da Vinci.

For all Fans of the Maestro
How can anyone capture the complexity of such a staggering and legendary figure as Leonardo da Vinci? This massive docudrama gives its all, and will probably never be surpassed. It is an excellent treatment of Leonardo's tulmultuous life, both highly informative and entertaining. The device of having the narrator himself step into the scenes to give context and anecdotal information works very well in counterpoint to the dramatic illustrations of episodes in his life. The narration makes a point of separating the legends (started by Vasari and others) from the facts, the acting is good, and there are many added, startling touches that are fantastic.

Perfect
Made in Italy in 1972, with superb acting from Philippe Leroy and supporting cast. What is most fascinating, however, are the reconstructions of Leonardo's many artistic and mechanical masterpieces, some of which have been lost. The costumes, the sets and camera are all flawless. One of the best documentaries of all time.

I've seen better...
After reading The DaVinci Code, I wanted to watch a biography about DaVinci, so I purchased this movie. It was made sometime in the 1970's and the screen quality (even on DVD) is horrible. What's worse is the awful overdub. At the beginning of the movie an announcer explains that there is not a lot of information on the childhood of Leonardo DaVinci, but this is what could have happened...and they create little childhood for DaVinci. I thought this would have had biographers and mini dramatizations on DaVinci's life...not a full movie recreating his life.

Fascinating!!!
This DVD is focused more on the historical aspect of Da Vinci's life. It is very comprehensive and will give you great detail about his life. I really recommend this DVD to any Renaissance fan or anybody that want to witness our true potential as human beings. Da Vinci invented the parachute before people could fly or even thought about it...
I was in particular fascinated about the extra material in this two DVD package, offered a more artistic information about his masterpieces.
Any Da Vinci fan will love this DVD although I think it still does not truly reflect the maestro's legacy. ... Read more

Reviews (595)

T2 eXtreme:Nice case,nice extras,AMAZING image/sound quality
This is a truly wonderful dvd. If you own a home theatre system or seek the highest quality in dvd image and sound, this is the dvd for you. The high defenition version of the film is only playable with a high-end PC, but the special edition and theatrical versions on the tv are a big improvement on the 'ultimate edition dvd'. This is due to the brand new high quality transfer. The extras aren't amazing, but their pretty good. There is a documentary on T2's effect on the film industry and an 8 minute featurette on 'Life on the Set'. There is some great new DVD-ROM content though. There's a great little morphing program which takes a while to master seeing as there are few instructions. There is also a fun T-800 'FX Studio' in which you shoot at your imported digital photos to reveal your friend's or granny's endoskull. There is also a 'Skynet Combat Chassis Designer'. I haven't a clue what this is as I haven't used it yet, but I think it's some kind of online game. I have read several reviews with complaints about the metal outer case, but I had no problem whatsoever. The only advise I can give is to push in the front and back of the sleeve when taking the inner case out. It comes out no-problemo. If I had to choose betweem the 'Ultimate Edition' and the 'Extreme edition', I'd stick with Extreme. If however, I didn't have a dolby sound system and/or a widescreen tv, I'd take the 'Ultimate' (Way more Extras) - Oh, and by the way, the movie itself is probably one of the best films ever made.

The Ultimate And The Extreme
I was upset when Artisan announced yet another version of T2 (I think this makes 3 reissues but I lost count). Why? For those of us out there, who consider ourselves DVD-Philles, most of us already own the "Ultimate Edition"of T2, which is pretty dang cool in its right. I made up my mind. I wasn't going to fall into that trap. I was burned by The Mummy and American Pie and learned the hard way-not again

Having said that...Once I heard that writer/director James Cameron and co writer William Wisher had recorded a new audio commentary for the film. I have to hand it to Artisan..this was a shrewd move. One of the minor quibbles I had with the previous release of T2, was its audio commentary. As good as it was to have a lot of contributors, the last time out, I could tell that the track was just "pieced together" from different parts of the disc. Most of the info on the track was just "lifted" This was the only downer on the "ultimate edition" The "new" is very good and worth a listen. As for the film, the 2 disc "extreme edition", has both the special extended cut, and as an "Easter Egg", the theatrical cut as well. I have to admit, the look of the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) and his morphing looks pristine, as does the original Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger). But I would also caution that the High Definition Digital transfer will only look like a real improvment if you have the equipment to handle the technology. Luckily, for me, I have a friend with an updated system, but it's still not the top of the line

As for the other extras in the set, they are just ok. There are 2 new retrospective documentaries. One one the film's ground breaking effects; The other, is a "life on the set" montage, while the film was still in production. You can also build your own Terminator and track its progress online, and rounding out the set's extras is a graphic fact track about all things Terminator.

With this edition, be warned, you lose many of the extras found on the previous edition. But the Cameron/Wisher audio commentary is still quite a draw. Mega fans of T2 should have both, while others should think carefully, Ultimate wins for its extra content, while Extreme gets points for a great commentary--I have both for now...I still don't like multple special edition DVD's of the same film

one of the if not the best sequel ever!
in this sequel to the awesome original,arnold is a good guy sent back to protect john conner.another newer model of terminater comes after them.this t-1000 is made from quasi-liquid metal.it can be solid or liquid as needed.johns mom sarah decides to go and waste the dude who found the original terminaters hand and was largely responsible for the eventual takeover by the machines.this is a bit much for smaller kids.the action is incredible in this one.the first part was a indt film.this one cost 80 million dollars and made 78 million in its first weekend.it is the best of the 3 id say.if you are squeamish,you might want to go see bambi instead.belive it or not,its even emotional in a spot or 2.sara isnt a tenny bopper in this one but a dykey rambo bitch.her shrink isnt around long,but while he is,he is very obnoxious.of course he lived.it seems the guy in any movie who really needs killed,never gets it.sara deserved an award for this one.she did an awesome job playing a psycho with a lot on her mind.the message is no fate but what we make.in part 3 youll see that just isnt true,but i alredy knew that.intensity galore!sara plays a very intense character.all the action,the nukes,it freakin rocks!this is arnolds best!the special effects kick ass too.they made a 3rd.im hoping for a 4th also.but since it takes 10 years for another sequel,id better not hold my breath.and,by the way,who cares if arnolds to old.cant they find another musclehead to play some sort of new terminater?its do-able.we know it.hollywood knows it.so get off your lazy asses and make it already.i belive its about time for the big showdown between machine and man.

The Epitome of Action Films
We are all too familiar with the story of this movie, so I will spare you the details. "The Terminator" was a sleeper sci-fi hit that was a rarity in its genre. Movie-goers were beginning to see sci-fi films that rose above others in the genre and even other genres. "Alien", "Blade Runner", "Star Wars", and, the film that started the revolution, "2001: A Space Odyessy". What made "Terminator" so different was not just another bleak view of the future, but a tense, edgy thriller with some damn fine writing. But while it took an effort to make films like those, it took a greater one to make a sequel. "Aliens", "The Empire Strikes Back", and very few others accomplished this task successfully. As for "T2", unless you've been living under a rock, we all know how well it did. This is definitely the best of the series (in my opinion at least) and definitely one of the best action movies to grace the face of our planet. This is the movie that also started the trend of making action movies with ridiculously huge budgets and paying action stars ridiculously huge salaries. But T2 delivers, with a great story, stunning visuals, and Schwarzenegger in his prime. Plus who can forget Brad Fiedel's synthetic score which has been parodied numerous times?
Why another DVD though? This film has been put on DVD almost as many times as "Independence Day". Special features are somewhat reserved here, so what justifies another release? DVD producer Van Ling answers the question in a quaint little insert about how new technology has developed since the last T2 transfer. They can now present T2 the way it should be, digitally mastered from a 1080p, 24sf digital telecline transfer for "superior video and audio quality". This release of T2 is aimed toward the home theater crowd. All that confusing talk means that the picture is presented with more clarity.
And the sound is just awesome. The DTS track has been dropped from the "Ultimate Edition" in exchange for a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX track and a Dolby headphone track. If you have the technology, try to watch a DVD with a DTS track whenever possible. In the case of this DVD, there's only the Dolby 5.1 EX track. But the track on this "Extreme DVD" defies both the Dolby and DTS tracks from the "Ultimate Edition". It takes full advantage of a dimensional sound field.
The goodies here are minimal; a SFX documentary, a behind the scenes montage, and a few DVD-ROM goodies that I didn't bother to try. But there is the original version of the film available to Windows Media Player 9 users on the second disc. You can watch it on the first disc as well, it's disguised as an easter egg. On the main menu of Disc 1, hit the right button five times while highlighting "Play Extended Version". There's also an enhanced mode with behind the scnes and there's a spankin new commentary by James Cameron himself.
But the question remains; is this DVD worth buying? It really boils down to what your reasons are for buying this new DVD. If you don't own the film, yes. If you're troubled by the mediocre video quality of either of the first two releases, then yes. If you want Cameron's commentary and other new supplements, yes. And if you want to playback T2 in HD on your PC (and even if you find that your computer equipment is currently insufficient for HD playback), yes. But if you want extensive behind the scenes, you might want to stick with your "Ultimate Edition". This "Extreme Edition" delivers though, despite falling short in the behind the scenes section.

awesome
okay. I just saw this movie and its the best movie ever made and james cameron is the best director ever.Now lately I keep reading all this comotion between the extreme version and the ultimate version. Well i'd pick the extreme. The reason I didnt pick the ultimate is because even though it has great quality its probley nothing close to the picture and sound on the extreme version. I also didnt pick it because its to hard to find. I picked extreme for many reasons. Lets start with the picture and sound its awesome nothing else to say. It also has an also metal case that I heard ruins the dvd inside it but still its awesome. Now as a previous reviewer said extreme dosent have the special extended edition well I dont really care {no offence to the previous reviewer who wrote that} because it only has 2 minutes of more footage {litterly} I think the scene of the t-1000 searching johns room is cool and I wouldent mind that in the movie but the special extended edition ruins the ending with a new "happy ending". Be warned its ruins the ending to the best movie ever. Even though the origian ending on the special edition is good enough. People say that the new happy ending stops a sequel. But see I dont really want to see t3 because it should have ended with t2. and finally yes i'll admit ultimate has more bonus footage extreme has a very godd amount of features as well and extreme is for the great price (...). I have nothing else to say. ... Read more

Reviews (62)

It's a literary high
Cronenberg's version of Naked Lunch is a brilliant combination of Burroughs' novel and Burroughs' life. He blends the true story of Burroughs life (and his reason for writing) with the surreal dark-comedy 'routines' of the novel until they become one story. The story is a quiet hallucination featuring exterminators, addiction, typewriters in the form of insects, typewriters that grow genitals, a global conspiracy of intelligence agents, the drug trade, homosexual ambiguity, writer's block, accidental murder, and literary paranoia. None of these elements is explored completely. Instead, Cronenberg touches on each one until they form some strange, underlying logic.

This edition of the DVD has enough extras to make it the only version of Naked Lunch you'll ever have to buy. (They won't release a bigger, better edition later.) The BBC documentary is okay. It's about 45 minutes long, giving Cronenberg and William Burroughs a lot of time to speak. (Burroughs is particularly good, with a dry sense of humor and a habit of saying obvious truths that make people uneasy.) The second disc also has stills from the special effects team, showing how the various creatures and organic typewriters were developed.

But it's the first disc --- the movie itself --- that makes it worth buying and watching. The special audio track, shared by Peter Weller and Cronenberg, adds a lot of useful background information. The film itself is bright and sharp, a perfect example of DVD clarity. I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who is interested in the best films of the 1990s. Naked Lunch didn't make as big an impact in theaters as it did in book stores, but it should have.

"It's time to do our Wiiliam Tell Act"
Talking slithering strangely sexual typewriters, addicts of cockroach-exterminating pyretheum powder (who like to breath on cbugs and watch them die while on it), thick-fluid sipping mugwhump creatures, an assortment of strange parasitic characters to represent the sinister parts of you you never knew ere there, and a high as a kite protagonist to narrate it all. What more can I say? This is both a brilliant representation of William S. Burrough's no-holds-barred dark imagination and director Cronenburg's as well, both with the twisted audascity to take all these horrific atroscities of reality and fantasy and breath eroticism & mystery into them...

Impossible to describe or even explain (almost but not quite as incomprehensible as FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS), the movie is not exactly a telling of the book Naked Lunch (even though some characters, namely the vile mugwhumps, show up) as it is a telling of Burroughs writing the book and what he may have imagined while writing it.

THe film starts out with the main character William Lee and his even more "creepy" (if anyone in the Burroughs line ever wanted to label what's inside themselves) wife, Joan, are addicted to the roach powder pyretheum, which Lee obtains thru his job as an exterminator. After playing a drunken William Tell act with his wife and blowing her head off so to say (which actually happened to Burroughs and his wife, and is said to have sparked the writing of Naked Lunch), he escapes to Tangiers, Mexico (with a "ticket" which actually appears to be a syringe). There he flows into a seemingly hallucinatory Interzone--a place populated by all the things mentioned above and tons more weirdness. He also meets the wife of a bisexual author who looks almost identical to his wife...and they engage in a particularly freaky sexual practice in which a typewriter tries to join in. If I say any more, the plot will be totally given away, so just watch, and compared to all the elaborate twists and turns on this unreal path to hell, I've said very little.

Great performances from Roy Sheider (who plays Dr. Benway, another character direct from the book), Paul Weller as Lee, Judy Davis as Joan and the other Joan, and Robert A. Silverman as a truly unique black centipede meat salesman with a disquieting manor (the black centipede meat, as well as Burroughs' thoughts on how centipedes controlled many Interzone lives, were from the novel). You'll either be completely confused or completely tripped out of yr. mind, but you won't leave the film unchanged...just like Burroughs' writings.

welcome to interzone!
In my opinion, Cronenburgs best film, or at least that i've seen. Amazing movie, Peter Weller (robocop) does an awesome job too. One of those joints you pop in the player and are thinking about it a week after you've viewed it. Runaway to Interzone with talking typewriters, giant sea centipedes, and the innermost sanctum of paranoia, bizarre eroticism, delusion, hallucination, and beautifully depressing schizophrenia. It's something else. Tough movie to describe, definitely required viewing for anyone with oddball tastes like mine and a good respect for a true artists unique vision (in this case two artists, Cronenberg and Burroughs). p.s. (just don't ever try the William Tell party trick)

Out to Lunch
If you're going to watch this film then you pretty much already know what you're in for. Take Cronenberg and Burroughs, mix them together and you've got yourself a pretty weird film. And it is weird, but it's also so much more. It deals with addiction like no other film has. Specifically how addiction effects the creative process. This is far from youre average nice Saturday night film viewing, but it's a real treat nontheless. Criterion has once again done an amazing job. I'd be surprised if there's ever a better release of the film.

David Cronenberg's Very Best
Before you even try to watch this movie, realize that David Cronenberg's films are among the most bizarre and perplexing films you will ever see. If you like your films to stick to traditional narratives and standard plot devices you will probably hate 'Naked Lunch' (and any other David Cronenberg film you chance to come across). If, however, you are extremely open minded (as in, "I'm open to watching a movie where people have sex with typewriters that turn into giant insects") you may find yourself addicted to Cronenberg's surreal style of film making.

'Naked Lunch' follows the story of a bug-exterminator-cum-secret-agent who...you know what, forget it...because the plot in 'Naked Lunch' isn't really what this movie is about. I'm not going to say that the movie is plot-less (it's not), but the story (an insane organic blend of sections from Burroughs's novel and episodes from his life) exists mainly as an alibi for Cronenberg's signature style of subconscious imagery; more specifically, for his metaphoric exploration of writing as an erotic addictive binge to "exterminate all rational thought." If that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, don't blame me. The fantastic thing about this movie is that it has a twisted logic that is entirely of its own making, and it sits with you. 'Naked Lunch' is a film that is difficult to deal with. It's a movie that I love, and I don't know if that's going to come across in this review. But, 'Naked Lunch' is nothing if not ambiguous, and that's what makes it great art. ... Read more

Description

In 1897, Quentin Collins and Magda the gypsy discover the mysterious urn which contains the flames of life for Laura Collins, an immortal Phoenix. Jenny Collins, Quentin's insane wife, escapes from her basement cell at Collinwood and attempts to kill Quentin. Magda, Jenny's sister, places a curse on Quentin which causes him to turn into a werewolf during a full moon. Jamison Collins finds Barnabas' coffin in the Old House basement and reveals the discovery to his father Edward. Carl Collins returns from Atlantic City with a showgirl and mentalist named Pansy Faye. She uses her psychic abilities during a seance to help determine the fate of servant Dirk Wilkins, who rises as a vampire after being attacked by Barnabas. Bonuses: Includes exclusive interviews with actors David Selby, John Karlen, Kathryn Leigh Scott and Terry Crawford. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Back Into The Past
Barnabus finds the I-Ching Wands which he uses to go back into the past where he manages to get out of the coffin which imprisoned him the first time. He then uses Magda and her husband as slaves, and changes history so the Quentin does not get killed. Count Petoffi enters the picture and is indirectly responsible for making Quentin Immortal. Dirk gets used as a scape goat and turned into a vampire. Eventually Julia will also come into the past after Angelique also comes into the past. This section of the past is filled with new action and many events that keep the person interested. Oh yes, remember to keep an eye out for The second reverend Trask who is a hypocrite that discovers Barnabus' secret and kills himself in the end. Josette Dupris also comes back in a recarnation. Any one who liked Dark Shadows will certainly enjoy this chain of events and the one that will be released in September ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Very funny remake, It cracked me up
A remake of a 1955 Alec Guinness film, The Ladykillers transfers the action from London to America's rural South. Tom Hanks takes over Guinness' role. And directing duties land in the laps of O Brother Where Art Thou? masterminds Joel and Ethan Coen.

When good Southern church-going widow Marva Munson first lays eyes on Professor Goldthwaite Higginson Dorr III, Ph.D., she's not too sure what she's lookin' at. Besides, she's pretty distracted by the fact that her seemingly dapper-if not a bit dopey-gentleman caller just let her beloved kitty escape through the half-open door. Once the feline is safely back inside (with Dorr's generous assistance), she learns that Dorr wishes to rent a room. She agrees. He gallantly informs her that he plays ancient Renaissance music with a group of colleagues, and requests to use her root cellar for practices. She can't see any harm in that-as long as they're not playing any of that nasty "hippity-hop" music-so the deal is struck.

What follows is part black comedy, part madcap caper and part morality tale. And it's spiced up by exceedingly vibrant characters. Dorr is an eccentric professor-type obsessed with dead languages and the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. He's the mastermind of the heist. Assisting him are Gawain MacSam (a trash-talking ne'er-do-well with a short fuse), Garth Pancake (a bumbling munitions enthusiast), The General (a grimly lethal excavations expert) and Lump (a decidedly dim-witted muscle-man).
"We really like the original movie," says Ethan Coen. "It's a strong story premise. It just has good bones. We ripped out the spine of it, kept that and threw out everything else."

Back in the '40s and '50s, when the Hays Movie Production Code was in place-and the original Ladykillers movie was produced-films were allowed to show criminal behavior only if it was done in such a way as not to make viewers sympathize. Consequences were big back then, as evil men generally reaped what they sowed. The Coen brothers' remake sticks to that ideal, and despite the film's cynically comedic underpinnings, moviegoers leave the theater thinking about what exactly the wages of sin are.

The Hays Code also barred the use of scores of profane and crude words. It's in this realm that the new incarnation of The Ladykillers goes out of control. Had it been released a half-century ago, throngs of outraged moviegoers would have literally ripped its prints from their reels to stop the ruckus. But forget decades-old social standards. Even applying modern artistic sensibilities, I'm left feeling that what I heard while I watched this otherwise masterful movie utterly destroyed its credibility, tore up every layer of its delicate nuance and scribbled haphazardly all over its colorful characterizations.

A disappointing, often unfunny entry from the Coen Bros...
I'll raise my right hand and swear that I'm a huge fan of the Coen bros. I savor every quirky moment of The Big Lebowski, I believe Fargo is one of the best movies ever made, and I think that Barton Fink and Miller's Crossing are classics waiting to be discovered. So why did I dislike The Ladykillers so much? I honestly don't think it was a case of being let down; even a lesser Coen entry (Blood Simple) has its interesting, entrancing qualities. So why is this movie so lame? It sure as hell starts off promising: Tom Hanks, as Professor Goldthwait Higginson Dorr, spews off Coen-esque words with innate skill and Irma P. Hall is hilarious as Mrs. Munson, the old lady who lets Dorr board in her home. They have a curious little chemistry, Dorr and Munson, and their scenes of dialogue elevate the movie. And then the real plot sets in, with supporting character after supporting character. And to boot, some of them don't even fit into the movie at all - Marlon Wayans is especially ill-fitting as a foul-mouthed casino-boat worker who seems to have no other purpose but give the movie an R-rating. But wait! Let's throw in some jokes about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, more cultural stereotypes, and a third act that drags on and on and on and what comes out is simply the worst Coen film I've seen. This movie could have been so much better, and in fact, it's not horrible. There's geniune comedy in it, but too often it's shrouded by the overly-confident directors urging us that we should be laughing our asses off at things that aren't that funny (black churches are hilarious! dumping multiple people into the river is funny even after the 5th time!). If only they'd deployed the subtlety and atmosphere that makes nearly all of their movies great. I wanted so much to like this movie, but when you're done with it after an hour, it's impossible. GRADE: C

So disappointing
I expected this movie to display the same sense of humor as "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", but I was sorely disappointed. There are some funny moments, but Marlon Wayans' unnecessary profranity is so jarring, it disrupts the comedy before it can get started. The best scenes are the dialog-free establishing shots where you'll enjoy the excellent cinematography characteristic of the Coen brothers movies. Second best is Irma P Hall's performance. She's wonderful, especially in her solo scenes or those talking to the sheriff. You really wish the Coen's had thrown away the script, fired all of the "ladykillers" and just rewritten the movie around Irma and the Mississippi setting.

Great movie - if without the swearing
The Coen Bros have offered another hilarious flick. Tom Hanks does a great job in the role as well. The premis of the movie is simple and a good entertainment value. I would consider purchasing this on dvd - if I could show it to my family. However I give it only 3 stars because of the unnecessary profanity which all but ruined the film for me or the family. IF it was release minus the bad language, I would be the first in line to own it.

Southern Comfort
The plot is meaningless : a band of amateur burglars are emptying the underground « money reserve » of an offland casino in Mississippi with a tunnel, explosives, etc. They start from an old black very christian lady's cellar, pretending to be a group of Renaissance or baroque musicians rehearsing there. Banal. The ending is just as surprising as all the different moments of this plot and it is not the main interest of the film. The film is interesting in two elements. First Tom Hanks plays the role of a cultivated scholar specializing in Greek and Latin literature and Edgar Poe's poetry. He is an ephete, sophisticated snob that has a very strong charm on the black ladies of this neighborhood. His acting is just perfect. Second it is humorous but in what I will call a « southern comfort » style. It is slow, calculated, yet inspired and impulsive, responsive too, and never in any way exagerated, always underplayed, more humorous innuendo than hilarious fun. This creates an atmosphere that does represent what Mississippi might be for some people : a contained and always understated and underestimated play on words, circumstances and situations. He who knows or has lived in the South for a while will recognize this slow flow of words and events, as if the climate was making life and the world crawl along, but in style and correct appearances. As for me, I think it is a little too slow at times. The best character is the cat, and this cat is no Fritz the Cat, and yet, maybe it is in a way.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU ... Read more

Description

It takes a street fighter to clean up the streets. It takes The Mack and his pack to do it right! Packed with raw power, The Mack takes an uncompromising look at big city street life and survival. Don't miss the action because the action never stops! Year: 1973 ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Blaxploitation Classic
The Mack definately belongs in a time capsule for it's 70's clothing and jive-ass dialogue. This is a fun, silly, over the top story of Pimpin' back in the day that somehow is still relevant and popular to this day, particularly in the Hip-Hop community. Max Julien is one laid back cat in the title role and Richard Pryor is in fine manic form as his sidekick. The Player's Ball scene is the highlight to me for the clothes alone. The soundtrack by Willie Hutch is good old school funk. My only real complaint is that it is rather slow and boring in spots. I have to say that after watching this movie several times, I have been inspired to quit my job and pimp out some fine bee-yatches.

"a wad of cash so big your pockets look like they got mumps"
The Mack (1973), probably one of the most referenced movies in the hip hop culture, on appearance has all the qualities of a blaxploitation film, but a closer and thoughtful look might give you a different opinion. Directed by documentarian Michael Campus and starring Max Julien, Richard Pryor, and Carol Speed, The Mack presents a portrait taken in time of a particular lifestyle not many ever get to see.

The movie opens with two men, Goldie (Julien) and Slim (Pryor), involved in a gunfight in a junkyard. Seemingly out numbered, Goldie tells Slim to take off (wouldn't have been my choice as Slim is sporting what appears to be a M16 while Goldie's sporting a handgun). Slim manages to split, while Goldie gets picked up by the police, and subsequently sentenced to five years in a penitentiary. Serving some particular hard time, Goldie gets released, and tries to put the pieces back together. He visits his brother, Olinga, played by Roger E. Mosley (Magnum P.I.), who is involved in trying to educate and empower the community, in a character fashion after Black Panther leader Huey Long. Basically. Goldie is presented with two options; follow his brother in focusing on making a difference through psuedo-political means, or follow the path of the Mack, becoming a flesh peddler, and gaining empowerment through the acquisition of money. Goldie chooses the latter, hooking back up with Slim and taking advice from an older blind man, sort of a Obi Wan Kenobi of the underworld, who shares his knowledge with Goldie on how to deal with women in the Mackin' game, the importance of controlling their minds rather than just their bodies. Goldie soon recruits some ladies of the night, and has to deal with corrupt police detectives, rival players, and various other underworld characters during his meteoric rise (he gets chosen as The Mack of the Year at an annual players ball). As Goldie's popularity, or notoriety, increases, so does the pressures, both internal and external, along with the violence, and begins carrying over into his family, and forces Goldie to decide where it's at...

The Mack certainly does seem to glorify these men who deal in the flesh trade, with their extravagant lifestyles, flashy cars, and great wads of cash, but the glamour is quickly overshadowed by the harsh realities presented as the stories progresses, and just how much one has to give up to be a success in that particular business. There are a lot of laughs to be had here, maybe not intentional, but the film is pretty dated. Between the dialog, stereotypes, and trash-talking criminals, there was an underlying sadness for me in the realness of the disgusting attitudes depicted towards the women, objectified to the point where they weren't even people anymore, merely tools of the trade, a means to obtaining material possessions through the sale of their bodies, and also how many look up to these men, idolizing them, thus perpetuating their activities. Shot on location in Oakland, and featuring actual individuals within the community, the film forgoes the slickness of a Hollywood budget, but gains a real grittiness one wouldn't be able to reproduce on a soundstage. The dialog, a lot of it improvised, and some indistinguishable, only adds to the realistic quality of the film, but also isolates it, in my opinion, within the time period in which it was made. The funniest part had to be when Goldie had his women at a planetarium, using the effects of the simulated stars and a microphone to subliminally enforce his will through their repetition of his player mantras. I did like how the film ended, nicely book ending the beginning, bringing the main character full circle.

Presented here is a very good looking wide screen version of the film, which runs approximately 110 minutes. Special features include an original theatrical trailer, a commentary track featuring star Max Julien, producer Harvey Bernard, director Michael Campus, and actors Richard Anthony Williams, Annazette Chase, Don Gordon, and George Murdok, along with an excellent 38 minute featurette titled Mackin' Ain't Easy, which looks back on the making of the film, detailing all the problems and issues that arose, especially those filming on location within Oakland in the early 70's. To some extent, I found this almost more enjoyable than the movie.

Cookieman108

Give Me A Break?!
I understand why some people are drawn to films from this genre. I appreciate all the many brothers tryin' to perpetrate like they the Mack too. To them I say, "play on, if you know what it means". Films like The Mack echo sentiments of film culture created by certain politics and demographics during certain periods in our country's comparitively short history. With the passage of time, certain words that were once insulting or taboo become cool. With the passage of time, movies "good" parents would not let us watch also may become cool. Regardless of what year it is, or where you come from, this movie sucks! I have seen this movie several times with friends who actually like it, and I have laughed at some of the backward lines, the tripped out clothes, and that cool scene when that guy learns to fly (I'm not giving anything away here, really). This film is like a nice trip going nowhere. Max Julien does his best with the role. He's a believeable pimp. Juanita Moore is a fine actress and plays a believeable mother to his sliminess. However, the sadest thing about this movie is the fact that the actors are really pretty good. It's the movie that sucks. You have to wonder where the good jobs were. Maybe there just weren't any. A better script, a realistic plot resolution, and deeper exploration of the characters and their motives could've made this flick less jive. The budget was probably too small to get Pam Grier to come in and whip some pimpin' fools into shape. Seriously, this just ain't where it's at! ya dig?!

Too much Hype!
I had heard so much about this. Rappers talked about it. Rappers acted like him, but this film is not at all what I expected. Keeping in mind that I saw it on VHS and the quality was very questionable for Blockbuster.

Anyway, this Mack in my mind was to be a powerful pimp who took no s**t. Instead, he is a laughing all of the time, guy who seems to not be concerned with what's going on around him.

I won't go into details as I don't want to waste much more time on a film like this, but it is hard to watch and one of the corniest of the 1970's black films, or films starring more black people than white people, so they are black. I did not want to see this again. Most of those films I keep in my mind with the idea of adding them to the collection, but not this one. This film has too much hype! Where is "Three the Hard Way" on DVD?

Better the second go 'round
This was a popular drinking movie while I was in college and we loved it then. However, 12 years later I decided to check it out again as a 30-something sober man and you know what The Mack is actually a decent movie. It was even better than what I remember from college. This is a classic blaxploitation film, a must see for this genre. ... Read more

Reviews (179)

I'll Write A Review You Can't Refuse
Francis Ford Coppola does something with this movie many filmmakers are unable to do. Coppola makes us feel as if we're part of the"FAMILY". We feel as if were behind the scenes watching the Corleone's up's and down's. A one of a kind screenplay written by Mario Puzo and Coppola,and as we all should know by now,the film the based on Puzo's novel. Truly desevering of the Oscars in won. Brando's performance in this movie,is in my opinion,the best of his career. And the same goes with the rest of the cast:Al Pacino,Diane Keaton,James Caan,Robert Duvall,and Talia Shire. Everyone in this movie delivers a powerhouse performances. Many unforgettable lines and characters that will stay with us forever. Terrific music score by Nino Rota,beautiful camerawork by Gordon Willis,and top notch directing Coppola. Truly one of the greatest films ever made! If there's anyone who hasn't seen this movie,you have no idea what your missing. A must for anyone's video collection.

The Greatest Movie of All Time.
A movie of such size, influence, and power as "The Godfather" isn't simply a movie. It's a life-altering experience. Francis Ford Coppola, barely into his thirties, would team up with author Mario Puzo to create the greatest period gangster epic whose influence remains incalculable. It all begins with the performances. Take a look at the opening scene, in which the undertaker Bonasera comes to Vito (Marlon Brando) for "justice" following the brutal assault of his daughter. That scene is brilliantly played and wonderfully directed, and Brando's portrayal as the Don is nothing short of perfect. The public perception of a Don of this magnitude is someone who is loud, brash, and emotional. Not this one. Brando's Vito is calm, soft spoken, and rarely raises his voice, which makes his character even more intimidating. But while Brando shines in this film, the heart of the movie (and indeed the entire trilogy) belongs to the then-newcomer Al Pacino, who playes Vito's youngest son, Michael. Michael's transformation from a mild-mannered college grad to a ruthless Mafia thug is one of the greatest performances you will see. James Caan as the hotheaded Sonny, John Cazale as the dim Fredo, the suave Robert DuVall as attorney Tom Hagen, and Talia Shire as the troubled newlywed Connie all shine in their supporting roles. Reviewing a movie like "The Godfather" is a bit overwhelming, as it has already been studied by other, more experienced film geeks. But if there's one movie you see in your lifetime, it has to be this verified, straight-up classic. Give three hours of your life to this movie, and what it will give in return will reward you richly.

LOUSY TRANSFER OF A CLASSIC
I can only add my voice to the many who were disappointed by the DVD transfer. How can you mess up one of the best movies of the last half century? Looks very grainy in some indoor scenes...in fact, some scenes looked like they were filmed with an old, cheap video camera. That said, the story, acting, editing and music are just about perfect. The only thing that rings false is the carelessness the family exhibits after Don Corleone's attack. They act a bit like amateurs. This begs for a DO-OVER (maybe they're waiting for another anniversary year to roll around to release a definitive edition). I refuse to buy the box set as it includes the inferior Part 3. Hopefully, when they release Part 2, they pay more attention to the quality of the transfer.

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."
I never saw the movie before because I have no interest in "the Mob", New York, or gang politics. It took Brando's death, plus all the great reviews here and the #1 ranking at IMDB to prompt me to get this movie to add to 400 movies I have. The only thing I knew about it going in was there was a horse head in a bed, and Brando mumbled and played with a cat.

The movie has a long list of big name actors including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan and Robert Duvall, and was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It seems to be filmed rather darkly with muted colors, though many posts here complain about the transfer.

I had big expectations for this movie, but at the one-hour mark I was so bored I turned it off. Later I started over with the commentary, which was a bit more interesting. I took a nap in the middle, then came back to finish this 3-hour exercise in tedium.

Mostly OK acting. Good photography. Famous theme. I liked 2 lines of dialog, but that's about it.

Okay, but not great. Poor DVD Transfer.
I have just viewed this movie for the first time, and for the life of me, I don't know what all the hype has been about. The acting is at most, mediocre (with some roles just downright poorly acted). The plot seems to come and go throughout the movie, and the violence is by today's standards very cheesy. I also kept wondering how Marlon Brando's character became so tied to this movie, as his role seemed very minor.

I give it three stars because, I'm sure when this movie was originally released, it was "Epic", but it just hasn't stood the test of time. Some of the scenes are well acted, but are overshadowed by lack of plot and some particularly bad acting as well.

Aside from the movie itself, Francis Ford Coppola should be embarrassed about the quality of this DVD transfer. It has several flaws (scratches, flickering, low lighting, etc.) and really looks bad on a large screen television. Perhaps he should let George Lucas have a go at a Special Edition version of his movie to "clean it up" and bring it up to date (Whatsa Heesa Deesa Meesa?) - of course I'm joking. ... Read more

Description

One of the most nerve-wracking and exciting films ever made, Henri-Georges Clouzot's masterpiece won the Grand Prize at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival. An American oil company enlists four tough drifters for a high-paying suicide mission-transporting explosives across the rough terrain of Central America. Criterion is proud to present Wages of Fear in its original 148-minute version. ... Read more

Reviews (49)

Not for the weak minded...
"The Wages Of Fear" by director Henri-Georges Clouzot is a classic example of an action/suspense film for the thinking man. Filmed almost fifty years ago, the story and cinematography hold up well, much better than those of many American films that were produced during that time frame, c. 1955.

The story: Four drifters (presumably in exile from native France) are hired to drive two tanker trucks of nitro glycerine through rugged South American terrain in order to to extinguish an oil well fire. In the series of events that follows, the four encounter a variety of circumstances that threaten to end the road trip and send them to kingdom come.

"The Wages Of Fear" is not the sort of film that you'll see on "Dinner and a Movie"; The landscape, the cast and the ensuing events as portrayed in the movie typify a sort of squalid existence that most people, fortunately, never have to deal with. "The Wages Of Fear" is most definitely NOT a "date" film.

The film is french, in glorious black and white, with subtitles and some spoken english. Yves Montand and Charles Vanel give solid performances, as do Peter van Eyck and Folco Lulli. The direction of Clouzot helps to wonderfully illustrate the unfolding story of the four, and is simply outstanding.

A previous reviewer mentioned that a 1977 remake, William Friedken's "Sorcerer," is also a good film. He's absolutely correct; it is. However, "Sorcerer," was filmed in color, not black and white. And because the film's spoken language is English, the tone of the film is a little different. "Sorcerer" is a little bit softer around the edges, and not as dark.

"The Wages Of Fear" isn't a film that I'd like to watch on a regular basis - it is a rather dark film. However, it is worth seeing more than once. It's an impressive film.

Cult French production sees four men risk their lives...
Highly celebrated French film by director Henri-Georges Clouzot has achieved near cult status amongst fans of intelligent, psychological drama. Impressive black & white 1953 production excels in it's microscopic view of four personalities under intense pressure to succeed in a deadly quest.

Well known plot concerns four down & out drifters in isolated South American village accept $2,000 pay check's to transport two trucks loaded with nitro glycerine to extinguish oil well fire. Obstacles abound on their perilous quest with precarious mountain roads, dangerous landslides, burst oil pipes, ageing equipment and clash of personalities amongst motley crew. Yves Montand (Mario) & Charles Vanel (Joe) lead an engaging cast as reckless men with nothing to lose...except their lives. Marvellous support performances given by stern Peter van Eyck (Bimba) and animated Folco Lulli (Luigi) as the second crew of foolhardy truck drivers.

Seems unusual for Criterion to not accompany this release with additional materials...as is usually their style. Transfer to DVD is very good, except for occassional appearance of vertical white line at different stages of the film. Sound is crisp and clean to