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Steven Spielberg, proving he's one of the few modern filmmakers who has the visual fluency to be capable of making a great silent film, took a melodramatic, D.W. Griffith-inspired approach to filming Alice Walker's novel. His tactics made the film controversial, but also a popular hit. You can argue with the appropriateness of Spielberg's decision, but his astonishing facility with images is undeniable--from the exhilarating and eye-popping opening shots of children playing in paradisiacal purple fields to the way he conveys the brutality of a rape by showing hanging leather belts banging against the head of the shaking bed. In a way it's a shame that Whoopi Goldberg, a stage monologist who made her screen debut in this movie, went on to become so famous, because it was, in part, her unfamiliarity that made her understated performance as Celie so effective. (This may be the first and last time that the adjective understated can be applied to Goldberg.) Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including best picture and actress (supporting players Oprah Winfrey and Margaret Avery were also nominated), it was quite a scandal--and a crushing blow to Spielberg--when it won none. The digital video disc requires flipping to play the whole movie. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (128)

Stunning, effective and heart-felt...
I saw this within the first week of its release, and I was profoundly shaken by its power. Spielberg, after "E.T." proved himself as a director to be reckoned with. Too bad the Academy didn't think so. There's little to be known about the plight of rural Black landowners during the depression, so we're relying on Alice Walker's novel as the basis of the riveting narrative of Celie's journey through a remarkable life. I remember protests against the film because of Danny Glover's wonderfully centered mean guy (even though he's the ultimate, sad hero). I've seen nastier people in White-centered films, and Danny's nastiness doesn't even come close. Still, he was deserving of a nomination, showing many layers of a complicated character. I really think this is a women-driven film, since the best characters (and acting) came from the many fine women's roles. Whoopi was certainly wonderful, though she didn't show up until a half hour into the film. Celie's young character, played with wonderful strength and pathos by Desreta Jackson was appealing. Akosua Busia was confident, as was Dana Ivey, in a bit of inspired casting, as the rich white woman, a grand display of idiocy and ignorance. Rae Dawn Chong's character should've been developed more, since she figured significantly in the final outcome. Oprah, of course, was the most memorable character, since she had the showiest role...or did she? I wanna know what happened to Margaret Avery (Shug). To me, she gave the best performance in the film. Trashy, sweet, soft, sensitive...she had to do it all. Her final scene with her father brought tears, her strength of character made Celie the strong character that she became. Her career should've taken off after this film. The women are the driving force in this film, and there's not a weak one in the bunch. Larry Fishburne (Swain) had one of his first roles, and Willard Pugh was delightful as Harpo...and whatever happened to him? I loved Avery the most, but Glover, after a great role the previous year in "Places in the Heart", showed great versatility. Overall, this is a film of passion, warmth and emotion. It's always been one of my favorites. The DVD version is lacking in too many ways; I'm sure an anniversary version will be coming out soon. Commentaries would be nice, since most of those involved are still around. I was a bit annoyed that I had to turn the disc over during Celie's most life-affirming scene. There was also protest that this film was nominated for 11 Oscars and won nothing, suggesting anti-Black behavior from the Academy. 8 years earlier, "The Turning Point" was also nominated for 11 Oscars and won nothing. As one critic said, "Does this mean the Academy is anti-tutu?" The whole argument is silly, and no one can explain why Spielberg won the Directors Guild award though no Oscar nomination...this is a great argument for people to ignore awards and critics. This film is a delight...sad, humorous, insightful...and very powerful. You should see this, and have tissues handy. When Shug hugs her father at the end, the power of the music and the moment can't help but take you away. Then, of course, there's the final moment when Celie sees her kids... Then there's Oprah, snapping out of her funk and announcing that she's home again. See it. Love it. It's worth it.

"Miss Celie, I Feels Like Singin'!"
I just bought this disc and watched it last night. I bawled my eyes out. I haven't seen it in many years and had forgotten what an incredible film it is. I gave it only 4 stars because of what many other reviewers have said about the DVD -- it's not double-layered and requires a "flip" right after Celie and Shug kiss.

I was particularly moved by Oprah Winfrey's performance. We all know her as OPRAH now. I'd forgotten how amazing she was in COLOR PURPLE.

I think if Spielberg made this movie today he might not shy away from some of the heavier themes like he did in 1985. But his filmmaking technique was incredible for this film. It plays like an old-fashioned Hollywood movie. The colors are gorgeous. (How did they get all those perfectly purple flowers in that field ? ) The camera work is exciting.

Everyone has their "crying" moments in COLOR PURPLE. These are mine: 1. The breakup of the sisters ("Ain't no mountain, ain't no sea..."). 2. Celie gets the letter ("I got two children..."). 3. God's Tryin To Tell You Something ("See daddy, even singers got soul") and, of course, 4. The end.

It's about life. It's about love. It's about us. Thank you Alice Walker, Steven Spielberg, and Whoopi.

"It's about time we had some stability around here."
This film received 11 Oscar Nominations back in 1985, won none of them(Shame on you, Academy voters!), and really should have won Best Picture over "Out of Africa." Whoopi Goldberg never got another role like this one, showing her incredible and untapped acting talent by way of Steven Spielberg's inspired and altogether ambitious direction. Mr. Spielberg was not even nominated for Best Director(Shame on you, Academy voters!). It was great to hear that he did win the Director's Guild Award(handed out by his peers), but this horrible oversight still needles me to this day. Back to the acting. Oprah Winfrey was given an Oscar nomination, as was Margaret Avery, but there are so many stunning performances here from the entire cast that pointing out any standout performances is nearly impossible. There is also some clever film editing(certainly the most under-rated facet of filmmaking), that keeps the film constantly fresh and the story moving forward with some fantastic cinematography. The only thing that breaks the continuity is that the character "Celie" is played by two different actresses, while her sister "Nettie" is played by a single actress both at a young age and when she is older. It is really a small discrepancy given that both actresses that play "Celie" are excellent(in particular, Whoopi Goldberg). For those who know only Whoopi's fairly lame films like "Burglar," I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised by her amazing work here. There are many moments in the film that are so genuinely touching and heartfelt that by the end of the final scene I suddenly realized that it never felt so good to cry. This is easily one of my favorite "Spielberg" films. Everything about this movie is gorgeous! Thank you.

Definitely A Classic
A black movie nominated for 11 Oscars should hint every citizen that this movie is definitely beyond a classic. It, in every way epitomizes the plight of being black in the United States. Every person should have this DVD in their collection and reflect on the better things of life & respect evry human being. Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Avery, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Congratulations to you all. Fabolous performances. I hope that the Academy of Film can give the African American society a chance to bloom their talent. Its really not fair. I mean talent is out there and it is not being regarded in anyway. Once the black man is allowed to make movies then he should be recognized on the same grounds with the white man.

A Very Inspiring Movie.
Usually when people hear the names Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, we usually think of Day Time Talk Shows and comedic film roles. Both women as well as the other cast of the film deliver awesome performances as African Americans fighting to survive in a predominately white town. The movie will make you have a new take on life no matter what race you are. It teaches you respect and loyalty, as well as passion for the people you love. If you are a fan of Forrest Gump and other movies that whisk you away to different eras, you will love this. One of Spieldberg's best. ... Read more

Reviews (333)

65 Million Years is Well Worth the Wait!
Intense, supersonic-paced science fiction adventure finds paleontologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and company invited to a remote tropical island theme park inhabited by genetically engineered dinosaurs! The awe and wonder is abruptly replaced by terror and a fight for survival after the park's security system is sabotaged, granting the resurrected behemoths free run of the island!

Director Spielberg is at his creative best in this tour de force of suspense, acutely blending action, thrills, awe and humor. Equal to the challenge is composer John Williams with an appropriately rousing and kinetic score that sounds something like Stravinsky on melodic steroids!

Expert direction, superb performances (Richard Attenborough is particularly effective as the eccentric billionaire entrepreneur, John Hammond) and breathtaking, unprecedented visual effects (the ILM computer generated dinosaurs are completely convincing!) more than compensate for less than dimensional characters and rudimentary plot. Along with the action and fun, "Jurassic Park" also raises some serious questions about the ethics of advanced science and cloning.

Perhaps Steven Spielberg's best adventure film, "Jurassic Park" truly is a cinematic masterpiece and one of my five favorite films of all time!

Unbelievable
Jurassic Park has got to be one of the greatest movies of all time. The directing, animatronics, acting, graphics, and casting were perfect in this movie. The beginning was perfect, no sitting around waiting for action. It opens with a worker being attacked by a velociraptor and Muldoon(Bob Peck) trying to help him.

You meat a character named Nedry(Wayne Knight) who is working for a company that will pay him 1.5 million dollars if he steals the dinosaur embryos.

Then some other stuff happens, yaddah yaddah, anyway, Grant(Sam Neill), Ellie(Laura Dern), Gennaro(Martin Ferraro), Malcolm(Jeff Goldblum), and Hammond(Richard Attenborough), reach the island. The island is owned by Hammond the billionaire. It is a theme park with real dinosaurs. The main four go on a tour with Hammond's grandkids.

Needless to say, the tour goes bad. Nedry steals the embryos, pulls the power and runs off. The five remaining characters are stranded out by the tyrannosaur paddock. Ellie has already gone back to the visitor's center where she, Hammond, Muldoon, and Mr. Arnold(Samuel L. Jackson) try to figure out what Nedry has done.

The tyrannosaurus escapes, eats Gennaro and nearly kills everyone else. Moments later Ellie and Muldoon come to try and find everybody, but they have left. They find Malcolm lying in a pile of hay, and the two cars destroyed.

Now Grant, and the two grandchildren, Lex and Tim, must find their way back to the visitor's center while Ellie, Malcolm, Muldoon, Hammond, and Mr. Arnold try to get the power back.

This was THE movie of my generation
As a college student now, I was 9 years old when Jurassic Park hit theaters and it couldn't have come at a better time. Watching it again, Jurassic Park holds up as great entertainment, even if the characters and storylines seem a bit flimsy at times. It's probably more worthy of 4 stars than 5, but hey, this is the movie of MY generation and I'm not going to apologize for its rating. Jurassic Park continually reminds its viewers that Steven Spielberg is the greatest entertainer since Walt Disney. Constantly filling the screen with visual treats, keeping the plot moving at a brisk pace (once the obligatory exposition is filled in), and allowing us to enjoy ourselves without stooping too low, nobody does blockbusters like this man. Since he was to direct Schindler's List that same year, this was more or less his kiss-off to the popcorn genre he helped invent (consisting of classics like Jaws, Raiders, and E.T.--some with more dramatic substance than others, but all damn entertaining). Like I said, I was nine when this movie premiered and I still remember watching in the dark theater as the whole show unfolded--perhaps taking it for granted that movies should be so thrilling and fun, and that every filmmaker was capable of such wonders. Wrong on both accounts, but it did spur me on to shoot my first movie on video camera that summer (admittedly, it was highly derivative). Now I'm a film student...thanks Steve
5/6

"This is a UNIX system. I know this"... And black leather?
Jurassic Park is good entertainment, but take most of the "science" it presents with a grain of salt.

All the characters seem to think the idea of cloning dinosaurs is a good idea except chaos theorist Goldblum who wonders if we should do what we apparently can do.

Innovative in its presentation of realistic looking dinosaurs, Jurassic Park is the name of a new dinosaur-based theme park that is sabotaged while a few scientists and kids are on a pre-opening tour. It becomes an adventure to see who will escape alive.

The movie is best when there are dinosaurs on screen.

Mostly good acting by Laura Dern and Sam Neill as dino experts, Jeff Goldblum as the chaos theory mathematician, and Richard Attenborough as the park designer. The kids, played competently by Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello had some of the best lines.

An entertaining adventure, but no big concept. Not quite the same level as Raiders of the Lost Ark, or Jaws.

The only nit-picks include wondering why Jeff Goldblum wears black leather to the tropics, and why a pre-teen girl can save the day on a complex computer (again - see S1m0ne) with her knowledge of UNIX.

DVD has wide-screen movie, a behind the scenes documentary, and a few other minimal goodies.

More Than Just A Movie...
Jurassic Park was more than just a movie. More than an event. It was a full blown phenomenon! Steven Spielberg is the unrivalled king of such films. Every few years he puts out another spectacular that sweeps the world and sets a new standard (like Jaws, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, E.T., Raiders Of The Lost Ark, etc.). This time out, we've got resurrected dinosaurs running amok! The basic plot has stranded people on dino-island trying to keep from becoming dino-chow. You've got your scientists (Sam Neil, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum), your crazy zillionaire (Richard Attenborough), a greedy, lecherous computer geek (Wayne Knight), a sleazy lawyer, and two cute kids to round out the cast. You even get Samuel L. Jackson as a chain-smoking computer tech guy! Throw in an approaching hurricane, and you've got the perfect monster movie! It's usually not the "deep" storyline (except in the cases of Spielberg epics like Schindler's List, Amistad, Saving Private Ryan, The Color Purple, etc.) that causes the phenomenon. It's his way of thrilling us and breaking new cinematic ground that we love. I knew when I first saw JP that I was in for a blast. At the same time, I also knew that I wasn't going to see Hamlet or Macbeth! Jurassic Park blew my mind with it's realistic T-rex, Raptors, Triceratops, and the rest. We saw dinosaurs that were not rubber, clay, or robots (well, at least not robots that looked like robots)! We got CGI that put flesh on 65 million year old bones! The team that made this movie are legendary, and have pushed special effects to stratospheric heights. JP is a true milestone that stands the test of time. Belongs in every DVD collection... ... Read more

Reviews (51)

A funny, warm comedy all audiences will enjoy!
I recommend you all go see this movie! Tom Hanks plays an immigrant named Viktor Navorski from the Eastern European country of Krekozhia who travels to New York City on a personal mission. Upon arriving to the U.S., Navorski finds out that his country has had a civil war. As a result, he can neither return to his country nor enter the U.S. until the civil war ends and if the U.S. recognizes Krekozhia's new government.
He is left stranded at J.F.K. airport and is then ordered by Homeland Security officials to remain in the airport's international transit lounge until peace returns to his country. During the time he is there, Navorski finds out that the terminal is a world in itself where he experiences things like ambition, generosity, amusement status as well as romance with a beautiful flight attendant he meets played by Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Meanwhile, the Homeland Security supervisor who originally ordered Viktor to remain in the terminal considers him a problem he has a hard time controling in the system he oversees and a glitch he wants to quickly erase.
This film also touches on the bureaucratic non-sense immigrants have to endure when they come here. Aside from its (what I percieve to be) indirect political statement, overall, The Terminal is a funny and warm comedy audiences of all kinds can enjoy.

"Do you have an appointment?"
If you're looking for a sweet, poignant comedy, The Terminal is the movie for you. Tom Hanks stars as Victor, fresh off the plane from a small Eastern European country whose government was overthrown while he was inflight. Until the U.S. recognizes the new regime, his passport is invalid and he cannot leave the airport, according to the security chief (Stanley Tucci). Victor proceeds to make himself at home in the terminal, befriending some airport workers and even starting a romance with a lovely but flawed flight attendant (Catherine Zeta-Jones).

This movie is simply a joy. Hanks' innocent-but-wise character is so likable that you are cheering for him all the way as he becomes involved in the lives of his quirky airport friends (lead by the scene-stealing Kumar Pallana), gets a good-paying airport job, and shows what a decent and caring man he is. Tucci is perfect as the humorless security man who watches as Victor's stay in the terminal stretches to nine months. Zeta-Jones is interesting as a troubled woman who collects men, and her character adds some reality and even saddness to the otherwise fantasy-world of Victor's airport.

The Terminal is a feel-good comedy with an excellent script and an amazing set that will make you think it was really filmed in an airport. Fans of Tom Hanks will add Victor to his long list of loveable characters. Highly recommended.

Great movie... just too long!
Wow. This is an amazing movie. One of Tom Hank's best, and one of Catherine Zeta-Jones's worst. She is the only disappointment in this movie. She is normally I very good actress but in this movie she is just... I don't know...her and Tom Hanks don't really click. Her portrayal of a somewhat ditzy, emotionally distraught flight attendant is wimpy and a little boring. The three people who befriend Tom Hanks in this movie, the janitor and the other two people... who he plays poker with... have great supporting roles and their careers should sky-rocket now. So...if it is such a great movie why do I only give a a four star rating? BECAUSE IT IS SOOOOOOOO LONG! It is about two hours and eight minutes long which doesn't seem terribly long (especially after seeing Return of the King twice in one day), but it is almost like there could be twelve endings...and it seems like its almost over then BAM! a pan to another scene. That is the only reason it gets four stars. But go see it anyways. Its one of those movies that, even though you might now watch it all the time... it is one that you will love watching a couple times a semester ( I'm a Jr.High student and movies are like... one of my favorite things in the world). Anyway great flick, go see it, and when it comes out buy it.

Terminal, indeed.
For all Steven Spielberg's directorial gifts, brevity is not one of them. The worst film he has made since "1941" 25 years ago, "The Terminal" is aptly named - a 90-minute concept stretched a full hour beyond its expiration date, with only a accent-bearing, shambling Tom Hanks to accompany us.

Spielberg's film fails on more than one level, but mostly because he saddles the central plot - a man forced to live in the international terminal of New York's JFK Airport - with a collection of either forgotten or underdeveloped side stories that pay lip service to diversity - a Latino, a black guy, a black girl, an Indian janior, a beautiful stewardess - without making much of use of them until the last half-hour, when these cardboard cutouts suddenly claim a stake in the game.

You think "Return of the King" had too many endings? Just wait. And wait.

Hanks is Viktor Navorski, a native of the fictional Krakovia, where rebels have overthrown the government. Viktor is in New York on a trip whose motiviation remains unspecified until very late in the film. With his country in the throes of a coup, his passport and visa are no longer valid. Homeland Security agent Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci) tells Viktor bluntly with a bag of chips smashed by an apple: Viktor can't go home, and he can't go to New York. He's shown the terminal, and the doors to New York through which he cannot pass.

What follows is a mix of Frank Capra fable and a human jungle version of Hanks' "Cast Away." Viktor builds a makeshift bed out of torn seats at an abandoned gate; he finds quarters to buy Burger King cheeseburgers (at a cheaper cost than you'd ever find in an airport); he makes friends with a baggage handler (Chi McBride), the janitor (Kumar Pallanatucci) and a food service worker (Diego Luna) smitten with an INS agent (Zoe Saldana); and he flirts with the Midwestern stewardness (a perky Catherine Zeta-Jones), a psuedo-intellectual who is the mistress of a wealthy, married man.

Viktor also turns down Dixon's offers to help him into New York, where he can become, Dixon thinks, "someone else's problem." Viktor won't leave on his own. He refuses asylum. Dixon won't detain Viktor until he's broken some law, although, I would think, taking payments under the table to do construction work in the airport is reasonably illegal.

The movie's turning point occurs when a Russian man threatens to kill himself unless he's allowed to deliver Canadian medicine to his dying father; Dixon calls in Viktor to translate, and Viktor's solution, clever as it may be, is so prepostorous that it takes "The Terminal" off whatever rail its was still hugging and straight into foolishness: A marriage proposal, an elaborate, mosaic fountain built out of ceramic scraps, a cruel blackmail by Dixon and, yes, a jumbo jet brought to a halt by a wet mop.

Despite his two Oscars, Hanks is more gifted than critics give him credit for, and his subtle comic work as Viktor works much better than his recent turn in "The Ladykillers." Tucci, until his character is forced to become vengeful, embodies a decent-yet-prideful Dixon. If there is a couple in this film, it's these two. Hanks and Zeta-Jones have zero chemistry - their kiss is in long shot, with the camera pulling away - and the downbeat end note on their relationship provides the lone beacon of reality in "The Terminal." The set design by Alex McDowell is quite flawless - this might as well be a working airport - and yet Spielberg never does much with it. He so immerses himself in these subplots that the airport becomes a stale gimmick.

But, more frustrating, is a screenplay, by Jeff Nathanson and Sacha Gervasi, that actually conspires to keep Viktor - and us - waiting longer than he needs to be. "Everybody has a story," Dixon says at one point, and if Viktor were allowed to explain his reason for being in New York to anyone but a stewardess who doesn't even know Viktor lives in the airport, it's quite likely that something could have been "arranged."

Would "The Terminal" have the been the same movie? No. It would have been a better one.

It's okay...but it's not great
Like virtually all other moviegoers, I was very excited about a new movie starring Tom Hanks and directed by Steven Spielberg. I never would have guessed that something would go seriously awry with this film. I certainly never would have guessed what that something would be either.

Well, let me go over the good things first. The storyline is fascinating. The idea of a foreigner indefinitely trapped in an airport terminal because of a violent military coup in his own country and the current U.S. immigration laws here -- a story with such a premise is guarranteed to contain a good deal of drama and comedy. The acting was superb. Yes, it's true that Tom Hanks's accent was awkward and felt out of place at first, but after awhile it starts to grow on you if you're patient. And Stanley Tucci (A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, ROAD TO PERDITION) is one of the very best supporting actors in movies today. All of the character development is top-notch.

So with all these great things to say, what could possibly be wrong with this movie? Well, for one there was the incredibly cheesy (and almost unnecessary) subplot involving Catherine Zeta-Jones's interaction with Tom Hanks. As a mere character in the film, she was fine. But when they started to talk to each other, it made me wish the screenplay writer had been fired early on. (My complaint revolves mainly around the "I'm like Napoleon" conversation. It was very lame, and very contrived.) Another complaint I have was John Williams's score. It could have been so much better if he had just picked it up a little. Criticizing the greatest composer of the last 100 years is not something I do lightly. Unlike most other filmscore composers, after you watch a film whose music was composed by John Williams, you'll usually be humming the main theme for the rest of the day. But I don't even remember what the main theme was for THE TERMINAL.

However, none of those gripes constitute my primary problem with THE TERMINAL. My biggest problem with this movie is that it wasn't great. It was simply okay, or adequate. Do all movies have to be great? Only if they're made by great filmmakers. Steven Spielberg is easily the greatest filmmaker of the last 25 years. Therefore, I don't think I'm being unreasonable when I hold his films to a higher standard (the standard which he himself has set) than the rest. I expect greatness from Spielberg. This wasn't great. It was just okay.

Therefore, 2.5 stars (but I'll round up to 3). ... Read more

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"Closure. That's what it is, that's what I need." So determined a drunken Rachel in the season 2 episode "The One Where Ross Finds Out." And closure is what this mega-hyped series finale gives loyal and faithful viewers who have been there for Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, and Joey, even when Friends seemed stuck in second gear. Television's most popular and comforting comedy did go gently into that good night, packing off new parents Monica and Chandler to the suburbs to start a family; domesticating the once free-spirited Phoebe, and, yes, finally bringing star-crossed, on-again-off-again Ross and Rachel together ("I got off the plane" will take its place in series lore alongside, "We were on a break").

There were some keenly felt absences, most notably Elliott Gould and Christina Pickles as Monica and Ross's maddening parents, and very few surprises, save for one climactic Ross revelation that allowed David Schwimmer's hapless character one of the episode's best lines: "We almost made it 10 years without that coming out." Gunther professing his unrequited love for Paris-bound Rachel was a nice grace note for one of the series' most valuable players, as was the touching, sniffle-inducing ending in which each Friend turned in their key to the apartment each had shared at one time or another over the past 10 years. In the end, it was all about Ross and Rachel, but it seems we will not have ultimate closure until the inevitable reunion special, "The One with Ross and Rachel's Wedding." Until then, between reruns and home video, Friends fans need not fret. As singer Dan Hicks once said, how can we miss them when they won't go away? --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (198)

The one that did NOT disappoint!
The finale episode of FRIENDS, which aired on NBC on May 6th and is now available on Collector's Edition DVD, did not disappoint this loyal fan. I've watched the show since day one, and like so many others, have come to love this sextet of NY pals.

With so much hype leading up to the finale episode, my fear was that the show would go the way of SEINFELD, whose finale was a big let down. FRIENDS, however, stayed true to form. While the show certainly had it's big moments, the writers and producers didn't try to fill every moment with huge events. In some ways the finale felt like a regular episode, with funny situations and jokes (like the new chick and duck getting stuck in the fooseball table). And that's a GOOD thing!

It was touching to see Chandler and Joey have their final moment together after years as roommates, talking about the happy times they had playing fooseball. And of course they wrapped up that scene with one of their famous hugs!

Chandler and Monica's surrogate mother having twins--and a boy and a girl, no less!--was touching, although it seemed highly unrealistic that they came home with the babies practically MINUTES after Erica gave birth. Necessary to speed the episode along, I guess.

And of course we all knew the big ending would be Ross and Rachel finally getting together! The build-up gave us just enough tension to keep us on the end of our seats--Ross not being able to admit how he feels, Gunther finally telling Rachel he loves her (that was sweet), Ross and Phoebe going to the wrong airport, Rachel boarding the plane the first time...up to the moment when Ross's answering machine cuts off Rachel's message!

But the moment Rachel walked into Ross's apartment saying, "I got off the plane..." was priceless! It's what we've waited for for the past ten years, ever since the pilot episode when Ross (after pining for Rachel since high school), tentatively asked if he might be able to ask her out sometime. In the finale, they finally declared that they love each other, were done messing up their relationship, and wanted to be together forever. It was a classic moment when Ross joked, "Unless we're on a break." EXCELLENT!

The subtle final moments of the episode were a perfect fade out...all six of them leaving their apartment keys on the counter, and walking out to go down to the coffee shop one last time. Of course, Chandler got in one final joke, asking "Where?" when Rachel suggested getting a cup of coffee.

Thanks to the cast, writers, producers etc. for 10 wonderful years!

The End and the Beginning
So, after 10 years, it comes down to this. Chandler and Monica are at the hospital waiting for the birth of their baby on the day before they move to their new house. But they might just have a surprise waiting for them. Meanwhile, Joey has a housewarming present for them, Chick Jr. and Duck Jr. Phoebe wants to turn the day into a musical. But the finale wouldn't be complete without another chapter in the Ross/Rachel soap opera we've been following for 10 years. Rachel's leaving for Paris, and Ross needs to decide if he wants to try to stop her by telling her how he feels. And with this gang of six involved, you can be sure there will be plenty of laughs.

I've been a fan for a few years now, catching up on the show thanks to constant reruns. And while the show did loose something in the last couple of seasons, I kept watching. This finale was exactly what this Friends fan was hoping for - plenty of laughs as the gang of six faced some changes in their lives. It really did feel like starting a new chapter and not a harsh goodbye at all, even if the last couple of scenes were very bitter sweet. It was especially nice to see a few nods to classic moments from the show, with appearances by Gunther and Mike, Joey's present, and the infamous "We were on a break!" line.

With the quick release and low price of this DVD, I wasn't expecting much in the way of extras. Since my expectations were low, I wasn't disappointed. The DVD features the broadcast version and an extended version of the finale as well as an extended version of the pilot. Boy have styles changed in 10 years! Both episodes feature great sound and clear picture. It also features the music video for the classic theme and 10 of the opening credits. As any Friends fan knows, they usually changed them half way through the season, so we're only getting about half here. But we do get a couple special ones, like the London opening and the Arquette joke.

Since I'm sure it won't be long before season 10 hits selves in a complete set, it's really up to you to decide if you want to get this now or wait for the set later. I loved the finale so much I just had to go out and get it.

Now everyone sing with me. "So no one told you life was gonna be this way....."

Review, part two
You who did not have the guts to state your name, you are the opinionated one because you do not believe others have a right to their opinions. You must see that this review forum is not just for 5 star reviews, it is so people can voice their opinions on a show/DVD. In my case, I must in all honesty rate this show one star. You may do as you wish, in case you didn't notice my one-star rating did not prevent many 5-star ratings. All I can say is, YOU should get a life if all you do is look at reviews on Amazon and rip people for having a different opinion.

The episode of all episodes
Ladies and gentle men this the best *(swearword)* dvd ever and there is absolutely no argument i'm afraid. Friends is most definately the greatest show of all time so this legendary episode is a perfect way to end a legendary show. It's the end of an error and to be honest.... well...I cried my ass off..

It's Really Over...
*sigh* It seems like it was only yesterday Rachel walked into Central Perk in a wet wedding dress. But it wasn't. It was TEN years ago.
Re-live the comedy and drama and romance in the final episode, originally aired on NBC on May 6, 2004 @ 9:00/8:00c.
Go back to Central Perk for a cup of coffee and scone for one last time...
The Final episode left us with the answer to a 10-year question: will Ross and Rachel end up together? Yes. In the Final episode, Chandler and Monica finally become parents after years of trying, Joey gets a chick and a duck again, named Chick Jr. & Duck Jr., and Phoebe and her husband decide to have kids as well. Who'd thunk their FRIENDShip would last this long and through all the bad, and good stuff? The birth of Phoebe's brother's triplets, the birth of Ross & Rachel's Emma, Chanler and Monica's wedding, and Joey's first real-starring role.
This DVD is awesome and it'll help you remember how good these F*R*I*E*N*D*S really are. It's loaded with extra stuff you'll love, and comes with the un-cut finale, and the original broadcast. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Something the Lord Made recounts the relationship between Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and Vivian Thomas (Mos Def). It begins in 1930s Nashville when imperious cardiac surgeon Blalock hires Thomas, an African American carpenter, as his janitor. When the latter reveals a passion for medicine and facility with surgical instruments, Blalock promotes him to lab tech. Thomas isn't given a raise, works side jobs to make ends meet, and is expected to be grateful. Along the way, he follows Blalock from Vanderbilt to Johns Hopkins, where they save thousands of lives through their pioneering work, but will Thomas ever get any credit? The film provides a satisfying answer to that question. Joseph Sargent (A Lesson Before Dying) directs with subtlety and intelligence, while Rickman and Mos Def are in top form, often underplaying where most actors would do otherwise. Something the Lord Made won the 2004 Emmy for outstanding made-for-TV movie. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Good, but bogged down slightly
This was an enjoyable movie, but unfortunately it had many, many plot holes that made liking it difficult.

A spy-movie-enthralled young woman named Linda Voss ("half Jewish, half Irish") gets a job with a man named Ed Leland whom she suspects is a spy. Before long, they are lovers, but their budding relationship is dashed by World War II. Before you can say "Berlin strudel" she's whisked off to Germany as an undercover operative, to discover secret plans in the house of a handsome and sympathetic Nazi (the always-good Liam Neeson)

One of the problems is Melanie Griffith. She might be good in other roles, but as Voss she fails. Voss comes across as amazingly lucky and none too intelligent, constantly licking her lips in a very distracting way. Michael Douglas is completely convincing as Ed Leland, although he looks slightly embarrassed sometimes. Liam Neeson and Joely Richardson are excellent in their smaller roles.

Second problem is the attitude of the heroes. When Voss does not show up in time for the rendezvous, Leland disregards orders in favor of carrying her to the Swiss Border. Though it may seem heartless, an actual spy would have followed his orders and left Voss to die. In fact, we see the evidently smarter Germans such as Neeson's Dietrich and Richardson's Margrete following their orders despite their personal feelings about Voss.

Watch the movie if you are interested, but do not expect great accuracy.

A good comedy -- a bad war drama
I think I might have enjoyed "Shining Through" more if I'd been drunk. This movie is a fantastic ensemble comedy, but I don't think they were trying to make one! The only redeeming points of the movie were Liam Neeson and Joely Richardson's performances as a pair of Nazis.

Melanie Griffith plays Linda Voss, a young woman of mixed Irish and Jewish ancestry in World War II. Because of her linguistic skills, she's hired as a translator for Ed Leland (Michael Douglas), who works for the government as a spy (he keeps denying it, but she's seen movies so she knows better!). They become lovers, until his work comes between them. But no sooner have they been reunited than a spy is needed to sneak into Germany to find some bomb-related plans.

She's accompanied into Germany by Konrad "Sunflower" Friedrichs (Sir John Gielgud, who looks like he's always thinking "What am I doing in this movie?") and his niece Margrete Von Eberstein (Joely Richardson). Her position as a chef blows up on the first night, and she quickly finds herself hired as a nanny by elite Nazi official Franz-Otto Dietrich (Liam Neeson, Richardson's now-brother-in-law). And now that she's inside his house, she has only a limited amount of time to find the plans.

I don't think the people who made this movie wanted me to like the Nazis more than the Americans, but unfortunately the Nazis are a lot more likeable. Richardson comes across as competant and multifaceted, divided in her loyalties; Neeson comes across as a loving father, a nice sensitive guy (we don't ever hear of him actually doing anything bad!) with big puppy-dog eyes. Frankly it's hard not to like him, especially compared to the insensitive clod Leland. Douglas looks unhappy and embarrassed all throughout the movie, he's as stiff and cold as a pine board, and Griffith's performance is the stuff of nightmares.

It doesn't help that the best description of Linda is "ditzy blonde." She gets all her info about spies from movies, whines when Douglas goes on missions, and thinks she's qualified to be a spy because she can make strudel. (In one scene she runs through a crowded street chanting a secret password out loud!) She also mouths off to everyone in a way that would not be tolerated in a mere secretary (prepare to cringe when she says "My other half's Irish"), and bungles everything spy-related.

I would say this is a movie best shown to young children but there's a fair amount of profanity, violence, and a detailed sex scene. The direction is pretty terrible -- you'd think WWII included only a handful of people. The Nazis have none of the casual amorality that the real people did. There are one or two creepy, freaky moments that work, like the German woman who exults that the house they took from a Jewish family had everything they wanted (even bedsheets with correct monograms), but they're few and far between. If they'd had Dietrich doing something, anything wrong, then it might have worked. There are a few moments of intentional comedy ("That pompous little (butt) ate a raw bird to prove it was edible!") but most of the comedy is totally accidental. ("What's a war for if not to hold on to what we love?" Gaaaaaggg!)

I only can recommend this to fans of Joely and Liam, because they are the only ones who actually have good roles to play. "Schindler's List" this ain't!

Shining Through
If it were possible to give this movie a six star rating, I would. Besides being a GREAT movie, the soundtrack helps push this movie to more enjoyment. Moonlight Serenade, I'll Be seeing You, Goodnight Sweetheart and the main musical score lingers pleasantly in your mind long after the movie ends. I recommend it to all who has ever been in love.

Rips the emotional guts from the book
I have a hard time liking this movie because it made such a travesty of Susan Isaacs' book. The book, as originally written, was a classic ugly duckling-to-swan story set in New York, Washington, and Germany during World War II. Linda Voss, the character played by Melanie Griffith, was a working class girl in love with and eventually married to her gorgeous cad of a boss. She had the brains; he had the social cachet. They move to Washington, she gets a job as secretary to a top intelligence agent (played by Michael Douglas), the marriage founders, and in despair she signs up as an undercover agent. The rest of the movie follows the book's plot fairly closely, although the Douglas character does NOT figure in as a romantic interest until the very end. In the book, he's Linda's unexpected reward--pure gold where her husband was only gold-plated. The movie, by simplifying the story, guts its emotional core and turns a contemporary fairy tale into your basic trite Hollywood production--glitzy but without a heart.

That said, there are some strong performances in the movie. Douglas's stiffness makes much more sense in the context of the book, but doesn't work in the movie as filmed. Griffith is Griffith--you either love her or hate her. Liam Neeson is good, as is Joely Richardson (although the "Mein Gott, you have guts" line is a bit over the top). There are some suspenseful moments in the scenes in Nazi Germany. At times the movie's enjoyable, but overall, it disappoints.

Excellent film, with excellent acting!
I have loved this film since I saw it when it first came out on VHS! In fact, I watched it so many times that I ruined the tape. The story is engrossing, and the acting is top-notch! The obvious chemistry between Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas made the film so much more realistic. I can't say enough good things about it. I am eagerly anticipating the film's release on DVD so I can add it to my growing collection of excellent films. ... Read more

Description

Relive one of the greatest tales of adventure and exploration in history, as National Geographic brings to life the epic journey of Lewis, Clark, their guide Sacagawea and the brave Corps of Discovery across the land that would become the United States. Now, two hundred years after the launch of this ambitious expedition, experience first-hand the danger and breathtaking beauty of the unknown West as it unfolded before the eyes of Lewis & Clark. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

See it at an IMAX if you possibly can!
This is a fascinating re-enactment of Lewis and Clark's original journey, told with Jeff Bridges doing the voice-over but with real actors and the original locations. It is authentic down to the last detail, including such remarkable scenes as the expedition shooting rapids in canoes made from burn-out trees, and pulling their boats by rope over the mountains of Montana.

If you possibly can, though, catch this one in its IMAX version. The movie's story is entertaining enough but imagine it on a screen several stories high - literally larger than lifesize - with a powerful sound system to match. Imagine how much cooler shooting those rapids is in the IMAX form! If you can't find an IMAX, make sure you've got a big screen and turn the sound up. This is history as exciting as it was when it happened the first time.

WMV-HD Disc Is NOT Self Destructing
This is in response to the_digital_dude's comments from July 1. The license will renew after it expires as long as the disc is in the drive. You can copy the WMV file to your computer and play it without the disc being in the drive as long as the license is active. After it expires, you will have to place the disc back in the drive and the license will be renewed. As far as I know, this is the way all of the Imax and National Geographic WMV-HD movies are. Unfortunately, one of the earlier WMV-HD movies, Terminator 2, required an active internet connection to acquire the license. I agree that the digital rights management is confusing to the consumer and really should be documented somewhere on the disc or packaging.

WMV HD is MS _JUNK_!
Please note that this film is terrific and rates five stars all the way! I first saw it in an IMAX theater and then had to have it on DVD. Read the favorable reviews of the movie itself to gain an appreciation of what makes it so great, even though it is regrettably very short considering the huge amount of effort that went into making it. It's a timeless masterpiece for better understanding a cornerstone of the history of the United States. Don't be surprised if you watch it a few times!

This review, however, is of the Special Edition DVD. Disc 1 is the standard movie playable in a regular set top DVD player hooked up to your TV. Disc 2, however, contains a high definition 720p version of the film for playback on a fast computer. At first glance of the DVD cover and the generic instructions included inside, one realizes that a fairly recent and rather powerful PC is required. Okay, for a fair number of us, that's not a problem, and it was not a problem in my case. For those of you with a PC slower than 2.4Ghz, your computer doesn't even meet the minimum requirements.

So, I was fairly excited to see what such high definition playback looked like on my 2.8Ghz PC. I noticed that there was no 1080p version of the film on the disc, as the generic instruction card inside the DVD case indicated, but I later realized that the instructions were indeed that, generic, and simply didn't apply to this particular title. Okay, at this point, the documentation goes from bad to absolute crap extremely quickly.

Putting the disc into my DVD-ROM player began Autoplay. Well, immediately an ActiveX control error appeared and suggested I look at www.wmvhd.com for a solution. Actually, that website couldn't have any less technical support for this problem than if it had been written in Latin with a black pen on a black wall and viewed in pitch darkness. Trudging through the Microsoft website links off the main WMVHD page gives precious little useful information, so after Googling on the problem for a while, I found out that this whole scenario is a Microsoft marketing ploy to sell its five-year-old Digital Rights Management scheme to content providers to eliminate media piracy. Wow, talk about shooting the baby when dumping out the bath water. This DRM anti-piracy product is downright draconian in its implementation.

Setting all ActiveX controls, cookies, and security/privacy settings to the lowest possible did not resolve the ActiveX error, nor did disabling my Anti-Virus, Firewall, or anti-Spyware software. Hunting through the Microsoft Support Knowledgebase came up totally empty. Good grief, is this technology ever poorly documented and supported even in house!

Well, after some more Googling, I finally found a piece of advice in an AV forum to just run the main movie file directly from Windows Media Player, but AFTER running the License Registration executable in the root of the DVD directory. Running licgen.exe doesn't appear to do much at first, but apparently it will authorize the playback of the main movie file by unlocking the key encrypted within it.

Okay, at this point, surely one is thinking "Hey, I finally get to see this movie on DVD in high def on my PC". Well, yes, you do, but here's the kicker: THE PLAYBACK LICENSE EXPIRES IN 9 DAYS!!! While the movie is playing in Windows Media Player and looking and sounding nice and pretty, right-click on the filename in the playlist column on the right of the screen and look at the License information. Sure enough, you'll see that there is a limited duration playback period! What in the world?????? Where was this stated on the DVD packaging anywhere?

Truly pondering if this scheme meant that disc 2 of this special edition amounted to some sort of a self-destructing DVD, I ran the license request executable the next day to see if the playback duration would get reset, but no, it didn't.

Keep in mind that none of these limitations are clearly documented anywhere in the online product description, on or in the DVD box, or even anywhere prominently on the WMVHD website. However, if you dig far enough off of that website into the Microsoft sales information for why content providers should use DRM software, it becomes quickly apparent how very anti-consumer this anti-piracy scheme really is, especially as it concerns limiting the playback options for a movie DVD that is not at all advertised in good faith as having such restrictions.

So, whether or not this High Definition DVD ends up being a frisbie in a week remains to be seen, but the poor support and documentation in getting the movie to run in the first place only to learn that it may be self-destructing is absolutely inexcusable. I wonder for this particular release if National Geographic even fully understands what they are selling here.

Again, the movie content itself is terrific. This MS WMV HD DRM DVD, however, is beyond bizarre.

Save your money
There is very little historical information in this DVD. They omitted the number of persons that began the trip, the number of boats and they did they tell anything about what equipment and goods they took along. It may be interesting for someone who never heard of Lewis and Clark nor heard anything about their journey but for the average person it is boring. There are some good scenes along the way but they are generally out takes that do not fit in with the trip. It appears to have been produced by someone that had little knowledge and little interest about the significance of the expedition. National Geographic can do much better!

Four Stars for Your Viewing Pleasure
The photography is superb, and the action and sound are enough to keep viewers of all ages engaged. As an Imax movie, this is designed for the eyes and ears, and towards those goal, it provides a great experience. Don't purchase this with an expectation of learning much about history, however. While the general course of the expedition is followed, the short length of the film severely limit the needed details to describe the journey. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Few things are as addictive as the addictive personalities of EdinaMonsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley), twomiddle-aged hipsters wallowing in clothes, booze, pills, glamour,celebrity, and anything else their excessive appetites demand. The fifthseries of Absolutely Fabulous finds Edina coping with theunexpected pregnancy of her long-suffering daughter Saffron (JuliaSawalha) and the departure of all of her PR clients except for Emma"Baby Spice" Bunton (playing herself with good humor). Every episodechronicles some ridiculous new obsession--Edina gets a panic room (andpromptly traps herself inside of it); Patsy rediscovers a bunch of tawdrystag films she starred in and proclaims them works of high camp; the twokidnap Saffron's baby for a fashion shoot with Jean-Paul Gaultier.Saunders and Lumley fuse the ruthless social satire of Molière with thelowbrow physical high jinks of the Three Stooges, ably supported by Sawalha,Jane Horrocks (as Edina's dimwitted assistant Bubble and schemingnarcissist Katy Grin), and a host of guest stars like Minnie Driver (in arazor-sharp self-parody), Kristin Scott-Thomas, Elton John, and more.Truly one of the gems of British sitcoms; sheer brilliance. --BretFetzer ... Read more

Reviews (29)

"they can turn a pube into a bouffnat"
I have been a fan of this program since it's initial showing on the BBC back in the early 90's. Jennifer Saunders has done such a brilliant job of parodising our culture's relentless obsession with the new, the hot and the trendy. Johanna Lumley is still wickedly funny as Patsy Stone and has some of the funniest lines of the series. Jane Horrocks is back as Katy Grinn/Bubble and has somehow managed to remain one of the most underrated actreses of her time(check out Little Voice). Bo, Marshall and Justin make their cameos alongside Sir Elton JOhn, Minnie Driver, and Emma Bunton. I only have two faults with this release. Series 4 had a fantastic commentary with Jennifer Saunders and Jon Plowman, executive producer. I was hoping for that this go-around as well. And secondly, in the BIrthin Episode, Bo had an ecstasy induced hallucination with the cast of Chicago with all of the series regulars making an appearance. However it was not on the DVD...maybe a licensing issue? These two minor things aside it is still a must have for any die hard fan and comes off much funnier than when aired on Oxygen. Let us hope that if Pats and Eds make a 6th series as is rumored that a better network on this side of the pond picks it up.

AbFab 5, the real Edina!
I am one of those AbFab fans who believes series 1 and 2 were the absolute best, particularly because Edina had such funny manneurisms that I don't believe were reflected as well or as much in series 3 and series 4. Series 5, however, brings back those body twitches, idiosyncracies, and outbursts. In Exploitin' the episode begins with the most hilarious 'stair' foible I think I've ever seen on all series. It's great. The actresses seem to have returned to the style of acting seen in earlier series. If you are an AbFab fan and thought series 4 was ho-humm and are contemplating not spending the money for series 5, take my advise and buy it. It is worth the money.

Oh dear, oh dear...
I'll never forget the first time I saw 'Absolutely Fabulous'. I was 15 years old and Series 2 was re-running on BBC One. It was the episode 'Death' and from the second Eddie's recurring oddball Jamaican Nurse bandaged her for her mud wrap to the close with Patsy falling into an open grave, I laughed deepr and harder than I had in a very, very long time.

Sticking with the buzz, I treated myself to Series One on VHS - excellent - and was duly rewarded by Series 4 after a very lacklustre Series 3. Inbetween, the almighty 'Last Shout' tided me over, and thanks to those interminable re-runs, even Series 3 grew on me after a while.

Which brings me full-circle to this, the complete series 5.

Now, oddly enough, this isn't available here in Region 2 on DVD just yet, so I am prepared to put up with minor (yet completely unforgivable in terms of necessity) flaws like the absence of Debbie Harry's vocal on the opening credits, and the lack of the 'Chicago' scene from the 'Birthin' episode (I did catch that one on TV, and believe me, American buddies, you're missing nothing. In vulgar parlance - it SUCKED), but what I was not prepared for in the slightest is the total lack of laughter, smiles and general Humour that made the first four series such a wonderful thing to watch.

For every decent, solid joke (Bubble's New Duchess persona, Patsy's recurring collagen disasters, Eddie singing Christmas Carols) there are three or four totally humour-free incidents (Eddy and Patsy worrying Saffy about post-pregnancy womanhood, preditable and tired Liza & David jokes, Bo and Marshall's infomercial, all appearances by TitiCaca, the entire 'Huntin', Shootin', Fishin' episode, etc etc etc). Laugh-For-Laugh, it's not great, and a feeble second even to the rushed, gimmicky 'Gay' TV Special.

One reviewer here levels a criticism at the studio lighting, and he/she is completely, 100% correct on this score - the harsh, high-contrast key-lighting ratio makes for a cheap and tawdry-looking Monsoon household, and, rather than looking like their fabulous selves, Eddy and Patsy now look like scary old has-beens. Even at DVD quality it's difficult to see detail sometimes, and the whole visual quality is very amateurish - NOT the Thing, sweetie.

Worryingly, Sauders seems to be taking parts of her writing into a 'Surreal' and decidedly less funny area - what works for Britcoms like 'The League of Gentlemen' and 'The Fast Show' most certainly does not work with Eddy and Patsy - case in point, the opening 1940's sequence of 'Huntin', Shootin', Fishin', the Patsy voodoo doll and the 'Boobarella' skits, while solid surreal comedy ideas, are not well-suited to a show where the whole raison d'etre is to keep one's finger on the pulse.

For all the bad points, however, there are some classic moments - Katy Grin and the Tank, 'Big Mother', "Is he from a-Gabon?", and Patsy & the pheasant - but these moments of true Ab Fab glory are few and far between, and I, for one, can't force a smile for that length of time while waiting for them to appear.

DVD-wise all is good, the outakes are plentiful (if bog-standard, most outtakes from everything seem to be people getting the same line wrong ad nauseam) and the presentation and audio are top-notch.

Sadly I cannot recommend this DVD to anyone but the most avid of Ab Fab completists. It's rare that I consider an Amazon purchase a waste of $40, but there it is.

Not Good.

Saunders & Lumley still Fabulous? ABSOLUTELY!
The team of Brit-Broads out for lavish living on other people's dime are going stronger than ever. With nothing to stop them, their daily trivial ticks keep viewers in stitches. Whether dealing with Sapphie's secret pregnancy or other socially rlevant issues (like passing for 37 when you're way into your 50s), the dynamic duo meets all challenges of life with a toast, a snort, and a late breakfast (around 2 pm).

The incredibly talented cast of "characters" include Edina's long-suffering 20-ish daughter, the gave-up-on-Edina-long-ago elderly mother, Edina's dipsy secretary with ESP (she knows someone is about to ring the door bell -- because they sent a telegram announcing their visit), Edina's estranged ex-husbands and their new spouces (one female, one male), and a line of celebrities playing themselves.

Absolutely Fabulous is the "hippest" show on television, ridiculing society's conventions and focusing on "living" at all cost. The "who cares?" attitude, which seems to always drop the lead characters down on the ground in the end, nonetheless gives the Ab-Fab Duo a false sense of victory. One "last line" says it best: "In the end it was all good, though, wasn't it?" Good? It was FABULOUS!*****

Oh, sweetie!
Season five is *happenin'* babe! With that 2-3 year break, Jennifer Saunders gets these characters back to where she intended-- a comedy with unsympathetic characters. As usual, a tremedous cast of regulars, with some really *fun* guest appearances!! Jane Horrocks really cuts loose with both her Bubbles and Katy Grin. Julia Sahwala is very good at the martyered daughter and new mom. Jennifer and Joanna are excellent-- both in the physical humour and etc.

Yes, it isn't 'nice' comedy (perhaps Jennifer & Ade have moved Richie and Eddie (Bottom) up several social rungs and made them women?), but it is wickedly funny, and good escapism. This is definitely not for a younger crowd. ... Read more

Reviews (306)

Simply wonderful
I just do not understand all of this bitching and moaning that's been going on and on about this marvelous piece of cinematic magic. So what if they touched-up this movie? E.T. is wonderful anyway, changes or not, and I think the changes make it be that much better. I had never before seen it in the theatre until this year and I was totally blown away. It was like I was watching it for the first time. I heard and noticed things I hadn't before. Plus since this is the computer age with loads of wonderful technology at our fingertips, I say why not touch it up and make it better? Sure a sense of nostalgia comes in when you see the original version, but I think all old movies should get this sort of treatment. It just enhances them better than ever. E.T. is and always will be a classic forevermore, no matter what!

Did not need to be touched up!!...
As a "Star Wars" fan, I have to admit, George Lucas' 1977 grand epic movie DID NEED to be fixed, Lucas totally buffed up its Special effects, which it needed, SW Special Edition is phenominal compared to its original version, however I don't feel the same way about E.T., I mean what really needed to be fixed????, SW was Sci-Fi, so naturally it needed it, E.T. had very little effects in the way of visuals, I don't know what Speilberg is thinking, I mean, is he trying to compete with Lucas in a friendly way??, You can bet I will be watching the 1982 version, this film really is a timeless classic about an alien left behind on earth who soon befriends Elliott, a 10 year old who lives in what appears to be the valley of Los Angeles, Elliot & E.T. share a special bond, it is every lonely kid's dream, I was 11 when I first saw it, it hit home, because at the time I was new in my neighborhood, & my mom had just gone through a divorce too, I was an only child too, so you can imagine, E.T. always heightened my spirits, this film is great in that it shows what a fun character E.T. could be, the original puppet used was by all accounts well done, why they felt the need to digitally enhance E.T. is beyond me, we have never seen Jar Jar Binks as a puppet, so we don't think much about it, but E.T. you do, had digital technology been possible in 1982, then maybe it wouldn't matter, but now it does, another flaw is the removed guns from the government agents, (another mistake), why be politically correct??, I mean lets face it, agents hell bent on capturing an alien would not be so kid-friendly, in all reality they would be pursuing with guns, not walkie-talikes!..., Speilberg should have left this treasure alone, I can understand Lucas' argument on SW, but this one had little in the way of visual effects, I say stick with the original version & skip the 2002 version, the original may cost more, but it is worth it.

E.T.'s Adventures On DVD...
There is little doubt that Steven Spielberg's, E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, remains one of the best films of his career. For the 2 folks out there who have never seen the movie, an alien is accidentally left behind on Earth, by a survey team. Soon, the visitor is discoved by a young boy, named Elliott (Henry Thomas), who finds the creature hiding in a shed, in his back yard. The two quickly form a special friendship. With the help of his older brother Mike, (Robert MacNaughton) and his little sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore), the trio try to keep ET a secret from their mom (Dee Wallace), long enough to help him get back home.

I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical when I found out that Spielberg would be making digital changes to the film for its 20th anniversary reissue. However, when I saw the movie again in March 2002, I was happy to discover that the one additional scene and minor effects shots that were added, in no way detracted from the film. The effects remain just a small element of the overall experience. At its core, the story, is what makes this work. The performances by all three of the kids still hold up and they never seem too "cute" or annoying for their own good. You can really see them as brothers and sister in the movie. I did have a little trouble, with the changes that were made to the picture, for the sake of pollitical correctness, though. fortunately the 2 disc DVD set addresses those concerns.

After looking at the three different DVD sets that are available for ET, I settled on the widescreen 2 disc set, which breaks down this way:

Disc One features the 2002 20th Anniversary version of the film. There is one added scene incorporated into the picture. Numerous effects shots have been given a digital face lift as well. Spielberg provides an introduction to the film. There's also a featurette that takes viewers inside composer John Williams preparing to conduct a live performance of the entire score as the film played at the 2002 premiere. As an extension of that feature, you can choose to watch ET, complete with that live performance of the score. Rounding out disc one is a rather silly interactve tour of our solar system given by ET and the 2002 theatrical trailer

Disc Two features the 1982 theatrical version of ET. Bravo. As much as liked the new version, I also think that its nice to be able to have the original vision of the film preserved. I was a bit disappointed with the features, "The Making Of ET", and "The Reunion". Both use a lot of the same recollections and footage. Heck, even portions of Speiberg's "special" introduction from disc one are used again--what's that all about? A huge photo gallery, production notes, DVD-ROM (Total Axess) material. and cast/crew information make up the "much more" promised by the packaging

I missed not seeing the theatrical trailer from "82, as well as the often talked about scene, featuring Harrison Ford as Elliott's Principal, and any other deleted footage from the film. Despite these omissions and the serious padding of the featurettes, I still recommend ET on DVD, with a **** star rating

E.T. The Cult Classic 20 yrs later
It took 3 models of E.T. and whole number of great special effects and money to make this film but what it really took was the human element to make this one of the most memorable films in the last 20 years of film-making. Nothing or no one can capture the magic of this film.

Released in 1982 under a great deal of hype and marketing power, E.T. became one of the highest grossing films of all time,giving Steven Spielberg the award of being one of the greatest directors not only in the American cinema but in the whole world, even probably to where E.T. came from.

The movie is similar to other sci-fi alien flicks like THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL,but E.T. has more heart , humor and magic that any other previous sci-fi film.

This movie was shown on TNT this Saturday and probably will show again during the holidays, so you can catch E.T. if you want to relive the magic of being a kid and see this great film.

I had the pleasure of seeing E.T. when it came out (I was about 6 or 8 years old)and watching it again , it still has that same magic it had 18 or 20 years ago.

The movie starts off with the E.T. spaceship landing on a remote forest for some much needed repairs, then suddenly a couple of greedy government agents notice something moving in the forest (E.T.) and go after it.

E.T.'s friends seeing the threat coming,leave behind E.T.,

and so E.T. is entirely helpless and very afraid until he meets a young boy,Elliot (Henry Thomas) who cares for E.T. until his friends come back for him.

This movie resembles the story of a boy and a dog, they share alot of things together and when one hurts , the other one hurts as well.

So while E.T. is secretly hidden in Elliot's room alot of weird things start happening to Elliot he becomes sick and doesn't know.

The reason Elliot is sick is because E.T. is sick as well and they share a bond between each other thats make them feel the same thing.

Elliot's mother , Mary (Dee Wallace Stone who appeared in the cult classics the Howling, and the Stepford Wives) finds out what is going on ,but by the time she figures that out, the government agents come in and steal E.T. along with Elliot.

In what is the most saddest moment in the movie, we assume E.T. has died and I bet everyone in the movie theater was crying too,but E.T. comes back to life with his universal saying "E.T. phone home?". :-)

In the end, E.T. does phone home and tells Elliot that he will be with him "Ill be right here" as he points to his heart.

That is classic movie making folks.

See this movie to relive the magic and if you can get it on DVD with extra footage and behind the scenes specials, get it!! By all means but if you cant , get the VHS version.!!!!!

Steven Spieldberg's Masterpiece
E.T. is one of the greatest films of all time. It takes you by surprise. You feel everything E.T. is feeling. After the movie, it shocks you that you found heart and compassion from something that looks like a mud sculpture. E.T. also has some of the greatest performances from child actors than in any other movie. In this film, we see little Drew Barrymore making a stellar breakout performance as the little sister of Elliot in the film. The new 20th Anniversary of E.T. special edition definately is better than the original cut. The effects sparkle like never before. The DVD is a wonderful thing to add to anyone's DVD collection. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

One of the few movies that the whole family really can enjoy
Oh why cant they make movies like this anymore? This is a wonderful movie and really does deserve to be called a movie that "the whole family can enjoy". This one has it all, comedy, drama, chills, suspence, singing, the whole shebang and not one wisecracking kid to be found. Not only does it feature a young suave Sean Connery but also the beautiful Janet Munro in one of the few films that she made. This movie is filled with myths and legends of Ireland and the special effects stand up to anything being made today and this one was filmed over 40 years ago! You will love this one!

Darby O'Gill and the Little People
Great Disney flick. Its a hoot seeing Sean Connery in his twenties. Nice family movie. I love the old Irish legends, especially the Banshee and the Coach d'Bower. Albert Sharpe does a great job as Darby. The cinematography is beautiful. My grand kids love this movie. They are 9 and 3. Its something they can watch together.

Full screen but not a total loss...
It is true that this release will be "full screen", however I believe it is an open matte full screen vs. a pan-and-scan, meaning you will get the full image as seen in theaters, plus a little extra top and bottom. It is also quite possible the director framed his shots with the full-frame in mind, knowing it would be exhibited that way in some venues. More importantly, the TV Special "I Captured the King of the Lephrecauns" is listed as an extra feature. Whether we'll be getting the show in its entirety or merely some clips is yet to be seen, but this show was just as entertaining and important as the feature it supports and I hope they have the common sense to include the full hour program.

I love this movie...
...and I generally dislike Disney films!

This dates from the time when Disney wasn't afraid to be dark and eerie. The story balances whimsy with supernatural terrors and is appropriate for both Halloween and St. Patrick's Day.

This film lovingly depicts an Ireland of times gone by, and perhaps an Ireland that never truly was. Nevertheless, the culture is saturated in fairy-tales and ghost stories, and everyone seems to believe.

A love letter to simple village life, and to the power of storytelling, and the Emerald Isle's vibrant and exuberant folklore. Well-acted (except for Janet Munro, who seems to always be reading cue cards), lushly photographed, and the special effects hold up VERY well in these days of overly obvious CGI. If you're Irish, or just enjoy a good fairy tale, or a good ghost story, then this is for you. Not to be missed!

Classic Live-Action Disney Mutilation!
Alas, one of Walt Disney's most personal pet projects, and I might add one of the best special effects motion pictures ever made without cheesy CGI assistance, Disney has chosen to "Blackbeard" another brilliant live-action Disney classic. Disney has chosen to maliciously release this wonderful film in Full Screen Format robbing the viewer the beautiful verdant scenery of Ireland. Why Disney continues to torture the consumer is completely illogical. Why an enjoyable but mediocre release of "Now You See Him, Now You Don't" receives an OAR release over "Darby" is beyond comprehension. Just keep boycotting these releases until Eisner is history. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

As Westerns go, impressive but too elegaic for most.
I like this film for its somber mood, striking photography and flavorful score by Jerry Goldsmith. It's not the kind of simple-minded Western that John Wayne did to death, and lacks the climatic punch that most of the genre try for, but instead is a demystifying of the folk-hero Wyatt Earp.

I'm a little disappointed with the DVD.A restoration of the film elements doesn't appear to have been attempted.The print is clean and has fine color, but the image is a little soft and "contrasty" and therefore looks very dated.A fresh film element from sources as close as possible to the original negatives would have helped.The sound also has way too much hiss.

At least what we have is in 16X9 anamorphic and includes the trailer, but a few extras would have been nice.

Great Continuation of The OK Corral Saga
John Sturges, who memorably filmed Gunfight at The OK Corral with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, returned to the subject by depicting the afternath of the famous shootout in Hour of The Gun. This time, James Garner takes over from Lancaster playing Wyatt Earp, while Jason Robards replaces Douglas as Doc Holliday.

Hour of The Gun follows as both of Earp's brother are ambushed after the OK Corral, and shows how a seemingly law-abiding, upright law official can be twisted into a vengeful killing machine. This theme was touched on in the first film, but takes center stage in this film. Robards watches as a man who he admires and respect for his convictions throws them all away to settle a blood feud. Garner's and Robards's performance are outstanding, with first-rate support by Robert Ryan as Ike Clanton, Steve Ihnat as Lattigo, one of the Clanton gang, and a young unknown Jon Voight as Curly Bill Brocious.

Contrary to a caption at the beginning of the film, Hour of The Gun is not a completely accurate retelling of the Earp/Holliday/Clanton saga, but it makes for one heck of a Western.

Good or Bad Garner and what about a DVD
Vivid follow up to director Sturges' GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL. One of Garner's best performances. Is Garner a good guy or a bad guy. You decide. Great Jerry Goldsmith score. One of his best. Why is there no DVD to this classic film?

Solid but not great Earp western
Until the release of Costner's Wyatt Earp and Russell's Tombstone, this was probably the most realistic and unglamorized retelling of the Earp/Clanton feud.The casting is solid with James Garner as a conflicted Earp, and Jason Robards fairly steals the film as Doc Holiday. It purports to tell the story "the way it happened", but there are a lot of inaccuracies that Earp historians can spot. The opening OK corral shootout was played as it was, quick and dirty.
There are major errors in the later story such as Earp killing Clanton in a final showdown (never happened), and the showdowns with various Clanton henchmen by in large did not happen the way it was portryed here. Doc is portrayed as being a northerner and much older than the young southerner which he was.
That said, Garner, Robards,Robert Ryan and a host of great western character actors and stars to be make this very watchable. The musical score is catchy and it is a western worth your time. The parting scene of Wyatt and Doc is very well done. Garner is very good as a driven Wyatt Earp.

Very good continuation of OK Corral Movie
I like this movie. I thought it was a very good continuation to the GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL. It has great performances and a good score by Jerry Goldsmith. A good "lost" Western. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

LOOKS GOOD...
im excited about this movie it looks more scarier than signs and should have its surprises coming from M. Night!

GOING TO BE GOOD
I am a big fan of M. Night Shyamalan's movies becuase there so great and they always are released on dvd with lot's of special features about the movie and a mini film from Night that are so funny. This movie looks great though. I think I will enjoy it a lot. it seems as though he keeps on trying to use one main character from the movie that came out before it. He used Bruce Willis twice in Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. In this movie he's using Joaquin Phoenix as he did in signs. It looks kind of like Signs but a little better. I can't wait.