Reviews (4)

BEHOLD: A Pale of Horse Shet
Sorry, never watched the movie. If it has ANYTHING to do wit that book, it's an abomination. Psy-warfare that takes fact and mixes with fiction so the 'tattler' (con-spiracy nut) sounds like a nut.

Not worth watching
The Movie, The Pale Horse, was very challenging to follow.It had many characters and situations that it made me loose track of who was who.To me the ending was very disappointing and I wish it was different.

a subtle, excellent drama
I thought in memory of Anthony Quinn's passing, I'd view one of his lesser known performances, and do a review on it. One of my favorite actors, he was always fascinating and versatile, with a great screen presence. His filmography is remarkable, and spans 6 decades. I love "La Strada" ('54), "Lawrence of Arabia" ('62), and one of his last, the sweet and sentimental "A Walk in the Clouds" ('95).

This film starts with actual 1936-39 newsreel footage, and proceeds to tell the story of Manuel, a warrior-soul who won't give up, and the anguish and trials he goes through. The intrigue that surrounds him, in trying to capture him, makes for a subdued but suspenseful drama.

Gregory Peck is Manuel, and though not 100% convincing as a Spaniard, is nevertheless excellent. Quinn is fabulous as the police captain, rougueish and full of vitality, determined to get his man. My favorite character in this film is the priest, with Omar Sharif giving a performance of amazing and unforgettable depth.

Made in 1964, Fred Zinnemann directed this with a lot of sensitivity...it's in black and white, with a lovely score by Maurice Jarre. Though this film never received much critical acclaim, or public recognition, I've seen it several times, and appreciate it more with each viewing.

BEHOLD A PALE HORSE- GREGORY PECK , ANTHONY QUINN
A classic action film with a brilliant cast! Features Gregory Peck as"Manuel Artiguez" an aging spanish revolutionary exile living inthe french town of "Po" near the spanish border and the PirennesMts. Artiguez is dreaded by the spanish authorities and specially byruthless and somewhat corrupt commander of Franco's Guardia Civil, CaptainVin~olas, brilliantly portrayed by Anthony Quinn,due to Artiguez ability tocross the border, raise havoc in spanish territory and escape, unharmedback to his safe haven in France, in spite of Vin~olas best efforts tocapture him. Equally brilliant supporting cast by Omar Sharif, MildredDunnock, Paolo Stoppa and Mario Angeletti. Probably based on a truestory,which takes place around 1959 or 20 years after the end of theSpanish Civil War (1936-39) this is an unforgettable action film, a mustbuy! ... Read more

Description

The Superbit titles utilize a special high bit rate digital encoding process which optimizes video quality while offering a choice of both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. These titles have been produced by a team of Sony Pictures Digital Studios video, sound and mastering engineers and comes housed in a special package complete with a 4 page booklet that contains technical information on the Superbit process. By reallocating space on the disc normally used for value-added content, Superbit DVDs can be encoded at double their normal bit rate while maintaining full compatibility with the DVD video format. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

AFI top 100- Winner of 8 Oscars-Including Best Movie 1953!!
"From Here to Eternity" made from Best Seller book of 1951 written by James Jones. Now digitally re-mastered both in video and sound provides us with this classic on DVD with background extras. The cast (Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Cliff, Donna Reed and Frank Sinatra)was perfectly chosen and proved by the 13 Oscar nominations and winner of 8 including "Best Picture and Director - Fred Zinneman". Frank Sinatras "Best Supporting Actor" come back role is just the beginning.
In Summary: a few days prior to Pearl Harbor we find ourselves involved with these military characters and women struggling to find better lives in the volatile world of 1941. Knowing war is coming they try desparately to make their lives more meanigfully. The main focus is around the Army life style and how their lives were effected by events they had no real control over. Lancaster played a top sergeant having an affair with his Company Commanders wife (Kerr), Cliff and Sinatra were 2 soldiers in the same company who befriend each other and end up both being killed by circumstances in this troubled time of December 7, 1941.
This Black & White classic film broke all kinds of barriers for subject matter and character/star representation. Reed as a saloon gal. Kerr as a steamy temptress (infamous Beach Love scene with Lancaster).
Sit back and take a ride "FROM HERE TO ETERNITY".

"A man don't go his own way, he's nothing."
Fred Zinnemann's "From Here to Eternity" simply has not aged well. It's place in cinematic history remains secure: Frank Sinatra's Oscar, Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr embracing in the surf, and the Oscar for Best Picture. Yet, what was considered an adult film back in 1953 plays like a run-of-the-mill soap opera in the present day.

As Sergeant Warden (Lancaster) and Karen Holmes (Kerr), the wife of his superior, start to fall in love, Private Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) is trying to find a way to avoid participating in his unit's boxing championship. Prewitt finds support from his friend Maggio (Sinatra) who tries to protect him from the pressures around him and finds love with Lorene (Donna Reed), a "working girl" who has temporarily relocated to Hawaii. Into the mix is thrown a sadistic warden played by Ernest Borgnine and the bombing of Pearl Harbor which plunges all involved straight into World War II.

"From Here to Eternity" is filled with one character after another who is desperate. All of them are either desperate for power, desperate for love, desperate for acceptance, or desperate to escape their past. Yet, the plotlines in the film do not produce the same emotional jolt it did five decades ago. Extramarital affairs, bullying authority figures, and fallen women are all topics on trivial daytime television shows today. These mature themes just do not hold your interest anymore when looked at through the veil of time. When this aspect of the film is removed, what is left is just a routine "day-in-the-lives" story.

Yet the film still has many things going for it. All of the performances are fine: Sinatra reminds viewers just how talented an actor he was in years past, the chemistry between Lancaster and Kerr is still electric, and Clift turns in another low-key but effective performance. And even though it's legacy may be slightly diminished, "From Here to Eternity" will always be fondly remembered as the film that more than any other made making out at the beach fashionable.

1950's Hollywood Mess
The Godfather got Sinatra the part of Maggio, but I think the producer was right; Sinatra stinks in that part. Talk about over acting; Sinatra has no subtlety at all. Now Lancaster is terrific, a soldier's soldier and Deborah Kerr slips into the part of a lonely wife of a louse effortlessly. The script of the James Jones book is a mess. The Lancaster-Kerr romance works almost, but the Cliff-Donna Reed love story is hurried and unbelievable. She's a dance hostess my a**. The mores of the 1950's did this interesting story wrong. These people are seething with sexuality, but somehow, Hollywood squeezed the juice out of em.

Great movie, so-so DVD
While the digital transfer is good and I enjoyed the movie for the first time without all the white noise and sound pops, all the special features that it boasts are disappointing.
For people who enjoy classic movies, you really can't do better than this. The movie is able to stand well enough on it's own without really needing these "features" to back it up and I recommend this DVD version only for that reason.
However those who love collectors edition DVD's, especially ones on Oscar flicks may feel slighted. There are two lackluster featurettes. One being a "Making Of" that is more or less a rehash of the production notes found inside of the case. The other focusing on Fred Zinneman, the movie's director, is slighlty more interesting. But both have more footage of the film itself than behind the scenes and both run under ten minutes. What they should have done was combine the two. The Commentary by the son of the director also leaves much to be desired. The only reason why I harp on these is that I know what Columbia is capable of doing better. Take a look at "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai"

However, I'm glad I got this and recommend it despite my gripes. Just be aware of the its shortcomings. It's a great film that speaks for itself and after having the DVD for a few years now, I still find myself taking this off the shelf from time to time.

The Peacetime Classic !
"From Here to Eternity" is a Hollywood classic. It may be the finest film ever about the military in peacetime. The background is Schofield Barracks, Hawaii in the Fall of 1941. That was the old "brown boot" Army! This reviewer is a Vietnam era vet, so I can't address the realism of the setting. Judging by the crisp dialog and snappy khaki uniforms, I'm giving the director the benefit of any doubt. I always thought it fascinating that an Austrian born Director could be at the helm of such classics as "High Noon" and FHTE -in consecutive years no less. What did Mr. Zinnemann know of the Old West or the American Army? The male lead is Burt Lancaster as First Sergeant Warden, a tough but fair NCO that any enlisted man would want for his "top". The second male lead is Private Prewitt, played by Montgomery Clift. Prewitt is a top bugler who isn't allowed to bugle and a top boxer who reuses to box for the company team! How that automatic conflict plays out is the heart of the movie. Another conflict is between Frank Sinatra, a happy go lucky but harmless enlisted man who trouble seems to follow and an evil Ernest Borgnine, the top MP at the Schofield stockade. Their "dispute" plays out too, with Clift a surprise key figure in its' "resolution". This reviewer believes that far too much attention has been lavished on the affair between Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, the wife of the Company Commander. I found it hard to swallow that any serious career man would run around openly with an officer's wife. Lancaster was one step away from a bust down to the lowest private and a trip to the stockade. The real female star here was Donna Reed, a bar "hostess' who would be a prostitute in real life. Her sensitivity toward Clift produces some of the best scenes in FHTE. Someone must have agreed because Donna walked off with the Best Supporting Actress Oscar- and promptly fainted after receiving it. The interplay between Lancaster/Kerr and Clift/Reed caused some huge challenges for the Director in making the bawdy best selling novel "clean" for the silver screen in the still conservative, prudish America of 1953. FHTE also contains some of the sharpest dialog and one liners this reviewer can remember. Two favorites: "Never disturb a man when he's drinking" (Lancaster) and "No one lies about being lonely"(Clift). In addition to Reed, Oscars were awarded for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Film Editing, Cinematography and Supporting Actor, (Sinatra). The last two are important: FHTE revived Frank's career. Many believe that "pressure" was applied to Harry Cohn and Columbia Pictures to hire Sinatra. Do we remember the "horses head in the bed" scene from Godfather I? Others claim that his then wife, Ava Gardner, supplied the "influence". Finally FHTE is yet another example of why black and white classics should not be colorized. If there is such a thing as "beautiful black and white", it is this one. .... ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Duh, this movie isn't supposed to make sense
I read a lot of reviews of this movie and they all say pretty much the same thing, it's unintelligable, but i think that's kind of the point. The first time I saw this movie it was on TNT at 1:00 in the morning, which is the time i recommend people watch this movie if they want to get the full effect, because when you are extreamly tired, you don't care about a plot, you just say hey, that's a cool movie, which is what this movie is. There's some great visuals like sam and dave's split apartment, and plastic figures hanging from wires that are apparently suspended in mid air. You must keep an open mind when watching this movie, don't ask how sam and dave get from a bus stop bench in a dark ally to an island in the blink of an eye, just go with it...and watch out for the snake

A very funny movie
This movie was a very good movie, I can not belive anyone would give it a bad review, but then again some people in this world must not have a since of humor, I belive that evey time you have Feldman and Haim paired together you are in for a very entertaning movie, and this movies proves that to be true, I would tell eveyone reading this that you to should watch this movie!

This movie's SUPPOSED to be stupid.
This movie was written with every intent to make you role your eyes and laugh. And, for me, it succeeded very well; I didn't stop laughing through the entire thing. It takes nothing seriously, especially itself (that's called a farce). It pokes fun at the film industry and itself. If you want to take a break from reality, be thoroughly entertained, and learn nothing of redeaming value, this is the perfect movie.

WOW! WHAT A HORRIBLE MOVIE!
Ok, first off, I love Corey Feldman and Corey Haim, and I love movies, but I almost couldn't even finish this movie. They get fired from their job and kicked out of their apartment, so Feldman's uncle that is an ex-pirate actor magically warps them to his island to become scuba instructors, but his uncle's old on screen nemesis tries to take over the island and blah blah blah. I would like to meet the guy that wrote this script and thougth he had something special. The only reason I gave this 2 stars is because the two Corey's are in it, and both of them rule, they just got caught in a very bad movie.

Great Movie
Not only is this a great movie, but it has Corey Feldman! Now Corey Feldman can do no wrong by me. I think every Corey fan should see this movie. And I think Corey is one of the most talented people out there and I don't care who knows it! So make fun of him all you want because to the people that really like him it doesn't matter. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Harlequins For Males
* Every time I go strolling through the paperback section of the local
department store -- I do this mostly out of habit, since I lost
interest in novels a long time ago -- I notice one section is devoted
to what, for want of a better term, I would call "male Harlequins".
Women apparently like to read slushy romances; men, on the other hand,
like to read violent action novels.

These violent action books have titles like MIA HUNTER or SAIGON
COMMANDOS or whatever. There's a whole rack of 'em, and they're
usually numbered as elements of a series. Mind you, I'm not
criticizing these books. People write them and make a living. People
buy them and kill some time. Everyone's happy. Some may claim that
such books have a negative effect on the character of those who read
them, but as a concern that doesn't quite cross the edges of my
radarscope.

There are movies that seem to fall in this category as well, and there
I would solidly place RED SCORPION. In this film, Scandinavian hunk
Dolf Lundgren plays a Soviet SPETSNATZ commando, sent to some mythical
African nation (Mombassa or Mikubu or ... whatever, something like
that) to help suppress a rebellion. He eventually realizes that he's
fighting on the wrong side and helps the rebels.

"And?" you ask. "And what?" I reply. That's really all there is to
it. It's sort of like a WWII-vintage propaganda flic, with the
sadistic and brutal Russians and Cubans oppressing the noble African
freedom fighters. It's all pretty much by-the-numbers: violence,
combat, torture, fistfights; lots and lots of fiery explosions.

I didn't mind. I'd been feeling frustrated, and I wanted to park my
brains for a while before I blew a fuse and bit the mailman. I knew
what I was getting into and got exactly what I expected. RED SCORPION
has zero pretensions of being anything but what it is, and makes no
false claims in its advertising. Anybody who watches this movie
with high expectations will be disappointed, but I would have to say
that would be like picking up a paperback like DELTA FORCE RAIDERS and
expecting to read WAR AND PEACE. Still, it would be nice to see a
movie that I don't forget the instant it's over. [Minor update of
review from 1989.]

If I did not Love the USA, I would join Spetznaz
I can not say enough good things about this fine film. Dolph Lundgren really gets to flex his acting muscles in this piece because he can speak with his native accent. His acting performance was not as good in The Punisher due to his covering up of this accent. He has many great scenes in Red Scoprpion. It is hard to say which is his best work in the film. There are two scenes that I consider equally great. First is the scene early in the film where Dolph acts drunk and wanders around the Soviet camp. It reminds me of a time when I was similarly drunk in the back of my boys Honda on the way to Denny's. Dolph really convinces the Soviet Soldiers and the audience that he may indeed be inebriated. I do not think that Richard Harris, who is dead, could have pulled it off better. The other scene is when the bushman gets him drugged one night so that they can tattoo the scorpion on his chest. Dolph's acting is so intense that he is sweaty and greasy even though that the temperature in that part of the desert at night would be very cold. Dolph grimaces in pain and really sells the scene. The only performance in all of film that is nearly as good as that occurred in the Wrath of Kahn. The scene I am refferring to is when Kirk screams "Kahn" in the walkie talkie and Ricardo Montalban has a pleasurable grimace upon his face. Ricardo's scene was good, but Dolph's was better.

Another great aspect of this movie is the fact that they show the great skill of spetznaz commandoes. Dolph, for instance is able to shoot high power machine guns with precision, jog long distances in homemade bushman flip flops and pick up armored jeeps from ditches using only his strength and willpower. Also, Dolph spends a very long time in the desert with little food or drink yet he stays diesel and does not even grow any facial hair. This shows the mental strength of Spetznaz. He willed himself to stay diesel and hairless. It is amazing. I hope to one day learn that skill. ... Read more

Description

An elite commando unit on a search and rescue mission in the Middle East must stop an illicit arms trade. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not bad Gary Daniels
Ok, I admit that I bought this DVD just because of Gary Daniels. He's one of the most gorgeous, watchable guys filmed. I could even watch him eating corn flakes for an hour. (He's the muscular, handsome, blue-eyed blond brit on the DVD cover).

That said, this movie has a solid, if not spectacular, plot and direction. There are some fairly good actors in the production. It ain't a "hollywood blockbuster". But it also wasn't made on a shoestring budget. I understand that this movie is one in a series of similiar films, so the production company undoubtably saves money by reusing their sets and props. Maybe you don't need to see all of the movies in the series to actually have "seen" them all. But if you want to watch one to see if it's your thing, you may as well make it this one because Gary Daniels is in it.

It's an "action movie" about special military ops whose job it is to penetrate a hostile environment and thwart some terrorists who obtain a nuclear device. If that movie scenario sounds like an appealing one to you, then you'll probably like this movie. There are some martial arts skills exhibited by Gary, who is well known for his abilities at such. But there is not as much as one would see in Gary's other movies. Non martial arts fans will probably enjoy the fight scenes because of his skills, and may find it a welcome improvement over the typical fight scenes you see in these sorts of movies (ie, clumsy, unskilled fighters badly faking punches). Martial arts fans will probably be disappointed that they don't get to see Gary show off more.

You probably don't expect much in the way of character development from this movie, and you won't get it. There is a hint of some potential romantic interest between a female lead and Gary, but that is unfortunately not explored. (When are producers going to figure out that you don't put a guy with Gary Daniels' sex appeal in a movie and then not exploit that?) She even chooses another guy over Gary later on. (Yeah right. Like that's believable).

One not to miss![.]
This movie and the rest of the series has single handedly fulfilled my life. I caught the last 30 minutes of Op III: Clear Target, on Showtime and as soon as it was over purchased the entire series from Amazon. Let me tell you....money WELL SPENT![.] Turns out Nu Image puts out six such [things] per year and that my friend is an undertaking. This is what happens when you build a sound stage in North Carolina. MAGIC. If they can turn this trash into a goldmine, anything is possible.
I've never laughed so hard at anything in my life. Just a word of advice, have your slow motion VCR or DVD player ready to go. The fun never stops.
And a special shout out to Op Creator Danny Lerner. Keep'em coming![.]

Horrible, Boring, Lame, Just A Waste Of Time !!!
This has to be one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I don't remember the last time I turned a movie off without watching the whole thing. The acting is honestly the worse acting I've ever seen in my life, the fighting is horrible and you can tell it's more then fake. I highly doubt anyone who has seen this movie has enjoyed it. This movie was just horrible, to anyone who hasn't seen it, keep it that way, because if you try and give it a chance, you'll be mad you did.

If your wanting to see a great Gary Daniels movie, get "Hawk's Vengeance", the acting in this movie isn't bad at all, and the plot is good.

MC

They spent maybe 5 dollars TOPS making this movie
This is another reason why NOT to see movies that don't come out in the theaters. None of them are any good. The movie's storyline wasn't that bad, the acting was pathetic, the action is what I call a "spray n' pray" film (where everyone fires dozens of rounds of ammunition and no one hits a darn thing). What made me the most upset was the movie's military misconceptions, like when the weapons supervisor said "M4 carb's 12 clips per, Glocks 9mills 6 clips per," nobody can hold that many M4 clips unless they had nothing else on! The military also doesn't issue Glocks (although they should, but that's a different topic). I know these are just little things, but things get worse (if that's possible). Look at how the RPGs float to the ground during the convoy attack (they're flying like foam footballs)! What about when the main character shoots 12 mines with a revolver that holds six shots, and he doesn't reload at all! Don't buy or rent this movie, the two hours you spend watching this could be spent with something more enjoyable, like watching grass grow! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Tom Hanks fan
When seeing the movie Big growing up I thought it was one of the best movies watching it over and over. As Tom Hanks made greater movies such as Cast Away also starring Helen Hunt, I rushed to see it and loved it as well. This dvd to me is a collection of two great movies that are a must see ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Dolph Lundgren great again
I thought this movie was great, definitely one of Dolph's best, I thought he did an excellent job, as a quite killing machine, who was known as a man of few words. Some of the greatest action scenes as well, with terrific explosive effects. This movie has power, humor, excitement, and a great portray of how the Soviet Union is, with their communism. I was only 6 years old when this film came out, and went and saw it with my older brother at the theatres, and loved it even when i was just a little kid, but im not saying let a 6 year old watch this, that was a mistake for me to see it at that young,but Red Scorpion rocks, enjoy!!

My Favorite So-So Movie!
I don't know why I like "The Red Scorpion" so much, but I do. It's not because of the film's production values, which aren't bad, but don't set any standards for excellence. It's not because of the acting, which ranges from over-the-top to wooden. It's not because of the story line which is serviceable, with one exception -- there's a terrific sequence involving Dolph Lundgren and a bushman that is touching and funny and moves me every time I see the film. I'm hard-pressed to actually cite something specific about the film that makes it so much fun for me to watch. Lundgren is completely believable as a special forces soviet trooper. It may be the part he was born to play. His character is a trained killer but with a mind. And he uses it. I've watched this film a dozen or so times over the past decade. I finally bought it on DVD because my tape won't last forever. The DVD image is sharper than my VHS and the sound is clean. Special Features are sparse...I seem to recall some bios and, maybe, some stills. But maybe not. There's no commentary or "making of" feature. I bought the DVD because I think I'll want to see it many more times. It doesn't make sense to me when I think about why, but there it is! I really like this movie!

must see
this movie is great defenatky dolphs best the story was so gret best ever much better than something like platoon or kip great 5 star action

A New Lord is Born
Dolph Lordgren kicks mucho buttero in this movie. Nicknamed "Red Scorpion," the lord went against his own people to save others. Bar fights, explosions and gun battles are common in this goddage movie. Yes, lordage.

When people share one thing... humanity!
A lot of words have been spent describing, criticizing or simply discarding this movie. Pity, after all it's an inoffensive adventure movie a la Tarzan and as such it should be considered.

My three stars go out to the poor bushman who probably played himself and didn't get mentioned in the credits.

He's actually the reason why this movie is worth watching. All the rest is cheap anti-communism propaganda of the lowest and brainless level.

The director seems to tell us "Hey guys, the Communists got it up their a... in Afghanistan and in Africa too, so why should we blame our boys for having lost the Vietnam War?".

The script came from a spoiled child with too much time to do something useful with it.

And yet, despite all the "propaganda" bit, "Red Dawn" it is not... if you know what I mean. Thank God for that!

It's the simple story of a Spetnaz (the russian equivalent to Special Forces in the U.S. Army or the S.A.S. in the British Army) who gets an assignment as an undercover hitman to kill an African rebel leader.

Unfortunately for him, once in the midst of the Rebel group he starts to understand why they revolt and sympathises with their cause.

Bad mistake! He's captured by the Russian secret service, tortured and thrown out of the Spetnaz with dishonor.

Abandoned in the midst of an unknown African wilderness, he's suddenly confronted with the harshness of the land and must learn very fast how to survive in it.

Unfortunately for him some lessons learned are soon forgotten thanks to exhaustion and sleepiness. In fact, no sooner is he asleep that a very venomous scorpion decides to sting him.

The real movie starts here. Will he survive or not? Well, thanks to the said Bushman he gets his skin saved for a little longer.

At first, the giant Lundgren mocks the little man for being so primitive and so backward and seems to take pleasure at teasing him, despite his gratefulness for having being saved by the Bushman.

Very soon though the positions get reversed, and this is the really interesting plot twist of the movie. Lundgren is not a great actor, or even an actor at all, but in his clumsiness and genuine naivete' he gets through in convincing us about his helplessness out there in the wild.

Soon enough the wisdom of the old Bushman gets revealed to him and now a true friendship starts to ensue between two worlds as alien and as far apart as can be.

Not only do they become friends but start to respect each other as human beings, and out of this relationship comes the final strong reaction of Lundgren when he sees that the Bushman's entire village, family and friends have been wildly butchered by so-called "civilized" people. Lungren's own bunch.

While the Bushman hardly utters a word watching the scene and seems to linger in a state of deep shock at what he sees, Lundgren gets upset and swears to the old man that his family won't have died in vain.

A noble reaction, but probably one the Bushman wouldn't accept, also because it is not in his nature.

From here on the movie returns to his old actioner cliche' of Rambo's fame.

Naturally, somebody must have had some doubts on how to end the movie, but such doubts didn't last very long... Pity!

Lundgren seems more comfortable acting with the Bushman than surrounded by professional actors and at his level it is more than comprehensible. This is also where he is at his best.

So, in conclusion, if you are a Tarzan fan, this movie comes very close to that genre, with a touch of Rambism and a touch of Italian Stave Reeves' Hercules you may be served.

If you thought about a deep movie, this is absolutely not it.

It's pure escapism with a touch of sprinkled Pathos on top.

I would still recommend it just for the poor Bushman who did his job with honesty and generosity.

If you are an actor or a Drama student watch him carefully because you may still learn a thing or two about how an amateur can sometimes steal the show from a professional, despite his training and upbringing.

I only wished somebody someday will finally retrace the Bushman's name and include it on the DVD or VHS tape cover. He deserves it more than Lundgren... ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Neither Good Nor Bad
ROMANCING THE STONE could be seen as the poor man's Indiana Jones movie. It's short on snappy dialogue, coherent plot and memorable characters.

Essentially this is a vehicle for Douglas as rough and ready Jack Colton, and Turner to show her versatility as Joan Wilder, the novelist who sheds her loner image and eventually becomes a heroine. Danny DeVito crops up as a slimy rival to the duo's quest, but his part is overplayed and underwritten.

The story as it is revolves around Wilder going to Columbia to rescue her kidnapped sister. This leads her into a journey of adventure to recover a fabled jewel with adventurer Colton. An almost sinister kidnapping becomes a farcical adventure comedy: I found the switching in tone of this movie at times confusing, and at other times far too blunt.

Whilst ROMANCING THE STONE is not a movie that will leave any lasting impression on you, it is passable as entertainment - saved as it is by the one thing that causes it so many problems: the reliance on the Turner-Douglas on-screen relationship to carry it through.

On A Par With Indiana Jones Movies
Without even looking at other reviews, I'm sure I'm the first to draw this parallel.

*uses pliers to remove tongue from cheek*

Romancing the Stone jumped in to ride the wave of adventure movie semi-fanaticism spawned by the Indiana Jones movies, but gave us a more comedic villain in Danny DeVito; a less indomitable and less scrupulous hero in Michael Douglas; more pratfalls, and a stronger, less nice, more sultry heroine in Kathleen Turner.

There are several things that make this a five-star adventure movie. The action and the pace are great; there is a moderately complex plot; the special effects, while less than what you see in an Indy movie, are well-done; the music is rousing, and the scenery/setting is gorgeous. But, what I see as setting this film apart is the same factor I've noticed in most of my favorite films: the actors appear to be having the times of their lives playing their parts to the utmost. They seem to be enjoying being their absolute most in their parts, and their enthusiatic spills off the screen and flows through the room.

If you are a fan of adventure movies, you should see this one.

Romantic Comedy Adventure: Turner And Douglas
This 1984 film was the first that brought together the incredible on-screen chemistry of Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas. The film, a romantic and comic version of the Indiana Jones films, involves a romance novelist (Kathleen T) and how she gets wrapped up in a hunt for a rare and valuable diamond. As her love interest and her partner in the search is Michael Douglas. At first, the two don't get along very well. Their fighting and bickering as well as game-playing (they each plan to dump the other and take the diamond for themselves) is only an overture to the subsequent romance and passion that overwhelms them. At the end of the movie, they are on a boat on top of a car in New York City headed for a romantic world travel adventure.

This movie also stars Danny Devito (this team- Turner, Douglas and Da Vito would later make War Of The Roses which was a darker comedy about a nightmare divorce). Danny DeVito is hilarious as he is a shlemiel. The location was shot in South America, specifically Columbia, and the lush scenes of photographic landscapes - jungles, rivers, waterfalls, rapids and villages, make this a very engaging adventure story. Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas are really great together and it is the real salvation of the movie. For Turner's character, her life becomes an adventure and a romance as any of the novels she has written. Highly enjoyable, very comedic and never aging, this movie is a welcome fill for any space in your DVD collection. On DVD, it's even better. Greater color and sound, picture quality and bonus feature such as insight on the film, the actors and commentary.

Jewls For Romance
This is the story of a romance writer, who needs a romance. It's a silly story but fun none the less. It's a chick flick I guess but it's fun.

Great casting
Who knew that Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas would turn out to be such a super casting duo? And then add Danny DeVito to the mix as the inept, addled wannabe villain, and you've got an instant winner. The story line revolves around a romance novelist (Turner) accidentally gone astray in Colombia. Douglas is her opportunistic rescuer/ally, and the pratfalls and plot twists keep coming fast enough to keep an audience on the edge of their seats. ... Read more

Description

She was an eyewitness to murder. He was the cop she thought she could trust. But, when they fell in love, she discovered that no one is... "Beyond Suspicion." Morality, justice and obsessive love are combined in this chilling psychological thriller loaded with deception, double twists and double-cross. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Stepfanie Kramer is hot !
Ms Kramer has always been a gifted actress, and this movie only scratches the surface of her imense talents...still, she is so beautiful to watch, and she is so hot in this film! Sexy love scenes with Scalia.Even with the limited material, Stepfanie manages to jump off the screen.She can hold her own against the best of the best as far as Im concerned.

Entertaining cop movie for Scalia lovers
Quite an entertaining movie for a low production film. A "must see" film for Jack Scalia fans. He looks "HOT" in this film and is very sexy. There are several "steamy" love scenes that shocked me never having seen an R rated film with Scalia in it. Overall he does a good acting job playing a character that's rather twisted. One huge negative about this movie is the music. It's obnoxious and very dated.

TC Review
Beyond Suspicion was an entertaining movie, it's not going to win any awards but Stepfanie Kramer looked great and the plot was well done. If your a Stepfanie Kramer fan then it is well worth watching.

not bad - but not worth pay $80 for.
so so movie - not bad as a rental, but not worth $80 to pay ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Please Be Advised....
This DVD contains the two-part episode from Season 2 of the Highlander TV series. If you already own or are planning to buy the Highlander Season 2 Box Set, please be advised that these episodes are included in that set. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A box-office hit when released in 1994, this sprawling, frequently overwrought familial melodrama may get sillier as its plot progresses, but it's the kind of lusty, character-based epic that Hollywood should attempt more often. It's also an unabashedly flattering star vehicle for Brad Pitt as Tristan--the rebellious middle son of a fiercely independent Montana rancher and military veteran (Anthony Hopkins)--who is routinely at odds with his more responsible older brother, Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and younger brother, Samuel (Henry Thomas). From the battlefields of World War I to his adventures as an oceangoing sailor, Tristan's life is full of personal torment, especially when he returns to Montana and finds himself competing with Alfred over Samuel's beautiful widow (Julia Ormond), whose passion for Tristan disrupts the already turbulent Ludlow clan. Under the wide-open canopy of Big Sky country, this operatic tale unfolds with all the bloodlust, tragedy, and scenery-chewing performances you'd expect to find in a hokey bestselling novel (in fact, it's based on the acclaimed novella by Jim Harrison), but it's a potent mix that's highly entertaining. Not surprisingly, John Toll won an Academy Award for his breathtaking outdoor cinematography. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (122)

Legend of the Fall
Family values, brotherly love, Legend of the Fall is an epic which depicts every side of both.
Watching this film, it is easy to believe that Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn and Henry Thomas are brothers and the sons of Anthony Hopkins. The love-hate relationship between Tristan, Alfred and Samuel is almost too realistic. The iron hand of a domineering father who only knows the army way leads to desparate struggles for independence and identity.
Tristin (Brad Pitt) is the middle son, favored by the father (Anthony Hopkins) because of, as well as inspite of, his wild nature. Alfred(Aidan Quinn) is the eldest son. He feels he should be most privilaged, and since he can't get honor and respect from his father, he struggles his entire life to acheive success and out do his brother. Samuel is the youngest son who is looked after by all the family. It is Samuel who brings the woman into the picture.
The struggles of life and death, love and hate weave their way in and out of the story.
Edward Zwick did an excellent job of blending the story with the talents of the actors.
Legend of the Fall is an emotional dramatic ride. The scenery of the remote wildernes is the perfect back drop to support the legend as it unfolds.
I would recommend this film to anyone who wants a good emotional drama with all the twists and turns of real life.

A Movie That Almost Lives Up to Its Grand Title
This is one of the most moving films I have seen in a long time. Believe me, unless you have a heart of stone, you will cry long and loud over the anguish of the two main characters, played beautifully by Brad Pitt and Aidan Quinn. Family values are at the root of this anguish, and there are many powerful and engaging scenes. I wanted to give this movie five stars, but it didn't quite live up to the implications of its grand title. The ending was a bit of a letdown as well, although it's an appropriate one for Pitt's character.

Legendary
This movie seriously kicks ass. It's been my favorite movie for years and it makes me cry everytime.

Love It
I love this movie its a wonderful love story, you can watch with your boyfriend, and he'll actually like it!It has just enough action in it and plenty of romance. If you can get it in the Target store its a few dollars cheaper BUY IT ITS GREAT

Melodrama at its finest
When people ask me about my favorite movies I give them a quick run down of my top ten: 1. The Godfather and The Godfather part II (tie), 3. The Shawshank Redemption, 4. One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest, 5. Schindler's List, 6. The Silence of the Lambs, 7. Amadeus, 8. The Princess Bride, 9. Legends of the Fall, 10. Goodfellas. I am always surprised when they laugh at the 9th movie on my list. I can't understand why people think this movie is a joke. Yes, it's melodramatic but it works beautifully. Let me also say that I am not the biggest fan of Brad Pitt. His acting pales in comparison to some of the other fine actors of his generation (ie. Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Sean Penn). That said, he is perfectly cast in this movie. His ruggedness and wildman image were established in 1992's A River Runs Through It and his role as Tristan in LOTF seems almost like an extension of his role in River. I've heard that Johnny Depp, an actor whose talents I find superior to Pitt's, was originally offered the role of Tristan. I'm glad he turned it down for no one other than Brad Pitt could have BEEN Tristan.

I've always appreciated great acting. To me, there is nothing more entertaining than watching a De Niro, Pacino or Nicholson work his magic. There is only one truly great actor in Legends of the Fall - Sir Anthony Hopkins. In my opinion, he should have won an Oscar for this supporting role. A lot of reviewers criticized the second half of his performance (after the stroke) as being a bit excessive. I thought it was necessary in this type of film.

It was because of Legends of the Fall that I took an interest in acting. Not because of Anthony Hopkins...i know I could never be half as good as he. LOTF taught me that it doesn't take great actors to make a great movie. I thought Aidan Quinn, a talented but by no means gifted actor, was brilliant in the film as the tortured victim of unrequited love. It's my opnion that Quinn delivered a top-notch performance in the film, second only to Hopkins. The scene in which Alfred (Quinn) redeems himself in his father's eyes is particularly endearing. Also, the casting of Julia Ormond as Susannah was a stroke of genius. She has such classic beauty and is wonderful at conveying emotions without speaking a word. I often wonder where the hell she disappeared to.

Finally, I cannot say enough about James Horner's breathtaking score. I first became a fan of Horner's when I saw this movie and I believe him to be the top composer in the film-scoring business (yes, even better than the great John Williams).

Don't listen to the critics. This movie is amazing. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. ... Read more

Description

Award-winning director Franco Zeffirelli's now-classic productions are available for the first time ever on DVD.Placido Domingo leads an all-star cast in two of the most popular operas of all time. Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci have remained the inseparable twins of opera since their first performances at the end of the 19th century.Featuring outstanding performances by Teresa Stratas, Elena Obraztsova, and Juan Pons in supporting roles, and Georges Pretre conducting the Orchestra e coro del Teatro alla Scala, Milano.

Cavalleria Rusticana
Elena Obraztsova: Santuzza
Placido Domingo: Turiddu
Fedora Barbieri: Mamma Lucia
Renato Bruson: Alfio
Axelle Gall: Lola

Pagliacci
Teresa Stratas: Nedda
Placido Domingo: Canio
Juan Pons: Tonio
Alberto Rinaldi: Silvio
Florindo Andreolli: Beppe
Alfredo Pistone: First Peasant
Ivan del Manto: Second Peasant
... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not quite my Pagliacci
I am also disappointed in this rendition, technically speaking. Much different from Zefirelli's Traviata, which was, to me, quite satisfying. For a definitive traditional PAGLIACCI, find the VHS version (not yet on DVD) where Tito Gobbi and Afro Poli render an unforgettable performance (B&W, of course, 1948 vintage). A plus: Gina Lollobrigida plays Nedda/Colombina although, of course, she does not actually sing.

Caveat Emptor
This product is represented as a list price of $29.98 but is offered at a low price of $89!! Maybe this is some sort of reverse logic. Secondly, the product is defective -- at least mine was. The picture constantly breaks up into digitized squares, particularl;y when the camera pans. Very amateurish. Makes you wonder about the source of the product.

And for those opera buffs who like traditional opera (i.e., a staged production -- not a film) please be aware that these two operas are FILMS. Therefore, they give you no idea how the composers intended for the operas to be presented on stage. I also expected a live performance at La Scala and would have liked to see the orchestra play, as well as audience reaction. It's non-existent because these are films.

One of the best!
I took an opera class recently and we saw so many operas. These two among all of them are my favorite. We first saw it on dvd, then we went to see a rehearsal at the San Francisco Opera house, then saw it again about a week later! I never get tired of these two operas. There is such passion and emotion in the music. It gives me goosebumps every time i see it or hear itand i cannot contain my own emotions. The translation is great, they really help you understand what is going on in case you dont speak the language. These operas are absolutely amazing. They changes you. This is what opera is all about. I highly highly reccommend this. If you like music, you'll love this!!

Almost perfect
Pagliacci (or "Bajazzo" as we say in Norway) is my favorite opera, and I think it will always be. This opera is so special for me, because it was the first opera I was introduced to, and Pagliacci made me like opera.
And nothing can compare to the music!

Since most of the CD's of Pagliacci comes with "Cavallieria Rusticana", I have started to like that to, but it's not my favorite.

When it comes to this movie version, it's not exactly how I expected it to be.
I can't complain about the casting, yet, I think Pavarotti is a better Canio than Domingo.

But the thing that bothers me, is especially in the overture/prologue and the first scene.
All the people on the stage are talking and shouting, and that disturbs that, in my opinion, holy music!

I haven't watched the whole Cav.Rus yet, but I watched Pag. many times, and I never get tired of it.

It could be better, but it's a great buy!

Magnificent Master Pieces
Both Leoncavallo and Mascagni submitted their repective works to a famous prize competition in 1890. Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" and Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana were rejected as The Milanese Publishers was seeking one-act operas only. Both composers adjusted their respective works to one-act operas and were later accepted. Today, Pagliacci is presented as "opera in un prologo e due atti". In the prologue, Tonio explains what the audience will see on stage, is a true representation of life. But the audience will wonder whether is Nedda or Colombina or Canio or Pagliaccio displaying rage, jealousy, fear, revange and homocidal thoughts on the stage. Are they just acting or are they really feuding? This literary approach known as Comedia del Arte in early Italy, was used by Leoncavallo which keeps the audience guessing: Is this part of the play or is it real?
The acting, singing and stage production are flawless. The dvd has been re-mastered to 5.1 digital sound. The picture is 5 plus and so is the quality of sound. If you are an opera lover like me, this dvd must be in your library. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

WOW!! Rory Cochran is AWESOME!!
I just loved this movie. I am a big Rory fan and just thought that he was sexy in this movie. Really hot!!! And Gina was just as good. And a very nice suprise in the end. If you don't want your typical I know who did it in the beginning, then this is your movie.

Black and White is your standard good cop bad cop tale
The old riddle about a newspaper goes, "What's black and white, and read all over?" Well, the best way to sum up this movie is to say: it's called Black and White and I read right through it. A cop is on a killing spree through the dark streets of Los Angeles, shooting junkies and other no-good-nicks in the left eye. Rookie cop and Chris O'Brien is partnered with the beautiful, veteran female cop, Hugs to solve the case. The evidence starts to pile up against Hugs, and O'Brien must choose to trust his partner or his employer interesting movie good thriller

Black & White
Not one of Gina Gershon's best roles. The plot has plenty of twists and turns. You won't know "who dunnit" until the very end of the film. Some interesting nude scenes. If you're a Gina Gershon fan...buy BOUND. Much better.

letdown
I have recently watched Thief and Internal Affairs for the third or fourth time and both of these movies are still more engrossing than B & W which I saw for the first time. There are several flaws in this film not least of all casting, directing and script! It starts off with high expectations and quickly fizzles.

Black & White: Best Movie of the Year, Gershon is Brilliant
Black & White is the best movie I have seen to date. Gina Gershon is brilliant as an LAPD officer with a new partner and also under suspicion for murders taking place within her police division.

The writing is clever. Gershon delivers with brilliance and humor, pure talent; a real gift to movie fans.

Black & White is captivating and will leave you guessing until the final scene. ... Read more

Description

A 747 filled with passengers is struck by lightning in mid-flight. The explosion kills the pilot and co-pilot and sends the airliner into a deadly nose dive.As terror fills the cabin, a flight attendant and two heroic passengers race to engage the automatic pilot, saving the lives of 400 people... for now.But with the plane's fuel tank leaking and no one on board qualified to land the jumbo jet, the Air Force is faced with a grim decision: Shoot the plane down over a deserted area or hope they find a solution to save the plane before it crashesinto a major city risking thousands more deaths. With time running out, a few ordinary people must do the extraordinary to save Flight 115 from disaster. Kate Jackson headlines an all-star cast in this explosive drama that features Ed Marinaro, Robert Guillaume, Erik Estrada and Maureen McCormick. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good story but poor production.
I like movies about airplanes and because of that I have several of these movies and one of those is this one.
The cover and the tittle of the movie make you think it's good but there's nothing good in it.
The story is interesting but what makes the movie very bad, is the poor, poor production. The set that it's supposed to be a Boeing 747 with 400 people looks like a very small plane (you'll only see inside the airplane like 25 people during the whole movie). The special effects are terrible, you'll see the airplane fyling but no with a close image and you'll see it like for 2 seconds. The airplane that they use changes from name and colors all the time, then when something good is going to happen they just change the image and put the sound so they wouldn't make a scenery for that scene. Anyway if you like a good movie, just don't get this one, you'll get bored because as I said. The story is interesting but the special effects are so bad that you'll get bored.
Finally I'd like to say that I don't understand how Kate Jackson (Charlie's angels) acepted to be in this low budget movie with all the success that she had in her career.

total utter nonsense!!!!!!
this is pure drivel!!!!!clearly there was some kind of argument behind this film;like the director wasnt given enough money to make it,so he thought,you know what,im going to spite the film company by making a hideousely awful film,that'll show them.the "plot",if i can re-tell it without vomiting,is thus:a plane is struck by lightning,and kills all the pilots..............i kind of lost what was going on after that......the ending,if there actually was one,was that whatever predicament they were in,they got out of.where can i begin?????clearly no one involved with this project has any knowledge of basic physics,as they'd have pointed out that this ISNT POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!im a little bit rusty on my physics,but isnt it called a faraday coil???if not then forgive me,my minds a little indestinct,but the main point is a bolt of lightning wont pass through a plane. "what about the glass,it passed through the glass window!!!" you bark smugly,well thick glass used for this wouldnt allow electric current to pass through it.think about it people,you ever been hit by lightning indoors??have you ever heard of this happening in real life before??NO,BECAUSE IT CANT!!!!!! well done,you're learning.anyway,enough of the banter,the film struggles from then on in.for some bizzare reason the plane operated by a laptop,the cable(??!!) for which has broken.it only works by some guy holding it with venom.factor into this some wierd pregnant woman type nonsense,some shouting passengers/helpful people arguing rubbish,a hint of romance between a "criminal" and a "female human being",and you have this godawful tripe of a film.some wonderfully hilarious moments.guy says "i skipped bail","are you a criminal?" she asks!!!!!! well of course he is you stupid fool,he just told you!!!! any time there was "turbulence" the camera was wobbled about a bit,and the "actors" moved around unconvincingly.the terrible news report segments,where hilarity prevailed every time.the bit when the dog jumped out the car,that was brilliant!!!!he pushed it over a bit then it was half dead...then later he gave the oxygen mask,great!!!!! all the scenes involving the radar room,they were something else!!!!the ending also,the rubbish CGI aeroplane,what a laugh!!!!i could go on and on and on,pointing out rubbish but funny things about this film,but i think ive said enough.in short,dont come to watch this if you want a coherent engaging film.but if you enjoy laughing through mind-bogglingly bad trash,then this is definately for you!!!! i laughed nearly all the way through it,so at least it was entertaining.1 out of 5.

Do Not Expect Too Much
You may enjoy this movie, if you know nothing about the airplane, or if you are extremely weak for machinery.
This movie has no reality from the beginning to the end.
Plot is poor.
I do not recommend this.

What could have been good went downhill from the start!
While films about airplane disasters and hijackings have gotten more and more unpopular, this is probably a good example of why. When I saw the ad for this on TV, I thought "oh cool, lightning strikes a plane... must be some interesting story"... WRONG! The film is not at all believable. The outside shots of the plane differ throughout the movie.. I think I counted 3 different styles. A laptop controlling a 747? A wire hanging through the cabin after the lightning forces the plane to react violently?

I'm a fan of the Airport films, and I liked recent ones like Executive Decision, the first Turbulence movie, and a few others in this genre. But this film was a big disappointment. Kate Jackson's performance was credible, but the remaining cast was pretty terrible. There's too many plotholes and credibility faults to recommend this film. If you want a good air-scare film, check out one of the Airport films or one of the ones I mentioned.

I give this film 2 stars because, while it did have too many faults and isn't really worth watching when there are other films to choose from, the film had it's few moments of holding my attention.

Check out another air disaster movie if you want to have an enjoyable experience!

double trouble
Royce Air International,flight 115 to London Heathrow is in trouble.A lighting strikes the cockpit during take off causing an electral fire which kills the pilot[Fred Henderson]and the rest of the flight crew.Laurie Ann[Kate Jackson]is forced to help the pasengers as she and Brett Young[Ed Marinano]race to engage the auto pilot. But when the aircraft starts to head west,the plane begins to lose fuel fast. On the ground the athorities must choose to shoot the plane down over a deserted area or try to find a solution before the plane crashes in a populated city causing 1,000 more deaths. With no radio contact can they save the 747-300 from disaster? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

ITS A GOOD MOVIE
I cant agree with the last reviewer if indeed you could call what he/she wrote a review.I enjoyed it.Some of the acting was suspect but Bill Murphy and Terry Mcmahon more than made up for the weeknesses.The fight scenes between Bill and Don were realistic and truly powerful.Bills intensity is explosive and terry is truly menacing.

it's ok
I've seen the one in english and its ok. its not worse the price the sell it for. If you want action it is great to say that this is not the movie for you. Help this growth on my belly is getting bigger. Oh yea I'm having your baby! ... Read more

Reviews (130)

VISTA SERIES DVD well worth the wait!! Fabulous fun!
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" was a huge hit when it was released in 1988 and made Bob Hoskins a star. It successfully combined live action with animation and featured a strong and funny cast of characters and an entertaining storyline.

To best describe this film to the uninitiated would probably require a comparison with "L.A. Confidential" (with PG-friendly/cartoon violence) and a Looney Tunes movie. It is fun, boisterous and entertaining with memorable performances by Bob Hoskins (as Eddie Valiant), Christopher Lloyd (as Judge Doom), Roger Rabbit (as himself) and that sultry scene-stealer Jessica Rabbit (as herself and voiced by Kathleen Turner). A veritable who's who in animation, this film features cameos by Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Daffy Duck, Goofy and Betty Boop, to name a few.

The VISTA SERIES is especially impressive given the many, many special features that are included. The packaging alone - with a case that looks like a detective's portfolio/folder - is a treat. Add to that the following:

1) Audio commentary by the filmmakers led by director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump)
2) Facts and trivia
3) "The Pig Head Sequence" deleted scene
4) "Before and After" split-screen comparisons
5) 2 behind-the-scenes documentaries, including an new, exclusive in-depth featurette
6) A DVD game
7) 3 animated shorts
and more!!

The film itself is well worth the price of the DVD. Add to that the wealth of special features and this promises to be one of the best DVDs of the year. Animation, action/adventure and comedy fans will find this a special treat and I highly recommend this family-friendly (PG) film to everyone!

"Thanks! I needed that!"
This DVD set is sure to please anyone who enjoyed the ambitious, innovative and hilarious movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In 1988, Roger Rabbit earned several Oscars, combined animation with live action, made British actor Bob Hoskins a star and featured cameos from dozens of Disney, Warner Bros, MGM and Universal cartoon stars. Director Robert Zemeckis would also direct the Back to the Future series.

The story takes place in 1947 and it all begins with the lovable goofball Roger Rabbit (voiced by Charles Fleischer) co-starring with the cute but not-so-innocent Baby Herman (offstage, Herman is a whiney, scowling cigar smoking midget) in What's Cookin'. It's not long before Roger is under investigation by hapless no-nonsense detective Eddie Valiant (Hoskins). Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye), owner of Toontown, has been murdered. Judge Doom (Back to the Future and Taxi's Christopher Lloyd) and his pack of scheming weasels suspect Roger is the culprit, particularly after Acme plays a game of patty-cake with Roger's sultry wife, Jessica (Kathleen Turner). Jessica's defense: "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way!" Roger, Jessica and Valiant do their best to prove Roger's innocence and save the fate of Toontown. Benny the wisecrackin' Cab is there to help Valiant get to the bottom of it all. Cameos include Daffy and Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny (voiced by the late Mel Blanc), Yosemite Sam, Mickey Mouse, Tweety, Droopy Dog, Betty Boop (with the original voice of Mae Questel) and many others. The musical score is composed by Alan Silvestri (Forrest Gump, Lilo and Stitch).

Now for the extras. There is a spoken commentary as well as a "pop-up video" style commentary on the picture, outtakes including the "pig head" sequence, information on before/after animation, a DVD game Trouble in Toontown, options of widescreen and fullscreen, and (if you're bi-lingual) dubbed in versions in French and Spanish.

Finally, it includes 3 Roger Rabbit short films, including Tummy Trouble (where Baby Herman swallows everything), Rollercoaster Rabbit (where Roger babysits Herman in an amusement park; my favourite of the 3) and Trail Mix-Up (where Roger takes Herman camping around Yellowstone Park; watch for Jessica's cameos in all of these!).

Give yourself a week or 2 to enjoy the movie and all the extras! Enjoy the ride and leave the driving to Benny, your faithful tourgide!

Tonsa 'toon fun!

I was 10 when "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" came out and it is just as much fun to watch now, maybe funnier because I missed some of the humor back then. Roger's a riot and his wife, Jessica Rabbit ("I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way"), is truly a toon vixen. Bob Hoskin's Eddie Valiant is sent to find out the truth when the owner of Toon Town is murdered after playing patty-cake (literally) with Jessica. Everyone assumes a jealous Roger did it and that washed-up detective Eddie can't hack it anymore. There is lots of subtle humor, like when Eddie asks for a scotch on the rocks in a 'toon bar and instead of ice he gets actual rocks. Eddie seriously hates Toon Town because his brother had a piano dropped on his head, but he eventually becomes pals with Roger, overcomes his hatred of Toon Town and clears Roger's name. Christopher Lloyd's Judge Doom is perfectly creepy and his squad of weasels are funny as they try to stop Eddie and Roger from discovering the truth.

The interaction between the live actors and the toons is seamless, probably why the movie won four Oscars. The behind the scenes features and commentaries are great, the entire 2-disc set is incredibly well-thought out and packaged, making it a must-have for the fan.

A worthy dvd for one of the greatest movies ever.
When Roger Rabbitt came out, I was probably too young to ever know what it was. I am sure I saw it many times as a kid, but never saw it as the genius piece of filmmaking that it is. This movie is brilliant in every way, and with the release of the Vista Series DVD I have been reacquainted with it. I am 20 years old now and this is one of my top 5 favorite movies. That is the great thing about this movie, that all ages can enjoy something that this has to offer whether it be the animation sequences or just the fun storyline. I love both.

Here is the story. Someone has killed Marvin Acme, owner of ToonTown and Roger takes the heat for it. Of course he was framed but by who and why? Roger seeks the help of Eddie Valiant, a once prominant detective that fell into hard times after his brother was killed by a toon. Thus was his reluctance to help Roger since he was a toon. But he does help Roger, and he must get to the bottom of the mystery before Judge Doom finds and kills Roger by "dipping him". Eddie feels sorry for the rabbit so he investigates before it is too late, and along the way he discovers more and more about why Acme was killed and that ToonTown itself is in danger. Oh yeah, and Roger was the perfect one to frame because his wife Jessica Rabbit had been seen meeting with Acme before he died. So most people probably know the plot already, but if not it is highly original and entertaining.

This masterpiece couldn't get any better treatment than this, a fully loaded 2 disc set sporting both a family-friendly version on disc 1 and enthusiast version on disc 2. There are so many extras that it will take you a long time to see everything. I admittedly have just begun to see the treasures contained within. But it is obvious that the utmost care was taken to give this the fair dvd treatment it deserved--mission accomplished. This is probably my third favorite movie of all-time, and is without a doubt the best mix of live action and animation. So many great characters appear in this movie such as Bugs and Daffy in the scene where Eddie is falling and they hand him an anvil instead of a 'chute. It is sheer movie magic, and something I could watch all the time and never get tired of seeing it. Director Zimeckis has done a remarkable job with this film, and we also great great performances from Bob Hoskins (Eddie Valiant), Christopher Lloyd (Judge doom) and pretty much everyone else appearing in the film with the addition of the voices of Roger and Jessica who were terrific. To me this is a perfect movie so if you havent seen it before rent it, and if you like it then buy it. If you are a fan then you must own this dvd. It is truly a great thing and this dvd set presents it in all of its glory, the way it should be done.

Brilliant Animation
If you love classical (2D) animation, get this masterpiece. What's more, the master (and director) of animation himself, Richard Williams gets to say a few things too in this Vista-Series edition (that was a very pleasant surprise). Seriously though, I've never in my life seen such mind-blowing animation. I must have seen this film hundreds of times and till today, there is nothing comparable, no "Space Jam" or "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" (even with Eric Goldberg as animation director) comes anywhere near Roger Rabbit. We have to thank genius Richard Williams and his very talented team for this.

Do to the fact that 2D animation doesn't seem to generate much interest these days, it's very unlikely that Disney will ever complete Richard Williams' other masterpiece "The Thief and the Cobbler" properly (there is a butchered version out there from Miramax, with very poor animation next to Williams' brilliant sequences). ... Read more