Reviews (138)

Salma Hayek's career-defining film
I was quite impressed by Salma Hayek's single-minded determination to get this film produced in the face of heavy competition from others. She felt destined to play Frida Kahlo, and the film was a labor of love that is evident in every frame. Kahlo's bold and colorful paintings are heavily autobiographical, and so it is unavoidable that the film takes us on a journey through her life and work all at once. As we see events in Kahlo's turbulent life unfold, we automatically understand the content of the artist's paintings as they are presented to us.

Hayek also found probably the ideal director in Julie Taymor, who has quickly established herself as one of the most visually gifted filmmakers in the industry. Taymor's handling of the actors is first-rate, as she brings spirited performances from the entire cast. Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography is equally excellent, with lots of dazzling camera tricks and numerous painting-like shots. The film also benefits from terrific lighting effects, makeup, set design, vibrant costumes, and an outstanding, Oscar-winning score.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the film's opening scene, which turns out to be a very clever and unconventional way of introducing Kahlo to the audience ... but you'll just have to see the film to know what that means.

My only criticism with the film, and a minor one, is that the pace is almost breathless, and so the film feels more compact than it really should. It almost always rushes like a river when sometimes it should flow more gently.

This film clearly belongs to Salma Hayek, and she occupies the role so enormously that it's hard to imagine anyone else taking on the character of Frida Kahlo with as much verve. It's nothing short of a career-defining performance, and her Oscar nomination was well earned. My earnest hope is that Hayek will find equal inspiration in the years to come, because the movie industry needs the kind of passion and resolution she brought to this project.

Beautiful sight.
Julie Taymor's portrayal of the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo breaks away from conventional biopics and occasionally enters what seems to be the inside of the artist's surreal mind. Still, the film doesn't seem much different from most biopics.

Salma Hayek is fine as the famed painter, but she fails to play such a complex character on more than one level. However, she does capture Kahlo's beauty, and does well when her character is acting passionately. Alfred Molina is also adequate as the repeatedly unfaithful husband - you almost believe him when he says that "[sex] doesn't mean anything!". The film is also peppered with rather small supporting roles, all performed well enough: Ashley Judd as Italian expatriate Tina Modotti, Antonio Banderas as rival Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros, Geoffrey Rush as the Russian exile Leon Trotsky, Edward Norton as greasy bourgeios American Nelson Rockefeller, and the exceptional Valeria Golino as Lupe Marin, Rivera's ex-wife.

Elliot Goldenthal's intriguing musical score plays over the absolutely gorgeous Art Direction and Set Direction by Bernardo Trujillo and Hannia Robledo, respectively. The film is a visual and audial cinematic triumph.

However, Taymor's direction straddles between avant-garde moviemaking and conventional melodrama. The screenplay, by a collaboration of writers, fails really to delve into the characters' inner-feelings, especially of the title character, despite the frequent, lively trips inside her mind. In short, we see in this film all that happened to Frida Kahlo in her life, and it's beautiful along the way, but most of us are still left knowing little about her true character other than her conventional descriptions as communist, lover, and painter.

A Work of Art
I LOVED this film. Selma Hayek embodies Frida Kahlo and, from what I've read in Frida's journals, gives a very accurate portrayal of this gifted and complicated character. Mixing animation--making paintings come alive--was a brilliant touch. I'll watch it again and again especially for the colors, but also in the brief history lessons provided.

Bravo!

Emotionally riveting! Not a typical biopic.
I'm usually disappointed when it comes to biopics; apparently they are very hard to make. Getting inside the head of a surrealist painter and telling her life in two hours with only celluloid and a soundtrack seems like an impossible task. But you wouldn't know it to experience this hauntingly beautiful symphony of sights and sounds which is in itself a work of art. I disagree with most of the criticisms on this thread. The beginning is not boring; I was convinced I had to own this DVD within the first twenty minutes. The writing is brilliant and moving. Most biopics fall into the trap of being a mere chronology of events. This one succeeds where most fail: it is a story. The characters are all rich, deep, real, and thereby completely loveable. Of course it is probably scientifically impossible to not find Salma Hayek loveable. In this film, though, everyone shines. Trotsky, Diego's ex-wife, even the bar musicians radiate with human beauty. Salma Hayek has shown the world that she is quite capable of taking the lead in a serious role. And with a role as powerful as Frida Kahlo, if it's done right, the resulting portrait achieves its potential as a masterpiece.

Convincing portrait!
I was a little bit skeptical in the beginning because of difficulties associated with approaching this topic and because my doubts in acting abilities of Salma Hayek. I was wrong on both accounts. The movie is both very well done and doesn't step aside from history. It's amazing how Salma Hayek looks like real Frida. The same could be said about other characters judging from photos (besides Diego Rivera). The movie is a combination of art (almost every scene is practically a statement), romance and political farse (although maybe the last quality wasn't intended). It creates a very convincing and tragic portrait of this very strong woman. Thumbs Up!! ... Read more

Reviews (422)

one of the best foreign films!
"Run Lola Run" is a magnificent movie set in modern day Germany. It is easily one of the best foreign films I have ever seen. It is entertaining and thoughtful and constantly keeps you visually engaged.
Lola's boyfriend, Manni, has lost 100,000 marks that he was ordered to deliver to his boss (an unforgiving gangster) in 20 minutes. If the money is not recovered and delivered within the time allotted, Manni will suffer a terrible fate. He desperately asks Lola for help in this race against time. She jumps around from one disaster to another desperately trying to help. We see three different scenarios of Lola running to save her boyfriend giving us a play on the chaos effect. Tiny details in Lola's quest for the money ultimately change the result of the situation. As things change so do their fates, momentarily touched by her presence running by. The film is a visual display of Tykwer's collaboration of camera, music, and story creating a display of cinematic emotion.
The film illustrates a very different kind of female role that strays from the stereotypical portrayal of women. Lola takes on more of a male role as she desperately tries to be the hero in this situation. Her boyfriend is the one who seems incapable and asks for her help. The gender roles are essentially flipped and the stereotypes disappear from the female gender as we see classic beauty and attitude disappear as Lola runs through Germany. But surprisingly, at the end of the story, the female role is present and given to Lola as we see that Manni did not need her after all. They walk away together with Lola being the dependant female pretending that the chaotic journey never happened.

Sliding Doors Meets Trainspotting - Five Stars isn't enough!
Catch this superb German film before Hollywood decides to remake it (and believe me, they will). This is cinema in its purest, most kinetic form.

The plot is simple: Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 marks that her boyfriend Manni owes to drug dealers, otherwise he's going to have to rob a store to get it. And that's it, basically. Only, ingeniously, we are treated to 3 versions of her run (or perhaps alternative universes), events unfolding differently depending on how long it takes her and the choices she makes. The attention to detail is stunning, and every little image and incident is relevant to the taut plotting. A wonderfully choreographed study of time and space.

What we have is a kind of Sliding Doors (or Fowles' French Lieutenant's Woman) meets Pulp Fiction with all the energy and modernity of Trainspotting, mixing drama, tragedy and dark humour. Run Lola Run is a whirlwind race against time as our flame-haired heroine pounds the sidewalks of Berlin, unknowingly initiating traffic accidents, bank heists, uncovering dark family secrets, and changing the lives of the people she encounters on her way (beautifully executed in a series of Polaroid montages) in a complex web of cause and effect.

Furiously paced, and edited, Twyker's masterpiece of Chance bombards us with an entire catalogue of camera tricks, techniques and mediums; split screen, time lapse, animation (in the cartoon sense), anything to grab our attention and immerse us in the situation, and is enhance by an excellent techno soundtrack (composed by Twyker).

Presented on DVD with a decent extras package, Run Lola Run is a rush - in every sense of the word - from start to finish. (Watch it in German with the English subtitles, however, as the dubbed English soundtrack is dire.)

QUIRKY, ENERGETIC, BLAZING PULSE-POUNDER
To the beat of an incessant techno/deephouse soundtrack, Lola runs, and then runs some more. I couldn't possibly think of another movie with such sheer cinematic buzz, it's cut like an MTV video: blink and you may miss a visual gag.

The theme is doozy but interesting -- a slicing of the same reality in time into three perspectives. Blending an innovative mix of animation, still photography, slow motion, and normal cinematography, it illustrates how the smallest change in what a person does can alter the rest of their life, not to mention the lives of others, including complete strangers they pass on the street.

Ironic, creative, and simply riveting -- a fabulous kinetic pleasure of a rental. The breathless high-octane soundtrack should be in your dance collections too.

she never stops running
ok, so u want to know what a bad film is like. yea well dnt watch this one cause u will just fall asleep and still not know the film is about her running and runninga and running and running and u get the picture

Curious what-if game
I don't think this movie was really so much about the untypical heroine versus hero. I think it was more about the what-ifs situations.

This movie is an interesting take on public perception with a heavy emphasis on the Butterfly effect. Lola has 20 minutes to produce 100,000 Marks or her boyfriend Manni gets killed. As she's running through the streets of Berlin figuring out how to come up with the cash, she bumps into people along the way who see this red-headed stranger in a hurry. No one really knows why she's in such a hurry nor is she aware of what's going on in their lives. Lola bumps into a woman with a baby carriage; what little importance she has for this woman as she struggles to save another life. The feelings are mutal from the woman, yet, three times we get a glimpse into her three possible futures. The uniqueness of the movie is depicted in three alternate endings based on different choices Lola makes in her desparation to get the cash for her boyfriend.

Lola doesn't make discoveries about people until she stops for more than a minute to realize what is going on around her, and vice versa. Had she never gone to her father for money, she never would have found out he was having an affair. Had she stopped to talk to the woman with the baby carriage she might have found out she was buying a lottery ticket she would later win or was beaten or which ever scenario panned out. But then she would have missed the chance to meet her father. Etc. Etc. Etc. Questions leading to more questions to more questions.

The butterfly effect is seen throughout the movie even in the beginning when Manni blames the loss of the money on Lola not showing up on time to pick him up after the drug deal which caused him to take the train to bump into the homeless man who distracted him from the sack of money he was supposed deliver and leaving it on the train. At first you scoff at the boyfriend's irresponsibility for blaming Lola for his own mess up, but that's where the butterfly effect really begins and, like it or not, Lola started it all.

In the final scenario, Lola makes a different choice...she stops running lon enought to spend a few minutes with a dying man in an ambulance as he recovers. In the end, the running was for nought. Her boyfriend ends up solving his own problem. Lola wass useful in one man's life but useless in helping another. Is it all inconsequential? Just a passer by? Probably not.

If you're not into alternative films then this might not be for you. Even I was left a little confused. Yet, it's a worthwhile movie taking on a curious angle on how in some form or another our actions affect others just in the nature of our being. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jeremiah fans have been clamoring for the release of the show on DVD (it originally aired on Showtime), and with 19 episodes and a passel of special features spread out over six discs and totaling nearly 15 hours, they are unlikely to be disappointed.

Based on a series of graphic novels by Hermann Huppen, the show takes place on an Earth where, some 15 years earlier, a hormonal virus killed everyone who was past puberty. It's an intriguing premise, but one that creator J. Michael Straczynski (best known for his work on "Babylon 5") and his team haven't exploited to its fullest. The slow-moving, 90-minute pilot episode explains little of the internal logic of this post-apocalyptic world; how, for instance, did these young folks, the oldest of whom were only 12 or 13 when "the Big Death" wiped out six billion people, manage to survive, educate themselves, and learn skills and trades without any adult influence in a society that's in shambles? It would be fun to know more.

Still, the show's ideas are provocative, and the work of co-stars and TV stalwarts Luke Perry as the title character, a hero with a conscience, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner as his more cynical sidekick, is good. Jeremiah, to its credit, doesn't rely on special effects, production design, costumes, or sets to carry it. That means the burden is on the ongoing themes (Jeremiah's guilt over his younger brother's death and his search for the maybe-mythic "Valhalla Sector"; the threat of the plague returning in an even more virulent form; the attempts to rebuild civilization) and individual stories, which are frequently compelling and smart (especially "Things Left Unsaid," the two-part season finale, a cliffhanger that offers many possibilities for future seasons), even while favoring talk over action.

The special features occupy disc 1, along with the pilot, and include deleted scenes, production sketches, and commentary on the pilot by Perry (who also executive produced) and Warner. If you're looking for superior sci-fi escapism, however, try Farscape or Stargate SG-1, to name just two. --Sam Graham ... Read more

Reviews (16)

More great JMS work...
I think jeremiah (based on a series of graphic novels by hermann huppen) is an excellent show, and another example of JMS at his best. Although some of season 1 fell a little flat (mostly scripts NOT written by JMS), it is still an excellent show for any that like long, arc based entertainment. I was actually impressed with Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and I never thought in a million years I would say that. The stories are entertaining, and sometimes frightening (Firewall, Tripwire, etc.) Most importantly, it sets the stage for what has so far been an outstanding season 2. As a HUGE JMS fan, I can't wait for this set to hit shelves.

Not quite up to par with J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5
As an ardent fan of J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5, I was eager to dig in to this series. I'm also a "Post-Holocaust" genre enthusiast, always looking for better examples of this poorly-treated area of Science Fiction.

I normally don't bother to write 3-star reviews, but Jeremiah was a mixed bag that demanded comment. While composed of excellent story-telling and a rich background, the series suffers from too many "Duh, Ralph!" moments. I've never seen on screen a more realistic and vibrant "End of the World" setting, nor such a fine set of lead and character actors for same.

Yet the writing quality and direction fails to match. It's never really explained, for example, why Vahalla Sector doesn't shut-down and/or annex Thunder Mountain, which is run with a charming idealistic ineptness. Early on, it's clear that Vahalla Sector is aware of Thunder Mountain's current operations, structure, strategic value, and undisciplined security. They could have seized it in 15 minutes, but don't. Instead, they're checked in a couple of unconvincing Star-Trek-Next-Generation-like moves taken by Thunder Mountain. When they finally take decisive action, you're left wondering why Vahalla Sector didn't act 6 months earlier.

Also jarring are the too-often times that Jeremiah & Kurdy -- otherwise written and acted intelligently -- are bushwacked because they won't carry firearms. Yes, yes, I understand the pacifistic motivations (though the two never hesitate to snag weapons from the baddies and plink away). But show me why the pair weren't killed and left in a ditch after their first couple of captures.

The action scenes are hit-and-miss, ranging from gripping & visceral down to "A-Team" in quality.

While the Post-Holocaust world of Jeremiah is displayed with a believable mix of cruelty and kindness, old and new, it's not shown enough. We know from Babylon 5 that JMS can do stunning special effects with a miserly budget; this aspect is on a back burner in Jeremiah. What FX there are, they are at least good... or better. Jeremiah is story-driven, which I applaud, but that's no excuse to ever skimp on the background.

I think it boils down to: I found myself sympathetic to Vahalla Sector, and would have ended up rooting for them if they weren't so naughty. I don't like my good guys to be bumbling, cute, and waaayyyy too lucky. "Jeremiah" is intriguing and watchable, but flawed.

Wayne Gralian
Wayne's World of Books / Krakow RPGs
www.WaynesBooks.com

One Of TV's Best Attempts At Reality
I never watched this show before I bought the DVD's. I know, a big gamble, but boy, it's been worth it! Jeremiah is a superb mix of harsh reality, character driven plot, great writing and fine acting that quietly immerses you into their world. And it doesn't hype its' warning message, "This may be our future". Disregard any review that's comparing this to other works. It stands alone. Unfortunately, it seems that the shows future is in jeopardy. Only the Good Die Young!

Good Sci-Fi fair
When the series originally ran on the showtime network, I was only able to watch the pilot, for some reason. I really got into the show by watching the pilot movie, and really wanted to see the rest of the series. This Box-set is the perfect way to view the season in it's entirty.

The series itself is a mix of a couple series that have come before it. It has elements of firefly, stargate sg-1, dark angel, and Mad Max, but adds its own originally to it. But the one downside that I have found of this series is that a few people (at least in my group of friend) cannot stand Luke Perry, and if that is you, you should not even try to watch this, because no matter what anybody tells you this is definatly Luke Perry's show.

Jeremiah-Season 1
One of the best series put out. If you like Stargate series, you WILL like this one as well.
The character development between the 2 main leads is great to watch. 2 strangers learning to understand and respect each other. The humor gets better, and its nice to watch the relationship grow. ... Read more

Description

Can two clueless Georgia homegirls with big hearts -- and even bigger hair -- find happiness, fame and thrills in the swank hills of Beverly? Anything is possible when you are B.A.P.'s ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Terribly funny and uplifting when you are down in the dumps.
I liked this movie; it made me laugh at a time when I was down in the dumps. I know Ms. Berry and Mr. Landau have been in better movies; but this one showcases their ability to be funny. Besides, if you cannot have any fun now and then; why make movies in the first place. The plot is great because it shows just what can happen when two blacks girls follow their dreams. Even though it doesn't seem like it will work out for them in the end, it really does after all. Troy Beyer is the writer, Robert Townsend directed, black actors starred in it. Give this movie a break; it is a comedy; it is not supposed to be a drama like "Titanic". The scenes in the restaurant were funny and realistic; two black girls meeting celebrites they have only read about and heard about. If that is not funny I don't know what is. When will we (African-Americans) start giving each other credit for our accomplishments in the film industry??? It is high time we started recognizing each other's talent. When we do, others will recognize our talent as well.

About time a campy BLACK comedy came along!
I for one am sick of reviewers like Mr. Maltin automatically panning everything that isn't of the same level as say "The English Patient" or "Casablanca". Some movies are just straight up comedy, aiight already?! While this movie does portray stereotypes such as the trashy ghetto fabulous urban black wannabe diva and the ultra snobby and stuffy white Beverly Hills millionaire, these stereotypes are (it seems to me) intentional and just add to the laughter! Yes, the plot is contrived, yes it probably couldn't happen in real life, but who gives a s@#$? It's funny as hell, filled with celebrity cameos, and let's face it - where else could one see Miss Halle Berry sporting gold teeth, finger waved platinum blond hair, and vinyl hot pants?! The hairstyles and clothes alone are enough to laugh oneself into intensive care! This movie is the type I have been waiting to see for quite awhile, a campy black comedy for the 90's!

Absolutely Hilarious!!!!
Long before Halle's Oscar, she was just another B star celeb. This movie is her best comedic performance to date. Halle shines as a southern girl who decides to live her drams of being famous in LA with her best friend (Natalie Desselle) and wind up acting in a much bigger role than they anticipated. Natalie played the perfect chubby, but funny sidekick to Halle's Niecy. Although it starts as a comedy, it ends with excitement and joy. I recommend this movie to everyone who needs a great laugh!!!

LOVED THE MOVIE
THE MOVIE IS HILARIOUS. YOU HAVE TO THINK OF HOW GREAT OF AN ACTING JOB SHE (HALLE BERRY) DID IN THE MOVIE CONSIDERING WHAT SHE WAS GOING THROUGH IN HER PERSONAL LIFE. SHE WAS FORCED TO BE FUNNY AT A TIME IN HER LIFE WHEN NOT A DANG THANG WAS FUNNY. YES, THE PLOT IS STUPID AND THE CHARACTERS ARE STUPID, BIG DEAL, THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT FUNNY. THE MOVIE ISN'T MEANT TO BE SERIOUS, IT'S MEANT TO BE FUNNY. THE SOONER THAT PEOPLE REALIZE THE PURPOSE OF SOME MOVIES, THE SOONER THE WILL BE LESS OFFENDED, OR WHAT NOT. MOST MOVIES ARE FICTIONAL, AND HAVE PEOPLE DO AND SAY THINGS THINGS THAT WOULD NEVER BE DONE OR SAID IN REAL LIFE. IF YOU LIKE SCREWBALL MOVIES THIS IS DEFINITELY THE MOVIE TO SEE. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE 13TH TO FINALLY GET THE DVD!!!!!

Fiiiinnne and yo' sef
Monster's Ball is ain't but then again, was it really intended to be?
Lots of fun, far from serious, light and entertaining. It was nice seeing Martin Landau in such a different role, too. I do think the intent of the movie was satirical and therefore meant to be enjoyed with all the sense of humor one could muster--(with that in mind)I laughed all the way through. ... Read more

Reviews (138)

Parting the waters of the medulla oblongata of mankind
Normally, movies that are written, directed and star the same person have some fatal flaw due to over-control and a lack of another voice of reason. However, in this case, Billy Bob Thorton put together a great movie.

Billy Bob's portrayal of "Karl", a retarded man who killed his mother and lover as a child, is one of the best characters ever on screen. With his high-water pants, bad haircut, underslung grin and gravelly voice, he's not someone you'll soon forget.

A finely acted film, even the smallest parts were well-done. Suprisingly, John Ritter (an actor who I can not normally watch), gave the finest performance of his career as a gay store manager. Dwight Yoakum was great as the abusive boyfriend, and Lucas Black was good as the kid. J.T Walsh, Robert Duvall, and James Hampton are also in it.

This is not a Disney type plot, and there is a fair amount of swearing and yelling, and some violence. It all is natural to the story however, and the dialogue is some of the best you'll hear anywhere.

I don't give out 5 stars to movies very often. Mmm-hmmm.

An terrific wonderful film, which is unforgettable.
When a man by his early forties living in a Mental Hostipal, who being release by the first time in thirty years by the name of Karl Childers (Billy Bob Thornton) for murdering her's mother lover and then his mother. Karl is a mentally challenge man, who never really experience the outside world. Once he's out to the World, Karl befriend with a sad-sensitive boy (Lucas Black), His Mother (Natalie Canerday) and a nice man (John Ritter), who take a liking in him. Karl hits reality with mean-spirited alcoholic abuser man (Dwight Yoakam) and his past comes to haunt him.

Writted and Directed by Billy Bob Thornton (All the Pretty Horses, Daddy and Then), which is based on his Play, which also he win for an Oscar for Best Adatped Screenplay. Thornton was also nominated for Best Actor. This independent film has First-Rate Performances by all. J.T. Walsh, James Hampton and Brent Briscoe appears in Small Roles-including Oscar-Winner:Robert Duvall. This film is touching, sad and funny also. This is a real one of a kind, unique film. A true classic of the 90's-A Winner. Grade:A+.

Billy Bob does everything but sell the popcorn
Billy Bob Thornton took his screenplay and directed himself in this unforgettable film.

Thornton's Karl Childers became one of the Icons of American cinema, and I still hear people doing Karl's gravel-throated mumble which gets an immediate look of recognition from the people around.

Karl is an essentially good man who is mentally challenged. He recognizes good and bad in others, and he seems to understand his place in the world, even if the intricacies of complex human relationships pass by him as unnoticed as the ozone layer.

As the movie opens we learn that Karl is being held in a State Mental Hospital many years after he has killed a couple of people he thought were doing wrong. I'd say more here, but I think it might spoil some of your enjoyment of the movie to learn more - so just watch the movie! We also learn that Karl is being released because they've "cured him".

He goes back to his home town with all his worldly belongings in a sack. A kindly Doctor from the institution gets him a job as a lawn-mower mechanic and he meets a little boy who is friendly to him.

This is a movie of characters, and simply describing them would not do the characters justice. Karl is a simple man with a pretty well-developed sense of right and wrong. The little boy has lost his father, and the boy's mother, Linda, (portrayed in a wonderfully understated performance by Natalie Canerday) has taken up with a hard drinking, bad-mouthing redneck played by Dwight Yoakam. The late John Ritter is almost unrecognizable playing the soft-spoken crew-cut manager of the store where Linda works. Ritter's Vaughan is devoted to Linda and the little boy, Frank (played by Lucas Black), but Vaughan is also a homosexual in a small town in the south, and his social status is precarious.

There are many serious and tender and hilarious and moving scenes, and most of them involve Billy Bob's Karl. For example, there is one scene where Vaughan invites Karl to the diner where Vaughan proceeds to pour his heart out to the uncomprehending Karl. Vaughan goes on about the difficulties he has had in life, and with his father, and being a homosexual. The entire time Karl sits silently, eating his "french-fried 'taters".

Vaughan finally pauses and says "You always seem to be deep in thought. Tell me, what are you thinking right now?"
Karl replies: "I was thinkin', I'm gonna take me some of these taters home with me."

This movie will stick with you long after you have seen it. Highly recommended.

A legendary performance for Billy Bob Thornton
Sling Blade starts out at a mental home where Karl, played by Thornton, is being released after 25 years. He killed his mother and a boyfriend after he caught them having sex and he didn't think it seemed right. But Karl is deemed to be safe for society and he is also a man with a good heart that when asked if he will do it again replies,"I don't reckon I got no reason to kill nobody." Karl, by the way is somewhat mentally challenged. So it is time to be released, and Karl returns to the town he used to call home with no place to go and no one to return to (except a father who will not recognize him).

Karl befriends a young boy named Frank, and the two are friends from the start. Both of them share some of the same emotional issues, but in Frank's case it is due to his mother's abusive boyfriend Doyle (played by Dwight Yoakam). Karl gets a job working on small engines at a local garage and lives there for a while, but Frank and his mother agree it would be good for Karl to live with them. From the first time Karl meets Doyle, he begins to see what a terrible person he is. Doyle is constantly belittling Frank and Vaughn (a friend of Frank's mother who is gay), and is verbally and physically abusive to Linda (Frank's mom). Karl appears to be a very simple man, but it is apparent that his mind is always at work analyzing the people around him. Doyle grows worse and worse, and Karl becomes increasingly fed up with him. Karl always remains calm no matter the situation, but we start to see that he is the only one who can make things better for Linda, Frank and Vaughn and that as the movie progresses Karl realizes something must be done. I will spare you the ending, but the final conflict revolves around Karl's love for Frank and Linda and with him making a choice, a choice that could send him back to the mental hospital.

This is an incredible movie that deserves all of the notariety is has collected since its release. It won many awards, and deservingly so. There is a little bit of dark comedy here, some tragedy (like when Karl is talking about his brother he had to bury when he was just born), but most of all it is a disturbing examination of internal conflict in one simple man that really is a good guy at heart. It is pretty disturbing at times, so you have been warned. The movie is nothing short of perfect though and it is definately one that you need to see in your lifetime.

A darker, more sinister Forrest Gump
Thornton portrays a man whose apparent stupidity masks a deeper understanding of morals and circumstance than the common man. Everyone treats him as, and calls him, a "retard", yet he sits in his own presence watching and learning...taking in his surroundings to figure out who is decent, and who isnn't. He just wants to get on with his life, yet, he befriends a young boy by happenstance who he can relate to through common toils and emotion, who he can share his innermost thoughts and dark history with, and who he can - within his own diminished capacity- protect in full with his own paternal....no fraternal....regards.

This movie will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you cringe. But it won't let you go until you see it in its entirety, and question the fact - is it okay to kill if it's for a better cause?

A must-see. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Phenomenon: A Moving, Under-rated movie
I took me awhile to catch on to the John Travolta "comeback." Always a good actor, he is trancendent in "Phenomenon." Taking his character of George, struck by a mysterious light, and turning him from an average man to a genius, could have been an actor's trap. Travolta makes it his triumph. He gives George such a humanity that even with the genius powers we are aware that George of old is still there, trying to desparately to just be his old self, and only the girl he longs for, played excellently by Kyra Segwick seems to understand his wanting to remain the same, no matter how many "miracles" he performs. So many films like this are too serious, use too many special effects, or are just plain ridiculous. Travolta great performance seems to lift the entire genre and wins us over like he does Segwick and her two children. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Robert Duvall, who does miraculous things with the town doctor. Forrest Whittiker is also good as George's best friend. The town accepts the miracles like no other movie town does. Yes, they are in awe, but they still doubt, as George doubts, that he was given a gift as a mistake, but when all is said and done, we know the "bright light" made the right choice, that he was able to even handle his own mortality. There is a scene near the end of the movie, when George is sharing his last moments and an apple with the two young children, that is as moving as any I've seen in recent memory. Some may see "Phenomenon" as too far-fetched or mauldlin, and if so they are as jaded as many movie goers are getting. What does an audience want? Here is a movie without much violence, blood, or spectacular special effects and does have a message but does not force it on you, how all of us have the possibility to be more than we think, that there is genius on a small scale, in the feelings for love, simple pleasures, sharing an apple with children, or facing one's own mortality without fear. A great Movie.

One of Travolta's best
Phenomenon is a great movie in every sense. It's about a mechanic (John Travolta) that sees a bright light in the sky one night and wakes up the next morning to find out he's a genius. He knows things such as when and where an earthquake is about to strike, national defense secrets, and he learns a new language in a matter of minutes. All the while he's interested in a good looking woman (Kyra Sedgwick), and like the other people she is scared of Travolta's new power of knowing just about everything. Watch Phenomenon and you'll see how a man struggles with his friends and the media even though he knows just about everything and could do any job on earth since this light hit him.

John Travolta gives a phenomenal performance in Phenomenon and this is one of the most underrated movies of all time. Travolta and Phenomenon should've won a few oscars, but it wasn't even nominated for any. Kyra Sedgwick, Robert Duvall, Forest Whitaker, and the kids also give good performances throughout the film. Phenomenon is without a doubt John Travolta's best drama film so far and one of my favorite movies of all time. If you're a Travolta fan or you like drama movies, I recommend getting Phenomenon because it's phenomenal to say the least.

Underrated, moving film
Phenomeonon was advertised as a sci-fi movie, and whilke it has a sci-fi sort of theme at its core, anyone going to see the movie based on that was sorely disappointed.

What this movie is, actually, is a story about a man learning to cope with something that he can't understand, and how it brings him closer to his friends and his community, and how it allows him to understand and deal with his own fate.

Yes, it's a bit sappy at times, but it also contains some really excellent performances. Travolta delivers what it certainly his most authentic and touching portrayal of a real human being yet seen in his post-Tarantino career. Forrest Whittaker and Robert Duvall likewise contribute first-rate performances. A wonderful contemporary soundtrack ties it all together.

A gift for your 37th birthday
George Malley is part of a close knit rural community. He is celebrating his birthday. On his way home he sees a bright light. After that his world changes. He finds he can think clearer and do extraordinary things.
Now we see if this is a gift or a curse. How will his friends and others deal with his "Phenomenon?"

The concept of the movie is not new. However it is the execution of the story and the interaction of the characters that make this a top notch film. You could also tell that John Travolta has a great time making this film. Many of the other actors fit the parts so well hat you forgot they were acting.

If you like this film, the film "Resurrection" (1980) with Ellen Burstyn is similar but more serious.

Romantic Drama With Healthy Comedy
I originally saw this movie in the theater and was pleasantly surprised. Not that I can see it at home the film's wonder has not disappeared.

Phenomenon stars John Travolta (with an appearance by Brent Spiner of ST:NG). The premise of this film is that John sees a light in the sky that hits him and knocks him out. After that he has increased brain usage. This enables him to read quickly, comprehend, think clearly and even perform minor telekinesis. In the small town in which he lives this sort of thing can cause some problems and fear. Robert Duval gives an excellent portrayal of a small town doctor and the rest of the cast does a marvelous job.

Phenomenon is partly a love story as John pursues the woman of his dreams, but it is also much more. It is a film about facing the unknown and the wonder of learning. While much of the film is funny it is definitely not a comedy and you should be prepared to have various emotional strings pulled throughout the film. An excellent choice for fans of romantic comedies and romantic dramas. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

A movie to be enjoyed by all.
I've been watching Black Beauty since it came out in 1994 when I was 9. The enchanting cinematography, thoughtful narration and beautiful horses stick in your mind long after the movies is finished. I've worn the tape out and recently bought it on DVD. I watched it immediately with friends who made fun of me. 19 and in love with a horsey movie?? Luckily I forced them to watch it and they were soon engrossed in the fabulous story. I have never read the book, but anyone who dislikes this movie because it isn't "true" to the novel is a sad person indeed. This is a great movie that can be enjoyed by horse lovers or even people who aren't that fond of horses. A good movie is a good movie, and Black Beauty will remain a timeless classic.

Beautiful movie for horse-lovers!
Black Beauty was one of the best movies I've ever seen! Docs Keepin Time was an excellent "actor". There was inhumane treatment of the animals and Ginger was so tragic. The horses had no say in anything and were abused yet they tried to please their masters. With kind masters they flourished and the ending was beautiful. The music was evocative and everything it this movie made me cry. (It was also an excellent book.)

The Best Movie Of All Time
Just like the first reviewer I have been watching this movie since I was 9 years old back in 1994. I am nighteen now and haven't seen the movie for a while but still remember it dearly as it was my most favorite movie on my shelf as a child and teen. I still have it even though it's worn quite a bit but I will show it to my kids. The movie always brings me to tears. I quote the first reviewer, "A good movie is a good movie, and Black Beauty will remain a timeless classic."

A bit boring. 15th april 2004.
Kids would probably enjoy it. It was quite good the first time i watched it then i thought it was a kiddy film, but anyone would normally like these sorts of films. Not me it isn't my type.

I'm sure kids will love it but adults be prepared
I love horses and will watch almost any movie with them in it. But because I work with them I am also sensitive to their correct portrayals in film.

Although lovingly filmed, with very pretty scenery, nice settings and good actors, this movie was disappointing. It was not its faithfulness to the book I call into question - a good movie adaptation will always have changes - but the style in which they were done.
Alan Cummings as the voice of Black Beauty was given an overly saccharine script in my opinion. Instead of giving the animal a realistic viewpoint, it was a whiny and naive portrayal. In a bizarre twist, Ginger was portrayed as Beauty's love interest, which I found completely incomprehensible, since Black Beauty is a) a gelding and b) it detracts from the true meaning of the story, which was that Ginger, a close companion during the best days of their youth together, was squandered and brought low by mens' cruelty.
I also found it jarring that none of the other horses were given voices of their own, especially the likes of Ginger and Merrylegs. They are portrayed interacting together at several points, yet while Black Beauty "speaks" during those times, he never refers to them speaking to him, nor do they ever speak directly in the film. It makes for an odd sense of dislocation, as you watch two horses acting out a scene together while the voice of one is reiterating the present happenings - without giving the other a viewpoint.

Despite the fact that it is Black Beauty's story, this film also succumbs to giving him a human character with whom he forms a "deep" relationship. I find it irritating that most movies whose main characters are supposed to be animals usually resort to enlarging or inventing a human character for them to have a special relationship with - presumably to give the story significance, or substance, to the audience. If the story is being told correctly, the audience should identify with the main character directly, not only through a human relationship.

Lastly, while some scenes were well done - notably Black Beauty's first experience with shoes - most of the horse scenes looked fake. Few and far between are the movies that portray horses in realistic ways. This is not one of them. The scenes with Ginger in pasture, when the two of them were reunited, were so obviously staged. Two horses, facing off camera, were being signalled to rear several times in a row. They were not even facing each other.
The action of the horses in harness was also lacking in realism. Neither horse traveled well in harness and when the bearing rein was supposedly put on, cranking their heads up, you couldn't tell the difference. When Ginger is stretching her neck out, supposedly in sympathy, it is another obvious horse trick - someone is holding a treat for her just off camera and she's stretching out her neck to get it.
Also, Doc's Keeping Time, the main equine actor, was signalled to perform an irritating trick of tossing his head around and up and down to indicate emotions. This is a bad habit for a horse to pick up and most people discourage it; beyond that it was irritating to watch because I knew it was a bad habit and therefore unrealistic, again, to the portrayal. Horses don't toss their heads around in that fashion when exhibiting such emotions.

Picturing Black Beauty lying down while he narrates his tale was also extremely irritating to me. Most horses do not lie down naturally or often; it was an unrealistic attempt to elicit an empathetic reaction from the audience. The only thing I could think was that a horse would never stay for long in that position.

The comic touches also fell flat. In addition, while I admire greatly any horse with the training and ability to perform such a demanding role, Doc's Keeping Time was the wrong physical type. The Black Beauty of that era was a thoroughbred and it is that type of horse which is needed to perform the roles of being a hunter and carriage horse with the correct style for the period. Doc's Keeping Time is an American Quarter Horse, and again, while I admire him greatly, the filmmakers should have spent some extra time or research finding an animal that better fit the role's requirements.
But the ending of the film was surprisingly good. For whatever reason, it touches an emotional chord. I recommend the film highly for children but for adults looking for a good horse movie - it will be amusing but probably disappointing. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

One of our favorites - a vacation in itself
Every now and again, my wife and I, both avid travelers, feel the need to escape for a while. The problem is that we feel like getting away from the daily grind more often than time-off or money allows. A Year in Provence offers the perfect solution.

For a couple evenings in a row, we curl up on the couch or floor, open some red wine, put in the movie, and let escape to south france. It's fantastic.

The movie is funny and entertaining, but more than that, it is real. It makes you feel as though you could be the one with the house in Provence, getting into the little mishaps, making a big, entertaining deal about the smallest things. There are no epic adventures, it is simply a vacation. We could see anything that happens in the movie happening to anyone else, if only we were there.

The book is also excellent, but a little harder to enjoy at the same time as someone else.

Fun for some, but poor-quality DVD
I've been revisiting this wonderful mini-series on DVD, watching it on a hi-res screen, and note that the image-quality is really appalling. It looks like they took an old VHS tape, and strained it through a sieve. Which is probably pretty close to what actually happened, the "sieve" in this case being a really crude digital-compression system. Too bad, because it contains a lot of beautiful scenic photography, which has been turned to mush.

Is Something Missing?
I thoroughly enjoyed this series(VHS format) but the DVD version seems to be missing some scenes.
Has anyone else noticed this or is it my imagination?

Better Than the Book!
This 4-video set is one of those rare birds -- an adaptation that is better then the original book. Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence is good, but the screenplay made a few important changes that made all the difference.

The addition of a wife for Mayle is the main difference. While Mayle has a wife in the book, she fades so far into the background as to be virtually invisible. I see from the dedication in the book that her name is Jenny, but since the screenwriter had to create a wife out of whole cloth here, he gave her a new name as well -- Annie. The addition of Annie and the casting of Lindsay Crouse make all the difference.

Another difference was to subtract ex-spouses and grown children, which serves to streamline the story. Peter in the film is somewhat more short-tempered and loud than Peter in the book, but this makes a nice contrast with Annie. And who is going to make himself out to be a blowhard in his own book, after all? The rest of the story is much as Mayle wrote it.

This set has become one of our family favorites. We borrowed the public library's copies several times, then finally bought our own and watch it at least once a year. It's broken down into twelve 30-minute chapters, one for each month. You can watch it in half hour chunks or 90-minute doses, a whole season (and tape) at a time. The chapters stand alone, but are also threaded together to make a real story. In fact, the story comes together so neatly, that one suspects that although these episodes may really have happened, perhaps they happened over a period of several years, or in a different order. Still, some of the best non-fiction writers out there are novelists at heart.

The acting and the scenery in A Year in Provence are just great. The French characters are played by French actors and speak no English in the film. Since the Mayles are learning French, they are able to translate for us and it doesn't seem awkward.

There you have it: entertaining writing, good acting, gorgeous scenery, and a free French lesson thrown in.

Enjoyable but Uneven
I enjoyed this. I enjoyed Lindsay Duncan as Annie Mayle having seen her prior as the looney blond in "Under the Tuscan Sun" -- totally different woman here. Having done renovations recently, I also completely identified with the ongoing kitchen renovations and other things. I confess I've only partially finished the book after 10 years of owning it. I always get busy and it seems episodic and not terribly compelling to continue with. The DVD, on the other hand, I enjoyed, but felt it might have been slightly wackier in tone like the books. I don't know what's up with the baker story at the end but it's a complete ripoff of Marcel Pagnol's "The Baker's Wife." Maybe it seemed like a good idea on paper, but it left me searching for the remote to fast forward through these sections. As for Provence, this isn't picture postcard Provence like we're used to but real Provence, complete with telephone poles in frame. It reminded me a lot of California farmland. This is enjoyable but it's not stellar. In the end I'll keep memories of Lindsay Duncan, the beautiful house they chose, a few scattered moments here and there, and little else. But don't get me wrong. I liked it, I just wasn't captivated by it and maybe that's really in the writing and especially the direction which is a bit pedestrian considering the book is so almost universally loved and is of a different tone than this more even-keeled film version. The second disc, by the way, is excruciatingly bad when seen as a whole. Except for the petanque storyline, one finds himself turning on this series as extremely contrived and resents that yet again for the 100th time too many it seems the Mayles are called in to save the day for the French, as if they haven't been doing it on their own just fine for some time. The sense of superiority is annoying. Go home to England TV versions of Annie and Peter Mayle. Your fish out of water story has run out of water and leaves just a little too much fish. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Based on the book by Catherine Heath. the 1989 four-part British miniseries Behaving Badly is not to be confused with the Britcom, Men Behaving Badly. Judi Dench, as ever, commands the screen in her BAFTA-nominated performance as middle-aged Bridget Mayor, who, like Jill Clayburgh's character in An Unmarried Woman, is initially shattered, but gets a new lease on life after her husband of two decades (Ronald Pickup, Fortunes of War) announces that he intends to marry his mistress younger Rebecca (Frances Barber). After a somewhat dreary first hour, dutiful and obedient Bridget blossoms and shines as she declares that"with only myself to think about, and not much to lose, I've stopped caring about other people's good opinions." Declaring her conformist days are over, she shocks family and friends, first by moving back in with her ex and his new wife, and then in the flat her daughter, Trudy, shares with a close-knit group of young professionals. She further scandalizes one and all by falling in love with one of them, and considers accompanying him to America. "My mother has stopped being splendid," Trudy frets. Less compelling is Trudy's own romantic pursuit of a black pastor.

Behaving Badly deftly mixes melodrama and comedy. Gwen Watfordias costars as Bridget's former mother-in-law and champion, who torments Rebecca and makes Marie on Everybody Loves Raymond look like June Cleaver. In an early performance, Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck) steals her scenes as a nerves-frayed, stressed-out schoolteacher. Behaving Badly anticipates the current so-called "chick lit" movement with this empowering personal odyssey that ends on an optimistically exhilarating high, as Bridget heals all family wounds, and "risks everything" to embark on her "grand adventure." --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Tortured Soul Finds Peace
This was the first time Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake were in the same film together, and when box office receipts exploded because of the gritty and tortured performance of Ladd as the killer Raven, Paramont knew it had a star. The chemistry of Ladd and Lake together was electric also, and Paramont also knew it had a couple. Ladd might not have gotten her in this one, but they ended up together in the other three films they would make and everyone loved it.

This was a dark and star making performance from Ladd. From the very first scene, as Raven stops on the stairs, gun in hand, to pause and decide if he should shoot the little girl who has seen him, he was a star. Raven has been double crossed by "Neptune Club" owner Willard Gates (Laird Cregar) and is out to settle the score. Ellen Graham (Veronica Lake) has a nightclub act and a cop boyfriend played by Robert Preston.

The government wants Ellen to help get the goods on Alvin Brewster (Tully Marshall) who runs a chemical company that has sold poisonous gas to the Japanese and also happens to be Gates's boss, the man pulling all the strings. But when Ellen senses the pain inside Raven and becomes his only friend, other than cats, we know the bad guys don't have a chance.

Doom follows Phillip Raven also though, his horrific chidhood slowly revealed to Ellen, his willing captive. She begins to reach Raven and make him human once more, maybe human enough to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and put his personal demons to rest. It was a teriffic turn from Ladd and one of his most memorable roles.

It's a good movie made great by Ladd's performance. It was also the beginning of screen magic for he and Lake. You have to see this movie if you like crime noir and/or you like Ladd and Lake, and how could you not? They were lightening in a bottle and the cork is blown completely off here....

A nice, slick bit of 40s movie-making
This Gun for Hire was based on the Graham Greene novel A Gun for Sale and was considerably toned down and glammed up for the early 40s movie going public. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I found this movie rather enjoyable, it is easy to see why Ladd and Lake were made into a screen team. They are supported by Laird Cregar as a plotting spy with no stomach for violence and Robert Preston as Veronica Lake's cop boyfriend. Alan Ladd steals the show as Raven, a killer for hire who really only likes cats. (as a cat lover, I was automatically more sympathetic to him) Cregar's Gates betrayed him to the cops and now he wants revenge.

Raven and Lake's Ellen, a nightclub magician, cross paths throughout the movie and she begins to strip down his tough guy veneer to reveal an abused childhood. Armed with her brains and a considerable amount of flag waving, Ellen tries to persuade Raven to give up his vengeance and uncover an Axis plot.

Ladd, Lake and Cregar are all marvelous but the usually wonderful Preston (best known for his smooth con-man in Music Man) isn't given much to work with and his cop character feels flat especially next to Raven.

This movie is really a must-see for any fan of 40's films and even with its flaws (I also found the final image to be annoying and totally against Lake's independant character), it is still a pleasant way to pass an evening.

Over-rated....Lake and Ladd make up for a tired scenario
This is the movie that made Alan Ladd a star, and his teaming here with Veronica Lake caused quite a stir back in 1942.

Sadly, THIS GUN FOR HIRE is really second-rate noir, a tired melodrama that really doesn't hold up, especially for repeat viewings.

Universal's DVD looks very similar to the old Image laserdisc release from a few years back. Not really any improvement

There's a lot of film-noir available on DVD, but this one doesn't live up to the hype. Skip it.

RAVEN A CHILLING SCREEN CREATION
"This Gun For Hire" is a watered down, glammed up version of Graham Greene's novel A Gun for Sale. It represents the first of four cinematic outings that teamed sultry Veronica Lake with the stoically handsome Alan Ladd, a potent cocktail of personalities that proved to be much in demand over the next decade. Perhaps a tad heavy on sentimentality than most film noirs, the plot concerns Philip Raven's (Ladd) obsession with Ellen Graham (Veronica Lake) a nightclub dancer with a rough and rumble cop boyfriend, Michael Crane (Robert Preston). Ellen is supposed to be working on exposing Alvin Brewster (Tully Marshall), a chemical company CEO who sold poisonous gas to the Japanese. But an odd and Freudian driven relationship surfaces between Ellen and Raven when she senses his childhood pain and angst. Ellen becomes Raven's willing captive, in the process transcending his nightmares and making him more human. The very first scene in this film is so incredibly chilling it begs special mention. After having been double crossed by ne'er-do-well, Williard Gates (Laird Cregar), Raven (Ladd) contemplates killing an innocent little girl who has seen him. Even though the resulting decision is typical "golden age" morality, Ladd makes one believe, if only for a moment, that such cold blooded silencing might be possible.
THE TRANSFER: Universal's DVD transfer is remarkably solid and clean. The gray scale is very well balanced with deep solid blacks and whites that are almost pristine. There's a hint film grain and some age related artifacts. Also, some edge enhancement and pixelization occur, but nothing that will distract from a visual presentation that is a considerable improvement over previously issued VHS tapes. The audio is mono and very well represented.
BOTTOM LINE: There are no extras on this disc. Nevertheless, it is a good disc to add to your library of classic cinema.

this gun for hire
In the world of film noire I found all the elements here, with wonderful casting. Lake and Ladd are imbued with a gorgeous chemistry, there is an underlying element that suggests that if the circumstances had been different:they would easily have succumbed to each other. This is indeed Ladd at his best,he carries the subtle,seething world of hatred just beneath the surface, and the camera is fascinated by the intensity of his physical gestures, and facial expressions. In particular when he recounts the nature of the injury to his wrist, you get a window into how his mind works and what motivates him to be who he is. Lake is strong, and vulnerable and I see no mistep in her performance. This is a film that mesmerized me when I was much younger and I still find it to do so. Laird Cregar as Willard Gates is as oily as grease and I felt his performance too was a standout,a coward at the core but willing to have murder done on his behalf . I enjoyed the whole spy-thing interwoven into the plot, and as well very memorable atmospherics, especially the scene where Ladd and Lake are trapped in the railroad yards; the fog just added an extra dimension to the scene. I also found Robert Preston did a fine job too in his role as Lake's detective love interest with an understated performance, but with just the right touch of resolve to win through the day. ... Read more

Description

"(David) Jason gives Frost the iciness needed for the role…"-- The Los Angeles Daily NewsA Touch of Frost is one of Britain’s most successful detective series and stars award-winning actor David Jason as Detective Inspector Jack Frost, a policeman with a knack for attracting trouble. Set in the dreary town of Denton, Frost approaches each case with his characteristic dry wit and a sense of moral justice. A Touch of Frost Season 6 includes: "Appendix Man" – Reeling from the loss of his former partner, D.C. Barnard, Frost resigns from the force. But, he soon returns to investigate the suspicious death of a reclusive art collector. "One Man’s Meat" – To pay the bills, Frost takes in a renter with a dog. Next, while Frost investigates the death of a homeless teenager, the dismembered arm of a health officer, washes up on the shoreline on the other side of England. "Private Lives" – A peaceful village isn’t all it appears to be. Frost’s new partner checks out a hit-and-run accident that injures an elderly woman. Frost squares an account with an old adversary. "Keys ToThe Car" – A golf club paramour leaves behind a trail of satisfied golf widows, unpaid bar bills and stolen cars. When a drug dealer’s body is found inside the trunk of one of the vehicles, Frost tries to find the connection between the gigolo, the drug dealer and the owner of the stolen car. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

provocative viewing
This series was excellent. It is well worth the time and money. As a registered nurse, I once worked at Parkland. I found the revelations about falsified documents and autopsy records, altered post mortem photographs, illegal removal of the body from Parkland for an autopsy at Bethesda, missing forensic evidence, and information from the funeral home and Bethesda autopsy personnel very disturbing. Dr. Wecht is more than justified in calling for a 21st century forensic investigation of whatever evidence remains.
The lack of Secret Service protection of the president is appalling. The lack of documentation or "lost logs" is egregious at best. Why hasn't the Secret Service been held accountable? The only plausible explanation is that a conspiracy existed in which the organization was duplicitous on some level.

If you are not familiar with the assassination or this series, buy it! I have viewed it several times. Each time I become more outraged that something of this magnitude could have occurred. The medical and Secret Service information was enough for me to conclude a conspiracy existed.

The newest tapes "The Final Chapter" were equally amazing.
Information from Judy Baker regarding her affair with Oswald was very interesting. Her knowledge of New Orleans, cancer research, and Jackson State Hospital appeared credible. The information about alleged human subject cancer tests performed on Angola inmates at Jackson State Hos[ital was sickening. I have never seen this information presented anywhere other than this series. Information about LBJ wasn't that shocking to me. As a native of Louisiana, I can remember discussions that occurred at the time of the assassination and Shaw trial regarding LBJ. He wasn't perceived as an "honest broker", and many thought that he was involved on a deep level.

Great tapes!! If you are a history buff don't miss them.

provocative viewing
I thought these videos were provocative. I am a native of Louisiana, lived in Dallas for several years, and was a nurse at Parkland. Among the most disturbing allegations for me are the disputed autopsy records and photos, the lack of proper Secret Service protection, Oswald's intelligence connections (alleged), the disappearance of forensic evidence, and significant unaccounted for amounts of time during which Oswald's activities are in dispute. The interviews with Drs. Wecht, Peters, McClelland and funeral home personnel are very important and disturbing from a medical perspective. I can not fathom Parkland physicians and nurses falsifing critical assasination documents. I feel certain the opposite would be true, especially involving a presidential assasination. Even for routine terminal events extensive documentation is and was required. For a problematic case, it would been more detailed. Dr. Wecht discussed the benefits of a thorough 21st century forensic examination of the case. I believe that the American public deserves this and an investigation about the lack of secret service protection for the president. I think the newest tapes regarding the alleged affair Oswald had with Judy Baker were spellbinding. She put alot of disputed time into focus. She is not an ignorant woman, naive and foolish, but not stupid. She seemed extremely knowledgable about cancer research, New Orleans, and the ramifications of testing medications on human subjects. The testing of prisoners from Angola in the Jackson State Hospital turned my stomach. Today, this action would land a person in jail or on death row.

I think this tape series is well worth one's money and time.
I am certainly no "expert" in the assasination, but many of those interviewed are. The JFK assasination remains one of American'a greatest murder mysteries.

Not a hysterical piece... Serious material...
This 1988 British documentary is loaded with important "real person" interviews that cannot be viewed and just dismissed lightly as "conspiracy hogwash"... Yes, there are flaws, naturally: Beverly Oliver may not be the essence of credibility, and the Corsican hitmen theory smelled a bit over-ripe even if the 2 surviving "hitmen" hadn't allegedly threatened to sue (and successfully had their names removed from the piece, although that's still a controversy in itself)... And much of the data (though not all) is circumstantial and mixed all around, it cant really be ignored upon viewing.

And the 1995 "sequel" chapter ("The Truth Shall Make You Free"), though also worthwhile and very disturbing, seems in places to be infected with some of that latter-day media mindset of 'well-if-we-have-to-admit-that-maybe-there-was-a-conspiracy-then-let's-make-the-Kennedy-brothers-seem-like-they-essentially-brought-it-on-themsleves', which I don't appreciate.

The recent "Final Chapter" was pulled from distribution and is not available for purchase because it implicates LBJ as complicit--- which caused an uproar and, in the mood of 2004, even very old information that would never raise the eyebrows of "students" of this subject, can get suppressed all too easily. (Until it's ever released, a seance with Madeliene Brown will have to suffice).

Nevertheless, despite what you may have heard "TMWKK" is a very serious, chilling documentary, if an imperfect one.

Very Provacative
What's there to say about TMWKK that hasn't been said so many times before? This is one of the most ground-breaking documentaries of our time. By the way, if anyone reading this can tell me where I can get a copy of "TMWKK: The Final Chapter" (which includes "The Smoking Guns", "The Love Affair", and "The Guilty Men"), I would greatly appreciate it. I don't care if it's DVD, VHS, or Bootleg. E-mail me at Quarryman88@yahoo.com
Thanks.

Detailed Review
This DVD is a good overview of the assassination of Kennedy. True, it does focus on the conspiracy theories and it is not an unbiased look at the evidence; however, the interviews with people who have a lot to say are engrossing and the "evidence" produced is thought provoking.

There is no doubt that evidence exists to dispute the findings of the Warren Commission report on the assassination of President Kennedy. This DVD presents a lot of that evidence in a organized fashion. It is good to actually see the people interviewed who say the shots were coming from the grassy knoll. I liked looking at the photographic evidence that critics claim show a person (badge man) shooting from the knoll (I don't see anything). The DVD at least allows you to see the people and the evidence and make a lot of judgments for yourself.

A lot of the witnesses are not convincing to me, and a lot of the so called evidence just looks like junk. I have a natural tendency to distrust testimony from strippers (or former strippers) and I don't see what others say is clearly present in certain photographs. I am a lawyer (not a trial lawyer) so I suppose I look at evidence a little differently than most and probably take a more skeptical view, but I still like to see it myself and not let someone else tell me what something shows or who to believe.

I think the DVD does raise significant questions about the killing of the President as presented by the Warren Report on the assassination. I have read portions of the Warren Report and I have read a few books on this subject authored by both the critics and those who support the Commission's conclusions. While I would say this DVD does contain some speculation that is impossible for the viewer to make an independent decision on, and it contains a lot of language that is less than clinical, it does present a lot of solid evidence. Actual interviews with the Dallas police officers who were there and who talked with Oswald and Ruby are just invaluable. So are a lot of the other interviews. Just a list of those who have been sent to an early grave that had facts to support a shot being fired from the grassy knoll is unnerving. To see some of those same people on screen telling their story near in time to the killing of the President is compelling. If you believe what they have to say a lot of the Warren Commission's findings are not accurate.

If you are not interested in mysteries this isn't for you. In the end there are a lot of theories that can be supported depending on which set of facts you find to be most important. The assassination of President Kennedy is a mystery because so much is left unexplained. For example, there is no doubt the evidence in the National Archives has been corrupted. The brain is missing and at least some other evidence has disappeared. Once evidence has been tampered with a person is allowed to believe it is all under suspicion. The evidence is the foundation of analysis, and when that is gone mystery remains.

So the viewer will not get a solid "we have it all figured out" explanation at the end. No murderer jumps up to confess in the last scene and reveal all. The mystery remains and the uncomfortable feeling that comes with mystery - real mystery - is there. We will probably never figure it out because the list of "oops" or whatever is almost endless. Criminal incompetence on the part of the Secret Service, incompetent medical examiners, missing evidence, incompetent police procedures, consistent failures to follow even the most elemental criminal evidence protection steps, failures to tape or record critical interrogations, failure to follow up important information, investigators ignoring certain aspects of the case (who were the men who displayed Secret Service credentials to the police on the day of the murder), inconsistent statements from important witnesses etc. This is a real mystery.

A lot of people are murdered every year without explanation. The real world can be a messy and inhospitable place. We tend to want to think that the murder of the President of the United States would be different. With some of the best police agencies in the world working on the case we could figure it out and close the file and be at least comfortable with the idea that we know what happened. This film will not allow you to think that way. This was a messy event with a lot going wrong - as it usually does - and this DVD lets you know that. No nice world tied up in a nice package with a bow on it. No...this is reality. And a lot of it.

A very good DVD and well worth the price. ... Read more

Reviews (69)

Doesn't Play Well In Time
I liked this movie when it was first released to the theatres in the 1970s. I thought a revisit on DVD would bring back some of those fond memories, but, sadly, the film looks very dated.'

Forget the premise - it's pure enviro-fiction. Think about it for a minute: the planet earth has no more forests, trees, deserts - no wilderness left. We had to put all our critical environments in pods and orbit Jupiter with them (why Jupiter? why not orbit Earth?).

This very Asimovian premise falls on its face in light of science: since green plants give us the oxygen we need, a planet devoid of all green plants would be a dead planet - there would be no oxygen-breathing life on it.

OK. Let's say, though, that the radical environmental movement has succeesed in numbing your sense of reason - the film still fails in its scripting, which is needlessly whiny. Bruce Dern gives a rather egalitarian performance as the tree-hugger, which doesn't help to lend credibility to his cause.

Some of the effects still hold up, but overall the film has that shaky, matted look of cheesy 70s sci-fi (even STAR WARS has that look).

The most interesting thing about the DVD is the Special Features, and the documentaries on the making of the film. Once I finished with those, I had nothing more interesting to watch.

Great 1970s dystopic...
Like death and dying, there are several stages in evaluating "Silent Running" as a film. The first stage is whoa! great effects, unusual idea for a film made in the early 1970s. The second stage is the realization that you are being hit with some of the hardest propaganda since "Battleship Potempkin" or "Triumph of the Will". The final stage is nostalgia for such a ground-breaking movie with super special effects.

Bruce Dern is comfy in his role as a slowly-unraveling sociopath. What many don't realize is that the screenplay was written by a then-young Michael Cimino and Steven Bochco ("The Deer Hunter", "NYPD Blue". What's truly amazing is the use of mechanical (not visual) effects. If you've never been on an aircraft carrier, you'll believe that there is an American Airlines cargo freighter "Valley Forge". The details are wonderful: the corporate logos on the cargo pods, the technical manuals lying around, the overall believability of the wonderful drones, the background radio chatter from the other ships.

It's a shame Douglas Trumbull hasn't been more visible, this was a great effort.

A Bold Attempt with Fatal Touches
I must say I actually applauded Douglas Trumball for making this film, and upon it's release, it made an impact with audiences, but I never cared for it as entertainment or as serious science fiction. Today, the short-lived "ecology movement", green flags and all, is long gone, and this film is now is a seriously dated curio of it's time.

There are some terrific things to be said about this film... and there are some intelligent reviews of it that I agree with... however there are some fatal touches that make this a dated piece, and that make it difficult to watch today.

First of all, Bruce Dern's unappealing character is a stereotypical "hippie". He is a classic "passive-agressive" person... at one moment "loving and peaceful" and the next minute he is angry, pissed off, not in control of hi