Reviews (32)

The adventures of Kai-Kui (Kevin Chan) continue!
Among all of the American releases of Jackie Chan films, this one is the best. Though it is the third chapter of the "Police Story" series, the tone is much different from the first two. Jackie directed the first two and they are surprisingly really intense. Sure, there are some funny bits, but the action is razor sharp and Jackie gets really pissed off several times. In "Supercop" the tone is much lighter, maybe due to the direction by Stanley Tong. But don't get me wrong, this film is still great entertainment. Jackie and Michelle Yeoh (Billed as Michelle Khan) make a great team and trade stunts right and left. The final chase scene involving an armoured car, Chan hanging from a ladder of a speeding helicopter, Michelle jumping onto a moving train with a motorcycle, and the two of them taking down thugs on top of the train is something to behold. Maggie Cheung also returns again as Jackie's girlfriend.

A could be better performance by the "great" JACKIE CHAN.
The third sequel to Jackie's smash hit which changed the action film industry, Police Story, comes another regular action packed thriller. Although there were some great stunts leading to the capture of the main villan, Jackie Chan's action doesn't even come close to what he is capable of. Jackie's other sequels to this parady which also include First Strike and Police Story 1 and 2 are not only funnier, but the action is more diverse. Diverse meaning, wider. There's more action, better comedy, and a better acting job in the other three sequels. Supercop is a great film for first-time American action movie watchers, due to American director's minute imagination when it comes to action movies; however, when it comes to Asian standards, this movie doesn't match some of the other movies Jackie had out.

Supercop
The movie is ok but it is a superior film in Cantonese. The dubbed English is awkward and detracts from the film. I find the "dubbing" very annoying and would prefer the vintage Hong Kong Jackie Chan films marketed in the US be provided in the original language. Argggh!

stick with original
Why American production make HK movies look so cheap? First of all, they cut off so much scene, second of all ruin it by making look act so dumb by English Dubb. ALWAYS stick with ORIGINAL LICENSED HK RELEASE. Be careful with cheap imports, boots, and bulls though.

Beware: You're Not Getting the Whole Movie
When you buy this DVD, you're actually getting an "Americanized" version of Police Story III, a Jackie Chan classic. If you're really a Chan fan, you'd be better off searching for an import shop (or a certain auction site) and getting the original Hong Kong version of the film. Not only will it have the original chinese dialog (with english subtitles of course!), but it also has a few extra minutes of film that were cut from this "American" version. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Action-god Jackie Chan does his best James Bond impression with this ecstatic sequel to the classic Supercop. The bare-bones plot has Chan in pursuit of international terrorists, but the narrative quickly gives way to an unceasing barrage of insane stunt work (including a nitro-fueled ski chase and a grandiose fight scene set inside a functioning shark tank). As with most of the aging star's recent films, there is more of an emphasis placed on big, impersonal (albeit impressive) stunts rather than the close-up combat that made him famous; but the end result is still a must-see rush for longtime fans, and a great introduction for newcomers eager to see what all the well-deserved fuss is about. The scene where Jackie takes on multiple goons while armed only with a ladder is one of his most jaw-dropping set pieces ever--and that's saying quite a lot. Be sure to stick around for the closing credits of gags gone awry, which graphically prove that Chan is truly the hardest working man in show business. --Andrew Wright ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Sticks, Tables and Ladders. OH MY!
This is Part Four to one of Chans greatest films ever, Police Story. Police Story 2, which is VERY GOOD, and one of Jackie Chans most famous movies in America SUPERCOP, which is Police Story 3, all come before First Strike. First Strike has the humor and fighting you expect from Chan films. In this Chan resumes the role of Kevin Chan, Hong Kongs best cop, and is helping the KGB and CIA on a case which leads him to a great snowboard and snowmobile chase in Russia. And then he heads to Australia. Plot twists galore lead Chan into trouble with everyone. One of my favorite fight scenes ever is the LADDER MATCH, this fight has to be seen! IT IS THAT GOOD! I have seen almost every JC film and the ladder match is one of my favorite. I watch this fight all the time and love it more each time. This is a great JC film. Not the best of the Police Story series, as the first Police Story is just incredible. But First Strike is still fun to watch over and over. Buy it now!

Killer Action, International Intrigue¿
"Jackie Chan's First Strike" is yet another tour-de-force of hilarious near non-stop action comedy featuring Chan's trademarked ultra-choreographed but jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring just plain AWESOME action sequences (including the trademarked end-of-film outtakes).

THE MOVIE:

"First Strike" follows Jackie's adventures which take him from the snow covered mountains of the Ukraine to the sunny shores of Australia as he becomes entangled in a web of deceit and danger involving a ruthless mobster smuggling nuclear arms, ruthless hitmen and a killer shark!!!

Notable Scenes:

1. The Hotel Fight Scene

2. The Warehouse Fight Scene

3. Hilarious - Jackie stripped down and forced into a funny suit

THE DVD FEATURES:

The DVD is a little sparse on special features, but it does come with a pretty detailed bio (more so than the Rumble in the Bronx DVD) and filmography of Jackie Chan, as well as the movie's director Stanley Tong. Also included is the film's theatrical trailer.

THE VERDICT:

Action movie/martial arts film fans will love this movie. The action, as well as the story, are solid. New fans of Chan will also love this film as its great action sequences. The DVD features, while a bit sparse compared to more recent DVD releases, are alright. Overall, whether you rent, borrow or purchase this DVD/movie is worth a watch at least.

Highly Recommended.

This movie is the best!
Jackie Chan's First Strike is one of the best Jackie Chan films I've ever seen! It combines great action with a better plot. The Ladder fight and the Underwater fight are just two of the amazing scenes. The action truely shows what Jackie can do. It is one of my favorite movies and if you want a great Jackie Chan movie; First Strike is for you.

GREAT
Jackie Chan is the best martial arts fighting person around today. This movie has awesome fight scenes in it which I can watch over and over again. All of his movies are awesome but there is that Jet Li comign up on him so I have a voting type thing. JACKIE CHAN VS. JET LI....... WHO WOULD WIN? IF YOU THINK JACKIE CHAN WOULD WIN PRESS YES THIS REVIEW WAS HELPFUL OR IF YOU THINK JET LI WOULD WIN PRESS NO THIS REVIEW WAS NOT HELPFUL.

Great movie with some nice fight scenes.
This is an older Jackie Chan movie. I'm going to make this pretty concise. Jackie Chan does a great job in some really great and long fight sequences. In this movie, Jackie plays himself. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The novelty backdrop of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair lends wonderful space-age scenery to this Elvis vehicle. The King co-stars with a pre-2001 Gary Lockwood as freelance pilots stranded in Seattle, where Elvis spends more time babysitting a little kid than panting after ostensible love interest Joan O'Brien. There's more plot than usual for a Presley picture, which in this case is not a good thing, and the songs are pallid, save "One Broken Heart for Sale." The real kick is the futuristic look of the World's Fair, as personified by Seattle's Space Needle and Monorail (both of which serve as backdrops for EP songs). Just three years out of the Army, Elvis's persona is thoroughly square and tame, ruffled only by the occasional comic double-take. And yes indeed, that is little Kurt Russell, future star of Elvis, kicking the King in the shins in a couple of scenes. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Elvis is an A+ and worth all 5 stars
After viewing this movie and a co-feature called "Girls! Girls! Girls!" in a double-feature recently, I am convinced that Elvis Presley was the greatest film actor of all time. I may only be 12, but I know a great movie star when I see one. Together, these two movies provided an extraordinary evening for me, especially when they were shown together on the same billing. I really enjoyed the songs; especially "One Broken Heart For Sale", and "Return To Sender". Thank you, Elvis!

I love the old movies of the Space Needle
I would love to watch old movies of Elvis Presley and joan O'Brien who were in love and beautiful songs at the Space Needle's revolving restaurant.The old movie was made in Seattle World's Fair 1962 and the Space Needle when it was paint orange, red and yellow. The original paint was very short time from 1962 to 1968. I have Private collection of many original old color slides of the Space Needle when it was paint orange, red and yellow in 1962 Seattle World's Fair. I want let me know when the new DVD movie coming soon.

ONE OF HIS BEST!
WB did a GREAT job on the cover! The film looks GREAT re-mastered and letter-boxed! One I was waiting for on DVD! EXCELLENT Soundtrack too!

g.i.blues
It's the d.v.d's of all of them this is my favorite elvis movie of all why ???? you ask in this film this is where he sings the most.I own 13 of his movies I want to own them all I loved elvis since I was a kid and I'll always be in his debt for creating music in his image he may not be a good actor but when he sings he still can put tears in my eyes long live the king.........

A VHS re-release would have been nice too!!
No complaints with the movie itself. The 2-star rating is for not making a VHS release also. We have all the other Elvis movies on VHS (except for Girls-Girls Girls). A VHS release for those Elvis fans who do not have a dvd player in their near future would have been nice. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Ready for Season Two?
Ah Saiyuki Season 2!

Three new characters show up. The war prince Homura (voice acted by none less than Jason Douglas, he also was the English voice of Lord Illpilatzo from Excel Saga, he always gets casted for the world conqueror bit doesn't he?), and his two minions Zenon and Shien descend to start a rebellion against the heavens. Now it looks like there is a three way race to get Scriptures now...

This Disk features FOUR new adventures for the Sanzo party and their enemies.

Episode 27: Basic Introduction of Homura and his minions... Homura calls the Sanzo party by their past life names, destroys literally truckloads of Demons with but a thought, and Sanzo's gun has no effect on Homura.
Most notable seen: Sanzo's introduction about the "If you meet the Buddha kill the Buddha"

Episode 28: Homura starts to gather demon followers, he apparently can turn demons into "gods". The Merciful Goddess refuses to do anything to stop Homura, says that watching Homura will keep her from being bored for awhile. Apparently Homura is the half human son of the Jade Emperor... the gods will do nothing to stop him as they have grown lazy and fat. Sanzo's party has to share a single room and draws cards to see who gets the bed while the others sleep on the floor. The episode ends with an attack on Houtou Castle to get the Seiten Scripture. Most notable scenes: The first meeting of Sanzo (of God Sanzo) and Son Goku. Goku and Gojyo fight over the bed and the innkeeper walks in and sees them in a rather embarrassing situation.

Episode 29: Homura and gang assault Houtou Castle. Homura single handedly bests both Dokugakuji and Kougaiji. Dr. Ni (that crazy scientist with the stuffed bunny) just hands over the Seiten Scripture to Homura in hopes that he will leave Lady Koushu and the rest with their lives. Sonzo gets a rude awaking from the merciful Goddess, who reminds him of the Teachings of his Master. The "if you meet the Buddha kill the Buddha" which has been said at least 3 times in the series now... Zenon kills a demon who killed his human wife. Basically this episode was to show that these new characters are in fact a force to be reckoned with.
Most Notable scene: Sanzo tries to shoot the Merciful Goddess... and fails."

Episode 30: Homura sends his latest Assassin to kill the Sanzo party to get the Scripture that Sanzo carries. This demon makes a village into a ghost town, his "Perfect Paradise". He calls himself the Undertaker, and puts the entire Sanzo party through all kinds of physiological torture. Basically Puts a plate of food in front of a hungry Goku to only make it disappear a second later. Deprives Gojyo of women and alcohol . Burns Hakuryu to get Hakki upset, and gently just pisses Sanzo off with the whole ordeal of things going on. They basically best him and go on their merry way. Most notable scene, Gojyo practically begs Sanzo for a smoke, and Sanzo reminds him that he said "You said my smokes tasted like Crap."

Basically this DVD has the basic ADV basics, a new opening theme and animation, new closing theme and animation, but no longer gives you any previews of upcoming episodes.

Like all the other volumes of Saiyuki they give a wonderful Culture references from the "Journey to the West" and other Japanese jokes you hear while listing to the Japanese audio. Also this series is best kept in context with the Japanese audio as the English seems to completely warp it at times... all in all a good DVD for Saiyuki fans. And also the fact that you can't go wrong with Zenon, how cool is a god with an AK?

The Remaking of a Myth
Saiyuki is a retelling in modern garb (if a dragon/jeep and beer can toting demons can be considered modern) of an old Chinese legendary tale - Journey to the West, originally set down in the 16th Century. Faced with the loss of a manuscript of great magical significance Sanzo, a priest , is dispatched along with three companions. As told here his companions are three demons - Goku the Monkey King, Gojyo the water sprite, and Hakkai a human turned demon when he slaughtered a thousand demons in revenge.

The four reel from one hair-raising adventure to another as they head for the final confrontation. Arguing, brawling and womanizing in between the heroics. As I've noted elsewhere this is an essentially masculine story, with women playing what is so far a very secondary role. This is a different spin than usual for this kind of anime, and it is surprisingly successful.

In these episodes each of the demons faces their own personal demons - Hakkai's grief over the loss of his beautiful wife, Goku's need for someone he can trust, and Gojyo's surprising soft spot. Sanzo is the wise man and healer in this group of stories, although sometimes his advice is every bit as harsh as the problem it solves.

Dialog is what really makes this series work. Not that there is anything to slight in the story or the artwork, but the snappy give and take of this modern gang-on-a-mission is what carries the day. In addition, the episodes refuse to become yet another tale of finding and destroying evil in the goriest fashion possible. Instead, they demonstrate instead a surprising amount of literary merit.

saiyuki is excellent!
saiyuki is a great action show. A tiny bit of humor now and then is a great show by me.

Once More Into The Fray (Again)
Seems like everyone has the names of Sanzo and his party of pilgrim/adventurers inscribed on their weapons of choice. Carrying ascripture around in this alternate Chinese world is risky business. The priest, Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai don't need any help to get into trouble though, but they are getting much more than they ever bargained for.

It seems that the god Homura's decision to rebel and gather the scriptures for himself has attracted some followers. First Souto, head of a group of crack divine shock troops gets the assignment to take Sanzo down. A little later, Homura and his own sidekicks, Zenon and Shien show up to demonstrate that Sanzo and Goku are completely outclassed in this contest. As usual, the monk pulls through, but not without serious damage.

While all this is going on there are two visits from season one - first a pair of twins in the service of Gyokumen Koushu show up with utter destruction on their mind - and then the idiot impersonators show up again for a short sojourn into the more violent forms of comedy. Somehow, our heroes keep up their attitude and return to each conflict determined to survive.

Production quality seems to have improved an order of magnitude since the last season. In the previous DVD I wasn't sure whether to believe it or not, but with this second one it is clear that the show has iimproved, both in art and writing. In the middle of all the action, the group finds time to develop as characters, and both animation and color have increased in intensity.

This series is a bit past the point where one can pick it up mainstream. This isn't a bad thing from a watcher's point of view, but be prepared for a sudden urge to empty your wallet for the series.

Saiyuki is more than you could expect
To basically start this off I'll start with the obvious, well Genjomaden Saiyuki is one of the most comical, entertaining, and certainly up with the best. I personally love this anime. There's a lot of DVDs and as far as I do I beleive that there are 18 DVDs total. Of course only up to 9 came come out and we all eagerly awaiting March 30th aren't we? Well at least I am. Saiyuki is about Demons and Humans living in Shangrila (let me know if I spelled it wrong; I'm not in the mood to look it up)together and I know this 7th DVD, well the Demons get all uncontrolable and attack humans while these gods come along and such, the god of war. Well the Sanzo gang consists of Son Goku (Demon), Genjo Sanzo of course, Sha Goyjo (Half water Demon), and last but never least Cho Hakkai (He killed 100 Demons which turned him into one). Basically that concludes my ranting... if any of you actsually read this, thank you!^^ Any questions e-mail: warrior.killua@verizon.net,
Arigato!
-Killua ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Shamelessly Entertaining Neo-Noir Masterpiece
"The Bride Wore Black" is another neo-noir classic from Francois Truffaut. It's adapted from the pulp novel masterpiece by Cornell Woolrich (aka William Irish.) Truffaut retains the story and the sense of doom of the book but pares down Woolrich's convoluted plot so that it is even darker. Jeanne Moreau is scary as the implacable Bride, who tracks down the five men she holds responsible for the death of her husband on their wedding day. (You can see the tremendous influence this film had on Tarantino's "Kill Bill.") This is an icy examination of the eternal war between men and women; the men are either sexual predators or spinless wimps, and the Bride is remorseless in exterminating them. The film has several setpieces that are obviously tributes to Hitchcock (like the high-rise building; and the wrongfully accused teacher.) There's even a musical score by Hitch's signature composer, Bernard Herrman. Truffaut ratchets up the tension to unbearable levels as we wait to see how the Bride will dispatch her next victim. Truffaut, the great humanist and friend of small children, occasionally peeks out, but mostly this film is a gripping ride on the dark side. It also has one of the gratest final scenes I've encountered in a movie. Just terrific.

Truffaut's homage made even Hitch proud.
When THE BRIDE WORE BLACK first came out to theaters Hitchcock went out to see it for himself. He had been good friends with Truffaut already for a while and Truffaut had been an admirer of his for a long time. After Hitch saw it he told Truffaut what he thought. His only thought was that in one of the murder scenes a pillow should have been put under the head of one of the men who was dying. But other than that he gave his seal of approval and so do i. This is one of the best homages to Hitchcock that i have ever seen. The story is adapted from a novel by William Irish and it is about a woman named Julie Kohler (Jeanne Moreau- Jules and Jim, Viva Maria!) who's husband is shot and killed on her wedding day. After living for a long time in deep depression she decides to track down the five men who killed her husband (accidentally) and kill them one by one. She uses her charms to get to them and soon after she kills them. The movie is not unbearably suspenseful but it is potent enough so that you wonder what will happen next. The reason for it not being so suspenseful is that you can guess more or less what will happen but what does keep it suspenseful and interesting is that we don't know how these situations will turn out. Truffaut's direction keeps the movie flowing along at a constant pace and he uses wardrobe to convey how Julie is feeling by having her wear black very often and if she does wear any other color it is only white. Jeanne Moreau gives a subtle and sympathetic performance in a role in which she could have gone over the top but wisely chose not to. We sympathize with her even as she is commiting these horrible crimes because Truffaut has us understand her pain but never fully. The psychological aspect which could have been exlpored more in this movie is never fully explored but it's not unforgiveable since the movie is not really about that. It's more about Julie's experience of trying to get her revenge. The script is solid as well and the movie is accompanied by a beautiful score by Bernard Herrmann who was Hitchcock's frequent collaborator and the score is reminiscent of Hitchcock's VERTIGO and MARNIE. This is very definatley one of the best homages to Hitchcock and also one of the best in Truffaut's legacy of films.

Two Stars For The Score Only
Bernard Hermman's score is magnificent. This was a major let down for me considering it was directed by Truffaut. Lacked any real suspense and edge. Boring camera work for the most part. Some nice editing touches here and there but overall pretty lackluster. The acting was fine...I guess. It was just a pointless story I felt that really didn't go anywhere. And what was with that crummy ending?

A tribute to Hitchcock, Louise Brooks and women's legs!
Master director Francois Truffaut and legendary actress Jeanne Moreau proves in this film a brunette can be more than a match and just as deadly as the most iciest of Hitchcock blondes, with the great Bernard Hermann delivering a turbulent, impending and breathtakingly haunting score which unfortunately is not out on soundtrack. Truffaut also pays tribute in hairstyle form to Louise Brooks, the 20's actress noted for her distinctive hairdo, which Moreau's character sports. This unforgettably haunting story full of symbolism plays out with the grand sweep and scope of almost Greek tragedy-mythic proportions, starring brunette Moreau as femme fatale extraordinaire Julie Kohler, an emotionally insulated and fascinating woman who descends upon her hapless victims like an exquisite bird of prey in larger-than-life vengeful goddess fashion (which we're not really meant to take all that seriously but is very effective)--she is at once meticulous, deliberate, detached and above all else, mesmerizing with her cold impassive beauty and emotionally/sexually untouchable aura. Her motley prey are a colorful assortment consisting of a wealthy playboy, a romantic loser, a smarmy politician, a mute gangster and a skirt-chasing artist. In highly dramatic and effective use of flashback we learn that Julie turns avenging angel when the love of her life is "assassinated" before her on the steps of a grand cathedral right after their wedding ceremony!--granted it's melodramatic and over-the-top but fits right in with the film's tragic gradeur. Throughout Moreau/Julie is dressed entirely in black and white but wears no other color--appropriate since her character sees the world now only in terms of black and white with no shades of gray, for even when learning these are not "bad" men (except perhaps the gangster) and what occurred was a purely hapless accident, there's no turning back in her unwavering resolve and vow to carry out her revenge.

The most fascinating scenes involve artist Fergus (the always excellent Charles Denner) whom Julie leaves cold at first but who soon becomes enthralled by her aloofness and suppressed sexuality, and in turn she shows signs of emotional and sexual awakening with his frank but pleasant personality and under his almost lovemaking/foreplay-like touch and caressess as he poses her--not surprising since obviously no man has gotten close to or touched her since her husband's death years ago, with the strong impression that she may even be a virgin! As the audience we hope Fergus can save Julie from her personal torment so she will find the happiness she so dearly deserves, but unfortunately the tragic past, her haunted memories and steely resolve win out over this new chance at love, life and happiness. Despite the killings she commits with such calculated and efficient dispatch, Julie is a sympathetic character because she's a principled murderess--she's not willing to hurt anyone but her targets or let anybody take the fall for her actions, as the scene dealing with the politician, his son and the son's schoolteacher compellingly displays her humanity. This is a fascinating character study of a troubled and complex female obviously inspired by Hitchcock's earlier "Marnie," but in this case Truffaut goes one step further with his version of an un-savable Marnie. A comment--throughout this film (as well as some of his others) Truffaut reveals what obviously is his leg fetish, as we the audience are subjected to numerous references as well as many voyeuristic and lingering shots of Moreau's legs!

Truffaut and Woolrich--quelle combination!
Based on the novel of the same name, this film is a razor sharp depiction of one woman's relentless pursuit of her newly wedded and deaded husband's killers. Cornell Woolrich was THE quintessential noir fiction writer, the master of savage irony, and this is, without question, one of the best translations of his work into film.

Jeanne Moreau brings out the fanatic dedication of the main character--as schoolteacher, vixen, artist's model--whatever it takes, she will find and destroy the killers. Even in prison, she manages to kill. Her impassive demeanor is a perfect representation of the Woolrich ethos--that life in its unpredictability will change you so dramatically that there is no chance in hell you will ever be the same as you were before.

The killers are all regular guys who never suspect a thing--because they're not professional criminals, they have no reason to be looking over their shoulders. The various methods the Moreau character uses to dispatch the men are clever and intriguing.

Truffaut's sharp eye for character detail is an exact match with Woolrich's mordant eye for plotting. The two together make for a tough, engaging film that still rings true after more than 30 years. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

go buy it have it now!!!
i own both seasons 1 and 2 of kung fu and it was my favorite show when it came and it still is!now only do you get action with this show but it teaches you about life!have any younger folks out there? i highly recommended this show for all ages it is pure entertainment both physically and spiritually!go buy it now you will not be disappointed!!

It NEVER ceases to amaze me
This series, and something as innocent as the "Our Gang/Little Rascals" series are American popular cultural TREASURES!It never ceases to amaze me how some people "go out of their way" to look for racism.These people keep agitating & will never let things die down, and put things behind us.

In this case, and the Little Rascals series, somereviewers are looking for a platform & an audience to preach to.

Buy this series (and the Little Rascals for your elementary schoold kids)YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

I'm inspired to do a kung fu website
As the title of this says, I am inspired to create a Kung Fu website dedicated to the show (I've already started the design). There are some available, but none cover it from the perspective I have. There are many episodes where Caine shows his displeasure of eating meat, and in the first season he even converted two different characters to being vegetarian. And in the third season, Caine finally rides a horse in the very final episode, but only after he apologises to it. Thirty years later, the show still holds up and does not look dated.

Still A Great Show, Even After 30 Years
I remember watching this show religiously when I was a kid and thinking it was the best thing on TV. The philosophy of life exemplified by the character Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine) had a real and lasting impact on me. Watching the same episodes all over again 30 years down the road, I find that they have not lost their original power. I would recommend watching this show with your children. If everyone learned to behave more like Kwai Chang Caine, the world would be a better place indeed.

bruce lee myths
It is a common myth that Bruce Lee was involved in the creation of the kung fu TV series. The myth that it was stolen from him is just a fabrication popularized by the seldom factual movie "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story". He did however audition for the role and was turned down and rightfully so. Bruce was too big for the role of a humble monk. Why would anyone complain about him NOT getting this role, if he did he wouldn't have made any movies and would not have become a cult hero. He would just be another used and abused series character actor of the 70's.... With that said, this series as worth anyones time and money and amazons prices can't be beat! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Originally called Sex Crimes, executive producer Dick Wolf wisely opted for something less lurid when the second in the inexhaustible Law & Order franchise hit the air in 1999. Still, as the opening voiceover makes clear, the "sexually based offenses" investigated by New York's Special Victims Unit can be "especially heinous." Wolf penned series premier "Payback," which sets the scene, but not the tone. It's a lively, if uneasy mix between horror (rape) and comedy (risqué banter). As the first season progressed, humor would be written out altogether (leaving Richard Belzer's Homicide-derived John Munch with increasingly less to do), and less emphasis would be placed on the home lives of this "elite squad of dedicated detectives." Mostly, "Payback" introduces us to the unit, centering around partners Olivia Benton (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni). For two people with so little in common, they make a terrific team--arguably one of TV's best. Stabler is married with four children; Benton is single and her closest relationship is with her mother (Elizabeth Ashley). While Stabler can get a little rough with suspects, Benton tends to over-empathize with the victims. They report to the no-nonsense Captain Cragen (Law & Order vet Dann Florek). Like the parent program's Lenny Briscoe, he's a recovering alcoholic. Dean Winters and Michelle Hurd round out the rock-solid cast. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Not Worth Getting
Don't get me wrong. This episode was great but not worth getting all by itself. If you pay twice as much, you get 22 episodes instead of just the one. This episode is included in the set. I just wish there was an episode introducing all the characters to each other instead of introducing the audience to the characters all at once. I was disappointed that there wasn't a 2-hour beginning like most series. Oh well. Don't bother with this dvd. GET THE SET!!!!!!

A No-Brainer
Why am I even reviewing this? I suppose it's just to verify with you, reader, that you will now be clicking over to SVU's first season DVD release. 3 stars is generous, but I think justified. One must take into account the material AS WELL AS the packaging of the product (It's a 5-star program in a 1-star package).

Pro - strong enough concept to survive on its own away from the original Law and Order series (material).
Con - you would be officially declared an idiot to buy one episode for about a third of the price of the entire first season (of which there are approximately 20 X as many episodes).

Let's break that down for all ye non-rocket-scientists out there. It would take over 50 million bowls of your cereal...err...umm... I mean, buying only three independent episodes of SVU (which mercifully you can't, and the producers gave the consumers' brains atleast SOME credit) would have bought you the entire first season (now going for roughly $50), a net loss of, again, roughly 20 episodes (I've done some rounding for the non-rocket-scientists).

A quick justification for the 3 stars -

A) SVU, like the original Law And Order, has so much going on, you'll ALWAYS pick oodles up upon subsequent viewings (the rewind button can offer you everything that Munch was saying that you just sort of glossed over the first time).... thus, purchasing one episode won't REALLY give you just 45 minutes of something to watch.

B) This is especially true, as they've packed those infamous "DVD extras" in - the original "Everybody's favorite Bag Man" pilot, as well as some interesting interviews and extra footage (the squad room walk-through) keep "Payback" from feeling lonely.

Real fans should boycott these piecemeal relaease
Another bad DVD release. It looks like a crude attempt to extract as much revenue as possible from large base of loyal fans. Some reviewers who wax lyrical over the 'special' interview features and "insight into the show" in this single episode DVD either work for the publisher or miss the point that any of these items could have been included in a 'full season' release. This piecemeal approach is frustrating for real fans of the series who, to date, have seen only one complete season released. I for one will protest with my wallet. It stays shut until the complete seasons are released.

Why buy one episode?
Law and Order is on television most nights of the week. Why buy one episode on DVD. I did not buy this one, and would like to add to the previous comments stating a season box set release is necessary and in demand! Come on executives of Universal, we're waiting!

More, please!
I gave this DVD 3 stars because I have seen this episode - it is terrific. However, I will not be shelling out [money] for 1 episode... I'll be saving it to put it towards the purchase of the entire 1st season on DVD, when and if that is released! Gimme a break, Universal! ... Read more

Amazon.com

With the release of Wiseguy on DVD, one of the best TV series of the 1980s gets a new lease on life. Long before Donnie Brasco brought similar drama to the big screen, Ken Wahl brought charisma, credibility, and chutzpah to his small-screen role as Vincent Terranova, a handsome 30-year-old agent with the FBI's Organized Crime Bureau. As conceived by cocreators Stephen Cannell (of The Rockford Files and The A-Team fame) and Ken Lupo, Wiseguy followed an innovative "story-arc" structure, allowing Vinnie's deep-cover missions to last only as long as necessary to bring each case to a sensible conclusion. Since copied by countless TV shows, this unique approach to storytelling attracted a devoted following of viewers addicted to the self-contained plots that forced Vinnie, his sourpuss OCB handler Frank McPike (Jonathan Banks), and disabled covert liaison Dan "Lifeguard" Burroughs (played by double-amputee Jim Byrnes) to achieve their objectives within 6 to 10 hourlong episodes.

Season 1, Part 1--the first of six Wiseguy DVD sets--includes the entire nine-episode arc (plus pilot) in which Vinnie infiltrates the New Jersey mob family of Sonny Steelgrave, a silk-suited kingpin played by Ray Sharkey in his finest TV role. Their brotherly relationship poses a moral dilemma for Vinnie (giving the arc its dramatic core and primary source of suspense), and Wiseguy earned its reputation as a well-written series that favored character-driven tension while providing the requisite pulp fiction (i.e. occasional murder and mayhem) that kept viewers and advertisers happy. While the DVD packaging gives bogus equal billing to Annette Bening (who appears here in one pivotal episode), her pre-stardom appearance is indicative of the show's consistently high standards in writing, casting, and stylish direction. The styles may be dated (including poodle-puff hairdos for women, including Bening), but there's not a weak episode in the bunch, including the stand-alone shows (involving domestic crises for McPike and Burroughs) that allowed character growth beyond the story-arc structure.

After the intense "Sonny Steelgrave" arc of first-season episodes, the producers of Wiseguy faced the challenge of topping themselves, and they did it by casting a relatively unknown New York stage actor named Kevin Spacey, who proceeded to chew up the scenery as only a future Oscar®-winner could. But Spacey's not the only reason for the giddy success of the "Mel Profitt" arc, which finds OCB agent Vinnie Terranova (Ken Wahl) teaming up with sociopathic assassin Roger Lococco (William Russ) in an effort to infiltrate the global drugs-and-guns empire of the Proffitt siblings Mel (Spacey), a "manic-depressive genius with acute paranoia," and his codependent sister Susan (Joan Severance), who keeps her incestuously devoted brother happy by injecting home-brewed narcotics between his toes (hence giving Spacey his trademark line, "Only the toes knows!").

TV audiences in 1988 had never seen such a twisted sibling relationship, and there's plenty of eccentric chemistry between Spacey and then-newcomer Severance, who later developed a loyal male following as a B-movie sexpot. Completing their triangle of terror is Russ, playing Lococco as a tormented Vietnam vet with a massive chip on his shoulder, luring Vinnie into a life of luxury and lethal behavior, thus complicating matters considerably for Vinnie's covert handlers McPike (Jonathan Banks) and Lifeguard (Jim Byrnes), who grow increasingly worried as Vinnie gains Mel Profitt's hard-won trust. The quality of these 12 episodes remains consistently high as the Profitts reach "psychotic critical mass," leading to Mafia connections and a new direction for Vinnie's loving mother (well-played by Elsa Raven). Through it all, Wahl (who proves himself a man of few words in a sparse one-episode commentary) maintains his strong presence as a leading man, generously allowing Spacey's rising star to shine. Wiseguy still had some highlights in its future, but the "Mel Profitt" arc represents the series at its best. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wiseguy - Change in themes
I just finished the Sonny Steelgrave arc and was disappointed with only one thing. In the last episode of the Arc, when Sonny and Vinnie are in the theater, they changed the background music from the original. They kept Good Lovin', but replaced Nights in White Satin with some nondescript instrumental track. Other than that, the set was great! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Talented actors, bad script
Read the other reviews for plot and story information.
After reading the synaposis about sex, drugs and gambling on the video cover in which Sarah Gellar, Joey Adams,and Rebecca Gayheart are present, I could only anticipate the sexy possibilities that could be forthcoming.
Unfortunately, the lack of any interesting storyline in the plot killed any notion of that even 1/2 hour into the movie.
It's hard to even imagine that Alan Jensen (Adrian Grenier) would even be able to bed both the Professor Chesney, and his girlfriend Cindy even if he is on the basketball team. We never know what Jensen's personality is really like except that he is into drugs. Is he smart, funny, what got him into Harvard? Who knows & who cares?
Gellar is acceptable as the daughter of a mobster. Adams is the most enjoyable part of the movie, with her raspy, sexy voice. She makes sense and is the glue that holds the stories together . The sex scenes, and they are not explicit, contain a lot of noices, but are boring, and except for Cindy and Alan's performance in the woods, none of it even matters.
The Director does amuse a little with some camera effects after Jensen takes some LSD, but those again, get boring and overused.
The performance of Stoltz and Gayheart as FBI agents is a joke. (I just ruined the only twist of the movie.
This was a long 2 hours. I hope Harvard is better than this!

Actually pretty good
First off, as a rather big SMG fan, I cannot believe this film has received lower ratings than "Simply Irresistible"! That was a limp, wooden "romantic comedy" featuring a couple who lacked any chemistry.

"Harvard Man", on the other hand, has a modicum of style, plot, and intelligence behind it. It doesn't really work in the final analysis - not because of any failings of the acting, which is mostly excellent (although I just can't overcome my aversion to Joey Lauren Adams' squeaky voice), but because the movie doesn't quite hit the pitch of danger that I felt it needed to sustain the drama. Toback, however, does compelling things with sequencing, flash forwards and back, and with camerawork, split-screen and so on, and the dialogue is mostly fine. The lighting has a nice grainy amber texture to it and the soundtrack is a fun mix of hip-hop and classical.

Grenier in the lead does well, Stolz and Gayheart are great, and Sarah Michelle - and yes, I do have a slight bias - proves again that she has excellent range. As well as being a cutie-patootie. "Scooby Doo" and all is fine, but please, SMG, pick a project that will demonstrate your dramatic chops to the non-believers out there! I'd love to see her do work on the big screen as fine as that in "The Body" or "Innocence" in BtVS...

Quite possibly the most annoying movie ever made
I am a little surprised that Harvard has not sued the makers of this film for associating the ivy-league college with such a horrible cinematic experience. I, like many, sought this film out because Sarah Michelle Geller was in it; when I learned Rebecca Gayheart was also in the cast, I thought to myself: How bad can a film with both Geller and Gayheart be? Let me tell you: pretty doggone bad. First and foremost, the storyline and script are simply dreadful and ill-conceived, and these problems are only exacerbated by the prominence of some untalented actors in the cast. Alan Grenier is Alan Jensen, supposedly the starting point guard on the Harvard basketball team, despite the fact that he is rather short, has no semblance of athletic skill, and really doesn't even try to look like he knows what he's doing when he's on the basketball court. Honestly, this is one of the worst casting decisions I've ever seen. Did I mention the fact that his acting skills also seem to be in short supply? Sarah Michelle Gellar plays Cindy Bandolini, the unprincipled daughter of a mafia don and girlfriend of Alan; talk about your odd couple; several love scenes between the two are just icky. Of course, our ruggedly unhandsome Alan is not content with Cindy; no, he is also sleeping with his philosophy professor Chesney Cort (played by the helium-voiced Joey Lauren Adams).

Back in Kansas, a tornado destroys the home of Alan's parents, and he is determined to get the one hundred thousand dollars needed for them to rebuild. In steps Cindy with a plan to make a killing off a sports bet; all Alan has to do is throw the big game against Dartmouth. Soon, the FBI is nosing around, everybody sort of panics, hope rises in the viewer that at least one of these dreadful characters will die, and then a pretty impossible if not ludicrous ending is thrown together at the end. You don't really even care how bad the conclusion is because you are just glad the film is finally over.

I don't think I've ever seen a movie go to such lengths to annoy its audience. Almost every scene features what I would call stop gaps; every few seconds, the film seems to jump a few frames for no reason whatsoever; this is a short-term technique that should be used sparingly, but the director of Harvard Man shot the entire movie this way, and it made me want to scream. Then there is the music; it's just awful, and even worse it is constant and far too loud most of the time. I guess a lot of it is supposed to sound Italian or something, even though the Mafia bit is not that important to the film. The inclusion of Ray Allen, an actual basketball player, in the movie also makes no sense. When Allen's character talks to Grenier, both of them seem to be in a race to see who can say his lines the fastest, and Allen tries so hard not to look like a professional basketball player that he ends up looking just as bad as everyone around him on the court. Just when you think things can't possibly get any worse, we are taken along for an extended LSD trip in which all the voices the character hears building up inside his head assault our own ears as well in a rising crescendo. This, in conjunction with all the other problems, qualifies this film as pure and utter torture. I have no idea why Sarah Michelle Gellar chose to participate in Harvard Man, but it almost has to be a decision she now regrets.

Very Good...
Harvard Man is a very good film. I got a used copy of the DVD from blockbuster, and it was well-worth the price. The acting in this film is great, Rebecca Gayheart really does a good job in this one. The other cast members are amazing as well. The directing in this film is also wonderful, I really like the tone. I gave this movie four stars, because It was good. I just didn't like one thing about it, when the main character, Allen (adrien Grenier, or however it is spelled!), is on drugs, I guess they wanted you to see the movie from his point of view, but all that really happens is the picture squishes (for lack of better word) up, and THAT REALLY GETS ANNOYING! The script for this film is great! I just wish the editing would have been a little different, all-in-all HARVARD MAN is a very entertaining film. It is worth watching more than twice.

Don't Pay Attention To What Other People Say
Well, I was surfing the TV channels late at night one day and I ran across this movie on UPN. I had never heard of it before, and I decided to give it a try due to the fact that I was extremely bored.

Myself being a casual Buffy fan, meaning I've seen 15 episodes at the most, I figured I'd watch it because Sarah Michelle Gellar was in it. But keep in mind that is only what got me to watch the movie in the first place and skip over Goldeneye on Telemundo (which is, by the way, a very good version of the movie, si tú hablas español and can find it on some station.)

If you go into this movie expecting to see a lot of Sarah Michelle Geller (henceforth called SMG), you will be grossly dissapointed. She doesn't have that big of a role in this film. I went into the movie with an open mind, and tried to ignore the really annoying scenes in the beginning with slow frame rates and jerky camera movements, plus hearing 2 songs at once, overtop of commentary.

But even though the beginning is very annoying, the rest of the movie is very good. I don't need to give a rundown of the plot, but I will say it takes a bit of understanding and intelligence to be able to take in all that is happening and not be overly confused.

I personally really enjoyed the movie, and can't understand how all of these negative reviewers didn't like it at all. In my opinion, it is a must buy. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

chaotic story of one man's fight with sanity
this is one of the most intense films i've ever seen. it is more or less the same story as tetsuo: the iron man, but it goes much farther, and much more completely insane.it's definitely not a film for everbody, as many japanese films seem to have a hard time hitting home with western audiences. but if you enjoy eclectic, chaotic, and definitely too intense film, i'm sure you'll enjoy this manic trip through one man's evolution into mechinization.very visual in nature, and the sound is unbelievable. very truly one of the most effective and memorable films i've seen to date.

Cinematic masochism at its best!
What a crazy, crazy, crazy movie. Everything you think you've heard, everything you think you know about this movie is irrelevant if you haven't seen it. I think Shinya Tsukamoto is genuinely insane. Tetsuo II: Body Hammer is a nightmarish ride into hell and beyond, terrifying in its simplicity and intriguing in its complexity, and you absolutely will never, ever forget it. There's something hard to explain about this movie-- I'm kind of afraid of it, but nevertheless I feel like I have to watch it again and again and again. Watch it and you'll see what I mean. As for the DVD, it seems okay to me for a movie like this. It's a Japanese cult movie, so you can't really expect a pristine transfer, but what's there seems generally okay. I don't see the pixellation the other reviewers mention, and the movie is really dark and murky but I think that may have been what Tsukamoto wanted. As for the comment about the trailer looking better than the film, I really don't think it does. Parts of the trailer are in normal, full color, whereas most of the actual movie (including the exact same shots shown in full color in the trailer) was processed by its makers to make it appear in a somber shade of purplish blue. Other than that, it seems to be pretty much the same quality as the film itself. But I didn't see this film in theaters and I've never seen the VHS version, so I'm not much of an authority. But at any rate, Tetsuo II: Body Hammer will change your life. It will forever alter the way you think about movies and about yourself. Just go see it.

The NEW FLESH!
Pretentious film aficionados as well as Film junkies, snotty film students, lovers of blood, guts, and exploding cybernetic human hybrids will find this amazing. As well as social/cultural analysts. The film is too good for Hollywood's studio paid critics (i.e. Ebert and Un-Siskel). This film crosses into the post-modern ideology that suggests a possibility of humanity's acceptance of technology into their own bodies and flesh.

With current society relying on plastic surgery and physical augmentation this is a wake up to the broadcasted cable zombies of today!

TV is watching you, more than you watch it!

divowr@excite.com

honestly speaking.
Honestly, this has got to be one of the worst films I've ever seen. The storyline is garbage, picture is dark blue(so you really can't see it well), and it's just absolutely booooring. I was watching the whole time thinking "when will this crap end." I do not recommend this film to anyone except someone I hated. Some guy put this as #2 on his list of most disturbing movies. It's not shocking or scary at all. I wasted about an hour and a half of my life watching it. I really don't see how anyone could like this garbage.

Low Budget Science Fiction Horror Action Art Movie
Comparisons will obviously be made to David Lynch and Cronenberg, but if you like those directors and have a taste for low budget foreign horror movies then you will love Tetsuo II - Body Hammer.

Basically this is like a live action Magna cartoon and can be watched as a stand alone without seeing the original Tetsuo. Where the film scores in aces is with the editing and camerawork. Shinya Tsukamoto is held in great esteem by directors like Quetin Tarantino, who once asked if Tsukamoto would work on an American film with him. Tsukamoto responded by saying Yes - If he was allowed to nuke Hollywood.

The plot is crazy and revolves around a Tokyo businessman, Taniguchi, whose son is kidnapped by a cult of demented nazi-type body builders led by a villain who has the special power of being able to turn his body parts into mechanical firearms. Taniguchi discovers that he too has similar special powers and proceeds to try and wipeout the gang in a Superhero sort of way.

There is lots of arty nightmare sequences and action, although the film does loose its pace in parts. At its heart, Tetsuo II is a movie about a superhero with a grotesque gift. It is violent at times but the plot is actually coherent and the story is a lot of fun.

Considering the budget limitations the filmmakers have done well and Tetsuo has quite a cult following and it is easy to see why directors like Tarantino recommend it. So if you have a taste for low budget weirdness, then this movie is a must. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The cult PBS comedy The Red Green Show stretches into a feature film with Duct Tape Forever, still very much about a batch of underachieving Canadian men and their high church of low expectations, the Possum Lodge. The longtime TV series, starring Steve Smith as flannel-shirted handyman Red Green, makes a comic virtue of Canuck self-parody and universal male ineptness.

"Whenever a man does a dumb thing," says Red, "it's better if he doesn't have an audience." Well, a lot of eyes are on Red, his geeky nephew Harold (Patrick McKenna), and the other boys after a rich man (Richard Fitzpatrick) drives his car into a Possum Lodge sinkhole and sues for damages. The solution: Build a giant, duct tape goose and enter it in a Minnesota contest for cash prizes. Of course. Co-creator Smith re-tools the show's self-deprecating essence and run-on joke about male incompetence into a winning movie. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Duct Taped Comedy
Anyone who likes the Red Green Show should take to this movie like duck to water. I admit, I found it a little odd seeing the gang in a movie for the first time. Those who are use to the show's format will have to adjust in order to appreciate the movie. I know with me the first time I viewed it I was not thrilled. But a subsequnt viewing made me enjoy it a lot more. I think Red Green is kinda like that. When you first view it you kind of dismiss it, but something draws you back none the less, and then it gradually grows on you like a fungus! Give this movie a chance to do the same thing. True, its a little silly and sentimantal, perhaps more so than the Show for sure, but that's the why movies are these days. Red and his characters actually have to sustain some longer scenes, and the production value is deffinitely better than what we are accustomed to on the show. Harold seems to be the main character who gets to evolve, just a little bit, and he gets his first kiss with the female cop which was a bit hooky, but thats the movies! I wonder if they have sheriffs in Canada? Thought it might be Constables more on the English model. Was not sure on that point, but one really should not ask these kinds of questions with Red Green! An added feature are the behind the scenes notes on the making of the movie where many amusing interviews of the charaters are shown. This could be a real plus for the viewer even more than the movie perhaps. Overall, Red Green fans should enjoy it. This is the kind of film with a built in audience. I would recommend first time viewers to see some of the shows before checking out the movie. That way they can understand the strange way that Red Green works. Otherwise, sit back, lower your standards and enjoy!

A must-have for any Red Green fan!
Suddenly, Red Green (played by Steve Smith) finds himself in a real bind, and this one not of his making. When an unscrupulous businessman sues Possum Lodge for $10,000, Red has ten days to come up with the money. Taking his nephew Harold's advice (yes, believe it or not), Red sets out for Minnesota, hoping to win the $10,000 third-place prize in the Duct Tape Contest. But, there's a lot in Red & Harold's way: a crooked cop, the businessman and his army, and...well...each other. Can they save Possum Lodge? No problem, eh?

This 91-minute movie, released in 2001, is based on the hit Canadian comedy show The New Red Green Show. Changing the format from the show, this movie puts Red and Harold on the road, facing numerous adventures in the real world. (If you can call that the real world!) This is a fun adventure, stretching the already wonderful characters - a must-have for any Red Green fan!

Possum Lodge Sticky Situation
It is rare to find talents that move from the small screen to the big screen and retain their qualities that make them enjoyable and add depth and content. (Red would respond "What show did that?").

However, in this instance Possum Lodge members make the leap onto the "silver screen" with an extended rendition of the wit and wisdom of Possum Lodge intact. (All 80 blank pages). Well, Ok. maybe it needed a little duct tape to hold the plot together, but didn't we all wish for a road adventure that would show how lodge members stick together to solve a problem?

I mean if we can't all come together for third place, what do we aspire to?

To appreciate this movie it helps to have grown up in Northern Michigan with my Dad and his friend assembling a log splitter in their garages with various spare parts instead of taking the short cuts and buying some fancified-whimpy-under-powered piece of junk from some store. Red and Harold bring to life a place I grew up in, including all of the things that keep life entertaining.

May Red and his group keep their stick on the ice and only change if they have to.

They may not be handsome, but they are entertaining!

I thoroughly enjoyed the extended, plot-infested adventure that took our lakeside looneys from the short sketches into extended investigation of the tape-bonding travels. Rate it five rolls!

SEX, DIRTY LANGUAGE, MINDLESS VIOLENCE
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SEX, DIRTY LANGUAGE, MINDLESS VIOLENCE - YOU WON'T FIND IT HERE.

MY WIFE HAD NOT SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE. ALMOST PEED HER PANTS, SHE LAUGHED SO HARD. ONE EXPRESSION CAME OUT SEVERAL TIMES. "THAT'S KENT". YES, WE KNOW A GUY JUST LIKE THAT. ACCTUALLY SEVERAL.

FOR SOME GOOD CLEAN HUMOR, IT IS WORTH WATCHING. THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. THE SIMPLE LIFE AT "POSSUM LODGE"

I DO NOT KNOW ANYONE I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO.

If you love to laugh..
If you want to learn how to belly laugh all over again, how to root for the hero and boo the villian, in short, everything that makes entertaninment fun, GET THIS DVD.You will love it, over, and over again. It makes me want to look for Possum lake on the map, and see if if I could live there ... Read more

Amazon.com

Painted in mile-wide strokes of black satirical comedy, The LastSupper turns intolerance into a parlor trick, then repeats it ad nauseam incase we missed the joke. Still, redundancy can be fun when applied to thepremeditated murder of right-wing extremists by self-righteous left-wingzealots; director Stacy Title is an equal-opportunity offender, never takingsides. The grisly high jinks commence when a truck-driving, child-molesting,Hitler-loving ex-Marine (Bill Paxton, acing the role) is accidentally killedwhile dining with a clutch of snobby liberal grad students, played with uniformexcellence by Cameron Diaz (showing early promise), Ron Eldard, Courtney B.Vance, Annabeth Gish, and coproducer Jonathan Penner. Having acquired a tastefor blood, the wine-poisoning liberals stage "last suppers" with hand-pickedtargets (Charles Durning, Mark Harmon, Jason Alexander, and ultimately RonPerlman), eventually attracting a suspicious sheriff (fine work by SNLalumnus Nora Dunn). It's got all the subtlety of a pile-driver, but The LastSupper craftily defends free speech by exposing its most vicious violations.--Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Eat... drink... and be buried...
I loved this movie! It was original, surprising, funny, shocking...BRILLIANT - and the ending...its rare that a movie has such a neat ending! The story centers around 5 Liberal left winged grad students who enjoy getting together and having a meal, while discussing current events & political opinions w/ guests. But it turns into a dangerous game when they accidentally kill a racist dinner guest. (Played by Bill Paxton - what a switch from the roles he usually plays!!) After that, they began to invite over people, and if they don't agree w/ their beliefs, they poison them. Its sounds a little kooky but the way screenwriter Dan Rosen puts the story together is amazing.

I don't recommend this movie for younger viewers; just because I don't think they would understand it - you have to be familiar w/ Liberals vs. Conservatives, right wing vs. left wing, etc. to understand the movie. I loved each and every one of the characters esp. Courtney B. Vance and Cameron Diaz! (this was one of Miss Diaz's first movies) It has some awesome cameos too! (Jason Alexander from "Seinfeld" plays one of the victims) On top of all that the soundtrack is GREAT too (a lot KC & The Sunshine Band, and dance music) I recommend you pick this movie up...it's a wickedly amusing dark comedy that will have you laughing all night!

Want to see everyone "get their due?"
An entertaining weekend movie, though it has moments that make you feel like you are putting yourself through it!

Five liberal grad students' favorite activity is dinner with a stranger-they enjoy the copmany of a guest they disagree with, over one of Cori's homecooked meals. We begin the movie with the night that dinner went wrong. After a guest too conservative for the conservatives (it was later revealed that he was more evil that they imagined)is killed, they decide to save the world by eliminating hosts of ultra-conservative, prejudiced and/or ignorant people.

Naturally, everything unravels...after one ignorant guest finds their liberal opinions convincing, they get nervous and quickly convince him not to change his mind, hence another body in the back yard. The meals get simpler (the fancy meals shrivel up into unembellished white bread sandwiches), the garden becomes a jungle (each grave is covered with tomato plants, a cover-up), and the blood (and tomatoes!) is everywhere!

Yes, I am biased to recommend this. I love all the point-of-view shots and humor that makes fun of everyone from every view point. Yes it's funny-if not QUITE sick!

Liberal Vengence
This is an excellent movie that never really recieved much publicity when it came out. What this movie basically tries to depict what it would be like if a group of liberals decided to go to extreme measures to rid the world of outspoken right-wingers who's death (to coin a phrase) would make the world a better place in their eyes. It does not sound like something worth observing but a few years ago I just happened to catch it playing on a cable movie channel and I just couldn't stop watching it!

The movie starts with you introduction to the primary characters consisting of a group of liberal graduate students at Iowa State University. This group is played by Ron Eldard, Annabeth Gish, Jonathan Penner, a still relatively unknown Cameron Diaz, and the great character actor Courtney B. Vance. The story starts out on a stormy night while all but one of the students is watching T.V. and discussing the nonsense gloating of well known conservative Norman Arbuthnot (Ron Perlman). Then there is a knock on the door and upon answering it they find out that their other roommate's car had broken down and he had been brought home by a truckdriver named Zack (Bill Paxton). They decide to be polite and invite Zack in for dinner. Through the course of events they find out that Zack is an extreme right-winger and desert storm veteran (and argument waiting to happen). To make a long story short they get into a scuff wherein Zack breaks Pete's (Ron Eldard) arm and Marc (Jonathan Penner) in the heat of the moment stabs Zack in the back with a kitchen knife.

In the aftermath of this incident, they (as calmly as they could) decide that it is best to not mention this to anyone as the courts would probably side with Zack. So they bury Zack in the backyard and dump his pickup in the river. Well in the days after the incident, after much deep conversation about what happened (which we liberals tend to do), they start to think about whether what happened was actually a bad thing or not. (What if someone with enought motivation were to get rid of some of these dangerous right wing a** ho*es and in the process make the world a "better place")

So they basically form a plan to invite a different person for dinner and discussion every weekend that has extreme conservative views and try to change their minds about things through debate. And if the person cannot be persuaded, they kill them by giving them wine poisoned with arsenic. Thereby getting rid of a potentially dangerous person (A potential Hitler they call it) and making the world a better place.

So this is how the story gets started and how the suspense is wound up through the course of their plan. The people that they invite over are played by many well-known actors including Charles Durning, Mark Harmon, Jason Alexander(Seinfeld), and finally Ron Perlman's character himself. The story is suspensefull and gripping and also includes a lot of insitefull symbolizm. A definite must see for anyone liberal or conservative. It holds a special significance for me because I am an Iowa State grad student myself (note: I am not really sure that it was actually filmed in Ames, Iowa I really don't recognize any of the scenery shown in the movie). Let it be known that the extremedy of the political and social viewpoints presented by the characters in this film are not my viewpoints or beliefs. It is just a wonderful movie for all adults. See it, absorb it, love it!

Dark Humor at its best / original script
This is black comedy at its best. Stacy Title wrote an incredibly original script. The acting is amazing with a very young Cameron Diaz which Im not a huge fan of but this may be her best performance. Courtney Vance is great as usual & 1 of my favorite female actresses Annabeth Gish. Also Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) gives an hilarious performance as an extreme conservative right winger. The story 5 left wing liberal grad students in Iowa share a house together & every Sunday they have supper together discussing left wing politics /socialism & ways they can change the world. In short they come across a drifter truck driver (Bill Paxton) who comes to their door. They invite him in for the ritual supper & he turns out to be a fascist,mysoginistic hitler loving ex marine. In an argument with one of the hosts he breaks their arm. They stab him in the back killing him then they hide the body in their garden. Deciding this is the only way to make a difference they come up with an idea to start inviting known conservative right wingers for last suppers allowing them to plead their choice of political & social views. Like judge & jury if not up to agreement with the hosts a little poison goes in the right wingers wine. A very dark original indie film & script. One of my favorite dark satirical comedies.

A good movie I never remember hearing about

I rented this movie and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The story was demented and there were a few laughs, mostly as the groups victims argued their opposing positions, not knowing they were literaly debating for their lives. "A toast..." *thud* The cast was excellent - Courtney B. Vance and Nora Dunn both get big thumbs up, while Ron Eldard's whining got on my nerves towards the (surprise) end. All in all, a pretty good movie. ... Read more

Reviews (473)

Die Another Day
The title of Bond's twentieth foray onto the screen comes not from Ian Fleming but rather from the last line of a Houseman poem.Lee Tamahori directs the hero through the usual paces but by now the franchise seems a little dated. Sure there is a lot of action here but the film is a little weak (read farfetched) when it comes to plot.

In this film Bond must save the world from a mad North Korean colonial who has perfected what is essentially a death ray. The colonial wants to use his death beam in order to move into South Korea and then into the west.

All the usual Bond special features are here. We have car chase on ice, exotic locales, beautiful women but something feels like its missing. Halle Berry tries hard in this movie as NSA agent Jinx but she remains little more than eye candy. If there is a Bond girl to watch in this outing it is Rosamund Pike who plays double agent Miranda Pike.

The real treat here is the two DVD set by Universal which offers two commentaries, a trivia track, a great documentary, photo galleries and Madonna's video of the title song.

All in all not one of the best Bond movies but certainly worth its two hour running time.

Die Another Day- So you'll live to die another day.
Die Another Day, the 20th Bond installment is for the most part entertaining. The best Bond film yet, well I'm not sure. Featuring a great cast including Halle Berry, Rick Yune, Toby Stephens, Rosamund Pike, Judi Dench and John Cleese as well as Diretor Lee Tamahori (Along Came A Spider, The Edge).
Pierce Brosnan reprises his role as the secret agent James Bond 007, which he still aces. Bond is trouble when he learns he's been betrayed, soon he embarks on a craz North Korean (Rick Yune) who has an accomplice, our villan Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens). Graves has a sophisticated weapon, a laser satellite and wants complete dominance over the world. The movie's plot isn't totally original or intelligent but it still works. Bond is on the trail with an assitant, our new, gorgeous Bond girl Halle Berry playing an NSA agent named Jinx. The film features a few remarkable sets and locations including a set consisting of ice. The gadgets aren't too amazing, mainly the car, the Aston Martin Vanquish with a unique invisibility mechanism. Gadget guru John Cleese and Judi Dench as "M" sparkle.
Die Another Day is rated PG-13 for Action Violence and Sexuality. The film is abundant in terms of violence, including gunplay, swordplay, a hovercraft and car chase and fistfights. There is also a decent amount of sexual innuendo, and non-explicit sexual situations but rather steamy and erotic. Worth seeing, I saw it in theatres and was glad I did and now own it on DVD. DVD has a lot of features and is a two-disc set. Purchase or atleast rent.

bond ,james bond
i love all james bond movies and this is a good action movie adventure and i love pierce brosnan then i am waiting bond 21 this movie is great

STILL LIFE IN BONDAGE
Who would have dreamed in 1963 that Dr. No would be the first of twenty James Bond films? There have been some misses in those 20 films (Moonraker, Octopussy, to name two), but overall the series has aged quite well, and moves into the 21st century quite adroitly.
While ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE remains my favorite Bond film, Pierce Brosnan has done well in his Bond role. He's dashing but vulnerable, and he is a good actor. He's joined in this technological brouhaha by the talented Halle Berry. While this is certainly not Halle's best performance, she shows the versatility and dedication that eventually led to her Oscar win in MONSTER'S BALL. She's a beautiful woman and she holds her own in the fight game too! Rosamund Pike is delightful as Ms. Frost, the double agent who battles Halle in the climax. Toby Stephens does a good job as Graves, but he's not the most memorable of the Bond villains. The action sequences and effects are stunning, except for the obvious blue screen used when Bond escapes from the supercar. And the laser in the sky threat has been used twice before in Bond movies: You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever. John Cleese is cool as Q; Madonna is silly in her cameo, and DIE ANOTHER DAY is one of the worst themes of any Bond movie. No one will ever replace John Barry as the master of the Bond themes. And it wouldn't hurt to see Judi Dench soften a little in her role as M. Nice touch in having B movie actor Michael Masden as the American NSA chief.
All in all, a worthy entry in the Bond series; if Brosnan and crew can keep up this kind of pace, we may see Bond hit 50!!!

Dreadful
Ridiculous effects, ridiculous story, ridiculous dialogue... And Halle Berry can't act to save her life. The fact that the producers wanted to make a spin-off series with her prove they don't know what they're doing! When the studio execs (the ones who axed the Jinx/Halle Berry movie) are the ones with taste and commons sense you know you're in trouble! ... Read more