Reviews (26)

Too Funny!
Extremely hilarious. I've been searching for this movie for almost two years...every since I saw it on Lifetime. Jenifer Lewis is perfect for this "mockumentary" on a washed-up diva who tries to make a comeback. She and a full cast of well-known entertainers will have you grabbing your stomach from laughter. I'm on my third week of renewing my rental for this movie. Trust me, you will love this movie.

Dynamite and Funny as you know what, but that ending....
Loved this movie. There are SO many genuinely funny and campy moments here. Patti Austin at Peaches Yancy's funeral is a hoot; the woman just won't STOP singing! Jennifer Lewis is fabulous and so is young lady that plays Jackie's faithful daughter Entendre (Make that a DOUBLE Entendre). The only complaint I have is the ending. All of the sudden we get this bittersweet, force fed weeper ending which doesn't fit into the framework of the rest of the movie. Overall, though it doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the movie. Just a minor quibble, since the ending of ANY movie does leave an impression. It almost has the feel of something that was forced on Robert Townsend by the Network. Maybe not. Please buy this DVD, though. If you appreciate the ridiculous excess of modern and classic Divas you'll love it!!

Absolutely hilarious
This SPINAL TAP-like mockumentary is absolutely hilarious and the commentary track by director Townsend is equally entertaining. JENNIFER LEWIS is amazing. She's a brilliant comedic actress who is shamefully underused in movies and this is a perfect vehicle for her. It does for her what JACKIE BROWN did for Pam Grier. The supporting cameos are laugh-out-loud funny, best being Whoopi Goldberg, Tim Curry, Loretta Devine, Isabel Sandford, Kathy Griffith, Rikki Lake, Sean Hayes, Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, Eva Marie Saint, Dolly Parton, Grace Slick and Diahann Carroll.

So Cliche It's Good
All the diva jokes and funny one liners are all very typical and cliche of this type of movie, but still between Jenifer Lewis and Tim Curry they manage to pull it off and still make it a damn good movie.
While reading through the other reviews for this product, I noticed that everyone constantly praises Lewis but unless I missed something, no one said a thing about Curry.
I'm not trying to take the spotlight away from Jenifer Lewis...she was amazing considering that this is her first movie. However, no one has acknowledged Tim's great work on the film.
I heard someone comment the other day that his acting was too [unrealistic]and over the top in this movie. Hello! ... He's supposed to be acting like that, considering that he plays the part of the host of a low budget documentary. Some people can be real stupid, ...
Anyway, I thought I was going to die laughing when I saw the look on Tim's face when Jackie's cross-dressing dress designer came into her dressing room. I also loved it when Jackie's playmama said that white people all smelled like wet potatoe chips. Again, Tim's face was priceless. He's the kind of actor that's good enough that he needs no words to get his point across, the expression says it all.
Another one of my favorite parts is when he admits to Jackie that when first asked to do the documentary he had never heard of her, and then she said, 'They played my records in England,' and he replies, 'Yes...but I never heard them.'
Anyway, it's filled with plenty of other gut busting scenes. I've waited and waited for this movie to be released on DVD after I first saw it on Lifetime...and finally my wish has come true.
Buy Jackie's Back today, it's so bad it's good.

Top-notch music and comedy
This movie is so well-loved by everyone who sees it, that when I sing the theme song "Yield" in public, everyone immediately recognizes it (and laughs). Definitely the funniest comedy ever...why it wasn't released to theaters is a mystery. Wish we had a soundtrack album with all the great songs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The last of the old Andromeda
Not the end of the series but the end of the series as envisioned by Robert Hewitt Wolfe. The show had great potential and was living up to it, but Tribune wanted to go in a different direction. The first two seasons showed how closely it was tied in thought to the last three seasons of ST DS9 (RHW also wrote/produced for them). Character and idea development gave way to fantasy and lowering the intellectual standard. I still enjoy the show, but clearly season 4 and the upcoming season 5 are like another show.

319 - Illusion of Majesty. In this episode, the crew ends up in a garbage dump star system and cannot get out. A woman who poses as a princess and a priestess as a scam promises to get them out. Much innuendo later, Dylan outwits everyone to get out. Not a great episode.

320 - Twilight of the Idols. Excellent episode. In this one we find Dylan's old mentor and Admiral still alive after 300 years in the form of Michael Ironside's character. Finally a person who can out maneuvre Dylan. This is like a classic Andromeda with good conflict and tension and a moral delimma that is left unresolved.

321 - Day of Judgement, Day of Wrath. Another good episode. An old adversary, the founder of the Restorians, and a former commonwealth ship AI comes back to take over another ship in the new commonwealth. But before that, he takes over Andromeda's avatar and leaves everyone questioning. This show was filled with emotional tension and was quite good. It helps that in real life Shanks and Doeg are married.

322 - Shadows Cast By A Final Salute. Bittersweet episode. Very good one but sad as it sent the show into a whole different universe from how it was created. Tyr finally makes his move and promises to deliver the Andromeda to the Drago Kazov. But, really, he has his own agenda: the annhilation of the Drago Kazov home planet. Keith Hamilton Cobb leaves the series in style and Andromeda never quite recovered.

Final episodes of Season Three
319 - Illusion of Majesty - Dylan and the crew take a wrong turn ending up in the Prolon System where they discover a princess who is not what she appears to be.
320 - Twilight of the Idols - Dylan and the crew set out to find a colony that disappeared. We discover the surprising story behind the Genites and their creator - an old friend of Dylan's from before the fall - a person who is still alive.
321 - Day of Judgement, Day of Wrath - Michael Shanks (Stargate SG-1's Daniel Jackson) reprises his role as the Balance of Judgement's AI. He forces Rommie to steal a new High Guard vessel and forces Harper to build a new avatar. Includes a battle between the Balance of Judgement Avatar and the Resolution of Hector's Avatar (played by Christopher Judge - SG-1's Teal'c). In another part of the story, Tyr begins his move to take unite the Prides under his banner (third SG-1 crossover, the actor who played the Tokra Martoof plays a Drago Kasov field marshall. One of my favorite episodes as I am also an SG-1 fan and the SG-1 actors play very different roles from what we are used to seeing.
322 - Shadows Cast By A Final Salute (season three finale). Tyr makes his move and forces Dylan into a confrontation which threatens to shatter the new Commonwealth fleet and the Commonwealth. A massive battle between the Commonwealth forces and a variety of enemies. Tyr leaves at the end but does he make it? Watch Season Four to find out. Excellent but dark episode. ... Read more

Description

The Sanzo Party heads further into the thick of the demon plague terrorizing the Earth, and dangers threaten them every step of the way. And no matter how far west they go, the group's past is always one step behind! The ruthless fortune teller Chin Yisou seeks to avenge the slaughter of a thousand of his brethren by destroying Hakkai.Then, it's dangerous to trust anyone on this journey - a lesson Goku learns the hard way when he is tricked into eating a forbidden fruit. In the third episode of the volume, Gojyo's love of the ladies could lead to his doom when he agrees to help a young girl find her kidnapped parents. Finally, every member has something they would like to forget. A fact they must confront as the party must hole up to wait out a storm.Contains 4 complete episodes! ... 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

Amazon.com

Mickey Rourke is Butch "Bullet" Stein and the late Tupac Shakur is Tank in this stylish, Julien Temple-directed crime drama. Narrative is secondary to atmosphere in the violent, yet sensitive tale of an ex-con (Rourke) attempting to adjust to life on the outside. The minute Bullet emerges from the pen, however, the blood and profanity begin to flow just as freely as the references to Dali and Picasso (his younger brother is an artist). His drug problem is bad enough, but the biggest threat comes from the Kangol-sporting, eye-patched Tank, who intends to get his revenge for the eye Bullet took from him. Classical music and opera, meanwhile, bump up against hip-hop and Barry White. Despite the billing, this is Rourke's show all the way and Tupac's part is quite small in comparison. Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs) and Adrien Brody (The Pianist) star as Bullet's eccentric brothers. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (41)

THE REALIST AND BEST MOVIE EVER MADE ABOUT THE STREET LIFE
This is the best films I have ever seen. It is a damn shame that a film with such an excellent story line never made the theaters. Bullet has great music from vivaldi and Barry White that make the scenes very powerful and touching. Mickey Rourke plays the part of Butch "Bullet" Stein great. I love his laid back personality in the movie even though he is a heroin addict. Tupac also plays his part of a drug dealer really well and I know some people are dissapointed that he has a small role in this film but you shouldn't like this film just cuz Pac is in it. This film really shows you how a family can be destroyed by a life of drugs and crime. This is my favorite film and I can't describe in words how good it is and how powerful and touching some of the scenes are. We should all try to have Bullets laid back personality because that's what makes Mickey Rourke so great in this movie. Mickey Rourke cowrote this film as "Sir Eddie Cook" which is a name that he goes under as a writer which really shows you how talanted he really is to make such a great film. Hey also was the music supervisor for the film. I love all the scence in the movie but one of my favorites is when Bullet his younger brother Ruby and friend Lester get high while they are driving right after bullet gets out of jail and the Barry White song "Never Never Gonna Give You Up" comes on. That song is just perfect for that part. Any one who says this is a bad film really doesn't understand movies and the message that directors and writers try to get across to people. These people critize because they could never create anything like this and are flat out ignorent so don't even pay attention to their reviews. Tupac is most likely the greatest rapper ever and a pretty good actor but to all the Pac fans you can't hate this movie because it isn't Pacs best. Hey I love tupac too, but I realized that Mickey Rourke is just the coolest guy ever to do this movie because he is perfect in playing the role of a BULLET.
Like I said I could talk for ever about my favorite movie. Just watch it and hopefully you will understand it a like it too.

Last Good Mickey Rourke Movie!
The last great performance by Mickey Rourke (check out the original bad boy pimp in The Pope of Greenwich Village, Angel Heart, Diner & Barfly)...Couple of observations though, the film has the production values of "Family Ties"...don't expect an operatic "Scarface" type Gangster film. The oddball casting and stylistic touches win you over in the end, from the soundtrack to some of Julien Temple's wierd angles. This film must have been written when Mickey was high on heroin, some of it is straight on Mickey Rourke Bad Ass, some of it like the dysfunctional jewish melodrama is out of place. Still everybody should check it out, for a couple of reasons, #1)Its the second film Julien Temple works with a major music star who ends up dying just a year later (Temple directed Sid Vicious in "Great Rock and Roll Swindle")#2 Adrien Brody in a really wierd role, Brody actually worked with Mickey on "Thin Red Line" but Rourke had his scenes cut from the film, its amazing that Brody has gone on to become an Oscar winner and Rourke has since become a character actor. #3 Tupac's Slick Rick impersonation is hillarious...I think also Pudgey guy worked with Tupac on Juice...don't quote me on that one.

Racist garbage
Rourke as a Jewish heroin addict out of prison and hanging in a bad neighborhood in New York City- how original.
This movie stinks- I want my money back! I gave this crap DVD away, Jose!
This film is what is known in the trade as "garbage"!

This movie and my experience
Growing up near Kings Highway and the Stillwell Avenue area, I have hung out around the Marlboro Projects and all around Coney Island. While not as bad as Brownsville or East New York by far at all, its still ghetto and gets it going when it wants to. White gangsters used to own Coney Island and some still throw down and hold it there. Me myself being white, I was able to relate to this movie because it was in my neighborhood. Its very real. Anything goes on anywhere in Brooklyn, and Brooklyn is Brooklyn. That scene in Lafayette's Schoolyard where I used to go when my brother went to that school was classic. Watch this movie, thats all I can say.

You tell that N**ger Bigant's back in town!!!!!!!!

What are these other reviewers taking about?
This movie by far is not either of their best performances. To say it is their best no, far from it. The basic story line deals with Rourke getting out from jail and going back to his folks house. Who of course has a drunk for a father a mother whom puts up with them, a crazy brother and the brother with some talent. Same old story line. If you do watch this movie please do not expect much from it. I can see why it is a very unknown movie. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Good Sword Flick
I like this movie a lot for several reasons. Let's start off with the DVD itself, it's good. The picture and sound are nice and widescreen is always the best. I like the subtitle and language options, stuff like that makes a difference with a movie like this. The movie itself has an intriguing story and cool characters (I liked the Japanese swordman the best). The swordfights and battle scenes are great, and so are the special effects (especially considering this was an early 80s release). And yes there are tons of ninjas, flying ninjas, and they are awesome. This is just a cool movie, with a good plot that keeps up the action right up until the duel to the death at the end. Worth buying, especially if you're into Chinese cinema like i am.

The best martial arts swordfighting movie ever !
If you like martial arts and asian swordfighting you can already stop reading and order this movie at once (i suggest the dvd). I've seen a lot movies like that but none could offer that much of all that makes those movies so great : lots of brilliant swordfighting scenes, lots of breathtaking techniques, lots of ninja mysteries, lots of pathetic dialogues, lots of honour and codex stuff, traitory, drama, lots of blood (yeah), lots of that... old 70es martial arts movies music and lots of humor as well. Plus good actors who perfectly fit their roles and some funny superpowers which are beyond any realism (just to name a single - you have one scene where a group ninja is flying [not jumping, they really fly] straight trough the trees of a forest, were you're forced to think "oh really ?"). I've thougt about that footstabbing at the end as well and i guess there are only two reasons that make sense : 1.) he's trying to isolate the whole pain into the foot (you know like "i stick a finger in my eye so i won't feel my hurting legg anymore") or one that is even more possible 2.) he does it to keep his balance (you see that he's almost falling, but after he stabbed his foot he's standing still).

Anybody who read that... until the end and still lacks the movie should get it at once ! You're missing the best !

Ps : I've got a new deepminded question though (only for the dvd version) : the english synchro's text is very different from the english subtitles .... why ?

Wow!!!
This film is amazing. If you like kung fu/samurai flicks, this is the one to see. I thought "Swordsman II" was great, this I think, is better. This movie reminds me so much of the anime "Ninja Scroll". The cinematography is awesome. The fighting is superb, and the violence is incredible. It captures the essence of Shaolin kung fu and the Japanese samurai. Great sword play and an intriguing story. This is a gem. Now one of my favorite martial arts movies. Two thumbs up, way up.

This is a must see for HK movie fans!
I saw it like that when Iv read the reviews. This movie got it all!. Its a classic for HK kung-fu movies as Scarface would be for gangsta movies.

What I liked the most about this film, despite being an old film, is that ur not left on ur hunger with lil teasers. For example, when u see a fight scene that u like, and it promptly stop (because the guys run away, or they got killed like instantly) all u do is hoping that u will see it again, like if ur doing sex and someone intterupts u. WELL THIS MOVIE BRINGS U TO ORGASM! Thats right, no lil teasing, its goes until the end with stronger and better fights until the famous DUEL that happens! And the last fight is the strongest and most complete! Its a little hardcore, but so realistic. This movie rocks, and the DVD is cool as well!

Excellent sword fighting scenes even though made in 1982.
I have promised myself not to buy any action movies produced before 1990 due to their slowness in fighting but this is one of the exceptions. The fighting scenes are swift, smooth and violent. The special effects are as good as any other Hong Kong top movies of today. It is amazing especially when this film was made in 1982. If you love sword fighting or Ninjas you will like this. The plot is so so. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Movie That Continues To Entertain Generations...
"That Funny Feeling," starring Sandra Dee & Bobby Darin, is a wonderfully entertaining movie. The plot of the movie is about a struggling actress (Dee) who is embarrassed of where her and her room-mate live, so instead of allowing the man (Darin),who claims to be an interior decorator, she keeps running into to take her home, she takes him to the apartment that she cleans daily, because she is under the impression that the owner will be out of town for a week, not knowing that the man she met was the owner!
The movie is filled with comedy(!), especially Donald O'Connor as Bobby Darin's neurotic boss/best friend. Nita Talbot also stars as Sandra Dee's room-mate. After 39 years since it's theatrical release and of never being released on VHS, "That Funny Feeling" is finally coming to DVD. It was worth the wait. ... Read more

Description

The spine-chilling true story of the cat-and-mouse pursuit of America's most diabolical serial killer. Brian Dennehy stars in this riveting, true-life story of a young detective's (Michael Riley) relentless pursuit of the sophisticated, psychopathic mass murderer John Wayne Gacy. A suspense-packed tour de force of intrigue and terror--all the more shocking because it's true. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

This movie needed more about Gacy and less about the cops!
I know this is based on the cop's perspective of things, but Brian Dennehy (as Gacy) was only in this movie 40% of the time! And only 5% of that showed what the guy was actually about and what motivated the police in the first place!! Instead of giving a gritty, real life portrayal of what a serial killer did (in order to invoke sympathy for the victims and strong repulsion of the character) we are treated to long, boring scenes of investigative ho-hum and the top cop's family life (??!!) I walked away thinking that Gacy was silly rather than evil, and something tells me that wasn't that wasn't the moviemakers' goal...

Excellent acting
This is one of my alltime favourite movies. Brian Dennehy is really scary as Gacy. If you want to watch a great movie, watch this one, but not alone. You really get the feeling that Mr Gacy must have been one sick man, but quite clever, until he got caught, that is. Thank God for Kozenzyk and his team and that they were so persistent catching him, otherwise, who knows how many more men he would have killed unnoticed.....

Brian Denehy at his-evil-best
I first saw this movie years ago and still pick it every now and then because first it's a true crime story, and then Brian Denehy's acting is so extraordinary accurate. If you want to start a collection on thrillers or if you're interested in true crime, and more specifically about the cat and mouse game that Gacy played to the very end, buy this movie, you won't regret it.

Gacy the Evil Clown
Having lived in Chicago when the actual Gacy horror story was first disclosed, I thought that this film (which I think was first made for TV) captured the eerie personality of a serial killer who dressed up as a clown to entertain kids. Dennehey is great.

Dennehy at his best - a chilling, cold and gritty movie
An absolutely fantastic movie portraying the life of John Gacy, a simple man who runs a building contractor company. In his spare time, he loves entertaining sick children in hospital, dressing up as Pongo the clown. But what John does in his spare time is both inconcievable and terrifying. This film is based on a true story - that of John Gacy, and how in his spare time he sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered thirty-three young men, making him America's single-most brutal serial killer of all time. "To Catch a Killer" begins as yet another young man goes missing, Gacy having lured him into his house and taken it from there. When his mother notices him gone, she calls the police. And in steps Michael Riley, who plays Lieutenant Packer, a man struggling to balance his job with his family, much to his son's dislike. Packer spends every waking moment pursuing Gacy, uncovering vital and astonishing clues along the way, revealling more and more about Gacy's twisted actions, bringing the movie to a terrifying ending where at last the boy's body is found. An excellent movie, with Dennehy's best performance ever, and a one even as good by Riley. It revealls the horrifying truth about "stranger-danger", and portrays that, like a breakdown on a lost and lonely highway late at night, it could happen to you. One memorable and terrifying scene has Gacy doing his performance as a clown at the children's hospital. Riley and his men track him down and watch him as he entertains away, showing off tricks and telling jokes. Then as Gacy notices Riley is watching, he performs a cunning trick in which he borrows Riley's handcuffs and demonstrates on a young boy a trick, to see if the boy can get himself out of the handcuffs without the key. Riley watches intently, and Dennehy's role is highlighted with the terror and fear he gives us. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bob Hope returned to the wild West in Son of Paleface, mining therootin' shootin' genre for gag after gag. Hope plays JuniorPotter--another variation on his lascivious, cowardly, yet somehowendearing persona--a college boy who's come to California seeking hisfather's hidden gold. What he finds is an empty treasure chest, a pile ofunpaid bills, vengeful Indians, buxom Jane Russell (as a saloon girl byday, wily bandit by night), and singing cowboy Roy Rogers. It's primesilliness, an ancestor to movies like Airplane! that never let amoment go by without an absurd joke. Russell sashays about in spectacularform-fitting outfits, Rogers yodels a few tunes, and Hope snivels andwheedles his way out of endless scrapes. Good-natured slapstick (thoughits depiction of Native Americans will raise the hackles on politicallycorrect viewers). --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Son of Paleface
SON OF PALEFACE is a sequel, of sorts, to Bob Hope's 1948 hit PALEFACE. It reunites Hope with Jane Russell (Calamity Jane in the previous movie, Mike 'The Torch' Delroy in this one.) Singing cowboy Roy Rogers rounds out the lead roster as Federal Agent Roy Barton.
Hope plays Peter 'Junior' Potter Jr., a recent Harvard grad who travels west to claim his inheritance. Russell plays a masked bandit and Rogers the Fed investigating a series of stagecoach holdups. There's a search for a cache of gold hidden by Junior's father but beyond that the plot doesn't get in the way much at all. If it did, you'd wonder how the masked Torch is able to keep her identity a secret. Yeah, she's wearing a mask, but the hip-hugging jeans and tight blouse she wears when a-robbing make it kind of obvious who it is under the mask.
Not that it matters much. The plot is just thick enough, thank you. Russell and Rogers play it straight and provide Hope with strong foils to play against. By 1952, when SON OF PALEFACE was made, Bob Hope had the blustering coward schtick down cold. Teamed here was director and former Warner Brothers animator Frank Tashlin things get a little wacky. Non sequiturs, snappy one-liners and mugging close-ups are the rule here. Tashlin throws in some very cartoon-y gags, as well. Hope drinks an impossibly tall drink in a bar. After a moment the pipe he's smoking straightens out and spits fire. The H on his Harvard shirt curls. The pipe curls and his nose is caught in the bowl. Smoke hisses out of Hope's ears. His head spins rapidly, then his body. His head sinks into his coat and his hat covers the neck hole. Russell lifts the hat and peeks in....
You get the idea. It's all good family fun with just a scene or two that might zoom past the uninitiated. For instance, when Hope drives his roadster across the desert two vultures perch on the rumble seat. At one point Hope turns on them and says "Hey! Martin and Lewis! Beat it!" Fortunately, the visual and verbal gags come at such a rapid-fire rate we aren't forced to mull over such mysterious references. Before we're given a chance to think about it Hope has driven through an ice-rink desert mirage and the vultures have changed into penguins.
SON OF PALEFACE is one of those rare movies that will appeal to almost everybody and offend almost nobody.

Golden age western is a winner
Delightful western spoof is one of Bob Hope's best films, and he has plenty of solid support from the busty Jane Russell and the King of the Cowboys, Roy Rogers and his golden palomino, Trigger, "the smartest horse in the movies". Junior Potter [Hope] comes west to inherit his dad's wealth and instead finds himself saddled with his numerous debts and an irate townsfolk is ready to take out their frustrations on Harvard man Potter. Rogers is in town to investigate a series of bank robberies led by "The Torch" and the trail leads to lovely Mike [Russell], a dance-hall singer by day and a black-clad raider by night. Hope fires off snappy one-liners throughout the film's 95 minutes and he has a humorous sequence with Trigger in a hotel room while trying to escape from agent Rogers. Several songs are presented in the movie, among them the popular tune, "Buttons and Bows".

Hope at his Best!
Quite seriously (in a manner of speaking!) this is the best of all of Bob Hope's movies. Although the Road To.. films are classics and will forever feature in the Comedy Hall of Fame, this little-known gem is a real riot! This probably comes closest to Road to Utopia in terms of zaniness.
A sequel-of-sorts to the hugely inferior The Paleface, this movie lays it's cards on the table from the very beginning as we are introduced to the titular 'hero' through a very witty narration ("This girl has just the kind of lips I like to kiss - one on top and one on the bottom") that includes the almost obligatory Bing Crosby cameo. Following this is a few minutes of plot development (and, strangely, this film has more plot than most straight westerns) before Junior Potter (Hope) bursts into town. Great one-liners abound ("I'm an innocent man and if you have any justice in you, you'll accept my bribe") but the real beauty of the film is the surreal, almost cartoon-like direction. Of course the direction has every right to be cartoon-like - it's directed by Frank Tashlin who started in Hollywood directing Porky Pig! Wild action includes Hope's reaction to a Micky Finn, Hope's attempts to blend in with his cowboy costume, Hope and Trigger sharing a bed and talk (tastefully done!) and a crazy chase finale involving banana skins!
Supporting players Jane Russell, Roy Rogers and, of course, Trigger do extremely well in the shadow of Hope who pulls out all of the stops for a career-best performance. The songs, including Buttons and Bows with a twist, are great and the script, apart from the few straight seems which are kept to a minimum, compares well with the Marx Brothers at their best.
Don't believe me - watch it and see for yourself!

Funny stuff
I like this film quite a bit. I always liked Bob Hope as a kid and this film is pretty funny. I didn't buy this one for Bob though, I LOVE Jane Russell and had the hots for her as a kid. This film is a good fun family film that is pretty silly. If in a silly mood check this film out!

Silly fun
I've never seen the original film but used to catch this one alot on tv when I was a kid. I am a HUGE Jane Russell fan and enjoy the silly humor presented here in this film but truly got it for Jane Russell. She looks good in the film and that is a very dim witted reason to REALLY enjoy this film but it's the truth. I think its a good silly romp for the whole family and for anyone who can laugh at Bob hope. It was alot funnier as a kid of course but it's good if in a silly mood. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

An Entertaining Musical Sci-fi Comedy!
"Earth Girls Are Easy" is a musical sci-fi comedy about valley-girl Valerie (played by Geena Davis) living in 1980's Los Angeles, and who is engaged to a cheating, boyfriend doctor named Ted (played by Charles Rocket). Catching her boyfriend at home playing with a nurse, the disgruntled Valerie gets the surprise of her life when a spaceship crash lands in her swimming pool. The spaceship's crew (played by Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans), haven't had any "shore leave" in a long time. Not wanting to cause too much of a stir, Valerie takes the alien trio to her best friend Candy (played by Julie Brown) who owns a beauty salon. After Candy transforms the furry trio into believable human males, Valerie finds their captain, Mac (Jeff Goldblum), very attractive. Wild things happen when the alien trio are taken to a dance club and letting them drive in California traffic!

The fact that this film is also a musical only adds to the humor as there are several original songs by Julie Brown!

If you enjoy remembering the excesses of the 1980's and New Wave music, you will probably enjoy this film!

The Greatest Cinematic Acheivement Of All Time...
Alright, maybe not. But I can't think of a movie I love more. The parody of all things 80's is hilarious to those of us who suffered through them, though at times it's a tad heavy-handed (I mean, the exotic fish named Mercedes, Beamer, Aston & Martin is a bit...well, heavy-handed). But Geena Davis is cute and funny as a sweet, airheaded manicurist. Julie Brown is hilarious. Julie Brown is ALWAYS hilarious. Jeff Goldblum doesn't say much and is very, very sexy as a shaved alien. Of course, everyone knows that Jim Carrey & Damon Wayans were in this before In Living Color made them into stars. Both are very, very funny. Jeff Goldblum is much more a straight man, but this movie left me with a crush on him that I still have.

This movie is a great send-up of all things 80's, especially the SoCal sex comedies and beach flicks. Someone said that they thought this movie was supposed to bring back musicals. I don't think so. It's too quirky and too strange (I mean, the salon Geena Davis & Julie Brown work at is called "Curl Up and Dye" for gods sake). I don't think it was made to be a blockbuster. It is, however, a really good time. Julien Temple is marvelous with film visuals, and the silly, sexy humor is lots of fun. Get this movie. It's a treat not to be missed.

Could be an episode of "Before They Were Stars"
It was all about flash and glitz during the 80s, which makes me wonder why there simply weren't more musicals. Well, at least there was this one. Earth Girls Are Easy is a silly, kitschy romp with songs that are as fun as the goofy storyline.

Valerie (Geena Davis) is a manicurist at a styling salon in "The Valley" called Curl Up & Dye. She's engaged to a philandering doctor (Charles Rocket), and looks forward to the day that she'll be a bride. Life is confusing, but headed in the right direction, Valerie thinks. Until the fateful day when an alien spaceship crash-lands in her swimming pool.

The brains behind Earth Girls Are Easy is Julie Brown, who takes part of the credit for writing the script and the songs, who sang several of the songs, and who also co-stars as Valerie's best friend, Candy. Before this movie, really the only thing Brown had been known for was serving as a vee-jay on MTV. Likewise, two of the aliens who at the time were unknowns would later become comedic powerhouses, Jim Carrey and Damon Wayons. Rounding out the trio of aliens was Jeff Goldblum, who was Geena Davis' real-life boyfriend at the time and who, not surprisingly, plays her character's love interest in this film.

Mostly the movie is a series of setups for each of the songs, as well as some great comedy skits. Keep your eyes peeled during the "Cause I'm A Blond" sequence for uncredited dancer Robia LaMorte, who would later become well known to fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as computer science teacher Jenny Calendar - she becomes de-throned as "this month's Miss August" by Julie Brown when she's exposed as really being a brunette.

There's also a great turn here by Michael McKean as over-the-hill surfer Woody.

If you enjoy a good, goofy musical-comedy, you don't want to miss Earth Girls Are Easy.

Terrible Movie
This movie was extremely poor lacking in taste, acting quality and humor.

Snap shot: 1989ish
For better or worse, this film really represents an era, particularly in So Cal. This film is superficial but bright and smart... and has VERY bright colors -- like a 90 minute Starburst commercial. The entire look, in every nook and cranny, is eighties glitzy-junk new wave excess taken to the extreme. And then grunge (Seattle, Nirvana, Clinton:-) put an end to it all, sort of. But while it lasted, the end of the eighties ($ boomtime for So Cal) is shown here in all its glory: Yuppiedom, lots of gadgets, almost disposable clothes, accesories to the max, disposable pop-culture references, and big-haired beautiful women. Julie Brown epitomizes all of the above with a postmodern wink. She is the heart here... while Geena Davis is the straight person, properly vacant, wandering through this neon world. As so many reviewers wrote, the Julie Brown musical numbers are real standouts. And Geena's "Ground That You Walk On" is great too. Highly recommended time capsule. (Compare this film to 1980ish "Xanadu," where lots of this glitz was in its infancy, more serious and innocent). ... Read more

Amazon.com

Opposites attract in this conventional but refreshingly unpredictable romantic comedy. New York nightclub designer (Matthew Perry, from television's Friends) is in Las Vegas to supervise the construction of a new project when he meets a fiery Mexican beauty (Salma Hayek). It's lust at first sight, and their one-night stand takes an unexpected turn when she shows up three months later to announce that she's pregnant. They're determined to do right for each other, so they get married in a Vegas chapel with an Elvis impersonator as their witness.Then comes the hard part--trying to figure out if they're actually compatible. The plot complications are mostly familiar, but Perry and Hayek throw some bright sparks as their initial bliss turns to more realistic concerns for family and future. Along the way there's some sharp dialogue and a few good laughs to give this all-too-human comedy an enjoyable spin. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (97)

Desert flavor and so romantic!
If you mix comedy, drama and love with two great actors and a perfect script, what you end up with is a memorable movie. This is a beautiful story, which starts off wrong. Alex Whitman (Matthew Perry) and Isabel Fuentes (Salma Hayek) are destined to meet and when they do, things go in a direction they never imagined.

Isabel brings the drama to this movie. Alex brings the comedy. Their families from different cultures bring in a touch of conflict. The expectations of each family are so typical and set in motion a number of unexpected twists and turns to the plot.

The music in this movie does deserve its own soundtrack. I have looked for it. Even after watching this movie for the third time, I still want a CD. The music sets the mood for the whole movie. The setting at the Hoover Dam is also spectacular as are many of the outdoor scenes in the desert.

Salma Hayek is at her best in this movie, as is Mathew Perry. There is such great chemistry. The signs all definitely point towards them being together. Unfortunately, they both have to deal with relationships they had in the past, annoying relatives and Alex's controlling boss.

This movie shows how love can conquer any situation and cross all barriers. Each time you watch this movie it will affect you differently. When you see Alex holding a baby and Isabel looking across the room at him, you can't help but become Isabel for that brief instant. Alex says so many of the right things, any woman would want to hear. Then, Alex also makes the mistake of not telling Isabel pertinent details which will affect her life, and that is the basis for most of the conflicts.

Matthew Perry and Salma Hayek were the best actors for this movie! It is so romantic, you will want to watch it once every few years. Absolutely a worthwhile investment to purchase the video or DVD. Now, if anyone can find a soundtrack CD, let us all know!!!

!A Man, A Woman And A Chihuahua. Ay caramba!
After seeing "Fools Rush In", I definitely feel the above caption would make for a better title. But, nonetheless, this is one of those romantic love stories with a touch of comedy and a whole lot of drama, like a soap opera, but only better. The plot centers around a consultant of an architectural firm, Alex (Matthew Perry), who, by fate, meets a single Mexican woman named Isabel (Salma Hayek). After spending the night together, Isabel becomes pregnant with Alex's child, but is quite shocked about the news at first, and isn't sure whether or not she wants to continue their relationship. As time progresses, the couple get to know each other better and Isabel introduces Alex to her family, the Fuenteses (including an angry chihuahua named Che, who, at first, displays an intense dislike for Alex, but softens up to him later), and, likewise, Isabel later meets Alex's parents. At first, their parents don't agree with the idea of Alex and Isabel going steady, because of the cultural differences of both families. But what the heck, it all makes for a very interesting, and rather potent, love story. In fact, it is a love story (as mentioned above)! Rather than saying anything further, I suggest you pick up a copy of "Fools Rush In". The chihuahua alone is worth the price of this movie! Approved by the SPCA/American Humane Society and Lover's Anonymous."

Cute, Sweet, thoughful romantic comedy
I thought this was such a cute movie! It shows that sometimes opposites do attract! During one seen, Salma talks to Matthew about their differences and the prejudices that both families have with each other while telling a story. This is something that every body will love, including guys!!

An Excellent Movie
I love this movie. It has become my all-time favorite love story. Very well done!

Charming story but left me with a question.
This is one of the most charming "chick-flicks" because of the sweetness of Salma Hayek's character. Matthew Perry brings the humor. The music is very uplifting. Many of the songs can also be found on a CD called "Ultra-Lounge Volume 5". The two characters start their relationship physically first, then try to fall in love later. Along the way, they question what is meant to be. They encounter each other's families and friends and explore their likes and dislikes and the result is comical and endearing. What I am wondering is for those who are not happily married, does this movie encourage a physical relationship outside of marriage? I have seen the movie but still am not sure. On the surface, it seems like it doesn't. But what would be the end result of watching this - would a person be more or less likely to start a relationship physically? With the ending the way it was, it might make some younger viewers think true love might happen that way and end up leaving them with heartache. I'd like to hear more reviews on this aspect. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Saiyuki is one of several anime versions of "The Journey to the West,"but it's a quirky, off-the-wall retelling the author of the original Chinesenovel might not recognize. These episodes begin exploring the pasts of themain characters and their relation to the world of the story. The evil GyukumenKoushu wants to resurrect the demon-lord Gyumoah, but she needs the two sutrasGenjo Sanzo carries with him to accomplish it. Gyukumen sends Kougaiji,Dokugakuji, and two female demons, Lirin and Yaone, to attack Genjo's crew andcapture the sutras. One of the sinister doctors serving Gyukumen sends acrab-monster to interrupt the battle, causing the rival warriors to ally and gain respectfor each other. The mystical overtones, numerous anachronisms, and vaguelyChinese settings recall the more light-hearted Soul Hunter. (Rated 15 andolder: violence, profanity, risqué humor, tobacco and alcohol use)--Charles Solomon ... 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

Amazon.com

An ultracreepy blend of horror and fantasy (think of it as Beauty and the Bugs) from Mexican director Guillermo del Toro (Cronos) about giant cockroaches in the subway tunnels beneath Manhattan. Like its DNA-altered spawn (the title refers to the way some insects evolve to resemble their predators), Mimic is not your everyday bug picture, but a more poetic (though quite gruesome) sort of film, literally crawling with bizarre, striking images. In this case, the mutant bugs are not the result of evil atomic experiments (as in Them!), but are the unexpected side effect of work done by an entomologist (Mira Sorvino) and her Center for Disease Control officer husband (Jeremy Northam), who, in a last-ditch effort to control a roach-carried disease epidemic that was killing children, released a genetically altered form of sterile cockroaches beneath the city. They stopped the virus, but... Also starring Charles Dutton, Giancarlo Giannini, F. Murray Abraham, and Josh Brolin. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Gritty little sci-fi flick with a lot going for it
This gritty little sci-fi flick was a surprise hit at the box office and with critics thanks some solid performances, capable suspenseful direction from Guillermo Del Toro (Cronos, Blade 2), intelligent storytelling, and some great (at the time anyway, they are showing their age now more than ever) special effects. Husband and wife scientists Mira Sorvino (cute as can be here) and Jeremy Northam create genetically altered cockroaches in an effort to end a roach carried disease which is killing children. The cure works, but these engineered bugs begin to evolve as a very fast rate, mimicing their prey and becoming smarter by the minute. The script, while it does have it's share of holes, is surprisingly intelligent, and while Del Toro's suspensefully done direction isn't bad at all (matter of fact it is quite commendable), Mimic doesn't play as scary as it seems it is supposed to. All that aside, Mimic is a very good piece of sci-fi/horror that is more than worth checking out. The cast also includes F. Murray Abraham, Josh Brolin, Charles S. Dutton, and Norman Reedus.

A bug movie with some punch...
As a subject, the portray of an underground world below major cities has always been appealing. Combine that idea with some giant killer bugs and you get "Mimic", Guillermo Del Toro's sci-fi extravaganza. This film makes an interesting approach on the nature of predators and the mystery of the dark corners of human civilization. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to satisfying the hard critical eye.

The movie tells a story about an army of genetically-altered insects created to destroy a plague of cockroaches in the sewers of New York. Three years later, the bugs have learned to survive by mimicking their worst enemies: humans. Now an entire colony of these creatures is growing under the Big Apple, and they're getting ready to move up.

As you can see, the idea for the plot is very good, and has an interesting edge to it, but in the end, the filmmakers decided to exploit it through simple action sequences, with a lot of "Aliens" on the back of their minds. Mira Sorvino is very good as the doctor who created the monsters and is now tortured by the idea of her creation being loose on the world. But her character is the only one with at least some depth in this whole story. All the others are just background people, who play basically three roles: "partners" for our main hero, "victims" that need to be rescued (children are perfect for this), and "meat", so we can witness the destructive power of the giant bugs.

The real problem with "Mimic" is that, even though it has a very original idea, the script suddenly decides to play it safe, since it gives you absolutely no surprises. By the end, you know exactly what's going to happen, basically the same thing that happens in "Aliens": you know that the good guys will find their way through the colony, find the source of all the creatures, and blow it up with the biggest explosion their budget can allow. Fortunately for us, at least it's a big budget (the design for the creatures is award-worthy).

The DVD itself is no good, unfortunately. It includes the theatrical trailer, but absolutely no bios or commentaries. Lack of features is a curse among DVD's, and I'll never get tired of saying it.

In conclusion, I recommend the movie because of its original idea and some cool special effects, but you're warned in advance that you won't find anything new once the story gets going. How they managed to pull off a sequel is still a mystery to me.

Life finds a way, sometimes you wish it couldn't!
I'm fussy about the horror/sci-fi I watch but "Mimic" I actually quite liked.

The plot it not overly complex, a scientist finds a cure for a terrible disease but at a cost that no one is aware they are going to have to pay at some point in time.

Enter a couple of years later two scientists (one who found the cure and her husband), a shoe cleaner/cobbler and his autistic grandson who live near a train station where the horror that is lurking in the form of insects that can mimic human form are hiding out, a world weary security guard and the usual monster insect fodder (people in lay man's terms!) and you have a surprisingly intelligent film.

A bit on the gruesome side at times but quite suspenseful and it certainly makes you jump when you least expect it. The scene in the old train carriage is quite heart stopping and the boy actor who plays the autistic child is especially good with his savant ability to know people by the sound of their footsteps along with the size and make of shoe they wear.

It gets a solid four out five and is definitely a film you'd watch with your pals unless you are very brave and totally scare proof which by the way I am not!

The Perfect Horror Movie.
The giant roaches are terrifying. They're as gruesome and sinister as anything on the screen since the first ALIEN movie. I hate, hate HATE bugs & these guys were done so well here that I could barely watch - the filmakers should be very proud.

It did turn corny towards the end, but the whole story was excellent and exactly what I expected. This may be Mira Sorvino's best work & a must-see for people interested in B-Horror movies as an artform. This isn't Shakespeare, but it's paint-by-numbers at the highest level. I'm glad it was such a success with the sequels, etc.

Evolution has a way of keeping things alive.
Probably the one thing that shocked me the most about Mimic (1997) was learning that New York City has a cockroach problem. I mean, I've been to NYC and it seemed really clean to me, but then again my eyesight isn't what it used to be probably because I spent a lot of time staring at the sun as a child. Mimic, the first mainstream film directed by Guillermo del Toro, who later did Blade II (2002) and Hellboy (2004), stars Mira Sorvino (yowsa), Jeremy Northam, along with co-stars Josh Brolin, Charles S. Dutton, and F. Murray Abraham (am I the only one that finds the use of an initial in place of a first name annoying?)

As the film begins, we quickly learn, through some deft directing, of an incurable, often fatal, sickness running rampant in New York City that seems only to effect children (won't somebody think of the children?!) Anyway, after determining that it's the cockroaches that are acting as carriers for the disease, Dr. Peter Mann (Northam), from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), calls in entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler (Sorvino) to help deal with the problem. The solution? A genetically enhanced super roach engineered to not only emit secretions that increase the metabolism of the common roaches, thereby causing them to starve to death, but also designed to have a limited life span. The cure works, killing off the pesky varmints, and thus eliminating the transmission element of the disease, and saving an entire generation of children. Doctors Mann and Tyler are heroes, saviors of the wee ones (the children, not the roaches) and soon after develop a romantic relationship. Everything seems hunky dory, that is until three years later, when it's discovered that the super roaches, who weren't supposed to live beyond their specified genetic programming, have since evolved into something much worse than anyone could have ever imagined...

I really enjoyed this film, despite a few minor points. The story, developed by Toro and Matthew Robbins, along with un-credited writers John Sayles and Matt Greenberg, from a short story by Donald A. Wollheim, is exceptionally strong for the most part, creating a fun and engaging plot ripe with tension-filled twists, turns, and a healthy dose of scares. I did find the symbolism within the story, with regards to religion (the super roaches being called 'The Judas' breed, and Sorvino's self-infliction of a wound on her hand with a cross to draw blood and lure the creatures away) to be overly obvious, but not so much to take away from the overall enjoyment to be had here. I was surprised at a few points, one in particular dealing with the two boys who would collect bug samples for Sorvino's character, often traveling in less than hospitable places. See the film and you'll understand what I mean. The characters were well developed, with maybe the exception of Brolin and Abraham's roles. I do really like F. Murray Abraham, as he's an excellent actor, but he seems relegated to a very minor role here, as a former teacher of Sorvino's character, one she visits, perhaps seeking absolution, after her creation goes terribly awry. I felt Brolin's character, as a police detective seemed a bit pointless given his brevity on screen. Charles S. Dutton was a very good choice in his role as a cop working within the transit system, becoming involved in the hunt, soon becoming the hunted, of the overdeveloped creatures, but this is the sort of role I've seen him in many times before, as the blue collar everyman who steps up. I think he's shown that he's much more than that in other roles, but seems to fall back in these types of roles a little too often, in my opinion. As far as Sorvino, well, she really manages to carry the film well, infusing a lot of humanity within her character, presenting a sense of realism so often missing in films like this. Plus, she's a scrumptious babe, and extremely easy on the eyes, and I admired here willingness to get completely dirty and funkified for this film, crawling around in filth during her underground scenes. As for Jeremy Northam's performance, I just didn't care for it all that much. He's a handsome man, but his character seemed to alternate between being annoying and being somewhat useful, more often former than the latter. Toro's direction is wonderful, and much more than I expected in a picture like this. Despite a few 'in your face' scares, common to slasher type films, the tension was extremely well developed here, as was the atmosphere, especially while the characters were within the dank, dark, slimy, grimy sewers and derelict subway passages. There is a good amount of grossness within this film, so if you have a problem with great gobs of greasy, grimy guts and exceptionally large roaches, you should probably avoid this film. The special effects were superb, and extremely realistic. I loved the element of the film that related to the title, and the relationship to the creature's evolution. Is there a level of predictability here? Sure, but the movie did such a good job keeping me engaged throughout, I had little time to focus on who I thought would buy the farm, and who would survive until the end.

The wide screen print here looks really good, although I thought the audio was a bit soft at times, but English subtitles are available. Special features are sparse, listing only a theatrical trailer. One thing I didn't like was the way the film automatically starts playing once the disc is inserted into the DVD player, skipping the main menu, displaying it only after the film ends or if the viewer selects the menu option during play. The popularity of Mimic was enough to spawn two sequels, both direct to video, Mimic 2 and Mimic: Sentinel aka Mimic 3, neither of which are half as entertaining as the original.

Cookieman108 ... Read more

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No sci-fi show can be without a trial episode accusing someone of past crimes. "Forced Perspective" sees Dylan accused of a 300-year-old war atrocity and having to argue thecase from very peculiar perspectives. This episode feels like filler, but the viewer ought to pick up on two important aspects of the show happening on the periphery. What'sgoing on between Tyr and Beka? Even more importantly, what's going on with Trance? An interesting reversal of roles is presented to Dylan when an organized group of machines offer for him to join their Consensus of Parts. Neither is fully willing to join the other,however, and so "The Sum of Its Parts" turns out to be less than either hoped for. This episode was another cowritten by a noted science fiction author, and Steven Barnesinjects some welcome introspection into the proceeding story arc. "Fear and Loathing in the Milky Way" is experienced by all following the return of the Eureka Maru's original commissioning lowlife, Gerentex ("Under the Night"). Trance's deftsleight of hand helps at the casino tables, while Harper's wisecracking front finally slips to reveal a man capable of action in a tight spot. We also learn exactly how Bekapractices Valentineology. At long last we learn Rev's full name (Reverend Behemiel) and get a fuller explanation of his Wayist belief. "The Devil Take the Hindmost" reveals Jesus to be one of the reveredSaints, too. This was actually one of the first plot lines considered for the show, but Rev's character has had to wait until now for aproper spotlight. --Paul Tonks ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not so good
This show is a pale imitation of other sci fi shows. The episodes in this volume are probably some of the better ones. Of course, that's not saying much. It's a shame that this show continues while good sci fi shows,i.e. Farscape,are cancelled.

Be prepared for disappointment.
The Andromeda DVDs have been somewhat of a disappointment to me, this one, 1.4 more so then the other. The episodes themselves are in wonderful quality and are the main reason I bought the DVD.

However the limited number of episodes on each disk is appalling. And the extras on it, doesn't even come close to making up for the lack of them. The bloopers were short, and were mostly of Kevin Sorbo. The behind the scenes of the alien makeup seemed promising, however was less then five minutes. And then there was the fact that I could never find the commentary for "Fear & Loathing in the Milky Way."

So my advice to you is, if you are truly an Andromeda fan, then this is something for you. But be prepared for disappointment. ... Read more