Reviews (799)

A motion picture of unparalleled quality.
Terence Malick's 'Thin Red Line' is quite possibly the finest work of cinematic art that has ever graced our screens. Indeed, it casts quite a shadow over other war movie classics like Apocalypse Now- leaving it in it's wake. And as for 'Saving Private Ryan'...well it doesn't come close to 'TTRL'.

Malick's direction is simply genius; utilising the tranquil scenery to great effect whilst, at the same time, creating some of the most breathtaking action-sequences to be put on 35mm. Editing is top-notch- bearing in mind that Malick apparently filmed around 1,000,000 feet of footage! And, indeed, the acting itself is remarkable. Nolte, Penn and Chaplin are pure class as is Elias Koteas but Jim Caviezel steals the show with his perception of the spiritual Private Witt; someone who we feel 'at one' with throughout the film.

The use of multi voice-overs from numerous characters awards the picture with a great sense of dimension that crosses the proverbial board of mixed emotions. In doing so, it also goes against the notion of the classic Hollywood narrative; forming it's own unique structure that one has never before witnessed on screen.

The 170 minutes quite literally fly by. Certainly, one would be hard-pressed to come across a finer motion picture of the 90's and, one feels, the history of cinema.

This epic masterpiece deserves to be placed on a par with 'Citizen Kane' and 'The Third Man' and the very least you could do is to invest in your very own copy and behold in the pure splendour that is 'The Thin Red Line'. It's a difficult task describing such a film; it really does have to be seen to be believed...very few words would do it justice.

The thin red line
Boasting an ensemble cast including veteran Nick Nolte, Sean Penn and John Travolta (in a minor role) to name a few, The thin red line endeavours to portray yet another rendition of the gritty reality of war.

Set in the second world war it deals with a group of American soldiers whose mission it is to win a sub-war in the South Pacific, their first front being the jungles of Malaysia where they must be prepared for the distress of futile human sacrifice - in so doing they must also be prepared for the imminence of their own death or maiming.

Sean Penn plays his usual cockiness well; however his role doesn't ever allow him to display the criminal roguishness at which he truly excels, for example the character Meserve portrayed in the Vietnam flick Casualties of War. Incidentally two other thin red line cast members also appeared in the above film (John C. Reilly and Don Harvey).

Nick Nolte's gravelly voice gives credibility to his authoritarian role - Furthermore the portrayal of his disaffected, uncompromising Lt. Col. Tall are well realised.

Adrien Brody adds a touch of peacefulness and melancholy as Corporal Fife.

Overall this is a well balanced cast whose solid teamwork effectively conveys the mood of the collective war experience. Nevertheless, familiarity of plot and setting and the string of well known faces numb the intended impact of the film to drive home the violence of war that was so well done in Saving Private Ryan.

A profound spiritual experience like few films of the '90's
A lot of people were surprised when Line racked up seven Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture, the year that Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan raked in the bucks and the critical acclaim. Watching Terence Malick's long-awaited followup to Days of Heaven yesterday, I thought a lot about how boldly contemplative, achingly beautiful, and curiously flawed it was and came to a realization: I'd watch this one again before I did Ryan. In an age where modern films have the license to be as complex or manipulative as they want, here comes Terence Malick ready to make a 'war' movie: except, this one carries little logistics, plot, or superficial character development. What Line has in spades, though, is the ability to create a beating heart and soul for those young, scared men who braved the deadly shores of Guadalcanal. There is little dialogue, big-name stars have less, and the movie has the same gorgeous fascination with the natural world as Heaven.

What makes Line an arguably more fascinating journey than its same-year WWII flick is that dive deep into the soul that it attempts, and usually succeeds, to make; for proof, look into Jim Caviezel's eyes at any time during the movie. Yes, being a movie that reaches high for metaphors and philosophical musings, it does veer dangerously close to pretention (the voice-overs being the shakiest issue). Not to mention that the movie is three hours long and many characters never advance beyond a faintly recognizable face. I view pretention, though, as a flashy device used to disguise emptiness...and there isn't really any empty moment in the film. The Thin Red Line is far from perfect, but it's as close to capturing the spiritual and philosophical side of war than any movie I've seen. GRADE: A-

Wildly uneven
1998 was certainly a stand-out year for war films. With Steven Spielberg's phenomenal "Saving Private Ryan" being robbed of a Best Picture Oscar, most people forget that "The Thin Red Line" was also nominated.
Directed by Terrence Malick, whose recluseness is so extreme that his last movie ("Days of Heaven") was released in 1978, "The Thin Red Line" is a unique and sometimes fascinating war epic. With a story revolving around a company of soldiers attempting to take a Japanese stronghold in World War II, this is just Malick's excuse for jaw-dropping cinematography, courtesy of John Toll. If nothing else, this movie should be seen for its cinematography. Every shot was perfect. It was that good. The movie's unforgettable imagery had an astounding impact on me. And the battle scenes were excellent, powered by a gorgeous--yet subtle--score by Hans Zimmer.
Even so, the movie is nearly three hours in length, and quite boring in some parts. There were so many actors in so many roles that no one stood out, no matter how realistic the acting was. I suppose Sean Penn and Jim Cavieziel were the most notable. I also noticed that George Clooney and John Travolta got high billings, even if they only had cameos.
The film's biggest flaw is that I honestly had no idea what was going on. There was no plot to speak of. I got a feeling that Malick filmed a bunch of acotrs speaking, nature shots, and battles, and simply mashed them all together to make a movie.
Which ever way you look at it, "The Thin Red Line" is a movie worth seeing. I was amazed by the war scenes and the photography, but bored by everything else. This is the kind of film that makes me question its Best Picture nomination. I don't really know what to think about it, other than it partially fascinated me. I guess that's a good thing

The masterpiece of Terence Malik
This movie is great. The depicted character of the human being , his inner thoughts, his fears in the battlefield , the sense of no sense proportions of the general inmediatly reminds us to Paths of Glory , where the order to advance is just a suicide as wisely the captain answers by radio.
The Guadalcanal is now part of the story ; but Malick made much more than a war film . The camera shows you the different characters and points of view without tearful manipulation as Platoon , for instance.
Who's the good guy and who's the bad?
Nolte and Penn are magnificent in their respective roles and Harrelson played a very believable role.
Superb photograph and dazzling direction!
A real winner film! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Better than the average "doomed love" movie.
Ashley Judd plays Pam, a young woman on the edge of madness and Luke Perry is Chris, her husband. The film is loosely based on real events.

The storyline is very basic indeed. Chris and Pam meet and, despite their differences, they marry. They stay together despite Pam's increasingly deep and hurtful bouts of insanity. The marriage finally costs Chris his job as a cop and, in a last attempt to make ends meet, he takes to robbing banks.

His background as a cop means that he is pretty good at this and soon, he and Pam are benefitting from the fruits of his labours. Then, one day Pam finds out about the bank robberies and this changes their relationship forever but with destructive consequences.

It's not much of a plot but it is only there as a platform for the film to explore the relationship between Pam and Chris.

Pam desperately wants a man who will care for her and so she wants a man like Chis but she cannot respond to him. She is emotionally and sexually frigid. Chris wants to take care of Pam in the way that he thinks he should but he is unable to get through to her.

It turns out the what Pam really needs is a tough, all action strong guy who will care for her emotional needs as well. When she realises that her man has become a bank robber, suddenly, he is the man of her dreams and she bursts open with a new joy for life.

This scenario depends very much on the performaces from the two leads. Judd did her job well, you could really feel the troubles inside the mind of her character and without this, the film would have been poor indeed. Luke Perry was not so good. As far as I could see, his character was only staying with Pam because that's what it said in the script. There was no sense of why Chris needed Pam so much that he sat through all of the pain. Only in the closing moments did you see a sign of how much she was to him.

It was a very hard roll to play but I'm afraid that he was not really up to it.

You guys have no clue whatsoever
People who complain that a movie is slow appearantly will enjoy some action-thriller garbage with Jackie Chan or Bruce Willis because one's IQ doesn't have to be too big. To watch and understand a motion picture with the depth of this brilliant film requires ... well ... concentration and intelligence. One of the so-called critics said the only good thing about the film was that Luke Perry was in it. Oh, how intelligent, how explicative. That's the kind of comment one would expect from someone who wouldn't know a good movie if it bit them. Well this film was based on a true story. People confuse slowness with character development --and it was essential in helping us understand why people did what they did. And about Ashley Judd being naked through half the movie? HALF? HALF? Think about that. That's, at best, an exaggeration. She was not naked for an hour, not even for a half an hour. Not even for fifteen minutes collectively. How does that amount to half? And how often do real people walk around the house topless or naked--a lot, especially when they don't live with mommy and daddy anymore. I found this a very well made movie, but am not alone. Gene Siskel (a prominent movie critic, if you know what they are) found it to be one of the best movies released that year. It's all a matter of opinion, I know, but I think people who want to review such a film (escpecially one this good) need to validate their criticisms. But I imagine that's impossible for some people because it requires a mentality of an adult.

Great Movie
First off this was a true story. If you like drama movies you will like this. I really like this movie. Plus its even neater to me because all of the events that happend took place in my neighborhood hood and it was even filmed in my neighborhood. Perry and Judd's trailers were right down the street from my house when the movie was being filmed. But i really suggest watching this movie it was great.

Quick and Basically Painless
Ashley is an absolute knock-out and Luke Perry is believable as the creature of habit husband.

Bonnie and Clyde Mix Up
If you ever saw the movie Bonnie and Clyde with Faye Dunaway and Warren Batty you will know what I'm taliking about. This is a more up to date version and the charaters have switched. Judd being more like Clyde really in to guns and the thrill of the bad life and Perry being more like Bonnie excited but wants a normal life. I would have given the movie 5 stars but Judd doesn't seem to like shirts in the movie and being a girl I'm not really intrested. But a great movie. ... Read more

Description

Andromeda chronicles the adventures of Captain Dylan Hunt (Kevin Sorbo) and his crew on the starship Andromeda Ascendant as they search the galaxies in an effort to rebuild the Systems Commonwealth, a community of worlds strewn across the universe working ... Read more

Description

Tracklisting
1. Shine on You Crazy Diamond Parts 1-5
2. Terrapin
3. Fat Old Sun
4. Coming Back To Life
5. High Hopes
6. Je Crois Entendre Encore
7. Smile
8. Wish You Were Here
9. Comfortably Numb
10. Dimming of the Day
11. Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts 6-8
12. A Great Day for Freedom
13. Hushabye Mountain
14. Dominoes
15. Breakthrough
16. Comfortably Numb ... Read more

Reviews (89)

Nearly perfect
This DVD is wonderful - tons of songs, some guest appearances (Robert Wyatt, Bob Geldof, Richard Wright, Dick Parry), and a great variety of supporting musicians. The songs were performed very well, with some highlights being Wish You Were Here, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (both parts), High Hopes, and A Great Day for Freedom.
Although David Gilmour is ranked among the highest of guitarists, you can tell that his age is starting to show; in my personal opinion, he's past his guitar playing prime, which I consider to have been during the Division Bell tours (as displayed on PULSE). Also, taking the place of Roger Waters on Comfortably Numb were Bob Geldof and Robert Wyatt, who didn't do well enough of a job the way I see it. I mean, Robert Wyatt needing a sheet of paper for the words I can understand, but Bob Geldof? (In case you don't know, Geldof played the character "Pink" in Pink Floyd's "The Wall.) It's really not that much to memorize, and he must have heard the song millions of times since its release. And playing Pink just should have been enough for him to know the words... but now I'm just ranting on about a small detail.
All in all, its a great DVD. It has it's downsides, but the rest really helps hold it up.

Excellent concert DVD from David Gilmour
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd released his David Gilmour in Concert DVD in November of 2002. The video was taken from the performance he gave at The Royal Festival Hall in London in June of 2001. This show was part of Robert Wyatt's Meltdown concert series. For this performance, Dave decided to go in an semi-unplugged fashion. The song list were obvious Floyd favorites(Shine on You Crazy Diamond(parts 1-5 at the beginning with just him and his guitar plus Dick Parry's sax and parts 6 and 7 at the end of the regular set), High Hopes, Wish You Were Here and Comfortably Numb(with Robert Wyatt on duet vocal)), some forgotten Floyd pieces(Fat Old Sun(a song not performed since 1971), Coming Back to Life, A Great Day for Freedom), a piece from fallen Floyd Syd Barrett's solo career(Terrapin), a part of a French opera(Je Crois Entendre Encore (which was a chore to sing because Gilmour had not sung in French before)), a new song(Smile(in which Dave told bootleggers to start their machines now)), a Richard Thompson song(Dimming of the Day) and a song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang(Hushabye Mountain). For those who said Roger is Pink, think again after watching this DVD as Dave was the musical brains behind the band. Also, the DVD has more footage from Dave's Royal Festival Hall shows from January of 2002 where he does another Syd song Dominoes. Plus, fellow Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright joined Dave on a song from Rick's Broken China album called Breakthrough with a great solo from Dave and Comfortably Numb with Rick on Fender Rhodes and Bob Geldof singing Roger's parts. When I first got this DVD on the day of its release, I knew I was in for a treat. The extras on this DVD are great like The Spare Digits section which shows guitar fiends how to play some of Dave's solos. Plus, the hilarious home movies are a hoot to watch. Also, three bonus tracks of his collaboration with Mica Paris from 1992, his cover of Elvis' Don't from 2001 and his vocal delivery of the late Michael Kamen and Shakespeare piece Sonnet 18. This DVD is highly recommended!

A MASTER AT WORK
No whistles or bells here - just pure talent. To watch and more importantly hear David Gilmour is absolute pleasure. I wish I was there.

In a word, "Beautiful."
The appreciation of music is a highly subjective matter; what I might love, you can feel free to hate. But, in the age of "American Idol" (and the "mega-stars" who are the inspiration for those who seek the title), it's nice to see that real art has a staying power. This music is all about touch, from the craftsmanship of its performance to its grip on the heart strings of the listener. Ratings are meaningless, especially (I checked) when so many releases accrue 4.5 stars as an average. All I can say is that if you were ever a fan of David Gilmour's playing, there is absolutely nothing here to turn you away (gorgeous tone, as always) and he is accompanied by a BRILLIANT ensemble. This is simply one of the finest performances I have ever heard/seen (let's not forget the video production which is first rate). This is not Pink Floyd; this is a mature musician baring his soul (no Wall here) and, apparently, loving every second of it (as did I). I highly recommend this DVD and I am deeply grateful for its release. I shall never tire of it. Thanks Dave!

IGNORE THE ONE STAR REVIEWS THIS IS A CLASSIC
THIS IS A GREATDVD FROM DAVID GILMOUR AND IS VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.DISREGARD THE ONE STAR REVIEWS. ... Read more

Description

It's a 90 minute explosion of color, fashion and excitement as Cher hits the stage at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. In a show rich in sequins, velvet, lace and great music, Cher celebrates her return to the top of the charts with the ' 'Do You Believe' ' Tour 1999 - the high energy experience that is Cher in concert. ... Read more

Reviews (64)

All I can say is, "WOW!"
OK, I finally admit it --- I've been a Cher fan ever since the days of the top-rated Sonny & Cher show, which aired on CBS in the early 1970's. Each week, I looked forward to Cher's latest Bob Mackie creations, her lushly-orchestrated musical numbers and even Sonny Bono's bad jokes. Cher has always been the first to admit that she's not the greatest singer in the world and that's probably true. But she is, without a doubt, one of the foremost entertainers in show business. This DVD of her sellout 1999 concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is, in my opinion, the highlight of Cher's long, illustrious career. I was actually surprised to find that it was so good. Not only is Cher in the most -incredible- voice of her career at this concert, she looks better than ever and puts on a show that will leave your heart pounding with excitement. It must have cost zillions to mount this lavish production but you can clearly see and hear every penny that was spent. Even if you are not a Cher fan, you will love this video simply for it's immense production values. It's fitting that this spectacular show was performed at the MGM, three letters which have stood for the finest in quality entertainment since 1924. "Do it big, do it right, give it class" -- this was an MGM rule in the old days and Cher's sensational show at the MGM Grand certainly lives up to that standard. Packed with spectacle and song, this DVD is a bargain at -any- price but it's a fantastic value here at Amazon.com. So go for it. You will not be disappointed. After watching this video, you'll enthusiastically proclaim, "Wow! That's entertainment!"

CHER--EVERYTHING YOU EVER NEED TO SEE!
CHER:LIVE IN LAS VEGAS 1999. Finally Cher at her absolute best. If you are not a Cher fan and want to know why this woman has had a career that has spanned four decades--buy this video tape and it will all be clear to you. Over the years this author has seen cher in concert over ten times--her 1999 concert is her absolute best musical outing. It's all here--film clips, TV show clips, video clips and just about all of the songs. There's "Halfbreed" "Dark Lady" and "Gypsies Tramps & Thieves"--tunes Cher has refused to sing until this year! Theres all the 80's power rock stuff "If I Could Turn Back Time" "I Found Someone" and "We ALL Sleep Alone." Theres DISCO CHER "Take Me Home," COUNTRY CHER "Just Like Jesse James" "Walkin' In Memphis." There's BALLAD CHER "The Way Of Love" "After All," KITSCH CHER "It's In His Kiss," and MILLENIUM CHER "Believe" "All Or Nothing" and "Strong Enough" The only thing missing from this comprehensive career overview is the singer's two 1960's hits "I Got You Babe" and "The Beat Goes On"--but you get to hear those while the video clips are playing! At 52, this woman looks and sounds wonderful--an inspiration to one and all.

Believe the Unbelievable
I got the rare opportunity to see her "Believe Tour" in Minneapolis in 1999. I sat only ten rows away from the stage. Cher was amazing! Though there's nothing like live experience, this DVD still features the Las Vegas concert wonderfully. The elaborate stage settings and the numerous costumes are amazing. Such energy gives her music and her show the extra enjoyment. She opens the show with "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". It lives up to the original U2 version. From that song to the end, there's never a dull moment. The film clippings from her past interviews, performances, music videos, movies, and the "Sonny And Cher Show" are enjoyable. They show more of how she's evolved from "Gypsies, Tramps, And Thieves" to the Grammy-winning "Believe". Besides her stage presence, her voice is amazing. Such concert quality makes this DVD worth watching several times. This is important material for any Cher fan to include in their collection.

What a Perfomer
This concert CD is awesome. Performance are Excellent, Her Staff/ Dancers and performers are just great (they all work well together). Plus the extra fottage and interviews really show the humanside (non celebrity) side to Cher. She is the Best Diva of all times. I strongly recommend this DVD to everyone. 5 stars all the way if there were more I would give her 40 one for each year she has been performing

Turned me into a fan
I didn't know most of Cher's bulk of work until I saw this concert. I only owned "Believe", and while that album was spectacular in many ways, I wasn't sure about her older stuff. This video has it all... all the great songs, both old and new(er) to truly make you believe. It pretty much showcases every single outstanding Cher track... except for maybe, "One by One" and the tracks from her latest album, which was of course released after this concert. The show is pretty lively, to say the least! She's fun, cracks jokes when she gets the chance, the costumes are everything you've come to expect from her and it's just all-around fabulous. If you still have any doubts, do yourself a favor and get this! It's pure Cher extravanganza (in the purest sense of the word)!! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Often hailed as the greatest fantasy film ever made, The Thief of Bagdad (1940) was producer Alexander Korda's crowning achievement. Deservedly winning Academy Awards^® for art direction, color cinematography, and special effects, this Arabian Nights adventure appeals to all ages with its fantastical tale of Abu (Sabu), the little thief who befriends the prince of Bagdad (John Justin) and foils the nefarious plans of the evil grand vizier (Conrad Veidt), who seizes control of Bagdad and covets the princess of Basra (Joan Duprez). From its gorgeous, epic-scale sets to flying horses, magic carpets, and, best of all, Rex Ingram's towering jinni of the bottle, this Thief has all the magic of the tales that inspired it, and vibrant Technicolor brings it all to life in dazzling style. Six esteemed directors worked on this infamously troubled production, but the final result exceeded all expectations, becoming an instant classic that endures to this day. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Greatest golden age fantasy still well worth owning
This masterpiece, often referred to as the greatest fantasy movie ever, still holds up well over 60 years later. The Thief of Bagad has a terrific story with enchanting magic, enticing romance and terrific suspense. The acting is absolutely superb with fine performances turned in by Sabu the little thief, Rex Ingram as the powerful and scary genie, and Conrad Veidt who as the evil Vizier Jaffar is one of the best villians ever. John Justin, the blinded Caliph and his beloved princess (June Deprez) provide an engaging and often tragic romance that lends terrific depth to this story.

Best yet is the awesome imagination brought to life in this masterpiece epic. While some of the effects show their age (The spider, for instance), others, such as the flying mechanical horse and the magical carpet are still captivating. The immense attention to detail is evident in the palaces, the ships and the sultan's toy collection. Miklos Rosza's musical score along with this movie's wonderful cinematography recreates the legendary time of the Arabian Nights.

For my one complaint, while this movie clearly rates 5 stars, I'm knocking my review down to 4 stars due to the lack of DVD extras. When compared to spectacular golden age DVDs like Robin Hood, one begins wish all were made this way. Children from 8-13 (as well as adults) will still find joy in this delightful picture.

Brilliant Fantasy Adventure!!!
A blinded beggar, Ahmad, with his wise dog, is begging for food and coins in the harbor of a distant city. The Grand Vizier Jaffar requests that the beggar should be brought to the palace to help his beloved Princess wake up from a deep trance like sleep, since legends tell him that only a blind man can awaken the princess. During the blind man's visit, he tells the story of his life and how he once was the King of Bagdad and his dog was a thief named Abu. The story also reveals that he was blinded by the evil Vizier Jaffar and how he fell in love with the Princess. Thief of Bagdad is a captivating fantasy tale with magical items, dubious creatures, and enchanting adventures of a long lost king. The wide variety of creatures, items, and adventures is delicately balanced with a well written story, precise cinematography, and special effects that do not ruin the story despite the age of the film. The experience that is provided through this cinematic event is a magical story that offers both entertainment as well as contemplation, which is useful for young and old.

A masterpiece to been seen by all generations
"The Thief of Baghdad" is a masterpiece and should be seen by the present and future generations. It is a movie complete and all its aspects. I was 10 when I first saw "The Thief of Baghdad" and since then I could never forget the moments of enchantment it brought to me everytime (more than 10 times)I went to the movies to see it on the big screen. It was and still is my fantasy favorite movie. In the Middle 60's I finally found a copy in 16mm at a distributor and had to rent a projector to show the film at home. Although the copy was in very bad conditions I could even so, be able to go back to the days of my childhood while enjoying this wondereful film.
Recently I púrchased a VHS copy at Amazon[.com] and virtually "obliged" my 18 year-old daughter to watch it. It was a prize to have the film with me at all times. The new edition in DVD is perfect and reveals all the splendor the film brings.

A Fairy Tale concealing the Prennial Wisdom
I first saw this movie as a child in the 1940's. The effects were the best ever for the time, and even look really good today. This is another hero tale complete with a lowly but likable thief who undergoes the classic perils all heros face, but the placement is beaufifully fantasic with the mystery of sultans, evil vizer, genii, minerets, blue rosess of forgetfulness, and magical toys that come to life in Baghdad and Basra. It became my family's all time favorite, along with another Sabu movie, Jungle Book. If this is the type of fantasy and truth you like, go for it.

A Dream
Superb remake of Douglas Fairbanks silent classic; with Sabu as the charming little thief, helping a blinded caliph (John Justin), victim of evil Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), to recover her position and her sweetheart (June Duprez), setting for just amazing adventures.

Filled with wild ideas (the menacing shadow of Jaffar, the blue rose, the horse-toy, the sculpture of many hands, the giant spider, the laughing Genius), and a very, very beautiful color photography (June Duprez is beautiful and John Justin's eyes sparkle with intensity), this film is a certainly unspeakable dazzle for me. ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Kelly Dancing Down The River Seine
An American In Paris is a glorious, large Hollywood musical. The story revolves around a former G.I., Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly), who stayed in Paris after the war to become an artist, who is caught between choosing a rich American, Milo Roberts (Nina Foch), who wants to be more than his benefactor and a young French gamine, Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron), who he falls in love with at first sight, but who already engaged. Mr. Kelly is charming and winning in his role, making his character immensely likable and young Ms. Caron (who was eighteen and making her English speaking film debut) seems like a genuine innocent. Oscar Levant is sarcastically hysterical as Jerry's American buddy and provides the film with comic relief. But all that aside, the real reason to watch the film are the amazing musical numbers. Director Vincente Minnelli's sets are bright, vivid and colorfully designed and choreography is stunning. The lengthy final number is brilliantly performed and is one of Mr. Kelly's most impressive choreographed numbers. The film won the 1951 Academy Award for Best Picture and is one of just a few films to have the Best Picture award be the only award the film wins that year.

Oscar Levant Is In Fine Form
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is one of my favorite Gene Kelly movies. It has so much going for it - great music, dancing and cast. The music is by George and Ira Gershwin and of course it never hurts to have Vincente Minnelli as director.

The film marks the Hollywood debut of Leslie Caron and she makes the most of it. Oscar Levant is mostly himself with several memorable lines such as this particularly self-deprecating one: "It's not a pretty face, I grant you, but underneath its flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character."

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Story and Screenplay, Color Cinematography, Color and Direction, Score for a Musical Picture and Color Costume Design. The main competition for awards in 1951 came from THE AFRICAN QUEEN, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and A PLACE IN THE SUN.

Beautiful
I'm not that big into musicals but I love this movie. I can watch An American in Paris any time day or night. I would rather watch the fantasy dance sequence at the end 10 times in a row than watch most movies all the way through once. Leslie Caron is beautiful, Kelly is fun, and the sets and costumes are fascinating. Definately a must have on dvd for anyone who knows movies.

S'WONDERFUL ROMANCE ON THE BANKS OF THE SEINE
"An American In Paris" is the charming Arthur Freed musical Oscar winner about a painter, Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly). An ex-G.I., Mulligan is a starving artist until a wealthy playgirl, Margo (Nina Foch) takes an interest in both him and his work. But Jerry, seemingly oblivious to Margo's romantic advances, begins to fall for young Parisian, Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron). The wrinkle of the plot occurs when Jerry learns that Lise is engaged to marry his best friend, Henri Burell (George Guetary). The Gershwin score is among the finest produced for a musical with such indelible hits as "Embraceable You", "S'wonderful", "I Got Rhythm" and the immortal "American in Paris ballet."

It was Gene Kelly who discovered Leslie Caron while on a vacation. She was performing in a Paris ballet. He brought her to America to star in this film. Apart from the opening sequence which sets up the film with vintage travelogue shots of Paris, the entire production was shot on a backlot at MGM. Reportedly, when Irving Berlin learned that Arthur Freed, Kelly and director, Vincente Minnelli were planning to end the film with a nearly 20 minute dance sequence and no dialogue, he curiously commented, "I guess you know what you're doing." Indeed they did. "An American In Paris" became the first musical to win Best Picture since "The Great Ziegfeld" made some twenty years before!

Warner Brothers Home Video has presented this film on DVD in an adequate looking transfer that is a direct import from the MGM/UA initial release. Colors are well defined, nicely balanced and fully saturated. Occasionally there is a noticeable change in the color depending on the film stock. Age related artifacts are tempered. There are very few instances of digital anomalies for an image that is generally smooth throughout. The audio is mono but nicely balanced. Occasionally, dialogue sounds a bit strident and the music carries a slightly muffled characteristic. But these are expected shortcomings for a soundtrack of this vintage. There are NO extras.

S'Wonderful
A glorious movie that showcases Gene Kelly's breathtaking talent. Forget the silly story and just watch him dance and dance and dance. He does more with a turn of a shoulder than most dancers can do with their whole body. This movie also introduced the lithe and lovely Leslie Caron as the object of Kelly's affection. The film builds to its dramatic hallucinatory conclusion as Kelly dances his way across a Paris dreamscape, that brings all the elements of modern dance together in a tour-de-force that was unprecedented in musicals of that time. You can't help getting swept away in the feel-good spirit of this movie. It was another time and place. ... Read more

Reviews (64)

It's official! The Pest is a non-stop laugh riot.
Comedian John Leguizamo stars in the funniest film ever made as a scam artist named Pest who lets a group of neo-Nazis hunt him so he can gain $50,000 to pay off bets he placed with the fictional Scottish mob.

Jeffery Jones co-stars as a native of Germany who has succesfully hunted all races of human beings except for one: Latino. His son, Himmell, (Eduardo Ballini) is the exact opposite of what his father is as evidented in his outragously funny one-liners (e.g. "I want to grow up to be a hair dresser and write musicals.").

Pest is helped out often in the film by his two nutty friends, Ninja (Freddy Rodriguez) and Chubby (Aries Spears). They provide their own brand of slapstick humor into the bubbling brew of comedy which every character provides ingredients to.

It's very sad to see how underrated The Pest is, seeing how hundreds of people (including myself) believe this film to be the funniest movie ever made. It has everything a comedy needs and so much more. I strongly to encourage everyone to go out and rent "The Pest." You'll lose your voice laughing...

It's official! The Pest is a non-stop laugh riot.
Comedian John Leguizamo stars in the funniest film ever made as a scam artist who lets a group of neo-Nazis hunt him so he can gain $50,000 to pay off bets he placed with the fictional Scottish mob. Jeffery Jones co-stars as a native of Germany who has succesfully hunted all races of human beings except for one: Latino. His son, Himmell, (Eduardo Ballini) is the exact opposite of what his father is as evidented in his outragously funny one-liners (e.g. "I want to grow up to be a hair dresser and write musicals."). The Pest is helped out often in the film by his two nutty friends, Ninja (Freddy Rodriguez) and Chubby (Aries Spears). They provide their own brand of slapstick humor into the bubbling brew of comedy which every character provides ingredients to. It's very sad to see how underrated The Pest is, seeing how thousands of people (including myslef) believe this film to be the funniest movie ever made. It has everything a comedy needs and so much more. I strongly to encourage everyone to go out and rent "The Pest." You'll lose your voice laughing.

WARNING, THIS MOVIE WILL CAUSE NONSTOP LAUGHTER!
John Leguizamo in this movie is outragiously hilarious. I would reccomend this movie to any comedy fan. I suggest you go and buy this movie immediatly.

OMG its been ages and i got to still love this movie
This is one of the worlds greatest comedy movies.
I watched it once in 97 and now i just cant stop thinking about all the jokes which still make me laugh

god if you have any sence of humor.... get this movie

more than 5
this is a great movie,i don't even think it deserves 5 starts i think it deserves way more than just 5 because this movie is one of the funniest movies i have ever seen. it has a funny story,funny scences,and John Leguizamo is one funny guy in this movie. you have to watch it if you haven't seen it. it's the best. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The fascination of watching Damage is similar to the fascination of watching a car crash in progress--you know something unpleasant is going to happen, but your attention is riveted to the scene of destruction. In the case of this acclaimed drama, adapted by playwright David Hare from the novel by Josephine Hart, the destruction results from a collision of sexual attraction between a British governmental official (Jeremy Irons) and his son's fiancée (Juliette Binoche). Blind to the damage they'll cause to others and themselves, they begin an obsessive affair based purely on impulsive attraction and the hidden emotions that feed into their immediate physical desires. As you could expect, this leads to emotional fallout for everyone concerned, lending multiple interpretations to the film's title and allowing Miranda Richardson (as Irons's wife) to give a brilliant performance drawn from raw anger and betrayal. Under the direction of Louis Malle, this forceful drama never resorts to sordid detail or gratuitous titillation. Rather, Malle and his esteemed cast have explored the ways in which the power of sexuality supercedes the rationality of logic, when mutual attraction is stronger than one's ability to resist temptation. Damage makes it clear that such an indulgence will always come at considerable cost. The DVD of this fine film includes a behind-the-scenes featurette and the original theatrical trailer. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Who is most damaged?
"Damaged people are the worst because they know they can survive." Dangerous is a good film that examines the dark side of obsessions. Jeremy Irons portrays a british government official who becomes obsessed with his son's fiance played by Juliette Binoche. The result is a film that only partially succeeds.

I had several problems with the film one being Irons motivation to become involved with this woman in the first place. A look and phone-call and then BAM! OK... but why was he so willing to jump into the dark waters? Power? Lust? Carelessness? Boredom? And herein lies the major weakness of the film. The film deals almost exclusively with the obsesson of Iron's character with Binoche but does not deal with the obsession of the mother (Iron's wife) with her son. Her relationship is clearly destructive and unhealthy but all the damage she inflicts under the guise of her love for her son never finds a voice. No fault falls on the mother when her obsession might well explain both the son's and father's weaknesses. At one part the son is talking about his family life saying that although it was good it lacked passion. His mother then replies that it is probably her fault and he replies that he rather thinks it's his father's. It's a careless and misdirecting remark and a sadly missed plot point.

As you may expect there are many sex scenes. I don't know what I was expecting but many made me laugh. They seemed so ridiculous and absurdly physical. I rather think Binoche must have suffered some bruising as a result of Iron's flailing.

While this film is meant to portray the damage that a traditional obsession (i.e. an affair) can have, it also begs to be seen from the the alternate perspective of a mother's obsession for her son. I am disappointed that Malle didn't have the courage to pursue this theme more vigorously.

Fascinating Study of Obsession
Stellar cast and thoughtful direction make this a completely fascinating film. There are some moments where you must definitely suspend your disbelief, but even so this is a thoroughly engaging character study into sexual compulsions and obsessions.

Nice to have the two different versions available, along with a short director commentary. 'Would have been nice to have a complete commentary track with one or more of the stars.

Why isn't Leslie Caron working all the time?

Uncontrollably Obsessed MP escapes unpunished
The story is seen entirely from Fleming's viewpoint. (If there is any guilt on the fiancee's part, she doesn't show it.) Fleming is a leading Conservative MP, likely to take over a Cabinet post as minister of health in the next re-shuffle. I feel the author, Josephine Hart, decided to give him that job, in order to maximise the fall that confronted him when his errors are discovered. It was as senior an establishment role that the protagonist could have without fearing he would be recognised at every street corner. Politics don't play a large part in the story, but the film will have played some small part in the image of sleaze that the Conservative party acquired in the early 1990s.

Binoche is utterly beautiful, and totally passive during the sex scenes, but her accent (cleverly excused by scriptwriter Hare as the result of her travelling the world) is all over the place. Irons is convincing in the role, and Miranda Richardson puts in another perfect performance. Their son, the victim, is almost too good-natured to be true, but this helps to highlight the contrast with his father's uncontrollable lust.

As with 'Day of the Jackal', the motion is very occasionally jerky -- one or two frames seem to be missing from the transfer from film reel to DVD, but not enough to harm one's enjoyment.

This is not far from being a truly great film, but I think it would have needed one extra dimension -- don't ask me what -- to achieve that.

Pure Animal Lust & Sexual Attraction Abound!
Louis Malle's film with a young fiancee, Juliette Binoche & the father of her soon to be husband-an elder, mid-life crisis bound, government official in Jeremy Irons. The second they gaze upon each other, you just KNOW that there is going to be some trouble ahead. Miranda Richardson as Iron's wife, plays a pivotal role in the movie also. Very erotic & base sex scenes with a twist of an ending that you will never forget. Hence, the title - DAMAGE! Highly recommended and truly great ensemble performances by all...

Damage
Love at a first sight exists, at least in this movie.
A honourable member of English Parliament falls in love with a woman who introduces herself to him unexpectadly during one party. Soon, this woman appears in his life again, this time as his son's fiance but that doesn't mean that he can not start a
very romantic affair with her. So two people who are prisoners of the happiness of the moment change so many lives forever.

I was sick to death to watch a movie where a father of an old child has sex with his fiance but I had to keep watching it only to find out how it will end. Luckily it ended perfectly making it crystal clear that prisoners of passions and killers of harmony always get what they always asked for which is = HELL on EARTH.

I would recommend this movie to people who have to learn something new each day even though it may be very disturbing to watch something like this. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A delightful musical
Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire and Janis Paige star in the film version of the Broadway musical SILK STOCKINGS, based on the comedy NINOTCHKA.

Cyd is captivating as Ninotchka, a Russian Communist who is sent to Paris to retrieve three wayward Communists (Peter Lorre, Jules Munshin and Joseph Buloff) from a capatalist fate.

She meets the 'decadent' American producer (Fred Astaire) and the beautiful movie actress Peggy Dainton (Janis Paige).

Soon, however, she warms to capatalist ideas and dresses in silks and satins, and falls in love.............

A beautiful musical that will delight and amaze you.

Featuring the songs 'Fated To Be Mated', 'All Of You', 'Satin And Silk', 'Josephine', 'So Good To Be Bad', 'Stereophonic Sound', 'Red Blues' and 'The Ritz Rock And Roll'.

RITZY LOOKING TRANSFER OF A GREAT MOVIE MUSICAL
In hindsight "Silk Stockings" proved to be one of MGM's last great musical acheivements and Fred Astaire's final appearance in a musical worthy of his inimitable talents. Astaire plays, Steven Canfield, a rotten capitalist and movie producer who butts heads with communist, special envoy, Nina Yoshenko, who has been sent from Moscow to Paris to apprehend a wayward Russian composer. The cast also includes Janis Paige in a hilarious and campy lampoon of an 'Esther Williams-type' actress attempting to play Napoleon's Josephine in a musical remake of "War and Peace". Peter Lorre and Jules Munshin are at their comedy best as two communist sympathizers wooed by the pleasures of Paris.
AT LAST - a transfer worthy of the elegant Mr. Cole Porter. Warner Home Video gives us a rich looking, robust sounding DVD that really celebrates the performances in this memorable musical. Colors are deep, rich, gorgeous and consistant throughout. Contrast and shadow levels are outstanding. Fine details are amazingly sharp. Edge enhancement, shimmering and aliasing are practically non-existant. There is no pixelization or film or digital grain to speak of, for a thoroughly smooth but sharp visual presentation that will surely please. The audio has been remixed to 5.1 and is marvelous, rich sounding and fully realized within the confines of its dated characteristic.
Extras: Another Cole Porter/making-of featurette that is really a throw away, save the few glimpses of Cyd Charisse and Janis Paige that we get. Theatrical trailer and cast bios and a couple of short subjects - not anamorphically enhanced, even though the film (thank heaven) is!
Bottom Line: This disc is a must have and the only DVD of the Cole Porter bunch worthy of your hard earned money. BUY IT TODAY!

Unersappreciated
Yes, this is one of the last of the MGM musicals. Tis a pity. Now that CHICAGO is such a hit, they must release other MGM musicals just as good as this. THE BAND WAGON...THREE LITTLE WORDS...EASTER PARADE and SUMMER STOCK, just to name a few. SILK STOCKINGS is a remarkablly good film for it's genre. Nothing could beat CYD and FRED dancing, even if the plot isn't strong. Too bad there wasn't more of JANIS PAGE as one of her numbers seems to have been given the short shift. Otherwise, the film is a standout and a must for musical lovers. Any left? I think so. Give this one a try as well as the other Cole Porter releases. Thanks for these, but we want more!!!

"I Like the Looks of You..."
I love this movie. It is absolutely hilarious. Though I know the tradgedy and horror that existed in Communist Russia, this film still made me burst out laughing. The songs are beautiful and alluring. However, the dancing steals the show. Cyd and Fred look swell together. Fred and Janice Paige's number about modern films is hilarious. I also like "We Can't Go Back to Moscow." I find myself singing it every day.
The plot is relatively good and has a cute love story. As always, love conquers all, even the iron curtain.

Great Film - Poor Quality Master!
Received this great musical on DVD the other day to enhance my collection and was disappointed to find the picture quality substantially inferior to my identical television recording and only a slight improvement upon an old video tape of the same film. Digital enhancement would appear to be needed in this particular case. ... Read more

Description

Johnny Depp ruled as TV’s hottest young actor in this third season of the hit series that shot him to stardom. Depp stars as undercover cop Tom Hanson, who along with fellow officers Harry Ioki (Dustin Nguyen), Judy Hoffs (Holly Robinson Peete) and Doug Penhall (Peter DeLuise), tackles tough cases of teen pregnancy, drug dealers, child molestation, army desertion, racism, homelessness, murder and more, including the introduction of Dennis Booker (Richard Grieco). Steven Williams co-stars as Captain Fuller in the Fox-TV sensation co-created by Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen J. Cannell (HUNTER, PROFIT) that Entertainment Weekly still hails as "too cool for school!" 21 JUMP STREET – THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON contains all 20 explosive episodes – including the unforgettable two-part cliffhanger finale in which Hanson wages a one-man war against the street gang that shot Ioki – featuring such guest stars as Bridget Fonda, Peri Gilpin, Dom DeLuise, Larenz Tate, Christopher Titus, Mario Van Peebles and Kelly Hu. ... Read more

Reviews (61)

NO Extreme? No Good!
I agree with just about everyone else who has reviewed this DVD, how can the people who edited this cut out the BEST performance of the concert which was Extreme's medley of Queen songs. I thank my lucky stars I still have it on tape from when MTV first aired the concert 10 years ago. It's my favorite part of the show and by far one of the coolest moments. The band, most especially Gary Cherone, payed tribute to Freddie and Queen in the best way I've ever seen. The medley of songs were performed with such excitment and the audience loved them. So did I :) This DVD just starts the concert with Joe Elliott doing Tie Your Mother Down, that's like the middle of the show! There were several performances cut out mainly Metallica, Guns 'N Roses, Def Leppard, and the above mentioned Extreme. This DVD needs to be re-issued in it's entirety. I did, however, like those Freddie segments included on the dvd that were shown to the audience during intermission. Those were really cool. Great concert but not shown to it's fullest potential on this dvd and that's a real shame. QUEEN AND FREDDIE deserve more...and so do the fans :)

It's About Time!...
Stupendously great concert from April 1992. I've owned it on laserdisc since 1993 and I've been hoping a DVD release would be forthcoming!
This concert is culled from a day-long Freddie Mercury tribute/benefit concert that took place about 5 or 6 months after Freddie died. The first half is largely devoted to a number of bands doing mostly Queen covers. Metallica opens with three of their own songs (and back when the boys in Metallica still had long hair). Def Leppard does a song or two, Extreme does a 12+ minute Queen medley (it ROCKS!), and there are some vintage Queen and Freddie clips interspersed throughout. Then, the REAL fireworks start! Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon take the stage and lead a Who's Who of musicians and singers through a lengthy set of Queen material. Robert Plant sings "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", Metallica's James Hetfield sings "Stone Cold Crazy", Gary Cherone of Extreme absolutely rocks the joint with "Hammer To Fall", Roger Daltrey sings "I Want It All", Seal does "Who Wants To Live Forever", Def Leppard returns, and we also get Lisa Stansfield, Elton John, Axl Rose, Paul Young, David Bowie, members of Mott the Hoople, and Liza Minneli closes the show with "We Are The Champions."
The show runs in excess of 3 hours, and the DVD release promises to have extra material not on the laser and VHS versions.
The audio recording of the show is stellar, and the video photography is crisp and clear. After you watch this you'll wish you'd been there.

Best of all, you get a renewed sense of how strong Queen's songwriting and performing talents were (and still are). And all of the artists singing in Freddie's place give it their all and make the versions their own, all without detracting from Freddie's original version.

You're an IDIOT if you don't get this concert DVD!

The Laserdisc is so much better, since it has the whole show
My long time waiting for a DVD version of that old but great Laserdisc was wasted. It's absolutely depressing what they did here, by cutting some of the best parts of the original show.

The Queen Medley by the great band Extreme was probably the best part of this show, not only because the way they played, but also because the playlist choice. A Medley of Bohemian Rhapsody, Bycicle Race, Another One Bites Dust, Keep Yourselves Alive, and others leading to one of the most beautiful moments of the show: the Radio Ga Ga ending, leading the audience to tears.
Although the sound has been improved and a new and useless "extra materials" has been added, it doesn't worth the content they cut (opening act, Metallica, Def Leppard, GnR, Extreme and others).

I would never exchange the old original laserdisc for this useles "extra materials" with a bunch of new footage.

I came out of my skin when I saw what was missing!
I too own the laserdisc of this show and got the DVD for the new mix in DTS. The sound is good, but it's the content they cut (the opening acts) such as Metallica, Def Leppard, GnR, Extreme and others. I would have gladly forfeited the "extra materials" for the original show instead of a bunch of new footage that was just as well served on the cutting room floor. Don't get me wrong, the performances they left in are great...but shame on them for cutting what they did...typical non-musician producer. The 2-star drop is for that reason alone. Glad I didn't sell the laserdisc!

It's a great concert but the DVD sucks
This DVD set is a huge disappointment. How could the DVD have FEWER matertials than the VHS version?! I was expecting to see not just what they have on the VHS, but also the ones they edited out, but no! They have 2 discs and this is all they could put in? I just couldn't believe it! Guess I should buy the VHS tape on eBay instead... ... Read more

Book Description

A story of burgeoning womanhood and blossoming love, Colette's masterpiece reveals the author's grasp of the politics of relationships. With music, drama, and the charm of French-inflected English, this unabridged novella follows Gigi's training as a courtesan. Leslie Caron, the star of the best-loved film based on Gigi brings to life the Paris of 1899 in all its sensuous detail. 2 cassettes. ... Read more

Reviews (62)

"GiGi" - 9 Oscars / Best Pix 1958 now on WideScreen DVD!!
MGM's "Gigi" was their last big Musical production. MGM won 9 Oscars including; Picture of the Year (1958), Best Director - Vincent Minnelli, Best Song - "Gigi", Best Cinematography, Art & Set Design, Best Costumes.

The Colorful Metrocolor WideScreen production was directed by Vincent Minnelli - Oscar Winner!! Lerner & Loewe provide us with the great lyrics & music. Gigi title song won an Oscar! Another favorite is Maurice Chevalier's singing of "Thank Heaven For Little Girls".

Summary: We are in the Summer of 1900 Paris. Leslie Caron as "Gigi" was perfectly cast as the young Parisian grand daughter being groomed & refined to be the socialte wife for a rich to do gentlemen. Gigi is infactuated with her Grandmothers (Herimone Gingold)ex's nephew Gaston (Louis Jourdan) a rich playboy who befriends the young rough around the edges, Gigi. As this story developes Gaston's has numerous public affairs that continue to fail & his only joy is being with Gigi. As the story evolves we have lush & colorful sets and lavish scenes of 1900 Paris & a complex love story begins. Hollywood Happy endings, prevail!

This DVD has a Full Screen & WideScreen (LetterBox) version. the movie is 116 minutes long. Excellent Quality picture & Color. Only extra is a trailer. Very delightful family movie.
Enjoy.

A BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL.
A lavish, glossy and eminently tuneful movie treat, GIGI tells the story of an illegitimate waif who lives in 1890's Paris with her Aunt Alicia and her Grandmother (Hermione Gingold). Their plan is transform this waif into an elegant courtesan so that she can become the mistress of wealthy Jourdan, who eventually takes her as his bride because he truly loves her. This throws Gingold for a loop; the family is not used to marriage: Chevalier - Jourdan's father - was once her lover...Produced in Paris, it's a delight from the first frame to the last. All the usual Parisian landmarks are featured: the Tuileries, the Bois de Boulogne, the Palais de Glace, etc. Chevalier steals every scene he's in (except, perhaps when he's singing I REMEMBER IT WELL with Gingold). The original story was based upon a French story by Collette and was ingeniously adapted for a musical stage play by Lerner and Lowe. Caron had played the role on the Paris stage, and here her songs were dubbed by Betty Wand. The film won a grand total of 9 AA & a special Oscar was given to Chevalier for his contribution of over 50 years of performing in the entertainment world.

Bravo! Bravo!
I think that GIGI is the best musical ever. I just love Aunt Alicia and her sister. Hermoine Gingold is fabulous. This movie takes you into a world that you don't want to come out of. If only they would make more movies like this today. My grandaughter absolutely adores it. I want to watch Gigi over and over and does not want it to end. I get lost in the movie and wish I could stay there forever. It is absolutely fantastic.!!!!! More young people should be able to see this movie. Whomever have not seen this movie they are missing out on life itself. Julia Reid

Watch it for Leslie Caron!
I had never seen the Best Picture of 1958, the year of my birth. Turner Classic Movies (possibly the best channel of all available televison channels) provided many of the Best Picture winners during the month of February so I finally got to see it.
Although quite dated and politically incorrect (I challenge you to see/hear Maurice Chevalier sing "Thank Heavens for Little Girls" and not think it so) this movie is a perfect vehicle for Leslie Caron. She is funny, charming and winsome. Effective as both a young girl and then convincingly blossoming into a young lady, Miss Caron is entirely believable in her role. Hermione Gingold plays her guardian aunt with Maurice Chevalier the uncle of her suitor. Louis Jourdan is charming but I found Monsieur Chevalier to be what my mother used to call a "professional Frenchman". Laughing off the suicide of one of his nephew's mistresses is totally unacceptable and I also found Chevalier's mannerisms tedious.

On the whole I found that by watching the movie strictly for the performances of Caron, Gingold and Jourdan it was very enjoyable. Paris was lovely, the costumes gorgeous and Vincente Minelli's direction superb.

Substance, not sparkle -- the triumph of innocence in "Gigi"
When Yeats mourned, "The ceremony of innocence is drowned," he was prophesying the loss of all that is decent in the coming 20th century - and he was crying out for us to fight for all we are worth to prize the innocence of the young, to put aside all self-indulgent pursuits in the face of innocence. "Gigi" is set against all the magnificence the world can offer as a backdrop for the test of innocence against the cunning and the carnal. The movie's real appeal comes not from its lush setting, costumes and flight from our crass age into the Impressionist gentility of fin-de-siècle Paris, but ultimately from Aristotle's pet component of any literary work of merit: the plot. And "Gigi" has a plot that never fades for an instant. In truly entertaining fashion we watch as the fate of the heroine's innocence comes to hang on the edge of a knife from the movie's sunny beginning to its climactic end. For lovely, irresistible Paris is, in reality, a turbulent arena where the innocent are thrown to all the well-tailored wolves of Society, to fend for themselves with nothing but their hearts and their integrity as protection against a life-lived-hollow.

The watchword for "Gigi" is paradox, that steady companion of reality. Look for it everywhere, in the boredom that pervades the intricate lives of the rich elite versus the interest and charm that young Gigi exudes when she simply enters a room. The simple, the "straight of heart," are the enviable ones, while the titans gnash their teeth (and one another's) in their futile pursuit of a remedy for an ennui that becomes downright pathological. Leisure becomes the hardest work of all for the upper classes; titillation requires higher and higher doses, until no amount of frivolity - France's special export to the world - will give joy. Where, the movie asks, is all this legendary Gallic joie-de-vivre? The wealthiest of them all, Gaston (played to perfection by Louis Jordan), is so far past the pursuit of money that he alone of his class has the composure to look around himself, take his life's bearings, and realize that the Emperor is quite naked. And so he is driven on his strange, unconscious heroic quest to live an authentic life. It begins when, on an impulse, he hops out of a carriage ride with his uncle, Paris's veteran joie-de-vivre mentor (played to sheer magnificence by Maurice Chevalier), and seeks refuge in the simple house of Hermione Gingold, who plays Gigi's grandmother.

Chevalier represents the Parisian romantic idol of his age. One gets the feeling in watching him in "Gigi" that he was almost spending his entire movie career simply in apprenticeship for this seminal role. For I do not think we could really understand the frantic romanticizing of the 19th century French without his incredibly compelling, appealing performance - it flows so naturally from his every pore that it seems less like acting than living the bon vivant code he preaches. And yet, having reached the pinnacle of self-interest, Parisian style, he is still touched by Gigi's grandmother, just as his nephew is ultimately won over to real love by the innocent one, Gigi herself. We are, in fact, educable! And the undercurrent of joy that pervades this masterpiece of filmmaking is centered around this buoyant theme: we can all be taught to realize virtue.

Gigi is Gaston's soulmate, though neither knows what that means at the movie's start. He is too emotionally stunted to realize she is a woman - and wouldn't know what to do with a woman besides woo her - and she is unaware that she is leaving childhood. The movie chronicles the maturing of both partners-to-be: Gigi from physical and emotional adolescence to womanhood, Gaston from the emotional adolescence that Society has demanded, to manhood. There is realism in the depiction of all this gaiety, as we watch Gaston try desperately to follow his uncle's "sage" advice, clinging sulkingly to his boorish, feckless bachelorhood and blaming Gigi for being "unreasonable" in wanting marriage over a high-priced affair. His antics make him the more likeable, as we identify with whatever false ideal we might have clung to long after it had outlived its usefulness. In the case of "the Parisians" that Gigi rants against in her early soliloquy, it is the puerile, incessant pursuit of romantic adventure long after grown adults should have found their mate that has gone stale ... and made their lives atrophy as pathetic parodies of eternal 17-year olds. The victim of all this pursuing is innocence - in this case, the innocent love that a young woman can bring to her mate only once, not in the absurd repetition of romantic pursuit that characterized adulterous Paris.

Does Gigi conquer this silly, dangerous sensuality alone? No, again paradox moves to the forefront, and Gaston discovers for himself the infinite spiritual beauty of true love that Gigi has been trying to express to him. In her moment of weakness, he finds the need to become strong - and so useful to his mate. And thus in the end, love conquers its counterfeit, amorousness.

"Gigi" is a warning to our own age that has set itself on its own reckless pursuit of loving relationships, turning nature on its head in the process and life into a cosmic game of trivial pursuit. In raising before us the challenge to love, no less relevant to us now, the artist's value to Society rises above mere diversion. The challenge is whether we even now can listen to the message of "Gigi," whether we in our own jaded Society can pull back from the abyss of terminal, self-centered sensuality and rediscover the God-given joy of our heart's true desire ... innocent love become mature through fidelity. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

A classic film. A poor DVD.
I don't think there's a Prince fan alive who hasn't seen this movie, so if you already have it on VHS save your money. There are no special features and it's formatted not letterboxed as it should be! The DVD's Prince bio cites his birth date as 1960. While all Prince fans know he was born in 1958.

Now for those of you who haven't seen this movie: well now's your chance to see one of the greatest films ever made. Unlike so many rock stars' movie debuts Purple Rain has a very powerful story about a confussed and abused young man who faces alienation in the music world he wants to break into. Very emotional. But it also has Prince and the Revolution bringing the house down with their very original brand of music and flashy stage acts.

Bottom line, if you Prince, you'll love this movie. If you don't like Prince you won't.

PS Where is the 'Under the Cherry Moon' DVD already?

The Soundtrack of 1984
"Purple Rain" is a great film to commemorate Prince's career, which he stars and writes and performs the songs. Most people remember this film mostly for its catchy songs that changed music history forever. Its plot is also something worth remembering. Its combination of storylines within The Kid's life blends wonderfully: his struggle to stay employed in the Minneapolis club where he performs, falling in love with Apollonia, and confronting his demons of frequently witnessing his abusive father in action. Certain scenes give it edge and drama that keeps audiences interested and that accent the characters' surroungings. The emotional impact is always present, namely the fight scenes. Therefore, the film is more than just a long music video. Such film quality makes it worth watching multiple times. The actors offer their own emotional theme to the film. Though certain roles were not demanding, Prince's role as The Kid is his acting best of his career.

The music featured in "Purple Rain" has since become instant classics. Though every Prince hit is genius, these songs remain his best in his career. Its soundtrack stayed at #1 for 24 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts, sold 11 million copies in the US, and spawned four smash hits. Prince earned two Grammys and an Oscar for his song "Purple Rain". These songs combine pop, R&B, funk, rock, and soul beautifully. They alone make the film worth watching; yet, they don't distract from the plot. There has since not been a music-based film like it, not even "8 Mile" (2002).

"Purple Rain" is a great film for music and/or Prince fans for viewing pleasure. Those looking for more should also buy the soundtrack. Such combination gives fans great entertainment pleasure.

The last 20 minutes are musical genius!
I just recently bought Purple Rain on dvd. It is now my all-time favorite movie!! Prince is one of my favorite artists and I love the messages behind his music. I had the soundtrack way before I saw the movie. So it was more enjoyable to sing along with the songs. I am also going to see Prince in Atlanta on 8/10. I can't wait!! If his performances are anything like on PURPLE RAIN I can't wait. They are completely mesmerizing. I have to say though his music more than made up for his acting skills. Apollonia was delectable and Morris Day was funny and is quite talented himself. But the last 20 minutes after Morris Day performs the Bird is where the real magic happens. I finally understood the message behind the music. PURPLE RAIN was already one of my all-time fave songs, but after his father whot himself in the head, it made it that much more emotional. The guitar riff in that song is the heavens opening up! THere has never been a song more beautiful than PURPLE RAIN then he goes into another one of my faves I WOULD DIE 4 U its also a beautiful song with some of the best lyrics I have ever heard. Even if you're not a Prince fan, watch this movie. It is one of the most important musical movies ever!! You know Prince won an Oscar for the score, plus Grammys so you know it was good. I mean this movie is in a class all by itself just like Prince, in a class all by himself!!

Princely treatment for a pop classic
Condemned for years to a truly mediocre DVD version, Prince's epochal 1984 effort Purple Rain has finally been awarded the reissue it was waiting for. With commentaries, previously-unseen documentaries and numerous pop videos, this 20th anniversary edition has more than enough bells and whistles on it to compensate for the failings of its DVD predecessor.
All of which, of course, wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference if the film itself wasn't up to scratch. Purple Rain, fortunately, doesn't have this problem. It is, quite possibly, the Greatest Vanity Picture Ever: a monumental edifice to the ego, excess and brilliance of the little man on whose life it is very loosely based. Prince plays The Kid, a talented musician who must rise above his turbulent family life and self-obsession if he is to get with the hot chick and have everyone love his ass forevermore. It's contrived stuff, but surprisingly well-played: Prince himself is pretty effective, Clarence Williams III delivers a nuanced turn as his dad, and Morris Day and Jerome Benton do a neat comedy double-act as The Kid's rivals.
That said, the drama is pretty incidental to the musical set-pieces: Prince's place is on stage, and he doesn't disappoint here - be it getting jiggy with a speaker stack in "Darlin Nicki", or putting his heart on his spangled sleeve for the title track. Whilst parts of the film may now seem hilariously dated - dig the motorcyle, the formation dancers, and the "tough" fellas in the crowd - there's no denying the impact and vitality of the stageshow itself. And, as a period piece, this one beats the competition hands down.

Wait for the 20th Anniversary Edition
This is a great movie. No doubt about that.
But wait. This is 2004 ~ and a 20th Anniversary Edition is slated to be released in August. From the looks of the new edition, I will then give this the five stars it deserves (it already deserves five stars as a film....just not as a DVD release).
Hold on to your money until then.
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