Amazon.com

Set in Victorian England, Robert Hamer's 1949 masterpiece Kind Hearts and Coronets remains the most gracefully mordant of the Ealing comedies. Dennis Price plays Louis D'Ascoyne, the would-be Duke of Chalfont whose mother was spurned by her noble family for marrying an Italian singer for love. Louis resolves to avenge his mother by murdering the relatives ahead of him in line for the dukedom, all of whom are played by Alec Guinness. Guinness's virtuoso performances have been justly celebrated, ranging from a youthful D'Ascoyne with a priggish wife to a brace of doomed uncles and one aunt. Miles Malleson is a splendid doggerel-spouting hangman, while Valerie Hobson and Joan Greenwood take advantage of unusually strong female roles. But the great joy of Kind Hearts and Coronets is the way in which its appallingly black subject matter (considered beyond the pale by many critics at the time) is conveyed in such elegantly ironic turns of phrase by Price's narrator/antihero. Serial murder has never been conducted with such exquisite manners and discreet charm. --David Stubbs ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sometimes a movie works despite all its faults. Outrageous Fortune has a flimsy, formulaic script, so-so production values, and an odd combination of stars, but somehow it's engaging and fun. Shelley Long and Bette Midler play two struggling actresses--one a hoity-toity priss and the other a brassy slob--who learn they've been sleeping with the same guy (Peter Coyote) when he gets blown up in a terrorist assault and they confront each other in the morgue. When they discover that he's still alive, the bickering pair track him down, traipsing across the U.S. in high heels, pursued all the way by government agents, using their dubious acting talents to get them out of tough situations. The absurd plot keeps things moving and director Arthur Hiller (Silver Streak, The Out of Towners) gets cheerful performances out of everyone, particularly the strong supporting cast--including Robert Prosky (Broadcast News, Mrs. Doubtfire) as a pompous acting teacher, comedian George Carlin as a burnt-out would-be Indian, and the underused John Schuck (M*A*S*H, McCabe & Mrs. Miller) as a long-suffering agent. Contrived, cliché-ridden, but just absurd enough to entertain. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Not Perfect, But Perfectly Cast ...
"Outrageous Fortune" takes a lot of twists and turns you don't expect in a comedy; the story folds in on itself a few times, changing direction and keeping you guessing on what may happen next. But thanks to the inspired (and perfect) casting of Bette Midler, Shelley Long, George Carlin, Peter Coyote, and Robert Prosky, the film works and is VERY funny - even on repeated viewings.

Shelley Long plays Lauren, a "serious" New York City theatrical actress (this was before the term "actor" was coined for both genders), determined to make it in the business -- her main ambition being to play Hamlet on the professional stage. Never mind that she's "been at it for years and has never earned a dime" (her mother's quote), and owes both her parents $32,000.00 from all their help and (literally) support over the years. When the great Vladimir Korzonowski (Robert Prosky), one of the most world-renowned acting teachers, announces he's taking students on a limited basis, Lauren is thrilled. Conning her daddy out of the $5,000.00 fee, she auditions for and gets into the class ...

And meets, at the audition, the outspoken Sandy (Bette Midler), a B-movie style actress ("You saw 'Ninja Vixens?'") who is the opposite of what Lauren believes an actress should be -- Sandy is untrained, undisciplined, and has the vocabulary of a sailor on shore leave. She's also very funny and not nearly as uptight as the rather anal Lauren.

Naturally, the two can't stand each other on sight -- making it sort of a pain when they both get into Korzonowski's class. Soon after, though, Lauren's life takes an upswing when she meets Michael (Peter Coyote), a schoolteacher in need of help to make a pumpkin costume for one of his less fortunate students. The two immediately begin an affair that gets hot and heavy ... and cheers Lauren up considerably.

We soon learn that Sandy, too, has met a man who's sexual prowess keeps her smile lit ... but when it's revealed that her new lover is Michael as well, the stage seems set for one hell of a showdown between the two volatile actresses.

But that's just the beginning -- and also only about the first third of the film. From there, to say much more would give away too much for those who haven't seen it, but suffice is to say, the film doesn't go off in the direction you expect it to ... instead turning into a buddy picture/chase movie that sends our two "bimbo" actresses to Tres Cruces, New Mexico, in a trail of mistaken identities, secret pasts, government conspiracies, secret codes, and attempted murder lead both women to a final showdown in the desert with a man intent on doing away with them both.

Oh yeah, and there are a HELL of a lot of laughs along the way, with Lauren and Sandy trading insults and innuendos all across the country, as they sort of "make it up as they go along" in their search to get to the truth. The second half of the film, although not as constantly entertaining as the first, still completes the picture of a film that's a personal favorite of mine, and one I added to my DVD collection soon as it was released. Shelley Long plays very much her Diane-like character from "Cheers," and Bette Midler ... well, she pretty much plays Bette Midler, which is why she's so great in the film.

The movie's improbabilities will entertain, just don't take them too seriously ... this is sort of a popcorn comedy, filling and satisfying and not to be judged on anything but its own merits. A great little film more people should see (...) --

OK, but not that great
Bette Midler is the real standout in this film, which is by now somewhat dated. But she's sharp as a gold-plated rhinestone and makes this movie come alive. It's not that Shelly Long is bad; she's not--she's fine. But because of the more-than-cliched plot, it needs something extra to carry it through, and Bette does that quite well.

Rather than focusing on the plot--that's been done above and by others--I'll just say that this could be a good movie to watch if you need a couple of chuckles (but not a lot) and don't have too many better things to do. Russian spies and renegade agents and FBI men who talk about season tickets to the Redskins--yeah, OK, great. Making a last-minute plane, posing as a cop, being chased by dangerous guys--uh huh, sure, right.

You get the picture.

Not to Be Missed
Bette Middler brings the sass and Shelley Long the class, (as they are forever type-cast) in this *fantastic* slice of 80s movie heaven. This movie is an amalgam of 80s high-style fantasies. Shakespeare, ballet, the Cold War, and MORE combine in this caper-adventure comedy. This is the funniest movie I have EVER seen, EVER. I still quote the great one-liners delivered excellently by Middler and Long.

The scene where they try to get the check-in woman to give them the name of the flight their Dead(?) lover is on, is comedic *brilliance*. If you are a fan of comedy AT ALL, this one is NOT TO BE MISSED!!! You'll love it!

"I paid $5,000 to study with the KGB."

Good Movie!
Outrageous Fortune is a good movie, it's entertaining and has some hilarious scenes and a great cast that includes Shelley Long, Bette Midler and Peter Coyote and and I think Shelley and Bette made a great team! It's not a movie I want to own but it's a movie I could rent and watch again.

oh my god.
ok, so i got this movie on one night. seems that armed forces radio and tv will put anything on. seems that i turned to this movie. bette middler and shelley long. let's face it folks... i give it negative two black holes instead of stars. personally i would shoot powdered glass into my eyes before i see this again. other than that great movie!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Max Sand backstory in Harold Robbins's trashy TheCarpetbaggers (an enjoyable wallow onscreen in 1964) made for a solidWestern vehicle for Steve McQueen at his peak. Nevada Smith is a revengemovie, but closer in spirit to The Bravados than a DeathWish-style exercise in nihilism. Young Max, offspring of a white father and Indianmother, sets out to avenge their slaughter by three villains. His odysseyincludes spiritual re-parenting at several stages, most notably by canny gundealer Jonas Cord (a swell character part for Brian Keith). The supporting castwill have you saying, "He's in it, too!" at regular intervals(from costars Karl Malden and Arthur Kennedy down to such incidental interlopersas L.Q. Jones and Strother Martin). Since director Henry Hathaway and cameramanLucien Ballard couldn't frame a bad shot if their lives depended on it, it's arelief that this movie is finally available in a widescreen format. --RichardT. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A Good Actor Remembered
This movie is based on a character from Harold Robbins' THE CARPETBAGGERS, but not to worry if you don't remember Nevada Smith as no one should be criticized for not remembering anything about that book. As I remember it was not the great American novel. I kept trying to figure out why the movie was so named since McQueen who is Nevada Smith doesn't take that name until near the end of the movie.

Steve McQueen, who is cast as the son of a white man and American Indian, is by far the best thing about this movie. I know: Steve has light eyes and brown hair but none of the other characters in the movie know he is half Indian so it shouldn't bother us, I suppose.

The plot is simple. Mcqueen sets out to kill the three men who have brutally murdered his parents. In practically every frame of this movie, he does a fine job of acting. Even though McQueen was 36 when this movie was released in 1966, he looks all of 20. If you require that a character grow and change in order to make a movie good, then McQueen does that.

The movie is somewhat dated, and some of the buildings look too much like movie sets. The photography of the American West, however, is very beautiful.

It's good to remember just how good an actor Steve McQueen was. This movie is certainly worth watching.

Another McQueen Classic
Nevada Smith is up there with The Great Escape and The Magnificent Seven as Steve McQueen's best roles. In this western, McQueen plays Max Sands, a young man bent on revenge of the three men who brutally killed his parents. The three villains are played to perfection by Karl Malden, Martin Landau, and Arthur Kennedy. Really this movie is three or four separate stories brought together by Max's revenge. Beautiful scenery throughout ranging from the mountains of the Northwest to the swamps of Louisiana with a good musical score to back up the story. Brian Keith is exceptional in his role as McQueen's mentor. This is classic McQueen. The anger he feels for these three men is obvious as he chases them around the country, even working alongside them so that he can be around in case he gets a chance to exact his revenge. The DVD does not offer any extras besides the widescreen presentation, but the movie looks better than it ever did before. A truly great western with both great characters and an excellent storyline.

Don't forget the way back
If you're ever curious why people made such a fuss about Steve McQueen check out NEVADA SMITH, Henry Hathaway's sprawling tale of vengeance and obsession.
McQueen plays young half-Indian/half-white Max Sand, whose parents are murdered by a trio of bandits (Martin Landau, Arthur Kennedy, Karl Malden.) McQueen was 36 years old in 1966, the year NEVADA SMITH was made, and was probably a decade past the time when he could effortlessly portray a naïve young hero. There's a brief, disturbingly violent scene at the beginning of the movie where the three villains are torturing Smith's parents, and the woman portraying McQueen's Kiowa mother doesn't look much older than 35. Still, McQueen brings a wide-eyed innocence to his performance that tremendously helps us suspend disbelief. Besides, I believe I counted exactly zero close-ups in this action western. If you want to check out the crow's feet around McQueen's eyes you'll have to look hard and fast to see them.
McQueen gets a chance to play against some Hollywood professionals at the top of their games. Brian Keith is growlingly good as traveling gunsmith Jonas Cord, who plays Polonius to McQueen's Laertes, and plies the young stranger with instruction and advice. Max Sand won't be argued out of his mission to avenge the death of his parents, and the pragmatic Cord reluctantly agrees to be his mentor. It's through Cord and, later, a priest Sand comes across, that the movie is allowed to question its central theme - vengeance. Cord argues the practical ("You'll turn into one of the rats you're hunting,") the priest the spiritual. It's a tribute to the brilliance of McQueen's performance that by the time we reach the last scene we can see how both arguments have contributed to his maturation. Karl Malden plays the evil, racist Tom Fitch with sadist gusto. Malden overacts a bit in one of those rare roles that benefits when an actor takes it over the top. Watching the suspicious Fitch interrogate the no-longer-naïve Max Sand is one of the highlights of the movie.
The underrated Hathaway shot most of NEVADA SMITH on location, and the realistic look is used to great advantage. He doesn't go for the landmark shots a la John Ford in Monument Valley, choosing instead to play scenes in anonymous swamps and deserts. The realism shoots through all the way to stunts and props and costumes. Instead of elaborately choreographed fist fights with exaggerated sound effects every time a blow is struck, the characters in NEVADA SMITH scratch and claw, bite and kick when they fight. The clothes they wear are torn and dirty and they stay dirty.
NEVADA SMITH has enough going for it to appeal to those who aren't typically fans of westerns. If you are a fan this is a must-see.

Long, a bit slow, but worth it
Steve McQueen starts out as a naive half-breed boy seeking out
the three men who murdered and multilated his parents. At first he can't even shoot a pistol, a flaw remedied by Brian Keith in a wonderful role. From there it's uphill, or downhill, depending on your point of view. McQueen's character, Max Sand, loses his innnocence and becomes a hard man, a killer. This allows him to hunt down the men, but at a cost of part of his soul. Unfortunately, I never found any of the villains to be particularly villainous, which is made up by the other characters, including the late Iron Eyes Cody as an Indian chief. Good movie, made when MrQueen was at the top of his form.

A Harold Robbins story, from the Carpetbaggers

Studio: Paramount Studio
Video Release Date: May 10, 1990

Cast:

Steve McQueen ... Nevada Smith/Max Sand/Fitch
Karl Malden ... Tom Fitch
Brian Keith ... Jonas Cord
Arthur Kennedy ... Bill Bowdre
Suzanne Pleshette ... Pilar, Cajun Girl
Raf Vallone ... Father Zaccardi
Janet Margolin ... Neesa
Pat Hingle ... Big Foot, Work Camp Trustee
Howard Da Silva ... Warden of Work Camp
Martin Landau ... Jesse Coe
Paul Fix ... Sheriff Bonnell
Gene Evans ... Sam Sand

Josephine Hutchinson ... Mrs. Elvira McCandles
John Doucette ... Uncle Ben McCandles
Val Avery ... Buck Mason, Bartender
Sheldon Allman ... Sheriff
Lyle Bettger ... Jack Rudabough
Bert Freed ... Quince
David McLean ... Romero
Steve Mitchell ... Buckshot
Merritt Bohn ... River Boat Pilot
Sandy Kenyon ... Clerk in Bank
Ric Roman ... Cipriano
John Lawrence ... Hogg
Stanley Adams ... Storekeeper
George Mitchell ... Paymaster
John Litel ... Doctor
Ted de Corsia ... Hudson (Bartender)
L.Q. Jones ... Cowboy
Strother Martin ... Strother
Jeffrey Sayre ... Roulette Dealer
Henry Wills ... Fitch man
Iron Eyes Cody ... Taka-Ta
Joanna Cook Moore ... Angie, Saloon Girl

From a story by Harold Robbins, who wrote the Carpetbaggers, among other stories, in his rich career.

The story is about a young half-breed Indian (Steve McQueen)whose mother and father were killed by three thugs. He learns the ropes, and how to use weapons, from a gun dealer (Brian Keith) and sets out on a quest to kill the three men responsible. This is the story of his hunt.

The parts were all well-acted, and the story held together well, although it did not follow The Carpetbaggers, it did do parts of it justice.

I recommend this film. Thankfully, it left out some of the odious details of how the boy's mother and father were killed.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

... Read more

Reviews (6)

Good nudity
This is your basic let's-look-at-attractive-nude-women movie; not a complaint. For the most part, there is a lot of nudity, and the women are mostly attractive. There is a story, and the premise is actually intriguing. However, the amount of time spent on just simulated soft-porn and voyeur-ing (that's right) renders the story moot. It would actually be nice if the nudity were more natural and less absurd, but nudity is nudity. It's a good thing nudity is generally discouraged or movies like this would not make money.

Come on, let's be realistic here friends . . .
I agree that the only reason to watch this DVD is for Amy Weber. She looks good but her screen time is quite limited. Truth is, you would be better off to just purchase a Playboy DVD rather than this. The acting is bad as is the plot. Rent don't buy, even if you find it on sale (like I did) for [$$$]

Cheese and cheesecake - yum!
It's pretty evident what sort of film this is, from just the first 5 minutes. Little more than a vehicle for lots of sex and flesh, the ball gets rolling pretty quickly.

The only reason I bought this film in the first place was because of Amy Weber. Amy is one of the more notable models (IMHO), and well worth the price of admission.

Oh, you want plot? Not much there, I'm afraid.

Jeff Griggs is the "Psychic Detective" (and not a very good one). While attempting to solve a murder mystery, beautiful women keep throwing themselves at his feet, for some unknown reason. He's quite amusing, with a style of speech that reminds me of a constipated Clint Eastwood.

I dare not reveal the ending, except to say that it is quite (unintentionally) funny.

Erotic taboo
I gotta tell you, very thrilling and erotic, grabs right at the beginning and just forces you to see what else is going to happen.

Could have been better
Simply not enough of Amy Weber in the film. In the scenes she was in she looked lovely, but I was hoping to see more. Anyone hoping to see Weber get down and dirty will be disappointed. ... Read more

Description

Rappers Kid 'n Play star in this teen comedy where Kid, grounded for fighting at school, schemes to sneak out to Play's all-night party while avoiding the bullies who are after him. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Kid spelled backwards describes ya best
This is one of my all time favorite movies. The plot is simple but executed oh so well. Kid sneaks out his house to go to a party his dad told him not to go to after fighting in school. A tale of running from "hoods" and gettin in more trouble than planned. Without this all star acast this movie would be wack. Martin Lawrence, Robin Harris put in memorable performances. And it also has one the best scenes ever in a movie. The Dance scene where kid n play face off against sidney and charane is one of the most memorable scenes ive ever seen. That alone makes this movie a must have. The battle between Kid n Play is also entertaining. Pick it up.

This is one party 2 you won't forget.....
House Party is heavy!!! The cast are great and the storyline is actually real, something teens can relate to aswell as parents. Kid's dad makes me laugh! I loved when he said "it was so hot in here last night I swear I saw the devil in here!" Full Force play the school bullies and they played it heavy!! There is one line you won't forget, "I'm gonna kick your f****** ass!" Kid and Play's rhyme battle was really good and Bilal....he's great! There is another line you won't forget, "shut the f*** up Bilal!!!" That's repeatedly said by Kid and Play cos Bilal doesn't know when to shutup!!! I like the music and the whole atmosphere of teens wanting to have fun. But the best part is the dance battle between KidnPlay and Sharane and Sidney. It's HEAVY!!! You'll watch that part over and over trust me!!! The whole movie is just great and you'll laugh a lot. It's also great for memories for those who grew up in the 90's, especially the music and dancing. Trust me when I say GET THIS!!! By the way I aint seen house party 3+4 but I've seen the 2nd one. It's not as good but it's good to watch at least once or twice still. But the 1st one...a DEFINITE MUST HAVE!!!

Hip Hop ready to start!
House party 1,2 and 3 are the best parts to ever be a complete sucess after Kid'n'Play finally done all three movies of House party and had made so many soundtracks for the motion picture.I will always remember how Kid'n'Play made this a no.1 movie of the year so everyone can see how it was back in those days.However,House Party 4 tried the best they could do in order to bring new laughter into the sequel.Unfortunaly,it was considered to be known as a dismal failure.

HIIP!!!!
This is a great video I loved this movie when it had came out and I still love it today it is one of my favorite comedies Martin Lawrence, Kid'N' Play, Tisha Campbell, Full Force , and others I enjoyed this movie and I still do today it is a funny scene in every part of this movie I liked the part when the cop called "KID" eraser head that was so funny I like the whole movie!!!! Anyone who likes parties or Kid 'N Play then I would recommend that you buy this album it is great and you will definitely enjoy it!!!

THE CLASSIC HIP HOP COMEDY
IN THIS SLEEPER HIT, A TEENAGER PLANS TO GO TO A PARTY BEING THROWN AT HIS FRIEND'S HOUSE. BUT, JUST HOURS BEFORE THE PARTY, HE GETS IN TROUBLE AT SCHOOL WITH SOME TOUGH GUYS AND HIS FATHER FINDS OUT ABOUT IT AND GROUNDS HIM. VERY GOOD AND VERY FUNNY. THIS MOVIE IS A TRIP BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF HIP HOP WHEN IT WASN'T ABOUT GUNS, DRUGS, HOODS, OR COLORS. THIS MOVIE SHOWS HOW RAP USED TO BE ALL ABOUT PARTYING, WHICH IS WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT SO MUCH. AND THE RHYME BATTLE BETWEEN KID AND PLAY IS ENTERTAINING TO WATCH TOO. FOLLOWED BY 3 SEQUELS [THE LAST ONE WENT DIRECT TO VIDEO]. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Funny & Honest!
This film is told mostly from Kevin Bacon's (Jake)perspective through narration, a funny & pretty honest look at early married life. Many subtle jokes here, along with laugh out loud sight gags. It isn't just a comedy it works on different levels. Elizabeth McGovern(Cristy)is an attractive, yet reserved wife who is grounded, unlike her husband. Jake has questions..many questions, trying to figure out his life..and his wife. There is a genuine chemistry between them. Alec Baldwin is very good as Jake's bachelor friend. John Ashton is hilarious talking about garden hoses & lawnmowers! I am surprised so many people missed or skipped this film. The music ranges from Gene Loves Jezebel's "Desire" to Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work". The ending credit sequence has cameos from: Cast of Cheers & Ferris Bueller, Ally Sheedy, Magic Johnson & Dan Ackroyd.

The DVD: It is 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, with 5.1 Dolby sound. I would rank the picture quality a Solid 4 and the sound a 5. Unfortunatly no extras, a Trailer. (Would have loved to hear a Bacon/McGovern or John Hughes commentary!) If you are a fan, don't hesitate picking up this DVD.(Plastic Keepcase)

Good Romantic Comedy Plus Early Alec Baldwin
This is a funny, enjoyable romantic comedy, with Elizabeth McGovern and Kevin Bacon both providing a rich look at a young married couple and their struggles.

This movie's true bonus, though, is an early look at Alec Baldwin. I read somewhere that Barbra Streisand, way back long ago when she was in her prime, maintained two complete wardrobes -- one for when she was thin ("What's Up Doc?") and one for when she was chubby ("Hello Dolly!"). "She's Having A Baby" is definitely from young Alec Baldwin's thin days, when he displayed tremendous potential for being a handsome leading man of the cinema. Alec, however, never had to maintain two wardrobes as his film career progressed -- he simply bought larger clothes for each new movie, packing on a little more for "Glengarry Glen Ross" and then really porking up for "Pearl Harbor," and in all likelihood giving away his thin clothes because he certainly didn't need them any more. Soon, Alec will be able to play "Big Daddy" in a remake of "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof."

She's Having A Baby
This movie was and has been one of my favorites from the 80's. It is a true classic... I love all of the classic 80's movies and now that I am at the age of being in a marriage and babies a part of my life... every time I watch it brings great joy of what I always wanted. This movie I can watch over and over when there is a down time and it brings me back to my growing years.

My all time favorite romantic movie
This is the the sweetest, most touching romance movie that I personally have ever seen. Contained within this comedy-romance are some profound truths about men, women and relationships that I have never seen talked about in any other movie in such a dead-on way.

Christie's 3 or 4 sentence explination of why she won't cheat on her husband contains more truth than I have ever seen in a movie about why you don't cheat on your mate. Many marriages would not end in divorce if the people in them understood what Christy demonstrates in this film.

This is a movie which I feel does a near-perfect job of conveying what is really important in life. I think every married couple should see it. This video could be better marriage therapy than counseling. While there are a few corny jokes in the movie, they don't get in the way of what is really trying to be conveyed: That when you find that one special person, you hold on and never let go. That there is more satisfaction than many people imagine in an 'ordinary life,' and that true love really is worth it.

The most wonderful romance movie I have ever seen.

Finally on DVD! (Soundtrack Information Below)
She's Having A Baby has always been a favorite movie of mine. Alas, I didn't see it in theaters but got it on video and wore my copy out from repeat viewings. Finally the DVD has arrived, but with the exception of a trailer there's nothing as far as Special Features, which is pretty disappointing. The film is letterboxed to it's proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio and looks just great. The sound is also good. Would've liked a John Hughes audio commentary like the one he did for the Ferris Bueller's Day Off DVD, but no such luck.

As for the movie itself, I think it's wonderful. A sweet and honest interpretation of growing up into adulthood and living with the decisions that you make. Since Kevin Bacon plays a writer named Jefforson (Jake) Briggs, we get to view his imagination thru certain scenes when he's sort of daydreaming, that come across very comically (like the lawnmower ballet). My favorite is when Kristi (Elizabeth McGovern) tells him "I stopped taking the pill three months ago", to which he sits up and starts screaming, imagining himself on a fastmoving traincar in a straitjacket, crashing into a brick wall. If those visuals don't explain his anxiety I don't know what would. That's the fun of the movie.

Everyone's talking about the wonderful Soundtrack that is out of print. This is because it was owned by I.R.S. Records and they went out of business many years ago and no one has bothered to pick up the rights to reissue it. I feel lucky, since I bought it on cassette and CD back in the early 90s. But if you really want to find one I suggest you try an online auction house such as ebay. They always have copies of the soundtrack to sell.

I always feel cheated when I buy a Paramount DVD because they are so expensive and usually only have a trailer as a bonus. Luckily I got this one dirt cheap at an auction, but even so they should'nt be charging us an arm and a leg for "movie only" DVDs when other studios (like Warner Bros.) sell "Special Edition" DVDs at cheaper prices. If you feel the same way as me I hope you'll write to Paramount and share your disappointment.

I hope these remarks were helpful. ... Read more

Reviews (86)

Dicaprio and Thewlis brilliant as creative misfits.
I loved watching this movie mostly because of the acting. The story itself is pretty over-the-top about self-absorbed creative types. All the other characters just take it in the neck, especially if they try to interact or inhibit them. I really related to these characterizations because of personal experience with "artistic types" in NY.

Back to the acting: Dicaprio and Thewlis are both brilliant in these roles. There was no self-consciousness in the middle of either the nonsense philosophizing or passionate sex. There is never any doubt that these two characters have taken over the actor's bodies and minds. Bravo!

The impact of the story, about where the alienated and self-absorbed philosophy that drove early 60s and 70s pop and rock stars came from is worth watching the film for: Morrison fans take note.

Exceptional movie
I must say that this was an excellant film all around. The quality of the production and the acting was outstanding. DeCaprio did a fantastic job, in fact the best acting I've ever seen him do to date. I was totally impressed with the story and I could not find one poor performance in the film. The script is based a true story with damatic additions I'm sure, however it was a very enjoyable film if only for the chance to see what I believe is some of the finest acting I've ever seen. This is a fantastic investment and a must for the video collection. Be aware that most of the film deals with subject matter best viewed by adults because of sexual content,implied sex acts and nudity. This is not a film for narrow minds or prudish thinkers.

Fantastic, Leonardo DiCaprio is brilliant
This is a great movie and is by far Leonardo DiCaprio best performance yet. He should of won an Oscar for his harrowing portrayal of 19th Century French poet Arthur Rimbaud. Rimbaud was a literary genius at the age of 16, who wrote wonderful and obscure poems about sex and death among other topics.

His intense and volatile relationship with fellow poet Paul Verlaine was often times disturbing and mad. Verlaine had trouble accepting the fact that his friend, confidant and lover was extremely gifted and more successful than he ever was.

Arthur Rimbaud was a merciful and shrewed young man who found pleasure in getting his way all the time and making other people look ridicule (especially the ones he did not like). Verlaine's young wife could not tolerate him and blamed him for making her husband abandon her for long periods of time. Verlaine would always come back to his wife but found Rimbaud so irresistable that he always ended up doing what he wanted and would succumb to his every need be it emotional or sexual. Arthur always knew had to get Paul wrapped up around his finger and got him to do whatever he wanted atleast most of the time.

This film is highlated by great performances from the entire cast and once again it is DiCaprio's remarkable performance that makes this film extremely interesting to watch. I don't think this movie is for everyone especially the ones that only think that a good movie is not good unless someone or something gets blown off. DiCaprio's character goes thru many changes in his appearance especially when he is dying of a terrible disease (I'm sorry but I can't seem to remember which one) his character is both physical and emotional and he plays it with incredible strength and emotion.

If you are a serious movie collector this is a "must have" for your collection. I love everything about this film and is one of my favorite movies ever. I gave it a 5 star rating because that as high as it goes but I would give a 10 rating because it has all the ingredients a great movie suppose to have. Watch this movie and it will leave you breathless. Superb and beautiful all the way through.

A Masterpiece!!
an astonishing film. one i wont soon forget. i love how leo dicaprio has a special ability to play any type of character he chooses!

Not altogether accurate, but fun.
Total Eclipse does a fine job at painting a portrait of a beautiful, disturbed genius. However in actuality some of Arthur Rimbaud's photos from his childhood show a less attractive poet.

Much dialogue was taken from Rimbaud's own writings, so don't expect that he actually told Verlaine one day that "Love needed to be reinvented." This is simply a line from his "A Season in Hell" and the verse that proceeds it says that he does not like women. Then again we will never know some of the amazing things that Rimbaud said in his daily life, but from his poetry the director takes the best of what he wrote and almost makes it seems as if he said the phrases to Verlaine one day while drinking absinthe.

One who is truly familiar with Rimbaud should expect the movie to contain sadomasochism and sexual content. I've read other reviews that said the movie contained too much. Denying Rimbaud's role this would make the movie a fairy tale as thankfully the director knew that Rimbaud experienced these things and wrote of them.

Lastly, just expect to see a small portion of Rimbaud's life in the movie. He had other companionships and childhood friends which were more interesting than Paul Verlaine. I do appreciate this film and the viewer should expect to be shocked. Or as Rimbaud would say "Then why would you suppose that I intended you to be?" ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Terrific cinematography only adds to a fine film
Sometimes, stunning camera work adds significant value to a film's overall merit. Case in point is 2001: A SPACE ODDYSSEY, in which the visuals (and musical score) contributed to make it one of the great films of all time. (I saw it 8 times when originally on the big screen.) Yet the acting and storyline were so nondescript that who can remember who the actors or their characters were beyond Hal? Although certainly not carrying the same weight as 2001 in the evolution of movie making, the 1993 release GERONIMO: AN AMERICAN LEGEND is elevated for the same reason, and the acting is much better besides.

Matt Damon plays 2nd Lt. Britton Davis, newly commissioned out of West Point, who arrives in Arizona in the mid-1880's just in time to accompany the savvy 1st Lt. Charles Gatewood, played by Jason Patric, on a mission to accept the surrender of Geronimo, and bring the Apache leader to the reservation. Eventually, Geronimo abandons the reservation to again take up arms against the white man, ultimately fleeing into Mexico. The local Army cavalry command led by Gen. George Crook, played by Gene Hackman, and which includes Davis and Gatewood, must then go retrieve the war chief and his followers. Robert Duvall has the role of Al Sieber, the army unit's Chief Scout.

As I've indicated, the cinematography in GERONIMO is absolutely gorgeous, the film being shot in the scenic expanses of southeastern Utah. Moreover, the acting doesn't deserve the reproach it's received. The Crook character, criticized as too bland, is played just right. By that time in his long military career, Gen. Crook had seen it all when it came to battling the Indians, and his unflappability, evenhandedness, and strength of character were fully established. There is no need for flamboyant theatrics on his part. The moody reserve of the Gatewood character is perfectly understandable. He came from a patrician Virginia family and, had it been 30 years previous, would have fought for the Confederacy. Fighting for the victorious Federals against another oppressed people (as the Southerners saw themselves) was certain to cause much self-examination. As Sieber put it to Gatewood, "You don't love who you're fighting for, and you don't hate who you're fighting against." Duvall, as Sieber, plays a role somewhat reminiscent of his Gus McCrae in LONESOME DOVE, but without the easygoing humor. In any case, his on-screen time is way too short. Wes Studi as Geronimo is more than adequate. I can't think of another Native American actor - and how many of those are there? - who could have done better. Matt Damon, as the likable Britton, serves as the film's narrator for the viewers' perspective. True, the plot incorporates no dramatic, climactic battles. That's because there weren't any in the real-life Geronimo saga, and Hollywood mercifully refrained, for once, from the unashamed embellishment of history. Rather, the story is portrayed for what it was - the inexorable, relatively low-key subjugation of one people by another - with all its attendant moral and ethical issues. The ending is particularly poignant.

Maybe I just like westerns, but I think this a wonderful, haunting film. It's definitely worth seeing, especially if you have one of those home entertainment centers that aspires to be a big screen theater.

Accurate and visually delightful
Geronimo is bringing the story and old photographs of the Apche leader and his brave warriors to life. The accuracy of such is demonstrated in various scenes reconstructed precicely from authentic photographs from the 1880's. Strong performance by "less-is-more"-Patric, and of course Studi portrays the fierce chief with irony and necessary harshness. The mood of the film is hot and lazy, with sudden bursts of violence, the trademark of a Walter Hill movie. Fine performance by the dry Hackman, and probably Duvall doing his best since the Godfather (and of course the later "The Apostle") as the wry scout Sieber. The movie pays strong attention to details such as language, manners, music, costumes and persons, all relying on historical facts. It just lacks that tiny little bit that satisfies both the average audience and the history buffs. The first group probably miss more plot, and the latter would like to see some more, i.e. how the Apache dealt with their imprisonment in Florida and the return to Oklahoma and so on. All together an honest attempt to tell the story of one of the strongest, if not wisest, personalities in the history of native Americans.

AS FAIR AS HOLLYWOOD GETS
A fair look at the clash of white-Indian civilization was in John Milius' excellent "Geronimo", the story of the last Apache captured and brought in, bringing to an end the Indian Wars in 1890. Gene Hackman plays the officer charged with negotiating and capturing Geronimo. It fairly shows brave Indians, a well-meaning government, circumstances that were beyond control of the ability to foresee, white settlers whose ingenuity made use of the land that was previously unheard of, and how these events brought about bad feelings in the Indian community. The film is even without demonizing either side.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM

Very Emotional
This movie was emotional and shows the war between the yankee cowboys and the Indians a.k.a Hipatchis. Geranimo leads his villagers to victory but soon comes across crazy charecters and racist cowboys like Robert Duvall. All star cast, but this movie is to emotional, very biographic and more of a documentary that a movie. Still a classic. 10/10.

A war drama that feels like a western pic.
Although the movie is based on a real U.S. Army campaign against the Apache, one feels like watching a well-made western. There are "battle scenes" that are really short skirmishes. Suprisingly, the best scene of cinematic violence is a shootout inside some bar, I mean saloon, between the heroes and a group of bounty hunters. (Hence, the title of this review.) Wes Studi plays Geronimo, an Apache shaman who refused to surrender to the U.S. and be assimilated. Being a farmer in an enclosed reservation was not his suit, nor was it for the small band of warriors who followed him as a renegade. Watching Studi, I can't help but think of his role as a Huron war party captain in "Last of the Mohicans." As in "Mohicans", Studi's character in "Geronimo" kills, both white soldiers and civilians, with cold blooded brutality. This film manages to romanticize Geronimo's noble but lost cause while also emphasizing that he and his warriors were merciless in combat and not above killing unarmed civilians. ... Read more

Reviews (90)

Rope
"Rope"

For it's time Alfred Hitchcock's suspense film, "Rope" was a masterpiece in it's own right, this is true today as well. The movie brings together elements of suspense of how it feels to commit a horrendous crime along with the excitement of getting away with it. Or so "Brandon" (played by John Dall) and his unwilling assistant "Philip" (played by Farley Granger) think. The two friends commit this crime because they want to prove that they have the intellectual capability to commit the perfect murder. This mind set was shared by their former prep school teacher "Rupert" (played by James Stewart). The difference between Rupert and his apprentices is his ultimate inability to act upon these extreme principals. Brandon and Philip mastermind the plot to kill a mutual friend, David in the opening scene of this film. To add to their "amusement" they hide the dead body in a trunk in the room where a party is later held for Mr. Kentley, David's father. Brandon and Philip also decided to serve the dinner from the chest where the body is hidden. Throughout the entire party the father and other acquaintances are wondering where David is and are concerned that something has happened to him. All the while Brandon is keeping his cool playing along with keeping the murder a secret perfectly. This cannot be said for Philip however. He has been sweating bullets since the guests have arrived to the party.
The technology of this film is not up to present-day standards. The aspect of the film is not particularly to my liking; however Hitchcock uses may other aspects of film making to his advantage. His use of music in the opening scene sets a gloomy mood immediately and makes you suspect that something bad is going to happen or already has happened. Towards the end when Philip is playing the piano and making many mistakes, something he never does also helps set a certain mood that Brandon and Philip are getting closer and closer to being caught by Stewart. Though this film is set in one main room, Hitchcock uses is continuous shot method of camera work to get a sense of what the characters are thinking or feeling. Granger does a wonderful job of playing the unwilling participant in this film. He is constantly fidgeting and sweating with anticipation and worry, while Dall remains calm and collected he unsuccessfully tries to settle Granger down throughout the film until the very end. All the guests seem to be ignorant of anything being wrong except for Rupert. As Rupert plays the character with a remarkable curiosity he is always wondering why Philip is acting so upset and worried. Rupert does a wonderful job at wearing Brandon and Philip down to the breaking point.
While "Rope" may not be the technological masterpiece of present day films, it is very well crafted and stands the test of time to remain on of the greatest suspense films of all time. Who would expect anything less than that from Alfred Hitchcock?

Another techincal and dramatic masterpiece by Hitchcock
Rope is an amazing, amazing film. Don't miss it. It may seem a bit slow for some, but Hitchcock enthusiasts will love it. James Stewart is a bit miscast for Rupert Cadell (he looks a little young), but his performance is as memorable as always. John Dall does well as the psychotic murderer with theories of superiority, but his stutter becomes a bit frustrating. Philip (Farley Granger)does well as the slowly maddening co-murderer (if i may call it that) of David, becoming overridden by guilt during the course of the party. I've heard this film is loosely based on the Leoplad and Loeb murders and adapted from a play. THIS MOVIE MUST BE WATCHED SEVERAL TIMES TO NOTICE THE SUBTLE BLACK HUMOR BETWEEN THE GUESTS OF THE PARTY. HITCHCOCK'S TELLTALE SYMBOL CAN BE SEEN IN A NIGHT SCENE IN A NEON SIGN THROUGH THE WINDOW.

Measure your words carefully. They may be taken seriously

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Format: Color
Studio: Universal Studios
Video Release Date: May 23, 1995

Cast:

James Stewart ... Rupert Cadell
John Dall ... Brandon Shaw
Farley Granger ... Phillip Morgan
Cedric Hardwicke ... Mr. Kentley
Constance Collier ... Mrs. Atwater
Douglas Dick ... Kenneth Lawrence
Edith Evanson ... Mrs. Wilson
Dick Hogan ... David Kentley
Joan Chandler ... Janet Walker
Alfred Hitchcock ... Man walking in street after opening credits
The Three Suns ... Group cast appearance (radio sequence)

Two young men decide to kill a friend for kicks. ala Leopold and Loeb, because one of them, Brandon Shaw (John Dall) thinks he is a superior human being, and above the rules, and the victim is inferior and therefore fair game. He quotes a former professor, Rupert Cadell (James Stewart) who has verbalized such a proposition in class.

They do, indeed, strangle the other young man, David Kentley (Dick Hogan), place his body in a trunk, and then throw a party to which they invite Bentley's parents, his girl friend, Prof. Cadell and others, and serve food and drinks from the trunk in which the body lies. Cadell, a bright man, realizes that something funny is going on and investigates.

This is an entertaining movie. Hitchcock. the director, admitted that he made the film on a lark, and that it was not a serious endeavor, but given his genius it came out very well anyway. It rates 4 stars with me, at least.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

"I Hope You Like What You See!" -- (You Will, Via This DVD!)
"Rope" debuted in theaters in August of 1948, and represented the first movie shot in COLOR by Director Alfred Hitchcock.

James Stewart, Farley Granger, and John Dall are the stars here, with Stewart (as always) giving a flawless, effortless-looking performance. I really liked all the character portrayals in this film. Murderers Granger and Dall exhibit just the right mix of "Will we get caught?" angst and the cockiness and sheer gall of those that murder simply for the sport of it.

Although not one of the "higher profile" Alfred Hitchcock entries, I think "Rope" is, in fact, one of his better films. It's certainly unique, style-wise, being filmed in ten-minute, continuous takes, giving it a "seamless" uninterrupted look.

There has been much talk about the supposed "homosexual overtones" between the two murderers in "Rope". Now while I know this to be the director's intention, if I hadn't read about it after seeing the movie, I would never have thought those two male characters were supposed to be homosexual. In my view, *nothing* that is said or done in the film particularly points to this conclusion. I suppose it's designed to be there, but "just beneath the surface". But, I looked at the two killers as merely being close friends. I don't really know why the sexual orientation subject even has to enter into it. And, really, it *doesn't*.

"Rope" is unique in another fashion as well -- Hitchcock's "cameo". Unique because we get not one, but TWO, "Hitch" cameos in this picture. Right after the opening credits, we see Alfred walking on the sidewalk below. With cameo appearance #2 (which was originally intended to be his lone cameo) coming 55 minutes into the fairly-short 80-minute film. This second cameo is not of Hitchcock "in the flesh". Instead, the director inserted the image of a flashing neon sign outside one of the windows of the apartment. This sign depicts the famous Hitchcock "profile". A very inventive cameo indeed (rivaling his "newspaper" appearance in "Lifeboat" for the most creative, IMO).

As with a much-later Hitchcock picture, "The Birds", "Rope" has no music score to aid the story and move it along (save the opening theme music and the piano-playing of Farley Granger's character). An entire movie void of music is something that I don't imagine too many directors could pull off. But Hitchcock, in "Rope" and "The Birds" (which was fifteen years later), did it quite successfully.

This Universal single-disc DVD offers up a fine-looking and very clear Full Frame picture (1.33:1 aspect ratio). Colors do look a tad dated, though. But, overall, "Rope" looks excellent here! The soundtrack on the disc is in Mono (Dolby Digital 2.0).

The disc's Menu system is simplistic and easy to use (which is OK by me). When the Main Menu is on screen, the theme from Hitch's TV series, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", plays. This is nice, but I wonder why they didn't use the "Rope" opening theme music for the Menu?

Although not officially labelled as one of Universal's "Collector's Editions", this "Rope" DVD could very well have been so designated. This disc has very nearly as many Special Features as the other Hitchcock "Collector's" packages. Here's a gander at the "Rope" bonus supplements .................

>> A 32-minute documentary, "Rope Unleashed", covering the making of this motion picture. Included here is an interview with actor/writer Hume Cronyn, who collaborated on the "Rope" screenplay. Sadly, not too very long after filming the interview for this DVD, Mr. Cronyn passed away, in June 2003. Many backstage pictures are mixed in with the interview segments, including some eye-opening pics of the color camera equipment of the era. Color cameras during those days were more than "bulky" -- those babies were humongous! And via some still photos we can see just how cumbersome those cameras were, circa 1948.

>> The Original Theatrical Trailer for "Rope". -- I absolutely love this unique trailer. It really (in a way) serves as a "deleted scene" from the movie. And shows us the film's murder victim ("David Kentley") before he falls prey to his killers' rope. The trailer has David (played by Dick Hogan) and his fiancee, Janet (Joan Chandler), sitting on a park bench, talking about their upcoming engagement. It's just a short scene, but sets up some of the plot points very nicely in just a few seconds. After David kisses his betrothed and leaves the park, this becomes more of a "conventional" trailer, with star Jimmy Stewart appearing on camera to narrate. Video quality for this color trailer is a bit splotchy and blurry in places, but still certainly in watchable condition. I think the introduction of the murder victim in this "added" scene was a very clever idea by the filmmakers. Trailer length = 2:25.

>> A very nice Photo Gallery (which has many behind-the-camera images).

>> Some text screens with film notes and cast bios. (There's a kind of funny little mistake in the DVD's bio of John Dall. Dall's character is referred to as "Shaw Brandon" on the text screen, instead of the correct name, "Brandon Shaw".)

Alfred Hitchcock directed more than 50 films -- with "Rope", his first venture into the world of "Technicolor", resting among my personal "Top 10 Hitch Flicks". This Universal Home Video DVD comes recommended by this Hitchcock enthusiast.

Tense and Unusual HItchcock Classic
Brandon (John Dall) and Philip (Farley Granger) are two rich, educated young men who think very highly of themselves indeed. At college, they were taught by Rupert Cadell (James Stewart) who, having read a little too much Nietzsche, explained to them there that, for truly superior people, murder need be no crime. They have taken this ugly lesson just a little too much to heart and so, just for fun, they kill their friend David. Then, his body hidden in a chest, they hold a dinner party for his parents, his girlfriend, the girlfriend's ex-boyfriend and Cadell himself. David is invited too, but of course, he doesn't show up. But Philip, especially, is decidedly nervous and, as the evening progresses, Cadell starts to smell a rat...

Technically, this is one of Hitchcock's most consciously experimental pieces of film. There is no music at all, except over the credits and in a couple of scenes where Philip plays the piano. And it is made to at least appear to have been shot in a single very long take. In fact it is not and there are a few cuts that maintain an appearance of seamlessness by taking place as the shot passes across some dark surface like the back of a jacket. This contributes nicely to the tension. It does has a certain awkward consequence however in that the action is thereby set in real time and it takes some suspension of disbelief to accept that a society dinner party might last about 45 minutes from start to finish. (It also means that, whether you think this is a movie worth buying or just one to rent, it would be particularly criminal to watch it on TV with commercial interruptions.) Another nice technical touch exploits the location of Brandon and Philip's apartment high in New York and close to some neon signage. For much of the film it is daytime outside but in the scenes towards the end as a climax approaches, a surreal, nightmarish atmosphere is created by the slow by constant modulations of colouring of the light that result.

This is Hitchcock's first movie collaboration with James Stewart who does an excellent job playing a smart intellectual type who gets a nasty shock when he finds two of his students putting into action the clever sounding but disgusting ideas he thought he was so smart in expounding. It's a rather nice study in the perils of a shallow predeliction for novel, supposedly "advanced", moral thinking. (Brandon and Philip, arrogant patricians killing for fun, will have recalled to an American audience of the time the famous '20s case of Leopold and Loeb.) The movie is a interesting moral fable and also a nice, if slightly stagy thriller. It's not one of Hitchcock's greats but it's certainly no dud. There are no high-drama moments of nailbiting suspense but instead a constant uncomfortable tension as social events unfold in an apartment where only two of the participants know there is a fresh corpse in the cupboard just under all those fancy dinner goodies and their nerves are starting to fray... ... Read more

Reviews (25)

I ADORE this movie
There isn't anything in this that was earth shattering or incredible performances. It was just a good Sunday Afternoon flick, I own this one and forgot how much I enjoyed it until my Daughter and I pulled it off the shelf.

Julia Roberts does a believable job as a woman who has found out that her husband has screwed around on her. What I liked most about this movie was allll of the secondary characters... Kyra was the PERFECT Older sister looking out for her younger one, Gena was Great as the Southern Belle Mama, the Aunt (don't know this woman's name)was HILARIOUS as the "little" crazy Aunt that would/could go there. You really have to pay attention to this movie there are so many innuendos and funny moments that I truly can recommend this one. The actress that played the daughter was wonderful and last but not least Dennis Quaid did quite a convincing job as a contrite husband (once he was caught).

If you want something along this plot line I would also suggest "Hope Floats" which also stars Gena Rowlands and has pretty much the same subject matter but not the same movie. Enjoy.

Respectfully Reviewed

One of the 10-12 I watch repeatedly. . .
As a 30-something chick, I have a few romantic comedies and dramas that I have watched so many times I can repeat them line for line. I put them on, if for nothing else, for the background noise. This movie is one of them. The title of the movie says it all; Julia Roberts (Grace) gives the entire town something to talk about when she finds out about her husband's cheating ways. The movie is funny and poignant at the same time, making the viewer re-visit some decisions they made in their lives that got them where they are today. Kyra Sedgwick is absolutely fabulous (much better than in "Singles") and Gena Rowlands is wonderful, as well. Pair that with a great subplot about horse competitions and coming to grip with aging, you've got a great movie that was completely underrated by most critics.

Something to Talk About
Although Quaid AND Roberts deliver good performances... this movie just plods along and is never clear. We never have a CLEAR reason for her to return to her husband.

Her relationship with her father is unclear---why is she so angry? And if he makes her so crazy, then why work with him then? Some cute moments, sure... the food poisoning, the doctor and the father fighting... but otherwise... yawn Could have been a contender... but it's not

An enjoyable and entertaining film
Curl up and enjoy this movie. It is funny, sad, interesting and most of all enjoyable. I disagree with the person who said that the husband and wife spontaneously dance and then live happily ever after. Did we watch the same movie? The wife (Julia Roberts) then goes back to school and her husband begins courting her. Dating, not back to move in and live happily ever after.

Something to talk about -
I Love the movie, it's good clean fun, probably not so much for the men as for us females. I have watched this time and time again plus do-not have to worry if my daughter wanders in and out as anything she should not be hearing would go over her head anyway. Kind of reminds me of a totaly modern, "Harper valley PTA" I have an old taped version that i borrowed from a friend years ago, so now i have just brought another copy so she can hers back. A must ***** ... Read more

Amazon.com

Expanding their one-joke skit from television's Saturday NightLive, Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell are Doug and Steve Butabi, the wearers of the rayon suits and Speedo trunks who bob their heads in unison to dance music while unsuccessfully preying on women in clubs.What's funny in athree-minute piece doesn't always get funnier by expansion, but Kattan and Ferrell give it a go with fellow SNL member Molly Shannon as their ambitious neighbor.By day they work in their father's fake-plant store.By night they prowl the club scene after spraying on the cologne in their gauchely decorated bedroom.A fender-bender with Richard Grieco (playing himself) gets them into the popular club the Roxbury, but it's not all good news, as the brothers soon find themselves torn apart. Doug and Steve are pathetic but lovable, mostly due to the actors' talents for self-deprecating humor. All gifted comedians, Kattan, Ferrell, and Shannon obviously feel comfortable around each other, and their love triangle (which prompts send-ups of Say Anything and Jerry Maguire) is the funniest joke in this mostly lame comedy. Too bad, because it clocks in at about 80 minutes and could have run on television as a pretty good episode of SNL, which has been known to get a bit lame itself. --Shannon Gee ... Read more

Reviews (163)

Like many other SNL films
A lot of films based on SNL characters unsurprisingly fail at the box office because of the inability to actually develop the characters. The only exception, and everyone knows this, is "Wayne's World" with the exception of the sequel. "A Night At The Roxbury" follows the two misadventures of Steve and Doug Butabi, two hopeless romantics and brothers who spend their days irritating their dad (Dan Hedaya) at his plastic plant shop, and their nights at attempted club hopping which results in them getting shunned away by the doorman. Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan are very talented but they try to make their SNL characters real and it just doesn't work. Everyone knows the theme of the overplayed and now familiarly known as the Roxbury Theme. The problem is, the film just doesn't seem to go anywhere. It gets inevitably boring and recycles jokes in the movie continually. Look for then unknown Michael Clarke Duncan as a doorman.

Oh great, another SNL skit run right into the ground!
After watching this movie, I have to say that the jokes run out real quick and physical comedy will only get you so far. The great thing about the original skit with the Roxbury brothers is that we saw celebrities acting just like bafoons picking up chicks, but when you're watching a couple of the regular bafoons trying to pick up chicks - it makes you wonder how fast the writer wrote the script. This movie is so bad, with the over-acting by Molly Shannon, I was hoping Chris Kattan would pull it out of the water in time...but the jokes quickly drowned.

Happy Tears, in fact.. Tears of hysterical laughter
Was it a good film?
No....YES!

I absolutely adored this film. Not many films have me rolling on the floor clutching my side from too much laughter. Will Ferrell is hilarious and with Chris Kattan, what could go wrong? The two brothers are so pathetic that you just want to root for them. Eventually the underdog wins and there is a happy ending.

PS- Hey Emily, nice bulbs.

Very bad.
This was not very funny as a Saturday Night Live skit, so making it into a movie was even worse. Not funny at all, and very bad.

Nevermind if the movie is not great, it's still fun!
SNL alums Will Ferrell(before he went 'Elf' on us) and Chris Kattan play dumb, club-hopping brothers from LA. Both stars are hilarious because they never score with the ladies while at the clubs. They come up with the worst lines, which makes it even funnier.

OK, so it didn't win any Oscars, but i know it's not good. In fact, it's only the very few films I admit I enjoyed. The Butabi brothers are so over the top, I can't help myself laugh. The story is non-existent, but the characters help carry this film. It's pure escapist fun. I want to get the DVD, but I'm afraid to buy it! ... Read more

Reviews (79)

Thin plot as an excuse for the best soundtrack I've heard
As a cinematic work, Crossroads is nothing special. Except for Joe Seneca who was great as the aging blues-legend on the run from the devil, the acting is awful. Ralph Macchio is decent, except that he's doing the EXACT same character he did in Karate Kid. The love interest between Eugene and Frances is silly, shallow and simply doesn't work. The screenplay, above all, is terrible. The directing and photography are good, which makes the film at least bearable.

But the film is just an excuse for one of the most amazing soundtracks I've ever heard. Classical guitar, Robert Johnson classic blues, Muddy Waters electric blues and hard blues rock run throughout this film wonderfuly; for bluesmen and guitar lovers, Crossroads is a must. The ending with Steve Vai, above all, is one of the greatest scenes I've seen and makes the whole movie worthwile - and both Vai and 'Eugene' play a KILLER guitar (I think Stevie Ray Vaughan plays Eugene's part). Overall, a very mediocre movie and for many probably boring, but a cult classic and a musical masterpiece.

What a Great Idea For a Film!
...even though it's far from a perfect movie. So why the 5 stars? Because it's so unique, so bold, so unconventional, and so ultimately pleasing. Crossroads is a fun fairy tale that uses an accurate history lesson as its back drop. (i.e., the kind of fim the just don't make anymore.) Not to mention it has some of the best music you'll hear in a movie. And if you're a musician, and especially a guitar player, it's simply a MUST! The plot and performances have already been reviewed but I'd like to add that Macchios "less than confident" portrayal fits perfectly with the character. The biggest flaw is the horrible miscasting of Steve Vai as the resident hot shot blues man. Vai is in no way or form a blues guitarist and would never be accepted as such, and his poser/over the top performance at the end ruins an otherwise classic film moment. I always felt that Johnny Winter would have been the perfect choice for that role and they should have left Steve to do the soundtrack for the electric classical guitar pieces. The bit with the "selling the soul to the devil" was a little forced as well. All in all, Crossroads is is an uneven masterpiece. Try to overlook the bad, appreciate the good and thank all concerned for at least attempting to bring the beauty of some wonderful music to the publics conciousness. Not to mention you'll thoroughly enjoy watching it. This is one of very few films I actually hated to see end.

Just a few corrections.....
Just a couple corrections. Eugene's guitar parts were played by Ry Cooder and Steve Vai. Ry handled all of the delta blues parts, with Vai contributing Eugene's Trick Bag at the end of the film. Arlen Roth was Ralph Macchio's guitar coach.

the best music film ever
this is the most inspiring film ever made it just makes you want to pick up the guitar and play exept you dont wont to miss the film the duel at the end is the best ive ever seen it tells you the story of the misissipi delta blues and the missing song someone said to me that joe satriani played the parts that eugine did but write back and say if he did the film really opened my eyes to steve vai and recently i went to see g3 live i reccamend that as well

Wonderful!
This movie was so great i give it 5 stars! It's a well done and well written movie. I would recommend it to anyone! I saw this with my dad, and we're big movie buffs and this is both our favorite! Ralph Macchio was really good, he couldn't have done ant better! I love this movie and would reccomend this! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In his widely acclaimed attempt to fathom The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, director Werner Herzog probes a real-life mystery that has puzzled German society for nearly two centuries. In the title role, Herzog ingeniously cast the equally mysterious street musician Bruno S., whose mesmerizing performance is unique in the history of film. Isolated since infancy in a dank cellar, the now-adult Kaspar is abandoned in 1820s Nuremburg by his unknown custodian; townsfolk futilely speculate on his origins, and he's shaped by a bourgeois villager who places rigid, conflicting restraints on his new and peculiar perspective on the world around him. It's telling that Herzog's preferred title is Every Man for Himself and God Against All, for this is an eerily effective cautionary tale about an innocent man of nature who moves from one prison to another in a cruelly fateful universe. The mystery lingers, making The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser a deep, resonant reflection on the nature of humanity. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Excellent and Moving Film
Werner Herzog makes great and fascinating movies - there's no doubt about it. His films are just "neat" (for lack of a better word). I love Herzong's films, and the "Enigma of Kaspar Hauser" is one of his best. This movie represents well, the Romantic era in general. It's very well done, historically.
I don't know much about the true story behind Kaspar Hauser's life: who he was, where he came from, etc., but this movie held my interest deeply. It was a perplexing and stimulating story that truly made me think about a lot of things.
Bruno S. always wanted his identity to be kept somewhat secret, so that is why we call him "Bruno S.". You gotta' respect that kind of "anti-Hollywood" mentality - that's so antifamous and noble. The lead character is brilliant in this film and Bruno S. should have received an Oscar. This is a true and genuine performance; so real. This is one of those roles that no one else could have ever played. It was made for Bruno and he for it. Bruno S. is Kaspar Hauser and Kaspar Hauser is Bruno S.!
This movie is wonderful - I loved every minute of it. Werner Herzong is a genius and Bruno S. is a natural!

This DVD comes with a nice picture (slightly grainy) and with a commentary soundtrack by a film critic interviewing director Werner Herzog himself.

There are really good movies...
...there are great movies, and then there is "Kaspar Hauser". Those unfamiliar with it, or unfamiliar with the films of Werner Herzog in general, should remedy the situation at their earliest convenience.

If you have ever been stirred to the marrow by a film performance, grab plenty of Kleenex -maybe don a raincoat- before sitting down to meet Bruno S.

God bless Werner Herzog.

The Most Powerful Film Ever Made
Not only is The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser Werner Herzog's best film but it is without question one of the 5 greatest films of all time. This movie has some of the most astonishing and powerful images ever committed to film. One of the opening shot's is that of a wheat field blowing in the wind while Pachelbel's Cannon plays and the following words appear on the screen; "Don't you hear that horrible screaming all around you? That screaming men call silence." This sequence perfectly captures the essence of this film. The beauty of suffering seen through the eyes of a man that is completing untainted and untouched by society. This movie will change your life. This movie has amazing cinematography, a genius use of music, astonishing performances and Werner Herzog's direction is unbelievable.

Kaspar Hauser by any other name . . .
First, the original title of this film is *not* The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser. It's Every Man For Himself And God Against All. The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser - also The Mystery of Kaspar Hauser - are America-only titles. That really doesn't detract from anything, but if you're ever looking for information on the film, you might want to know.

This is a great dvd, with a mildly informative biography of Herzog and (yay!) commentary from him.

The commentary is very worth listening to - more informative, I think, than the Criterion version's film essay would have been in this case. Herzog is a very interesting man with a very storied past, and this commentary explores that. Norman Hill - who shares the English track - seems to have been put there for the sole purpose of prompting Herzog into speech and gets grating after a while.

The movie itself is also wonderful - even if it feels at times to be missing Klaus Kinski, Herzog's lifelong friend and actor. This is due mainly to the way that Kaspar Hauser shares the feel of Herzog's more famous work, Aguirre - The Wrath of God. Many of the shots are the same: foggy landscapes shot through multiple lenses to disassociate the viewer from them, images of isolation on the water, and, of course, the controlled manner of speech which Bruno S. adopts for the film. There's even a moment where Bruno steps out in front of the camera in the very same fashion that Kinski invented for Aguirre.

A very worthwhile DVD, my only problem comes with the subtitles. While they seem (mostly - Herzog comments on one or two moments) to be adequate translations, they are at times unreadable. I'm not sure how escapable that is given that this is a colour film, but it seems Criterion have done an ample job on similar works. Cries and Whispers comes to mind. That one flaw, however, is minor and should in no way detract you from purchasing.

Excellent transfer of superb, unique film
This has been a favorite since I first saw it in a college film series soon after it came out. Among the 80 or so DVDs I have bought, I rank it at the very top for fidelity to the color and texture of the original film. The sound is also crystal clear. If you look hard enough you'll find the occasional artifact, but they are drowned out for me by the natural look.
I hope the DVD version brings this treasure to a whole new audience.
(An added bonus for students of German is the ability to turn off the subtitles.)
Now all I want to know is when the hell I'll be able to get La Dolce Vita on DVD! ... Read more

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Harrison Ford is impossibly young and handsome as an American pilot in the World War II romance Hanover Street; Lesley-Anne Down (The Great Train Robbery) is stunningly beautiful as the British nurse who falls in love with him, despite being married to British intelligence agent Christopher Plummer. In fact, everything about Hanover Street is just a little over the top, from the insanely romantic dialogue to the absurd war-buddy banter of Ford and his bomber crew to the love-making montage in which Down seems to have at least a dozen orgasms. Down and Plummer have a daughter (played by future Lethal Weapon 2 love interest Patsy Kensit) who's so precious and precocious you just want to smack her. The whole thing is almost a camp pastiche of a war romance--but when Ford and Plummer find themselves together behind enemy lines, you'll suddenly discover that you're caught up in the story. Through sheer movie-star charisma and cunningly ridiculous plot mechanics, Hanover Street becomes not only entertaining, but even touching. Plummer is particularly good as an ordinary man who wishes to become something more, Ford is stalwart as only he can be, and Down is just too lovely