Description

Enjoy a happy excursion into the world of Mother Goose in Walt Disney's first musical production! All roads lead to magical, merry Toyland as Mary Contrary and Tom Piper prepare for their wedding! But villainous Barnaby wants Mary for himself, so he kidnaps Tom, setting off a series of comic chases, searches, and double-crosses! The "March Of The Wooden Soldiers" helps put Barnaby in his place, and ensures a "happily ever after" for Tom and Mary! This joyful musical fantasy is a delightful experience for the whole family! ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Marching Wooden Soldiers
This DVD release of this film adds nothing to the VHS, so do not think you are getting a better copy. No Widescreen, no re-mastering, and no extras. I will keep my VHS copy for now. Now on to the original film itself:

In this 1961 film was the first true live-action musical from the Walt Disney Studio, Tommy Sands is paired up with America's girl next door who got her start with Walt Disney, Annette Funicello. Also the famous Ray Bolger and Ed Wynn are featured, and Ann Jillian was a child actor in this movie. There is more great talent from the Disney in-house stable of stars, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran, who played brothers in "Old Yeller", and "Swiss Family Robinson".

The story is simple enough, we are in Mother Goose land and the villain shrinks our heroes to toy size. They must enlist help from the toys in the Toymaker's shop to fight back. The effects were eye-popping at the time, and to see a toy army coming to life and fight the bad guys is a great treat for kids. The movie has some real fun stop motion style animation, where the toys are made to look like they are alive (30 years before computer animation did it for "Toy Story"). The Christmas parade at Disneyland has featured replicas of the marching soldiers from this film for over 40 years. The beautiful wooden toys that are seen in the film were all designed by veteran animator Ward Kimball. (X. Atencio and Bill Justice joined Ward on the stop-animation to bring the custom made toys to life).

The movie was promoted in advance on the Walt Disney television show, in a 1961 episode that also promoted "The Parent Trap", (the episode is "The Title Makers"). The film was promoted again that year in an episode called "Backstage Party", which celebrated the completion of the film and gave the viewers a tour of the studio. The sets specially built at the studio were so unique, they found a temporary home at Disneyland from the films release to 1963, and people could actually visit them inside the Opera House on Main Street.

The best part of the film is the music, which is the true star of any musical. The musical score features 11 songs from the in-house team of George Bruns (music) and Mel Leven (lyrics), and their score was nominated for an Academy Award.

But even with the music, great stars, incredible sets, special effects, nice costumes, the script and dialogue left a lot to be desired so the film is a dud for adults. Uncle Walt hated the end product, but gamely tried to promote it as best he could and use it as an exercise for the studio to lean from. Just 4 years later he released the studios biggest live-action fim ever, a musical to beat all musicals, "Mary Poppins". The lesson had worked.

Watch Babes in Toyland with light expectations, see it for the toys, and enjoy the music.

Not quite a classic but still an exceptional holiday movie
While it can't quite compare to the exemplary Laurel & Hardy 'March Of The Wooden Soldiers' this 1961 Disney version of the classic Victor Herbert operetta remains perfect holiday entertainment for young children. As always you can rely on any Walt Disney film from this era, their golden age, to have a terrific music score replete with memorable songs, the requisite slapstick routines, a nasty villain you love to hate and of course a happy ending. Ed Wynn as the Toymaker, Ray Bolger as the heavy, Mr. Barnaby, and especially Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon as the hapless duo who assist Barnaby in his evil scheme are all fine; the climax of the film featuring the now legendary attack of the toy soldiers is handled quite well also. The set design is well conceived and the photography is excellent making great use of the brilliant and splashy colors scattered throughout. While it is thoroughly entertaining for the young audience at which it is squarely aimed to please it could be heavy going for adults who don't favor Disney films. My advice is to relax, take off your thinking cap temporarily and enjoy the onscreen shenanigans and exuberant musical numbers presented here.

What Was the Original Aspect Ratio for This Movie?
Babes in Toyland, Disneys remake of the old black and white Laurel and Hardy classic March of the Wooden Soldiers is a good movie and has bright colors that reminds me of movies like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the Wizard of Oz and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and like those movies Babes in Toyland has cute catchy songs and delightful acting. Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands, Tommy Kirk and the rest of the cast are a delight and it's nice that this movie is now on DVD but I have heard that the movie on this DVD is only presented in fullscreen and not widescreen. Was this movie filmed in widescreen or fullframe? I see the movie was made in the 1960's and by then widescreen was how the majority of theatrical movies were filmed so I wouldn't want to buy this DVD if it was edited.

Its great!
Iffin ya want the real Babes in Toyland this is the movie you want! Its got little boy blue, its got peter piper, its got a lot of the characters from mother goose rhymes. The characters discussions are great and unless you pay attention ya won't notice that they speak in rhyme it flows that great. They go visit the toymaker after they have stumbled into the forest of no return, the help him make the toys since his assitant grumio made a right royal mess and blew up a lot of the toy factory. I have seen several different versions of the Babes in Toyland but this is the only one that I think does justice to it!

What a wonderous Journey!!!!!
Just when you feel you cannot find a movie that you could bare to show to young childrenand adults at the same time,here it comes, dancing along with a lovely lilt. It's one of those movies that will bring joy and happy memroies to you and create them for your children as they join Barnaby, Mary, Tom, Mother goose and everyone else in this perils of Pauline style movie. The movie stars Ray Bolger as Barnaby, the evil, but cute and lovable villian who has his infamous stovepipe hat that seems almost as tall as he is, dances around cape in tow, chasing Mary about, because he wants her inheritance. Ray's dancing and old comic villian style add to the uniqueness of this movie. Ray showed yet another wonder facet of his amazing talent here. He plots to drown Mary's fiancee, Tom, and the plan later falls through, with Mary and Tom marrying at the end. The movie has no vulgar language, no sexual innudendoes, no real viewable violence, and is a delightful story. Your family will love the slightly loudmouthed goose who really tries to lay it into barnaby for being so evil. Great movie, I highly recommend it. ;-) Mrs. Barnaby ... Read more

Description

Detective Thomas Dooley (Jim Belushi) takes on canine partner Jerry Lee, a German shepherd with a nose for solving crime and an appetite for destruction in the action-comedy collection, K-9:The Patrol Pack. They weren't exactly the perfect pair, but when this cop learns to trust his new best friend, and his dog teaches his "master" a few new tricks, these two unlikely partners become an unstoppable team. It's a guaranteed case of high-speed thrills, wall-to-wall action and out-of-control laughs, because when these two are unleashed, they're sure to take a bite out of crime, and anything else that gets in their way. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

3 very funny and exciting films!
This is a fantastic bargain. There is one disc here, but you get all 3 K-9 films. The first 2 films on side one. The 3rd film of the trilogy on side 2.

James Belushi is perfectly comfortable in his ad-lib role as the cop with the German Shepheard partner. The timing is right on and the action non-stop. Bravo!

awesome
a must have! this pack is well-priced, and lots of laughs. ... Read more

Description

A man buys a Mogwai as a Christmas present for his son. The young boy is told to keep the pet away from water, out of the light and never to feed it after midnight. Inadvertently, the creature is dampened and almost instantly, produces half a dozen furry replicas of itself --which continue to multiply and turn the small town upside-down. ... Read more

Reviews (101)

Comedy? Horror? Who cares!
"Gremlins" is one of those movies that you'll either think is pure genius or pure stupidity. I happen to believe it's the former, for they really don't make movies like this anymore. What other film can make statements on everything from the commercialization of Christmas and the stereotypes of sitcoms to the of the innocence of Walt Disney and the fad that was Phoebe Cates? "Gremlins" is the story of a cute little creature named Gizmo (anyone who doesn't adore this guy has got to be cold-hearted). When his new teenage owner fails to follow certain rules to take care of him (you know how irresponsible kids are these days), all chaos breaks loose and the nasty fun begins. Now that it's controversial and marketing overkill days are long gone, you can enjoy this film for the remarkable madness it is. What makes the movie work is the combination of a Mel Brooks-style comedy, a "Poltergeist" clone, a live-action Looney Tune, and a Speilberg-spoofing hit. It may sound confusing, but that's the idea. One minute you're pointing out hilarious parodies from "E.T." to "Flashdance", and the next minute you're jumping out of your seat in terror. "Gremlins" takes everything fun about the movies and squeezes it into a thrill-a-minute adventure that remains exciting every time you watch it. Don't miss out on the superior sequel "Gremlins 2: The New Batch".

A Classic now on a new DVD.
This 1984 Horror Fantasy comedy is the story of a guy who recieves a cute and cuddly furry creature before Christmas named " Gizmo" ( voiced by Howie Mandel) but there are three important rules if he wants to keep him. Rule 1# never expose him to the light especially sunlight, Rule#2 Don't get him wet and the most important rule of them all, Never feed them after midnight. But two of those rules have been broken, Gizmo has got wet and spawned more of his kind then when the other Mogawais eat after midnight they change into hideous Green Scaled monsters that is causing havoc on Christmas eve, can the man and his pet stop these creatures or will the town be wiped out?

A highly entertaining and original movie that has original ideas, interesting Social commentary, laughs, gore, and all around good fun that the entire family will love. When this premired in 1984 in the summer, it became one of the highest grossing movies of that year and also caused the new PG-13 rating cause of the violence. The Special Ed DVD here is excellent, has trailers including Commentaries, documentary, and Never-before-seen Deleted scenes, this is a must own if your a lover of horror and comedy.

also recommended: E.T., Lucio Fulci's The Beyond, Ghostbusters, House ( 1986), Return of the Living Dead, Critters 1 & 2, Hobgoblins, American Beauty, Pulp Fiction, Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, C.H.U.D., Lilo and Stitch, and Child's Play.

There are just three rules...
1) Buy GREMLINS. 2) Watch GREMLINS 3) Repeat #2 several times

Every time I surf the t.v. and I come across GREMLINS, I will put down the remote and watch it til the end. GREMLINS, for its time, was truly groundbreaking. It was E.T., except with really rotten friends and relatives. Well-paced and directed Joe Dante, with unique performances by Zach Galligan and the gorgeous Phoebe Cates, GREMLINS deftly treads in and out of suspense/horror and comedy. (Phoebe Cates' explication of how her father died is still outrageous.) And there are plenty of pitched battles between the good guys and the unruly gremlins to keep the plot moving. Just don't show this movie to young kids around Christmastime.

This special edition has a lot of goodies that true GREMLINS fans will enjoy, and the quality is top-notch. Just don't get it wet.

Mischief and Mayhem in a Cuddly, Furry Package
An inventor with a penchant for oddities that don't work (Hoyt Axton), while selling his wares in a sketchy section of Chinatown, comes across a young boy who promises to show him some wonderful things within his grandfather's shop. Once inside he does indeed find himself amongst the odd and wonderful. He becomes drawn to the singing of a cute furry little creature known as a Mogwai, and informs the shopkeeper that he simply must have the Mogwai, as he's in dire need of a Christmas present for his son. The shopkeeper hesitates, and finally says no to the inventor, Randall Peltzer, as with the Mogwai "comes great responsibility." Distraught, Mr. Peltzer turns to leave. However, knowing that his family needs the money, the young boy offers to help him out by selling him the Mogwai behind his grandfather's back. The adorable fuzzy little creature comes with three rules. He doesn't like bright lights, he can't get wet, and he can't be fed after midnight.

Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) is elated upon opening his present. He immediately becomes friends with the Mogwai, Gizmo, and makes sure he abides by all the aforementioned rules. When a neighborhood boy comes by to deliver a Christmas tree, he doesn't exercise quite as much caution and accidentally spills water on the Mogwai. This unveils a whole new trait for Gizmo, and a whole new world for Billy. The Peltzer family soon discovers just how much responsibility is necessary for a creature of this caliber, as does the rest of the town they live in. Bad things may come in cute, cuddly, furry little packages.

I rate the movie as five stars, and the DVD as three, hence the average of four stars. The acting is superb, and the effects are brilliant, even if they are a little gory (the whole kitchen scene comes to mind) for the rating given (PG). The gremlins themselves are superbly done, especially when you consider that these are puppets and are not computer-generated! Each of them has their own unique personality that comes out in little snippets throughout the duration of the film, proving that every minute detail was taken into consideration with the making of this movie. The soundtrack is classic eighties cheesiness in all its glory and splendor. Howie Mandel did a good job as the voice of Gizmo, even if it didn't consist of much. Chris Columbus, Joe Dante and Steven Spielberg prove themselves an excellent team, combining a humorous and witty script with some extremely good moviemaking. This movie has become, and will live on as, a cult classic adored by fans of monster and horror films and should not be missed.

However, the DVD package leaves something to be desired. Apparently "Special Edition" need not be very special at all, consisting of only a couple of commentary tracks and the trailer for the film. Both of which are appreciated, yet many DVD's offer much more than that these days. I would have hoped that this very special movie would be released with a little bit more bite, and perhaps someday it will. Until then, this DVD will have to suffice.

Gremlins (1984)
Director: Joe Dante
Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McClain, Polly Holliday, Glynn Turman, Dick Miller, Keye Luke, Scott Brady.
Running Time: 106 minutes.
Rated PG for non-PG worthy-violence and some language; keep in mind that the MPAA Rating System created the PG-13 rating in 1985 largely due to this film and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom".

"Gremlins" gets its title from the nickname given during World-War II to mysterious malfunctions that took place on American fighter planes. No one could explain some of the break downs, so they determined that evil little monsters created by Japan were the culprits. The 1984 film which is directed by Joe Dante ("Piranha"), written by Chris Columbus ("Home Alone") and executively created by the one-and-only Steven Spielberg ("E.T.", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"), inducing much media acclaim and criticism alike. It is an extremely violent film for the rating and especially dark, but overall is a touching, terrifying story that works on all levels and became one of the most popular formula-producing horror films of the entire decade.

A quirky inventor (Hoyt Axton) brings home a mysterious furry creature as a Christmas present for his son (played very well by newcomer Zach Galligan), not knowing the horrors that the purchase would later produce. The furball is named Gizmo, which looks like a cross between a Kuala bear and a Cabbage-patch kid, is not only unique in appearance-it multiplies when exposed to water, hates the sight of light, and creates horrific, flesh-eating creatures when it is given food after the clock strikes midnight. When Galligan accidentally feeds some of his pet's furry buddies, the little creatures morph into green, scaly little monsters that proceed to wreck havoc on the city and ruin Christmas.

Excellent special effects, a wonderfully hilarious script-writer Columbus, an exceptional musical score from composing genius Jerry Goldsmith, and top-notch direction from the veteran Dante-making "Gremlins" a ghoulishly scary comedic romp that is like no other. Phoebe Cates is very good as the love interest of Galligan and Dick Miller is humorous as a paranoid, cranky war veteran. A petrifying, splendid finish. Special Note: The film gives some special insight to the true spirit of Christmas-SHOULD NOT be viewed by children anyways, but especially those who still believe in Jolly Old Saint Nick. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Time Enough at Last" (Ep. 8, November 20, 1959) - A bookworm (Burgess Meredith) yearns for more time to read--then a nuclear holocaust leaves him alone in the world with lots of time, plenty to read, and one ironic twist! "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" (Ep. 22, March 4, 1960) - Inexplicable events cause the residents of quiet Maple Street to erupt into rioting. The residents suspect an alien invasion has occurred. If so, where are the alien monsters? "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" (Ep. 123, October 11, 1963) - A salesman (William Shatner) recovering from a nervous breakdown spots a gremlin on the wing of his plane. When he attempts to alert the others, his nightmare truly begins! "The Odyssey of Flight 33" (Ep. 54, February 24, 1961) - Flight 33 picks up a peculiar tailwind and is blown off course. After apparently correcting the problem, the flight arrives at its destination--a billion years ahead of schedule! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

This is definitely the BEST volume in the DVD collection
No matter how many DVDs they put out with episodes of "The Twilight Zone," they cannot put out one with better episodes that Volume 2. "Time Enougth at Last" is THE quintessential Zone episode, adapted by Rod Serling from Lynn Venable's short story. Burgess Meredith, in what was surely his most recognizable role, plays Henry Bemis, a mild-mannered, myopic bank teller who only wants to read, but can never get away from this shrewish wife and demanding boss. But then Henry has the fortune of being in the bank vault reading a book when the world is destroyed by a nuclear war. Directed by John Brahm, no "Twilight Zone" episode ever backed a more unforgettable ending. "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" finds neighbors turning on each other as unexplained events fuel their fear that human-looking aliens have infiltrated Maple Street (filed on MGM's "Andy Hardy" street). Claude Atkins and Jack Weston head a strong cast in this classic written by Rod Serling and directed by Ron Winston. "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" stars William Shatner as poor Bob Wilson, who has left a sanatorium only to take a plane flight where a gremlin keeps trying to sabotage the engine. Written by Richard Matheson, who wrote the original short story, "Nightmare" was directed by Richard Donner, who went on to be a film director of some note. "The Odyssey of Flight 33" is the only sub-classic episode on this disc. The story by Serling, directed by Justus Addiss, is of a plane that picks up a freak tail wind that sends it back in time. John Anderson as Captain Farver leads the excellent cast that makes this rather far-fetched idea utterly believable.

There's a man on the wing!
This is a superb compilation of some of the best Twilight Zone episodes ever made.

This DVD includes the following episodes: "Time Enough at Last", "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street", "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", and "The Odyssey of Flight 33".

"Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" is my favorite episode. William Shatner is a passenger on an airplane who sees an alien on the plane's wing every time he looks out the window. However, he's the only one who sees the alien - every time he yells to the stewardess or other people, the alien disappears. Everytime he sees the alien, he yells "there's a man on the wing! " It is such a great episode - it made William Shatner the star he is today!

Also, be sure to look for Burgess Meredith in "Time Enough At Last" before he was known as "Mickey" from the Rocky movies.

My only complaint is that there are not more episodes on this disk. I don't understand why CBS didn't release the episodes on a season-by-season basis.

One of the Best Twilight Zone DVDs
This second volume of Collection One might be the best of the entire Collection. "Time Enough at Last" and "Oddyssey of Flight 33" features two excellent stories with amazing and unforgettable endings. Another classic is "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," featuring William Shatner, who plays a man recovering from a nervous break down. His flight with his wife proves to be horrific. "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" is a classic exploration into social psychology and mob mentality when a gang of residents on a quiet street are convinced that an alien invasion has occurred.

This second volume is well written with wonderful acting by Burgess Meredith and William Shatner. Highly recommended!

another great DVD
Vol 2 had even better episodes that Vol 1.

Time Enough At Last- Loved it! One of my favorite episodes actually. I felt very sorry for the guy. (*****)

Monsters are Due on Maple Street- Another great episode. Very surprising on who the monsters were. (****)

Terror at 20,000 feet- Uh, didn't care too much for this one. I got a little bored watching it actually. A lot of people seem to like this one though. (**)

The Odessy of Flight 33- another great and entertaining one. (***)

Your Next Stop is¿
Besides the TV Plays that you will buy this for, there are some DVD goodies (extras.):
Special "Inside the Twilight Zone" Section Written by Marc Scott Zicree
Biographical info on Rod Sterling
History of the Twilight Zone
Cast information
A season-by Season commentary
They claim to be digitally re-mastered yet there are still a few glitches and snow.
Episode 8 "Time Enough at Last" November 20, 1960

Henry Bemis (Burgess Meredith) has a healthy interest in reading; he is surrounded by people that underestimate its worth. He is conspired against by the bank president and even his wife. He works in a bank and spends his afternoons in the vault catching up on his reading. I will say no more as you and Mr. Bemis are about to enter the Twilight Zone.

Burgess Meredith will be found in several of the Twilight Zone episodes and again as the narrator of the 1983 Twilight Zone movie.

Episode 22 "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" March 4, 1960

The typical neighbors, like Claude Atkins and Jack Weston, are out doing neighbor things like mowing their lawn. They stop to hear a weird sound and see a strange light. It is assumed to be a weird meteor. All of a sudden the power goes out and nothing works no phones, no cars, nothing. This is the last moment before the real monsters came out.

Episode 123 "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" October 11, 1963

Mr. Wilson (William Shatner) is a salesman that is recovering from a nervous breakdown he had in an airplane. He is on his way down in a propeller commuter plane. You know something is amiss with him as he realizes he is next to the emergency window, over the wing. Of course his psychiatrist, Dr. Martin, would not let him fly home unless he was well. In the middle of an electrical storm, he looks out the window and I will say no more as you are about to enter the darkest part of the Twilight Zone.

This episode will be included in the 1983 movie with John Lithgow playing Mr. Wilson.

Episode 54 "The Odyssey of Flight 33" February 24, 1961

An international Jet flight, Global 33, is heading for Idawiled airport. On the way they get a sensation of great speed and go through some unknown barrier. Captain Farver (John Anderson) looses all external electronic guidance. He goes down for a closer look. I will not say anything more as you have now entered the Twilight Zone.

I wonder if we have a current remake, would Global 33 lose global positioning. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

A Great Vacation
"Blame It On Rio" is like taking a great vacation of fun, sun and no inhibitions. The setting is beautiful Rio de Janeiro and the film gives an honest impression of the city...beautiful beaches, Bossa Nova flavored music, tropical climate. Michael Caine is hilarious, Joseph Bologna a perfect comical foil to Caine, Michelle Johnson sweet and innocent(?), and Demi Moore likeable and levelheaded. I saw this movie for the first time when I was about Michelle Johnson's age and when I saw the film recently, it brought back wonderful memories of that time in the 80s. The film is a not-so-implausible plot of a middle-aged man (Caine) spending a vacation in Brazil with his daughter (Moore),his best friend (Bologna) and his best friend's daughter (Johnson). Valerie Harper plays Caine's wife, who backs out of the vacation to Rio at the last minute and packs for Bahia. "Must have been the free and easy laughter in the air...must have been the moonlight on the sea..." Caine has an affair with his best friend's daughter (Johnson)and the comedy ensues. "Blame It On Rio" is just plain old fun with great scenery, great quotes (Johnson to Caine "That's not you life line, that's your heart line" and Caine's reply "Teeny little thing isn't it"), and great comedy!

Good movie to watch late at night
"Blame It On Rio" is one of my favorite films. The great scenery of Rio De Janeiro is one of the perks of watching this. It's kinda like watching a travelogue of the city that's a 24-hour carnival. The film is packed with memorable lines as well ("They looked at us, let's go talk to them,"says Victor. "They're practically nude," Matthew states. Victor's response? "Try to picture them with clothes on"). Michelle Johnson won a Razzie for her performance as Jennifer, which I didn't think was that bad. Demi Moore's performance, on the other hand, takes some getting used to. Michael Caine, always the top-rate performer, doesn't disappoint in this one. His performance is honest and well-meaning. There are one small fault in the film though: the soundtrack. I'm not talking about the bossa-nova or nightclub music, but the outdated 80s music. There is one song in the film that gets played over and over again. By the end of the film, the song will not leave your head LOL. That doesn't matter though. It doesn't take away the film's entertainment value. It is still a fun film to watch and make you laugh.

very funny and very sexy
I saw this movie when it first came out back in 1984, and it has always stuck in my mind as a very fun movie. The movie opens with two middle-aged men, both of whom are going through difficult marriages. One (Joseph Bologna) is getting a divorce and the other (Michael Caine) finds his marriage on the rocks. They travel to Rio on a vacation with their teenage daughters, but without their wives, in order to forget about their marital troubles. Because the daughters replace the wives on this vacation, it creates a vaguely incestous tension. In one of the movie's early scenes, Bologna's daughter (Michelle Johnson) and Caine's daughter (Demi Moore) are bare breasted as they walk up to their fathers on the beach. Moore seems somewhat shy as her hair mostly covers her chest, but Johnson is clearly very confident and proud of her breasts. Her father asks her to cover her breasts and she refuses. Though the direct incestous tension between father and daughter doesn't go any further than this, the sexuality definitely builds between Johnson and dad's friend Caine to the point where they are soon having an affair.

The affair creates a series of situations that are downright hilarious, and many scenes had me rolling on the floor laughing. For the guys in the audience, Michelle Johnson is definitely gorgeous and we get to--well--see a lot of her, and she seems very comfortable and happy with her nudity. Demi Moore plays a more minor role both in terms of nudity and in terms of her character. The movie is not intended to make any grand in-depth statement, and is probably not very accurate about Brazil, but if you want a light-hearted, sexy comedy it would be hard to do much better.

On a personal note, this movie was something of a rite of passage for me because it was, I believe, the first movie showing adult nudity that I ever saw on the big screen. I still thought of myself as a bit of a kid at the time, and I thought of topless and nude scenes as something that adults (i.e. people a lot older than me) did. I was very pleasantly surprised to find out that Michelle Johnson was exactly the same age as me (we were both born in Sept 1965). I came to the conclusion that if an actress my age were doing topless scenes, I must have reached adulthood myself.

The movie is a hilarious comedy without considering the nude scenes--since it is a sex comedy set on and around Rio's topless beaches, the nudity tends to fit right in. And because it is set in Rio (where 'the play gets done') the viewer is allowed to relax and take a vacation for a couple of hours, even if the characters aren't always relaxed in their antics. All in all, you won't find any deep statements about the world here, but it is a really fun movie.

The DVD is too dark
I wrote a 4-star review of the VHS version of this movie on 11/22/00. Later I bought the DVD version. The DVD was much darker. Some of the night scenes were almost completely black. This was annoying and made the DVD useless to me. It made no sense to me why they did this. The VHS version is great!

Funny and sexy
"Blame it on Rio" is a cute and funny film which manages to be a wish-fulfilment fantasy for middle-aged men, and tell a good story at the same time.

Michael Cane is perfect as the man in a doubful marriage, who is hit on suddenly by his best friend's daughter, Jennifer, played by the voluptous and pretty Michelle Johnson.

Of course that is a doubtful proposition, since he is over twice her age (Michelle was only eighteen when she played this), and since he is vacationing not only with her, but with her father, who is his best friend, and with his own daughter, who is her best friend!

The story is funny and entertaining, and Jennifer is dead sexy. I find it hard to imagine resisting if she threw herself at you.

It must be said that beautiful Demi Moore is underused as Nikki, the best friend. Especially in the underdressed scenes, too little of that. I suspect she was having ego problems against Michelle's bigger bosom. This would explain why she later got a boob job, as seen in (the underrated) Striptease. Very dumb move, in my opinion. She was perfect. ... Read more

Reviews (88)

One of the Most Energetic Musicals of all Time
1954's "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" is rough around the edges and that's just what the doctor ordered. Stanley Donen directed this rough and tumble highly acclaimed musical, set in Oregon in 1850. It was adapted from Stephen Vincent Benét's story "The Sobbin' Women" (based on Plutarch's The Rape of the Sabine Women) and perfectly integrates song, dance, and storytelling. Russ Tamblyn as one of Howard Keel's brothers and Julie Newmar as one of the potential brides are very memorable. Besides Michael Kidd's brilliant choreography (which almost goes without saying) is Cinematographer George Folsey's CinemaScope photography that captured both the grandeur of the land (shot on MGM's back lot!) and the brilliant and bawdy dance numbers. Unfortunately it was shot in Ansco Color and not Technicolor which makes the images less vivid. Yet it does not hinder the film. I saw a recent interview with Jane Powell and she believed that MGM thought they had a real dud on their hands. Boy, were they wrong. Of the DVD versions I prefer the original MGM issue which had a 2.55 to 1 aspect ratio. The Warner Studios version is 2.35 to 1. Both DVD versions remastered the original 4-track magnetic soundtrack to 5.1 Dolby Digital discrete channels. I find this sound remastering very annoying especially to stereophonic films made in the 50s and 60s. The sound on the hi-fi VHS tape is actually truer to the original film.

Singin' & dancin' & sobbin'
A "sleeper" when it was released in 1954, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" is still one of the freshest musicals ever made. With a pretty, spirited score by Gene de Paul and Johnny Mercer and rambunctious but carefully-controlled choreography by Michael Kidd, this modestly-budgeted movie surprised everyone by becoming an enormous hit, even being nominated for Best Picture. Based on a short story by Stephen Vncent Benet called "Sobbin' Women" (which was the film's working title), it tells the story of a frontier woman Millie (Jane Powell) courted by a backwoodsman Adam (Howard Keel). He takes her off to his rustic home, neglecting to tell her he has six untamed brothers to care for. Undaunted, Millie sets about domesticating the household, complete with readings from classical history, including the story of the Sabine women, which the boys take to heart. The musical was filmed in AnscoColor and CinemaScope, and the wide screen is utilized to great effect, especially in the barn-raising sequence. Letter-box is mandatory. DePaul and Mercer wrote some effective songs ("Wonderful Day", "When You're in Love", "Sobbin' Women") and the numbers blend into the story perfectly under Stanley Donen's smooth direction. Dresden-doll coloratura Powell and strapping baritone Keel make such an attractive couple it's odd M~G~M never co-starred them again. (Evidently a musical version of "Robin Hood" never got past the drawing board.) The brothers include New York City Ballet star Jacques d'Amboise and a non-dancer, the mysterious Jeff Richards, who may have been the handsomest man ever to appear on the screen, Rock Hudson notwithstanding. Among the brides is Julie Newmar, who a couple of seasons later would stupefy Broadway in "Li'l Abner".Bright and pleasantly aggressive, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" is right up there with Metro's best musicals.

Fun movie!
The movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is an excellent, fun, family movie with singing, dancing, romance, and even some action. It tells the story of seven brothers who all live together way out in the country. When the eldest brother, Adam, comes home from town one day with a wife, the other six brothers decide they want brides too. They have to battle the townsmen, however, who have already "spoken for the girls." This movie is full of fun and laughs, and I would highly recommend it.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
This is a great film, two wonderful singers. Good story line as well. My kids, my husband and myself all like this one! It is a good family film everyone will enjoy.

I LOVE THIS FILM SO MUCH
I mean who wouldnt love, not like, but love this incredible film. This was the first film that I watched when I was growing up. It is similar to pretty woman but reverse because here are 7 rough western thugs that in need of brides to tame them, after their oldest brother got married. Not only did the film have good actors and actresses that were too funny to ignore, but the music and dancing were just as good. I love it and can you believe all but one brother are still alive today? Wow!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

If Brian De Palma directed Mission to Mars for10-year-olds who've never seen a science fiction film, he can be credited forcrafting a marginally successful adventure. Isolated moments in thisfilm serve the highest purpose of its genre, inspiring a sense ofwonder and awe in the context of a fascinating future (specifically,the year 2020). But because most of us have seen a lot of sciencefiction films, it's impossible to ignore this one's derivative plot,cardboard characters, and drearily dumb dialogue. Despite an awesomeand painstakingly authentic display of cool technology and dazzlingspecial effects, Mission to Mars is light years away from2001: A Space Odyssey on the scale of human intelligence.

After dispensing with a few space-jockey clichés, the moviefocuses on a Mars-bound rescue mission commanded by Jim McConnell (GarySinise), whose team (Tim Robbins, Connie Nielsen, Jerry O'Connell) hasbeen sent to retrieve the sole survivor (Don Cheadle) of a tragic Marslanding. During the sequence en route to Mars, De Palma's in hiselement with two suspenseful scenes (including a dramatic--albeitsomewhat silly--space walk) that are technically impressive. But whenthis Mission gets to Mars, the movie grows increasinglyunconvincing, finally arriving at an alien encounter that more closelyresembles an astronomical CGI video game. But this is a $75 millionHollywood movie, and no amount of technical wizardry can lift theburden of a juvenile screenplay. Kudos to Sinise, his costars, and thespecial effects wizards for making the most of hoary material; shame onjust about everyone else involved. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (274)

GREAT SCENERY. BUT MARS MOVIE COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
The story and screenplay can be blamed on writers Lowell Cannon (story) and Jim Thomas. Their plot of MISSION TO MARS is about a rescue mission to find out what happened to a crew of astronauts that successfully landed on Mars, then suddenly disappeared. But in its concept, the movie's story has whiskders: it is a dumbed down, cut-and-paste assembly of Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey," Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," sprinkled with a little Robinson Crusoe thrown in. Indeed, diagnostic is that the best stuff takes place BEFORE the rescue mission even reaches Mars. The ending climax, therefore, is made to be anticlimactic! On top of this, the actors are burdened with banal, meaningless dialogue further adding to the movie's generic feel (example: "Are you sure you want to do this?"/"I'm not sure of anything anymore." ... Wow, how "original"). The cast includes Gary Sinise, Don Cheadle and Tim Robbins who never seems to take the movie very seriously. It is almost as if they were trusting director Brian De Palma to make everything come together in the editing room. Wrong!

To some extent in his rendering of this $100K (where did it all go?) MISSION TO MARS, De Palma showed nerve - while saving LOTS of money - by totally skipping the usual shots of spaceship blastoffs and landings. The audience is left to imgaine how the various space voyagers got into outer space. Also, he completely bypassed the transition from the astronauts' backyard family barbecue in the year 2020 (seems just like 2001) to hurtling towards Mars. He cuts away before each departure, then shows the spacecraft either on its way to or on one of Mars's rusty deserts. Once on Mars, title cards tell us how much time has elapsed [title cards are lots cheaper than FX!]. Eventhough MISSION TO MARS is often realistic, sorry guys but it blazes no new cinematic trails (at risk of mixing metaphors). On the plus side, this flick is more picturesque, efficient, and technically more convincing than many of its earlier counterparts. Seemingly reversing myself, its avoidance of CHEAP whiz-bangs is a plus, in a limited sense. Compared to the way overdone "Armageddon," the plainness of MISSION TO MARS is a pleasure.

Most of MISSION TO MARS is about the rescue mission. The second NASA team of astronauts to Mars is reluctantly sent to retrieve the unconfirmed sole survivor (of four) from the first Mars mission that was unexpectedly wiped out. The second team nearly fails to arrive for rescuing their possibly stranded buddy, and also to possibly find out what Mars is all about. The claustrophobia of the astronauts in close quarters is artistically contrasted with the vastness of the often deadly vacuum outside their spaceship. Some excellent effects are presented to us when co-commander Tim Robbins, and eventually the others, hover in zero gravity or gas propel themselves outside their ship to repair damage done by meteorites.

At its best, the scale and pacing and imagery remind us of "2001: A Space Odyssey." Thanks to De Palma deciding a lot of the action to unfold in silence, he gives us a feel for the remoteness and emptiness of space. Realistically, space travel is mostly long periods of uneventful floating after the blastoff. At risk of giving the movie's big finale away, I must say it is a silly montage of computer-generated special effects which accompanies a touchy-feely revisionist evolutionary theory of life. Evidently, MISSION TO MARS was written with impressionable 10-year-olds in mind. People who're committed to Creationism won't be nuts about the movie's big "revelation." In fact , if that's what evolution is all about (our evolutionary ancestors were UFO driving, bug eyed aliens who came from Mars) I'll take Creationism! But then again, science fiction and religion have never gotten along THAT well, anyhow.

By the way, MISSION TO MARS was produced under NASA's new Space Act Agreement for film and TV. This allows filmmakers to use the Kennedy Space Center for locations and shoot the NASA logo. Taking advantage of the U.S. taxpayers' largesse, that added a realistic look to the spacesuits and equipment used in the film. But, hey folks, these touches of realism couldn't rescue this slow-paced movie to nowhere.

Eh...
This movie doesn't amaze me, at all, but it didn't fall short of my expectations either. The special effects were good, in that they didn't take on a role of their own but still blended well with the movie. Now, putting aside the pseudo-realism (after all this is a sci-fi movie), the story was good at heart, but poorly executed. The acting, however, did not seem to be the problem. I thought Tim Robbins was excellent, Don Cheadle was good, and Gary Sinise was also good, if not great. The problem seemed to be the boring, lifeless dialogue and blocking. When they became trapped inside the face was probably the worst part of the movie. "We're Trapped, no don't take off that wait!" If you're trapped in a giant white face who cares whether you die of atmospheric pressure being too low (or high, if it even is a legitimate issue). This film could have been a great film on the level of 2001: A Space Odyssey, but the story and dialogue fell very short. It's a decent movie to watch, but worth buying the DVD? No. If you want to see it, rent it.

Hideously Horrible! 8-(
Why some people gave this stinker four or five stars is light years beyond me, and I love good sci-fi. I thought Red Planet was pretty bad until I saw this movie, and I realized that even Red Planet had some (not much) redeeming value by comparison. The negative reviews here accurately sum up the reasons why this is one of the worst movies ever made. I really struggled to stay with it 'til the end, if only for morbid curiosity.

Absolutely the steaming pile you've heard it is...

Worst Alien Ever!
*SPOILER WARNING*
How would you like to go through what the characters do in this film, only to come face-to-face with a technologically advanced cartoon? What were the filmmakers thinking?
Derivative and cliche-ridden as it was, the story is actually compelling. Fine efforts were made to replicate scientifically plausible scenes in space. Once on Mars, however, plausibility is virtually thrown out the escape hatch.
Using "The Face" as a plot point was ridiculous since by the time we send a manned expedition to Mars, the planet and its landmarks would have been thoroughly mapped. The characters' sense of surprise at seeing "The Face" was when the film lost its grip on me. Despite the odds against the characters being drawn to "The Face" on a planet the size of Mars being "astronomical", it still COULD be explained by extraterrestrial intervention. Let's forget the fact that "The Face" has already been scientifically dismissed as a natural simulacrum caused by light and shadow. Kids could care less.
Once inside "The Face", we're taken on the "mysteries of the universe" goose chase which made previous films such as "2001" and "Close Encounters" memorable, but here leaves us with a sense of the filmmakers simply throwing away an ending to what has been a compelling narrative. Kids could care less.
But what absolutely lost it for me was "The Alien". C'mon, people; if you can't come up with a scientifically plausible alien, don't give us a damned cartoon! I'm not sure even kids were fooled by this one...absolutely terrible! THAT'S what made this film a waste. It's a good example of how one bad but crucial decision turned a decent entertainment into dreck.
All that being said, the overall production values elevate this film to "guilty pleasure" status. Kids might actually enjoy it in toto. Adults, however, will not look back in fondness upon seeing it.

Worst movie I have ever seen
This is definetly the worst movie I have ever gone to go see in the big screen. I remember I kept wishing for the movie to end and I almost got up and left. Im not going to spoil the ending for you but I am going to say that in movie aliens do exist. This movie isnt worth seeing and definetly not worth buying. Which is why I give it 5 out of 5 stars for the worst movie ever made! ... Read more

Reviews (61)

Excellent DVD
The Beastie Boys Video Anthology offers so much, I have had it for 3 weeks now and I feel I have only begun to scratch at the surface of all of the angles, remixes , extras, photos, commentary etc. If you are a Beastie Boys fan and you have a DVD player, this is a must have, if you are a Beastie Boys fan and you dont have a DVD player, go out and get a DVD player for this. The Anthology is very well put together featuring 18 different videos, ranging from early work (Holy Snappers from their Polly Wog Stew days) all the way to their most recent work (Hello Nasty and Alive) videos.Each video contains extras in some form. The "Alive" video alone has 9 angles and 7 different audio tracks. The DVD also contains short films they have made (CIAO LA and Octopus VS Robot), live versions of songs (Shadrach and Graditude), commentary from the band and from the directors, and directors notes, storyboards, photos, and album covers. This is a very well put together DVD and you have to check it out even if your not a Beastie Boys fan. One of the top DVD's of the year

The ultimate rap/comedy DVD
I bought "License to Ill" when it came out some 15 years ago and I knew then that this band would change the music world forever. This DVD is so cool I cannot even begin to express my feelings for it. You get two discs each containing 9 Beastie songs and videos. The cool part is that each video has changable camera angles and re-mixed audio that you can change ON THE FLY as you watch. The experience is totally customizable. There are literally 30 different versions of "Intergalactic" with all the re-mixes and video options. Also the origional videos (sans re-mixed audio or video) can be played back to back making this a great party DVD. Oh, did I mention that these guys are funny as hell? One of the extras on "Sabotage" is a halarious interview with the cast of the video.

I have but two complaints. I wish that the re-mixed videos could be played back to back. Also I wish that the videos could be played in a random order. Those are my only gripes.

If you are a fan of the B Boys BUY THIS DVD. If you are not a fan BUY IT ANYWAYS. I feel like throwing a party now just to throw this on the big TV and pump it through the surround sound!

Nice to have the videos available, but extravagent
Their music is great, the videos aren't the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I listen to the b-boys quite a bit, but I don't find a video dvd to have much replay value.

No words, just unintelligible drooling.
Oh my. This is a brilliant DVD. First of all, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that the Beasties make some seriously awesome music videos. Case in point: my brothers are not B-boy fans, but they worship at the altar of Sabotage every time it plays. So compiling the videos (minus those during the Def Jam days) by itself is a fantastic idea. Then, there's the countless different camera angles, often several per video. The stills. The commentaries from directors and the Boys themselves. (Even though theirs don't bring much new knowledge to light. Whatever, even as kickback as their commentary is, it works.) The different remixes. Again, often several per song. The extra clips like the interview with the cast of Sabotage (my sides hurt after that one) and the Intergalactic short. This DVD is so jammed with goodies that you won't want to leave your house. Ever. Okay, for at least a very long time. Bonus points for making everything clear and concise, the instruction manual, and the kick ass Sabotage poster that now resides on my ceiling.

a DVD taking full advantage of what DVD's can do !!
This release by the Criterion Collection is one of the most impressive DVD's in terms of special features and versatility that I have seen. This double disc set covers the music videos by the band, The Beastie Boys.

It covers 18 of their songs and the special features make up 95% of the content. Many of the songs contain lyrics not suitable for children and some teens, though some of the songs have the profanity bleeped.

The songs featured are Intergalactic, Shake Your Rump, Gratitude, Something's Got to Give, Sure Shot, Hey Ladies, Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun, Body Movin', So What'Cha Want, Sabotage, Shadrach, Three MCs and One DJ, Ricky's Theme, Pass the Mic, Holy Snappers, Root Down, Netty's Girl and Alive.

Of these my favorites are Intergalctic, and Shadrach.

For bonus features we have two audio commentaries of each video. One by the band and one by the directors. There are also alternate audio tracks of remixes of many of the songs interchangable with seperate video angles making hundreds of possible combinations. There is also slide shows of album art and pictures of video production and storyboarding.

I watched each individual angle and listened to each individual remix but did not do each possible combination as this would have probably taken a VERY long time.

Hardcore Beastie Boys fans though, will love to do this. Many of the videos contain very impressive footage. ... Read more

Description

Billy Peltzer and Kate Beringer move to New York City and meet up with their Mogwai friend, Gizmo, when a series of accidents creates a new generation of diverse gremlins. Billy, Kate, and Gizmo must once again use all their experience to prevent another catastrophe. ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Gremlins 2--The New Batch
Director Joe Dante ("Pirahna") is back at the helm after a six-year hibernation, continuing the story of those mischevious mutant monsters. This time, they invade a futuristic New York office complex run by a billionare, and only Galligan and Cates can save the day. Just as exciting, scary, and humorous as the original, "Gremlins 2" is unique in it's slapstick and laid back approach that actually works in various ways. If you're looking for a fun 2-hour romp with little green goblins, a cute furry pet, many crude sexual jokes, and a pulse-pounding musical score, this film is certainly for you. Director: Joe Dante. Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Robert Prosky, Robert Picardo, Christopher Lee, Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph. Rated PG-13 for slapstick violence and profanity. 114 minutes.

Better Than The First!!!
Gremlins 2 brings us to New York City. Billy and Kate now work for building magnate Daniel Clamp. After Mr. Ving's death, Gizmo comes back into their lives after a daring rescue by Billy from a genetic research lab. Of course, Gizmo gets wet and havoc reigns superme in New York-gremlins-style. Everyone's favorite new gremlin is the talking Brain Gremlin, played to perfection by Odd Couple legend Tony Randall. My favorite gremlin, however, is one I call the Sex Gremlin, an all-green female who literally falls for Mr. Forrester, the company's gremlin-disbelieving floor manager, which makes the chessy but funny men's room wedding scene at the end of the film my absolute favorite. Billy's father at the end of the first movie said it best: "Look out all the windows, check in all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, cause you never can tell, there just might be a gremlin in your house!" Well, New York, you better start doing the same. Because the Gremlins and Gizmo are back with a vengance. Give this movie a rent and just see what I mean.

Gremlins in Gotham
I'm not saying this just because I am a New Yorker, but GREMLINS 2--THE NEW BATCH is slightly better than the original. First, it's a much less mean-spirited film than the first (which I also gave five stars, but for different reasons). Just the fact that a character who was crushed to death in the first film, shows up in the sequel (wearing a small cast) because he really was likeable, shows that Joe Dante and the scriptwriters were going into this film for the fun of it. Second, the casting was flawless. Whoever chose Tony Randall to do the voice of the strangely-William F. Buckley-sounding, intellectual gremlin was responding to nothing short of divine inspiration. Everyone involved in this production had their hearts in the right places and the effect shows. GREMLINS 2--THE NEW BATCH is an astounding piece of comic fantasy and horror that should endure.

Gremlins 2/a very cool film.
Gremlins 2 is a nice film that is even better than the original. I like how it spoofs everything,and I love the new gremlins.The first batch looked sort of rough and raggedy[but still interesting],while the new batch is bright and vivid.Plus,Gizmo was a blast.I am REALLY looking forward to a third sequal,with CGI/Animatronic gremlins[a sort of Jurassic Park thing].Gremlins 2 is a wild and rowdy romp.

A shocking sequel
This is the amazing squel to the First Gremlins. It begins shortly after the Chiness man recruit Gizmo. A few years have gone buy the old Chinese man that had taken care of Gizmo before an after he meet Billy . This movie has some fun scenes. The weeding in the mens rest room at the end is hillarious. So is the sense with Gizmo working out one when he is lift a bar bell and falls through the floor. Anothew one when he punches a punch bag and get hit back in the face.

The only bad thing about the second gremlins is you see Gizmo being tortured in it a lot more than you did in the first one. It has zany funny monments. The part when Gizmo dress up like Rambo and makes a boy an arrow out of the close hanger. The part when Bill is talking and suddenly the screen goes funny the gremlin appear on the screen a do the shadow puppets is hysterically.

However unlike in the first one not all the gremlins is killed the one Female on survives. Did i mention some of gremlins are genetically alltered by drink chemicals. One of the Gremlins turns in eletricity and shocks and eletricuts ever living creature he touches.

My favorite gremlin is the one that drinks some short of chemical that makes him smarter allows him to talk in english. There is some gore and lot s of violence in it. The scariest is the spidger gremlin who ends up being huge. He dies he burns to death at the end.

He was really mean to Gizmo and is shown tocture gismo like Half a dozen times during the movie. The other Gremlins do not like gizmo because he is a misfit. Unlike them he is kind and good and does not like hurt and playing pranks on other creatures.

The nastiest parts in the movie is when one Gremlin acts Dangle Clamp and he forces it down a paper shreder were it is slice to pieces. She is gus us out of the shreder the lock like liquidfied spinch. If you like this I recomend seeing Gremlins as weell as the Critters series which was enspired by the Gremlins series. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This beautifully packaged A&E set marks the return of David Suchet as Hercule Poirot in two feature films. Although the films are based on two early Christie novels, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Lord Edgware Dies, the stories have been rewritten to take place after previously filmed episodes in the Agatha Christie's Poirot series, thus accounting for the slightly older-looking cast.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd opens with a retired Poirot cursing at vegetable marrows in his country garden.When his old friend is found stabbed in the neck, Poirot begins an investigation that reunites him with Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) and uncovers a chain of furtive phone calls and secret romances.Unfortunately, the restructuring necessary to adapt the story from text to film takes away some of the shock value of Christie's original ending, which caused quite a controversy when the book was first published in 1926.

Lord Edgware Dies finds Poirot reopening his London office with the help of Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran) and Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser). As they celebrate their reunion, Japp quips that there's "only one thing missing... the body." Right on cue, a corpse turns up just moments later. Most of the suspects are actors by profession, but Poirot's "little gray cells" are able to penetrate the murderer's disguise--though only after two more victims heighten the suspense.

The acting is impeccable and the sets are as lavish as ever in both of these adaptations. The main characters' delight in being reunited is sure to be matched only by the delight of Agatha Christie fans who now have two more episodes to add to their collection. --Larisa Lomacky Moore ... Read more

Reviews (6)

New Poirot not up to earlier efforts
I won't bother to get into details of the stories, since that is already well-covered by other reviews on this site.

This two DVD set includes "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" and "Lord Edgeware Dies". The producers set these stories as taking place after previous episodes. This decision was probably made on account of how much older the actors look. While Poirot and Inspector Japp have aged gracefully, both Captain Hastings and Miss Lemon show their years.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is one of Agatha Christie's most famous novels, but it translates poorly on the screen. It is impossible to go into details without giving away who the murderer is, but suffice it to say that the surprise of the novel is greatly diluted here. There is also a wistful sort of sadness that permeates the entire story, with none of the charm of the earlier episodes. There is also a feeling that the production was rushed, and that the actors feel uncomfortable in their roles.

Thirteen at Dinner is a much better production. All the old favorite characters are re-united here and some of the charm/humor missing in the first story is present here. There is also a greater sense of locale. This episode feels more populated and the variety of locations along with the complexity of the story helps keeps this moving along at an entertaining clip.

If you have the opportunity to purchase the two DVDs seperately, definately choose Thirteen at Dinner and forget about Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

Wonderful!
I loved these films! The story arch of Poirot moving back to his apartment and then in the next being rejoined by Miss Lemon and Hastings was brilliantly done!

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Not the best and most intriguing murder ever done, but seeing Japp and Poirot back in action was done, and the climax was just plain thrilling! - 4 stars

Lord Edgware Dies - This is probably one of my three favorite Poirots ever! (The other two are "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" and "Yellow Iris") The case is great, complex, intriguing, fascinating, and I love the drum beat music when someone's about to be killed! If this is the finale to the whole series, it's a great one! Brave! - 5 stars

- I heard they're still making more though, so that's good news!

Poirot at his best!
I was extremely excited to hear that a new Poirot made-for-tv-movie was coming out(The Murder of Roger Ackroyd) I was not disappointed upon viewing the movie. I couldn't figure out who the murderer was, among all the suspects that were featured before me. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd has so many twists and turns, just when you think one person did the deadly deed, you're wrong. You will be shocked when you find out who the murderer is!Lord Edgeware Dies is an equally intriguing mystery, where the motive for murder is clear, but just who did the deed is not. This movie has just as many twists and turns as the first disc(The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Remember, this is a 2-disc set) Again, you will be shocked to find out who the murderer is!

great production...rotten DVD
The two POIROT tales in this set are great tv productions, but are given are rather poor DVD release. The actual picture quality is fine, but the image format leaves a lot to be desired: being reformatted from the 16:9 ratio down to the "normal" tv size of 4:3. Unfortunately this often results in very odd looking pictures where two halves of characters chat to each other either side of the screen! And despite the correct running times of 100 minutes being displayed on the cases, both stories have been edited down to just 95. A&E - you could, and should, do so much better....

Lord Edgware Dies
This Tv adaptation of lord Edgware Dies is one of the finest Poirot Movies.Helen Grace plays a great Jane Wilkinson.I Highly recomend this to Agatha Christie Fans. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Funny movie, lousy DVD transfer
While the movie is likely to be enjoyed by anybody who likes screwball comedies and biting satire, the quality of the DVD transfer leaves much to be desired.

After a slow start, the sketches that comprise "Amazon Women On The Moon", a.k.a. "Kentucky Fried Movie II", pick up speed and reach increasing levels of absurdity, up to a widow's wake which turns into a roast. Steve Guttenberg's experiences with the opposite sex and a seventeen-year old teenager's horrible condom buying experience are painful and extremely funny to watch. By the time Russ Meyer (yes, *that* Russ Meyer) appears as a video store clerk, you have learned to stop worrying about whether this is sub-standard entertainment or not, because the sketches get too funy to care. The whole movie culminates in Carrie Fisher's appearance in an "educational movie", playing a woman with a "social disease".

The experience is marred, however, by the poor quality of the DVD transfer. The picture is blurry (this disc has obviously been transferred from video) and the sound is mono. Often enough, horrible compression artifacts appear in the picture, distorting the image beyond recognition. A shame really, since this movie really deserved a better transfer.

Laugh out loud funny!
This movie is a riot! You will have fun not only laughing at the comedic gags and skits, but you will have fun identifying all of the stars who are in this before they made it big! Michelle Pfeiffer, David Allen Greer, Andrew Dice Clay, just to name a few. Really a great funny movie. Adults only, there is some pretty raicy content! Not a family movie, but funny for those over 18!

Quite enjoyable, and quirky!!!
A very clever collection of shorts put together in a way that they seem to flow together, even though most have nothing in common, Amazon Women on the Moon is a very fun movie to watch. It has a long list of talent in its cast including Arsenio Hall, Michelle Pfeifer, Joe Pantoliano, Steve Guttenberg, Roseanna Arquette, Carrie Fisher, and Andrew Dice Clay.

The scene "Blind Date" which stars Steve Guttenberg and Roseanna Arquette is worth the price of the DVD itself. It is absolutely hilarious. I would consider it my worst nightmare (at least in dating terms).

Parts of the movie are ridiculous, but for the most part it is very enjoyable. The best way to watch this is to go into it with an open mind and don't expect it to be realistic.

Ha ha ha! I'm invisible!
What words can describe greatness such as this? Genious. Ageless. Priceless. This movie has everything and anything you could possibly imagine, from Andrew Dice Clay in a video nightmare rental or Arsenio Hall being killed by a VCR. This is not viewing for the average individual. No no. This film is made for the extraoridinary people of the world who would watch anything at 4:35 AM. If only channel surfing really was this fun.

Missing Some Stuff!!!
Okay, first time reviewer here, but I had to share this bit. First, I give the movie itself 5 stars - it is one of my favorites. About this DVD, however... Just bought it and briefly went through a couple of skits (I have them all memorized already) and I noticed a glarring error on the 'Hair Looming' skit - it has been edited/shortened!!! They totally cut out the part where they demonstrate how the hair stays on after the guy jumps of the cliffs of Acculpoco and the police drag his body to the shore and smile because the hair stayed on. (sp?). Why??? That was one of the funniest parts! I think there are a couple of other small omisions in there too - need to go all through it again, but the point is while a fantastic movie, they cut stuff out! I don't get it. If this is the only way to see the movie however (as my VHS copy broke recently), I guess it will have to do. ... Read more

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Scarface (1983)
This sprawling epic of bloodshed and excess, Brian De Palma's update of the classic 1932 crime drama by Howard Hawks, sparked controversy over its outrageous violence when released in 1983. Scarface is a wretched, fascinating car wreck of a movie, starring Al Pacino as a Cuban refugee who rises to the top of Miami's cocaine-driven underworld, only to fall hard into his own deadly trap of addiction and inevitable assassination. Scripted by Oliver Stone and running nearly three hours, it's the kind of film that can simultaneously disgust and amaze you (critic Pauline Kael wrote "this may be the only action picture that turns into an allegory of impotence"), with vivid supporting roles for Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Robert Loggia. --Jeff Shannon

Scarface (1932)
Howard Hawks's Scarface was one of the first "talkies" to reclaim the fluidity of the late-silent masterpieces, while also tapping into a feral new energy that came with talking smart and moving smarter on the motion picture screen. Outgunning such contemporaries as Little Caesar and The Public Enemy--in terms of both its ferocious death-dealing and dynamic style--the movie was interfered with by censors and kept out of circulation for decades thanks to its eccentric producer, Howard Hughes. It remains the gold standard among classic gangster pictures. Paul Muni's portrayal of Al Capone surrogate Tony Camonte etched a screen original: a merciless assassin who's not only reflexively criminal but pre-civilized, almost pre-evolutionary, a simian shadow ready to rub out the world if he can't have it for his own. This is still one of the greatest, darkest, most deeply exciting films American cinema has produced. Those demonically ubiquitous X's--starting with that titular scar gouged into Tony's cheek--rival "Rosebud" for resonance. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (539)

His Name Is Tony...
Actor Al Pacino gives a powerhouse performance in 1983's SCARFACE. Paciino plays Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee hoodlum, who quickly rises to the top of Miami's cocaine industry. On his way to the top, Tony uses any means at his disposal to get there, no matter who he hurts or betrays in the process. Pacino takes hold of the character and never lets you forget that he is "Scarface". The supporting cast is wonderful too. It features Steven Bauer, as Tony's right hand man, "Manny" Ray. Michelle Pfeiffer is Tony's girl, Elvira, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, in a role early in her acting career, plays Gina, Tony's sister.

The hard-edged script for the film is written by Oliver Stone, who holds nothing back, as usual Directed by Brian De Palma, the movie doesn't flinch at all to tell its story. The film remains a favorite of mine and will leave you with quite a lasting impression. A "remake" of 1932's SCARFACE, in name only, the film is nearly flawless.

The "Collector's Edition" contains a feature length retrospective documentary, that is so well done, you almost forget that there is no commentary track. It is very comprehensive and covers all aspects of the film and its place in cinema history. There's also a number of deleted scenes and outtakes that were nice to see. These fine extras add up to one heck of a DVD for one of the best gangster movies ever made. SCARFACE should not be missed and comes highly recommended.

Nothing Succeeds Like Excess
Given the high-power talent behind the camera (Brian DePalma), in front of it (Al Pacino), and at the typewriter (Oliver Stone), SCARFACE should have quite a lot going for it. It does indeed, although I can't quite call this a GODFATHER-type masterpiece for certain reasons.

Ostensibly, this is a reworking of Howard Hawks' classic 1932 gangster pic about Al Capone. This time, the setting is Miami circa 1980, the contraband in question is cocaine, and the lead character, Pacino's Tony Montana, is a Cuban-born criminal who just came off the Mariel boat lift with 125,000 others that Castro let go, twenty percent of whom were known criminals. Pacino gets in on the ground floor with a local drug boss (Robert Loggia) and soon works his way to the top, doing just about everything to tick someone off--associates, enemies, cops, his wife (Michelle Pfeiffer), his sister (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), and the Colombian drug kingpins he has to do business with.

But in his cocaine-fueled journey to achieve the so-called American Dream, he neglects to follow two rules taught to him by Loggia: (1) Don't underestimate the other guy's greed; and (2) Don't get high on your own supply. He finally crosses the line in the end by alienating a Colombian drug boss (Paul Shenar) so much that Shenar sends assassins to Pacino's Miami villa. The result is a horrific and bloody shootout in which most of the assassins are rubbed out, and so is Pacino.

Without a doubt, SCARFACE continues to generate wildly divergent opinions, both pro and con. I for one had some trouble trying to stomach Pacino's Cuban accent at first, but then his ultra-charistmatic performance kicked into high gear, four-letter words and all. The film is very true to its essentials of showing how a certain segment of the Cuban boat people, a very SMALL segment, tried to latch onto the American Dream by trafficking in illegal narcotics and thus earning millions. Probably the most interesting thing about SCARFACE is the political view that Stone espouses in his screenplay: he seems to espouse a very Reaganesque view of the world of the 1980s (virulent anti-Communism; anti-Castro), but in truth he is severely critical of those very same policies that motivated Castro to send the worst of his worst onto American soil and thus accelerate this nation's drug problem.

SCARFACE does have its faults. It requires a lot of patience to sit through with a running time approaching 170 minutes, and I am not all that sure there is enough in there to sustain it for that kind of length. The film continues to be controversial in some quarters for its extreme (as opposed to merely excessive) violence; the chainsaw scene in an apartment, the hanging from a helicopter, and the ultra-gory shootout at the end rank as some of the most violent scenes ever shown on film. Only four other films in history challenge it in this respect: THE WILD BUNCH, SOLDIER BLUE, TAXI DRIVER, and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. Finally, this film set a record for the greatest number of times the "F" word, or variations of it, are used; I lost count at two hundred. This IS a bit much, although it probably fits the reality of the situation it depicts.

On the other hand, DePalma, whose 1976 film CARRIE remains one of the touchstone suspense/horror films of all times, does make quite a lot out of Stone's wild and crazy screenplay--though surprisingly, for the violent scenes, he doesn't use slow-motion or montage that much, which would have earned him favorable comparisons with the legendary Sam Peckinpah. Just as solid is the camera work of John Alonzo, who worked on CHINATOWN and BLACK SUNDAY, among others. Giorgio Moroder's score is pretty good, though I do admit it gets a little cheesy after a while. And Pacino's performance is also high-caliber; just get used to his Cuban accent, and it works very well.

This film comes highly recommended, but with this warning: It is definitely NOT for younger audiences, it is rated 'R' for a lot of good reasons.

Best Movie Ever!!!!!!!!!
This is the greatest movie that was ever created! I could not beleive how great this movie was when I saw it. Not only the movie was great but great actors like Al Pacino. If you have any money don't spend it on anything else than this movie!

WOULD YOU KISS ME IF I WEAR THE HAT!?
This is one of the greatest movies of all time and the AFI top 100 movies of all time refuses to acknowledge it. Al Pacino deserved an oscar for his portrayal of Tony Montana, the movie deserved an oscar for something yet this movie is constantly overlooked by all critics, but the cult following that it has amassed is by far more telling of it's popularity than sheer box office numbers. ask anyone on the street and they'll tell you Scarface is one of the best movies ever made, and if they don't think so they haven't seen it. So sit back, crack some hennessy and alize, light up a cigar, and enjoy one of the best movies ever made!

Classic Gangster Flick
No matter what anybody says, this has to be one of the ten best gangster movies ever made, if not in the top three. If you are a fan of this genre, Scarface is a gourmet banquet of acting, action, dialogue and intensity. And if you don't enjoy this, all I can say is I'm sorry that you're missing out. The only reason I don't give this movie 5 stars is that I don't know what to make of Giorgio Moroder's cheesy sythn soundtrack and disco tunes. If you think in the context of the movie, that 80's Cuban drug dealers might like listening to really bad disco music ("...Rush, rush to the yeyo") then this music works in the confines of the Babylon nightclub along with the bad hair, clothes, Belzer's lousy comedy and the mime. But these songs, if they had to stand on their own outside the movie, would be totally ignored. I wonder if Deborah Harry ( then at the height of